A Fated Marriage

A/N: Okay here were are. Another chapter! Hurray! Hope you like it. Start reading....right....now! :)

Fun

Hermione was heading down the hall of Crystal Air to her room wondering if Viktor would like going out to eat out at a little café she had found. Just as she was about to push the door open she heard a voice soft and eerie right behind her. "Do not marry Viktor." Hermione whipped out her wand and turned around ready for a fight. She saw nobody, but that did not stop her from muttering spells to revel anyone invisible. Nothing appeared or gave any indication that anybody was there with her. There was a soft chuckle and what felt like a brush on her cheek. "Cute." Hermione punched at the air in hopes of hitting someone, anyone.

"Who are you? Where are?" She asked. Her breath was becoming uneven with each passing second. She remembered Dorian's warnings about the threatening letters.

"Shhhh. You don't need to fear me. I'm here to warn you." There was hot breath on her neck and strong arms around her waist. "Marry Viktor and you will get hurt." Hermione tried to wiggle away from the still grip to no avail.

"Why?"

"Because if I can't have you than nobody can."

"Who are you?"

"I'm watching you. Time is short. Don't marry him." Without warning there was a mouth firmly on her own. She tried to bite the unseen lips. She tried to scream. But the arms held and the unseen lips swallowed her scream. Her world went blank. The girl bolted upright in her bed and looked around. She was alone, it was night, she was in her bed, and she had been dreaming. Hermione tried to catch her breath, and wiped the sweat from her brow with a blanket. When her shaking stopped she carefully got out of bed and went to her balcony. The air was very cool, almost too cold; however it was helping her clear her head. The night sky was clear and all the stars were shining like little diamonds. Like the ones in her wedding ring.

The North Star hung in the sky like always. She did her little wish routine and was about to whisper the same thing she always did only to stop in mid wish. "Please, protect Viktor." Lately that was what life like she was always worried about Viktor's safety. She was starting to understand what it really meant to fall in love. It meant sticking beside the other and worry about another's safety before your own. With each passing day it was a promise she was becoming more comfortable making. She knew when the wedding day arrived there would be not hesitation in her heart. She looked and her engagement ring and smiled.

Hermione's thoughts drifted from love to the voice in her dream. She was pretty sure she had never heard it before, yet it still gave her the chills. Was it simply a dream? Or was it somebody trying to send her a message? Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at her door. "Come in." She said walking to her bed to throw a robe on.

Viktor walked in with two cups in hand, "I could not sleep. So I vas vondering if you vould like to join in drinking some hot chocolate with me." He looked so bashful that Hermione could not help, but giggle.

"Sure. Come and join me over here." She sat on her bed and patted the place next to her. It was times like these the lioness truly appreciated just how good looking her man was. He was dressed in only in his pants, and as a healthy young woman she could feel a wave of heat rush through her and rest on her cheeks. Thank god for the dim nighttime light. "What are you doing up so late?" She asked taking a sip of her warm drink.

"I just could not seem to shut off my mind. Sleep vas very…vhat is the vord…elusive." He smiled studying her with very serious eyes. "I do have to say that I was more than a little shocked to find you awake at this hour." He brushed a finger against her cheek. "You are starting to look a little pale. You have not had much of a chance to sleep in lately." Hermione rested her own hand on his thoughtfully.

"Well it takes a lot of time to look as good as I have lately."

"I do not see vhy. You have alvays been beautiful." The wizard put both of their empty cups on the bedside stand next to the bed. "It is hard to improve on perfection." He pulled her into his arms and leaned on the headboard. Hermione rested her head on his chest and relaxed.

"Oh stop it."

"But it is true." He rested his chin on her head. He was happy that they could have moments like these. Opening Week made it hard show affection. Real affection. Everything had to be staged and camera ready. He lost count how many times he saw her angry and frustrated by the other wives. He knew things would get better very soon, but it was still hard to know that he couldn't really do anything to help her. At the same time he was proud to see she was able to handle those hags with such grace. He looked down at her face and noticed something. "Hermione, is there something bothering you? Is it the vives? Dorian?" He hesitated. "Me?"

She looked up, "Of course not! How could you possibly think that you are bothering me?"

