Chapter 23- Memories Part Two
Hermione grinned and rolled her eyes as she looked over at Viktor, knowing it was his fault that his team knew about the basilisk. "You have a big mouth." She muttered to him making him shrug and grin down at her as he continued to eat with one hand, his other hand trailing fingers over her shoulder where it was still leaning on the back of the bench.
Adeline looked over at her, "What is a Basilisk?" She asked eyes wide, nose scrunched.
Hermione frowned thoughtfully, "Well it is basically a giant snake…." She said making Adeline shiver dramatically and whispered loudly, "I don't like snakes."
Hermione nodded down at her, reaching over to cut up some of Adeline's food, "Well I don't either… and honestly it was more Harry then me that dealt with it… I only saw it once and then spent the rest of the year…" She paused looking down at Adeline who was looking at her with wide eyes, biting her lip, "Umm sleeping…. I spent the rest of the year sleeping." She said with a small smile.
Adeline looked at her with a frown, "Like Sleeping Beauty?" She asked picking up her fork and taking another bite.
Hermione nodded, "Exactly like Sleeping Beauty." She said grimace, looking up at the team who were looking at her with narrowed eyes.
Ludmil spoke up first, "What is Sleeping Beauty?" He asked confused.
"WHO is sleeping beauty." Adeline said rolling her eyes over at him, "It is about a Princess who pricks her finger and she is put under a sleeping curse… she sleeps for a hundred years until her Prince Charming comes and wakes her up." She said with a grin.
Georgi looked over at Hermione, "And how long did you sleep for Mione?" He asked his eyebrow raised.
Hermione shrugged, "A while." She muttered looking down at her own plate.
The group turned to Harry when he spoke up, "It was only a few months…. But it was Hermione that figured it out and told me what it was…. Well gave me a paper that told me…. I just went down to the cavern to wake Ginny up and then we kil…." He trailed off looking over Adeline who was staring at him, "Well we put it to sleep… forever." He mumbled.
Hermione grinned over at Harry but looked to Alek who raised a hand, "Wait so you are telling us that you…... Hermione." He said pointing at her, "Saw the basilisk first… where did you see it?"
"I didn't actually see it; I was using a mirror… if I had seen it, I would have di…." She paused and smiled at Adeline, "Well any way." Hermione murmured looking thoughtful for a moment, "I believe it was the south corridor to the courtyard." She said lips pursed as she tried to think, "Or maybe It was east… I can't fully remember; I mean give me a break we were like 12 years old." She said taking a bite not looking up at the surprised faces around the table.
Ludmil shook his head, "So you faced a basilisk when you were 12 years old…. Inside the halls of your school?" He asked rubbing his chin. "You school seems dangerous."
Hermione looked over at Harry and shrugged, "Well we didn't plan it… it was not exactly a choice… and it was actually better than the year before… I did not like Fluffy… or the devils snare and I could have done without the wizard's chess." Hermione said rolling her eyes. "And our school had some challenges, but most of them were from…. Well you know who."
Vlad looked over at her in surprise, "I have never heard that you played wizards chess…. We could play together." He said with a grin.
Harry snorted, shaking his head, "Hermione doesn't play… if I recall correctly, she said…what was it Minnie…" Harry looked over at Hermione with a grin, "It was totally barbaric." He said in a prime tone, with a grin.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Well when you have to play as one of the actual pieces and risk getting pulverized… you would have an aversion to it also." She said back primly making Harry laugh at her.
Vlad shook his head, "What do you mean actual piece?" He asked, his head tilted.
Harry looked over at Vlad, "It was a giant board and we had to play as pieces to get across the room." He said.
Vlad's eyes narrowed, "So if the piece was taken off the board…..." He said
Harry nodded, "It was taken off the board… violently."
Vlad's eyes narrowed, "And you played this game at 11 years old…. You could have been killed." He exclaimed.
Hermione shrugged, "Well yes…. But we didn't die… we were fine." She said taking a bite of food making Harry laugh at her. Hermione stuck her tongue out at him making the table laugh.
Ivan held up a hand, "What is Devil's snare." He asked.
Hermione shook her head, "It is a vine that wraps around you and will cho…" She paused looking at Adeline who was staring up at her with big eyes, "Um, hug you until you go to sleep."
"Yea makes you sleep forever." Muttered Harry making Hermione narrow her eyes at him, "Its true." He said with a shrug, the table looking at him with wide eyes.
"You spend a lot of time around stuff that makes you fall asleep." Adeline said pushing her curls back. Viktor snorted and Hermione elbowed him in the stomach and whispered, "Shut it."
Adeline looked up at Hermione, "What is a Fluffy?" She asked tilting her head.
Harry grinned over at Adeline, "It is a giant three headed dog…. Like bigger than this gazebo." He said pointing around them, to the cover over the large round table.
Adeline eyes got big, "And you played with him?" She asked her smile large and bouncing in her seat. "Do you think he can come play with me…. I love dogs."
Hermione's smile looked more like a cringe, "More like…... we Ummm did not really play with him…. We more… well… he was not really friendly." She paused looking over at Harry who shrugged at her with a grin. "But we did help him get a new home in the forbidden forest." She said nodding thoughtfully "… now he plays with all of the other …. umm creatures… and animals." She said looking at Harry who winced.
"I am never going into the forbidden forest again… those spiders were terrifying." Harry muttered, shivering at the memory.
Ludmil looked over at Harry, "I know I don't like spiders but how bad can they be?" He asked.
Harry looked up at Ludmil, "It was more about the size….and quantity." He said, Hermione quickly covering Adeline's ears as Harry shook his head, "Like most of them are bigger than this table… some of them as big as this gazebo… and hundreds of them… so many." He shivered, "Never again…I still can't believe Hagrid sent us in there to talk to them… when all they did was want to eat us."
Ludmil shook his head again, "You talked to the spiders?" He asked confused.
Harry shook his head, "Just the one that Hagrid had kept as a pet for a while." He said, "He was the father to most of the spiders and he was about the size of this gazebo…... his eyes were like large dinner plates…. All 8 of them." He whispered shivering.
Ivan looked over, "Who is Hagrid?" He asked. "And why did her keep such dangerous pets?"
Hermione grinned, "Oh that is our schools Game Keeper and later he became our Care of Magic Creatures Professor… he is one of my favorites… even if his lessons don't always go as planned." She said with a smile taking her hands-off Adeline's ears, who had just kept eating like nothing was going on. "And he liked all kinds of unique pets… he once got a dragon…... but they took it away when it was still small."
Harry pointed his fork ath Hermione and snorted, "You mean his lessons never went as planed… you remember Buckbeak… He nearly killed Malfoy and then we had to use your time tuner to save Buckbeak's life." He said shaking his head.
Ludmil shook his head again, "Who is Buckbeak?" He asked, turning to look up into the most beautiful witches eyes he had ever seen before when she murmured, "Buckbeak is a Hippogriff that we got to meet when we were in our 3rd year… he lived with us for a while at headquarters.. he is back with Hagrid now." Luna's soft voice carried on the wind, her white hair fluttering as she smiled softy, "I could never really blame him for what he did to Malfoy… he was provoked after all." She whispered.
