The Inadequate Life

George hated Tuesdays. Even at the best of times, when Voldemort hadn’t held the Wizarding World in fear, Tuesdays were one of the slowest days for business at Weasleys’ Wizarding Wheezes. Now, with Death Eater attacks steadily on the rise, the shop was all but deserted, and had been all day.

It was nearly two in the afternoon. They’d been open since nine, and they’d only taken in twenty-seven Galleons, thirteen Sickles and two Knuts. That didn’t even cover the wages for Susan and Hannah, who were helping watch the shop that day. He’d even run out of things for them to do, like stocking shelves, and there were no customers in the shop to help, so they were sitting there talking.

Thank Merlin that Charlie had shown up, George thought as he laughed uproariously. His older brother had stopped in on his lunch break to say hello, and they were chatting—or rather, Charlie was filling George in on the most ludicrous things that happened in the Magical Creatures Department of the Ministry, where Charlie was working (and supplying information to the Order of the Phoenix).

“So then,” Charlie said, “He took a deep breath like he was going to bellow at me—but all that came out was a little squeak! He sounded like a kneazle begging for milk!”

George laughed so hard at the image in his head that he fell of the counter he’d been sitting on. “Oof!” he gasped when he hit the ground, and then went right on laughing.

Charlie was chuckling too, but his laughter died away then the magical doorbell rang. “H-hey,” he said, “You’ve g-got a customer.”

“Let one of the girls handle it,” George said, not moving from the floor. He was still trying to get the last of his giggles under control.

“Bloody hell,” Charlie murmured, his voice filled with awe. “Isn’t that Viktor Krum?”

George sat bolt upright, and then scrambled to his feet. Sure enough, the former star Seeker from the Bulgarian national Quidditch team was right there in the shop!

George, of course, knew that Hermione had owled Krum and invited him to visit—ostensibly for a vacation, but really with the intention of inviting him to join the D.A. George personally thought they were nuttters, but they’d insisted that it was a good idea. But they’d been expecting Krum to owl back with a yes or no—not just show up unannounced. “I have to go,” George said—he had to make sure that Krum didn’t spill the beans by asking for Hermione in front of Charlie.

“No problem, I have to get back to work anyhow,” Charlie said. He hesitated, though. “You’ve met him before, right?”

“Yeah, so?”

“Can you get me his autograph?”

George refrained from rolling his eyes. “Fine, but you owe me one.”

Charlie happily slipped out the door, and George approached Krum, who’d been glancing around the store dubiously. “Viktor Krum?” he said. “Welcome to the shop. I take it you’re looking for someone?”

Krum’s eyes widened. “You know—?” he said in his thick accent.

“I know you were invited,” George said. “But I don’t think she knew you were just going to up and come. Don’t worry, the girls know too,” he added, gesturing to Susan and Hannah, who waved shyly.

“Is she here?” Krum asked hesitantly. “Herm-eye-oh-knee?”

“I’ll go get her, shall I?” George suggested. “Wait here,” he added, and turned and walked quickly to the back room.

The second he was out of site, George sprinted to the fireplace, grabbed a handful of Floo powder, threw it down, shouted “The House of Black!” and vanished.

He came out of the fireplace in a rush. Lee, Terry and Sally-Ann were finishing up a late lunch. “Harry!” George coughed, getting to his feet. “Hermione! Where are they?”

“I think they’re helping Pansy in the basement,” Terry said. “Is something wrong?”

“Unexpected,” George said, and added “Bloody hell!” when he banged his knee on the door to the basement in an effort to get it open. He hurried down the stairs and burst into the basement just in time to see Harry finish levitating a cauldron filled with some unctuous concoction across the room. George waited impatiently until Harry had finished setting the cauldron down, and shouted “Harry!”

Harry looked up in surprise, as did Hermione, Ginny, Ron, Pansy and Justin, who were all doing similar tasks. “George?” Harry said. “What’s wrong?”

“Krum,” George said. “Krum is in our shop right now. I thought we might want to hide him away before he attracts a gawking crowd from the few remaining patrons of Diagon Alley.”

“Oh no!” Hermione exclaimed. “He never wrote back! We didn’t know he was coming!”

