Chapter 8:
She had previously made up with Viktor, but she still couldn't bring herself to take the leap and tell him how she felt. She didn't know why she was so guarded, but she was. She wanted to reach out and take his hand and kiss him. But… she was not that girl. She wasn't the girl that could take charge of a boy and seduce him. Man, she corrected herself. 'He's a man.'
Nevertheless, she couldn't bring herself to tell him. She figured that if there was anything more, he would bring it up. And if he didn't, it was the fates that were against them. Contrary to belief, she did trust and believe in fate. She didn't believe in gibberish such as telling the future (or anything that her almost colleague, Trelawny said). She believed in making her own future, but if there was a little push from fate to get her where she needed to be, then that was fine with her.
Now, she was getting a bit frustrated with the damned fates. She was currently making her way to the very familiar castle she always knew and loved, her belongings shrunken, being carried by herself, Viktor, and Ron.
Ron seemed to be a lot calmer now with Viktor. She didn't hear any sarcastic remarks and didn't see any stupid looks being sent Viktor's way. She was definitely glad for it. She figured that Ron's problem with Viktor was always his jealousy. Now, they had handled it. She smiled to herself.
"Which way are your quarters?" Ron asked once they had stepped through the wooden doors. She could see the hall relatively empty, and she was glad for it. She very much needed some free time in the castle to gather herself. Then, at dinner tonight she would be introduced.
"They're on the next floor up to the right." She answered, leading the way up the staircase.
They walked until they arrived at a portrait of a young centaur with long brown hair and blazing blue eyes. He was one of the most handsome men that Hermione had ever seen. He wasn't paying attention to the three people who had arrived in front of him. He was simply staring up idly to the portrait above him which was one of the sky that mirrored what it was outside at the moment.
He let out a long sigh, muttering something before turning his attention to the occupants of the hall. His voice, when he opened his mouth to speak, rang in a rich voice that reminded her much of Charlie Weasley's. "Gentlemen and lady." He bowed his head in acknowledgement, "Password, please?"
"Amortentia." She said, smiling. The centaur nodded his head, swinging open to reveal her quarters.
Hermione let out a gasp as she looked at her quarters. Yes, she was definitely glad she decided to get quarters here as well as keeping her flat. The living room was as big as her own in her flat, and it was already fully furnished in Gryffindor colors. She let her belongings drop as she stepped to a desk and a wall full of book shelves. Finally, she'd have a place to put all her books because only half of the shelves were taken up with books about Transfiguration.
She walked around the room to find an empty portrait. "Excuse me?" She called, hoping that the occupant of the portrait would appear and alleviate her curiosity as to where it went.
"Yes, dear?" Hermione was startled when she saw the Fat Lady pop into the portrait hole. "Oh, my dear, Professor Granger? Welcome. Welcome back to Hogwarts!"
"Oh, thank you, ma'am. Does this portrait lead straight to the Gryffindor tower, then?" She asked curiously as the Fat Lady nodded. That must have been how Professor McGonagall always got to the scene so quickly when someone threw a party or something.
The things in the magical world never ceased to amaze her. She smiled warmly at the portrait before moving to the back of the room where there were two doors. She opened the first one which led into her bedroom. This was decorated in warm neutral colors. She had an air of comfort wash upon her the second she entered the room. She took the door to the side of the room to see a bathroom that was just a bit smaller than the Prefects bathroom. Yes, she was definitely glad she had chosen to have a flat here.
She concentrated on her belongings and silently said "Accio" in her head before beckoning her clothes into her room. She flicked her wand again, and the things started to unpack themselves in her closet. She smiled to herself and walked back into the main room where she saw Viktor and Ron also exploring the place.
"Isn't it simply amazing?" She asked. The two men turned their attention to her and nodded.
"I may have to come back to Hogwarts for a visit a few times. The only thing that could put me off would be Malfoy." Ron snickered.
Hermione pursed her lips.
"I'm happy to know I have such a grand effect on you, Weasley, that I could keep you out of a whole castle." They turned to the portrait hole which still hung open to see none other than the blond boy, teaching robes clinging to his frame.
"Glad to know that you find me thinking you utterly repulsive to be such a compliment, ferret." Ron spat, whipping out his wand within a matter of seconds.
"And I'm glad to know that after 6 years at Hogwarts and two years outside, being an Auror, you still can't come up with a better insult than calling me a ferret. What next, telling me I have cooties? Go take a nap." Malfoy smirked, leaving Ron without anything else to say momentarily.
"Was that really necessary?" Hermione asked, rolling her eyes at the two blokes in front of her.
"Yes." They both answered in sync. Ron glared a hole into Malfoy's head while Malfoy walked over to Viktor.
"Viktor Krum. It's been too long." Draco said, a smile appearing on his face before taking the Bulgarian wizard's hand, shaking it vigorously.
"Yes it has, Draco. And I'm glad to know you still have that sharp tongue of yours." Viktor said, smiling before clapping Draco on the back.
