The Prophecy - Chapters 5 & 6
Here is another chapter, now all of you that were "complaining" about the cliffhanger in the last chapter will find out below where Viktor took Hermione. Hope you enjoy this chapter as well. As always big praise of thanks to my wonderful beta turtlestar for amazing work on this chapter as well. Please enjoy...
Title: The Prophecy - Chapter 5
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance,Drama
Main Characters: Hermione, Viktor, Harry, Ron, Ginny and other Hogwarts students/staff
Summary: Hermione discovers her new hiding place and meets its owner:)
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Harry Potter
"Where are we?"
Hermione looked around, struggling to focus her eyes in the dark space. Viktor’s arms were still draped around her waist. They were standing so close together that she could hear his rapid heartbeat. Viktor reluctantly loosened his grip and gently set her trunk down.
"Lumos," he said loudly.
The glow revealed a small room packed wall to wall with books. There was a small table in the corner with a plate of fruit sitting atop it. Next to it was a stone fireplace and a comfortable-looking armchair. A bed laid out with sheets, a blanket, and two pillows completed the room perfectly. Hermione stared wide-eyed at all the books surrounding her, utterly transfixed.
Viktor smiled. He was pleased with his choice of room for her to stay in. She looked at him with bright eyes, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
“Viktor, where are we?” she asked again. Viktor loved the way she smiled. She was even more beautiful when she smiled, he thought to himself.
"Ve are in Sokrovishte. This is my great grandmother Ada’s house."
Hermione's delighted expression faded quickly into shock.
"You mean the one..."
"Yes," Viktor answered shortly, knowing exactly what she was implying.
"Oh. When Dumbledore told me I was going to Bulgaria with you, I assumed that I would be staying at your house..." She sat down on the edge of the bed, still admiring all those books. Her curiosity momentarily made her forget the seriousness of her situation. She wondered if any of the texts were written in English, or if she was going to have to ask Viktor to translate them for her.
Viktor's tone changed dramatically. "That vill be the first place that they vill look if they discover that you are in Bulgaria."
Even as she shrank from the coldness of his voice, she was chagrined to find that she had so easily forgotten the purpose of her visit here. It made the tight knot in her stomach twist with guilt. Her eyes filled with tears again, and she stared resolutely at the floor to avoid meeting his gaze.
He watched the excitement drain from her face, replaced with an expression of pain and humiliation. Viktor silently cursed himself for his selfishness and insensitivity. She had just suffered through a traumatic event, and it would only become more painful from here on out. She did not need to suffer through his temper, as well. His face softened, and he kneeled in front of her, taking her hands in his own.
"I am sorry. This has been a long night for both of us, I think. You need to rest. I know that you are vorried, but you vill need your strength, and it is almost morning. If you vont, you can eat something first.” He inclined his head toward the plate of fruit on the table. She shook her head, still refusing to meet his eyes.
“Hermione.” She looked up at him finally, and he saw the unshed tears in her eyes. He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “You haff done nothing wrong; I am sorry to haff made you feel as if you had.” She let out a shuddering breath. “Ve vill haff plenty of time to discuss things in the morning. I vill vake you if there is any news votsoever,” he promised, accurately guessing her fear. She nodded gratefully.
Viktor stood, reluctantly releasing her hands. “I must sleep also,” he said. “If you need me, I am in the room across the hallvay.” He moved towards the door; he opened it and was just about to step into the hallway when he heard her soft voice.
"Viktor, can you..." she hesitated. She did not want to sound like a child afraid of sleeping without her light on; nor did she want to be too forward, or ask for too much. He had already done so much, just by bringing her here...
"Can you...stay with me for a while? Just until I fall asleep?" Viktor hesitated, his back still turned to her, holding the doorknob so tightly that his knuckles were white. He seemed to be fighting an internal battle. Finally, he came to a decision. He turned on his heals, closing the door behind him with a soft click.
