Hermione slowly walked with Viktor to the ship. It had been five days since they made up and things couldn't be going better.
"You vill write to me when you get home yes?" he asked as he kissed the back of her hand.
"Yes." She said with a smile. "But you must give me at least a day to pack when I get there."
"I vill do this… I don't like leaving you alone for that much time though."
"I won't be alone Ginny said she'd spend the time with me." she said with a smile. "She'll floo back with her mum from the burrow when we leave."
"Very good." He said giving her a tight hug. When he pulled back he ran his thumb over her cheek slowly with a smile.
"I'll see you very soon…" she said with a smile.
"Yes you vill." He kissed her gently before kissing both her hands. With that Jamous began dragging him off.
"Come luffer boy." He said with a smile.
"Bye Micah!" Hermione jumped and turned to see Ginny who was waving to a boy on the ship.
"Didn't Neville ask you to the ball?" Hermione asked.
"So? Doesn't mean I can't admire the Bulgarians…" Hermione shrugged with a smile. They both stood with each other as the ship sailed away. The last thing Hermione saw was Viktor blowing her a kiss.
"I know this is going to sound horribly cliché… But I miss him already." Hermione said softly.
"Yep that was pretty horrible." Ginny said as they both laughed.
"Come on its time for us to pack now."
"Are you excited about going to Bulgaria?"
"Yeah especially now that I'm nearly fluent." She said.
"You learn way too fast." Ginny said.
"I know." She said with a smile. "But it comes in handy in times like this… I'm going to test it out though on Viktor."
"I wonder how long it will take for him to notice you speak the language…" Ginny thought out loud. "Bet you a sickle it takes more than two sentences."
"You're on." They shook hands.
-o-
"Have you told her about Asen yet?" Jamous asked as they turned away from the Hogwarts scene.
"Not yet… I will though." Viktor said.
"When?" Jamous asked. "When she meets him?" he looked to his friend.
"I just don't want her knowing that one of my brothers is a pureblood extremist I worry she'll think all of us are."
"She knows you aren't, and she knows your parents aren't. She knows Nick isn't either."
"I know… I just want to wait…" he turned around. "This may seem horrible… But I do miss her already."
"You're whipped. Nothing else to it."
"I am not whipped." He said.
"You're as whipped as whipped crème me friend." He said.
"Who has been following that one Indian girl for the past few months hmm?" he asked.
"Hey Padma is a beauty… Who is always surrounded by other girls so it's hard to talk to her… all I can do is follow like puppy."
"Hermione says that girl and her sister, have a thing for Harry."
"Why are all the pretty girls in love with famous wizards?" he asked. "Hermione with you… Padma and harry, Ginny likes that Neville and Micah over their…"
"I don't think Micah and Neville boy are famous." Viktor thought out loud.
"Micahs dad invented the aerodynamic beater bat remember?"
"Oh that's right. What about Neville?"
"I have no idea how he's famous but mark my words I'm going to figure out how." Jamous said.
"Wait…" Viktor back tracked. "You like Ginny?" Viktor asked.
"The girl is funny and devious… But I also think she has small thing for Harry."
"Most girls do, except for my Hermione."
"Well aren't you the luckiest guy on the ship?"
"Just a little." The two friends smiled at each other. "By the way do you have any idea what Hermione got me for Christmas?"
"Yes but I will not tell only will say that you will enjoy it."
-o-
Hermione smiled as she handed out the presents to her friends. They were on the train all ready to go back to their homes. Now it was time to do an early gift exchange seeing as Hermione was going to be separated from them this year.
"Ginny you first." Hermione said.
"Yes!"
"Awe I wanted to go first!" Ron said.
"In a minute." Ginny said as she opened a long box. She stared as she pulled out a gold sequined gown. Ginny stood and put it up to her body. "No way!" he said.
"Do you like it?" she asked. "I saw it in the store and thought it would look great on you."
"I love it I needed a new year's dress." They hugged tightly before Ginny dropped to the ground. "Shoes too!" she grabbed a pair of gold heels.
"Moms gunna flip." Ron said eyeing the short hem line and high heels.
"Nope I past it by Mrs. Weasely and by the way for that comment, Harry gets to go next." He smiled as he opened up a smaller box.
"Mione you got me new pads and gloves for Quidditch!" he pulled them out.
"I noticed your others had gotten raggedy from wearing them during the tournament. These are stronger so if you wanted you could wear these instead."
"Thanks Mione." He leaned forward and hugged her.
"Okay Ron your turn." He opened up a box and stared at a sweater.
"Oh thanks mione." He said as he lifted it not really pleased. Something fell into his lap and he looked down. "What's this?" he opened it up and stared. "100 galleons towards your broom!" he shouted at the gift certificate.
"Hopefully you'll get more money for Christmas and other holidays and you'll be able to get one of your own. That certificate is good at Diagon alley for five years."
"Thanks Mione!" they hugged.
"Okay now open mine first." Ginny handed her a friend a small box. She slowly opened it and smiled at a braided brown leather and gold bracelet with different charms. "Look I have one too." Ginny raised her hand to show.
"Best friend bracelets thanks Ginny!" she said hugging her before putting it on. "Won't ever take this off that's for sure." Ginny beamed.
"Hermione this is from Ron and I…" Harry said as they both pushed forward a large box. She opened it and stared at tons of magical candy.
