Viktor paced outside the Herbology classrooms. It had been a week since he had talked to Hermione. He had sent her owls, sent Dobby, sent Ginny, he had even sent flowers and chocolates. Still she would not respond. He wasn't sure what had made her so angry with him. He knew he had given quite a blow to her pride but could she still be dwelling on it? Now he was going to ambush her, she couldn't ignore him if he was right in front of her. The doors opened and students flooded out the last being Harry and Ron.
"She's not here Viktor…" Harry said sympathetically.
"She knew you'd be waiting so she snuck out the back five minutes ago." Ron said. Viktor narrowed his eyes he knew the red headed boy was just loving the fact there was a rift between Hermione and himself.
"You haf to help me Harry I haf to see her." He pleaded looking to the fellow champion.
"I've been trying I really have. What did you do? She won't even say." He said. "You didn't have another girl in your cabin did you?" Harry's eyes narrowed in on the Bulgarian. "Viktor I swear on the name of Merlin if you did-."
"No! I swear this! I called into question her pride… I think."
"How did you call into question her pride?" Harry asked not really able to decipher his broken English.
"I said I had to protect her because she could not do it herself… Something along these lines."
"Oooh…" Ron said shaking his head.
"Bad move." Harry said. "She's a Gryffindor you can't do that. We pride ourselves in independence… Hermione values this trait most of all… No wonder she's angry… But I'll try and talk to her. You know how Hermione can get stubborn sometimes. I wouldn't worry in a few days this will have blown over."
"It's been a week Harry when vill this blow over?" Harry smiled and patted him on the shoulder.
"Soon." Was all he said before taking his leave with Ron who winked at Viktor in pure malice. He ignored the urge to ring the red heads neck instead he sighed and went to walk away.
"Psst… Psst Viktor." He turned to see Neville still in the classroom.
"Neville?" he asked walking over.
"Hermione she's going to be in the library her secret room tonight at seven… Don't tell her I told you…" Neville yelped when the Bulgarian gripped him in a bone crushing hug.
"Thank you comrade!" with that he ran out.
"Owe." Neville whispered.
-o-
Viktor had gotten to the library quite quickly but upon seeing Hermione heading to her secret room he could not bring himself to follow. It had been the first time in a week he had set eyes on her, and she didn't look well at all. She looked as if she had been losing sleep, and her skin was paler than usual.
Now is not good… She looks like she's upset… Should I see her? Maybe I should wait. She looks like she has a lot of studying… I know from what Jamous said that Padma is having to study for big tests this means Hermione does too… I should leave her to her studying… I will wait for her when she comes out. Viktor smiled happy with his decision as he sat down. Little did he know that up those stairs in that small secret room Hermione needed someone more than ever. She sat in her chair staring at her books without seeing. Her mind was moving so fast she couldn't stop it not even for a moment to study a simple text.
God… I'm so ashamed… I'm so pathetic… The way he looked at me… like I was weak… I want to see him but I can't bring myself too. I don't want to see pity in his eyes like he had that night… she shut her eyes tightly.
"I'm not made of lace! You don't have to worry about me!"
"Yes I do! You cannot take care of self!
She groaned hating how it had sounded coming out of his mouth.
I used to be so strong in his eyes… I mean our first meeting was me fighting death eaters off to protect him… How did our roles get so reversed? Now he doesn't even think I can walk alone without getting seriously injured! She stood quickly feeling the need to pace.
"I'm not made of lace! You don't have to worry about me!"
"Yes I do! You cannot take care of self!
She groaned, wondering how many times she would replay the discussion over and over in her head.
When did I get this way? When did I become so weak? When did I begin to rely so much on him? Can I even stand on my own two feet without him? I don't… I don't want to stand on my own without him… God how pathetic does that sound? What is the matter with me!? I don't want to be this way I want to be independent and most of all I want him to see me as such… The only conclusion I can see is breaking up… But I can't do it. The thought of it pains me too much… I love him so much and this issue of mine I won't let ruin that love… Besides it's been a week without him and I've lost sleep I've lost pounds and I can't concentrate… How do I make things right? How do I make me right?
The bell rang throughout the school.
Curfew… already? How long have I been in here moping?
Viktor sat in the corner of the library. All the students had long left, along with the librarian who must have known Hermione was still within the massive room. She had been up in her secret area for hours studying, it only made him smile. She was such a hard worker, and so astute when it came to her studies. He was a lucky man to have a witch like her by his side. He stood slowly seeing Hermione come down the stairs picking up books as she did to put away.
