Chapter Text
When Yuuri entered the chamber, both Viktor and Sara stood by the fireplace; their silhouettes strongly illuminated by the golden light that the fire emitted against them. Viktor stood with his hands resting right on top of the curve of his back, leaning a bit on the mantel while Sara stood with her hips cocked to one side, her arms crossed in front of her chest.
His footsteps were muted as they didn’t even seem alerted by his presence as they had idle talk.
This gave Yuuri the opportunity to examine Viktor’s features, his masculinity highlighted by the flames. His jaw was sharp, his back rigid, and his posture strong. His stone cold eyes screamed intensity, like a clouded over sky that threatened a storm.
Yuuri noticed that despite the friendly gestures and smiles, Viktor was always honest with his eyes. He wondered why he only ever noticed it now. It was different from when the Durmstrang Seeker was in a game, where his eyes never leave the Golden Snitch. It was as though those blue eyes were readable, now that he looked at him so closely. He remembered the shine that cross the pupils when Viktor looked at him, like he was the only thing in the world that mattered.
He wondered why Viktor looked at him that way, he didn’t even do anything special.
He didn’t even realize he almost missed a step on his way down the stairs, letting out an undignified yelp and leaned against the wall to catch his balance. His heart pounded fast, relief filling each crevice of his chest when Yuuri steadied himself. That was a close one. He missed a step because he couldn’t even take his eyes off Viktor long enough to look where he was going.
How embarrassing.
His almost fall seemed to catch the other champions’ attention, looking at him in surprise. Yuuri almost wanted to run back upstairs in embarrassment but he also wanted to see how Viktor reacted to him being the Hogwarts Champion. Viktor was someone he always wanted to look at.
The astonishment that was evident on Viktor’s face quickly turned into sheer joy. Yuuri felt the breath he didn’t know he was holding slowly leave him.
“I knew it! Of course you’d be the other champion!” he said, ecstatic at the decision. Yuuri was taken aback when Viktor was advancing towards him, the boy reaching out to hold one of his hands in his own, “I wouldn’t have the tournament any other way.”
Viktor’s hands were warm and firm around Yuuri’s. He just hoped he couldn’t feel his hand sweat at the contact.
“I’m glad I was chosen.” It wasn’t a lie at all. Yuuri could feel the excitement bubbling in his blood at being the champion. He was nervous but ecstatic nonetheless.
Sara seemed to be excited by the three choices as well. “It’s the same for me! Now you have to show me the moves you promised me, Yuuri!”
What was Sara even talking about? Maybe she got him confused for someone else. He sure as hell don’t remember promising her something in the five minutes they have ever spoken in his entire life.
“Um Sara,” Yuuri started, a bit confused as where to start, “I’m not really sure who-”
“Alright champions, round up!”
The voice bellowed from the top of the staircase, making Yuuri, Viktor, and Sara look up as the sound of pattering feet grew louder and closer.
It was Alain Leroy, his thick eyebrows furrowed. He was also frowning deeply, making his face look much older with the additional wrinkles.
Yuuri wondered if he was mad at him for being chosen, and not JJ.
Following Alain was his wife Nathalie, Mr. Karpisek, and Mr. Lambiel. Not long after, all the school heads were arriving in the room as well.
Yuuri listened to the loud chatters and cheers from students before Celestino closed the door behind him.
Viktor at least had the decency to pull away and simply stand beside Yuuri when everyone was already in the room. Yuuri didn’t want to admit out loud that he already missed Viktor’s calloused hands wrapped around his, his fingers being honest for him as they twitched a bit, but the personal space he got back was appreciated.
“Before Mr. Lambiel fills you in on the rules and what not,” Celestino said, his lips curling into a proud smile. “We, the respective heads of your schools, would like to congratulate the champions. From here on out, you will be the face of the schools.”
“Thank you, Professor.” Viktor, Yuuri, and Sara replied in unison. Celestino simply nodded his head to Mr. Lambiel, who stepped forward in front of the three.
Alain stepped up first, his expression all scrunched up. He definitely looked irritated.
“Before we proceed,” Alain spoke up indignantly, arrogance dripping of his tone. “Don’t you think the judgment of the Goblet was a bit lacking?”
