The Prophecy - Chapters: 2,3,4

[czarownica_asia]

Someone has commented that I haven't posted the rest of the chapters in this community, I apologize I did post them in viktorhermione. Hope you will read these ones then. Thank you for reminding me DARIA! :)


Thank you to all who read and reviewed! Your kind words mean a lot to me! Once again thank you to my wonderful beta turtlestar I am most grateful! Hope you enjoy this next chapter... please read and review. I have another chapter waiting, so if I get nice reviews I will post right away :) thanks

Title: The Prophecy - Chapter 2
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance,Drama
Main Characters: Hermione, Viktor
Summary:Hermione learns about the prophecy,third task and Viktor is going home...(sorry not much of a summary just have to read on...
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Harry Potter

CHAPTER TWO - Journey home.

Viktor turned around and there she was, still wet, with hair sticking to her cheeks. She was a bit flushed, and she looked like she had been crying.

"Viktor," she said again, not wanting to move from the doorway. She didn’t know if he wanted to see her; he had walked away so abruptly, without saying anything, and she didn’t know what she had done wrong. All she knew was that she felt hurt.

"Come inside and close the door," he said a bit roughly, scowling like he usually did towards perfect strangers. But she wasn’t a stranger. Hermione didn’t like the expression on his face; she though that it made him look mean. She slowly closed the door and moved towards his bed, plopping wetly on its edge.

She looked at him again, and noticed that he wasn’t looking back. Instead, he shuffled a chair around and sat by the table, glaring at it. Finally he spoke, breaking the uncomfortable silence between them.

"Hermione, I vont to be honest with you like you are honest with me. Vot happened at the platform after the task made me...upset. I vos jealous because I thought that you cared more for Potter than me. But I vos also feeling ashamed for my selfishness. I know he is your friend, and you should be at his side as vell. I am sorry to haff to put you through this, for making it a choice between the two of us," he said, now looking at her curiously and restraining the urge to run to her side. The only way that he could keep himself in check was to feign being calm and collected, even though his stomach was churning and he felt nauseous.

"Viktor, I'm sorry that I upset you. I was so worried about Harry that I got carried away, and didn’t even properly thank you for...everything. You were not selfish, you were hurt. I can forgive you, if you’ll forgive me. Next time, though, let's not walk away from each other like that. It will save us this...this moment right now."

Viktor stood up and kneeled in front of her, cupping her face with his hands. Brushing her wet hair away from her pale features, he leaned in and kissed her gently. She smiled into his lips even as she shivered from the cold. It was a much-needed improvement in the situation. He pulled away slowly, a twinkle in his eyes.

"Hermione, you are a smart vitch; haff my good looks made you forget to dry yourself before you catch cold?"

Hermione laughed and performed a drying spell. Viktor changed into fresh robes while Hermione respectfully looked away, hiding a blush. He held out his hand to her, and she took it gratefully.

They walked back slowly through the grounds of the castle towards the Great Hall.

Karkaroff stood by the window of his cabin, staring out towards the grounds. His eyes narrowed as he noticed a familiar slouched figure walking beside a smaller, more feminine one towards the castle.

"This has to stop," he said under his breath. "I will not allow that mudblood wretch to ruin my plan for our champion."

Alexei was on his way to the kitchen when he heard his headmaster’s mutterings. While not unusual, the venom with which he spoke froze Alexei in place, and his blood ran cold when he understood the meaning of Karkaroff’s whispered curses. As quickly and quietly as possible, he continued walking off the ship, praying that he would go unnoticed. He wanted to find Viktor and warn him immediately.

As soon as he was out of sight of the ship, Alexei ran the rest of the way to the school. He frantically searched the sea of faces in the Great Hall, trying to find someone who could tell him where Viktor might be. He noticed a red-haired boy that he had seen with Hermione before.

"Haff you seen Viktor? It is urgent that I speak vith him," he said, trying to regain his breath.

Ron looked at him incredulously, more than a little annoyed. Why was someone from Durmstrang talking to him? He didn’t care where Krum was. Looking at Alexei’s flushed face, though...he decided to help him, anyway. If Krum was in trouble, he wanted to know why.

"Well, they might be in the common room. Come along, then," Ron said lazily, and without looking to see if Alexei was following, he headed towards the Gryffindor tower.

They found Harry, but there was no sign of either Hermione or Viktor.

"Maybe they’re in the library. It's down the hall and to the right," Ron explained in response to his questioning expression, and left him to wander the hallways alone. Luckily, Alexei encountered the object of his search as he was leaving the library with Hermione. Viktor noticed him right away; he muttered a few words to his companion, and she nodded and headed back into the library, shooting Alexei a puzzled glance. Viktor strode purposefully to meet his friend, his expression dark.

"What has happened?" Viktor asked in Bulgarian, obviously displeased at the interruption. Alexei could tell by his posture that he was trying to get rid of him as quickly as possible.

"I apologize Viktor, but I thought that you would want to hear this. It's Karkaroff."

Viktor had the good grace to look worried, though his voice did not betray it.

"What does that man want now?" he growled, not bothering to hide his scowl.

"Well, I was walking by his cabin and his door was open..."

"You mean you were eavesdropping, Alexei."

"No, I was not. At least, not this time. Anyway, I overheard him saying something. He was looking out his window towards the castle. He must have seen you with your...friend. He said..." Alexei stopped and looked at Viktor, who was anticipating his next words with barely concealed annoyance.

"What did he say Alexei? Just tell me," Viktor said, biting his lip in agitation. He thought of how Hermione used to do that when he came to the library and watch her study, and he smiled to himself at the memory. Alexei’s next words brought him back to reality with a snap.

"He said that he 'would not allow some...'” Alexei lowered his voice to barely a whisper, “'...mudblood wretch ruin his plan for our champion,’ and that it had to stop." Alexei did not look at Viktor as he said this.

Viktor’s entire body was thrumming with tension, his face was red with anger, and he swore under his breath.

"That bastard."

He fought with himself for a moment before regaining control of his emotions, and he turned to Alexei with a deceptively neutral expression. “I appreciate your telling me this. I see that I shall need to deal with him sooner then I had anticipated."

Hermione stood by window, trying hard to understand what was being said. Unfortunately, all she heard was some mumbling, and most of it didn’t even seem to be in English.

A moment later, Viktor walked up to her and smiled.

“What’s the matter Viktor? Is your friend ok? Did something happen at the ship?" she asked worriedly. His expression didn’t falter even as the lie escaped his lips.

"Everything is fine. He just vonted to tell me that Karkaroff vos angry about the second task, and varned me that he is in a bad mood, and to stay avay from him for avhile."

