Viktor waited…
And he waited…
And he waited for Hermione to talk to him, to tell him what was bothering her…
But she never did…. And the longer he waited, the more frustrated he became…..
They had woken up the Saturday morning and Hermione had a bright smile as she looked at him and gotten ready…. She was excited to go to brunch with his team and their families… happy to get the girls ready to go, peppering Adeline's face with kisses and chasing Bella around the room making her squeal in laughter.
Viktor saw that Hermione was truly happy and relaxed…
As long as they were inside the room….
But when they left to go downstairs… he still saw the smiles as she held the girls hands… still saw the way she looked up at him in excitement… Viktor sat next to her at the table watching her laugh with his teammates…. He watched her whisper to Petia and gave a small smile when they both giggled…. He watched her lift the girls in her lap and shower them in kisses…. He looked into her eyes when she turned to him beaming a huge smile.
And if he only saw those things, then he would think that everything was prefect…... but he also saw her scanning the hallways as they walked…... the flinches when she would look across the room into unknown people…... the way her eyes would scan…looking for something when she thought he was not looking…. He felt her flinch when he came up behind her and placed a hand on her back…...
And his worry simmered.
When he brought her upstairs after brunch, he watched the anxiety and stress melt off of her after the door to their suite closed and he clenched his jaw…. He knew that he should not have brought her to the cup… he should have made her stay home and safe… the bubble he wanted to put her in filled his chest, but he knew… he new he could not decide for her… all he could do was be there and love her.
Hermione looked over at his brothers her face bright and excited, "Morning you guys." She said watching as Bella totted over to Mama and climbed into her lap babbling in excitement and Adeline ran to Mecho talking about the other kids she had met a breakfast that morning.
Vlad grinned over at Hermione, "How was brunch?" He asked sipping is coffee.
Viktor walked her over sitting at the table and pulling Hermione onto his lap, "It was good… it was nice to actually meet all the family members today." She said laughing, "Much better than Wednesday." She wiggled her eyebrows, "Family day was a little hectic."
Viktor tensed and sighed, "Not funny." He muttered scowling as he pulled a coffee pot and cup over and pouring a cup, "But it went well… I think they all may love you and the girls more then me now." He said with a slight smile.
Hermione leaned against his chest, "I like them too… I can see why you love them all so much." She said yawning.
Viktor frowned, his hand rubbing her arm, "Tired already?" He asked softly.
Hermione sighed, "Yes… but I am going to take the girls swimming while you practice." She said.
Anna looked over at Hermione, "I will take them… Mecho and I will go over to the other suite and see if Luna and Neville want to go with." She said smiling, "You rest dear and then we can all have dinner after Viktor's practice… I reserved the dining room downstairs for all of us and the Weasleys."
Hermione looked over at Adeline, "Do you mind in Oppa and Babba take you swimming with Aunt Luna and Uncle Neville?" She asked.
Adeline shrugged, "Sure…. Uncle Neville is funny when he swims… he pretends that he is a
Sea monster while Aunt Luna makes waves." She said with a grin.
Hermione laughed, "That sounds like it is fun to watch." She said wiggling her eyes brows.
Adeline nodded, "AND Babba makes Bella float…. And if we are really good, they make fish to swimming with us." She said bouncing on Mecho's lap.
Hermione shrugged, "I guess that you really don't need us to go swimming then." She said laughing.
Adeline shook her head, "NO… you can come with us tomorrow after Papa wins." She said so matter-a-factly that the group laughed.
Viktor reached over and pulled on one of Adeline's curls, "You think I am going to win?" He asked with a smile.
Adeline shook her head no picking up her lemonade, "No…. I know you are…I saw it in my dream…" She said looking into her cup as the room all paused and looked over at her, "You caught the snitch and gave Hermione a kiss and let me ride your broom around the stadium… it was fun and there were SOOOO many people." She said looking up at Viktor with wide grin.
Viktor was frozen as Adeline turned back to Mecho and started talking about the pool as if she had not just thrown down such a massive piece of information, he turned to his brothers who just shook their heads and smirked.
"Looks like you can be a little more confident as about tomorrow." Andrian said tilting his coffee cup at him.
