RP: Getting back into a routine

[tt_viktor.insanejournal.com]

Date: 3 November 2001
Characters: Viktor Krum, Alicia Spinnet, Anyone
Setting: On the paths in Settlement One
Content: PG
Status: Public : Complete



Working with the Ark was far more interesting than Viktor had originally thought it would be and he was pleased that he could, at least, have the renewed companionship of Charlie Weasley to make him feel more at home in this new world. Hermione had been going out of her way to visit him almost every day and he appreciated her friendship but there were just some things he could not open up to her about. Viktor knew, of course, that he was luckier than most in that his entire team and their families were living on the settlement in the homes around him - their own little slice of Bulgaria, as Hermione put it. She was right, of course, since the oldest of the grandmothers had thrown open the doors of her home every morning and the team shared breakfast with her and many of the elders of their group.

Dressed only in jogging shorts, a t-shirt and sneakers, Viktor lifted his hand to wave to Marko, his teammate who lived next door and headed off down the path at a light pace to start. His wand was tucked into his waistband and the sky was clear, for the moment, so he followed the sign posts toward the outer ring of the settlement where the path would follow along the walls. A few people out in their yards called out greeting to him as he passed but Viktor did not slow in his stride, instead, picking up a bit of speed as he went. He wasn't scheduled to return to the Ark for the day and he had every intention of restoring his exercise regiment to normal. Kingsley had lifted the flying ban a week earlier and the Vultures were practicing as much as they were able with the promise from Command that there would be Quidditch games in the future. Turning a corner, Viktor found himself on the outer path of the settlement and headed North toward the gate.

Comments

[tt_alicia.insanejournal.com]

Alicia was growing restless. The free feeling of visiting the Ark last weekend had more or less been eaten up by the almost ridiculous amount of extra hours she had spent at work in the following week. The extra hours, however, had been worth it, and thanks to the open-mindedness of the medical staff in Two and the patient in question, one of the Senior Healers in One had been allowed to attempt the Healing of a crushed femur, and Alicia had been asked to assist. So one by one, they had moved and reattached each fragment of bone, and Healed every small damage to the surround tissue. It had worked, and though the Muggle patient would have to go easy on his leg for a while, it was a far cry better than the amputation which had been the Muggle medics' only other alternative.

It had taken daily session in Two, long sessions, and the result of that – aside from the saved leg – was very evident in the amount of credits on Alicia's data pad, a fact Sam had pointed out to her along with a comment about him being proud to be the brother of the Healer who helped save a leg, but also embarrassed to have a hermit for a sister. He was obviously convinced, that she was well on the way to becoming a withered old spinster. So, when Alicia had picked up her want, intent on Transfiguring her furniture to be more... personal, and Sam had – very maturely – coughed 'spinster', she had taken to pacing in order to figure out how to get started.

Before she was aware of it, she had changed into her running gear, and had set off down the path. Normally, she enjoyed the heat and didn't even have much in terms of complaints about the humidity either, but right now, she did miss the crisp autumn air of England. Then she rethought that notion, and praised herself grateful that she had been rescued to this point in time, where they didn't have to worry about the world turning into a freezing hell, except for the occasional ice age, but they were thousands, if not millions, of years apart.

Before she had left the house, she had heard Sam crank up his music, and as she was running at a good pace towards the northern gate, she found herself humming along to her memory of T. Rex's 20th Century Boy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ylww2dOW7fg). A sharp chuckled escaped her when the appropriateness of that song struck, only not before she noticed that she wasn't alone.

"I'm sorry," she apologized to the other jogger. "I wasn't laughing at you."

[tt_viktor.insanejournal.com]

It wasn't odd to find other joggers out on the paths, as most of his teammates ran and a few of the security people did as well so Viktor wasn't paying attention to the foot falls of another runner until they moved to just a few feet from him. A feminine chuckle was what drew his attention and he glanced to the side to find a very pretty blond almost pacing him.

