To Jess,
Happy birthday girl!
Much love,
Karategirl666
-o-
The next day Hermione had a hard time concentrating in class. All she could think about was her date with Viktor. Most of all she thought of the numerous beautiful romantic things he had said to her. She could tell her relationship with him had moved to a deeper more intimate state. She had expected that would happen with physical intimacy, but last night she had discovered that it would be Emotional intimacy that moved them to that level.
She hadn't seen him all day but she figured that was because of the mounting interviews he would have to go to now that the task was just a little under a week away. She held her books close to her chest as she walked up the stairs to the Gryffindor common room. To say she was worried for Viktor was to say she was only a little afraid of flying a broom by herself. In all honesty she was terrified for Viktor. She had seen the maze from her window; it looked dark, dismal, and completely looming.
"Parchment snips." Hermione muttered absent mindedly. The portrait swung open and she walked through the port hole.
"Hermione?" Harry asked as she walked right by him. "Hermione? Never… mind…" she got to the top of the tower and walked into her room the door closing behind her as she did.
I have all confidence in Viktor, he's an extraordinary wizard with extraordinary skills.
"Crookshanks…" she called pouring some food into a bowl for him. She smiled seeing him come out from under her bed to slyly walk up to his bowl and devour the food inside. She pushed open her closet door and walked into check on her latest broom. It was for Dobby who had secretly been learning to fly under the tutorship of Viktor. The small broom hung in the air. She had put a fairly weak core in knowing full well that Dobbys magic was too powerful for anything more. "You're coming along nicely… Very nicely." She then checked over the Mina broom which glowed from its triple core. "You are fit to fly my dear." She said. "Viktor should be pleased."
"Very pleased." She jumped and turned seeing Viktor leaning against the doorway a smile on his face. "Hallo Luff."
"Hello." He walked over to her and kissed her lightly.
"So Mina she is fit?"
"Very fit." She said. "But we're agreed you won't fly her in games…"
"No I won't I promise." He said his hand going to the broom. It instantly connected with him and he smiled.
"So did you have interviews today?" she asked walking out of the secret room and into her bedroom where she took off her cloak and top sweater.
"No…" he said as he leaned against the door and watched her undo her tie. "Well I did, but reporter did not show again."
"Oh no was it Skeeter?" she asked turning the top two buttons of her shirt undone.
"Yes luff so I along with the others waited this time for five hours before they let us leaf."
"Oh Viktor I'm sorry." She said and he smiled as he looked her over.
"Mina…"
"Yes?" she asked blinking.
"Is that Skeeter voman still in captivity?" Viktor asked.
"No…" she trailed off as she twirled a strand of hair around her finger.
"Mina…"
"Yes?" she asked looking off still. "Is that splint end?" she asked looking over her hair.
"Mina!"
"Okay yes!" He laughed as he shook his head. "But you don't know what it's like! I mean for the past two weeks I haven't had to deal with stupid stories written about some nonexistent love triangle between you, Harry, and I… It's annoying seeing your name in the paper every day."
"Yes luff I know this quite well…" He said and she smiled as she shifted on her feet.
"Guess you do…" she said quietly playing with the hem of her shirt.
"Mina… Kidnapping..." He walked to her. "It is not the answer…"
"I could be the answer…" she said making him smile.
"Mina…"
"It's for the greater bloody good though!" she said. "My logic is quite sound here."
"As it always is Luff. Still, you haf to let her go."
"I don't wanna…" she slightly whined making him chuckle.
"Luff…" she looked to him.
"Do I have to?"
"Yes…"
"Can I keep her for just a few more weeks?"
"Weeks? Mina no." He stated shaking his head.
"Fine… days… like six…"
"Mina…"
"Okay Okay let me get changed and you can fly us somewhere to release her back into the bloody wild." She walked into her closet and closed the doors. Viktor just shook his head as he walked to her bed and sat down with a smile. He looked to the cat that lay by his bowl licking his chops.
"Hey crook crook." He said. The cat just purred at him. Viktor tilted his head. "You're not some evil wizard pretending to be house pet like that pesky rat are you?" the cat just purred again. "Take that as a no." Hermione came back out wearing jeans and a white cotton strapless top. She pulled on a pink sweater as she threw her hair up into a messy bun.
"I would just like to say before we do this… That I'm not happy about it."
"I know luff."
"As long as we're on the right page." She held up the vial that held the tiny insect version of Rita Skeeter. "You're lucky he's compassionate…" She said to the lady bug.
"Come on Mina…"
-o-
They touched down on one of the separate islands surrounding the Hogwarts castle. Hermione hoped off the broom the vial still held firmly in hand. Viktor rested his fire bolt against the tree as he watched Hermione walk into the middle of the forest clearing. She held the vial to her nose staring down the insect that look royally pissed off.
