Rekindled

Chp.2

Hermione felt the color drain from her face. She noticed that the third years had stopped giggling and where avidly watching her. She glanced up at Ginny and forced herself to smile. Addressing the third year girl who had handed them the magazine, she asked, "Do you mind if I borrow this?"

As the girl nodded her consent , Hermione turned back to Ginny. "I think I'm going to go for a walk."

Ginny nodded, knowing that Hermione wanted to be alone. "Alright, I'll see you at dinner then."

With another forced smile Hermione excused herself and headed out of the Gryffindor common room. She wandered aimlessly through the halls, the magazine clutched tightly in her grasp.

Why is this bothering me? She thought to herself. This shouldn't be bothering me...I'm just in shock because I had to hear the news from some bloody magazine. And why didn't Viktor tell me? I haven't heard from him in ages - I hope he's all right. I'm sure he's just been really busy and hasn't had a chance to keep in contact.

Hermione realized she was outside by the Lake when water splashed her bare arms as a few brave souls frolicked in the shoreline.

Finding solace in a secluded cluster of trees, she settled herself down and opened up the magazine. She flipped, slightly reluctantly, to the page about Viktor's engagement. Eyeing the picture, she noted that Viktor had changed quite a bit since she had last seen him. He was wearing his Quidditch robes, confirming that he had just come from a game. But, the way his robes fit him was different - it seemed that he had finally filled out - his shoulders were broader. His dark hair was mussed and messy looking. She noticed that it was longer, curling up at the edges around his collar, and that it still had a tendency to flop into his eyes. A smile came to her face as she watched the Viktor in the picture reach up and try to brush a strand off his forehead. His nose was still hooked and broken, but his face had taken on a more masculine quality.

Hermione's gaze traveled to Nayda, who was gripping Viktor's hand. It was obvious that the two looked amazing together: Nayda with her porcelain skin and waves of dark hair and Viktor with his own dark looks and masculine stature and sultry expression. Bracing herself, Hermione read the article.

Engaged? Sources say Yes!

Recently, Young & Witchy correspondent, Hubert Hucklebee, sat down with Quidditch Super Star Viktor Krum and chatted it up (well, as chatty as the famous Bulgarian ever gets) about life, love and Quidditch! Here's a sneak peek of the article (which will be printed in it's entirety next month)!

Y&W: Tell us about the teams new coach, Jivko Zaimov.

Viktor: (after a few minutes of silent contemplation staring at the table top, he finally answers in that sexy Slavic accent of his) He is very intense. Jivko pushes us hard, especially since the World Cup is next season. But, he's brilliant at coaching. He has brilliant ideas.

Y&W: Are you working on any new Quidditch techniques?

Viktor: Always.

Y&W: There are rumors flying around about you and your long-time girlfriend, Nayda Dumka, saying that you are engaged...

Viktor: (after nodding) Yes, we are engaged.

Y&W: Congratulations! Have you set a date yet?

Viktor: (doesn't answer, only shakes his head)

Y&W: There are also rumors that you have just signed with Firebolt, Inc. to be their new 'spokes body' in the up and coming ad campaign.

Viktor: Yes, that is true as well.

Y&W: Can you give us any details as to what the campaign will involve?

Viktor: (has a mysterious smile) I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to say - you'll just have to wait to find out.

Hermione set the magazine down and looked out over the water. Well, what did you expect? I mean, they're perfect together. And why are you upset anyways? It's not like you and Viktor are together anymore. You haven't been for almost three years now. And what's this about an ad campaign? He hates being in the spotlight - or at least he used to...

Sighing, she sat back against the tree and shut her eyes, letting her mind wander back to her fourth year.

~*~

He was in the library - again. Hermione had noticed him the moment she had set foot into the room. He was huddled over a pile of books, pouring through them and occasionally making a note of something on his parchment. She sighed, knowing that soon his 'followers' would appear and ruin the quite atmosphere. Hermione wandered the aisles, gathering books that might contain any information to help Harry figure out that egg, before choosing her usual table across from Viktor.

She was engrossed in her work and didn't notice that he had walked over until a shadow fell across the page she was reading and he cleared his throat.