"Vell I just thought it was a possibility." He chuckled at her reaction. At least he knew she cared. "But I can tell something is brothering you. Vhat is it? You know you can talk to me about anything." Hermione thought about telling him about her dream. After all he was always saying how he wanted to protect her, yet she was not able to. It was like the words were stuck in her throat and refused to come out. He had enough to worry about, besides he would likely tell the family and that would just lead to more headaches. For now she would just keep it to herself.

"I guess this has just been a stressful few days. I didn't really get a chance to rest after all my tests. Opening Week is really fast paced without many chances to relax." She told him quietly. When he didn't respond she looked up to see he had drifted off to sleep. "So much for being concerned." She giggled softly before closing her eyes and joining the Seeker in slumber. This time it was dreamless.

"Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!" A voice was shouting. Hermione opened up her eyes and looked around. "You two are late! Late! Late!" It took less than a second for her to register that Dorian was in her bedroom looking very annoyed. And the sun was hanging high in the sky outside her window. "Rise and shine sleeping beauties!"

"Vhat's going on?" Viktor sat up causing Hermione to roll completely off of him. "Dorian? How did you get into here?" He asked only half awake.

"You have me a key. And do you two have any idea what time it is? You've missed an interview, photo shoot, and a whole lot of other things." His hands were on his hips and the girl was pretty sure that veins were starting to appear on his forehead.

"So vhat? Ve vere exhausted and slept in. So vhat if ve missed a few things?" He said shrugging and fell back again.

"You two are the only ones who didn't make an appearance on the Bulgarian team. What's a team without it's star?"

"Umm…a team without a star?" Hermione ventured.

"This is no joking matter." He almost yelled. Now the manager's face was starting to turn red. "You two have to get ready now! There are a million things to do until the cocktail party tonight!" The couple groaned and made not effort to move.

"Another party? Really this is becoming too much. They're all the same anyway."

"But ve have to do it. So we'll just take the day off until the party." Viktor said pulling Hermione closer. Dorian looked like he was about to kill someone.

"You think you can just take a day in OPENING WEEK off?" Dorian said through clenched teeth.

"Vhy not? Ve have been getting more attention than any of the others. If ve are not there than the other vill get attention and the vives vill leave Hermione alone for the party tonight." Viktor said logically. Dorian's mouth opened and closed then he looked to Hermione who smiled. The battle was won.

"Fine. But you to promise you will arrive on time and dressed to the nines." The manager left in a huff giving the couple some quiet moments together.

"You know we're going to pay for this later?" The girl said not all that concerned.

"Probably, but I do not care. I get you for almost the entire day. Vhat do you vant to do?" He looked down at her and she looked up to meet his eyes. A heartbeat passed and they were kissing. It was as passionate as a kiss could get. Tongues touched, teeth nibbled, lips bruised, and breath was lost. Viktor pulled Hermione as close as he possibly could with one arm to deepen this kiss. His free hand ran up and down her body so he could feel every curve of her body. Hermione's arms were wrapped around his neck and it didn't seem like she was going to let go anytime soon. Viktor's free hand slipped the robe and nightgown off her shoulders. He broke the kiss only to lay her down on the bed and look down at her. Her face was flush, her lips were red, and her chest was rising up and down. In short she looked delectable.

She gave him a confused look, "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing. You just look too amazing to be real." He told her as he started to kiss the line of her jaw. "You have no idea how much I have vanted to do this." He nibbled her ear gently. "Sometimes I have to go flying around at night to keep myself from coming into your room and ravaging you." He kissed down her neck and sucked on the place just above her collar bone. She whimpered softly when she felt his lips on her skin. It was music to his ears. He continued to kiss and suck her neck and one hand drifted to her chest where he gave on her right breast a light squeeze. This time she moaned deeply. Her hand drifted down and was about to make contact with the growing tent in his pants when the door burst open. Dorian froze and started at the couple were just as still and staring.

"I just wanted to let you know that I left both of your clothes in Viktor's room." He shut the door and left faster than either had ever seen him leave.

"Vell that vas awkvard." He said falling to the side of his still slightly frozen fiancée.

"Yeah…" Was all that she managed to say. They both looked at each other stand started to laugh. "I guess we know who to get Dorian to leave when we want to." Hermione laughed.

