Learning the Truth
Chapter 5 of 8
Southern_Witch_69Viktor finds out that Hermione has been hurt and goes to her. However, he finds out something that he truly didn?t want to know. In return, Hermione learns the truth about something as well.
ReviewedDisclaimer: I've borrowed a couple of characters from J.K.Rowling's books, but I'm not making any money from it and will return them shortly.
Thanks go to CocoaChristy for reading over this for me.
Viktor looked down at Hermione's sleeping face. She was beautiful...even as she slept in a medicated sleep. One of those Death Eaters had hexed her when she and her friends had gone to their Ministry of Magic. He'd overheard the matron saying that if the wizard had been able to speak the spell aloud, Hermione might not have been so lucky.
He'd nearly lost her. For almost half a year, he'd been trying to accept the fact that he was losing her. As slowly as possible, he'd lessened the amount of letters that he sent her and didn't pour his heart out any longer as he had before, though he always replied to those she sent. He smiled, thinking of her letters. He supposed that she was trying to fill him in on everything in her life to make up for missing a holiday with him at Christmas. Her letters were all quite long, leaving nothing out.
When he'd read in a paper that she'd been hurt, he'd left his home immediately to find her. Past bitterness melted away, and once again, his feelings for her returned to the surface...not that they were ever truly gone anyway. He'd tried his hand at seeing other women, but nobody had lips like Hermione's or had eyes that lit up so expressively while reading. What he'd found in one hour with another couldn't even compare with a minute of being with Hermione.
She could have died. She could have died and not known that he still loved her. He leaned over and whispered, "I still luff you, Herm-own-ninny." There was no response, so he brushed her lips with his quickly before stepping away. He looked around her bed on the stands and noticed the various sweets, flowers, and cards. Choosing the first card, he opened it and began reading:
Hermione,
I just wanted you to know that we are all thinking about you and are happy that you will recover. Thankfully! If you wouldn't be around to boss us, what would we do? Harry is really distraught. It seems like nobody can reach him the way you can. Ron thought of you first before himself after he was healed. You were still out of it at that point. I think he's pretending to still not feel well just to stay there with you and keep you company.
Get well soon. If you don't, who's going to marry Ron and become my sister? I know I shouldn't say that, but I can see it so plainly...the way you feel about each other. Maybe this will be the thing to open your eyes finally.
Love,
Ginny
Viktor's frown deepened as he placed the card exactly where he'd found it. He'd been a fool to go to her. He'd been a fool to believe that he still had a chance. He'd been a fool to believe that she would really care about his feelings.
Quietly, he tossed the letter he'd written for her into the bin next to her bed. With one last look at her, he said, "Goodbye, my Herm-own-ninny." Not looking back, he left her bedside, slipping back into the silent darkness he'd arrived in.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Why would Madam Pomfrey be sending me a letter?" Hermione asked incredulously.
Ginny shrugged. "I don't know. Mum said it was with the other letters the Ministry searched and sent over."
"All right," Hermione said, taking the letter. She opened it and read the short note.
Miss Granger,
I found this when I was moving the furniture in hospital wing. It had slipped behind the dustbin, so I'm uncertain if you'd meant to throw it away or if it simply fell.
Yours truly,
P. Pomfrey
The moment Hermione recognized the tiny scrawl, she folded the note. "I'm going to go up and lie down for a little while," she said suddenly.
"What did she say?" Ginny asked curiously. "She didn't forget to tell you anything, did she?"
"No, it seemed that someone left a get well note for me, and she found it recently."
"Right," Ginny said absently. "I wonder why Dean hasn't sent an owl yet. Surely he's not worried about Ron still. He was a little scared to talk to me when we got off the train."
"I don't know," Hermione said, trying to avoid Ginny's gaze. "I'll just go up."
"All right."
As soon as the door closed behind her, Hermione opened the letter and read it quickly.
Hermione,
I have just heard about what happened to you and your friends. All of this time, I have been wondering if maybe you were exaggerating about the dangers and risks, making excuses to not come to see me and my family, but I realize now that you spoke the truth. I have been a fool, for I have been trying to lose the feelings I have for you, thinking it was for the best to forget you.
