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Chapter 24
Hermione walked quickly down the quite corridor towards Professor McGonagall office, not wanting to keep the headmistress waiting any longer. After exiting the passage, she ran into Harry and Ginny. Literally.
"Oi!" Harry exclaimed, pulling his wand out quickly.
"Calm down, Harry. It's Hermione." Ginny said, placing a calming hand on his arm.
"Sorry about that," the brown haired witch apologizes.
"How did you come out of the wall?" Harry wondered.
"I honestly have no clue," his best friend answered, looking down at her clothes, noticing how wrinkled and messed up her clothes. Blushing furiously, she quickly fixed herself, trying to notice the smirk on Ginny's face or the frown on Harry's.
"I believe you said that Professor McGonagall was looking for me?" Hermione asked, wanting to move their attention away from her and the state she had been in a moment before.
"Yes, she came in looking for you," Ginny replied, grinning.
Hermione knew that she wasn't going to bed before she told the female Weasley what she had been up to.
"I shouldn't keep her waiting any longer then."
"Do you need us to come with you?" Harry asked, his big brother like instincts kicking in.
Hermione smiled. "No, I think I can manage. I'll be back in a few minutes."
She quickly came to the entrance of the professor's office. After quietly saying the password, the door opened, revealing the staircase that lead up to her quarters and office. Before Hermione could bring her hand up to knock on the door, she heard her favourite professor calling for her to enter.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Professor," Hermione apologized, taking a seat.
"That's alright, dear," the older witch replied, smiling at her fondly. "Would you like some tea?"
"Oh, no thank you," Hermione replied politely. She just wanted to find out what was wrong and get back to her dorm and ask Ginny if she thought her decision was a good one.
"Alright." Professor McGonagall said. "I suppose you would like to know why I called you here this evening." Hermione nodded, waiting for the professor to continue.
"Late this afternoon, I received a very unusual letter. It was from the owner of The National Quidditch team. We went to Hogwarts together years ago, but we were never very good friends. I'm sure you can understand why it was a bit of a shock."
Hermione nodded, wondering why this mysterious letter from an old class mate of the professor had anything to do with her.
"He told me of an issue that one of his players was having and was wondering if I could be of some assistance," McGonagall continued, watching Hermione's reaction closely.
Realization dawned on the Gryffindors face, her eyes practically bulging out of her head. This has to do with Viktor, she thought.
"He said that a player that he had been trying to acquirer for years, finally agreed to come play for him. The only reason that the man decided to come to England, however, was because of the marriage law. He wants to get back the girl he lost years ago."
Hermione gasped, and then quickly covered her mouth with her hand. She had no clue why she had gasped; she already knew that she was the reason that he decided to come to England. Maybe it was the fact that he actually admitted it to the owner if his new team; she just wasn't sure.
"What kind of assistance is he asking from you, Professor?" she asked quietly.
Minerva smiled at one of her favorite students. "He asked if I might be willing to help Mr. Krum win you back, give you a few words of encouragement," the transfigurations teacher chuckled.
Hermione grinned slightly. "And what did you tell him?"
A full out grin covered the older witches face. "I told him to mind his own business and let the young man do what he came here to do."
Hermione laughed, knowing that the Professor probably had quite a few more colorful words for the man. "Thank you for telling me, Professor."
"Your quite welcome, Ms. Granger," McGonagall started, but paused, hesitant to say anything else.
"Is there something more?" Hermione wondered.
"He sent back a second owl, asking if I would be willing to allow Viktor the use of my fireplace to Floo and see you tomorrow."
Hermione's eyes widened, shocked. "But we have class tomorrow," was her brilliant response.
Minerva couldn't help herself. She laughed full out, shaking her head at the brilliant witch in front of her. "Only you would be worried about your studies at a moment like this. Most girls your age would be beside themselves, trying to figure out what set of robes to wear. Not that it's a bad thing, mind you. If they would worry more about their studies the boys, the Wizarding world word is advanced by years."
Hermione shook her head, not real offended by being laughed at by the professor. She knew she would be getting the same reaction from Ginny in a few moments. At least the witch in front of her understood and appreciated her love of learning.
"Professor, what did you say?"
Minerva smiled kindly at the young witch, knowing that she was falling for more than one wizard at the moment. "I said that the Floo would be opened for him between the hours of 5:30 and 6:30 tomorrow evening. If you chose to see him and talk with him, then he could stay longer. If you chose not to talk with him, that I would ask him to leave immediately and if he did not, I would have no trouble escorting him out of Hogwarts. I have a feeling that I would some help in that matter," she grinned.
Hermione smiled weakly back at her, knowing that Draco would be none too thrilled when he found out about the petition from Viktor. And that if given the chance, he would be happy to help escort Viktor out of the castle.
"Is there anything else, Professor?" she asked.
"No, I think I've given you enough to think about for the evening," she replied.
