Love Always Finds a Way

'LOVE ALWAYS FINDS A WAY.'

When Hermione Granger and Viktor Krum entered the ball, Draco Malfoy was speechless. Normally he would have something rude and unkind to say about her. He could not understand why he didn't say anything. At that very moment turmoil entered his spirit. A seed had been planted in his heart. He hardly knew it, yet a struggle was beginning within himself.

As each day passed, this struggle was like a wave moving backward and forward. He entertained feelings that were bothersome and not true to his nature. He could not get Hermione Granger's face out of his mind. She was a constant vision before his eyes. He was both confused and angry that his thoughts were not entirely hateful. He kept asking himself, over and over, "Why does this mudblood come to my thoughts in this way? I have hated her ever since I have known her."

As the struggle continued, Crabbe and Goyle wondered why their leader was so occupied, in thought. Why he didn't hurl his usual insults at them? One day as they entered Potions Class, Malfoy thought, "Now I will let her have it, my best abuse comes out in Snape's class!"

When Harry, Ron, and Hermione came into the class, he started to say something, but nothing came out. He wanted to say something very intense and cruel to make up for all the days of struggle he had been facing; however, no words came forth. Harry, Ron, and Hermione just looked at him and passed by him. Malfoy felt like his insides were scooped out hollow with a spoon. He slammed his books down in rage. The whole class turned and focused on him. He looked back and snarled at them to mind their own business. By then Professor Snape took notice. He looked at Malfoy for a few seconds, trying to understand what was happening. He finally told Malfoy to sit down and be quiet. Harry, Ron, and Hermione just looked at each other. They shrugged their shoulders, and turned toward Snape, to get ready for their lesson. The rest of the class did the same, with the exception of Crabbe and Goyle who both looked stunned.

At dinner in the Great Hall, Crabbe and Goyle kept noticing that Malfoy cast several glances toward Hermione Granger. When he detected their interest, he looked down at his food, and began to eat. Later in the Slytherin common room, Crabbe and Goyle approached their leader.with caution. They sat down on a couch and looked at him. Malfoy returned the look and with measured anger said, "Well what is it?"

Crabbe frightenedly said, "Er-we noticed that you kept looking at Granger."

"Well what of it!" replied Malfoy.

"Er-well-um-the last time I looked at a girl like that, I was-er-in love with her," said Crabbe. Then his blubbery face widened with a smile and he said, "And her name was Arnella Bilgewater." Then he shook his head to indicate what a beauty she was. When he was done entertaining thoughts of Miss Bilgewater, he looked up into the piercing glare of Malfoy.

"What is a Arnella Bilgewater?" asked Draco.

"Er-a girl," said Crabbe.

"Are you sure?" asked Malfoy. Crabbe gave him a very puzzled look. Goyle was too afraid to say anything. "Look you two brainless enlargements, if you are suggesting that I am in love with Granger, then have a care!" said Malfoy. With that he got up, turned on his heel and walked away from them. He yelled into the air that they both must be daft!

TWO

Harry walked in to the Gryffindor common room and found a dejected Hermione sitting at a table. "Hi Mione."

"Oh, hi Harry."

"You look low, are you alright?" asked Harry.

"Er-ya-I guess," said Hermione. She looked around and then asked if Ron was about.

Harry said, "No."

"Viktor left, and I am kind of sad," said Hermione.

"Er-I am sorry for you!" said Harry.

"He has invited me to come and visit him!" said Hermione.

"Visit whom?" asked Ron, as he entered the room. Hermione became silent and looked around, trying to avoid Ron's question and his eyes. "Visit who?" asked Ron again.

Sensing a battle on the horizon, Harry slapped Ron on the shoulder and said, "See you later mate." He then walked out of the room.

"Thanks Harry!" yelled Hermione.

"Hey, what's going on?" said Ron.

Hermione took a deep breath and said, "Er-Viktor Krum left to go back to his country."

"Great!" said Ron.

"Oh really!" said Hermione. "Well for your information I like Viktor Krum and I shall miss him very much. Further, he has asked me to come and visit him."

"Well I hope you said no!" said Ron.

Hermoine stood up. "Mr. Weasley, I didn't say no and I didn't say yes, but one thing is for certain, you don't own me and I don't have to get your approval for my decisions!" With that declaration she walked out. Ron stood alone, feeling numb.

As the day passed on Ron sat in the library, trying to locate books that would help him try to understand women. With no luck he finally came to the conclusion that men will never understand women. He then decided to do what his father did when he upset mum, candy and flowers. Not having any Galleons, he had to have another plan. He wished he could ask Hermione for ideas, she was so good at this kind of stuff. However, since the candy and flowers were for her, it wouldn't be a good idea to ask her.

After some thought, he decided that the flowers could be had from the school grounds and that the candy could be made by the kitchen elves. After gathering the flowers, Ron placed them on his bed and ran off to secure the aide of the kitchen elves. He made his way to the corridor lined with paintings of food. He finally stood before a picture of a large silver bowl filled with fruit. He touched a green pear with his forefinger and suddenly a door handle appeared. Ron pulled on it, opening the door.

"Mr. Weasley, sir!" said an elf. "How are you sir?"

"Er-good!" said Ron.

"How can I help you, sir?" asked the elf. "Can I get you some eclairs or some chicken to stuff your face with, sir?" asked the elf.

"No!" said Ron. "Er-I was wondering if you could make me a batch of Turkish Delights and some ginger slings with pineapple hearts?"

The elf looked mildy confused, but then replied, "Of course Mr. Weasley, sir."

Within a few moments the elf presented Ron with his requests. "Oh the wonders of magic," thought Ron. "Thank you!" said Ron to the elf. He took the Turkish Delights and ginger slings to his room. He gathered his flower arrangement and was off to find Hermione.

Walking about for some time, he finally saw the object of his quest. It was perfect. She was sitting alone in the great hall, writing something. He slowly made his way toward her. Out of the corner of her eye she saw him approaching her. She also noticed the goodies and flowers. She placed her hand over her mouth and gave a slight snicker. "He looked so cute," she thought. When he arrived in front of her, she did nothing. She didn't even look up. Ron rather loudly cleared his throat. She looked up at him and said, "Yes Mr.Weasley? Oh I see you are having a snack, perhaps I should leave."

"No!" said Ron. "Er-these Turkish Delights and the ginger slings with pineapple hearts are for you, as well as these." He brought out his hand and presented the flowers to her.

"What on earth for?" she asked. Seeing how uncomfortable he was becoming she again began to snicker.

"Oh Mione stop toying with me, you know I can be a stupid git when it comes to this mouth of mine. I just wanted to say I am sorry about the Krum thing. Er-if you want to visit him that's your business," as he looked down.

She looked at him, small tears coming from her eyes. "Ron, this gesture is very sweet of you. Of course I will accept your apology, and the goodies, and the flowers. I tell you what, let's take these treats, get some pumpkin juice, and go out doors and have a little picnic. We can use the flowers as a center piece."

Ron smiled and replied, "Sounds great!" She folded the pages of what she was writing, and stood up. As they began walking, Ron asked her what she was writing.

"Oh," she said, "I was writing to Viktor." With that revelation, Ron's heart almost stopped. Sadly Ron said to her to say hi to Krum from him. "I will," said Hermione, "after I tell him I can't visit him."

"Oh-ya-ok," said Ron. All of a sudden what she said registered in his thoughts. With a huge smile on his face, Ron turned to her.

She smiled back and replied, "Oh Ron Weasley, what am I going to do with you?" He offered his arm, which she took, and they were off.