tiptoe higher [madeline]

[viktor anastasiy desislav krum]

It was the first day as a professor at Hogwarts, and Viktor had just finished teaching his first class of the day. The thing about teaching was that Viktor had absolutely no idea if he was doing well or not. The kids would be happy either way, if only because he was a professional Quidditch player and they were in awe of him. They hadn’t asked as many questions about why he was there, which was a good thing, since Viktor didn’t trust himself not to snap at someone if they pushed him too far in that regard.

There had been one student that had been particularly impressive in her flying, and Viktor was pleased to see that she was still on the pitch despite the fact that class had ended a few minutes ago. Viktor approached the girl with an easy smile on his face, leaning slightly on his cane as he limped his way over to her. “You did very vell today." He told her quietly. That was what teachers were supposed to do, right? Offer encouragement?

@madeline

[Deleted]

Madeline was indeed a good flyer, and she knew it too. She was into Quidditch mostly for that reason, that she was good at it. It was fun, too, which was a nice perk. And it looks like even more perks were heading her way in the flight Department, in the form of Viktor Krum. Wow, what an amazing person, what an amazing flyer, and Quidditch player. He was so famous for so long but... now, he was here teaching them.

In all honesty Mad had noticed him when he was the champion a few years back when she was a bit younger. A lot of girls did. She would never, ever seriously hit on a professor, though. But there was nothing wrong with a little batting of her eyes and joking around. She wanted him to respect her flying skills more than anything first. She did well in class and then stayed behind on the pitch, not really noticing if he had stayed behind too. And alas, he did. She heard his low voice with that little accent laced through and she smiled slowing down on her broom so that she could turn and look at him, "thank you very much, professor! I've been flying as long as I can remember. I'm also on the Gryffindor Quidditch team. How did you enjoy class today? First time teaching ever, must have been hard."

viktor anastasiy desislav krum

[viktor anastasiy desislav krum]

The girl responded to his compliment more enthusiastically than Viktor had anticipated. When a professor complimented him, he had always assumed that it was because they had wanted something from him, especially when he grew older and it was obvious that he was going to be rich and successful and other amazing things. But this girl had nothing to gain from him, not anymore, nor did he have anything to gain from her. He didn’t know who she was, so how could he gain anything? Viktor took a deep breath to refocus himself on the conversation he was having. It had been a while since he had had to use English at this rigorous of a level – that was, spoken conversationally, with colloquialisms thrown in. “Gryffindor team.” He repeated. Viktor was half-tempted to ask her if she knew of Hermione Granger, but that seemed silly, and a little desperate. Not proper of a professor. “Vhat position do you play?” He asked her curiously. Perhaps she was a prospective Seeker, like he had been, all those years ago. “Teaching is hard, yes. But I am hopeful I can do better.” He said with a winning smile. “Do you have any suggestions?” Viktor asked. A little student feedback was never a bad thing.

@madeline

[Deleted]

He repeated the name of her team, though she wasn't sure why, but she just kept her little smile on either way. "Chaser! I used to be a Beater, but I switched because I like Chaser better and it's better for someone like me who can pay attention to a lot of things at once and is very fast," what? Mad knew her strengths, anyone could tell you that. She wasn't one to hide that, either. "I think you'll do great!" she encouraged in a high, excited tone. His smile was simply swoon worthy, anyone would agree! He asked for suggestions and she pursed her lips in thought, lifting her hand to stroke her chin, "so far, none, one class isn't enough yo judge though," Mad admitted.

viktor anastasiy desislav krum

[viktor anastasiy desislav krum]

Well, this girl was certainly not sparing with her words, Viktor thought. It was fortunate for him that he had already spent a year in the United Kingdom. Even though that had been four year ago now, the positive affect his year at Hogwarts had on his English speaking ability was permanent, and he was more or less able to keep up with what the girl was saying. “Seeker is also good for the ones who are fast.” Viktor said with a smile. He would know – he used to be one of the fastest. With emphasis on ‘used to be’. “Thank you for your encouragement.” He said. Viktor wondered briefly if all of the students at Hogwarts were nice, or if he had just been fortunate, both before and now. “I like a person who knows vhen to vithhold judgement.” He added. Too often people jumped to conclusions, which Viktor knew he could be guilty of, as well. Watching and waiting always seemed to work better in the end.

@madeline

[Deleted]

He mentioned seekers, and course he knew what he said was true, but she shrugged her shoulders. "I'm afraid I'm not so good at the... tunnel vision, seeking out one thing," she chuckled, that sure was a testament to her personal life as well, "so I'm not too interested in it. He thanked her and she grinned even wider, her smile beaming. He said he liked a person who knew when to withhold judgement, and she beamed even more so. "Well, I like to give people the benefit of the doubt," some people. Wizard people, magical people, magical creatures and being. As long as the safety of magic was there, she liked to give them a chance. Unless they married a muggle or something.. that's where things got tricky. "I'm sure you have been in touch with friends who you met during the tournament?" she guessed.

viktor anastasiy desislav krum

[viktor anastasiy desislav krum]

The Gryffindor girl said that she wasn’t good at tunnel vision, and Viktor nodded slowly. Focus had always been his specialty, but he could understand why Seeking wouldn’t be the favorite of some people. It was a strain on the eyes, and on the body. Even if he hadn’t had his injury, Viktor probably would have been passé as a Seeker in five years, maybe ten. Chasers weren’t much better, but they could live longer. “That can be very dangerous.” He warned. There were still bad people in the world, and while he liked withholding judgement, trusting implicitly could also be dangerous. “I vould not say I made many friends in the first place.” Viktor said, attempting a causal shrug. Karkaroff had been extremely possessive of him, and that, combined with his own natural tendency to distrust, had been detrimental to his ability to fraternize with Hogwarts students. “But the ones I have are still students. It vould not be…appropriate.” He said quietly. He was all about propriety when it came to his relationships with students that had been his friends.

@madeline

[Deleted]

He warned her that giving the benefit of the doubt was dangerous and she chucked. Oh, she knew that very well. He said that he hadn't made many friends in the first place and added that the ones that were still students wouldn't be appropriate to befriend. She frowned, "well, I'm sure that'll be a fun line to dance around," she said, trying to sound understanding and maybe a little consoling. Then she lifted her broom and spun it in her hand a little, "anything else, note wise on my flying Professor? If not, i should get going," Sadly, she had other things to do.

viktor anastasiy desislav krum