A Year Abroad (Hermione/Viktor)

Final Challenge

The day came and Hermione didn't want to awake. It was the afternoon and she pressed her eyes closed and wished that the rest of the day could go by without her knowledge. But think, after today, it will all be over. She thought to herself and the seemed to make things a little better.

She only gained the courage to open her eyes when she heard someone enter her room.
"Viktor, what are you doing here?" She cried out, seeing Krum stood at the end of her bed.
"I am here to support you." He told her and she shook her head.
"I told you not to be here." She sighed, but Viktor ignored her as he left to start the shower.
"You are my fiance. And one day, you vill be my Vife. Krums support one another and you are going to be a Krum. I vill not let you do this alone." He told her and Hermione could not have been gladder than Viktor had ignored her instruction.

Viktor let out a breath when Hermione disappeared into the shower. It was a bold move he had made, and there was a chance that it wouldn't have worked. bUt Hermione liked it, and he had spoken the truth. His Father had dressed him before every important match he had ever played. That would be Hermione's duty now. He was nervous for her, and he could only imagine what she was feeling.

Hermione stood in the shower and sighed. It was going to be one of the most terrifying days of her life, the fear mainly coming from the suspense. Every other awful day in her life had pounced on her unannounced. However, this one had waited for her, each day becoming more terrifying.

Viktor massaged her head with a towel. Hermione knew that her hair would grow to a worrying height, but it felt so good and she could tell that Viktor was enjoying himself. He laced up her boots and kissed her on the forehead.
"I know that you vill do your best. Vin or lose." He reassured her and she thanked him. She wondered if she might tie her hair back, but each attempt was futile.
"Keep it down." Viktor told her as he stood behind her, looking in the mirror.

Hermione saw them together and felt so overcome with all that she felt for Viktor.
"Viktor, I am frightened." She told him, her eyes wide and her voice shaking.
"I know. But if you cannot defeat this challenge, then no one can. You are the smartest vitch I know." He told her and she sighed. She felt his arms wrap around her.
"You are strong, stronger than the others out there. And just think, vhen this is over, ve can plan our life together, do vhatever ve vant." She smiled at the idea.
"I can think of nothing better." If she could have it her way, they would have stayed in that position for ever, stood together. But Chigvintsev knocked at her door, and that was how they knew it was time.

Hermione thought that Viktor might come with her. But, he stayed behind.
"I vill be there. But you must go alone." He told her and she knew he was right. Her hands shook, but Chigvintsev took one of them in his own.
"You can do this." He whispered to her.
"Yes, I can." She told herself, more than anyone and they marched along together.

The crowd hummed with anticipation. Harry couldn't wait to see the final challenge, although the maze that had been set out meant that it would be very hard to view. Ron was still moping, still angry at himself for what he had said. It seemed that everyone else did too, including members of staff that would sneer at him when no one was looking.
"I don't think you'll come back from this one, Ron" Luna said to him, as she passed him, to go and sit with Mladen and the rest of the Krum family.
"I think she might be right. You need to learn to watch your bloody mouth." Harry whispered to Ron, who remained silent, wishing he could go back and change what he had said.

Hermione was wearing her special ceremonial Durmstrang uniform. It was more like an armour and everyone ooed and ahhed when she arrived.
"Doesn't she look wonderful!" Ada cried out.
"Very powerful indeed." Andon agreed with his Wife. Hermione did not know that the Krums were going to be there, so when she saw them, she let out a little cry. But not only were the Krums there, sat between Luna and Ada was her Mother Jane, who looked terrified and proud all at the same time.