"Ve vill have to keep that in mind for future." He got off the bed and stretched out a little bit. Although he was more than a little disappointed that they got interrupted, again, he was glad to know that desire was mutual thing. "I vill meet you downstairs alright?" He left her to get ready for the day. Hermione smiled before getting dressed for what was promising to be a very interesting.

Since it was the third day of the Opening Week Hermione was well set into a routine. After all life during Opening Week seem like just one horrid parade of endless parties, interviews, photo shoots, and bullying. Everyday was the same as the last even if it was different. She would wake up, and go get ready. The hair and dressing would do their thing, and than she would go meet Viktor for some kind of interview with the team, or just the two of them. They would take photos, sign autographs for the odd person, and then usually it was time for lunch. After lunch she would go and get changed in a different outfit. Then she would once again meet up with Viktor and get do a photo shoot or yet another interview. Last was a cocktail party, dance, or social of some kind social where she would met more people than she could keep track of. She and Viktor would return Crystal Air too tired to talk. They would just go to bed and rest for the next day.

The half day off would be a true blessing. The young woman looked herself over in the mirror with a smile then she went to meet up with the man who was becoming a big part of not only her life, but her heart as well. She nearly skipped down the stairs and crashed right into Viktor. Instead of falling over her picked her up like a princess and spun around in circles. She laughed, "Stop! We're going to fall over!" He stopped and set her down.

"Ve should go to town and find something to eat." Her took her hand and led the way. The day was peaceful to say the least. They ate, shopped a little, took a nap back at Crystal Air, and played a game of chess (Hermione lost.). But as all good things do the day came to an end it was time to get ready for the evening's party. Hermione put on the blue cocktail dress with some matching heels. Since time was short she simply brushed her hair and pinned it back with some burettes. She smiled when she met Viktor in front of the Floo.

"Do we really have to go?" Her asked half serious.

"Vell ve could ditch, but I have a feel Dorian vould come after our blood if ve did." He said fully serious.

"Right, than let's go."

She was standing in the shadows of the cocktail party. Viktor was talking with Coach Borislav about some kind of play or something to that nature. The women were now giving Hermione the silent treatment which was perfectly fine with her since it meant that some peace and quiet. Still with all the players talking with one another, and her man not by her side she was feeling more than a little lonely. The last couple of days had their fun moments. The bullying had not stopped after the first day. The young witch felt like she was the man character of a high school drama or something. The women were really petty. Questionable potions in her drinks, stains on her dresses, disappearing stairs, moving carpets were the physical parts. She retaliated by using WWW products. Carney Creams, fake wands. She also used good old fashioned Muggle pranks: woopie cushions, itching powder, salt in drinks, and thumbtacks on chairs. It was small battle that Hermione knew she was winning. Viktor being the man he was offered his help, but his fiancée just smiled and told him to kindly stay out of it. This was her fight, and in all honestly "it's the only amusing thing I have to do."

But now it was the end of the third day and even pranking was starting to loose it's luster. She decided to take the opportunity to use the powder room. The young woman looked in the mirror and sighed, "You can get through this Hermione. Just a few more days and then it'll be over."

A woman that Hermione had never seen before approached her, as she touching up her make up, with what seemed like a genuine smile "You know talking to yourself is the first sign of insanity." She said with very clear British accent. The woman was tall and straight. She had the stately walk of a mature woman. She was in her late twenties with beautiful honey blond hair and bright green eyes that were as bright as the leaves in a forest. There was something about her whole aura made Hermione let her guard down a little.

"Trust me I've seen real crazy. Giving yourself a little pep talk in the mirror is far from insanity." She said still ever so cautious.

"I've heard that you've been making things interesting this week. Lev has kept me well informed." The new woman said with a smile. "And I must say though I whole heartedly agree with what you're doing I do think that you can do a little better."

"Better? And when you say Lev do you mean Lev Zograf? The Keeper of the Bulgarian National Quidditch Team? How do you know him?" Hermione asked completely confused.

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself." She stuck out a hand and smiled. "Christy Zograf, Muggle extraordinaire. Lev is my husband." Hermione took the hand and shook it while trying to let the words sink in and make sense of the words. Her mouth opened and close making her look like a fish out of water.

