AN: How can I even begin to explain what's been going on in my life. First off, my deepest and most sincerest apologies for the long wait. I returned to school in summer, and anyone who has taken a summer term in college knows you have to keep on top of your work. Summer terms are shorter and keep to a much tighter schedule. One slip up will leave you floundering in the deep end.

Back story: I was previously going to school in hopes of becoming a radiologist. You know, the x-ray technician. Though the medical field never really interested me, my mom had pushed me to choose something and radiologists make good money and the list of prerequisite classes I had to take was pretty short. I quickly discovered that Anatomy and Physiology is a weeding class and failed it. I decided to try the course at another school and found out I'd have to take prerequisites for it (I actually didn't, but that story is complicated) and signed up for chem 1101 and Biochemistry. Let's just say that if chemistry were a person they would have kicked my ass and leave it at that. Fall term rolls around and I finally sign up for A&P. I had signed up for my courses; A&P, English II, 2 required pe courses (volleyball and kickboxing), and a theater appreciation class to fill my semester (I needed more credit hours and being so late to add classes, it was one of the only available classes left and I liked theater), when my mom told me about state funded college programs. One of them happened to be production set design. I have always been artistic and had a love of movies and theater, so she thought I'd like it. We talked and settled on a choice: I would continue my pursuit of radiology, but go into set design should I fail A&P. It never came to that. I discovered after paying my bill that I only had four courses out of the five I selected. A&P had been dropped.

I took it as a sign that radiology was not for me. The realization solidified during theater class when I wrote and presented a monologue for a grade. My teacher fell in love with my character and encouraged me to write a play centered around her. I have recently finished a short story based off my monologue and submitted it into a writing contest.

All the while, I had four of my nieces and nephew staying with us for an ENTIRE SCHOOL SEMESTER. They are ages 2-9 and are more destructive than a horde of teething puppies. Ugh.

In addition, more plot ideas have sprung to existence since then and I'm scrambling to keep up with them all. I have one or two that I might just set up for adoption straight out as I feel like I wouldn't be able to do them justice. If anyone's interested, PM me.

Without further ado, here is the next installment of Quill Pal. May my muse stay with me. Stay with me, damn it!

Chapter 3

Face to Face at Last

August 22nd, 1994

Today is the day!

In just a few hours, I'm going to meet Viktor and his family in person!

I had almost skived off on my family summer vacation when Viktor invited me to every one of his Quidditch games. When I told him I could do it if he truly wished it, he refused saying that family was important.

Though I couldn't attend all his other games, I had returned in time to go to the final game of the season: the Quidditch World Cup.

Oddly enough, Arthur Weasley had won a bunch tickets so that almost all of the Weasley household could go to the game as well. Almost all… as Molly would be staying home. They would be in the Minister's box with me, but they wouldn't have the 'backstage pass' that Viktor had sent me so that we could talk at the after game party and where he would introduce me to his family. It would be easy to explain my bailing on the Weasley clan because 'I saw a friend from school', but I felt bad about withholding the fact that my pen pal all these years has been a professional Quidditch player.

I was a little upset that I couldn't bring Harry along, but my dark haired friend would not exactly be welcomed. Viktor still hasn't forgiven him for getting me into trouble and abandoning me when I reported his Firebolt to McGonagall. Viktor had promised to punch both boys for each tear they had made me shed. I don't think he meant it.

The stadium was completely packed with Quidditch fans, all eagerly awaiting the start of the game. Everything was going splendidly until the Malfoy family, the pretentious prats, made an appearance.

I tuned then out immediately, not wanting their venom to sour my good mood, but the others didn't share my determination. I could feel the tension in the air as Lucius and his son began throwing petty insults at the Weasleys and company. Bill and Charlie joined me near the window to get away from the blatant hostility between families. "Hermione. Good to see you aren't letting them get to you."

I nodded at Bill and returned to crowd-watching.

"Forgive me, but I specifically recall my youngest brother complaining about your lack of enthusiasm for all things Quidditch yet here you are, looking rather excited for the game to begin. Is there a reason for your eagerness? You don't seem the type to cheer for a man you find physically attractive."

My face heated in embarrassment. Was I really so obvious? "Well… I have a… quill pal… that said… one of the players. For him, I will support the man_Team!_ because… it would make my quill pal… happy." If that wasn't the most obvious lie I've ever told. Gods, I'm pathetic.

