{Fleur} Exploring new surroundings

[krum]

Viktor looked at his fellow school mates as they slept within their ship. He loved traveling and the ship was a magnificent form of transportation to say the least. Still he wished to be flying in such wonderful weather. Of course they were not allowed on the quidditch pitch of Hogwarts because it was being used as one for one of the tasks. So he would have to find another place or something else to do with his free time. He was one of ten people up at this hour. A fifth year student ran past him like a bat out of hell and Viktor stopped him merely but holding out his hand. "Vhere's the fire Mal?" The younger boy looked at him with eyes dancing it didn't take long for the other to tell him that his other friend has found something interesting to do on the castle grounds. It was Saturday after all.

Viktor let Mal go with a nod and stood up to go get ready for the day. It didn't take him long to shower and head off the ship. The autumn morning air was crisp and rather lovely. He didn't really need his robes on but he didn't hurt to have them on in the early morning air. He took a look back at the ship with a pleasant smile as he began the walk around the grounds of Hogwarts he figured he would take a look around. He did not pay attention to where he was going as he half walked into someone else. He took a step back before he hit her. "Pardon me Miss." He said before offering a hand to her to shake.

[/center][/blockquote]

[fleur]

Fleur woke early. The snoring of her dorm mate had allowed her very little slept the night before. She was far to tired then to find her wand and cast a silencing charm. Instead she spent much of the night staring at the other girl and scoffing. It was relief when light first peaked through the window of the carriage that housed the Beauxbaton students. She finally felt it was late enough to rise. She took her time in the showers washing her body thoroughly as well as her blond silky hair. She needed to spend as much time in the shower as humanly possibly. They had stuck the carriage right next to an ugly old hut that seemed to have many odd creatures wondering about. The smell of dung filtered through the air as soon as one stepped out side. Already she was hating Hogwarts more and more.

She huffed, before putting on her silk blue school attire. It was a comfortably snug fit, and the hem of the dress settle just above her knee. She placed the hat on her head, and her heels on her feet before stepping outside the carriage. She upturned her nose, as her heels hit the soft ground sinking into it. “Zis school is just ‘orrible.” She muttered to herself as she made her way to the stone walk where she would be able to walk more comfortably. “Zese people live like animals.” She scolded again to herself, shaking her blond hair. She walked down toward the Black Lake. She had heard that a giant squid lived their. Why a school kept such nasty creatures was beyond her. Hogwarts itself seemed quite odd. She doubted that she’d enjoy her next several months in the castle.

Startled Fleur looked up seeing another person her age meet inches in front of her. She looked him up and down noticing his red heavy school clothes. “Yes,” She frowned, crossing her arms over her chest. “’cuse you. You almost ran into me. ‘re you blind?”

[krum]

Viktor was rather startled by her curt comments towards him. He had not meant to be so rude about it but he had been looking around at other things then what was in front of him. He probably deserved the disdainful attitude. Still her anger made her look rather ugly. He however, knew the girl was part Veela by her mere beauty. Still she didn't do herself justice when she got angry like that. He sighed. "I am terrible sorry. I vas not paying attention to vhat was in front of me. Terribly sorry." that was all that he could do for the moment. He made no mention to her asking him if he was blind. She obviously didn't know how he was which actually made him a little giddy if he was honest with himself but he wasn't going to do anything about it. He was trying to figure out what to say to her now. She did not seem to be enjoying herself at all at the moment.

"I am Viktor Krum." He gave a short bow to her as was custom really and stood back up straight again. He waited for her to give her name though he half expected her to not. Her attitude at the moment wasn't giving him a bone at all. He was going to have to find a way to make the female in front of him smile. He liked doing that but it didn't seem she would be to happy to do so at the moment. He looked at towards the black lake. The school has so many creatures and interesting things around it that Viktor wondered how the students escaped all the nasty ones. Of course this was nice compared to where he came from when times likes these they would be inside and no where near the grounds as it was far to cold. He stood there looking at the water and waiting.

