Harry dashed up the Grand Staircase, feeling more grandiose than usual. In the crevices of his mind, he knew that if anyone knew he was trusting someone he'd known for only one day with his Firebolt, he'd get signed into St. Mungos quicker than it takes Professor Trelawney to predict his death in their Divination lessons - and that was pretty quick, admittedly.
He didn't care though - he was beyond the point of being fed up with the way he had been treated today and he knew it was only going to get worse from here on out. What's the worst that could happen, right? It wasn't as if Viktor was going to hop on it and fly away from the school. He was already a champion. Harry found that he didn't regret his initial decision to accept Viktor's offer.
He reached the Fat Lady within minutes, uttered the password to the portrait and she slid over and granted him entry. As he walked in, it was mostly deserted, which was a good thing. No one would ask where Harry was going with his Firebolt - his meeting with Viktor was still going to be private. He preferred it like that. Something in him felt that this blossoming friendship with Viktor was something he felt that shouldn't be a public fact. He pondered if Viktor felt the same way.
Harry slipped into the boys dormitories and nimbled over to his bed, lifting the bedding that trailed along the floor to reveal a Firebolt in lock and chain in order to prevent anyone getting any funny ideas in attempting to steal it while he was gone. Not that he assumed any of the Gryffindors that shared the room with him would do this, but you never knew who could get into these dormitories. Just last year, an escaped convict had managed to find his way in here standing over Ron with a knife.
Granted, it was later learned by them that Sirius Black was falsely charged and that he was, indeed, innocent after all. The thoughts of his godfather made him feel a tinge warmer. It made him feel more corporeal - despite everything, he could still love. Harry also couldn't help but let out a small chortle as he pictured Dumbledore's enlightenment at Harry's emotional state.
Harry recovered the Firebolt, fixing the bedding to where it would cover where the chains lay to hold down the Firebolt. With one last glance back into the room, the wooden doors slammed shut and Harry departed for the second floor, hoping to find Viktor waiting for him.
Sure enough, once Harry had arrived on the fourth floor, Harry noticed the tall outline of a man in a proud stature, also glancing up at him. The man Harry made out to be Krum waved a light hand. Harry returned it with a thumbs up. He ran down the staircase, his Firebolt kept safely tucked under his arm.
Once he met with Viktor, he loosened the grip on the Firebolt and held it out. Viktor ran a hand down it and a smile formed on his face. "Very good. Very well kept. It's nice to meet someone as dedicated as I am." A small blush appeared on Harry's face as one of the most famous seekers in the world admired his attention to detail in caring for his broom. It was definitely his most prized possession, with the only exception being his wand.
"Yeah, I got it last Christmas. Anyways, shall we head down to Hogwarts' quidditch pitch? We're not having a quidditch cup this year, but I think it's still useable." said Harry.
"Hmm," spoke Viktor, aloud. "Is it well out of sight? I wouldn't like us to be disturbed. I've had a lot of admirers disrupt me since I came to this school. It would be nice if it could be kept between us. I presume no one knows about this, no?"
Harry was quick to shake his head at the other's question. "No, no one knows. I haven't had a good day today. I wish I was having your experience as a champion, but it's whatever," a frown formed on his lips as he inwardly felt jealousy at the high pedestal everyone seemed to place Viktor on. "And yeah, it'd be hard to tell it was us, even if you were sitting in the stadium. You don't have to worry about people getting in the way of us."
Viktor let out a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness. Even I need a break sometimes. Well, shall we?" And with that, Viktor proceeded down the stairs, not turning back to look at Harry as he want. Harry stood, dimwitted, for a few moments before he realised what Viktor meant and began to speedily catch up to him.
A few people had been mingling in the Entrance Hall, but it was just mostly groups of friends heading back to their common rooms or conversing between themselves. Harry did notice him and Viktor get starred and pointed at by a group of girls who were probably older than Harry, but younger than Viktor. He hoped they wouldn't try to follow the two of them out to the quidditch pitch. He, like Viktor, needed a break from people for today.
