Author's Note: Sorry about the long time since I updated. I was busy with other things, and I also had some difficulty deciding if Alex and Beth would be allowed to visit Viktor Krum in Bulgaria. The 'Aunt Pandora' mentioned in this chapter is Luna's mother, since Pottermore has given us her first name. The tidbit about Peter Pettigrew's Sorting is taken from new information mentioned on Pottermore.
After much deliberation, Alex and Beth were allowed to visit Viktor Krum in Bulgaria, but only for a week. Cara and Ivan were also allowed to visit for the week as well, and so Viktor, with the help of his parents, arranged for an International Portkey to his home in Bulgaria. So on the beginning of the second week of July, the four cousins packed up some clothes and took the Portkey at nine in the morning.
Since Bulgaria was two of time zones ahead of Britain, when they arrived, it was eleven in the morning local time. Viktor greeted them cheerfully (for him) and introduced his parents. After that, they were taken to the guest rooms they would be staying in, with Alex and Ivan sharing one bedroom and Beth and Cara sharing another. They got settled in their rooms and then shown around the house.
At one o'clock, lunch was served, which by then was long enough after the time the cousins had eaten breakfast that they wouldn't feel like they had just ate. After eating, Viktor took his friends for a walk around the neighborhood, and they spent a couple of hours playing Quidditch in the back yard.
On Tuesday, Viktor put on a Glamour Charm so that he wouldn't be recognized and took the four of them on a tour of the wizarding section of the capital city, Sofia. They browsed through the shops, brought a few souvenirs, and had lunch at a lovely little restaurant that served excellent Bulgarian food.
"How are you all finding things?" Viktor asked as they were eating.
"It's lovely," said Beth. "The wizarding section is interesting, and a refreshing change from Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. I like the shops, and the food is amazing."
The others nodded in agreement, and Ivan added, "I don't really like not understanding what people are saying, but it's not that big a deal. You're translating for us, Viktor, after all."
"I wouldn't mind moving here someday in the future," Cara said thoughtfully. "That is, if we're still together, Viktor, which probably will happen. So far, everyone on both sides of my family for the past several generations end up with the people that they date or court for more than a couple of months."
"So when did you two start dating?" Alex asked. "And did you date anyone else before Viktor?"
"November of last year," Cara said promptly. "And I did go on some dates in my fourth-year with a couple of Hufflepuff boys I liked, but nothing came of them. I even went on a date with Cedric, but at the end of it, we both decided that we were better off as friends. For us, it felt like dating a sibling."
Viktor looked pleased, and asked, "So I take it that you vish to have a serious relationship vith me, Cara? Vould you mind if I gave you a promise ring like your cousin Vera's fiancé gave her?"
"No, but I suggest waiting another year," said Cara. "My parents think that you are very nice and all, but they don't want me rushing too quickly into things. I do have another two years at Hogwarts, after all, and I want to be sure that we can survive a long-distance relationship."
"All right," said Viktor. "After you finish your sixth year, if ve are still together, I vill give you a promise ring. Ven you have graduated, ve can discuss our future together."
Alex and Beth exchanged looks. It looked as if Cara and Viktor really were serious about each other if they were planning things like promise rings and discussing a potential future together later on.
"Have you heard from Cedric and Fleur?" Viktor asked, changing the subject. "Cedric sent a letter saying that he vould probably be able to visit at the end of July or the beginning of August, and I got a letter from Fleur three days ago saying that she has just gotten a part-time job at Gringotts."
"I think Fleur and Bill Weasley may start dating," Beth said. "Bill used to be a curse-breaker in Egypt for Gringotts, but he transferred to a desk job so that he could help in the fight against Riddle. While he's not thrilled about having to change jobs, he did say that there were 'compensations', and added that he was going to be giving Fleur some language lessons to further improve her English."
Viktor raised a brow at that, and Alex added, "Remember when our families, and in my case friends as well, visited for the third task? I saw Fleur looking at Bill with interest, but he didn't seem to notice or pay any attention to it. The fact that he didn't react to her the way most guys do probably endeared him to her, and since they are both working at Gringotts, they can get to know each other better."
"Not to mention the number of times that people have fallen for each other because one was teaching or tutoring the other," Cara said with a laugh. "My parents started out as just good friends and fell in love because Mum started tutoring Dad in Potions so that he would be able to become an Auror."
