Thanks to ALL the people who reviewed. Every criticize makes me more careful…sorry Missy mee…I didn't know Eton is a boys school. I just heard about it in HP1 and then I don't live in England( or anywhere in Europe). Sorry. But thanks for letting me know:). And thanks Tidus luver's twin too….you reviewed like a zillion times….everything rocks….the critical analysis…the compliments…the mistakes…oh...I'm gonna cry...LOL

It was… "Viktor?" For a minute she hit a blank on her mind. Then her senses came back to her. It was Viktor Krum. He was taller, heftier and surlier now, but no one could mistake his Bulgarian features and his Quidditch beaten figure. He had once been the international champion of Quidditch and all the macho man of all teenage girls. But after the death of Dumbledore, the insecurity had fallen heavy on the foreign relations department. And now, the first man who had ever loved her was standing in front of her…

"Yes, me Hermini," his face broke into a brotherly satisfied smile.

She got up from her bench and impulsively hugged him; suddenly the second task of the Triwizard Tournament became vivid.

After they broke off from the hug he looked at her; "Haff you forgotten me, Hermini? No letters, no owls. But I haff not." He ruffled her hair.

"Umm….no…no way…Viktor," she stammered.

'But I haff not," he grinned his crude grin. "I haff not forgotten you. I haff come to Hogwarts just because of you."

Oh my God, Viktor has come back because of me. But why?

"I haff come to teach you to combat the Dark arts. But my reason is you, Hermini." He hugged her again. Hermione could sense the warmth in him which was sort of hard to describe. It was like the charm, the charm which protected you from all curses. Well, in her ecstasy she forgot the charm.

Every dream has to end, and usually the best ones end in an awkward position. Ditto this one. Hermione heard a slight cough in the background and she quickly disentangled herself from him. McGonangall was standing there, looking severely unimpressed.

"So you have already given him his welcome, Ms. Granger? Mr. Krum I did not expect you so soon, but now that you are here well and good. I would like you in my office so that we can discuss your requirements and what you plan to teach the students. So come along.' She addressed to him like he was a first year.

Hermione kept looking as McGonagall took Viktor away to her office. She admired his crew cut, his dark macho complexion, his well toned body, until the pair disappeared from the Great Hall.

"Hey Hermione. Haven't seen you all day," Ron broke into her thought process.

Suddenly she felt a little guilty. Of what Hermione? She asked herself. Are you supposed to ignore your friend whom you have not met for two years? But I wonder how Ron will take the fact that Viktor is back here again. Last time was bad enough, and he wasn't even my boyfriend then, but now…

He kissed her on the cheek and sat down next to her. Maria came in next with Harry and Ginny and the rest of the school poured in.

"Where have you been all the day?"

"Nothing, homework and hanging out," She replied, Viktor was still on her mind.

"I'm famished," Ron groaned and leaned forward to the pork chops. He started digging into it. Hermione never told him, but one thing that she hated about him was the way he hogged. It was positively monstrous.

From the corner of her eye she could see the door open and McGonagall come in with Viktor, but she avoided looking up. She didn't know why but she thought that it was the Calm before the Storm and she didn't like it. She concentrated on her Irish stew instead. McGonagall walked to the high Table the staff got up to welcome Viktor. Hermione risked a few peeks; Ron was too busy with his meal. McGonagall cleared her throat. Omigosh, now…

"I want your attention here please," Ron went on eating knowing that McGonagall's speeches were way ahead of him. "As I told you today morning about the Dark Arts classes that we are going to organize. Well our instructor is here. I am proud to welcome the official the ministry sent, Mr. Viktor Krum." Ron's spoon fell down and made a clanging noise on the floor. McGonagall looked gave him a disgusted look and then went on. But Ron kept on looking at Viktor Krum with a look of utmost hatred and loathing. "Classes will begin from tomorrow evening. 6 to 7 and dinner will be at 7:15. I expect all of you to take these classes seriously as they are no joke and learn to the best of your caliber. Thank you," She offered Viktor a seat next to Professor Flitwick and then sat down on the grand seat herself. Hermione looked tentatively at Ron, wondering what his next line would be. But even a genius like her could not fathom the look on his face. I might as well describe it as BLANK. Well, maybe even Ron was clueless about the course of events, but in any case, Hermione looked over and she saw this blank look on his face, and she didn't know what to say next. Harry looked at her and shrugged. Well at least he's bright enough, she thought. Then suddenly as if nothing had happened, Ron suddenly started to hog his food again. The rest of the meal passed in silence other than the regular grunts from Ron and a few sighs from the eternally dissatisfied Maria. Hermione had almost forgotten about Krum when Ron tugged her at her sleeve and called her aside from the group. No one else noticed their absence.

He pulled her away at an empty classroom. He kissed her lightly on her lips and smiled warmly. But Hermione sort of already knew what he was getting at.

"Hermione, do you love me?" he asked his eyes crystal clear. Hermione felt like laughing out loud. He was asking this?

"Yes Ron, I do," she tilted her head softly and looked directly into his eyes.

"You sure you don't wanna break up? Because if you do, I wouldn't blame you." But he sounded fearful.

"No, Ron what makes you think like that?"

"Well, erm…you know…Krum here and all-"

"No Ron I still love you and want to be with you."-then she added-"for ever and ever."

A look of relief came on his face like a huge load had come off his back. He kissed her again; this time a little more passionately and strongly and she kissed him back.

Then arm in arm they went back to the common room.

"Wonder where you guys had got lost?" Harry asked, with a mischievous grin lingering in his face.

"Oh, nothing much, Harry. Just a little relationship talk, you see." Harry got the point.

"I'm calling it a day," Harry yawned and stretched his arms. "G'night all."

He dragged his feet up the steps and disappeared into the dormitory.

"Well, I'm going too," Ron nodded to Hermione

"Love you," he kissed her on the forehead sending impulses all over her body and went off to sleep.

Hermione sat down on the couch and thought about her day. She didn't know how, but she had to suppress any feelings she hosted about Viktor. She needed to let him know that she was taken. She needed to tell him that it was too late…

A/N: Not Bill, Not Charlie not Draco…. But Krum! LOL! Well this chapter is kinda slow..but more is on the way all! By the way, my exam is almost here. So I can't write for about a month. Sorry, but its really important. Adieu till then !

Shayeri