Alright guys I know it's been FOREVER, but also 2020 hasn't been a great year, I am sorry I am going to try and finish this story soon. MAJOR WARNINGS AT THE END OF THE CHAPTER!

Hermione was lying in bed she just had returned from the Burrow, it was a crazy night, Ron proposing, Viktor surprising her in more than just mentally, physically as well. He made her cum with just his fingers she could only imagine what else he was capable of! But then again should they act on it? I mean she was messed up, she already had a relationship fail, the relationship she thought would last for the rest of her life, she thought Ron was her soulmate, now she was so unsure. She wanted to be with Viktor, but for the wrong reasons, she needed to understand that it was okay to be alone, that being alone did not mean you were lonely.

Hermione let out a heavy sigh and got out of bed, she slipped off her black velvet dress, she'd worry about giving it back to Ginny another time. Right now she just wanted to relax in a bubble bath. Leaving the discarded dress on the ground she soon left a trail of her underwear on the ground leading to her bathroom. She was going to light some candles, have a glass of red wine and give herself some self-care. She turned on the faucet knob as hot as it would go for her bath and walked down to the kitchen naked for her wine. She poured herself a full glass and tiptoed back upstairs to her welcoming warm waiting bath where she hope she could drown more than her sorrows.

"I deserve this and I deserve to drink until I pass out"

Viktor was sitting outside staring at his lake, it was early in the morning for him, he had just returned home from the party. It went better then he would've thought, Weasley boy didn't propose to Hermione, there was no duel, it was a nice party. He will never forget seeing Hermione walk down the stairs in that black dress, she looked stunning, it left him speechless much like when he first saw her at the Yule ball, but in the black dress it showed off her womanly figure. She wasn't hiding her body in that dress. He won't forget the way her body reacted to his touch, to her body aching for him. The way she looked when she was climaxing, her body wanting more from him. He wanted to do so much more for her but their first time wouldn't be in a field. No she deserved something more, where she would have his absolute full attention; not worrying about being disturb. He knew she wanted more from him, he was so close to giving it to her. Just thinking about her underneath him again begging for him was getting him hard. He knew he was alone it was late no one would see him. He unbuckled his pants and took a hold of himself, closing his eyes her saw Hermione again beneath him looking at him with those big brown eyes with desire. He began to stroke himself imagining Hermione was the one touching him, kissing him, taking a hold of him, teasing him with her tongue, making her scream his name. He felt himself climax quickly with his last thought. He didn't feel satisfied, no he wanted her, he never liked masturbating it wasn't the same just a fantasy nothing more it wasn't as good as the real thing. Even though he had never been with her like that he just knew it would feel amazing, he loved her that would making it beyond anything he could imagine. He laid back to look up at the night sky wondering if she was thinking about him, wanting him to hold her all throughout the night. He wondered she would feel next to him, would he be able to cause her goosebumps from just touching her? Or would she react to him by just saying her name? Would she quiver if he ran his fingers ever to gently down her bare back? If his fingers couldn't make her quiver than would lips be able to? He needed to see her, he couldn't wait a week to the possibility of her going to match. What if she ran from him again? He couldn't have her run from him again. He had to fight himself from dropping in on her right now, he knew she wanted him physically but he needed her to want him emotionally as well, she loved him, but was she IN love with him? He would go and see her soon, not tonight but before his match.

