Nikolina was thrilled for the twins when they set up shop in Diagon Alley. Their dream was finally coming true and she got to spend every night in the arms of her George.

The three were happy for a year in the shop. But then, Nikolina noticed George becoming less affectionate by day, and she was less overwhelmed. But one day, he seemed particularly distant, and she became worried.

"My George, are you alright?" She had stopped him in the doorway as soon as he entered the bedroom.

"I'm okay, why?"

"You haff not been yourself today. You haff been distant."

"I... I think we need to talk, Nika."

"Vhat is it?"

"I... I'm not sure we are a good long term combination, Nika. I'm extremely clingy and it seems like it bugs you sometimes. And I feel like it's just going to be a problem. I love you, I really do, but I think you need the space. Besides, you still haven't come to terms with everything you left at home."

"This... is all very true. I vas afraid to say anything because I did not vish to hurt you. I love you very much as vell, but I am a very solitary person. I require my time, and vithout that... I quickly become overvhelmed. I am sorry."

"It's alright Nika. It's a hard thing to discuss. You left home for me. I can't blame you for not wanting to admit that this might not be right. And who knows, maybe it's just not right for right now. Who knows what will happen in a year or so."

"Vill I haff to go back? To Bulgaria?"

"Not if you don't want to! Our couch turns in to a nice bed or there's always room at the headquarters. I'm not sending you packing, I'm just revoking your kissing privileges."

"Kissing privileges... I vill haff to remember that term." He always made her laugh, even in the rough moments.

That conversation had happened a while ago. Now, Nikolina lived happily among the Weasleys. Hermione had tried to convince her to visit Viktor, or even write to him, but she was afraid. What if he was mad? If he hated her?

She hadn't had much time to dwell on it lately anyway. After the incident with George's ear, she had been fretting over her ex-boyfriend's health, but he healed quite well.

The wedding was in two days and she was Mrs. Weasley's main helper. She was cooking, cleaning, directing traffic, and much more. Fleur was thrilled that she was there.

When the day finally came, Nikolina and Hermione did each other's hair and makeup. Finally satisfied with the chocolate brown curls, Hermione led her friend out the door. Mrs. Weasley would lose her mind if they didn't get out there soon.
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Viktor had arrived at the Weasley home for the wedding, but he was very nervous. It had been a while since Hermione's last letter and Nikolina had not been mentioned for even longer. What if she was back with George? What if she had found someone else? It didn't matter, he decided. He was there for Fleur, Nikolina was just a bonus.

He made his way to the tents where the guests were to be seated and anxiously awaited to see her. He missed her so much...

Meanwhile, Nikolina had seen Viktor arrive and was afraid to approach him. He seated himself near the back, so she didn't have much of an opportunity. She was, after all, one of Fleur's bridesmaids.

When the ceremony began, Viktor immediately recognized the bushy head of hair that was Miss Granger and the flaming red hair that belonged to the Weasley twins. He was unsure of which was George. From where he sat, he could not seem to make out the faces of anyone else. He couldn't recognize anyone from such a distance. But where was his Lina? She was supposed to be here, was she not?

As the reception proceeded, Viktor approached the table where Hermione, Ron, and Harry were seated, with his eyes directed towards Hermione, Nikolina noted bitterly.

"Hermy-own-ninny," he said, "Vould you like to dance and talk?" He was hoping she would tell him about Nikolina.

"I would love to, Viktor, but I think there is someone who would like to have your attention for a while," the younger girl replied, gesturing to the Bulgarian girl.

When Viktor Krum turned the direction she pointed, he seemed to lose all semblance of thought. The she was, Nikolina, in an emerald green sundress with a silver Durmstrang pendant and her chocolate brown hair tightly curled and pinned back. She wore silver flats to bring it all together but Viktor was lost in her eyes.

Those bright green eyes he loved and missed... he could stay lost in them for hours. But then he began to recognize the emotions inside them. There was happiness. Love. Excitement. And... Fear?