[/center][/blockquote]

[fleur]

Fleur took a moment to readjust herself. Her eyes never moved from him. She wasn’t sure what she thought of the Durmstrang students. She knew that the school was well known for studying the dark arts, but aside from that she didn’t know to much about them. Then again she didn’t care to find out. In her mind no school compared to that of Beauxbatons. She threw back her shoulders, quirking an eyebrow and tossed her blond hair over her shoulder. “You ‘pology is accepted.”

He gave her his name, and bowed which made a small smile appear on her face. “Yes, I ’ave ’eard of you. You are zat Quidditch player, yes?” She asked, though she was quite certain that she was right. She wasn’t particularly fond of the sport. In fact she barely passed her flying lessons. The carriage ride here was just as bad as flying on a broom. Of course with all that had happened at the World Cup she had seen his name in the papers. “I’m Fleur Delacour.” She said holding out her hand expectantly. She wasn’t quite sure what to think of this man now. At first she was a bit put off, but he seemed to have manners that other guys her age just didn’t have. Fleur was the first to admit she could be a bit ‘fussy’ when it came to people and things in general. She knew that she could come off as a bit impolite if things weren’t turning out as she had planned.

[krum]

Viktor could feel the girl's eyes on him. She wasn't taking them away which was probably a good thing. He did however, for some strange reason, want her to be comfortable enough to look away and not think that he was going to do anything to her. It was good and in a small way a bit unnerving for Viktor. Still he could assume that because of his behavior he was getting what he deserved. She had probably figured what school he was from and he was sure she probably had an ill thoughts towards his school. Most people did as they were known for studying the dark arts. It didn't mean that they practiced them. As a matter of fact the defense against the dark arts was just as important. It was important to learn all matter of history from all different perspective. Of course he could totally have that wrong as well. He let out a happy sigh when she said that she accepted his apology. He was grateful that she had.

When quidditch was mentioned he merely nodded his head. He was sure he didn't need to say anything about that. He never quiet liked talking about his fame as a quidditch player and was a rather humble man as it were. He would never bore someone who was not into the sport with his talk of it. As a matter of fact he was sure this particular girl didn't like that game. He'd run across more of them here at Hogwarts then at his own school. "A pleasure to meet you Miss Fleur Delacour." He was a pretty proper young man. He took her hand and with a small bow kissed the top of it hoping to not seem stupid or anything. He was only following the proper and formal custom as was taught to him by his father. The mood around them seemed to be changing much to Viktor's liking and hopefully to Fleur's as well.

[/center][/blockquote]

[fleur]

Fleur smiled approvingly at the man in front of her. She wondered if she was a bit quick in judging him. She herself didn’t like people to assume anything of her, but she found herself judging others quite often. However this wasn’t a problem for her. She felt like she had every right to judge people. In her mind she thought she was better then many others. “A pleasure to meet you as well Mr. Krum. Since you are ‘ere at ‘ogwarts I presume you are going to put your name in ze Goblet of Fire?” She tucked a flaxen strand of hair behind her ear and pulled her shoulders back. “I will be putting my name in as well. It would be a great ‘onor to represent my académie. ’owever I wish zat zey would of picked anozer location. ’ogarts isn’t quite what I am use too. The palace in which I attend is quite grand, and ’ogwarts.” She crinkled her nose in disgust. “It is not all zat it should be. I ‘eard many stories about zis school and I just don’t see what all ze fuss is about.”

Realizing that she had been rambling on for quite some time she quickly shut her mouth as her cheeks grew hot. “Sorry, I have a tendency to talk about ze most frivolous things. What about your school Viktor, ‘ow does it compare to ‘ogwarts. I saw ze ugliest creature zis morning. It looked like a Fire Crab, but it was a meter long!” She exclaimed shaking her head. “I do not understand zese people. I ‘ave seen such odd zings roaming about ze grounds since we arrived. It cannot be safe.” She said dramatically with a wave of her hands. She hid her face in her hands, “Sorry, I will ‘shut up’ know. I zink zat is what zey say.”

