A/N: I've been excited to write this first scene for a while LOL I struggled on where to go with this chapter but I decided an in between chapter was needed because I can't take choking on cotton balls again. Sorry fluff lovers…..maybe next chapter I can force one down for you.
Some of you may not like where I decided to go with this story especially if you think it's moving too fast. It may be clique honestly…...but as everyone has tried reassuring me it's my fic.
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"I talked to Ron, you know," Harry told her as they walked along the edge of Hyde Park. He had chosen the location and she wasn't going to complain even though she had spent all Saturday outside walking. It was still nice to get some fresh air after everything.
Hermione had actually been surprised with Harry's owl waiting for her Sunday afternoon. She felt a little bad and wondered how long exactly the tawny owl had been sitting at her window sill waiting. His message had been short, but he seemed to really want to meet up as soon as he could. Being a bit tired and still riding the high of her trip to Bulgaria she had written a brief note to him before Viktor to let him know she could do Monday afternoon. She really just wanted to relax for the rest of the day Sunday and go over her feelings.
The letter to Viktor had also been short. Having just seen him and needing to reel it all in she just assured him she was home without any problems on her way back. Asking if he also was going to be spending the next day recovering from all their adventuring and if he had to go to quidditches all week. It had felt like natural conversation now versus the more formal approach of their previous letters.
Harry didn't know about her little trip to see Viktor and that was what she had really hoped to talk about. While Harry wasn't very good at the whole relationship thing he was still her closest friend and wanted to ask his opinion on the whole situation. He was a guy also after all and had seen the Bulgarian more in passing over the last few years than she had.
Regardless as a friend she was going to listen to whatever nonsense he could possibly bring up about the git. Ron of course was the absolute last thing she could want to talk about. It resulted in her pressing her lips into a thin line. "Really? That's lovely," Hermione replied vaguely.
"Yea it was actually," Harry chuckled seemingly amused. "He was pretty pissed he hasn't been able to get back in the flat, apparently there is a muggle coffee maker of his he wants?"
Hermione snorted offensively but kept walking. "First off we bought it together along with that bloody ice cream maker he was obsessed with. Secondly he can't have everything he wants. He can shove off and go buy his own."
Harry nodded in what appeared to be agreement and kicked a pebble in his way causing Hermione to roll her eyes at the unsure gesture. "I figured as much. Turned out he also got suspended for a month and has to redo part of his training before being cleared for field work again. Oh and Blaise got sacked too."
A surge of satisfaction shot through her from that information and she couldn't help taking a sharp deep breath. It felt amazing and like all kinds of wonderful tried very hard not to wish ill will on others, and despite her dislike for future predicting rubbish, but she still hoped when people did bad things it would come back and bite them in the arse. That they would get what they deserved in the end. Blaise's getting sacked and Ron learning to be appropriate in the workplace again did just that in her opinion.
"Figured you would like that bit," Harry smirked at her. "Turns out his mom is also ignoring him and his dad keeps giving him disappointed looks. All he kept doing was bitching about everything and figuring out how to get his own place. Apparently Blaise's flat is really small and he wants somewhere bigger."
Hermione huffed at that. She hardly cared about her ex moving in with his side thing. "Good for them then."
"I asked him why he did it, you know," Harry admitted and Hermione glared at him causing him to look away. Yet another thing she didn't care to know really. Maybe she had wanted to but now it meant nothing to her. Still Harry continued. "You know what he did? He shrugged and said you were a controlling bore who only got off on being a workaholic know it all. Then laughed calling you a dried up old prune and it was one of the few times Professor Trewlawny was right in her embarrassing career."
Hermione clenched her teeth incredibly hard. The urge to go to the redhead so she could yell and hex his bollocks off was strong hearing the words. It was an odd mixture of anger and hurt.
"Then I punched him in the nose," Harry added quickly while watching a passing car.
Stopping in her tracks Hermione gasped, bringing a hand to her chest in surprise. "You did not!"