“Don’t panic,” Harry said quickly. “Hermione, obviously we can’t have you go out into the shop, but let’s meet Krum in the back room—that way we can give him the Veritaserum and ask him the questions, I have it on me. Pansy, Justin, just keep on—we’ll be back when we can.”

Harry and Hermione followed George up the stairs, and when they reached the kitchen they shanghaied Lee, Sally-Ann and Terry into going along, so they could have a group o deal with any problems—like what had happened with Seamus, for instance.

As soon as everyone had Flooed over to the shop’s back room, George went out into the shop to get Krum, leaving the others to wait. “Wands,” Harry said, and everyone drew their wands in anticipation. Harry touched his pocket to reassure himself that the vial of Veritaserum was there. He smiled at Hermione, who was biting her lip. “Nervous?”

“A little,” Hermione admitted. “I couldn’t actually give him details about what we’ve been doing, of course, and I couldn’t explain why we don’t want to tell anyone that I’m alive. And—well, of course Viktor’s a good person and I’m sure he’s on our side, but this is a lot to ask of him…”

“He does know about us, doesn’t he?” Ron asked abruptly. “You did tell him we’re engaged, right?”

“Of course I did, Ron!” Hermione replied angrily. “As soon as you’d finally gotten around to asking me!”

“Not now,” Harry snapped as Ron opened his mouth to retort.

They waited another minute in tense silence before the door to the back room opened. Viktor Krum stepped through; he looked almost the same as he had two and a half years earlier, except that he’d chosen some robes of deep blue instead of his usual black. He stopped short at the sight of all the wands pointed at him, just as George shut the door and locked it. “Vot is this?” he asked angrily.

“Hello, Viktor,” Hermione said with a nervous smile.

Krum turned to Hermione. “Herm-eye-oh-knee! Vot is going on?”

“It’s kind of a long story,” Hermione said. “It’s good to see you again, Viktor. You remember Harry Potter, don’t you?”

*****

Krum’s trust in Hermione was demonstrated when he readily agreed to take the Veritaserum. Harry had expected a lot of reluctance, but when Hermione asked, Krum acquiesced immediately. Harry dropped the three drops on Krum’s tongue, and asked the necessary questions. Krum quickly proved who he was, that he wasn’t under anyone else’s control, and thankfully, that he was completely opposed to Voldemort and everything he stood for. He didn’t have any objection to utilizing magic in less savory ways, but only as a last resort.

Harry also asked Krum whether he intended any harm to anyone present. Harry had decided that it was prudent, considering Krum’s past intentions toward Hermione and her engagement to Ron. Fortunately, Krum readily answered no.

Krum was very surprised to hear about the D.A.’s organization, but confessed that it explained why Hermione’s recent letters had been full of vagaries. Harry’s description of what they’d accomplished so far (minus any mention of the Horcruxes) left Krum clearly impressed. “I knew you vere clever,” he said to Harry, “to haff gotten away from You-Know-Who so often. But I had no idea you vere a leader as well.”

“Only because someone had to do it,” Harry said. “What do you think, Viktor? Will you join us and help take Voldemort down?”

Krum shivered at the name. “I von’t have to face Him, will I?”

“No,” Harry assured him with a smile. “We have something else in mind for you. Something that only you can do.”

“Vot’s that?”

“Well,” Harry said, “have you ever snatched someone’s wand right out of their hand while flying past on a broomstick?”

Krum blinked. “Yes, actually,” he said, and grinned when Harry’s jaw dropped. “I vos taunting my brother. It vos years ago.”

“Well that’s what we want you to do,” Harry said. “Fly over the battle, dive down and snatch Death Eaters’ wands so they can’t cast spells. Grab the wands, fly out of range, and then break them, so they can’t be used again.”

“That is something I can do,” Krum said confidently. “And I see why you vont me to. Yes—I vill do this. I vill join you.”

*****

Once Krum had committed to joining the D.A., Harry told him about the House of Black. Everyone Flooed back to the house one at a time, with Ginny coming last after ducking back into the shop to surreptitiously tell George, Susan and Hannah the good news.

