Autor's Notes
English is not my mother tongue, so I appreciate your support for any corrections.
It took more time regarding Viktor because he is not really a character JK develop, since one of the theorys was that he is only interacting with them to help with the pronunciation of Hermione name (and was confirm by JK herself); we know about his grandfather because of the quote in DH regarding his death under Grindelwald but is never really stated if he is pure-blood or half-blood. So I'm making him the son of a mudblood and a pure-blood for my own storyline reasons, and nothing else.
Bulgarian
Da – Yes
Ne – No
Maĭka – Mother
Bashta – Father
Bŭlgarski – Bulgarian
Blagodarya ti – Thank you
Pravilno – Correct
Nali – Right
Nevŭzmozhen – Impossible
French
Oui – Yes
Mère – Mother
Père – Father
Français – French
Je vous remercie – Thank you
il est temps que tu le fasses – about time you do it
Petits salauds gourmands – little greedy bastards
Je ne peux pas y croire, tu es fou? – I can't believe it, are you crazy?
Attends une minute – Wait a minute
After the reading…
Viktor Krum
He had done it; he had invited her into a real date, not flying around Hogwarts, no walking to the lake, not this was a romantic, city date…and he was terrified…
He could feel eyes bore into him, while he was walking to the car, but he was afraid to look back, to break the spell of her smile in the door, the happiness he felt, right in that second, but as soon as he hops in the car and tell the driver the name of his hotel, he felt it, insecurity in every bone of his body, did she know it was a romantic date? hopefully, she will, how could she not? he was trying to organize his ideas to even begin to plan it, he had imagined himself on a date with her for so long, that he had never actually contemplated the complications that will entail, he was a very famous wizard, and she was very well known, thanks to her friendship with the Potter boy, and the articles in the papers regarding the Battle of Hogwarts, will they have privacy on a wizard restaurant? Or if they walk through the street? That was the first challenge and also the easiest to fix, he will take her to a muggle restaurant, but that was another problem, her mother indications didn't involve muggle restaurants, there were recommendations about the hotel and the plastic card for muggle money, but not about eat outside of the hotel, or how a date work, he wasn't inexpert, he had a couple of dates before her, but never felt for those girls what he felt for Hermione, and after find her, he never went into another date or any other girl, women fall into him all the time, but he never allow it to go further, they invite him to dinners and events of his sponsors, events in honor of the National team, even events of the Vratsa Vultures, but he always went alone, so he did something he was a little afraid to do, since he really didn't have any practice, as soon as he arrive to the hotel, he went to the restaurant, took a light dinner, and start working on the plan with a little more detail, as well as to write a letter, that after finish it keep on his pocket, once he had finish the plans, he call the concierge, and ask for good options on romantic places, the concierge, knowing that this was his first trip to England, tell him about a couple of places he could try, and at the end he choose one with a live piano and light candle light, the concierge promise to get him a reservation for the next day, Viktor ask him for a car early in the morning to be used the entire day, with a driver to know the city very well, and patient, since he will do a few stops around the city, the concierge was ecstatic, guests like Viktor were his favorites: polite and respectful, not many travelers were, and he had ask for the previous concierge, who retired a few years back, so he was a little intrigued, and dare to ask him, to which Viktor confirm him, that his mother were a Bulgarian diplomat, and according to her, his grandfather had visit London in his youth, and both stayed in the hotel, but then he even tell him about the war broken and how his grandfather died in battle a little before the end, (since the muggle war did coincide with the first wizarding war or Grindelwald war, his grandfather will retain his status as hero) he had died before his mother even meet his father, so he didn't know what he had done in London, the concierge was surprise with the openness of the man, he also share with him, that the girl he was taking out was an English girl, so he need all his help get everything properly set, once they were on agreement, Viktor retired to his room, were he disapparate in order to apparate in the Ministry, he was looking for Robert, and was lucky enough to still find him in his office and after thank him for the room he had reserved for him, even if he didn't used it, he ask if he could use an owl to send a late message, Robert didn't mind as long as the message was send inside the UK, since the owls for international travel were only send in the mornings, Viktor agreed and taking the letter out of his pocket, took a deep breath, and attach it to the owl, then he just watched how the owl disappeared on the night, hopping he had made the right call…
He tanked Robert and disapparate to apparate a second later in his room at the hotel, he barely was able to take out his boots before the emotions and events of the day catch up with him and he just collapses on the bed...
