2002-08-16 15:43:00,
A new journey,

Written in Bulgarian:

Today, I start a new journey. I am leaving the land of my birth, childhood, youth, education and begin travel to The United Kingdom. There are two things there I have missed. Once is a place, the other is a person.

I have not yet told her I am coming. But I shall soon. She would not like such a surprise. I can tell. I have sent a letter to the Headmaster of Hogwart's School and asked permission to attend the school for a year.

I wish to seek employment in the school, I thought that attending it as a student and not as a Guest, would give me great insight to what would be expected of me.

I am waiting for the coach to take me to the train. I am not going to use magickal means to travel there. I am fond of travel by train. Sea travel makes me quite ill. The train shall take me to London, from there, I have directions to the Leaky Cauldron, and to Diagon Alley. I shall send Hermione an owl before boarding the train, then again when I arrive in Hogsmeade. I am planning to lodge there until the start of the new term.

Faithfully, Viktor

2002-08-16 17:34:00,
OWL TO HERMIONE,

Hello Hermione,

I hope this note finds you quite well. I am writing to you as I am waiting for train to United Kingdom.

I have written to Albus Dumbledore, and he has approved my application to come and study at Hogwarts for one year before I apply for position there.

I am looking forward with great joy to see you again. I will be lodging in Hogsmeade village until the new term starts.

I shall send you another owl when I get moved into the Inn.

Take care, and give my greetings to Harry Potter and his good friend Ron Weezley.

Faithfully,

Viktor

2002-08-16 22:06:00,
OWL TO HERMIONE 2,

Hello again Hermione,

I was so very happy to get your owl. He found me when the train stopped for passengers in Berlin. I am finding the Muggle people interesting, and a quite friendly on the train.

I will be in London come the morning, and will try to sleep on the train tonight. I like the sound of the train.

I have to close this for now. The train is ready to leave, and I have to send the owl off before I am seen. It is so warm here. Even at night.

I will send an owl when I am at my Inn at Hogsmeade.

Say 'Hello' to your friends again for me, I can't wait to play Quidditch again, in the SUN!

Faithfully,

Viktor

2002-08-17 09:38:00,
London,

Written in Bulgarian:

This morning broke bright and sunny, quite early. We arrived in London, and I am now sitting in a Muggle pub having tea and scones.

I enjoy this time alone, being anonymous. No one recognizes me here. No one to adore me, or despise me. I shall spend the day here I think, see the city, and it's places, then I shall make my way to Diagon Alley and then to Hogsmeade.

The weather here is so warm. I will be needing a complete new set of clothing.

Faithfully, Viktor

2002-08-17 18:24:00,
Saturday Night in Diagon Alley,

Written in Bulgarian:

Well, after a long day in London seeing many things, I at last made my way to the Leaky Cauldron. I was here once, briefly before after the Quidditch World Cup. As I entered, it was pleasant, but then I was recognized.

I sometimes, no most times, regret and abhor my celebrity status in the Wizarding World. I was soon surrounded by admirers, fans and the simply curious. I was bombarded by questions, autograph requests and the usual. I played the usual, confused, non English speaking Krum I do in these situations, and was at last rescued by the Keeper of the bar, a man named Tom. He showed me to a table, and brought me some stew and some ale to eat. The meal was enjoyable, I was quite hungry after my walk around London, the bangers and mash I had for breakfast not staying well with me.

After eating there, and signing some Quidditch things for Tom to hang in the bar, I made my way to Diagon Alley. This, I found was quite a fanciful place, full of wizarding folk and magick supply shops. I did a bit of shopping, ran into some more admirers, and then at last found a small inn where I am staying this evening.

I am quite run out. The journey and talking to all of these people have worn me out. I am going to have some supper sent up to me, then I shall Apparate to Hogsmeade sometime tomorrow.

Faithfully, Viktor

2002-08-18 13:15:00,
Another journey,

Written in Bulgarian:

Again, I am taken with how bright and sunny the mornings are here. I know it is still Summer here, but even when we have summer, and it's brief hours of daylight, it does not become like this.

I am sitting now outside of a Tavern in Diagon Alley, having a bit of food before I Apparate to Hogsmeade. Another Owl has arrived from Hermione. I am pleased that she is eager to see me, and to want to socialize.

I shall send her an owl after I enter this into my journal, and then carry on with my journey. She has asked what position I would apply for at Hogwarts. She suggests that I become the Defense Against The Dark Arts Professor. I will admit, I am flattered by such confidence she shows in me, but I do not think myself qualified for such a position at this time. How can I teach a subject, when I was put under the Imperious Curse so easily last year, and failed to notice, or resist?

I would think, that most reasonably, I would start out as an apprentice to a current Professor, and learn to master his discipline and the teaching methods that are used, and acceptable at Hogwarts. Just from what little I have seen of their teaching, they vary widely from those used at Durmstrang.

Ahh well, that is such a long ways off, and a tenuous possibility at best. I shall not concern myself with it too heavily now.

Faithfully, Viktor

2002-08-18 15:33:00,
OWL TO HERMIONE

Hello again Hermione,

I was surprised by your note that said you surmised I would be a good DADA teacher. I find myself at once flattered, and embarrassed that you would think me skilled enough for such a position at Hogwarts.

I have studied the Dark Arts, more than you and your fellow students have I am guessing. Durmstrang DOES focus more on the ... active use of curses and such, but I think that I am no way so well versed in them as to teach defenses against them. Just look at what became of me during the Third Challenge!

I shall be Apparating to Hogsmeade within the hour, then getting settled in my hotel. I shall owl you again when I know the detail of my living quarters. I hope you and all your friends are well.

Faithfully,

Viktor

2002-08-19 11:53:00,
OWL TO HERMIONE

Greetings to you Hermione from Hogsmeade. :D

I received your owl this morning and I am now settled well in my hotel. It is a small, but pleasant place. I think I will be pleased here. I am sorry to hear that you and your fellow students are worried about "You-know-who". I think I shall be fine here until the start of the term.

I find it charming though, that you are concerned about me. It makes me smile. I have seen a few of the other girls from your School. I believe their names were Lavender, Pansy, and Blaise. They seemed quite friendly, and I think I remember some of them from last year.

Are they good friends of yours? It will be nice to stay in the school castle this time, I did not like sleeping on the ship in the lake. The water was rough, and often made me ill. Will you go swimming in the lake with me sometime Hermione? I love to swim.

Well, I think I will do some shopping in the village now. Take care, and greet your friends for me.

Faithfully,

Viktor

2002-08-21 10:17:00,
Midweek musings,

Written in Bulgarian:

I am sitting now in a cafe sipping at some flavored tea I have discovered to be quite tasty and calming when one is anxious. Not that I <i>need</i> calming, but I may send some to Hermione as a gift. She seems to worry a great deal, about a great many people and things. I have seen nothing occurring here in Hogsmeade to alert me to danger, but even I know not everything, or EVERYONE is what they appear to be.

I did some shopping yesterday for items on my list for the 7th year classes at Hogwarts. Looking over the books, a lot of it will be review of what I have learned at Durmstrang, but then again, I am here mostly to learn the methods and systems of this school, than actual education.

I am eager however, to see what new things I shall learn at this school. In the little I have gotten to know him, I understand Albus Dumbledore is a man of great learning, and unwavering honor. I could see that despite the comments and propaganda Karkaroff fed to myself and my fellow Durmstrang students.

I have met a few more of the local merchants and people since I am staying here in the village, and they seem to be taking me on my own merits, and not holding my previous school or Headmaster's acts against me. I find this refreshing, and a bit hard to get used to. There are still the autograph seekers and groups of tittering fan girls (grin), but even a few local Quidditch enthusiasts have asked me if I shall play for England now that I am attending Hogwarts!

I thought that I was coming to the UK to learn, not defect!

I think I shall go about and do more shopping. The weather here is so warm and uplifting. I feel the need to be out and immersed in it.

Faithfully, Viktor

2002-08-22 10:23:00,
OWL TO HERMIONE,

Good morning Hermione,

I hope you are well and your Summer Studies are progressing well. I was curious about meeting you this weekend. Do you know when you will be coming to Hogsmeade, and what would you like to do?

I am looking forward to seeing you. Will you be coming with Harry Potter and Ron Weezlee? Will you be coming alone? Please let me know. I have enclosed with this owl, a present for you. It is a blended tea prepared to relax one when you are upset or worried. I had some the other night, and I thought you might enjoy trying it.

Faithfully, Viktor

*Small parcel of tea attached to owl's leg*

2002-08-23 14:42:00,
OWL to Hermione,

Hello Hermione,

I am so eager to be finally seeing you again, I can hardly wait for tomorrow to arrive. I will meet you and your friends outside of Honeydukes Sweet Shoppe at Noon. Will this be satisfactory? I hope so.

I am looking forward to talking to you and your friends again about their summer vacations and the coming term at Hogwart's. I will await your reply.

Faithfully, Viktor

2002-08-24 13:00:00,
An afternoon with Hermione,

A Dual RP with Viktor and Herm-own-ninny...

Hermione dropped her bag of books from the Hogsmeade book store down on the ground and pulled out her wand, shrinking them until they could fit comfortably in her pocket. She rubbed her sore shoulder and sighed, leaning against the outside wall of Honeydukes. Students ran rampant around Hogsmeade, the majority of them spending their time in Honeydukes and Zonko's Joke Shop. Hermione smiled, remembering the happy days of third year, when going to Hogsmeade was a grand adventure.

Viktor smiled from the inside of Honeyduke's as he saw Hermione arrive. He was dressed almost Muggle like under a light summer robe. He had on a white poet's blouse shirt that laced up the front, a pair of black leather trousers, and red dragon hide boots. His robe was light weight and soft grey in color. His shoulder length black hair was so black it shone blue in the sunlight. He held something behind his back as he slipped out of the store, and sidled up next to Hermione, leaning over to whisper in her ear. "Goot affternoon Herm own ninny...." he said in a soft voice.

