Letters To Viktor

"Who're you writing the novel to anyway?" Ron asked Hermione, eyeing her parchment suspiciously. Hermione noticed, and picked it up out of sight.

"Viktor," she replied, already knowing what Ron's reaction would be.

"Krum?"

"How many other Viktors do we know?" Hermione replied, dreading the argument that was sure to follow. She and Ron always got into rows about the dumbest things.

To her surprise, Ron didn't say anything. He looked highly disgruntled, though, and finished his Transfiguration essay rather fiercely, attacking the paper as if he had some personal vendetta against it.

Hermione really didn't understand Ron, and that bothered her. She had always been able to pick up a book and read about anything she needed to know. But Ron was a puzzle, a mystery wrapped in an enigma surrounded by a conundrum. Most people would disagree, saying that Ron could be read like an open book.

Hermione begged to differ, though. For five wonderful years she had been friends with this boy, and for four of those long, long years she had been in love with him. Her love blinded her to the easily read Ron. Hermione couldn't look at him and divine his thoughts, as she seemed to do with Harry. She always found herself blushing and looking away, as if he might realize her secret.

Which was ridiculous, because Ron wouldn't notice an elephant in the room unless it sat on him.

Hermione wrote steadily on to the end of her parchment, finishing a long letter that had been one week in the writing. Why did it take so long, one may wonder. Viktor had been her pen pal since the end of last term, but he had never asked her a harder question. She loved writing to him, he was funny, and interesting. He may have that accent, but he didn't write with an accent. She found his letters a delight to read.

His letters were nothing like what she had thought him to be, and she was always surprised at the new facets of his personality. But lately, he'd been asking her the craziest questions. She remembered their letters, and how said letters had led up to this one epistle.

Dear Hermione,

Glad to hear that you are back safe at Hogwarts. I tried to send you an owl during the summer, but it never reached you. I'm anxious to know how you're doing.

As for me, I've graduated from Durmstrang, and I say good riddance. They taught me very little about defending myself against the dark arts, and I have a sad feeling that I'm going to need that knowledge soon, if what you tell me is true.

Tell me, what have you been doing this term, in respect to your schoolwork, friends, and general everyday stuff? I've been making the Quidditch circuit for so long that I'm dying for normal conversation.

Yours,

Viktor

*

Dear Viktor,

I'm sorry to hear that you are starving for conversation. I shall, of course, try to help in any way that I can.

Lovely weather we're having. Hagrid says that it's going to start raining, though. I'm glad, for his garden needs it. The giant squid hasn't attacked anyone yet, although it seems to be especially attached to Dennis Creevey. McGonagall is still as stern as ever, and I still wonder about Dumbledore's sanity.

We've been keeping busy, but we have a Hogsmeade weekend coming up soon. I desperately need a new quill. What do you think of the Tornados this year?

In one dose, I hope that I have cured your need for conversation.

I've been studying hard this year, preparing for my OWLS. Ron and Harry, though, have been fooling around and playing too much. I don't know how they're ever going to pass their OWLS, and my greatest fear is that they will fail, and never be able to become Aurors. I'd hate to see the look on Ron's face!

Your friend,

Hermione

*

Dear Hermione,

No more conversation, please! I'm sufficiently cured of my need for it.

I hope your friends pass their OWLS, of course, but not much other in that letter meant anything! No more empty headed chatter.

Do you remember Fleur Delacour? She sought me out the other day to tell me that our relationship was over. My reaction was, "What relationship?"

Apparently, she thought we had some deep, meaningful thing going on. Luckily for me, she "dumped" me for Bill Weasley. That is your Ron's brother, right? Tall, red hair, with a cool earring?

As ever,

Viktor

*

Dear Viktor,

First of all, he's not "my" Ron. Second of all, no way! Fleur always did think that she was Mistress High and Mighty. I pity Bill.

You should hear Mrs. Weasley go on about his earring. She'd be appalled if I told her that you thought it was cool. I'm not to sure about the earring myself.

Anyways, it's been really hectic. Ron joined the Quidditch team, and I about died from being so proud of him. But I fell asleep instead. Ron's going to get himself killed on that broomstick, and I hate to have to watch. I do wish him good luck, all the same.

Sincerely,

Hermione

*

Dear Hermione,

Loosen up. Bill's earring is extremely cool. Fleur always did have a high opinion of herself, but I always thought she was more of the "it's not bragging if it's true" mentality. Just shows you how two different people see the world.

Glad to hear you're proud of your Ron. I mean, of Ron. I had no idea he wasn't "yours." I thought you two had something going. You sure acted like it. Wish him good luck for me.

Viktor

*

Dear Viktor,

Okay, Bill's earring is sort of cool.

I have no clue what you're talking about. Ron and I most definitely do not have anything going, and we don't act like it, either. Honestly, you must be delusional. Do I need to come nurse you back to health? Also, I don't think it's a good idea for me to give him any messages from you. He sort of doesn't like you. No offense.

Hermione

*

Dear Hermione,

Methinks you doth protest too much. You and Ron most certainly do act like...I hesitate to say this...like an old married couple. Really.

