A/N: AU territory from here on out. Let me know if you want shorter chapters more often, or longer chapters with a longer wait in between. Also, if anyone wants to be a beta reader or idea sound board please hit me up lol.
Hermione crouched down and picked up a pebble from the Black Lake's shore. It was bumpy and pitted, not at all aerodynamic, and still she tested its weight in one hand and hurled it into the still waters. With all her fear and frustration behind the throw, it flew further than she expected, and the plop and ripples shattered the tranquility. But only for a moment, the ripples diminished quickly, and the Lake was as still and dark as glass yet again, as if she and the rock did not exist.
Hermione clenched her fist, nails digging in to the flesh of her palms. She let out a deep breath, like in the exercises her well-meaning Mum had taught her, but it did little to ease the frustration bubbling under the surface. Good intentioned but ineffective, just like she had been as Harry had confided in them about the graveyard, by turns his face had been clouded by grief for Cedric, and then tight with fear.
What could you say when someone's arch nemesis came back from the dead? Hermione had little patience for empty platitudes, and had felt wretched watching Ron consoling Harry.
Strategy, planning, research… all those things she could do, and did well, but the pain and fear in Harry's eyes, and in her own heart had turned her words to dust. How could she be comforting when she too was afraid? Hermione stared out at the lake morosely, her arms crossed.
The clatter of a loose stone behind her, had Hermione whirling round, arms up. It was Viktor. Her arms dropped back to her sides. He looked a little pink in the cheeks and ears.
"Sorry, I did not mean to scare you," He said.
"Don't worry. Everyone is a little jumpy right now," Hermione said.
"How are you?" Viktor asked, his eyes dark and worried as he stepped closer. "And Harry?" he added. Hermione felt a pulse of warmth at his concern for her friend.
"Harry is frightened," Hermione paused for a second, "and angry too… at himself I think." she added, almost to her own surprise. Harry directing his anger about Cedric inwards had not occurred to her before, and yet it made a stupid kind of sense. Hermione made a mental note to look into the psychology of grief, and felt herself get on familiar ground again - this, she could do.
"And you?" Viktor prompted. Hermione flushed, but Viktor's small was small and kind rather than mocking.
She shifted her weight absentmindedly, under his concerned gaze. Finally she looked away.
"I'm frightened too," she admitted, at length. It didn't cost her pride a little to admit it to Viktor, she didn't want him to think of her as a scared little girl, but that was what she felt like. All but useless.
Viktor stepped closer and held her hands. Hermione blushed and met his gaze. He opened his mouth, searched for words, failed to find then and then very gently he pulled her in for a hug. Hermione's face felt red hot, and she was surprised by the sting of tears in her eyes. He hadn't patronised her with false promises that everything would be okay. After a beat, Hermione wrapped her arms around Viktor and rested her head on his chest. She felt his arms warm and strong around her, and let herself feel safe and comforted, even if only for a moment. She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, the sun had slunk lower in the sky than she had thought. She pulled away slowly, giving Viktor a shy smile. He seemed as reluctant to let her go as she was to step out of the embrace, but it wouldn't do to be caught out late.
She looked at Viktor, his dark eyes burning with the setting sun, and something else that made her breath catch in her throat. She dropped her gaze in startled instinct, and regretted her cowardice in the next breath. The beginnings of a warm summer breeze sent an unruly curl across Hermione's face, and she pushed it behind her ear, a nervous habit and set her spine to meet Viktor's gaze.
Whatever had been in his gaze had passed though, and she told herself the sinking in her stomach was not disappointment. The silence stretched on though.
"It's nearly curfew." Hermione said, unable to stand the tension-laced quiet between them, and worried she might say something more foolish otherwise.
"Then I had better escort you back to the castle," said Viktor, exaggeratedly offering his arm. Hermione giggled at the overblown gallantry as she took his arm.
Once they had entered the castle, they stopped at the foot of the stairs, a mirror image of the Yule Ball. Viktor covered the hand on his arm with his own, and kissed her knuckles. It was very chaste but Hermione felt her face heat from her neck to the tips of her ears at the gesture, and the warmth in Viktor's gaze. He let go of her hand, slowly.
"Good night Hermione," Viktor said, voice low. Hermione struggled to catch her breath., and found herself leaning towards Viktor.
"Hermione! There you are!" Viktor and Hermione both jumped at the interrupting voice. It was Neville, coming down the stairs. His gaze flickered to Viktor and back and his face went pink, he hesitated between steps and swayed precariously. "Oh, I'm sorry - I didn't realise…" he trailed off awkwardly.
Hermione hadn't thought it possible for her face to heat any further, but her blush was probably bright enough to light the Great Hall.
"I'll leave you to your friend." Viktor said, nodding at Neville.
"Oh good night," Hermione added. Her voice sounded a little breathless and she felt a spike of embarrassment. He gave her a small smile as he turned to leave.