"So, Draco, how may I help you?" Hermione asked, interrupting them.
"I was done setting up my own quarters and decided to drop by to see if you needed any help." Draco casually motioned with his hands, ignoring the snort that Ron gave at the word 'help'.
"That's awfully nice of you, but I've got everything unpacking by spell. I haven't had time to check the list yet. Where are your quarters?" She asked, casually.
"They're on the ground floor just past that classroom where Firenze taught Divination."
"That's lovely. Are you being introduced tonight at dinner as well, then?" When he nodded, she continued, "I'm awfully nervous. I'm afraid that the Slytherins will give me trouble." She admitted.
"If they give you any trouble, tell them they'll be serving detention with me. After they organize my books by hand, they'll have to help some of my more… friendly creatures settle down." Malfoy had a devious smirk covering his face.
"You've got your detentions planned out? I feel so behind. I feel like I haven't gotten anything done! Oh my."
"Stop worrying. You'll be fine. Besides, you've got McGonagall's lesson plans, and I've got Lupin's. It'll all be fine. Trust me."
"Stop that, Ron." She said reflexively before he could even snort at Draco's comment.
"And while you're at it, be a good boy and sit, Weasley." Draco added.
Hermione knew what was coming before it even happened. She shut the door to her room and shielded everything. Sighing, she watched as Ron lunged for Malfoy, Malfoy grabbing for his wand. It was a fist fight which turned into a duel and back into a fistfight before anyone could stop it.
"Boys will be boys." She turned to see Viktor next to her, a smile on his lips, an amused glint in his brown eyes.
"Indeed." Was all she could muster to say at his close proximity.
"But you're too mature for this now?" He half asked, half stated. "You've probably always been, but yet you amuse them. You're a wonderful person." She blushed. "But you need more. You need a man."
She dared to turn to face him, ignoring the explosion she heard from her living room. 'You're a GRYFFINDOR, Granger. You're a Gryffindor.' Her mind screamed. Was it her, or was he getting closer?
"I do need a man." She said, looking into his eyes. She could smell him now. He smelled like broomsticks and her flat. That was definitely a scent she could learn to love. "And you need a woman." She dared to say.
"I need y-" He was cut off by Ron flying right into her, knocking her down.
"ENOUGH! Out. Both of you." She said, angry that the moment had been ruined.
"Sorry, Hermione." Malfoy said like a guilty little child.
"Yeah. Sorry, Herms." Ron agreed.
Her face softened, and she sighed, moving to clean the both of them up.
A/N: Hope you liked! I like Chapter eight too though it features no Krum. :( Y'all get a new chapter even though I didn't get ten reviews. Consider yourselves lucky. ;)
Chapter 7 Reviewer Replies!
aGreatPenName: giggles I must say that I enjoy the character's sufferings as well. I see you were most excited about the Charlie/Hermione aspect of it. How about if I... say... wrote you a CharliexHermione one shot before I finish this story and then we'll see about a longer sequel to it when the story is done? I've never written a one shot before, but I've definitely been liking the idea. I'm a Charlie fan myself.
very-silly-girl: Way too short? It was longer in word count than my others! Ahahahahah. I see where you're coming from though! And yes... Viktor will come soon. But, beware of what you wish for. The sooner Viktor comes, the sooner the story has ended and I move onto another pairing! ;)
SupastarEden: Yes! Your review DEFINITELY counts as a hundred. I'm sick at home today as I'm writing this review reply! I'm definitely writing more story tonight! And... how do you like the account?
Kichou: As soon as I can update, darlin, I will. Hehe. Glad you're liking!
LeoAngeldust: Oh yes. She will get frustrated, and this story IS in her point of view. You shall see what happens soon enough, my friend. ;)
lazyllama101: Yes, ma'am. That'd be lovely if I could have a Viktor plushie greeting me. Just make sure he has book hair and not movie hair... or rather... my story hair. I hate the shortness of it in the movies. :)
Karate-Chick06: Thanks! Much appreciated!
Trish: LMAO. Your reviews made me laugh. Thank you, ma'am.
Silveni: Yeahhhhh. I had to do that with Ron though because I need himmmmmm... is plotting
Chapter 9 PREVIEW:
"Speaking of, were Weasley and I interrupting something with you and Krum-boy?"
"How is that speaking of?" She asked before shaking her head. "Never mind. I don't want to know the inner workings of your mind. I may just have to gouge out my ears afterward." She smirked a smirk that Malfoy himself would regularly bare.
"Oh yes. Oh yes, Granger, your poor virgin ears! Whatever should you do with such greater knowledge?" Malfoy retorted sarcastically.
"Virgin ears? How innocent do you think I am?" She raised an eyebrow and pushed aside the rest of her dinner, turning to face him.
Normally, most of her male friends would've blushed and mumbled something fierce at that comment. However, the days for innocence were long gone. So, instead, Malfoy winked at her before looking curiously.
"Judging by your tone of voice, not very. Wildcat in bed, are we?"