Chapter 43
Hermione POV
It was the day before the End of Year Feast and Hermione and Juliette were out by the Black Lake at their secret vantage point. Hermione was leaning against the rock that Juliette had put on the edge of the clearing months ago. She was reading peacefully, while every once in a while, glancing up to watch Juliette as she flew over the lake, getting her reps in.
Since Hermione had finally cut Ginny loose from her strict study schedule a few days ago, she'd spent just about every minute with Juliette. While she would miss spending the long summer days at their private spot, spending every moment together, relaxing either with books, talking, or kissing, Hermione was also looking forward to the summer ahead. Juliette had invited her to visit her in France for a few weeks, and Hermione was equal parts nervous and excited about the upcoming trip. She'd gone to France a few summers ago with her parents, so she had been before, but obviously it wouldn't be the same kind of trip. She'd be staying with her girlfriend for two weeks and meeting her girlfriend's family – not quite the vacation she'd spent with her parents in museums and art galleries. She still hadn't asked her parents about this visit, but she assumed they'd be okay with it. Just before she'd left for the Burrow in August, she'd sat them down and told them that she fancied girls, and they were very accepting and supportive, as she assumed they would be. The only hesitation they might have would be that she'd be missing even more time at home with them over her summer holiday, but she was hoping they would understand that she was growing up and her relationship with Juliette and her friendships with Harry and the Weasleys were important to her.
Suddenly, Hermione heard footsteps beside her, and she looked up to find Juliette had landed and was standing over her, smirking.
"What are you so concentrated on, 'Ermione?" Juliette asked, smiling.
"What do you mean?"
"You are frowning, and your brow is furrowed more zan I 'ave ever seen, even for you," she chuckled lightly.
"Oh, I was just thinking about how I'm going to go about asking my parents for even more time away from them this summer. I'm their only child, and I know they miss me while I'm gone off to Hogwarts. I'm sure they'll be fine though, they will get a while month of me all to themselves," Hermione shrugged.
"If you would like, we could push your visit back a few weeks? You could stay with me just before you are to return to 'Ogwarts?" Juliette suggested.
"Oh no, I couldn't do that. I'll be staying at the Burrow for the last few weeks before we go back to Hogwarts, it's been planned since last summer," Hermione said shaking her head.
Juliette looked at her, eyebrows raised, "What is ze Burrow?"
"It's what Ginny and her family call their home."
"Ah, I see…"
"What?"
"I am 'oping that your parents are willing to let you stay with me, but if zey are wanting more time with you, I am also 'oping zat you would be willing to sacrifice your time with Ginny to come see me? Seeing as you will be spending all school year with Ginny, while I will be back at Beauxbatons?" Juliette asked, almost emotionless.
Hermione stared at Juliette, "Juliette, of course. I don't see my parents having a problem with this to the point of them not letting me come see you, it was more of an issue of me disappointing them, that's all."
Juliette nodded, silently.
"What is it?"
"Sometimes I am curious as to 'oo you would truly pick, if you 'ad to. Me or Ginny. It is not a jealousy zing, but more of a genuine wonder as to 'ow zat would go," Juliette stated.
"I don't see that being an issue, do you? It has been months since I have felt anything for Ginny, and it's been about…" Hermione looked down at her wristwatch, "A minute or two since I last felt something for you?"
"You 'ave not felt somezing for me in ze past two minutes? I must be losing my touch," Juliette smirked lightly, sitting down next to Hermione and putting her arm around her, pulling her close. Hermione beat Juliette to it as she brought her lips up to Juliette's first, causing Juliette to chuckle into the kiss. As they broke apart, Hermione looked up at Juliette seriously.
"I do understand what you're saying, Juliette. I do love Ginny, but as a friend. These past few months have been great getting to be her friend again. But I love you as just a touch more than a friend," she smiled cheekily and touched her finger to Juliette's nose. Juliette shook her head and smirked at the girl before cupping her cheek and bringing her in for another kiss. They sat leaned up against the rock for a while, looking out at the lake and the castle.
"Ready to go?" Juliette asked quietly.
"Never…" Hermione muttered, causing Juliette to look down at her. Hermione looked up, "But yes, we can go. Can we come back for… For one last time, tomorrow?"
"Of course we can," Juliette said, placing a gentle kiss on Hermione's forehead. Hermione closed her eyes as she leaned into the contact. She really would miss this, and couldn't believe Juliette would only be at Hogwarts for one more day.
They got up, mounted Juliette's broom, and flew off back to the castle.
Later that evening, Hermione was in the library, returning the majority of her books, but also figuring out which ones she would be borrowing for summer reading. Madam Pince allowed her to take out five books per summer, and every year it was an incredibly difficult process to choose only five. She was seated at her usual table with no less than twenty books stacked in front of her, so she still had quite a bit to go in the narrowing down process.
"Herm-own-ninny?"