…A late knock weak her up, she saw an owl on the window and retrieve the letter, she just smiles at the boy's late call, after reading it, she smiles and went back to sleep, oh what a fun day she will have at his expense…
He wakes up very early in the morning since Sofia is two hours ahead of London, he wakes up before the day in London starts so, he takes a shower, gets dress, and disapparate from his room to apparate to the Bulgari embassy wizards entry, he picks up the mail his mother or sister pick from his place and send him the day before as well as the paper, just to keep tabs on the news back home, he also provides his location to the employees there, both to be informed of his presence in London and to have the paper send to him for the duration of his stay.
After finish these errands, he disapparates to apparate back in his room and after changing into muggle jeans and a shirt, he picks up his mail and sorted it out, the letter from his mother and sister, as well as several offers of new sponsors and job opportunities, since he was out of job and his sponsor's contracts were already over, he had the option to make some interesting choices, he sighs, after his resignation, and during the time he was at Durmstrang preparing for the fight, he had received several offers from all over Europe, but he didn't want to think about that at the moment. He wants to concentrate on his date with Hermione, and to brace himself for the teasing he was about to endure…
He sighs, and resigned takes the jacket form the chair, the paper from the table and went down to have breakfast, the paper was enchanted to look as any muggle paper only on Bulgarian, he was happily eating his breakfast and reading the paper when he gets to the sports section… only to find a half page photo of himself and some speculations, neither his teams or his sponsors had publicly talk about the end of contract, and now the papers had noticed his absence in the Bulgarian matches, as the cause of Bulgari not attending the world cup, since his star player was fighting for his life, and the Bulgarian league, had not comment on his future, so they were making wild theories regarding his health after the first reports of improvement, and some speculations pointing to a quiet dead, in truth he will have to clarify his future soon, but for now he just enjoy his breakfast and wait for her friend to arrive, and all the teasing she will give him, he finishing the paper just in time for a member of the staff inform him about a lady calling on him in the lobby, he thank him and while folding the paper, he ask the staff to bring her to the restaurant, she looks has beautiful as ever, she is wearing stylish muggle clothes and looking every bit as a French model, a very nice and elegant suit and handbag, but her ring is prominently in display, since every man in the restaurant his looking at her, he smiles at her and after the usual pleasantries, he invites her a cup of coffee or a bowl of fruit, she accepts only a cup of coffee, since she had breakfast with her husband before he went to work, he smiles and after finish their cups, they went to the lobby and the concierge confirm him that the car is ready, and the driver already has the destination so they will travel without problems, she was a little impress of how well Viktor conducts himself on the muggle word, but she was not interested in that, she was interested in the kind of help he was asking, so they hop in the car…
– So, Viktor, was ze favor you want zo ask me?
– You still had trouble vith English, da? – he was trying to delay the moment as much as possible…
– Puf, – Fleur acted a little offended – you are one zo talk, I speak it better that you…
– Da, I been practicing but still have problems… – he admits, embarrass
– The books I recommend were not useful? – she was giving him a little reprieve
– Da, – Viktor answer uncomfortable – I order books and recordings, even got maĭka to help, she vork on England, study on the States, less pronounce accent do. – he looks at her hopeful.
– Oui, same as me, we can't help our accents, – she smiles proudly – besides français is the language of love and caring.
– Da, – he put a solemn face – but bŭlgarski is language of protection and loyalty.
Both break out in laughter at their antics.
– I ear they gave you bravery medals, both English and French governments…
– Oui, they say, is brave to fight protecting children, and family, Mère not so happy.
– Da, bashta yell at me for quitting Quidditch, he vant me to ignore it, he muggle born, and pacifist, maĭka proud do, grandfather fought Grindelwald, she always very proud of him, sad that he died, but he fought for vhat vas right, same as me.
The driver announces they were in the store, he can't park in front, but he will be waiting at the sideways, Viktor asks if he was due to be back or if he was with him for the day, which the driver confirms, he is hired all day with him.
– Blagodarya ti, argh, thank you – Fleur laughs a little bit at his attics and both exit the car. – I still trouble talking English all the time – they reach the door and he open it for her.