"Sure as hell did," Harry stated proudly turning around to face her. "You think I'd allow him to say shite about you like that?" he gestured with an amount of anger that she wasn't expecting. "After all these years? While he is supposed to be a friend? Instead he wants to go off sleeping with some…...He isn't my friend and frankly he hasn't been for a long time now. He deserved it!"
Hermione raised an eyebrow at him. "It didn't just do it for me though did you?"
This time it was Harry's turn to huff. "Mostly it was…." he grumbled. "Insulting you was just the last straw."
A small smile formed and Hermione walked up to him and gave him a hug. Resting her head on his shoulder briefly. "I love you Harry," she made sure he knew.
Harry's chest rose with relief like he thought she was going to shout at him for being reckless. "Love you too Hermione," he said in return kissing the top of her bushy hair lightly in a caring gesture.
She pulled back and took a step away feeling like it was time to admit it. "I went to Bulgaria Saturday…..I guess we are both taking big risks. Punching old friends in the face and random trips out of the country. Look at us," she laughed goofily.
"You went to Bulgaria?" Harry asked like he hadn't heard her correctly.
Hermione blushed and bit her lip. "Er yes. Yes I did." She said trying to appear as if it was no big deal. "I actually went to see Viktor."
"Viktor?" he repeated dumbly.
"Yes Harry," she said with a little annoyance. "Viktor. Why else would I go to Bulgaria at random on a Saturday?"
Harry made a confused face. "How am I supposed to know? I'm not keeping track of every bloody thing you do or why. Hell knowing you, you went off to find some odd plant to poison Ron with."
"Like I'd hardly need to leave the country to find that. Honestly Harry," she chastised him as she started walking again. It was a few seconds before she heard Harry jogging up behind her to catch up. Hermione thought perhaps he needed that little extra bit to properly process the information.
"Did this start at the quidditch cup?" he asked curiously.
To her that was a question she was still debating herself. "Yes….and no I suppose. We of course ran into each other at the cup and then Ron was a total arse to him. I owled him an apology and we exchanged a few more before I decided to go visit him. He showed me around the wizarding district and all that before grabbing a bite to eat."
Purposely Hermione left out the butterfly garden and time in the hotel room. While the latter obviously had no need to be discussed, the garden for some reason felt personal also. Maybe it was the excitement and beauty of it. Viktor finally really talked and his smile. Walking hand in hand through the flowers and bushes.
"Are you going to again?" Harry asked.
"I'm not sure…." she trailed off. "When we were young I fancied him but we were kids and you know, war and Ron and all we never pursued anything. It just wasn't meant to happen then. Now I wonder though."
The silence except for the motor engines of the continual stream of muggle cars that occupied London was uncomfortable. Shouldn't Harry have been saying something? Anything? About how it was a bad idea and all that kind of stuff?
Finally she exhaled in frustration. "Is it wrong for me to be feeling anything so soon Harry?" she blurted out. "Everyone will think it is. I almost think it is. I mean honestly I just broke up with my fiance and friend of years only a couple of weeks ago. Could he even really like me that way after all this? Is what I'm feeling nothing more than a rebound? It doesn't feel that way. He is kind, sweet, gentle, much more interesting than I had expected. Not to mention he is incredibly handsome I have to admit. Still I don't know if I should be going with it or hesitating or…."
"Hermione," Harry interrupted her a little loudly. "Quit over thinking it yea? You can have feelings for Viktor already. So what? I mean he isn't a complete stranger or something and he is a pretty cool bloke. Plus you got a point about being handsome after all he is quite..." Harry trailed off and cleared his throat.
"I just don't know much more about all this," Hermione sighed.
Harry looked at her funny with wrinkled brows. "Uhhh….and you think I do?"
"Obviously," she said playfully nudging him with a shoulder. "You're the one secretly dating behind everyone's backs. So apparently you know something about it."
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Hermione smiled hearing the tapping against her window. She had been waiting and hoping his letter would come soon. Eagerly she hopped up from her spot on the sofa where she had been curled up enjoying one of her new books from Bulgaria discussing the development of their ministry and magical society. Including holidays, traditions, and famous witches or wizards throughout the years. It was proving quite the read with some of the more intriguing new information she had read in some time. There were only so many books she could in Flourish and Blotts after all, and although she read in the muggle world she didn't go as in depth as she did with wizarding books. Mostly she enjoyed their fiction while keeping up today with their medical text.