The days were leading dreadfully to the third task and the last day of school. Both Hermione and Viktor were becoming anxious and distant towards each other. Neither of them wanted to leave, and they tried to ignore the inevitable by interacting with each other in tones of exaggerated politeness.

As much as Viktor wanted the tournament to be over, he didn’t want to go back to Bulgaria. He didn’t know what would happen between him and Hermione. All he knew was that he had fallen deeply in love with her. It had nothing to do with his great grandmother’s predictions, though her words were never far from his mind. He knew that what they had was meant to be.

Finally, the day of the third and final task arrived. Viktor rushed with the rest of the Durmstrang students to the Great Hall for breakfast. As he walked through the door, he looked at the Gryffindor table and noticed Hermione and her friends sitting there. She noticed him as well, and waved shyly. He inclined his head in response as he trailed after Alexei to the Slytherin table.

After their meal, Hermione stayed behind, hoping that Viktor would notice and do the same. He did, and he approached her table with as big of a smile as she had ever seen him have in mixed company. He sat next to her and took her hand under the table.

Hermione was nearly vibrating with concern. She leaned in and whispered harshly to him, “Be careful today, Viktor. I really worry about this task being the most challenging. I know that you’re capable of dealing with whatever it will be, but I just have this sick feeling in my stomach. Please promise me that you’ll try to stay safe."

Viktor squeezed her hand gently.

“I vill be fine, Hermione, as long as you cheer for me too, and not just Harry," he responded. He was rewarded with a tight smile.

“Viktor! Do you want us to add your name to the roster? You’ve got pretty good odds for the task today," Fred interrupted loudly. And quite rudely, Hermione thought. She scowled at him.

“I do not think that anyone at Hogvarts vill vant to bet on me, unless it is for me to lose," he answered. It was one of those brief flashes of humor that always left Hermione surprised.

“Don’t worry, mate! You have better chances then Fleur does in our books," responded George.

Viktor gave Hermione a bemused look. He was obviously taken aback by their brazenness. She responded with an expression that was half amused, half apologetic.

"You have take them with a grain of salt."

George swept Hermione an elaborate bow.

"Thank you for the complement, Cinderella. Your humble servants won't forget it!"

Hermione laughed, and Viktor let loose something that sounded suspiciously like a snort.

After breakfast the champions were advised to meet at the grounds for the third and final task. Before leaving, Hermione hugged Harry and wished him luck. Viktor looked on with a smile.

She turned to him and, without meeting his eyes, leaned in and kissed his cheek as quickly as she could. Then she whispered two words in his ear that made his cheeks flush and his stomach turn upside-down.

How had she learned how to say that?

Alexei was doing his best to suppress a smirk, and he was also trying hard not to look at Viktor, even though he knew the expression on his face must be priceless. He did not want to give away that he knew exactly what Hermione had said; after all, he was the one who had taught her.

Hermione left with the rest of the students, who were now making their way towards grounds to watch the last task. She turned around one last time to see Viktor still blushing and shaking his head in disbelief.

'Obicham te,' she had said. That meant 'I love you' in Bulgarian. Viktor was stunned. His shock was so great that he had been unable to say it back, even though he had wanted to. Oh god, how he wanted to. His heart beat faster. She loved him, she actually loved him...

"This is the third and final task," Dumbledore proclaimed. "Champions, gather around quickly."

Dumbledore explained the purpose of the task, while warning them that the maze had a way of changing people. Viktor saw Karkaroff smirk at that remark, but he didn’t know what to make of it.

He would find out all too soon.

Each of them stood at their own entrance to the maze. Karkaroff walked up to Viktor and positioned himself directly in front of him, effectively blocking him from the crowd’s view. He spoke rapidly in Bulgarian, "You have disappointed me so far, Viktor. You shall not disappoint me now! I have made you who you are, and I can destroy you just as easily. Now you will do as I say."

And to Viktor’s shock and disbelief, his headmaster took out his wand, pointed it at Viktor, and hissed “Imperio!” With all the noises and cheering going on behind them, no one heard a thing.

Viktor felt cold shivers race down his spine. His stomach clenched, his mind was filled with fog, and his vision was blurred for a moment. Then a cold voice spoke inside his head: 'Make sure all the others are taken care of. Harry Potter must touch the Goblet of Fire!'

Viktor moved robotically towards the center of the maze, his only objective to find the other champions. He encountered Fleur first. Before she could comprehend what was happening, Viktor shouted and raised his wand; green sparks flew out of it and his head was filled with maniacal laughter. The rest he couldn’t remember...

His head throbbed; the pain was nearly unbearable. He opened his eyes, but he couldn’t bring himself to focus them. Was this a dream? A horrible nightmare? Everyone around him was screaming and he couldn’t understand a word they were saying. Alexei was by his side, shaking him violently. Viktor wanted to tell him to stop, that he was making his head hurt, but his tongue felt swollen and painful.

Viktor vaguely recognized Dumbledore's voice over a heart-shattering cry. He searched for the source of that horrible sound, and saw a man kneeling on the ground nearby. He was holding a limp body to his chest and sobbing uncontrollably. Viktor was certain that he had never heard a sound like that issued from any human throat. He could not comprehend who this person was or what was causing him such agony.

Then he saw the blurry outline of Harry Potter, who was hunched over with his face in his hands, screaming, “He asked me to bring his body back! Cedric asked me to bring his body back to his father!"

Viktor felt cold shivers wrack his body. Wake up, Viktor! This is all a dream, a nightmare, this is...but he realized with dawning horror that this was not a dream; it was his worst nightmare, made real.

Harry was taken away by Mad Eye Moody. Viktor struggled to sit up, but found himself unable to do so. Alexei was speaking to him, trying to convince him to remain lying down. Where was Karkaroff? More importantly, where was Hermione?

Viktor tried to remember what had happened at the beginning of the task. As the fog in his head cleared, it all came to him in a rush; his headmaster had cursed him, Viktor had attacked... he had harmed someone. Did he kill Cedric? And what about Fleur? The last thing he remembered was watching her fall to the ground amid a shower of green sparks.

The rest was a blur.

He tried to speak, but no sound escaped his mouth. What was happening to him, what was happening around him...? Dumbledore kneeled by his side and placed a hand on his forehead. He muttered some words that Viktor did not understand, but before he could do anything, an indescribable warmth washed over his entire body. He felt immense goodness and love filling every part of his spirit, and finally he was able to speak.

“Professor Dumbledore!" he exclaimed, "I am sorry, so sorry! I did not mean any of this to happen! But his voice vos in my head telling me..."

"I know, Viktor. Now try to rest. There will be a time when you will need to tell your story, but it is not now. When you feel you are able to, go back to the school and to my office. I believe your friend here and Miss Granger can escort you."

"Hermione..." Viktor uttered finally. Seeing her face appear before him filled him with a profound sense of relief.

