A/n Hope this is satisfactory.

I grinned at my best friend. "No, I won't take the opportunity to play on a professional team unofficially," I answered sarcastically as he laughed.

"Let's go!" he said after a moment, reaching for my bags at the same time I did.

Our hands brushed each other, and I felt myself blushing. I quickly picked up my bags and looked away to hide it.

Viktor's scent was curious, but he decided not to ask.

I breathed a sigh of relief as we walked companionably to his camp. Of all the people I had to develop a crush on, it had to be my best friend. And of course, he'll think I'm gay if he finds out, not knowing that I'm a girl. Why does life have to be so complicated?

I mentally banged my head on trees until we reached the camp. Luckily, around everyone but me he's oftentimes fairly quiet, so he didn't ask me anything. I did notice that he became more sullen as we approached the camp. I resolved to ask him about it later.

He headed to his tent and left me to meet the team on my own. They decided to set me through a few drills, which I passed easily.

They weren't convinced. I shrugged to myself. They don't know about my special moves. However, they had no choice but to accept me so they didn't have to come up with a story. I grinned.

I hung out with them and learned to act like Volkov. It wasn't that much fun, and I found my mind could wander and no one would notice. Therefore, I don't remember anything about it.

I sat down to eat and observed quietly how the team treated Viktor. They weren't the nicest in the world. I frowned into my food, and thought about confronting him right then. I knew it wouldn't be a good idea, though.

When he finished eating, he stalked off, looking more depressed than the Viktor I know. I shook my head, but I couldn't get the chance to talk to him until the day of the match.

I shifted into a jaguar and scented the air. I followed his scent trail to where he was kicking stones in a pond in frustration.

I changed back and watched him for a few minutes. I cast a zoned silencing spell so that our conversation could be private.

He screamed and sat down with a thud. Viktor hadn't noticed me yet. I chuckled and sat down to watch the show.

The distressed seeker tore at the grass as he stared into the pond. He started ranting, "I can't take it anymore!" he yelled, "I hate my team. They think that just because I'm a great seeker it means that they don't have to try. IT DOES! And they blame me for any losses, even though they could play a lot better. Even if I catch the snitch tonight, we'll still lose, and I'll be blamed! EVERY SINGLE TIME!" he gasped for breath before continuing, still unaware of me. "Add to that all the fans who think I'm a God, reporters, and my classmates, and you get me.

"I HATE the attention. I'd rather be normal, then answering endless questions in which I'll be misquoted, or being mobbed by endless girls wanting to be m girlfriend, or receiving special attention.

"I hate it... and my parents won't let me quit. They're proud to be the parents of such a great seeker. They didn't care about me until they discovered my talent for quidditch and that's the only thing they care about. They always beat me. I hate them. I hate this. I hate getting beaten for losing. I hate my life. I hate everybody," he finished.

I sighed, then tackled him. As he looked up at me in surprise, I asked teasingly, "Do you hate me too?"

Viktor groaned. "I don't hate you... and you weren't meant to hear that!"

I looked down at him. "You are an idiot I'll have you know," I stated matter-of-factly, "I can't believe you never told me that you get beaten!"

"But-" he started. I cut him off.

"No buts this time." I growled, "You should've told somebody!" My face was moving steadily closer to his.

"I-I didn't want to..." Tears were in his eyes as I answered him.

My hair turned red with fury. "You are my best friend. I would die for you. I can handle knowing secrets, but I can't handle the fact that you never told me!" I glared at him as he flinched.

I winced, realizing he thought I was going to hurt him. I leaned further in, our noses touching. "I'm not mad at you," I whispered, "I'm mad at your parents and teammates." I fought a blush when I realized how close we were.

Viktor looked like he was trying not to shed tears. "I'm sorry," he whimpered.

I sighed and stood up, offering my hand to him. I was repressing an urge to kiss it all better. I shook my head to clear it.

"There is nothing to be sorry for. You couldn't do anything to stop it," I informed him.

Viktor shook his head. "But I am weak."

I smacked my head. "Stop being an idiot, okay?" On impulse I hugged him and quickly moved away, trying to hide my blush. I cursed my self inwardly.

He stretched. "I'll try. No promises."

I chuckled. "Do or do not. There is no try," I joked, referring to the time we managed to get out and see some muggle movies.

The seeker rolled his eyes. "Why don't we do some flying?"

I grinned. "Of course I do!" I summoned my broom as he summoned his.

I silently removed the silencing charm before I gripped my broom. I kicked off, zooming to Viktor, who, of course, was already up there.

He grinned at me. "Last one to camp is a house-elf!" he yelled somewhat cheerfully before racing off.

I groaned good-naturedly before chasing him.

We flew around for a while, laughing a joking as the tension slowly abated. However, beneath it all both of us were still serious. Our hearts weren't that into it.

He went to talk to the coach about techniques so I was left on my own. I wandered around the woods, deciding to see some of the campers. As I walked, I grew my hair longer and turned it blonde before changing my eyes to a brilliant blue.

