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Chapter 37: Heidelburg

Arriving at the coordinates that Tuppy had supplied Hermione looked round and at first thought she had got the location wrong. However everyone else was there including Tuppy so this must be the team hotel in Heidelburg, it certainly did not look like a Hotel, more like a Renaissance or Gothic castle.

Magdalena Torledo came out to greet them " Welcome to Heidelberger Schloss! Come we will get you all settled." Magdalena showed her parents guests to their floor in the family wing she explained that the castle was kept as a historical monument that Muggle tourist visited during the day as they thought the building was a ruin. This was just a cover for the magical residence and the wizarding hotel facilities in one wing of the supposedly ruined building. The private residence part of the castle was above the museum in the Gothic section of the castle.

"Formal dinner will be at 7pm, Maus is the floor elf and she will bring you down to the dining room. I suggest that you have a rest as Mother is very excited to have visitors however she is stuck in a meeting with the local Muggle government", Magdalena advised the group showing the older members of the party to their individual suite rooms.

She then turned to Hermione "We expect Mrs Figg at about 5:30pm and the Krums will be here for dinner. The rest of the team will port key in tomorrow morning. There will be some other guests tonight who you also know".

Magdalena led Hermione into a lovely suite of rooms where she was shown some of the robes and dresses that the Parisan couturier, Madam Dentelle, had sent for her. Hermione thought she would have a look at them later with Tonks. Taking time to get Hermione settled the woman ordered a tea tray from the house elves.

"Hermione I am glad I have this opportunity to speak to you in private" stated Magdalena Torlendo.

"Why Senora Torlendo is there any thing particular you wish to discuss?" Hermione politely asked.

"It is Magdalena, please Hermione. Basically I want you to know that you have a couple of allies in the wives but you also have enemies. You need to be careful when in public, as the press will always be hounding you. I just want you to be sure you are prepared to face the constant media intrusion. You are lucky as there are four cousins on the team who play with Viktor and they will always support their family first. Their wives support their husbands. So that means four wives in your back pocket and the added bonus of another cousin of Viktor's in the wives camp. I am Viktor's cousin but we are not really open about that with his teammates and many don't realise our family relationship", said the lovely witch before sipping on her cup of tea.

"Thank you for your support", responded Hermione wondering what brought this on now.

"Now for your stay here is a map of the private residence areas along with hotel areas so you know when you cross from one area to another. Mama has nominated the second sitting room on this floor as yours and Viktor's as it attached to a library. Aunty Reyna is concerned that you both have not had enough time together alone to talk about your thoughts and feelings particularly about matters related to your contracts. Viktor and one of the team are arriving tonight. They will be staying as family guests in the private residence. Carlos will be here as well", advised the Coach's wife.

"There is a ball tomorrow night so you will need to pick a gown tonight from Madam Dentelle's selection or we will be doing a mad shop tomorrow morning. The majority of the team will arrive on Sunday night and they will be in the hotel", informed Magdalena. The two witches chatted for a while until an elf came and announced that more guests had arrived. Magdalena took her leave and recommend that Hermione had a little rest before getting ready for dinner, which would be a formal affair.

Xxxx

Jordon wondered why he was going on this trip with Viktor. The Coach had basically ordered him along with a list of instructions including he need to pack his black tie gear for a ball where he would be escorting the coach's youngest sister in law to the do. Good all he needed was to be escorting a ditzy teenager to a black tie event so not what he would call fun. Life was strange decided Jordon.

Since the Paris trip life had rapidly changed for two of his friends. The team's perpetual bachelor and the baby of the squad had a gorgeous witch, shock horror. Thinking about the ring he had seen on Viktor he realized he had never seen it off him and Jordon starting to wonder if Viktor was married. His mother was not going to be happy if he had married an underage witch not when she had a contract negotiation going on. In the last couple of weeks Jordon had learnt that in Bulgaria they wear their wedding rings on the opposite hand to what they did in Australia so he was a little concerned about the ring on Viktor's right hand ring finger. If he was married she was not in residence cause Jordan had never seen her in Bulgaria.

