A Fated Marriage

I am so sorry guys! I have been updating the story on regular FF.Net. I didn’t realize that I’ve neglecting you guys! I am soooooooo sorry! I’m get you guys up to date. ^^ And just to let you know I’m writing a really steamy honeymoon chapter that will only be posted here.

Wives

“Oh dearie, you will take everyone’s breath away.” One of the women said as Hermione looked at herself in the mirror. It was first day of Opening Week and so far she felt it was far too much work. Her morning had started far too early when she had to use a Portkey to get to a small studio where she was to get ready for her big debut. An army of women was waiting for her as she fell onto the floor.

While she ate a little bit of toast witches worked on her hair. It was much easier than it had been in the past, but it was thick and very hard to curl, pull, and pin up into an elegant knot on the top of her eat. Still they managed to do the job, and assured the girl that a few spell would make sure every strand of hair would stay in place for the duration of the day. After that it was time to clean and shin her nails for the make up was add. Light colors were used so as not to take away from her natural beauty. Although she wouldn’t want to do all the work every day Hermione had to admit to that she felt pretty.

Finally after what seemed like forever she was able to put her dress on. The moment she laid eyes on it she knew it was easily going to be the most beautiful garment she owed to date. It was floor length in the back, but shortened to just above the knees in the front. There were no sleeves, but a delicate web of ribbons and beads on the shoulders to keep the dress up. Her favorite part was the color. At the waist it started as a deep red and as the color spread over the dress it gradually got lighter and turned a blush pink at the edges. The whole thing was a work of art.

Some finish off the outfit she slipped on some strappy gold heels, a thin gold chain with a ruby drop pendent, and her engagement ring that had gone from silver to gold to match everything else. If one were to look at her with a passing glance they might think she was going to a ball rather than a Quidditch practice. She thanked the small army for all their help then went over to the Floo gate were Viktor was waiting on the other side.

As she stumbled out her eyes landed directly onto him. He was impossible with way he looked. He was dressed in his formal uniform; it was only used for Opening Week and the World Cup ceremonies. It looked very much like his regular uniform only it had black trimming. His boots and gloves were black leather that had been shined to perfection along with the attached silver buckles. He had trimmed his hair and shaved a couple of day’s worth of stubble off. He was handsome in a very wild and ruff sort of way. However the thing that stood out to her the most was his smile. A smile that was solely directed at her. It was an expression she had seen many times, but for the first time she realized it was meant just for her. Sure he smiled with his family and friends and the press, but those were different. His smile was filled with a soft kindness, humor, patience, and something else she couldn’t put her finger on.

He walked over to her, so that he could take her hand and give it a soft kiss. “You should not look so beautiful. I vill not be able to practice because I vill too vorried the others are going to steal you avay.” He told her playing with one of her curls. He was enchanted by her. She was too beautiful to be real, and too real to be imagined. She just smiled and pretended to smooth out his robes.

“Where is everybody anyway?” She asked looking around and noticing that Viktor was the only player in sight.

“They already vent ahead of us. Most of the guys’ vanted to stay to see if you could bring any treats, but Coach made them go.” He said rolling his eyes a little. “Levski vas almost in tears when he heard ve vere arriving separately.”

Hermione laughed a little. “Than we should catch up with them, don’t you think?” He nodded and walked through the doors. Dorian’s voice echoed in her mind very clearly.

“Remember it is extremely rare for a wife to come onto the field with her husband. Those women like the spotlight solely on them, even if it is just for a moment. You are going to make a lot of enemies right on the spot, but you’re also going to make it hard for them to attack you since you will be receiving so much media attention.” Behind the doors were various flags from around Europe. Viktor picked Bulgaria’s flag and in an instant they were lifted up into the air as if they were on some kind of invisible elevator.

They flew past stands of people, Quidditch posts, and other players. It was the single most exhilarating and terrifying experience she had ever had. All the European teams had a stadium and field to themselves. All the stadiums were interconnected through a series of moving stair cases like those at Hogwarts. They were weaving in and out of the web at a speed the girl didn’t even want to think about.

Hermione looked over the crowed that was focusing all of its attention on her. The camera flashers were near blinding and she could her at least six different pronunciations of her name being shouted out. She had been in the spotlight before, but this was something totally different. In all honesty it was a more than a bit overwhelming. After a good solid minute the crowd started to focus their attention back on the people they originally came for, the Quidditch players. Hermione picked out Viktor and blew him a kiss. He pretended to catch it like a Snitch and flew to join the rest of the team.

