Once the tournament was officially over, there was quite a bit of panic over exams. Hermione practically went crazy, writing, reading, and thinking about material until Viktor stepped in. He made sure that she took a break from studying long enough to eat. And he reminded her that she should go to bed at a reasonable hour.
It was the calmest that Harry and Ron had ever seen her before exams. Excluding their second year, but with being petrified and exams being cancelled it didn't really count. They were actually enjoying her studying, and were feeling more confident about the upcoming exams themselves.
Neville studied with them, and even Padma had joined them on occasion. Hermione and Neville were more likely to join Padma in the Ravenclaw common room while Harry and Ron took a two hour break from school. It worked out better for everyone that way.
"I just don't get why Harry and Ron don't study as much as you two," Padma said one afternoon.
Neville and Hermione shared a look of frustration at their friends. Harry and Ron were great at practical magic. They just weren't too keen on book learning, which frustrated Hermione to no end.
"Ron doesn't like to do anything he doesn't have to. As for Harry, I think he sometimes gets a little wrapped up in life to realize that school's important too," Hermione said. She was trying to accept their study habits, even if she didn't like them.
"We figure that as long as they pass, everything will be fine," Neville said. "And they should be able to."
"Well I think that both of you will pass with flying colours," Padma said.
"Except for potions," Neville bemoaned.
Hermione put a reassuring hand on Neville's shoulder. "We can work on that as much as you want. We all know that half of it is that you're so scared of Professor Snape that you panic and forget what you're supposed to be doing."
"Is it that obvious?" Neville asked.
"Only to your friends," Padma said. "We just have to get you to the point where you could brew in your sleep. Then you'll be fine."
Neville mulled over what Padma had said. She had a solution, but Neville wasn't sure that they had enough time in the three days left until exams started to get him comfortable with a cauldron. Snape had made him fear every aspect of brewing.
"I have an idea," Hermione said.
She grabbed Neville's arm and practically dragged him out of Ravenclaw tower. Padma followed without being prompted. Her natural curiosity got the best of her sometimes, and she had to know what Hermione was thinking.
Hermione dragged Neville down the stairs, past classrooms full of practicing students, and out the doors of Hogwarts. They headed across the grounds towards the Black Lake, and Neville had a sinking feeling that only grew when they were at the edge of the water.
There, as if he was waiting for them, was Viktor. He kissed Hermione's head gently before looking at her expectantly. While he probably had more of an idea of what was going on than Neville and Padma, he still wanted Hermione to explain what was going on.
"Neville," she waved at the boy, "has been having some trouble. He's terrified he's going to fail his potions exam."
"Potions is class vith dark vizard vith big nose?" Viktor asked.
"That would be the one," Neville shuddered.
"Haff an idea of how to help," Viktor said. "Come vith me."
The group trudged up to the ship and went to the kitchen. It was smaller than Hermione would have expected, with as many people resided on it, but it had all the essentials.
Viktor pulled out a pot, and some ingredients out of the cupboards. He found his way around incredibly easily. But Hermione guessed that was to be expected.
"Ve vill make soup," Viktor said to Neville.
Neville looked around nervously. He had never cooked before. He'd never needed to. And he wasn't exactly sure what soup had to do with potions.
Viktor must have sensed Neville's discomfort, because he leaned over and placed a hand on his shoulder while explaining. "Soup is like potions. But if you mess up, all you haff is burnt food. Not explosions that could hurt friends."
Neville nodded at that logic, and was soon cutting vegetables up comfortably, his confidence growing as he worked. When he finished, he served up soup that wasn't over or under cooked. And it actually tasted good.
"Do you think you could manage a potion now?" Hermione asked.
Neville nodded. "Unless I'm next to Seamus Finnigan."
Hermione nodded her head. That boy could blow almost anything up just by looking at it. She was surprised that he hadn't hurt himself badly, though he did usually smell of charred hair. And he had been in the hospital wing almost once a week since first year.