He slowed his stride just a bit so draw even with her and he shook his head, answering. "Laughter sound good for ear. I take no offense. I am Viktor."

[tt_alicia.insanejournal.com]

Alicia sighed with relief; the man hadn't been offended, which was good, even if it was still embarrassing to have been caught laughing out loud to herself. But now that he was right next to her, she got to see his face. He looked familiar, but it wasn't until he introduced himself that the familiarity became clear to her. "Hello, Viktor," she returned his greeting with a warm smile. "I'm Alicia, and I'm really glad you didn't take any offense."

Now that she thought about it, his reaction had actually been really sweet, and she couldn't help but feel a little like she had been paid a compliment. "Where are you headed?"

[tt_viktor.insanejournal.com]

"Hard find offense vith beautiful vitch," Viktor pointed out with a warm chuckle though his attention was on the path ahead. He wasn't attempting flattery - a Bulgarian monk would find this woman attractive - so it was merely a statement of the obvious.

He gestured ahead of them both with one hand. "Three circle of settlement each day. Keep fit, da? Reason change, need remain same. Vhat of you?" Viktor answered honestly, then turned the question on the pretty witch. He chanced a glance down and saw that her stride was a strong one, as well as admiring her figure briefly.

[tt_alicia.insanejournal.com]

"Right," Alicia couldn't help but laugh softly. Viktor sounded sincere and his chuckle genuine and warm, but it was the sort of compliment that she, as an English witch, wasn't used to. It made her blush and uncertain of how to respond, so she settled on agreeing with him.

Even though she had been talking, she had found that rhythm that suited her. That rhythm where her feet just moved carrying her body along at a suitable pace that was fresh but not over exertive, and where she knew she would be able to keep the up the pace for a long while. "Three circles?" Alicia looked up at him, then frowned a little. "I don't even know how long one circle is. This is my first time out since I got here. Got restless."

[tt_viktor.insanejournal.com]

"Da, three. I know not time pass for circle," Viktor amended, a slight frown creasing his forehead. Did it matter how long it took to span one circle around the settlement? He could not see how that would make any difference in his workout routine but it could not hurt to ask. "Is dis important? Haff dis impact vhat run I haff?" he asked.

Viktor lifted his right hand, checking the time though it was still set for the old world as he had not thought to change it. The datapad kept the current time. He made a mental note to align his watch with the datapad when he returned to his home after the run. "Rest-less? Vhat dis mean? You haff no sleep? I come through portal nine day ago. I haff little sleep first night. Much excitement, da?"

[tt_alicia.insanejournal.com]

"No," Alicia chuckled, shaking her head. "No, it's not important, and it doesn't impact anything. I just meant that this is my first time running here, that I've no idea how long one circle is or how long I should run to get the same as my regular track back in London... which I also don't know how long was, other than it was of a suitable length." She had seen the frown on Viktor's face and had gotten the impression that he was considering what she had said, so she wanted to give him as straight an answer as she possibly could. "I know that once at the Northern gate, I'll have run a quarter circle."

Watching as Viktor supposedly checked the time, Alicia was caught slightly off guard by his question. "Oh, no, no, I can sleep. Been sleeping like a baby since I got here. Came through... eleven days ago, and all the new impressions has been exhausting." Shaking her head again, she chased away the embarrassment that she had managed to ramble off a lot of nonsense, but not really answered Viktor's question. "Restless... it felt like I had too much energy that I didn't know what to do with, except Transfiguring my furniture, so I was reminded that it's possible to run here as well."

[tt_viktor.insanejournal.com]

"I no run vith time. Three circle too much for you. Von circle maybe too much. I no know vhat you capable of," Viktor replied honestly, paying attention to how she was breathing and moving. He didn't see any struggle yet but she had only just joined him. Viktor had been running for years, so he knew his capabilities but he'd only just met this woman. "Da, I live close M von eight four. Come vest den north for path."