I shall talk to her now… No… No not yet she's working to put the books away she'll only get annoyed… I will wait until she's done… Yes I will wait. He smiled sitting back down next to the stacks where he knew she normally didn't go near at night. She took an hour and half to put the books away, she didn't even seem to know he was there as she walked around with a blank expression. When she was finally done she headed to the window sills prying them from the wall by hand. Viktor smiled as he walked to her, it was like the first night he had come to Hogwarts. He walked up behind her as she pulled a sill from the rust bolt that held it. With a loud crack a metal cable snapped from the wall and flew across Hermione's hand.
"Not again." she muttered as she hissed in pain cradling her hand to her chest.
"Luff…" she jumped as Viktor rushed to her. He took her hand in his.
"I'm fine." She said trying to pull her hand away.
"Let me heal." He said with a smile.
"I said I'm fine Viktor…" she pried her bleeding hand from his. "I can take care of it myself…" she muttered not being able to look him in the eye.
"I know…" he said realizing he had hurt her pride once more. "I know I just… I like to help you luff…" she didn't look to him but continued to cradle her injured hand. "Mina…"
"Hermione?" they looked up to see an older boy who was tall and lengthy.
"Harold hey." She said with a pleasant look.
"I'm glad I caught you Malinda has the flu and is in the hospital wing think you can cover her rounds?"
"Oh uhm sure where will I be patrolling?"
"Slytherin dungeons."
"Yeah sure." Viktor looked to her in disbelief.
"Thanks you're a life saver." Harold said. "You know next year you just might make prefect."
"Keeping my fingers crossed." She said with a smile as he headed off.
"You're going to patrol the Slytherin dungeons?" Viktor asked. "Are you insane?"
"Ron's been saying I'm mental for years." She muttered "Look I have to go now if I want to get back to my room at a decent time." She went to walk away.
"Mina." He grabbed her arm halting her movements.
"I'm going and you can't stop me." She said with such rage in her eyes it made him look away.
"I know this…" he took a steadying breath. "Just be… Be careful…"
"Why say that? You're just going to follow me down there anyways." With that she stormed off blood still dripping from her hand. Viktor looked around, unsure if he should follow or if he shouldn't. He was torn between giving her much needed space, or protecting her as a good boyfriend did, or at least should.
Of course I will be protective boyfriend! He quickly headed off to follow her but then stopped. No… Mo I will be supportive boyfriend… and give her what she wants… I will wait for her in bedroom we will talk then…
-o-
Hermione walked through the castle her wand drawn. She no longer took chances when she was alone, making sure she either had her wand in hand or at least close by. In the dark corridors of dungeon hall she had no choice but to have it drawn for light.
"Turn that damn light out!" a portrait yelled at her.
"Just doing what I was told sir…" she said letting the light dim but only a little. She kept looking over her shoulder expecting to see Viktor but she never did. She wondered if he had taken her hint and stayed far away. She took a small breath, she didn't like him far away but she needed to gain what little independence she could.
She reached the end of dungeon hall and Turned looking around. Everything was clear; she could head back to her room. She checked her watch as she walked back to the stair cases, it was late, she wouldn't get back to her dorm room for a least another forty five minutes which meant she wouldn't get to sleep until late. Hermione suddenly stopped as she heard a noise behind her. She spun around quickly wand held high up. Someone was standing ten feet away shrouded in darkness.
"Who's there?" she asked wishing her light from her wand could reach them.
"Look who has made her way into the spiders sticky sticky web." Hermione's eyes narrowed.
"Malfoy…" the tip of his wand illuminated cascading him with a haunting glow. She took a step back out her eyes widening. "Merlin..."
"Look like hell don't I?" he asked his eyes narrowing. He had deep bruises and gashes across his face.
"What happened-."
"Your boyfriend is what happened!" she jumped as his booming voice bounced off the stone walls. "You got what you deserved… I didn't… Stupid bitch mudblood…"
"Do you need to go to the hospital wing?" she didn't know what else to say he looked horrible.
"I just got back… I'm feeling better than I was a week ago… You know he left me… In the woods… Covered in blood… Luckily he sent a house elf to get me a few hours later…"
"That was kind of him…" Hermione muttered. "He could have just left you there."
"Bet you would have like that huh mudblood?"
"No… In fact Viktor and I have barely talked since that night."
"Mad the huge idiot beat the hell out of me?"
"Mad I didn't get to do it myself…" she said in a dangerous tone.
I would hex the hell out of him for that comment about Viktor, but he already looks like he's ready to peel over.
"You have your chance…" he said holding out his arms.
"You should head back to bed…" Hermione turned. "You don't look well…"
"Don't turn your back on me mudblood!" he fired a spell Hermione turned quickly.
"Protego." His spell instantly deflected. She pointed her wand and shook her head. "Stand down. You're in no shape to duel, Malfoy…"
"I can take you! Reducto!"
