A Year Abroad (Hermione/Viktor)

A Girl of Durmstrang

Viktor sat, staring at his food. No wonder Hermione had not wanted to speak about the war. She had been forced to murder one of her best friends. He glared at the red haired boy with the fury of a thousand men and saw the fear in his eyes. Viktor thought the men might be afraid of Hermione. However, Serg, one of the beaters, looked over to him and said:
"Now we must defeat them." The team were silently united in a hatred of this boy for embarrassing one of their own. It did not matter that she was muggle born, it did not matter if she was English. She was of Durmstrang and Durmstrang stuck together.

Ron didn't realise quite what he had done until he was confronted with the rage-filled stares of the entire Durmstrang Quidditch team.
"Ron, what have you done?" Harry asked, worry riddling his voice.
"I don't know." His voice was laced with terror.
"I think you've just got yourself in for a whole world of pain." Pavarti called to him.
"Poor Hermione, she hadn't told anyone at Durmstrang about that. It's sad they heard about it that way." Luna remarked as she walked past.
"Well done, mate." Harry patted Ron on the back, whilst Ron let his head fall into his hands.

Hermione sat in Dumbledore's office and thought of the last time she was there.
"It has been a while since you sat there, in that chair." Dumbledore remarked.
"Yes, it has." Hermione agreed.
"You are stronger than the girl that sat there so many months ago." He smiled at her kindly.
"You must remember that you are not your actions. You did what was right for your people. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." Hermione nodded. She knew that killing Harry was for the greater good, but she couldn't help feeling ashamed for what she did.

Wanting to take her mind off of what Ron had done. Hermione changed the subject.
"I have something for you." She smiled as Dumbledore became excited.
"I'll just go and get it." She apparated out of the office, to the vase. Collected it, then apparated back into Dumbledore's office.

Dumbledore did not expect for her glass work to be very good. He understood that she had only been practicing the art for a month or so. However, when he unwrapped the vase, his breath was taken away.
"Hermione, this is- this is fantastic." He was mystified. The colours danced, the shades of fire.
"I am glad you like it." Dumbledore placed a hand over his mouth in disbelief.
"I think you have found a career for yourself, Miss Granger." Hermione smiled and blushed at his compliment, genuinely pleased that he liked it.

Viktor watched Hermione return in time for dessert. She sat back in her seat, next to him. He didn't say a word. He simply took her hand under the table and she smiled up at him and squeezed his hand in response. Hermione felt a calm come over her as she sat and ate her apple crumble. Ron was no longer her friend, no longer her ally, so she needn't put any more effort into their friendship. He had made it clear it was over and she was happy for the distinction.

It did hurt her ever so slightly that nobody had approached her apart from Draco. She knew she was not the most popular girl in the world, but she thought she might have a few more friends. She sighed and looked around, hoping to catch the attention of someone. But she found that everyone was trying their hardest not to look at her. She sighed and got back to her crumble, wondering how she could have handled the situation any better.

Chigvintsev had asked to see Hermione before she went to her room.
"I am sorry for vhat happened." He began with an apology.
"It is not your place to apologise." She replied, and he understood.
"I have a gift for you." He announced and Hermione wondered what on earth he could have gotten her. He then presented to her an official Durmstrang rain jacket and boots, to match the men's quidditch uniforms. Hermione couldn't believe it. She had brought her yellow rain jacket and boots, but these were much better! She immediately tried on the boots and coat and fell in love.
"Oh it is so sweet! Thank you so much!" She giggled, so excited about her new additions to her wardrobe.
"You are of Durmstrang, you need them. I had them made." He insisted and Hermione felt such a sense of belonging that she thought she might cry.
"I must varn you. No one knows vhy you are here."
"I understand." Hermione replied before wishing Chigvintsev a good evening.

Viktor was waiting for Hermione outside of her room. When he saw her smiling, his heart felt light.
"Hello." She smiled when she saw him. He waited to be invited in, then sat in the arm chair whilst she hung up her new coat and placed her rain boots ready to be worn the next day. She stood in front of him whilst he looked at her. She looked so beautiful in the moonlight. Her hair was wild and her eyes were soft and her skin glowed. He stood and placed his palm on her cheek.
"I know you now. All of you." He whispered, placing a kiss on her forehead.
"You're not scared of me?" She asked, worry in her voice.
"Scared? No. Vhy vould I be scared?" The innocence in his voice made Hermione sigh.
"I killed my best friend." She stated, making sure he was aware of the whole situation.
"He didn't look dead to me." Viktor stated. Hermione chuckled, not because it was funny, but because he was right.
"I know you need to sleep for the game tomorrow. But do you have little time to stay with me?" She asked and as soon as the question left her mouth she felt silly for asking it. He placed another kiss to her forehead.
"Change for sleep. I vill vait outside." He ordered.

Hermione changed as quickly as she could into her flannel pyjamas. She wished now that she owned something silk or satin, something soft. But she guessed that he wouldn't care. She brushed out her hair before letting him back in, knowing it would be a nightmare in the morning if she didn't.

Viktor smiled seeing Hermione in her pyjamas. He unlaced his boots and left them in the corner of the room, before taking Hermione's hand and sitting on the bed. Hermione then sat cross legged and looked down at Viktor Krum, laying on her bed. She felt such a temptation to touch him that it took over and she felt herself stroke his face, course with stubble. He smiled and leant into her palm and she wished she could preserve this moment forever.
"Do you think I am a Hogwarts girl, or a Durmstrang girl?" She asked, wondering what his opinion of her was.
"You vill alvays be a girl of Durmstrang. You see today, the people here do not care. Ve are your family." He whispered to her and she sighed happily, receiving the answer she had wanted. She then laid down beside him and laid her head on his chest. Viktor wished this moment could have lasted forever, with Hermione's head on his chest and his hands stroking her hair. However, when he felt himself falling asleep, he gently manoeuvred himself from under the sleeping Hermione and collected his boots. He took one last look at her before leaving, feeling giddy with a feeling he had never felt before.