"Viktor, don’t speak," she soothed. She looked terrified. Her eyes were red, and she was obviously crying.

“Is Harry alright?" Viktor muttered.

"I think so. Mad-Eye took him back to school. But Cedric...oh Viktor, Cedric is dead! And You-know-Who..." she stopped herself, not certain that he would be able to take the news in his current state.

“Alexei, help me pick him up. We need to get him back to the school."

With a little bit of wrangling, they were able to hoist him up between them. Alexei took the bulk of his weight, and Hermione whispered soothing words into his ear as they made their way slowly back towards the castle.

The entire school was buzzing with excitement and fear. Several older students were leaving for home already, though most assembled in their common rooms with their head professors.

By the time they reached Dumbledore’s office, Viktor was in a somewhat more coherent state. His head was still hurting him, but he could recall most of things that had happened. He felt certain that he could at least give Dumbledore his side of the story.

“Come in Viktor, and have a seat." The Headmaster was pacing around his office.

Viktor did as he was told, but he couldn’t bring himself to look Dumbledore in the eyes. He was so ashamed of what had happened, of how helpless he felt. What would the consequences of his actions be? He was responsible for what happened, he had no doubts about that...

His thoughts were interrupted by Dumbledore, who now was closing the door behind Hermione and Alexei. He almost protested. He desperately wanted Hermione near him. It would be so much easier to explain what had happened, or to get some sense about what had happened, with her there.

Dumbledore sighed heavily as he slowly sank into the chair behind his desk. He regarded Viktor for a moment, and then spoke.

“Viktor, I want you to tell me absolutely everything that you remember. It is important that you tell me all of it; even the things that you think mean nothing. I need to know every detail."

With great difficulty, Viktor stood up and walked up to the windowsill. He didn’t want to look at Dumbledore when he told him what happened. And so he began. It was halting, and some parts were a complete blur, but Dumbledore did not interject or ask any questions. He simply let Viktor tell his story.

He didn’t know how much time had passed before he finally finished. He turned around to see if Dumbledore was still listening. The wizened features were creased in concentration, and he looked at Viktor with an indecipherable expression. Viktor’s stomach clenched in fear.

"Professor, I didn’t mean...I could not..."

Dumbledore’s face softened. "Viktor, your headmaster put you under the Imperius curse. You were just as much a victim as Harry and Fleur and Cedric. However, it is imperative that you know that what happened to Cedric was not your doing. It was Voldemort’s."

Viktor stood there paralyzed. Did he just say...You-Know-Who? But that couldn’t be true, wouldn't that mean...

“Yes, Viktor. Lord Voldemort has returned."

His worst fears were answered with those six words; he nearly staggered under the implications. Viktor had so many questions: where was Karkaroff, what would happen to him, would the Ministry think that he was guilty...? Dumbledore interrupted his racing thoughts.

"Viktor, you need to rest. The effects of the curse will fade slowly, but you need time to recuperate. I shall have Ms. Granger take you to the Gryffindoor common room. You can stay there until..." he paused, and Viktor once again wondered what would become of him.

"...until you are ready to return home. Ms. Granger, you may come in."

Hermione felt embarrassed to be caught eavesdropping, but she was desperate to be by Viktor’s side. Even as she stuttered her apologies, her eyes were trained on his face.

“Er...Professor Dumbledore; I..."

"I know, Ms. Granger; you heard nothing," Dumbledore smiled, and it was a welcome sight after all that had occurred. Taking his hand in hers, Hermione gently guided him to Gryffindor common room. She dimly heard Dumbledore offering to accompany Alexei back to his ship.

While the Gryffindor dormitories were the last place that Viktor wanted to go in the castle, he wanted to go back to the ship even less. All he wanted was to be left alone. He wanted to sleep and wake up to find that this was all a nightmare. He was afraid of being judged, or being asked too many questions about his involvement in the day’s tragic events. Dumbledore believed him, and that had to count for something. Would everyone else be so trusting? Would Hermione believe him?

He didn’t have a chance to explain anything to her. Hermione muttered the password and the Fat Lady opened the portrait hole. They could hear several loud discussions issuing from the common room. As they entered, all conversations fell silent. Viktor was used to feeling many pairs of eyes on him. However, those stares were usually accompanied by cheers and applause, not silent distrust and animosity. It was not a comfortable feeling.

“Move out of the way," Hermione demanded.

The sea of students parted, leaving a clear path towards the fireplace. Viktor slowly sank onto the love seat, continuing to stare at the ground. Hermione sat beside him and grabbed his hands.

“Viktor, you don’t need to talk about it if you don’t want to. I just want you to know that I believe what you said to Dumbledore, and I think everyone here agrees with me..." she spoke more loudly so that everyone would hear her, "...that it was not your fault. You were under the Imperius curse, and there was nothing that you could have done to stop it." This announcement was met with murmurs from the assembled students, which both Viktor and Hermione ignored.

Viktor was relieved that Hermione had taken it upon herself to clear his name in front of her classmates, to save him the embarrassment. But even if every person in the world believed in his innocence, he knew that nothing would ever make things normal again.

Hermione was in a quandary. She wanted to question him, to comfort him, to hold him in her arms are reassure him that everything would be fine. She could not imagine the pain that he was experiencing at this moment. But the words died on her lips; what could she say to him that wouldn’t be a lie to make herself feel better? Lord Voldemort has returned, Cedric was dead, and Viktor would be leaving much sooner than either of them had anticipated, possibly tomorrow. There were no words that would make everything better.

All mutterings were interrupted for a second time when Harry walked through the portrait hole. His eyes didn’t even register surprise at seeing Viktor in the Gryffindor common room. He made his way towards them and sank into the chair next to Hermione. He was dirty and covered in blood. His forearm was bandaged, but it was obvious that he was very badly hurt. He didn’t look at anybody and he didn’t speak, and no one dared approach him, either. Viktor felt solidarity with him.

After many long moments of silence, the Gryffindors realized that they would get no more information about what had happened tonight from the three stoic figures seated in front of the fireplace. Everyone walked to their respective dormitories to retire for the night, certain that no one would be sleeping soundly. Viktor, Harry and Hermione were finally left alone.

Viktor wanted to ask Harry if he had harmed him in any way, since he only remembered putting a spell on Fleur and no one had volunteered any other information regarding his actions. But shame rendered him mute.

Harry was the first to break the silence.

“Dumbledore filled me in on what happened. I’m sorry. I can’t imagine what that must have felt like, being under someone else’s control like that..." He stopped. Well, he hadn’t known before tonight, at least. His nerves endings were still on fire from being placed under the Cruciatus cruse.