Hermione jumped as she had been deep in thought debating whether to take a book about the history of the French Ministry of Magic or not when she heard Krum's voice.
"Viktor! Congratulations! I can't believe I haven't spoken to you since your victory, but congratulations! How are you?"
Krum offered her a faint smile, and nodded.
"Thank you, Herm-own-ninny. I am glad for the Tournament to be over. It vos too much attention for my liking, I am ready to be able to focus on Quidditch and vere I am vonting to play after my time at Durmstrang."
Hermione nodded, knowing that Krum really didn't enjoy the fanfare that had come with the Triwizard Tournament or the Quidditch World Cup for that matter. She almost wondered if his selection of a professional Quidditch team would come down to whatever team had the most reserved fanbase.
"I vont to thank you, for the kindness and friendship you haff shown me this past year. You never once made me feel like I vos a "celebrity", as they call, and only treated me like a person. It made the year more tolerable than I thought it vould be."
Krum pulled out a folded, yellowing piece of parchment and handed it to Hermione.
"I vont you to haff my address. If you are vonting to, I vould like to write you from time to time to keep in touch," Krum said, again with the slightest hint of a smile on his mostly stony expression.
"Of course, Viktor. I'm looking forward to hearing about whatever you choose to do after Durmstrang," Hermione smiled up at the boy, fondly.
"I am also vonting to give you this…" Krum said, pulling a small burlap bag out of his pocket. "I haff reduced the size so I could carry it in my pocket, but it is all of my vinnings from the Tournament. I am vonting you to haff it."
Krum set the bag down in front of Hermione, who stared at him in shock.
"What? Viktor, I can't take this. You earned it, and – "
Krum shrugged, "I am not needing it. I am sure I can play Quidditch with any professional team, and they vill pay me any amount I vont to sign vith them."
"Viktor, I don't really need it either though…" Hermione said, shaking her head. "I can't possibly – "
"I trust you Herm-own-ninny. If you cannot be using it, give it to someone who vould make good use of it," Krum insisted, pushing the bag further towards Hermione. She looked up at him, and nodded.
"You're a very generous man, Viktor. I wish more people knew more about you other than just your Quidditch abilities," Hermione said genuinely.
Krum shrugged again, "I do not care vot people think of me. I care vot I think of me. I am content vith who I am, and that is vot is mattering to me."
Hermione smiled up at Krum, impressed at his outlook on his self-worth and thankful that she'd somehow gotten to create such a genuine friendship with him.
"Make sure to let me know when you do sign to play professionally, I'll be wanting to know how I can keep up with your new team," Hermione said, and Krum nodded.
"I vill. Goodbye, Herm-own-ninny."
"Goodbye, Viktor."
Ginny POV
As Ginny sat with Harry, Parvati, Lavender, and Ron during the End of Year Feast, she'd found that she didn't have much of an appetite. She hadn't seen Hermione much over the past week, and when she did, it had just been in passing as Hermione was always on her way out of the portrait hole, undoubtedly to go see Juliette. Ever since Juliette had mentioned that Hermione was going to be staying with her this summer, she hadn't been able to shake this… Feeling… And the more Ginny had felt it and thought about it, she'd wondered if what she was feeling was jealousy. Again, the feeling had flared up once she realized she wouldn't be sitting with Hermione during the End of Year Feast, because Hermione was already further down the Gryffindor table sitting with Juliette, who had opted to ditch the rest of the Beauxbatons delegation to sit with Hermione. They were a couple, of course they would want to sit together as it would be their last day at Hogwarts together, but there was just something about it that Ginny found to be incredibly irritating as well.
"Are you no' ea'ing?" Ron asked Ginny with his mouth shoved completely full of potatoes and roast chicken.
Ginny glared at him, "Maybe I could eat if someone wasn't eating like a complete pig! Honestly Ron, you can't even have manners in front of your girlfriend?"
"She doesn' care!" Ron exclaimed as he worked on forcing another chicken leg into his mouth.
Ginny doubted that completely, but decided not to argue the point as she helped herself to some vegetables and pork chops, not daring to attempt to take any of the chicken that was within arm's reach of Ron.
Harry, who was seated next to her, nudged her gently, "Are you okay?"
Ginny sighed, then nodded, focusing on picking through her food. Harry leaned closer to her, and whispered into her ear, "Hermione?"
Ginny paused, then nodded again, looking up at him while trying to hide the sadness in her eyes. She shrugged, then said, "I just can't stop thinking about it."
"Abou' wha'?" Ron interrupted across the table from them.
Ginny shot another glare at her brother, "About whether or not you're going to choke to death during this meal, slow down!" she exclaimed as she stared incredulously at drumsticks Ron had in each hand.
Ron swallowed forcefully, then spoke clearly, "Oi, this is the last feast of the year, and I'm taking advantage of it!"
Ginny rolled her eyes, then turned back to Harry, "We can talk later."
Harry nodded, then returned to the treacle tart on his plate.
