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Chapter 21
After leaving Lavender, Viktor spent the rest of the morning remonstrating himself and then a good portion of the afternoon drinking in the hotel's bar without the benefit of a Sober-Up potion. Without the benefit of his new friends. Without the benefit of anything worthwhile. His only companion, enormous guilt. He was just switching over to something with less alcohol when his coach sat down next to him.
Speaking in their native tongue, Dimitar asked, "Kakvo se e sluchilo (what has happened), Viktor? Tova ne e kato teb, da piesh tolkova silno (this is not like you, to be drinking so heavily)."
Wiping a hand down his face, Viktor said, "English, Dimi. It vould do you good as vell to be practicing."
Snorting, Dimi replied in halting English, "Vhat good it do me? Have no need as you. It is you that is needing to learn. You taking job at Hogvarts? Or has offer been vithdrawn, this vhy you drink?"
Viktor knew that his coach was hoping that he would change his mind and remain with the team for a few more years. He had incalculable respect for the older wizard for without him, he wouldn't have the career he did today. That said, he was ready to do more with his life than fly around on the newest model of broomstick.
Even if things didn't work out with Hermione, he would probably still retire from the Quidditch circuit. Taking on the Potions Professor's position would be perfect, and perhaps he could even help out by volunteering as an advisor to the school Quidditch teams. Still, could he be that close to Hermione if she did choose not to have him in her life? The subject would still need careful thought before a decision was made.
"Have not decided on Professorship." Dimi grunted. Ignoring his coach's miserable reaction, Viktor went on to add, "Is not vhy I drink. I have hurt a most vonderful voman. That is vhy I drink."
Dimitar looked at his star players tightly drawn features before reaching a conclusion. "Ahhh, Lavender?" At Viktor's affirmative nod, Dimitar asked, "There is reason for break-up?" Viktor turned his grim face away, staring into his glass despondently, but Dimitar saw a quick flash of guilt and finally understood. "Ahhh," he said again. "There is other voman involved."
"I should have not got so caught up vith Lavender, the vay I did. I knew I give only little bit of me to her and I still vent forward vith relationship." Slapping his hand down on the bar, Viktor exclaimed angrily, "All my fault! I am solely to blame!"
Motioning to the hovering barmaid, Dimi ordered a Fire-Whiskey, giving the much younger woman a roguish wink. Blushing furiously, the pretty witch handed the other man his glass, fluttering her eyelashes in a coquettish fashion.
Having watched the exchange, Viktor gave his coach an indulgent look. Dimi had to be at least thirty-five to forty years her senior and yet, it never stopped his coach from flirting outrageously. He was still a relatively fine looking man. Running drills with his team kept him from going to fat, maintaining a sturdy build with strong, sinewy muscles. Constant exposure to the elements gave his face a healthy, weathered countenance, which women of all ages found attractive.
"Do you think your vife be happy vith all this frolicking outside of vows, Dimi," Viktor asked with a small chuckle.
Downing his whiskey in one go, his coach answered, "Bah! She not mind. Ve have agreement vhen I travel vith team." Viktor quirked an eyebrow. "Flora can do as she pleases vhile I'm avay and same can I do."
Viktor had met Flora on a few occasions and while she hadn't ever seemed particularly possessive of her husband, she did tend to give the impression of being totally devoted to him. She was a good-looking woman with dark brown hair and startlingly pretty blue eyes along with a sweet disposition. It was a nice change from his previous wife who had looked as if she was quite capable of hexing many of the witches who frequently had given Dimi the side-eye of interest. At present, Flora was wife number five, and she was by far the nicest. Viktor had wondered if this one would go the distance.
Divorce was not frowned upon in the Wizarding world. In the old families, an ancient rite was generally performed after the official marriage ceremony had been completed. The rite determined the compatibility factor of the magic between the wedded witch and wizard. It was unfortunate that this rite could not be performed before the saying of the marriage vows. When questioned on the why of this, Viktor had been told that Magic worked in mysterious ways.
More often than not, this rite did indeed bless their magics as compatible. If the opposite presented itself, and they were not compatible, a dissolution of the marriage could take place if both parties agreed to it. However, if magic did determine that the witch and wizard magical signatures would not work in harmony, and both parties wished to remain married, it was allowed. If one or the other wished for a dissolution of the vows based on the rite outcome, it was done immediately.