[krum]

Viktor was rather glad that she had gotten and approving smile from Fleur. He was used to those that were quick to judge. He sometimes had to remind younger counterparts not to do such things. That though brought Stella, Lance, and Mal into his mind. Those three could get into all amounts of trouble and were still able to talk their ways out of it. He would truly miss the three of them when he graduated at the end of the year. He'd miss some of his older friends as well. After all he did have friends in his own year. It just so happened that alot of the older students took the younger ones under their wings and taught them all they needed to know to survive school no matter what. He shook his head looking back a Fleur when started speaking again about Hogwarts. The question she asked had an almost obvious answer but he just nodded his head that he'd be putting his name into the Goblet. It would be a huge honor to bring home with him if he were to be choosen even if he didn't win.

"Hogwarts is very different from vhere I come from. I am enjoying the veather. As for the fuss about the school I am not sure. I rather like a bigger place. Our castle is smaller and a little less cozy really." That was all her could say. Fleur seemed to used to the finer things in life which coming from France he half expected but had not made that big of a judgment on. It was not bad to like places that were comfortable to you and Hogwarts was definitely different from what the two of them were used too. On one hand Viktor missed his school on the other he was glad that Hogwarts was more comfortable. Still her did prefer the sactity of the ship that they had come in on. "The Hogwarts students seem to fair very vell vith the creatures around here. but I vould have to agree that I can not be all that safe." In all honesty he didn't know why so many interesting and well deadly creatures roamed around the school grounds anyways. It was not just the creatures but the ghosts as well.

Viktor let a soft smile spread across his lips as Fleur told him that she would 'shutup" now. "It is alright. You have a very soothing voice Miss Fleur." It didn't matter that she seemed to be very put off by the subject.

[/center][/blockquote]

[fleur]

“I rather miss ze Beauxbaton Palace. I zank Merlin zat we have ze carriages. I suppose ‘ogwarts is okay. I expected more from all ze zings I have heard about it.” Fleur shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly, flicking her pale hair from her face. She shifted slightly, crossing her arms over her chest as a chill ran through her body. Despite being September the chill of the Scottish hillside penetrated her flimsy school attire. She wished now that Madame Maxime had explained to them how much colder it was from France. Of course Madame Maxime was a hardy being compared to herself and her other classmates.

Fleur let her smile widen at his compliments. It wasn’t the first time she had heard such things from a man. In fact she heard them on a regular bases. Even more so now that she was around two new schools who seemed to never been around a part Veela before. However, Viktor seemed genuine in what he had said. A far cry different from the other men that had tried such things with her. “You are very kind.” She replied, her blue eyes sparkling. “Your accent is quite unique. I do not believe zat I ‘ave ever met a Bulgarian before.” For a moment her mind slipped back to the Triwizard Tournament. “I don’t believe zat the winnings for the tournament would mean all zat much to you. You are a ‘uge Quidditch star from what I ‘ave ‘eard.”

[krum]

"I must admit I vas expecting more out of it myself." His smile didn't leave his lips. It was a genuine smile and not something most people who didn't know him well ever saw. Fleur was lucky to say the least in that regards. He watched as she crossed her arms over her chest. It looked as though she would be needing his cloak more then her would. He took off his red cloak and draped it over her shoulder. "This should keep you varmer. I shall be fine." He gave her a nod. He was still in a long sleeve shirt and pants so he would be fine. This chill was nothing compared to the cold back home. Viktor rather liked talking with Fleur even if things had started out rocky between to the two. It was what he got for not paying attention. He looked back out towards the lake to see if there was any life back at the ship which of course there wasn't.

His smile grew bigger as she called him kind. Her eyes were sparkling like sapphires. They did look truly beautiful. If he remember correctly he'd heard someone say something about her being part Veela. Still she seemed intelligent and not just beautiful because of her looks. That was why the impoliteness of earlier had thrown him so off guard. It did not belong on the pretty features. Still she was far more then what she appeared to be and for that he was glad. He made a nod to her not having met a Bulgarian before. "I must say that I have never met a French young woman before." His smile faded as she mentioned quidditch once again. How come things always went back to that he wondered. "That all depends. Quidditch pays yes but its not the money that I am most interested in. The money I vould recieve vould go to an orphanage back home."

