A Year Abroad (Hermione/Viktor)

Happy Birthday Hermione

Summer came and went, and Hermione felt the dread of returning to Durmstrang creep up on her.
"I don't want to go." She told Viktor, as they packed her bags. Her business had been booming, and she had been so tempted to ditch school and continue with the life that she had built for herself.
"Yes, you do." He told her, smiling at her from across the bed. He did not want her to leave, but he knew that Hermione would regret it if she did not finish school.
"It is one year, we can do it." He told her, not so convinced of his own chances. But, he knew that Hermione would love being back at school, and in no time, she would be graduating and things would go back to the way they were.

The Krum family took Hermione to the station. Mladen had taken Luna just weeks before, after she had visited him. Hermione could tell that they were smitten and she was so glad. Ada embraced her, partly wishing that she wouldn't leave.
"Stay safe, and have fun." She whispered to Hermione, and she squeezed her a little tighter. Andon quickly embraced her, then they left her and Viktor alone.
"It is only a year, and not really a year because it is only nine-" Viktor interrupted her then, kissing her forcefully. He hadn't realised how much he wanted her to stay until this moment. He thought, if he could make the kiss last long enough, she would miss her train. But he couldn't do that to her. He sighed when she pulled away.
"I will be back for Christmas and then back for good." She told him, watching as he looked down at her with sorrow in his eyes as the train pulled up.
"I love you." She told him, before she turned and hurried off. He said nothing, stood in a kind of trance.

Hermione didn't mind that he didn't say anything. She knew that he loved her. She stayed strong, until he was out of sight, and that was when the tears came. They started off slow, and then they came hard and fast, leaving her a blubbering, weeping mess.

The next thing she knew, Chigvintsev was shaking her awake at Durmstrang.
"Chigvintsev!" She cried, throwing herself into his embrace. He chuckled when he caught her.
"It is alvays a pleasure." He said to her. He carried her bags in and showed her to her room.
"I cannot believe it is my last year." She told him as they walked.
"Let's make it a quiet one, yes? Last year vas too filled vith drama." Hermione chuckled, agreeing with him completely.

Seamus was so happy to see Hermione, it had been a month since they had seen each other and their reunion was a happy one.
"I cannot believe I am going to be eighteen." She told him, shaking her head in shock.
"Well, believe it. You're better set up than most, with a business and a world famous fiancé." He reminded her. Any mention of Viktor made her sink a little.
"Sorry, I know it must be hard." Seamus said a moment later. Hermione didn't want to talk about it, so she just nodded, and got back to her food.

It seemed oddly lonely, sleeping in an empty bed again. She had gotten so used to sharing her bed with Viktor, that not having his warmth made her miss him even more. She wondered if he missed her the way she missed him and couldn't decide.

Viktor wanted to go to her. He found it so difficult coming home and not hearing her blowing glass, or baking or growing flowers in the garden. He had to keep himself occupied, else he knew that he would apparate to Durmstrang, and that was strictly forbidden. Hermione would have to come to him, and he found the waiting infuriating.

Ada wanted to throw Hermione a big party. You only turn eighteen once! But, Viktor would not let her.
"You know she would not like it, mother." He told her and Ada knew that he was right.
"Well, I just hope that she doesn't insist on a small wedding." She huffed.
"She will have what she wants." Viktor told his Mother and watched her pout.
"I want to have a dinner for her eighteenth, with the people she cares about." He told his Mother and supposed she could do that.
"A homemade dinner." He insisted and she went back to her pouting.