Hello again! Sorry for the delayed update! I wanted to address a few things! First being that I've had this fic sitting in my documents for almost a year and a half now. At first I wanted to finish the whole thing before I uploaded it but I fell into a *~* deep depression*~* I just recently began to claw myself out of it and I uploaded this before I could talk myself out of it. That being said I meant to add translations (and I will be) for all the Bulgarian and future languages. I wrote them so long ago that I have to go back and re-check them before I update the chapters so they are coming I promise!
Secondly, I live in America and the whole country is a shit show so my anxiety ha skyrocketed as it does when domestic terrorists try to bomb the Capitol building. So I will be updating sporadically.
Thirdly, your reviews help build my confidence so much. It means the world to me, really. I want you all to know that I refuse to be one of those writers that hold their fics hostage for reviews. This will be updated whether or not you all feel comfortable reviewing.
Finally! I do not own Harry Potter but, fuck Ron, fuck JK Rowling, and fuck Trump.
"At least they gave us Saturday off." Blaise groans, wearing a dark pair of sunglasses while waiting for Snape early Sunday morning. Its late October and we had decided to not use the turners for this practice. It was a miracle the Ministry hadn't busted us yet.
A yawn crawls up my throat and I struggle to bite it back. I had barely gotten any sleep last night. Nightmares kept me up for the most of it. Each time I fell asleep, I'd wake up minutes later, gasping for breath. Before the World Cup they had been manageable but now? I was lucky to get more than a few hours a night.
"And it would appear you lived it the best way you know how, mate." I let out a laugh at Neville's comment. It was good he had finally come out of his shell around us, it made working as a team easier. After last year's Boggart incident, he had been much more relaxed, much more focused after seeing Snape in his Grandmother's clothing. I'd like to think that us being with him was one of the reasons he made it through Moody's Cruciatus stunt during our first DADA class without hexing him. Merlin knows I almost did.
"No more drinky." The dark haired Slytherin whines. "Draco!" He sits up suddenly "Why didn't you stop me? You knew we had training today. This is all your fault. You know I can't be held responsible for my actions when there's Firewhiskey involved."
It was an excuse we had heard multiple times but, none of us had called him out on it yet. No one knew how to broach the subject. Ginny rising from he seat in a huff catches my eye immediately.
"Don't go blaming Draco on this, Zabini. I can't believe I'm the one saying this but, with Harry being in the cup, we all need to be more responsible." Ginny stops her rant to bite her thumb. "I have a bad feeling, we're the only division of the Order that can watch over Harry daily but, we can't go into those tasks with him. Hell, we don't even know what the tasks are, how are we supposed to prepare him without giving up what we're doing?" Her words weigh heavily in the room due to their truth. Despite technically being a part of the Order, we hadn't been given much information as to its other members or goals.
Everyone in the room had made an oath to serve and protect, not only Harry but, the school and, very distantly, the world. I had been thinking many of the same things over the past month, worrying myself into a knot and racking my brain as to what the tournament might throw at the champions. I had read books on it before and none of the options were particularly comforting.
The fact that I can't go into the tasks with Harry weighed on me like a ton of bricks. Everything we had ever survived; we had done together. The three of us always managed to scrape by but, now the trio had been feeling more like a duo, Ron hadn't spoken to Harry and me since the day his name was drawn.
His damn pride. It'll ruin us all.
"What did you guys tell everybody you were doing today?" Draco asks, lightening the atmosphere.
"I told my dormmates I was going to the forests to talk to pixies." Luna giggles in her trademarked, airy way. "Sometimes I can't believe how gullible they are for Ravenclaws." Luna's lunacy made it easier for her to sneak away. Luna was looney but, I wondered sometimes just how looney when she would say things like that. Maybe it was an act and she had us all fooled.
"I told Harry that Gin, Neville, and I volunteered to help McGonagall set up her lessons for extra credits." I bite my tongue before I can say how much I hate lying to him. He needs friends who don't have to lie to him. The office door opens with a flourish.
