Time Apart

Disclaimer: I've swiped a few characters that belong to J.K.R. I promise to send them home soon.

I'd like to thank CocoaChristy for giving this a read through.

Viktor,

Things are going well, and yes, I agree with you. I wish that we'd had more time to spend with each other in Paris. I've not told anyone here about our holidayvacation, and I hid the society page in the paper that mentioned seeing us walking through the streets. Luckily, the reporter didn't know my name. The picture was unmistakable though. I just don't think that the news would be well received at the moment, what with all of us supposedly being cautious with the war on. They'd think I'd been traipsing about carelessly. Anyway, I clipped the article and the picture and saved them with all of the other clippings that I have of you. I confess that I did put it under my pillow for the night, but I didn't want Ginny or Ron to see it.

Harry has finally made it here, and he's in a right foul mood. He's yelling a great deal and acts like Ron and I are to blame for most of his problems. Well, maybe I'm exaggerating a little. I know he's going through a lot, but I just wish he'd realize that we are on his side and will be with him until the end, doing what we must to help him.

I read that your team won yesterday in a great victory over your staunchest rivals. Caught the Snitch in the first eight minutes according to the reporter, eh?. That's great, Viktor. I do worry about you, though, and they said that you tried some new stunt, diving and circling and diving again. Do be careful on that broomstick. I know. You don't have to say it. You know what you're doing, and I should leave flying to the professionals.

I can still worry, can't I? It just shows that I care. Anyway, I read something fascinating in a new book that one of Ron's brothers left lying about. It's on a new broom that they are working on and want to have ready for the next Quidditch World Cup. I've duplicated it and attached it for your reading pleasure.

You may have already read it. If so, sorry! If not, enjoy. I'll have to go. Mrs. Weasley needs our help getting a few infested areas of the house cleaned up.

Love from,

Hermione

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Hermione,

The information you sent to me was very interesting. I admit that I did hear something about it, but I did not know the details, so sending it was the right thing to do.

Do not worry about me, my love. I have been flying since I could balance myself on a broom and feel as if I am part of the air when I fly. I will be all right. And, really, you should not always believe what you read. I am sure it wasn't that fantastic. I was just following the Snitch.

I have heard something terrible. I have heard that Harry Potter is telling lies about what he saw that night at the Triwizard Tournament. It was said that he is now lying about being attacked by dementors. What is going on, Hermione?

I do not believe that Harry would say or do this if it isn't true. I do not know him too well, but I like him and believe he has seen what he says. I cannot understand why people support him one day and turn away from him the next. If I could help you, I would.

I am sorry that I cannot say more, but my time is limited. Practice has been tripled for the next two weeks.

Love,

Viktor

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Viktor,

I am so happy that you believe in what Harry says. He's not lying. It's our Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. He doesn't want to back Harry because he doesn't want the public to panic, and if the truth be known, I think he's trying to use this as a reason to make Dumbledore look bad. It seems that some people will believe anything that's written.

Like what that Skeeter woman did to us last year with her articles. She made you doubt my relationship with Harry with her foul lies. Well, now, other people like her are doing the same with Harry.

Something good happened, however, as he's been acquitted of any crimes and will be keeping his wand and going to school after all. There was a Squib that was nearby, and she saw what happened with Harry, his Patronus, and his cousin when the dementors went there. I am so glad that there was a witness. She at least felt them and knew what they were, foul creatures! I wanted to write sooner to tell you, but things have been going on here, not giving me much time.

You'll be happy to know, I hope, that I have been chosen as a Prefect this year. I am quite honored, but I had secretly hoped that I would be picked. What surprised me is that Ron has been picked as the other Prefect for our year. I would have thought that Harry would have gotten that honor. Oh, well, maybe it's just as well, what with all this other rubbish going on.

I must go and make sure that all of my things are together. We will be leaving for school soon. Viktor, I just wanted to let you know that this year won't be the same without you. Good luck in your coming game.

Love from,

Hermione

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Hermione,

I have not had time to reply to your last letter until now. I hope that my owl can find you before midnight so that I will not have missed your birthday. If this is too late, please forgive me. We have had many practices, and when we are done, I am usually only able to shower, eat, and sleep.

