All Messed Up

Ron woke up Friday morning in the Boys' Dormitory floor on some spread-out blankets. He looked around. Harry Potter, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, and Neville Longbottom had already left to eat breakfast. The only occupied bed was Ron's.
Viktor Krum lay in bed, the blankets wrapped around him like a cocoon, his head slammed into the pillow, and a large puddle of saliva circled on the sheets by Viktor's mouth.
Ron sighed happily. Not only does Viktor Krum share my room, but he shares my bed. Ron thought to himself. He sighed again. Viktor Krum's spit is on my sheets. I swear I'll never wash them again.
After dressing for the day, Ron started walking down the Grand Staircase. He ran into Harry along the way. "Why aren't you eating?" Ron asked Harry.
"Oh, the food was no good," Harry explained, clutching his stomach. "Hey, wanna get Viktor to teach us some cool Quidditch techniques?"
"Um, Harry, I think you forgot," Ron said slowly. "I'm not on the Quidditch team."
"Then don't go," Harry said swiftly and darted passed Ron, up the stairs.
Ron started, again, down the Grand Staircase and ran into someone else.
"Hermione," Ron said to Hermione Granger. "Why aren't you eating?" he now noticed that the entire school was headed upstairs. Pulling Hermione into an empty corridor, he asked her "Now, why aren't you eating?"
"There was an accident." Hermione said.
"An accident?" Ron said skeptically. "What kind of accident?"
"Well," Hermione said. "It seems that Hagrid's stomach was not as... immune to the sausage as the rest of the school." she paused when Ron stared at her as though he had just realized something for the first time. She went on "I think there must've been too much salt or something. What are you staring at?" Ron was still staring strangely over her head.
"I just figured it out," Ron was excited. "Hagrid spews a lot."
"No," Hermione was almost surprised that Ron would say that. "Where did you get that impression?"
"Well, Hermione, I thought it was a bit obvious," Ron started. "First of all, his bucket smelled like puke."
"What bucket are you talking about Ronald?" Hermione asked.
"You know," Ron leaned in to whisper. "The one I vomited in two years back."
Hermione thought for a moment, and then turned her back to Ron, heading back to the Staircase mumbling to herself. "What kind of accusation does he think he's making? Hagrid a spewer... an absurd idea. If Hagrid knew he was a spewer... you know what? It doesn't even matter because that was a dumb conversation. That's right, Hermione, a dumb conversation, indeed.
Ron laughed at Hermione, although he did not know why. Was it because of what she was saying? That she left him in an empty corridor? The fact that he can see the top of her head? Or something that only his heart understands?
The end of the Transfiguration, the last class that day, came quickly. When Ron, Harry, and Hermione began to stand up and swing their schoolbags over their shoulder, Professor McGonagall cleared her throat, attracting everyone's attention.
"I have something to say to you folks before you leave, today," Professor McGonagall spoke. "The Yule Ball is approaching. Traditionally, the Triwizard Tournament has a Yule Ball on Christmas Eve to get each school to socialize with each other. Dress Robes will be worn, as this is a fancy dance. That is all, you may go."
As Ron and Harry walked into the Great Hall for dinner, they heard a voice calling them.
"Oy," Viktor called Harry and Ron over to him. "'Ave you 'eard of the Yule Ball?"
Harry nodded. "Yeah."
"Vell, 'oo are you going vith?" Viktor asked.
"Erm," Harry paused. "I dunno, yet. What about you?"
"Do you see that girl over there, vith the curls?" Viktor pointed at Hermione.
"You like her?" Ron asked accusingly.
"No," Viktor said quickly. "I mean, the girl behind her? Vith the red 'air."
"Ginny?!" Ron and Harry said in shock together.
"If that is 'er name, then yes," Viktor said happily. "I vant to ask 'er to the ball."
Ron smiled nervously. "No, um, see she is too young for you... she's only 13."
"Oh, vell, if she likes me, then I see no problem," Viktor said. "Oh, she is getting up."
Ginny stood up from the table and started her way toward them.
"Look, you can't ask her," Harry said quickly. "Because I already have."
"You already have... what?" Ginny invited herself into the conversation.
"'E said that you and 'Arry are going to the ball together," Viktor explained.
"We are?" Ginny asked. She turned to Viktor. "Not really, he didn't ask me. Maybe that was his invitation?"
"Vell, I vas vondering if, maybe, you vould go dancing vith me?" Viktor asked.
"Oh," Ginny smiled greatly. "But Harry just asked me."
"No, I didn't," Harry said in his lying voice. "I don't like you."
"Well, in that case," Ginny brought her smile up again. "Yes, Viktor. I will go to the ball with you." She skipped off happily up the Grand Staircase.
"That vas easy." Viktor smiled and took a seat near the end of the Gryffindor bench.
Ron and Harry still stood there, trying to gather their thoughts of Ginny and Viktor going out.
"Hey, Harry," Cedric Diggory said as he came into the Great Hall. "Have you seen Hermione anywhere?"
"Yes, she's --" Harry started.
Ron interrupted. "Why do you want her?"
"Um..." Cedric leaned in and whispered. "I want to ask her to the ball."
"What?!" Ron screamed. Slightly quieter so that Hermione could not hear, Ron said "You don't want her. She can't do anything. She can't fly, she's not funny, and, most of all, she can't dance."
"Oh, well," Cedric thought out loud for a moment. "See ya." He walked to Hermione and sat down beside her. After their mouths moved for a few minutes, Hermione nodded and Cedric stood up and he returned to Harry and Ron. "She said yes." He left.
"I'm not hungry for supper," Ron said and pouted all the way up to his dormitory. He found Viktor sitting on Ron's mattress.
"You better get someone before they're all taken." He advised. Ron cursed and slept until Saturday morning arrived.
Ron woke up to an empty dormitory. He assumed breakfast must be almost over so, after getting dressed, he walked down the Grand Staircase, but, as he had yesterday morning, he ran into Harry on the way down.
"C'mon, Ron," Harry said, very excited. He appeared as though he had just showered and was wearing his best outfit. "I have to ask someone to the dance now, and you're going to help me." He dragged Ron to the portrait to the Ravenclaw Common Room on the Ravenclaw Tower.
After standing there for nearly an hour, Cho Chang finally came upstairs to the portrait. Harry screamed at her, "Chowillyougototheballwithme?"
Cho looked around in the crowd. "Did someone say my name? Oh, Harry, hi." She walked toward the two of them.
"Hey," Harry said embarrassedly. "I was the one who said your name. I was wondering if you were going to the Yule Ball with anyone yet."
Cho smiled. "No, not yet. Do you know if Cedric is going with anyone?"
"No," Harry replied, obviously not thinking at all. "But, could you go with me?"
"Of course, Harry," Cho said gratefully. "I thought you'd never ask!" She ran into the Ravenclaw Common Room.
"Like Viktor said," Harry said joyfully. "That was easy."
"Harry," Ron interrupted. "You've forgotten that I haven't gotten a date, yet."
