The sun beamed through the high window in the girls bathroom, shining onto Hermione's face as she brushed through her frizzy hair, then going to change into her weekend clothes. As warm as she was in the dormitory, Hermione took a quick peep to see the snow still bundled in parts outside, and picked up a warm coat before heading to the hall to meet with Viktor.
The boy stood outside waiting for Hermione, and once she spotted him she couldn't help but feel reminded of their date at the Yule Ball. The two walked into the hall together, and as she scanned down the Gryffindoor table, she soon spotted her boyfriend. Fred was sitting with everyone else, frowning as he stared ahead and paying no mind to Hermione (who figured he'd spotted her the moment she entered). Hermione sighed with defeat and continued to look for a place with no luck- and feared she may have to sit with her disapproving partner for breakfast.
Viktor complied with no clue of the upcoming tension, and the two took their seat with the others. The entire group fell silent once they sat, and Hermione instantly felt self conscious for that reason. Viktor on the other hand smiled and said good morning, picking up a conversation with Harry and Ron quite easily and leaving Hermione to talk to Fred and George.
"So how was you guys' sleep?" she started, giving a weak smile.
"This and that," George replied flatly. George didn't seem as hostile as Fred, but he still acted in solidarity towards Hermione. Taking the blatant hint that he was not happy with her, Hermione quickly finished her lunch and waited around for Viktor to follow suit- the boy taking it easy as he finished his meal. For a moment she could have sworn he was doing it intentionally, but for whatever reason that'd be was beyond her.
Hermione felt sick with guilt as she waited for the meal to be over- trying to catch Freds eye every once in a while with no luck. In any other occasion, Hermione wouldn't care if someone was upset with what she did in her free time, but this was different. Was being friends with Viktor really so terrible?
Not before long, the two were once again off to go about their day, feeling incredibly watched as they did so. They were barely out of the sight of the others when her shoulders finally went loose, no longer tense with worry.
"Why is Fredrick so angry at you?" Viktor asked as they made their way out the school to Hogsmeade.
"Oh you picked up on that?" Hermione asked, realising that Viktor picked up on pretty much everything. "It's nothing."
"He doesn't like me, yes?" he asked once more, making Hermione tense up yet again. As they crossed over the courtyard, silence fell as Viktor waited for her to answer.
"He likes you, I think. But he doesn't like us being friends," Hermione finally admitted.
"I see. You don't have to spend time with me if you are worried about Fred. I won't be hurt," Viktor replied, diverting away from her to walk around a large puddle in the ground.
"I feel bad, but I don't think I should. We're friends, he shouldn't be able to tell me what to do."
The two walked on in silence before they finally reached the town, scanning around before Viktor suggested they go to the candy store. Hermione agreed and the two made their way inside, where other students were already wandering around in awe. Hermione felt so out of place with Krum as he was most definitely the oldest student in the store. Third years filled the place up, most overwhelmed with amazement between the different treats and Viktor, who stood at the door valiantly.
The two ended up spending a fair amount of time as Viktor picked out various treats- telling Hermione the different names for them and which ones were his favourite. Hermione ended up buying some of her own favourite treats from childhood (slightly too many, Hermione thought to herself). Once the two walked out the cornerstore, they were happy to find the familiar faces of Ron and Luna walking down from Hogwarts.
"Hey, Ron," Hermione smiled as they all walked towards each other. Hermione could see from Rons face that he was slightly embarrassed to be caught, as if he were committing some kind of a crime. "What are you guys up to?"
"Buying treats for the Grubmanders," Luna answered sweetly.
"Are you talking about the ones in the kitchens?" Hermione asked. Ron gave her a look that read 'how did you know about them?' as if it were some big secret. The answer to that, of course, was because Hermione knew most things Hogwarts related.
"They're especially fond of candy, so I thought to collect some and give them company today," Luna continued. Hermione perked up at this, happy to find a reason to dispose of the treats she had carelessly brought, and offered to give them to Luna. "If you two aren't doing anything, feel free to join us."
Hermione looked to Viktor, who smiled slightly before agreeing to go along with the plan. And so, with a bag of candy for some creatures, the four now made their way back up to Hogwarts. Luna introduced herself to Viktor properly and the two managed to find a middle ground to chat about as Hermione and Ron dwindled behind them.
"Whats going on with you and Fred?" Ron asked hesitantly.
"Not much. We're fine, I think," Hermione answered. "Why do you ask?"
"Well he's been pissed off since yesterday, I figured it was about you getting lunch with Krum."
