Hermione was in shock when Viktor agreed to go to the celebration. She put on a comfortable black tank top and worn but nice jeans. She even took the time to put on a little make up and straighten her hair. When they arrived at Malfoy Manor the place was already packed but it didn't take her long to find her friends. Harry and Ginny were literally entwined around each other slow dancing to a fast song. Ronald was standing with his hand on his girlfriend's waist.
"Hi" Hermione cried over the music. She looked behind her for Viktor but couldn't see him. She just assumed he found his group of friends which was fine with her because she always felt a little more at ease when Viktor wasn't around.
"Hey" Katie Bell said pulling away from Ronald and embracing Hermione. Even though Ron was her ex and Katie was his current girlfriend there was no hard feelings on either side. Both girls genuinely liked one another.
"Glad you could make it" Ron told her giving her a quick peck on the cheek.
'me too" Hermione replied as she reached around to hug Harry and Ginny.
"Where's Viktor?" Harry asked with an expression that clearly stated he didn't care.
"Around" Hermione said. "whereas our host Draco?"
"Shagging his girlfriend" Ron told her bluntly.
"Where else" Hermione mused.
For the next couple of hours Hermione danced, sang and laughed harder than she had in the longest time. She was remembering why she loved these people so much and found hope that maybe the war hadn't killed the love and respect they shared for themselves.
It wasn't until the wee hours of the morning that Hermione began to really wonder where Viktor had wondered off to. He never left her alone for this long, especially with Ron around. She stood on her tip toes trying to search the crowd for her boyfriend.
"Have you seen Viktor" Hermione yelled over the pulsing rock music to Harry.
"No" Harry replied.
'I'll be back" Hermione told her friends.
Ron grabbed her arm.
"Don't" he said with a slight hardness. "He'll find you"
"Nah" Hermione told him. "I should really check on him now"
She pulled away from Ron and chose to ignore the annoyed look on his face and headed for the stairs. In the corner she saw a bunch of Slytherins including Blaise Zabini. She had been stationed with Blaise after the Slytherins switched side, it was easy in fact in the beginning the clashed everyday. But it had turned into a pretty decent friendship.
"Blaise" she called waving her arms to get his attention. He turned and smiled at her. Lifting his beer mug.
"Hey beautiful" he flirted pulling himself out of the grasp of about ten beautiful girls
"hey handsome" she flirted back." have you seen my boyfriend/'
"If I was your boyfriend I would never let you out of my site" he teased caressing the side of her face. She knew the flirting wasn't serious, Blaise and Viktor were very good friends and she and Blaise could never be more. The Slytherins my have learned to accept muggle-borns but they would always hold them at arms length.
"Seriously" Hermione told him. 'I haven't seen Vick all night"
"I think I saw him go upstairs" Blaise advised.
"Thanks B" she said giving his arm a playful squeeze as she passed by him.
Hermione could feel the affects of the alcohol she consumed as climbed the stairs. She swayed a little forcing her to grab onto to banister as she continued up.
"Hermione" Draco called from behind her as began checking the rooms on the second floor
"Hey Draco" she said. "Have you seen Viktor?"
"Victor" Draco echoed looking a little anxious. 'He's not up here. I saw him go downstairs."
"Was just downstairs" Hermione told him. "I didn't see him"
"He went outside" pansy corrected. She reached out taking Hermione's arm roughly. "We'll help you find him"
Normally there behavior would have made Hermione curious but she just went along with their suggestion followed them to the stairs. Behind her, Hermione heard a woman scream and two angry male voices. She recognized Viktor's immediately.
"That's Viktor" she told Draco and Pansy pulling away from them. Draco turned a shade of green and pulled Pansy away from the noise. Hermione followed the ruckus and it led her to a room at the end of the hall. She didn't know why but her stomach churned as she turned the handle. She wasn't sure what she would find.
The room was tiny but nice as most of the Manor was. There was a beautiful young woman on the bed in the center of the room. She was naked and the blankets pulled tightly around her tears streaming down her face. Hermione knew the girl but couldn't place her
Viktor was standing in the corner yelling angrily at another male figure. What made the world spin beneath Hermione was the fact that he was shirtless trying to pull his trousers on. It took him a moment to realize his girlfriend had entered the room but once he did he stopped yelling.
"Mione" he cried reaching out for her. "It isn't what it looks like"
"It looks like you slept with this girl" Hermione yelled.
'Let me explain" Viktor cried again reaching for her arm.
Hermione pulled away so fast that she lost her balance and feel. Tears stung her eyes as she pulled herself up but she held them back.
"Explain what?" she spat turning to flee from the room as she did she heard a small pop that told her someone disapparated from the room. She didn't make the connection to the other male figure all she could think was how to get out of this house and away from Viktor.
Somehow Hermione made it down the steps without tripping. She kept the momentum up until she was outside of the house and fell head first onto the ground sobbing and clawing. She actually trusted that idiot. Viktor had supported her though her break up with Ron and every other horrible thing that happened, threatening to tear her apart.
"Hermione" Ron said gently pulling her to her feet brushing the dirt off of her... "Are you ok?"
"I am fine" she replied numbly blinking back the tears.
"Draco told me what happened" Ron explained. "I needed to make sure you were ok"
"Draco knew" Hermione told him bitterly. 'He and Pansy tried to pull me away. They actually covered for him."
"They were trying to protect you" Ron said defensively.
"Yeah" Hermione scoffed looking away from her ex boyfriend. It really bothered her that Ron was the one witnessing this.
"Are you your ok/" Ron repeated
"You didn't break me Ronald Weasley" she snapped pulling away. "Neither will he"
Hermione stumbled away leaving Ron staring after her in disbelief. She walked a few laps around Draco's house trying to calm herself. Viktor found her making laps and jogged to catch up to her.
"Mione" he called breathlessly. 'I am so sorry."
"How long?" Hermione asked harshly.
'What?" Viktor asked.
"How long?" Hermione repeated not looking at him.
"Since April" Viktor admitted.
"It's all been lie" Hermione informed him. "You knew this means were over right?"
"Please" Viktor begged. "I am sorry. I won't see her again. I will never see Ellen again"
"Tell Ellen she can have you" Hermione said angrily spinning around to face him. "I am looking past you now"
She walked away not listening to his protest. A few feet from the house were large clear pond. Hermione set her sights there and quickened the pace. She needed to be alone and have some time to think about what she would do now. But someone was already there. She recognized the red hair and stocky build; it was obviously a Weasley twin.
"Fred" she called. "George?"
The twin turned and soon she could see into his eyes. Clear, intense and brown, something she learned while stationed with him, George had brown eyes, Fred had blue.
"George" she said gently.
'Hi" he replied turning back towards the water.
"Hoe are you?" Hermione asked, not sure what else to say.
"Pretty fucked up" he admitted throwing a stone across the water. 'I would ask how you are but I already know"
"Huh?" Hermione asked feeling utterly bewildered.
"Ellen" he said still avoiding here eyes. "Was my girlfriend. She was caught in bed with one Viktor Krum, quidditch star and first class git"
"Oh my" Hermione replied. "I am sorry"
"Likewise" George told her. Hermione sank to the ground; the pain was finally catching up to her. She lost her parents, and then she lost Ron and now Viktor. How could she ever trust again. The tears poured out again and she sobbed loudly.
Out of nowhere she felt a strong pair of arms wrap around her. Hermione turned her head and continued sobbing into George's broad shoulder.
