Hello Chapter 6! Excited about this one - things are moving along! Thank you again for reading and thanks to all that have followed my story! It makes me feel inspired to write more knowing y'all are waiting for updates! I would love to hear what you think of the story so far - good, bad, and in between! Feel free to leave a review!
Happy reading!
Hermione awoke with a start, afraid for a moment as she took in her unfamiliar surroundings before remembering where she was - the guest room on the Durmstrang ship. She relaxed back into her pillow, feeling the adrenaline leave her body, and looked around the room. Sun shone through a small window above her bed, illuminating the dark wood walls and layer of ornate rugs covering the floor. The black and gold quilts held embroidered moving images of magical creatures, their bodies catching the light and gleaming every now and then. On the nightstand lay her wand, a large glass of water, and a note from Viktor telling her to join him in the common room whenever she was ready.
She hurried out of bed and changed into the clothes left by the house elf the night before, a pair of curve hugging jeans and a white top. She clipped her curls up into an unruly pile and, after splashing water on her face, made her way out into the Durmstrang common room.
Viktor and Alexander were sitting at a small table off to the side, a fireplace roaring with heat close behind them. They were deep in conversation and didn't hear the approaching witch until she was just a few footsteps away. Looking up, Viktor caught her eye and stood suddenly, clicking his heels and bowing deeply. "Oh, my brother…" Alexander chuckled softly, smiling sweetly and looking between Viktor and Hermione. "I suppose we can continue this another time." He stood, clapping Viktor on the shoulder before leaving the ship, muttering something about finding Petra and Dimi before they ate every danish in Hogwarts.
"My Hermione," Viktor said sweetly, gesturing towards Alexander's previously occupied chair for her to sit in. She did, and before returning to his own seat, he pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head, sending a shiver down her spine.
"Oh, I hope we didn't miss breakfast!" Hermione said, stomach grumbling. "I don't usually sleep this late, I must have been exhausted!"
"I hope the extra sleep has left you feeling rested, sweet witch. And not to worry, I asked the house elves to send down a few things for us to enjoy." Just then, a small breakfast spread appeared on the table in front of them.
After a few moments of silence, Viktor asked "You are speaking with Professor Snape today, no?"
"It seems silly to wait now that I've made up my mind. I was planning on visiting the dungeons this morning to give him the news in person. I thought an owl would be too impersonal for such a big decision." She sat for a moment, taking in the seriousness of her choice - she was now going to be linked to Professor Snape for, well, forever. If he became her Master, she would have to obey him no matter what, trusting him fully. She knew that there were protections in place for her should the relationship go sour, but despite Professor Snape's aversion to pleasantries, she was sure she had nothing to worry about. Under his dark demeanor was an intelligent man who loved a good challenge. I suppose, Hermione thought, that I'm to be his next challenge.
"I read the other night that most Masters have a small ceremony to formally accept their Apprentice. Professor Snape doesn't seem to be one for frivolous things, but if there is a ceremony, well, I was wondering if you'd come with me? It would mean a lot to have you there…"
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," Viktor responded seriously, causing Hermione's stomach to flip flop. How could he make her feel so incredibly frazzled from just a few words? He smiled as if knowing the effect his voice had had on her and continued with his meal.
They sat for a while after finishing their food before Hermione decided it was time to visit the dungeons. "Care for an escort?" Viktor asked.
"Oh, I'm sure you have better things to do than walk me down to the Dungeons, Viktor."
"Not at all," he smiled, walking with her out of the ship and into the cool mid-morning air. They made their way towards the darkest part of the castle quickly, feeling the temperature drop as they descended underground. Professor Snape's private office was next to the potions classroom and marked by a grand black door with no handle. Not very inviting, Hermione thought, laughing quietly to herself. She reached her hand up to knock, stopping just before she made contact with the wood to take a deep breath.
"If he believes you are ready, then you are ready, sweet Hermione." Viktor said reassuringly. She nodded slowly, gulping loudly before rapping on the door - two quick knocks that echoed down the stone corridor. The pair waited for a moment, and then a moment longer, and just as Hermione was about to knock again, the door opened to reveal a dark room and Professor Snape. He bowed his head slightly in greeting towards the witch, and upon recognizing her companion, raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"Professor Snape, I am so glad to catch you in your office. This is my friend Viktor Krum. He was with me when I decided to come down and offered to escort me…" she trailed off, realizing that the man definitely knew who Viktor was and was far from interested in her morning activities. Her cheeks went pink with embarrassment and she looked back up to Professor Snape, hoping for him to say anything in return.
"Yes, indeed. Good morning Mr. Krum." Snape said slowly, his deep drawl radiating from his bones. Viktor nodded just as Professor Snape had, greeting him respectfully. Looking back at Hermione, he continued, "Do what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Oh! Well, it's about your offer! Your apprenticeship offer, Professor. I know you said I had until Monday to make my decision, but I didn't want to wait any longer. I, well, I accept your offer and would like to be your Apprentice, Sir. If you'll still have me?" Hermione spoke so quickly that she was out of breath by the end, chest heaving slightly at the exertion. She stared at the man nervously, trying not to pick at her sweater as she awaited his answer.