"He can be pissed off, but Viktor and I really are just friends. And he keeps acting like he isn't jealous when he is."
Ron looked at Hermione for a moment, as if considering the next thing to say, before settling with "I see." and continuing on the walk. As they moved along, Hermione wondered how close Ron and Luna were, and why their friendship seemed so strange- but soon enough realised that anything Luna related was bound to be strange. Even as they walked on, she could hear the girl tell Viktor about the stars and a place where you couldn't see the night sky. Interesting… but strange.
The four finally found their way onto the castle grounds, and took a non-existent route around the castle to where the back entrance to the kitchens were. The kitchen practically had an entire farm behind it, and while the plants and bushes still grew, the trees were completely dead. By them they also had a door to a small shack that read 'livestock' which Hermione had no interest of going near. Across from this was a small pen right underneath one of the windows where the grubmanders in question wandered around doing nothing in particular.
Grubmanders were what the school used to dispose of all the animal bones that came from all the food prepared, as well as leftovers that the house elves didn't eat. As simple as a creature they were, they were just as lethal. The four approached the side of the pen and observed them for a moment as they wandered around their confides.
"Weird little thing," Ron mentioned.
"Not very tasty," Viktor added. Unsurprisingly, the three looked at him in shock at the fact that he had eaten one of them. "We have very weird traditions at Durmstrang." he admitted.
Once they were done observing, Hermione handed over the bag of candies, taking out a piece of liquorice to snack on before letting the girl toss it all into the pen. They then watched as the grubmanders quickly chewed up the good happily and rolled over on their bellies with satisfaction.
"Butterbeer?" Ron suggested once they were done with that activity.
"We just came from Hogsmeade!" Hermione retorted with exhaust.
"Fine then, stand around for ten minutes and then the three broomsticks?" Ron chirped. The group agreed to that and walked around the castle to one of the courtyards, taking a seat outside for a moment as they did nothing.
Hermione and Ron sat by each other as Luna and Viktor seemed to get into a bit of a deeper conversation. As curious as Hermione was, she let it go and managed to start up her own previous talk about Fred's behaviour.
"Do you think I'm in the wrong?" she asked Ron, turning to face him properly.
"I mean, do you like Viktor?" he asked back, sneaking a look every once in a while at the other two, as if trying to keep an eye on them.
"Not at all. I mean to be honest, sometimes I think he doesn't even like me hanging out with you and Harry. It's annoying," she continued, watching her friend continue looking back and forth from her to the other pair. Maybe jealousy is hereditary, Hermione wondered.
"Well then just talk to him about it." Ron answered. The two then looked up to find that Viktor and Luna were done with their talk, and were now standing by them as if to say lets go now. Silently complying, the group began their walk once again back to where they came from. They talked about nothing in particular, though Hermione and Ron both itched in wonder as to what the other two had spoke about.
Finally reaching the pub, Luna and Hermione took the lead to a table while the boys offered to buy the first round. Once they were seated, Hermione's curiosity finally got the best of her.
"So what were you and Viktor talking about?" she asked as softly as possible. Luna looked at her and gave a soft smile.
"Just worries, I suppose. I can't say I don't understand him, he's a very articulate person. Though, now that I think about it, his worries seem to align with my own feelings lately," Luna answered. Before she could even ask what in the world that all meant, the two boys had returned and took their seats in the booth. The conversation instantly switched up to magical creatures, all seeming to have different says on the matter as they talked about Hagrid and how good he was, to his seeming relationship with the Beauxbatons principal. The conversation was lighthearted, yes, but Hermione caught Lunas eye more than once and wondered if that was fear she seemed to carry- and if so, why?
Eventually, Ron and Luna had to leave to attend to another errand, and Viktor moved around to face her. The two drank in silence for a short moment before Hermione decided to continue what she had spoke of with Luna.
"So how have you been lately?" she started awkwardly.
"I'm okay. You spoke to Luna about her and I's conversation?" he replied. Hermiones face went red from the sudden confrontation, but soon settled as she met his eyes- his face stone cold.
"She said you're worried… and that she is too," she answered, hoping that would be enough to make him continue.
"I see." Viktor rose to his feet and walked to the bar, leaving Hermione to try and figure out if that was the end of the conversation. Looking around, she could only see students and various random patrons. As she looked at the different men there, she had to wonder if somehow one of them was the man she'd heard all that time ago. Viktor returned to the table with another butterbeer for Hermione, as well as a fire whiskey for himself. He continued to sit in silence, finally taking a sip of his drink and clearing his throat.