Ivan rolled his eyes. "Anyway, as you can see, Fleur is fine. As for Cedric, he's wishing that he could take part in fighting against Riddle now. Fred, George, and I wish we could do the same, since we're of age, but since we've got one more year of school left, we can't. So right now we're focusing on the joke shop, and seeing if we can come up with stuff that can also be used against the Death Eaters."
The next day, Viktor's father, who worked in the Bulgarian Ministry of Magic, took the four of them on a tour of the Ministry. They even got to see the Bulgarian Minister again, whom they had met briefly at the Quidditch World Cup last year, up in the Top Box with Minister Fudge. The Bulgarian Minister vaguely remembered them, and exchanged pleasant greetings to Viktor's friends, even complimenting Alex about how well he had done in the Triwizard Tournament (the Minister had heard all about it).
The rest of the week was spent in visiting the tourist sites of Bulgaria, and Viktor even took them to one of his team practices. They got to properly meet the Bulgarian team, and were invited to practice a bit with them. When practice was over, the female Chaser, Ivanova, commented that Alex's skill as a Seeker rivalled Viktor's, and asked if Alex planned to play Quidditch professionally.
"I've been thinking about it," Alex said with a shrug. "But I'm not sure if that's what I really want to do. I think I'd prefer becoming an Auror." Seeing her blank look, as she wasn't familiar with the English term, he clarified, "That's a Dark wizard catcher."
At the end of the week, the four cousins had to return home. They bid Viktor good-bye.
Alex and Beth had only been at home for two days when their mother said, "The two of you need to pack. We're moving to headquarters tomorrow, since it'll be safer there than at our home."
"Headquarters?" Alex said blankly, with Beth echoing him.
"Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix," Ana clarified. "Sirius volunteered the use of the Black Family home, since it's got all sorts of spells and wards on it, and that's where we're staying."
"But our house has all sorts of spells and wards on it," Beth protested.
"Not the Fidelius Charm," Ana responded. "That's why, short of Hogwarts and Gringotts, headquarters will be safer. Professor Dumbledore is the Secret-Keeper. Cheer up. Your cousins will be there too, and so will the Weasleys and Longbottoms. We're also planning to have Hermione visit in August."
"What about the Rosenbergs?" Beth asked. "Are they going to be staying there too?"
Ana shrugged. "It all depends on how much room there is and if they want to visit."
"What is the Order up to?" Alex inquired curiously. "Well, other than the obvious, that is?"
"There really isn't much," replied Ana. "Obviously we're doing what we can to convince people that it's really Voldemort that's back and not a Dark wizard claiming to be him, but we can only do so much without getting in trouble with the Ministry. We're working on recruiting more people for the Order, and figuring out how to deal with Voldemort. Right now, he's lying low, intent on regaining strength, more followers, and getting his hands on the prophecy made about you and him."
"You mean the one that Professor Trelawney made that said that either me or Neville could defeat Riddle or be defeated by him? And ended up applying to me, since he marked me as his equal?"
"That's the one," said Ana. "As Tom Riddle only knows the first part, he wants to find out the rest. I suggest you start using Occulemency more often. As you had Professor Snape tell Riddle about your true identity, Riddle will no doubt eventually realize his connection to you, and try to use it to lure you into getting the prophecy for him. You don't want to end up falling into a trap."
"How would I be able to get the prophecy in the first place?" Alex pointed out. "It's not like I can just waltz into the Ministry, go down to the Department of Mysteries, and try to figure out where they keep the records of prophecies. Aunt Pandora worked as an Unspeakable for a few years, and the little I remember her telling us about the Department of Mysteries was that there were many rooms and it was confusing to navigate for outsiders. She said that even she used to get lost sometimes when she was working there."
Ana sighed. "I remember her saying that. Anyway, you still need to be on your guard, Alex. What if you were sent a vision of a family member captured, to be released if you fetched the prophecy?"
"I'd make sure that the vision was real first before I did anything, Mum. I may have decided to stop Quirrell/Riddle from getting the Philosopher's Stone, but that was because I couldn't get a hold of Professors Dumbledore or Snape, and Professor McGonagall didn't believe me then."
"Well, don't do anything rash until it is time for you to defeat Riddle once and for all, or he defeats you, all right, Alex? Now, you and Beth really should start packing. We'll talk some more later."
