Viktor smiled to himself as he walked aboard the ship. He pulled his trunk almost effortlessly, in spite of the heavy nature of the wood and stuff inside. His attention wavered, but his steps didn't.

He quickly settled everything into his cabin, or his half of the cabin. He was sharing with his friend Vlad. Vlad was Russian, and particular about his space. Viktor left him to arrange his stuff, and walked onto the deck.

The salt in the air tickled his nostrils. It wasn't an unpleasant sensation, but it was certainly one that he wasn't used to. Durmstrang wasn't particularly close to the sea, so he hadn't gotten used to the smell of salt.

He rolled up his sleeves, and leaned over the edge. He was excited to be heading to Hogwarts. He was excited for the tournament. But he was mostly excited to see Hermione.

"I thought you were supposed to be below deck," Alexzander said.

"I was. But Vlad is…"

"Vlad," Alex supplied. "I know."

They stared at the waves in silence. While the ship could sail itself, they liked to help as much as they could. And so, they busied themselves with ropes and sails.

Within an hour, they were on their way. And it never felt better for Viktor.

Hermione found herself anxious as October arrived. She and Viktor had been writing, but her letters hadn't been responded to. He had mentioned something about how they were crossing the ocean affecting their arrival, but she didn't understand what that meant.

She was about to head to the library to work on the essay that Professor Flitwick would assign in a week's time when she heard a ruckus. Walking towards the sound of the commotion, she found that everyone was hurrying out to the courtyard.

She rushed out as well, not wanting to be the last person that news got around to. It was always unfortunate when that happened, and was even more so when you were supposed to be the smartest person in your year.

Circling up above was a carriage pulled by horses. It looked fairly reasonable, at least as far as magic went, until it came closer and the size of the thing was apparent. The carriage was huge, and the horses even bigger.

As students stumbled out, some shivering in silks, it was clear why the carriage was so big. And then, a tall lady, taller than even Rubius Hagrid himself, stepped out.

She was beautiful, breathtaking, and simply amazing. Her dark black hair was cut in a bob. Her emerald eyes sparkled in the sunlight. And her robes were of the highest French fashion. She was quite a sight to behold.

The students were ushered into the much warmer castle, as Madame Maxine told Hagrid that her horses only drank single malt whiskey.

Hermione was just about to head in, when she caught sight of a flag in the middle of the Black Lake. She walked forward a few steps, grateful that she had grabbed her scarf and cloak. It was most certainly a flag, and it was attached to a mast.

She walked to the edge of the courtyard as the ship rose from the water. It dripped water, and the smell of salt filled the air. The lake was a saltwater lake, but the smell was even more prominent as the ship docked.

She watched as Durmstrang students filed off the ship. They walked with military precision, boys and girls alike. It was strange to see. And then chaos erupted.

Girls screamed. Boys were yelling. Everyone was looking for parchment and quills. One girl was even desperate to ask if Viktor would autograph her robe with lipstick.

Hermione chuckled to herself. She had been around Harry long enough to know that teenage girls did crazy things around famous wizards. And she couldn't help but think that they were slightly crazy.

But when Viktor looked at her, she blushed deep red. He hadn't winked. He hadn't smiled. He hadn't done anything other than look at her. But she couldn't help the blood rushing to her face.

"Is that Viktor Krum?" Ron asked Harry.

"Sure looked like it."

"I have got to get an autograph," Ron almost whistled.

Hermione shook her head. She knew that Ron looked up to the Bulgarian seeker. Perhaps she might be able to get him something that he wanted. But she might have to wait for Christmas for him to accept it.

When the screaming died down, everyone practically rushed into the great hall. There was lots of talking, lots of mingling, and even some homework was finished. Before long, it was time for the welcoming feast to start.

Hermione was slightly disappointed to see Viktor at the Slytherin table. She knew that his headmaster would have likely instructed them to sit there, with his past as a death eater. But she still would have liked him to have been closer.

Even so, from where she sat, she could see him. And she watched him as covertly as she could. Not that she needed to worry. Practically everyone was openly staring at the international quiditch sensation.

"Hermione?" Harry asked.

She shook her head. "Sorry. I was distracted. What were you saying?"

"I just asked if you could help me with my potions essay after dinner. I'm mostly done, but I need a little help with the conclusion. And you're the best at stuff like this." Harry looked at her like a little puppy.

"Of course I'll help you Harry," she said.

"Thanks," he said back.

"Hey Mione," Ron added. "Think you could help me too."

"It depends on how much you do. I'm not writing your essay for you," she told him. Hopefully it would be the last time he asked that particular question.

"I have the introduction done, but I need help with my points. I'll write, but I can't seem to understand what I'm trying to say."

Hermione fought the urge to roll her eyes. She managed, barely, but knew that she would have to help Ron outline his entire essay. And she would probably wind up proofreading it in the early hours of the morning. It was a good thing he was her friend.

She finished her dinner and then told the boys to meet her in the library. She walked up the stairs, bag on her shoulder, trying to ignore the urge to grab a pen and write like the wind.

Instead she focused on putting one foot in front of the other until she got to the library. Setting her stuff down, it was so tempting to just write Viktor and at least say hello. And why shouldn't she?

Hey there, she wrote.

She pulled her sleeve back down and went to work on writing out a few ideas for Ron. She had already written her essay for Professor Snape, and had even gone so far as to turn it in ahead of time. She hated the idea that she could put so much work into something only for it to not matter if she forgot it.

Ron and Harry walked in after what had to be the end of the feast. She'd almost gotten three outlines for Ron, depending on what point he wanted to argue.

Harry handed her his essay to read and give feedback on. He and Ron talked over the outlines on the table and Ron picked one that fit with the introduction he had written. Leave it to him to find the one that required the least amount of work.

She and Harry finished his essay, and Ron managed to finish one paragraph before Madame Pince closed the library for the evening.

"Thanks a ton again Hermione," Harry said. "I probably wouldn't be passing potions without you."

"You'll read this over for me before potions?" Ron asked.

"I'm going to go to bed once we reach Gryffindor tower, but I'll look at it before you turn it in," she promised.

And once they reached the tower, Hermione did head up to her dorm. But she didn't go straight to sleep. Instead, she changed into her pajamas and sat with the curtains around her as she wrote more to Viktor.

Sorry I didn't write more earlier. I had to help my friends with homework. But it was great to see you.

The reply came almost instantaneously.

I know the feeling. Friends and schoolwork must come first. After all, even soulmates may not work out. But I hope this does. And I wish I could have actually spoken to you.

I'm usually in the library, Hermione told him. If you can manage to get there, you might be able to teach me how to actually speak Bulgarian.

She could feel his smile as the words traced across her skin.

I promise I will do that, as soon as I can sneak away from all the fans following me. I might be a quiditch player, but I am also a student. One who needs to learn.

We'll think of something, Hermione promised.