"Your vish is my command, my lady. I am at your service." He clicked his heels together and bowed. Hermione wanted to laugh; normally she would have, but her exhaustion only permitted her a small smile.
Viktor crossed the room in three strides and sat down beside her on the bed. He pulled her into his arms and held her for a moment before leaning back so that she could rest against his chest. She could feel his heart beating, and his warmth was soothing to her in a way that she couldn't quite describe.
Soon he felt her soft, steady breath on his chest even out into the regular pattern of sleep. She looked so peaceful and calm that Viktor didn't dare move, afraid that he might wake her. His great grandmother wouldn't mind that he stayed here with her, he decided.
He was always the perfect gentleman, after all.
***
Through the small window, soft rays of sunlight were now peaking in. Hermione stirred and Viktor opened his eyes. He couldn't believe that they had stayed in the same position the entire time. He didn't know how long they had slept, but decided from the feeble light that it couldn't have been more than few hours. She shifted in his embrace; he looked down and smiled at her warmly.
Hermione was resting her chin on his chest and looking sleepily into his face. Viktor gazed deeply into her eyes, a smile quirking the corners of his mouth. What she wouldn’t give to save this moment forever. A small, grateful smile appeared on Hermione’s face. She was so thankful for this moment, and still surprised at how he stepped up to help her in her time of need.
The memory of the previous night’s events stood out in sharp relief in her mind, but it was softened by Viktor’s presence. Back at Hogwarts, during the year that they had gotten to know each other, she had learned many things about his personality and character. It was this, though, that would become the true test of their relationship.
"Good morning, Hermione. Did you sleep vell?” She muttered a soft “Good morning” in response before nuzzling closer to him. He smiled. “Good. I vill give you tour after breakfast, and of course you vill haff to meet the lady of the house. She is surely pacing in the kitchen, impatiently avaiting us." He reluctantly released her from his embrace and stood up, gently stretching the kinks out of his body.
Hermione lazily stretched, then got up and opened up her trunk. She pulled out a pair of jeans and a sweater that Mrs. Weasley has given her the previous Christmas. She smiled as she thought of the whole Weasley family, and how wonderful they had been to her. She resolved to write them a letter whenever she next got the chance.
She started unbuttoning her nightshirt before she realized that he was still standing there, staring at her. She eyes widened in embarrassment. "I’m sorry! I guess I can change in the bathroom...if you’ll show me where it is.”
Viktor's cheeks were flushed, and he kept his eyes averted as walked towards the door.
"This vay."
The door next to hers was the bathroom. It consisted of a very simple vanity with an enormous mirror hanging over it, a claw-footed tub, and a shelf stacked high with towels. Everything was very tastefully decorated. Hermione was delighted at how simple and elegant this house seemed so far.
"I vill be downstairs in the kitchen. It is to the right of the hallvay. I vill be making you breakfast; come down when you are ready.”
"That sounds wonderful," she answered. Hermione disappeared into the bathroom.
Viktor walked into the kitchen and saw a familiar rounded figure starring at him with a sulky expression on her face.
"Oi, please don't give me that look," Viktor pleaded. He walked up to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. She smiled.
"That is better," he laughed. "How are you babushka? I have missed you!" She hugged him.
"I missed you as well, Viktor. It is good to see you again," his great grandmother said with a smile. The expression faltered a bit as she regarded him with frank appraisal. “And how is your friend?”
"She’s as well as can be expected, and I will everything I can to improve that. Thank you again for letting us stay here..."
"Oh, none of that nonsense! I wouldn't have had it any other way. Now I’ll have the chance to finally meet her. I have been up since dawn waiting in the kitchen for you two to arrive, and you were in the house all along! Shame on you, Viktor!" she grunted.
Viktor couldn't help but smile at her. She was quite feisty for her age; no one would believe that she was eighty-five years old. She didn’t look day older than fifty, most would say. Viktor wondered what potions his babushka brewed to make herself appear so lovely.