Yuuri couldn’t help but notice the stink eye that Alain shot at him from the side. Clearly he didn’t accept the results of the Champions as much as the other judges did. No one else seemed to have a problem with it except for him.
Well, if you didn’t count JJ’s fangirls who bellowed when it wasn’t him who was called. And also the various students from different houses who yelled their concerns.
That didn’t mean he’s not right for this… Right?
“What do you mean, Alain? I find that our roster is fully capable of bringing an exciting tournament for us,” Celestino said, “and I think I speak for everyone.”
Professor Feltsman and Madame Baranovskaya seemed to glance at each other for a moment before nodding curtly.
“Viktor is the best in Durmstrang. I have full confidence that he will bring eternal glory to himself,” Professor Feltsman said plainly. Viktor remained silent, almost brooding. Yuuri knew that the boy was like a peacock, blooming with beauty and more so accepting of any sort of compliment. He wondered if it was any different if the compliment came from Professor Feltsman.
“Anyone chosen by the Goblet is deemed the best,” he concluded, his eyes turning to look at the other headmasters.
There was a tiny curve of a smirk that was evident on Madame Baranovskaya’s features, “and Sara is one of my best students. She will not disappoint me.”
Yuuri can already see that if Madame Baranovskaya’s eyes weren’t on her, Sara would have squealed in delight.
“As for Yuuri…” Celestino said, his fingers cupping his chin in thought, “I can’t even begin to describe his talent. I'm sure the goblet chose the right one.”
Alain didn’t seem remotely satisfied by the explanation, judging from how his expression only turned even more livid.
“Not I or my wife agree, Cialdini,” Alain growled. Nathalie Leroy furrowed her eyebrows in a tense expression but said nothing more. “Hogwarts is at a huge disadvantage and I believe its best we set up the Goblet once more--”
“Until we have Jean as the Hogwarts Champion, I’m assuming?”
It was right on the mark with how Alain effectively shut up, Celestino levelling him with a cold stare. It was as if the temperature in the room dropped entirely, ignoring the fire that burned in the fireplace.
It was almost unbelievable how someone like Alain could say harsh words like this about someone else. Yuuri knew he wasn’t exactly as amazing as Celestino or anyone else make him out to be. Still, those words of being deemed not good enough dug deep.
“Jean has talent, just as much as Yuuri here as well. But at the current time, I believe Yuuri is the more capable between the two,” he said matter-of-factly and Yuuri couldn’t help but feel embarrassed by the compliment. In front of all this people too.
“Is that some sort of favoritism, Cialdini?” Alain growled.
“Not favoritism if it’s a fact, Alain,” Celestino said bluntly.
“And even if Yuuri is to back out to make way for Jean, which I’m sure Yuuri won’t,” Mr. Karpisek interjected, looking over Yuuri for a moment. He was a nice man, a bit old and wrinkled but still carried himself formally. He turned back to Alain, “it just doesn’t work like that. Magical binding contract, remember? A chosen Champion cannot take their participation back.
“Moreover, the Goblet of Fire have already gone out. It’s not possible to open it again until the next tournament.”
“Then I will make it light up again!"
The auror took something out from his robe, alarming both Viktor and Sara. Yuuri was taken aback when Viktor was about to march up with his wand at hand, the silver-haired boy effectively held back by Professor Feltsman. The professor’s hand gripped his student’s neck almost dangerously, keeping him in his place.
Yuuri heard what was like an aggressive snarl come from Viktor.
“Stand down, boy.”
“But he’s-!”
Yuuri only noticed that moment that Alain had his wand in his hand. His hand itched to take out his own from his wand sleeve. Was Alain Leroy actually thinking of…?
“Dear, let it go,” Nathalie finally spoke up, holding her husband’s shoulder, “JJ deserve more than this. He will shine in the future.”
Alain looked at his wife for a moment before slumping back. Yuuri let out a relieved sigh, cautiously putting his own wand away. The hair of his skin rose, goosebumps up and covering his forearms. He knew Alain is a strong wizard and he didn’t want to aggravate him even more.