"Today, we are dueling. Get into positions." Is all Snape says when he walks in. "Ready? Begin."
We don't leave until Dobby pops in to tell us supper was being served. Gin, Neville, and I are the first to head out, sore from casting and taking multiple hexes and spells.
"Man Hermione, that last stinging hex was a doozy. I didn't even see you draw your wand." Neville complains, rubbing his arm where my hex had, no doubt, left a welt.
"If you're looking for an apology, you aren't getting one. You nearly took off my eyebrows with an Incendio. I do not want to end up like Seamus does after every potions class. You're aim has gotten better though." I say as we take our seats at the Gryffindor table. Not five minutes go by before I feel an elbow in my ribs.
"Mia, you have a watcher." Gin nods towards the Slytherin table where Viktor was looking at me. I feel heat rush to my face and the warmth of my hand in his when he smiles at me. "It looks like he wants to ask you something." I don't have to look at her to know she has a grin plastered across her face and Neville, blissfully, doesn't say anything. Viktor nods towards the door, then get up and leaves.
"Go." Ginny nudges. "Viktor Krum wants to talk to you! I'll go if you don't." I'm nearly sent to the floor when she shoves me off the bench. No doubtedly hearing my mutter of then go under my breath.
"Fine! I liked you better when you were shy." I huff before following Viktor out of the hall. I barely make it two steps before I feel a hand grab mine and pull me into service corridor. Instinct causes me to draw my wand.
"Vhat is progress. Your vand isn't under my chin this time." Viktor's voice makes me relax immediately and I let out a laugh.
"You've been at the end of my wand more times than not Mr. Krum. It'd be in my best interest to start calling you out on your masochism." I look at the dusty corridor around us. It very obviously hadn't been used in some time. "How did you even find this place?"
"I've spent past month vinding places to hide vrom crazy English girls. I vink I know more about the hidden halls of Hogwarts van most students."
His eyes crinkle when he smiles. Its better than the scowl he's usually wearing.
I nod, making a mental note to finally have that talk with Lavender that I've been putting off. The fact that Viktor has to find hiding places around school is ridiculous.
"You are vrowning. Why?" He asks.
"I've been meaning to have a talk with Lavender about the Quidditch groupies. I just haven't had the time between classes, practice, and studying. I'll do it tonight after dinner. Was that why you asked me here?" I kept my words light despite my dampening mood.
Of course that's why he asked you here. Why else?
"No, avtually, I vanted to invite you and your vriends to the Durmstrang's Halloveen party next veek. I'd much like you- you vall, to come." He grabs my hand and I can't help but wonder when it became so natural for us to hold hands like this.
"And this couldn't wait until tomorrow because?" I feel a smile grow on my face despite myself.
"I vanted to ask you bevore Damyan could." I could hear the embarrassment in his voice. "He has taking a liking to you."
"Shame, I don't like blond guys." I tease "Make sure to tell him that okay? Or I will and I won't be nice about it."
Even in the dim light, I can see Viktor's bright smile.
"Novhing would make me happier. How is your vriend handling being champion?"
If it were Fleur or even Cedric asking me, the hairs on the back of my neck would have been standing on edge but, something about the intimidating Bulgarian in from of me puts me at ease.
"I think he's going to ignore it until he can't anymore." I say honestly. "It's been working for him so far. How are you? Nervous yet?"
"I've been nervous vince putting name in that cup but, nerves help me focus. First task is month from now and none of champions know vhat it is. Karkaroff is losing mind offer it."
The thought of Karkaroff being unable to figure out the task brings a smile to my face. According to Snape, the Durmstrang Headmaster had, at one point, been a Death Eater. It would make sense he runs one of the only schools that doesn't allow muggle born students.
Serves the prat right.
It had been a pleasant surprise when I realized that a majority of the students did not follow their Headmaster's ideals.
"I'm sure you'll figure it out and, as thanks for inviting us to your party, if I figure it out before you; I'll let you know." At my words, Viktor smiles in a way that made me proud I caused it.
"You are best!" He plants a kiss on my cheek before I process his words.
