A Year Abroad (Hermione/Viktor)

Here Comes The Rain

Chigvintsev knew of everything that had happened with Draco and Minerva. He had prepared himself for Hermione to be closed off and antisocial during his visit. He could not blame her. McGonagall had overheard everything and reported back to Chigvintsev and he had not liked what he had heard. However, when he knocked on the door, Hermione was stood, with an apron around her waist, smiling up at him.

"Professor Chigvintsev, you're early!" She exclaimed and he was very surprised to find her so peppy, after what she had been through.

He followed her into the kitchen and mentally noted that she fit in very well. She cut a slice of the carrot cake that she had slaved over that morning and handed it to him on a plate, with a little cake fork, without asking. Chigvintsev took the cake and smiled down at Hermione.
"How is Viktor?" He asked and Hermione giggled.
"Oh, he has fit in just fine over at the training ground, as I knew he would." She smiled, but there was a pain there, a pain he could see she was trying to conceal.
"I am glad he is doing well. And how are you?" He questioned, hoping to get the truth.
"I am okay. I finished a vase yesterday. I need to get it delivered later today." She nodded over at her little station and Chigvintsev followed her line of vision and cocked his head, smiling at her little work space.
"This cake is delicious." He remarked and Hermione blushed. She hoped it was, after all of the time that she had spent making it.

They spoke no more of personal affairs. Chigvintsev took Hermione out into the garden and smiled down at the bulbs that refused to bloom.
"I haff an idea." He smiled down at her mischievously. Hermione watched as Chigvintsev cocked up his trousers and knelt down, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt. He splayed his fingers and sunk them own into the dirt of the garden, so far barren, despite spring having passed.

Hermione watched him, as he got his trousers dirty and his hands filthy. He seemed like a mad man, even to Hermione, who admired him more than most in her life. He closed his eyes and began a kind of chant, and she watched in wonder, as the stem of a flower burst from the soil, growing at a rate that should be impossible. Finally, the petals splayed and revealed a beautiful lily.
"You see, our power can be used for little things that please just us, and no one else." He smiled up at her and Hermione understood.

Viktor had been training hard, harder than he had in a long while. The Bulgarian team were pushing him more than the Durmstrang team ever had. Even in such early days, he was beginning to feel tempted to ditch the tri wizard tournament and play for Bulgaria. He would have to talk things through with his parents, and with Hermione. The moment he thought about talking to Hermione, his mind was fixed on her. He wondered what she was doing and how her day with Chigvintsev was going. He worried about her. So much pressure was being placed on her from so many different people, that she was strained.

Hermione had found a release in floral magic. She knelt, with Chigvintsev and hummed along as she learnt how to create different kinds of flowers. By the end of the day, the garden was blooming with life and Chigvintsev had stayed far longer than they had both anticipated. He looked down at his watch and jumped.
"I should be going. I haff enjoyed today." He smiled and turned to leave before Hermione could say anything. She stood, for a few moments, looking out at the garden, amazed at what just two people had accomplished. However, after so much magic, she was tired. So, she retired to her room to rest.

Viktor called out for Hermione when he got home, then in a wild guess, he called out for Chigvintsev. No one replied. He checked the kitchen, the glass blowing room, the garden. But, he was stopped in his tracks. He couldn't remember his parents hiring a gardener or planting any flowers and then it clicked, no doubt this was Hermione and Chigvintsev's work. He was amazed, he couldn't believe that two people could do all of this in one day. He chuckled and shook his head. She would never stop surprising him.