Author's Note: None of this belongs to me. This story is based on Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling and will feature "offstage scenes" as well as scenes from the book reinterpreted from Hermione's point of view.

Author's Note #2: I fear this part may be a bit anti-climactic, as no matter what I do with the final scene, it will not be anywhere near as good as B. Bennett's "The Other Kiss". So read this, write me a review, and go read (or reread, as is more likely the case) her wonderful story!

Hermione's 4th Year

Part 20: End of the End

by Elanor Gamgee

Hermione woke up much earlier than she wanted to the next morning. It took a few moments before she remembered what had happened the night before, and why she felt so drained. By the amount of sunlight filtering in through the window, she guessed that she should probably hurry if she wanted to make it to breakfast.

As she got out of bed and started dressing, she realized that the dormitory was empty. She hadn't heard Lavender or Parvati come in last night; she wondered if they had even come to bed at all, or if the rest of Gryffindor had stayed up all night in the common room. Either way, she was rather relieved that she didn't have to face her roommates first thing in the morning, as she suspected they would be full of questions she didn't want to, and couldn't, answer.

When Hermione went down to the common room, it was virtually empty. Ron was the only person there; he was sitting on the sofa, flipping through a Quidditch book without really looking at it. When she entered the room, he looked up.

"Hi," he said quietly. "You're finally up."

"Hi," she returned. "Where is everyone?"

"Down at breakfast already," said Ron, now looking at her carefully. "Want to go down there?"

Hermione nodded. She was extremely grateful to Ron for waiting for her; she wasn't sure she could have faced the others alone. Instinctively, she knew that Ron felt the same way. He needed her by his side as much as she needed him.

Ron stood and walked over to the portrait hole, holding it open so that she could go through. Once they were out in the corridor, they walked along in silence. Hermione kept casting worried glances in Ron's direction. He was too quiet and somber-looking; it was unsettling.

"Are you OK?" he finally burst out.

Hermione looked at him, startled. "I could ask you the same question," she retorted.

Ron shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair distractedly, but didn't say anything.

Hermione took a deep breath. "He'll be all right," she said, though she didn't even believe that herself.

Ron gave her a look that told her how unconvincing her statement had been. "What happened to him though?" he said, sounding more anxious than Hermione had ever heard him.

"I don't know," said Hermione, frustration edging her voice. "I don't know any more than you do, remember?"

Ron looked at her quickly, then nodded. The two of them lapsed back into silence as they approached the Great Hall. They slipped inside and headed for the Gryffindor table, where Mrs. Weasley was sitting with Ginny and the twins.

The Great Hall was much quieter than usual, and Hermione saw several heads swivel in their direction as she and Ron sat down across from Mrs. Weasley. Hermione did her best to ignore this.

"Good morning, dears," said Mrs. Weasley distractedly. "Ginny, you must eat something!" She pushed a bowl of porridge toward Ginny, who looked like she might be sick. Hermione saw that Mrs. Weasley's own plate of eggs and sausage had barely been touched.

"How's Harry?" asked Ron, clearly trying to mask the worry in his voice.

Mrs. Weasley turned to him. "He's...resting." Hermione supposed that was the best that could be said for him at the moment.

Up at the staff table, Professor Dumbledore had risen to his feet. "May I have your attention please!" he called. His pale blue eyes lit on Hermione and Ron, and he gave them a little nod. Hermione had the impression that he had been waiting for them to arrive before saying whatever it was he was about to say.

"I know that many of you have questions about what happened last night. As you all know, one of our champions, Cedric Diggory, was killed. Our other champions went through their own ordeals as well."

Hermione looked over at the Ravenclaw table and saw Fleur Delacour sitting rigidly, staring at Professor Dumbledore. She looked over at the Slytherin table, and realized that Viktor was not there.

Hermione's attention was drawn away from this thought as Professor Dumbledore continued. "Harry Potter went through a particularly startling ordeal last night. I must ask you, please, to leave him alone. Please do not ask him questions or badger him about what happened in the maze." Professor Dumbledore turned his piercing gaze on each of the house tables in turn, then sat down.

Hermione felt Ron stiffen beside her. Seeing him staring at the Slytherin table with a furious look on his face, Hermione followed his gaze. Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle were smirking and snickering behind their hands, apparently very amused by Professor Dumbledore's speech.

Without meaning to, Hermione laid a hand on Ron's arm. "Don't pay attention to them," she said, though her own voice was shaking with anger.

