Song Hermione plays on piano
Playing love- Ennio Moricone soundtrack from "the legend of 1900."
-o-
Hermione was sitting at the piano which was situated in the corner of her room. Her eyes gazing at the powder snow that lay outside the window. She had hated the fact she had to say goodbye to her mother. She slowly glanced down at the keys with a long sigh. Her fingers slowly moved over them dancing lightly. She closed her eyes smiling softly as a soft tune flowed from the piano.
Viktor slowly peeked his head in stopping to see Hermione's hands moving expertly over the keys in a happy tune her eyes closed. She slowly sat up her eyes drifting to look outside the window at a flying bird. The music slowly began to fallow along with the birds movements. The sound of her playing was light and loving. Viktor leaned against the door with a soft expression. He never knew Hermione could play. It was like she did this for a living. She would close her eyes and lean towards the piano as the music became more powerful and full of feeling. There was a sad tone to it even though it was a lighter way of playing after a few minutes her fingers stopped and she slowly sat up her eyes opening as she sighed. She looked at her hands flexing them slightly.
"No good." She said.
"No good?" she jumped her hand going over her heart before her eyes shot to rest upon him. She sighed again in relief her heart pounding away in her chest.
"Viktor! You scared me!" he laughed and walked over.
"Why didn't you tell me you could play the piano?"
"Because I can't." he stared at her, what she had just done was amazing. "Not like my mum anyway she's the one with real talent." She looked to the keys with a sad look.
"You are sad to see your mother and father go?"
"Just mum…" she said quietly. "Which makes me feel worse..."
"When will you tell me what is going on with your father and you?" she looked to him.
"Nothing is really going on…" he walked to her slowly and pushed up the sleeve of her cardigan.
"This red mark on your arm it's from him grabbing you. He seems like a nice enough man, but the way he handled you makes me question his character."
"No." she said quickly. "Don't question him he is… He is good… He just has his moments…" she got up and closed the door to the room to give them more privacy. She slowly turned. "Look… My dad he drinks sometimes." Viktor slowly nodded his arms crossing over his chest. "Not all the time I'm talking once every six months… But when he does drink it's bad. He gets really angry and judgmental… He gets mean."
"He hurts you." He said.
"No. That grab on my arm has never happened before I can tell you that…" he could tell Hermione was being honest. "My dad isn't abusive to anyone but himself… At least not physically."
"So he does hurt you just not with his fists… But with his words…" Hermione slowly nodded as she walked to her desk. "Here I'll show you… This is a letter from two months ago." She handed it to him. "It's from my dad."
Dear Hermione,
I was getting worried you hadn't written to your mother and I but I was glad to hear that you've met a fella. From what your mum says you really like him. I hope you know I will need to meet him my Hermione only deserves the best…
The letter had nothing but good things.
"Now this one… This one is pretty bad… This was a week ago." She handed him another letter.
Hermione,
So glad you wrote… So glad you wrote so I can tell you what a disgrace you are to your family. He stopped there not wanting to read more.
"He was drunk when he wrote that one." She said taking it. "In the drawing room I stopped him from the brandy because I didn't want him to embarrass not only himself but my mum." she put the letter down.
"I am sorry for this luff…" he said. "You shouldn't have to worry about your father's drinking."
"It's getting better used to be twice a month he got drunk now it's once every six months... I am proud of him for this…" he slowly nodded. There was no limit to the amount of exoneration Hermione would give. "So you know now my family isn't perfect but family isn't perfection… That's why its family." He smiled she was standing up for her father.
"I can accept this." He said with a nod.
"So now that you know can we just forget it?"
"I think we can do this yes." He said as he wrapped his arms around her.
"Good…" she said with a smile as she rested her hands on his chest and looked up at him. A slow musical tune filled the air Hermione smiled knowing Viktor had charmed the piano. After a few minutes of dancing she looked up at him. "Let's go skating tonight…" she said.
"Okay." He said with a smile. "You want to have dinner by the lake as well?"
"Yes." She said with a smile.
"Wear something warm." He said heading away.
"Hey where are you going?" she asked pulling him back by his hand.
"To get date ready."
"Already?"
"We only have a few hours… I'll pick you up at six."
"Alright…" she said with a soft smile as she watched him walk out.