Hermione quietly walked down the stairs and stood at the doorway of the big kitchen. She didn't want to interrupt their reunion, but Viktor's great grandmother seemed to realize that she was there the instant that she arrived. She quickly walked up to Hermione gave her a hug, then kissed each cheek in turn.
"Viktor, you lied to me! She is more beautiful than you said."
Hermione quietly thanked her, even as she felt her face turn bright red. She didn't know what else to say. This was the woman who had foretold that she and Viktor would fall in love. She was surprised to find that there was nothing the least bit mystical about her, nothing at all that she had come to expect from those who claimed to foresee the future (she thought scathingly of Professor Trelawney). Ada was startlingly attractive for a woman who had to be at least seventy, and her manner was as simple and straightforward as her abode. It was also obvious that she spoke English quite well, much to Hermione's surprise.
"Oh babushka, please don't embarrass me so much in front of our guest," Viktor said, sitting at the big wooden table and gesturing for Hermione to do the same. With a bit of hesitation Hermione sat opposite him at the table, smiling at the almost petulant look on his face. His great-grandmother’s teasing had left him with two bright spots of color on his cheeks.
"Her-my-oh-nee, is it?” She sounded out each syllable carefully. “I don't want to pronounce your name wrong. Viktor would never forgive me." Viktor shot Hermione an amused look. He was obviously remembering the weeks of painstaking practice that it had taken to learn to say her name correctly. She smiled.
"Yes," Hermione answered shyly.
"You may call me Ada or babushka, whichever you prefer. Please feel at home here in Sokrovishte; if there is anything that I can do to make your stay more comfortable, just ask. Now eat, before the waffles get cold." She scowled as if the thought of cold waffles was truly offensive to consider. Hermione now realized where Viktor might have gotten that look. They ate in silence. Hermione felt a bit better after eating, but soon the hard knot of worry in her stomach returned, and she couldn’t take another bite. She was aching for some news, anything.
She set down her fork and looked across the table at Viktor, who was concentrating very hard on his third helping of waffles. "Viktor, can you tell me what your instructions from Professor Dumbledore were?” Instantly the tension in the room intensified. Ada stood up and began preparing a kettle of water very noisily, obviously trying to fill the silence. Viktor shoved another bite of food in his mouth, still not meeting her gaze. “Are you staying here with me or...?" She stopped, not knowing how to ask. She wanted him here with her, but he was also her only link with the world she had left behind.
Viktor was determinably ignoring her attempts to make him look at her. She felt the knot in her stomach tighten further. What was he hiding from her? Did he already have some news? She felt her annoyance rise.
"Viktor, you promised me that we would discuss this. I know that you don't want me to worry, and I appreciate your concern, but I need to know. These are my parents!" Her voice raised in agitation.
She looked at Ada, who was brewing some tea for all of them. She felt a sudden stab of embarrassment.
"I'm sorry, Ada. I don't mean to be rude, I'm just..."
Her control was beginning to erode. She put her face in her hands, not wanting to meet either of their eyes. She knew that Ada must be regretting allowing her to stay here. A cup of the tea appeared on the table and Ada sat heavily beside her. She put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it gently.
"Hermione, I do understand what you are going through. Lord Voldemort and his followers have affected all of us, unfortunately." She stood and murmured some words in Bulgarian that caused Viktor's eyes to widen in fright. Hermione assumed that it wasn't a good thing when she said mildly, "Have some tea. It will make you feel better, I promise."
She looked pleadingly at Viktor; he stood and took Ada’s vacated seat.
"Hermione, I do not yet know enough to share with you. I am expecting an owl from Dumbledore any time, and you vill know everything as soon as I do. I promise not to keep you in the dark."
He placed his hand on Hermione's and stroked it gently. Ada watched the two of them together, and felt a warm feeling come over her. She couldn't help but marvel at what a connection she felt between them. She had hoped and dreamed for this day to come for many, many years. From the moment when her great grandson came to her for advice about his life choices, and she had read his hand.
