Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, brilliantly created by J.K.
Rowling. Most situations are based on those created by J.K. Rowling.
Chapter Fourteen: The Return to the Quidditch World Cup
Harry turned around to see a woman standing next to Dean Thomas. He looked at her and smiled. "See, I told you he'd be here," he said.
"I know, I know," said the woman, "but I didn't really believe it until now."
Dean smiled at Harry. "Hello, Harry," he said.
"Hi, Dean," said Harry, and they shook hands.
"I'd like you to meet my fiancé. This is Darla West," said Dean. Everyone said hello to her. "Big Quidditch fan, Darla is. I'd say she's your biggest fan."
"Oh," said Harry. He still found it awkward when people wanted to meet him because they admired his accomplishments. "Well, it's very nice to meet you."
Darla tentatively shook Harry's hand. "She'll never wash that hand again!" Dean said jokingly.
"Your playing in the 2005 Quidditch World Cup was brilliant," said Darla. "The best thing I've ever seen."
"Oh, thanks," said Harry. "Were you at the game?"
"We met at that game!" Dean said, excitedly. "We were sitting next to each other, she was gushing over you when the game was over, I said I went to Hogwarts with you when we were kids, she didn't believe me, we argued about it, I asked her out and we've been together ever since!"
"Well," said Harry, "I guess it's nice to know that I can... bring people together."
"We were at that game as well," said Luna. "We tried to find you, but the crowds were crazy. Did all of you go?"
"Of course!" said Ron. "Best World Cup game ever!"
* * *
"Come on Hermione! We have to go or we'll miss the portkey!" Ron called impatiently up the stairs.
"Calm down, Ron," Hermione said and she appeared at the top of the staircase. "We have an hour. And you know we can always take the Knight Bus."
"That thing makes me sick," said Ron.
Hermione looked irritated, "Maybe if you'd come up here and help me we could get going on time!" She raised her eyebrows at him and he bounded up the stairs, taking them in threes so he was almost instantly standing next to her.
"Happy now?" he said, and the look on his face washed away her irritation and she smiled. He kissed her.
"No time for that right now," she said. "We have to get ready."
"What do you want me to do?" asked Ron.
"Just pack out things," she said. "Everything's out on the bed, all you need to do it get it into the suitcase. I'll take care of Emma and her things."
"Sure thing!" said Ron and he disappeared into their bedroom. Hermione went into Emma's room.
"Mummy!" Seventeen-month-old Emma called. She raised her arms up in an effort to be taken out of her crib.
"Just a minute, Em," said Hermione. "I need to get some things ready, okay?"
"Kay," said the little girl, and she stood up in her crib and watched Hermione move around the room.
"We're going to see Uncle Harry in the Quidditch World Cup," Hermione explained as she pulled some clothes out of Emma's dresser.
"Kidditch?" Emma asked.
"Yes," said Hermione. "You know what Quidditch is. You listen to it on the radio with daddy." She looked over at Emma and smiled. The little girl smiled back, showing off her small amount of teeth. "Okay, love, we're just about all set. Now it's time to get you ready." Hermione lifted Emma out of her crib and brought her to the changing table and proceeded to change her diaper and put a sundress on her.
Ron came into the room, hauling the suitcase behind him. "Are you ready?" he asked.
"All set," said Hermione, and she placed Emma on the floor and she toddled off towards her father. When she reached him, she held her arms out to be picked up and Ron obliged.
"Let's get going," said Hermione, and she took the suitcase from Ron and they headed out of the house.
* * *
Harry and Ginny were waiting at the hotel for Ron and Hermione to arrive before they headed out to get some lunch. They had been in France for a few days. Harry and the team were in training, and Ginny had decided to come along to keep him company. James was with her as well, thrilled to be close to his father and all the action that occurred on the Quidditch field. He was especially happy when his father was finished with practice and he got to ride on the broomstick with Harry.
"They should be here any minute," Ginny said when she noticed that Harry was looking at her watch.
"Good," said Harry. "I'm starving."
