Chapter three

Ron was quietly watching the sunset from his room when he heard someone knocking on his door. Ginny entered and said:

"Ron? Hermione told me you wanted to see me."

"Yeah, actually I do. Have a seat." Ginny sat on the chair that was next to the table and listened to her brother carefully. The look on her face could tell she knew where this was heading to.

"So, Hermione is really getting married to Krum huh...?" asked Ron, walking back and forth.

"Yes. Anyway, it doesn't matter, right? I mean why would you care if she married Krum?"

"It does matter Ginny!" shouted Ron.

"And why is that?" asked Ginny coolly.

"Because... because she is my friend and I don't want her to marry Vicky."

"What's wrong with Victor? He is a nice guy," Ginny said trying hard not to laugh.

Ron stopped walking and replied: "Yeah, but she deserves better."

"Well if she likes him there is not much we can do, can we?" said Ginny.

"You told me they were just friends and there was nothing to be jealous about. Now she is practically marrying the bloke!" yelled Ron.

"What? When did I say that? ... Oh wait, that was ages ago. Ron, are you trying to tell me that you are still jealous of Krum?" asked Ginny with a wicked smile.

"No... I am just concerned," said Ron, looking through the window.

"Ok Ron, if that is really the reason I must say you are getting worried over nothing. Supper will be ready in a few minutes," she said, walking towards the door.

"And Ron, I know how you feel but I can't help you until you admit those feelings to yourself."

"Wha-what are you talking about-" As Ron turned around Ginny had already left. He couldn't stop thinking about what to do. In one way he was confused.

I'm hungry. He finally decided to go and have dinner.

Supper was great, the table was filled with muggle delicacies but Ron wasn't very hungry. Mrs. Granger proposed him more food but Ron had somehow lost his appetite. They had a delicious apple pie for dessert. Ron took a bite or two from his pie and managed to excuse himself. He went back to his room, locked his door and tried to get some sleep. It was something he hadn't done a lot during the last couple of days. 'Tomorrow will be a long day,' he thought. With those thoughts he closed his eyes and before he knew it he was soundly asleep.

Ron was sleeping and having nightmares of his own.

Meanwhile down in the living room:

"Mother, Father, this is Victor." said Hermione proudly. "And this is his Bulgarian friend, the best man, Mr. Vladimir Naidenov."

"Hello Victor, Vladimir," said Mrs. Granger.

"Hello!" said Mr. Granger shaking their hands.

"We thought that you wouldn't arrive before the afternoon." said Mrs. Granger.

"Well, I wanted to surprise Hermione." Hermione blushed. At that instant Ginny came down for breakfast.

"Come let me present you to my closest friend," she said, pulling Victor towards Ginny. She presented them to each other. Ginny noticed that Victor had improved his English and had actually become very charming through the years. Hermione also presented Krum's friend:

"...and this is Vladimir Naidenov." said Hermione.

Vladimir took Ginny's hand and kissed it. 'Oh...what a gentlemen,' thought Ginny.

"I am pleased to meet you Guy-nee. You call me Vladimir." he said, giving her a polite grin.

Ginny laughed quietly, then said, "Pleased to meet you too Vladimir."

"Let me show you your rooms" said Hermione, leading Victor and Vladimir across the hallway. Ginny went into the kitchen to help Mrs. Granger preparing lunch.

In Victor's room:

Victor's room had two beds. He was quite pleased with everything and he really appreciated Hermione's parents as he was raised without a father and his mother died in his early teenage years.

"Hermione," said Victor, "Thank you".

"For what?" she said surprised.

"Well, for making me a part of your family and letting me start one of our own."

Hermione sighed of relief and kissed him on the cheek.

"Take a rest and I'll see you later," she whispered and closed the door.

Back in Ron's Room:

Ron woke up at last. He glanced at his alarm clock which obviously didn't ring and saw it was some time around noon. He groaned 'So much for breakfast'. He quickly took his shower and rushed down the stairs.

