The Train
September 1st then arrived. There trunks at the ready, school supplies already finished. They then went about there day towards Kings Cross. As the sea of red-heads plus Hermione and Harry they then made their way to the barrier.
As Harry was next, maybe last to enter, he was stopped by a pair of hands over his waist. He turned around and was met by a handsome tall blond bloke, something in him felt very familiar. "It's me my little minx."
Harry's eyes went wide as he hugged Viktor. "Vi- oh wait what?" Harry pulled of of their hug and placed his hands over the man's arms, backing away as he looked back over at the Older teen "what's are you doing here? I thought you were back at Bulgaria?"
Viktor chuckled. "Not here." He then proceed to pull Harry's cart to the side of 9 and 10 before shrugging off his glamours. Harry smiled, seeing Viktors now familiar face, he never knew how much he'd missed it, until now.
"Vell. So Lord Bla- sorry, Sirius is already aware of this, so is that Headmaster of yours, Dumbledore, with long negotiating and the lot. They finally agreed with me riding the train vith you" Harry brows shot upwards I'm surprised at that.
"Okay- hold your horses there-" Harry chuckled at the condusio on Viktors face. "Muggle saying- anyway, why exactly are you riding with us? why aren't you at Bulgaria?, and What is it exactly your doing exactly? and last what did you guys even agreed on? What?"
"Easy there- so first off." Viktor then pulled the younger teen into a hug. "I missed you, did you miss me too?" Harry flushed at that but all too happily returned the hug. "Ofcourse I did!" It's crazy no? They only met each other for a few and they're already trusting each other to the point they'd hug each other without asking for it.
Viktor then pulled first. "Let us get into the train, then I shall tell you everything until then." Harry nodded, Viktor then re-applied his Glamour, then led Harry over the barrier. Once through, Harry was met with worried faces. "Harry! Where were you?! I thought you were lost I-" Hermione then threw herself towards Harry. "You stupid, stupid boy!" Harry chuckled at that but felt guilty in worrying Hermione.
"I'm fine mione just ran into a.... Friend." He then gestured towards Viktor in his glamours appearance. Hermione raised a brow at that but didn't ask, yet anyways. Ron, followed by molly, ginny, asked questions to where he was to which he answered. With a friend, Viktor was met with uncertain gazes but let it slide as they were already late. "So is your friend coming all dear?" Molly asked. Harry nodded. "Yeah- he has some- business! Yeah business he wants to take care at Hogwarts." Molly didn't looked convinced. "Very well. Now off you lot go!"
Once inside the train, Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Viktor then found an empty compartments, the twins went ahead to find Lee, while Ginny went to find Luna, giving them a little privacy. "So.. who's your....friend mate?" Ron asked as he eyed Viktor up and down, Viktor just ignored Ron, as he leaned back against his seat, his hand over Harry's waist, making the situation to explain a little harder.
"I- uh." Harry stammered. They have not planned this ahead. They were planning on finding an empty compartments, just the two of them. "Tell them Harree. I see no problem in telling them." Harry nodded, Hermione and Ron looked at each other, having heard of Viktors Voice before, obviously.
"So uh this is Viktor-" Viktor then undid his Glamour, making Hermione raised a brew and Ron opened wide. "Bloody hell!" Ron exclaimed. "Wh- what's he doing here?" Hermione asked, eyeing Ron before turning her gaze back at Harry.
"We were getting to that." Harry sighed, then turned his gaze at Viktor while Harry propped his feet closer to his chest as he faced Viktor. His back leaning against the window. Ron and Hermione was seated opposite of them. "Vell- so, remember, when I said about Hogwarts sporting an event this year?"
Viktor asked, turning his gaze on Ron and Hermione, eyes lingering longer on Harry. Hermione tilted her head to the side. "Oh yeah! You guys mentioned it the second time. First at St.Mungos then the other time at Grimmauled. So?" Viktor then sighed, chuckling a bit as he turned his gaze on fully on Harry.
"The Tri-Wizard Tournament!" Hermione cut Viktor off. It made the older teen annoyed a bit but nodded anyway. "Yes, Hogwarts vill be hosting the tournament this year, it's been a long time since they sported the game, since- since we'll.. you know incidents." Harry cocked his head at that. Incidents? "Bloody hell, there is a reason why they stopped it you know."
"Uh- sorry, hate to break your- whatever that is but I don't understand, what's the Tri-Wizard Tournament and what incidents do you guys mean?" Harry then eyed the three occupants who looked unsure. "Seriously, it can't be that bad." Harry sighed. "Just tell me."
Harry cleared his throat, glancing between them. "So, what exactly is the Triwizard Tournament? I mean... I've heard things, but why did they stop it? What really happened?"
Ron shifted in his seat, his face unusually serious. He exchanged a glance with Hermione before answering. "It’s dangerous, Harry. Really dangerous," he said quietly, his voice low and tense. "The Triwizard Tournament... it's not like anything we’ve done at Hogwarts before. People—champions—have died in it. That’s why they stopped holding it. They couldn’t control the danger. Too many accidents, too many... losses."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's not just about showing off magic. It's... well, you're put in these impossible situations. Traps, creatures, curses—stuff most wizards would avoid if they had any sense. It’s... hard to explain, but the stakes are always high."
