A Year Abroad (Hermione/Viktor)

The Friendly Giant

The skies were grey over Hogwarts, as Chigvintsev had predicted. Hermione was to walk with Viktor and Chigvintsev at the front of the group. Due to her limp, this meant the group had to walk far slower than usual. The men grumbled for a moment before Chigvintsev silenced them.

Dumbledore waited outside the doors of Hogwarts, with the teaching staff. The entire school had packed into the courtyard to catch a glimpse of men from Bulgaria. The boat was fully visible to the students of Hogwarts and there was a low chatter about the sheer size of it. However this chatter fell into silence when the group left the ship and began walking into the courtyard.

Dumbledore caught his breath when he saw Hermione walking with Chigvintsev. She was a changed woman. She walked with her head held high and a stern, determined look on her face. No one had expected her to be with the team and Dumbledore was sure that the low whisper was not about Mr Krum anymore.

Hermione did not look around as she walked. She focused on the joyful look on Dumbledore's face and the pace of her walking. When they reached Dumbledore, he shook Chigvintsev's hand and then focused his attention on Hermione.
"Why did you not tell me you were coming?" He asked.
"I did not know." She shrugged her shoulders.
"Well, you are here now. I am sure there are many people who will want to see you. Come now." He led the group into the castle.

Ron and Harry watched from the sidelines as Hermione walked with Dumbledore.
"Was that Hermione?!" Ron asked, shaking his head in disbelief.
"I have no idea." Harry replied, she sure didn't look an awful lot like Hermione.

The warm feeling that Hermione had expected from Hogwarts just simply wasn't there. It was beautiful, of course and far warmer in temperature than Durmstrang, but it didn't feel like home. She furrowed her brow and wondered what could have changed in the months that she had been away from the school.

Dumbledore showed the boys to the grand hall, where there was a feast waiting for them. He then asked Hermione to come and see him when she had a spare moment, before leaving them to eat.

Viktor knew something was wrong. Hermione sat and nibbled at her food, but she was preoccupied, he could tell. He wasn't sure whether to ask, or whether to leave her in her thoughts, so he decided on the latter, not wanting to upset her.

Ron and Harry waited in the corner of the library, wanting to find out more about Hermione, knowing that this would be the best place to find her. And they were right. After the feast, Hermione retreated to the library, hoping to clear some of her thoughts. Ron and Harry watched as she pondered the books and perched on the windowsill for a moment. However, they were not prepared for the company she was about to receive.
"Vhat is wrong. Please tell me." Viktor whispered to her in Bulgarian as she sat on the windowsill.
"I don't know, this just doesn't feel the way it was supposed to." Hermione replied in English. Harry and Ron were baffled by the cross language communication. However, they were more baffled by the sight of Viktor Krum embracing Hermione Granger.
"This is not happening." Ron whispered, wishing he had replied to one of the letter she had sent him.
"Oh yes it is." Harry replied, being obviously reminded of the lack of affection he had received at Beauxbatons.

Hermione smiled as Viktor looked down at her. It was like it had been at Christmas, his affection for her reading on his face. He took her hand.
"Take me to your favourite places." He ordered her softly and she smiled before leading him out of the library, towards the door, out to Hagrid's.

Ron and Harry were left in complete shock.
"She seems very comfortable in the Durmstrang uniform." Harry mocked.
"Oh shut up. What on earth would make someone like Viktor Krum, word class seeker, interested in someone like Hermione." Ron chuckled and Harry stood up and left his friend, not wanting to acknowledge his harsh remarks.

Hagrid had seen Hermione that morning. However, he had not had time to see her before she had been whisked away by Dumbledore. Of course, he did not expect her to come to him, but a part of him wanted to know what was going on.

Hermione knocked at Hagrid's door. Viktor's palms began to sweat. He had seen the half man-half giant when he had arrived that morning and the idea of coming into such close proximity scared him a little.