“Do what you want, Cialdini,” Alain relented, his tone still poisonous. Viktor’s eyes on the man were like shards of ice, exuding exasperation and dislike.
The tension of the room was thick and hot, making it almost unbearable for Yuuri to stay.
It wasn’t until Celestino coughed, ignoring the bitterness from the Leroys and gestured for Mr. Lambiel to come up.
“Stephane, would you do the honors and instruct our champions?”
It was enough to dissipate the tension.
“Ah yes, instructions,” Lambiel said as he pulled out a roll of parchment from his coat, “we have decided that the four tasks in this tournament will follow a theme.”
The three champions watched as Mr. Lambiel pulled out his wand, giving a wave over the parchment that he was holding. From beige, the color of the paper turned into a familiar shade of red, trimmed with gold. An emblem of a lion appeared on the surface. Yuuri strangled the gasp that almost left his lips.
It was the Gryffindor insignia.
“As you can see,” Mr. Lambiel started, lifting his gaze to address each champion, “the theme that was chosen is the Hogwarts houses. This is to give tribute to the four powerful wizards that founded the school that is hosting this year’s tournament. For the benefit of the two non-Hogwarts champions, I will be explaining the house assigned to each task as they come.”
He waited for both Sara and Viktor to nod before continuing. Yuuri only had a vague clue on what the first task would be about. Something that would demonstrate courage in the face of danger… Would that mean facing something head on? A fight, a duel or some kind?
“Gryffindor is the house that values courage and chivalry but anyone from this house can be quite… Short-tempered.”
Lambiel glanced over to where Alain is, subtly acknowledging him. The fact wasn’t unbeknownst to anyone that the Leroys did graduate from Hogwarts. The display a while ago only confirmed that Alain was from Gryffindor, along with his wife.
The auror glared at Lambiel, the latter replying in a form of a light-hearted chuckle.
“The first task will require you to be brave and daring. Of course, we wouldn’t be telling you what exactly is the first task,” Mr. Lambiel laughed on his own when Viktor, Sara, and Yuuri looked at him with the same confused expression on their faces.
How were they going to prepare if they didn’t know what to prepare for?
Lambiel continued on, “the worst kind of fear is the fear of the unknown and you must be able to overcome that. A true wizard must be able to face the unknown head on, a very important trait yes…”
“The first task will take place on the last Friday of November in front a panel of judges and of course, your fellow students.
“You are not allowed to ask for any help from your professors or it will be considered cheating. You three will take the task with only your wands with you. Once you complete the first task, you will receive information on the next and so on and so forth…
“Next week friday evening, your wands will be subjected to weighing to see if it’s fit for the tournament. Moreover, you three are exempted from year-end tests because of the demanding nature of the tournament. We all bid you luck.”
Mr. Lambiel rolled up the parchment and slid it back in his coat.
“Think that’s all, professor?” Lambiel turned to Celestino, who nodded in agreement.
“Yes, yes, Stephane,” Celestino said as he looked at the other judges, “Josef, Stephane… Will the two of you be staying in Hogwart until the wand weighing?”
“I’m afraid Stephane and I wouldn’t be able to stay. Lots of work in the Ministry, you see,” Mr. Karpisek chuckled, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly, “although, we would be able to stay for a drink or two. It’s been so long since we had a friendly chat without talking about the planning of the tournament.”
“I see, duly noted. How about you, Nathalie, Alain?” Celestino asked, looking over the two aurors.
But Alain was already turning away towards the door, grumbling under his breath. Nathalie sighed in resignation.
“We will be checking up on our children before going. We still have plenty of things to work on in the agency so we won't be staying long,” Nathalie said, “but we will be back by next Friday in time for the wand weighing ceremony.”
Celestino nodded in understanding, “I see. I’ll ask for one of the Gryffindor prefects to escort you to their dormitory? I bid you a safe trip back to London.”
Nathalie nodded as she turned to follow her husband out the door. Before the door closed behind them, Yuuri already heard the beginnings of an argument, making him feel more sorry than he already was.
“For the champions, your respective headmasters would like to speak to you privately. Yuuri, I’m sorry but would you mind staying for a minute longer here?” Celestino said.