"Now… I'm going to free you. But so help me if I find in the paper tomorrow the headline Granger the Kidnapper or something equally ill titled I will report you to the ministry for not registering yourself… Also I better not see My name Harry's Name, or Viktors name in the paper unless it's in a article that is completely about how good we are as people. No gossip, no rubbish just truth understand?" the bug slowly nodded. She opened the vial. "Get gone…" The lady bug instantly flew away into the darkness and out of sight. She slowly turned and looked to Viktor. "Happy? We've set her loose on the world to wreak more havoc!"
"Luff it was best thing to do." He said with a smile.
"So you say…" she muttered crossing her arms over her chest as she kicked slightly at the ground. "Not like anyone missed her…"
"You know, you are sexy when pouting…" he said wrapping his arms around her.
"You're not charming at all…" he smiled seeing her disapproving look.
"Let's head back to the cabin huh?" he asked.
"Fine…" she muttered. The broom flew into his hand and he levitated it out in front of him. Hermione got on first now with no hesitation then Viktor got on and instantly kicked off. Hermione leaned back into him as they flew a small smile on her face. She would miss this activity next year, riding with Viktor around Hogwarts castle after hours. She would miss many things next year in fact. A few short minutes later he touched down in front of the cabin and they both headed in. they walked into the house Viktor setting his broom aside. Hermione tilted her head.
"You shouldn't do that you know…" she said softly. "He doesn't like it…"
"Oh no." he instantly picked it up. "I didn't know." He said quickly. "What should I do with him?"
"Let him levitate on his own…" she said.
"He needs my magic to do that."
"No no he doesn't… May I?"
"Yes of course." He handed the broom over. She put her hands which gripped the broom out and closed her eyes.
"You can do it…" she said softly her grip loosening. "You'll like this so much more…" she let go and Viktor watched as his broom hung in the air without the help of his magic or Hermione's. "Told you, you could do it." She smiled at Viktor as she turned away and took her sweater off. Viktor smiled as his eyes went over the scars showing on her back. The one slashed diagonally across the three that were horizontal was light newly healed thanks to him. The horizontal ones caused by a werewolf's claw were bright red.
They're never that red…
Hermione tilted her head to the side as her hand rubbed the back of her neck. She felt stiff, tired, fatigued. She figured it was from worrying about Viktor all day. She sighed stretching her arms out.
No I'm probably still pissed over letting that god damn harpy out of that damn vile… That's a lot of damns… I don't usual curse that much in my thoughts… I don't feel right… Maybe I'm starting to worry over the maze again…
"Luff is everything okay?" he asked.
"Oh yeah… Just worried."
Don't talk about the maze he shouldn't be thinking about that now… she scolded herself.
"About?" he asked. She slowly turned.
"Skeeter being out in the free world… I really think I should have kept her for a bit longer."
"You had her for two weeks Luff." He said as he tilted his head. "Are you feeling alright, you look a bit pale."
"I forgot to eat lunch… No wait I had lunch… Or did I?" she thought on it and stopped. She walked to his window and opened the shutters. "Full moon…"
"What about the Full moon?" He inquired.
"I always feel awful around a full moon…" she sighed. "I get forgetful, I get a little more sensitive, I get completely obsessive in my thoughts, I start worrying about everything and most of all I get irritated easily around this time…"
"Because of the werewolf attack?"
"Yeah…" she said closing the shutters again. Viktor looked to see she had dark circles under her eyes.
"You don't look so good luff." Her look had changed in a matter of an hour and he was honestly a little worried. "I mean you really don't look good…"
"That's just what every girl wants to hear…" she stopped. "That would be me getting overly sensitive… I'm sorry… I should head back to my room…"
"No you should stay. Besides I don't want to fly you back with you being unstable."
"No I really… I really need to go back to my room…" she said feeling her stomach turn.
Great it's going be one of these full moons where I get physically Ill…
Viktor watched as Hermione swayed slightly on her feet. He rushed forward and steadied her.
"Sorry it comes on fast." She said. "If I had remembered tonight was a full moon I wouldn't have come out…" he lifted her up into his arms. "Oh no… No… Too quick… Put me down… Please put me down." He did as she said and watched her rush to the bathroom. The door closed and he heard a heaving noise.
"Oh no…" he said quietly feeling sorry for his girlfriend. He walked to the door when he heard the toilette flush. He knocked on it quietly. "Mina… Mina are you alright?"
"I'm fine… Absolutely perfect…" she said quietly. She opened the door. "You aren't going to fly me back to my room in this condition are you?"
"Afraid not luff." He said.
"Uhm… I'm going to need a few things from my room then…"
"I'll get them." He turned to see Dobby smiling. Hermione smiled at the friendly face.
