Chapter Text
“Viktor?!” Hermione gasped, as Ron and Harry gawked. Viktor was also surprised. Everything happened so fast. One second, the wedding was being attacked by death eaters. Now? Now he was in a city. All he was doing was trying to protect Hermione. That was his first instinct. He made a grab for her arm, managed, and now he was somewhere else. Along with the tell tale stomach ache of Apparition.
“I…..Where are we-?” He asked, as he was still a bit delirious from the change in scenery. Ron was quick to help keep him upright, as Harry took his other shoulder as well. Hermione couldn’t deny the feeling. It was so endearing. She was quick to understand what happened, as the man was still refusing to let her arm go. Not in possession, but protection. Now wasn’t the time to be flustered. They had to get walking.
“Come on, let’s get into the bathroom. We are not dressed for muggle company.” She warned, as the men helped Viktor keep his bearings. Quick to drag him to the nearest bathroom. Gender norms be damned. Quick into a disability stall, as Viktor was collecting himself properly.
“Where are we-?” Viktor asked, as Hermione was rummaging in her bag. Arm seemed to just vanish, as she struggled to find something. The men swore it sounded like a bookshelf fell inside of it. “London.” She said, as she keeps moving her arm around. “It’s a place my parents would often take me. It was just the first thing that popped into my mind.” She explained, before yanking out an old hoodie. Most likely something her father gave her.
“Take that top off, and put this on. It’s more muggle friendly.” She explained, and he didn’t hesitate. The two were decently close. Ever since he left Hogwarts, they often wrote to each other. She kept him up to date with the madness her life held, and he would happily read them all. Ever fascinated that such chaos could follow her. The way his heart sung when she invited him to the wedding as a plus one. Oh how his fairytale ending turned into this.
He would disrobe his upper clothes, before forcing the hoodie on. It stretched, given his muscles and size, but it certainly made him not look as if he had left some novel about elves and hobbits. The trio would soon change as well. Viktor himself was quick to turn away, while the two men did not. They were as close as close could be. As if seeing each other in their underwear is anything scary.
The top would be thrown into her bag, and the gang were quick to finish up. Hermione took lead, with Harry, as Ron and Viktor lagged behind. The pure bloods. It was natural for the eldest in the group to follow orders. It was second nature to him. Not questioning a thing, as they were moving through the busy streets. He trusted Hermione. Heart and soul. He knew whatever she had planned would be wise.
“We need to get to Grimualds-” Harry spoke, as he was already thinking a million things. Meanwhile, Ron was anxious as all hell. His whole family was back home, fighting, while he just ran off. He felt like he left them behind. That's what Viktor saw, in his mannerism. He knew what that felt like. An arm would wrap itself around Ron, as the two others were discussing.
“Hey-” Viktor began to whisper, which made Ron go beat red. Hermione let it slip that Ron had the biggest crush on him, and he was going to see if that can be used to help him out. “They will be alright. It's a army against a few. You have to protect Harry, no? He is who they are after. No Harry? No point.” He knew his words held more weight, given he was not a close friend. Someone who is supposed to comfort. He was a solider. Someone who has to keep it bleak and straight.
“Thanks mate…” Ron would give a sheepish nod, before the lagging behind were yanked into a quiet diner. Seeming to be practically vacant, and dimly lit. “You three sit down, I will order us something-” Hermione already said, before anyone could object. Felt strange to just eat after something like that happened. Not hard to assume she is finding her own way to process what all happened.
The trio would simply sit, and try to process all the same. Ron would bounce his leg, Harry would keep cleaning his glasses, while Viktor seemed to be the calmest. Suppose he was literally trained to be calm. Being attacked in the one place you felt safe always does mess you up. Especially when so much death happened just days ago. He felt the older sibling in him speak, because he was soon placing his hands on each shoulder to the men. A comforting smile, as to try and convey silent support. Suppose the effort was met well, as they all shared a deep breath.
“Would think we would be used to this by now…” Harry muttered, getting a snort from Ron. “Bloody right on that. Me especially, given all the shit my brothers get into.” A collective breath of relief was shared, as they just tried to laugh the pain away. As they tried to breathe,Viktor would bring his eyes to Hermione. Watching as she would ring her hands, and rock on her heels. How her straightened hair began to frizz, and curl back on itself. As if the magic in her blood was trying to get out of her system, to release the tension. So much in such little time.
He felt so sorry for them.
Sure, they were only about two to three years apart, but he still could not stop his heart from aching. So much, so little time. Wasn’t long before it caught up. He was shocked no one had white hair yet.
