A Year Abroad (Hermione/Viktor)

Best Man

Hermione and Viktor stood in the little flat in north london. Viktor had never been in the city long enough to have an opinion of it. But after flat hunting for a week, he was finding it old and quaint in a way he had never expected. He knew that his mother was not happy with him agreeing to move to London to be with Hermione during her studies. But, he would have done anything to see the look on Hermione's face when those keys were dropped into her hand.

It had been two years since Hermione had lived in the UK and she could not have been happier to come back. She had taken Viktor to her favourite places. The tea shop that sold wizard tea, the bookshop that had first editions and even just the smell of london was making her happy.

Before, she had spent a lot of time in the muggle part of London, but the area that they had moved into was the wizarding part, so she could have all of the perks of London, whilst still being able to be the little witch she was.

Their first night in the flat, they had gone to the local market and bought fresh food and cooked a massive dinner. They ate and ate until they were so full that they collapsed on their new bed.
"Will you be okay apparating tomorrow?" She asked and he nodded.
"They have given me a pass." In order to apparate every day, Viktor had to get a pass from his work, so that he would not be charged.

Hermione awoke the next day to find Viktor gone. She smiled, glad that he had made it out in time. She didn't want his living in England to be the reason for him being late to work. She set up her glass blowing in the living room and set right to work. She had a long list of orders and she was determined to complete them in the two months that she had before starting her training.

However, this would have to wait somewhat, as Ada had put on her wedding planner hat and was determined to have Viktor and Hermione married by the time that she started her studies, which gave her a month or so.
"I don't vant you two to vorry about it. You have so much more to occupy your time. Let me sort it." She told Hermione and for once, Hermione was going to let Ada have her way. Because Hermione was not a massive fan of planning such things, and the less involvement she could have in the admin of it all, the better.

Viktor told the boys at the club how much he was enjoying London. They all thought he was mad, leaving Bulgaria for her. But some of them understood, saying that they wished they had a witch like Hermione. When Viktor apparated home, he stood and watched Hermione glassblow for a few minutes. He leant against the wall and watched as her hands moved over the glass. He smiled at her hair trying to break free from the scarf that held it.

Hermione chuckled and shook her head as she noticed Viktor watching her. She felt that things would be different this time, living together. He was already showing how selfless he was, by moving to England for her.
"How was work?" She asked him and he grimaced a little.
"It is too hot." He told her and she chuckled.
"You are a little stinky." She told him, teasing.
"Am I now?" He gave her a mischievous look and Hermione tried her best to run away, but she was no match for Viktor, who caught her and picked her up, swinging her around.
"Don't vant to be around me because I am stinky, huh?" He asked and she cried out, chuckling.
"No, you smelly smelly man!" She kissed him and he ripped off his shirt.
"Vant to help me smell better?" He asked her and not even Hermione could resist that invitation.

When they emerged from the shower, they were both hot, and a little tired. But they jumped, when they saw Ada sat at the table.
"Mother!" Viktor called out.
"Hello Viktor. I am here to discuss vedding matters." She told him and he nodded.
"One minute." He rushed Hermione into the bedroom, and they both giggled. He placed his Bulgaria jersey over her head and kissed her on the nose.
"Don't let her scare you. It vill be okay." He told her and she nodded.

Ada smiled, seeing Hermione in Viktor's jersey. It reminded her of when she and Andon had first been in love, before they got married. They sat down with a list and worked their way down it slowly but surely.
"Red flowers, please." Hermione pointed to the roses and Ada nodded.
"Will it be at the Krum house?" She asked and that took Ada back.
"Vould you like it to be?" She had expected her to want a big lavish venue. But then, this was Hermione.
"Yes, I think so. Don't you Viktor?" She called over to Viktor, who was reading on the sofa.
"Yes, I think that vould be lovely. Less press then." He nodded and Ada smiled.
"Vell, that makes my life a lot easier. Can ve have some press at the reception?" She asked and Hermione knew that it would not be wise to not allow the press in, so she nodded.
"Only for a little while, at the beginning, before the dancing and cake." She said and Ada thought that was a clever choice.
"They can get their photographs and leave."