"I knew this night may be rough with the moon being so big… I brought this from Dumbledore he thought you might need it to settle your stomach… And to ease the pain." He handed her a vial of an opaque liquid.
"Thank you so much Dobby you really are a life saver, I'd hug you but I'm getting sick again."
"Say no more Miss you just take care and I'll bring the things you need right away."
"Thank you so much…" she closed the door and they heard heaving noises again.
"Does this happen often?" Viktor asked.
"This will be the second time. The first being the night she came back with the cuts…" with that he disappeared.
I was hoping for another romantic night… Of course this has to happen to me… This never happens to me. Dumbledore said that after the first time it should never happen again… Why was I stupid and approach Lupin in wolf form… I'm lucky he hadn't bit me… I'm lucky I'm one of a few people who won't change from a scratch… I've been fine all year haven't even gotten very emotional around the full moon… Hermione winced as pain filled her body. It wasn't a severe pain but an annoying dull one that sunk deep into her bones.
"Hermione Luff…"
"I'm fine…" she said leaning against the door. "I think… I think the worst is… Is over." She felt her stomach lurch and she rushed back to the toilette bile spilling from her mouth just as she reached it. She coughed at the end before wiping the tears away from her face. She stared down at the blood inside and shook her head. She remembered when she had come back from that night with Harry.
She had gotten violently Ill and a house elf ushered her to the hospital wing. She had thrown up blood the whole night. Not streaks of blood and bile like she had now. Just pure blood. Her body had been rejecting the werewolf enzyme causing her to become physically ill. She figured now it was doing whatever had been left since that night. She threw up once more and instantly flushed the toilette afterwards. She slowly stood feeling better, the pain was still there but her stomach was no longer turning. After brushing her teeth she slowly came out of the room, Viktor instantly stood from a chair he had set beside the bathroom.
"Dobby brought your things…" he said.
"Is he still here?"
"No he had to leaf…"
"Oh I didn't get to thank him…" she said slowly walking over to the table where a small leather bag was. She pulled out from it a small leather case. She opened it up and Viktor stared down at a metal sphere.
"What is that luff?"
"It's a pure silver orb… Every time I feel the effects of the moon I hold this and see if my skin sizzels, if it doesn't it means I'm still okay. If it does then I need to be put in isolation right away and wait for the change to eventually happen…" she slowly picked up the sphere and smiled.
"It's not smoking."
"Which is very good… Dumbledore said there's no chance that I would change into a werewolf if I haven't already, but I just like to be safe you know?" she asked as she put it away. She took a vial of green powder and dipped her finger in it before placing some on the tip of her tongue.
"What's that?"
"Pure Mint powder… It's potent enough to keep my mind on it instead of the pain in my bones…" she slowly walked over to bed with a slight limp. He frowned hating to see her this way. He walked over and slowly took her in his arms to than carry her the rest of the way to the bed where he laid her down. "Thank you…" she said with a smile. "How long has it been since we got back?"
"Twenty minutes…"
"Only seven hours and forty minutes left." She said with a smile.
"Hermione are you going to be okay?"
"I'm going to be fine… I'm really very sorry about this. I haven't felt affects like this since just a little under a year ago… and to be honest this whole year I've barely even been emotional around a full moon… To the point I forgot to keep track of the lunar cycle…" she looked to him. "I feel very bad for you."
"For me?" he asked. "Why feel bad for me luff?"
"Well you have a girlfriend who is in constant danger… Is always getting into some form of dire trouble, and now has a crippling Moon allergy."
"Hopefully just once a year for that crippling Moon allergy." He said kissing the back of her hand. "I do not mind much keeps me on toes…"
"Come into bed with me? I feel like snuggling, I think it will make me feel better." He smiled doing as she said, when he lay beside her, she wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest. "Oh I forgot to tell you…"
"Tell me what?" he asked.
"My defense against the dark arts class is melding with yours tomorrow for dueling."
"That should be exciting." He said.
"Think we'll get paired off?"
"Doubtful considering we're in different years…"
"Be interesting if we were though… Bet I'd kick your Bulgarian butt." He laughed.
"You think you can take me."
"I'm sure I can." She said.
"I'm sure you could too." He said instantly. "If we are try not to shame me in front of boys."
"I will try, but no promises…" her eyes slowly drifted close. "I'm very tried Viktor…" she said softly.
"Go to sleep Luff… I will watch over you…"
"You know It's not so bad having someone to take care of me sometimes…" she said, making him smile.
"Whenever you need me to I'm here…"
"I'm glad…" she yawned slightly snuggling into him. "Glad I don't have to go through this alone anymore…" he looked down to see that she had fallen asleep completely her arms wrapped tightly around him.
