In The Good Old Summertime
Disclaimer- The characters/setting etcetera do not belong to me. They are the property of JK Rowling. The plot and some characters in later chapters are all that are my own.
Chapter One- Bittersweet Memories
Hermione sighed deeply as she laid her head down into her hands.
"Even with all of the books I need to read for next term, this summer is going to be boring." She said to nobody in particular.
Summer holiday was only two weeks away and she still was worried at the thought of it. She had received an owl from her parents early this morning with the news that she would be only home for the first week of break before departing to go to four, weeklong, dental conventions with her parents. This would have not been overly horrid if her parents would be able to spend time with her at them. But no, that had to attend all day meetings about dental technology, new developments on the treatment of gum disease, and other such topics. After these 'fun filled' trips she would finally be able to go home for the rest of the summer. She had been remembering all of the previous summers since she had started to attend Hogwarts. Even when she had gone to Paris with her parents after third year and to visit Viktor in Bulgaria after her fifth year, summers had been quite boring… and lonely. Though she got to spend time with her parents, who she rarely saw anymore, and spend time with a Quidditch Seeker who happened to be a household name in the wizarding world, it was not nearly the same.
Viktor was nice, quite the gentleman, fairly studious (he could actually talk about something other than Quidditch), and he was not unfortunate looking either, Whenever she was near him, though, she couldn't help feeling very guilty. Ever since she saw Ron's reaction to Viktor asking her to the Yule Ball in their fourth year, she had become aware of many things. Firstly, Viktor definitely wanted to be more than just friends with her. Secondly, she only wanted to have him as a friend. Third and lastly, Ron apparently did not want her and Viktor to be more than friends either. What she did not know was why Ron was so adamant about it. She could take a guess but she did not want guess wrong. Being wrong was the only thing that she detested more than the torn feeling that she was experiencing.
She was very glad that she had not gone to visit Viktor the summer that he had originally asked her to come. It would have been too difficult for the both of them. The summer after fourth year had instead been filled with a short visit with her parents before she had gone to stay the Weasleys. Professor Dumbledore believed that it would be safer for her to stay with other wizards that could help her and even protect her if necessary. Within a week of her arrival the Burrow they received instructions from Dumbledore to head immediately for the headquarters of the Order Of The Phoenix which was located in the Black family home. The summer and the school year which followed were very stressful and painful. Her eyes became glassy as she remembered Sirius. Though she had only know him for a short time she mourned his death and Harry's loss.
"Happier thoughts Hermione." she muttered to herself.
At that she chuckled as she remembered occurrences such as the Everlasting Fireworks, the swamp in the hallway, and the "Great Escape" all courtesy of Fred and George Weasley. She had certainly missed their antics since they left school to begin their own company.
At the end of her fifth year she received an owl from none other the Viktor Krum. Hermione pulled the slightly yellowed and torn piece of parchment from between the pages of her dog-eared copy of Hogwarts; A History. Though slightly faded, the words still shined on the paper in their scarlet ink as though they had only just been written…
My Dear Hermione,
How have you been doing since I last wrote to you? Hope the rest of your fifth year has been quite enjoyable. Nothing new is happening around here; I am still playing Professional Quidditch, not that you did not already know that thanks to your Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter. I have recently purchased a new home in Bulgaria not far from my parents home in town. I was happy to be able to purchase one that is just far enough away from 'civilization' so that I can have my peace and quiet to practice and to remain away from the prying eyes of the public. It is quite beautiful and I know that you will love it as I do. There are an abundance of tall full trees under which to sit under and relax, or study in your case. We are near a small crystal clear lake, who's loveliness cannot be rivaled by anything on this earth…well almost.
I was wondering if you would like to come and stay with me for some, if not all, of the summer? With your parents and/or friends of course. There is room in my home for all. Please owl me back as soon as you know, either way, about your plans for the summer. I would enjoy it greatly to see you again.
