The next morning, Cormac McLaggen and couple of other Gryffindors that were unhappy with the result tried to get on Alex's case about it. "Hey, I wasn't the one that wanted it to be a tie at first," Alex snapped. "The other champions actually wanted to let me win, and I had to talk them out of it. And I suggested that if we were going to work together to get through the tasks, at the end we could duel to see which one should get the cup. It's not my fault if the other champions decided that because we became good friends, they couldn't bring themselves to actually duel each other."
"That's enough," Angelina Johnson said firmly. "The Triwizard Tournament isn't just about showing off which school is the best. It's also supposed to promote international wizarding cooperation. The champions showed that with what they did, and anyway, Hogwarts technically won, even if it's with Durmstrang."
Several of the other Gryffindors backed her up, so the trio of disgruntled students had to stalk off. In the Great Hall, several other students, mainly Slytherins and Zacharias Smith of Hufflepuff, also showed their annoyance, though they confined it to grumbling due to the presence of the teachers. After breakfast, there was a ceremony where Alex and Viktor were named as joint winners of the tournament and all four champions were each presented with a bag containing two hundred fifty Galleons.
Later that day, some of the disgruntled students, including a couple of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students, tried to accost the champions as they were heading outside for a walk around the lake. "Did you learn nozing?" Fleur demanded. "Ze point of ze tournament was to promote cooperation, not just to see which school is ze best! Zat is why it was reinstated in ze first place!"
"Also, the four of us have become very good friends," Viktor added. "Ve found that ve vould rather work together and grab the Cup at the same time than try to decide on a winner among us."
"Pretty much everyone else, including the teachers, are fine with what happened," Cedric pointed out. "Even the Headmistress of Durmstrang, once she got over her shock, accepted things and has no problem with the four-way tie."
"So why don't you just leave us alone and be happy that this is the first Triwizard Tournament that hasn't resulted in the death or serious injury of a champion or a judge?" Alex snapped. "Or were you hoping that it wouldn't be the case?"
Pansy Parkinson and the other Slytherin in the group flushed, and quickly strode off. The others glared at the champions, before leaving as well.
"Idiots," Fleur muttered. "Are people so determined to win zat zey cannot accept a tie?"
"Didn't you want Beauxbatons to win originally, and gain honor and glory?" Cedric pointed out.
"All of us did," Fleur said. "Zat is, we all wanted our own school to win. But after working togezer so zat we could survive ze tasks, and becoming friends, we no longer wanted to do so."
The four continued on in silence after this, until ten minutes later, when Viktor invited the others to visit him in Bulgaria over the summer. "I am sure it vill be fun, and ve can have a rest from the Tournament and the Dark Lord returning. Oh, Alex, your sister is also invited, as I know the two of you are very close and do not like to be separated."
"Thank you, Viktor, and Beth and I will have to see if our parents will let us," said Alex. "Did you invite anyone else?"
"I asked Cara this morning at breakfast," Viktor answered. "I also invited Ivan. Having the rest of you visit vould be vonderful. I am sure Cara's parents vould not object to her visiting me if the rest of you did the same."
"That's true," said Alex.
"Does this mean that you're serious about Cara, if you want her to visit you during the summer?' Cedric asked.
Viktor nodded, and Cedric continued, "Good luck. I know long distance relationships don't always work out, but I hope yours does."
They said nothing more as they made another circuit around the lake, and then headed back inside.
At the closing feast, Gryffindor and Hufflepuff ended up being died for the House Cup, so banners for both houses were hung up. Professor Dumbledore gave a touching speech about how nice it was to have hosted two other schools and the friendships that were made, glancing happily at the four champions as he said this. The food was excellent and there was an air of happiness.
The next morning, as everyone was getting ready to leave, the four champions gathered together to say good-bye for the time being, but promising to see each other again. Cara came by and hugged and kissed Viktor, promising to write.
After the good-byes, Ron said hesitantly, "I know you don't like people making a fuss over you, Viktor, but could I have your autograph? I don't think I'll have another opportunity to ask you."
Viktor, looking surprised but gratified, obliged, and also signed fragments of parchment for Neville, Hermione, and Beth as well. He then pulled out his share of the prize money out of his pocket. "Could you please give this to your twin brothers?" he asked, handing the sack of Galleons to Ron. "They are planning on opening a joke shop, from vat Alex told me. I think the plan is a good one, and I am sure they vill do vell. All I ask in return is that they send me some samples of their joke products once they have their shop running, and to not tell everyone that I invested in it until I say otherwise."
"I'll do that," Ron promised, and then Viktor bid the quintet good-bye and followed the other Durmstrang students to their ship.
On the Hogwarts Express, Ron found Fred and George and handed them the money, explaining what Viktor Krum wanted. The twins were quite awed at this gift, and asked Alex to pass on their thanks.
The train ride was spent in peace, other than Theodore Nott coming by Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy. "It's a pity you didn't die in the tournament, Romanov," Nott spat. "At least the Dark Lord got his hands on you and was able to return. Now-"
"Shut up and go away, Nott!" Alex interrupted. "The Dark Lord may have returned, but he's going to be defeated, and your father and the other Death Eaters will be caught."
Nott's face darkened. "That's not going to happen. The Dark Lord will kill you, and he and his followers will rule over wizarding Britain and the pathetic Muggles. Your family and friends will be killed too, and every-"
Before he could complete his sentence, a fed-up Beth hexed him. The rest of the quintet also shot hexes and jinxes at the other three, and they weren't the only ones to do so, as the Ravenclaw and Slytherin quintets had saw the quartet to Slytherins go by and went to see what they were up to.
"Mum and Dad aren't going to be happy when I tell them what Theodore said," Caleb said, shaking his head at Nott, who was lying on the ground due to the combination of the Leg-Locker Curse, the Pimple Jinx, and a Stinging Hex.
"Well, let's get them out of the way," said Ginny. The three quintets dragged the bodies of the four Slytherins over to the closest bathroom and left them there for the prefects to deal with.
Finally the train pulled into Platform Nine-and-Three-Quarters and everyone disembarked. Alex and Beth found their parents, who pulled them into tight hugs, and then they headed for Aunt Sarah and Uncle Niko's house for dinner.