August 25th1994
5:55am
"Are you sure you're up for this?" Marina asked Remus worriedly.
It had been four days since the last moon and he was still using the cane.
"Yes," he replied patiently. "I'm fine, Kitten."
Harry, for his part, was still half asleep. Then again, it was an unholy hour.
But that's the price you paid if you wanted to see the Quidditch World Cup. Especially when your friend was playing, she mused. She still had to confess about that sometime soon... ish.
"I booked us a spot right next to the Weasleys," her Dad announced, not looking that much more awake.
"And Jupiter got one next to us," Marina nodded. "Hermione stays with the Weasleys, Susan with the Notts." Richard and Katherine could, obviously, not come and Amelia had to work.
"You make it sound like we might not have gotten one," Harry yawned into his cereal.
"You'll see," she smiled. "People from all around the world come to the Finale."
"Isn't that dangerous?"
"The Aurors team up with the Obliviators and Arthur's office to keep the muggles at bay."
But that wasn't what he meant and Marina knew it.
"Don't worry, Harry. The place will be crawling with aurors. Bella won't risk it just to spoil the day." She sincerely hoped.
12:37pm
"It's called campfire," Hermione explained as they all gathered around the bonfire she'd lit and made themselves lunch. Between the muggle-born witch, Harry and Marina they'd managed to explain to the others how to roast themselves some sausages over the open flame.
The portkey to the campsite had been hell, but that wasn't unusual. Marina couldn't wait until she got her Apparition license later this year – if she could do it without splintering herself.
Then they'd all erected their tents – and walked into apartments. Magic was a wonderful thing.
After collecting water – the muggle way for security – they'd settled down and listened to the adults do running commentary on the wizards coming and going.
Bill, Charlie, Percy, Bianca and Talib had joined them half an hour ago after apparating here.
"Marvelous," Arthur exclaimed and watched Hermione intently. There was really nothing about muggle ways that he found boring.
"Where is David?" Harry asked, chewing, and shooting a look at her. If even her fourteen year-old and ususally blissfully oblivious brother had noticed...
"On duty," she replied when no one else bothered. "He and Elias volunteered for the early double-shift so they could take time off later for the game and after."
"Do you know any of the players?" Susan asked her curiously. "Remus mentioned you did a lot of travelling – to Bulgaria too."
"Yes, actually," Marina answered with a sigh and braced herself. "But I met Viktor up in Norway, not Bulgaria." It was where the Durmstrang Institute was located, even if the rest of the wizarding world didn't know exactly where unless invited.
"Viktor?" Ron echoed promptly, awed. "You know Viktor Krum?"
"He must have been on his way home from school or something – their semester is a week longer than ours," Marina explained. "Some numb nut recognised me, thank you international press, and wanted to know what He looked like. I was thirteen. Viktor overheard and chased the idiot off. We stayed in touch."
So much so that he'd even asked her to take part in the exchange program two years ago – but she had never had any interest in going to Durmstrang and be taught by a Death Eater. She'd cited family issues as an excuse – it had been true enough with her father's trial and everything.
"So you'll be supporting Bulgaria, I take it?" Hermione asked to fill the silence as everyone gaped at her, dumbstruck.
"Yes. Viktor really left me no choice when he introduced half the team to me last year," she said grumpily. "It was two weeks before Dad's trial. He just showed up at Dromeda's doorstep – my guess is they had a match here somewhere and he took advantage of someone not fawning all over him."
"Except for me, of course," Carmen added sheepishly. "I was there and almost fainted."
"That was more about Vulchanov and Volkov," Marina argued. "You did get some tips from them right?
Besides, you know the Irish: David went to school with Connolly and Ryan."
"It really sucks to be the youngest," Ron announced, his eyes as wide as saucers and envy clear in his eyes. Thankfully, he seemed to miss the implication that Charlie knew them too, right now.
"You're not," Bill pointed out and motioned towards Ginny and Ty, who looked equally mutinous.
