Viktor looked around the table to see all of Hemione's family around the massive table in the dinning room that his mother had reserved that morning, his own family sprinkled in with all of the red heads.
Hermione was laughing at something that Fred said to her as Bella bounced in her lap. Viktor felt his heart settle a little as he took in her relaxed posture, her bright eyes and easy smile. It was the happiest he had seen her since she had come into their dining room only a month ago.
Viktor slid his arm along the back of her chair, letting his fingers trail along her arm and gave her a gentle smile when she looked up at him.
"Hey.' She said softly, "What?" She asked tilting her head at him when he just looked at her.
Viktor shook his head, "I love you." He said simply.
Hermione grinned up at him, "I love you too." She said letting Bella climb off her lap and run over to Molly who was holding her hands out to her.
Viktor shook his head and leaned forward so his forhead was touching hers, "No…I love you." He said easily… simply, "And I just realized that no matter what…. Everything is prefect."
Hermione raised an eyebrow and Viktor kissed her lips gently before pulling back, "I am being serious…. Win or lose tomorrow…... if I play or never play ever again…... if this is all I have for the rest of my life…... my family…. Our girls." He paused and cupped her cheek, "You laughing… healthy and happy…. Then my life will be prefect."
"Oh yea?" Hermione said cupping his cheek her fingers sliding through his beard, "You don't want to win tomorrow?"
Viktor slid his arms around her hips and pulled her over and onto his lap, "Winning would be amazing…... playing for another 20 years would be great…... having many, many, many more children with you." He said with a grin, "Would make life crazy but wonderful… but all I need to have a full life… its right here." He said leaning his forhead into her curls, "You My love…. You are all that I need."
Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered into his ear, "And all I need is here." She whispered, "I love you… Оbhyam Te, Viktor."
Viktor smiled into her curls, "I love it when you talk to me in Bulgarian… when you tell me you love me in my native tongue." He whispered, his lips brushing her ear making her smile.
Hermione sighed closing her eyes and leaning into his face, "Viktor you are Сърцето ми." She said her fingers brushing down his chest.
Viktor pulled her closer, "As you are MY Heart." He whispered, his lips brushing her neck as he rubbed his nose along her jaw.
"Will you two save it." Fred said grinning at them, "Minnie…. What time are you going to the box tomorrow?"
Hermione laid against Viktor's chest turing to Fred, "Viktor already made it clear that HE will be taking me to the family box at 7:45 am so he can be in the locker room by 8am." She said with a grin, "It was a great debate because he wanted to let me sleep… but he also did not want me to travel with out him out of the hotel." Hermione rolled her eyes and giggled making Viktor tighten his arms around her.
Viktor scowled at them, "You are not funny… and yes are right…... it hard enough to have you move inside the hotel without me… traveling to the stadium without me is not happening." He growled out, "In fact you will stay inside the family box until I come and get you to bring you back after the game."
Hermione turned her head with a mock frown, "What if your game takes days?" She said, "You want me to stay there the entire time?" She asked with a smirk.
Viktor shook his head, his fingers dance on her side making her jump, "It will not take days… you don't have faith that I will catch the snitch right away…." He asked with raised eyebrows.
Hermione burst out laughing, "I have all the faith in the world in you… besides even if it does take long enough that I need a nap." She said, "Charlie, Fred and Molly set up the family box today to include a rest area for me and the girls."
Viktor looked over to Molly who smiled at them, Bella bouncing in her arms, "The order went to the main box today and combined multiple boxes and warded them with our strongest magic." Molly said, "We explained to Georgi that each family will have to bring their families and have them scanned and entered into the box by Charlie or Fred."
Hermione smiled, "Sounds like we will be in a bubble…. A magic bubble." She said watching Molly roll her eyes but nodded. Hermione hands trailed over Viktor's on her lap, her fingers dancing with his, "See Viktor…. I will be just fine… between Molly's magic bubble and every single person at this table that will be in the box with us… we will all be just fine."
Viktor sighed setting his chin on her shoulder, "If everyone is coming to the box to be dropped off then we will need to get their earlier." He muttered closing his eyes.