-o-
Hermione smiled as she buttoned up her fitted jacket and looked herself over in the mirror. She was in her crème colored pea coat and skinny jeans with a white beanie over her hair keeping her head warm. She heard a knock and walked to the door. Viktor smiled from the window, she thought the knock had come from inside. He knocked again this time Hermione turned. She smiled as she walked over to the balcony and opened the door.
"You're chariot awaits." He said sitting on his fire bolt. The "Mina" was too fast for his Mina to take. She smiled as she climbed into his lap "Ready?" he asked.
"Yes." She said with a smile as she nestled into him.
"So where are we going the main lake?" she asked.
"No a more private setting one where Stony can't interrupt us." He said. They flew down into a large maze that sat on the property. When they landed Hermione smiled at a large lake which was situated right in the middle. Tons of candles hung high in the air casting a romantic glow. She smiled at a table which was filled with dinner by a canopy filled with pillows and blankets. This was going to be a romantic evening she could already tell. The house elves had prepared them a warm platter of meat and potatoes something to warm them up on the cold post Christmas night. When they were done Viktor had handed her skates which she had gladly put on. Viktor watched with a smile as she jumped onto the ice as carefree as he had ever seen her. He slowly skated out with her.
"Viktor?" she asked after a while.
"Yes luff?" he asked watching her jump and spin in the air as she landed delicately on the cool ice.
"Do I look older?" she inquired as she skated backwards with ease.
"Older luff?"
"Older then I should… Older then my friends." She said with a thoughtful look.
"You act older then friends." She laughed while he smiled.
"I know that… It's just when my mom said good bye she said I looked older in a good way but older still… I wonder if that time turner really did add a few years… I've done the math and I'm really sixteen not fifteen… I'm actually well on my way to 17…"
"You do look like you're more seventeen." He said tilting his head as he skated to her and took her hands.
"Dumbledore said there may be a chance that if I aged physically I won't age any more for a few years while my body tries to get back on track… Would you mind if looked like this for a few years longer?"
"I like how you look always." He said.
"Good answer."
"I thought so." They both laughed.
"That time turner was nothing but trouble." Viktor said after a moment.
"Okay I have to know now. Why are you hating on the time traveling?" she asked.
"I just don't like it." she smiled at Viktors pout she stood up on the toe picks of her skates and kissed his bottom lip while he blushed.
"No pouting." She said as she took his hand. They started to skate round and round together. Hermione smiling as she looked up at the tons of candles.
"I wish winter break could last a bit longer." Hermione said.
"Me too." He said nodding. "I don't want to go back to the tournament."
"I don't want you going back to the tournament either… Have you figured out the egg yet?"
"No." he said.
"Viktor you have to figure it out soon or you might not have enough time to prepare!"
"No worrying about the tournament tonight luff." He said.
"But Viktor if you don't have enough time to prepare you could get hurt!" he wheeled her around and captured her lips with his own. The kiss was deep and intimate his arms pulling her close to his body. When he pulled away she smiled up at him. "What was I saying?"
"No idea." He said as he kissed her again.
After their feet had grown tired they went back to the canopy kicking their skates off as they climbed under the blankets which lay upon the huge massive pillows. Hermione snuggled into Viktor who wrapped his arms around her.
"What happens after the tournament?" he looked down at her resting his chin on the top of her head. "When you leave what happens then?"
"I'll come visit, and you'll come visit…"
"A long distance relationship…" she said quietly.
"Or you could move to Bulgaria." Hermione laughed.
"Or you could move to England." She turned. "I have a fantastic idea quit Quidditch and come teach flying at Hogwarts! They would pay you well!" they both laughed.
"Not as well as Bulgaria pays." She snuggled back into him.
"True… Very true…" Hermione said as she shifted under the blanket to better face him, leaving her with her legs laying over his lap his arms around her.
"The only time that will be tough for us will have to be Quidditch season we players aren't allowed a lot of time with our significant others."
"I'm significant?" she asked looking out at the frozen lake where snow had begun to fall.
"Always to me..." She smiled softly. "More than just significant." He said quietly as he cupped her cheek. "You know I care for you right?" Hermione smiled as she looked to him.
"Yes of course."
