Summary: Despite the fact that Viktor Krum no longer has a chance with Hermione, he still writes to her after the war to make sure he can maintain his friendship with her. To his surprise, she invites him to spend some time with her, and in the process, she accidentally manages to bring love into his life once again. Viktor/OC. Please R&R!

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or its characters. I only own Rosalyn Hawthorne.

A/N: Thank you to everyone who read the first chapter. I really hope to hear what you think of it, and I also hope that you enjoy chapter two.

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A Chance Encounter

Chapter Two: The Key to Rosalyn Hawthorne

Viktor found sleep difficult that night.

He wasn't sure why but he couldn't get comfortable in bed, and he couldn't settle down to get his rest. He'd dozed off once or twice but he found himself awake again in a matter of minutes. It was rather annoying, as was the horrible dryness in his mouth and at the back of his throat. He decided to conjure up a glass of water and as he took a huge gulp from it he moved towards the bedroom window to look out onto the beach below.

The stars were shining brightly with the moon, causing little lights to divert around a huge spotlight on the ocean waves. As his gaze moved onto the beach however, he saw a lone figure in what appeared to be a long white dress walking along the sand. The dark hair blew wildly in the wind as the dress swept around the form, making it look like a white flame dancing on the sand.

"Viktor?"

The young wizard turned to see Hermione standing in the doorway to his bedroom, wrapped up in her dressing gown and looking very sleepy. She began to approach him, wondering why he was awake at that time of night for a start, as well as wondering what had caught his attention down on the beach.

"Have you seen Rosalyn by any chance? She isn't in her room and..."

Hermione looked out of the window as she spoke and her eyes widened at the figure moving rather gracelessly down on the shoreline.

"She's a sleepwalker..." She finished, looking up at Viktor with a slightly horrified expression, "I'll get the blanket from her room to wrap her in. She must be freezing...Whatever you do, don't force her awake and try not to touch her. It could cause severe damage to her brain."

"Of course...I go now." Viktor breathed, hurrying down the stairs and out of the door.

He gasped at the coldness that suddenly hit his body, his thin t-shirt wrapping around his torso that much tighter in the strong winds. He couldn't worry about himself at that moment. He had to help Rosalyn before she ended up hurting herself. He took off down the steps, taking two at a time and almost losing his footing at the bottom. He knew for definite it was her when he caught sight of her pretty face glowing in the moonlight. He ran towards her, looking back to see Hermione following him with the thick blanket folded in her arms.

The scariest part about the whole situation was when he was within just a few feet of the girl and saw her eyes were wide open, and that her breathing was erratic. She was panicking in her sleep and he wasn't sure how to calm her or bring her around. She shuddered, eyes rolling as she suddenly awoke, almost collapsing as she realised where she was.

"Rosa..." He panted, trying to catch his breath before gently touching her hair and moving it out of her face, "Rosa..."

Why was he struggling to say her name now? He'd done so well with it all day.

"Rosa-leen..."

Hermione reached them quickly, watching Rosalyn's eyes creep open gently. They fluttered as she closed them again, causing both Viktor and Hermione to share a look of worry. Hermione knew that she was just was waking from her sleepwalking and that it would be a shock for her to find herself outside. At Hogwarts, numerous times, she'd end up in another part of the castle with a prefect having to try to guide her back.

"Just step back a little, Viktor...Let her adjust..." Hermione said softly, watching the other witch as she grew accustom to her surroundings again.

"V-Viktor...?" She breathed, gasping for air as though she'd almost suffocated, "Is that you?"

"Yes..." He answered, "Are you hurt? You feel very cold."

Hermione passed him the blanket to wrap around her, and he did so gently, reassuring her by rubbing her arms as he began to lead her towards the house again with Hermione by her other side, the three of them walking slowly. She couldn't answer him because her teeth were chattering so badly.

"Are you alright?" Hermione asked her, earning a gentle nod, "You haven't done this for months..."

