I returned to Bulgaria immediately, unwilling to let her see how distraught I was. That night, during dinner at my parents' home, Hermione sent a message. Harry had been attacked by Dementors in front of his Muggle cousin. The Ministry was accusing him of wrongdoing, specifically performing magic in front of Muggles deliberately. I knew that the Ministry was supposed to be in control of the Dementors, therefore, only a high ranking Ministry official could send them against a barely fifteen year-old boy.
I reminded her of that fact. I reiterated that I was there to help and protect Harry from all dangers, even if they were from the idiot Minister. She told me there was to be a hearing in ten days. The balance of the message said that everyone was going moving to Order Headquarters soon and they were waiting on Dumbledore to do something.
I knew how futile that was going to be. The man had his own agenda, and it did not include anything easy for Harry. I contacted Vulchanov to set up a team personal appearance in London on the eleventh and twelfth. We could rescue the boy if necessary. I sent that message to Hermione, knowing I was clutching at straws because I missed her so badly. She replied that we should wait until the hearing to see what happened, but if I could be in London the day before the hearing, we could plan contingencies.
In desperation, I sent a Patronus to Uncle Igor. I was almost certain that he was hiding with my Uncle Anastasis. The answer came sooner than I expected. The Sirin appeared and cautioned me to remember that Dumbledore created obstacles for any who wished to unravel his Gordian knot of secrecy.
Uncle Igor's voice, speaking from the Sirin, said, "There is always a kernel of truth to whatever Dumbledore says, but peeling away the layers of deception will be difficult. You and Hermione must learn to read the signals he gives. It is almost certain that he will abandon the boy to fend for himself this year. If he tries to protect him, the Ministry will persecute the boy. Albus may even do something totally irrational; such as turning the protection of the boy over to Severus. Severus hates the boy because he loved the mother before she married. But I believe that sending Thera to Hogwarts may turn out to be a blessing for all of you. She will occupy Severus' mind and protect the boy. You and Hermione will have to walk a very fine line because the English Ministry is sure to start meddling at the school. I have composed a letter for Severus; it will be with the presents you deliver to Thera for her birthday. I will attempt to see all of you at the Solstice Ball. Persephone will be bringing Thera to Hogwarts the first of September. I may not be able to contact you again, but remember that you are the best Durmstrang has ever produced, Viktor. You will be vital to both Hermione and young Harry. I wish you safety and happiness with your chosen bride. Take care. You are always in my thoughts and heart, Viktor"
I watched the Sirin fade from sight and knew I might never speak with my uncle again. His words were etched into my brain, however. I would trust nothing about Albus Dumbledore, that much was certain.
I talked things over with Bashta and he suggested that I give an interview to the Quidditch Monthly magazine. The next issue was due to come out two days before Harry's hearing in London. I contacted the magazine and went in for the interview the next afternoon. In the interview, I stressed the fact that Harry Potter was my good friend and protégé. I deplored the actions of the English Ministry to deny that the Dark Lord had resurrected. I strongly urged that all good Quidditch fans support Harry and believe, as I did, that the Dark Lord had returned. The young reporter asked if he could give hints to the papers about my interview. I assured him that I would be most upset if he didn't give them those hints. Privately, I told him exactly what had happened and that the British Ministry was trying to bully Harry into retracting his story. I could see the fire in the young reporter's eyes as he realised he had the makings of a career-making story on his hands. He thanked me profusely and promised that free copies of the magazine would be sent to the list I had given him.
I knew the Weasleys, Grangers, and the staff at Hogwarts would be glad to know Harry had some support from another of the Triwizard champions. I got a request from Rita Skeeter to do an interview, which I refused. Bashta and I went to the Bulgarian Ministry and talked to Minister Oblansk. He agreed that Bulgaria would offer Harry asylum if need be. He was furious that the British Minister was sending Dementors after a boy barely out of childhood.
"Viktor, you have our support for whatever it takes to bring him safely to Bulgaria. If necessary, I will accompany you to London the day of the hearing and confront that coward Fudge. We all knew the Dark Lord would return. Now that it has happened, those who do nothing will be seen as collaborators. Fudge must be brought to understand the danger he is ignoring." Oblansk was livid.
