1001 Hogwarts Nights: Most Valuable Potter

AN: I remember getting good reviews on my Quidditch scenes when I had first written “Proof in the Pumpkin Juice”. So I thought I’d try to make an actual story out of a Quidditch game. You’ll notice the lack of cliff hangers…I had so desperately wanted to split this story in two chapters but I left it as a one shot instead.

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“Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, welcome to the 625th Quidditch World Cup!”

A thundering applause erupted from the stadium as thousands of people waved the Union Jack and the flag of Bulgaria. Ron and Hermione whooped and clapped from their seats up in one of the stands that Mr. Weasley was so generous to provide.

“How do you think he’s doing?” asked Hermione when the cheers had died down.

“Well if I know Harry-and I like to think that I do- he’s probably sticking close by to the toilets,” said Ron scanning over his program, “ he’s probably lost his breakfast already…and that’s if he ate breakfast to begin with.”

Hermione eyed Ron’s face, “ I can’t believe you got your face painted.”

“I’m supporting my best-friend, I don’t see the fruits of that labour with you!”

She narrowed her eyes and called over the nearest merchandise salesman.

“We’re in for an exciting show today,” began the announcer, “ Puddlemere United will be making their first appearance in the world cup in three years, and because of this they’ve added a few changes to the line up over the past few weeks. They’ve pulled Keeper Oliver Wood from the reserve team an made him a starter, now this was a good move because Puddlemere has not lost a game since then. But don’t let Wood take all the glory, no sir, Puddlemere has added a new person to the line up as a seeker. Fresh from Hogwarts school of witch craft and wizardry Harry Potter”-there was a loud thunderous applause from the staduim and Hermione (who now had her face painted) and Ron were yelling themselves hoarse- “will be making his first appearance in the Quidditch World cup.

“Now if you recall the last time these two teams faced each other Puddlemere was stream rolled by Bulgaria 350 to 40, now keep in mind neither Wood or Potter were playing at the time but don’t get me wrong there is a lot of rivalry between these two teams, especially the seekers. The last time Potter and Krum faced off against each other was at a tri-wizard tournament held at Hogwarts four years ago, in which Potter, the youngest of the champions, claimed victory. But that wasn’t the only rivalry, nope, it stretched all the way to a girl.”

The crowd went ‘awwwwww’ accompanied by some whistles.

“Oh no,” Hermione moaned, sinking further down in her seat.

“Relax,” said Ron trying to tare away the program hiding her face.

“The two seekers face off today for the first time in four years, so we should be seeing some excellent flying,” finished the announcer.

“Ha! Look over there!” said Ron pushing a pair of omniocculars in Hermione’s face. She took them and looked in the direction that Ron was pointing. She beheld two girls with lighting bolts painted on their faces holding up signs that said ‘ MARRY ME POTTER!’

“Honestly!” Hermione tutted, “ they look like they’re 12 years old!”

Ron however continued to laugh. "Jealous?"

Hermione glared at him, and Ron stopped laughing.

The cheering had echoed through the hall into the Puddlemere dressing room where Harry Potter was sitting on the bench. His eyes focused on one of the bristles on his broom. Blinking hard he broke from his trance and stood up trying to ignore the feeling in his stomach. He tightened the straps on his arm pads and grabbed his Navy Blue Quidditch robe off the hook. He traced his fingers over his last name in gold lettering, silently wishing Sirius could be here to see this. He slid on his robe and stole a glance at Oliver Wood who had a towel over his head and was rocking back and forth in his seat. He looked like he was going to throw up.

Alex West, Puddlemere’s team captain, and chaser beckoned them forwards.

“Alright boys and girls,” he said quietly, “ today is our day… move fast, think even faster, Harry- where’s Harry? Harry, Krum’s got your number , watch out for him,” Alex’s eyes scanned for his beaters Mark Appleby and Christian Wright, “I don’t want Bulgaria to get within ten feet of those goalposts,” he said pointing at them, “and ladies,” he said looking at his two chasers, Katie Shaw and Audrey Smith, “no flashing the opposing teams chasers.”

Katie and Audrey burst out laughing.

“We only did that once,” said Katie.

