A War of Nerves

CHAPTER 5: Of Hermione; Part 1

"No, no, no, Brigid. If you do that, the potion will solidify and you'll never get any use out of it," Hermione said quickly before her hapless potions partner added the fairy wings to the liquid.

Hermione had come to Salem's with no friends, no connections, and no idea of what to expect. But, she had guessed, with the right friends, it won't be so bad. And she was right. She had met Brigid her first day after being sorted into Fire, like she had expected, and they had hit it off, kind of. Actually, Brigid had hauled off and punched her, blaming her for the absence of Lily. Then two twins had put a binding spell on her.

"Terribly sorry about that," one said.

"She gets bitchy when she is one her period," commented the other.

"Um," Hermione had said uncomfortably as she wiped the blood from her nose.

"I'm Gwen," the first said.

"And I'm Katie," said the second.

Hermione's eyes went from one short, blond haired, black eyed girl to the next and said, "Hermione Granger. Nice to meet you, I think."

"Get be out of this you piece of shit, fornicating, mother fucking, pot heads! I'm not kidding!" the tall, threatening looking, platinum blond yelled from the ground.

"Chill," said Gwen.

"Language, language, what would Lily say?" mocked Katie.

"You know damn well what she'd say you filthy Matson twins! 'Get me the fuck out of this Full Body Bind!'" then the girl sniffed, "Lillers," and burst into tears.

"Oh no, not again," Katie said.

"You'd think she was pregnant or something," Gwen sighed.

"So, Mimi-"

"You don't mind if we call you Mimi, right?"

Hermione shook her head dumbly.

"Care for some lunch?" Katie asked.

"Sure," Hermione said, still a little shell shocked. Then she looked back at sobbing Brigid, "Will she be okay?"

"Who?"

"B-chan?"

"Fine, just fine, does it all the time-"

"Floor's good for her you know," Gwen said.

And that had been her eventful first day. The next day, Brigid had come and apologized and they had been friends ever since, though she stayed away from her at that time of the month from then on.

"Sorry!" Brigid said.

"You'd think that she is doing top secret potions making-"

"Not Pepperup Potion-"

"Geeze-"

"I know!" the twins bantered.

"Well I don't see why she bothers with you three at all. You're a disgrace to the school," Morgan said. When Hermione had first met her, Morgan had displayed a cool calm surface, and she retained it to this day. Everything about Morgan screamed, 'I'm a descendent of Morgan Le Fay!' She was a Wind (Salem's equivalent to a Slytherin) with long, black curly hair and soft green, attentive eyes. And for Merlin's sake, her full name was Morgan Le Fay Estellan. Hermione later learned that her family had been a long line of purebred, English witches that participated in the Raj in India. She was calm, collected, and came off as snooty and standoffish. Henceforth the name-

"Raja! All hail the Maharaja!"

"Fall on your knees! She speaks!" Katie and Gwen joked.

"Shut up. I can't help it if I'm better than all of you at potions. I was just thinking-"

"She was thinking!"

"Watch out!"

Morgan continued like no one had spoken, "-that Hermione might want to actually go though a potions class and not have to do your potions too."

"She's okay! Aren't you Mimi?" Brigid asked.

Hermione cracked a half smile, "Sure."

"Good," Brigid said, "Now, what is after the ginger roots?"

After Potions with Professor Nettles, Hermione went off to DADA, her new favorite class. Not to her surprise, DADA was stressed at this school more than Hogwarts. I mean, they were training specifically for Auror work. She fervently wished that Harry and Ron could be here, Sirius Black was teaching after all. That had surprised her the first day, but after seeing how everyone treated him, it was no surprise to see why he liked it here rather than at Hogwarts. No one gave him shit about being a formerly convicted felon, and everyone knew. Hermione remembered how they had caught Peter. But Fudge, the ignoramus he was, granted Sirius pardon, but still treated him like a felon. Americans seemed to have less prejudices than she was used to, there was a half vampire in one of her classes for Merlin's sake. And the relationships between houses were much friendlier. This was just one of the many things she liked about Salem's. And it didn't hurt that a few really...really....nice looking boys went there. In fact, she had met Viktor Krum again. She remembered how and laughed.

"Her-my-ninny?" he had said.

Hermione was focusing on trying to stay on her broom and not falling off. As it turned out, broom flying was something that they tested you on here at Salem's.

"V-Viktor?" she said uncertainly. He had changed a lot. Well, not a lot. He was still tall, dark...and hansom! When did he grow out of his awkward stage? His eyes glinted with laughter when she fell upside down on her broom and he was gifted with a look at her long tanned legs. "Help!"

Viktor chuckled and grabbed her around the wait and set her on his broom. "Her-my-ninny? Vat are you doing 'ere?"

Hermione clutched him tightly, "Take me down and I'll tell you Viktor," she said desperately, she never had liked flying.

He flew her gently down to the ground and set her down. Hermione sighed and said, "Thank you Viktor, I don't know what I'd of done with out you."

"It is no problem, Her-my-ninny. Now, vat are you really doing here, not learning to vly I 'ope," he asked lightly.