– Je vous remercie, we all have troubles letting go native language, you don't have zo, just be comfortable, now, what are we doing here? – she said looking around.
– Fleur, I did it – Fleur look at him puzzle – I invite Hermione to romantic date.
– il est temps que tu le fasses – Viktor look at her – about time you do it, where will you take her?
– Muggle restaurant, concierge on hotel help me get reservation, nice restaurant, candle light, live piano, very romantic.
– Sounds beautiful, what is ze problem?
– I staying in London for summer, I decided yesterday, I arrive yesterday, just brought this clothes and a set of robes, need to buy proper muggle attire, and I vant opinion of female friend, vith nice taste – Fleur look smug – you are my friend, and French vomen had good taste, pravilno?
– Oui, but why are you buying clothes on muggle side? Diagon Alley has good stores and some of them sold muggle attire, maybe you will be more comfortable there.
– Ne, vizard store too public, I don't vant Vitch Veekly to publish I'm in England, I vant date vith Hermione first, if they see me, they follow me and interrupt date, tomorrow I'll go to papers to talk about future, I vant nice, calm evening vith her. – she actually agrees on that.
Fleur is watching him carefully, gushing about the date, blushing and rambling, she knows the boy is madly in love, but is until now, that she realizes just how much, and she can't be happier, all teasing aside, she wants him to have a chance, he deserves it, both of them...
So, they spend the next hour going through outfits, both casual and formal, after all, Viktor, had the type of body that the muggle designers look for, he was tall, thin, sallow-skinned with dark hair and dark eyes, to be fair, even when she was pretty much in love with Bill, she can't deny that Viktor his a very handsome man. They pretty much buy everything they try, Fleur convinces him to purchase a pair of ties and dressy shoes, and to use one of the casual outfits to leave the store, since the boots he was using do great with the outfit, and just send all the other purchases to the hotel since they still are doing a little side scene and neither of them wants to have the boxes and bags on the car all day. They hop in and request to go to a park or somewhere to walk, the driver agrees and starts the car…
– Thank you for your help Fleur, but vith all this shopping you haven't told me vhat happen vith your store, you still vant to open one, pravilno?
– Oui, I do, and I have the perfect spot in Diagon Alley, but ze owner of store died, and son ask for more money, buying the store, won't leave me money for ze stock, and the goblins don't approve a loan, because they know how much Bill earns, petits salauds gourmands, I'm going zo look for something different, maybe smaller… – Fleur sounded a little sad and Viktor had a bold idea.
– Fleur, ve been friend for years, and have good relationship, nali?
– Oui, what are you getting at, Viktor?
– I buy the store, you buy the stock, you run it, as you vant it and ve split profits, you sixty, I forty – Fleur looks surprised at the smiling boy and his smile just widens
– Je ne peux pas y croire, tu es fou? Do you really want zo invest in my store? – Viktor actually laugh at that
– Fleur, I don't speak French, but did you call me crazy? – Fleur took a long breath
– Oui, I just can't believe it, are you serious? You want zo invest on my store?
– Da, I can't be a Quidditch player all my life, I need security for the future, I vant to invest in your store and get an income from stable source.
– Attends une minute, – she looks at him very seriously. – Viktor, are you retiring?
– Ne, I vant to play the next vorld cup, I just vant to have an extra income so I don't have to vorry for the future, and your store seems like a good start…
– Oui, I understand, Quidditch is not forever, but – she was a little confused and nervous, but she need him to be sure – Viktor, are you sure that this is what you want?
– Da, I vouldn't have offered it if I vasn't, I know you vill put all your effort into success, for me, your dream is vorth investing.
The driver announces them they were on the park and as they got down, he told them he'll be waiting in that spot as soon as they need him. Both of them thank him and start walking. It was rather amusing since Fleur was beautiful, and her walk was full of grace, while Viktor...well he still was duck-footed.
– So, do you vant to owl the son today and see him tomorrow to make the deal? I don't vant someone else to offer the money and you lost good space for store.
– Oui, I owl him as soon as I arrive home, zo make the appointment.
– Perfect, now, can you accompany me to have a light meal, before going home or you prefer something else?
