LYOVA RASMUSSEN - A Durmstrang Quidditch Captain.

Chapter 10 - ALBAN

LYOVA RASMUSSEN POV - Durmstrang Quidditch Captain

The news of the Hufflepuff party had spread like fiendfyre. Everyone knew, and that's what nearly everyone was talking about at dinner.

In Durmstrang, they had used every possibility to have some fun and drink a lot of Veela-Vodka. Lyova and her team waited outside her common room for Fred, who'd proposed to show them where the Hufflepuff common room was. Timely, his figure emerged from the shadows, and a bright grin spread over his face.

"Alright, ickle Durmstrangs, please follow me," Fred said as he led them down the corridors. "Their common room is right next to the kitchens," he explained as they made their way down the stairs. Soon they passed the massive painting of a bowl of fruit.

"That's the entrance to the kitchens," Fred pointed out. "Ah, here we are," he said, standing in front of a pile of oversized wooden barrels. He gave one of the barrels a few rhythmic knocks, and it opened.

The room they entered varied from the most Hogwarts places Lvova had been so far. The low ceiling and round door frames, combined with the honey-coloured wooden tables, spread a comfortable atmosphere. Plants were scattered in the whole room. Some were moving, most of them looked exotic.

"That one looks weird." Orlov stretched out his hand towards a yellow flower.

"Wouldn't touch that. It bites." A student called through the room. Like most of the other Hufflepuffs, he wore a canary-yellow and black scarf. He waved the group over, raising a cup.

Lyova nudged Orlov, who still stared at the plant and dragged him towards the student, who stood over a cauldron placed on a couch table. Inside the pot bubbled a foamy liquid, exuding a sweet smell.

"Butterbeer," Kazlauskas grinned, stepping closer. Lyova followed him, smiling towards the student, who filled cups with the hot beverage. From this close, she noticed that he smelled odd.

"Anthony. You, again, knocked wrong?" Fred sighed, scrunching his nose. He looked over Lyovas shoulder.

"What shall I say, Weasley. Good gardener - horrible knocker. Not my fault the common room entrance drenches me in vinegar every time I do it wrong." The student filled two cups with butterbeer. Fred grabbed one and motioned for Lyova to take the other.

"I'm excited to see you play. Hell, your throw against Oliver was brilliant," Anthony said to Lyova before directing his attention towards the other durmstrangs.

Lyova took a seat on a very comfortable couch. Looking through the room, she recognized students from every house. Even the Ravenclaws had joined the party to have some fun after they lost the game.

"Are you sure you are ready for this, Rasmussen?" A voice ripped her out of her thoughts. It was George Weasley who gave her a shot of fire whisky. She took it with a grin, and he sat on the couch opposite her.

"Cheers, Helga." He raised his glass towards the portrait of a woman who winked, raising a tiny golden, two-handled cup. George and Lyova emptied their drinks in one gulp.

"The founder of the Hufflepuff house," George briefly explained, motioning towards the portrait. Suddenly, his expression changed to a curious smile. "So, what's going on between you and Oliver?"

He didn't get an answer as Cedric appeared, grinning at Lyova. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but would the prettiest quidditch player like to dance."

"I'm flattered, Ced, but I'm afraid I must decline," George replied with feigned sadness.

Cedric rolled his eyes, taking Lyova's proffered hand, who laughed at the joke.

He led her to the dance floor, which was just the biggest free space in the common room, and they started to dance. Time after time, they headed to the bar to get another drink, and Lyova could feel her head becoming lighter with every drink from the bar.