Viktor wrapped his arm around Hermione's shoulders trying to guide her over to the elevator to take her upstairs to their suite. When they landed in the hotel Georgi told the team they had to rush downstairs to a get to the press conference and Viktor refused to let her go by herself.


Hermione was shaking her head, "You have to go with your team." She said with a smile up at Viktor who was scowling at her, "I can get to our suite… I know what floor and the number…. Go to the conference." She said trying to push him to follow his team.


Viktor and Hermione turned when Nik called out, "See you later little Krum." Grinning and waving at Hermione, "See you later too, Hermione." As he walked away making Hermione giggle and Viktor's scowl deepen.


Viktor looked down at Hermione tucking his hand at her hips, "Let's go." He said as he walked her over to the lifts.


Hermione rolled her eyes following him to stop at the lift doors, "You have to go… you are going to be late." She said shaking her head, "I can take the life upstairs…. I will go straight to the room and send you a Patronus when I get there." She said grinning at his sharp shake of his head.


Viktor scowled and crossed his arms looking down at her, "You literally just promised me an hour ago that you would not leave my side unless you were with Fred, Andrian or Vlad… and now you are trying to run off…... when they are not here." He snarled, eyes flashing.


Hermione laughed laying her hands over his crossed arms, "No you silly man… I am trying not to be the reason you are late…... especially to a press conference…… again…Andrian told me you were late last week." She said, "Plus I PROMISE to go straight to our room, and I was going to take a nap while I wait for you… I know that tonight we are supposed to have a team dinner."


Viktor shook his head, "Being late is fine over you being alone." He said.


Hermione shook her head, "Viktor… please… your team is counting on you to be there…..." she pulled him down and he went willingly so she did not have to pull on her back and she gently kissed his lips, "I will be fine. I promise…. And I will go straight to our room… and go straight to bed." She said "… you are putting me in the lift…. And I am going straight to our floor… not even I can get in trouble that fast."


Viktor clenched his jaw and closed his eyes for a moment, he knew his coach was ok with him being late to take Hermione… he also knew that Hermione was going to feel bad if he was late.


He sighed rubbing his forhead and he gave a sharp nod, "Fine… you get straight in lift…. And as soon as you step in room you send Patronus to me… if I don't get one in 5 minutes then I come after you." He said, his hands reaching out to cup her elbows, "I need to know you are safe with family."


Hermione kissed his chin, his beard tickling her lips, "I will wait in bed for you…. I will be all snuggly and warm before you even sit down in your press conference." She said.


Viktor sighed pulling her in gently for a tight hug around his shoulders, "You stress me out." He said softly.


Hermione giggled "I don't stress you out... you needing complete control and when you don't get it…it freaks you out." She said watching the lift slide open, "But you have to learn to let go." She said taking a step back into the lift.


Viktor shook his head, "Right away." He said clenching his jaw. "Promise me."


Hermione smiled, "I will…. Now go." She said pointing to the team across the room, "They are waiting for you."


Viktor's hand shot out to hold the door open when it went to slide closed, "Promise me." He said scowling.


Hermione grinned, "I promise…." She said, "Now go." She said waving her hands at him.


Viktor growled under his breath and let the door go freezing when Hermione yelled out, "I love you." As the doors closed and he snarled when he couldn't respond back. Viktor closed his eyes for a moment not leaving from in front of the doors until Ludmil called out "Let's go Krum."


Viktor clenched his jaw turning and stalking to his team who were all smirking at him.


Kiril laughed, "We told you to take her upstairs." He said turing and walking down the hall, the rest of the team following. "Why didn't you?"


Viktor's nostrils flared as he stalked behind Kiril, "Because I know her…and even though all of you would be ok with me being late… she would have felt bad about it." He said, "I did not want her to feel bad." He snarled.


Ludmil chucked, "She is pretty amazing… always thinking of others…" He said waking through to door to the press conference, "Even when it drives you crazy."