Molly shook her head, "No…. we put a ward on so order member can apparate straight into the box at the stadium… so you and Hermione can go straight into the box in the morning and skip the hallways and the floo stations…... and we put another ward on our suite… so she can come back if she wants to rest." She said with a smile.
Viktor clenched his jaw for a moment before he looked right at Molly, "Any order member?" He asked tightly, his tone brokering his question.
Molly instantly knew who he meant and gave a small shake of her head, "No we altered it so he could not pass our wards." She said softly looking down, "Harry told us, and we will be watching." She looked up at Viktor, her eyes wary but firm, "He is my son… but he also hurt one of my daughters…" Molly paused looking down at Bella who was struggling to jump across the table to Anna who was pretending to not listen, and Molly smiled as Bella crawled over the table to Ana before looking back to Viktor "If I am being honest to myself…. he hurt more then just Hermione… he hurt all of my children and I will not let him do it again." She promised.
Viktor nodded at her and Hermione sighed, "I am ok… I promise." She said gripping Viktor's hand, turning to look up at him, "I think I was just surprised to see him… and caught off guard and that day came flashing back... now that I know, I can be prepared, and I will not let it blindside me again."
Viktor shook his head, "You should not have to prepare yourself and if I have my say you will not have to deal with it ever again." He said scowling, "Never again."
Fred reached over to grab Hermione's hand, "Viktor is right…. You will not be left alone again, and he will not come near you… no one will while I am here to protect you." He said softly. "With all of us watching over you."
Hermione sighed, "I will have ALL of you know that I don't need ANY of you to protect me… I am strong enough to take care of myself." She said shaking her head.
Viktor pulled her closer but before he could say anything George held up a hand, "We know that you do not need to be protected." He said with a frown.
"Yes… you have been doing that all on your own for years." Fred said pointing his finger at her.
"She has been protecting all of us." Said George pointing at Fred. Shaking his head dramatically.
Fred nodded at his brother looking back at Hermione, "Now we will protect you." Said George pointing at Hermione.
"Yes…. You will relax and let us watch your back and we will take care of everything." The twins said together.
Hermione smiled as she rolled her eyes, "You two." She whispered, "I love you too."
The boys grinned at her before turing to Viktor, "So… you are now officially part of the order." Fred said, "How did you like the ceremony?"
Before Viktor could answer George grabbed a roll taking a bite and grinned, "Not what you thought… right." He said, "Fastest 2 minutes of your life as we said the spell."
Viktor gave a small smile, "It was… quicker then I thought it would be." He said, his fingers trailing along Hermione's side, "I was expecting the ceremony to be... a bit more elaborate."
Charlie laughed from the end of the table, "The original ceremony was led by Mad Eye who as you know liked simple and quick… no wasting time." He said.
Bill burst out laughing, "I always did love that about Mad Eye…... he kept things sweet and simple…. No extra... wasted time." He said, his arm wrapping around Fleur, "When he ran meetings, they were quick and efficient…. if a bit grumpy."
Hermione gave a small smile, her eyes filling with tears, "I would always smile when he snorted when he was frustrated, and he would always say to me "…what… what girl… got something to say." Hermione said quietly, "Then he would hand me a butterscotch candy and tell me to hush up as he walked away."
Ginny smiled as she leaned against Alek, "He would always tell me that my red hair would be the death of me because it could be seen for miles away like a flame." She said softly, "Then he would give it a tug when no one was looking."
Alek frowned, "That was not nice." He muttered, his hand rubbing her arm, but Ginny shook her head, "That was HIS way of caring because whenever we would go somewhere, and I was with him... he would hand me a black cap." She said softly, "He was hard and firm… crabby and mean…. but he was…. Caring under all of that…. He cared.' She finished softly.
Hermione nodded wiping a tear off her cheek, "God he was crabby and mean…" She said with a small smile, "but he cared... about each one of us… about the world…. He died saving all of us… he died to protect us."
Viktor rubbed his hand up and down Hermione's arm, "I remember him…. He was always drinking out of his flask." He said.
Neville snorted, "Yes he was… one day I asked him what was in there and he told me that if you lived as long as he did… and fight as long as he did… that he could drink whatever he wanted, and no one was allowed to ask him anything." He said smirking, "Then told me was that I surprised him… he didn't think that I would be half as good as I was."