"Well," she said brushing away some loose strands of hair, "It is kind of an exchange program. I was switched with a girl from here, Lilith Merrins," then she paused and said, "What are you doing here? I thought you were finished with school."

"Ah, well, I go to zee University of Salem, further auror training," then he looked at his broom wistfully, "I quit Quidditch you see."

"Whatever for!" Hermione cried. She had never cared much for the sport, but she knew that it was Viktor's life. She hated to see him unhappy. She reached for his hand and said, "Maybe you can teach me a bit. As you can see, I'm not quite good, and I have to pass a test in it."

Viktor's face lit up and he said, "I vood love to 'elp you Her-my-ninny! Now first, your grip is all wrong-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Not today Viktor, you couldn't pay me enough to get on a broom again today!"

"Oh," his face fell.

Hermione bit her lip. She remembered that she and Viktor had broken it off in the summer of fourth year because they couldn't keep in contact. But if they were going to the same school, well, one across the street, maybe they could work it out. To tell the truth, Viktor had been her first love, and part of her wanted it to work out. Hermione had never been the type to quit on anything. "But if you're not doing anything," she said, slowly, looking up at him from under her eyelashes, "would you like to get a drink or something?"

Viktor's face lit up, "Yes, yes! I know a goot place! Meet me at zee student store at zee university at zevon, I vill show you around Mass-et-chut-setts!"

"Okay," Hermione said with a smile. Then she squeezed his hand and pecked him on the cheek. Viktor blushed and said, "Goot bye Her-my-ninny!"

"See you Viktor!" she said picking up her broom stick.

"Earth to Mimi! Earth to Mimi!" a twin called. To her shame, she still couldn't tell them apart.

"All right ladies and gentlemen. Please keep all your arms and legs inside the ride at all times and watch your head while exiting La-la-land. Thank you!" the other said in a sickeningly sweet voice.

"Sorry, about that," Hermione said cracking a smile.

Morgan leaned over her chair, "This is the time you act imperious and claim you meant to do that."

"Yeah," Hermione said with a giggle. Morgan was known for her indifference.

"Just as long as you're not daydreaming about my Sirius Black, I'm fine," she said, flashing the professor a seductive smile. Black quickly looked away from them and resumed teaching, looking quite uncomfortable.

"Why do you even bother Raja?" Brigid said in a bored voice. Morgan was known for contracting crushes for her teachers and older men, older dangerous men. "He doesn't see you like that."

Morgan tossed her hair and said, "Not yet at least."

"Sh! Some of us are trying to take notes here," a twin said testily, mocking Hermione and her fervent scribbling on her paper.

"Miss Matson," Professor Black said.

"Yes," both of the twins answered.

Black cracked a brief smile, "Perhaps one of you would like to tell me the differences between an Augurey and a Phoenix."

Both girls smiled. "Well-"

"Augureys are found mostly in Ireland-"

"And Phoenixes are found rarely at all."

"Augureys are known for their blue, black, and dark green plumage-"

"And Phoenixes for their vibrant oranges, yellows, and reds."

"An Augurey's tears and song symbolize the coming of rain-"

"Though many people thought it symbolized the coming of death-"

"And a Phoenix's tears and song symbolize good cheer-"

"Not to mention their powers of healing."

"That is very good girls, ten points for Fire to each of you. Now, does anyone else know anything about Phoenixes and Augurey's?" He looked at Hermione, but some one else answered for her.

"Both of their tail feathers," Morgan interrupted, "are used in wand making. Phoenix tail feathers are very hard to come by and there are only two feathers in existence. While Aurgurey tail feathers are only slightly easier to come by. There are twenty to thirty known wands with cores of Aurgurey, two of which are sitting in this class room, me and you," then she paused, as though debating on whether to let a particularly juicy secret slip, and smiled sweetly, "And if your wondering, the reason I know is because of my uncle, Johannes Ollivander, I am apprenticed to him over the summers."

"Um, very good Miss Estellan, ten points to Wind."

"Thank you Professor Black," she said.

Morgan sat back in her seat and Hermione leaned over to her. "That must be fascinating, working in Ollivanders."

"I've always thought so. Let me see you wand, I'll try to guess what it is made of," she said with a genuine smile, not the cold one she usually gave people, or the seductive one she gave to her victims, a real smile. Apparently, Hermione thought, this is what she really loves. She handed it over.

"Hm," she said, twirling in over in her hands, "Ten and three fourths inches, Olive tree wood with a Pegasus feather core, pliable, good for charms, transfiguration, and dueling."

Hermione's eyes went wide open, "That is exactly what Ollivander, your uncle said, the exact words."

Morgan shrugged, "If you're Uncle Johannes long enough..."

"Okay class," Black said with a smile, "Monday, we will all meet at the marshes and you will be forced to find your way back to Salem's with the help of Hinkypunks. I hope you remember the incantation that makes them tell the truth. Have a nice weekend!"

(A/N: Hinkypunks are mythical creatures that live in swamps and marshes and mislead people who ask for help. I think I explained Augury's enough.)

The Matson twins, Brigid, and Hermione were walking out the door when they realized that they were missing someone of their number.

"You have got to be shitting me!" Brigid said, "Raja is in there intimidating Black into a date, ten to one odds."

"No way am I taking that bet!" a twin said.