“Only because we were down by 50 points,” said Audrey.

“Oliver?”

Oliver looked up and took the towel from his head, Harry couldn’t help but notice his hand shaking slightly as he did this.

“I’m ready,” he said pulling on his robe.

“Alright," he said exhaling," let's show these Bulgarians how to play Quidditch, Puddlemere style."

As the team filed out of the dressing room, Harry could fell his hands shake. Clenching and unclenching his hands, he grabbed his broomstick and followed Oliver out the door. Walking down the tunnel Harry could see the light of the pitch at the end. He could here the stomping and clapping of thousands of people, as he grew closer to it he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. When they reached the entrance Harry looked up into the crowd. He felt his stomach fill with butterflies as he looked around.

"Ladies and Gentleman," began the announcer, Harry suddenly felt like joining Oliver in the corner who was already losing his breakfast, "please welcome Team BULGARIA!"

Harry wiped the cold sweat of his forehead and watched the Bulgarian team file out one by one as their names where called.

When Krum's name was said the stadium erupted (Hermione clapped politely while Ron stared at the pitch with his arms crossed) and Harry felt his mouth go dry. He was too scared to drink anything- it might come back up.

"And know making their first appearance in the world cup in three years-PUDDLEMERE UNITED!"

Oliver had finally emerged from the corner wiping his mouth, he exchanged a look with Harry. He looked more like the Gryffindor Captain he knew. He mounted his broom as did the rest of the team and waited for their names to be called. One by one they pushed off.

"I give you West!...Shaw!...Smith!...Appleby!...Wright!...and Wood!" There was a steady increase in the noise as the announcer continued. " Also making his first appearance in the World Cup," Hermione and Ron were on their feet as was the rest of the stadium, cheering and clapping, "the pride of Hogwarts... HARRRRY POTTERRRR!!"

Harry pushed off his hard and flew up high circling the pitch with his team. He couldn't help but smile as the tense feeling in his stomach drained away. Coming to a stop in the middle of the pitch the referee stood and looked up at the team captains.

"Nice and clean game lads," he said.

Harry looked around him to see if he could spot Ron and Hermione. When he turned his head back around he caught Viktor Krum's eye. Harry smiled and gave a short nod. Krum nodded back but didn't smile.

Harry watched the snitch being released but lost sight of it against the sunlight. Krum just seemed to be looking anywhere but the direction it flew. The whistle blew and the game began with Harry zipping off towards the direction of the snitch. He vaguely heard the crowd as he darted this way and that. He looked behind him a few times and noticed that Krum had not attempted to trail him at least once.

TWEET!

The whistle blew followed by loud boos and hisses. Harry turned around to see West holding his face.

"Ouch! West takes a sharp elbow to the face!" said the announcer, "and Puddlemere gets the chance to score the first goal of the game."

It seemed that the entire staduim went quite as Alex lined up to take his penalty shot, but not Harry- he didn't want to stay still while Krum was still flying around for the snitch. As he flew away he heard the staduim explode with cheers, he whipped his head around to look at the scoreboard.

Puddlemere 10 Bulgaria 0

A smile spread across his face as he darted towards the score board- not only because his team had just taken the lead, but-

"POTTER HAS SEEN THE SNITCH!"

Ron and Hermione were on their feet clinging on to the rail, watching Harry streak across the pitch. But something had caught Ron's eye. Harry wasn't the only one who saw the snitch. Viktor Krum was racing towards Harry from the opposite end, Ron's eyes went wide as he looked between Harry and Krum.

"Oh no," he said quietly.

But before Hermione had the chance to ask-

WHAM!

"WHAT a HIT!" shouted the announcer. "Krum literally bulldozes Potter against the boards!"

Ron was yelling and swearing at Viktor, amongst the boos and the shouts. "WHERE'S THE BLOODY PENALTY!"

Hermione, however, grabbed the omniocculars from Ron and focused in on the blue crumpled heap that was Harry.

"Get up Harry," she pleaded under her breathe, " please get up."

