Hermione found the trip to the hospital more exhausting than she had anticipated. She hadn't been foolish enough to think that the trip would be stress free. No one had expected that. But she hadn't expected it to be as hard as it had been.
Mr. Weasley was doing well. He seemed cheerful for someone who wouldn't, or couldn't, stop bleeding. But he was mostly interested with the idea of having muggle stitches. Hermione almost found her mouth quirking up at that thought.
But just when they were getting ready to leave, they ran into Neville. He was visiting his parents. And that brought the whole trip even further down than it had been before. They had all known about Neville's parents, but not a single one of them had realized exactly what that had meant.
And the fact that her emotional support had stayed back with her parents had made things a little harder. Viktor had thought that it would seem imprudent of him to join the rest of them to visit a man he had only met a few times. Even if he was in the hospital.
While she understood his reasoning, she had wanted him there so bad. If only to hold her hand and be there for her. When they flooed back to headquarters, she practically ran into his arms.
"Vhat is wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing," she mumbled into his shirt. "I just needed you."
He hummed amused as he wrapped his arms around her. He still wasn't sure what was wrong. He was certain she would have told him if he needed to do anything about it. The fact that she hadn't meant that he was just going to hold her until she decided that she wanted to move.
They did move over to one of the couches when the others were starting to crowd around. Viktor thought that it wouldn't be the best idea to be in the middle of everyone, especially since none of them seemed in the best mood.
Hermione curled up into Viktor's side, glad that he wasn't pushing the subject. She knew he would be there for her as long as she wanted him, but she didn't feel like telling him exactly what had put her in the mood she was in. And no one else really seemed to want to talk about it either.
Viktor held her for the better part of an hour before she uncurled herself and got up to get a cup of tea. Winky brought one over.
"Madame Granger said this would make Miss feel better," Winky said.
"It's Dr. Granger," Helena grumbled from the kitchen table. She really didn't appreciate the title of Madame. "I didn't go to dental school for nothing."
"I know mum," Hermione said sliding into a chair next to her.
"Winky doesn't know what a doctor is," Winky mumbled next to Viktor.
He smiled, and almost let out a laugh. But he wasn't sure that either of the two Granger women would have appreciated that. And he didn't exactly want to find out.
"Won't you sit down with us Winky?" Helena asked.
"Oh no, ma'am," Winky said. "Winky must be cleaning doxies out of the attic. Kreacher has not been doing Kreacher's job, ma'am."
Helena sighed as the house elf popped away. She rubbed her temples, trying to stave off a headache. "I wish that creature would just sit and talk with me," she mumbled.
Hermione cracked a smile over the top of her mug. "I think most house elves don't particularly like being lazy," she said. "The ones at Hogwarts were always working. Always."
Helena took a drink of her tea. It was dark, with hardly a hint of cream or sugar in its appearance. And if Hermione was right, there wasn't anything in it. Helena Granger seemed to be getting a bit of a tension headache, and straight tea was her go to remedy.
"I know most elves are hard vorking," Viktor added. "Ve never had one. Mother doesn't like them. But at Durmstrang they seemed happy."
"You never mentioned that Durmstrang had house elves," Hermione said.
"You never ask. And ve didn't bring them vith us to Hogwarts. Ve can cook and clean as vell." Viktor sounded like it was something that everyone should know how to do.
Hermione flushed a little at her own silliness. She hadn't even really thought to ask if Durmstrang had house elves. But, before her fourth year, she hadn't even known that Hogwarts had elves. And if it hadn't been for the world cup, she probably would have imagined something out of Lord of the Rings.
"It's okay, sweetie," Helena said. "I wouldn't have thought to ask either."
That made Hermione feel better. Not completely fine. That wouldn't happen until Mr. Weasley was out of the hospital and she could have a good talk with Neville. But she certainly felt better. The fact that Viktor was sitting there to support her, and didn't even fault her for anything, helped as well.
They stayed there for a while, until Harry came down. He was feeling ever so slightly out of place with everyone. And it was clear on his face that he was feeling guilty of something.
"What's wrong Harry?" Helena Granger asked.
"Headache," he said.
"Let me get you a cup of tea."
Harry looked at Hermione. "Is everyone's solution to everything tea?" he stage whispered.
Hermione smiled and shook her head. "Tea makes mum's headaches go away. She's trying to help."
Hermione knew all about Harry's headaches that seemed to link him to He-who-must-not-be-named. And she also knew that she hadn't been as forthcoming about that detail as she should be with her parents. They knew he was back, but they didn't totally understand.
"Oh," Harry said.
"You want to tell me what's going on?" Hermione asked.
Harry shook his head. He didn't feel like talking about it. Hermione knew that she wasn't as close with him as she had once been, but she had hoped that he would want to talk to her the same way.
"I have to have extra classes with Snape once we get back," he mumbled.
Hermione felt sorry for Harry. He despised Snape. And Snape wasn't exactly fond of Harry, which only made things more tense. If Harry had to have extra lessons with the potions teacher, she was almost certain he was going to be even more angry than he already was.
"If it's potions, I'm sure Viktor could help you before we go back," she said. The way he had managed to get Neville calm enough to take his potions exam was something she would always be grateful for.
"Not potions. Some sort of mind reading thing."
Hermione was sure that was something crazy. People could read other people's minds? That should have been illegal. But then, He-who-must-not-be-named wasn't exactly one for following laws if she had done her research right. And she always did her research right.
"I might be able to help," Viktor said.
Harry looked relieved. "It will mean less time with Snape," he said.
"Would you mind helping me learn?" Hermione asked. She didn't want anyone having access to her mind. It was a disturbing thought.
"Of course."
They finished their tea and settled in the sitting room to do some meditation which was supposed to help with mental discipline. Hermione was dubious, but figured it couldn't hurt. But she was having a very hard time clearing her mind.
Sitting so close to Viktor wasn't helping her at all. She could smell him, a very distinct scent. And she knew exactly where he was. She tried to push that from her mind and just focus on breathing, but she could hear her heart pounding.
Her consolation was that Harry seemed to be having a much harder time than she was. And he wasn't trying to clear his mind with the person he was dating in the room. But Hermione wasn't about to tell him that. It would only make it harder for him.
"Maybe ve should take a break," Viktor suggested.
"Thank you," Harry breathed.
He almost rushed out of the room. Hermione wasn't sure why. She thought that she and Viktor were fine company. And they weren't exactly too romantic. But she was grateful to spend some time alone with Viktor.
She kissed him deeply, feeling happier. And in that moment, she knew she could always count on him to at least try to solve her problems. Even if she didn't need him to.
A/N: So we get more Winky. I missed writing her. She's a fun character. And I got another chapter done in less than a week! Yes! I'm hoping to have the next two up by Valentine's day. Don't hold me to that, though. (On a related note, I'm celebrating Batman day on the fourteenth. If anyone has bat themed foods, I'd love to hear ideas. We're gonna have a party.)