Off to Durmstrang

Harry stumbled as he landed from his Portkey, disoriented and windswept. Before he could get his bearings, he was enveloped in an embrace and he heard an enthusiastic, "Harry!" just past his ear. After a long moment of feeling like his ribs were about to crack, he was released and held at arm's length by a beaming Viktor Krum.

"Velcome to Durmstrang, Harry. It is so good to see you again!"

"Thanks, Viktor. It's good to be here. Hermione sends her love."

Viktor laughed and flung a heavy arm around Harry's shoulders, leading him into a stately building set into the slope of the mountains behind it. "Congratulations to you all for defeating the Dark Lord. It is a shame Hermione could not come vith you; I vould love to see her again."

"Yeah, well, maybe you can come visit us sometime soon too. How did you come to be teaching here anyway? Was something wrong with being an internationally known Quidditch player?"

Laughing again, Viktor said, "No, it vos all fine, but I came here as a favour to the Headmaster...he took over after Karkaroff disappeared. He is an old friend and I vish to help him out. Besides, it can be fun to find the next Quidditch star, yes?"

Harry grinned back. "I'm sure. So, when do you start training here? I'd love to get a chance to fly with you."

They had made their way through corridors and into the staff quarters section, and Viktor gestured for Harry to enter a small sitting room. "Oh, ve vill fly, Harry. Count on it. I have heard about your skills as Seeker and I vould love to fly vith the Boy-Who-Lived-Twice!" He smacked Harry's shoulder and guided him into the room. "These are your rooms. That door is to your bedroom and that is to your bathroom. Supper vill be in a few hours. I vill leave you to get settled, but I vould love to show you the pitch after supper if you like."

"That'd be great, thanks. See you later."

*****

Several weeks later, Harry and Viktor headed out to the pitch to relax with a little flying after supper. Harry was glad that Viktor was there at Durmstrang, especially since Harry was only there to focus on his special training with the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, and he was in a limbo of not-exactly-a-student and not-quite-a-teacher-yet. The language barrier also distanced him from a lot of the student body and staff...even though there were others there close to Viktor's age, unlike at Hogwarts...so he found himself clinging to his growing friendship with Viktor more than he had expected to do.

He had been Floo-calling Hermione practically every day, and they exchanged news on their progress in their studies. Occasionally, Ron would be there too, and he would ask Harry about Viktor, but things felt strained since they both knew that Harry and Ginny were forced apart by Ron's mother. Ron had joined George and Percy at Weasleys Wizard Wheezes, helping George keep the business afloat after Fred's death, and he had taken to joining them down at the local pub in the evenings, leaving Hermione alone to take Harry's calls home to Grimmauld Place.

The night air was crisp, and Harry watched the vapour rising from their noses as they walked, grateful for the warmth of his Quidditch gloves. Viktor carried the case holding the Snitch, as they weren't bothering with the Quaffle or the Bludgers since it was one on one. They enjoyed the flying and racing against each other more than anything else.

It took longer than usual that night for them to finally catch the Snitch. Viktor was really putting Harry through his paces, showing him moves he had learned while on the professional circuit. It was nearly midnight by the time Viktor grabbed the Snitch from right in front of Harry and they dropped to the pitch, breathless and sweaty and wind-chapped.

"You almost had it, Harry, but you vere too slow at the end."

Panting, Harry retorted, "I don't bloody care right now. We've been flying for hours now, and I'm ready for some sleep! I swear, I can barely feel my legs."

Viktor laughed and stowed the Snitch back in the case. "Come. Ve vill hit the showers and the varm vater vill help you. If you like, I can show you the massage for your legs that the trainers vould do ven ve vere sore like this."

Harry was gingerly limping after Viktor, grimacing at the ache in his legs and arse. "I think this might be the real reason you quit the circuit to come here..."

Viktor flung his arm around Harry's shoulders and laughed heartily. "It is not so bad. I vill help you. Come. Ve go to the showers now."

Once inside the warm shower rooms, Viktor stored the case and stripped off his Quidditch gear as he crossed to a large cabinet. Harry slowly peeled off his gear and watched as Viktor returned with a bottle in hand and a grin on his face.

"What's that?" Harry jerked his chin at the bottle.

"This is the potion ve use to massage into sore muscles. Follow me, and I vill help you feel better." He gestured toward another room with a long cushioned exam table and nodded at Harry for him to climb up.

Harry paused in the doorway, suddenly uncomfortable. "That's okay. You don't have to do that."

Viktor favoured him with a stern look and pointed at the table. "None of that! Lie down and it von't take long. Then ve can shower and go to bed."

Harry swallowed, feeling his face heat. Viktor was not going to let this go, clearly. "Fine. But let's hurry up. I'm knackered."

Viktor beamed at him as Harry clambered onto the table. "Good. Now, off with your boots and trousers!"