On cue, Madame Baranovskaya was already leading Sara away with an arm around her student’s shoulder. Sara flashed a small smile to Viktor and Yuuri from over her shoulder and a tiny wave of her hand before they left the room. Professor Feltsman, still holding Viktor’s neck, led his student away as well. Yuuri saw the boy mouth a small ‘see you later’ before leaving with his teacher.
Yuuri let out a sigh of relief, all weight leaving his shoulders. The entire time, he felt like he was on the spot, especially with the way Alain Leroy was adamant on his withdrawal to the point that he’d threaten with a wand?
His insides churned so much he wanted to hurl.
“Are you alright, Yuuri?” Celestino asked, looking at him worriedly, “you don’t look so well.”
“I’m alright…” Yuuri murmured quietly, “Mr. Leroy was really mad, wasn’t he?”
The frown on Celestino’s face wasn’t unexpected but Yuuri couldn't help but lower his eyes so he wouldn't be looking at him. Even after all that, any sense of pride Yuuri had built was easily torn down by the opinions of a renowned auror.
“This is why the Goblet of Fire was created to choose the champions in the first place,” Celestino said, “it’s to make unbiased decisions even someone like Mr. Leroy himself couldn’t make. Don’t take what he said into heart. The bottom line is that the Goblet chose you so don’t undermine that decision by undermining yourself.”
Yuuri remained quiet, twiddling his fingers. It was spoken like it was the truth but it was easier said than done. He was used to looking at himself lower than his actual worth so that meant not being able to accept a title that he most likely deserved. That was why Yuuri always strived to improve himself and become more than he already was.
But it was much harder to shake it off when someone else validated his doubts for him.
“You’re worth this, Yuuri. And you will be the best anyone has ever hoped to be in Hogwarts,” Celestino smiled.
Yuuri could only nod and return a small smile back. It was easier to just smile through this and leave already.
“Now, I suggest going back to your dormitory. Your friends would be delighted to celebrate with you,” Celestino said, his hand ruffling Yuuri’s hair. The headmaster had always been fond of him, making Yuuri wonder if all that he said was because he did favor him than the rest.
Yuuri nodded without another word and left the chamber.
The Banquet Hall was already deserted, the tables cleared from the feast a while ago. The candles were burning low that it barely illuminated the hall, making Yuuri squint a bit as he strode across the hall, reaching the entrance hall.
The Goblet of Fire wasn’t there anymore, having already fulfilled its only purpose in the tournament and therefore no longer needed.
He turned to his way to the dormitory.
Yuuri still thought if he was ready enough for this. How would he be able to believe an inanimate object like the Goblet that he was the best in Hogwarts? Sure he worked hard, but that was because he couldn’t slack off since it was a mere requirement to his dream of being an auror.
Everyone in Beauxbaton cheered when Sara was the one chosen. At least most of them, remembering that guy named Michele frowning all the while when Sara was introduced as the Beauxbaton champion. No mistake that everyone wanted her to be chosen.
Viktor was hands-down, no doubt, already the champion of Durmstrang without even needing the Goblet to decide. Although Yuri Plisetsky seemed to think otherwise, Viktor was the best in Durmstrang.
As for Yuuri, he felt like a laughing stock. The only Champion that a handful was against on having. Compared to the two other champions, he was mediocre. He wasn’t the most handsome or charismatic in any way. He wasn’t even physically fit.
Yuuri could feel vomit come up in his throat. He was going to be humiliated, scorned by the rest of Hogwarts. He wasn’t enough for this.
“Psst, Yuuri…!”
Yuuri stopped in his tracks, turning his head at the call of his name. It came as a surprise after all, looking at the person as if he was a deer caught in headlights. Who would still be around at this time?
It was Viktor, walking towards him still in his uniform. Wasn’t he with Professor Feltsman?
“I’m glad I waited for you,” Viktor waited for him? Why?
Viktor appeared to notice the dots that fail to connect in Yuuri's head, continuing on with what he was going to say.
“Would you like to walk with me? If you’re not tired that is…”
Yuuri opened and closed his mouth like a goldfish. That was unexpected to say the least. But… It wasn't unwelcomed.
