Word Count: 6,685

A/N: Wow! It's been a few months and I've sure been busy. I do hope there are still some people following this story because I know they didn't expect this update. I said I'd finish this story and I will. Of course this isn't the last chapter but even slow updates…well they're updates. Lol, enjoy! (will probably edit fully later for errors but for now I wanted to put this up!)

Chapter viii – The Origin of Love

she was the ray in the dark, the glowing light for direction, she would show him where to go. she would show him the world.

A mere two hours after Viktor had parted ways with Hermione for the night he laid awake in his bed. Sleep appeared to have abandoned him momentarily and he had already spent an hour and a half avoiding the problem that stirred such turmoil within him. Normally, he refused to be that person, the kind who put off their issues and avoided problems like the plague. They were always dealt with head on and as quickly as possible to resolve any further issues before they could fester.

No matter how hard he tried to clench his eyes together sleep would not come forced. Sighing offhandedly he resolved to count the ceiling boards again and within twenty minutes he found the task too menial. Viktor rose halfway from his bed where he used his elbows to prop his upper torso off of the bed. He eyed a few of his fellow schoolmates passed out though he noticed two or three appeared to not have made it back to the ship. The soft snort of disapproval was quickly silenced when he remembered he was trying not to wake any of them.

In quick succession he left the bed, removed the broom from beneath the place he had slept many nights before, and tiptoed out of the cabin without a single creak or groan from their aged ship's wood flooring. Once Viktor was outside the ship completely with his broom still securely in hand he found himself quite proud of stealth mission he pulled off.

When he was settled on his broom, the midnight clouds and glowing moon chose to greet him like an old friend as he rose to the sky. Viktor figured that if he flew through the air for a bit he could clear his mind. If you would have asked any of his friends or his head master about his focus they would all say it was on the tournament, respectively so. Only was this suggestion partially true.

An unexpected side effect of his visit to Hogwarts for his last school year was having met Hermione. To have seen her. To have talked to her. To have danced with her. To have kissed her.

He had not expected to be so enthralled with another and neither would anyone else given the thought. Many tended to think he was a thick headed oaf with an empty mind to match. That all he focused on, all he would ever focus on, was quidditch and following the rules of others. People who thought that, well, they did not see him for him. They saw Viktor for his fame and status, for material possessions. He knew he was so much more than that.

Viktor knew that Hermione was so much more than that.

Viktor slowed his broom mid-thought. The air was crisp against his face but with the Durmstrang coat wrapped around his body he felt less of nature's intended affects. He almost felt…dumfounded. How could someone he never knew existed have such an impact and invasion in his thoughts. Hermione had imprinted her presence in his mind and neither had knew a single thing had happened by the time it was discovered.

He recalled now that he often considered Hermione when looking at different trinkets or items. Viktor thought of her when people chose to educate him on a topic he never knew existed. The Bulgarian figured she might like that necklace or she probably already knew what they told him.

Hermione was completely enthralling and appealing to him and Viktor had no earthly clue how she came to be such a presence in his life. His thoughts of her and the way she had positively impacted him over the last semester made him smile. The kind of smile that just appeared, that you never knew happened because it felt so natural.

There was a break in his thoughts, a moment of solitude before he frowned. Viktor wondered what people would do if they found out of his true interest in her. He felt unsure and almost upset with himself. People were judgmental; they were cruel, mean, and unforgiving. She was a muggleborn and he was a pureblood and though labels meant nothing to him, they meant everything to others.

Would they act that way to her? Would they belittle her in effort to gain his favor?

So much time had be invested into their blossoming kinship that it was bound to lead to more. Viktor knew that even though they shared a kiss it did not necessarily mean she would accept him. She had some sort of trinity bond with Harry and the ginger boy, though it almost seemed otherwise.

They already had a place deep in her heart. Would he? Would he just be a thing of the moment?

Here Viktor had taken to the skies to alleviate his troubled mind and while he found solace and comfort in part of his worries, newfound troubles had sprung up ready to take hold on the insecurities that had buried themselves deep in his mind. He decided then that the only way to fully solve the situation and put everything to rest was to speak with Hermione herself. Though Viktor knew that was a lot easier, not the mention less nerve wracking, said than done.