"Sleep vell my Mina…"
-o-
Viktor slowly woke up and looked around to spot no Hermione. He knew she was gone. He could sense it in the stillness of the cabin. He looked to his bed stand to see a piece of parchment and smiled.
Dearest Viktor,
Thank you for taking care of me last night… I was glad to have someone by my side. It made things a lot better. I had to run off a little early this morning as I promised to meet with Harry over breakfast. I love you very much and can't wait to see you in dueling today.
Your Mina,
PS, I'm so going to kick your Bulgarian butt if we're paired.
He laughed as he got up and headed into the shower to get ready. As he washed his body he thought back to the night before. It was the first time in their relationship that Hermione had willingly let him take care of her. She hadn't complained, sighed, or even seemed upset that he was having to do it at all. It did his heart good when she had confessed she didn't so mind having someone take care of her once in a while.
He knew it was never a matter of trust with her. Or that she maybe was questioning his capabilities as a caretaker. It all came down to her pride, something that on many occasions had gotten the best of her. Now though he could tell she had figured out that letting someone who cared deeply for her actually look after her wasn't a sign of weakness but a sign of intimacy and trust. He got out of the shower and pulled on his uniform, when he walked out he found Jamous waiting.
"Comrade?" he asked seeing his fallen face.
"What is wrong?"
"Padma isn't coming to Bulgaria…" he muttered. "Her parents took back promise she vill stay here in the UK."
"I'm sorry that is tough break." He said patting his friend on the back. "Are you alright?" he asked as they headed out.
"Ahk, She's upset, I'm upset, there is upsetness going round everywhere."
"I know my English is not vell all the time, but I'm pretty sure upsetness is not word."
"Ahk." He swatted at the air. "What vill I do without my English flower hmm? Is your English flower coming to Bulgaria? Do you know yet?"
"I think so but am not so sure…" Viktor said feeling bad for his friend but also worried now that Hermione's parents might say no to her staying with him.
"Let's hope so… I don't want you to feel as awful as I do as of this moment…" they got to the castle and headed straight to their first class of potions. Viktor kept stealing glances at his oldest friend. He could tell the stuffy potions master was doing little to improve Jamous's mood. When they got out he hoped that their next class would bring him a bit more joy.
"You like transfiguration…" Viktor said trying to lift his friends spirits.
"Padma is so skilled at transfiguration…" he muttered.
"Jamous you must not wallow in grief…" He said patting him on the back.
"It is not grief, it is disappointment…" they walked into the classroom. Slowly everyone got in and took their seat. The whole time they waited for their professor Jamous with a dark expression transfigured his goblet into tons of dark creatures such as spiders, crows, snakes, and rats. "Where is teacher?" Jamous asked after transfiguring it back into a plain goblet. The doors opened behind them and everyone turned seeing Hermione walking.
"Hi everyone so sorry I'm late." She said heading to the front and setting her things down. She turned and smiled.
"Where is Professor McGonagall?" someone asked.
"Professor McGonagall wasn't feeling well today so she asked me to take over her class for her… So… I guess I am your teacher today."
"Hallo Professor Granger." The boys chimed all with cheeky smiles.
"Ha Ha funny please don't ever call me that again it makes me feel way too much pressure." They laughed. "So normally we would be doing OWL prep but seeing as you have finished that I figured we might have some fun today as a way of saying congrats on your final round of OWLS. How does this sound?" everyone started applauding giving her, her answer.
"What kind of fun?" A boy named Micah asked.
"First off I need everyone to stand." She said in Bulgarian. Everyone looked to her. "Yes I'm speaking in your native tongue I thought I might make things easier on you all." They smiled. "If I make a mistake in my speech please don't hesitate to correct me… Now no one's standing so stand." They all instantly shot to their feet. "Good everyone split up into two equal teams and line up on either side of room." They did as she said Hermione walked and waved her wand. The desks flew up into the air and levitated high in the ceiling. "Now everyone on this side." She faced the men on the right side of the room. "Transfigure your uniforms black…"
"The color?" Jamous asked.
"Yes…" they all waved their wands slowly the red uniformed shirts went black. "Excellent." She turned to Viktor's side. "Okay boys transfigure your uniforms into a blue…"
"The girls academy colors?" one asked with a look of disgust.
"Fine go with a…"
"Green?" someone asked.
"Who dared suggest that to a Gryffindor?" Hermione asked raising her wand and making everyone laugh. "Never green… All you boys should know you stray from green it is a terrible terrible color and you just shouldn't do it. For men Green is the new fuchsia pink. Understand?" They all laughed again. "So go ahead and turn your uniform color into… oh let's go with white…" the boys slowly did as she said some having trouble their uniform colors but eventually figuring it out.
"All of us are done." Viktor said with a nod.