"Very well," he responded, stepping to the side. "Come." He stepped back into his office and Hermione looked at Viktor before following him into the room. The pair stood just inside the door, unsure of what to do, before Professor Snape invited them to sit at a small table in the center of the room - Hermione and Viktor on one side and Professor Snape on the other. No, it must have been his desk, scattered with papers and potions in small vials. They took their seats and Hermione looked to Professor Snape expectantly. "Traditionally, there is a blood contract, a way to seal Master and Apprentice together. I recognize that it is a bit archaic…"
"No, not at all, Professor! If it is traditional, then…"
"Yes, Miss. Granger," he said, smirking at her interruption, "it is traditional. If you are sure of your interest, of your continued obligation to the pursuit of becoming a Potions Master, then a blood contract is most essential. Just a drop of course." He waved his hands and a large piece of parchment appeared between them. "You hand, Miss. Granger." Hermione lifted her hand and placed it upright in Snape's outstretched palm. He used his fingernail to puncture a small hole in her fingertip, causing her to wince slightly, and then did the same to his own. Still holding their hands together over the parchment, Professor Snape began to read off the contents of the contract. The lit candles around the room began to flutter as Hermione felt magic swirl around the pair. Finally, when Snape had come to the end of the page, he turned their hands over and guided them to the parchment. He pressed his finger into the bottom corner of the contract, leaving behind a small red dot. He motioned for Hermione to do the same, and when she lifted her finger, the combined blood swirled like a pool before settling back into the fibers of the page. She looked at Professor Snape with uncertainty, and he nodded once again. "Complete." He said, and then after a moment, "My Apprentice."
Hermione smiled gleefully, looking between Viktor and Professor Snape before responding to the dark wizard, "Master."
"Congratulations, Ms. Granger. You are one step closer to becoming a Potions Master." She squealed with excitement at that, excited to be extending her knowledge of the wizarding subject far beyond what her textbooks had taught her. "We will begin private lessons this week, Thursday evening if you are available." She nodded. "And Ms. Granger, no need to refer to me as Master during your regular potions lessons. Although it would amuse me to see Potter and Weasley's reactions, I don't think it is worth the distraction."
She laughed at that, responding "Yes, Master."
The three stood then, Professor Snape escorting them back to the door. Hermione, uncaring of what was appropriate, turned and wrapped her arms around her Master, squeezing him slightly around the middle. He gave an undignified squeak before patting her head awkwardly - "thank you, Miss. Granger. I appreciate your ministrations, although I would hope they would be few and far between." Viktor chuckled at that and Hermione stepped back suddenly, embarrassed.
"Sorry, Professor. Master. Professor," she stumbled awkwardly. Snape just peered down at her, emotionless, before dismissing the two.
"I will see you here at 7 sharp Thursday evening, Miss. Granger. Until then," he opened the door and practically shooed them out before closing and, what Hermione thought she heard, locking the door behind them.
"Your Master is an interesting man," Viktor said quietly to Hermione as they made their way back to the main level of the castle.
"Yes, I suppose he is," Hermione responded. She looked at Viktor and then burst into uncontrollable laughter, causing the boy to grin widely. "I hugged him! Professor Snape, I hugged him! Oh my goodness, I don't know what came over me!" She continued to laugh, drawing strange glances from passing students, until the pair made their way back outside.
"So, Apprentice Granger, how do you feel?" Viktor asked her after she had calmed down from her outburst. He reached for her hand, rubbing his thumb over the finger Snape had drawn blood from.
"I'm excited, I suppose. Nervous of course, but then I just think about all of the things I'll learn from Professor Snape and I just feel excited all over again!"
"And the contract? Do you feel any different?"
Hermione thought about that for a moment - did she feel any different? She knew that blood magic was ancient, strange, and intense magic that connected people together in profound ways. "Maybe a little bit different? It's like there's this connection, a little flickering flame in the back of my mind. I'm not sure what it is or what it means, but it feels new. It feels like him, Professor Snape."
Viktor nodded as if he understood completely and then intertwined his fingers in hers, guiding them to their spot by the black lake. They spent the rest of the afternoon there in the sun reading and chatting about all sorts of things - Hermione's new apprenticeship, Viktor's first task, and the witch's Charms homework, and the hearing abilities of the giant squid.
When the sun began to set, Viktor walked Hermione back to the castle and up to the Gryffindor common room, stopping at the portrait. "I am so glad for you, my witch. My Hermione. I cannot wait to see what all you accomplish, my little Apprentice." He smiled and stepped closer to her, pushing an errant curl behind her ear. Hermione's heart began beating wildly in her chest as the boy leaned down, his lips connecting with hers softly. They stood there for a moment, lips just barely brushed against one another's, before the boy deepened the kiss. He stepped closer still until their bodies were pressed together and he placed his hand around the back of her neck, capturing her lips in his own. When he darted his tongue out, running it over her bottom lip, Hermione let out a small mewl, a sound she had never made before. The reaction made Viktor groan and kiss her furiously before peppering kisses across her jaw and leaving one last one on the soft spot below her ear. He pulled back just enough to look his witch in the eyes, his own dark and swirling with desire. Hermione whimpered at this, surprised by the way his body reacted after a few kisses. Surprised by the way her body reacted after just a few kisses.
"May I see you again tomorrow, my sweet Hermione?" Viktor asked, his voice low and hungry.
"Yes, of course," Hermione squeaked out, breaking their eye contact and looking at his chest instead. VIktor reached his hand out and tilted her head back up, kissing her softly one last time, his eyes open and looking right at her as he did. Goosebumps covered her body as the pair separated, Viktor clicking his boots, bowing, and then smiling at his witch. She smiled back, watching as he retreated down the corridor and out of sight. She stood there for a while, gathering her composure, before giving the password and making her way into Gryffindor tower.
