Written for Ophelia :)

The second the Hogwarts Express doors opened, the platform was instantly flooded with students from first to seventh year. Hermione marched up to her parents after her fourth year at Hogwarts with a grin plastered onto her face, waving Harry and Ron off.

"Honey! How are you?" her mother asked, a smile making its way to her face as she pulled Hermione into a swift hug.

Hermione hugged her back before hugging her father. "Never better!"

"Let's head off," her father said, releasing her and turning towards the exit. "We have a surprise for you."

Hermione allowed her dad to take her trunk and held onto her own bag as she followed her mother out of platform nine and three-quarters.

Together, the family trundled along, a patter of conversation flowing as easily as always, and eventually, they seemed to be making a stop at a lovely little cafe on the outskirts of London. Her parents always liked to stop on the way home after Hogwarts; it was a tradition Hermione also cherished.

Hermione looked around at the stands of freshly made cream cakes, the pastries to the side, and the hot chocolate a customer had just ordered. The smell of cinnamon filled her nostrils, and the warmth hugged her.

"This place is incredible," Hermione breathed.

"I knew you'd like it," her father said, leading them to a table. "I'll go order. Anything you want specifically?"

Hermione looked over at the stands once more. "Any cream cake for me, please."

"Hot chocolate with extra marshmallows," her mother added.

Once her father was out of earshot, her mother started.

"So, tell me everything!" she exclaimed, sitting down in the chair next to her.

Hermione beamed from ear to ear, glanced over to where her father was busy ordering and leant forward. "I have a boyfriend."

Her mother's mouth fell open. "A boyfriend?"

Hermione nodded.

"Who? Have I met him? Or heard of it?"

She shook her head.

"Hermione! Don't leave me hanging."

"His name is Viktor," Hermione told her, knowing not to give her all of the details. After being petrified, they were still a tad overprotective. Understandably, of course. "He's a Quidditch Player…"

"Like Harry?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes, but he plays in bigger competitions. He doesn't go to Hogwarts either. He was part of that Twi-Wizard Tournament I told you about."

"Oh yes! Harry was in that, too, right?"

She nodded again. "That's right."

Her mother smiled brightly and held her hand. "I can't wait to meet him."

Her father returned then, carrying a small tray with three mugs of hot chocolate and placed it down. "You haven't told your mother anything about Hogwarts without me, right?"

"Of course not, Dad." Hermione chuckled and took one of the steaming hot chocolates. "I am still on track to get all O's in my OWLs next year!"

The conversation continued on about her grades and the school work she's been doing, and she answered all of their questions. She waited until she was home before she gave her mother more details about Viktor.

Hermione pulled the carefully folded parchment letter out of her pocket and read the address again before entering the diner. Viktor had invited her here the week prior; this would be the first time they would meet each other outside of Hogwarts.

Hermione's stomach twisted and turned in anticipation.

"Hermione," a strong voice called. She turned to the sound and saw him waving her over.

She smiled and let out a breath of relief. She stepped over to him, past the other tables. As she got closer, he took her hand and took her through an invisible wall, which was probably why he had chosen this place. It was in a Muggle location, only half an hour from where she lived. She had never been to this diner before and had never known there was a wizarding diner anywhere near her.

"It is great to see you," Viktor said as he guided her to a reserved table beside a nicely decorated wall. He pulled out the chair for her. "Thank you for coming."

Hermione smiled with a small nod. "Thank you for inviting me."

Butterflies flew around in her stomach, just like they did when she was at Hogwarts with him. This was her first actual date outside of Hogwarts. Her mother had been tempted to sit in the same diner, but Hermione had convinced her to drop her off and do some shopping, and they'd meet up at a different location in a few hours.

"How are you after the loss of your friend?" Viktor asked gently.

Her butterflies halted, and her excitement dropped. Cedric. Every time she thought about what happened, she froze. Then she remembered Harry's warning about Voldemort returning and what that meant: War.

"Scared of the future," she replied, looking back at him. "Scared of what might happen now."

Krum took one of her hands. "Do you believe Potter?"

She looked at him hesitantly and nodded - was he going to call her ridiculous? Tell her he was wrong? Brush it under the rug like others had?

"There are a lot of people worried about Potter's announcement. Denial is strong. I know many people are searching to confirm it, but another sighting hasn't happened yet."

Hermione had forgotten how much Krum was older than her - it made sense that other adults would be more likely to talk to him about the impending war than her, who was still underage. "Where did you hear that?" she inquired.

Krum smiled a little cockily, "Hermione, I'm a Quidditch star. All I do is ask."

Hermione let out a very short chuckle, but it was short-lived. "Do you think my parents are safe? Muggle parents to a wizard… to a m–"

"I don't believe anybody is safe if…" he hesitated, "You-Know-Who reappears or takes action."

Having someone other than Harry say this made it more real for Hermione. Since discovering she was a witch, she had been attacked by a troll, got past a three-headed dog, risked her life in a chess match, and been petrified… And that was all in her first two years. She shook her head. "It's a lot to take in."

His hand squeezed hers, reminding her that he was still holding it. "If it gets bad in England again, you can come to Bulgaria."

Her eyes instantly met his, and she could tell he was genuine. "Thank you."

"And if you don't come, I will help you when I can."

She nodded. She understood his words; he knew that she would fight alongside her friends if it came to it. Having somewhere to run to was extremely comforting. "If… If I stay and things get bad… you could help by giving my parents the same offer?"

She sounded so young to herself, asking her boyfriend to help her parents, but it was her biggest concern.

His strong nod relaxed her.

When all was said and done, Hermione could comfortably say that the war didn't change because she was in a relationship with Krum. It had been the same dark horror it was always going to be. It was her life that had changed. After her fifth year, Krum and his parents convinced Hermione's parents to move to Bulgaria in their spare guest house - a two-bed property in their estate. Summers were safer. Her parents were safer while she helped to take down Voldemort.

And when Voldemort took his last breath, Krum was fighting by her side, and her parents were safe and waiting for her return.

Thank you to Amelia and 2D for checking it out for me!