Once Hermione returned, she set the plates down. Just sandwiches, and soda. Nothing heavy, in case they had to run again. That was how Viktor read it anyway. He is a soldier. He HAS to read into it all. There was awkward silence, for a while, as they just stared at the table. Ron next to Harry, and Hermione to Viktor. Just quiet, if not for the sounds of the underground. All accented with the men behind the counter, working.
Funny enough, Ron was the first to speak. “How much do we need to catch Viktor up on?” He asked, making the Bulgarian blink. “Better not here. Once we get to Grimmaulds.” Harry quickly said, in a hushed tone. “Why not speak in another language?” Viktor offered. “Not everyone knows multiple languages.” Hermione tried to more so joke, to fight the tension. Seemed to help, as Harry began to eat.
“I mean-” Ron shrugged. “I know a couple…” The ginger trailed off, as he drank. “Right, your brothers.” Harry agreed. “Arabic, Romanian, and you even picked up a bit of french. He helps me translate old texts-” Hermione explained to Viktor. “I know Romanian as well-” Viktor added, which made Ron smile. “Yeah-? Al meu era de la Charlie ((Mine was from charlie))” Ron spoke. “Țara vecină. A fost un dat. ((Neighbor country. It was a given))” Viktor spoke back, as Ron beamed.
A much needed tender moment.
That’s what was needed right now. A moment to breath, and eat. Can’t know when the next time food will be offered. “I have met your brother, Charlie, I believe. He runs a sanctuary, ye?” Viktor asked, being sure to not say Dragon. He may be a pure blood, but he wasn’t stupid. It also helped to have a close friend who was of muggle blood. She certainly taught him the most wonderful of things.
“Yeah-! Was wondering why you two hit it off so much. Was afraid you were on his radar. I swear he is the biggest whore-” Ron dead panned, that had Viktor snorted. Which made the soda go out of his nose, and had him panic for a second. Hermione was quick to wipe his nose, as Harry was laughing.
“HE IS-!” Ron defended. “I CAN SAY THAT-! IM HIS BROTHER-” Ron would keep his words sharp, as Harry was laughing. Meanwhile, Hermione was making sure Viktor was not killed by a sip of soda. “Deep breaths-!” Hermione said, as he coughed. A few hits to his chest, and he was alive again.
“My point still stands-” Ron chuckled still, as he finished his sandwich. “No, I did not wish to romance your bother Charlie.” Viktor reassured. He swore he saw the tension leave Ron, so he wanted to play. “William on the other hand-” And that was when Ron smacked the Bulgarian on the shoulder.
“ON HIS WEDDING DAY-!” Harry gasped. “You should know better than anyone else that Fleur and I have bonded rather closely.” He teases, making Harry blush. “I will not ask-” Ron held his hands up, as Hermione shook her head.
“You are supposed to be the responsible one.” She scoffed, before throwing away their trash. “Oh as if that is ever fun-” He teases, as she rolls her eyes. “Three jocks. Who have I forsaken?” That got some laughter, while Viktor could not help but notice something. The men behind the counter. They seemed to just keep watching them. He furrowed his brow, as he locked eyes with one of them. Their eyes. Something did not feel right.
“Excuse me a moment, I better use the restroom.” Viktor would say, as he stood up. His footsteps felt heavy, as he would walk closer to the counter. Doing his best to act casual in his mannerisms. Just a man going to the bathroom. Should be around here, right? Seems the men didn’t like how close to the counter he was getting, as they seemed to reach into their back pockets.
“AMBUSH-!” Viktor shouted, as he took no risks. Well, risks for the golden trio. Hardly so much as turned their heads at his shout, before they just saw him tackle down the two men. Easy to over power them, and keep them pinned to the ground.
The men weren’t prepared for a soldier to come after them. They had expected this to be easy. A means to win over the Lord's favor. They had done it so well. They had tracked them, but were never prepared for the likes of Viktor. No one would.
“Wait a second, I recognize those faces-!” Harry pointed, as the trio all made sure their wands were drawn. Four against two. With one that was currently keeping on in a head lock, as he sat on the others back. Left them rather humiliated that such simple measures of attack left them immobilized. Just what Durmstrang Students were trained for.
“Death eaters.” Hermione would recognize as well, while Ron was pretty surprised about how damn quick Viktor was able to subdue them. They didn’t even get a chance to pull out their wands. Wizards weren’t prepared for physical attacks. Truly was something to be admired. Just gave him more respect.
“Let us go you filthy blood traitor-!” The man in the headlock spat at Viktor, getting spit into his beard. Didn’t even flinch, just choked him out harder. Was cutting his air supply rather quickly. Won’t be long before he passes out. That was the goal. Subdue. Not murder. As much as Viktor would have been fine with it, given who they were, he was positive Hermione wouldn’t really see eye to eye with him. Guess he didn’t have to speak for himself, as Ron did.
