A Year Abroad (Hermione/Viktor)

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Viktor awoke to an empty bed. He rolled over to find a note resting on the pillow beside him.

I had to get back to Hogwarts. Students cannot do sleepovers.

Thank you for the most wonderful evening.

Hermione.

He smiled and wondered how much trouble she got into for returning home so late. He turned over and grinned into the pillow. He could not believe that last night had been real, and some part of him was still tempted to pinch himself to check that he was not dreaming.

Hermione awoke to a knock at the door. Chigvintsev stood outside of her door, arms crossed over his chest.
"Should I even ask?" He sighed shaking his head. Hermione stood her ground. Yes, she had broken a rule, but she was seventeen and it was a weekend. She was back by Monday morning, what was the harm?
"I am sorry." She apologised, for good measure.
"Extra training, that is your punishment." He told her.
"So get ready." He told her, before walking off. Hermione sighed, it could have been a lot worse, but she still wished she could go back to bed and sleep until the sun rose.

Chigvintsev understood, even if Hermione thought he did not, he had been young once and his now-ex wife had made him feel a similar way, had made him break the rules. But she had ditched him when she was bored. He did not want that for Hermione. She was so special, in so many ways, that he could not see her hurt again.

Hermione huffed against the cold. After the bitter winter of Durmstrang, this was nothing. But still, she hated the chill. Training that morning was like any other morning, until-
"I vant you to run." He told her and she stood, staring at him.
"You're joking me, right?" She laughed, shaking her head.
"Does it look like I'm joking?" Chigvintsev's face was deadpan.
"No, I can't." Hermione told him. It was the first time that she had ever refused him and he was taken aback for a moment.
"Vhat if the next challenge needs you to travel. You do not fly, and you vill not run. How vill you do it?" Hermione wondered for a moment.
"I would apparate." She told him, her face smug.
"Not if you do not know vhere you are going, you would not." He responded and watched Hermione's face fall.
"You have two options: learn to fly, or start running." He turned and walked away from her. He had never been so hard on her before, but she needed a firm hand.

Hermione could not remember the last time that she had been spoken to in such a manner. She was taken aback, but she was more shocked at the realisation that she wanted to tantrum, like a child. She couldn't go to Seamus or Neville about this, she feared that they might laugh at her, although the chance was very slight. No, she needed someone who would openly listen and understand.

Hagrid was surprised to see Hermione so early in the day. His smile grew wide when he saw her and he put on a new pot of tea.
"Come on in and sit yourself down, there." He welcomed her and waited for her to speak.

Hermione knew that she had gone to the right place. Hagrid would listen to her openly and try as hard as he could to help her in her situation. So, she explained herself, over a cup of tea and Hagrid sat and listened to her.
"Now, I do think your professor has a point. Flying and running are important skills to have. But until you know what is in that egg, you need to keep your strengths where they are and focus on your magic." He told her. He didn't know what he would do if he couldn't fly, but learning now was not a necessity for Hermione.

Hermione smiled, knowing that Hagrid understood her struggle.
"So, do you mind me asking: what is going on with the Krum boy?" Hagrid asked, his cheeks flushing a deep pink. Hermione sipped her tea and wondered how to ask that question.
"Well, I am not entirely sure. It feels like we are back together and we all but said that, but things are so vague, I don't quite know what is going on." She sighed and Hagrid understood how she felt. He had been golfed in love before, but it never turned into anything. He wished that he had the courage to love again, but he was not sure he could.
"If he is worth your time, he will stick around." He told her and Hermione nodded, knowing that this was true.