Ivan had danced three sets with Ginny and three sets was all it took for him to decide he wanted to ask the English witch on a date. He had never met anyone so enthusiastic and energetic in his life. He cherished every laugh and outcry of joy immensely as they whirled around the dance floor. However, his legs were now tired and Ginny longed to see her brother, so Ivan escorted her from the dance floor and over to Ron.
"You're quite the dancer, aren't you mate?" Ron complemented Ivan, tapping him on the forearm.
"Only vith such a vonderful partner." He looked down at Ginny, whose cheeks burned a deep shade of red.
"Ginny, might I remind you of someo-" Ron began, before being interrupted by Ginny
"That's enough Ron." Ivan cocked an eyebrow, wondering what was going on. But all was forgotten when the trio saw Hermione and Viktor step onto the dance floor after being away for so long.
Ginny stood with Ron and Ivan as they watched Hermione and Viktor dance. Something seemed different about them as they moved. Ginny couldn't put her finger on it until she saw the glint of a diamond on Hermione's left hand. She brought both hands over her mouth as she gasped in shock.
"I can't believe it! Look at the rock on Hermione's hand!" Ginny cried a little too loud, making heads around them turn towards the couple.
"Good boy." Ivan whispered in Bulgarian. Viktor had been brave and his bravery had paid off.
Viktor and Hermione padded in soft circles, drifting in their own little world. Hermione once again rested her head into the small of Viktor's neck and he held her tightly. A camera flashed but neither noticed as Viktor hummed to Hermione, turning her slowly to the beat of the music.
Suddenly, a figure apparated into the ballroom and stole Ginny away. Ron called out, anger dripping from his voice as Ivan attempted to lunge for her. They were gone in a moment and Hermione had missed it, too occupied with Viktor. Harry had sat in his office at Hogwarts, staring at the wall, seething. He knew he was in the wrong, he knew he had acted abominably but he was Harry Potter for Merlin's sake and everything would work out, he knew it. So, he stole Ginny away and apparated her to the grounds of Hogwarts. The river trickled behind them and Harry kept a firm hand wrapped around Ginny's wrist.
"Harry, what on earth are you doing?!" Ginny screeched out, furious that he had taken her away from the party against her will.
"You aren't like them Ginny, you don't belong there." He told her firmly.
"And who are you to judge that?!" She asked, obvious rage in her voice.
"I'm your boyfriend for Merlin's sake!" He screamed at her, his grip on her arm tightening.
"No, I think what you mean is: I'm Harry Potter, the Harry Potter!" She screeched back at him.
"What is that supposed to mean?" He asked, defeated and hurt. Ginny composed herself, knowing that this moment was coming.
"Listen, Harry. I loved you, I really did. We had some beautiful times together but you have changed. I can't be with you anymore, not the way you are now." His face crumbled with the realisation that this was it, this was the end of their relationship. He had lost her, the one thing that he wanted to hold onto. And she was gone, truly gone this time. This was not a lovers' spat like they had had in the past. Ginny was not screaming at the top of the lungs, breaking his things, she was calm and sure and that was worse than white hot rage. He was Harry Potter, but this time it was not enough.
Once his grip slackened ever so slightly, Ginny pulled herself away and immediately apparated back to the Vrasta Manor, back to her brother and back to the man she had been dancing with all night. He was the one who caught her to steady her as she arrived.
"Ginny, what on earth happened?!" Ron called to her. This was when the realisation of what she had done hit her. Tears welled in her eyes as she covered them and ran off to seek quiet refuge.
Hermione followed Ginny, insisting Viktor stay behind with Ivan and Ron. She ran as fast as she could in her heels. Hardly anyone in the room noticed, all far too preoccupied with their own affairs. Once Hermione found Ginny, sat out on a garden bench, she held her and allowed her to cry into her shoulder.
"It was Harry, wasn't it?" Hermione asked, receiving a nod in response.
"Did you end it?" Once again, another nod.
"And are you glad?" Ginny's head remained motionless, until finally she nodded a third time. Hermione sighed, knowing that ending the long relationship was best for Ginny now and that advising her to stay in the relationship was not the right advice to have given.
"I am proud of you. You have done what is right for you and that is all that matters." Ginny smiled against Hermione's skin and felt her tears begin to subside. She took Hermione's left hand in hers and brought the ring close to her face.
"Are you sure?" Ginny asked her in a shaky voice.
"Yes, more than I have ever been before." She reassured Ginny, who wiped the tears from beneath her eyes and composed herself.
They walked together, back to the Manor.
"Do you know much about Ivan?" Ginny asked in a small voice, wanting to know more about the handsome wizard.
"Well, he was active in the war and he has a few scars that I fear will never heal. But, he is one of the kindest people I have ever met. You could do much worse." She nudged Ginny, who giggled lightly to herself. She would take things slow and truly get to know Ivan before doing anything reckless, this was at least what she told herself.
