A 'Krummy' Valentine

(Chapter Twenty)

"Ron, this is making me nervous," Hermione said with a shaky voice as Ron walked behind her with his hands gently covering her eyes. They were in Hogsmeade on their way to a café Ron had picked out for them to eat at for Valentines Day.

"We're almost there," Ron said smiling.

The couple approached a tiny building squeezed in between other shops. When they arrived at the door, Ron stopped Hermione and kept her eyes covered with one hand as he opened the door with the other.

Ron led Hermione through the door, finally uncovering her eyes.

Hermione blinked her eyes, adjusting her sight to the surroundings. It was a confined, muggy little place where everything seemed to have been decorated with frills and bows. There were golden Cherubs suspended over each of the small tables that were occupied by couples holding hands. The Café had a simple cute look of a bed and breakfast.

Hermione smiled brightly and took hold of Ron's hand.

"It's adorable! Is this the place you said Harry recommended?"

Ron blushed. "er-yeah, he didn't tell me it would be this cute though," Ron said with emphasis on the word 'cute'. He was slightly embarrassed at taking Hermione to such a girly place. She didn't seem to mind however because she was already leading Ron over to a tiny circular table in the corner by a window.

They sat down across from each other, hands entwined. A small cherub floated above them playing a violin quietly and a short, plump old woman strolled up to their table. She had a bright smile pasted on her face between her rosy cheeks.

"What can I get for you two?" She asked cheerfully. Hermione smiled back at her.

"Er-I'll have the cream of broccoli soup and a glass of grape juice please," She responded. The woman jotted the order down and turned to Ron. "And for you sweetheart?"

Ron blushed. "I'll have the Adonis Burger and Cherub Chips, and er-some Butterbeer."

"Coming right up," Said the woman sweetly. She turned on her heel and headed back to the kitchen

Hermione tightened her grip on Ron's hand, leaned forward and kissed him gently on the lips. "This is wonderful Ron, Thank you," She whispered quietly.

Ron blushed, "No problem," He smiled and shifted uncomfortably. Ron looked as if he was contemplating something, something was making him nervous.

"Are you ok?" Hermione asked concerned. Ron nodded his head vigorously.

"Yeah, just thinking"

"About what?"

Ron hesitated and blushed furiously. "Hermione…you're wonderful, you know that?"

Hermione smiled and let out a short laugh. Ron was about to continue speaking when the Short, plump woman returned with their orders, placing it in front of each of them and they began to eat.

As Ron ate, he kept stealing glances up at Hermione.

"I really thought this year was going to be terrible, but so far it's been pretty good, this last month has been great," Ron said casually. Hermione nodded.

"For me too."

"With the exception of what happened this summer with Voldemort of course," Ron said quietly and Hermione stopped eating and shot her head up at Ron. That topic wasn't her favorite to discuss.

Ron noticed her reaction and continued quickly. "That really scared me Hermione."

Neither was smiling any longer. "I could have lost you. I mean, before that, I never really took it seriously that someone I love so much might die…Not even when Sirius died it didn't hit me, but-"

"What?" Hermione asked stopping him. Ron stopped talking and looked at her, nervously.

"What?" He asked. Hermione swallowed hard, also looking nervous.

"What did you say?" She asked carefully.

Ron knew exactly what she was talking about; he just needed to reach for some courage to say it to her face. Hermione waited anxiously, looking him in the eyes.

"I love you, Hermione," Ron said very quietly and licked his lips nervously waiting for her reaction.

Hermione's heart soared and her eyes were glittering with unshed tears of joy. Ron wasn't sure how to interpret this until Hermione's expression broke into a beautiful smile.

"I love yo-" Hermione was interrupted.

"Miss. Granger?" Said a cheery voice and Ron and Hermione looked up at the woman who had served them their meal.

"Yes?" Hermione asked expectantly and slightly annoyed at being interrupted from what she was about to say to Ron.

The woman smiled and handed her something. "This letter just arrived for you dear."

Hermione glanced at the woman's outstretched hand and quickly eyed the letter, her face turned bright red.

"Oh, uh, could you hold on to it? I'll get it later," Hermione said with a shaky voice.

"You can read it now if you want, it might be important, it's not interup-"

"It's not important, please, I'll read it later," She said frantically pushing the letter back at the woman.

The woman let her smile fade for the first time. "You should really take it now. It might get lost, we're very busy, I-"

"Really, it's ok," Hermione said hurriedly and Ron eyed her suspiciously.

"I'll read it," He said reaching out for the letter. The woman was about to hand the letter to Ron when Hermione snatched it from her.

"NO! No, I'll take it after all, thank you," Hermione said and smiled falsely. The woman left the table shaking her head. Hermione was very pale and quickly slipped the letter into a pocket in her sweater. She was silent and Ron starred at her, His expression somber.

"What?" Hermione asked as if nothing odd had happened.

Ron paused. "Aren't you going to open it?" He asked simply, growing more suspicious.

"No," Hermione answered quickly.

"Who's it from?" Ron asked, his features growing sterner.

"No one," Hermione lied growing more nervous.

"Give me the letter," Ron requested, his voice steady. Hermione pursed her lips. "Can we just eat?"

