A/N sorry for the really long wait, ive been really busy, but here is the next chapter and i hope you enjoy it! :)
I'LL BE HERE
------
------
------
------
She knew she shouldn't be there but she couldn't sleep and as far as rules were going, breaking one more couldn't hurt. It made her feel safe being in the library surrounded by books in an endless corridor of information. Harry didn't know why she wanted to use his invisibility cloak but he was happy to lend it to her anyhow. The only light source in the vacated room was that of her wand, she was trying to read an advanced potion making spell when the key which was firmly pressed against her chest began to turn stone cold and glow an emerald green through her pink pajamas. Purely out of amazement she pulled it out and studied it carefully until it calmed down and eventually returned to the old looking Victorian key...
------
------
-----
"Hermione, mum sent this for you," Ron passed a small paper package to her and Harry as they were sat in the busy Great Hall trying to eat some breakfast. "She put some sweets in mine."
Inside were four quills, one red, one green and two sugars as well as a note which only read: four thirty in the common room, don't be late and I promise it will all be okay.
This meant nothing to Hermione, she knew everything wasn't going to be okay and so she only assumed Mrs. Weasley would be the one who flooed through the fireplace.
"Tell your mum I said thanks if you see her before I do," Harry smiled "I needed another one of these anyway."
Ron leant over Hermione to see what his jet-haired friend was talking about "Why does she always get you two the best presents?" he grumbled and began to eat his scrambled egg on toast.
"Maybe we don't complain as much," Harry offered.
The hall was once again silenced by the clapping of a single pair of hands and a deep cheerful voice. "I am pleased to hear the majority of you had a good time at the Halloween ball and I am also pleased to announce that for those of you who have subscribed to take your first apparition lesson need to be here in the hall on Thursday at two fifteen sharp, thank you and have a pleasant morning." the old man with the half moon glasses seemed to be looking straight at Hermione and stranger yet he winked a crystal blue eye at her before returning to her seat. The boys who also seemed to witness this looked at her questionably but she only shrugged and passed Ron one of her sugar quills before grabbing a slice of buttered toast and walking out of the hall.
The corridors weren't crowded as they were about to be but as Hermione made her way to the Lake she still managed to pass the very person she really didn't want to see. "Look who it is." he sneered.
"Look Malfoy I'm flattered you like me so much but will you quit following me it's so childish and I have nothing you want."
"Oh but you do Granger." He purred as Hermione rolled her eyes and shoved past him.
Luckily the moron didn't follow her otherwise she knew she would have pulled her wand out and hexed him into next month. All she wanted was to be alone for a while to think, she didn't want to have to worry about her friends and family's safety, she didn't want to think about Voldemort or her grades, she just wanted to sit quietly. This had always been her favorite spot, yes it took a few minutes walk but from where she was sitting now she could clearly see the back of the castle, the lake and the entire field around it. It was the perfect place. As far as she knew no one else knew of it except her and hopefully it would stay that way. The wind blew through her hair and a few leaves fell from the tree which always seemed to stay green with pink blossom on it no matter the season. There was a layer of frost on the grass and a grey smudge to the clouds, it was apparent it was going to rain however it didn't matter, at least she was alone. As she thought about what Mrs. Weasley might want tonight she pulled the key out from her shirt and held it tightly as her thoughts soon transferred to those of a certain someone she missed so much she began to cry quietly.
-----
-----
------
"Hermione?" Ginny knocked on her door for the fifth time "Are you okay?" the knocking was now banging "Hermio-" the brunette turned the handle and swung open the door ready to yell at whoever had made her get out the bubble bath she had just gotten into.
"Oh, its you." She muttered
"Who else?" Ginny replied and let herself into the room "So what's the latest? I'm sorry I haven't seen you for a while I've just been going through a rough patch and I didn't want you guys to get involved – especially Ron and - have you been crying?" the ginger managed to say without breathing with a confused expression on her face.
"Sort of," the brave Gryffindor admitted. "But don't tell your brother, they have enough to deal with."
Ginny mimed zipping up her mouth and throwing away the key but he was still frowning "Why though?"
Hermione shrugged "Its silly I guess, but I still miss Victor, everywhere I go I see him lately, I just wish I could see him again, you know? Even if it's just one last time, I just want him to hold me again and tell me everything will be okay." The girl who pretended to be so brave all the time let go and broke down into more tears and Ginny caught her, giving her a big hug.
