And here is the second chapter! as promised the quicker i could, thank you all so very much for the warm welcome back! I'm so happy you're all here to have me back for yet another story, I promise I'll do my best to be updating once a week or even sooner if my life allows me to :D

Enjoy...

Chapter Two - Drunk and Enduring

'We'll soon be World Champions!' Hermione heard Mr. Weasley exclaiming in enthusiasm as she and the Weasley family were moving up the stairs that led to their VIP seats of the Hecate stadium that was built right outside the muggle city of Los Angeles.

Ron was right next to Hermione and he smiled at her as she looked at him. 'What do you think? We'll be champions?' he asked and Hermione kept her smile on although she knew it wasn't in Ron's character to question anything Quidditch related.

'I think we'll be,' She finally concluded and he smiled and cheered on as they reached the section with the rest of the selected few that would watch the match from that spot. Hermione looked around her and couldn't deny the pulse the thousands of people were giving in anticipation.

The Hecate stadium was certainly larger than the one in England, the name given by the Goddess of Witchcraft it had certainly the extravagant feeling the Americans had wished to give to the largest as of yet, Quidditch stadium around the world. The hundred and fifty thousands of people in the massive place were creating a huge live painting of red, white and blue as both national teams shared the same colors. The English, British and U.S. flags were everywhere and creating beautiful scenery of one of the most important sport encounters of modern history.

Hermione was ready to sit next to Ron who had kept a seat empty for her two seats from the end of the front row, when a hand wrapped around hers and she turned to find no one else but one of her oldest foreign friends.

'Victor!' she exclaimed and hugged him warmly. Victor Krum and Hermione had kept their friendship through letters and some rare occasions as this one where they met in Quidditch parties or pitches thanks to Harry's career. The former Quidditch player had remained handsome with his hard features, built body full of muscle and gentle eyes..

'I knew if Harry Potter was playing, Hermione Granger would be there to watch,' he said with his English improved over the years, he wasn't a sixteen year old anymore. Hermione chuckled and smiled brightly at him who even let down by her in the romantic level, he had remained a good and loyal friend over the years. 'The England colors suit you.' He added as he looked at her up and down, she was wearing jeans and boots but her t-shirt had the three dragons of the Quidditch team on, her scarf had England's color and she had taken it a step further and painted a line with white and red on her cheeks, her hair always in a bushy ponytail, out of the way.

'Thank you,' she said with a small blush, 'You're here for the match?' she asked and he smiled and nodded.

'Bulgaria lost from Peru in the Semi-Finals but it's always a joy to coach your team to the World Cup, since I don't play anymore… plus it's nice to feel the thrill of it even off the broom.' Victor said as he looked at the thousands of watchers with longing in his eyes. Hermione remembered he had finished his career four years ago and ever since had remained in his national team but this time in the position of the coach. 'How are you doing?' he asked as he gestured for the both of them to sit in the last two seats of the front row, to Ron's disappointment and annoyance.

'I'm great, the bookstore is now enlarged and gives even more profit, I'm waiting tens of new series of books before the start of the new school season.' Hermione said with enthusiasm about her own work and Victor smiled at her with affection.

'Always the… how you call it in England…?' he wondered and struggled for the word.

'The Book-Worm,' she gave him the answer and he laughed his booming laugh and nodded.

'That one! I'm happy for you, Hermione. Harry Potter is a vey lucky man!' Victor said sincerely and Hermione frowned just a little at his words.

'What do you mean?' she asked gently and he only smiled and started cheering as the Minister for Magic of the United States stood up and moved to the podium of the stadium for the opening. Hermione had no more time to speak as the Minister charmed his voice and started speaking.

'IT'S MY SINCERE PLEASURE TO WELCOME YOU ALL, QUIDDITCH FANS TO THE FINAL MATCH OF THE 426th WORLD CUP!' The man said and everyone cheered around the stadium. His place was taken by two men who would describe the entire match for the people in the stadium and the millions of wizards in the Wireless that were listening to the magical stations of Quidditch around the globe.

'WELCOME EVERYONE! THIS IS THE FINAL OF THE CONTEST AND OH BOY! WHAT A MATCH? THE QUEEN CERTAINLY WISHES FOR THE STATES TO LOSE AND THE STATES WISH TO CELEBRATE ANOTHER INDEPENDENCE DAY!'The man with the American accent started and both sides cheered for their own team.

'WE HAVE THE GUESTS ARRIVING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! ENGLLLAAAAAAAND!' the other host said in a British accent and at that moment, the national team zoomed in the stadium within a frenzy of screams, only then, Hermione noticed the countless banners with Harry's face on, both from the British and the Americans. The team's emblem was also everywhere with its three yellow dragons, two Bludgers and a Quaffle between them, all over a background of four chequered squares of red and white.