Ron, startled, looked at her, then stared down at her hand, still on his forearm. Hermione removed it quickly, blushing.

They were saved from their embarrassment by a rushing of wings above them as the post arrived. A medium-sized brown owl landed in front of Hermione, bearing her copy of the Daily Prophet. Ron looked at it warily. Hermione did the same for moment, then realized that the likelihood of Rita Skeeter writing any more terrible articles was minimal, as the reporter was currently trapped in jar under Hermione's bed. This also reminded her that she needed to gather some grass and leaves for the beetle.

Nonetheless, Hermione scanned the newspaper carefully. There was a very short article on page seven, which merely said that the Triwizard Tournament was over, and that Hogwarts champion Harry Potter had been the winner, but that was all.

Satisfied, Hermione refolded the paper and continued eating her breakfast. "Nothing bad," she said to Ron, who was still watching her warily. A look of relief swept across Ron's face. Hermione wanted to tell him about how she had caught Rita Skeeter, but it just didn't feel like the right time. Besides, she wasn't going to say anything with Mrs. Weasley sitting across the table.

Hermione finished eating and stood up. "I'm going for a walk," she announced.

Ron looked up at her. "Do you, er, want me to come with you?" he said quietly, his ears turning an interesting shade of magenta toward the end of this sentence.

Hermione paused. She would have liked nothing better than to go for a walk with Ron at the moment; he was the one person who could understand the anxiety she felt, and wouldn't ask questions. But she really wanted to get some leaves and grass for the beetle, and knew that this would be hard to explain.

"That's all right. I'll be fine. I just want...some time to think." Hermione wondered if this excuse sounded as lame to Ron's ears as it did to her own. Judging by the look on his face, it did.

"You go on, dear," said Mrs. Weasley, looking slightly misty. "Ron, you stay here with Ginny. I'm going to have a talk with Professor Dumbledore, and I want to talk to you when I get back."

Hermione left the table quickly and hurried outside. She felt distracted, and wondered why the hurt look on Ron's face had made her heart beat a little faster. She wondered why she could still seem to feel the warmth of his arm under her hand. And she wondered how she could possibly be thinking such thoughts with everything else that had happened. She felt as though her senses had been heightened somehow, as if the experiences of the night before had thrown everything else into sharp relief.

It was a hot and sunny morning, and Hermione was glad of the slight breeze. It was so beautiful outside that it almost seemed ominous, as if nature had responded to the tragic events of the night before with a cheeky grin. Hermione made her way down toward the lake, where she could gather several different types of leaves from the trees growing nearby. She carefully avoided looking in the direction of the Quidditch pitch.

Several students were sitting out by the lake, enjoying the beautiful weather. Hermione skirted them and went on to a more secluded part of the bank. Across the lake, she could see the Durmstrang ship, and wondered again where Viktor was this morning.

Then she saw a dark-haired figure sitting on the bank, not too far from the ship. She knew right away that it was Viktor. He was sitting on a rock, not moving.

Hermione pulled down some leaves from two or three nearby trees, and stuffed them into her pockets along with a handful of grass. She moved quickly around to the other side of the lake and approached Viktor from behind. He was staring out into the distance, as he had been when she had seen him the night before, and didn't seem to hear her come up behind him.

Hermione remembered with a guilty pang the shouts of pain she had heard just before Viktor had been carried out of the maze. What had happened to him in there?

Hermione sat down beside Viktor. "Are you all right?" she asked softly.

Viktor looked at her sharply, but didn't say anything.

Hermione tried again. "I was really worried. I mean, there was all that horrible yelling, and then Hagrid carried you out, and you were unconscious..."

Viktor gave a violent start at these words, then closed his eyes as if in pain. Hermione stared at him, unsure what to say next.

There was a long silence. "Listen," Hermione finally said, "if you want to talk--"

"I don't," Viktor said gruffly, and there was a surprising amount of anger in his voice. He turned and gave her a piercing look, and Hermione once again felt pinned to the spot. There was a painful anger in his eyes that she could not recall ever seeing there before, and it frightened her a little. It was a relief when he looked away.

"You should go," Viktor said, his voice even now.

"Oh, I can stay, if you--" Hermione began awkwardly, but Viktor interrupted her once again.

"I vant you to go," he said firmly, not looking at her.

"Er...all right," said Hermione uncomfortably. She scrambled to her feet. "See you later then."

