Krum Chronicles

Chapter 2 : Comrades , One for All

"Krum! Krum! Krum!Krum!" The other Durmstrang students chanted as Viktor took another shot of Fire Whiskey, which was definitely swiped from Karkaroff's secret cabinet, which was never a secret to begin with. Within the kitchen half a dozen Durmstrang students were seated on countertops, stools and benches taking in the last few nights they had on the sea before returning to Bulgaria.

Viktor laughed and grabbed the Fire Whiskey moving to refill his cup as he drunkenly blurted out "Comrades, on this trip I have found a new love of my life."

"Uuuuugh!" His class mates groaned

"We liked it better when you were drinking!" Dmitri joked in his native tongue, from the rear of the kitchen quarters. He spilled his shot of Dulstarian, a delicate Bulgarian liquor. The room bursted into laughter, even Viktor laughed. He knew that his fellow classmates would be annoyed by him, but he could not resist. While sober Viktor was a stern faced and quiet man who kept his thoughts and feelings to himself mostly, but while drunk he was a whole different Viktor. He could not contain himself. Viktor was flushed and could not remember the last time he enjoyed time with his friends. Throughout his year at Hogwarts with them his time was strictly allocated to school work, training for the tasks of the Tri-Wizard Tournament and "studying" in the library. He was sent to the library to study, but mostly spent his time talking to Hermione and fawning over her. 

"To Bulgariaaaaaaa!" A voice yelled. At this point the boys were so drunk they would begin to chant and cheer for anything. Viktor laughed and continued to drink his Fire Whiskey, which was no longer held in a shot glass but in a large opaque colored mug with the Durmstrang crescent embroiled on it, he removed himself from the table and made his way to the swinging, thick, dark colored Oak door of the kitchen. Nikolai soon trailed behind him through the door and up the stairs which led to the deck of the ship.

When Viktor reached the deck, the salted air filled his lungs as he inhaled and walked over to the railing. He exhaled and looked out to the sea. The water was dark and the waves were calm. The moon hung high above the ship casting a reflection on the water, one that reminded him of his home in Bulgaria and the lake in his backyard. He smiled gently and raised the mug up to his mouth taking slow sips from his mug and flinched as he felt a hand place itself on his left shoulder. He had yet to shake the nerves he developed from the final task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. He was placed under the Imperious curse by Barty Crouch Jr. posing as Madeye  and could remember the urge he felt to hurt and beat the contestants that got in his way.  He could also still feel the affects of being forced to perform the Cruciatis curse on Cedric in the maze. 

"Comrade. What is troubling you?"

Viktor shrugged and replied with "Nothing , Nikolai . Simply had to take a breath of air. We have been kept in the quarters for so long that I thought I was beginning to forget what fresh air was like."

Nikolai scoffed and said "Forget what fresh air is like of forget what your English Flower is like?" Ever since the Yule Ball the boys were nagging Viktor about Hermione and Chzek came up with the name 'English Flower'. It caught on quickly and soon all the boys were referring to Hermione as Viktor's English Flower. The lack of color that was permanently set into Viktor's cheeks seemed to fade and turn into a rogue pink. He was blushing .

"Will you ever call her by her name ?" Viktor said in a joking tone that was , it's own way serious.

"No. Not because I do not want to, but because I cannot pronounce it." Nikolai responded jokingly. Viktor laughed as well looking to his friend knowing that he was completely right. "Besides, I'll call her by her name when you stop missing her so much."

"I do not miss her Nikolai." Viktor replied knowing he was lying to not only his best friend but himself as well.

"Please do not insult my intelligence. I have known you since first year comrade. You can no longer fool me with these antics. Viktor knew it was the truth. Nikolai was his closest friend since he began at Durmstrang and the two were nearly inseparable. Except for a week in 5th year when Nikolai got them kicked out of their final Defense Against the Dark Arts exam and they had to take the class all over again the following term. Even with the fame Viktor had gained from playing in the IQL Nikolai still was his only trusted friend. 

Nikolai saw the look on his friends face . "Krum, what is truly wrong?" Furrowing his brow Nikolai  looked at Viktor wondering why he had such a look of worry and determination on his face. Viktor was looking at the sea, but looked sharply up at the dark sky.  

"Something in the air doesn't feel right." Viktor said looking up into the dark starless sky when suddenly dark heavy clouds rolled in swiftly and medieval laughs could be heard between the wind. Each and every shadow passed directly above the Durmstrang vessel as though they were looking for something. "Death Eaters." He whispered to himself then he looked to Nikolai grabbed his arm and ran back to the door leading to the underbelly of the ship. "Death Eaters!" He shouted as he opened the door and pulled Nikolai in with him. "Submerge the ship! Now!"