Within that final thought in mind he began the short journey back towards the ship he housed in, heavy fur coat fluttering like paper with the wind as he flew. It would do him no further good to be out in the night any longer especially with the prospect of getting caught by a Hogwarts teacher or worse, Karkaroff.

Hermione felt as if the days that followed the ball passed by in an extraordinary blur. The returning workload for her studies had been unexpectedly heavy and she had gotten quite caught up in maintaining order with all of her classes. However, this did not mean other thoughts had laxed themselves from her immediate feelings. Her days were spent deep in charms, arthimancy, and surprisingly broom notes.

Her nights were spent occupied by the thoughts of her relations with Viktor. Hermione had become almost devoted to his presence after they had begun to hang out so frequently. Now, they had not shared a word since the ball and she wondered if the ache in her head and the lull in the pit of her stomach was what true withdrawal felt like. Had she done something to upset him? Was there an underlying issue she was not aware of?

She knew people talked about her appearance at the ball with Viktor. Some words were terribly rude, some were enthrallingly kind. Hermione knew that people could be cruel and judgmental. Her experiences were first hand after all. A silent wonder escaped in her thoughts. A wonder that questioned if she should be grateful she knew how to handle these things from experience or continue wishing that they had never happened.

Hermione tossed in her bed for the third night in a row. Part of her wanted to groan in frustration but then she might have woken Ginny and that would have been no good for either of them. When she finally found comfort near the edge of her bed where she had chosen to lay on her side, eyes mindlessly staring the floor. Hermione blew air through her mouth as quietly as possible, as if she were going to whistle but refrained from actually producing the noise would accompany the shape her lips curled into.

It was when a random twitch in her eye occurred that she stopped her silly antic. All was still and she chalked it up to the dust in the air. All the dust in the air that she and Ginny definitely needed to get on top of before the end of next week. But then the twitch in the corner of her peripheral vision occurred again and she focused on the accusing area in her vision.

The wood flooring looked just the same as always until she identified a white, oddly shaped piece of trash on the floor. She stared at it for a good minute before it popped to life from the floor and in her direction. Hermione had to scramble to keep her mouth shut before she would have yelped in surprise from the unexpected item's…habit.

Then it hopped again and again and again. Closer and closer till it was next to her bedside, where it continued to hop into the wooden base of the bed's frame until eventually it landed upside down and helpless. Unsure if she should actually touch the makeshift creature, Hermione shrugged whilst she grumbled about how it was too late for these sorts of shenanigans.

Upon capture of the paper which turned out to be folded into the shape of a frog and charmed to act like one as well she unfolded it to see the desired contents. Suddenly she felt so silly for being startled by a mere note. The delivery method had obviously meant to not attraction attention and keep to the shadows while it hopped to its intended destination.

Dear Hermione,

I am truly sorry for not talking to you in person at all this week. You seemed so busy with your studies that I wouldn't have dared bother you. Learning is important. I would have written sooner but my first note was thwarted by your professor Snape.(Thankfully I had added a protection charm that burned it to a crisp when he caught it) This note was sent in hopes of securing some time to talk with you because I want to talk about us if that is okay.

My mother once told me it is not good to let things simmer so please seek me out when you are able to.

V.K.

Hermione's hand tightened on the note when she finished reading it which left little creases in it but she had not bothered to notice. Her heart tightened too, just the thought of what he had wrote sent jitters down her spine. Viktor really did care and he left it up to her to be comfortable about when they would next talk again.

A small sliver of a small hope worked its way onto her face as she folded the note delicately and placed it into the second drawer of her nightstand. Ginny did not normally root through them so she felt it safe enough to be placed there without being removed by someone other than herself. Slumber took over her rather easily after that.

Perhaps things would be okay.

It was the second day after Hermione had received Viktor's note. Truthfully she had wanted to speak with him the very next day but her teachers and work seemed to digress against her efforts. In the end her plan was thwarted and resolved to spending the next day, a Saturday, with Viktor himself in order to take care of all remaining issues that had sprouted their way into their relationship.

It takes her a bit of time to actually find the Bulgarian. She was not exactly communicative after his last note and this was going to be their first true interaction after some time. Hermione ended up talking to another student of Durmstrang, one she had vaguely remembered meeting during the Yule Ball. He had been eager enough to let her know that Viktor was in the library and even commented that he never seemed to be anywhere else lately.