Choosing to remain tied by the marriage vows when deemed incompatible, was a chancy venture for both parties. This inherent lack of magical unity often resulted in difficulty for the witches in question to conceive or carry a child to full term. Even with this risk factor, the majority of Pure-blooded bigots would still rather run the chance of not producing an heir versus 'tainting' their blood with Muggle-born witches and wizards. There had even been those against Pure-bloods marrying themselves to Half-bloods. It was all pure idiocy in Viktor's opinion.
Fortunately, more often than not, the couple marrying managed to be able to engender a decent enough blessing to appease the Gods. Surprisingly, even those going into the matrimonial state without the benefit of genuine love managed to produce a slight glow of approval. While not optimum, it did prove just enough for the old names to be carried on by an ensuing child. The Malfoys, along with other prominent families, came to mind.
As for those who managed mighty magical bond, well… look at the Weasley's. They had produced an exorbitant number of off-spring. The same could be said of a few other Wizarding families of Viktor's acquaintance, although not in such high numbers as the aforementioned couple. Viktor's own parents had produced two sons and a daughter which said much of the compatibility between them.
Viktor's older brother had taken over the reins of the Krum businesses but had been so occupied with those business ventures, that he hadn't had time to pursue a wife. His older sister, Aleksandra had not fared so well in the pursuit of marriage. The wizard she had chosen was infinitely inferior. Not in Blood as Viktor's family did not subscribe to such nonsence. No, that mans' defects were in his loathsome character and grasping nature concerning money and station in life.
Aleksandra would not listen when they had tried to dissuade her from marrying a wizard notorious for his philandering ways along with all his other failings. She had refused to hear any ill-words spoken about her chosen husband. All could see there was no authentic love in that blackguards heart for his sweet and gentle – though pig-headed – sister. When the magical marriage rite had not produced even the slightest bit of agreement for their joining in the marital state, she refused to renounce her vows.
The result being that of years in trying to produce a viable child. In desperation Aleksandra had sought assistance through various potions and spell-casting. Initially, this unconventional way of dealing with infertility had the desired affect. His sister had been ecstatic upon learning of her pregnancy and took great care that nothing impede the growth of her much desired child. It was a devastating blow to Viktor's family when the child was still-born and his sister had died of complications due to ingesting substances not meant to be used indefinitely. Her 'bereaved' spouse had waited barely a month before snagging another wealthy woman as his bride.
Viktor thought that the entire magical rite was an archaic and unnecessary practice. His opinion was that if two people wanted to join their lives together, then true love was the only way of guaranteeing success in the marriage venture as well as that of the propagation of progeny. In his mind, both the witch and the wizard should know well beforehand if they were right for each other on every level. Only the deepest of love would induce him into the permanent state of marriage, especially if children did follow. Children created in love, were the only off-spring he was interested in siring.
He had long ago informed his parents that he would not abide by this arranged marriage nonsense which was so prevalent amongst Pure-blood families. It was true that this was practiced mainly in the British Isles and Southern Europe and not so much in Bulgaria. Never-the-less, Viktor had wanted to make his wishes clear. His parents own marriage had been arranged, but they'd had the added benefit of caring for each other before marrying before eventually falling deeply in love with one another.
As for his marrying any time soon? Well, the professional Quidditch life-style tended to put a strain on most relationships. It was why the majority of his team-mates remained single. There were a few who were married, but they didn't often stay that way. The ones who had received a special dispensation for their spouses to travel along with the team had fared much better. But, even then, the grueling schedule of practices and games, left little time or energy to give to a husband or a wife.
"This vould not suit me if I vas married man," Viktor admitted, trying keep the censure out of his voice.
Dimi let out a hearty laugh. "Of course not! You vould be faithful to the end and demand the same of your chosen vife. This make me vonder if this be part of talk of retirement. At first, I thought Lavender had put thoughts of matrimony in your head, but is not case. No?"
"No," Viktor agreed quietly. "She is fine vitch. I like her much, but not to marry. I vish I had not hurt her so. Hoping to be her friend one day."