Hermione had received multiple letters in the last two days about Ron getting engaged. Some were from friends like Neville and Luna others were from newspapers wanting to get an interview with her or to make a comment about him running away with a muggle. It was actually pretty funny how people thought he was running away with her, when Hermione and Ron had been over for months, hell years mentally. But then again she couldn't blame the rumors there really wasn't too much exciting news happening. It was basically the first World Cup since the war and her and Ron breaking up. This whole year for her has been nothing but stories. She's basically dating every wizard right now. It was Ron, Harry, Charlie, Draco and Viktor quiet a list really of course only one of those wizards has she actually dated and slept with, though she wishes there was one other on there she could do that with. She was unsure if they would, she wanted to be there was also this self-doubt within her now, would she ruin him? Would he resent her like Ron did? She knew they weren't the same but maybe she was the only factor in why her relationships fail, she was self-centered with her work and cause, and it was selfish she put her work above everyone didn't matter who it was. Could she give Viktor everything he deserved? They weren't kids anymore they were adults, she wanted to grow with someone, to start a future with someone but would she actually be able to act and achieve it? Hermione leaned back in her office chair looking out her windows to the busy street of London. Countless people walking about their lives unaware of the very building they were walking past. Unware how life was so different than what they knew. How would they act if they knew? Panic? Fear? Hate? Violence? She knew it would be all the above, humans were fearful of what they didn't understand and would destroy anything threatening their status. She didn't see the wizarding world coming out to muggles and being widely accepted in her lifetime. Her thoughts were interrupted by another letter being dropped on her desk, she looked up to see a familiar creature, it was Icarus staring at her with his big eyes.

"Oh I have missed you."

She scratched his neck while he nibbled at her hand.

"Hopefully you brought me something good, can you read it for me?"

She watched him stare at her with a blank face.

"Not going to talk?"

She grabbed the letter opening it carefully, she was unsure if Viktor was writing to her for something related to the match with her Weasley family or about them.

"Hermione,

I know I left rather quickly after the party. I am sorry but if I was to stay I wouldn't have been able to control myself and the last thing I'd want to do is pressure you into something on such an emotional night for you. I wanted to let you know I have the tickets set for everyone, whoever wants to come is welcome too. I would hate if a family who was so welcoming towards me was unable to watch something they enjoy. So please tell them all they need to do is show up and go to the box and state who they are and the will be escorted towards the family box, they do not need to pay for anything I have it covered, towards the end of the match everyone in the family box will begin to make their way down to the pitch, I would love to see them all again.

Hermione I know this isn't the best way to do this, but I need to see you before the match, I am coming down to see you tomorrow, please keep Icarus until I arrive, I hate to invite myself, but I need to see you and talk to you. I will stop by tomorrow.

With love, Viktor.

Hermione had to read the letter a couple more times, he was coming to see her tomorrow? His match was only a couple days away and he was going past where he needed to go waste time seeing her instead of focusing on his game? Oh she felt like she was going to throw up, like she was on a rollercoaster constantly going through a loop. How can she prepare for this?! How would this play out? She wouldn't be getting any sleep or peace of mind tonight. She looked back at Icarus and she could swear it looked like the owl was grinning at her.

"You just wait, you won't be laughing at me when you meet Jareth tonight."

Hermione arrived home with Icarus that night hoping Jareth wouldn't try and eat the owl. She scanned the parlor to see if he was waiting for her, but didn't see him. She walked into the kitchen setting Icarus down in his cage.

"Now wait here I need to find my own pet before he tries and kills you."

Hermione search her apartment, finally finding Jareth lying on her bed asleep. She walked over to him and sat down next to him, she watched his eyes open slowly towards her, as if he telling her she was bothering him. She scratched his ear.

"Jareth there is someone's friend downstairs, he is nice but please do not try to eat him, or fight him."

She had his attention now, she watched her Wampus cat jump off the bed and started to make his way downstairs to the kitchen. She followed him, wand in her hand encase she needed to save Icarus. Jareth stood in front of the owl looking at him with equally large eyes. It seemed the two creatures starred at each other for countless minutes until Jareth broke the eye contact and walked into the parlor. Hermione took that as a good sign. She would let Icarus out later tonight to go out and hunt. But right now all she wanted to do was lie down and hope this was just all a dream, she never liked surprises, and she liked to be the one in charge of planning.

