So I lied.
I totally forgot that I needed Viktor and the others to have their conversation about Luka, so this chapter will be dedicated to that, and the next chapter, we shall be going to Australia.
Sorry. Bad Kisha lol.
I had visions, I was in them
I was looking into the mirror
To see a little bit clearer
Rottenness and evil in me
Fingertips have memories
Mine can't forget the curves of your body
And when I feel a bit naughty
I run it up the flagpole and see who salutes
But no one ever does
I'm not sick but I'm not well
And I'm so hot cause I'm in hell
-Flagpole Sitta Danger Harvey
Chapter Twenty-Three: An Enigma
Hermione and Ron sat with Harry and Daphne as they watched the world speed by them through the window of the Hogwarts Express. They had been having a grand time playing Exploding Snap and munching on the sweets from the trolley.
When Daphne stepped out to check on her sister, Ron and Hermione's demeanors suddenly turned serious. Harry could look at them and tell that something was amiss.
"What's going on?" he asked his best friends.
Hermione sighed, hesitant to tell Harry what she and Ron had planned. "I'm going to Australia, to bring back my parents, Harry."
Harry smiled. "That's brilliant, Hermione! The Ministry finally located them?"
"Yes. I got the letter a few days ago. They work and live in a small suburb in Melbourne."
"I thought you sent them to Sydney."
"The Australian Ministry intervened when Death Eaters were seen there."
"Oh."
"Ron is coming with me." said Hermione looking down at the floor.
Now Harry understood the hesitation. They hadn't included him. He didn't know if he should be angry or hurt.
"So this is a couple affair then? You know I would go with you two." said Harry, disappointed.
"Of course mate." said Ron. "It's just we thought it would be nice just the two of us you see. And besides, you'll be with Daphne for the holidays."
"Yeah, but what if I wasn't? I'm so used to spending my holidays around you guys. Especially you, Ron. I mean I. know things have been a bit distant with us lately, but-"
"Harry, it isn't anything against you at all." said Hermione putting her hand on Harry's knee. "I had actually wanted to go on my own, but Ron insisted he'd go just in case something happened."
"I'm not angry or anything like that you guys." said Harry. "It just seems different you know? Since first year, we all did our adventures together, and now you two are off on your own."
Hermione and Ron smiled at their friend. It was true, they were never really too far apart from each other, even with the third year fiasco. True, they sometimes had separate endeavors. Ron and Harry with Quidditch, and Hermione with S.P.E.W., but other than that, the trio were inseparable to say the least when it came to major things.
Harry actually didn't mind not going with them to Australia. He knew Ron and Hermione needed that time. Especially when it came to Hermione's parents.
"Next quest, you'll be included mate" joked Ron.
"Hopefully, there won't be anymore quests." said Harry laughing along with the others as he put his arms behind his back.
A knock came and interrupted their humor. The door slid open to reveal Viktor Krum, looking cheerful as he spotted Hermione.
"Viktor? I didn't know Durmstrang was on the train." said Hermione as Viktor walked in.
"Ah yes Herm-own-ninny." said Viktor, smiling. "Some of my students are spending the holidays with Hogwarts students and it's my duty to see that they will be properly take care of."
Hermione nodded. "Sounds logical. What made you stop by here?"
"I was meeting Ron and Harry. Did you two still want to talk?" asked Viktor as he turned his attention to the boys.
Ron, despite the fact that he indeed was dating Hermione, still had some minor insecurities when it came to Viktor, so while he felt hesitant to let Viktor sit next to Hermione, he nodded his head in that direction for Viktor to sit, which he did.
"We wanted to ask about your brother, Krum." said Harry.
Viktor's smile disappeared quickly and his whole demeanor seemed to change. "What about Luka? Has he done something?"
"What's his deal?" asked Ron flat out, causing him to get a look from both Hermione and Harry.
"What Ron means to say, is that he seems a little bit...well..." Harry tried desperately to find a word.
"He's a bloody tosser." said Ron.
"Ronald!"
"What? He is. He carries himself like an arrogant prat, he does. And I don't like him around my sister. He looks at her as if she is a piece of meat." said Ron, not backing down.
