A.N: Okay so for the Australians, imagine Alex Russell, Jai Courtney, Xavier Samuel and James Frecheville. Seriously, these men are gorgeous. And Australian. So, go Google them if you don't know who they are. You're welcome.
Hermione had decided to take Ginny's advice more often.
Despite the girl being a year and a considerable amount of months older (around eleven months, so nearly two years older) she really did know a fair bit about most things. Not everything, just the important things. Like boys, for example.
You see, Hermione had never dated anyone until Ron - she'd been assured by Ginny that Viktor Krum, and Cormac McLaggen didn't count. She felt as if she'd waded in too deep. A ten thousand word essay on the Legislation Act regarding animal cruelty and it's impact on the popular use of newts and toads in potions; Hermione can write it. A Confundus charm; Hermione can perform one. A Polyjuice Potion - well, you know. Hermione can do absolutely and positively anything, except recite Quidditch players, teams or rules.
And whilst on a date to the Quidditch World Cup, with your Quidditch-mad boyfriend, his equally Quidditch-mad best friend, and your professional Quidditch-player best friend, then it is quintessential that Hermione knows a little something about Quidditch.
Just the other day Ginny confided in her the most vital secret to a great relationship, sorry, the second most vital secret to a great relationship. Conversation. It's the same with friends.
Usually Hermione and Ron have a lot to talk about, but she decided that if they would be spending two weeks watching Quidditch match after Quidditch match, she's going to need something more than "your hair is looking very red today."
Luckily, this is where her Quidditch Team Captain best friend comes in. Ginny didn't know much about what Hermione was good at - which was an expansive list ranging from the medicinal properties of Henbane, to which actress voiced Belle in Disney's Classic Beauty and the Beast in 1991 (Paige O'Hara, if you're curious). However, Ginny knew far more about Quidditch than Hermione did.
And so, for preparation for the two weeks that loomed ahead in the future, Hermione memorised the players of the International teams, and statistics about them. Who they play for, what number robe they wear, what kind of broom they fly etc.
When the time came to leave for the World Cup, Ginny was impressed by how much Hermione had learned, in such a short space of time.
The pair were discussing this, to themselves, quietly, whilst striding ahead of Ron and Harry as they made their way to the Portkey. The boys, though usually oblivious, took note of how their girlfriends were behaving, and wondered.
"They're up to something, aren't they?" Ron asked, narrowing his eyes. "You just know it."
Harry laughed, shaking his head.
"Mate, if we assumed they were scheming something every time they acted like this, then they'd be under constant surveilance" he told his friend.
Ron nodded, though still skeptical. In an attempt to change the topic, Harry gestured to his girlfriend.
"Do you think it will be different, this year? I mean, going with a professional Quidditch player and all?"
Shrugging, Ron turned to answer. "Probably not. I mean, think about all the other players who are going to be there. International players. And the Holyhead Harpies are great and all, but they're no Chudley Cannons."
Harry snorted. He didn't want to burst Ron's bubble, so kept quiet.
Chudley Cannon's were twenty-first in the league - three above last place. Holyhead Harpies were second, a mere three points behind the leaders.
Crack! The familiar piercing sensation, which felt like an awful mixture of someone drilling into your eardrums, and standing on a fishing boat in the storm, was nauseating. Harry blinked a couple of times, until the colours around him ceased blending into one hazy rainbow.
The Quidditch World Cup Comitee did not disappoint. The landscape, which had once been a plain and fruitless field, now bustled with life. Witches and wizards from all walks of life merged as one spirited and jubilant crowd, gathered to witness the cream of the crop (ironic to use this phrase, whilst stood on ground that probably hasn't seen crop of any kind in decades) compete in the greatest of all sports, muggle and magical sports alike.
"So much to see, so little time! The Italy/Australia game is in an hour!" Hermione exclaimed, her brown eyes bright with wonder. Her wispy hazel hair was slung up high, and she was clad in a pale blue blouse and blue, fading jeans. Hermione was beautiful, Harry wasn't oblivious to that. She was his best friend, and he was glad that she finally took her head out of the books and realised that Ron had been there the whole time.
