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With blow after ringing blow, Yuri Krum struck his imaginary opponent. He extended his arms, wielding his sword with the lightness that came from habit and raised it above his head, poised for another blow. Battle Magic sizzled through his veins as he thrust his second sword diagonally.
Unlike Viktor and Honoria, he preferred the two-handed style. It took an arduous effort to master the refined and complex technique. His magic tingled and sparkled in pride. He knew he was a bastard with an amazing smile and an irritating ego, but no one could find fault with his superior swordsmanship.
When they started training seven years ago, Yuri realized too early that swords were attacking weapons rarely used for blocking which presented a weakness. Promptly, he asked Duelling High Master Kuznetsov to teach him how to use both hands and make the second sword his parrying tool. Viktor and Honoria had laughed at the bold request he made to their ascetic Master and called him crazy.
Of all the asinine things the two brats could’ve said…
Of course, he wasn’t crazy—albeit, he could be when pushed too far, but he didn’t fancy being blindsided. Surprise attacks and lack of shields had cost the Bratva so much and he intended to protect the people he loved with his all.
The increasing power in the Bratva since Pakhan Antonin Dolohov ascended the throne had not gone unnoticed, earning them many enemies.
Enemies eager to see them fall.
When members of the Underworld became too ensconced in their false sense of safety, it was inevitably their downfall.
Bile crept up his throat and his chest pinched when he remembered his mother. Elisaveta Krum had lost an arm because she conjured the shield a second too late in the midst of a fight. Even though his father had sought the best Transfiguration High Master in Europe to conjure a permanent replacement, Yuri knew too well that his mother was never the same. There was no mistaking the haunted look that crossed her face whenever she looked at her new arm. Elisaveta Krum would never forget and neither would he.
“Never again. I swear it.” Too much was at stake.
He breathed as he executed another double backflip, swords crossed over his chest and landed as light as a cat. Sparks flew from the tips of the Twin Swords as the edges turned bright red. Battle Magic started simmering under his skin and he luxuriated in the feeling of being invincible. Sweat started beading from his brow and sliding down his neck and bare chest and his breaths came ragged yet Yuri didn’t mind. Despite the sweat and pain, a pleased smile crossed his lips.
He intended to make good use of the few hours he had before everyone woke up and High Master Karkaroff descended on them like a starved vulture.
He adeptly repeated another harrowing routine, wielding his swords with deadly precision. The tree branches swayed gently as he dug his feet into the Forbidden Forest’s ground and bent back until his head touched the back of his knees.
His left sword grazed the soil, leaving a deep crack where it touched. Pebbles and dead leaves floated midair as he let the austere control he had over his magic slightly down.
Yuri dug the tip of his sword deeper and closed his eyes, relishing in the peacefulness of the moment.
“You made a mess.” Someone—a girl—threw airily.
His eyes snapped open with horror. He was so immersed in the flow of magic in his core, that he let his guard down.
He was stupid. He wouldn’t hear the end of it if Honoria, or worse yet, Viktor heard of this failure.
How could this someone sneak up on him?
Instinctively, he schooled his features to hide his annoyance and straightened his back, plunging his sword deeper into the ground and making another crack just to spite the intruder.
He peered down at her and froze like a deer caught in the archer's sight. He was riveted to the ground by the most piercing silver-blue eyes he'd ever seen. Eyes that stared at him with an intensity that made him want to fidget.
Which was too ridiculous to consider. Yuri Krum didn’t squirm. Ever.
Their gazes held for only an instant before she motioned to the changes he made to the forest ground.
It wasn’t his fault that he was magically endowed. Krums had been Duelists and Battle Mages for centuries and Yuri was no different.
“I’m sorry if I have unintentionally slighted you, Miss…” Yuri might be a provoking brat but his mother taught him how to treat ladies right.
“You are not sorry.” She gave him a look that suggested she didn’t believe him at all.
Yuri grinned down at her, well aware he made a sight perspiring and bedraggled, with dirt on his chest and trousers.
His thoughts scattered when she looked down at his chest and said. “You have a beautiful body.”
Yuri was flooded with the deepest, fiercest blush of his life. “You don’t mince your words when it comes to expressing your thoughts, do you?”
“Why would I?” she tilted her head to the side. “You are beautiful and that’s that.”
He tried to think of some clever reply. But the only thing his mind could summon was something embarrassing and silly. “Er…Thank you?”
