A/N: I am SOOO sorry that it took me so long to update this chapter. I sort of got hooked into school and forgot about updating, but don't worry I'm back now. I hope you guys haven't forgotten about me! Thanx to:
morgan: OMG! You're review brightened my day to the fulest extent! I realy hope you put me on author alert so that you will continue reading this fic. It should get better, I hope. And to answer your question, yes there wl be some H/G because I like them too. :) Hope you hang on till it gets here!
Cheese Diva: Yeah I know Rhonda is evil huh? Or so y'all think who knows what I'll do, eh? Mua-hahahaha!
Natalie Potter731: I read your updated fic. *hint hint* Yes I know about that, it's just habbit. Fred and George (George and Fred) rock to pieces!
Headmaster Cromwell: I am gonna have to decline on your offer although it sounds like tons of fun. Please read the rest of my fic! Thanx!
Chapter 5: Professor Krum
Harry woke up the next morning to the sun pouring through his window. Ron was still snoring and it was very early, but Harry couldn't find it in him to go back to sleep. Getting up and putting on his robes, Harry went down to the common room.
Harry had expected to find the common room empty, but to his surprise Hermione was curled up in an armchair reading a book. Like him, she was already dressed.
"Hey," Harry said and sat down the armchair across from her. "Why are you up so early?"
Hermione jumped. She obviously hadn't noticed that Harry was there.
"Oh, Harry! You startled me!" she said putting her book down on the table in front of her.
"Sorry," Harry mumbled. He ran his fingers through his messy hair.
"It's alright," she said, straightening up. "I just didn't no you were there."
"Oh," Harry said, yawning slightly. "So why are you up so early?"
"Just couldn't sleep, and you?"
"Me neither."
"Oh," she said looking out the window. The new risen sun had covered the ground with its golden rays and made the whole of Hogwarts look even more magical then it usually did.
"I was just thinking about being Head Girl and all," she said. "I don't know if I'm right for the job."
Harry's jaw dropped. "What are you talking about? You're perfect for the job!"
Hermione smiled. "Thanks, Harry, but no, I don't think so."
"Why?"
"Oh, I don't know. I don't always have my head on straight. I really think that Hannah Abbot should've been Head Girl."
"What about Ron?" Harry asked.
Hermione turned to look out the window again and didn't say anything for a long time. Finally she sighed and said, "That's another reason I don't think I'm right for this job. Ron doesn't like being paired up with me."
Harry winced, Ron's words from the night before filled his head.
"If Hermione and I were going together, you'd be the first to know."
Harry took a deep breath. "Why do you say that?"
Hermione looked at him and her eyes looked slightly damp.
"I don't know," she said glumly, "Because he always freaks out about Fred and George teasing him. It's not a big deal if we're paired up together is it? I mean I thought we were best friends." She sniffed and looked out the window again.
Harry tried to keep a straight face.
"Hermione, the reason Ron "freaks out" is because he's afraid that everyone is going to think that-" He broke off. He didn't know if Ron wanted him telling Hermione, but then again Hermione looked so upset sitting there with tears in her eyes, thinking that Ron hated her.
"-that you guys are going out," he finished lamely.
Hermione's head snapped up.
"What? But we're…I mean…we're not!"
"Yeah I know, but its sort of a stereotype. That the Head Boy and Girl like each other, you know? I mean look at my parents."
Hermione blushed uncontrollably and turned to look back out the window.
"Why would he worry about something like that? I mean everyone should know that we're not going out. We don't act like it, do we?"
Once again Harry tried to keep a straight face. It was true they didn't act like they were together, but everyone he had talked to, with the exception of Luna, thought that Ron and Hermione liked each other.
"No," he said a little too quickly.
"Good, because we're not," Hermione said briskly. "And I doubt that would ever happen."
"Why not?" Harry asked wanting to see Hermione's reaction.
"Because Ron doesn't like me that way," she said to him as though he should already know that.
"You never know."
"Trust me on this one, Harry. Ron would never like a girl like me."
