The Prophecy

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

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