"Perfect. Okay we're going to do a bit of transfiguration dueling." She set two goblets on either side of the room in front of the boys. "At the sound of the bell you as quickly as you can and without hesitation transfigure your goblets into something amazing the better creation is where the point goes? Understand?" they all nodded. Hermione walked to the desk as everyone got into a line. She transfigured her goblet into a bell and smiled as she rang it. Two boys rushed forward.
"Ferevertoh!" they both shouted. The goblets shot into the Air. On Jamous's team the goblet turned into a huge crow. On Viktor's side the goblet turned into a small fairy.
"Oh that's got to be our point." Jamous said.
"Afraid not Animals are easy to make creatures of humanoid form are harder point goes to White." She made a slash in the air with her wand causing a fire tally to appear. "Next…" she rang the bell. For a half hour amazing creatures and animals were made. The last people in line to step up were Viktor and Jamous, interestingly enough the two teams were tied. Hermione smiled as she rang the bell. The two rushed forward both flicking their wands at the goblets. Jamous's goblet flew into the air Viktor's doing the same. Viktor's was the first to change. Hermione smiled seeing a baby dragon appear with a vicious look. Hermione's eyes went to Jamou's goblet which fell still and unchanged to the ground. His team stared at it.
"I'm afraid white wins…" Hermione said quietly making the final tally. Everyone on that side rejoiced while the ones behind Jamous groaned. Hermione walked over to Jamous. "Hey are you alright?" she asked.
"Just upset…" he said transfiguring his uniform back to its original color. The desks that floated in the air above them fell back to the ground lightly and everyone took their seat. Hermione frowned watching Jamous team give him a hard time.
"Nice job…" one muttered rather rudely in his ear.
"Hey." Hermione clapped her hands now speaking in English. "That's enough. Leave him alone…" she said making everyone look to her. "I expect more from young men of the Durmstrang institute." They slowly nodded.
"Sorry everyone…" Jamous muttered. "Feeling off today…"
"What going on Jamous?" Hermione asked. He looked around slowly seeing all his male classmates.
"Uhm… Personal issue."
"It's about Padma then." He looked at her.
"How did you know that?"
"Because I'm Hermione Granger and rumor has it I know everything." Everyone laughed even Jamous cracked a smile. "So you're feeling off and a little down because she can't visit you this summer right?" he slowly nodded. "That would make any one feel pretty bad…" She leaned against the front desk in a casual way. "Many people don't know but our magic is directly related to our feelings…" they raised eyebrows at her. "I know this will be hard for all you big burly men to understand." They laughed. "But it's true… Viktor throw your goblet at me."
"No…" He said making the men around him chuckle.
"Viktor throw the bloody goblet." She said making more laugh.
"No."
"Viktor…" she said her eyes narrowing. He sighed with a smile and threw it Hermione whipped out her wand. The goblet turned into a crow. "Not very impressive is it?" she asked as it flew away.
"Not really…" they all muttered.
"That's because I my self today am not feeling my best as well… When I'm not feeling my best I don't do my best…" everyone nodded. "But when this happens there is a way to fake your magic out…"
"Fake it out?" Jamous asked listening intently.
"Yes… You make yourself feel something other than sad or down… Instead you feel happy or even angry… Now happy works for my friend Ron, Anger works better for me…"
"Can we haf example?" someone asked.
"Sure..." she looked at the goblet in front of Jamous. Her eyes narrowed and they could see them grow dark as her expression took on a frightening look. "Jamous throw it." He instantly did as she said she whipped out her wand and with a yell the goblet burst into a fire a huge dragon came forth making everyone jump. Before it could do any damage Hermione casted it away. "More impressive?" they all applauded when it died down and she smiled. "Now normally we don't go over this sort of stuff in transfiguration but know you won't go over it anywhere else either. Which is terrible because its useful information to have." They all nodded with a smile. Viktor raised his hand. "Yes?"
"How did you find this out?" He asked.
"I was protecting a friend of mine who was severely injured. I was scared, and injured myself… I didn't feel strong at all and I didn't know how I was going to not only protect this friend and myself as well. As I heard this thing coming to get us I started to get very angry that I was hiding out in the dark like some weak incapable witch… The second the person showed his face I felt that anger fuel my power and I felt like I could fight once more. Mind you after that I was completely drained but it helped me out when I really needed it…" Viktor smiled softly. He knew she was speaking vaguely of the night she had rescued him at the world cup.
"What did you think of to get angry?" another Durmstrang student asked.
"Oh that's Easy… Slytherin." They all laughed and the bell gave a rang throughout the room. "Well that's all for today thank you boys for being so nice to me, I may become a full time teacher after having a great class like you all." They all smiled and every single one of them realized as to why Viktor felt the way he did for the brilliant witch. Hermione gathered her things as she heard everyone leave. She turned with a smile knowing Viktor would be waiting.