Harry wasn't sure if he was imagining it, but he could've sworn that he heard horrible sadness in Hermione's words. He was about to answer back, but he heard footsteps coming down the stairs.
If there had ever been a time where Harry had wanted to hit Ron, besides in his 4th year, it was now. Harry tried to remind himself that Ron didn't know what he had walked in on, but it was difficult. Harry was about to find out how Hermione felt about Ron and he had ruined it.
"Morning!" said Harry and he saw Hermione brushing the few tears that had dropped on her face away.
"Morning," Ron mumbled sleepily. "You two are up rather early."
"Couldn't sleep," Harry and Hermione said in unison. The three of them stared at each other in silence for a moment before Hermione said, "Let's go get breakfast."
"This may be the worse Monday I have ever seen!" Ron said when they were all seated at breakfast and had received their schedules. "Potions, Divination, History of Magic, and-" Ron wrinkled his nose. "Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Oh, come one Ron!" Hermione said spreading butter on her toast, "He really isn't that bad once you get to know him."
"Whatever," Ron mumbled moodily.
Harry tried desperately to change to subject, but couldn't think of a thing to say, so he just had to listen to Ron and Hermione bicker. It seemed impossible that only moments ago Harry had been so close to finding out the truth about them.
"You never even gave him a chance!" Hermione said angrily.
"Yeah, I did and he was nothing special."
"Well, you're one to talk with that little Fluer girl or whatever her name is!"
"I am not going out with Fluer!"
"And I am not going out with Victor!"
Ron paused and stared at her.
"Yes you are! Why else would you write those long detailed letters to him?"
"Ron, this may surprise you, but I have more friends than just you and Harry!"
"Hey, guys look!" Harry said. Sarah Adams had just walked in and had spotted them sitting at the end of the table.
"Hi," she said when she reached them. "I wanted to ask about a few of my classes."
"Sure," Harry said. Ron and Hermione were still trying to cool off. "Which ones?"
"Well, I have Care of Magical Creatures…who teaches that?" she asked, still as happy as ever.
"Hagrid. He's really nice and a great teacher."
"Yeah, he really is," Ron said throwing Hermione a dirty look. "Don't let his size fool you."
"Ok," she said grinning shyly. "then I have Potions..."
"That's Snape," Ron said, wrinkiling his nose. "He's awful and Head of Slytherin House."
"Just stay out of trouble and you'll be ok," Hermione piped up.
Ron rolled his eyes. "You're always out of trouble and he hates you!"
"What do you have next?" Harry asked Sarah, before Hermione could retort.
"Transfiguration."
"Professor McGonagall," said Harry. "She's fine, just stay on her good side. She can be rather strict."
"Ok, then I have Charms," she said looking at her schedule.
"Professor Flitwick," Hermione said. "He's nice. You'll do fine."
"You sound like you have a much better Monday than we do," Ron said gloomily.
Sarah smiled sheepishly. "What about History of Magic?"
"Professor Binns," Ron said yawning. "He's the only ghost teacher and really boring. It's hard to stay awake in his class.
Sarah grinned. "Now last of all, Defense Against the Dark Arts. I know Professor Krum teaches it, but do you all know anything about him?"
There was a pregnant pause and nobody said anything. Ron and Hermione glared at each other, each daring the other to say something first.
"He's a very nice person," Hermione said glancing edgily at Ron. "But we don't much about his teaching ability. He's new you know."
"You guys know him?" she stared at them wild eyed.
"Hermione dated him," Ron said throwing Hermione another dirty look.
"I did not!"
"You did too!"
Did not!"
"Shut up!" Harry shouted. Ron and Hermione stared at him, shocked. "You two are driving me mad! Ron shut up about Krum. You don't know the guy! Hermione stop trying to convince Ron he's great. It isn't working!" Harry turned back to Sarah, who to his surprise had a very amused look on her face.
"So…" he said breathing rather heavily. "That's what we know, any other questions?"