Harry fought the blush that insisted on staining his cheeks as he slid out of his trousers, feeling ridiculously exposed in his pants. It didn't make sense...he'd never felt self-conscious like this before, back in the dorms or even when they were stuck in that horrid tent for so long. He rolled onto his stomach and was grateful when Viktor draped a towel over his arse.

The potion was warm and immediately sent soothing waves of heat through his abused muscles, and he let loose a sigh of relief. Behind him, to one side, Viktor hummed an encouraging sound, smoothing the potion over Harry's legs, coating his skin and pressing into the knots that had formed during their intense practice.

As Viktor's hands worked their way up Harry's legs, he kept up an informational monologue on the muscle groups and how the massage and potion helped, his voice a low murmur in the otherwise silent room. Harry felt lulled into being half-awake, his exhaustion combining with the soothing sounds and sensations. That lethargic state was shattered when Viktor reached the top of Harry's thighs and moved the towel, saying, "Much better. Now, these go too."

Harry's body instantly tensed, and he cleared his throat. "Th-that's all right. I'm fine now."

Viktor brought his palm down on Harry's arse and gripped the tense muscle, huffing at Harry's strangled yelp. "This is not good! The potion vill help these muscles too." He stepped around to peer down at Harry and jerked back in astonishment at Harry's wary expression. Frowning in concern, Viktor dropped to a squat, coming to meet Harry's gaze at his level. "Harry, vot is wrong? Vy do you fear me?"

Harry simply stared at him, unable to speak and put his discomfort into words.

Viktor's expression eased into a wistful, knowing look and he heaved a deep sigh. "You have heard stories about me, yes?" Averting his eyes, he murmured, "I vill not deny them. I have been involved vith other men, yes. But, even though you are as handsome as any of them, I vould not do anything to you unless you vanted it. This is truly to help you, Harry. I do not molest people."

Harry's eyes went wide. "You? Other men? Really?"

Viktor met his gaze again, his brow furrowed in confusion. "You did not know? I thought perhaps Nikola had said something. Ve... vere together for a short vile, but it did not vork out vell. He can be spiteful."

"Nikola, the Astronomy teacher? That Nikola?"

Nodding, Viktor said, "Ve had time together this summer, before school began. Vunce classes started, he vos too vorried that the students vould find out, and I did not vant to live in hiding. I have nothing to be ashamed of."

Harry stared at Viktor's defiant expression, feeling his whole world shift. Flushing, he said, "I'm sorry. I didn't know, but it doesn't matter anyway. I didn't think you molested people, Viktor. I was just being stupid. You're right, the potion is helping, and I am grateful to you for helping me."

Viktor smiled, relief evident in his dark eyes. "Then I vill finish, yes?"

Harry squirmed, covering himself with the towel again and shoving his pants down his thighs. Swallowing in determination, he said, "Yes, please."

Viktor clapped Harry's shoulder as he stood and continued the massage, working the potion into Harry's aching glutes. Although Viktor remained completely professional, Harry couldn't help the shaky jolts of pleasure that swirled through him, ending in his groin and making his cock swell.

The repeatedly buried spikes of interest in various men that Harry had experienced in the past couple of years had confused and distressed him. He was supposed to be with Ginny...he wanted her and he cared about her. And he had heard enough derogatory comments from Ron and other boys in school about poofters and pillow-biters to know that any interest he may have felt at the sight of an attractive masculine body was dangerous indeed.

To hear Viktor, who was as masculine as anyone Harry had ever met, freely admit that he enjoyed men in that way... well, it was a paradigm shift to say the least. It didn't help that Harry had felt that pang of physical attraction the day he arrived and saw Viktor again. Viktor had shaved off the beard he had worn at Bill and Fleur's wedding, but his hair had grown out longer, brushing his shoulders. He alternated between leaving it loose and tying it back in a queue, and had grown into his height and build, no longer round-shouldered and duck-footed. The open, genuine way he beamed at Harry and welcomed him with that tight embrace had left Harry breathless...not only because Viktor had crushed the air from his lungs but also because an arrow of attraction had shot through him, making his cock twitch, and that had terrified Harry.

His head was swimming and he bit back a moan at the pleasure radiating out from Viktor's strong hands on Harry's tender flesh. Aware that his erection was trapped under him, Harry deliberately stayed still when Viktor finished his massage with one final flourish, flinging the towel back over Harry's arse and saying, "There! You vill feel much better now, I promise. And now, it is my turn to shower. You vould do vell to have one too. It vill help you get your strength back to return to the school."

Viktor smiled at Harry and grabbed a fresh towel, flipping it over one shoulder as he headed toward the showers and leaving Harry alone on the table. Harry waited until he heard the water start before he carefully sat up, clamping the towel over his groin and kicking his pants to the floor. He did want a shower, but he didn't want to walk in there sporting a stiffy like this. Perhaps he could wait until Viktor was done and shower alone.

