Title: Only A Day
Author: WhyIsARavenLikeAWritingDesk
Universe: Harry Potter
Rating: K+ - T
Characters: Viktor/OC
Disclaimers: I do not own Harry Potter or Viktor Krum or anything to do with that world. I also do not own any of the Edgar Allen Poe poetry seen here, but some poetry will be original.
Summary: Nobody knows that Viktor Krum, the greatest Seeker in the world, the pride of Durmstrang School, is actually a closet poet. The only person aware of this, his pen pal of five years, doesn't actually know who he is. She only knows him as Viktor.
September 1st
Viktor,
I don't know how the Durmstrang students arrive at your school, but the Hogwarts students arrive by train, so please excuse the less than neat handwriting. I don't enjoy train rides at all, so I'm afraid I'm going to have to keep this letter short. Thank you for warning me about the Tournament. I didn't have time to look for a costume, but I suppose a decent selection will be available in the little village nearby.
I would love to meet you at the Halloween Ball.
Charlotte Adele Wright
Charlotte flinched as the train rocked more violently. She set her quill down and leaned back in her seat, observing her best friend across from her. Adabelle, a tall, leggy, brunette goddess with hazel eyes, was in Gryffindor while Charlotte herself was in Ravenclaw. Unlike other Ravenclaws, Charlotte didn't care so much about her grades as actually learning something.
"That letter for Secret-Lover-Man?" Adabelle asked.
Charlotte rolled her eyes as she folded the parchment and sealed it with a charm.
"Honestly, Charlie," Adabelle said, "you write Secret-Lover-Man more than everyone else put together."
"I really wish you wouldn't call him that. His name is Viktor."
"I'm sure it is," she muttered. "So how's your audition piece coming for the Opera?"
"Okay, I guess," Charlotte said, running the feather end of her quill over her knuckles.
"Just okay?
"Yeah. Just okay."
"What part are you auditioning for?" Adabelle sighed.
"Christine. She's the lead."
There was a short pause, which, looking back, Charlotte should have identified as the calm before the storm, before Adabelle lunged across the cabin and tackled Charlotte further into her seat.
"I am so proud of you! Finally trying for an actual role!"
"It's not that big of a deal," Charlotte insisted.
"It is, though. You've never gone after a real part, never mind a lead part. When are auditions?"
"In the beginning of December. I don't know how I'm going to juggle all of this."
"All of what? What else is going on?" Adabelle asked, sitting up to face Charlotte.
"You can't tell anyone. Because I'm pretty sure he wasn't supposed to tell me, okay?"
"My lips are sealed," Adabelle promised.
"Hogwarts is hosting the Tri-Wizard Tournament this year," Charlotte said, bracing for the reaction to come.
Surprisingly, Adabelle separated herself from Charlotte and leaned back, a look of concentration passing over her face.
"What?" Charlotte asked. "What is it?"
"There hasn't been a Tri-Wizard Tournament in over a century," Adabelle said thoughtfully. "Why resurrect a dead tradition?"
"Your guess is as good as mine," Charlotte shrugged. "C'mon, Belle. We've got to change."
Adabelle nodded. Charlotte rose to pull down her trunk as Adabelle pulled down the blind on the windows. Changing in front of each other was no problem since they had been doing it since their first year six years ago. After changing into her button down, black pants, and tie, Charlotte made sure her Muggle clothes were neatly folded and latched her trunk closed again. Placing it back in the rack, she heard Adabelle ask,
"Can I braid those luscious locks of yours?"
"Sure," Charlotte said, pulling her wild red curls out of their confines.
Adabelle took a seat on the cabin bench and Charlotte sat in front of her. Adabelle ran her fingers through Charlotte's hair for a few minutes before actually beginning the braid.
"So how was your summer?" Charlotte asked.
"Boring. And long. Long and boring. You?"
"Viktor invited me to the Quidditch World Cup."
Adabelle's fingers paused in her hair.
"Are you serious?"
"Yeah. He sent me the ticket and everything. A list of portkeys in England, too."
"Well? What did you tell him?" the brunette asked, fingers resuming.
"I told him I'd love to go, but then," Charlotte paused.
"But then your grandfather died," Adabelle muttered. "How did he take that news?"
"He told me not to worry; that the Cup wouldn't be as enjoyable without me, but that he understood that I had things I needed to do. And he offered to help in anyway, if only I'd ask."
"Sounds like a real gentleman, that one does. Charlotte," she paused. "Don't go and fall in love with this boy until you meet him, okay? I don't want you to get your heart broken."
"I'll try, Belle. But so far I don't think I can make any promises."
"Just so long as you try."
The trek to the castle was not, by any means, as enjoyable as it should have been. First, Charlotte got separated from Adabelle, forcing her to ride in a carriage with a bunch of obnoxious second years. Then she ran nearly head first into Professor Snape, earning her a detention half an hour off the train for not paying attention. After that the red head discovered that no one could find her owl, Deek, as he should have been back by now, and after being forced into the Great Hall without him being found, Charlotte was forced to sit next to the snotty Zacharias Smith. The only relief in the frustrating lapse in time was that she was sitting across the aisle from Adabelle; the two could turn around and talk until Dumbledore was ready to begin his speech.
When the puddings had been demolished, and the last crumbs had faded off the plates, leaving them sparkling clean, Albus Dumbledore got to his feet. The buzz of chatter filling the Hall ceased almost at once, so that only the howling wind and pounding rain could be heard.