"But you know all these cool people," Susan agreed with Ron, her arms crossed.
"Dumb luck," Marina replied. "Besides, when I met Viktor, he was fourteen and not yet all that famous."
"Is he really as good as they say?" Harry asked her eagerly. He'd been listening to his wireless the entire month he'd been grounded – except for their birthdays of course – and had gotten himself caught up.
"Yes," Charlie and she answered in unison.
"He really is," Bianca added. "You'll see when he's in the air."
Thankfully the anticipation for the match seemed to distract everyone from the fact that Carmen and Marina knew the players. Well, almost everyone.
"Think they'd be up for making the kids' day?" Carmen asked her quietly and it took Marina a second to understand.
"We'd never get close enough to ask," she whispered back. "No one gets anywhere near the players this close to the match. And after... well, I guess it depends on who wins."
Personally, she thought it was very presumptuous to think they'd be willing to do it, just because the girls asked.
7:30pm
They'd spent the day wandering around and meeting friends.
The Hogwarts house teams were all there too, of course.
Angelina had almost strangled Marina, happy about the O.W.L.s she'd gotten and thanking her for the tutoring in D.A.D.A. and Care of Magical Creatures. Marina had tried, but failed, to point out that Angelina had not needed tutoring – just a few dozen cups of Calming Draught to get her thoughts straight.
Patricia had received her ten O.W.L.s too and she and Carmen had done the squealing-thing (very unlike her friend, usually, but she supposed the pressure had gotten to them all).
Most their friends and school-mates were Ireland supporters of course, and had covered their tents – and themselves – in green.
Harry though, impressed with the statistics, had decided over a week ago to stick with Marina, as had her Dad and Remus who really didn't care all that much.
So when they'd entered the market, the four of them had purchased Bulgarian hats and pins – though they'd each bought a shamrock-pin too (patriotism and all that).
Harry and Susan had gone and bought four omnioculars for themselves and Ron and Hermione.
Around that time, David and Elias had joined them, finally off duty. They'd been mock-outraged at her support of Bulgaria, but they were both well aware of her … friendship with Viktor. They'd helped her smuggle the letters in and out of the house after all.
7:50pm
"We'll be trampled before we get up there," Hermione remarked after yet another wizard had stepped on her feet.
"Just imagine what it's like for those who didn't book a spot and had to set up all the way there," Carmen said and pointed to the far end of the camping ground.
"Plus, we have a VIP box, so we don't have to fight for seats too," Marina smirked.
When Jupiter, Arthur and her Dad had started inquiring about tickets, Fudge had gotten wind of it. Still very eager to keep the wronged family Black happy, he'd secured them all their own VIP box, close to the Minister's own.
They'd all wanted to decline the special treatment at first – much to the kids' horror when they'd been told – but... Lucius Malfoy had been standing right there.
If a bloody Death Eater could enjoy special treatment because he had money, then so could they.
In the end everyone had agreed that the Ministry still had a lot to make up to her father anyway. But they'd insisted on paying the first-class ticket rate, at least, if not the box.
So, yes, a VIP box. Marina wasn't sure how she felt about it still. Her and Harry's faces were all over the press all the time anyway – and VIP guests always ended up in the Prophet. Suddenly she was glad Molly and Laura had stayed home (neither one was much of a fan).
Everyone was engaged in busy chatter about how the game would turn out – Ron was adamant that Viktor would catch the Snitch, but Ireland would win. Harry disagreed, since the Bulgarian Beaters had been a whole lot better than last season – maybe getting him that wireless had been a mistake.
9:30pm
Their seats were amazing and Marina decided that she officially didn't care who saw them up there. She had to swallow her laughter when the boys almost jumped down into the stadium when the Veela gave their performance – the men had covered their ears in time. The girls just shook their heads, exasperated.
After the Leprechauns had rained down their fake gold on everyone, the match was on.
