"I wonder what's that about?"
"Ah, Herm-own-ninny must haff accepted."
"Accepted what?"
"Aleksandur was going to ask Herm-own-ninny to be his girlfriend."
"What?! And you're barely telling me this now?" Holly exclaimed.
"It vos not my place to tell, you, Gŭlŭbcheto Mi (My Dove.)"
Holly huffed, "Fine."
Viktor pouted, "Do you forgiff me for not telling you?"
"I suppose."
"Vhot, can I do to earn your forgiffness?"
Holly smiled, "A kiss would be nice."
"Anything for you, Holly."
Viktor grabbed Holly by the waist and started peppering her face with kisses. Holly began to giggling and tried to push him away, but Viktor tightened his grip then he kissed her lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. The couple stayed like that for a few moments until they heard someone clear their throat. Holly and Viktor turn their heads to see a smirking Aleksandur and a blushing Hermione.
"Molya vi, Viktor, ima detsa. (Please, Viktor, there are children present.)"
Viktor turned his head, and there was a group of first years staring at them. Holly follows Viktor's eyes and turns bright red when she sees the firsties staring at them; Aleksandur started laughing.
"Mlŭkni (Shut up.)," Viktor tells his best friend.
Holly and Hermione only stare at the boys, confused. Viktor shakes his head and takes Holly by the hand and leads her toward his ship so he can put up his broom.
"We'll save you a spot at the table, Holly," Hermione calls out.
"Thanks, Mione; we'll be along in a little bit."
After the couple put up their brooms, they go to the Great Hall to have lunch with Hermione and Aleksandur. Holly and Viktor sit down opposite of the new couple. Viktor and Aleksandur begin talking in Bulgarian while Holly smiles at Hermione.
"So, Viktor told me what Aleksandur was going to do today, and by the way, you guys looked coming back from the lake you said yes, right?"
Hermione blushed, "Yes, I said yes."
Ginny looked at Hermione, "Said yes to what," Then she noticed that Aleksandur was sitting as close to Hermione as possible. Her eyes widen.
"Oh, my Merlin! You're going out with him?"
Hermione flushed even more but grinned and nodded. Ginny squealed and hugged Hermione, Aleksandur looked at his girlfriend and smiled. Ron was so absorbed in eating that he didn't hear a thing, then he listened to his sister squeal. "What's wrong with you?"
"Hermione and Aleksandur are going out!"
Ron's face started turning red, starting from his neck, going up to the tips of his ears. He slammed his fork down, got up, and left in a huff. Harry looked watched Ron as he left the Great hall, "What's wrong with him?"
"He's jealous that Hermione is going out with Aleksandur," Holly tells her brother.
"Since when?"
"I asked her to be my girlfriend a little vhile ago, Harry," Aleksandur said.
Harry looks between his best friend and the Durmstrang boy. He can see how happy Hermione is, and Harry's happy for her. He smiles at the new couple, "Congratulations, you two."
"Thank you, Harry. That means so much to me."
"Da, thank you."
"Now all we need to do is find you a girlfriend, Har-Bear," Holly tells him.
Harry's eyes drift to the Ravenclaw table, and he looks at Cho, "Yeah, that's all we need."
The months pass by, and the third task is scheduled for June 24th. Since they weren't told what to expect, the champions train for whatever might have to face. Viktor and Aleksandur go through all the spells that Viktor knows, and they do some physical training as well, while Holly and Harry tried to learn as many new spells as possible. But Holly worked on her agility as well.
The day before the third task, the five champions were shown into a room. They all gasped when they found their families waiting for them.
"Maman, Papa!" Fleur cried when she sees her parents and rushes over into their awaiting arms.
That set everyone else off to go to their families. Viktor goes to his parents and hugs his mother and father while Holly and Harry hug Remus and Sirius. Sirius Harry while Remus hugs Holly, then they switch. Sirius squeezes the life out of Holly, "Oh, Bambi, it's so good to see you and Prongslet."
"It's good to see you too, Siri. What are you all doing here?"
"All the parents are allowed to be here for the last task. We came to support our kids," Sirius tells Holly.
