A Year Abroad (Hermione/Viktor)

A Girl of Durmstrang

She saw them at dinner. They sat in their Gryffindor uniforms at their house's table. The did not acknowledge her, they did not even look up when they entered. It was clear now to Hermione, that she was not the same person as when she had left Hogwarts.

The students of Durmstrang entered at the announcement of Dumbledore. Hermione was one of them now. She wore their uniform and dined with them. Hermione knew this was how many felt, but surprisingly, she didn't mind so much. She had Viktor at one side and Chigvintsev at the other and she felt safe. Also, she didn't miss wearing a tie or the scratchy feeling of the Hogwart's shirts.

Luna saw Hermione and marveled at her. She had never been able to truly settle at Durmstrang. She wasn't strong enough. She knew that. The brutish men made her nervous and the weather made her sick. But Hermione was one of them, she could see that. She walked with the fierceness of the men and she fit in amazingly well.

They sat and ate their dinner. After a few minutes, girls started approaching Viktor.
"I saw you play against Russia two years ago. You were amazing." The tall, dark haired witch complimented him.
"Really amazing!" Her pretty blonde friend agreed. Viktor was still eating and Hermione saw his brows furrow in annoyance.
"Thank you." Was his only reply. The girls waited a minute before they huffed and wandered off. Hermione rolled her eyes, wondering how anyone could expect anything from such a forward response and secretly smiling, glad that Viktor had not acknowledged them in the slightest.

Friendship came from the most unexpected place when Draco placed his hand on Hermione's shoulder.
"How are you?" He asked, his voice surprisingly sincere.
"I am well thank you. How are you?" Draco had lost both of his parents, similarly to Hermione.
"I am getting there. Taking it a day at a time." He smiled, placing his hands in his pockets.
"How do you find Durmstrang?" He asked, moving his weight from one foot to the other.
"It is interesting. The classes are challenging and the teachers are kind. The men can be intimidating and it can be cold but it has a charm that I can't describe." She smiled up at him.
"I think I would like it there." He smiled back.
"I think you would." She nodded, imagining Draco in the Durmstrang uniform and finding it to suit him very well.
"You know you can write to me if you're ever wondering what's happening here, or if you wanted to talk?" Hermione felt a warmth pool in her stomach as she watched Draco stare bashfully at the ground.
"I would like that very much." She smiled and that was enough for Draco. He moved along slowly and Hermione hoped that things would get easier for him soon.

Ron watched Hermione and Draco talking and felt as if steam might start blowing from his ears.
"Who does she think she is?" He complained.
"Hermione Granger, I think you'll find." Harry replied sarcastically.
"Not likely. That isn't Hermione Granger. I know Hermione Granger and that isn't her." Ron riled himself up.
"And who is Hermione Granger, Ron?" Harry asked, wondering why he was so worried.
"She is sweet and bubbly. She is quiet yet outspoken. Not this stone faced Bulgarian." Harry shook his head.
"Let's face it, none of us have been the same, the war changed us all. I have a reason to distance myself from Hermione. You are simply being cruel because she appears to be happy." Harry found himself raising his voice. Both Viktor and Hermione could hear the conversation now.
"Well maybe I should ask her to kill me too, so that I have a reason to be angry!" Ron shouted. The room fell silent.

Hermione sat, as still as a statue. She knew everyone was looking at her. Harry's eyes were apologetic. He was dealing with what had happened at his own pace, but he still cared for Hermione and he knew that Ron should not have said what he had, not under any circumstances.

Time seemed to stand still, until Hermione felt Dumbledore's hand on her shoulder.
"Come, if now is a good time?" His calm, caring eyes set time back into motion. She did not cry, she simply nodded her head and let Dumbledore escort her to his office.