"You can hide it under your bed from your parents." Ron said making her laugh.
"We know they don't let you eat sweets." Hermione smiled.
"Thanks guys this is perfect you know how I miss candy when with my parents." They hugged.
"That stuff doesn't go bad so it can last you through the summer too." Ron said. She smiled before looking to Ginny. She was the only one who knew where exactly Hermione was going. Though Harry knew she would be spending a little time with Viktor he didn't know she would be staying with him in Bulgaria the whole time. He was like her brother and if he knew he'd probably beat the mickey out of Viktor.
-o-
After they had arrived in London. Hermione had said farewell to the male Weasleys knowing she would see Mrs. Weasley and Ginny shortly. She walked to the floo network of the wizarding station and got inside bags and all.
"Hermione Jane Grangers House!" she called before throwing down a hand full of floo powder. She smiled when she landed easily in her nice and clean chimney. She stepped out into the dark house before walking to her lights and flipping them on. "Nice to be home…" she said with a small smile. She went to her back door and opened it up to the yard. "Jeanabelle!" she called. An owl hooted as it flew inside and nipped at her affectionately.
"How's my favorite owl doing? Flying around are you?" she hooted. "You want to help me send a letter to my boyfriend?" the owl hooted. "Here you eat while I write." She poured some owl food into a bowl and then set down a fresh cup of water for her to drink from. Hermione grabbed a piece of parchment form her bags and a quill. The bird hooted and she looked to her. "Oh crookshanks didn't come with me I'm afraid. He's a bit under the weather so he's with the vet at the school… I'm sorry dear I know how much you like him." The owl hooted somewhat sad before returning to her food.
-o-
Viktor paced the drawing room. He had arrived yesterday, and was expecting a letter from Hermione at any moment. He could feel his mother's eyes watching him as he moved about the room.
"Viktor would you close that window it's sucking out all the hot air…" she said.
"Hermione will be sending a letter any minute now. She should have arrived six hours ago, and with owl travel the way it is it should get here soon…" a hoot sounded and Viktor smiled as he turned to see a large blonde colored owl with brown eyes fly in and land on a table. It reminded him a little of Hermione. He walked over with a smile and petted the owl who hooted at him tiredly. He took the letter from its beak carefully.
"Poor dear must be tired…" Sophia said walking over and petting the owl before setting some treats in front of her.
Dearest Victor,
I have arrived safely at my house after a long slightly tiring trip. After sending this letter with my owl Jeanabelle I will start to pack with the help of Ginny and her mum Mrs. Weasley. I can't wait to see you tomorrow when you come to pick me up, the floo address is simply "Hermione Jane Grangers house". Say hello to your Mum Dad and Nick, if your brother is there of course.
Missing you,
Mina
He smiled at her using the Nickname he had given her.
"What is her owls name did she say?" Sophia asked.
"Jeanabelle." He said reading it.
"What a cute name for a cute owl." Sophia said.
"I'm going to send a reply with Boris we should let her owl rest… Keep her here even for when she arrives."
"Good idea." Sophia said as her son left. "I like Hermione, and I like her owl. I wonder if there's anything about her I won't find the slightest bit pleasing. Bet there's not one thing." She said with a smile.
-o-
"Good luck and don't worry I won't say anything to the others." Mrs. Weasley said with a smile. "But if at any time you want to come home… Write to Arthur and I and we'll come get you right away through the floo network."
"Yes Mrs. Weasley… Thank you for helping me pack I wasn't sure what I should take."
"Any time dear." She said before getting into the chimney. She smiled while taking a handful of floo powder. "The Burrow!"
"Good luck write to me." Ginny said.
"I will." Hermione said with a smile. The two hugged.
"And again, thanks for the dress." She said.
"Any time." With that Ginny got into the chimney and threw her own handful of floo powder down.
"The burrow!" when they had gone Hermione looked to the clock. It was late nearing 10. She walked through the empty house for a long moment. It felt so strange with out her mother and father there. There was no disapproving eyes of her father or the tender expression of her mother to look upon her at all moments. She stretched for a moment before slowly walking out of the living room and into the kitchen. She walked to the refrigerator and opened it up to see it was empty except for a bit of muggle money with a note.
Hermione,
Here's fifty it should hold you for a day leave change if left over.
Dad
Ps just kidding keep the change kiddo
"Don't mind if I do." She said with a smile before walking over to the phone.
"Hi three guys pizza? I'd like to place an order for a medium pepperoni… Yes this is the address… Can you send some diet along with… Thanks…" with that she hung up the phone. She looked around a little unsure of what to do next. She grabbed a book and flipped on the telly in the kitchen. Her mother had set it there so she could cook along with her favorite cooking shows. She was just about to change the channel when a bird flew into the room through the window. She smiled at the dark owl which had steel grey eyes.
"Hi there." She said walking over. He hooted at her a bit sternly so she gave him a treat which he exchanged for the letter. "Thank you." He hooted more pleasantly this time as she opened the letter not before setting a bowl of owl food and water in front of him. She smiled at the gorgeous hand writing.
Dear Mina,
I am thankful that you arrived home safe and sound. I cannot wait to see you tomorrow I'll be coming around 2 pm your time. I hope Boris my owl is being friendly he is old and quite grumpy sometimes… feel free to keep him with you for company he is good guard owl.