"How are you, Siri?"
"Oh, you know me, worried out of my mind about you and Harry."
"We're alright, Siri, you don't have to worry about us. We're doing fine."
Sirius glances over at Viktor who's mother has yet to let him go, "I heard that you're doing more than fine, Bambi."
"Siri, be nice. Viktor means a lot to me, and I want you and him to get along."
"I don't, if I can, Holly, you're my baby, and I want to protect you."
"Please, Siri, for me? I need you to try to get along with him. I know you want to protect me, but Viktor would never hurt me."
Sirius sighs, "Okay, Bambi, I'll try, for you."
"Thank you."
At that moment, Viktor walks over with his parents; He smiles at Holly and takes her hand, "Holly, I vould like to introduce you to my parents. Marko and Anna."
Anna smiles brightly at Holly, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Holly. Ve haff her a lot about you from Viktor's letters. He cannot stop talking about you."
"Mamo," Viktor whines.
Marko chuckles and pats Viktor on the back, "Vhot, Viktor, it is true. you go on and on about Holly."
Viktor turns bright red.
Marko shakes Holly's hand, "It is good to meet you, Holly. Now I can see why Viktor is so taken with you."
Holly blushes, "Thank you, sir." Holly noticed that Viktor looked exactly liked his father.
"Please call me Marko."
"Alright, Marko. I'd like you all to meet my adoptive parents, Remus Lupin and Sirius Black."
Viktor turned to Sirius and Remus, "It is nice to see you again; I am glad to meet the both of you formally."
"So are we, Viktor, I'm Remus, and this is Sirius, Holly too has told us a lot about you."
"All of it good, I hope."
"Very good, she raves about you in every letter she sends," Sirius says.
"Siri," Remus warns, "No, but she does tell us great things about you all the time. Holly said you're helping her train to get on the Quidditch team next year."
"I vont to make sure that Holly is as prepare as she possibly can."
Viktor then introduces his parents to Remus, Sirius, and Harry. They talk for a while then decide to head to the Three Broomsticks for lunch. As they walk to Hogsmeade, Viktor decides that today he was going to ask Holly's parents if she can come to visit him in the summer. He had already talked to his parents, and they were okay with it.
The group arrives at the Three Broomsticks, and Sirius asked for a private room in the back; Madam Rosmerta obliged him. They all sat down and started looking at the menu; Holly and Viktor sat together between the two groups. After their orders were taken, the group started having polite conversation getting to know each other.
It turned out that Marko was the undersecretary to the Bulgarian Minister of Magic, and Anna was an ex-Auror but was now a stay at home mom.
Remus told them that he used to be the Defense Against of Dark Arts Professor the year before, but since Sirius was proven innocent, he decided to resign to spend time with his husband. Holly and Harry started raving about what a great teacher Remus was and how he taught them to perform the Patronus Charm. They could both produce corporeal Patronus.
"That is very impressive. What are they," Marko asked?
"Mine is a stag, and Holly's is a wild cat."
Marko chuckled, "How interesting, Viktor's animagus is a snow leopard."
Holly turned to Viktor, "You didn't tell me you were an animagus."
Viktor flushed, "I forgot."
Holly playfully slapped his arm. Viktor's parents chuckled. As they were having lunch, Marko looked at Viktor and motioned with his head towards Remus and Sirius. Getting the hint, Viktor cleared his throat and looked at Remus and Sirius. "Mr. Lupin, Mr. Black, I vould like to speak vith you about Holly and this summer."
Sirius looked at Viktor, well, seriously, "What about this summer?"
"I vould like your permission to have Holly come to visit me in Bulgaria this summer."
Sirius' eyes widen, "Hell-Ow!"
He looked at Remus, who had just pinched his leg. Remus looks between Holly and Viktor, "And where will Holly be staying," Remus asked.
"She vill be staying in our home, Mr. Lupin," Anna said.
"Please, call me Remus," Remus said with a smile.
"Alright, Remus, ve vill be chaperoning them at all times. You do not haff to vorry about that," Marko assures.
Remus looked at Sirius who was discreetly shaking his head; then he looked at Holly who gave him a hopeful look, "Would you mind if Sirius and I discuss it and let you know later," Remus asked.