Hermione jumped, and had her wand pointed at Krum within a second. She laughed once she realized who it was, and put her wand into an inside pocket of her robes. "Viktor! You scared me!" she said in way of greeting. She was also dressed in typical Muggle clothing under her robes, she had to admit she had let Pavarti and Lavender convince her to dress up. She had on a deep blue blouse which she felt was too low-cut, but which Pavarti had assured her was perfectly fine. The skirt she wore was pulled down as far as she could pull it, but it still showed a fair bit of leg. She forgot to be uncomfortable when she saw what Krum was wearing, however.

Viktor looked a bit surprised when Hermione pulled a wand on him, but he took no defensive moves. "Did I scare you Herm own ninny?" he asked in a slightly sad tone. "I haff a zurprise for you. Can I giff it to you without getting cursed?" he asked with a grin and a twinkle to his dark eyes. He was still holding one hand behind his back.

Hermione felt her stomach flutter when he grinned at her, and smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry, Viktor, I'm a little on edge lately," she replied, "I'm not scared of you, it was just a bit... surprising." She had the greatest urge to hug him right then, but didn't want to make him uncomfortable.

Viktor smiled, and nodded at Hermione. "It is OK, I zuppose some people still suspect me of being Evil..." he said, then grinning wider, he produced a small bouquet of flowers from behind his back, and held them up for her. "These are for you...." he said softly. "They are mood flowers..." he explained, "They change color depending on your mood when you are near them." he smiled. The flowers were currently a deep shade of green as he handed them to Hermione.

Hermione burst into a smile, and the flowers changed to a brilliant shade of goldenrod. She hugged Krum then, and pulled back quickly, as a few people were staring at him, and she didn't want a repeat of last year's Daily Prophet antics. "They're beautiful," she sighed, holding them to her. She breathed in their soothing fragrance and felt very satisfied for the moment, happy and content. She didn't have to worry about much when she was with Viktor, she could just be in the moment and let everything else disappear. It was a nice feeling.

Viktor actually blushed a bit when Hermione hugged him, and he let a happy little sigh escape. "I am glad you like the flowers." he said with a smile. "Are you hungry? We could go to the cafe to haff lunch..." he suggested with a lift on one eyebrow as he laced his hands together behind his back.

Hermione's stomach rumbled, and she laughed. "I suppose that's your answer," she grinned. She looked over at the small group of people, most of them Hogwarts students, who were currently whispering among themselves and motioning to Viktor. A few of them she recognized, mostly Quidditch fans who would have remembered Krum from the year before. She even noticed a member of his 'fan club' of girls, who scowled when Hermione caught her eye.

Viktor was oblivious to the people on the street and what they were doing, or at least he was doing a bang up job of ignoring them, and focusing only on Hermione. He smiled and offered her his arm in a gallant gesture, and said, "May I escort you there Herm own ninny?" he asked in a soft voice.

Hermione slipped her arm through his. "Lead on, sir knight," she joked.

Viktor laughed softly at that and after linking his arm with hers, led her to the cafe where he had already reserved a pleasantly secluded table in the back near the kitchens. Once they were seated and sipping at lemonade, Viktor spoke again. "I hope this table iz OK. I thought.... I thought you might like a little privacy from the watchful eyes ov dee village." he smiled as he sipped at his water. "I promise to be ze perfect gentleman..." he grinned, then looked over the menu for the lunch offerings.

Hermione felt a blush creep over her face, and willed it down. She did appreciate the break from the onlookers. "Is it always like that for you? I mean, people staring?" she asked, sipping her lemonade and perusing the menu. She was used to people staring at Harry, because of his scar, but he couldn't help his notoriety. Krum was different, in that he had been chosen for his talents rather than fate. He, like Harry, had never seemed to like the press, but he had the choice of being away from it, if he wanted.

Viktor tilted his head from side to side as he nodded. "Sometimes, yes. It iss vorse in Bulgaria. I am like National Treasure there." he said with a self depreciating snort. "I am surmising, it is a lot like what Harry Potter has to deal with here." he added. "But then, not quite the same." he said as he looked thoughtful. "Anyway..." he said looking down at the menu again, "I haff gotten used to it. I ignore it, and am polite to those that vant to speak to me..." he said in a bored tone, then looked over the menu some more. "Vat do you recommend?" he asked politely, even though he had been eating her all week.

"Last time I ate here I tried the veal. It was alright, I suppose, but I'm not very partial to it," Hermione replied, setting her menu down. The waiter had brought a vase for the flowers, and she looked over at them as they turned a deep blue which matched her shirt. "Harry.... he has to deal with a lot of attention, but he doesn't really know how to react to it, I don't think," she mused, running a hand through her curly hair absent-mindedly.

Viktor blinked, then looked over at Hermione, "Vere is Harry Potter and Ron Weezlee? Did they not vant to come and see me?" he asked with the smallest of a pout for effect, then looked down at his menu. "I do not vant the veal. We eat much of that in Bulgaria... I vonder how the roast beef is..."

"Ron had to visit his family, and Harry had promised to practice Quidditch with a few of the boys in our dorm," Hermione answered, amused at his faked pout. She was well aware that Ron and Viktor did not get along, though she wasn't exactly sure why. "We have tryouts next week, actually," she added. The waiter stopped by their table to refill their drinks and take their order, taking their menus and leaving them alone again.

Krum looked up at Hermione from under his long hair, and smiled. "I vonder if the vill let me play Quidditch form my House team...." he grinned. "I vonder too... vat house I will be assigned to..." he said, then looked up as the waitress arrived, pad in hand. "What can I get you kids?" she smiled. Viktor handed her the menu, "I vill have the Roast beef platter, rare, with dah mashed potatoes, gravy, and carrots." he intoned. "Ah.. the usual. Right Viktor," she grinned then looked over at Hermione, "And you miss?"

"I'll have the chicken, with the vegetables and potatoes," she handed her menu to the waiter as well. Once she had gone, Hermione found there was no longer a barrier between her and Viktor. It made her slightly uncomfortable, though not for the same reason that Grim or Malfoy made her uncomfortable. She wasn't sure she could really describe the feeling. "I wonder what house you'll be sorted into, as well," she said. "I hope it's Gryffindor." She looked down a little shyly, watching an ant wander across the table. It reminded her of Rita Skeeter's Animagus form, which she had owled to the Daily Prophet's office at the beginning of the summer.

Viktor reached a hand across the table, and gently touched her finger tips with his. "I vill be happy just to be at Hogvarts." he smiled, then pulled his hand back. "Although... Because I vent to Durmstrang, I vill bet I get placed in Slytherin...." he said glumly. "I don't like the people in dat House..." he said softly. "They vere very.... how do you say it... false?" he asked, looking over at her again.

Hermione frowned, a contradiction to the butterflies currently doing the tango in her stomach. "You don't belong there," she said softly, "You aren't like them, not in the least." She looked at his face and felt so terrible for him, for his guilt over the Tournament's events. She felt anger swell up inside of her at the Death Eaters, that they were causing him to doubt his own worth.

The flowers to her left turned a deep crimson, and she forced herself to calm down. They faded to a soft pink.

Viktor nodded, as if accepting a fate that was predetermined for him. "Vell, vat ever house I am sorted into, I vill try to be the best student I am able to be." he said quietly. Then he looked over at Hermione. "I vaant to thank you for being so kind to me. I don't feel quite so nervous coming to Hogvarts knowing I have von friend I can call upon." he said, then smiled shyly.

Hermione looked down at the table, a smile crossing her features. "And you can call on me whenever you need to," she assured him, looking back to his face. There was a moment of comfortable silence between them, and they simply looked at each other. The flowers were a beautiful golden shade; the petals looked as though they would float to the ceiling if they were released from the stem.

Viktor stared into Hermione's eyes for a long time, then at last said, quietly, "Thank you." The waitress arrived then, bringing their meal, and for a time, they ate in pleasant silence. When he was nearly done with his meal, he paused and took a long drink from his lemonade. He watched her with a wistful expression, then set down his silverware and wiped his mouth with a napkin, "Is everything to your liking?" he asked.

Hermione nodded, and took a sip of her lemonade as well. "Have you had a chance to talk to the Headmaster about being Sorted yet?" she asked, pushing the remnants of her chicken to the other side of her plate. The cafe was nearly empty now, as most of the regulars had stayed home on Hogwarts' visiting day, and the students found it better to eat a lunch of Honeydukes' candy, and be considerably ill by dinnertime.

Viktor shook his head, and pushed the remainder of his roast beef around on his plate. "I haff not spoken to Professor Dumbledeedore yet. I understand he hass been avay, and busy vith Hogvart's bizness." he said in a sullen sort of tone. "I am guessing I shall be sorted ven the rest of the new students are." He paused, then looked at Hermione with a shy smile, "Can you tell me about the Sorting Ceremony?" he asked, looking like a shy, curious boy.

Hermione smiled. "Well, there's a hat, a very ancient and magical hat, which each new student must put on," she enthused. "It can read your character, and decide which House you would most belong to." The Gryffindor remembered her elation at being accepted into Gryffindor at her Ceremony, and laughed when the flowers turned both scarlet and gold, in a striped pattern. She met Krum's eyes and sobered a bit. "I was very scared when I went up to the front of the room to be Sorted," she confessed. "I was terrified that the hat wouldn't put me in any of the houses."

Viktor leaned his chin into his palm, and stared, transfixed at Hermione and her story. He had a wistful sort of look in his face as he listened to her. "But it put you in Gryffindor House vith Harry Potter and Ron Weezlee, didn't it?" he smiled. He watched her for a moment, then looked down at his plate. "I hope I get into Gryffindor as vell." he said, again in that sullen tone of his. "I think it vould be a nice place to be to learn."

"I think you would do wonderful there," Hermione assured him, "And I think it would be wonderful if you were in Gryffindor. Then we could see each other often, and I'm sure that everyone in my house would love you." She blushed, and looked down at her hands, which were nervously fiddling with the edge of the tablecloth. She stilled them and looked back up at Viktor.

Viktor, as if sensing her nervousness, was looking down at his plate eating again as she looked up. He finished his meal, then leaned back as the plates were cleared from the table. "Vould you like some dessert, Herm own ninny?" he asked with a smile. "Ve could order sompsing here or go back to Honeydukes..." he said with a wink of an eye at her. "Tell me vat you vould like to do, the day..." he said holding his hands out from his sides. "Is yours to command...." he grinned.