With one friend so happy he was watching another piss his career away since Paris. Pete Griddle had insulted and assaulted a Muggle in the Paris team bistro where the woman had retaliated by dropping him to the floor making it very clear that his attentions were not wanted. Since the incident Pete had been put on suspension for two games as well receiving fines a couple of times for infractions. His attitude had changed and Jordon wondered if it was now that they were starting to see his true colours and if this was the real Pete Griddle he really did not want him as friend. Sasha had warned Pete again and then again. Thank goddess he had got his own flat when he transferred to Vratsa least he could avoid sharing shit when teammates imploded. After checking the clock he picked up his bags and apparited to Viktor's apartment as arranged to go on this port key trip.

"Sorry sir, Master Viktor is not here" was how Jordon was greeted by a strange looking house elf. The elf had some type of formal medieval uniform on and was taller than most at almost four foot. "He has asked me to take you to the family estates. Madam Krum has the port key and she has had some business to do today at the summer estate. Take my hand please"

"Give me the coordinates and I will take myself. I am a little bit old to be holding the hand of the house elf", said the affronted keeper.

"Sir wont be going anywhere without me the estate is warded and you need me to pass the wards", was the emphatic reply of the militaristic looking elf.

"Now sir take my hand" he was ordered and Jordon complied in shock thinking did that elf bloody well order me around.

As they apparited in the elf let go of his and turned to salute another elf standing there waiting for them "Commander Sir. He is here. You wanted a word, I will go and get Master Viktor".

"So you are the Australian… " commented the older elf who was just as tall as his junior officer.

"I am" drawled Jordon his eyes flicking around the room and he recognized the portrait of Madam Krum in some fancy robes above the main fireplace. So this is the main wizarding entrance for the Estate thought Jordon before he was distracted from his observations.

"I don't have it on my security file for you which region you are from?" the gruff elf demanded a response.

"I was born in the far North of the country but I was educated on the East Coast as it is a tad remote to have a magic spagic school in the middle of the never never" responded a wizard who was getting a little sarky about being kept in the dark about what was going on.

"Tell me the Muggle term used to describe people from your birth region" was the curt demand.

"I am a Top Ender", spat the blonde keeper looking now for some form of attack.

"And your birth status is Muggle born correct?" Ah here is the attack

"I know Vik does not believe in the pure blood bullshit so cut the grass you talking stoat. If you are going to raz me you can stick it up your jumper or in your case up your twisted arse. Piss off you wanker I wont take it from you it and I will make sure Vik hears of the crap you pulled."

"That explains a lot" replied the scarlet clad elf as he leaped out quickly to claim Jordon's wand hand in a crushing grip to slip a woven bracelet with metal coins over the wrist. When the elf let go Jordon could not see the bracelet, he knew it was there but could not see it or hear it. His magic felt a little different.

"Oi fuzzy features in the scarlet poncy pants what the fuck did you just do to me?" screeched the irritated wizard who could not seem to grasp his wand to hex the sodding elf.

"Ah the docent sounds and dialect words of a Top Ender. I have just given you a visitor security pass to the family estates and provided you with some other benefits which will be explained to you this evening after dinner. Now my boy I will tolerate a lot but I am the Commander of the Princess' Swiss Guard and I am quiet proud of earning the scarlet breaches. They are scarlet cause I have killed to protect the family before and I am most certainly willing to draw blood again if I feel that they are threatened. Now be a good wizard boy and sit over there", bossed Commander Lucerne as he pointed to a lounge against one wall.

So for the second time in less than half an hour Jordon had been put in his place by a taller more aggressive house elf. Jeez what to they feed them cause they ain't like this at home. I bet this pounce had never been to the Top End.

"For your information I was last in your birth region in early 1940s when I was stationed at Adelaide River" informed the Commander

"Fuck I didn't say anything", responded the surprised wizard.

"Just part of the security tag negative thoughts toward any member of the Krum household will result in a transfer of this thought to the nearest loyal Krum elf. In this case me. So put a sock in it" barked the elf. Now that was a stereotypical Australian Muggle male display of petulance.

After several minutes wondering where the heck Viktor was Jordon broke the silence with, "Fuzzy I am not a seer or anything like that but check on Pete Griddle. I have been wondering if he has been hexed or cursed if you do security you can do your job properly by looking into that."

"I will have it investigated and you know you are just like your paternal grandfather. You are a totally disrespectful wanker but I like that occasionally in my agents, only occasionally you hear boy" was a terse reply.

Bugger me! What the fuck is going on? Life is certainly getting complicated for this boy from the Bush.