"I'm fine, Hermione...Thank you." She whispered, "Thanks for coming out here to get me...I'm sorry..."

"Is fine..." Viktor told her with a smile, "Ve're just glad that you are safe."

Back at the house, Hermione and Viktor sat in the kitchen as Rosalyn caught up on her sleep. The pair were nursing a mug a herbal tea, because Hermione knew it would help her to go back to sleep as well as Viktor who hadn't slept all night. He was already looking tired.

"Rosalyn is half muggle. Her father is a muggle." Hermione explained, "She's visited a muggle doctor...A general practitioner, or GP. They've given her medication to help her sleep and to stop the sleepwalking. It was triggered because of a trauma in her life."

"Like night terrors?" He asked, "A cousin of ours suffers with them."

Hermione nodded slowly, sipping down the rest of her tea and rubbing her forehead lightly. She knew that either something had happened or she'd simply run out of medication, and she knew that it was important for her to get more.

"I hope you sleep well." She told him, smiling softly, "Rosalyn might feel slightly embarrassed in the morning...So, it's best to pretend that nothing happened. I've magically sealed all the windows and the front and back doors, so she can't simply open them."

"You sleep well too, Hermione." He replied with a smile, "I shall check on her, yes?"

"Thank you." Hermione whispered, "Hurry up to bed, now. It's almost three in the morning."

With that, she took their empty cups to the sink, and she knew that Viktor would go and see that Rosalyn was okay because he was very caring about other people for a start, but also because he found her very interesting and attractive. He was behaving around the other witch as he had around her in her fourth year, and she'd known him for so long she could tell when he liked someone. As soon as she left the kitchen and headed up the stairs, she heard him following, so she gave him a soft smile of goodnight before heading into her own room.

Rosalyn's room was just to the left of the staircase, and it didn't take much for Viktor to know that she was okay. Seeing her snuggled up into the bedding as he peered gently though the door was enough to confirm her contentment to him. He sighed quietly as he smiled at her peaceful, slumbering form and he closed the door as gently as he could, leaving the witch to her tranquil sleep.

The following afternoon, while George and Ron were play fighting in the sand like a couple of children while Hermione sat on the group's large blanket reading, Viktor accompanied Rosalyn on her quest for seashells. She had collected seashells from being very little and had a beautiful, varied and extensive collection.

As she examined a small white shell with a pink tinge to it, Viktor watched with fascination. She took out a small magnifying glass to look at it more closely, looking up to Viktor with a grin.

"See this pink around the edge...?" She whispered, allowing him to look through the glass, "I've never seen a shade of pink like it...Isn't it beautiful?"

"Very." Viktor replied, barely able to catch up with her as she hurried off towards the steps of the house, "Rosaleen!"

Hermione watched the pair and smiled as Viktor rushed after Rosalyn, calling her name and pronouncing it slightly wrong. It reminded her of when he spent time with her, and could never say her name properly.

"Vhere are you running to?" Viktor asked, watching the witch kneel in the grass, "Vhat is wrong?"

"See these..." Rosalyn whispered as she moved blades of grass to reveal a small patch of flowers that looked like daisies, "Matricaria chamomilla. Chamomile. I use them to make sleeping draughts and other medicines for anxiety...At school I used to prepare them for students taking vital exams. Only for the ones who were extremely nervous. They make good calming remedies."

Viktor nodded in interest, watching her take out a knife and cut them at the bottom of the stem. She got up again without a word and hurried back to the house. The Bulgarian could not follow her quick enough. He watched her place the dainty flowers in a small pot with water in it, before she began to wash her hands in the sink.

"Oh, I'm sorry..." She breathed as she realised she'd been wandering off without him, "I've been rude..."

"No...Just concentrating." Viktor said with a soft smile, "I get lost in concentration too. Is okay."

"You should see me concentrating when I'm reading about history." She told him with a sweet giggle, "It's like I'm in at trance."