Hermione jumped from her seat with a huge smile running over to pull Luna into a soft hug, "Luna…Are you ok?" She asked softy.
Luna smiled hugging her back, "As well as one could be after another round of Death Eaters." She said softly, "Only a few scratches and bumps." She said with a shrug.
Hermione smiled at her, "Thank goodness, I have been so worried… and Neville?" She asked.
"Present." Was called out back behind Luna, "We are coming." Neville said walking with Kingsley.
Hermione threw her arms around Neville's neck and he lifted her up, not noticing her flinch when his arms hit her back. Viktor did notice and snarled sitting forward in his chair but paused when Hermione pulled back smiling.
Hermione slid down Neville's arms, "You are ok?" She said cupping his cheek and turning his face side to side to see a deep cut.
Neville shook his head and smiled down at her, "I am fine Minnie." He shook his head, "You on the other hand are in trouble…... what were you thinking… you promised no fighting." He said frowning.
Hermione rolled her eyes and slid her arm through Neville's walking him to the table as she nodded at Kingsley who gave her a small nod and smile, "I didn't plan it… you would think, that everyone thinks I went in and picked out Death Eaters to battle and started it all." She said rolling her eyes.
Neville chuckled, "Well you have been known to do that." He said walking up to the table with her.
Hermione snorted, "Not all of the time… and not when I promise to be good." She said with a sweet smile that made Neville burst out laughing and the table look on with wide eyes.
Adeline spoke up first, "Do you get in a lot of trouble Minnie Mouse?" She asked eyes wide.
Hermione shook her head no as Neville said "Yep." Hermione elbowed him in the stomach and Neville leaned over to look Adeline in the eyes, "So are you the little Princess that we went into save today?" He asked with a grin.
Adeline nodded up at him, "Me and my sister." She said pointing over at Ana who was feeding Bella, "But you didn't save me…. Minnie Mouse did." She said.
Hermione grinned down at Adeline, "Actually…. This is Neville and he was one of the people outside working hard to make sure no one else came in to get us." She said, "Him, Luna and Kingsley." She said pointing over at Luna and Kingsley, "It is because of them we are ok."
Adeline nodded, "It is very nice to meet you." She said holding her hand out, "I hope that you are ok." She said pointing at Neville's cut.
Neville shrugged, "Doesn't even hurt." He said with a grin.
Hermione just shook her head as she grinned at him, after a moment she turned to the table, "Everyone I would like you to meet Neville." She said laying a hand on his arm still looped though hers, "Luna." She said pointing at Luna who gave small soft smile, "and Kingsley." She said pointing at him when he gave a nod and wave to the group.
Hermione looked at the 3 additions, "We are eating lunch, and everyone is picking on Harry and I about our school days." She said with a grin.
Neville snorted, walking around to the table to an empty seat, "You three did tend to get in a lot of trouble over the years." He said sitting down into a chair, pointing at Hermione with a grin, "Wherever Hermione, Harry, Ron and Eventually Ginny went… trouble followed."
Hermione shook her head as she went back to sit down, "It is not my fault trouble always found us… we just had to take care of it." She said.
Kingsley grinned at her as he pulled a seat over by Mecho out, "It never was your fault." He said with a grin making Hermione shake her head at him and roll her eyes.
Harry snorted, "But …...It wasn't our fault." He said with a grin, making Neville laugh and Hermione giggle.
Luna walked over to slide into the seat that Ludmil had conjured after pushing Nik over and sat carefully, "I have to agree with Hermione… it is not her fault." She murmured, "How can it be her fault when it came looking for her… but if it was going to look for anyone… no better one then Hermione since she could get all of us out of almost anything." She said with a soft smile.
Harry grinned, "Here, here…. If I am going to find trouble, I want to find it only with Hermione." He called out making Hermione roll her eyes at him but grin. "But in our defense… it was usually her looking for the trouble.' He said with a grin.
Neville grinned, "Or her chasing it…" He said pulling out a plate.
Hermione groaned putting her head in her hands, "Well if all of you had not been constantly getting or falling into trouble, I would not have to come and bail you out headfirst." She said rolling her eyes.
Neville shook his head, "I think you are talking about Harry… not me… I was good." He said with a grin.
Luna pulled a plate in front of her and looked to Ludmil who smiled down at her and began to fill it with food for her, Luna smiled across the table at Harry, "Harry as much as I Love you… I think Neville is right." She murmured not noticing the way Ludmil looked from her to Harry with narrowed eyes, "I mean I never really got into trouble… more just found myself following you into it." She murmured tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.
Hermione grinned and pointed, "See… Harry you were the problem here… I was just along for the ride." She said with a shrug.
Harry throw his hands up, "Not my faut either… I was innocent… not my fault I was chosen by Voldemort as an obsession." He said shaking his head.
Hermione grinned at him, "Fine… fine…. fine… You were led into trouble and we all followed close behind." She said looking over at Luna who gave her a smile back.
Harry nodded, "Thank you." He muttered rolling his eyes but smiling over at Hermione, "I guess if I had to choose… whenever I am in trouble, I always want you there Minnie." He turned to Neville and Luna, "And you two and Ginny…. Who knows where I would be without you guys."
"We love you." Neville looked at Harry with a grin, then winked over at Hermione, "I mean why do you think we keep following you… not for your good looks or the stellar pay." He said making Hermione laugh and Luna give a small smile, as she took a tiny bite of food, "I know it is not for the free room and board at your house… cause I have to say that the accommodations you supply us with are not that great… my back still hurts and my ears still ring."
Hermione snorted into her drink, "OH MY GOD." She exclaimed, looking at Neville with a twinkle in her eye, "I totally forgot about Mrs. Black." She said laughing.
Luna shook her head, eyes wide, "How do you forget about that painting… I mean I normally dream of Crumple Horned Snorkack's and Blibbering Humdingers's but sometimes when I am having a particularly bad dream, I can hear Mrs. Black screaming at you still." She said taking a sip of her water, "She really was not very nice." She closed her eyes for a moment, "Or sometimes I think it is a bad dream and wake up and she really is screaming."
Ludmil looked over at Luna with a small thoughtful smile before turning to Hermione. "What painting." He asked, letting his arm fall on the back of Luna's chair.
Hermione shook her head, looking over at Harry, "I really do hate saying mean things Harry but I would cut that entire wall out of the house and put it in the bottom of the ocean if I were you." Hermione turned to Ludmil, "The place that we stayed for a while had a painting that would say… well scream her hatred of me." She said with a grin.
Ludmil tilted his head to the side, "Why did she hate you?" He asked.
Harry rolled his eyes, "She hates EVERYONE… but because Hermione was not pureblood, she really hater her." Harry turned to Hermione, "and we have been trying to get her removed… it is stuck…. like not moveable…... like she cursed the painting so she cannot leave the house." He said covering his face, "I opened the windows the other day and she screamed there was too much light… I had a cleaning crew come in and clean and she said I was lazy for not doing it myself… I had another wizard come to cut her off the wall and he said it was not possible… so I hired someone to cut out the entire wall and he said every time he tried to cut it….. magic put it back together again." Harry groaned, "I can't take any more of her screaming… I am coming to live with you." He said letting his head fall onto the table.