"Oh, yeah," Harry said, walking down the stairs of the Ravenclaw tower. "That's too bad."
"D'you even care?" Ron asked.
"Yeah, sure," Harry said carelessly.
"Oh?" Ron asked. "What did I just say?"
"You said," Harry said once they had reached the bottom of the staircase. "That Cho Chang is the best possible date anyone could ever have. And I agree."
"No, that's not what I said, Harry," Ron replied.
"Okay," Harry said and darted in the other direction.
Ron stood in an empty corridor once again, or, he thought he was alone.
"Do you know where I can find ze 'Arry Potter?" a girl's voice said from behind. Ron spun around and found Fleur Delacour standing right by him.
Ron said breathlessly, "Um, yeah. He... went somewhere. Why d'you want him?"
"I just wanted to ask 'im something," Fleur smiled.
"Oh, he's already going to the dance with someone," Ron explained. "But I'm not."
"You are so funny," Fleur chuckled. "No, I was not asking him to go with me."
"Funny?" Ron said quietly. He said louder "Um, I think he went that way." Ron pointed the way Harry had left.
"Thank you, Ron." Fleur set off in that direction.
She knows my name. Ron thought to himself dreamingly. I'll never change my name again.

Sunday morning was a rather good morning for Ron, that is, after he finally decided what to wear. It had to be his best outfit he had if he wanted to get a date today. He started to walk down the Grand Staircase, but ran into someone on the way.
"Ron, come with me," Harry said and charged into an empty corridor. "I have a huge surprise for you."
"Oh?" Ron said sarcastically.
"Yeah," Harry smiled greatly. "I found you a date."
"Oh," Ron said again, this time he meant it. "Well, who is it?"
"It is," Harry leaned in close to whisper. Ron leaned in and Harry cupped his mouth around Ron's ear. "A surprise!" Harry shouted.
"Ow!" Ron said, holding his ear. "Blimey, Harry. You could've been a bit more careful!"
"No," Harry shook his head. "I couldn't have."
"Why won't you tell me?" Ron nagged as the two of them headed up to the Common Room.
"B'cuz, I said it would be a surprise," Harry smiled. "It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you, now would it?"
"Harry," Ron whined. "Couldn't you give me a small hint?"
"Here's a hint," Harry said with a smirk. "Dress nicely, she's very pretty."
"Oh, well then it can't be Hermione," Ron said.
"What can't be me?" Hermione asked. She was sitting in her chair in the Common Room by the fire.
"Nothing," Ron said quickly. "Where's Cedric?"
"I dunno," Hermione replied.
"I have a date," Ron bragged.
"People usually have dates for balls," Ginny said, inviting herself into the conversation. "I, unlike y'all, have a famous person as a date who would love to love me."
"That's nice, Ginny," Harry said, not meaning what he said. "We don't care."
"I care," Ginny replied. She stood up on a table in the middle of the floor. "Who cares that I have a date?"
Nobody even looked up.
"Okay," Ginny cleared her throat. "Who cares that Viktor Krum is taking me to the dance?"
A large crowd grew around Ginny, all talking at once. Ron heard Ginny talking. "And, oh my gosh, I said yes."
Ron smiled at Hermione, who was staring at Ginny in disbelief. "You know, I really do have a date." Ron reminded her.
Hermione looked at Ron. "Have you asked anyone to the ball yet, Ron?"
"Um," Ron thought. "Well, no. But I am going with someone."
"Who would want to go with you?" Hermione asked.
"I won't tell you." Ron said. He did not know who he was going with. Although, if he lied to her, he would have a chance that she would believe him. "Okay, I will. I am going to the ball with... Fleur Delacour." Yeah, right. I could only dream of going with her. Ron thought to himself.
"Oh, really?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah," Ron insisted.
"How did you ask her?" Hermione asked. She was obviously bored and did not care about what Ron had to say.
"I can't tell you, you're a girl," Ron said.
"Okay, I am going to the Library," Hermione said and left the Common Room.
"I don't think she cares," Harry whispered to Ron.
"Yeah, I know," Ron looked at Harry. "But, you see, I told her something I will regret later."
"Oh?" Harry said with a smirk. "And what would that be?"
"I told her that I am taking Fleur Delacour to the Yule Ball," Ron flushed. "What will I do?"
"You could go to the ball with Fleur," Harry suggested.
"Yeah, but you've already picked someone for me," Ron said. "Why'd you have to do that? Now Hermione'll hate me."
"Ron," Harry said, trying to find the right words to say. "You've lied to her plenty of times before."
"Well, yeah," Ron sighed. "But not ever about girls."
"What if it wasn't a lie?" Harry said.
"Yeah, but it is," Ron reminded Harry and himself.
"What if it wasn't?" Harry repeated.
"Harry," Ron said. "I am done playing this game with you. I have to find an answer to my problem." He sped off into the Boys' Dormitory.
Viktor Krum sat on Ron's mattress. "Ginny is very pretty," He commented. "Vy are you not that vay?"
Ron shook his head and fell into his blanket heap, asleep.

"Oh my, Harry," Ron's voice quivered as he paced around in the Boys' Dormitory. "Oh my. What'll I tell Hermione? What'll I do?"
"Ron, chill," Harry said, his hand on Ron's shoulder. "The Ball is in one hour, you have time."
"Okay, I have a half-hour to get this gown thing on," Ron gestured to a dress robe lying on the bed. "Then, I'll have the rest of the night to try to explain to Hermione."
"Good luck," Harry said as he grabbed two toothbrushes and ran into the bathroom.
"Thanks," Ron said, picking up his dress robes. "I'll need it."
Harry exited the bathroom once Ron had dressed himself. "Aah!" Harry screamed, then rolled onto the ground, crying.
"Harry, stop it," Ron muttered, as he walked over to Harry and kicked him.
Harry stood up, now choking his laughter down his throat. "I - I - I am - sorry - tha -" he began laughing again, this time he stayed on his feet. "You look ridiculous!" he exclaimed.
"I know, Harry," Ron said. He appeared as though he had been feet away from the sun for all his life. "That's why I can't go."
"What?" Harry said, now very serious. "You, Ronald Weasley, are going to that dance whether you like it or not."
"Like what?" Ron said as Harry pushed him down the stairs and into the Common Room. "Like the dance, or like my outfit?"
"Both," Harry said, steering him onto the Grand Staircase and practically pushing him down it.
"Now, who is my date?" Ron said as they stood at the entrance to the Great Hall. "I kinda gotta know."
"She'll find you eventually," Harry said, charging through the crowd to catch Cho, who had just jumped off of somebody's shoulders.
Ron walked into the crowd of people who weren't dancing.
"Are you the Ron Weasley?" a familiar voice said to him from behind.
Pansy Parkinson stood there, smiling. "Are you my date?" Ron asked, hoping she would say "no". He knew that she knew who he was.
"Oh, you don't have one already?" Pansy said pityingly.
"Yeah, I was just wondering if you were her," Ron paused, thinking of how strange that must have sounded.