There are so many things that I want to say to you, and I somehow fear that you will not be around long enough for me to say them. I will stop playing Quidditch for a while if you need me. I can help to protect you, Hermione. I love you. I miss you. I have been treating you badly, not writing unless your write to me first, because I was bitter and selfish...only thinking of how I didn't get what I wanted for Christmas: you.
I will come to see you. You will just have to read this with me standing next to you. I cannot stay away any longer. I cannot wonder if you are all right. I will have to see it for myself. It's been a long year without you, and when I think that I might have lost you before I could tell you how I still feel, it is nearly unbearable.
Love always,
Viktor
Tears slid down Hermione's cheeks. He had visited her in the hospital wing and hadn't even talked to her. Why had he changed his mind about staying? Why did he just leave the letter? "Hang on," she mused aloud. "He didn't leave it. He threw it away."
A gasp fell from her lips. "Oh, no," she moaned, remembering that night. She'd thought that she'd dreamed about him...hearing his voice, smelling his light cologne, and feeling his soft lips. After that, still dreaming...or so she'd thought at the time...she'd opened her eyes and saw him reading one of her cards. The last thing she remembered was feeling so safe and drifting away from the vision before her.
He truly had been there. What could he have read that would have made him leave without speaking to her? Without giving her the letter he wrote? And not only that, but she hadn't heard from him since either. In truth, she hadn't thought to write to him and tell him about it. Not yet. She was going to include it in his monthly letter after Harry joined them. Frowning, she tried to think of what her cards and notes had said.
Just when she'd nearly given up, she remembered Ginny's silly card and how it had mentioned that she and Ron were unknowingly fancying each other. "Oh, Viktor," Hermione whispered, "I'm so sorry. She was only joking." She frowned. "I think."
If she wanted to be honest with herself, part of what Ginny had said was true. She did have some feelings for Ron, but he didn't seem interested. Not that she could tell anyway. It's so bloody confusing! If Viktor lived near her, she would try to be with him. She was nearly of age and could make her own decisions... adult decisions. But she couldn't ask him to give up playing Quidditch. That wouldn't be right. His future was so bright. And... and she had too much going on. Harry and Ron, they needed her.
She placed the letter with the picture she had of him hidden away in her trunk. He would never know that she'd read it. She would just carry on and write as she had been. If he didn't know, he couldn't be embarrassed about it, and he couldn't try to talk her out of her decision.
If her life was meant to be spent in England with her family and friends, then it would be, but if her future was truly with her Bulgarian Viktor, then it would come about in time. Nothing should be forced.
"Goodbye for now, Viktor," she whispered.
Southern's Notes: Yikes. I normally don't stretch out anything angsty, but I needed to do this here. They will meet again in the next chapter.
Christy's Notes: Poor Viktor! He is heartbroken! I hope he finds out how she feels soon.
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Latest 25 Reviews for Distance Between Us
68 Reviews | 6.93/10 Average
Lovely Viktor/Hermione, which is always welcome! Thank you.
this is a great story. like your friend I truly enjoy this ship as well, but it is difficult to find multi-chapter well written stories. Thank you for this!
I enjoy Viktor/Hermione stories and this was very sweet. I'm glad that they are together and that Ron and Harry accept him.
Response from Southern_Witch_69 (Author of Distance Between Us)
Thank you!
I'm sorry it's been so long since I replied but I just got the chance to read and review. I loved the chapter and I felt so overly happy seeing them come together like that in the end. You may not be a VK/HrG shipper but I must say you definatly know how to write it.Brit
Response from Southern_Witch_69 (Author of Distance Between Us)
Not a problem at all. I'm so happy that you enjoyed this. :)
That was a beautiful story. I loved your in depth exploration of the emotions involved and I'm a sucker for happy endings. Wonderful writing.
Response from Southern_Witch_69 (Author of Distance Between Us)
Thanks, Ally. :)
I loved this story! The only thing wrong with it was that it was too short! I am typically Hermione/Snape, so I know many of your stories. Thanks for doing a great Viktor story too. After Snape, he is my fav for Hermione (my apologies to the Hermione/Ron shippers!).
