"Miss Granger." She ran into the Headmaster or rather fell at his feet when she missed a smallest set of stairs that instead of moving like at home, jumped from one location to another, disappearing as she tried to get on and reappearing on the next landing. She looked up at him blushing and rubbed her sore ankle. "Are you alright?" He asked helping her to her feet.
"Oh." She groaned as weight was put on her ankle, "I think I've twisted it."
"Come." He swept her up into his arms and carried her down the hall, hurrying to the hospital wing.
He called for the healer, a portly woman named Madame Morkin who tutted and gently rubbed a potion on her ankle while the Headmaster watched in concern.
"Are you sure you are quite alright?" He asked as she jumped from the bed a few moments later.
"Good as new sir."
He breathed a sigh of relief. "I am terribly sorry."
"It was an accident, my fault really, I wasn't watching."
"None the less." He shook his head and sighed. "I will accompany you back to your quarters and apologize to your Professors."
"Really its nothing." Hermione insisted.
"If you're sure?"
"Yes." Hermione nodded.
"Can I escort you somewhere else? I had hoped to run into you so that we might speak anyways."
"Oh, of course, I wasn't sure where I was going really. I thought maybe I'd try the library, I was hoping he was there."
"Which he?" The professor asked kindly.
"Erik." She blushed.
"Ah yes, I'm afraid his free period ended and he's in class, I would be happy to walk you there if you'd like to sit in? Or perhaps with Kiril in his class, I'm sure its one you'd enjoy. Or I believe Viktor is playing Quidditch?"
"I just left Viktor actually, he was walking Astoria to see Dane in his class since I wasn't terribly sure where I was going at the time."
"Well what would you like to do? We have a number of things you might enjoy?"
"I don't want to distract the boys from class, maybe I could just go back to find Luna."
"Do not worry about distracting them from class today or tomorrow, I believe they would both be thrilled to have you join them."
"Do you happen to know what class it is?" Hermione hedged.
"Kiril has a very interesting culture and societies discussion group and Erik is in Charms."
Hermione sighed, she really did want to find Erik but that was a NEWT class. "I really don't want to distract him from NEWTs, do you suppose I might see Kiril's class? It is such an interesting idea the eighth year you have here."
"Kiril will be thrilled and I will leave word when Erik leaves class that you were searching for him and no doubt he will find you instead."
"Thank you." Hermione smiled at him.
"You are getting along as well as I'd hoped with them both then?" Hermione blushed and he just nodded. "Viktor is also a very good boy, I taught Potions when he was a student here."
"We've been friends for several years." Hermione told him as she went through the opening he was creating holding back a tapestry.
"How did you find Axel?"
"He was nice." Hermione hedged.
"You did not feel a connection though." He pressed.
"No." Hermione sighed.
"Would you like me to arrange you to meet some of the other boys I thought you might be paired with?"
Hermione frowned in thought and licked her lips, "I think maybe not." She whispered.
"I shall sit you at lunch with only the three then yes? As though they were courting you." He held up a hand, "It does not have to be official and if you do find someone else here you might like to get to know, I fully encourage it."
"You're rooting for Kiril though." She boldly stated.
"Any of the three. I had very much hoped it would be Kiril or Erik, Kiril has more limitations because he is the eldest in a pureblood line and has few vitches he would consider, almost none he could actually marry."
"Is he courting anyone?"
"He will be courting only one other muggle born vitch though I do not believe they have met only vritten, she is a friend of his sister." He sighed, "Kiril is a good vizard but outside of here he has spent his life travelling, he has met many but is close with very few. He has confided that there is a half-Veela who expressed her interest but he has no strong connection with her and is unsure it would be right to court her when his heart is not there. Erik too wishes only to court where his heart tells him he'll find the right vitch but his options are more and if he would make effort he would find many vitches who vould be open to him, instead he refuses and courts only three. You made a deep impression and he decided he need no other vitches to court, he vas sure it vas one of you he vould love."
Hermione blushed, "They both seem wonderful."
"They are and there are other purebloods I would pair you with, some of them equally good in different vays but after much thought and discussion it is them I would lead you towards first. If this does not vork of course ve are discussing trying again next term, it vill be slightly more desperate as time becomes tighter but ve vill all do our best for all of our students, both past and present."