The grounds were mostly empty, thankfully. Harry was even happy to see that Hagrid wasn't around - he was sure Hagrid wouldn't outright chastesize Harry for making friends with Krum, but Harry was sure he would throw out several cautionary statements and make him wary of Krum. He felt this would be unfair and unfounded because besides Hermione, Krum was the person being the warmest to him right now.
"Just a path off here, and we should be there." pointed Harry, a giant wooden door that held the entrance to the quidditch changing rooms and general entrance to the stadium. "We are quite a ways away from the school, it seems. I do not think we'll be interrupted out here." spoke Krum. "You're right." replied Harry.
The sky was a darkening blue. If Harry had to speculate, he would assume street lights back in Privet Drive would be turning on right about now. He didn't want to stay out too late with the other in fear of anything happening to either of them. He also thought it was plausible to harbour a slight seed of distrust for anyone he was new to, especially considering his past affairs.
Harry and Viktor made way into the changing rooms. Harry glanced up at the taller male and said, "What are you going to wear to fly? There's probably some spare uniforms in here that could maybe fit you. They'd probably be a little tight, but you're pretty bulky." This was no exaggeration at all - compared to Harry, Krum issued power. Harry didn't feel too intimidated by it, but he had made a mental note from the first time he saw Krum up close to never make him upset.
"It is no matter." Viktor took off his giant fur coat, revealing a thick long sleeved t-shirt, showing off the crest of Durmstrang in the top left corner of it. It was blue and tucked into his black sweatpants. Harry noticed that with the coat off how toned the other's body was - the chest area was certainly more pushed out, but the stomach area definitely was more closed in. "I'll play in just this. It's fine."
Harry nodded shortly, before handing Krum the Firebolt. Krum hesitated for a second and then took it in his grasp, running his hands over it again. Harry couldn't help but notice that Krum was muttering under his breath in a different language. Harry felt it was correct to assume that it was his mother tongue, Bulgarian. He didn't say anything but wonder avidly at what made Krum do this.
"Alright, let's go to the pitch. Just out this door?" Viktor directed at Harry. "Yeah, through there and you're right out to the pitch." replied Harry. Viktor swung the door open and proceeded out in fast haste. Harry followed behind, feeling somewhat smaller than usual. Something about hanging around with Krum was sort of demeaning - but he assumed this was all inside this head, since as he had recollected in the castle, Krum was the person who had been the most nice to him today.
Harry and Viktor walked to the middle of the pitch, both gazing up at the sky. It had darkened a tiny bit. Harry saw a star, extremely far off. Viktor began mounting the broom and hovered a few feet off the ground on it. He called out to Harry, "Very nice. I really like what you do with your Firebolt, Harry." Harry felt warmer inside at the quidditch star's praise and spoke mildly, "Thanks, I guess. You can go for a ride on it now, I'll watch."
Viktor had a puzzled looked on his features. Harry was curious as to the other's disposition on him granting free control of his Firebolt. Viktor piped up, "I thought we were riding together, no?" Following this, he placed a hand behind him, issuing to Harry that he wanted him to sit there. Harry spluttered over his next few words. "I, - well, uh... if you want. I'll get on then." Viktor nodded.
After a slight bit of difficulty, Harry climbed onto the back of the broom, sitting nonchalantly. He placed his hands between the bits of broom revealed between him and Viktor. Viktor turned his head around and spoke, "Your arms. Hold onto me. You will slip off and fall if you don't. I am fast on a broom... but I do not think I'd be able to help you if that happened." spoke Viktor, a tone of worry in his voice.
Harry's face flushed as he moved his arms up and wrapped them carefully around Viktor's waist. Their bodies were close to each other. Something felt a little weird to Harry, but he decided to brush it off. He boiled it all down to nerves about flying with the Viktor Krum, an international quidditch star.
"Get ready. On five." forewarned Krum. Harry gulped and tightened his grip a little more.
"One, two…" and with that, Krum shot off like a bolt. Harry almost fell back as they shot straight up into the air, zooming higher and higher into what seemed like endless sky. After a few moments, Krum fixated them correctly as they hovered miles above the quidditch pitch. It took Harry a few moments to recover his breath.
