Disclaimer: Any character or locale that you recognize is the result of JK
Rowling's imagination and therefore her property. I'm not making money off
this, just playing on JK's coattails for a while.
This part of the story is rated R for violence and content. It will become NC-17 at some point so be warned.
Chapter 1: Not all that glitters is gold
Summer in Bulgaria. Well, a few weeks anyway. Hermione's parents weren't exactly keen on the idea of sending their only daughter off to a foreign country to visit her boyfriend, but she gave them little choice. She pointed out that although the muggle world still considered her a child, the wizarding world didn't and that was the life they chose for her when they sent her to Hogwarts 6 years ago.
Bulgaria was quite lovely this time of year. Viktor lived in a rather small village reminiscent of a Bram Stoker novel. Hermione enjoyed letting her imagination carry her away while she and Viktor wandered the cobblestone road that led through town or listened to the lonely howling of wolves as they stargazed. As much as Hermione liked school and studying, vernacularized moments like these were a welcomed break. Viktor was a welcomed break as well. He was unlike any man she had ever known. He was quiet, dark and mysterious, but a total gentleman. Hermione was quite certain that love loomed on the horizon for them both, but wasn't making any proclamations yet.
Summer was also Quidditch season. Given that Viktor is the seeker for the Bulgarian team that meant that Hermione would have to be on her own a few days out of her trip when Viktor would be away for a match. In her time as a Gryffindor, Hermione had had her share of adventures sneaking around with her two pals, Ron and Harry. As she watched Viktor fly off on his Firebolt Mark V, she wondered what kind of adventure she could have in this strange land. Immediately, Viktor's words resounded in her head: "Mind whvere you wvander, Hermione. Bulgaria is very old country wvith many hidden dangers. It would be best to stay in after dark." Well, she would be careful, but the idea of telling Harry and Ron that she hadn't even stepped foot into the forest was enough to make her indulge her curiosity. They would taunt her relentlessly if she admitted to taking "Vicky's" warning too seriously.
The morning after Viktor left, Hermione woke feeling restless. She pulled on her cloak and decided to walk into the village for a little exploring. The village people were very friendly although most did not speak English. Hermione visited a craftsman who made little wooden dolls and picked out a beautiful one with a scarlet red silk dress for Ginny. Next she stopped at the bakershop for a pastry and coffee. As she made her way to the end of the street she noticed something sparkling through the trees of the forest that bordered the village. She hesitated for a moment before entering the forest. Certainly it was safe in the daylight. Chances are the wolves didn't come out until after nightfall and any other creatures she might meet would be easily held off with a good charm.
Hermione walked for what seemed about an hour, never taking her eyes off the sparks that danced through the trees. Finally she came to a small pond the most fantastic color blue. She'd never seen anything like it. Misty electric blue waves shimmered against the dark khaki of the moss covered bank. And sparks of fiery gold emitted from the pond as the sun hit the waves through the trees. Hermione was so transfixed on the beauty of the pond that she didn't hear the soft, rhythmic beat of wings behind her. She didn't hear the barely audible pad of footsteps as they approached her from behind. Until she felt the hot breath of something not quite alive on the back of her neck, Hermione had considered herself completely alone. She was barely aware of another presence when she felt the most exquisite pain imaginable. Suddenly she was spun around by the hair and lifted up in a death lock of arms and wings. As her eyes widened in horror, only one thought came to mind: "Viktor doesn't know the half of it." She tried to scream, but her throat was ripped from her in ruthless hunger. Not knowing what else to do, Hermoine fainted.
This part of the story is rated R for violence and content. It will become NC-17 at some point so be warned.
Chapter 1: Not all that glitters is gold
Summer in Bulgaria. Well, a few weeks anyway. Hermione's parents weren't exactly keen on the idea of sending their only daughter off to a foreign country to visit her boyfriend, but she gave them little choice. She pointed out that although the muggle world still considered her a child, the wizarding world didn't and that was the life they chose for her when they sent her to Hogwarts 6 years ago.
Bulgaria was quite lovely this time of year. Viktor lived in a rather small village reminiscent of a Bram Stoker novel. Hermione enjoyed letting her imagination carry her away while she and Viktor wandered the cobblestone road that led through town or listened to the lonely howling of wolves as they stargazed. As much as Hermione liked school and studying, vernacularized moments like these were a welcomed break. Viktor was a welcomed break as well. He was unlike any man she had ever known. He was quiet, dark and mysterious, but a total gentleman. Hermione was quite certain that love loomed on the horizon for them both, but wasn't making any proclamations yet.
Summer was also Quidditch season. Given that Viktor is the seeker for the Bulgarian team that meant that Hermione would have to be on her own a few days out of her trip when Viktor would be away for a match. In her time as a Gryffindor, Hermione had had her share of adventures sneaking around with her two pals, Ron and Harry. As she watched Viktor fly off on his Firebolt Mark V, she wondered what kind of adventure she could have in this strange land. Immediately, Viktor's words resounded in her head: "Mind whvere you wvander, Hermione. Bulgaria is very old country wvith many hidden dangers. It would be best to stay in after dark." Well, she would be careful, but the idea of telling Harry and Ron that she hadn't even stepped foot into the forest was enough to make her indulge her curiosity. They would taunt her relentlessly if she admitted to taking "Vicky's" warning too seriously.
The morning after Viktor left, Hermione woke feeling restless. She pulled on her cloak and decided to walk into the village for a little exploring. The village people were very friendly although most did not speak English. Hermione visited a craftsman who made little wooden dolls and picked out a beautiful one with a scarlet red silk dress for Ginny. Next she stopped at the bakershop for a pastry and coffee. As she made her way to the end of the street she noticed something sparkling through the trees of the forest that bordered the village. She hesitated for a moment before entering the forest. Certainly it was safe in the daylight. Chances are the wolves didn't come out until after nightfall and any other creatures she might meet would be easily held off with a good charm.
Hermione walked for what seemed about an hour, never taking her eyes off the sparks that danced through the trees. Finally she came to a small pond the most fantastic color blue. She'd never seen anything like it. Misty electric blue waves shimmered against the dark khaki of the moss covered bank. And sparks of fiery gold emitted from the pond as the sun hit the waves through the trees. Hermione was so transfixed on the beauty of the pond that she didn't hear the soft, rhythmic beat of wings behind her. She didn't hear the barely audible pad of footsteps as they approached her from behind. Until she felt the hot breath of something not quite alive on the back of her neck, Hermione had considered herself completely alone. She was barely aware of another presence when she felt the most exquisite pain imaginable. Suddenly she was spun around by the hair and lifted up in a death lock of arms and wings. As her eyes widened in horror, only one thought came to mind: "Viktor doesn't know the half of it." She tried to scream, but her throat was ripped from her in ruthless hunger. Not knowing what else to do, Hermoine fainted.