I do not own Harry Potter.

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Please enjoy the next chapter.

Chapter Three

When Harry awoke the next morning, his whole body was aching. He struggled for a moment to remember what had cause the pain when it all came flooding back. Sneaking out of Hogwarts, meeting Krum and the blood adoption. He started trying to sit up, but before he could even push the blankets down a hand was on his shoulder pushing him gently back into bed and resettling the blankets under his chin.

Harry looked to see Krum standing over him a worried expression on his face.

"Please stay in bed Harry, you have had a rough night and need to rest and let your body recuperate," Krum said smoothing the soft blankets down. "I vill go and collect breakfast for us shortly from the dining room."

Harry smiled at the caring in Krum's voice, it felt nice having someone take care of him like this.

As he got comfortable in bed again, he eyed Krum critically, taking in his furrowed brow and tense shoulders.

"What's wrong Viktor?" Harry asked with concern, trying to sit up again.

Viktor pressed his hand back to Harry's shoulder, "Harry, stop trying to get out of bed, everything is OK. It's just before I get us breakfast, I thought you may be curious to see vhat you look like now?"

Harry gasped, excitement coursing through him as a grin broke over his face, "I forgot about that!"

Viktor chuckled at Harry's excitement, some of the tension leaving his body as he summoned a mirror to him. Handing it to Harry he waited nervously for his reaction, not sure how Harry would take the changes.

Harry took the mirror, a beautiful silver thing with roses engraved around its borders. He paused for a moment taking a deep breath to calm a few nerves wriggling around his belly.
As he raised the mirror his eyes widened in surprise. The changes were quite subtle but seemed to compliment him perfectly. His hair was still black but a little thicker, not sticking out quite so much. His skin was no longer pale but a soft golden brown like he had spent the past week relaxing at the beach. His cheek bones were more pronounced, nose and lips a little thicker. The biggest change however were his eyes. Though still a brilliant green there was now veins of black running through the green, it was quite striking. All in all, Harry was very pleased with the changes.

Harry looked up and noticed Krum watching him nervously. It took Harry a second to realise that Krum was worried he wouldn't like the changes, wouldn't like what Krum's DNA had changed in him.

Harry caught Krum's eye and smiled warmly at him, "I like the changes, I think they suit me. I mean… don't you think they suit me?" Harry asked, a note of uncertainty entering his voice as he nervously pulled on his dark hair.

Krum reached out and wrapped an arm around Harry's shoulders in comfort. "It does suit you very vell, I was just vorried vhat you vould think of the changes."

Harry chuckled, "well it seems we were both worrying over nothing."

Krum smiled at that, climbing back off the warm bed and heading towards the door.

"I have varded the room so that only I may enter, just rest I vill be back soon with breakfast."

Harry nodded as Krum left the room, inwardly chuckling, 'who would've thought Viktor Krum would be such a mother hen' he thought.

It didn't take long for Krum to return with a plate piled high with food in one hand and a potion bottle in the other.

Harry, who had been slowly drifting off again in Krum's absence, his mouth started watering at the sight of the food in front of him.

Thankfully Krum relented on his must be laying down at all times command, to allow him to sit up and eat his breakfast. Krum placed the overflowing plate on the centre of the bed.
"I vasn't sure vhat you vould like, so I just got a bit of everything" Krum explained.

"It all looks delicious" Harry said as he began piling scrambled eggs and bacon onto a piece of buttered toast. Krum watched as he started eating, once satisfied that Harry was eating happily Krum began spreading some jam onto toast for himself.

However, it only took that one piece of bacon and eggs on toast for Harry to feel full. Pushing the plate towards Krum to continue eating. Harry reclined back in the bed feeling exhausted from all that had transpired the day before.

When he had finished eating Krum waved his wand, making the leftover food and plate disappear. He then handed Harry the potion he had been holding.

"This is a pain reliving potion, I picked it up from the infirmary on my vay to breakfast. I thought it might ease some of the discomfort you are in."

Harry nodded in thanks, swallowing the potion in one go, before handing the bottle back to Krum.

"Ve vill be leaving in around 30 minutes, I haven't heard anything about them noticing your absence up at the castle, so I think ve are safe for now." Krum explained standing up and gathering some books before sitting back on the bed beside Harry.

He handed Harry a beautiful leather-bound book on the history of Durmstrang. Harry looked at the cover, running his fingers over the castle engraved there. It was different to Hogwarts but very beautiful.

"I thought you may vant to learn about the school you vill soon be attending. This book contains all sorts of information on Durmstrang and of course I vill tell you everything I know." Krum explained.

Harry nodded excitedly, opening the book and settling down to read. He was interested to see what his new school would be like.

Krum watched Harry fondly for a moment before he to opened a book, relaxing on the bed to read.

It wasn't much later that Harry felt the boat begin to move, just a slow rocking that was actually quite soothing.