Do not look into it. He's just being nice.
Despite repeating those words in my head, a blush still claims my face when I see Viktor's red cheeks.
"We should probably get back, yeah?" My voice is quiet and even I can hear the reluctance in my words. He opens his mouth as if to say something else but, shakes his head instead.
I head out first, knowing that no one would pay attention to the Gryffindor bookworm and follow the crowd back into the hall.
"Spill!" Ginny squeals when I return to the table; Harry looks at me with a tilted head. He must've gotten here moments before.
"Uhm, Viktor invited me to Durmstrang's Halloween party next week." A laugh bubbles up my throat when both Harry and Ginny's mouths fall open.
"Why'd he invite you?" A bitter voice cuts from across the table and it takes all my willpower to not roll my eyes.
Really? First words you've spoken to me in a month and that's what you decide to say?
"If you had let me finish Ronald, he told me to let you all know that the invitation extends to all of you. I think I was just the first Gryffindor he saw." I say no more as to let Ron wallow in his own self-pity. He mutters something under his breath before going back to stuffing his face. Typical.
"We have to figure out our costumes! Maybe we could go as…"
I tune Ginny out for the sake of my own sanity and begin to pile food onto my plate. I haven't eaten a decent meal since Harry's name was pulled from the goblet and it finally set in when the smell of food hit my senses. I know I should probably be taking better care of myself but, the constant feeling of needing to get things accomplished outweigh my personal health.
I'm fine; I just have to set aside time for me at some point this week. Maybe I'll pay a visit to the Prefect's bathroom later…
"Oh, I got it!" Ginny exclaims, drawing me from my thoughts. "We can go as those hip things you said your parents used to be Mia!"
"Those hip things? Do you mean hippies? You want us to go as hippies?" I say slowly. Out of all the things…
"Yes! With those fit and flare pants that makes everyone's arse look amazing and flower hats!" She snaps her fingers, trying to remember the proper words. Harry and Ron nearly choke on their food at Gin's words.
"They're called daisy chains Gin." I smile.
At least she's trying.
"It's a week away, we have time. We should focus on figuring out the first task before anything else." Harry goes a little green at my words and I can't help but worry. Biting my lip, I grab his hand. "We'll figure this out, it'll be okay." He gives me a weak smile.
I hear Ron scoff from across the table before storming out of the Great Hall.
"He really must hate me now huh?" Harry sighs, moving food around his plate.
"He doesn't hate you; he's just being an ignorant arse. Jealous of something you didn't even do. He'll get over it soon, at least, he better before I hex some sense into him." Harry chuckles a bit before frowning again.
"I think I'm going to take a walk for a bit; I'll be safe, don't worry." He adds when he sees my worried face.
"Bring the cloak please. It'll make me feel better. I also got you some dreamless sleep potions, I had Neville put them on your nightstand." In that moment, the look of gratefulness on Harry's face, all those sleepless and stressful nights were worth it.
"I love you more than words can describe Hermione." He plants a kiss on my cheek before trotting out of the hall. I love Harry too but, his kiss didn't leave me tingling as Viktor's had done earlier.
"Uh oh… Looks vike somevone is vitting of our voman" Damyan teases his younger cousin. Viktor's eyes shoot up to where Hermione was seated just in time to see her best friend kiss her cheek and walk out.
"One; she is not our voman she is own person. Two; vhat is Harry Potter and he is her best vriend. Vree; she told me to tell you she does not vike blond men and if you do not, how vey say lay off ov her, she vill hex you into next veek." Okay so maybe those weren't her exact words but, Viktor decided to embellish so that it would stick in his cousin's thick head.
"Ah viesty woman." The aforementioned blond grins. "As much as I luff a viery girl, I vink I'll vet you haff her baby cousin. I probably live a bit longer."
