After Viktor finished his belated dinner, he carefully wiped his mouth with a napkin and looked at Dumbledore, who was sitting opposite him, calmly sipping tea.
— Thank you, I'm full, — Viktor said, satisfied, rubbing his stomach.
— You do realize that to everyone else, I'm not in Hogwarts right now, — Dumbledore said softly, his eyes twinkling over his half-moon spectacles. — And it will look strange, to say the least, if you are found in my office.
— Don't worry, they won't be looking for me right now, — Viktor waved his hand. — They have other, more important things to deal with: Harry, Ron, the late Quirrell... In short, they won't be bored.
Dumbledore sighed wearily.
— I think you're right, — he said, then began to look at Viktor's battle suit, which he was still wearing, with interest. — I thought we agreed that you wouldn't interfere.
Viktor coughed awkwardly and averted his gaze toward the enormous telescope standing in the corner.
— Well, you know, it was one thing, then another, and then I was like... well, anyway, yes.
Dumbledore didn't understand, but merely pursed his lips.
— And it worked out anyway, — Viktor continued, trying to justify himself. — I didn't interfere much.
— It only worked out because I intervened and detained you, — Dumbledore replied sternly, a note of disapproval in his voice.
Viktor smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.
Dumbledore sighed wearily again.
— By the way, are you not upset about that?
Viktor shook his head, a slight sadness clouding his usually confident face.
— No, I'm not upset about that.
— But I hear a note of sadness, why? — Dumbledore inquired, his blue eyes studying the boy closely.
Viktor took out his wand and began to examine it thoughtfully, as if searching for answers within it.
— It's just... haaah, — he exhaled heavily. — I just prepared for so long and even worried, but the battle was too easy. I expected it to be more difficult, more dramatic, more epic, you know. Basically, I'm disappointed.
Dumbledore looked at him in surprise, and then began to laugh, softly at first, and then louder.
— Ha-ha-ha-ha! You never cease to amaze me! Any first-year would be proud of themselves, but you're disappointed because it was too easy?
Viktor spun around irritably and sulked, crossing his arms over his chest.
— I don't see anything funny! I'm not just any first-year, I'm the best first-year, the smartest and bravest, and my beauty even drives Veela mad!
— Ha-ha-ha-ha! — Dumbledore began to laugh even harder, holding his stomach. — Have you even met a single Veela to say that?
Viktor scoffed.
— I don't need them to know that I'm divinely handsome. I just know. It's a fact.
Dumbledore wiped away the tears that came from laughing and, catching his breath, said:
— To all those qualities, you lack even a little modesty.
Viktor sighed, looking up at the ceiling.
— Yes, the things I don't have are modesty and shame. Although I don't particularly complain; they're not exactly important qualities. Useful, perhaps, but not important.
Dumbledore shook his head and thought to himself that if Viktor were less cruel, he would become the best wizard in the world. He would make him his successor, but it was such a pity that he had to endure that horror in his childhood, which planted this cruelty in him. But he still believed that the school would help him find light in this life.
— What are you thinking about? — Viktor asked, pulling him out of his reflections.
— Just my own things, remembered something, — Dumbledore smiled. — We old men often fall into memories.
Viktor didn't believe him, but didn't ask further; he wasn't interested.
— Alright, those are all trifles, — Viktor moved on to the main point, rubbing his palms. — Let's get to the main thing: I am due a reward.
— A reward? — Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.
— Well, yes, I helped with Quirrell! I should be rewarded for that.
— Helped? But I didn't want you to help, — Dumbledore countered.
— I don't care what you wanted! — Viktor said, throwing his hands up. — I also wanted to be able to fly when I was a kid, but instead I got schizophrenia, talking to voices in my head that told me silly things. The deed is done, where's my reward?
Dumbledore looked at him, then smiled and asked:
— And what is it that you want?
Viktor broke into a wide, expectant smile.
— I want...
