Shipping Bingo: E1 - Interrupted Date
Spring Bingo: C3 - Cream
Trope Bingo: E1 - Bullying the Dragon
Team: Brilliant Snitch
Stacked With: FPC; Fence; Star T3; SN; BAON; ToS; Shower
Scavenger Hunt: Sp Consumables (Coffee)
Chimera: Jerry (Love/Hate; Eating/Drinking)
Individual Challenges: Two Cakes (Y); Eating Cake (Y); Green Ribbon (Y); LEO MCx3; Jock MC (Y); Gryffindor MCx3; Durmstrang MC; Neurodivergent (Y); Rian-Russo Inversion (Y); Ethnic & Present (Y); Setting Sail (Y); Ship Sails (Y); Hold the Mayo (Y); Old Flames; Zed Era (Y); Old Shoes; Long Haul (Y); Bucket Listing (Y); Human Companion; Fix-It Felix (Y)
Representations: Hermione is autistic (PoC)
Primary & Secondary Bonus Challenges: Unwanted Advice; Spinning Plates; Mother Hen; Middle Name; Tomorrow's Shade; Fire Song; Delicious Lie; Second Verse (Teat Juice; Sneeze Weasel; Found Family; White Dress; Persistence Still; Not a Lamp; Ladylike) Chorus (Peddling Pots; Machismo; Fizzy Lemonade; Bee Haven; Pocky Pockets; Pear-Shaped) Demo 2 (Cooler Yelp; Misshapen Pods; Creature Feature; Soul-Like)
Tertiary & Generic Bonus Challenges: T3 (Thimble); SN (Rail; Intercept)
Warnings: Verbal Abuse; Lewd Advances; Name Calling
I should probably come up with a name for the Hermione's date
~o0o~
Why did she ever agree to a blind date? Just because things didn't work out with Ron didn't mean Hermione was desperate for a relationship. Not even five years later. She was plenty fulfilled with her job and friends. Sure, most of her friends were married or in committed relationships, some with young children and therefore unavailable to hang out as often as they used to. Even Ron was now dating Luna of all people and he had really mellowed out because of her. So why were they so keen on finding her someone? And just where did they dig up this guy?
He was like McLaggen. He'd been talking about himself for the past hour and seemed to be talking more to her breasts than her. Why did she spend so much time on her hair again? At least they were sitting at the bar of the restaurant rather than a table. It made it easy to turn her legs away when he thought playing footsy was a good idea.
"Harry said you work for the Ministry, too?" The first question he asked her about herself since the date began.
"Oh, yes, we work in the same Department," she replied. "I'm a Defense Attorney. You know, making sure everyone the Auror Department arrests gets a free and fair trial."
"Is that who you are?" he said. "Everyone just calls you 'The Girl Who Gives Us More Paperwork' you know you might want to find something a bit more useful."
"Well, I also help with reconstruction," she said. "And write legislature for civil rights—"
"Please, you are way too good-looking to worry yourself about that stuff. It's a lost cause anyway, so why bother?"
I'm going to kill you, Harry and Ron, she thought and waved the bartender over. "I'll take a Zombie, please, and a tiny umbrella. I love those."
"Anyway," her date said. "What is the point of women going into high paying jobs? To find a higher paying husband."
The bartender's eyes got wide, but she said nothing as she mixed Hermione's drink. Hermione herself stared down at her meal and wished she got something that would make her breath stink. Anything to get this guy out of her bubble.
Just as she was considering ordering a third cocktail, someone said, "Hermione?"
Oh, thank God. She spun around her chair to see who was speaking and had to blink.
"Viktor," she said. "It's been a long time. Since Bill and Fleur's wedding, yeah?"
"That's right," he said.
He looked good. Less awkward. His hair had grown out to show a wave to it, he had a sculpted beard, and he walked with a sort of confidence he didn't have when she knew him. She really liked the suit he was wearing. It was black and had a black jacquard design over it that caught in the light, and he had paired it with a purple button down.
"What brings you here?" she asked.
"Ah, well, I am being traded," he said. "To Wigtown Wanderers. We were just discussing my contract. I saw you from the table, but thought it rude to managers if I left during negotiations. We are still talking, I just offered to get us drinks."
"Oh, no, I understand," she said. The thought of him being just a floo call away made her feel happy. The last time they dated, she was all hung up over Ron. She sometimes found herself wishing she had realized what she had when it was there.
Viktor squeezed in on her other side and placed the drink order with the bartender, dropping a tip into the jar. Hermione turned her chair to keep him in her sight.
