Chapter Twenty-Two: The Quidditch World Cup
Hadrian Potter could only blink as he looked around at the site where the Quidditch World Cup is being held.
This year, the finals is between Ireland and Bulgaria, with the World Cup being held in Great Britain. Hadrian had to wonder for the umpteenth time what kind of bribe that the Minister of Magic of Magical Britain had to give and grease palms in order to have one of the most anticipated events of the year being held in Magical Britain.
A place that majority of the magical enclaves around the world aren't too fond of, as it is, thanks to Britain's blatant prejudice against anything they deem 'dark' or even non-human.
Sirius wasn't too keen on having Hadrian return to Britain; but he found himself unable to resist his son, especially when Hadrian had used his dreaded 'Bambi eyes' to get Sirius to fold—much to Narcissa, Liese, Remus, and even Draco's amusement.
Hadrian is adorable even as a child, and he knew it, and often used his cuteness to get out of trouble. Sirius spoiled Hadrian rotten even as a baby and found himself unable to deny Hadrian anything he wanted, as long as it's not something he'll be put in danger for.
That, and this year, the Quidditch World Cup is between Bulgaria and Ireland. It will also be the first time Viktor and Natasha will be playing as frontline players in the major leagues, and Hadrian wanted to attend to show his support.
That, and thanks to this being an international event, unless Sirius or Hadrian commit some terrible crime in front of hundreds of citizens, the current Minister would be unable to arrest them, unless he wants to be dragged in front of the World Council and charged for violating international law.
"Huh. It looks great." Sirius commented, even as they moved through the campus grounds to their designated site. Already, Sirius is seeing several international witches and wizards—their accents obvious. "I wasn't expecting much for an event organised by Britain." He gave a grimace. "I still remember the disaster that is the last duelling finals that Britain organised. That must be about four years ago now."
The adults that came along with Hadrian, Draco and Viviane—Marko, Anastasia, Barty and even Remus, chuckled.
"Actually, from a letter from Andromeda, the original plans for the World Cup just included the World Cup itself, despite the fact that hundreds of international witches and wizards made the trip from halfway around the world just to attend," Remus informed Sirius. "It seems like Percy Weasley was the one to push for international vendors to set up shops, and even organising mini competitions like a Seekers' battle, and such. Britain wasn't too keen to go to all that trouble, but the other magical nations were so pleased with that idea that they already presented entire plans and portfolios, that there is no way Britain could reject it without causing international incidents. And rather than keep the muggles that owned this campground on site, Percy pushed for sending the muggles on a vacation on the Ministry's dime. Good thing too." Remus shook his head, even as he walked past an obviously British magical. "With the way Magical Britain is, I'll be surprised if they even know what muggle clothing looks like. With the number of Obliviates that they might need to use on the poor muggles, I'll be worried for their brains at the end of it."
And from what Remus had heard from Andromeda, it seems like that is Percy's argument. Kid is a hard worker, with a great deal of common sense. Though considering that he often took trips to the mundane world with his muggle-born friends in school during the summer holidays, it is no surprise that Percy would be concerned about that.
"Percy Weasley…" Anastasia mused. "Arthur Weasley's third son, isn't he? Wasn't he claimed by Lady Muriel Prewett as the Prewett heir?"
Despite the whole lot of them being in Bulgaria, Sirius was still kept up to date on the affairs in Britain via Andromeda who was Sirius and Hadrian's appointed proxy in the Wizengamot and even on the Hogwarts' Board of Governors.
Lady Muriel Prewett too had exchanged a few letters over the years with Sirius, given how the House of Potter and the House of Prewett were allies, despite the fact how it was never officially finalised due to the death of Hadrian Potter whom Muriel is supposed to wed. The Potter brothers and the Prewett siblings however have grown up together, and they didn't care what some alliance on paper said.
Charlus Potter had seen Muriel as his sister-in-law, despite the fact that Muriel never officially married his brother. As did James Potter who had seen Muriel as his aunt. James was only elevated in Muriel's eyes when he had named his only son after the uncle that he had never met. Prior to James and Lily hiding in Godric's Hollow with little Hadrian, Muriel Prewett had often babysat Hadrian, and was a goldmine of information and advice to Lily Potter who had been a new mother.
Muriel Prewett might never have children in her life, but she had helped her brother to raise his three children and knew how to raise and take care of children. Especially magical ones with a great deal of power.
Hence, Sirius was kept quite up to date on the entire Weasley drama over the years, even if he didn't hear about it from Neville who seems to be quite good friends with the Weasley twins, despite the fact that the twins were two years ahead of Neville.
Molly Weasley, from what Sirius heard, seems to take it as a personal insult that Neville didn't want to befriend Ron or spend any time with him, despite the fact that both boys were roommates and in the same year, yet was good friends with the twins. And not just Neville, but also Susan Bones, Ernie MacMillian and even Hannah Abbott, as well as the Gryffindor boys in Neville's year.
Though honestly, what does Molly expect when Ronald Weasley had spent much of the first year picking on Neville? Neville might have Alice's temper and easy-going nature, but he is also his father's son, and would never put up with an abusive friendship. And he is also the Longbottom Heir, and hence, could see someone seeking to use him for their own means from a mile away.
From what Sirius had heard from Neville, and even from Andromeda as well as Muriel Prewett, it seems like things within the Weasley family have gotten pretty strained since Percy had graduated Hogwarts and was officially named the Prewett heir in the Wizengamot by Lady Muriel Prewett. Before that, Percy was already getting educated on all the matters that an Heir should know, if albeit secretly, as his mother would never approve of it.
His two older brothers too have all but moved into the Prewett Manor on the few occasions when they have returned to Britain. Percy too had made sure to get the twins new robes and books for this year, and even decent birthday gifts for the first time since the twins were mere toddlers, something that the twins were delighted with.
The three oldest Weasley brothers knew that the twins were brilliant and have dreams to open up a joke shop. This explains why they've been taking on summer jobs since they were thirteen, and old enough to work at summer jobs in accordance with the law. While Muriel and even their brothers were more than willing to fund their business venture, the twins have the Weasley stubbornness and wanted to do it on their own.
Though Percy is relatively sure that Neville Longbottom might even be willing to invest in them, if they can come up with a solid business plan.
And much like Percy as well as Bill and Charlie, the twins too have all but moved into the Prewett Manor since they have started their First Year, and Molly is borderline abusive to them due to the twins being sorted into Slytherin.
As far as the five oldest knew, Muriel Prewett is on the verge of casting Molly out of the Prewett line. Not just for what she's been doing to her children, but also the way she just doesn't reign in her two youngest, and forever making up excuses for their misbehaviour at Hogwarts. If not for the fact that Molly is married and using the Weasley name, House Prewett would likely be embroiled in more blood feuds than they could count by now.
Honestly, it's a goddamned miracle that Percy even managed to secure an entry level job in the Ministry of Magic, thanks to the reputation of the Weasley name.
Unlike what his parents believed; however, Percy doesn't intend to stay in the Ministry forever. He had sat down and talked about his plans after Hogwarts to even Muriel, as well as Bill and Charlie, and even Penelope Clearwater, Percy's steady girlfriend since his Fifth Year.
Much like Charlie before him, Percy had kept his relationship with Penelope quiet from his overbearing mother. Only Muriel as well as his two older brothers and the twins have even met Penny and knew that they were dating.
Percy had revealed his intentions to just take a simple entry level job in the Ministry just to have some income, despite the fact he had the Prewett fortune now. He also intends to take night classes for his law certification, and hopefully convince either Alice Longbottom or Andromeda Tonks to take him on as an assistant once he passes the bar exam. Then, he can either be a private practitioner or join a law firm as a partner.
Though with how tarnished the Weasley name is, it might make things easier for Percy if he just takes on the Prewett name, considering how particular the International Law Offices were about the reputation of certified lawyers, especially those intending to practice internationally, which Percy is.
Muriel was pleased about Percy's plans, as it's well thought out, and he had a clear route as to what he wanted to do. And judging from his NEWT scores from Hogwarts, if not for the Weasley name holding him back, she can definitely see Percy achieving his goals within a few years.