“The hell do we do with them? If Viktor didn’t tackle them down we could have been marked off the spot. Then and there-“ Ron was being a bit dramatic, but can he be blamed? Everything was happening so fast. No where was safe. It’s the reality of it all. Someone needs to make sure that they don’t be overly hopeful. Expect the one to grow up in a burrow to understand keeping to earth.
“I know what you are about to say, and no we won’t kill them-“ That had Ron, and Viktor, whine. Made the brunette gasp, with hands on her hips. “What?! “ They both shouted, as the man Viktor sat on nearly grabbed his wand. Didn’t succeed, as Harry was quick to cast a Stupefy at his wrist.
“I keep forgetting Wizards have more violent tendencies. Easy to, when you drink a potion and all your bones are back together-“ Hermione would give them the benifit of the doubt, before she whistled for Viktor to get off them. Having made sure to Accio the wands away, before the solider returned to the team. His wand joining them, as they stared down at the two.
“This isn’t over, you can’t run forever Harry. You can’t, and won’t-“ The still concuss man snapped at the group. Still bubbling with hate, and never willing to let it go. Even in the face of those who bested him. Even from something as simplistic as having bravery. To be brave enough to not hold hesitation. To put his life on the line with no issue. Viktor was a brave man, and will forever be. Be a BETTER man than him.
“Stupey-!” Hermione shouted, and it made the man’s head slam itself into the ground. A instant knock out.
“I could have done that. Just, you know, bop-!” Viktor would explain, as he made a punching motion with his hands. Got an eye roll, but Hermione was keeping note of it. Maybe next time they should do such a thing. Perhaps using less magic could keep them under less radars.
“I’ll obliviate their memories. Wait for me outside. We need to hurry to Grimmauld. Before someone else catches us next. Hopefully we can throw them off our trail now.” Hermione explained, as the three men were quick to their tasks. Harry was cleaning up the place a bit, to hide the fact they were there. Ron had used his deluminator to snuff the lights. Viktor himself stood outside, as if a guard, to try and detest anyone from entering.
With their sins washed away, Hermione would come outside with her boys. Taking a moment to brush herself off, before having Harry take lead on where they needed to go. Gave her time to think. To just let her body move, and her brain to process.
Was a rather silent walk. Many Viktor has held, but he could feel the tension. Even with the fact he had been trained to be a soldier of war. Even his own years of being in a Military school. All those days of training, long nights of studying, and those endless exams. It still didn’t feel quite real. That he was finally using what he was taught for its purpose. For war. Even he was left with heavy thoughts.
“Hey, what’s the long face? Missing your groupies already?” Ron would nudge Viktor, with a crooked smile. His own soft way to return the kind gesture of reassurance. His own, Weasley, way. That of playful jokes. A joke that made the Bulgarian smile.
“Never was one for them. Certainly will be plastered all over the papers now. Viktor Krum. Vanished after a death eater attack. The search parties will be endless.” He groaned, as he did not want that. He didn’t want to deal with such a mess, but at the same time…..He just could not leave the trio behind like this. They needed all the help they could get. He finally felt useful, even. He wasn’t just a heart throb for the nation. He could help them, protect them, and use all that abuse from school to an advantage. An important one, that is aiding the war. Yeah, they can deal with the Quidditch Seeker Superstar going missing. He had friends to protect.
“Alright, come on. Hurry, before someone sees-” Harry would eager his friends inside of the complex building. Motioning them inside, but Hermione was quick to block the doorway. Seeming to not quite allow Viktor inside. Despite being so small, compared to Viktor, she was hardly a weakling. She had respect, so he obeyed. He would stop in his tracks.
“Not to be dramatic….But once you enter I do not believe it will be quite as easy for you to leave. This….This is where it all ends now, I just know it. You do not have to be part of this. You can go home. Be with your family and focus on protecting them. This is between us and….Him.” Hermione would offer Viktor a choice. Not often people gave him such pleasure. He was always given orders, but Hermione wasn't everyone else. She wanted him to choose. He deserved to have a choice. A choice he thought over. Dark eyes looking inside the dusty darkness of the uncertain future, and turned his head to the misty London evening. The unknown, or the familiar. His friends, or his people…
“Come on, it is getting cold out. You British types get cold easily.” He smiled, as Hermione let out a breath she wasn't aware she was holding. She would hesitate, but soon stepped aside for him. Heavy steps would enter the darkness, as she closed the door. Certain to lock it. Left to the darkness, with his friends, and no regrets. A new future was just made. One even the likes of Albus could never have expected. The war was turned in a new direction. Lives saved, lives lost. All that change was made from one simple gesture. A gesture of unselfish love. Love started this war, and love will be what ends it.