Sorry for the delay, my sister seems to think that aunt means free babysitter and thankfully work has been steady.
Now, I have a few chapters done, I'm just editing them since I wrote them at breaks and at night, they need editing. I'll probably do updates once a week, fair warning, you probably notice that I'm terrible at chapter titles so you pretty much know the character/situation they speak about from the title, you've been warned.
I'm also going to leave some notes at the end when I use parts of other authors when they have an author, "", * and italic writing are going to be the signal that that specific line belongs to someone, for example, the toast of Snape, I didn't leave a note that time because is of common use, but sometimes, - like in this chapter -, the line belongs to someone else, I like to write, but somebody thought of that line before me, so is fair that whoever are you, kind reader of my work, know about somebody else work and thoughts...
As always, English is not my mother tongue, so I appreciate your support for any corrections or suggestions.
French
Ah bon? – Really?
Je ne peux pas y croire – I can't believe it
Cher dieu, tu es amoureux – Dear god, you are in love
Par toute evidence – obviously
Conceited bulgare – Conceited Bulgarian
Bulgarian
Da – Yes
Proklyatiya! – curses!
Ne – No
Bashta – Father
Frenski frenski – Smug french
Viktor woke up with a smile on his face, he did his morning exercises and took a shower.
As soon as he was dressed he realized that he was still on Bulgarian time, so he took all the bags for the previous day and order them in the hotel closet, and the books stayed on the box that had an Extension Charm, probably all the boxes have it, he knew his staying on the hotel was temporary, but until he found something more permanent, the hotel was not a bad choice, so he sat on the little table at the hotel room and took out a notebook he had bought on one of the stores, he was writing with passion, he started to write, but after an hour, he closed it and went down to have breakfast...
As soon as he was down at the restaurant, one of the butlers give him a couple of letters and the paper that had been delivered to him earlier in the morning, very muggle style, after he read the letters and the paper, that once again had a half-page picture of him, he took a deep breath and knew he couldn't postpone it any more, he finished his coffee and went to the little French bistro to use the disapparate spot Fleur talk about the day before, he appears on Diagon Alley, next to the offices of the Daily Prophet, as soon as he crossed the threshold he was recognized by every single member of the staff present at that moment, he was used to, but it was a little unnerving, he quickly asks for the sports desk clerk and sit with a relatively young boy...
– Hello Mr. Krum, you probably don't remember me, but I was at Hogwarts during the Triwizard Tournament and at the Weasley wedding.
– I'm sorry, I remember seen you there, but don't remember your name.
– Don't worry about that Mr. Krum, I'm beyond happy that you remember me at all. My Name is Lee Jordan, I'm the assistant of the sports reporter on the Prophet.
– Vell, nice to meet you, Mr. Jordan, I vas hoping to an interview vith your boss.
– An interview?
– Vell, more like a statement, there has been speculation about me on paper, and I just vant to clarify somethings and... vell prove that I'm not dead.
– Yeah, I was not sure about print that, but, you went completely off the grid, nobody knew anything about you, your family, your coach, your sponsor, no one was talking, so we assume that they wanted to keep quiet some issue with your health, we thought it was compromised after the Battle of Durmstrang and maybe you were dying or in a coma or something.
– I know, I read paper every day, even the gossips, they speculate about a secret vife, I hear about the voman in Sofia saying that vas my vife...Sergei and my sister vere...unpleasant with her...
– We never knew about it...
– Da, that vas the idea, anyvay, can you do the interview? I'm afraid I have a busy day...
– Sure, our sports guy is wast-busy, covering a press conference for the world cup...
– No need to cover for him, the sports guy on Bulgari tell me about his problems… but he on vacation so, I have to give an interview to an English reporter...
– Yeah, let's start, I have some questions and you can elaborate, so at the end we'll see what we got...
– Sounds fair...
Almost an hour later Viktor was leaving the Prophet, Lee was by his side since he was going to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes to meet with Arthur Weasley.