"Chill out B-chan," Morgan said smoothly as she walked out of the class room, "Just picking up my scrolls, that's all."

"Sure," Brigid said.

(A/N: I'm sure you're wondering what 'B-chan' means, unless you read/watch Anime. The ending -chan is just like a loving ending, like a nickname. I don't really know how to describe it. It's like saying, 'Brigid love' or 'Brigid friend.' I don't think I explained that really well, hopefully you get the meaning though.)

"So," Hermione said carefully, "What are your guys doing this weekend?"

"Studying!" the twins said at the same time, mockingly, and throwing a fist into the air.

"Getting drunk and performing at the night club!" Brigid said in the same voice, imitating the twins.

"Scratch that," one twin said.

"Yeah," the other said.

"Getting drunk and performing at the night club!" they said simultaneously.

"I as well may find myself drunk off my ass and performing at the night club," Morgan said, "Though it is hardly the same without Lily."

"What night club?" Hermione asked.

"The Red Slip," Morgan answered, "I managed to get us a time slot, enough for three songs. Have you guys decided what you want to perform yet?"

"What's the point?" Brigid complained, "No one does vocals or plays the electric as well as Lily!"

"True, but we have to keep in practice," Morgan said, "Jackson said he'd fill in for her, he knows the material."

"I suppose-"

"That it's okay," the twins said.

"I loathe him. I hate him. You could go as far as to say I hate him with a burning passion fueled by the deepest, darkest pits of hell," then she turned to Hermione and said amiably, "And what are you doing?"

"Well, Viktor and I were gonna do something," she started.

"Oh! He is so gorgeous! A killer seeker, wish he was on the house team" Brigid interrupted. Brigid was the keeper for the Fire House Quidditch team.

"Yeah," the twins said. They were the beaters for the Fire Quidditch team

"But how do you know him?" Brigid asked.

"They dated in her fourth year dumb ass," Morgan said spitefully, but playfully.

"How'd you-" Hermione said.

"Know? Blaise Zabini is my cousin, second actually," Morgan said with an imperious flip of her hair.

"But he's-"

"Monstrous? Mean? Horrid? A Slytherin? All of the above I'm afraid. But he's a good guy," Morgan said thoughtfully.

"Yeah," to Hermione's surprise, Brigid said. Brigid was known for her open dislike of Slytherins and Winds, with, of course, the exception of Morgan. "When I visited her in England when she was working for Johannes, he was there too. Solid guy, like him a lot."

Hermione raised her eyebrows but said nothing.

"So what are you two planning this weekend?" Morgan asked casually. "I know he's been teaching you to fly, but really, that's enough preliminaries. Sleep with him and dump him, it has gone on long enough."

Hermione coughed uncomfortably, "We aren't at all like that!"

"So you're a virgin?"

"How boring," the twins said.

"Wow, I agree," Brigid.

"Have you even been drunk?"

"High?" the twins asked.

"No! No, no, no, a thousand times no!" Hermione said, her face getting red.

"Oh," Morgan said sympathetically, "Don't tease her. Would you like to bring Mr. Krum to The Red Slip tonight? It should be fun, you could be a groupie."

"Um, sure," she said with a pause, "What should I wear?"

Brigid grabbed her hand and looked her straight in the eye, hers were wide and

pleading, "Let me dress you, please."

"Aahhhhhhhhhhh!" a twin shrieked.

"Mimi is the new Barbie doll for B-chan!"

"Run and hide! Run and hide!"

"Back you villainous blonde!" Morgan said jokingly, "You will not make a dress up doll of Hermione!" Then she turned to Hermione, "I'll come over before you leave to help," and she shot a glance at Brigid, "If she comes over, don't let her in."

Brigid sulked for and said, "You're no fun!"

"So," Hermione said, "What do you play?"

"Oh, Katie and I play bass!" Gwen shouted.

"I play the drums," Brigid said, still sulkily.

"And I mix," Morgan said.

"Oh, so what time?" Hermione asked.

"How about I come over around six, I'll be out by seven. Then I have to go to the Slip and prep for a while, meet us there around eleven and we'll be good," Morgan said in a sensible voice.

"Sounds fun I guess," Hermione said.

"Oh, and by the way," a twin said.

"We are going to get you drunk."

"There is no escaping it-"

"And we're going to initiate you into the Sinner Sisters!"

"That is the name of our group-"

"You don't happen to have a favorite design-"

"Or symbol really-"

"Because you get a tattoo-"

"Complements of Ernie's Tattoo Parlor-"

"And the Sinner Sisters!"

"Hush Katie, you're giving it away!" Gwen said.

"Not anymore than you!"

"Shut up!" Morgan said, plugging her ears, "You bicker like old women!"

The twins shut up.

"Better," Morgan said. "Meet you at six on Saturday, Hermione."

"Okay, bye."

There was a chorus of goodbyes as Hermione left to meet Viktor. My friends are weird, she thought, But it is nice to have girl friends. I love Harry and Ron to death, but I can only tell them so much. And Ginny, well, Ginny is nice, but not really a girl friend, she has her own friends.

Hermione turned the corner and ran straight into a sprinting brunette girl.