The three ate dinner together and Ada asked who was going to give Hermione away.
"You vanted Chigvintsev, didn't you?" Viktor asked and Hermione wondered for a moment.
"I think I would like my mum." She said, and Viktor placed his hand over hers.
"That vould be lovely." He told her, placing a kiss against her hand.
"If you speak vith your mother, then ve can go shopping." Hermione nodded, scared of dress shopping with Ada.
"She vill have vhat she vants mother, not vhat you like." Viktor told his mother and she nodded.
"Understood."

Viktor and Hermione laid together that night.
"I can't believe this is actually happening. I am marrying Viktor Krum." She giggled. Viktor loved when she fangirled over him.
"I cannot believe I am marrying Her-mio-nee Granger." He told her, with the same level of awe and she pressed her forehead against his.
"I think I will ask Luna to be a bridesmaid." She told him and he nodded.
"I think that vill be nice. I vill ask my brother. You should have two bridesmaids, it is tradition." He told her and she nodded, wondering who she could ask. Viktor had a plan for another groomsman, a plan that he didn't tell Hermione about.

Viktor knocked at Seamus' door and was greeted by one of his brothers.
"Oh my god!" He said under his breath. Viktor smiled down at the young boy and asked for Seamus.
"SEAMUS, IT'S VIKTOR KRUM!" The boy screamed and Viktor chuckled, forgetting how famous he was.

Seamus was shocked to see Viktor, and took him down to the local pub.
"You want me to what?!" He asked, his mouth agape.
"I vant you to be my best man." He told him and Seamus felt he might shed a tear.
"You are like a brother to Hermione and you have been a great friend to me. It vould mean a lot." He explained and Seamus chuckled.
"Well I'm not gonna bloody say no, am I?!" He shook his head. "Of course I'll do it, with pride." He told him and Viktor Krum embraced him in a manly bear hug.
"Her-mio-knee cannot know. It is a surprise." Viktor told Seamus and he chuckled, nodding.
"Your secret is safe with me."

Hermione sat at lunch with Luna.
"It is so wonderful, you being back in London." She smiled.
"Luna, will you be my maid of honour?" She asked and Luna held a handkerchief up her to face.
"Really?" She asked, behind her tears.
"Yes Luna, you are my closest friend, and I want you there with me, on my special day." She told her and Luna nodded.
"Of course I will." She told her, before ordering another slice of cake.

Hermione had a little problem, past Luna, she didn't really have many female friends. She had Mcgonagall, but she doubted she would want to be a bridesmaid, so she asked Luna.
"Why don't you ask Fleur?" Luna suggested. This was a curve ball for Hermione.
"Fleur, really?" She asked and Luna nodded.
"Hermione, you saved her life in the tournament, that has to create a friendship between two people." She told her and Hermione wondered if she was right.
"I hear she is dating one of the Weasleys. I could get her info if you'd like to write to her?" Luna asked and Hermione thought it wasn't a bad idea.

After writing to Fleur, Hermione arranged for them to go to lunch. Hermione forgot how beautiful she was.
"I was so shocked when you wrote to me. But I was so happy to hear from you." Fleur smiled down at Hermione and she had to take a deep breath, for courage.
"Fleur, after last year, I have always thought of us as friends." She started. "Even though we don't write to each other, I think of you very fondly."
"And I you." Fleur responded and Hermione realised this was going to be a little easier than she thought.
"Fleur, I would like to ask you to be a bridesmaid, at my wedding." She told her and Fleur's face lit up.
"I am honoured!" She took her hand and Hermione smiled up at her.
"Is that a yes?" She asked and Fleur nodded.
"Yes, of course it is a yes!"

Hermione told Viktor that she had asked Fleur and he was happy she had.
"She is so nice, I think we will become close friends after this." She told Viktor and he placed a kiss to her head, glad that things were falling into place.
"Now I just have to ask my mum, and we will be sorted." She told him and he was counting down the days until they would be stood at the altar together, pronounced man and wife.