"How long will you be in town?" she asked.
"A few days," he said. "We are just going over basics, but my contract will require more scrutiny."
"Well, I studied contracts," she said. "If you'd like, I can look it over. Make sure you're getting the best deal."
"That would be great."
"Here you are," said the bartender, handing him the drinks.
"I'll see you later, Hermione," said Viktor, smiling at her. "Sorry to interrupt your date."
Oh, yeah, him. She watched him take the drinks back to his table. It looked to be two managers and the Wigtown Wanderers' Coach. Suppressing a sigh, she looked at her date and waved for a third cocktail. Guess this wasn't a total loss.
"Now that he's gone," said her date, moving on to talk more about himself.
After trying not to, Hermione glanced over at Viktor and felt a small jolt upon making eye contact. He smiled at her and she bit back a grin of her own as she turned back to the counter. Her elation was short-lived when a hand touched her knee.
"What do you say we get the check and I take you home?" her date asked.
"Eh, no. I don't think so," she said, pushing his hand away. "Sorry, I'm sure you're a nice guy to some people, but I don't think this will work out."
He scowled. "Seriously?"
"Seriously."
"You know, this is why everyone calls you the Wicked Bitch of the West behind your back," he growled. "Your friends were asking every single guy they knew and I was the only one who agreed. Thought maybe I could get you to loosen up. Nobody likes you, you know, you made our jobs so much harder."
"You mean, hold Aurors accountable for their actions and remove the fast-track to Azkaban so you can stop using scape-goats for tough to crack cases?" she retorted. "Yes, I'm a real monster."
"And are you really so deluded to think that halfbreeds will ever be equals to wizards? You're working on a lost cause and people will like you way more without you going in and mucking things up. Only way you'll get a man is with a love potion!"
He got up and stormed off, leaving her with the check. Whatever.
"You alright, love?" Jane, the bartender, asked.
"I'll be fine," said Hermione, picking up the dessert menu. "Never going on a blind date again, that's for sure. Can I get a piece of cake and some coffee, please?"
"Sure thing. Which cake would you like?"
"Surprise me."
Why did people think she didn't know what they've been saying behind her back? Of course she knew. But she was stubborn. There's no way she was going to become complacent. Complacency is what led to the Second British Wizarding War in the first place. She knew that, she got her friends to see it and she'd be damned if she gave up now. Not when she already got all of the Anti-Werewolf laws Umbridge had enacted overturned and gave the Forbidden Forest back to the Centaurs. Why should she stop there?
She drank more during the dinner than she realized, but she didn't mind sitting at the counter while she sobered up. A lovely slice of tiramisu was placed in front of her along with the check.
"Course he ordered the surf and turf," she muttered, paying the tab.
When her cake was half gone, she sensed someone approaching.
"Is this seat taken?" Viktor asked.
"Go ahead." Hermione sat up and turned towards him. "How'd your meeting go?"
"Just fine, I think," he said. "I am being promoted to a Swing. Keeper and Seeker. But I won't bore you with what the papers will run tomorrow. Are you alright? I noticed… well… I didn't ruin your night again, did I?"
He still thought her bad ending at the Yule Ball was because of him.
"Of course not," she said. "I'm glad you interrupted, the date was going horribly. He was just some guy Harry and Ron set me up with from the Auror department."
"Oh?"
"They're both in happily committed relationships and I guess they wanted me to be, too. Their taste in men is terrible. You know, this is the third blind date I've been on in a month?"
"Blind dates are awful," said Viktor sympathetically. "Growing up, my parents always set me up to escort girls to debutante balls. It is much like blind date."
"No one special now?" Why would she ask that? It wasn't any of her business. Why should she care? She didn't care.
Viktor shrugged. "Not really. Too many people want the benefits of dating me, not so much me."
"Sorry to hear that." She slid her plate closer to him. "Would you like some?"
"Thank you." He borrowed her fork and took a bite. "I thought you and Ron…"
"Oh, no. We did for about two years, but we ended up fighting worse than ever and decided to split. I knew if things got too much worse, we'd end up making our friends choose and I'd end up alone if that happened. It's been five years since then, we're on better terms now."
They chatted until Jane told them the restaurant was closing.
"Is it that late already?" said Hermione, turning her wrist over to look at her watch. She placed another tip in the jar for Jane and stood up, feeling a wave of dizziness. She stumbled in her heels and Viktor caught her before she could fall over.
"Here, let me help you," he said, steadying her. "Is your home far?"
"Not at all. It's just a few blocks over. I'm alright, I think I just stood up too fast."