Charlie grinned mischievously. "Oh, I see. This player wouldn't happen to be the youngest professional player on the field today, would it? The very same player that little ickle Ronniekins all but worships?"

The Dragon Tamer's teasing made my face burn crimson with embarrassment. The second Weasley had caught the lie and mistook it as a crush on Viktor. Though he wasn't wrong. Bill smacked the back of Charlie's head with a light hearted scowl. "Stop it, Charlie! You make it sound like Hermione's panting after someone's sweetheart!"

"But Krum is Ron's sweetheart!" Charlie bellowed in laughter and left to rejoin the twins to pick on Ron. The twins had already created a tune and had Harry and Ginny singing along. The butt of the joke was red faced and looked ready to explode. Once again, I found myself grateful that Arthur had confiscated Ron's wand when he got so mad he nearly jinxed Fred and George. Molly berated him for forgetting the Trace and Ron was made to help her in the kitchen for the rest of the evening.

Bill shook his head in mock derision. He turned to me with a soft smile. "I'm glad that you have another friend besides Harry and Ron. Harry is a great kid, but he has a tendency to let Ron talk him into trouble. And Ron… well, I don't know why Ron is such a dunderhead. I have no idea where he gets it. Honestly, I have no clue as to why you still call him friend."

I shrugged and leaned against the rail. "He helped Harry save me from a troll first year. I can't ignore that. However, I'm starting to think his attitude isn't worth it."

Bill nodded solemnly. "Yeah. Still, I've heard him talk about you. Rescue or not, Ron shouldn't treat you that way just because he's friends with The Boy Who Lived."

"I'm beginning to see that. Next time he tries to tear into me, I'll start shoving his own flaws in his face. Tit for tat and all that."

Bill nodded in agreement and smiled at the approaching Minister. "Welcome, welcome! I believe we haven't met before!"

Bill introduced himself and his profession and both men prattled on about curse-breaking and the many challenges it provided. While the career did intrigue me, I was more than content to watch the crowd. Flags of green and red flapped in the wind, smaller versions of them being thrashed in the air by ecstatic children and adults. The minute hand of the clock decorating the wall had moved closer to the loopy twelve at the peak of the circle. The game had but two more minutes to begin. Then when it ended, hopefully in Viktor's favor, we would meet in person.

Harry joined me at the bannister. He looked so happy. Though Sirius couldn't join us this evening, Harry was still happy to have a home to return to afterwards. "Hey 'Mione! You look excited, so I came to ask if you feel alright."

My nose scrunched in distaste and I gently rammed my shoulder against his. "Shut up. I'm just happy that I wasn't going to be sentenced to watch this blasted game alone. I mean did you see the way Lucinda was eyeing me like a cockroach up until the Minister arrived? It's amazing how quickly she can switch from your worst nightmare to your biggest fan. Honestly, she has no self-respect."

"Lucin… You mean Lucius?"

My head whipped around to sneak a glance at the family of platinum blondes glaring daggers into my back. "Oh shit! That's a man?! I thought that was one of the Malfoy's wives and that sir peacock the Lord of the House deemed a sports match too inferior to attend himself!"

Harry snorted and peeked over my shoulder. "I think he heard you."

"He was supposed to." I sang wearing a grin of smug satisfaction.

The cries of the audience drew our attention to the air. A 'V' of green zoomed over the field and flew straight up leaving a shower of fireworks in their trail that took the shape of a leprechaun. The Weasleys, that had swarmed the banister, clapped with the crowd. George's keen eye spotted the opposing team first. "Here come the Bulgarians!"

The red clad men burst through the light show. They zoomed in the air in a straight line, one breaking off from the pack to perform a series of daring stunts. Harry was watching the man with starry, awestruck eyes. "You see him, 'Mione? That's Viktor Krum! He is the youngest professional Quidditch player in history and the best Seeker, too. Supposedly"

I grinned and gazed up at the magical boards lining the railing that displayed Viktor's face. He wasn't handsome in the classical sense. In fact, he resembled Professor Snape a little with his hooked nose a tad too large for his face and pale complexion. I did, however, find his sharp, squared jaw to be attractive and the muscles that filled out his uniform sent a shiver down my spine. Viktor appeared to be a strong and capable man. I registered Harry's words and nudged his shoulder. "Hey now. Don't go turning into Ron on me and start losing your head over some athlete. One Ron is enough already. The world couldn't take another."

