Preparations, Endings and Beginnings

Chapter 8 – Preparations, Endings and Beginnings

But even as Harry was making his plans to propose to Ginny, both of his friends were making plans to end one relationship in order to start a new one—with each other. They were under no illusions it would be easy, nor were they looking forward to the possible reaction of the other person in question. Even in the best of circumstances, there were going to be hurt feelings and plenty of them, no matter how gently the words were put.

Most of all, Ron wished he could have someone do this unpleasant task for him—but unfortunately he was the one who had gotten himself into this situation in the first place, and it was therefore his responsibility to end it. Maybe it would help if he kept picturing Hermione’s beautiful face smiling and glowing with love for him, declaring that she would belong to him and him alone for as long as they both lived … Of course, a lifetime commitment meant marriage, and he knew he wasn’t ready for such a step just yet, any more than he was sure Hermione was—but when he was, he knew who he wanted to marry. Meanwhile, he had best find Lavender and break it off with her as gently as he could.

* * * * *

After owling Viktor at his hotel, Hermione sat beneath a tree near the Black Lake, trying to think of the gentlest possible way to break off her engagement to him. It had never been easy for her to do such things, but a lot of necessary things were difficult, and this was just one more. She had a book in her lap, but had been so preoccupied with her dilemma that she had been unable to read for one of the few times in her life.

So preoccupied, in fact, that she didn’t hear the footsteps approaching her on the paved sidewalk a short distance away. It wasn’t until a shadow fell over her that she looked up and saw Viktor’s rugged, weather-beaten face. She smiled and invited him to sit down next to her, even allowing him to hold her hand, but demurred when he tried to kiss her. He hid his disappointment as best he could and spoke quietly but his Bulgarian accent betrayed his inner feelings.

“Hermo-ninny, your letter troubled me greatly. Vhat is on your mind that you vould need me to meet you for a private talk?”

“Viktor, I can’t deceive you any longer … and what’s more, I cannot marry you. I … love another. It would be a waste of your time and mine to go through with the wedding, and you deserve someone who truly loves you.”

He was silent for a long time, then his grip on her hand tightened, as if by letting it go he would lose her for all time. As it was, he sensed it was going to happen regardless of what he did, but wanted to keep her near him as long as possible. “I haff … very deep feelings for you, Hermo-ninny. Feelings I haff never felt for anyvun else in my life.”

“I know you do, Viktor, and I’m very sorry that I have to do this. You’re a wonderful person and are very special to me … and should make one very lucky witch a wonderful husband. But I cannot be that witch, for my heart lies elsewhere. It always has, and always will.”

“Then vhy did you accept my proposal?” he demanded, his accented words laced with deep hurt this time.

“Because I was unsure of how my other love, Ron Weasley, felt about me at the time. But he recently confessed that he loved me, and I had to tell him how I truly felt about him. He knows about us, you see, and in order for us to be together, I have to end it with you.”

“It is said that this … Ron … already has a girlfriend,” Viktor pointed out.

“Yes, I know—but he said he was going to break up with her so we could be together … that he had only begun his relationship with her to make me jealous.”

“That is … somevhat immature, you must admit,” Viktor returned with a disapproving air.

“Perhaps so, but that is part of what I love about him. I truly believe that my love will help to mature him into the man he is meant to be. Please don’t deny me that chance.”

“But my feelings for you aren’t simply going to go avay.”

“Not overnight, no, but eventually you should be able to put it behind you … with any luck.” Hermione knew she didn’t sound too hopeful of that, but had to let Viktor down as gently as possible. She felt Viktor raise her hand to his lips and kiss it, then look deeply into her eyes.

“Please, Hermo-ninny, stay vith me. I vill do everything in my power to make you happy, give you my devotion, a beautiful home, children ...”

“I can’t.” She was unable to look up at him because tears filled her eyes even as she clung to his hand like a lifeline.

“You mean you von’t. Vell, then, I can only hope that this Ron treats you right. If he does not, you may varn him that he vill answer to me if I ever discover that you are not happy and it is his fault.”

“Thank you for caring, Viktor. I hope we can always be friends.” Viktor forced a smile, and it was at this point that he drew Hermione into his arms and held her for the last time, resting his cheek on her hair and stroking it, breathing in the scent of the rose shampoo she used and savouring the warmth of her body.

Only after he finally released her did she remove the engagement ring from her finger and give it back to him. Viktor pocketed it without a word, then brought the both of them to their feet. “May I valk you back to the castle?”

The walk back was quiet, the other all too aware of their companion’s presence, although they didn’t touch again until they reached the doors. “Thank you for everything, Viktor.”

He simply nodded, his eyes clouded with pain but his face impassive. “You vill alvays be in my heart. The best of luck to you now and alvays.”

The couple shared one last fierce embrace, then Hermione opened the door and disappeared inside the castle. Viktor left as quickly as he could, then once outside the grounds, he Disapparated.

* * * * *

However, the same could not be said for Ron’s own encounter with his erstwhile girlfriend. He did manage to get it across to her that he had fallen in love with someone else and wished to end their relationship, although he hoped they could stay friends. “I’m afraid I can’t do that, Ron. At least not right away. And I’m not stupid; I’ve seen how you look and act around Hermione Granger. You fancy her … you’ve always fancied her.”

“It’s not that I didn’t care for you, Lav, but Hermione is … something else again—and I’ve never been able to divide my affections, at least not romantically speaking.”

“In other words, I was just someone you used to make her jealous, and now you want me to let you go so you can be with her.” Lavender’s eyes filled with tears but she said, “Well, I suppose I can’t stop you and should be big enough to wish you well—but I hurt too much right now to do that. I’m sure you understand why.”

Lavender sighed sadly. “Don’t worry, Ron, I’m not going to make a scene, even though every instinct is telling me to do just that—but even if I fight, I know I’ll lose in the end, so what point is there to that? Go now. Go to her. I’m sure she’s looking for you.” He walked a few steps away and looked back at the blonde girl sitting on the sofa nearest the fire in the Gryffindor common room. Her eyes filled with tears before she bowed her head and turned away from him.

Ron had never liked confrontations like this, and he liked hurting people even less, especially female people, but in a case like this, it was unavoidable. The only good thing about it was that it was behind him now, and he had a clear field to Hermione. Now all he had to do was find her.