"You know that I would do anything for you… I mean anything Hermione… I'd give my life for yours if it came down to it…"
"Viktor…" she said softly.
"No wait I need… I need to get this off my chest…" she slowly nodded. "Hermione you haf been in my thoughts every day and every night… Every second really since you saved my life… since the attack on the world cup I have thought only of your eyes… Your smile… You're bravery… But most of all your heart… You haf such heart." Hermione smiled softly as he cupped her cheek. "These past few months I haf been so lucky to haf gotten to know you…To haf gotten to love you… To haf gotten to hold you…" Hermione's fingers went to his lips silencing him.
"What did you just say?" she asked. He blushed his meaning of this speech had just made itself known a bit early.
"I said… I'm so lucky to haf gotten to know you…"
"After that…" she said softly her eyes sparkling.
To haf gotten to love you…" her smile brightened as her breath hitched.
"Say it again…" she whispered. Viktor mustered all his courage and took a calming breath before looking her straight in the eye his expression softening as he did.
"I… I love you Hermione." Hermione with a soft expression moved forward and kissed him gently. Viktor smiled against her mouth as she slowly pulled away.
"I love you too…" she said with a small watery laugh. He wiped one of her tears away as they kissed again.
"Luff why are you crying?" he asked with a laugh as she wrapped her arms around him.
"Because all this time I just thought it was me." she said pulling away. "I just thought it was one sided."
"You didn't think I loved you?" he asked and she shook her head.
"I wasn't sure." Hermione said with a laugh as she wiped another tear away.
"Are these happy tears?" she laughed again nodding before kissing him.
"You have made me very happy Viktor Krum." He smiled as he pulled her close.
"It's you who has made me happy Hermione Granger."
-o-
For the next few days Hermione and Viktor were inseparable. They had said they loved each other in the morning, in the afternoons, at night and everywhere in between. It was freeing for both of them. They had both been keeping their emotions hidden from one another for so long that now that everything was laid out on the table they couldn't help but say it to each other.
It was now the night before Viktor was to leave to go back to Durmstrang. He and Hermione were lying in bed together not liking the fact that it would be another week until they would see each other once more. Hermione was playing with her pendant her chest lying on Viktors chest as he ran his fingers soothingly through her hair.
"What time is it?" Hermione asked.
"Three in the morning." Hermione snuggled into him as he wrapped his arms around her. She slowly looked up at him her chin resting on his chiseled chest.
"Quit school." She said and he laughed.
"I never thought I'd hear those words come out of your mouth." He said making her smile.
"If you quit school you could stay here with me for a few days. Oh you could transfer to Hogwarts! They'd love to add a Quidditch star to their lineup of students."
"Very true… It is tempting trust me…" he said as he kissed her nose.
"These past weeks have been perfect… I'm worried returning to the real world may prove more then we can handle…" he nodded as he watched her climb on top of him absent mindedly. She had no clue what straddling him did to his senses. "Aren't you worried?"
"No I think we are strong enough to get through anything the world throws at us." He said sitting up his arms wrapping around Hermione. She ran his fingers through his now longer hair with a smile.
"We did already survive the naked woman scenario, and what's worse than that really?" She laughed brilliantly. He loved her laugh; then again he just plain loved her. She scrunched her freckled nose at him with a million watt smile. It slowly faded as she looked to the clock.
"When do you have to leave?" He slowly sat up and wrapped his arms around her.
"Five…" he said as he pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Too soon." She said slipping off him to lay on his other side her leg entwining with his. "You'll write to me when you get there right?"
"And every day on our journey to Hogwarts… You'll write to me to yes?"
"Of course." She said nodding.
"The days will pass quickly you'll see, Stony will keep you very busy… I promise."
"That's true…" Hermione said with a smile. "He's such a cute kid…"
"He's not cute.' He said. "He's a fierce Bulgarian." Hermione laughed.
"Yes a very manly ten year old Bulgarian. Not cute at all really." He chuckled.
-o-
"When you're on the water keep you're wand out." Hermione said as they walked to the floo network. "There have been more and more death eater attacks on travelers… Your ship will be a prime target with so many students and of course your head master."
"What does my head master haf to do with this?"
