AN: Many thanks to my great beta readers Verlor and udm17!


Chapter 8 - World Cup


English National Team Heading to Japan

By Boris Chamberlain

Tomorrow, England's National Team will travel to the Land of the Rising Sun for the start of the Quidditch World Cup, a week after coach Themis Nika announced her final lineup. Nika relies both on experienced and young players. The biggest block will be made by the past and current champions, the Montrose Magpies – captain and Chaser Avery Hawksworth as well as Dawn Whitney and Indira Choudry (both Beaters). In addition, Edric Vosper (Chaser, Tutshill Tornados), Denison Frisby (Keeper, Appleby Arrows), and of course Chaser Daphne Greengrass and Seeker Harry Potter (both from the Chudley Cannons) complete the team.

Let's hope that Daphne Greengrass has recovered from the injury she suffered in the season's final match against the Holyhead Harpies and can build on her previous impressive performances this season. Even more impressive were the accomplishments of fellow rookie Ginny Weasley, who, however, was suspended by coach Nika after her foul on Greengrass which also caused her to be banned for the entire playoff round and the first three matches of next season by the association.

As hard as Coach Nika's decision was, a team is more than the sum of its parts. So let's hope that our team will actually turn out to be a unit and finally bring home the World Cup!


Harry slowly walked towards the huge carriage, not unlike the one Beauxbatons had used during the Triwizard Tournament, which would take the English National Team to Japan. In front of the magical vehicle, he could already see the excited figures of his teammates, but one figure was missing. Ginny wasn't going with them.

Something had broken in their relationship since their match against each other four weeks ago – aggravated by Ginny's subsequent expulsion from the National Team – and he didn't know if they could put it back together. Ginny used to be a lively, jaunty, and cheerful woman, but in the last few weeks her bright laugh, which once made Harry's heart vibrate with joy, had given way to a damp silence, her passion to a cold emptiness as if they were both missing something. Even their goodbye kiss earlier had felt unnatural, just not right, as if it had been nothing more than the accidental touch of two body parts, like two straight lines in the universe that met for a moment, only to move away from each other abruptly, never to touch again.

Harry sighed. How much he wished Ginny hadn't fouled Daphne. How much he wished Ginny would be accompanying him to Japan, that everything could be back to the way it had been when he fell in love with her, back in his sixth year. So much had changed since then, and it would never be the same again. He just didn't know what that meant for him, whether or not he had the strength to see the truth.

When did he start thinking like that? Probably longer than he was ready to admit, but at least since the evening when Ginny had received Nika's letter…


Restlessly, Harry paced up and down the room. Where was Ginny? Was she okay? No, of course she wasn't okay!

He cursed, as he had done countless times before that day. He shouldn't have just let her go, should have pursued her more vigorously, should have looked for her even more. But he had asked everywhere, in the Burrow, with Luna, with her teammates, but no one had seen her. Where was she? And would she come back?

Just then, as if on cue, there was a loud bang and shortly afterwards the familiar creaking of the entrance door. Harry spun around, and Ginny barged into the living room, her red hair waving behind her like a fiery veil. She ran towards him, threw her arms around his shoulders, and pressed her lips to his.

Harry tensed, not least because of the stifling alcohol smell in Ginny's breath and her delicate fingers that had started to open his belt buckle.

"Fuck me, Harry," she muttered as she continued to kiss him hungrily. "Fuck me harder than you ever did. I need you inside me."

"Ginny, you're drunk," Harry said, trying to push her away from him.

But she just pressed herself even closer to him. "Fuck me, Harry. Please! I need you!" She grabbed his dick and began to stroke it painfully. "Fuck me right here on the floor. Fuck me like I'm a dirty whore from Knockturn Alley."

"Ginny!" Harry yelled, pushing her away from him with all his might. "What's wrong with you?" Immediately she fell around his neck again, trying to kiss him further. "Ginny," Harry tried again to get through to his girlfriend, but to no avail. Ginny pressed closer and closer to him as if she wanted to melt her body into his, and her fingers again gripped his length.