"If it's all the same, may I escort you home?"
He was still such a gentleman, even after all these years.
"Of course," she said, looping her arm with his once she got her coat on. "I'd welcome the company. Tell me more about this trade. I know I said I hated Quidditch, but that was mostly out of spite for how crazy it made everyone else."
"Well, it does not matter how good a Seeker I am if the rest of the team is not good," said Viktor. "So, I am tested on my other Quidditch skills. Keeping, Chasing, and such. Other teams who are having issues, will trade a Swing of their own. Even though I am not a novelty for my age anymore, I am still a marketable player, so I make a higher salary due to photoshoots and merchandise. My name alone will give Wanderers better funding from companies for better equipment and an updated stadium. Just like second place at World Cup did for Sofia Lions."
"Huh. Then you'll certainly need a professional to look over your contract. Harry was almost bullied into signing one that would use his fame against defeating Voldemort again for monetary gain. However it was an exclusive contract and those assholes really tried to give him fifteen percent of profits. It was a good thing I was there."
They finally made it to her building. It was outside of Magical areas. She didn't want to live where everybody knew her. Hermione took her key out of her purse and looked up at Viktor. She must've been crazy. She broke his heart eight years ago. She had no right. But if he still liked her and she certainly felt something for him now… couldn't they try?
"Do you want to come up?" she asked. "I can make us some tea and we can talk some more."
"I would like that," he said.
Hermione led him up to her apartment and unlocked the door. Her cats meowed and twisted around her legs as if demanding to know just where she'd been.
"These are my cats," she said. "Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat is the little brown one, Fluffernutter is orange and white, and that one is Kevin."
The corner of his mouth twitched, but he didn't make fun of their names.
"Make yourself at home," she said, working off her pumps. "I'll be right out, I just want to get comfortable."
She went into her bedroom and shut the door, exhaling slowly. She hadn't seen Viktor in eight years and yet distance had made the heart grow fonder. He changed some. She supposed she had as well. Would he laugh at her if she asked him out? Or was him staying with her after her botched date a sign that he still liked her too? Oh, why was she overthinking things. It never worked out when she thought about it, so maybe she should just… act.
Hermione changed into lounging trousers, a camisole, and a cardigan. She said she was going to get comfortable and she was. She might've looked hot in her little black dress and heels, but thankfully Viktor didn't care about that. He liked her even when she had buck teeth and was using the wrong shampoo on her hair. When she stepped out, she found him sitting on the couch with the cats all clamoring for his attention. His jacket was hung up on the coat rack and he had removed his shoes signaling he was happy to stay for as long as she wanted him there.
"What sort of tea would you like?" she asked. "I have all sorts. Herbal, green, oolong, black."
"Whatever you like," he said.
Out of habit, Hermione put on a CD, it was the melancholy playlist she was listening to the previous night. She wasn't feeling particularly sad then, but she did want something soothing. Since she started living alone, she was either playing music or the telly so she wouldn't have to notice how alone she was.
It was strange, but nice to set up two cups and saucers.
"Mrow!" Skimbleshanks meowed.
"Oh really?" she said.
"NYAOH!"
"No, no. I gave you plenty of food before I left," she replied. "See? You have kibble in your bowl."
Skimbleshanks meowed again and rubbed against her leg.
"Spoilt. Spoilt I say!" she declared as she took down the treat tin and shook a few out on the floor. Fluffernutter and Kevin weren't too far behind begging for treats of their own.
Hermione obliged and brought the tray out.
"I don't have any biscuits, I'm sorry to say," she said. "I haven't had the chance to go shopping and Luna makes sure I have the essentials."
"No need to apologize," said Viktor. "Allow me."
He poured her a cup and mixed hers with cream and honey.
"You remembered," she said, as he handed it to her.
"Of course. It is same as mine," he replied, fixing his own cup and settling back to sip at it. "Are you still doing, oh what was the name… S.P.E.W.?"
Oh, that awful name she had come up with. She was still touched; he remembered how important that was to her.
"Sort of," she said. "I expanded it to include all magical beings and now it's the Society for the Advancement of Magical Beings. Somehow people hated that more than when it was just house-elves. But I worked at it and Minister Shacklebolt agreed to some changes. He could only push through so much though. Everything else has to be voted upon in the Wizengamot. It's still mostly just me, though I have a few more people who think I'm right. They just can't put as much energy into the organization as I do, which I understand."
"You did inspire me."
"I did?"
