Enchanted encounters
From the moment he had entered Hogwarts, his eyes had constantly followed her.
Hermione shock the thought from her mind, as she moved the strap of her bag back up her shoulder and continued down the hallway towards the library. She wondered if she would see him there again today, lately it seemed nothing could keep the international quidditch star Viktor Krum away from the library. They didn’t have to attend classes in Hogwarts, but while most of the other Durmstrang students spend their time on or around their ship, Viktor krum seemed to enjoy the Library of her school the most! Sometimes he was already there by the time Hermione’s classes finally ended.
Today he had been standing in the hallway that led up to the library, standing around unsure whether or not he should come in. Hermione went to her usual table, close to a window and sat down, getting some of her books out to start on her homework. She had made a good start, but for some reason her mind just kept wondering today. She looked up when the library door opened, and saw Viktor Krum entering, carefully closing the door to not make to much noise. His eyes scanned the room while he aimlessly grabbed a book from one of the shelves. As his eyes found her his tense face relaxed more, and he gave her a soft smile. She felt her heart flutter for a second, that was the first time he had smiled at her! His eyes still rested on her when he picked a chair close to her, and just opened the book somewhere in the middle, still only paying attention to her.
Hermione looked back down to her homework noticing with a shock that the quill she was holding had been dripping its ink slowly into a big splotch that went over most of her homework. Annoyed she reached into her bag for a fresh piece of parchment. She could’ve simply removed the ink with a spell, but the last time she had tried that spell, it had removed all the ink, including the pages she had written before that had been stacked neatly on the side.
She could see something moving from the corner of her eye, and suddenly she heard a low, careful voice “excuse me?” She turned her head, Viktor Krum was standing next to her table, his cheeks red and a sheepish expression was on his face. “may I help vith that?” Before she could reply Viktor had tapped her paper twice with his wand, letting it sit at the corner of the stain. She watched in amazement as his wand slowly seemed to suck up the ink stain, leaving her carefully written homework perfectly intact. When the stain was completely gone, he held his wand over her ink jar and she gaped as the ink dripped back out, wasting not a drop.
She had always wanted to perform practical magic, since she had learned how to repair glasses, and it had been the first spell that had worked for her, but the ink manipulation that seemed to be so practical for every day use had been a spell she could never get the hang of!
“Thank you! How did you do that?” She asked. Viktor Krum gave her another of his soft smiles “May I sit? I can show you!” Hermione quickly nodded her head and pushed her books and parchment to the side so he could sit down across from her!
Usually people didn’t ask if they could sit with her, Harry and Ron usually just plopped down beside her, Fred and George had a habit of squeezing her into their middle, even Percy Weasley usually just sat down beside her, though he was the one who was the most polite while doing so.
Victor Krum grabbed a piece of paper from his bag and got out his own quill, he let a bit of the ink drip onto the paper!
Hermione watched in amazement as he kept showing her over and over how he held his hand, imitated how he said the words and looked on how his wand sucked up the ink, leaving his parchment perfectly clean every time. On her first try, it had seemed like it would do nothing, and on her second try when Hermione pressed her wand on the corner of the ink stain, her parchment had started smoking again.
Viktor Krum carefully reached over the table and moved her fingers slightly “softer, you are not punishing ink” he said with a soft chuckle. Hermione released some of the pressure and held her wand so it was just barely touching the ink. Slowly but surely her wand started absorbing the ink blotch she had made to practice. Hermione gave a delighted squeal, which in turn gave her a stern look from the librarian, but she couldn’t have cared less! She beamed up at the Bulgarian “thank you so much!” She smiled.
Viktor Krum blushed a deep shade of red “it vas my pleasure” he said, getting up briskly, he bowed his head to her before he hurriedly grabbed his book from his own table, put it back into a shelf and hurriedly left the library.
The library had become their unspoken meeting place. Each day, Viktor would find a way to be there, always choosing a spot near Hermione.
Their shared moments of quiet study and soft conversation had become the highlight of Hermione's days, but as the first task of the Triwizard Tournament drew closer, Viktor's appearances in the library became less frequent.
Hermione missed their time together but understood the pressure he was under. She threw herself into her studies and helping Harry prepare for the first task. The day before the task, Hermione found herself back in the library, her thoughts drifting to Viktor.
Just as she was about to pack up for the evening, the library door creaked open, and Viktor walked in, looking more tired than she had ever seen him. Dark circle rimmed his eyes, yet they still lit up when he saw her, and he made his way over to her table.
"Hello, Hermione," he greeted softly, bowing his head to her. „Hi, Viktor," she replied, feeling her cheeks blush, she motioned to the chair across hers, her heart beating a little faster. Victor gave her one of his dashingly crooked smiles as he sat down. "I haven't seen you much lately. How are you holding up with the tournament?"
Viktor sighed, rubbing his temples. "It is... difficult. Much to prepare."
Hermione hesitated, then reached out and placed her hand on his arm. "If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know."
Viktor looked at her, his eyes softening. "Your company helps more than you know."
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment Viktor quietly praying she’d never take her hand from his arm ever again. "Hermione, do you know much about dragons?"
Hermione's eyes widened. "Dragons? Why do you ask?"
Viktor glanced around to make sure they were alone.
Looking around the deserted library he made sure to lower his voice and bend his head closer to hers just in case. "It is first task. We must face dragons."
