Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter; all the characters that you
recognise here belong to J.K Rowling and her wonderful mind; only the plot
is mine...
Chapter 5
The sunlight streamed into the bedroom where Hermione lay. She could hear the birds whistling and a gentle breeze rustling the leaves of the surrounding trees. She opened her eyes and looked at the clock on her bedside table. It was 9:37am; she stretched in her deep purple sheets and got out of bed. Stepping onto the warm carpet she felt completely rested and totally at ease. There was something about the Bulgarian air that completely exhausted her and made her sleep well. She figured that it was just the clean country air; she was not used to be being away from all the polluting cars and traffic that inhibited central London. Stepping into the bathroom she turned the shower on and reached for her toothbrush. The water began to heat up so Hermione set the temperature to her liking and began to undress. Her silk nightdress slid off of her shoulders, revealing her flawless back, tanned from the French sun. She stepped into the shower and began soaping herself down all the while thinking of what they were going to do today; Krum had not discussed any of their plans for the holidays so Hermione had no idea how they were going to spend their 3 weeks together. She hoped that he had nothing romantic planned for them. The kiss on the way here had been enough, she didn't want a repeat of it for anything...except if it was Harry's lips not Krum's. She felt herself blush and thanked the gods that there was no one here to see it.
As she finished her shower she stepped out and walked over to her wardrobe. After careful selection she decided on a pair of denim jeans and a white, short sleeved cropped-top that showed off her toned stomach beautifully. After putting on her 'Puma's' she opened her bedroom door and set off towards the dining room. When she got to the stairs she suddenly remembered that she had left the menu book back in her room. She sighed and turned around; when she reached the beginning of the corridor the lead to her bedroom she collided with something solid and hard.
"Oooof!" grunted Hermione.
Looking up, Hermione found herself gazing into a pair of very deep brown eyes; she suddenly realised what it was that she had collided with.
Krum had woken up at the crack of dawn to go training in the fields. Just because he had a guest staying didn't mean that he could slack off; despite his spectacular performance in the world cup final Bulgaria had still lost and he needed to work harder than ever to get back on track. His daily training routine consisted of an obstacle course that he had to cross with weights strapped onto his legs. This helped to increase his muscle fitness, strength and stamina. There was another course for his broomstick flying and an arena where he practised his hand and eye coordination. Hermione looked at him again, she scented a musky odour coming from him and it sent shivers down her spine. He looked so good that she almost reached a hand out to touch his face but caught herself just in time.
"Sorry, I didn't see you..." said Hermione feebly.
"Not to vorry Herm-own-ninny, I haff just come back from training and vos vondering if you vanted some breakfast?" replied Krum smiling as he looked her up and down.
"Actually, I was headed down there right now...I left my menu in my room and was on my way back to get it. You carry on, I'll meet you in the dining room" replied Hermione walking back to her room.
Krum shrugged his shoulders and turned around. Hermione opened her door and grabbed the menu; turning around she headed towards the stairs. Walking down she heard a bellow of fruity laughter coming from the dining room. As she walked in she saw Ivan and Helga laughing at something that a man she didn't recognise had said.
"Ahh...here she is..." said Ivan standing up with his arms open, "sit down my child, you must be hungry? Did you sleep well?"
"Yes thank you...very well..." said Hermione uncomfortably.
"Good! Kaplakh, excuse me Hermione! Where are my manners...this is Boris Ivanisovitch...Bulgarian Minister for Magic..." said Ivan gesturing towards the unfamiliar man who was still seated.
"Minister, it is a pleasure to meet you sir" said Hermione extending her hand towards him.
"Trust me dear, the pleasure is all...mine..." said the minister, taking her hand and kissing it on the top, all the while giving her a look that made Hermione squirm.
She quickly removed her hand from his and took her place next to Viktor who possessively placed his hand on her thigh. She shifted a little then pulled the jug of pumpkin juice towards her. Krum began moving his hand stealthily further and further up her thigh, as Hermione poured herself a glass. She tactfully removed his hand with a look that made him frown. He was willing to wait; the question was how long was she?
"Tell me now Boris...what are we going to do about the Karkaroff situation, after all, Durmstrang has no headmaster" said Ivan heartily.
