The Difference One Choice Makes
9th July 2014
Moving through the bustling campsite, which was located in the sandy Patagonian Desert in Patagonia, Argentina where the final match of the 427th Quidditch World Cup final between Bulgaria and Brazil was due to take place the day after tomorrow, Edward and Harry, the latter of whom had his now 5-year-old son Henry Fleamont Potter sat on his shoulders.
Henry had his father's short black hair and blue eyes though he did not need glasses like his father and sisters.
"Don't get too far ahead you four" said Harry, calling out to the four children moving quickly and excitedly in front of the two adults.
The four children in question were Alexandra, Dorea and Celia Potter, all of whom were now nine years old, as well as Charlus Potter who was six years old.
Naturally, the four children neglected to listen to their father and uncle.
"Settle down little brother… it's not like they're going far" said Edward as they walked through the campsite towards the adjacent campsite reserved for the Bulgarian national team.
With his new high-ranking position in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Edward had been partly responsible for helping to set everything up for the highly anticipated Quidditch World Cup Final.
Even Harry had managed to get himself involved with the World Cup as he had been asked to provide commentary on the match alongside former Gryffindor and England teammate Ginerva Sloper nee Weasley. His former teammate had retired in May 2008 after a nine-year career with the Holyhead Harpies, finding work as a Sports Reporter at the Daily Prophet so she could start a family with her husband Josh Sloper with the two having a five-year-old daughter named Maria Sloper.
Like her husband and her brother-in-law, Katie had also found herself being involved in the World Cup Final, serving as the referee though this meant that she could not come and meet Viktor Krum with Harry, not being allowed anywhere near any of the players and coaches to prevent accusations of possible match corruption.
Ignoring the teasing name sent his way by his older brother, Harry and Edward finally reached the entrance of the Bulgarian campsite which was being guarded by two large, barrel-chested wizards who stepped in front of the four kids to stop them from just wandering into the private campsite without reason.
"Can we help you?" said one of the Wizards in a gruff voice.
Harry stepped forwards, taking a folded up piece of parchment out of his coat pocket.
"Yes, Viktor Krum invited us to visit him… Harrison and Edward Potter" said Harry politely.
Handing the parchment to one of the wizards, Harry and the others waited quietly as the two wizards started conversing with each other in rapid Bulgarian.
After nearly a minute of conversation, one of the wizards turned back to Harry and the others.
"You can go inside" said the Wizard as they stepped aside allowing them to enter the site.
"Thank you" said Edward as he and Harry led the kids into the campsite.
Walking through the campsite, the Potter children were very excited at the bustling campsite, with Dorea and Celia excitedly pointing out and referring to each individual player by name, being just as Quidditch mad as their parents.
After a few minutes of walking through the campsite, Harry was shaking hands with a few people who recognised him from his Quidditch days before they finally reached Viktor Krum's tent where the Seeker was sitting outside on a wooden log.
The now 38-year-old Seeker was tall and muscular with the same vulture-like facial features and demeanour that he had had in his youth. He was dressed in his red Quidditch robes with his Firebolt Supreme broomstick slung across his lap as he clipped the tail twigs.
Though he had initially retired after losing the Quidditch World Cup Final match in 2002, Krum had shocked the world when he announced that he was coming out of retirement with a comment that sent shock waves around the world.
"I aim to win the World Cup before I die"
Being a World Cup winner himself, Harry understood the decision of his former opponent to come out of retirement even if several people went on about Krum being too old and out of form to win the World Cup with thirty-eight considered to be an old age for a Seeker.
As the Potter's reached the tent, Krum finally became aware of their presence and looked up at them.
Placing his broomstick and clippers on the floor, Krum stood up and looked Edward up and down before offering his hand for the older Potter to shake.
Edward obliged and shook Krum's hand before wishing him good luck in the match, telling him that all of them were supporting Bulgaria in this match.
"Thank you" said Krum in his thick, heavy Bulgarian accent as Harry removed Henry from his shoulders.
Letting go of his hand, Edward watched as Krum turned to Harry, looking him up and down before surprising everyone by giving Harry a one-armed hug.
"Good luck Viktor… it's good to see you again" said Harry kindly.
"Thank you" said Krum gruffly.
Suddenly, camera flashes caused them both to separate from their one-armed hug.
Looking to the side, they saw half a dozen reporters and photographers standing in a crowd near them.
"Mr Potter, Mr Potter… how do you rate Bulgaria's chances of winning the World Cup?" said one of the female Reporters.
Harry composed himself as he and Krum turned to face the reporters and photographers.
"Very high" said Harry confidently.
"Mr Krum… if Bulgaria are successful in winning the World Cup, will tomorrows match be your final game?" said one of the male Reporters.
Krum sent them a curt nod accompanied by a gruff "Yes" which was typical of the reserved Seeker.
"Mr Potter… who are you supporting in this match?" said one of the male Reporters.
"Bulgaria" said Harry quickly.
"No more questions" said Krum gruffly.
Though the reporters and photographers clearly wanted to get more information out of the former England Seeker and the Bulgarian Seeker, they were forced to move away by a few Bulgarians walking around the campsite.