Viktor sighed, "You are right." He said taking a seat at the table, "Why has she not sent me a message yet?" He scowled looking at the door.


Nik laughed, "It has been 2 minutes." He said sitting down next o Viktor.


Viktor gave him a feral smile, "Then she has 3 minutes before I leave to go find her." He said making his team laugh before he turned to start answering questions.


/-/


Hermione smiled as she leaned against the back of the lift wall as it moved up the floors. She was tired already and had only been up a few hours, she as not lying when she said she was going to go to bed and take a nap.


When the doors slid open on the top floor…she walked out going down hall to the suite when she heard her name being called out.


"Minnie." Hermione froze, fear coursing through her body at the soft masculine tone. Her hand frozen on the door handle. "Please wait."


Hermione turned not letting go of the handle, clenching it so tight her knuckles were white. She had closed her eyes, hoping that if she waited long enough… if she willed it hard enough…. the voice would go away. But instead, she heard it again, "I need to talk to you."


Hermione slowly slid her eyes open to see Ron standing at the end of the hall, "No." She whispered, the fear rolling through her in a way that not even battle could create.


Ron started walking towards her and she pulled back so her back was pushed against the door, "Stop." She whispered, feeling the sharp pain of her wounds being abused on the hard wood, "Stop."


Ron kept walking and Hermione turned banging on the door, pushing and pulling until it flung open and she stumbled in, turning and slamming the door closed, her breath heaving as the fear rolled through her. How could she battle death eaters… battle Rabastan…. But one look at Ron and she had frozen in fear.


"Mione?" She heard whispered…. a hand placed on her shoulder making her flinch, "Mione… what is it."


Hermione just shook her head, her hand moving to lock the door, placing another ward on it before stumbling back falling to the ground and pushing away.


Alek carefully kneeled next to her, "Hermione… look at me." He said softly.


Hermione shook her head, her hands clenching, and Alek frowned, "Please look at me." He begged.


Hermione closed her eyes, her hands shaking as she reached out to Alek, "Please." She whispered


Alek looked up to Andrian and Vlad who were staring down at her, fear in their eyes. Vlad looked to the door and back to Hermione. He walked over… reaching to open the door and Hermione shook her head, "NO." She yelled slamming her magic out to keep the door shut, "Please."


Vlad froze nodding at her, "Ok." He promised.


Hermione closed her eyes, "I just need a moment…... I just need a second." She whispered.


Alek nodded cupping the back of her neck, his thumb brushing back and forth hoping to ground her, "Ok… deep breaths… you are ok... I am here and Vlad and Andrian are here" He whispered. "You are safe."


After a few moments Hermione took a deep breath, looking up at Alek, "I am ok… I promise… just… I needed a second." She whispered to him taking a deep breath, "I am ok."


Alek nodded, carefully pulling her up off the floor, "I am ok… I promise." She said with a small smile, pushing her curls back, "I just... a lot has been happening… I need you to promise me something." She said reaching out, "You cannot tell Viktor I that I had a panic attack… he will only worry about me even more and he has his game in two days." She said.


Alek frowned and Hermione shook her head, "Please…... I don't want to distract him…. after the game I will talk to him…. I will just stick close to all of you for now." She promised, "That will help."


Andrian frowned pulling her into a hug, "You know its ok to not be ok sometimes." He said, "Just ask us for help."


Hermione nodded, "I will I promise.' She said wrapping her arms around his waist, "Even I if hate asking for help." She said with a small smile starting to feel the fear roll away. She pulled back, "I need to let Viktor know that I am in the room safe and sound." She said softly
"and then I think that I am going to take a nap."


Andrian nodded squeezing her hand softly before letting her go, watching as she sent Viktor her Patronus promising she was safe in the room and going to lay down. Alek pointed out her bedroom, watching as she gave them a tired smile before walking into the room and closing the door softly, her body still tense.


Vlad look at the closed door and frowned before turning back to the hall and pulling open that door to peer outside. The hall was empty, he turned back to his brothers.


"What do you think happened?" He asked softly.