Penelope Clearwater too, while her family isn't a prominent one, they were good people, with her father owning an advisory firm within both the mundane as well as the magical circles. Penelope too had been studying to be a Healer, wanting to work with children.
And if things go well for them, Muriel can quite easily see Percy proposing to Penny once their careers stabilised. As for Charlie, Muriel is despairing of ever seeing the boy propose to young Nymphadora Tonks. As for Bill, he hasn't met anyone that caught his eye yet, and seems keener on building up his skills and career.
Not that Muriel begrudge him on that. Her own brother had done that with his own career, despite their parents' objections. Christopher was two years out of Hogwarts before he had finally married Elizabeth, despite them being betrothed since early childhood. Sadly, neither one of their parents managed to live long enough to actually see their grandchildren.
"Now, why don't you kids go and explore?" Remus suggested, exchanging looks with the other adults in their group. "We can get the tent set up without you. Stick together, however. And Hadrian, don't forget your glamours."
XXXXXX
More than a few Beauxbatons' students, and even Durmstrang students have come for the World Cup as well, with Hadrian knowing more than a few of them, thanks to the Inter School Tournament that they held at least twice a school year. There were even a few students from Ilvermorny School that have come for the World Cup.
In one of Fiona's last letters to Hadrian, she had mentioned that she was invited by her best friend's family. Thus, Hadrian wasn't really surprised to run into Fiona and Fleur at the 'market area' which is really the area designated for international and British vendors to peddle their wares.
Considering how obviously magical several of the wares were, along with the tents that they've passed along the way, Hadrian privately thought to himself that it's a good thing Percy Weasley had managed to convince the higher ups to send the Muggles that owned this campground off on a vacation on the Ministry's dime.
Hermione and even Luna were never Quidditch fanatics, though they have supported their school's players during the Inter School Tournament. Thus, Hadrian, Draco and even Viviane weren't really that surprised that both girls weren't present at the World Cup, despite Hermione and Luna also being the mentees of Fiona and Fleur respectively.
From what Hermione and Luna have written during their last letters, it seems like both girls were invited on a trip to the magical side of Austria by one of Hermione's classmates. And considering Austria is well known for their crafts, especially the creation of magical portraits, Hermione and Luna were keen to go, especially Luna.
Hadrian had been to the magical side of Austria once a few years ago, as part of his birthday celebrations during the summer after his First Year at Durmstrang. Draco and Narcissa have even came with him and Sirius as well as Remus, with them turning it as a family vacation.
They have even visited one of the oldest magical art museums in the world, with one of the world's most renowned restoration artists even giving a talk and showing some of the magical portraits that ancient artists have done, and even done by his hand.
The spells and techniques to create magical portraits have gradually been refined over the years by the Art Guild. From what the artist had said, when the spells were first created thousands of years ago, the spells were originally some kind of soul essence which can be seen as Black spells in this day and age. It was gradually refined so that it is used more as a spiritual imprinting now, rather than leaving part of your soul behind.
Magical artists were very in demand, as not just creators of magical portraits or doing the maintenance work on magical portraits. Their skills were often utilised for book publishers, and even the entertainment section of magical newspapers. Some of the more well-known ones could potentially earn thousands of Galleons easily.
Outside of Britain, artists too have been creating their own comics if they can weave a good and entertaining story.
"Huh." Draco blinked as Fiona was telling them about what she'd heard from Hermione and Luna during one of their last letters. "Sounds like they're enjoying themselves." He smiled at his cousin who was listening with interest. "Luna is quite the budding artist too, isn't she? Does she plan to turn this into her career in the future?"
"She's getting the career talk this year before we leave for Hogwarts." Fleur answered primly, though careful to lower her voice so that only their group could hear them. "Luna was raised on her father's knee to know how to ask the right questions as a reporter, but I think her heart is in the arts. Much like Hadrian, non?"
Hadrian blushed prettily and nodded.
Everyone in their friend group knew that Hadrian had intentions to pursue art as a career since they have that career talk during their Second Year before they have to pick their electives for Third Year. Much like how Viviane had been working towards her goal to become a professional violinist, Hadrian is working at making art his career. As for Draco, he had every intention to pursue Law as a career since they had their first debate class during the second half of their First Year, and he seems well suited for it.
Draco had been pondering on the idea of approaching his Aunt Andromeda for summer internships after Fourth Year.
"You know that Uncle Sirius would support you in whatever you want to do?" Fiona finally paused, leaning down slightly so that she can reach Hadrian's height. "Heck, he probably wouldn't mind if you never work a day in your life."
"Yeah, I know." Hadrian nodded. "Let's go and find Viktor and Natasha." He hurriedly changed the subject. "I want to wish him good luck before the big game."
"The tents of the players are that way, isn't it?" Fiona frowned, checking the map of the campground that she was given, not really looking at where she's going. "Maybe— Oof!"
Fiona almost tripped over something that she hadn't seen but was saved from taking a spill to the ground by a strong arm that wrapped itself around her waist.
"Fiona!" Fleur called out with concern.
Fiona opened her eyes, surprised that she had even closed them at all, only to find herself looking straight into a pair of surprised silver eyes. The young man that had saved her from taking a spill to the floor is handsome, remarkably so.
His dark-purplish hair fell in waves around his face, and he is dressed in a set of casual wizarding robes, with a black tee visible beneath it, with dragonhide boots on his feet. And even through his robes, Fiona could quite easily feel the solid muscles, which made her blush for a moment when she realised that she had been checking him out.
"You all right there, Miss?" The young man looked amused but let her go the moment that Fiona was steady on her feet. Fleur was giving her looks that told Fiona she is going to be subjected to her best friend's version of Interrogation 101 the moment they're in their tent.
"Uh… Yeah."
The young man was about to open his mouth to say something, when a shout in the distance caught his attention. "Michael! There you are!"
A ruggedly handsome redhead dressed in a similar style to Michael, but with his hair in a short ponytail and a dragon tooth earring in one ear approached their group. He blinked when his gaze went towards Fleur, and Hadrian would swear to anyone that would listen later that the normally composed half-Veela blushed.
"Hey Bill." Michael smiled. "I thought you wouldn't make it."
"My Portkey just landed. Charlie's setting up our tent." Bill explained, curious brown eyes sweeping over the group, though his gaze landed longer on Fleur than on the others. "Percy is bringing the twins over in about another hour. They're spending the summers at Aunt Muriel's." Bill's gaze then landed on Hadrian and Draco, and his eyes widened. "Heir Potter and Heir Malfoy." He murmured, much to the group's surprise. "It's a pleasure." He smiled politely. "Bill Weasley." He introduced himself. "This is my best friend." He gestured towards the young man next to him.
"Michael Fawley." Michael introduced himself. "It's a pleasure."
Viviane, Draco and Hadrian exchanged looks. "Michael Fawley?" Hadrian echoed. "You're Liese's cousin? And the current lord of House Fawley?"
"That's right." Michael's smile widened, and Hadrian, Draco and Viviane could definitely see the family resemblance immediately. "I've been by to visit her and Lord Black a few times over the years, but I can only get away during the school term time, so I hadn't had a chance to meet any of you officially. It's a pleasure."
Hadrian, Draco and Viviane only nodded dumbly, exchanging looks. Liese's family situation was well-known to all of them, and they knew what she went through in Hogwarts and even under the hands of her own birth family—something which had enraged all of them so. Liese's situation wasn't the only reason why Sirius had decided to send Hadrian and Draco to Durmstrang, though it is definitely a contributing factor.
That, and all the children have loved Liese like an older sister, or even a secondary mother figure. She's also the one to give Hadrian the Little Omega Talk when he had first reached puberty. Heck, she's the one that all the kids approached for talks that they didn't want to go to their own guardians and parents for.
So, knowing that Liese's crippled leg is due to what she'd gone through in Hogwarts had enraged all of them, particularly Draco when he found out that the godfather his biological father had named for him was the culprit.