[/center][/blockquote]

[fleur]

Fleur felt a rush of heat flood over her when he draped the cloak around her shoulders. The scarlet cloak clashed horribly with her light blue attire, but for once she didn’t mind. She wrapped the thick cloak tightly around her small frame before offering him a small smile. A light flush speckled over her cheeks as her body adjusted to the sudden change in temperature. “Zank you.” She muttered casting her cobalt eyes to the green grass. She wasn’t use to such chivalry. Generally men and even some women were a bit more…hands-y then she’d like to admit. Fleur was always someone who wanted to be wooed, as it were few men were willing to go to that length to court her.

“Zat is very kind of you. To gives all of zat money to a orphanage, should you be chosen and win.” She noticed his displeasure when she brought up Quidditch. Fleur couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t like to talk about such things. He was a famous Quidditch star. He could have any woman he wanted, along with the fame and glory. “So zis iz your last year of school, yes? Are you going to continue Quidditch after your schooling? Or do you ‘ave anozer career in mind?”

[krum]

Viktor was raised to believe that you one was not touchy or handsy on a woman. In his mind it was degrading to them. Courting was the proper way to get to know someone that you liked and letting a woman tell you when you were allowed to touch her in any way other then a simple hand shake. Then again that was just the way that Viktor was. He smiled at Fleur as she wrapped herself up in his cloak. The crisp morning chill was welcomed in Viktor's body. It did not bother him as it was still warmer then home. He began thinking about actually taking Fleur on a date and wooing her the proper way that a man should woo a lady. She was simply a wonderful person even with the slight attitude that they had started off at it. He snapped out of as she began to speak yet again.

"I'd like them all to have the chances that ve have had is all." The orphanage children met alot to him actually. He'd visit it often even though it was a mix of wizarding and muggle children. They looked up to him and even the muggle children had figured out what sport that he played. Children were amazing. Most people were weirded out about his displeasure when it came to Quidditch talk. It wasn't that he didnt' have anything to say or didn't like. It was that he didn't really like all the fame and people liking him just because of his skill with Quidditch and not realizing he was just a normal person. As far as another career he really didn't have one in mind. A referee come time to retire for sure. He couldn't see himself not being involved in Quidditch.

"I suppose I see odd for getting such a sad look vhen Quidditch is mentioned. I don't like being liked because of my fame vith that. I'm a normal person. I'm a person beore I am a Quidditch star. People that vant to know me just cause I'm a star drive me crazy. However I do not have another career choice in mind really. I am going to miss school vhen I'm out."

[/center][/blockquote]

[fleur]

Fleur nodded, in response as she listened to him talk. He really didn’t seem like the kind of man that welcomed such recognition. She was certain that he got it a lot though. She felt a pain of jealous in her stomach at the thought that he could really have any women that he wanted. She couldn’t quite place why she was feeling such a thing. In fact she had just met him and had no reason to feel what she was feeling.

“I know I ’ave said zis already, but you are a very kind man. Not many people, myself included would give up all zat money to an orphanage.” Fleur replied, knowing how truthful that statement was. She herself had thought that if she was chosen and won a good shopping spree would be in order for herself and her sister.

“Iz it ‘ard? ‘aving people fawn on you all ze time?” She might not have known the extent in which he was pestered by the general public, but knew that she generally liked the attention she received from men. She didn’t particularly care for men being up in her face and over aggressive with her, but if they were looking at her from a distance she was fine and enjoyed it immensely. It were the ones who ended up being overly touchy that she found annoying. However it gave her plenty of practice with hexes and jinxes.

Fleur didn’t say anything further for a few minutes as she wrapped the cloak securely around her. The faint smell of grass emanating from the scarlet fabric. “I zink zat we will all miss school. I will miss the palace and my friends. I still am undecided about where I will go and do after school. Am I to assume zat you will be returning to Quidditch after you are finished with you schooling?”