"No," she said simply and stood up. "Thanks, all of you and I hope you figure out whether or not Professor Krum is a good guy." She gave Ron and Hermione a knowing look and walked away.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione headed off for Potions a little while after the scene at breakfast. Snape was being as nasty as usual and had assigned them extra homework. Harry thought that it was because he had messed up on his Potion that Snape had given them extra homework, but Hermione insisted that it was nothing to worry about.
The three went their separate ways and Harry and Ron trudged off to Divination. Even with Professor Trelawny gone the two of them still didn't like it much. Firenze was always saying that humans knew nothing about what went on in the future and every fortune teller that had ever lived was a fraud except for, of course, Centaurs.
Harry and Ron walked into the usual classroom still laden in green like the forest and lay on their backs. Harry didn't even bother to take out his book. Today they would be star gazing. That was about all Firenze taught, but he was a much better teacher than Trelawny at any rate. "Good morning, class," Firenze said staring at the stars. "Today we will be interpreting the heavens as we shall do very often in this class. Your N.E.W.T.S. focus quite a bit on star gazing. Now…"
Harry's mind drifted off. He was not interested in hearing Firenze shun the human race and would much rather let his mind wonder. His mind had nowhere to wonder to except to what he had been talking to Hermione about that morning. He had decided that he would not tell Ron unless it was absolutely necessary. He didn't know if Hermione wanted him telling Ron those things she had confided in him.
He remembered what George had said in Diagon Alley. Get something to happen with them this year. They're driving me mad. He didn't know how he was going to get anything to happen with them. He never was one to like interfering in relationships, but he had to agree with George, something had to be done about those two.
"Ron?" Harry whispered.
Ron looked over at him and whispered back, "What?"
"I need to talk to you after class, alone."
"Why?"
"I just do, ok? Just make sure Hermione isn't there, ok?"
"I have no control over Hermione," Ron said vaguely. "So I do not know what is going to happen."
Harry said nothing. He was too busy trying to think of something to ask Ron. He didn't want to just blurt it out and ask him. No, it had to be planned, but it was too late to go back on his word now.
The bell rang and everyone grabbed their bags and left. Harry and Ron hung around until everyone had left the classroom then Harry pulled Ron into a corner outside the door.
"Look," he said, still racking his brain for something to say. "I've got to ask you something. Do you…I mean…what is it you have against Krum?"
Ron stared blankly at him. "You wanted to ask me that?"
"Yes," Harry said anxiously.
"Well, I don't know. He's sort of grouchy and thinks he's all cool and stuff."
Harry knew perfectly well that Ron was just making something up off the top of his head. He gave him a piercing stare.
"Then why do you care if he goes out with Hermione? It's not your problem is it?"
Ron blushed so deeply he looked purple.
"Harry, I-"
"Come on you guys, don't you want lunch?
Harry whirled around to see Hermione running towards them, her bushy hair bouncing as she did. Harry wanted to scream. Why did both of them show up at the most inconvenient times?
"Right," Ron said, glancing at Harry. Harry thought he looked rather relieved.
The three of them went to the Great Hall, Harry having to restrain himself from strangling Hermione the whole way there.
History of Magic went by rather quickly for Harry, probably because he was dreading the next class, but whatever the reason Professor Binns was dismissing them hardly after, it seemed, like they sat down.
None of them talked the whole way to Defense Against the Dark Arts. Harry was worried he would set off either Ron or Hermione again and they kept shooting each other glares.
Harry sat in between Ron and Hermione in the front of the classroom. Hermione sat attentively looking straight at the front of the room, but Harry noticed she had a rather pained expression on her face. Ron kept glaring at Hermione every once and a while, but still looked straight ahead as well.
The door opened and in walked Victor Krum. He was taller than he had been at age 18 and exceedingly better looking. He still had the same familiar scowl, however, and looked at the class nervously. He spotted Hermione, smiled and then said, "Hello, class. I am Professor Krum. I weel be teeching you this year. I know some off you very vell, but other I do not, so help me to get to know all off you better this year."