Viktor struggled to process what Harry was saying to him. What happened to Viktor was nowhere near what Harry must have gone through; what had happened to him was unbearable to imagine. He did not answer, but gave him a tight nod, which Harry returned. Silence reigned again.

Viktor looked at Hermione. "Hermione, can I haff a vord with you...alone?" He looked down at the floor, not wanting to meet her eyes.

"Yes, of course. Well, we can't really go anywhere, Dumbledore told us to stay inside the common room..."

"Perhaps ve can talk just outside, then?" She nodded, and the two of them stood simultaneously and walked back through the portrait hole, into the empty hallway.

Looking into her face, Viktor realized that the words that he had wanted to say had deserted him. But she was looking at him expectantly. He spoke before he had time to regroup with thoughts. He started off poorly, stating - rather lamely - that things happened for a reason. Hermione immediately misunderstood him.

“Viktor, you can't be serious. You couldn’t have known about the third task turning out the way it did, and..."

"No Hermione, that is not vot I meant.” He steeled himself one final time before taking the plunge. “Vot I am trying to say is that...my reason for coming to this country and to this school vos not to compete in the Tournament. My sole purpose, my only goal, vos to meet you. You are the sole focus of a prophecy that my great grandmother foretold.” Hermione stared at him, open-mouthed.

"What are you saying, Viktor?"

Viktor began to nervously pace the hallway.

"Viktor, you can't say something like that and then leave it unexplained. I don’t understand any of this...this prophecy you speak of."

He reached around her waist and held her tightly to him. He gently stroked her hair and whispered, "It vill be all right soon. I promise, Hermione. Obicham te."

Hermione understood now the power that those words held. They wrapped around her heart, made her feel cherished. She felt safe and protected in his arms. After a night like this, she wanted nothing more than to stay like this, in this moment, forever.

Viktor hesitantly pulled back to look at her face. For a moment, nothing mattered. They had each other. Then Viktor started to explain.

”My great grandmother is known all over vizarding Bulgaria as a fortune teller. Before I left for school this summer, she read my hand in front of my whole family. She told me a riddle, vhich I do not remember entirely, but vent something like:

YOU SHALL SEEK HER IN A NEW WORLD
WILD HAIR, PURE HEART, NOT OF PURE BLOOD
THROUGH HER COMPANIONS YOU SHALL MEET
YOUR GREATEST CHALLENGE WILL BE DEFEAT
NO WINNER, NO LOSER, NO CONTEST WILL STOP IT
DESTINY AWAITS YOU AND SHE IS YOUR FIT
FIND LOVE IN HER HEART, DESTINY WILL PREVAIL
THE WORLD IN YOUR HANDS YOU CANNOT FAIL
NO WIZARD, NO CREATURE, NO SPELL CAN AIDE
THE GOOD WILL RISE AND THE EVIL WILL FADE
LISTEN TO YOUR HEART IT WILL TELL YOU
IN THE RIGHT MOMENT, THE RIGHT THING TO DO
YOUR LOVE IS NO MYTH, YOUR HEART IS PURE
WHEN YOUR EYES WILL MEET YOU WILL BE SURE

Hermione put her hand over her mouth as she backed away from him. "You mean, you knew that you would meet me...no." That was impossible. Hermione didn’t want to believe it. It was too absurd to lend any credence to whatsoever.

He understood her disbelief. He had felt the same way, at first. That is, until he had come to Hogwarts and met her, and the events of the year had begun to unfold. How could he feel that way now? She just stood there, dumbstruck. Viktor wanted to say something more, but was afraid that he had said too much already. What more could he possibly do? There was no more to explain. The future was in her hands now.

Hermione felt tears streaming down her cheeks, but made no effort to wipe them away. She felt oddly betrayed. Why hadn’t he told her all of this earlier? She had asked so many times. Would this change anything between them? Could she even believe him?

Someone in a different country had made a prophecy about her, and, if she understood what Viktor was saying correctly, it meant that the two of them needed to fall in love and that their union would defeat evil. She wanted to laugh at how childish and bizarre that sounded. That she, only a fourth-year witch, and Viktor, the world-famous Quidditch player, would be able to defeat Lord Voldemort using nothing but the power of their love. It was absurd.

But if it was so impossible, why did she have a feeling deep in her heart that it really did mean something? That he was telling the truth? She realized that whether she liked it or not, she did believe him. How could she not? She believed him when he told her that he loved her. She believed him when he told her that he would protect her from harm. How could she not believe him when he said that this thing between them could change the future? For her, it had already happened.

Viktor couldn’t bear the silence anymore. He stood behind Hermione and wrapped his arms around her. She leaned into his chest and closed her eyes. All of the arguments and questions faded into nothing as she stood in the warmth of his embrace. She could not argue with him anymore...everything was made clear with this simple act. This was right.

They stood together for what it seemed like hours. Viktor whispered in her ear, "Hermione, my great grandmother meant no harm to us. She cannot foresee the outcome of her fortune telling. Even vithout her prophecy, finding you was like an act of destiny. The moment I saw you, I felt such a strong connection that I vonted to run over and sit beside you and talk to you forever. It took much restraint not to do that." She smiled, and he paused long enough to place kiss on the top of her head. "It also took all of my courage to speak vith you at the library and to ask you to the Ball. All of my time here vos spent trying to convince myself that the prophecy vos truly unfolding before me. Hermione, I do not vont you to be mad at me. I could not tell you about this right avay. The night of the Yule Ball...ve explained so much to each other. I could not possibly ruin that night vith this. It vould have scared you avay." Hermione nodded, accepting the truth of that statement. He continued.

"I vont you to tell me if this is something you can continue vith. I don’t vont to pressure you into something that you do not vont to be part of. I am very serious about this, Hermione." Viktor's voice was beginning to crack. "Ve are part of this prophecy vether ve fully believe it or not. My great grandmother believes and my family believes, and I believe, and someday the entire vizarding world will know..."

No pressure, Hermione she thought to herself ironically. But in the face of all that expectation, how could she back away? She loved Viktor; she knew that to be true. She also believed in her heart that she was capable of achieving great things. She had simply never thought that those things would be played out on the grandest stage imaginable.

“Viktor, I believe you. And I want to help. But know that I am not doing this to fulfill any prophecy; I am doing it because I love you, and nothing more. If it means that our love is meant to overcome...whatever it is that life brings to us, then so be it."

She turned around and kissed him softly on his lips. Viktor thought about his great grandmother, what she would say to him if he told her that he had at last begun to fulfill his destiny, their destiny...

Back in Bulgaria, in the small town of Sokrovishte, a very old woman was sitting at her dining room table, drinking strong coffee and smiling to herself.

"That’s my great grandson. I knew that you would find her."