Viktor didn't reply, but just continued to stare out over the lake. Hermione hurried back toward the castle, wondering what had happened to make Viktor act like this. She looked back several times, and each time he was still sitting on the rock, staring straight ahead. Once in her dormitory again, Hermione tried to put Viktor's strange behavior from her mind as she poked a few leaves into Rita Skeeter's jar.

Harry returned from the hospital wing that evening and immediately came to sit with Hermione and Ron in the corner of the common room. People all over the room were craning their necks to watch him, but he avoided their eyes.

"Hi," he said awkwardly, dropping into an armchair.

"Hi," said Hermione, watching him closely. Ron was doing the same.

Harry looked at their worried faces. "Oh, stop it, you two," he said, sounding annoyed. "I'm fine."

Hermione wondered if Harry had ever been less fine, but she didn't think this was the time to point that out.

Ron cleared his throat. "Want a game of chess, Harry?" he said, clearly trying to lighten the mood.

Harry rubbed his forehead and frowned. "No," he said. "Not really. You two play though. I'll watch."

Ron got the chessboard and set it up, while Hermione continued to watch Harry with a growing sense of worry.

"Professor Dumbledore talked to the school this morning," said Hermione.

Harry looked up. "Really? What did he say?"

Hermione and Ron told him about the Headmaster's speech while they played a very distracted game of chess. Hermione's chessmen kept giving her exasperated looks and shaking their fingers at her, and even Ron's pieces seemed unhappy with him.

They weren't even halfway through their game when Harry stood up abruptly and announced that he was going up to bed. Hermione exchanged a look with Ron, who stood up quickly and said, "Yeah, I'll come too. I'm really tired."

"Good night," said Hermione, trying to sound like everything was normal. Ron shot her another worried look as he followed Harry to the stairs.

Harry continued to be quiet and distracted over the next few days, and he seemed completely unwilling, or unable, to discuss what had happened in the maze. Hermione felt like she and Ron were on eggshells around him, always being extra careful not to mention the third task, or the tournament, or anything that might lead to discussions of either subject. Harry didn't avoid Hermione and Ron, though; it was as if he felt better in their company, even if he couldn't talk about what had happened.

Hermione couldn't blame him for wanting to stay with his friends. The rest of the school seemed to have taken the mysterious events of the third task as a sign that Rita Skeeter had been correct in painting Harry as "disturbed and dangerous", and hushed whispers followed him wherever he went. Hermione even saw a second year Hufflepuff scream and run away when she accidentally bumped into Harry going around a corner. It reminded Hermione of the time in their second year when people thought that Harry might be the Heir of Slytherin--only that had seemed almost playful and ridiculous compared to this situation.

So the three of them kept to themselves, for the most part. In the evenings, Harry would watch Ron and Hermione play chess ; it became quite a routine. Hermione suspected it that it cheered Harry up slightly to watch her lose at something (she knew it cheered Ron up, at any rate).

When their grades came out, Hermione was once again at the top of her class. Somehow, this wasn't as satisfying to her as it had been in the past. It seemed to matter less now. Oddly enough, Ron didn't even tease her about the fact that she got 153% on her Arithmancy exam.

Though most of Hermione's anxiety was taken up with Harry, she occasionally wondered about Viktor. She had not spoken with him since their encounter by the lake, and he would never meet her eyes in the Great Hall.

The last night crept up on them quickly, and soon they were entering the Great Hall for the Leaving Feast. Hermione caught her breath sharply when she saw the black cloth draping the walls. The crowds of students in the Hall were unusually subdued, as if everyone knew that this was the time to mourn Cedric as a school.

Hermione, Ron, and Harry took seats at the far end of the Gryffindor table, away from the crowd. They had done so regularly in the past week, and no one except the twins, and occasionally Ginny, would sit near them. Hermione looked over at the Slytherin table and saw Viktor staring down at his plate. She looked away from him uncomfortably and noticed Harry staring at Professor Snape. Hermione nudged Ron and nodded in Harry's direction, and she and Ron exchanged another worried look.

Professor Dumbledore stood up, causing the Hall to fall silent. As he asked the students to raise their glasses to Cedric Diggory, Hermione felt tears pricking the corners of her eyes. She willed herself not to cry.

"Cedric was a person who exemplified many of the qualities which distinguish Hufflepuff House," said Professor Dumbledore. "He was a good and loyal friend, a hard worker, he valued fair play. His death has affected you all, whether you knew him well or not. I think that you have the right, therefore, to know exactly how it came about."