Viktor shook his head, "That almost makes it more terrifying… because if she saw that …what if I mess it up?" He muttered rubbing his hand over his face as his other hand pulled Hermione closer on his lap, "Now if we don't win, I am going to wonder what I fucked up."
Vlad shook his head, "Na… I already bet 1,000 gallons that you were going to win… so I am not worried about you." He said.
Viktor shook his head at Vlad, "The team we are playing… they are good." He said with small frown, "I have seen them before…. They have an amazing offense, and their seeker is good."
Andrian nodded, "I have been talking to one of the players on that team… they want a new manager… they are good… really good." He said smiling, pausing when Viktor looked over at him, "But you guys are better…. You play more like you are one person… your team has the benefit of being together for years… you know what each other are thinking without having to say anything…... this team plays well as individuals …. Give them a few years and then I might bet against you." He said with a chuckle.
Viktor burst out laughing, "I am not sure if I should thank you or tell you to fuck off." He said, when Andrian shrug and grinned, Viktor rolled his eyes, "I guess I will thank you."
Hermione threw a roll. "You would never bet against Viktor." She said at Andrian who burst out laughing. Hermione shook her head leaning against Viktor again covering her mouth when she yawned again.
Viktor looked at Hermione, his hand brushing her hair back gently, "You need to sleep love and I need to change and get to practice." He said with a small sigh.
Anna and Mecho stood up, "Come on girls…" She said to Adeline and Bella. "We are going to get dressed and go swimming." She said giving Hermione a soft smile, "Rest dear and take care of yourself."
Adeline skipped over to Hermione and Viktor, "Take a good nap Minnie Mouse." She said reaching up to pat Hermione's cheek when Viktor pulled her up with one arm to give the top of her curls a kiss. Adeline turned to Viktor, "Make sure that you still practice hard Papa…. So tomorrow you win." She leaned over to give Viktor a kiss on his cheek before wiggling in his arm until he let her go.
Adeline ran over to Anna and grabbed her on the arm, "Lets go… lets go… I want to knock on Aunt Luna's door." She said pulling a laughing Anna out the door, Mecho and now Bella behind them.
Hermione shook her head, "I am not going to lie… I am kind of excited that I get to stay in and nap…. I don't think I have enough energy to swim with those two right now." She said grinning.
Viktor placed his hands at Hermione's hips helping her stand up off his lap, "Alright woman… time to give you some potions and put you down for a nap… so I can go to work." He said.
Hermione burst out laughing as she waved to the boys around the table, "Night boys." She said slipping her hand into Viktor's, "See you for dinner."
Alek pointed to Viktor, "I left her potions on the desk in your room… give her both and she will be out." He said.
Viktor nodded and Hermione rolled her eyes, "I am right here, you know." She said.
Alek nodded at her, "Yes and you are notorious for not listening." He said, "I know Viktor will make sure that you take them…... and you will get two more after dinner later… that way you are rested and ready for tomorrow…. it will be a long day." He said.
Hermione just smiled at Alek, but Viktor nodded at Alek before walking Hermione to their room and walking her over to the bed, "You need to take a nap love." Viktor said pulling her into his arms, "Rest and then we will go out to dinner with family… the rest of our group is coming… including all the Weasleys and I know you will want to see and spend time with all of them."
Hermione smiled up at Viktor her hands brushing up and down his back, "Ohhhh another nap." She said sarcastically, "I want to be upset that you are telling me to nap when Adeline and Bella have not even had a nap yet today and I have only been up a few hours… but I am not going to lie…. I am exhausted and kind of sore."
Viktor leaned his head down to hers, his lips brushing hers gently, "If it makes you feel better, I want to nap also… I want to climb into bed with you and just curl around you and sleep." He whispered against her lips, "I don't need to go to practice... I am already the best seeker in the world." He said confidently making Hermione giggle up at him. "And you heard Adeline… I will win."
Hermione burst out laughing her hand slapping his back gently, "And you heard her… you need to practice… hard." She said making Viktor smile at her, "Plus what would your coach say about you napping and not practicing?"