He nodded. "I helped organize a union for the vampires, veela, and swan maidens who live in Eastern Europe. I wanted to help werewolves too but they hide very well. With my connections and offering some favors, I was able to get anti-discrimination laws put in place. It's not perfect, there will always be people stating it is not their being side it was something else, but the veela all have a union now so they don't have to keep working in entertainment industry and assault claims are taken seriously."
Hermione blinked. "Wow… you know, I think I remember reading about that. I didn't know you were behind it though."
"They have been putting in work," said Viktor. "I just used privilege I was born into to help."
"Huh." She smiled and the butterflies in her stomach flitted a little faster. Scarcely realizing she had done it, she scooted closer to him. "I'd love to learn more about that and what you did to lobby for that to happen."
"What do you do for a living?" Viktor asked. "You said… lawyer, yes?"
"That's right. The judiciary system was an atrocity and Kingsley paid for me to continue my education and help rebuild it so people couldn't go without trials like Sirius Black did. Now, I'm a lawyer. Sort of a jack of all trades. Defense, contracts, things like that. I don't like bureaucrats much, but I am a stickler for protocol and you wouldn't believe the amount of illegal things Aurors were pulling and getting away with! Now they call me the Wicked Bitch of the West."
Viktor scowled and lowered his teacup. "They should not be calling you such things."
"I've got thick skin," said Hermione, setting her cup on the table. "It's fine. I'm fine."
"I think you are admirable," said Viktor. "I always wished I had your courage."
She smiled and felt her cheeks warm. "I admired how stoic and calm you were. I always let my emotions run away with me."
He shook his head. "It was just a mask. I looked fine on the outside, but I wasn't."
"I understand," she said.
"I don't think I felt much until I met you," he said. "You were the first person who I think cared about me as I really was. You did not expect me to mold myself to the image you had of me."
Hermione rested her hand on top of his and his eyes seemed to really see her. They were dark and intense.
"Viktor… I wish I had cared for you then as you did me," she said. "I wish I would have woken up and… asked you to that silly Christmas Party my sixth year. Kept up our correspondence… You're just so wonderful and I'm happy our paths crossed tonight."
"The past happened," he said. "I just know that even after all these years… my feelings for you have not changed."
Her heart pounded in her chest as she leaned in. Viktor met her halfway and kissed her. Once she started, she couldn't stop kissing him.
~o0o~
Hermione was woken up by all three cats walking across her back, meowing for their breakfast.
"Alright, alright," she said, pushing herself up.
She pulled on her dressing gown and fed her cats before switching on the coffee maker. It could brew while she got a couple more minutes in bed. When she climbed in, Viktor rolled over and embraced her.
"Good morning," he mumbled into her shoulder.
"Hi," she said, tipping her head back as he pressed soft kisses to her neck. "Sleep well?"
"Best I have ever had."
She smiled and traced the tattoo of a Chinese Fireball that wrapped around his shoulder.
"Do you work today?" he asked.
"Just a half day," she replied. "Just some things to wrap up. Why?"
"Well, I know we did things a little out of order. But I would like to take you out," he said. "If you'd like."
"I'd love that," she said. "If I go in at ten, I'll be done by two for a late lunch."
Viktor looked at the clock and nodded, then looked back at her and growled appreciatively. Before he could ask, she pulled him in and kissed him.
After they made love, Hermione showered, then tidied up while Viktor was in the shower. She still wasn't all that good of a cook, but he insisted on making her some eggs and turkey bacon along with the toast she normally made for herself.
"Do you cook?" she asked, watching him expertly crack the eggs with one hand and drop them into the skillet.
"I wasn't comfortable with a personal chef or maid," he said. "I learned to take care of things myself."
"I always get distracted when I cook," she admitted, "when I actually have the time and it's no fun cooking for one."
"I know what you mean."
"Coffee?" she asked. "It's from the Dominican Republic."
"Your mother is from there, yes?"
"That's right. Though my aunt is the one who sends me the coffee."
It was wonderful having breakfast with someone, and this time there were no hesitations in conversation. Hermione admitted to having learned Bulgarian in case she ever thought about writing him again, which he looked pleased about. Of course, he spoke four more languages than she did, which impressed her.
After a long breakfast, Hermione readied for work.
"Why don't you meet me at the office?" she asked. "You can bring your contract and I can file it to look over on Monday. My office is in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
"I will be there," said Viktor, drawing her in for another kiss.
She smiled. "See you then."
He left and she floo'd to work.
When she was nearly through her paperwork, a knock came at her office door. Her heart leapt into her throat and she felt excited. He was early. She took her hair out of its bun and fluffed it.
"Come in!" she called.
