You know, I really didn't think this chapter would get much beyond I've pages, but guess what! It's not only over that, it's the longest chapter yet!!! :-)
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Review Responses :-
Serene Beauty of Aphrodite - Lovely name, I'm not sure if I can add those specific two. but I'll see what I can do, Neptune might be possible ;-)
Seren Lunar Echo - I like Ron and Hermione too, I think I added a little more on Usagi-figure in this one, just for you :-) Not sure who my favourite Marauder is, but I hate Peter!
setsuna-3000 - Sorry it took forever, but here's the next part, so about to (coming up) sorta cliffie! ;-
Flyingbytheseatofpants - Well the destined centric pairing of this story is Harry x Usa so don't worry, they really meet next chappie and Sirius is, unfortunately, dead ;-;.
angelwings6117 - McGonagall? That's a new one, not too keen on the Setsuna x Remus idea but we'll see.
Queen Diamond - Here's the next chappie and sorry, they don't meet till next chappie
Newfie Child - What can I say that I haven't said already? Voila!
Sailor Star Scream - Thanks for the tip, sorry if it's confusing! It'll flatten out in a couple of chappies!
Fantastical Bouncing Wesley - I like that bit too :-), sorry about the spelling and grammar, I type a little fast sometimes.
Eternal Cosmos - You'll see what two young but talented seekers can do next chappie, as they battle it out for the Snitch, but for now, you'll have to watch form the sidelines! ;-)
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Harry sighed as he and the other three of his company trudged back to their quarters, the miniature figurine that Harry had bought of Usagi Tsukino was snoozing peacefully having built a nest in his hair. "Night Harry, Lupin," he paused, "Hermione," Ron went red and dived into his room.
"Night Ron," Harry called after him.
"Goodnight everyone," Lupin said trying, and failing, to stop a yawn as he opened his door, stepped inside his room and shut the door again with a final wave to Harry.
"So you and Ron an item now Hermione?" the brunette blushed sincerely and nodded gingerly, "about time!"
She smiled, "Thanks Harry," she hugged him, Harry patted her on the back, they pulled away.
"Goodnight Hermione," he said softly.
"Night Harry," Hermione replied as she backed into her room.
"Well, looks like it's just you and me girl," Harry said gently when he was in his room as he carefully took Usagi-figure out of his hair and set her down on his bedside-table.
She blinked around and yawned, she watched him for a moment but blushed and looked away when he began to take off his shirt, she heard him laugh. She peaked around the lamp pole when she heard him sit on his bed; he was holding a matchbox and a piece of old cloth. Harry grinned at her confused look and, suing transfiguration, made a bed and a nightgown, he handed them to Usagi-figure.
She grinned and waved her tiny hand at him, he waved back and turned around, he turned around again and while later and settled down, his head on the pillow. Usagi-figure snuggled further into her bed, Harry reached over and turned off the light and then they both went to sleep.
The next day Harry woke up bright and early, sitting up, the covers falling off him as he yawned loudly and stretched. "Breakfast," he heard Lupin call from presumably the kitchen; Harry sniffed the air, mm bacon and sausage and egg from the smell of things.
Harry got dressed, he then looked to see if Usagi-figure was still in her bed, she wasn't, it was made and the gown he'd made folded neatly on top. He looked around frantically until he spotter her on the windowsill; he walked over and crouched down so his face was level with the sill.
"Hey," he poked her, she turned sleepily, "you coming to breakfast?"
She nodded vigorously and climbed energetically into his hand which he had s graciously held out for her.
"Morning all," Lupin said as Hermione walked into the kitchen from the back door, Ron came out of the pantry and Harry with Usagi-figure still in his hand, walked through the only remaining door.
Waving his wand a bit Lupin set four loaded, four orange juices, some butter and some toast on the table. There was a small cough, Lupin looked down at the pouting Usagi-figure that looked up at him, "Oh," he grinned and waved his wand, a miniature plate, juice and some toast, plus mini cutlery appeared before her, "Happy?" he asked.