"Ready for dueling?" he asked.
"Yes very much so…" she said with an eager smile.
"Let me carry bag." He said taking it.
"Thank you very much kind gentleman sir…" He laughed softly. "So… Be honest. Was my Bulgarian okay?"
"A little rushed but other than that very very vell."
"I have to learn to slow down…" she said mentally beating herself over it. "Could you still understand me?"
"Clearly." He with a smile. "Where's the dueling class being held?"
"Great hall…" she said heading down the stair case that led to the corridor. "So was my class fun?"
"Very fun." He said. "I am glad I won, but still feel bad for Jamous."
"Poor guy… I have a feeling it will work out though… Maybe." She said with a shrug. Kind of glad Jamous wouldn't be spending more time with Padma. The girl she was when she was with Jamous was very different than the one she was when she was with her. When they walked into the great hall Hermione stopped. "The Slytherins are hear as well…" she smiled. "With the Gryffindor's… This should be good…" Viktor saw her spot Malfoy who still had light bruises on his cheek. Her eyes narrowed a small smile spreading across her lips. "Fun indeed…"
"Hermione don't think of dueling him…" he said. "Don't put yourself in that situation."
"I won't duel him if you don't." she said.
"Ahk… fine." He said with a frown. "But I'm going after his henchman."
"Fine with me I will be too… You take Crabbe I'll get Goyle."
"Deal." They shook hands.
"I just noticed you're not wearing a uniform skirt…" he said smiling at the slack that's fit her quite well.
"All the girls were instructed to not where skirts today because of the dueling." She said walking over with him to where some Bulgarians and Gryffindor's stood.
"This is a wide dueling table." Padma said walking over.
"It really is…" Hermione commented. "Viktor have you seen a dueling table like that before?" He looked at her for a long moment. "What?"
"This will be the first time ever in our relationship where I know something you don't." she just smiled at him.
"Yes it is so do you want to tell me or should I ask someone else?" she inquired making Padma laugh lightly beside her.
"No I vill tell. No one else. This is my moment." she laughed as he took an excited breath. "Let me treasure moment."
"Viktor…" she said in a warning tone but with a good hearted smile.
"Right Luff, sorry." He said laughing. "This table is for team dueling." Viktor said. "Most likely for us seven years." The girls nodded.
"Team dueling… Interesting… Oh hey Padma… Jamous is feeling pretty down you might want to check on him." Hermione whispered.
"Oh I will… Thank you." She walked over to him.
"I don't like her that well but she treats him nice." She commented watching Padma instantly ask Jamous what was wrong as she held his hand.
"She really does." He commented. "I approve." He looked to Hermione who had a dark look in her eye. He followed her trail of vision to see Mad Eye moody walking in.
"I really hate that man…" Hermione said the admission surprising him.
"What is wrong with Mad Eye?" he inquired.
"Other than the fact he's a sadist? Nothing… But I can't help but wonder when I look at him…" she said her voice trailing off.
"Wonder what?"
"I don't know really… I just get the feeling he isn't quite who he seems… There's something missing… Something crucial…" Viktor took a long look at the notorious Auror.
"Now that you mention it… I think I get that feeling too…" Mad eye got up on the table and headed to the middle and looked around at the students.
"I see everyone has gathered, glad to see no one chickened out…" he said his eyes resting on Malfoy. "This dueling round isn't for the weak minded, or the weak in general… This won't be like other duels for you students… Unlike before in this school where you all were only allowed to use level two spells you are allowed to go up to Level five."
"Now I know he's a sadist…" Hermione muttered. "Those are highly harmful spells some that have the capability to kill… He's insane…" Viktor slowly nodded.
"When I feel the match has gone too far I will step in and end it… Understand?" he asked. Everyone nodded. Some raised their hands and his eye narrowed in on them. "What?" he asked.
"How will you be choosing who faces off against who?" Neville inquired.
"Same way we chose the champions…" he motioned to a smaller version of the goblet of fire. He walked off the table and stood next to it. He slammed the bottom of his cane into the ground and fire spit from the goblet when it died down two names were spelled out in fire in the air. Two students slowly walked onto the plat form, and a duel ensued. After a while people began to sit back enjoying the show from elevated benches in the room.
"Has your school worked hard on dueling?" Hermione asked sitting next to Viktor and a few of his friends. "All the Durmstrang students seem to duel quite well and at a high level of skill…"
"Yes it's one of our courses we start dueling our first day at institute." He stated.
"Interesting…" she said. "We didn't really start until our second year and that was out of necessity because of all the attacks. Little good it did me though…"
"You can't fight a basilisk luff." He said with a smile knowing the petrification had deeply wounded her pride even at such a young age. She really was too hard on herself some times.
