A Change Of Scenery

A/N: Thanks everyone who's been reading and following! I appreciate it! xx

Disclaimer: JKR owns Harry Potter, not me. I'm making no money from this story.

Chapter 6

"So what's on the plan for today?" she asked after the two of them finished their breakfast.

"Vell, I vas thinking we could go for a hot air balloon ride?" he asked, watching her gaze carefully.

Hermione let out a laugh. "That's a rather Muggle thing to do."

He shrugged. "I thought it vould be interesting… unless you are afraid, Nin," he said with a devious grin.

Flustered, she shook her head. "I'm not afraid!"

"I thought you were afraid of heights?" he asked, suddenly confused. "Isn't that vhy you vould not let me take you for a ride on my broomstick?"

Hermione turned even redder at the double meaning of his words. She shook her head once more. "I'm not afraid of heights, I'm afraid of brooms. They just seem so unstable and unpredictable to me."

"But you vould go in a Muggle balloon?" he clarified.

Hermione nodded. "Yes, actually, that sounds like fun."

"Vonderful, I'll have Bor make us reservations."

"Bor?" Hermione asked.

"Our butler," Viktor replied. "He's served the Krum family for many years. Bor is a very good man."

Hermione smiled. "Well, I'll go put some warmer clothes on and then we can go." Standing up, she gave him a quick kiss before heading to her room.

Slowly, the balloon began to ascend into the air.

"You sure about this, Nin?" he asked, wrapping his arms around the small witch. He rested his chin on her shoulder, his breath tickling her ear.

She nodded, peering over the edge of the basket. "I'm nervous, but an excited nervous."

Viktor laughed. "Vell, I brought us some wine, why don't we open that?" he suggested.

He poured her a glass, handing it to her.

Hermione gently took it while taking in the foliage. "It's so beautiful up here," she said, sipping at her wine. "England is so… flat. Especially in London; there's barely any foliage there."

"I love the outdoors," Viktor said, looking around. "Bulgaria is a beautiful place to live and I cannot imagine living anywhere else."

"Well, I can see why."

They floated through the sky, watching as the sun made the land burst with color.

"Vhy don't we make a toast?" Viktor suggested after a few quiet moments.

She turned to him. "A toast?" she asked confused. Viktor filled up her glass. "And what, exactly, would the toast be for?"

He smirked. "For this… vhatever this is between us Nin… may it always bring us joy and happiness."

Hermione was touched. "I can drink to that," she said softly, clinking their wine glasses together. After taking a sip, she looked at him sadly.

"Stop thinking so much, Nin," he said, smiling at her. "You can think those heavy thoughts later."

"But I think we should talk about," she began, but he cut her off.

"No, Hermy-own-ninny," Viktor said firmly. "I vont waste this beautiful time worrying about vhat has yet to come." He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close.

"I suppose you're right," she said softly, leaning her head against his chest.

"Of course I am," Viktor said smugly.

Hermione rolled her eyes, but continued to watch the rolling landscape beneath them.