Counting each second until we see each other again,
Viktor
"So your name is Boris I see." She said with a smile walking to him. "It's good to meet you I'm Hermione ." He seemingly smiled at her while ruffling his feathers.
After dinner which Hermione had thrown half of it away knowing she couldn't eat the rest headed up to bed. Boris hopping up the stairs after her. She smiled at the bird he was actually a kind of funny animal. He was in the habit of turning her book pages for her and nibbling at her disregarded food which she didn't mind seeing as he had flown quite far. After her shower Hermione lay in bed the owl beside her on her night stand.
"Night Boris."
"Hoot." Hermione laughed lightly.
-o-
Viktor smiled as he walked into his room to find Hermione's owl by his night stand. She looked to him with large brown eyes much like Hermione 's. he had never seen a blonde colored owl in his life.
"Tired?" he asked in English he had a feeling this owl wasn't bilingual like Boris. She nodded at him.
"So am I… Tomorrow you vill see Hermione ." he stopped. "Back in Bulgaria less than two days and my English is already worsening." He sighed shaking his head. The bird ruffled her feathers as he slipped into bed. "Good night Jeanabelle…"
"Hoot. Hoot." He smiled as he closed his eyes.
The next morning Viktor got up and paced waiting for the time to floo to Hermione 's came. The whole time her owl sat on his shoulder as if trying to calm him down. Ivan walked in to see the scene.
"Looks like you have a shadow." He said.
"English papa English." He said.
"Looks like you haf shadow." He said with a smile.
"Jeanabelle has taken small liking to me…" he looked to his father. "Asen is he here yet?"
"You still haf not told her about you eldest brother I see."
"I don't know how." Viktor said. To say he was stressing out about her meeting his eldest brother was an understatement.
"Tell her that one of your brothers is a little less thrilled of idea of Muggleborn being in house… he will not treat her badly he knows his momma would kill him if he did."
"I can hope for this." He said. "It is nearly time." He looked at his clock. "Jeanabelle I must go get Mina now."
"Hoot." She flew off his shoulder and right onto Ivans who laughed.
"Why hallo there." Ivan greeted and Jeanabelle nipped his ear.
"Hoot."
"I think she likes me..." she nipped at his hair affectionately. "I'm going to go show your mother this she'll luff it." with that he left. Viktor pulled on his jacket. He was wearing jeans a red long sleeved v neck sweater and a Black corduroy pea coat. He walked to the chimney grabbing his hand of floo powder.
"Calm now…" he said to himself. "Hermione Jane Grangers house!" he threw it down.
-o-
Hermione packed up the last of her toiletries from that morning when she heard a noise from down stairs. She looked to Boris who was sitting on her sink.
"Is that who I think it is?" she asked with a soft excited voice. Boris jumped down to the floor and waddled to the stair case and peeked.
"Boris!" Viktor said spotting his owl.
"Hoot Hoot Hoot!" the owl called excitedly as he ran to Hermione who smiled and rushed out of the bathroom and down the stairs. Viktor smiled as he watched Hermione come down the stairs with a laugh.
"Mina!" he said his arms out. She jumped up into them with a smile as he laughed.
"You're early." she said with a bright smile.
"Too early?" he asked.
"Not at all." She said wondering when he was going to catch on.
"How was Boris for you?"
"Boris was amazing. Quite the reading partner. Did you teach him to turn pages?" she asked. The owl looked at her with wide eyes.
Seems that Boris has caught on. She thought with a smile.
"Yes yes I did…" he looked around at the smaller muggle home.
"Let me get one last thing from the kitchen." She said walking away.
"You have a lovely home!" he called with a smile. It was small as she said, but it felt like a home. Felt lived in. There was a warmth to it as well. He turned and looked at pictures of Hermione from all stages of life. He smiled at one where she had no front teeth. In everyone she was smiling brightly at the camera. None were moving he noticed. "You have no magical photos?" he asked as he walked to one of Hermione holding a young boy who he figured was a cousin.
"They're all up in my room. We can't have them out because of the neighbors!" she called. Suddenly he stopped, turning slowly. Hermione smiled in the kitchen thinking he might have caught on.
"Hermione are you fluent in Bulgarian?" he asked, he had been speaking it since he arrived he just noticed. Hermione slowly came out.
"Am I speaking it okay?" she asked in perfect Bulgarian. "I've been practicing with Boris." He laughed.
"You're fluent!" he said with a laugh as he clapped his hands.
"I'm not too stiff in my speech am I?" She inquired.
"No not at all." He said.
"I make a few mistakes here and there I hope your family won't mind."
"I think they'll be surprised that in a few short weeks you're this far along." He hugged her gently.
"How'd you say this…" she said putting her hand on his coat.
"Oh easy… coat." (AN: have you caught on I don't speak Bulgarian? It's quite a lot of fun isn't it?)
"Coat…" she repeated.
"More flem love… Coat…"
"Mmm coat."
"Yes that's it!" he said.
"Ah that one is always hard." She said. "There are many dialects so I kind of had to learn them all." She said. "They keep getting jumbled in my head I'm afraid." He smiled loving the sound of her voice speaking in his native language.
"You are doing just fine, so shall I send your bags over?" he asked seeing one large one. She packed lighter than anyone he had met. Little did he know the bag had an expanding charm on it done by Mrs. Weasley for her.
