Chapter 4
The next morning, Harry was greeted by the enticing aroma of breakfast wafting through the Burrow. Mrs. Weasley's voice echoed through the house, calling everyone down for the meal. Harry quickly got dressed and made his way downstairs to join the family at the table.
As they sat down to eat, Mr. Weasley took the opportunity to outline the plan for the day. He explained that they would be portkeying to the event with Mr. Diggory and his son Cedric. From there, they would proceed to the campgrounds to set up for an overnight stay.
Once breakfast was concluded, Mr. Weasley continued with the plan for the day. "Once set up, we will head to the stadium. We will greet the Minister properly and politely," he added with a pointed look at Fred and George, which prompted a laugh from Harry. "And then, we will be seated for the game. I have plenty of items for you to get dressed up in whichever colors you want, depending on the team you support. Just know, I am very much rooting for Ireland."
Harry, feeling the excitement building up, responded, "I think I'm more excited to see Bulgaria. Ron was telling me about their seeker and how good he is." Mr. Weasley, amused by Harry's enthusiasm, handed him a Bulgarian flag, wishing him good luck and sharing a laugh.
With that, Mr. Weasley clapped his hands, signaling the end of breakfast. "Alright, let's go. We are meeting the Diggorys at the portkey," he announced, leading the Weasley family, along with Harry, towards the designated portkey location. The anticipation for the Quidditch World Cup hung in the air, and Harry couldn't help but feel the thrill of the magical event that awaited them.
At the portkey location, Mr. Diggory and his son Cedric awaited, and Harry recognized Cedric as a Hufflepuff. Greetings were exchanged, and Mr. Weasley took a moment to explain how the portkey worked. It linked one location to another, and the chosen item for this portkey was a plain leather boot.
As they all held onto the boot, Mr. Diggory declared that it was time. Mr. Weasley reminded everyone not to let go, and with a swift motion, they were off. The sensation of being pulled through space was disorienting, and they landed in an unknown location.
Mr. Weasley called out, "Is everyone all set? Alright, follow me. Harry, stick close!" They ventured through a wooded area until, suddenly, the stadium loomed before them. It felt larger than anything Harry had ever seen. Harry nearly got left behind, momentarily struck by the sheer scale of the venue, before he came to his senses and ran after the Weasleys.
They made their way to their designated tent, while Mr. Diggory and Cedric went off to find their own. The atmosphere around the campsite was buzzing with excitement as fans prepared for the spectacular event that awaited them.
Once everything at their campsite was checked and secured, Mr. Weasley led everyone to the Minister's box. To Harry's surprise, he saw not only the Minister but also Viktor's mother and father. Not wanting to make a scene, Harry stayed quiet as Minister Fudge beckoned him over.
"Minister Krum, this is Harry Potter, the boy who lived. You know his story, right? How he killed a dark lord as an infant?" Fudge explained, making gestures as if assuming that Minister Krum didn't understand English.
Georgi Krum, the Bulgarian Minister of Magic, just looked at Minister Fudge, then at Harry, and gave him a subtle wink. Minister Fudge, growing frustrated with the language barrier, waved Harry away, saying, "What does it matter? He has no idea what I'm saying. Go sit down, Potter."
Harry frowned and found a seat, immediately sandwiched between the two motherly figures in his life – Mamo and Mrs. Weasley. Mamo gestured towards Harry and turned to her husband, whispering in her thick accent, "This boy is too thin Viktor could break him like toothpick."
That caused Mr- Minister Krum to laugh, and at that, Mamo handed him something warm, saying softly in a fake broken English, "Eat - good for you. Fatten you right up." She then smiled and gave the boy a wink. Harry took the cloth-wrapped food, opened it, and found a delicious meat pie inside. Mrs. Weasley saw this and, leaning over towards Mrs. Krum, whispered, "I've been trying to fatten this boy up ever since my Ron became his friend. Swear all my hard work goes down the drain every summer." This elicited soft laughter from both mothers.
Ron handed Harry a pair of binoculars to watch the game with as Harry nibbled on the pie, feeling the warmth of camaraderie despite the language differences.
As the game started, Harry kept an eye on Viktor while also scanning the field for the elusive Golden Snitch. In his relatively short life, Viktor was probably the best flyer he'd ever seen. The match seemed to stretch on for hours, yet it also felt like no time had passed at all. When the game finally ended with Viktor catching the Snitch, securing the victory for Bulgaria, Harry cheered along with Viktor's parents.
In her excitement, Mamo hugged Harry, sharing the joy of victory. Minister Krum, in the midst of the celebration, proudly exclaimed, "Das my boy," as the teams left the pitch. Minister Fudge, taken aback, questioned, "You knew English this whole time?!" Minister Krum, with a nonchalant shrug, responded, "It vas funny vatching you try to communicate."
