Chapter Six:

Dinner with Viktor

     The next two days at the Grangers were uneventful. On the third day after the visit to Diagon Alley however, a tawny owl swept into the sitting room and dropped a letter at Hermione's feet. Hermione quickly tore it open and read it aloud,

Dear Hermioninny,

Our team is in town for the charity games. I will be joining you for dinner tomorrow evening. I will give you my gift then. I hope to see you soon.

Love,

Viktor

"Oh!" shrieked Hermione in delight, "I'm so glad to hear he's really going to come."

     The remainder of the day and most of the next were spent in preparation for Viktor's arrival. The Granger's best cutlery was set. Mr. and Mrs. Granger outdid themselves again with fabulous healthy cooking. Mr. Weasley tried to help but he only got in the way. So he spent the time fiddling with the computer he had just managed to turn on.

     At six o'clock that evening the Grangers, Harry, Ron and Mr. Weasley all assembled themselves around the fireplace awaiting Viktor. To everyone's surprise he didn't arrive by Floo powder, and everyone jumped when they saw him on his broomstick outside the window.

     Hermione quickly opened the window and Viktor flew inside. He landed neatly on the carpet, dismounted and propped his broom against the wall.

"Hermoninny!" exclaimed Viktor outstretching his arms.

"Viktor!" said Hermione running to Viktor and embracing him.

     Harry stole a glance at Ron who was poking his finger in and out of his open mouth and emitting low gagging noises. Harry suppressed a chuckle of his own. Hermione led Viktor over to her parents and introduced Viktor to them. When they had finished Viktor walked over to Harry, stuck out his hand and said;

"Hello Harry."

Harry shook the hand. Viktor strode over to Ron, stuck out his hand again and said,

"Hello…um?"

"Ron," added Ron half-heartedly shaking Viktor's hand.

     When everyone took a seat around the table Mr. and Mrs. Granger served the food. There was a nice salad with tofu, a broccoli and spinach casserole, low calorie mashed potatoes, whole grain rolls, and lean turkey patties. After everyone had their fist helping the talking began.

"So Viktor how was your summer?" asked Hermione.

"Vell, ve didn't make it to the World Cup this year," replied Viktor who obviously didn't care for the Granger's cooking because he wasn't eating a single bite.

Ron noticed this too and began eating as much of the food as he could. Then with a mouth full of low-cal mashed potatoes, he said, "I play Quidditch too you know."

"Really? Vhat position?" asked Viktor clearly surprised at Ron's statement.

"Keeper. Hogwarts students think I'm quite good. I even have a song that the supporters sing about me. Do you have a song Vicky?" replied Ron who had just handed his plate to Mrs. Granger for seconds.

"Vell, no," answered Viktor who had made a feeble attempt to eat the food.

Hermione looked aghast at Ron for his nerve, jumped up from her chair and leaned over the table then added, "It was a song about how he couldn't defend the hoops properly."

Ron looked at Hermione fiercely and added, "Yeah, at first! Then it was because I didn't let a single goal in! Right?!"

     Viktor and Harry looked at scene in mild interest. Harry then looked at Viktor, who mouthed Do you know vhat is going on? Harry shrugged.

"Yes, that's right! But only after you made several attempts to get off the team and the Captain wouldn't let you!" roared Hermione.

     Ron's ears went pink and he sat back sullenly and continued to eat his food. Hermione, who was red in the face as well, looked over at her parents disapproving faces, and also sat down. There was an awkward silence.

"Vell, here's your gift," said Viktor sheepishly.

Viktor handed Hermione a large square box. Hermione took it and opened it hastily. Inside she found a…

"A signed poster of you and the team!" squealed Hermione in delight, as the Viktor in the poster, flying low on his broom, grinned up at her and waved. Shyly under the table she and Viktor locked hands.

      Harry just stopped himself from chuckling again, but Ron spat out a mouthful of his mashed potatoes and whispered with tears coming down his eyes, "He's the next Gilderoy Lockhart this one!"

     Just then there was a knock on the door. Mrs. Granger went to open it and Harry nearly died of shock.

     Dudley Dursley was standing outside the front door. He was bent over, panting and clutching a bouquet of wilted flowers. Dudley looked up and scanned the room, where several things caught his eye.

     Dudley noticed Mr. Weasley, who was waving at him, and Ron. Dudley took a step back in surprise. This put him in the perfect place to view Viktor holding Hermione's hand under the table. Dudley dropped the flowers and began to sputter, which caused Hedwig, Gawaine and Pigwideon to shrill with hoots of annoyance.

