Harry looked curiously at his red-headed best friend. As a Quidditch player, he was more than thrilled to play against Krum, but he couldn't help but think there was something motivating Ron to pit them against one another. Krum had seemed flustered when talking to Harry earlier about strategies and he'd noticed Krum and Ron exchanging a few words earlier. Everything had seemed fine between them at the house, if not a bit forced. Harry had been so surprised about Viktor wanting their autographs, but felt it was a step forward. Ron seemed completely unfazed, though. Perhaps he just wanted to give his brother a break. Charlie was more than happy to change positions, as he lamented the fact that he was no longer the golden boy he used to be as seeker. True, he had caught the snitch in the last match, but only because Krum had needed to dodge a bludger at the last minute. All the quick racing required, now left Charlie out of breath.

"Dragons take their toll on you," he said. "My eyesight isn't nearly as good as it used to be, either. It may be time for me to get glasses."

Harry was more than happy to be back in a position he knew so well. Krum would certainly be a challenger like no other he'd faced. Harry mentally ranked the seekers he'd opposed. Ginny, was by far the best. They'd played for fun in the yard before, and always it was a fierce competition. When they first started playing against each other, he usually lost, afraid of hurting her in a battle for the snitch. Ginny had yelled at him, telling him she was never going to get better if he went so easy on her. He admitted she had a point. He'd helped her train for the Harpies try-outs and she'd wanted to improve her skills across the board, as she tried out for several positions. Cho Chang was also a great seeker. Malfoy hadn't been much, but maybe Harry was bound to be biased. He'd never had a chance to pay much attention to his skill on the pitch, as Harry had spent so much time loathing him. Harry chuckled to think of this now. He and Malfoy were hardly friends, but they'd both taken the high-road after the war. Of course, Harry would never forgive his father for sneaking Tom Riddle's Diary to Ginny, or for attacking them at the Ministry of Magic, but Draco's mother had saved his life. Harry would never forget the sight of the Malfoys huddled together after the final battle, looking just as disheveled and distraught as anyone, even though they'd been fighting on the wrong side. He couldn't help but feel that the near loss of a son had made them see the error of their ways. Harry also decided that when he had children, he wouldn't allow any of them to have a proclaimed enemy at school. That kind of hate never lead to any good. He thought of what it had done for his father and Snape. What could seem like innocent schoolboy behavior could really take its toll.

"Look alive, Potter!" hollered George, as a bludger nearly knocked Harry off his broom.

"You can daydream later, Harry!" Neville yelled up to him. Percy attempted to score on Ron, but Ron deftly defended his goal hoops. Krum looked disgruntled. Harry could see him searching for the snitch. If Krum caught it now, they could win, but, Charlie had scored several points on Bill, with no sign of easing up. His chances to stay on top were narrowing. Seamus tried desperately to keep the bludgers away from his teammates, but he wasn't the greatest player. He kept apologizing, as he didn't hit them hard enough to send them a safe distance away. He accidentally hit several in Neville's direction, who ducked fearfully and wondered if he should have just stayed in the air. This match was decidedly more tense than the last. The score was much closer, and everyone was waiting to see if Krum would try his famous Wronsky Faint. It was sort of his signature move, and even so, was one that people seemed to fall for every time. Harry, being much smaller than Krum had some leeway in this. If he followed Krum in a fainting dive he could easily get out of it at the last minute. Ron seemed to be enjoying the tension, probably because his team was winning, but Harry wanted to pull through for him. There just wan't a sign of the golden snitch anywhere. Harry listened carefully, as well as looked. Sometimes if the snitch was close, you could hear the sound of the wings flapping rapidly. Harry often felt the snitch was personified. It teased and taunted the seeker, but ultimately, it wanted to be found. He wondered if Krum ever thought of it that way. Then he saw it, a flicker of gold in the distance, near Ron's center goal. Harry wanted to be discreet. He didn't want Krum to know he'd seen it. Harry raced up high, pretending to get a better view of the pitch. He soared slowly, but with purpose, looking downwards, and around like he was still searching, all the while keeping the snitch in his peripheral. He saw Krum watching him and had no idea if Krum had spotted the snitch too. Harry would have to get there soon, or the snitch would move on. As he got closer, making sure it was still hovering slightly above Ron's head, he went for it.

"Ron, move!" he yelled, as he dove for it. Ron ducked Harry's broom, but Krum had seen this and was flying towards them at top speed. The snitch was dancing just out of Harry's grasp. Krum plowed into him, sideswiping Ron, who maintained his grip on his broom. Harry and Krum tumbled over one another in the air, but the snitch was already gone. Harry looked frantically for it, once more, but this time Krum was staying anchored by his side, clearly catching on that Harry's eye was rather sharp. Maybe Harry would have to try a Wronsky faint of his own. He couldn't shake Krum wherever he turned. This was not the same elegant, graceful playing Harry had expected from Krum. He was playing like Malfoy, with no real strategy of his own, just hoping that Harry'd see the snitch first so he could take it out from under his nose.

"Neither of us will get it if you don't give me some space, Viktor!" said Harry, annoyed. Then Krum was off like a shot and Harry hesitated to follow him, afraid he was faking. But then he saw it too. The snitch was flying down towards the ground just past Viktor's broom. He reached for it, and Harry's stomach dropped. Cursing, he raced off to try and get there first, but he was going to be too late. Krum was almost there, when the snitch changed course, and whizzed up past him, going up and towards Harry. Harry changed course and went from a dive to straight up. He held out his right arm as far as he could reach, his hand closing in on the tiny golden ball. Viktor was behind him, but the snitch was in Harry's grasp. He breathed a sigh of relief as his fingers closed around the ball. Cheers went up around him, and he got a thrill he hadn't had in ages. Harry Potter had bested Viktor Krum in a Quidditch match.