Viktor had sent Icarus to Hermione earlier this morning, he knew the owl would fly as fast as he could to her. He hated how he was inviting himself, but it was either this or showing up to her doorstop without warning. But he had to see her, to talk with her. He just needed to get things off his chest or he wouldn't be able to focus on his match. He just needed to tell. Even if she wasn't ready for him, he needed to tell her. He would need to pack all his belongings now, after seeing her he would leave to Switzerland. Would this be the last time they spoke like this? Would they go their separate ways after tomorrow? Would she want to be with him? Last time he told her he loved her she told him she couldn't be with him. That she needed more than just someone wanting her. Well he would try to show her. He made a mental note to buy her flowers, it was corny and she probably wasn't a flower type of girl, but he wanted to show her he cared.

The next day for Hermione was a manic blur. She couldn't focus at all at work. She was in a constant state of anxiety and stress. He was coming to see her today. Would he stop by at her work? Come to her office, be waiting outside? Outside her home? She didn't know and it was driving her crazy! She was about to head out the office and just use Jareth as an excuse to leave early but there was a knock at her down. She sighed trying to mentally regain her composer. Was this going to be Viktor? The door opened and she felt relieved that it wasn't it was Harry and Ron.

"Hey Mione, we just wanted to stop by really fast to talk."

She watched both of them enter her office and sit down in front of her.

"Talk about what?"

She watched Harry look to Ron, each trying to force the other to talk, to get to the point causing her to lose her patience.

"Oh for Merlin's sake one of you needs to spit it out!"

They looked at her, taken aback by her quick outburst, they were used to her yelling at them, it's basically all she did at school with them. It worked then and it was working now. Harry was going to answer her.

"We just wanted to see if you were okay after the party, you and Viktor went off on your own for a little bit and when you guys came back he left very quickly."

Ron was next to voice his concerns.

"We just wanted to make sure you were okay, and nothing bad happened."

Hermione tried to keep her face impassive, she wanted to laugh. If only they knew what happened when she and Viktor went off of their own. But she wouldn't tell them.

"Oh we just talked about Quidditch, what was happening in our lives. He is actually coming to see me today."

She could tell the boys were shocked, she hadn't really told them much of her and Viktor, not all the details. They knew they cared for each other but also there was a lot going on.

"Well that's good, like we said we just want you to be happy."

She smiled at Harry, he always wanted to make everyone happy, and it was his best trait.

"I'm going to be fine with or without Viktor, my life is not defined by one person. But since you guys are here I will rely what Viktor wanted me to tell you about the match"

They talked for over an hour, like they were back in their common room. Chatting about nonsense making each other laugh, getting on each other's nerves but never going far enough to cause someone to get hurt by them. She missed this, being together, the three of them. It had been so long since they were able to do this with no anger or awkwardness surrounding them. It was as if they were truly picking up where they left off after 7th year. Full of hope, laughter and ambition. It was intoxicating, she didn't feel stress or anxiety thinking about Viktor, and she wished this moment would never end. But it had to, they had work and she needed to get home. She said her goodbye to the boys and left the office making her way home. She opted to walk home, to take the long way to mentally prepare herself. She knew he wasn't coming to hurt her or anything like that. But being alone with him she didn't know what she would say, would she tell him she loves him? Would she tell him how much she craves his touch, how she wants to kiss him all night? Or would she tell him how afraid she is? How she doesn't want to mess another relationship up, how selfish she can be when it comes to her work. What would happen if they were to be together she couldn't ask him to uproot his life in Bulgaria, to leave his home for her, to leave all he knew behind like Quidditch? Would he ask her to leave her life and work behind? She knew she couldn't just like he couldn't, even with all the magic in the world it still wouldn't be easy, this wasn't like a movie where everything works and falls into place, where they are so in love they drop their lives. She couldn't see herself ever doing that only because she didn't rely solely one person to make her feel important. No she didn't need someone, she wanted to be with someone it might sound selfish but she wouldn't change that. She wouldn't calm her lioness pride. Trapped in her thoughts she didn't realize she had made it home, she saw him. He was sitting on her steps outside waiting for her. He had flowers in one of his hands and a bottle of wine in his other. He was wearing all black again, he knew what looked good on him that's for sure. Hermione straightened herself up, not allowing any weakness to show. She purposely wore a black dress today to work, it made her feel intimidating, is that why he wore black?