Hermione was able finally take a step back away from the edge of the box much to her relief. She turned around to face a dozen or so women starting at her. Others were pretending to talk to one another or partaking in drinks, but it was clear that they were aware of what was going on. The witch was a little unsure of what was about to happen, but she was ready. After all facing a bunch of hostile women wasn’t nearly as dangerous as facing Death Eaters. It was just annoying.

A woman very fat woman finally approached her with a very critical look on her face. “So you finally decided to arrive.” Hermione smiled sweetly. She knew that the press was going to be arriving in the Family Box soon, thanks to Dorian Tip #153, and she knew it would be wrong to look like she was getting in a fight when they entered armed with cameras and quills.

“Sorry about being late.” She said with a voice that was as sweet as her expression. “Viktor just wouldn’t let me go. He kept saying something about being too precious and beautiful to let go.” She let a little blush rise up to her cheeks and smiled. She had been practicing the girlfriend in love act all week. There was a dull mummer around her and a few wistful expressions before the fat woman spoke again.

“That is a romantic notion. However in the future please try and remember ve vises try and arrive together. So as not to draw attention away from our husbands. This week is about them after all.”

Hermione mentally rolled her eyes not believing a word of what was coming out of the woman’s mouth. “I will try and keep that in mind, but it’s just so hard for me to stay way from Viktor even for a moment. All those long practices they team has are just torture for me. I want to die every time he has to leave my arms.” She said in an almost overdramatic way. “But I’m still being rude. I haven’t introduced myself. My name is Hermione, and I’ll be Viktor’s wife in a very short time.”

“I am Desislava.” Hermione didn’t have to ask to know that she was the wife of Coach Borislav. As the wife of the Coach the woman had a certain unspoken power all the others. They were afraid to say anything about the fact that the woman’s bob haircut made it look that she had no neck. They also did not point out the fact that her perfume was so strong it nearly suffocated the people around her. Such insulting comments could lead to they’re husbands being benched. It happened before to a young promising player. His wife had let one little comment slip and the young man wasn’t able to play in any of the remaining season. “Hermione I know this is a new vorld to you, but there are some rules that have to be followed.”

“And what rules are those? Because I never found any book, scroll, pamphlet, or sticky note on the rules of being a Quidditch wife.” Her sweet façade was slipping just a little and her arms were crossed over her chest.”

“Some rules are best left unsaid.” Desislava bit out. It was clear that the woman was not used to being challenged. That would make things difficult since Hermione wasn’t used to being pushed around.

Fred and George instantly popped in her head. She knew exactly what they would say if there were with her at the moment. “And some rules are meant to be broken.” Her brothers would be proud of the fact that she was being rebellious and problems for people who deserved it. Before Desislava had a chance to retort the press walked in the room ready to talk. All the women, with the exception of Hermione, stood a little taller and preened like peacocks.

Hermione walked back to the edge of the box to watch her man dazzle the crowed with his flying skills. Every time he did his signature move the crowed went wild. It had been a year since just over a year since the last official game had been played. After that everybody concentrated on the war. Now that the war was over the fans were ready for some action. Hermione got caught up in the excitement as well. She couldn’t help herself. She cheered for Viktor at the top of her lungs. A reporter would approach her from time to time, but she would tastefully say, “I’m here to watch my fiancée the came he loves so much, not to think about my wedding.” Balls were thrown, players showed off, fans cheered, and before she knew it the “First Practice” was over.

The only problems she had were when a few drinks were “accidently” spilled on her dress. Or when she “tripped” a couple of times. Of course she had some help with the tripping. Oh and there was that one time when she almost leaned too far over the edge. She was pretty sure that the fact that she felt a hand on her back or that xxx was right behind her had nothing to do with it.

When all was and done the team landed then headed to a separate box. There they would wait to meet up with their wives for more photos and questions. Before she could leave a small group of four wives corner her wearing identical angry expressions. She guessed the middle woman was a part of Desislava’s inner circle because she was standing in front of the others.

“I just thought that you should know that only…vhat is the English vord…sluts’ vear that color red.” The woman said pointing to the center color of her Hermione’s beautiful dress.