Response from Southern_Witch_69 (Author of Distance Between Us)
You're very welcome. Thanks for reading. I'd o ther projects goin g, so I cut it a little short. Sorry about that. :)
I enjoyed your story and have started to follow some other Viktor/Hermione stories. I am still a Snape/Hermione shipper at heart, but my next choice would be Viktor. I liked the way you showed his personality, loyalty, maturity, patience, and love. I thought you also did a good job showing Hermione's ambivelance. Although I have not written many reviews, I am a great fan of your tales. I am not an author so I am not sure I am giving you the feedback you are looking for.And my personal rant: Why Rowling would pair Ron with Hermione boggles my mind. Looking back on couples from high school, the smart girls who married football players ended up divorced. Viktor is athletic and smart.
Response from Southern_Witch_69 (Author of Distance Between Us)
I'm still an hg/ss, too. As far as Ron / Hermione... blah. No, say it ain't so! LOL
Yay, Sun! Too lovely, and although I'm not usually aboard the Great Ship HG/VK, I certainly enjoyed this little excursion! I see her with Viktor after the war, based on this fic, simply because it's nice to think of happily after after too! **hugs**
Response from Southern_Witch_69 (Author of Distance Between Us)
Thanks, sweetie!
This was a great chapter and the perfect ending to this story. I like the open-ending. Her first time was very realistic to me! 
Brava!
Response from Southern_Witch_69 (Author of Distance Between Us)
Thanks, mate!
Poor Viktor. I have to admit, I'd rather see Hermione with Viktor than Ron. He just seems more her type. Since this is a HG/VK story, I will hang onto the hope that her feelings will strengthen with time.
Response from Southern_Witch_69 (Author of Distance Between Us)
Same here.... damn Ron! lol
Response from notsosaintly (Reviewer)
IMHO, Ron just gets in the bloody way,
"She smiled at the tall erection," huh? That made me smile. LOL I like this chapter. Pity that their vacation was so short!
Response from Southern_Witch_69 (Author of Distance Between Us)
bwahahahahha
I sort of wish they were closer together as well. But distance can make the heart grow fonder.
Response from Southern_Witch_69 (Author of Distance Between Us)
Nod. That's so true.
I like this side of Viktor, very sweet and gentlemanly. I have a greater respect for him now. ;)
Response from Southern_Witch_69 (Author of Distance Between Us)
Thank you. It's how I see him. :)
I was sure I had already written my review for this chapter, but I didn't. Bad Lore... Hermione smiled as Viktor washed dishes the Muggle way, getting most of his shirt and trousers wet in the process. Simple, but still so cute. He accepts to do this simple things for her just because he knows about her parents being Muggles and all that. You know I loved that part with the kiss in the swing, I was squeeing like a mad fan-girl when you first showed it to me. It was sweet, romantic and he was a perfect gentleman, first when he asked if he could kiss her and later when he refused to touch her until things were settled between them. He was very clever with the way he managed things. Ron was finally treating her better. *Snort* He fancied her and wanted her to be his girl… sort of. He hadn’t made any declarations, but it was obvious that he assumed her to be his. That was very presumptuous from Ron if you ask me. Sometimes I feel he takes things for granted and that he doesn't have to make an effort fot her since she's his, and if she easily forgets about Lavender it will be worst. I wish that if Rowling decides to keep them together, at least Hermione gives Ron a lesson, and makes things difficult for him.“Thanks, Mum,” Hermione said, feeling as if things were clearer to her suddenly. I liked so much the conversation between Hermione and her mom because usually her parents are simply ignored. Well, Hermione seems to do that a bit in the books also... However, she's just a teen, and she needs to talk to her mother as much as any other girl her age. Being with Ron seemed to be what everyone expected: Harry and the Weasleys anyway. Too much had happened between them, what with the things he’d done and said to her. I kept on murmuring 'on bloody time' when I read that part. I really, really hope canon Hermione thinks the same, at least to treat Ron the way I told you before. “Thinking of you being in danger… I do not like it,” he admitted. “Vhat if I fail you?” Awww, that melted my heart, his need to protect her and not fail her. He's a keeper, definitely, and if Hermione dumps him at some point I'd certainly give him love. In that instant, Hermione realized that she’d made the best decision of her life when she’d decided to choose Viktor. It felt even better that she’d done so before seeing Ron revert back to his immature behavior. I cheered like the fan-girl I am when I read that part. You know my reasons well enough. Wasn’t it about time they explored a little more? Shouldn’t she show him what she was feeling? Shouldn’t she allow him to do the same? But of course it is. As I have already told you I know you will do it sweet and perfect for her, so it will be fine. She's about to turn eighteen, so I guess she's ready, and to be honest, she hasn't stopped to have feelings for him. I love this fic so much, I'll just copy it and paste it in book seven in order to make it canon for me. Thanks for writing it, Sun.
