A Year Abroad (Hermione/Viktor)

Moving Out

The final month at Durmstrang had rolled around and Hermione felt herself wanting to stay over the summer. She had come to love this place so much, it had become her home. She was excited to stay with Viktor in Sofia, but Durmstrang would always be her number one. But then she thought that about Hogwarts at one point, but nothing would ever happen like what had happened at Hogwarts, she assured herself.

Things were slowly mending themselves with Viktor. He was glad that she had not forgiven him in the bat of an eyelash. He had done wrong and he deserved to be punished. She respected herself and that meant she had to take time to forgive him.

Chigvintsev was grateful that the end of the year was nearing closer. He had worked hard this year, with his foreign students and his personal life. He missed his wife, but he knew that she was happier with her new husband. He sighed as he looked down at a picture of her smiling and laughing. He turned the image over, finding it to painful to look at it any longer. Chigvintsev had called Hermione into his office, she was such a comfort to him, he could throw anything at her and she would lap it up like a sponge.

Hermione sat in Chigvintsev's office and wondered what he had called her for.
"Hermione," He began, Hermione enjoying the fact that he could pronounce her name
"I hear you are staying vith Viktor this summer." He smiled down at her as she blushed.
"Yes, sir." She nodded her head.
"I vould like to continue our sessions throughout the summer, if this is okay vith you." He asked, a little hesitant. Hermione was unsure what to think. She had always wanted to study in the summer when she was at Hogwarts, but now she was unsure she wanted five days of lessons a week.
"It vill only be once a veek, and it vill only be us." He reassured her and Hermione's mind was made up quickly then.
"Yes, of course. I would enjoy that very much." She smiled down at her hands.
"I will have to check with Viktor if you can come to the house." She kept her eyes on her hands.
"Of course. Get back to me vhen you know. Thank you Hermione." He smiled as she left, at least he would have plans for one day each week whilst he was not at Durmstrang.

Viktor's excitement was growing each day. He began writing to one of the players on the Bulgaria team in hopes that he would have a friend when he began. He had never been given a permanent opportunity like this before. His excitement was escalated by the knowledge that Hermione was going to be there with him. He knew things were difficult at the moment, but having her there to support him would make all the difference.

Hermione was nervous to speak to Viktor. She had two issues to discuss with him: Chigvintsev and her glass blowing. She would be working the entire summer on commissions so she would have to work at the house or find a studio. She thought, whilst she was speaking to him about Chigvintsev, in for a penny, in for a pound.

Viktor smiled one of his rare smiles when Hermione sat down opposite him at dinner. However, his smile faded when he noticed how worried she was.
"I need to speak to you about something." She admitted and Viktor's mind ran away with him. He wondered if she didn't want to stay with him in summer anymore, or if maybe she didn't want to be with him anymore, he didn't know what he would do if that was the case.
"It's about the house in Sofia. Can I have my glass blowing kit brought with me so I can work there?" She asked and Viktor sighed in relief.
"Of course." He nodded, glad that she was worried about something so small.
"Also, Chigvintsev wants to come and give me a private lesson once a week. Can that happen at the house." Viktor nodded, proud of Hermione for finding things to do during the summer whilst he was training.
"Thank you. I can't just sit and twiddle my thumbs whilst you are off training." She smiled up at him and he shook his head, almost smiling.

Seamus had begun packing his belongings away to go home to Ireland. He hadn't realised how little he had, until he was stood, with one suitcase, filled with all of his belongings.
"Well, I suppose this is it." He sighed and chuckled, seeing his room bare. Exams had been easy for Seamus this time around. He knew what to expect and he was better prepared. He lamented for the time he would spend away from his owls. That night, whilst he was tending to his favourite creature, Willy (as Seamus had named him) Chigvintsev stood in the doorway.
"He really has taken a shining to you." He thought aloud, making Seamus jump out of his boots.
"Yes Sir." Seamus nodded.
"Perhaps it vould be better if he stayed vith you over summer." He mused and watched as Seamus' face lit up.
"Do you mean it, Sir? Can I really take him?" He beamed up at Chigvintsev.
"Vell, I don't see vhy not." He shrugged his shoulders.
"Just bring him back in one piece." He winked and turned and left Seamus feeling in higher spirits than he had been in a very long time.

Neville watched Hermione in the last few weeks. She was so calm, so relaxed in her decision to stay at Durmstrang that he felt a pang of jealousy rise within him. He would miss Hermione, her quiet intelligence, her calm, caring nature and her ability to teach him new things he could have never imagined before. They walked together one afternoon.
"Are you looking forward to going back to Hogwarts?" She asked and he thought about the question for a short while.
"I suppose you could say so. It is hard. I look forward to seeing the people, but not going back to that place." Hermione nodded, she understood.
"Who are you staying with, this summer?" She asked, looking down at the ground.
"My Grandmother. She has a nice place in Scotland that we'll be staying in." He smiled thinking about her.
"I hope you shall be happy." She smiled up at him and he blushed.
"Oh, no doubt of it. I shall be working in the apothecary in town, so I should be very busy." He smiled down at Hermione; he was glad he had something planned, to keep himself busy.
"You can come and visit me whenever you want, you know that." He reminded Hermione and she nodded, thinking a trip to Scotland might not go amiss.

The final day had come and Cormac and Ginny were on the first boat home, without saying a word to Hermione. Neville had said his goodbyes the night before. So it was only Seamus and Hermione left. They stood, in the very heart of the castle, looking into an empty dining room. Seamus took Hermione's hand.
"You know, there is no one else I would rather be doing this with." He looked over to her and Hermione felt a tear come to her eye.
"Promise me you will come and visit?" She asked him and he promised, holding out his little finger. She chuckled and accepted his promise.

Viktor was waiting for her. They had packed her up the night before, Hermione had stayed rather quiet and Viktor knew it was not wise to push the subject. He watched Hermione and Seamus embrace and sighed, happy that they had one another. He then said goodbye to teammates as they walked by. They wished him luck in his training and he thanked them. He had done all he could for the triwizard tournament. He could do no more, it was in Chigvintsev's hands now.

The day was beautifully sunny and Hermione watched Seamus leave, waving back, with his owl cage in his other hand. She smiled as he went, hoping that he would enjoy his summer. She then turned to look at Viktor. It was real now, it was only them and she was spending her entire summer with this man. She could admit it now: she was scared.

Viktor saw the fear in her face. He was not offended, he understood that she was a sixteen year old girl (a fact he had found out from Seamus after asking when her birthday was) who had never lived with a man before. He smiled down at her and picked up the bags, leading her out to the train.

They found their seats quickly and sat opposite one another. Hermione relaxed as they began to move and she dearly hoped that she had made the right decision, to stay with Viktor over the summer.