Ordering another whiskey, Dimi said, "Then, it must be the Granger voman."
"How you know this?" Viktor wondered, having told no one of his meeting Hermione for coffee.
"Pfft," Dimi responded. "First clue, ve be back vhere she is. I vell remember how you pine for her for long time. That face of yours light up vhen her letters come. Vhen letters stop, I see drastic change in you. I see change again recently, for the better this time, so I think you have seen the Granger vitch. Is reasonable assumption, no?"
"Is true, vhat you say, I have seen her."
Dimi went on to say, "I thought vas the case. Vhen you say nothing of it and nothing seem to come of meeting her again, I think it vas because you had found happiness vith Lavender."
"I vas content vith Lavender," Viktor corrected. "Thought vas enough. Vas vrong."
Downing his second whiskey, Dimi asked, "Vould still be vith her if not for reunion with skŭpa tvoya (your dear one)?
Shaking his head, Viktor answered honestly. "I do not know. As I say, I vas content vith Lavender. She smart and amusing companion. It vas easy relationship." Pausing a moment in reflection, he murmured almost to himself. "Perhaps too easy. Could be I need to be more challenged. Like in Quidditch if there is not a challenge to force me to greatness and to be better player, it vould not be vorthwhile. In the end I vould grow bored, I think."
From a breast-pocket of his robes, Dimi pulled a slim silver case, picking out one of the specially made brand of cigarettes he smoked far too much in Viktor's opinion. With a small swish of his wand, his Coach lit the end, inhaling deeply. Blowing out several perfect circles, Dimi remarked quietly, "Is right you call it off then. Sounds like even vithout the Granger voman it vould have ended at some point."
Shrugging, Viktor went on to say. "Lavender good company, as I say. Did not feel so alone vith her. I see now vas vrong of me give hope to her. I feel like masovo drŭpvane (massive jerk)."
Viciously stubbing out his cigarette. Dimi scoffed. "You being masovo drŭpvane right now! You did not mean to cause her pain. Seeing old love avaken your heart once more. Cannot help vhen heart sing for another. Do not be so hard on self."
Viktor knew that his coach was correct. In matters of love, there was no denying the strong pull of the one meant to be an everlasting soul-mate. Hermione was his, there was no doubt. He'd discovered the truth long ago, but she was too young to see this for herself while suffering under a delusional hankering after worthless Weasley boy.
Now, his chance with her was before him once more, and he could not let this opportunity pass him by. Hurting Lavender had been a sad, albeit unavoidable byproduct and he would be metaphorically lashing himself for quite some time for the suffering he had caused with his cowardly and inexcusable behavior. If he had kept things with her casual, as he had done with the others, perhaps this all would have ended differently. Less painfully. Yes, he was to blame. Lavender was an innocent victim.
Sighing Viktor admitted, "I recognize truth of vhat you say, but still regret much in regard to Lavender. She remarkable voman in so many vays. To make her unhappy, fill me vith grief."
"Viktor," Dimi began, sounding serious. "Grieve if you must, but do not let that grief ruin the happiness you may have to come. I recall vhen you return from Hogvarts, how one minute you happy and next miserable because of young vitch you met there. It vas hard to see this in you. If things vork out this time vith her, must not let anything stand in vay of joy you will find in one another. Some of us not so lucky to get second chance vith true beloved."
Softly, Viktor commented, "Sound like you speak from experience."
For a moment Dimi said nothing, then with a great deal of wistfulness in his voice, whispered, "Sound like that because it is true."
Viktor wasn't sure what to say. This was as personal a conversation as he had ever had with his Coach. All that the entire team really knew was that Dimi had a tendency to go through wives at an alarming rate. Truthfully, it was a team joke. A team joke that Dimi participated in with seeming relish. Now, that Viktor knew that there was genuine heartbreak behind Dimi's mischievous eyes whenever they ribbed him on his many failed matrimonial prospects, the joking was now not in the least bit humorous.
"I apologize for all times I make remarks on marital status and number of vives," Viktor assured him solemnly. "Vill not happen again."
With a flourish of his hand, Dimi waved away Viktor's concerns. "Pish! It not matter. Is all in fun, this I know."
