Disclaimer: If it isn't already obvious by my disgraceful writing abilities in comparison to JKR's, then I must tell you that I don't own any of this!

A.N. You don't need to tell me. I know I'm a complete and utter idiot! I just realised that if I don't finish this before Book 6 comes out, then there is no point completing it as it won't make any sense! And I intend to finish this!

So I'm setting a deadline. If this fanfiction is not completed before the 5th of July, then I promise that I will spend my birthday making it up to you all by finishing it to perfection. How does that sound?

Thanks to all my reviewers. You guys remind me that even if I fail to become a part time author, my stories have been read and enjoyed by someone out there.

SailorLeia: Aw, bless your little heart! Your reviews are wonderful! I was reading The Loveless Bride last night just 'cause I haven't read it in ages and I love it! It compelled me to go write something, hence why I've updated! Glad that I could make you laugh! Thanks for the review and I hope you're still hooked after this chapter!

dark-wicked-witch: Yeah, I'm a bad updater, but now I have a deadline! I promise that I will finish it before I'm fifteen! I'm afraid that after this chapter everything gets a little obvious in what's gonna happen. Oh well, it'll do! Thanks so much for your review! I'm so glad you like this! Hope you enjoy!

llamarobin: I hope this is soon enough for you! Thanks so much for the review and I really hope you like this chapter!

Thanks guys!

This chapter is dedicated to my Granddad and all other bookworms like Hermione. Granddad, I never met you but according to some people who knew you, you live on through me. I sincerely hope that's true.

Books and Bulgarians

The second Ron's foot hit the cobbled street he was once again faced with the decision of where to go.

'Think Ron! Krum's a Quidditch player, so are you! He would go the same places that you'd go, so where do you not want to go? Think!' he thought desperately to himself. His decision was made for him.

"Harry, Ron, would you mind if we went to Flourish and Blots for a little while?" Hermione spoke up, almost tentatively, knowing that a bookshop wasn't top of the boy's favourite places to go lists.

Ron was about to protest, when it hit him like the blow of a hammer. He didn't want to go to Flourish and Blots! Neither would Krum! It was perfect logic!

Dismissing the fact that whilst he had been at Hogwarts during the time of the Tri-wizard Tournament Krum had spent most of his time in the library, he quickly acquiesced.

"Yes! Flourish and Blots is a great place to go! Perfect! Brilliant idea Hermione!" Indeed, Ron succeeded in dragging the pair, who were watching him with puzzled gazes and wondering is if the youngest male Weasley might be taking the truce too far, into the sanctuary of books.

The second the three had crossed the threshold, they spilt up, searching for literature of the genre they desired. Harry, seeming lost for a short while, searched for, and eventually in, the Magical Games and Sports section for Quidditch techniques he wanted to try out.

Hermione knew the building better than the back of her hand. Heading straight to a shelf with several books dedicated to the topic of House Elves, she began to skim through each book in a lazy manner that Ron rarely saw coming from the vibrant bookworm.

Ron was tempted to follow Harry's lead and go to the Quidditch section, but resisted the temptation. Instead he wandered about inconspicuously, or as inconspicuously as he could manage. Picking up a book and flicking through it, he decided to keep no more than a shelf between Hermione and himself. You never know when Viktor might appear and if that happened Hermione might need some protection.

'Waken up Weasley! You think she needs protection? Have you even got a brain? She knows how to take care of herself and doesn't need, or want, you messing things up for her!'

Then why was he so persistent in making sure she didn't go anywhere near Krum?

'Because you love her perhaps?' His conscience told him swiftly and sarcastically, as if it was obvious.

'Denial!' Squashing it against his skull and throwing burning torches at it Ron shook his head. Checking to see what he had been reading before setting it down to look for something more interesting, he noticed its ironic title. "Curious Cures to Magical Maladies".

His conscience came back with another witty remark. 'I take it that there isn't a cure for 'lovesickness' in there, is there?'

……………

Fifteen minutes later Harry and Hermione's position hadn't changed, but now Ron was leaning against a bookshelf engrossed in some graphic novel or another and contemplating on buying a book on shampoo to Snape. Hey, it even came with a free sample!

He was reunited with the real world by voices.

"Herm-own-ninny, you have grown even more beautiful since we met last, if that is possible," came the unmistakable broken English of Viktor Krum.

Peeking through the books, Ron saw a sight which chilled him to the bone yet made his blood boil at the same time.

He kissed her hand.

He kissed her hand!

He kissed her hand!

A token of friendship and of respect. Nothing to worry about. Unless…

Unless it was a token of romance.

Ron felt a hand on his shoulder. Spinning round he came face to face with Harry.

"She wouldn't want you to get involved. If you really love her, you'll appreciate her wishes." Harry whispered.

"But-" Ron cut himself off. "I'm not in love with her!"

"Denial." Harry's one word statement sounded suspiciously like his conscience.

Turning about to face the conversation again, he realised how much he had missed. Now it was just general chit chat, how they had been since their parting.

Behind his back, Harry grinned to himself, knowing how much his comments had riled up his friend. He just hoped Ron would admit his feelings for Hermione ran deeper than friendship, without embarrassing them all… or resorting to punching Viktor in the process.

The conversation took an abrupt turn, making even Harry listen intently.

Krum had raised a big hand to caress Hermione's cheek. "You really are beautiful, you know?" Ron's hands balled into fists.

The reply was kind but firm. "Viktor, we've been through this before. I just don't care about you in that way. We're friends. Nothing more."

"Why?"

Hermione seemed truly speechless. "Well… well… Viktor…" She trailed off, unable to think of a reasonable answer.

"So why not?" Krum used a finger to lift her face upwards so she was looking at him. Then slowly, ever so slowly he bent down to kiss the young woman in front of him, even though she was plainly uncomfortable.

Harry didn't try to stop Ron. Instead, he joined him in the interruption.

Hermione succeeded in pushing Krum away as Ron said in a loud, stern, dominating voice, "Don't you dare touch her again!"

A.N. Why do I get the feeling that there's gonna be a fight? Short, I'm sure, but still a fight!

I'm not incredibly pleased with this chapter but it'll do.

It's really depressing. I've got French Orals on Monday and German on Tuesday! I don't know anything yet and I don't have the english written in for my role plays so I gotta get to work!

Review and it'll make me feel better after orals are done! Maybe I'll even write another chapter soon! You know what they say! A review a day keeps the doctor away!

Sweetdeath04 ;-)