Harry saw no other option. He pulled out his wand, and a moment later Ginny went limp in his arms. He then carried her sleeping body carefully up to their bedroom.

What was wrong with her?

And what was wrong with him?


A sudden call tore Harry from his dark thoughts. He looked up to see Daphne running towards him. Her blonde hair was a bit shaved off on one side, but otherwise, nothing remained of her bad head injury anymore. And her new hairstyle gave her something downright wild, a hint of bold daring that Harry had never seen in her before.

And then Daphne reached him. She stopped in front of him, apparently hesitating for a moment before hugging him as usual. Smiling, Harry returned her hug; he was glad to see her well. Then, however, he suddenly noticed a strange, but somehow also strangely familiar scent. There was the smell of broom polish he'd noticed on Daphne before, but there was also something else, something new ... a mixture of jasmine and orange blossom! Had she put on perfume?

"I'm so happy to see you, Harry," Daphne said as she pulled away from him, still a bright smile on her face. Did her lips glitter differently in the sunlight today, or was he just imagining it?

"I'm happy to see you too," Harry replied sincerely. "You look good – your injury is gone, I mean."

Instinctively, Daphne's fingers shot to her head, her face filled with sudden uncertainty, but Harry grabbed her hand before she could touch her hair.

"Don't," he said. "I like it. I think it gives you something daring..."

He paused, but his words seemed to have dispelled Daphne's worries. "Daring is good," she laughed brightly, pulling him towards the carriage behind her. "Because I have great goals that I will now pursue with all my might. After all, the Sorting Hat didn't put me in Slytherin for no reason."

She turned to him, and for a moment her green eyes flashed in the sunlight. Harry felt a shiver down his spine.

"That sounds good," he replied. "I'm eager to win the World Cup too."

Daphne didn't reply, but she gave him another, radiant smile when he opened the door of the carriage for her, and together they entered, ready for a new, great adventure.


Sensational – England is in the Final!

By Boris Chamberlain

The miracle is within reach! After a sensational 360:40 win against Australia, England is in the Final of the Quidditch World Cup!

It was a more than magical evening under the night sky of Kyoto yesterday when Themis Nika's team scored the highest victory in the history of English Quidditch. With a total of 360:40 points, England won against Australia, breaking the previous record (350:40) set in the quarterfinals. Led by Captain Avery Hawksworth, the Chaser trio played themselves into a frenzy from the start, and Daphne Greengrass in particular once again outclassed all the others with a total of fourteen goals. Only Harry Potter scored more points by catching the Snitch after a breathtaking dive in the 45th minute and thus remains the team's top scorer. Nonetheless, all players deserve top marks for their performance yesterday!

In the endgame next Saturday, England will face record World Cup holder and reigning European champions Germany, who have safely won their semifinals with 300:100 against the Ivory Coast. The match against Germany will of course be a different thing altogether, but with our new dream duo Potter and Greengrass, no dream seems too bold.


Report on Japanese Wizarding TV

The camera shows the reporter, a young Japanese woman with a beaming smile, her wand covered in a purple sheen and pointed at her mouth, serving as a microphone.

Reporter: "I am standing here in front of the magical Meiji shrine, where hundreds of enthusiastic fans have gathered to see their stars with their own eyes. But the English national team hasn't come out yet."

The camera glides over a bouncing crowd of delighted Japanese Quidditch fans in front of the shrine. Many of the fans hold photos of their favorite players in their hands.

Reporter: "It looks like some are hoping for autographs from their heroes. It is simply unbelievable what enthusiasm the English team has sparked all over the country over the past few weeks, also off the playing field, on which they rush from one incredible victory to the next! Especially the nineteen-year-olds Harry Potter and Daphne Greengrass have become idols of the Japanese wizarding youth."

Suddenly, there is a loud screeching. The camera pans to the gate of the shrine from which the English players have stepped out. Harry Potter and Daphne Greengrass arrive last, laughing lightheartedly together. Then Greengrass suddenly stumbles, but Harry Potter catches her, and Greengrass gives him a radiant smile in thanks.