Viktor rolls his eyes with a scowl, thinking Damyan jokes too much for his own good. He looks around the table to see if anyone had overheard their conversation and instead sees a Slytherin girl giving him, as the English say, bedroom eyes from the other end of the table. Breathing a sigh of relief, he turns back to his food. His cousin was lucky no one had heard him, who knows what rumors would start. That's how it always started. A conversation turns to a rumor turns into a literal witch hunt. He could count on two hands how many poor girls were mauled by rabid fans for even looking at him. And those were girls he's never even spoken to; he can't imagine what would happen if they caught wind of the girl he did like.
His eyes drift towards Hermione once more, taking in the how her hair looked wildly soft and the way she laughs until she can't breathe. It was hard to picture her as the girl from the World Cup battlefield but, she was and she was brilliant; firing curses he had never even heard of, never backing down.
If anyone would be able to handle rabid fans, He thinks to himself. It'd be her.
He likes the way she treats him as a normal person and not the Viktor Krum. She treats him as an equal and as a friend.
Right Viktor, she just thinks of you as friend… Of all the people to like, it has to be the one girl that isn't in love with you.
Damyan looks at his cousin, who was deep in thought, frowning. Following his line of vision back to Hermione, he smiles. His cousin may not know it yet but, the blond could tell, he was in deep. Damyan waves at Hermione when she looks over and laughs as she rolls her eyes at him before waving to the cousins.
She however, the blond sighs may be a bit harder to convince.
Hermione PoV:
The task was in a month and I still haven't got the faintest idea what it could be. I hated not being able to help Harry and Viktor and, if I had it my way, I would still be in the Library trying to figure it out but, by Gin's strict orders, I've been forced to take an hour or two to relax in the baths.
Folding my pajamas and placing them on the bench, I dip into the hot water that smells of honeysuckle and lavender and rest my head.
I've read every book the Library has about the Tournament, every article, hell every incept. But nothing has any clues about what was to come. The most recent Tournament was in 1792 and three of the judges were nearly killed by a rampant cockatrice.
I take a deep breath and work on thoroughly washing my hair, I had been seriously neglecting it and it wanted revenge; once it was washed and brushed, I dry it a bit before twisting it into a bun.
"Maybe the lake?" I thought aloud. "Maybe they need to fight the squid or whatever else is down there."
With nothing but my echo answering me I sigh. Not even Myrtle was willing to listen to me.
"I don't even know everything that's in that lake. Hell, the Loch Ness Monster could be in there for all we know. Maybe I'll ask Hagrid or, better yet, I could ask Charlie when he gets here. Nessie is probably just a glorified water dragon." My eyes fly open and I'm out of the bath and dressed before I've even dried off, pulling on my cloak, I run down several fights of steps and out the main doors, heading for the lake.
How could I be so stupid?! I had the answer this whole time! I could have been preparing them the whole time!
By the time I get to the shore of the lake my teeth are chattering; without heating charms, Hogwarts' robes are more for fashion than function.
And I left my wand in my dorm. Brilliant Mione, just brilliant.
Looking up at the massive ship I can't help but feel intimidated when I realize I had run all the way down here without a plan. It was past dark; Viktor was for sure asleep.
"Nice one Mia, I guess freezing your arse off is all part of the plan." I huff. "Why did I even come here first?"
"Hermio-nine?" I try to draw my wand even though I know it isn't there; taking a deep breath I turn around, only one person could butcher my name that badly.
"I figured it out Viktor!" I turn to him, forgetting the cold droplets of water on my skin. "The first task is dragons! I don't think you're going to have to kill them though; Charlie would never allow that. Which means you're probably going to have to take something from them or try to get past them. I don't know what kind of dragon he brought but, each one has their own weaknesses. But there's so many of them; I'll just start in alphabetical order for example the Antipodean Opal Eye can only fly quickly in short bursts and the Catalonian Fireball has such a large snout, if you stand directly in front of it, it won't be able to see you and-"
"Breave Her-mio-ninny.'" He laughs, wrapping his cloak around my shoulders, tying it so it stays put "And take my cloak, you must be vreezing." Something in his voice makes me look at him and I think I see a dusting of red on his cheeks before he looks away and clears his throat.