"Hey! Watch where yer goin'," she said in a thick southern accent.

"Well, I never-You ran into me!" Hermione sputtered.

The girl got up quickly and her green eyes flashed angrily. There was something about those eyes.

Then the girl's eyes softened, "Yer 'ermione Granger."

Hermione nodded, "And you are Lilith Merrins."

Lily let out a sigh and said, "Sorry about that, I'm in kind of a hurry. Have you seen Cherry by the way, she wasn't in her office."

Hermione looked at her questioningly.

"Um, Headmistress Woodsrow, I mean," Lily said.

"Actually, she is teaching a class right now, the transfigurations teacher caught ill," Hermione said.

"Steven? How horrid! But thanks!" she said. Then she looked like she was considering something and said, "Ya could help me, could ya meet me in the coffee shop on Sixth and Chevy at ten tonight?"

"I suppose," Hermione said, she didn't have any plans, and Lily was suppose to be an interesting person, at least that was what she heard from her friends and gathered from their short correspondences.

"Good, an' thanks again!" she said, running off.

Hermione straightened her robes and walked to the university, humming. When she reached the school, she leaned against a pillar and waited for Viktor. Not to long afterwards a soft kiss was planted on her neck, "Her-my-ninny," Viktor whispered into her ear.

"Viktor," she said, giggling.

"You smell very goot, Her-my-ninny," Viktor said, sliding his arm around her waist and burying his nose in her some what less frizzy hair.

"I'm glad you think so," she said, matter-of-factly.

"Let's get some lunch, I'm very 'ungry," Viktor said, pulling her by the hand.

"Nice to see you're so easily distracted," she said in a mock hurtful voice.

"No, never," he said, chuckling as he set his bag down on a chair in a restaurant. The waiter gave them some menus and they ordered.

"So," Hermione said, "I was invited to a night club tomorrow, want to come."

Viktor frowned and said, "Yes, I 'ave nothing tomorrow, just school work."

"Good!" Hermione said.

"Her-my-ninny?" Viktor said thoughtfully.

"Yes," Hermione said after swallowing a bit of her newly delivered sandwich.

"I vas vondering," he said carefully, "vere do you live right now?"

"Um, at the dormitories in Salem's," she said, really wondering where this conversation was going.

"Hm, vell, do you think...no never mind," he said, taking a sip of his soup.

"What?" she said after a moment.

"It'z not important, forget I asked," he said.

Hermione's eyes went into slits and she decided she would ask later, he seemed caught up in thought at the moment.

They finished their meals in silence and Viktor paid the bill. They stepped outside the restaurant and Hermione said, "Viktor, is there something wrong?"

"No, no, not at all. Vat time did you vant me to stop by your room tomorrow?"

"Nine-ish, we can grab some dinner before we leave."

"Okay, Her-my-ninny," he said, kissing her on the cheek, "I'll see you zen."

"Bye, Viktor," she called after him as he went to his next class.

Hermione waited in the coffee shop for fifteen minutes before Lily showed.

"Sorry I'm late!" Lily said apologetically.

"It's okay," Hermione said, "Now what is it that I can do for you? And I'm really interested in what is going on at Hogwarts if you don't mind, the boys and Ginny haven't written in ages!"

"Well, business before pleasure I always say. I'll give ya all the news ya want after ya give me some information."

Hermione shrugged and said, "Sure, shoot."

"Well, I want ta know everything ya know 'bout the Slytherins. I could find it out I s'pose, but it is quicka' askin' you. An' I want the real story 'bout Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Peter Pittigrew, James an' Lily Potter, an' Lucius Malfoy. An' all the people ya think are potential Death Eata's."

Hermione inhaled sharply, "Well, is that all."

Lily nodded, "Ya dunna mind if I take notes?"

"By all means," Hermione said. "Let's start with all my candidates for Death Eaters. Crabbe and Goyle are shoe-ins. Pansy Parkinson and Millicent Bludstrode are the only other seventh years I suspect. There are a few fifth and sixth years however. "Corey McNair, Darron Nott, Joanne Taves, Adam Dolohov, and Stephanie Roberts to name a few."

"Taves?"

"Yes."

"Um," Lily said, biting the end of her feather, "Why, just out of curiosity, didn't you say Malfoy or Zabini."

Hermione considered this, "Well, I used to think Malfoy, until I met Malfoy senior. Draco is a pawn, an unwitting pawn, albeit, but a pawn none the less. And he probably knows it too. I actually suspect that Dumbledore had recruited him for a double agent.

"And Zabini? Too smart."

"Many smart men are won over ta the dark side," Lily said sagely.

"No, he is different. There isn't the, um, killing instinct, in him that is present in other Slytherin."

"I agree. Now the history," Lily urged.

Hermione bit her lip, "We need more coffee."

After an hour of reciting the tale, Hermione was exhausted. Lily had just let her talk and talk, with the exception of a few point she needed clarification on. It was nice to talk to Aunt Hermione again, even if she didn't know she was Aunt Hermione. Hermione had always been a stable point in her life. Boy troubles, go to Auntie Hermione. School getting rough, go to Auntie Hermione.

"Now it is your turn to talk," Hermione said, working on her fifth coffee.