After leaving the Ministry, Bashta continued on home and I returned to the flat. Niko arrived a bit later and informed me that the entire contingent of Aurors were on the alert to escort me. I sent a message to Fleur's father that she might be summoned to London if corroboration was needed for the events of the Third Task. The reply said she would be most happy to appear.
The next morning I started in on the training exercises Ivan had laid out. The flying took my mind off Harry and Hermione for a few hours. Training did not officially start until the next day, but I was determined to be a step ahead of my teammates regarding the new moves. I had only been in the air for an hour when Ivanova and her two brothers showed up.
Josef and Boris were not twins, but were as alike as carbon copies, except that Josef was a good three inches taller than his younger brother. They greeted me with a wave and flew up to talk to me.
Olga joined us in a minute, bringing Ivan Vulchanov with her. He informed them of the happenings with the Dementors and Harry. Boris remarked that Dementors were strictly forbidden against any but the most hardened criminals, and that was international law. The two Aurors were all for flying to London now to rescue Harry. I convinced them that plans were made for a possible extraction. They agreed, but insisted that they be assigned as 'guards' for the team. Boris suggested we bring some Polyjuice Potion with us, just in case it might be needed.
I agreed with their requests, but decided to Disapparate to Diagon Alley that evening to meet with Hermione. Her last message had been unlike her. She had sounded frantic. I needed to see her, to calm her down and just hold her for a few minutes. No sooner had I finished my workout and stowed my broom away, than her voice sounded in my head.
"Vitya, oh, love, Harry doesn't lie. He may talk around the truth at times, but he does not lie. You know what happened; Cedric subjected you and Fleur to the Cruciatus. The Priori Incantatem spell on his wand proved that. Why is the Ministry doing this? You saw the wound on Harry's arm. You know he wouldn't do that to himself. I need you, here, just for a few minutes, please." She sounded so upset, I sent to her, saying, "Diagon Alley, Flourish & Blotts, ten minutes. Obicham te."
The tiny chirrup of happiness I heard in my head was answer enough for me. I Disapparated to the Ministry Building and requested to use the Floo to the Bulgarian Ministry offices in London. Three minutes later, I was walking out of the Floo into my cousin Talia's office. I waved at her and Disapparated to Diagon Alley. I was lounging at the back of Flourish & Blotts, reading a magazine when Hermione arrived. I Disillusioned both of us and we made our way to the far back corner of the Leaky Cauldron to talk. Hermione cast Muffliato as we sat in the smallest booth at the back of the room.
I put my arms around her and she snuggled close. "I needed that, Viktor. This whole thing has me so freaked out; I was lost without you. The Weasleys have moved from the Burrow to the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix. I can't tell you about it because I am not Secret Keeper. Moody and Dumbledore have a plan to get Harry out of his Aunt's house. They are going to bring him here to London. I am scared, Viktor. What if the Ministry tries to do something horrible to Harry?" She shivered in my arms even though it was high summer.
"Hush, doushenka, if necessary, I will call in our Aurors and grant Harry asylum in Bulgaria. Uncle Pedja believes me and he believes Harry. I will also throw my name into the mix to get every Quidditch fan upset enough to start harassing your Ministry. If the name of Viktor Krum, Quidditch prodigy, isn't enough to stir up the populace, I can have the entire Bulgarian team behind us, as well." I kissed her forehead and she seemed to calm down quite a bit. Her sigh of contentment made my heart glad.
I knew I would have to make frequent trips to England this year to keep us both from being miserable. That actually would be a good thing, because it would keep me focused on both Hermione and Harry. If my cousin, Thera, acted as a buffer between Snape and Harry, so much the better.
I insisted on walking back with her to the area where the Headquarters of the Order was located. As soon as we reached the square, I let her go on alone. I ducked into an alleyway and Disapparated back to the Bulgarian Embassy offices and sat with my cousin Talia as I explained the situation about Harry. Talia said she would notify the Ambassador about what might happen. Having accomplished what my original goal was, I went through the Floo back to Bulgaria.
With my knowledge of what Dumbledore was capable of, I made a conscious decision to apply to him about joining the Order of the Phoenix. He would see only that it was to stay closer to Hermione, the deeper purpose; that of protecting Harry even against him would stay hidden.