"Still, is not appropriate to treat you in such a manner," Viktor insisted with a slight frown.
"Oh, stop!" Dimi bit out angrily. "This not about me! This about you! I not vant pity, you nemoshten (feeble-minded idiot)! Only vant to say that after done feeling sorry for self, make intentions known to your vitch before another steal her avay! I not vant to have to deal vith your moods if that happen! I vill bench your zadnik (ass) before having to vatch you mope again! Now, conversation over! Ve talk of this no more! Understand?"
Dimi was now giving him the – 'I am your coach, you will obey me instantaneously or you will sit on a broom practicing maneuvers until your limbs feel as if they are going to fall off – look. Viktor knew that look well. Clearly, they were back to the coach-player dynamic and all personal sharing was at an end. Never-the-less, he was grateful for the advice and the push in Hermione's direction, regardless of how it would affect Lavender so soon after their own parting of ways. Because he was well aware that Hermione was a much sought after witch, to tarry in making sure she was his, would be tempting fate.
Viktor had not been in the least surprised that Auror Diggory was also pursuing Hermione. In fact, he wondered if there were other wizards out there besides Cedric who had plans on 'stealing her away' as Dimi had so eloquently put it. At the Yule Ball, Hermione had attempted to bring Viktor into her small, inner circle of friends. Weasley's obvious jealousy that she had been escorted by his hero, had made that an impossible mission where the younger wizard had been concerned.
At that point in time, Viktor had thought that Harry showed no interest in befriending him for a myriad amount of reasons. For one, they had been opponents in the Tournament. Also, it was natural for Harry to side with his best friend, even if that was a supremely idiotic thing to do since Weasley did not deserve such staunch support. He'd even thought that perhaps the younger wizard had been jealous of his abilities as a Seeker. Not once had it crossed Viktor's mind that Harry might have had his own unspoken romantic feelings for Hermione. Not then… but now he wondered.
When Harry had spoken of Hermione at the bar, there had been an intangible something that gave a hint to his feeling more than mere friendship. Clearly, during their time together on the run, they had clung to each other desperately. Even more so when that worm Weasley had deserted them. Viktor had heard the same wistful longing in Harry's voice that had been in Dimi's while speaking of the one that got away. Ruefully, Viktor acknowledged that he understood both men on losing out on that one special witch.
That said, he had no plans on stepping aside for Cedric. Nor Harry either for that matter, if it did in fact turn out that he was harboring more than friendly feelings toward Hermione. Viktor would speak of his love for her and let the chips fall where they may. Ideally, Hermione would return the sentiment. If not, well… he would be disappointed, crushed inside, but he would respect her wishes. He must gather his courage in the face of her possible rejection. As his Mama frequently said, Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.
With gratitude in every word, Viktor simply said, "Thank you, Coach." Leaving it at that.
Switching back to Bulgarian, Dimi ordered, "Go rest. We practice in a few hours. See team healer if you need something to help you sleep. Prefer you not take anything, but you have had a long night, so I will not object if you do need a potion."
Viktor made his way back to his suite. Suddenly, he did feel quite tired. Exhausted would probably be a better word. He doubted very much that he would need anything to assist with slumbering. However, since he did have quite a head-ache coming on, he would stop in to see Branka to ask for a pain potion. She would, no doubt, give him hell for the drinking, fighting and just the out-and-out lack of rest that his 'antics' – as she would call them – had prevented him from getting and for all the trouble which had ensued.
After enduring a thorough poking and prodding, along with a good old fashioned tongue-lashing from Branka, she'd given him a pain potion which he'd gratefully downed under her watchful eye. Viktor was then finally making his way back to his rooms. As he passed the front desk he ignored the gentleman trying to flag him down with a motion of his hand. He really wasn't in the mood for conversation with a possible fan when all he wanted to do was get into his comfortable pajama bottoms and crawl under the cool sheets.
Before stepping into the lift, Viktor utilized the Disillusionment Charm wanting to avoid all contact with others. The lift did end up stopping at several floors. Fortunately, every last person exited well before he reached his own floor. He maintained the charm the entire way to his suite, giving a relieved sigh when he was finally inside with the door locked behind him. His head-ache was gone but the stress in his shoulders remained. Perhaps a short soak would be beneficial. The tub in his bathroom was the size of a pool and Viktor rarely used it, but now seemed like a perfect opportunity to do so.