Padma slurped her soup a little louder than was polite in England. "I doubt you'll have to worry about that. The potions exams are always individual. I think you'll each get a full desk to yourselves."
"Thank Merlin," Neville said.
Viktor watched the three of them with amusement. He was incredibly glad that Hermione had friends in her year, and was even more glad that she had more friends than just Harry and Ron. Harry thought of Hermione as a sister, and did his best to be around her, but he had a hard time with knowing what was going on with her unless she told him.
On the other hand, Ron was very much an emotional teenage boy. And to make matters worse, he had a bad habit of acting first and thinking later. He was fiercely loyal to Harry, now that he knew Harry valued him more than fame. That was probably his greatest quality.
Hermione looked at Viktor a little confused. She had no idea what he was thinking, and she had a few questions for later. She looked down at her soup, amazingly cooked. She was certain that if Viktor wanted to, he could be a great teacher.
They finished their soup, and Neville and Padma went back to their respective common rooms for a little relaxation now that they were confident that their efforts would be enough.
Hermione washed her dishes the muggle way, scrubbing, rinsing, and drying them before she realized that she didn't know where they went. She turned to Viktor, a sheepish smile on her face.
"Where do you keep the bowls?"
Viktor smiled and opened a cupboard, taking the bowls from her hands and setting them on one of the shelves. Hermione was rather grateful, since she wasn't sure she could have reached the shelf. There were times she wasn't particularly happy about being short and any time she couldn't reach something only exacerbated those feelings.
"Neville has skill," Viktor mused. "Is just scared to try."
"I know," she said. "I've been trying to help him, but Professor Snape tends to get me in trouble for that. Even if I can brew a decent potion."
"Haff no vorries there," Viktor said. He pulled her into a hug, cradling her softly.
Hermione relished his touch. It made her feel safe, protected. She was almost certain that she felt loved, even though she wasn't sure that they truly loved each other yet. She knew that it was very likely that they would fall in love, but she was also fairly certain that it hadn't quite developed yet.
"I don't know how I'm going to let you leave," she mumbled.
Viktor just pulled her closer to him, tightening his embrace. He didn't want to leave the stunning witch who had captured his heart. But he knew that, at least for the summer, separation would be temporary. It was the next school year he was worried about.
Even if Hermione was at Durmstrang, Viktor would be far away, and not able to see her very often. At least at Hogwarts, he might get a chance to see her on Hogsmeade weekends. It would make things easier on both of them.
"Vill be alright," he said softly, as much for his benefit as hers.
"I know. It's just going to be hard. I still can't believe everything that's gone on here. But, if only because I got to actually meet you, I'm glad."
She traced lines on his cheek, before gently placing a kiss on his lips. It was sweet, innocent, but spoke volumes of longing. Viktor pulled her back, deepening the kiss.
They were a little preoccupied, so they didn't notice the girl in the kitchen until a voice spoke.
"Ugg, Viktor. You haff to do that here?"
Viktor looked over at the pair standing close to the door. "Vlad," he said.
Vlad looked disgusted. The girl next to him, was beaming beyond any reasoning that Hermione could come up with.
"See Vlad," she said. "They are perfect."
"Ivanna," Vlad said with a roll of his eyes, "I do not care if vhey are married, or vhatever. I do not vish to see others kissing."
He strode out of the room with purpose. Ivanna followed after him shouting something that wasn't Bulgarian. Hermione listened, trying to place the language.
"Is Russian," Viktor said.
Hermione looked at him, trying to figure out how he knew what she wanted to know. She knew that she probably had a look of concentration on her face, but she hadn't been looking at Viktor then. Apparently he had been looking at her.
"Vas vritten all over face," he said. "You look like you need to figure out something, and that vas only thing I think of."
Hermione wrapped her arms around Viktor's neck. "You know me way too well."
"Am trying," he said with a kiss.