Chapter 18- Magic, Hello's and Goodbyes
Viktor woke to the sun shinning through the balcony onto the bed, his eyes were caught by the shimmering flashing attached to the hand laying on his chest. The night came rushing back to him and he felt his heart nearly burst at the happiness he felt. Hermione was finally…. fully officially his and soon he was going to be by her side forever… no more days spent apart… no more waiting for visits…. no more keeping secrets…... he was going to marry her, and they were going to spend the rest of their lives next to each other…. walking through life together…... being one instead of two. It was everything he had dreamed of the last 4 years and it was finally happening.
He looked down over her face that was tucked on his chest, his lips curling into a soft smile at what he saw. His eyes looked over the massive curls flowing over his shoulder and arm, partially covering her face. He slowly reached over and pushed her thick curls behind her ear, letting his fingers trail along the curve of her jaw.
Viktor knew when she looked at him, she saw perfection but what she still did not realize was that when he looked at her, he saw pure brilliance …. Her mind… her spirit…... her kindness… her acceptance of others…. Her work ethic… her willingness to stand in front of others and protect them…. and yes, her beauty. Because she was magnificent… gorgeous… stunning… every single adjective he could think of that described her splendor could come from romance books…. love poems… sonnets….. she was perfection.
He let his fingers trail over her deep rich arched eyebrows before coasting down her soft small nose. His finger stroked over her slightly parted full lips dipping into small cupids bow in the middle. He let his fingers dance over the light freckles across her high cheek bones and he smiled when she closed her lips tightly and pushed her face into his chest as her head shook in its refusal to get up even while still asleep.
He laid his head back and closed his eyes and just relished in the feeling of her body tight along his, soft and hot. He felt her slim arm move to wrap over his waist, her small hand open and warm on his hip. He felt himself harden as she shifted, and her small firm breasts brushed and pushed into his side. He took a deep breath pushing the need to roll over and cover her body with his away, his control almost snapped when her leg shifted over his and brushed his center. He took a deep breath feeling her slim leg move back and forth over his, her small foot brushing back and forth over his calf. Her body was perfection to him….. it always was…. when she was thin, when she was curvy, it did not matter to him… he loved the way she felt when he ran his fingers over her soft sweet smelling skin, the way she moved into his hands like a magnet drawn to follow him. He knew that he followed her the same way when her small hands glided over him… her tiny delicate hands that could easily destroy a wizard tracing along his skin like he was a delicate prize to be won.
He took a deep breath as her hand on his hip started to move, her fingers trailing around, creating waves of fire and need and in that moment, he felt everything all at once. All of the fear from losing her the last year… all of the pain of missing her…. All of the worry and devastation of her being gone….and it all washed away in the morning light and the feeling of her in his arms again, her fingers tracing his skin even in her sleep, bringing him comfort. He tilted his head, so his lips brushed her forhead and his nose was buried in her curls. His arm tightened around her shoulders and he gently lifted her moving hand on his stomach to look at the ring on her finger again. It was brilliant and shinning, a badge of their commitment to each other and created the peace that was running through him. He carefully brought her hand to his lips and kissed it gently, his lips trailing from her fingers to the palm of her hand.
He looked down when she murmured at him, "Morning kisses?" She asked, her nose brushing his chest as she stretched. Her fingers curling in his hand so he could feel the hard metal of her ring, it was a feeling he would never get tired of. "I like morning kisses…." She kissed his side softly, her lips trailing up and over to his chest right under his nipple that had him smiling as the heat spread through his chest.
Viktor tightened his hand on hers, "Morning kisses… afternoon kisses… evening kisses… nighttime kisses… I will never get enough of kissing you in this lifetime." He whispered into her hair before brushing his on lips over her forhead again.
Hermione beamed up at him for a moment, her eyes still mostly closed, "Me to….. ….. what time is it?" She asked closing her eyes and laying her head back down on his chest.
Viktor smiled gently, "Early… How is your back feeling?" He asked brushing his hand softly down her back, kissing her nose this time.
She sighed letting her lips brush his skin lightly, trying to stretch again but flinching slightly when she moved a certain way, "Sore… stiff." She said not opening her eyes.
Viktor sighed deeply, "Mila… I hate how much you are hurting…. I have a potion from Alek, I want you to take it and you can sleep a few more hours until the team comes." He said waving his hand, his magic floating the potion from the desk to the bed. He held his hand out to grab it, sitting up slightly with her in his arms.
Hermione took a deep breath, "Will you stay with me?" She said looking up at him, her eyes still hazy in the morning exhaustion. "I miss you when you are not here… I wake up reaching for you and have to remember that you are weird… not only an early riser but you pop out of bed and you are ready to face the day in one second." She said with a small snicker.
Viktor nodded grinning at her, "I will stay with you until you wake up… even if that means leaving the team with my family all alone." He said smiling. "And being an early riser means you get more done… and the sun is shining how could you not just wake up?"
Hermione looked at him in surprise, "Do not leave the team alone!" She said, "You will go out to them as soon as they get here…. And no one should be able to wake up that excited to face the day without at least 3 cups of tea….. you must let the sleep slowly leave your body… it is not natural the way you just get up, wide awake and ready to go."
Viktor grinned down at her, "I was joking Mila, you will be up when they get here." When she went to speak, he shook his head, "And if you are not, I will wake you up." He said kissing her nose. "And I will tell you a secret, I wake up like that only when I am laying next to you… waking up with you in my arms." He paused touching her nose, "Why would I not wake up in a happy mood, ready to go?" He asked kissing her curls. "It is the best way to wake up…. The only good way to wake up."
Hermione gave him a smile, "Thank you… that is sweet." She said sitting up a little more enough to swallow the vile he was holding. "Although it is a little sad since when I am in your arms I want to sleep the day away… but I guess I blame it on the fact that I am so happy and peaceful to be in your arms that I just want to sleep and snuggle in them forever." Viktor laughed as he sent the vile back over to the desk and settled back in the bed, Hermione draped over his chest again. "Sleep love…. I will always be here for you to snuggle into from now on."
Hermione sighed, snuggling deeper into him, "When I was gone…. every time I left." She said softy, her voice sweet, "This is what I missed the most….. being here, laying in your arms." She took a deep breath and kissed his chest softly, "I mean I missed everything about you, but these moments….. being wrapped up in your arms." She paused her voice starting to slur, "It was what was the hardest." She laid her hand on his chest and started to rubbed back and forth, "I could pretend all day long that I was busy and you were close and I would see you later… but at night when I was all alone in the dark and it was cold….. it felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest…. It was like the night was never ending… and when I would wake up, I would be wide awake and could not go back to sleep because the bed always felt so empty and cold."
