Author's Note: This isn't my best chapter, I'll tell you that right now. I've discovered writer's block all over again and it's very thrilling. Anyway, please forgive me. This chapter sucks. -Kaitlin
Hermione was determined as she set off to find Viktor. 'What should I say to him?' she thought with panic. She racked her brain, trying to find the best way to tell Viktor she wasn't interested in him anymore.
"We're drifting apart."
"It's not working anymore."
"It's not me, it's you."
She chuckled slightly at her last thought, realizing how mean it had sounded. Her glee was short-lived, however.
Viktor was standing in the doors leading into the Great Hall, looking at the ceiling with disinterest. Hermione shakily walked over to him and started to speak.
"Viktor, I..."
"Vell, hello, Herm-o-ninny." She was surprised to see his normal surly features were glowing with-was it happiness? He looked as giddy as a young boy at Christmas.
'How can I do this?' she thought. He's so happy, and I'm going to break his heart. I can't do it...I can't...
"Hermione!" A shrill voice piped up from behind Viktor.
Hermione cringed as she slowly looked into the eyes of Parvati Patil. Suspicious, she looked down at Viktor's hands, which were intertwined with Parvati's. Her eyes widened with horror and fury when she saw a particularly bright red mark on the side of Parvati's neck.
"Viktor...are you...I mean...what's going on-"
"Per-vate was unhappy, and so was I. We took a walk and..." his voice trailed off, and he smiled faintly, obviously reminiscing about what had happened after the walk.
"So you just...you just snogged her? Viktor, this is low, even for you."
Parvati scowled.
Viktor looked slightly embarrassed. "I am sorry, Herm-o-ninny. I hope ve can still be friends."
Hermione did the first thing that came to her mind: she ran.
"How'd it go?" Ron asked eagerly when she finally entered the Common
Room an hour later.
"Oh, Ron! It was awful!" Tears spilled down her cheeks as she spoke.
"What do you mean-did he hit you? I swear, if that dirty, good for nothing-"
"No, he didn't hit me." She shook her head through her tears.
"Then I just don't understand why you're crying."
"Oh, Ron...he dumped me! You know what this means, don't you? If I'm not good enough for Viktor Krum, world-famous Bulgarian Seeker, then how can I possibly be good enough for you?" She sobbed quietly, taking relief in the fact that the Common Room was empty.
Ron looked at her sadly. Words failed him. He wanted to tell Hermione that she would always be good enough for him-in fact; he often thought the exact opposite-that HE would never be good enough for her.
Instead of voicing this thought, he opened his arms to her, comforted as he felt her head rest on his shoulder.