Harry stuck his tongue out at me and turned back to the field. The players took their positions and the game had begun.

The Bulgarians took the lead, but were soon overcome by Ireland's speedy chasers. Throughout the game, Viktor helped his team as best as he could, even taking a bludger to the face and breaking his nose in the process. He tricked the Irish seeker by performing a Wronski Feint and sending the Irishman crashing into the ground and breaking a few of his bones. Though Ireland was now down without a seeker, they still had more than enough points to take the win. The match ended a little over two hours later when Viktor caught the Snitch. Bulgaria lost by a mere ten points.

I promised myself I would cheer him up. Somehow.

After the crowd had died down, the players left the field and congregated in the Minister's box to be rewarded for a game well played; one team with a trophy, the other with a handshake. Upon entering, the Irish immediately took the spotlight with their boisterous cheering. I swear I could already see the flush of alcohol on some of their faces. The Bulgarian team was more subdued, and not from losing a close game. Each one seemed the silent, intense type.

Minister Fudge awarded Ireland with the 1994 World Cup and shook each athlete's hand. Viktor caught my eye and waved, his lips twitching with a suppressed grin. Harry didn't miss it. He leaned close to my ear and sing-songed in an annoying voice, "Somebody likes you."

"Stuff it, you prat." I smiled and waved back. Viktor responded with a full blown grin before turning facing his teammates that had noticed his diverted attention. Suddenly, they didn't seem so somber anymore.

Harry was encouraged by my dismissive behavior. "Somebody likes him!"

The same hand I used to wave at Viktor collided with Harry's head with a satisfying thump. Still he did not drop his smug, little smile.

Fudge had finally stopped rambling and released the players. The Irish team left the same way they arrived while Bulgaria took their sweet time. Viktor slowed as he passed me, grabbed my hand with his own, pressed a soft, lingering kiss to my knuckles. "Mimi, it iz vonderful to see you in person."

Ron's broad smile vanished as he spat, "Mimi?"

I pulled Viktor into a hug, throwing my arms around his shoulders and reveling in his warmth as he coiled his thick arms around my waist. I pulled away and turned to Weasley and company. "Viktor, these are my friends: Harry, Ron, Ginny, Fred and George, Bill, Charlie, and Arthur Weasley. Harry, this is my quill pal."

The twins were grinning madly. "So this is your secret quill pal?"

"You've been holding out on us."

Viktor was staring at Harry, his face blank of any emotion. "Mimi has told me much about you, Harry."

"All good things I hope." Harry said nervously.

Viktor's gaze grew stern. "Ve vill be having words."

Fred and George held out their hands. "Nice to meet you."

"You better be nice to Granger Danger."

"She can handle herself,"

"But we don't mind taking on what's left of you."

Viktor shook their hands with a grin. "Nice to meet the twvins. Mimi talks much about you two."

Both sets of eyes twinkled mischievously. "Does she now?"

"Da. She sayz nothing but…"

I clapped a hand over Viktor's mouth. "That's between us, Viktor!" I lowered my hand and used it to latch onto his arm. "Viktor has invited me to join him and his team at the after party, so don't wait up for me at the tent."

"That's fine, Hermione." Arthur placed a heavy arm over Ron. No doubt anticipating the bitch fit he was about to throw. Ron's face was purpling, clashing horribly with his hair. "Go enjoy yourself, but don't stay out too late."

It was easy to agree as it was a reasonable request my parents would make. I waved goodbye, reveling in the shock on Draco's face, and allowed myself to be pulled along by Viktor. His teammates introduced themselves, raining the compliments over me about my music. Flaunting the pass to security, VIktor and I slipped into the Bulgarian's tent. There was a table laden with food and the player's families greeted us warmly. Viktor led me to a younger quatro by the punch. All three men looked a lot like Viktor with their broad shoulders and sharp jawlines. The woman was lithe and small, the complete opposite of her boys. She had a heart shaped face engraved with laugh lines and her bright blue eyes sparked merrily. Viktor's father, a logical deduction from the graying black hair and age lines, looked like he could crush his wife with one of his meaty paws. I wondered if Viktor and I looked similar.

"Mama. Tatko, dis is Mimi, my friend. Mimi, dis is my parents and brothers: Andrei and Grigory." Viktor gestured between the two men, one obviously much older than the other. "My brothers."

