First off, I just want to thank everyone SO MUCH for all the reviews, so wonderful! They've possessed me to write to the brink of death! (Or at least sleep-exhaustion.) I'm like a writing maniac, I never expected so many! I can't wait to see the reaction to this chapter. (And the next few.) (;
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter! Viktor, no matter how much I love him, is, alas, not mine either. *sigh*
Doubt
Leigh Ann Nelson
January 3, 6:00 P.M.
Viktor's Parents' House
Viktor's mansion was...gorgeous. I'd never expected his family to be so extravagant, especially after seeing Stoyanka's home. I walked into a parlor adorned with Greek columns and gold-inlaid flooring. A house elf and human servant—human servant!—greeted me at the door, as did a certain devious little puppy.
I squealed as White Fang jumped into my arms, attacking my face with his pink little tongue. He was a little bigger since I last played with him, but he was still my little puff ball of fur! I was too distracted by him to answer the butler's question of if I wanted him to take my coat. I can hang up my own coat, thank you. I'd been brought up to do things for myself. Viktor's family wasn't going to change that.
I heard a woman talking in Bulgarian, so I looked up to see Viktor's beautiful mother standing above me, talking to Stoyanka. She had a small frown on her face, but when she noticed I was looking, she smiled. "Ah, Leahn. Vhere is my Viktor?"
"He said that he had to into Sofia for something," I said, smiling back at the lady, my hands still buried in soft white fur. "He'll be back before the party."
"Oh," Rosa said, her smile slightly tense. "I see. Come, let me get you dressed, yes?"
I nodded, trying to pay attention, but the puppy was so dang cute! It almost made it okay that Viktor was gone. Sadly, I had to be dragged away from my adorable puppy. Rosa carried me past dozens of rooms, (most of which I had no clue of what they were used for,) and showed me things like the ballroom—uh, the BALLROOM! Viktor had a ballroom in his mansion!—and the dining room that could fit one hundred people, minimum. I never got to see Viktor's room; I really wanted to see what it was like. But, with all the other rooms, I'd never be able to find it again anyways.
Rosa pulled me into a small room—well, small for that house, anyways—and pulled the door closed. "Stoyanka has given you dress," she said simply, gesturing to the sitting room of what was a apparently a dressing room. "Go, I help vhen needed."
I nodded and backed into the dressing room, marveling at the beautiful design, even in the broom closet that I'd accidentally opened. (No joke, there was a Nimbus in their broom closet.) I was floored, but I made myself move and stop gawking at everything.
The dress was beautiful, with a tight amber bodice, (corset, so I understood where the "help" came in at,) and a full, billowing skirt. It may have been awkward with Rosa, but she had no qualms with helping me suffocate myself in a woman-binding corset. The shoes could have also killed me, but I didn't complain. I felt like a goddess.
A small woman came bustling in, wielding small combs and brushes. Next up was my hair and makeup, as long as I didn't get anything on the dress. This part made me feel like a princess. I'll have to hire this girl for my wedding. When she was done...I couldn't even imagine it.
I couldn't wait to see Viktor!
Viktor Krum
9:45 P.M.
…
It was cold and dark outside of Sofia that evening. The stars and moon were dark, casting everything in long shadows. Muggle cars passed by him, their lights blinding him momentarily, but they couldn't see him. He was less than a quarter mile from his checkpoint, and he was still under his dissallusionment charm. He took pride in knowing that he hadn't lied to her this time—he really was in Sofia. Unfortunately, he wasn't doing anything that he would be proud of.
He knew he was late. And he knew he'd be sorry for it.
"Who goes there?" the sentry asked, its gleaming lion paws sticking out from the shadows towards the house in front of him.
He knew the Sphinx's question well. "The one who seeks the power in all three."
The beast nodded and let him pass. He made sure that the walls of his mind were secure—and he didn't think about her at all. She was his student, as was Mary, and Alex, and Jessica. None of them could be picked out of his brain at any given moment of time and singled out.
Viktor went down the storm cellar stairs and knocked on the door in the secret code he'd learned form the last operative he'd killed. When it opened, it was quickly shut behind him. He could smell mildew, and see it running down the thick limescale stones of the basement. The only thing lighting the room was a small, flickering lightbulb on the ceiling.
He knew what he had to ask. "What do you need me to do to prove to you that I am who I am? I am for Him. He is a savior to our country against the Mud-blood kind."
There were three cloaked men in front of him, standing in a tense line. They nodded their heads together, and he could feel them poking at his mind, but he didn't let them in. The group never looked away from him, nor did they turn to move. "You will bring us the blood of a virgin to prove your worth," one said.
The other said, "You will then mix it into a potion—"
"—and drink it." The third one nodded, which made the other two nod. "We will give you the other ingredients after you bring us the blood. It will connect you to us. We will save some of it to finish your markings."
Viktor could feel the burning on the back of his neck, as if it were incomplete. "For Grindelwald," he said seriously, never thinking of her.
"For Grindelwald."
Leigh Ann Nelson
11:46 P.M.
Viktor's Parents' House
Because of the size of Stoyanka's house, the party had to be held in his parent's house. It was a magnificent mansion, one that showed Viktor's other side. I had to remember that, even though Viktor was mine, he was also the world's. It showed in the glitz and glam that surrounded me, by the fashionable people, the trophies, and the scathing looks that I was getting.
I was wearing what was considered a fashionable wizard robe to my own engagement party. Lilyana had picked it out...and I hadn't seen her since. I'd been introduced to so many people that I couldn't remember their names, and so many drinks had been given to me that I started to feel tipsy. My mother was there, though, being the celebrity she was, and Alex was right by my side. It made it kind of acceptable to be there.
Though it wouldn't have been so bad...if Viktor were there at our engagement party.
I had to be sneered at, laughed at, and publicly humiliated a few dozen times before it sank in that he wasn't coming. I had to smile. I had to bear through every single moment of it before I could go back to Stoyanka's house and cry my eyes out.
But until then, I wouldn't give any of them a reason to seem me cry.
Rosa Krum
11:59 P.M.
The girl was strong. She was stubborn and had Muggle blood in her, but she was strong. Even though Viktor hadn't shown up at the engagement party, she still smiled and greeted everyone like a proper hostess. She mingled and smiled and shook hands. Her head was held high.
Rosa knew where her son was, and she was worried. Nothing usually took so long. He was showing disgrace for his family and for his "love." Wherever he was, it had better have been for a good reason.
Five reviews to post the next written chapter in a week, ten to post it immediately!
The hint to the next chapter...is "MLA Format." Anyone?
"I was wonderin' about that book you checked out of the library today."
A cold dread started to fill Marie as she looked into the icy eyes of one of her best students. "I don't believe that I checked a book out today." She thanked Merlin that she'd put it away before the girl had come in.
Jessica Nelson's eyes calculated her teacher's for a moment before she suddenly pulled out her wand and pointed it dead center at Marie's heart. Marie already had hers out. "Give me the book," Jessica growled through her teeth, her eyes narrowed.
"I knew that there was corruption in this school," Marie said back, starting to circle the desk, to try and get away, "but I didn't expect it from you."