Hermione looked over at Neville who was trying to hide his laughter behind his cup and Luna who looked perplexed as she said softly, Harry… you know you can do magic… right?" She murmured.
When Harry's head snapped up with a look of utter disbelief, Hermione and Neville threw their heads back laughing until tears slid down their faces. Luna shrugged thoughtfully, "You just have to find the right removal spell… or I guess you could move out." She said with a soft smile making Hermione and Neville laugh even harder as Harry's eyes narrowed at them.
Harry shook his head, "I still do not know why I am friends with you guys… I really don't." He said rubbing his forhead, "You are the worst…. I hate all of you."
Luna looked over and spoke up softly, "Because we are the only ones who sat with you on the train and at the table our first year?" She asked confused, making Hermione and Neville look at each other for a moment before they burst out laughing again. Viktor even chuckled behind Hermione his arm resting back along the bench again, his hand tucked in her curls.
Harry rolled his eyes, and pointed at her, "Keep it up Hermione… I am going to tell Viktor all of the things you don't tell him, so he doesn't get angry." He said with narrowed eyes.
Hermione instantly stopped laughing and narrowed her eyes, "Well go ahead... I do not lie to Viktor... I tell him everything." She said crossing her arms.
Harry raised an eyebrow, "Oh you do … do you?" He asked with an evil grin, "So you told him about what happened all of 5th year?"
Hermione refused to look over at Viktor who she knew was staring at her along with the rest of the table and instead looked at the table, brushing away crumbs, "I didn't do anything wrong… and he knows about most of it… I wrote him every single week… sometimes twice a week." She muttered as she felt Viktor's hand cup her neck softly, his thumb brushing her neck.
Harry smirked, "So you told him about the Dementors the first week of school." Hermione looked up at Harry with narrowed eyes, and mouthed," I will kill you." But Harry just grinned at her, "or the days we spent with Umbridge or our walk in the forbidden forest?"
Hermione cut off Harry pointing at him, "I did to tell Viktor about that." She turned to Viktor who gave her a smirk, "I told you about Umbridge… she was the horrible witch who we had to hide from all the time…. And I told you how she took us into the Forest and the Centaurs took her away." She said with a smile.
Viktor shook his head but smiled as he nodded at her, "You did." He said, his fingers trailing over her shoulder. "Although I don't remember any stories about Dementors from that year… other years yes… but not your 5th year."
Harry smirked, "Ok…. what about the little battle that left you in the hospital for over a week?" He asked, turning when Neville snickered, and Harry pointed at Neville, "I am pretty sure you didn't tell your grandmother about what happened to you either." He said eyebrows raised.
Neville groaned, holding up his hands, "Fine… fine… just don't tell her please." He said, fear in his voice, "I will never hear the end of it, and you know my grandmother… she is terrifying." He muttered with a shiver.
Hermione looked over at Viktor who had narrowed his eyes into slits, "You were in the hospital for a week?" He said calmly, too calmly…. making Hermione bite her lip. "I know you did not tell me this about your 5th year." He whispered softly but his tone hard.
Hermione shook her head quickly, "No…. I was not, Harry is being a bit over dramatic." She said with a forced smile, "I was in and out of the hospital in a few days." She said looking at Harry with narrowed eyes, who shrugged his shoulders and sipped his butter beer.
Viktor pinched the bridge of his nose again, letting the frustration roll through him, "So you were in the hospital…. You know even one day I should know about…and I do not remember you ever telling me this story." He looked at her with a scowl, "Certainly not when you were actually in the hospital because I would have dropped everything and been there with you."
Hermione gave Viktor a bright smile, "Well it was right after we all went to the Ministry and it happened so fast… and then I was in the hospital… and then when I finally woke up, I was already going home and I didn't want to worry you." She said.
Viktor sat up straighter, "What do you mean…. you finally woke up… how long did it take you to wake up?" He snarled, the rest of the table holding their breath.
Hermione bit her lip and mumbled, but Viktor shook his head at her and tilted her chin up. To look at her face, "Again." He demanded softly. "4 days." She mumbled making his eyes close and start to curse in Bulgarian again ad he clenched his jaw.
Hermione shrugged, "In my defense when I am unconscious, I can't write you a letter… if anyone's at fault… it was Harry's." She said pointing over at Harry.
Harry shook his head not wanting to be dragged in, but Viktor was not done, "And you could have told me as soon as you woke up." He growled at her; eyes narrowed into slits. Harry's eyes went wide when Viktor looked over at him and snarled, "And she is right…. You should have told me too." He said pointing over at him.
Hermione nodded at Viktor and but gave him a quick kiss, "But then you would have been worried and stressed and I was already healing and you had that big match for the Cup coming up and I was visiting you right after…. It seemed like a waste of time to worry you." She sped through her thoughts trying to get him to smile.
Viktor was not amused, and shook his head, "No Mila… you were hurt, and I didn't know." He said softly brushing her cheeks with his thumbs.
Luna looked over at them, "She has been hurt lots of times that you didn't know… we all have been hurt and close to death and not told anyone." She said reasonably, "Plus if she told you… you would have been even more worried for the next few years… that would not have helped either of you." She said taking a small bite of her food, "I know that I never told my father when I was hurt or the times that I almost died… that would have been too hard on him." She looked over at Neville, "Same for Neville, he spared his grandmother the extra fear… you were all, already worried about us enough… telling you every time we almost died or got hurt would have made it even harder on all of you… and really on us too." Luna whispered wistfully, "Because we always worry about all of you when we are gone."
Viktor closed his eyes accepting Luna's words, and the truth behind them, "Fine… but you will tell me all of the stories now…" He shook his head when Hermione frowned, "Not all at once... not even right away... you will tell me all of these stories eventually…. one at a time until I know them all… ok." He said making Hermione smile softly at him, his fingers brushing her face.
"Yes, I can do that." Hermione whispered kissing him softly before looking over at Harry, "You are terrible." She said with narrowed eyes.
Harry grimaced looking guilty, "In my defense I was joking… I thought you had told him since you were still healing when you came to visit him right after you got out of the hospital." He said holding his hands up.
This time it was Ana who narrowed her eyes, "Wait are you talking about when you were 15 and you came to see us and could barely walk… Viktor was still away for a game the first few days that you arrived and you said you had fallen down and gotten hurt… you were just out of the hospital then." She said in a soft biting voice.
Hermione smiled over at her with a small shrug and grimace, "In my defense, I didn't lie…I really did fall down the stairs…." She paused biting her lip, "…After I was hit with the curses." She mumbled.
Ana growled under her breath in a way that would make Viktor proud and Viktor grinned down at Hermione, "Looks like you are in trouble with Mama, Mila." He said smirking.
Hermine rolled her eyes, "Oh shut up." She mumbled making Viktor laugh at her and kiss her curls, "I will not be mad at you anymore, Mila… or yell at you for not telling me." He said with a grin.
Hermione looked up at him with a distrust in her eyes, "Why?" She asked eyes narrowed.
