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su li babysits grown men for a living (warheadonlegs) wrote in wished,
@ 2009-12-20 11:46:00

Entry tags:

!1997: 12, !incomplete, su li, viktor krum

Who: Su Li & Viktor Krum
What: Sunday morning flying - ultimate boredom buster!
Where: Hogwarts grounds
When: Sunday, 20 December
Rating/Warning: TBA, I assume low

Customarily an early-riser, Su Li had been up since just after seven that morning. Without any pressing work to do, she had lounged about the Ravenclaw Common Room for a few hours, reading a bit, organizing her itinerary for the coming week, and writing some Christmas greetings to friends at home. She had been looking forward to this morning's flight, especially now that she knew she would have some very worthy company. It wasn't everyday you got a chance to fly with a Quidditch star merely for the fun of it, now was it?

So she'd headed down to the Great Hall at nine to enjoy a leisurely breakfast, chatting with a few fifth and sixth year Ravenclaws who had also decided to stay for the holiday. Su didn't know any of them particularly well, but it was better than sitting in silence. After finishing her meal and feeling quite pleasantly full, Su grabbed her broom and walked purposefully out of the castle doors, making a beeline for the Quidditch pitch. It seemed like a logical place to begin, anyway.

About halfway there, it Su was becoming increasingly grateful that she'd bought some new clothing during the last Hogsmeade trip. She'd lpiled on several light but insulating layers this morning, anticipating a characteristically cold morning. As a bracing wind whipped her full on in the face, she was glad she had. Once at the pitch, she pulled on some gloves, straighened out her jacket, and adjusted her hat more securely on her head.

Cheeks already pink and her eyes bright, Su mounted her broom and kicked off, experimentally weaving through the wind currents at a low altitude as she waited for her companion.

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stoic_viktor
2009-12-20 06:06 pm UTC (link)

Viktor had risen at his normal time, work or not, and gone for his morning run, as was his custom. He ate a good breakfast, and dressed appropriately for flying in cold weather. This was not a new activity for him; flying during the winters at Durmstrang were far colder. This winter in England was mild, but he knew it would be colder at the school. He pulled on his warm weather clothes, adding a newly knitted skull cap his mother had sent him, in dark maroon color. Thus fortified, he picked up his broom and apparated from his flat to Hogsmeade.

Once he stopped spinning form the apparation, he mounted his broom and flew straight to the school. As he approached the main gates, he noted that they were locked tightly. He stopped, unsure how to proceed. He dismounted and began to pace in front of the gate, wondering how he was supposed to get inside. He moved and pulled at the gates, and to his utter amazement, the chains unlock and the gates slowly opened. Viktor gathered up his broom, and mounting it, flew through them slowly. He was duly impressed as he watched the gates close behind them and re-lock. Without lingering further, he pushed his broom into a faster pace, and sped towards the pitch.

He arrived, flying over the stadium seats and caught sight of another lone flier circling in the air. Pausing his broom, he watched her maneuver. He found himself starting to grin and nosed his broom down, towards her altitude.

"Good morning!"

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warheadonlegs
2009-12-20 06:25 pm UTC (link)

Su heard the greeting, albeit somewhat muffled by both wind and hat. Almost immediately she pulled up, twisting her neck to glance in Viktor's general direction. Grinning, she slowed her movement to a fairly steady hover and waited for him to reach her.

"Hello!" she chirped, absently leaning forward a bit to scratch at her knee. The sunlight was bright this morning, and she squinted. "Look like you got in all right."

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a_reticent_git
2009-12-20 08:12 pm UTC (link)

Viktor neatly maneuvered his broom so that he stopped with a sliding stop in the air next to hers. The back of his broom barely brushed against hers, and he returned the happy look, glancing about before he turned his attention back to her.

"I did. The gate allowed me safe passage. I expect it is set so that I may begin coming and going more, after the holiday break. I want to run clinics for the teams and for players wanting additional help," he said, taking his hands off his broom to scratch at his face, balancing perfectly.

"But of course, I spoke with you about that already. I will need a flier, I think, so that all the students will know. And then I will arrange a calendar," and he smiled at her, "This is a brilliant idea, to meet like this. But you must be easy on me. I am not fully recovered, but I need some time to come back to my former self, especially before the clinics begin."

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warheadonlegs
2009-12-20 08:39 pm UTC (link)

"Ohh, I'll see what I can do," she replied neatly, lifting her chin with a self-satisfied look. "But the clinics sound great. I'm sure you'll get a big turnout."

Su swept forward abruptly, fast a first, but slowing quickly when she remembered that Viktor wasn't quite up to his usual. She glided into a more moderate pace and cocked her head questioningly.

"So it's just for team members? Or could other students who are interested take part?"

