Viktor disappeared.

Hermione scanned the bustling crowd, her eyes dancing across the grand hall adorned with shimmering chandeliers and opulent decorations. The Ministry's gala was a sight to behold, with towering columns draped in cascades of ivy and tables adorned with elegant floral arrangements. The air was alive with the sound of laughter and music, as guests mingled beneath the enchanting glow of floating candles and twinkling fairy lights.

She stood on tiptoe, craning her neck to glimpse the Bulgarian's tall slouching frame or his distinctive shock of hair, but he was nowhere to be found.

Frowning slightly, she sighed.

Viktor disappeared like smoke, a remarkable feat for a wizard of his size. Despite his height and sturdy frame, he moved with unexpected grace at least when he really tried. When he wanted to avoid attention, he could glide through a room effortlessly. Whenever he spotted the media, he effortlessly moved through the room, almost appearing weightless as he glided. Hermione was almost envious of the man and his uncanny ability to banish from the reporters.

Just as she was about to make her way through the crowd, Julie, the gala's frazzled organizer, materialized beside her, a clipboard clutched in her sweaty hand and a stray strand of hair plastered to her forehead. "Hermione, have you seen Mr Krum?" she asked breathlessly. "The auction is about to start, and we need him to take pictures for the press." She fiddled with the clipboard. "We were also hoping to get his picture with the snitch he donated and sign a couple of autographs."

Hermione shook her head, her brow furrowing. "No, I haven't," she replied sympathetically, offering Julie a reassuring squeeze on the arm. " But I'll go look for him."

"Thank Merlin, you're a lifesaver!" Julie breathed, a hint of desperation creeping into her voice. "He still gives me the shivers, you know."

Hermione stifled a laugh because that was exactly what Viktor wanted. "He does tend to have that effect," she chuckled. "But he really is very nice."

Julie's incredulous stare lingered on Hermione for a beat before she stammered, "Right. Thank you again!" and scurried off, her clipboard clutched like a lifeline.

Hurrying off in search of her husband, Hermione weaved through the crowds of guests.

Suddenly, a flash of red hair across the room caught her eye. There, by the refreshment table laden with precariously balanced canapés, stood Harry and Ginny, deep in conversation.

"Have you seen Viktor?" she asked, her voice urgent. "He's disappeared, and the auction is starting soon."

Harry's brow furrowed as he exchanged a worried glance with Ginny, who cradled her visibly pregnant belly with a thoughtful hand. Harry shook his head. "No sorry, Hermione. We saw him when you guys came together, but we haven't seen him then. "

"We've been here the whole time, and I wouldn't have missed him stomping through with that glower of his" she pointed out. "Maybe he Disillusioned himself?"

Harry, however, scoffed. "No way. I would've noticed," he declared with the quiet confidence of a Head Auror.

"How humble of you," Ginny rolled her eyes playfully, and Harry, with a resigned smile, leaned down to kiss her temple.

"How does a giant of a bloke like him disappear into thin air?" Ginny mused.

Hermione sighed again. "No idea."

"You reckon he could teach me?" Harry piped up, "I'd love to get away from the press too."

A small smile tugged at Hermione's lips. "Maybe," she replied, "once I find him."

Thanking them hurriedly, Hermione continued her search, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of Viktor.

She stepped outside into the cool night air, feeling it brush against her skin as she entered the moonlit courtyard. The venue, rented by the Ministry for the extravagant gala, sprawled before her with manicured lawns and winding pathways.

As Hermione wandered, her footsteps softly echoing on the cobblestones, she turned a corner and came upon an unexpected sight: a maze. Its intricate hedges loomed tall and imposing in the moonlight, seemingly materializing out of nowhere.

"Viktor?" she called out, her voice carrying on the cool night air.

Following a hunch, she ventured into the maze. The towering hedges blocked out the remaining light from the gala, plunging her into a cool, green labyrinth. Just then, a flicker of movement caught her eye. There, in a moonlit clearing, stood Viktor, his broad frame silhouetted against the night sky. Relief flooded her as she hurried towards him.

"There you are," said Hermione.

She reached him and snaked her arms around his waist, her cheek pressed against the soft fabric of his navy blue robes. A low rumble escaped his chest.

"Julie is looking for you. The auction is about to start and need you to take pictures with the snitch," she informed him.

Viktor remained silent for a moment, his only response a deep sigh.