The letter would go to him the day after Harry's hearing at the Ministry. If it came down to spiriting Harry out of England, then Dumbledore could claim that the Order had no hand in it.
I knew Dumbledore would not turn me down; my fame would finally have a use.
Training began at five o'clock the next morning. When we finally broke off, I acknowledged that Vulchanov had not been joking when he said I would be too tired to miss Hermione. I ached from head to toe, having worked harder that day than ever before.
When I arrived at the flat, Hermione's owl was waiting patiently for me. She had a message tied to her leg that was nearly as large as she was. I gave her some treats and sent her off to rest while I composed a reply.
Hermione informed me that there was something havey-cavey about the booklist for Hogwarts this year. The assigned text for Defence was a joke, she declared. She added that my old Defence text from Durmstrang was now masquerading as a knitting manual so she could keep it with her. I silently applauded her resourcefulness.
In my reply, I stated that if Vulchanov was going to keep up the pace he had set today, I might not survive to marry her. I suggested she share my old Defence text with Harry and that I would work with him when I came for her birthday. I sent the reply and a new deck of Tarot cards I had purchased for her.
In the evening, Niko and I flew up to the valley to check out what needed doing first. The old house was in much better shape than I had feared. I went back to look at the temple that had unsettled Hermione so much; the faces of the young couple were non-descript, they no longer looked like us. It must have been our imagination, I thought.
It wasn't until Niko and I were back at the flat that another possibility occurred to me. Hermione was the catalyst that made the faces appear to be ours. Athena's influence or merely the conjoining of our magic; I wondered.
The fifth day of practice was interrupted by Pedja Oblansk's appearance to talk to the coaches. There was a moment when everyone looked over at me, then they all shook hands and dispersed.
Uncle Pedja came over to talk to me, privately. "Viktor, they have agreed to let you do the personal appearance in London. The team will Floo from my office tomorrow morning. You will be able to meet with your fiancée that afternoon. Arrangements are made if it becomes necessary for the team to take possession of your friend. The Ivanov brothers will be providing security for the visit. Moreover, your interview with Quidditch Monthly has raised quite a stir. Be prepared to face questions in London."
"Thank you. You have no idea how this eases my mind. I am still worried about Hermione, though," I replied.
He handed me a parchment, saying, "This is just in case, Viktor. We are offering her and her parents Bulgarian citizenship in case things get bad. You are to give that to her, and tell her we would welcome them with open arms."
I looked him in the eye and replied, "You risk the displeasure of the pure bloods, Uncle Pedja. I appreciate it greatly."
"It has not escaped my notice that she is a very powerful witch, Viktor. For Bulgaria to possibly shelter her family is an honour." He patted my shoulder before moving off to speak to other members of the team.
In the morning, I put together a bag for the trip to London. Bashta handed me three phials of Polyjuice Potion in case it was needed. I made sure to pack the journal notes I had made. Mayka had me pack the things she had gotten for Hermione, as well. Once packed, I Disapparated to the practice field, my teammates were to meet me there.
When everyone had arrived, we Disapparated to the Bulgarian Ministry. Uncle Pedja handed me the official documents that confirmed my Diplomatic Immunity, as well as the documents that offered political asylum to one Harry James Potter.
My parents had signed documents offering to adopt Harry. This was going to be my ammunition for getting the boy out of the country. If necessary, I had made up my mind to announcing that Hermione and I were married.
We all went through the Floo to the Bulgarian Embassy in London. Talia had made reservations for us at a hotel on the Strand. She reminded me that the person who was now in charge of the Department of Magical Games and Sports was a woman named Hestia Jones, who was also a member of the Order of the Phoenix. With that knowledge, I was sure that she would help us smuggle Harry out of the country.
It was turning out to be a better day than I had hoped. We Flooed to the English Ministry of Magic from her office. Madam Hestia Jones met us in the lobby. She whisked us all into the lift to her floor. Once there, she cast aversion and muting charms. She offered tea or coffee to my teammates while focusing mainly on me.
Without a bit of preamble, she said, "You do realise that this venture could end your career, boy?"
I liked her blunt approach. My answer was to hand her the Diplomatic Immunity documents and grin.
