A Year Abroad (Hermione/Viktor)

Mediwitches and Muggles

Things were dying down, as the year was coming to a close. Hermione hadn't seen Viktor in a few weeks, but she was so engrossed in her revision, that she didn't feel it as much as she thought she might.

Viktor, on the other hand, was suffering without Hermione. He was counting down the days until she was with him for christmas. She was never in the magazines anymore and Viktor was glad for this, knowing that it meant her life was becoming more simple.

Hermione sat, in her final exam and felt a loss that she had not expected. This was going to be her last exam, the final time that she would be tested in this way, and she hated this thought. She had always been defined by her studies and flawless grades. What was she going to do once that was over?

Seamus was over the moon that his final exam was done. But, he could tell that Hermione was having a harder time.
"I love glass blowing, but I don't know if I want to spend my life doing it." She sighed and Seamus had no idea that she felt this way.
"Even teaching, it is so passive. I want to do something that makes a difference.

Seamus sat back and thought for a moment. There would not be another war in their lifetime. But, Hermione wanted the feeling of doing good that she had gained from the war.
"Have you thought of being a mediwitch?" He asked. Hermione had to admit that she never had.
"I think you would be good at it, and you could come up with new ways to heal people, always challenging yourself." He told her and Hermione rather enjoyed this idea.

Chigvintsev could tell that Hermione's mind was not completely focused on their session.
"Do you think I would make a good mediwitch?" She asked. Chigvintsev sat back, a little confused.
"Yes, I do. But vhat about the glass blowing?" He asked. Hermione sighed.
"I love blowing glass. But, I cannot just sit and blow glass for the rest of my life. I want to be out there, helping people, making a difference." Chigvintsev laughed and shook his head.
"I knew that you had a few more surprises left for me." He chuckled.
"I think this is what I want to do." She decided.
"Then, you must do it." He told her.

Hermione was better at potions than most witches her age. But, she was still nervous when she was sat, waiting for her interview with the London School of Medimagic.
"So, why do you think that you will make for a good candidate, Miss Granger?" The lady asked.
"Well, my grades are high and I am dedicated and a quick learner. But also, during the war, I saw what those brave men and women did for us. I want to be able to do that for others." The lady looked up from her piece of paper and smiled at Hermione.
"We would be delighted to have you attend our school, Miss Granger. The course is eight months and you may begin once you finish your studies." Hermione beamed, she wanted to learn. She was proud of herself for stepping outside of her comfort zone.

Viktor was shocked to see Hermione on a weekday. He kissed her, and then paused when she said she had something to discuss with him.
"I am going to train to be a mediwitch." She told him. He looked down at her, a little confused.
"Vhy?" He asked and she sighed.
"Because I need purpose. I love glass blowing, but it is not exciting, and it is lonely. I want to help people, be around people. Do something for the greater good." She told him and he understood.
"I have been accepted into the London School of Medimagic." She told him and he felt his eyes become wide.
"That school is famous." He told her and she blushed.
"Well, if I am going to do this. I might as well do it right." She shrugged her shoulders and Viktor chuckled, shaking his head.
"Do you think this is right for you?" He asked her and she felt her pride falter a little.
"Yes, I do." She told him, watching him nod.

She was gone too soon and Viktor wished he had been more excited about her decision. He sighed, placing his head in his hands. She was going to be away so often, for training, just when he thought he was going to get her back.

Hermione understood why Viktor was apprehensive. This was a big decision, and it seemed as if she had made it rather quickly. But, something within her knew that she had made the right decision.

She packed away her things for her final christmas in education. She couldn't shake this feeling of loss that weighed her down. She sighed, picking up her case and heading out to meet Chigvintsev.
"I vill meet you in a few days time." He told her. She was going straight to the Krum house. She had thought maybe she could meet Viktor for a day or two in Vratsa, but it seemed this was not the case.
"I will see you then." She told him, before embracing him tightly and boarding the train.

Viktor simply couldn't wait for Hermione to arrive. It had been a week or so since she had told him the news. He had let her new career path sink in and he was really pleased that she wanted to help others, he felt a pride like he had not before.

Hermione gazed out of the window on the train journey. She had not made Viktor anything. In fact, she had not made anyone anything. Her glass blowing time had been so taken up with orders that she had not had time to make anything for family, and she was sure by this point, that they were sick and tired of the same kind of gift.

There was no big reunion at the train station. Viktor took Hermione's bag and she kissed his cheek. It was sweet, comfortable, what would be expected of a couple who had been together for a while.

Hermione watched Viktor drive. She had never seen him do such a muggle thing before.
"I have missed you." She told him, looking down at her hands. He said nothing for a while, and when Hermione looked up at him, he was grinning.
"I haff been vaiting for you to say that." He told her. She chuckled and shook her head. He took her hand and placed it to his lips.
"I haff missed you also." He told her and she smiled at that knowledge.

Ada had missed Hermione and she swept her up in a large embrace.
"It is so good to see you!" She cried out. Hermione beamed as she was swung around in Ada's arms.
"Viktor came home especially to collect you." She told her and Hermione turned back to Viktor.
"You must go back. I will be here when you return." She smiled up at him and he placed a hand on her face, before apparating back to Vratsa.

Ada sat with Hermione in the living room. She could tell something was up.
"I just feel a bit empty." She told her and Ada nodded along, letting her finish.
"I love Viktor, but I cannot be his eternal plus one. I have to have my own life, my own purpose, away from him." She told Ada and she completely understood.
"I felt the same vay vhen I married Andon. I had a vonderful career trading art. But, once the children came along, I gave that all up. But I vill alvays be proud that I did it." She told Hermione.
"All I have ever known is education." She told Ada and she sympathised with the girl.
"The end of your education does not mean the end of your life, though." She told her.
"It feels a little like that." She told her and Ada took her hand, unsure of what else she could say.

Hermione began to stress about what to get everyone for Christmas. It was only a week away, and she had no idea. So, she apparated to speak to her Mum, before Viktor came home from training.
"Oh Hermione, you know I don't care about such things." She told her. Hermione smiled, but continued.
"It is not you so much, Mum, I knew you would understand. It is Viktor and his family. I do not know what to get them and I will seem rude if I don't get them anything." She sighed, placing her head in her hands.

Jane hated to see her daughter in so much stress. She had been so proud when she had heard that she was training to be a mediwitch, she knew that her daughter needed a vocation. She was glad that, for once, she could help her daughter.
"I have an idea that you just might like."

Hermione had never thought of taking Viktor into the muggle world. But it was part of who she was, so he should really see it before marrying her.
"Take him to a Rugby game, he will enjoy that. And, for Ada and Andon, why don't we pay for them to go to a nice restaurant in London, where they can dress up and be swanky." She suggested and Hermione thought that this was a great idea. So, they got online and order two tickets to watch England play Wales. Hermione offered two more tickets for her and Chigvintsev, but Jane declined them.
"No, this is a day for the two of you." She insisted.

Hermione felt more calm when she returned to the Krum house. She was looking forward to taking Viktor into the Muggle world and she felt far more calm about her future. All there was to focus on now was Christmas.