Viktor closed his eyes as her words washed over him, "I know love…. I could play games… see family and friends and pretend that I was ok… but at night I would reach for you in the dark and my heart would shatter when I could not find you." He whispered into her hair. "I will be here now… you will never have a cold bed again."
Hermione took a deep breath, "I am sorry." She whispered sadly.
Viktor shook his head, "It is not your fault or mine… it was something we both had to live through… but now we have each other again and I will never let you go." He paused picking up her hand and kissed her ring, "And with this I know that I will always have you at my side…. Promise we will never sleep apart again." He begged.
He waited for her reply and when she gave a soft nod and whispered, "Promise." He felt his chest tighten, "Never leave again." She murmured, her hand brushing over his chest in circles until it slowly loosened, and he relaxed under her.
Viktor closed his eyes and let the feeling of her in his arms lull him back to sleep.
When Viktor woke up a few hours later he stretched and let his body slowly wake up. It was almost lunch now and he was ready to move but he refused to leave Hermione laying in bed when promised her he would wait for her. He looked down to see her lips curling into a small smile while she dreamed.
He closed his eyes and let his hand run though her hair, he thought of the what he had to do today. His team was coming around 1 pm and it was already 12 pm, he would need to set up the tables and clean the quidditch area behind the house. He wanted to talk to his father and Andrian about the wards on the house and his mother about taking Hermione out of the house. He carefully let his cheek rest on Hermione's head, he needed to do so much yet it would all wait until Hermione woke up.
He felt Hermione shift in her sleep and start to mumble under her breath and knew she would wake soon. He pulled the blanket up to cover Hermione carefully and looked over to the side of the bed and called Emma name softly. After a moment Emma popped into the room, "Yes Master Viktor?" She asked softly, seeing that Hermione was still mostly asleep.
Viktor smiled gently, "Do you think that you can please get us some breakfast things… some snacks and lots of tea for Lady Mione…. And some coffee for me?" He asked softly, "Bring it here for us, we are going to eat while we get dressed."
Emma nodded quickly before popping away and Viktor closed his eyes and let his hand run through Hermione's hair again, softly and slowly letting her silky curls run through his fingers. He understood what she meant when she said she just wanted to fall into his arms and sleep in his warmth… but he also woke up as soon as he felt her in his arms, and just relished the feeling of her being there…. He was not sure if that would change once he got used to her being there every day forever but for now, these moments when he had her in the peace of the sunlight… he could not pass them up.
He looked over when Emma popped into their room and set a large tray on the table between the two chairs by the fireplace, "Here Master Krum… all ready for you, please let me know If you need more." She said popping away.
Emma popping away woke Hermione up the rest of the way, as she stretched along his side, her toes pointing and brushing his ankles, "Viktor?" She asked her hand gripping his hip as she hugged him tightly.
He relished the feeling of her gripping him and kissed her curls, "Yes love."
"Is it time to get up?" She mumbled pushing her face into his side to hide from the sun.
Viktor chuckled as her curls tickled his neck, "It is if you want time to shower and dress before people get here." He said softly.
Hermione nodded yawning deeply, "I need tea first." She mumbled.
Viktor laughed out loud this time making her look up at him, "I got you tea already love, but you have to get up if you want it." He said watching her leg slide over his hips as she slowly rolled on top of him, her legs bent on either side of his hips and propped her chin on his chest.
"Oh yea." She reached down to kiss the middle of his chest, "You wouldn't bring me breakfast in bed if I asked?" She said with a lazy grin
Viktor reached down to cup her hips, "Not this morning… or should I say afternoon." He said grinning at her.
Hermione rolled her eyes and sat up slowly, pushing off his chest until her hands were laying on his stomach. "Meanie." She said with a grin looking down at him.
Viktor raised an eyebrow at her, "You are the one that wants to get ready to meet my team… that means that you have to get up and get dressed." He said putting his hands behind his head as he grinned looking up at her.
Hermione crossed her arms over her chest and looked down at him, "Fine." She said in a drawn-out manner, "But I demand you wake me up with kisses tomorrow morning before you leave for practice." She said eyes narrowed, a small grin on her lips.
Viktor raised an eyebrow and snickered at her, "So you plan on getting up with me tomorrow morning?" He asked.
Hermione looked down at him in mock horror, pushing her curls off her face, "No… absolutely not… but I will wake up when you leave to give you goodbye kisses and then go back to sleep until a more reasonable time… I know you leave at like 5:30 in the morning….. that is not happening." She said eyes wide.
Viktor burst out laughing at her shaking head and offended face at the thought of getting up at 5 am when she did not need to, "I will wake you up long enough to kiss you senseless and give you some potion tomorrow morning… then you can go back to sleep until I get home at lunch if you want." He said sitting up, so his chest was touching hers and kissed her lips gently.
She wrapped her arms around is neck and his hands went to her hips again, "Will you wake me up at lunch with more kisses?" She asked kissing his lips softly before pulling back so her nose could brush back and forth over his.
Viktor groaned as he closed his eyes feeling her wrapped all around him again, "I will wake you up with all of the kisses you can handle." He felt her shift and he grabbed her hips and lifted her up and off of him before rolling off the bed to look down at her pout and laughed, "But you will not distract me now witch, come on it is time for breakfast." He said pulling her up into his arms to carry her over to her chair in front of the fireplace, "Eat while I shower first." He said setting her down and carefully pouring her a cup of tea, placing a dash of honey and lemon into it before handing it to her. He leaned down and kissed her lips gently before he pulled back to walk away, "I love you." He said walking to the bathroom.
Hermione shook her head and slowly sipped the tea, after she was about halfway through, she felt awake enough to walk to the closet and pull out Viktor a pair of black slacks and a white polo. When she opened the drawer to get his boxers, she saw her own kickers next to his and she quickly turned to see her few dresses hanging up in his closet she missed a moment ago. She gave the closet a small smile and she walked over to the bathroom, stepping in to look over at Viktor.
She watched him turn to her when she called out, "I just got up to get you your clothes before I went over to my room to shower and get ready." She said crossing her arms leaning against the door jam, "Imagine my surprise when I saw my stuff in there too….. I am assuming that my shower things are also in your shower." She said watching Viktor wipe the glass off and smile at her through the glass.
Viktor raised his eyebrows at her, "Thank you for my clothes…. Do I get to pick out yours?" He asked her, pushing his hair back and stepped back under the water.
Hermione grinned, "From my 3 dresses that I have, sure you can pick… but you did not answer my question…. My 3 dresses are hanging in your closet." She said with a raised eyebrow.
Viktor shrugged, "Where else would they be?" He asked turning the water off and pull the towel off the rack to start drying off.