“Alright,” Yuuri said quietly, the other boy brightening up at his confirmation.
“Great! Um… I was actually on my way outside…” Viktor motioned to the direction where Yuuri was coming from, “to the Owlery…”
“Oh I see, I guess I’ll go with you?” Yuuri nervously inquired. Viktor merely grinned at him.
“That would be great,” Viktor said as they started to walk back to the entrance hall.
That part of the castle was abandoned as everyone else have gone back to the dormitory. The torches that hung on the walls scarcely lit up the castle. Only when they were in front of the doors of the entrance did the moonlight that leaked through the gaps help light up the castle.
The pair did quick work of leaving the entrance hall unnoticed, walking the concrete path that led to the separate tower that housed the owls. Yuuri even noticed that they walked so close that their shoulders would bump frequently.
It was surreal, almost romantic. It felt like a dream even.
It obviously wasn't one when a strong gust disturbed the night air and Yuuri felt instantly cold, rubbing his hands together.
Viktor glanced at him worriedly, “sorry, it’s a bit cold out here, isn’t it?”
Yuuri looked up at the other, waving his hand nonchalantly, “yeah, it’s normal at this time of the year after all. With autumn nearing…”
“Here,” Viktor said as he was tugging his fur coat free from the belt that kept it on his shoulder. Every Durmstrang student a while ago had worn their full set of uniform for the feast instead of forgoing their thick coat. Yuuri wondered if they always wore it, despite it looking heavy.
When Viktor had removed his coat to wrap it around Yuuri’s shoulders, Yuuri almost turned as red as the fabric. He didn’t think twice in trying to refuse it.
“No, no Viktor, I’m fine! You don’t need to-”
“You’re shivering and I do well with the cold, you need this more than I do,” Viktor explained swiftly as he strapped up the belt, tugging the coat close that Yuuri was almost smothered. Viktor smiled gently, “think of it as a favor from me, yes?”
How was Yuuri going to say no to that face?
Yuuri held the coat closer, almost bringing it to his face. It smelled just as he thought it would; a floral aroma with a bit of citrus. There was also a distinct scent that was clearly Viktor. The Slytherin shyly buried his nose for a moment longer before relaxing.
He felt much warmer.
The walk to the owlery was spent in silence but it wasn’t awkward. It was almost like they were skirting around each other, with the way their glances appear to be in sync with how many times they had eye contact and giggling a bit when they did.
Yuuri had never thought he’d be around Viktor like this.
When they reached the owlery, most of the owls have been awake, acknowledging the arrival of Yuuri and Viktor with a few turning their heads to look. It was unusual for anyone to visit the owlery at this time at night after all. A few hooted in greeting, some familiar ones even leaving their perches to approach Yuuri.
Yuuri loved every single one but he came to the owlery for a more important reason than simply being amiable with the other owls.
Vicchan, perking up from his place in between a Barn Owl and a Scops owl, flew to Yuuri, his talons digging into Yuuri’s shoulders when he landed. The Tawny owl hooted excitedly, rubbing his face and beak on the mop of black hair. He was quite delighted when his claws were cushioned by the fabric of Viktor’s coat.
“Vicchan, good evening! How have you been?” Yuuri asked, his hand coming up to brush through his owl’s coat. The owl shook and ruffled up its feathers, hooting happily. Yuuri chuckled, “I’m glad you’re having fun.”
Yuuri felt like it had been too long since he saw his owl, despite having dropped him in the owlery just the night before. Since the announcement of the Triwizard Tournament, it had taken up almost every crevice of Yuuri's thoughts, along with Viktor.
Viktor was quiet at the side, watching the pure seemingly one-sided conversation Yuuri was having with his owl. He then chuckled lowly, making Yuuri and Vicchan look at him in confusion.
Viktor smiled, “don’t mind me, it’s just really cute how you two are so close as well…”
“O-oh…” Yuuri flushed pink, looking away. Cute huh? Vicchan, seeming to be happy with Viktor’s remark, hooted repeatedly, causing Viktor to smile more.
“Yuuri,” the call of his name made him look up, “I actually brought you along so you can meet my best friend properly,” Viktor said, putting his forefinger and middle finger between his lips and whistled.