"Yes please do." He waved his wand over it and watched as the bag disappeared.
"Boris comrade you must fly I'm afraid." He said. The owl jumped on Hermione 's shoulder. He watched as she walked out to the back door.
"See you soon Boris." He nipped at her finger affectingly before flying off. She smiled as she took a quick look over herself in the mirror beside the dining room table. She was wearing a purple long sleeved ruffled shirt under a grey cardigan and jeans with a purple flats. Her hair was in smooth waves pulled into half do style. She looked presentable for someone traveling. She walked back into the living room after making sure everything was shut and closed.
"Do I look okay?" she asked.
"Always love." He had to admit, she did look in fact quite cute.
Cute when did I start thinking things like cute? He asked himself before smiling.
"I'll go first… You shout in Bulgarian Ivan Krum Manor." She nodded. He walked in and did as he said and disappeared from sight. Hermione then got in.
"Don't mess this up don't mess this up." she grabbed a handful of floo powder. "Ivank Krumt Manor!" She took a breath as the flames consumed her. "Damn it…"
-o-
Viktor got out of the chimney and waited a few minutes. Green flame suddenly burst and Hermione walked out of the chimney with a smile.
"What took you so long love?" he asked.
"Went to the wrong manor… But we won't tell anyone that…" he smiled. "Got it the second… Okay the fourth time." He laughed. "But I got here and that's all that matters…" she looked at herself in the mirror once more glad to see no soot.
"Do not worry my brothers are not here yet… Well they are but not in this wing. Hermione I have to tell you something… my eldest brother Asen…"
"He's a pureblood extremist I know." She said with a smile as she looked away from her reflection to him.
"How did you know?"
"Every Muggle born knows about him. He's fighting to get us banged from the magical world…" She said with a shrug.
"He is?" he asked.
"Well we all know he is he just hasn't come out with it."
"I am sorry I did not tell you till now."
"Hey don't worry I could see how you could be nervous."
"Viktor who are you talking in here with?" Sophia asked walking in. She had heard a female Bulgarian and not Hermione.
"Mrs. Krum, how good to see you again." she smiled.
"Merlin! She's fluent!" she said with a surprised laugh as she covered her mouth.
"Not entirely but I'm slowly getting there." She said with a smile. The older woman embraced Hermione like she was her own child.
"Viktor did you teach her?"
"She surprised me with it I didn't know she was speaking it until well into our conversation." He said with a smile.
"How kind of you to learn our language dear." She said taking the girls hand. "Come I'll show you to your room I'm quite excited to show you. Viktor get your brothers and father ready to greet Hermione."
Hermione smiled at him as his mother dragged her from the room.
"You right now should know you are on Viktors wing. Which is basically the whole third floor wing. He shares it with little brother Stony."
"Is that a Nickname?"
"Yes stands for Stonvick. Named after his great great grandfather." Hermione nodded.
"I have heard he will start school soon, I got him a gift just for that."
"You got him a gift?" she asked as they passed through a candle lit hallway.
"After hearing that he was heading to school I got him something that I know a lot of first years in my school like to have. I was wondering if you would like to help me shop for the rest of your sons."
"I would love to go shopping… If only we could clothes shop."
"Well if you'd like… I have to get a dress for the Yule ball that I'm,-."
"We go shopping tomorrow." Hermione laughed at the woman's excitement. "Here is your room I girled it up just for you… Viktor said your favorite color was lavender so I did it accordingly."
"Oh you didn't have to do anything special."
"Of course I did I wanted you comfortable!" she opened the door.
"Oh my goodness…" the room was much different from the hall way it was full of light because the balcony on the far side faced the sun. It had white wood flooring grey walls and a calm lavender paint lining. The bed spread of the queen sized mattress was too a lavender.
"Do you like it?"
"Can you come decorate my room at home?" she asked.
"Oh you like it I'm so glad!" she hugged her. "We're going to be great friends I can tell…" Hermione smiled. "Now to meet the family." She said.
"Do I look okay?"
"Yes you look great dear. I do love that purple on you."
"Oh why thank you." Hermione said. "Can I ask… is that lace shirt your wearing, it's not vintage Renaldo is it?"
"Oh how did you know?" she asked with a gasp and a smile.
"I'm very into vintage clothing at the moment which is weird for me because I'm not usually like that." Hermione said with a shrug. Something about Sophia made her want to be incredibly girly.
"You are at that age where clothes will become more and more fun for you."
"My best friend Ginny has helped with this sudden obsession…"
"You have a best girl friend?"
"Yes Ginny Weasley do you know the family?"
"Indeed Ivan and I do, we are Fifth cousins three times removed." Hermione smiled. "Lovely family."
"I think so too."
-o-
(next few chapters at bottom of page will hold family tree for easy reading)
-o-
"Is she very pretty?" Stony asked Viktor who stood beside his younger brother.
"Very, most beautiful girl you will ever see." He said to his younger brother with a smile.
"It's true the girls a dish." Nick said.
"Don't hit on your brothers girlfriend." Ivan said scolding his second eldest son.
"Why have you told us nothing about her?" Asen asked with a drawl.
"Because…" Nick Viktor and Ivan said at the same time.
"What's with the secrecy?" Dag Viktor's third eldest brother asked.
"Nothing." Ivan Nick and Viktor said again.
"You have such a lovely home." They heard Hermione say.