Viktor sighed, "Georgi would kill me if he caught me sleeping at our last practice before the cup." He said slipping his hands down her sides to cup her bottom and pull her close, carful to make sure he did not put any pressure on her back that was still healing. "Can you get me out of it… write me a wife note?"
Hermione threw her head back laughing before she pulled him down to brush her lips over his. When she pulled back, she cupped his cheeks her fingers brushing through his beard, "I can't get you a note…...I am not your wife…... but I can listen to your advise about a nap." She promised, "And you can wake me up later with kisses."
Viktor sighed dramatically, "But I want to stay here now…... and you are already my wife in every way that matters..." He whispered against her lips, 'Don't send me away to be beaten and abused and worn out…. Don't you love me?"
Hermione curled her arms around his neck pulling him down so his face slid along hers to tuck his face in her neck, "I love you more then anyone else in this world…." She whispered pushing some of her magic through their bond smiling when she felt him sag against her and moan.
"I love it when you do that.' He whispered before pushing some of his magic back to her making close in her eyes letting it wash over her. Viktor pulled back cupping her neck and laying his mouth over hers. Demanding entrance and smirking when she leaned fully against him moaning deep in her throat.
It was Viktor that groaned when she pulled back and smiled up at him, "You have to go Viktor." She said brushing her hands down his chest to fix his shirt. "I will be fine… I am just going to sleep while mama takes the girls swimming yet again…. We are going to need to add a pool to our house."
Viktor tilted his head, looking down at her with thoughtful eyes, "Where do you want to live…... I know that we have not talked about that before." He asked.
Hermione narrowed her eyes at him, "I know that you are just distracting me right now… because you don't want to leave me because you know something is bothering me…but to answer your question, I don't really mind where." She said her finger brushing along his stomach, "Where do you want to live?"
Viktor slid his fingers into her curls, tilting her head up at him, "Normally in our family it is traditional for children to stay with their parents until we marry…. And then the homes are passed along as marriage gifts…... so traditionally Andrian would receive our grandfathers manor from our fathers side…. Alek would get our grandmothers manor from our fathers side…... Vlad would receive the manor from our mothers side, and I would get our grandmother's family home from my mother's side." He said, his hand brushing through her curls.
Hermione narrowed her eyes, "You keep saying you would… not you will." She said, her hands brushing his sides.
Viktor smirked, "Yes because we are also not known to follow traditions." He said. "Andrian already bought an estate that he loves and does not plan on leaving it…... it helps that it is close to mama and papa now…. He stays with us when Rose is out of town…. But stays at the estate when Rose is home."
Hermione smiled, "I love Rose…. The more time I spend with her… the more I can see how prefect she is for Andrian… She balances his noritic need to control everything with how free she is." She said giggling.
Viktor smirked, "She really does…. Kind of like you balance me… according to everyone…I am…" He paused with narrowed eyes, "A scowling…. Moody... demanding man... and you are soft and kind and sweet." His hands cupping her hips to bring her closer.
Hermione shook her head, reaching up to cup his cheeks, "Moody ... maybe… scowl-y…. Absolutely…." She brushed her thumbs over his lips the way she knew he loved, watching his eyes slide closed in contentment, his scowl slipping into a smile "But also sweet... and kind... smart and caring…. Loving and wonderful… well I could go on and on." She whispered.
Viktor slid his eyes open to look down at her, "I love you, Mila…. So much…. I will always be here for you." He kissed her forhead gently, "And you can always tell me anything…. I need to be there for you… like I need to breath." He whispered trying to tell her how much he wanted to help her… to know what was bothering her.
Hermione froze, her eyes closed thinking about what happened the day before but shook her head, "I love you …...All I need is you in my life Viktor…. Only you…. because you do balance me." She whispered. She paused taking a deep breath, "Now about this house thing…. Where do you want to live… because I don't have a lot of money to my name right now…... so I will not be much help." She said with a smirk.
Viktor felt his heart stutter when Hermione tensed in his arms but when she didn't say anything he got frustrated. Then he remembered what Alek said and did not want to push her before she was ready, so he gave her a small smirk, "Then it is good that I have more then enough money between my inheritance and my quidditch career." He said, "We can find a house we like… or we can stay at the manor with my parents…... or we can see about moving into one of the other houses in the family…. Alek and Vlad have had no voice about the ones they want... and I don't either… so we can go look at them."
