As Krum invited Harley, Hermione's face wore an expression so complicated it was hard to describe.
But when she heard Krum turn around without hesitation and invite her instead, her expression changed at once.
She looked surprised, displeased, and even somewhat disdainful and angry.
She shook her head firmly and rejected Krum in an equally firm, unapologetic tone:
"Sorry, Mr. Krum, I already have someone I want to invite, too. So I can't accept your invitation."
"Also, I have to say that inviting another girl in front of me, getting rejected, and then immediately turning around to invite me is really unpleasant."
As she spoke, Hermione shot Krum a withering glare.
"I'm sorry. I didn't think it through. Please allow me to apologize."
Krum clearly hadn't expected to be rejected again. After being struck out twice in a row, he looked rather surprised.
Still, he quickly recovered and apologized softly.
Of course, his apology this time wasn't nearly as sincere as the one he'd offered Harley.
Hermione didn't dwell on it. She felt that doing so would only make her look bad.
In the end, Krum could only leave disappointed.
As he walked away, Harley faintly heard him mutter:
"Ah, every pretty girl is already taken. What's the point of being an international Quidditch star, then?"
But the fanatical crowd around him seemed pleased that Krum hadn't managed to find a date.
As long as Krum didn't have a dance partner, they still had a chance.
On this point, everyone was in rare agreement.
Watching Krum's retreating back, Harley couldn't help shaking her head.
Hermione's angry voice sounded beside her. "Krum is awful!"
"He invited you in front of me, then invited me in front of you! What was he thinking?"
Harley chuckled. "He probably thinks too highly of