He smiled at Hermione and continued.
"Please open your books to page von. Ve vill be vorking on Patronuses today."
Harry couldn't help, but smile. He had learned how to make a proper Patronus in his third year. Hermione had managed to create a very nice one in their fifth year. Harry had yet to see Ron perform one well, but he was learning.
"Patronuses are used to vard off Deementors. You think something happy and say Expecto Patronum! Now ve shall be trying one at a time so come up ven I call your name. Herm-o-ninny Granger."
The class snickered, but Hermione stood up and thought hard then she shouted, "Expecto Patronum!" A silvery otter came out the tip of her wand and floated around the classroom.
"Vell done! Ok next ve haff Neville Longbottom."
Neville walked to the front of the class trembling from head to toe. He closed his eyes for a moment and then squeaked, "Expecto Patronum!" A silvery mist came out of his wand and vanished like smoke.
"Nice try," Krum said. "Better luck next time. Harry Potter."
Harry stepped up and thought hard. He pictured Ron and Hermione smiling happily at each other.
"Expecto Patronum!" he shouted. The usual silvery stag erupted from his wand. His looked at him and disappeared.
"Excellent! Ron Weasley."
Ron stood up out of his chair and walked to the front of the room. He stared hard at Krum almost burning a hole in him.
"Expecto Patronum!" he bellowed pointing his wand straight at Krum. A silver lion erupted from his wand and charged at Krum. Frightened, Krum dodged it and it disappeared in an instant.
"That vas some Patronus," Krum said straightening up to his full height. "Next is…"
But Harry didn't hear what he said after that. He was too busy goggling at Ron. What on earth had he thought of? That was a powerful Patronus and why was it a lion?
"Well done," Harry whispered to Ron when he sat back down, "What did you think of?"
Ron's ears turned red.
"Um…that we uh…won the Quidditch cup," he said turning redder and avoiding Harry's eyes.
Harry knew that couldn't be what Ron thought of, but did not pursue the subject.
The bell rang and the class once again grabbed their bags and rushed out of the door to go to dinner. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were just about to leave when Krum stopped them.
"Herm-o-ninny? May I haff a vord?"
Hermione looked flustered. "All right."
Harry and Ron walked slowly out of the classroom and waited outside. Ron had pressed his ear up against the door and was listening intently. Harry followed suit and what he heard amazed him.
"Herm-o-ninny I vanted to thank you for vat you did for me. It vas very thoughtful of you."
"No problem," Hermione's voice said.
"She is vonderful and I couldn't haff found a better girlfriend. Thank you again."
"Your welcome. Keep me posted."
Seconds later the door opened and Ron was knocked over by the force of it. Hermione looked shocked.
"What are you doing?" she asked him as Ron quickly got to his feet and brushed himself of.
"What were you doing?" Ron asked accusingly.
"I fail to see why any of that is your business."
"I think it is," Ron said. "What's going on between you two?"
Hermione paused.
"That's none of your business, but I'll tell you anyway. Nothing is going on between us. I hooked Victor up with a girlfriend in Bulgaria."
Ron gaped at her. "You what?"
"Just what I said, I hooked Victor up with a girl from Bulgaria. It's amazing the things you can do on the Internet."
"So…so…you mean…you aren't going out with him?" Ron asked nervously.
"NO! That's what I've been trying to tell you! I never did go out with him. He wanted me to, but I said no." She gave Ron a swift smile.
"Oh," Ron said. He looked like he felt very stupid with himself. "Well, let's go get supper. I'm starved!"
Harry smiled. He knew that things between Ron and Hermione were as patched up now as they were going to get.
A/N: So what did y'all think? I liked the Krum hitch. YES he isn't going out with Hermione! WOO HOO!