"Viktor, we need to—"

Her protest died in her throat as Viktor turned, engulfing her in a warm embrace. The familiar scent of his cologne, spiced and broom polish, grounded her. She closed her eyes, the cool night air a stark contrast to the heat radiating from his body.

"Five minutes," he murmured, his voice thick.

Understanding bloomed in Hermione's chest. She better than anyone knew how much Viktor hated these events. It was too suffocating. They both came home drained of their social energy for the next month.

She tightened her hold on him. "Okay," she whispered, her fingers tracing soothing circles on his broad back.

Viktor melted into her touch, the tension slowly draining from his large frame.

Julie's voice, laced with a frantic edge that cut through the moonlit serenity, pierced the air. "Hermione!" she shrieked, the desperation in her tone undeniable. Then, as if composing herself, her voice softened into a hurried plea, "Mr. Krum, please we need to take those pictures. Miss Skeeter is waiting for you!"

Hermione whipped her head around, catching sight of several figures dashing towards the maze, their hurried footsteps echoing on the stone floor. Her eyes landed on Julie, who was frantically gesturing in their direction, barking out instructions to the approaching group.

"We–" Hermione began to reply, a protest forming on her lips. But before the full word could escape, Viktor's large hand clamped down on her mouth, effectively silencing her.

A jolt of anger sparked in her eyes, her brow furrowing in protest.

But that spark was quickly doused by his large hand squeezing her hip as he drew her flushed with this hard-muscled torso.

A low "Shh," escaped his lips, warm and minty against her cheek. He leaned in further, his voice a husky whisper tickling the sensitive skin of her ear. "Trust me, Mila,"

She swallowed hard, trying to ignore the escalating heat that radiated from her cheeks and spread through her body like wildfire. The low, husky timbre of his voice sent shivers down her spine, making the fine hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. The slight rasp in his voice accentuated by his accent still managed to do things to her.

She found herself staring into his eyes, usually dark intense eyes, but now glinting with a spark she hadn't seen in a while- a mischievous playful glint that sent a shiver down her spine.

Maybe it was the dreadful idea of seeing that Skeeter woman or the mounting pressure of getting the newest giant legislation passed, but at that moment she didn't care. She let her normally stoic, rule-abiding husband to take charge.

He tightened his grip around her waist, the movement surprisingly swift. Before she could react further, he scooped her up into his powerful arms, eliciting a surprised squeal from her. Her world tilted as she was lifted off the ground, the cool night air rushing past her face.

Behind them, Julie's voice rose again, now tinged with panic. "Please Mr. Krum, we really need those photos!" The desperation in her voice was clear. "We need you to start the—"

Her voice was cut off abruptly as Viktor plunged into the looming entrance of the hedge maze, carrying Hermione with him. The towering hedges swallowed them whole, leaving behind only the fading echoes of Julie's pleas and the frantic shouts of the search party. The scent of Viktor's cologne mingled with the earthy aroma of the maze, a strange combination that heightened Hermione's senses as they plunged deeper.

Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig sent shivers down her spine. Glancing back through the gaps in the hedge, she could see flashes of movement – the search party fanned out, their shouts muffled by the thick foliage. A thrill of apprehension shot through her, a feeling that was both exhilarating and terrifying. She was not one to break the rules, nor was Viktor, yet here she was in her strong husband's arms running away from Ministry employees

She knew that Julie would chew her head off–respectfully so on Monday, they just ditched the Gala. A Gala in which Viktor was the guest of honor having donated one of the Snitches he caught in the 1998 World Cup. But she found that she didn't care. Viktor looked alive, not the ball of stress he had been the past few weeks.

There was something about Viktor's mischvious light eyes and smile that melted everything into the background.

Suddenly, Viktor swerved, his broad frame brushing against the prickly hedge. A small, concealed alcove appeared – barely big enough for the two of them. He ducked inside, pulling Hermione flush to him.

As she leaned against his hard muscled chest, she could feel the defined contours of his muscles through the fabric of his robes. Each ripple and ridge etched into her memory, and she found herself lost in the fantasy of running her hands over his naked torso, feeling the warmth of his skin against her fingertips.

He grabbed her hips and pushed her arse against his semi-hard cock, she could feel the smooth texture of the fabric between them. She knew Viktor liked the chase–the competition–he liked winning. He loved winning–loved things going his way.

She licked her lips seductively, and she ground her arse to him, her movements tantalizing and slow.

"Her-mione," he growled in warning, a low, primal sound that only sent shivers down her spine. His grip on her hips tightened as his erection grew harder. She could feel the heat of his body against her, the hardness of his arousal pressing against her dampened knickers.