Viktor sat in surprise and Neville shook his head smiling, "It was his way of telling me that he was proud of me and that I was worth fighting with." He said. "He never could just say something nice…. It was always vailed behind sarcasm and snark."
George snorted, "He was my favorite person… he ALWAYS had something to say." He said.
Fred nodded, "And it was never nice… which made it fun to listen too." He said.
Hermione rolled her eyes and laughed laying her head on Viktor's shoulder, "I loved that he was always honest…. He never tried to make me feel better… or lied to make the situation feel right… he just told us exactly how things were…. Good, bad or ugly, we knew what was coming." She said softly.
Viktor let his hands brush her sides again as she settled against him, "He sounds like he was special." He said softly to her.
Hermione nodded, "He was." She whispered, "They were all special… each in their own way." She said looking over at Molly first before letting her eyes tail over Author, Charlie, Fleur, Bill, Fred, George, Neville, Ginny, Luna and Harry. They each gave her a soft smile and nod remembering all the people they had lost along the way, "They will be each missed for as long as we can remember them." She said sitting forward and holding up a cup, "To remembering." She whispered.
One by one they raised their glasses and Hermione felt her heart fill when Ana, Mecho, Vlad, Andrian, Rose, Alek and finally Viktor reached to raise a glass with her. "To always remembering those, we have lost." Viktor said softly, looking around the table to the added members of his family, "And loving the ones that remain… to helping them whether burdens and be the ones they lean on when they need support." He said softly.
Hermione closed her eyes one of her hands going to cover her mouth as Viktor's words filled her with warmth. Viktor leaned over and kissed Hermione's curls, "To those who saved all of us…... both here and gone… we can never repay you for the things you have given up for the world…... but we will love you and try until the ends of our days." He whispered gently.
"To remembering and loving always." The group said in unison.
Hermione whispered, "To remembering." Before turning and placing her face in Viktor's neck.
Viktor cupped the back of her head, "I love you…... and I will be here when you are loving them and remembering…... I will be here when you are hurting when you are remembering... and I will be here to help you celebrate their lives." He promised.
Hermione pulled back to look at Viktor, "That is why this…. This is my prefect… you are my perfect." She whispered cupping his cheek for a moment before leaning her forhead on his chin letting his beard tickle her, "This moment… you... all of the ones that I love…... all here with us… loving each other… being together… it is prefect." She pulled back to see Adeline sitting in between Vlad and Harry eating cake… Bella bouncing on Ana's lap as Bill gave her cookies... and everyone laughing and smiling.
Life was prefect.
Hermione turned back to Viktor, laying against him letting him be her shelter… letting him be her home.
Hermione was not sure when she fell asleep, but she slowly woke up when Viktor pulled her up into his arms, carrying her out of the dining room following Harry as he watched the hall for them.
"Viktor?" She whispered, her arms wrapping around his neck, "Is it time for bed?" She asked eyes sliding closed.
Viktor chuckled, "For you yes… and for me." He said getting into the elevator Harry standing in front of them, "The rest of the group I have a feeling will be drinking for a while… and the girls eating."
Hermione smiled against his neck, her breath brushing his chin making him pull her closer, "Mama will put the girl to bed for us… and get them up and dressed in the morning…. You and I will apparate to the family box at 7:45." He said softly.
Hermione hummed against him, letting him deal with everything while she rested. Viktor smiled down at her watching her slip back into sleep.
"She is out." Harry said softly.
Viktor gave a soft smile, "She needs it…. You all need to rest." He said watching the elevator doors open on their floor.
Harry smiled, "We all do." He agreed walking with Viktor down the hall to the suite opening the door for them, "We have been watching for him…..." He said softly, "but none of us have seen him…. But we put up wards to protect her and the girls…. Both at the field and here… we are watching over them Viktor…. I will not let him hurt her again…. It should have never happened… if I was paying better attention…. I should have been…." Harry paused taking a deep breath as he closed his eyes, "I failed her." He whispered.
Viktor paused with Hermione in his arms, and clenched his jaw looking at Harry, "She has all of you…. to watch over her… and she has my team... and me." He said, "And as my mother told me when I was struggling… we can look at the things that we should have… or could have done …. We can look at all the ways that we wish we could change what has happened but that will not change the past… and it will not undo what has been done…." He paused looking down at Hermione, "All I can do now… is learn from what has happened and be here now…. love her now… protect her the best that I can now."