"Well, Ginny an' Harry got ta'gether."

Hermione nodded, "Finally!"

"Ron claims ta love ya."

Hermione took a sip of her coffee and scoffed, "He is in love with the idea of being in love with me."

"I'm inclined ta believe ya," Lily said, For now anyway. "We beat Hufflepuff an' Ravenclaw in Quidditch."

"Good, Harry told me you'd made the team, congratulations."

"Thank ya."

"Is that all?" Hermione asked. Ron and Harry usually got in some sort of trouble by this time of year.

"Well, b'fore the Ravenclaw match, Harry, Ron, Ginny, some otha' Gryffindors and I got in a brawl with some Slytherins.

Hermione sighed in relief, that wasn't too bad.

"An' I froze Draco Malfoy ta the wall in potions b'fore I left."

"Hm, which freezing charm did you use?"

Lily took out her wand and pointed it at a flower that decorated the table, "Akinisu!" and it froze solid.

Hermione chuckled, "I like Aquarisu more, but it only works on water. But anyway, that must have been funny."

"I liked punchin' him betta', the ferret deserves ta have his nose broken mo' of'en," she said fingering her wand.

"That is some wand you have there," Hermione commented. "Raja must have had a field day with that one."

"You know Raja?"

"Her friends sort of took me it when I transferred here. It is nice to have girl friends, all I had at Hogwarts were Ron and Harry. Not that I don't love the boys, but they...well, you can't talk to them like you can talk to girls."

"I agree. An' Ron an' Harry, they are true friends."

"You know them pretty well then?" Hermione asked.

"Part o' the mission ya see," Lily said dismissively. If you only knew.

"Yes, Headmaster Woodsrow told me a bit. Is that why you asked about the Slytherins? You think it is a student, don't you?"

Lily nodded, Hermione was smart, "Yes, but I'd 'preciate it if ya said nothing ta anyone, Ron knows an' that is bad 'nough."

"Are you dense? You told Ron?" Hermione said.

"Shh! I had no choice. He was startin' ta figure it out! I had ta tell him somethin'. So sue me if I was tired o' lyin'," Lily said, a bit irritated.

Hermione looked as though she was considering something, "Well, what's done is done. What are your plans now that you're in Massachusetts?"

"I have ta go soon, b'fore dinner at Hogwarts," Lily said sadly.

"That is too bad, you know your band is playing at The Red Slip?"

"Really, at least they are practicin', that's good. Hey, maybe I can convince Albus ta let us play the Yule Ball."

"Maybe, he really likes music, like modern music, even Muggle music, for some reason. Should I tell Raja, Brigid, Katie, and Gwen hello for you?" Hermione said, getting up and putting on her fur coat.

"Please, an' say I'm sorry that I couldn't see 'em." Lily said.

"It was nice meeting you Lily," Hermione said, extending her hand.

"Same here 'ermione. An' thank ya, fo' everythin'," Lily said, taking her hand and shaking it, perhaps holding on a bit too long.

Then Lily walked out of the coffee shop, leaving Hermione to analyze what she had heard. And some time to try to remember what her eyes reminded her of.

Morgan came over around seven, not six as she had said. She looked pretty frazzled. "Well," she said, "there were some...miscommunications...about when we were performing and if we were performing. I just...persuaded....them that it would be a very good idea that they let us go one when and forever long we wanted."

"Morgan! You didn't hurt them did you?" Hermione said aghast.

Morgan looked at her like she'd grown a second head, "No, I gave him a blow job, what else would I do? You British are weird."

"You're British too," Hermione said sulkily.

"Not if I can help it kid," she said. "Now, what to wear?"

"I was thinking-"

"No," she said with out waiting to hear Hermione's opinion. "I'm thinking black. The Red Slip is a pretty high class place, so you won't want to go slut. Hm, put on anything, I'll transfigure you a dress."

Hermione looked down at her slacks and t-shirt, "This is good."

"Okay, now give me one minute," Morgan said, rubbing her temples with her wand in one hand. She tapped her foot for a second and then said, "Okay! I have it!"

Morgan pointed the wand at Hermione and the feeling Cinderella must have had when her fairy godmother gave her the dress to the ball came over her. She felt her hair change a couple of times, and her dress length and style changed too. She opened the eyes that she didn't remember closing and looked into the mirror.

Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. She was wearing a black leather-like skirt, top, and boot outfit. The top was sleeveless with a triangle shaped neckline. It showed a few inches of belly before it met the skirt. The skirt was black as well, and had triangular front and back, showing off a fair bit of leg. Then she had black knee boots, something she had always wanted. And her hair was only slightly wavy, but the same length she remembered it. She looked like a rock star and she loved it.

"Raja...I look-"

"Blah, blah, blah, you look fantastic. No need to thank me, I know I'm a goddess. So you wear your fur coat with that and you won't be cold outside. I need to get going, and your date is probably coming soon. For make up, I suggest you go dark, no lipstick though, I always thought that natural lips were prettier anyway," Morgan said as she headed to the door.

"Raja..."

"You're welcome! And take these, you'll get in instantly," she said putting some tickets on the table by the door and closing the door behind her.

Hermione looked at herself in the mirror and bit her lip. Then a smile broke onto her face and she squealed, "This is so cool!"

