February disappeared all too quickly and the quidditch pitch became a mess of hedges just as quickly. Everyone was surprised to see what looked like a maze, but they weren't exactly that surprised. The triwizard tournament had been nothing that anyone had expected.

Hermione found herself cooped up in the library most days, desperately trying to distract herself from reality. March was time for the prep for the final task of the triwizard tournament, since it would take place at the end of the month. Then exam reviews would take place and finally the tests.

Hermione was glad that the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students wouldn't be leaving until the end of the school year. She didn't know how she would handle it if they left earlier.

"Vhat are you thinking?" a certain deep Bulgarian voice broke her from her thoughts.

"I was just thinking that I don't know how I'm going to handle this summer and the next year," she said softly. It was strange to admit it out loud.

Viktor rubbed his chin as he thought. "Vhat did your parents say about you coming to visit?"

"They said it was a fine idea. But I don't exactly know how to get there. Maybe they could come to Bulgaria too?"

"Ve haff plenty of room."

Hermione nodded. She made a note to ask her parents when they came to Hogsmeade at the end of the month. They were super excited to meet Viktor, and were rather impressed that he wanted them to meet his parents too.

Hermione hoped they would agree to go with her. Or at least help her find a way for her to get there. She'd already decided that she wanted to go more than anything. But being away from her parents for so long would hardly be fair to them.

She knew that they felt a little distant from her. She felt rather distant from them, even at home. They practically lived in two different worlds, no matter how much they tried otherwise. If they agreed, she hoped it would bring them closer together.

"Do you think your parents will like me?" she asked her boyfriend.

"Ve haff already talked about this," he said taking her hand in his. "They vill loff you."

"Do you think your parents will like mine? I mean, your parents are magical. Mine are muggles."

Her face was worried. She bit her lip as she considered the possibilities of their parents meeting each other. It could either go fantastically, or very wrong. And she wasn't sure which one she feared more.

What she did know is that the hand holding hers gave her more comfort than she had originally expected. She knew that their relationship wasn't going to fall apart because of distance. She had invested too much time in it to just let it fall apart, and she knew Viktor felt the same way.

Viktor let go of her hand, pulling her into an embrace, whispering some Bulgarian words in her ear. She wasn't quite sure what they meant, but she was sure they were meant to be comforting. She closed her eyes and savored the feeling.

"What do you want to do after quidditch?" Hermione asked.

"I vas thinking of writing a book, but vas not sure." He shrugged his shoulders and looked down at the ground. "Vas hoping you vould read it."

Hermione's face lit up. "I would love to. Have you written it already? What's it about? Is it fiction or nonfiction? Are you planning on publishing under a pseudonym? I assume it's going to be written in Bulgarian."

She rambled on for a bit, so excited. She loved books. She thought that one day, she might want to write one, but she wasn't quite sure. She knew that either way, she had a lot of books to read.

Viktor let her babble, feeling his nervousness roll off him with every word that she spoke. He did write in Bulgarian. While he could speak English well enough, he wasn't sure he could write a full book in it on anything other than quidditch. Which was not the first book he wanted to write.

Before either of them realized it, the sun had set and things were rather dark. The days were getting longer, but night still came before dinner time.

They packed up their things and headed down to the great hall. It took them a while because they kept finding little corners and hidden spots to kiss each other in. Finally, flushing and a little rumpled, they entered the great hall and went to their respective tables.

"Hermione can you help me with my potions essay?" Ron asked as soon as she sat down. Thankfully, his mouth was empty of food.

"I'll help you, as long as you actually are the one to write it," Hermione said. It was her usual reply, and she was in a good mood. Even Ron chewing with his mouth open couldn't dampen it, or so she hoped. She didn't particularly want to put it to the test.

"You turn it in already?" Neville asked.

Hermione nodded. She'd turned it in the last week, as soon as Professor Snape would take it. He wasn't as bad as everyone said if you paid attention and kept quiet. Hermione sometimes had a hard time with the quiet bit, but she worked hard enough that Snape didn't have as many problems with her as he could.

"If you're not too busy with helping Ron, would you proof read mine?" Neville asked.

"And mine," Harry added.

A small smile worked its way onto her face. "You boys are going to keep me busy through my entire academic career."

A/N: So I'm going to try to keep writing this through this month, but I'm also working on an original story for NaNoWriMo. Also, life seems to be getting in the way. And my grandpa just died, so if I disappear for a while I hope you guys understand. Thanks for reading this. You are the best.