Viktor looked back up at Harry, "You are her best friend… well next to me." He said with a small smile, "And she will be ok… I will not let ANYTHING happen to her…." He promised looking at Harry, "WE will not let anything happen to her…. and she is a fighter… she can and will protect all of us and herself." Viktor waited for Harry to give a small smile back before he gave a small frown, "But we need to watch over Ginny also… I know he hurt her..." Viktor looked Harry in the eyes, "and he hurt you…... he hurt all of you… you all have to be careful."
Harry frowned at Viktor, "I didn't think of it like that." He said softly.
Viktor nodded, "I know… because you are too busy trying to protect the girls…. But don't let him hurt you either." He said, his eyes searching Harry's, "Mila will be upset if something happens to you."
Harry gave Viktor a small smile, "I will be careful." He promised, "Our plan... our goal is to get Ron to go with Molly and Arther for treatment… we hope… we are praying that he can grow… get better." He said.
Viktor closed his eyes, "I know why you want him to get better…. I know it is what she would want." Viktor said softly, "But never…...NEVER…... I never want her around him again." He snarled out the last part as his rage simmered, "I will never be ok with him in her life."
Harry gave a small nod, "I understand." He said softly looking at Viktor carefully, "But you would let him around her…... if she wanted it."
Viktor clenched his jaw so hard Harry was worried that he would break his teeth before Viktor gave a sharp nod, "I would…. But never alone… never again." He said under his breath.
Harry gave a soft smile, "There will never be anything that she asks for that you will not give her… is there" He said with a chuckle.
Viktor rolled his eyes, "No…. I don't think there is." He said softly, "I hope she is gentle with me."
Harry laughed shaking his head, "Oh no… she is going to slowly drive you insane and give you stomach ulcers…" He said walking to the door, "But she will love you fiercely and bring you more happiness then you can ever imagine."
Viktor nodded at Harry with a small smile playing on his lips watching him leave before turning and taking her to bed, carefully tucking her under the cover giving her, her potions and pulling off her clothes. Viktor pulled off his own clothes and climbing in and wrapping himself around her, "I love you Mila." He whispered.
Hermione rolled over into his arms, tucking her face into his neck, "I love you too." She mumbled, "Sleep now… so we can win tomorrow."
Viktor chuckled, his hands rubbing her back gently, "So WE can win?" He asked.
Hermione nodded, her curls tickling his nose, "Yes… we." She mumbled.
"Yes Love…." He whispered kissing her forhead gently, "Yes love."
-/-
Viktor finished pulling on his uniform, looking over to Hermione as she slid on her white silk slip dress and tying a black velvet belt around her waist. Her curls tumbling down her back, the minimal makeup she added highlighting her eyes and the dusting of freckles over her nose that he loved to trail his lips over. Viktor smiled at how utterly beautiful she was…. And she was his…. His ring sparkling on her finger for the world to see…. He walked over to the dresser to grab the necklace he made sure to bring with. He turned to see her putting a layer of pale of lipstick on, looking at him in the mirror with a soft smile.
"You look beautiful." Viktor said softly, "But you are missing something." He said walking over to stand behind Hermione in front of the mirror, "You need these." He crossed his hands over her shoulders to lay her rubies on her neck and fastening them closed. He leaned forward to kiss the back of her neck, "They kept you safe on family day… so I know they will keep you safe today."
Hermione leaned back against Viktor, "I will be just fine." She promised, looking at him in the mirror, "And you are going to kick ass today."
Viktor wrapped his arms around her waist, "I think you are right." He said softly, "I feel like my good look charm will be standing in the family box cheering me on."
Hermione rolled her eyes but smiled, "You will have thousands that will be cheering you on." She said laying her hands over his on her stomach.
Viktor shook his head gently placing chin on her shoulder before turning to lay his lips on her cheek, "I told you… thousands of people cheering is not the same as one of your loved ones there…. And now I have three of you." He said brushing his nose back and forth on her cheek, "You and the girls… and my family…... that is all I need."