Walking alongside Hermione was Ron, her small hand in his. She looked up at him, and beamed. This made Harry smile - seeing two of his closest friends happy together.
Speaking of happiness, Harry found his eyes glued to the slim figure of Ginny as she rushed ahead of them all, soaking in all things Quidditch. This was what she lived, all she had ever wanted. She thrived on the pitch, prospered even, and ate and dreamed and breathed the game.
Running her fingers along the polished wooden handles of all the classic brooms, her eyes lit up. She swivelled her head round to flash Harry a grin, which sent shivers up his spine. Hermione was beautiful, there's no denying it, but Ginny was magnificently stunning. Harry found that stunning was usually used sparingly, but in this case it meant exactly how it was supposed to - when people laid eyes on Ginny, boys mainly, Harry would watch as their jaws drop and they lose the ability to speak. She, quite literally, stunned them.
Dressed specifically in Australia's national colours, green and gold, Ginny radiated both beauty and joy. The colours complimented her immensely, creating an illusion that her hair was aflame. She was wearing a baggy forest green jumper, embellished with the Australian Quidditch logo, that hung off her slender frame, and black jeans. Gold adorned her every accessory, which included her beige Timbland boots, a beige backpack and beige jewellery.
Ginny stuck out among the crowd, partly because she wasn't traditionally dressed like a lot of them were, partly because she was alluring.
Ron suddenly nudged Harry in the ribs with his elbow, abruptly snapping his attention.
"Oi, why is every man and his dog staring at my sister like that?" he questioned, clearly annoyed by the amount of *male* attention Ginny was recieving.
"How could they not?" Harry answered. She's beautiful. He declined to say this out loud. "She's the incredibly talented Captain of a renowned Quidditch team, celebrated and supported by tens of thousands around the world."
"Ginny's a household name" Hermione added, matter-of-factly.
Ron merely grunted, shaking his head. He pointed towards a group of four young wizards, quite a bit older than her, all who were eyeing Ginny with fascination. They all wore green and gold too, and shared a glorious tan.
"I don't like how they're looking at her" he growled. Harry followed his finger, and saw the men. He too did not appreciate the way they admired his girlfriend. He especially despised when they approached her.
Just as Harry and Ron prepared to run over, Hermione held them both back. She stood in front of them both, an eager expression on her face.
"Don't go over there and cause a scene, please" she began, determined to get her message across to them. "Look at their faces - don't you recognise them? It's Jarrah Killian, Clancy Cainan, Eugene Balder, and Lucas Faulk - Australia's best Chasers! Seeing as Ginny is number 27th in the world, she outranks Killian, Cainan and Faulk. They're bound to know who she is, they're probably just fans."
Harry and Ron couldn't decide at what they were more shocked; the fact they were a mere few meters away from professional Quidditch players, or that Hermione knew who they were, and their rankings.
"Oh . . . right . . . well then" Ron stuttered, at loss for words. Harry just nodded, as he continued to watch the exchange between Ginny and the four men. Hermione's words did give him some comfort, however although he was ashamed to admit it, these men were striking, some would even deign to call them handsome, and he felt a pang of jealousy course through him.
Harry tried to watch from the sidelines, but found it increasingly difficult, especially when he heard them all laugh about something. He couldn't hold it in any longer, and leapt across the field. He placed an arm around his girlfriend's waist, and held her close.
"There you are, Ginny" he cried, with feigned surprise. He planted a kiss on her cheek, then turned to her company. He faked even more shock. "Oh my God, you're from the Australian team, aren't you! Jarrah Killian, Clancy Cainan and Lucas Faulk . . . and I'm sorry, your name has escaped me."
The man chuckled, and stroked his chin. "Eugene Balder, number 18th ranked Quidditch player in the world. But, it's fine. You're that guy who defeated the Dark Lord, aren't you? Um . . . Henry something?"
The two men were clearly aware of who the other was, but somehow found battling back and forth like this far more entertaining.