Hermione bit her lip to stop the snicker, "Um in my room… I mean that is where I left them last night." She watched as Viktor hung the towel around his waist and pushed the foggy glass open and step out. Her eyes could not help wondering down his hard chest, over his tight abs to his narrow hips, the towel barely hanging on.
She bit her lip before licking her lips and this time it was Viktor that snickered, "Close your mouth Mila…. The answer is still no… and your clothes are where they belong…. and so is your shower stuff… in OUR room." He said walking over to kiss her quick and hard on the mouth before grabbing his clothes she brought him, "Now shower so we can go." He said tapping her ass and making her yelp as he walked out of the bathroom humming.
Hermione rolled her eyes but stripped and got in the still steaming shower and began to wash up. She looked up a few moments later when Viktor walked in, in only his pants and began to comb his hair. For moment she was self-conscious then she remembered all of the other mornings she spent doing the exact same thing and smiled. She let the hot water soothe her back and stretched tall making Viktor turn from the sink to look at her through the glass with a grin.
After a moment he called out to her, "Hey love…. we have about 45 minutes before everyone gets here….. I need to go out and set up the picnic area…." He leaned his hip against the sink, "Do you want to come with me or wait inside?" He asked.
Hermione thought about it for a moment and grinned, "Actually do you mind If I set up the picnic tables… it has been a while since I have been able to do any real magic and I have an ideal I have been wanting to try….. kind of like a gift for Mama and Papa." She called out letting the water wash the suds out of her hair.
Viktor frowned, "Are you sure that you are up to it?" He asked crossing his arms as he watched her through the foggy glass.
Hermione wiped the glass and smiled at him through it, "Yes… it doesn't take a ton of magic and I have missed practicing… not to mention what I am thinking doesn't take that much work… its more about growing then producing… I was working with Professor Sprout on this before I left, but I have not had a chance to use it last few months." She said rolling her eyes at him.
Viktor gave her a small smile, "Ok as long as you are sure." He said tilting his head to the side, "How are you feeling?"
Hermione went back under the water, "I actually feel good… my back is still sore and too much touching or movement makes it hurt worse, but it is better than this morning…. My arm is feeling good… yesterday Alek said tomorrow will be that last day he needed to work on it and all of the curse should be out." She paused taking a deep breath, "My head is 100% and the rest of my body is feeling good." She stretched again and cursed when her back was pulled to tight, "My stupid back needs to hurry up…. I want to feel good again."
Viktor gave her a soft smile, "Soon love…. Alek said another week or two and you will be better then ever." He said handing her a towel over the glass, "I am going to go get you a dress... do you have a preference?"
Hermione shook her head, "No they are all almost the same…. And it is supposed to be hot, so I won't use a cardigan today…" She called out turing the water off and pulling the towel down.
Viktor nodded walking over to the closet looking at the dresses and realized that all of them would have at least of one of her injuries showing. One dress was cut lower with a deep v in the back so the tops of her bruises would show. Her other dresses dipped lower in the front which Viktor looked at with narrowed eyes. There would be way too much skin showing with all of these… who bought them he thought, his scowl etched deeply into his face as he eyed them.
"Your mother." Hermione said leaning against the closet door smiling, her towel wrapped around her.
Viktor turned to look at her with a raised an eyes brow, a question in his eyes.
Hermione pointed at her 3 dresses, "Your mother bought them… you have not noticed how reveling they really were because I have been inside and I have had jumpers and cardigans over them… but today it is supposed to be hot out… really hot out, there is no way that I can wear one over the dresses…. But I could see your face as you looked at each one and you were wondering who bought them." She said crossing her arms and grinning. "The answer is your mother."
Viktor sighed, "Are you sure you can not wear a jumper?" He asked looking back at them.
Hermione laughed, "They are not that bad actually…. On a regular day I would wear any of them without issue… I just worry about people seeing my scars now." She whispered walking over to touch one of the dresses.
Viktor frowned and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, "No one will look at them and judge you here…. No… my worry is that they are going to see all of your beautiful skin and curves and get ideals and then I will have to kill someone from my team." He said frowning again looking at the dresses.
Hermione burst out laughing, "You are so silly, none of them are that bad…. I would have worn any of these in the past when going out." She said pointing at them.
Viktor looked over at her with narrowed eyes, "I would have you in giant jumpers and pants to the floor if I could." He said in a serious tone.
Hermione's continued laughter made Viktor smile down at her, "You think I am joking… only I should be able to look at you… no one else." He said crossing his arms.
Hermione put her hands on his crossed arms and leaned up to kiss his lips, "How about I wear the white one…. It has the deep v in the back, but it is the highest in the front and the longest going to my knees."
Viktor sighed, "I know that you are most comfortable in the blue one." He said pointing to the one that covered her back up to her neck but had a deep v in the front that he eyed with distaste. It was also shorter ending at mid-thigh and Hermione laughed at his face. He turned and looked at her and shook his head, "New rule… I go shopping with you… not Mama… I am terrified what she is going to buy you." He said eyes narrowed.
Hermione smiled up at him and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down, "I will wear the white one…. I actually love that one the most and the bruises are mostly gone, and I am sure that your team won't gawk at them." She said, "Plus then I can sit and walk and not worry about anyone seeing down my top… those two do cut lower then I might normally wear and I would rather show off my back then my front."
Viktor pulled her closer to him and kissed her deeply, "Ok… if you are sure… you will be absolutely gorgeous in any of them." He said laying his head on hers, "Get dressed and eat something please. I am going to talk to Papa and Mama about the reporter and keeping the house under tighter wards from now on."
Hermione nodded pulling back, "I will get dressed and run out to set up the picnic area then meet you inside." She said pulling the white dress off the hanger watching him pull on his white polo.
"I am going to make a permanent table….. a circle with the center open, so that you can seat people on both the inside and outside…. It will seat 14 people on the outside and more in the inside if they need." Hermione said pulling on her dress, "Mama loves to have people over and I want to make her something she can use…. Do you think by the lake where we ate on Friday…. that is where she always sets up the tables."
Viktor nodded, "That is a lot of magic… are you sure you are up to it love?" He asked worry in his voice.
Hermione nodded, "It really is not that much… I was taught to let the earth do most of the work… I just kind of guide it…. and I need to practice and work on my magic and I have the rest of the afternoon to relax and rest after." She said walking over to wrap her arms around him. "I just hope you guys like it…. I mean I can get rid of it if you don't, but I have been thinking about this since my last visit, but I needed to practice it a little more." She said
Viktor shook his head, "I am sure Mama will love it…. As long as you don't push yourself." He said leaning down to kiss her softly, "and yes the afternoon will be food and relaxing."
Viktor pulled away to walk over and slide his shoes on pausing when he heard a knock on their door, "Hello… can I come in?" Ginny called out.