Alek sighed, "Honestly could have been nothing…. Or it could have been something huge." He said rubbing his forhead, "with what she has been through…. it could be something tiny that she saw that triggered a memory… or it could have been something big." He looked at Vlad and Andrian, "But she is also not known to share…. So, I don't think she will tell us until she is ready."


Vlad nodded, "So we stick close to her… so small or big…. She will not be alone." He said, "Honestly I am surprised that Viktor let her come up alone."


Andrian shook his head and smiled, "I would bet money that she told him to go to his press conference."


"She did." Viktor said walking in the door, "She told me that she would come straight up here and go to bed." He said, "She told me I was not allowed to be late."


Alek frowned, "Then why are you up here?" He asked.


Viktor frowned, "Because she took forever to let me know she was in the room." He said looking around for her.


Adreian burst out laughing, "So you ran up to check on her." He said.


Viktor narrowed his eyes at his brother, "I already did not want to let her come up alone… and then when her message did not come fast enough, I came to check." He said scowling.


Andrian waved his hand, "I will deal with the press. … Go be with your woman." He said smirking.


Viktor nodded, "Georgi said he would deal with it… especially since the press wanted to talk about what happened at family day." He said.


Alek nodded, "Of course they do… and I think it is a good ideal you are not there for it…" He pointed to the bedroom, "Hermione is in bed…. So, go relax until diner tonight."


Viktor gave his brother a smile, "Are the girls ok?" He asked.


Vlad rolled his eyes, "I just left them at the pool a while ago with Mama…. Between Papa, Harry, Ginny, Neville and Luna... even Rose. Those girls are in a water bubble, having a blast." He said.


Viktor smiled, "Can you tell them thank you for me… and let Mama know that Mila and I want to put girls to bed tonight after dinner?" He said.


Vlad nodded, "I know that Adeline wants you both to take her to the pool at some point… she was talking about it when I left." He said, "We told her that you were working today and that maybe later."


Viktor nodded, "I will talk to Mila about it…. We can do that." He said, "Now I am going to take a nap also."


Viktor smirked as his brothers laughed at him, not bothering to turn around as he walked over to his bedroom, carefully pushing the door open. He gave a small smile when he saw Hermione laying curled up in the center of the bed. He closed the door, silently walking over to the bed, pulling his clothes off until he was in his boxers along the way. He carefully crawled across the bed to lay along Hermione's side. He slid his arm under her head pulling her close, frowning when he noted how tense her body was… even in sleep.


"Viktor?" Hermione murmured, rolling over to brush her face against his chest. "You are done already?" She whispered not opening her eyes.


Viktor kissed her forhead, "Yes…... all done… now to get rest before dinner." He whispered pulling up the blankets over them.


Hermione snuggled closer, kissing his chest, "Where are the girls?" She asked, her fingers brushing his stomach.


Viktor groaned grabbing her fingers, "They are swimming with everyone else but us." He said, "And I was told they are having so much fun that they do not even miss us…... although Adeline does want us to go with her to the pool before we leave."


Hermione smiled her eyes still closed, pulling her fingers out of his hands to brush his chest again, "Swimming sounds fun." She murmured.


Viktor grabbed her fingers yet again, "So then we will take the girls swimming…..." He said, "Now stop it and sleep." He replied pulling her fingers up to his lips to give them a small kiss, "I also need rest."


Hermione snuggled closer with a small sigh, "Fine…. Fine… its not my fault that you look… feel and smell so good…..." She mumbled, "Its mean to tempt me."


Viktor chuckled, "You are no better." He said his fingers tracing her side, "Feeling you pressed against me… smelling your sweet scent…." He whispered, his lips tracing her cheek, "But you will not distract me woman."


Hermione snuggled closer, "Fine since I cannot tempt you …... then I am going to go to sleep." She murmured under her breath.


Viktor chuckled, "Sleep love." He sighed into her curls, "You need rest." His hands trailing down her side again until he felt her body slide back into sleep, lose and relaxed this time… different from how he found her when he got into the bed. If all he had to do was be here for her to relax, he would make sure that he was always there.