"Stop it!" she deflected it again. "Your magic is unstable if your still hurt you can only do damage to yourself!"
"Dolohov!" purple flames shot out at Hermione. She rolled out of the way.
"Malfoy stop!"
"Dolohov!" More purple flames shot at her again she dodged each one.
"That spell is forbidden on school grounds!"
"So is beating the crap out of other students! Dolohov!"
"You did it first!" Hermione yelled as she rolled over her shoulder. "Confundos!" he missed the spell but only by a little. "Stand down!" a red beam shot by him scraping his shoulder. Malfoy dropped to the ground his hand going to his shoulder he pulled it back to see blood. He looked to Hermione his eyes narrowing.
"You bitch." He spat.
"I told you to stand down." she said. "Once again I'm going to give you that chance… Turn around and head back into your common room…"
"I should have just told Crawl to slit your throat when he had the chance… Looks like if you want something done you have to do it yourself…" he ran at her. Malfoy started firing spells rapidly Hermione dodged or countered them every time until she was right before him. She grabbed him by the robe and slammed him into the wall so hard his wand flew from his wand. She stuck hers under his throat with a dangerous look in her dark eyes.
"Go back to your common room." she said with a deadly tone.
"Don't tell me what to do mudblood…" she shook her head.
"There's something wrong with you Malfoy… You can't quit even when you're not ahead…" Before she held anger for the boy now she only held pity.
"My father didn't teach me to quit." He said through clenched teeth.
"It's not quitting if you want to survive."
"What am I to take from that, that you will kill me?"
"No…" she took a step back and let him go. "I'm not like you Malfoy…"
"Thank god for that." He said as she turned her back and started to walk away. "One more thing mudblood." Hermione stopped. "I told you not to turn your back on me." Hermione felt a searing pain spread through her back she fell to her knees and turned seeing Malfoy holding a bloody dagger in hand.
"Are you insane!?" she asked.
The daft prick just stabbed me!
"No… No I'm very sane…" he said moving towards her. Hermione waved her wand trying to get the dagger from his hand. He laughed. "I see you don't know about Salazar Slytherins Dagger…" she winced her back aching.
"Every muggle born knows about that dagger." She said softly as she stared at it wide eyed.
"Then you know that you can't disarm it with magic…" he smiled. "You're gunna have to fight me Granger… Which from what Crawl told me before he left you're not too good at…" she raised her wand making him as she stood up laugh again as he put his hand out his wand flying into it. "I know wandless magic too."
"Stop talking its late and I don't want to play games… Make your move Malfoy."
"Don't mind if I do." He fired a curse as he moved forward. Hermione dodged the first attack but not the second as his dagger flew across her stomach. She stumbled back her hand going to her abdomen. Malfoy laughed as she pulled back her hand to find blood.
"Losing so soon Granger?" Hermione kicked her foot out catching him in the stomach before slamming her fist across his face. She then set her wand against his chest.
"Dispella!" Malfoy shouted as pain filled his chest cavity and he flew back slamming against a stone wall. Hermione rushed forward as he fell to the ground another one of her spells hitting him in chest sending him crashing again into the stone. He fell to the ground dazed. She picked him up by the collar as he swung the knife hitting her in the shoulder. She screamed out as a searing pain filled her. Malfoy smiled as he watched her drop to the ground writhing in pain.
"That's what makes Slytherins dagger amazing… It kills mudbloods rather slowly… Think of it like the cruciatis curse… Times twenty." He laughed and the sound was enough to make Hermione want to kill him. He pulled back his hand leaving the dagger in her body. With every moment that past the pain got worse and worse. Her hand shook as she raised it to the dagger all the while Malfoy smiled down at her. She grabbed onto the weapon. Instantly pain filled her hand as her skin burned from the charmed snake skin handle. She gritted her teeth and with a loud shout pulled the dagger free and slowly began to stand.
"No… No that's impossible." He said seeing her hand start to smoke as the handle continued to burn her.
"Believe it." she said rushing forward no longer holding her wand which lay forgotten on the floor. She swung the knife cutting him across the face then swung again catching him across the body and then with a loud shout pulled back and stabbed it into his shoulder. This time Malfoy began to writhe and scream as he dropped to the ground. Hermione tilted her head trying not to enjoy the sight of him in pain.
"Funny thing about Slytherins dagger… It's harsh to muggle borns, but down right cruel to pure bloods who fail to use it properly." She walked to her wand and picked it up as she heard people begin to head down the dark hallways towards the screaming. "We're even… Next time you cross me… I'll kill you." With that she ran off her body filled with pain, and her heart filled with pride.