The morning of his departure came too soon. Everyone gathered at the Great Hall for the farewell feast. Dumbledore’s emotional speech had left everyone with a deep sense of pain and sadness, which was only heightened by the departure of the guests that they had all come to consider their friends. Students slowly strolled out of the school and onto the grounds. There were hugs and kisses and goodbyes all around. Hermione had dreaded this day and now it had finally has arrived. Viktor didn’t want to say goodbye either, but he somehow knew more than she that it wouldn’t be long before they saw one another again.

“I haff tickets for the next Quidditch game that I vill be playing against the Irish this summer. If you and your friends," he looked at Ron and Harry, "vould like to come, I promise that they vill be better seats than those vay at the top," Viktor smiled.

“That would be great," Harry replied. Ron just nodded and, with a sheepish expression, took out a crumbled piece of parchment and a quill.

"Um, can I have your autograph?" he asked.

Hermione smirked. She couldn’t help herself.

Viktor obliged. “Of course."

Viktor now turned to Hermione, whose smile quickly faded away.

"Please do not lose that beautiful smile. I hate to make you frown."

He cupped her face with his hands and kissed her lightly on her forehead. Hermione didn’t care that once again the entire school was looking at them. Before they could say anything else, however, Dumbledore approached them.

"Mr. Krum, if I could have a word with you, please. I promise to bring him right back, Ms. Granger," the headmaster assured Hermione in response to the stricken look on her face.

They walked few steps away.

“Viktor, my offer still stands. I hope you will consider it over the summer holidays. Please owl me if you have any more questions. I wish you luck, Mr. Krum, and hope to hear from you soon." The Headmaster and Viktor shook hands.

“What was that about?” she asked when he returned. Viktor was not prepared to tell her yet. He wasn’t sure if he was going to take the offer or not, and did not want to give her false hope.

“Your headmaster told me that Karkaroff vos on the run, and that no one knows vere he is hiding.” For now, he thought darkly. “He vonted to wish me a peaceful journey back to Durmstrang." That wasn’t entirely untrue; Dumbledore had indeed told him both of those things in a previous meeting. He still felt bad for not telling her the entire truth, especially since he was the reason for her current sadness.

He said his goodbyes to Harry, Ron, Ginny, Neville, and the rest of the students.

“I’ll walk you back to the ship,” Hermione said sadly. Viktor nodded. They walked as slowly as they possibly could, both of them dreading the inevitable. Once by the shore, Viktor smiled at her.

“Vot can I say to you that vill make you smile?" She looked at him with teary eyes.

"Tell me how to say 'I’ll miss you' in Bulgarian."

"Hermione, I don’t vont this to be a goodbye. I vill see you soon, I promise."

Sooner than you think, he thought to himself, and he couldn’t help but smile. He didn’t want to leave her either, but he knew even then what decision he was most likely going to make. He had to take care of things at home before he did so.

They were interrupted by arrival of Alexei, who had a remorseful expression on his face. "I am sorry Viktor, but we haff to go. Hermione Granger, it vos a pleasure to meet you. Take care."

He took her hand and kissed it, just like Viktor had done at the Ball so many months ago. Hermione blushed, and hoped that the boys at Hogwarts had learned something from the students of Durmstrang during their yearlong stay.

“I'll be right there, Alexei. Give me a minute more,” Viktor answered in Bulgarian. Alexei bowed respectfully and returned to the ship. Viktor hesitated. “I vill miss seeing your face." Hermione kissed him again, and then started crying.

"Please don't cry, Hermione. It breaks my heart to see you this vay..."

He kissed her gently on her lips once more. Hermione sobbed silently. He let her go with great disappointment.

"I vill write soon, I promise."

She watched Viktor walk up the gangplank and onto the ship. He hesitated at the top of the platform for a moment. He did a sharp about-face, clicked his heels together, and swept her a deep bow. That gesture, so reminiscent of their first meeting, served to do what none of his encouraging words had succeeded in achieving: she smiled. He gave her one last grin, and then continued his walk into the bowls of the ship. Several moments later, the enormous vessel sank into the lake. Hermione didn’t move; she continued to stare at the spot where the ship has last stood, a smile on her face and tears coursing down her cheeks.

It was in this state that Harry and Ron found her a few minutes later.

“Come on Hermione, or we'll miss the carriages," Ron said bracingly. Both of them put their arms around her, and they walked back to the school.

Viktor entered his cabin and sat on the bed slowly, feeling out-of-sorts. His arms, which had been wrapped around Hermione just moments before, now felt empty and useless. He found that could not get his bearings. The creaking ship that had been his home for a year no longer felt familiar. He was afraid that no place would ever feel like home again, without her there to share it with him.

Alexei walked in soon after, approaching their shared table. He pulled a roll of parchment out of his sash and handed it to Viktor.

“This came for you this morning. I think it is from your family." Viktor unrolled the parchment, lay back on his bed, and started reading the letter. He smiled as he read the words. He could almost hear his great-grandmother’s voice in his head.

Viktor, I’m so very proud of you. It takes great courage to do what you have done. I had faith in you all along. Now rest and prepare for the future. I hope that you made sure to invite your young lady to visit me this summer. Obicham te, Viktor, and see you soon.

Love,
Your Great Grandmother Ada



Chapter 3

Here we go again! Thank you all for your kind words I am most humbled by your reviews. Once again thanks and a big hug to my amazing beta turtlestar for her editing. This is her favourite chapter so far, so it is dedicated to her. Hope you'll enjoy...

Title: The Prophecy - Chapter 3
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance,Drama
Main Characters: Hermione, Viktor
Summary: Viktor is on his way home... thoughts of Hermione...
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Harry Potter

Chapter 3 - Thinking of Her

It didn’t matter to Viktor that it took almost twice as long to get back to Durmstrang as it had to leave it in the first place. He was looking forward to seeing his parents again, but school was the last thing on his mind.

Viktor felt like someone had taken away his ability to fly. Right now, sitting alone on his bed, he was certain that could willingly give up flying for her. He would give anything if it meant that he would be able to spend more time with her.

Time. It’s such a treasure, he thought. All you need is time, and love.

He had thought that the best feeling in the world was when he was on his broom, soaring high and feeling free and reckless. He had been wrong. To be in love, to be loved, to love someone, was the greatest thing that he had ever experienced. He felt a hard lump form in his throat, and he laughed at himself bitterly.

He had been all smiles and reassurances when he was saying his goodbyes. He had been too comfortable in his knowledge of Dumbledore’s offer; he hadn’t considered the reality that he would be separated from Hermione for weeks, possibly even months. He understood now the futility of telling her not to cry. His eyes filled with moisture, which he wiped away with shaking hands. She had made him soft.

The irony was atrocious. Here he was, the image of toughness and strength, reduced to tears by a fifteen-year-old girl. No one would ever believe it.