"There they are!" Ginny said, and she pointed towards the entrance of the hotel. She waved to make them see her, and Ron came over. Hermione went to check them in the hotel because, even after her multiple explanations, Ron was just like his father when it came to dealing with muggle money.
"Hi everyone!" Ron said happily when he reached Harry, Ginny and James. They returned his greeting. "It's great to be at the World Cup again! I can't wait for the game."
"Not until tomorrow, mate," said Harry.
"I know, I know," said Ron. "It's just exciting to be even closer to the game than we were last time."
Hermione joined them. "We're all checked in," she said. "Let's just bring our things up and then we can head out for lunch."
"Sure thing," said Ginny. Hermione and Ron loaded themselves up again, until Ginny said, "Why don't you leave Emma with me?"
"Thanks," said Hermione, and she passed Emma to Ginny. "We'll be right back." She and Ron headed to the elevators with their suitcases.
* * *
"You know, that would have been so much easier with a hover charm," Ron complained as they waited for the elevator to take them back downstairs.
"I know," said Hermione. "But this is a muggle hotel, remember?"
"Yeah," said Ron. "Still, there was no one on this floor when we got up here."
"Ron," Hermione said, "you just can't, you know that."
"Yeah, I know," he said, and he smiled. He grabbed her hand as the elevator arrived and they stepped in. They met up with Harry and Ginny in the lobby, and began to head out of the hotel. James was walking quickly ahead of the adults, being closely followed by Harry, and Emma was also making an attempt at walking by herself, with Ron spotting her from behind.
The group was barely out of the hotel when they heard a familiar voice say to them, "Herm-own-ninny?"
* * *
Viktor Krum ended up joining the friends for lunch, much to Ron's dismay. He had known that Harry would be playing against Bulgaria, but somehow it never occurred to him that he might actually run into Krum. He had glared at the man when Hermione said hello, and had turned beet red when she hugged him.
"How haff you been?" Viktor asked her.
"Wonderful," said Hermione, with a big smile on her face. "You remember Ron, don't you?"
"Of course," said Viktor, and he shook Ron's hand, though Ron was glaring at him as he did so.
"We're married now," he said quickly to him.
"I heard that," Viktor said. "Congratulations."
"Thank you," said Hermione. "And this is our daughter, Emma." Hermione picked Emma up and gestured to Viktor. "Emma, this is an old friend of mummy's. Viktor. Can you say hi?"
"Hi," Emma said with a small wave.
"We were just about to head to lunch," Hermione said. "Would you like to join us?"
"Hermione!" Ron stepped in. "I think he probably has more important things to do, like practice for the Cup and all."
"No, practice is over," said Viktor. "I can join you for lunch." Harry had to step on Ron's foot to keep him from stepping forward and physically stopping Viktor Krum from coming with them.
Now they sat around a table, Ron making sure that Viktor Krum kept his hands away from Hermione. Harry and Ginny were actually very entertained by the whole affair, and they kept stifling laughs whenever Ron would turn beet red again. "What?!" Ron finally asked them, noticing what they were doing.
"Nothing," Ginny said quickly.
Hermione spent much of their lunchtime talking to Viktor Krum and catching up on his life, and catching him up with hers. It turned out Viktor had been married for brief period, but was in the middle of a divorce. He was going to share custody of his four year old son. Hermione felt bad telling him stories of her own happy marriage, but Viktor didn't seem to mind. In fact, he seemed more than happy to hear about everything she had to say.
They parted later that afternoon, and Hermione and Ron headed back to their hotel room to put Emma to bed. Since Viktor had been gone, Ron had remained moody and distant. Finally, Hermione pulled him into the bathroom of their hotel room (so as not to wake Emma) and said, "Okay, Ron, what is your problem?"
"You know what my problem is," he said, and he screwed up his face as he said, "Vicky."
Hermione laughed. "I should have known."
"What?" Ron asked.
"I should have known you'd be upset that we saw him," she said. "Honestly, Ron, are you still jealous of Viktor Krum?"
"How could I not be jealous of somebody you once liked?" he asked.
