Chapter Four: Fraternizing?

'Oh Harry!... Hey Parvati' Hermione squealed as she noticed Harry and Parvati behind her. Parvati was looking at Hermione in awe. Hermione smiled more as the doors to the Great Hall opened. Hermione linked her arm with Krum's and walked in. She looked around the room at all the girls. Most of them looked gorgeous; at least they would look even more gorgeous if it hadn't been for their jaws dropping to the floor. Hermione walked to the middle of the floor. She glanced around more and noticed Ron; He was standing on his tip toes looking for someone. They continued up to the top round table for the Champions. Glancing back at Ron subtly, she noticed that he was scowling, as if jealous. A smirk came across her face as Krum pulled out her chair. Taking a seat she sneered at the menu in front of her. Great more work for the house-elves she thought but let it roll off her shoulder. She merely spoke 'Salad' into her plate and salad appeared. Krum was speaking to her as she poked at her salad.

'Vell, Ve have a castle also, not as big as this, nor as comfortable, I am thinking.' Hermione nodded and tucked a piece of stray hair behind her ear. 'Ve have just four floors, and the fires are lit only for magical…' As Krum continued on Hermione took the opportunity to glance at Ron again. He was just sitting at his table stabbing at his dinner. Hermione jumped as Karkaroff interrupted Krum. Hermione smiled sweetly to show Karkaroff that she meant no harm listening. Hermione glanced back at her salad and took a small bite of her lettuce. She wrinkled her nose lightly and sighed. Muttering 'Ranch Dressing Please' a small bowl of ranch appeared next to her plate. 'Thank you' she added. Hermione poured the dressing over her salad and smiled at Krum.

"Hermy-own, Do you l-"

'No no, it's Her-my-own-nee'

"Hermy-ninny"

'Her-my-own-nee'

"Herm-own-ninny"

'Close enough!' She said looking at Harry and grinning. She chuckled as Krum continued to call her 'Herm-own-ninny'. She watched as Dumbledore stood up and Hermione followed, along with Krum. The tables disappeared and a stage appeared in the middle of the Hall. The Weird Sisters trooped in, and Hermione squealed as the music started. She turned to Krum and tugged lightly on his arm.

'Wanna dance?' Krum just smiled and nodded holding out his hand to her. Hermione was actually surprise at how chivalrous he was. As they walked onto the dance floor Krum place his hand on her waist and smirked at her. She smiled sweetly and they danced softly. He was a remarkably good dancer for someone who was so bulky. She kept trying to start up a conversation but as soon as she did, her toes got stepped on. So he wasn't as good as she thought. Snickering to herself, she laughed as the song ended and a more up beat song played. Hermione chuckled and grabbed Krum's hand as he was about to leave.

'No don't leave; this is one of my favorites.' Krum obliged, she and Krum danced, not very well, but they danced. As the up-beat song ended Hermione waved her hand in her hand in front of her face to fan it. 'Will you get me a drink… please…?' Krum smiled and nodded heading towards the refreshments table. Hermione held her hands together and looked around. She watched as Parvati walked over to a Ravenclaw Boy with Padma. Giggling slightly Hermione walked over to Harry and Ron, Still fanning her hand in front of her face.

"Hi!" Hermione looked at Harry who had smiled lightly and then to Ron, whose eyes had traveled to the floor. Shrugging slightly Hermione looked at Harry with a broad smile on her face.

"It's hot in here isn't it? Viktor's gone to get some drinks…" She smiled sweetly and placed her hands on her hips. Hermione nearly jumped at Ron's sudden outburst. Vicky… can you say EW! She thought silently. She looked at him surprised at the comment. "WHAT is up with YOU?" She finally blurted.

"If you don't know, I'm not going to TELL you" Ron replied scathingly. Hermione raised an eyebrow and rolled her eyes. What are you five? She looked to Harry then back to Ron. "Ron what--"

"He's from Durmstrang, He's competing AGAINST Harry! Against HOGWARTS! And you—you're" Ron tried to end his sentence. Hermione just stared at him. This was the reason she didn't tell them. She knew one of them was going to blow up. And apparently she was right. "You're fraternizing with the enemy, that's what you're doing!" Ron finished. Hermione's jaw dropped.

"Don't be stupid Ron!" Hermione said after trying to comprehend what crime she had committed that would cause Ron to act in this manner. Shaking her head Hermione scowled lightly. "The ENEMY? Honestly—who was the one who was all excited when they saw him arrive?" Yes that was um… let's see YOU! She thought "Who was the one who wanted his autograph? Who's got a model of him up in their dormitory?" You and oh who did that last one?... oh YOU! Hermione folded her arms across her chest again. Scowling softly.

"I s'pose he asked you to come to with him while you were in the library?"

"YES, as a matter of fact. He did!" Hermione retorted her voice now rose slightly. Hermione's jaw was about to drop again at his next words. "NO! I wasn't asking him to join the Society for the Protection of Elfish Welfare! If you are so keen on knowing, He had been coming up to the library everyday to try and pluck up the courage to ask Me." unlike some people who have yet to admit that! Hermione thought, a smirk on her face softly.

"Oh well--- that's his story!" Ron said back to her nastily. Hermione looked to Harry then back to Ron. Why was Harry just standing there letting them argue? Why didn't he help out? Hermione shook these thoughts out of her head and turned back to Ron glaring. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Obvious, isn't it? He's Karkaroff's student! He knows who you hang around with…He's JUST trying to get closer to Harry, Get inside information on him, or get close enough to jinx him!" Hermione's eyes nearly watered, taking a deep breath to calm herself. Hermione tried to stay strong.

"For your INFORMATION, Viktor has not asked me one single thing about Harry! Not one--" But before Hermione could finished she was once again interrupted by Ron. Help Krum? Find out what the egg means? I won't even help HARRY! She thought. Not to mention she hasn't got the foggiest idea of what would help either one of them.

"I'd NEVER help him work on the egg" Hermione yelled her cheeks beginning to flare. "NEVER. I want Harry to win. He knows that don't you Harry?" But before Harry could answer Ron interrupted.

"You have a funny way of showing it--" This time Hermione interrupted Ron.

"This whole tournament is about getting to know foreign wizards and making friends!" Ron just glared at her. "NO it's not! It's about Winning" Ron shouted.

Hermione looked around. People were beginning to stare. But that wasn't the point right now. Hermione looked at her feet as Harry FINALLY stepped in, but Ron, being Ron, ignored him as well.

Hermione was finally outraged. Her hands balled into fists as her cheeks turned red, at the comment about 'Vicky' Hermione sneered and shook her head. "DON'T CALL HIM VICKY!"

With that Hermione turned on her heels and stormed out of the hall. Her eyes were now dripping tears. She had never felt such rage in her life. How could he have accused her of that? It wasn't like him. He was usually lots gentler. Hermione stormed off to the other side of the hall, she had tried to get out but no one was allowed to leave just yet. She had no idea what she was going to do.