A recommendation from the concierge sent them to a small cafe several blocks away. Several other women from the conference were seated at a large table in the corner, but did not try to approach them when Viktor scowled.
He chose a light, not-so-dry white wine, salads, and prawns in a lemon butter sauce with escargot as their entree. She suggested the crème brulee as dessert.
Over dinner, he kept the conversation light. "How are your parents? And Professor McGonagall. Is she doing vell as headmistress? I know you see her regularly, since you are liaison between school and Ministry. Is your job keeping you busy?"
"Viktor, my parents are doing fine, they have finally forgiven me for moving them to Australia without their knowledge or consent. Minerva is having a grand old time as headmistress. Alastor has come to each Defence again. They think they are fooling the other teachers, but it is obvious that they are still as in love now as they were when they married sixty years ago. I hope someday to be able to say that about the man I marry." She saw him blush a bit when she said that.
Determined, Viktor asked about things that he had to know before he could move forward with his intentions. "And the men in your life? Vhat about them? Veasley must still be around."
"I have had it with Ron. He hassled me for years about sex and I never gave in. Then just before I came to the conference, he tried to force me. I reacted just the way you showed me. I stunned him and called his brothers to get him away from me. I never want to see him again. The only men in my life currently are like brothers to me, except for one, you. You aren't like a brother. I haven't figured out exactly what you are yet, but I like being with you, talking to you, comparing our reading lists, and having fun," she answered him honestly.
His smile grew wider at her words. He felt much more confident. "I also enjoy our time together, loff. Ve do not haff to be doing things all of the time, just being together is vonderful."
They laughed over his mishap on his broom at practice. Then he said, "You vere so calm, helping delifer Luna's child. I vas wery impressed. You vere beautiful bathing the baby, too."
"I was so amazed that you were so willing to help. Harry was a wreck, but you were my rock. I knew I could count on you. You are always there for me, Vitya. I am so lucky to have you," she said, reaching across to hold his hand.
He squeezed her hand in return and put money down for the bill before they walked out into the Paris night. The Eiffel Tower spread light over the city. The walk back to the hotel was companionable. They didn't see Bill Weasley in the lobby, but he saw them going up in the lift together, laughing.
He found his wife still in the Potters' room transfiguring towels into nappies. She showed him the new baby, which he duly admired, and asked him if there was anything going on.
"I just saw Hermione and Viktor going up in the lift together. Have things progressed any?" Bill asked.
Luna Potter answered him, "Hermione and Viktor were both here helping me deliver James. Viktor did anything and everything she told him to do. It is so obvious to all of us that he worships her; why doesn't she see it?"
Ginny answered Luna's question, "I think she is starting to see. Her last run-in with my brother made her see that Ron was never the wizard for her. She dated enough these last few years that she pretty much knows what she wants. She just has to realise that Viktor is all that and more. He is such a gentle, kind, loving man; exactly what she needs. And he loves to just be with her."
Harry pointed out something else. "He has been playing pro Quidditch longer than any Seeker ever has. He is probably going to retire before long. He may start coaching, or buy a team himself."
Fleur said, "The conference starts in the morning, Viktor's mother and sister are registered for it. Maybe we can pick their brains about his intentions. Luna, you, Harry and the baby need sleep. You'll have to nurse him every two to three hours. So go to sleep now. Ginny, when is Draco due to get here?"
Ginny answered as they were leaving the room, "He should be here shortly. The solicitor told him there was someone interested in Narcissa's property she inherited from her great grandmother. It is somewhere in Provence. Draco hasn't seen the place in years; Lucius hated it because he said it was so earthy and Muggle-like. Thuban is with Mum and Dad. We'll go get him before the Quidditch game."
Bill and Fleur were in a room just down the hall from the Potters. Ginny was in a suite one floor down from the penthouse suite where the Krums were staying. Draco was waiting for her when she got to the room.
"Gin, you'll never believe who the potential buyer for the property is! It is Krum. He says it might be a wedding gift for his sister, but I think he wants it for himself. Tomorrow, while you are at the conference I am going to take Harry, and Bill, and meet him out at the property. We really don't need to charge a lot for it. If he is seriously thinking of marrying Hermione, we could let him have it cheaper. That is what you and Fleur have been plotting, isn't it; getting those two married? I am all in favour of it. Hermione is your best friend. I would like to think she and I are getting along better now." Draco knew his wife very well.
Ginny had the grace to blush when Draco told her he had figured out the conspiracy. She replied with a smile, "You do talk a lot, Draco. Isn't it time Thuban had a baby sister or brother? Come to bed and we'll discuss it."