Usagi-figure nodded, Hermione giggled, she thought it was cute and Ron just raised an eyebrow before he went back to stuffing his mouth with bacon.
"So what are the matches today then?" Harry asked finishing off his second sausage, he'd already devoured both bacon and egg and was about to move onto beans and mushrooms.
"Well according to the updates on the program," Hermione started as she gently, not to mind slowly, ate her toast, her breakfast still steaming hot, "the USA are going to go against Brazil," Hermione finished.
Ron all but licked his plate clean and looked longingly at Hermione's food which she was eating agonizingly slow, Ron was drooling.
"Oh honestly Ron," Hermione sounded exasperated, she waved her wand and a new batch of food appeared on Ron's plate.
"You'll have to teach me that one sometime," Lupin said grinning.
"Mrs Weasley taught it to me, especially for the occasion," she jabbed her thumb at Ron and Harry, Lupin nodded understandingly.
"Who do you think are going to win this year Ron?" Harry asked.
"Don't know, Bulgaria or Japan, they'll probably be the participants in the final round," Ron said and then stuffed another piece of toast in his mouth.
"What about England?" Harry asked again.
"We may get into the semi-finals, that is if," Ron trailed off.
"If what Ron?" Harry asked.
"Well Williams," Harry looked confused, "the seeker, you know, took a nasty blow to the head yesterday in the … match and with no spares," Ron leaned back and slumped down in his chair, Harry nodded in understanding. If that injury or any others did any of the team, especially the seeker damage then, well; England were as good as out.
The four of them wondered over to the stands at a leisurely pace talking between themselves. Hermione jumped when she felt someone tap her on the shoulder, she spun around the three boys, oblivious to her actions, kept walking and chatting about Quidditch and England's chances for the cup.
"Hello Hermione," Krum slurred, his accent sent the sound of her name a little astray.
"Oh, um….hi…Viktor," she stuttered in her nervousness, in al honesty she had completely forgotten about Krum when she'd been with Ron last night.
"Are you enjoying zee tournament?" he asked grinning toothily at her.
"Uh…yeh, very exciting," Hermione mumbled, her hands fidgeting nervously with each other behind her back.
"And you are of course supporting Bulgaria?" he asked in a tone that left no room for argument, Hermione was about to protest to this expectation when she found herself being kissed, but not kissing, Krum.
---The boys---
"So logically we should pass through this round with ease," Ron said in a very matter of fact voice, while he nodded in agreement with himself. "What do you think Hermione?" he waited, there was no answer, he turned. "Hermione?" he looked around lost, at this Remus and Harry turned.
"There," Harry said suddenly pointing the way they had just come.
Ron looked just in time to see Krum kissing Hermione, his joyous face fell and he went pale, he looked like he was about to faint. "I'm sorry guys," he gulped, "I think I left something behind," he muttered quietly and sped off back towards the hut.
"Ron!" Harry called after him but Lupin held him back.
"Let him sort himself out Harry," Lupin advised, "we should see to Hermione first," Harry nodded.
---Hermione and Krum---
"Well," Hermione started after Krum pulled away, "that was," she again hesitant to go on, "nice," she finished lamely, her shoulders slumped.
"I will see you later Hermione," Krum declared and then strode off towards the stadium. Hermione watched him go and in doing so saw Harry and Lupin heading towards her, oh no, she paled, where was Ron? Had he seen? Was he upset?
"Hermione," Harry started, his voice sounding harsher than usual, "what was that?"
"I," her eyes filled with tears, "he kissed me Harry, I swear, it wasn't me, I didn't even kiss him back," Harry's look didn't soften.
"I'm not sure it's us you owe an apology to," Lupin said kindly. Hermione bit her lip and nodded, Lupin smiled at her, "He's at the cabin, so we'll meet you in the stadium later."