"I'm glad you think so and I want you to think of it as your home." Sophia said as she and Hermione walked into the area.
"Whoa… She's a babe." Stony said earning a look from all the men in the room. "What? She is."
"Shh Stony." His father scolded. Hermione smiled seeing the group of boys. She had one thought cross her mind in that moment.
How does Sophia cope with all the testosterone?
"Well Hermione you know Viktor but you may not know the other boys so let's start on the end…" they had all lined up. "This is my youngest son Stony." She looked down at a young man with dark brown hair and bright amber eyes.
"It's very nice to meet you." Hermione said with a smile.
"And you, you're very pretty."
"Oh how sweet." She said with a smile as the little boy shook her hand before kissing the back of it.
"Ham it up why don't you?" Viktor asked him making her laugh lightly.
"Viktor you of course know…" Sophia said.
"Hallo luff." He said with a smile in English making her smile brightly at him.
"This is my middle son Daguent."
"Dag call me Dag." He said. He looked a lot like Viktor only with light brown hair which was longer to his shoulders and curled slightly.
"Nice to meet you Dag." Hermione said putting out her hand and he slapped it away.
"Who are you kidding you're like family now." He said before hugging her and she laughed.
"Move along I want to get a hug in!" Nick said to his brother. Hermione smiled as the second eldest brother wrapped his arms around her. "Good seeing you again Hermyknee." he said.
"And you…" she said with a smile as he winked at her. Sophia nervously led Hermione to her eldest son. "And this is-."
"Asen…" he said. "I already know you of course." He said shaking her hand. "The famous Muggleborn Hermione Granger…"
"And you are the ever so very known Pro pure blood activist Asen Krum…" she said with a smile.
"I wouldn't say pro pureblood."
"Really because that little law you sent into the ministry would make it seem that way." They were still shaking hands glaring into each other. Everyone watched intently.
"Only protecting what's ours." He said.
"I didn't realize magic could be owned. Still it's an honor to meet you Asen." She said with a smile and he laughed before kissing the back of her hand.
"I wish I could say the same… Well I have to go now and create more pro pureblood laws…" he said.
"I'll be here enamored by all your pureblood things." She said making many smile. No one had ever seen some one take on Asen before.
"I look forward to talking to you more." He said kissing the back of her hand once more.
"You too…"
"This will be…" he searched a word.
"Educational?" she asked with a smile.
"Futile…" she watched him leave when the door shut Nick laughed.
"Did you see that she totally took Ace on!" He said his arms wrapping around her shoulders. "I like this girl her Viktor I really do!" He said picking her off the ground as she smiled.
"Nick kindly put me back down on the ground." She said and he laughed as he did as she said.
"Says something about her spirit Viktor you've got yourself a good one." Dag said nudging his brother who was smiling.
"Very good Hermione … I have a feeling you are going to fit in here just fine." Ivan said with a smile.
"I don't think there's going to be one thing I don't like about her." Sophia said. Hermione felt a tug on her arm and looked down to see Stony smiling up at her.
"Would you like to see my broom collection?"
"Oh Stony you don't want to bother her with that." Sophia said.
"Not a bother at all I'd love too." Hermione said.
"Good! Come on! I'll show you!" he grabbed her hand and ran off with her. Hermione laughed a little surprised at how fast he could move.
"Hey wait!" Viktor said rushing off after them. "Not an hour here and the youngest is already trying to steal my girlfriend." The others laughed.
-o-
"This one has a dragon heart sting and is made from baywood." Stony said as he walked Hermione around the room full of antique brooms. All owned from matriarchs of the Krum family. "Soon Viktors old firebolt will go here." He said pointing to the place. "Do you fly Hermione?" he asked.
"I'm afraid I don't though I hope Viktor might teach me."
"He taught me you'll learn in no time!" he said.
"Do you have a quick sweep?"
"I do right here!" he pulled her to the corner. "They aren't fast but they are reliable brooms. Did you know that in the 213 years they were produced, that only-."
"17.5 People died from falling…" she said finishing his sentence.
"Do you know why its .5 I've always wondered?"
"Because one of the men who fell didn't have legs…"
"Whoa I didn't know that!" Viktor smiled from the door way as he watched his younger brother and Hermione hit it off.
"Oh what's this one I don't know this model…" Hermione said pointing at a broom.
"That's because it was never released!" Stony said in a matter of fact tone. "Our great great great great uncle once removed was a broom maker, and this was his finest model that he never got to release you see it was highly un ethical… Why was it Viktor I forgot…" He said looking to his brother who had walked in to stand by their sides.
"Because it had not one dragon heart strings as a core, but three."
"Really?" she asked looking at it. "Is that why its levitating all on its own… Its generating its own magic?"
"Is that why it does that?" Stony asked.
"That's the only explanation…" she said. "That or your great great great great uncle once removed when he died somehow imprinted his spirit upon it…" she said looking it over.
"Can we find out if he did?" Stony asked.
"Do you know his full name?" Hermione asked.
"Billius Gerard Krum the fifth." The broom gave a sudden shake. Stony jumped behind Hermione gripping onto the back of her shirt.
"Boo!" the broom shouted standing right side up.
"Ahhh!" Stony ran from the room. Hermione tilted her head looking at it.
