Chapter 59 is now up at AoOO. For complete chapter and complete story, go to my profile here and click on the second link.
From Chapter 59:
Harry didn't feel like being cooped up. After classes, he and Hermione dressed warmly and decided to jog around the lake for their daily exercises and watch the sunset. They were surprised to discover Krum stretching by the water's edge.
"I alvays do calisthenics to keep fit for qvidditch." he explained. "I vould have done them at lunch-time, but zere are alvays too many silly fangirls following me then. It is too cold and dark for them now at zis time of day. Vy are you two outside now?"
"Hunh! Same as you really..." Harry grinned. "Hermione and I like to keep fit, and today I thought I'd rather be outside away from everyone. I... it sometimes feels like I can still sense everyone all around me when I'm stuck inside somewhere with a load of other people. Not claustrophobic really, just-edgy. And it's been a bit stressful the last couple of days." Harry concluded in a rather understated manner.
As the three of them jogged around the lake together, Harry explained about having to get in shape and learning how to fight for the Triwizard tournament so that he could keep up with the older champions-and stay alive. Harry even felt comfortable enough to mention their suspicions that Minister Umbridge was behind it all to try and get him killed. Krum came to a halt, his face darkening.
"Your Minister, she sounds like Hitler. Grindelvald vos von of Hitler's leading Vizards in ze Thule Society. Grindelvald slaughtered my grandfather ven he vas defending Jews and Roma in our village."
"Harry's parents were killed by someone like that too." Hermione said sadly.
"Yes, zis Voldemort character-so I have heard." They were silent for a short while after that, but another question popped into Viktor's head.
"Vot is vith Lavender and you Hermione? I like her very much, but I sense she does not like you, vich seems strange to me, as you seem qvite nice."
Hermione turned red; she didn't know what to say. Harry came to her rescue and spoke as tactfully as he could.
"It... it was after Hermione accidentally became part cat. I... I think Lavender got scared of Hermione and... erm... sometimes people don't react very well when other people are different than what they're used to and they're frightened of them."
Krum nodded glumly.
"Maybe I vill speak to her. I am sorry Hermione. I did not mean to upset you. It vos thoughtless of me to bring it up."
"It's alright... really!" Hermione squeaked; her furry ears and tail twitching anxiously. She didn't want to spoil things with Harry's new friend.
"Don't vorry Hermione. I vill not mention you directly. I just don't vant my girlfriend to become somebody who vould follow someone like your Minister. I must know zat she vill be okay with people who are different. If she cannot change, then I cannot be with someone like zat."