"Ah, ve are on our vay, two more days and ve vill be home Harry."

Harry's whole body warmed at the word, home, he was on his way home. He hoped that wherever he was heading to was better than what he was leaving behind. He hoped that at the end of all this he would actually find a home.

Harry laid there feeling the boat rocking around him, feeling content and safe for the first time in a long time. As he laid there the gentle rocking eased him to sleep. Krum who had been watching Harry out of the corner of his eye, let a small smile pull up his mouth before returning to his book.

HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP

A few hours later Harry began to stir from his nap. He opened his eyes, blearily looking around before realising that he was not wearing his glasses. Krum must've taken them off. He placed his glasses back on and looked over to see Krum still laying next to him reading contentedly. He watched Krum reading for a second before his bladder gave a painful twinge, causing Harry to shoot up in bed somersaulting over Krum and tripping as his feet got caught in his blankets. He managed to hobble into the bathroom to relieve himself, thankful that he was able to divert disaster he shuffled back out of the bathroom to see Krum watching him in amusement.

"Sorry" Harry said sheepishly, as Krum chuckled.

And so the rest of the day carried on in a similar fashion.

Harry was enjoying reading the book on Durmstrang Institute. There was so much he didn't know about other magical schools and communities. He felt rather sheltered before he remembered that he had seen and done quite a lot in his 14 nearly 15 years.

Harry found that Durmstrang differed from Hogwarts in the fact it only had 3 houses that you could be sorted into instead of four, though they sorted differently than Hogwarts. When Harry questioned him about the houses Krum explained that he had been placed in Atticus house, though all houses had their merits.

Harry just hoped there wasn't any house rivalries like at Hogwarts, though, he thought reasonably, with large amounts of teenagers in one place there was bound to be some kind of trouble.

The day wore on, Krum only leaving to get lunch and dinner for them. As night rolled in Harry began to feel tired again. He quietly got ready for bed, finding comfort from Krum laying next to him reading.

Krum looked over at him. "How are you feeling Harry? Do you need another pain-relieving potion before you go to sleep?"

"I'm OK thank you Viktor, just tired." Harry said warmly snuggling further into the blankets before closing his eyes.

"Goodnight Harry" Krum whispered softly.

HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP

The next day saw Harry and Krum bonding over talk of quidditch.

"My families manor has extensive grounds Harry, so much room for you to fly, you vill love it. Most people at Durmstrang love to fly, you vill be in good company there."

"That sounds amazing Viktor, I can't wait" Harry replied wistfully, thinking of being back on his broom.

"I love to fly, even though doing it professionally has taken a little of the fun out of it for me," Krum continued.

Harry hummed in understanding; he could understand how the pressures of flying professionally could hamper your enjoyment.

Krum told Harry all about his childhood. About his parents, his father Andon who works for the Bulgarian Ministry of Magic and his mother Anna who is a healer; even about his first pet, a cat called Sooty.

Harry shared some of his own stories, Krum began angrily pacing the room when he heard about the danger Harry had been in since starting Hogwarts. 'Voldemort, a basilisk, dementors and death eaters, just to name a few! Did no one care about the boy? How could they put him in danger over and over again,' Krum thought angrily. He was just thankful that he had gotten Harry away from that place now.

Krum noticed that Harry didn't mention anything about his life before Hogwarts, he decided not to bring it up now but made a mental note to ask about it later.

They talked all day, getting to know each other as more than fellow Triwizard champions.

Harry confessed that he had quite a sweet tooth and Krum decided to make sure Harry got the chance to indulge that once they were home.

By the time night rolled in again and dinner was finished Harry was starting to feel a little restless.

"Is there any chance of a little walk, just to stretch our legs and get some fresh air?" Harry enquired turning his green eyes pleadingly towards Krum.

Krum thought about the request, it was a risk but worth it to bring Harry a little peace. Also, he himself wouldn't mind leaving the room for more than just food.

"OK, ve vill go for a valk on deck" Harry clapped his hands in excitement "BUT –" Krum interrupted holding up a finger "you have to vear your cloak the vhole time and ve vill vait until everyone else is in bed."

Harry agreed to the terms, waiting impatiently for it to get late enough for them to leave.

After a few hours Krum stuck his head out the door cocking it as he listened for any sounds. When no noise met his ears he nodded to Harry who threw on his cloak and followed out into the hall.

The walked slowly along the hall, neither making a sound. They encountered no one as they made their way through the ship and out onto the deck.

Harry sighed happily as the warm air brushed his face, he looked up watching the stars twinkling overhead.

Krum walked further onto the deck running his hand over the smooth wood railings. Harry walked up behind him, placing a hand on his elbow so that Krum knew he was there. They didn't say a word, the silence warm and comforting, as they leaned against the railing watching the world go by.