"Everyone has been so supportive." Hermione sighed, "Its so much more than I would ever have expected." Hermione admitted thinking about the interschool connections and the private and open discussion they'd shared as peers last night.
"I am glad you find it so. I do have date vith your Lara now so I vill excuse myself." The Headmaster winked at her, making her blush and laugh, "Kiril is in the third door from the end of this hall."
"Thank you." Hermione told him taking a few steps and then calling back, "And Good luck!"
"Thank you." He told her turning to give her a bow before retreating.
Hermione chuckled thinking he reminded her a bit of Sirius if a bit more, well serious. At the end of the hall she counted back to the third door and knocked after listening at the door and hearing only silence.
The door opened to an imposing looking professor and Hermione blushed but his expression immediately went from dark to welcoming as he smiled at her. "Can I help you with something or were you perhaps looking for someone?"
"Um, the Headmaster brought me" she whispered, "to find Kiril."
"Then do please come in." He opened the door more and waved her inside.
Hermione blushed as she entered finding a circle of desks.
"Kiril, you have a visitor."
Kiril stood and bowed to her, "Please." The professor nudged her in and Hermione moved to Kiril's desk blushing crimson. The boy next to him stood and bowed motioning her to his place while conjuring another beside it for himself.
"Thank you." Hermione blushed as she sat.
Kiril slipped a hand under his desk and over to hers to squeeze it comfortingly.
"We were just discussing the state of relations between our schools." The professor explained to her. "It seemed with you ladies visiting a good time to discuss the different cultures of our students, not of themselves but as a society in comparison to the society of the students at Hogwarts."
"Oh how fascinating." Hermione murmured and then blushed.
"I'm glad you think so." The professor sent her a smile. "Like many societies are different our schools are societies of themselves and are very similar yet different, obviously in the sex of its members but also in its cultures. Your presence with us will make the discussion much more interesting as we will have an inside opinion to help us debate the merits of both and the possible downsides or misunderstandings between our societies that might arise. You came just as Caius was suggesting the lack of female presence in our school made them more sensitive to your elegance and courteous than would occur in a society where everything is so close and undefined while in the development stages of life." He turned to a boy on the other side of Kiril, "Do please finish your thought Caius."
Caius nodded, "While I was at the school I noticed some of the male students teasing a younger girl and heard several referred to in derogatory terms such as slag. None of them show simple courtesies such as rising when a woman comes to the table or holding the door for her to enter and even when the ground was slick they didn't offer their arm. It seemed to me that in a society so intent on treating each other as the same they have lost the beauty we revere in our differences, because a witch is strong does not mean she is not graceful or in need of respect and care."
"The boys seemed to show off rather than focus." The boy who'd given her his chair spoke up, "I agree with Caius, in everything being so united they treat each other with less respect more like siblings who you teased as a toddler."
"I would not treat my sister with so little respect." Kiril objected, "I too noticed some behaviors I found difficult to understand such as a boy becoming jealous and grabbing a girls arm to pull her from one she spoke with, she hexed him as she ought and I felt no need to step in and interfere knowing she could care for herself but it should never have happened."
"Hermione?" The professor turned to me, "Forgive me, I am Professor Jayin Ravi, though like my eighth years I invite you to call me Jay, we are very informal in this class." Hermione nodded with a blush, "Would you share your insights in their opinions and do please speak up at anytime, we often interrupt each other when a point is felt needed to be made but try to listen and respect each others thoughts."
"Um," She blushed and looked at Kiril who was watching her with an intent and steady gaze. "Honestly their opinions surprise me, I never thought of things at Hogwarts like that. I do wonder what they mean about how things are different here though, I mean, how are girls treated and if its about the society I suppose its not how they are treated but how an all male society is taught to treat women or how to perceive them and how all of you perceive how each other perceives treating women and where your observations came form exactly."
"Beautiful." He nodded to her, "Gentlemen, we have a set of superb questions to self examine, remember this is an important point in examining other cultures, we must always be conscious of the perspective we are seeing from."
"If I may since I began this." Caius spoke up turning slightly to see Hermione a bit better, "To answer I must ask first, what are your opinions thus far of how different you are treated by those of our society and your own?"
"Brilliant." Jay nodded focusing back on Hermione.