Viktor called back, "Yes." Then turned back to Hermione, "Eat something off the table and let Alek know if you need any more potion." He said, "See you in a bit Love."
Hermione pulled out some knickers from the drawer and smiled over at him, "Yes, sir."
Viktor rolled his eyes, "You are impossible." He said walking over to kiss her lips lightly, "Hurry up… I love you." He whispered, he looked up when he heard "Aww." At the closet door and saw Ginny grinning up at them.
Viktor shook his head, "Andrian and Alek were right… I will never have peace again… and I will always have to share you." He grumbled kissing Hermione's smiling lips one more time before walking past Ginny, "Make sure that she eats something." He called out walking out the bedroom door.
Ginny turned to Hermione and grinned, "He is really the sweetest…. And I want one." She said looking at Hermione in the white dress. "Want me to put some cream on your back?" Ginny asked, "And help you fix your hair… ohh and can I put some eye makeup on you… just your lashes... oh please." She said making Hermione laugh.
Hermione finished pulling up her knickers and shook her head, "Sure, you are better at the stuff then I am anyway….as long as I look like myself when you are done." She paused looking at her back in the mirror, a good amount of the bruises where visible over the dress. She bit her lip looking at not only the bruises but the scars on her shoulder from one of the curses she took and then scar on the side of her ribs from a knife that had caught her. This dress covered the scars on her chest and upper thighs but her back and arms were exposed.
She sighed, "No matter what I wear now there will be visible scares from the war… unless I am completely covered from head to toe…" She said softly.
Ginny walked over, "Yep…. They will." She said with a shrug, "You are not alone at least." She said pointing to her face.
Hermione looked up and smiled at Ginny then narrowed her eyes looking closer, "They look lighter….a lot lighter." She said softly.
Ginny smiled at her, "Alek has been working on them for me… he said they will always be there… at least lightly but he should be able to fade them enough that makeup will cover them if I want." She said with a shrug.
Hermione smiled up at her, her fingers reaching out to touch Ginny's face, "You looked beautiful before and you look beautiful now… you look more radiant because you look happier though." She said.
Ginny smiled, "I could say the same about you…." She turned to look in the mirror, "We are always going to have these marks that tell stories… but Alek said that is what they are… stories… memories of the difference we made in the world and that we should wear them like badges of honor."
Hermione smiled shaking her head, "My back… the bruises at least, are not badges of honor…. It was from when I was weak." She said softly, shaking her head.
Ginny turned to her and frowned "Hogwash…. Those are badges of honor that are the most important... you fought and won against someone who you never should have had to fight… and you did it alone without us…. And you beat them." She said but she nodded, "But if you want me to use make up I can cover some of them…. I don't think you need too but I want you to be happy and comfortable."
Hermione sighed, "No… its ok… I will wear all of them with no fear and no worry…." She paused and grinned, "Ok maybe a little fear and worry but I will do it anyway."
Ginny grinned, "Proud of you….and you are gonna be fine because even if anyone did say something Viktor would kill them." She said with a shrug making Hermione laugh. "And when he was done, I would kill them and then all of your brothers would get in line…. with Mama and Papa behind them."
Hermione looked at Ginny and smiled softly, "I know it is still hard to believe it happened but is it bad that a tiny piece of me is happy it happened?" She said making Ginny look at her in surprise. Hermione smiled walking over to grabbed the towel and start to dry her hair, "I mean I am not glad IT happened but it did bring me back here and it brought me back to Viktor and the family…. I don't know if or when that would have happened if I had not run here." She sighed slipping on a pair of sandals, "Don't tell Viktor I said that because he was mad when I said it last time, he said that nothing is worth me being hurt and we would have found each other… but not this fast and not for sure…. So, I will be glad that it happened because of everything I got back because of it."
Ginny smiled nodding at her, "Silver lining… I understand what you are saying, especially since you can't change the past or make it not happen." She said taking the towel from Hermione and rubbing her hair for her, "But I wish you did not have to be hurt to get here."
Hermione nodded, "Silver lining and me too…." She paused taking a deep breath and smiling, "Now if you can fix this." She said pointing to her hair, "You really will be able to work miracles." She said laughing.
Ginny grinned, "Oh girl, you are gonna knock the socks off his team." She said pulling her wand out work. Ginny really did work miracles and in less then 15 minutes Hermione had eaten a muffin while Ginny dried and curled her hair into soft thick fluffy ringlets that went down almost to her waist. When she stood up her hair covered most of her back hiding most of the scars and bruises which made it a little easier for Hermione to stand tall.
A few quick strokes of makeup on Hermione's face from Ginny, Hermione's eyes were standing bright and warm surround by thick dark lashes. Her lips had a soft barely there tint and her freckles bright on her lightly tan skin. There was almost nothing on her face, but she looked fresh and brilliant.
Hermione smiled in the mirror and laughed, "I feel pretty." She said
Ginny shrugged, "You were always pretty silly girl…." She pulled Hermione up and out the door, "Now come on we are running late, and I want to see this magic Professor Sprout showed you again… I remember the time I watched you practice….. it was beautiful….. I mean all the veggies you made with it were nice, but I want to see the beauty!"
Hermione laughed as she followed Ginny in the hall running into Alek who crossed his arms and grinned at his two favorite girls, "What is so funny?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
Ginny smirked up at him, "Minnie is going to show me some of the magic that one of our teachers taught her…..it is beautiful." She said.
Alek bounced on his toes and narrowed his eyes, "Mione…. Magic?" He asked. "Are you sure?"
Hermione grinned, thankful he was asking her and not just assuming she was not ready, "It is not a lot of magic… it is mostly growing magic…. So, it comes from the earth… I am just helping it along... plus, I think that you guys forget that my weak is still stronger than most." She said holding her hands together, she smiled wide, "Plus I have missed doing magic and when I woke up this morning, I felt ready to let off some steam… it has been a while since I have done anything fun or good."
Alek rolled his eyes, "As long as you remember your limits and don't push them… ok." He said softly.
Hermione nodded, "I promise….. I am good." She said.
Alek handed her a vile, "This is just healing and a little pain relief… no sleeping drought today… especially since the one that I made you this morning was a double dose." He said grinning.
Hermione chuckled, "I did sleep pretty good this morning." She took the vile and drank it. "I am ready for at least 4 hours of partying… I am sure by then I will be exhausted and ready to sleep again." She said laughing.
Alek rolled his eyes, "I can tell you are feeling better… you always become a smart ass when you feel better." He said, "Now…. do I get to see some of this magic that Ginny says is so amazing."
Hermione grinned, "Sure….. I can teach you guys someone of it too, I think…. if I practice it a bit more." She said.
Alek narrowed his eyes at her as they started to walk down the hall, "You look different… your eyes are big and shiny." He said.