It was refreshing to simply be Viktor, without the press of fame from the old world. He didn't know if she recognized him but she hadn't made any indication of it and Viktor was in no hurry to clarify that to her. "Da, new all very exciting. Much different from old vorld," he agreed, flashing a quick smile to her. "Ah, much energy. Excitement give both veary und strength. You no like furniture in home? Transfigure no my strength," Viktor admitted with a shrug. "Vhat you do here?"

[tt_alicia.insanejournal.com]

"Yeah, I think you're right that three circles are too much for me," Alicia agreed with a chuckle. "Initial goal is one. If I can't make that, I've something to aim for, and if it's not long enough, I'll keep going until I need to convince someone to side-Apparate me home." She looked up at Viktor, then back to the path ahead of them. "If I have to guess, I'd say that my route in London was three, maybe four miles, but I'm not sure. It was a good half hour run around the park and back to my flat, three or four times a week, all depending on work."

This was easy, this was nice, refreshing, the run and talking to Viktor. With each step she took, Alicia could feel the calm settle in her. "Oh, oh, yeah, I do like my furniture," Alicia amended, "it's just a little, uhm... impersonal? I mean, it's the same furniture that my brother has, and my neighbour and most likely everybody else in One, Two and Three, so I just wanted to make it mine, make it my home rather than a house I was assigned. I'm good with Transfiguration, so if you'd like, I can help you out." She looked up at Viktor, noting that the broody demeanour he was so well-known for wasn't nearly as prominent here as it had been the times she had seen him up close while he had been at Hogwarts. "Healer," she told him, "so I do the same thing here as I did back there. More or less, at least. You?"

[tt_viktor.insanejournal.com]

"Ve may run together, den. I vill no leave you apparate alone," Viktor stated firmly, as if there was no need to discuss such a thing. He would not let some strange person side along her back home while he was present to assist. Viktor thought about how she described the time relating to the running and he could estimate that he normally ran for about an hour a day unless it was a game day, then he did not run. Of course, game days here would be something entirely different given the very nature of the surroundings. "Vhat you say haff sense. I belief I run for hour, some more, some less."

It was slightly more difficult to adjust his pace to exactly match hers, given his longer stride, but Viktor found that keeping even with her was easier once he got the right pace. This way, he would not have to slow over and over to keep in conversation with her and he did, indeed, want to remain speaking with the very pretty witch. "Ah, da, it haff no ding of person. Dis I understand und I vould muchly like for your help,"

Viktor caught her gaze this time when she looked up at him and he flashed a warm smile. It was a decidedly pleasant turn of events to be joined on his run and and even nicer turn that she did not have trouble understanding him. "I train vith Ark. Kneazle und crup for start. Vhen Quidditch return, dis vill change."

[tt_alicia.insanejournal.com]

"Thank you, that is very kind of you," Alicia smiled . She had, somewhat, been kidding about finding a stranger to Apparate her home, but there was a finality to Viktor's statement that had her think he'd thought her serious, and that, she found, was really touching. Sure, it was one thing to have your brother to show concern for her, but to have a handsome stranger do the same thing, made her feel warm inside. "An hour?" With a nod Alicia acknowledged that sentiment. It made sense to her, judging by Viktor's build and what she recalled of Nigel's training regimen. "If you pick up that same routine here, I'm going to have see about timing mine so I can join you halfway through." Sending him a bright smile, she picked up her pace a bit, not just to let him go at a more comfortable speed for him, but also because she felt the urge to go faster herself.

Viktor's smile, warm and genuine, was a nice surprise and thinking back, Alicia wasn't certain she had ever seen him smile like that in public. A shame, she thought, because it suited him so incredibly well. She was surprised to hear that he worked at the Ark, though she wasn't certain which other field she would have expected him to work in here. "Oh, that is such a beautiful place," Alicia looked at him again, now genuinely curious about what he had in mind. "So, you'll go back to playing professionally again?"