"Since I got here?" Hermione clarified. "The bowing, even when you aren't standing you nod your heads like it's a bow." Kiril shot her a wink making her laugh and roll her eyes, "The way you flirt to, its… I'm not sure how to describe it, boys can either be very blunt back home panting after a girl they fancy or they mope about and moan about it to their friends without really speaking to the girl so I guess you're both less obvious and more upfront. Then there is the arm thing which is sweet because you don't feel like you're being dragged but just, kept close and paid attention to but it also makes it harder to know when you are all being sincere and when its just practiced charm. Also it makes it nerve wracking because unless its just sitting and talking with one of you alone its like you are all so stiff and unapproachable and a little scary, like we might say the wrong thing or something." Hermione blushed but added on, "My friend Story was terrified when Erik's brother first came up to her and now she knows him its different but its like you are all so imposing and our guys are just… regular blokes."
Hermione blushed and ducked her head as they all stared at her and a few of them frowned.
Kiril was the first to speak, "Did you find me imposing?"
Hermione blushed and nodded, "When I first met you with Erik and Cosa I did."
"Kosta." Kiril corrected with a small smile and then frowned, "I am sorry I made you nervous, I did not intend it."
Hermione shrugged and whispered, "I didn't really mean you, not exactly."
"No but he is part of this society and such misunderstandings are why we try to learn and adapt to other cultures while visiting though still maintaining our integrity as a people." Jay spoke up pulling attention away from them.
"We bow out of respect, you are visitors here and we wish to make you feel welcome or we were visitors to you and it is polite." The boy to her left spoke up.
"I think she meant more our demeanor than the act itself." Caius interrupted and I would address my previous comments and her original questions."
"Please." Jay encouraged.
"We are taught here to treat women with respect. We learned that to focus on our studies was not to be distracting by the beauty of a woman or the lust of youth," he blushed and met her eyes, "Of any age, when faced with such beauty." This made her blush and he nodded to Kiril, "My comment for example makes Kiril jealous but he does not make issue of it by being angry with you for meeting my eyes nor does he rant at me as he observed at your school. He appreciates that you are beautiful and that all of us might take notice but it is currently not his place to be. Though jealousy is not so rational and we do not pretend it to be, he respects that were it needed you would turn us down and that any small flirtation was harmless. I am engaged and while I appreciate your beauty and the joys I might find in flirting, my muggle girlfriend holds my heart and he knows this but still he can be jealous of your attentions, so he is the same as the boy at your school but different in his reactions, he trusts you are able to handle yourself and me not to be inappropriate, were I to be he would not forcibly move you but let you handle it and support you, standing by your side and stopping me from harming you. We are taught that a witch is strong and powerful and should be respected but let to handle her own affairs unless she asks for or truly needs us to step in. We do have irrational responses like all males but it seemed in observation that their treatment of women was perhaps more possessive than protective."
"Well said." The boy on her right agreed. "I'd also address that the way they treat each other is why our flirtations seem so different from you, they snog in hallways," this made Hermione blush, "with little care for how their mates call their girlfriends slags, indeed they are intimate and then call her names behind her back."
"Or to her face." Kiril agreed. "They also push by in halls or doors instead of respectfully letting her through where we are taught to move to the side or hold a door open for her."
"Our charm is practiced at times, like standing when you come to a table or bowing but our charm and our flirtations are different, we are taught it is wrong to be insincere in our affections." A previously quiet boy spoke up. "I've never been to Hogwarts so I can't say but I imagine when you grow in so confined quarters much of the mystery of each other is lost, you experience all the awkward stages of youth together and so see each other differently."
"I have been and it seems the boys respect each other more than the girls so the all things equal and the same is not truly so." Another boy spoke up. "We are different, neither sex less or more just different and here we are taught to value those differences, not to hide them or pretend they don't exist."
"It is such a novelty to be graced with her presence for us though so she is more of a distraction here than she might be there and I think in the times we aren't at school many of the boys can go a bit nutters about girls in summer and so blind themselves to feeling more than they do and quickly forgetting the brief romance that in later memory is little more than a dalliance. We respect them sure but are more mystified by them and as youths we are more… distracted and well… deprived feeling when actually around them." The last of the group finally spoke his opinion.
"I could see that." Hermione admitted thinking through everything. "I suppose it's not perfect either way."
