Chapter Text
This is it.
Everything has come down to this very match.
Everything that they had worked, sweated, bled and cried for has come down to this very moment, in front of the entire world.
Viktor knows the stakes are high.
The final of the 1994 Quidditch World Cup has arrived. Bulgaria will be flying against Ireland in a bid to be crowned as world champions. They have defeated their previous opponents with ruthless teamwork and unparalleled artistry on a broomstick. Both so has the Irish team, and in this final match, it will be a test of Bulgarian strength against the home favourite of Ireland.
In his own personal opinion, Viktor knows that victory will be uncertain.
Bulgaria may have unmatched strength through their Beaters, but Ireland prides itself with superior Chasers. Neither team had the advantage over the other. Victory could go either way in this match. Only Merlin above knows who will come up on top as the champions.
Regardless, Viktor is going to go beyond his best. His reputation expects it, and everyone will demand nothing less.
As the gates open, and the commentator announces their entry, Viktor kicks off and joins his team in flying out into the stadium.
May the best team win.
Harry is excited.
No, scratch that.
He is beyond exhilarated !
This has got to be the most heart-pumping sporting event he has ever attended (read: the only sporting event). Over a hundred thousand spectators seated in a stadium, screaming and cheering their lungs out as Ireland and Bulgaria battled each other to be crowned as Quidditch world champions.
Seated in the top box, Harry has the best view in the entire stadium. He gets to see everything - every player zipping past on their broom, the bludgers careening from one end to the other, every collision and crash. It all happens so fast, it makes his heart pump from the thrilling adrenaline coursing through his veins.
With the help of his omnioculars, Harry is able to zoom in and see the match up close. He pays particularly close attention to the two seekers, Viktor Krum from Bulgaria and Aidan Lynch from Ireland. As a seeker himself, Harry wants to see how these two performed, especially Krum.
Krum is famed worldwide for performing the exhilarating but incredibly dangerous Wronski Feint, which always ends up with at least one player crashing into the field. Krum has, so far, executed each feint with expert finesse and skill, and it has helped him to score the Golden Snitch every single time.
Harry is on the lookout for when Krum will perform the Wronski Feint against Lynch, and perhaps, if he is lucky, spot the Golden Snitch before anyone else.
He pays little attention to the rest of the match. So far, according to the commentary, Ireland is leading Bulgaria 60 - 40, and if this trend continues, the Irish could very well be crowned as world champions.
Then, the commentary announces the release of the Snitch, and the crowd roars.
Harry is on the eagle-eye lookout. He swivels around the pitch, trying to spot a flash of gold somewhere. He splits his attention between the two seekers to see if either one or both have spotted the Snitch.
So far, the Snitch remains elusive, and Ireland continues to widen its lead against the Bulgarians.
Then, out of nowhere, Harry’s omnioculars go dark.
“What the - ?”
He lowers his omnioculars, and blinks.
The Snitch…is right in front of him.
The fluttering ball of gold hovers before his eyes, mere inches away. It descends down, right into Harry’s free hand. It comes to a rest on his palm, and does not move again.
…
…
What.
Harry looks around. No one in the top box has noticed what happened. His friends are still cheering for the Irish team, and the rest are still staring out into the pitch, engrossed with the ongoing match.
He glances down at the Snitch, which remains unmoving in his palm.
What on earth is he supposed to do with it?!
The commentators pick up again, “Seekers Krum and Lynch are still on the lookout for the Snitch! With Ireland widening their lead, Krum needs a swift miracle if he wants his team to win!”
Harry decides that he can’t just sit here and do nothing.
He gets up, and with his wand aimed at his throat, he casts a Sonorus .
“EXCUSE ME!”
Just like that, the entire stadium goes silent. Everyone turns towards the top box, and even the players come to a stop.
Harry nearly shrinks into himself at having a hundred thousand pairs of eyes on him. Swallowing his nerves, he raises his hand, the one holding the Snitch.
“The Snitch is here.”
One millisecond later, the entire stadium explodes .
Both Krum and Lynch shoot towards the top box at lightning speed. Startled by the two men hurtling towards him, Harry indiscriminately throws the Snitch at them. Lynch reaches for it, but Krum is faster and he catches the Snitch effortlessly.
Krum raises his hand, the Snitch decisively in his grasp.
The chaos reaches fever pitch, as the commentator splutters, “K-Krum has got the Snitch! Bulgaria wins 190 to 90!”
To Be Continued.