Viktor shrugged, "Look around the table... you are in enough trouble with them." He said making Hermione look around at Ana, Mecho, Vlad, Alek and Andrian who were all staring at her with narrowed eyes.
Hermione closed her eyes and mumbled, "Crap." Under her breath.
"Crap is right Mila." Viktor whispered in her ear, pulling her back to lay against his chest and resting his cheek on her hair.
Hermione sighed, "I guess its to late to say sorry." She said with grin.
Adeline shook her head climbing into Hermione's lap, "My Mommy said it is never to late to say sorry." She said settling down, "But she also said that doesn't mean that you don't get in trouble." She said shaking her finger making the table laugh.
Hermione smiled down at her, "Well… your mommy was right." She said with a sigh, "Guess I will be in trouble now." She looked at Adeline who was rubbing her eyes, "You look sleepy, did you get enough food?" Hermione asked her as she tucked her curls back.
Adeline nodded, "It was all yummy except that worm looking thing… it tasted super yucky." She mumbled tucking her head under Hermione chin. Viktor looked over to see Ivan's Kebapche left on her plate and tried to hide a smirk in Hermione curls, but Ivan saw and rolled his eyes.
"I know how bad it is… you don't have to lie to me…" Ivan said shaking his head, "Just lie to my wife when you see her…ok."
Adeline looked over at Ivan, "It is not nice to lie…... it is better to tell the truth." She said.
Ivan nodded down at her, "Normally you would be right but It would her hurt her feelings a lot to tell her that it doesn't tastes good… so I just take bites and eat it because it makes her happy." He said to Adeline who shrugged at him.
Adeline looked up at Hermione, "You said that Viktor took you to a ball…. Can you tell me about that… did you get to dress up like a princess?" She said laying her head back against Hermione's chest, her hands starting to pull at Hermione's curls that were hanging over her shoulder.
Hermione smiled down at her softly, "I did get to wear a dress…. It was sparkly and I looked ridiculous in it." She said with a grin looking down at Adeline.
Harry smiled at her but Viktor shook his head, "No Mila… you looked stunning… your curls were gathered and spilling over your shoulder and when came down the steps to me you looked like you were the night sky…I still remember your face as you walked down the stairs to me…. I had never seen anything as beautiful." He said.
Hermione rolled her eyes up at him, "I was constantly tripping in that dress." She said with a grin.
"I didn't mind… you clenched my arm tighter each time and came closer to me…. I can still remember how you felt in my arms that night." Viktor said with smile reaching over to pull on one of Aldine's curls, so Adeline tipped her head back to look at him, "Want to see what Minnie Mouse looked like in her dress?" He asked her with a grin.
The sleep in Adeline's face faded away quickly as she sat up on Hermione's lap quickly turning to face Viktor, "Yes." She said excitedly.
Viktor pulled his wand out and conjured a photo album from in the house to sail out of the window and over to the table. When it landed, he opened to the first page, "This was the second photo we took together." He said pointing to the dancing and laughing image of him and Hermione on the dance floor, the couple in the photo twirling in each other's arms.
Adeline looked up at Hermione, "You looked like a princess." She said in awe making Hermione look down the photo, but she was looking at Viktor in the photo with his short-cropped hair, broad chest, and wide smile. Adeline looked up at Viktor, "You kind of look like a prince." She said with a smile.
"I want to see." Ludmil called out, his arm still resting on the back of Luna's chair, "Pass it over."
Luna smiled at the photo when it came then looked over to Neville and Harry, "I still remember that night…. You both looked so handsome." She murmured.
Harry rolled his eyes, "That was not the best night for me." He said with a grin.
Neville grinned, "I had fun that night… a lot of fun actually." He said making Luna grin over at him and whispered, "You did seem to be the most enthusiastic." Making Neville shrug and laugh.
Ludmil grinned at the photo, "You look so young Viktor…. a baby." He said.
Viktor grinned, "I was 17…. I was not a baby…" He looked down at Hermione. "Besides, I was not thinking child thoughts that night." He said with a grin.
Hermione rolled her eyes at him, "To bad it took you until after I was submerged under water over night to ask me to meet your parents and then the summer to officially be your girlfriend." She said with a grin making his team laugh.
"You are slow." Ludmil said with a grin at Viktor.
"No." Ivan said, "He was carful… slowly tying her down with family and friends before she even noticed…. He was sneaky." He grinned over at them.
Hermione snorted, "Viktor was not as smooth as he thought he was." She said pulling on his short beard making him smile.
Viktor shrugged nipping at her fingers with his teeth, "I was easing you into forever…. Plus, I still remember you sneaking me Kis…" Hermione cut him off by shoveling her elbow into his stomach making him grunt as he grinned at her. The table laughed at Viktor's grin and eyebrow wiggle.
Viktor reached over to pull out the photo of Him and Hermione sitting at a library table, heads pushed together closer. In the photo Viktor's arm was wrapped around the back of Hermione's chair, his hand twirling in her curls as she pushed a book in front of him. In the photo Viktor shook his head and Hermione leaned over to give Viktor a quick kiss that made his lips stretch into a huge grin.
Viktor smiled softly as he watched the loop of Hermione smiling up at him and reaching over to kiss him, his finger traced the photo as Viktor looked over at Neville, "Thank you for taking this one." He said.
Neville smiled and nodded at him, "I saw you two and it was the perfect moment… I knew Minnie might be mad I snuck the photo, but I knew it would be special." He said.
"Our first photo." Hermione murmured as she shook her head smiling softly as she reached over to pull the photo up, "I remember this day… I was trying to study, and Viktor kept tugging on my curls and trying to get me to go outside." She whispered, "I finally pushed a book in front of him and told him I would go out if he studied and when he went to say no, I gave him a kiss."
Viktor smiled at her, "You thoroughly distracted me in that moment." He said shaking his head.
Hermione shrugged, "I got you to study." She said with a grin making his team laugh at them as they held out hands to see the photo. While that passed it around Adeline pulled another photo out, "When did you take this one?" She asked.
Viktor pulled the photo over and looked down to see Hermione sitting in his lap in the Manor's library in an armchair, her reading a book. In the photo Hermione had her head on Viktor's chest and Viktor had his chin on her head, his eyes closed for a moment before he put his nose in her hair and kissing her curls. The Hermione looking up smiling at him before they shared a soft kiss.
Hermione smiled, tracing her finger over it, "That was at the end of my first visit here…. In fact, it was the last night…. Viktor was so mad at me that week, he demanded my attention before I left." She said looking down at Adeline.
Adeline looked over at Viktor, "Why were you mad at Minnie Mouse?" She asked
Viktor snorted, "I was not mad… I was upset because I invited Minnie Mouse for a visit, and she spent all 6 days with people who were not me." He said with a growl.
"Viktor was mad… he yelled at me until I told him what I was doing." Hermione's said with a grin.
Adeline looked up at Hermione her eyes wide, "What were you doing?" She asked.
Hermione shrugged looking back at the photo, "It was my first visit to meet Viktor's family and I was so nervous…. Like really nervous… what if they didn't like me… or thought I was only with Viktor because he played quidditch." She said with a small shrug, "So I planned... I like to plan." She said tapping Adeline's nose.
