PULLING THE STRINGS

A/N: New and improved, i re-read this chapter and realised . . . it could be better to puot it one way, so i re-wrote some parts, improving the story-line. This fic was originally written a couple of years back during my first hp obsession, i am just re-writing and posting it now. enjoy, please r&r

Disclaimer: i own nothing but the plot

CHAPTER ONE

This was the first time in since the Tri-wizard tournament in 4th year that a smile had crossed Ron's face. It had taken him seven years at Hogwarts to finally find the woman of his dreams. This was the firststeady relationship Ron had been in . . . ever. He would watch as Harry went out nearly every night with his mysterious partner and not return untill late after curfew, previously jealous of Harry's active social life, Ron finally had someone to 'lean on him'. Though he was curious of Harry's late doings, Ron had other things to worry about now. Not to mention that he finally had a defence for his constant arguments with Hermione.

"You don't know what you're talking about Ron!"

"I think I do, because I'm in a relationship!"

"So? Everyone's in relationships!"

"You're not!" A smirk covered his face just thinking about it.

Ron was on his way to his third date with Victoria Crimin, a seventh year from Beaxbatans. His stomach bubbled with anticipation as he attempted to avoid Peeves. Following the first and second dates, Ron had discoverd it was best to avoid the poltegist as all cost, not only was the constant ridicule almost unbearable, but a bag of white flour was not a good fashion accessory. Roncrept around each corner,checking both directions, up and down,before he turned them, keeping a close eye out for Mrs Norris wandering around the corridors.

"Yoo-hoo!" Ron turned quickly to answer the loud whisper

"Ron, is that you?" He walked over to meet Victoria outside the great hall.

"The. . . .these . . . are for y . . . . .y . . . you . . . Victoria" He stuttered as he passed her a bouquet of wilting flowers.

"Why thank you Ron" She said in a very high-pitched voice. Victoria was a strange girl, even Ron had finally admitted it to himself,with long tattered brown hair that sat on an angle and very long,muscly legs. She always wore long dresses or pants. Never any short skirts, to Rons dissapiontment. She spoke in a very high pitched voice and was always eager to go back to Ron's common room. The first time Ron saw her he noticed her breasts were slightly unequal, un familiar with the female growth, he put it down to hormones. Ron didn't care about what she looked like or sounded like, though he would have preffered his first steady relationship to be with a more, graceful and attractive witch, Victoria would be adequate for he just liked the novelty of having a girlfriend. And the fact she treated him so well.

"What do you want to do tonight?" Ron said looking at her thin lips. Ron was trying so hard to get on her good side because they hadn't yet kissed and what do all boys want?

"I'm not sure, how about we go back to thecommon room and work from there?" Although Ron liked where this was going he wasn't too happy about going all the way back. To be perfectly honest – he wasn't a very good snoop. Being after curfew he felt very uncomfortable.

"Aaaarrrr . . . . . . Let's just . . . . .aar . . . stay . . . aaaarrrrrrr . . . . . .. here and talk" Ron said, a quick smile edging onto his lips. He could not help but notice the slightdissapiontment inVictoria'shigh vioce

"I still say we go to yourcommon room" Ron was slightly confused, although the thought of being in the dorms with Victoria made his inside scream with delight, the thought of getting there dumped a rather large pile of sand on the fire burning inside.

"How about . . . . we go for a walk . . . .around the grounds?" he said hopefully.

"Sounds good to me" as Ron tenderly grasped Victorias hand, she slightly pulled away, but thinking better of it, continued on their stroll around the moonlit grounds. Ron imagined his lips touching hers, his face sat slightly on an angle, as from a strange look from Voctoria, quickley ceased his fatasies.

"What are your friends – Hermione? – doing? Are they – she – in any relationships?"

Ron looked at Victoria suspiciously, but remembering the kiss, he answered.

"Well, Harry has a mysterious girlfriend. I haven't ever met her – or seen her and Hermione is too wrapped up in her work to get a boyfriend – not that she could find one!" Ron laughedgruntily and noticed the disgusted expression on Victoria's face, stopping before he could offend her any further.

"It's getting late – we better get back"

Hermione sat in the corner of the common room reading over her study books. It was almost one o'clock but she was two engulfed in her book to notice. Ron stumbled in through the door.