Note to y'all: Even if you have already reviewed a previous chapter, please review again! I like to know if u have continued to read my fic! Thanx to everyone who does so, and I give special thanx notes to EVERYONE who reviews the previous chappie on the next chappie A/N. Although if I forget you please let me know and you will get a cyber cookie! Luv y'all!
morgan: OMG! You're review brightened my day to the fulest extent! I realy hope you put me on author alert so that you will continue reading this fic. It should get better, I hope. And to answer your question, yes there wl be some H/G because I like them too. :) Hope you hang on till it gets here!
Cheese Diva: Yeah I know Rhonda is evil huh? Or so y'all think who knows what I'll do, eh? Mua-hahahaha!
Natalie Potter731: I read your updated fic. *hint hint* Yes I know about that, it's just habbit. Fred and George (George and Fred) rock to pieces!
Headmaster Cromwell: I am gonna have to decline on your offer although it sounds like tons of fun. Please read the rest of my fic! Thanx!
Chapter 5: Professor Krum
Harry woke up the next morning to the sun pouring through his window. Ron was still snoring and it was very early, but Harry couldn't find it in him to go back to sleep. Getting up and putting on his robes, Harry went down to the common room.
Harry had expected to find the common room empty, but to his surprise Hermione was curled up in an armchair reading a book. Like him, she was already dressed.
"Hey," Harry said and sat down the armchair across from her. "Why are you up so early?"
Hermione jumped. She obviously hadn't noticed that Harry was there.
"Oh, Harry! You startled me!" she said putting her book down on the table in front of her.
"Sorry," Harry mumbled. He ran his fingers through his messy hair.
"It's alright," she said, straightening up. "I just didn't no you were there."
"Oh," Harry said, yawning slightly. "So why are you up so early?"
"Just couldn't sleep, and you?"
"Me neither."
"Oh," she said looking out the window. The new risen sun had covered the ground with its golden rays and made the whole of Hogwarts look even more magical then it usually did.
"I was just thinking about being Head Girl and all," she said. "I don't know if I'm right for the job."
Harry's jaw dropped. "What are you talking about? You're perfect for the job!"
Hermione smiled. "Thanks, Harry, but no, I don't think so."
"Why?"
"Oh, I don't know. I don't always have my head on straight. I really think that Hannah Abbot should've been Head Girl."
"What about Ron?" Harry asked.
Hermione turned to look out the window again and didn't say anything for a long time. Finally she sighed and said, "That's another reason I don't think I'm right for this job. Ron doesn't like being paired up with me."
Harry winced, Ron's words from the night before filled his head.
"If Hermione and I were going together, you'd be the first to know."
Harry took a deep breath. "Why do you say that?"
Hermione looked at him and her eyes looked slightly damp.
"I don't know," she said glumly, "Because he always freaks out about Fred and George teasing him. It's not a big deal if we're paired up together is it? I mean I thought we were best friends." She sniffed and looked out the window again.
Harry tried to keep a straight face.
"Hermione, the reason Ron "freaks out" is because he's afraid that everyone is going to think that-" He broke off. He didn't know if Ron wanted him telling Hermione, but then again Hermione looked so upset sitting there with tears in her eyes, thinking that Ron hated her.
"-that you guys are going out," he finished lamely.
Hermione's head snapped up.
"What? But we're…I mean…we're not!"
"Yeah I know, but its sort of a stereotype. That the Head Boy and Girl like each other, you know? I mean look at my parents."
Hermione blushed uncontrollably and turned to look back out the window.
"Why would he worry about something like that? I mean everyone should know that we're not going out. We don't act like it, do we?"
Once again Harry tried to keep a straight face. It was true they didn't act like they were together, but everyone he had talked to, with the exception of Luna, thought that Ron and Hermione liked each other.
"No," he said a little too quickly.
"Good, because we're not," Hermione said briskly. "And I doubt that would ever happen."
"Why not?" Harry asked wanting to see Hermione's reaction.
"Because Ron doesn't like me that way," she said to him as though he should already know that.
"You never know."
"Trust me on this one, Harry. Ron would never like a girl like me."