Taking a new seat at her dining table she offered Warren a small treat untying the parchment from his leg. Surely the bird was getting tired of their correspondence cross country by now and she wondered if it was possible to get an international floo connection approved. It would make communication a lot more easy, but floo connection was also quite a personal step. You didn't just allow anyone to floo into your house. Sure you could lock it but there was still an amount of personal trust about it. Only Harry's, Isla's, previously the Weasleys, and her boss's office were allowed to floo her.
Stroking Warren's feathers she debated the situation and he hooed softly in appreciation. She missed Crookshanks but there was such something special about an owl. It hadn't been something she had needed in school having muggle parents. Maybe in the future she would look into getting another cat.
Putting the thought aside, Hermione opened Viktors letter. She was disappointed though to see there wasn't much of a response. Granted her's had been short also, for some reason she had hoped for more.
Dear Hermione,
I am happy to know you made it home without issues. How much longer until you return to work? I'm sure you must be missing it by this point. I also enjoyed our time together and it does make me curious to venture out more. I admit I haven't explored as much as I once did and it has been a long time since I have seen things I once have. I thank you for that desire again. I'm sure England is beautiful across the country as well but my home is something special to me. Not many come here leaving it a mystery.
Relax as you say and rest the time you have left. I know you work too hard without having to say it. Do something for you Hermione.
-Viktor K
Hermione decided to walk over to her new desk instead of summoning her supplies while she thought. The letter left her feeling like she had a million things to say to the Bulgarian. The idea of doing something for herself like he suggested was absurd. That was what her reading was for wasn't it?
Tucking her right leg under her bum she sat on the chair at her desk. Apparently Viktor made her ansty and sitting still seemed impossible. Reaching for her favorite peacock quill she didn't have to think all that much about what she wanted to say. Words just began tumbling out of her as if he was there with her. Embarrassingly she wished he was.
Dear Viktor,
Is it wrong to say I miss you already? It is quite dreadful here I must say. I spent the afternoon with Harry the other day and he made sure to fill me in on all of Ronald's news. I am quite pleased to say he is having to redo all his work training and the woman he has been sleeping with got sacked. The best part I admit is apparently he was insulting me….and Harry punched him in the nose! I couldn't believe it!
I still have about a week and half until I return to work. Thursday after tomorrow. I most assuringly am not looking forward to it. Actually not a bit if I am honest. For more reasons than just Ron and it has me questioning many things. I'm not even sure I want to work at the Ministry anymore. I have been dissatisfied with my job a long time now. We aren't making progress and I don't just want to be some desk worker. I want to make a difference.
How is quidditch going? I assume after such a long break before the cup your team is really working hard for the upcoming season no? At least to stay in shape. Not that you need it I assure you, but I can't speak for the rest of your team of course.
Have you been working on any new projects? I still find your woodworking hobby to be fascinating. I hadn't expected you to have such a hobby but it sounds interesting the more I think about it. Perhaps I will go see if I can find something on the subject. Maybe a hobby is something I need as well. I don't think volunteering counts does it?
Apologies for the long letter. I didn't realize how lengthy it was getting until just now. If you find time I hope you may write to me in return and you are doing well in the time it takes to receive this letter.
Yours truly,
-Hermione G
Biting her lip, Hermione debated if it was too much and if she should start over. It did feel like a lot but at the same time it didn't. It felt like natural conversation. Harry himself had practically encouraged her to go with what she wanted and Viktor had also said to relax. To do something for herself. Maybe actually enjoying talking to someone beside Harry and Isla was what she wanted and had been needing. What did she truly have to lose by pursuing the man? Friendship maybe?
Perhaps taking risks was something else she needed to do more of in life. Breaking up with Ron years ago had been something she should have taken the risk with. Telling the Ministry to stuff it was something else she should have done. Harry had always been the one throwing them into risky situations where she caught them and tried her best to adjust to the situation. Who said she couldn't do both for once?
