RP: We Meet Again

[shh_viktor]

Date: 9 November, 2004
Character(s): Viktor, Hermione
Location: 33 Alpha Ave
Status: Private, though Ron or Harry might overhear and/or join in.
Summary: Viktor comes to lunch
Completion: Complete

Comments

[shh_hermione]

"You know, you might consider taking them into Exeter and donating them to a resale shop," she pointed out. "It seems a waste to just toss them in the rubbish if a charity might be able to sell them. Depending on your, uh, monetary situation, you could possibly even sell them as used to a Muggle trader."

She might not like odd shoes like that, but plenty of women did. It seemed a shame to just toss them away in the rubbish if they could be used for a good cause. Hermione decided then that, if she found any clothes in this house, she'd donate anything that couldn't possibly be used for barter.

"I'm sure that Maire will enjoy using some for playing," she added with a slight smile. "As for a book, I'm not particularly knowledgeable about children's literature, for that age, but you might try Dr. Seuss. Younger children seem to really enjoy listening to his work read aloud."

Before she could add any other suggestions, she heard Ron. She turned to look up and smiled, relaxing more than she had before. "Hey, sleepyhead," she teased, moving her chair over and motioning to an empty one. "Viktor, do you remember Ron? Viktor's brought sandwiches for lunch. He lives near here now."

[shh_viktor]

"My money is safe and is have enough," Viktor said. "Not here. Here, money is ...has no worth? But, is money of Bulgaria bank, and so is not gone. Quidditch is pay well." He considered trying to complain about what a colossal pain it was to exchange Bulgarian Wizarding money for Muggle, and then exchange Bulgarian leva for Euros, but concluded there were too many words there he didn't know, about exchange rates and watching out for being cheated. He settled for a shrug. "Ikonomika --word is same, I am think-- is topic with many part."

He thought for a moment. "You are think some shop is want silly shoe? Is not possible, there are be so many silly women, to want, but is good thought, and I try."

He turned as well at the voice from the house. "I am remember Ron, yes. Please have sit. We are talking of shoe. And of doctor? who is write book for small child."

[shh_ron]

Ron had no idea what Viktor Krum was talking about. But he was pleasantly surprised that his old Quidditch hero actually remembered his name. He'd come to realise during the war that he'd been a bit too hard on Viktor back at school. Viktor was on the right side during the war and that was all Ron needed to know now. Plus, Ron was extremely hungry; it would be stupid to pass up an invitation like that.

"Thanks," he said, sitting down with Viktor and Hermione. "Sandwiches look great. Think I'll have one. Or two, if that's okay."

[shh_hermione]

"I think you'd be surprised at how many silly women there are in the world," Hermione said, shaking her head slightly. "They'll love the shoes. Trust me."

When Ron sat down, Hermione unconsciously prepared him a plate of sandwiches, adding a third because he looked pale and needed to eat more to get his strength back.

"Dr. Seuss is a Muggle author who wrote children's books, though some of them are actually thinly veiled political statements. Maire, she's Viktor's daughter," she explained to Ron, "would just enjoy the rhyming words that are most common in his books."

[shh_viktor]

Viktor raised his eyebrows at Ron's question. "Of course is okay," he said. "I am bring, for eat. You eat, dis is right." He nodded.

He turned his attention back to Hermione. "Rhyme words are good, yes. Good for funny sounding, and good for me, for read, to sound same. She is not speak Bulgarian."

He took a second sandwich himself. "Ron, you are being well? I think, you have much hard work soon--recently." He was pleased to have had an opportunity to use the word right away.

[shh_ron]

Ron smiled. Viktor's English was only a little better than it had been years ago.

"Yeah, I'm well now," he replied as he finished his first sandwich. "Mostly, anyway. You could say we had a lot of hard work recently." If only Viktor knew...which, of course, was probably not possible in the near future, if ever. Ron reckoned the whole truth might always remain a secret among himself, Harry and Hermione. "Thanks for bringing lunch. That was very nice of you. You're--" (he swallowed his pride along with a bite of sandwich)"--a good bloke, Viktor. And a good friend to Hermione, as far as I can tell."

There. He'd finally given his blessing to Hermione and Viktor's friendship. Maybe now she'd forgive him for being such a prat to her about Viktor in fourth year.

[shh_hermione]

"I thought that Dr. Seuss might be easier for you," Hermione admitted. "Not only are they favorite children's books, but they're easy to read and entertaining."

She was surprised when Ron complimented Viktor. True, it had been years since adolescent jealousy, but she was very proud of Ron. Of course, there wasn't often a time these days when she wasn't.

She smiled slightly and took a bite of her sandwich. It was good, and they'd have to invite Viktor over for dinner some time in repayment. "It's nice to see you alive and healthy," she said, enjoying the feel of the warm sun on her face.

[shh_viktor]

The stack of sandwiches was all but gone, and Viktor had the sense these two, and presumably also Harry, needed their rest and quiet time. "Is good for all, being alive and healthy," he said. "All, only not those who were make harm."

He stood. "I think, you are still needing time for ...is not exactly heal or rest. Is, get back strong...ness. Dis is bad word again." He sighed. He would get more words with practice. "But, I am go, and let me show." He pointed east and a bit north. "I am live over there, dat way of Alpha, and dat way, of Lovegood. You are any time to stop and come in, yes?"

He gathered his basket and strode around the side of the house with a wave back. "I am glad you are being neighbor," he called. He went back to his bicycle and stuck the basket back to it.

Friends. Now he had more than one: Diggory, and Hermione, and her Ron. This was good progress toward feeling at home here, and he rode home smiling.