— No, — Dumbledore replied, cutting him off before Viktor could even finish the sentence.
The smile slowly slid from Viktor's face. His eye began to twitch.
— I haven't said what I want yet.
— Oh, really? Forgive me, go on, — Dumbledore narrowed his eyes slyly.
Both of Viktor's eyes were twitching now. He took a deep breath, trying to calm down.
— You're just going to say "no."
— What? Of course, "no"! Go on, tell me what you want, — Dumbledore smiled like the cat that got the mouse.
Viktor frowned, feeling he was being teased, but decided to see it through.
— I... want... Fluffy.
— No, — Dumbledore replied immediately, without even blinking.
Viktor sighed heavily.
— Fine. Fair enough. — He realized he wouldn't get anything.
The next morning, when Dumbledore "returned" to school, he immediately plunged into resolving the countless issues that had accumulated overnight.
Viktor, on the other hand, decided to avoid all the commotion and take a quiet stroll through Hogwarts. He wandered unhurriedly through the deserted corridors, lost in his thoughts. His steps made almost no sound on the stone floor, and he allowed his mind to wander freely.
Then he headed to the Slytherin common room, where he was met by Daphne, who had her arms crossed over her chest in displeasure.
— Viktor, I was looking for you all day yesterday! — she said grumpily, her eyes flashing.
— Me? Why?
— You told me to collect the exam results and show you! — Daphne pointed to the stack of parchments in her hand.
— Oh, you mean that, — Viktor waved his hand, his face expressing complete indifference. — Thanks for your effort, but I'm not interested. — With those words, he headed to his room, leaving Daphne standing in utter confusion.
Daphne froze, her eyes wide with surprise. For half a year, he had terrorized everyone into making sure they passed their exams well, and now he was simply saying he didn't care? She slowly turned and looked at the students present in the common room. They sadly lowered their heads, disappointment evident in their postures. Frowning, Daphne resolutely headed after Viktor to his room. Upon entering, she saw him slowly, almost melancholically, packing his things, preparing for his departure.
Viktor stopped and stared at Daphne.
— What, do you need something?
— Look at the results, — she said in a cold, almost icy tone.
Viktor sighed wearily.
— I told you, I don't care. It's their business how they did on the exam. I don't want to deal with this right now. I'm tired.
— Was this just a way for you to amuse yourself? — she asked in the same cold voice, filled with hurt.
Viktor stared at her, his brows furrowed.
— Listen, I was doing what the Head of House asked. The year is over, and it's not my problem anymore. I haven't slept all night, and now I want to calmly pack my things, wait for tomorrow, listen to the Headmaster's parting words, and go home. You can relax too, don't worry your head about it.
— Maybe you don't care, but we do, — Daphne's voice trembled, but she spoke firmly. — They tried for you, not for themselves, not for their families who are far away, but for you! Maybe you didn't notice, but over the course of this year, you've become not just an authority figure to everyone, but an older brother. We first-years didn't experience it thanks to you, but if you ask the others, Slytherin used to be a hierarchy where everyone obeyed those with purer blood and richer families, and they didn't have fun at all—it wasn't fitting for a Slytherin's status! But since you arrived, everything has changed. Half-bloods no longer have to obey, because they can complain to Viktor. And everyone could enjoy themselves however they wanted; even Slytherin's relations with the other houses improved. — She walked up to the table, carefully placed the exam results down. — I'll leave this here, and you decide what to do. — With those words, she turned and left his room, leaving a ringing silence behind her.
Viktor watched her leave, shrugged, and continued packing. He had almost closed his trunk when he suddenly stopped and took a deep breath.
— Haaah, — he exhaled. — Fine, let's see how these demons did.
He walked up to the table, grabbed the sheets of parchment, lay down on his bed, and began to carefully review the grades.