Reporter: "What a heartwarming scene! The fans are also completely over the moon. Such pictures will probably further fuel the rumor mill that the two are secretly dating. But how much is there in these rumors? We will discuss this and many other exciting questions with British Quidditch and high society expert Rita Skeeter this evening at 9 p.m. Be sure to turn on your TV! And now please excuse me, this reporter would like to get an autograph too – Harry! Hey, Harry…"


The last few weeks had felt like a dream come true for Harry – and tomorrow they would be playing for the World Cup! And even now he had the feeling of dreaming, because how else could he explain the sight in front of him. As if she were a fairy sprung from a picture book, she stood in front of him in a white kimono that emphasized her feminine curves – she looked like she was enveloped in a golden light, much more radiant and sublime than the actual lighting of the hotel lobby in which they were waiting for the other players to leave for yet another PR appointment.

Daphne was beautiful. He hadn't noticed it before, but now it was as obvious to him as the moon in the starry sky. He must have been blind.

Smiling, Daphne stepped up to him, before linking her arm with his, something she had never done before. Suddenly Harry felt very warm, and his collar was suddenly uncomfortably tight.

As if burned, Harry yanked his arm away from Daphne, who looked at him disappointed, even hurt. He felt bad.

"I'm sorry, Daph," he stammered. "But ... I ..."

Daphne sighed and stepped past him. "You are such a noble person," she said softly. "You'd never do anything indecent, would you?"

Without waiting for his answer, Daphne walked out into the bright sunshine, Harry's gaze following her until she finally disappeared into the crowd of reporters and fans.

What the hell was wrong with him, he wondered, not for the first time, even though he was afraid he already knew the answer to that question...


Harry's thoughts were still swirling in his head as he stepped back into his hotel room that evening, and it got even worse when he saw a dark silhouette on the bed.

"Ginny?" he asked incredulously. And sure enough, it was Ginny, who was sitting on his bed, dressed in a sleeveless and shoulderless summer dress, who now stood up smiling.

"Did you think I'd let you spend the evening before the big match alone?" she said in a seductive voice as she walked over to him, swinging her hips.

"But Coach Nika has forbidden private visits," Harry tried to object, but Ginny put a finger on his lips.

"She doesn't have to know," she whispered in his ear before slowly kissing his neck. Meanwhile, her fingers freed his shirt from his trousers.

Harry, however, noticed that her caresses no longer aroused him as they used to. Instinctively, he pushed Ginny away from him. "No, Ginny, it really doesn't work," he said. "Not today. And why are you only coming now? The day before yesterday was visiting day and –"

"That doesn't matter. It's only important that I'm here now," Ginny interrupted, pulling him towards the bed. "That we're here together, in this dark hotel room with a big, soft bed..."

Harry broke away from her. "Ginny, I'm tired and just want to sleep. Tomorrow is the final and–"

Ginny froze before turning back to him, her face hidden in penumbra. "I see," she hissed. "You've probably already fucked your bitch Greengrass today, haven't you?"

Harry looked at her in shock. "Why ... why do you say that?"

"I'm not as stupid as you think," Ginny yelled, her body shaking violently. "And Greengrass told me herself she fancies you!"

"What do you mean?"


Flashback – Before the last match of the season, Hollyhead Harpies vs. Chudley Cannons

Smiling, Ginny said goodbye to Harry, leaving him with Ron and Hermione. Let them joke around while they still can, because soon her beloved boyfriend would have nothing more to laugh about, that is, as soon as her Harpies shatter the Cannons' dreams. Ron in particular would be devastated, but they'd been through so much worse; what was a defeat in Quidditch to the struggle for life and death, freedom and tyranny?

No, life was good, and her current worries only a tiny gray cloud compared to the gloomy thunderclouds that had piled up over her a year ago. And she looked cheerfully into her future, even though she knew that she didn't always act smart and that her and Harry's relationship would still need a lot of work to thrive. Especially her behavior at the memorial service had been a mistake – she was the first to admit it – but Harry kept telling her that he loved her. And while her Harry certainly had his fair share of faults, he wasn't a liar, he, the epitome of an honorable Gryffindor.

