Viktor looked himself over in the mirror. The outfit he had chosen was a lot better than the one Karkaroff had. He couldn't believe he had almost decided to wear the leather buckle monstrosity that had been chosen. He ran his hands down the shirt slowly as he tilted his head. He couldn't help but keep letting one thought trickle into the forefront of his mind. He couldn't keep himself from thinking about how it could be the last shirt, last pair of jeans, or last pair of shoes he would ever wear.

Never in his life did he think he could be this nervous. But after the night in the maze before when they had encountered a death eater he couldn't help but think that the maze was going to be jam-packed with them. He knew for a fact each one would be gunning for Harry and they would kill anyone who stood in their way. He heard a knock and looked over his shoulder at the door.

"Viktor… Are you alright?" he put on a brave face and slowly opened the door. Hermione smiled up at him. "You look nice, very presentable…"

"Then I vill look good in photo they take of me holding cup." She smiled.

"I imagine you will…" she said with a smile as he walked out of the bathroom and past her. Hermione turned a roll of medical wrapping in hand.

"What is that for?" he asked spotting it.

"I think we should wrap your hands and wrists, to keep them steady and protected…" she said quietly. "It will also keep your wand from getting slick from sweat… It lessons you're chance of dropping it you see…"

"Good idea…" he said walking over to her as he rolled up his sleeves. He went to take it but stopped seeing Hermione looking down at it.

"I could wrap them… If you wanted… I'm quite skilled at it…" she said softly. "I feel like I should…" he smiled.

She so badly wants to help me… This is the only way she can…

"I was never good at wrapping my hands." He said truthfully. "I would like you to do it…" she smiled at him.

"Alright, left first." He put out his hand willingly. Viktor watched as she slowly and diligently wrapped his wrists first. "Do you want the bandage around each individual finger or do you want it just around the palm?"

"Just around the palm I should think…"

"Alright…" she did as he said and then pulled away. "Does that feel alright?"

"Yes." He said with a smile. "It feels good… I haf full range."

"Excellent… Right hand now." He put out the hand in question and watched her use the rest of the tape to wrap it up. "I'll make this one a little more loose seeing as it's the hand you use to wield your wand." He nodded. When she was done she slowly patted his hand and turned around quickly to throw away the rest of the tape.

"Thank you…" he said, his hands felt sturdy now that they were wrapped.

"You're welcome…" she took his other clothes out from the bathroom and walked over to a table where his bag lay open. He watched her carefully and slowly fold his clothes before putting them away in the bag. Viktor quietly walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her body. He brought her back to his chest as he rested his chin on her shoulder. Hermione slowly looked up to catch their reflection in the mirror. He gave her a worried smile which she returned. Before he could say anything a knock sounded and the two broke apart to look at the door.

"Come in." Viktor stated. The door opened to reveal Jamous. "What is it?"

"Hermione, word came. Harry needs to see you."

"Send word back… I won't be leaving Viktor before the task." Hermione said as she turned and finished packing his bag.

"I think he's in bad shape…" Jamous said.

"He has Ron… I need to be here with Viktor…"

"Right…" Jamous closed the door while Viktor looked to Hermione.

"You should go see to him." He said.

"No I should be here with you." She said shaking her head.

"I vill be fine for few moments. Harry needs you…"

"I know he does…" she said softly.

"I know you want to see him before the task…" he said.

"I do… But I should see to you…"

"Hermione… Go see to Harry… Just for a few moments…" he said leading her over to the door. "I want you too."

"You want to get rid of me don't you? I'm too clingy right now aren't I?" she asked with a small laugh.

"You are not capable of clingy luff…" he said with a smile. "I just don't want you to risk regretting not saying good luck… Or good bye…" she slowly nodded in understanding.

"Right… Okay… I'll be right back then…" he kissed her gently. "Right back." she said again. He nodded as he watched her leave. The second the door closed he instantly regretted letting her go. He wanted her around him to ease his nerves; he needed her around him to ease his nerves.

Hermione walked down a long hallway. Above her she could hear people heading into the small open stadium above. It was nearly time, less than forty five minutes. She walked to a door with Harry's name on it and knocked.

"Come in!" she heard Ron call. She slowly did as he said and closed the door behind her.

"Hermione…" she turned seeing Harry who was pacing. "I didn't think you would come." He said. "I know you're busy with Viktor…"

"I wasn't but I realized I should…" Her voice trailed off without finishing her sentence. She took a breath and walked to him. "Are you alright?"

