Viktor had only dared to hope to still have a chance with Hermione, with the war effoets ramping up and friend Fleur inviting him to her wedding he decided he'd take his chances when he'd get them.
Hermione had clearly grown a lot, she stood talking with her Weasley friend and another red-head in the crowd.
"So 'appy yoo could make eet Viktor!" Fleur is excited, introducing her husband Bill Weasley, who greets him with a kind smile and a firm handshake before leading them over to Hermione.
Her Weasley friend is scowling and storms off as she greets him with a loud "Viktor!" And a soft hug that Viktor returns, arms enveloping the smaller brunette in his firm grasp.
"This is my little brother Barmy Weasley, you've met him before though. He has to be incognito today with all the efforts going around right now." Bill is introducing the unfamiliar red-head who makes Viktor's magic twitch with familiarity.
Hermione is bouncing back in her place next to Barmy as if it's her natural state- oh. "Ah, Barrmee, vas not expecting yoo to be vere! Much risk, yah?"
Barmy is smiling as his eyes flick between Viktor and Hermione, where Hermione's hand still rests on Victor's shoulder and his on her back. Viktor has to force himself from jerking away as his magic snaps a warning but he manages to keep himself relaxed as he returns Barmy's grin with a sincere smile.
"Glad to see you too Viktor, I should leave you two to catch up. I wanted to check out the refreshments table anyway." Barmy's hand taps Hermione's other shoulder and he shoots her a knowing smile as her playful armslap in response.
They talk, and dance for awhile. Viktor listens carefully as he tries to memorize everything about her that's changed, she's much more confident now, confident in her knowledge and her power. She warns him that he won't be able to contact her until the war has ended, Viktor already knew she would be by Harry's side until the end so it came as no surprise.
The night is cut terribly short by the arrival of a Lynx Patronus announcing the fall of the British Ministry, he blinks and Hermione is already spiriting off to grab Barmy and her Weasley.
Barmy makes eye contact with Viktor and nods as they disappear. Viktor doesn't know whether it's approval or a promise. Viktor stays to help defend the remaining family from the invading Death Eaters, this is now his war too.
It's nearly a year later when the war ends, a final showdown between Harry and the Dark Lord Voldemort ending in the death of a titan.
It's a week later that Viktor gets a threatening from Harry and permission to court his sister. The next several months are a whirlwind romance between the two, picking up right where they left off at the Yule Ball.
Hermione tells him of her parents, and her brother. How Ron had announced intention to court when the war ended, how she'd considered him. The scars she'd gained on their journey, that cursed word carved into her arm that amde Viktor's magic itch to avenge. She tells him of her goals of uprooting corruption and taking on the mantle of Minister before starting a family.
A year later they're engaged in Bulgaria, near a frozen lake under the night sky that Viktor grew up with.
When they return, going to tell Fleur their good news, Hadrian is there, and he's been busy. Surounded by stacks of books and papers he looks up at them, his magic crackling with rage that jerks away from them. They'd been around as he got his first runes and tattoos so seeing the completed set wasn't a surprise.
Neither was the way Hermione's fingers twitched and her magic reached to connect with her brother's, wanting to melt back into her natural state at his side helping with whatever world-changing goals they lay out.
She looks up at Viktor, fingers twitching and eyes almost shy. Viktor nods, a soft smile as she leaps at the chance to help. The two are immediately knee-deep in plans and negotiations and Viktor is moving to talk to Fleur.
When everyone gathers after dinner Hadrian and Hermione stand before the group with grim expressions and stubborn energy in their eyes. Bill and Fleur sit on a loveseat with baby Victoire between them, Viktor standing next to the arm as he tilts his head and considers the siblings.
"The Ministry is corrupt, backwards, and hasn't improved at all since Tom's take over. Treating wixen with creature blood almost worse then Death Eaters did muggleborns." Viktor is almost surprised when Fleur and Bill are nodding along, he hadn't been aware of this.
"I'm going to uproot the Ministry entirely, by force if I have too." Hadrian cuts in, not bothering to soften the blow as Hermione had.
"We. We are going too."
Hermione is looking at Viktor as she says this, trying to impress meaning into her words. Viktor already knew she would be helping her brother. He'll move the wedding forward, they'll want to be married before the main fight begins so Bulgaria can't pull him back. He was planning to retire from Quidditch in a few years to support Hermione anyway so he'll just not sign up for the next season.
Viktor is too busy planning to catch whatever exchange happens between Hadrian and the Weasley's. When he looks back Hermione looks nervous, her magic receding away. "How can I help?"
Her face lights up in the most beautiful way and Hadrian bumping shoulders with her is what makes her run and hug Viktor.
Viktor keeps his arms firmly around the love of his life and he smiles at his brother-in-law over her shoulder, looking back down at his fiancé as they are on the receiving end of approving and grateful looks.
He can help his love take over the world. Even if it means helping the next Dark Lord rise to power. Atleast this one will change things for the better. Besides he always knew Hermione could take over the world if spited enough.