It was a few seconds before Harry was finally able to push himself up from the ground. He sat up and shook his head, blinking the white spots away. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief and sank back into her chair. Harry looked up at Viktor who was hovering a few feet above him. Without even a "I'm sorry" he flew away.

"HARRY! Are you okay?!" yelled Christian, landing beside him. He took Harry's hand and pulled him up- a little to fast for Harry's liking as he stumbled backwards.

"Whoa, easy now," said Christian grabbing his arm again to stop him from falling backwards, "that was some hit you took."

The referee blew his whistle to resume the game- calling the hit "accidental". Ron was now causing the parents to cover their children's ears when the call was made. Hermione, with an embarrassed smile mouthed an apology to everyone around her.

Harry picked up his broom. "That wasn't accidental," he said pushing himself away from the ground

"I know" said Christian doing the same, "he did that on purpose that son of a -"

THWACK!

Harry never heard the rest of that sentence when Christian belted the bludger to the other side.

It felt like Harry was circling the pitch forever and it didn't help that the points on the board kept changing for Bulgaria. With no sign of the snitch anywhere Harry heard the whistle blow- Alex had finally called a time out.

"Alright," he said panting slightly, the bridge of his nose was swollen, "we're down by 60 points, but in the Quidditch cup- things can change that easily, so this game is far from over. Oliver? Don't worry you're doing a fantastic job out there. Katie and Audrey?" The two girls appeared behind Christian And Mark, they looked like they just ran a marathon. " Don't be afraid to be un- lady like today, we need that quaffle, Mark and Christain?...knock the bloody piss out of those bludgers. And Harry... show Viktor who the better Seeker is."

Harry felt Oliver give him a playful nudge, as they all mounted their brooms and took off again.

"What do you think they were saying?" asked Hermione with her omniocculars pressed against her eyes.

"I don't know, but hope Harry's kicks Krum's -"

"Ron," she said calling his attention to the Five-year old sitting behind him with his mother glaring at him.

"They can move," said Ron turning to face the game again.

Alex's speech seemed to be just the right motivation. Mark and Christian were hammering the bludgers back and forth between each other and made sure that they had a Bulgarian chaser in the middle. Katie and Audrey were doing there job and being far from lady like. A Bulgarian Chaser was lucky enough to get through Mark and Christian, Audrey simply lifted up her Quidditch sweater, causing the chaser to become slack jaw and hypnotized long enough for Alex to punch the quaffle free and score ten points for Puddlemere. Harry couldn't help but laugh, he could hear Hermione tutting in his mind.

Suddenly a flash of scarlet flew by him, it was Viktor. Without even thinking Harry took off after him.

Everyone was standing on their feet again peering through their omniocculars. There was a streak of red and blue zooming down the side of the pitch. Harry was leaning against his broomstick begging it to go faster. He was at Viktor's knee, then his elbow, finally they were head to head. Harry squinted his eyes to stop the wind from burning them dry.

Ron and Hermione were fighting over their pair of omniocculars.

"I bought them!" cried Ron snagging them back and peering through them at the blue a red blur.

"Hang on," said Ron, lowering the omniocculars and looking into them again.

"They've pulled into a dive!" shrieked Hermione, "C'MON HARRY!"

"Do you see the snitch?" said Ron yielding them to her.

Hermione yanked them from his hand and peered slightly ahead of Harry and Viktor, elbowing each other trying to get a head.

Hermione lowered the omniocculars and screamed out into the pitch. " HARRY! PULL UP!"

"WRONSKI FIENT!" shouted Ron, " HARRY PULL UP!"

It was no use, they couldn't be heard over 100 000 people screaming.

But it wasn't until Viktor stopped elbowing him in the face when he realized that there was no snitch in front of him, the ground only a couple of feet away, he jumped on his broom stick and pulled up as hard as he could, missing the ground by a mere inches. Ron and Hermione sank back into their seats with relief. The crowd went "oooohhhh" as Viktor flew off in the other direction. Mounting his broom properly again, he flew straight up above the pitch- Harry was getting angry. With one quick glance at the scoreboard, he saw the Puddlemere was ahead by twenty now. It was time to even the score with Viktor.

Shooting back down towards the pitch, and causing two of Bulgarias chasers to duck, Harry headed straight towards the Viktor.