She needed to stop, but she couldn't.

Instead, she continued to move against him, her body craving to feel his.

It was wrong, it really was. People were looking and waiting for them and here they were in a dimly lit alcove.

Despite the risk, Viktor's closeness and the spontaneity of everything made her feel warm and alive, her senses filled with the intoxicating scent of his cologne, the sound of his ragged breathing, and the feel of his hardening cock pressing against her. She could hear the soft murmurs of the ministry workers shuffling around them, but their voices seemed distant and unimportant, drowned out by the pounding of her heart in her chest.

"I'm only giving you this one warning," Viktor whispered, his voice ensnaring her like a savage cat's growl. His hand slipped from her waist to her neck, the fingers curling possessively around her fragile jaw. His thumb traced enticingly over her plump, pouty lower lip, evoking both fear and desire within her.

Hermione froze, her heart pounding erratically in her chest like a panicked bird caught in a cage. She knew full well that if she pushed Viktor too far, he would make good on his threat. Yet, rather than instill fear, the very idea of Viktor's thick cock pounding into her from behind stoked the fires of her wildest desires.

"Please Mr Krum," Julie pleaded from somewhere distant. "It will only be a couple of photos!"

She wiggled her ass in response and Viktor chuckled.

Her hips swayed sultrily. He laughed a low, throaty chuckle that sent shivers down Hermione's spine.

"Such a naughty girl," he purred, planting a slow, sensuous kiss on the delicate skin of her neck. His teeth gently bit her earlobe, eliciting a soft gasp of pleasure from her.

Viktor's hands slid up her thighs, pulling the hem of her robes upward in a languid, deliberate motion. The cold air caused her wet knickers to cling to her tender flesh, leaving her feeling exposed and vulnerable. But there was a perverse thrill in it, too – a heady mix of fear and arousal that left her breathless with anticipation.

His fingertips traced lazy circles on the waistband of her knickers, teasing her mercilessly. Hermione writhed beneath his touch, she wanted more but she was playing Viktor's intoxicating game.

The sound of approaching footsteps made Hermione shudder violently, and she froze like a stone statue in place. Her breath caught in her throat, her lungs working overtime to compensate for the sudden surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins. She could feel Viktor's wicked smirk pressed firmly against her cheek.

"I think I saw them somewhere here," a male voice rang out from deep within the labyrinthine corridors of the maze. Hermione's pulse quickened, her fear morphing into a tight, thrilling knot in her stomach.

Hermione clenched her legs as if that would stop them from seeing her dripping knickers.

She breathed in relief when Viktor's fingers left the flimsy fabric. She instinctively rested her head on her chest.

But Viktor's fingers had other ideas. As the footsteps drew nearer, he slipped his hand beneath her flimsy fabric, his fingertips making their way directly to her sensitive clit. He circled it with the perfect amount of pressure, sending shock waves of pleasure through her body.

Hermione moaned softly, her breath hitching in her throat. The pounding of her heart grew louder in her ears, drowning out the footsteps that were closing in rapidly. She bit her lips hard.

"Did you hear that?" asked the same voice from before.

"I think so." Answered a higher-pitched wizard. "Sounded close."

Damn, Viktor's skilled hands! No matter how hard she tried to resist, his touch was irresistible, sending her body into a frenzy of desire. With each gentle tug and caress, her resistance crumbled, leaving her totally at his mercy.

Viktor's hand persisted in its relentless assault on her clit, pushing her closer and closer to the edge of ecstasy.

Viktor leaned in, his lips brushing gently against the shell of Hermione's ear, his breath warm and tantalizing. "Shh, Mila. Ve couldn't vant them to hear you nov."

His fingers continued their frenzied dance, teasing and tormenting Hermione's clit, driving her wild with desire. Her toes curled uncomfortably in her shoes, her body trembling with anticipation as the climax drew ever closer.

Breathy moans escaped her lips as Viktor's skillful fingers raised the intensity, the sounds muffled by his strong hand clamped tightly over her mouth. Hermione reached for her wand, intent on casting a silencing spell.

But Viktor's order was swift and unequivocal. "Ne."

Hermione looked at him, her big brown eyes filled with pleading. "Please," she whispered softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I said no."

The sound of footsteps grew louder, the voices growing nearer. Panic began to set in. Merlin, she was a pervert. She should have been mortified, but as much as she tried to invoke the feeling, it never came. All she felt was lust and pleasure.

