A Year Abroad (Hermione/Viktor)

Departure

Viktor would not go a day without seeing Hermione after their time apart. Her company made him forget about the stresses and pains of his life. Even if it was going to her room before bed and wishing her a goodnight, or asking her to defrost the river in the morning, he ensured that he spent some time with her every day.

This did not go unnoticed by Hermione. She would stay up late if she hadn't seen him that day, knowing he would come to her in the evening. She looked forward to her exams being over, so that she could spend more time with Viktor, during the Christmas break.

With the help of Chigvintsev, Viktor and Alice, Hermione's stress problem had decreased dramatically. She worked when she could, but she was confident with her knowledge and she didn't see the need to be constantly studying when she could spend her time doing more helpful, useful things.

Her glass blowing abilities were coming along nicely. Alice had taken great pains with her to ensure that she had the finest training one could receive in the art. In only a week she had gone from novice work to highly skilled work, that which she could sell.
"Perhaps work on a project for a loved one for Christmas. Alice suggested and Hermione knew exactly who she wanted to make a sculpture for.

Preparations had begun at the Krum house. Seven foot trees had been ordered to fill the large cabin style home, a turkey had begun the marination process and the whole extended family had been invited. This year, Ada Krum had gone above and beyond, because they were to have a guest. She was nervous to meet the young English woman. Neither Ada nor Andon's English was very good and she was unsure how they would communicate, but she left all of those details down to Viktor. She was unsure what kind of relationship they had, but Viktor was a grown man and if he was involved romantically with the girl then she would not disagree with his choice.

Viktor was counting down the days until he could return home, with Hermione. He couldn't wait to show her all of the quirks of his town. He hoped that he could show her how much he valued her in their time together during the break. The kiss had been on his mind since he had gone to Dumbledore. He was unsure what it meant from her side. But he knew that nobody had ever made him happy like she did.

Hermione was nervous about meeting Viktor's family. That was why she worked every evening on a vase for his Mother. She wanted to make a good first impression and she was sure a beautiful gift would do the job very well. So, she designed a vase, with Alice, made up of deep red and gold, it would be difficult, but Hermione was sure with some persistence that she could complete it before they left for home.

In the small conversations that they had, Hermione found out that Neville was returning to England a week early with Ginny, so that they had the same holidays as their friends and siblings at Hogwarts. She hoped that he would have a wonderful Christmas with his relatives. Neville deserved it.
"I promise, Hermione, that next year will be better." He promised her.
"I have been selfish in my time here, focusing on myself whilst you suffered. But I promise that I will take more time to be your friend. We need each other in all of this. We are two of the only ones who understand." Neville vowed to Hermione. She embraced him.
"I would like that, Neville, very much." His embrace was tighter than she had expected and Hermione wondered if perhaps Neville was not as content as Hermione had once thought.

Exam week soon came along and both Hermione and Viktor felt in their element. She brewed and he flew and they both passed with flying colours. A weight had been lifted once the week of assessments was over. Hermione saw Neville, Ginny and Seamus off.
"Write to me if you need to, okay?" Seamus held onto her shoulders and looked her deep in the eyes.
"Yes of course, Seamus. You do the same for me." She smiled and embraced him before he left. Hermione watched Neville as he packed his things onto the boat.
"I want you to write to me Neville, if you need to." She told him. He nodded.
"Are you okay?" She asked and she saw his bottom lip quiver. She knew that Christmas was a hard time for Neville, without his parents. She embraced him and held him tightly.
"You will be back soon. Enjoy your time in England and say hello to everyone back at home for me." She smiled up at him.
"I will. I will see you soon." He waved and Hermione made a mental note to write to Neville over the break, to ensure that he was coping well.

Durmstrang seemed slightly empty with the Hogwarts students gone. Hermione was the only girl left, not that she received any male attention, but it did seem as if she noticed her gender far more without Ginny around. Without Seamus, Hermione ate alone, when she didn't eat with Viktor. The rest of her time, apart from her lessons, she was glassblowing. Her vase was progressing to schedule, the tones of red and gold finally coming through. She did so hope that Mrs Krum would like it, Alice assured her that she would.

The day finally came, the day to go home. It took several hours to get to Viktor's home from Durmstrang, so he and Hermione left early in the morning. She bundled up in a large coat, scarf, hat and gloves. Whereas, Viktor wore his usual trousers, shirt and boots. The vase had been finished, just in time and Alice had helped Hermione wrap it. It was heavy, very heavy. But she would not trust anyone but herself with it.

They did not speak much on the train. The nervousness had finally set in. The realisation that she would be spending the next three weeks in Viktor's house with his family seemed very daunting.

Hermione had wished both Alice and Chigvintsev goodbye and a merry Christmas the night before she left. Alice pulled her into a warm embrace and Chigvintsev smiled at her in a way that made her feel warm inside. She wished she had that warmth now, as they exited the train, into the freezing morning air.

The Krum family were stood waiting for Viktor and his guest. Ada spotted them first.
"Look, there they are!" She called out in her native tongue. Andon and Mladen, Viktor's older brother, chuckled under their breath as they saw Hermione, bundled up like she was going to antarctica. Ada soon hushed them and they greeted Viktor and Hermione.

Viktor had ensured that his family would understand Hermione at all times with three sets of the translation aids. He greeted his parents, then gave them the aids, which they thanked him for.
"Hermione, it is so lovely to meet you. Ve have heard so much about you." Hermione blushed and the blood ran out of Viktor's face.
"It is lovely to meet you too, Mrs Krum." Hermione replied to the elegant woman.
"Please, call me Ada." She called out, pulling her into an embrace.
"This is Andon, my husband and Mladen, Viktor's brother." Hermione shook each of their hands, before retreating them back into her coat. She was not quite who they were expecting. Based on the rumours, she had killed hundreds and destroyed part of the Dark Lord. But to them, she seemed like a schoolgirl with a limp.