She chuckled, resting her chin on her hand and looking at Krum, a smile playing around her lips. She thought for a moment, and then smiled. "Will you come back to the school with me?" she asked. "Just for the afternoon, I'm sure no one will mind," she added quickly, as an assurance that she would not be in trouble because of it. A thought came to her, and she sat up. "I... I've never learned how to fly a broomstick," she confessed, remembering how she had given up after that first flying lesson. "Maybe... you could teach me?"

Viktor sat up, and his entire expression brightened. "I vould LOVE to come there vith you and teach you to fly." he said as he stood up from the table, and offered her his hand. "I just need to go to my room and get my broom..." he grinned.

Twenty minutes later, Hermione and Krum were standing on the edge of the now-abandoned Quidditch pitch, each holding a broom. Harry, Seamus, and Dean had left only minutes before, to the Owlery for various reasons, and so the pair was alone. Hermione wasn't used to seeing the pitch from this angle, she rarely came here except to watch the players from a vantage point high up in the stands. She hadn't truly wanted to learn how to fly until she had seen Viktor flying, then she had wanted to be up there, to be a part of it.

Viktor looked around the pitch, and inhaled and exhaled soundly. He seemed to feel at ease here, his true habitat. He broke from his staring off at the hoops at the far end of the field, and turned to Hermione. "How vell do you know how to fly a broom?" he asked as he held onto his Firebolt. The broom was fairly vibrating in his hand, eager for flight.

Hermione looked down at the broom in her hand, somewhat embarrassed. "I actually... I never really have. Our first flying lesson here was interrupted, and I didn't go to the alternate time," she admitted. It was nice outside, the sun shone down on them in a friendly way. It was getting hotter, though, and Hermione was getting uncomfortable in the heat. She couldn't imagine how Viktor, who was used to colder climes, must have felt. She set her broom down and unclasped the outside of her robes. "Do you mind if I take my outer robes off?" she asked.

Viktor smiled down at her, and shook his head. "It is quite varm here, isn't it?" he agreed, and shed his outer robe as well. "Vell, if you have never flown... perhaps I should show you how..." he smiled. "Mount my broom, and hold on." he instructed her in a patient tone of voice as he held the broom steady for her.

Hermione cast a quick "Derevealicus" Charm on her skirt to keep it from flying up, and slipped carefully onto the broom. She looked over to Krum with a nervous smile. "Alright, now what?" she asked.

Krum smiled at her as he threw his long leg over the broom and sat on it behind her. He placed his hands on the handle, and leaned around to look over her shoulder and grin. "Now, ve fly...." he said, then kicked off the ground and the broom shot nearly vertically into the air at a rapid rate of climb.

Hermione squeaked, and slid back on the broom until she was pressed into Krum's chest. The air whipped by her at a startling rate, and she closed her eyes tightly until they had slowed down in the air. She opened her eyes cautiously, and laughed in delight. The pitch was below them, far enough that a fall would have quite disastrous consequences. Hermione bit her lip as she got onto that train of thought, and instead focused on Krum. Pressed up against him, she could smell his after shave. It was a musky scent that reminded her of winter and fire.

Krum seemed not to notice if Hermione was nervous or not. He was in his element. He did slow the broom down considerably, until they were doing easy mid-speed laps of the pitch. He kept his hands on the handle between his thighs, then leaned forward to talk in Hermione's ear. "'ow do you like it so far?" he smiled, "You are driving now.... don't make us crash...." he laughed and waited to see what she would to.

Hermione wrapped her hands around the broom handle tentatively, and leaned a bit to the right. The broom made a sharp turn, and she gasped and pulled it back to the left. It steadied out again, and she laughed in relief. This was actually quite... fun, once she stopped considering how many pieces she would be in if she hit the ground at this speed. Viktor seemed to be in his element, relaxed totally on the broom, and it helped her to relax a bit as well. She put her weight forward on the broom, not nearly so much as she had with the turn, and the broom descended. She leaned back once they had gone down about twenty meters, and they shot back upwards. She laughed, and turned her head to speak to Viktor. "This is incredible!" she exclaimed.

"She is very.... temperamental, und sensitive... Just like a wooman." he laughed in her ear. "Treat her gentle or she vill splat you across the ground..." he laughed. It was a genuine, merry laugh. He seemed to be a completely different person once he was upon a broomstick.

Hermione blushed, and noticed the change in his personalty. He was bolder in the air, more comfortable. She could completely see why he loved to fly, she felt a little bolder too. More free, as if she could just fly away from all the troubles that had been plaguing her. She pulled the broom up until they were just over the top of the stands, and slowed until they were hovering. "Now what?" she asked, relaxing.

Viktor leaned forward, and pressed his face into her thick hair over her ear, the cold tip touching the warm shell of her ear, "Go very very fast...." he whispered, and then wrapped his arms around her waist, waiting.

The butterflies in Hermione's stomach came back in full force, toting a few friends. She took a deep breath and leaned forward on the broom while lifting the tip. It shot forward towards the other end of the pitch at an alarming rate. The scenery whipped past them , and she leaned a little further until the trees were only green blurs. She turned sharply around the goal, reversing directions, and was amazed that she hadn't fallen off, even with Viktor holding her steady.

Viktor held tightly his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder and laughing aloud. "You do vell! Very vell!" he yelled over the rushing of the wind in his face. He was in heaven, speeding over the ground on his beloved broom, and sharing this with a true friend. "Keep going!" he encouraged her eagerly. "See vat she can really do!"

Hermione obliged, turning swiftly in the air, and going into a dive. She fought the urge to close her eyes as the ground rushed up at her, and waited until the pair was only a few meters above the ground before pulling up again. She laughed as her heart jumped to her throat, and the pair shot back upwards like a Muggle rocket. She turned dangerously close to the audience stands, and looped around the goal posts at one end. She was getting more used to this as she went, comforted by Viktor's presence. At one point, she almost fell off, but Viktor pulled her close and righted them.

Viktor continued to laugh, long and loud. It seemed like a thing he never got the chance to do, and was taking full advantage of the opportunity. "You are a natural!" he yelled against the wind... "No ve just need to teach you how to play Quidditch!" he said, then gave her an encouraging squeeze around the middle with his arms. "You vould make an excellent Chaser!"

Hermione slowed to a full stop in midair, both of them breathing heavily from the exhilaration. She looked down at the broom underneath her and smiled. "You... really think so?" she asked, resting against him. She put her head on his shoulder without even noticing she had, or how the pair might look.

Viktor nodded eagerly, "jah... I do. You are doing ... magnificent!" He took one hand down from around her waist and pointed to the ground. "Land down there...." he said then held onto her once again. "I vant to see sumpsing..." he grinned.

She slowly descended until they were just above the ground, and then she stopped. The tips of her shoes brushed the grass, from which the dew had long evaporated.

Viktor clutched his hands on her shoulders, then leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek before dismounting the broom. He took a step back and gave her a mock salute, "Now! You go by yourself! I vill vatch you!" he grinned. "Start slow, get the feel for zee broom, then go at your own pace," he grinned. He looked like a proud parent teaching a child to ride his first bicycle. "Off you go!!" he cheered.

Hermione froze as his lips brushed her cheek, and smiled widely. With a nervous nod, she kicked off, and the broom rose. Doing as he instructed, she went slow at first, getting a feel for the broom. It was a little different, without Viktor's comforting presence at her back, but she was still exhilarated. It was amazing! Once she was sure she wouldn't fall off, or crash immediately into anything, she sped up and flew towards the goal posts at the far end of the pitch. She zigzagged through the three posts, narrowly missing the third, and dipped towards the ground. She pulled up even closer to the ground this time, lifting her feet a bit so that they wouldn't drag the ground. She gave Viktor a wide grin as she passed him.

Viktor was grinning wide, and clapping loudly. The sound of his applause rattled off of the stands of the empty pitch and echoed around him and Hermione. "Vonderful! Vonderful!!" he called out up to her, turning around and around to watch her as she flew around the pitch, improving with every pass she made.

On her fifth pass, she twirled rather gracefully in the air, and dropped down until she was hovering next to Viktor. She laughed and dismounted, steadying herself on the ground. She wasn't used to the sudden change in medium from air to ground, and she tripped when she tried to walk, falling into her companion.

Viktor, being a seeker, had the reflexes of a viper, and letting the broom hover, he reached out and caught Hermione as she stumbled and fell forward against him. His arms were under hers, and laughing he lifted her to her feet, making sure she was steady, then, he left his arms encircled around Hermione for a nervous minute, then found himself looking down into her eyes. "Careful there...." he said with a soft laugh, "Ve don't want you to survive dah broom only to break your neck on the ground..." he smiled shyly.

Hermione smiled, not caring about her own clumsiness. "Thank you," she said softly, looking up at him. She met his eyes, which were such a deep brown they resembled dark pools, and felt herself leaning forward unconsciously. "Thank you for this afternoon, Viktor," she added, her voice hardly above a whisper.

Viktor stared into her eyes for a long moment, then suddenly, his cheeks colored, and he stepped back, taking his arms from around her middle and reached for his broom hovering nearby. "You... you are velcome..." he grinned. "Shall I valk you back to the Castle?" he asked, seeming to recover his composure a bit after the awkward embrace.

Hermione colored as well, looking down at the broom and realizing what a truly awkward position the pair had been in. She nodded and the two walked over to where their outer robes lay. She clasped her around her neck, careful not to ensnare any of her curls. The silence on the way back to the castle was broken by the Gryffindor. "Do you think.... do you think I could visit you in Hogsmeade sometime this week?" she asked.

Viktor grabbed his robe from the ground, and draped it over his arm as he walked along beside Hermione. "I vould like that very much, Herm-own-ninny..." he smiled shyly. "Please send me an owl, letting me know ven you vant to come visit." he said shaking his mussed hair out of his face with a shake of his head.