Still ... the doubts remained. He also had to notice how other witches were looking at him, especially that stupid Greengrass, with whom he trained almost every day. Why did she have to attend the memorial service? And why did she have to play with Harry for the Cannons, and now also for the National Team? She trusted Harry, but...

Ginny shook her head. She didn't want to think about any of that anymore. She had to focus on the match ahead!

However, fate apparently wanted to queer her pitch. As she passed the last corner in the tunnel to the locker rooms, she suddenly saw that same Greengrass breaking away from a hug with her sister (Astra? Antonia? Definitely something with "A"). The two of them hadn't noticed her yet, and Ginny wasn't about to change that either. She stepped back around the corner, wanting to wait until the two sisters had said their goodbyes, when suddenly the voice of the younger one rang out – and her words pierced Ginny's heart like hot needles.

"You'll be fine, Daph," laughed Little Greengrass. "Just don't get too distracted by your black-haired wizard with the dreamy green eyes."

"Tori!" replied the Greengrass bitch. "You know exactly –"

Ginny had had enough. "What's that supposed to mean?" she shrieked while stepping out from around the corner. In a few steps, she was beside the two sisters, her hands clenched into fists.

Greengrass turned around. There was a slight smile on her face, but Ginny noticed the pleading look she was giving her sister. "Hello, Ginny," Greengrass said in a deliberately friendly voice. Damn snake in the grass. "My sister just wanted to wish me good luck for the match and –"

"Not that," Ginny hissed. "What SHE said!" She pointed to Little Greengrass.

The accused opened her mouth, but Greengrass cut over her. "Please leave us alone, Tori," she said, not taking her eyes off Ginny. "You can go look for Draco."

"But –"

"It's all good," Greengrass continued. "Ginny and I have already played together. We know each other. We can talk after the match. Now go."

Little Greengrass looked back and forth between Ginny and her sister before finally saying," Well, if you think so..." She trotted off, but not without looking back over her shoulder one last time. Then she was finally gone.

The whole time Ginny had to calm herself to not jump at Greengrass's throat and scratch out her ugly eyes. But she had to control herself, not like at the memorial service!

Greengrass looked at her. "Astoria was just joking," she said carefully. "She didn't mean –"

"Bullshit!" Ginny interrupted her. "You fancy Harry! Admit it!"

Greengrass didn't respond, but that wasn't necessary. The brief glimmer in her eyes was enough. Too often Ginny had seen it on other women, be it Cho Chang or the damn Romilda Vane.

"All I want is for him to be happy," Greengrass then said quietly. "I would never do anything to destroy his happiness. And he loves you, Ginny. Be glad that you can call Harry's heart your own, because it's something infinitely precious."

With that, she turned and started to leave, but Ginny grabbed her arm. "Don't you dare turn your back on me like that, you bitch!"

Greengrass looked at her with a sad expression before pulling away from her. "Good luck on the pitch, Ginny..."


Harry looked at Ginny, confused. "But she herself said she didn't want anything from me."

"And I'm supposed to believe that?" Ginny cried. "Do you think I'm just a stupid, naive girl who can be deceived and lied to! How long have you been fucking her behind my back?"

In Harry, her words destroyed the last hopes he had in their relationship. It hurt.

Sighing, he sat down on his bed. "I'm sorry," he said softly. He couldn't look Ginny in the eye anymore. "I never cheated on you, at least not knowingly. That you think I would do such a thing hurts me…"

He looked up, and the sight that awaited him pierced his heart. Tears sparkled in Ginny's eyes.

"No, Harry ..." she stammered in fear. She must have seen the truth too. "Y-You love me, don't you?"

Once Harry had been able to sincerely answer the question, but not anymore. He looked away – and then heard Ginny run away, crying.


Next Chapter: Team Potter

Release Date: Sunday, July 25th, 2021

Preview:

"You will surely find someone who will love you with all their heart," Daphne then said quietly, as if she was speaking to herself rather than him. However, Harry felt as if her eyes flashed briefly at her words.

Was she just saying this to him as a friend, to comfort him, or was she pursuing a plan?