"Do you know why we're friends?" Viktor asked. Hermione said no and let him go on. "I really like you, and I think we get along- but I soon noticed you had evil in your aura. Miss Lovegood sees it too. I'm friends with you because I like you, and because I think you are in danger."
Hermione took a moment to take in the absurdity of his claim. Hermione didn't think of herself as anything close to evil, and frowned at Viktor with disagreement. "What are you saying? That I'm bad?"
"Not at all. I think something else is bad and its affecting you. I thought it was Harry, but he isn't it. I'm not going to tell you what I think, but I will tell you what I know, ok? I don't want to speak ill of my own headmaster, but I know he is busy at work in the school, and I know that at the same time someone else is plotting against Harry Potter. I also know that headmaster Dumbledore is fully aware. I don't know anything else."
She only looked at the boy, who seemed stone and certain of everything he had told her. Hermione didn't even know where to begin with unravelling everything that he had said, but now there were things that she knew for certain- Viktor wasn't being controlled by Karkaroff- which meant that somebody else was. And from the way Viktor spoke, she soon figured that he had a very fair idea of who it was.
"Your headmaster is using imperio on somebody," Hermione replied with certainty. Viktors eyes widened and he leaned into the table to shush her and Hermione soon responded by leaning in too and apologising. "I know he's controlling somebody in the castle to do his dirty work, and if it isn't you then who is it."
"I don't know. But I see why you would think it was me. He can't control me without raising suspicion, and he wouldn't do that to his students- it'd be somebody from Beuxbatons or Hogwarts."
"I see. Now that we're out in the open about this, I need you to know that I can't fully trust you," Hermione said softly, taking in his face and their closeness as she reeled out of the bubble they'd made. Viktor fully agreed, but said that as long as he could read her aura he saw no reason not to trust her. He also recommended she spend more time with Luna. The two continued on to discuss as much as they knew for a fact, and while Hermione mentioned the other man- who they figured was the one plotting against Harry, she refrained from mentioning the potions that were being stolen from Snapes office. It was all very strange- especially considering nothing major had even happened in the school yet.
The conversation on this soon ended and they went back to their normal chatter. Viktor continued on with his fire whiskey, even letting Hermione try some though she wasn't exactly impressed. Eventually the two realised it was now the afternoon and they had to head back to the schools for dinner. Viktors face was pinkish from drinking, but he held himself well enough as they made their way back to Hogwarts with cheerful spirits. As they made their distance from Hogsmeade, Viktor began swaying around Hermione as they walked along.
"What are you doing?" she giggled as they moved along the path.
"Burning out the drink before we go to the school," Viktor answered, moving around her as if dancing. "I think I will get in trouble."
"Then you shouldn't have drunk so much," she replied, struggling to keep an eye on him as he picked up his pace.
"I tend to forget how much I drink. Vice, as you'd say. Though I think I forget a lot more when I'm around you."
Hermione couldn't help but blush slightly, and rubbed her cheeks in hopes that he wouldn't it as he ran around her. He continued to do this all the way back to the school and had now managed to pick up a sweat. Once they entered the grounds, he returned to normal strolling beside her- sweaty with his cheeks still rosy. Hermione looked up at him for a moment and couldn't help but think how attractive he looked like that, but soon pushed these thoughts far away.
They had come towards the school at a different angle, entering from a side courtyard instead of the main entrance. This side of the castle wasn't usually inhabited, but Hermione recollected the evening she was here to free Rita Skeeter, and wondered what the animagus lady was up to these days. As they walked up the small slope to the entrance, Viktor jogged in front of Hermione and turned around right at the large arch way, as if trying to block the way with no success. The entrance was twice the width of Viktor and Hermione could easily duck around him, but chose to stop and entertain the boy.
"What are you doing?" she asked with a sweet smile, holding her hands behind her back.
"I don't want to go to dinner anymore. I want to keep spending time with you," he admitted, looking at the ground instead of her face. Hermione felt slightly flustered as she worried if this was some kind of a move on her.
"We can sit together at dinner, you know," she replied, walking up to see if he'd budge with no luck. Deep down, Hermione didn't really want to go to dinner either. She knew Fred would be in a foul mood, and Viktor had been so fun to be around. It was ironic- Fred Weasley being a cold bore and Viktor Krum being fun to be around. Maybe somewhere pigs were flying.
