Chapter 8: The Cup and the Meeting

The day of the Quidditch World Cup came. I was bouncing up and down the wall of my room with the excitement of seeing Viktor again. I already picked the clothes I would wear when I see him. I managed to reason with my father, mentioning the Krum's increased finances over the year with Viktor's father's investments in various wizarding companies all over the globe flourished. I pressed the matter to him with subtlety.

"Ianthé, after the match we're going back here directly with the Krums for dinner. They will stay here for a week on my invitation. I suggest you banish the clumsiness you have demonstrated last year." Alexander instructed.

"Yes, Papa."

The match was pretty fantastic, save for the fact that we once again met the Malfoys in the top box. I tried not to show my excitement as I heard Viktor's name being announced. Viktor broke his nose while trying to catch the Snitch. After the match, I bumped into the Weasleys who were with Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. I quickly smiled at the bunch as Fred and George managed a wink secretly. At long last, it was time to head back. We met with Viktor's parents near the stadium, with Viktor following behind them. I mouthed a "Hi!" at him and he smiled. It was a good thing that he smiled because every picture of him I saw at the Bulgarian contingency were all scowling.

"Great match, Viktor." Alex complimented him during dinner at the Herze mansion.

"Thank you, Mr. Herze," Viktor said in a gruff Bulgarian accent.

"I see your English is getting better." Margeaux smiled.

I really had no appetite that night because of the excitement of talking to him, even in secret.

"Papa, shall I give Viktor a tour of our house? They welcomed us to their home last year, so why not we give them the same hospitality."

"Very good idea , my child."

Ianthé led Viktor to the garden.

"It's so nice to see you!" she hugged him tightly.

Viktor tightened the hug, "It vos very hard to get away from your father's sight just to let me look at you… You have grown taller?"

Ianthé nodded, "You would not believe this. My father is arranging me to Draco Malfoy."

"Vhat?"

"Of course I decline any advances made by that slimy aaargh!"

Viktor laughed deeply, "Do you know how I missed your sense of humor? Your cousin Edmond misses you. He always tell me about your adventures vhen you ver young."

The week had passed and Viktor and I got even closer. It was sad to say that they were going back to Bulgaria. The night after the match, we read in the Daily Prophet, that there was a Dark Mark shot in the air and many masked Death Eaters creating chaos. My father was angered by what he read. I knew it had something to do with Lucius Malfoy. I knew the to-be match with Draco will be over before it started. I was, of course, very happy with the prospect. Nikki wrote to me apologizing because we did not find each other in the World Cup. She raved (in about 2 feet of parchment) about Charlie Weasley. I think she has lost her marbles over that guy, but I was happy for her. Viktor and I still promised to owl each other like last year. I was happy (practically bouncing) with the prospect. What my father told me before going to Hogwarts, however, was even better news. The three largest European wizarding schools, namely Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang (yey!), will participate in the Triwizard tournament. I believe this coming school year will be much more exciting than last year. Papa also told me Edmond and Viktor had the largest chance of being in the Durmstrang contingent. Life couldn't get much better than that……