This was the first afternoon that I've had off in a long time where I could choose to do anything that I wished, so I went into town and bought this. When I saw the color of the Quill's feather, I had to think of you, for it matches the dress that you wore on our first date last year.

I love you, Hermione, and I wear small button that you bought me in Paris on my clothes for each game. It has been bringing me luck.

Happy birthday, number sixteen.

Love Always,

Viktor

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Viktor,

I love it! I'm sorry that I can't write more. It's quite late, and your owl demands a return now. It reached me in time.

Love,

Hermione

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Hermione,

My parents have decided to invite you and your family to our home for Christmas. We would like to show you our small town and show you how great Bulgaria can be.

I hope you like snow. There is a lot of it here, but we have much to occupy us. Maybe you can show me how to ski like Muggles do, and I will show you how a wizard plays in the snow. I am quite good at making ice art. I remember you saying that you do this skiing sport with your parents often. I hope I can show you a better time than they can.

Love always,

Viktor

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Viktor,

My parents agree that a skiing holiday would be nice. I look forward to seeing you again. I guess I'll just tell everyone that I'm going skiing with my folks. It wouldn't be a lie, now would it?

Always,

Hermione

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Hermione,

As I said in my last letter, I will use Portkeys to come to England and escort your family back here. It's unfortunate that you country does not allow for anyone to enter using flying carpets. We have one here that we use at times, and it would have been perfect. I think your parents would have enjoyed it. Unless they feel about flying as you do.

{~_~}

Laugh.

You know you want to.

I am so looking forward to being with you again.

Love always,

Viktor

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Viktor,

I am so very sorry, but we will not be able to go on holiday to visit your family. Something big has happened here with Harry and Ron's family. Ron's father, Mr. Weasley, was attacked by a snake and has been hospitalized. Dumbledore thinks that it would be good for me to go and spend time with them. They need all the support that they can get.

Everyone else is taking the Hogwarts Express, but I'll be using the Knight Bus to get to them. I cannot convey how sorry I am. I know you'll be disappointed, but you'll have to understand that I can't let them down. And, besides, my Head of House came to talk to me and explained that I might put my parents and your family in danger by going off on holiday like that.

I mean to say that if Arthur Weasley has been hurt, who knows what or whom it will happen to next? I couldn't bear any harm coming to you because of me. Please forgive me.

Sincerely,

Hermione

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Hermione,

I am greatly disappointed that you will not come to see me after the plans we've made. Have you so little faith in my ability to care for you and your family? My family would do anything to see that you are kept safe. They know how much I love you.

This hurts me. I cannot lie to you and say it does not. Some things do bother me. You keep our letters a secret. You fear that others will know about our trip to France. You did not want to say that you were coming to visit me for Christmas.

Are you ashamed of me?

Viktor

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Viktor,

No, please don't think that way. I swear that I'm not. I just thought that it would be easier on you and me if nobody knew about it. Ron, well, he's always been a bit touchy about me going on that date with you...not that he likes me at all, mind. No, it's more like a protective thing I suppose. The Weasley twins and Harry would likely tease me mercilessly. Ron's mum would have to chide them nonstop to keep things peaceful here. People at school would all be talking about me and asking questions.

I've never been really good with that sort of thing. I am sorry if I've hurt you. You are very important to me, and I will make it up to you when I can. Send your parents my regrets and best wishes for the season. One day things will be different. I can feel it.

Always,

Hermione

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Viktor read the last letter slowly for a second time. Things already did feel as if they were different. He would have gone to her immediately had she asked it of him, but she had not, wanting to help her two friends and their family instead. It was very disappointing to him. His love and memory had not faded, but with time, it seemed that hers had.

Southern's Notes: I didn't want to bore you with all the OotP details all over again. Sorry about that, but I think this is a good place to stop for now. Poor Viktor. Hermione couldn't invite him to headquarters because it's a secret place. I'm sure he'll understand that one day... soon. I'll have another installment up tomorrow evening. It will also have some letter exchanging, but also a bit of something else. Muahahaha!

Christy's Notes: That just goes to show how things can get misconstrued in writing. I think that because he couldn't see her face and hear the tone of her voice, he believed she is loosing her feelings for him. Poor Viktor, indeed!