A Year Abroad (Hermione/Viktor)

Honesty

Chigvintsev felt a change in his mood once the new week began. Hermione's energy had stayed with him in some small way, after Hogwarts and he felt partially what she felt and he had noticed the anxiety and stress that was not his own dwell within him for a few weeks. However, that was gone. It had disappeared in a way Chigvintsev couldn't understand.

Hermione stood outside of Chigvintsev's office. She knew she would have to tell him at one point or another. She felt a bead of sweat trickle down the back of her neck, before she knocked.

Chigvintsev waited as Hermione fidgeted, buying time.
"Hermione, is something wrong?" He asked her, trying to focus her. Hermione took a deep breath and prepared herself.
"I want to stay." Was all she said, her voice monotone and her body calm. Chigvintsev had, at the back of his mind, expected this. However, he had never allowed himself to hope, not wanting to be disappointed.
"Are you sure?" He breathed, his voice wobbling slightly.
"Yes. I spoke with Mcgonagall and we agreed that this is the best place for me." Chigvintsev couldn't help the smile that began to grow on his face.
"Of course, you are more than velcome here at Durmstrang." He stated and then a thought came to him.
"Have you spoken to Viktor about this?" He asked. Hermione felt a pang of anxiety rush through her.
"No, not yet." She admitted.
"But I have made the decision, it is not his job to convince me otherwise." Chigvintsev was proud of Hermione for knowing her own mind.
"Very good. I am going to need you to go to Dumbledore at some point and talk this through vith him." Hermione nodded.
"I can not tell you how proud of you I am for making this decision." He smiled down at her and Hermione had to admit that she was a little proud of herself as well.

Viktor sat with Hermione in the library after dinner. He knew he had to tell her about Bulgaria and he knew he had to ask her about Sofia. But, for the first time, he felt as if he had no nerve whatsoever.
"I have something to tell you." Hermione whispered to him and he couldn't imagine anything that she would have to tell him so seriously, perhaps it was to do with her business.
"Vhat is it?" He asked, becoming a little worried.

Hermione felt her breath become ragged as she looked at Viktor, his eyes worried and his mouth drawn into a steely line.
"I-I am going to be staying at Durmstrang after the summer." Hermione admitted and she felt a weight lift from her chest. Viktor's eyes widened. He had never allowed himself to hope that she would stay, but she was staying and he could not contain his joy.
"This is fantastic." He jumped up and embraced her. But, if Viktor was being honest, this was not so fantastic. Before, the only thing holding him to Durmstrang, for his degree was Durmstrang. But now, if Hermione was there, how could he leave?

Andon did not expect his son to be visiting so late. He let out a shocked exclamation when Viktor apparated into the front room.
"Merlin, Viktor. Are you trying to give me a heart attack?!" Andon called out.
"I am sorry Father. But I need to speak to you." Viktor's run down attitude worried his Father.

They sat in Andon's office.
"What is it, son?" Andon asked.
"Her-my-knee is staying at Durmstrang." Viktor looked down at his hands.
"Well, that is wonderful!" Andon smiled down at his son.
"Yes, but I don't think I want to stay on at Durmstrang after next year." Andon let his son continue.
"I know a degree is important, but Bulgaria have offered me a full-time contract. How can I turn that down? How can I say no to my country?" Andon knew he had to help his child, seeing him in so much pain.
"You can not." Viktor looked up at his Father in confusion.
"Listen, Viktor. A degree is important, but not so much for a sportsman. You have been given the most amazing opportunity. You must take it." He encouraged his son.
"But what about Her-my-knee?" Andon sighed.
"It will be hard. But, if she cares about you, she will understand and you will make it work. She will visit you, you will visit her. There are twenty four hours in a day, one of you can spend at least one of them away from your home." Viktor felt positive, speaking with his Father.
"Your Mother and I spent a year apart. It was hard. But we loved each other and we made it work." Andon placed a hand on his son's knee.
"Go for your dream, Viktor and if she is worth it, she will support you. But, you must tell her." Viktor nodded, he knew what he had to do.

Hermione laid in her bed. Her eyes had just fallen shut when she heard a loud knock at the door.
"Come in." She croaked. She sat up when she saw Viktor storm through the door.
"Viktor what is it?" She rubbed her eyes, before placing her translating devices in.
"I'm not staying at Durmstrang after the Trivizard Tournament." He blurted out. Hermione couldn't quite process what he had said.
"What?" She asked sleepily. Viktor sat at the edge of her bed. His elbows placed on his knees as he stared at the ground.
"I am going to play for the Bulgarian national team. They have offered me a full-time contract." He explained. Hermione understood now. She shifted to sit behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, placing her cheek on his back.
"I am so proud of you." She whispered and Viktor didn't understand. He thought she would be angry, or upset, but she was proud of him, happy for him.
"Stay vith me, this summer, in Sofia. I am training. I vant you to be there, vith me." He whispered. Hermione had no other plans for summer, so without really thinking, she nodded against his back.
"Okay." She replied sleepily.
"Really?" He asked, taking one of her hands in his.
"Of course." She smiled against his back. Viktor scorned herself for underestimating Hermione. She was the most understanding, forgiving person in his life.

Hermione laid back when Viktor stood. He had a choice. He could leave her, or he could stay. She had been so kind, so understanding, she deserved to be held all night. So, Viktor undressed, down to his vest and boxers and crawled into the bed with Hermione. She smiled, feeling his weight on the bed. He held her, wrapping his arms around her waist as he laid behind her and kissed her hair.
"I loff you, I need you to know that." He whispered against her hair.
"I do know. I love you too." Hermione cuddled one of his arms and pulled him closer. Right there, in that moment, Viktor knew everything was going to be okay.