Her answering smile convinced me it was the right thing to do. "So, Gospodin Krum, your least favourite reporter has been plaguing me for an interview with you. I told her you would prefer to hold a press conference instead of doing interviews. Your comments in Quidditch Monthly were very inflammatory."
"Do not be surprised if I do not take questions from Rita Skeeter, Madam Jones. I will tell you that I plan to join the Order after this ridiculous hearing, my teammates as well. I will be making many trips this year to visit friends here. My friends are very important to me and I will do anything necessary to insure their safety." I had to make her understand it wasn't just Harry I was concerned about. She blinked, but nodded her head that she understood.
"Very well, the press conference is set for eleven ack emma. That is slightly less than an hour from now. I will keep you informed of all details about tomorrow's hearing. I think it would be best if you and the team were here first thing tomorrow, say about seven ack emma. I'll have a photographer here so the Ministry denizens can get photos with the team. That should provide some cover if you need it for any untoward actions I shouldn't know about." She winked at him, conspiratorially.
We returned to the lobby where I saw Arthur Weasley. He came over and shook my hand as well as the hands of the entire team.
"Nice to see you, Viktor. Don't suppose you'd like to have lunch with me after the press conference? I have some ideas about that project you were interested in," he said.
Vulchanov nudged me and looked from Arthur to Madam Jones, so I replied, "Why don't we take you and Madam Jones out to lunch and discuss that project, Mr. Weasley. My interest in that project has only increased in the last few days. Come find me after the press conference, we'll go to the Leaky Cauldron."
"Right, Viktor. Hestia and I will be quite pleased to have lunch with you," Arthur said.
My teammates were admiring the statuary in the lobby while the Ivanovs were sticking close to me. I saw Minister Fudge crossing the lobby accompanied by a short, fat, ugly witch who was lecturing him in a strident, whingy voice. Olga grinned at me before running across the lobby to catch up to Fudge.
"Minister Fudge, please wait a moment. I have wanted to meet you since the World Cup last year," she said, sweetly.
Fudge looked at her, and then sent the fat witch away with a curt word. He smiled at Olga and shook her hand. He spoke kindly to her, but shot me a glance of pure hatred. I did not know until later that she had used that ruse to plant an enchanted ladybug in the flower on his lapel.
Her brothers had devised the spell to listen to conversations remotely.
In a few minutes, Olga returned to our group and winked at her brothers. Turning to look down the hallway at the Floo cubicles, I spied Amos Diggory. He looked somehow incomplete. I excused myself from the group and caught up with him.
"Mr. Diggory, sir? I just wanted to tell you that Cedric was a fine young man and a great competitor. He was a credit to you and your wife. His death was a tragedy," I said.
The man looked at me like he didn't know who I was, then shook himself a bit and answered, "Viktor Krum. I remember now. Thank you. We still miss Cedric. It was good of you to say something."
He turned and shuffled off toward the lift as I watched.
Vulchanov yelled for me to come back, that the press conference was going to start in fifteen minutes.
The press conference was handled brilliantly. We each got to answer questions, and the minute Rita Skeeter tried to ask a question, we would switch to the next player. She was fuming by the end. She tried to follow us out of the building, but Josef and Boris stopped her. Luckily, I saw Vanya in the limousine waiting at the kerb. We all climbed into the car and sped off to the Leaky Cauldron. Arthur and Hestia were very impressed by the luxuriousness of the limo.
When we arrived at the Leaky Cauldron, Arthur guided us to the booth in the back corner. There were two tables blocking it that my teammates took. That left me, Arthur and Hestia in the booth. A little judicious casting of muting spells and we could talk in peace.
Arthur leapt right in with questions. "What is the plan, Viktor? I know there is one, because Hermione says she trusts whatever you decide to do. I also know you don't trust Dumbledore above half. I don't think any of us do any more, either, but whom else do we have? Moody is still twitchy from being in that trunk for months. Sirius Black is more than a bit mad. Lupin is fighting health problems, and is more than a bit depressed. Severus is back tucked into you-know-who's vest pocket again, so Albus is who we turn to in times like these. Of course, Molly and I are not happy with leaving Harry at the Dursley's. They are a right wicked pile of offal."