She tended not to do fortune telling on any of her family members, but Viktor had insisted, and the outcome has been astonishing. It was definitely not what he had expected it to be, she knew. He had thought that she would tell him to pursue his Quidditch carrier, and maybe work at the Bulgarian Ministry during the off-season. He expected some kind of prediction about his romantic life, but didn't want to ask about that in front of his entire family. The outcome of that prophecy was now right in front of her eyes. Oh, how she hoped that this was true. She didn't know if either of them was strong enough to handle the responsibility that had been unwillingly placed on their shoulders.
She looked at Hermione critically, trying to get a sense of her character using her inner sight. She was young, obviously, but age was never a barrier when it came to love or strength. She was intelligent, quick-witted, mature, and so full of goodness that it stole Ada’s breath away. Hermione was as unlike a stereotypical teenager as one could ever find. Ada knew that already, just by looking at her. There was no doubt in her mind that this was the girl that the prophecy had foretold.
Viktor, unaware of the revelation taking place a few feet from him, was doing his best to comfort Hermione. Ada knew that her great grandson had a heart of gold, just like his father and grandfather before him.
The Krum charm resonated through the centuries.
I would like to thank all of you for your wonderful reviews and encouraging words, it means a lot to me, I am truly on cloud nine when I read them. Going from not really sure that what I write is good enough to be posted here, to meeting my great beta who reasures me and edits my story so perfectly I am truly amazed and honored.
Thank you again to my beta turtlestar for yet another amazing job at editing and adding few things to make this chapter what it is. Hope you all enjoy it! :)
Title: The Prophecy - Chapter 6
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance,Drama
Main Characters: Hermione, Viktor, Harry, Ron, Ginny and other Hogwarts students/staff
Summary: Hermione meets Viktor's family and finds out where Viktor got his charm.
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Harry Potter
After breakfast, Viktor's great grandmother went about her chores, ostensibly because she had fallen behind over the last few days, but mostly to give them some privacy. Viktor spent most of the day showing Hermione the house and the surrounding forest, explaining much about the history and legends of Sokrovishte. Hermione was fascinated by his tales, and noticed that he was as excited as ever to tell her all about his family and heritage.
It was a pleasant day for both of them, but it was interrupted all too soon by his great grandmother. They were walking back the house after a pleasant walk through the forest when Ada appeared suddenly in the doorway, calling to Viktor in Bulgarian. Viktor let go of Hermione's hand and ran to her. Hermione followed a few paces behind, her heart in her throat with fear.
"Is it my parents? What happened?" She looked from one face to the other frantically. Ada was explaining something to Viktor, and he was watching her intently, hanging on to every word. Hermione would have read every book ever written in the Bulgarian language just to understand immediately what was being said, and not have to wait for Viktor's translation.
Unaware of the tears now rolling down her cheeks, Hermione sat down heavily on the small bench beside the entryway, afraid that she might faint if the news wasn't good. It seemed like a long time before Viktor and Ada concluded their conversation, though in actuality only a few moments had passed. Viktor finally turned and spoke to Hermione.
"I am sorry, Hermione..." Her eyes widened, and her stomach contracted violently. She stared at his lips, anticipating his next words even as her head began to fill with a dull roar.
"Ve missed Dumbledore by a few minutes," he finished quickly, seeing the terror in her eyes.
"He told my great grandmother that he vill try again this evening. The ministry has vord on a possible location, but they do not vont to tell you before they are more certain. He also said that the entire Order is making sure that all is being done to find your parents," he finished with a long sigh.
Hermione let out the breath that she wasn't aware she had been holding. It was news, but not much. She didn't know yet if her parents were truly all right. Were they hurt? Were they under any spells? They were muggles, and thus had no means to protect themselves from the perils of the wizarding world. She felt guilty that her identity as a witch had brought this upon them.
Viktor sat by her side on the small bench. Hermione was once again frightened and upset, and Viktor was once again unable to find something to say that would make her feel better. How he wished he could just take her pain away! He would gladly suffer through it himself if it meant that she would be happy and well. They sat in strained silence.
