Susannah 01
Black Heart
Chapter 26
Lunch with Viktor
Mrs Weasley was fluttering about nervously arranging and re-arranging the seating round the long garden table. It wasn't everyday she had such a distinguished visitor for lunch and she wanted everything to be just perfect.
"Oh Ginny dear do you think those paper napkins from Harry's birthday party will be alright maybe I should just floo call Hermione and ask her to bring the nice linen ones from headquarters"
"Mum" Ginny was worn out, ever since Hermione had asked her mum if Viktor Krum could come to lunch here her mother had been a basket case.
"These ones are just fine; he won't care anyway about napkins mum"
Her mother was about to argue that point when her attention was caught with Harry, Hermione and Sirius walking up the long garden having just apparated over. Ginny rolled her eyes at Harry as her mother hurried over to Hermione to ask her opinion about the napkins.
"Hey babes" Harry immediately made his way over to Ginny wrapping his arm around her and pulling her close to him.
"I have never been so glad to see you; my mother is driving me crazy"
Harry sniggered at her and kissed her cheek.
"I know but Hermione is really grateful. Having Viktor come here for lunch was a good idea, with everybody here it should keep Sirius from hexing the poor guy's balls off"
Ginny chuckled at her boyfriend's description of Sirius's mood since he found out yesterday morning about this lunch.
"Is there anything at all else I can help you with Mrs Weasley?"
Hermione followed the older woman into the house after calming her fears about the paper napkins.
Sirius came striding towards them sitting down heavily on one of the garden seats a scowl marring his handsome features.
"Who else is coming to lunch Ginny do you know? cause if its just us and I have to make polite small talk with that bloody tosser I know I will end up doing him serious damage"
"Don't worry they are all coming you don't seriously think anyone in my family would miss out on this lunch do you"
Ginny raised her eyebrows at him in question a wide smile on her lips.
Sirius snorted at her reply
"Hell no I don't remember a Weasley ever missing out on the chance of causing mischief or mayhem where possible"
Hermione and Mrs Weasley came outside again both carrying large covered platters.
"Just put them down at the end of the table for now dear, I will put a cooling charm on them"
Hermione complied by gently laying down the food on the table. Looking up she caught Sirius's eye and smiled gently at him causing him roll his eyes before crossing his arms in front of him still scowling.
Hermione raised her eyes heavenwards and sighing loudly turned back to go indoors again only to smile brightly at Ron and Luna who both came out the kitchen door together.
"Luna" Hermione moved over to her friend both girls hugging tightly before pulling apart
"Merlin Luna I feel like I haven't seen you in such a long time"
Smiling her gentle smile Luna agreed with her
"I know life has a way of stopping friends from getting together don't you think?"
"Yes, that and possessive boyfriends" Hermione teased Luna
"Hey" Ron protested "I'm possessive? Have you met your husband Hermione?"
Both girls chuckled at that although Hermione's face grew serious after a few seconds as she looked back over her shoulder at Sirius who was still wearing a scowl on his face whilst talking to Harry and Ginny.
Shaking her head sadly and trying hard to dampen down the feeling of extreme annoyance at Sirius's attitude she pointed towards the kitchen.
"Just going back in to give Mrs Weasley a hand with everything"
"Oh I will come with you Hermione; I would like to help too"
Luna linked her arm through Hermione's as both girls moved back towards the kitchen.
Ron crossed the garden in a few large strides and threw himself down on a chair beside Sirius.
"Hope Krumbo gets a move on I'm bloody starving"
Harry and Sirius just snorted in reply and Ginny shaking her head at her brother stood up
"I'm going to help Mum and the girls"
Watching her cross the garden for a minute Harry then turned to the other two.
"Sirius maybe you should give me your wand, just to be on the safe side. Somehow I don't think Hermione would be too pleased if you ended up hexing her friend at his special lunch"
Ron chuckled shaking his head at them both before pointing at Sirius.
"Are you joking Harry, he can do more bloody damage with his fists than his wand if he wanted to and don't forget his little trick with wandless magic".
