A Year Abroad (Hermione/Viktor)

Help From The Headmaster

The next morning, Hermione awoke to the sound of heavy rain hitting against her window. The room seemed very cold, and Hermione would have liked for nothing better than to bundle up under the sheets and sleep the day away. But, this would not do and she knew that she had to do something with her time, deciding to spend the morning writing letters.

Viktor knew that she would be heading to breakfast to find him gone. He wondered if he was cruel for not informing her, if she had drunk the love potion and cursed herself. Serg noticed Viktor's wandering mind and set to put it to a stop.
"You must stop thinking about the limping witch. She is nothing but bad news, I tell you. She has seen and done far worse things than either you or I shall ever see or do. Out of all of the beautiful women in this world that throw themselves at you, you choose to seek out the one who is emotionally unavailable and quite honestly not worth your time. I thought you had better taste, I really did." Serg shook his head, chowing down on a bowl of porridge.
"No, you're right. I just felt sorry for her, with everyone turning her away." He attempted to justify his actions.
"Perhaps there is a reason for everyone doing so?" Serg suggested and Viktor shivered at the prospect.
"My mind shall be centred on training from now on. If she is strong, then she shall survive on her own. If not, then she should not be at Durmstrang." He jested and Serg smiled.
"You have made the right choice, she would only bring you down."

Hermione wondered where Viktor could be, but decided that Durmstrang was a deceptively large place. After breakfast, she walked, with her quill and paper, in search for a safe haven in which to write her letters. It took her a while, before she stumbled upon a small room. In it was only an armchair and a sette. Hermione thought it quite perfect and curled herself around in the armchair and placed her parchment down in preparation to write.

Hermione sat for a while, wondering what to write. Her experience thus far had not been all that great, with the students shunning her, both Bulgarian and English, apart from Seamus and perhaps Viktor Krum, but he appeared to be nowhere in sight. She had successfully scared everyone with the boggart situation and brewed her own love potion. No doubt Aage wanted it to humiliate her rather than truly make her love him. It made her upset that she had become the butt of jokes, but only for those brave enough to jest at her expense. She had hoped that her open mind would have offered her a finer start to her journey. But, Hermione was nothing if not an academic and if she could do anything, she could spin a story.

Dear Ron,

I hope that your journey to France was a safe and steady one and that the ladies of Beauxbatons are treating you well. The weather at Durmstrang has proven to be rather a shock to my system, which has been acclimated to our mild British weather. I daresay I find the men to be rather intimidating, but they are really rather nice once you get to know them. I hope that you are keeping up with your studies despite your change of scenery and that everything is going well.

Much love,

Hermione.

It felt false and forced, but she couldn't help it. She was not happy and all that she could do was hope that Ron would not read that in her letter. Next, she began to plan her letter to Hagrid.

Dear Hagrid,

I hope that Hogwarts is in as fine stead as when I left it and that both you and the staff are in high healths and spirits. I find myself rather cold in this new climate, as I am sure the rest of the Hogwarts students have. Neville has found himself a group of botanists, you shall be glad to hear and Luna has been enthralling everyone with her talk of mysterious creatures and Cormac has thrown himself head first into the sport of the school. Seamus appears to be excelling in the calm and quiet atmosphere of Durmstrang and I feel that he is getting better every day. The teachers here are nothing like those at Hogwarts. Once the lesson is over, they dissapear and I shall not see them until my next session. I do wonder where they wander off to, but I suppose it is better than Snape telling me off for staying in the library too long. But I must admit that I miss Hogwarts. This place is wonderful and new, but Hogwarts is my home. I can not wait to return, although I know that sounds premature. Please say hello to everyone for me and tell them of how I miss them.

Best Wishes,

Hermione.