-o-
Viktor paced Hermione's room. It was nearly one in the morning and still she was not back. He wondered if something had happened to her. If she had been ambushed by Malfoy again. He couldn't help but let his mind drift to dark things. Was she lying in the Slytherin dungeons being tortured? Was she bleeding and left for dead? What was taking her so long?
"Five more minutes I vill go search." The door to the room opened and he turned seeing Hermione bleeding as she walked in with a smile. "Luff."
"Viktor?" She asked surprised as he rushed to her. "What are you-."
"I came to speak with you… What has happened?" he asked his eyes widening at the sight of her blood stained clothes.
"Later… First I need help." She said without issue.
"There is much blood you should go to hospital wing…"
"I can't the nurse is a half blood I need a pure blood to heal me." he raised an eyebrow. "I'll explain while you heal." He nodded. Hermione sat on the bed and started peeling off her blood stained clothes. Viktor stared in horror at her back. Across the three scars she already carried was a long jagged cut from her right shoulder to her left hip. "Malfoy attacked me in the dungeons I was faring well when he brought out the dagger of Slytherin… Forged by the founder of that house its meant to hurt muggle borns… If injured by the dagger only a pure blood can heal you…" he nodded as he moved his wand over her skin slowly it began to heal it. "Is it scarring?"
"Dah luff… I am sorry…"
"It's alright…" she muttered.
"This one is done anywhere else?"
"Yes…" she turned for him. She had a long open cut across her abdomen.
"Lay back luff…" she nodded. She still held her shirt pressed to her bra clad body but knew she would have to remove it for her shoulder wound. She didn't know why she was being shy with her body; she decided it was because of all her bruises she had newly required.
"Did that one scar?" she asked.
"No… The cut was not as deep as other… Anything else?"
"Yes…" she sat up and let the shirt drop. Viktors eyes went to a mark on her shoulder. At first he thought it was a bruise but now he saw it was a stab wound. He looked to her back to see a smaller mark which at first he thought was a tiny cut.
"He stabbed you?"
"I'm afraid so…"
"This one will hurt to heal luff." She nodded and laid back to get more relaxed. As he healed her he looked over the wound. It was jagged and black around the edges with the veins around the wound a Slytherin green. The dagger had done a number on her. As he healed her Hermione's eyes shut tightly. She had to admit it hurt worse getting it healed then when she had been stabbed.
"It's almost over luff…" he said seeing she was clearly in pain as her back arched slightly.
"Just hurry…" she said her jaw clenched. Hermione felt a searing heat fallowed by rapid cooling.
"Okay… You are done…" she slowly nodded and stood before walking over to a mirror to assess the damage. She sighed heavily as she scowled.
"I have come to realize I will never be a woman with lovely smooth skin… But this is downright ridiculous…" Viktor walked over and moved his hand down her back. "Thank Merlin for magical makeup… Maybe I should learn some glamour spells for the skin…" She thought out loud as she touched one of her scars.
"I think your skin is beautiful Mina…"
"You're sweet." She said quietly pulling on a sweater to cover her body once more. She slowly turned. "You didn't follow me."
"Was it wrong?" He asked.
"No…" she said with a smile. "Thank you for allowing me to get my pride back…"
"It is hard for me not to protect you… But I'm learning that you being who you are makes it so that I always can't… Do I make sense?" she nodded as she leaned back against her vanity table.
"Viktor you know… You know it's only going to get worse right?" he slowly nodded. "You know that in a few short years my life is going to become very dangerous and that I will get hurt…A lot."
"I know…"
"I love you Viktor… That's why I'm offering you this chance… If you don't think you can handle what my life is most likely going to become, a dangerous life filled with death eaters, and dark creatures alike… Then please leave me now… Find some soft handed beautiful girl to marry, and have children with and live a good life. Because with me you may only live a dangerous one." He could see the pain in her expression as she said it. He slowly moved forward and took her hand in his.
"You are my love…" he said in Bulgarian. "I have no life without you…" he pulled her into his arms. Hermione instantly melted her eyes closing as she breathed in his rugged scent. "I love you Mina…" he whispered.
"I Love you too Viktor…" she said softly. He picked her up in his arms and carried her over to the bed. They laid back against it, their bodies pressed close together. They stayed like that all night. Neither removing any clothing, not kissing, not anything but listening to each other breathe. Taking in comfort that fact that they were together.
The next morning Hermione got up while Viktor still slumbered. She found her uniform and slowly put it on. Her body still ached but it wasn't enough for her to miss any of her classes. After she was done getting dressed she headed into her work room to look over her brooms. Mina now hung in the air sported by her own magic.
"You are progressing nicely…" she felt two arms wrap around her and smiled as Viktor kissed her cheek.