Upon hearing this Hermione almost felt a bit stupid and wondered why she had not thought he would be there. The both of them had already spent so much of their time together by the dusty bookshelves that there really would not have been a better place for them to reconcile.

One she entered the doors of the library her previous pace had slowed quite greatly and now her the steps she took could barely be heard unless one listened with utmost care. Within Hermione's view the only person she could immediately make out was the librarian herself but other than no one appeared. Not even Viktor. She continued past the majority of the bookshelves, her hand lingered on each one as she took a step past until she noticed him.

Hermione's breath hitched for a moment, her body frozen in place completely as she took in the sight of him. When he looked up unexpectedly it almost seemed as if the all the air in her body had been sucked away. His eyes were big, face lonely but his demeanor was inviting. The witch stepped closer to him until she was able to sit in the chair next to his. At this point she could easily make out that he placed a silencing charm on the area.

After this was done it took a moment for either to gather the courage or energy to talk. Hermione had so many questions plaguing her mind that begged for answers that she could not figure which was the most important.

"I…" Hermione had started but trailed off where she stared downward begrudgingly as if not knowing what to say was the worst thing that had ever happened to her, "I…Did I do something wrong?"

While she had been finding the rights words to say before she had blurted out the question, Viktor had scooted closer to her keen on finding out what she wished to say. When the actual words were produced, however, they had him reeling back in surprise…and disdain.

"Hermyo-knee?" Viktor had called her name and thought it was slightly off key she looked up almost immediately, "Don't ever t'ink you did somet'ing wrong, okay?"

When he had responded to her without fail, Hermione had mini-session of furious, quick blinking. She was fighting back tears because he had quelled her fear in one mere sentence.

"Oh…Oh Viktor I should have talked to you. I shouldn't have waited to so long to talk about any of this. We're supposed to be good friends aren't we and I'm not behaving as so!" Hermione had gone back to her frown, her emotional state had risen up only slightly. Viktor on the other hand had looked conflicted.

"Don't say so. I chose to wait too, so fault is mine just as equal. We're talking now t'ough and I have somet'ing to say. So please listen?" There was a shine in Viktor's eyes as he spoke as if he truly meant what he said and that he was not talking just to waste either of their time. Hermione merely nodded at him, blinking every few moments in response.

"I…do not see as good friend," Viktor slightly cringed as his wording but he would make his point even if it took him hours to do and with the way Hermione has blanched he was sure it would take that and longer, "I mean to say that I see you as more t'an t'at…you see? You are important to me Hermione and it hurt to not talk to you but I had to do it."

There was a break in speech from both Viktor's confession and sign of an attempt for Hermione to respond. Inwardly, she had blanked unsure of what she should even begin to say. Viktor had yet to continue because he knew that she was working it out in her mind and finally she did and it was exactly the opening Viktor needed to truly explain himself.

"Why did you have to do it? Were you…unsure of actually confessing or…?" Hermione was even more curious and still beyond a doubt at what he has just said, basically stating that he liked her.

"Sort of? All the people like to build me up as tough but stupid. I am not so much so? When I t'ink it's usually for a long while because I focus time on important t'ings. Making decision to tell you was…important."

There was a moment when Hermione vaguely began to catch on and when she had yet to speak Viktor used this moment as a chance to continue.

"I was afraid that you would not feel the same but I was more afraid of what ot'ers might do if t'ey found out. I don't want people getting angry at you…because of me? People are heartless and cruel Hermyo-knee."

A soft smile broke out on Hermione's face when he finished and for a portion of time Viktor was highly confused at her actions. It was then that she took her hands in his, very carefully and began to talk with the most serious expression.

"Viktor…I want you to listen to me very carefully okay? I think I know what you're getting at. It's because I'm not a pureblood, like you, right? Well I've learned a thing or two about that and to me it doesn't matter and I think to you it doesn't matter either. You're one of the most down to earth and earnest people I have ever had the chance to meet and you're not like that at all. You know what means most? We don't have to care what others think, we just have to care what we think."

Viktor's eyes seemed to widen ever so slightly, obviously having not expected her to read him so well. Then again maybe he should have expected it with the way she was so articulate and resourceful.

"I could care less what other's think because I really like you too. Ever since you walked through the doors of Hogwarts we've had such an odd connection, don't you think? And at first I think I wanted to figure out why but sometimes there is no book to explain the way things work. I had to learn that but now I know."

