Hermione is not a lost and muddled soul in matters of books or in the matters of her own heart. She was definitely flattered that Viktor Krum asked her to the Yule Ball, but it is very clear that she does not think of him romantically.
She is a clear-minded and forthright individual who has already made her choice which is evident from GoF.
Here is a quote illustrating that point (Bolding is mine): (p. 376, Scholastic Ed.)
[quote=From GoF]'Well, if you don't like it, you know what the solution is, don't you?' yelled Hermione; her hair was coming down out of its elegant bun now, and her face was screwed up in anger.
'Oh yeah?' Ron yelled back. 'What's that?'
'Next time there's a ball, ask me before someone else does, and not as a last resort!' [/quote]
It is evident from the above quote that Hermione had hoped Ron would ask her out. Her "blazing row" is not with Harry; she was not even upset that he had gone out with Parvati Patil. She's upset with Ron. The fact that she talks about a "next time" clearly indicates that she would have chosen Ron over Viktor if he had asked her out first and given another chance, she will still prefer going out with Ron over anyone else.
So the question of her being torn between Harry and Ron does not even arise.
Harry was, is and will always remain a good friend to Hermione.
I think Viktor forms the 3rd in the triangle of the R/Hr relationship.
If I were Hermione, I would make it clear to Viktor that I think of him as a friend and a friend alone. As for Ron, I think Hermione knows that he likes her, but she's waiting for him to realize it first!
Edited by MysticaMagic - 20 years ago