Ada spoke softly to Viktor and Hermione.
"I will be serving dinner in about an hour, if you two want to wash up and get ready. Viktor, your parents and grandparents are coming over tonight, as well."
She smiled and winked at him, then disappeared silently into the house. Shock replaced the haunted expression on Hermione's face. Viktor silently thanked his great grandmother for her ability to diffuse this potentially volatile situation.
"I'm going to meet your parents and your grandparents? Oh Viktor, I don't know if I'm up to such introductions! What will they think of me?" she said, flustered.
"Do not vorry. If Ada likes you, they vill loff you. She is the tough von to please," he said matter-of-factly.
Hermione didn't know whether she should laugh at that or not.
***
An hour later, Hermione was still in her room, trying to figure out which robes she should wear. She felt silly for being worried about being judged by her clothing, but was nonetheless searching desperately for something passable. She finally decided on a simple button down blouse and pleated skirt. She tried unsuccessfully to make her hair more manageable, but the curls were not giving in. She briefly thought of using potions, but realized with a nervous glance at the clock that she was out of time. She smoothed them down a bit and decided to leave them as they were. Viktor liked her hair, and he’d seen it on its best and worst days.
There was a soft knock on the door, and the object of her thoughts walked in looking almost as good as he had at the Yule Ball. A fitted wool tunic in deepest brown was layered over black pants, which were tucked neatly into black calfskin boots. Hermione looked down at her own outfit, which was actually comprised of pieces of her school uniform, and felt severely underdressed.
"I don't think that I'm dressed properly compared to you, Mr. Krum. I feel like Cinderella before the ball.”
"You are beautiful, Hermione. You haff nothing to vorry about, and you do not need to be fancy for me or my family." He leaned down and kissed her cheek lightly.
She relaxed a little at the unprompted display of affection. She enjoyed his spontaneous kisses. With anyone else might have wanted to keep interactions more formal, but Viktor did everything in such a sweet and endearing manner that she wished he would do it all the time.
"Are they here yet?" she asked, taking one last look at her hair in the mirror and frowning at the outcome.
"Yes, they are vaiting in the dining room; anxiously, I might say. They all vont to meet you." That did not make her feel any better at all.
She was so nervous that she nearly tripped on the stairs. Viktor walked with his usual easy stride a step in front of her, holding her hand and guiding her to the dining room, where she heard voices and laughter in a language that she didn't understand.
"Viktor!" someone shouted as they walked through the entryway, and everyone turned and stared in their direction.
Hermione felt morbidly self-conscious, almost to the extent that she had at the Yule ball. She didn’t know which was worse, this night or the other.
Viktor did not relinquish his grip on Hermione’s hand, as she presumed he would. Rather, he pulled her closer to him as he stood proudly before his family.
When he spoke, she was surprised to hear him do so in English. "Mother, Grandmother, Father, Grandfather, this is Hermione Granger. Hermione, these are my parents Katarina and Pavel, and my grandparents Natalia and Petar."
Hermione watched the tall, slender woman that Viktor had introduced as his mother approach them. She had jet-black hair, which was neatly tied in a low ponytail. Hermione thought that it was quite a modern hairstyle; her clothing seemed very fashionable, as well. A sea-green shawl draped elegantly over her shoulders perfectly complemented her simple black dress. Hermione extended her hand politely, but to her surprise, the older woman brushed it aside and hugged her warmly instead. Hermione couldn't help but notice that her eyes resembled the ones that she so adored; she wondered what other traits Viktor may have inherited from her.
Next to greet her was Viktor's father, who bowed low as he kissed her hand. Viktor had definitely gotten his stiff posture, broad shoulders, and large hands from Pavel. He, like Katarina, was also quite tall. His stern look reminded Hermione of Viktor’s the first time she had seen him walking through the doors of Great Hall. Having seen the same expression on his son’s face countless times, though, she did not find it at all intimidating; his scowl was part of his character, as Viktor's was.