The strength that she had held his hand with was intensified at this point but not by her but by Viktor. In truth he did not think he had ever met anyone like this.

"You are very bright witch for your age Hermione. I'm lucky to have been noticed by you, I believe." There was a soft laugh by Hermione and suddenly Viktor pulled her in for a bear hug, where she had been just about squeezed out of breath. Despite this her comfort level remained the same and she welcomed the affection without scrutiny like she would have done in the past. In truth she believed this session between them had been the most successful one yet.

For the first time in quite a while Viktor considered that he was feeling irritated. It was true he had been annoyed by things in the past months but never to the extent that he was fully irritated. The second task was mere hours away and he had yet to see Hermione despite his extensive search that was only permitted after he had escaped the ever over bearing view of Karkaroff, or so he thought.

"Viktor." The voice made Viktor stop straight in his track, the lack of movement from the other party meant they knew his actions would be so. Heavy accent lined with a stench of malice the slowly speaking party. Viktor knew them before he even thought of turning around.

"Karkaroff." The elder's name rolled off his tongue like molasses, though it was heard well enough due to years of its owner branding the name deeply into his mind. Viktor eventually turned around to face the other party, one boot scraping again the cement of Hogwart's outside courtyard. The wind was furious and he could see it the way the curls on the other wizard fought with each other wildly.

"My title is headmaster, boy, and you will address me as such." Karkaroff was unamused though this came as no shock to Viktor just as the way the older man's lip hung slightly low to produce a sneer was no surprise either. Truly he wanted to turn away in disgust from both the way he spoke and the way his teeth were stained with grime from years of unkempt attention. He chose to remain silent and Karkaroff appeared to care less at his choice.

"Now why are you roaming? You should be training, the task is in two hours boy!" Viktor contemplated for a moment as the two of them made eye contact. Would it be worth it to argue back that he had practiced almost non-stop for weeks now and that he knew what his plan would be. He understood how to evolve as the circumstances would change. The riddle within the golden egg had made sure of him knowing that. However, he kept his mouth shut once more.

"Get to the ship and wait for the call." The headmaster of Durmstrang waved off his student and without fail Viktor left the vicinity to do what he had been told. It was in secret that he only appeared to obey because it would rid him of Karkaroff's presence.

Three stands had been position within the middle of the Black Lake, one for each contestant plus the additional Hogwarts student. As Viktor neared his platform by use of boat he could hear the encroaching cheers from the mass of students who had been allowed to actively watch the second task take place. Of course he was used to the level of loudness and far beyond so but he was still feeling agitation from his earlier encounter with Karkaroff. Underlying he knew that he had to shake off his emotions in order to concentrate for the task and complete it accordingly. He knew that something he would sorely miss was taken but he was unsure of what exactly it was?

At last once he was on his own platform which was next to Hogwarts and opposite of Beauxbaton he began to focus his energy and preparation for the start of the task which was only minutes away now.

Hermione had been summoned early in the morning and kept in the dark until finally Dumbledore himself had gathered her and three others into his office. She noticed that Cho was already there and shortly Fleur's younger sister, Gabrielle, and Ron had entered the area with McGonagall behind them. All four were equally confused and remained so even as Dumbledore requested each party place their hand against his with a firm grasp.

"Do not pull away if you can help it. Hermione you're up first my dear." Hermione's headmaster extended his hand, palm left upwards inviting her hand to pursue. She obliged with only minor hesitation but once her hand was securely grasped to hers she could see no words being passed back and forth. It was a sudden burst of warm energy before it turned sharply against her, a stinging sensation spiking in her hand and quickly surging up her arm until it faded off near her chest. As much as she wanted to recoil backwards in shock she was able to subside her actions to a mere yelp. The other three looked at her peculiarly, Ron especially as he was worried.

"Next, Cho?" The process was repeated for the remainder though none of which appeared to show such a reaction as Hermione. In the midst of waiting for an explanation from Dumbledore, the haziness around the edge of her eyes grew along with an onsent of wooziness that was quickly vanquished with something rapid blinking.

"Now you're all very concerned and curious, the glints in your eyes tell it all. You all are going to play a part in the second task which is located in the Black Lake. Specifically you have been all chosen to represent a particular participant within the cup as you signify…"

Hermione no longer heard anything as her vision was subsiding within seconds, the same haziness had taken hold of her without warning but this time it appeared to come back with a vengeance. She was out within moments and luckily Cho was able to stop her from falling onto the ground completely.

