A Year Abroad (Hermione/Viktor)

The Jersey

Hermione had taken to sitting in the room overlooking the quidditch pitch to design her glass and read her books. Viktor had cooled off since the incident with Vurgal. Hermione knew that he was giving her space. But she wished that he would give her just a little less. So she would watch him, from the comfort of this little room. She watched as he flew and understood why he was being recruited to one of the greatest teams in the world.

Surprisingly, Hermione had a journalist of her own come to visit her. Draco had taken an apprenticeship at the Daily Prophet the summer after the war. They had all coped in different ways. Draco had set himself to work.

Draco was excited to see Hermione. She was earning the highest salary of anyone her age and he saw this as news worthy. He embraced her when he apparated to Durmstrang. She returned his embrace and they sat, in a warm little room, overlooking the quidditch pitch.
"So, tell me. What got you into glass blowing?" He asked, quil poised in his bony hand.
"I saw Madame Dorfinde blowing glass and I couldn't resist." Hermione responded, trying to make herself comfortable with Draco.

Hermione answered how much she charged for her pieces and how Dumbledore had helped her gain a large amount of her clientele and Draco seemed rather fascinated. There was no laughing, no physical contact. This is how an interview should be, Hermione thought to herself. She realised then that she was truly angry with Viktor. She was conducting herself with grace, not using her charm (not that she thought she had much) to win Draco over. She had a talent and she was there to speak about it.

Draco walked beside Hermione after their interview.
"So are you still sure about the transfer?" He asked. Hermione looked over into his inquisitive eyes and nodded.
"Yes, I am still sure." She answered, her voice calm and persuasive. Draco was very jealous.
"You know that Viktor shall be away for the Triwizard Tournament?" He asked, his brows furrowing.
"Yes, I know." She nodded.
"Do you think you will go? To Hogwarts, I mean." Hermione had never thought about this before.
"Only three students are going and I very much doubt that I shall be one of them." Hermione looked down to the ground.
"You underestimate yourself." Draco whispered, shaking his head. This made Hermione smile.
"Where are you going for Summer, Draco?" Hermione asked, her eyes the inquisitive ones now.
"I am staying with a friend in Manchester." He looked down to the ground.
"Is that where you went at Christmas?" She asked and he nodded.
"It is hard." She whispered. They were in the same boat, parentless and alone.
"I miss them." Draco whispered in response. Hermione took her hand firmly in his.
"I know." She smiled up at him and saw a kindred spirit in Draco Malfoy.

Hermione watched him go and part of her wished that Malfoy could stay. Viktor stood with Seamus, waiting for her. Viktor had taken to spending time with Seamus. He found a strange sense of calm in their friendship.
"It must be nice for them, to have one another." Seamus said to Viktor.
"Vhy?" He asked, wondering what on earth they could have in common.
"They both lost their parents, they are both alone now." Viktor understood. He wished he could understand what Hermione was going through, but he never would. She had gone through such trauma, he couldn't imagine the pain she felt.

Seamus and Viktor were wise enough to leave Hermione to her own devices. They ate dinner together.
"I know I said give her some space, but I think you should go to her. She will want you tonight. After being with Malfoy today, the loss of her parents will be fresh." Viktor nodded along, Seamus was right. He was go to her and comfort her.

Hermione retired early. She was exhausted after her day with Malfoy. But she was happy that he had come. She felt such solidarity from him, like they were exclusive members of some terrible, awful club that no one wanted to be a part of. She stayed up and read a fiction that night, until she heard a knock at the door.

Viktor had waited a little to go to her. She needed time, but not too much time, as Seamus had said. But something had happened that Viktor wanted to share with Hermione. She opened the door, hair wild and pyjamas on.
"Come in." She mumbled as she invited him in.
"I haff something I vant to show you." Viktor bubbled and Hermione could not help feeling a little excited for him. Viktor pulled out his flame red Bulgaria jersey and held it up to her. Hermione was delighted. She took it in her hands and felt the soft material. Krum's family name was printed on the back of the shirt and Hermione smiled up at him.
"This is amazing!" She beamed at him. A swell of pride grew in Viktor. He could not think of anything better than Hermione being proud of him.
"Put it on for me." He whispered and watched as Hermione's eyes grew to saucers. Without saying a word, Hermione took the jersey and went to the bathroom to change.

When she came out, Viktor had removed his boots and was lounging on her bed in his vest and shorts.
"Comfortable, are we?" She asked laughing at him. But he couldn't focus on her mocking. All that Viktor could focus on was his jersey on Hermione. It gaped massively on her and hung below her shorts. Her hair was now bundled up on her head and she looked perfect to him. In his shirt, she was his.

Hermione did feel some kind of empowerment in wearing Viktor's jersey. It wasn't Ms Vurgal wearing the Jersey, it was Hermione and this made her feel more comfortable in herself. Viktor beckoned her with his arms and she found herself tucked in his lap.
"You know you are my only one." He whispered against her hair.
"I know." She whispered, her eyes falling closed as he held her.
"And you know I am sorry." He lifted her chin to look him in the eyes.
"I know." She nodded, with what little mobility she had with his finger under her chin.
"Good." He breathed against her. He then altered his position, so that he laid behind her and he kissed the back of her neck.
"I vant you to vear it until I train, so it has your scent." He whispered to her and Hermione felt a strange naughty sensation course through her, as if they were doing something they shouldn't.
"I will." She smiled and he pulled her that little bit closer. They were on the road to recovery, one embrace at a time.