My eyes widen as I remember just what I was wearing when I had run out of the baths; the same lace shorts and half shirt Pavarti had complimented me on the first day back.
I swear this boy has see me half naked more than he's seen me fully clothed.
"I'm sorry" I say suddenly, not wanting him to get the wrong idea. "I promise I'm not trying to hit on you or anything, I'm normally more dressed than this. It's just I was in the baths and I figured it out, so I ran all the way here without thinking." I bite my lip at the sound of my own awkwardness.
"You don't even haff shoes on. You ran all the vay here for me?" He asks.
There's that look in his eyes again. The one I can never place.
"You must think I some kind of fool now." I pull his cloak closed around me, letting the fur and the smell of pine trees envelope me.
"You haff never and vill never be a fool Hermio-ninny." He closes his eyes and I watch his shoulders sag a bit. "I vill get you name right one day. I promise."
"You can call me Mia, you know? Or Mione." He looks at me with a smile.
"I vike your name, it is beautiful name. I vill say it vith the respect it deserves." I feel my heart skip a beat at his words but, I ignore it and shuffle my feet instead of replying.
"What are you planning for the task, now that you what it is?" He quirks an eyebrow at my obvious change of subject. "Well?"
"I'm guessing vhat ve will haff to take something from it, I'll probably use stunning vurse. Just haff to vind one strong enouff." I'm about to say something when his hand covers my mouth before dropping and grabbing my hand. "I vink I can handle this part, you haff helped me so much. How should I vank you?"
I grasp his hand tightly.
"You can thank me by not getting hurt. Promise me you'll just get in and out; just do the task with no theatrics. Please?" I look up at him my mother hen, as Ron called it, rearing it's feathery head. "That's how people get hurt, they try to show off and they make mistakes."
"Da, obeshtavam, I promise. Don't vorget, my mama will be at the task and she vill vant to talk vith you. I vrote to her vhat I found you and she is very excited to meet you, vell, properly meet you anyvay." I look down at our conjoined hand and take a deep breath, deciding to ask a question that had been weighing on my mind since that first night in hall.
"After I speak to you mother… are you still going to talk to me? I'd understand if you don't want to, I'm probably more trouble than I'm worth and I don't want you to feel obligated to be my friend." I hate how pathetic that sounded.
Viktor is quiet for a few moments and I close my eyes, trying to block out my own pitifulness, I almost jump when I feel his hands on either side of my face.
"I am not here out of obligation. Vook at me, please umno momiche." I look up into his eyes and feel butterflies run rampant in my stomach. "You are one of vhe most amazing people I haff met and I am proud to vall you friend and I vill not leave. I do not know vho vould ever make you vink vhat you are more trouble than you are vorth because you are not and if I ever vind out who said vhose vings, vhey are getting an old vashioned Bulgarian beating."
I feel him wipe a tear off my cheek and I let out a small laugh. I had honestly been expecting a yes or no answer, not a speech that managed to quell a lot of insecurities I had been harboring for years.
"I'm sorry, I'm not normally this sappy. I swear you see me half naked and crying more often than not. How can you not think me a fool?" We both let out a laugh.
"I vink you are going to become icicle if you don't get varm."
"Mhm you're probably right. I'll be in Library after classes tomorrow. Will you be there?"
"Da, I haff some work I need to do then I need to train. Can't vet my broom skills degrade vile on holiday." He winks.
"You are the only person to ever call the Triwizard Tournament a holiday. Wait, why were you even out here so late?" I take his hands off my face and hold them.
"I just had veeling I needed to ve outside vor something important. I guess you vere important ving."
Does he even know how charming he is? He can't be a real person.
"Funny, I'm going to bed." I try to untie his cloak, but he stops me.
"Keep it! Consider it your protection." He smirks, referring to the night I gave him my jumper.
"You really should stop stealing my lines." I smile. "I know you're smart enough to make up your own. Goodnight Viktor."
I can feel his eyes on me until I close the main door behind me. I avoid Filch's normal routes while sneaking up to the common room, barely making through the portrait hole just as Mrs. Norris turns the corner. I feel a smile creep onto my face as my eyes land on Harry, asleep on one of the sofas in front of the fire.
