Everything But Mine

Hello my dears! New veela drama for you. I know you all don’t like Viktor by now…but just wait. Soon you will see his true self. Will Mione see it too?

Viktor’s kiss lasted longer than Hermione had hoped. It wasn’t that she found it disgusting, no, it was more the fact that she felt the severe lack of privacy as the press’ cat calls got louder.

‘We shall go somewhere private,’ Viktor whispered in her ear and led her towards the changing rooms. To say the truth, Hermione was immensely relieved to get out of the spotlight.

‘I will shower and change quickly and then we leave, yes?’ Viktor asked, his voice soft and the tone hopeful,’ Why don’t you wait for me in the Tea Room?’

She nodded and watched how Viktor rushed to the changing rooms. She didn’t really want to go to meet the rest of his team again as they were a bit overwhelming in her opinion.

Opening the door to the Tea Room she hoped that she’d get a few moments of solitude before having the serious conversation with Viktor about how they might want to keep their relationship a little more private, at least in the beginning.

However, solitude was the last thing she was getting there as happily smiling elf appeared in front of her.

‘I am here to serve you, my name is Fizzy and I know you are Mr Krum’s new lady-love.’

Hermione sighed audibly, but she knew that there was no escape from the publicity. Even house elves knew what was going on already. Did she feel upset being Viktor’s new lady-love? She knew that the house elf surely didn’t mean to be offensive, but the term reminded her of a nicer rendition of the more common ‘current squeeze’. Over the years she had kept in touch with Viktor and he had never alluded that he had girlfriends. But Hermione was sure that as well-known Quidditch star Viktor must’ve been in a position where he’d have to beat away hopefuls with a stick.

‘Does Missy want something?’ the elf chimed in, distracting Hermione from her thoughts.

‘I don’t think I need anything really.’

‘Are you sure? I will get sent to the sock-hand wash department if I don’t serve the very important guests.’

She knew that the elf was getting nervous and Hermione didn’t want the poor creature to be given a much harder job so she decided to order a glass of sparkling water.

The elf squealed delightfully and Hermione was finally left alone. It was very difficult for her to direct her thoughts towards Viktor, however. Every time she closed her eyes the image of Draco appeared. Gods, she felt guilty for molesting him this morning.

Draco had changed so much, all of his childish stupid and hurtful behaviour gone. It was now replaced by an almost meekness of a young man who has gone through a lot. Even with his pallor and lithe frame he was extremely gorgeous, Hermione dared to admit to herself. She knew that she shouldn’t be thinking this. She should be only admiring Viktor’s perfect build but she just couldn’t stop.

Soundlessly a tall glass and pitcher of sparkling ice cold water appeared. Hermione sighed when she noticed heart shaped ice cubes in her glass and a sugar iced slice of pink grapefruit decorating it. No matter how sweet this was intended, nothing was sweeter in her memory that the moment Draco had given her the little kitten. It was such a thoughtful gift, finding such a special cat must’ve taken him ages, just as arranging the cat’s room. It was still so unusual for her to live in luxury, but Hermione knew that declining to accept Draco’s presents would hurt him. Hermione didn’t want to hurt Draco, she rather wanted to make him feel safe and happy.

He had been wonderful to her and she had to destroy that by feeling him up like a wanton woman. Well, she didn’t know if a virgin still could be deemed wanton, but sex was one are Hermione Granger knew almost nothing about. Sure, she had seen drawings in Anatomy books she had read after sixth year when her parents had still hoped she might pursue a career in Muggle medicine, but there these bits had been just described scientifically. It didn’t say how large, hot and nice it would feel when touched.

And she wanted to explore that gorgeous feeling more. Groping Draco had been bad, as he was the innocent victim of her blunder, but he had aroused her interest for exploring the opposite sex in an intimate way.

But she couldn’t just go to Viktor and say:’ Hey can I fondle your bits to see if you feel just as nice as Malfoy?’

There was the dilemma. Touching poor, vulnerable Draco had been so wrong but felt so good. The idea of touching Viktor that way would be the right thing to do because he’s her boyfriend and that’s something couples do, but she was afraid to become intimate with him. Yes, she knew that that was wrong.

‘I am back.’ Viktor’s low whisper startled her and she dropped her glass to the floor.

‘I didn’t want to scare you,’ Viktor murmured as he wrapped his arms around her waist and ghosted soft kisses over her neck. ‘You just looked so lost in thought standing here.’

Hermione somehow didn’t feel at ease in Viktor’s embrace. Maybe it was because he was so overwhelmingly strong, both physically and in presence. She could feel his strong body pressed against her, and she became slightly nervous.
Viktor was a man who could have his pick of women. He surely was a man experienced with women and was expecting the right reactions from Hermione as well. She knew that Viktor was sweet with her, but she still needed time to reach a level of trust and comfort like she used to have with Draco.