"Oh, well that explains a why I haven't seen you at the stadiums." The brunette said quietly. There were a million spells to prevent Muggles from entering the stadiums and practice fields. "But why haven't I seen you at any of the parties so far?" That was a confusing part.

"Oh I don't attend these things if I can help it. Lev and I have a son, Donald, and I don't like to leave him a lot since he's only a year old." She explained sitting down on the counter. Still...you must know something about the game right? I'm sure Lev talks about it all the time. Viktor does."

"Oh I know how to play the game, which teams have the best players, the history, and just about everything else. After all it is the second love of my husband's life." Christy was smiling as she talked, but there was a hint of sadness on her face. "I've read books, and watched what I can on Omnioculars." She shrugged like it was easy to deal with. "I'm trying to teach him about football although since there is no flying involved he gets bored with it easily."

"I will never understand the fascination with flying." Hermione shook her head, "Anyway…what did you mean by I could do better?"

"I mean with the revenge pranks, of course."

"Oh? Something tells me you have experience in this field."

"Before you there was me: a full Muggle marrying one of the most famous Keepers of our time. I can tell you that I had more than a few drinks spilled on me. I was treated very badly because they thought that since I had no magic I couldn't fight back." Christy spilled the contents of her purse out on the counter she was still sitting on. "Well they were very wrong. I'm going to teach you a thing or two that should help you get by the next few days." She held up a bottle little suddenly looking like Fred and George when they were cooking up a scheme.

"Tabasco Sauce?"

"Yes. Since its not a magical potion its easy to slip into drinks. Use the extra spicy if you really want to get a laugh." She handed Hermione the bottle just to pick up something new.

"Peanuts?"

"Oh those are for Desislava. She's allergic to them. Not deathly so, but enough that she carries an allergy potion with her."

"Than what's the point?" Hermione asked more than a bit confused.

"Well the potion will turn her lips a bright blue for the next week." Christy shrugged as it was an everyday occurrence. Hermione looked at the peanuts with newfound appreciation.

"That's all I could fit in my purse today, but don't worry. There will more chances to get back at those nasty women." She smiled tucking the new found tricks Hermione's own bag. "It's always better to have a partner in crime don't you think?" The Hermione before the war would have been almost offended that someone would think she would want to pull pranks on other people. Hermione of now knew that life was short and unexpected. And if you did not take the chance to have a little fun there was no guarantee that you would get another.

"You know I think that this is the start of a beautiful friendship." The younger woman said with a return smile. The two of walked out of the powder room and went to get some drinks. The two of them together did not go unnoticed by anyone. The press had not seen Hermione become close any of the wives until now so it was an exciting moment. And you could be sure that every single woman of the Bulgarian team had a certain feeling of dread in their hearts. Lev and Viktor walked up to the ladies with smiles.

"Vell it vould seem the ladies have met." Lev said wrapping an arm around Christy's shoulders. "And here I vas planning on being a gentlemen and introducing you." The Keeper said with a fake frown. Christy just rolled her eyes.

"That's a lie. You know that you completely forgot about introducing us."

"My dear, I am vounded. That you vould have such little faith of in me is almost more than I can stand." He clenched his hand to his heart.

"Oh stop being such a goof." She said swatting her husband over the head. Hermione laughed at their antics. It was really easy to tell that they had a loving marriage. The affection between them was clear as day. Hermione dared to glance over at Viktor out of the corner of her eye. Would they have that kind of marriage? Even though it was arranged? What would she do if she knew that Viktor was thinking the exact same thing?"

"Vhy don't ve leave now and hit the town?" Lev suggested. His wife nodded and looked at the young couple for confirmation.

"That's a wonderful idea!" "Ve should go now!" They said at the exact same time. The two couples left the party, and enjoyed the rest of the night sitting at a tavern exchanging stories and jokes. It was the best night any of them had had since the start of Opening Week. When the time came to say good bye Hermione was smiling all the way home.

"So vhat did you think of today?" Viktor asked her as they lay in her bed.

"It was…fun!"

A/N: Okay that's it for this chapter. I look forward to hearing from you guys, so please review and tell me what you think. Until next time!