Hermione's eyes shined, she nodded hurriedly and ran off towards the cabin where Ron had headed a while before, "Remus why did you?" Harry began to inquire but Lupin shushed him.
"There are something's that yelling wont cure Harry," Harry's shoulders slumped in defeat as he and Lupin headed towards the stadium, the first match USA vs. Brazil was about to start.
---Hermione---
The bouncy haired brunette cautiously opened the front door, snuck into the cabin and shut the door behind her in the space of a minute. She jumped when she heard a smashing sound and quickly scuttled to Ron's room, form which she could here more breaking noises. The sounds of creaking springs reached her eyes through the shut door, Hermione then drew up the conclusion that he had sunk down on his bed.
She put a revealing charm on the door and watched Ron as he sat on his bed looking dejectedly at a picture; one which she shrewdly suspected was of her. She saw the tears pool in his eyes as they refused to fall, rivulets of blood poured from little cuts in his bruised hands.
On the floor lay pieces of china, glass and other miscellaneous objects that Ron had trashed in his temper, she reached out her hand and tentatively knocked on the door.
She saw him look up, but nothing else, she took hold of the doorknob and turned, it didn't turn on the other side; the door was locked.
A tear fell out of Hermione's eye at the pitiful look on Ron's obviously dejected face, she pulled out her wand and pointed it at the handle, "Alohomora," she whispered. There was a soft blue glow and the door swung open gently.
"What do you want Hermione?" Ron spat, not looking at her, but she could tell he was crying, or at least holding back tears.
"What did you see Ron?" she walking over to stand by where he sat on his bed.
"Does it matter?" he demanded, his voice had a malicious turn to it.
Hermione moved to the front of him and knelt down, she reached up to brush his bangs from his face, his eyes met hers slowly, "Of course it matters Ron," she answered.
"Why would you care about me anyway, after all, you've got Vicky," Ron sneered looking away, Hermione then proceeded to cup his face in both her hands and turn him to face her.
"I didn't mean for that to happen, you've been one of my best friends for years, surely you know me better than that?" she asked.
"What are you trying to tell me Hermione?" he asked while reaching one of his hands up to cradle hers.
"I don't want Viktor Ron, I want you," she smiled at him, he looked slightly taken aback.
"You mean, that wasn't real what I saw back there, you and him…" he trailed off, unable to continue.
Hermione shook her head, "Ron if there was one thing I could take back right this minute it would be that, without hesitation, if it came between you and him, do you know you I'd choose," Ron opened his mouth to answer…
"Think carefully about your answer because if you give the wrong one I will walk out that door," she pointed to Ron's bedroom door, "and I won't come back, no matter how much I love you."
Ron sighed and opened his eyes again, smiling at her, "Me?" he asked, sounding hopeful.
"You know it Ron," Hermione exclaimed delightedly, she flung her arms around Ron's neck and pulled him down, hugging him tightly, "I love you Ron, nothing will change that."
"I know that now Hermione," he replied as he hugged her back.
"Hey wait," Hermione pulled away violently, "Aren't we missing the tournament?"
"Oh yeh!" Ron jumped to his feet pulling Hermione up with him, "I almost forgot about that," he made a dash for the door and wrenched it open, Hermione stood there with her arms crossed, "Hermione, what are you standing there for?" he demanded.
"Hello, Ron, apparition, remember?" Hermione smirked as Ron blushed, they held hands and they both Apparated at the same time.
"Aaah," Harry gave a startled yell when, with an almighty crack, Ron and Hermione appeared before him, Lupin jumped, but suddenly the older man stood up and cheered loudly.
"What's happened?" asked Ron.
"You've missed too matches, the USA team lost 150 to 0 against Brazil," Harry started but Ron interrupted him.
"Blimey," Ron gasped.
"Thanks for that interruption Ron," Harry grumbled.
"Sorry," Ron blushed again for the umpteenth time that hour.