All of the newspaper articles written about him over the years had been portraying him as someone that he wasn’t. It was sad in a way, that no one really knew him. No one had wanted to know the real Viktor. Until her. Hermione was the only person that had really taken the time to get to know him. He missed her so much already that it almost physically hurt. But he knew that he had to focus on what was ahead. The future.

Viktor knew that if he set his mind to something, it was almost impossible not to achieve it. He had strived so hard in to be the best in Quidditch, in school, in life. He wanted to accomplish the impossible.

This was just another goal. Only this time, he would be working towards something that defined him much more deeply than his profession. This wasn’t a sport; it was his life. He needed to clear his mind and focus once again.

The abrupt stop of the ship almost caused him to fall off of his bed. They were home.

He wondered if there were any changes already being made, now that it had been made known that Karkaroff was not returning with them. He was hoping for a much nicer Headmaster. On that criteria alone, anyone would do. There couldn’t be anyone more loathsome than he had been, Viktor thought to himself as he grabbed his trunk. He proceeded off the ship with his fellow students.

Home.

Cold, dark, snowy skies.

He thought of Hermione. He hoped that she was staring at the same sky tonight.

***

"Viktor, I have made something to eat. Please come inside," his mother pleaded.

He had been sitting in the garden all day, by the cherry tree. This had become typical of his days at home. When he wasn't in the garden, he was on his broom, flying around God knows where. Since returning from Durmstrang, he had become silent and withdrawn. He spent most of his time outside, either flying or staring into the sky. He rarely ate anything, even his favourite meals. He hadn't volunteered much information about his experiences at Hogwarts, but his mother knew more than she had let on.

She tried to engage him in conversation, but all she got in response for her efforts was, “Yes mother,” “No, mother,” and “Thank you, mother.” She worried about him, and about what had really happened during the year that he was away. She knew about the Tournament, and about Karkaroff, and even a bit little about Hermione that she had gleaned from various sources.

She knew her son very well. Just by looking into his eyes, she was able to sense his pain, his sorrows. It wasn't the same gift that her grandmother possessed. It had nothing to do with magic; it was a mother's intuition. She felt for him. He wasn't five anymore, when she could have taken him in her arms and hugged him and assured him that everything would be better. He was a man now. She watched him slouch slowly towards the house, and she sighed.

She wondered, not for the first time, if it had been a good idea for Ada to tell him about the prophecy and his fortune. At the time, it seemed that he was mature enough to handle it and draw his own conclusions. But now he looked so pale and sickly, a shadow of his former self, and she knew without a doubt that it had something to do with her grandmother’s words.

He was in Bulgaria, but his mind and his heart were somewhere else. That much she could tell.

His heart was with Hermione.



Thank you all who have reviewed chapter 3. I am very excited about this chapter, cause its a turning point in the story. This one was a challenge, and I will give all the credit to my wonderful beta turtlestar who has writing credits in this one. She has transformed this chapter to be what it is for all to enjoy. Please read and review.

PS. I would also like to dedicate this to drakelle as a birthday present! Happy Birthday again Drakelle!!

Title: The Prophecy - Chapter 4
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance,Drama
Main Characters: Hermione, Viktor, Harry, Ron, Ginny and other Hogwarts students/staff
Summary: Hermione suffers a family tragedy but someone comes to her rescue
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Harry Potter

CHAPTER FOUR - Living a nightmare

Hermione awoke with a start. She was disoriented for a moment. Startled to find that the ever-present curtains surrounding her bed were missing, she looked around to see if the other bunks were in a similar state. Realization dawned on her when her eyes fell upon an off-white dresser, which was standing where Pavarti Patil’s bed ought to have been. She fell back onto the mattress with a heavy sigh. She was home. It was summer break. She had not seen Viktor for three weeks, six days, and...she checked the clock...fourteen hours.

She wondered what had wrenched her from her slumber. Listening carefully, she thought she could make out some noises coming from downstairs. Thinking that perhaps it was one of her parents, she rolled onto her side and tried to go back to sleep. Again she heard the noises, this time gaining in intensity.

Suddenly, the door burst open and she saw a dark figure with a wand pointed at her. She grabbed hers from her nightstand without hesitation. She knew that she wasn't allowed to use magic outside of Hogwarts, but this seemed like a situation in which she would need to protect herself. But before Hermione could focus on the intruder, she felt her wand being whisked from her hand and heard it drop somewhere in her room. She was paralyzed with fear. But before she could move or speak, the figure was gone.

Hermione got up quickly, watching the doorway and searching desperately for her wand. It had only flown a few feet away from her bed. Its weight felt reassuring in her hand. Desperate to see if her parents were all right, she wandered into the hallway, wand at the ready. The house was quiet now. It was dark and felt quite deserted.

Where were her parents? Hermione thought, her fear rising. From the top of the stairs she noticed that the front door was wide open and that the coat rack immediately next to it was lying on the floor. Wildly, she thought that it must have been a burglar, but how (and why?) would a muggle burglar come into her room and disable her wand? She frantically ran through the house in search of her parents. It was no use. They, and the intruder, were already gone.

She didn't know if she should call the muggle police or try contacting someone from the Ministry of Magic. For the first time in her life, she felt helpless and alone. Briefly she thought of Viktor, thinking that he would know what to do. At least he would be able to calm the rising panic in her stomach.

Hermione went downstairs and closed the front door, locking and dead-bolting it as well. She ran to the family room and reached into the small container of floo powder on the mantle. She thought of who she wanted to call, and throwing the powder into the fireplace, she said loudly, “The Burrow!”

It was two o’clock in the morning, so she assumed that all of the Weasleys would be asleep. She was startled to find Molly sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of tea, which she immediately dropped to the floor when she noticed Hermione’s head peeking through the fireplace.

"Oh my...Hermione! Is everything alright?” Molly waved her wand, and the broken pieces of the teacup mended themselves.

"Mrs. Weasley, I'm so sorry! I didn't know who else to call. I think someone...I think my parents are missing!"

It sounded bizarre and childish to her ears, but Molly had a frightened expression on her face. She yelled at the top of her lungs, "Arthur, get down here right now!" Hermione knew she would wake up the entire house, but she obviously didn't care. Molly had always treated her like one of her own children.

"Hermione, we’ll get you as soon as we can. Stay put. Oh dear, we need to contact Professor Dumbledore. Hermione..." Molly froze when the thought finally dawned in on her

"Are you alone? Is anyone still in your house?" she practically screamed.

"No. At least, I don't think so. It's really quiet and eerie." Hermione felt tears streaming down her cheeks.

She could hear a commotion at the Weasley house; the entire family, led by Arthur, was stumbling into the kitchen.

