A Year Abroad (Hermione/Viktor)

Communication

Hermione regretted her life choices the next day. She had nothing to wear and her hair was not coping well in the late autumn weather. She sighed a wondered who she could speak to. Seamus knew nothing of these matters, McGonagall would no doubt tell her to be herself, which was not what she wanted to hear right now and Neville would blush and sit in silence. There was only one person that she could go to that she was sure would not laugh at her.

Luna was shocked when she saw Hermione stood at her door.
"Hermione!" She called, watched her turn in shock.
"I'm sorry, I was out looking at snargles all morning. Can I help you?" She asked, wondering what she could possibly do for Hermione Granger.
"I need someone to talk to, a girl to talk to." She admitted, looking down at the ground. Luna brightened with understanding.
"Of course! Let's walk and talk." She smiled and watched as Hermione became more comfortable.

Luna did not want to seem rude, but they had walked for a few minutes in silence. She wondered if she should say anything, but she decided it was best not to.
"It is hard, for me to talk about this with another person." She admitted and Luna nodded.
"Are we speaking about Mr Krum?" She asked and Hermione smiled and nodded.
"I don't suppose you know what happened." Luna shook her head and she explained what had happened between her and Viktor.
"If it means anything, I think you were right to leave when you did. Sometimes people can be together for too many hours of the day. We each need our space." Hermione agreed with Luna on this point.
"I am just so nervous. He seems to be everywhere, all anyone ever talks about. I understand that he is about to win the world cup. But when do I get my space?" She sighed, feeling relieved to have that off of her chest. Luna thought for a moment.
"I suppose it is hard to get away from the most popular man in sport. Especially with the world cup, as you say." She noted and Hermione was glad that she understood.

They sat in the dining hall, across from one another and continued.
"But surely if you wanted space, you would not have invited him to the Three Broomsticks this evening?" Luna asked, confused, but glad that Hermione was reaching out to her.
"It is not that I want space away from Viktor. It is more that I want space from 'Viktor Krum, world class seeker'. They are two very different people, I can assure you. But it is hard to remember when you only hear about his alter ego." Luna smiled, touched by the fact that Hermione saw the real man behind the whole bravado.
"I sometimes wish that he was not a seeker, that he was a herbalist or a medi wizzard. I dont care about all the fame, it would actually be easier without it all." She sighed, looking down at her hands. Luna felt she had more to say, so left her to speak.
"He is one of the most famous men in the world. I can't help but feel that I am not good enough for him. When I hear the witches with long silky hair and rosy lips dote over him, I wonder if they should be the ones with him. I don't know. I know I should be less self conscious, but it is so hard when he is perceived as one of the most eligible bachelors in the world." She looked down at the table and sighed.

Luna took a moment to process everything that Hermione had said. She wondered how long Hermione had kept these feelings bottled up, and was glad that she had reached out. Every girl has insecurities, but Hermione was beautiful and famous within her own right, she had nothing to worry about. But Luna knew telling her that would not help so much.
"Have you ever told Viktor any of this?" She asked and Hermione shook her head.
"No, you are the first person I have spoken to about this." She looked at her hands, embarrassed by the whole situation.
"Hermione, he needs to hear this from you. You need to tell him how you feel. All great relationships are built on trust and communication. If you care about him, you need to tell him how you feel." She smiled down at Hermione and she knew she was right. Viktor had to know how she felt.
"Luna, thank you. You have been such a help for me. I hope I can be as of much help in the future." She smiled at her.
"Of course. You are my friend, Hermione and I respect you more than anyone. I am glad that I could help." She the stood and walked away, leaving Hermione with her thoughts.