I held out my hand in greeting. "It's nice to finally OOF!" Daddy Krum pulled me into a crushing bearhug.

He set me down and placed his giant hands on my shoulders, grinning from ear to ear. "Vonderful to meet you! Viktor cannot stop talking about you. Always Mimi dis and Mimi dat. Maybe now that you two meet he maybe calm down a bit, eh?"

"Boris, you are embarrassing our son." The tiny woman pulled me into a gentle, her smile soft and loving. "I am Kira, and I apologise for my brute of a husband. Viktor talks of you so often, it feels like we already know you."

A giggle bubbled up from my sternum. "No problem. I feel the same way."

Andrei, the eldest and finer dressed of the four, held out a clean hand. It looked like he had and manicure within the last twelve hours. "Andrei Krum, pleasure to meet you. I've heard much about your school career and I have to say I'm surprised to see you're not disfigured or maimed."

"And you're english is nearly perfect." I shook his hand, not offended by his statement at all. With everything I faced in the last three years, I'm shocked I wasn't carrying visible scars.

"I have to as my fiancée is an english flower herself." Andrei's eyes glowed with an inner warmth when he spoke of his betrothed. I hope Viktor shared the same look when he thinks of me.

The smallest of the Krum family, Grigory, threw his arms around my waist and began jabbering on in his native tongue. Kira pulled her son away, but he continued rambling on excitedly. After a quick examination, I determined that Grigory was probably around 14 or 15. He wasn't yet as thick as his older brothers and was slightly disproportionate, still growing into his body. He stopped for a moment, took a deep breath, and greeted me with slow english. "Hello! My name Grigory! It is very nice to meet you, Mimi."

Viktor ruffled the wild mane on Grigory's head, reminiscent of Harry's own untameable hair. "Little brother still learning english."

"I've heard natives with a weaker grasp on their mother tongue. Trust me when I say Grigory is coming along fine." Kira giggled into her hand as her husband bellowed in humor. Seeing Viktor amongst his wonderful family made me wish I had siblings of my own. I leaned in close to him and told him so. His answering grin was warm and sent a pleasant shiver down my back.

"I do not mind sharing." His thickly accented voice was soft and gentle. It was a voice I could listen to for hours. Kind of like Snape's voice, if he took out the vitriol, menace, hatred, and sarcasm from his tone.

Andrei barked at his brother, "Break it up, love birds, before you give us a free peep show!" Several of Viktor's teammates laughed in response, throwing what I'm sure was cheeky innuendos at him in Bulgarian.

Viktor's face turned stormy. "You can take Andrei home if you want."

We spent the evening talking together, Viktor's family and I, about my schooling and ambitions for the future. I learned that there was some kind of competition that Karkaroff, Viktor's Headmaster, would be holding once term began. He wouldn't tell me the reason for such trials so early in the year, only that he was training everyday with his father so that he could win.

"But why?" I asked with an annoyed huff. "Shouldn't seventh year testing be held at the end of term? Are the teachers' trying to see what your year is struggling with? Actually, that doesn't sound like a bad idea."

Viktor shook his head and winked. "I am not telling. Is secret I promised to keep. But know zat it vill be good for us if I place."

"Viktor! Hush hush!" His mother slapped his arm with a rolled up newspaper. An image came unbidden to my mind of Viktor with a set of german shepherd ears and tail drooping sadly under Kira's newspaper as she towered over him, ranting and waving her weapon of choice around like a child would a toy. I choked on the chuckle that bubbled up from my chest, trying my damndest not to make Viktor feel like I was laughing at him lest I be forced to explain the reason.

The clock struck ten and time came for me to leave for the Weasley tent. Viktor threw on a heavy cloak with a deep cowl to better hide his face, handing me a smaller one. We said our goodbyes and left into the hot night air. We had to detour around the horde of reporters and had to hold hands to keep from being separated in the throng of revellers partying it up between the tents. I spotted the tent and prepared myself for our goodbyes, overcome with sadness knowing our time together was coming to a close and not knowing when we would see each other again. He didn't release his hold on my hand and I didn't pull away, eager to soak up as much of his comforting presence as I could. Viktor shifted under his cloak, almost nervously, and rubbed the back of his neck. "Mimi, I uh…. I have something to give you. An… early birthday prezent."

"Really? Oh Viktor, you didn't have to…"

I held up his free hand. "You wrote me such pretty music for my birthdays and I only send you candies."