Harry’s frown deepened. He could feel the weight of Ron's words pressing on him, but it was Hermione who spoke next, her voice softer, but no less grave.
"The Tournament is legendary for a reason," she said, looking at Harry with concern. "It’s not just a game. The tasks are designed to test every skill a witch or wizard has. And I mean every skill—physical endurance, magical knowledge, problem-solving under intense pressure. The champions will be pushed to their absolute limits, sometimes beyond that."
Her gaze flickered toward Viktor, who had been silent the whole time. "In the past," she continued, "people thought the glory was worth the risk. But the Tournament had to be shut down because it just became too dangerous. They say it's safer now, with all the new rules and protections... but honestly, there's no way to make something like this completely safe."
Harry looked over at Viktor, whose expression was unreadable. He had been staring at the floor, but now his dark eyes met Harry's. There was something heavy in his gaze, something unsaid.
"It is still dangerous," Viktor murmured, his accent thickening as his words slowed. "Ve... ve do not know vhat tasks vill come. But I have heard the stories. From the older Durmstrang students." He paused, his brow creasing in thought. "The Tournament... is not only about magic. It is about surviving. They vould tell us... sometimes, it is not the strongest who vins. But the one who vill do vhatever it takes."
His leg pressed slightly against Harry’s, a subtle reassurance, as if he could sense Harry’s unease. "But there is always risk, Harry. Even vith new rules, no one can say vhat vill happen."
Ron glanced at Viktor, then back at Harry. "He’s right," Ron said quietly. "There’s no way to predict how it’ll go. You’ve got to understand, mate... this isn’t like Quidditch, or dueling in Defense class. People get hurt. Badly. The kind of hurt you don’t come back from."
Harry swallowed, feeling the gravity of their words settle over him. The Tournament sounded more like a warzone than a competition. "So why even bring it back?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Hermione let out a small sigh. "Because of the prestige. The history. The Ministry probably thinks it’ll show how strong the international magical community is, especially with everything going on in the world. But... I think it’s more than that. They’re hoping it’ll unite people. Bring schools together."
"But at what cost?" Viktor added, his voice low, almost as if to himself.
The train’s rhythm seemed to slow as the weight of the conversation hung between them. Harry glanced at Viktor again, their knees still touching, and for a moment, he felt a surge of warmth from the contact. He was thankful Viktor was here, even if it didn’t erase the fear creeping into his chest.
Harry nodded, processing the information being presented. Hm, somethings not right. He knows for sure that one way or another, his ganna hey involve in this tournament, somehow. "I have a bad feeling about this." Ron and Hermione nodded. They both know of the dangers that awaits them at the Wala of Hogwarts. No matter how strong the wards are. Danger always seems to find Harry.
"Is it vhat you've been telling me about over my stay at Grimmauled?" Harry nodded. He had been telling Viktor of all the events that happened since first year, and let me tell you. The man was bat shit mad. He was protective, more than he already is, people may find it crazy, but honestly, Harry find it indearing.
"Wait- that doesn't explains why your here instead of you being with your friends, aren't you supposed to be coming together at a specific date?" Harry asked, eyeing Viktor suspiciously. Viktor cleared his throat and bid a blush that was creeping out of his cheeks. "Vell, there is the main reason why I went early." Hermione raised an eyebrow at that, she shared a look with Ron and hid a knowing smirks.
"This doesn't happen to involve Harry does it?" Ron asked. Viktor faced the floor, embarrassed to say yes, but didn't not deny it. "I knew it!" Ron exclaimed as a smirk was now fully onto his face. "Oh shut it Ron. Viktor must have another reason, stop assuming." Harry half heartedly glared at Ron, Viktor shook his head as he looked over at Harry.
"No, he is right. It does have everything to do vith you Harree." Harry flushed at that. "Huh? What do you mean?"
"Vell, after everything you have told me, I was vorried something bad might happen to you, so I did this meeting with Dumbledore. I asked to be sent in early. Dumbledore has agreed I continue my studies till then, provided with my own room. He understood my reasoning ofcourse so." Harry nodded. "So- let me get this straight, the reason why you went early is because you were worried, for me?" Viktor nodded.
"Oh-" "well! Thats nice and what not. Me and Hermione will get going. You clearly need privacy. Anyway bye." Ron said as he dragged a protesting Hermione with him. Closing the compartment door along the way.
"Vell... That's very considerate of your friends?" Viktor said unsure. "Oh you never know." Harry said smirking. "Cuddles?" Viktor rolled his eyes but smiled, bringing his legs up, as he spread his arms wide. "Very well, come here you minx."
Harry smiled at that and crawled over to Viktor. His embrace was always warm and it screamed safe. He felt safe. "Thanks.." Harry mumbled, his face buried on Viktors chest. "Sleep, I will wake you when we near."
Harry nodded at that, yawning before sleep took over.