Author's Note: Everyone belongs to JKR, only the interpretation is mine (please let it become canon)

Chapter Two

Viktor's Talk

What exactly did Viktor and Hermione discuss at the end of fourth year? And why was she still writing to him in fifth? Read on to find out.

"May I speak with you Hermyo'niny?" Victor asked. "Privately, that is."

"Of course. Excuse us Ron, Harry" Hermione walked away with Victor leaving her two friends staring at her back in curiosity.

They walked towards the lake and Hermione couldn't help but think of the many walks she and Harry had taken before the First Task discussing theories, charms, and all sorts of information that might be used to help him pass. She smiled wistfully, she had missed those walks after Ron finally came to his senses and she and Harry no longer needed to escape the Gryffindor common room. As they reached one of the beech trees Victor paused and turned to look at her steadily, his face unusually grave.

"We have become friends, yes?" he paused at her confirming nod, before continuing with difficulty "You have been most kind to me and I treasure the good will between us. However I must ask you this, even though he denied it . . . how long have you loved him? I mean is there any chance for us or is it already too late?"

Hermione stood there stunned. "What? Viktor, I don't understand. I'm not in love with anyone . . . Wait who is this "he" you're talking about denying something?" her heartbeat was pounding fast and loudly in her ears. She was suddenly frightened, what in heaven was Viktor going on about?

"You know Hermyoninny." At her panicked shake of her head he was hit with a startling insight. "Merlin! You do not even recognize it in your heart yet, do you?"

"I don't know what you mean Viktor! Please explain to me – What are your thinking?" He could see that she was near tears, her eyes over-bright, her slight frame trembling in confusion and shock.

He was stunned by her reaction – he had forgotten that in her seeming maturity that she was four years younger than he – he had expected her to know what was in her heart, yet she was not even of age. Even so - he had seen her close bond with the younger boy, heard the passion in her voice as she defended him, the concern and pride that colored her voice whenever she spoke of him, seen her smile and exchange looks with him during the Yule Ball when it was he Viktor as her date that she should have concentrated on. After the Third Task she had been by his bedside, not Viktor's even though he had been injured as well.

Whether or not she recognized it; her heart was already bound to the other. She would never be his in the way he had dreamed of: a young woman, intelligent, humorous, brave, loyal and not all interested in his fame but in him: the man, Viktor Krum as a potential life partner. He could continue to be her friend, for to lose her as such would be to lose one of the few people who saw him as himself and not as a celebrity. However he knew his heart would ache for awhile at his lost dream of her belonging to him. He could see that she was still waiting for him to answer; her face pale and slightly frightened. What could he tell her? Should he tell her the truth he now saw so clearly: that she and the boy were bonded by more than friendship?

He had to speak, to tell her something; to his surprise the words that came tumbling out were these:

"I would always hope you to consider me your friend. If you would not mind I would like to write you every now and again."

"Of course Viktor. I would certainly love to hear from you and about your homeland. You certainly described it as so beautiful. But – please could you explain what you meant earlier?" Her face was pleading and half-fearful as if she wasn't quite sure that she wanted to hear what he had to say but at an inner depth of her soul needed to know it.

He could not look at her, could not bear to see her face if she realized the truth, so he turned away from her looking out over the lake, "His thoughts, even his actions, you speak of him so frequently, did you know that? Even your other friend, the red-haired boy I have seen him watching the two of you most carefully as if seeking the truth for himself. Finally I asked Potter if there were any truth to the rumors about the two of you that have been going around all year."

"What! Harry – You spoke to Harry about . . . We're only friends Viktor. Best Friends! Of course I talk about Harry. He was my first friend here at Hogwarts and he's had it so rough this year with the Goblet of Fire fiasco and Ron (that prat!) not believing in him." Hermione was annoyed that Viktor had put credence in those ridiculous rumors of Rita Skeeter.

"Yes, that is what he said also. That you were only best friends" At Viktor's words something inside Hermione flinched; there seemed to be a slight ache in her heart suddenly. Unconsciously she brought her hand up as if to massage the pain at her chest away.

Author's Note; Coming up next is Hermione's reaction to the talk and why exactly did she do "something she'd never done before."