She smiled, and the force of it caused his heart to slam into his chest with a hard thud. The gentle curve of her mouth seemed to lighten her entire face, making her look like a mythical Fairy.
He blinked in bewilderment and shook his head. “What are you doing here at this ungodly hour? I thought that Hogwarts students weren’t allowed to the Forbidden Forest.”
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said solemnly. “I feed Lucky every morning. Since his mother passed away, he feels alone and abandoned.”
“Lucky?” he repeated slowly.
“My Thestral friend,” she replied with wide-eyed innocence.
‘’You…” Yuri paused, mentally riffling through various words. “You can see Thestrals?”
He felt a sharp pang in his chest as an unwanted thought sprang to mind.
‘She was too young to lose a loved one.’
“Don’t be sad.” Were she trying to comfort him? “I know that Mum is happy where she is now. I shall meet her when the time is right, though I don’t have a precise date yet. Even the Nargles refuse to tell me.”
Yuri sobered at once. Seriously, was this girl for real? Or perhaps she was sent by someone to prank him.
He looked cautiously around as he let his magic free again making sure that no one was around enjoying his awkwardness.
“There’s no one around,” she shrugged. “I knew you’d come again this morning for training.”
“So you’ve known all along what I’ve been up to?” he gave her a long look.
“Of course.” She looked up at him.
He was definitely spellbound. And the worst part was, he knew she wasn’t a blabbering fool. After all, Vangeliya Pandeva Gushterova—or Baba Vanga like his grandfather called her, used to work for the Bratva. The illustrious Seer was a High Mistress of Mystic Arts and Healing and the two previous Pakhans’ close Advisor.
He heard tales about Seers and Moon-Blessed Oracles and how they wielded mysterious powers and could see elusive creatures most did not believe existed.
Nargles, Wrackspurts and Gulping Plimpiesdid did exist but few were blessed to see them and hear their whispers.
“I—“ he cleared his throat. “Would you like to go back together?” Was he asking her to spend more time with him? He surely enjoyed their little exchange. Yuri seldom met people as interesting as this Hogwarts student.
A radiant smile spread across her face. “I’d love to. I knew we’d talk this morning.”
“You did?”
“Yes. You have many Wrackspruts floating in through your ears and making your brain fuzzy. You don’t have to worry, Honoria Potter-Black won’t get hurt. As it happens, she will enjoy her stay in Hogwarts thoroughly and find something she didn’t know she needed in her life.”
“And what’s that?” Yuri’s eyes narrowed. “Honoria has everything she needs or wants.”
Her eerie eyes flickered with humour. “Not everything. It’s lonely at the top. The Head needs someone to lean on.”
Every muscle in his body froze. She knew about them.
She poked him in the chest. “Don’t give him a hard time, you are no match for him. Too many voices are clamouring for Honoria Potter-Black’s attention. She needs peace.” Her iridescent eyes gleamed like twin stars. He’d never seen eyes like hers. Eyes that seared whoever looked into them with an intensity that made him want to listen to whatever she wanted to say.
“I’ll try,” he mumbled in a small voice.
Her mouth clamped into a firm line as if she were struggling not to smile. “And don’t hurt the forest again. I can show you a place where you can practice your swordsmanship.”
Well, he was done. He didn’t know how to answer that.
The kindness in her eyes could have melted an icehouse in a dead Siberian winter.
There was something about this tiny girl, something that called to him and made him sense that he was about to experience something new and wonderful.
“Let’s go back,” she offered him his discarded shirt. “Your schoolmates are readying themselves to leave the ship.”
“Thank you,” he donned his shirt hurriedly and offered her an arm she took without hesitation.
His cheeks burned with embarrassment when she flicked her wand and muttered a Mending Charm. The forest floor looked as good as it had been before he rearranged it and all the broken branches, dry leaves and pebbles which bestrewed the pits his rigorous training engendered disappeared.
They walked in silence until they reached the Keeper of the Grounds’ hut. Reluctantly, he let go of her arm.
The sun was fully up and bright enough to penetrate the gossamer veil of mist that clouded the cool dawn air.
His heart raced widely when she looked up at him expectantly. “Will I see you again?” To hell with articulate speeches and flowery words. Yuri Krum was as reckless as they came and he needed to meet this enchanting witch again…
“Wait…We haven't exchanged names,” he gasped.
She looked at him indulgently, as if she was taking pity on his sorry state. “I am Luna Lovegood, Yuri Krum. And yes, we will meet again.”