He basked in the hot, lightly scented water for about half an hour and it had made a world of difference. The crick in his neck was gone and the remaining muscles felt loose and comfortably lax. Pulling on nothing but pajama bottoms, Viktor slipped between the one thousand count Egyptian cotton sheets, reveling in the luxurious comfort, before he fell immediately into a dreamless sleep.
Astoria fretted into the early afternoon as to what she should do. She had no way of knowing how long Viktor and Lavender would be engaged in their conversation. So, should she wait a bit longer for Lavender to floo call or step through without invitation? She paced to and fro the length of her receiving room several times. It took all the strength she had to not chew her nails to the qwick, such was the state of her nerves. Astoria was of the opinion, that her friend was going to need some serious support afterward. She could tell before she'd even left them alone, that Viktor was bracing himself to either hear something unpleasant or provide something unpleasant for Lavender to hear. Perhaps a bit of both.
When Lavender had first mentioned her initial night spent with the Bulgarian Seeker all those years ago, Astoria had been surprised. Not shocked, because not much shocked Astoria Greengrass, but yes, she'd been surprised. Her friend generally had a very down to earth point of view and rarely did she allow herself to stray from that firm, dark soil. Clearly, when she did decide to fly from the confines of gravity, her feet had taken her far from the ground.
The two had continued to meet on and off for years. Lavender had said that they didn't always end up in bed together, but when they did it had been really something. It was only within the last few months that they had started to go out into public together. Not often enough to set tongues wagging, but enough that Astoria knew that they'd reached a new level to their relationship. Shortly thereafter, Lavender had introduced the man to her best female friend.
Astoria hadn't known what to expect. She had been astonished to discover that he did not have an over-inflated ego despite his fame and fortune. Oliver, while extraordinary in bed, did have a slight superiority complex that had been off-putting, and while he was famous, he certainly wasn't in the same league as Viktor Krum. The Bulgarian hadn't been a talkative sort, but it had nothing to do with being a snob. He was quiet. Thoughtful. Dignified. Lavender had mentioned that he preferred staying home to going out, and only attended gatherings when strictly necessary or when it was expected of him.
When he did speak, it was worth hearing. While Viktor enjoyed Quidditch immensely, it wasn't the sole topic of his conversation unlike Oliver who droned on and on about the sport as if there was nothing else of importance to discuss. At least that's how it had appeared to Astoria. Viktor had assured her that there was much more to her past lover than merely broomsticks and quaffles. Supposedly, when he wasn't out to impress, Oliver could converse on a wide variety of subjects and was, according to Viktor, quite interesting.
Astoria herself never got to see that side of the man, but perhaps he was always out to impress her. He had fulfilled that promise wonderfully on a physical level but failed miserably elsewhere. It had been one of the reasons that Astoria had stopped seeing Oliver. While the sex was impressive, she was looking for more than that from the men in her life. Reflecting back on the evening before, Draco Malfoy came to mind.
Now there was an interesting wizard. Their conversation hadn't been lengthy, but it had been intriguing. Certainly, he had been one of the most attractive men present at that abysmal failure of a soiree. He hadn't recognized her, which had been highly entertaining considering they had played together often enough as children. At one point, she had thought that Daphne might snag the handsome and obscenely wealthy man, but at the age of eleven, he had then become affianced to Pansy Parkinson.
Astoria had been off at school in the Muggle world when the scandal of the decade had gone down. Parkinson had virtually dumped Malfoy at the alter. For a sheikh or sultan or some such nonsense along those lines. Her sister had been excited by this turn of events, hoping to possibly catch the wizard on the rebound. Such was not the case. Draco had embraced his new-found freedom as a bachelor with a vengeance. When she'd returned home for the Holidays, Astoria had heard rumor after lewd rumor on the younger Lord Malfoy's sexual conquests and exploits.
