Friends, Lovers, or Nothing

Chapter Two: I'm Ganna Find Another You

Dumbledore confidently recited his usual speech to the first year wizards, witches and Try-Wizard-Cup-Tournament challengers. Ginny, Hermione, Ron, Harry, Fred, and George sat together at the Gryffindor table and dug into their sizzling baked chicken, buttery mashed potatoes, and fresh salad. Thirsty, Hermione raised her wooden cup to her lips to swallow a huge gulp of pumpkin juice, but accidently spat it in Fred's face when she spotted Viktor Krum's built stature strutting down the aisle. Fred was too shocked at the sudden outpour to reply in disgust.

The two of them didn't bother staying in touch all summer; Hermione was surprised Viktor even smiled at her or, for that matter, remembered who she was. Taking her napkin to wipe away a drip of juice on her chin, Hermione uneasily returned his smile. The satisfied look that appeared over Viktor's face confirmed that he knew exactly who she is. Of course he remembers, Hermione reassured herself. She was the girl he asked to the Yule Ball. He kissed her after he noticed how upset she was with Ron's jealousy that night. They spent every waking moment together after that perfect evening. He confessed his undeniable affection for her. He swore he never experienced this strong of a connection with anyone else. He invited her to spend the break with him at his estate in Bulgaria. Hermione Granger, no one else.

Draco Malfoy was sitting at the Slytherine table, remarking on whatever subject matter came up between his house. Bored stiff, he skimmed the Great Hall to find something of interest that would catch his attention. Surprisingly, his blue eyes landed on Hermione Granger. Why this frizzy haired, freckle faced bookworm would attract his awareness was beyond his imagination. Even in his mind he thought those words with repugnance. Something written on her face sparked his notice. What was it? Desperation?, Draco thought. When a bulky, bushy hand landed on her small shoulders, the answer seemed too obvious. Look at her, repulsively drooling all over Krum. What's his deal anyway, stomping around Hogwarts like he's the talk of the school? Hermione's nervous eyes darted from Viktor to Ron to Harry to Ginny and, finally, back to Viktor.

Draco's attention switched to a blonde girl standing modestly behind Viktor. A thin, beautiful girl, dressed in a Ravenclaw cloak. Ironically, the Outcast stationed herself beside the King as if she belonged there. Luna Lovegood? This is getting interesting…

"Hermione" Krum nodded to her in acknowledgement. "How have you been?" Without pausing for an answer, he continued, "You know my girlfriend, Luna."

Hermione couldn't believe her ears. How could this be happening after all we've been through last year? Honestly, I shouldn't be surprised, should I? However, in the back of Hermione's racing conscience, she understood Viktor's reason behind that introduction. Having received the honorable chance to befriend Viktor personally, unlike most other girls, she recognizes that he was only being fair to both Luna and her by clearing the confusion. Maybe he had feelings for me in the past, but not anymore. We lost touch and many things have come to pass during the break. But still, how could he not have mentioned anything earlier? All I need now is to clear my head! Even so, she was determined to maintain a cool composer, not let his words break her, so she pushed her luck.

"Hello, Luna, nice to see you again as always." She turned her body to face Viktor full on and sheepishly announced, "Victor, you know my boyfriend, Ron, don't you?" Acceptingly, Viktor glanced at Ron and nodded without a hint of regret, astonishment, or moment of hesitation.

It wasn't planned. Hermione and Ron just happened. Months ago when Viktor departed back to Bulgaria, Hermione was so torn and lonesome. Ginny and Harry had each other's hearts, they always did as much as they strive to conceal their love. Also, God forbid, but Fred and George are inseparable with the other and immature girls can't keep their claws off the two! Hermione wasn't blind. After countless hours with Ron, she realized that all this time, every offense he caused her in the past was out of love for her. He didn't recognize it either, until one day, exactly six weeks after Viktor left, Harry pointed it out. Harry scolded Ron for being so oblivious to the situation. It's love! This statement caused Ron's world to spin out of control in a whirlwind of unidentifiable emotions. The next chance he got, Ron was determined above all else to make Hermione his. Five minutes later, as Hermione strode into the library where Harry and Ron conversed; Ron sprinted towards her nearly knocking her down to the scarlet carpet. Seizing her clumsily by both her shoulders, gazing into her hazel colored eyes, Ron presented her with a lengthy, unprepared speech about his undying love for her filled with inaccurate descriptions and similes that popped up from the top of his head. His sudden rush of passion sparked a notion in Hermione's mind that she had always liked him back but wasn't positive until that moment. She bestowed her love to him with Harry watching not two feet away and that was that. Ron and Hermione happened.

"Ron," Viktor greeted amusingly, pulling Hermione's focus back to the present. "Good to see you two finally together after last year. Took you long enough." He laughed at his own sarcasm and sounded as if he really meant his words. Does he truthfully not harbor any feelings for me at all?

Ron gave him his crooked smile and responded with pride, "It took a lot of convincing, but she finally gave in. She can be tamed" Ron caught Hermione's eyes in the middle of his sentence and his expression told her that he couldn't see himself with anyone else. That was that. He was hers.

After a few minutes of small talk that Hermione was too spaced out to process, Viktor and Luna bid their goodbyes. Without a glance back at Hermione, Viktor gently reached for Luna's smooth hands and lead her outdoors to the courtyard for privacy. How could he forget about us?

Dear readers,

Unfortunately, I still do not own any form of the brilliant J.K Rowling's Harry Potter book series. Darn. Anyway, thanks for continuing to read my story. Hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as the first one. I wish with all my heart you liked it more

Yea, I know…Luna Lovegood? Wtf? That idea came from out of the blue. Wait, actually it did come from somewhere now that I think about it. When I reread the chapter two I wrote virtually four years ago, I originally created a blonde girl named Olivia as Viktor's love interest. She was flirtatious, corky, and all-out sexy. Someone Viktor might like to date. Then…I zoned out and let my mind take me back to one of the Harry Potter movies where I believed that the cute girl who was casted as Luna did an amazing job portraying her character. That thought came from nowhere, I have to admit. So why not let Krum's love interest be someone completely unexpectedly random? She's cute, the end. Like the sudden idea?

I apologize for the lack of Hermione and Draco romance in this chapter, but, understand that love takes time. It doesn't happen abruptly over a period of two seconds! Not that I received any complaints, but please be patient with me and I promise you I'm headed somewhere spectacular with this story…soon. Just after a few more chapters of drama that will cause you to gasp and scream at your computer screen in disbelief…somewhat haha. Please turn that frustration or (hopefully) satisfaction into words and review. Tell me what you think. I'd love to hear both the positive and negative point of views. Any opinion, comments, suggestions, praise, detests, ANYTHING are/is allowed!

I'd like dedicate this space to any readers who have generously added me to their alert and favorite author lists! I wasn't expecting that at all and the emails I received informing me about your kindness provides me with even more of an ambition to keep going with this plot. THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Until next time…

-G. M.