– Thank you, Mr. Jordan, I hope this clarifies some things and allovs me to have something more to read than rumors about me... – they were walking side by side.
– We'll see, the article will be up on the evening edition, sadly, your name pretty much guarantees to release an evening copy, I hope you and your girl are ready for what is coming...
– You know her; she is not someone easily scare. – Viktor smile at that.
– That's true, well, - They were in front of the shop – this is my stop, I'm helping the Weasleys with the inventory since I know how to handle some of the products and George is not coming back anytime soon. – Viktor look up to the store
– Nice store, maybe I come back vhen is open...
– Yeah, you may need to wait until the beginning of the school year. Right now, they are only working on through delivery service.
– Yeah, I know, one of the Veasleys died in battle at Hogwarts right?
– Not just a Weasley, co-founder Fred, his twin has been a rack, I- sorry, I shouldn't be telling you this.
– Not vorry, I understand, you friends vith the family, I hope ve see each other again, not as reporter and Quidditch player. – Lee smiled and enter the store.
Viktor made his way to Gringotts to make them aware of his presence in England so he could access his vault through them from the Bulgari branch to the English branch. After dealing with the goblins he meets up with Fleur and together they walk to a nice store, on the opposite side of the Weasley's Store, a much more elegant space with a lot of windows and very good lighting he could understand why she was so in love of the space, he walks a little bit to find the door for the second floor and it was a perfect space for designing and sewing, the space had a lot of possibilities, he had a flashback of one of those fashion boutiques, his sister make him go and it had a nice storeroom and back-office...
– You are right, it is a nice space, ovner is coming? Ve need to finish it if you vant to be ready by the beginning of the school year.
– Oui, – She looks at Viktor, – are you still on to help me with ze store?
– Da, it seems like a good investment, you have a decorator? I'm guessing is going to take a little work inside to make it functional and all, do you have suppliers for the fabrics and designs for starts?
–Oui, I have ze contacts and catalogs, as well as ze cost, I spent all evening yesterday getting ze numbers in order. Regarding ze decorator, I have one firm in mind, they are sending someone tomorrow to start ze work.
– Perfect, make sure everything gets as you want and that is functional to you, and attractive to clients.
– Oui, I have everything on my mind, it'll be perfect.
Viktor smiled at the hopeful and smiley face of Fleur, he was happy for her, and the small part he was playing on her dreams becoming true. They saw an older man walking with a younger one entering the store, Fleur introduces them to Viktor and the older man introduced himself as a witness for the transfer of the property. Viktor signed the deed after pay for the building. After that Fleur and Viktor went to the business association and register the business, Fleur was marked as owner and manager where Viktor was under silent partner, they may be friends, but this was supposed to be a business so they want everything in writing. Viktor and Fleur decide to go to the hotel to eat a little bit and get other affairs in order, once they were there, Viktor go up to his room to change for a more casual outfit since he was wearing a business suit and the business was over, in the meantime, Fleur was on the restaurant reading a book she had on her bag while enjoying a bowl of fruit that was been charge to Viktor room, she didn't notice that she was been observed by a figure on the restaurant...
Viktor went down and they left together, without noticing they were followed, they walk and arrive in the little disapparate spot, just to reappear just outside of the Shell Cottage, Viktor contemplates the house and smile, leave it to Fleur to live next to the sea it was a beautiful spot, Fleur looks at him and smile, he looked peaceful...
– Beautiful place, right.
– Yeah, for you at least, I can see your hand picking this place, is peaceful, and beautiful, but one vrong step, and you'll be at the bottom of cliff, this place reflects you, da? – Fleur laughs a little bit.
– Oui, I guess so...
– You guess? It's totally you! Beautiful and deadly. – he could hear the constant ebb and flow of the sea
– Your place is probably like a big high ceiling two store house in ze middle of the countryside…
– My home is a flat 10 by 6 on dovntown Sofia, I barely need to take 5 steps from the door to the bedroom and 3 steps to the study...
– Ah bon? – Viktor nods – Why?
– I'm a single man, I don't have visitors and travel a lot, having more seems unnecessary...