Hermione tilted her head to the side and bit her lip, her eyes taking on that thinking gloss. Viktor knew what she was doing and wanted to wait her out… wanted her to figure out what she really wanted and vocalize it. For so long Hermione had been at the mercy of the war… of not knowing where she would or would not be… she had not had a safe place to call her own… a place to be at peace… and he would let her pick where they lived because above all else, he wanted her to feel safe …like she had control… he wanted to be her at peace.
Hermione sighed, "Where do you want to live?" She asked, her eyes bright and calculating, knowing what he was doing.
Viktor smirked and shrugged, "I don't care…. As long as I have you and the girls and can get to and from the stadium easy." He shook his head when she went to cut in, "Honestly Mila… I love living at the manor with my family…. I missed that the last year…. Or I would love to have private time and it would be fun to house hunting with you... to pick our own place….or I loved my grandparents houses and visiting them on holidays…." He paused his eyebrows drawing together, "Well... all except my grandmother's house… I am pretty sure that one is haunted, and I would prefer not to pick that one." He said making Hermione burst out laughing, Viktor kissed her nose, "I will honestly be happy in any of your choices…. Except my grandmother's house."
Hermione sighed, biting her lip, "I think that maybe… for now we stay at the manor?" She whispered, her tone more of a question then a statement, "With family… with mama and papa and the boys if they are ok with it?"
Viktor wrapped his arms around Hermione pulling her close to his chest, "I think that is a great ideal…. I know that mama and papa would love having you and the girls with them as long as possible…. If we are not carful then we will never be allowed to leave." He said, "And I know Vlad, Alek and even Andrian have been coming back more often just to see you… so us staying there… I think that is a great idea…. I also like the ideal of you and the girls being with family when I have to travel for quidditch."
Hermione gave Viktor a brilliant smile, "I love you. She whispered, "Thank you for this… and everything else you do for me.
Viktor shrugged, "It is because I am an amazing man…... soon to be your husband." He said with a smirk, "Now you go to bed and I will go to practice…. And later we will have dinner with all of our friends and family before early bed because tomorrow…" He paused picking Hermione up by her hips, so she wrapped her legs around his waist to carry her over to the bed, "Tomorrow I am going to catch the snitch and win us a cup."
Hermione giggled as she wrapped her arms around his neck, not letting go when he laid her on the bed, "Maybe you can stay here with me instead." She said reaching up and kissing his chin.
Viktor shook his head, "No… let go woman… you will nap." He said kissing her deeply, his tongue demanding entrance, his hands wondering over her legs. When she moaned deep in her throat Viktor felt his body tense as he pulled back, "I have to go." He whispered down at her soft smile, "But you make it hard to leave." His fingers brushing back her curls.
Hermione sighed pulling back and curling her hands under face as she rolled to her side with a small smile, "Am I tempting? She asked watching Viktor close his eyes as he sat on the side of the bed and when he groaned Hermione giggled.
Viktor looked over at her with narrowed eyes, "You are the ultimate temptation." He said getting up to walk over to the desk and grab her potions, "Take these woman…. And you will nap." He said helping her sit up with a small smile.
Hermione quickly swallowed the potions down and laid back down on the pillows. Viktor walked down and pulled Hermione's shoes off, gently tucking her feet under the covers before carefully pulling the comforter up around Hermione shoulders, "Sleep My dove." He said leaning over to kiss her curls.
Viktor paused when Hermione reached out and grabbed his hand, he looked down to see her eyes mostly closed as the potions were already kicking in, "I am ok." She murmured, "I feel safe with you and the family…..." Viktor sat down carefully, using his other hand to brush back her curls, and Hermione pulled his hand to her lips kissing his fingers, her eyes sliding all the way closed, "I know you … you are worried about me…. but I am really ok…. I just need you." She sighed the words out.
Viktor paused his hand resting on her cheek, his thumb brushing the faint bruise on her cheek bone, "You will always have me." He promised softly. "I will always be here."
