Disclaimer- I assume that all of you who didn't know that I only own the plot have gotten you brain checked out now, but I still don't have a lollypop! So I am suing.

Chapter 2

In Which Ron is Jealous and Hermione is Oblivious

Or

Eye Candy Can Be Your Mate Too

"Thick as Ron…" she mumbled and left. Ginny may not have been top of her class, but

when it came to social matters (not involving Harry) she was a genius. Ginny realized before Harry, Hermione and even Ron realized that Hermione and Ron had a thing for each other…

Ron, Harry and Hermione walked into the Great Hall, for their first time in 7th year. All their eyes automatically flickered to the staff table hoping to find out who this year's defense against the dark arts teacher was. Ron stared angrily at one of the people at the staff table; it was none other than the famous Quidditch player, Victor Krum. Harry's eyes flickered from Krum to Ron and then to Hermione, not a repeat of 4th year please, he thought.

Before anyone else could do a thing, Ron angrily said, his voice slightly cracking, "Hermione, did you know He would be here??" He pointed his finger up at the staff table and it confirmed Harry's fears, it was going to be a repeat of 4th year.

"No Ron," Hermione said, still not completely sure why he was so mad.

Ron opened his mouth to say something, but instead they heard the voice of a blonde boy, Malfoy, "So Hermione, Vicky you lover has returned. What did you have to do to get him here, convince one of the teachers by sleeping with him?" Harry and Ron automatically pulled out their wands, ready to hex Malfoy to oblivion, but Ginny who just came in was quick.

"Oh please, I guess I always over estimated you, your head is full of air, do you honestly think that Krum and Hermione are lovers, she hasn't even seen him in over 2 years. If they were dating, they would have been all over the daily prophet. Come on Hermione sleeping with someone? I would be surprised if she had even kissed someone. Malfoy you are such a git. Come on lets go Dumbledore is about to start his speech, and Ron put that thing away, you are going to poke someone's eyes out," She finished, batting Ron's wand away from the side of her face. Hermione gave her a little smile because she knew that the boys would defend her from Malfoy, but she didn't want them getting detention on the first day. Hermione and Ginny pulled Harry and Ron to the Gryffindor table and Dumbledore began his speech.

"Another great year is about to begin, but before it does, I have some announcements and we have to do the sorting as well. McGonagall please proceed." Just like the last 6 years, timid little wizards and witches in the making, filed in and one by one put the sorting hat on, which would scream out a name and they would flee to their assigned table. When the last boy finished the hat was removed and Dumbledore continued, "We have some new staff that I would like to introduce, first is the lovely Elair who will be teaching defense against the dark arts," a tall, sleek, young, women that looked to be part cat because she had two pointy cat ears poking out of her tangle of long dark hair and a tail that swooshed around under her skirt and stuck out right at the bottom. "The second person I would like to introduce is Victor Krum who is doing a internship with our flying teacher Madame Hooch." Victor Krum stood up and then sat back down. "Also I must remind you that if anyone needs help, just ask one of the prefects. Now let the feast start," he rubbed his hands together and food blossomed on the plates. Ron and Harry began grabbing anything close to them that looked edible. Ron ended up taking a bite out of one of the flowers that was on a plate for decoration and had to spit it out, when his mouth started to feel like it was on fire. Hermione on the other hand was more careful about what she chose.

"Hermione, you have to taste this chicken it is unbelievable," Ron said, his mouth half way full with food.

"Sorry Ron, but I will not promote the taking of a living beings life, it is inhumane."

"Honestly Hermione, why would it taste so good if it were a sin?"

"Fine you go eat some poor little chicken's babies, but I will not." Harry tried hard to hold in his laughter, his too best friends fought about the funniest things sometimes.

As the meal drew to an end, Dumbledore rose again for a final announcement, "First years please follow your prefects and they will take you to your dorms. When the prefects are finished, I would like them to return to the prefects lounge, on the 4th floor for a start of term meeting." People began to filter out of the great hall eager to find their four-poster beds. Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Ginny where followed by the first years as they exited the hall. Krum gently pulled Hermione to the side.

"May I have a word with you?"

"Sure, we can talk while I lead the first years." Krum glanced in Ron's direction.

"Could I talk to you in private?"

"Well I guess on the way back from the Gryffindor tower we could talk, but I am rather busy."

"Can I walk with you?"

"Why not but I really must be going."

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While Hermione and Krum were talking, Ron was watching out the side of his eye and his sister and Harry both caught him watching her, after he ran into one of the benches in the great hall.

"That's the second time today," Ginny said.

"The second what?" Ron answered baffled.

"You were staring at Hermione again."

"Well I don't trust Krum around Hermione."

"Oh please, you're just angry that someone besides you fancies her and he actually has the balls to tell her."

"I don't fancy Hermione! She is my best mate, which would be like me fancying you or Harry. Your mental Ginny, right mental," And Ron stocked off towards the common room. He was so angry with his sister.

Bloody hell, Ron thought. Hermione was his best mate and now he wasn't allowed to be concerned about her when she was going off alone with some older guy she hardly knew. Sure she kind of knew Krum from 2 years ago, but people change. I mean look at Harry after he killed Voldemort the previous year; Harry had never been the same. Hermione was like him having a second younger sister. They were so close that they are either bickering or worrying about the other, but whenever they really need you, you are there. But no, Ginny couldn't understand that could she? And she though I was thick?

Ron stopped walking and realized that he was supposed to have taken the first years up and then gone back to the meeting. So he went towards the prefect lounge, assuming that Hermione would never leave the first years unattended, even if Krum had tried to make her. About half way there, Ron heard the familiar voices of Hermione and Krum, and he couldn't help but wonder what they were saying. Even though he knew it was wrong, he ducked behind a large statue of a man holding a wand, as they approached.

Disclaimer- Ok so my lawyer says suing someone for eating their own lollypop is not a legitimate clam but couldn't you have at least given me the bottom of the lollypop stick. I could have made a fire with them and warmed myself up because it is freezing down here. But then you probably aren't thinking right again because before the doctor told you not to think after you brain surgery. And its probably good seeing a before that you didn't even know that I didn't own anything!