Viktor looked down upon her sleeping face and felt it a shame to have to wake her. He had been so anxious about showing her the pictures he had kept of her. But she had reacted so well that he felt guilty for holding his original suspicions. He brushed a featherlight finger across her cheeks and leant down to her ear.
"Her-my-ninny. You must vake. Food is ready." He whispered to her, she began to stir and he took pleasure in seeing her stretch out in her little blue dress. He had made sure to prepare a dish that his Mother had taught him how to make. It was simple, meatballs in a thick sauce with potatoes. He hoped she would enjoy it and that it would at least compare to her cooking.

Hermione opened her eyes to find Viktor stood above her. He smiled sweetly down at her and she beamed whilst she stretched, knowing that he enjoyed looking at her so much. He led her by the hand to the dinner table and placed a large bowl of meatballs and a tray of potatoes down. Hermione licked her lips, not having truly eaten for most of the day and forgot all of her manners when she was let loose with her cutlery.

Viktor felt his chest swell as he watched Hermione devour mouthful after mouthful of his food. She made happy little noises that reassured him that she was enjoying herself. He thought her appetite, that was large enough to even match his, was rather impressive and highly attractive. He gazed down at her, closing her eyes in pleasure and felt a shiver run through his body. Between the two of them, they finished all of the food that he had prepared. Hermione leaned back against her chair, after swallowing her last mouthful and placed her hands on her stomach.
"Why didn't you tell me you could cook like that?" She asked in astonishment.
"I must keep some talents for moments like this." He replied, rather pleased with himself, also knowing the surprise he had for her in a moment.

Hermione sat at the table for a moment, allowing her food to digest. The intruder in her house, and the media onslaught that was going to follow them didn't touch her mind. All she could think of was the fact that she was sitting across the table from one of the most handsome men in the world, who had cooked her one of the best dinners she had ever eaten. She felt so fortunate, despite everything that had transpired. She was here and she was unbelievably happy.

They sat together on the sofa, Hermione cuddled into Viktor, enjoying some of the first conscious intimacy they had ever experienced. He smelt like musk and something Hermione couldn't place, a scent that didn't linger on Ron nor Harry, a manly smell that made her swoon.
"I buy you gift." Viktor announced. Hermione looked up at him in shock. From behind the sofa he pulled a Bulgarian version of Pride and Prejudice. Hermione gasped reading the title. Not only was he holding a muggle book, but a muggle translation that she had never seen before.
"Viktor, whe-" Hermione began, but was interrupted by Viktor's thumb brushing against her lower lip, mesmerized by her shock.
"I see Luna voman at Chudley game, she point me in direction." Hermione smiled and remembered to remind herself to send Luna a letter as soon as she was back in her flat.
"You read so much to me vhen I am sick. But I hear all and not know how ends, very frustrating." He leaned into her and smirked. Hermione could only imagine. She nodded knowingly.
"You come here and I read to you." Viktor pulled her closer, wrapping his arm around her. Hermione took his lead and laid her head against his chest, hoping she wasn't hurting him by sitting on his lap.

Viktor was engrossed in the plot after reading for five minutes. He remembered the main characters and where they had gotten to. He hoped for the protagonists, that they could see past themselves to find each other. Hermione mewed as he read to her. He was sure she had read the book before and knew how it ended, but he was glad that she was allowing him to fulfill a rather selfish desire, of finishing the story in his own language.

Hermione sighed as Viktor finished the final chapter. They had sat, unmoving whilst he read to himself more than anyone. He appeared pleased with the ending, but Hermione had to ask, just to make sure.
"What did you think of the ending?" She asked softly into his neck.
"I like it very much. I like how they find each other at last." He cupped her chin and looked down at her. Hermione thought of how long they had waited and how she had to fight her own demons before finding herself with Viktor once again. She squealed as he lifted her and placed her feet onto the floor.
"I think is time for sleep." He stated and she nodded in reply, yawning. He chuckled and led hr to her room.

Viktor thought it best that he give Hermione her own room. He didn't want to come off as forcefully suggestive, so he placed her in the most accommodating guest bedroom and hoped that she would be comfortable.

Hermione's eyebrows shot up as she entered the guest bedroom. It was fitted with burgundy curtains and the single bed was covered with gold sheets. She wondered why Viktor had placed her in her own room after they had spent nights in the same bed before. She thought perhaps he did not want her to sleep in his bed in his home and immediately felt a twinge of hurt race through her.
"I vill leaf you. The bathroom is down hall." She nodded and he placed a soft kiss onto her cheek before retreating to his bedroom. She so wanted to follow him that she had to grip the door frame for support.

Viktor wanted her to come with him more than anything. To hold her all night, to make her feel protected would have been enough for him. But no, he could not risk offending her. He picked his feet up, eat step feeling weighed down with lead, until he reached his bedroom.

Hermione laid in her bed and stared at the ceiling. She hadn't slept in a single bed since she was at Hogwarts. And what should have been a nostalgic memory frightened her to her core. She couldn't understand how Harry could return so easily. The school held such terrible memories for her that the thought of going back sent shivers down her spine.

In a feat of courage, she stood from the bed, in her light camisole and underwear. She could not sleep alone, not tonight, in this house that was not hers. She crept down the hallway and stood outside Viktor's door. She was sure that her hair looked a mess and that remnants of makeup would be smeared on her face, but she didn't care in this moment, she just wanted him to hold her, to make her forget about everything that was going on.

Viktor heard a knock at the door and woke with a start, wondering if Hermione was okay.
"Come in!" He called and she opened the door a touch, entering the room and closing it behind her. Viktor looked upon her, hair wild and legs bare. He noticed her try to cover the light stretch marks that ran along the tops of her thighs, but he wished she wouldn't, wanting to see all of her quirks.
"I-I can't sleep on my own." She whispered and before he could reply, she was slipped into the bed next to him.
"You should have say, I move bag into this room." She stopped him, placing a hand on his chest. Hermione turned and faced her back towards him, to which he moved in closer.
"Hold me?" She asked in a shaky voice and Viktor smiled to himself, seeing her so nervous.
"All night." He promised and felt his body, only covered by his boxers, warm against hers and knew he would do anything to protect her from whatever was going to follow.