His grandparents were the last to greet her. They resembled what Hermione would consider stereotypical grandparent figures. Viktor's grandmother reminded her of Professor Sprout: plump figure, rounded face, and a dark complexion, but with Viktor and Katarina’s piercing brown eyes. His grandfather seemed the most warm and friendly. He had a wide smile, and his gray hair stuck out in all directions, rather like a tattered lily. The velvet petty-coat he wore was deep purple in color with yellow polka dots. Hermione thought that he resembled a quirky inventor of some sort. He also bowed and kissed her hand in greeting, though age did not permit him to stoop nearly as low as his son or his grandson. She decided that Viktor must have gotten his warm, caring nature from his grandfather. Looking at the three generations of Krum men before her, she also knew where he got his charm.
She had expected to spend the evening asking Viktor to translate for her. She was once again pleasantly surprised; the entire family spoke English all night. She was inordinately grateful, even though she realized that it must have been difficult for them to converse for such a long time in a language not their own.
The evening progressed at an easy, comfortable pace. Hermione and Viktor took turns sharing stories about Hogwarts and the Burrow; they talked about Harry and Ron and others, and about the Triwizard Tournament. However, they avoided mention of the third task.
Hermione also noticed that Viktor's family was very careful in the questions they asked her about her life. They purposefully avoided asking directly about her parents, as if by skirting the issue they could prevent her from worrying about it.
During a lull in the conversation, Ada finally did bring up the topic.
"Hermione, we know that this is a painful subject for you, but your friends in England are not the only ones wanting to help. If there is anything that we can do, we will. I assure you that we have the resources. We’ll be here if you or any of your friends need us,” she said sincerely. The rest of the family nodded in agreement, and she could only mutter a quiet “Thank you” in response.
“Though you already haff our most valuable resource at your side," Natalia said, smiling at the man seated next to her.
Hermione glanced at Viktor, suppressing a smile as a blush crept over his cheeks. He gave her a lopsided grin as he squeezed her hand gently under the table.
After dinner they all sat around the big stone fireplace in the next room. The living room resembled a miniature Great Hall, without the long tables and the ghosts. There were comfortable couches and chairs instead, as well as several large cushions scattered on the floor.
Hermione and Viktor opted to sit on the floor. Hermione was touched at how comfortable Viktor was around her and his family. His usual reticence was completely forgotten. He sat beside her, and wrapped his arm around her protectively as she rested her head on his shoulder.
"So, what do you think?" Viktor whispered quietly.
His grandfather, who had been indulging in a little too much of Ada’s special brandy, was deeply engrossed in conversation with a side table that he kept referring to as “Emiliya.” His grasp of English seemed to be rapidly deteriorating, and the family was laughing uproariously at his antics. This allowed them a few moments of private conversation.
"About what?” she whispered back.
"My family. They obviously adore you. That is not a surprise, of course. I knew that if they loved you half as much as I did...” He stopped short, another blush coloring his cheeks. She smiled, giving his hand a squeeze. He smiled a shy, grateful smile in return.
"I really cannot believe how welcoming they’ve been. And to speak in English all night...I cannot tell you how much I appreciated that. I wouldn't have wanted you to have to translate."
"They know enough English to get by. They haff traveled many places in their lifetimes."
Hermione relaxed again on his shoulder, listening to the fire crackling behind them.
"Pardon my interruption. Good evening all," spoke a familiar voice.
"Professor Dumbledore!" She had completely forgotten that Dumbledore was supposed to contact her again, so when she turned around and saw his face in the fire, she was more than a little startled. "Do you have any news?"
"I’m afraid that I do not have any more information than I did this afternoon, Ms. Granger. This is merely a social call. I see that you are passing your confinement in high style; I am pleased that things are going well here. I thank you all for welcoming Ms. Granger to your home under such unfortunate circumstances,” he added, nodding graciously at the assembled group.
