A Year Abroad (Hermione/Viktor)

Acknowledgment

Hermione found the boat cold and uncomfortable compared to her old room in the castle. The idle rocking did not help her focus on sleep and she felt her stomach unsettle at the motion. She was irritable because she missed Viktor she knew that. So, she avoided as many people as possible, which was not too difficult. Whilst the girls smiled and tried to flirt with Serg and Ivan, Hermione was left very much alone. She would get disapproving looks as she walked through the halls in her Durmstrang uniform, but she learnt to brush it off. She spent a little time with Draco and a lot of time with Seamus, but apart from that, she kept very much to herself.

Once again, she found solace in her glass blowing. Dumbledore had set up a workshop for her to work in. They kept the trophy in a locked cabinet, that only Hermione and Dumbledore knew the spell for, so that she could work on it whenever she pleased. She coated the strange shaped trophy in iridescent crystal glass, in hopes of improving upon the almost perfect original.

Viktor heard from Neville that Hermione was keeping to herself. He said, that in his own opinion, she looked miserable. She had began training early mornings with Chigvintsev and many of the Hogwarts students would wake up to watch. She had become a kind of enigma, not a native to Hogwarts anymore. They ogled her power when she didn't know they were watching, then sneered at her when they would see her. Viktor was glad to be away from school, things always became complicated and someone always got hurt, for no good reason at all. Viktor was so happy with his position at Bulgaria that he could never imagine going back.

Hogwarts had received its guests a week ago and it was now time to open the entries and light the goblet of fire. Dumbledore stood at the front of the dining hall and pronounced the goblet ignited and the tournament begun. Hermione felt a wave of fear jolt through her when she heard the cheers and the countless people going to put their name in the goblet of fire.

Most went during the day, when there was an audience to watch them in their big moment.
"Are you going to put your name in, Ron?" Pavarti asked.
"You can sod off. I've done enough fighting for my lifetime.
"You can say that again." Harry muttered in agreement.
"Then what is Hermione's excuse?" Ginny asked and Ron huffed.
"I don't know. Maybe she is super human." He shook his head, wanting this conversation to be over.
"Or maybe she is just a better witch." Luna finished the conversation, with Ron sneering in her direction. He knew she was probably right. It was just embarrassing to hear out loud.

Two days passed and no one had seen or heard of Hermione putting her name into the goblet of fire.
"Isn't that what she's here for?" A slytherin hissed.
"Just give her time." Draco snapped back, silencing everyone. But Hermione feared she needed more than time, she needed support, support that she did not have.

On the morning of the third and final day of the goblet being lit, Hermione went to sit in the hall, staring up at the flame. It was beautiful, beckoning and enchanted. She didn't feel worthy of it.

McGonagall had heard someone enter the castle in the wee hours of the morning and she had gone to investigate. When she found Hermione, sat in her pyjamas, looking up at the goblet, she knew she had to stay.

Hermione smiled as Minerva sat beside her on the steps.
"What are you doing here, child?" She asked.
"I don't know who I am anymore." Her voice wobbled and she sighed, hating to sound so weak.
"I used to be a girl of Hogwarts, a Gryffindor, strong and powerful. And then I helped in the war and I was a hero, to myself more than anyone. I made the choice to adapt, to take Durmstrang's colours and they place their faith in me, but do I deserve it?" She paused for a moment.
"Everyone here is either afraid of me or hates me. I have a handful of allies among the student body and I feel very alone." McGonagall left her to speak.
"Chigvintsev has put all of his faith in me, and he believes I will succeed. But what if I do not, what if I fail? This is the reason I have not placed my name into the goblet of fire. I do not want to bring shame to my peers." She sighed, finally finished.