Viktor was sprawled out on his bed, lying on his ripped stomach in the hotel room he was sharing with Radoslav, his uncouth school mate. His head was at the foot of the bed with his feet resting on the headboard. The room itself was serviceable, clean and spacious enough for two but he missed his own king sized bed back at his parents castle in Bulgaria. Glad for his solitude Viktor smiled as he lightly ran his fingers over the words written by his young seeker.
The memory of the end of the World Cup flashed through his mind. As he was flying up to the box that housed the British Minister of Magic, with the snitch still in his tight grip, his eyes were drawn to the front row of the box. With messy raven coloured hair, tanned skin and clothes that looked a few sizes too big for his 14 year old frame, Viktor recalled feeling a flutter run through his core. He struggled to articulate to himself the feeling that was permeating through to his soul at the time. He was inexplicably drawn to the stunningly beautiful green eyes, wanting to sink into their depths, if only to catch a glimpse of his soul.
What overjoyed Viktor, more than anything in his life, was that the young man had found the courage to speak to him. Thinking back, looking at his young seeker, who was clearly underfed for a lot of his life, Viktor had to fight the urge that gripped him, telling him to pull the boy into his arms, to protect him from the demons that plagued his life. What was pouring off the young seeker in waves was the desperate need he had to be understood and Viktor, in the moment, vowed he would do all that was in his power to understand every part of Harry Potter.
With a loud thud Radoslav burst into the room. "Krum come on, we are going to the Leaky Cauldron for a few goblets" the lanky pale boy said in Bulgarian.
"I suggest you use your free time to study Radoslav as you can barely speak three words of English" Viktor relied in Bulgarian becoming annoyed at the interruption to his thoughts of Harry.
Radoslav went to grab the letter's that were laid out in front of Krum. With his seeker reflexes Krum sent a hex his way. "DO NOT DARE TO PRESUME YOU CAN TOUCH MY THINGS" Viktor bellowed at the heap of a boy on the floor. "Fuck off to the pub and you can fucking bunk with Vladislav tonight. If you come back in here I will transfigure you into the slug that you are. Viktor said with his eyes filled with Rage.
Radoslav made a scoffing sound and the boy crawled through the door kicking it shut. Viktor closed his eyes, in a light meditation to calm his mind. Hearing a light tapping on the window his heart skipped a beat as Viktor knew Harry had sent another letter. Walking over to open the window the snowy beauty flew over his head and landed on the wardrobe. "Hello there Hedwig, thank you for flying all this way again" Viktor beamed at the white Owl.
Moving forward he took the letter from Hedwig and saw the adorable scrawl that was his young seekers. Plopping back onto his bed, with a squeak issuing from the mattress, he unrolled the parchment and began to read.
After rereading the letter three more times Viktor felt sadness pull on his heart. Harry had such strength for others but it seemed he had such a low opinion of himself. Had this boy ever been shown love and affection Viktor questioned? Without delay Viktor went to the little desk to write his reply to the green eyed marvel.
To my young seeker,
I was thrilled to receive your reply so promptly. I was sat in my little hotel room and your letter cheered me. I am glad my English is excellent and maybe one day I will teach you Bulgarian.
To be honest I am not happy that I was sent away by our coach as it pains me you were in danger. If you had come to harm it would not have been pleasant for those that caused it. They would have then seen how skilled a Wizard I am.
There is no need to thank me for stating the truth my young seeker. You cannot and will not be held accountable for the dangers that darkness brings your way. I am glad you accept my opinion that you should allow others to help protect you, and I for one, always will. I have many stories to tell and I think you would enjoy some of my adventures, so I am pleased you are open to sharing your own history and I look forward to learning more about my young seeker.
I am glad to read we are of the same mind about what makes being a seeker so unique. If your dream is to play Quidditch professionally, once you leave Hogwarts, I will do all in my power for you to realise that dream, I promise you. I have attached a little surprise for you along with this letter and I hope it will inspire your dream. It will be my absolute honour to fly with you and I will happily take up the role as your master……
It is nice that you get to spend time with your friends' family for the last few weeks of summer. May I ask who you live with following the death of your parents? I am truly sorry for your loss and no words I could offer would be sufficient. I hope your surviving family treat you well and manage to show you the love your parents would have and still do from somewhere, I am sure.
Harry, you have not let me down. In my excitement to get to know my young seeker I made a thoughtless offer. Mrs Weasley is right to be cautious as it seems the British Ministry have handled this whole Death Easter situation poorly. But then again your Minister is a bit of dingbat. Please thank Mr and Mrs Weasley for their offer to host me and of course it is appealing. I have am free the day after tomorrow if that would be acceptable? It would be lovely to speak in person as that way I get to practice my spoken English with you. Which I ask you to forgive in advance!
I await your reply regarding my visit and wish you pleasant dreams, or indeed good morning if Hedwig returns whilst you sleep.
With warmest affection
Your Quidditch Master and Protector
Viktor
X
Happy with the letter Viktor returned to Hedwig presenting the letter and tying a small pouch with Harry's gift. The night sky was clear of any clouds but with the glow of London Viktor could only make out 2 starts that shined the brightest.
