Viktor read over the letter he had received. He was unsure if he should laugh, or be angry. Neither would make a huge difference since even by owl, it took about a week for letters to get between Hogwarts and Durmstrang. Much faster than muggle options, but not incredibly quickly.
Hermione had survived an attack by a mountain troll. Even if it was because of extra help, it was still impressive. But Viktor was mostly upset that she had been put in a position to test herself before she should have been.
He was also frustrated with a certain Hogwarts student by the name of Ronald Weasley. In his mind, Hermione should not be friends with him. He had little thought to anyone's feelings but his own. That was not a good recipe for friendship.
He couldn't be upset with Hermione. He knew how desperately she wanted friends. He also knew that no matter how much he wished that he could be her closest friend, the distance was going to make that at least a little tricky.
He sighed. Hermione Granger was going to give him quite the headache over the years.
Dear Hermione,
I'm glad that you are safe. I think that Hogwarts might not be a safe place. Mountain trolls, or trolls of any variety, aren't supposed to be able to get onto the grounds of any magical schools, let alone into the building.
Please be careful. I fear that something is going on. I don't know why. I just have a bad feeling about it.
You would be right that I'm not happy that you and Ron are now friends. You should have friends who make you feel good about yourself. You are a wonderful person. Even if you don't like quidditch.
"Hey Viktor, put the English practice down and come play with us," Sergi called.
Viktor quickly spelled his letter so that only he could read it. He didn't need his friends teasing him over a girl who was three years younger than him. She wasn't even someone he was interested in anyways.
However, that wouldn't stop his friends from teasing him. He hadn't shown interest in any of the girls at Durmstrang. If they discovered that he was writing to a girl, twelve years old or not, it would only add fuel to that particular fire.
Hermione was writing in her journal in the common room. She wasn't worried about anyone reading it. She doubted that anyone in her house could read Greek, even if they did recognize the letters.
An owl appeared in one of the windows, tapping gently before flying off. Since most mail was delivered around breakfast and all the owls, student or otherwise, were kept in the owlery it was a strange sight.
Hermione gathered up her journal and pen and tucked them into her bag. She might not have been worried about her housemates reading over her shoulder, but didn't want to just leave her journal lying around. Someone probably knew a translation charm.
"Where are you going?" Ron asked.
"The owlery," she said. "I've got a letter to mail."
She figured it was as good a time as any to send an owl to her parents with the letter to mail to her grandparents. She'd been meaning to send it for a while, but had fussed over the wording for weeks.
"Do you want us to come with you?"
"Ron, I know where the owlery is," she said. "I'll be fine."
Ron had become increasingly paranoid about letting her walk around the castle by herself. She knew that she'd been attacked by a troll, but she still needed time to be alone. And Ron didn't understand that.
She tried to shake off the bad mood that his suggestion had put her in. As if she wasn't capable of being alone. She was still muttering angrily to herself when she reached the owlery. Not the best idea.
Several owls, having heard similar mutterings while people mailed bills and letters to estranged relatives, flocked over to her. She was so shocked that she stopped in her tracks. The annoyance she had felt faded away.
The owl that had tapped on the window rustled his feathers and hooted softly before gliding over to Hermione. She took the letter from his leg and gave him a treat from her pocket. No one entered the owlery without a treat. At least not more than once.
Hermione tied her letter to the leg of a different owl.
"Don't worry," she said while petting the first bird. "I'll have something for you soon. But if you're from who I think, he'll want a response without the two day detour to my parent's house."