"Ron, how many times do I have to tell you, I didn't like him. Not the way you think I did anyway," Hermione said. "And besides, even if I DID, you're the one I fell in love with. You're the one I married. You're the one I have the most perfect daughter with. You're the one I love, now, then and forever. Get it?"
Ron kept up his scowl, though Hermione could see the corners of his mouth battling him to put a smile on his face. Hermione watched him, but he still didn't let the smile win the fight. Finally, he looked at her and said, "Prove it."
Hermione smiled and kissed him deeply, running her hands through his hair. Ron had to hold onto the counter in the bathroom when he felt his legs give way, and he marveled at the power Hermione's kisses still had over him, and how he could feel the way she felt about him when her lips touched his. He returned the kiss, trying to make her feel the same things he was feeling. When she pulled away, they were both breathless. "Proof enough?" she asked.
"Yeah," Ron said, and he hugged her close and kissed the top of her head. "I love you, Hermione."
"I love you too, Ron," Hermione said, and she kissed him again.
* * *
The match was set to being at five o'clock the next day. Harry had gone missing in action by nine a.m. when he headed off with the team for practice. Ron had accompanied him with the promise that he wouldn't be a distraction for the team by gushing over the other Canon players, and Hermione, Ginny and the children planned to spend the day shopping and getting ready for the night's festivities. They wandered around the campsites, much like they did when they had attended the Quidditch World Cup before their fourth year at Hogwarts.
"Mummy, can I have a broomstick?" James asked Ginny after seeing two children whiz by on theirs.
"When you're a bit older James," Ginny said, and James pouted. Ginny continued, "I know you want one, but you're still a bit too young, sweetie. For now you'll have to take rides with daddy." James didn't seem satisfied by this, but he quickly became distracted by the other souvenirs there were to be had.
"Can I have this mummy?" he asked, looking at a Chudley Canons poster.
"Well," said Ginny, and she leaned down to talk to James confidentially. "I think that's a fine idea, but I bet your daddy can get you one of those for free. Then mummy won't have to spend any money."
"Can I have something daddy can't get for free?" James asked, forcing Ginny and Hermione to laugh.
"Sure," said Ginny. "But let's say we look around some more first, okay?"
"Okay," said James.
The two women and their children walked around the tents and souvenir stands for much of the afternoon, stopping off for a late lunch about an hour before they planned to meet the rest of Ginny's family, all of whom Harry had gotten tickets for. They walked back to the hotel and saw the Weasleys standing in front. "Dad! Mum!" Ginny called out when she saw them. They waved at her and the two groups joined together.
"This is great!" Fred said. "Even better than last time! We're going to take over the whole top box this year!"
"It's great to have a famous Quidditch player in the family!" George said. "You did well, little sis!"
"Funny," Ginny said. "Are you all ready to go?"
"Yes," said Mrs. Weasley, who had already gotten herself swept up with all her grandchildren. "Let's go!"
* * *
"Good evening, witches and wizards, and welcome to the Quidditch World Cup! Please welcome the Chudley Canons!" The announcer's voice boomed and he proceeded to announce the players. Ginny noted with pride the louder cheers at her husband's name, and she and James joined in the cheering herself.
"Look Emma, there's Uncle Harry!" Ron, who had recently rejoined his family, pointed Harry out and Emma clapped when she saw him. The announcer introduced the Bulgaria team, and Hermione noted - with a little bit of pleasure - that Ron scowled again when Viktor Krum was announced.
"Think of it this way, love," she whispered to him. "He's reaching the end of his career." This was enough to make Ron smile and he cheered up for the rest of the game, however he kept a tight hand around Hermione's anyway.
Though the game was loud, and exciting, Emma and James fell asleep long before it was over. Hermione placed both children in a crib at the back of the top box, and did a silencing charm around them so they could sleep peacefully. She returned to her seat to see the crowd cheering, Ron and Ginny jumping to their feet. "What's going on?" she asked excitedly.
"Harry's seem the snitch!" Ginny exclaimed, and Hermione's eyes found Harry, who was speeding towards the goalposts with Viktor Krum on his heels. The older's man's weight was holding him back, everyone could see, and Harry was able to pull ahead even more as she swiftly turned a corner. Still, Krum followed him, under Harry decided to try something new. He dodged a bludger and then started going straight upwards, holding the broomstick tightly. He turned over in midair so that his head was towards the ground and he came around again, looping upside down around the players.
