From the Daily Prophet of 12 September, 2000
Charmed Hearts
More heartbreak for Harry
By Erato Steele
PUDDLEMERE, England -- Harry Potter found himself treading a familiar road of heartache this week. For the second time, the young hero's love life has been upstaged by a more established Quidditch star.
The Daily Prophet can exclusively report Potter's recent romance with fellow Puddlemere United Seeker Ekaterina Petrova has come to an abrupt end, and betrayal appears to be the cause.
"No, Harry and I are not seeing each other," Petrova said in a letter released by her representatives at the Most-Charming-Smile Talent Agency on Monday. "We decided that, for the good of the team, it would be best if we remained friends. I hope we can do that without any hard feelings."
It's the detail the saucy Russian teen leaves out that makes it all but certain the Boy Who Lived could only take hard feelings -- and more pain -- away from his latest break-up. He's already been replaced.
A Daily Prophet photographer spotted Petrova, 17, leaving Nimbus Arena with team-mate Gerald Eddington after Puddlemere's Sunday morning practice. Later that evening, they were seen dining together at an intimate table in the Leaky Cauldron on Diagon Alley.
"I could barely believe my eyes," said Leaky Cauldron regular Doris Crockford, 77. "I saw her as I came in and I thought, 'There's that strumpet who's going with Harry.' But when I saw she was another man I nearly lost my head. I mean, what kind of tramp must she be if she's running around on Harry Potter?"
Indeed, the blonde starlet's latest escapade came a full day before it was clear her relationship with the Boy Who Lived was finished. That's sure to have the rumours of infidelity flying.
As usual, Potter would not comment on the situation.
"We figured you would know the drill by now," said one of the 20-year-old hero's agents, Fred Weasley, in response to the Daily Prophet's request for an interview.
"The answer is no," concluded his twin partner, George Weasley. "Harry does not discuss his private life with the press."
But a quote isn't necessary to know this break-up must be doubly painful for the Boy Who Lived. The situation is hardly unfamiliar.
During his fourth year at Hogwarts, his first romantic relationship also ended in heartbreak when classmate Hermione Granger left him for Bulgarian Quidditch star Viktor Krum. It's widely believed Potter's then nebulous fame was not enough to keep Granger -- now an influential Wizengamot member -- interested. At the time, Krum, who was at Hogwarts as the Durmstrang entrant in the Triwizard Tournament, was one of the wizarding world's biggest celebrities after his brilliant showing in the 1994 World Cup.
Though no one will claim Eddington can match Potter's unquestioned fame, he is the more accomplished Quidditch player. While the Boy Who Lived has been relegated to the reserves for Puddlemere's first two matches, Eddington, a 20-year-old Beater, has been among United's first-team heroes. It appears that was enough to sway the fancy of the ambitious, young Russian.
When confronted after United's practice on Monday, Petrova vehemently denied committing any acts of impropriety.
"Of course I didn't cheat on Harry," the aspiring model argued. "We were never really even a couple."
But Petrova's claim of innocence seems almost preposterous considering it came just a fortnight after she and the Boy Who Lived were spotted gallivanting around Diagon Alley by numerous reputable witnesses.
"As much as it pains me to say it, they were together," said Crockford, who saw Potter and Petrova in the Leaky Cauldron. "You could tell by the way that scarlet woman kept looking at him. She seemed like she was completely smitten."
Even Eddington denied knowledge of a romance between the two Seekers, raising the possibility Petrova has also been duplicitous with her latest beau.
That suggestion also brought a denial. When asked about Eddington on Monday, the Russian said, "I like him. He's very nice and we have a lot in common."
For the moment, that's a sentiment the summer transfer from Ballycastle seems to share.
"Kat and I are both new to Puddlemere and we're trying to find out where we fit in," Eddington said. "We'll have to see how things go, but perhaps we can help each other do that. I'd like that. She's a lovely girl, and from what I can tell, she's very fun to be with."
Whether he'll still feel that way in a month is yet to be seen. As Potter has already found out, it doesn't take much to send Ekaterina Petrova off in search of her next celebrity match.
Primed for another shot at Potter?
Now that he's single again, witches all over Britain undoubtedly will be queuing up for the chance to win Potter's heart. But one familiar face might have already positioned herself for the first chance to entice the nation's most-eligible bachelor.
Granger has remained one of the Boy Who Lived's best friends despite the tumultuous end to their romance six years ago. She has since been involved a long-term relationship with another of Potter's close associates, Ron Weasley of the Ministry's Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Department, but it appears she might be pining for an opportunity to reclaim her old flame.
When your humble correspondent Flooed Granger's Wizengamot office Monday evening seeking comment on Potter's latest break-up, the council member and Weasley could be seen sharing a meal. Weasley quickly reacted to questions by attempting to end the interview, but before he could do so, Granger cast a Silencing Charm. Though it was impossible to hear what was said, the couple then engaged in what could only be described as an animated discussion, which ended with Weasley storming out of the office.
Soon afterward Granger lowered the spell and gave what is believed to be her first public statement about Potter's love life.
"Why can't you just leave Harry alone?" the 20-year-old said. "Don't you understand that he doesn't want everyone watching every little thing he does? He wants to keep at least some of his private life private, and I don't blame him. If you have any respect for him, you'll stop nagging him about every little rumour."
On the surface, this seems to be a heartfelt plea on behalf of a friend. But in context, it could have a more nefarious purpose.
Given Granger's ambitious history of pursuing celebrity boyfriends, it's entirely possible happenstance gave this reporter the opportunity to witness the end of the former Order of the Phoenix member's four-year relationship with Weasley. If that's the case, her statement could be interpreted as a move to reduce scrutiny as she makes a play to win Potter back.
Undoubtedly, many supporters of the Boy Who Lived will be hoping he sees through this possible ruse. If their pasts are any indication, another chance for Granger could only mean more heartbreak for Harry Potter.
Erato Steele is the Daily Prophet's gossip columnist. Her weekly column, Charmed Hearts, runs in Tuesday's editions. Owl her at thedpreporting(at)yahoo(dot)com
A/N: Yup, I'm evil. I'm sorry about that. … Or, perhaps not.
What I am truly sorry about is yet another slow update. I haven't been very motivated lately, so I haven't been getting anything done unless I force myself. But I'll try to force myself a bit more often so I can get a few more chapters out before HBP.
Thanks to all of you who have stuck by me during my long absences -- especially my betas, Nancy, Chi and RG.