"He's an ex death eater one who isn't still in the throes of the dark lord… Death eaters still in activation will view him as a traitor… Mark my words by the end of this year he'll have an attempt on his life." He nodded.
"Alright…" he said. "You vill be careful too on the train."
"The Hogwarts express is safer then houses." He smiled.
"Love houses are not that safe."
"True…" she said as she kissed him on the cheek and he laughed. "You'll still be careful?"
"I vill and so vill you?" She nodded. They walked into the drawing room where everyone was waiting. Viktor bid his goodbyes his mother holding him for at least two minutes straight. Then he got to Hermione and kissed her on top of the head.
"Ew!" Stony blushed and turned away. The two laughed before hugging each other.
"I love you." He said softly.
"I love you too do be careful… I worry."
"I'll write you when we get to the ship…" he said as he pulled away and kissed her quickly while his brothers did cat calls except for Asen who just rolled his eyes. Viktor got into the chimney and gave her a small smile.
"Dumstrang!" he threw down the floo powder and was away. Hermione stared at the empty space with a small weak smile.
"Miss him already?" Sophie asked standing next to her.
"Isn't that awful?" Hermione asked her making the older woman laugh. "I'm not like this I swear I don't pine over men."
"We all pine over men it's what makes us love sick ladies…" the two headed off Stony slipping his hand into Hermione's.
"Don't be sad we're going to have tons of fun!" he said.
-o-
That night Hermione found a letter waiting for her on her desk. She smiled as she opened it. Viktor had already written to her.
Dearest Mina,
Today was a good day despite you being not around… I saw Jamous again, he is doing well, he has grown out hair much to Karkaroffs disapproval. He hated it so much that he made us all cut our hair down. I don't so much mind liking my hair a bit shorter than the normal way. The rest of the day after hair cut was spent in headmasters office with the egg. If I hear it screeching one more time I swear I'm going to lose it.
Karkaroff just doesn't get that no matter how many times you open the egg it's not going to make a different sound. We've tried everything from muffeling charms to repairing charms. Karkaroff thinks I damaged the egg, if this proves to be true he will not be happy with me. He might send me below quarters on the ship. That's a place no one wants to go. The last student sent there didn't talk for a whole three months. He's doing tests on the egg now to make sure it is undamaged. Lets hope it is fine.
I miss you very much and you are on my thoughts constantly. I cannot wait until we are back with each other at Hogwarts. I love you so very much Mina.
Counting the days until we are together
Viktor
Hermione smiled as she began to write a letter of her own.
-o-
Viktor sighed as he sat down on his bunk the Bulgarian version of Hermione's favorite book in hand. The one she had gotten specifically for him. The book was very helpful to him thanks to the subject matter. Just as he was about to pop it open to re read it for the 4th time a knock came.
"Come in." Jamous walked in.
"Hermione sent post." He held up a letter. "Look she sent me a gift as well!" he held up a package. Viktor smiled as he watched his friend open it.
"Merry Christmas Jamous From Hermione Ps keep Viktor out of trouble for me." he read a small letter. He opened the box only to find another paper. He picked it up and opened it.
"What is it?" Viktor asked.
"It is a list of Padmas likes and dislikes! She's helping me get dream girl I must study!" Jamous ran from the compartment. Viktor laughed while opening his own letter and settling back down in his bed. He smiled as a picture fell down into his lap. It was of Hermione and Stony both completely covered in snow. He looked to the letter.
Dearest Viktor,
Today was a good day despite you not being here. Stony and I spent a lot of time in the snow as you can see from the picture. He loves it outside but I'm afraid our snow ball fights have left him with a small cold much to his disliking. So for the next few days we'll be staying inside.
I'm sorry to hear that your egg is still making that screeching noise. I wish I could help but Harry said he's already figured it out but he won't tell me what it is says the message is to be kept a secret which would explain the screeching noise. It's used to cover up the clue… I have a theory on the egg but I'm still working it out.
Let's see what else is going on… Oh I twisted my ankle while skating with your brothers luckily Dag was there and fixed me all up but I was pretty embarrassed my triple axel wasn't as graceful as I wanted it to be.
Asen and I are still on pretty good terms. We talked for more the fifteen minutes without insulting each other. I call that progress. Your mother and I went shopping for your dad, happy to report your dad has a new long jacket. He says he'll show you at the next task which both your mom and stony will be attending as well.