"Well Ivan, I was considering the options seeing as they are limited and we at the ministry have come to a decision...it is our question that has forced me to come to your humble home. The Ministry wants to know whether you would be willing to take his place and step in as headmaster for Karkaroff. Knowledge or qualifications are not an issue as we are certain that you have enough of those" said the Minister with his head inclined politely towards Mr. Krum.
The entire table looked stunned. Helga Krum was the first to break the silence.
"Excuse me Minister; I don't seem to have heard you correctly. You mean to tell me that you travelled all the way here to ask my husband to take over the headship of Durmstang?"
"That's exactly what I am saying Helga, after all, give me a name of an equal to your husband's knowledge, power and...influence and I will gladly take my proposal elsewhere."
"Boris, you proposal is gracious and flattering but I need time to think" said Ivan.
"My old friend! What is there to think about? After all..."
The Minister continued his argument as Hermione and Krum left the room silently excusing themselves. They walked into the hall and towards the front door; Krum look put out and Hermione was in a state of shock. Deciding that a change of subject was in order she turned towards Krum.
"What are we going to do today? You didn't tell me any of your plans for my trip in all the owls that you sent and I must admit that my curiosity is getting to me..." she said in a sweet voice.
"Vell...first I need to take a shover and then...let's see" he replied with a glint in his eye that was disturbingly similar to that of the minister's.
He led her up the stairs towards his bedroom. When they reached his door Hermione hesitated but Viktor was insistent so she allowed herself to be guided into the room. Upon entrance she found herself subconsciously gasp in awe of what she saw before her. Krum's room was huge, its size was only rivalled by the dining room; one entire wall was lined with glass that looked out onto the grounds and beyond. She could see something shimmering in the distance, weaving its way towards the horizon like a serpent, which she presumed was a river of some sort. Looking towards the bed she saw that it was massive, easily big enough for three fully grown people to sleep in comfortably. It looked comfortable and its pure white sheets contrasted the black carpet that she was standing on. One of the walls was lined with books of all sorts with a large desk beneath it. Another wall was devoted to Quidditch; Krum's gleaming, magnificent Nimbus 2001 took centre stage on the wall surrounded by diagrams of what seemed to be game tactics. The blue and red arrows on each piece of parchment wiggled around the page of their own accord displaying various game strategies and plans. Above the broomstick there were rows and rows of shelves filled with magazines that Hermione presumed were Quidditch related; below the broomstick there was a large black leather sofa and two small armchairs on wither side all facing inwards towards a large glass and wrought iron table. The wall that held the door was covered in framed school photographs and various other team photographs. Hermione took all this in with a glazed look in her eyes; she soon discovered that Krum was right behind her.
"Like vot you see?" Krum whispered. It sent a spasm down her spine that made her knees tremble.
"Very much...I didn't know that you liked reading" replied Hermione gesturing towards the shelves upon shelves of books that lined the south wall.
"One learns a lot about a beast vhen they venture into his lair..." said Krum seductively.
He moved away from her after closing the door and locking it behind him. Removing his shirt he turned towards her.
"I am going to take a shover now. Please...make yourself at home" stated Krum gesturing towards the bed.
"Thanks..." said Hermione making to move towards the sofa arrangements.
"Suit yourself..." said Krum as he stepped out of his shorts revealing his white boxers.
He walked over towards the bathroom and opened the door. Hermione peered in and noticed that it was made entirely of black marble and silver chrome fittings. She watched as Krum turned the shower on and moved towards the sink to shave. Still utterly mesmerised by this man's daily cleansing routine she watching as the bathroom began to fill with steam; mysteriously none seemed to escape into the room. He made no move to close the door, almost as if he were mocking her, tempting her to join him in this unnecessarily spacious shower cabinet. As the steam rose, it engulfed Krum from the waist down; she watched him as he removed his boxers and threw them into a corner making the steam curl angrily. He looked her straight in the eye, raised an eyebrow and then stepped into the shower. Hermione waited until he slid the shower door shut then raced towards the bathroom door and closed it quietly. With her back to it, she slid down and brought her knees up to her chest. Why oh why couldn't it be Harry in that shower and not Krum. If it was would she have joined him? Would she have submitted to his charm and invitation? Contemplating her rhetoric she listened to the spray of the shower as Krum waited patiently and in vain for the love of his life to come and join him.