Viktor turned around and grinned shyly. "I forgot the other numbers, so I decided to just go instantly. Heh. You're okay, yes?" Harry was still struggling to breathe after such an exhilarating take off. "Y-Yeah! I'm fine. I just didn't expect that, it was amazing!" Krum had an embarrassed glint on his features. "You are too nice, Harry. Let's keep flying."
And yet again, without a warning, Krum shot off and soared around in the clouds. Harry was squeezing around Krum's middle, forgetting that his legs even existed as now that he was in this momentum and in so little control of the situation, they felt nonexistent. The only thing that was real when you were this high in the sky was that the only thing to keep you safe was your broom. Thankfully, Harry had a quidditch legend at his disposal also.
Krum took swift dives and knew how to sharply pull out of them. Harry's specialty was dives - but he'd be lying to himself if he didn't believe at quite a few points that they were actually going to collide with the ground. Harry felt that you couldn't help but to admire how much practice Viktor has put into practising the sport of quidditch. He didn't know a single player alive who could perform as nimbly and suavely as Viktor did.
Viktor began to proceed to unwind in the speed, and soon, they were gliding along the air on the sky, the sky blackening. Stars were visible now - they seemed closer, yet further away than ever before. Viktor was panting heavily, as was Harry. Viktor turned around and said, "Well?" inquiring for Harry's opinion on his flying.
"That was bloody brilliant. You're amazing at this. How did you get so good?"
"I've been flying since I was very young. My father taught me how to do it. He was also a quidditch player. Dmitri Krum. His reputation helped me get scouted and trained like this."
Harry simply stared in awe at Viktor's recollection - he certainly had one interesting childhood, that was for sure. Harry wished he could have experienced something like it, but his was full of dreadful memories of the Dursleys and the horrid life he faced back there. He shuddered, not wanting the memory of those 'waiting' for him back there to ruin this moment for him.
"That seems like a load of fun. Loads better than mine, at least."
Viktor gave him a slightly sad stare. This shocked Harry - Viktor was emotive than Harry had initially gave credit for. He certainly knew how to radiate a cold aura and present one, that was for sure. This guy was more pleasant than he had initially expected. Somewhere, in the depths of his mind, he was sure he could hear Hermione's voice utter, "Celebrities are people, just like us, too."
"How about we move away from this quidditch pitch? It's nice but it's much too small for my pleasure. We don't have to go near the school. We can fly over the forest below."
Harry smiled in response, "Yeah. I'd like that."
"Alright, get ready. I'm about to go off again."
Harry returned to his slightly bent position, putting all his energy into gripping onto Krum. After time, he hadn't really minded this. As weird as it felt to imagine, Krum was actually quite nice to hold like this.
In seconds, they shot off and Harry looked down at everything below him. When he had flown, he had always been focused on quidditch, and never quite looking at what was around him. Like this, he could truly take in the beauty of the world below him when he was on a broomstick. The sight was breathtaking, no doubt. He was glad he didn't reject Viktor's offer - this was incredible.
Viktor zoomed across the thick layers of the forest below them. Harry had never truly realised how deep and mellowed the forest was. Even from above, it seemed to last for miles upon miles. He was fairly confident that it was probably bigger than some settlements in Britain. He didn't want to even assume what kind of creatures laid in the most dense parts of the forest. The furthest he had ever gone was to meet with a giant spider called Aragog, and even then, he barely made it out alive, and this was a sudden realisation that Aragog probably was not the most frightening monster in there.
As the sky fell even darker, with every few tricks Viktor would pull off, Harry could notice a bright orange in the forest sometimes. He even thought he could hear voices at one point. He brushed it off to being his imagination, but it still peaked his curiosity, but he knew he'd be better off if he kept his mind elsewhere. He had had enough of the Forbidden Forest to last him a lifetime, and he wasn't about to make another trip in there if he could help.
After swoops, dives, loops in the air and all sorts of crazy combinations on a broom Harry didn't even think imaginable, Viktor had stopped agained. He was catching his breath, one hand keeping grip on the broom. He was coughing slightly. "You okay, Viktor?" he plucked up the courage to ask. "Yes. Fine. It's getting cold though, even for me. You noticed it too, yes?"
"Noticed what?" Inquired Harry, the statement grasping his curiosity.