"I'm really very scared…" he admitted. Hermione moved forward and wrapped her arms around him while sending Ron a worried look. "I don't think I'm ready for this Hermione…" she pulled away.

"Harry thinks the maze will be crawling with death eaters…" Ron said.

"Ever since you told me about the night you and Viktor went in the maze… I can't help but think it's possible… Do you think it is, and don't mince words." Harry said.

"You know I do…" she said softly. "But Harry you've dealt with much worse just remember all your defensive spells and keep a keen eye out." He nodded. "Remember your Patronis it's your best friend… A death eater won't expect it from you…" he nodded.

"I forgot about my Patronis."

"You'd do well to remember it." She said as he nodded.

"I feel better… I think I might be able to do this." He said.

"Yes you can." She said taking his hands.

"Thanks for coming to see me Mione…"

"Anytime…" she said with a smile. "Besides what are friends for?"

"Yeah… You should go back to Viktor I'm sure he needs you just as much if not more than me…"

"Ron you have Harry?"

"I got him." He said with a nod.

"I'll be rooting for you." Hermione said before heading to the door. As she went to leave she turned and took one last look at Harry. "I'll… I'll see you after?"

"Yeah…" Harry said with a smile.

"See you then Harry…"

"You too Mione…" with a small breath she headed out of the room and closed the door quickly.

Please don't let that be the last time I see my best friend…

As she walked down the hallway she stopped seeing four bins set up with different flags. She smiled as she grabbed one for Viktor and one for Harry. She walked back to Jamous who looked at the flags with a smile.

"This will make for good media photo." He said motioning to the flags.

"Hold them for me until the task?"

"Of course…" he said with a smile taking them for her.

"Good man." She said before walking into the room and closing the door.

"Hermione!" she turned seeing Viktor's younger brother.

"Stony!" she laughed as he crashed into her his arms wrapping around her tightly. "My goodness look how tall you are." Before he had gone up to her hip now he was up to the middle of her stomach.

"I grew three inches!" he said in Bulgarian as he jumped back.

"More like a foot." She said in his native tongue knowing he didn't speak English very well. He laughed as she ruffled his hair. "You sir are in serious need of a haircut."

"Ahk!" he swatted at her hand making her laugh.

"I keep telling him that but he will not listen."

"Mrs. Krum…" Hermione smiled as the woman embraced her.

"Sophia…" she said. "Or mother either one will do…" she pulled away and cupped the girls face. "You grow more and more beautiful every time we meet."

"My son is lucky lucky man."

"Mr. Krum…" she said as Ivan hugged her.

"It is good to see you again." He said.

"How is work in the spell creating business?"

"Almost done I retire this year."

"Congratulations." He smiled in thanks. "Is everyone else here?" Hermione inquired.

"I'm afraid my other sons could not attend." He said.

"That's too bad I know they wanted to be here…" she looked to see Viktor was pacing the room. "He's not doing well is he?" she asked softly.

"We did nothing to improve his mood I'm afraid…" He whispered back.

"I see…" she said worriedly. When she had left a few short minutes before he had seemed fine. She walked to him and took his hands instantly stopping him from pacing. He slowly looked to her his eyes wide.

"I shouldn't haf entered name in cup luff…" he whispered.

"If you hadn't poor Jamous would be in this situation and you know how terrible he is with stress." He smiled.

"True… Then institute wouldn't win."

"Excuse me Hogwarts could still win." Hermione said making him smile.

"I do doubt this so."

"The institute only has a one in four chance of winning my school on the other hand as a two in four chance… I like my odds." She poked him in the chest making him laugh softly. His family smiled glad his girlfriend had been able to put him at ease so quickly.

"So am I to think you vill be rooting for your schools champions?"

"You're the only champion in my eyes Viktor." He smiled as he kissed her forehead.

"Gross…" Stony muttered with a smile making everyone laugh softly. A knock sounded and everyone looked to the door.

"Come in." Viktor said. Jamous poked his head in.

"I was told to inform you all people other than champions haf to leave room…" he said. Viktor only nodded as his friend closed the door. Hermione relinquished his hand as his mother moved forward.