Viktor felt Hermione’s slight stiffness to his touch. He wasn’t worried about it, as he knew that his intended had very few experiences with males. Possibly Weasley was the only one who got closest to the state of being her boyfriend, Viktor thought. That of course didn’t exclude the possibility that she still was an innocent. According to the files about Hermione gathered by his private investigation wizard, Hermione had been with Weasley only for a week and the press had had a field day on their fights during their relationship.

This morning’s front page had been a wonderful idea to ‘leak’ to the press. At first when he found that his team mate had taken pictures covertly he wanted them kept private. But when he had thought of how much the story would earn publicity-wise he had let the picture to be sent to the Daily Prophet.

‘Shall we go to lunch now?’ Viktor asked, finally deciding that a location change would be good.

‘Yes,’ Hermione answered meekly, finally feeling more comfortable around Viktor.

Viktor Apparated immediately to his favourite place to be seen in the Diamond cauldron restaurant. It was an overpriced place where all celebrities and wannabe starlets visited.

‘Do you think it will be quiet enough to let us talk, Viktor?’ Hermione asked tentatively, eyeing the establishment which was ever so often mentioned in the celebrity press.

‘They have privacy charms over the booths. And the food is very good here, my love.’

How could Hermione tell Viktor that she didn’t like such flash places? He was trying to be nice to her, showing places where he liked to be. How could she say she didn’t want to be with him in the way he wanted her to?

Viktor took her hand gently and led her into the restaurant. The maitre d’ rushed to them with the usual subservient smile. On the way to their booth, Viktor noticed several young, skimpily clad witches nursing glasses of iced water, the cheapest item on the menu whilst trying to look rich and nonchalant.

However, these bimbos weren’t the reason why Viktor went here. This restaurant was a popular celebrity haunt, so a few press people would surely be lurking in the nearby bushes.

Finally they were seated in a secluded booth, the waiter already hovering nearby ready to take their order.
‘Why are you so nervous, my love?’ He asked seeing that she was squirming in her seat.

‘I just don’t know how to tell you this… about the front page in today’s Prophet…’

‘I know, darling. Are you ashamed of it?’ he asked, knowing that pushing on her emotions would be most effective.

‘Not that I am ashamed, it’s just…’ she looked down on the menu, confused over what to say to Viktor.

‘I know with my popularity there’s a lack of privacy, but I do hope that it will not destroy our relationship. I hoped that you would be able to not think about this as you are already famous yourself,’ Viktor said making sure had the saddest expression possible.

‘No, I won’t let it come between us. I was just talking nonsense,’ she replied, taking his hand.

Viktor knew that he had won her over. She was smiling and chatting amicably, and the serious issues were put away to a dark corner never to be touched upon for a long time. He liked how his plan was working out. Soon they would become the most popular couple in the international wizarding world. The Quidditch star and the War heroine, the perfect couple.

‘Hermione, will you do me the honour of going with me to the Quidditch Personality of the Year Gala with me?’

Hermione was a little surprised about this question. She had hoped to spend more time with Viktor in private before going to big public outings and become exposed to questioning about their relationship, but she didn’t want to let him down. It was a good girlfriend’s duty to support her man, in whatever capacity she could.

‘Of course, Viktor, I would be delighted to go,’ she answered, as it was the only right option. She had so much press experience already. Hermione knew that if she didn’t go, there would be speculations whether she’s broken up with him or not so giving tabloids a field day wasn’t her wish.

‘Then we shall go and pick out your dress today,’ he said cheerily.

Hermione wasn’t much of a shopper, and buying evening wear was especially tedious as it cost so much and was only worn once or twice. Dress hire was not An option as she didn’t want to wear something someone else might’ve messed up and that goo being magically concealed. Much better was a ten galleon bargain, which was still a bit but it didn’t matter to her now as the living expenses were non-existent due her residence at Malfoy manor.

That reminded her that she was now wearing Draco’s present. He was such a sweetheart, lavishing her in gifts he didn’t have to get her. If only Draco wasn’t her charge, then she could have… stupid, stupid silly thoughts those were, Hermione knew. Why was her traitorous mind thinking of Draco as a possible love interest when that was not appropriate? Especially since now she was with Viktor, who now guided her out of the restaurant to the shopping street.

To Hermione’s dismay, he turned away from the high street where the affordable dressmakers were to the expensive designer avenue, where the average witch did only window shop. Sure, she had been there recently with Draco, but then the trip had been fun. He was only picking up stuff he was used to.