The next day, the family Flooed to Petrov's Potions. Granny Ilsa handed Alex and Beth a scrap of parchment which had the address of the headquarters written down by Professor Dumbledore. Once the two had committed the address to memory, Granny Ilsa burned the parchment and the family headed out of Diagon Alley. A short distance away, Stephan flagged down a taxicab to take them to Grimmauld Place. Once the cab had dropped them off and driven away, he and Ana led the way down to street to houses eleven and thirteen. "Think about the address you read, Beth and Alex."
The two did as told, and to their shock, Numbers Eleven and Thirteen appeared to shift aside and another house appeared between them. This was the first time they had ever seen the Black family home, since Sirius had opted to buy a small house outside London rather than live in his childhood house. The family went up the steps and Ana rang the doorbell.
A minute later, Sirius opened the door and waved them all inside. "Alex and Beth, how was Bulgaria?" he asked cheerfully, smiling down at his godchildren.
"It was great," Beth answered. "It made me want to travel Europe once this is all over."
"Me too," added Alex. "Viktor took us to one of his Quidditch practices and we got to properly meet the Bulgarian team. One of the chasers even asked if I planned to play professionally."
"That's nice," said Sirius. "Here, I'll show you to your rooms." He led the way up to the first landing and gestured to a door on the left. "Beth, that's your room. You'll be sharing it with Hermione. Ana and Stephen, your room is the one on the right at the end of the hall."
The three mentioned headed to their rooms, and Sirius led Alex up to the topmost landing. "You'll be staying in my old room, Alex. It's got too many memories for me. Other than cleaning it and replacing the bed with bunk beds, I haven't changed it at all. You'll see why. I figured you wouldn't mind sharing the room with Ron and Neville."
Alex nodded and blinked when he opened the door and got a good look at the room. The walls were almost completely covered with Gryffindor banners and pictures of motorbikes and bikini-clad girls. As the pictures weren't moving, the girls were clearly Muggles. Since Sirius's parents wouldn't have liked his taste in decorating at all, the only way they could still be there would be due to a Permanent Sticking Charm, which would also explain why Sirius hadn't really redecorated.
"Er, Sirius, I don't think Mum would approve of my staying in a room with that on the walls," said Alex, gesturing at the girl pictures.
"Right," said Sirius with a grimace as he glanced at the walls. "How's this?" He pointed his wand at the pictures of the girls and made them identical to the motorbike pictures.
"That's better, and thanks, Sirius," Alex said, looking around again and spotting the only wizarding picture on the wall. He walked over to get a better look and saw that it was a photo of the Marauders when they were back in school. James and Sirius stood in the middle, looking happy and with an air of mischief about them. To Sirius's right stood Pettigrew, more than a head shorter, plump and watery-eyed, flushed with pleasure at his inclusion in the this coolest of gangs, with the much-admired rebels that James and Sirius had been. To the James's left was Remus, a little shabby-looking, but he had the same air of delighted surprise at finding himself liked and included. Alex blinked, wondering if he saw those things because he knew about the Marauders' relationship.
"I remember when we took that picture," said Sirius fondly. "It was after one of our OWL exams. We got Mary MacDonald, a fellow Gryffindor, to take the photo for us."
"You all looked so happy then," Alex said. "Sirius, why did Wormtail get Sorted into Gryffindor if he ended up siding with Riddle?"
Sirius shrugged in reply. "Truthfully, I'm not sure. But Slytherin doesn't have the monopoly on producing Dark witches and wizards, they just have a reputation of doing so, and they have produced the most. However, Peter was a Hatstall. It took almost six minutes for him to be Sorted. He told us the Sorting Hat had difficulty deciding between Gryffindor and Slytherin and finally went with his preference for Gryffindor."
"You and Remus never mentioned that before! But if Pettigrew chose to be in a House known for bravery and chivalry, why didn't he continue like that?"
Sirius shrugged again. "I don't know. Remus would be better at explaining, since if I tried, I'd just end up cursing Wormtail for his betrayal. Why don't you get settled in so you won't be in Ron's way when the Weasleys arrived later today?"
He left the room and Alex dragged his trunk over to the foot of one of the bunk beds. He decided to claim the top bunk, since Neville would be more comfortable sleeping in the bottom bunk, and left the other pair of bunk beds for Ron. After that, Alex unpacked some of the things he would be using and stowed them away in the wardrobe.