[tt_viktor.insanejournal.com]

Whether it was kind or not made no difference to Viktor - it was what a gentleman did for a lady. It was ingrained in his blood as surely as his magic was. It didn't hurt that she was beautiful and he liked the sound of her voice, the dancing feminine tone that fit her so well. "I vould like dat muchly. Run alvays better vith companion," Viktor said with another warm chuckle, his grin smug with the satisfaction of earning such a smile from her. "I vould change vhen run for make easy joining."

He happily picked up the pace again, seeing that she was finding her stride as they progressed. "Da, da," Viktor agreed, pleased to discover that she was acquainted with the Ark enough to know how beautiful it was there. "Quidditch long time for professional league vonce more. Old man I vill be. Nyet, ve vill play for people, no for us in dis vorld. Dis vay old vorld can never be," Viktor added, raising his left hand to point to where the path was beginning to turn just ahead. "Ve vill play for own loff of game. Dis vorld need us do more den play game, so ve do. I vould no vish no help vith Ark now I haff see it, vork vith animal der, know vhat import it haff."

[tt_alicia.insanejournal.com]

Alicia's smile grew warmer, a soft laughter, even, bubbled up out of nowhere, at the thought that Viktor would like to run with her again. No, she didn't know him, other than what she had read about him in the papers and seen of him – from a distance – at the TriWizard Tournament, but this short time that she had actually talked to him, had been easy and she didn't feel like she had to try.

Even though Alicia was pleased to hear that more organized Quidditch was in the making, she felt a bit of relief that it wouldn't be professionally for a good long while. Everything was still new and she still felt, to some extent, like a visitor in her own home, but Quidditch would be familiar, both to watch and play. "I think people'll love to have Quidditch back," she agreed with him, "and it'll seem more... I don't know, approachable." She looked towards where he was pointing; the turn in the path. "Race you to the gate?" she dared him, not really sure where it came from, but this increase in speed and the light mood brought out the playful competitiveness in her, even if she knew she didn't stand a chance against his speed... unless she cheated, of course.

[tt_viktor.insanejournal.com]

Viktor had no idea what he said to make her laugh or he'd say more of the same. While he had never had any trouble finding female companionship in the past, Viktor had always attributed that to his Quidditch fame and not his own personality or appearance. Here, without his fame, Viktor had believed life would be very different and was prepared to deal with those changes. "Da, game fun vatch und play. Vill haff more fun here, vith close people und open sky. No von shut out here."

"Race? Da, you count," he replied with a sly grin and a nod of his head. If she invited him to compete, Viktor would do so without hesitation but he would not have suggested it since she seemed to be a runner of lesser stamina. Still, perhaps she believed a short burst of speed would be to her advantage here on the ground. Perhaps she was right about that but Viktor would try his hardest. He glanced to her, waiting for her to count to three to start this 'race'.

[tt_alicia.insanejournal.com]

"It'll make for some interesting matches, if players are mixed across levels of talent and experience," Alicia chuckled. Aside from one or two pick-up matches with her friends, it felt like ages since she had played. Once she had finished school and up until the war, even those pick-up matches had been more or less regular, averaging about two or three per month, but with the war things changed, and afterwards, Quidditch had seemed to fade in her life. This place, this time was a sort of second chance for everybody, and she was glad that she hadn't discarded bringing her broom. No, there were no Angelina or Katie here, yet, but Ginny was an excellent player too, so maybe she should bring up the idea at work and have the Medical Center start their own recreational team... Ideas were beginning to spark, and maybe she could talk to Viktor about it, but not right now. A talk like that required that she didn't lose breath all of a sudden, so she'd wait until she had had a chance to think it over more and they could sit down to talk about it.

"Okay, I'll count," Alicia said with a teasing smirk, nodding as if setting a beat. "On three... One... Two..." Barely had she said 'two' before she set into a sprint, hoping that Viktor hadn't taken her little cheat as more than her being playful. But Godric, it felt good to run like this, to just let her feet take over, feel the instant reaction in her muscles and feel how her breathing adjusted to fit the different exertion.