Hermione stood, moving toward the office door.
"Oh, and Hermione," McGonagall called to her.
"Yes, Professor?"
"Don't over think this. Just follow you heart, dear."
Hermione looked at the witch behind the desk, shocked that she had just been given advice from the Headmistress. That wasn't something that Minerva was known for; it had been Albus who had given advice even when it wasn't asked for.
The young witch smiled and thanked the older women, before turning and making her way back to Gryffindor tower.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Ginny laughed hysterically, just as Hermione expect she would, later that evening in their shared room. When she had walked into the crowded Common room, Harry and Ginny had bombarded her with questions. Suddenly very tired, Hermione had vaguely told them the just of what the Professor had wanted and had quickly excused her to go and have a nice long bath.
But after having her relaxing half hour, she walked back into her room to find Ginny sitting on her own bed, facing their shared bathroom.
"Spill," Ginny had instructed as soon as she had stepped one toe back into their room.
And she did. She told her everything, from when she left the Great Hall, to when she had been ambushed by the twins.
"By the way," Hermione started, after telling Ginny about being pulled into 'the wall'. "Did you tell them that Viktor petitioned me? I know that's why they came, even if they didn't say so."
Ginny shook her head, grinning. "I didn't tell them, but I think Ron might have. I saw him send Pig out of the Common room window right after I got back to the Tower."
Hermione laughed and shook her head. He was turning into a really big gossip king. She continued her story, leaving out only the parts that included the intense snogging. She didn't think Ginny would want to hear about it.
"Are you going to talk with him tomorrow?" Ginny asked when she was finished with her story.
Hermione sighed as she pulled her covers down. When she had been with George and Fred earlier in the evening, she thought she had known what she was going to do about Viktor. Now she wasn't so sure. "I'm honestly not sure."
Ginny nodded, understanding the dilemma her friend had.
"I think I'll sleep on it," Hermione decided, pulling the covers up over herself.
"That's not a bad idea. If you decide to talk with him, I'll be there with you if you'd like," Ginny offered.
Hermione smiled over at her best girlfriend. "Thanks. I might just take you up on that." Picking up her wand off of the bedside table she turned the lights off, hoping that she would what to do in the morning.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
In a newly furnished apartment, in the Wizarding area of London, a young wizard sat, pondering what was sure to be a difficult conversation the next day. He had been upset when he had first heard that the owner of his new team had contacted the head mistress of Hogwarts for help with his petition of Hermione. He didn't need any help. He was a Krum, after all and they were very determined individuals. When they set out to get something done, they didn't stop until it was complete.
Viktor smiled as he took a sip of his Butter beer, thinking about seeing his princess the following day. He was happy that had been arranged for him. He hadn't been sure how he would be able to see her, since she was completing her education. When he had sent her petition, he had chosen not to send her letter. He wanted to speak with her in person. He knew that he had hurt her deeply. Irina, his baby sister, had confirmed as much. He knew that it could be difficult to win her trust back. Difficult, not impossible. He knew she still loved him, as he did her.
The one thing he WAS concerned about was her other petitioners. A good friend that he had made during his time at Hogwarts had been keeping him informed on Hermione and her followers. He knew that she had been given four besides his own, but one if the Weasley's had already been eliminated from the pack. That was a very good thing. But what concerned him, wad the other three.
Draco Malfoy was a rich, pureblood prince, who always got what he wanted. And apparently, according to the source that Viktor had, Hermione had been the object of his affection for years. That fact pissed him off to no end, especially when he remembered how horrible the little ferret had been to his Hermione. He had seen her cry more than once over what that prick had called her. And now he had the gall to want to be with her? Viktor was going to have to have a talk with the little pureblood, wizard to wizard.
The Weasley twins were a whole other issue. He knew the relationship Hermione had with the family. She had been friends with them since she was eleven. They were more like family to her now, especially since her parents had basically disowned her. He remembered how upset he had been when Irina told him about that. He had wanted nothing more than to go and comfort his princess, but he had been in the States at a Quidditch tournament. Instead the Weasley's had been there with their arms opened wide. And now, they both were at the top of her list for potential husbands. He would have to tread extremely when speaking with George and Fred Weasley. Hermione would most defiantly still want them to be a part of her life after she was Mrs. Viktor Krum. And he would make sure that his princess had everything she wanted, no matter what the cost. He had already messed up things with her once and he was a smart man who learned from his mistakes. He wouldn't be making the same one twice.
So, what did you think? Did you like it? Please review and tell me what you thought. So, I updated with in a week. That's pretty good, right? Better then it has been. I'll try to update once a week, but I'm not promising anything. I did that once and I broke that promise. :( I don't like breaking promises,especially when its really out of my control. Thanks to my beta Just Being Sirius, for getting this back to me so quickly. :) Please review. Happy Reading.