"This forest. It looks like something is happening inside it. I wonder what could be going on. Would you have any idea? This seems very odd to keep near a school."
"I know some of the stuff that goes on in it.. I've been in there before, but definitely not in the deepest parts of it. I don't know what that orange light was, if that's what you're referring to."
Viktor hummed a little, a puzzled look appearing on his expressions.
"It is dark it now. Karkaroff will be wondering where I have headed off to. I did not quite tell him of this meeting, you see. I think he will keep his eye on me since I am the champion of Durmstrang. It is slightly overbearing, but I am sure he will lay off soon." spoke Viktor aloud. "I will drop you off at the gates of your school, then go back to the boat."
Harry interrupted quickly, "No! If you don't mind, I'll drop you off. I'd feel bad, considering the great time I've had. Plus, it's a little embarrassing to say but... I was wanting to know your opinion on my flying. I mean, heading back to your boat isn't the best way, but I'm sure we can arrange more stuff like this. This was a lot of fun."
Viktor beamed and was accepting of the offer instantly. "That is very kind, Harry. Thank you. I'd be happy to bear witness to your flying. You must be very skilled if you are the youngest Hogwarts player in a long time." Harry felt it endearing that Viktor remembered this tidbit of information.
With that, they shifted around awkwardly on the broom. Harry was now in control of the broom and felt enamored with it, almost as if it was more than a prized possession. He felt honoured that Viktor Krum had rode it and was now letting Harry take him on a journey. Harry felt Viktor's arms wrap around his middle and he let out a nervous sort of chuckle.
"I definitely don't fly as fast as you do, so you don't really need to do that." said Harry, awkwardly.
"It is better to be safe than sorry, my friend. I learned that a lot practicing." replied Viktor, knowledgably.
"If you say so then. I'm about to start."
And with a bang, they zoomed off. Harry was focused mainly on flying but the man behind him holding onto him for what he speculated was dear life was confusing. It felt good, but in a weird way. He wasn't exactly sure how to describe the sensation that spread across his body as he carried Krum on the back of his broomstick.
It had began to rain. Harry loosened the grip of his broom with one hand and felt the rain dampen his hair. It then sparked Harry's curiosity. "Hey Viktor, what about your fur coat?" Viktor looked up, seemingly concentrating on something else. "Ah. I will pick it up soon. Do not fly back there just to get that. I think you should get some sleep. I do not have lessons while you do. I will live without it."
Harry felt a little bad about not going to get the Durmstrang coat, but he was glad he didn't have to exactly prolong this flight. It was true, he did have lessons tomorrow and a ton of homework he still needed to do. Besides, Hermione was probably in tatters wondering where he had got to, especially since they had been out here for what seemed like ages. Harry even noticed that far off, some lights in the castle were gone and the sky was pitch black now. He knew he couldn't afford to prolong getting back any longer.
Within a few minutes, Harry had arrived at the stone circle that was seeable immediately upon exiting the long, winding bridge that connected the hill to Hogwarts castle. Harry could just barely make out the giant ship of Durmstrang a little bit away. Harry aimed in towards the gangway that let people in and out of the ship with ease.
After a swift and cool dive, the pair of them hovered above the ground. Viktor got off with ease and he walked forward to the gangway, turning around to look at Harry, with a smile on his face. "Harry, thank you for the fun night. I hope we can meet again soon. You can either find me in your school library or in the barracks of this ship. I hope it isn't too long before we see again soon." Harry nodded in agreement, agreeing with the sentiment.
"And…" spoke Viktor, before going quiet. Harry didn't say anything but he heard Viktor speak in his mother tongue again. "Mnogo si sladŭk. Goodnight, Harry."
Harry was unsure of what he had said, but he was grateful all the same. "Goodnight."
And with that, Harry flew off towards the castle, his body writhing in adrenaline after the night's fun events. No matter what, no one would know about this. This was for him, and him only. Not even Sirius would know about this. He didn't want anyone to ruin this night for him.
He also didn't want to think about the thoughts and feelings that arose in him during the night - but, in the nooks and crannies of his mind, his subconscious knew he would have to confront the feelings. One day, however.
That was not today.