– Oui, let's go zo eat, – they walk back to the car – somewhere with light food, I thought only Hogwarts food was heavy, but seems like is more like English food…
– Da, you always vorrying about getting fat, you'll be fat once you carry baby inside. – He saw something on Fleur eyes, but he didn't dare to ask so as soon as they hop in the car, he request to go a nice small French restaurant Fleur has spoken to him before.
– You remember everything I write you about? – he laughs a little bit to that – Oui, I'll accept be fat for that reason, but first I have zo convince Bill zo have a baby, he worries too much.
– Nevŭzmozhen, vhat vorries him? Both of you healthy, handsome, loving and hard-vork people, babies be lucky to have parents like you, so vhy he is vorry?
– Remember the scar on his face? – he agrees – he fought Greyback, the werewolf, and got those scars, a little after he develops some traits of werewolves, so he worries that babies also inherited werewolf traits.
– He fool, – Fleur look at him – person scratched by verevolf, but not converted vill not passed to children, does English medi-vitch at Hogvarts, didn't tell him?
– Oui, she did, but Bill is worried anyway.
– He too stubborn, medi-vitch at Hogwarts is very good.
– Oui, she treated him when he was a student and then after the Battle.
– You vant me to talk to him?
– Do you think you'll be able zo convince him?
– Da, Bulgarians have a long history vith verevolves, ve learn about them since cradle, almost all the Bulgarian's muggle and vizard alike have relatives scratched or bitten by a verevolf, ve know a lot.
– I'll invite you for dinner tomorrow and you talk zo him, Oui?
– Of course, I'll be there, I'll talk to your husband and give him more information.
They arrive at a little French bistro downtown and have a pleasant meal with little more mundane topics, such as Fleur lecture him about being himself and honest since Hermione probably will be a little caution regarding a relationship with him and he needs to be honest. They agreed to separate since he still has more business to do and she needs to be home, both to arrange the appointment for the store, and to get her finances in order, and to plan the remodeling as soon as the purchase of the store is done, and get ready to open as soon as possible.
Viktor, offers to take her to anywhere for her to disapparate, but she tells him that a couple of streets down is a nice disapparate spot so is no need for him to do so, they finish their meal and parted ways arranging to meet for dinner at her home the next day.
Viktor walks her out and they go in separate ways, the driver comes out of a little restaurant on the corner and Viktor decides to go back to the lawyer and ask for advice and help, he shows the card to the driver so he knows the address, he also states to the driver that it may take a while for them to settle affairs, to calm his fears, the driver tells him that the building they are going to has space for visitors and he can wait comfortably for him.
So, Viktor went to the reception desk and ask for Mr. Brandon, they told him he was out with a client, but he was welcome to wait, so he just sits in the lobby and wait for him, as soon as Mr. Brandon arrive and after a few pleasantries they went up to his office, on the elevator Christopher complimented him on his chosen outfit since not many wizards know how to dress for the muggle world, Viktor blushes a little bit while followed Christopher to his office, once they were seated, Christopher ask for the reason of the visit.
– I vant to open a muggle account in England – Christopher was a little surprised.
– Mr. Krum, I don't know how can I help you.
– You, a man of law, I need a man vho knows the law to help me, I'm a foreigner, and I have a little concern regarding that, maybe English people don't vant to deal with Bulgarians so, I need English men, vith a good reputation to be my representative, I have muggle money, a little, my father is muggle-born and he has several businesses in Bulgari, his father vas Chef and vhen died, my father did same as Severus, he invest the muggle money and had a lot of muggle contacts, he has open several businesses and is vealthy, in muggle standards, as his heirs, my sister and I have a muggle bank account, I rarely used it, until now that I decided to travel as a muggle to avoid the press, my mother gives me this vhen I vas first drafted to the Bulgarian team, so I could got out of school and hide on the muggle world – he shows Christopher his black credit card – I have access to my account, but my father is the one managing it, so I vant my own money, my investments and I vant your help vith that.
– I understand, boy, in what exactly do you want to invest?
– I vas thinking about something like sports or food, something steady, my father has a lot of money on the Bulgarian rugby team, but they…vell they are bad, never have classified to the vorld cup, rugby is important here, vell know? Maybe invest in soccer school, don't tell my father but I like soccer more than rugby, – both laugh a little bit – but there is one thing that is important for me, I vant vomen and men to sponsor, vomen often more committed, more focus, so I guess ve have to buy or invest in a company that give sponsorships and also set up a scholarship program, children need education, my father name is too big on muggle Bulgari so I can't do any of this there, but maybe here I have the freedom to do a lot of things.