The reminder was like a bucket of ice water, instantly dispelling the easy warmth of the evening. She was not here on a social visit. She looked at the warm, caring faces around her, and knew that this was only a temporary reprieve. She tried to extract her hand from Viktor’s, fully intending to go back to her room and cry, but she found her attempts thwarted. He tightened his grip, interlacing his fingers with hers in a manner that made escape impossible. He looked at her fiercely, shaking his head in what she knew was a warning fashion. She knew that no pleading expression would make him budge, and she subsided.
Mr. Krum was the first to speak. "It is our honor to haff her. Hermione is velcome to stay for as long as is necessary.” He smiled at her warmly. “It is an equally great pleasure to see you again, Albus. Next time you must apparate so that ve can share that brandy I promised you. That is, if it is not all gone by your next visit," he said, indicating with a nod his father’s recent departure from consciousness. They both chuckled.
"Excellent well. Viktor, I need your help here at the Order, but not until tomorrow morning. If you could be here for the meeting at nine o’clock..." he stopped and looked at Hermione, who was obviously ready to interject.
"Ms. Granger, I know that you would like to attend, but it is too dangerous for you to be traveling at this point in time. Viktor will tell you all that you need to know when he returns," he said in a tone that brokered no argument.
"Professor, can you at least tell me if you have any possible leads? I just want to know that...”
"Hermione, I would be glad to answer all of your questions, if I had the answers to them,” he interrupted, his voice stern. “I will not keep you in the dark, and you must content yourself with that for the time being.” She glared at him resentfully, but decided that risking his displeasure was not the best idea. He kindly ignored her sullen expression. “I apologize for the disturbance. Mr. and Mrs. Krum, Ada, Hermione...I wish you all a pleasant evening. Viktor, I will see you promptly at nine tomorrow. You remember the location, I presume?" Dumbledore raised an eyebrow in inquiry.
"Yes." Viktor answered, lowered his eyes to the ground. Dumbledore's head disappeared with a pop.
Hermione stared at the fireplace for a long time. Everyone quietly sipped their tea, each lost in his or her own thoughts. For the first time that night, there was an awkward silence.
"Viktor, maybe you should show Hermione your telescope in the attic." Mrs. Krum finally said. She looked at Hermione with a fond expression.
"He used to sit there half the night when he was younger, and would say that he wished he could fly as high as to touch the stars," she giggled.
Viktor nodded vigorously. "That sounds like a good idea. Come." His seeker reflexes came into play as he jumped up and grabbed Hermione's hand, practically dragging her out of the room.
Hermione quickly turned around and called out, "Thank you for the lovely dinner. It was wonderful to meet you all!" The thick walls muffled any response that she may have gotten, and she resolved to give Viktor a good scolding for making her appear so rude.
They were half way up the stairs when Viktor halted suddenly. Hermione, not anticipating the change in momentum, bumped into him so hard that she nearly fell back down the stairs. Had it not been for his steadying hand, she probably would have gone careening right back into the dining room. She opened her mouth, a barrage of questions and reproofs for his strange behavior set to tumble forth, when he did something even more unexpected: he reached up and cupped her face between his rough hands. She gasped at the startling rush of sensation that his actions produced in her, as much as the abruptness and incongruity of the gesture.
"Viktor, what's wrong?" she whispered. She felt a stab of unease when he didn’t respond. Perhaps she had committed a disastrous faux pas, had embarrassed him in front of his family so horribly that he was now obligated to sever ties with her forever. Is that why they had dismissed her so quickly, because they could not stand to be in the same room with her any longer? Her stomach churned with fearful anticipation, but even with the possibility of her imminent dismissal hanging over her, she couldn’t help but notice how wonderful it felt to have his hands on her in such an intimate way. The feeling of skin on skin, the heat of his body pressed against hers, was a heady sensation. She couldn't help but feel a bit weak in the knees as she leaned against the wall behind them.