Krum looked around with interest at the kitchen as Harry thanked the others and sent them off to spread the word about Krum and then go back to what they were supposed to be doing. “I have to get back to helping in our Potions room,” Harry told Krum. “We’re working on a big project. Maybe Hermione can give you a tour…?”

“That vould be good,” Krum agreed. “We vill talk more about the flying later?”

“Definitely,” Harry said. “I’ll introduce you to Oliver Wood, who’s coordinating our fliers, and we’ll talk about strategy.”

“Excellent. Thank you, Harry,” Krum said earnestly. “For welcoming me, and for your trust. I vill not let you down.”

Harry thanked Krum and went back into the basement with Ginny. Hermione smiled at Krum,, still feeling nervous, and very aware that Ron hadn’t budged. “Shall we get on with the tour?” she suggested. “We have several spare rooms you can choose from to stay in…”

“In a moment,” Krum said. “First, I must do something.” He reached into a pocket, and Ron instinctively went for his wand. But Krum only brought out a small, ornate case about ten centimeters long. “There is a tradition,” he said, “that I must follow. I know that you are not from my country, but it is important to me. Vould you come here, Herm-eye-oh-knee?” he asked, walking over to the table so he could set the case down. “And you as well, Ronald Weasley.” He glanced at Hermione. “Did I say it right?”

“You did,” Hermione confirmed with a smile. “I notice that you’re better at saying my name as well.”

“I haff practiced,” Krum admitted.

Ron was reluctant, but ventured over to the table at Krum’s insistence. When they were both there, Krum said “You are in love.”

He hadn’t stated it as a question, but Ron still snapped out “Yeah, we are.”

“You haff committed to each other,” Krum went on as if he hadn’t been interrupted. “Such promises made in love are sacred.” He opened the case. “Though I confess to being…disappointed, I am also happy for you, Herm-eye-oh-knee. And for you, Ronald Weasley.” He lifted out two slim silver chains, at the end of which were tiny pendants no more than a couple of inches across. The pendants were also silver, with insets of three tiny gems in a triangle: one diamond, one opal and one pearl. “These are for you,” Krum said.”

“They’re beautiful,” Hermione gasped. “What are they?”

“Magical pendants,” Krum answered. “A traditional wizard’s marriage gift from my home. When you both wear these, you vill always know where the other is—you vill never lose each other again.”

Ron had been eyeing the pendants with distaste—more because they were jewelry and who they were coming from than their actual appearance—but when he heard what they did, he brightened. “That’s brilliant!” he exclaimed.

Krum smiled. “The tradition vos started centuries ago, and the pendants were permanently attached—just in case a bride’s attentions wandered, or a groom got cold feet.”

Hermione laughed. “Well, that isn’t a problem here, but it’s still a lovely tradition, and very useful, too.” She accepted the pendant and slipped it over her head, tucking it away under her shirt. After another second’s hesitation, Ron accepted his too. Hermione flung her arms around Krum and hugged him. “Thank you, Viktor,” she said softly. “For the gift, and for accepting.”

Krum shrugged self-consciously. “I am a great competitor,” he said, “but I cannot compete with love.”

*****

“So did everything go okay?” Harry asked Hermione quietly. “With showing Krum around, I mean. Did Ron throw a wobbler?”

On the other side of the conference room, Krum had been introduced to Oliver Wood, and they’d quickly found their common obsession with Quidditch broke down any potential boundaries. They were huddled over the map of Diagon Alley Wood had been using to strategize, and were arguing animatedly about the fliers’ placement during the battle.

“No, not at all,” Hermione whispered back happily. “Viktor took care of that—he gave us early wedding gifts!”

Hermione described the pendants, and Harry frowned. “Okay. Later on, we’re going to test them for any weird spells or enchantments.”

“Harry!” Hermione hissed angrily.

“No protesting, Hermione,” Harry retorted. “I know you trust Krum, and I know he passed the Veritaserum test, but can you say for a fact that those pendants were never out of his sight?” Hermione bit her lip, and shook her head. “Right,” Harry said. “We’re not taking any chance like that, not now when we’re so close!”

Hermione looked unhappy, but nodded her agreement. Then she and Harry turned their attention back to the discussion on the table.