There was a powerful hoot that came from way up the owlery, near the ceiling. Yuuri was startled along with the other owls that sat on the lower perches, who flew even lower that they neared the lowest ones. It was an Eagle Owl, the same one Yuuri saw last night, dived down to land on Viktor outstretched hand.
It made Yuuri wonder how Viktor wasn’t knocked away by the speed and force that the owl could have made.
“This is Makkachin!” Viktor said, the owl puffing its chest out as if in pride. “He’s been with me for as long as I can remember.”
“Well he’s certainly beautiful, Viktor,” Yuuri smiled as he looked up at the steel brown bird, his own owl doing the same. He reached for the other bird, its beak gently nipping at his fingers before rubbing its head under his palm. Makkachin flourished under the compliment and attention, hooting in thanks.
Vicchan seemed to look curiously at Makkachin, cautiously moving close in order to start preening the other’s feathers. Yuuri went up closer to Viktor, allowing Vicchan to press up to Makkachin. The Eagle owl openly welcomed the affection, coming close as well to return the sentiment, brushing Vicchan’s feathers with his beak.
Yuuri felt like he was intruding in such an intimate moment between the two owls.
He looked back at Viktor to find him smiling down at him. Yuuri could hear how hard his own heart was pounding. “I’m glad he likes you, even your own owl… I would be so torn if he didn’t.”
Yuuri couldn’t help but laugh quietly, avoiding the other’s gaze on him, “torn over what?”
“Forming a relationship with you.”
“A-A what?” Yuuri sputtered, slightly jostling the owls in the comfort they found in each other when Yuuri moved away in surprise.
It was met with less appreciation as expected, making Vicchan slightly knock his beak against Yuuri’s ear. Yuuri only brushed the Tawny owl away to prevent any more angry pecking at his ear.
Yuuri cleared his throat, looking back up at Viktor with a scrutinizing gaze, “um, ah… A relationship?”
Viktor beamed. “Yes! Whatever you want me to be to you! A friend, a brother, a father figure,” Yuuri grimaced at that, “okay, maybe not that third one… But I can even be your boyfriend--!”
“No!” Yuuri shrieked loud enough that both Makkachin and Vicchan were beyond annoyed, flying away from their respective owners to a burrow on the wall big enough to keep the two of them.
Yuuri felt guilty not because of disturbing the lovey dovey antics between their two owls but also because for making Viktor look at him with confusion swirling in those pools of blue.
“W-What I mean is…” Yuuri coughed a bit, averting his gaze. He was pretty sure his cheeks were still flushed from adrenaline. He couldn’t continue talking to Viktor with him looking at him like a kicked puppy, “well, this is a tournament, Viktor… If we're anything, we’re supposed to be rivals.”
“But I’ve known you since before…” Viktor murmured lowly, the obscure meaning of his words forcing Yuuri to look back at him with a questioning gaze.
Known him since before? They’ve only formally met yesterday. Yuuri wasn't sure what he was talking about. Surely he would have remembered talking to Viktor before. He watched all of his games for christ’s sake.
“Since before… When?” Yuuri asked, clearly at lost. Viktor looked at him like he had grown a second head. It sort of made him feel a bit conscious for asking.
“Since before…. We were chosen as champions!” Viktor exclaimed, “you know why we have the Triwizard Tournaments in the first place? It’s to forge relationships and form bonds. I think it also applies to us champions? If anything, we would understand each other the most.”
Viktor did have a point. The goblet choosing them out of all the possible candidates from their school, only they could understand the expectations and pressure. Viktor was probably used being on the limelight, as amazing as he was, but Yuuri was different. He wasn’t sure how he was going to deal with it, with everyone’s eyes fixated on him, expecting him to win.
Only the other two champions could understand him.
“If you really do want to, as you say… Form a relationship with me,” it sounded even more ridiculous to Yuuri when he was saying it, “I don't want you to be anything else but you, Viktor.”
Viktor cocked a head to one side, a pout on his lips. Yuuri almost backtracked on his words, afraid of sounding stupid. Then he realized, no that’s exactly the kind of bond he would like.