Chapter 5
The sunlight streamed into the bedroom where Hermione lay. She could hear the birds whistling and a gentle breeze rustling the leaves of the surrounding trees. She opened her eyes and looked at the clock on her bedside table. It was 9:37am; she stretched in her deep purple sheets and got out of bed. Stepping onto the warm carpet she felt completely rested and totally at ease. There was something about the Bulgarian air that completely exhausted her and made her sleep well. She figured that it was just the clean country air; she was not used to be being away from all the polluting cars and traffic that inhibited central London. Stepping into the bathroom she turned the shower on and reached for her toothbrush. The water began to heat up so Hermione set the temperature to her liking and began to undress. Her silk nightdress slid off of her shoulders, revealing her flawless back, tanned from the French sun. She stepped into the shower and began soaping herself down all the while thinking of what they were going to do today; Krum had not discussed any of their plans for the holidays so Hermione had no idea how they were going to spend their 3 weeks together. She hoped that he had nothing romantic planned for them. The kiss on the way here had been enough, she didn't want a repeat of it for anything...except if it was Harry's lips not Krum's. She felt herself blush and thanked the gods that there was no one here to see it.
As she finished her shower she stepped out and walked over to her wardrobe. After careful selection she decided on a pair of denim jeans and a white, short sleeved cropped-top that showed off her toned stomach beautifully. After putting on her 'Puma's' she opened her bedroom door and set off towards the dining room. When she got to the stairs she suddenly remembered that she had left the menu book back in her room. She sighed and turned around; when she reached the beginning of the corridor the lead to her bedroom she collided with something solid and hard.
"Oooof!" grunted Hermione.
Looking up, Hermione found herself gazing into a pair of very deep brown eyes; she suddenly realised what it was that she had collided with.
Krum had woken up at the crack of dawn to go training in the fields. Just because he had a guest staying didn't mean that he could slack off; despite his spectacular performance in the world cup final Bulgaria had still lost and he needed to work harder than ever to get back on track. His daily training routine consisted of an obstacle course that he had to cross with weights strapped onto his legs. This helped to increase his muscle fitness, strength and stamina. There was another course for his broomstick flying and an arena where he practised his hand and eye coordination. Hermione looked at him again, she scented a musky odour coming from him and it sent shivers down her spine. He looked so good that she almost reached a hand out to touch his face but caught herself just in time.
"Sorry, I didn't see you..." said Hermione feebly.
"Not to vorry Herm-own-ninny, I haff just come back from training and vos vondering if you vanted some breakfast?" replied Krum smiling as he looked her up and down.
"Actually, I was headed down there right now...I left my menu in my room and was on my way back to get it. You carry on, I'll meet you in the dining room" replied Hermione walking back to her room.
Krum shrugged his shoulders and turned around. Hermione opened her door and grabbed the menu; turning around she headed towards the stairs. Walking down she heard a bellow of fruity laughter coming from the dining room. As she walked in she saw Ivan and Helga laughing at something that a man she didn't recognise had said.
"Ahh...here she is..." said Ivan standing up with his arms open, "sit down my child, you must be hungry? Did you sleep well?"
"Yes thank you...very well..." said Hermione uncomfortably.
"Good! Kaplakh, excuse me Hermione! Where are my manners...this is Boris Ivanisovitch...Bulgarian Minister for Magic..." said Ivan gesturing towards the unfamiliar man who was still seated.
"Minister, it is a pleasure to meet you sir" said Hermione extending her hand towards him.
"Trust me dear, the pleasure is all...mine..." said the minister, taking her hand and kissing it on the top, all the while giving her a look that made Hermione squirm.
She quickly removed her hand from his and took her place next to Viktor who possessively placed his hand on her thigh. She shifted a little then pulled the jug of pumpkin juice towards her. Krum began moving his hand stealthily further and further up her thigh, as Hermione poured herself a glass. She tactfully removed his hand with a look that made him frown. He was willing to wait; the question was how long was she?
"Tell me now Boris...what are we going to do about the Karkaroff situation, after all, Durmstrang has no headmaster" said Ivan heartily.
