Ch.25 - World Cup Finals
After getting in the tournament in such a dramatic fashion, everyone in the team was invigorated to try even harder in the games. During the practices during the period between the preliminaries and the tournament phase, the England team was really giving it their all.
In the meantime, Alex had gotten back to his country house in Norwich to continue his own training. He was always working to improve himself during the last year. He might have expected to do a little less training after his Hogwarts year, but the stronger he became, the bigger the gap of power that he had to cross. Like the phrase, once you started to climb a mountain, only then you realized how tall it actually was.
He had also made a little time for him and Katie to be together. When they finally told Clay of their relationship, he said that he had always expected it to happen. In addition, he had some news of his own. Clay and Dora Tonks had become close apparently. At first, she would only write about her time in Hogwarts, asking him for advice in leading the Badgers gang in Hogwarts. Then, the letters became more frequent and more personal, until they decided to go on a date during the winter break.
[AN: I always call the Hufflepuff gang by a different name because of what I think is Alex's attitude about it. He finds it kinda funny sometimes, but also potentially scary. He calls it the Badger Horde, Hufflepuff's' Cult, the great stampede or something like that. In my mind, they are always chanting 'One of us! One of us!' or 'Part of the crew, part of the ship!']
The Observer had run a series of articles about the young Quidditch hero after his sudden rise. The M-Sport Monthly was also on the process of writing up a more in-depth story about him. Of course, some of the information he released was fabricated by himself.
As the story was told, Alexander Grey was a muggle orphaned who was raised by his only living relative in the muggle world. The people in the magical world had a particular weakness when it comes to orphans. In addition, his life must have been horrible living in the muggle world, as some witches and wizards might think.
With just that, he already won the sympathies of the magical world. He was being thought of as some kind of an underdog in the Quidditch arena.
They also mentioned his performance in Hogwarts. Some even had testimonials of his professors and schoolmates. Some stories were from other students that he couldn't even remember, saying things like how they've always known that he was destined for greatness.
The most notable part of the article was a story from his friend, Clay. He was described as being a good friend who always looked after his other friends and a generous but fair senior student in his role as prefect. He also said that Alex was the pride and joy of the entire Hufflepuff house who had never judge anyone based on their blood status. He started in Hogwarts as an average student, but with hard work and dedication, he graduated with the best NEWT result in their year.
Clay had always opined that Alex was the perfect example of a Hufflepuff student. He never talked about his own achievements and always worked hard on his studies. Also, he was loyal and would always come into rescue if his friends were in trouble.
It was certainly a powerful statement coming from his best friend who was a pureblood young man who was currently making waves in the business sector of the wizarding world.
After that was some stories about him that took place after his graduation from Hogwarts. Some of them were about his activities in the Association, volunteering his time to help out the needy. Some of them were about his part-time jobs in the Hermes Telecommunication Company and the Elysium Housing Corporation. All of them were fabricated by the Order members who were in charge of those groups. Alex needed only to explain why he had not been seen around that much and what he was busy doing.
The most senior members of the Order were already privy to his real identity. Ever since he started permanently residing in the country house with Mr Baxter, there was no longer a point in hiding it. Every one of them knew that Mr Baxter was the right-hand man of the Archon.
Mr Baxter who was performing a very significant role as a facilitator in the Order was loyal only to Alexander first and foremost. Interestingly, he was not an actual member of the Order. His involvements in the Order were only due to his master's wishes.
Most of the time, his task was comprised of moving around some large amount of funds to start the businesses and programs that Alex had planned for. After allocating the funds to the right people, he would withdraw back to his other duties. Most of which is about managing the household and the fortune of the 'Greywolf' family.
When the time for the tournament finally arrived, Alex had travelled together with the English team to America. He and the people with him were given a temporary wand license. He was also asked if he wanted to exchange his Galleons for the local wizarding currency called Dragots.
Wizarding America is governed by the Magical Congress of the United States of America or MACUSA. Its headquarters is located in New York City. Instead of a Miniter, the leader of MACUSA is a President with an incredible extent of authority.
The MACUSA was formed about a century before the muggle United States was declared independent from the United Kingdom. At the time, they had a major crisis going on when the magical society was exposed to a muggle or no-maj, as they were called there, which led to the famous Salem witch trials where many witches and no-majes where executed.
This eventually led to the enactment of the Rappaport Law by the then president Emily Rappaport. It prohibits any relationship, romantic or just friendship, with any no-majes. The only allowed contact with no-majes was just minimal conversation. And, no exceptions were accepted.
The law was only repealed in the year 1965. But after centuries of living with no contact with no-majes, a lot of people in the magical society of America had developed their own prejudiced views regarding no-majes.
While blood status prejudice was strong in the European countries, it didn't seem to have caught on in the American wizarding world. Fortunately, or unfortunately, the news of the ongoing witch trials discourage a lot of pureblood families from immigrating to America in the past.
However, they had their own set of problems as well. Most wizards and witches in the country were fearful or outright hateful of all things no-maj. While in Europe, they might look down on muggles, in magical America, they were practically hostile to no-majes.