Ginny snickered, "I think the word you are looking for is beautiful." She said walking with them.
Alek looked at her confused, "She is always beautiful." He said, "But now she looks different from normal."
Ginny shook her head and smiled, "You are such a man." She said as they walked down the stairs, "Is she still pretty?"
Alek threw his hands up, "She is always pretty… but now she looks like a different kind of pretty." He looked over at Hermione again, "Her hair is shinny and her cheeks have lots of freckles and her eyes are all big."
Ginny rolled her eyes, "And what about me….. do I look pretty?" She asked making Hermione snicker into her hand.
Alek looked over at Ginny, "You are always beautiful too… but now that you mention it you look different to… your eyes are all big." He said eyes narrowed.
Ginny looked over at Hermione and shook her head, "He is hopeless…." She sighed and laughed, "I guess the only thing that matters is that at least he thinks we are always pretty."
Hermione nodded but Alek shook his head, "No I think that you are both stunningly beautiful all of the time…. These things you did, just made you a different kind of beautiful."
Hermione looked over to see Ginny blush and she grinned, "Good answer." She whispered to Alek making Ginny roll her eyes while grinning.
Alek and Hermione both heard Ginny mutter, "It was a good answer."
Hermione laughed as they walked through the hall to the garden doors and Hermione looked out to see the sun shining. "Let's see if I can still remember how to do this." She whispered stepping out onto the grass.
Ginny grabbed Alek's arm when he went to follow her, "No…. wait." She whispered standing in the doorway. "Let her concentrate." They watched as Hermione walked over to stand by the lake, the wind softly blowing her curls, her white skirt rippling with the breeze.
"What is she doing?" Alek asked tilting his head to the side.
Ginny slid her arm through his, "She is getting in touch with the magic from the earth." She said, "It was something she practiced with Professor Sprout and Dumbledore before we left… she used it to grow us food when we needed it while we were on the run."
Alek looked down at her, "Food?" He asked.
Ginny nodded, "Not a lot of places or opportunities to go shopping while we were gone." She said with a shrug, "Dumbledore knew what was coming for us and had Professor Sprout teach Hermione how to keep us fed with plants at least. Dumbledore had Hermione learning new spells and magic from all of the teachers the last year she was there… he knew we would need her to survive… literally eat and survive." Ginny looked back out at Hermione who was still standing there and smiled, "Quickly grown plants was not always the best and you get tired of veggies all of the time but sometimes that was all we had and it was better than nothing at all and starvation."
Alek took a deep shuddering breath, "I keep thinking I have heard the worst of what happened to you guys but then you hit me with something new….. to know there was times that you did not even have food." He shook his head looking down at her, and put his hand over hers that was sitting in the crook of his arm, "We are never going to let you girls go hungry ever again."
Ginny laughed up at him, "That is not a problem for me… I love food and I am always…. always hungry… Hermione though, she forgets to eat half the time." Ginny sighed looking behind her to see Viktor walking over with his team, "So remind her often, or better yet just hand her things, she will eat when you tell her… half the time she will do it while working or reading and not even realize it."
Ginny turned to look at Viktor and the group of men with him and smiled, "Hello." She said, she grinned when they all chorused, "Hello" back.
Viktor looked out the window to see Hermione standing by the lake. "What is she doing?" He asked Ginny. Ginny watched as Viktor's team looked out past them to gaze at Hermione with curiosity and smiled knowing they were in for the a surprise, Hermione may look dainty and sweet in her white sun dress but she was nothing they had even seen before.
Viktor frowned as Hermione kept standing there not moving and he went to step out the door into the garden, but Ginny placed a hand on his arm, "Wait…. give her a moment." She whispered. "It has been a while since she has done this for anything other than necessity…"
Viktor looked down at Ginny crossing his arms, "You will tell me what you mean later." He said nodding down at her, standing still.
Ginny waved her hand, "Alek will tell you… now watch." She said pointing to Hermione, "She is gonna knock your socks off." She whispered feeling the rest of Viktor's team step up behind her to get a better view.
Hermione took a deep breath as she stood on the grass and looked out over the lake. She closed her eyes thinking about what Dumbledore told her about letting magic run through you, letting the serenity and quiet take over so instead of it draining you, the magic filled you up. She closed her eyes trying to let the magic come but huffed when nothing came naturally. She really was weaker, normally when she pulled her magic it came like an explosion, over taking her like a flood. But now it was under the skin shimmering like a light boil and it was driving her crazy… she pulled at it and yanked at it, but it barely came.
Hermione thought about her last lesson with Professor Sprout a few weeks before the wedding, she remembered the way Professor Sprout's laugh filled the green house…. It was so full of life as her hands dug into the dirt in front of them. Hermione took another deep breath remembering what she said, "Life is full of pain... and sadness Hermione, but it is also full of life and joy….. when a tree burns down … new life springs from the ashes. Creating new beauty and new life is easy ….. you just have to look for it…. You have to let the joy and the love fill you and center you and let the growth come from that place in your center… and if you let it, it will explode out of you." Hermione remembered watching as the plants skimmed the soil and grew winding around Professor Sprout's arms, then over them into the most beautiful delicate arch, small flowers blooming along the vines.
It had taken Hermione days and days of practice before she could even a few small vines to grow and she was losing her mind until she had gotten a letter from Viktor that night. She had taken it to read in the garden and as she read his words her heart felt light. When she finished the letter, she looked down to see that her feet had been wrapped with vines and flowers. Each word from Viktor had brought her so much joy and happiness she grew flowers without even realizing it.
Hermione thought back to how she felt in that moment, the love she felt for Viktor the pure happiness and joy of his letter and felt the magic go from simmering under the surface of her skin to covering her like a blanket. Then she thought about how she felt this morning when she woke up and looked down to see the ring on her finger, and the magic exploded off of her into the ground and she felt it pull and twist through the earth.
Hermione closed her eyes and kneeled down to reach deep into the dirt and let the vines grow, slowly but surely… higher and higher. She let the love for Viktor guide the images she had in her head to the magic in her hands, letting the vines take shape. Winding round and round to create the large circular table overlooking the lake that she had been imagining the last few months.
It was stunningly beautiful… going from rough vines into a piece of prized artwork….. its legs emerging from the soil, full of knots, swirls and carvings of flowers. The group at the door watched as Hermione slowly stood and walked around the table, her hand smoothing the top of the table until it was polished and shining. The wind blowing her ringlets across her face make her soft smile dance in and out of her hair, her eyes closed as she kept her magic poring off her hand like a warm glowing glove making the table shine bright.
Viktor's coach stepped forward and covered his mouth, "You told us that she was weak right now, Viktor… I could not do that ever… wandless, wordless magic?" He whispered. "Growing into something that beautiful."
