Viktor had never cared for the cheers of a crowd.
Neither did he particularly like the attention that came with the fame of a seeker, a good one on the national team.
It's not what he had set out for, he just liked the sport, and he wanted to be the best.
He still wanted that, but perhaps, the enthusiasm had dimmed over the years and years of having his image plastered everywhere and his body seemingly up for grabs to any witch or wizard who seemed to recognize him on the streets.
He longed for the days when quidditch was a favored pastime and his life was his own, when he was just Viktor.
Karkaroff had insisted on his participation in this blasted tournament, and at Durmstrang, one did not question the headmaster, particularly when you were close to graduating, famous quidditch star or no. Flying now was his only escape from the insanity of the tournament and the crazy English girls and boys who hounded his every step, boxing him in as he slowly went insane under the confines he now found himself in.
Sighing he walked around the empty pitch, the grounds barren from the chill of early December. He missed flying; his broom was at home, Karkaroff having been very clear about his allowing any form of frivolity outside of their daily physical training.
It was probably his melancholic mood that had prevented him from noticing her approach before she made herself known, starting slightly as he heard,
"Viktor?"
The soft voice startling him out of his musings, turning around he faced Helena Potter, the 4th contestant, as she awkwardly shuffled under his scrutiny.
"Da?" his English slipping in the moment
"Er…" Her discomfort obvious as she moved a bit closer "I didn't expect to see you here, which, maybe is stupid of me now that I think of it because you're you and quidditch and all…" she rambled.
He wasn't quite sure about everything she had just said… but the overall meaning was clear, she was just as surprised to see him as he was her.
"ah… yes. I haf not fly in vhile." He responded, ears heating and scowl deepening from the embarrassment of his English skills. She seemed to understand though, her words becoming much easier to understand.
"Oh, you did not bring your broom?" her expression was shocked, as though the thought of being without a broom was incomprehensible.
"I… not let." He could feel the familiar frustration at speaking the unfamiliar language even as he found himself not disliking her company.
"What! That's horrible!" she declared heatedly her eyes sparking in anger "Who would do that to you!?"
This brought him up short, he understood what it was she was saying, but he had not expected it.
Not 'that's horrible'
Not 'what a shame'
But 'who would do that to you', before he could respond she continued
"I would go Bonkers...erm, crazy without mine, you must miss it terribly." Her eyes were so sincere he ducked his head before muttering
"Da." Embarrassed by her accurate perception of the situation as it was. He did miss it, terribly so.
"Wait here." She demanded, showing more spark and authority than he had seem from her thus far, although he had been informed of her impressive showing during the first task. But he waited as she ran up to the castle, the chill of the air not bothering him as the minutes ticked by, home was much colder.
Perhaps 15 minutes later she appeared again, panting, flushed red from the exertion as she carried… two brooms?
"Here!" she cheerily thrust a broom at him… an older model… if he was being courteous, Cleansweep 5's, not exactly what he was used to.
"Sorry…" Helena was blushing furiously "I was going to fly too, but if you don't have a broom I don't want to outstrip you, I borrowed these from the twins, I figured it was better than nothing." She was embarrassed, that was obvious, but as he took the broom in his hand Victor couldn't help but smile at her.
"Thank you, Helena." Her gaze shot up to meet his before she busied herself mounting the broom.
"Yes... well… let's go then." And she kicked off; he was not far behind her.
It was true, he was accustomed to far better brooms than what he was currently riding on, but the months of separation from flying had him not caring as the sky opened up before him and the wind caressed his cheeks, the blue before him seemingly endless before a black streak crossed in front of him.
It was Helena, grinning as she released a Snitch from her grasp
"Come on then!" she challenged as she zoomed after it, he followed quickly after her.
That afternoon, was one of the best he could remember in a long time, he thought afterwards when their game was done and they headed for dismount. He had won the number of times catching the golden ball, but she was a talented seeker and had actually given him a welcomed challenged more often than not. Dismounting, he found himself reluctant to part with the borrowed Cleansweep 5, not sure when he would be able to fly again during the course of the tournament.
"It's the best, isn't it?" Helena asked as she caught his mournful expression
"Vat?"
"Flying, being up there where no one can catch you, just you and the sky." She mused, her eyes drifting upward as Viktor cursed his discomfort with English, she understood.
"D-yes…" he sighed, for the first time since coming to England appreciating the company he found himself with "Up there, I am Viktor, just Viktor." He admitted to her.
"I understand" she smiled at him, a genuine smile born out of a shared passion and a shared annoyance, he was well aware of the fame she carried in her home country.
It was not without warrant, he supposed. Her raw magical talent far superior to most her age as demonstrated by just being in the tournament and surviving the first task, and her looks, well, she was not lacking in that department either, her dark hair and bright green eyes were not lost on him as he found himself enjoying her smiles.
"I thank you for broom, and company." He said to her gratefully as her cheeks started to blush again from emotions rather than the wind, he found himself charmed.
"It was no big deal." She shrugged her shoulders, looking away as her embarrassment once again grew.
"No." he found himself disagreeing, moving forward to clasp her face, needing her to understand just what he was trying to say.
"You give me air. It is…" he trailed off, looking for the word he wanted to use. Her eyes softened as she tilted her head to the side, almost nuzzling into his palm, just the thought of her doing so sent a jolt through his core.
"Freedom." She finished for him, eyes widening at the happy smile that broke out on his face before he lost control and brought his lips to hers.
He hadn't meant to, she was only fourteen.