[krum]

Viktor didn't see keeping all the money that he aquired simply for himself. He could get a place to live on his own and keep it as well as give some to charity or the orphanage. He knew he was in a sort of breed of his own kind for wanting to use his money in such a way. It just went to show that helping people is what made him the happiest. He didn't care if he was playing Quidditch or simply having fun with the kids at the orphanage. As long as he made a lasting memory with someone that would remember him when he was gone he was fine with it. He nodded his head to Fleur's comment about being a very kind man. "I have enough money to make myself comfortable vhy should I vant any more than that." That was all he was going to say about that for the moment. He really hoped that he did get to bring honor to his school. Then again if someone else got to be champion he would no doubt help them out best he could.

Viktor looked at Fleur for a second. The question she has asked was a rather interesting one actually. He ignored half the people that fawned over him constantly. "I don't know if its hard or just very annoying. I tend to ignore people who fawn over me." That was the honest truth to that question. He didn't really pay mind to people. The ones he did pay attention to were the ones that didn't just see him as a Quidditch star. It wasn't to say that he didn't like his fans. It was just that he prefered not to be bothered with the fawning most of the time. "Yes I vill be returning to Quidditch." That was all he had to say for her second question. He wasn't sure if he would do anything else. He could be whatever he wanted to be really but Quidditch seemed to take his life completely right now and he was fine with that. Though he wouldn't mind settling down with someone that didn't mind his traveling around for the game that was.

[/center][/blockquote]

[fleur]

Fleur simply nodded as he answered her questions. She didn’t need to think to much about them. They were rather simple answers to simple questions. She wasn’t sure why she was expecting much else from the man. He seemed to be the strong silent type. Generally not the type of man she found attractive, but right now she was proving herself wrong. Fleur slipped her arm from under the cloak and linked it with his whether he wanted her to or not. Fleur, seemed to have the ability to take charge of situations now and again, and rarely cared about what the other person(s) thought about it.

“Come with me Viktor.” She said, rolling his name off of her tongue. “We will ‘xplore ze grounds togethers. It will be better zis way. I don’t need some wild creature running off with me. You shall be my protecteur, yes?” She asked, giving him an award winning smile as she flipped her blond locks. Fleur, while more the capable of looking after herself generally liked to play the damsel in distress. She found the idea of being rescued a wild and romantic notion.

She knew many muggle children read about such tales where princesses were rescued from towers from fire breathing dragons. In the Wizarding World such things could be real. The chances however of coming a crossed a dragon were astronomical. Unless one of course took a holiday designed by Terrortours of Diagon Alley. “Where would you like to go Viktor?”

[krum]

Simplicity was always a good thing when getting to know a person. After all the longer questions to answer came with the time and the effort put in to getting to know each other. They had just met after all and they had the prelimanary questions now out of the way. They each knew that they would be putting their names in the Goblet of Fire and that the both had very different ideas of how they were going to use the money. The last part was a bit of an assumptions on Viktor's part. He had not specifically asked he what she would do with the money. He didn't think it was really his business to need to know either. Viktor was known for being the strong and quiet type and Fleur was starting to get that now as well. It wasn't that he didn't like talking to people it was just that as the trio of trouble would say he did not make conversation with others easily unless asked questions or he was angry with them. No one liked to see him angry.

Suddenly they were linked together and Viktor didn't mind one bit. She was taking the control now and for that he was a bit glad. He smiled and gave her a nod as she told him to come with her. A small smirk crossed his face as she told him that he would be her protector. "As you vish Ma'am." He made sure her arm was securely placed in his before they began to move. "Let's finish a valk behind the lack and prehaps I can show you to hogsmeade vhere we can get some teal. Or any other place you would like to go Miss Fleur." He wasn't trying to use formalities. It was slightly hard to break him out of them at times. He began to move his feet walking with Fleur and taking in the sites of the grounds that they were now walking making sure that no manner of creature was going to come out and attack them.