Viktor's feet hit asphalt with a heavy thud once he reached the Ministry building. He began pacing back and forth trying to brainstorm a way inside. There had to be a way. He looked up to the sky to notice the sun beginning to rise. Surely it was too early for anyone to be going to work. He'd have to find another way inside.
After this thought occurred to him, a few witches and wizards began appearing in front of the building. They all rushed away, focused on their various entrances, not paying the Quidditch star any mind. Viktor could try following one of them, but he was certain he wouldn't be allowed entrance without an appointment. He stopped pacing and huffed a great breath.
Something suddenly made him spin around. A middle-aged witch with straw-like hair screeched as loud as she could. She pointed at Viktor with a shaky hand. She then screamed his name at the top of her lungs. Viktor cringed a bit at the sound of her nasally voice. A number of witches, around the same age as the straw-haired one, turned around to look at him in awe. A few rushed up to him, their hands outstretched.
Viktor couldn't pretend that he hadn't thought he would be noticed. He had hoped, however, that no one would bombard him with parchment and quills. He grimaced at a few women as they shouted his name and grabbed different parts of his arm. He thought that they would end up taking his shirt off if he didn't stop them soon. A woman wearing a pointed witch's hat tugged at his hand, trying to lead him off somewhere where she could be alone with him.
"Viktor, my boy!" someone boomed from outside of the crowd. Viktor spun around hopefully to see Ludo Bagman walking merrily towards him.
"Mr. Bagman," Viktor called back to him, trying to free himself from the women's menacing clutches. Ludo eased his way into the crowd. He puffed out his chest and took in a deep breath.
"All right ladies," he called over the ever-growing throng of 40-something women. "Mr. Krum has had enough for today! Go on with your business or someone important will be informed!"
Viktor did not know who these "important people" were, but if it got all these crazy ladies to go away, he did not care. Sure enough, they all groaned a bit, took one last longing look at their Quidditch dreamboat, and made their way over to their designated entrances. Bagman chuckled heartedly as the last one scampered away. He thumped Viktor on the shoulder fondly.
"What brings you to the Ministry this ah…fine morning?" Bagman asked and shook Viktor's hand. Viktor gripped the man's hand tightly, trying to think up a believable lie.
"Vell I," Viktor began, taking a few more seconds to think. "I vonted a vord vith you, Mr. Bagman." He finally spit out. Bagman let go of his hand and crossed his arms, smiling broadly.
"Well well," Bagman replied, though he sounded a little uneasy. "I suppose I could fit you in. I've already got a meeting scheduled with one of the Chudley Canons this morning, but…well this couldn't hurt. Come on, we can take the visitor's entrance today."
Bagman gestured for Viktor to follow him as he hobbled down the path leading to the Ministry building. Viktor was surprised to see Bagman leading him, not to a large locked door, but a small red phone booth. Bagman slid open the door, somehow managing to fit his whole body inside. He motioned for Viktor to follow. Viktor sucked in a breath and was able to squeeze in after the large man.
"Make room, make room," Bagman groaned as Viktor ducked to fit inside. He struggled to reach behind him, but somehow managed to slam the door shut. He then miraculously pulled two small coins out of the pocket of his rousers. He rolled them into the pay phone.
"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic," a high-pitched, girlish voice rang out. "May we now ask you to state you name, purpose, and blood status?"
"Ludo Bagman," he said and puffed out his chest again. "Here for a day's work. Pure blood."
"Thank you, Mr. Bagman, welcome," the voice answered. Bagman nudged Viktor with his elbow.
"Viktor Krum," he said. "I am here for an unscheduled meeting vith Mr. Batman. Er…pure blood."
"Thank you, Mr. Krum. Enjoy your meeting," the voice sang. There was a sudden jerk, and the phone booth seemed to be sinking. A moment later they had arrived at the atrium. Viktor had never actually been inside, but had heard many stories about the fountain located in the center. He couldn't understand what was so exciting about it, two people sitting on thrones. He supposed the British had a different taste in art than the Bulgarians. He shrugged to himself and continued to follow Bagman to his office.
"Ah, Farson," Bagman said as he opened the door to his office. Viktor followed suit. He took a look around the office. No one would ever know that it belonged to the head of the department. It was extremely small and obnoxiously cluttered; there was barely enough room for two chairs and a desk. Viktor then turned his attention to the front of the office to see someone already seated at the large desk. The man had curly red hair and wore clashing orange Quidditch robes.
