AUTHORS NOTES: Hope you enjoy the chapter. In this one Victors father and Fleur comes into play in this one. Happy reading!
Chapter#3
When Harry had swopped out of his ragged muggle clothes – and Viktor had procured some better clothes by shrinking his own, above the younger teen's protests – into pajamas and fallen asleep, Viktor stayed awake, drawing up documents by faerie light. He had seen the forms and petitions for political asylum many times before in his short life. Despite the European wars being over, wizarding Bulgaria was not a peaceful country. There were always rumblings, rumblings of a revolution. His father said they were too near too opposing forces to ever truly be at peace. Unlike muggle history, the wizarding regions in the Ottoman empire had never fallen apart. Likewise, the wizarding USSR had never fully fallen, either. One country, two masters. When his father had first come to power more than a decade ago, he had carved a firm stance: Bulgaria would answer to none other than their rearing lions. Once the parchments were sanded, and the ink dried, Viktor pulled out a small mirror from the drawer in his desk. He glanced once at the sleeping younger teen on his bed, his dark eye turbulent. Then he turned his attentions back to the matter at hand. It was four in the morning here at Hogwarts. That would make it six in Sofia. His father would most likely already be awake
"Father" Viktor called softly into the mirror "father, please answer the mirror"
The mirror pulsed briefly with light, and then began to warm in his hand. Viktor fought hard not to smile, and looked directly into the mirror. Instead of seeing his own reflection he saw an older version with a broader face to balance his strong nose, long hair pulled back and a neatly trimmed beard. Branimir Krum smiled warmly at the sight of his son, answering him in their mother tongue
"Viktor. I trust things are going well at the tri-wizard tournament?" Branimir asked. Viktor thought quickly.
Obviously Karkaroff hadn't said anything to his father yet about the cup's results, the weaselling bastard. If Branimir Krum had known, he would have stormed right over and demanded a redraw of the goblet of fire. Knowing his father's temper, combined with his magical power, Branimir would probably have blasted the Goble to pieces and broken the binding contract that way
"I take it Karkaroff has not contacted you yet, then?" Viktor asked. Branimir's eyes narrowed at once
"There is something he should have brought to my attention?" Branimir asked, Viktor hid a smile.
Karkaroff was in for hell once this conversation was over. But for now, he had to deal with his father's wrath
"There were four champions drawn from the triwizard tournament" Viktor said. His father's face immediately went stony. Only his eyes revealed just how enraged he was. Viktor took a deep breath and continued "that wasn't the worst of it, the fourth champion is the fourteen-year-old boy-who-lived, Harry Potter"
Viktor had the dubious pleasure of seeing his father entirely speechless. Branimir's breath escaped his lips in a soft gasp
"What are they expecting from a child-…" Branimir started and shook the thoughts from his head "no, if you are calling for me now, that means there is something we need to do, and quickly. What is it?"
Viktor chuckled softly at his father's rapid deduction. As always, Branimir was correct
"I drew up documents claiming political asylum for him" Viktor said. Branimir drew in a sharp breath
"You know him? I have never heard of any correspondence-…" Branimir started
"No" Viktor said as he shook his head, firmly cutting that thread of thought immediately "he was at the quidditch world cup, but you already knew that. But what I didn't tell you is that he was the one who saved my life that night" his fathers eyes had widened in shock and Viktor nodded "I met him officially tonight, after his name was drawn from the goblet"
"And he trusts you already?" Branimir asked in a mixture of approval and distrust. Viktor shook his head again, slowly, sadly
"He doesn't have anyone else to trust" Viktor said, Branimir's face softened
"Very well. You will vouch for him?" Branimir asked
"Of course" Viktor said
"Will it be safe to keep him in the country, then? The public backlash of this" Branimir said.
Viktor knew what his father was asking, and that this wasn't really a question. Harry Potter's declaration of political asylum was going to be front-page news all over the world
"We'll manage, father" Viktor murmured. Branimir nodded approvingly
"You will have to act in my stead as political advisor. He can never be alone until this business is concluded" Branimir said
"I understand" Viktor agreed
"Good" Branimir said and his voice was all business again "have you signed the forms yet?" Viktor nodded "good. I will validate them" the parchments glowed a pale blue. After a moment the light fade Branimir had just cast a spell validating Viktor's signature as his by proxy "once he wakes, he must sign it immediately" Viktor nodded
"Yes, father" Viktor said "And tell him I am sorry" Branimir said. Viktor paused at his father's change in tone, startled "no child should have had to go through what he has" Viktor managed to crack a smile for him
"The dragon of Bulgaria, have a heart?" Viktor teased wearily.
His father mock-scowled at him, but his black eyes were kind.
"Congratulations on being the Durmstrang champion" Branimir said.
