Disclaimer: we don't own Harry Potter or any of the other characters in the book, blah, blah, blah.
By: Nickzchick
"Remind me again why we're here in the first place," Harry said for the fifth time to his best friend, Ron.
"We're here," Ron paused dramatically at this before continuing, " to keep Hermione away from that ugly git, Viktor Krum."
"There's nothing wrong with Krum," Harry shot back. "Except that you like his girlfriend," he muttered under his breath.
Ron appeared not to hear him and continued to plow his way through the crowded Bulgarian street toward the huge, isolated mansion of Viktor Krum. Ron had done a bit of snooping and lying to discover the exact location of Krum's house. He had told the Bulgarian Minister of Magic that he and Harry had become quite close Krum in the Triwizard Tournament and requested the "old chum"'s address so they could visit him over the summer. Luckily, Mr. Weasley had been called to the Bulgarian Ministry to deal with a crisis over an enchanted sofa that flew out of someone's window into broad daylight where it was spotted by hundreds of Muggles. The Ministry needed help with the many memory charms needed and to enchant the sofa to keep it from further joy rides.
"I guess this is better than the Dursleys," Harry said. "But I don't see why I have to be in Bulgaria. Vere people don't speak Englais," he imitated with bad Bulgarian accent.
"Hermione didn't bring her wand," Ron said very seriously. "That idiot could abuse her and she would be powerless to resist."
"You're just jealous," Harry said confidently.
"Why would I be jealous? You think I want to abuse her? I'm just trying to help her out, and possibly save her life like a good friend," Ron argued defensively as he turned down a hidden alley through a solid wall, much like the wall between Platforms 9 and 10 at King' Cross station that led to Platform nine and three quarters. This alley actually led to the entrance of the Krum mansion, which was still not visible from where Ron and Harry were standing.
The alley was a shady place, despite the bright sunlight beaming down from up above. Unlike the busy street they had just been traveling on, it was silent and deserted. Ron and Harry immediately ceased their arguing as the eerie atmosphere of the environment caught them by surprise. Thought the alley was lined with buildings, they appeared to be deserted.
Quite suddenly, Ron and Harry heard the sounds of footsteps and laughter coming from the direction in which they were headed. "Quick, behind this building," Ron whispered to Harry and they both ducked behind the building as the sounds grew louder.
"Viktor!" Hermione's voice taunted in a playful voice as Krum scooped her up and carried her in his arms.
"Herm-o-ninny is too beautiful and delicate to valk like an average girl," Krum crooned. "She must be carried."
They continued to laugh and flirt as the passed Ron and Harry's hiding place. Ron made a gesture like he was about the throw up and Harry grinned. Just to embarrass Ron, Harry jumped out from behind the building and called out to Hermione and Krum's receding backs.
"Oy! Hermione," he yelled in a loud voice while a look of horror crossed Ron's face.
Immediately, Krum turned around and Hermione, taken by surprise, hopped promptly out of his arms. "Harry! Ron! What are you doing here?" she asked, shocked to see them. She smoothed down the wrinkles in the skirt that she was wearing very nervously.
"Ron's dad is here on business and we figured that we'd pay you a visit since you were in the area," Harry replied smoothly.
"Vell, you veally must stay vith us," invited Krum courteously. "I'm sure zat zere are several empty bedrooms for you to stay in."
"That be great!" said Harry automatically, chuckling to himself at the look of horror and shock on Ron's face, not to mention the fact that you could hardly see his ears. They had turned so bright red that they camouflaged in his hair.
So after permission was granted from Mr. Weasley, Harry and Ron moved into two separate rooms in Krum's magnificent house.
"Tomorrow," Krum announced excitedly. "Ve can go down to zis vonderful vizarding supply store and look at ze new racing broom, The Firebolt II!"
Harry and Ron agreed readily and, after a scrumptious and filling dinner, headed off to bed. But not before everyone exchanged a chorus of good night's. Harry and Krum's rooms were in the east wing of the building while Ron and Hermione's sleeping quarters were located to the west.
After another hasty goodnight to Hermione, Ron headed off to bed to think about what to do in this situation. He was sure that if he spent the next three weeks with Hermione and Krum flirting outrageously, he'd crack. The only solution that came to him was to profess his love to Hermione. Plus, he had to do it that night or he'd never be able to fall asleep.
(A/N mushy song time! Enjoy it while you can because if Daydreamer disapproves, I'll have to take it down. *sniff*)
Ok the next chapter Ron will profess his love and you'll see what Hermione
does ? Daydreamer will write it so TTFN! (Be sure to review!)
