A/N- I don't own any of the characters of the Harry Potter series. I just wanted to write with them a little. This story ignores canon when it wants too, just to warn you as the reader. Please feel free to comment. To the readers of my other stories, sorry it has been a while. My only excuse is my muse went on a long vacation.

Golden Opportunities

Part 1

Hogwarts was a wonderland of twinkling, fairy lights and vibrant orchestral music. The old castle was alive with cheerful celebrations to rejoice the end of the school term and, more importantly, the end of the war. The Graduation Ball deemed a great success by all the merrymakers dancing and laughing within the Great Hall.

A lone figure made her way through the crowds of partygoers, smiling and hugging friends along the way. Her warm brown eyes darting toward the main doors every time she was stopped by another student keen to 'remember the old days' and reminisce on some misadventure of their time at school. Even before they were officially graduated, it seemed many wanted to wax poetic about the time at Hogwarts. Inwardly, the young woman shook her head. All she wanted was to be done with the last few years and move onward, minus the dark wizards out to kill her.

It felt like it took an eternity, but she finally reached the main doors to the hall. With one more glance at the dancefloor, she caught sight of her closest friends. Harry was circling the room with Ginny proudly on his arm. Without the weight of all the expectations placed on him, his whole demeanor transformed into a happy, carefree young man.

Ron, well, he was getting drunk at a table in the corner while using Lavender, who was sitting in his lap, as cover to hide his contraband Firewhiskey flask. His issues were growing worrisome and Ron could be so stubborn. Help was something he neither wanted nor would accept at this moment.

The young woman's nose wrinkled up in displeasure. Her hand gripped tightly the dark, wooden doorframe. Her spine straighten as she hardened her heart against her childhood friend's woes.

She had issues of her own and, right now, her focus needed to be on the meeting she was slipping away from the festivities for.

Without another glance, the woman briskly walked away from the lights, laughter, and music. The halls and stairways of the old castle grew darker and emptier the longer she traveled, however she continued down the familiar corridors with no fear. Her feet made soft taps against the stone floor that echoed along the walls until she came to a stop in front of the door to an unused classroom.

Her fingers traced the cracked, worn surface. Her mind revisited the many times over the last few months that she had entered this room and all that had happened within. Pleasurable memories were interrupted by the sting of worry and anxiety. The unknown future always intruded on the warmth of happy past, demanding attention to trials to come.

With a deep breath, she gripped the knob firmly. Hermione Granger was no coward! She would face whatever happens, taking all the obstacles life threw at her and mold them into experience. She opened the door swiftly, slipping into the room, and closing it firmly and quietly behind her.

Shadows were heavy and blanketed the grubby, abandoned desks standing in neat rows. The soft, shimmering glow of moonlight through two, large windows provided a focused radiance onto the dusty floor. Sitting on the window's ledge, highlighted by the silvery light, a handsome, young wizard gazed out to the view of the castle grounds. His autocratic features drawn tight with the weight of his thoughts.

Even though she knew he would have heard her enter, Hermione gently cleared her throat, "I came as soon as I could get away." Silence from her companion prompted her to continue. "Your note seemed urgent."

She took the few steps to stand next to him and looked out of the window to see what held his attention. There was nothing that she could see, nothing but the lake and rolling hills beyond. Impatience welled up in the young witch. This distance that had developed between them only became more awkward and disheartening as the last few weeks had passed. They still made love with desperate need, however, the conversations while holding each other after had dwindled to none. Their stolen moments together had become quiet and frenzied before they both slipped away, back to their individual, public lives, with nothing more than weak, embarrassed smiles and gentle hand squeezes to express a connection.

She knew that he struggled internally over their love. Family expectations loomed over every aspect of his life. Duty was the air he breathed and honor was always to be guarded. Loving her went against everything he was taught since birth. It was the cancer hidden and unmentioned that was nestled deep in the heart of their relationship. His silence now didn't bode well for Hermione on where she stood in this war for his devotion.

"Draco, talk to me or I need to get back. People will notice that I have left and wonder where I disappeared too." She placed a hand on his arm, rubbing the fine cloth of his sleeve in a comforting manner, to take the sting out of her stern tone.

Draco dropped his gaze to the floor. His white-blond hair fell over his eyes, hiding them from Hermione's view. His whole profile was so icy and cold that a chill ran down her backbone. A tightness twisted in her gut and a lump began to swell in her throat. His lips twisted and pressed together under the blonde fringe that obscured the rest of his face. Words that needed to be said were fighting to be spoken, but, oh how Hermione dreaded the pain those unsaid utterances could bring.