Viktor asked if she was hungry and Hermione had to honestly reply with no. They had eaten snacks the entire time they were at the pub and that was more than enough to fill the young witch up to the brim. Viktor continued to stand by the entrance before moving away and letting Hermione through, looping into her arm as she did so and leading her into the castle.
"Where are we going?" she asked him.
"Lets go to the library!" he smiled. Hermione had to wonder if the drinks he had were just now catching up to him, or if he had just gotten hyper from the running around. Whatever the case, he was being very un-Viktor Krum and incredibly fun. The two ran up to the library arm in arm, hiding around the corners of the halls when they heard others walk around, and pretending to sneak whenever it felt appropriate. Hermione felt guilty- this kind of behaviour was the thing that she would do to with Fred when they were closer, before they were official. It was strange to think about, and so Hermione didn't dwell on it too much, but ever since they had become official their relationship seemed more like a chore. Fred was always questioning her actions and Hermione was always trying to find her space. Being with Viktor, running around the school, she was reminded of what it was like when she and Fred were just friends. Was it possible to ever go back to that? Or were real relationships just arguments and disapproval?
Either way, Hermione realised this was no time to think about her issues. Viktor was there and in the mood for fun and Hermione felt the exact same. With that settled, the two continued on into the library, snuck around the librarian and found their way to Hermiones secret spot, hoisting themselves onto the ledge and sitting by the window. Viktor hadn't been to this part of the library- he had no reason to, she supposed. He preferred books in his own language and they were all the way on the other side of the gigantic room.
"This is a beautiful view," he commented, looking out the stained glass windows at the forrest below them. Hermione agreed and joined him, staring as the sun set behind the clouds and turned into the evening. Hermione wondered what Fred would think when she didn't show up to dinner. Would he lash out at her or just ignore him?
"What are you thinking about?" Viktor asked, now looking at Hermione. She debated telling him for a moment, and decided there was no harm in the topic.
"Do you think its okay to fight the people you love?" she asked him, leaning back onto the wall of the ledge.
"I do. Fighting is healthy and fun," Viktor replied, looking from Hermione to the view. Hermione slouched as she realised that wasn't the answer she wanted to hear. She didn't know what she wanted to hear from Viktor, really. "But I think theres bad fighting and good fighting. I love to fight with my Durmstrang brothers, but theres never hostile feeling. When people are full of rage… It's quite intimidating, I think."
"I think I see what you mean," Hermione replied, now staring as the stars began to emerge from the sky. "I like fighting too- with Harry and Ron- its fun."
"Yeah! I think you three are very amusing. It reminds me of my own best friend, he and Miss Lovegood are very similar. It was nice to talk to her, reminded me of him."
"Is he not here for the tournament?" she asked. Viktor gave a soft laugh and turned back to her as he tapped his fingers against his knee.
"He's not like me and the other boys- very soft, very strange," he replied. Hermione understood completely, seeing as how the boy was comparable to Luna. "He's back at the school this year, no interest in watching."
The two moved away from the fighting conversation, but Hermione kept the memory tucked away for her to ponder on later. Hermione knew what he'd meant, and she also knew that the anger that Fred was constantly showing wasn't the same as banter- but how to go about confronting it was a different story. They continued to talk and eventually the library began to fill up once again with students- indicating the end of dinner. Hermione figured that their hang out needed to end at some point, and took the stares that she would likely get being in the far corner with Viktor as an indication to leave.
As the two walked towards the door, Viktor insisted on staying to read some more before going back to his own quarters on the ship. While they didn't address it directly, he indicated that he would keep an eye out for suspicious behaviour and relay it tomorrow. With that, Hermione was gone and stuck with her own thoughts as she went to her own quarters. She thought about what Viktor said about the evil around her, and couldn't help but wonder if it was Fred that was the source of that evil. She didn't want to think of the bright and bubbly boy in such a cruel manner, but Hermione had spent so much time in denial about his behaviour. She knew before she entered the common room that he would be fuming with rage towards her- that if they were in private he would scream at her for being disloyal. Hermione wished she could run back to the library and be with Viktor, but she knew that wasn't the brave thing to do and Hermione was nothing if not brave.
Upon entering, her fears were proven true. Fred sat by the fire sulking, radiating anger while everyone avoided him at all costs. George was nowhere to be seen, and neither was Angelina, which was strange. Ron and Harry were sitting at the chess table, but weren't playing. Once she had entered, it was as if the room went completely still. Fred looked at her for a moment and then turned back to face the fire. Everyone else looked even longer, but forced themselves back to their own activities while Hermione stood square at the entrance.