Sirius straightened up before answering them his face creased in a frown
"Look guys if he behaves then no one has anything to worry about but I am not going to sit here and watch that tosser flirt with my wife and say just say nothing".
"That's exactly what you are going to do Sirius, I'm warning you don't you dare upset Hermione today"
Sirius jumped at the sound of his cousin's voice
"Tonks I didn't notice you two appearing"
"Yeah well that's because you were too bloody caught up griping like an old woman to these two"
She jerked her head at Harry and Ron
"Don't you think you would be better giving Hermione much need support instead of making her feel like she is committing some kind of crime by actually wanting to spend time with someone who has been a good friend to her".
"Look I'm here aren't I"
Sirius huffed as he stood up
"I'm going to find Hermione"
Turning away from his cousins angry glare and Remus's amused one Sirius strode across the garden making for the kitchen to seek out Hermione.
Sirius stomped into the kitchen drawing his brows together as she could hear the girls and Mrs Weasley but not see them. He cocked his head to the side to follow their voices and a slight smile graced his face when he discovered they were all in Mrs Weasley's large walk in pantry discussing her finest china.
"Honestly Mrs Weasley, I did not want you to go to all this trouble and how you could think this china is not good enough I will never know, it's all beautiful".
Hermione's voice drifted over to him as she backed out of the pantry her arms full of large dinner plates. Ginny, Luna and Molly following equally laden down.
Sirius quickly jumped to Hermione's side lifting the heavy crockery from her arms and setting it down on the kitchen table. He couldn't help return Hermione's grateful smile.
"Thank you Sirius"
"Were are those boys when you need them"
Mrs Weasley gently laid her precious china on the table and hurried out the back door coming back a few moments later with Ron and Harry, their respective girlfriends smirking at them as they relieved the girls of the heavy load and carried the china outside to the garden table.
Returning to her side Sirius wrapped his arm around Hermione's waist pulling her in close to him.
Hermione opened her mouth to ask if he was alright but before she could speak her attention was caught by the floo burning brightly and Bill and Fleur stepping out into the busy kitchen.
"Hey guy's" Bill greeted the girls with his usual bright smile before turning to Sirius.
"Alright there Sirius, I hope you're hungry because I hear Mum has cooked up a storm"
"I'm never one to pass up on Molly's cooking; I just hope I don't lose my appetite today"
Bill snorted as Hermione swatted his arm.
"Sirius please you promised me you would behave, that means no snide remarks as well you know".
Lifting his arm from her waist and throwing it around her shoulder instead he pulled her into his chest.
"I'm not being sarcastic or snide I really do like Molly's cooking".
She had no time to answer before the floo burned brightly once more as the twins stepped out from it closely followed by Percy and Viktor whom Hermione had arranged should meet with Viktor and bring him to the Burrow via the floo in the twins shop.
"Viktor"
Hermione exclaimed loudly as she pulled away from Sirius's embrace instead throwing her arms around Viktor's neck hugging him tightly.
Viktor picked her up easily and twirled her around.
"Mione it is so good to see you once again"
Viktor's deep voice rumbled through the busy kitchen
"Let me get a good look at you"
Hermione stepped away from him as Viktor grasped both her hands in his leaning away from her his eyes travelled from the top of her head down to her toes.
"You are even more beautiful my Mione but that does not surprise me"
He lifted her hands one at a time to his mouth and kissed the backs of them before pulling her into his embrace once more.
"Why you fucking……"
Quick as a flash Percy grabbed Sirius's wand from his outstretched hand and moved to stand in front of him, his hands on his shoulder's
"Easy there mate"
Hermione and Viktor on hearing the exchange pulled apart and turned to face the occupants of the kitchen. As Hermione opened her mouth to introduce Viktor to everyone he suddenly moved away from her side as he spotted Fleur standing quietly beside Bill a very amused expression on her beautiful face.