He heard some noises coming from the kitchen and walked slowly towards it. He peeked to see what all this commotion was about.

"Yes, I travel a lot but now I am thinking of settling down," said the unknown voice.

"So how did you exactly meet Hermione?" asked a feminine voice. Ron knew it was Mrs. Granger speaking.

"Well, it all goes back to 4th Year at the Yule ball...," started the strong voice. But because of the topic they were discussing he knew it must have been Victor. He was finally here.

He preferred to go back to his room and pretend to be asleep because he was not ready to confront him yet. He locked his door and decided to write a letter to Luna. So he took a parchment and then dipped the quill in the ink bottle, then started writing.

Dear Luna,

How are you? Here it's worse than in a nightmare... Krum has just arrived but I didn't have the guts to confront him yet. Come to think of it I don't know why am I here in the first plac...? Well, take care.

Ron.

PS: Send my owl back with a response.

He gave his owl the letter and collapsed on his bed. He was silently looking at the ceiling then he thought 'I'll have to meet him sooner or later... Actually the sooner the better so I can get it over with.' He took a deep breath, got up and went downstairs.

Everybody was sitting in the living room. Ron didn't like the fact that they were all interested in Krum's exciting Quidditch adventures. So he interrupted:

"Good afternoon."

"Oh Ron, you are up. Good," said Hermione, "Come and meet Victor. Ron as you might already know, this is Victor and Victor this is my good friend Ron."

"Hello Victor."

"Hello Ron, I've heard so much about you." said Victor.

"Funny 'cause I haven't heard that much about you." said Ron trying hard not to smirk.

Ginny elbowed Ron and said laughing: "My brother... Isn't it funny how he always tries to make jokes? Anyway lunch is ready, why don't you tell us more about you during lunch?

"Great." answered Krum.

During the whole day Ron was bored by listening to Krum, talking to him with his perfect English. Everybody else seemed to give importance to each of his words. Mr. Granger never heard about Quidditch from Hermione and was more than thrilled to learn about this new sport. Ginny was talking and giggling with Vladimir about the wedding.

Ron didn't understand the charisma of Victor and Vladimir, who knew how to seduce young ladies so easily. For a second he thought maybe he should ask them for some advice...'What am I thinking?'

The day ended and everyone went to bed. Ron sat in front of the fireplace and gazed. He knew he still hadn't done any moves...He thought it was just like a chess game but at this point Krum had made the move first and was one step ahead...

Someone was coming downstairs. He looked up and saw Hermione. A smile appeared on his face. She was beautiful...

"Ron, what are you doing up so late?" she asked concerned.

"What about you? You don't look like you are sleep walking, right?" he teased.

She paused then expressed amusement. It was funny how they still made fun of each other and squabbled.

"Well," she sat next to him and was gazing into the fire as well.

She looked at him. Ron knew she was happy but nevertheless...

"Ron, I was really proud of the way you behaved concerning Krum today."

Ron didn't know what to say. He didn't think he acted well towards Krum today... He didn't want to. It was really not intentional.

"It shows how much you have matured over the years...," she said a bit regretful but free from anxiety.

"It's not that I needed your approvals but to see my friends accepting the choices I've made and getting along with Krum ... really means a lot to me." she finished.

Ron realized that she touched his soft spot when it came to friendship.

"Well...yeah...I guess I have changed and learned a lot from then... but just cause I think Victor's nice it doesn't mean I think he is right for you... I mean, you still don't know him enough... How many girls he dated before or...I don't know...I-I just think you should consider all this..." said Ron without thinking.

Hermione fixed his eyes. She understood his concerns for her and nodded.

"Well, tomorrow I was thinking of taking Victor out and well, I think it would be fun if you came along. Then we could both get to know him better," she said and Ron saw a sparkle in her eyes.

She looked at the time and said they should both go to sleep. She stood on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. Then she left. Ron was still amazed but wondering... about tomorrow.

A/N: A special thanks to Krissi, my beta and also to all the readers.