Harry wasn't sure if he was imagining it, but he could've sworn that he heard horrible sadness in Hermione's words. He was about to answer back, but he heard footsteps coming down the stairs.
If there had ever been a time where Harry had wanted to hit Ron, besides in his 4th year, it was now. Harry tried to remind himself that Ron didn't know what he had walked in on, but it was difficult. Harry was about to find out how Hermione felt about Ron and he had ruined it.
"Morning!" said Harry and he saw Hermione brushing the few tears that had dropped on her face away.
"Morning," Ron mumbled sleepily. "You two are up rather early."
"Couldn't sleep," Harry and Hermione said in unison. The three of them stared at each other in silence for a moment before Hermione said, "Let's go get breakfast."
"This may be the worse Monday I have ever seen!" Ron said when they were all seated at breakfast and had received their schedules. "Potions, Divination, History of Magic, and-" Ron wrinkled his nose. "Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Oh, come one Ron!" Hermione said spreading butter on her toast, "He really isn't that bad once you get to know him."
"Whatever," Ron mumbled moodily.
Harry tried desperately to change to subject, but couldn't think of a thing to say, so he just had to listen to Ron and Hermione bicker. It seemed impossible that only moments ago Harry had been so close to finding out the truth about them.
"You never even gave him a chance!" Hermione said angrily.
"Yeah, I did and he was nothing special."
"Well, you're one to talk with that little Fluer girl or whatever her name is!"
"I am not going out with Fluer!"
"And I am not going out with Victor!"
Ron paused and stared at her.
"Yes you are! Why else would you write those long detailed letters to him?"
"Ron, this may surprise you, but I have more friends than just you and Harry!"
"Hey, guys look!" Harry said. Sarah Adams had just walked in and had spotted them sitting at the end of the table.
"Hi," she said when she reached them. "I wanted to ask about a few of my classes."
"Sure," Harry said. Ron and Hermione were still trying to cool off. "Which ones?"
"Well, I have Care of Magical Creatures…who teaches that?" she asked, still as happy as ever.
"Hagrid. He's really nice and a great teacher."
"Yeah, he really is," Ron said throwing Hermione a dirty look. "Don't let his size fool you."
"Ok," she said grinning shyly. "then I have Potions..."
"That's Snape," Ron said, wrinkiling his nose. "He's awful and Head of Slytherin House."
"Just stay out of trouble and you'll be ok," Hermione piped up.
Ron rolled his eyes. "You're always out of trouble and he hates you!"
"What do you have next?" Harry asked Sarah, before Hermione could retort.
"Transfiguration."
"Professor McGonagall," said Harry. "She's fine, just stay on her good side. She can be rather strict."
"Ok, then I have Charms," she said looking at her schedule.
"Professor Flitwick," Hermione said. "He's nice. You'll do fine."
"You sound like you have a much better Monday than we do," Ron said gloomily.
Sarah smiled sheepishly. "What about History of Magic?"
"Professor Binns," Ron said yawning. "He's the only ghost teacher and really boring. It's hard to stay awake in his class.
Sarah grinned. "Now last of all, Defense Against the Dark Arts. I know Professor Krum teaches it, but do you all know anything about him?"
There was a pregnant pause and nobody said anything. Ron and Hermione glared at each other, each daring the other to say something first.
"He's a very nice person," Hermione said glancing edgily at Ron. "But we don't much about his teaching ability. He's new you know."
"You guys know him?" she stared at them wild eyed.
"Hermione dated him," Ron said throwing Hermione another dirty look.
"I did not!"
"You did too!"
Did not!"
"Shut up!" Harry shouted. Ron and Hermione stared at him, shocked. "You two are driving me mad! Ron shut up about Krum. You don't know the guy! Hermione stop trying to convince Ron he's great. It isn't working!" Harry turned back to Sarah, who to his surprise had a very amused look on her face.
"So…" he said breathing rather heavily. "That's what we know, any other questions?"
