Shipping Bingo: C1 - First Holiday

Trope Bingo: D5 - Death from above (meteor shower)

Spring Bingo: B5 - Wagon/Carriage

Team: Brilliant Snitch

Stacked With: ToS; BAON; Fence; FPC; Star; T3

Individual Challenge(s): Short Jog (Y); Bucket Listing (Y); Two Cakes (Y); Eating Cake (Y); Neurodivergent (y); Rian-Russo Inversion (Y); Ethnic & Present (Yx1); Disabled (Y); Setting Sail; Hold the Mayo (Y); Zed Era (Y); Gryffindor MC; Durmstrang MC; Old Shoes (Y); Tell My Story (Y)

Representations: Disabled Hermione Granger; Caretaker Viktor Krum; Autistic/POC Hermione Granger

Primary & Secondary Bonus Challenge(s): Unwanted Advice; Spinning Plates; Tomorrow's Shade; Second Verse (Nontraditional; Found Family; Sneeze Weasel; Not a Lamp; Ladylike; Persistence Still); Chorus (Machismo; Wabi Sabi; Pocky Pockets; Pear Shaped)

Tertiary & Generic Bonus Challenge(s): T3 (Tether)

Warning(s): Mentioned death, Trauma, Blood, Major Character Injury

~o0o~

The horseless carriage rattled unevenly along the road. It was a bit funny how some wizards thought that a horseless carriage was modern enough, as opposed to adapting actual automobiles. Though this carriage was supposedly built for the purpose of going along snowy mountain paths. Hermione had stopped pretending to read her book and stared out the window at the scenery. The war against Voldemort had ended in victory, but things couldn't go back to normal. Hermione herself had sustained a serious injury during the last battle. She was so out of it, she nearly missed Harry dying and then coming back.

Before then, Fred had pushed her out of the way of a falling wall.

Hermione winced as her phantom leg prickled and itched. The Healer had advised against apparating until she had gotten used to the way she was now.

"Are you alright?" Viktor asked.

"Just… a little carriage sick."

Everything was so chaotic, she couldn't stand it. Thankfully, Viktor had offered to let her finish recovering at his home in Bulgaria. It had wards against paparazzi so she wouldn't be bombarded with awful questions. The one that had sent her over the edge was, "Does Ron blame you for his brother's untimely death?" That one shook whatever rocky foundations they had left and the thought had plagued her in the two months since.

Viktor had sat across from her on the opposite corner to give her space to stretch out. She appreciated that. Anyone else who had come by seemed to want to be within her bubble. Fretting and fussing and asking questions she didn't want to answer.

"There is a scenery… bend," he said. "We can stop there and you can get some fresh air."

"How much longer to your house?"

"About fifteen minutes."

"I can wait. I just want to lay down."

"I understand." He looked down at his own book that he had been pretending to read. "I will warn you, you will see a house-elf there. But please know, she is a freed house-elf. I take care of most chores when I am home, but she maintains the place when I am away."

"How'd you employ her?"

"She was freed with intent," he said. "For minor mistake. I asked if she wanted to work for me. I kept her free, gave her clothes, and eased her pay in until she…" he waved his hands.

"Stopped being brainwashed?"

"Yes. Now she makes good wages, buys things that make her happy, and has two days off a week." A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "It caused quite the scandal. Half the house-elves in Bulgaria are demanding freedom and wages."

"Well, that's good to hear." Hermione smiled for the first time in two months. "That's wonderful to hear."

"I wouldn't have thought about it if you hadn't opened my eyes," he said.

Hermione looked back out the window. They said nothing else until the house came into view. It was still a good-sized home, but it wasn't the mansion he described growing up in. It was well into view of the town that had the Sofia Lions practice stadium. Viktor had told her the whole team lived here in houses or apartments. His home was just on the outskirts to accommodate the wards. She had felt them brush over her as they passed through.

"The carriage will be returning to my family," said Viktor. "But if you want anything or need to go anywhere, we do have a full fireplace or Penka, or I could go into town to get it for you."

"I appreciate it. You will be gone most days for practice though, yes?"

"Yes. Now, the World Cup has been postponed to next summer, so… no travel for me," he said. "I am… I will be nearby."

She was almost sure he was going to say he was all hers.

The carriage stopped with a lurch and Hermione winced. Viktor apologized and got out to get her wheelchair from the back. Penka the house-elf appeared. She and Viktor had a short exchange in Bulgarian, which ended in a sarcastic curtsy from the elf and a laugh from Viktor.

Her friend set up the chair while the luggage was carried into the house.

Viktor offered his hand.

"I'm sorry to trouble you, but I can't quite climb out on my own yet," said Hermione.

"Ah, of course." He carefully lifted her out of the carriage and settled her into the chair.

She let him take her up to the house. Rather than stairs, there was a ramp.

"No stairs?" she asked.

"I trip on them all the time," he said. "My feet are damaged from ballet and acrobatics."

"You said they were injured, I didn't know the damage was that bad."

"Yes. Mother calls me an Albatross on account I have always been odd and I am more graceful in the air than on land."