——————————————————————
With a light snort Viktor suddenly woke up greeted by a strong beam of morning light across his face. Looking over at the twin bed he was pleased to see his roommate heeded his warning not to return.
Feeling very cheerful and not recalling the last time he smiled this much he got to his feet to head out of the door, grabbing his towel and wash bag, so he could shower in the washroom down the hall. As he made his way down the hall, the threadbare carpet was unable to prevent the sound of his footsteps. With the floor creaky he willed that his peers wouldn't wake.
Reaching the washroom he opened the door noting the handle was very loose. There was a lock that pulled across that had clearly been broken a fair few times. He started the water in the woefully basic shower, that would struggle to accommodate his muscled frame and sighed at the pathetic pressure.
With steam starting to billow he removed his sweat short and t-shirt. Glancing at the mirror he was greeted by the sight of his muscle body, trained into what looked like chiselled marble from hundreds of hours of working out to ensure he had the strength and stamina needed to battle his way to the final of World Cup. He then pulled off his boxers and let and a groan of relief at the freeing feeling, as he always felt a little constricted in underwear.
After he was clean he walked back to his room with just a towel around his waist. As he opened the door he saw Radoslav packing his things in his travel bag. "I will stay with Vladislav" the slim boy said in his native tongue looking at the floor.
"Good, fuck off already and don't ever try to look at my personal letters ever again" Viktor said at the boy, who blushed at the sight of the near naked Viktor.
Just as Viktor finished dressing in black trousers, a white shirt and black boots he heard the now familiar tapping. With a spring in his step he went over to the window and was surprised to see a Great Grey Owl. He opened the window with worry flashing through his mind, as this was not Harry's owl. As he took the letter a wide smile warmed his face as he saw Harry's hand writing. Upon opening the letter Viktor's blushed with the warmest feeling at how Harry had addressed the letter.
To My Quidditch Master and Protector
I used my friends Owl Errol as Hedwig was looking a little tired. I hope that is okay?
I have no words Viktor. Thank you. I don't know how to express my joy at your gift. I will cherish the snitch for the rest of my life and I will work hard to one day catch a World Cup snitch which I will present to you with joy, I promise.
I am so pleased you have the time to come for tea and I cannot wait until tomorrow. If it is acceptable to you Mrs Weasley has said to floo here for 11am? I felt a little bad as she has arranged for her and the others to visit with Ron's aunt as she didn't want you to feel uncomfortable but I am pleased we can talk in private.
I will tell you more about the night after the World Cup when we see each other as I think I needlessly made you worry but I thank you for your words.
Thank you for your kind thoughts about my parents. It was nice that you asked as most of the time I am 'The boy-who-lived' and people forget that this caused me to lose my mum and dad. After my first year at Hogwarts my good friend Hagrid gave me a photo album with pictures of my mum and dad and it is one of my most prized possessions.
Umm as for my living arrangements, after my parent's deaths I was placed with my Aunt, Uncle and cousin. They are all muggles as my mother was a muggle-born. I can't say we are very close as they are not fans of magic or anything they think is unusual. I found out I was a Wizard on the 11th Birthday when Hagrid delivered my Hogwarts letter. It changed my life and I feel that Hogwarts is my home really.
I will tell you more about it when we meet tomorrow as I need to go and help everyone with some chores and then we may do a little flying.
I hope you enjoy your class today and I anxiously await your arrival.
Your young seeker
Xx
Viktor was seething. He was starting to see why Harry had such low self-esteem and started to feel pure venom recalling how skinny he looked in clothes that were clearly handed down to him. Pacing the room in an attempt to calm down, he was pulled back from his murderous thoughts by the hoot from the grey Owl.
"Right, sorry Errol, are you okay to wait a minute whilst write a reply for Harry?" Viktor directed at the large bird that inclined its head.
To my young Seeker,
I am pleased Hedwig is having a well-deserved rest and of course it was fine to have sent Errol.
You are welcome for the gift and I am happy you are so touched. Your promise is more thanks than is needed and I have no doubt you will keep your promise.
It is kind of Mrs Weasley but please do not feel bad. I have a feeling that she knows how important it is for you to make friendships and it warms my heart she cares for you and that she would trust me with you, which means she trusts your judgement. Yes, 11am is perfect.
I am pleased to read you have pictures to remember your parents by. I would love to see the photos when I visit with you? I did not bring much with me to London so I do not have pictures of my family but I will be sure to bring some to Hogwarts this year.
I am happy you will tell me more about your life tomorrow. I will be honest I am worried about how you have been treate living with those muggles and if I can help in some way I will.
I must dash now as class starts in 20 minutes but I am also anxiously awaiting tomorrow. I hope you have a wonderful day and I'll be thinking of you flying around.
Yours,
Viktor
Quidditch Master and Protector to Harry Potter
Xxx
After a quick reread of the letter Viktor secured his reply to Errol who then promptly took flight. Viktor grabbed his cloak and headed for the door. Smiling like a goof ball he realised, he was, truly and utterly, fucked. Accepting he was hopelessly smitten with his young seeker but not caring one little bit, as he always caught the golden snitch.