Bagman took his seat behind his desk, causing it to push forward a bit onto the red-haired man.
"I see you found your way alright," Bagman noted and shook the man's hand from behind his desk. "Farson, I'd like you to meet Viktor Krum. Viktor Krum, this is August Farson, keeper for the Chudley Canons." The two nodded heads politely.
"Right, now Viktor, what was it you needed to see me about?" Bagman asked and folded his hands on top of his desk. August didn't seem to mind the interruption of his own meeting and only leaned back in his chair, as if he was about to fall asleep.
"I just need to ask you something," Viktor said hurriedly. Bagman raised an eyebrow, but nodded for Viktor to carry on. "About an hour ago two men came into the Leaky Cauldron in London and took a girl avay. They said they vere taking her to the Ministry. I have to get her back, Mr. Bagman. Do you know anything about vhere she vould be?"
Bagman sighed deeply. He reclined in his chair and closed his eyes. "Viktor, my boy," he said and began to rub his forehead as though he'd been struck by a sudden migraine. "I'm afraid that there's no hope for this girl."
"Vot?" Viktor gaped at him. He looked to August to see him looking unscathed.
"I'm taking a guess here by saying this girl was Muggle born," Bagman went on.
"She vos, yes."
"Then there is no chance of saving her," Bagman said gravely. He pointed his wand at his office door and it locked with a click.
"Things have really gone to hell, then," August said and tilted his head back farther. Viktor looked from August to Bagman.
"Vot is going on?" Viktor demanded and slammed a fist onto Bagman's desk. Bagman gave a small jump, then another deep sigh.
"The Ministry fell last night," he said in a hushed voice. "Death Eaters are running rampant. They've hired people they call Snatchers – I'm assuming two met up with you – to arrest Muggle borns to be tried. They'll all end up either dead or in Azkaban at this rate. Viktor, dear boy, I advise you to just leave while you can. Leave this girl and go back to Bulgaria."
"I vill not leave her!" Viktor boomed through gritted teeth.
"Didn't you just meet her tonight?" August asked in a bored voice.
"Yes, at Fleur Delacour's wedding, but-"
"Wait. Fleur and Bill Weasley's wedding?" August sat up straight, his eyes wide.
"Yes, but that is not-"
"What's her name?" August held his breath.
"Maddie Garcia."
"Shit," August groaned and closed his eyes tight. "I knew I should've gone with her."
"You know her?"
"We broke up last month."
"You vot?"
"Ludo, I'm afraid this meeting will have to wait," August sprung to his feet.
"That's not a smart idea, Farson," Bagman groaned.
"Do you know who took her?" August asked Viktor, completely ignoring Bagman's warning. He began pulling on the door, but it would not lock due to Bagman's past spell.
"Greyback and a man called Scab…Scab-or or something," Viktor answered. He shoved August out of the way and pulled out his wand. He blasted the door apart and walked out of the cramped office. Bagman let out a yell. Viktor pointed his wand at him and sent a stunning spell his way, hitting him square in the chest. Bagman's eyes were bulging, as if shooting daggers at Viktor and August.
Viktor thumped out of the room, followed by August, who was already sprinting as fast as possible down the hall. Viktor took off after him; not paying attention to the strange looks and gasps of surprise issuing from the few Ministry officials he passed. He caught up to August right as he reached the lift, whose doors clanged open. Viktor stepped into the thankfully empty elevator. August h ad his brows furrowed in concentration. After a moment of this and no lift button pressed, Viktor finally spoke up.
"Vot are you vaiting for?" he asked forcefully. August inhaled harshly.
"Which floor would she be on?" he asked, brows still drawn together. Viktor looked to the lift buttons. He wasn't sure where they would be keeping her either. He traced his finger down every button until he reached the last one. He pushed it so hard that it looked like it would burst. August now looked more confused as ever.
"Department of Mysteries?" he asked. Viktor shrugged.
"Vell, this is a mystery," he answered simply.
"Krum, I love your logic," August laughed. The two then waited in silence for the final call of 'Department of Mysteries' from the singsong voice overhead. Though they wouldn't admit it, neither of them had a clue as to how to free Madeline Garcia from the clutches of the Snatchers.
A/N: I apologize for all that dialogue! Hopefully the next chapter will make up for it :D
Feel free to review with predictions and whatnot for what will happen next!