Viktor makes his appearance!
Chapter 4
Before classes began the next morning, Professor Byatt requested Hermione join him in the trophy room.
"Any relation to the writer?" Hermione asked, because Possession was one of her favorite books.
"No, five generations of Aurors. You have no idea how many times I've been asked that, which is amusing since Byatt was a muggle. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know my expectations in regards to you assisting my classes."
He took a breath and rubbed his thigh.
"Are you all right?" she asked.
"An old injury aggravated here just this past May, courtesy of Rowle."
They chatted and learned that she was to help grade essays, assist with practical demonstrations, and include any personal experiences that would help with a lesson. Her inner swot cartwheeled when she was take over a class three times a month when he went to St. Mungo's for therapy.
"Sound too taxing?" he asked.
"Not at all, I did that anyway with Harry and Ron."
"Good, I'm glad we've come to an understanding. Enjoy your day," he said and limped from the room.
By the end of the week, hell-the first day, she was glad to be able to leave the castle. Her days were busy and full. She assisted two classes a day, except for Thursday, which was just the one, the seventh year Defense class. Potions was turning out to be the most demanding class, due to the Professor, a Master Alchemist who came from the Unspeakables. Six requested to drop the class after the first quiz. Arithmancy was challenging as ever, but she enjoyed it. She felt confident about Transfiguration and Care of Magical Creatures could be considered her light class. History of Magic was a bit dull, but like she told Ginny, she did enjoy the material.
During her free time, she often wondered about Hogsmeade, thinking that she might let a small flat closer to the school to cut down on the tiring rate of apparition used every day from London to Hogwarts.
I almost splinched myself yesterday!
There certainly were plenty flats available at reasonable rates, but that didn't concern her all that much. Her Gringotts account held the lump-sum payment of one hundred thousand galleons (still largely untouched and gaining interest) when she was awarded her Order of Merlin (only first-class winners got this payment). The Order also included a monthly pension of five hundred galleons payable the rest of her natural life.
She brought the flat idea to her parents, showing them the offerings in the once-weekly printed Hogsmeade Herald newspaper. She also showed them her account statements, rendering them speechless.
"I wanted to make sure you were settled back into your life to let you know... that I want you to have every single knut, sickle and galleon I have. It's the least I can do for what I did to you and it can help you open a new practice. At the current galleon to pounds rate, it comes to about 497,000 pounds."
John and Evie were speechless for a few seconds before John asked at a whisper, "You would give us that much, just like that?"
Hermione nodded. Evie gave her daughter a quick hug and looked at John. "We have enough to live on comfortably, but we were going to take out a mortgage on the manor to finance a property purchase. I'll admit that I wasn't liking the idea of that. This manor has been in my family for five generations," he said.
"So, do you want the money or not?" Hermione asked, thrilled that they were even considering the idea. "And no, I won't loan it, I'll give it to you. Loaning to my parents, as if."
"You sound just like your mother," John chuckled.
"I'll take that as a compliment of the highest kind," Hermione replied.
"Your mother and I will talk about it. You go ahead and get a flat," John insisted.
"We do know one thing; if we do decide to accept your offer, we won't accept all your money. You earned that money, it's rightly yours," Evie added. "And you never can tell, you might meet the man you're going to marry next week.
Hermione laughed. "Next week you say? I'll just mark it in my calendar; Potions paper due Tuesday, meet future husband Thursday."
"Cheeky girl," John said.
The next morning at breakfast, Hermione told Ginny that she would be staying in The Leaky Cauldron's newest Hogsmeade branch while she searched for a place to live.
September 19, 1998
Hermione spent a quiet 19th birthday weekend at home. She received a birthday card from Brent, a new satchel from Harry, a Honeyduke's gift certificate from Ron, with a note, and a jumper with matching knitted cap from Molly. She read the note from Ron.
Hermione-
I know we haven't spoken for a while, but I hope that doesn't mean the end of our friendship. In June my pride was hurt more than anything else. I realize now that we were meant to be friends, nothing more than that. I'd rather you be in my life as my friend than nothing at all. I miss you, so can you please write me back? You can come see me at home or George's shop anytime too, the tea will be waiting.
Happy birthday,
Ron
p.s. Believe it or not, sometimes I think I should have went back to Hogwarts!
She took out a parchment and quill to send a letter in return.
"Hermione?" her dad called from downstairs. "Could you come down for a minute or two?"