"Come on, " he chanted, "follow me."

Viktor temporarily lost his balance as Harry rocketed by him, not risking anything he gave chase. Harry looked behind him and saw Viktor right on his tail, he smiled as he leaned closer to his broom to speed up.

"Come on," Harry said again turning his head occasionally at Viktor. Out of the corner of Harry's eye he saw Mark slapping the bludger away from Katie, and took off in that direction. Checking to see if Viktor was behind him one more time, he watched Christian line himself up to hit the bludger, it was now or never.
Harry hit the brakes and flew straight up in the air, Viktor looked up and flew right by him and then suddenly-

CRACK!

Ron jumped up from his chair and whopped and clapped. Hermione gasped and clapped her hand over her mouth.

"WHAT-A-HIT! Krum gets caught between the bludger and Wright, not a very good place to be!" shouted the announcer as Krum slowly drifted to the ground holding his nose.

Harry watched from up high as Krum kept pushing someone away who wanted to look at his nose. He saw Krum look up at him. "Now we're even," said Harry quietly and patiently waited for Viktor to mount his broom. The referee blew his whistle and the game resumed, Harry flew far away from Krum as he could gliding near the upper parts of the stadium when something caught his eye.

Hermione and Ron waving furiously at him.

Gliding closer he laughed at Hermione's blue and gold face. Ron's hair just made him stand out even more with his face painted. Harry beamed as they cheered him on. Harry suddenly caught Hermione's eyes and she winked at him. Grinning sheepishly he flew off.

He watched Oliver dive to catch the quaffle. He felt his heart jump into his throat. Something shiny was glittering near the goal posts.

Harry's eyes went wide as the snitch fluttered back and forth around the goal posts right underneath Oliver. And judging by Oliver's hopeful glance at Harry- he saw it too. But for Some strange reason he was hesitating. He licked his dry lips and turned around to find Viktor. There he was, hovering near by where Ron and Hermione were sitting wiping the blood away from his nose.

"HARRY!" yelled Oliver.

His heart was hammering inside his chest, and was suddenly aware of how loud the crowd was getting. If he moved he was sure Viktor would follow, and Viktor was a damn good flier too. Suddenly he had a flash back. Lying on his back and dreaming about what it would be like to catch the snitch and being hailed a hero. Being presented with the world cup and have Cho there, beaming at him. But Cho's face wasn't there anymore.

"HARRY GET DOWN HERE!" shouted Oliver keeping his wide eyes on the snitch.

Turning around to see Hermione watching him with anticipation, he realized that he would much rather have her there. Harry tightened his grip on the front of his broom and rocketed toward the Goal posts.

Viktor saw a blue streak out of the corner of his eye and immediately gave chase.

"He's seen it- HE'S SEEN IT!" shouted Hermione, grabbing and yanking onto Ron's sleeve.

Ron was on his feet bent over the bars with his Omniocculars pressed to his face, "GO ON HARRY!"

The snitch was darting from left to right in front of Harry's face. Following it with his eyes, Harry lifted his hand, ready to snatch it out of the air, he thrusted his hand forward and-

SMACK!

Viktor had knocked his hand out of the way and was now trying to grab furiously at it, almost knocking Harry's glasses askew.

“YOU CHEATING LITTLE BUGGER!” Ron yelled from behind his omnioculars, shaking his fist.

The snitch darted up wards and so did they, with the snitch zipping in between them.

The players on the field had stopped playing to watch the tangle of scarlet and blue. One Bulgarian chaser was about to score a goal when it he stopped to watch and was knocked senseless by a bludger.

Viktor was now grabbing everywhere not bothering to wait for the snitch to stop moving, Harry however kept holding his hand up, waiting for that perfect moment. Suddenly the snitch plummeted towards the ground. Harry and Viktor dived after it, the entire staduim holding it's breath. Hermione was biting down on her nails and Ron was making a weird noise like he was about to explode.