After a few minutes, I found a group of kids performing some sort of play. I found myself snorting with laughter at their antics. I would not have thought of using coconut shells to make the sound of a horse galloping.

At the end, I laughed and clapped before giving them a galleon. Whistling cheerfully, I wandered off with my hands in my pockets.

I made sure no one was around as I morphed back into Volkov and headed for the stadium for the pre-game instruction. I was rather surprised I was not a bundle of nerves. But then again, it wouldn't be me who received the fall out. It would be Volkov.

"Ladies and gentlemen... Welcome! Welcome to the final of the 422nd Quidditch World Cup!" I winced as the crowd exploded in applause and cheers. Ouch. They're loud.

Viktor noticed my expression and muttered a spell. Instantly, the screams were muted. They were still there, just not eardrum breaking. I sighed in relief as I mouthed 'thank you' to him.

"And now, without further ado, allow me to introduce... the Bulgarian Team Mascots!"

I grinned to myself. Veela... Gotta love them. I'm rather glad some men are immune, otherwise it'd be rather hard to explain why they don't affect me.

I stifled a snicker when groans and protests rose as the Veela stopped dancing.

"And now, kindly put your wands in the air... for the Irish National Team Mascots!"

I rolled my eyes. It really doesn't surprise me that they're using leprechauns. Bribe them to the Irish side why don't ya. Even though I know they're gonna win. Viktor was the only one who seemed to agree with me.

We mounted our brooms, waiting anxiously for our names to be announced. I focused only on the name of the guy I'm impersonating.

"Volkov!" I took a deep breath and followed the other beater.

I pumped the arm holding my bat in the air in the way that Volkov does as I wished I could just be myself. I shook my head and focused on the game.

I shot off after a bludger and hit it into play before flying to dodge the chasers. I followed the movement of the quaffle and pretended not to see a bludger flying as it flew by. It was almost by me before I whacked it at Moran and laughed gleefully when he dodged it while dropping the quaffle.

Warmed up the the game, I dropped into beater mode and I was immediately at home and in my element. I hit the bludger more often than Vulchanov.

I timed my hits to interrupt the chasers' best moves and soon felt comfortable enough to pull off the fancy moves that I was known for at Durmstrang. One bludger I hit with two hands, another time I hit it while hanging upside down from the broom. I didn't pay any attention to the game because I didn't care about it.

I was having too much fun playing a faster paced game than the onces at Durmstrang. Vulchanov caught my attention and I stifled un-man-like giggles at the sight of the referee until a mediwizard kicked him.

I followed Vulchanov when he landed and started the argument about the Veela. I gestured to the leprechauns, who were laughing as I 'angrily' said some words, none of which I remember. Then the ref gave two penalties to Ireland as we returned to the air, my partner muttering angrily.

I swung my bat around and I didn't really care who it hit. While the leprechauns and Veela were fighting, I took a quick breather and noticed a lone bludger heading towards Viktor.

I gasped and flattened myself to reach it, not trusting my voice. I flew between Viktor and the bludger, not quite bringing the club around fast enough. Pain exploded in my left arm and side as I heard several cracks. I winced lightly, but pretended that it hadn't hit me.

I nodded to Viktor who nodded back, looking a little surprised as he continued to search for the snitch.

I went after the bludger, ignoring the searing pain, and suddenly heard groans. I turned around midflight and stared at the seeker with blood flying as he raced Lynch.

I punched the air and immediately regretted it as Viktor flew up, holding the snitch.

I noticed the scores and shrugged while the Irish slowly started cheering.

I guided the broom gingerly as I flew to join the rest of the team. I pretended to be just as disappointed as they were. I rolled my eyes every so often, tired of the team.

My arm hung loosely as I followed the team to the Top Box. I shook hands with my minister and the British minister. As the Irish arrived, my eyes wandered around the area.

They landed on a group of people, most of whom had red hair. The younger kids were talking excitedly. Two of the red heads were there, on of them a girl. Then there was a bushy-haired girl who looked rather intelligent. Next to her, a pale boy was having a conversation with... I squinted. Harry Potter? I looked more closely at the other two non red heads, and recognized them as Draco Black and Hermione Granger-Lupin.

Their story of living with Sirius Black after he had escaped had reached even us. Seeing most of the team talking to some other spectators, I headed over to the group.

The tall red-head looked up as I approached. "Volkov!" he said, looking surprised. I chuckled as I noticed their green apparel. He looked sheepish when he realized what I was looking at. "Sorry."

I waved a dismissive hand. "I knew we were going to lose."

The pale boy stared and looked around quickly before drawing the group away, gesturing at me to follow.

He crossed his arms. "You're not really Volkov are you?"

I sagged. "Is it that obvious."

Harry shook his head. "We're just that observant. I'm Harry."

"Draco."

"Hermione."

"Ron."

"Ginny."

I held out a hand. "I'm Nikolai. Nice to meet you."