"Whats happened here?" she asked, knowing full well but demanding people stop acting so closed off. Ron gave her a look of wide eyes that read 'shut up', while Fred stood up quickly and stormed towards the stairs, Hermione close behind him. She didn't care if people saw them fight anymore- really she didn't care at all. Hermione once thought she could live with Fred being jealous and rude, but after being with Viktor and remembering how happy and light Fred used to be himself, she couldn't take it any longer.
"What are you doing?" he growled, not looking back at her.
"Following you until you tell me what your bloody problem is," Hermione snapped back. They were now in the hallway of the dorms when Fred turned to face her for the first time.
"My problem is you and, and that fucking prick!" he shouted. Everyone both in the boys dorms and downstairs most definitely heard that.
"But why? Do you really hate me being around anyone that isn't you that much? Because it isn't just him. Its Ron, and Harry and any other boy that isn't you!" Hermione retorted, taking a step forward. He was taller than her, but Hermione had no issue standing her ground against him. Both their faces were red, but as Hermione caught her boyfriends eye she couldn't see an inch of sadness or remorse- just pure rage.
"How am I the problem? You don't see me prancing off with every girl who gives me attention! I give you everything and yet somehow I'm the asshole because you don't care for me the same?! Just admit that you'd rather jump around from boy to boy than be with someone who actually cares about you! Admit that you like him!" Fred practically spat the words at her. His voice was loud and his eyes were dark. His voice sounded hurt but there wasn't an inch of him that was anything but venomous.
"I don't like him, Fred. But let me tell you now, I fucking hate you."
And with those final words, Hermione was gone. She didn't turn back to look at him, but instead stormed down the stairs to Harry and Ron who were completely stiff with fear and worry. Hermione could feel the tears welling in her eyes, but pushed them down to speak.
"Can you guys come with me for a walk?" she asked. Her voice was cracked but she stood tall and the two instantly joined her side without a word, following her out the door. The other students stared in amazement at what had gone down, but quickly looked away when Harry snapped his head to glare at them.
The two boys didn't speak a word as they followed Hermione up the stairs to the second floor. She navigated herself with ease, the boys not knowing how often she had taken this route and avoided confrontation with teachers and prefects. She was sad and her breathing was heavy, and if the boys walked beside her instead of behind, they would see the tears helplessly falling down her face. They didn't express their amazement at the room of requirements appearing out of nowhere, or their curiosity when they entered and the room took the shape of a warm room similar to the common room- a three person couch and a recliner chair as well as a fireplace. The boys didn't even speak once they entered and Hermione fell into their arms crying her eyes out.
For a near hour neither Harry nor Ron spoke a word as they hugged their friend and stroked her hair. She eventually settled down and Ron fetched a glass of water from a bathroom that seemed to hide away in the background- where cups and various strange nicknacks were in the cupboard. Hermione eagerly drank the water as Ron sat himself in the recliner chair quite comfortably, watching Hermione as she drank and caught her breath.
"Feeling better?" Harry asked. Hermione nodded and got herself another glass, taking a seat in Harrys arms as he stroked her hair. It wasn't very often that the two boys and Hermione would hug and console each other, but it felt natural whenever the occasion arose. They were the best of friends, and Freds accusing words could never change that.
The entire night the three stayed up talking. At first it was about Fred- how weird he had gotten and how much he had changed. Ron even expressed that he was happy Hermione left him, that he felt like Fred wasn't good for his friends health. The mood changed from the hurt Hermione felt to much lighter things as they sat around and talked for hours. It was as if they had all just become friends for the first time all over again- like they had reset and finally caught up. Hermione was happy to learn that Ron actually really liked Luna- he had been asking her out every Saturday for nearly a month now, and that Harry was taking extra Defence Against The Dark Arts classes with Moody. He said they were weird, but that he was learning a lot. He mentioned Moody wanting him to learn how to cast dark spells, but Harry declined.
By the time the conversation died down and the three were getting tired, it was already the very early morning, and so they decided to sleep there in the room that showed itself to Hermione. Hermione took the recliner chair for herself, and the boys slept foot-to-feet on the couch, totally content with their lives and happy to be with one another.
X
Before anyone gets mad, this is going somewhere I swear. These past couple chapters have been a real mess I feel. I had no motivation to write bc I felt that there was no natural way to break Fred and Hermione up. Now that thats over I hope that I can finally get on with the ~~~~ y~~~~
As always, please leave a review if you liked or didn't like this chapter!