Love, Viktor
She slipped the letter back into its hiding place. That summer had been wonderful. Bulgaria was truly a beautiful country and she and her parents greatly enjoyed the vacation. She had very briefly considered inviting Ron and Harry to come along as well, but quickly decided against it. Harry would have enjoyed it exceedingly and it would have gotten him away from the Dursley's for awhile. There, however, was no way that she could invite Harry and not Ron. He would find out somehow if she did….what he doesn't know cannot hurt him, or her. Hermione found out about a month into her visit with Viktor that he had in fact found out. How, she had not been sure at the time, but there was not a doubt in anyone's mind that he knew when a red envelope was dropped into her lap while she was on a picnic by the lake with Viktor….a howler. Her spice colored eyes widened in shock as it fell into her lap.
"Who vould be angry enough vith you, Her-own-ninny, to send you a owl such as this?" He questioned her as she began to open it with trembling hands. She shrugged though her heart knew the answer. All doubt disappeared a split second later as Ron's voice could be heard….
"HERMIONE!!! HOW COULD YOU GO TO BULGARIA TO VISIT THAT PRAT, VIKTOR KRUM?!? I CALLED YOUR HOUSE FELLY-TONE….WHICH WAS NO EASY TASK, I MIGHT ADD. I HAD TO LEAVE DIAGON ALLEY AND WALK TWO MILES INTO THE HEART OF MUGGLE LONDON TO FIND A FELLY-TONE TO CALL YOU FROM AND WHEN I FINALLY GOT YOUR HOUSE IT WAS NOT YOU, OR EVEN YOUR MUM OR DAD WHO ANSWERED IT. NOOOOOO….IT WAS THE NEIGHBOR BOY….WHATS HIS NAME AGAIN…..STARTS WITH A B. CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS BUT IT THINK IT SHOULD BE BA…"
Hermione quickly cringed at Ron's colorful vocabulary and plugged her ears, successful blocking out the offensive word. As his tone got louder and angrier she realized that keeping her ears plugged was not going to do her any good.
"WHATSHISFACE INFORMED ME THAT YOU HAD LEFT A WEEK INTO THE SUMMER TO VISIT A DEAR FRIEND OF YOURS IN BULGARIA. WHEN I FLIPPED OUT, HE DEMANDED MY NAME….I TOLD HIM AND HE SAID.. 'AH YES I DO BELIEVE MY MIONE HAS MENTIONED YOU ONCE OR TWICE. THE ORPHAN WITH THE SCAR RIGHT?!?' AFTER THAT HE GOT QUITE THE EARFUL. 'WRONG THAT'S HARRY! MY MIONE?!' I EXCLAIMED TO HIM….HE SAID YES SHE'S MY GAL…DON'TCHA KNOW.' IT WAS THEN THAT I SAID A FEW MORE CHOICE WORDS AND HUNG UP!!! HOW COULD YOU GO TO BULGARIA TO SEE HIM! HOW COULD YOU BE SEEING SOME BRAINLESS MUGGLE NEIGHBOR OF YOURS! AND WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME!!! I THOUGHT WE WERE….IMPORTANT TO EACHOTHER….THAT MAYBE MY FEELINGS MATTERED FOR SOMETHING. APPARENTLY I WAS WRONG AND THEY DON'T! GOOD-BYE HERMIONE…FOREVER IF I AM LUCKY!
The howler then burst into flames and fell as ashes onto her faded jeans. Her shoulders shook violently with sobs as she scrambled to her feet and took off running away from her parents in the house and from Viktor. She had seen the look of surprise and confusion on his face and she could not bear it for any longer.
Viktor however would have nothing of it. He leapt to his feet as well and caught her arm before she had gotten more than fifteen feet from him.
"Herm-own-ninny please tell me vhat is going on." He asked gently, taking her shoulders in his large, strong hands. It was then that she broke down completely, Viktor wrapped his arms about her and allowed her to cling to him and cry.
After about twenty minutes her lungs ached and eyes stung from crying so much. She pulled away from him slightly as peered as his concerned face. Her eyes strayed down to his chest long enough to notice that his shirt was quite wet.
"Oh Viktor I am sorry, I got you all wet." She apologized as her face flushed further out of embarrassment.