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For once Hermione couldn't exactly focus on the task at hand despite the subject. Everytime she tried to make a note for the lesson plan her hand would slow it's movement and she would be stuck pondering possibilities staring at the parchment. Possibilities for nearly everything, just like she had been doing for the last two days. Viktor's and Harry's words were bothering her and she couldn't shake them but she also couldn't decide what to do.
No doubt she had ideas of what she could do to change things in her life, and to do things for herself. Actually doing them though was an entirely different situation. There was enough gold in her vault to not pose an issue to a certain leave of undecided absence, but without work or purpose what was her life? She had Warren and Harry outside of those two things. That fact made her stomach hurt with longing for her parents.
"Soooo how was your little trip?" Isla's voice sounded, a bit suggestively in her tone without looking up from her the thick book she had her own nose in. They hadn't spoken much aside from the fact she was stopping in for the day to help so she could be of use versus just sitting at home.
Hermione scratched at her parchment like Ron and Harry used to do in classes as a distraction. Trying not to get lost in thought of the Bulgarian, his words, and life in general yet again. When she had sent Isla a letter informing her she wouldn't be in on Sunday because she was going to Bulgaria to see a friend. The witch didn't need to know all the details.
"It was nice to get away," she gave blandly in response hoping the conversation wouldn't go anywhere. While she didn't enjoy the silence she wasn't feeling up for lengthy discussion she knew would ensue from engaging with the witch.
Isla shook her head in disapproval but continued writing. "Well of course it was nice. Isn't it always?" the blonde witch chuckled. "No. What I mean is why are you so quiet? Normally you are chatting away. All those lovely ideas, plans, theories, facts and what not."
With a frustrated groan Hermione dropped her quill down and let her head fall into her hands, finally giving into her misery. "I had a bloody brilliant time with him. I hardly wanted to come back at all," she mumbled as if it was the worst thing in the world and she didn't have to lift her head back up to know her friend was looking at her curiously. Probably with a raised eyebrow.
"Okayyyyy," Isla dragged out. "...why do you say that like someone dropped butchered flobberworm chunks in your cauldron then?"
Hermione banged her head against her hands lightly hoping answers would come to her. "I just don't know what to do Isla. Nothing has turned out the way I thought it would," she began complaining. "I'm not where I thought I would be in life. I feel like I'm no closer to making a decision about anything. It's not like I can predict the bloody outcome of each decision..."
"To bad you aren't a seer," Isla snorted before quickly covering her mouth to hide a smile as Hermione's head snapped up to glare at the witch. She knew very well her stance on future telling, but it was an area that the woman herself found fascinating. A subject they had agreed to disagree on. They did however agree that the basic concept should be covered in the school. It was a topic almost every muggleborn would be aware of and surely ask questions about.
The broad smile on Isla's face faded quickly enough and the witch took on more of a tired expression at her seriousness. "Hermione, you can try and calculate the most likely plausible outcome for each scenario for weeks, but there will always be scenarios you haven't taken into consideration because you don't know about them. The possibilities are endless. Honestly Hermione. Life is fluid. Ever changing and moving. It's unpredictable and that is the one thing you can count on. Really you just need to decide what you want at the moment. Like really really want. Not involving anyone elses desires than yours," the witch made sure to point out with a stern look. "None of that other rubbish that goes on in your head. Tune it out. Live and have fun."
The room lapsed into silence and Hermione pressed her lips together tightly. She did not enjoy the one being lectured. It was always her job to do the lecturing. It bothered her more because she knew the woman was right. Life was always changing and new things were always presenting themselves but it didn't mean she couldn't try and figure out the absolute best course of action for a stable future of progress. For both herself and others. How was trying to achieve that a bad thing?
Isla broke the stare of and silence after hardly a minute. "Did you think at all about my offer?"
Exhaling heavily Hermione gave up the mental fight that was tensing her shoulders and confessed. "I have…...Viktor may have mentioned some things along the same lines." Everyone saying the same thing to her was another unpleasant feeling next to being lectured.
