A Year Abroad (Hermione/Viktor)

The Love Potion

Hermione was glad to hear a knock at the door. She wondered if perhaps Vlad had forgiven her, or if Aage had taken it upon himself to wake her, even on the weekend. However, when she opened the door and saw none other than Viktor Krum stood there, she froze.
"Hello, my name is Viktor Krum and I must apologise for my behavior." He read from his diary and Hermione smiled, seeing that even a world class quidditch player could still feel nervous and embarrassed. To save him a fraction of his mortification, Hermione fetched her translation tools from her bed stand and handed them to him. He seemed very confused at first. But when Hermione gestured for him to place them in his ears, he followed her guidance.
"Hello, I am Hermione Granger and I wanted to thank you for escorting me back to my room the other evening. Many people would have simply left me, so I am very grateful." She smiled up at him as his eyes widened. He understood everything she said, with it being translated into Bulgarian. He did not ask about the device, neither the magic behind it, simply glad that he could converse with the witch now. He handed her the device in order to speak to her.
"I think it is wrong vhat the other men say." Was his simple response. Hermione smiled and gave him back the devices.
"Thank you for waking me. I will be ready soon. But you may leave if you wish." Hermione offered, but he simply shook his head, placing his diary under his arm.

Hermione had not a clue what business Viktor Krum could have with her. He was risking his social status by interacting with her and she was sure her company was not worth it. She decided to play things safe and slip on a brown dress, with some black brogues and a black belt. She wished she had more time, but she could not keep him waiting.

Viktor smiled when he saw her, in her own clothes for the first time. They walked together in silence and he ensured to keep his pace slow so that she could keep up. He wondered how she had obtained her affliction, but decided that asking her was far from appropriate.
"Ve should eat." He stated simply, without the magical earpieces to aid him. Hermione did not say anything, only nodded, continuing on their way to the eating hall.

People looked in shock as they walked together. Viktor did not mind the attention. However, he could tell that Hermione felt very uncomfortable. He quickly led her over to the corner table and sat her opposite him, facing away from the crowds. She smiled up at him in thanks and he allowed a thin sliver of a grin grace his face. They ate, once again, in silence and Viktor was overcome by an issue that he could not get past. His training began and he knew that he could not miss quidditch training.
"I begin training in fifteen minutes." He whispered to her, hoping that she understood through her device, which she now took off and handed to him.
"C-could I maybe watch?" She asked, not wanting to retreat to the library again, not having anything to do there. He smiled and nodded in response and that was all that was said. Hermione waited for Viktor whilst he collected his broom and changed into his quidditch gear. When he emerged from his room, Hermione had to admit that he looked handsome. Now seeing him in his uniform, she was beginning to see the Viktor Krum that everyone spoke of. He sent a gesture close to a smile her way and began walking towards the pitch.

Viktor had noticed the girl blush as they walked. He had never really been affected by girls in the past, perhaps because hundreds of them openly threw themselves at him at once. But this one was different, she didn't stare up at him in awe, she didn't drool over him, she simply treated him like any other boy and Viktor felt a kind of liberation come from this. She allowed him his quiet and appeared to enjoy his company far more than his fame and this sent a flutter through Viktor's stomach that he had never felt before.

Hermione sat in the stands where Viktor had placed her. She cast herself a warming charm, just as Viktor was preparing to. She apologised, which he managed to understand, much to his pride, and insisted that it was alright. As he walked away from her, he thought of how independent she was. He supposed that during a war, it is every person for themselves. He could sense that she had built a wall around herself, one that would not be easily penetrated. The other men laughed at him and joked, suggesting that she was far inferior to the blonde witch and that he could do much better. He did not listen to their comments, knowing that she would not think of him in that way and that he did not respect his team's judgment in the slightest.