"Come back to bed luff…" he whispered huskily into her ear before nibbling at the lobe.
"I can't I have classes." She said.
"Mmm… I can't wait till summer months when we can stay in bed all day…" he said.
"I think your parents would have something to say about that."
"We vill sneak." She laughed as he kissed her neck again.
"Viktor… Its six… You should get to your cabin to change." She felt him nip at her neck in a wanting manner.
"I haf uniform here that I brought…" he turned her in his arms and took her in a passionate kiss. When he pulled away Hermione smiled at him with a raised eyebrow.
"What has gotten into you?"
"We haf not been together in week… I miss you…" Hermione smiled softly as she pushed him back.
"Viktor you have to get ready for class." He wrapped his arms around her once more pressing her against his muscular body.
"We haf time."
"No we don't haf time…"
"Must you mock me luff?" he asked as he kissed her again.
"Viktor you have owl prep..." he stopped groaning slightly.
"I do don't I?"
"Yes you do."
"I can skip." He went to kiss her but Hermione placed two fingers against his lips and pushed him back. Viktor couldn't help but smile at the motion.
"Viktor illiteracy is not sexy…" he nodded kissing her finger tips.
"Then I shall study hard for you and vill become genius sexy man."
"Right you will." She said with a small laugh.
"I shall get ready then at my cabin… I haf to get some of my study materials…" she nodded following him out of her secret room as he took his fire bolt in hand and opened the window. "I vill see you tonight?"
"I'll be in the library late if you'd like to see me there…"
"Dah this sounds good." He mounted the broom. Before he flew off he cupped Hermione's cheek and gave her a soft kiss.
"Love you Mina, I will see you tonight." She nodded.
"Good luck with OWL prep." He nodded before flying off at his top speed. Hermione smiled as she closed the doors to her window. She was glad that even though they hadn't talked in a week they were still able to get back to normal in no time at all. Like nothing had changed.
-o-
Viktor walked into the potions hall. He knew Hogwarts teachers were going to take turns over OWL prep but he wasn't happy about the first teacher being the head of Slytherin house Severus Snape. He rolled his eyes at the pale black haired man as he found his seat next to Jamous.
"This class will not be easy for you after what you did last night my friend." He said in Bulgarian.
"Last night?" Viktor asked.
"Malfoy was found screaming a dagger in the shoulder…" Viktor smiled, Hermione had left out that she had in fact stabbed Malfoy there for winning the fight. "By that smile I'm guessing it was not you." He muttered as he walked off.
"My wondrous Mina…" he said with a dreamy look.
"I guess you two are better?" Jamous asked with a laugh.
"Much better comrade…" he clapped him on the back.
"In my class you will only speak English…" Snape said making the Bulgarians scowl. After two hours of Viktor and Jamous working over a never ending potion of truth serum Snape walked over and dumped it at their feet. "Pitiful the Bulgarian academia…" he muttered.
"I really hate that man…" Jamous muttered watching him walk to the front of class.
"That will be all for us today, you have five minutes to get to the transfiguration room for your next part of prep…. Be gone I'm done with you."
"Gladly." Jamous said almost running from the icy cold room earning his back a glare from the potions master. The next class, transfiguration, was much better; Viktor could see why this teacher was Hermione's favorite. She was stern but very fair when it came to discipline.
"Oh miss Granger." He looked up to see Hermione walking up the middle aisle of the classroom to the teacher.
"You called me professor?" She asked and Viktor sat up straight in his chair.
"That I did. Boys boys…" she clapped her hands making them all look up. "This here is my favorite and most brightest student Hermione Granger, but you all probably know her."
"Hallo Hermyownknee." they all greeted with smiles. Most everyone on the Durmstrang boat had grown to like the bright eyed witch.
"Hi boys." She said with a small wave and they beamed.
"She'll be helping us over the next week on our transfiguration, if you cannot get my attention do seek Hermione's she's just as gifted if not more. Continue…"
"What are they working on?" Hermione asked her professor.
"Basic goblet transfiguration." Hermione slowly moved around the room helping anyone who needed it.
"Hermione luff…" she turned seeing Viktor. "I need help." She nodded and followed him to his seat. "I cannot figure this out. Goblet will not turn into an owl…" Jamous shook his head. Viktor had successfully turned the goblet into not only an owl, but also a small crocodile, and even a blow fish, he wasn't having trouble he just wanted his girlfriends attention.
"Nice try Viktor but I saw it was an owl just three minutes ago…" he smiled at her as she walked away.
"She is too smart." Viktor said.
"Now we will move onto the next exercise." McGonagall said bringing everyone's attention to her. "We will now turn or goblets into a magical creature."