Hermione swiveled around in her seat and stared at Harry. Next to her, Ron did the same. Harry, meanwhile, was looking at Dumbledore in shock.

"Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort." The gentleness of the Headmaster's tone was at odds with the harshness of this news, and a storm of shocked whispers followed this announcement. Hermione had known this much, of course, but hearing Professor Dumbledore announce it in such a straightforward tone had an odd effect on her. She felt as if all the breath had been sucked from her lungs for a moment.

The Headmaster went on to explain why he was telling the students this, even though the Ministry did not want him to, but Hermione barely heard a word he said.

"There is somebody else who must be mentioned in connection with Cedric's death," continued Professor Dumbledore, catching Hermione's attention again. "I am talking, of course, about Harry Potter."

Hermione and Ron both looked over at Harry again. He seemed to be trying to ignore the people looking in his direction.

Professor Dumbledore's voice rang out clearly through the silent Hall. "Harry Potter managed to escape Lord Voldemort. He risked his own life to return Cedric's body to Hogwarts. He showed, in every respect, the sort of bravery that few wizards have ever shown in facing Lord Voldemort, and for this, I honor him."

Dumbledore turned and raised his goblet in Harry's direction. The students stood and drank to him; Hermione and Ron were the first to get to their feet. Harry didn't seem to want to meet anyone's eyes.

When the students had taken their seats again, the Headmaster continued. "The Triwizard Tournament's aim was to further and promote magical understanding. In the light of what has happened--of Lord Voldemort's return--such ties are more important than ever before." Professor Dumbledore's sweeping gaze took in Madame Maxime, the Beauxbatons students, and the Durmstrang students. He gazed upon the Durmstrang students the longest, and, looking over, Hermione saw a frightened look on Viktor's face.

Dumbledore's voice was surprisingly gentle as he went on. "Every guest in this Hall will be welcomed back here, at any time, should they wish to come. I say to you all, once again--in the light of Lord Voldemort's return, we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided."

Hermione watched Viktor, who had now raised his head and was looking straight at Dumbledore. He was still looking slightly wary.

"Lord Voldemort's gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great," continued Dumbledore. "We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open."

Viktor seemed to feel Hermione's gaze on him now, and he turned and looked in her direction. Their eyes had barely met, however, when he quickly looked away.

Hermione sagged a little in disappointment. Ron gave her a puzzled look, which she tried to ignore as she turned her attention back to what Professor Dumbledore was saying.

"...if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right, and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory."

Dumbledore sat down, but the hush in the Great Hall remained. Finally, a murmuring broke out, and people began talking again. Hermione, Ron, and Harry, however, were still quiet. It was as if all three of them had run out of things to say. And what could they say, really, after Dumbledore's speech?

Hermione tried to catch Viktor's eye again as he was leaving the Great Hall, but he seemed to be purposefully avoiding her gaze.

After dinner, Hermione, Ron and Harry went up to their dormitories to pack their things, as they would be leaving on the Hogwarts Express the following morning. Hermione found that her packing went slowly, however. For one thing, Lavender and Parvati were in the room, giggling over Parvati's plans to meet up with one of the Beauxbatons boys when she visited Paris with her family over the summer. For another, Dumbledore's words kept floating through Hermione's mind: "If the time should come when you have to choose between what is right, and what is easy..." It would be easy to let Viktor leave tomorrow without talking to him, she knew. She instinctively knew that he would not contact her again, if she didn't contact him first. The thought was something of a relief; it would mean she no longer had to deal with the plethora of conflicting emotions that Viktor's presence always raised in her.

But it wouldn't be right.

Hermione made her decision. Gathering up some parchment, a quill, and some ink, she left the dormitory without explaining to her roommates where she was going. She sat down in a quiet corner of the common room and began to write.

Hermione quickly rolled up the parchment before she could rethink that last sentence too much, addressed it to Viktor, and went straight to the Owlery. As it was after dark, there were only a few owls there. One of them was Pigwidgeon, who hopped up and down excitedly upon seeing her. But she couldn't use Pig for this delivery; it just wouldn't be right. In fact, the mere sight of Ron's spastic owl sent a spasm of guilt through Hermione's stomach. She quickly turned away from Pig's incessant hooting and tied the letter onto the outstretched leg of one of the school owls.

