October 20
It was a Saturday and Hermione stood at her stove making a fry-up and sticky buns for Harry and Ron, who would be coming for breakfast. Only for them would she make sticky buns from scratch. She kneaded the dough and pondered her blossoming relationship with Victor. Since that first dinner and club date with Viktor, Hermione found that he was becoming a welcome presence in her life. Over the past month, she went to another Quidditch match, many lunches, and another dinner with him.
She found herself smiling at the memory of his kisses and the way he called her pretty one. Should I introduce him to mum and dad this early? Is this what I hope it is? As much as she enjoyed being with him, this new relationship was wonderful and daunting at the same time. Weren't they all?
Wonderful in that she loved discovering the little things about him, or how utterly adorable he could look while looking so intense. Wonderful in that he wasn't shy about kissing her. Wonderful in that he knew just what to say to make her feel better if she was having a not-so-good day.
Daunting in how easily she could mess this up and how much more serious this was than with Brent. Her thoughts then took a maudlin turn, as they sometimes did. What if he wakes up one day and realizes he can find someone better? Boisterous knocking and laughing signaled the arrival of her two best friends.
"Come in you two," she called out.
That same morning, Minerva decided to chaperone the student's Hogsmeade trip. She was always be interested in the children's welfare (and the amusing dramas that unfolded) and wanted to leave the castle for a bit, but she also wanted to visit Hermione and see her cottage. Ginny ensured her that things were fine with the students, so she made her way toward Hermione's cottage when she saw activity through the front window. She knocked, waited, and the door opened to reveal Harry.
"Morning professor," he said with a smile and turned his head toward the kitchen. "Hey Hermione, it's Professor McGonagall," he called out.
"What are you, the security guard or something? Welcome her in!" Hermione called out.
Harry gave a small bow and graciously held the door open wider. "Welcome to Hermione's cottage. May I take your cloak?"
She handed Harry her cloak and Hermione came into the living room. "Well, he can be taught," she quipped.
More knocks were heard. "That's probably Ginny," Hermione said and went to answer the door.
Harry and Minerva continued to the kitchen. Minutes later, Hermione returned to the kitchen with none other than Viktor. Harry chuckled at the sight. She looks as if she's been snogged... thoroughly! Ron was busy with his eggs and bacon, while Minerva talked with Viktor.
"It looks as if life is treating you well, Mr. Krum. That was quite a match last weekend," she said.
"Yes, life is good," he said, sending a significant glance to Hermione. "Montrose was predicted our toughest opponent this season."
"Ach, yet they lost," she said.
"By just twenty points, Montrose has talented chasers," Viktor pointed out.
"You a Montrose fan?" Ron asked.
Minerva pulled a necklace from her shirt to reveal a silver pendant adorned with a small black magpie perched on the letter M. "My entire life, Mr. Weasley."
Viktor kept an eye on Hermione while she finished the dough and set the buns to bake. She put more dirty dishes in the sink, set a washing charm and returned to the table. She took a carafe from the stove and poured a cup of coffee for Viktor and one for herself.
"Since when do you drink coffee?" Harry asked.
"I had an espresso a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed it, which led to this," she said and held up her mug. "I find that a strong cup of coffee in the morning gets me going more than tea."
"Blimey that smells good," Ron said as the aroma of baking buns met them.
"Indeed. Hermynee is wonderful cook."
Viktor took his parent's advice a long time ago when it came to women: get in good with the people the woman cared about, and you would be in good with the woman. It was easy in this case, Hermione's friends were easy to get along with. He wondered about her parents and when to bring up that conversation.
After breakfast, Harry, Ron, and Minerva thanked Hermione for breakfast and made their goodbyes, the boys admonishing her not to study to death. She and Viktor went to the living room.
"So, what did you have planned for today? No practice?" she asked.
"No, team has weekend off. Your plans are my plans."
"Well, I was going to visit my parents for a bit then go to the British Wizarding Museum, they have a new exhibit. Would you like to tag along?"
He mentally filed away another phrase to his growing English vocabulary and replied, "I would like that very much."
They apparated to the Granger's back yard, a sight which impressed Viktor and she led him into the manor through the back door.
"Mum, Dad?" she called out.
"In the den, pumpkin," Evie called out.
They had worked hard over the weeks to get their new clinic ready to open and would hold the grand opening the following Monday. On this Saturday however, the Grangers slept in, ate a late breakfast and were still their dressing robes, sipping tea and reading the newspaper. She greeted them with hugs. John rose and shook Viktor's hand as they introduced themselves.
"Should I come back later?" Hermione asked.
"No, we're just being lay-abouts this morning. We had a late night, they finally finished installing the heating and air conditioning at the clinic. Have you eaten?" John asked.