"My mother always called me an odd duck. Probably the autism thing. Most people don't quite understand it." She clicked her tongue. "Can I get the tour of your home?"

He brought her into the house. It was beautiful. Bright and colorful. The sitting room was more simple, but had plenty of chairs for company and a wooden piano decorated with the flowers she had seen on some of the houses in the town. He brought her to the back room offset from the kitchen. Two of the walls were completely made up of bookcases and stuffed with books. The large bay of windows looked out over the valley and let in warm sunshine.

"You can just park me here," said Hermione. "I'm good."

Viktor chuckled and showed her the kitchen and solarium, which had a great number of beautiful plants along with a small vegetable garden. There was even a small section that had a coop and a few chickens pecking around.

"Chickens?"

"Why not?" he replied. "Penka has been begging to get a cow for fresh milk."

"I will have my way!" Penka shouted.

"No you won't!" Viktor replied. "Unless they make miniature cows."

"I like cows," said Hermione.

"Don't let her hear you."

"Too late!"

Viktor sighed, but Hermione was sure if she looked back she'd see him smile. He showed her his office, his room, and then gave her a choice of the two guest bedrooms, which were both made up and ready. She ended up selecting the one that had the same view as the reading room. She didn't want to see the town. It would feel too much like they would be able to see her.

"Would you like to sit up or rest?" Viktor asked.

"I think I'll lay down."

When he brought her to her room, she eased out of the chair and wobbled unsteadily on her remaining foot. Viktor had his hands up, ready to catch her if she fell, but ultimately letting her try for herself. She hopped the few steps, biting the inside of her cheek to keep from wincing. She eased onto the bed and laid down.

"I will leave this within reach," said Viktor, moving the chair closer. "Call if you need anything, I will be nearby."

"Thank you, Viktor."

~Five months later~

"LOOK OUT!" Hermione screamed and sat up, raising her non-existent wand.

The battleground melted away into the darkness of her bedroom. The candle she had lit before falling asleep burned out and there was no moon. It was suffocating. Hermione threw back her covers and her knee gave out, sending her crashing to the floor. She had fruitlessly grasped for a purchase, but only came away with something fragile that shattered in her hand.

The door flung open and the light turned on. Hermione groaned and hid her face at the brightness. She spotted a flash of blood, but all of her limbs buzzed like they had fallen asleep and had yet to wake up. Her nightmares had been getting worse. She was sure she had at least one every night. Hermione pressed her forehead into the ground and broke down into sobs.

"Here," said Penka. "Let's get you cleaned up."

When she and Penka emerged from the bathroom, Viktor had cleaned up but was nowhere to be found.

"I think I need to sit outside for a while," said Hermione, gripping onto her crutches.

It was bitterly cold outside, but it helped shake her of the last shreds of her dream. She plunked down in one of the chairs and took a deep, shuddering breath. Her crutches fell over and she didn't bother fixing them. She flinched slightly as something heavy and warm dropped onto her shoulders.

Viktor sat down next to her and gave her a mug.

"I warmed up that avena caliente you made," he said.

"Oh. Thank you." Hermione sipped it and was reminded of trips to the Dominican Republic during the winter holidays. Sitting and sipping this with her family. She sniffled and swiped a stray tear away.

"I wish I could do more for you," said Viktor.

"I think…" she sighed. "I might need to see a therapist but… I'd have to find one privy to magic. Otherwise I'd end up in an asylum. But you're doing enough Viktor. You're doing more than enough. I'm surprised you haven't kicked me out by now for waking you up every night."

"I don't mind being up all night if it's because of you."

Hermione snorted and could almost hear him blush.

"I… that came out wrong."

She laughed and scrubbed her face with her sleeve.

"Look."

"Hm?" Hermione glanced at Viktor then looked up, catching a glimpse of a meteorite. "Oh."

A few minutes passed and the sky was full of them. Hermione almost forgot how much she liked stargazing. There were so many stars out here.

"I saw you received a letter from Harry," said Viktor. "You got one from Gringotts, too. I did not open them, just saw return address when getting mail."

"Yeah, I haven't opened them yet, either. Harry's probably just asking me to come home again and… I don't know what Gringotts wants."

"Will you go home?"

"No… yes?" she sighed. "I don't know. Is it crazy that this feels like home?"

"Not at all. I wanted this house to be a home. I didn't have that growing up, it was like living in museum and I was an exhibit."

Hermione took his hand and squeezed it. "I also mean Bulgaria. Or… this little corner of it. I can… I can breathe here."

"You can stay, if you want," said Viktor. "Move here. I can fix it up, make your room into another suite so you don't feel like a guest. Build more shelves for your books. You don't have to decide, but… only suggestion."

She hummed and leaned against him. "I'll think about it."

She must've dozed off because when she opened her eyes, she was in her own bed and Viktor was setting her crutches where she could reach them. He had lit a candle so she wouldn't have to be in darkness. She reached out and grabbed his hand before he could leave.

"Will you stay with me?" she asked. "Please?"

"Of course." He went around to the other side of the bed and climbed in.

She snuggled close, tucking her head under his chin. He was warm and she felt safe.

When she slept, she didn't have a single nightmare for the first time in months.