Hermione slowly lifted one eye lid to look up at Viktor's soft smile, the potions clouding her eyes, "I saw Ron yesterday in the hallway." She said so quietly Viktor was not sure he heard her at first, "He tried to talk to me…... but I came into the room and the boys stayed with me." She closed her eyes, her hands holding onto Viktor's softy, "I don't know why I was so scared…. But I felt safe with our family…. With you."
Viktor felt his entire body tense at the realization of what happened yesterday... what had terrified her to the point of her now looking over her shoulder…..
That man….
NO…. Not man…
That Fucking boy, that had laid hands on his woman…... had been near her…. been alone with her… even if only for a moment and Viktor felt his enter body tremble with rage… he wanted to tear apart the room… tear apart this building until he found Ron and killed him with his bare hands….
But when he looked back down, he saw Hermione sleeping, her face peaceful and relaxed as she held his hand. Viktor took a deep breath, leaning down to kiss her lips gently, "I will ALWAYS be here with you Mila…. We all will." He promised softly before standing up and tucking the covers tightly around her shoulders, "I will be back soon." He promised to her sleeping form, before pulling on his uniform and walking into the sitting room pulling the bedroom door closed.
He looked up to see table had new faces with Rose, Harry and Ginny sitting with his three brothers now. Viktor walked over to the table and looked at Ginny, his eyes hard as he scowled at her, "Did you know" He snarled out, his body tense and furious.
Alek looked at Viktor and stood up moving between Viktor and Ginny, holding his hands out, "What is going on Viktor?" He asked in a soft tone.
Viktor looked at Alek his eyes black and hard as ice, "Fucking Ron… He got to Hermione in the hallway yesterday... he was what scared her so badly." He snarled looking past Alek's shoulder to Ginny, "Did you know your brother was here?"
Ginny shook her head, her face pale, "He is here?" She asked, eyes wide.
Viktor saw the worry in her eyes as she looked to the bedroom door and the uncertainty and Viktor knew that Ginny did not know, "Mila told me that he tried to talk to her, but she came into the room." He said nodding at his brothers, "She said that you made her feel safe and took care of her…" He took a deep breath, "Thank you." He said to the looking into their eyes, needing them to know how much he appreciated what they did for Hermione.
Vlad, Andrian and Alek all nodded at him, "Always." They whispered, "We will always protect her… and you."
Viktor nodded closing his eyes, "I have to go to practice… but I do not want to leave her." He said softly.
Rose walked over laying a hand on his arm, "We will not leave her…... we will keep close." She promised.
Viktor clenched his jaw looking over to Harry, "She can only be so strong." He said, "Even she has something that she needs help facing…. And I do not want her to face him… ever again."
Harry nodded, "I agree… I am meeting the rest of the family… I will let them know Ron was… is here and that we have to make sure that she is never left alone." He said.
Viktor nodded, "I do not want anyone to bring him up when talking to her…... if she brings him up fine... but we will give her peace and let her lead us." He sad looking to Alek who nodded at him, "It took her all day and her potions before she told me."
Ginny slid her hand into Alek's, and she closed her eyes, "I know he is my brother…... but he hurt my sister... and me and our entire family…." She whispered rubbing her forhead, "I don't know what I am supposed to do."
Alek turned to her, carefully pulling her into his arms, "Hey…. none of us know what you are going through… and if he was not your brother, I would tell you that I wanted to kill him… slowly… but I know that hurting him will hurt you… and even Hermione… because I knows she cares for him also…. Despite what he has done." Alek whispered, "Just know that we will love you and Hermione always."
Ginny started crying softly, "How can I ever forgive him for what he did to her… what he did to me?" She asked softly, "But how can I cut him from my life… he is my big brother."
Alek looked over at his brothers over Ginny's shoulder as she cried into his chest and had no clue how to answer her. Alek was trying to think of how he would cut any of his brothers out of his life… how he would cope with them doing something as heinous as hurting his sister and he could not even fathom it. His brothers looked back and had the same lost look and Alek sighed, his hand brushing Ginny's hair, and went with honesty, "I don't know." He whispered, "I don't know what you should do… I don't know what Hermione should do…. but I know that no matter what… just like Mione… you have us now... and as long as you and Mione are safe…. We will support you."