"Owe…" Viktor looked to see what Hermione was wincing at. A boy had just been thrown into a wall by a Slytherin and now lay unconscious on the floor. "That wasn't a fair match that was a seventh year against a second…" she muttered.
"Next round." Mad eye said and Hermione looked to the goblet.
"Oh that's me…" she said with a smile.
"Good Luck Luff." She smiled at him before heading down the elevated benches and getting to the table. Viktor watched as no other person walked up. "Where is partner?" he asked.
"Uh Viktor…" Jamous pointed at the goblet. Viktor read his name before smiling.
"Oh I am up as vell…" he rushed down the stairs and then up to the table. "Sorry did not see name." he said with a sheepish smile.
"Start." Mad eye ordered.
"Okay Luff I vill not go easy on you." He said pulling out his wand.
"Good." She said with a smile.
"I am very serious I vill-." Hermione flicked her wand at him a red spell hit him in the chest and knocked him back off his feet. He fell back against the table and stared up at the ceiling.
"Yeah!" Harry cheered along with all the other Gryffindor's.
"You were saying?" Hermione asked as he got up a small smile playing her features. Viktor couldn't help but laugh as he stood.
"Very funny Luff, vell now you vill pa-." another red spell hit him in the chest causing him to fly back so far that when he landed his head was hanging off the side of the table.
"Stop talking start dueling." She said a little annoyed.
He's really going to go easy on me… Really? I can handle it! He flipped up onto his feet and Hermione tilted her head.
"Oooh… Fancy." She said.
"Don't mock me." He said with a smile as he moved forward and fired a spell. Hermione rolled out of the way and leapt onto her feet. "Ooh fancy…" he muttered with a good hearted laugh.
"Why thank you." She said with a cheeky smile as she fired a spell which he easily dodged as he countered quickly.
Hermione spun in a tight circle missing a stream of purple light as she did. She stepped forward and fired a spell. Viktor quickly countered it and fired his own. Hermione missed the counter and felt something strike her in the shoulder. She stumbled back as she looked down at her shoulder to see a hole in her sweater that had red fire edges. She quickly took it off and threw it aside as it burst into flames. She slowly looked to Viktor with a smile as she smoothed out her white button down shirt.
"I've never seen that spell achieved by someone your age." She commented.
"Why thank you." He said with a small bow and a smile before standing up straight.
"Oh it wasn't a compliment…" she said making him look at her closely to see she was scowling. "I've only seen it used by people under the age of twelve." Many laughed and Viktor frowned.
What does she want me to do hex a hole in her the size of a quaffle?
"You are getting on last nerve Luff." He said a little irritated.
"You've already gotten on mine." She said in Bulgarian. "You told me you wouldn't go easy but that's what you're doing. Give me a challenge. I can handle it. I'm not made of lace you know." She said her eyes narrowing more. He stared at her for a long minute. "Oh my gods…" she sighed in English. "Are you serious?"
"It is my best!"
"No its not." She said. "If this is your best then you have absolutely no chance of winning the tournament." He stared at her for a long minute while many people watching "Oohed" at her fighting words.
"That is low blow."
"So is you treating me like an incompetent witch who can't protect herself…"
I see… I am hurting her pride once again… Yes. Okay. I will go full level… I will hold nothing back…
He stepped forward and whipped his wand out Hermione crossed her arms in front of her as she felt a great source of power slam into her. The magical shield kept it from hurting her but the force sent her sliding back a good five feet to the edge of the table.
"That's more like it!" Hermione moved forward and whipped her wand out. Everyone began watching as spell after spell was thrown and spell after spell was countered. With each movement they moved closer and closer to one another.
I can't get a hit in he's too quick! I knew he was skilled but this is really impressive! I can't wait to tell him how proud I am.
She's really good at deflecting, her spells are quicker than I could have imagined… still I can't get anything in… This may come to a standstill… Damn she's impressive. Just as the thought left his mind he felt something strike him in the shoulder sending him twirling back. As he did he looked at her and fired his own hex. She rolled out of the way and brought her wand wielding hand up while taking her other hand and slapping it against her fore arm. A great blue light formed in front of her as energy built up and then shot out. A great light filled the area around them blinding her and many in the room from what was going on, when it cleared Hermione stared. Viktor was at the very edge of the table but was still standing. She slowly stood breathing heavily.
"Tired?" he asked with a frown.
She just used most of her energy with that spell… She almost knocked me off but just almost… I doubt she'll be able to now. She should know better than to put her all into one spell like that…
"Not at all… You?" she asked standing up straight.
"Get on with it!" a Slytherin yelled.
"Ahk shut it." Viktor said looking to him and then back to Hermione.