Viktor saw her before she saw him. She was wearing a black dress that stopped right above her knees, showing him her tan legs. The dress wasn't revealing but it did show some of her curves. She had her wild hair tied back into a topknot looking every so professional. He wondered how fast he could rip that dress off of her.

"Hi Viktor, I hope you haven't been waiting out her long."

She graced him with a beautiful smile, he could tell with her eyes though she was nervous and he silently cursed himself. The last thing he wanted to do was make her feel uncomfortable. He realized she was waiting on him to respond back to her.

"No, not lah-ong"

Fuck he could barely speak comprehensible English to her right now. She wasn't the only one that was nervous. He held up the flower to her. They were native wild orchid flowers in Bulgaria. Gymnadenia frivaldii.

"Oh these are beautiful, I have never seen these kind of flowers, are they from Bulgaria?"

He smiled and felt his shoulder relax, she was happy he got her flowers.

"Da, Gymnadenia frivaldii."

She smelled the flowers smiling.

"Thank you, you didn't have to get me anything you know."

He smiled at her, glad she was happy with them.

"Vanted to."

They stood for a couple moments in awkward silence neither knowing exactly what to say.

"Well I think I should put this in water, why don't you come inside."

She smiled at him, walking past him up the stairs to open her door. He followed her in. Her home looked as he imagined it. A little chaotic, books left open on tables, papers spread across. It wasn't messy no it was just fully used. He followed her into the kitchen and set down the bottle while she got a vase for his flowers.

"Icarus should be out back if you want to see him, I let him and Jareth go outside in the backyard. So far they haven't killed each other."

He understood what she was saying, she wanted him to go outback so she could have some time by herself. He walked out to the backyard, it was small with just enough area to walk around for a couple minutes. He saw her Wampus cat immediately, well he saw those big yellow eyes looking at him. As if already knowing he was going to walk outside. Looking around her backyard was simple and clean, nothing messy, snow covering the ground slightly, it was a cold night with a slight cold breeze that could sting ones nose if you were outside to long. He next saw a flash above him, looking up he saw Icarus flying above him. Well she was right they hadn't killed each other, thankfully. Icarus landed above Jareth settling on a small tree branch. The cat looked up at the owl, in a quick movement he jumped up reaching the same branch sitting right by Icarus. The both seemed at ease with each other neither worrying if either one was going to attack. Both staring at him, as if judging him.

"Don't louk at me like dat."

He turned away from the newfound judging pair and walked back inside. He didn't need any more judgment. Not from two animals at least! He walked back into the kitchen expecting Hermione to there still, but it was empty. A thought popped into his mind, did she leave?

"Her-mine-onee?"

He walked into her living.

"I'll be right down Viktor, I'm just changing!"

He heard her call to him upstairs. He felt his shoulders relax, she wasn't running away.

"If you don't mind could you open that bottle of wine you bought for us?"

He walked back into the kitchen and worked to uncork the bottle. He found two glasses in one of her cupboards. He had just finished pouring his glass when she entered back into the kitchen. No longer wearing a tight black dress, she was wearing a long sleeve loose fitting knitted sweater and black sweatpants with black fuzzy socks. She wasn't wearing any makeup, and her hair was no longer tied up, just let her wild hair down with the hairs framing her face wet; she had just washed her face. This was the real Hermione in front of him, not trying to look how she was needed to, to be this perfect witch, the brightest of her age. No he was seeing the Hermione he knew. He gave her a boyish smile and handed her a glass of wine.

"Sorry I just vanished on you, I just needed to change, wearing a dress in my own home feelings rather redundant."

She gave him a shy smile taking a sip of her wine.

"We can go sit down in the parlor if you would like?"

He nodded at her and followed her back into the parlor, letting her choose where to sit first. He was happy she opted for the couch instead of a chair. She wasn't trying to distance herself from him. He sat next to her, close enough to only move his hands a few meters he could touch her now hidden legs.