"Anyway, Japan won their match 200 to 150 against Ireland," Ron's eyes were wide, he hadn't expected Ireland to loose, "and now we're facing off against Egypt."
"They aren't very good are they?" asked Hermione, Harry, Ron and Lupin, who had just joined the conversation, shook their heads.
"No," Lupin confirmed, "there not, that's why we're winning 100 to nothing, if we can find the snitch now we may pull ahead of Japan," was Lupin's final comment.
"Rock on," shouted Ron waving his fist in the air encouragingly.
"And Egypt scores twice leaving the score 100 to 20, still no sign of the snitch, this match could go either way with both having equally skilled seekers…"
"What's he playing at?" roared Ron, "there's seekers awful!" Hermione, Harry and Lupin sighed, that's exactly what the commentator had been implying, but they weren't going to tell Ron that.
"The Quaffle's going everywhere, oh and it's in again, Flanders isn't doing too well up at those goal posts, oh look, Egypt score again that leaves England still in the lead but only by 60 points. They're going to need to bring their act up to speed a bit if they want to win this match!" There was a mass booing form the crowd as not only did Egypt score three more times but at the comments that the commentator was making.
"So the score is 100 to 70, Ishtar going for goal and, oh that must have hurt, hit in the head with a Bludger and what's this, Williams is diving, Cleopatra's on his tail, Williams is pulling up, oh England scores," there was a roar from the England side of the crowd, "And…that's it, the game's over, Williams has caught the Snitch, ENGLAND WIN!!! Final score; 260 to 70 to England."
"It's Bulgaria vs. Australia next right?" Lupin asked, Harry nodded after a quick glance at the flashing board suspended magically above the stadium.
"Great game guys," the other three turned at Hermione's words to see the England team, covered in mud trudge in.
"Close call there," Amelia sighed plopping down next to Remus.
"Got that right," said Ed while giving Amelia a high five.
"Oh Andrew you were great," screamed Chelsea running over to him, "I could kiss you," and she did, just a quick peck on the cheek but none the less it left Andrew blushing.
"Didn't do so well in the keeping area this time, eh Charlie?" asked Hermione grinning.
The other grinned back, "Not really, but they did worse," she shook her heard and turned back to Ron who had been poking her in the back.
"Bulgaria score, Dimitrov back with the Quaffle, passes to Ivanova, he scores! Keeper tosses, Levski intercepts, passes to Dimitrov and he scores! Bulgaria lead 30 – 0 and Australia can't seem to get it past the half-way line!"
"Bulgaria has won," commented Harry from where he stood by the viewing window with a towel around his neck.
"What makes you say that?" asked Harry looking at the blonde man.
"Australia scores but, what's this, the Bulgaria team move, three goals scored for Bulgaria!!!" cheers rang out across the stands.
"Australia doesn't stand a chance against them, if they'd faced off against us, we would have lost, and they'd have lost to Japan but otherwise…" Harry trailed off.
"Australia as a whole do a lot of surfer tricks on their brooms," Amelia continued, Harry refocused his attention to her, "but they don't work against Japan because they never loose position, at least not often and Bulgaria use brute force, oh and look, there goes Krum!"
Everyone looked just in time to see Krum's hand close firmly around the snitch. "I said they'd win," Harry said and walked.
"And Bulgaria wins, 230 to 50 leaving them with a total of 190 points. So, for those of you with fading arithmetic skills here are the results of the quarter-finals! USA, Ireland, Australia and Egypt are all out of the tournament leaving, from bottom to top, we have Brazil at 270," there was a roar from the part of the crowd in yellow and green, "Japan at 330," another loud cheer, "Bulgaria at 340," a large part of the crowd stood up waving flags like 'We love you Krum!!!' and cheered.
"Oh my God," Chelsea squealed, she and Amelia jumped up and hugged each other with excited vigour, "We've done it!"