The motion seemed to be confusing Viktor Krum, who couldn't keep up. He had lost track of the snitch while watching Harry. "He's distracted him!" Ginny exclaimed, and the crowd cheered again as Harry headed off in the opposite direction, with a bewildered Krum trying to keep up. The crowd soon erupted again as Harry's hand closed over the snitch.
"And England has it!" the announcer boomed. "With Harry Potter catching the Snitch, the final score is England, 250, Bulgaria, 90!" The crowd was at its loudest, with a mixture of cheering and booing as the spectators let the outcome of the game hit them. Ginny could see that the players were on their way to the top box, and she went back to the crib and woke James up so that he could celebrate with his father.
"And here they are!" the announcer boomed again. "The winners of this year's World Cup!" He introduced the players to the crowd again, and the trophy was handed to Harry. He held it up in the air and smiled, and was then joined by Ginny and James. The trophy got passed to another player as Harry now lifted his son in the air and smiled as the little boy laughed.
Ron woke up Emma, much to Hermione's dismay. "Come on, love, she can't miss all this excitement," he told her when she grimaced at him. The excitement of the moment soon overtook, and she didn't seem to mind that now Emma would have trouble going to bed that night. Everyone was celebrating with the team, but especially with Harry.
* * *
"I can't believe you're going to retire soon," Darla said after heard the recap of the cup.
"Well, I've enjoyed it," said Harry, "but I want to spend more time at home with my family."
"And he deserves it," said Dean. "This guy's been harassed about who he is since we were in school. Maybe if he retires he'll get some peace and quiet. You know, from obsessed fans like you." He was smiling as he said this, teasing his wife-to-be.
"Dean!" she protested, but she was also smiling. "He always saying things like that, just to get me to react." The couples spent a few more moments talking to each other, but were interrupted when Professor Dumbledore stood at the staff table, prepared to make an announcement.
Chapter Fourteen: The Return to the Quidditch World Cup
Harry turned around to see a woman standing next to Dean Thomas. He looked at her and smiled. "See, I told you he'd be here," he said.
"I know, I know," said the woman, "but I didn't really believe it until now."
Dean smiled at Harry. "Hello, Harry," he said.
"Hi, Dean," said Harry, and they shook hands.
"I'd like you to meet my fiancé. This is Darla West," said Dean. Everyone said hello to her. "Big Quidditch fan, Darla is. I'd say she's your biggest fan."
"Oh," said Harry. He still found it awkward when people wanted to meet him because they admired his accomplishments. "Well, it's very nice to meet you."
Darla tentatively shook Harry's hand. "She'll never wash that hand again!" Dean said jokingly.
"Your playing in the 2005 Quidditch World Cup was brilliant," said Darla. "The best thing I've ever seen."
"Oh, thanks," said Harry. "Were you at the game?"
"We met at that game!" Dean said, excitedly. "We were sitting next to each other, she was gushing over you when the game was over, I said I went to Hogwarts with you when we were kids, she didn't believe me, we argued about it, I asked her out and we've been together ever since!"
"Well," said Harry, "I guess it's nice to know that I can... bring people together."
"We were at that game as well," said Luna. "We tried to find you, but the crowds were crazy. Did all of you go?"
"Of course!" said Ron. "Best World Cup game ever!"
* * *
"Come on Hermione! We have to go or we'll miss the portkey!" Ron called impatiently up the stairs.
"Calm down, Ron," Hermione said and she appeared at the top of the staircase. "We have an hour. And you know we can always take the Knight Bus."
"That thing makes me sick," said Ron.
Hermione looked irritated, "Maybe if you'd come up here and help me we could get going on time!" She raised her eyebrows at him and he bounded up the stairs, taking them in threes so he was almost instantly standing next to her.
"Happy now?" he said, and the look on his face washed away her irritation and she smiled. He kissed her.
