Reunion (Harry Potter Fanfiction)

Promises and Lies

When Hermione climbed through the portrait hole, Harry, Ron, and Ginny were the only ones in the common room. A horrible stench filled Hermione's nose, and she balled up the top of her shirt to conceal it.

"What is that smell?!" She asked, flopping into an armchair by the fire.

"I set off one of Fred and George's stink bombs." Said Ginny, smirking.

"Why the hell would you do that?"

"Because we needed to clear out the Common room." Added Harry. "So we could talk in private."

"Well I'm not saying anything until I can breathe in here!" Hermione said into the fabric of her shirt.

"Fine." With a flick of her wand, Ginny vanished the stink bomb, and the stench went with it. Hermione sighed in relief, and smoothed out the creases in her shirt. The three stared at Hermione, not saying a word, just waiting for her to talk. She rolled her eyes at them.

"Well, Viktor caught up with me on my way out of the Hall." At the mention of his name, Ron stiffened up. Hermione bit her lip nervously. "He had some...interesting things to say." Again, they waited for her to continue.

"No offence Harry and Ginny, but I think this is a conversation Ron and I have to have ourselves." Hermione said.

"Alright. We'll respect your privacy." Harry stated. The two of them bade Ron and Hermione goodnight, and then, they were completely alone. The room was silent, other than the crackling of the fireplace.

"Look Ron, I promise you have nothing to worry about. You know I love you, and only you!" Ron sighed and patted the empty spot on the couch next to him. Hermione sat down next to him, and grasped his hand.

"Hermione, I know that, I'm not stupid. I'm not worried about you leaving me. It's him I'm worried about. I saw the way he was looking at you tonight. It looks like he'll stop at nothing to win you back." Hermione stroked his face with her palm.

"I don't care what he does. I'll always choose you." Hermione laid her head on his shoulder.

"So, what did he say to you?" Ron asked.

"Oh, nothing important. Just how he missed me, and how excited he is to work here."

"Is that all?"

"Of course, Ron. I promise."

Ron wrapped her in a hug. "Thank you, you don't know how lucky I am to have you." Guilt and dread filled Hermione.

Did I just lie to my boyfriend?

***

Hermione climbed the stairs to the girl's dormitories, closing the door shut behind her. Inside, Parvati and Lavender were snoring away in their beds, four posters closed. Hermione flopped onto her bed, and put her face into her hands.

"You okay?" Came a voice. Ginny appeared out of the shadows, and sat down beside her. She rubbed Hermione's back in comfort. "What's going on?" Hermione looked into her best friend's eyes, and sat up.

"I can't believe what I just did." Hermione said guiltily, toying with a strand of her hair. Ginny furrowed her brows.

"What did you just do, exactly?" Hermione stayed silent. "Come on, Hermione, we're best friends. You can tell me." Hermione took a deep breath, and told her about what Viktor really said.

"Well, that's not a big deal, then! You shut him down."

"Yeah, but I just lied to Ron. We promised that from the beginning of our relationship we could always tell each other the truth. And I've already broken that promise!" Ginny shushed her.

"Look. I promise you, you're making too big a deal out of this. This will all blow over soon." Ginny said.

"But Ginny, that's not even the worst part."

"Then what is?!"

"Ginny, when I saw Viktor, I felt something. Something I haven't felt since I've seen him last."

"And what is that feeling?"

"Attraction."

And so Hermione and Ginny kept talking, completely unaware someone was listening to their every word. In her bed, Lavender Brown smirked.

***

Viktor found his office, deep within the 4th floor corridor. It was a small, neat room, with a polished desk and empty shelves clustered on the walls. A wooden door at the back of the office led to his sleeping quarters, which was also small and neat. His trunk was on the bed, along with his broomstick. He picked it up, and admired it. He put all his clothes into the drawers of the dresser, and changed into pajamas for the night. On the wall next to the bathroom, a bell hung, with "Kitchen" etched on it. His stomach growled. He got up, and jingled it.

A few minutes later, a tray magically appeared onto his bed. Viktor admired a tray of fresh fruit, and a steaming mug of hot chocolate. He ate it down, and found his eyelids getting heavy as he sipped the hot chocolate. Finally, after the tray disappeared again, he slipped under the covers, and fell into a dreamless sleep.

***

When he woke up, a stack of papers were on his desk in the office. They were his contracts, medical forms, etc. Everything that ensured he would work at Hogwarts. He spent a good amount of time filling them all out. After nearly 2 hours, he admired the stack of papers in success. He put them onto one of his shelves and headed out of the office.

In the Great Hall, many students were feasting on breakfast. Viktor took his place at the high table. His eyes automatically scanned the crowd for Hermione, but her, nor her friends, were anywhere to be seen.

"Mr. Krum, could you come here for a second, please?" McGonagall called to him from the head of the table. Viktor walked over, and smiled at the Headmistress.

"Good morning, Professor, how are you? He said.

"Fine, thank you. I assume you found the forms left for you this morning?" She asked, pushing her spectacles up her nose.

"Yes, of course. They are all filled out and ready."

"Excellent. Would you be so kind as to drop them down to my classroom after breakfast?"

"Of course! In fact, I'll go get them right now." Viktor hurried out of the hall, and climbed the stairs to his office. As he turned the corner, the bell rang, telling the students to head to their first class. Viktor turned the doorknob to his office. When he entered, he almost dropped in surprise.

All the papers he filled out, that were left neatly on a shelf, were now scattered across the room, ripped and crumpled. They were littered across the floor, over the desk, everywhere. Viktor punched the wall in frustration. Who would do something like this? Something caught his eye. A fresh piece of parchment, sitting on the desk, sitting amongst the destroyed paperwork. He picked it up and looked at what was written on it.

Just so we're clear

Come near her, or do ANYTHING to try and get her back, you'll be out of here faster than a firebolt.

Stay away.