Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Harry Potter, only the ones I have created.

Bulgarian Blunders

By, Rogue Wingweaver

Chapter 2

Glorious Afternoons

If only Hermione's hopes could have been satisfied but much was in store for this girl. Dinner that night had been civil but that was all. Hermione could tell she was not accepted by Viktor's family, at least not yet. If this was the case than they would be testing her and watching her until she met whatever their expectations for her were.

The next morning there was a knock on her door. She grabbed the robe she had laid across the bed and called,

"Come in", in a curious voice, wondering who it could be.

In walked Viktor with a grace she hadn't remembered he had.

"Good, you are awake."

"I thought you might sleep forever," he said with brief smile

It was already past noon and Hermione had been sleeping since the night before.

"I'm sorry," she said embarrassed.

"I guess the train ride wore me out more than I thought."

There was a silence between them for a while. It was a comfortable silence and for a while they just stared at each other.

When she looked at him she noticed he had changed in appearance greatly, Hermione liked it. She had not really been able to get a good look at him prior but as he had his head down a little, just enough for his hair to fall gracefully in his face she saw him in a way she never had. It graced his cheek which was raised a little by the tiny smile. Looking at him gave her goose bumps. He was not hugely handsome but he reminded her of an American actor she had seen in a movie when her parents took her to America on vacation. His name was Johnny Depp. She didn't remember liking the movie because it did not portray history properly. It was about Jack the Ripper and it was set in England. She certainly remembered what the actor looked like and to see Viktor gave her sensations she had never experienced. Not to say that he looked like Johnny Depp but he was different somehow.

When Viktor first saw her, as she had walked up to him the day before, he was surprised. Her appearance had changed some, she was taller and her hair was more controlled but this was not what caught his attention. There was a new feeling surrounding her. He could not say what it was but it mystified him and made him want to spend as much time with her as it took to figure out what it was.

Just then they both came back to reality.

"Well, would you like to get dressed and go down for some breakfast or in your case lunch?" Viktor asked.

Feeling embarrassed again Hermione said,

"Yes, that would be fine."

"I will be right down." She said smiling.

They ate their meal and decided to go out riding for the afternoon. Hermione was not very experienced on a broom but for once she didn't have to be perfect at something. She just enjoyed seeing the scenery and spending time with Viktor.

Hermione could not express the how she was feeling. Freedom she had never felt was washing over her. Gone was the constant worry and arguments that were routine when she was with Ron and Harry. Nothing against her friends, she was happy with them but the happiness she felt when she was with Viktor went further than friendship.

When they arrived at the destination Viktor had chosen Hermione was speechless. They got down from the broom and looked out on a beautiful landscape. They were high up and among the mountains. Hermione could see mist surrounding the lower parts as the day was drawing to a close. The sun was nearing its set and the sky was all colors. Viktor sat down on the grass at their feet and motioned for her to do the same.

"Is it not beautiful?" He asked her.

"I have never witnessed such beauty." She said, unable to take her gaze from the scene before her.

He reached over and touched her chin to bring her face to him. Before she knew what was happening he was pressed against her lips. She felt a wanting coming from him but there was something else there. She felt an almost reticence in him. Was he afraid or was he just waiting for her approval? She did not know but pulled herself closer to him and deepened to kiss. It was not a really long kiss but long enough to bring them closer together. Hermione was almost in Viktor's lap and he was not complaining. They stayed like this, talking a little. Viktor asked Hermione about her friends and family. Soon the discussion had moved to her dreams and hopes.

Hermione was amazed how easy it was to talk to Viktor. She was perfectly content to be with him and would not have minded if it lasted forever but soon he said they should head back.

Little did they know that there was someone who had been waiting for their return.