"Yes, we have."
Evie glanced to a picture on the mantle. "You're the young man that asked her to that ball," Evie said to Viktor.
"You're kind of far from home, aren't you?" John asked.
"Quite far, I am living in Manchester. I play quidditch for them now," Viktor said and explained the circumstances that led him to England.
"Aye, you see it in football all the time," John said. "So, how do you like it?"
"It has been good for me. I play quidditch vith good team and I get to see Hermynee," he said. "My parents wish for me to visit home more however."
"And what do they do?" Evie asked.
"Mother is a private tutor and father is part of group that hunts vampires that have gone bad," he said carefully, not knowing how they would take it. However, having a magical child prepared them for the more unique aspects of that world.
"He makes a good living from that?" John asked, nonplussed.
"He would say he earns enough, but in truth, Mother earns more. The Krum fortune is passed down from many generations."
"So, what are your plans today?" Evie asked.
"The UK Wizarding Museum, there's a new exhibit," Hermione said.
"Oh? Mind if we tag along? That sounds fascinating," John said.
"Or not, if you meant it to be just the two of you," Evie added.
"We can make a day of it, I will treat you to lunch," Viktor stated. Did I say that right?
"Splendid," Evie said. "Give us half an hour."
During the outing, Evie surreptitiously observed Hermione and Viktor, pleased with what she saw and heard. This was much more than the blatantly sexual "thing" (as Hermione said) with Brent. The verbal and physical clues from both young people indicated that much more was going on, and she told John as much that evening.
"And wasn't it adorable when she spoon-fed him the ice cream?" Evie declared.
"My dear, I think you're more excited about that young man than Hermione is," he said with a chuckle. Evie slapped his arm. "I know what you mean, and I'm glad to see this isn't another Brent."
"What was wrong with Brent?" Evie asked. "And what does that mean, this isn't another Brent."
John put down the paper he was trying to read. "What I mean is that this Viktor bloke wants more than sex, that's what I'm saying. She deserves more and Viktor is that more. He's stable, mature, and adores her. A blind man can see that."
"Since when have you been so observant?" Evie asked.
The distinctive sound of apparition was heard from the backyard. John pulled his wife closer. "How could he not adore her? She's adorable, just like her mum," he said softly and pressed his lips to his wife's neck.
The next morning, Viktor paid a visit to a florist down the street from his home. He returned with a large bouquet of daisies (Hermione's favorite) and saw The Daily Prophet waiting on his doorstep. He unfolded the paper and dropped the bouquet upon reading the front-page article.
WAR HERO ATTACKED
Hermione Granger, 19, was attacked and injured late last night in Hogsmeade Township, where she resides. Miss Granger was reportedly returning to her cottage and was accosted by Daniel Brewster, 42, whose last known residence was London. The assailant is rumored to have been an associate of Lucius Malfoy, the former Death Eater, now serving a life sentence in Azkaban for crimes against humanity. The Auror Division reports that Mr. Brewster is charged with assault to commit serious bodily harm and attempted robbery.
Miss Granger suffered head injuries when she attempted to fight off the thief. She was struck in the face then pushed into a window, her head striking and shattering the glass of a shop window. The proprietors of the shop, William and Belinda Lowe, were sleeping when they heard the commotion and rushed to investigate. They saw Miss Granger fall to the ground and then subdued the attacker until Ministry Hit Wizards arrived on scene.
Due to the background of the assailant, he was turned over to Aurors and remains in their custody. St. Mungo's reports that Miss Granger is doing well and will make a full recovery from her injuries.
Harry Potter, who names Miss Granger as "the best friend I'll ever have" was quoted in a heartfelt statement. "I'm shocked and saddened that this happened to her. Hermione is a peaceful and loving person- if she has enemies; it's on their part, not hers. She bears no ill will against anyone. We will make every effort to see that the full measure of the law is brought to bear against Mr. Brewster."
Viktor trembled with rage and shock as he read. I should have seen her to her home! How dare someone do this! He picked up the bunch of daisies and apparated to St. Mungo's. He arrived Welcome Witch reception desk, where he was accosted by no less than ten reporters and tried to speak to the Welcome Witch over the din of their questions. He stood up straight, turned and faced them. They quit talking at the look on his face.
"It seems that certain vultures need to find somewhere else to feed, this is hospital," he said, his voice low but menacing.
"Now see here-" one indignantly called out.
"I agree," a familiar voice said from behind him. "About vultures, nasty buggers, aren't they?" It was Harry.
"Well, I never!" one of the reporters said haughtily.
"And you never will," Harry quipped.
He nodded toward a lift and both men walked that way, ignoring the reporters. Inside the lift, he pressed a button and the lift rose. "She's having a final examination, and if everything is good, she gets to go home."