This was due to their long history with Scourers, witch hunters, who caused the exposure of the magical society and helped the witch trials. The MACUSA had at one point killed all known Scourers and their descendants to rid their line of any knowledge regarding the magical world.
Alex had already sent people to other countries from the Association to spread the words of their movement and determine if the expansion of AIM was viable for each particular country. The USA was among the least recommended countries according to the people he assigned there.
The MACUSA was simply too much in control of the wizards' and witches' everyday lives.
Even after Rappaport's Law was repealed, association with no-majes were greatly discouraged. Revealing the existence of magic to a no-maj even by accident was punishable regardless of the reason.
No-majes in America were taken in by the MACUSA from early on during their childhood. Their parents were eventually Obliviated of any knowledge of the magical world.
Furthermore, every wizard and witch in the country needed to have a license to carry a wand.
Despite these, Alex knew that there was fertile ground for AIM to expand in the USA. He might think that the MACUSA's laws were more adapted to the modern age than those from the European Ministry from a certain point of view, but the people there were practically living under the tyranny of the MACUSA and Alex wanted to help them live freely.
But at its current strength, getting involved with the affairs of MACUSA could just confuse the message of AIM. At the moment AIM was promoting the rights and equal treatment of 'muggleborns', not of opening their world a little bit. In addition, he knew he would abandon many of their members if he started talking about the integration of the magical and non-magical worlds.
The idea was still too foreign for the people to consider. Even most muggleborns were hesitant to entertain the idea of a lifestyle where they would regularly cross over the boundaries of the magical and non-magical world. Only the people that Alex had hired in his muggle companies and the people from the Order were opened to the idea of living part of their lives in the muggle world. And, that was only after Alex had convinced them personally or by his examples that it was made possible.
However, Alex knew this would be the natural conclusion of things as long as AIM constantly pushed for progress in the magical world. When people were finally free and living better lives, the small world that they've constrained themselves into would simply not be enough for them.
That would be an issue that he would face far in the future.
For the month of June and July, The American wizarding world would be the host nation of all the Quidditch players and fans coming from all over the world. Only 15 games were on schedule to be played. However, some Quidditch match had taken more than a day to finish and there was only one stadium that could host the games. that was why 2 months were needed to host the tournament.
This is because the World Cup Stadium was always built for the occasion then taken down after its use. There were no Quidditch pitches around that were big enough to receive all the people coming in from all over the world. And leaving a structure big enough to do so would risk discovery by muggles, breaking the Statute of Secrecy.
As the host of the Quidditch World Cup of 1990, MACUSA's strength was in full display. The Quidditch stadium was guarded heavily with their Aurors. Any no-maj who made the mistake of wandering near the stadium were obliviated on the spot. No trial or due process necessary.
[AN: 16 teams would have 8 games in the first round, 4 games in the quarter-finals, 2 games in the semi-finals, and 1 final game for a total of 15 games. In the canon 1990 World Cup, the final game took 3 days before it ended. So I think they would be spread around, like 2 or 3 games per week.]
The English team had performed well winning their past three games. In the first round, they played against the German team which ended with a score of 340-180. In their second game, they played with the Indian team which ended with a score of 270-160. On the semi-finals, they played against the American team ending the game with a score of 400-260.
For the finals, they were playing the Canadian team. That team had also defeated the strong Scottish team in their semi-finals round.
That game took all day. The Scottish team had almost won it too. They were about a hundred points in the lead when the Canadian Seeker had beaten the Scottish Seeker to the Snitch.
For the finals game, the spectators were the biggest crowd out of all the games. People had come from all over the world, most of whom were from Canda and the UK. It was practically an international holiday in the magical world.
The pressure was also on Alex. He had become the player to watch out for after all the games they've played. His team was also depending on him to make another amazing play in the finals.
Coming into the game, the English team felt confident. They were a different team than before the tournament. Everyone had learned to put aside their pro-league rivalries after they've secured their spot on the tournament.
Even Ludo Bagman was doing his best to play along. He realized that he actually had a chance to win the World Cup this time which could very well be his last chance at the world stage.
The English had gained the first possession. They went into their offensive formation quickly, setting the pace according to their style. Alex had also taken part openly in the action.
Statistically, there was no chance for the Snitch to show up early in the game. However, he still kept a watchful observance for any glint of gold in the stadium.
The other Seeker has decided to do the same and got in his way. Alex had shown an amazing sense in predicting the flow of the battle. His intervention on the actions was always effective. So, the Canadian Seeker decided to get in his space as much as possible.
Unfortunately, it was somewhat effective. Alex couldn't find the right opportunity to intervene. Thankfully, his team was keeping up with the other team in terms of scoring.
If the other Seeker wanted to play with him, he could give him what he wanted, thought Alex.
He flew away from the action while maintaining a distance that could still allow him to dive in at any point. The other Seeker had no other choice but to follow him or he could act as he normally did.