"No," she said simply and stood up. "Thanks, all of you and I hope you figure out whether or not Professor Krum is a good guy." She gave Ron and Hermione a knowing look and walked away.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione headed off for Potions a little while after the scene at breakfast. Snape was being as nasty as usual and had assigned them extra homework. Harry thought that it was because he had messed up on his Potion that Snape had given them extra homework, but Hermione insisted that it was nothing to worry about.
The three went their separate ways and Harry and Ron trudged off to Divination. Even with Professor Trelawny gone the two of them still didn't like it much. Firenze was always saying that humans knew nothing about what went on in the future and every fortune teller that had ever lived was a fraud except for, of course, Centaurs.
Harry and Ron walked into the usual classroom still laden in green like the forest and lay on their backs. Harry didn't even bother to take out his book. Today they would be star gazing. That was about all Firenze taught, but he was a much better teacher than Trelawny at any rate. "Good morning, class," Firenze said staring at the stars. "Today we will be interpreting the heavens as we shall do very often in this class. Your N.E.W.T.S. focus quite a bit on star gazing. Now…"
Harry's mind drifted off. He was not interested in hearing Firenze shun the human race and would much rather let his mind wonder. His mind had nowhere to wonder to except to what he had been talking to Hermione about that morning. He had decided that he would not tell Ron unless it was absolutely necessary. He didn't know if Hermione wanted him telling Ron those things she had confided in him.
He remembered what George had said in Diagon Alley. Get something to happen with them this year. They're driving me mad. He didn't know how he was going to get anything to happen with them. He never was one to like interfering in relationships, but he had to agree with George, something had to be done about those two.
"Ron?" Harry whispered.
Ron looked over at him and whispered back, "What?"
"I need to talk to you after class, alone."
"Why?"
"I just do, ok? Just make sure Hermione isn't there, ok?"
"I have no control over Hermione," Ron said vaguely. "So I do not know what is going to happen."
Harry said nothing. He was too busy trying to think of something to ask Ron. He didn't want to just blurt it out and ask him. No, it had to be planned, but it was too late to go back on his word now.
The bell rang and everyone grabbed their bags and left. Harry and Ron hung around until everyone had left the classroom then Harry pulled Ron into a corner outside the door.
"Look," he said, still racking his brain for something to say. "I've got to ask you something. Do you…I mean…what is it you have against Krum?"
Ron stared blankly at him. "You wanted to ask me that?"
"Yes," Harry said anxiously.
"Well, I don't know. He's sort of grouchy and thinks he's all cool and stuff."
Harry knew perfectly well that Ron was just making something up off the top of his head. He gave him a piercing stare.
"Then why do you care if he goes out with Hermione? It's not your problem is it?"
Ron blushed so deeply he looked purple.
"Harry, I-"
"Come on you guys, don't you want lunch?
Harry whirled around to see Hermione running towards them, her bushy hair bouncing as she did. Harry wanted to scream. Why did both of them show up at the most inconvenient times?
"Right," Ron said, glancing at Harry. Harry thought he looked rather relieved.
The three of them went to the Great Hall, Harry having to restrain himself from strangling Hermione the whole way there.
History of Magic went by rather quickly for Harry, probably because he was dreading the next class, but whatever the reason Professor Binns was dismissing them hardly after, it seemed, like they sat down.
None of them talked the whole way to Defense Against the Dark Arts. Harry was worried he would set off either Ron or Hermione again and they kept shooting each other glares.
Harry sat in between Ron and Hermione in the front of the classroom. Hermione sat attentively looking straight at the front of the room, but Harry noticed she had a rather pained expression on her face. Ron kept glaring at Hermione every once and a while, but still looked straight ahead as well.
The door opened and in walked Victor Krum. He was taller than he had been at age 18 and exceedingly better looking. He still had the same familiar scowl, however, and looked at the class nervously. He spotted Hermione, smiled and then said, "Hello, class. I am Professor Krum. I weel be teeching you this year. I know some off you very vell, but other I do not, so help me to get to know all off you better this year."
He smiled at Hermione and continued.