Viktor shook his head, but Vlad laid a hand on his shoulder and turned to Alek and Ginny, "Alek is right…. We can not tell you or Mione what to do… but you will always have our support." He said, "Just be nice to us if we don't want him to be around you or Mione… ever." He grinned.
Ginny looked up wiping her eyes, "I hate him… I hate him so much… for the pain that he caused all of us…. For leaving us… for the things he has said to us." She paused her eyes flashing her fury, "I HATE that he touched Minnie... I hate that she has guilt or pain because of him… if it was anyone else in this world, I would beat them until they bled…... I would kill them..." She paused her voice breaking, "But he is my brother…." She whispered.
Viktor sighed knowing that as much as he hated every single word out of Ginny's mouth... that her words were burning his soul… he knew…... he knew that Hermione felt the same way… that as much as Ron hurt her and she was scared of him… that Ron had been part of her life for longer then he had been… and he was part of her family. Viktor looked to Ginny and sighed, "Ginny… look at me." He said softly.
Viktor waited for Ginny to look at him and gave her the smallest smile, "Alek is right… as much I hate to say it…. It is not up to Alek or me or anyone else to tell you what is best for you." He said softly, "If I had my way, I would rip your brother limb from limb and bury his body where no one can find it…. But it's not…. And so… what Hermione tells me she needs... that is what I will do, no matter what…. And we will do the same for you… because this is not about us... it is about you."
Ginny gave Viktor a small nod taking a deep breath, "I am not sure yet." She said softly.
Viktor just gave her a nod, "So we wait…. Until you know." He said, "But for now… we will make sure that he stays away from both of you…. honestly if I see him, I might beat him…. But I won't' kill him…. But I will not let him near any of you…. especially Mila…. That is one thing I can't handle…. If she ever does need to see him or speak to him… I will be by her side."
Ginny gave Viktor a small smile, "If you do beat him up… can you get in a few shots for me?" She asked softly making Viktor smile at her, "and thank you."
Viktor nodded, "You are welcome, and you better appreciate my restraint." He said.
Ginny gave a wet giggle as she wiped her face, "I do… and so will Minnie." She said.
Viktor shook his head, "She better... because it is killing my soul not to kill him." He muttered looking up to see his brothers nodding at him. Viktor looked to the clock, "Fuck I am late again…. It is becoming a habit." He muttered looking to his brothers, "Watch her until I get back… she is sleeping and should be for a while."
All of his brothers gave him quick nods before he grabbed his broom and walked out of the room. On the way to the downstairs floo station Viktor's eyes constantly scanned looking for a patch of red hair and with each moment that he looked he felt his fury started to come back… the anger beginning to possess his body… the weeks of watching Hermione heal... the bruises he saw... the pain she went through…. And now the fear…. Viktor was ready to attack …. he wanted to beat something until they bled... or his hands bled…... he wanted to rip apart the world… but there had been nothing and it had set his teeth on edge even more... how was he supposed to protect Hermione when he couldn't even see the threat... he stepped into the floo station and closed his eyes, trying to breath through the fury.
Viktor stepped out at the stadium and moved to the field seeing his team already out in the field. They had started without him and for once he was grateful because he knew his face was hard as stone and only his family knew him better than his team... they would know instantly that something was wrong.
He made it to Georgi who was standing on the side of the field, "Sorry I am late." Victor clipped out, "I will go now." He moving his broom ready to mount it when Georgi's arm shot out to hold him.
"What happened?" Georgi asked sharply. "You were ok at breakfast... is Mione ok?"
Viktor shook his head, "Let me practice I will tell you all after." He said, his scowl etched deeply in his face, his eyes like ice, "I need to work off some anger."
Georgi nodded, "Go." He said.
Victor mounted his broom and took off at a speed that had Georgi heart stutter a little bit. For the next 4 hours Viktor played ruthlessly... diving and flying at breakneck speeds. His teammates knew something was wrong but when Viktor caught the snitch he was finished. The sweat covering his face and body a testament to how hard he had been pushing himself.