"Fleur how wonderful to see you again"
Viktor moved forward and repeated his hand kissing ritual he used on Hermione just moments earlier
"Viktor it is lovely to see you looking so well and so very handsome"
Fleur teased as she lifted her arms to wrap around his neck kissing him soundly on both cheeks.
Stepping away from her Viktor brought his hand to Fleur's just barely there pregnant stomach
"Fleur you are going to be a mother"
He smiled at her, his smile dropping when he heard a very obvious growl coming from her husband.
This time it was Bill's turn to be in the spotlight as everyone in the kitchen either looked at him in alarm or in amusement.
Clicking his heels together and bowing low Viktor immediately apologised
"Forgive me Bill I was too forward but I would like to offer my congratulations"
Bill moved forward to wrap his arm around the back of his wife's waist
"Thank you Viktor"
Hermione cleared her throat loudly
"Yes well, Viktor you remember Mrs Weasley and Ginny"
Viktor moved over to Mrs Weasley and bowed low lifting her hand and kissing the back of it.
"It's a pleasure Mrs Weasley. Thank you once again for inviting me to your lovely home"
"Oh well" Mrs Weasley flustered as the girls round her giggled quietly to themselves
Turning his attention to Ginny Viktor again bowed low and lifted her hand to his lips to kiss it.
"Miss Weasley you also grow more beautiful, I should curse the time I have been made to spend away from such beauties"
Hermione, Mrs Weasley and Ginny all giggled in a very uncharacteristic show of giddiness"
Sirius rolled his eyes heaven ward and firmly took hold of his wand from Percy's grip as Percy stared unbelievably at his mother and sister acting so girly in front of him.
Pulling Luna forward Hermione introduced her to Viktor.
"Viktor I would like you to meet my very good friend Luna, Luna this is Viktor"
Luna blushed very charmingly and smiled her gentle smile as Viktor turned the full blast of his charm on her.
Taking Viktor's hand and pulling him towards Sirius, Hermione continued
"Viktor I would like you to meet my husband Sirius, Sirius this is Viktor"
Hermione's smile faltered slightly as she took in Sirius's aggressive stance.
Viktor clicked his heels together as he quickly bowed and held his hand out for Sirius to shake.
"I am very happy to meet my Mione's husband"
Sirius slowly looked down at the hand being offered to him and lifted his eyes once more to meet Viktor's, keeping his own hands firmly by his side.
"Sirius" Hermione hissed at him
"What?" Sirius replied never once taking his eyes from Viktor
"Don't be so rude"
Sirius snorted
"I'm not being rude my love" he spoke to Viktor now
"Just so we are clear Mione" he stressed Viktor's use of Hermione's nickname "is mine not yours not anybody else's in this room, mine"
"Sirius" Hermione shrieked now
Both men stood sizing each other up Sirius with a hard calculating look and Viktor with a slightly smug amused one.
"Honestly" Hermione grabbed hold of Viktor's arm and tugged to get his attention
"Come on lets go into the garden, we are having lunch out there today Viktor I hope you don't mind, the others are already out in the garden as well so lets go say hello"
Pulling Viktor along with her towards the kitchen door Hermione turned to glare at Sirius over her shoulder. After a moments silence Mrs Weasley, Ginny & Luna followed them.
"Fuck me Sirius you are going to have one frosty wife the next few days if you keep this up all through lunch"
"Bill, don't use language like that in front of the baby" Fleur held her hands protectively over her stomach as she also flounced from the kitchen into the garden.
The five men all left in the kitchen stood looking at each other before the twins broke down in gales of laughter.
Percy rolled his eyes at them
"What's so bloody funny, I hope you are not up to anything because this lunch is already nightmarish enough as it is".
Still in peals of laughter the twins also exited for the garden leaving just Sirius, Bill & Percy.
"Come on before that git has himself wrapped round Hermione, I want to make sure she sits beside me"
As the three men made their way outside Bill patted Sirius on the shoulder.
"For gods sake Sirius don't lose your temper this afternoon, I don't think I could take the earache from the girls if a fight breaks out here today"
---XXXX---
Viktor did indeed sit beside Hermione for lunch with Ginny on his other side, both Sirius and Harry sat opposite them, the former throwing very dark looks over the table whilst Harry tired his hardest not to scowl every time Viktor spoke to Ginny.