"So!" said Dumbledore, smiling around at them all. "Now that we are all fed and watered, I must once more ask for your attention, while I give out a few notices. Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to tell you the list of objects forbidden in the castle has this year been extended to include Screaming Yo-Yos, Fanged Frisbees, and Ever-Banishing Boomerangs. The full list comprises of some four hundred and seven items, I believe, and can be views in Mr. Filches office should anybody like to check it."
The corners of Dumbledore's mouth twitched. He continued, "As ever I would like to remind you all that the forest on the grounds is out-of-bounds to students, as is the village of Hogsmeade to all below third year. It is also my painful duty to inform you that the Inter-House Quidditch Cup will not take place this year."
Charlotte heard someone from the Gryffindor table shout, "What?"
"This is due to an event that will be starting in October, and continuing throughout the school year, taking up much of the teacher's time and energy – but I am sure you will all enjoy it immensely. I have great pleasure in announcing that this year at Hogwarts – "
But at that moment there was a deafening rumble of thunder and the doors of the Great Hall banged open. The stranger reached Dumbledore. He reached out a hand that was badly scarred as his face, and Dumbledore shook it, mumbling words no one could hear. He seemed to be making an inquiry of the stranger, who shook his head unsmilingly and replied in an undertone. Dumbledore nodded and gestured the man to the empty seat on his right-hand side.
"May I introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?" said Dumbledore brightly into the silence. "Professor Moody."
It was usual for new staff members to be greeted with applause, but none of the teachers or students clapped except Dumbledore and Hagrid, who both put their hand together and applauded, but the sound echoed dismally into the silence, and they stopped fairly quickly.
Dumbledore cleared his throat.
"As I was saying," he said, smiling at the sea of students before him, all of whom were transfixed on Mad-Eye Moody, "we are to have the honor of hosting a very exciting event over the remaining months, an even that has not been held in over a is my very great pleasure to inform you that the Tri-Wizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year."
"You're JOKING!" said one of the Weasley twins loudly.
The tension that had filled the Hall ever since Moody's arrival suddenly broke. Nearly everyone laughed and Dumbledore chuckled appreciatively.
"I am not joking, Mr. Weasley," he said, "though now that you mention it, I did hear an excellent one over the summer about a troll, a hag and a leprechaun who all go into a bar…"
Professor McGonagall cleared her throat loudly.
"Er – but maybe this is not the time… no…" said Dumbledore, "Where was I? ah, yes, the Tri-Wizard Tournament… well some of you will not know what this tournament involves so I hope those who do know will forgive me for giving a short explanation, and allow their attention to wander freely.
"The Tri-Wizard Tournament was first established some seven hundred years ago as a friendly competition between the three largest European schools of wizardry: Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. A champion was selected to represent each school and the three champions competed in three magical tasks. The schools took in in turns to host the tournament once every five years, and it was generally agreed to be a most excellent way of establishing ties between young witches and wizards of different nationalities – until, that is, the death toll mounted so high that the tournament was discontinued.
"There have been several attempts over the centuries to reinstate the tournament," Dumbledore continued, "none of which has been very successful. However, our own Departments of International Magical Cooperation and Magical Games and Sports have decided that the time is ripe for another attempt. We have worked hard over the summer to ensure that this time, no champion will find himself or herself in mortal danger.
"The Heads of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving with their shortlist contenders in October, and the selection of the three champions will take place at Halloween. An impartial judge will decide which students are most worthy to compete for the Tri-Wizard Cup, the glory of their school, and a thousand Galleons personal prize money."
Charlotte turned and looked at curiously at Adabelle, silently wondering if the brunette would enter. The Gryffindor looked back and grinned, hiding her true intentions.
"Eager though I know all of you will be to bring the Tri-Wizard Cup to Hogwarts," Dumbledore continued (again), "the Heads of the participating schools, along with the Ministry of Magic, have agreed to impose an age restriction on contenders this year. Only student who are of age – that is to say, seventeen years or older – will be allowed to put forth their names for consideration. This – " Dumbledore had to raise his voice, as the entire Hall it seems began to voice their disagreement with the decision out loud, "is a measure we feel is necessary, given that the Tournament tasks will still be difficult and dangerous, whatever precautions we take, and it is highly unlikely that students under seventh and sixth year will be able to cope with them.
"The delegations from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving in October and remaining with us for the greater part of this year. I know that all of you will extent every courtesy to our foreign guests while they are with us, and will give your whole-hearted support to the Hogwarts champion when he or she is selected. And now, it is late, and I know how important it is for you all to be alert and rested as you enter your lessons tomorrow morning. Bedtime! Chop chop!"
Dumbledore sat down again and turned to talk to Mad-Eye Moody. There was a great scraping and banging as all the students got to their feet and swarmed toward the double doors into the entrance hall.
Charlotte was so tired and frustrated with the day, the only effort she gave was to not be trampled by the over anxious first years. By the time she found her way up to her dorm, her missing owl was waiting for her with a letter.
"You're getting faster at this crossing Europe thing," she said, taking the parchment. "Then again we are closer than England now."
September 1st
Charlotte,
As uncomfortable as your train ride sounds, I cannot help but be grateful that Durmstrang students may arrive at the grounds in any way we wish, normally by Floo. In regards to your dislike of trains, I cannot say that I understand. They have never bothered me.
My mother, Lillya, over read my last letter and tells me that I must be more of a gentleman and ask you in person to the Halloween Ball. I do not know what to say to this. I thought I was nice enough. I imagine you think I am awful for asking you in a letter, but I do not know any other way. Escorting young women to costume balls has never been a frequent event in my life.
I hope to meet you soon.
Viktor