As the feast began to wrap up, Durmstrang, Beauxbatons, and Hogwarts students started to mingle and share their goodbyes with one another. Ginny made her way over to Krum, who had a huge crowd surrounding him, and waited patiently to say goodbye.
"Ginny, it vos nice getting to know you in the library. I am looking forward to hearing about vot you accomplish in the Quidditch vorld soon," he said, offering Ginny a nod.
"I really enjoyed getting to know you as well. Congratulations, and good luck with recruiting! Once I find out where you sign, I guess I may have to cheer for your team as well as the Harpies," Ginny shrugged, smiling up at Krum.
"If I play for a team that competes vith the Harpies, I vill understand ven you cheer against me," Krum added, with the tiniest hint of a smile. "Goodbye, Ginny."
"Goodbye, Viktor."
Ginny walked away to allow Krum to return to begrudgingly shaking the hands of students and staff alike, and headed out the doors of the Great Hall to go outside. The sun was just beginning to set, and the sky was beautiful as the stars gradually started to appear in the darkening sky. The air was still warm, and Ginny smiled as a light breeze swept through the grounds, tousling her long, red hair. She continued to walk the grounds, in the direction of the greenhouses, when she froze. She'd spotted a couple sitting on one of the benches, and she knew immediately it was Hermione and Juliette. Ginny thought for a second to just turn and go back inside, but something told her to get closer. She walked behind the greenhouses, trying to get nearer to the couple without them noticing her. As she approached, she realized they were both crying.
"It will only be a few weeks, 'Ermione… We will be togezzer again soon, it will be okay…" she could hear Juliette's soothing voice, consoling Hermione.
"I know… It's just… I'm really going to miss you… I can't imagine a whole month without getting to see you or touch you…" Hermione leaned in to capture Juliette's lips in hers, and Ginny had decided she could no longer intrude, even though the couple had no idea she was there. She backed off silently and slowly, and headed back up to the castle.
Yeah, there's no way Hermione still has feelings for me… I can't even believe I'd ever considered trying to break them up… I need to focus on Quidditch and move on from this… Hermione's happy, and I can't be the one to ruin that for her…
Hermione POV
Hermione and Juliette had snuck off at the conclusion of the End of Year Feast to go and sit on their bench just beyond the greenhouses. Even though she knew they'd likely see each other in just a month's time, Hermione was absolutely dreading having to say goodbye to Juliette. Juliette had her arm around her, holding her close as they watched the sun set over the hills beyond the lake, when Hermione began to cry.
"What is it, 'Ermione?" Juliette asked softly, as if she already knew why she was crying.
"I can't say goodbye to you… I just can't…"
"It is not really goodbye, is it? Maybe zink of it zat way?"
Hermione was silent as the tears started to roll down her cheeks. She felt Juliette wipe away her tears, and as she looked up at her, she saw that Juliette too was crying.
"It will only be a few weeks, 'Ermione… We will be togezzer again soon, it will be okay…" Juliette said softly, trying to console her even though her own tears were trailing down her face now.
"I know… It's just… I'm really going to miss you… I can't imagine a whole month without getting to see you or touch you…" Hermione leaned in to capture Juliette's lips in hers. She could feel her tears mingling with Juliette's, but she didn't care. As they pulled apart, Juliette let out a light chuckle as she attempted to wipe away her tears.
"Zis is ridiculous, no? We will see eachuzzer so soon."
"No, I think it's perfectly reasonable for us to be so sad about this…" Hermione said, leaning her head against Juliette's shoulder. She could feel Juliette nod, then kiss the top of her head. They stayed like this for a while, before Juliette began to move to stand up.
"Come 'ere," she said, standing with her arms out to Hermione. Hermione got up and hugged Juliette tightly, burying her face in her neck.
"I'll write you every day…" Hermione murmured, spurring Juliette to laugh. "Fine… Every other day…"
"I am looking forward to it already," Juliette said, kissing the top of Hermione's head again.
As they pulled apart, Hermione looked up into Juliette's eyes. Somehow, they looked even more beautiful than they ever had before, the gold and green specks sparkling under the light of the moon that had just begun to rise.
"I love you, Juliette. Thank you for everything," she said sincerely, still gazing into Juliette's eyes.
"I love you too, 'Ermione. Thank you for teaching me what love is and 'ow to love," Juliette said, smiling softly as Hermione's eyes widened at the statement. They kissed, one last time, before Juliette headed off towards the Beauxbatons carriage. The Beauxbatons delegation would be leaving first thing in the morning, and Madame Maxime had set a firm curfew and made sure that Juliette knew that it did in fact pertain to her as well.
As she watched Juliette walk away, Hermione felt as if she was already missing part of her, and wondered if Juliette was somehow taking her heart with her back to France. Once she could no longer see Juliette, she wiped her tears, took a few moments to compose her, and left to return to her dormitory to pack her things for the return trip home the next morning.