At the main doors, Hermione turned to face Viktor. "I had a very nice time," she said, tucking a curl behind her ear. She looked over behind Krum, where she could see a few of the remaining Hufflepuff sixth years heading in their direction. "I'll owl you tomorrow, Viktor." She assured him as the group approached.

Viktor smiled at her, and nodded politely to her. "Thank you for a vonderful afternoon Herm-own-ninny. I vill wait to hear from you again...." he smiled as he gave her a shy little wave, and turned, mounted his broom, and sailed off in the direction of Hogsmeade.

Hermione reached into her pocket and pulled out the small package of books, and a tiny bouquet of flowers. With a flick of her wand and a word, the flowers resumed their actual size, and glowed a brilliant rose-pink.

2002-08-24 18:24:00,
A wonderful day indeed,

Written in Bulgarian:

Today was more fantastic than I could have ever hoped for. Hermione and I spent the afternoon alone together. Isn't that a contradiction? In any case, she and I met for lunch, and I really think she liked the Mood Roses I gave to her. They kept changing to a range of different colors while we were having lunch.

It was a very pleasant meal. I do not often have someone who wants to talk to just me. Viktor. They all want to know and talk to the "Star Seeker" for Team Bulgaria. Hermione does not seem to care about my celebrity status. She is curious how it is for me, and I told her is it possibly alot like what Harry Potter must endure.

After lunch, she asked me to show her how to fly a broom, so we collected mine from my hotel, and went to the Quidditch Pitch at Hogwarts for a quick lesson. At first I flew on the broom behind her. That was very nice. Being so close to her. She is a wonderful girl.

I was so surprised at how she quickly got he feel for the broom, and then I let her fly it on her own. She did marvelous, and I told her she would make a wonderful Team Chaser.

Wouldn't that be amusing if I made the Gryffindor House team, and she did as well?

Ah... but that is silly, Harry Potter is the Gryffindor Seeker, and I would not want to take his place. Hermione wants to see me during the week since she has no classes before the start of their term. I will like that a great deal.

Faithfully, Viktor

2002-08-25 18:36:00,
OWL TO HERMIONE,

Hello again Hermione,

I myself had a wonderful time too yesterday, and I think that going to London would be exciting. I was there briefly before coming to Hogsmeade, and yes, I would love to go there again, with you.

Either Tuesday, or Wednesday will be fine for me. Just tell me when, where you would like to meet, and I shall be there.

Shall I bring anything, special with me?

Faithfully,

Viktor
Your flying Instructor

2002-08-26 20:51:00,
Off to London / OWL TO HERMIONE

Hello Hermione,

I am very eager to see you tomorrow, and yes, I did get my letter from Hogwarts as well. I have not started shopping yet. I guess I should take you along with me for that. I don't have a talent for shopping for me.

Here is my list of Classes I have been given:
* Potions
* Transfiguration
* Defense against the Dark Arts
* Magickal Poetry and Spell writing
* Charms
* Herbology
* Advanced Alchemy

Then I have the usual list of supplies as well:
* #2 Pewter Cauldron
* Set of crystal or glass phials
* 3 sets of work Robes
* 2 Sets of Dress Robes (Formal Wear)
* Quills, Inks, Parchment
* Magick Wand
* Owl, Toad, or Cat

Then there are the books I need:
* Sonnets of the Sorcerer - Words to Entrance and Make Magic with.
* Standard book of spells - Grade 7
* From Lead to Gold - Advanced Alchemy
* Cultivating living Magick - Herbology of the Druids
* Hexes and Vexes - Potente and Effective Curses to know and use

I of course already have my wand, and my Falcon. I do not believe you have yet met Tempeste, she is my <a href ="http://aviary.owls.com/saker_falcon/saker_falcon.html">Saker Falcon</a>. She is out exploring the new country side most days.

Anyway, I shall be ready and waiting to meet you tomorrow, something special other than myself I shall bring as well.

Faithfully, Viktor

2002-08-27 09:18:00,
Anticipation

Written in Bulgarian</i>

Well this morning is the day I meet Hermione for the day in London. I have gotten up and about early. I needed to get her a present. I am sure she liked the flowers, and now the task of finding something else was at hand. There is a jewelry shop nearby, perhaps I should look there?

Perhaps jewelry is too... much too soon? I don't know... I shall go shopping and see what I can find. I am sure I will know just the thing when I see it. That reminds me... I need to go to Gringotts to withdraw some money. Off I go now...

Ah... an owl has just arrived for me... Well, after answering this, I shall go.

Faithfully, Viktor

2002-08-27 09:57:00,
OWL TO BLAISE,

Hello to you Miss Blaise,

Please forgive my poor English. I was surprised to get a letter from someone in Bulgarian, who is not FROM Bulgaria. It was interesting to read...

I am sorry, but I am not sure if I recall all of the people I meet, but if I can help you with something. I would surely try.

Today I am going to London for some shopping, and I will be at Hogwart's for the start of Term on September 1. Can this assistance await until then, or is it an emergency?

Please let me know, and be well.

Viktor Krum

2002-08-27 12:49:00,
A Day in Hogsmeade.

An IC RP with Hermione and Viktor.

Hermione picked up her pace as she pushed through the crowds of people assembled in the main square of Hogsmeade. She was late, a half hour to be exact, and she didn't want Viktor to think she had ditched him. She cursed herself inwardly, for she had been up late the night before researching the Fidelius Charm for Draco, and she had let herself sleep in. She was so rarely late for anything; just the thought agitated her. She slipped around a family with their arms full of packages, and finally came into sight of the bookstore. She was relieved to see a familiar profile leaning against the wall.

Viktor sighed, again, and looked down at this watch, "Late" it still read, and he stuck out his lower lip and blew upward, sending stray strands of his hair from in front of his eyes. His arms were folded across his chest, and he was looking off down the opposite direction of the street that Hermione was approaching from. He looked a bit weary, resigned.

"Viktor!" Hermione called out as she approached. She skidded to a halt next to him, and immediately bent over to catch her breath. "I'm so... sorry," she huffed, laughing a bit at herself. "Slept... in." She straightened and leaned against the wall as a group of shoppers ambled past, their bags brushing her hard enough to knock her over had she still been leaning over.

Viktor's head snapped around at the sound of Hermione's voice, and his face which had been wearing his trademark sullen stare, lit up. "Herm own ninny!" he exclaimed, and immediately placed his hands on her shoulders to move her to his spot against the wall for protection from the crowds, "I vas beginning to get vorried about you...." he said with a look of concern flashing briefly in his dark eyes.

She smiled. "I'm fine, really," she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and looking down at her feet. "I was up studying, and I wasn't watching the time, and I accidentally overslept," she admitted, careful to omit what she was researching. She looked at the crowd and frowned. "I didn't think it would be nearly this crowded today, since most of the school went out yesterday." The square seemed to be brimming over with people, all of whom were heading purposefully from shop to shop, their arms filled with bags.

Viktor turned back to face the street, and slid his hands into the pockets of his leather trousers. "It does seem quite busy today," he said glancing around at the throngs of wizarding humanity, then turned to look down at her again, "Vill Diagon Alley be diss bad do you think?" he asked with the slightest of a pout in his voice.

"I hope not!" she laughed. "I wanted to come today to be away from the crowds." The pair watched a small boy dance around with a toy broomstick in his hands,a look of joy upon his face. He seemed so happy, so... simple. He had what he wanted, and he had no other cares. A though passed fleetingly by Hermione, that she missed the simplicity of childhood, before the world became a scary place. They watched the boy try to fly without help, slipping into the dust. When the boy's mother came over to scold him, Hermione and Viktor ducked into the bookstore. The shopkeeper nodded to Hermione and gave Viktor an odd glance, as if trying to remember where he knew him from.

Viktor let out an audible sigh of relief, crowds it seemed, were not his favorite thing. He nodded politely to the shopkeeper, "Goot afternoon," he said making the briefest of eye contact, then followed behind Hermione.

Hermione blushed, then chided herself for letting her mind stray to other implications. She spent far too much time in the company of teenage boys, she decided, if her mind was jumping to such conclusions. Then again, she mused, it may just have been a teenage thing. she knew Pavarti and Lavender to stray onto such trains of thought... She shook her head to clear her thoughts, and rested her hand against her face, leaving a black smudge of ash where it had been. She muttered a quick cleaning spell on her skirt, and tucked her wand back into her robes. She looked back up at Viktor to see him looking at her expectantly. "Oh, no," she answered, "I'm alright."

Viktor nodded slowly, then put his wand away once he was satisfied he was again neat and clean. He looked over at Hermione, and spotted the smudge on her cheek. Without hesitation, he pulled a black silk handkerchief from his pocket and leaned forward to wipe softly at her cheek, "You haff dirt on your cheek, did you know? Just there..." he said softly as he wiped at it until it was gone.

The Gryffindor smiled her thanks, and they headed for the front of the shop, where Mr. Olivander was sorting through a stack of wands two feet deep. A small boy with sandy blonde hair was perched on a stool in front of him, his beaming parents standing to the side. The group nodded at Hermione and Viktor as they exited the shop and strolled out into the sunny alley. It was hardly crowded at all, to their luck.

Viktor stepped outside the shop into Diagon Alley, and squinted a bit in the bright sunlight. He let out a sigh of relief at the lack of crowds, and glanced around at the various shops and sights around him. "Very interesting..." he mused mostly to himself.

"Isn't it, though?" Hermione answered absently, digging through her bag for her supply list. She pulled it from a side pocket and held it up in the light. "Where do you want to go first?" she asked, as Viktor took in the sight of the crooked alley, "Robes? Or books?"

Viktor turned to look back at Hermione, and grinned shyly, "Books are boring... How about Robes first?" he smiled, and offered her his arm to cross the narrow street or continue on.

She frowned at the books comment, but let it pass, tucking her note into her pocket. She slipped her arm through his and they walked the narrow alley towards Madam Maulkin's. Hermione pulled the door open before Viktor could hold it for her, and they went back into darkness. The shop was an incredible change from the bright midday sun. It was currently empty, though Hermione could hear whistling coming from one of the back rooms. She rang the small bell near the front, and Madam Maulkin came out, a few swaths of cloth tossed over her shoulder.