"Ma'am that's university level…" a boy said from the front.
"You don't think you seven years can handle it?" she asked with a smirk.
"It is… hard." He said.
"Miss Granger what year are you in?" she inquired.
"Fourth year Professor." Hermione answered.
"Please demonstrate for the boys…"
"Yes professor…" she walked up to the goblet her wand drawn.
"No way she can do it." Jamous said. Even Viktor had his doubts that kind of transfiguration was rare. She tapped her wand against the goblet three times.
"Miss Granger…" she said stopping her. "Something impressive."
"Yes professor…" she said with a smile before tapping her wand against it. Without saying a word the goblet shot into the air and burst into flames. They all watched as ashes fell to the table before Hermione.
"Better luck next time…" a boy said from behind Viktor. A loud squawk suddenly sounded and a large phoenix burst from the ashes. He hovered before the class his wing span spread before them a good twelve feet.
"Well done miss Granger! Excellent work!" McGonagall applauded her as did everyone in the room. Hermione smiled as the bird flew around the room. "Now what Miss Granger just did is actually a three step transfiguration process. She transfigured the goblet into fire then ash then the bird itself well done indeed…" she nodded at the young girl. "I wouldn't be surprised if some day you took my job away from me young lady."
"I will always and forever be your most willing student Professor…" She said with a soft smile as she transfigured the phoenix back into a goblet. McGonagall smiled, she had always held a tender place in her heart for the young bright eyed witch.
"We'll be around to help." She said softly trying not to show the great pride she had for Hermione in that moment. By the end of class not even Viktor had been able to do it despite the help they had so they were given it as homework. At the end the bell rang. "That's lunch; you all are dismissed for the day." Hermione packed up her bag and smiled as she felt Viktor kiss her cheek. "Ahem." McGonagall cleared her throat.
"Sorry hands off my hands they are off." He said backing away.
"Thank you professor." Hermione said making the older woman smile as she watched the girl and her boyfriend head off. When they got out of the classroom Viktor turned to her.
"You were brilliant luff!" he said holding her hand in his. "Truly brilliant…"
"You didn't think I could do that could you?" She asked knowingly with a smile.
"You continue to surprise me..." he said kissing her on the cheek. "So what shall we do for lunch?"
"You will have to join Jamous in the great hall… Me I have to go help Neville and sprout with a side project for extra credit."
"Then I shall see you tonight." She nodded.
"Have a good day in prep…"
"I vill." She went to walk away but he took her hand in his and wheeled her back around. She smiled softly as he kissed her his hand cradling her cheek in his. "I love you…"
"I love you too." She said with a smile before heading off. He heard a set of low whistles and tunred to see his friends.
"Oh no I luff you." Jamous said to his friend in a girly voice.
"No I luff you!" another said in a truly exaggerated low voice.
"No it is I who luff you, you hunky Bulgarian man thing!"
"Let's haf many Bulgarian babies!"
"Oh Viktor!" Jamous leaned back the back of his hand on his head in a dramatic way.
"Oh hermyownknee!" the other said.
"Shut it." Viktor muttered trying not to laugh.
-o-
The rest of the day went by slow for Viktor who couldn't wait until he could see Hermione at the end of the night in the library. As he left his last class eager to see Hermione his head master was waiting.
"You and I… We haf need of words…"
"You and I haf no need of words…" with that Viktor walked off leaving his head master in his wake. Viktor walked down the corridor towards the Library.
"Viktor!"
"Uhk." He muttered turning. "All I want is to get to luff and I can't because people keep shouting my name about…"
"Sorry." Harry said. "But we have interviews…"
"Again?" Harry only shrugged. "This gets very annoying…"
"I know… I'm sure it will be over quick though." Harry said sympathetically.
"You don't think Skeeter voman is there?"
"I don't think so… I haven't actually seen her lurking about lately have you?"
"Just her photo men."
-o-
Hermione moved through the library. She had shut all the windows, put all the books away and even dusted off all the tables. Now she was just biding her time for Viktor. It was late, later then she wished to be out. She wondered if she should go to her dorm to wait for him there, but he had said to meet him with in the library.
"What is taking so long I wonder…" she mused to herself her fingers drumming against an old red oak table.
"Hermione?" she turned to see Jamous.
"Oh hey." She said with a smile.
"Hi, Viktor sent me… I'm to walk you to common room… It seems he's being held up with interviews. Harry as vell."
"Oh that's too bad… You don't have to walk me."
"No I don't mind besides I am walking Padma…" she looked over his shoulder to see her old roommate waving.
"It's afterhours you know." Hermione said.
"You should talk." She fired her arms across over her chest.
"I work here." Hermione muttered.