– What about girls? – Viktor looks at her. – Come on Viktor, you're young, you can't possibly tell me that there was no girl before her... – Viktor looks to the ground
– Of course, there vere girls before her, but I never took one to my place or hers, I never feel like that vith anyone, until I meet her.
– Je ne peux pas y croire – Viktor blushes a little bit.
– Is this a good moment to remember you that my French is limited and I don't understand vhat you're saying? – Fleur laughs quietly.
– I just can't believe it, you're handsome and nice and polite, it's just a miracle that you're single.
– Not miracle, she has been unavailable until now. I think my soul, vas vaiting for her...
– Cher dieu, tu es amoureux – Viktor blushes profusely – Oh, so you understand that...
– I do have some French fans...
They both look at each other and laugh until tears cover their eyes.
– Come inside, you can sit at the kitchen table while I cook. – they start to walk inside the house.
– I prefer to help you if you don't mind...
– You know how to cook? – Viktor looks at her offended.
– Just because I'm rich and my parents are rich doesn't mean I don't know how to cook...I have to hide from fans so I eat at home, and is too expensive just to order in or have a cook... – he was noticing the walls embedded with shells and whitewashed.
– What about a house-elf? – they were in the kitchen and she passes him vegetables and a knife.
– No, mother says is criminal to have an elf on a place as small as mine, she says, single men need to know how to keep a house clean and neat, vith or vithout women. – he chopped the vegetables into perfect squares.
– So your mother never made ze bed for you?
– No since I was eight and I vas able to do it myself, I have to do my bed, my laundry, and clean my room tvice a veek, vhen I got to Durmstrang I learn that ve have to keep our dorms ourselves, after the second year ve vere rated for it, and lose points, unlike Hogwarts, points not vere a silly contest, each point has a value, either on time or in candles, if you have enough points you could had more time on Quidditch pit, library or just free time, you also can exchange some for candles, – he added the chopped vegetables on a pan with hot oil – Durmstrang gets very dark, and ve don't light many fires so, candles vere perfect for stay late and study, – he then takes a sit while Fleur stirs the food – and vhen I vas back home, mother allowed that the elves of the house clean my room, made my bed and vash my clothes on veekends, but nothing else. She told me that they have house-elves because she travels a lot and father is busy with the business so they don't have time during the veek to keep the house in a good state, but on veekends, they made their beds and clean after them and they cook for each other...
– Incredible, – Fleur then went to the freezer, – sorry Viktor, the vegetables are usually what I eat at night with a bit of meat, and cheese and Bill eats ze meat almost raw, but how you like the meat? Do you want meat?
– Vell, I like it greasy and overcook...but really, just make it a little more cooked than the one for Bill, I don't vant you to do too much for me...
– Please, you'll be doing me a favor. Bill is stubborn...
– Vell, he conquer you, so he has to be, – Fleur look at him – what? You vere a little bossy and had high standards, I'm kind of curious about vhat did a curse-breaker, commoner, English man, in order to conquer a self-absorbed, quarter-Veela, from a very vealthy French family... – Fleur punch him on the chest – ouch, I said vere...you're nothing like that anymore, back on Hogwarts you vere a little brat, and I guess me too, but I projected a sullen exterior so nobody noticed, plus famous... – he took her hand – you and I are the perfect examples that family doesn't define us, if anything, allovs being vho ve really are, you vere beautiful on school, but on vedding day, um, you vere gorgeous, and now in this little secluded part of the world you are radiant, and your husband is very lucky man. – They heard the bell of an apparition and less than a second later Bill was crossing the door and entered the house...
– Honey, I'm home... – He said before kissing Fleur and because Viktor was sitting on the blind corner of the kitchen he didn't notice him. Viktor clears his throat after half a minute... – I'm sorry Viktor I-I didn't see you there, I thought you'll be here a little later... – he was visibly embarrassed, but Fleur was smiling...