She'd been busy with her own studies, so other than Daphne regaling her with tidbits, Astoria paid it all no mind. She'd had more important things to focus on other than Malfoy's timely escape and Pansy's expulsion from the Parkinson family for embarrassing them all in such a heinous manner. Astoria had just been finishing up her Masters Degree in Child Psychology and was in the process of beginning her Doctoral.
Her family hadn't understood why she just couldn't train as a Mind-Healer in the Wizarding World, and be done with it. Although they might not have understood, they had indulged her wishes for which she was grateful. The probability of her training as a Mind-healer was quite high as well too. Her hopes were of combining the two studies in order to help those youngsters – Muggle and Magical – whose lives had been damaged by the War even still all these years later.
It had come as a delightful surprise to discover that Draco Malfoy – of all people – was involving himself in the restoration of the Magical and Muggle community. The shocker had been that he was also in favor of incorporating accommodations for those referred to as Squibs, a hopelessly derogatory term that Astoria was all in favor of doing away with. Still, it did appear as if her world was making some progress by including Muggle children and families of magical folk as well as Squibs in taking care of their needs and allowing them access to the magical community.
Astoria dithered for another few minutes before deciding to Floo through to Lavender's place. Her friend lay crumpled on the sofa sobbing uncontrollably. It was as she feared. Viktor had ended their relationship. Crossing the room, Astoria enveloped her distraught friend in a loose embrace, rocking her gently, crooning words of comfort into her ear.
"It's over," Lavender finally managed to get out between her sobs.
"I'm so sorry," Astoria whispered. "Is there anything I can do?"
"Break out the scotch," Lavender suggested with a small watered down, broken laugh. Sitting back, Lavender conjured a lace kerchief, dabbing at her face. "I knew he wasn't as invested in this whole thing as I was, but I still thought that we could build something worthwhile together."
Astoria didn't know what to say. While she had hoped Lavender and Viktor would be able to make a go of it long-term, she had seen the signs of it not happening. She liked Viktor and the same could not be said of the majority of her friends' past lovers. Still, she thought it was a rotten thing he'd done by stringing her friend along even if Lavender had gone willingly knowing in her heart of hearts their relationship was doomed to end sooner or later. They'd both been deceiving themselves.
Astoria walked to where a decanter of scotch was placed, pouring both of them a good two fingers worth of the amber liquid. "His treatment of you has been abominable," she bit out angrily. Handing the scotch to Lavender, she continued, "It isn't as if he didn't know that to show you favoritism wouldn't lead to certain expectations. From you and the general public."
Sipping at her glass, Lavender grimaced at the taste before saying quietly, "But, that's just it, isn't it? For most of our time together he didn't exactly show public partiality to me, did he? Because of that, how can I claim to be suffering from disappointed hopes?"
Clicking her tongue in aggravation, Astoria answered back, sounding reproving. "That might have been true enough to begin with, but for months it's been clear that there was more to his attentions. Don't make excuses for him, Lavender!"
"I'm not," the other woman bit out ferociously. "I'm merely giving him his due because he hadn't made it obvious. If he had, we would have hit the front page of every newspaper known to Wizarding-kind." Astoria gave an inelegant snort of derision. "It's true, Astoria! The only person who saw more was you!" After a pause, she added in a pained whisper. "And, me."
Eyes wide and incredulous, Astoria demanded, "Surely you're not blaming yourself?!"
Placing the half-full class on the coffee table, Lavender murmured, "No, of course not, but we both thought there was more because we wanted there to be more. Me, for myself obviously and you because you're my dear friend and wanted me to be settled and happy."
Taking a much deeper swallow than Lavender, Astoria admitted reluctantly, "All right. You make some valid points on his behavior and our expectations. I suppose even though what you say is true, I can't help feeling angry at him regardless."
Bleakly, Lavender commented, patting the other woman's' hand. "I appreciate your support. It means the world to me." Her words were quite ironic given that Lavender seemed to be comforting her as if she had suffered the break-up instead of the other way around.
"It'll be okay, Astoria. Eventually. I won't be getting over it anytime soon, and I'll probably spend masses of my time weeping into my pillow. Still, I must confess that he did the right thing. I wasn't ready to hear it, but it was me who brought the topic of Hermione Granger into our conversation. Viktor said it was brave of me and that he had planned to put off discussing the issue until things had calmed down a bit. In essence, he referred to himself as a coward. And, in the end, he did take accountability for it all."