Hermione sat and reread the letter. It seemed more real and Hermione hoped that Hagrid would not think her ungrateful for this opportunity. It just seemed so much easier to be truthful with him and she knew that he would understand. There was no point in being honest with Ron about her feelings, because he would no doubt worry for a moment then toss her letter and feelings aside. But with Hagrid, Hermione knew that he would send a thought every now and then her way and she also knew that he would appreciate the mention about Seamus, who had fast become one of Hagrid's most valuable students after the war, Hagrid helping him with his PTSD. Before she could have second thoughts, Hermione sealed the letter and placed it with Ron's. She decided that she would save Harry's for another day. She had always vowed that their relationship had not faltered after the incident, but it had. Hermione now felt very uncomfortable around Harry. He was a constant reminder of exactly what she was capable of and that made the relationship very difficult. She knew that Harry wished things could be easier, as did she. But it was difficult and the wounds that existed would take time to heal.

Hermione was unsure where to post the letters, so she asked Seamus at lunch.
"I'll take them for you. I've been looking after the owls since we've been here, it's really been calming me down." He smiled, before taking them and wandering off, not allowing Hermione to get a word in. She was delighted that Seamus had found a way to channel his caring side. However, Hermione did begin to feel like she was the only person who had not found their rhythm at Durmstrang.

It was almost as if Chigvintsev had sensed Hermione's desperation, because a very scared looking second year relaid the message that she was to go and see him in his office. Hermione wondered if she was in any kind of trouble, or if maybe she was being sent home. Part of her wished it was the latter, but a part of her knew that it could not be so.

Chigvintsev's office was quite lovely, Hermione thought. His desk was made of a rich oak and his walls were a deep umber, with his floor being softly cushioned carpet.
"Miss Granger, sit." He commanded softly, to which she complied. Hermione looked at the skinny, floppy looking headmaster and wondered how he could be in charge of all of those big brawny men.
"Miss Granger. I have noticed that things are not going as vell as ve had hoped." Hermione let her head fall, looking down at her shoes. She was ashamed, in a way she had never quite felt before.
"You are special, Hermione Granger and that is vhy my boys fear you." Hermione looked up then, at the kind open face of Chigvintsev.
"I am like you. I am not athletic like a lot of my boys. Ve find joy from learning, am I right in thinking so?" He asked and Hermione nodded.
"You borrowed my umbrella, did you not?" He asked, and Hermione was worried that she was in fact in trouble.
"Yes Sir." She replied, her voice small.
"You conjured it a long vay. That is very impressive." He complimented her.
"I heard about the patronus. How long have you been able to do this charm?" He asked, seemingly fascinated about the young witch.
"I learnt before the war. They knew that we would need it." She stated and Chigvintsev nodded in understanding.
"I found your friend Seamus a vocation and I shall vith you." He conjured a book from the bookcase, sending it flying her way, landing on the desk.
"This is my book, filled vith the most difficult and complex charms and spells involving the natural vorld. I have charmed it so that it is in English." He nodded down at the book. Hermione couldn't help gawking at him, to which he responded:
"I am not just a pretty face, Miss Granger." She nodded and looked down at the book.
"I vill make you a brilliant vitch vhilst you are at Durmstrang. If you vish to learn, I vill teach you everything I know." Hermione was speechless, she couldn't believe it. Chigvintsev was more like Dumbledore than Hermione could have imagined and she sat, staring at him in disbelief for a short while, before she realised that she was acting rather rudely and kickstarted her brain.
"Thank you, Sir. You are most kind." She thanked him, taking the book into her hands.
"I vant you to write a diary, not for me, but for yourself. Vhat you have been through must be processed and I find the best vay is through books, unsurprisingly." He smiled at her reassuringly.
"Then, ve shall meet every Tuesday, after your last lesson."
"Yes Sir, thank you Sir." Hermione nodded her head in respect and Chigvintsev dismissed her, telling her to enjoy the rest of her day. Hermione was flabbergasted, so much so that she forgot the book. But she was sure the headmaster would have reminded her if it was important. Hermione subconsciously made her way back to her room and laid back onto her bed, letting a single tear fall, hoping that things were finally going to get better.