I understand that he doesn't like me. It most likely stems from jealousy over the fact that I took you to the Yule Ball. Which leads to the most interesting question. Why is Ron jealous, if you two don't have something going?

Viktor

*

Viktor,

Ron and I do not act like an old married couple! He was not jealous of you, he just thought that I was "fraternizing with the enemy," or some such nonsense. Really.

Why are we talking about Ron, anyway? Let's talk about your Quidditch schedule. When's your next game, and against whom?

Hermione

*

Hermione,

We play the Kenmare Kestrels on the eighteenth. Don't change the subject! You fancy your best friend, and you just don't want to tell me. I thought I was your friend, Hermione! I thought you could tell me anything. But apparently I was wrong. No, no, I don't feel shunted aside. Don't worry, I'll just pick the tattered pieces of my heart back up out of the dirt and find a new pen pal. That is, unless you'd like to share a certain bit of information with me.

Viktor

*

Viktor,

That's blackmail, and you know it. Dust off the pieces of your heart and stop being a drama queen. I do not fancy Ron, therefore there is nothing to tell you. It's your turn to answer one of my questions. Have you talked to anyone interesting lately?

Hermione

*

Hermione,

No, I haven't talked to anyone interesting lately, just you. No offense. Stop changing the subject. You do too fancy Ron. Tell me about it! I'd love to know about the love life of my dearest pen pal.

Viktor

*

Viktor,

You are a stark raving lunatic.

Hermione

*

Hermione,

I resent that. Tell me about Ron or I'll never write to you again!

Viktor

*

Viktor,

Fine, if you insist. I do fancy Ron. In fact, I fancy him a lot. Satisfied? Now, tell me about your family.

Hermione

*

Hermione,

Love, what have I told you about changing the subject? My family is doing wonderful, and my little sister reads anything she can get her hands on. She rather reminds me of you. Oh, if I may be permitted, I'd like to take this moment to say, "I told you so!" I knew you fancied Ron. Tell me why!

Viktor

*

Viktor,

I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.

Hermione

*

Hermione,

Very funny. Tell me, or suffer the consequences.

Viktor

*

Viktor,

Not that I ever agreed to tell you about Ron. We shall now change the subject.

I am an only child. My parents were thinking about having another child, but put it off when I got my Hogwarts letter. Now they believe that it's too late. I'm very sorry, as I'd love to have a little sister or brother, but I suppose that it would be cruel to bring a defenseless child into the world when You-Know-Who has returned.

Hermione

*

Hermione,
I never knew that. I'm honored that you confided in me. So confide in me some more, and tell me about Ron! I'm warning you, Granger.

Viktor

All that had led up to this one letter. This one letter in which she would tell Viktor exactly why she fancied Ron Weasley. So it took her an entire week to write it, to remember all the reasons she liked him. So what? Hermione was the kind of girl who liked to think things through. But she was finally done, and she was pleased with the result.

Viktor,

I cannot imagine why you are so interested in my love life. But, since you are, and I have nothing better to write about, I shall tell you about it.

I, Hermione Granger, fancy the pants off of Ronald Weasley.

There, I've admitted it. It's out in the open, for the world to see. Although, if you show it to the world, I'll have to kill you. Do not make the mistake of thinking that I am joking. It would be so easy to push you off one of the Durmstrang glaciers.

I don't know when I realized that I fancy Ron. It was definitely as early as second year, but I'm a little fuzzy on the details. All I know is that I grew to love him.

I love the way he laughs. He laughs like there's nothing holding him back, even at the worst of times. You can always describe my laughs with an adjective. I laugh nervously, silently, happily, and loudly. But you can't describe Ron's laughs. He just...laughs. It seems so silly, seeing it down on paper, but it's true.

I love the way he smiles, when he doesn't think I'm watching.

I love the way he's always there for Harry. For some reason, Ron always knows what to say. You wouldn't think it at first, but he's got quite a knack for getting straight to the point.

I love the way he stands up for me. Malfoy's a git, and he insults me a lot. Ron is always there, running at Malfoy with fists raised. He gets into loads of trouble, of course, but he defends me anyways.

I love everything about him. Ginny tells me about him sometimes, when we're in our room, and neither of us can sleep. I never ask her to tell me, but I think she realizes that I want to know.

She tells me stories about Ron as a child, stories that make me laugh. I love Ron's family. Ginny tells me that Ron is her favorite brother. She told me once that she wished us happiness. I didn't get it, at first. I thought that I had hidden my feelings so well. But I hadn't, and she knew that I loved him.

When Ron smiles, he smiles with his entire face. His eyes light up, that cute dimple appears in his right cheek, and he looks so happy.

I'm in love with Ron Weasley.

I can't do anything more than wait for him to realize that he loves me, too. If he does, which I sometimes doubt. And the thought pains me, more than you can imagine.

That's why I fancy Ron Weasley. Satisfied?

Hermione

*

Hermione,

Very much so. You have no idea how much I am having to restrain myself, to keep from sending that letter straight to Ron, to knock him to his senses. What a git. A damn lucky git.

Viktor

*

Viktor,

Flattery will get you nowhere.