Hermione turned in his arms to place her hands on his chest, before leaning up and kiss his chin, "Well I will be there screaming the loudest… loving you the most…." She slid her hands around his neck, "And win or lose … you get to come home with me…. And the girls and your family… who all love you unconditionally."
Viktor smiled down at her, but Hermione pulled him down to kiss him gently and whispered on his lips, "But I think that you will win."
Viktor gave her a bright smile, "I think that you are right." He said pulling back, "Now are you ready to go love, it is 7:40."
Hermione stepped back and did a small twirl, "How do I look?" she asked.
Viktor shook his head, "You need to change." He said his eyes soaking her in, the fire in their depths making her stomach clench. "That dress…..."
Hermione gave a mocking frown knowing what he was doing and turned to look in the mirror, "What is wrong with it?" She asked moving back and forth taking in the glint of the rubies over her silk dress.
Viktor narrowed his eyes, "You look entirely too beautiful… I don't like it." He said. "People will stare at you and try to steal you from me."
Hermione turned and started at Viktor and shook her head with a small smile, "You are the worst." She said shaking her head and gave him a small shove that had him chuckling. "And they can look all they want…... but there is only one wizard that I love unconditionally…. That I will be kissing and cheering on." She said reaching over to stand on her toes to kiss her chin.
Viktor went to reach for her with a smile, but she slipped past him to grab her bag and a velvet Burgundy robe that matched Viktor uniform, "Lets go." She said reaching out to grab his hand, "You can drop me off and then go win a cup so we can go home and snuggle."
Viktor threw his head back and laughed as he grabbed her hands, "Yes, Love." He said holding tight as she grinned at him before pulling them through time and space to take them to the family box. When they landed, they looked over to see the box already half full with team and family's as Molly scanned them in at the door.
Hermione turned to Viktor and pulled him down for a quick kiss, "Ok I am here… now GO." she said laughing. Viktor carefully pulled her in for a tight hug soaking in her warmth before something caught his eyes.
Viktor turned his head more to see Ludmil who was standing with Luna talking quietly and smiled when Ludmil leaned down and kissed Luna's cheek softly. "Look." Viktor leaned down and whispered into Hermione's ear.
Hermione turned and grinned looking at Luna and Ludmil before she looked over in the corner,
"Oh yea… look at that." She whispered, turning his chin over to Alek and Ginny in the corner who were also kissing, "Looks like we might see more weddings in the future if things keep going the way they are."
Viktor chuckled, "It would be nice." He said looking around the room that was filled with his teammates and their families, "The box is going to be full… make sure that you stay close to family today." He said looking back down at her.
Hermione nodded, "I will…. In fact, I will be right at the ledge watching you every moment…. I don't want to miss a thing." She promised her hands resting on his chest, "This is the first time I get to watch you really play."
Viktor smirked down at her, "So I will always get to see you…. to know that you are always watching… good… it will push me to win." He said pausing when his coach came in the box and yelled at the room, "All right team…. We need to move." Georgi Said waving his arms.
Viktor turned back to Hermione pulling her tightly against him, his hands cupping her hips, his thumbs brushing her sides, "I need a good luck kiss." He whispered against her lips. Hermione smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck, her lips pushing harder against his until he opened his mouth so she could kiss him deeply. Viktor groaned against her, wrapping his arms around her hips to pull her up into his arms so her face was slightly above his and her feet dangled in the air. After a few minuets Viktor pulled back slightly so his nose brushed along her cheek before nibbling along her jaw to whisper in her ear, "That was a good kiss…... I will win for sure with that."
Hermione threw her head back, her laughter filling the box, and Viktor smiled up at her, his face full of heat, love and affection. Everyone paused and turned to see them and gave soft smiles as they felt Viktor's and Hermione's love washing over all of them.
Viktor slowly lowered Hermione until her feet touched the ground and they both paused and looked down when they felt arms wrap themselves around their legs. Viktor grinned at the top of Adeline and Bella's heads and reached down with one arm to pull the Adeline up onto his hip as Hermione picked up Bella. "Hey Bug." Viktor said looking at Adeline, "Hey Monkey." He said to Bella as he wrapped his free arm back around Hermione's waist, so he held his entire family in his arms, "I am going to go play... can I get a good luck kiss?" He asked holding out his cheek.