"Well I've never heard of that happening… Viktor have you-." She turned to see he was laughing hysterically his wand drawn. "Did you just scare your little cute brother?" He nodded laughing. "Viktor that wasn't right! Poor Stony!"
"Had to get you alone somehow." He said with a smile as he put his wand inside its holster.
"Wanted to get me alone did you?"
"Only all the time." She smiled as he kissed her quietly.
"Someone's coming." She said.
"Mmm… Always being interrupted." He said pulling away and taking a step back.
"Hello!?" Hermione jumped as the broom in question suddenly stood up straight. "Hello!? Is anyone there!?"
"Viktor stop that." She turned to see he was just staring at it.
"That's not me." he said.
"HELLO!"
"Silencio!" Viktor said his wand pointed at it with an intense look.
"Can we leave?" she asked staring at it.
"Yeah come on love…" he said pulling her from the room.
"Would you like to explain why Stony is yelling about a talking broom?" Ivan asked.
"HELLO!" they heard from inside the room.
"What was that?" Ivan asked.
"I think Billius Gerard Krum may have imprinted his soul upon the broom which is why it levitates all the time on its own… By speaking his name we have released the binding power that kept it there." Hermione explained and Ivan gave a shrug.
"Oh well easy fix…" he said with a smile.
"Hermione there you are!" Sophia said. "We're getting ready for dinner… Here we always kind of dress up for our meals…"
"Oh would you like to help me pick something to wear?" Hermione asked.
"Yes I would!" she grabbed the girls hand and wheeled her away.
"Momma has really taken a liking to her." Viktor said as he watched his mother drag off his girlfriend.
-o-
Viktor his brothers and father waited in the drawing room.
"Honestly what is taking them so long?" Asen asked with his usual drawl.
"Your mother is enjoying having another woman around." Ivan said. "Let her have her girl talk."
"I think I hear them coming." Stony said quietly fidgeting in his dinner suit. The doors opened to show Sophia and Hermione laughing softly with each other.
"I can't believe we wear the same shoe size." Sophia said. Viktor smiled. Hermione was wearing a dark purple silk dress that had a fitted bodice and a flared pleated skirt that went down to her knees. There was a matching purple ribbon around her waist and carefully placed purple ribbon rosettes at the neck line. "Oh sorry boys we didn't see you there." Sophia said after a moment of talking. "I've decided there will be a change in seating Hermione will sit at my right side and Viktor next to her.
"I always sit at your right side." Asen said standing.
"Oh then I can just go where ever I was supposed to go." Hermione said.
"Don't be rude Asen…" Sophia said. "It's just for tonight."
That's a lie that's the new arrangement for the rest of Hermione 's stay! God I've missed female companionship… All this testosterone is driving me crazy… Sophia thought
"Shall we dear?" Sophia asked.
"Of course lead the way." They walked through a large archway into a room with marble flooring red oak walls filled with antique portraits and a long table. Hermione sat down next to Sophia's right, Then Viktor sat next to her, next to him was Nick. Across from Nick on the other side sat Dag, across from Viktor was Asen, and then Stony sat across from Hermione. Ivan sat right next to his wife at the head of the table.
"So Hermione …" Ivan said as drinks appeared in their goblets. "How do you like our home?"
"It's very beautiful." She said with a smile.
"Tell us what your Muggle home is like." Asen drawled. No one had missed the tone Asen had taken with Hermione when he said Muggle.
"Well my mum has always said home is where the mum is." Sophia laughed along with Hermione and a few others. "So right now it's not much of a home but an empty house. But when she's there it kind of comes alive."
"Like really alive?" Stony asked.
"No metaphorically." She said making the others laugh.
"What do you mean though?" Sophia asked.
"Well when my mum is home there's always the smell of something sugary baking in the oven, and every Friday you can smell a pot-roast cooking… Also there's a warmth to the house because my mum and dad are there."
"Sounds wonderful." Ivan said.
"Now Hermione are you an only child?" Sophia asked.
"Yes I am." Hermione said.
"What's that like?" Stony asked.
"It can be quite boring." She said with a smile. "I've often wished I had brothers… No sisters though." She said to Sophia.
"Don't want to share the lime light huh?" Sophia asked while they both laughed.
"I was going to try and find a better way to put that but that's exactly it." they laughed more. To the others at the table it was like their mother had been friends with Hermione for years.
"Hermione?" Stony asked. "What does muggle born mean?" Everyone went silent while Hermione smiled kindly at the younger boy.
"Stony you know what it means." Dag said with a worried tone.
"I forgot…" He said with an embarrassed look.
"Sorry Mione he forgets his place…" Ivan said.
"Oh no its really fine." Hermione said with a smile.
"So what is it?" Stony asked.
"What it means is her whole family are low muggles and she was just blessed with the rare ability of magic." Asen said and everyone stared at him.
"That's one way to put it…" Hermione said quietly but with a smile. His remark had embarrassed her and she wasn't sure why.
"I'm sorry about my son…" Ivan said staring at Asen. Viktor gave Hermione 's hand a light squeeze under the table. She smiled at him calmly while Asen smiled knowing he had gotten to her. The food soon arrived magically appearing upon the table. "We had them prepare an English delicacy for you." Ivan said.
"So you'd feel at home." Sophia stated.
"Oh thank you very much that's very kind." She looked down at a plate of fish and chips.
"So this brown stuff what do we do with it?" Stony asked. "And what is fish and chips?"
