Hermione found that she rather enjoyed visiting Viktor at quidditch practice. She usually took a book and sat in the stands. And she didn't visit every day. There were things to do with her parents, with Viktor's parents, and she liked having time by herself to read.

But she couldn't ever stop feeling giddy when she saw Viktor's face brighten when she popped in to say hello. And on the days where she met him for lunch, she could see how happy it made him that she wanted to spend time with him.

She was headed to practice, book under her arm and a sweater thrown over her shoulders. It wasn't cold, just strangely windy. But wind chill was a real thing, and if she sat in the stands the flying could cause winds during laps.

She sat down in the stands, cracking open her book. She knew it would probably be at least another half hour before their coach gave them a break. She snuck glances up at the players, seeing just how talented they were.

It wasn't more than three pages later when she looked up to find Viktor standing next to her.

"How long have you been standing there?" she asked

"Not long," Viktor said. "Coach just let us haff a break a few minutes ago."

He looked at her, still slightly messy. It was obvious that he'd come to see her as soon as he was allowed to.

"Yeah," she muttered. She twisted the ring on her right hand. It wasn't big or anything. A simple solitaire diamond in a gold setting. It was simple and understated. Just the way that she liked it.

"I still don't really understand why they let me in," she whispered.

"Because, no one can say not to this face," Viktor teased. He did his best impression of a puppy dog.

Hermione laughed. While it may have worked if he had used it in a situation where he had been trying to appeal to her sympathies, it seemed more ridiculous than anything at that moment.

"Maybe not," she said. "But I wouldn't say that no one could ever say no," she teased.

"You already said yes to the most important question." He picked up her hand and kissed it.

Hermione blushed. She knew she had said yes. She would have said yes a thousand times if it was possible. But it wasn't so one would have to do.

"I guess I did."

They exchanged a sweet short kiss, before Viktor looked at his watch. "I only haff a minute before I haff to be back."

"Then you'd better go," she said. "I don't want to be the reason you get in trouble. Again."

"Vas not your fault. I vas not paying attention vhen bludger comes at me."

"Which was partly my fault," Hermione insisted.

"You can't blame yourself for me not vatching vhat vas going on."

"If I hadn't been here you wouldn't have gotten hurt."

Viktor shook his head. "Hermione, I vill always vant you around. Pain or not."

"Go," she said. "You're going to be late."

He pecked her lips again before flying off to meet the rest of the team. Hermione sat down with a sigh. She wasn't going to be able to focus on her book at all.

She watched them practice until it was time for lunch. She picked up her book, ready to head off as soon as Viktor was ready. He rushed up the steps about ten minutes later, his hair still wet from his quick shower.

"You ready?" she asked.

"Always," he said.

They walked out of the stadium and to a little café just a few streets away. It was small, quiet, and distinctly muggle. Which was great for anonymity. Neither of them really wanted to be stalked by press. Especially with the appearance of a ring on her hand.

Hermione found lunch enjoyable. They talked about the book Hermione was reading. It was a Bulgarian novel. Viktor had read it and recommended it to Hermione. Between watching Viktor, and reading in a language she was still just learning, she was still towards the beginning.

Viktor was very careful to avoid spoiling any plot points. He asked her where she was, what she liked. It was enjoyable for both of them, but mostly Hermione, to have someone to talk to about books.

Lunch finished and Hermione met her parents to head over to the ministry for a meeting with one of the international ambassadors from Australia. While they were still in the early development stages in Bulgaria, Australia was looking at implementing a similar program.

Hermione listened as they talked, and did her best not to crack open the book that she had shrunk and put in her pocket. She was fingering it, desperate for something to do that was more interesting than small talk.

Apparently small talk got things done. Or there was more being said than Hermione realized. The Australian ambassador arranged a time for the Grangers to visit Australia and help implement a program in early January.

Hermione had to admit that she was impressed. She managed to refrain from reading until they got back to the Krum's house.

Once they were there, she curled up in one of the sitting rooms. It was close enough to the dining room that she could hear when people were ready to eat. It was close enough to the door that Viktor would be able to find her soon. And it was well lit and airy.

It almost reminded her of Ravenclaw tower. The light filtered through the space, breezy and airy. And both spots were beautiful and full of books.

Viktor found her easily enough when he returned home. He stood in the doorway, just watching his fiancé. Her hair spiraled down her shoulders, loose and free. It glowed in the sunlight. Her face was calm as she mouthed the words of the book she was reading.

He didn't want to disturb her. She looked so beautiful, sitting there as if she belonged. And she did. He crossed over to her, sitting down on the arm of the chair.

"How vas the rest of your day?" he whispered.

Hermione looked up at him. She had known the minute he was in the same room as her. It was almost as if there was a pull towards him. Must be the whole soulmate thing. She knew that if he was panicked or worried she felt it. Even more so if he was close.

"Pretty good. I was rather bored at the ministry, but since it's not my job I think I'll live," she said.

"Good." He kissed the top of her head. "Ve should probably go to dinner before they start looking for us."

A/N: So fun fact; I based Hermione's ring off my mother's engagement ring. And Bulgarians (and several other eastern European countries) wear their engagement and wedding rings on their right hands. I don't really know why, but it's a fun little fact. And it will make it slightly more difficult for her friends to recognize after the summer is over.