A joyous smile grew on Hagrid's face when he saw Hermione stood at the door, smiling up at him.
"I didn't know if you were going to come." He admitted bashfully.
"Of course! I shall always make time for you, Hagrid." She chuckled, placing her palm on one of his fingers.
"And I know who this is. Mr Krum, it is a pleasure to meet you." Hagrid held out his hand and Viktor shook one of his fingers, bowing in a manner far too formal for Hagrid's standards.
"Come in, come in. I have a pot of tea brewing." Hermione entered willingly. Viktor took a deep breath and followed her.

Hermione had missed Hagrid's little cottage. It was quaint in all the right ways. Hermione asked how all of Hagrid's pets were doing.
"Oh yes, we're all well. I've noticed that more centaurs have joined the pack, which is very nice."
"I am glad they did not flee, you know." She hinted, not wanting to mention the war.
"Oh the centaurs are a proud and loyal folk, they'll stick around way after we're gone." Hermione smiled, missing Hagrid's many moments of wisdom.
"Do you miss Bulgaria?" Hagrid asked Hermione. However, she supposed the question was aimed at Viktor so sat in silence for a moment.
"Hermione?"
"Oh, you mean me? I suppose. I have gotten so used to it there, but it is warmer here." She chuckled.
"It must be hard. We have all healed together, slowly. But you're coming right back into it, back to the place it all happened." When Hermione thought of it that way, Hagrid was right. Hogwarts was no longer a place of juvenile memories. It was a place of war and death and that explained the lack of warmth she felt towards it.
"I am surprised you came to see me so soon. I am yet to be visited by Harry or Ron." Hagrid huffed as he poured the tea.
"Excuse me?" Hermione asked, wondering what on earth was going on.
"Harry and Ron, they're back from France to play in the game." Hagrid informed her. Hermione sat for a moment, staring into her cup of tea.
"How long have they been here?" She asked, her voice shaking.
"Oh all week. You didn't know?" He asked, very surprised on her lack of knowledge about her best friends.
"No, no I did not know." She smiled faintly, understanding things very well now.
"Well what I'm saying is, it is very kind of you to come. I have missed you, more than I dare admit. You are a special little witch, you know that right?" He nodded at her. She placed her palm on his hand.
"You are one of my fondest friends Hagrid. Never forget that. I will always have time for you. Always." She smiled, with a tear hiding behind her eye.

It was in this moment that Hagrid remembered that Viktor was in the room.
"I am sorry, I feel very rude." Hagrid blushed. However, Viktor had been very happy to sit back and listen to the conversation. His lack of English meant that conversation was slightly difficult, but he was glad he had Hermione to help him.
"Oh don't worry. He doesn't talk an awful lot as it is." She smiled over his way.
"Please tell him I enjoyed the tea." He nodded to her.
"And he enjoys your tea." She smiled at Hagrid, knowing that he would enjoy this compliment very much.
"A word class quidditch player complimenting my tea, gosh that is a first." Hermione chuckled, wishing she could spend more time with Hagrid. However, he understood how busy she was going to be for the next two days.
"Listen, you go now. I will see you at dinner tonight." He shooed them away and Hermione wished him a goodbye.

The reality of what Hagrid had said finally settled in. Harry and Ron had been back at Hogwarts for days and they had not contacted her in any way. They would have been in the courtyard that morning, but they had made no effort to seek her out. She walked faster than usual, trying to hide her rage and sorrow as a tear came dangerously close to falling down her cheek.
"Her-my-knee." She heard Viktor call. He had stopped several paces back.
"What? I'm fine." She sniffled, keeping her back to him, fearing she would not be able to contain herself were she to face him.
"Her-my-knee." He called to her again, walking towards her now. She felt herself begin to shake, first her fingers, and then her lower lip, and then her legs. When he reached her, she was ready to break. He took her hand and it was if he had knocked down a dam. The sobs came violent and fast. Viktor was quick to act. He pulled her into his arms immediately, letting her rest her head on his shoulder and wrap her arms around his neck whilst he held her tightly around her waist. She didn't deserve this. She had helped save them all and her closest friends had isolated her and blocked her out of their lives. He couldn't understand it and until he could, he would hold her and try to provide some level of physical comfort.