"No time for that right now," she said. "We have to get ready."
"What do you want me to do?" asked Ron.
"Just pack out things," she said. "Everything's out on the bed, all you need to do it get it into the suitcase. I'll take care of Emma and her things."
"Sure thing!" said Ron and he disappeared into their bedroom. Hermione went into Emma's room.
"Mummy!" Seventeen-month-old Emma called. She raised her arms up in an effort to be taken out of her crib.
"Just a minute, Em," said Hermione. "I need to get some things ready, okay?"
"Kay," said the little girl, and she stood up in her crib and watched Hermione move around the room.
"We're going to see Uncle Harry in the Quidditch World Cup," Hermione explained as she pulled some clothes out of Emma's dresser.
"Kidditch?" Emma asked.
"Yes," said Hermione. "You know what Quidditch is. You listen to it on the radio with daddy." She looked over at Emma and smiled. The little girl smiled back, showing off her small amount of teeth. "Okay, love, we're just about all set. Now it's time to get you ready." Hermione lifted Emma out of her crib and brought her to the changing table and proceeded to change her diaper and put a sundress on her.
Ron came into the room, hauling the suitcase behind him. "Are you ready?" he asked.
"All set," said Hermione, and she placed Emma on the floor and she toddled off towards her father. When she reached him, she held her arms out to be picked up and Ron obliged.
"Let's get going," said Hermione, and she took the suitcase from Ron and they headed out of the house.
* * *
Harry and Ginny were waiting at the hotel for Ron and Hermione to arrive before they headed out to get some lunch. They had been in France for a few days. Harry and the team were in training, and Ginny had decided to come along to keep him company. James was with her as well, thrilled to be close to his father and all the action that occurred on the Quidditch field. He was especially happy when his father was finished with practice and he got to ride on the broomstick with Harry.
"They should be here any minute," Ginny said when she noticed that Harry was looking at her watch.
"Good," said Harry. "I'm starving."
"There they are!" Ginny said, and she pointed towards the entrance of the hotel. She waved to make them see her, and Ron came over. Hermione went to check them in the hotel because, even after her multiple explanations, Ron was just like his father when it came to dealing with muggle money.
"Hi everyone!" Ron said happily when he reached Harry, Ginny and James. They returned his greeting. "It's great to be at the World Cup again! I can't wait for the game."
"Not until tomorrow, mate," said Harry.
"I know, I know," said Ron. "It's just exciting to be even closer to the game than we were last time."
Hermione joined them. "We're all checked in," she said. "Let's just bring our things up and then we can head out for lunch."
"Sure thing," said Ginny. Hermione and Ron loaded themselves up again, until Ginny said, "Why don't you leave Emma with me?"
"Thanks," said Hermione, and she passed Emma to Ginny. "We'll be right back." She and Ron headed to the elevators with their suitcases.
* * *
"You know, that would have been so much easier with a hover charm," Ron complained as they waited for the elevator to take them back downstairs.
"I know," said Hermione. "But this is a muggle hotel, remember?"
"Yeah," said Ron. "Still, there was no one on this floor when we got up here."
"Ron," Hermione said, "you just can't, you know that."
"Yeah, I know," he said, and he smiled. He grabbed her hand as the elevator arrived and they stepped in. They met up with Harry and Ginny in the lobby, and began to head out of the hotel. James was walking quickly ahead of the adults, being closely followed by Harry, and Emma was also making an attempt at walking by herself, with Ron spotting her from behind.
The group was barely out of the hotel when they heard a familiar voice say to them, "Herm-own-ninny?"
* * *
Viktor Krum ended up joining the friends for lunch, much to Ron's dismay. He had known that Harry would be playing against Bulgaria, but somehow it never occurred to him that he might actually run into Krum. He had glared at the man when Hermione said hello, and had turned beet red when she hugged him.
"How haff you been?" Viktor asked her.
"Wonderful," said Hermione, with a big smile on her face. "You remember Ron, don't you?"
"Of course," said Viktor, and he shook Ron's hand, though Ron was glaring at him as he did so.
"We're married now," he said quickly to him.
