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Hermione's PoV

Chapter three- Schoolism.

Dumbledore raised his hands for silence.

"There is still twenty minutes until the first lessons begin, and as you all know the participants of the tournament and the visiting Durmstrang supporters are excused from this lesson for a welcome brunch. So I would ask that all of you try to get to your lessons on time just this once." Dumbledore finished his little speech and sat down, as everyone began to eat again.

I knew I was pouting as he sat down. "This is so unfair." I complained, picking up my fork. "I haven't seen Viktor in four months, and I'll have to wait until lunch time to be able to speak to him."

"We've already said we'll say hello to him for you." Harry said, (it was nice to see that Harry at least was trying to be sympathetic). I nodded. "Yeah. Thanks Harry." I said, starting to eat again. Ron suddenly pushed away his empty plate. "You've already finished?" Harry said in surprise. Ron shook his head. "No- I'm not that hungry actually." He said with a shrug.

Harry and I stared at him. Then we looked at each other, and simultaneously burst out laughing. "Good one." I said, shaking my head with mirth. He looked at me stonily. "What? I'm not allowed to not be hungry?" He asked frostily.

I sobered up and looked at him straight faced. I could only hold it for about a second before I started laughing again. Ron not hungry after a Quidditch practise? Yeah, right. This time Ron grinned and pulled back his plate. "OK, you got me. Of course I'm hungry." He said piling it with eggs, bacon and sausages.

The three of us talked about nothing in particular for the next fifteen minutes, but all the time I found myself wishing I could go and talk to Viktor. I really wanted to. After all, he was my boyfriend- I should be allowed to talk to him! I was looking over at the Durmstrang table when I heard a 'clanging' sound. I looked around and saw that Ron had thrown down his fork. He was looking at me, and when I had turned around he snapped: "Why don't you just go and sit with him?"

I knew I was blushing, but I couldn't tell whether it was from anger (how dare he speak to me like that!) or embarrassment (how on *earth* did he know what I was thinking?). It didn't take me long to figure it out though- the anger took over pretty quickly. "Shut up Ron." I said icily. Ron had the *nerve* to shrug. "It's true though." He said.

I narrowed my eyes. "Well excuse me if I'm glad he's here." I hissed. I saw Harry glance around at the people sitting near us- I knew it was because he was embarrassed we were fighting at the table. But we fight everywhere else, so big deal. Ron sat back and folded his arms, but he didn't say anything. I wasn't going to let his remark pass though, and I was going to get to the bottom of his problem, right now.

"What is it Ron? What do you hate so much about him?" I asked, raising my eyebrows. Ron stayed silent. "No really Ron- I want to know." I persisted, quite politely. "Is it because he's older? Because he plays for Bulgaria? Because he goes to Durmstrang?"

Ron looked at me in exasperation. "Don't be so stupid." He said. I saw Harry wince- at least *someone* knows I hated being called stupid, under any circumstances. "What?" I asked quietly and dangerously.

Ron looked me straight in the eye. "I said. Don't. Be. So. Stupid." He repeated slowly and clearly. My eyes narrowed again; I tell you- he's lucky I didn't slap him round the face. "Why are you calling me stupid?" I asked, gritting my teeth to stop yelling and causing a scene. "Is it because I hit a mark? Huh? Was I right? Do you hate him because he goes to Durmstrang?"

Ron rolled his eyes, obviously starting to get angry. He had no right to be angry! "Firstly, I don't hate Viktor." He had the nerve to say. Did he expect me to believe that? "Secondly, why the hell would I care what school he goes to?" He asked. I shrugged. "I don't know. You tell me." I replied.

Ron shook his head in disbelief. "I don't." He claimed. I raised an eyebrow. "Really. How many of them have I seen you speak to Ron? Do you want to know? Apart from Viktor, the answer is none. None. I think I've got to the root of the problem now-" I said dramatically, suddenly realising his problem. "You're a Schoolist!"

Ron looked at me without any expression on his face. He probably couldn't think of anything to say, now the truth was out. Well, nothing smart anyway. "You are such an idiot." He said calmly. Wow, really witty.

However, my eyes still widened in shock. I'm pretty sure no one had called me an idiot before, and I wasn't sure how to handle it. Especially because it was my best friend who had done it. My fists had subconsciously clenched as (luckily for Ron) Dumbledore stood up.

"Time for lessons now- off you go. Quickly please!"

I stood up slowly, my fists still balled up. I collected my things in silence and left without saying a word.

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Dear Diary, I have to be quick- I'll be late for Potions. I just have to say- MY BROTHER IS INSANE! He just called Hermione an idiot- she'll never forgive him. I tell you- she looked ready to kill something, and that something was probably him. Ginny xxx

Deep, dark, sometimes-sarcastic thoughts of Harry Potter:

He's nuts.