Only the adults have even met Michael Fawley, Liese's distant cousin and the current Lord Fawley. And in some strange way, also a very distant relative to the Black family. But from what is said, Michael is very different from the Fawley family—majority of which are either in Azkaban or already dead. In fact, Michael's first act as Lord Fawley is to restore Liese to the family register, and she can now take on the Fawley name legally, though she didn't opt to do so, choosing to retain her mother's maiden name instead.
With the Fawley fortune long gone, there isn't much money coming from that side. But the Fawley family are well known for their skills in runes and spell crafting, and have several rare books entailed to the family—several of which Michael had given to Liese. Those books have actually allowed Liese to create some of her rarer products that are practically flying off the shelves like hot cakes.
Hadrian would bet his trust vault that those bastards in Britain that had constantly undermine and cut down Liese once upon a time when she was trying to set up her business there are likely kicking themselves now for doing so. Even though the Blacks and Krums don't really need to work, thanks to their massive fortune; even a mere fraction of the percentage of the profits that they're getting due to being Liese's sponsors, is seeing tonnes of money flowing in.
Liese's business is now so well-received and well-known even internationally that Hadrian knew that Liese is considering setting up another branch in France where she had several contacts and friends from when she had taken her Business degree. Many of her suppliers are based in France as well.
"Pleasure." Draco, Viviane and Hadrian echoed in response.
"We should go." Viviane was the first to break the frankly uncomfortable silence, considering the way the four oldest of their group were giving each other goo-goo eyes. Viviane had a hunch she knew what is going on, but kept her mouth shut. "Hadrian, you wanted to go and see my brother, don't you?"
"Y-Yeah." Hadrian nodded. "Come on, let's go."
"R-Right."
Michael only stared at their departing backs with a wistful look on his face—a look that even Bill has never seen before, and he's been best friends with Michael since their First Year at Hogwarts.
"Michael? Mike?" Bill waved his hand in front of Michael's face, even snapping his fingers in front of his eyes. "Hey? Anyone home?" Michael finally blinked and turned his attention towards Bill. "Finally. And here I thought that you bat for the other team. You never seem to have any interest in any of the girls at school when we were at Hogwarts."
Michael only scowled at Bill for his teasing. "Oh, don't think I didn't see the way you're looking at her friend. Half-Veela, I think." Though with their Gringotts' training, neither Michael nor Bill would be affected by a Veela's allure. Gringotts would never have tolerated any of their human employees being ensnared by the mind.
"Just…something about her draws me in. And it's not her looks or even the fact she's part-Veela." Bill admitted. He remembers Charlie and even his great aunt Muriel mentioning it before. How alphas and omegas would always know their mate when they met them, and they will meet them at some point in their lives. The Goddess would never deny them that.
Unlike their mundane counterparts, magicals tend to rely a lot on Fate and the Goddess' blessing and guidance to find their partner. Hence why the pureblood houses who tend to betroth their children with those that can elevate their status often find their magical prowess slipping with each generation. These days, betrothal contracts aren't used much anymore due to this issue, unless it's between two who have found their life partners as per the Goddess' blessing.
Even though Charlie and Tonks are both betas, they both got along so well even as First Years that no one was really surprised when the two of them started dating in their Fifth Year. In fact, there has been bets going around since their Third Year when Charlie first asked Tonks to go with him on their first Hogsmeade weekend. Bill was twenty galleons richer the day that Charlie had asked Tonks out.
"If they're friends of Heir Potter, we'll see them again." Bill said at last, in part to reassure his friend who looked rather like a broken-hearted man at this point. And also in part to reassure himself. He'll never tease Charlie again for acting like a love-sick puppy around Tonks. "Considering Chieftain Ragnok is including both of us as part of the Gringotts team sent to Hogwarts as part of the ICW protection detail for the Tournament." He lowered his voice at the last part.
Michael managed a brave smile. "Yeah."
XXXXXX
Hadrian hesitated in front of the Bulgarian Quidditch team tent, with it decked out in the national colours of red, with the Bulgarian flags visible in the grounds before it. The guards that always guarded the tents of the team knew Hadrian by now, and even the families of the National team players, and gave the little omega a smile.
None of the surly guards—all of them alphas, and personally handpicked by Minister Oblansk as well as his advisory team, would ever admit it. But all of them have a soft spot for the gentle omega who had often came with handmade goods for the guards whenever he came to attend Viktor Krum's games—even back when Viktor was just a substitute player for the team.
"Greetings, Heir Potter." One of the guards standing by the entrance greeted the omega with a slight tilt to his lips, and with a polite nod. "Are you here for Heir Krum?"
Hadrian nodded. "May I see him?" he asked politely.
The same guard nodded with a smile. "Of course. I think they're just about done with their team briefing." He cocked his head to one side, listening to something that Hadrian can't hear before he nodded. "Yes, he's available now." He then pushed one of the flaps of the tent aside. "Krum? Your betrothed is here."
There was a sudden loud smack from inside, and several curses let out in Bulgarian, before a cry rang out after Viktor Krum even as he emerged from the tent, already dressed in his Bulgarian Quidditch team uniform, an angry and embarrassed flush visible on his cheeks.
"I WAS ONLY JOKING!"
"Some 'jokes' shouldn't be joked about, you moron!" Natasha's voice echoed out angrily, before the flap of the tent closed after Viktor, and the sounds from inside were cut off immediately.
"Viktor?" Hadrian blinked Bambi-like eyes at Viktor, and the taller and older boy coughed, clearing his throat.
The rest of his friends have promised to wait for him at the entrance of the field where the Bulgarian team had their tents. Unlike Hadrian, the rest of them weren't exactly given unlimited access. While Fiona and Fleur have both opted to go check out some of the vendors' wares together with Viviane, Draco had opted to wait for Hadrian—with the blonde unwilling to leave Hadrian alone for even a minute in what is essentially enemy territory for them.
"Hey." Viktor had a rare smile spread across his face. "Come on, this way." He guided Hadrian gently by the small of his back to the back where they would have more privacy.
"What was that all about back there?" Hadrian asked curiously.
"Nothing you should be concerned with." Viktor said immediately, shaking his head, an angry scowl spreading across his face at the mere memory.
Hadrian recognised the look on Viktor's face immediately. He had seen it several times whenever some of their schoolmates or even Viktor's classmates tend to make lewd or inappropriate jokes about their own significant others or even those that they're currently dating. While the majority in Durmstrang tends to respect omegas and women and respect the courting and betrothal practices still followed in magical society, there are always the few odd ones out.
People like the Kovarev heir for instance.
"I've seen that look on your face before, you know?" Hadrian said quietly, and Viktor fidgeted uncomfortably. "You think I hadn't heard the way people talk about me before? We still have those thinking that omegas are just born to be fucked or baby making machines. You shouldn't get too upset on my behalf and potentially ruin your relationship with your teammates. This is only your second year as a starter."
"You're more important than anything else." Viktor said immediately, shaking his head. "No one should ever insult you that way. Not in my presence, and not in front of you. Heck, no omega or woman should ever be subjected to crass remarks. It makes for a poor gentleman who allows an omega or a witch to be insulted this way. And I genuinely pity the person they would marry if they would talk that way." An angry flush spread across his face.
"I don't have long, since we have to take our seats soon." Hadrian said, expertly changing the subject. He doesn't want Viktor in a bad mood right before one of the biggest games in his career. "I just came to wish you luck. We can get to see you after the game ends, right?"
"Yeah. Most of our families are here, so we're allowed to just join our families after the game wraps up." Viktor promised, looking really relieved at that. He might be part of the National team, but it doesn't mean he likes some of his more outspoken teammates. "I do know Ireland's Seeker through a few practice games and matches that we have over the past year. If we had the chance, I would really like to be able to introduce you to him. Lynch will like you, I believe. Still a terrible Seeker though." He added the last part wryly, and Hadrian only laughed.
"Viktor, you're only saying that because hardly anyone flies the way you do." Hadrian teased gently, and Viktor blushed. And Hadrian is right.
Hadrian himself is a good flyer. He flies like he belongs in the air, especially the first time that Sirius had ever put him on a broom when he was about eight. But he has no wish to play Quidditch, despite the fact that the four Quidditch captains of the teams in Durmstrang have begged him repeatedly for years.