Once they were back in the ballroom, Ginny approached Ivan, who looked at her tentatively. He was handsome, that was for sure. He was tall, half a foot taller than Ginny and he was not muscular in the same way that many of the quidditch players were. He was lean and toned by still skinny in a way. Ginny had noticed how soft his hands were as she held them dancing and how calm his blue eyes were, like calm water. His hair was dark and short and his face angular and strong. In short, he was the opposite of Harry, who had been all fluff and softness. Ivan was hard and strong, but gentle at heart from what she could tell.
"Are you alright?" He asked her, hand extended in support.
"Let's dance again!" Ginny ignored the question, pulling him onto the dancefloor.
Ron stood with Viktor as Hermione was asked to dance by Alexei.
"You will take care of her, won't you?" Ron asked, looking down at his shoes. When he received no reply, he elaborated.
"It's just, I never could and I caused her so much pain. I never meant to, truly. I can just be a bit of a plonker sometimes and I know that I did not take care of her. I want to be friends with her, I think that is what we are best as and it's nice to know she has someone that makes her so happy." Viktor looked down at the nervous boy. He stuttered and mumbled, trying to fill the empty space between them. He had never liked him at Hogwarts but here, now, stood beside him, hearing him speak of his problems, Viktor didn't mind him so much. He thought that maybe one day they might even grow to be friends.
"Do not vorry. Past is in past. Her-my-ninny forgive you so I can forgive also. I take care of her, love her. You do same as friend and ve haff no problems, okay?" His voice was kind, but there was a sternness behind it that Ron couldn't help noticing. He nodded, thinking the sentiments fair. They stood in silence for the remainder of the dance, Viktor gazing at Hermione and Ron watching his sister protectively.
Alexei had asked Hermione to be his partner for one dance before she left. He could not deny himself in this instance. He spotted the diamond ring sparkling on Hermione's hand as he led her to the dance floor.
"I see things have become more serious between you two." He nodded down to her hand, speaking in quick Bulgarian.
"Yes, I can't believe he asked so soon." Hermione answered dreamily, her Bulgarian leaving her mouth at a much slower rate.
"I can. He has been besotted with you, ever since you came. And why shouldn't he be? You are a marvel." He complemented her, spinning her around the Dance floor. His movements were bold and brash and he brought Hermione along for the ride. She blushed and looked down at their feet.
"I will truly miss you whilst you are working for England during the World Cup, but you will be back after." He smiled and Hermione felt her the air leave her. So she would be working in England for the World Cup. She would have to juggle working in England, living in Bulgaria and working in the flower shop. She closed her eyes, attempting to push the thought from her mind.
"But, you will be back soon enough. You get transferred if England get knocked out, so you will definitely be back soon." He winked at her and she chuckled, hoping that she could work for England for a short while, then return to Bulgaria. But, she could only hope.
Alexei handed Hermione over to Viktor and he could tell something was wrong. He wrapped his arms around her waist and placed his head in the nape of her neck.
"Vhat is wrong?" He asked and she closed her eyes.
"I will be working in England for the World Cup." Her voice was barely a whisper.
"I know, but then you come back." He reassured her. She turned in his arms and placed her head on his chest.
"I don't want to be away from you for so long." She sighed, feeling her heart yearn for him. He placed a finger beneath her chin and lifted her head up to look into his eyes. Leaning down, he placed a brief, yet intimate kiss against her lips. She smiled, knowing that they would make it work. She would have to work harder during that year, but it would not be the first time she had worked hard for something she loved.
"Come, ve go home. Has been long day." Hermione nodded into her chest, feeling weary. She waved to Ginny, who was strung up with Ivan in a dance and embraced Ron.
"Write me soon?" Ron asked.
"Of course." They parted as friends and the waters seemed much clearer. Viktor led Hermione out into the night, embraced her tightly and apparated them back to his house.
Ron tapped his foot impatiently. He and Ginny had been at the Gala for hours now and he was tired. He had watched her waltz and twirl with Ivan all night. He smiled now and then, seeing her laugh and giggle in his arms. He seemed like a good bloke and Ron would be happy for Ginny to begin seeing him. Was it too soon after Harry? Maybe. Had the passion from their relationship been gone for a while? Definitely.
Ginny wanted the night to never end. She felt so safe and warm in Ivan's arms that she sighed when he finally let her go.
"Vill you let me write you?" He asked her in a whisper, leaning down to her ear. She pulled out her wand and etched her address onto his hand.
"Send me a letter the moment you wake up tomorrow." She demanded. He chuckled and assured her it would be the first thing he would do.
"I have had such a splendid evening with you, Ivan. You have made quite the night." She stated, looking dreamily up at Ivan.
"I haff never danced so much in my life. I remember this night alvays." He took her hand and kissed the soft skin there before letting her go with a wave.
Ginny bounced and skipped over to Ron.
"We can go now." She assured him and he let out a loud sigh.
"Finally!" He called, both waving to Ivan, before apparating back to Ginny's flat, then back to Ron's home.