“I just want you to be yourself.”
Yuuri had watched Viktor for so long, there wasn't anything that would make him admire him less.
Viktor smiled at him gently , making Yuuri’s heart skip a beat, “okay.”
The walk back to the Slytherin Dormitory had been filled with mild chatter but kept to minimum. They were still trying to keep quiet since it was way past curfew. Yuuri wasn't the type to abuse his head boy status after all.
They were drowning in the conversation that soon enough, Yuuri and Viktor found themselves face to face with a dead end wall leading to the dungeons.
Murmuring the password to the concrete wall, Yuuri immediately continued down the staircase followed by Viktor when the wall opened, a wild collection of cheering, whistling, and yelling greeting them both. It was like both of them were pulled inside by a violent force as the wall shut behind them. The entirety of Slytherin along with a few Durmstrangs who haven’t gone to bed were there applauding them.
“Knew you were going to get picked, Katsuki! You're the best in our year!” one bellowed, another coming forth with their own form of congratulations.
“Did you guys see the look on some Gryffindors’ faces when JJ wasn’t called? Restore the Slytherin reputation, Yuuri!” Another Slytherin shrieked, others cheering to that as well.
Durmstrang wasn’t going to back down from cheering their own champion, making their own noise.
“Durmstrang’s hero, Viktor, yeah! Good luck in the tournament!” The Durmstrangs yelled in unison. Viktor merely smiled and waved to his fellow schoolmates.
The impromptu celebratory party went on, butterbeer and food being passed around a few times and shoved into Yuuri’s hands. He wasn’t the type to drink a lot, afraid that his low tolerance for alcohol would affect him too much.
“Guys, no thanks, I’ve had enough during the feast to drink any--”
The volume of the noise drowned out his own voice, his protests falling to deaf ears. Even he had lost Viktor in the crowd, most likely pulled away by other Durmstrang students.
“Congratulations, champion!” Yuuri turned his head to the familiar voice. Oh thank god, it was Chris.
“Chris!” Yuuri sighed in relief, pushing through the crowd to make his way to his friend. When he got closer, Chris looked at him in surprise before levelling him with a scandalous expression that made Yuuri all the more confused.
“Oh my Yuuri, no wonder you were late to the party! What did you and Viktor do, hmm?”
Yuuri was about to ask him how the heck did he figure that out when Chris’ line of sight hadn’t been on Yuuri’s face anymore but at his shoulders… The coat.
Yuuri flushed red as if he had drunk ten mugs of butterbeer all in one go, pulling the red fur coat closer to himself. “We only went out for a walk! Just that, nothing happened.”
Chris shrugged with a knowing smile, “that’s too bad. Viktor would have loved something more than just a walk, Yuuri.”
The blush only deepened. “N-No Chris… That’s just…” Preposterous? Weird? It wasn’t unusual for anyone to lend their coat to someone who was cold. Viktor had only asked to be friends so far, after all. “You’re just saying that.”
“If you wouldn’t believe me implying that you indeed have an ass that make men weak, I pray for Viktor’s strength.” Chris said with such drama to his voice that Yuuri rolled his eyes almost all the way through. Chris and his jokes, what else was he going to do.
“Is that pig here already?!” It was a voice that toppled the noise, everyone falling silent at the domineering tone.
There was rustling that headed toward Yuuri and for a moment, he was afraid of knowing what was coming until he found himself face to face with an angry-looking Yuri Plisetsky.
“You actually dared to enter! You are out of your fucking mind!” The teen growled, almost a foot deep into just jumping Yuuri like a frazzled cat looking for a fight.
Yuuri wasn’t even sure what got Yurio so mad at him. He didn’t do anything to him as far as he could remember.
“Is there anything in the rules that stops me from entering? I’m sorry that you didn’t get chosen, Yurio, but that’s not exactly my problem.” Yuuri wasn’t sure what gave him the guts to answer like that, seeming to stun Yurio for a moment.
He wasn’t going to let a sixteen year old underestimate him.
Just in time, Viktor, along with Otabek, had arrived into the scene, having broken into a sweat as if he did nothing but run around. Just in time to pull Yurio back when he was literally going to jump on Yuuri.
