A Year Abroad (Hermione/Viktor)

New Arrivals

Hermione awoke at dawn and sighed seeing her window covered in frost, realising that winter was coming at Durmstrang and it was most definitely something that she had never experienced the likes of before. She watched the sun as it rose and wondered how something that seemed so powerful could not defeat the bitter Bulgarian cold.

He saw her enter the food hall, shivering in her cardigan. The weather had snapped and the winter frost was on its way. Viktor knew that the men of Durmstrang did not notice the cold as much anymore, seasoned to the weather. However, for a newcomer, the bitter conditions would be challenging. However, she never showed it. Hermione simply casted a warming charm upon herself and grit her teeth to bare it. Viktor wished he could help, but he was unsure how.

Hermione was saddened by the deterioration of her relationship with Aage. He was distant and petty, refusing to answer her questions. So when her defense against that dark arts lesson ended, Hermione let him leave, leaving her alone with the boggart, for the time that she had been promised. As she stood, looking down at the crate, Hermione wondered if she really wanted to open it and reveal whatever would be inside. But, she knew that she could not overcome her fear if she did not know what it was. So, she unleashed the boggart and clenched her fists. It took a while to take its form. However, once it did, Hermione was taken aback. She only knew that the figure facing away from her was Viktor Krum because of the sheer breadth of his back. Instead of becoming terrified, Hermione sat back and stared up at the figure and attempted to understand what it might suggest. Krum was ignoring her, completely isolating her and Hermione felt a twinge within herself when she thought that her biggest fear was losing Krum's friendship. But, when she thought about it, her fear wasn't all that illogical. The death eaters were gone, Voldemort was gone, all of the external threats had left and although she did not so much trust herself, she no longer feared herself and the one student who was keeping her company was Viktor Krum. His isolation and cold nature did scare Hermione when she contemplated it, so she stuck a sign on his back reading "Kick Me" before placing the boggart back in its crate.

On her walk to the hall, Hermione was stopped by the image of Luna, carrying her bags.
"Luna?!" Hermione called out, grabbing her attention. Luna called her over, not placing her bags down.
"Luna, what's going on?" Hermione asked, wondering why Luna would be with all of her bags.
"I'm not well at all." She began, her voice hoarse and strained, if not a little forced.
"This Bulgarian weather has not agreed with me and I have been ordered home." She explained and Hermione could tell that Luna either really wished to leave, or was definitely not in the bes of health.
"Would you like me to take one of those?" Hermione asked, picking up one of Luna's trunks.
"Don't worry. You're not being left alone. They're sending Ginny Weasley." Luna announced and Hermione had to repress a smile. She adored Ginny Weasley and her arrival would be so warmly received.
"Do you know when she arrives?" Hermione asked slyly.
"Very soon, I should think." Luna replied innocently, coughing after her sentence.
"Well, I do hope that you recover quickly. Send my love to everyone at Hogwarts." Hermione embraced Luna and watched as she sailed away. Hermione wondered if she would like to be Luna in that moment but felt a strange pull back into the castle, a feeling that she had never felt before, a feeling like she was home.

Viktor had heard nothing other than the men's lamentation for the departure of the blonde English girl. She was ill and her home was the best place for her. He asked Hermione when she joined him late for lunch.
"I am sad to see her go. But I daresay she shall recover quicker surrounded by her friends and family." Hermione did not mention the arrival of Ginny Weasley, nor her strange experience with the Boggart, but Viktor could tell that something had changed in Hermione, something positive.

Ginny Weasley had been informed of her move, packed up and shipped off in the same day. She was only fourteen and the idea of moving to another country seemed both exciting and daunting. However, she took on the challenge without any protestations.

Hermione hoped that she would be told when Ginny was to arrive. She was not, but by a beautiful trick of fate, Ginny arrived as Hermione was walking through the corridor after dinner. Once their eyes met, Hermione felt tears hit her cheeks. She knew that Ginny would not leave her, not abandon her to make new friends. She now had a female ally, someone who she could tell everything to. Ginny swept her up into an embrace and Hermione cried out, forgetting how strong Ginny had become.
"You're so cold." Was the first thing that Ginny said to her, rubbing her arms with a worried expression on her face.
"Yes, I haven't quite acclimatised myself yet." She admitted, wishing that she had brought heavier clothing.

Before Hermione and Ginny could really talk, Ginny was wisked away by one of the fourth years, who looked at Hermione with eyes of hatred. Ginny wondered why he would look at her friend in such a way, but soon forgot about it.

Hermione was unsure what to do with herself. She really should have gone to dinner and she was sure that Ginny would not come looking for her in the same place. So, she wandered for a while, before ending up following her stomach, to the eating hall.

Viktor was tired of hearing about the new addition to the student body, until Hermione sat opposite him, bubbling with excitement. He wondered whether he should ask her about the new girl, or whether she would begin the conversation herself. However, a third option became reality when Hermione began waving her hand, calling someone over Viktor's head. He simply sighed and continued with his meal.

Hermione cocked her head to the side when she saw Ginny being escorted by Aage, but thought nothing much of it. Ginny soon left him to join Hermione at her table. She sat in the chair next to Hermione and attempted to block out the obvious staring.
"Ginny, this is Viktor Krum. Viktor, this is Ginny Weasley." Hermione introduced them and everyone was lovely and civil.
"Hermione, everyone is so big and scary here." Ginny whispered. Hermione hushed her friend.
"We will speak later."

Viktor had never seen Hermione so calm before. The redheaded witch seemed to bring out the best in her, as if she had brought a part of home with her. She was nice enough, but her effect on Hermione made Viktor very glad that she had come. She asked if she could join them after dinner and Viktor was happy for her to come along.
"Ginny is Ronald's sister, Viktor. The one who you signed the autograph for." Hermione informed him. He nodded and wondered why she would tell him this.
"Oh, did you send Ron an autograph? He will be so pleased. When we came to see you play at the game earlier this year, he begged us to go and get your autograph, but we couldn't find you, could we Hermione?" Ginny rambled on. Viktor felt his eyes widen as Ginny told him that both she and Hermione had been at the charity game held earlier that year. He wondered why Hermione had never told him.
"No, you were bombarded if I remember correctly." Hermione replied sheepishly.

Ginny could sense the tension between Krum and Hermione, so when it was time to retreat to their rooms, Ginny left them alone. Viktor walked beside Hermione, in silence, until his pressing question left his mouth.
"Vhy did you not tell me you vere at the game?" He asked as Hermione stared down at her hands.
"I didn't want you to think that I was like Ron, a crazy fan." She explained herself and Viktor smiled inwardly. He thought of all of the girls who bombarded him when he left the school and the thought of a girl wanting to know him and not seem like a fan was incredibly refreshing.
"It's not that I am not a fan, because I really enjoyed that game, and you in the game. But, I didn't want you to think that I was being your friend to brag or to gawk at you, which I'm sure many girls do. Anyway, I am sorry, I should have told you." Viktor loved to listen to her ramble on, especially when she was singing his praises. He was unsure why, but hearing the compliments come from Hermione Granger made them so much more special.
"No, no. I am glad you did not tell me. But I am also glad that you are fan." He stated in all seriousness. He then wished Hermione a goodnight and she feared that she was beginning to develop a crush on the young man that hid behind the world class seeker.