"It is fine, I vas a bit varm anyvays." He joked hoping to cheer her up a bit so that she could explain that howler. "I vas vondering if you vould tell me vhat this howler from your friend Ron vas all about, if you vant to that is."
"Certainly I will. I owe you at least that much after you being so nice and hospitable and my getting you soaking wet." She smiled slightly and allowed Viktor to help her to sit back down on the picnic blanket. She took a deep and ragged breath as she mentally prepared herself for the difficult task at hand.
"Well, where should I start?"
"How about the part vith your neighbor?" Viktor cautiously suggested.
"Blake, my neighbor, was about five when I moved into the neighborhood. Ever since then we have been fairly good friends, taking into consideration that I could not write to him while I was away at school at Hogwarts. I could just imagine the look on his face if an owl was to fly through his window and deliver a letter from me." She chuckled slightly at the thought. "Well when I was about five and he was about six, he took to calling me 'his Mione'…it was just a childish pet name really. He continued to do it when we were a little older because it kept some other kids from teasing me about….things, to my face anyways. He still calls me that as a joke of sorts, all the people we know mutually are aware of this….so apparently he thought Ron did too."
"You should try to explain that to him, yes?" He asked as Hermione sighed deeply.
"He wouldn't listen to me anyways….he is horribly angry with me. I am afraid that he will never forgive me for this." Her voice trailed off as a stray tear fell down her cheek.
Viktor raised his hand slowly, and in one gentle motion brushed it away. "He vill forgive you Herm-own-ninny, if he cares for you even half as much as I." He lowered his hand slowly and took her hand in his. "Herm-own-ninny, I am not sure if you know this, but I care for you a great deal. I love you Herm-own-ninny."
"Oh Viktor," Hermione replied, rather breathless with shock, "I care for you too but…."
"I know," He interrupted "But it is your friend Ron, I think, who you care for in that way, is it not?"
"Yes….but how…"
"How did I know vis? It vas quite obvious, if I may be so bold. It vas more than obvious that care for him as more than a friend, and he for you." He inhaled shakily. "Vhat I vant to say, Herm-own-ninny, is that I love you….however…I vant for you to be happy more than I vant for my own happiness. I vill never be happy vithout you but you shall never be truly happy vith me."
"Viktor I am so sorry…." Hermione gasped and wrapped her arms around his slumped shoulders. He had been a wonderful friend and person towards her and she….she had hurt him.
"You vill still be my friend though, yes?" Viktor asked hopefully and he returned her hug. He was bit his bottom lip hard until his mouth was filled with a mild metallic taste.
"Yes Viktor, of course! You have been a wonderful friend to me and I am afraid that I have been horrible in return."
"No," He said firmly, "You have been a vonderful friend to me too. You gave to me your friendship and I selfishly vished for more than that." He lowered his face to hers. "I vill have to take vhat I can get, it seems." He whispered as he placed a gentle kiss on her cheek.
She, in return kissed him on his cheek. "We had better be getting back before my dad comes looking for us."
"Yes, I suppose ve must go." Viktor said as he stood and offered his hand to Hermione, "But first, I have something for you."
He reached into his pocket and from it pulled a long, thin, scarlet colored box. Viktor slowly opened the box on its small hinges and held it towards her.
Hermione gasped as she surveyed its contents. On the velvet lay a delicate gold chain, from which hung a gold heart with a leaf filigree pattern. Viktor removed it from its box and fastened it about her neck.
She raised one trembling hand to the heart shaped pendant and after fingering it for a moment, closed her hand tightly around it.
"Thank you it is beautiful." she whispered with misty eyes. 'If he is trying to make me feel guilty,' she thought 'he is doing a wonderful job of it.'
"This necklace is my vay of letting you know that I vill alvays be there for you when are in need of me. Vhen you need courage, comfort or strength, all you need do is to simply touch it. If you are in need of me in person….just hold on to it, say my name and I vill come." He smiled slightly.
"Even if you are in the middle of a Quidditch game?" She asked with eyes sparkling.
"For you? Yes, even in the middle of a Quidditch game."