Hestia Jones agreed with him. "None of us are happy with Harry's present circumstances. The boy has had no tender care, no nurturing, no family life at all, poor mite. I look at him and cringe to think he will have to face the likes of that inhuman monster. If you can get him away, we're with you."
Whatever I had expected, it certainly wasn't this. Sitting up straighter, I revised the plans I had made. I pulled a phial of Polyjuice from my robes and then pulled a few hairs from my head as well. I wrapped the hairs in a small twist of paper and gave that and the phial to Arthur.
"In the morning, bring me some of Harry's hair. If things go badly at the hearing, I'll change places with him, if you can get him to the loo on that floor. They'll have to let me go since I have Diplomatic Immunity now. The team will take him to my parents. He'll be safer in Bulgaria."
The relief I saw on both of their faces was genuine. For the rest of the meal, we talked Quidditch. I signed some photos for both of them and it was soon time to go.
Before he left, Arthur said that Hermione was going be bringing Harry to Diagon Alley to finish their shopping that afternoon about four pip emma. The winks I got from both him and Madam Jones almost made me blush.
My teammates had been talking to the server about the rumours concerning Harry and the return of the Dark Lord. The server said that she thought Harry had been sent to St. Mungo's to have his memory erased. That was what she had heard from a couple of Ministry employees.
That certainly did not please Arthur or Madam Jones. I realised that the Ministry had already decided to ignore the truth and make Harry out to be insane.
That was certainly not going to happen while I had anything to say about it. Vanya appeared at the kerb with the car and drove Arthur and Madam Jones back to the Ministry before dropping the rest of us at our hotel. He told me his cell phone was on and he would be waiting if we needed him for any reason. I hoped Hermione had her cell with her.
Once we got into the hotel, the Ivanovs told us about their listening device Olga had planted on Cornelius Fudge. They pulled another ladybug from a pocket and said a silent spell over and suddenly, we could hear the ugly witch talking to Fudge.
"Now, Cornelius, the trial will go swimmingly tomorrow. The boy will be put away and things can get back to normal. I am just sorry the Dementors didn't give him the kiss as they were told. Stupid boy, making up stories to upset you. It is all Dumbledore's fault. He wants your job. My plan was to have the Dementors kiss the boy and be done with it. I'll just have to find another way."
"Chort vozmi!" Vulchanov and the Ivanovs all said. The sheer look of horror on their faces was mirrored on my own, I was sure.
That evil woman had planned Harry's death as dispassionately as she would have swatted a fly.
Once the Ivanovs had cancelled the spell on the ladybug, I went outside to the balcony to call Hermione. I absolutely would not tell her what we had heard.
She answered immediately. "Viktor, oh thank Merlin, you're here. I am taking Harry to Diagon Alley in an hour or so. Can you meet us there?"
"I will be waiting in the Leaky Cauldron. Get me a clipping of Harry's hair, love. It may be useful. Do not tell him, either."
"Is the whole team here? Can they come, too? I know Harry would love to meet them all."
"Yes, love; we will all be there, even my bodyguards. And they will be thrilled to meet him, I believe. An hour? Dasvedanya, supruga."
I re-entered the room and told everyone we were going back to the Leaky Cauldron, but this time we were walking since it was only five or six blocks.
"No comment about the betrothals, no comments about a rescue mission, either; is that understood? Hermione is bringing Harry Potter to Diagon Alley, and that means you can all meet him."
Vulchanov voiced the one thing that everyone was thinking. "Did any of you bring a camera? We should take picture with him."
I looked in the bag that Mayka had asked me to bring to Hermione, and tossed him the camera.
"That goes to Hermione, Ivan. She'll have copies made for all of you. Just make sure we all get in the photo. We can send one to Quidditch Monthly."
My teammates were in a jovial mood as we walked the few blocks to the Leaky Cauldron. We came up from the Strand and cut through Covent Garden, turning west to Charing Cross Road.
I saw Hermione and Harry entering the pub just a block or so in front of us. She saw me and waved.
Once we were all inside, I asked Tom for a private parlour so we could talk freely.
Harry was looking a bit shell-shocked by the enthusiasm of my teammates. They had shaken his hand, hugged him, and told him they were honoured to meet such a hero.
I hadn't forgotten it had been his birthday just a few days before; so I brought out the honorary team uniform I had purchased for him. He was thrilled and thanked me profusely.
