“I-I really don’t think I should," you replied to Viktor avoiding his hand. "Couldn’t we just walk? Or take a carriage?" you asked hopefully.
"No we couldn’t do that because technically we shouldn’t be leaving the grounds and we could be seen walking, flying is much faster. Why don’t you want to take a broom?"
"Because I can’t fly!" you said hoping that your cheeks looked wind burnt instead of flushed.
"Well it’s a good thing then that Ill be flying and you’ll be riding then isn’t it?" he asked smirking. "Its perfectly safe." Against your better judgment, you couldn’t say no to Viktor's brown eyes or the thought of warm food, you were starving. You shakily climbed up onto Viktor's Firebolt, sitting in front of him so that his body kept you warm and kept you on the broom. "There’s no way Ill let you fall off," he whispered in your ear kicking off the ground.
Minutes later Viktor had landed you safely on the ground, steadying you as you got off.
"Now if you say that was a rough ride, you’ll be insulting my flying," he said picking ice crystals out of your hair. "Shall we?" Viktor didn’t wait for a response as you took your hand and steered you into a small, crowded cafe. Oh this is not gooooood, you thought to yourself glancing around at all of the other customers. Breaking the rules was not your cup of tea and you were sure someone was bound to notice you were students, especially since you were with Viktor. "Come on, this way," he said placing a hand on the small of your back, guiding you through the tables to a back corner. Reaching the table Viktor pulled out your chair and waited for you to be seated comfortably before sitting himself.
"You know, if someone would have told me what a gentleman you were, I wouldn't have believed them a week ago," you said jokingly as he slid his chair closer to yours. "You have quite the reputation," you finished taking the Firewhiskey offered to you.
"Do I now? Please, tell me what my reputation entails," Viktor replied leaning his elbows on the table.
"Well you know, the usual..."
"Which is...???"
"That you’re a self loving Quidditch player that is a complete womanizer and jerk and shouldn’t be given the time of day by any decent girl." You finished his description in one breath and immediately reached for your drink. You had to be mental to be telling Viktor Krum, the Bulgarian Seeker, the most perfect specimen of a man if there ever was one, that he was a jerk and that if you were smart you would have nothing more to do with him after tonight.
"And do you believe that?" he asked taking one of your hands into his own and warming it up.
"Weeell...you haven't really given me a reason not to," you replied being honest. "Yet."
The minutes slipped by and added up to hours as you happily talked to Viktor about your family, friends, school, and what you wanted to do after your last term. You were so caught up with talking about your past and how you imagined your future and learning about Viktor's life that you had forgotten about your Astronomy class, though you could really have cared less.
"This is the best pasta I have ever eaten," you said before shoveling another bite into your mouth. "So you’re telling me, that you, Viktor Krum, has never been in love?" you asked pointing your fork at him. "I don’t believe it."
"Contrary to what Ms. Skeeter says, I do not celebrate every Quidditch win with a different girl, nor do I ease the sting of defeat with another. I just...take it in stride," he said laughing at the faces you were making. "I’ve honestly been too busy with school, Quidditch, and keeping my parents happy that my private life hasn't been a top priority for a long time. Too long I suppose. And you Miss Harker, I am positive that you have had your share of breaking young boys' hearts."
You couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty remembering what Harry had said in the library. "Well..." you began. "You’re right. I guess I haven't had a very quiet private life. Everytime things seem to be going right for me, something happens and it all just blows up in my face. So I guess I can be just as weary as you when it comes to relationships and such," you replied. You continued to tell Viktor about your relationship with Harry, careful not to go into great detail. "And thats about it," you said leaning back in your chair. "Thank you SO much for dinner," you said smiling. You couldn’t remember ever being that full or content.
"Anytime, are you ready to go then?" he asked as the lights flickered. You turned around to see that you were the only two left besides the waitress and bartender. You glanced at the clock on the wall realizing it was well past 11. Viktor took your hand and led you out the door to where his broom was propped up. "Right then, you next," he said getting onto his broom far enough back that you had space to sit in front of him. In seconds you were soaring back to Durmstrang.
Seeing the lights of Durmstrang in the distance, Viktor sped up and within seconds you were hovering 30 feet above the ground, parallel with the tops of castle's oak doors.
"So do you still think that I’m a, what was it? Oh a 'self loving, womanizing jerk'?" he asked leaning forward and setting his chin on your shoulder.
"No, not quite," you replied playing along with his game.
"Well what am I then?" No sooner were the words out of his mouth when you turned brushing your lips with his. You immediately blushed and pulled back attempting to make an apology when his left hand pulled your mouth back to his. You couldn’t help but give in. AAAH! I’m kissing VIKTOR! Your insides were bubbling as Viktor's other arm moved to your waist and he added pressure to your lips. Without warning, your world began to spin and all you could remember was everything going black.
Lying on the ground you could hear Draco yelling indistinctly, yet coming closer. Whatever Viktor had said in reply was not what Draco wanted to hear. No matter how hard you tried all you could hear was snow crunching under their boots and could only feel the cold, wet snow begin to seep into your clothes and skin. You tried to yell for help but it was pointless. You continued to hear yelling and knew it would not end well for someone. While hearing nothing else you distinctly heard a curse being yelled, though by who you couldn’t discern, and a thud as someone fell to the ground. You squeezed your eyes together, panicking and feeling completely helpless, you wished you were anywhere but out on the cold grounds of Durmstrang.
Opening your eyes you are shocked to gratefully find that you are no longer outside in the cold snow but in a bed, covered in blankets, in the small hospital wing. You attempt to turn your head and wince at the pain.
"'Ey, how are you feeling?" a voice asked. You look over and see Harry who stopped reading a magazine as soon as he noticed you were awake.
"Sore," you said wincing again.
"Yea its definitely not Madam Pomfrey's," he replied trying to make you smile.
"What happened? Where's Viktor?" you asked, immediately regretting it.
"A huge gust of wind knocked you both off of his broom, luckily you weren’t hurt worse," he said gesturing toward your head and arm, which was wrapped with gauze. "He should have known better than to go out, as should have you. But Krum's with the headmaster, something about punishment."
"So there was no one else?" you asked. "You’re positive?"
"Yes, you two had been out there for nearly half an hour, you’re lucky that you didn’t turn into a popsicle." You smiled weakly at Harry, what else could you do? You couldn’t tell him that you knew Draco had something to do with it or you would have to explain everything else too. "Anyway Ill go so you can get some rest. I’m sure Ron and Hermione will be up later tonight," he added. Harry stooped down to kiss your cheek and grabbed his bag to go to lunch.