Hermione put on some dark eye shadow and mascara and decided that was all she needed, but put on some clear lip gloss, just in case.

Not too long afterwards, she heard a knock on the door and Viktor walked in. Immediately his jaw dropped, "Her-my-ninny?" he managed to choke out.

Hermione smiled, This could be fun, she thought.

They stopped to eat at an Italian food restaurant before they went to The Red Silk. Hermione noticed that Viktor was still acting a bit odd around her, and since she was tired of his, well his oddness, she asked him.

"Viktor Krum, if you don't tell me what is wrong right now," she said threateningly when she finished her meal.

Viktor looked up at her and smiled, "You look very beautiful tonight Her-my-ninny."

"Well, thank you," she said a bit awkwardly, "But I wanted to know why on earth you are acting so, so not you."

"It iz nothing, I am just thinking a lot lately," he said.

"About?" Hermione prompted.

"You, and me," he said looking down.

The bill came and he paid it. They stepped out of the restaurant before he said anything else. "I vanted to know, vhy do...vat do you think, about us."

A couple of men walking down the street towards them gave Hermione a look through and whistled. Viktor snaked an arm around her waist, pulling her close, and semi-growled at the men as they passed. Alarms went off in Hermione's head. He wants to go one step further! Hm, this could be a good thing. I like Viktor, hell, maybe I love him, I've never really been in love. Is this what it feels like?

"I don't understand the question," she said calmly.

"It iz nothing, lets go to zis night club of yours," he said with a smile Hermione suspected was fake.

They entered the club, with the help of the tickets, and walked to the bar.

"MIMI!" Hermione heard some one say.

"Mimi," Brigid said again when she was nearer, "I'm so glad you made it! Now are you going to introduce us?" she said nodding at Viktor.

Hermione smiled, "Brigid, this is Viktor Krum. Viktor, this is Brigid Kells, a school friend of mine."

Brigid shook his hand fervently, "Nice to meet you Viktor, Mimi says such nice things about you."

Viktor managed a smile and Brigid continued, "We go on in an hour, but right now, I need Hermione for twenty minutes. Can I steal her, please?"

Viktor nodded and Hermione looked at Brigid suspiciously, then followed her.

Viktor watched as the American dragged Hermione away from him and sighed. The bar keeper came up to him and Viktor said, "Vite (A/N: White) Russian," and flipped some Muggle money on the counter.

The bartender nodded and came back with the vodka milk concoction. Viktor took a drink and frowned. How was he supposed to tell her. She was different from when he had first met her that was for sure. But she was the same too, still that drive for knowledge, that need for substance in everything. And she was even more beautiful than he remembered her to be. So what did she still see in him. Sure he wasn't ugly, but there were many more men she could be with. He had been really very surprised when he had seen her trying to fly on her broomstick, seeing her upside down in the air with her skirts falling off her legs was one of the more alluring sights he had ever seen. And he realized that he really did need her. He had been sorry that they had broken their relationship off in her fourth year. But the age difference and distance took its toll on their relationship. He half expected her to run into the arms of Potter or Weasley and forget about him, but she had said she hadn't dated anyone seriously since him. He hadn't dated anyone since her. That was why he was nervous, he loved her too much. Yes, he conceded, he loved her, and he was terrified she didn't feel the same way.

Her sighed again and saw Hermione walking over, a group of girls cheering for her and her looking, well, incredibly sexy still. She shot them a glare and sat down next to him.

"Vat did zey vant?" he asked.

Hermione smiled, "I was initiated, so to speak, into their group. I do believe I've never had tequila before, it is interesting," he looked at her oddly, "They said it would hurt less if I did."

"Vat vould hurt less?" he asked, a bit worried.

She took a drink of his White Russian, "The tattoo," she said casually.

Viktor raised an eyebrow. She certainly didn't seem drunk, but he didn't know how Hermione was when she was drunk.

Hermione pulled him out of his seat and lead him to the dance floor while she continued to talk, "It is like a group thing. The members all get tattoos. A spear crossed with a swan feather."

"That is zee symbol of zee Valkyrie," Viktor said over the music. He remembered his grandmother telling him stories about them. They were goddess-like women whose name literally meant 'choosers of the dead,' in the Slavic tongue. They were women warrior/servants of Odin who chose who died on the battle field. If he remembered correctly, they could turn into swans, and whoever captured a feather, could make them do what they wanted.

"Yes," she said, once she got to the middle of the dance floor, "Exactly."

The club was mostly playing alternative rock, none of which Viktor was familiar with. But Hermione was dancing, swaying in time with the music, enchanting him, and he just watched her.

Hermione smiled at him, knowing he was never comfortable on his feet, and put his hands on her hips. Viktor swallowed, how could she be so confident about everything? He soon got the hand of it and began to feel natural to him. Hermione was like magic, maybe not the right word, like fire, and he could only stare into it helplessly.

Soon, the band her friends were in came on and she, to his distress, stopped dancing and cheered for them.

"Ladies and gentlemen," an announcer said, "Jackson Koves and the Sinner Sisters!"