"We will go find best seats in house…" she said as she took her son in her arms. "Oh my boy…" she said. "My brave brave boy…" he closed his eyes as he hugged her tightly. She slowly pulled away and cupped his cheek. "You make me so very proud to be a mother…" she moved forward and hugged him again. "You be safe… so very safe…" Viktor's jaw clenched as he closed his eyes. He was a grown wizard but he could still fall apart at the drop of a hat while in the embrace of his mother. "Promise me you will be safe Viktor…"

"I will mother… I promise." he said quietly before she pulled away. Stony rushed forward and wrapped her arms around his brother before pulling back with a huge smile.

"Make Bulgaria proud!"

"I will Stony…" he said ruffling his brothers hair.

"Be Careful too…" he added.

"Always…" his brother backed away while his father came forward.

"You vill be careful." His father said sternly.

"I vill…"

"I vill not lose a son to some silly game… Understand? You vill die falling hundreds of feet from broom or of old age I won't accept anything else." Viktor smiled.

"Dah papa…" he said nodding.

"Good." He hugged his son and patted him on the back before pulling away.

"We will leave you two to say goodbyes…" Sophia said before she Ivan and Stony walked out of the room the door closing.

"You don't haf to leave… Seeing as you vill be with me in front of maze you are allowed to stay with me here…" Viktor said.

"Good because I'm not ready to say good bye yet…" she said softly.

"Neither am I…" he said pulling her into his arms. "I love you so much Hermione… so very much…" She smiled softly as she took a deep breath and tried to calm the emotions welling up with in her.

"I love you too Viktor…" they stayed like that for a long while before a knock came and the door opened.

"Is time Viktor…" Jamous said hating to deliver the news to his oldest most trusted friend.

"Come on…" Hermione said taking his hand. "Time to be a brave manly man…" he smiled kissing the back of her hand.

"I am manly man but I do not feel so brave…" he said as they walked.

"Oh please… You've faced death eaters dragons and mer people you're one of the bravest people I know…"

"Don't forget giant spider."

"Acumentula…" she corrected making him smile as they walked down the hallway.

"Acumentula…" he said. As they walked both looked up. They could hear people cheering and chanting in the stands above. It all mixed together and made an overwhelming boisterous noise. Viktor looked to the other champions as they stopped in front of the opening of the stadium that led to the area in front of the maze. They all looked scared as they stared up at the ceiling. He smiled, it was one advantage he had. He was used to hundreds even millions of people chanting so the noise didn't so much as faze him.

"Good luck Krum." Harry said standing beside him.

"He needs no luck." Karkaroff said glaring into him.

"Thank You Comrade." He shook Harry's hand as he ignored his head master. "You haf been great friend to me these past few months. I wish you luck as vell…"

"Thanks…"

"I hope that when this ends we remain good comrades."

"Forever and ever mate." Harry clapped Viktor on the back making him smile along with Hermione who nodded at Harry.

"Now for our champions…" Dumbledore said from his podium. Hermione let go of Viktor's hand knowing he would go out alone.

"No come with me…" he said as he took her hand once more. "I need you to stand beside me, so I look stronger then I am…" she nodded with a soft expression.

"Fluer Delecour!" Dumbledore called, the girl instantly walked out along said the head mistress. "Cedric Diggory!" he walked out along with his dad who made a big show throwing his hands up in the air and motioning to his son. "Viktor Krum!" Hermione walked out along with Viktor who waved at the crowd his other hand gripping onto her hand the whole time. Everyone who was for him cheered, he found his parents and little brother high in the stands reserved for family and nodded at them. They waved and smiled back. "Harry Potter!" Viktor led Hermione over to a bench where a few of his comrades stood.

"We haf to say good byes now…" he said over the sounds of the raging crowd. She stared at him for a long moment before shaking her head quickly.

"I'm not ready…" she said. He rested a hand on her cheek as he moved forward and kissed her. He took both of her hands in his as he leaned his forehead against hers. He could see the fear in her eyes and could see the distress as they grew wide threatening to let tears spill right before him. "I don't want to do this Viktor…"

"We don't haf much time luff…" the men around him stopped and stared at the two. It wasn't until that moment they realized just how much Viktor cared for the one Hermione Granger.

"Viktor…" she said softly.

"If something happens to me tonight I need you to know-."

