"Ah! Some familiar faces."

Draco froze underneath her, his tongue pausing in its exploration of her mouth. She squeezed his shoulders and turned to see Viktor tipping his head at the Slytherin boys.

Pucey jumped up with a bright smile, shaking hands with him as Montague and Flint followed suit. She remembered how friendly the Slytherins had been with the Durmstrang students — it made sense that they would greet each other warmly. The arm around her waist tightened. Draco made no move to stand.

"Krum! About bloody time you joined us at Edinburgh," Flint said, with a clap to his shoulder. "Where the hell have you been?"

Viktor's eyes flicked to the hand on him, and Flint quickly pulled it away. "I am in government now. Undersecretary to Minister Grubov."

"And how do you like it?"

Krum shrugged. "Vell enough, though the Mudbloods have been troublesome. Evidently they do not like our new laws."

Flint and Pucey chuckled, and Viktor smiled. Hermione could feel Draco's slow and steady breaths against her side, his ribs expanding and contracting in controlled movements. Her eyes slid to the side and found both Blaise and Giuliana staring at her and Draco. They quickly glanced away.

"Speaking of Mudbloods!" Pucey clapped his hands together in glee. "Did you see your old girlfriend is here?" He pointed to her and sat on the couch, scooping Mortensen into his lap to allow Viktor to sit beside him.

Viktor took a seat, finally turning his eyes on the two of them. "I did. She has grown up a lot."

"An improvement, I'd say." Pucey leered at her as he skimmed his hand over Mortensen's thighs.

"Mmm." Viktor took a drink from a passing Carrow Girl. "Malfoy," he greeted with a nod. "You are happy with her, no? She has learned tricks since school days?"

"I'll say she has," Flint said under his breath. Montague laughed.

"Krum," said Draco, a hard edge to his voice. "What brings you back to Britain?"

"A few meetings vith your Minister Thicknesse. But ve are very glad to relax at Edinburgh for the night. Now." Viktor slapped his thighs. "Vere do I get a girl to bounce on my knee?"

The boys laughed, and Pucey called over one of the waitresses to round up someone for Viktor Krum. Draco played with the ring on his thumb, spinning circles. Hermione held very still, her brain working furiously. Perhaps she could—

"Malfoy." Viktor's eyes were intent as he leaned forward. Searching, almost, like they were when he played Quidditch. "I heard you bought her for many Galleons."

Hermione swallowed, and she heard Draco's jaw click. "I did."

"And? Vos she vorth the amount?" He chuckled as he reclined, and the sound went through her like ice.

The question hung in the air as Draco leaned forward to grab his drink, steadying her with his other hand. Resting his glass on his knee, he nodded. "Every Sickle."

"Good, good." Viktor cleared his throat. "Vell, she vas not much of anything four years ago. I vould like to see how she has changed."