"Molly, what happened? Is everything ok?" Mr. Weasley tried to focus his eyes on the bushy-haired girl’s head sticking out of their fireplace.

"HERMIONE! Merlin's beard, what happened?"

Hermione was now sobbing uncontrollably.

"Arthur, apparate to Hermione's house and get her out as soon as you can. Fred and George, go with your father...just in case. Hermione dear, we’re coming to get you right now. Don't move from the room, the boys will get your belongings later."

Hermione nodded in silence. She pulled her head out of the fireplace and sat on the couch, curling up silently. She heard a loud pop that startled her a bit, but the sight of three red heads and smiling faces was a welcomed one.

"Hermione, let's get you out of here. Fred and George," said Mr. Weasley, "Go get Hermione's trunk that I just packed for her." He gave a swoosh of his wand in the direction of Hermione's room.

He looked at Hermione, concern etched in every line of his face.

"Come on. Fred and George will apparate right after us."

"But Mr. Weasley, I...I can't apparate," she stammered.

"This is an emergency, Hermione. I am responsible for you right now, just grab my hand and we’ll go".

Hermione reached for Mr. Weasley's hand and closed her eyes. A second later she was in the warm - and now crowded - kitchen of the Burrow. All of the Weasleys present were now starring at her, and she suddenly felt very uncomfortable.

Molly ran up to her and hugged her. Hermione couldn't help herself; she started crying again. Molly held her in her arms for a moment, until Hermione had calmed down enough to take a few shuddery breaths.

"I’ll make some tea, dear, and then you can tell us what happened."

The twins were back shortly with her trunk, and they settled her belongings in Ginny's room. Hermione felt a bit ashamed now. She had just barged in on this family, waking them up in the middle of the night. Though she didn’t know where else she could have gone. She didn’t even know yet if her parents had actually been...no. She didn’t want to say the word, even in her head. She knew it was irrational, but it was almost as if thinking it would make it true. It seemed that Molly was reading her mind.

"Sweetie, you’re safe here. Don’t worry about waking us up; I wouldn't have wanted you to contact anyone else. You know that." She smiled warmly and handed her a cup of steaming tea, which Hermione took gratefully. It gave her something to focus on rather than the curious and frightened stares of the Weasley children.

"Molly, did you contact Albus already?" Arthur asked.

"Yes, I did. He’s on his way." As if in answer, there was s loud knock on the door, and suddenly Dumbledore was standing at the entrance of the kitchen. The expression on his face was not the friendly, genial one that Hermione was accustomed to. He looked...frightening. She was reminded that this man was not only the quirky headmaster of Hogwarts; he was the most powerful wizard alive.

"Ms. Granger, if I may speak with you..."

"Albus, I think we all need to hear what happened.” Molly interrupted. “She’s part of our family too, you know. We are all concerned about her welfare," she stated matter-of-factly.

Dumbledore nodded and took off his cloak, walking quickly to the kitchen table.

"Molly, may I have some tea, if you don’t mind? We need to get to the bottom of this.” An extra chair was found, and they all sat at the table, their eyes fixed on Hermione.

She had stopped crying, but she was finding it difficult to concentrate. She felt like her head had been stuffed with cotton, and she was viewing this absurd midnight congregation from somewhere outside of herself.

"When you’re ready, Hermione dear, please tell us what happened. Whatever you remember,” Molly encouraged.

Hermione's throat felt dry. She took another sip of the calming chamomile tea that Molly had prepared for her. It was soothing, and the action of putting the cup to her lips and was mundane and oddly comforting. She needed something familiar to ground herself in reality; her mind was drifting lazily towards complete and utter blankness. She collected her thoughts, and spoke in a voice that she did not recognize as her own.

"I remember being woken up by a strange noise from downstairs. At first I ignored it, thinking maybe my mom was getting something to drink, or maybe Crookshanks had knocked something over. But then my bedroom door opened. I managed to grab my wand off my nightstand." She stopped to wipe away the tears that were now falling on the table against her will.

"Somebody came in with their wand out. They didn’t say anything, but there was a green flash and my wand was torn out of my hand, and..."

Her voice caught, and they all looked at her with concern.

"...and then they left. I heard more sounds coming from downstairs, so I got up and found my wand. The front door was open and the coat rack was on the floor. I searched the whole house, but my parents were gone."

She gulped as she said the last words, and then continued.

"I thought of the only place that I would feel safe and called here..." Her voice was shaking so hard now that she couldn’t get another word out. She covered her face with her hands and slumped onto the table, sobbing. Molly and Ginny were on either side of her in an instant, trying to comfort her with soothing words. Molly rubbed her back in small circles. The others looked on in melancholy silence.

Hermione didn’t have the heart to tell them that their gestures were meaningless. She took no comfort in Molly’s ministrations; the feeling of the nightshirt being rubbed against her skin repeatedly was so irritating that she wanted to scream. She could not connect the murmured words of comfort to any real emotions. She was sobbing, yes, but she had no control over it. It was as far removed from her.

Dumbledore spoke first.

"Ms. Granger, your parents were..." He adjusted his half moon spectacles and gave a heartfelt sigh. "They were abducted." She had been dreading that answer, even though she had already suspected it herself. Dumbledore’s words only served to take the knife that was already stuck in her belly and twist it further. She wanted to tell Molly to stop rubbing her back. The sensation was becoming too much to bear. Distantly, she was aware of the sound of her own voice raised in anger.

"But why? Why would anyone want anything to do to my parents? They’re muggles! They aren’t even part of the magical world!"

"I have already spoken to the Ministry. Their sources say that your parents have been taken by the Death Eaters."

If you already knew that, then why did I have to explain it in detail? she thought bitterly. Some part of her mind was still conscientious enough to pursue more specific answers. "Why would Death Eaters take my parents? They were in my room! Why didn't they take me instead?" She was livid, and her voice was steadily rising.

The entire room was shocked by her outburst. Dumbledore spoke once again.

"Hermione, the Ministry believes that Voldemort attacked you specifically because of your closeness with Harry Potter. Obviously there is more to it than that; as you said, why didn't they simply take you instead? They had more than enough opportunity. I believe that they wanted to take your parents away, knowing that you would have to go somewhere, to a place where you would feel safe. As long as Harry stays with his relatives, he is undetectable. But it is well known that Harry is close friends with both you and Mr. Weasley.” He inclined his head in Ron’s direction. “Since Voldemort cannot find Harry at his current location, the next best thing would be to lure him away from it. And where else would both of you feel safe enough to go, should the worst occur?”

This pronouncement was met with stunned silence. Hermione stared at him with a horrified expression. She felt sickness rising in her gut. It couldn’t be, she couldn’t have led them straight to the Weasley’s doorstep...

