When You Wasn't Famous

By: Sam Lincoln

Disclaimer: The characters from Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling and are used here without permission.

"When you're a famous boy/it's gets really easy to get girls/It's all so easy you get a bit spoiled/but when you try to pull a girl who is also famous too/It Feels Just Like When You Wasn't Famous

-When You Wasn't Famous, The Streets

Chapter 21: England vs Bulgaria

After hours of the most intense training Harry had ever endured, and an equal amount of time spent in strategy meetings, the day of the championship match had finally arrived. Harry sat in the English dressing room and flexed his hands inside his Seeker gloves. He wasn't exactly nervous about the upcoming match, but out of all the Seekers in the world Viktor Krum was the one who'd had the most success against Harry. Mmost of those occasions took place early in Harry's career, and over the course of the past few years Harry had come out on top more often than not. Still, whenever the two lined up across from each other there was a frission of doubt in Harry's mind. He was keenly aware of how narrow a gap in talent existed between the two, and how because of that, blind luck was as likely as skill to decide the outcome of the match.

Despite that Harry knew that he could not fly scared. If he did then Krum had won before anyone even sat on a broom. Harry closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He reminded himself that he was Harry Potter, the greatest Seeker in a generation. No matter what happened on the pitch, when the match ended he would be the on holding the Snitch. He was also confident that the rest of the team would do everything they could to make the Seeker battle a sideshow. In a perfect world Ginny and the other Chasers would pile up enough goals to give them an unassailable lead. That was, at least, the plan.

Harry forced his attention toward Cabbock who was delivering a pre-match speech. "I won't lie to you. It's been a hard month, more for you than me I'm sure, but the good news is that it's almost over. All you need to do is go out on that pitch one more time. However, what I don't want any of you to think is that you have to go out there and play the match of your life. Play within the system and we will win."

"But Harry, if you do want to have the match of your life don't let Cabs dissuade you," Shetley said causing the rest of the team to burst into laughter.

"Shets is right, Harry feel free to ignore that last part," Cabbock said.

Harry decided to play along with the joke. "Oh did you say something Cabs? I wasn't exactly paying attention."

"Watch yourself Potter, the disaffected Seeker act can only take you so far," Cabbock said.

"You think that's an act?" Ginny said, sending the team into further hysterics.

Cabbock held up a hand and the laughter died down. "Good to see you're all in such good spirits. Now before you go I just wanted to tell you all this. You are by far the best squad I've ever had the privilege of managing, it's been an honour to work with all of you, yes even you Shets. Having said that the job's not yet finished. You have a chance to go down as one of the best sides in the history of Quidditch. All you have to do is come away with the victory today."

"So no pressure lads," Howse said.

"Of course there's pressure," Cabbock said. "But that's precisely why you're here. When I was putting together this roster I only wanted players who were fully committed to Quidditch. Who lived it, breathed it. The sort who wouldn't object to twelve hour days spent training and planning. I knew if I had a side full of those players then it wouldn't matter what the situation was, they would know exactly how to deal with it. This is that squad. I have full faith that you are going to go out there and rise to the occasion. This is why we spent all that time on scouting reports, why we ran plays over and over. Everything you've done in your careers has lead you to this point. Now go out there and make it all count."

Westerman stood up and looked around the room. "You heard Cabs, let's get to work."

As they started to file out of the dressing room Ginny stopped and gave Harry a kiss on the cheek. "For luck," she said.

"Oi Ginny, what about me?" Shetley asked.

Ginny stuck her tongue out at the Chaser. "When you're about to face off against your nemesis then maybe." She spun on her heels and marched for the exit.

Shetley laughed and walked over to where Harry was standing. "She really is something isn't she?" he asked Harry as he clapped him on the shoulder.

"That she is," Harry said. They both stood and watched as Ginny sashayed out of the room.

"Remind me again why you haven't fallen on your knees and professed your undying love for her yet?"