– Told you, radiant – Fleur blushes and went back to the food, Bill looks between them with curiosity – come on I help you set the table vhile she finishes and maybe play a game of chess vhile ve vait... – Fleur look at him, impress on how easily he got Bill to relax. They took the tableware and went to the dinner table after they set the tree plates they went to the living room and set the board...
– I do have pieces for guests... – said Bill looking at one of the cabinets...
– Don't vorry, I have my ovn... – He took out of his pocket a beautiful red set of pieces.
– You really are a Durmstrang boy, don't you? – said Bill laughing...
– Said by the guy vith golden and red pieces, – said Viktor with irony...
They both laugh at their antics...
– So, we toss a knut? – Viktor took out the coin and flip it, Bill went first. They play and chat a little...
– So, brother is going to the chess qualifier, da?
– Yeah, he is pretty excited, he is coming to play tomorrow to break his new pieces and prepare properly...
– Uh, vill he travel alone?
– No, my brother George will go with him, he needs to travel clear his mind a little...
– I know, – Bill looks at him, – vhen I read paper about battle, I read about the Veasley's loyalty and about the one that fall, and today outside the store, Lee Jordan told me that his twin, is still a vreck...
– Yeah, he-wait – Bill look at Viktor, – do you know Jordan? – Bill was curious about how they know each other...
– I meet him today, I remember him from time at Hogvarts, but today I learn his name and he is sad.
– Yeah, he helped to create some of the products in the shop. – Viktor looked impressed – but how do you meet him?
– I vas at the prophet today and he vorks as an assistant of the sports reporter.
– The prophet? with all the things they are saying about you? why did you do that?
– Vell, I have to clear some things, I'm guessing the evening copy should be here anytime now...you're subscribed, right?
– Yeah we are...
– I like to see the picture, they used… the backup photograph took it, apparently, every photograph was covering the Quidditch cup...
– Well is a major event, after a war, even without you is important...
– I know... So, and is not because I don't vant to talk about Quidditch anymore, but I don't vant to talk about Quidditch, Fleur is very close off about making me godfather, so, can I abuse and ask to be the godfather of one of your children? – Viktor smiled innocently at him and Bill laughs a little bit...
– Sorry mate, if we ever have children, I'm afraid I have four brothers who will ask for the same... – he sounds sad.
– Proklinam te! – Viktor said laughing – I didn't think of that...vait, vhat you mean vith if? – Bill was uncomfortable.
– Well I don't think is a good idea...
– Vhy? I mean, – He look like he was a little regretful of overstepping – sorry but you are perfect couple, good people, hardvorking, have loving families, any kid vill be lucky to be yours...
– Yeah, but this – he caresses the scar.
– It's just a battle vound, if anything is the proof of your bravery...
– And my curse... – Viktor look at him – the werewolf Greyback did this to me, the night Dumbledore died since then I have a trait of wolves and I don't want my children to be touch by it.
– You idiot – Bill look at him surprised – for vhat read on prophet, and the fact that you are sitting in front of me, and not in a ditch, that Greyback volf preferred some sort of partial transformation, he had clavs and face, but no full-on volf form, so your scar, is only for you, your children vill not bear the curse of the volf. Didn't the medi-vitch at Hogwarts tell you that?
– Yeah, still...
– If you are really vorried I can take you to the Bulgari Institute of Magical Creatures, ve have full ving on verewolf studies dating back to the dark ages.