Finally she was hurried into a shop whose name she didn’t see. There were rows and rows of formalwear, in all colours and styles imaginable. Viktor went straight to the counter, and from the conversation with the clerk Hermione deuced that Viktor was picking up his tailor made formal wear.

Hermione looked around the shop distractedly, finally seeing a rack with ‘Clearance: 30 Galleons and less’ sign on it.

Hermione saw a simple black dress on the rack there. It looked fine and was only ten galleons so it fit her budget. She was about to take it to the counter to pay for it as Viktor stopped her.

‘This is not good enough for you,’ he said and took the dress from her hands. ’I can afford to dress you properly. People will think I am a scrooge if you wear this.’

‘But it’s a perfectly fine dress,’ Hermione said looking at the plain A-line strapless gown.

‘Mr Krum, I have found the perfect gown for your lady,’ the sales assistant chirped in.

Hermione turned and gasped. The dress the sales-witch was holding up was a sparkling wonder in red and gold. It had a corset top and a puffed skirt which was embroidered in little roses made of sparkly stones. It was almost sleeveless, if one didn’t count the satin red and gold ribbons flowing at its side.

‘You have to try it on, love,’ Viktor urged her. ‘It goes perfectly with my military formal wear, remember one like I had at the Yule ball?’

Viktor looked genuinely happy so Hermione didn’t have the heart to tell him that in her opinion, the gown was garish. Defeated, she went to the dressing room to try it on.

The gown’s corset tied itself magically, so it transformed her waist into something waspish. Trouble was it made her chest appear huge and barely contained. The ribbons on her arms were tickling her and the layers underneath her skirt made her wonder how big her steps could be.

It didn’t help that the shop assistant witch had provided her a pair of four inch high stiletto heels.

‘you look breath-taking, my sweet,’ Viktor said, admiration obvious in his tone. Well, Hermione thought, she could suffer for a bit to please him.

‘Yes, it looks amazing on her;’ the sales witch added, ‘the rubies used in the embroidery will sparkle nicely in the light at the gala. This a unique piece at the bargain price of only two thousand galleons.’

Hermione gulped. Dear heavens, it was some working wizard’s year’s salary!

‘It’s a must have for a discerning fashion witch as you, my dear.’ Hermione followed the gaze of the other witch and noted that she was staring at the dress Hermione had worn today knowingly.

‘I think we should take this one, my love?’ Viktor asked.

Hermione just nodded dumbly. What else was there to say? He liked how it looked and was willing to pay, so causing drama about would bring her nowhere and possibly one more tabloid article about what a picky wench she is.

Hermione was still standing at the mirror, looking back at her image stupidly as viktor went to settle the tab.

‘As our VIP customer, Miss Granger, you get full beauty treatment at Venus Witch beauty salon free and of course matching shoes and underwear are complimentary.’

The sales witch’s words were a surprise to Hermione. She had heard that Muggle stars got a lot of freebies, but she had never thought it happened in the wizarding world.


‘Darling.’ Viktor was now standing behind her,’I must go because I have an interview scheduled but I hope that you enjoyed spending some time with me today. If you see anything you like in this shop or any shop in this lane, I have set up so that your purchases are charged on my account.’

‘You didn’t have to do that, Viktor.’

‘I want my girlfriend to have the best in everything, so at least you can anjoy a bit of shopping when I am gone.’

‘Thank...’ Hermione’s sentence was interrupted by his lips crashing to hers. He gave her a fast scorching kiss telling her she belonged to him. As soon as the kiss was over, Viktor left a startled Hermione to her own thoughts. If only she didn’t have to think of Draco all the time.

Back in the manor, the veela cried quietly over the picture on the newspaper’s front page. All of Draco’s courage was gone. Harry and Severus could tell him what they wanted, but the picture told him more than a thousand words. His mate liked to be with Krum.

Oaf Krum might be, but he had the perfect physique. Draco tore off his shirt and stood at the full length mirror in his dressing room. Where Krum’s body was full of perfectly sculpted strong muscles, Draco’s torso looked weak in comparison. He never had bulky muscles, but now he possessed just a faint outline of what used to be a lithe and toned frame. Back in the day he used to have a body to be proud of. Now he was so weak that he was repulsive to his mate.

Draco could understand why Hermione would choose Krum over him. The veela wasn’t helped by that, as an enormous wave of sadness flooded him.

Why couldn’t his mate love him? Why didn’t she give him time to become better looking so she would touch him like she touched Krum?

To Draco, there was only one way to stop these questions ringing in his mind. Reaching for a bottle of fine brandy, he took a swig from it. Alcohol is said to mend everything, right?

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