Harry and Viktor pulled themselves level with the ground skimming across the grass. Viktor's arm stretched towards the snitch dangling in front of him. Harry's heart slipped into his throat as he watched Viktor about to close his hands on the snitch when suddenly the snitch darted underneath him, it only took Harry's brain a millisecond to figure out what he had to do. Viktor looked below him as Harry, relaxed his grip and rolled under his broom, closing his hand around the snitch.

"POTTER HAS THE SNITCH! PUDDLEMERE WINS!"

Ron was punching his fist in the air screaming himself hoarse, and Hermione was jumping up and down in her seat like a maniac shouting "He did it ! He did it! I knew he could!".

Harry righted himself on his broom holding the snitch in the air. When he landed, he slowly turned around to show the snitch to the 100 000 people chanting his name. He watched the rest of the Puddlemere team touching down to meet him, yelling with excitement. Harry disappeared under a pile of blue as streamers and confetti rained down onto the pitch.

Harry stole a glance underneath Oliver’s arm and watched Viktor Krum slam his broom on to the ground and put his hands on his hips. Harry couldn’t help but feel his heart swell with pride. He had beat Viktor Krum at Quidditch.

This moment could not have been any better.

"Ladies and Gentleman please direct your attention to the centre of the pitch for the presentation of the World Cup to Puddlemere United!"

Harry watched as an entourage entered the field led by the Minister of Magic. He and Oliver were lowered to the ground, as Alex stepped forward to accept the cup.

A few spot lights appeared on Alex ad he received the Cup and with an arousal of applause he held the cup above his head, as the rest of team stormed forwards to touch it. Harry felt a tap on his shoulder, he turned around and saw Viktor, who was holding out his hand.

"I'm Sorry for vot I did up there," said Viktor in his thick accent, " I vanted to prove myself and got carried avay," he said pointing up to where Hermione was sitting.

Harry shook his hand and smiled. " It's alright, no hard feelings?"

Viktor shook his head. "None, enjoy your vinnings...you deserve it."

"You're a good flier you know," said Harry as he watched Viktor turn away.

"Coming from you Harry, dat is a good compliment," he smiled and walked away.

"Hey Harry," said Katie, " I think someone's a little anxious to see you!"

Harry turned around and saw Ron and Hermione fighting their way down the stands, their hair covered in confetti. With there faces painted it looked like they had just come from a massive party. Harry mounted his broom and flew up to meet them and was nearly knocked over when Hermione threw her arms around his neck and gave him a huge hug.

"ACK! Hermione can I get off my broom first?"

Hermione released her death grip, long enough for Harry to dismount, when he came face to face with Ron they gave a yell at each other and Ron gave him a brotherly hug.

"Well done mate! That's some of the best flying I've ever seen you do, and that roll!"

"I'm so proud of You Harry!" said Hermione hugging him again. Harry got a strange feeling on his stomach. He felt like he could've played all night after getting a hug like that.

Suddenly he heard the crowd around him chant something.

"KISS! KISS! KISS! KISS!"

"Look!" said Ron pointing to the scoreboard where Hermione and Harry's face appeared with a large heart drawn around their faces. Harry and Hermione looked at them selves and turned very red.

"Kiss him Herm-own-ninny!"

Harry turned and laughed at Viktor but when he looked back at Hermione she had a very mysterious grin in her face. She suddenly grabbed Harry by the face and kissed him hard on the lips. Harry raised eyebrows in shock, as the crowd seized it's chanting and started cheering. Ron however was to busy staring at them with his mouth open.

Hermione slowly pulled herself away as her eyes fluttered open.

They both swallowed hard.

"Alright then," said Hermione feeling slightly dizzy.

Harry licked his lips, he wasn't quite sure if he was ready to let go yet. As quite fast as it happened the first time, Harry grabbed Hermione around the waist and started kissing her again.

"I'll um- I'll just go see Oliver then," said Ron walking away, as Hermione lazily draped her arm around Harry's neck.

Ron charged onto the pitch and greeted Oliver.

"Where's Harry?" he asked, pulling himself away from the celebration.

Ron pointed his thumb over his shoulder, and Oliver looked up to see Harry lifting her up around the waist and Hermione wrapping her legs around his middle.

"He's getting his MVP award, " Ron added. " Hey Oliver...can I touch the Cup?"