He stood, wrapping the towel around his waist, waiting, and hoping his erection would flag quickly. Viktor seemed to be taking a long time. Finally, he had returned to normal enough that he felt safe to shower, and he stepped into the wafting steam. The heat and humidity blanketed him, and when the mist swirled away, he stood rooted to the spot at the sight of Viktor under the spray, leaning forward with one hand propped against the wall, holding himself up while his head hung forward under the water streaming down his hair and sheeting over his back, his other hand coated in suds as he stroked the soapy foam over his substantial erection.

Harry's eyes went round, and goose flesh erupted all over his body. All the air left his lungs at once, and he felt heat rushing to his face and cock. The towel tented, and he sucked in a ragged breath.

Viktor heard Harry's gasp and snapped his head up, tossing his sopping hair out of his face. His expression was apprehensive until he saw the telltale bulge under Harry's towel, at which point his lips spread in a knowing smile. His voice was husky as he said, "Flying often does this to me. It looks like it does to you, too."

Harry swallowed hard. His hand twitched, wanting to touch himself, and Viktor said quite casually, "I don't mind. You vill sleep so vell after. I do."

Feeling almost mesmerized, Harry dropped his towel and strode into the showers, stopping under a showerhead near Viktor. Viktor flicked his gaze to Harry's cock and bit his lip, his hand moving faster. Harry turned on the tap, turning his face into the spray and feeling the delicious heat cascade over him. Without daring to over think it, he grabbed the soap and lathered up, rinsing quickly before meeting Viktor's dark gaze and sudsing up his groin.

Viktor gave an almost imperceptible nod and resettled himself, making sure he was balanced. Harry followed suit, and they both stood there, surrounded by hot water and steam and the white noise of the spray on tile. Staring at each other, they stroked and squeezed, muscles rippling as their breath came faster and harsher.

Harry watched Viktor's hand twisting every time he reached the tip of his cock, the foreskin sliding over the glans. He tried the same thing and gasped at the intense feeling. His heated brain linked Viktor's movements with the feel of Harry copying them and decided it was like Viktor was touching him in this way too. Harry's legs trembled at the surge of arousal that sizzled through him, ending in a throb at the base of his erection.

Viktor's speed increased, and his body began twitching, then with a ragged groan, he climaxed, his body curling forward and come welling up over his fingers, dripping across his knuckles. Harry stared, unblinking, at the shudders wracking Viktor's body, and it was suddenly too much. With a startled cry, he came, barely staying on his feet. He collapsed against the wall, shivering and gasping, watching the drops of his come swirling down the drain. Sucking in air, he slid down the wall and sat on the floor, dazed.

Viktor lifted his face to the water and let it stream over him, washing away the lather. His spent cock hung heavy between his thighs, and Harry couldn't stop looking at it. Finally, Viktor turned off his tap and smiled at Harry. "I know you feel exhausted, but ve should get back. Here." He stepped forward and offered his hand to Harry. Harry blinked up at him and gripped his hand, thankful for the bigger man's strength to help pull Harry to his feet again. "Finish rinsing, Harry. I vill bring you a towel."

Harry did as he was bid and turned off the tap, leaning heavily against the tile with his eyes closed. He jerked to awareness at the feel of a soft towel being draped over his shoulders. Turning around, he met Viktor's smile with his own tired one and said, "Thanks."

Viktor had one towel slung low around his hips and was rubbing his hair dry with another. "How do you feel? It is better, yes?"

Harry knew he was referring to the potion and the massage, but he blushed anyway, the image of Viktor wanking forever burned in his mind. "I think the potion worked and I'll be good as new after a good sleep."

At that, Viktor's smile turned into a conspiratorial smirk. His voice was a low purr as he said, "And you vill sleep very good tonight. I know."

Harry cleared his throat, knowing he was bright red. "Ah, yeah, no doubt."

Viktor began putting his clothes back on. His voice was muffled under his shirt but became clearer when his head popped up out of the neck, saying, "Harry, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Vy feel embarrassment about something that feels good? It is a release, a pleasure. It does not have to mean anything more."

Harry tugged his pants back on and hurried into his trousers. "So, ah, do you do that with everyone?"

Viktor regarded him thoughtfully and sighed. "No. I know not to do things around those who vould hate me for who and vot I am. But I know you are not like them. Your heart is open and good. You can appreciate the freedom ve experienced. But if you do not vish me to be so open again, just say so and I vill not put you in that position, Harry. You are my friend and I don't vant to make you unhappy here."

Harry thought about Ron and Ginny and felt a pang of guilt, followed quickly by a rush of defiant anger. He had no claims on him here. He answered only to himself. Viktor would not shame him for his feelings. Taking a deep, steadying breath, he met Viktor's apprehensive gaze with his own determined one and said, "I'm not unhappy, Viktor. Not at all."

Viktor's worried expression melted into one of delight and gratitude, and Harry grinned back at him. Crossing to Harry and flinging his arm around his shoulders like usual, Viktor said, "Ready? Let us go."

Harry grinned more and enjoyed the casual closeness for what it was. "Ready!"

In companionable silence, they trekked up to the school under the midnight stars.