"I don't rightly know," Harry said.

"You should get on that before you miss your chance completely. But right now how about we go kick some Bulgarian arse?"

A grin flashed across Harry's face. "Lead the way."

It was a perfect day for Quidditch Harry decided. The sky was clear and the bright blue found only on the Mediterranean. He looked out across the crowded stadium and took in the swirling array of flags and banners. He had played in more than a few high-stakes caps in his career, but this was by far the most intense atmosphere he had ever witnessed first hand. It was Harry had to admit to himself, quite a daunting vista.

Concern suddenly swept over him and turned his attention to Ginny who was sitting on her broom staring intently at the referee. Harry debated flying over and giving her a pep talk before deciding she would have his hide if he did so. Still, he couldn't let the moment go unremarked.

"Hey Ginny!" he said in a loud voice to catch her attention.

"What is it Harry? Can't you see I'm a little busy here?"

"What with this being the biggest match you've ever played in I just wanted to say don't screw this up for the rest of us." Harry, along with the rest of the team, laughed as he saw the range of emotions play across Ginny's face.

"Me screw this up? I hate to be the one to tell you this Harry, but if anyone is in danger of letting us down today it's you. So you go do what you've got to do, and let me worry about what I've got to do." The rest of the squad laughed even harder as Harry held up his hands in defeat. Ginny mouthed a thank-you to Harry as he floated off towards where Krum was watching.

"She is good for your team," Krum said in heavily accented English. He nodded in Ginny's direction.

"We've made it this far, that's better than last time," Harry said.

"It's a shame that you won't go any farther, but at least you can build on your performance next time."

"There's where you're wrong. We'll be defending our title in four years."

"Whatever makes you so sure, for once my Chasers are good."

"But are they as good as she is?" Harry asked. He indicated Ginny with his thumb.

"Are you as good as I am?" Krum asked in response.

Harry gave the Bulgarian a wide grin. "I think we're about to find out."

"I suspect you are right Potter. May the best man, in this case me, win."

Harry reached out his hand to Krum. "I don't know about the best man, but I'm pretty sure we're about to settle the question of who is the better Seeker."

Krum laughed then shook Harry's hand. "Of course, but in our world the two are usually the same."

Harry was startled by the roar of the crowd. He glanced around to see if the Snitch had been released only to realise they were reacting to the handshake between the two Seekers. "I think we might of accidentally set a good example," Harry said.

Krum shrugged his shoulders. "As long as your press does not think I am trying to romance you they can say what they want."

Harry stared at Krum. "Why would they think that?" he asked.

"I don't know, but it seems like the sort of thing they would say. They do tell the most amazing lies. Like this morning when I read that you and Weasley are dating."

Harry's shock nearly caused him to fall off his broom. "They didn't say that."

The cannon signaling the start of the match boomed and the Snitch shot off into the air. "No perhaps not, but it did start you off on the wrong foot," Krum said before racing off after the Snitch.

"I should have seen that coming," Harry said to himself before flying after Krum.

If there was any benefit to going up against an equal like Viktor Krum it was that there was no room for artifice. They both knew where the Snitch was and where it wasn't. Feints and deception were a waste of time. It would be dead boring to watch, Harry thought to himself. He pulled ahead of Krum and waggled his broom at the Bulgarian. The people in the stands paid good money for a show and Harry felt obligated to give them their money's worth. Krum apparently felt the same way because as soon as he saw Harry's maneuver he pulled his broom into a steep dive. Harry grinned and followed Krum into the dive, the Snitch forgotten for the moment.

The aerobatics display, while good fun for the crowd, was not enough to keep Harry's mind fully occupied and he found his thoughts starting to drift. He hadn't yet talked to anyone about the transfer offer Westerman had made earlier in the week. Harry had been somewhat aware of the financial trouble the club's owner was in, but he'd never imagined the man would sell him to settle the debts. The fans would hold something of a revolt, but with the money they'd get back from the sale the Tornados could purchase a capable replacement while at the same time making the needed bank payments. The team wouldn't be mortal locks for the league championship, but they still would be competitive.

