For the next two days Ron mostly left her to fend for herself while he basked in his precious limelight. She often saw him surrounded by eager fans, including several very young witches who seemed enamored with him and his war stories. One witch in particular, adorned with heavy make-up and revealing attire seemed to be at his heels for days. Hermione often noticed her leaning towards Ron with an enraptured look on her face as he regaled anyone within earshot with his courageous exploits. Hermione could never understand why he needed so much attention, why he never felt good enough just as he was.
Hermione was not alone long enough to dwell on it. Viktor seemed to show up for the next few days wherever she was and stayed at her side for hours on end, saving her from several very lonely days. She conversed more with him in those hours than she had with her husband in months. He told her about his family and how they had moved to Sofia now that they were getting older and were no longer able to run the family farm and how he was happy to be able to support them with his rising Quidditch earnings. He listened as she told him about how her parents had died and had comforted her when her voice trembled at the memory. She hadn't spoken of her parents since the funeral and it felt good to have someone to talk to about them. She missed them dearly. She was careful to keep the conversation off of her marriage for fear Viktor might ask questions she would be too embarrassed to answer. So involved in conversing with him on the fourth day of the memorial that neither realized how much time had passed until Ron came to tell her he would be late and not to wait up. He eyed Viktor with unveiled contempt.
"All right, I'll head back then. Viktor has asked me to dinner. Is that all right with you?"
He snorted derisively.
"Why? Is dear old Vicky that desperate for company he needs to have dinner with a pregnant married woman, why doesn't he go with one of his Quidditch groupies? They seem to be in abundance around here. You'd think this was Quidditch tournament instead of a war memorial."
"He... he just wants to talk."
"Well what else would he want? It's not like he's going to be attracted to you the way you look now. I'll see you later tonight."
Viktor watched from a distance and even though he could not hear their words, he could see how her face fell at them and how Weasley did not even touch her or kiss her goodbye. He just strode off leaving her standing alone. Viktor immediately crossed the room to meet her as she headed back in his direction, noting the flicker of hurt in her eyes.
"Is everything all vright?"
"Yes, of course."
He offered her his arm and led her back to the table, glancing briefly over his shoulder towards the way Ron had left. He didn't like the way he was treating her, not one little bit.
"Is he angry I am vith you?"
"Why would he be?"
"Perhaps he is jealous?"
"Over what, me? Not likely."
Viktor frowned at her comments. He didn't like how casually she had put herself down over the past few days. The Hermione he knew did not think so little of herself. If this is how Veasley made her feel, perhaps he needed a reminder of how lucky he is. He quickly shook the thought from his head. It would not help Hermione to insult her husband.
"So, you are ready for baby?"
"No, not really. I've been trying to finish the baby room but I haven't gotten far I'm afraid. I don't even have a crib yet."
"Vhy are you the one finishing room? You should not be doing this, you should be vresting. Vhy husband not finish?"
"Oh, he's been...busy."
"I see. Hermione? Are you...alvright? You seem...sad."
"I ...I'm just a little tired, and a little scared."
"Vhy scared?"
"I've never had a baby before Viktor, I don't even know anyway who has. It's just scary. It's stupid, I know."
He reached across the table and took her hand in his.
"Is not stupid. Is normal to be afraid of the unknown. Haffing baby is big thing, important thing. I am only child like you, so I know very little either, but is amazing thing, no?"
Right at that moment Hermione felt the only amazing thing was the man sitting next to her. She glanced down at her hand dwarfed in his and realized no one had held her hand in a very long time. She looked up into his concerned eyes and felt a pull of attraction as her body responded to his affectionate touch. She silently berated herself for the inappropriate thoughts suddenly swimming in her head.
'He wouldn't be attracted to me, not now. Besides you're married Hermione.'
She was startled by the by overwhelming regret that consumed her just then. She married the man she wanted, she had no right to regret that decision now, did she?