Harry and Ron came in. Oh. Hermione frowned and went back to her papers.
"Hey, Mione," said Harry. "How did your date go?"
She snorted. "Terrible. What did you think to yourselves, 'Hey, Hermione got on with Cormac alright, didn't she? Let's find someone just like him!'"
"He's not like McLaggen," said Ron.
"Maybe that's because he actually respects you," she retorted. "Also, Wicked Bitch of the West? That's mean."
They had the sense to look abashed.
"Sorry," said Harry.
"We just want you to be happy," said Ron.
"I am happy," she said. "Look, you don't have to worry about me. Also, no more blind dates, okay?"
Another knock came at the door.
"Come in," she called.
Viktor entered the office with a thick contract in a folder.
"Hello, Hermione," he said, looking a bit shy now that they had an audience. "Harry, Ron, how are you?"
"Viktor," said Harry, recovering first. "What brings you here?"
"I am being traded to Wigtown Wanderers," he said. "Hermione is looking over my contract."
"Oh, yeah, she's good at that," said Harry. "We were just, erm…"
"Talking about how her date last night went," said Ron with an odd expression.
"I'll take that," said Hermione, holding out her hands.
Viktor side-stepped around her friends and gave her the folder. She opened it and flipped through the pages making sure it was at least in proper format. They had even placed tabs for his signatures.
"I'll go over this Monday." She pushed over to her filing cabinet and placed the folder into her immediate attention drawer.
"I also brought you these," said Viktor, holding out a bouquet of sunflowers.
"Oh, sunflowers, my favorite!" she gushed, taking them and finding a vase to put them in.
"You like tulips," said Ron.
"I do like tulips, but sunflowers are my favorite," she replied.
"Since when?"
Seriously? Hermione stared at him incredulously then looked at Viktor whose jaw was tightening slightly. There was no way she was going to let him think she was using him again.
"I'm not playing this game again," she said to Ron.
"What game? No one's playing any game."
"Mmhm." She locked her filing cabinet. "Viktor, can you step outside a moment? I'll be right out."
"Sure," he said and walked out of her office.
When the door shut, Ron whirled around.
"Viktor Krum?!"
"Why does it bother you?" Hermione demanded. "He and Harry aren't competitors anymore and you're in a relationship with Luna!"
"Well, it's just a surprise," said Harry. "You haven't written him in years. When did this even happen?"
"Last night," she said. "At least something good came out of that horrendous date you set me up on. Viktor was there negotiating his transfer and when my date stormed out, Viktor stayed to make sure I was alright."
"Well, you want to be careful about famous blokes like Viktor," said Ron.
"No, no, no. Don't you start with that! You don't even know him!" She huffed and paced behind her desk. "What, am I not allowed to date unless it's with somebody you approve of? The man you picked out for me spent more time staring at my tits than actually asking anything about me and then had the nerve to ask for a ride."
"Mione—"
"Uh-uh! If you two actually cared about me like you care about our other friends you'd encourage me and be happy for me."
"Well, you just… don't seem his type," said Ron.
"Yeah? And whose type am I? Poor, plain Hermione Juana Granger. Only way she can get a date is if she's the last resort. Nobody in their right mind would date the Wicked Bitch of the West unless they were sure she'd put out on the first date!"
"Nobody thinks that," said Harry. "But you don't even like Quidditch."
Hermione pressed her fingertips to her temples. "There's more to a relationship than a love of Quidditch! I want to date Viktor and if you two ruin this for me by—by making him think this is just like last time I will never speak to you two outside of work again."
"But—"
"Sst!" She swiped her hand through the air. "Non-negotiable. God, and I was in such a great mood, too. Get out of my office and don't think for a second I won't be telling Ginny and Luna."
The two of them slunk out of the room. Viktor stepped back in, tugging on his sleeves.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't want to come between you again. Maybe… it would be better if I stayed away."
"No, Viktor, it's not your fault—" Hermione hurried to his side "—Please, don't go. If their idea of a perfect match is a man who doesn't take me seriously then… bollocks to them."
"This is complicated, isn't it?" he said.
"Maybe…" she sighed and pressed her forehead into his shoulder. "You're worth it, but if you need some space to think it over…"
"No." He entwined his fingers with hers. "I want you."
His lack of hesitation made her happy.
"Let's go on that date," she said. "I bet you've never seen a movie before."
"I have not."
"Let's go. I think Phantom of the Opera is still playing and I saw the stage performance once."
"I'm happy with anything as long as I'm with you," he said.
I won't lose you again, Hermione thought to herself.