I knew you all just loved my cliffhanger! (Snickers evilly)

Anyway.

On with the story!

Chapter 14

Hermione could swear that her whole life flashed before her eyes because if it were really there she would probably be throwing herself from her balcony in 5.. 4.. 3..

"Come Mrs. Granger. There are no steps." Evelyn's merry voice snapped Hermione from her thoughts. She barely resisted the urge to tell everyone not to look around. It was silly, she knew. But even to save her life she wasn't able to remember whether she put that darn thing away or not.

She bit the inside of her cheek. Her mother and Lyn had just entered.

It was time for her and her father to enter.

What in the name of all that is Holy possessed her to put that thing there in the first place! She never planned to wear it! It was like a joke. She only needed to look at it and her mood always went up. Oh… That's why she put it there. Hermione was very nervous getting ready so as not to lose her nerve had put it there. Maybe she had put it away after all.

Hermione took a deep breath stepping inside looking at the backs of her Mum and Lyn.

'Let's see.' She gathered and put away her clothes. Hermione remembered looking around the room. It looked clean and tidy. 'Why the hell can't I remember!'

Now they were all in the room. Hermione led her father by the hand across the room. She stole a glance to her left trying to catch a glimpse of the mirror and almost whimpered. Viktor's dad was in her way blocking the view.

"Can I open my eyes now, dear?" Emma Granger was standing on the balcony and was getting impatient.

"No, Mrs. Granger. Hermo…Herma…Hermione is not here yet." Lyn looked over her shoulder waiting for the older girl to come.

Hermione swallowed and urged her Dad to the balcony while praying mentally that a certain item would not be where she suspected it was at that moment. Why the hell did Viktor's dad have to have such wide shoulders! She couldn't see a thing. 'Damn it... '

"We are coming, Lyn. Almost there, Dad."

It was some kind of miracle but everyone was more interested in the view that was going to open in the balcony so didn't look around. Well… people that were probably interested in looking around, her parents, had their eyes shut. Viktor's parents didn't look around either. The room was clean and looked neat at first glance. She mentally kicked herself. 'It's not as if anyone is expecting to find something like that hanging in plain sight! Still, I hope it is not there!'

Viktor appeared on the balcony last and stood beside Hermione.

"Well, you can open your eyes now."

Emma and Jacob opened their eyes at the same time and gasped having the same reaction as Hermione upon seeing it all the first time.

The view that opened was magical. It was something taken from the old fairy tales. Old and magnificent bathing in the last warm rays of the dying sun. The crimson disk was falling behind the mountains with a silent promise to come out tomorrow. A light mist was rising quietly and drowning the silent structure in dusk and shadows. It seemed that the castle was slowly falling asleep.

"Wow… I mean… It's just …. Wow… "

"I second that, dear."

The Grangers were looking wide-eyed at the scenery that lay before them. It was indescribable.

"Like it, Mum?" Her mother looked at Hermione as if she had just asked if the sun was hot and said nothing. The Gryffindor chuckled. "You should see the view in the morning." Evening sky looked beautiful. They chatted a little about Hogwarts.

"There is also the inner garden to see, Emma."

Hermione felt the dread creeping up again. They would have to cross her room in order to leave and her parents still wanted to see where she had been living this last month. Suddenly her inner Gryffindor kicked in or the sheer stupidity to do the crazy thing and not think about the possibility of failure.

"Then let's go, shall we?" And with a smile on her face, Hermione stepped back into her room.

'Well, at least I know I was sorted in the right house.'

The Gryffindor bravery lasted about a second and Hermione's eyes darted fearfully at the mirror… which stood innocently by the wall free from any undesirable bras.

Her knees went a little weak as a wave of relief washed over her.

"Oh my! Hermione you have a very lovely room."

"Yes, Mum. It is really nice. Especially when the fire is lit."

Sure enough her parents were all over the place. But who cared? The darn thing wasn't there and Hermione knew that her parents weren't going to go through her stuff that wasn't within the eyesight without her permission. She smiled as her mother inspected her vanity table.