Despite the ominous atmosphere, Hermione's heart ached to see someone she loved so tormented. Her arms encircled his waist and she grabbed onto his warmth, laying her head over his racing heart. Finally, his hands moved up her skin to rest their grip above her elbows. Draco buried his nose in her soft, brown curls, inhaling the fruity scent of her shampoo. His fingers tightened their hold almost painfully as he took several deep breaths, pulling in needed air mingled with her sweet scent.

Suddenly and with some force, Draco used his hold on her arms to set her sharply away from him, severing the tender contact abruptly.

"We can't meet like this anymore, Hermione." The harsh statement was so low and gravelly, it was a wonder his throat didn't rip on their sharp edges.

Hermione blinked up at his face in confusion, "Well, school is over. Our days of meeting up in abandoned classrooms are behind us." She smiled up at him, determined to lighten his dark mood. "Everything is going to be great. There is a big world outside of Hogwarts and it is open to us now."

Her youthful optimism had an adverse effect on the wizard. Draco threw his arms up in frustration and turned away from her. "You don't get it do you? Just where did you expect all of this to go after graduation, Granger? Merlin, save us from naive Gryffindors!"

Hermione's temper flared hot, "What do you mean by 'all of this'? Do you mean our relationship, Malfoy?" She sneered out his name like a filthy insult and it apparently landed because Draco spun around and got right up close to her face.

"It's a proud, pureblood name and not to be thrown around like a cheap slur by you." His clipped, intense words blew puffs of hot air across her face, loose curls on her check stirred with the force. "I think we both know what we had was never going to last. We are too different. I am a pureblood wizard from a noble and wealthy family. You, well, you are…"

"I am a what, Malfoy?" Hermione's voice took on a dangerous tone and her magic built up enough to spark out into the room.

"YOU are a distraction that is not worth being exiled from my name and birthright." His voice raised in anger, "Did you really think we could live happily ever after. That my parents would welcome us with open arms and hearts?"

"I thought you would at least try. That I would matter enough to you to make an effort to sway them. That, that you loved me enough to maybe even sacrifice for a life with me."

"There was never a moment when it wasn't a choice between you and everything else that matters to me. This might come as a surprise to you, Granger, but I don't want to be piss poor in a goat herder's hut and in love."

"You would choose a gilded cage over true freedom with me?"

"YES," Draco hissed in her face, "Every time." He held her chocolate gaze with his steely gray one until he forced her eyes to the floor in defeat.

Draco straightened himself then, making a show of brushing off his sleeves and tidying his robes. The walls in his mind were up then, his demeanor was one of calm, cold pureblood. His eyes dead to all noticeable emotions. His dismissal of her was just as frigid.

"I need to make it clear. Our, dalliance, while enjoyable, is at an end. I hope you will hold to our earlier agreement and not speak of this to anyone. As you know, it will do neither of us any good if details were to get out."

Hermione listened to his little speech through a thick haze of anguish. Her mind fumbled around the words and their meanings, why was it so hard to concentrate? She just had to have some clarification, "So, we are over, just like that? Walk away and never speak of it again?" A harsh laugh burst out of her and she raised her eyes to him again. "Act like it never happened? Little Lord Malfoy went a slumming and no one is ever the wiser?"

The mental image of Draco, in a sailor boy suit and a balloon, skipping to a red light district just increased her sick amusement. She wanted to hum the phrase like a nursery rhyme. She just couldn't stop chuckling.

Draco's walls slipped and his face blushed red as Hermione continued to hysterically laugh. Her amusement at his expense stung. "As far as I am concerned, when we leave this room, any relationship we might have had ceases to exist!"

"Look, Draco," Hermione softened her voice and close the distance between them, "I don't know what is behind this sudden change of heart you are struggling with, but I know that we can get through anything together. Your parents are against us, I get it. I can handle whatever they dish out." She reached up and put her palm against his cheek. "I love you, Draco."

He placed his own hand over hers and let them lay upon his face for just a moment before removing her gentle touch. "You mustn't say such things," Draco ground out through clenched teeth. "Never say that again."

Hermione gave into exasperation and spun around with a huff. Crossing her arms protectively across her chest, she threw him a glare over her shoulder, "Have it your way, Malfoy. We were never together and there was no love affair! Whatever! Just one thing I need to tell you and you can sashay off to your father's side and both be giant prats together. You need to know…." Draco raised his hand to stop her.