I find myself missing you a lot Viktor. I keep wondering the manor hoping you'll pop out at me. isn't it awful the way I'm pining over you? You Mr. Krum have done crazy things to me. I was never like this until I met you, to be honest though I don't so much mind it… Still I do miss you terribly.
Until Hogwarts,
Mina
Ps I love you always
He jumped off his bunk and ran to his desk to start writing another letter.
-o-
Hermione smiled as Boris the owl flew into the room and dropped a letter in front of her. It had been three days since Viktor had left and Hermione was counting the days until she headed to the burrow to head to kings cross. She opened it up Sophia watching her.
Dearest Mina,
How is stony doing? Keeping out of the sno?. And what of your ankle? You said you were alright but still I worry. We arrive in Scotland in a few days, I know that you won't be at Hogwarts until a whole day after I arrive but still I am excited.
Jamous has been reading and studying that paper on Miss Padma day and tonight he wonders if you will maybe introduce him to her when you get back to Hogwarts. I think he might actually be in love with this girl.
By the way I read an article about me in the prophet. Rita Skeeter is telling everyone we are still together and somehow she knew you spent the summer with us. So if I were you I'd stick close to the manor. The last time the prophet did this the girl I had been dating was swarmed by reporters… and if they find out you really are in Bulgaria it will not be a good thing. So stick to home and know that I'm having my publicist and agent work on how Rita Skeeter is getting her information.
Sincerely loving you,
Viktor.
Ps still missing you
Hermione smiled as she rushed out of the room. Sophia laughed as she watched the girl bolt from the room.
-o-
Viktor paced it had been four days since he'd sent his letter and still he had gotten nothing back. A hoot made him turn. He spotted Boris a letter in beak. He rushed over and took it.
"Boris my friend what took you so long?" the owl hooted at him grumpily before flying off not so much asking for a treat. He opened the letter and smiled at Hermione's handwriting.
Dear Viktor,
sorry it took me a few days to get back to you. Boris on his way to deliver my letter ran into some trouble. Poor thing broke his wing. Dag fixed him all up, I would have sent Jeanabelle but she wouldn't leave Boris side. I think our owls may be an item. Any ways I waited a few days before I sent Boris Jeanabelle flying with him. is she there?
Viktor looked around and spotted the blonde owl flying past his window.
I do worry about her some times. Poor Boris look over his wing would you? As for you asking about Stony he is all well and better playing in snow once more. He is mad with me though because I will leave to go to the burrow tonight. By the time you read this letter I should already be there.
I won't be able to send you more post because when Jeanabelle returns to Bulgaria she has instructions to fly back to my parents. So this will be the last communication we have until I arrive at Hogwarts.
I love you dearly Viktor and hope you are safe and doing well.
Missing you,
Mina.
Viktor frowned, the last communication. He had already written a letter to send. He slowly sat down at his desk with a frown. He wanted to see her, he missed her there was nothing else he could say about it.
-o-
Hermione and Ginny sat close to each other in a compartment. They hadn't got to talk about the summer at all while Hermione stayed at the burrow for the last two days of vacation. Ron and Harry had been around her the whole time grilling her about what she did, all of what she said were lies and she could tell Harry knew where she had really been. He didn't seem to upset.
"So you guys said it then?" Ginny asked.
"Yeah we did… It was a perfect moment I'm glad we waited to speak the words." Hermione said.
"So you really love him?"
"I really do and it's strange to think that I do you know… Because I mean he's this big Quidditch star I mean I guess he is from the pictures on Ron's wall… But me I'm just Hermione…"
"Not any more I saw your legs in that dress yesterday… Time turner did you well." Hermione laughed. "Can I borrow it?"
"Very funny Gin."
"Come on everyone likes a skinny ankle… and big breasts."
"My breasts aren't that big." Hermione said glancing down.
"What size are you?"
"I'm not saying."
"You're a solid C32 am I right?" Hermione scowled.
"Not saying Gin…"
"I think they are… or you're breasts are just huge for your skinny body!"
"I'm not skinny I'm perfectly the right size for my BMI."
"So am I… I'm still ridiculously skinny… but I don't have boobs to balance it out."