The worry lines in his face eased for a few minutes. Hermione surreptitiously handed me a small phial with some dark hair in it.
Once we had established a rapport, we all moved out into Diagon Alley to finish picking up supplies. The team and the Ivanovs created a living barrier around Harry. Hermione completed the purchase in a very short amount of time and it was time to leave all too soon. Hermione gave me a shove toward Harry and grabbed Olga's arm to have a female conversation while I had a brotherly talk with Harry.
"Viktor, do you ever want to run away and hide from people?" Harry sounded very dejected.
"Yes, Harry, I do. I think about the most when some fangirls try to follow me into the loo." I shot him a look that said I was taking the mickey out of him, and he burst into laughter.
"That article in Quidditch Monthly is going to get you in a lot of trouble, Viktor. The Ministry doesn't want to hear anyone believes me. But I am glad you said it. Thanks."
"I want you to know something, Harry. If you are ever in serious trouble, you can call on me. I have sworn to assist you in your quest. Hermione knows this, you can ask her."
"I bet you weren't expecting to get involved in a mess like this when you came for the Tournament," Harry said.
"Actually, when I saw Hermione I knew my life would never be the same again. There was a prophecy, you see," I replied.
Harry laughed. "Not you too? Wait. Something about you and Hermione? Like you two are destined to be together? Ron won't like that a bit. But, you make her happy, and she is as good as my sister, so that is great with me."
I laughed along with him. Then I told him what might happen in the morning. "Harry, if things do not go well in your hearing, I want you to go to the loo on that floor. I will be waiting for you. We will switch places. My team has orders to get you out of the country and to my parents' home. I will not get in trouble. I have Diplomatic Immunity so your Ministry cannot touch me, no matter what I do. I want you to just go along with my team, okay?"
"That's why Herms needed a bit of my hair, isn't it? You're going to have Polyjuice ready for us to switch places. Okay, whatever you think is best, Viktor. I trust you."
I motioned everyone into Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, where Hermione persuaded Mr. Fortescue to take pictures of Harry with my teammates. We all had ice cream to celebrate before letting Hermione and Harry get back to the Headquarters of the Order. I had a few minutes alone with Hermione while Harry was talking to the team.
"I promise to let you know as soon as possible about the hearing. I will be waiting in the hallway. If things go badly, I'll use Polyjuice and switch places with him. Ivan and the others will take him straight back to Bulgaria. You must not worry. He will be fine."
"But what will happen to you? You'll surely get caught."
"But with Diplomatic Immunity, they cannot hold me. Everything will be fine, love." I kissed her thoroughly before letting her go away with Harry.
On our way back to the hotel, my teammates teased me a great deal about my brotherly attitude toward Harry. But Ivan said something very insightful.
"You act as if this was all simply part of what you were born to do, Viktor. It truly is noble of you!"
I went to bed early that night to be up at the Ministry before eight in the morning. I was to meet Madam Jones for a 'tour' of the Ministry during Harry's hearing. I was there in plenty of time, but we discovered that the hearing had been moved to one of the courtrooms on the tenth level. That fact worried Madam Jones greatly. She informed me that those rooms were only used for full Wizengamot trials. We arrived just in time to see Harry talking to Arthur Weasley. Harry spied me and waved before going into the courtroom by himself. I stationed myself in an alcove in the hallway, near the loo on that floor. Arthur walked by and murmured that he was worried as well.
Dumbledore and a small elderly woman walked by hurriedly. Dumbledore left the woman in the hallway when he entered the courtroom.
A few minutes later, the woman was called into the room by what looked like a Weasley offspring.
Several minutes later, the woman left, mumbling to herself about idiots in the Ministry. Five minutes later Harry came out of the courtroom looking bewildered. Arthur and I made sure he was okay before Madam Jones and I returned to the Entry Hallway. I made a show of telling her farewell before going back to the hotel. I saw Harry and Arthur had left the building as well.
The team and I returned to Bulgaria after I contacted Hermione to tell her everything was fine.
"I will return for your birthday, beloved. Until then, I will miss you sorely."
"Thank you for coming, Viktor. I will dream about you every night. Obicham te."
Chort vozmi is the Russian equivalent of Damn or WTF.