"Do not start in on my lady Hermione… Or else we vill not double date." Hermione just laughed as she grabbed her bag and headed out with them shutting the doors as she did. She was a little put out, sad that she wouldn't be with Viktor that night. After the preview in the morning, she had been excited to see what was to come in the night. When they reached the common room she bid Jamous and Padma good night knowing they would want a farewell snog. She smiled as she headed up the stairs to the top of Gryffindor tower where her private room was situated. She closed the door and rested her head against the wood for a moment.
I wanted to snog…
"Luff?" she jumped turning instantly.
"Merlin Viktor…" she covered her heart. "You scared me."
"You do not get scared luff only startled." He said with a smile.
"I thought I wasn't going to see you tonight." She said with a smile as she walked to him.
"Neither did I… They… I mean we, the champions, waited for hours for Rita Skeeter to show…"
"She never did right?" Hermione asked with a smile.
"No… But how did you know?" He tilted his head seeing a nervous expression taking her features. She slowly began to play with the star Jem pendant hanging around her neck. "Mina… How did you know?"
"Don't get mad." She said.
"What haf you done?" he asked instantly alarmed.
"Don't get mad." She said once more.
"I vill not get mad but what haf you done?" His eyes grew wide. "Tell me Mina that you did not kill raving reporter?"
"No!" she said. "But uhm… I kind of… Well let's just say she's not dead…"
"What haf you done!?" He asked in a panic.
"You said you wouldn't get mad!"
"I'm not mad I'm worried." He said trying to calm himself. "Mina… What is it you haf done to Skeeter voman?"
"Nothing big…" she said examining the tip of her hair. "Is that a split end?"
"Mina." He said in a warning tone.
"I kidnapped her."
"Mina!" he gasped. "What happened?"
"It's kind of a long story but all you need to know is I found out how she was figuring out about our relationship and everyone else's in the tournament." She said walking to a cupboard.
"How was she finding out things?"
"She's an Animagus…" she grabbed a small vial and walked to him. "See." He looked to see there was a tiny bug inside the glass.
"She is bug?" he asked seeing the insect move about.
"Yes she is… Now I'm keeping her for a few days to teach her a lesson and I've let her know that if she doesn't keep her spying under control I'd report her to the ministry… She's not registered you see, poor dear." She shook the vial with a smile before putting it away.
"That's brilliant." Viktor said with a smile.
"Yes well she won't be bothering you anymore that's all that matters." She closed the cupboard.
"Won't be bothering us." She closed the doors to her closet for more privacy just in case. "You know you vill haf to eventually let her go."
"Eventually but not just yet…" she said with a smile.
"As long as you know."
"I know…" she said with a nod. "So how was the rest of your day?"
"Lonely…" he said his arms moving around her waist.
"Really?" she asked.
"Very lonely…" Hermione smiled as he began to kiss her neck slowly.
"Anything I could do?"
"Much you can do luff." He said before capturing her mouth with his in a heated kiss. Hermione smiled as she pushed his cloak off his shoulders and then pulled his shirt off. "I like where this is going." Suddenly she stopped. "No… No stopping luff…" he said quickly.
"Sorry sorry my mind got away from me…" she said before wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Thank Merlin it is back…" he said as he moved his fingers through her hair.
We haven't been intimate like this since that night I stormed out and got attacked. I keep thinking about how confidant he was. How confidant he is now.
"Luff head is far away again." He said with a small smile as he pulled away slightly.
"How many women have you been with?" it came out fast, so fast it had nearly made his head spin.
"What?" he asked in a slight daze.
"Nothing never mind." she wrapped her arms around his neck to press on but Viktor stopped her.
"What was question?"
"How… Many brooms have you ridden?"
"That was not what was asked…" he said kindly.
"Okay…" she took a breath mustering all her strength. "How many women… Have you… Been… With?"
"What brought this on luff?" he asked with a soft expression. "Was it that article today in the paper?"
"What article?" he blinked as she raised in eyebrow.
"Never mind." He said with an overly innocent look. She tilted her head at him. "So what did bring this on?"
"Okay remember the night I got attacked?"
"Which one?"
"Stop changing the subject."
"Yes I remember." He said. "The one where you stormed out before… Oh…" he nodded and walked over to the bed and sat down. "Oh…"
"You're catching on I see…" Hermione said softly.
"I think maybe I haf but you speak first then I vill…" she nodded.
"Well that night was the first time I was going to try… You know what I was going to try." He nodded smiling at her shyness. "I was so nervous to the point my hands were shaking then I remembered with you when you did… You know what you did…" he nodded again. "You were fine with it. You were confidant… So very confidant… and-."
"You wonder how many voman I haf been with to make me confidant?"