Adeline grabbed Viktor's face, giggling when she kissed his beard and it tickled her, "You got this Papa…." Adeline pulled back and looked at Viktor with narrowed eyes and nodded saying seriously, "I know in here that you are going to win." She said pointing to her head, "But make sure you fight hard."
Hermione gave a soft smile as Viktor grinned at Adeline, "I will fight bug… but I do need a good luck kiss from everyone." He said looking over at Bella who patted his cheek.
Viktor tilted his head so Bella could kiss his nose, "Win." She squealed in her soft giggling voice that made Viktor grin. Bella leaned forward gripping Viktor's cheeks tighter, her fingers digging into his beard, "Luck papa."
Viktor grin down at her, "Thank you little monkey." He said kissing her nose back.
Adeline looked to Hermione, "OK… now you." She said.
Hermione gave a serious nod and reached up on her tip toes to kiss Viktor's chin, "Good luck, My love."
Viktor pulled Hermione closer, the girls stuck between them, "I love all of you." He said leaning his forhead down into theirs, "Win or lose this game… I have already gained everything I need."
Hermione grinned pulling back, "You keep saying that … but I know you want to win." She said with a twinkle in her eyes.
Viktor smirked at her, "Yes I do." He whispered it like a secret.
Adeline shrugged sighing dramatically, "I ALREADY told you." She said, "You have to listen Papa."
Viktor threw his head back and laughed, "Sorry Bug…. I will start listening better." He promised looking down at her. They all turned and looked when they saw a flash to see Neville holding a camera and grinning at them.
Hermione shook her head, "You have to go." She said giving him a light push, "Go win us a Cup."
Viktor kissed the top of Adeline's head and set her down, pulling Hermione close again and whispered against her lips grinning, "You know it is not an actual cup… right."
Hermione laughed wrapping her other arm around Bella as she step away from him, "Yes." She said rolling her eyes before sighing, "OK… no." She muttered making Viktor tilt her chin up and kissed her nose as he chuckled before turning and walking out the door with the rest of the team.
Hermione looked down at Bella, "So Papa is calling you Monkey now… is that because you are always climbing on things and jumping on things." She asked grinning as Bella smiled at her. Hermione walked over to the wide-open view of the stadium to see the massive field and thousands of people in the stands around them, "Look at all those people that came to watch the game." She said pointing.
Bella pointed to the people cheering and screaming and Hermione nodded, "Yes… they are loud, but we can't hear them because we put a special spell to block the noise… want me to take it down so you can hear?" She asked.
Bella nodded and Hermione waved her hand and suddenly the box was filled with cheering and screaming making Bella giggle.
Petia walked up next to Hermione, "It is almost overwhelming, isn't it." She asked softly as Bella wiggled in Hermione's arms until Hermione set her down and watched her run off to Ginny, climbing into her arms next.
Hermione turned to Petia, "It really is." She said looking to the stands, "Is it always this loud…. This many… people."
Petia smiled gently, "This is a little bigger then normal…. But I do not think the boys even notice when they go out." She murmured, "They are so focused."
Hermione leaned on the railing, "To be so focused on a game that they miss…..." She paused holding her hand out and waving it around, "…all of this." She said.
Petia chuckled, "Is it any different then you on family day… so focused defending all of us…." She said. "You didn't see us screaming or watching… all you saw... all you focused on was defending us… fighting and winning."
Hermione snorted, "A little different I think…. Plus, I am use to having to focus." She said looking at Petia, "I have had to for it for so long."
Petia laughed, "They are the same…. After so many games… it becomes second nature for them to only see their teammates…. Only the game." She said, "Come now…" She said sliding her arm through Hermione's, "We have had breakfast brought up so we can eat while the team gets ready to start."
Hermione laughed as she looked over to see Adeline sneaking a muffin off the table, "She eats like Viktor." Hermione said shaking her head, "and Bella climbs and runs around like Viktor…... it is like they were always meant to be with us."
Petia smiled, "I have never seen Viktor as happy as when he is with you … and with the girls." She said wrapping her arm around Hermione, "Now lets eat before the game starts…... because once the boys start… you will not want to look away." She said with a grin.