Viktor; however, is a player. He flies without fear and without care that it almost looks as if he and his broom are of one mind. Several times, whenever Hadrian had attended his matches, he had thought that he will get a heart attack, considering the way Viktor flew without care for his safety.
There is a reason why Healing is one of Hadrian's electives, after all.
Though privately, there are various times when Hadrian had wondered if Viktor shouldn't be a broom glider instead of a Quidditch player. He seems more suited to the former than the latter, considering that broom gliding is basically acrobatics in the air.
And with the way Viktor flew, he seems more suited to stunts in the air than actually playing Quidditch.
Hadrian is part of the broom gliding team in Durmstrang and had represented the school a few times during the Inter School Tournament over the years. Unlike Hadrian however, Draco and Viviane preferred Quidditch and were part of the same team—both playing Chasers.
"Bend down." Hadrian ordered just then, after peeking a glance at his watch, much to Viktor's amusement.
"Uh, why?"
"You're too tall."
Viktor had inherited his father's height and is also an alpha. To be honest, he isn't exactly the build that one would expect for a Seeker—with most Seekers being light and small which makes it easy for them to manoeuvre on their brooms to catch the Snitch. But Viktor's skill on a broom outweighs most of the cons.
And in contrast to him, Hadrian is honestly considered quite petite and short; especially since he's an omega too. And as a general rule, most omegas are quite petite and small in size. This is a contributing factor to why majority of the world still sees omegas as something to be protected.
Bemused, Viktor only obliged, leaning down slightly. He was surprised when Hadrian removed something from his pocket—with Viktor only realising that it is some kind of silver pendant hanging from a black cord that he put around Viktor's neck. Viktor could already feel the powerful protections and magic coming from the pendant.
"This is…" Viktor trailed off slowly, fingering the pendant around his neck. It had the Krum crest on the front. But on the back were several tiny runes carved carefully.
"Uncle Marko gave me permission to have one from the Krum family vaults when I told him what I had in mind." Hadrian explained. "It took me months to be able to carve those runes and to ensure it wouldn't clash together with each other. I know your Heir ring already protects you from things like potions, and it even offers you more mental protections. These protections however will protect and defend you against most curses and hexes. I tested it together with Draco and Viviane. Anything short of the Unforgivables, it can block."
Viktor felt warmth surging up in him even as he gazed at the pendant. His first betrothal gift from Hadrian, and such a thoughtful one as well. It makes him wish that he had put more thought in the gifts that he had gotten for Hadrian about a month ago—before he had to join his team for a month long training session before the World Cup.
A comfort blanket from Liese that he had paid extra for to have extra runes and charms placed on it to retain scents. It'll be particularly useful for Hadrian especially during his heats. But with this gift clearly hand-made by Hadrian—since he's no slouch when it comes to runes, it makes Viktor's gift pale in comparison.
"Damn. You make me look cheap in comparison." Viktor tried to joke. He enveloped Hadrian in a tight hug. "Thank you. I'll treasure this."
"Hey Krum! Where are you?" The irritated voice of Lev Zograf, the Bulgarian National team captain echoed just then. "You can flirt with your boyfriend later. Get back into the tent! We have last minute preparations to do!"
Hadrian giggled as Viktor sighed with exaggeration. "I have to go," he said apologetically, and Hadrian nodded, with the couple moving out from behind the tents, and approaching the irritated looking Lev. "Keep your eyes on me during the match, okay?"
"Every minute." Hadrian promised.
"For the love of the Goddess! You're as bad as Michaelis! He'll be waiting for you after the match!" Lev grasped Viktor by the wrist and started dragging him back towards the Bulgarian team's tent, much to Hadrian's amusement. "And keep your head in the game later on!"
"Way to be a cockblock, Captain. See if I allow you any time alone with your girl the next time she comes to 'wish you luck'!"
"Leave Elly out of this! And you do that, and it's a hundred rounds around the stadium! On foot!"
XXXXXX
Magical Britain has really gone all out for the Quidditch World Cup, Hadrian has to admit, even when Sirius had handed their tickets to the ticket keeper, and they were then ushered to the top over at the Bulgaria side of the stands.
Thank the Goddess too, as Hadrian could only imagine the kind of fuss it'll create if Britain, and more especially, the current British Minister of Magic, would cause if they found out that Sirius and even Hadrian were back in their home country for the first time in years.
Sirius had managed to pull some strings and gotten them all tickets for the Top Box over at the Bulgaria side of the stands—majority of which were decked out in the Bulgarian national colours of scarlet, green or gold.
Hadrian had to say goodbye to Fleur and Fiona when it was finally time for them to take their seats; and understandably, they were seated with the French contingent that were here for the game. Considering that Fleur's father is also the current Minister of Magic for France, it goes without saying that they would have gotten good seats as well.
Hadrian looked around curiously. This isn't the first time he had attended an international Quidditch game. He had attended all of Viktor's that he could. But this is the first major game that Viktor would be playing in since he had joined the National team alongside Natasha.
Understandably, the both of them were mere substitutes when they have first joined the team when they were about fifteen, with the coach focused on training them to take over the positions of the former team Seeker and one of the Chasers who were already both seeking retirement for awhile now.
The seats were starting to fill up, which rose in levels around the long oval field. The stadium itself too had a mysterious golden glow to it. And even from where Hadrian is seated, the field looked smooth. At either end of the field were the three goal hoops—each of them fifty feet high.
There was even a gigantic blackboard opposite those hoops that Hadrian assumed would be used to reflect the scores later on once the game begins. Right now, however, it was being used to advertise products that kept flashing across the screen.
Next to Hadrian, Viviane was eagerly skimming through the program that each of them was given at the gate before they were let through and allowed into the stands.
"'A display from the team mascots will precede the match'," she read aloud. "I wonder what ours brought this year?" She wondered.
"The Minister vetoed most of what the team wanted initially, I heard." On Hadrian's other side, Draco leaned slightly across Hadrian to speak to Viviane. "In the end, I heard that they settled on Veelas. One of the Veela clans over in France offered their expertise. I heard the Irish team settled on leprechauns, however."
Both Viviane and Hadrian blinked owlishly at Draco. "Leprechauns? Fake gold?" Hadrian echoed, and Draco nodded with a grin. "I wonder what they have in mind for them then?"
The box is starting to fill up gradually. Several of the people, Hadrian, Draco and Viviane have recognised as their school seniors and even classmates from school. Some of them were even alumni that have already graduated. Most of the current and even former Durmstrang students were mostly here to not just support their country, but also their fellow students, aka Viktor and Natasha.
The Michaelis family too have arrived along with the Vasilevs, not even thirty minutes after the Blacks have taken their seats.
And of course. The players of the Bulgarian National Team were given complimentary tickets to the best seats in the house. Most of them gave it to their family just so that they can attend their games, as in the case of Viktor and even Natasha.
Lucas for one looked relieved to be able to sit with his classmates and best friends; whereas the adults of the group were more than happy to take the row above them.
Surprisingly, Frank Longbottom turned up not ten minutes after the Michaelis family did, with Neville and even Susan Bones in tow—with both pre-teens beaming brightly, and with one of the mascot hats on their heads.
"Sorry! We got delayed at the Portkey office." Frank Longbottom apologised, even as he slid in a spare seat beside Barty. "Amelia has an important meeting today to attend about…you-know-what." He lowered his voice at the last part so that the excited pre-teens in front of them wouldn't overhear, "so I offered to take Susan, and to take her home tomorrow—or whenever the game ends." He added wryly, since a game of Quidditch don't end until the Snitch is caught.
"Ah. Think I remember Lyuben talking about that when we were getting the Portkeys from the Ministry a few days ago." Remus said, scratching at his chin. "The school heads as well as the DMLE heads from the respective Ministries would be meeting today at the ICW offices for the final preparations. School year is nearly upon us, after all."
"Still think it's a bad idea. Why on earth would they bring back a death trap like that?" Barty grumbled, crossing his arms.
"Thought you guys wouldn't make it." Draco murmured, even as Neville and Susan slid in on Draco's side, with the pair murmuring apologies as they did so, saying something about delays at the Portkey office. "Where are Hannah and Ernie?"