"Fish and chips is a beer battered fish and you dip your fish into the brown stuff… Its very salty though you might like some…" she looked up in thought before looking to Viktor. "What's the word I'm trying to pull."
"Ketchup." He said with a smile.
"Ketchup…"
"More flem dear." Sophia said. "Ketchup."
"Ketchup." She said.
"Perfect!" Ivan said clapping his hands.
"I'm sorry about that it's the simplest terms I'm having issues with saying." She said with a small embarrassed laugh.
"No problem dear its impressive that just a week and a half ago you didn't know a bit of Bulgarian." Sophia said.
"Oh that's salty." Stony said making a face after dipping his fish into the vinegar. Hermione laughed softly.
"I told you silly." She said. "Try the ketchup." He tried to open the top. "Here…" he handed it to Hermione who opened it up for him and handed it back. Ivan and Sophia watched with large smiles.
She's the mothering type… She's the mothering type I'm going to have grandchildren! Ivan thought.
Viktor better ask this girl to marry him because if he doesn't I'm going to get Dag or Nick to do it! Sophia thought.
"Is it good?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah it's really good!" Stony said with a big smile.
"I'm not a balsamic fan either…" Hermione said in a soft whisper like it was a huge secret making him laugh.
"It's gross." He said.
"Not very good is it?" she asked with a scrunched now and they shook their heads at each other before both laughed lightly. Viktor smiled at the scene. He didn't know why but it really pleased him to see Hermione getting along with his youngest brother.
"So Hermione …" Ivan said with a smile as the meal continued on. "I've been reading many things about you in new and old prophets alike."
"Hopefully nothing by Rita Skeeter." Hermione said with a smile.
"Of course not the things she has written about Viktor, all lies every single one." Sophia said. "We try not to say her name around here." Ivan muttered making Hermione smile.
"But the prophet has talked about you… and your adventures with Harry Potter… They call you the wisest witch of your age." Sophia said.
"Oh I'm fairly certain there are girls of my age just as intelligent if not more than me." she said in all honesty. "I just get called that because I help Harry."
"Good that you know." Asen said. "I know a very promising pure blood girl by the name of Pansy Parkinson." Hermione tried not to laugh.
"I know pansy.. She's rated 500th in the school nice girl." Hermione said.
"What's your standing miss granger?" Asen asked.
"I'm in the number one slot." He stared at her for a long time.
"1 is way better than 500." Stony said while all his brothers smiled. Hermione had just caught their eldest brother in a huge lie as he tried to cut her down.
"Is it?" Asen muttered.
"I think it is…" Dag said with a small laugh which he tried to conceal by covering his mouth with a napkin. Hermione looked to Nick who winked at her encouragingly.
"So tell us some stories of your adventures at Hogwarts." Ivan said.
"Oh they are all quite boring." She said.
"I heard you fought against Sirius Black." Ivan said while Hermione concealed her frown.
"Oh that wasn't nearly as exciting as battling the Dementors, flying on the hippogriff, or fighting off the werewolf." She said without missing a beat as she took a sip.
"You fought off a werewolf? Whoa!" Stony said with a huge smile. "Was it hard?"
"A little bit." Hermione said with a smile.
"You flew on a hippogriff?" Nick asked in excitement being as he was a researcher in magical creatures.
"Yeah his names buck beak you can see him around the Hogwarts castle on a rare occasion."
"What's it like to ride on one?" He asked.
"Oh really very terrifying Nick." Many laughed at her sarcastic smile. "But my friend Harry was having a blast."
"What about the dementors did you really fought them?" Dag inquired.
"Well not really you see there were many… You know this story is complicated to keep straight in my head… There was time travel involved and our past and present selves…" Everyone looked to her with wide eyes. She was talking about it like it was normal.
"Viktor said you had an interesting story in your first year." Stony said. "I'm going to be a first year at Durmstrang can you tell it?"
"Oh uhm I don't know is it okay with your mum and dad?" she asked looking to them.
"Yes very much so." Ivan said.
"You know all the details with you know who…" Hermione said quietly.
"Yes go on we don't shield our children." Sophia said.
"Alright… Well I was just your age Stony." Hermione said with a smile diving into the story as the child looked on in wonder.
-o-
"So there they are kicking and screaming in devils snare!" Hermione said making the others laugh who were all hanging on her every word. "Finally Harry sinks down but then there's Ron whose shouting so much that the devils snare actually wraps its way around his mouth to get him to shut up." They laughed even more. "I finally wise up and use a sun light charm."
"How did you know to use it Hermione ?" Stony asked his eyes wide his imagination completely captivated by the story.
"Oh the old rhyme." She said.
"What rhyme?" Dag asked.
"Oh its uhm… How did it go?" She snapped remembering. "Devils snare devils snare… its deadly fun but sulks in the sun…"
"So you used that light charm to damage it!" Stony said catching on.
"Exactly Stony and guess what happened?"
"Ron dropped to the underground chamber!"
"Exactly." She said.
"I knew you'd get him out what next what next?" he asked with a laugh..
"Well we walk through… Oh… It's late." Hermione said catching the sight of the clock.
"No its not!" they all called making her jump slightly. Asen wasn't paying attention just looking at his un touched plate of food.
"What next Hermione?" Nick asked.
