A Year Abroad (Hermione/Viktor)

Dragon Training

A week passed and Hermione had heard nothing from Viktor about training. She supposed that his time was taken up with his own training, wanting to go to the Vratsa Vultures. She understood, if she had the time she would have missed him. But her schedule was so full.

On the Sunday afternoon, Hermione took some time out to spend with Hagrid. They sat together drinking tea, and they both thought that they should do this more often.
"Do Harry and Ron come and see you, Hagrid?" She asked, wondering how many visitors he received.
"Oh no, not anymore. I don't think they quite have the time for me anymore. Harry used to, but not so much nowadays." Hermione sighed, she thought as much. She wondered why Harry had pushed her away when she asked about the quidditch game. He had said that he wanted them to be friends, but when she extended an invitation, he refused.
"You miss him, don't you?" It took a moment to figure out who Hagrid was talking about. It seemed, nowadays that Hermione had more people to miss than she would have liked.
"Yes, I miss Harry's friendship. He said he wanted to be friends. But I invited him to a quidditch match last week and he rejected me." Hagrid had been speaking about Viktor, but the change of conversation to Harry suited him just as well.

Hermione waited for Hagrid to get his thoughts together.
"It seems that Harry does not want to interact with anything that reminds him of the war. I understand that, we are all trying to heal. But it seems it is you that he wishes to avoid most." Hagrid sighed, seeing sadness fall over Hermione's face.
"But do not blame yourself, child. Harry has the best of intentions. But, in the end, he is scared of you. Whether he knows that you had to or not, you did what you did to him. Frankly speaking, I am not sure that he will ever be able to be true friends with you again." He placed a hand on her arm. The truth hurt, but she knew it was necessary. Harry was not a bad person and she was sure if the roles were reversed, that she would react in the same way. She left Hagrid's feeling a strange peace within her.

Viktor had written to Chigvintsev, but he had received no reply. He wondered if he should have addressed it to Hogwarts, or whether he should have sent it to Durmstrang. But something inside of him told him that the Headmaster had not received his letter.

Earlier in the week, Viktor had overheard one of his teammates talking about his uncle, a dragon keeper.
"He is sending his best dragons to Hogwarts for that championship thing." He told his teammates. Viktor knew that Hermione had had no training with Dragons and that she would need to meet with one of the beasts before fighting one in the Triwizard tournament.

It was late when Chigvintsev heard a knock at his door.
"What is it?" He snapped.
"Krum is waiting for you outside, Sir." The boy said and Chigvintsev's face softened.
"Go back to bed." He told him and went out to meet Viktor.

Viktor loved seeing the boat and a part of him even enjoyed seeing Hogwarts. He smiled and shook Chigvintsev's hand when he saw him. They walked together and Viktor told him everything he knew about the dragons.
"I want to train her. I want to take her to Serbia and help her with the dragons there. I know them, I can help her." Viktor stated and Chigvintsev stood in thought for a moment.
"I will have to ask Hermione. But I have no problems with this." He nodded at Viktor and they parted ways. Things were always going to be a little sour between the two of them, but they could be civil.

Hermione finished her training with Chigvintsev early the next morning. He sat her down on a bench.
"Hermione, I received a visit from Viktor last night." Hermione felt the breath hitch in her throat.
"He vants to train you. He has information about the Trivizard tournament that vill be helpful or you. But I vill not make you go. You have the choice." He said to her and Hermione thought for a moment. She needed that information about the dragons.
"I will do it." She smiled up at him and he knew that a part of her was excited to see Viktor Krum again.