His Greatest Challenge

Viktor's eyes shot open and he was looking up at the wooden ceiling of the Durmstang ship, Vlad was standing over him lightly shoving his shoulder.

Viktor groaned and rolled over so that he was no longer facing Vlad and looked out his porthole. He rolled back over, grabbed Vlad's robes and dragged him closer. "Look," he said and pushed Vlad toward the porthole.

Vlad pulled away and Viktor's eyes were wide with excitement. "I could go and introduce myself now." Viktor quickly changed his robes and made to leave the cabin but Vlad stopped him."

"Viktor, calm down, she just went into that cabin with Potter and the other guy," Vlad stated. Viktor looked out the window and saw that she was no longer there. He sighed dejectedly. "You'll see her later." Vlad set his hand down on Viktor's shoulder. "You have a lot of homework - why don't you get started."

Viktor shook his head and picked up his transfiguration book. He flipped through the pages absentmindedly, repeatedly looking out of the window to see if Hermione had left the cabin yet. He had probably written about two lines of his essay when Karkaroff wrapped his knuckles against the door and entered before either boy could open the door.

"Poliakoff, out!" he barked. Vlad stepped out of the door but turned back just before he left. He made a gagging motion behind Karkaroff and left.

"They'll be picking the champions soon," Karkaroff stated, "and I must request that you be properly dressed, seeing as how you will most likely be picked as our champion." Viktor nodded and Karkaroff continued, "You will walk along side me into the hall and sit as close to the front as possible, you needn't take forever to take your position as champion." Viktor nodded again and Karkaroff took his leave.

Viktor looked out the porthole again and found the Hermione had still not left the cabin. Viktor stood up and went into the shower room. He stripped off his robe and immersed himself in the warm water. The beads of water dripped down his nose and beat against his head. He shut off the water and went back into his cabin.

He slid into his best robes and laid his furs out on his bed. He looked into the mirror and let out a sigh. Vlad entered the room and Viktor turned to him, "I'm ugly, aren't I?" Vlad lifted his eyebrow, beckoning Viktor to explain himself. Viktor shook his head and turned from the mirror. "I'm a good Quidditch player, but look at me. I'm not exactly gorgeous."

"Okay, Viktor, as your friend, I must tell you that you're losing your mind," Vlad stated. "Listen to yourself. First of all, you're an awesome player and you used to know that and second, since when do you care about how you look?"

Viktor laughed, "I must be losing it."

"Just don't worry about the way you look, because you look fine," Vlad said, smacking Viktor on the shoulder. Vlad slipped into a pair of robes that had a permanent stain on the chest. "You know I really should be more careful when I eat."

Viktor laughed, "Yes, you really should."

"I know," Vlad stated, "But then what would Karkaroff yell at me about?"

"He has a long list of possibilities," Viktor stated as he ticked off the list. "Your tendency to talk back, your dismal grades, or your fondness for going into the cellars and stealing wine..."

"Shh..." Vlad laughed. "Karkaroff doesn't know about the wine, he thinks I'm head of my class, and he thinks that I'm a complete angel."

Viktor laughed and there was a loud knock on the door. Karkaroff peered through the door and looked at Vlad's robes in disgust. "Come along, it's time to go."