A Fated Marriage

A/N: I know I haven’t updated in a while and for all of you kind and loyal readers I do apologized. I must tell you all I am a full time student and have two part time jobs. It is very difficult for me to find time to write anymore. And…shortly after I posted chapter 10 I received a very very nasty e-mail. It was very hurtful and insulting and it really…made me want to totally forget about this fic. But then I re-read all the nice reviews I have received in the past from all of you wonderful people and have chosen to continue writing Fated. So well here’s the next chapter.


List


Breakfast was pleasant. Both chose to ignore the towel incident and go on with the day like it never happened. The house elves had made some nice French toast, bacon, sliced fresh fruit, a hard-boiled egg. Honestly it was all too much for her. She didn’t each much in the morning normally, so she just munched on some fruit and a small slice of bacon.

“Last night I made of list I things ve need to get done today.” He said giving her the piece of paper. She read it over to see what they had to do. Most of it was rather obvious. Things like putting her name on his bank account, touring the nearby town, lunch, say hello to both families (for the mother’s sakes), meet up with Dorian for dinner. Wait…who was Dorian?

“Umm Viktor? Who is Dorian and why are we having dinner with him?” She asked trying not to sound nervous. If you looked at her recent meal track record you could understand why she was hesitant about having a meal with another person.

“He is my manger. He is going to tell us vhat is in store for use in the next few days.” He said causally though she noticed he wasn’t making eye contact with her. “He also vants to talk to you about…vhat you will be expected to do as my vife.” He half mumbled suddenly finding the slice of apple in his hand very interesting.

“What I’m expected to do as your wife?” She repeated not sure if she heard him correctly. What was that supposed to mean?

“Hermione…I am a international star. And…vell…I have fame and fortune and some freedoms most could only dream of. But I also have responsibilities to be the best Seeker I can be. I have to put on an image for the public.” Viktor was pretty sure he wasn’t explaining this right because at the moment Hermione was giving him a look that could kill.

“What has that to do with me?” She asked her voice a litter tighter than normal. She was the best friend of Harry Potter, so she was pretty sure she knew what he was trying to say. Whenever she was out with him and Ron she always had to look intelligent and organized or else she was harshly citied by…well everyone outside of the family and few close friends. It could very restricting being famous or related to someone who was famous.

“You know vhat is it like being famous. As my vife you vill be expected to show up to most of my games. Go to parties, do interviews, come to charity events…” He did not want to continue with this conversation, but by the look she was giving him he knew he had to. “You might be expected to change your appearance vhen ve are out in public.” He softly was now looking at his plate. “Dorian vill tell us vhat has to be done.”

“What is wrong with the way I look and why does this guy get any say on how I dress?” She asked raising her voice.

“Nothing is vrong vith the vay you look! If it vere up to me I vould never change a hair on your head…” He started to say but was quickly cut off.

“There’s something wrong with my hair?” She asked grabbing a lock and looking at it. Her hair was always a sensitive subject for her. Over the years with a few tricks and charms her hair had become rather beautiful if she remembered to brush it out while it was still wet.

“Nothing is vrong vith your hair. Or any part of you.” He reassured her quickly. It was times like this he was thankful his mother gave him brothers and no sisters. Girls were complicated and if you didn’t say the right thing you died. “I’m just saying…Okay remember vhen ve vent out together? Vell it vill be like that…only worse. Because ve vill be together in public a lot!” He took a deep breath and thought carefully about what he was about to say. If he did not word it just right than he would not live to see a wedding. “I don’t vant to see you get hurt…fans…fans have hurt some ex-girlfriends of mine. Sending them dangerous curses…Dorian and I have discovered that if my girlfriends…look a certain vay than they are less likely to receive those kinds of curses. Dorian is just helping US take precautions.”

Hermione stay quiet for a long while before she said slowly, “So…If this Dorian says I should change my appearance in public…it is for my own safety?”

“Yes.”

“Well…okay. I guess that’s alright for now.” She sighed. Viktor nodded, but waited her to say more. “But just know that I am not a trophy wife. I don’t want my life to revolve around going to your games and smiling for the camera. I want to be a healer and I will do anything I can do achieve that dream.”

Viktor let out a breath he had been holding, “I understand that Hermione and believe me vhen I say I vould never stand in your vay. I vant to help.” He took another piece of paper out of his pocket. “This is a letter that I’m sending to a friend of mine. He is a healer. I vant to ask him if he vill take you on as his apprentice.”

Hermione looked at him confused, “An apprentice? But don’t I have to finish school and past tests before I can do that?”

“Technically speaking, yes. But we are not under normal circumstances. I read all the details of the law last night.” He told her rubbing his slightly throbbing eyes. “Right now you are considered an adult, and you can legally use magic.” Viktor stood and stretched out. “So all you have to do is past the Medical Apprentice Test, the M.A.T. If you get a high enough score you will have passed have normal general studies tests and vill be accepted if not by my friend than by someone as a medical apprentice.”

“Okay.” She said with the wheels in her head already turning. “I’m going to need books so I can study. And I need to know when I’ll have time to study, the date of the test, what scores I need to pass, what subject I should focus on… ”

Viktor chuckled a little and offered her his hand in order to stop her listing, “Vith a list like that ve had better start this day now.”

The first part of the day went by quickly. They went to the Bulgarian branch of Gringotts first. There she almost had a heart attack when she saw the amount he had saved in his vault. He just smiled when he saw her hand shaking slightly as she signed the required forms. “Vhat did you expect? I come from a vealthy family and I am one of the best Seekers in the Vorld.”