"Hey Hermione"

"Hey" she mumbled in return, not looking up until she placed her finger in the section she was up to.

"How was your date?"

"We're not going very fast" he said disappointed "But I'm having fun"

"Ah-Ha" Hermione said thoughtfully . . . she had noticed something strange about 'Victoria' but had only mentioned it to Harry, being shunned off as jealousy. Speaking of Harry, he pushed his way through the portrait holeand went straight to the boys' dorms. Being seventh years they shared the room with only one other person of the same sex. Harry shared with Ron and Hermione with Parvati. Unfortunately, after the last Voldemort attack Lavender was killed and the only vacant room was with Hermione, to her utter dissapiontment.

"Hey Harry"

"Night" Ron stumbled up the stairs and pulled off his shirt, retreating into bed. Hermione continued to sit in the common room, letting her mind wittle away with her thoughts, as she dreamily got out of her chair, and following Ron's example, stumbled into bed.

The next morning Harry was up early to finish his essay on rootrot in Cortals. Hermione was up to early to HELP Harry finish his essay. A very rare sight but Harry had some explaining to do. Last night after Ron had left and Parvati was studying, Hermione was struck by a thought. She had crept out of the common room, suspicioud of Harry's activities andfollowedhim on his 'date'. She knew it was wrong but curiosity got the better of her, like so many times before. She had been struck by a frightening sight . . .well, less frightening than disturbing.

"They're under a potion aren't they?" Hermione said accusingly.

"You know?"

"Of coarse I know – well they are aren't they?"

"Yeh – Being enemies for so long I don't think they would just . . . fall in love with me"

"Tell me everything"

"Well – they were making a potion one night to cast on a group of friends and spilt it on themselves, the first person he saw was me"

"And now he's in love with you"

"Just until we find the antidote"

"You don't feel . . . . the same way . . . . . . do you Harry?"

"Of course not!" Harry said bemused

"If Ron ever finds out . . . . ."

"Find out what?" Harry and Hermione quickly turned to see Ron walking lazily into the room.

"Nothing" They both said together

"Okay" He took his books of the desk and walked back into his room. Harry and Hermione both packed their things away and got dressed into their robes.

Since the largest battle and eradication of Voldemort, Hogwarts had changed, though the classes remained the same, many of the teachers had been killed in the final battle, and some of the historical buildings in Hogwarts had been destroyed. But the biggest change to the old school was the students. Many of the other wizarding schools had sent students to Hogwarts to finsh of their seventh years, due to the inability to finish at their previous schools. Many Hogwarts students had met new friends through this arrangement, but unfortunately, not all the students that came to hogwarts were as friendly as they school would have liked. Viktor Krum, finally, after so many years, was finishing his seventh year at Hogwarts. After many unpleasant encounters with Hermione over the holidays, and one umpleasant incident, was not well liked by the small group. He stealthily made his way up to the tree friends, standing by the toilets, awaiting Ron's return.

"Why hello Herminine"

"Hello Viktor" she replied not looking up from her shoes

"What do you want?" Harry said in a very protective tone, pulling himself infront of Hermione

"Just a friendly chat before my first class" he replied slyly "May I have a one on one with Herminine for a few moments if you please?"

"I'm sorry to disappoint you Viktor but Hermione doesn't go anywhere with you after the . . . incident" It was a well known fact that Viktor wanted Hermione back and he would go to extreme lengths to get her.When Hermionehad stayed with him over the summer – it got a little touchier than she had planned.

"Harry, Just a minute or so with Viktor Skum" She dragged herself from Harry's grasp and followed Viktor to the opposite side of the corridor.

"I want you back Hermione" He said running his hand up her neck. She pulled away and whispered in his ear

"I'm sorry" She stared at him evilly then over at Harry to make sure he was there. She softly dragged her cheek down his and her hands to his shoulders and pushed him away as hard as he could. She walked back to Harry with her chin up.

"You had me scared for a moment" Harry said when she returned. He glanced over to Viktor who was sprawled across the floor.

"Like the Corale flower – the closer you get to them – the easier they are to push away." They all laughed. Even though Hermione was laughing on the outside – on the inside she knew she wouldn't want to be alone with Viktor again. She would have to stay close to Harry and Ron or pay the consequences . . .

A/N: hope you liked it, the writing (as i stated earlier) gets much better throughout the story,