Lunch was almost over the party just finishing off the most delicious strawberries and cream. The strawberries coming direct from the large strawberry patch at the back of the garden.
Hermione turned to Viktor
"So Viktor are you enjoying this tournament, it must be very exciting for you all, I know we are all looking forward to seeing you play tomorrow night"
Viktor turned so his full attention was on Hermione
"It's been wonderful, tomorrow night will be a real crunch game as we are on the same number of points as England, but of course tomorrow will show who is the superior team"
"Oh how exciting Viktor I do hope you win"
All conversation at the table stopped as everyone looked at Hermione incredulously.
Feeling her face heat up from being the centre of attention again she looked helplessly around for someone to back up her statement.
Taking pity on her Viktor spoke up.
"Is everyone here coming tomorrow night, I am sure I could arrange some more tickets if they are needed"
"No, no we have enough don't we guys"
Hermione looked over at Harry and Ron biting down her irritation as they both mumbled incoherently.
Hermione could feel her shoulders start to slump. This lunch was a bad idea, poor Viktor was either getting the cold shoulder from half the table or outpourings of love and adoration from the other half. She was also starting to feel very tired and would have gave anything just to put her head down on the table and sleep for 10 minutes with the combination of tiredness and constantly trying to keep the conversation going her temper was starting to break. Narrowing her eyes at Harry and Ron she lifted her foot under the table meaning to give them a warning kick but her legs fell a little short and she ended up kicking Sirius right in the shin.
Sirius jumped up
"Ouch what the fuck was that for"
Hermione looked up at him in alarm
"Oh sorry I did not mean to get you I was aiming for the git sitting next to you"
Harry looked up
"What, why did you want to kick me? He asked his voice accusing
"I was just trying to get your attention that's all, I was telling Viktor how much you are all looking forward to tomorrow night, how you all asked me, no in fact in Ron's case begged me to ask you to get us tickets, is that not right Ron?"
Ron's eyes grew wide as everyone's attention was now on him
"Oh well, of course, em it should be a good game"
Hermione rolled her eyes at him
"Any way Viktor thank you so much for the tickets it was really kind of you"
"It is no problem Mione; I am flattered that you wish to come watch me play maybe if you enjoy it you will come to more of my games"
Sirius interrupted
"I don't think so, Hermione will not have time to go traipsing to Bulgaria to watch quidditch, besides it would be far to dangerous"
Sirius's drawl was low and dangerous only a few around the table recognised the barely controlled rage in his voice.
Viktor gave him a short smirk across the table.
"Ah well maybe my news will make a difference"
He paused for effect looking around the table.
"After the tournament there will be an announcement regarding my future. I will not be returning to play in Bulgaria I am in fact signing for a team right here in England for a record signing on fee, so you see it will be much easier for us to keep in touch Mione, in fact I was thinking of offering my services to your school for flying lessons. The team I am signing for are very keen on working with children in the magical community and your Madam Hooch was always very kind to me, maybe I will also keep my promise to get you on a broom, yes I think that is a challenge I will enjoy"
He looked directly over to Sirius now before announcing
"Yes it is decided I will teach my Mione to fly"
Sirius flew at him across the table sending dishes flying in all directions
"I'm going to fucking kill you, you tosser"
"Sirius stop"
Hermione shrieked at the top of her voice as Remus, Harry and Bill leapt to their feet taking the strength of all three of them to hold Sirius back
Hermione turned to Viktor
"Viktor I know what you are trying to do, what possible reason could you have for deliberately trying to goad my husband?"