The owl soared out into the night, and Hermione watched as it descended toward the Durmstrang ship. She waited for some time to see if there would be a response, but the owl did not return.

Well, she thought, as she returned to her dormitory to finish her packing, I've done all I really can, haven't I?

The next morning after breakfast, the students began assembling in loose groups in the Entrance Hall to wait for the carriages to take them to Hogsmeade station. Hermione felt a strange sense of loss; despite all that had happened this year, she didn't want to leave. It felt wrong to disperse now, when staying together was so important. The thought of sitting at the dinner table and making polite Muggle conversation with her parents knowing that Lord Voldemort had returned was almost too much for Hermione.

Harry leaned against the wall of the Entrance Hall, looking depressed. He always looked depressed when it came time to leave Hogwarts. Hermione couldn't blame him; she had seen his uncle at Kings Cross and had couldn't believe how unpleasant the man was.

Hermione's thoughts were interrupted by a call behind her.

"'Arry!"

Fleur Delacour hurried over to Harry and held out her hand. "We will see each uzzer again, I hope. I am 'oping to get a job 'ere, to improve my Eenglish."

In honor of the spirit if international magical cooperation that Professor Dumbledore had advocated the previous night, Hermione tried to stamp down her instinctive dislike of Fleur.

Unfortunately, Ron chose this moment to say, "It's very good already," in a strange voice, while gazing idiotically at Fleur. Fleur smiled at him, and Hermione felt all her dislike of the girl rushing back. She glared at Ron as Fleur said goodbye to Harry and rushed away. Ron didn't seem to notice.

"Wonder how the Durmstrang students are getting back?" said Ron suddenly, and Hermione wondered if he was purposely trying to make her uncomfortable. "D'y'reckon they can steer that ship without Karkaroff?"

"Karkaroff did not steer," said Viktor's voice behind Hermione, making her jump. "He stayed in his cabin and let us do all the vork."

Hermione turned quickly to see Viktor giving her his most intense look yet. "Could I have a vord?" he asked simply.

"Oh...yes...all right," she replied, wondering if she sounded as flustered as she felt. She hadn't really expected Viktor to show up like this. She knew, in the back of her mind, that she had been half-hoping he wouldn't respond at all. But she was still glad he had.

Viktor led the way through the crowd. Hermione heard Ron calling behind her, "You'd better hurry up! The carriages'll be here in a minute!"

Hermione smiled to herself. Still jealous, she thought. For a moment, the idea made her smile, then she remembered the conversation she was probably about to have with Viktor, and winced slightly.

Viktor led her to a quiet alcove off the main hall.

"I got your letter," he said.

"Oh...good," said Hermione, not sure if it was.

Viktor paused for a moment and looked at her. "I vanted to tell you...that I do not think you should come to Bulgaria this summer."

Hermione was taken aback. She hadn't expected this. Confusion, disappointment, and overwhelming relief mingled inside her.

"Why--why not?" she asked.

Viktor looked straight at her. "Because it is too dangerous, after all that has happened." He paused again, and his eyes softened. "Especially for you," he added.

Hermione looked down. He has a point, she thought. After all, the Muggle-born best friend of Harry Potter would probably do well to stay away from anywhere associated with the Death Eaters.

Viktor went on. "But even if it vere safe, I vould tell you not to come."

Hermione looked up at him in amazement, but he was looking away, over her head. "What? Why?" she managed to get out.

"Because it is not vere you vant to be," he said, still not looking at her.

Hermione remained silent. She couldn't deny this.

Viktor finally looked at her. "Vill you still write to me?"

Hermione smiled. "Of course. We're friends, remember?"

Viktor nodded solemnly, but Hermione thought she saw the ghost of a smile on his face.

Then he looked over her head again, and frowned at something behind her. "Your friends--they do not like me," he said.

"That's not true!" protested Hermione at once. "Harry likes you fine, and Ron...is, well...Ron..." she trailed off uncertainly. "I really should be getting back. The carriages will be here soon," she added hastily.

Viktor looked as though he wanted to say something else, but thought better of it. He followed her back to the part of crowded Entrance Hall where Harry and Ron were standing.

Hermione could feel Ron's eyes on her as they returned. She kept her face blank and avoided his eyes.

Viktor, meanwhile, was talking to Harry. "I liked Diggory. He vos alvays polite to me. Alvays. Even though I vos from Durmstrang--with Karkaroff."