Georgi waved his hands to gather the team around him, "Ok... ok... we are good I think... I don't want you to exhausted yourselves today." He called out, "I want you all to go to your rooms... eat a good meal... relax and sleep!" He said looking around, "We will meet in the locker rooms tomorrow at 8am... the game will start at 9 am sharp."
The team all nodded at their coach, "We will play hard tomorrow, and we will play as a team... and win-or lose... we do it together... this is not just a team... this is a family." He called out.
The team all cheered out in agreement as the coach pointed at them, "We are family." They all yelled. Viktor stood silent in the circle ready to go... needing to get back to Hermione… to know she was safe and ok…. But his team saw his silence… they watched him fight an unknown force the last 4 hours… they could see the fury in his body as his muscles were tense and coiled…... they knew he was not ok because they were his family. They all turned to him and waited.
Viktor looked around the circle and shook his head but Ludmil took a step forward, "Is Hermione ok?" He asked softly.
Viktor closed his eyes wanting to talk to this team…. Wanting to tell them what was going on… but it was not his story, "I …" He shook his head, "Hermione is safe in our room with my brothers keeping watch." He said tightly.
Ludmil narrowed his eyes, "That is not what I asked… what is going on Viktor." He asked. "How do we help you and her if we don't know what is going on."
Viktor clenched his jaw looking over the field turning to figure out how to talk to his team without telling too much and Ludmil shook his head, "Just tell us Viktor." He demanded, "We can help…... is something wrong…. The cup does not matter if she and you are not safe."
Viktor turned back to his team who was watching him closely, "This is not my story to tell… and I am only telling you all some of it because I want you to keep watch over Hermione and Ginny whenever you can…" He said clenching his jaw tightly, waiting for them to nod at him before taking a deep breath, "There is a boy…. who thinks that he is a man…..." He snarled out his anger coming back to the surface, "He hurt Hermione after the war was finished…... he hurt her more than the war possibly."
Ludmil looked at Viktor with wide eyes and Viktor's nostrils flared, "She ran from her home thinking she did not have a safe place there… he took her home… he took her family for a small time…." Viktor growled under his breath, "and when I let her go up to the room by herself yesterday ... he caught her in the hall and tried to talk to her…... it scared her."
Viktor watched the fury and frustration go over his teammates faces, "I don't want him near Mila…. Or Ginny… or any of my family." He said darkly, "What I really want to do is kill him… slowly... painfully." Viktor snarled out darkly, his hands clenching at his sides, his body tight as steel, "I need you all to watch out for him…. To let me know if you see him…. He has bright red hair; he is about Hermione's height…. I will see if I can get a photo you can look at."
Ivan looked at Viktor carefully, "Bright red head… like Ginny's?" He asked.
Viktor gave a slight nod, "He is Ginny's brother…... one of her brothers." He said, "You will meet most of her family tomorrow and they are all amazing… Mila thinks of Ginny's family as her family…. Ginny's parents are like parents to Mila… Ginny's brothers are her brothers and Ginny is her sister…. She has been with them since she was 11."
Kiril narrowed his eyes, "So the person that hurt her…. was like a brother to her… was her family?" He asked, his voice dark.
Viktor nodded, "Yes." He growled out, he paused taking a deep breath, "I need you all to watch out for her…. if I am not there… if somehow my family is not there… keep Hermione safe… do not let him near her… do not let him speak a single word to her." He begged them.
His team all nodded, "Of course." They said, "Will keep her safe." They promised.
Viktor sighed, his body exhausted and his mind racing, "I just want her safe and happy… and he terrifies her…... I watched her this morning, and she was never relaxed… she was never truly at peace until we were locked in our room." He said clenching his jaw, "I hate seeing the fear in her eyes…I hate the pain…. I want to take it way for her."
Ludmil walked over to pull Viktor in for a tight hug, "She will feel safe again one day when she is alone…. And she already feels safe with you watching over her… with you she will be more than ok Viktor… she will be and is happy." He whispered to Viktor.
Viktor closed his eyes, his nostrils flaring, and Georgi walked over to cup Viktor's cheeks, "She will be watched over Viktor… she will never be left alone…. she will always have us… she is family" He said gently, "and she has you Viktor… you share your magic… even from here… feel your magic and push it to her, wrap her in it."