"Bulgarian candies." I blushed, nervously tucking stray locks beneath my ear. "Foreign candies that I never would have gotten to try if you hadn't sent them."

"Da, vell, I got you something I knew you vould like very much." I reached into the pocket of his cloak and pulled out a violin case. It was shiny under the low lights, and definitely not plastic. He let go of my hand so that I could take the case from him. I stroked and tapped the surface. Wood. Smiling with excitement, I opened the metal latches and pried open the instrument case. And gasped.

Inside was the most beautiful violin I had ever seen. The wood was a milky white, it's lacquered surface reflecting each flare of the fireworks above. Painted along the edges and sides were swirling vines, leaves and burgundy buds sprouting from the stems. In the lower right corner, two red roses lay entwined together with a purple rose painted in the opposite corner. Even the bow matched, a solid white with painted vines climbing up the wood, the horsetail hairs a dark red instead of the usual cream. The instrument was crafted with the utmost care and belonged in the hands of master ochastrals. I felt unworthy to hold such art, but I would gladly treasure it and keep it close. I looked up into Viktor's kind, dark eyes, tears of happiness clouding my vision. "Thank you. I will treasure it always."

He fumbled with the case, shrinking it and dropping it into my pocket. I took his face between my hands, hidden in the shadows of his hood, and stretched up to press a kiss to his nose. It was still crooked from the brake he endured during the game, but no longer longer thanks to the team medics. I lingered for a few seconds before pulling away, disheartened from his lackluster reaction. "Thank you, Viktor."

As I began to pull away, his hands grasped my dainty shoulders and kept me from moving away. "Her-mi-own-ni." His voice was thick, his accent near butchering my name, but I couldn't bring myself to care. His tone was hot, heavy with unspoken emotions that mirrored those within me that began budding back in second year.

I vaguely realized we were getting closer, drawn together like two magnets, unable to resist the other's pull. I could feel the heat radiating off his skin, our foreheads so close to touching. My lips parted, my breath coming faster in anticipation of the impending kiss. My first kiss, with a man I had come to depend on since that very first reply. He could have very well ignored the letter from the lonely first year and I thanked every deity he didn't.

My hands came to rest on his chest to maintain my balance and I could feel his racing heart beneath the palm of my hand. The heat of his breath brushed against my lips, my nose bumping against his.

"DEATH EATERS!"

Screams erupted into the night, popping our bubble of contentment. Viktor pulled me close to his chest and inspected the commotion. I peeked towards the screams and saw the unmistakable glow of fires. Flames licked at the night sky and bodies hung weightless in the air. The tent flap opened and Arthur stepped out. He saw me in the arms of a hooded figure, and assumed the worst.

Arthur Weasley, the kindest and most laid back man I had ever met, turned into an embodiment of a nightmare. Never had I ever dreamed to see such ferocity on his face. He had his wand out in a second and pointed at Viktor's head. "Release her or die!"

Bill and Charlie must have heard their father because they appeared behind him, ready for battle. "Hermione!"

"Wait! Stop it!" I lifted the hood enough for the men to see Viktor's shocked face and let it fall back into place. "He was walking me back."

Viktor began pushing me towards the tent. "Go get your things. You do not want to be here when those beasts get here."

Viktor helped me and Ginny collect our things, shrinking them and putting them in our pockets before guiding our group along the tents. The panicked crowds had started for the trees, and staying together was becoming much harder than it should be. Viktor, who had been holding my hand, stopped and turned to face me. "Lead them to the forest. I must get back to my family."

As much as I wanted to keep him with me, I knew his parents would be worried sick. I nodded and threw my arms around him, whispering into the skin of his neck, "Be safe. Don't do anything stupid."

"Says girl who faces Basilisk." I felt his bury his face into my wild mane and press and kiss into my scalp before pulling away. We shared one last look at each other and parted, heading on opposite directions. I prayed to whoever was listening that I would see Viktor again safe and unharmed.

This chapter had been sitting half-written in my storage, so I decided to finish it. I hope you all enjoyed it as it was such a joy to write Viktor and Hemrione's first meeting. I am currently working on my other stories and editing Life Debt to make it a better read. I do have other stories, plot ideas that I don't believe I have the time or patience to do justice. If anyone is interested, PM me and we can talk. I want to make sure these plots are given the attention and care they deserve.

-SPN :3