Chapter Twenty-Five
Hermione
After hours (3 and a half to be exact) Hermione was almost sure that there was nothing left that Daphne could do. From facials, to manicures, waxing, applying makeup the muggle way, and straightening then curling Hermione's usually frizzy mane, the small Slytherin princess had put Hermione through it all.
But apparently she still wasn't done, "Daphne please, Viktor is probably already waiting downstairs." Hermione sighed, as Daphne flitted around her, fidgeting with the way the deep green dress fell on her.
"Shhh." Daphne murmured, as she swept a loose strand of hair behind Hermione's ear. "I just want you to look perfect for your pictures later." The blonde explained as she took Hermione's hands to inspect her nails.
Hermione shook her head and pulled her hand away, not quite liking what the smaller girl was implying, "No one is taking pictures tonight-"
Daphne rolled her eyes, "No one has special nights that don't end proposals nowadays, Hermione. And I wouldn't be a good friend if I didn't make sure you'd have pictures from the night you got engage-"
"Viktor is not going to propose!" The gryffindor exclaimed as she moved through their pastel living room.
The blonde girl shook her head as she followed Hermione's every step, an exasperated sigh escaping her lips, "You are quite literally running away at the mention of an engagement to him. I swear you don't even like this bloke. Why are you all even dating?"
"That's not true!" Hermione exclaimed. She liked Viktor. She liked him plenty, he was just so... agreeable. She just wasn't sure if he was who she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. Which wasn't exactly wrong of her, she's only 19 for Merlin's sake, she shouldn't even be expected to be making these decisions just yet. "I'm, I'm, I'm just not sure if I want to get engaged yet."
"Didn't mean to offend you, it's just that you haven't even seemed excited for tonight while we were getting you ready." Daphne said, with a warm smile as she reached out and gave Hernione's hand a gentle squeeze. Hermione just bit her lip, Daphne took that as approval to continue, "And you seem to have a better time with the likes of Harry, Draco, Ron, and Blaise. I just want you to end up happy."
"I like Viktor." Hermione insisted, to herself and to Daphne. "Thanks for the input, but I really must get going..."
Daphne nodded, even going as far as to open the door to the flat for her, "Of course, have fun tonight."
"Thanks," Hermione replied as she stepped out into the stairwell, "I will."
"I know I've probably said this 20 times already." Hermione gushed as her eyes wandered around the patio again, "But tonight is amazing." Viktor had really outdone himself. Hermione had to admit that she had set the bar pretty low to begin with, but Viktor really did an amazing job. After a reading by one of Hermione's favorite muggle authors, surprisingly Viktor led Hermione through muggle London until they arrived at her favorite muggle restaurant.
Now the pair sat a table for two in the lavishly decorated patio of the little authentic french bistro that Hermione absolutely adored. Viktor had bought out the entire space and had the place decorated in twinkling Christmas lights and candles. A trio played soft jazz music in the background and so far the first two courses had been a couple of Hermione's favorite dishes.
A broad smile landed on Viktor's face, "I'm glad you are happy." The dark haired wizard reached out to take Hermione's hand across the table, lightly stroking the back of her hand with his thumb, "I know you may think it is too soon to say, but-"
"Viktor..." Hermione began, uneased by the level of sincerity in his voice.
The Bulgarian gave Hermione a smile, but his eyes were sad when he said, "Don't vorry I'm not proposing." Oh. Hermione didn't want to call the breath of air that escaped her lips a sigh of relief, but that's kind of what it felt like. Her light brown gaze once again found his deep brown eyes looking at her with what she could only describe as love in his eyes, "I know you're not ready for that, but I want you to I am. I love you my Her-myo-ninny. When you are truly ready you just let me know, okay?"
"Can we please not make this about marriage?" Hermione requested, she didn't find it fair for Krum to bring that up. Of course she was the one holding up their relationship, she didn't need a reminder.
Viktor rolled his eyes, "Ve're going to have to discuss this at some point, Her-myo-ninny. Ve are both going to have to be ved by next year, is it vrong for me to admit that I'd rather it be to you than anyvone else?"
"Yes it is wrong when you know how ridiculous I think this whole marriage law is and that I'm not ready to make that sort of bold statement yet," Hermione answered, her cheeks flushing as she stood and stepped away from the table, "I think I ought to be heading back."
The Bulgarian pouted as he stood up as well, "Oh, come on now, moya lyubov, there's no reason for you to leave." He reached out and caught her hand, gently bringing her knuckles to his lips and planting the softest kiss. Hermione softened and allowed herself to be pulled closer. He dropped her hand to hold Hermione at her waist, "I'm sorry, I just got a little carried avay. Stay, please." Hermione gave the smallest of nods, maybe she was overreacting. She can't really help it if Viktor had fallen for her. Viktor grinned, "Vould you like to dance before dessert?"
Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled, "I'd love that." They silently swayed back and forth with the music. She wanted to relax and just enjoy the moment with Viktor, but there were gears shifting in her mind. Tonight was great and as much as she liked Viktor, it just didn't feel like At the end of the song, Krum bent down a cautiously placed a kiss against Hermione's lips. His lips were soft and safe, she couldn't help melting into his embrace until the waiter awkwardly cleared his throat to announce the arrival of the final course.
Because the meal had thus far consisted of Hermione's favorite menu items she assumed that her favorite dessert would be sitting before her as well. This was not the case. A flaky looking pastry with walnuts and some sort of syrup sat on the plate in front of her.
Viktor spotted the look of confusion on her face, and gave her a grin, "It's saraliiska banitza." He explained, "Fresh from Bulgaria, my baba made it this morning. It's my favorite and I thought you vould like it too."
