In Bulgaria, at the time of the mayhem within the Weasley family kitchen, Viktor Krum was thinking deep, meaningful things about his life. At least, that was what he told his parents when they asked.

In truth he was, like any healthy, red blooded 18 year old male, over-come with hormones. Especially since he had found his mate last night, when his veela inheritance finally became known in his person. Currently he was thinking about Hermione, her attributes, her scent, the feel of her body close to his and the way her eyes lit up when they last went to Diagon Alley, like a fire was held within the chocolate brown depths of her eyes.

It was the last Hogsmeade weekend before Viktor had to leave Hogwarts and he had decided that he was going to treat his Mina to a day of fun and if she would let him, a gift.

Mina was holding his hand after they had wonder through Flourish and Botts, along with a heated discussion as to why the store still sold Gilderoy Lockheart's, for not only was the man whom wrote them a terrible liar, but he had completely lost his mind and was currently enjoying an extended stay at St Mungo's for now being as mad as a hatter when they walked past Eeylops Owl Emporium.

A slight tug on his hand was what made him aware that Hermione had stopped at one of the display window's, and was peering intently inside.

Turning her head slightly in the direction of her companion, Hermione enquired, "Viktor? Do you know what breed of owl this is?"

Viktor moved closer to the window, where he too settled his eyes on the bird. It was a tiny thing, bright yellow eyes, brown head and wings with black and white body feathers. If he were to clutch it in his fist the owl would have been quite comfortable, with room to still flap its delicate wings if it truly wanted to. "I believe it is a pygmy owl, Mina. We haf them in Bulgaria. Agile little things, incredibly fast also."

Hermione turned to face Viktor. "Would you terribly mind if we went in to have a better look at it?"

Viktor shook his head. "No, ve are in no rush today. I am happy to go inside it you vish to." Hermione's answer was to give him a smile that left him in a mild daze, and enter the store with Viktor on her heels.

As the small bell above the door rang to announce their arrival a sales person came towards the young couple. "How may I help you today?"

"The pygmy owl in the window," Viktor stated, "ve vish to haf a better look at her."

"Excellent, let me just go and get her." The sales person then went and retrieved the bird of interest.

As soon as the little bird was in her sight, Hermione started to coo over it. "Oh, Viktor," she sighed, "Isn't she adorable? Oh just look at her!" The little bird, being wizard bred, understood Hermione completely and was preening under her praise.

"Luff? You do not have owl of own, do you?"

Hermione looked up at him, curious, "No I don't, why?"

"Vot if," Viktor began to get nervous knowing full well the witch's notorious temper, "I got you this owl, as a gift?" Hermione opened her mouth to protest but Viktor continued to talk. "This way if you vish to contact me you can vithout hafing to borrow an owl and you will haf something that will remind you of me." By the end of this statement Viktor ears had begun to turn a light pink in his embarrassment.

Hermione turned pensive for a minute and Viktor worried he had upset her. He opened his mouth to begin to take back what he said when his arms were suddenly full with a very happy witch. "Oh Viktor, that's so sweet! I would love the little owl, but I shan't let you pay for the full fee. It wouldn't be right of me."

"Excuse me ma'am, but this owl is only three gallons." The sales assistant said before Viktor could say anything. "We accidently ordered it by mistake."

Viktor turned his dark eyes to Hermione. "Mina, vill you let me get this for you?" There was a slight pause. "Please?"

Hermione worried her bottom lip for a minutes before slowly nodding her head. "Ok, if you're sure. I can always pay you back-" Viktor held up his hand.

"This is as much for you as it is for me, Mina. Now I will haf pretty foreign girl vriting to me all the time. My team mates' vill be jealous. You vill help me to gain credit as man on team, da?"

Hermione laughed a truly feminine laugh. One filled with joy and a general lightness that left one feeling warm in its sound. "I would be honoured to be your pretty foreign girl to gain you credit as a man with the rest of the quidditch team."

Viktor did a mock bow, "Thank you, fair maiden." He looked up at her and winked, causing a blush to stain her cheeks. "Come," he held his arm out to her, "let us buy you Dara."

Hermione blinked at him. "Dara?"

"Da. Means 'gift' in Bulgarian."

Hermione looked at Viktor then with a fire in her eyes that made him want to ravish her in ways that were not appropriate in a public store with little children around.

It was in that moment, with that fire in her eyes, that he was thinking of now; with his hormones running rampant through his system along with the pull of his veela. The only difference was that it was in a different context, like in the bedroom with Hermione on her knees about to take his impressive length into her mouth. Or with her underneath him, all willing female flesh; begging him to claim her, fill her, show the world that she was his and his alone.

Sitting in the middle of his lush bed, naked as a jaybird save for the sheet pooled around his middle as he reclined against the pillowed headboard, his fist met his heated swollen flesh and began to stroke in solid, firm tugs. His other hand was no less stationary as it held a woman's singlet to his face.

The singlet, obviously belonging to his mate, held a scent so decedent to his senses that his fangs started to peak through his gums and a loud rumbling purr erupted from his chest. Muscles bulged and grew as the creature within danced along his skin in response to the stimulant set upon his face, increasing his need and bringing him closer to that state of nirvana most try to achieve while living.

Closer and closer to the edge he became until he reached it with a mighty roar, spilling over his hand and onto the bed sheets. He spent a few minuted breathing heavily, enjoying the feeling of bliss and bonelessness before cleaning up the mess.

Swinging his legs over the side of his bed, he stood, stretched, yawned, scratched just above his navel then dressed for quidditch practice and left with an air of satisfied contentment.

Several hours later, sweaty and smelly from a gruelling day at practice, Viktor Krum was about to make a b-line towards his en-suite bathroom when a tapping on the window drew his attention.

Hovering just beyond the glass was Boris, carrying a letter that could only be from Hermione.

Rushing over to let the bird inside his room, the irresistible scent of his mate was carried into his room, both by the letter Boris carried and Boris himself.

"Boris old friend," Viktor murmured in low Bulgarian, "You have been petted all day haven't you?"

The bird looked to his owner in such a way that it could only confirm Viktor's thought's that Hermione had spent all day spoiling Boris with treats and pats. "What news do you carry?"

Boris held his leg out, offering the letter attached.

With steady hands Viktor read.

Dear Viktor,

I am thrilled to receive your letter, although Boris did cause a slight mishap with one of the people I am staying with. I'm currently staying with the Weasley's you see and Ron, having a more than a slight hang-over this morning, startled Boris so much that Boris retaliated. Is it cruel I found it more than a little amusing that Ron was attacked? If so, don't tell me. It can be our little secret.

I am in great health if I do say so myself, for it is summer and no one I care about is in a competition known to kill its participants while being overseen by a mad man. Mrs Weasley is feeding me like I've never been fed a day in my life and it is getting a little tiresome.

I would love to visit you, as long as I'm not a burden. I would love to see Mr and Mrs Krum again, as well as get to meet your brothers. They all sound like fascinating men and I still can't believe you are the 'baby' of the family.

I also hope you don't mind that I kept Boris longer than was necessary, he and Dara had much to catch up on apparently. I didn't realise that owls loved to gossip but apparently it's true because they wouldn't stop hooting for an hour solid.

With much love,
Mina xx

Viktor smiled as he read the letter before turning to his owl. "What is this I hear about you being a gossip?" The owl looked sheepish.

"You are spending too much time around my mother."