Hermione

But Ron had never come to his senses. They had gotten almost all the way to their sixth Christmas, and Ron still hadn't said anything. Maybe he was scared, maybe he didn't love her. Maybe he was just reluctant to start anything, what with the whole mess that was going on. Maybe Hermione didn't really love Ron, anyways. Maybe she was just fooling herself, and this feeling was a schoolgirl crush.

Hermione had poured all her worries out, in a letter to Viktor. He had written her back, indignant on her behalf.

Hermione Jane Granger,

Come to your senses, woman. Ron Weasley is head over heels in love with you. You love him back, and you know you do. To reassure you, I've enclosed this letter. You may remember it.

Viktor

Enclosed had been the infamous letter. The one she had sent, certain of her answer, a little over a year ago. She had been surprised that Viktor still had the letter, and had read it eagerly. She did love Ron, she really did. Fancied the pants off of him, indeed.

Hermione was perusing the letter by firelight, alone in the common room. She flushed happily as she read her own words, the words that reassured her of her feelings. She couldn't have written all this and not be head over heels in love with Ron.

She felt eyes on her, and looked up. Ron was leaning against the doorway to the boys' dormitories, watching her. She didn't know how long he had been staring at her, but he had a slight smile on his face.

"Reading something happy, Hermione?" he asked in a low voice.

"You might say that," she said.

"That's good. We need happiness, especially when...especially at a time like this."

Hermione got up and walked over to him, standing directly in front of him. She had to tilt her head up to look at him, but she met his gaze.

"It's going to be alright, Ron," she told him with certainty.

"I know," he said, although his face was somber. "I just can't help thinking, 'Mione. What if it's not going to be alright? What if we don't make it through this alive? What if Harry dies? He's our only hope, and I'm afraid that maybe...maybe he can't carry the weight of the world on his shoulders without breaking."

Ron looked at her, his eyes anguished. Before she could think better of it, she threw her arms around him. He stiffened, but relaxed after a moment and wrapped his strong arms around her.

"It will be fine, Ron," Hermione said. "I believe in Harry."

"We have to," Ron said.

He released her from his embrace, and hurried over to the chair she had vacated. He picked up the letter, and smiled cheekily at her.

"Ron," she said, her voice sounding desperate, as she hurried over to him. "Don't read that!"

"Aw, Hermione," Ron said, holding the letter slightly above her head. "I could use a bit of cheering up! Share the love, woman!"

She reached up and snatched the letter from him, before he had time to react. It ripped in two, with only a small part left in Ron's hand.

"Must be important, then," Ron said. "If you're willing to rip it up to keep it away from me."

"It is, Ron!" Hermione said, a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. "Don't read it."

Ron's curiosity overcame his loyalty for her, and he looked at the paper.

"Oh! It's from Vicky! No wait, it's to Vicky. You're reading your own letter, 'Mione?"

"Ron, don't!"

"'Viktor,'" Ron read, keeping the paper out of her reach. "'I cannot imagine why you are so interested in my love life.' Easy, Hermione. He loffs you! 'But, since you are, and I have nothing better to write about, I shall tell you about it.' How come you don't tell me about your love life? 'I, Hermione Granger, fancy the pants off of...Oh, Merlin's beard, Hermione!"

Ron looked at her, then back at the paper, then back at her again. Hermione just stood there, not knowing what to do. Ron swallowed nervously.

"Is this..." he started, but faltered. "Do you really...I mean...well, do you?"

Hermione nodded slowly.

Ron let out a whoop, and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her soundly. Not exactly the reaction Hermione had expected, but she went with it.

The sound of a clearing throat caused them to break apart. Hermione looked around to see Harry and Ginny standing in front of the portrait hole, Ginny with a triumphant grin on her face.

"I told you so, Harry!" she shouted. "Didn't I tell you?"

Harry sighed heavily. "Yeah, you told me."

"And who is always right?" she asked him, seeming to ignore Hermione and Ron.

"You are," Harry said in a monotone, although he was smiling at her.

"I am," she agreed happily.

"I, Ginny Weasley, am the master of all people readers!" Ginny shouted.

"Okay, Ginny, enough is enough!" Harry said exasperatedly. "I knew it was going to happen, I just didn't think it would happen before Christmas."

"Well, you still lost the bet," Ginny informed him. "I believe that someone owes me ten Galleons."

"Do I look like I carry that kind of money on me, woman?" Harry asked her. "It's upstairs in my trunk."

"Well, let's not waste a minute, Harry Potter!" Ginny said happily. "I still have to buy Ron a Christmas present."

"You waited until the day before Christmas to get your brother a present?" Hermione asked, no longer able to keep silent.

"Yeah," Ginny said. "I knew that I'd win the bet, so what was the problem?"

"I can't believe that you two bet on us," Ron said, grinning like mad.

"Well, it was a sure thing," Harry said, shrugging his shoulders.

"A sure thing, Harry?" Ginny asked. "It's a sure thing that I'm going to kick your arse if you don't go get my ten Galleons."

Hermione just shook her head. The irony was beginning to make her smile.

She had doubted her love for Ron.

Everyone else had taken it for granted.