Hermione writes a scathing letter to the editor of the Daily Prophet, getting that out of the way before she writes a reply to her parents. She's just finishing up when a shadow casts over herself and her Potions work, she'd pulled out to make a start on. She looks up expecting, well she wasn't really expecting anyone but she never would have guessed at Malfoy. She stares at him blankly for a while waiting for him to say something and when he doesn't she raises an eyebrow

"Yes?"

"You're quite serious then, you and Krum?" Hermione frowns at her papers in confusion then scowls up at him

"I don't see how that's any of your business"

"C'mon Granger it's in the bloody paper, it's everyone's business"

"What's it to you anyway, why do you care?"

"I don't, not really. But when a pureblood from a long line of purebloods, inexplicably starts knocking around with a mudblood, it does raise certain questions"

"Oh do one Malfoy. I got quite a high off punching you in face last year, I wouldn't mind revisiting the feeling"

"Unknot your knickers Granger I didn't come in here for a lecture"

"Then pray tell, so I can get rid of you, what do you want?"

"Well speaking of physical highs and … knickers" his lips quirk up "I'm interested in what it is you're doing to keep Krum interested … and wondering if he wouldn't mind sharing it around" surprisingly Hermione doesn't explode in a fit of rage. Maybe it's that edge of maturity she's gained since being with Viktor, maybe it's the confidence he's given her, maybe she's really fed up of Malfoy and his shit and wants to try a different approach in ridding herself of him once and for all. She stands and steps forward so they're closer than they've ever been and lowers her voice

"Oh Malfoy" she smiles coyly. Malfoy's eyes widen in surprise then cloud with a little bit of fear "you could be on fire and I wouldn't spare you a mouthful of spit so what on earth makes you think you can think about my knickers" she finishes the sentence with a fierce glare and turns to gather her things "from what I hear, you're too scared to actually go through with anything anyway. Is it a size issue or are you just not adequate as a whole?"

Admittedly, she feels quite bad about her last comments. She had heard a Slytherin girl telling Pansy Parkinson that Malfoy had chickened out of whatever it is she wanted him to do and giggling about it possibly having something to do with a less than exciting appendage. Using it as a weapon was low, even if it was against Malfoy. He may be a psychopath in the making and a narcissistic moron but even he had the right to 'go at his own pace' as her mother had put it. He'd brought up sex as a topic, she reasoned and the look on his face told her she may have succeeded in getting rid of him, for a while at least

"Go away will you"

"Thank Merlin for that" Hermione mutters to herself, already leaving.

By the time she gets to class she feels completely drained, people are just trying to miff her off, surely. Neville greets her amicably when she takes her place beside him and she has to remind herself not to be short with him. He hasn't done anything wrong after all, it's not his fault Malfoy's an arrogant arse and Rita Skeeter is, in her opinion, worse. Plus, the whole Ron situation is really starting to weigh on her. And everyone around them. Apparently she still come off a little cold because Neville's smile slips and he turns away from her quickly, Damn it.

"Neville I never got the chance to tell you how brilliant you were for suggesting the gillyweed to Harry"

"Oh … gee thanks Hermione. It's the books Professor Moody gave me, they're really brilliant" Hermione's happy enough to let Neville chat about all things Herbology for the entire lesson because it's a nice distraction from being angry at a growing list of people. Truthfully the excitement with which he speaks is quite infectious and by the end of the period, she's smiling along with him.

As they're leaving the classroom, a paper airplane bounces off her arm to the floor and she finds herself grinning as she bends to retrieve it

'Hermione,

I hope your mood has improved since breakfast as mine cannot be spoilt after waking up to something so perfect this morning. Please don't let silly people like the reporter affect your happiness. They aren't worth it and your happiness means so much to me. However, if you find yourself in need of cheering up today, I will meet you. Anytime, anywhere.

Yours,

Viktor'

She can't scribble out a reply fast enough, using Neville's back as a surface and a muggle biro rather than her quill, she writes

'Please. Where should I meet you?'

She's still awaiting a reply when he finds her in the corridor outside the great hall. She squeals as he grabs her from behind, less embarrassed by the outburst because he keeps his arms around her waist and grins into her neck.

"Are you feeling better Моят скъпоценни красота?"

"I've been worse"

"That won't do" he says dramatically "no girlfviend of mine is going to be anything less than joyous if I can help it"

"You do help it" she kisses him "I'm always happy when you're around" another kiss "are you busy?"

"What did you have in mind?"

"Can we go flying? Go somewhere just us for a bit?"

"I thought you'd never ask" he chuckles against her hairline, taking her hand and jogging off down the corridor.

Once in the air Hermione feels Viktor relax, which in turn calms her and she sinks in to his chest happily. They stay where they won't be seen, keeping within the treeline mostly, before eventually landing

"Are you going to tell me what's vrong?"

"Oh nothing, it just seems everyone is out to nettle me today"

"Nettle you?"

"It means irritate, I'm just whining, ignore me"

"Never" he grins cheekily and tugs roughly on her hips, bringing her to him "what is really matter?" Hermione sighs, she's not entirely sure. Everyone is bugging her but that's sort of because she's just in a perpetual bad mood

"I'm just a grump" Viktor frowns unconvinced and hugs her fully

"You are sad, I can see it. I wish to know why, only so I can help"

"Trust me, there's nothing you can do"

"Ha! So you admit something is wrong" he says accusingly "speak to me Hermione" she stares at one of the buttons on his chest for a short while before deciding to answer

"You'll leave soon"

"Hermione-"

"You can't just keep ignoring it"

"Why not?"

"Because what happens after? You'll be in Bulgaria and I'll be here and then what?"

"Then we write and visit. It does not have to be as hard as you are making out"

"What happens when life gets in the way Viktor? You're an international quidditch player and I'll be doing my OWL's soon"

"Hermione" he interrupts, taking hold of her shoulders "you're more important to me than any of that"

"I think I'm just upset I won't be seeing you every day"

"It will be hell but when we are together again that won't matter"

"Men don't speak like that in real life, only romance novels"

"That Моят скъпоценни красота is where you are mistaken" he smiles before swooping in for a kiss.