Viktor reluctantly released Hermione's mouth, leaving a trail of drool on her cheek.

Merlin. She was so close she could feel herself coming undone.

Without missing a beat, Viktor pushed Hermione back until she leaned slightly forward. He used this opportunity to continue his expert manipulation of her clit, sending waves of pleasure surging through her body.

As if that weren't enough, Viktor undid his slipper and allowed his thick, rigid cock to rub against Hermione's wet and waiting ass. He rocked against her, tantalizing her with his touch.

"Viktor!" Hermione cried out, her voice thick with desire. She tried to steady herself on her husband's thighs.

Seizing the opportunity, Viktor spread his legs and positioned himself behind Hermione just as she was coming. With a single, powerful thrust, he buried his cock deep within her pussy, making her see stars. He began to pound into her with a frenzied intensity that left her breathless. The sounds of skin against skin filled the air.

His hand gripped her hip, squeezing tightly as he slammed into her. With his other hand, he gripped her neck, his fingers digging into her flesh.

Viktor's cock slipped in and out of Hermione's wet and eager cunt with lightning speed, leaving a trail of squelching, flesh-on-flesh sounds in its wake. The air was thick with the scent of sex, a potent mix of sweat, skin, and arousal that filled Hermione's nostrils and left her dizzy with lust.

Despite the intensity of their passion, Hermione could feel herself growing weaker with each passing second. Her knees trembled beneath her, threatening to give way beneath the weight of Viktor's powerful thrusts.

Her abused lip started to throb with pain, but it was all she could do to keep from moaning as Viktor's every touch sent shockwaves of pleasure coursing through her body. He was hitting all the right spots, and with no time to ride out her orgasm, Hermione felt her body ignite like wildfire.

Viktor sensually licked her neck. His lips whispered against her ear. "Be quiet love, or do you vant everyone at the Ministry knov hov vell you take my cock from behind?"

His words sent a shiver down Hermione's spine, and she clenched her teeth to stifle her moan.

Despite the danger of being caught, Viktor's cock continued its frenzied assault on her trembling body. His balls slapped against her ass with a rhythmic fury that threatened to overwhelm her senses.

Viktor kissed her neck. "Good girl."

"Hey, I think I saw something other there," called out a witch.

Hermione held her breath as a witch's voice called out from the shadows. But Viktor never faltered, his relentless pace showing no signs of slowing down.

She wanted to curse his bloody quidditch physique and stamina but she never could. Not when he always made her come at least twice.

As the footsteps and voices faded into the distance, Viktor pushed Hermione back lower, causing her to lose her balance momentarily. Before she could fall, however, Viktor gripped her arms and used them to support her as he fucked her harder and faster than before. The sound of his balls slapping against her skin.

"Oh gods," Hermione cried out, her inner thighs coated with her own juices. Her body shuddered and arched beneath Viktor's relentless perfect cock, her knees buckling in response to the intense pleasure that coursed through her veins.

"No gods here," Viktor whispered, his voice low and husky with a hint of amusement. "Just your husband."

His fingers dug into her arms. "Say my name, love."

"Viktor!"

"That's right. I'm the one fucking you," Viktor grunted, his speed picking up as her body began to shake with the onset of her orgasm. Hermione felt her muscles tensing, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps.

"Vik—"

"I know. Come, Mila. Come on my cock." His voice was a low growl, filled with raw, primal desire. Suddenly, it was like she blindly obeyed him because an explosive orgasm shook her very core.

"Such a good girl," Viktor cooed, his voice laced with raw desire. He thrust into Hermione a few more times, his movements forceful and nearly overwhelming. She felt as though she was on the verge of collapse, her body trembling with anticipation.

As he neared his climax, Viktor's breath grew ragged and his thrusts became even more frenzied. With a final, powerful push, he groaned out, "Идвам. Твоята путка е фантастична!" ("I'm coming. your cunt is fucking fantastic!"). He came inside her, his cum filling her completely.

Hermione lost all her strength in the aftermath, her body shaking with the sheer intensity of the experience. But Viktor was there. He was always there. He had always been there for her. He steadied her and pulled her close. He kissed her temple gently, before peering her face with kisses.

"I love you, Mila," he whispered hoarsely in her ear, his breath hot against her skin.

Hermione finally found her voice, her own words coming out as a gasping breath. "Me too."

"I think it's been five minutes," he said with a wicked grin.