Viktor had seen the journal entry about the students meeting at the Three Broomsticks. He had spent much of that Saturday outside, walking and jogging in a park he'd looked up, and while the day had been nice, he'd been alone.
Very, very much alone.
He was used to it, to a degree. The life of a professional Quidditch player was not always full of devoted fans, nosy journalists and crowded changing rooms. There were hours and hours of exercise, devoted to practice on the broom and keeping one fit. It had been nice in the past to have companionship doing these things; now, he was basically on his own.
He'd arrived at his flat, apparating inside and taken a long hot shower. Padding about the place in a towel, he'd paused at the book he was reading, and picked up the journal lying just underneath it. There was no new entry there from Hermione or from Mandy for that matter, and he let out a heavy sigh. Flopping down on his bed, he mused his options for the evening and decided that he was going to show up.
He apparated to the door of the Three Broomsticks, and pushed it open, entering with a slightly hesitant look. There had been an open invitation to all to come, and there was to be free drinks to be had. He saw a table of butterbeers, and decided he'd need something a bit stronger for a start. The barkeep was still the pretty woman he remembered, and after ordering a vodka, Viktor turned and allowed his eyes to scan the crowd, curious to see who would be here. He wondered which girl was the birthday girl.
Just a couple drinks and then I'll go, he thought to himself.