– Yeah, actually is possible there are several schools and teams needing sponsors, I'll make a package and we can check it.
– Blagodarya ti, thank you, mother says that lawyers are shady, but she is a member of the Bulgarian diplomat so maybe you'll say the same about her.
– Probably, I don't like politicians, but your mother must be a force to reckon with, been with so high profile men in both worlds, but I'm guessing been a diplomat herself you have it hard.
– Da, they push me very hard and they have high expectations, I just vant to be the kind of normal I saw in the others, my friend Sergei is a talented vizard and player, he just quit quidditch to be a flying instructor at Durmstrang, my father vill cry a river if I chose that, and my mother vill yell at me for not going to the Ministry to vork vith her or in another public spot, so I get my own muggle money to combine vith my vizard money and I can do pretty much vherever I vant and help sister to do vherever she vants.
– Yeah, parents are hard, mine were devastated that I ended up being a squib, but when I became a lawyer and wealthy, they were proud and my family still had me on the family tree, so maybe at some point my descendants will be magical, but we'll see. Anyway I'll test the waters and check for you some options, did your father give you documents of the bank or you have a muggle ID?
– Da, the Bulgarian Ministry give me some travel documents, I have Id since 18, but my mother only give me the card, no papers she said it vas not important.
– Is not a problem, give me the card number and I'll check with the bank, I'm going to need your permission to request information, but maybe we have to open a bank account here and do a transfer of funds.
– If necessary I'll exchange money in Gringotts, I'm vealthy in the vizards' world.
– I know that, but don't worry, we'll cross that bridge when we get there. Right now I'll make Anne do a couple of appointments with the bank, a couple of foundations, schools and a couple of business owners I know will be interested in you as an investor, so you can talk to them, and decided, is tomorrow ok for starters or in a few days?
– Tomorrow is ok to start, but morning only, I have a commitment vith a friend for dinner and I hope Hermione agrees to more dates, so business only in the morning, now I have to go, need to get ready for date vith Hermione.
– You two are going on a date?
– Da, she didn't mention it this morning on her appointment vith you? – Viktor looks baffled.
– I'm messing with you boy, – he laughs a little.
– Mother right, lawyers are shady – Christopher laugh a little more.
– I'm old, I enjoy a little fun, but yes she did, she was a little nervous, and seek advice, may I give you some advice?
– Da, please, vhat do you think? I'm planning to be honest, but, I fear she may need more...
– She may, do you have a plan for today?
– Da, the concierge of my hotel help me, I'm staying in a muggle hotel per my mother's recommendation, and he helps me to get a reservation and a proper location.
– That's nice, but I mean the words you're going to use. She is a very accomplished woman, but she is also a girl, she skipped a little bit about being young because of the war, so, she has a lot of uncertainty, and even with the help of Severus, regarding money and school, she still has concerns, and you better help her to be ok.
– Da, I understand.
– She is smitten with you, and you're in love with her – Viktor looks at him in surprise and Christopher just chuckle – maybe I'm squib, but that look you have and all the subtle touching and logging give you away boy, is the same for wizards and muggles, I'm old enough to know, just be yourself, be confident, but above all, be honest, women love that kind of sincerity. – Christopher rise as well as Viktor, – Don't let me take any more of your time, go get ready, you're a handsome man, that doesn't hurt in the women eyes, so, take advantage of that feature.
They smile and after a handshake, Christopher informs the receptionist about Viktor leaving so the driver gets notice and be ready at front. Viktor leaves the office feeling the eyes of people while waiting for the elevator, once in the lobby he thanks the receptionist and leaves the building, the driver takes him back to the hotel and stays in the restaurant since Viktor is due to pick up a girl and hour later.
In his room, Viktor took a quick shower, and get dressed in the shoes and the tux Fleur recommended, and combed his hair a little bit. He felt confident and nervous, he left the room and get down, the driver was walking out of the restaurant, and proceed to leave, there were a few stares but he was too occupied with the speech in his head while the driver took the route to Hermione's house...