"Have some respect Ron." said Hermione. "Viktor doesn't want you talking about his brother like that!"
"On the contrary Herm-own-ninny, I've been wondering what's been going on with him myself lately." said Viktor. "My brother usually isn't like that. Not like that at all. My brother actually reminds me a lot of you, Weasley."
"What do you mean?"
"Humorous, laid back, kind. Sure he can be an annoyance at times, but that's what siblings are. But ever since July, Luka has been different." said Viktor sadly.
"How so?" asked Hermione.
"He's cold. Manipulative. You of course know he will be getting sorted into your school when the holidays are over, yes?"
The trio nodded.
"Well he had to do a lot of smooth talking with your headmistress for that. And it's funny. My brother never had an interest in Hogwarts. He always wanted to attend Beauxbatons." said Victor.
Ron looked at Harry, his suspicion spiking.
"Another thing that has been bothering me. He has two wands." said Viktor.
"Two?" repeated Harry. "What's he doing with two wands?"
"I'm not sure. When I aired him, he said he won it off his friend in a duel. But Luka normally hates duels. He isn't the confrontational type. But here lately, he's become aggressive."
"Is there any way you can get the other wand?" asked Hermione.
Viktor shook his head. "He keeps that one on him more than his own now that I think about it."
"That's barmy." said Ron. "Why would he keep a wand on hand that isn't truly his? Sometimes wands won off people don't work properly for the person."
"I don't know. I just feel like he isn't my brother anymore. Maybe it's because he's growing up. Speaking of him, I need to check on him and the others." said Viktor holding out his hand for Ron to shake.
"Thanks Kr- I mean Viktor." said Ron taking Viktor's hand. "You've been a big help."
Viktor nodded, said bye to Harry and Hermione, and then left. The trio looked at each other. It seemed like the conversation had raised more questions than it did answers.
With an hour left to go, Harry and Daphne took a walk down the aisle of the train. Hermione and Ron had fallen asleep, and Daphne wasn't used to Ron's snoring, so she begged for her and Harry to leave the room.
"I could have put up a muffliato around them." laughed Harry as he walked hand in hand with Daphne heading nowhere in particular.
"With those snores, I think Ron would have broke the charm, darling." said Daphne as they stopped and let a couple of running second years past.
"So, you never actually told me, where exactly do you live?" asked Harry as the two leaned against one of the windows in the aisle.
"We live in the wizard part of Bristol, which is about two hours away from London." said Daphne. "Muggle bristol is a very big city, so the wizarding part is right under the muggles noses. I even have a few muggle friends that I talk to during the holidays. They think I go to a boarding school in the states."
"Really? How did you achieve muggle friends if your father was a Death Eater?"
Daphne shrugged. "What he didn't know, didn't hurt him." she said with a mischievous grin.
Harry smiled as he pulled a giggling Daphne close to him, thinking about snogging her senseless right in the aisle. Before he could press his lips upon hers, Luka came out of the cabin that they were standing across from.
Harry and Daphne stopped their antics and looked at Luka, just as fiercely as he looked at them.
"Potter." said Luka, nodding his head towards Harry.
"Krum."said Harry doing the same in return.
"Nice holiday lined up for yourself?" asked Luka.
"Looking like it. I'm off to meet my girlfriend's mum." said Harry, arm around Daphne's waist proudly.
Luka looked at Daphne but instead of a smile or friendly anecdote like she had expected, Luka's face turned into a frown of pure loathing, making Daphne feel extremely uncomfortable.
"Daphne. Yes. A bit of a shock when I found out the two of you were in a relationship, Potter." said Luka, not taking his eyes off of the girl.
Harry sensed the growing tension as tightened his hold. "What do you mean by that?"
"Harry Potter dating the daughter of a man that served the Dark Lord? Seems less than intelligent doesn't it?" said Luka in a cold, harsh voice.
Daphne looked at Luka in bewilderment as Harry's demeanor changed.
"That's none of your damn business Krum and you will do well to respect my girlfriend." growled Harry, sticking his hand in his pocket gripping his wand.
"I won't respect anyone who defies the Dark Lord." whispered Luka as he walked away. He hadn't intended on his words to be heard.
But Harry and Daphne had heard them loud and clear.