"Harry Potter" he replied, and held his hand out. They all shook it, in a form of greeting.
"You're lovely girlfriend here was just telling us where she would be sat, so that we would be able to see her whilst playing. She's our good luck charm, y'see" the smallest one, Lucas, spoke.
Harry cocked his eyebrow, curious. He felt Hermione and Ron slide in next to him. Obviously they had been listening in, and were interested in hearing the story too.
"Well, it was two years ago I think, might have been a bit more, when we met Ginny in the lockers at one of Holyhead Harpies matches - "
"They were in the girls changing rooms?" Ron roared, glaring at Ginny.
"It was before the match, during our press interviews, Jesus Ron" Ginny assured him, punching him in the arm. Rubbing his arm, Ron just said "oh" and shut his mouth.
The Australians laughed, as Clancy resumed their storytelling.
"So yeah, we were in the lockers, whilst the girls were all doing their interviews. Gwenog's a good friend of ours, so we had showed up for support. However, with her being the Captain and all, she was very busy. We spotted Ginny, stood alone, prepping her gear. None of us knew who she was - no one did, it was her first time in a Holyhead Harpies jersey - and oh, how do I put it - "
"She looked gorgeous, basically" Jarrah interrupted, bluntly, smirking. Ginny blushed.
"Yeah, she did. So naturally we had to talk to her. Immediatley we were charmed, and have been fans, and friends, ever since."
Ginny flashed them a smile,and they returned one. Harry, however, didn't understand.
"I don't get it - how's she your good luck charm?"
"It was the day I met my now-fiance" Eugene answered, cooly. Harry immediatley felt ridiculous.
"Oh."
"I found out my girlfriend was expecting" Clancy said, adding to Harry's embarrassment further.
"I made Australia's national squad" Lucas continued.
"And I found a Galleon" Jarrah rounded it up, shrugging.
In a feeble attempt to correct himself, Harry proceeded to change the subject.
"So, are you nervous about your match against Italy? They have some good players" Harry pointed out. Ginny laughed.
"Please, their Keeper, Calogero Petri, couldn't catch a Quaffle to save his life, even if it was the size of his huge ego" she scoffed. The Australians chuckled.
"And Cipriano Tanzini, their pathetic excuse for a Beater, has a phobia of hights!" Clancy laughed.
Apparently the Italians weren't all that good, according to the five professional Quidditch Chasers. Harry thought they weren't that bad.
"Speaking of the match, we should get going" Eugene sighed, glancing down at his watch. The others muttered in agreement, and began to say their goodbyes. Each gave Ginny a kiss on the cheek, Hermione too, despite not knowing who she was, and shook Ron and Harry's hands.
"That jersey looks great on you, I got the right size, didn't I?" Jarrah queried, glancing down at the redhead. She laughed, holding out the material, which she could of fit about three other Ginny's into.
"It fits perfectly" she joked, and he beamed at her. Joining the others, he gave Ginny one final wink.
"We'll look for you in the crowd, okay Weasley?"
"I'd be hurt if you didn't, Balder" she replied, waving.
When the four Australians were nothing but another speck of green in the sea that was Australian supporters, Harry turned to Ginny, with furrowed eyebrows.
"You told me you got that jumper from a friend on the team?" he questioned, confused.
"Yeah. Gwenog gave it to me, from Jarrah" she answered, shrugging, as if they was nothing wrong with receiving presents from other blokes.
"Hmm" Harry murmured, doubtful. Ginny noticed his insecurity, and placed her hands on his chest. Leaning in close, he breathed in her heartwarming scent of flowers. Gazing into her brigth brown eyes, that resembled delicious pools of chocolate, he saw nothing but sincerity.
"I promise you're the only man for me, Harry Potter. I love you and only you" she whispered. She pressed her lips against his, and the two warmly embraced, until Ron's obvious discomfort could be heard behind them.
Ginny walked hand in hand with Harry to find a space where they could pitch up their tent. Hermione and Ron also walked beside them, hand in hand too. Ginny turned to Hermione, and smirked.
"You've got to admit, they were pretty fit though."
