HERMIONE'S LAWS

NUMBER ONE: AVAILABILITY IS A FUNCTION OF TIME. THE MINUTE YOU GET INTERESTED IS THE MINUTE THEY FIND SOMEONE ELSE

Ron scowled, slumping in his chair and crossing his arms over his chest. Through narrowed eyes, he watched as Hermione and Victor Krum danced gleefully.

"Bloody git," he mumbled.

Victor Krum was dancing with one of his best friends. But that shouldn't matter, right? Would he be feeling this jeal –no, no NOT jealous. Perhaps a better word would be … protective. Yes, that was it. Would he be feeling this protective if it were Harry who was dancing with Krum? Okay…perhaps that wasn't the best example.

Shouldn't he be happy? His best friend and his all-time Quidditch idol? He should be thinking about how great this was. About how she could introduce the pair of them, and he and Krum could become best mates.

He should … but he wasn't.

For Ron Weasley wasn't associating Victor Krum with a lifetime of friendship at the moment. Far from it. After all, you don't want to rip off the arms of your best friend, now do you?

Well, he couldn't blame Krum. He certainly had great taste in girls. And Hermione certainly looked beautiful…

Where did that come from? Ron wondered, shifting in his seat so he could continue to watch the happy couple, Since when do I think of Hermione as beautiful?

"Aren't you going to ask me to dance?" Padma Patil asked.

"No." Ron replied shortly, turning his back on her and returning to his very confused thoughts.

If he was starting to think of Hermione as beautiful … could that mean the unthinkable? Could it mean that he was starting to have feelings beyond friendship for her?

Well, this sure does make my life a whole lot easier, Ron thought sarcastically, I've already got worries about my best mate dying in this tournament, and now I've got this weird feelings for my other best friend to deal with.

It was apparent Hermione didn't have feelings for him, if she did why would she be dancing with Krum?

But had she, once?

Ron thought back to a day in his third year.

…

"So," said Seamus conversationally, taking a huge bite out of a chocolate frog and tossing the card aside, "When do you plan on asking Hermione out, eh?"

Neville and Dean both turned to face him expectantly.

"Wh-what?" Ron spluttered, choking on the sugar quill he had been sucking on, "Why would I ask her out?"

The other three exchanged knowing looks.

"Ron," said Dean slowly, "Have you not noticed how she feels about you? Are you truly that thick?"

"Hey!" said Ron indignantly. "I don't like Hermione that way, alright? And she doesn't feel that way about me either! Neville, you believe me, don't you?"

Neville flushed, and said nervously, "W-well, Ron. It is pretty obvious…" he trailed off at Ron's glare.

"Look," said Ron, his voice rising an octave. "Even if Hermione did feel that way about me, which she doesn't," he added hurriedly, "It wouldn't matter, because I don't feel the same.

Seamus and Dean smirked. They were not convinced.

"Sure, mate, whatever you say…" said Seamus teasingly.

"Drop it!" said Ron hotly, and turned away.

The four of them looked up as Harry entered the room.

"What are you guys talking about?" he asked.

Ron shot the other three a warning look.

"Nothing," they all chorused sullenly.

…

It figured. When Ron finally realized he liked Hermione, she found someone else. But this was something only he and the missing arm of Victor Krum knew.