     This was all just too much for Dudley-the Weasleys, Hermione holding some other boy's hand, and the effect of seeing the owls.-He lurched forward dangerously and fell in a heap on the floor. After a few moments he began twitching madly.

"Hermione, I think he really must believe he loves you. I think he may have walked here," stated Harry exasperatedly.

"Vho is that?!" exclaimed Viktor with ill-suppressed rage.

"It's nobody! He just has a crush on me," explained Hermione drooping Viktor's hand, "It's not mutual. Believe me!"

"I think it is time for me to go," stated Viktor as he stormed to his broomstick.

"No! Don't leave!" wailed Hermione.

     Viktor ignored her and mounted his broom. With one last look at Hermione's face he flew off into the night. Hermione fled to her bedroom, with tears cascading down her face. She locked the door with a load click, and Mr. Weasley began to try to lift Dudley.

     After much persuasion from Harry and Hermione's parents Hermione came out (Ron had tried to coax her too, but this had caused her to place an Imperturbable Charm on the door). When she came out her eyes were red and puffy and she would only speak to Harry so Ron went to help Mr. Weasley with Dudley.

     After Ron and Mr. Weasley discussed things they decided to send Dudley back by means of the fireplace and Floo powder, after all it wasn't likely he'd really remember any of it. Mr. Weasley proclaimed,

"I think we should all get some sleep! We have to wake up early if we want to get on the train on time," suggested Mr. Weasley.

     Harry had nearly forgotten. Tomorrow or today rather, was the day that Harry and the others left for Hogwarts once again. Harry and Ron went back to the room they were sharing and went to sleep the moment their heads hit the pillow.

     The next morning Hermione was perfectly cheerful again and she explained,

"If Viktor is going to get angry just because he sees someone else near me then I don't think we should see or speak to each other any longer!"

     Ron and Hermione who had previously helped Harry pack, had politely refrained from mentioning some of Harry's strange new possessions, but at the sight of the bulging trunk waiting to be locked up and sent on its way out the door, their shyness was forgotten. Ron, who had found Harry's Dragon-Hide Cloak, and Hermione; who had discovered Lupin's Note-Keeper, burst out with questions.

"What's this?" they both rang simultaneously, Ron reached in and grabbed the Dragon-Hide Cloak and Hermione grasped Lupin's Note-Keeper.

"Ron it's a Dragon-Hide Cloak, Hagrid gave it to me for my birthday. It's supposedly Norbert's first molt," answered Harry pointing at Ron, who had just dropped the cloak back into the trunk in disgust. Then Harry added to Hermione, "That's Lupin's old Note-Keeper."

"Why did you get a new one then?" asked Hermione returning the note keeper to the trunk.

"It said on the list that we needed Outernet access," answered Harry.

     After Harry's trunk had been filled with all his new books, and the lid mashed down then strapped shut with Ron's aid, Harry went to put Hedwig in her cage but for some reason she didn't want to go in.

"Hermione, help put Hedwig in her cage," pleaded Harry.

"I can't," responded Hermione, "Gawaine won't go in his either."

"You don't think…" asked Harry.

"I do," answered Hermione and sure enough the two owls went easily once they were in a cage together.

     Hermione went to put Croohshanks in his cage and Harry put his things by the door. He then sat down at the table and helped himself to some toast and bacon.

     Ron came in later followed by Hermione and they ate in silence. Once all three of them had finished eating they carried their things and put them in the trunk of the Grangers' car. It was a tight fit but they managed.

     Then Harry, Ron and Hermione squeezed in the back seat and Mr. Weasley, Mr. Granger and Mrs. Granger did the same in the front. They were driving along to King's Cross Station when there was a loud rap on the window next to Harry.

     Harry saw a beet red owl flying extremely fast and keeping up with the car just fine. Harry opened the window and the owl zoomed inside and dropped one of many pieces of parchment on Harry's lap.

"That's an Emergency Owl!" exclaimed Mr. Weasley as the owl flew out, "They're used when the Ministry needs to address many people quickly.

