A Chance Encounter

Cedric frowned as he walked towards the changing room showers. He could hear the water running, but the showers should have been empty. He hadn't seen anyone else on the Quidditch pitch, and it was late enough that he couldn't see why anyone would risk being caught out of bed after-hours just to take a shower.

The mystery of who was occupying the shower at this late hour was soon solved when Cedric rounded the corner and found himself with an eyeful of very wet, very naked Viktor Krum. Cedric gaped at the well-built Bulgarian before remembering his manners.

"Sorry! I didn't realize anyone was, er, in here..."

Viktor turned the shower off abruptly. "I do not shower in castle. This is closer to ship, and I do not haff to see giggling girls everyvere."

Cedric felt his lips twitch upwards slightly. "The girls are an annoyance, aren't they?"

Viktor nodded, and—much to Cedric's relief—finally tied a towel around his waist. It did nothing to hide his muscular chest, however. "I do not care for them one bit."

"I know what you mean," Cedric said. "I deal with them too. Not as much as you, though, of course. I'm not a professional player or anything."

"You are very good, though," Viktor said thoughtfully. "I votch you fly. You could be professional."

Cedric felt his cheeks flush, and he shifted his weight from one foot to the other while he tried to think of a composed reply. "Wow. That's...thanks."

Viktor granted him a rare smile. "Maybe ve could practice together sometime."

Cedric nodded vigorously, hardly able to believe his luck. Viktor Krum wanted to practice with him. He certainly wasn't going to pass up the offer to train with such a legendary player, and he wanted to clarify what exactly Viktor had meant when he said that he didn't care for the giggling girls one bit.


WC: 316