However, Alex was flying very fast around and around the other players. He had been doing it for the last ten minutes.
The other Seeker's endurance was being put to the test. Normally a Quidditch player could stay on the air for the better part of the day, but sustaining a very fast flight was something else. Not only was his magic reserves being depleted faster, but the physical effects on his body was also getting harder to endure. Even if broomsticks were enchanted to reduce the air resistance on itself and its rider, the momentum was still felt inside the body.
Alex was not as affected as the other Seeker. He was more attuned to his magical core, so he suspected that the depletion of his reserves would be slower. He also had a leaner body than his opponent.
When the other Seeker had relented in his pursuit, Alex had taken part in the action once again. He would be an extra Chaser or Beater as the flow of the game required.
When the other Seeker started to shadow him again, he went back to flying around once again.
The process pretty much repeated itself over and over again. After 4 hours of play, neither of the Seekers had seen any sight of the Snitch.
His opponent was getting pretty tired. If the Snitch appeared at that moment, he would have all the advantage in a chase.
So he flew a little slower, carefully looking for any signs of the Snitch.
Then a flash of light hit his eyes. It was coming from above. All this time, the Snitch was flying leisurely above them, hiding within the rays of the sun.
It was way too high up, however. He would lose all the momentum he had before reaching it, only for it to fly down and leave him behind. That was the way a Snitch would do it.
Based on its location, chasing the Snitch first would make him lose the initiative and give the other Seeker the opportunity.
There wasn't anything to think about though. He could lure the other Seeker to let him force the Snitch to move. But, that would be risking the game too much. So, he went for the Snitch himself.
He wasn't flying his fastest. He was anticipating the moment when the Snitch finally moved to flee.
When he was closing in, the Snitch dove down using gravity to assist its acceleration. It was coming toward him with great speed, but it avoided him at the last second.
Alex had reached for it, but he missed it. The other Seeker was now on his way.
Alex turned all the way around and started chasing the Snitch as fast as he could.
The two Seekers were now side by side as they chased the Snitch. Each of them was singularly focused on the little thing. Trying to block the other Seeker would only lose either of them their momentum.
Seekers really deserved the reputation of being the best flyers in any team. It was beautiful to watch as two fast-flying wizards twist and turn in the air in complete synchronization.
The audiences were mesmerized. It was probably the cleanest Snitch chase that most of them had seen. Neither player was touching the other. They were putting everything on the line with their skills alone. Alex had to respect his opponent's sportsmanship.
However, Alex had more endurance. He didn't slow down at all. He was in full speed position as he flew.
Eventually, he was the one who was in the lead. He had only one chance to do it. Failing to grasp the Snitch in a single attempt would likely make him lose the game.
He leaned forward as far as he could. When the Snitch was only a couple of feet away from his head, he reached out, swiping his hand to catch the Snitch.
His fingers had managed to touch the Snitch, but he didn't manage to grasp with his hand.
It was slipping away toward the left while he was still leaning forward. He wouldn't be able to counter his momentum.
He knew the other Seeker was closing in from behind him, already anticipating the change of direction of the Snitch.
So, Alex decided to risk it all. With his right foot, he used the broomstick as a diving board and to lunge at the Snitch with his left hand.
He was off his broom, there would be no other chance. Win or lose would be decided in milliseconds.
He caught it. The Snitch was caught firmly in his hand. And he was free-falling from over 20 feet in the air.
He had the presence of mind to roll on his landing. With the momentum of his flight, he met the ground at an angle. His body was battered, but there were no broken bones in seemed.
He raised his hand from where he lied on the grass. In it was the Golden Snitch, glittering with the sunlight. They had won the game.
The announcer said so himself. Alexander Grey had won the Quidditch World Cup. The score was 430 to 270.
His teammates could not believe it. They went into the Cup thinking they would be lucky enough to get it the tournament. And now, they were World Champions.
It was all due to Alex's contribution. The men and women of the English team had picked him up and raised him high on their shoulders.
The awarding ceremony was done right after the game on the pitch. It had been so long since England last brought home the Cup.
As expected by everyone, Alex was awarded the MVP award. If it wasn't for him, the team would likely not even made it to the tournament. He was one of the youngest winners of that award, being only 19 years old.
His story was certainly heroic. With this win, his name would finally be known throughout the British wizarding world. Anyone else would be satisfied with the achievement, but for Alex, it was just one step closer.
END OF CHAPTER
Author's Note:
In canon, the 1990 World Cup finals were between Canada and Scotland, with Canada winning the game after the Scottish Seeker missed his opportunity to catch the Snitch.
In 1994, the English team didn't qualify for the tournament. They lost the first match only managing to score 10 points.
Obviously, I made some changes in the format of the Cup and made it somewhat like the Football/Soccer World Cup.
There, will be less Quidditch in the future. Alex will be doing other things in the meantime.
Disclaimer:
This work is not for profit. No copyright infringement intended. All recognizable characters, plot, setting, etc. are the property of J. and/or Warner Bros.