"You have boobs."
"Barely."
"Gin." The girls laughed.
"Hey there you are." Harry said as he and Ron walked in.
"Hermione you're in the prophet again." Ron said handing her a paper.
"What now?" Hermione asked as she took it in her hands. Hermione tossed it aside after a moment of reading. Ginny took it and smiled.
BREAKING NEWS!
Bon Bon Viktor Krum brings English flower Hermione Granger to Bulgaria to meet family!
"Like Viktor Krum would date someone like you." Ron said and Hermione looked up.
"What does that mean?" Hermione asked.
"Well you know someone normal… It's not like you're a supermodel or something."
"That's only because she's not tall enough." Harry said with a wink trying to make up for Ron's blatant disregard for female feelings.
"Very funny." Hermione said.
-o-
Viktor and Jamous walked with a few of their friends to the great hall. Tonight was the first night that Hogwarts students we're back from break. When they walked inside Viktor searched the room to spot Hermione but all he saw was Harry and Ron.
"Come on she'll be here soon." Jamous said. They all walked to the Slytherin table and sat down. After a few minutes Viktor nearly jumped out of his seat when he spotted Hermione walk in with Ginny both laughing. It had only been a week but there was still something different about her, her hair seemed longer. He would have to compliment it later. She sent him a soft smile before disappearing into the table full of Gryffindor's. Viktor smiled to himself.
"Awe…" Jamous teased.
"Nose down." Viktor said.
In the middle of dinner a loud bang sounded. Viktor watched as Hermione Ron and Harry slowly stood. They were the only ones except for the teachers who did so.
"That's never good." A Slytherin said. "I hate those three but when they look like that you know something is about to go down." another bang sounded so loud it shook the goblets on the table.
"Miss Granger get the students against the walls and prepare yourself." Dumbledore said as he and the other teachers walked past closing the great hall doors as they left. Hermione got onto the table.
"Everyone!" Hermione called silencing the room. "We have a bit of a situation I need everyone to get up from their tables and line themselves against the walls!" everyone began to do what she was saying except for a few students who walked towards the trio. Including Viktor and Jamous.
"How can we help?" Viktor asked as Hermione climbed down from the table.
"You can't." Hermione said. "I need you two up against the walls."
"Kinky Granger." Fred said winking at her as he and George headed to the side of the wall.
"We can help." Viktor said his hand on her shoulder the movement not going missed by Ron.
"Mr. Krum I need you against the wall with the other students." He frowned, she was all business it seemed. "Please…" Her expression softened. "To the wall where it is safe." He slowly nodded before he and Jamous walked to the wall and stood beside their Durmstrang comrades. As he looked to Hermione he watched as a shimmering light flower up into the air. Micah slowly reached forward and hissed as a jolt ran through his finger tips.
"They haf put up a barrier." His friend Oloff said.
Now I can't even help her if I need to… Viktor thought.
"Who are the students assisting them?" Viktor asked seeing a group of students walk to the trio.
"Prefects." Some one answered.
"Is Hermione Harry and Ron prefects?" Jamous asked.
"No." a girl said making him look to his left he froze seeing it was Padma and her twin. "You see Harry Ron and Hermione are kind of the protectors of the school…" he slowly nodded and looked to Viktor who was smiling at his friends red face.
"Honestly you think we'll ever get a day off?" Harry asked. Hermione and Ron smiled at him.
"No." they said in unison.
"Where should we be?" the head boy asked Hermione.
"Behind Harry Ron and I… Take your cues from us… Let's hope you won't have to." Hermione said.
"Right." The trio walked to the middle of the room the prefects head boy and girl behind them.
"What do you think it is?" Ron asked.
"Last time I heard a noise that loud it was a troll." Harry said.
"It's very possible… But the trolls here are no longer juveniles…" Hermione said.
"Adult trolls?" Harry asked. "Can we handle it?"
"Remember bright flashy movements distract them and we have to get the bat away from them. The banging started getting closer. The trio in complete unison shrugged off their top robes letting them fall to the ground.
"Oh man this is going to be a good show." Fred said rubbing his hands together. Hermione took out her wand along with Harry and Ron.
"Get ready." Harry said.
"Right." His friends said together.