"Of course not, take as much time as you need," Marko says.
After having dessert, they head back to Hogwarts. Holly and Viktor lag behind the others a bit so that they can talk, "Do you think your parents vill give you permission?" Viktor asks.
"I don't know, but I have faith that Remus will at least try to be objective."
"And Sirius?"
"It's harder on him. He still sees me as a little girl, but Moony will make him see reason."
Viktor nods.
When they get back to the castle, Holly and Viktor go their seperate ways so that they can each spend time with their families. They all met up in the Great Hall later for dinner. All the parents sat at the head table with the Dumbledor and the other professors. Viktor and Aleksandur once again sat with their girlfriends at the Gryffindor table; they were talking and laughing.
Sirius sat at the head table, only half-listening to the conversations that were going on around him. He was watching how Holly and Viktor were acting; Holly was leaning against Viktor as he had his arms wrapped around her; they looked so happy together. The couple reminded him more and more about Lily and James during their seventh year. He gets this resigned look on his face, "They're in love," He mumbles.
"Yes, they are," Moony tells him, "Though, I don't think they've realized it yet."
"Oh, Moony, this is awful."
"Is it?"
Sirius thinks for a moment, "No, I suppose it isn't, but Holly's so young."
"Yes, but like father like daughter," Remus points out.
"I suppose so."
"Did you know Viktor gave her the first snitch he caught as a professional as a gift?" Remus asks.
"No, when did he do that?"
"Valentine's Day. He turned it into a necklace for her. It's the one she's wearing. Holly told me she never takes it off."
"I'm not surprised she told you. I guess I haven't been the easiest person to talk to. Besides, she's always told you everything. Remember when they were little. She was always babbling to you about who knows what. You two have always been closer."
"Well, I am her godfather."
"And the more responsible parent," Sirius says.
"Yes, I am. So now that you've had your epiphany, what do you think about letting her to Bulgaria for the summer?"
"I think that if we don't let Holly go, she'll be miserable all summer. But I think you should go with them."
"Sirius."
"No, only to see where Holly will be staying. That's it."
Remus thinks for a moment, "I think that's fair. We'll tell them after the third task."
"Agreed."
The next day, Remus and Sirius spent a few hours talking with Marko and Anna giving Harry a chance to be with his friends and Holly and Viktor time to themselves.
The couple was by the lake sitting under a tree. Holly was sitting in Viktor's lap; he had his arms wrapped around her waist. He would occasionally kiss her neck, "Are you nervous about tonight?" Holly asked.
"A little, more for you than for me," Viktor says.
Holly looked up at him, "Why?"
"Because you know so little spell and ve don't know vhat ve are going to face this time."
"You don't have to be worried, Viktor, Luna, and Ginny helped me learn a lot of spells, and I've been working on my gymnastics. So, my agility has increased. Whatever we face, I feel fairly prepared."
"I still vorry."
"I know, but try not to. I don't want you to get hurt," Holly tells him.
Viktor strokes Holly's cheek then leans down and kisses her. At that moment, Hermione and Aleksandur come down the hill towards the couple, "Hello, you two. Remus sent us down to collect you. He and Sirius would like to spend some time with you and Harry, and your parents want the same, Viktor." Hermione informs them.
Holly gets off Viktor's lap then he stands up. They walk back towards the castle hand in hand with Hermione and Aleksandur. Viktor goes to his ship, where his parents are waiting for him, and Holly meets up with Harry, and they go to the Gryffindor Common Room to spend time with Remus and Sirius. They talk and laugh with their parents and have dinner in the kitchen away from everyone else. Later that evening, Remus and Sirius escort their children to the Quidditch Pitch. Holly and Harry meet up with the other Champions. Music is playing, and a large crowd is gathered. The champions emerge onto the pitch.
"Earlier today, Professor Moody placed the Tri-Wizards Cup deep within the maze. Only he knows its exact position. Now, as Mr. and Miss Potter are tied for the first position, they will enter first. Followed by Mr. Krum."