"The Bulgarian?" Isla inquired and Hermione nodded. "Really? Hmm I approve of him then," the witch smiled softly.
"You don't even know him and he doesn't need approval, we aren't dating or…" Hermione started defending before she was cut off.
"Yet," the other witch interrupted.
Hermione scoffed and rolled her eyes. Her involvement with Viktor was probably the top thing on her mind next to her job and she didn't want to think about what could or may not come of it. "Anyways…"
"You know maybe this Viktor is the little change you need in your life," Isla said thoughtfully tapping the feather of her quill against her chin. "You never do anything else other than work, whether it be at the Ministry or here. You were nothing but miserable and depressed with Ron. You didn't actually have fun or enjoy anything…."
"Okay okay," Hermione snapped. "I get it I'm a bore!"
Isla pursed her lips together with a frown. "I think not. I just think you need people to get you out of your comfort zone is all. Something or someone to light some fire in your life."
Hermione went to speak but the witch cut her off with a wave of her finger. "No no no. Harry doesn't count. He is very much your comfort zone. He is your best friend and is busy in his own life you know. Being a famous quidditch star, running from the press, and having well….a life. You have to do things just for yourself on your own and with other people sometimes."
Narrowing her eyes at the witch Hermione crossed her arms with a pout. Leaning back in her chair with a huff. Now it felt like she was being scolded for her general behavior. Isla was proving a good friend, but she also was incredibly blunt with a low tolerance for excuses and bullshit. Something she both admired and in the moment was cursing.
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Dear Hermione,
I'm very glad you have such a friend as Harry. He is a good man. I fear you may not have as many as you should. Do you have others for you? I've not recalled anyone besides Harry and Ron. Perhaps the rest of the redheads? There were many besides Fleur's husband. I will believe they are his family. Tis the only way so many would gather at once.
My family could never be around each other so much. We are not large as them but they can be difficult. Strong personalities. Growing up in fame though I've learned to hold myself more proper although they do get to me now and again. I fear you may chaste me for the times I've attacked the poor land or my house in anger. If you were ever to meet them perhaps you would understand.
I must admit it is flattering to say you miss me so soon. It would be wrong of me to not admit the same. Having you around was refreshing and things have felt different in a good way since. Perhaps in the future you may wish to visit again.
Yours truly,
-Viktor K.
Hermione felt a rush of excitement reading his signature and she gripped his letter tighter between her fingers. Had she signed yours truly also without realizing it? Seeing Viktor use the words seemed incredibly personal and it caused her heart to flutter. From two simple words. She took a deep breath to calm her mind. There was no sense reading into such things. They were just words after all. He may have only used it because she may have. It would be impossible to know at the moment.
It was the perfect thing she had needed after a dreadful but not so dreadful day with Isla. She had gone there for a form of release, or security and establishment. Familiarity and structure. That had failed on every point greatly. If anything it left her more unhinged and stubbornly focused on not being too focused as she had arrived home. Mildly irritated knowing the psychology behind it.
With that mentality and determination to not let any overthinking happen she hurried to sit down and just start writing as it came to her.
Dear Viktor,
I'm sorry to hear your family can be difficult. I can't say the Weasley's, yes all the other redheads that is Ron's family, are difficult but they can be a bit overwhelming. Usually in the cheerful way though. Strong personalities as well but in a happier you are one of the family way. You get use to it quickly enough though but privacy can be hard to find with so many. There are 8 total now, but before there were 9. One brother was lost to them in the war. I miss him at times. He was one that always managed to make me smile. A complete jokester with no sense of boundaries. Maybe I will introduce you to his twin sometime. While Ronald is a complete arse, along with perhaps Percy, George isn't.
I do miss my own family at times still. During the war I wiped my parents memories of me in fear of their lives and sent them to Australia to be safe. What was safer than no connection to me and all the way on the other side of the world? Much to my foolishness I was unable to restore their memories. Obliviation isn't a spell to be messed around with and the longer it is in place the harder it is to remove. The spell was in place over a year. It was my mistake but I have come to grips with it at least. I go to check on them from time to time just to make sure they are in good health and happy. That brings me the peace I need now. It however doesn't stop me from missing my family.
