The match began and Viktor felt his anxiety dissipate. He knew quidditch, he knew flying. It was all of the publicity which he found himself lost in. He couldn't find the snitch, but this didn't bother him so much. He did not simply want to catch the snitch and have the game be over in five minutes. That in no way was entertaining. So, he helped his team score goals, which proved to be harder than he had anticipated.
Hermione was watching from the mediwitchs' booth. The game was fast and exciting, but nobody was scoring goals. Eventually, the Japanese beater hit the bludger harder than had been seen in the game and unfortunately, caught the Bulgarian keeper's foot. He screamed out in pain and Hermione was with him in an instant, bringing him down to the ground and feeling the bones around his ankle.
"They are shattered." Hermione called to Vlad, who sighed heavily, before nodding and calling for Daria to be brought forward.
"Now, you play your best for me out there, okay?" He asked, hoping that she could surpass the play that he had seen in her practice. She did not answer, offended by his question, and took to the sky.
Viktor watched Hermione as she left the pitch to set Serg up with his treatment. He felt his confidence drain from him without her cheering him on. He took a deep breath and reassured himself. He was going to find the snitch now, he had left it long enough, he was a seeker and he would seek.
Hermione forced Serg to drink the awful concoction that she assured him would heal him and make him feel infinitely better. She left him unsupervised whilst she returned to the game, promising that she would return. When she returned to the mediwitchs' box, she was horrified to see that the score had drastically changed. Bulgaria were dragging their heels and Daria had conceded more goals than was acceptable. She watched Viktor, sat on his broom, simply scanning the pitch, attempting to find the snitch. It seemed that all was lost, that they had blown it. Perhaps the World Cup was one step too far. Perhaps the European Cup was as far as they could progress. Hermione felt the instinct to place her hands over her eyes and cower away from imminent defeat, but decided that it was not the honorable thing to do, so persevered with open eyes.
Viktor couldn't believe himself, he couldn't see the snitch! He searched and sought, but could not see it anywhere. He shook his head in an attempt to reset his thinking, to refresh his goal in his mind. Then, suddenly, a glint of gold caught his eye and he was away. The Japanese seeker was on his tail, but Viktor was fast, faster than most and he had found his confidence once again. It was a long chase, players got in the way, but Viktor soon dealt with that. He lost sight, but then found the snitch once again. He would hear announcements for Japanese goals, but this did not phase him. His eye was on the snitch, his mind was on winning.
Hermione could barely watch as Viktor accelerated and accelerated, following the tiny gold ball. It seemed, however close he got, it would always be just a fraction of a second faster. However, she saw something change in his eyes, the glint of determination that she had seen so many times before. If Japan scored one more goal then the catching of the snitch would mean nothing, it would not be enough. Viktor had just seconds to win the game. The Japanese beater set his shot, and Daria looked so petrified that Hermione knew he was score. He hit the bludger and Hermione let her head fall into her hands.
"Ladies and Gentleman, Viktor Krum has just caught the golden snitch. Bulgaria are the World Champions. I repeat, Bulgaria are the World Champions!" The announcer screamed in excitement. Hermione couldn't believe it. She splayed her fingers, so that she could peer up at the scene and there he was, sat smug and triumphant, with the snitch between his gloved fingers. She let out a nervous laugh and shook her head in relief.
Viktor looked to Hermione as he lifted the trophy. He wished that she was there with him, she deserved to be. Without her he was sure that he would not have performed half as well as he had. They celebrated in a loud, excited manner and just as he thought he would have some time to spend with Hermione, he was rushed away for questioning and interviews. Hermione stood, tending to Serg, when Vlad called her outside
"We couldn't have done it without you." He assured her.
"I am not sure about that, but thank you." Hermione replied. He chuckled and moved closer towards her.
"Truly, you are the finest mediwitch I have ever worked with. Perhaps I should have you up in Sofia when the season starts." He cocked his head to the side, wondering what would come next.
"Thank you for the offer, but I am much too happy in Vratsa to be moving any time soon." She stated, not wanting to do any kind of moving any time soon.
"Very well, Alexei is a lucky man." He chuckled, before turning on his heels and pacing away. Hermione watched as he left, wondering what was going on within the strange man's head.
Viktor answered the questions valiantly, especially considering that Hermione was the only thing on his mind. He answered questions about tactics and gameplay, until they finally allowed him to leave. Vlad informed Viktor that he may leave for the day and to return for the party the following night. He agreed, before rushing away from the cameras. He marched in order to find her. He was sure he looked like a madman to onlookers, but he couldn't care less. Once he found her tent, he strode in and took her in his arms. Serg had been transported back to the base in Sofia, so it was just them.
"Hello, Mr World Champion." Was all she said and that was all it took. He entangled a hand in her hair and kissed her deeply, taking her off guard. She gasped, before placing both hands onto his chest and leaning into the kiss. Once they were home, part of him felt inclined to rip off her uniform and take her in a sheer act of triumph. But, holding her, stood in their living room, he couldn't think to let her go. She was so soft and smelt so sweet that he could not nothing more than be, with her in his arms. In that moment, being the new World Champion, with the finest woman in the world, he felt he had the world.
Author's Note:
Sorry that I have been away for a little while. Other projects and life in general have been getting in the way. But, please don't worry I will be completing this story very soon and I hope that you are still enjoying the fanfic. Many thanks, Paige. Any corrections that have been pointed out I have looked at and corrected, sorry about that, this chapter was written very late at night.