"Come… we can talk inside" said Krum, beckoning for Edward and Harry to join him in his tent.
Following Krum into his tent, they saw a brown-haired woman around 34 years of age sitting at a small table in the middle of the tent which was around the size of a small flat.
The woman in question, who was sipping from a mug of tea looked up at them as they entered the tent before addressing Krum in rapid Bulgarian.
After several seconds of rapid conversation between Krum and the Woman, the former introduced her as his girlfriend of two years, Isabel Georgieva.
Once all of the adults had been introduced, Harry and Edward introduced their children to Krum and Isabel Georgieva who were more than happy to meet the children, asking the Potter's to stay for drinks in the tent so they could catch up with each other.
11th July 2014
Taking his seat in the commentary box ready for the match, dressed in his old Falmouth Falcon's Quidditch robes, Harry tried to mentally prepare himself for the upcoming match.
Though he would be sharing the commentary duties with Ginny Sloper, Harry still felt nervous for his upcoming job, knowing that providing commentary for a Quidditch match would not be an easy thing to do.
Though Harry had initially wanted to watch the match with his family, particularly his children since he wanted them to experience the World Cup with their father. He knew that his family would be proud of him when they heard his commentary during the match.
Instead, his children would be watching the match with James and Narcissa, Edward and Daphne along with their children, as well as Euphemia and Colin Creevey and their two children, James Michael Creevey, aged four and Luna Calliope Creevey, aged two.
Not long after he had sat down, Harry got back to his feet as Ginny Sloper entered the commentary box, dressed in her own Holyhead Harpies Quidditch uniform.
"Hi Harry" said Ginny, giving him a hug.
"Hey Ginny, it's good to see you again" said Harry kindly as he returned her hug.
After a few seconds, the two broke their hug and sat down, passing the time by talking about their respective families among other things.
Nearly four hours later…
Raising the whistle hanging around her neck to her mouth, Katie blew into it with the loud shriek being heard around the roaring stadium.
Dressed in pure gold robes with her long brown hair tied back in a professional ponytail to prevent it from whipping into her face and distracting her. Katie was sat atop her Firebolt Supreme broomstick, giving yet another penalty to Bulgaria following a foul on Bulgarian Chaser Bogomil Levski, with the match forty to ten in favour of Brazil as the game passed the two and a half-hour mark.
Though the match had been going on for two and a half hours, the sturdy defences of both teams prevented the scoreline from getting too high, while the six penalties that had been shared between both sides had all been saved by the Keepers.
"AND THAT'S ANOTHER PENALTY TO BULGARIA!" Katie heard her Husband call out to the masses.
"YOU COULD SAY THAT THIS PENALTY MAKES UP FOR THE INCIDENT INVOLVING BULGARIAN SEEKER KRUM HALF AN HOUR AGO!" called out the voice of Harry's fellow commentator Ginny.
As Levski moved into position to take the penalty for Bulgaria, Katie scowled at the mention of how Brazilian Beater Rafael Santos had hit Krum over the back of the head with his Beater's bat.
After reviewing the omniocular footage a few times, Katie had eventually come to the decision not to award Bulgaria a penalty for what most of the crowd thought was a deliberate foul on Krum.
With another shriek of her whistle, Levski took the penalty for Bulgaria which once again was saved by Brazilian Keeper Raul Almeida.
"AND IT'S SAVED BY ALMEIDA ONCE AGAIN, I CAN'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I SAW SO MANY PENALTIES SAVED IN A SINGLE MATCH!" Ginny called out.
"DON'T LOOK AT ME GINNY… I WAS A SEEKER, SO I NEVER GOT INVOLVED WITH PENALTIES IN MY CAREER!" Harry called out.
Even the fact that they were being forced to share the commentary box with controversial Daily Prophet reporter Rita Skeeter did little to dampen the exciting mood the both of them were feeling.
Another 20 minutes passed, with the score now being sixty to ten in favour of Brazil, the entire stadium was on its feet as Krum and Brazilian Seeker Tony Silva were vertically rising higher and higher into the sky as they chased the Snitch.
Keeping one eye on the two Seekers while the other was surveying the rest of the match, Katie knew that it would all be over soon as did everyone else in the stadium.
Roars soon deafened all of the spectators as Krum pulled his broomstick away from Silva with the Snitch clutched tightly in his hands as tears of joy and happiness poured down his face.
Blowing her whistle for the last time that night, Katie flew into the centre of the pitch with her wand pressed against her neck.
"BULGARIA WIN!" shouted Katie in a magically enhanced voice.
The two-thirds of the stadium who had been supporting Bulgaria for the match were all on their feet applauding the famed Bulgarian Seeker, just as were his teammates as well as the entire Brazilian team.
All of them applauding the fact that one of the greatest Seekers in the last fifty years had finally achieved his lifelong ambition of winning the Quidditch World Cup.
The smile and tears on the face of Viktor Krum would surely be remembered for years to come as he joined the rest of his teammates flying up to the box containing all of the Ministry Officials to receive their winner's medals and the trophy.
True to his word, Viktor Krum retired for the second and final time the next day bringing an end to what many considered was perhaps one of the greatest Quidditch stories of all time.
