There are different versions of the vinok (traditional flower crowns) that are worn for different occasions (typically festivals and weddings). The type Hermione is given to wear for this celebration is on the more simple side. Hermione's host's name is a favorite of my mum's.
FOUR
6th July, 2003
Hermione watched breathless as another young wizard catapulted himself across the flames. The villagers exploded in cheers as he landed on the other side. She understood the point of the tradition—a fruitful year ahead or something like that and she'd done far more terrifying things … but that'd usually been a literal matter of life and death.
The forest clearing beside the river was bright and lively, filling the night with color, laughter, song—of which she barely understood a word. Her host, Oksana Chernova, had seemed thrilled that the start of Hermione's visit coincided with Ivana Kupala—the celebration of St. John's Eve, summer solstice—so that the younger witch could experience the beauty of the land she was visiting.
Oksana was a friend of Minerva McGonagall. The two had met decades earlier during a previous search for the same text Hermione'd now been charged with locating. Their circumstances being similar—widowed young without children—they'd become fast friends.
It was Hermione's understanding Minerva'd kept details of the war to a minimum so as not to scare her friend. These remote villages in Eastern Europe were largely disconnected from the troubles of the larger Wizarding world and they—as well as outsiders who knew of them—seemed content to keep it that way.
At present, Hermione sat on the grassy earth, dressed much the same as the other witches—white, red, needlepoint detailing of box stitches and pretty, little flowers and animals. She couldn't have repeated the names of the hearty foods—washed down with rich, equally delicious drink—if she tried.
A soft weight fell upon her head and she looked up, startled. Oksana stood at her shoulder wearing a wisp of a smile that reminded Hermione of Minerva.
She reached up, fingers closing around an intricate crown of flowers and ribbon. "Oh," Hermione said with a laugh, "I get one?"
Oksana furrowed her brow as she lowered—wincing and groaning—to sit. "Why wouldn't you?"
Hermione opened her mouth, then closed it. What could she say? Because she was an outsider? Because she wasn't part of the community? She was a witch, so were they, and apparently that was enough. After all, the crowns signified marriageable women, and as she was unmarried, still relatively young ...
Realizing she'd been thinking of her own expectations rather than keeping an open mind—something with which Hermione still struggled—she grinned sheepishly. "I don't know why I thought otherwise."
The witches and wizards around them turned as one to watch the fire. Hermione followed suit, wondering what had drawn their attention.
A young couple approached the flames. Hand-in-hand, they picked up their pace until they were running. Then they leapt.
Their hands separated before they landed on the other side and the witch let out a cry of dismay. The wizard at her side pivoted to face her, cupping her jaw in his hands and murmuring to her in a soothing manner. Several of the other wizards and witches got up, scurrying around the fire to comfort the couple.
"I don't understand," Hermione whispered, leaning toward Oksana. "What happened? Why's that poor girl so upset?"
Oksana shrugged, sipping … Hermione couldn't be sure if it was juice—сік? yes, she thought that was the correct word—or something far more potent mixed with colorful ingredients, and she didn't want to guess, either. "You saw them let go of each other over the fire?"
Hermione nodded.
"It's said that if a couple leaps and they are still holding hands when they land, their future together will be prosperous. Full of love. But if their hold breaks …." She shrugged again.
"Their relationship's doomed to fail," Hermione filled in the blank, frowning.
Now was Oksana's turn to nod. "Everyone is assuring her that simply because it's what said doesn't mean it's what must be."