Response from Southern_Witch_69 (Author of Distance Between Us)
LOL. It's great that you liked it so much. Thank you, doll. I'm so happy that you did.
"Shouldn’t she show him what she was feeling? Shouldn’t she allow him to do the same?"
Hell yes she should! With all due respect to your busy RL, remember your following, Sun, your fans!!!!!
Response from Southern_Witch_69 (Author of Distance Between Us)
LOL Thank you
OOOoooo hooo hooooo !!! Right , RONALD, it's rather late for that! That's so .. male, isn't it. It's like dogs peeing on fire hydrants! Interested to see what Viktor vill do in retaliation! The gloves are off - let the battle begin!
Response from Southern_Witch_69 (Author of Distance Between Us)
Grin. Naughty, naughty
Arrgggghhhh.... c'mon Sun, don't DO this to us ! Ve are not amused! 
Response from Southern_Witch_69 (Author of Distance Between Us)
Ve luff Viktor, don't ve?
Poor Viktor indeed, being so far apart and not able to do anything to change things. Love your story, Sun, and vill do my best not to steal Viktor away ... yet!
Response from Southern_Witch_69 (Author of Distance Between Us)
You're a doll, you know.
*Vill consider taking him away from Hermy-own-ninny!!!* That most romantic evening and broomride !!!
Response from Southern_Witch_69 (Author of Distance Between Us)
Thank you! :)
I haff to agree with Cocoachristy in that Hermy-own-ninny certainly had every right to feel special, and more so because Viktor was the one pursuing her! With Ron being so ... vat iz vord ... oblivious to her interest in him, it's only right that she should feel alive at Viktor's attentions! ;o)
Response from Southern_Witch_69 (Author of Distance Between Us)
:) Thank you!
Vell, eye think that Viktor has been quite the gentleman! Smart boy to take it slow!
Response from Southern_Witch_69 (Author of Distance Between Us)
Vu are right! :)
I'm so glad that she's chosen Viktor, he's so romantic. I wonder what their mission is? Looking forward to the next chapter.
Response from Southern_Witch_69 (Author of Distance Between Us)
I wouldn't have it any other way (in this story anyway lol).
Sounds like the next chapter is going to be pretty interesting. Or at least the part when they get back to Hermione's home. I don't blame her I'd be grining like a fool too and I wouldn't be suprised if Harry lets Vitya in on the whole "treasure hunt" thing. Can't wait for more!Brit
Response from Southern_Witch_69 (Author of Distance Between Us)
Teehee! Thanks for reading.
You know, I don't feel sorry for Ron, not even for five seconds. He messed up his chances with Hermione, and now he's paying his mistake. I think that when feelings are broken in that way you can just go and put the pieces together to feel the same again. Ron. She turned around to see him gazing at them through narrowed eyes. I couldn't refrain myself from thinking about the look he gives Harry in GoF when his name is out of the goblet. He looked rather nasty IMO. I bet that's the same look he gave Viktor and Hermione. She’d thought it was to make her jealous at first, which had worked, but then, she thought that maybe he simply liked what Lavender did for him. I agree completely, he kept his relationship with Lavender for a very long time. And sneaking in empty classrooms, I bet they even had a good grope. More than ever, Hermione wished that she’d carried on a bit more with Viktor. More than ever? Does that mean she had wished it before? Interesting... He was too far away to be serious competition, but if he visited her, she would see that Weasley was not for her. On bloody time, Viktor. I really hope to see this happening in canon. When Hermione gazed at Viktor, she saw the amusement in his eyes. Always a gentleman my sweet Viktor, he would have never reacted the way Ron did, even when the Weasel kissed Hermione in front of him. Well, it's just that Viktor is not a teen anymore, he's already a man, and a very confident one I might add. Gorgeous chapter, hon. I'm sorry it took me too long for writing the review, but you know I read it only minutes after it was posted. As I've already told you, from this point everything is fair game, no canon to bother with. I'm waiting so much for the next ones.
Response from Southern_Witch_69 (Author of Distance Between Us)
~sends hugs and kisses~ :)