"I heard that," Viktor said. "Congratulations."
"Thank you," said Hermione. "And this is our daughter, Emma." Hermione picked Emma up and gestured to Viktor. "Emma, this is an old friend of mummy's. Viktor. Can you say hi?"
"Hi," Emma said with a small wave.
"We were just about to head to lunch," Hermione said. "Would you like to join us?"
"Hermione!" Ron stepped in. "I think he probably has more important things to do, like practice for the Cup and all."
"No, practice is over," said Viktor. "I can join you for lunch." Harry had to step on Ron's foot to keep him from stepping forward and physically stopping Viktor Krum from coming with them.
Now they sat around a table, Ron making sure that Viktor Krum kept his hands away from Hermione. Harry and Ginny were actually very entertained by the whole affair, and they kept stifling laughs whenever Ron would turn beet red again. "What?!" Ron finally asked them, noticing what they were doing.
"Nothing," Ginny said quickly.
Hermione spent much of their lunchtime talking to Viktor Krum and catching up on his life, and catching him up with hers. It turned out Viktor had been married for brief period, but was in the middle of a divorce. He was going to share custody of his four year old son. Hermione felt bad telling him stories of her own happy marriage, but Viktor didn't seem to mind. In fact, he seemed more than happy to hear about everything she had to say.
They parted later that afternoon, and Hermione and Ron headed back to their hotel room to put Emma to bed. Since Viktor had been gone, Ron had remained moody and distant. Finally, Hermione pulled him into the bathroom of their hotel room (so as not to wake Emma) and said, "Okay, Ron, what is your problem?"
"You know what my problem is," he said, and he screwed up his face as he said, "Vicky."
Hermione laughed. "I should have known."
"What?" Ron asked.
"I should have known you'd be upset that we saw him," she said. "Honestly, Ron, are you still jealous of Viktor Krum?"
"How could I not be jealous of somebody you once liked?" he asked.
"Ron, how many times do I have to tell you, I didn't like him. Not the way you think I did anyway," Hermione said. "And besides, even if I DID, you're the one I fell in love with. You're the one I married. You're the one I have the most perfect daughter with. You're the one I love, now, then and forever. Get it?"
Ron kept up his scowl, though Hermione could see the corners of his mouth battling him to put a smile on his face. Hermione watched him, but he still didn't let the smile win the fight. Finally, he looked at her and said, "Prove it."
Hermione smiled and kissed him deeply, running her hands through his hair. Ron had to hold onto the counter in the bathroom when he felt his legs give way, and he marveled at the power Hermione's kisses still had over him, and how he could feel the way she felt about him when her lips touched his. He returned the kiss, trying to make her feel the same things he was feeling. When she pulled away, they were both breathless. "Proof enough?" she asked.
"Yeah," Ron said, and he hugged her close and kissed the top of her head. "I love you, Hermione."
"I love you too, Ron," Hermione said, and she kissed him again.
* * *
The match was set to being at five o'clock the next day. Harry had gone missing in action by nine a.m. when he headed off with the team for practice. Ron had accompanied him with the promise that he wouldn't be a distraction for the team by gushing over the other Canon players, and Hermione, Ginny and the children planned to spend the day shopping and getting ready for the night's festivities. They wandered around the campsites, much like they did when they had attended the Quidditch World Cup before their fourth year at Hogwarts.
"Mummy, can I have a broomstick?" James asked Ginny after seeing two children whiz by on theirs.
"When you're a bit older James," Ginny said, and James pouted. Ginny continued, "I know you want one, but you're still a bit too young, sweetie. For now you'll have to take rides with daddy." James didn't seem satisfied by this, but he quickly became distracted by the other souvenirs there were to be had.
"Can I have this mummy?" he asked, looking at a Chudley Canons poster.
"Well," said Ginny, and she leaned down to talk to James confidentially. "I think that's a fine idea, but I bet your daddy can get you one of those for free. Then mummy won't have to spend any money."
"Can I have something daddy can't get for free?" James asked, forcing Ginny and Hermione to laugh.
"Sure," said Ginny. "But let's say we look around some more first, okay?"
