The Duel

"Hermione, I've come to get you. It's very urgent and we have to leave now."

Ron said this with as much sincerity as he could. Of course, what he really wanted to do was burst into hysterical laughter at the look of Viktor Krum's face.

He looked as if he had been hit with a big wooden log that had the words 'Surprise!' written all over it.

Surprise, Ron said animatedly to himself.

If Hermione was ever good at hiding facial expressions, she did a horrible job at the moment. The look on her face told Ron two words: Help Me!

Of course, Hermione had this look when she was in any uncomfortable setting. If this wasn't uncomfortable, Ron didn't know what was.

Hermione sat on the couch of her parents' home, cowered in the corner by Krum. He looked like he was sitting before a plate of warm English muffins. (No pun intended)

So when Ron yelled, "get away grease bag!" He was not that startled.

But Hermione obviously was startled, yet very happy at his presence.

So happy in fact, that she was off the couch and in Ron's face in less than three seconds. Ron knew that had to be a record-breaker.

"Vot are you doing here?" Krum stood up and took Hermione by the hand. Ron was sort of hurt when she didn't snatch her hand away and jumped into his arms calling him the ultimate love and ONLY love of her life. But then he thought that he could have been a bit over-the-top with that idea.

So Ron did what any man would do in this situation.

"I've come for Hermione! Didn't you hear!"

He ignored the purpose of his destination and argued with the other idiot.

Yes, the other idiot.

"I am tired of you and the other Quidditch boy, coming around and interrupting Hermy and I in our alone time! You two act as if you want Hermy and me separate."

"Hermy?" Ron asked, looking from Viktor to Hermione. He said this again.

"So Hermione, what's your pet name for Viktor? Is it... Vicky perhaps!"

Before Hermione could even protest, Viktor had pushed her aside and posted up in the fighting position.

"I challenge you to a duel, Veesal."

"It's Weasley," Ron said calmly.

Viktor continued to stand in this dueling position, but unfortunately, he continued to talk.

"I challenge you, no matter. I think it is time we fought for Hermione's love!"

Hermione started laughing, but not that nice little 'ha-ha' sweet laugh. It was more like an... Annoyed laugh. Yes, an annoyed laugh would do the trick.

"Don't I have some say-so in this little duel?" Hermione asked from the sidelines.

Ron turned to Viktor and asked very seriously, "Yes; doesn't Hermione have some say in this?"

Waiting for Viktor to answer, Ron was thrown off-guard by the sucker punch he received.

Ron grabbed his nose, more upset than surprised. He turned to Viktor, wiping the blood slowly from his nose.

Ron could hear Hermione telling him not to do anything he would regret. Of course, he was too angry to hear anything any one said.

When Ron knew anything, (which he didn't) he was slamming his own fist into the right eye of Viktor Krum. It seemed to happen in a sort of slow motion, with the domino effect.

Ron pulls his arm back. Ron punches Viktor. Viktor's face collides with Ron's fist. Viktor bites the dust.

Ron looked back at Hermione and she smiled a big warm smile.

"Thank you..."

Ginny snatched the paper from Ron's hands, "What are you writing?" She asked this as she scanned the parchment, stifling a giggle.

Ron snatched the paper back and folded it up immediately.

"I was bored so I decided to write a fan story for Harry."

"For Harry? If it's for Harry, then why does Hermione end up with you?"

Ron rolled his eyes and made to leave the room.

Ginny held up her hands in defeat.

"Okay Ron, okay. I understand how you feel about Hermione. I've understood it for quite some time. But there's something you forgot to do in this story."

"What?" Ron asked, the blush slowly fading from his face.

"Hermione would not react that easily if you and Viktor dueled over her. And..." She said as Ron began to push around her, "you forgot to kiss her and make Krum disappear."

Ginny smiled at the look on Ron's face. They stood there for a small while just smiling at each other.

"Hermione's here!" Mrs. Weasley called from downstairs.