So, it had all come down to Hermione Granger after all. "That was decent of him," Astoria remarked, sounding a tad sarcastic.
"Oh stop!" Lavender rebuked her friend, but there was no real heat behind it. "You liked Viktor, don't deny it."
"I did," Astoria readily agreed, downing the rest of her scotch. "He was far superior to any other bloke you've dated. A mass improvement on that Boot fellow, for sure."
Reluctantly, Lavender said, "Yes, it's true that a few of my choices have been less than admirable. It was one of the reasons why Viktor was so perfect."
Lavender dabbed at her eyes again. Astoria could tell that her friend was gearing up for another bout of tears. "He listened to me when I spoke. He took me seriously. On top of that, he wasn't always trying to get me into the bedroom for a quick tumble. It felt good to be seen in that different light when most wizards wouldn't have even thought there was more to me. He saw more in me, and I liked that. A lot."
"Lavender," Astoria began gently, taking her friends' trembling hand. "Viktor saw those things in you because they are there, they are true. You do have more to offer. The difference between him and the other blokes was that you let him see your genuine self through letters and conversations. Before Viktor, it was all superficial flirting and coasting by on your looks and charming nature. I think, for a time, you didn't want wizards to see anything more than what you had to offer physically."
Sniffing while looking slightly abashed, Lavender admitted with a wry twist to her lips, "I suppose that after Christian went off on his travels 'to find himself' I did sort of did go off the rails a bit."
That fact that Lavender had brought up her only other serious relationship was surprising since after Christian had done his runner, she had point blank refused to discuss him. Her friend had been devastated but had bottled it all up inside, subsequently losing herself in the physical release that other wizards had to offer while holding herself aloof on a more deeper level. Until Viktor had come into her life, that is.
Picking at the scalloped edges of her linen hankie, Lavender commented truthfully, "He really hurt me. Christian, I mean. Of course, Viktor has as well, but with Christian I'd had this delusional idea that he had been going to propose. I hadn't gotten close to that far in my thinking of Viktor in that way, so yeah, I'm hurting but he didn't lead me on by speaking of marriage. Whereas, Christian and I had discussed it. Multiple times! Instead of a ring, he'd dropped the bombshell of his leaving in my lap."
Almost wildly, Lavender exclaimed, "I mean, he didn't even let on that anything had changed! Just took me out to dinner at one of the most exclusive restaurants around – and don't think I don't know that he must have had to make those reservations months in advance, so he had to have known far longer than what he let on – and bought me a fabulous meal following it up with pousse-café of… 'By the way darling, I've decided to go tramping about the country-side and perhaps visit the States as well.'"
In a choked voice Lavender continued, "Do you know what I did when he said that?" Without waiting for an answer, she went on to say, "I laughed. I thought it was a joke."
"Oh my dear," Astoria murmured, feeling very keenly how dismal that scene must have been for the older witch. How blind-sided and embarrassed she must have felt when the truth of the matter had finally sunk in.
"He had to convince me that he was on the level with the whole leaving business. I simply couldn't fathom his words." Tears once more making their way down her pale features, Lavender added wretchedly, "It was as if he were speaking but I had only latched onto certain words, so nothing coming out of his mouth made any sort of sense. I couldn't… I couldn't grasp his meaning! Afterward, after he'd made his intentions plain and after I'd finally understood… well, to say that I'd felt like a complete fool would have been an understatement!"
Astoria had not known how badly things had been for Lavender. After Christian had departed, the other witch played the part of being relieved at no longer having to answer to any one wizard. She'd laughed hard and partied hard. Astoria had worried for her friend even though she'd given the impression of being perfectly fine. Once or twice, Astoria had broached the subject of Christian, hoping to help in whatever capacity she could, earning her nothing but stony silence from Lavender. Finally, she'd stopped asking or offering help all together.