"H-Hermione? Dumbledore what's wrong with her?" Ron quickly interjected as Dumbledore appeared to trail off less apprehensive about what had just occurred. Hermione was quickly laid down on a stretcher that had just been brought in. Three more followed and the others that were still awake had become just the slightest bit more uneasy.

"To finish, you all signify what each contestant would sorely miss. Therefore they will have to rescue you from the pits of the Black Lake to show their worth. Like Miss Hermione you will all fall into a sleep-induced paralysis due to the spell I have conjured while our hands met. It is a wordless spell that should never be named aloud less you wish to remain asleep forever." He stopped momentarily to let the effect of his words sink in. This task would not actually amount to any deaths but it would have to appear so to all those involved or else they might not behave correctly.

"Once you're asleep you should feel nothing, see nothing, speak nothing, however, once reaching the surface you'll reawaken like nothing ever happened. There's nothing to fear my students. Hermione's "fainting" was merely her succumbing to the spell early on, muggle parents can affect the way the spell works. Also, I must tell you that there is an extremely small chance for you to be fully aware of what is going on while under the surface. You won't be able to physically move but mentally you'll be aware. Stay calm if this occurs."

Once Dumbledore had finished his explanations he can see the haziness begin to set in both Ron's and Cho's eyes, Gabrielle would surely follow them despite her apparent uneasiness towards the entire situation. Cho quickly moved to coax the younger Beauxbaton student into a more civil state before anything happened. There appeared to be a sense of pity that they were involving someone so much younger but the way things worked in the wizarding world was rather strenuous at times like these.

Cho squinted slightly pulling away from her comforting hold towards the other. There was a peculiar sensation or rather lack of sensation through the tips of her fingers. Numb, they felt even more numb now that her awareness was growing. The disorientation that had started at the base of her fingers only seemed to travel upwards and as she brushed her entire hand over the lower parts of her forearm she could no longer detect any sensation there either. Cho kept her cool none the less and released a sigh of frustration for the situation.

And one by one they all lost consciousness, the Black Lake gained four new inhabitants, and thus began the second task.

The Black Lake is known for its peculiar aquatic activity and though most of the time nothing can be seen form above the surface, everything can be seen from below.

Hermione would not know. Hermione should not know.

But she did and she learned when her eyes burst open with her pupils concentrating in a frenzy trying to look about. And that is all she has control over.

Her body REFUSED to move no matter how much her mind commanded it to. In return Hermione could break away the rope binding her body to the seafloor and for a moment this almost caused her to panic internally. Slowly but surely she realized that despite her limitations nothing detrimental had occurred though the strangeness of the situation was beginning to get to her more than anything.

For one, she knew the water of the lake was freezing during this time but she did not feel chilled to the bone or as if her toes were going to fall off from how cold it was. The water did not seem to affect the way she was able to have her eyes open. Unfortunately the biggest issue she had dealt with her entire way of survival.

Breathing.

She did not feel the need to intake oxygen and she was not even sure she could if she had to. Beyond moving and blinking her eyes there was no other way for Hermione to move or even communicate. Ultimately she had chalked it up to the spell that she was so obviously put under and later she was quite certain she would make it so that she and Dumbledore had a chat.

Within her peripheral vision she could make out the anxious flickering of movement to her left. Blonde hair and blue uniform made it painfully obvious that it was Gabrielle. It was a moment of stricken horror when Hermione realized that whatever was occurring with her was occurring with the younger student. She understood that whatever mental breakdown would have occurred with her under such circumstances could only be worse for her.

There was nothing she could do to fix the situation either and that tore her apart the most.

To her right when Hermione was able to see the clearer than before as her stiffened body floated minimally around she eyed Ron. It did not appear that he was conscious in any way or form to which Hermione surmised that the spell did not affect him in the way that it did her or Fleur's sister. Cho was never in her view point she could deduce nothing of the fellow Hogwarts student.

Stuck in this way it seemed like hours had passed for Hermione. The haunting echoes of the deep creatures of the lake had started to haunt her. They lulls would have driven her insane eventually if were not for the sudden entrance of Harry. She notices the gills on his neck and the fins protruding from his fingers and feet. Harry has entered the area with a clumsy swimming technique but she is sure he would still be faster than any human that tried to swim in the murky waters.