Hermione, startled, looked up at him with a curious expression.

"May I sit?" He pointed to the empty chair beside her.

"Erm..." Brilliant, Hermione. She shook her head to clear her thoughts. "Of course."

His long fingers pulling out the chair entranced Hermione and she watched as he sat down. What does he want?

He held out his hand and looked her in the eyes. She noticed how dark his own were. "I'm Viktor Krum."

Hermione paused for a second too long because he raised an eyebrow at her. Grasping his Quidditch calloused hand, she smiled, "Hermione Granger."

Viktor seemed to relax as she smiled and Hermione noticed that the corner of his mouth twitched upwards in a small smile of his own. Gesturing to her books, he commented, "I haff heard that you haff the highest scores on your exams. You must study ovten."

Hermione felt her face color slightly, but she managed to give him a cheeky grin. "Yes, I do. I love to read. But, I've seen you in here practically every day, so I suppose the same goes for you."

Viktor was silent for a moment, just looking at her, and she wondered if she had said something to offend him. Then his face broke out into a grin - the first time she had ever seen him express emotion other than that scowl. "Vell, yes... But, actually... I haff been trying to vork up courage to talk to you."

Hermione's eyebrows rose in shock and he looked shyly down at his hands which where in his lap. "You... what?" She realized that this was probably not the most poetic thing to say; especially given the fact that no boy had ever admitted to such a thing before. But she couldn't help it - his statement shocked her. Why would he want to talk to me?

Viktor's cheeks colored slightly and he said softly. "I realize that my presence has been somevhat bothersome..."

"Oh, no! I didn't mean to imply..."

Viktor raised an eyebrow and his one-sided smile appeared again. Hermione was aware of just how much that smile complimented his battered nose. "I suppose that you didn't find the obnoxious girls bothersome then?"

Hermione opened her mouth to reply, but then saw his teasing expression and gave a short laugh. "Well, they were rather 'giggly' weren't they?"

Viktor chuckled and nodded. "Unvortunately, yes. They vere some of the vorst I haff ever experienced." Hermione laughed again as he rolled his eyes.

"I suppose that you're rather used to that sort of behavior," she said, fiddling with her quill and pushing some unruly hair behind her ear.

Viktor nodded curtly. "I vanted to ask you something."

Hermione blinked a few times, trying to keep up with the sudden change of subject. "Y-yes?" she prompted when he seemed to hesitate.

"I vas vondering if you vould like to go to the Yule Ball vith me?"

Did he just ask me to the Ball? Her first reaction was to open her mouth and gently decline his offer, but something stopped her. Why shouldn't she go to the Yule Ball with him? It's not like anyone else had asked her yet. And there was something about him - something that she couldn't put her finger on, but she wanted to get to know him.

"I would be honored to go to the Ball with you, Viktor," she replied with a bright smile.

Viktor scooped up one of her hands and kissed the back of it. "The honor vill be mine."

With a small smile and a quick nod, Viktor gathered his belongings and left.

~*~

Hermione opened her eyes and stared out across the calm waters. She smiled slightly, remembering how nervous he had been that day. And how he admitted to her later that it was all he could do to not run from the room when she took so long to answer. Of course, they had had a wonderful time at the Yule Ball - well, except for a few rocky moments with Ron. But, Viktor had quickly made her forget that little tiff. They had discussed everything from their schools, to their families, to what they wanted to do after they graduated. Their friendship had blossomed over that year he was at Hogwart's and they had even planned for her to visit him that summer in Bulgaria.

She had just settled in again, thinking about that summer, when a snorting laugh interrupted her thoughts.

"What's this? Hermione Granger actually spending an afternoon away from her studies? I've got to tell Harry..."

"Oh, shove it Ron." Hermione opened one eye and grinned up her freckled friend. "I suppose that even perfect people have to take breaks every now and then to give the rest of you a chance to catch up."

"Ha ha, very quippy. Now are you coming in to dinner? Or shall we have the House Elves bring it out for you?"

Hermione gave him an exasperated look and took the hand that he offered to help her up. She stuffed the borrowed magazine into her back pocket and followed Ron back up to the castle.

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