"I was very surprised you decided to drop in on me today, you know I'm not very good with surprises."

She was looking down at her glass avoiding his eyes. She was nervous right now. She was nervous with him, he did that. He sighed, he knew doing this wasn't his best idea but he had to see her.

"I sorry, did not vant to."

That wasn't a lie, he wanted to come to her last night, but he held off.

"Ve need talk, I need to talk."

He suddenly felt his throat go dry, he hadn't really practiced what he was going to say to her, it's not like he wrote it down. No he would do this like he did with anything, say what was on his mind and what his heart told him.

"Her-myn-one."

Fuck why couldn't he actually say her name right now! She looked up from her wine glass and looked at him. Her eyes told him everything, she was unsure. He would have to show her how sure he was.

"I vant to be vith you, alvays. You mean all to me. I vould give up all for you."

He could see the tears prickling her eyes, she was fighting them off.

"Vith out you I lost, I don't vant to be a part."

He grabbed her hand, he needed to touch her, and he needed to gain strength.

"Vithout you I em veak."

He knew there was more to say to her, but he couldn't find the right words, he needed to show her. He leaned in and gently kissed her lips. He was relieved when she kissed him back. But she pulled away too soon for him to deepen it.

"Viktor…I can't ask you to give everything up for me, just like you couldn't ask me. How could I? I can't have you give up on your life, your dreams everything you worked so hard for. I can be a selfish person, working myself to death and only focusing on my work nothing else. I've already pushed those who loved me away because of it, and I just can't have it happen with you. You say you are okay with giving everything up for me but what if in 10 years you wake up next to me and regret every decision you made…"

She removed herself from him and stood up walking over the fireplace her back towards him. He knew she had valid concerns. They lived two very different lives, they were both independent. Had their own careers and own lifestyles. But he didn't care he would make it work he regretted letting her go all those years ago because of distance. They were kids, but now they were adults and he would be damned if he let that get in the way. He placed his wine down on the ground and walked over to her, standing behind her he wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her into him. She leaned her head against his chest.

"Looks like we are running out of words to say Viktor…I overthink everything, I hope you know I am only doing that with us because I care so much about you…"

Hermione turned around to face him, having to tilt her head up to look at him. There were no more tears in her eyes. He wiped a few loose strands away from her face.

"Say you love me to my face, I need it more than your embrace, just say you want me, that's all it takes. I want to feel burning flames when you say my name, I want to feel passion flow into my bones like the blood through my veins. Just say you love me just for tonight and we can deal with the consequences tomorrow…"

He knew what she was saying, that she couldn't promise him tomorrow. She could only promise him tonight. She didn't want him to make her say it, not she just wanted tonight with him. To have tonight be perfect without her thinking about tomorrow and all the uncertainty and he would give it to her. If this was the only thing he could give to her, then so be it.

"Her-my…"

But Hermione cut him off before he could say anything and kissed him. She pressed her body against his, wrapping her arms around him. Clinging to him. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her back, deepening it. She slid her hand down his chest untucking his shirt, slipping her hand underneath and running it up his chest. He had to break from their kiss, wearing under his breath, she was touching him, and her hand was running up and down his chest. He leaned her against the fire place, placing his hands underneath her legs guiding her to wrap herself around him. He began to kiss her neck, leaving searing kisses on her. He picked her up and began to walk her towards the stairs.

"Viktor…I can walk"

But it was his turn to silence her with a kiss. He didn't want to let her go in case this was a dream. She felt like nothing in his arms anyways, carrying her up the stairs was nothing to him. He needed to get to her bed. He was going to show her how much he loved her. Finally he reached her bedroom. He climbed onto the bed and lowered her down. Kneeling in front of her, looking down at her he wanted nothing more than to rip off her clothes, but he needed to make sure she truly wanted this.

"Itz okay?"

He didn't want her to regret this. He needed to make sure. She sat up on her knees so they were close to eye level.

"Viktor I want you."