Before Viktor could say anything, Ginny snorted, "You have not seen anything yet…" She said looking at Viktor's team who were all looking out the door in shock, "And this is her weak." She murmured, smirking as she turned back to the door.
Hermione slowly stepped a few feet back from the table looking around thoughtfully. She wanted the arch to have six legs since the table was so big, something to give the table some sun coverage while still letting some of its beams come through so it was bright…. Something that matched the table but its own beautiful piece. She remembered a video she once watched when she was little with earth fairies and the way they made a beautiful gazebo out of tree branches.
She smiled as an image began to form in her thoughts and marking the spots in her mind where the legs would go she began to walk around the table, stopping at each spot she dug her fingers into the ground. She let her fingers reach for more vines with the love from Viktor guiding her and poured the magic into the ground. The group at the window watched as the vines started to grow from each spot, thicker and fuller arching over the table to meet over the center of the table.
Their mouths hung open as they saw the vines fill out from the center of the arch to create a beautiful top over the table just as intricate and exquisite as the table. But as Viktor looked closer he could see the pattern that was being created within the arches and he felt his heart burst, it was the same swirls that were within her ring and in the center of each swirl was a blooming pink rose instead of a diamond.
"My Mila." He whispered softly smiling, he gently pushed past Ginny to walk out to Hermione. He stood behind her as she laid her hands on one of the arches, and up close he could see the magic pouring from her hands into the vines. He watched in awe as she smiled softly, eyes closed and watched her create one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen. Her hands brushed along the arch and flowers began to emerge everywhere, full and hanging and Viktor could smell there sweet scent fill the air.
When she took a step back to look up at new gazebo covering the table Viktor slid his arms around her waist startling her. "It is beautiful." He whispered looking up over the them, taking in the details up close.
Hermione tilted her head to look up at him, "I used to practice growing things with a teacher at the school…. she could grow anything…. And make it more beautiful then this." She whispered reaching out to touch one of the arches.
Viktor shook his head and whispered, "I am not sure that is possible." He looked as the sun streamed through the open swirls of the arches, enough sunlight coming through to light the tables beauty but not enough to make it blinding. He looked down to her face, "Did you do it on purpose?" He asked softly.
Hermione shook her head confused, "Do what?" She asked looking back at the table and gazebo.
Viktor shook his head as he took in the table up close and saw the same swirls, smaller to match the table size and flowers etched into each swirl. "Look Mila…. Look closely at the pattern." He whispered.
Hermione looked down and table and finally realized what he was seeing. She turned and wrapped her arms around his neck, looking up into his eyes, "No… it was not on purpose… but this magic…. It comes from the heart…. From the joy and love you have…. I was thinking of you when I did the magic." She whispered.
Viktor dropped his forhead to hers, "It matches your ring." He said kissing her gently.
Hermione nodded, "My ring is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, and it is from you…. It attaches the two of us….. I am not surprised the table and gazebo came out like that." She whispered. "I was thinking of you and wanted to make the most beautiful thing I could."
Viktor closed his eyes and let his hands grip her hips, "It is beautiful….. Mama is going to love it." He said.
Hermione smiled, "Do you like it… I basically grew my love for you." She said pulling back to laugh up at him.
Viktor shook his head, "No… I love it." He whispered, "It is almost as beautiful as you." He looked closer at her face, his eyes narrowing, "You look different too." He said an eyebrow raised.
Hermione giggled, "Ginny said I needed to knock the pants off your team… so she did my hair and makeup." She said softly.
Viktor shook his head, "You always look beautiful…. Now you look more…. I don't like it." He said with a scowl.
Hermione giggled, "Why?" Pulling her arms down to cross them over her chest.
Viktor grinned down at her, "Because it was already going to be hard to get the team to leave you alone…. Now with these changes I am going to have to beat at least one of them at least once. "
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Oh please…. It is just some eye lash darkener and powder." She said smiling.
Viktor shook his head, "It made your eyes darker and bigger….. and your freckles are showing more." He whispered cupping her cheek.
Hermione shrugged, "So what you are saying is I am prettier now?" She asked eyes narrowed.
Viktor snorted, "No…. you were always stunning…. Now you are just a different kind of stunning." He said leaning down to kiss her nose.
Hermione threw her head back and laughed, "That is the same thing that Alek said…. You guys are good at giving compliments." She said placing her hands on his chest.
Viktor narrowed his eyes thoughtfully, "Speaking of Alek he did not say anything about your ring… neither did Ginny" He said covering her hands with his.
Hermione grinned up at him, "I put a glamour on my hand so only you and I can see it for now…. I figured you would want to find a way to tell everyone and not just surprise them by letting them see it." She said softly.
Viktor grinned down at her, "Have I ever told you that you are a smart witch?" He said.
Hermione grinned up at him, "Well of course you have." She pulled back and stood taller, her face and voice going prim, "I was the brightest witch of my age."
Viktor one look at her face, the sparkle in her eyes and the smile dancing on her lips and he threw he head back and laughed deeply. His team looked on in awe, not having seen this side of him in a very long time. The carefree joy pouring off the couple warmed their hearts and they all smiled. His team knew they were going to like this girl and wanted to meet her, they began to walk out into the garden, Alek and Ginny turning to go get the rest of the family from inside of the house.
Viktor saw the movement from the corner of his eye and smiled down at Hermione, "Here they come… take a deep breath love… they are a lot to take in but they all have the best intentions…" He said with a grin, he gave her a quick kiss and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, turning her to face all the men who were walking over to them.
Hermione felt her heart tighten and the fear come rushing back, and she tilted her head down, letting her curls cover her face that she had tucked into his chest and mumbled something.
Viktor looked down and frowned, "What Love?" He asked, not hearing what she said
Hermione looked up at him through her eyelashes and the worry in her eyes made his heart ache for her and when she mumbled again, "What if they don't like me?" He shook his head and gave her the most reassuring smile he could, "They are not going to like you Mila… they are going to love you… just like I do… and our family does….. and the Weasleys do." He whispered, his hand coming up to cup the back of her head.
Hermione bit her lip as the first of his teammates made it over to them, "Are you sure?" She asked softly.
Viktor gave her a nod, "More than they like me…. most likely." He said kissing her nose, "Just be yourself… because you are amazing." He said looking her in the eyes.
Hermione smiled up at him, letting his love push her worries away and gave Viktor a soft nod before turing to the group that had surround them. She smiled out across the men standing around them and gave a small wave.
Viktor looked up to his team and gave them a smile, "Everyone this is Hermione… Hermione this is my team." He said and quickly pointed out each team member. "These are the beaters, Petar and Dimiter… Our Chaser's, Kiril, Ivan and Nikolas…. and this is our keeper and the one you must be most careful of…. Ludmil." Viktor said with a grin.