"That's so sweet," Hermione.
Viktor winked and cut into the pastry with the side of his fork, "If you think that's sweet, you should try the banitza." He said as he offered the fork to her. Hermione cautiously took a bite and couldn't help but grin at the look of anticipation on Viktor's face, "You like it?"
"It's delicious." Hermione assured him around her mouthful of food.
He grinned his dark eyes lit up, "I knew you vould think so."
After several glasses of the dessert wine, Viktor insisted that he settle the bill, and they compromised with Hermione providing the generous tip. As they walked out the restaurant hand in hand, Hermione noticed Viktor strolling with a pep in his step she hadn't seen before. He was practically dancing his way out of the place.
Out on the street he used the curb as a tightrope, and he was not doing a very good job. "Viktor Krum," Hermione giggled, "Are you drunk?"
"Ve had more than a bottle of vine each at dinner." Viktor grinned, "Are you not drunk?"
Okay, Hermione was feeling the wine, just not as much as the incredibly goofy Viktor apparently was. All the nights spent drinking hard liquor with Malfoy must've increased her tolerance. "I'm feeling good." Hermione admitted with a smile as Viktor stumbled off the curb once again.
Viktor smiled at Hermione with that same soft look in his eyes, "A voman who can out drink me, 'Mioninny you are truly my dream girl." He took steps to close the distance between them, wrapping his arms around Hermione. He placed a line of kisses down her neck, only stopping to murmur, "If you don't go back to Hogwarts tonight," He sucked lightly on her neck, and Hermione couldn't help but gasp lightly, "I could make you feel even better, moya lyubov." As he spoke, his hand wandered from the small of her waist down to her butt. He sucked on her neck once more as he gently squeezed.
"Viktor..." Hermione mumbled, eyes closed as Viktor's mouth moved from Hermione's neck to her ear.
She felt a tingly down her spine as he breathed, "Vhat do you say?"
Hermione could go back and forth all day on whether what she felt for Viktor was enough to warrant a life together, but she knew for sure that she was attracted to him. As she could tell by the way he was pressed against her stomach, he wanted her too. As she opened her eyes and looked into Viktor's depthless dark eyes, she faintly registered a passerby wolf whistling at them. "Lets go." She grinned.
Viktor's eyes widened and he grinned. He pressed his lips to Hermione's not breaking away as he guided them to the nearest deserted alley and apparating away.
Hermione crept back into the Flats early the next morning before dawn. She was surprised to find a couple of candles burning dim and a figure was lying on the couch closest to the window. She really didn't was to stop to investigate. Her dress from last night was in her purse, instead she had donned a pair of Viktor's shorts and Bulgaria Quidditch shirt before she left Viktor's flat in the morning. but her interest was peaked and quietly she took a step closer. He was curled up on the couch, clutching a bottle of white wine to his chest. A couple boxes of cookie dough bites, Hermione's favorite, were on the end table next to him.
"Draco?" Hermione said, more out of shock than to get his attention.
Had he waited all night for her to get back to the Flats? With her favorite wine and candy? She watched as his eyes fluttered slightly, but he was still mostly asleep as he mumbled, "It'll be okeh Hermy he don' deserve you." He clutched the bottle tighter and rolled on to his side with his back to the room.
She really thought about just walking away, and leaving Malfoy to sleep, but she new that she would hate if anyone else saw him in such a vulnerable position. She sat on the edge of the couch and lightly rubbed his arm, "Malfoy, it's time to get up-"
The blond awoke with a start, eyes wild looking around in a panic before landing on Hermione, "Granger?" Malfoy said, rubbing his eyes and looking a lot like a sleepy child as he pouted at her, "What time is it?"
"Around five o'clock in the morning," Hermione answered as she stood up, "You slept here all night?"
Malfoy shrugged, rummaging in his pocket and taking out a bottle opener. He uncorked the wine and took a swig from the bottle before he looked back at Hermione, "Well when I make plans, I expect them to be seen through."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "We didn't make plans, Malfoy."
Malfoy looked annoyed, "You made a request for what kind of wine you wanted. That's how we make plans, Granger." He said it so nonchalantly, but Hermione detected just the slightest bit of edge in his voice. He took another swig from the bottle, "Really that's how our thing works."
"Our thing?" Hermione questioned, gathering the cookie dough bites in her arms.
"Yes our thing." Malfoy insisted as he stood. The two began walking towards the staircase and up towards their respective flats, "We had a thing going here, Granger." Draco explained, talking slowly like Hermione was the one acting like a child, "You date Krum, you don't like dating Krum, you complain, we drink, I have a good time honestly."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Are you really upset that I ruined the pity party by having a good time with my boyfriend last night?"
"I'm not upset." Malfoy said defensively, his eyebrows furrowing. He tilted his head like he just got a good look at Hermione dressed head to toe in Viktor's oversized clothes, and raised a single eyebrow, "And looks like you didn't just have a good time last night."
"Shut up!" Hermione groaned, covering her face in her hands.
Malfoy smirked, but the amused look didn't quite reach his grey eyes, "Hey now Granger, it's only a walk of shame if you make it shameful."
Thankfully, the two arrived at the door to Hermione's flat before this conversation could continue any longer, "Goodbye, Malfoy."
Malfoy winked before continuing up the stairs, calling, "Good morning, Granger."
Ta-daaa sorry this took so long, I recently ended my relationship and I wasn't in the mood to write romance so I'm sorry about that. Until next time lovelies :)
PS. Pleeeeease review I need more attention now that I don't have a significant other