"Ah. Me also." Viktor replied, "I am fond of history. I do not like being disturbed when I am reading about it."

Rosalyn smiled at the seeker, eyes crinkling in the corners as her lips pulled upward. She blushed just enough for Viktor to catch sight of it before she bowed her head again, hiding her pretty face from his view. He realised that this was the perfect opportunity to ask to write to her after the weekend was over. He wasn't going to pass it up. He and Rosalyn had spent barely any time alone, and he didn't want to ask her in front of the others.

"Rosaleen...? Vould it be possible for us to write...After I return home...?" He asked her quietly, "Only, I haf enjoyed your company so much during my stay..."

He saw the girl turn away from him to tend to her flowers, and he realised that something wasn't quite right. Perhaps he'd chosen the wrong time to ask her. He went to apologise, but caught her smile and her flushed cheeks. She was smiling. That told him that what he had said had pleased her.

"I've enjoyed your company too, Viktor." She told him with a sweet giggle, "I'd love for us to write."

He broke into a smile, watching her as she steadily approached him, clearly wanting to hug him, but too afraid to. Viktor grinned at her, opening his arms which made her let out a small sigh of relief as she hugged him to her body. He moved his arms slightly to hold her more closely, resting his head against hers and closing his eyes as a familiar feeling washed over him. He didn't know that Rosalyn's smile had faded as she rested her head on his shoulder, and that her eyes had also closed.

Her heart fluttered as she felt his lips against her head, and she turned slightly to look into his eyes.

"Rosaleen..." He whispered, looking to her lips and back to her eyes.

"V-Viktor..."

The bang of the front door of the cottage startled the pair out of each other's arms and their moment as Hermione stomped inside, followed by Ron and George who continued to tease and play fight with each other. Hermione threw the blanket on the sofa, staring at the two Weasley brothers before shouting sharply at them.

"Ronald! George!"

The pair stopped mid-squabble, staring at her as she gave them her most fierce glare.

"I can't get a moment of peace with you both being so silly." She told them, "Even Viktor and Rosalyn have come away from your noise."

The brothers broke apart, both muttering and huffing as they headed up to their rooms. Hermione looked to the pair and raised her eyebrow at them, watching them separate awkwardly as Viktor moved to the armchair by the fire, while Rosalyn continued to tend to her flowers.

Viktor was put in charge of finding Rosalyn after dinner. The young witch hadn't joined them, and Hermione, after giving Viktor a knowing look, sent him out to find her. The others knew that she'd probably just wandered off looking for more seashells, but Viktor was concerned. So, understandably, he was surprised to find her sitting on the top of the steps leading down to the beach, dressed in only her nightdress and with nothing on her feet. Her little toes looked frozen.

"Aren't the stars beautiful tonight?" She asked softly, hearing him tread on the path as he approached her.

She turned and realised who was there, and she patted the space beside her, giving the Bulgarian a welcoming smile. Viktor felt a warmth spread through him at the sight of it, and he edged over slowly, taking a seat carefully beside her as though any sudden movement would frighten her away.

"Yes, they are." He answered her question in a voice just as gentle as hers, and as he gently covered her hand with his own, he felt her startle

Within seconds, she relaxed again, pressing a little closer to him than she was before. Perhaps for warmth, he thought, so he took the chance to wrap an arm around her, and hold her to warm her.

"Rosaleen...I hope to become close with you in future." He told her, trying desperately to look into those gorgeous eyes of hers, "You are very beautiful voman. In body, mind, and in heart."

He frowned when she looked very upset and turned away from him. He felt her body tremble, and panicked inside at the thought of her being upset because of him. Carefully, cautiously, he stroked her upper arm with the backs of his fingers, watching her hand run through her hair and then rest against her forehead. The moonlight reflected a tear that slipped down her cheek and landed on the step below, and Viktor instantly turned Rosalyn to face him, begging her to look at him.

"Rosaleen, vhy do you cry?" He asked, "Vhat haf I said to upset you? Please do not cry any more...Is making me vorry..."