Viktor looked at Georgi for a moment not realizing that he could share magic from so far. He closed his eyes feeling the magic inside himself…. When he looked closer, he felt Hermione's magic intertwined with his and if he concentrated, he could feel it warming his heart…. The longer he embraced it, the more the anger faded away until all he could feel was her love and he pushed his love into her magic feeling it grow hotter…. After a few moments Viktor opened his eyes and gave his coach a small smile, "Thank you." He said quietly.
Georgi clapped his neck gently, "That is what family does Viktor… we take care of each other." He said.
Viktor looked around to his team, his eyes thanking them when he was unable to say the words out loud. Ludmil threw his arm over Viktor, "Come on you… I want to go back and have dinner and sleep…. Some team member made our practice hell…. Pushing us way to hard." He said grinning.
Viktor gave a low chuckle shaking his head, "You will thank me when we win tomorrow." Viktor said.
Ivan rolled his eyes as he rotated his shoulder, "No… we will blame you if we lose because we are all so sore." He said with a grin.
Viktor burst out laughing just like Ivan wanted and Ivan shook his head, "You think I am joking… my body feels like I have been run over." He muttered.
Dimiter nodded, "I agree…. My arms feel like noodles." He said.
Viktor shook his head, looking around the group, "Well you might be interested in hearing what Adeline dreamed of last night." He said grabbing his broom, starting to walk off the field.
Ludmil paused first in confusion…. then he remembered what happened on family day and he gasped chasing after Viktor, "What did she dream?" He begged, eyes wide, "Tell me… tell us."
Georgi shook his head, "NO…. Do NOT tell us." He yelled, waving his hand at them.
Viktor smile over at his coach, "Ok…... I will keep it to myself." He said with a shrug.
Georgi clenched his jaw and looked at Viktor with narrowed eyes and as the rest of the team finally figured out what Adeline dreams meant, running up to Viktor with wide eyes.
Georgi cursed under his breath, "Ok …. fine tell us what your daughter dreamed." He demanded.
Viktor shook his head, but his team surround him yelling out demands making him finally smile … really smile since he had heard the news earlier. "Fine… FINE." He yelled out, holding up his hands.
When the group got quiet and waited Viktor shook his head, "Adeline told me that if we practiced hard… and played hard... that tomorrow I MIGHT catch the snitch and I MIGHT give Hermione a big kiss to celebrate…." Viktor paused scratching his beard, "Although Adeline also told me that in her dream, I took her on my broom to ride around the entire stadium after…. So, she may just be blackmailing me into thinking we win… so we work hard to win…. So, I take her on a ride." Viktor said shaking his head with a grin, "She is a smart little thing…. And she loves to ride on my broom."
His team paused grinning until Ivan spoke up, "I think that as long as we work hard… I knew we were going to win anyway…. But that little girl just made me anxiety come down a little bit… and I play better when I am un-stressed, so give her a kiss for me." He said nodding thoughtfully.
Viktor shook his head, "I want to point out that the day before yesterday she told me that she dreamed of a mermaid giving her voice away to a sea witch to get legs so she could marry a prince… Adeline's dreams do not always make sense or come true." Viktor said rolling his eyes.
Ludmil waved his hands, "Does not matter, I trust my little niece… if she dreamed it… then it will come to pass as long as I work hard enough." He said with a grin, "Now to rest and relax so I can become a champion tomorrow." He turned walking across the field, looking over his shoulder he grinned at Viktor…... "Viktor… I really may have to push you aside and take Hermione and Adeline and Bella… I feel like they would be much happier with me." He called out making Viktor narrow his eyes before running and tackling him, making the team shake their heads at them.
When Ludmil screamed, his teammates all laughed and jogged over to pull the two of them apart, before one by one the team all gave Viktor a push as they walked off the field, laughing and joking with each other as they pulled Ludmil away.
Viktor paused looking at his team and was able to breathe just little easier knowing his team would be watching over Hermione even closer…. That they had more people in their circle to create a bubble of love and peace…. And for just that moment he felt like everything was going to be ok… that tomorrow was going to be a good day…. That he would win, and he would be surrounded by love and family and his teammates…. Everything was going to be ok….