– Your institute has an entire wing? We barely have a couple of shelfs…
– Da, that's because Englishmen didn't vant to be tainted for European folklore and superstition, at least the muggles and the vizards vere happy to hide that very vell, as for Bulgari vell, ve as vell as Romania, had a vast and long history vith magical creatures, and ve don't discriminate muggles tales, the history of magical creatures vas not vell hidden, especially since vampires and verevolves, the primary two races, were determinate to be careless, volves can't be avoided they lost all sense of self vhen change, very few muggles could scape, and vampires...poof...that Vlad, did them good publicity, I mean the Dragon Order was a joke, on ottoman eyes, then he gets to be a hostage of the Sultan, then he came back, becomes a very volatile person, in second vedding marries the cousin of Corvinus, King of Hungary, betrays him and suddenly dies?, vell, he is not dead I tell you that, – Bill was impressed, Viktor sounded so passionate about the history – He very pissed tough, he spread his curse all over Europe, verevolves bother him, because they don't bow, so he sends his "men" so to speak to hunt them, muggles notice, and then that Stoker man stumbles local folk, let me tell you, he lucky syphilis took him and that Vlad vas busy vith other affairs, or he vill have kill him himself, actually he is very educated and literate man, visionary and actually peaceful, for vhat I can gather in our talks, he is interesting, – Bill was stunned – but back to volfs...ve have studied, ve have tales, even have the bloodline and several traces of the first pack, they are not immortal, but they have more numbers so ve are prepared to any scenario, but let me tell you this, a person vho was touch by a half-convert did not carry volf genes, so the bloodline, the seeds are not tainted, I mean, even if Fleur had been attack by him, get an scar as you have, the children vill not be tainted, so forget it. Now, can you have 5 kids? – Bill almost falls from the chair – vhat? Your family is big and having 5 kids guaranty me a godson... – Viktor looks at the board – by the vay, check. – Bill look at the board too, he was in check he tried to find a solution, but he had to sacrifice a tower...
– Let me get this straight, you want me to have 5 kids just for you to have a godson with us?
– Da
– Oh, no, you can't ask for that after you told me you are friendly with Dracula!
– Oh, he hates that name, I mean, he son of a dragon, but he not very happy vith been call that for all eternity both by muggles and vizards, and regarding son of you, is a very fair request, I'm friend with Fleur, I don't vant to be presumptuous, but I like to think I am a best friend for her, so maybe I can be tasked vith responsibility of a godson...check again. – Bill looks at the board and this time he sacrifices the knight, Viktor smiles and moves his knight – Checkmate.
– What? no... – but his king has dropped the sword.
– Da, King trapped with my knight, at the right vith queen, left, block by horse. – Bill scans the board and looks at Viktor surprised.
– You are very good.
– Ne – Viktor starts to reset the pieces. – just spend a lot of time on infirmary, you don't need hands to play chess, so I had practice...a lot.
– You do spend a lot of time on infirmaries, right?
– Da, the downfall of being good Quidditch player, every player vants to hit you vith a bludger, some had succeeded...
– Just good? you are incredible, the best in decades maybe ever...
– Ne, someday, somewhere vill be a better one, so I have to keep practicing and playing and entertaining – he sounded exhausted – frankly, I'm tired, if I had not promised my Bashta, that I vill play another world cup, I'll probably have announced my retirement today at the prophet...
– So what did you announce? – they heard the laugh of Fleur in the kitchen and they were intrigued, so they went to her. She was reading the prophet and tears were rolling through her face.
– Really, Viktor? – she looks at him – you, ah, I can't even be mad at you, this is sweet and cheesy, and romantic, arg, your fans are going zo love you, even more, I hope you are prepared...
– What does it say? – Bill took the paper from his wife and start reading. – Great article Mr. Krum, – He cleans a tear from his eye, – very good indeed, as my wife said I hope you are prepared...
– I had hoped I could present my condolences properly, but your mother probably hate me for taking Hermione avay from Ron, and I don't vant to intrude, so this vas my small token, I hope your family finds comfort, in knoving that you are not alone, that ve all lost something in this var, and hopefully, ve learn.
– I hope so too, Viktor – Bill was containing the tears, – But not that long ago, wizards were saying the same of Grindelwald.
– Da, Maĭka had just born, vhen vizards vow not forgetting the first time, she is a politician now, so is a lot more cynical...but enough of this, let's eat, – he gets to Bill's ear – I vant to see if Fleur actually can cook.
– I heard that! – Both men laugh and went with her to the table, she took her seat, then Bill, then Viktor, and eat peacefully for a couple of minutes.
– I stand corrected; this delicious Fleur.
– Par toute evidence, I'm offended you didn't believe it...