"No, freak," Pansy said, turning around. "C'mon, Draco-Wraco-Braco."
"Yes, dear," Draco Malfoy said, following his "dear".
"Excuse me," said a lady's voice from behind Ron.
Ron spun around. A very pretty lady stood in front of him, looking at the floor. She said to him "I noticed that you weren't dancing with anyone, and that you are the most handsome man I have ever seen. Would you like to dance?" A slow song had begun playing.
"Sure," Ron said, grinning. His voice sounded strange, though. Like it had echoed somehow.
A seventh-year-looking-guy stepped past Ron and the two of them began dancing. Ron was extremely annoyed.
"Hey," a girl's voice said from behind Ron. It was French, very promising.
Ron slowly turned around. A Beauxbatons girl stood near him. "Yeah?" He asked.
"Vat d'you think of my outfit?" she asked.
"It looks like all the rest of y'all's," Ron said.
"Oh, okay," she said happily.
"D'you want to dance?" Ron asked desperately. She was, obviously, younger than he.
"Oh, no." She shook her head and skipped off into the crowd.
Ron began to think... I told Harry I shouldn't have gone. Hey. What? Why am I thinking "hey"? Hello? What? I am not on a telephone. Why am I thinking that? Is anyone home? Maybe I am having a dream when I am awake. What is that called, again? Oh, yeah. A day-dream. Then, if a day-dream is a dream that you have when you are awake, in the day, then why, when you're sleeping at night, do you not have night-dreams? Sure, you have nightmares, so why can't you have a dream at night? Because you can't have pleasant dreams at night. It is probably one of those old-fashioned rules that people thousands of years come up with and nobody wants to change 'em. Excuse me? Ron, are you okay? A French accent, such a great sound. Ron? Oh, there's actually a person talking to me!!! Then I better go answer it. No! It is not a telephone! And it is not an it, it is a she! She is probably just asking if I have seen her date, though. Maybe I shouldn't answer it. No! It is not it, it's she, and she is not a telephone! She is an actual person waiting for me to reply, not answer her. So am I being rude for just staring out into space, ignoring her? Probably. Does she deserve it? Dunno. I should see who it is.
"Hello?" Ron realized a hand waving in front of his face with a girl saying repeatedly "hello, hello, hello..."
"Yes, I am here," Ron stood up with Fleur Delacour standing next to him.
"You are my date," She stated clearly.
"Nice, I have been waiting on you," Ron said.
"Vait no longer, Ronald," Fleur Delacour said swiftly.
The next thing that Ron knew, Fleur Delacour's face was in his, their lips smacked together. His arms automatically hugged her and hers pressed against his chest. He felt loved. He felt in love. He thought what their kids would look like. Without doubt, they would go to Beauxbatons. What about Hermione though? Will we still be friends? Were we ever more than friends? If we were, what will happen to our relationship? Ron quickly pulled himself away from her, looking alarmed.
"Vat is it, Ronald?" Fleur, too, looked alarmed.
I love Hermione, thought Ron. Hermione needs somebody to love. Ron looked over at Hermione, who was watching curiously, as though they were some television show, with Ginny and Cedric at her sides. Cedric. I don't love Cedric. Cedric loves Hermione. If Hermione loves Cedric, then it's perfectly fine for me to love Fleur. Fleur stood still, still looking alarmed. Ron smiled and connected their lips once again.

"Harry, the 2nd task is in two hours," Hermione reminded as Ron, Harry, and Hermione sat in the Common Room. "You need a way to breathe underwater."
"There's no way I can learn that in two hours," Harry said, wiping his sweating hands on his pants.
"We have to go to the Library," Hermione insisted.
"Oh, yes," Ron started sarcastically. "We can always find the answer in the Library."
"Well we can find more there than in here," Hermione said.
"Fine," Ron said with his arms crossed. "We'll go to the Library and sit there. Then, Harry will go into the Black Lake and never come back."
"Ron," Hermione said. "You're being ridiculous."
"Let's go," Harry interrupted, standing up. "To the Library and see what we can find there."
The three of them headed off onto the Grand Staircase, heading down. But, they ran into someone on the way.
"Professor McGonagall, what are you doing here," Hermione asked. "Instead of preparing for the 2nd task?"
"I need to see the two of you," Professor McGonagall pointed at Ron and Hermione. She had completely ignored Hermione's question. "In my office."
"Why?" blurted Ron.
"There is something I would like to speak to you about," the professor replied.
"Fine," Ron stepped forward and Hermione followed him. They left Harry standing alone on the Grand Staircase, unprotected. If something had jumped out of the darkness onto him, he would have been killed, whereas if a ferocious monster jumped onto Hermione, Professor McGonagall would have simply destroyed it.
The office that Ron and Hermione followed Professor McGonagall into was not empty. There was also Ginny and Cho, sitting with confused looks pasted to their faces. "Now, as you all know, the 2nd task is in two hours. You are part of it," Professor McGonagall said.
"But, it's not like you're going to transfigure us into... dragons or something?" Ron whimpered.
"That is an absurd idea, Ronald Weasley," Professor McGonagall pointed out. "No, I am going to put a spell on you that will make you be able to breathe underwater."
"Oh, so instead," Ron interrupted. "You're going to transfigure us into fish?"
"No, Ronald Weasley," Professor McGonagall's voice grew hoarse. "Now, if you continue to interrupt me, I will send you to the bottom of the Black Lake without a spell on you!"
"Sorry," Ron said, now alerted.
"You all will be sent underwater for an hour," Professor McGonagall informed. "And, if the champions cannot retrieve you, a teacher or adult will come and get you. There is a small secret, though. They'll think that you will perish after an hour."
"This is exciting!" Ginny smiled. "What is the champion'7s job?"
"I was going to say that," Professor McGonagall said miserably. "But, another Weasley has interrupted me. Maybe I should just be quiet." She sat down at her desk. After a moment of staring, she said. "Is there anything you need?"
"Professor," Ginny said, red in the face. "I'm really sorry. Talk, please?"
"Okay," Professor McGonagall said, standing up. "I wasn't going to last very long sitting down, anyway. So, each champion must retrieve one of you from underwater, and bring you back up to the surface. Once you're there, the spell will wear off and you will be able to move again."
"Are the people assigned?" Cho asked.
"Yes," Professor McGonagall replied. "You are assigned Mr. Potter," She said to Cho. "Hermione, you are assigned Mr. Diggory. Ginny, Viktor Krum will retrieve you, and that leaves Fleur to you, Ron."
"Yeah!" Ron screamed.
"But I will destroy you if you blab to someone other than the people in this room," Professor McGonagall warned.
"Yes, Professor," the crowd mumbled.
"Now, in just a few minutes, I will cast the spell on you," Professor McGonagall said. "And you will be sent underwater."
"Why so soon?" Hermione asked. "I mean, the task doesn't start for another hour and a half."
"Well, you don't want Mr. Potter wandering around the school, then bump into one of you!" Professor McGonagall said.
"Yes, Professor," the crowd mumbled.
