The dementors advanced on the guests.
Harry felt the familiar cold sensation seep into him again, and summoning all cheerful thoughts—Ginny, coming of age—he yelled, "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
Immediately, a silvery smoke issued from his wand, and molded itself into a stag, chasing the dementors. Everyone gasped, and then shouts pierced the air, "EXPECTO PATRONUM! EXPECTO PATRONUM!" Although under half of the shouts produced full-fledged patronuses, there was enough silvery smoke to hold off the dementors.
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" yelled Viktor as a dementor made its way towards Hermione and Ron. His patronus hit the dementor immediately.
"Percy, look out!" screamed Mrs. Weasley suddenly.
Percy was standing, shaking and pale, his wand held out as he weakly called, "Expecto patronum!" A silvery shadow resembling a pygmy puff issued from his wand.
"Exepecto-" He broke off. The dementors turned on him.
"No!" yelled Mrs. Weasley. But the dementors did not kiss him. Instead, they swarmed around him, and carried him off, disapparating into thin air.
"We have to do some thing," said Hermione, fidgeting with a pink bow on her dress. "We'll have to leave soon to find the horcruxes. I have a feeling You-Know-Who was behind this…"
"What are we going to tell Mum?" asked Ron. "She still thinks we're going back to Hogwarts."
"It's still open?" asked Harry.
"Book lists came yesterday."
"How are we going to leave? Mum's absolutely devastated over Percy already.. and you saw the way Dad was when he was talking to the Ministry of Magic…"
They were silent for a few moments.
"Polyjuice potion," said Hermione suddenly.
"What?"
"Polyjuice potion. We can find somebody to take it for us so that we won't be missed."
"But that doesn't last very long…" said Ron. "Don't we need it for the whole school year if we don't want to be missed?"
"I know a way," said Harry quietly. "We'll use the Imperious Curse."
"Harry," scolded Hermione. "That's illegal!"
"Well you think of another way," retorted Harry. "But personally, I've thought about it for a while now, and I think my cousin Dudley would be particularly interesting for the part… I'm sure Aunt Petunia would not mind if I threatened to tell Uncle Vernon about her and Tom."
His two friends looked shocked.
"What's gotten into you, Harry?" asked Ron, looking a little suspicious.
"That's the most evil plan I've heard you come up with," remarked Hermione. "Are you feeling alright?"
Harry sighed. "I feel fine. If you don't like my plan, why don't you two think of-"
A knock came from the door.
"Come in."
It was Ginny. "Hermione, uh, Viktor Krum hasn't left yet. He says he wants to have a word with you out in the yard."
Hermione leaped up and Ron scowled.
The moon was out and full. Viktor was pacing to and fro on the grass.
"Ah! Herm-ee-own!"
"Hi, Viktor," said Hermione.
"Nice night, is it not?" remarked the Quidditch player.
"Yeah," she replied. "Did you want to talk to me about something, Viktor?"
Viktor cleared his throat. "Please call me Vikky."
"Uh, all right."
"And yes, I…" he swallowed. Then, in one sudden move, Viktor bent down on one knee and took Hermione's hand. "Herm-ee-own, I have loved you since the first time I saw you in the Hogwarts library. You dazzled me at the Yule Ball, and that summer visit…" he swallowed, and mopped his forehead with a handkerchief.
"Hmmph!"
"What was that?" asked Viktor.
"I don't know," said Hermione, looking a bit flushed.
"Shh!" whispered Harry to Ron. They were both beneath the invisibility cloak.
"As I was saying," continued Viktor. "I think of you day and night, and when I am not with you, I feel… feel…"
"Sick," whispered Ron with disgust.
"Well, let me get to the point. Herm-ee-own, will you marry me?"
Ron glared and if it was not for Harry restraining him, he would have tackled Viktor.
"Uhhh…" said Hermione looking uncomfortable. "We're still both rather young…" she said feebly.
"Oh! But I can wait!" insisted Viktor. "All I need is for you to assert your love for me!" He stood now, and looked imploringly into Hermione's eyes. "Don't you care for me? Even a little bit?"
Ron rolled his eyes, and Harry elbowed him.
"Well…" began Hermione. "I guess… a little…"
"Oh!" shrieked Viktor with utter delight. "I knew it! I knew we were meant to be!" He threw his arms around Hermione, and was about to give her a hearty kiss when—
"OOPH!" Viktor rolled onto the floor, rubbing his backside.
Ron appeared looking oddly satisfied.
"Ron! What are you doing out here?" said Hermione.
"I—I-" Ron had a queer panicky expression on his face. "Hermione," he said dropping on one knee. "Will you marry me?"
Harry threw off his cloak.
"What—what--?" stuttered Hermione. "What is going on here?"
Harry pulled Ron up. "Get up! What are you doing?"
Viktor was standing now as well. "How dare you! You, propose to my Herm-ee-own!"
"Yeah.. well…well… why not?" retorted Ron.
Harry rolled his eyes, and retreated to a lawn bench where he sat to watch.
"I can't marry either of you!" yelled Hermione.
"Don't you love me?" said Viktor and Ron at the same time.
"Yes," replied Hermione and she retreated into the house and locked herself shut in her room.