"They couldn't get the tickets, much to their disappointment. We promised to get them souvenirs instead." Susan answered, holding up a small satchel that she had been using that Hadrian would bet would have Expanding Charms placed on it. He had a similar bag that he uses for the school year that he uses to cart around his schoolbooks and notebooks as well as his writing and drawing supplies after all. Narcissa and even Liese have even helped him to cast permanent Featherlight Charms on it.
Gradually, the murmurs around the stands were starting to get muted; with even the lights around the stands getting dimmer.
There was silence for several moments, before a loud voice then echoed around the stadium. Probably the commentator for the match had cast a Sonorus charm on himself or herself.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome! Welcome to the final of the four hundredth and twenty-second Quidditch World Cup!" The voice boomed in every corner of the stands, even as the spectators screamed and clapped. Thousands of flags waved, adding their discordant national anthems. And the huge blackboard opposite them was even wiped clear of it's last advertisement, and now showed the words: BULGARIA: 0, IRELAND, 0. "My name is Ludo Bagman, and I'll be your commentator for the day! And now, without further ado, allow me to introduce the Bulgarian National Team mascots!"
The side of the stands where they were at immediately exploded. That is exactly what it sounded like to Hadrian, as it seems almost like a bomb had just gone off. Hadrian winced. If this is already torture on his ears, he can hardly imagine what it must be like for the alphas amongst their group.
"What did they bring with them?" Frank Longbottom wondered, leaning forward, and squinting his eyes. He then blinked. "Are those…Veela?"
On either side of Hadrian, his male friends suddenly seemed to have lost their senses; suddenly gawking and drooling at the sight of the beautiful, golden-haired women dancing on the field below them to the Bulgarian National anthem.
"Hey, what's wrong with you guys?" Hadrian was very taken-aback with the dazed look in Draco's eyes, and even Neville's.
"I'm the wealthiest wizard in the world!"
"I own the richest company in the world!"
"I'm the Minister of Magic!"
"What the…?" Susan was taken aback and bewildered at the sudden nonsensical shouting from the several dazed looking males around them. "What's going on?"
"It's the Veela allure." Viviane giggled, tugging Draco down to his seat next to her, preventing him from climbing over the railings. "It makes some males go a little crazy. It's not common in Durmstrang, since majority of the Veela clans live in France, and hence, attend Beauxbatons. But we do have the occasional half-Veela attending as well. A schoolmate three years above us is part-Veela, in fact."
"And why are you okay?" Susan wanted to know, looking at the very amused adults behind them.
"We have decent mind defences." Sirius explained with a twinkle in his eye. "I've been training Hadrian in it since he is old enough to use magic. And he does have a protective amulet that protects him against mental intrusions, as does his Heir ring. Not to mention that omegas as a whole does have some natural mental defences against creature allure."
Not that Draco and Neville didn't have protective amulets. They do, and their Heir rings too offers some defences against mental manipulation. However, they're still young, so their mental defences aren't that powerful.
Viviane started giggling at that, with Susan rolling her eyes. "Boys," she muttered irritably, the moment that Neville and Draco have both calmed down and seemed highly embarrassed over their actions. "They all act like fools the moment a beautiful woman is around." She then smiled sweetly at Hadrian and patted his cheek tenderly. "Not you, of course, Ri. You're as sweet as always, and not like the stupid boys we share our classes with."
"Hey!" Neville protested indignantly.
"Well, if you lot got your senses back, and your eyes back in your head, you may want to pay attention. The Irish mascots are coming out next." Remus interrupted, amused.
"And now!" Ludo Bagman's voice roared across the stands once more, "kindly put your wands in the air to welcome the Irish National Team mascots!"
The opposite side of the stands where they were seated, and who were mostly wearing green, screamed and cheered so loudly that it almost sounds like a bomb had gone off.
Next moment, what seemed to be a great green and gold comet came zooming into the stadium. It did one circuit of the stadium, then split into two smaller comets, each hurtling towards the goal posts. A rainbow arced suddenly across the field, connecting the two balls of light. The cheers and screams from the crowd increased with intensity.
When the rainbow faded, and the balls of light have reunited and merged, they had formed a great shimmering shamrock which rose into the sky and began to soar over the stands. Something like golden rain even seemed to be falling from it; falling amongst the stands and the screaming crowd.
"Leprechaun gold!" Sirius yelled in order to get heard above the screaming crowd. The lord Black was grinning though; smiling wider than he had ever smiled in years that Hadrian had remembered, with Sirius easily getting caught up with the high emotions of the crowd. "Vanishes in a few hours, so no getting ideas about using it, kiddies!"
The 'kiddies' groaned good-naturedly.
Frank Longbottom however caught his son eyeing the leprechaun gold thoughtfully and had a feeling that Ron Weasley might be in for a particularly 'interesting' year at Hogwarts this year. Especially if Neville managed to rope Susan in as well.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen, kindly welcome the Bulgarian National Quidditch Team! Team Captain and Keeper, Lev Zograf!"
A scarlet-clad figure on a broomstick, moving so fast that his actions and movements were almost blurred, shot out onto the field from an entrance far below. The Bulgarian supporters amongst the crowd cheered wildly.
"Beaters: Pyotr Vulchanov! Ivan Volkov!"
Two other scarlet-clad players zoomed out in a similar fashion to Lev as earlier, taking their positions on either side of the captain.
"Chasers: Natasha Michaelis!" The Michaelis and Vasilev families behind Hadrian and his friends cheered loudly, as did most of the Durmstrang contingent currently around them. Lucas was grinning so widely and clapping so loudly that Hadrian wouldn't be surprised if his fellow omega need some Pain Relief potions later on. "Vasily Dimitrov! Alexei Levski!"
Much like the two Beaters before them, the three Bulgarian Chasers zoomed out in a practiced formation, taking their places by the side of one of the Beaters.
"And finally! Bulgarian National Team Seeker! Viktor Krum!"
The screaming and cheers that followed almost took the roof off from the Bulgarian side of the stands.
"Hadrian! Hadrian! It's Viktor!" Viviane almost screamed in Hadrian's ear, grabbing his arm.
Much like his teammates before him, Viktor too zoomed out of the team entrance, also dressed in his scarlet Quidditch robes, with his Quidditch googles currently hanging around his neck, even as he took his place next to Natasha who grinned at him; and both best friends exchanged a fist bump.
It's only then when Hadrian realised that all the members of the Bulgarian National Team were riding Firebolts—said to be the fastest racing broom on the market that was only released last year and is also the most expensive broom ever.
The members of the Bulgarian Quidditch National team were extremely popular amongst their countrymen. From what Hadrian and his friends have heard from Viktor and Natasha when the previous team Seeker and Chaser have finally decided to step down from competitive Quidditch, they have instead stayed on as team managers and even as part of the PR team.
There was even a revamp of the management team managing the National team. As part of the new contracts, the members of the team too were required to pose for posters and even photobooks as part of the publicity efforts.
Viktor and Natasha, being the youngest members of the team, were particularly popular amongst the teens of their country, much to Hadrian's disgruntlement and even Alec's annoyance. The older teens have kept it quiet thus far, but honestly, Hadrian wouldn't be surprised if a betrothal contract is already being negotiated between the Michaelis and Vasilev families for Alec and Natasha.
There was a change too in the training regimes, as the former Seeker and Chaser were competitive players in their own right before they have sought out retirement for unknown reasons. As far as Viktor could tell Hadrian without violating his contract with the national team; since the change in management as well as a new coach, the team did indeed improve a lot.
"And now, please greet the Irish National Quidditch Team! Presenting! Team Captain and Keeper, Barry Ryan! Beaters: David Connolly! Quentin Quigley! Chasers: Allen Troy! Queenie Mullet! Stephanie Moran! And finally, team Seeker: Aidan Lynch!"
Much like their Bulgarian counterparts before them, seven green blurs darted out onto the field the moment their positions and names were called. Much like the Bulgarian team, the Irish team too were on Firebolts. And on the back of their jerseys in silver were their names.