"The first person to touch the cup will be the winner. I've instructed the staff to patrol the perimeter if, at any point, should a contestant wish to withdraw from the task, he or she need only send up red sparks with their wands. Contestants, gather round."
The contestants gather around Dumbledore. Dumbledore lowers his voice, "In the maze, you'll find not dragons or creatures of the deep. Instead, you'll face something more challenging. You see, people change in the maze. Oh, find the cup if you can, but be very wary; you could lose yourselves along the way."
"Champions! Prepare yourselves." Moody bellows.
Cedric hugs his father, while the others do the same with their families. The cannon goes off. Holly and Harry enter the maze through the same entrance. They both turn around, and Moody discreetly points in one direction. Harry turns in that direction, and Holly goes the exact opposite. The entrance closes up behind them. Heavy mist sets in, Holly starts traversing the maze, creature noises are all around.
Holly mutters Lumnos, and the tip of her want lit up. The path ahead was empty too, and when Holly reached a right turn and took it, she again found her way unblocked. Holly didn't know why, but the lack of obstacles was unnerving her. Surely she should have met something by now? It felt as though the maze were luring her into a false sense of security. Then she heard movement right behind her. She held out her wand, ready to attack, but its beam fell only upon Cedric, who had just hurried out of a path on the right-hand side. Cedric looked severely shaken. The sleeve of his robe was smoking.
"Hagrid's Blast-Ended Skrewts!" he hissed. "They're enormous — I only just got away!" He shook his head and dived out of sight, along another path. Keen to put plenty of distance between himself and the skrewts.
Holly continues cautiously. Her mind wanders to Harry and Viktor, wondering if they were faring as bad as Cedric. She continues to walk until she comes across a Dementor gliding toward her. Twelve feet tall, its face was hidden by its hood, its rotting, scabbed hands outstretched, it advanced, sensing its way blindly toward her. Holly instantly thinks of her happiest memory; it was when Viktor asked her to be his girlfriend. She focused on that memory the cried, "Expecto Patronum!"
Instantly her wild cat leaps from her wand and rushes the dementor with a growl. The dementor stumbles back; Holly had never seen a dementor do that before. She suddenly realizes that it's not a Dementor but a Boggart.
"Riddikulus!"
And the Boggart changes into smoke fades away. Holly's wild cat disappears, and Holly is left alone again. After several twists and turns and coming across several dead ends, Holly finds herself in front of some mist. From the other side of the mist, she sees red sparks go up. Calling up her Gryffindor bravery, Holly plunges through the fog. On the other side. Holly finds Fleur unconscious, and further up, she spots Harry standing over a prone body.
"Harry?"
Harry turns around and gasps at seeing his twin, "Holly, I had to, he attacked Fleur."
"What are you talking about?"
Then Holly noticed that it was Viktor lying on the ground, unconscious, "Viktor!"
She runs past Harry and kneels next to Viktor, "What did you do?" Holly asked.
"I had to stun him, Holly, he was using the Cruciatus Curse on Fleur."
"Viktor would never do that," Holly said as tears ran down her face.
Harry grabs her arms, "Holly! He was under the Imperius Curse. I know Viktor would never do that of his own free will. We need to leave them; I already sent up red sparks, the professors will be along shortly to help them."
"No! I won't leave him!"
"Holly, we have to go. We need to finish this."
Holly sniffled and kissed Viktor's cheek. She knew that Harry was right. Harry stood up and helped his sister up. They make their way through the maze, holding hands, so they don't lose each other. They continue to make their way through the maze, and as they go, the hedges start closing in around Holly and Harry. The twins start running before it collapses on them.
When they burst out, Harry runs right into Cedric, but Holly sees the Cup in the distance. Harry and Cedric start pushing each other, trying to get ahead. Holly turns and punches Cedric in the face causing him to stumble back. She grabs Harry's hand and takes off running towards the Cup. But they suddenly hear Cedric's screams. Turning around, Holly and Harry see that the vines from the Devil's Snare has grabbed Cedric and is pulling him back into the maze.
"Holly, Harry!"
The twins look at each other and simultaneously fire at the Devil's Snare, freeing Cedric. He wiggles free and stands up, "For a moment there, I thought you were going to leave me,"
"For a moment, there we were," Harry tells him.