Harry snorted, "You plan everything Minnie… your plans have plans." He said grinning at Viktor who nodded over at him, smirking.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Anyway…." She said smiling, "My plan was to spend one day with each person in Viktor's family doing something they liked and get to know them…. and let them get to know me…" She shrugged, "Because if they didn't like me, I knew that Viktor and I would not be able to be together… his family is the most important thing to him."
Ana and Mecho smiled over at Hermione and Hermione gave them a grin back, "So on the first day I spent time with all of them finding out what they liked and then each day I asked one of them to do something…. First was Andrian." She said pointing over to Andrian who waved at Adeline, "He took me with him to go shopping... I think he was a little upset because I only wanted to go into the bookstore." She said with a grin, "But we had lunch and he asked me lots of questions… kind of like a test" Andrian nodded at her grinning, "I think I passed it." She said with a laugh.
Viktor looked down at her, "I didn't know that." He said softly.
Hermione shrugged, "He was looking out for his little brother… plus I think I impressed him, so it was ok." She said with a grin. She looked down at Adeline, "The next day Alek and I." She said pointing at Alek, "He made me go outside and garden with him…. But since I am not very good at it, it was more him teaching me and talking." She laughed. "The day after that I spent with Vlad." She said pointing over at Vlad who waved at Adeline, "We spent the day studying because he had to take a test after I left." Hermione tapped her chin, "Then the day after that I spent with Baba Mecho... ... we spent the day in the library… we reorganized all of the books and talked." Mecho winked at Adeline who giggled at him, "I never told any of them, but the library was my favorite room and Papa knew that, he was the only one who didn't ask me questions about Viktor."
Mecho shrugged, "I already knew that the rest of my family would ask you about Viktor… I wanted to get to know you…. What you liked and did not like… I wanted to see if you were everything that Viktor told us you were." He said.
Hermione looked over at him with a raised eyes brow, "And was I everything Viktor said I was?" She asked with a grin.
Mecho shook his head, his face serious making Hermione tilt her head to the side then he grinned, "You were even better then Viktor said… I knew that day you were going to Marry Viktor and be my daughter." He said with a grin, "If you decided that you did not want Viktor, I would have married you off to another one of my sons."
Viktor rolled his eyes, "You and Mama might love Hermione more then you love me." He said with a snort, his hand tugging one of Hermione's curl that he had been wrapping around his finger.
Ana grinned at Viktor, "Well… normally she is the good one… but the stories I am hearing today… they are going to get her in trouble." She said in a prim voice making Hermione smile at her.
Hermione pointed at Ana, "My last day was spent with Ana." Hermione leaned down to Adeline's ear and whispered loudly, "and she was the scariest because she was the one that I want to impress the most." Adeline giggled when Ana rolled her eyes at Hermione.
Ana shifted a sleeping Bella in her arms and pointed at Hermione, "I already loved you by that day… I had seen you take the time to get to know every single person in the house… all of my sons and my husband… you took the time to care…. So, I knew that you were a good person." Ana looked at Adeline who looked at her with wide interested eyes as she clenched the photo, "So I started the day with a simple question… do you love my son?"
Hermione smiled when Viktor raised an eyebrow at her and grinned when she said, "and I said with my entire heart…. That is why I want you all to like me… because otherwise it won't work."
Ana grinned at Hermione, "And I said… since you know that, then you know everything I would need to tell you…. Now let's go site seeing." Ana said making Hermione laugh.
Viktor shook his head, "So you went site seeing without me that day?" He asked rolling his eyes. "Typical woman." Viktor looked down to Adeline, "Anyway…. This photo… it was the last night she was there… after spending the day with my mother." He said giving his Mama a side eye that Ana shrugged and grinned at, "I was so upset at Hermione when she got back with my mom, that I pulled her aside to talk to her."
"He was mad." Hermione snorted, "because he growled and scowled at me for 10 minutes without actually telling me what was wrong." She muttered making his team laugh.
"Minnie Mouse made me tongue tied with her smile and hug." Viktor pulled on Hermione's curl again, "I told her that she was supposed to come visit me… not my family…. and I was sad that she was leaving, and I didn't get to spend any time with her." He said with an exasperated pout.
Adeline looked up at Hermione, "You made Viktor sad?" She asked eyes wide. Hermione looked over at Viktor with narrowed eyes, who was grinning at her over Adeline's head.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "I told Viktor that I needed to make sure that his entire family liked me if he wanted to be with me forever." She said tapping Adeline's nose, "Then I gave him a kiss and asked him if he wanted to read in the library before bed… he said yes and we went in and spent the evening reading and talking." Hermione looked at the photo again, "I am pretty sure one of Viktor's brothers took this." She said with a soft smile.
Viktor smiled at the photo, "I was still sad I did not get to spend a lot of time with her that visit, but she surprised me right before this photo was taken and told me that Mama asked her to come back the next month for another visit… so I felt better." He said.
Adeline passed the photo to Georgi who was holding his hand out, "So you spent a lot of time here?" She asked softly.
Hermione shrugged, "A lot …but never enough…. I would visit for a week, once a month in the summer when I could… or at Christmas." She said flipping to another photo of Herself and Viktor sitting in front of a Christmas tree laughing as she tried to open a present as he tried to take it away from her. Hermione pulled it and passed it to waiting hands.
Hermione grinned down at the photo album, "Or our Birthday's." Hermione whispered as she flipped to another page showing a photo of Hermione sitting on Viktor's lap, birthday hats on as they blew candles out on the cake, before turning to smile at each other. She pulled the photo and passed it the other way, letting Viktor see it fist. Viktor grinned as he remembered this was the birthday, he had gotten the necklace she given away.
Hermione tapped the next photo, "Sometimes just a quick surprise weekend before I had to go back to headquarters." Hermione said pointing to another photo of Viktor sleeping on the coach in his uniform, he had obviously just come back from a game, still in his uniform and all sweaty. In the back of the photo all of his brothers were getting ready to pour water on him with Hermione grinning behind him. In the photo the water hit Viktor and he jumped up angry until he saw Hermione and his face broke into a huge grin as his arms wrap around her.
Adeline pulled out the photo and giggled when she saw the water hit Viktor, she passed it over to Georgi. Adeline turned the page paused to look at another photo then up at Hermione, "So you guys have been together for a long time… not just you and Viktor but all of you guys… they are like your family?" She asked looking closely at the photo of Hermione sitting in between Viktor and Alek with Andrian and Vlad behind them, their hands-on Hermione's shoulder, everyone was smiling and laughing.
Hermione nodded as she looked at the photo with a smile, pulling it out to look at it closely before passing it to Vlad who grinned at it. Hermione turned the page to a photo of the entire family in the garden and let her finger trail over the corner. She felt a tear slide down her cheek as she looked at everyone moving in the photo trying to arrange themselves, laughing and smiling. The family ended with her sitting on Viktor's lap with one of her arms around his shoulders and his arms wrapped around her hips, next to Ana who was holding onto one of Hermione's hands and one of Mecho's with Vlad's his arm thrown around his dad. Andrian's arms thrown around Ana's shoulders from behind and Alek laying his elbow on Vlad's head.