Viktor made a sideways glanced at Hermione when she prevented him from opening the door for her. He thought this very odd, but did not comment on it. Once she was gone from his side, he moved over to the side of the shop where the dress robes and formal wear was located. He ran his fingers over a few of the velvet one hanging there on the racks idly.

Madam Maulkin smiled at Hermione and raised her eyebrows at Hermione's companion, though she declined from commenting. "What can I get you today, dear?" she asked pleasantly, setting the cloth down on a nearby table.

"I need a new set of school robes, and two sets of dress robes," Hermione answered. The other witch nodded and retreated into the back room for a moment. She came back with a sheet of paper. Looking from the paper to Hermione, she smiled.

"My, you've grown a bit since last year," Madam Maulkin remarked, peering at Hermione. "You're a good four inches taller, and I would dare say you're almost through developing." Hermione blushed a bright crimson and the witch laughed. "Stand over there, dear," she ordered, motioning towards a small stool near a set of mirrors.

Viktor cast a look around at the Witch's comment, letting his eyes pass over her chest, then went back to looking at robes. He began to hum a tune to himself quietly, idly passing the time until he was waited on. "I vonder vhat ve need da dress robes for. " he asked aloud a few moments later. "Two sets no less..." he muttered.

"I know one set is for the Yule Ball," Hermione explained, "But I have no idea what the other is for..." she trailed off as she stepped up onto the stool, feeling rather awkward. Madam Maulkin bustled back in with a quill and a notepad, magical measuring tape floating behind her. She smile widely at Viktor, motioning to a nearby chair. With a flick of her wand, the measuring tape began flitting around Hermione, and the quill on Madam's pad scratched each measurement. Once what seemed like every inch of her had been measured, Madam Maulkin disappeared back into the rear of the store.

Viktor sighed, and had that sullen look on his face, it seemed that Robe shopping was not thrilling to him either. You could only wonder how he would find book hunting. "I do not vant to sit..." he muttered mostly to himself, and continued to pace around the shop inspecting various bits of clothing and accessories. He found something in a case that amused him, and a snort of laughter followed.

Once the proprietor had disappeared, Hermione faced Viktor. "What is so amusing?" she asked, mock-accusatory.

Viktor continued to laugh. "They haff these things... Flashing cloak clasps. Who vould vant such a gaudy thing?" he said shaking his head, and moving onto another case. "Ah.... those are nice..." he said pointing down into the display.

Hermione stepped down from the stool, knowing full well that Madam Maulkin would frown, and went to peer into the case that Krum was looking into. There was a set of cloak clasps in the shape of different animals. As she watched, a sliver snake clasp stretched and hissed at her. In fact, there was a lion, which was curled up comfortably next to a dozing badger, and a raven clasp perched on the edge of a folded cloak in the case. "Wow," Hermione breathed, watching the lion yawn.

Viktor nodded. "Those are impressive. I vonder if they are obedient..." he mused then moved to another case, and let a mischievous smile cross his face at what he saw, he glanced around, Hermione was still looking at the Animated Animal clasps, so he moved back over to the dress robes section again. "Do you vant to eat after we get done here, and before we go for books?" he asked in a bored tone.

Hermione looked over at him. "Sounds good me," she remarked. She heard rustling from the back, and so she darted over to the stool and had just stepped back on it when the store-keep emerged with another armful of fabric. Hermione stood patiently as the woman chattered, holding up different colors and taking notes. She stifled a yawn when the witch started chatting about the latest styles, and was relieved when she finally set down her cloth and motioned for Hermione to hop down. Madam Maulkin turned to face Viktor and put on a very big smile, which stretched her face into a comedic mask. "Your turn, young man."

Viktor didn't seem to hear her right off, that or he wasn't used to being addressed as "young man". In either case, he kept browsing around the store. "Jah.. I am hungry after all of this..." he said offhandedly. Then when the seamstress witch cleared her throat in an obvious manner, he turned around, and saw her indicating the stool. "Oh... right..." he said sulkily, then walked over and stood up on the stool, sighing.

Hermione smiled at his reluctance to be in the position she had recently left, and settled into one of the stuffed chairs by the mirrors. As Madam Maulkin prodded the measuring tape, she dug through her bag and pulled out a book on Quidditch she had borrowed from Ron. Ron had given her the oddest look when she had asked for it, but hadn't commented. Hermione was finding Quidditch to be a lot more interesting than she had imagined. The level of strategy required in the game intrigued her.

Viktor watched Hermione while he was measured and sized, the witch had to more than once remind him to stand up straight and not slouch over. "These will never fit correctly if you do not stand tall." she chided him.

Hermione looked up from her book and hid a snort at the sour expression on Viktor's face. He looked as if he wanted to be anywhere but there, though he had chosen to go here first, so he really couldn't complain. She had to lift the book to cover her face when Madam Maulkin ordered him to "pretend he was a very straight tree", she was laughing so hard.

"Jah... jah.... jah..." he said in his sulky tone. "A big tall tree vith an accent like a vampire... right..." he sassed back, then stood up straight, and held still. "Studying up now on Quidditch are you Herm own ninny?" he said as he glanced in her direction.

She lowered the book and forced her face to stay straight. "I might as well... it's all Ron and the others seem to talk about lately," she commented. She couldn't help it, she burst out laughing at Viktor's raised eyebrow. She composed herself as quickly as she could, as Madam Maulkin was glaring at her and trying to get Viktor's attention again. "Now all they talk about is the tryouts next week; you would think it was the bloody cup, the way they go on..." Hermione trailed off, she had completely forgotten Viktor's involvement in the Quidditch World Cup. She didn't really think about that, it wasn't a big deal to her.

"Volrd Cup! HA! I would be greatly surprised if any of the students at Hogvarts played haff as good as the players on the National Teams. " he snorted. "I vould be very surprised in deed..." he said with a dark laugh, then looked down to see what the witch was doing. She was finishing up her measurements, then looked up at him. "Name?" she asked, not seeing him before, nor finding him on her list of Hogwarts Students. "Krum, Viktor Krum." he said slowly.

She paused in her measuring and looked back at his face, then turned to look at Hermione. There was a moment where she looked as if she would ask where Harry was, but she turned back to her measurements without a word. Hermione closed the book, as (for some reason) she was having difficulty focusing. She slid it back into her satchel and hoped that Madam Maulkin was almost finished.

The witch made the notes, got up to go into the back to return with swaths of cloth to drape over Viktor. "I like black...." he droned as she tried out a variety of colors. Sighing, he looked over at Hermione. "Herm own ninny, tell her I look good in black..." he almost whined.

Hermione met the witch's eyes and shrugged. "He looks good in black," she agreed. "But he looks good in almost any color." she added absently, looking down through her bag for her supply list again. She pulled it out and crossed out "Dress robes- two sets", and her own notation of "New school robes- one set". She missed the rather amused look on the seamstress's face. "Viktor, we can get most of this in this area, but there are a few potions ingredients..." she ran her finger down the list and frowned. "I'm not sure I can get these here in Diagon."

Viktor was busy looking at the witch, and shoving the bright colors away from his shoulders, and indicated the Black and burgundy velvets, and then stepped down from the stool. "Those two vill do just fine.... Thank you...." he said then strode over to the display cases. "I vould like these clasps on those cloaks as vell..." he said, then waited for the witch to come over. He then looked over at Hermione. "Vhat did you say Herm own ninny?" he asked

Hermione looked up, a little worried. "I think we may have to go into Knockturn Alley for some of these ingredients," she said, biting her lip. Madam Maulkin made a small sound akin to a gasp, and sped up a little in her work.

Viktor frowned, his dark eyebrows nearly meeting over his long nose. "Vhat is Knockturn Alley?" he asked as Madam Maulkin pulled two pairs of the silver wolf clasps from the case. "Und dat..." he said pointing into the other case. Madam Maulkin gave him an odd look, but went to gather the items and add them to the pile of material. "Anything else?" she asked. Viktor nodded, "Jah... Three sets of regular Hogvarts Robes please." he said, then wandered over to Hermione.

"It's, well- it's the Dark Arts alley. I've never been there, I usually come here with the Weasleys, and they wouldn't let any of us down there," Hermione explained. "Harry ended up there on accident once," she added, remembering the incident in second year. She slipped her list into an inside pocket and stood, slinging her satchel over her shoulder.

Viktor shrugged as he listened to her, and draped an arm around her as he steered her to the door after paying for his robes. "I vill protect you Herm own ninny, I AM from Durmstrang you know..." he said drolly, even though he was smiling. "Let us go eat first...."

Hermione stopped abruptly in front of the door, and slipped out from under his arm. "I can protect myself," she said, her voice outwardly calm, but containing tones of anger. She shook her head and took a step away from him.

Viktor looked down at her, stunned and at the same time wounded, it only showed on his face for a second then the regular scowl returned. "Very vell then... I shall not escort you..." he said then opened the door to the shop for her, and waited for her to exit.

Hermione pushed a piece of chicken to the other side of the plate for the third time, shifting in her seat. She and Viktor had hardly talked after she stepped away from him in the store, and the silence was growing more uncomfortable every minute. The waiter had come and gone, refilling their drinks and bringing their lunch. A chatting couple a few tables away was making a scene, though only she and Viktor were there to see it. The restaurant was empty of all other customers, as they hadn't left Madam Maulkin's until almost two.

Viktor had eaten more of his lunch then Hermione, and had chanced a few glances up toward her, neither was seen as she seemed to be studying the pattern on food on her plate. He cleared his throat as he put down his fork and pushed his plate away. "Do you vant to continue shopping, or are you vanting to return to Hogvarts?" he asked at last in a somber tone.

She looked up from her now-mashed peas and sighed. He looked as if someone had broken his broomstick. She hated the fact that she had done that with one phrase. "Viktor... I- I'm sorry about... about what I said. It's been so confusing lately, and everyone has been telling me that I can't handle things..." she trailed off and looked back down on her plate. The mashed potatoes looked slightly green where she had nudged them with the peas. Her appetite had completely disappeared.