"And here, all the way from Egypt, our referee, acclaimed Chairwizard of the Quidditch International Association, Hassan Mostafa!"
A small and skinny wizard, completely bald but with a moustache, wearing robes of pure gold to match the stadium, strode out onto the field. A silver whistle was protruding from under the moustache, and he was carrying a large wooden crate under one arm, with his broomstick under the other.
The referee said something to the fourteen Quidditch players currently hovering in the air on their Firebolts—with all fourteen of them watching the referee intently. If Hadrian had to guess, he will guess that Mostafa must be saying something along the lines of 'have a nice and fair game'.
And then, Mostafa kicked the crate open before mounting his broomstick. Almost immediately, four balls burst into the air from the crate: the scarlet Quaffle, the two black Bludgers, and for just an instant before it went out of sight almost immediately: the miniscule, winged Golden Snitch.
With a sharp blast on his whistle to signify the start of the game, Mostafa then shot into the air after the balls not even a moment after the fourteen players currently in the game scattered to all four winds—with the designated two Chasers of the two teams vying for the first touch of the Quaffle.
In this case, with it being Natasha Michaelis from the Bulgarian National Quidditch Team, and Stephanie Moran from the Irish National Quidditch Team.
Hadrian can see why as well. The two women (or girl in Natasha's case) were easily the smallest of the three Chasers of their individual teams. And in this case, the first tip-off for the Quaffle normally goes to whichever Chaser is the fastest.
The left and right screens of the billboard immediately lit up with the live view feed of the game currently going on—with the flying-cams deployed flying around—an invention from Marauders Inc, Hadrian knew, as Sirius had gotten bulk orders of those flying-cams from the International Quidditch Association the moment that he had revealed it to the public about two years ago.
Even some of the not so good seats would be able to see what is going on in the field from the floating mirror screens that were paired with the fly-cams stationed in those areas.
Natasha, being the smaller and faster of the two Chasers vying for the tip-off, got her hands on the Quaffle first, much to Stephanie Moran's frustration, even as she launched the Quaffle straight into the hands of Alexei Levski who is waiting for it.
"And they're off!" Bagman screamed. "Michaelis won the first tip-off, with the Quaffle now being handed to Levski! And Dimitrov! And it's Mullet! Troy! Moran! Dimitrov! Back to Mullet! Levski! Michaelis! Dimitrov! Levski!"
It was Quidditch being played at the highest level—National level, and it showed. In not just the high-speed game of Chasing being played by the six Chasers in the air above them. But also, in the way how the Beaters of both teams weren't pulling any punches at all.
School-level Quidditch games still have some rules that protected the players from serious and grievous injury—with the Bludgers of school teams having some charms weaved into it to prevent serious injuries to the school players. In a national game like this however, there is nothing like that.
Like what Viktor and Natasha have once told Hadrian and his friends: cheating is all part and parcel of a national game. As long as you don't let the referee catch you.
The speed of the players above them was almost incredible. The Chasers of both teams were throwing the Quaffle to one another so quickly that Bagman only had time to say their names before the red Quaffle was then tossed to another player.
The Irish team was clearly already trying to attack from the get-go, with the three Irish Chasers flying closely together; with Troy in the center, slightly ahead of Mullet and Moran, and bearing down upon their Bulgarian counterparts.
On the center screen of the billboard, large purple words flashed across it, complete with an animated Quaffle streaking beneath the words: HAWKSHEAD ATTACKING FORMATION.
Troy made as though to dart upward with the Quaffle, drawing away Dimitrov, and then dropping the Quaffle to Moran. One of the Bulgarian Beaters, Volkov, swung hard at a passing Bludger with his club, knocking it straight into Moran's path which narrowly missed her head by mere inches, but caused her to drop the Quaffle.
Natasha was quick to close in on the Quaffle, but was thwarted in her attempts by the Irish Chaser Troy who threw the Quaffle through one of the goals, despite Lev Zograf's attempts to block it—
"TROY SCORES!" roared Bagman, and the stadium shuddered with a roar of applause and cheers. "Ten-zero to Ireland!"
Above them, Troy did a lap of honour around the field, even as his other two Chaser teammates smacked their hands against each other with victory. Natasha and her other two Chaser teammates didn't look discouraged, however. They merely exchanged determined looks with each other before splitting off into different directions.
Hadrian might not be a Quidditch player officially in his school team, preferring broom gliding instead. But he had substituted enough times for a player in Viviane and Draco's team to know that the Irish Chasers without a doubt, are superb.
They worked together as a seamless team—almost like they could read each other's minds, even as they positioned themselves.
Hadrian had accompanied Viktor to a few of his team training sessions over the last two years to know that the Irish team had been one of the major threats to the Bulgarian team. With the new training regimes and the vast improvements over the past one and a half years however, the two teams were about even in strength; though half of the reason is because Natasha is the leading scorer in Bulgaria's Chaser lineup.
Within ten minutes, Ireland had scored twice more, bringing the lead to thirty-zero, and causing a thunderous tide of roars and applause from the green-clad supporters. Surprisingly, the Bulgaria players doesn't seem concerned. The Bulgarian Beaters, however, were whacking the Bludgers as fiercely as possible at the Irish Chasers and were starting to prevent them from using some of their best moves.
Twice, the Irish Chasers were forced to scatter, and then finally, Natasha managed to break through their ranks and dodged the Keeper, Ryan, finally scoring Bulgaria's first goal.
The Bulgarian side of the stands exploded. It certainly seems like it to Hadrian, who immediately clamped his hands over his ears, as did Draco and the rest of his friends. Up in the air, the three Bulgarian Chasers did little loops in the air to show their excitement.
"THAT'S MY GIRL!" Emil Michaelis was shouting behind Hadrian. The petite omega had rarely seen his normally unflappable Healer this excited. Next to Emil, his wife, Iskra Michaelis was squealing in delight, almost jumping up and down on her seat.
The Bulgarian Chasers are now on the offensive instead of the defensive like they were before. It seems like they were just watching and studying what the Irish Chasers would do in the earlier start of the game. And now that they knew the attack patterns of their Irish counterparts, they were going in for the kill.
Their movements and formation would seem haphazard and uncoordinated to the untrained eye. But to those that know Quidditch, it is easy to see that the Bulgarian Chasers were working in tandem with each other. When one Chaser had the Quaffle, the other two would play interfering Chaser before the Quaffle would then be tossed to one of those two. The Chaser with the Quaffle would then take the place of the Chaser who currently had possession of the Quaffle. Rinse and repeat.
The three Bulgarian Chasers have positioned themselves in an almost triangle formation which allows them to cover nearly all aspects of the field. Viktor too, unlike most Seekers, isn't content to just sit idle and look for the Snitch. He's also playing interfering Seeker by blocking the way of an Irish Chaser as they looked to be going for the Chaser with the Quaffle, thus easily allowing Bulgaria to score twice more, thus bringing the scores even.
Down on the field, the Veelas were starting to dance in celebration; thus, causing most of the menfolk to stuff their fingers into their ears.
The Quaffle is starting to change hands faster than Bagman could keep up. And then, there was a murmur as the two Seekers of both teams broke from the rest of their team, plummeting through the center of the Chasers with such speed that it looked as though they have just jumped from airplanes without parachutes.
"Did they see the Snitch?" Lucas asked, jumping up and down in excitement, his face slightly flushed.
On the billboard and even the mirrors, everyone in the stands could see the plummet and descent of the two Seekers as they went closer and closer to the ground.
"They're going to crash!" Susan screamed next to Draco.
And she is only half-right. At the very last second, Viktor pulled out of the dive neatly and spiralled off. Aidan Lynch however, hit the ground with a dull thud that could be heard throughout the stadium. A huge groan rose from the Irish seats.
"FEINT!" came the screams from the Irish side of the stands.
"Time-out!" Bagman screamed. "Medi-Wizards are currently hurrying onto the field to examine Aidan Lynch. Will this put him out of the rest of the game?"