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stoic_viktor
2009-12-20 09:02 pm UTC (link)

Viktor moved his broom after her, readjusting his grip. He grinned as she slowed slightly, and then flashed a grin at her, "You don't have to take it too easy on me, Sue. I'm okay or I wouldn't be on a broom. Just refrain from crashing into me if you would. That's how I got in this predicament. Not that I think you will," he added, grinning more as he felt the wind on his face.

He loved this. He lived for this. The feeling, even though cold and sharp, made him feel more alive than he had for quite a while. NO working in sooty fireplaces and grates, cleaning and casting spell after spell to adjust the trajectory of the occupant or the speed. No, Viktor lived to be on a broom and wondered how he'd ever talked himself into that pathetic indoor job. Shit, he'd rather be selling gloves and brooms at a shop than doing the shit he was doing now.

He slowed slightly, "Do you think we should open it up to everyone? I could do advanced broom riding classes? As long as it does not irritate the flight instructor."

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warheadonlegs
2009-12-20 09:34 pm UTC (link)

At Viktor's word, Su gladly added some speed to her movement. She rose slightly higher and closed her eyes against the wind, blinking way some tears that had formed from the cold. As much as she loved flying and playing Quidditch, it was always challenging for her to do so once the temperature began to drop. She hated the cold and tried to view it as merely a challenge to meet - though some days were harder than others. At least there was someone to talk to this morning.

"I don't see why not. Only firsties take Madame Hooch's class, anyway, and they wouldn't be advanced enough for something like this, I imagine." She shrugged. "But then, I'm not in charge, so I really couldn't say."

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stoic_viktor
2009-12-21 08:47 pm UTC (link)

Viktor seemed unfazed by the weather; he seemed instead to relish it. Weaving around her on the broom, up at one side and then the other, switching by moving under her and around, he felt in his element.

"I like the idea, of helping those who do not know how to fly very well. I taught all of my brothers, and my sister too. I will speak with Madame Hooch first, for I do not want to invade her territory."

He had settled to one side of her, and turned so she could hear his voice over the wind, "Do you exercise in other ways, to make your flying better?" he queried, curious as to what she might say. He was always curious if other fliers used running or weight training to improve their sport, as he did. He felt himself relax more and enjoy the freedom of the air.

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warheadonlegs
2009-12-21 09:45 pm UTC (link)

Su shrugged. "Sort of. Well, yes, I mean. I run, sometimes, but I used to dance when I was younger and I try to keep up a bit when I've got free time and enough space."

She paused, considering something. "And martial arts, a little. Not as much anymore, but hopefully I'll get back to it once I graduate."

In truth, Su wished that she had a lot more time to devote to both of those things - classes, Quidditch, and the other demands of being away at school often made it hard for her to pursue those interests, though. Still, the holiday, lonely as it was proving to be, at least gave her the free hours she craved for the purpose.

Ahead, she spied a flock of birds taking to the sky suddenly, and pondered charging through them. Probably not the best of ideas, right now.

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stoic_viktor
2009-12-26 05:49 pm UTC (link)

Viktor nodded, "I like running. It seems to help me more with my endurance. But those all sound like great ways to keep in shape."

Viktor slowed, enjoying the conversation and the company. He'd been itching to get out on a broom, but hesitation and caution had dictated that he take it slowly and with another, just in case something happened. He found himself itching to push himself further; the competitive nature inside of him warming to the idea. But he squelched the urge down, and kept pace with her.

Su was a good flier, that much was clear.

"I am a bit surprised to find you here, during the holiday time. Is your family unable to have you at home?" he asked, thinking about his own family. He should have gone home, but for the worry about Hermione that kept him here. He wasn't going to leave, in case she had the opportunity to write to him, and even the chance to meet with him. His family, safe and secure, had been sent many owls and packages and they would wait.

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warheadonlegs
2009-12-31 02:06 am UTC (link)

"Ah, that," Su said, braking a bit to readjust the way her scarf sat around her neck. The wind kept moving it so that it snared around her right arm which, she thought, would cause a problem if this weren't merely a leisure-flight. Imagine diving for the Snitch during a game, and finding herself held back by an article of her own clothing! "I thought about going home, but then I thought most of my friends would be staying here."

She rolled her eyes. "Yet along comes the holiday, and everyone's gone home after all. It's not terrible, though. I suppose this is my last chance to stay at the castle."

Su didn't add that she also didn't want to go home and have to deal with curfew laws. Even if they'd be difficult for the Ministry to enforce on her personally, as she didn't live especially close to any magical communities or villages. Unless she went out at midnight and explicitly did a bit of magic, she supposed there was no way they'd know she'd broken curfew. Still, just the idea that she was restricted by a ridiculous law in her own hometown...it infuriated Su, and she'd rather just not have to think about it.

"My parents have been sending me things this week, to lead up to Christmas. It's a sweet gesture."

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