— Good girl, — he muttered, looking at someone's excellent marks. — Well, I didn't doubt that. Oh, George! — He looked at his grades and smiled. — Now he surprised me! — George had all O's (Outstandings), except for Herbology. — Very good! We'll bring up Herbology next year, it's not going anywhere.
He finished reviewing all the sheets, put them beside him on the bed, and stared at the ceiling.
— Well, she's right, — he said quietly. — They tried, and I just dismissed it. — He began to wonder why he had stopped caring about everything. And he realized: having easily won the long-awaited battle, he had simply relaxed. The realization made him sit up abruptly.
— No, this won't do, — his eyes burned with determination. — What kind of attitude is that? Voldemort is still alive, and the most interesting stuff is yet to come! It's too early to relax; I wasn't given a second chance for nothing. — He looked at the sheets on the bed. — Right, first I need to reward them; they didn't try hard for nothing. I'm not stingy like that old man! — Suddenly, his eyes widened. — Exactly, Dumbledore!
He quickly burst out of his room and shouted, his voice echoing through Slytherin:
— DAPHNE!
When she came out of her room, Viktor looked at her sternly, crossing his arms over his chest.
— Why do I have to chase after you? The year isn't over yet, and you're already relaxing, completely lazy! Come on, we have a job to do.
He headed for the exit of Slytherin. Daphne smiled, her displeasure replaced by joy, and she followed him.
— Coming!
Viktor and Daphne entered the Hospital Wing, into Harry's ward, where Dumbledore was already present.
— Viktor! — Harry exclaimed happily, sitting up in bed. — I'm glad you're okay!
— What could possibly happen to me? — Viktor snorted. — I'm the one who should have been worried about you, our reckless hero.
Harry awkwardly scratched his head, and Daphne looked at them in surprise, not understanding what they were talking about. Ron had already blabbed about their exploits, but only Gryffindor knew about it so far.
— Oh, treats! — Viktor approached Dumbledore, who was holding a packet of sweets. But seeing the familiar names, he changed his mind; he remembered trying them at the beginning of the year and didn't want to taste "Earwax" or "Booger." He looked at Dumbledore and smiled slyly. — Headmaster, about the reward you promised me.
Dumbledore looked at Viktor in surprise, then at Harry, who was watching him intently, and mentally began to curse the cunning Slytherin. He couldn't refuse him in front of Harry.
— Let's step out and discuss this, Viktor. Harry needs rest, — Dumbledore suggested, trying to usher him away.
— No, I'll be quick, — Viktor said, still smiling. — I won't take up your precious time.
— Don't worry, I always have a free moment for my students, — Dumbledore tried to maintain his composure.
— No, no, you have so many worries right now! — Viktor stepped closer and whispered something into his ear, so quietly that only Dumbledore heard it. Then, stepping away, he smiled and asked: — That's not hard to do, is it? A very simple request for my heroic deed?
Dumbledore looked at Harry, who was still watching him closely, and, giving in, said with a smile, hiding a slight annoyance:
— I think that is a perfectly feasible task.
— You promise? — Viktor asked with hope in his eyes.
Dumbledore's eye began to twitch, but he held back.
— Yes, I promise.
— Thank you so much, you are the best Headmaster! — Viktor beamed. He turned to Harry. — Harry, get well soon! Daphne, let's go! Oh, but before that... — he walked over to the sweet trolley next to Harry's bed and began choosing. — Oh, I'll take this! It's bad for you to eat so much sugar anyway. — He took a box of chocolate he liked and headed contentedly toward the exit. Daphne nodded her farewell and silently followed him.
When Harry was left alone with the Headmaster, Dumbledore sighed heavily, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
— Headmaster, is something wrong? — Harry asked, noticing Dumbledore's state.
Dumbledore smiled and shook his head.
— Everything is fine, Harry, I was just thinking about my own things. I think I should go too. Get some rest and go see your friends; I think they'll be happy to see you.
Harry smiled.
— Thank you.
Dumbledore nodded and headed for the exit.