"Watching Viktor do his Wronksi Feint thing is not good for my heart." Hadrian muttered to his friends, and they snickered. He is going to have some choice words with his betrothed once this game is over. And judging from the way Viviane is currently covering her eyes with her hands, Hadrian is sure she felt the same way.
And both Viviane and Draco wondered why Hadrian preferred broom gliding over Quidditch. Gee, I wonder why?
The billboard and the mirror screens were replaying the feint that Viktor had done, and when Lynch had followed him and ploughed straight into the field. Viktor hadn't seen the Snitch at all. He was just feinting; probably in the hopes to put Lynch out of commission.
Viktor had returned to the air and circling around the field where Lynch was being revived by Medi-Wizards. Whereas the rest of the crowd and even the remaining of the two teams were more focused on the drama down below, Viktor's dark eyes were darting all over the ground and even the field, scanning for the Snitch.
Finally, down below, Lynch's eyes blinked opened, and he sat up, shaking his head dazedly, and obediently gulping down a potion that one of the Medi-Wizards had handed to him that seems to clear his head some, as his eyes looked clearer.
Then, to loud cheers from the green-clad supporters; with even the two Irish Beaters smacking their clubs together to show their support, Lynch mounted his Firebolt and kicked back off into the air.
His revival seemed to give Ireland new heart. When Mostafa blew his whistle again, the Chasers of both teams then went into action once more; and Hadrian had a feeling that all six Chasers will be going all out from here on.
And Hadrian wasn't mistaken.
All six Chasers weren't even bothering with defensive tactics anymore. They were all going for the throat and didn't care how much they get hurt in the process, easily dodging the Bludgers that came their way. The game is starting to get dirtier and rougher in the process, and Mostafa was giving out penalties to both sides like no tomorrow.
Lucas snarled when he saw one of the Irish Chasers elbowed his sister so hard that he almost launched Natasha off the broom and cussed up a blue streak. Hadrian didn't even know that Lucas knew that many swear words.
Mostafa blew sharply on his whistle when he caught Mullet elbowing Natasha so hard that he almost knocked her off her broom.
"FOUL!" Bagman screamed, and the Irish stands groaned with dismay. "Penalty to Bulgaria for clubbing! One free throw for Michaelis!"
Down on the field, the Veelas were doing a kind of mocking and rude dance at the leprechauns who didn't take it too kindly that the mascots on both sides nearly came to blows if not for the Medi-Wizards and security that came to separate them.
Up in the air, the players were barely paying attention to anything apart from the game even as Natasha took the penalty awarded to her team and was quick to swoop in and catch the Quaffle back even as the goal went through; easily thwarting Stephanie Moran's attempts to gain the advantage for the Irish.
Too bad that the flying-cams don't take sound at all, or Hadrian will bet that they'll be hearing quite the colourful conversation amongst the players up in the air, from the look on Stephanie Moran's face as Natasha easily stole the Quaffle away and tossed it towards Alexei Levski who was waiting nearby, and easily gained another score for Bulgaria.
The scoring is starting to come in fast and furious. When one side scores, the other side would score almost immediately as well. The Bulgarian Chasers have definitely improved since their last game against Ireland.
The score is now 110-110.
Murmurs broke out amongst the crowd as the two Seekers suddenly started moving again. Is this another feint?
"It's no feint! The Seekers have found the Snitch!" Bagman's voice echoed around the stands, causing the crowd to erupt in cheers and screams, all of them cheering the Seekers on.
Both Seekers were levelled together with each other at this point as they dove towards the ground. Then, Hadrian saw the little fluttering golden ball visible on the screens as both Seekers dove towards it.
The Bulgaria Chasers, however, didn't let themselves get distracted by the Seeker Dive, with Dimitrov easily scoring twice more without anyone realising it, before Natasha gained possession of the Quaffle again.
"Both Seekers are still chasing the Snitch! What is that?" The Irish stands groaned as one even as the red Quaffle clobbered Lynch on the head, distracting him momentarily. "Michaelis passed backwards to Levski and hits Lynch in the head with the Quaffle, momentarily distracting him from the Snitch—"
That moment is all the Viktor needs, as he quickly pulled out of the dive, one hand in the air that is closed over the fluttering golden ball.
The stands erupted with loud cheers, even as Mostafa blew sharply on his whistle to end the game, even as the billboard and screens flashed with the final Seeker chase, and even of Natasha tossing the Quaffle at Lynch's head to distract him. It's not something done often, but it didn't break any Quidditch rules and also served to help her team's Seeker.
The middle screen of the billboard was flashing the final score: BULGARIA: 280, IRELAND: 110.
"KRUM'S GOT THE SNITCH!" Bagman bellowed. "THE MATCH IS OVER! BULGARIA WINS, THUS BREAKING THE IRISH'S WINNING STREAK SO FAR! Good lord, I doubt any of us were expecting that."
The Bulgaria side of the stands were going crazy with the Bulgarian team's victory, and no one could really blame them. Up in the air, the rest of the team looked as if they were trying to suffocate Natasha. Then, screaming together in victory, the Bulgarian team descended down to the field together as one to join Viktor who is patiently waiting for them, still with the Snitch clutched in one gloved hand.
And then, almost as if sensing Hadrian's eyes on him, Viktor turned and looked into Hadrian's attention, smiling, and slowly raising his fist into the air.
XXXXXX
Amelia Bones is starting to wish that she had sent Kingsley or Proudfoot or even Tonks in her place to attend this meeting and had gone with Susan to the Quidditch World Cup as planned. Susan, bless her niece, while she had insisted that she understood why Amelia has to go to work, and thus, had to cancel their plans for a small little family getaway, was understandably disappointed, thus making Amelia feel a million times worse.
How many times had she cancelled plans on Susan at the last minute because of some emergency that she has to attend to, due to her position as the head of the DMLE?
Sure, Amelia always tried to make it up to Susan. But there is no making up for missing things like Susan's actual birthday, or even on the day when she had her first bout of accidental magic, and things like that. As the years goes on, Susan is entirely accustomed to either spending her nights at Hannah Abbott's or even at the Longbottoms where she even had her own room due to how often that happened.
And not for the first time, Amelia is seriously questioning her desire to continue in an obviously corrupted Ministry when she already had much better offers with better working hours and benefits from private security companies, and even overseas.
Right now, however, Amelia found herself sitting in one of the meeting rooms of the ICW along with Albus Dumbledore, along with their French and Bulgaria counterparts, as well as the current ICW head as well as the head of the Protectorate of Magic, and even the current goblin Chieftain.
A meeting called for by Adrick Morozov, the current ICW head, to finalise and go over the protections for the Triwizard Tournament before it actually kicks in come October.
And so far, in the past two hours since Amelia had been in here, writing down her own notes; there have been a great deal of arguments that had nearly came to blows, since neither their French nor Bulgaria counterparts were in any way pleased with what Dumbledore actually called 'protections'.
When asked about the Healing teams in case any of the chosen Triwizard champions needs it? Dumbledore only answered with 'Madam Pomfrey', before a twenty minute long argument then follows, with both the French and Bulgarian DMLE heads pointing out everything that can go wrong with that.
The Triwizard was called off for a reason over a hundred years ago. While it is definitely safer now, mainly on the insistence of the French and Bulgarians, there is still a level of danger to it.
In the end, both the French and Bulgarian Ministries then decided to bring their own team of Healers—actual Healers, and not just mere Medi-Wizards or Medi-Witches like Madam Pomfrey is. Amelia was only mildly horrified when the French DMLE head, a Lou Auguste, coolly informed the room at large that only actual Healers are able to do more than just cast surveying charms and spells and can actually cast the actual Healing spells or runes needed to save their patients, along with administering potions, as per international law.
Yeah, international relations are definitely starting off great. Thanks a lot, Dumbledore.
The meeting for the next two hours then followed a similar trend. With both the French and Bulgarians cutting down every single one of Dumbledore's suggestions for what he deems as appropriate security measures.
Honestly, with how either the ICW or even the French or Bulgarian Ministries are basically supplying the Healing and security teams, with Gringotts even having a team of their curse breakers as well as their rune masters on hand; it's almost like Britain isn't the organiser at all.
Amelia dreads having to read the Magical World News the day the Tournament actually commences.