"Nothing is going to happen you're going to be fine… you're going-." He moved forward and captured her mouth was his. The kiss cutting her off. When he pulled away she took a shaky breath. "This isn't happening…"

"Please luff I have much to say and little time." She slowly nodded as a tear fell. The fear she felt was absolutely crippling. Viktor wiped the stray tear away as he cupped her cheek. "You are the greatest thing that has happened and vill ever happen to me… I need you to know that because of you I haf become a true man. Because of you I am better man." She slowly nodded. "I love you more than own life Hermione…"

"I love you too…" she said softly as she moved forward and wrapped her arms around his neck. "You come back to me…" she pulled back. "Understand?" he nodded as he wiped another one of her tears away. "You come back to me safe sound and in on piece if you don't I swear I will hex you to the point of oblivion." He laughed nodding. "I love you so much… and you know what? I'm glad those death eaters tried to kill you that night at the world cup because if they hadn't I would have never tried to save you and I would have never fallen in love with you."

"Sure you would haf luff. My heart was made only to love yours remember?"

"Champions over here for a moment…" he turned to see Dumbledore before turning to look at Hermione.

"Go ahead…" she said softly. He nodded and headed away into the middle of the clearing. She couldn't hear what Dumbledore was saying in a hushed voice but whatever it was Viktor seemed nervous. After a moment the group broke apart.

"The champions will take one final moment before the cannons sound and the task begins." Viktor walked to Hermione and took her hand in his. They walked to the entrance of the maze where he would be entering it from. They both looked down into the dark foggy maze before slowly looking to each other.

"This is it…" she said softly.

"No its not…" he said. "I vill see you again…" she slowly nodded.

"I know…" she said softly wiping a tear away. "Merlin… I'm never this weepy." She whispered making him smile.

"Not weepy… Concerned."

"Scared…"

"You're Hermione Granger… You don't get scared only-."

"Startled…" she said finishing his sentence. "I love you so very much…" she said as he took her in his arms.

"If this is my last moment… I'm glad I spent it having you in my arms…" he whispered in her ear. Hermione's eyes shut tightly as she took a shaky breath. She could have broken down right there, but she held strong.

Viktor slowly pulled away as he heard Dumbledore announce the order the champions would enter. He looked at her for a long moment his thumb brushing across her cheek. They heard a cannon fire followed by rounds of applause. Viktor slowly moved forward and swept his lips across hers. He knew it was time to go in, but he didn't care. It could be his last moment with the woman he loved and he was going to take his time. When he pulled away he looked at her for a long moment.

"Good bye Mina…" he said softly.

"Not goodbye…" she said. "See you soon…" he kissed her once more before they pulled away from each other and he walked backwards into the maze.

"I love you." He said with a smile. "I love you Hermione Granger!" he shouted his arms spread wide making her laugh along with many watching.

"I love you…" she mouthed her hand going over her heart as she watched the maze slowly close. The second the green hedges removed him from her sight she felt pain grip her heart.

Please come back to me… she walked back to his area where she was greeted by many of his school mates.

"He vill be fine…" one of them said to her.

"Viktor is best duelist in school." Jamous added.

"No way bunch of bushes could get best ov him." Another student said as he rubbed her back.

"If your little kiss there made him lose lead…" Karkaroff said walking to her. "I vill make you a very sorry little girl." Jamous put his hand against his head masters chest and pushed him away.

"Viktor left her in my care, if you come near her again with such hostility it will be you who will be very sorry." He said in Bulgarian. Karkaroff backed away with a livid expression, Jamous turned to Hermione when he was a good distance away.

"Viktor left me in your care?" she asked.

"Just in case Karkaroff tried anything…" he said with a wink. Hermione only nodded as she looked back to maze. "I brought these for you." He handed her the flags with Viktor and Harry's name on them.

"Thanks…" she said with a smile as she waved them making all the boys around her laugh. "Hey Viktor may be my boyfriend but Harry is my best friend." She said with a smile.

"Mind if I join you?" Ron asked walking over his face painted in Gryffindor colors.

"Do you guys mind?" Hermione asked with a smile.

"Any comrade of Hermione is Comrade of Krum there for comrade of us." Jamous said.

"There was a lot of comrades in that sentence." Ron said making her laugh. He looked at her for a long moment. She was putting on a brave face but he could see clearly she was falling apart at the seams. "He'll be okay..." he said.

"I know. Harry can take care of himself…"

"Wasn't talking about Harry…" she looked to him to see he had an understanding expression. She smiled at him before looking back to the maze with worry.

"I wish I knew what was going on…" she said softly.