Lavender had put on the façade of party-girl, living it to the hilt. Her gaiety had attracted all sorts of men, some of which she slept with and some she had merely teased and taunted. This behavior had been disturbing since it had seemed as if she had been out to purposefully lead some of them on only to cut them off at the knees with witty, cutting humor and remarks designed to humiliate. It had all confused Astoria greatly, this sudden change in her friend. Now, finally hearing her story, it all made a sad sort of sense.
Lavender, a wounded to the core witch, was out to either bed or degrade those wizards who had, at that time, orbited around her brilliantly flashing smile and her come-hither eyes. She hadn't been able to take her disgrace or grievance out on the true perpetrator without looking shrewish or weak, and Lavender was not one to expose herself to either condition. Therefore, she'd taken to viciously eviscerating the majority of men who had expressed their interest. More than likely, it had been a reflex reaction and not necessarily purposeful.
Staring Astoria straight in the eye, Lavender proclaimed vehemently, "Having suffered at the hands of a wizard who had made his intentions clear, makes be able to absolve Viktor of purposefully leading me on. There couldn't have been two more different men."
"Okay," Astoria relented. "Viktor is a good bloke in his own way. Got it. Christian was the real bastard. Check. I think we're on the same page now. Finally." Pausing Astoria remarked, pretty face earnest, "I wish… I wish you would have told me back then about Christian. I would've hexed his bollocks off and forced that hairy sack right down his throat until he choked on it!"
Lavender sputtered out several giggles in genuine amusement. "Oh, Astoria, what in the world would I ever do without you? The Gods blessed me greatly the day you became my very best friend." Laying her head lightly on Astoria's shoulder, added quietly. "I should have told you, but I was horribly embarrassed at the time. The only decent thing Christian did do, was not contradict me when I told everyone that I dumped him. When he left, it gave people the misleading impression that he was so broken up about being dumped that he couldn't stay around any longer."
Draping her arm around her friend, Astoria pulled her closer saying, "I think you're giving him far too much credit. He probably didn't want to look like the louse that he was when the truth was finally outed. As I said, I could tell that he must have done something terrible to have created such a change in you. Friends can sense these things."
"What you really mean, is that I acted out of character and you were kind enough to try and approach me on it, but I was not receptive." Astoria could feel her friend grimace against the skin of her neck. "I didn't treat you well and I absolutely didn't treat the majority of men who came after Christian well at all. Merlin! I probably made them feel as awful as Christian had made me feel."
Rubbing Lavender's arm affectionately, Astoria remarked in a soothing manner, "Maybe, but you were hurting terribly, Lavender. It's understandable, I would say."
"No," Lavender whispered, shaking her head where it lay against her friends' shoulder. "That's the easy answer. I should have bucked up and told you all about it instead of taking my rage out on others. I do regret that, honestly, I do."
"You are an inherently good person, my friend. Otherwise, you wouldn't feel guilty about your past behavior," Astoria insisted firmly. "It's pointless to dwell on such things! All of that was so long ago. The genuine Lavender Brown was momentarily eschewed by her suffering! Please, don't let this break-up with Viktor drive you back to that point."
Lavender lifted her head, gazing into Astoria's pleading eyes. "That won't happen," Lavender assured her. Astoria left out a relieved breath. "You're right, it was long ago and although I still recollect and regret my abhorrent words and actions, I did learn from it. You mustn't fret on that score."
Brushing a mass of blonde waves back off her sorrow-laden face, Astoria placed a soft kiss on Lavender's forehead. Tears welled up in friends tired, red-rimmed blue eyes. Touching foreheads together, hands still framing her quivering features, Astoria said, "Come. You need rest. I'll stay with you."
Nodding briefly, a single droplet escaped before Lavender said in a voice that quivered, "Okay, but I get the left side of the bed."
Rolling her eyes, Astoria agreed with a small grin, "Fine, but no stealing all of the covers."
Both women broke into giggles and even as Lavender's laughter mingled with a torrent of fresh tears, Astoria knew that it was no longer the weeping of the wounded but of the start of her healing. As she led her friend toward the bedroom, clutching her close, Astoria continued keeping up a slew of funny, inane chatter until there was more merriment than heartbreak to Lavender's crying.
Reminder: The first happy ending will be Hermione's and Viktor's.
Lavender will eventually find happiness of her own, so try not to worry about her.