When Viktor finally came home, Hermione was still sitting in his living room, completely engrossed in reading. She was curled up in an armchair, her legs tucked beneath her, and was completely cut off from the outside world.
— Oh, you're still here? — Viktor said in surprise, placing his sports bag on the floor. — I'm hungry; I'll change now, and let's go to a cafe.
Hermione, without looking up from her book, just nodded silently.
Viktor quickly went upstairs, took a shower, and changed into clean jeans and a T-shirt. Coming downstairs five minutes later, he said:
— Well, I'm ready, let's go! I'm so hungry I could eat an elephant seasoned with kendo sticks.
Hermione still didn't take her eyes off the book, nodding again, but not even attempting to get up.
Viktor stared at her, a mischievous expression slowly blooming on his face.
— You know, Hermione, today I met a beaver who offered me to become the King of the Beavers. Do you think I should have accepted?
— Yes, of course, — Hermione said automatically, without stopping her reading.
Viktor sighed, rolling his eyes dramatically. He walked over and gently but firmly snatched the book from her hands.
— Hey! Give it back! I'm reading! — she protested, finally snapping out of her trance.
— I said, let's go to lunch! And what are you reading so eagerly, anyway? — He looked at the cover and, seeing the title "Ira Levin, Rosemary's Baby," which he had given her this morning just to get her to leave him alone, he smirked. — And how is it? Do you like it?
— Well, it's quite gripping, — she admitted. She quickly stood up and took the book back from his hands.
Viktor nodded, took her hand, and pulled her towards the exit.
— Come on, I'm starving.
— Right, let's go to my place, — Hermione suggested. — Mum should have lunch ready by now. She was just complaining that you haven't visited us in a while.
Viktor pondered and broke into a wide smile.
— That's right. Why spend money when you can eat for free at the neighbors'?
— Since when do you worry about money? — Hermione asked in surprise, as he towed her along, remembering that Viktor used to be quite the spendthrift and didn't worry about money at all.
Viktor, striding towards the Grangers' house, sighed.
— I used to think the money I had would last a long time. But I've already spent half of it. If this continues, next summer I'll have to sell my perfect face and ideal body to lonely women just to feed myself.
— You're not that handsome, — Hermione snorted.
Viktor looked at her and laughed.
— You need to spend less time reading books, or you'll go blind! — He stopped and proudly puffed out his chest: — Listen: I am so beautiful that if I wished it, all the leading fashion houses in Milan and Paris would start killing each other on live TV, just for me to agree to walk the runway in their final look!
Hermione rolled her eyes and said nothing. She knew he was the world's biggest narcissist, and arguing with that was as futile as trying to stop a moving train with bare hands.
Although, to be perfectly honest with herself, she agreed: he was truly handsome. Piercing blue eyes framed by dark eyelashes, delicate, almost chiseled facial features. Broad shoulders, narrow hips, and a distinct muscle definition barely concealed by the fabric.
She suddenly flushed completely, feeling the heat rush to her face as she realized she had been shamelessly staring at him, and especially intently at the outlines of his torso under the thin summer T-shirt. She immediately turned away abruptly, hoping Viktor hadn't noticed her blush.
But how could he not notice it? Viktor, not waiting for an answer, carelessly pushed his hair back with his hand, as if posing for an invisible camera, and continued walking towards Hermione's house.
— I am simply perfect. And you, little Hermione, are very lucky to have such a friend, — he proclaimed self-importantly.
Hermione watched him walk away and slowly followed, still feeling the heat on her cheeks.
— You may be handsome, but your personality is just awful, — she muttered to herself, hoping he wouldn't hear.
Viktor, who had already reached the door and grasped the handle, unexpectedly turned around and looked at her, smiling sweetly and innocently.
— I don't know what you mean. I'm practically an angel in terms of personality, — he declared, flinging the door open and shouting: — Mrs. Granger! Your favorite neighbor has come to visit!
— I hope my daughter isn't causing you trouble by spending all day at your house? — asked Mrs. Granger with a warm smile, as they ate lunch at the cozy kitchen table.
— No, not at all, I'm even glad to have someone around constantly. You know, sometimes I get a little bored, — Viktor replied, finishing his chicken cutlet. — Although... — Viktor narrowed his eyes thoughtfully, looking at Hermione. — You know, lately she's become terribly demanding.
Hermione glared at him, gripping her fork, while Mrs. Granger laughed heartily.
— Don't worry, we'll be going to Italy soon, and you'll be able to rest from her, — she said, pouring Viktor some juice.
Viktor raised an eyebrow in surprise.
— Italy?
— Yes, we'll be going there on vacation for a month. Didn't Hermione tell you?
Viktor stared at Hermione, demanding an explanation.
— Don't look at me like that! — Hermione protested. — I told you several times! It's just that you were so busy you weren't listening at all!
— You could have told me about it when I wasn't busy, instead of whining about Diagon Alley, — Viktor said, completely casually, in Italian.
Hermione literally stared at him, her mouth agape. And Mrs. Granger gasped in surprise.
— Viktor, you know Italian?!
— Yes, I somehow learned it once out of boredom, — he replied, smiling, recalling his past life.
Recovering from the shock, Hermione suggested:
— Maybe you'll come with us? It would be much more fun!
Viktor laughed loudly, shaking his head.
— Then you'll have to take another passenger! Right now, according to official documents, McGonagall is my guardian. I'm afraid they won't let me leave the country without her or her permission.
Hermione frowned, realizing that distracting the Head of House from her vacation for such a minor thing was foolish, and she resigned herself.
Viktor stayed with them until evening. When Hermione's father returned, they all had dinner together in a friendly atmosphere. Before leaving, Hermione made him promise that they would definitely go to Diagon Alley tomorrow morning.
Returning home, Viktor finally allowed himself a sigh, and a shadow fell across his face. Loneliness instantly enveloped the empty house. Hermione and her family were leaving for Italy, leaving him alone. Although he had been busy all month, not paying much attention to her, he still enjoyed having someone constantly around. Since the mental hospital, he couldn't stand being alone.
Quickly going upstairs and sitting down at his desk, he opened the diary titled "Sharingan" and began writing with redoubled effort, immersing himself in complex formulas and diagrams. This was his only way to quickly and effectively distract himself from the oppressive thoughts.