"Now, stand closely together," Professor McGonagall said. "Buwerk!" A dark purple light came streaming out of the professor's wand. The light did not strike the group of people; however a purple person who looked as though made of jello that looked exactly like Ron jumped out of the wand. Then, three people popped out of the wand. A purple Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Cho stood in front of the real Ron.
"What's going on?" Ron asked. His voice sounded muffled, like he was underwater, or in outer space.
Professor McGonagall smiled and left her office. Ron tried to run after her, but his foot would not budge. The purple Ron slowly began walking toward Ron with its arms sticking straight forward.
Ron looked and saw the purple Hermione walking the same way to the real Hermione. Every purple person was walking like this.
"I remember, now!" Hermione's voice seemed even more muffled than Ron's. "I read this in a book! I can't believe I didn't recognize McGonagall's spell. Buwerk, of course!"
"Are you going to tell us," Ginny's panicked, muffled voice screamed. "Or not!" The purple Ginny was about a yard away from her now.
"They are the effect of the spell," Hermione explained.
The purple Cho had reached the real Cho. The purple Cho stood in front of Cho, wrapping her abnormally long arms around the real Cho's stomach several times. Cho made a faint, muffled scream, and then fell into the purple Cho's arms. The purple Cho then opened its dark mouth, stuck her inside it, and disappeared.
When Ron finished watching Cho get "eaten", he turned to Ginny, whose foot was being emptied into the purple Ginny's mouth.
Then came Hermione. Although he was watching the same thing that had happened to Ginny and Cho, Ron felt extremely sad, now. He felt tears in his eyes, so he looked away. Standing right in front of him was the purple Ron.
It finally stopped walking towards Ron, outstretched its sickeningly long arms, and wrapped them around the real Ron's waist once. The air was taken from the real Ron. Twice the arms wrapped around. His bones crumbled. Thrice. He sank feelinglessly into the purple Ron's arms. There was nothing he could do. He was already in the purple Ron's captivity. The real Ron looked up at the purple Ron, who had not started eating him yet, and the purple Ron smiled back. The real Ron actually felt happy, and in good arms. He felt as though the purple Ron would take care of him while he was in this state. The real Ron closed his eyes and leaned back into the purple Ron's protection, and began to sleep.
The real Ron awoke. The things that happen when one is sleeping! He was not in the purple Ron's arms anymore, but was barely surfaced in the Black Lake, treading water by Cho. There were three large, wooden stands sitting in the water. On the stand in front of Ron, a wet Hermione stood, wrapped in several towels. Cedric was by Hermione, hugging her. Yuck. Ginny was in Viktor's arms, snogging.
Ron and Cho looked at themselves and chuckled. Why did I laugh? Nothing is funny. Do I like her?! That would be too weird. I like Hermione. No. I don't like Hermione. I like Fleur. Then where is Fleur? Professor McGonagall said that she'd rescue me, not Cho. But Cho was another victim thingy. "Did you 'save' me?" Ron asked Cho with an awkward glance.
"I don't think so," Cho replied. The two of them swam, side-by-side, all the way to the wooden stand.
Helping Cho onto the stand, Ron heard someone call his name.
"Ronald?"
Fleur! Ron turned around, causing Cho to fall into the water again. Fleur Delacour stood there, dripping wet. "Fleur, what happened?"
"I vas disqualified," Fleur cried. "I could not save you, Ronald."
"Then, who saved me?" Ron asked. Just then, a loud splash came from the water, attracting everyone's attention. Harry flew from the Black Lake, onto the wooden stand.
"The first place winner of the second task," Dumbledore's loud voice said. "Is Cedric Diggory. Second place, since Miss Delacour could not receive her person, Harry Potter. Third place is to Viktor Krum."
Ron saw Ginny and Viktor kissing faster than normal now.
"And fourth place goes to Fleur Delacour," Dumbledore finished.

"Harry can do it," Hermione repeated. "He can make it. He can win this."
"Hermione, he hasn't even gone in there yet," Ron reminded her. Sitting in the Quidditch bleachers, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, George, Fred, Mrs. Weasley, and Bill listened to Professor Dumbledore finish his speech. The band began playing the Hogwarts March, and Harry and Cedric disappeared into the dense hedges of the Third Task, shortly followed by Viktor and Fleur. "So, how are things with you and Cedric?" Ron asked.
Hermione sat there with full attention on the hedges, as though trying to read a small word that was on the hedge furthest away from them. She did not say a word other than "C'mon Harry, you can do this" or "Cedric, please be okay".
On the other side of Ron was Ginny. She sat on her bench, slurping a butterbeer. "How're things with Krum, Ginny?" Ron asked.
Ginny took her face out of the mug and replied. "I like him, he loves me, he has money, he's famous, we're good."
"What if he doesn't make it out of there?" Ron gestured to the hedges.
Ginny poured her butterbeer on Ron's face. "Then he'll be an idiot like you." She stood up and went down the stairs leading to the ground.
Ron looked at Hermione, who was laughing at Ron, then stopped and turned to the hedges again. "Hey," Ron said. "That wasn't funny."
Hermione looked at the hedges and gasped, along with everyone in the crowd, except Ron.
"What?" Ron asked, his head turning. "What happened?"
Hermione looked at the hedges with another blank expression. "There were red sparks," she explained, not looking at him.
"What're those?" Ron asked.
"Did you not listen to Dumbledore's speech before the task?" Hermione raised a brow at Ron as he shook his head. "Your loss."
"I wonder who lost," Ginny's voice appeared by Ron. She was holding three more butterbeers.
"So do I," Hermione thought carefully. "If it was Viktor, you'd be pretty upset, Ginny."
"And I would want to know why he couldn't win," Ginny said in-between swallows. "After all, he is the best guy around."
"What about Dumbledore?" Hermione protested.
"Eh," Ginny considered. "Nah."
"And," Hermione cut in. "If it was Cedric - "
"Then you'd be crying your face out for the rest of your life," Ginny finished.
"No," Hermione disagreed. "I wouldn't. I would be a little upset, but I'd get over it."
"Yeah," Ginny laughed. "After, like, a million years."
"Anyway," Hermione continued. "If it was Fleur... well we'd throw a party - "
"We would not," Ron objected. "We'd be as upset as we'd be if it were Harry."
"Don't you think we should insult Harry when he's here?" Ginny suggested.
"No," Hermione shook her head, her smile slowly fading away. "If it were Harry, we'd all be upset, and we know it."
"Not me," Ginny smiled. "I would laugh at him - I'm lying."
"Hey, get me four butterbeers, would you, Ron?" Ginny asked, handing him three mugs. "And get rid of these, too."
Ron stood up. Why am I doing this? Ron asked himself. I'm doing something that Ginny told me to do. Why am I walking down the stairs to the butterbeer cart? Why am I in line? Why is the crowd gasping and screaming? What's going on? He ran into the Quidditch Pitch where he found Harry standing. His neck covered with blood, and the deep cut in his arm making blood roll down to his wrist, and onto Fleur's shoulder. Fleur Delacour lay in the dead grass at Harry's feet with a stunned expression paced onto her face; she, too, with cuts everywhere on her.