Downstairs, John presented his business proposal. "I hate to spring this on you on your birthday, but I think we've found a suitable building for the new clinic. We have to move quick though, because it's at such an unbelievably low price and two others are interested in buying as well. If I can make better offer than the other two, it's ours."
He gave her the realtor's presentation paper to illustrate what he was talking about. "I want to make an offer first thing Monday morning."
He handed her another sheath of papers. "This one is a basic rundown of what's needed to furnish the clinic."
She flipped through the papers, nodded and smiled at them. "Done. I'll get the money in the morning."
"Just like that?" John asked, incredulous.
"On a Sunday?" Evie asked.
"Yes Dad, just like that and yes Mum, Gringotts is open seven days a week."
That night, Ron read a letter that arrived after supper.
Ron-
I was happy to receive your letter. It was never my intent to hurt you, only to be honest with you. I hope we can get past this awkward stage and move on as the friends we've been to each other all these years.
Thanks for the Honeydukes gift card. I'll use it to get the caramels you know I love so much. Speaking of Honeydukes, I might be seeing a whole lot more of the shop. I've been thinking about moving closer to Hogwarts for the school year, as apparating so much is getting tiresome. I'll be looking at a couple of flats in Hogsmeade next week.
My studies are going well, but it's just not the same without you and Harry. I've got Ginny here, so it helps, but with Head Girl duties and Quidditch, I'm lucky to see her. I'm proud of her though, she's doing so well. I've actually developed a friendship with Parvarti Patil, if you can believe it. Without her sister and Lavender, she could be considered normal. Nicole Macdonald, Susan Bones, and Diana Madley round out our circle of friends.
I'll take you up on your offer and pay a visit to you at home on Monday night. I like honey in my tea, remember?
Love, Hermione
After Monday's classes, she looked at second-story flat with a view of the back stoop the Hog's Head pub. It looked decent from the outside, but inside was too run-down and small for her taste. She thanked the owner of the property for his time and politely declined his dinner invitation. She spent lunchtime the next day looking at a cottage by Hogsmeade Station, which excited her initially, but she was disappointed to learn that only a room was to let of the four-bedroom cottage. Next!
The third offering that week was one that Madame Rosmerta knew of, a one bedroom cottage located behind the owl post office. She finished grading the second year's essays and met with the cottage proprietor after classes ended. He was getting on in age and was looking to settle his affairs.
"I'm not interested in letting the place, I don't fancy m'self a landlord, was never much for parchment work. I'll let it go at a fair price. If you don't mind the opinion of a grumpy old wizard, miss, this looks to be a good place for a young witch to start out with," he said.
After inspecting the cottage for only a few minutes, she knew she wanted it. It was well-maintained, freshly painted, with a large fireplace. It was partially furnished with a worn but sturdy mahogany dining table and chairs, matching desk in a corner of a large living room, and bookshelves built into the walls at various places throughout. She was delighted by the fully furnished kitchen and breakfast nook situated by a bay window. The bathroom was a surprise. It had an uncommonly large, claw-footed ceramic bathtub, common in wizarding homes, but it also had a shower (not so common in wizarding homes) that looked to be a recent addition.
"Ach, my grand-daughter suggested that, says it's the thing these days," he chortled. "I can have it removed if you decide to buy the place."
"No sir, it's fine."
She finally saw the bedroom furnished with the biggest bed she ever laid eyes on; a huge four poster mahogany bed that matched the dining table. A bay window of the same design as the kitchen window, only bigger, was along one wall. A wardrobe lined the entire third wall.
"Well, what do ya think of the place? I know you young people fancy the trendier homes, but-"
"Master Hawkins, I like it, I really do," she said.
"In that case, let a grumpy old wizard treat a pretty young witch to a cuppa while we talk business," he offered.
At The Three Broomsticks, Master Hawkins agreed to sell Hermione the cottage for 8000 galleons.
"Sir, it's worth twice that amount!" Hermione exclaimed after she choked on her tea.
"Aye lass, I appreciate your honesty. However, the galleons don't interest me much, I'm looking to leave this world with nothing for my children to fret about after I've passed. I know who you are miss, and what you've done, and I like to think my dearly departed wife would agree with me to sell this cottage to a decent young person."
"Master Hawkins, you flatter me," she said.
He chuckled. "Ach, then a grumpy old wizard such as m'self can still flatter a pretty young witch such as yourself?"