"Harry." I say while shaking his shoulder. His green eyes open slowly, and he looks at me groggily.
"Hey Mia, where have you been? I was worried." His sentence is interrupted by a yawn and I accio a large blanket from across the room, taking a seat next to him and wrapping us both in it.
"The first task is Dragons; I should have figured it out earlier. I knew Charlie was coming to Hogwarts I just hadn't put the pieces together. I think you are going to have to try to take something from them." I watch his eyes widen before he nods.
"Dobby?" He calls quietly. Not a moment later, the dapper dressed elf appears with two mugs of, what I can smell is, hot chocolate.
"Dobby, you are fantastic." I groan, sipping from the mug and completely enjoying warmth being returned to my body.
"You are too kind, Miss Hermione." He winks before disappearing again.
"So, all I have to do is find a way to distract a dragon long enough to steal some unknown object from it? Easy enough." He mutters into his drink.
"You can either stun it or distract it." I sip.
"I believe Charlie might kill me if I stun one of his dragons."
"Frankly, I'm more worried about you. Charlie can get over it." Charlie was passionate about his work but I'm passionate about keeping Harry alive so, if he wants to pick a fight, it'll be with me. "I just hope they're contained in some way and not flying around a crowd of people."
"You are brilliant Mia! I'll fly!" Harry laughs as if he had just won a year's supplies of Honeyduke's chocolates.
"Pretty sure that is not what I said. If worse comes to worse, that'll be our plan E." I wiggle my toes once I get feeling back in them.
"What about plan B?" He asks.
"Harry, I would rather dress you up in a chicken suit and go in clucking rather than have you fly anywhere near a dragon. If something goes wrong, which I'm sure it will, I don't want to see you plummet into a dragon's mouth." He yawns again.
"Go to bed Harry, we can discuss this tomorrow."
"I… don't want to sleep in the dorm. I can't stand the looks Ron has been giving me. He looks at me as if I'm Voldemort." I can see the pain in his eyes, and it makes me want to beat Ron bloody. "Besides, I want to know where you went and why you have Viktor Krum's cloak on."
"How did you-"
"I didn't" He cuts me off with a sly smirk. "You just told me."
"Harry James Potter! You tricked me." I huff as a blush rises to my face. "I hate to say, I'm kind of proud. Don't be mad at me but, I made a promise to let him know if I figured out the task and I thought you'd be in your dorm."
"I learned from the best." He nudges my shoulder. "I'll never be mad at you Mia. We'll leave that to Ron. So, what happened? You went down there, told him, he gave you his cloak, and you left?"
"When did you become such a gossip Mr. Potter?" I gasp. "For the record, he gave me his cloak because I ran all the way from the prefect's bathroom to the lake in nothing but my pajamas and my robe." I laugh as Harry nearly spits out his drink. "I'm just glad he was outside or else it would have been for nothing. I almost fell down the hill when I slipped on some mud."
"I wish I could day I was surprised but, I've seen how flustered you get when you figure out any difficult problem. Frankly, I'm surprised you remembered a shirt. Do you remember two summers ago, when we were at the Burrow and you finally managed to sort out how to fix the gnome problem?" He begins laughing and I can't help but join in.
"Yeah I was in the shower and I ended up running out into the garden in nothing but a towel." I double over, laughing so hard it begins to hurt. "But hey, they haven't had a gnome problem since yeah?"
After we've calmed down a bit, Harry looks towards his dormitory door again.
"I miss him too, even if he's being an insufferable twat right now. It's not the same without him." I watch Harry nod his head sadly. I rest my head on his shoulder and feel my eyelids droop, allowing myself to sleep for the first time in two days.
"Goodnight Harry." I sigh.
"Goodnight Hermione"
I always picture Harry as Hermione's brother.
Meanwhile I can't even think of a time when my brother has hugged me so eh.
(I love my brother. My family just isn't very touchy feely. Or vocal. You know what, this explains a lot.)