Viktor pushed his chair back from the table, and stood up slowly. He took in a long breath before speaking, "It is alright Herm own ninny..." he said in the same tone. "I vill go or stay, it is up to you." he said then reached into his pocket, and tossed the money for the meal onto the table. He stood there silently waiting for her next move.

She stood as well, and stepped over to him. Laying a hand on his arm, she smiled sheepishly. "I may be able to take care of myself but that doesn't mean I want to go alone," she said. "Please come with me? I don't want you to go."

Viktor avoided her eyes, and nodded slowly, he had definitely withdrawn into himself. "Jah. I shall stay." he said in that same tone, then turned and lead her toward the door, opening it for her. "Books, or Potions first?" he asked, the added. "I vould say Potions, if being in that place at dark concerns you..." he said looking around the street and the people passing by.

"Potions it is, then," she frowned as she passed through the door. He was withdrawn, away from her, like he had been when he had first come to Hogwarts at the beginning of her fourth year. She didn't like it one bit, and couldn't imagine how her earlier comment had offended him so much. She felt incredibly guilty for saying it, but she was also so tired of everyone treating her like a helpless child. First Jack, then Draco, and then Viktor, though he really hadn't meant to; it seemed that no one thought she was able to protect herself. She was one of Hogwarts' top students, for crying out loud!

The sun had gone lower in the sky as the afternoon had worn on, and so the alleyway was no longer bathed in light as it had been around noon. It was still light enough to see by, but not sunny.

Viktor slowed in his walking down Knockturn Alley, idly looking in the windows as they passed, and staring down anyone that dared to look at them too long, or dared to think of speaking to them. He stopped outside a particularly nasty looking apothecary shop, and looked down at her. "Vat is is you need to buy here?" he asked.

She pulled her list from her pocket and ran her finger down the list. "Um... Let's see. Diluted Bundimum secretion, asphodel, Erumpent fluid, and frozen Ash winder eggs," she recited. A hag called for her to try something that resembled shriveled apples, and she stepped closer to Viktor.

Viktor listened to her recite her list, then when the hag spoke to them, his demeanor became quite tense, and he barked something to her in Bulgarian that caused her to bow, and quickly scuttle away. He glanced up at the shop they were standing outside of, and he pointed to the sign. "Vill this place suffice?"

Hermione tried to peer through the dirty window, but couldn't see anything. It was the least-imposing potions store in Knockturn Alley, though, so she nodded and they went in. A wizard in grey robes sat drumming his fingers on the countertop, obviously completely bored. Hermione wrinkled her nose as the strong smell of rare herbs assaulted her, and she was glad she hadn't finished her meal. The combination of ingredients was nauseating. The man behind the counter looked up lazily when they walked in, and gave them forced smile. "What can I get ya?" he smarmed. Hermione handed her list over, and he disappeared into the back.

Viktor let Hermione's arm slip from his, and he began to look at all the items in the sealed cases with interest. He seemed at ease in this sort of shop as the Weasleys in Honeydukes. He paused here and there looking at the wares, then moving on. "I haff only to get some books, then I am done shopping. I brought much of these supplies with me from home..." he narrated.

Hermione nodded, distracted by a nearby counter. There were a variety of things laid out for display, most of them threatening in appearance. A set of candles stood at the end of the counter, with a small plaque which said 'Poisonous fumes: do not burn'. A shriveled hand, exactly like the one Harry had told Hermione and Ron about in second year, was propped on a black velvet pillow. A small figurine of a dog curled up asleep looked innocent enough, so Hermione leaned in for a look. It didn't move, so she nudged it tentatively to see if it was animated. It was, and it immediately sprung awake and lunged for her hand. She jerked it out of the way and jumped back from the counter.

Viktor may have heard the dog talisman bark, but he didn't react. He had pulled down a copy of Moste Potente Potions, and was thumbing through it. "I need this vone...." he droned, the brought the book over to the counter and set it down with a soft "Whump".

Hermione looked at the cover and grinned. At Viktor's odd look, she laughed. "Long story involving Polyjuice Potion and cat hair," she explained, shaking her head at the memory. "I ended up in the hospital ward for a month." She glanced over at the dog, which was giving her an evil look and pacing. It didn't appear to be able to leave it's tiny pillow.

Viktor looked at Hermione, and slowly an amused smile crossed his face as he figured out what she meant. "You got turned into a cat?" he asked, then grinned wider, not laughing however. "Not entirely," she admitted, grinning. The shopkeeper reemerged then, carrying a paper sack which he dropped none-too-carefully on the counter in front of them. "That it?" he asked, giving them another forced smile.

Viktor then pulled out his list, and passed it over to the shopkeeper. He gave Viktor an annoyed "Why didn't you give me this before?" look, but was quickly stared down, and returned to the back of the shop, saying "Just a minute sir." over his shoulder.

Hermione looked at the far wall, where a number of sharp implements were hanging. She couldn't see what they would have to do with potions, as they looked a bit too spiky to be useful for stirring and mixing. She recognized a few of the weapons from her readings, there was a large rusted mace, and a few dirks in dirty cases. All in all it was a scary sight. She turned her back to the far wall and looked back down at the counter.

The keeper of the shop returned, and handed a bundle to Viktor, then looked at both of them expectantly. "Anything else kids? Some cursed jewelry? Mummy dust?" he asked. Viktor shook his head, "Just the list items and za book." he said then placed some gold on the counter and glanced down at Hermione.

She counted out the adequate number of coins and set them on the counter as well. The greasy shop-keep gave a real smile then, which was somehow more disturbing than the forced one, and shoveled the money into his pocket. He then leaned against the counter and started tapping his fingers again, ignoring the two students.

Viktor followed Hermione out of the shop, and out of Knockturn Alley. The streets were now almost deserted on any decent sort of people, and he didn't speak to her until they were back on Diagon Alley. "Books now, then ve are completed, right?" he asked her with an inquisitive look.

She nodded, a little sadly. Were they already almost done? She liked spending time with him, and (even with the moment of tension before), she didn't really want to have to go back to the school. She knew that Harry would immediately ask her what they needed to do to perform the Fidelius Charm, and Ron would expect details of the day. Much as she loved her friends, she did need a break from them every now and then. Summer session had kept them together, but it had made them a little sick of each other, as happens with all people who spend a lot of time together.

Viktor offered her his arm again, "Lead the vay..." he smiled as he had no idea where the book store was, and didn't want to look like an idiot wandering around looking.

Hermione knew the location of three bookstores in the Alley, and she led Viktor towards the largest. Obscurus books was set a little ways back from the main alley, and was her favorite store in Diagon. It was almost twice as big as WhizzHard books, a publishing firm with a shop down the way. She pulled the door open, and a small bell tolled their entrance. The witch currently shelving a new supplies of books smiled at them, but left them alone.

Viktor followed Hermione into the shop, and glanced around. A yawn escaped and he covered it with his hand, and then pulled out his list of needed books. "I only need a few books..." he said, then handed the list to the witch. She smiled at him, then looked over at Hermione. "And you dear?" Viktor was looking at books in the poetry section when someone, a woman, called out his name. <i> "Viktor? Is dat you Viktor?"</i> she asked in Bulgarian, and Viktor looked up, stunned, like a deer in headlights. "Marta?" he asked slowly as the woman came around from behind a shelf of books and fairly squealed at the sight of Viktor, and hurried up to talk to him, very quickly in Bulgarian. Viktor blushed slightly, looking down as he smiled and conversed shyly with her.

Hermione handed the witch her list without looking at her, instead she was looking at the newcomer. The only Bulgarian she spoke was very basic, what Viktor had taught her the year before and what she had read in the library. At the speed at which the woman was talking, she couldn't make out any of it. Viktor looked almost flustered, though why Hermione wasn't sure. She shifted from foot to foot, scanning the titles of the books on the nearby shelf in an effort to not look curious.

Viktor nodded every now and then, talking quietly with the woman who was acting rather flirtatious and familiar with him. She prattled on about this and that, then her voice suddenly took a lower, and slower sultry tone. She continued to talk to Viktor, then smiling, placed her hands on either side of his face, then leaned forward and kissed him right on the lips.

Hermione's eyes widened when the woman leaned forward and placed her lips directly on Viktor's. She felt her cheeks redden, and looked purposefully down at the ground. A feeling she wasn't really used to crept into her... was that jealousy she felt? It felt that way, like a small snake of pain sliding through her. Without even realizing it, she turned on her heel and went to the back of the store.

Viktor made a little sound of protest, and reaching his hands up, caught her wrists gently, and pulled them down from his face, and broke the kiss. He was blushing, but looking slightly angry at the same time, "This is not the place, Marta... he said under his breath in his native tongue, then looked up at her sternly. "I am a student here. Remember that please." Marta pouted, and draped an arm around Viktor's shoulders, and drew him closer to her. One hand slipped down between their bodies, and caressed him in a familiar manner. "Viktor... let's not fight... Let's make love...." she purred softly, pouting at him.

Viktor snorted angrily and pulled away from her grip, but it was not without a small effect on him the way she desired. "Not here! Not now!" he growled angrily. "Do not approach me like this. In this place!" he said firmly, then looking around for Hermione, and not seeing her nearby, gave Marta a warning glare, and stormed off, "Herm own ninny?" he called out, doing his best not to sound as annoyed as he was.

She was currently sitting with her back propped against one of the bookcases, her arms around her knees. She couldn't get it: why did she feel so angry at this woman, that she had never met, when she was sure that she didn't think of Viktor that way... at least, she was mostly sure. It was difficult to sort out her feelings towards anything, she only knew that when the woman had started in on Viktor as if he was chocolate, she had wanted to cry. She lifted her head when she heard Viktor calling, but sullenly decided not to answer, only to wait for him to find her. Immature though it may have been, she was feeling rather difficult.

Viktor looked down the rows of books again and again, still calling out her name, "Herm own ninny!" he yelled, his voice getting a more worried tone to it, until he rounded the corner of the row she was hiding in, and skidded to a stop. He looked down at her, and placed his hand on the shelves, and slowly walked towards her. He looked as sullen as he ever had. "Are you vell?" he asked, sounding concerned, then his eyebrows knitted, "Are you .... hiding from me?" he asked, a bit of an edge at the end of the second question.