She kissed him and begun to lift his shirt over his head. She once again ran her hands over his chest through his chest hair. He followed her and pulled her shirt over her head revealing a black bra. He put his weight over her forcing her to lay back down. He propped himself on his forearms making sure to not put his full weight on her. He ran his hand up her sides until he got to her breasts. He ran his fingers over her bra elicitation a moan from her. He leaned down to kiss her stomach leading a trail down to her waist band. He hooked his fingers underneath and pulled off her sweats giving him black matching knickers. He kissed her inner thighs smiling has he felt goosebumps rise. He slowly removed her knickers drawing out the tension in it. He situated himself between her legs lying on his stomach, arms hooked on both of her legs separating her for him. He looked at her while slowly going to her core, he felt his tongue meet the wetness of her folds, and he felt a primal growl in the back of his throat. He worked his tongue over her enjoying the way she tasted, the way her hips bucked whenever he focused on her sensitive bud. He could feel herself becoming wetter for him, and he could feel his throbbing cock pushing against his jeans, hurting him.

"Viktor…"

He stopped himself to her whispering his name, he looked up and saw she was staring at him with dazed eyes. She pulled him back up to her, kissing him, tasting herself on him. He slipped his hand back down to her core entering a finger into her. She moaned into their kiss, tilting her head back. He bent down and kissed her exposed neck. He slowly entered another finger into her. Rocking his two fingers inside of her, forcing her to arch her back in pleasure. He could feel she was close to climax when suddenly she wrapped her legs around him and flipped him onto his back. She straddled him, now she was the one on top of him. She kissed him eagerly, with passion behind it and he could tell she was losing her patience. He was trying to drag this out for as long as he could. He wanted to make this special. She began to kiss his neck, biting gently up to his ear.

"I've been thinking about doing this for a while."

She nipped at his earlobe and began to unbuckle his pants. He knew what she was going to do. He had fantasied about it countless time.

"Her-mynioee…"

He could only whisper her name as he felt her take him in her hand. He felt her soft fingers stroke him slowly, enticing him. He leaned his head back closing his eyes. She moved herself in between his legs removing his jeans and boxers with it, completely naked to him. Hermione quickly took off the last remaining piece of clothing she had on her bra. They were now both completely naked. She once again took a hold of him in her hand slowly stroking him. He felt her tongue on him and he had to suppress a moan. She took a hold of him in his mouth, working him with her hand and mouth fully now. He moved his hands to her hair pulling it back from her in a make shift ponytail. He watched her stroking him. He could feel himself coming close to peaking and it looked like she was fine with being the reason. But he didn't want to finish not like this, not he wanted to make her scream his name. He grabbed her arm pulling her back on top of him. Kissing her.

"Vitchy voman."

Hermione smiled against his lips. He rolled on top of her, trapping her underneath him. She immediately wrapped her legs around his waist, willing him to enter her. He ran his hand back down to her core, entering two fingers in her again, making sure she was still wet for him. He grabbed a hold of his cock and slowly entered her warmth. She felt better than he could've ever imagined, it took all his strength to not spill into her right then and there. Once he was fully inside of her he had to restrain himself, he rested his head on her pillows next to her. He could feel his whole body shudder with anticipation. She ran her hands up his back willing him to finish what he started. He began to rock his hips slowly in and out of her. Hermione's nails dug into his back begging him for more. He complied and began to thrust harder into her. She reached up and bit his shoulder trying to hold back her cries of pleasure. He couldn't have that he needed her to scream his name. He removed himself from on top of her, kneeling in front of her, giving him full view to her body. He moved her legs up to his shoulders continuing to thrust in her from a different angle. It was long until he head her scream his name, clenching her walls around him climaxing, he followed soon after her spilling into her.

He laid himself on top of her sweaty and out of breath. Hermione ran her fingers through his short hair in a soothing way. No words we said both content and exhausted. She reached and grabbed a blanket placing it over them. With some wandless magic she turned her lights off and they both fell asleep quickly, neither one thinking of what tomorrow would require of them. Both just living in this moment, holding onto it.

"I lofe you Her-mine-onee."