"Don't lie to me." She said darkly, voice breaking with her emotion, "I'm nowhere near as beautiful as other girls, especially not Hermione. I'm not as clever, or outspoken, or brave as her."

"Do not compare yourself to Hermione." Viktor whispered tenderly, "You are you. Individual...Unique...You. I do not lie about this. I only speak truth to you, Rosaleen...I like you. I like you lots. Vhy vill you not believe me?"

"I just can't..." She told him, looking up at him with red, swollen, tearful eyes, "Sorry."

"Hush now." He said kindly, pulling her closer to him and cradling her head to his shoulder, "Is okay, yes? All better?"

He kissed her head gently, looking at her face and wiping tears away that still fell down the smooth surface of her skin. She leaned into his touch for a moment, allowing him to continue his actions. Things weren't all better, but she did feel a little better. And she was very grateful to him that he took care of her.

"Can you please not tell anyone about this?" She asked, "I don't want to worry Hermione..."

"Of course." Viktor replied, "I swear to keep silence, yes?"

He crossed his heart slowly, making her smile, and he ensured that she felt collected and calm enough to go back indoors. As he stood from the step, he held out his hand to her, helping her to her feet before pressing his lips against her knuckles.

"I need to have a bath..." She whispered, looking down at her feet, "I'm hungry too."

"You vere missed at dinner." He replied as they made their way back down the path, "Hermione has saved you some."

Rosalyn smiled gratefully at him, realising as they made their way back to the house that they were still holding hands.

As Viktor placed the small piece of parchment into Rosalyn's pale palm, he kissed her forehead and then her hand, before collecting the rest of his things. The young witch's heart sped up dramatically as he gave her a wink and a gentle smile, and she fought back the enormous urge she had to run and embrace him, as well as the tears of sadness at his departure. Despite being in his company for a mere two days, Rosalyn had never felt so alive, and so wanted. She'd never felt as included as this before, and she still couldn't understand why Hermione had thought to invite her with them in the first place.

The seeker vanished from sight, and Rosalyn bit her lip to stop it trembling before heading away from the room to her own so she could pack up her things. Viktor had given her his address. He had called her beautiful in mind, body and heart. He had told her that she was unique and that he liked her lots. Perhaps this was what he told all the girls.

A horrible feeling of dread and worry hit Rosalyn like a punch to the gut. The poor girl was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear Hermione knocking on her bedroom door. She was brought out of her worrying by the other witch carefully touching her arm.

"Rosalyn, what's wrong?" Hermione asked, taking in the other girl's trembling and tears, "I don't like to see you this way."

"Why did you invite me here? Why?" Rosalyn asked timidly, "Out of all the girls at Hogwarts, why me?"

"Rosalyn, you're my friend." Hermione told her, "I wanted to spend time with you. We haven't spent time together in months...What's the matter? Why are you so upset?"

"V-Viktor's gone..." She replied softly, "He said things to me...Like...He thinks I'm beautiful and that he wants us to be closer...And that he liked me. Things he'd say to any girl."

"No, no...No, Rosalyn..." Hermione answered quietly, "No, Viktor isn't like that. He doesn't say things like that to just any girl. Trust me. For him to be so open about his feelings to another woman means that he is obviously very passionate about how he feels about her."

"Why can I not believe him?" Rosalyn asked, "Why do I feel like this?"

"Oh, love..." Hermione said gently, "Come here..."

She opened her arms to the other witch and pulled her into a hug, comforting her friend the best she could. Rosalyn's self esteem and confidence had never been so bad. The poor girl seemed frightened of being lied to by everyone and anyone.

Hermione could only hope that Rosalyn would write to Viktor, and that Viktor would prove to Rosalyn that his feelings were true. She decided that night to write to Viktor herself, and to find out exactly what his intentions were towards Rosalyn.

-TBC-

Hope you enjoyed!

Thanks for reading so far!

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