She rolled her eyes and smiled a little at his male ego. Every guy had to have at least a little one she guessed. Next they went to get her M.A.T information, which was followed immediately by a trip to the local bookstore. After they made sure the small mountain of study material was sent to Crystal Air Viktor gave Hermione the grand tour of the village. Cute would be the right word for it. It was small and traditional, but at the same time it had a modern touch to it. Once in a while they had to stop to so he could sign an autograph.

Much to her surprise there was no press to bug them. Hermione had been certain that press and paparazzi would have swarmed them after the announcement of their engagement. Earlier in the book, when she bought a mountain of study material, she saw a newspaper spreading the news to the world. When she questioned Viktor about this he took out a pocket watch, “This is charmed so that anyone with the intent to block anyone who wants to ask questions for the press. The only way to get past the charm is to go through Dorian.

Lunch was light and pleasant, but shortly after they went back to the Manor. There Viktor took a much-needed nap and Hermione started to study. The day of the test was in just two months. Time passed quickly and quietly for the two young people, but finally both had to start preparing for dinner.

Hermione went to her room to find a black floor length dress lying on her bed. Knowing it was probably set there for a reason she slipped it on. It was made of a sleek material and its only decoration was a small triangle, made of what seemed to be diamonds, which held the single strap together with the dress. Rather than bothering with her hair too much she simply combed it until it was sleek and shiny before pinning it back with a few burettes. Strappy heals and a matching purse where her only accessories, but they completed the outfit. She was pure elegance looking in the mirror.

Hermione was checking herself over when there was a knock on her door. She opened it up to see Viktor standing there in a Muggle tuxedo. The black outfit and his rough charm made him look more like a jewel thief than a professional athlete. “I vanted to make sure you vould not get lost this time.” He told her with a half smile. The Seeker looked her up and down admiring the woman he would soon spend his life with. She was perfect, and hopefully his agent would think so as well.

“Why thank you for escorting me.” She said giving him a small mock curtsy. In the back of her mind she was also thankful that she was fully clothed this time.

“You look beautiful Hermione, but there is one thing missing.” He took out a small black box from his pocket. Nested inside the box was a small sliver ring with three diamonds adorning it. The two side stones were smaller Solitaire cut, but the middle one was bit larger and cut in the shape of a star.

“Past, present, and future.” Viktor said softly and he slipped the ring on her finger. “That is vhat they represent. The middle one is supposed to be the North Star. No matter vhere you go it alvays hangs in the sky to help you get home. The ring vill remind you that no matter how lost you become or how alone you may feel you can alvays come home to me.”

She looked at the ring for a long time allowing the full impact to hit her. It was official now, they were going to be married. The young woman looked up at the man in front of her with a smile. “It feels real now. Don’t you think?” He simply nodded and offered her his arm. One moment they were walking down the hall and the next there were in front of a restaurant called “The Garden”.

“This is it. Just remember vhatever Dorian does is for the best. I have known this man for years and trust his judgment.” He reminded her. Hermione nodded and together arm in arm they walked inside.

The host looked up from his list to give them a smile. “Welcome to The Garden. How may I be of service?” He asked.

“We are here with the Collins party.” Viktor said with authority.

“Your other party member is already here. Please follow me.”

They walked over to a table where a man was waiting for them. He was wearing a tuxedo just like Viktor only his was leaner body and his tie was an electric pink. His black hair was blond frosted the tips. Silver wire rimmed glasses rested on his perfectly sculpted nose. Before they were within earshot she whispered her partner, “Viktor is he…”

“Flamier than a dragon’s breath? Yes. One day you’ll meet his partner.” He whispered back before the agent stood to meet them.

“Viktor there you are! I’ve been waiting forever darling!” Dorian said giving Viktor an air kiss on each cheek. Then he turned his attention on Hermione looking her up and down with a critical eye. “So this is the bride.” He said quietly.

“Yes she is. Dorian Collins this is my chosen wife, Hermione Granger.” Viktor introduced them to one another.

“Hmmm…turn around girl.” Dorian said not taking his eyes off the young woman. Hermione hesitated and looked at Viktor who need. She slowly turned around in a circle and stopped to face the agent. “Well starting from the top and working our way down the hair needs help. It needs to be straighter and lighted in color to be fashionable. You need wear more make up to highlight your eyes and take attention away from the fact that you aren’t wearing enough jewelry on your ears and neck. You’re a bit on the short side and way too curvy. Thin is in.” He told her bluntly while walking back to the table.

The two young people were shocked. Hermione because she had never been so openly criticized about her appearance before, and Viktor because he had never once heard Dorian speak to anyone like that. They sat together in silence when the waiter came to take their drink order. Before either could say anything Dorian ordered for them. “Viktor will have a Firewhisky and the girl will have some water with lemon.” The waiter nodded and walked off as the two once again stared at the older man. “What? If she’s going to lose weight than she might as well start now.”

Little did they know that was the beginning of long meal of harsh comments and cruel judgments. He nit picked at everything she did. Hermione wasn’t sitting up straight enough, she was eating too much, she wasn’t holding her silverware correctly, and she was talking about appropriate topics for the dinner table. Finally when it was time for dessert and he ordered fruit when she really wanted the cheesecake Hermione had had enough.

“That’s it. What’s your problem. I realize that I don’t really know what to do in high-class society or around celebrities, but that doesn’t give you any right to treat me the way you have. I know there are certain ways I’m going to have to act in public with Viktor when we get married, but I’m not going to change who I am for those brief moments of the day.” She nearly yelled.

Dorian looked at her for a long time before turning to Viktor. “Darling why don’t you go to the bar for a while? Hermione and I need to have some girl time.”


A/N: And that’s where I’m leaving you. The next chapter should be up much soon than this was, so I hope you will continue to read Fated. Until next time!