"All right." Adrick Morozov wrote something on the roll of parchment in front of him, expertly ignoring the glares of Albus Dumbledore—especially after the ICW head said something along the lines of how whoever thinks that the audience staring at the lake for over an hour is 'entertaining' is smoking weed. That, and the ridiculously weak defences there are for what is meant for the Second Task.
With the way the British tends to look down on non-humans and even those they see as 'Dark', the ICW too had stepped in to supply some of their language translators. In this case, for the Mermaid tribe in the Black Lake.
Yep. Amelia can see opinions of the British magicals in general slipping even further in the eyes of the ICW. You'll know that times are indeed changing when the ICW is making it a point to oppose everything that Dumbledore is suggesting and isn't taking his word as gospel any longer.
"Last item on our agenda." Raisa Sokolov, head of the ICW's Protectorate of Magic spoke up, looking over her notes. The witch might be young, but she got to her current position with guts and ambition and even ability. Internationally, Raisa Sokolov had quite the reputation to her name as one of the ICW's top Hit-Witches. She looked around the long table that they were all seated at. "The Goblet of Fire."
Chieftain Ragnok shook his head at that. "If I may, I still find it distasteful that you're using an ancient artefact like the Goblet to be the impartial judge for the picking of the champions." The goblin grunted. "That is an ancient artefact older than anything we ever knew! We're talking about a time when it is deemed acceptable for things like duels to the death, and even for children who barely reached double digits to be soldiers!"
"That is none of your concern, goblin." Dumbledore said sharply, and as one, the room inhaled sharply with this blatant insult. "This is wizard business."
Two of Chieftain Ragnok's guards standing by the door narrowed their eyes. And only a look from their Chieftain made them lower their spears, or there would be a maiming or even a death in this room today.
Amelia had a feeling that Dumbledore is going to have lots of problems with his Gringotts accounts the moment he steps out of this room.
"On your head be it." Ragnok looked amused—for a goblin, that is.
"Okay. Protections on the Goblet." Adrick interrupted, tapping sharply on the table surface, and causing all eyes to turn towards him. "Dumbledore, what are the protections surrounding it? In the proposal submitted by Britain and approved by you as well as Minister Fudge—" All eyes swivelled towards Dumbledore, "it is said that the Goblet would be active for exactly twenty-four hours to allow the participants to submit their names. The appropriate champions of each school would then be chosen on Samhain—"
"Halloween." Dumbledore chided gently but went ignored by Adrick as usual.
"As I was saying," Adrick's eyes were flashing with this blatant disrespect by Dumbledore, "the names of the appropriate champions of the participating schools would then be chosen by the Goblet of Fire on Samhain." He stressed upon the name of one of the most sacred nights to the magical world. "Which means for exactly twenty-four hours, the Goblet of Fire would be receiving names submitted, and would make its own choice depending on the names."
"Like Chieftain Ragnok said," Raisa spoke up, looking up from the sheaf of parchment in front of her, "the Goblet of Fire is an ancient artefact that has been around long even before the Founders of Hogwarts built the first wizarding school in the world. It has been around for as long as there is a magical world and magic. As such, as far as impartial judges go, the Goblet definitely can be considered one. However, it was also created during a particularly cruel time when children became soldiers, and things we decreed as cruel or dark today—by the ICW standards, that is," she added, eyes flickering towards Dumbledore, "are not considered as such by the Goblet."
"As per the agreement, all three schools of Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and even Durmstrang, have all agreed to only have of-age students submit their names to be considered as champions, in consideration of the high danger level and the death toll that this Tournament is traditionally known for." Lyuben Vasilev, Bulgaria's DMLE head spoke up. "In other words, students aged seventeen and older."
As one, every single pair of eyes fell on Albus Dumbledore, waiting for him to speak. Silence reigned for several long moments.
"And?" Chieftain Ragnok almost sneered at Dumbledore.
"And… What?"
"It says here in the proposal submitted by Hogwarts School that the protections around the Goblet of Fire consists of…an Age Line?" Amelia Bones read the parchment in front of her. She looked coolly at Dumbledore. "What else?"
Surely, even Dumbledore isn't insane enough to believe that a mere Age Line is enough as protection?
"An Age Line is more than enough." Dumbledore insisted firmly, looking around the room, and daring anyone to argue. "I have faith in my students and my people that they'll do the right thing, and not do anything silly once I highlight the dangers of the past Tournaments."
Lyuben looked as if he wanted to groan whereas his French DMLE counterpart looked ready to throttle Dumbledore. Amelia on the other hand wondered if perchance it's time for her to retire.
"You know, I'm starting to understand why Headmaster Nikolai Kostov of Durmstrang Institute is insisting on having Durmstrang and Beauxbatons, as well as the French and Bulgarian Ministries, having major input on not just the protections around the Goblet, but around the entire tournament as a whole." Adrick was the first to speak.
"When's the last time you actually interacted with students as a whole, and not just sit on that throne of yours and look down your nose at them?" Lyuben looked at Dumbledore with disgust. "Kids, teenagers especially, can be cruel and not think things through." He didn't even wait for Dumbledore to answer. "An Age Line prevents students over a determined age from crossing it. It however won't stop them from levitating parchment with names written on it into the Goblet. I can think of at least five methods off the top of my head for ways to bypass that Age Line."
"And will the Goblet even stop already of age students from submitting a younger student's name out of either malice or pranks?" Amelia Bones can already see the blatant loophole. She narrowed her eyes at Dumbledore. What is he planning?
"You're worrying too much." Dumbledore chided; acting as if he's the adult, and everyone in this room are mere children. "Everything will be just fine—"
"Chieftain Ragnok, can we include Goblet security as part of the contract we already have with the rune masters and cursebreakers you're supplying for the duration of the Tournament?" Adrick cut Dumbledore off albeit rudely; but in this case, no one can blame him. "We'll be willing to pay for their services, of course." He added, knowing that goblins don't do things for free.
"An additional three hundred galleons on top of the price already agreed upon." Ragnok said immediately. Adrick nodded. "Very well. I'll send one of my cursebreakers along tomorrow with the new contract. Shall I assume that security should be up around the Goblet the moment it crosses into British territory?"
"There's no need for that." Dumbledore protested, annoyed at being ignored.
"The moment it's being released from ICW custody, preferably." Madam Olympe Maxime added, also ignoring Dumbledore. The half-giantess is already on the warpath against Dumbledore and British wizards in general since Hermione Granger had enrolled into her school and she'd heard the girl's entire story. "The French Ministry, I'm sure, would be willing to pay the extra amount needed if necessary." She added, looking at Lou Auguste who nodded, scribbling something down on the parchment in front of him.
"As would Bulgaria." Lyuben added, exchanging looks with Nikolai who nodded.
"The British Ministry would too." Amelia added. She is sure she can convince Cornelius, at least, using PR as an excuse. If not, she will be more than willing to use her own money to pay for the extra security if it can keep Susan safe.
Chieftain Ragnok only raised an eyebrow. "If you're short on funds, I as the goblin chieftain, would be willing to waive that extra amount," he said, much to everyone's surprise. "We of Gringotts don't seek profit over the safety of children!"
If Adrick and Raisa were surprised with this proclamation from the goblin chieftain, they didn't show it. They merely exchanged looks before nodding, and then looking around the table.
"All right, is that everything?" Adrick asked at last, looking through the parchment in front of him to ensure that he didn't forget anything.
"I believe so." Raisa nodded.
"In that case—"
There was a hurried knock on the door to the meeting room just then. And before Adrick could even call for the person to enter, the door swung opened, and a wizard wearing the Hit-Wizard robes of the ICW as well as the badge of the Protectorate of Magic entered, looking frazzled.
"What is it?" Raisa frowned. "We're in the middle of a meeting."
"My apologies, Boss," the wizard apologised, looking around the room. "We received an urgent report from the international patrols at the site of the Quidditch World Cup." With his words, Amelia tensed. "There's trouble there. It's being attacked. By wizards bearing the mark of the Dark Lord Voldemort."
You can hear a pin drop in the room just then.
"What?"