"Since I am graduated from school now, I am entering in to courtship negotiations for a proper Malfoy bride. A formal meeting of families is set for brunch in the morning. By tomorrow, I will be officially betrothed to Astoria Greengrass and should be wed sometime after the first of the year."

"No, you can't!" she sobbed out, trying to suck in air. Panic seized her chest, arresting its function.

Before Hermione could even catch her breath, he leaned in to deliver his finishing blow softly in her ear, "So you can understand why it is important that no hint of this scandalous affair ever reach my fiancé's ear. Astoria can be so sensitive and I wouldn't want anything to upset her."

Having seemingly accomplished his objective for this meeting, Draco turned and swiftly walked to the door, moving quickly to leave the room. Seeing his fleeing form about to leave her life forever, Hermione found her voice.

"Wait, Draco! You need to listen, I…I"

"I have no interest in anything you have to say, mudblood."

One slur and their relationship was over. Everything that they could be together, gone. A clear divide between them. A line in the sand to never be crossed again.

With a slam of the door, Hermione was left in the dark of an unused classroom, all alone. She sank to her knees, back hunched over with the weight of crushing grief. A short stroll from her, friends danced and laughed, drunk on their youth and survival. Happy and hopeful, the people that would say they loved her best were ignorant of her pain and suffering. Blind to the secret life of the 'Golden Girl' that was now her ruin. Tears flowed down her face and dripped to the floor. Broken sobs became howls of anguish in the shadows and dust.

No one was coming to comfort her. No one would even have a clue why she was so distraught. She had always been very careful not to let anyone know what was going on, so sure that none of her companions would understand her love for the childhood bully and pureblood supremacist.

Hermione cried until she had no more energy to continue. Afterwards, she climbed to her feet, swaying slightly but finally standing firm. Pulling her wand from its pocket in her dress, she used magic to hide her tears and repair her makeup. A swish to disappear the grime from her dress. A quick swoosh and her hair was once more tamed into its elegant arrangement. Her appearance just as pristine as it was when she escaped the party an hour earlier.

Hermione walked with purpose back towards the Great Hall. Her face was serene but her mind was in a fury. Memories of the abandoned classroom joined with others, all romantic stolen snapshots from the last six months, becoming pages torn from a book in the library of her mind. Fluttering around inside a constructed mental space. All thoughts and feelings for Draco Malfoy, made into pages with glittering gold writings, collected and secured in the image of a book.

She flipped through the pages lovingly for a moment before snapping the book shut with a crack. Her steps ceased at the same time. She was once again at the main doorway, surrounded by light, music and people.

Hermione slipped on a smile like a mask. She even managed a wave at Ginny and Harry as they waltzed past her. Calling on all of her inner strength and what scraps of pride that remained, she squared her shoulders to reenter the Graduation Ball. Malfoy be damned, she was HERMIONE GRANGER, 'Brightest Witch of her Age' and she would not be defeated!

"Herrmionee?" The heavy accent purring her name stopped her in her tracks. She slowly turned around and there stood a tall, handsome wizard. His black hair was long enough now to slightly cover his dark, kind eyes, but there was no mistaking this famous, foreign wizard.

Viktor Krum, Quidditch superstar and Triwizard champion.

"I got it right, uh, your name?" Viktor inquired almost shyly. "I have been practicing for when I saw you again."

"Why, yes, yes you did, Viktor. It was kind of you to consider my feelings enough to practice." Hermione really was flattered, but then, the Drumstrang alumni had always treated her with gentle affection and respect.

Viktor's smile was warm and bright. "Of course, I will always seek your happiness. It is most important to me."

Hermione couldn't stop the blush that colored her cheeks. Such open flirting, in front of anyone that could be listening, was unfamiliar to her. Slide glances, hidden touches, and dusty rooms had made up the majority of her romance with Malfoy.

She covered her embarrassment with a question, "What are you doing here, Viktor? I mean, I'm thrilled to see you, but didn't you have training camp this month?"

If possible, his smile grew even wider. "I see you have been reading my letters. I am truly happy that I warrant such attention. Why don't we find somewhere to sit down and talk, more privately?"

At Hermione's nod of agreement, Viktor took her hand, pressing a quick kiss upon the back of it, and lead her to a small table set up in a darker corner. After helping her with her chair, he cast a privacy charm and sat next to Hermione, never releasing his firm, protective grip on her hand.

On the outside, Hermione appeared poised and calm, a gentle smile portrayed an ease with her surroundings. Inside, her mind was reeling from all of the emotional strain. Just twenty minutes ago, her heart had been broken, right?