Then his father's image vanished from the mirror. Viktor stared at the empty mirror, seeing only his shocked dark eyes reflected back at him. He should have known his father would have guessed, even if he hadn't said a word. Sighing, he cast a tempus charm and saw that it was nearly six o' clock here in Scotland. Fleur should be awake by now. He replaced the mirror inside his drawer. Rising, he groaned as he worked the kinks out of his neck and back. Once he felt limber enough, he cast two wards, tying both to him and the slumbering Harry. One would alert him when Harry awoke, and the other would warn him if anyone tried to enter his room. He also layered a couple of offensive hexes within the proximity ward, and keyed them all into his magical signature alone. Now, if anyone tried to enter his room, they were in for a rude, pain-filled shock. It was still early enough that no one was openly about on the ship, although Viktor was sure his schoolmates were beginning to stir below deck. He quickly crossed the grounds to the Beauxbatons carriage, and knocked on the door. He stepped back, waiting calmly with his hands behind his back. A sleepy French girl in a dressing robe answered the carriage door
"Monsieur Krum?" she asked, stifling a yawn "ow may I 'elp you?" he gave her a fleeting smile, and almost at once she seemed more awake
"I vould like to speak vith my fellow champion, if she is avake" Viktor said. The girl nodded
"Bien sûr, Monsieur Krum. I will get 'er at once" she blushed a little "would you per'aps, like to wait inside?"
He gently refused her offer. He knew what Madame Maxime would do to him, and the girl if she found out he'd been invited into the carriage without her express permission. French society was very adamant on the decency of their young, and would not allow them to be compromised in any way. The girl left him standing by the door, and went in search of Fleur Delacour. A few minutes later, the Veela girl emerged, her rumpled clothes and tousled hair casting her in an even softer light by the early rays of the morning sun. She stepped out gracefully, tightening her robe about her slim waist in the brisk Scottish air
"Viktor?" Fleur inquired.
Once he had her in front of her, he was at a loss as to what to say. She had shown open hostility towards Harry during yesterday's meeting, but then again, Veela were known to be short-tempered and hot-headed. Hopefully she would have had enough time to cool off. He took a chance
"Vat do you tink, of de nomination of Harry Potter?" Viktor asked, her lips twisted in a mockery of a smile
"You were not pleased wit' my be'aviour last night, I presume?" Fleur asked, he merely gestured for her to continue, not denying or agreeing "you 'ave every right to be upset wit' me. I am upset wit' me! We are talking about a fourteen-year-old boy. Un enfant. He knows nozzing. I 'ave no right to be angry wit' him. It is ze adults who put him into zis pozition zat must be blamed" Viktor nodded once, signifying his agreement. Fleur's eyes softened "'ave you seen l'enfant? You seem more familiar wit' him zan moi" here came the real test
"He is in my bedroom" Viktor started. Fleur's eyes widened in horror. Before she could verbally flay the skin off his back, he raised his hand, asking for her patience "he is sleeping. I found him last night on de edge of de lake. I do not tink his schoolmates haff been kind to him. I am filing for political asylum on his behalf" Fleur's eyes were like two silver saucers
"Oh. Oh. Mon dieu. I did not zink it would come to zis…" Fleur demurred immediately, and regained her champion persona "you are requesting the support of Beauxbatons in zis endeavour, I presume?" Viktor nodded, just once "I will speak to Madame Maxime, but I have no doubt she will grant it for ze rest of ze school. As for me, you know where my loyalties in zis lie"
Viktor cracked a smile at that. He hadn't been too worried about where the Beauxbatons would side, seeing as how this petition was coming from the Durmstrang body itself rather than its uncouth Headmaster, but it was always nice to know for sure
"Vone more favour, if you vould, Flurr" Viktor said. The Veela inclined her head politely, showing her willingness to listen "vill you go into Hogwarts and talk to de English boy about dis? I vould go myself, but I must attend to…" he trailed off
Feeling one of the wards tingling beneath his skin. So, Harry had awoken. He looked at her questioningly. Fleur smiled
"Oui, and I will even speak to 'im razzer zan charm 'im" Fleur said.
They shared a quiet laugh in the morning air. He bowed briefly to her
"You haff my gratitude, Flurr" Viktor said
She curtsied, transforming her bathrobe and nightdress into the richest of garments
"I will meet you outside ze 'all" Fleur said "and wit' luck I will be bringing Diggory wit' me, will be better if we show solidarity be'ind our youngest champion, non?" Viktor hadn't even thought of that
"You are truly an asset to your school, Flurr" Viktor said, even causing her to blush faintly. He nodded at her again, and then strode quickly back to the ship. He nodded briefly to the few students he ran into, but didn't stop to chat. His main priority was Harry. Once outside his cabin door, he saw that the protective ward remained untouched. He placed a pam on the wooden door, using his magical signature to disengage the ward. Once it was down, he knocked on the door, and announced his presence "Harry? It is Viktor. I am coming in" he slipped into his room, and faced the most important fourteen-year-old in the wizarding world