[tt_viktor.insanejournal.com]

"Perhap," Viktor conceded though he wasn't entirely sure he agreed with her. With a team like the Vultures, they did not know how to play below their skills. It would be better if they taught or coached for these put-together teams as none of them were going to throw a game on the skills of their teammates. Viktor could think of several of his teammates who would make excellent coaches but not himself, as he did not possess the same level of skill with the English language. "Vulture team good source of coach for these teams."

Her smirk gave him something of a hint of what was to come but he could not guess at which number she would bolt, so when she did, Viktor was a few steps behind her - admiring the view for a second before his competitive instincts kicked in. He shot forward in a burst of strength and, as they approached the gate, Viktor ran past her, slowing only after he reached the gate and turning to watch her approach with a broad smile on his face. "Three," Viktor teased warmly with a chuckle. "In Bulgar, ve say you play vith devil vhen you give us dare."

[tt_alicia.insanejournal.com]

It was an amazing feeling of freedom, just running, bolting, sprinting, feeling your breathing begin to burn your throat and the muscles begin to release endorphins. Not altogether unlike flying, yet still nowhere near as freeing as sitting on a broom was. Alicia could hear Viktor's footsteps behind her, though as the gate came into view, so did Viktor come into her peripheral vision, and soon after he passed her. Not unexpectedly, and now that she saw him running from behind, not unpleasantly either. With a view like that, she didn't mind losing to him. Coming to a halt in front of him, she grinned up at him when he teased her. "At Hogwarts, they said that about us Gryffindors," she chuckled, trying to catch her breath. "Wow, two weeks without running, and this is how I end up?"

Shaking her head in disbelief that she had taken off that much time, she began walking a bit. Right now, even after the sprint, she couldn't stand completely still. "So, you'll be coaching too?"

[tt_viktor.insanejournal.com]

"I vould offer broom race but..." Viktor teased happily. He had enjoyed the burst of speed, watching her run, her form was very good and it was pleasant to be in her company. That her humor continued to bring a smile to his face was unusual as he rarely met women who could do so. "Two veek? Nyet, two veek und portal. Dis vorld haff different breath. Different air. Better, da, but must... how you say, accept? Nyet, nyet, vhat vord... vhen body grow normal for new ding?"

He joined her in walking, a light touch to her elbow directing her to continue on the path as they walked past the gate leading out of the settlement. The guards there nodded to him and one quirked an eyebrow as if lewdly indicating his approval of Viktor's companion but Viktor scowled at the man. Returning his attention to Alicia, he dropped his hand from where his fingers had been light on her elbow, and answered. "Nyet. My English poor. Vould no be good coach. Marco, he better English. Vladmir, he good, da."

[tt_alicia.insanejournal.com]

"... you're scared I might kick your arse?" Alicia teasingly finished Viktor's offer. When it came to racing brooms, she wouldn't stand a chance there either. On a broom, her skills were in the quick maneuvers and her solid balance that had allowed her to send off the Quaffle with enough force to make it through the hoops. Viktor, as a Seeker, had the speed, not to mention the fact that he had years and years of experience compared to her. "Don't worry, I'll let you keep your pride," she chuckled, patting his chest.

"Uh..." It took Alicia a moment catch which word it was Viktor was looking for. "Accustomed?" she suggested, then nodded. "Yeah, the air's different here, I need to get used to it again. Could be worse, though, I'm sure. We could be in the mountains, or something." Letting Viktor direct the way, she walked alongside him, listening to his explanation why he wouldn't be a coach. "You're English isn't poor," she let him know, "besides I don't think perfect English is a requirement to coach Quidditch, but that is, of course, your decision."

[tt_viktor.insanejournal.com]

Viktor chuckled heartily but did not answer her question. It was not gentlemanly to press an advantage like he had over her in flight, though he was very curious now that he was given the idea that she could fly competently. All of that internal thought went right out of his head when her small hand patted his chest. "Da, da," he agreed, his tone more neutral now. It wasn't bad enough that watching her run had given him distracting thoughts. "Most kind of you," Viktor added.