Before Hermione had a chance to answer, Marta arrived behind Viktor, and peered over her shoulder to see whom he was talking to. He didn't seem to notice her. She was a tall, striking woman dressed in a stylish cream colored set of robes with her platinum hair twisted up in a couture bun on the top of her head. She was wearing quite a bit of makeup, her lipstick still smudged slightly on Viktor's mouth.

Hermione pulled a random book from the shelf next to her. "Of course not," she said unconvincingly, glancing at the book's title, 'The Art of Tarot'. She hid her groan at the title and instead stood, ignoring Viktor's outstretched hand. "I needed this," she lied.

"Ooooh Viktor! You have a girlfriend!" Marta cooed in Bulgarian, as she looked eagerly at Hermione. "She is so... young for you Viktor!" she exclaimed, then started to laugh. Viktor's face went scarlet and he rounded on the woman. What followed that he yelled at her needed no real translation, the tone was enough to relay his message, and with a startled gasp, Marta staggered back, and turned and quickly left the shop. Viktor watched her go, then with his head hung down, he sighed. "Do you need to get the rest of the books ON your list Herm own ninny...?" he asked quietly. Her ruse had not fooled him it seemed.

She felt her face heat up, and dropped the book on the ground, not caring if she had bent it or not. Not meeting Viktor's eyes, she pulled out her list for the thousandth time, having to reread it three times before the words registered in her mind. Hermione bit her lip and looked around, purposefully not looking at Viktor. She tried to step past him to the other shelves, but he just stood there looking at her, an odd expression on his face.

Viktor in fact did stand there in her way for a moment, seeing if he could force her to talk to him, then deciding he was not in the mood, nor was it his place, he stepped aside and slouched off. "I can't help who I am to some people, nor my past..." he called back over his shoulder, and returned to the poetry section, perusing the few Muggle Books on poetry the store did have.

Hermione stalked past him a few feet, but stopped when he called back to her. She turned and watched him pace in front of the poetry section, her mind whirling. With a thought, she took a few steps in his direction, until she was in hearing range. "You could be honest about it," she said softly. "Why didn't you... mention this?"

Viktor turned to look at her, saying he was still annoyed was putting it mildly, he tried to soften he expression for her, but when he ran hot, it was hard to cool down quickly. "Be honest about VHAT?" he asked, stuffing a book of Keats back onto the shelf. "VHAT have you asked to know about me?" he paused waving his hands around, "About THAT?" he continued, motioning towards the door Marta had exited. He took a single step toward here, then sensing his own ominous look, he stopped, and sighed, resting a hand on a top shelf, and leaning in that direction. "I am not von to talk about my private .... my..." he paused, then cursed softly. "I do not haff the vord..." he growled, frustrated.

"Encounters?" Hermione offered angrily, standing her ground. "I didn't expect your life history, but I hoped I could at least not be so shocked!" She took a deep breath to compose herself. She didn't care about his past... encounters. No, not at all. At least, that's what she told herself.

"Yes!" he barked back, then sighed and rolled his eyes, slamming a fist into a rack. "No." he said, then looked down at her. "Do you think I VANTED that to happen? Do you think I PLANNED for that to happen? I think not!" he said in angry, but moderated voice. "I am different things to different people Herm own ninny..." he said, breath quickened, and eyes electric with emotion. "I am a student, I am a provessional athlete, I am a Gigolo. Is that vhat you vanted to hear?" He paused. "Vell, there it all is. I didn't vant to show you dis, I didn't vant to TALK about dis... but there is it, there I am." he said sulkily then turned back to looking at the poetry books.

Hermione felt her chest sink. So he had been with women before. So what? Why, why, why, why, why did she care? She leaned her head against the nearest bookshelf, grateful for it's coolness. "Why do I care?" she muttered aloud, not realizing that he could hear her very clearly. "Why does this bother me?" She closed her eyes and thought about cheerful things: Quidditch games that Gryffindor won, playing chess with Ron, joking and laughing with Harry... but she still couldn't feel any better.

Viktor grabbed hold of the book he was looking for then slipped past her and back to the front of the store. "I never asked for dis.... I never asked for anyvone to care...." he said in a clipped tone, as he passed her, and returned to the front counter to collect his order.

Hermione waited while the storekeeper wrapped Viktor's books, not wanting to speak in front of the witch, who had been tastefully ignoring the scene at the front of the store with Marta. Ignoring the fact that she still had books she required for the term, she followed the Bulgarian out. He paused outside the store, and she stopped next to him. "I care," she said softly, "Whether you want me to or not."

Viktor clutched his books to his chest, as if they were armor, or a shield against the world, his past, his present, everything. "Perhaps.. it vould be better if you did not..." he said after a long pause as he continued to stare straight ahead. "Because of who I am, and where I am from, I have had to do... to go along vith certain persons." he said, then turned and shot her a dark look. "I vanted to keep this from you... from all of the Hogvarts people, yes." he said with a defeated tone in his voice. "I didn't think you vould understand, und I vas right..."

Hermione frowned, and reached out to lay her hand on his arm. To his credit, he didn't pull away, but he didn't look as though he was thrilled. She pulled it back within a few seconds and sighed. "I don't understand, because I don't know what... what even happened. It was just surprising, that's all..." she trailed off, knowing that she was more disturbed by the woman than she wanted to admit. He didn't say anything, so she spoke up again. "You can talk to me. I won't condemn you, or expect anything from you, Viktor, I just-" she ran a hand through her curls dejectedly. "I want to understand."

Viktor did not pull away when Hermione placed her hand on his arm, but he tensed, visibly. He was NOT comfortable talking about this with her, with anyone. Some things were just not discussed. "Then understand that parts of my life are private. I haff a public life, und a private life. What I have to do in my private life, I chose not to discuss." he said softly, sounding weary. "That woman... Marta. She and I were...." he paused, color coming to his cheeks as he tried to find the words, and the nerve to continue. "Together." he finished at last, still not looking at her. "Anything else you vant to ask?" he asked sullenly, only then looking over at her. His eyes looked empty, tired.

She backed up a step, the look on her face a bit hurt. "I'm not part of your private life, then?" she asked, looking up at the sliver of sky between the two sides of the alleyway. It was getting slowly darker. The clock suspended halfway down the alley said it was almost six. It usually wouldn't be this dark, but it looked like rain. She imagined she could see the shadows lengthening before her eyes.

Viktor frowned openly at her, his dark eyebrows meeting under the front part of his hair. "Part of my private life?" he asked, voice incredulous, shocked. "How can you be part of my private life Herm own ninny? How can you say such...? We haven't...." he was so upset that he couldn't finish a sentence. He growled with frustration, and dropped his glanced down at the sidewalk, wanting to disappear into it. "Have ve finished our shopping Herm own ninny? I do not feel vell..." he said.

Hermione looked at him for a moment, trying to catch his meaning. After a few moments, her eyebrows went up and she started laughing. She struggled for breath as the misunderstanding fully reached her, leaning against the wall of the bookstore for support. Viktor was eying her as if she was insane, and this just made her laugh harder. After a minute or so, she calmed down, and tried to breath normally. "Oh, Viktor!" she snorted, and tried to catch her breath again. "I didn't mean..." she chuckled, and had to compose herself yet again. She lowered her voice and almost whispered to him. "I didn't mean... sex life!"

Viktor was indeed looking like she was insane, then she whispered in his ear, and he quickly turned to look at her, his face turning a bright red. His expression was hard to read, but it was one that was a mixture of shock, horror, embarrassment and anger. He stared at her, gob smacked for just a minute, then he quickly closed his eyes, and said slowly and carefully. "I... must go... now... Herm own ninny, I ... am ... sorry." then POP! He was gone, he had Disapparated.

Hermione stared at the air in front of her and wished she could do the same, and end up in a place very far away from Diagon Alley. She slid down the wall until she was on the ground, not really caring that she was getting dust on her school robes. A mix of emotions rose in her; anger at the woman, guilt for her uncontrollable laughing, sadness that he had just disappeared and left her, and (most of all), pain. She felt a drop of rain hit her cheek and looked up at the sky, but the clouds were still sparse. Another drop hit and rolled down her cheek and into the corner of her mouth. She licked it absently, and was surprised to see it was salty.

2002-08-27 20:36:00,
Evening in Hogsmeade,

After leaving Hermione standing on the side walk in Diagon Alley, Viktor had Apparated back to his Hotel in Hogsmeade. He went straight into his room and slammed the door behind him. He threw his package against the wall and began to swear up a violent streak in Bulgarian.

He continued to do so until his headache was nearly blinding then sat down at the small desk in the room, and drummed his fingers on the worn top. He sat there for a moment, then went over to the night stand where there stood a bottle of Ogden's Fire whiskey.

"It's not Wodka, but it vill haff to do..." he muttered to himself, then undid the cork, and took a long drink. he winced, then set the bottle back down and went to look out his window at the streets of Hogsmeade below. The sun was setting now, and he sighed.

He was mad at himself for running out on Hermione, mad at her for prying into his Private Life, and mad at Marta for.... so many things. He returned to the night stand and took another sip of the Fire whisky, then stripped out of his shirt, and went to take a shower.

When he stepped out a half an hour later, his hair was combed back, still wet and he had a towel wrapped around his waist. He went over to look out the window again, it was dark now. He stood there staring until he heard a knock on his door. He frowned, then went over to it, "Who is dere?" he called through the door.

"Marta..." came the soft reply.

Viktor sighed, letting his head drop back and with a muttered Bulgarian word, he unlocked the door, and turned away from it, walking back over to the bottle of Fire Whiskey. He heard the door open, then close, and relock. Footsteps, coming closer.

He had just uncorked the bottle and lifted it to his lips when Marta stepped up close behind him, and slid her arms around his his bare middle. She rested her chin on his shoulder, whispered something in his ear, then gave it a playful nip.

Viktor closed his eyes, and shuddered. Marta smiled and held him tightly to her then slid one hand down to remove his towel, letting it fall to the floor at his feet.

"Shall ve play now that you don't haff your classmates around?" she purred.