"No society is perfect." Jay smiled at her.
"Nor better or worse." The boy beside her agreed, "I simply think that a little more separation and lessons on respect would suit them."
"I would propose different houses for males and females and not completely shared as they are."
"Ah now we are debating how a culture might be improved, would anyone venture to compare how ours might?"
"Witches." Three of them said at once.
Kiril smirked shaking his head at them, "More international unity."
"Interesting Kiril, do expand."
"Just knowing they'd visit one day was exciting, that they are here for four has everyone, even the underclassmen buzzing. Viktor told me about his stay at Hogwarts and the Yule ball, perhaps a yearly event such as that and a visit or two organized during the year between us and the other schools, not only the vitches but the vizards of Hogwarts as well, we'd have much to learn from each other. Both our school and theirs have Quidditch Cups awarded between teams, perhaps our winner facing off theirs would be a fun event to unite different cultures. Though I would admit it would be the vitches of both schools visiting here or that we might visit in vhich ve'd all benefit so that the differences are still respected but treated with both less awe and less… need."
"I'd agree with that, it would round all societies educations and provide much needed international unity and hopefully respect." Another boy spoke up.
"I agree." Hermione added.
"Would it be so different for you, being around the other girls or us?" One boy asked.
Hermione nodded, "As we've heard from how different you view our boys, we see you all so differently and the Beauxbaton girls as well. If we respect each others differences while being open to what we might have to learn from each other or what we could share it would be beneficial to all of us."
Kiril gave her a wide grin, while others murmured agreement.
"A very interesting discussion gentlemen and only improved by your presence Hermione, thank you so much for joining us. I do wish we could hear your opinions on other topics but I'm afraid I have a class to teach. Boys I would like you to think about this discussion and at our next meeting we will discuss the all female society in comparison to our own here and then we will discuss the three societies and your opinions on how adapting some of those difference here, such as the addition of a female population or the variation in curriculum, would alter our society. I am especially impressed with some of your observations Kiril and will discuss the suggestions with the Headmaster and other schools regarding a shared Quidditch match or Ball."
He nodded to them and bowed to Hermione before departing.
"My name is Edan." The boy next to her spoke, "Your words were insightful and direct."
"Thank you." Hermione blushed. "Are you English?"
"I am and I was invited to attend Hogwarts but chose to attend here instead."
"May I ask why?"
He nodded, "When I was an underclassman and began to notice girls I wished I attended there but I came here because my father thought an all boys school was a better learning environment. I am a rare Durmstang muggle born and had I not attended a magical school I'd have attended Eton. Now I am glad I attended here, I have many brothers I would not trade meeting for the world, though I am sorry to have never gotten to meet such an intelligent witch."
"You have gotten to meet her." Caius interrupted "we all have."
"By chance yes." Eton agreed.
"By luck." Another boy shot out.
Hermione blushed brightly. "You did very well in the discussion Hermione, Jay was very impressed." Caius continued ignoring them.
"Thank you."
He nodded, "I would like the chance to speak with you again but if you'll excuse me I have a potion to check on."
Edan claimed her attention again and they along with Kiril began to discuss Hogwarts policies and the actual goings on between opposite sexes.
After a bit there was a knock on the open door and Hermione saw Erik waiting for her. "If I may steal you away Hermione."
Hermione blushed and nodded, "Thank you so much for letting me join in."
"The pleasure has been all ours." Edan smiled at her kissing her hand.
Kiril stood and held out his hand helping her to her feet. He walked her over to Erik but stopped a foot away, gently turning her so they faced each other, "I'm glad you came."
"Me too." She blushed.
"Could I ask you for your morning tomorrow?"
Hermione smiled at him and nodded, "Of course."
"I vill come for you after breakfast." He pulled her hand up but instead of kissing it he turned it over and kissed her wrist making her skin tingle, "Until later Hermione."
Hermione blushed and nodded as he let her go and she walked over to where Erik waited. He nodded at Kiril and held out his arm for Hermione.
"I'm so sorry." She breathed as they walked down the hall. "I lost track of time and then I got lost trying to find you and fell down a floor when the stairs jumped and twisted my ankle, by the time it was fixed you were in class for a NEWT."