Harry, released from Mamo's hug, exchanged a smile with her. The Weasleys began to leave the box, and Mr. Weasley called for Harry to follow. "I'll find you guys later. If I don't, tell Viktor his flying was amazing, and I hope to see him soon," Harry said before rushing off to follow the Weasleys. As they descended from the box, someone bumped into Harry, causing him to fall. Before he could get up, chaos erupted as people floated over the Quidditch pitch.
Amidst the rising chaos, the air crackled with the sinister spells of Death Eaters. Harry's instincts kicked in, and he swiftly raised his wand to cast Protego, creating a protective barrier against the oncoming curses. The chaotic dance of lights and shadows surrounded him as the battlefield unfolded.
His heart raced as he retaliated with Bombarda, sending explosive bursts toward the masked figures. The magical clashes resonated through the stadium, creating an eerie symphony of destruction. Harry's mind was sharp, every movement a dance with danger, a delicate balance between survival and succumbing to the chaotic magic.
Desperation led him to run, weaving through the maze of curses, his steps guided by an instinct for self-preservation. His eyes scanned the chaotic scene, searching for a semblance of safety amidst the chaos. In his frantic journey, he encountered more Death Eaters, each encounter a test of his magical prowess and quick thinking.
It was then that he witnessed the Bulgarian Quidditch team, including Viktor, engaging with Death Eaters. The once-celebratory atmosphere of the Quidditch World Cup had transformed into a battleground. The distinctive red and white robes of the Bulgarian players blurred with the dark figures of the Death Eaters.
In the midst of the skirmish, a powerful curse struck Viktor, hurling him through the air. The scream that escaped Harry's lips was a raw manifestation of fear and urgency. He surged forward, temporarily ignoring the ongoing chaos around him, driven by the instinct to reach Viktor's side.
The world seemed to blur as Harry fought his way through, spells and curses colliding in a whirlwind of colors. His focus was singular, his goal unwavering – to reach Viktor and ensure his safety in the midst of the magical maelstrom. The screams and clashes faded into the background as Harry propelled himself forward, fueled by a potent mix of determination and concern for his friend.
Fueled by an overwhelming surge of fear and fury, Harry's magical core unleashed an uncontrolled wave of fire that engulfed the immediate vicinity, forcing the Death Eaters to retreat momentarily. The flames danced and roared, a testament to the intense emotions that raged within Harry. The air itself seemed to protest against the dark forces that sought to bring harm.
Through the dissipating smoke, Harry charged forward, propelled by a primal need to protect those he cared about. The intensity of the magical blaze mirrored the tumultuous emotions that raged within him. He navigated through the fading embers, his eyes scanning the chaos for any signs of danger.
Arriving at Viktor's side, Harry's heart pounded in his chest. Panic gripped him as he attempted to wake Viktor, whose still form seemed fragile against the backdrop of destruction. Harry's mind raced with the horrifying possibility that he had witnessed Viktor's death firsthand. Placing Viktor's head on his lap, Harry desperately tried to wake him, his voice tinged with a tremor of fear as he softly called Viktor’s name.
As his tears fell onto Viktor's face, a desperate plea for a sign of life, a groan escaped the Bulgarian Seeker. The tension in Viktor's posture gradually eased as his eyes fluttered open, and he focused on the worried face of Harry. The relief that washed over Viktor was palpable, a shared acknowledgment of survival in the midst of chaos.
"Harry, yoo are ok," his voice a blend of relief and gratitude.
"Of course, I'm okay. I'm glad I found you when I did. I thought... I saw you get hit," Harry confessed, a mix of concern and lingering fear in his voice.
Viktor, acknowledging the precarious situation, began, "Harry, I knew you vere here. Ven I saw those minions, I could not hide. I had to fight."
Harry, gently brushing Viktor's hair, listened intently. "I spotted you running in our direction.. I had to do something."
Viktor winced as he adjusted his position. "I got hit because I vas not careful. I did not vant you to get hurt."
"You shouldn't have to protect me," Harry said, his voice a mixture of gratitude and concern.
Viktor chuckled weakly. "Ve protect each other, Harry. Friends do that, da?"
Feeling the weight of the moment, Viktor sighed in relief, realizing that the danger had passed. "Harry, I am...thankful. You saved me."
Tears still glistening in his eyes, Harry managed a weak smile. "I'm just glad you're okay, Viktor."