"A-kost-umd," he repeated slowly, trying to wrap his tongue around the bulky English word. It sounded much like the one he had been trying to think of, which made him think it was correct. Viktor nodded, stretching his arms out behind his back to loosen the muscles of his shoulders.

At her complement, he arched an eyebrow, quite certain that she was being polite. "English come slow for me, Alicia. I vould no haff quick direction dat coach need. You haff play Quidditch, da?" he asked, changing the direction of the conversation. It hurt his pride to admit his lack of skill with the English language. Viktor nodded, indicating the path ahead. "Ve run more, da?"

[tt_alicia.insanejournal.com]

With a chuckle, Alicia winked at Viktor, happy to see that he hadn't taken offense of her teasing. She watched him while he tried out the word she had supplied him with and nodded in return when he accepted it as the word he had been searching for. Her attention, however, was drawn to his arms, to the contours of his muscles when he stretched a little, and as soon as she realized what she was doing, she looked ahead of them again. It wasn't polite to stare, not even if it was at a fine specimen of man like Viktor Krum.

By now it wasn't difficult to see that Viktor didn't like talking about his language skills, so again, Alicia nodded, accepting his explanation, though she still believed that his English was more than just good enough for coaching Quidditch. Not only did his English come much faster than her Bulgarian did, but she had met English people with worse language skills than him, not to mention the fact that she was pretty certain she remembered Nigel's coach barking orders in sounds rather than actual words. "Sure," she agreed, setting into a light jog when Viktor suggested they run again. She, too, nodded ahead, indicating that he should set the speed this time.

"Yeah, I played back in school," she said with a small smirk, looking down at her feet before she added. "Turned down the invitation to try out for Pride of Portree to go into Healer training instead."

[tt_viktor.insanejournal.com]

The movement of her head caught his eye and Viktor suppressed the urge to smirk or smile. If she enjoyed looking at his body, then he wasn't going to do anything to dissuade her from that, far from it. While Viktor considered his features to be severe, almost ugly, he worked hard to keep his body in fit shape for Quidditch. To have a pretty witch admiring his body was an ego boost, to say the least.

Settling back into an easy jog, Viktor let her lead the pace. The burst of speed would tire her out quicker as they went so he wasn't looking to push her. Better to work on stamina, which would help rebuild speed over time. "Better Healer den play for Portree," Viktor quipped, amused. "Vhat position you play? No Seeker?" She had the right build for a Seeker but women rarely pursued that position.

[tt_alicia.insanejournal.com]

"That is a matter of opinion," Alicia laughed lightly at Viktor's quip. She had taken no offense; when it came to Quidditch everybody had their own opinion and she was fairly certain that Viktor would find Healer training better than playing for any other team than the Vrasta Vultures.

It had taken a couple of minutes, but by now she had found a pace that suited her and by the looks of it, it suited Viktor alright as well. "Chaser," she informed him, then chuckled. "I don't think I have the patience to become a Seeker." She glanced up at him, her smile turning wicked, before she teased back; "And my aim's better than my luck."

[tt_viktor.insanejournal.com]

He laughed heartily, ending his laughter with a smirk but did not challenge Alicia's statement. Portree was no match for the Vultures - not in his mind, but there were few teams that Viktor considered a real challenge on the pitch. "Seeker more den luck," he said, arching an eyebrow.

"Da, patience good for Seeker, patience und focus. Must learn vhat Snitch vant, vhat it vill like, how it vill play vith you. Snitch no like Quaffle. It vish play," Viktor said with a chuckle, reaching out to touch her elbow as they approached the next turn in the path. Her breathing was still doing well so he did not increase the speed of the run. He was enjoying her company and wanted to prolong the shared time.

