A/N: This is my first attempt at a Krum/Granger story as I am mainly a big fan of the Weasley fandom and Hermione/Draco community. So, here goes this. Sorry for the beginning. I suck at beginning, but I need to set up a few things.
Fair warning: This is post HBP, but I don't think it'll have any specific info about HBP in there.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or anything related. Hell, this plot probably isn't even mine. I'll give my right arm if JKR claims it's hers.
Chapter 1:
The war. Hermione sighed and stirred her butterbeer idly. She couldn't remember the last time she had had this particular drink let alone in this particular place. How long ago was it? She mused to herself that it around the last time she laughed and had a full day of enjoyment with her best friends. Those were the days- the days of her biggest concerns being Ron skiving class because he hadn't done his Charms essay, the days of her worrying if she would get outstanding marks in her classes so she would make Head Girl and get a good job at the ministry, the days of sitting right here, in The Three Broomsticks, on cold days and drinking Butterbeer for warmth while laughing at trivial matters. Where had those days gone?
'They disappeared the day we started watching everyone around us die.' She thought to herself bitterly, sipping the rich liquid. Cedric was the beginning… for Harry at least. Taking out of consideration all the misfortunes he had already had, watching Cedric die was only the beginning. Sirius was next… but Dumbledore. That was a sad day indeed. That was when their innocence was truly gone, and she realized she could no longer have her delusions of better days. It was the beginning of the end, but no one could foresee what would truly happen. The horcruxes. Arthur dying. Fred dying. Harry dying.
'To one year of being with your parents and Sirius, Harry. To one year.'
"In thought?" She looked up to see Ron sitting next to her, placing his arm on her back as if thinking she needed the physical support. She nodded, smiling slightly. "I don't blame you. I've been too. Today's quite a day, huh?"
"Yeah, but… Harry wouldn't want us to be thinking about this all day. I've been thinking about the past. Remember how simple life was?" She kept herself from going back into deep thought.
"Remember in third year when Harry chucked that muddy snow at Malfoy?" She laughed at the memory. How could she forget? Malfoy thought he was crazy, seeing things.
"Remember visiting Sirius in that little cave just down the road?" She could remember the light in Harry's eyes when he saw his Godfather. Those were the few moments of bliss before they talked about the serious things.
"Remember brewing polyjuice potion in our second year? Or rather you did." That was a disaster. She was a bloody CAT.
Before she could open her mouth to say anything more, Luna walked up to them. She took Ron's hand and sat down. She smiled at the small gesture still. She wondered if Harry was still alive, if she and Ron would be dating right now still. She pushed the thought out of her head. That was for another time. For now, the three just sat in silence.
She got up soon after and excused herself after protests by the other two ("Please stay!" and "Yeah. Come on, Hermione. Have another drink.") and disapperated with a "POP" to her London flat.
Many people had expected her to get a small, quaint flat, but she figured with the money she had that she could get something nice. She wasn't planning on quitting her job at the Department of International Magical Cooperation any time soon so she would always be having a good flow of money.
She saw Hedwig sitting on the table, the window open. She smiled at the owl and petted her lovingly before picking up the letter she had brought. Knowing who is was from, she had no need to look at the handwriting or the signature on the back of the envelope. She simply tore it open and looked at the letter inside.
Settling on the sofa in her living room, she read with a smile on her face. "Viktor, my dear friend, you'll always cheer me up." She said to herself before continuing to read.
Incessant knocking. Hermione grumbled. Her eyes opened, she realized she must have fallen asleep on the couch reading Viktor's letter… meaning that… He was there… at her front door. She didn't bother fixing how she looked. Her hair was worse off than even in her school days, and her robes were wrinkled and open to reveal a black dress that was in even worse conditions than the robes.
She took out her wand and unlocked the door, opening it. There stood Viktor Krum as she'd always remembered him with a few minor changes. He still had his dark, warm eyes like the ones she possessed. His facial hair was gone and clean shaven. His hair was the most drastic change which wasn't that much of a change at all. He had decent length hair that he didn't feel a need to spike or do anything with. His clothes- thick robes made of fur.
"I like your hair longer." Was her first comment before she put her arms around him for an embrace. It had been at Harry's funeral that she had seen him last.
"I like the carefree look." He said with a small smile on his face which earned him a nudge.
"I got your owl last night and fell asleep after reading it, forgetting that you'd be coming. I'm sorry that I didn't have time to dress to impress you, the incredible, amazing, master of the Snitch, giver of punishment to anyone who wishes to challenge Bulgaria!" She mockingly ooh-ed and aww-ed.
"Very vell! You are forgiven if you call me the master of the snitch again!" His eyes lit up with laughter.
"Oh, Mr. Krum! The master of the snitch! I am so honored to be in your presence. I can just feel the power radiate from your handsome, strong figure." She missed the admiring look of lust that flashed in his eyes for a moment as she was purely joking.
She beckoned him in and excused herself to shower and change. When she came out, she saw him looking at the pictures on the walls of her living room.
"That was the end of sixth year… shortly before Dumbledore died." She moved next to Viktor and examined the picture. It was one of those last peaceful days. Harry was sitting under a tree, perched next to Hermione who had a book sitting open in her lap. Ron fell from a branch just above the view of the picture and fell onto Harry. Harry and Hermione laughed while Ron rubbed his bottom with a glare towards the other two, "Ready to go?"
He just nodded silently and embraced her tightly. He disapperated with a "POP!".
Hermione opened her eyes to find herself in Diagon Alley. This was still, after all these years, magical and exciting to her. She followed him through the bustling streets until he stopped in front of a coffee shop. They ordered and sat down.
"How has it been going?" Viktor asked her before she had a chance to ask him.
"Really quite well, I suppose. I'm pretty sure I'll be asked to be head of Department of Magical Cooperation when Turner retires. I've been hinted at that many times. Of course, there is still about a year or two until that happens I'm sure. I just hope it's not because of their 'admiration' for my 'efforts' in the final battle."
"You're very good at vhat you do, Hermione." Viktor simply said. She could always count on him to be the person to give her a short, simple reply after she had spilled her heart out to him. He made things seem so simple. She smiled at the compliment.
"I think people have problems realizing that I didn't just accidentally get into this profession. There is a reason I chose it and why I was accepted. It's not as if Turner simply picked me based on my history. I don't think he's the type to do that."
"I think he picked you based on ability." She smiled again. There. He made things so simple again. It was as if all her thoughts and worries were unfounded and what he said was the truth. It made her feel more comfortable with herself. It reassured her. That's probably the number one reason she still kept their friendship going through letters once he left.
"I agree, but sometimes I can't be sure. Sometimes I feel as if I'm too young and not adequate enough for these responsibilities. I work hard at what I do, but this position that I have now and the one I may be getting… Well, they're quite difficult to jungle. Not that I'm being full of myself, but it does take someone with a great deal of responsibility and trustworthiness to handle."
"That's vhy they picked you. You're vonderful, Hermione." She blushed at his words and smiled slightly.
The rest of the conversation was lighthearted, and soon the time passed. It was now mid evening.
"Hermione, I must ask. Vhat are your recommendations for places to stay here in London. My castle is being remodeled, and I thought I vould stay here since I have matches in this area for the next month or two." She looked in thought for a second.
"You'll stay with me of course!"
A/N: Lame beginning, I know. Next chapter is a lot better. I've already written it out. I wanted to have at least a few chapters written before I posted because my big hurdle is finishing 5. If I finish those and still keep writing, I'll finish the story.
So please review. No flames, but concrit is awesome!