"Well Ivan, I was considering the options seeing as they are limited and we at the ministry have come to a decision...it is our question that has forced me to come to your humble home. The Ministry wants to know whether you would be willing to take his place and step in as headmaster for Karkaroff. Knowledge or qualifications are not an issue as we are certain that you have enough of those" said the Minister with his head inclined politely towards Mr. Krum.
The entire table looked stunned. Helga Krum was the first to break the silence.
"Excuse me Minister; I don't seem to have heard you correctly. You mean to tell me that you travelled all the way here to ask my husband to take over the headship of Durmstang?"
"That's exactly what I am saying Helga, after all, give me a name of an equal to your husband's knowledge, power and...influence and I will gladly take my proposal elsewhere."
"Boris, you proposal is gracious and flattering but I need time to think" said Ivan.
"My old friend! What is there to think about? After all..."
The Minister continued his argument as Hermione and Krum left the room silently excusing themselves. They walked into the hall and towards the front door; Krum look put out and Hermione was in a state of shock. Deciding that a change of subject was in order she turned towards Krum.
"What are we going to do today? You didn't tell me any of your plans for my trip in all the owls that you sent and I must admit that my curiosity is getting to me..." she said in a sweet voice.
"Vell...first I need to take a shover and then...let's see" he replied with a glint in his eye that was disturbingly similar to that of the minister's.
He led her up the stairs towards his bedroom. When they reached his door Hermione hesitated but Viktor was insistent so she allowed herself to be guided into the room. Upon entrance she found herself subconsciously gasp in awe of what she saw before her. Krum's room was huge, its size was only rivalled by the dining room; one entire wall was lined with glass that looked out onto the grounds and beyond. She could see something shimmering in the distance, weaving its way towards the horizon like a serpent, which she presumed was a river of some sort. Looking towards the bed she saw that it was massive, easily big enough for three fully grown people to sleep in comfortably. It looked comfortable and its pure white sheets contrasted the black carpet that she was standing on. One of the walls was lined with books of all sorts with a large desk beneath it. Another wall was devoted to Quidditch; Krum's gleaming, magnificent Nimbus 2001 took centre stage on the wall surrounded by diagrams of what seemed to be game tactics. The blue and red arrows on each piece of parchment wiggled around the page of their own accord displaying various game strategies and plans. Above the broomstick there were rows and rows of shelves filled with magazines that Hermione presumed were Quidditch related; below the broomstick there was a large black leather sofa and two small armchairs on wither side all facing inwards towards a large glass and wrought iron table. The wall that held the door was covered in framed school photographs and various other team photographs. Hermione took all this in with a glazed look in her eyes; she soon discovered that Krum was right behind her.
"Like vot you see?" Krum whispered. It sent a spasm down her spine that made her knees tremble.
"Very much...I didn't know that you liked reading" replied Hermione gesturing towards the shelves upon shelves of books that lined the south wall.
"One learns a lot about a beast vhen they venture into his lair..." said Krum seductively.
He moved away from her after closing the door and locking it behind him. Removing his shirt he turned towards her.
"I am going to take a shover now. Please...make yourself at home" stated Krum gesturing towards the bed.
"Thanks..." said Hermione making to move towards the sofa arrangements.
"Suit yourself..." said Krum as he stepped out of his shorts revealing his white boxers.
He walked over towards the bathroom and opened the door. Hermione peered in and noticed that it was made entirely of black marble and silver chrome fittings. She watched as Krum turned the shower on and moved towards the sink to shave. Still utterly mesmerised by this man's daily cleansing routine she watching as the bathroom began to fill with steam; mysteriously none seemed to escape into the room. He made no move to close the door, almost as if he were mocking her, tempting her to join him in this unnecessarily spacious shower cabinet. As the steam rose, it engulfed Krum from the waist down; she watched him as he removed his boxers and threw them into a corner making the steam curl angrily. He looked her straight in the eye, raised an eyebrow and then stepped into the shower. Hermione waited until he slid the shower door shut then raced towards the bathroom door and closed it quietly. With her back to it, she slid down and brought her knees up to her chest. Why oh why couldn't it be Harry in that shower and not Krum. If it was would she have joined him? Would she have submitted to his charm and invitation? Contemplating her rhetoric she listened to the spray of the shower as Krum waited patiently and in vain for the love of his life to come and join him.