Team: Falmouth Falcons

Position: Chaser 2

Location: Durmstrang

Prompts:

5. (word) Noble

11. (dialogue) "What a thing to say!"

14. (word) contagious

Word count: 1173

Betas: Ragsweas ; xxCallMeAmyxx; Flye Autumne. (Thank you very much!)

AU! Hermione visits Viktor Krum at Durmstrang.

Viktor walked through the hallway with his head held high; he had a specific destination and he would not let anybody get in his way.

After the Triwizard Tournament had ended so badly, with the death of a student, and with him not winning, he was unsure how things with him and Hermione would turn out. Thankfully, it worked out in his favour.

Durmstrang's final term lasted a few days longer than Hogwarts' as they opened their doors to prospective parents. Additionally, family members and friends of current students could visit. This year, Viktor had invited Hermione to visit him over the summer; however, she was reluctant - he liked that about her. Therefore, when the opportunity came to invite her to this short, three day visit at Durmstrang, he had offered it to her.

Hermione had accepted, whether that was simply out of curiosity, or something more, he could never be so sure; she was a unique individual.

As he reached the wide exterior doors, he instantly noticed her. Hermione was wearing muggle clothing, with her hair down and pulling her trunk along behind her. She hadn't noticed him yet, and was instead looking at the castle in amazement.

"'Mione," he greeted, gaining her attention instantly with this deep voice.

Hermione set him a soft gaze and walked over, quicker than her normal pace. "Viktor, this school is amazing!"

When she was close enough, he was greeted with a hug. "Just wait until you see inside," he commented, taking her trunk from her, not letting her negotiate on that matter. His English was a bit rusty since returning to Bulgaria and was thankful that Hermione still understood him.

"How have you been?" she asked with a smile, walking with him into the castle. Most of her attention was on looking around and taking everything in, but he knew she was great at multitasking.

"Good. There has been a lot of publicity over what happened," he started. "Some bad."

Hermione looked at him sympathy. "It was very tragic what happened. Every story I have seen differs, it's like nobody can get their facts right and most of them don't believe Harry."

Viktor had to admit to himself that he wasn't sure if he believed Harry Potter entirely. He felt that the younger boy must have had something to do with it, even if it were indirectly. But, he wasn't about to say that to Hermione. "We might never know," he replied.

As Viktor continued to give her a talk, she took over the conversation, he had never been much of a talker anyway. Besides, he liked listening and watching her; she was fascinating.

Eventually, they reached the guest dorms, where she would be staying.

"Thank you," Hermione said, taking her trunk from him and placing it onto her bed.

"For what?" Viktor inquired, there were many things she could be thanking him for.

She looked around briefly. "Inviting me, showing me around, and allowing me to have a separate dorm - I heard that most of the guest stay in the same dorm as the person they were visiting."

Viktor smiled, a true smile. "I know you would prefer it this way."

"That is very noble of you," Hermione replied, returning his smile.

He nodded his head in thanks, he took that as high praise. "Why are you smiling?"

"Your smile is contagious," she replied, tiptoeing and kissing his cheek. "Good night."

With a nod, he stepped back. "Good night, 'Mione," he said before turning and walking out of the dorm, back to his own.

The following day found Viktor and Hermione enjoying a stroll around the castle after a filling breakfast. Naturally, the conversation started on Hogwarts and Durmstrang and their differences. Gradually, though, it changed to something more personal.

Viktor found himself speaking more than he had when he was at Hogwarts; he was more comfortable here. He decided to try his hand at the more joking version of flirting - he loved her laugh.

"I don't believe you," Hermione said in response to his story about when he first rode a broom.

"What a thing to say!" he responded seriously. Nobody has ever called him a liar before; not when it came to Quidditch, anyway.

She set him a knowing gaze. "You want me to believe that the first time you ever flew a broom, was also the same time you caught your first snitch… and you were 6 months?"

Viktor nodded in confirmation.

Hermione shook her head. "I don't believe it," she said.

"I was born with natural talent, 'Mione, that is the honest truth," Viktor insisted. "What age did you first ride then?"

"Eleven," Hermione answered and he couldn't help but pause in momentary confusion. He had forgotten that she was a muggleborn. "When I started Hogwarts. I was not naturally gifted in that particular area of the curriculum."

Viktor nodded, he knew she was gifted in other areas. "You are very smart and intelligent," he pointed out, knowing they were probably the same thing, but she deserved to be called them both. "If you flew as much as you studied, you would be amazing."

A blush came across her features, he wasn't sure exactly how he managed to cause that reaction, but he was pleased to know he affected her. It showed him that they were moving in the right direction.

The days flew past and Viktor had been satisfied with where the two of them were. Spending time together away from Hogwarts had been a breakthrough for both of them, both individually and as a pair. Hermione had learnt a lot more than she thought she would - her words, not Viktor's. Viktor also found himself learning more about Durmstrang and Hermione.

As the two of them reached the Durmstrang gates, where they would once again say goodbye to each other, she turned to him first.

"Thank you, Viktor. I really appreciate you inviting me here, it has been eye-opening," Hermione spoke. Her hand to came to rest on his arm.

"It was my pleasure to have you here," he replied formally, dipping his head forward in acknowledgement of her words. "It is not too late to reconsider coming to visit me over the summer."

She smiled softly at him, leaning in and giving him a tight hug. It was short but meaningful. "I will think about it," she promised.

Viktor smiled genuinely, handing her a box with a new quill in. "To help you with your studies and make it easier to write letters." The last point was with the obvious intent of writing to him.

"I will use it the moment I get home," Hermione promised him. They lingered there for a few long moments before saying a final goodbye and walking separate ways.

Their momentary time may have been over, but Viktor knew it wasn't the end. Whilst he wasn't sure that he would be seeing her again over the summer, he knew he would receive a few letters. That was enough for him. For now, anyway.

The end