"Yes…" she said quietly. "You know how my mind gets away from me, and when that thought popped into my head all these other thoughts did. Like how far you've gone, what you've done, and if you've ever actually done the deed…" Viktor looked forward thinking carefully. He knew the discussion was coming but he hadn't quite prepared for it. "Because I have done nothing… At all." He nodded still thinking.
"I haf… Done things…" she looked to him.
"What have you-."
"I haf… Had sex…" He admitted. Hermione looked at her hands feeling quite embarrassed at that moment.
"Oh I… I see…" Viktor looked to her seeing a flash of pain flicker across her features. "That's… That's fine… I mean you're you… So… That's… That's fine."
"It's not fine though I can see that clearly."
"How many… Many times would you say?"
"Sex or… Or foreplay." He stumbled over his words.
"Sex…."
"Ten maybe twelve times."
"Oh okay…" she nodded turning away. This was getting worse by the second. "And foreplay?"
"I can't remember…" he said honestly.
"Can't… Can't remember…" she repeated. "That girl… in the cabin that one time…" she turned. "Was that one of your Ten twelve timers?" she asked calmly. He took a breath and closed his eyes before nodding.
"Almost…"
"Okay… Thank you… Thank you for being honest…"
"You look upset."
"No… I just I just need to process this is all…" she said with a soft smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Mina…"
"I'm fine…"
"This." He stopped trying to find the words. "This changes things doesn't it?" he asked quietly as he stood. Hermione thought about it for a moment.
"I think it might…" she admitted quietly.
"You do not love me… Anymore?" she looked at him.
"Of course I do Viktor that won't ever change…" he smiled.
"Then what has changed luff?"
"Well my confidence is pretty much gone…" she said softly. "Also now every time I'm with you I think I might wonder about them and if you're comparing me…"
"No comparison those girls I did not even love!" He froze realizing what he had just said.
"That doesn't make it better honey…" she said with a soft smile.
"Mina… Are you very angry with me?"
"I'm not angry Viktor…" she said with a smile she wrapped her arms around him. She slowly pulled away. "So… Was it ten… or twelve…" he smiled innocently. "You don't know do you?" he shook his head with the same smile making her laugh. "Well all that matters is I'm going to be your eleventh or your thirteenth…" he laughed.
"And my fifteenth and sixteenth… and beyond this."
"What makes you think I'll give it up to you huh?" She inquired.
"I am… charming?" he wiggled his eyebrows at her.
"Not charming enough to get into my pants so soon."
"I do not want to get into pants." He said honestly confused at her terminology. "I want to get into your v-." she placed her fingers against his mouth silencing him. He smiled at her brightly realizing what he was about to say.
"You know that language block? That is pretty charming…"
"Charming enough to kiss you?" he asked.
"Maybe…" he went to kiss her but she turned her head with a smile causing him to catch her on the cheek. He went to kiss her again only to have her turn her head once more catching her on the other cheek.
"Luff you tease me." He said with a slight pout.
"Always." He ran his fingers through her hair slowly, the sensation of which made her eyes flutter close. He smiled as he took his chance and captured her mouth with his as he lifted her up into the air. Hermione instantly wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried her over to the bed and laid her down.
"No… No I'm still thinking about it…" she said pushing him back by his bare shoulders. When he had taken off his shirt she wasn't sure.
"Then let me chase those thoughts away…" he said as he kissed her neck.
"Viktor…"
"Okay luff… Okay… You make it hard to control myself sometimes…" he said lying next to her in the bed. "I vill make this up to you…"
"You don't have to make anything up to me it's my issue… My lack of experience."
"I like your lack of experience…" he said rolling onto his side so he could get a better look at her.
"You do?" she asked not at all believing him.
"Of course… It means you are a good woman…"
"Which makes you a bad bad bad man…" he smiled.
"Sexy bad?"
"Maybe a little…" she said with a smile. "In truth I'm a little glad you're more experienced… It does come with its advantages… My first time won't be with someone who had no clue what they're doing…"
"You've thought about having your first time with me?" He inquired.
"Yes." She said not at all shy about it as she thumbed her pendant. "You're very sweet, kind, and gentle, and even though I complain about it, sometimes it is nice having someone who wants to protect me…" he smiled. "I can't see a better man to have that special experience with… I don't know when it will happen but when it does, I will be glad it was with you…" she looked to him. "Also I hope that you'll be my first… and my last…" He cupped her cheek his thumb moving across a light blush.
"I hope you vill be my last as vell, and in many ways luff I wish you had been my first…" she smiled softly.
"You always know what to say don't you?"
"It is part of my charm…" she smiled as she wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest. "I luff you Mina…"
"I love you too Viktor…" she said with a smile