Jacob already looked bored. What father liked to inspect their daughter's things? Not that he wouldn't like to look for something that shouldn't be there. But the risk of facing Emma's wrath just wasn't worth it. He glanced at Viktor from the corner of his eye. The boy looked too comfortable in his little girl's room for his taste. Then he looked at his smiling daughter and sighed mentally. 'She has gone to a boarding school since she was eleven and is able to make decisions of her own. She is smart.' It all sounded reassuring, but he wasn't totally convinced. 'I don't want her to grow up.'

"Let's go to the garden?" Hermione's smiling face and soft voice brought him back to Earth. 'He better be good to her.'

……………………………………………………………………..

Everybody enjoyed that evening. Eventually Hermione's dad relaxed. Not completely, but as there weren't any violent moves or harsh words, that was enough for the Gryffindor. Emma was charmed by the castle. Who wouldn't be?

Hermione was just glad that she didn't stay with her mother alone long enough for the woman to interrogate her about all the things she didn't tell when her father was around. Hermione just couldn't lie to her mother. It seemed that Emma could look right through her. The girl really doubted if she could explain in a few words what happened when they came back after the match. Her head still couldn't comprehend how it happened. Well she remembered all too well how. The why part still bothered her. It was their first day together and they got all hot and heavy.

Suddenly she understood something. She was living with him. With her boyfriend. In one house and his room was just down the hall. And they were already hot and heavy. And in less than 10 minutes they were going to be alone again. Was it just her or had the room's temperature gone up drastically?

"Hermione, dear, are you alright? You look a little flushed."

Hermione's head snapped in the direction of Viktor's mum's voice.

"No, I am fine."

Now her mother was looking at her.

"Are you hot, dear? Maybe you should take off that outer robe?"

How Hermione didn't choke on her drink was a miracle. Her mind raced in panic. 'And show that lovely hickey Viktor gave me? I don't think so.' As if catching her train of thoughts Viktor grinned into his own goblet earning a dirty look from his girlfriend.

"I am ok. Really. I was just thinking about school."

"Don't you worry, Hermione, I am sure they will make you Head Girl."

The girl was more than happy to change the subject.

"I really hope so."

"Oh my, it is almost time for our ride."

It really was almost time for the portkey's activation. Soon her parents would leave and after warm goodbyes were gone. The Krums following shortly.

As Ekaterina vanished in the green flames of the floo Hermione dropped on the couch with a sigh.

"We lived through it!"

Viktor was standing by the fireplace looking amused.

"It vasn't that bad."

Hermione raised her head to look at him.

"Not that bad? It was like walking on needles. I thought this evening would never end. All I want is to go to my room and sleep for the rest of the summer."

She felt as Viktor sat beside her and started kneading her tense shoulders. That felt good. 'But if he is hoping for anything … well that's just too bad because this girl is drained.' Suddenly Hermione smiled into the couch pillow and rolled onto her back.

"Nice try, Viktor. But I am still mad at you for the little thingy on my neck. So none for you, mister"

Viktor grinned looming over her. "Is that vhy you vere a little flushed earlier?"

Hermione swatted him on the arm.

"Dad would have been delighted to see that, you know."

Viktor's fingers traced the mark on her neck after tugging the collar down a little.

"Are you sorry?" His eyes were looking for regret in her beautiful face. She smiled kissing him on the lips lightly.

"Never."

As Viktor's hands moved to her breasts she broke the kiss and glared at him.

"It is time to rest don't you think?"

Viktor sulked a little making Hermione laugh. He looked so cute when he sulked.

"Come on, you big baby. Walk me to my room."

The castle was silent, full of shadows and secrets. Magical torches lit their way through the old halls and up to the tower whispering about mysteries and magic.

At the door to her room, they stopped before she could say anything Viktor captured her lips in a gentle kiss one more time. It was short and sweet.

Suddenly he grinned mischievously at her making Hermione frowned. Then he leaned down whispering into her ear.

"I found it in your room. Not that I mind, but your father might not be pleased." He gently nibbled at her ear. "Vill you vear it for me, someday?" Viktor kissed her passionately once more putting something into her hands.

"Sveet dreams, Hermione." With a half smile half grin he left in the direction of his rooms.

Hermione looked at her hands. There innocently lay her Bulgarian Bra.

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