Ludmil grinned clicking his heels together and bowing, grasping her free hand to place a lingering kiss. Hermione grinned at his show as Viktor rolled his eyes, reaching out to pull her hand away. Hermione looked up at Viktor who shook his head, "Do not encourage him… please Love… he will be heard enough to deal with." Viktor said with a snort.
Hermione giggled softly, nodding up at Viktor, putting her free hand on his chest.
Ludmil grinned at Viktor and spoke in rapid Bulgarian, "She is more beautiful than you said." He said wiggling his eyes brows.
Viktor took a deep breath, "I told you she was beautiful." Viktor said back in English, rolling his eyes.
Ludmil leaned closer to Hermione and smiled, "You do not love him so much…. Do you?" He asked pointing at Viktor, "There is still chance I steal you away…. Da." He said.
Viktor scowled over at his friend, "I will kill you." He said in rapid Bulgarian making his team laugh and Hermione look up at him with a small smile.
Ludmil held his hands up and took a step back but shot Hermione grin, making her roll her eyes and snort.
Viktor pulled Hermione over to one side of the group and pointed to the older male standing there, "And this is my coach, Georgi…. He has been my coach since I started… almost 10 years now." He said softly with smile.
Hermione nodded at Georgi, pulling out from under Viktor's arm to step closer and hold her hand out. "Hello… how nice to finally meet you… I have heard a lot about you." She said in soft slightly accented Bulgarian making Viktor look at her in surprise.
Georgi beamed down at her, "You speak Bulgarian?" He asked softly back.
Hermione shook her head, and gave a soft smile, "Barely… I have been practicing for 5 years and I am still not very good." She said back.
Georgi grinned at her, "You sound pretty good to me." He said looking up at Viktor and smiling, "He seems surprised thought." He said pointing at Viktor.
Hermione grinned up at him, "He knows I have been trying to learn but it has only been the last year that I got this good…. I had a lot of time free to practice while I was…. Working on some things." She said with a shrug, "I have not really spoken to any of our family in Bulgarian since I got back last week… they all speak English in the house." She murmured.
Georgi nodded at her, "Well you sound good…. Viktor has told us some things about you…. But I must confess knowing you have been here for years… but only finding our about you… it has left all of us with a lot of questions." He said tilting his head softly.
Hermione nodded, "I know… that was mostly my fault… I wanted to keep him and our family safe…. And the fewer people that knew I was here the better." She looked down a moment and felt Viktor's hand cup the back of her neck softly, she looked up at him and smiled before turing back to the team and switched to English, "I would not change that choice after everything that has happened the last year… I am sure that we made the right decision not to tell anyone I was here.… but I do want to know, that I know all of you… well a lot of stories….. it is nice to finally put faces to names." She said smiling at all of them.
They all grinned at her and nodded back, one of them spoke out, "I guess this means that we will have to start hearing stories about you to catch up then." Making Hermione laugh and nod back at them.
Viktor shook his head, looking down at Hermione, "I am confused…. If you speak this well now, why you did not know what Monmye meant when Papa called you that." He asked.
Hermione shrugged, "In my head it was translating that girl… not My girl… it did not make sense… plus if you remember that was right after I had all of the potion and just got here… my head was not exactly clear." She said with a grin.
Viktor laughed down at her, "That sounds like an excuse, Сърцето ми." He said with a raised eyebrow.
Hermione shrugged, "I am learning and trying… My Heart." She said back to him grinning. "Besides I distinctly remember that your accent comes in thicker and you missing words when you are angry or upset with me." She said pulling back and crossing her arms, grinning up at him.
Viktor shook his head smiling, "You finally figured out what I was saying." He said leaning his head down. "And I am not that bad." His hand swatting her ass gently making her narrow her eyes at him.
Hermione gave him a light smirk, "I haff known that vone for years." She said in a prim voice with a fake thick accent. "You need be challenging Luff.. and vhen evfer you get angry at me, your vords come out lik dis." She grinned up at him.
Viktor's team covered their mouths with their hands trying to hide their smirks and looked to see Viktor's eyes narrow at Hermione for a moment before he threw his head back and laughed, "You are a such a brat." He said leaning down to kiss her lips softly, "But I luff you." He said in a mocking voice making Hermione giggle up at him.
Hermione smiled up at him and kissed his lips softly, "Обичам те, Viktor." She whispered against his lips. They both turned to see the team snickering at them and Hermione blushed and turned her face into Viktor's chest making him grin over at his team and shake his head with a grin.
"I have never seen Viktor smile like that before… I know that he has never smiled at me like that." Ludmil said smirking.
Ivan leaned over to Ludmil, "I have also never seen him kiss you like that." He said making Hermione look over and burst out laughing. Viktor rolled his eyes but smiled at his team,
"You are all troublemakers." He said wrapping his arm around Hermione shoulders tucking her into his side. "I don't kiss you because your lips are not as soft as hers." He said making everyone laugh.
Ludmil puckered his lips, "I don't know… I moisturize my lips…. Minnie do you want to test them out?" He asked leaning forward to Hermione. Viktor's hand shot out and he pushed Ludmil's forhead back and Hermione grinned. Viktor looked down a Hermione and shook his head, "I told you not to encourage him… he will never stop now." He said with a groan.
Hermione looked up at Viktor and grinned, "A little healthy compition never hurt Viktor… maybe he does have some soft lips…" She turned to look over at Ludmil with narrowed thoughtful eyes, "I mean they do look soft." She said shrugging her shoulders making Viktor scowl as he pulled back to look at her with narrowed eyes and his team burst out laughing.
"Ok…. I like her." Ivan said clapping, "She is going to fit in with us."
Hermione giggled as Viktor shook his head, "You are trouble." He said with a scowl. She reached out and wrapped her arms around him, and he shook his head kissing her forhead, "You are lucky that I love you." Viktor looked over at his team and pointed at them. "And all of you stop it." He said shaking his head and smiling softly.
Hermione smiled over at the team, "I like them." She said laying her head on Viktor shoulder, "They make you smile." She looked up at Viktor, "I am glad you had them when I was gone."
Viktor placed his chin on her head, "They were helpful the last year." He said smiling at his team.
Hermione sighed and tightened her arm around his waist, "I am glad." She said softy, she looked over at the team, "I am grateful that you guys have been there for him the last few years."
The team nodded at her, really looking closely at her face. She was stunning with her large deep golden-brown eyes, freckles dusting her high cheek bones, her halo of curls cascading over her shoulders and down her back. She was what dreams were made of…. classic and stunning. But they were athletes that were used to being hurt, bruised and broken and they saw the small scars and kicks on her neck and arms, the fading almost gone bruises along both. The way her arm was wrapped tightly in bandages and she moved it carefully enough not to hit it against anything. The way Viktor was carful to touch only her upper back or hips and she moved a little slower, not twisting her core too much. They could see the fear and worry in her eyes when she thought they were not looking but the determination she had when she smiled at them and tried to be confident.