He continued to stare; she felt his gaze on her. Viktor, not moving his hands or his eyes, spoke softly.
“I cannot believe how at ease you vere with my family, like you haff met them a thousand times. It is true that I haff never brought a girl home to meet them before. But I know that ven Alexei was here they did not velcome him as they did you, and he has been my friend for a long time. I am most pleased, Hermione."
And with that satisfied pronouncement, he leaned in and pressed his lips against hers. She was so shocked that she didn’t respond for a moment, but quickly came to her senses and began to return the gesture in kind. Encouraged by her enthusiasm, he deepened the kiss, and it grew steadily in passion. His hands drifted from her face, down her shoulders, and finally settling on her lower back. She let out a shy moan, gently twining her arms around his waist and pulling herself deeper into his embrace.
It was he who finally broke contact, looking at once dazed and amazingly pleased with himself. Feeling embarrassed at her reaction, she tried to regain some semblance of composure, to no avail. The sight of his flushed cheeks, the sound of their mingled pants, set her mind on fire. They both stared at each other for a moment, almost in disbelief of what they had just done. It was her fear of being caught in that state that finally propelled her into action, and she pulled gently on his hand.
"I thought that you had something to show me,” she prompted, still a little out of breath. Perhaps it was the rush of hormones muddling his brain, but he could only interpret that comment one way, and it certainly wasn’t the one that she had intended. He shot her a rather surprised look. She rolled her eyes when she caught on to what he was thinking. “The telescope,” she gently prodded. He nodded in response, and they continued their trek.
"My great grandfather bought it during his travels, and it has been in my family ever since. I am thinking that it is not muggle artifact, though. It has magic to it, as you vill soon see," he grinned.
The attic, though dark and a bit dusty, was as comfortable as the best of the house; it had a certain warmth to it. A love seat and a large telescope sat in the middle of the room, the latter pointing upwards through a huge skylight. Dusk was just passing into darkness, and only the brightest stars were yet visible.
Viktor murmured a spell that lit all the candles in the attic, and he walked Hermione over to the sofa.
"Sit, and I vill turn on the stars for you."
She laughed. "And how are you going to do that with magic?"
"Vait and see. Close your eyes," he said.
She complied. She heard a bit of shuffling around, but trusted him enough not to peek.
"Now open your eyes."
Hermione did so slowly, not knowing what to expect. She was therefore more than pleasantly surprised to find that the entire attic was flooded with light. The sources of the sudden illumination were hundreds of tiny fairies that danced around them.
"How did you do that? Where did you get them?" she asked. She stood up and spun in a circle, utterly transfixed.
"Vell, it vos as close as I could get you to the stars. I thought you vould enjoy them. I know that stars up in the sky are not big fairies, but that is how I thought of them ven I was a small boy."
She did not know what to say to adequately thank him for sharing such a beautiful experience with her. She gently took his hand, and together they watched the dazzling display, until the fairies slowly extinguished themselves and disappeared back to wherever they had emerged from. The sky was now completely black, and the stars sparkled more clearly and brightly than Hermione had ever seen them.
"If you vont to look at the real thing now, I haff adjusted the telescope," he said.
They spent over an hour up at the attic, looking at the stars. Viktor was extremely knowledgeable in astronomy. He would adjust the telescope at regular intervals, then describe the constellations and planets in detail. Each new sighting was accompanied by a soft touch to her arm, her back, her waist. Hermione enjoyed the lesson a lot more than she ever had at Hogwarts.
By the time they had found and discussed Andromeda in detail, Hermione was beginning to tire. "It's getting late, Viktor, and you have to leave early tomorrow. As much as I don't want this evening to end, I think that we both need to get some sleep," Hermione commented, not bothering to stifle her yawn.
Viktor acquiesced, though he would have stayed there all night if she had asked it of him. It was wonderful to see Hermione relaxed and smiling, if only for a little while.
"If that is vot you vish. Ve shall go downstairs so that I can say goodnight to you properly," he replied.