"Please open your books to page von. Ve vill be vorking on Patronuses today."
Harry couldn't help, but smile. He had learned how to make a proper Patronus in his third year. Hermione had managed to create a very nice one in their fifth year. Harry had yet to see Ron perform one well, but he was learning.
"Patronuses are used to vard off Deementors. You think something happy and say Expecto Patronum! Now ve shall be trying one at a time so come up ven I call your name. Herm-o-ninny Granger."
The class snickered, but Hermione stood up and thought hard then she shouted, "Expecto Patronum!" A silvery otter came out the tip of her wand and floated around the classroom.
"Vell done! Ok next ve haff Neville Longbottom."
Neville walked to the front of the class trembling from head to toe. He closed his eyes for a moment and then squeaked, "Expecto Patronum!" A silvery mist came out of his wand and vanished like smoke.
"Nice try," Krum said. "Better luck next time. Harry Potter."
Harry stepped up and thought hard. He pictured Ron and Hermione smiling happily at each other.
"Expecto Patronum!" he shouted. The usual silvery stag erupted from his wand. His looked at him and disappeared.
"Excellent! Ron Weasley."
Ron stood up out of his chair and walked to the front of the room. He stared hard at Krum almost burning a hole in him.
"Expecto Patronum!" he bellowed pointing his wand straight at Krum. A silver lion erupted from his wand and charged at Krum. Frightened, Krum dodged it and it disappeared in an instant.
"That vas some Patronus," Krum said straightening up to his full height. "Next is…"
But Harry didn't hear what he said after that. He was too busy goggling at Ron. What on earth had he thought of? That was a powerful Patronus and why was it a lion?
"Well done," Harry whispered to Ron when he sat back down, "What did you think of?"
Ron's ears turned red.
"Um…that we uh…won the Quidditch cup," he said turning redder and avoiding Harry's eyes.
Harry knew that couldn't be what Ron thought of, but did not pursue the subject.
The bell rang and the class once again grabbed their bags and rushed out of the door to go to dinner. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were just about to leave when Krum stopped them.
"Herm-o-ninny? May I haff a vord?"
Hermione looked flustered. "All right."
Harry and Ron walked slowly out of the classroom and waited outside. Ron had pressed his ear up against the door and was listening intently. Harry followed suit and what he heard amazed him.
"Herm-o-ninny I vanted to thank you for vat you did for me. It vas very thoughtful of you."
"No problem," Hermione's voice said.
"She is vonderful and I couldn't haff found a better girlfriend. Thank you again."
"Your welcome. Keep me posted."
Seconds later the door opened and Ron was knocked over by the force of it. Hermione looked shocked.
"What are you doing?" she asked him as Ron quickly got to his feet and brushed himself of.
"What were you doing?" Ron asked accusingly.
"I fail to see why any of that is your business."
"I think it is," Ron said. "What's going on between you two?"
Hermione paused.
"That's none of your business, but I'll tell you anyway. Nothing is going on between us. I hooked Victor up with a girlfriend in Bulgaria."
Ron gaped at her. "You what?"
"Just what I said, I hooked Victor up with a girl from Bulgaria. It's amazing the things you can do on the Internet."
"So…so…you mean…you aren't going out with him?" Ron asked nervously.
"NO! That's what I've been trying to tell you! I never did go out with him. He wanted me to, but I said no." She gave Ron a swift smile.
"Oh," Ron said. He looked like he felt very stupid with himself. "Well, let's go get supper. I'm starved!"
Harry smiled. He knew that things between Ron and Hermione were as patched up now as they were going to get.
A/N: So what did y'all think? I liked the Krum hitch. YES he isn't going out with Hermione! WOO HOO!
Note to y'all: Even if you have already reviewed a previous chapter, please review again! I like to know if u have continued to read my fic! Thanx to everyone who does so, and I give special thanx notes to EVERYONE who reviews the previous chappie on the next chappie A/N. Although if I forget you please let me know and you will get a cyber cookie! Luv y'all!