A Year Abroad (Hermione/Viktor)

War Stories

Hermione sat in her usual room and gazed down at her parchment. It was difficult to think of letters when Viktor Krum was in the room, seemingly very invested in his book. She had written Dear Hagrid and nothing else. She found herself gazing at him, losing her process of thought. He was handsome. She had not thought he was so much when she had first arrived, but when she looked at him now, there was a softness in his angular face that made him look kind. She wondered how such a sportsman could be an intellectual. When he wasn't training, he appeared to be studying. She wondered whether he socialised at all.

He heard her sigh and looked up to see her looking down at him. He only only saw this for a split second before she averted her gaze down to her letter. He chuckled inwardly, then shut his book.
"Who are you writing to?" He asked, wondering who gained the pleasure of receiving Hermione Granger's correspondence.
"This is to Hagrid, the giant that tends the grounds at Hogwarts." Viktor must have looked confused, which he was. He did not even know the name of the man that tended to the grounds at Durmstrang.
"He helped me a great deal during the war and we became friends as a result. He also keeps me informed about the goings on back in England." Viktor wished that he could ask her about the war, but he understood that this would be inappropriate. He watched as she bit down on her lower lip in thought and felt his mouth water. He had to steady his thinking for a moment, knowing that she was far too young to pursue.

Hermione managed to write her letters, one for Hagrid, one for Dumbledore and one for Ron. However, before she sealed Ron's she looked up from under her lashes at Viktor.
"Could I ask you a favour?" She asked, smiling up at him. He was sure he would agree to about anything in that moment.
"My friend, Ronald is a massive fan of yours and he begged me before I left to get an autograph from you. I would never ask for myself but-" Viktor nodded and signalled for Hermione to hand him the parchment and ink. Hermione blushed as he scribbled on the paper and Viktor felt a strange pleasure come from being recognised as the Viktor Krum by her. Hermione slipped the autograph into the letter and hoped that Ron would enjoy it, sure that he would.

Viktor walked with Hermione to the mail room. He peered down at one of the letters and saw the address for Beauxbatons.
"Who is in France?" He asked and Hermione tucked a curl behind her ear before replying.
"Harry and Ronald. I got sent here and they got sent to Beauxbatons. I sent Harry a letter but he did not reply, so I am hoping that I shall have more luck with Ron." She explained herself.
"It must be amazing, being friends vith Harry Potter." Viktor was slightly taken aback by his celebrity. Hermione remembered the look of fear in Harry's eyes when he saw her after everything happened.
"Yes. Yes, I suppose it is." Hermione looked down at her letters silently and Viktor wondered what he had said wrong.
"Vould you rather be in France?" He asked and Hermione thought for a moment.
"No, I do not think I would." She replied and she must have said something correctly, for Viktor showed her the closest thing to a smile that she had seen in her entire time with him.

Viktor had migrated to the English table for dinner, causing many looks and whispers to be spread. However, he did not mind so much and he led Hermione to his favourite room, with a fire and plush chairs, in hopes of speaking with her on a more intimate level.

Hermione was very comfortable in the new room. She sat on the floor, beside the fire and watched it flicker and glow. She knew soon that Durmstrang would become colder than anything that she had ever experienced. She was nervous for that season to arrive, knowing that she had not brought suitable clothing for such conditions.
"How long have you been here?" Hermione asked, taking Viktor by surprise.
"For five years." He replied. He would be at the school for another three, and he would cherish his time at the institute.
"And do you enjoy it?" She asked, wondering how he felt about it.
"Yes, in a vay. I gain a good education and get to train at the same time." Hermione nodded, staring into the fire.
"You are unlike the other students." She began, but was unsure how to continue. Viktor was different, but in what way, she could not quite identify.

Viktor allowed the pause to extend before making any kind of comment.
"Do you like it here?" He asked after an uncomfortable amount of time.
"I suppose. It will get cold and the men aren't very nice but it is beautiful and I still learn at the same level I did at Hogwarts." Viktor watched her as she closed her eyes, obviously in deep thought.
"Vhat are you thinking about?" He asked. Hermione had read in Chigvintsev's book about fire manipulation. She visualised the fire that had burnt at Hogwarts for a week after the war and projected the image of the pile of bodies into the fire, surprised by how well it worked.
"We burnt all of the bodies, those of the enemies. We buried our own, in the forbidden forest." Hermione mused, before releasing her control of the fire. Viktor had watched in awe, seeing the bodies and shuddering at the idea of such horror. He had been so sheltered at Durmstrang and he could not imagine the terror that had ensued in England.

Hermione wondered if she could trust Viktor, if she could talk with him about the war. She knew that he would not tell anyone, she feared his judgment more than anything.
"I have killed before. I killed many of Voldemort's followers." She stated, looking down at her hands, unable to see his expression.
"I am sorry." He replied, much to her surprise. She now looked up at him and saw a look of pity washed over his face.
"Why?" She asked.
"No one so young should haff to defend everyone." He stated simply and Hermione let out a chuckle, impressed by his answer. They spoke no more about the war, but Viktor felt as if they had bonded on a deeper level.