A Year Abroad (Hermione/Viktor)

Arriving Alone

The beginning of the academic year rolled around and Hermione travelled back to Durmstrang with Chigvintsev. She received a very different reaction, arriving for her second year, than she had for her first year. The men respected her. Some even went so far as to smile at her. The public opinion on Hermione Granger had changed, and she couldn't have been happier about it.

After she thought about it, Hermione could have been happier, had Viktor returned with her. She had thought he would be with her in his last year; but when she thought about it, he would be going to Hogwarts anyway, so they would have been separated either way.

The fact that their relationship was over was beginning to dawn on Hermione. She wished she had kissed him more often, or laid in his arms, smelt his sweet scent or watched him play quidditch. Those things would never happen again and she was unsure if she would ever find someone to replace Viktor.

Hermione would be travelling to Hogwarts with a quidditch player, Serg, who she was very sure hated her, and an evil looking man, named Ivan, who she had never met before. Ivan bowed in front of Hermione when they formally met and when he smiled at her, it seemed his evil face was not so evil anymore.

Being back in Durmstrang uniform was a joy for Hermione. She felt at home in the burgundy colours of the school. Seamus helped her pack one evening. Many of her things had been left at Durmstrang over the summer, so she was glad for the help, realising she had more than she had originally anticipated.
"Hermione, how are you? We haven't spoken since that day." Seamus' voice was soft and comforting.
"I can't believe I actually left him. I left Viktor Krum. I am sure that most of the women on the planet think me a right fool." She chuckled and shook her head, whilst throwing her rain boots in the trunk.
"I don't - think you're a fool, that is." Hermione smiled up at him.
"You don't?" She sighed, letting her head fall to one side.
"You were unhappy, and now you are less so. That is the opposite of a fool to me." Hermione was unsure if she was less unhappy now, but she appreciated Seamus' sentiment.

Hermione and Seamus stayed at Durmstrang for only a few days before they boarded the boat. They were seen off by a large crowd of the men. It seemed that whatever they thought about a female potentially representing them, they had pushed their feelings aside and gotten behind her. Hermione's heart was warmed by this, and she was glad to be placed in the same room as she had been in before, to travel to Hogwarts.

This time, there was no one to spend her time with. Of course, she could sit with Seamus, but she knew he was tired and Chigvintsev had other matters to attend to. She wished now that she could see anything apart from murky water outside of her window. She sat in her chair, with one of the few books she had packed with her and tried to concentrate.

Seamus checked on Hermione, to see if she was feeling sea sick, or if she needed anything. When he found her, she was asleep in her chair. He supposed he should leave her to it and that he would wake her once they were closer to Hogwarts.

Viktor had received various messages from Neville. He had told him that school had started again and that the men from Durmstrang were arriving at the end of the week. Viktor had made Neville promise that he would not tell anyone that Hermione was coming, and as far as Viktor could tell, Neville had kept to his word. Viktor wondered if he had made a mistake, not returning to Durmstrang. But every time that he took to the air for Bulgaria, he knew that he had made the right decision. He was happy with his job, all he had to do now was sort things with Hermione.

The students and staff of Hogwarts had been working tirelessly for a week in anticipation of their guests from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. There was a tangible excitement in the air. The castle had seen such atrocities, that having guests warmly welcomed a new chapter for the school.

As was tradition, the entrance to Hogwarts was packed with students, as many as the school could fit, all with smiling, welcoming faces. Ron and Harry were there.

First the ladies of Beauxbatons arrived, the beautiful young women gliding through the courtyard with the grace of doves. Harry and Ron blushed, seeing that both of their crushes had been chosen to come as guests. Dumbledore welcomed the young women, along with their head mistress and they were taken to their rooms by Hagrid.

Now it was Durmstrang's turn. Hermione was impressed by how terrifying Chigvintsev looked in his large fur coat and heavy boots.
"Are you ready?" He asked her and Hermione was unsure if she would ever be ready. So she gritted her teeth and nodded. Chigvintsev called out to the few men who had travelled with them to begin walking. They slammed their large wooden poles into the floor as they marched. The few supporters were followed by Serg, Ivan and Seamus. Then, finally, came Chigvintsev accompanying Hermione.

A pin drop could have been heard in the courtyard. By walking with Hermione, Chigvintsev had made a bold statement, he was saying that Hermione was of Durmstrang and that she was the best they had to offer. Dumbledore felt his breath catch in his throat. He was overcome with shock at seeing Hermione with Chigvintsev, but moreso pride.

Once again, Harry and Ron were amongst the crowd. Neither of them spoke, but their was a silent shock shared amongst the crowd.

Hermione felt all of the attention on her and she wondered if this was how Viktor felt all the time. Without him there, she felt very alone. None of these people thought they had anything in common with Hermione anymore, she was one of the others, one of Durmstrang.

Murmurs began once Hermione and Chigvintsev disappeared into the castle. Viktor Krum was not in attendance. The deal with Bulgaria was not yet public knowledge, so people had to believe that he was injured, or Hermione had taken his place. Many of the women of Hogwarts scoffed, wondering how a girl could ever have the audacity to replace her boyfriend.

Hermione knew that Viktor's absence would be noticed. But she pushed that to the back of her mind. Hermione was tired, but before she could retreat back to the boat to rest, Dumbledore had a request for her.

They sat in his office and he could see that something was not right. But, it was not his place to interfere, so he kept his mouth shut on that account.
"Hermione, I am glad that you are here. I have a job for you, if you would like to take it." Hermione nodded her head in interest.
"I want you to put a layer of glass over the Triwizard tournament's trophy. It has seen some damage over the years and I know that you could return it to its previous glory. I will pay you substantially. What do you think?" He asked, hopeful.
"I will do it. But I do not have my glass blowing equipment with me." Hermione looked down at her feet. She was nervous to undertake such a task. But she supposed it was like any other job she had done.
"Don't worry, we have the equipment here. I will have it set up in a room for you."

After her appointment with Dumbledore, Hermione went to rest. She was grumpy and tired, she could tell and she did not want to give bad face for her school. This all seemed so much more difficult without Viktor there to support her.