The terms of the sale were made final and she agreed to transfer the galleons to him on Saturday at Gringotts. "I'll be there with the deed on Saturday."
"May I treat a distinguished gentlewizard to lunch to seal the deal?" she asked.
"Now you flatter me, miss."
Saturday afternoon, she proudly showed her parents the deed to her cottage. "It's so charming, you just have to see it."
"We would this week, but we're so busy with the clinic. The sterilization center and x-ray device is being delivered," John explained.
On Thursday, she asked Minerva if she could forgo assisting a class that day to go to the Ministry and get a floo permit for the cottage. The old witch laughed.
"Hermione, you don't need to ask my permission for anything. It's your free class, to do with as you wish. Just let Professor Byatt know so that he won't wonder where you are."
As Hermione was leaving her office, Minerva asked her to stay a few minutes longer.
"Is there something else you want to talk about?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, but I'm not sure how you'll take it. I ran into Master Hawkins last night in Hogsmeade and he asked me how you're doing. I said that you're well and he mentioned..." she looked at Hermione and decided to just say it.
"He asked if you're seeing anyone and mentioned that his grandson is single and is looking for a young witch to court."
"Okay, just a little embarrassed," Hermione said.
"Well, there's more. Professor Byatt approached me and wondered if you're seeing anyone. I believe he fancies you," Minerva said gently.
"Okay, really embarrassed," Hermione said.
Men coming out of the woodwork!
"Not that it matters in the magical world and certainly not to me, to an extent, but I truly cannot see myself with a 46-year-old wizard."
Minerva chuckled. "You don't have to explain or justify yourself to me. You're 19, you have plenty of time to find a man, plenty of time to have fun finding said man. It's your life, your heart and only you know what's best for both. Now, you go ahead and get to the ministry, the line for floo permits can be quite a wait."
Was it ever a wait. She looked at her watch two hours later and realized she would miss History of Magic class. A voice announced "Now seeing applicant number thirty-six." She was applicant forty-two. Applicant thirty-six exited the office minutes later, grumbling about the rising cost of "ministry rubbish."
"Now seeing applicant thirty-seven."
She sighed and continued reading, glad she brought a stack of first-year essays to look over. Someone sat next to her and cleared his throat.
"And vhat number vould you be, Her-my-nee?" a voice suddenly asked from beside her.
She looked up and saw the smiling face of Viktor Krum. "Viktor! How nice to see you, what a surprise!" she said and extended her hand.
He placed a soft kiss on top of the offered hand.
"I last saw you at the Veezly vedding. I heard of your losses vrom the war, I am deeply sorry."
"Thank you."
"So, vhat are you doing vith yourself these days?" he asked.
"Well, twenty-three of my year decided to return to Hogwarts to finish, I'm one of them."
"Truly? Vhat is good, education is important. The quidditch team ov my country vanted me leave school to play for them, but I revused. They disliked my decision, but took me on anyvay vhen I left Durmstrang. Now I no longer play for the team."
"You quit your team? Why?"
"I did not quit, I vould never quit. You must understand zat teams are alvays looking for the next big player, younger, I should say. Last year I play in reserve, and this year they did not make me a new contract. I taught flying and quidditch at Durmstrang until a team here in England offered me a contract as reserve keeper. I am happy with vhat."
"So the team in Bulgaria let you go because they thought you too old? That's preposterous, you're what, 24? You're in your prime!" she declared and gave the rest of him a quick glance.
You certainly are! He had thinned out a little, but was still muscled and wide-shouldered. He looked as if his nose was repaired and he let his hair grow a couple of inches and let it loose, looking like Harry's hair, but shorter. She loved the mustache and goatee he sported. She blushed when she realized she was being inspected as well.
"Applicant number forty-two."
"That's me," Hermione said.
"I vill be here vhen you return," he said.
Twenty minutes later, a year-long floo permit in hand, she found Viktor indeed still in the waiting room.
"I would love to stay and chat, but I've missed two classes already. If I miss a third, I'll miss a quiz review. Walk me out?"
"Vhy do you need floo permit for school?" he asked. "I vill be pleased to escort you to... vere ever you are going."
"Oh, I don't live at the school. I'm apparating back to Hogsmeade then walking back to the school. However, this is my new address, I just bought a cottage there," she said, wrote down her address and gave it to him with a charming smile. "Please, owl me."
"Of course," he said. "Dobãr den, Hermynee."