/-/


Viktor's eye popped open when he heard a light knock on the door. He carefully rolled to his side, his arm still securely around Hermione's waist.


"Who is it?" He called out softly.


"Alek…… dinner is in 30 minutes and I know that Hermione wants to get dressed." He called through the door.


Viktor sighed laying back and throwing his arm over his eyes, between traveling and the last few days all he really wanted to do was sleep. He knew that he was not getting out dinner with his team, but he could keep Hermione relaxed and sleeping. He carefully pulled his arm out from under Hermione's head, making sure not to wake her up.


He rolled out of bed grabbing some of his clothes out of the closet, quickly pulling them on before walking back to the bed. He leaned over pulling the blankets up over Hermione's shoulders before leaning over to kiss her curls. He quickly walked over to the door, stepping out and pulling the door closed.


Viktor looked over to his brothers sitting at the table in the sitting room, "What are you all doing?" He asked pulling on his robes.


Alek frowned looking behind him, "Where is Hermione?" He asked.


Viktor shook his head, "She was exhausted…." He said, "I am going to run down to dinner let them know we won't be coming down and then come back up."


Andrian raised his eyebrows, "You are going to miss another event." He asked.


Viktor nodded, "I don't know… there was something off when I got back earlier… and I don t want to leave her alone if I don't have to…..." He said looking at the table, "She finally relaxed and went to a deep sleep after I came in… I want to go and get back before she wakes up."


Vlad looked over at Alek with a raised eyebrow but stayed silent, but Viktor saw the exchange and narrowed his eyes. "What?" He asked crossing his arms.


Vlad shook his head, and Viktor scowled, "Do not lie to me." He said.


Vlad looked to Alek and then to Andrian, both of them shook their heads slightly but Viktor pointed at Alek, "What…… happened?" He snarled.


Alek sighed, "Earlier when she got here…. She was upset…" He said evasively.


Viktor shook his head, "What else?" He asked.


Vlad sighed, "You can not tell her that we told you." He said, "She told us not to… that she wanted us to let it go... and not to stress you out."


Viktor growled under his breath, "Why was she upset?" He asked.


Vlad shook his head, "She did not tell us... and we did not see anything…. But what ever did upset her… it….. it really upset her." He said, "It took us a few minuets to calm her down… that is why it took her a moment to tell let you know she was up here."


Viktor snarled under his breath, "Fuck… why was I not told right away." He said.


Alek sighed, "Because we don't know why she was upset Viktor… I was telling Vlad and Andrian that it might have been the smallest thing that triggered her panic…" He said, "and if we make it a huge deal it might make it worse."


Viktor wiped a hand down his face, "So we don't make her talk to us?" He asked.


Alek shook his head, "No we let her be and when she is ready, she will talk to us… and until then we just be there for her…. make sure she knows that she is not alone she is supported." He said.


Viktor scowled deeply, "I don't want to see her hurting…. Or upset… ever." He said.


Alek gave a sad smile, "After what she has been through… she is going to have moments where is not ok Viktor… all you can do is be there for her…. let her know that it is ok…. to not be ok." He said reaching out, "and you already do that …even now you are taking care what you need to so you can get back to her."


Viktor nodded, clenching his jaw, "Fine… I will be back as soon as I can…" He said, "Take care of her if she wakes up... please." He said striding to the door and stepping out.


Andrian turned to Alek and Vlad, "You two have a big mouth and if Mione asks… I will tell her that it was you. that told him." He said smirking.


Vlad rolled his eyes, "You would tell her." He paused looking over at the bedroom door, "What do you think she saw… that scared her that much… when a field of Death Eaters do not scare her?"


Alek shook his head, "I don't know… but we will not let her face whatever it is…. alone." He said softly.


Vlad and Andrian nodded, "She will never face anything alone again." Vlad said, "Our little brother and our little sister will always have us to watch over them."