Gabrielle Delacour ran down to Harry's feet screaming "No! Fleur!", while Harry tried to explain what exactly happened. "He's back!" Harry screamed. "Voldemort's back!"
Ron dropped the four mugs of butterbeer that were filled to the rim, ruining his antique, hand-me-down shoes.
Ron sat alone at the edge of the Black Lake, staring up at the Beauxbaton carriage. Fleur Delacour would never again walk out of that carriage. Who's fault is Fleur's death? Harry Potter should have the answer to that.
Ron walked up to Harry's bed in the Hospital Wing. Hermione and Ginny sat on the bed by Harry, talking to him. Gabrielle, Mr. and Mrs. Delacour were standing by his bed. They welcomed Ron into their knot of sorrowful Delacours.
"Harry," Ron broke away from the sobbing Delacours. "What happened back there in the maze?"
"I already said," Harry repeated. "Voldemort is back. He killed her."
"Why would he bother killing her when you were there, too?" Ron asked. "He enjoys his attempts to kill you."
"He wasn't a human yet, Ron," Harry held back his temper. "He became a human while I was there, though."
"It's all your fault she's dead," Ron accused. "You brought her to You-Know-Who."
"If it's anyone's fault," Harry protested. "Then it's yours, Ron. It's yours because you didn't dispose of Peter Pettigrew when you could. Now he's killing people."
"I couldn't get rid of him then," Ron argued. "Mum would've killed me."
"Which would you've preferred," Harry growled. "You killed by your own mum, or Fleur killed by Voldemort's wand?"
Ron looked at Harry, “You’ve had a chance to kill him too, though. You could’ve done it, but you had to be “Mr. Nice-Guy who doesn’t do anything wrong” because you thought you were perfect. And, sorry Harry, but you’re not perfect. You don’t make very good choices. If it weren’t for you, Fluffy would never have been disturbed. If it weren’t for you, Ginny wouldn’t have been taken to the Chamber of Secrets because You-Know-Who wouldn’t be looking for you.”
“You can look at it that way,” Harry said. “But look at all the stuff I did that was good. I prevented Voldemort from coming to power numerous times, I saved the Sorcerer’s Stone, I saved Ginny from Voldemort in the chamber, in the same year I prevented the school from closing, I saved both Sirius Black and Buckbeak last year, and I saved you in the second task when I didn’t have to. I could’ve let you die down there.”
Ron snorted.
“What’s so funny?” Harry asked. “I would’ve let you die down there if I had known how bad you’d be acting now.”
“No, Harry,” Ron corrected. “We wouldn’t have died down there. ‘Buwerk’ is the spell that Professor McGonagall put on us so that we wouldn’t die.”
“You’re lying,” Harry accused. He turned to Hermione and Ginny, “He’s lying, right?”
“Not really, Harry,” Ginny said. “I shouldn’t be here, though. Hermione and I have to study for our… SAT. C’mon, Hermione.”
“You don’t have an SAT to be studying for,” Hermione frowned as Ginny pulled her out of the hospital. “That’s a muggle test. You probably don’t even know what it is.”
“That was weird,” Harry studied the girls as they left.
“What?” Ron asked. “You realized that you’re an idiot?”
“No,” Harry said. He decided not to tell Ron what he thought was weird. Ron doesn’t deserve to know. “I realized that you are an elephant’s backside, though.”
“I’m only the backside of an elephant because you didn’t kill Pettigrew,” Ron said.
“I was being a good person, so I didn’t kill him.” Harry said.
“Peter Pettigrew is evil though, Harry,” Ron said. “Remember, that’s what you said.”
“Well, Ron,” Harry situated himself in the hospital bed. “Voldemort told Pettigrew to kill Fleur.”
“So You-Know-Who’s evil ways worked through Pettigrew?” Ron asked sarcastically. “I don’t think so.”
“Then what do you think, Ron?” Harry asked, sitting up in bed.
“I think that you are trying to mislead us all,” Ron accused. “Yeah, you’re misleading us to think that you’re some “Good Guy” when you’re not. I think you’re lost. You should’ve made a left at Platform Nine and Three Quarters to get on a train to Day Care Camp.”
“You’re mistaking me with you,” Harry stood up by his bed, only later realizing that his leg was in pain. “Oh, wait, you Weasleys wouldn’t be able to afford Day Care Camp. It’s far too expensive… I think it’s one pound sterling for poor people. Yep, you guys couldn’t afford it.”
“Hey!” Ginny stood up. “When you’re dissing Ron’s family is dissing me!”
“You need to stay out of this, Ginny,” Ron warned.
“Yeah, you don’t want Ron to feel like he’s welcome to talk to you,” Harry said. “’Cuz he’s not.”
“Harry,” Hermione stood up. “I think you’ve gone too far now.”
“Not yet.” Sweat poured off of Harry’s face. “Ron, I have had it with you.”
“What d’you mean?” Ron asked.
“I mean,” Harry meant. “That you smell really bad when you’re sleeping, you aren’t smart like me and Hermione, you eat far too much food, you think that you’re funny and you aren’t, you talk way too loud, your hair is annoying and needs cut off so you won’t look like Bozo the Clown, it takes you five minutes to say anything, you get distracted too easily, you can’t stop thinking about food, you’re afraid of spiders, you are older than me, you care too much about sports that you don’t even play, you always hand in your homework late, you don’t have a girlfriend at the age of fifteen, and your mum’s cooking has a horrible pong and tastes worse than a homeless person’s lost pet skunk’s rump after he caught ten salmons, traveled thousands of miles into the desert of Antarctica, buried the salmon twenty feet into the ground, came back to England, couldn’t find it’s owner, went back to the desert, dug twenty feet into the ground again, couldn’t find it’s fish, left the desert, went to Sydney without getting wet, entered the sewers there, found the same fish at the bottom of the sewer water, swam and got the fish, ate it in Madagascar, tried to swim back to England, got swallowed by a Hammerhead shark, lost a game of hangman in it’s stomach, and was spewed out of the sharks stomach and into the skunk’s owner’s hands, which were just dissecting a cow.”
“What does this mean?” Ron asked quietly.
“It means, Ron,” Harry growled, now standing on his bed. “That you’re thick, and I’d better find a friend that isn’t as much of a git as you.”
“To make sure of that, we should send you to Day Care Camp,” Ron suggested happily.
“I’ll make sure someone gets sent there, but it won‘t be me,” Harry jumped off his bed and left Ron standing in the hospital alone.

Several days passed and Harry was nowhere to be found. He was not in the castle, nor on the grounds. Ron even looked in Hogsmeade, but no one could find Harry.
“Ron, look!” Hermione announced to Ron, pointing at the Great Hall doors at the Breakfast feast after the mail had come and everyone was now already eating. “Harry’s back!”