Harry is torn and eyes Ron, Hermione, and Cho. Ultimately though he is sure that his target is Ron or Hermione and when he finally goes to free Ron, Hermione watched as he was stuck on swimming away to first or attempting to rescue her as well. There is no sign of the other contestants and she is sure many minutes had passed at this point.

When Cedric swims with a perfected use of the bubblehead charm he easily picks out Cho from the remaining three. He and Harry both share a concerned stare about the time limit and Cedric quickly leaves for the surface. Ultimately this is still a competition and only one can come out on top. Harry still did not live up to thinking like that Hermione had thought.

The third chosen contestant to make an appearance is none other than a Viktor but at first neither are aware it is him. His transfigured shark head made sure of that. Hermione cannot flinch in fear of the sudden rush of water that is hitting her face. At first she did not recognize the swimmer as Viktor either and Hermione was sure this was her last bit of life, hundreds of teeth aimed towards her, fear consumed the internal thoughts she held. When the shark dipped towards the rope where it severed the rope after several attempts.

Viktor, it is Viktor.

Though she can hardly see in the darkness of the lake, she realized it was the Bulgarian by the look of his hands. They are still easily seen to be calloused in the midst of all the bubbling water. Unable to focus on this for long, Hermione fades back to an unconscious form as soon as the tug is finished and she has started to make her way back to the surface. The last thing she remembers is Harry arguing furiously with the creatures who sang her lullabies which were tempted to split her head open and a warm feeling in her gut.

With the briefing that had occurred before their actual start of the second task Viktor was under the impression that as soon as they hit the surface their specific person would rise back from their unconsciousness.

Viktor had hit the surface which gave way to the transformation back to his true face, the surface gave way to his place in third, and the surface gave way to an unawakened Hermione. He is treading the water as best he can with the fact that his energy level is far below gone and the commotion around him caused his senses to almost overload. He saw Cho out of the corner of his eye being helped onto the dock for the Hogwarts' students and she is awake and well from the looks of it though startled understandably. While Viktor treaded closer to his own dock he has a devastating thought run through his mind.

Hermione was still limp. She had not moved at all.

When he gets pulled onto the deck, only after he is assured that Hermione is taken first, Viktor is caught spouting carelessly in his native tongue. Upset to why Hermione has not woken, upset to why she is so still, as to why she is so pale. There was something about the way she was so solemn looking that practically set him off then and there.

It feels like minutes have passed when Harry surfaced both with Ron and Fleur's sister. He knows it is a commendable feat, very noble, but Viktor is too distracted to be proud of the person he now knew as a friend.

Now both Karkaroff and Dumbledore are present and alert to figure out why Hermione has yet to awaken, though truly the latter is more concerned about the person involved than the former. Viktor knew that his headmaster was simply present and worried about how this even may affect his score negatively. This notion was something that Viktor could let slide.

"T'is better not affect score, dead hostage better not affect your damned score boy." At first Viktor is unsure if he was meant to hear what Karkaroff spoke. He could see quite a few of his fellow students around eyes' widen at what was mentioned. Though it was not spoken in English almost all the students were Bilingual. Viktor, however, could not let this slide.

"What did you say? What did you say!?" Viktor was livid the moment the words were spoken, his head whipped upward from his attention to Hermione, eyes wide but brows still edged downward in pure emotion.

There is almost a full pause for everyone around. Even Dumbledore was startled by the feral snarl that had accompanied Viktor's shouts. None are sure if he was even familiar with the language but it is obvious that he knows something unpleasant was spoken. It is a fact that is rare for Viktor to be truly angry, and only a handful of students present could even count on one hand that something like this had ever happened.

"She is not dead! She is not! Keep your mouth shut Karkaroff!" The first time he was shouted at Karkaroff was filled with disbelief but the second time it was quickly replaced with displeasure as he moved forth towards Viktor where he planned to pull rank.

"You shut your mouth boy. I am your mentor not the other way around. This girl is nothing, you hear me? Nothing but a mudblood! Remember your place" In the pits of Karkaroff's eyes there is a devious glint that Viktor absolutely detested to look at and therefore he is forced to look away when Hermione has regained his attention. She coughed continuously until her full breath was gained as Viktor's was taken away at the sight.