"Nice punch, Holly."
"Yeah, sorry about that."
"Some game, Huh?"
"Yeah, some game," Harry says.
The wind blows so hard that the trio has to cover their eyes from the blowing dust. Cedric looks at the twins, "Go ahead, take it, you two saved my life."
"We'll take it together," Harry says, and Holly nods.
"One the count of three, 1, 2, 3."
They all grab hold of the Cup and suddenly disappear.
Back at the opening of the maze, Viktor is inconsolable. He's holding his head in his hands, looking at the ground. How could he have used the Cruciatus Curse on Fleur? Viktor knew he was under the Imperius Curse, but he was still conscious enough to realize he was torturing that poor girl. But Viktor was helpless to stop himself. What made him feel worse was that it could have been Holly. And if he had hurt Holly like, Viktor knew he would never be able to live with himself. It was at that moment that Viktor realized how much he loved Holly.
Hours passed and still the Potter twins, and Cedric Diggory had yet to appear. The more time that passed, the more nervous, Remus, and Sirius got. This wasn't normal; they shouldn't be taking this long. Remus and Sirius decided that they needed to talk to Dumbledore and find out what was going on. They make their way down to where Dumbledore is standing.
"This is taking too long, Albus, we need to go in there and search for them," Sirius whispers.
"I'm inclined to agree with you, Sirius, but we cannot interfere with the task, or else they will all be disqualified."
"To hell with that! My kids are in danger," Sirius says.
It was at that moment that, Holly, Harry, with Cedric's body hit the ground outside the maze. The crowd doesn't understand what has taken place, and they all cheer, triumphant music starts to play. Holly and Harry are weeping over Cedric's body.
"Holly, Harry, what happened," Dumbledore asks as he and Remus try to pry Harry and Holly away from Cedric's body.
"He's back; he's back! Voldemort's back. Cedric, he asked me to bring his body back. We couldn't leave him, not there." Holly said as she sags into Remus.
"It's alright, Holly, Harry. You're home, you both are."
At that moment everything erupts in chaos, Fudge begins screaming that a boy has been killed and that everyone should remain in their seats. Amos Diggory, realizing that it's Cedric's body comes stumbling into the arena, "Let me through! That's my son! My boy!"
Amos breaks down wailing. The crowd looks on at the distraught father. Fudge, Dumbledore, Remus, Sirius, and the Aurors surround Amos trying to console him and find out what happened. At that moment, Holly and Harry are being led away by Moody. Holly starts protesting, but Moody tells her they need to get away from the crowd.
As the twins are being taken back into the castle, Dumbledore concludes that Moody must have turned the Cup into a portkey since he was the last one to have contact with it. Viktor, who was standing with his parents, looks around for Holly and Harry. Noticing that Moody is gone as well, Viktor realizes that Moody has kidnaped the twins. Dread enters Viktor's heart, he rushes forward and grabs Sirius by the arm, "Sirius, Holly, and Harry are missing, and so is Moody!"
Sirius' eyes widen. He yells for Remus, "Moony, the twins!"
Dumbledore and Remus look around and see that they're gone. "Alastor must have them, Everyone, follow me," Dumbledore commands.
Dumbledore and the others rush towards the castle, but Viktor, Sirius, and Remus have a head start. Remus leads them to the DADA classroom. As they get closer, they can hear voices coming from the room. The men burst through the door, and Viktor immediately sends a stunner towards Moody, he crumbles to the floor. Viktor looks around widely for Holly and rushes toward her and hugs her to his chest
"My Holly," Viktor mumbles into her hair, "I luff you so much."
Holly hugs Viktor tighter, "I love you too."
By this time, Dumbledore and the others have arrived and captured Moody. They question him under Veritaserum and find out that Moody is, in fact, Barty Crouch Junior under Polyjuice potion. The crazed man informs them where Moody is, and Dumbledore rescues Moody from his prison. Afterward, Holly, Harry, and Moody are taken to the Medical Wing so that they may be treated for their injuries. Viktor never leaves Holly's side.