The Bulgarian Beaters had gotten a lot better – but the Chasers didn't quite equal their Irish counterparts. Still, they tried, until the score was Ireland 80:50 Bulgaria.
That was when Viktor pulled his first Wronski Feint, leading Lynch to crash into the ground at high speed.
Harry was duly impressed and replayed it at least four times.
Motivated by their Seeker's move, the Bulgarians got a new lease of life, it seemed, and scored four times in a row.
The tension was high as Bulgaria was in the lead for the first time, an hour into the game.
But the Irish would not be so easily defeated and levelled the score within minutes.
Suddenly, Viktor wrenched his broomstick around, shooting through the air faster than before.
"He saw it!" Ty exclaimed exitedly.
"No, he didn't!" Harry yelled over the cheers. "It's another Feint."
And of course their very own Seeker had it right. Lynch, wrongfully assuming Viktor had really seen the Snitch this time, followed after his opponent – and crashed again.
"Why would he fall for it again?" David asked next to her and she grinned at the disgruntled tone.
"He must not have expected it twice in a row," she answered without looking away from the pitch.
Unfortunately, the time it took the mediwitches to patch up Lynch didn't just give Viktor a chance to look for the Snitch undisturbed. It gave the Irish a chance to regroup.
Once Lynch was back in the air, there was no stopping them. The even score was left in the wind as the Irish Chasers gave the performance of their lives.
No matter what the Bulgarians tried – and their Keeper was good – they just couldn't prevent them from scoring.
Another hour later the score read 210:120 for the Irish. There was no way for Bulgaria to catch up now, unless a miracle happened and fast. Namely Viktor catching that Snitch.
But apparently, it remained elusive. While Viktor circled above the others like a hawk, the Irish Chasers continued their A-game until the score was 280:120. Even the Snitch couldn't save the Bulgarians now, unless their Chasers stepped up.
"It's over," Charlie shook his head, grinning broadly under his Irish colours. "They can't catch up now."
"I agree," Carmen nodded. "The Bulgarian Chasers just aren't fast enough."
"And the Irish Keeper is too good," Harry added.
"Krum will end it," Ron nodded eagerly – ready to be proven right probably.
At this point Marina agreed with him. The Irish were just too good, and catching the Snitch would be the only way to end this on a dignified note for Bulgaria.
"Think he'll put them out of their misery, Kitten?" her Dad asked her from behind them. "You're the expert."
"Hardly," she snorted, eyes focused on the Seekers. "But he will try. Save the Bulgarians' honor and all that." But he would hate it. It was his life's goal to win the World Cup.
"He saw it!" Harry suddenly yelled and jumped up, grabbing Marina's arm to pull her up with him.
Lynch was speeding across the pitch in a speed he shouldn't have been capable of anymore after his two crashes.
"Is it his turn for a Feint?" Susan asked, the omniocular pressed to her eyes tightly.
"No, he sees it," Charlie said.
"He has no reason to risk a Feint either," Carmen agreed, fidgeting exitedly. "They're winning."
But they would not catch the Snitch, Marina thought, as she watched Viktor follow his rival. He had the faster broomstick and better skill than Lynch – he wasn't the world's best Seeker for nothing.
He caught up and they sped after the tiny ball next to each other, before Viktor flattened a bit more and passed Lynch until -
"HE'S GOT IT!" Ron yelled, as if anyone could have missed it. "KRUM HAS THE SNITCH!"
11:49pm
And so Ireland had won. Marina cheered along with everyone else – what else was one to do? But she kept her eyes on Viktor – who looked even grumpier than usual. She'd just have to write to him tomorrow.
Then the players dragged themselves up the stairs of the stadium and into the Minister's box to shake a lot of people's hands. She was sure the Bulgarians would have loved to skip that part and sulk, while the Irish looked giddy with happiness. Felt like it too.
While his teammates dragged a still dazed Lynch through the various officials, the Bulgarians stood aside, taking their loss with grace. When their names were announced one by one, the audience clapped politely.
