Hermione Engaged

Chapter 5: Hermione Engaged

Hermione was sitting alone in the library thinking about everything that happened to her: her relationship with Krum, her feelings for Ron … What am I going to do? I love Ron, and I want to be with him, but I can’t just break up with Viktor; besides, Ron is with that stupid Lavender, and he is certainly in love with her, so why should I break up with Viktor just to suit him? she asked herself, attempting to justify her actions in regards to Krum.

After a few moments, Krum came to her. “Hello, Hermo-ninny.”

“Viktor! What are you doing here?” she asked nervously.

“I came to take you vith me.”

“What? Where do you want to take me?” she questioned.

“I cannot explain here. I must talk to you privately. Come on!”

Krum and Hermione went outside, and then once they were alone, Viktor took a little box from his pocket, and got down on one knee before her. “Hermo-ninny, before I met you, I didn’t know vhat love was. Vhat I mean to say is that I love you and vant to spend the rest of my life with you.” He opened the little box to reveal a beautiful, diamond, solitaire engagement ring, held it out to her and said, “Vill you marry me?”

Hermione froze; she was shocked. Then she said, “Yes”, without being fully aware of what she was saying even as Viktor put the ring on her finger. My God, what have I just said?

But then Viktor kissed Hermione passionately, and she couldn’t do anything about it; from that moment Krum and Hermione were engaged.

Ron kept looking for Hermione that day, and when he found her with Krum, kissing, and saw the ring put on her finger, he was shattered. He dropped the letter and ran away.

When Krum finally pulled away from Hermione, he said, “Come, let us break the news to the others.”

“No, I don’t want anybody to know for the moment. Please, let’s just wait for a better time.”

“Okay, as you vish. Do you vant to go to the lake?” Viktor asked, smiling.

“No, you go. I’ll go back to the library.”

“Are you sure you don’t vant to come?” Viktor’s smile faded and his tone sounded disappointed.

“Yes, I’m sure; I’ll see you later.”

“Very vell. I see you then.” He made himself smile and kiss her tenderly, then left.

Hermione was getting back to the library when suddenly she saw Ron’s letter on the floor. She picked it up, not knowing for whom it was. When she saw her name on it, she immediately opened it and read it. Tears filled Hermione’s eyes as she grabbed her things, then ran to her room and spent the rest of the day crying. “He was here … and he saw us… Why didn’t you tell me, Ron … why?” she asked tearfully.

Meanwhile, Ron was in his room thinking. Why did you do this to me, Hermione? I should never have written you that letter; instead, I should have just forgotten about you forever, he thought miserably as he lay on his bed, his eyes filled with tears and one arm draped across them.

Contrary to Ron and Hermione’s situation, however, Ginny and Harry spent many unforgettable moments together during this time, spending almost all their time in various romantic places in and around Hogwarts. Not to say that they weren’t trying to help their friends as much as possible in between trysts, but for the moment, the couple felt they deserved some time to themselves, if only for their efforts so far, if not for future efforts on their friends' behalf.