The funerals were scheduled for the next week. Hermione had done all she could to assist at Hogwarts after the Battle. Now, it was time for her to retrieve her parents from Australia.

She couldn't ask Harry or Ron to go with her, even though they were her best friends. That left her with only one option. He had quit playing Quidditch during the last year and been accepted as an Auror by his Ministry. She owled Viktor and asked if he would go with her.

Her answer had come by Patronus message an hour later. On assignment in Paris, he had gotten the owl and been delighted to answer.

"Yes, love. I would be honoured to accompany you. I will arrange an International Portkey and join you in a couple of hours."

The rich timbre of his voice issuing form the Siberian Tiger sent shivers up her spine.

As good as his word, he arrived at Hogwarts just as the sun was setting.

"It will be day in Australia, love. We can undo the Memory Charm and be back in time for dinner," he said.

She shivered as he kissed her hand. The eyes looking into hers were warm with an emotion she dared not explore just yet.

He activated the Portkey and they were whirled a very long way to land in Perth at the residence of Wendell and Monica Wilkins. Viktor did most of the talking after they both had nullified the Memory Charms. Hermione's parents were overjoyed that their dear daughter had such a wonderful friend.

The London flat Viktor had taken them all to was his pied-a-terre while in England. The four had gone out to dinner, choosing a Muggle restaurant not far from the flat. Hermione had promised to fill her parents in on the War later. Viktor used the time he had with Hermione to his best advantage. He asked her point-blank about her relationship with Ron, and was pleased that she reiterated that they were merely friends.

That was exactly what he had been hoping for; the ring in his pocket just might get placed on her finger sooner than expected. Her parents saw how the two young people looked at each other and were happy that their little girl had found a man who loved her the way she should be loved.

Prompt from Blue Artemis was Viktor and Hermione meeting up after the Battle at Hogwarts.