Her eyes scanned the Great Hall, intent on finding one person. He was easy to spot, encircled by friends and assorted minions. His face held its usual air of privileged arrogance. Though it was impossible at this distance to tell if Draco's eyes every met her own, the purposeful turn, offering only his back to her scrutiny, sent a clear message of dismissal.

Oh, the pain of it. 'Damn that snobbish prat!' Hermione's brow wrinkled, the happy mask distorted.' Either he loved money and status more than me, OR, he used me as a clandestine shag. A dirty, little secret'. The tightening in her chest was sharp as panic began to sink in its icy claws.

"Hermione, Are you okay?"

Her eyes closed out the image of Draco Malfoy's rejection. In the darkness behind lids, the world disappeared and her ears only heard a loud buzzing. The book in her mind holding all her memories rattled and shook in place on the shelf in her inner self.

'I am such a fool.'

"Herrmionee!" Viktor's voice was harsh with concern. The deep, rich tone of his heavy accent cut through the buzzing and her eyes popped open, putting all of her inner turmoil on display. "I don't think I am too far off in assuming things are not okay for you, right?"

The instant pooling of tears reflected the fairy lights in her wounded, brown orbs. He shook his head in affirmation at his own question. Hermione's conformation was written all over her stricken face. He took both of her hands and turned his body to enclose her knees with his own. His whole body curled around her small, fragile form in a protective manner.

"Listen Hermione, I am your friend first and would do anything you needed that was in my power." Viktor waited until she acknowledge his statement with a sniffle and nod. With her full attention, he continued, "Now, I don't know what has caused this hopelessness I see in the eyes of the Golden Girl, but, I have a proposition that could offer you a fresh start and the opportunity to pursue a cause that is dear to you."

"Wha..What proposition?"

"Durmstrang's Headmaster has recently been replaced with a good friend of mine, a witch named Elsbeth Lume. She is young and forward-thinking, and most importantly, thinks it is time to take the school in a more…tolerant direction."

"Meaning?" Hermione questioned.

"Well, to start with, Durmstrang will be offering Muggle Studies at the beginning of next term, to pave the way." Viktor's enthusiasm was evident in his almost boyish grin, "Also, a school level Quidditch league that all the magical schools participate in to promote 'unity of all magical communities'"

Hermione was impressed, "That is truly fantastic, Viktor. Are you involved in the Quidditch team for Durmstrang?"

"Yes, during the off season I will be coaching the children. Giving pointers and strategies, that kind of thing."

"And who will be teaching the Muggle Studies class?"

Viktor leaned in further, "That is the reason I'm here tonight. Acting as a representative of Durmstrang and the new Headmistress, I have come to secure the perfect candidate for Professor of Muggle Studies, the Brightest Witch of our Age and highest example of a muggleborn that exists today, one Hermione Granger."

Her jaw dropped comically, "Are you serious?"

"Think about it. In your position as Professor, you would be able to prepare the current student body for the incorporation of muggleborns the next year. Also, you would be able to dispel centuries of ignorance and prejudice by providing a real life example of how powerful someone from your background can really be."

It was a chance of a lifetime, at the most optimal time…except.

"It sounds amazing, truly, but…what about Harry and Ron?"

Viktor looked over her right shoulder, nodding for her to see for herself. She twisted in her chair. Harry and Ginny were dancing to a slow, romantic melody. Both were lost in each other's gaze, oblivious to the world and happy to be. Ron, well, Ron was passed out, slumped over a table. Lavender must have abandoned him earlier, because there was no sign of her. Hermione sighed and shook her head, it was obvious that the Golden Trio were headed in separate directions for a while.

She turned back around and lowed her eyes to their joined hands, "It is the opportunity of a lifetime for sure…"

"And we can bring on change together, the war heroine and the quidditch star. As a team, we would be a force to reckon with!" His enthusiasm was evident in the way his lean, seeker body vibrated with excitement.

But, Hermione was a realist, "Viktor, there are…complications to me teaching in the fall. Personal complications that could sidetrack these grand reform plans of yours."

"Leave all your worries and concerns in my capable hands, Hermione, and join me on this worthy crusade. Come, instead of shaking on it, let's dance in agreement." Viktor jumped up from his seat, bowed low to Hermione, and held out a hand to her. "Trust me, my darling friend. Let us waltz our way into a bright future, for all of us."

Hermione's head was swirling, what should she do? The pull of a new life was overwhelming. All it would take was to accept this outstretched hand. What were her alternatives?

Slender fingers, hesitant at first, finally slipped into his warm, calloused ones in acceptance.