"So she is well?" Viktor asked.
"Angry as hell that someone got the jump on her, but she's fine," Harry said. "Do you know what she was doing out so late?"
They exited the lift and walked down a corridor.
"We spent the day with her parents and left separately from their home," Viktor said. "It wasn't that late, so she must have gone somewhere after we parted."
They turned a corner and saw the Grangers sitting in chairs, talking to Molly. Evie said something quickly to Molly that caused John to roll his eyes. He stood to greet Harry and Viktor. The door to Hermione's room opened a healer spoke.
"She's free to go. There's some bruising, but it'll go away in a day or two."
John shook his hand. "Thank you for taking care of her."
"I have daughters, so I know how you feel. She's dressing and wanted me to let you know that she's starving. Apparently, hospital food doesn't agree with her, she wouldn't touch the stuff."
The door opened, and Hermione greeted everyone with a shy smile, the bruising around and above her right eye visible. Viktor felt a growl in his throat and was sure that he would gladly rip the limbs from the vermin who hurt her. Everyone hugged her, and Harry let her know about her interview the next day at the Auror division.
"I want to go home, Crookshanks probably thinks I've abandoned him."
"This time, we all go," Viktor said.
"I'll get the Grangers there, you with her," Harry said. He wouldn't dare interfere with the super-protective vibes Viktor was sending out. Minutes later, Hermione and her mother were preparing food, tea, and coffee. Hermione placed two mugs of coffee on the table. She took a long sip and sighed in approval.
"Since when do you drink coffee?" John asked.
"Want some?" Hermione asked. "I can make you an espresso if you want."
"No thanks, tea is fine."
"Hermione, what were you doing out so late at night?" Harry asked. "They'll ask tomorrow anyway."
"Ten isn't that late! I was returning from Hogwarts after helping Ginny and some others with some homework."
Frantic knocking was heard from the door and Harry went to answer. Ron and Ginny hurried into the dining room and fiercely hugged her.
"I feel like such a git, you were out late because you were helping me," Ginny said.
"Gin, stop. You are in no way responsible for some else's actions," Hermione said.
"I want to grab that bastard and do to him what he did to you," Ron said.
"Wait in line," Viktor said quietly and sipped his coffee.
"Hey, I'm good with a wand, he just got the jump on me," Hermione argued, earning a snort from Harry and Ron.
"Really? Wow, news to us," Harry chortled.
"Right scary one, she is," Ron said. "Especially that hex where you—"
"Anyway," Hermione interrupted, "it all happened so fast -he grabbed me, I rather pathetically fought back, unable to get to my wand. I need to be able to defend myself, to at least be able to get away from someone long enough to get to my wand. Slapping and clawing doesn't work."
"Like karate?" Ginny asked.
"Yeah, something like that," Hermione said then yawned. "Excuse me, the pain potion has that effect."
"In that case, we'll leave to let you rest," Evie said. "You have plenty of people around to keep an eye on you," she said, looking at Viktor.
"I'll go too, I'm meeting the girls at the broomsticks," Ginny said.
"I'll join you," Harry said. "I don't see enough of you as it is."
"Ron, can you take my parents back home?"
"Of course," Ron said.
He gallantly held his arm out for Evie and winked. John rested his hand on Ron's shoulder and squeezed, hitting a nerve.
Flirt with my wife, will you? "Let's go, carrot top."
Hermione made to gather the dishes from the table. "No pretty one, you lay down, I get the dishes."
"But—"
"No buts, do I have to carry you there myself?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Would you really?"
He put a mug down, marched to her side, and swept her into his arms as if she weighed nothing.
"You need to eat more, you are as light as feathers."
He opened her bedroom door with his foot and deposited her on the huge bed. "I told you I would carry you there myself."
As he rose, she pulled him back down for a kiss. It would be so easy for him to get caught up in the moment, she was so alluring. He reluctantly ended their kiss and stood. She yawned and playfully pouted.
"We have all of the time in the world for that. I want you to be fully awake when I do more in this bed than kiss you," he teased.
Hermione woke hours later to an odd smell from the kitchen. She went there and saw Viktor frowning at a pot and murmuring something in Bulgarian.
"Need some help?"
"I wanted dinner for when you woke," he said.
"There are a couple of places to eat in the village."
On the way to The Three Broomsticks, Viktor watched every wizard and witch he saw, outright glaring at wizards who, in Viktor's opinion, looked at Hermione longer than they should have.
"Viktor, you're scaring them."
"Good."
"But I know a lot of these people."
"Then they have nothing to worry about."
She sighed but was flattered at how protective he was. In truth, with him there, no one would dare come near her with any ill intentions. He was a wizard who could work with his hands just as well as a wand.