Harry then read the parchment headlines copied from the Daily Prophet aloud:

The Dark Lord Strikes

Ministry officials and eyewitnesses claim that they saw He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named himself break into a store in Diagon Alley early this morning. The store in question, Papyrus Relics, was robbed of the last copy of a book left in the shop, The Forgotten Arts: Ancient Self-Protection. The owner of the shop has vanished without a trace. The Minster of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, advises all to go about their daily business but to be on the lookout and if one sees something unusual to contact the Ministry at once.

"Isn't that…," began Ron but Hermione gave him a piercing look.

"-where we thought about getting some of our stuff?" corrected Ron.

"Really? I'm very glad you didn't. I think that book was on the Hogwarts list," stated Mr. Weasley.

     No one said anything more, and the rest of the drive was silent. Harry was thinking that the short respite from his new responsibilities was over. Voldemort was still out there and he was up to something. Harry had to stop him. He was the only one who could. He had to. He just had to.

     When they reached King's Cross, Mr. and Mrs. Granger got trolleys for all three of them and Harry, Ron and Hermione spotted and caught up with Mrs. Weasley and Ginny before they had gone through the magic barrier that leads to Platform 9 3/4.

"Arthur! I just got the news!" wailed Mrs. Weasley clutching Ginny with a death grip.

"No need to worry dear. The children will be safe on the train," replied Mr. Weasley though he looked at the barrier warily.

"Yes, you're right," said Mrs. Weasley softening her grip, "Have a good term then dearies."

     As Mr. and Mrs. Weasley said good bye to Ron and Mr. and Mrs. Granger said their farewells to Hermione; Harry felt sort of left out. He knew it was silly to miss Sirius, but he couldn't help remembering his godfather, disguised as a big black dog, insisting on seeing him off last year. He sighed; there was nothing to be done about it. Harry was just about to go through the barrier when a familiar voice rang though the air,

"Have a good term then, Harry."

     Harry spun around to see Remus Lupin, leaning against a pillar. He looked even more shabby than usual but his appearance didn't affect his smile. The same words were repeated by two others who stepped out from behind corners.

     All three of them, Lupin, Mad eye, and Tonks shook Harry's hand. Mrs. Weasley then gave Harry a motherly hug that drained him of all his worries. He did have people to care about him. Harry almost felt like crying right there. Lupin looked at Harry as if he knew this but didn't say anything.

     Finally, it was time for them to go. Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione all ran through the barrier and boarded the Hogwarts Express. The conductor helped them with their things and Ron and Hermione set off for the Prefects cabin.

"Won't be gone long mate," apologized Ron.

"We'll be back before you know it," added Hermione.

After they left Ginny said, "Let's go look for a cabin."

     Ginny and Harry found the only empty cabin and sat down. Then Ginny spotted Luna and said,

"Oh, Harry. I need to go for a second. You don't mind do you?"

"No, go ahead," answered Harry passively.

"I'll be back," replied Ginny who then sped out.

     It wasn't long after Ginny had left when Cho stepped into the cabin.

"Hi, Harry," she said timidly, looking at him hesitantly.

"Hullo," replied Harry looking though the window.

"Um… good summer? I know the bit at the Leaky Cauldron couldn't have been, but how was the rest?" asked Cho eager to strike conversation.

"Not bad," said Harry with apparent indifference in his voice.

"I broke up with Michael Corner," added Cho looking hopefully up at Harry, "I love you Harry. I always have. I just couldn't bring myself to say it."

     Harry didn't care and he laughed to himself as he recalled the days when he would've. Those times seemed so simple and childish. When Harry didn't say anything in response Cho said with tear a tricking down her face,

"I'll just go, shall I?"

     And before Harry responded she left. Harry seized the opportunity to change into robes, and just when he had finished changing Ron and Hermione stepped in. They immediately began to discuss the happenings at Papyrus Relics.

"There's got to be something in the original printing that He wants," stated Ron.

"Obviously but what could be that important?" asked Hermione, "Another Weapon, perhaps?"

"Maybe," replied Harry thinking hard.

     Their conversation was cut short however when Ginny and Luna stepped inside the cabin. Both were talking avidly about something, but Harry wasn't listening. All Harry could think about was Voldemort and the shop and the book.

     Hours must have gone by because the train had stopped. It was time to go to the Great Hall for the Start-of-Term Feast. Ron, Ginny, and Hermione all filed out but Luna stayed behind. After she made sure everyone was out she whispered to Harry,

"I understand how you feel."

     She gave Harry one last knowledgeable look and stepped out. It was then that Harry knew he felt something for Luna that he had never felt before. Not even with Cho.