Harry Potter stood in the front of the Great Hall, which was still filled with rumors about Fleur’s death. People were saying that Harry had killed her. Although Hermione had been trying to stop the rumors from spreading, Ron was encouraging them. Harry deserved people to think that he killed Fleur. After all, Harry does love attention.
Harry strode to the seat by Hermione at the Gryffindor table. “Hey, guys.”
“Where’ve you been?” Hermione asked concernedly. “You’ve been gone for days.”
“I had to do something to make the world a better place,” Harry smiled at Ron.
“You killed You-Know-Who?” Ron asked Harry. Of course he didn’t kill him! Harry would’ve died without me and Hermione’s help! Like always, though, Harry can do anything he wants ‘cause his parents aren’t there to prevent him. “Your parents are dead.” Ron added.
“What?” Harry asked. “What are you talking about, Ron? Never mind, you’re a git.” Harry stood up and left the Great Hall.
“Nice going, Ron,” Hermione said sarcastically. “We were about to figure out where he’s been.”
“Doesn’t matter, though,” Ron said as he stuffed bacon down his throat. “Harry’s a git and a murderer.”
“Ronald!” Hermione scolded. “You don’t believe that he killed Fleur, do you?”
“So what if I do?” Ron stood up. He announced to the Great Hall, “Harry Potter, my best friend, is no longer my friend because he killed my girlfriend!”
The Great Hall filled with scattered chatting. Professor Dumbledore stood up saying, “This has gone too far! Harry Potter did not kill Fleur Delacour. As Mr. Potter said, ‘Voldemort is back’.”
Draco stood up. “You’re lying! Wait ‘till my father hears about this!” With that, Draco, Vincent Crabbe, and Gregory Goyle left the Great Hall.
“Ronald, sit down!” Hermione pulled on Ron’s robes. “You’re embarrassing yourself and me. Now stop being a gitty loser and eat your breakfast.”
“No,” Ron replied. “I’d rather hang out with a different crowd.” - I love this line because it totally fits with what happens later. Then Ron left the Great Hall. Before he could reach the third floor, he was interrupted by the most annoying ghost in school.
“So, you think you’re brave enough to stand up in the Great Hall and announce things?” Peeves asked Ron.
“What’s your point?” Ron asked.
“I dunno,” Peeves shrugged his shoulders. “I’m supposed to tell you that there’s an owl waiting for you in the Owlery, but I’m not gonna tell you that! You’re gonna have to figure it out all by yourself!”
“Goodbye, Peeves,” Ron said as he turned on his heel to march back down the stairs and into the Owlery.
The morning dew had already drenched the grass, soaking Ron’s butterbeer-stained shoes. The Owlery stood proudly above him with owls flying in and out of it. Why would Peeves want me to go here? He’d only want me to go… if something bad was going to happen. Maybe Potter is going to a different school and I’m the first to know! Ron thought as he marched up the dung-covered Owlery stairs. Or maybe Fleur’s not really dead? Maybe Potter was holding a Fleur doll? If Fleur is still alive, I can still marry her! I had planned to buy her an engagement ring and propose on the day she left. Well, she left a bit sooner than I thought.
An owl that Ron recognized, Errol, landed on his shoulder with a thick letter. It said:
Ron, an anonymous visitor visited us at the Burrow and advised
us to send you somewhere that would suit you better than
Hogwarts. We are going to send you to Day Care Camp! It is a
camp with people slightly younger than you, so you will, for the
first time in your life, feel smarter than all of your friends!
Oh, Ron, we are so excited! We know that you will love it!
Just give Dumbledore this letter, and he will let you use his
fireplace for floo powder. Come home and we’ll send you
straight to camp!
Your loving parents,
Mum and Dad
Ron crumpled the letter and threw it out the window. He turned around to leave.
“Excuse me,” Viktor said as he grabbed a school owl. “Vy aren’t you and ‘Arry getting along?”
“Oh, you noticed?” Ron said sarcastically. “He’s a git.”
“Ginny, your sister,” Viktor said. “She said that ‘Arry did not kill Fleur. I believe ‘er.”
“Don’t listen to her,” Ron advised. “She’s not always right.”
“So ‘Arry did kill Fleur?” Viktor said shockedly.
“Yeah,” Ron said. “And now he’s trying to send me away to Day Care Camp.”
“I vent there ven I vas about nine or ten,” Viktor smiled. “It vas very fun.”
“Oh?” Ron asked interestedly. “What did you do?”
“Vell, there vas a ‘uge playground,” Viktor sighed. “I remember it only too vell.”
“Since you’ve been there before,” Ron asked. “Could you go with me?”
“I can’t,” Viktor said. “I’d ‘ave to get permission from my parents if I am older than ten.”
“We can sneak you in,” Ron egged. “You can make yourself invisible, can’t you?”
“I suppose, yes,” Viktor considered. “Yes, I vill go vith you.”
“Cool, we’re leaving now,” Ron pulled Viktor out of the Owlery.
“Von’t you let me pack my things first?” Viktor whined as he and Ron walked up the stairs to the Entrance Hall.
“No, we gotta go now,” Ron said, now running up the Grand Staircase. “Before word spreads about this whole Day Care Camp thing.”
“No von knows about it, though,” Viktor said.
“I have a feeling that Peeves might know a bit more than he should,” Ron said. “Droobles.”
After Ron said Droobles, Dumbledore’s password to his office, the door swung open. Inside, Ginny sat in the chair in front of Dumbledore, who was behind his desk.
“Vat’re you doing vith my boyfriend?” Ginny asked offendedly. She had been spending too much time with Viktor, picking up his accent. “‘Ands off.”
“Excuse me, Professor,” Ron ignored Ginny. “I’m sorry to have interrupted your conversation, but there is a letter that I think you should see.” He handed Dumbledore the letter.
“Ah,” Dumbledore smiled as he read the paper. “I remember this from when I was young. Day Care Camp was so much fun.”
Ginny snorted. “‘Vat’s Day Care Camp?”
“It is a camp that small children go to,” Dumbledore explained. “To meet friends and have fun. But really, it was made for the parents to have time for themselves.”
“But Mummy and Daddy said othervise,” Viktor frowned.
Ron cleared his throat. “Can Viktor and I use floo powder now, sir?”
“Vere’re you going vith my boyfriend?” Ginny snapped. “You better keep ‘im ‘ere.”
“They, according to this letter,” Dumbledore answered. “Are going to Day Care Camp. Though, I don’t know why Mr. Krum is leaving.”
“Sir,” Viktor explained. “Mr. Veasley told me to escort him to camp. So, I said I vould be ‘appy to do so.”
“That is incredibly nice, Viktor,” Dumbledore complimented. “You may go as you please.”
“But vat about me?” Ginny growled. “I vant to come too.”
“This is too important for you, Ginny,” Ron said as he and Viktor stepped into the large fireplace. “We’ll see you when we get back, though.”
“But Vicky,” Ginny yelled at the green flame-covered Viktor. “I love you!”
And they were gone.
The Burrow was quiet that morning. The clock said that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were here, at the Burrow.