Adeline frowned at Hermione, "You are sad." She said reaching up with a small hand to wipe away Hermione's tear.
Hermione shook her head with a smile, "No Bug…. This photo is just special because it was one of the last ones I took before I left for a very long time…" She said smiling over at Adeline, "And yes… they are my family… all of them… they are my brothers and they are my Mama and my Papa." She said making the team look at her and then at Viktor and his family. They realized that she was not just part of Viktor's life but his entire families for a very long time.
Adeline bit her lip, "But you had a different mom and dad too... that were like my daddy?" She asked.
Hermione nodded her hand brushing Adeline's curls back. "My mom and dad were so, so, so very special… they loved me so, so, so much… we would do so much together." Hermione bit her lip and closed her eyes for a moment, "But when I went to school… I had to be apart from them a lot and sometimes they struggled to understand what I did… they tried so hard and they were supportive…. But when I had to fight bad guys, I didn't tell them because I didn't want them to worry." She said leaning on Viktor when he pulled her close and kissed her curls.
Adeline tilted her head and looked at Hermione, "You didn't want them to worry like you didn't want Viktor to worry." She said.
Hermione nodded, "Except Viktor knew what was going on… he knew what I was doing… just not all of the details… but my Mom and Dad…... they would not understand because they did not live in this world." Hermione smiled, "The last time I saw them was 2 Christmas ago." She paused and looked up at Viktor who smiled down at her, "Viktor and I went to celebrate Christmas with them… they loved Viktor as much as I did." She said softly.
Adeline narrowed her eyes, "Do you have a picture of them?" She asked.
Viktor reached over to the photo book and opened it to the last page and Hermione's breath caught when she saw a photo that her mother had taken that Christmas. Viktor and Hermione sitting on the couch in her childhood home, her mom on one side of them and her dad on the other, all of them grinning at the camera.
Adeline touched the photo gently, "They are like my daddy's pictures... they don't move." She said softly.
Hermione nodded not able to talk yet, so Viktor tapped the photo, "We spent all Christmas with them, and they took lots of photos… I have more but this one was my favorite, so it went in the book." He said softly.
Hermione reached out and cupped his cheek setting her forhead in his lips as he gave her a soft kiss.
Adeline looked up at Hermione and frowned, "Will you spend Christmas with them this year?" She asked with childlike curiosity.
Hermione closed her eyes and felt her eyes fill with more tears and Viktor cupped the back of her head, tucking her face into his neck. He looked down at Adeline and gave her a sad smile, "No… Minnie Mouse will spend Christmas with us this year." He said softly.
"Why?" Adeline asked tilting her head.
Before Viktor could answer her, Hermione cleared her throat and wiped her eyes. She looked down at Adeline and gave her a small smile, "Because my parents are in heaven with yours." She said softly.
Adeline's eyes welled up with tears, "So you don't have a mommy or daddy either?" She asked cupping Hermione's face with her little hand, "Did the bad guys send them to heaven too?"
Hermione gave her a nod, "Yes bad guys sent my mommy and daddy to heaven." She paused and wiped Adeline's tear away, "But I know that they are in heaven and looking down over me like guardian angels…. And while I miss them very, very, very mush… I still have a Mama and Papa." Hermione said looking over at Mecho and Ana who were looking back at her with tears in their eyes
Hermione grinned over at them wiping her tears away, "They yell at me just like a Mama and Papa do…" She said.
Adeline nodded at her, "Do you have any brothers or sisters… I got Bella still…. I miss Theo though." She said looking over at Bella, "Bella doesn't really talk a lot yet, but she plays with me."
Hermione grinned at Adeline. "Well I was an only child with my mom and dad…. and I did not have any aunts or uncles or grandparents…. so, I guess I am all that is left from my family." She said thoughtfully, not noticing the looks of sadness around the table, "But I have Mama and Papa and they gave me Andrian, Alek and Vlad… and they yell at me like real brothers… and they all take care me because they are my family too."
Adeline looked thoughtfully at her, "So you still love and miss your mom and dad, but you have Mama and Papa… like a new family." She said.
Hermione shook her head, "No… not a new family…... MORE family… you can never have too much family…." Hermione pointed over at Harry, "That is Harry and he is my brother too… we have been together since I was 11 years old… he has saved my life, yelled at me..." She paused and grinned, "And he even pushes me down like a brother."
Adeline nodded at her, "Theo used to push me down a lot…" She said making Hermione laugh.
Harry however was not amused, "I pushed her out of the way of … once…." He said looking at Adeline who was staring at him, "It was to help her…. not to be mean." He said rolling his eyes.
Hermione shrugged, "A shove is a shove… and I fell downstairs that time…." She said with a grin when Harry snorted and muttered, "You still got up and kicked some serious as…" He stopped talking looking at Adeline again who was looking at him with curiosity.
Hermione rolled her eyes turning back to Adeline, "And I have more brothers and a sister that you will meet soon…. In fact, Ginny has been staying here so you should meet her soon. And when we go to the Cup next week you will meet all of my other brothers…. And another woman and man who are like parents to me too... they took care of me the last year when I was alone without this family…... they have been taking care of me since I was 12."
Aldine's nodded at her, nose scrunched, "So I can have lots and lots and lots of family…. Because it is when people take care of you… and love you… it doesn't matter if they have been there forever?" She asked.
Hermione nodded at her, "Exactly." Hermione pointed around the table at Viktor's team, who waved at her, "Do you see all of these guys?" When Adeline nodded Hermione smiled, "Well they are like brothers to Viktor… they don't replace his other brothers… they are just extra… more people that care about him." She said.
The team smiled at her assessment and they all nodded at Adeline who looked back at Hermione. "So, you could be my family… and so could all of them?" She asked pointing around.
Hermione looked over at Kingsley who gave her a nod and Hermione nodded at Adeline, "No matter where you go… or what happens, I will always be your family if you want." She whispered. "Besides look at our hair... it is like we are family already." She said with a grin
Adeline reached out and pulled one of Hermione's curls then pulled on one of hers, "My mom said that Bella and I were going to be ok as long as we had you." She looked over at Viktor, "Can we keep you too?" She asked innocently.
Viktor smiled over at Adeline, his heart warming at her question, "Try and get rid of me now." He said tapping her nose.
Adeline looked over at Mecho and then Alek, "Can we keep you guys too?" She asked.
Both Mecho and Alek grinned at her and nodded, Adeline turned to rest of the table, "I will have to think about you guys." She said making the table laugh, she turned to Hermione and yawned again.
Hermione looked over at Kingsley who gave her a another nod, Hermione looked down at Adeline, "How about you go inside and take a rest in your new room and when you wake up you can open the doors and pretend to be Rapunzel?" She said.
Adeline nodded trying to lay back in Hermione's arms, but it was Andrian that came over and scooped her up into his arms, "Come on Princess Adeline... I will take you to your new chamber." Vlad scooped up Bella from Ana's arms following Andrian into the house and Hermione sighed knowing Kingsley had news.