“You see the direness of the situation. You did exactly what was expected of you, and no one can blame you for that. But now we must give due concern to the safety of everyone here. Whoever disabled your wand most likely placed a tracking spell on you, as well. The enchantments guarding this house are quite strong, but if they don't know where you are already, they will soon."

Hermione looked frantically around at the faces of the people that she loved and cared about most. How could she have put them in such danger? How could she have been so stupid?

"What do you suggest we do now, Albus?" Mr. Weasley spoke quietly, not looking in Dumbledore's direction.

"We need to get Ms. Granger out of your house. I have spoken to someone, and he is already on his way here."

Dumbledore looked at Hermione with a faint smile. She felt anger flair up in her, with not a little twinge of fear.

"Where am I going to go, Professor? Won’t I be placing someone else in danger, if I am being tracked?"

They were interrupted by another knock on the door.

"That must be him now." Dumbledore stood up and allowed their mystery guest into the house.

A hood concealed his face, but Hermione thought that the loping gait looked oddly familiar. She put two and two together and felt her stomach drop to the floor. All of the emotions that had been numbed by shock came roaring back, and the jolt was so powerful that she let out a small whimper. He pushed his hood back, and everyone let out a gasp when the identity of their visitor was revealed. Hermione gripped the edge of the table.

"Viktor." She thought for a moment that she was seeing an apparition. He looked so out-of-place, standing there in the Weasley’s kitchen. But it was him, of that she had no doubt. There was no mistaking that slumped posture or that scowling expression. He looked much thinner than when she had last seen him, and his skin was a bit darker, but he was there. Wonderfully, reassuringly there.

She stood up slowly from the table and walked over to him. His eyes tracked her every movement. In a few short strides she was standing face-to-face with him. He inclined his head towards her.

“Hermione. I haff missed you.”

His voice broke through the remaining fog clouding her brain. The last of her self-control shattered. She immediately choked up and flung herself into his arms.

He looked surprised, but nonetheless wrapped his arms around her tightly and held her while she sobbed into his shoulder.

"It is alright, Hermione. Obicham te. Everything vill be alright," he murmured into her ear, low enough that no one else could hear. All but one person in the room respectfully looked away.

Ron had a shocked look on his face. He wasn't at all happy to see Krum again so soon. He wondered what on earth the Bulgarian Bon-Bon could possible have to do with his best friend’s protection. He felt like Dumbledore had betrayed him somehow.

Dumbledore filled them in. "Mr. Krum has agreed to take Hermione with him to Bulgaria for the time being, until we can figure out the best course of action. Rest assured, Ms. Granger, we will do everything in our power to find your parents, and apprehend those responsible for their abduction. The Ministry of Magic is conducting an investigation, but since we all know the expediency of Ministry responses..." he said, winking at Molly and Arthur, "We will be doing our own. We will let you know of any progress as soon as we can." He looked at Hermione with care.

She had stopped crying, and was looking back at him with an unhappy expression.

"I don't want to put anyone in any danger, but how can I go to Bulgaria? What if you need my help? These are my parents that have been taken away," she protested.

Viktor tightened his grip around her waist, but said nothing. She didn't mind. She felt safe in his arms.

"Hermione, you will know all the details as soon as we do. Viktor is part of the group that will be helping..." Dumbledore paused and looked at Viktor. "I hope you don't mind, Viktor. They would have known soon enough." Viktor nodded, and Dumbledore continued.

"Viktor has taken my offer to join the Order. It's a secret society that Molly, Arthur, myself, and few others are part of, and now Viktor as well. I asked him to join after the Triwizard tournament and Karkaroff’s departure. We believe that his skills will be very useful to our cause."

Ron looked at Viktor suspiciously. That meant that Viktor would be a frequent visitor in his house. He had to get used to the idea of seeing his favourite Quidditch player, whom he had once adored, but now hated a bit.

Hermione looked first at Dumbledore, then at Viktor. He was not meeting her eyes. She felt a stab of anger...and betrayal. Why hadn't Viktor told her this earlier? Why did he not want her to know about something so important? Viktor sensed her disappointment.

"Hermione, ve shall have plenty of time to discuss this later. Professor Dumbledore asked me to consider the offer over the summer. I did not haff any idea that I vould haff to make up my mind so soon. But ven he told me this night vot had happened and asked for my help, I could not hesitate and not be by your side."

Hermione felt her heart skip a beat. Looking around, she couldn't imagine that this many people cared so much about her. Now the anger was bleeding out of her, and she felt ashamed for her eariler behavior. Still, the feeling of helplessness filled her.

"Hermione, there is no time to be hesitant right now," Dumbledore said sternly. "Viktor, the portkey is just up the hill past the burrow. It's a silver can, right by the Willow tree. It will take you back to your location."

Molly and the rest of the Weasleys stood and hugged her in silence. She finally spoke to Ron.

"Ron, please let Harry know..."

"I will. And Hermione, please take care of yourself. Try to stay calm and..." He looked at Viktor. He broke off in mid-sentence and gave her another hug, this one more heartfelt. What else could he say? He couldn't imagine what he would do if his parents had been the ones to go missing. What could you say to comfort someone experiencing that? He acknowledged that Hermione would probably be as safe with Viktor as she would have been here, although he would never admit it. He still didn’t trust Viktor’s motivations.

Hermione took one last look at the group assembled in the hallway. Viktor had her trunk and was already walking out the door. Hermione followed him, dropping her gaze as she walked by the Weasley clan. She did not want to look at the sad faces, especially Molly, who was now wiping her tears with her nightgown.

Viktor walked very quickly to their destination, and Hermione was having a hard time keeping up. Once at the top of the hill, she saw that the can was right where Dumbledore had said it would be.

"Hermione, you have used a portkey before, correct?" Viktor turned around to look at her.

"Yes, for the World Cup," she remembered. Viktor looked at her again, and he couldn't help but give her a lopsided grin. She looked so innocent and lovely in her blue pajamas with little yellow star patterns. Hermione looked down at herself to see what Viktor was staring at and gasped.

"I...oh my! I’m so sorry! I didn't have time to change!"

She was obviously embarrassed, but he smiled at the sight of her flushed cheeks and downcast eyes. Anything that chased the gloomy from her face had to be a positive thing.

"Not to vorry. Ve vill be home soon, and you can change...or not change. Votever you wish."

He smiled again, grabbing her hand. They both touched the can at the same instant. The familiar tugging and swirling sensation filled her head, but to her surprise, she didn’t fall flat on the ground like she did the first time she had used a portkey. Somehow in the middle of it, Viktor had put his arms around her, and now he was standing firmly on the ground, holding her to his chest and setting her feet down gently.

Hermione looked at her surroundings. "Where are we?”