Erik sent her a smile and shook his head, "It is no matter. I found you, flying with Viktor and chose not to interrupt. I can as easily take you now."
Hermione smiled at him in relief, "I am still sorry though, I hate to be late and then was trying to find the library to see if you might have gone after I didn't show up and lost me way."
"Understandable here." He assured her leading her through the halls and up another floor. He led her around and to a wall and tapped it with his wand to reveal a staircase, "This is where I wished to show you." He told her leading her up the stairs to a tower. Inside it was beautiful, the walls were smooth and shimmered.
"Beautiful." She breathed.
He nodded and instructed her to close her eyes and then he began to whisper something. "Open." He whispered into her ear standing behind her now. Hermione gasped at the view. The mountains in the distance, the rolling hills and lush forest, "This room reflects places, this one is my home, the view from the library." He pointed to a lake, "that is Kalen Lake and there between it and the woods is where I often see Dane. He'll collect his plants and sit there to document them, drawing them perfectly and writing up their uses and anything else about them he finds useful or interesting.
He pointed out a few other spots, the place he's first fallen off his broom, and tree he and Dane had run away to once, a place in the mountain where there was a cave that led through to a tiny valley like garden with a waterfall. He told her stories of growing up there and his family, making Hermione laugh as the time flew by until a patronis interrupted them.
"Girls, please return to our quarters for a word and to prepare for the feast." Lara's voice rang out before it disappeared.
"I will walk you." Erik offered his arm.
"Erik?" She'd already kissed two boys today no point not being a total slag and seeing her theory through.
"Hermione?"
She blushed and moved closer to him, "Thank you for sharing this with me." She leaned up on her toes and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips.
Erik smiled and wrapped an arm around her before she could step back, "It is my pleasure to share everything with you." He whispered before dipping his head to kiss her more thoroughly.
Hermione was lost in thought the entire walk back but Erik didn't seem to mind. He leaned down and kissed her sweetly when they arrived, "I will see you at the feast alskling"*(darling/honey in Swedish) he whispered.
Hermione nodded and floated into the common room.
Astoria laughed at her dreamy expression when she came in a moment later. "Dane and I passed Erik, he looked like his smile might crack his face and since you look as dreamy as Luna I'm guessing things didn't just go well after I left you."
Hermione shook her head to clear it and blushed, "Horrible after actually." Hermione made a face. "I stood him up."
"What?"
"I got lost and then fell, into a pile in front of the headmaster too and I'd sprained my ankle. He carried me to the hospital wing to have it fixed and by that time Erik was in class, a NEWT class." Hermione sighed. "The Headmaster took me to Kiril's class so I would feel less like I was distracting him though and when the Professor opened the door I was really nervous but they all seemed happy to have me and the discussion was brilliant. After class another boy stayed with Kiril and I so we could discuss it further. It was wonderful." Hermione sighed, "That's where Erik found me, he was told I'd been looking for him. Oh Story, he took me to a room that showed me the view from his library and told me about growing up and his family, he even talked about things he imagined his kids would do there and then I kissed him, just lightly to thank him but he stopped me from stepping away and kissed me before walking me here."
"So you've kissed all three." Padma grinned sitting down.
"Who was the best kisser?" Astoria asked curious.
Hermione blushed, "They were each so different, Erik was so sweet and romantic really, Viktor was…" she blushed brighter.
"Passionate?" Padma suggested having caught sight of the kiss.
Hermione nodded, "He was so confident and take charge."
"What about Kiril?" Astoria asked, "How was he different?"
"Kirl was…" Hermione frowned in thought, "A little passionate and a little sweet… I'm not really sure how to explain it."
"How did it make you feel?" Padma pressed.
"Warm all over and like my heart was racing too fast."
"Viktor?" Astoria prodded.
"He stole my breath and made my heart stop."
"And Erik?" Padma rounded them off.
"Like floating." Hermione sighed.
"What feeling did you like best?" Padma then asked.
Hermione shrugged, "I'm not sure."
"I think you need to kiss them again." Luna informed her, "The first kiss is best but the second will give you a better idea."
Hermione blushed, "I can't believe I kissed three boys today, I'd never kissed that many boys at all before coming here."
"It's a good thing." Padma told her.
"How does kissing Dane make you feel Astoria?"