“Quick, Viktor,” Ron rushed. “Turn invisible. Remember, you’re not here. Only make noise when there is no one within earshot.
“I know, I know,” Viktor said, nonverbally turning himself invisible. “I’m not a child, you know.”
“Let’s just go,” Ron snapped. “Mum? Dad? We - me - I am here!”
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley entered the house through the front door. “Oh dear, you’re here!” Mrs. Weasley said. “Now, your father will take you to Day Care Camp!”
“Why do I have to go, Mum?” Ron whined.
“Because, Ron,” Mrs. Weasley insisted. “Trust me, you’ll love it.”
“C’mon son,” Mr. Weasley grabbed a broomstick from a cupboard by the sink. “Grab a broomstick, we gotta go.”
Ron watched as Mr. Weasley went outside to wait for Ron and Mrs. Weasley went upstairs to clean. He picked up a broomstick for him, and Viktor grabbed a broom, immediately turning it invisible. “You’re good at this,” Ron complimented.
“I should be,” Viktor’s voice came from the doorway. “Ve best be going now, right?”
The three boys left the Burrow on their broomsticks, soaring high above the clouds. After flying for several hours, Mr. Weasley flew close to Ron.
“Okay,” He said. “This is it. Follow my lead.” He led Ron closer to the ground to where they could see buildings, roads, and cars. “It doesn’t look like any muggles are over here.” Mr. Weasley led Ron and Viktor behind a brick building.
“Here’s where I have to leave you, Ron,” Mr. Weasley’s eyes began to water. “Just go to the front desk and tell the people your name. They’ll know who you are, and you can go to your cabin; I made sure that you will get your own, since you don’t know how exactly to act around muggles.”
“Bye, Dad,” Ron waved his hand as Mr. Weasley flew into the sky and disappeared. “Okay, Viktor, come with me.”
Viktor appeared behind Ron, and the two of them walked around to the front of the building. Inside the cars that filled the parking lot were parents kissing, hugging, and saying goodbye to their young children. Viktor led Ron into the building.
“Oh,” Viktor sighed. “It is exactly like how I remember!”
The boys stepped into the lobby, a circular, spacious room with a long desk lining the side of the wall in front of them. Old women sat behind the desk.
Hundreds of children streamed through the doors like rivers thrown on the sharp rocks before a waterfall. They all lined up in front of the old women, and before Ron knew it, he was standing at the front desk, in front of an old lady named “Evangeline”, according to her nametag.
“Ah, you must be Ronald’s father,” Evangeline looked up at Viktor. “Please sign up your child here.” She handed Viktor a piece of paper that asked for Ron’s basic information.
“‘Ere, Ron,” Viktor slid the paper in front of Ron. “Fill this out.”
“Here you go, madam,” Ron handed the paper to Evangeline, who read it and waved him goodbye saying, “Have a good time here at Day Care Camp.” She gave him a pair of keys. “This is for your cabin.”
Viktor snatched the keys from Evangeline and left the lobby through a door with a white sign on it that said “CABINS THIS WAY”.
Viktor and Ron found themselves outside again, only where they are now was filled with wooden cabins. A dirt path trailed through the cabins like a maze. Eventually, the boys walked so far down the path that there were only two cabins left in front of them.
“I thought that our cabin was gonna be alone so that we didn’t have to cope with muggles everywhere,” Ron scratched his head as he unlocked the cabin to their left. Inside were three mattresses laid on boards lifted about two feet off the ground and a toilet in the corner. “Whoa. Why do kids like it here?”
“I don’t know,” Viktor snarled his nose as he sat his luggage down. “This place is ‘orrible, not like ‘ow it vas ven I vas ‘ere.”
“Well, let’s try out the beds,” Ron suggested. They sat on the mattresses that, when they sat on them, sank and broke the boards underneath them. “I guess they’re designed for little people, right?”
“I guess,” Viktor sighed.
Someone knocked on the door from outside. Ron and Viktor exchanged looks.
Viktor set his invisibility charm, since he was not supposed to be here, and Ron opened the door.
A young girl, around ten or eleven, with blonde wavy hair appeared in the doorway holding a pie. “Hello, I’m Ana, Ana Bellemin. I’m your next-cabin-neighbor.”
“I’m Ron, Ron Weasley.” Ron replied.
“Why, you’re a bit tall for your age!” Ana exclaimed. “I’m only ten.”
“I’m actually fourteen,” Ron lowered his voice. “I’ve never been here, so don’t give me a hard time.”
“This is my first time as well,” Ana smiled. “Mind if I come in?”
“Not at all,” Ron took the pie from Ana. “But there’s no beds; we broke ‘em.”
“That’s alright,” Ana laughed. “Wait - ‘we’?”
“Um…” Ron gritted his teeth. “By ‘we’, I meant me and my… imaginary friend Viktor.”
“Oh,” Ana said. “I thought that you snuck someone into your cabin and was somehow making them invisible or something like that. That would give you a great reason to be in your own cabin.”
“Seriously,” Ron squatted down to Ana’s level. “How could somebody be invisible?”
“Well,” Ana said, avoiding Ron’s eyes. “If you were a skilled witch or wizard, you could turn someone invisible, right?”
“Yeah, I suppose,” Ron sighed.
“D’you want to hear a story?” Ana jumped and sat on the bed that was not broken.
“I guess,” Ron said and sat in the floor in front of Ana.
“Once upon a time,” Ana said in a storytelling voice. “There was an old man named Albus Dumbledore. He was a famous and great wizard who attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - ”
“You’re a witch?!” Ron exclaimed. “I’m a wizard! You are a witch, yes?”
“Well, I dunno yet,” Ana said, just as happy and excited as Ron. “I haven’t gotten my letter.”
“Then how do you know Dumbledore?” Ron asked.
“My father has been talking about him,” Ana informed. “He went to Hogwarts when he was little.”
“I suppose I can tell you about Viktor now,” Ron said as Viktor appeared, standing behind Ron. “Ana, this is Viktor, my ‘imaginary friend’.”
“Viktor?” Ana gasped. “Viktor Krum! Oh my gosh! It’s Viktor Krum! You’re awesome, Viktor! Oh my gosh! Viktor Krum!” Ana hugged Viktor.
“‘Ello,” Viktor said. “Is there something you vant?”
“No, sorry,” Ana backed away from Viktor. “So, how do you men know each other?”
“I am dating ‘is sister,” Viktor smiled. “Ginny.”
“The one from the Chamber of Secrets?” Ana asked.
“How do you know so much about our lives?” Ron asked interrogatingly.
“I read the Daily Prophet,” Ana explained. “So are you friends with Harry Potter? I hear he currently attends Hogwarts.”
“No,” Ron blurted. “We used to be great mates, but then he went bad.”
“What d’you mean ‘bad’?” Ana asked curiously.
“Well, you know about the Triwizard Tournament, right?” Ron said. “He killed the contestant from Beauxbatons, Fleur Delacour.”
Ana gasped. “But the Harry Potter that the newspapers talk about isn’t mean.”