[tt_alicia.insanejournal.com]

"Of course they are," Alicia cooed back at Viktor. She couldn't keep her face in the consoling and empathic lines, and soon after her smile broke through at full force. When it came to Seekers, or any other position on a Quidditch team, she had nothing but the utmost respect for the skills it required to excel at the game, but that didn't mean she didn't take pride in being a Chaser.

Nodding in agreement with what Viktor said about being a Seeker. That was what she loved most about Quidditch; that there was a position for different types of attitudes towards playing. "Like I said; Seeker's not for me. I prefer to play with the ball as opposed to being played with." There was a comfort to feeling his touch on her elbow. It was a gentle touch, yet it felt as if with that small touch he was protecting her from whichever dangers surrounded them. "That'll be a third of the circle, right?" she asked him, indicating the turn they were about to take.

[tt_viktor.insanejournal.com]

"Some like hunt, some like be hunted," Viktor quipped back smugly, a big grin curling his lips. The Quidditch banter was amusing, particularly with such a pretty witch, and he was actually quite curious to see what level of skill she had at the game. He could, like most players, play other positions but his true skills lay in Seeking. "Ve get broom, ve can see who like vhat."

The idea of having amateur games and their friendly banter got Viktor to thinking - if Alicia had good skills, perhaps there was a chance to start youth games as well. "Da, how you feel?" he confirmed, glancing to the side to look her over again, checking for signs of tiring. "Speak vhen you vish stop. Dis no race, da? Vould no help muscle vith more stress."

[tt_alicia.insanejournal.com]

"And some just have what the other team wants," Alicia replied with a wink. Her first week here in the new world she had felt like no matter what she did, she mucked it up. She had been uncertain and nervous and made a fool of herself on far too many occasions, though that had all seemed to settle down after she had spent the day with Charlie. Finding a friend, of sorts, in him had restored some of her belief in herself, a belief that had only grown stronger with the success of Healing she had been part of in Two. Nothing, however, compared to the ease it was to run with Viktor. Just like when they had been sprinting, she was now feeling free, free to do anything she liked, even engage in flirty banter with a world class Seeker. That, in itself, was a little odd to her, as she had never had any particular soft spot for Seekers, though she did admire their skill. She just admired the finely tuned team work between a team's Chasers, and that of the Irish National Team's Chasers in particular. Alright, so she might have had a crush on Cedric Diggory at some point, but that wasn't because he was a Seeker, that was because of something entirely different; his gorgeous looks. The man she was running with now, Viktor, was so unlike the student that had spent the school year at Hogwarts. He wasn't the brooding, slightly duck feeted, TriWizard contestant who kept to himself and frankly came off as a little arrogant. Of course, she didn't know him at all, but she just couldn't combine the two images she had of him. There was no doubt in her mind, that she preferred this Viktor, the man with whom she felt good about flirting with. "Just name the time, and I'll be there."

"I feel good," she assured him, then chuckled, "but I'll do another check when we get to the western gate. It's just a straight line to my house from there." Running and talking at the same time was beginning to affect her breathing, though her muscles were less sore than she had feared they might be at this point. "I know it's not a race, I just needed... to run. Perhaps even run myself ragged, just because I can, you know?"

[tt_viktor.insanejournal.com]

Viktor was already making a mental note to contact her - both for a date and for flying. She was smart, beautiful, and funny. Exactly the kind of woman his mother would have wanted him to pursue further. Well, she was the kind of woman he'd always been attracted to but rarely had pursued due to his focus on Quidditch, with the exception of Hermione who had showed him that he could have such women as friends in his life. Hermione - who had used her influence to save his life and the lives of his friends.

"Da, dis I know. Haff feel like dis before game, but can no do. You vish push self hard, tire excitement of body. Many vay do dis," Viktor pointed out with a smug grin. For him, sex had been the only way of releasing some of the tension before a game without sacrificing the power that tension brought. His statement was just that, a statement, though he would not turn down an invitation from the pretty witch, either. They continued running in companionable stride, mildly teasing each other as they went.