The crowd cheered again and the band burst into a rendition of the Foo Fighters' "Hey, Johnny Park!" They played a few more songs that Viktor paid no attention to, he was still enchanted with Hermione. It hit him that it was kind of pathetic that he was so attached to her, especially since she was still so much younger than he. But he recalled she said she was about nineteen, due to the Time Turner she had used her last four years.

Then the group started a song that Viktor had a feeling he was going to thank them for later. It was a slow song. Hermione smiled and pressed close to him. He wrapped his arms around her small waist, She is so tiny, and she wrapped hers around his neck.

"The suckers loose themselves in the games/They learn to play/Children love to sing but then their voices/Slowly fade away/People always take a step away/From what is true/That is why I like you around/I want you/Yeah, you're making me want you."

Hermione's eyelashes fluttered against his neck and he felt light kisses trail along his jaw and to his ear.

"An open invitation to the dance/Happenstance set the vibe that we're in/No apology because my urge is genuine/And the mystery of your rhythm is so feminine/Here I am and I want to take a hit/Of your sent and it bit/So deep into my soul/I want you/Yeah, you're making me want you."

She nibbled his ear and Viktor melted a bit under her. She definitely wasn't this forward when they were dating. One of her hands was drawing lazy circles on his back and the other was in his hair, twirling it in her fingers.

"Send me all your vampires/And I can't get enough/And I can't get enough/The village churchyard is filled with bones/Bones weeping in the grave/The silver lining of clouds shines/On people Jesus couldn't save/You want to know how deeply my soul goes/Deeper than bones/Deeper than bones/I want you/And I can't get enough."

Hermione sent a chill down his back with what she did next. He heard her inhale right next to his ear, moving her nose lightly next to his hairline by his ear. She licked the edge of his ear and kissed his earlobe. Viktor swallowed hard to keep in control.

"After we did it by the window sill/Smoke rings drift into the midnight sky/Presently in the quilt that your mother made/And a candle burns to fight off the gloom/I said to live in this way is not for the meek/But you talk real soft and kiss me on

the cheek/And like a jazz DJ you talk me into sleep/There will be no regrets when the wyrms come/And they will surely come/Oh, you're making me want you/Send me all your vampires/I want you."

(A/N: Two things; that song is by Third Eye Blind off of their self titled album. The song is called, "I Want You." And things are gonna get steamy...or smutty... whatever...so if you don't like it, don't read it. You have been forewarned.)

She kissed him on the neck and then captured his mouth, swirling her tongue gracefully. He returned it, softly at first, and then more urgently. Then she broke it off and pressed her cheek to his.

"Her-my-ninny," he said in a husky, gruff voice, full of emotion.

"Lets Apparate into your apartment," she whispered into his ear in a seductive, low voice.

Viktor didn't need to be told twice. He grabbed his wand under his clothes and walked briskly off the floor and into the back ally of The Red Silk. Not even bothering to see if anyone was around, he Apparated into his apartment with Hermione.

They appeared in his dark room and Hermione began to tug lazily at his shirt, smiling the whole time. In the moonlight, he could see her face and she was looking at him lovingly, her chocolate eyes dark with lust. She got his shirt unbuttoned and slid it over his muscular shoulders, pausing to run her hands over his chest and stomach. She kicked her boots off with minimal effort and smiled up at him.

"Viktor," she said softly, "I love you."

He was sure that was Hermione talking, not the alcohol. "I love you, Her-my-ninny."

She seemed to let out a sigh of relief and she reached to unzip her skirt and top. Viktor watched her. Beautiful, he thought as the leather like fabric dropped to the ground, leaving her in nothing but her black knickers and bra. She smiled when she saw his eyes go wide.

She reached for his belt buckle and deftly undid it, brushing her hand meaningfully over his aroused state as she pulled his pants down his slim waist. He inhaled sharply and reached for her. She pressed close to him and moved her hair over one shoulder to let him get at her bra snap better. He undid it with only a bit of trouble and flung the bra to the opposite side of the room. Beautiful, he thought again.

He backed her into the bed and pinned her down under him with a kiss. She arched her back, pressing her chest to his. Sucking slightly on his lower lip, she slid his boxer shorts off his hips and brushed her fingers over his erection lightly again. Viktor let out a feral growl, tired of going slow, and practically ripped her panties of her. He felt her giggle under him and she said, "Shh," calmly. She kissed him firmly on the mouth and spread her legs a bit to give him access.

Viktor, slid two fingers into her to test her readiness and she bucked against him. "V-Viktor," she moaned, arching against him again. He moved his tip to her womanhood and listened to her musical voice moan. Then he entered her, not surprised to find she wasn't virgin, and not caring at the time why. She was wet and tight and he fought again to keep control. He built up speed and heard her breath quicken.

"Her-my-ninny," he said thickly into her ear. He felt her claw at his back, though not hard enough to break the skin, and her lip quivering in ecstasy on his neck. He sped up his rhythm, letting her roll her hips in time before he sped up again. She moaned again and then screamed his name as he brought her into her orgasm and he followed.

Breathing heavily, he collapsed on top of her. Rolling off her a bit, he looked into her eyes. They were still a bit distant, she was still recovering form the intensity of the orgasm. But her eyes met his and she said again, "I love you, Viktor."