Cheerier topic. Have you ever been to other countries such as Australia? I don't doubt you have been across most of Europe. I can't help but wonder if you wouldn't enjoy another trip to London? You mentioned not having visited Diagon Alley while we were together and it seems only right I show you more of my country. Im sure there is plenty more you could show me of Bulgaria as well. I of course would love to see it another time but as I return to work in only a few days I'm afraid there is no time at the moment. Granted I may be making some big work changes soon. We will see how it goes. My friend Isla, who runs the muggleborn school starting up that I volunteer at, has been encouraging me in things that are riskier. I think it may be time for such change. Everyone seems to be in agreement on the subject of me without having spoken to each other about it. I think that says something honestly. Risk has never been my specialty but I'm almost ready to jump off the edge and go with the wind. Perhaps that is what flying is like. Harry has always talked of the adrenaline rush of almost getting hit with a bludger or falling off trying to lean too far catching the snitch.
I admit I do wonder if Warren is getting tired of such constant long distance flying while we are on the subject. I know owls can fly great distances and it is healthy for them but I worry. Do you think it is possible for us to set up an international floo connection? I know it is pricey and a big step but…..I don't know. I know it may be too personal for you. There are homemade port keys of course but I'm not sure I would want to risk ending up in the Baltic Sea. What do you think? I apologize if you think it is too bold of a suggestion.
Your's truly,
-Hermione G.
Forcing herself not to read through the parchment again she grabbed an owl treat off the counter and called Warren from his perch. Tying yet another letter to him as he ate it. Part of her was starting to feel really guilty for all his hard work and flying. Perhaps she would get him something nice and feed him an extra one of those dreadful mice upon his return.
"I promise only another time or two and I will cut back okay boy?" Hermione told the owl tenderly petting his head. Even if Viktor didn't want to establish a more convenient form of communication she would ease up on the frequency of her letters. No matter what that meant for her connection to the Bulgarian.
She scrunched up her nose in focus trying not to think of anything else. The worries or possibilities as she gently encouraged him off the balcony of her flat. . As Isla had told her before she had gone home, she just needed to go with the flow. Still…..her natural instincts were telling her to turn and fight against the tide.
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Standing looking out through the stone arched window of his house in Bulgaria Viktor couldn't decide his facial expression. The sight was beautiful and was part of the reason he had chosen it. He was able to see out high over the distant mountains of the country and it was peacefully secluded.
As the bird faded away into the sky he tried to think as his feelings became more mixed. In all honesty he hasn't expected Hermione to keep contacting him once arriving back in England. Going back to her normal life. She was dealing with a lot but her letters were seeming to get more personal. Full of emotion and big decisions.
There wasn't anything in him that wished to hurt the British witch, and he really did care for her. It was why he would respond and listen to her despite any latent concerns. She was beautiful. Fascinating. Fiery and passionate. A leader who didn't follow the crowd. All things he found attractive within a woman and he couldn't resist it. He had felt such inclinations when they had met at Hogwarts and it was why he had been drawn to her.
Letting out a sigh he dragged his fingers under his strong nose and gripped his chin. Really there were three options for him to consider. He could not allow what was clearly a relationship trying to develop by cutting off contact. There was the option to just go along for the ride and enjoy what would be a short bit of fun while it lasted. Much like the mentality that had led to the night at the quidditch world cup. Or he could pursue an actual serious relationship.
He wasn't sure Hermione was wanting anything serious and frankly he wasn't sure it was wise for him to either. Resting his elbows on the window seal stone Viktor ran his fingers through his dark hair. Trying to decide what to do and where he was going with the whole situation.
"Vhat do you think my darling?" he asked aloud looking back over his shoulder to his oversized bed. "Should I go to her?".
A/N: Hermione wanted to be a whiny little overthinking bitch in this one for me. She is gonna pay for that in the next 2 chapters. Remember. Fast fast fast fast. Big big big. Change is in the future. It is my prize for the next cotton ball I'm gonna swallow for you.