"And in the lead, with 380 points, ENGLAND!!!" there were screams, roaring, cheering, chanting and even a bit of singing.
"We're in the lead!" Charlie whooped and punched the air, Giles low fived Andrew and Ed and Harry thumped each other.
"Oh my God, just two more rounds and we're through," Ron was almost jumping up and down in excitement.
"Ladies and gentlemen, if you would kindly remain in your seats we we'll continue with the semi-finals!" there was a roar of agreement from the crowd.
"So, first, we'll have Bulgaria against Brazil," two alternate cheers from either end of the stands were heard at these words.
Ron and Harry watched as Hermione blushed when Krum flew past their box and waved at her, Ron glared at him until Hermione swatted him on the arm. "Be nice Ron," she said, "he's only being friendly."
"A little too friendly," Ron sneered, it would appear that he wasn't fully over Krum trying to take his Hermione
During this little event where Krum got too friendly, as Ron put it, with Hermione and she in turn tried to reason with her red haired boyfriend, Bulgaria had scored a total of five goals with Brazil never even once gaining position. "Their chasing skills have improved," said Lupin, Charlie nodded from where he sat next to the golden eyed werewolf.
"And Brazil scores! Ivanova in possession passes to Dimitrov, Levski, back to Dimitrov, Levski, Ivanova, Ivanova scores! Bulgaria leads 60 to 10."
And so the game carried on, "Levski in possession, he scores!"
Ten minutes later, "And Krum has caught the Snitch, the games done now, with a final score of 260 to 40 to Bulgaria, meaning they score 220 points and go through to the finals!!! Let's here it for Bulgaria," the Stadium vibrated as feet stamped and the fans in the stand cheered, waving banners wildly as the Bulgarian team did a lap of the pitch as a sort of victory dance.
"Alright, we're up next," said Chelsea leaping up from where she sat.
"Yeh," said Charlie in agreement, "and as it stands, we are currently 180 points behind Bulgaria so that's going to be a problem," he added.
"Not really," piped up Amelia, "if we just beat Japan with a relatively high score then we go into the finals right?" there was an affirmative nod from Charlie, "well then, all we'd have to do is beat Bulgaria and they wouldn't get any points, it's simple," she replied.
"Why do the points matter?" asked Harry.
"There are two prizes Harry," Ron began to explain, "one's the trophy and the other is the money, you get the trophy for winning the tournament and you get the money for having the most points," Ron finished.
"I get it," Harry replied.
"Good," said Ron.
"Well anyway," said Andrew, "let's go team, and let's win," they all grinned and trooped off, some waved at the four they left behind, who waved back encouragingly, smiles on their faces.
"What are their chances?" asked Hermione.
"Let's just say I wish they'd faced off against Brazil," Ron replied.
"That bad huh?" Harry asked.
"Not entirely," said Lupin, "it's just that Williams is gullible and one of Tsukino's signature moves is the Wronski feint," he finished.
"No way, you mean we might loose our seeker and loose the entire match because of it?" Harry gasped, Lupin nodded dejectedly.
"Our only real chance is by scoring enough goals anyway and not relying on catching the Snitch, but we haven't got much of a chance doing that either," Ron explained.
"So we're probably going to loose, right Ron?" asked Hermione, Ron nodded.
"Oh well," Harry sighed, "maybe we'll pull through."
"I hope so," said Lupin.
"Yeh, England haven' won the cup since," Ron trailed off.
"1943," Hermione answered for him.
"Right," Ron muttered as he grinned sheepishly, "I knew that."
"And so, the last match of the semi-finals and the one that decides who will be Bulgaria's opponent in the finals, let's here it for England vs. Japan!" the voice boomed out over the wildly cheering crowd.
"The Snitch is released, the Bludgers are out, the Quaffle is tossed and the game BEGINS!" another grand cheer and a lot of chanting in Japanese from the oriental looking part of the crowd.
