Hey Guys!

The numbering on my chapters is slightly off. I deleted an author's note from earlier on in the story and unfortunately that put my chapters off by one because they counted that author's note as a chapter. For example it says things like (39. Chapter 40). It's kind of confusing and I apologize for it but the chapters are all in order it's just the numbering that's slightly off. Make sure you've read the chapter before this one because I uploaded that recently. In that chapter, Ron finds out about Hermione's engagement ring and this chapter is continuing on from that. Hopefully that doesn't confuse you guys too much.

-ViktorandHermioneLover xo

Viktor woke earlier than usual the next morning. He wanted to get a jog in before he had to leave the cottage for Quidditch practice. He splashed a bit of water on his face and brushed his teeth before pulling a jumper on and heading out the door.

He came back an hour later, stripped off his clothes, threw them into the laundry hamper, and took a quick shower. After forcing down a bit of breakfast, he Disapparated. He appeared in a little pub in Diagon Alley and, from there, traveled by Floo powder straight into a small, cube-like office. There was a man, sitting behind a desk, in the office. He was reading that morning's edition of the Vratsa Vestnik. "Dobro utro Vika." Tren'or Velichkov greeted him.

"Dobro utro Tren'or." Viktor replied before leaving the office to change into his Quidditch robes. Levski, Zograf, and Volkov were the only three besides Viktor that had already arrived. They all greeted each other as they changed into their practice robes.

"Kak si Filip?" Viktor asked Volkov.

"Dobre. Did you hear about massacre in Muggle village this morning?" Volkov asked.

"Da! Da! I heard about that. Vhere vas it?" Levski asked.

"I think it vas in Bures." Viktor said as he tied his trainers.

"That little town outside of Middlebury?" Zograf asked in surprise. Viktor nodded in response.

"Sixty-three Muggles dead and for vhat? There is no honor in killing vomen and children." Volkov said disgustedly.

"They vere Muggles Filip." Levski said indifferently.

"They vere still vomen and children Todor! It's not right! They did not even haff the means to defend themselves. Vhat did the Death Eaters gain in killing them?" Volkov responded heatedly.

"Filip is right Todor. Vhat they did vas wrong. The vay they killed them vas cruel." Zograf said.

"How do you think they vould treat us if they ever found out about us, Yoan? Do you think they vould treat us any differently than the Death Eaters treated them?" Levski snapped. "Ve all know about the Salem Vitch Trials!"

"Enough!" Tren'or Velichkov yelled from the doorway of the changing rooms. "You should be changing not having political debate!"

The four of them finished changing in silence after Tren'or Velichkov slammed the door behind himself and left. Viktor could feel the tension between Levski and Volkov. He fell into step with Volkov as they walked out onto the Quidditch pitch. "Can ve talk some more after practice Filip?" He asked.

"Da, I vould like that very much." Volkov said as he mounted his broom, and kicked off from the ground, soaring into the air. Fifteen minutes later, Vulchanov, Dimitrov, and Ivanova joined them on the pitch and they started practice.

Viktor hadn't forgotten about Remus' recruitment plan. He planned on talking to Volkov after practice and also thought he had a good chance of convincing Zograf. He wasn't going to risk talking to Levski about joining the Order but he thought Ivanova might be interested. His brother Damyan had been killed by Thorfinn Rowle, a known Death Eater. Vulchanov didn't agree with everything the Death Eaters did but Viktor doubted he'd want to take action against them. Vulchanov, much like Viktor's mother's family, chose to keep a neutral stance on the War. Dimitrov was all for the Pureblood regime so Viktor mentally crossed him off the list too.

Tren'or Velichkov was not pleased with their performance during practice, so he kept them for an additional two hours before finally letting them go shower. Viktor could see Levski and Dimitrov talking to each other in hushed tones and he knew it had something to do with the conversation about the Muggle massacre. Viktor and Volkov both took their time showering and soon were they only two left in the changing room.

"Hold onto my shoulder." Viktor said to Volkov, after they both finished getting dressed. Volkov gripped Viktor's shoulder firmly and they turned on the spot as Viktor Disapparated. They appeared in a narrow alleyway that led out onto a busy street.

"Vhere are ve?" Filip asked as he looked around at his unfamiliar surroundings.

"Leeds. It is safer to talk to you about this in Muggle setting." Viktor replied.

Filip nodded and said "Lead the vay, Vika."

Viktor and Filip joined the throng of passersby on the street and they blended in easily in their Muggle clothing. "Do you haff specific place in mind?" Filip asked.

"No, I thought it vould be even safer in unfamiliar Muggle location." Viktor said.

"This is true. I'm glad you haff thought this through." Volkov said. They walked for a few minutes until Viktor pointed to a nearby coffee shop. They walked in and sat down at a table in the back. A waitress came over to them and asked them what they'd like to order.

"Vhat do you recommend?" Viktor asked her. He wasn't familiar with the different types of coffee and neither was Filip. Viktor felt a pang in his chest as he thought of Hermione. She'd know all about the various flavours and styles of coffee they had to offer.

"I personally like the Soy Latte." She responded with a flirtatious glance at Filip.

Her recommendation sounded very unappetizing, at least to Viktor it did. He quickly skimmed the menu and said "I'll haff a Turkish coffee."

"I'll haff the same." Filip said as he set down his menu.

The waitress scribbled down their orders and told them their drinks would be ready in a few minutes. "Does vhat you vant to talk to me about haff anything to do vith conversation ve had about Muggle massacre in Bures?" Filip asked Viktor.

Viktor nodded. "Vhat happened vas not right and ve both agree on that point. This is vhat the Death Eaters do, they are extremists. They kill innocent people." Filip nodded and waited for Viktor to go on. "If you could do something to help stop them, vould you?" Viktor asked, watching Filip's reaction to his question.

Filip said nothing for many moments. He stared down at his hands, which were clasped together on the table and said nothing. The waitress brought over their coffees and still Filip said nothing. Finally, he looked up at Viktor and said "Da, I think I vould."

Viktor smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment. They discussed Quidditch tactics and exchanged stories about their childhoods as they finished up the rest of their coffee. Filip glanced at his watch and said "I haff to go soon. My vife vill kill me if I'm late for dinner."

"Da, it is getting late. The sun is already starting to go down." Viktor said as he glanced out of one of the coffee shop windows.

"You should come haff dinner vith me and Tatia soon, Vika." Filip said as he stood and pulled his coat on.

Viktor set some Muggle money down on the table and replied "I vould like that." They walked out of the shop together and turned into the nearest alley they could find. After bidding each other farewell, they each turned on the spot and disappeared with a pop!