Viktor took another sip from the bottle then set it down and turned within her clinging grip to face her.

"Jah." he said in mirthless tone

2002-08-27 12:24:00,
Can you help me with this?

An IC RP with Blaise and Viktor.

Viktor sat on the bench outside of the Travell's tomes Magickal Books, and checked his watch for the umpteenth time. Hermione was late, there was no other way of putting it. His watch told him so, the hand was pointed to, "She's late." Viktor sighed, and leaned back against the building, grateful for the shade on this warm day. His leather pants, and long-sleeved burgundy poet's shirt were probably not the best choice of garb for the daylight, but he wanted to look, nice. He closed his eyes, and sighed again, wondering how long he would sit, and wait for her.

Blaise walked into Hogsmeade in her spaghetti-strap dark green dress that came to her mid thigh with black knee high boots and long black leather coat. She only wore this because she knew what would happen if she did, she knew that people would think twice before pissing her off. She was in a very revengeful mood, she was going to get people back and she didn't care how or what it took. She had to get a few things she had to get for school that she didn't want to get in Diagon Alley, and she wanted to get a bit of fresh air away from Hogwarts. When she saw Viktor Krum sitting outside Travell's tomes Magickal Books, and he was not looking very happy. She sashayed over and smiled, "Is this seat taken?" Blaise looked at Viktor waiting for an answer.

Viktor was startled out of a day dream it seemed, and he seemed a bit unnerved b the girl's brash approach to him. "Pardon me?" he asked slowly, eyeing her outfit with a moderate amount of interest.

Blaise gave a small smile she was a bit annoyed he didn't hear her the first time but didn't let it be know, "I said is this seat taken." She then moved her hair out of her face as she waited for an answer.

Viktor flickered a glance between the girl and the bench, and inwardly sighed. Terrific. A groupie. He shook his head, and folded his hands over his chest, looking back to the street for any signs of Hermione. "No. It is not." he said in a bored monotone. "Feel free to sit." he added.

Blaise not sure what his Problem was but she was a bit uprooted, "Having a bad day? By the way I am Blaise Zabini, and just so you know I didn't come out here to see you. I have other things that of are more importance." Blaise sat down even though she wasn't sure she should.

Viktor lifted an eyebrow at the girl's boorish behavior and just shrugged. If this was an attempt at a pickup, she was either a rank amateur, or just plain bad at it. It didn't even dawn on him she was the one who had sent the owl. "Suit yourself... Miss Zabini..." he said as he looked around the street.

Blaise looked at him, "Umm did I miss something here? You seem a Bit umm... ? off." Blaise sighed, she started to wonder if he even remembered who exactly she was, and what his deal was. She then exhaled deeply, "Do you remember who I am? I wrote to you not too long ago about my diary." Blaise looked down the street in the direction he was looking at, "Are you waiting for someone? Or trying to look for the best escape route? I promise I am not as vile as some people say I am." Blaise gave a small laugh.

Viktor turned to look at the young girl, his dark eyebrows knitting and his scowl still there. "You wrote to me avout a Journal?" he asked, then as if a light went on, he nodded slowly. "Ah... yes. I recall now..." he said dully. "Vat did you want to know?" he asked, continuing to keep and eye on the street, checking both directions now.

Blaise gave a small smile, "Oh so you do remember me and I am not a member of you little fan club at Hogwarts?" She laughed, "Well, I was wondering if you happened to know a charm that would make my journal unreadable. Like even if I wrote it in English anyone that read it would see a different language one they didn't know." Blaise sighed, "See, I have a charm on it so people can't open it but I want one just in case I fall asleep while writing in it again." Blaise looked at Viktor he seemed to be distracted, "Is there anything I could help you with?"

Blaise gave a small smile, "Oh so you do remember me and I am not a member of you little fan club at Hogwarts." She laughed, "Well, I was wondering if you happened to know a charm that would make my journal unreadable. Like even if I wrote it in English anyone that read it would see a different language one they didn't know." Blaise sighed, "See, I have a charm on it so people can't open it but I want one just in case I fall asleep while writing in it again." Blaise looked at Viktor he seemed to be distracted, "Is there anything I could help you with?"

Viktor went from looking surly, to like he was thinking. The expression was almost the same. "You vant.... to encode it... so only you can read it...." he repeated, making sure he understood the question. He glanced at her for confirmation of this, with a slight raise of his dark eyebrows.

Blaise not sure exactly what he meant, looked at him, "Well, I was wondering if you could teach me it, so I can do it. If not I understand. But if you coded it, would you be able to read it?" Blaise hoped not cause she had some really personal stuff in there and some of which she did not want anyone knowing.

Viktor closed his eyes, and sighed, thinking again. "There is a spell.... "Obliteratium" he said slowly. "You create a vord or phrase that wipes the book or page clean to preying eyes. Then you create a vord or phrase to make the vords appear again. That is the only spell I know of..." he said opening his eyes again and looking over at her.

"So basically, there isn't a spell that say I fell asleep that would keep what I have written from being read?" Blaise sighed, "I was hoping you knew one, ? but thank you anyway." Blaise ran her fingers through her hair, "Is everything okay with you?" With a deep sigh Blaise looked at Viktor wondering what was going on in his head.

Viktor shrugged a moment later, "Not that I know off." he said dully, then added a moment later, "Or you could learn to write in another language, or in code..." he said, still thinking apparently. He was silent there for a moment, then shrugged again. "I am sure that there iss a spell. I just don't know it." he said, then looked over at her. "Sorry."

Blaise smiled, "It is okay, thank you anyway." Blaise not sure what to say sat there for a moment, "Would you like me to say with you 'til, whom ever you are waiting for arrives or would you rather me go on about my business?"

Viktor was lost in a trance, staring down the street for Hermione, then hearing her ask a question, he turned to look at her again. "I am vaiting for Herm own ninny.." he said softly. "She is late..." he said in a sulky tone.

Blaise's jaw about dropped, "Hermione late? You have to be kidding, ? that girl is never late." Blaise bit her lip that was probably the worst thing she could say, "Maybe she got the time wrong I am sure she wouldn't stand you up." Blaise then got up, "I am going to go now I need to get my shopping done perhaps if I leave she will come."

Viktor forced a smile for Blaise, which was sort of a neutral look, and nodded to her. "Jah... I am sure she is running late. It is crowded here..." he mused, then added, "Sorry I vas not knowing of a spell to help you when you fall asleep in your journal..." he said sincerely.

Blaise smiled, "It is okay, I suppose I will see you when school starts." Blaise reached over and grabbed her bag, "Until we meet again, Ciao!"

Viktor managed to smile a bit more, she was leaving him alone after all. The way he liked to be. "Take care Miss Zabini. I vill see you at School." he said, then went back to his hawk-like watching of the busy street.

Blaise then disappeared in to Travell's Tomes' Magickal Books, to get the books she need and perhaps some other. Not believing how different Viktor really was in her mind he would have been a Bit more social. But then again she once thought Draco was a spoiled brat.

2002-08-28 00:17:00,
Alone at last

Written in Bulgarian:

Ah... the bliss of solitude is again mine. I am alone in my room, alone with my thoughts and the chance to recall what happened to day.

It started well enough, I went to meet Hermione for a shopping trip in London. She was late. I guess women are like that. That was not such a big problem, but while I was waiting for her, I was found a girl by the name of Blayz Zabini. She was rather... course and was the one who owled me about the script erasing spell for her journal.

I told her of the one spell I knew of, and that didn't seem to satisfy her. She lingered about near me for a while then at last left. She made me very nervous, and I don't know why.

Hermione arrived at last, and finally we set off to Diagon Alley in London. Shopping I find dull, but it was more bearable with Hermione there.

We had an argument after lunch about my wanting to "Protect her" while she shopped on Knockturn Alley. We eventually did go there, but it was not a pleasant experience. The mood was seeming to take an upturn then until we had the misfortune to run into Marta Karkaroff.

She made a scene in the book store by grabbing me and kissing me in the most familiar manner. Hermione was embarrassed, and hurt by this I dare say. She ran off and hid from me. I had to track her down like a rabbit after exchanging words with Marta.

The rest of the afternoon deteriorated from there. Another argument followed, this time Hermione insisted in prying into my Private Life, until I told her just what goes on with me and women like that. This only resulted in embarrassment for both of us, and me Apparating back to my room. That was the WRONG thing to do, I know, but I had to leave. I could not stand there and talk about those things, with her.

I thought things would at last improve for me, and I could sit and think about all of these things, but as I emerged from my shower, there was a knock on my door. It was Marta. I had already started drinking some of the Fire Whiskey to slay my headache before she had arrived, and I drank some more to numb myself further before I was called to service her.

She is gone now, of course. There is nothing romantic about our joinings. There never was. I am a star at Bulgarian Quidditch, and she is a star fucker. I don't think I have ever felt so alone, and empty as when she has been to see me.

Sometimes I really despise my life. I suppose I should compose an apology to Hermione.

Faithfully, Viktor

2002-08-28 01:40:00,
OWL TO HERMIONE,

Dear Hermione,

I hope that you will accept my deepest apologies for my unacceptable behaviors yesterday. I did not handle myself like a proper gentleman, and I shamed my country, my school and myself with my actions.

Please do not think anything you did was wrong. I accept all of the blame. I hope you are well, and your return to Hogwarts was safe and uneventful.

My humblest apologies,

Viktor Krum

2002-08-31 18:02:00,
OWL TO HERMIONE,

Hello to you Hermione,

I am sorry I have not sent word to you sooner. I have not been feeling too well, I think something this week made me ill. I am not blaming you of course, just something in the air perhaps did not agree with me.

Thank you for keeping my books for me. I would like to see you and get them before the term starts. Will you be busy on Sunday afternoon? I could come to Hogwarts and we could fly some more. I hope you are practicing your flying, I shall speak to Harry about letting you try out for the House Team.

Tuesday was wonderful, I smile when I think about it. I hope you are doing the same, now. I shall await your reply, if you cannot come tomorrow. I will see you at the Sorting Ceremony.

I am so nervous about that.

Faithfully,

Viktor