CHAPTER 3

Harry and Ron were now in their dress robes like every other student. They were waiting at the foot of the marble staircase for their dates.

"Ron!" a girl's voice screamed. Harry and Ron looked up and saw Lavender Brown. She was wearing a simple red dress with matching red heels and was carrying a red purse.

"Lavender, you look like you're covered in blood!" Ron exclaimed.

"Oh, stop it, Ron!" Lavender blushed, "Shall we go in?"

"Well, Harry is it okay if we go in already?" Ron turned to Harry.

"Sure, I'll just wait here," Harry replied and Ron and Lavender made their way in the Great Hall.

HARRY's POINT OF VIEW

And then I saw Hermione on top of the marble staircase. But she didn't look like Hermione at all. She had done something with her hair; it was no longer bushy but sleek and shiny, and twisted up into an elegant knot at the back of her head. She was wearing robes made of a floaty, periwinkle-blue material. She looked stunning.

Hermione was smiling – rather nervously – as she made her way down the staircase. She seemed to be muttering something to herself.

END OF POV

HERMIONE's POINT OF VIEW

I could feel some eyes watching me so I just smiled rather nervously. As I cam nearer to the foot of the stairs, I saw Harry looking at me but he didn't see because he was too occupied at surveying me from head to toe.

"Good-bye Harry . . . and Ron, you're going to hate me forever," I muttered to myself.

END OF POV

Harry made her way towards Hermione but stopped dead on his tracks when he saw Viktor Krum take her hand and kissed it. Hermione blushed and managed a smile. She took Viktor's arm and they made their way towards the Great Hall with everybody looking at them.

Meanwhile, Harry's world was falling around him and did nothing but hurried towards the Gryffindor common room.

It was empty. He was alone, but he didn't care.

Harry stared at the dancing flames in front of him. All night he just sat there remembering again and again about what happened a while ago.

It seemed forever until he heard the portrait of the Fat Lady swing open. He didn't bother check who it was until he heard a familiar voice that said, "Harry . . ."

He turned around. It was Hermione.

"Harry," she began as tears rolled down on her cheek, "I – "

But she was too late. Harry stormed off towards the dormitories.

Two hours later, Ron arrived.

"Hey, mate," Ron began, "What happened to you? McGonagall was stressed out! She couldn't believe that the Gryffindor champion didn't show up. She inquired all the Gryffindors if they've seen you."

"Well, I could only imagine what she'll be telling," Harry said, "'Mr. Potter! You have disgraced the House of Godric Gryffindor, not to mention also Hogwarts' "

"Where were you anyway?" Ron asked.

"It's just, I didn't feel well tonight," Harry replied.

"So you left your date?" Ron inquired in disbelief.

"I didn't leave her! She went with another bloke," Harry said.

"Ouch, man," Ron said, "Who was she anyway?"

"You don't know her," Harry replied.

"I'm really sorry," Ron said, "Anyway, did you see Hermione and Krum? How could she? Fraternizing with the enemy like that?"

"Yeah," Harry said softly, "How could she? Night, mate."

"Night."