But when Bagman said 'Krum', the stadium exploded with everyone screaming themselves hoarse for the Seeker.
That was when Viktor looked up and saw her.
He blinked, as if unsure he was seeing right, taking in her Bulgarian colours. Marina smiled a little and put a hand over her heart, tapping lightly – a gesture of sympathy understood just about anywhere.
Harry stood frozen next to her – which must have looked ridiculous since he'd grown over her head by now – and watched the exchange. The rest of their box was clapping for the Irish but were otherwise silent.
Viktor took in her company before looking at her again – then he turned to talk to his teammates. Probably because they'd pulled at his robes curiously.
Of course, then the Irish were announced and Marina thought that everybody's hands must have been going numb by now from all the clapping.
When the two Beaters helped Lynch raise the World Cup, no anti-muggle charm could have possibly muffled the audience' roar.
0:27am
All the spectators were leaving the stadium, headed for their tents. It would be a long time before anyone would get any sleep tonight.
The kids were still discussing the match in detail when someone approached Marina from the side. Everyone had their wands out in a blink but she held up a hand.
"I know him," she said and accepted the piece of parchment the wizard handed her with a bow.
She opened it with an inkling of who had sent it.
Sank you, my vriend. Zee you zoon, it said and a conjured lily-of-the-valley blossom had been put on it. So he'd be coming.
"His English is still appalling," Marina mumbled and handed the letter to David before their collective concern could make her dizzy.
"Krum?" David asked perfectly calm, but he was feeling anything but. His jealousy was churning her insides – or his, more like.
Marina raised her eyebrows at him. By now he had all but mastered the skill to suppress his emotions around her enough so she wouldn't have to feel them.
Which meant he'd wanted her to sense it.
"Yes," she answered belatedly when her father grabbed the letter. Harry leaned in to read it too.
"What does he mean, see you soon?" her brother asked.
"You'll find out soon," Carmen replied and looked from her brother to Marina and back. Obviously realising that something was up, she ushered the others along.
Wizards and witches moved past them, deep in conversation and ignorant of the two of them standing in the middle of the path.
"What exactly was that?" she asked him finally. "If it was possible could feel something aimed at someone, I would say you just did it."
"Sirius and I had a chat after the fight at the castle," David said without answering her. "Oh, and Harry too."
Marina tried to picture those three of all people together. The only time they could have talked, she concluded, was when she'd been in the infirmary.
"About what?" she asked, figuring he had a point to make somewhere.
"You, obviously," he replied. "About the Empathy and how it was possible for you to miss some things. Harry had an idea or two."
Oh dear Merlin. Marina had explained to her brother about how her ability worked – and sometimes didn't.
"I don't miss things," she said, ignoring the somersaults her stomach was making. "I just sometimes... misinterpret."
David nodded as if that was making perfect sense.
And Marina realised just what kind of chat those three must have had. Her Dad had given him the speech. The don't-hurt-her-or-else speech.
"Well, you couldn't misinterpret that, could you?" David asked noncholantly, referring to earlier.
She had known this was coming on some level, but she still blinked, caught off guard.
"Why now?" she asked, hardly believing it yet. But she couldn't help but hope.
"You're going back to Hogwarts soon," he shrugged and came a step closer, in her personal space about now. "And I didn't want to lose my chance, like my idiot best friend will be doing soon. I figured you wouldn't wait forever."
She couldn't believe she was about to say something so cliché but-
"You were wrong."
David, sensing hopeful himself, finally dropped the letter and took the last step, standing barely six inches from her.
He cupped her nape with his left hand, tilting her head up, and started to lean in slowly.
Marina knew he was giving her a chance to pull away. Instead, she closed those few inches and held onto his shoulders.
She closed her eyes –
– and heard the distinctive snap of a camera.
David almost automatically turned a little, shielding her.
Not that she was the one who needed shielding.
Rita Skeeter was.