"Have you got a new Headmaster yet?" asked Harry, and Hermione felt a rush of gratitude towards him for being nice to Viktor.

Viktor merely shrugged, then shook Harry's hand. Then he turned to Ron, and held out his hand. Hermione wasn't sure how well Ron would take to this, but Ron didn't embarrass her, for once. He shook Viktor's hand politely.

But there was a strange look on Ron's face as Viktor turned away. For one wild moment, Hermione thought he was about to say something rude, but then he burst out with "Can I have your autograph?"

Hermione had to turn away to hide her smile. She should have known that Ron's love of Quidditch would outweigh any other emotion in the end. And she knew, too, that this was Ron's way of apologizing for his behavior at the Yule Ball. It was a little late, perhaps, but she'd take it.

The ride back to Kings Cross Station was full of discussion. Harry finally seemed able to talk about what had happened. It seemed as if the Headmaster's address to the school the evening before had allowed him to open up. He told Hermione and Ron the whole story of what had happened during the third task, and they discussed the possibilities of what would happen next.

As Hermione was putting her money back into her bag after buying lunch, her copy of the Daily Prophet fell out of the bag. She saw Harry eyeing it warily. Remembering her news, Hermione finally told Harry and Ron about capturing Rita Skeeter. They seemed disinclined to believe her at first, but once she pointed out the evidence, they were impressed.

A ride on the Hogwarts Express was never complete without a visit from Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle, and the three of them entered the compartment just as Hermione was finishing her story. Their taunting had reached new lows this time, however, and Malfoy's mention of Cedric was too much for the three friends. Hexes went flying through the compartment as Harry, Ron, and Hermione sent spells hurtling toward the three Slytherins, accompanied by Fred and George, who had shown up in the doorway just in time to join in. Hermione used the Densaugeo hex, aiming it straight at Malfoy, intending to make his teeth grow as he had done to her. She doubted he would appreciate the irony.

The rest of the ride was uneventful, and, when the train had pulled into King's Cross Station, Hermione and Ron gathered their things and struggled out of the compartment. It wasn't until they got to the platform that Hermione realized that Harry wasn't with them.

Ron had noticed too. "Where's Harry?" he said, craning his neck to look behind them.

"I suppose he's coming," said Hermione. They stood there in silence for few minutes. Ron kept darting glances at Hermione, as if he wanted to say something.

"What's the matter, Ron?" she finally asked.

"I was just wondering...are you, er, going anywhere this summer?" Ron asked quickly, not looking at her.

She knew what he was asking. But for some reason, part of her didn't want to tell him the truth—not yet, anyway. "I suppose I'll do some traveling," she said vaguely. "My parents usually like to, in the summers."

Ron nodded, turning away so she couldn't see his face.

"There's your mum," said Hermione, glad to have an excuse to break the awkward silence. "Come on, let's go on through the barrier. Harry can meet us out there."

Ron didn't say anything, but followed her over to Mrs. Weasley.

"Hi Mrs. Weasley!" she called.

Mrs. Weasley greeted her warmly, then turned to Ron. "Hello, dear....now you and Hermione go on through the barrier. I'm going to gather up Ginny and the twins and we'll meet you on the other side."

The Muggle train station was completely packed, and Hermione was actually glad for the high noise level; it gave her an excuse not to make awkward conversation with Ron.

The rest of the Weasleys soon joined them, then Harry came through the barrier. Mrs. Weasley hugged Harry tightly as soon as she saw him.

Ron clapped Harry on the back. "See you, Harry."

Hermione noticed Harry looking over at an unpleasant-looking man standing a few feet away from their group, and realized that it was his Uncle Vernon. Those people are the last thing he needs right now, she thought sadly.

"Bye, Harry!" she said, stepping forward to kiss him on the cheek.

George said something quietly that Hermione didn't hear, then Harry turned away and left the station with his Uncle Vernon.

Hermione became aware that Ron was staring at her once again. She felt her cheeks turn pink under his gaze, but steadfastly refused to look at him.

"Ron," said Mrs. Weasley, "why don't you and Hermione go out front and look for her parents? Leave your things here, dear, and help Hermione carry hers."

Ron didn't say anything as he took Hermione's trunk from her and heaved it onto a trolley. Hermione said her good-byes to the other Weasleys, then followed Ron out to the front of the building.

"Over here," Hermione said, indicating a spot near the right side of the building. "This is where they usually meet me."