“The papers lie,” Ron lied. “Harry bribes the reporters with money so that they won’t say bad stuff ‘bout him.”
“I thought he was the good guy,” Ana thought out loud. “He did fight off You-Know-Who several times. Why would he kill Fleur?”
Ron leaned in, chocking back his laughter. “He’s evil,” Ron’s voice quivered.
“No!” Ana stepped back. “Are you sure the two of you were best pals?”
“It is true, Ana,” Viktor sat his hand on her shoulder. Ana squealed. Viktor said, “‘Arry Potter is no longer on our side anymore.”
“Is he with You-Know-Who, then?” Ana asked curiously. “If he’s not with us?”
“Ve don’t know, Ana,” Viktor squatted down to Ana’s level with Ron. “But ve ‘ave to assume the vorst.”
“So we’re assuming Harry’s with You-Know-Who?” Ron stood up. “Is that a good idea?”
“Vell, I figure that if ‘e is not on our side,” Viktor explained. “And ‘e is not on the Dark Lord’s side, ‘e must be on a bad side, eh? ‘E may be trying to beat the Dark Lord at being evil? Vell, ve only know that ‘e is not on a good side, therefore ‘e is a bad guy.”
“We need someone who is strong, a powerful wizard,” Ron thought out loud. “If we want to dispose of Harry.”
“We don’t want to kill him?!” Ana shrieked. “He may no longer be on our side, but he hasn’t done anything wrong yet.”
“He got me out of school,” Ron pointed out. “Next he’ll probably try to get Hermione out as well, send Cedric away then she’ll follow or something. Without Hermione and me, Harry could get anything he wants for the school because Dumbledore trusts him a lot. He could even start teaching dark magic, like at Durmstrang!”
“You say that like it is a bad thing?” Viktor frowned. “I ‘appen to know a lot more about dark magic than you, that is vy I am ‘ere, ‘elping you fight ‘Arry.”
“Well, I suppose at Durmstrang,” Ron guessed. “They taught you about the history of dark magic, and the famous dark wizards, eh? Did they mention any living dark wizards?”
“Yes,” Viktor said, then closed his eyes to think. “They mentioned quite a few.”
“Is there one that is more powerful than all other dark wizards?” Ron smiled.
“Yes,” Viktor’s voice deepened, sounding much distressed. “I could take you to ‘im, if you’d like.”
“Yeah,” Ron grinned. “He could help us kill Harry!”
“But we have to stay at camp,” Ana crossed her arms. “Or else the camp leaders will call our parents.”
“Do you want to come or not?” Ron asked. “‘Cuz we’re leaving now, with or without you.”
“I’m coming,” Ana sighed deeply. “Just let me get my stuff.” She left their cabin.
“What’s his name, Viktor?” Ron nagged as he grabbed his bag of clothes.
“You’ll see ven ve get there,” Viktor said, his voice still deeper than Professor Snape’s.
“This is great,” Ana said when she came back into their cabin. “Are we ready to depart?”
“Yes,” Viktor looked into the sun. “Ve are ready.”

“Are we there yet?” Ana whined as she sat behind Viktor, her arms hugging his chest tightly, on his broomstick. Ron flew in front of them, ensuring that no one could see them, since Viktor decided not to cast the invisibility charm. He decided that the ministry could track down his spell and bring him and Ron back to school.
“Not yet, Ana,” Viktor said disappointedly. They had been flying for over twelve hours. “Are you sure you don’t vant to sit be’ind Ron now?”
“Nah,” Ana smiled. “I like it here.”
Ron raised his eyebrows, then cleared his throat. “Viktor, how will I know when we get there? All I can see is clouds.”
“I vill tell you ven the time comes,” Viktor snapped. “Ooh, I am ‘ungry.”
“I have food!” Ana reached into the pocket of her black jacket and brought out a ham and bacon sandwich. “I figured that I’d get hungry in the night. The food at Day Care Camp is not very good.”
“No, I cannot take food from you,” Viktor frowned. “It’s mean to steal food from children’s mouths.”
“I’m not a child,” Ana objected.
“Close enough,” Viktor argued. “Anyvay, you need the food. Ron and I are grown men… Vell, I am a grown man, ‘e is growing still.”
“You’re still growing horizontally,” Ron insulted without looking back.
Viktor rammed his broomstick into the back of Ron’s broom. Ana screamed.
“Shh!” Ron hissed. “You don’t want people to find us, do you?”
“No,” Ana sighed.
“Okay, fine,” Viktor grinned. “I’ll take the sandwich. I can’t ‘elp it, I’m just so ‘ungry.”
“Viktor!” Ron scolded. “You said so yourself that you can’t take food from Ana.”
“He can have it,” Ana said dazedly. She handed Viktor the sandwich, and he ate it.
After flying for nearly two hours after Viktor ate Ana’s sandwich, Viktor stopped his broom in midair. “This is it,” Viktor warned. “Ve are right on top of ‘is ‘eadquarters, only von-thousand yards in the air. Now, there are some very important rules for being in there… I’ve ‘eard.”
“As long as it means that we get in there,” Ron decided. “I’ll do it.”
“Okay, rule number von,” Viktor instructed. “After ve leave this place, ve cannot speak of it to any other person other than the three of us. Rule number two, you cannot open your eyes unless I let you.”
“What d’you mean?” Ana asked. “Our eyes aren’t closed.”
Viktor pointed his wand at Ron and Ana. “Now they are.”
“But Viktor, how am I supposed to fly this thing to the ground,” Ron asked blindly. “If I can’t even see?”
“You’ll follow my lead,” Viktor said slowly. “Come, ve don’t ‘ave much time.”
“Viktor, remind me again,” Ana asked apprehensively. “Why are we doing this?” She whimpered.
“I am taking the two of you to see a dark vizard,” Viktor said darkly. “So that ‘e may ‘elp us destroy Potter.”
“I don’t want to do this anymore,” Ana said as tears rolled down her cheeks like a bowling ball would down an alley, prepared to crash at the end of it’s tumble.
“Don’t you trust me, Ana?” Viktor turned around on his broomstick.
“Can we get married?” Ana looked up hopefully, hoping that Viktor was looking at her.
“Ve’ll see,” Viktor said disgustedly. “Come now, ve don’t vant to keep the Dark Lord vaiting.”
They swooped down towards the ground and, like Viktor had said, Ron knew where to go even without sight. In less than two minutes, Ron’s feet touched the ground.
“Now that ve are ‘ere,” Viktor instructed seriously. “I can let you see, but only on von condition: you must vear these glasses.” He put a bulky pair of glasses in Ron and Ana’s hands.
“But we don’t need glasses, Viktor,” Ron frowned. “We can see just fine.”
“Vell,” Viktor whispered slowly as Ron heard footsteps nearby, then they faded away. “If you see ‘im vithout the glasses on, you vill turn into… a goose.”
“That sounds strange,” Ana thought out loud. “Why would this happen?”
“Because… ‘is mother vas a goose,” Viktor said, careful not to misspeak. “So, if you see ‘im through the glasses,