"Oh Mione," she sighed and rubbed her back soothingly not knowing what she could say to make the situation better. "I'm sure everything will work out in the end, you'll see."
"And what if it doesn't?" Hermione sobbed.
"Then I want you to know you're my best friend and I'll always think of you as my older sister," she smiled "And sisters look out for each other so lets get changed into some PJ'S and then we can go and see Dobby for some hot chocolate and lemon drizzle cake."
"Thanks Gin." Hermione smiled gratefully and was changed into a short sleeved purple top with the words 'sweet dreams' written in bubble writing and some plain Black shorts which ended just above her knee in a few flicks of her wand. Hermione pulled her hair from the front backwards and tied it with an elastic band "does my hair look alright?"
"It always looks nice." Ginny replied and pulled a few curls free so they framed her face.
The kitchen wasn't too far away and the second they stepped through the portrait hole they were greeted by a group of house elves whom ushered them into a small room which had a fire burning and a comfy looking crimson sofa. "Miss!" Dobby exclaimed as he appeared in front of them grinning "Oh Dobby did love his new socks miss, thank you ever so much, Dobby must find a way to thank miss…" the grubby-looking yet cheerful house elf was standing rooted to the stop awaiting an answer.
"I'm glad you like them, but you don't have to pay me ba-"
"But you could get us both a hot drink and something sweet…" Ginny butted in "Seems Hermione needs some cheering up."
"Of course miss, Dobby be right back miss." and right back he was the ginger didn't even have time to get comfy on the sofa before the obedient elf was standing in exactly the same spot as before except with a tray. "Would miss like to talk?" Dobby asked after Hermione had patted the patch of sofa next to her and had started to eat her cake.
"I guess I just miss Victor." She shrugged after stabbing another piece with her fork.
In the next room the other house elves were calling for Dobby to come back and help with the dishes but the small creature only clicked his fingers. "But miss, Krum is no good for you, no good at all; he only brings sadness and trouble,"
Ginny was watching with horror as Dobby continued and she began to shake her head vigorously side to side mouthing the word no.
"He hurt poor Mr. Wesley's feelings he endangered Harry Potter then he stole your heart and left."
"No dobby! No! Ron should have grown up and asked me, but he didn't, Harry wasn't endangered and yes he stole my heart but not purposely, he was only trying to help. He was only trying to keep me safe!" Hermione stood up "Why can't any of you see that he's not to blame for all of this?" she then ran as fast as she could back up to Gryffindor tower without anyone seeing her.
-------
-----
-------
The sky rumbled and the rain began to descend, all Gryffindor Quidditch players aimed for the ground in a hurry to get into the castle before they got soaked through.
"Do you think we could win?" Ron questioned as he and Harry both walked swiftly up the hill approaching the castle with their brooms over their shoulders.
"I don't know, the Ravenclaw's are pretty good, especially as they have Tyron this year as new beater, but I'm sure we can if we all work extra hard and stick to the plan."
"I still haven't done my charms homework," Ron grumbled "Think Hermione will bail me out?"
"Again." Harry added "You know I haven't seen her all day and you should probably do it yourself or your not going to pass your N.E.W.T.S."
"True…" the disgruntled Weasley sighed "Want to stop off at the kitchens for a snack? We probably missed dinner."
Harry's stomach growled loudly "Sounds like a good idea,"
-----
-----
----
Tears were rolling down her cheeks rapidly as Hermione ran into the common room, why don't they understand? She kept crying until she ran smack into something hard. Quickly she moved away and wiped her eyes so that she could see what she just hit or rather whom as a tall figure with dark features and a faint smile on their face was visible despite the lack of light in the room. "Always on time," he began.
Her jaw dropped, her tears subsided, her breath caught in her throat, her head began to spin and before she could come to terms with who was standing in front of her he flung his arms around her, lifted her slightly off the ground and held her tight. "Victor?" she mumbled hoping to Merlin it was him.
"The one and only," he replied and she instantly settled into his arms nuzzling her head into his chest and breathing in and out deeply so she could smell his musky deodorant. "I've missed you so much Hermione." he whispered in her ear.
The puffy-eyed brunette whose hair had come out of her tie and was now a wavy mess once more lifted her head up gazing at his face which had seemed to change slightly making him look more mature. "You said my name right." she smiled. "In fact come to think of it your accent has gone too…"
"We've been hiding out in America, in the caves ever since I had to go, Lucius insisted I spoke like this so we wouldn't be found out."