"Ok hit me with it." Hermione said softly, her hand slipping into Viktor's.
Kingsley looked at Hermione carefully then shook his head and using legilimency he sent Hermione his thoughts, "Do you trust everyone at the table?" He asked.
Hermione bit her lip, tilting her head to the side and looked to Viktor for a moment before looking back at Kingsley and nodding, "They are Viktor's family and team…. If he trusts them, then I think they are trustworthy…. But if you do not want to talk in front of them, we can leave." She sent back to him.
Kingsley shook his head at her, and waved his hand, "Honestly… having a few people that you trust, them knowing what is going on would be helpful… having more people being able to look out for you and the girls." He tilted his head, "Only the people at this table though…. And the members of the Order." He sent her.
Hermione nodded, "Are they going to be in danger knowing?" She sent him, rubbing her forhead.
Kingsley shook his head at her, "No more danger then already being around you." He sent her.
Hermione sighed and closed her eyes, "I hate this… I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me." She sent him, "But I promised Viktor I would tell him everything and if he trusts everyone at the table… then so do I…. and maybe it would be nice to get others thoughts for a plan for a change." She said with a grin.
Kingsley burst out laughing as he shook his head at her, "Why… you know you will still make the plan in the end and tell us all what to do." He said out loud making Hermione shrug and grin.
Viktor raised an eyebrow at them, "Something you want to share with the rest of us?" He asked with a small smirk, his thumb brushing her palm sending her calming waves.
Hermione shook her head making her face innocent as she laid back against Viktor again, "No." She said shrugging. "Nothing."
Harry rolled his eyes, "You will get used to Minnie having silent conversations with people." He said. "She does it all the time."
Georgi looked over at her with a grin, "Everyone?" He asked.
Hermione looked over at him for a moment then smiled and reached into Georgi's mind, "Kingsley asked me if we could trust you and the team about what is going on … especially with the girls." She placed in his mind.
Georgi's eyebrows shot up, "What did you tell him?" He asked her out loud.
Kingsley spoke up this time, "She said that if Viktor trusts you… then she trusts you." He looked carefully at Georgi, "And if she trusts you… then I trust you…. Besides, I told her it might be good for her to have people directly around her that knows what's going on…."
Ludmil grinned over at Hermione, "Of course Mione trusts us." He said with a shrug. He paused and looked down to Luna when she smiled over at him and said softly, "I think Hermione is right to trust you… I have a good feeling about all of you." She murmured looking back over at Hermione who gave her a smile back.
Ludmil felt his heart stutter when Luna's small smile hit him, he cleared his throat and looked back to Hermione, "So tell us what is going on Mione." He said his voice breaking slightly making his team look at him in surprise.
Hermione looked to Kingsley, "What happened after I left?" She asked.
Kingsley sighed sitting back in his chair, "We were only able to get 6 of the Death Eaters… too many were coming, and we just did not have enough Auror's or Order Members…. We felt it was better to leave once we knew you all were out of the house and safe."
Hermione sighed sitting back against Viktor, her head falling back to his shoulder, "I agree… I think that was the best decision." She said rubbing her forhead again a headache staring to come on.
Kingsley looked over at Luna, "Honestly if we had you and Harry and Ginny with Luna, we would have gotten more Death Eaters." He said with a sigh.
Luna smiled softly at Kingsley, "You all were doing well." She said making him snort.
Kingsley shook his head, "Of the 6 Death Eaters we got… 2 are the ones you sent to us Hermione… one from Ginny and Harry…. And Two Luna got… Neville got the last one." Kingsley covered his eyes, "The rest of us were just trying to survive."
Neville grinned, "Really all you need is the girls… they would taken care of all of them while we relaxed." He said.
Hermione rolled her eyes but smiled and Luna shook her head sitting back in her chair and realizing Ludmil had his arm there. Luna looked up at him and gave him a small smile that made Ludmil's heart skip a beat, before she turned over to Kingsley, "Really though Kingsley, you were fighting outside, that was why Hermione was able to be inside… she already had to face 3 Death Eaters… can you imagine if we had not been outside attacking… they all would have been inside." Luna murmured softly.
Neville nodded, "All that matters is that everyone that went today, came back alive and only mildly injured…. And we got both of the girls, and Percy and another wizard out." He said, "We all agreed that any captures were extra."
Kingsley nodded rubbing his face, "Yes… yes... I agree, I am just worried because I recognized some of the Death Eaters and them being there tells me that those girls are more important then I originally thought." He said, "Can you keep them here… and safe."
Hermione nodded, "Viktor and I talked…. We would like to keep and protect the girls if we can." She said looking up to Viktor who gave her a nod and smile, reaching out to kiss her temple.
Kingsley looked up at her in surprise, "Are you sure?" He asked, "Like long term?"
Hermione looked up at Viktor again who nodded at her, and looked over at Kingsley spoke up, "I think those girls need stability and love… we can give them that." Viktor said.
Kingsley nodded at them, "They have no one… their father was a muggle and was killed when the girls were taken. Their brother was also killed that day, it looked like he was trying to help the girls." He took a breath, "They have been at that Manor for months."
Hermione nodded at him, "They told me that their mother was a seer… she knew that I would be coming… she told Adeline that I would protect them, and they would be safe with me." She said softly.
Kingsley looked over at her, "Their mother was a friend of Dumbledore's… she was an only child and both of her parents died when she was small…" He paused to look at Hermione closely, "When she died, everything she owed was bequeathed to her daughters…... Hermione…." He paused for a moment and closed his eyes, "Dumbledore gave their mother several things to keep safe… he thought because their relationship was not very known she would be safe…. I didn't realize the extent of the stuff until today."
Hermione closed her eyes, "And now there will always be a target on their backs." She whispered, realizing what was going on.
Kingsley nodded, "And they have no one in the world and they have things that everyone wants… even some of the people in the Ministry." Kingsley said softly, "It is one of the reasons that I didn't tell the Ministry and went through the Order to get the girls…. I knew that Dumbledore trusted no one the way he trusted you."
Hermine shook her head, "He trusted you Kingsley." She said softly, her eyes pouring out her support.
Kingsley nodded at her, "He did… he trusted everyone in the Order… but you are the only one he taught… that he told his secrets to… and so you were the only one that I trust to take care of the girls and the things that Dumbledore gave them." He said, "Once you become the guardian of the girls… you will control what was given to them."
Hermione nodded over at him, "I can add it to the list crap I have to worry about." She mumbled closing her eyes for a moment.
"Minnie…. "Harry sighed, waiting for her to look at him, "You already have a target on your back…. As big as mine if not bigger…" He rubbed his forhead, "Taking possession of these things…. This will make that target bigger."
Hermione took a deep breath as she looked over at Harry, "Yes but it will take the target off the girls backs… because once those things become my possessions, people will come after me." She said shaking her head and closing again. She rubbed at the headache brewing and felt Viktor begin to rub her neck firmly and gently until she sighed and began to relax against him. The table could see the weight on her shoulders getting heavier with each moment and felt their hearts clench for her. After a few moments Viktor slid his arm around Hermione's shoulders to pull her close and kiss her temple, resting his chin on her head for a moment.
