"Martha?" Hermione asked her servant nervously while she tied on her corset as quickly as she could. "Yes dear?" Martha answered kindly while helping her. "I.I haven't seen Draco in almost five years! Wh.what do you think he'll do if he sees me like this?! He'll.he'll laugh at me for depending on another person for the sake of my life. He's an emperor, and I'm.I'm just a small, unimportant duchess who only speaks if spoken to." she sighed. "Don't think like that!" Martha scolded, "You're a beautiful, proper young lady who's the most confident person I've ever seen!" Hermione sighed again, "Don't lie Martha.Look at me! If it weren't for Victor I'd be." she walked away from Martha's grasp to her window. "I'd be out there.begging for food like those poor children." she said in almost a whisper. "Well you don't have to worry about that now. Victor loves you dear, and you'll never be like those poor, filthy children out there!" Martha answered practically. "If he loves me so much then why isn't he ever around anymore! I never see him!" Hermione said impatiently. "Now dear, don't raise your voice on me. You know that Master Krum is a very busy man.We can worry about this later. Right now we have to focus on getting you dressed for the banquet which is starting in ten minutes!"

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"I wonder if Hermione still lives in this village." Harry asked while riding through the poor and dirty town on his horse with Ron, Seamus, Dean, and Neville. Ron laughed, "Honestly Harry!" he said with his funny smile, "You act as if you like her or something! She's just a buck-toothed, bushy- haired, bookworm!" "Ron!" Harry replied angrily, "She was our best friend! Show a little respect for god sake!" Ron sighed, "You're right.maybe she has lost a few of her freckles." With that Ron broke out in laughter nearly falling off of his horse. "I can see why you two always used to fight." Harry replied annoyingly. "I miss Ginny." Dean suddenly said to change the subject before Harry and Ron got into a fist-fight as usual. "I know it's hard to go on for seconds and seconds without.snogging her!" Seamus joked. "Hey!" Dean yelled back, "That's NOT funny!" They were edging closer to each other reaching for their swords when all of a sudden Ron interrupted their duel, "You guys!" he screamed, "This is my sister you're talking about! Please! It's .disturbing!" Now it was Harry's turn to laugh. Dean, Seamus, and Ron just stared at him angrily, while Neville had absolutely no clue what was going on, and was half asleep anyhow. "And what.may I ask, is so funny Mr. Potter?" Ron asked annoyingly. "It's you guys!" Harry said between laughs, "fighting over something so.unimportant!" "Are you saying that my girlfriend isn't.important!!!" Dean screamed in rage. "Yea!" Ron added, "that's my sister you're talking about!" "No!" Harry answered, "I'm talking about Dean's statement! Not Ginny!" Dean, Seamus, and Ron all looked at each other, then at Harry. "Uh- oh" Harry whispered while kicking his horse with the inside of his feet. "Yah!" Ron screamed quickly following Harry while Dean and Seamus traveled not far behind. "Hey!" Neville screamed galloping quite slowly on his fat horse, "Wait for me!"

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There was a knock on the door. "M'Lady?" Martha and Hermione heard Victor's servant ask, "Are you ready?" "She'll be down in a minute Jonathon!" Martha replied impatiently. "Oh Martha!" Hermione asked worriedly, "Do I have to go?!" "Unless you'd rather be executed dear." she replied sarcastically. Hermione sighed deeply while Martha pinned her hair up tightly and curled it. "Ow!" she yelped. "Sorry dear." Martha replied. "Ugh! Why can't I just wear my hair down?" "You know why!.Because--" she replied while Hermione rolled her eyes and recited with her mistress, "--it's not proper!" Martha finished curling the last strand of hair and putting the finishing touches on Hermione's make-up, when she quickly pushed Hermione out of the door of the mansion and whispered, "Go on!" Hermione gave her an insecure smile and was helped into a coach.without Victor.