A Year Abroad (Hermione/Viktor)

Your Hands Are Cold

WARNING: This chapter is rated M and contains scenes of a sexual nature.

It seemed, that in the aftermath of the trial, the students of Hogwarts were split in opinion. Half of the student body had never seen anything as magnificent as the large beast topple over, whereas the other students found it rather underwhelming.
"I expected fire and drama and rawrrr!" One of the second years sighed, feeling disappointed with Hermione's performance.
"She was the most efficient of the three." A Ravenclaw stated.
"There's no fun in efficiency." A Gryffindor sighed and most could agree with that.

Hermione tried not to let their comments get to her. She had done what had been asked of her. She had collected the egg, no muss, no fuss. Chigvintsev was pleased with her performance and that's all that mattered to Hermione, at the end of the day.

She didn't stick around long enough to hear the rest of the comments. Instead, she apparated to Sofia. The stadium wasn't too far from where she had apparated and she found the walk rather comfortable. It all seemed so surreal at that point, that she had just defeated a dragon. She wondered if the second task would be as easy and decided that it most certainly would not. She had left the egg in the safe hands of Seamus and had vowed to open it at a later date.

Viktor had lifted the cup, finished his interviews and retreated to the Bulgaria tent.
"Come on, this is your first win! You have to come out with us." One of the beaters begged Viktor. It was tempting, the thought of going out with his team mates. But he could not pass up the opportunity to be with Hermione. He had so few chances lately.
"I'm sorry." He shrugged his shoulders and the guys all huffed.
"I hope she is worth it." One of them stated bitterly.
"She is." He smiled.

He packed away his things before Hermione came, so that he would be ready to leave when she arrived.
"Viktor." Andre called for him and he hopped up and left the tent, waving at everyone as he went.

Hermione was glad to see him. He was tired, which did not surprise her. But he smiled widely when he saw her.
"How do you feel?" She asked, walking with him, unsure where they were headed.
"Like a champion." He smiled down at her and she was not quite sure if he was joking or not.
"I am tired, though. The time turning vas exhausting." He looked down at her and she nodded.
"But I am not too tired to go to dinner. If you vould like?" He asked and she liked the thought of spending some time alone with him.
"Yes, I would like that very much." She agreed.

Viktor took her to a local place he had been to many times before. It was small and cozy and the owner knew to put him and Hermione in the corner, where they could not be seen so well. Hermione liked the restaurant. It was warm and comforting, which was ideal with the temperature cooling off with autumn being in full swing.

Viktor ordered, knowing that the waiters did not speak English.
"How do you feel? After today." He asked her and watched as she thought for a moment.
"I'm not sure. Many of the students were underwhelmed by what they saw. But I can't help that. I just wanted to make it out alive." She laughed to herself and Viktor relished the sight.
"It meant so much, having you there. I feel so guilty that I didn't think of the time turner." She sighed, looking down at her hands.
"No." Viktor shook his head, placing his hand on hers.
"You haff too much on your mind already. I could not miss it. Vorld cup is just a quidditch game. Vhat you vere doing vas more important." He told her and Hermione felt a little better.

Viktor was confused. He was unsure where he and Hermione were in their relationship. They had ended, he knew that. But it seemed now that they were not just friends, that they were moving back to the place where they had started.
"I vant you to be mine." He blurted, half thinking aloud.
"Excuse me?" Hermione asked, her spoon half raised to her mouth. Viktor felt the blood leave his face as he realised what he had said. But in for a penny, in for a pound.
"I vant you to be mine again. I am yours, body and soul. But I need to know that you are the same." He looked down at the table.