Hermione smiled then rested her head again on his chest with her arms clasped tightly around him "Please don't go again…"
"I will have to eventually but I'm here for a while, for some reason Lucius agreed and planned the whole thing, he persuaded Voldemort and arranged with Severus for the floo network to be opened. Of course Dumbledore probably knows everything that's going on."
Hermione sighed now understanding why the headmaster was acting weird at breakfast. "Why does that sound like a set up?"
"Because it probably is one, but all that matters to me right now is that I'm with you,"
"I've missed you so much." Hermione whispered and hugging him tightly again she took his hand "What if someone sees you?"
"Then it's pretty much a one way ticket to Azkaban." He said trying not to show her his fear of the dementor-filled prison but failed as the clever witch was reading his eyes.
Hermione grimaced "Harry and Ron won't keep you a secret."
"I wouldn't blame them; I did an awful thing to you."
"It wasn't your fault…" she muttered "Besides they don't need to know everything and my rooms big enough for the both of us,"
Victor kissed her forehead "What did I do to deserve you?"
The blushing witch smiled and led him into her bedroom before anyone saw that for the next few weeks she would be accommodating a deatheater…..
The room was cool and the windows were splattered with rain which appeared to be bucketing from the sky, the room was furnished with mahogany wood, a desk in the corner which had a heap of books covering the surface, a dressing table and mirror covered in various muggle and magical concoctions, a large wardrobe with had a photo of her, her mother and father all on a beach in Florida all laughing and below that a picture of her and Victor dancing at the Yule ball two years ago continuously twirling round and around laughing. In the centre of her room was a four poster double bed, the sheets the same crimson and gold that accompanied her walls.
"How long has it been since I was last in here?"
"Almost nine months…" Hermione replied not being able to take her eyes off him.
"It's been that long?" the tall dark-haired wizard questioned as he shook his head disapprovingly and lifted Hermione into his arms and laid her on the bed "Seems like we have a lot to catch up on…"
"You could have written," she replied as she flicked her wand to lock the door then pulled the covers over her and waited for victor to get in beside her.
"I tried. Really I did but Barty Jr caught me and to my luck told the boss."
Her mouth fell open with horror.
"I'm okay," he reassured her "It wasn't the first time,"
Hermione cuddled up beside him and he reacted by wrapping his muscular arms around her tightly. She felt safe and secure when he held her, like no one of anything could stand in her way, like only being with him was the only thing that mattered. "I'm glad you're here," she murmured into his green t-shirt. "Just don't leave me again; I didn't think you were going to come back last time…"
"If I had my way I'd stay here with you forever," he replied with a doubtful voice "Maybe one day we can be, but not at the moment,"
"Next time you go tell me because I'm coming with you." she looked up at him seriously.
"It's too dangerous." he argued "You're safer here,"
"I'm not called the smartest witch of my age for nothing you know," she protested.
"I know…" he smiled "But I wouldn't be able to forgive my self if any harm came to you."
"You already broke my heart; it can't get much worse…"
Victor's heart felt as if it had just been stabbed; maybe coming back wasn't such a good idea.
"I can't live without you Victor, I don't know how else I can explain that, when you're not here I can't eat properly, and I've been living off toast! I can't sleep properly without thinking your in danger, I can't think unless you here with me. I love you; doesn't that mean anything to you?"
"It means everything to me," he whispered back as he brushed his fingers across her ear and tucked strands of her curly hair behind it. "You mean everything to me, that's why I'm trying to keep you safe, that's why I'm back here."
"But it's not fair, you shouldn't have to go, you shouldn't have to go through hell just because of me."
"I'd die for you Hermione Granger." he said seriously looking into her loving caramel eyes.
"Don't say that!" she replied close to tears.
"It's true…" his heart was breaking at the thought of having to leave her again.
Hermione smiled then couldn't help but yawn, "If I go to sleep are you going to be here in the morning?"
Victor Krum had definitely changed since he had been away, he had grown taller and more mature, he had gotten rid of the Bulgarian accent he hated so much and he had found his soul mate, the one he intended to be with for the rest of his life at any cost. A manly thumb brushed again her soft lips "I'll be here." he assured the sleepy witch but before he too fell asleep he brought his lips firmly down on hers and gave her a much deserved kiss. "I'll always be here." He promised her before burring his nose in her brown curls and falling asleep.
-----
----
----
A/N REVIEWS ARE REALLY REALLY APPRECIATED!!