"Are you alright to continue on Luff?"
"Of course… I'm just getting warmed up." she said making him smile.
"Let us commence." he stated. Hermione nodded before stepping forward and firing a spell. Viktor deflected it and fired his own. Hermione went to deflect the red hex only to have it hit her straight in the chest to send her flying back. She flew off the table and slammed into the stone wall. Instead of falling down to the ground she kicked her feet against the stone and dove for the table where she rolled over her shoulder and onto her feet.
"She's still in!" Mad eye yelled. "She never hit the ground." He slowly stood watching the young muggleborn witch.
I need to keep a closer eye on her… We've underestimated her talents…
Viktor saw Hermione point her wand at him. He went to deflect a spell but found there was nothing to deflect. He tilted his head but frowned. He could see her eyes grow dark as she stared at him with a dangerous look. She was getting angry. She was getting angry to build up her last bit of energy.
A last ditch resort to win… I wish her luck, but after putting her all into that one spell and then being slammed against the wall like she was there's no way.
He stepped forward and fired a spell. He stared seeing his red Hex bounce of an invisible shield. He fired one after another each time the spell bounced off.
"How-." His voice trailed off as he saw Hermione's eyes eclipse black and she levitated off the table. "Mina…" A gust of air rushed around Hermione as a great force slammed into him. He was lifted off his feet as he flew back through the air to slam into the wall behind him.
"Holly crap…" Jamous muttered as he watched Viktor drop to the ground.
"Granger wins!" Mad eye yelled. Hermione took a small breath and smiled as she stood up straight as everyone applauded.
I did it! Wait… Where's Viktor?
"Oh no…" she rushed to the other side of the table. "Viktor are you okay?" she asked jumping down and helping him up off the ground.
"I am fine Luff." He patted her on shoulder as she helped him stand. "Nice spell." He laughed making her smile.
"You alright Krum?" Mad eye asked.
"Fine just Fine." He said.
"Nice job Mione." Many of her class mates said as she helped Viktor over to a bench.
"I'm so sorry I didn't think I was going to knock you that hard against the wall… I'm so sorry."
"Luff I am fine." He said.
"Are you sure?"
"I haf fallen sixty feet from broom a short fall from table is nothing."
"Right I forget you're a quidditch player sometimes…" she admitted making him laugh.
"One big reason I luff you so." She smiled.
"We'll call it a day for class, anyone who wants to stay behind to watch the Durmstrang students partner duel do so." Mad eye stated. Hermione watched as tons of people headed off. She slowly stood as she saw Ron and Harry doing so as well.
"Oh no they don't…" she rushed forward and grabbed them by the ears. "Where do you think you two are going?" she asked.
"Lunch!" They said.
"Mione owe owe owe…" Harry said standing on his toes to give him relief.
"Bloody hell you're hurting my ear!" Ron yelled as she dragged them over to the benches of Durmstrang boys who were laughing at the sight.
"Sit down." She said releasing them
"Why?" Harry asked.
"Yeah Mione we don't need this we don't partner duel at Hogwarts." Ron said.
"Not here at Hogwarts but some day we're going to be put in the situation where we're going to have to duel someone together. We need to watch these guys see how they move see how they work off each other to eliminate their opponents."
"Hermione when are we going to have to do this exactly?" Harry asked.
"Have you two seriously already forgotten the world cup?" she asked. "Remember those death eaters that nearly killed us all? Remember that they're back and are probably being led by you know who? Remember how we're all kind of planning on destroying you know who? Remember that? Remember any of it?"
"We would have fought together fine at the world cup… You know if we hadn't gotten split up." Harry said completely missing her point.
"How?" she asked. "How would we have fought together when we don't know how?"
"I think we would just roll with the punches…" Ron said.
"Roll-." She stopped and Viktor saw anger flash across her features. "Roll with the punches?"
"Yeah, you don't have to always be learning Mione…" Ron said with a smile as he clapped her on the shoulder.
"Why don't you join us for lunch huh?" Harry asked with an eager look. "We haven't had a half day like this in a while. You could help me with maze prep if you want to do something academic." Harry said with a good hearted smile. She stared at them for a long while.
"No… No you two go on ahead… I'm going to stay and watch Viktor duel…"
"You sure?" Harry asked.
"Yeah… Go eat…" she sat down and stared forward at four students that had already started dueling.
"Oh uhm… Okay see you at dinner…" Ron said as he and Harry got up and left.
"Luff…" Viktor rested his hand on hers.
"I have to concentrate." She said pulling her hand out from under his to hand it rest in her lap. "Some on has to learn this…"
"Right…" he said nodding. "Right… Keep any eye on their feet love, it's very important…"
"Okay…" She said taking mental notes.