A Year Abroad (Hermione/Viktor)

Decisions

Returning to Durmstrang had a strange, homey effect on Hermione that she was not expecting. It was cold and it wasn't as grand as Hogwarts, but it felt far more like home. There was nobody staring at her and she was left to her own devices, which brought her an unending amount of joy.

Hermione knew that she would not see Viktor as much as she had now that his training was really kicking in. He only had two months left of the year before the choices were made as to who was journeying to Hogwarts to enter into the Tri Wizard tournament.

The students from Hogwarts only had two months left of their stay at Durmstrang and although Ginny and Cormac found themselves counting down the days, Hermione, Neville and Seamus found themselves burdened by this fact.

After dinner, Neville sat with Hermione.
"How was it, going back?" His voice was pained as he asked her.
"It was strange. Everyone just stared. It was like I wasn't one of them anymore." Hermione sighed.
"Are you? One of them, I mean." Neville asked the awkward question.
"I don't know anymore. I love Hagrid and Dumbledore, but I didn't feel like I belonged. It was so painful, being in that place again." She sighed and looked down at her feet.
"What will you do?" He asked and Hermione was forced to ask herself that question. What was she going to do when she returned to Hogwarts? Could she still train with Chigvintsev? Would she still be able to blow glass? She was not sure and these questions terrified her.
"I have no idea. I can not abandon Hogwarts, can I?" She asked, letting her eyes fall closed.
"You can do whatever is best for you." Neville supported her.
"Just think about it. If you transferred permanently, you could spend the year at Hogwarts, as a Durmstrang girl, staying on the boat and still being able to see Hagrid and Dumbledore."
"But what happens when-"
"When Viktor leaves?" Neville finished her question.
"Well, you have to decide whether you enjoy being at Durmstrang for Viktor, or whether you love being at Durmstrang for Durmstrang. That is important." Neville emphasised. Hermione let her head fall into her hands. She had never thought of the possibility of staying, of transferring to Durmstrang. But now that that was an option, she began to wonder if that was what she wanted.

Viktor sat with Serg after practice. Both were tired from their trip to Hogwarts, and neither had discussed it, until now.
"Hogwarts is nice, I suppose." Serg began.
"I don't know if I like it." Viktor replied.
"How come?"
"It is too large, and it is a place of war." He huffed.
"Might it be because it is where the girl will be when she leaves?" Serg asked, not wanting to push Viktor's buttons.
"We shall also be there, if we are picked." Viktor stated.
"But it will not be the same. She will be a student of Hogwarts and we are the outsiders." Serg explained. Viktor knew this was true, but what could he do?
"There is no other choice." He stated flatly.
"I suppose you are right." Serg agreed, understanding that Viktor was unwilling to speak on this topic.

Hermione threw herself into her glass blowing over the coming weeks. Dumbledore had advertised her work and she was having to create a waiting list of customers because they were so large in numbers. Professor Dorfinde would accompany Hermione after class and on the weekend to meet with potential customers for a consultation. Hermione would go to their home and ask what shape and colour they wanted their piece to be and what they would use it for. Dorfinde would then help her design the piece and she would add it to her waiting list. This way, Hermione was earning more money than any other witch her age should, but she had nothing to do with it. Hermione saw glass blowing as a hobby and it was only at the insistence of Professor Dorfinde that she charged for her pieces.

Viktor knew she was busy, his schedule was packed as well. But he wished he could see Hermione. He found it painful being ripped away from her after spending so much time with her during their weekend at Hogwarts. He knew she had limited time left at Durmstrang and he himself had to decide whether he would stay on for an additional two years once he had gone to Hogwarts, to gain a wizarding degree in Quidditch technique and training. Bulgaria was begging for him to join the quidditch team permanently, and Viktor knew that he could do both with apparition, but he didn't know if he wanted to. His head was filled with so many choices that he couldn't focus on a single thought.

Viktor's only solace was his weekly English lessons with Dumbledore. It seemed that nothing else mattered in those hours he spent on a Tuesday. He studied three evenings a week and he felt his English improving, and Dumbledore agreed with this belief.
"Viktor, can I ask you why you are learning English?" Dumbledore asked one day and although the answer seemed simple, Viktor found it difficult to explain.
"I vant to speak vith her." He stated simply. Dumbledore knew what was going on and he felt touched by it. But he knew that things would become more complicated once this year was over. He knew he should say something. But there was nothing he could think of to comfort the poor boy.

Viktor had been inspired by his conversation with Dumbledore. Hermione only had two months left at Durmstrang and he was not going to let a day go by without seeing her.

Hermione was getting ready for bed, combing out her hair and changing into her pyjamas when she heard a knock at the door. She opened the door, confused about who would be visiting her at such a late hour and was shocked to see Viktor stood there, determination on his face. Hermione waited for him to speak.
"I need to spend more time vith you." He stated after a moment. Hermione was taken aback. She knew they hadn't seen each other for a while, but she thought he was preoccupied with his training.
"Come in." She invited him as she watched the muscles in his face relax. He slumped down in her chair and gazed up at her.
"Ve haff both been so busy, but you do not have long left." Viktor had been practicing his English all day and felt confident in his speech in this moment.
"I know, I have been away most nights with Professor Dorfinde. This glass blowing has really taken off." She looked down at her bare feet, wiggling her toes. With him here, Hermione realised how much she had missed Viktor. She was pulled from her thought when she felt Viktor take her hand and guide her onto his lap.

Viktor had never held Hermione in this way, but it felt more natural and comforting than anything in the world. Her hair was in his face, but he didn't mind. He wrapped his arms around her and tried to push the thought of their limited time together to the back of his mind.

Viktor left late that night and Hermione laid in bed once he was gone. She didn't know what to do. What to do with her summer, what to do with the new school year, what to do in general. She started to feel as if Viktor had slipped her a love potion and this thought terrified her.