The mascots of the team entered the stadium and everyone cheered as this time, the team's sport president had chosen four real teen dragons that entered the stadium under the care of trainers. Two Common Welsh Greens and two Hebridean Blacks, the native dragons of Britain, flapped their tails and groaned towards the place the Americans were coming, in a trained move of what the Americans should expect.

'AND NOW THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! COME ON, BOYS!' the American sportsman cheered.

The American team arrived through screams and cheers that still addressed the English Team and more specifically Harry. They did their special move on their brooms and soon were faking a bow gesture as their mascots entered the stadium. Hippogriffs showed up all proud with their heads high and their winds stretched. The Dragons breathed fire and the Hippogriffs answered with screams and flapping of their wings, the trainers of both sides kept the beasts in check as not to have the pandemonium of previous contests.

The match was about to start and Hermione had already spotted Harry in his scarlet colors, he was leading of the team, giving hands with the other captain mid-air and moving to his position as the Seeker, for a moment he turned his head and looked towards the VIP section of the watchers.

Hermione heard from her left Ginny squealing and saying something in enthusiasm but on her right, she heard Victor's subtle chuckle and a few words that seemed very much like "a lucky man indeed", Hermione could have sworn Harry was looking right at her.

The match started the moment the mascots were withdrawn and the balls released. The players zoomed around the pitch with talent and efficiency you can see only in the level of the World Cup. Hermione kept her eyes on Harry but the new Thunderbolts 1 of the National Team made her work difficult.

'Come on, England!' Ron screamed by her side and she chuckled as the crème of the stadium in that part of the stands were screaming like crazy, all fanatics of a good match, high positions and profiles forgotten before the thrill of the moment. Hermione looked at Ron for and smiled for his positive attitude before his friend who was in the national team.

If Harry and Hermione had been a disappointment for many with their career choices after the war, there was no way to describe how people had felt about Ron. After the war, he never returned to Hogwarts to complete his year, just like Harry, they had decided both to try the Quidditch tryouts for various teams of the league, with Harry wishing and achieving to enter the Puddlemere United and Ron trying for the Canons. It was where it showed that Ron was never a great Quidditch player. Harry entered the team while Ron failed to and he decided to try and help at least for awhile his brother George with the shop in Diagon. That was almost eleven years ago. Ron had taken over Fred's place and soon the two brothers were opening another shop in Hongsmeade -materializing Fred's dream- and then two more in Salem and New Orleans and four more in European Wizarding places as Prague, Athens, Berlin and Paris.

Even if now Ron was much more comfortable with the ways his professional life had turned out to be, Hermione still remembered the months he spent envying, snapping and acting selfishly before Harry who had just started in Puddlemere or the way he had stormed out of the Burrow when Harry had announced that the National Team's coach had contacted him.

She sighed and decided to put everything in the past. Ron was happy, Harry was happy and the Wizarding community and their stupid expectations be damned, the three of them were happy with their jobs and their friendship even through damaged as a trio.

She was paying little attention to the match that had been set on fire as the Americans in blue and the English in red were scoring like crazy. The fans wouldn't stop screaming and even in the VIP sections most of the people were standing and gesturing for the teams just like the coaches were doing in their own spots of the stadium.

At that moment Harry zoomed right before the VIP section and the American seeker followed right after him, Hermione caught glimpse of him and everyone started screaming as he was going for the Snitch in amazing speed.

The two seekers started bumping on each other by the shoulder, trying to slow each other down while they kept their eyes on the Snitch that suddenly flew up like a bullet, causing both players to do the same. Harry found the chance to move just a little bit faster but the timing was wrong as a bludger was sent to his way at the moment he was to catch the Snitch. One of England's beaters dodged the black ball of metal but the moment was lost for both seekers and the Snitch was gone again. Hermione could see Harry cursing as he scanned the vast stadium up and down for the golden little devil. Hermione sighed but clapped for the try, they were that close.

The game went on with both teams trying group efforts, solos and risky moves like jumping off the broom as to score the quaffle and then landing on the right way just as not to fall in the void. Hermione in times like this, realized even more why she would never play Quidditch, it was enough cardio watching the match…

She checked her wristwatch with a smile as it was a gift from Harry and realized that it had already been an hour and half of the game, time flew by when your best friend was trying to win the Quidditch Cup.

The Americans scored five goals in a row but the English answered with six and soon for some reason the four beaters were engaged in a quarrel that had the referee pausing the match for seconds, giving time out punishments to both teams and restoring the match with only the chasers and Seekers on their own while the bludgers remained uncontrolled.

'Be careful, Harry!' Ginny screamed from her spot on the VIP section and Hermione fought the urge to roll her eyes. Ginny was also a Quidditch player for the Holyhead Harpies and always pretended to be the expert on everything Quidditch related, especially when Harry was around as to be swiped of his feet with her unlimited knowledge on things already taught to children…. Hermione needed to stop thinking so bitterly of her friend just because she was trying the things she would never do herself.