For Harry though the question wasn't about the future of the Tornados. It was, he reflected as he followed Krum through a series of split-s maneuvers, what was best for him. The Tornadoes had given him the chance to start straight out of Hogwarts, and that did mean something to Harry. At the same time, if they were ready to move on then Harry was too.

He tossed his broom into a tight spiral to avoid a Bludger. Harry glowered at Colbourn and Prentiss before resuming his pursuit of Krum. The question of where he should transfer to gnawed at Harry. The offer to play for Puddlemere was attractive, especially if they managed to land Ginny as well. However Harry could hear the Quidditch press crying foul, and there would no doubt be shouts of collusions. He even suspected the Tornados management would try to paint him as the one who forced the transfer to happen. Harry generally didn't care what the court of popular opinion had to say about him, but he also didn't fancy being tarred a villain.

Without warning Krum raced ahead of Harry. Momentarily confused Harry looked over at the scoreboard and saw that Ginny had been making mincemeat out of Krum's supposedly improved Chasers. The crowd-pleasing position of the match was at an end, Krum was flying for keeps. Harry was no closer to solving his personal problems, but there were more important things at stake now.

Harry slipped past another Bludger and caught up with Krum. The Bulgarian was hot on the heels of the Snitch and Harry did not intend to let him make the catch. As they bore down on the Bulgarian goals Harry stole a glimpse of Ginny out of the corner of his eye. She received a pass from Shetley and fired the Quaffle towards the lower goal and the Snitch. The Quaffle collided with the Snitch, sending it skittering off in a completely different direction just as Krum was reaching for it. Harry threw his broom into a steep turn causing the wood to groan so violently he thought it might snap in two. Krum was unable to match Harry's turn and fell off the pace leaving Harry with a clear shot at the Snitch.

"Better luck next time mate," Harry said to himself as he wrapped his hand around the Snitch.

The stadium erupted into cheers as fireworks and streamers burst over the stadium. Before he joined his teammates celebrating on the pitch Harry stopped Krum and held out his hand.

"Great flying today Viktor, it was truly an honour."

"If only we had a Chaser with as good an aim as yours Harry, next time perhaps," Krum said as he shook Harry's hand then flew off to commiserate with his team.

Harry landed on the center of the pitch where the rest of the team was jumping around and shouting at the top of their lungs. He paused before joining them to watch Ginny pogo around between the other members of the squad. Harry smiled when he saw the look of utter joy on her face. Once again she had come through and done the near impossible to secure the win in a big match. He doubted anyone would pick up on it, but he was convinced she aimed that Quaffle at the Snitch to buy Harry more time.

"Harry!" Ginny said when she caught sight of him. "Get over here and celebrate this properly."

Harry felt his grin threaten to crack his face as he walked into the scrum and accepted their congratulations. "That was one hell of a catch mate," Shetley said to Harry before picking him up off the ground in a ferocious bear hug.

"Thanks Shets," Harry said after he was returned to the ground. "And Steve, it's been an absolute honour."

"Not for the last time I hope," Westerman said as the shared an embrace.

"You never know what the future holds," Harry said. When Harry turned his attention back to Ginny he was reminded of the last time he and Ginny had won a cup. It had been a far less joyous affair, what with it taking place during Harry's last year at Hogwarts. Harry remembered wanting to kiss Ginny so desperately that day, but he couldn't because of their breakup the year before. This time however Harry was determined not to let the opportunity pass him by. Disregarding the multitude of cameras aimed at him, he swept Ginny into his arms and the pair shared a long, passionate kiss.

Author's Notes: And that's it, not more Quidditch, hooray! There's probably a really interesting story to be told where England does not win, however that is not this story. Now though, let's see how our heroes handle life back in the "real" world. Thanks for reading, let's do this again next week.

-sam