It was then that Harry realised that the Japanese supporters had all magically dyed their hair in corresponding colours. Their collective heads made the picture of a big, round, yellow face sporting a wide grin that showed off its impeccably white teeth. The black eyes seemed to glint, magic of course.
Harry laughed silently to himself when he saw one person in the crowd get up and move, the missing man was part of the mouth so his departure made it look like the face had lost a tooth.
"What you looking at Harry?" Ron asked, leaning over to stare down Harry's view point in hopes of understanding his friends humour.
"The face Ron," Harry replied as he was squished against the back of his chair by Ron, unintentionally of course.
"Yeh I see it, what about it?" Ron pulled back and looked at his black haired, green eyed friend, "that's there every year."
"Is it?" Harry asked, blinking stupidly.
"I just said it was didn't I?" Ron asked sarcastically, Harry nodded dumbly.
"Hill scores, 10 – 0 to England."
"Hikari scores 10 all."
So the game carried on, however, each time one team scored, the other would score, it was frustrating when both teams were tied at 150 each and there was still no sign of the Snitch.
"Come on Williams, find the Snitch!" Ron called clambering to his feet and pressing himself against the window.
"We aren't going to win with the team we have currently," Lupin concluded looking at the players zipping around on their brooms, desperately trying to win.
"What are you suggesting Lupin?" Hermione asked, looking at him, his eyes met hers, "that we get a new team?"
"They might pull through," said Harry, his voice wavering.
"She's diving, look, look!" Ron screamed. All four got up and looked at where Ron was pointing at the blonde haired Usagi Tsukino who was diving for the ground. Williams noticed and followed in hot pursuit, they were so close to the ground, "It's a Wronski feint!" Ron cried too late, Usagi pulled up leaving Giles to crash into the ground. One problem…he didn't get back up, "No!" Ron gasped.
The whistle blew, "And time out is called as medics see to Williams," there was a pause, "Williams has been knocked unconscious, the game will take a five minute pause as the England team try and sort out there loss of Seeker."
"What are going to do, we haven't got a seeker, we've as good as lost," Andrew practically yelled.
"Well I could fill in," suggested Amelia, Hermione saw Lupin's eyes light up when he pull Amelia over and whispered something in her ear, she nodded. "Andrew," the captain turned, "I've got an idea."
"You can't play seeker Amelia you," he was interrupted by the bouncy chaser.
"I can't, but he can," she pointed at Harry who blushed.
"What, are you crazy?" Andrew yelped.
"What's your PB kid?" asked Charlie, crouching down next to Harry.
"Ten seconds it was, wasn't it Harry? Last year against Slytherin," said Ron who was grinning at his blushing best friend.
"Um," Harry gulped, "yeh."
"Youngest seeker in a century too, if I'm not very much mistaken," Hermione commented, smirking at Ron who grinned openly back at her.
"Age doesn't matter, its speed and ability," Charlie said but then he grinned, "Hoi Ed," he called, the black haired man turned, "what'd you say to this kid being seeker?" asked Charlie, Ed looked at Harry.
"Good chance," he replied, "Why?"
"We could borrow him," Charlie replied.
"Not if Andrew doesn't agree we can't," Harry said.
"Fine, let him play, but only because I trust you judgment Amelia," Ron and Hermione looked at Harry who went red. "But he'll need a broom," Lupin smirked.
"Got it covered," the werewolf produced Harry's Firebolt, "just summoned it."
"Wow, you really like the game don't you Harry?" asked Chelsea as she looked at his Firebolt, she was still on a Nimbus 2001.
"Yep," Harry grinned.
"Alright get him suited up," Amelia pulled out her wand, gave it a wave and Harry was in English Quidditch robes, "let's go team," Andrew grinned at Harry, who grinned back and they all trooped down, back to the pitch.
So there you have, I said they'd meet on the pitch by accident, or really, a accident. Oh well, hope you enjoyed, no REVIEW!!! :-)