The first time he saw her, Viktor couldn't help but stare. He was sitting in the library, desperately trying to ignore the titters of his fan club. They were much quieter in the presence of one Madame Pince, her disapproving glare silencing all but the most daring.

She, the curly haired brunette that had captured his attention, kept glaring at the girls as much as he wanted to. And, somehow, he desperately wanted her to look at him.

He turned the page of the book that he was only sort of reading. He knew that he'd have to study it again when he got back to the ship where people didn't fawn over him. It would be free of distractions there. Both the fan girls, and the beautiful bookworm hunched over her homework across the room.

He had to admit, she was the reason he was still there. He hadn't abandoned the castle all because of her. Her energy, her focus, was contagious. Even from where he sat he could hear her scribbling away, her parchment spilling over the table.

He just wanted to watch her forever.

Years after they met, years after they had gone to that ball together, he had found her again. And he never wanted to let her go. And so, when it came time for him to make his move, he had planned everything out again.

Helping out in the Hogwarts library was a task that always needed volunteers, and no one knew the books better than Hermione Granger. She had helped out mostly because Madame Pince had asked her too, but Viktor had come too which only made her happier.

It was there, in the library that Viktor got down on one knee.

"Hermione," he said with obvious practice, "this vas vhere ve first met. I know that you think it vasn't important, but I haff found that all parts of life with happiness are important. And since this vas vhere I met you, this is vhere I vant to ask you this question."

She looked down at him, hands going to her mouth.

"Hermione Granger, vill you make me the happiest man in the vorld and spend the rest of your life vith me?"

He pulled out the ring, small enough to suit her tastes and much less expensive than he would have been willing to buy. But he wanted her to be happy with his choice, and he did know her.

"Yes," she said as happy tears started to fall from her eyes in happiness.

He slipped the ring onto her finger and kissed her, wanting to pick her up and spin her around, but knowing that probably wasn't the smartest action in the stacks of the Hogwarts library.

Two years after their wedding, Viktor watched his wife putter around the kitchen, trying to do things around her pregnant belly. She was fairly competent, but she still cursed when trying to mix things by hand.

He smiled as he washed dishes. She was still the same. And he couldn't imagine how he had gotten so lucky. He'd married the girl he'd fallen in love with in the library. And she'd been even more than he could have hoped for.

He caught the wink she sent him, knowing that he'd been caught. It was strange. How could he have thought, all those years, that he'd loved her. He loved her as much as he thought anyone ever could. But he'd said that before.

So yes, this story was inspired by the Brad Paisley song "Then." I really like getting ideas from country music. The songs are just so expressive. I hope I did the characters justice. But thanks for reading this.