'Even the World Cup is not interesting enough to Miss Granger.' Victor joked by her side, bringing her back to reality. 'But you know, glaring like that to his ex is not really helping… maybe hex her, that's what a Balkan woman would do to competition.' He added with mischief in his eyes and she blushed, chuckled, shoved his arm playfully and resumed her attention to the match.

The Beaters were out of their timeout again and were zooming after the bludgers like maniacs in their try to make up for lost time, the chasers took notice and started backing each other again. It all happened in a flash. The American seeker was after the snitch, Harry was after both a tenth of the second later, the sportsmen and the entire stadium erupted in screams of excitement and then the snitch was trapped between Harry's fingers as tightly as possible with the English team being sent to heaven of the Cup.

'POTTER DID IT! THE BOY WHO AT LAST GAVE THE WORLD CUP TO ENGLAND! OUR WORLD CHAMPIONS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!' the sportsman from England was screaming in a frenzy like the rest all around the stadium. Hermione was clapping furiously, singing the national anthem, the players' names and various songs for the team like the rest and of course Ron found the chance to hug her tightly and kiss her on both cheeks as everyone hugged everyone in happiness.

The Ministers for Magic of both countries moved to the podium after a few minutes and the American team reached them for the medals of the second place, everyone cheered and clapped for them and then the English followed. The Minister for Magic of England, Kingley Shacklebolt smiled brightly as Harry reached him still on his broom and handed him the cup while thousands of magical cameras were snapping the moment, one of them was of Molly Weasley's.

Harry took the massive golden Cup with the small glowing globe in its center and beamed around the stadium in happiness before he could hand it to his teammates who took it in turns and cheered before the team could start circling the stadium in a group. The Dragons were released again in the stadium and breathed fire up in the air from the four corners of the stadium as their trainers positioned them. Hermione kept clapping satisfied with Harry's happy face as he moved around on his broom all smiles and joyful beaming.

It was at least half an hour later when everyone from the VIP section moved to the area of the after party within the stadium, a feast was already organized with huge tables heavy with food and drinks, the reporters in a corner for some pictures and words from the players and various important people and everyone waited for the champions to arrive.

First, the Americans got in the room and everyone clapped for the good try and the second place they had earned, some of the players shook hands with various people and Victor seemed to know at least the older ones who greeted him with shakes of the hand and pats on the shoulder.

The English got in the room last and everyone cheered as they carried the World Cup with them. The reporters snapped photos and stopped every interview they were taking at that moment from various people as to capture the moment of the team's arrival.

To Hermione's dismay and utter annoyance, as expected, she saw Ginny rushing close to the team and hugging Harry furiously, he'd been taken aback as he was talking with a teammate while the flashes got crazy. He smiled embarrassed and took Ginny's arms from around him, smiled at her, said something Hermione was too far from them to hear and finally moved away from her, leaving her a few steps behind with a solemn face of few seconds before she could smile brightly at the cameras.

Hermione's smile returned as Harry moved closer to where she and the rest were, he thanked Arthur who hugged him like a father would do, then he shared more hugs with the rest of the Weasleys and finally hugged Ron with a huge smile.

'Well done, mate, after this you need to go to the Canons!' Ron joked and Harry laughed out loud, his unshaved face making him look slightly older than he was.

'No chance in hell, Weasley.' He declared and laughed again as he finally looked at Hermione and opened his arms for her to come closer. She did so with a huge smile and even though she could see the flashes going crazy once more for their embrace, she didn't care. His muscular arms wrapped around her and soon she couldn't feel the ground beneath her feet. She chuckled and laughed as he set her back down and smiled brightly at her.

'Just like you said it'd go, Hermione,' Harry said with a huge smile on his face and she shrugged and nodded.

'I'm good at predicting the obvious,' Hermione replied and he laughed more.

'You're the Brightest Witch of your age for good reason, is my opinion.' He said and she blushed as he nudged her elbow playfully. As the rest were talking among themselves, commenting on each moment of the match, he lowered his lips closer to her ear.

'Thank you for yesterday's talk, I really needed the reassurance.' He admitted and this time she smiled at him with her timeless smile she had only for him.

'Oh Harry, it was nothing,' she said and he smiled and nodded again. The two took drinks and remained by each other's company as they observed the people around. Hermione spotted Ginny talking to some reporters.

'It was embarrassing the way she threw herself at me the moment I got in the room,' Harry commented as he had seen which she was looking at. Hermione sighed and drunk from her wine.

'You didn't expect it?' she asked honestly and he sighed.