Ron wheeled the trolley over out of the way, and stopped. Hermione scanned the crowded parking lot, pretending not to notice the odd tension between Ron and herself.

"What did you do that for?" Ron finally blurted out.

"What?" said Hermione, though she suspected she knew what he meant.

"You kissed Harry on the cheek. You never do girly stuff like that!"

Hermione sighed. "Because he's just been through an awful time, and he's about to go through more awful times, and I care about him, Ron! Now please don't start this again. I'm worried enough about Harry as it is. I don't need this too."

Ron was silent for a moment. When he spoke again, his voice was more tentative. "Hermione? Did you kiss Viktor goodbye too?"

"WHAT?" Hermione practically shouted, turning pink. "That's none of your business, Ron!" Somewhere in the back of her mind, she noted that at least Ron hadn't called him "Vicky".

To her utter surprise, Ron merely nodded unhappily. "You're right. It's none of my business," he said quietly, looking away from her.

Hermione stared at him for a moment, expecting this to turn into an argument, but Ron continued to look away. There was a sad droop in his posture, and Hermione wondered if something could finally be happening.

Hermione looked away, not sure what to think, and saw her father at the far end of the parking lot. She waved to get his attention and shouted that she was coming, then turned to say goodbye to Ron.

Ron took a deep breath and seemed to be mustering up his courage. Could this be...? thought Hermione.

"Well," he said, "I hope that you'll still come stay at the Burrow this summer, even if you do go to--even if you do go somewhere else too." Hermione gave him an incredulous look, and Ron turned pink and stared at his feet. "I mean, Harry's going to come for a least a few weeks..." he muttered, "so you might as well come too."

Graceless as this invitation was, Hermione knew what it had cost him to extend it. She couldn't keep from smiling. Knowing that Ron was willing to put aside his jealousy made Hermione's heart sing, though she wondered if he would ever realize that he had nothing, and no one, to be jealous about. Maybe it was time she helped him see that.

"Of course I'll come," said Hermione, and she could feel the heat rising in her face. She took a step closer to him, not believing what she was about to say. "You know, Ron," she said quietly, "just because I was the thing that Viktor would miss the most, well, that doesn't mean he's the thing I would miss the most."

Ron looked up at her, as if unsure he had heard her correctly. Hermione gave him a nervous smile, and then, before she could think twice about it, darted forward and pulled him into a hug. Ron stiffened for a moment, then his arms went around her and he was hugging her back.

Hermione turned her head, intending to kiss him on the cheek as she had Harry. But Ron had apparently had the same idea, and before she knew what was happening, her lips met his. It was only for a moment, but Hermione felt a sudden electricity run through her entire body.

Both of them jumped back quickly, startled by this accidental contact. Hermione put her hand to her mouth. Ron was staring at her, his eyes completely round. She stared back for a moment, then the sound of a car horn brought her back to her senses.

"I...I have to go," she said breathlessly. Ron just nodded, looking stunned. Hermione gathered up Crookshanks' basket and began pushing her trolley toward her parents' car.

Halfway there, she turned to look back at Ron. He was still standing in the same place looking dazed, but with a slow smile spreading across his face. Hermione laughed out loud at his silly expression, sure that it mirrored her own. "Send me an owl!" she called to him, waving. He waved back, then Hermione turned and continued pushing her trolley to her parents' car, wondering how she was ever going to make small talk with her parents now, and unable to stop smiling.

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Here endeth "Hermione's 4th Year". I hope you have enjoyed it! I, for one, am delighted that it's done, because that means I can now read Arabella's "HQoW". Yay!

Stay tuned for "Ron's 4th Year"--I've got all kinds of fun ideas about what's going on with Ron that the others don't know about. Also, during the course of writing this story, I have become rather taken with Viktor Krum, so expect some Viktor POV stuff soon too. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed this story! It really means a lot to me.

I want to send out thanks to my wonderful Sugar Quill friends: to Zsenya, B. Bennett, and Moey for last-minute beta-reads, detailed proofreading when my husband removed the spell-checker from my computer (!), and basically listening to me whine and being supportive!

And to Arabella, who isn't allowed to read this until she finishes writing HQoW, thanks for all the late night chats delving into Hermione's POV, and for being afraid to read my story until you finish yours. You have no idea how flattering that is, coming from you!

And to those who have noted the "eerie similarities" between this story and Arabella's, I say to you:

"We're eerie, because we're right."