Viktor stood up facing Sirius and the three men still holding on to him
"I apologise Sirius, Hermione wrote to me that you were a little bit uncomfortable with our relationship. I admit after meeting you in the kitchen I have went out of my way to push you. Hermione means a great deal to me and I had to make sure that her husband was capable of protecting her. I can see now that your depth of feelings for my lovely friend and I hope you will forgive my little prank"
Sirius shrugged off the hands gripping him and moved over to stand in front of Viktor, both men eye to eye
"For some reason my wife considers you a friend as hard as that is for me to accept I trust her. I do not however trust you and I warn you do not push me again, one wrong move from you and I will do serious damage to your person, do you understand me?"
Viktor bowed his head and held his hand out to Sirius to shake
"Truce"
Sirius looked at Hermione who was also standing; she was chewing on her bottom lip always a sign that she was stressed and Sirius felt his heart melt. He could see the tiredness in her features. This lunch had been incredibly stressful for her he knew and the potion she was on was making her very tired he wanted to take her home for a nap but knew she would never leave with him if he continued with his current behaviour towards the tosspot. Shaking his head slightly Sirius quickly held his hand out and taking Viktor's in the shortest handshake in history
"Well" Viktor looked around the garden and smiled making his way to Mrs Weasley he bowed low and lifted her hand to his lips.
"Madam Weasley my congratulations on a wonderful lunch, rarely have I tasted food to rival yours. I am overwhelmed by your hospitality towards me and I cannot thank you enough for inviting me here today"
"Oh well young man it has been our pleasure hasn't it Arthur"
Mrs Weasley beamed up at him.
Viktor reached into his pocket pulling out his wand he shot green stars from it high into the sky.
"What the hell was that?" Percy jumped up also pulling his wand
"It's alright Percy just watch"
Hermione spoke gently as she pointed to the sky. Seconds later a dark shaped could be seen in the clear blue sky, as it got nearer it was easily identifiable as Viktor's owl.
"I have seen him call for his owl that way before"
Hermione turned from looking up to the sky to smile as Viktor.
Viktor held his arm out as his owl landed neatly on his arm dropping his package into Viktor's outstretched palm.
"Thank you" Viktor gently stroked the birds head before it immediately took off again.
With another flourish of his wand the little package grew into the largest bouquet of flowers Hermione had ever seen. Viktor bowed low to Mrs Weasley again.
"Madam for you, a small token of my thanks for your hospitality today"
Mrs Weasley was beside herself.
"Oh my goodness there was no need, oh these are just beautiful"
She beamed at him as she held the flowers up for everyone's inspection.
Hermione smiled her thanks at Viktor
"That was very kind of you Viktor and very thoughtful thank you"
Viktor pick up her hand in his.
Walk with me to the apparition point, I will return directly to my quarters at the team hotel. Coming here via your Diagon Alley attracted quite a bit of attention earlier"
"Oh right, em well"
Hermione looked round at the table looking for Sirius and jumping slightly when she heard his voice right behind her.
"I will come with you"
Sirius threw his arm around Hermione's shoulder and pulling her close started to walk towards the back of the long garden, Viktor quickly falling into step beside them. When they reached the Burrow boundary Sirius stopped still holding on tightly to Hermione
"I had a wonderful time today Mione thank you for inviting me, perhaps next time I can visit you in your own home, you can help me with ideas for decorating my flat the team are purchasing for me"
"oh well Viktor school starts back in 4 days time and I am going to be spending most of my year there but you know I will always be happy for you to visit me there, maybe we could meet up at Hogsmeade for a coffee or something"
"Yes I would like that very much"
Viktor moved forward and Hermione felt Sirius stiffen up beside her.
Bowing low once Viktor smiled up at Hermione before winking up at her.
Straightening up again he nodded his head at Sirius.
"Sirius it has been a pleasure"
Stepping back Viktor lifted his wand and turning in a sharp half circle disappeared with a loud snap.
"Oh I forgot to ask him what team he has signed for"
There was a series of tiny little crackles and both Hermione and Sirius looked up at the sparkling quill writing something in the sky just above their heads
"What the hell?"
Sirius move back from it pulling Hermione with him.
As the sparkly quill finished its scrawl Hermione gasped and burst out into gales of laughter. Right above their head in bright orange and gold writing were the words 'Chudley Cannons'