Hermione looked up when Kingsley took a deep breath, "That is what I was thinking…... I know that you will take care of the girls better than anyone else… you will love them and care for them… but you will also take care of the things in a way Dumbledore would have wanted." He said with a soft smile. "I m sorry I am putting this on you… there is just no one else better."
"I will take care of them… and I know why you asked, I understand, don't worry…...but." Hermione sighed, "It makes me concerned about ME staying here though." She whispered softly, so the table barely heard her. She looked around at the frustration and anger coming up on their faces. But it was Viktor's body behind her that tensed up that had her looking behind her.
Viktor's face was furious, his eyes narrowed as he looked down at her, "You are not leaving." He said harshly, his arm tightening in his fear of her leaving.
Hermione gave Viktor a slight smile, "I know." She said reaching out to hold onto the hand that was on her that was by her shoulder, "I am not going anywhere…... but this was why I wanted to talk to you and everyone else here." She paused looking around the table, "Because I wanted you all to know how dangerous it really is to be around me." She whispered looking down for a moment. "Until we capture the Death Eaters that are left… everyone that I am around could be hurt."
Luna smiled at Hermione softly, reaching out to hold one of her hands, "It is the same for the rest of us." She murmured, "Harry, Neville, Ginny and I…... we are all being hunted." Luna gripped her hands tightly, "None of us are safe right now…. You are not alone in the feeling of fear that you are carrying around… we all have it." She whispered.
Hermione shook her head closing her eyes, gripping Luna's hand, "Yes but all of you understand the danger… you understand and are in the same amount of danger that I am in…. and you can fight…. and we are equal…." She rubbed her forhead, feeling Viktor's hand on her neck, rubbing his thumb back and forth in comfort again and it made Hermione feel even more upset.
She looked back up at Luna, "Viktor's family… His team… they are innocent and free of our world." She whispered so softly the table barely heard her. She looked up to Luna who gave her a soft smile, "Is it fair to drag them into this." She whispered.
Luna looked over at Viktor and Luna could see his frustration… his fear of her leaving again, Luna thought for a moment then tilted her head, turning back to Hermione, "But…Is it fair to try and make that decision for them?" She asked softly.
Hermione sighed after a moment as she shook her head, "No… but that doesn't stop the guilt." She whispered.
Viktor sighed looking over at Ana and Mecho who shook their heads in frustration, before he looked down at Hermione, "Mila…We understand and love you … the thought of losing you breaks any of us." He whispered as he kissed her hair. "We know what we are getting into and there is nothing that I will not do to keep you safe."
Hermione exhaled harshly, as she sat up creating space between them, "That is what worries me…. I don't want anyone getting hurt because of me." She said softly, rubbing her forhead harder at the throbbing.
Mecho tapped his fingers on the table, "Hey look at me, My Monmye." He called out and waited until Hermione looked up at him, "Do you think that even for one second that I will leave my daughter alone…. That when someone… anyone tries to hurt any one of my children I will not protect them… this is my right as your father." He said.
Hermione looked up at him, her eyes watery, "But Papa…" She whispered, shaking her head.
Mecho cut his hand through the air sharply, "No…...You have given everything… for years… all of your time… your energy has been spent defending everyone around you…. You have spilt your blood and tears… broken your body to save everyone around you… now…. now we will protect you." He said firmly, "But we are a family… we work together, and we will take care of each other."
Ana sighed as she looked over at Hermione, "WE will work together, and WE will take care of each other…. If you have more people coming after you... I will welcome them." She said with a shrug making Hermione look up in surprise, "I would love to meet anyone one of the people after you... because I will take care of them with a smile on my face." Ana said with a grin.
Hermione gave her a soft sad smile and shook her head, "I know that… but my heart still hurts…... and I am scared." She whispered
Ana gave her a grin, "Now you know how we have been going through the last 5 years…. It sucks but that is what happens when you love someone." She pointed at Hermione, "You have put us in a safe little bubble for too long…. I am ready to fight… and I will not let you stop me."
Hermione smiled faintly at Ana and gave a soft nod, but it was Kingsley that spoke up, "I swear the woman at this table are frightening…. I can only imagine the destruction you all could do." He muttered smiling.
Harry snorted, "Add Ginny and they would take over the world." He said making Hermione roll her eyes but smile over at him like he wanted.
Neville shuttered, "Add Ginny and they would destroy the world and remake it in their image." He said making Harry laugh and nod at him.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "You are not wrong…. Women kick ass." She said with a shrug.
Luna squeezed Hermione's hand one more time before sitting back in her chair, "We certainly seem to make sure the boys stay out of trouble at least." She murmured smiling softly at Hermione.
Harry snorted, "Hermione is the one that is always leading us into trouble… we all just follow." He said.
Luna shook her head, "No Harry… Hermione is usually following you… and we are following the two of you." She murmured across the table making Hermione grin over at Harry who rolled his eyes. "I mean she followed you into the chamber of secrets… she looked for the Basilisk for you…. She followed you into the forest when you were looking for Sirius …... she followed you to the Ministry…. I really could go on." Luna said softly making Harry grin over at her.
Hermione grinned and pointed at Harry, "See Harry it is all your fault." She said with a laugh leaning back against Viktor again feeling his arm wrap around her shoulders pull her into his heat.
Harry grinned over at Hermione, "I can count a couple times I followed you… and your adventures always seem to end in some kind of major bloodshed." He said with raised eyebrows.
Hermione put her hands up and grinned over at him, "Fine… fine… lets agree that we both run headfirst into danger…. And everyone follows us." She said. After a moment she sighed, "I guess I should tell you all what happened… and who I met when I was getting the girls." She said her voice tight.
Kingsley looked at her closely, "Hermione …. Who was there?" He asked, eye narrowed.
Hermione laid her right arm on the table and tapped it softly for a moment, after a deep sigh she looked over at Kingsley and dropped her bomb, "Well Rabastan Lestrange was there…... he was the one I was not able to send down to you guys." She said watching Harry and Neville sat forward sharply, eyes wide.
"Hermione Jean Granger." Harry yelled, "What were you thinking?" He asked slamming his hand down on the table making everyone jump. Viktor's eyes narrowed as he looked over at Harry, knowing he did not get this upset often so this name was a big deal.
Hermione rolled her eyes, as she looked at Harry, "It was not exactly a choice Harry, he came into the room and it was defend myself or let him take me." She said softly.
Harry sighed as he shook his head, "Are you ok?" He asked softly, his eyes searching her face.
Hermione nodded and smiled over at him, "Mostly… a few bumps and bruises…... he was not a ton of fun… but I did manage to get his wand and break it… so that made him angry." She said with a grin "He left through the window pretty furious."
Harry nodded, "Mentally?" He whispered softly searching her eyes.
Hermione shook her head and waved her hand at him, "I am fine Harry…. I promise." She whispered with a small smile.
Harry nodded but Luna shook her head catching on to Hermione's words, "Minnie…. What do you mean…... let him take you?" She murmured softly head tilted thoughtfully making a shock wave go across the table as the realized that he was not trying to kill her…but kidnap her.