She was hurting and in pain but strong and fierce and she made Viktor smile and laugh in a way that they had never seen before. The last year he had been a shell of himself, broken and hollow. It had been painful to watch and not be able to help him… not know how to help him. They had watched on as he fell deeper and deeper away from everyone, isolating himself, unable to be find true joy and happiness. They watched as his smiles and laughter become forced and fake and they tried everything to reach him, but nothing worked.
Now they saw his smile radiate from within him as he looked over at her, they watched the way he brushed his hand over her curls so gently it was like she was glass. The way his side pressed along hers so there was no space between them, yet at the same time every part of his body conscious of where her injuries were. But more than that it was the way her body echoed his like a magnet, wrapped around him, curved into him. The way the fear and worry she held would melt away when she looked at him or he when he would smile at her. The way she made jokes that she knew would make him smile in the way he only did for her. They were closer than the team ever imagined and just being next to the two of them they could see the relationship they had… the love they had…. The connection they had. The team knew after only a few moments of spending time with Viktor and Hermione she was prefect for Viktor and that she was special… Truly special.
Georgi looked over at Hermione, "You are good for him.' He said firmly, "Now you will tell us your stories so we can get to know you…. Da." He said accepting Hermione for the team with a few simple words. "And you will sit next to me." He said looking over Ludmil and grabbing his shoulder to pull him back when he tried to step forward grinning, making the team laugh.
Hermione beamed over at Coach Georgi, "I would like that very much." She said pushing her curls back. She went to step forward when Harry's Patronus Stag came walking up to her, circling slowly, waiting for her permission to reveal its message.
Hermione frowned, slowly reaching out so her hand brushed the muzzle and Harry's voice carried softly on the wind to her, "Minnie… we have an emergency we have to talk to you about as soon as possible… can you lift the wards so Kingsley and I can Apparate in." The stag stood waiting; Hermione looked up at Viktor who frowned but nodded his head lifting his wand to the sky.
Hermione looked back to the stag before lifting her hand and waving it carefully, so an Otter emerged sitting on it, but she frowned when it disappeared. "I guess I used more magic then I thought on the table and arches." She said looking up at Viktor with a frown.
She took a deep breath and waved her hand whispering Expecto Patronum out loud this time and watched as the Otter emerged on her hand again before it began to morph into a small Falcon. Hermione frowned as she watched the bird bounce around on her palm, it was small…... delicate…. and gorgeous, but a closer look showed sharp deadly claws and fierce eyes. It was a stunningly beautiful bird of prey.
Hermione looked up at Viktor who smirked, "True love." He said looking at the Patronus that matched his in every way but size, hers being about half the size of his. "Now we match."
Hermione smiled up at him shaking her head, "Hum….. why didn't you get an otter?" She said looking at the Falcon with a small smile.
Viktor smiled, "Because I fly not swim… and you…. My Love are fierce and dangerous like me." Looking at her Falcon again, "It is almost as beautiful as you." He whispered.
Hermione smiled up at him, "Good answer." She said turning back to the bird and whispered into its ear, "You can come now Harry, Viktor changed the wards for you." She put her hand close to the stag and watched as the bird flew to land on the stags back. The stag turned and bound away disappearing when it reached the lake.
Hermione turned to Viktor, "I am not sure what he needs." She said with frown.
Viktor nodded down at her, "Its ok…. You talk to Harry, figure out what is going on and then we will have lunch," He said.
Hermione looked to the team and gave a small smile, "I am so sorry… I was not expecting him to come…. I know that its rude to step away when we have guests." She said softly.
Georgi waved his hand, "It is not your fault….. friends need help… then you help." He said.
Everyone turned when Harry and Kingsley apparated in by the field. Hermione looked at the team giving them a small smile and nod. She turned and stretched up and kissed Viktor's cheek, "I will be right back." She promised before turning to walk away.
Viktor frowned, crossing his arms as he watched Hermione walk over to Harry and Kingsley. His face scowling as his eyes narrowed at the way Hermione covered her mouth in worry when Harry said something.
"What do you think is going on?" Georgi asked looking over at Hermione, "Who is that?" He asked. The team stepping up behind them to watch with interest.
Viktor scowled, "That is Kingsley… the Minister of Magic for England." His eyes sharpened when Hermione sighed and nodded at something that Kingsley said, "And he is here because he wants something from her." He snarled, anger starting to roll off him. His team looked on in surprise that Hermione would have the Minster of Magic visiting her and asking her for something. She was important… more important than any of them had thought before.
Georgi frowned, "What?" He asked.
Viktor clenched his jaw, "More pieces of her." He said harshly making his team look at him with questions in their eyes. Viktor turned to look at his coach, "They have been asking her to do some spells… war is over but there are still some who are causing pain and damage…. They want….. need Hermione for something." He said rubbing a hand over his face, "I need Alek." He said looking at the house. He nodded at one of his teammates when they said they would get him and ran inside. He turned back to look at Hermione who had turned to look at him, giving him a small smile. "Ginny." He heard her whisper across the yard past him into the house, her magic pushing her voice like a breeze past all of them, "We need you to come here."
Viktor turned to see Ginny jogging past him to Hermione and the girls turned back to Harry and Kingsley. He watched as they all spoke adamantly with one another, only Hermione standing there still, her right arm tucked under chest, her left hand covering her lips. She was just watching and listening to the group around her, taking in what they were saying and thinking…. and Viktor knew he was not going to be happy with what was being said. He turned when Alek walked up to stand next to him, "What is going on?" He asked.
Viktor frowned, "They are asking Hermione to do something." He said not taking his eyes off Hermione and her nodding at Kingsley.
Alek narrowed his eyes and looked to Viktor, "Hermione just wrote them and said she was too weak." He snarled, "And they show up the next day asking her to do something."
Viktor nodded, "I know." He said not taking his eyes off Hermione, "We will wait and see what she says."
Alek nodded, "And tell her no." He said crossing his arms.
Viktor sighed, "And listen to what she says…." He watched as Hermione turned walking back to them with a small smile. He held his hand out when she got closer and gave her a small smile when she slid hers into it. "Mila." His tone asking her a million questions.
Hermione sighed rubbing her forhead, "They need help." She said confirming his suspicions.
Viktor shook his head, "How long until they want you to go… at least another week….. two would be better." He said cupping her cheek gently.
His heart stopped at her next words and caused chaos to erupt around them, "No…. I have to go with them…..." She paused and whispered, "Right now."