"Well I have to skip a part for ministry reasons but after what I can only describe as a cat and mouse game with flying keys and absolutely wonky broom we get into this chamber." Hermione said.
"Whoa whoa you can't just skip a part." Dag said and the others laughed.
"I have to I've been sworn I signed documents." She said.
"Let her tell the story!" Stony whined and Hermione smiled.
"Go on Mina." Viktor said.
"Well we walk through this large entry way into a room full of giant chess pieces. We walk further in and fire spits around the room bringing not only the room into light, but into realization what we're about to do. You see the room wasn't a room at all… It was chess board filled with giant chess pieces set up perfectly. So we go to walk past the black side of the board to where there is a large door, our only exit, only to have the pawns arms spread out quickly their steel swords drawn…"
"They won't let you pass." Stony said leaning forward.
"They won't let us pass… That's when we realized it… We have to play a game of chess to get pass the board pieces… This seems easy but we quickly realize these pieces aren't being lightly picked up and moved aside they're being destroyed."
"But you guys are playing as chess pieces!" Stony said worried.
"Exactly… Luckily my best friend Ron is an amazing chess player. Well after many skillfully chosen moves it comes down to either winning or losing… But there's one problem… To win…. Ron has to sacrifice himself."
"That's awful." Sophia said her hand over her heart.
"Does he really sacrifice himself Hermyknee?" Stony asked.
"He does." Hermione said. "He has too."
"Oh no!" he said.
"It was terrible. Poor Ron dropped to the chess board completely still. It was one of the scariest moments of my life… But we can't move towards him."
"Because if you move you lose." Ivan said nodding.
"Exactly so Harry makes the final move and calls check mate."
"Yay!" Stony said jumping up on his chair as his brother Asen glared up at him.
"We rush to Rons side to find he's been badly injured… So that's when it happens Harry and I we split up. We have to… I knew from the moment we entered the forbidden corridor that it would come down to Harry being alone." They all nodded. "Now… No one knows exactly what happened in that room. Not except for Harry Ron and I… And that part of the story we've been sworn by the ministry to not say exactly what happened but what I will tell you is Harry and Quill walked in with the spirit of you know who graphed to his body… But only Harry came out and with him the philosophers stone."
"Yay Harry!" Stony cheered as he high fived Hermione who laughed as the boy ran around the table and hugged her.
"Yes well that was an interesting tale…" Asen drawled.
"Why is he so grumpy?" Stony asked his arms still wrapped around Hermione.
"Tell us another story tell us another story!" Nick said jumping up and down like a child.
"Maybe tomorrow night I'll tell you about the werewolf." She looked to Stony. "But I have a feeling its way past your bed time young man." Hermione said.
"Awe!" he pouted.
"She has a point, come Stony let's get you to bed." Ivan said.
"I want Hermione to take me!" he said.
"Oh uhm if it's alright." Hermione said to his parents.
"Yes go on ahead." Sophia said with a smile.
"Come on Mione!" he grabbed her hand and pulled her from the chair. Hermione smiled as the young boy led her out of the room.
"I'll go with I think I'll retire actually." Viktor said standing.
"Bet you will." Dag said as Nick whistled.
"Oh shut it." Viktor said as he walked out of there room with a smile.
"I like her." Dag said.
"Good because if Viktor doesn't marry her you're our last chance." Ivan said.
"Hey what about me?" Nick asked.
"Your way to old!" Dag said with a laugh.
"You don't actually think he'd marry that mud blood?" Asen asked making everyone look to him. They heard a small clearing of a throat to find Hermione coming back into the room. "Stony forgot his broom figurine." She said taking the toy off the table. Viktor was glaring daggers into his eldest brother from the doorway.
"Hermione we're so sorry for how Asen is acting…" Ivan said.
"Oh… I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about." She said with a soft smile. "Good night everyone I'll hopefully see you all tomorrow." Asen smiled before catching the look his father was giving him.
"Good night Asen." Ivan said and Asen nodded at his father's glare as he stood up from his chair.
"Good night." With that he left.
-o-
Hermione smiled as she and Stony walked into his bedroom which was filled with posters of Viktor and other Bulgarian players. He jumped into bed not bothering to get into his pajamas. "Shouldn't you change?"
"He never does." Viktor said.
"Asen said I'm weird." Stony said.
"You're not weird." Hermione said tucking the covers under his chin. "You're an innovator." He giggled.
"Night Hermione ." he said.
"Night Stony…"
"I hope when I get to school I can be a hero like Harry Ron and You." He said snuggling under his covers. Hermione smiled softly before getting up and walking outside the door with Viktor. They slowly shut it. "Night light!" Stony called. Viktor pointed his wand into the room flipping on a light in the corner of his brother's room. "Night Hermione night Viktor!"
"Night Stony!" they both called as she closed the door. When it was done Hermione leaned against the door frame looking to Viktor. At the same time they let out a small sigh of relief.
"Come on love… I'll walk you to your room." She smiled as she took his hand in hers and they took the long way to her room.
Ivan and Sophia Krums Family
1st son Asen "Ace" Krum- pure blood extremist.
2nd son Nicolai "Nick" Krum- easy going magical creatures researcher.
3rd son Daguenet "Dag" Krum- healer in training
4th son Viktor Krum- international Quidditch player and love to Hermione granger
5th son Stonvic "Stony" Krum- funny overly interested little boy.