Dumbledore slowly urged Hermione to sit up and once she completed the request he left her side to leave with Karkaroff per his own request. Viktor is pleased to see the absence of his headmaster's presence and neared Hermione's side almost immediately after that.

"Are you okay Hermyo-knee?" The sense of longing concern in Viktor's eyes was ever present which made Hermione smile softly despite the circumstances. Hermione has pulled the blanket she was given minutes earlier around her tighter but relinquishes a hand to place over his arm.

"I'm fine…I think? I'm more confused than anything though. I…I didn't get to hear the full explanation on anything. Would you be able to fill me in?" Hermione felt blindsided more than anything about everything that appeared to happen. If there was anything she hated most it was being left in the dark without explanation.

"Of course but after everyt'ing calms? We can meet later to talk, yes?" Viktor has no issue with agreeing with her request but he knew that now was not appropriate with all the disorder in the air.

"Hermione! Hermione are you okay? You're not hurt right?" The familiar voice belonging to Ron appeared closer with every word and it is evident that Harry is trailing behind to meet with her.

Hermione, as calmly as possible, explained that she was fine, did not feel that off, and simply made the excuse that she needed rest. With that said all three agreed and they set off to find transportation back to the grounds of Hogwarts' Castle.

Hours later both Hermione and Viktor sat on a bench near an overlook of the Black Lake. Each had changed their clothes appropriately and had taken necessary precautions to avoid interactions with anyone else. The space between them on the bench was practically nonexistent and was even more so evident when Hermione leaned her head onto Viktor's arm.

"I'm tired." Hermione huffed in almost a child-like manner but it humored Viktor more than anything. The water appeared furious as the current had picked up with the sudden invitation of the day's wind, dark water crashed against itself without fail. Secretly Viktor chose to think it was because of their invasion that had happened mere hours earlier.

"You are but you also said t'at you could not wait for explanation." Viktor folded his arms as he spoke but was careful not to disrupt Hermione as much as possible. There was a sense of calmness about him when she was around. His anger from earlier with Karkaroff was nonexistent at this point, at least for the time being. He would certainly have to account for it later.

"T'ey told us our task was to rescue chosen student," Viktor spoke straightforwardly when Hermione did not respond with other than a tired yawn, "Someone that we'd sorely miss."

This particular phrase caught Hermione's attention as it was far familiar than it should have been. Techinically she was not supposed to help Harry with the tasks but that rule had gone out the window from the get go. Harry techinically figured out what the egg meant to say without her help but when expressed to her what it said she was thrown off. Now it made far more sense.

"You'd miss me?" Hermione merely giggled softly and let a calm smile take over. There was nothing else for her to say yet.

"Seem to t'ink so but t'ey are very correct…When t'ey told us that and I had not seen you all day t'ere was gut feel you'd be down t'ere in the dept's." Viktor seemed to fiddle with his thoughts of what to say next and in response Hermione nudged him kindly in order to urge him to continue.

"When you woke I was…mad but not at you. It is…not normal for me to be angry at t'ings like that? You did not wake up and Karkaroff said t'ings. T'ings I did not agree wit. Forgive me please." Viktor looked down at Hermione though she was not looking back. Her concentration was focused on the crashing water. At first he was not sure if she had even heard but when she began to speak he settled down.

"I don't think I have any other choice to forgive you? It wasn't your fault anyway and I know that you don't want to discuss Karkaroff, at least for now, but there is definitely something on your mind Viktor. Please share it with me?"

"You read me well," Viktor almost would have chuckled if he was not so focused on his thoughts and how well should could read them, "I…have not met anyone like you. I have not felt this way about anyone, ever. I…would like to court you Hermione."

Hermione knew she was younger than Viktor but she knew that she was smart. She knew that she could make a decision for herself especially with the way the world was both in and out of the wizarding world. She was younger now but she would be older. This was her decision. This was her start. This was her origin of love as was his.

"Hmm, alright but that doesn't mean I'm going to start riding brooms, okay?"

"Alright Hermione."

And they shared a short laugh as she nestled herself in his embrace and yawned once more. Viktor felt best to stay where they were now in such peace. Later he would take her in but for now they were good. Things were good.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. The next will be begin being planned soon!