Yuuri stepped back in surprise.
“You fucking asshole! Your confidence is exactly what pisses me off!”
‘No wonder Yurio didn’t like JJ just as much,’ Yuuri thought to himself as he watched Otabek hold Yurio by his arms while Viktor went up in between Yuuri and Yurio.
Otabek has been doing nothing but keep Yurio out of trouble but he wasn’t sure how this was going to turn out with the boy being like this:
“Yurio, don’t yell, alright?” Viktor said, causing the boy in Otabek’s grasp to fight even more.
“I’m Yuri, jackass! Call that pig there that fucking nickname!” Yurio glared at Viktor. He was shaking, as far as Yuuri can see.
What had gotten him so riled up?
“And you!” Yuuri jolted back up into a rigid position, Yurio looking back at him with a venomous glare. “You are nothing but a poor excuse of a champion, not even worth to be equal to Viktor.”
Yuuri already knew that. But he didn’t need a kid like him to tell him that.
“... And I’m going to make sure you know that. You, me a magical duel. End of the week! If I win, you withdraw!”
“Yurio, I’m not going to--” It seriously didn’t work like that. He couldn’t withdraw even if he wanted to.
“I’ll be waiting.” Yurio said flatly as he tugged free from Otabek, stomping off to the fifth year dorms.
The silence was almost eerie after that, what was jolly and lively now saturated with awkwardness. If anyone dropped a needle, it would echo in the entire common room.
“Alright everyone,” Yuuri called out, everyone looking at him, “party’s done, everyone off to their dorms. No one in the common room until the sun comes out. If I find anyone sneaking off, I’m deducting house points.”
Everyone started trudging through the heavy sludge of tension that slowly disappeared from the air.
A hand tapped on Yuuri’s shoulder, turning to find Chris looking at him with apprehension.
“I’ll see you back in the room, okay?” Chris said to Yuuri before he turned to go back to the room.
While every Slytherin picked up after themselves and returning to their rooms afterwards, Yuuri couldn’t help but watch Viktor, who didn’t even seem to move an inch as everyone tottered away.
“Hi,” Yuuri whispered with a tired smile. Viktor walked up to him, worry filling his eyes. It was making his stomach flip for some reason.
“I know I’ve said this a couple of times already but I’m sorry about Yurio--”
“Viktor, it’s fine, really,” Yuuri said as he started to remove the fur coat off his own shoulders to hand it to the other, “thanks for this, by the way.”
“It’s no problem, Yuuri,” Viktor replied as he hung the coat on his elbow, tucking it so there wouldn't be any unnecessary creases.
There was a second of silence.
“You don’t have to take him seriously, he’s just frustrated,” Viktor started, his blue eyes on Yuuri, “and hostile.”
Yuuri shrugged with a sigh, “I understand. I’ll straighten things out tomorrow. I’m just really tired…”
Plenty of things happened that day and Yuuri just wanted to pass out on his bed already. Just thinking about how soft his bed would be was making his legs feel like they got struck by a Jelly-Legs curse.
Viktor nodded gesturing for the seventh years’ dorm, “alright, off to bed then?”
“Yeah.”
Viktor let Yuuri walk ahead of him, following right behind him as they entered the room.
The other Slytherin students were still preparing for bed while the other Durmstrangs were already in bed. Chris seemed to have fled early enough that he was already resting peacefully on his own bed.
Shedding and changing clothes have been done quickly with their backs turned to each other. It still felt sort of weird for Yuuri. It was just the second day he was going to bed with Viktor nearby.
The wriggling in his stomach wasn’t as bad as last night though. It was probably due to the conversation they had earlier.
“Good night Yuuri, sleep well,” Viktor said with a soft smile on his lips before slipping in between the sheets and finally becoming victim to slumber.
Yuuri wished he could fall asleep that fast. Not with this much worries in his head. He fought the rising anxiety, lying on top of his sheets as he stared at the draped ceiling of his four poster bed.
Mr. Leroy and now Yurio… Who else thought he didn’t deserve his place?
He curled up with his pillow in his clutches. He didn’t want to think more, he just wanted to sleep.