"Okay," said James.
The two women and their children walked around the tents and souvenir stands for much of the afternoon, stopping off for a late lunch about an hour before they planned to meet the rest of Ginny's family, all of whom Harry had gotten tickets for. They walked back to the hotel and saw the Weasleys standing in front. "Dad! Mum!" Ginny called out when she saw them. They waved at her and the two groups joined together.
"This is great!" Fred said. "Even better than last time! We're going to take over the whole top box this year!"
"It's great to have a famous Quidditch player in the family!" George said. "You did well, little sis!"
"Funny," Ginny said. "Are you all ready to go?"
"Yes," said Mrs. Weasley, who had already gotten herself swept up with all her grandchildren. "Let's go!"
* * *
"Good evening, witches and wizards, and welcome to the Quidditch World Cup! Please welcome the Chudley Canons!" The announcer's voice boomed and he proceeded to announce the players. Ginny noted with pride the louder cheers at her husband's name, and she and James joined in the cheering herself.
"Look Emma, there's Uncle Harry!" Ron, who had recently rejoined his family, pointed Harry out and Emma clapped when she saw him. The announcer introduced the Bulgaria team, and Hermione noted - with a little bit of pleasure - that Ron scowled again when Viktor Krum was announced.
"Think of it this way, love," she whispered to him. "He's reaching the end of his career." This was enough to make Ron smile and he cheered up for the rest of the game, however he kept a tight hand around Hermione's anyway.
Though the game was loud, and exciting, Emma and James fell asleep long before it was over. Hermione placed both children in a crib at the back of the top box, and did a silencing charm around them so they could sleep peacefully. She returned to her seat to see the crowd cheering, Ron and Ginny jumping to their feet. "What's going on?" she asked excitedly.
"Harry's seem the snitch!" Ginny exclaimed, and Hermione's eyes found Harry, who was speeding towards the goalposts with Viktor Krum on his heels. The older's man's weight was holding him back, everyone could see, and Harry was able to pull ahead even more as she swiftly turned a corner. Still, Krum followed him, under Harry decided to try something new. He dodged a bludger and then started going straight upwards, holding the broomstick tightly. He turned over in midair so that his head was towards the ground and he came around again, looping upside down around the players.
The motion seemed to be confusing Viktor Krum, who couldn't keep up. He had lost track of the snitch while watching Harry. "He's distracted him!" Ginny exclaimed, and the crowd cheered again as Harry headed off in the opposite direction, with a bewildered Krum trying to keep up. The crowd soon erupted again as Harry's hand closed over the snitch.
"And England has it!" the announcer boomed. "With Harry Potter catching the Snitch, the final score is England, 250, Bulgaria, 90!" The crowd was at its loudest, with a mixture of cheering and booing as the spectators let the outcome of the game hit them. Ginny could see that the players were on their way to the top box, and she went back to the crib and woke James up so that he could celebrate with his father.
"And here they are!" the announcer boomed again. "The winners of this year's World Cup!" He introduced the players to the crowd again, and the trophy was handed to Harry. He held it up in the air and smiled, and was then joined by Ginny and James. The trophy got passed to another player as Harry now lifted his son in the air and smiled as the little boy laughed.
Ron woke up Emma, much to Hermione's dismay. "Come on, love, she can't miss all this excitement," he told her when she grimaced at him. The excitement of the moment soon overtook, and she didn't seem to mind that now Emma would have trouble going to bed that night. Everyone was celebrating with the team, but especially with Harry.
* * *
"I can't believe you're going to retire soon," Darla said after heard the recap of the cup.
"Well, I've enjoyed it," said Harry, "but I want to spend more time at home with my family."
"And he deserves it," said Dean. "This guy's been harassed about who he is since we were in school. Maybe if he retires he'll get some peace and quiet. You know, from obsessed fans like you." He was smiling as he said this, teasing his wife-to-be.
"Dean!" she protested, but she was also smiling. "He always saying things like that, just to get me to react." The couples spent a few more moments talking to each other, but were interrupted when Professor Dumbledore stood at the staff table, prepared to make an announcement.