Hermione gasped, her mind racing. "Dragons... that's incredibly dangerous. You need to be very careful."
Viktor nodded. "I have been practicing. But there is something I vould like your help vith."
"Of course," Hermione said immediately. "What do you need?"
Viktor hesitated, „A protective charm or spell! So I von‘t burn vould be best!“
Hermione examined his face carefully, her keen mind analyzing. "I can look into it for you," she said. "But you'll need to be prepared in case it doesn't work."
"Thank you," Viktor said, his relief evident. "I trust you."
They spent the next few hours researching dragon-related spells and charms, their heads bent together over dusty old books and ancient texts.
Hermione felt a connection with Viktor, she hadn’t felt before, this was different from helping Ron or Harry! Not just was Victor there with her, actively helping her read through thousand of pages, his presence gave her a sense of security, and their shared determination seemed to bring them closer.
It was also somewhat relaxing for both of them, Hermione’s presence seemed to keep Viktors Fanclub away, and none of the Slytherins dared to say a word about her while Viktor Krum was sitting right next to her.
The hour had grown late, most of the candles had already burned down as the librarian came over to usher them out for the night. As they hurriedly packed up to leave, Viktor felt a deep sense of regret, hours with Hermione always seemed to feel like mere seconds. Just after the librarian had closed the door behind them Viktor stopped her. "Hermione, after first task, vould you like to spend more time together? Maybe sometimes outside of library?"
Hermione's heart skipped a beat. "I'd like that very much, Viktor."
He smiled, a genuine, warm smile that lit up his eyes, and seemed to wash all sorrow from his face. It made her heart flutter. "I‘m looking forward to it" he said softly, before leaning down and kissing her hand. "Goodnight, Hermione."
"Goodnight, Viktor," she replied, watching as he turned toward the corridor that would lead him to the entrance hall, from where he would go to the ship to spend the night there. Her heart full of anticipation for what was to come, Hermione raced up the stairs to the Gryffindor common room entrance. She just barely managed to catch her breath, pressing her back to the cold hard stone for a moment to calm down.
The fat lady eyed her suspiciously as she breathed the password and entered the common room, letting the noise wash over her, and distract her as she tried to concentrate, her thoughts still lingering on Viktor Krum and the feeling that lingered on her hand after he had kissed it.
The first task of the Triwizard Tournament was a nail-biting event for Hermione. She watched anxiously as Viktor faced the dragon first, his blinding curse had send the dragon into an angry frenzy, and her heart was pounding with every close call. When he emerged victorious, slightly singed but triumphant, she couldn't help the wave of relief and pride that washed over her. She cheered for him as loud as she could, her voice blending into the tumultuous applause, roars and cheers that had erupted the moment Viktor had snatched the Golden egg from his dragon.
She had wanted to run straight down to him, and wrap her arms around his body, making sure he was safe and sound, but she couldn’t the magic barrier that hid the spectators from the dragon and kept them safe from its flames also made it impossible for her to leave her place.
Later that evening, Viktor was waiting outside the great hall for her. Most everyone else had already left to celebrate in smaller groups or to go to bed, but Hermione had sat at the Gryffindors table. Excitedly talking to a younger girl with flaming red hair. Viktor had noticed that Hermione had been so engrossed in their conversation that she had barely touched her dinner, he doubted she had even noticed when the food had disappeared from their tables. The younger girl had gotten up a moment ago, after having yawned, she seemed tired as she dragged herself up the stairs and out of his view. Viktor turned towards the hall again, seeing as Hermione was packing a few books back into her bag, he swallowed before he walked back in and up to her
He looked tired but happy, his eyes lighting up when he saw her. "Hermione," he greeted, his voice filled with warmth.
"Viktor! You were amazing out there," she exclaimed, unable to hide her excitement.
„Thank you," he said, his cheeks reddening slightly. "Your help vith the charm vas invaluable."
Hermione smiled. "I'm glad I could help."
Viktor hesitated for a moment, then he asked "Hermione, vould you like to go for a walk?"
„I'd love to," she replied, her heart racing.
Victor offered his arm to her as she got up from the bench, and she gingerly took it. When she reached for her book bag, he gently stopped her „please, allow me“ he said as he shouldered her bag and led her out of the hall, towards the entrance door, and from there they strolled towards the black lake.
As they walked through the moonlit grounds of Hogwarts, they talked about everything and nothing.
Suddenly Hermione stomach made a loud and complaining sound, and Viktor chuckled, reaching into his bag he found the small bag of Bulgarian sweets he had brought along. He gave them to Hermione, showing them to her and explaining what they were.
Hermione had blushed a very gorgeous shade of pink and tried some of the sweets while Viktor opened up about his life in Bulgaria, his dreams, and his fears, his hopes and aspirations.
Under the starry sky, they paused by the Black Lake, the water shimmering in the moonlight. Viktor turned to her, his eyes filled with emotion. "Hermione, you are special to me. My Victory today, it was thanks to you! I feel very happy vith you“
Hermione felt her heart flutter again. „Thank you so much! You make me happy too, Viktor."
He reached out, gently brushing a strand of her bushy hair from her cheek with his hand. „I vish tonight vould last forever, but it is late, and you have school in the morning.“ his eyes were full of regret as he gave her a playful twirl, changing their direction again back up to the castle.