To lose two World Cup finals and retire for over ten years before coming out of retirement with the sole aim of winning the Quidditch World Cup as if it was the only thing that mattered in his life, which eventually turned into reality.
In the days following the match, several stories began to dominate the headlines including, Viktor Krum's retirement speech in full, being photographed with Harry as they shook hands with the retired England World Cup winner congratulating his former opponent, a reunion between Krum and his fellow 1994-1995 Tri-Wizard Champions Edward Potter and Fleur Monet nee Delacour who congratulated their friend on his success.
12th January 2016
"Are you girls ready yet?!" shouted Katie from the bottom of the stairs of their cottage in Godric's Hollow.
Stood next to her were her husband Harry and their now 6-year-old, soon to be 7-year-old son Henry Potter, the latter of whom was anxious to leave and go to his cousin Alexandra's 11th birthday party.
Harry who was holding onto a large purple bag that contained Alexandra's birthday presents and card, moved closer to the stairs.
"If you don't hurry up we'll leave without you!" shouted Harry.
With the sounds of commotion coming from upstairs, Harry's words had had the desired effect of making the twin Potter girls hurry up.
Soon enough, the now 10-year-old Dorea and Celia Potter who looked more and more like their mother with each passing year finally came downstairs.
"You two certainly took your time" said Katie, folding her arms in a stern manner.
Both girls looked at their parents with sheepish grins on their faces.
"Come on you two" said Harry.
Five minutes later…
"Alright you three… go find your cousin and say happy birthday" said Katie as she and Harry led their children through the large doors into the large ballroom of Potter Manor which had been decorated in a manner befitting an 11-year-old girls birthday party.
As all three of their children ran into the bustling party to find Alexandra. Harry and Katie moved over to the large table containing presents of all shapes and sizes to put their presents down before going to find some of the adults.
As Dorea, Celia and Henry finally reached their long, black-haired cousin Alexandra Potter who was standing with her now 8-year-old, short, blonde-haired brother Charlus Potter and the three quickly wished their older cousin Happy Birthday.
As they hugged their cousin and said "Happy Birthday" to her, their close friends Justin Carmichael, Hugo Weasley and Rose Longbottom joined them, with the three children being just as excited as the Potter Girls at what was going to happen to them come September.
All six of them would finally be going to Hogwarts, ready to begin the magical journey that their parents had once travelled down.
As the children mingled with each other, Harry and Katie found themselves in the company of Neville and Hermione, the two keeping one eye on their only child and daughter Rose every now and then.
Though the two wanted more children, it never quite worked out for them, leaving Rose as an only child without any siblings to grow up with.
As such, Rose formed a very close bond with Dorea and Celia Potter, with the three being the best of friends just as their father's had been best friends since they were children themselves.
As they conversed with the Longbottoms, Harry and Katie saw more of the guests arriving including, Bill and Nymphadora Weasley, though their three children Teddy, aged 17, Cedrella, aged 16 and Daniela, aged 12 were unable to attend as they were still at Hogwarts.
Other guests included Ron and Janet Weasley who had brought their two children Hugo and Cassandra, aged 8 with them to the party, Eddie and Jennifer Carmichael with their son Justin and 9-year-old daughter Andie.
As Harry and Katie left the Longbottom's to get some drinks, they were intercepted by the nearly 38-year-old Cassiopeia Petit nee Black who was in the company of her husband and her two younger children.
Cassiopeia, who now lived and worked in Paris had been married to her 34-year-old husband Julien Petit for nine years now, with her nearly 13-year-old daughter Bellatrix Black being born from a previous relationship that Cassiopeia had been in.
Bellatrix's father had cut and run as soon as he found out that Cassie was pregnant all those years ago, wanting nothing to do with Cassie or their daughter.
Living her life as a single mother for the next two and a half years, Cassie eventually found a new man in her life in the form of her co-worker Julien Petit who not only treated her with love and respect. But also treated Bellatrix like she was his own daughter, even if she never took his name.
Having two children named Louie, aged 8 and Fayette aged 5 going on 6, Cassie was the happiest she had been in years, even if the fact that she lived in another country meant that she could not see her family as often as she would have liked.
As such, Cassie looked forwards to visiting England every time she crossed the Channel, with only their work and Bellatrix attending Beauxbaton's, currently there for her second year at this time.
"It's been far too long" said Cassie softly as she wrapped Harry in a hug before doing the same to Katie.
As Cassie hugged her cousin and his wife, Julien greeted Katie with a hug before shaking Harry's hand.
"Far too long" said Harry.
"I told you… you should come and stay with us for a few weeks over the summer… and bring the kids too" said Cassie with a wide smile forming on her face.
"The kids will love that, hopefully, we can get everything arranged so we can come and stay with you" said Katie softly.
Nodding his head in agreement, Harry offered to go and get some drinks for all of them and walked towards the large refreshments table with Julien Petit.
A/N: Alright readers, since the Epilogue is proving to be so long I have decided to divide it into two parts, hope you enjoyed my story. Personally, I think this is the best piece of fanfiction I have ever written. The final chapter will be uploaded in a few days hopefully.