Chapter 23

Viktor sat in the sand on the private beach in his backyard. He loved living by the sea; it was the perfect place to relax after an intense practice. Tonight, he was sitting here lazily, thinking about Hermione. He drew a heart in the sand. How girly of him. He wiped it out, decided that he could draw hearts if he felt like it, and made another one.

The sun had gone down and the night was dusky. He leaned back on his elbows in the sand, watching stars pop out one by one. A cool wind drifted by, blowing his shirt open and tickling his hair. It reminded him of her breath on his skin last night, but it had been warm. She would love this, relaxing, sharing this quiet peace. The world felt so beautiful tonight. He wanted to stay out here, because she wasn't in his house anymore. When he went inside, it would be empty, and he would see her everywhere.

A loud crack burst through his reverie. Who would be Apparating to his house at this time of night? Mayka was playing bridge tonight; it had to be Hermione. He smiled in the dark. She'd decided to come home to him when she got off work after all. He stood up and, brushing the sand off of his clothes, made his way up to the house.

He wasn't expecting to find her tear-stained and broken yet again.

Hermione curled on Viktor's couch, sinking into the plush. She wrapped her arms around her knees, hugging herself. He quickly stripped off his sandy shirt and settled next to her, concern on his sharp features. She was too upset to even admire the view.

"Vhat is it, svetlina?" he asked. "Tell, me, please. Is something I can fix?"

"No, you can't fix it."

"Vhy you not tell me?"

"If I tell you, you're liable to find him and kill him."

"In that case, if you do not tell me, I vill…vhat is term? I vill find him and kill him on principle."

This drew a smile out of her, and she let her knees down, getting more comfortable. He reached over and wiped her cheeks with his thumb, offering her a wistful smile. She sighed.

"He thinks I'm sleeping with you, because you defended me at the party."

"Technically, you did sleep vith me last night."

She laughed, just a tiny bit. "I suppose so. But that isn't what he meant."

"I know, svetlina. I vanted to make you smile."

Her voice was small and uncertain as she said, "He said you just wanted to…to fuck me, that you'd always just wanted that."

His eyes flashed midnight fire as he growled, "You know better than that. I love you, haff alvays loved you."

"I know, Vitya. Him saying that just, well, it just bothered me, I suppose."

He caught her face with his big hand, looking her in the eyes. His eyes were so dark and serious, with fury lingering just below the surface. "Vhen ve make love, if ve ever make love, I vould kiss and caress you everyvhere, make your skin feel like it opens so our souls can become vone. Vhen it happens, svetlina," he said, voice low, rumbling, "I vant for our hearts to touch, even more than our bodies do. I vould never just…" he paused, not wanting to utter the distasteful word. "I vould never just fuck you."

"I know that," she answered, and leaned toward him for a kiss. He wrapped his arms around her, and she stiffened, wincing.

"Vhat is wrong? Am I that distasteful?" he said with a hint of a smile. When she didn't smile back, he asked again, sharper, "Vhat is it?"

"Nothing really…my back is a little sore."

He moved behind her and lifted her shirt. He cursed when he saw the plethora of blue and purple bruises scattered over her lower back. "He did this?" His voice was barely audible.

She turned toward him. The look on his face was frightening. "He…he pushed me into a counter."

"That is not all, is it? Do not fib to me, Hermione; I can alvays tell."

"Don't make me tell you, please, Viktor. I'm…" voice dropped to a whisper. "I'm so ashamed."

He caught her hands and moved her closer, carefully enfolding her in his arms. "It is me, svetlina. Only me. You do not need to be ashamed of anything."

She told him all if it in whispers, between sobs. She could feel his body growing tenser as his anger built. He was a fearsome being when he was filled with fury. When she finished her story, he was quiet for awhile. When he spoke, his voice was low, sadness over fury.

"Vhat I cannot understand is vhy you vill stay vith him. You are smarter than that. I did not think you vere the sort of voman who vould allow herself to be hurt like this. But I know you vill go back to him tomorrow. You alvays do. I offer you everything in my heart, and I show you how I vould treat you if you vould only be vith me, but you vill not. I do not understand. You say you love me, but you vould rather be vith him than be here. But please, even if you do not vant to be vith me, leave him. I cannot stand seeing you like this." He kissed her softly. "You are velcome to make yourself at home. I vill be back in a little vhile."

"Are you going after Ron?"

He gave her a pointed look, and she knew he was, but all he said was, "I think ve should haff something in the house to eat besides ramen and peanut butter. They do not go vell together."

From the door, he blew her another kiss. "I love you. I be back soon."