Harry, realizing that Viktor's head was resting on his lap, felt a sudden wave of flustered nerves. "I can help you sit up if you want?" Harry offered, concern evident in his voice. "I am not making you uncomfortable, am I?" Viktor asked in response. Harry quickly reassured him, "No! Never!" Viktor smiled softly, gratitude shining in his eyes.
However, as Viktor attempted to sit up quickly, a wince crossed his face, and Harry reacted swiftly, preventing any further harm. "Don't move too much; you did get thrown pretty far," Harry cautioned. Concern etched on his face, he looked over his shoulder and called out for Mamo. "We're here, Mamo! Viktor is hurt!"
Frantically, Mamo and Minister Krum rushed through the dissipating smoke. Mamo's eyes widened as she saw Harry with Viktor's head in his lap. She came over and knelt down next to Harry, focusing her attention on her son. Viktor, trying to be brave, reassured his mother that he was okay and not to worry. Mamo, however, shushed him gently as she began to cast healing spells on both Harry and Viktor. The incantations flowed from her wand, weaving a gentle, restorative magic over the injured pair.
As Mamo fussed over the two, Harry heard his name being called until he could see the twins and Mr. Weasley.
"Mr. Weasley! Are you guys all right?" Harry called out as they approached. Mr. Weasley nodded. "For the most part, Harry. Poor Ron did get hit with a stunner by some fool of an Auror. What were they thinking, casting spells all willy-nilly like that?"
Then, Mr. Weasley noticed Viktor, Mamo, and Minister Krum. "Oh, my apologies, Minister Krum. I didn't see you there. Is everyone alright?" Mr. Weasley asked, realizing how dirty Harry looked and Viktor, whose head still rested on Harry.
"We're doing better now; Mamo is taking care of us," Harry said, and at the mention of "Mamo," the Weasleys exchanged confused glances, realizing that Harry was using the term for Minister Krum's wife. Harry's choice of words left them bewildered, and Fred couldn't help but blurt out, "Mamo? Who's Mamo?"
George chimed in, "Yeah, mate, since when do you call Mrs. Krum 'Mamo'?"
Harry, sensing their confusion, clarified, "Oh, sorry. 'Mamo' is just what Viktor calls his mum. It sort of means 'mum' in Bulgarian, I think."
The twins exchanged glances again as if they knew what was going on. Mr. Weasley, catching on to the situation, chuckled and said, "Well, Harry, you're picking up quite a bit from your international friends. Now, let's get everyone patched up and figure out what happened here."
Viktor's protective instincts flared as he addressed the Weasleys, his concern for Harry evident in every word. "Yoo left an underaged boy in the middle of a battle and is lucky to be alive right now, and yoo think we're just gonna let you take him again?!"
Harry, sensing the rising tension, attempted to ease Viktor's anger. "Viktor, it's okay. It's not their fault. I got knocked over, and as the panic set in, I couldn't find them, and they couldn't find me. If... if I hadn't—" Harry bit his lip, attempting to hold back tears at the thought of losing Viktor. "If I hadn't lost them, I could have lost you."
Mamo, her gaze unwavering, reinforced Viktor's stance. "No. Harry stays here. Vhere he is safe."
Mr. Weasley, recognizing the gravity of the situation, spoke with sincerity. "I understand. We won't take Harry away if it's not what he wants. Let's just make sure everyone is okay, and then we can sort things out." The tension lingered, but an unspoken agreement settled in the air, emphasizing the importance of ensuring everyone's well-being before delving into discussions.
At that, Viktor managed to stand up, with Harry holding onto him to make sure he didn't fall over. Minister Krum then looked at Mr. Weasley, "Let us hope ve lost no people. because if ve have, there vill be problems." He then looked at Harry. "Vho is that boy's guardian? I must know so I can make proper arrangements for him."
Mr. Weasley got confused, "What arrangements?"
"To be betrothed to my son, of course. Do you not see their bond?" Minister Krum declared.
Mr. Weasley's eyes widened in surprise at Minister Krum's unexpected proposition. "Betrothed? But they're just kids. And, well, Harry has his own life, his own choices to make."
Viktor, overhearing the conversation, interjected, "Mamo, we can't force them into something like that. It's not right."
Mamo, looking stern, added, "Viktor is right. These things are not to be decided in the middle of chaos. Let the boy and my son decide their paths when the time is right."
Minister Krum, though initially firm, nodded in understanding. "You are correct. Forgive my haste. But do know, young Harry, you are welcome in our home any time. And we will always consider you a part of our family."
Harry, still processing the situation, managed a nod, appreciating the sentiment despite the unexpected turn of events. The conversation shifted to ensuring everyone's safety and addressing the aftermath of the chaotic encounter, leaving the betrothal discussion on hold for a more suitable time.