They laugh a little more, and after they finish, they talk a little bit more while Bill and Viktor clean the dishes...
– Seriously though, you should come and practice with Ron, he will want to beat you at anything...
– Da, but I don't think I'll have time, have some things to take care of, and Quidditch career can't be postponed more than summer if I want to qualify for the Bulgarian National Team and the next Quidditch cup I have to had a team by the end of summer...
– Are you sure you aren't coming back zo Bulgari? – Fleur was really interested. – The Vratsa will rehire you immediately.
– Da, Vratsa not the same, I learn that playmates had death eaters among his relatives, and I killed them during the battle in Dursmtrang, they vent and see me in hospital, but air is thick, they don't need to see me if they want to have a true opportunity of healing.
– Is not your responsibility, Viktor. – Fleur sound concern – you shouldn't feel guilty for that.
– It vas my choice to cast that spell Fleur, – He was looking right through her eyes – I knew vhat vill happen vith the people in front of me, I remember yelling to Sergei to put kids behind me, I knew very vell they vill be killed, I don't regret cast the spell, but they don't need remember every time they see me that I kill someone they love...
– It's too much on your shoulders, Viktor, they took a choice, same as you. – Fleur was looking right into his eyes – come on, it was worse in the maze, there you vere powerless, controlled by someone else, now you are in control.
Viktor nods, but he knew better, he had a good couple of days, but since he woke up after the battle, he had mood swings and nightmares here and there, it was just a matter of time before he snaps again...
– Yeah, vell… I think that… since I thoroughly defeat husband, you may vant to give it a try on chess game? for the redemption of husband. – Viktor tried to change the subject, and Fleur let it go for the time being.
– Game on, conceited Bulgarian
– Oh, yeah, Frenski frenski, let's see what you got. – they went to the living room, leaving a very astonish Bill in the kitchen.
– Good Lord they act like siblings... – He went to the living room, he really wanted to see them play, but nothing could have him prepared for what he saw, Viktor and Fleur were literally maintaining eye contact and just ordering the pieces without looking at the board, Fleur had replaced Bill pieces for her own blue ones and it was an incredible contrast, the blood-red pieces of Viktor against the light blue pieces of Fleur, he chuckle, it was like Durmstrang Institute against Beauxbatons Academy, he only had Griffyndor pieces and notices, not for the first time, how wrong was the system of Hogwarts, they were loyal to their houses, but they were fighting among them, that was the real reason behind Voldemort success, Hogwarts was divided inside herself, while Viktor and Fleur were loyal to the School, Weasley's and Potter's were loyal to Griffyndor, while Malfoy's and Black's were loyal to Slytherin, maybe if the houses weren't fighting, or more like, three houses against one, things would have been different...
– Checkmate.
Bill look at them to see who had won...Fleur was looking smug and Viktor was very pleased...
– Next time, I'll win.
Viktor left a little after that, promise to stay in touch for the details of the store and to get his rematch, Fleur hug him, knowing that, he had planted the seed on Bill's heart and he hugs her back, knowing they were in fact, best friends. Bill shake his hand and then he disapparate, been later than usual, he apparate in the alley down the street of the hotel. He checks with the concierge for messages and went to his room, he falls asleep, but hours later, he woke up with a jump, and simply couldn't go back to sleep, so he started to read one of the books of Snape, since he had received them, he had been intrigued of why Snape had them, but at that moment he didn't care, he just starts reading... "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness..."* The morning came and he was in his bed, reading, he carefully bookmarks before putting the book on the table and started his morning routine, he took a bath and went to had breakfast, he took the book with him and one of the butlers give him the paper, he was glad to see the interview again on the paper, but he didn't care, he scanned the paper quickly and fund a little article about Potter, the press insisted on pair him up with Hermione and at the same time with Ron, he just chuckles, they had to sell, so they need a little scandal, he also is informed about a note for the embassy regarding his mail, apparently, he had too much to be sent to the hotel...
Notes: * Opening lines from A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens, Book the First, Chapter I.