“Oh, this color?” The sweet act was back on. “I’ll be sure to let Coach know.”

“Vhat do you mean?” Clearly the woman was caught off guard by Hermione’s comment.

“Well it’s the color of the team’s uniforms. I’ll tell Coach that you think the color, that has represented the Bulgarian team since day one, makes his players look like whorish women.” Hermione’s expression dropped its sweetness and turned very serious and slightly annoyed. “Before you try and insult me think before you speak. I’m sure that if you had taken the time to look at your men today you would have noticed what color they wear.” She folded her arms over her chest. “Let me make this clear to all of you.” She projected her voices so all could hear her. She had no reason to put on airs since the press had left the Family Box for the players. “I do not care what you think of me. I do not care how you treat me. I am not afraid nor am I intimidated by you. If you want to play these petty games, fine. But I will win.” She smiled and left them behind her.

The expressions on their faces were priceless. She was giggling all the way to Viktor. He raised an eyebrow, “Vhat is so funny?” he asked taking her into his arms.

“Oh nothing at all.” She gave him a completely innocent look. “You looked wonderful out there. The crowd loved you.”

“There is only one person in the crowd I care about.” He kissed her deeply no caring about the camera flashes around them. It was little moments like this that made Hermione’s heart beat faster, and stop at the same time. “Now let us get the over vith.” He said just soft enough for her to hear. She took a deep breath and smiled. They answered the questions about upcoming season, the other team members, the other teams, and just a few about the wedding. Viktor held his hand up, “That is all for now. There is a whole veek for more questions. Go talk to the other because ve have to meet up vith out families.”

Hermione and Viktor walked out of the craziness and down to where everybody was waiting for them in yet another private box. As soon as they entered the room they were swept up in yet another flurry of questions.

“Viktor will you show me that trick you did?”

“Hermione you looked so beautiful!”

“Was there any serious trouble?”

“Viktor I vish you vould be more careful in the air. You could have dropped Hermione!”

“I love that dress!”

The couple fielded questions as best as they could. At the same time it they were leading, or rather herding, everyone to the restaurant that they would have lunch and with the two families together plus Dorian it was quiet a challenge.

“Hermione how did the wives treat you?” Dorian asked once everyone was settled. Radko was sitting on the girl’s lap while his older brother’s arm was around the bride to be. Her gave the little boy a hug before answering the group.

“There was the more than one comment about the way I dressed. Then there were the comments about the way I was acting.” Hermione smiled a little. “They seem under the impression that I’m trying to take all the media impression on purpose.” She shook her head. “As far as I’m concerned they can have all the attention. All the camera flashes are going to blind me.”

“So vhen you vere half falling out of the box vas just my imagination?” Kamen said with causally. Hermione raised an eyebrow at him who simply raised one of his own in reply.

“I tripped and fell. It was no big deal.” She shrugged. Viktor gave her shoulder a little squeeze. When she glanced over at him he gave her a look told her they would talk more about it later when they got home. He always took her safety very seriously. When she asked him why he acted the way the way he did he simply said she had been put in enough danger in the past and if he could protect her from any further danger he would. If it were any of her relatives saying something like that she would be annoyed. However there was something very sweet about the way Viktor said it. She knew that he meant it and that filled her with happiness that was still very new to her.

“You know Hermione we have a lot of tricks you could use.” Fred said looking over to his twin.

“That right. You name it and it’s yours.” George agreed.

“Fred. George.” Molly snapped giving them a warning look. They didn’t say anything more, but the smiles didn’t totally disappear from their faces.

“I can deal with them on my own. But…just in case we’ll talk later.” She told them.

“Hermione!” Mira and Molly said at the same time. A lot of the guys simply laughed and the witch ignored the remark. The meal went well and everyone parted ways. Hermione and Viktor had to get ready for the cocktail party they had to attend. Over a dozen people had been eating and talking, but not once of them noticed they were being watched.

“Well it seems they’re going through with this after all.” The person mumbled to themselves. “I can’t allow that.” There was a soft chuckle. “I can’t allow that at all.”


A/N: Okay my goal is to have a new chapter up in one or two weeks. I have a beta who has promised to keep me on my toes. So I hope you guys are ready for all of this because this are about to move quickly from this point on.