"Hermione, give me the letter," Ron said more forcefully and she shifted uncomfortably.

"If it's from no one, then let me see it!" He was starting to get frustrated.

Hermione was struggling to stay calm. "Ron, please," she pleaded as she pulled the letter from her sweater. Ron quickly reached over and took it from her. Hermione's body grew stiff as he unfolded it and ripped open the envelope revealing a long letter on a heart shaped piece of parchment.

Dear Hermione-

I'm very glad to hear you are well and are having a good month.

I have been thinking of you a lot lately and I miss you. hopefully I will be able to visit someday soon.

I wanted to wish you a happy Valentine's Day. I know you are probably busy in the library putting your brilliant mind to good use. If I was there I would take you out some where nice so you could let your beauty shine.

Let Harry and your other friend know I said Hello.

I hope you are well, write back soon.

Love,

Viktor

Ron's face grew beet red and his teeth were clenched tightly. He starred at the letter for what seemed like eternity. When he finally was able to pry his eyes away from the letter, he looked at Hermione.

Her eyes were watery and she looked very fearful.

Ron silently handed the letter back to Hermione. She didn't read it, only held it tightly in her hand starring at Ron.

"Ron?" She asked looking for some sort of response.

Ron was silent for a long time, obviously attempting to control his anger.

"You didn't even tell him about us?" His voice was low and hard.

"It was only because-" Hermione started but was cut off by Ron who's voice was growing angrier.

"Am I just your substitute boyfriend until you can meet up with Vicky?"

Hermione started to cry "No Ron! I-"

"I can't believe you would do this Hermione! Were you just dating me out of sympathy? You clearly like Krum! He doesn't even know my name! Am I not important enough for you to mention in your love notes!"

"Ron let me explain!" Hermione yelled while tears streamed from her eyes.

"I don't need an explanation; it's pretty clear what's going on!"

Hermione then stood up abruptly. Furious.

"I can't do this Ron!" She yelled. "You were a jealous prat when we were just friends, and you're a jealous prat now!"

"Well if I bother you so much why don't you just leave? I'll let you go and be with Vicky!" Ron shouted, now also standing.

"Arrgghhh!" Hermione pushed the chair roughly into the table and stormed out of the café. Ron watched her leave furious, his face red and he ran a trembling hand through his ginger hair. Ron sighed deeply, his own eyes starting to water and he carelessly dropped a few galleons onto the table and left the café as well; everyone starring after him, stunned by the scene.

Later that night Ginny entered the common room quietly through the portrait hole and when she spotted Harry and Ron who were playing chess she approached them; face flushed and out of breath.

"Where's Hermione?" She asked Ron directly. Hermione had talked to her earlier, crying and Ginny had only heard pieces of what happened at the café.

Ron frowned at her. "Who cares," he said dully and turned his attention back to the chess game.

Ginny offered him and angry look and then glanced at Harry who's expression was apologetic.

"She's in her dormitory," He answered softly and Ginny nodded in thanks before heading up to the girl's dormitories.

Harry watched her go and then turned back to Ron concerned.

"I think you should talk to her," Harry suggested cautiously.

Ron looked up at his friend, lips pursed. He didn't appear to want to talk about Hermione. Harry continued none the less.

"I'm sure she has a perfectly good explanation. I know she doesn't like Krum-"

"I reckon we should get to bed now," Ron said cutting Harry off. He nodded in agreement and they headed up the stairs to the boys dormitory.

As they walked through the door to their dorm Harry had a sharp intake of breath and his hands shot up to the scar on his forehead.

"Harry mate, are you alright?" Ron asked. Harry straightened up and regained his steady breath.

"I'm fine, just my scar," Harry said brushing the issue off and crawling into his four poster bed.

He was exhausted from the day he had spent with Ginny walking through all the shops in Hogsmeade and now he was worried about his friend's relationship. Soon he was in a dark room with a tiled floor. A flash off green light flashed past him and he could hear screams from men and women surrounding him. Harry moved from a corner "Crucio!" He hissed and a woman at his feet screamed and twitched in agony. "Tell me the prophecy!" Harry ordered releasing the curse. Next thing he knew a handsome yet tired looking red-headed man ran at him. "Leave her alone!" Harry grew annoyed and raised his wand.

Seconds later, Harry was on the floor sweating and clutching his forehead in anguish. Ron was soon at his side pulling him up to his feet.

"Harry, Harry! What is it, what's happened?" Ron asked frantically. He knew from experience that when Harry had nightmares like this, it wasn't good.

Harry tried hard to focus and sat down on the bed. "I don't know, it happened to fast! Voldemort was torturing a woman and someone tried to stop him. I couldn't see who they were; he wanted to know the prophecy!" Harry rambled. Ron looked frightened.

"Should we tell Dumbledore?" Ron asked.

"No," Harry responded out of breath. "I don't know enough about what happened. This one might not even be real."

After what had happened at the Department of Mysteries last year, Harry no longer trusted his own instincts. He didn't want to lead his friends into more danger for no reason.

"Ok then. Will you be able to go back to sleep?" Ron asked quietly so as not to wake the others up.

"Yeah, yeah. Good Night," Harry said and closed the curtain around his bed and fell back to sleep.

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