Viktor swallowed hard and brought her head to his chest and clutched her tightly, "I love you, Her-my-ninny," he said into her hair.

She rolled on top of him again, head resting on his chest, and fell asleep.

Viktor pulled the covers over the two of them. He placed a hand behind his head and on the small of her back, occasionally bringing it up to stroke her hair. Her breath was slow and warm against his chest when he fell asleep.

Hermione woke sore and well rested that morning. Inhaling deeply, she smelled the familiar masculine smell of Viktor and smiled. She was happy, she was content, and she was warm and safe. She kissed Viktor's sparsely haired chest. She moved so she could burry her head in his neck and she felt him wake up.

"Her-my-ninny?" he asked.

"It is early," she said groggily, "Sleep."

And he did. A few hours later, Hermione woke, alone and slightly cold. Viktor was sitting on the edge of his bed, his head in his hands. "Viktor?" she asked.

"Goot morning," he said.

Hermione cocked her head a bit, something was still wrong, "Vik-"

"Move in vith me?" he asked, turning to face her, his dark brown eyes pleading with her. This must be why he was acting so odd, the thought.

Hermione didn't know whether to be startled or happy. She had only started dating two months ago. This was faster than anything she had ever experienced in a relationship, and she was a little scared.

"Move in?" she asked cautiously.

"Yes, pleaze. I cannot live vithout you Her-my-ninny. I vant you to be the first person I see vhen I vake up and zee last person I see vhen I go to bed. Pleaze," he said, taking her hands in his.

Tears welled in Hermione's eyes and she nodded, "Alright."

Viktor smiled and jumped out of bed. "Goot, goot! Now I vill make you some breakfast, you are too skinny Her-my-ninny."

She laughed and allowed herself to be pulled out of bed and into Viktor's kitchen. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

Hermione hummed throughout her Arithmacy class, through Charms, and even through potions, before she got any comments about it.

"So," Brigid said, "Mimi, did you have fun Saturday?"

"What B-chan means is-"

"Did you get some?" the twins said, grinning evilly.

Hermione blushed a deep shade of red and turned to put some lacewing flies to her Confusing Concoction. She said nothing.

"Hermione," Morgan said, "tell us or we will apply Veritaserum to your next drink." Morgan plucked a vile out of seemingly thin air and smiled wickedly.

Hermione's eyes widened and she threw the last bit of frog brains before dusting off her hands. She bit her lip and said, "What do you want to know?"

The twins squealed, Brigid laughed, and Morgan leaned back in her seat triumphantly while she chuckled.

"What was he like?"

"Was he good?"

"Was he romantic?"

"Did you use protection?" Morgan said in a dull voice, cocking an eyebrow.

"Oh, I took care of that," Hermione said, dismissing it with a wave of her hand. "And yes, it was good...he was good."

"How did it happen, I mean, he didn't force you, did he?" Brigid said with a protective edge to her voice.

"No, no, no," Hermione laughed. "Actually, we were dancing, to one of your slow songs-"

"I Want You-"

"She turned Lil's song to a sex song-"

"Her song is now a sex song."

"You realize we will have to tell everyone that we wrote a sex song-"

"And you were the person having sex."

"I'm actually kind of proud of that song-"

"Yes, our dirty little sex song," the Gwen and Katie bantered.

Hermione turned red again, "I guess."

"Who made the first move?" Morgan questioned, stirring her potion.

"Oooh-"

"Trick question there."

"You say you did-"

"And you may look desperate."

"You say he did-"

"People could say you are easy."

"Let's see how she answers."

"Oh yes let's."

Hermione smiled, "Me," she said coyly.

"Oh," Katie said.

"She's desperate alright," Gwen agreed jokingly.

"Good girl," praised Morgan. Then she shot an evil glare at the twins, "I didn't see anyone with you at the end of the night Matsons."

"That is because Conan O'Brien doesn't come to our shows. Gwen keeps inviting him though," Katie said.

"Hey! I don't make fun of your sex dreams!"

Brigid leaned towards Hermione and said with a shake of her head, "We tease Gwen because she had a sex dream with Conan O'Brien, some Muggle TV personality. She really is that obsessed with him."

"That is because I have sex dreams about realistic people. Besides," Katie said, turning to Morgan, "I got some. Jackson Koves and I..."

"I don't want to hear this!" Brigid said, plugging her ears. She hated Jackson with every bone in her body.

"Anyway," Gwen said, sticking up for her sister, "I didn't see you with anyone last night Raja!"

"I'm saving my self...kind of...for Sirius," she said imperiously.

"Is she a secondary virgin now?" Katie said in jest.

"Is that like second hand smoking?"

"If so, is it contagious?"

"Because I don't want to catch it, Kate," Gwen said.

"Shut up," Morgan grumbled.

Hermione chuckled a bit.

"What is so funny?" Morgan snapped.

Hermione finally understood these American girls, well, three American and one British, and their humor. "Nothing," she said, turning her laughter into a cough, "Just a sore throat."

Katie and Gwen snickered and Brigid laughed outright.

Morgan glared at Hermione for a moment and then shook her head and let out a soundless laugh.

The professor let the class out and the girls went out to get lunch, laughing the whole way.