Astoria blushed, "He makes me feel flushed, my heart races and my breath becomes ragged and all I want is to keep kissing him."
"I met a boy playing Quidditch today, I swear I felt that when he just looked at me." Padma admitted with a blush. They quizzed her about him until all the others were back and Lara was calling their attention.
"Ladies please come over here." They moved to the center of the room and everything shifted and the room became like a parlor with large mirrors and vanities with chairs for them to get ready at, there were also showers and a swimming pool sized bath for them that immediately began to fill with steaming water and bubbles. "Now remember, you will be wearing the gowns this evening and we will make a formal entrance so the magic that made your faces into those expressions this morning will return if just for our entrance. So please get ready, you will find some small gifts from Durmstang at each of your vanities." She motioned to the cushioned stools in house colors with their names on them, "You may shower or bathe as you please and note that the bath has a potion to remove body hair so it is spelled not to let your heads go under, we have three quarters of an hour to prepare."
Hermione hurried into the shower with her initials on the door and sighed in relief when she found her own products, including Pansy's conditioner in it. She showered and stepped out wrapping her hair up in a bun before stepping into the tub with the other girls, her skin warming as the hair disappeared. The bubbles smelled wonderful and she sat for a few minutes talking with Astoria before climbing out and wrapping herself in the plush robe that had hung beside her showerstall. She sat at her vanity and used her wand to dry her hair in a low updo with a few curls escaping. Next she put on very little makeup with eyeliner to accent her eyes and a nude lip. Finally she opened the package on her vanity in it was a letter.
A Gift Miss Granger for a very Welcome Guest from our staff. I was also requested to include a gift from your long time friend Viktor Krum. I do hope they are both to your liking.
Inside she found a beautiful gold necklace with a tear shaped ruby pendant and a small bag with a tag reading only Mya on it. Hermione smiled and opened it finding ruby studs.
She added the jewelry and stood up moving over to where Astoria was clasping a delicate snake bracelet around her wrist, it had tiny emerald eyes. In her ears sparkled diamond studs with a dangling emerald tear drop. Astoria smiled and put her hand to her ears, "They're from Dane." She whispered showing Hermione the note.
A small token from our staff to welcome you Miss Greengrass and upon his request a very special gift from Dane Kalen.
Behind it was another small parchment, "This one." Astoria insisted, taking the top note away.
Story. I haven't stopped thinking of you since we met. I know I promised my mother to be sensible but I know I'll never find in Anna or Freya what I have found in you. These earrings belonged to my grandmother; I chose them especially because they share the color of your school house and your beauty. I hope you like them and believe me when I tell you all my hopes now rest with you for I fear I may well already be in love with you. Take your time and be sure, my heart will remain strong through others suits as I believe in the end we are destined. If I am wrong keep them to remember my affection for you and know I will always find joy in your happiness. Perhaps it is foolish of me but I cannot make myself believe I am wrong. I hope to make your time here filled with as much happiness as your smile gives me.
Hermione smiled at the words and then hugged her friend, "He seems wonderful Story."
"He doesn't say things like that to me when we're together." Astoria told her softly, "He is so easy to be around and he can be so romantic but he's never said things so… definitively."
"I think they do things a little differently here, dating I mean but I'm certain he is sincere Astoria, every time I see him look at you its clear he adores you."
Astoria blushed, "He really is so wonderful Mione."
"Ladies." Lara called their attention. "It is almost time to go so please finish up and come stand here."
They all assembled within a few minutes of each other and Pomona took their robes. Lara flicked her wand and their bodies were again encased in the silk dresses.
"You all look stunning." She smiled.
"We will walk in together but you will be introduced in the order of your houses in the Great Hall which means we will have Hufflepuff first, then Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Slytherin." Like before you will all feel when to pull down your hoods only this time you will also curtsy, like before a dance and there will be some other magic. It's all a bit of a production and this time the whole school will be there to greet us not just the upper classmen. I haven't much details on what's been planned but I've no doubt our hosts have gone to great lengths for us." She motioned to the door, "Are you all ready?" They nodded nervously and followed their two professors, both beautifully dressed, Lara in a pale peach gown and Pomona in a pale lavender one both in pure white cloaks. Their way was lit by an opalescent glow as they walked across the dark yard and inside to the open Great Hall doors.