'Not really, not after the talk we had right before the portkey travel here… I cleaned things with her, again, and she still thinks I'm sixteen and that throwing her arms around me after a Quidditch victory will do the trick…' He admitted and Hermione tried to remain neuter before the things Harry said and she agreed with.

'Lets get drunk!' a teammate of Harry's called out the moment the reporters were escorted outside, a few minutes after and everyone around the room seemed more relaxed and ready to have the time of their lives, they were in Los Angeles and they could have a lot of fun.

Soon they were all drinking and even if Hermione wished to remain sober as to keep some control, Harry made sure her glass was always filled either with elf-wine or firewhiskey. She had promised herself she wouldn't drink but he seemed so happy and funnily drunk that she allowed herself to drink a little bit more than her standard for the occasion, it wasn't every day indeed your best friend was leading the national team to the World Cup.

She was certain she was still fine but between singing with the rest, laughing at Harry's jokes and everyone's jokes and trying to stop drinking as Harry kept on proposing for the both of them and their future and then clearing his glass, Hermione started feeling tipsy.

She was soon giggling by his side and he found her voice adorable, the usually sober and controlled Hermione Jane Granger was all loosen up and actually giggling as he refilled their glasses again and again. He didn't care about Ginny, the reporters and the frenzy when they'd be back in England or the hectic times he'd have with Puddlemere in a month's time when the league was starting again. All he cared about was that he had survived the war, had made a life for himself and now he was celebrating the winning of the World Cup he led of with his best friends, and most importantly, Hermione was right there to enjoy the victory like he always wished for her to be, by his side.

'You know, Victor told me before,' Hermione started talking, her tongue felt ready to form words she wouldn't have formed if sober, she giggled at the thought. 'That you're a lucky man to have me,' she added and Harry looked at her completely seriously for a moment.

'I know,' he said and she looked at him as seriously as he could before they could both burst in laughter a moment later, everything seemed funny, hilarious even.

'And truth is, I'm lucky to have you as well,' Hermione added and this time they couldn't stop the fit of giggles they both had.

'You know, Hermione, my Hermione, it would have been a lot easier if we had looked straight at some things a loooooong time agooooo, but noooo we keep barking around the wrong trees…' Harry said honestly, too honestly, causing both to laugh again. The room was emptying from people but the two didn't seem ready to leave.

'I know… imagine how easier things would have been if we… we…' she tried again before she could hiccup twice 'if we had stayed in the forest of Dean to grow old!' she said and after a small pause from both at the possibility, more laughter followed.

'You and I… just the two of us!' Harry said and both of them laughed until they could do it anymore and they fallen in an awkward silence between two drunk people. At that moment an angry Ginny appeared and looked at both.

'It's time for all of us to head back to the hotel, I think,' she said as she looked at Harry's arm that was wrapped around Hermione's shoulders as they sat by each other. Harry barked a laugh and shook his head.

'Or what, Ginny? Let us be, we made it through a crazy hunt in the middle of nowhere, just the two of us, we'll make it through tonight as well. Hermione and I always make it.' Harry said and even if Hermione wouldn't have approved of Harry's exasperated and curt tone to Ginny, at that moment, she couldn't agree more with his words. Ginny huffed in annoyance, shot a last glare at Hermione exclusively this time and left the table.

'She doesn't deserve all this,' Hermione admitted. 'She needs to move on and find someone who will care for her, maybe go back to Dean,' she added and the two remained to stare at Ginny's back for a few seconds until they started laughing again, Harry filling once more the glasses for them to empty them right afterward.

'We don't deserve any of this but here we are, drunk and enduring.' Harry said and Hermione looked at him.

'I know…' she added and as he looked at her, an idea came in his mind.

'Do you trust me?' he asked and she looked at him, the last part of her brain that still wasn't swimming in alcohol working for the answer.

'With my life,' she replied and he smiled, taking the Snitch he had gotten out of his pocket along his wand.

'Portus.' Harry said clearly and the Snitch glowed blue for a moment.

'What are you doing, Harry?' Hermione asked with a chuckle and he smiled.

'What I want to, we won't apparate… a portkey is safe. Come on, you said you trust me. On the count of three.' Harry said and Hermione had no other choice but do what he said, her hand hovering over the snitch. 'One… two… three.' The two felt the sensation of portkey traveling immediately and found themselves in bundle of their own bodies in a busy street.

'Welcome to Las Vegas, the place we'll get married!' Harry exclaimed happily and Hermione couldn't stop the laughter from her lips in her drunken mind.

Drunk harmony is funny harmony, isn't it? I hope you all enjoyed the quidditch match and our couple all drunk and ready to get married in vegas :P I like to think that just a little alcohol is enough for them to do something like that, especially after tipsy hermione in hbp and hypnotized harry in gof, soo what you think? let me know in reviews please

thanks for reading, please review :)