Diggory Is More Than A Loser (book 3)

6- Quidditch Hero

Celia carried on seeing Benjamin for the rest of summer, unbeknownst to Molly, who thought she was at therapy each time she left the Burrow.
She hated lying to Molly, but since she didn't want everyone knowing that she was dating Benjamin, she had to keep it a secret.
But before Celia returned to Hogwarts, and would be seeing even less of Benjamin, she had a trip to make.
Her and Benjamin were going to Bulgaria for a few days, to watch Viktor Krum in the final Quidditch match of the season.
Viktor had provided her with VIP tickets for her birthday, and she didn't want to waste them.
Benjamin had jumped at the chance to accompany her, when she asked him to go with her.
So, on the last week of the holidays, the pair of them hopped on a plane and headed to Bulgaria.

They had one day to see the sights, before making their way to the Quidditch pitch which was in the middle of a large field, far away from Muggles.
After showing a steward their VIP passes, they were taken to the players tent to meet Viktor.
When they entered and saw several large men warming themselves up, Celia began to feel rather anxious.
It had been over a year since she had seen him last, and she was worried Viktor wouldn't recognise her. But when Celia saw him, it was as if no time had passed, and he smiled back at her just as he used to do.

"I vosn't sure if you vould come" admitted Viktor, as he made his way over to her.
"Neither was I at first. But in the end I thought it would be nice to treat myself to a little holiday, after two awful years" replied Celia.
Viktor embraced Celia before turning to face Benjamin.
"This is my boyfriend, Benjamin Taylor. You might remember him, because he was a Beauxbatons student at Hogwarts during the Triwizard Tournament" continued Celia.
Benjamin shook Viktor's hand before placing his arm around Celia.

"I thought vat being in the tournament vould change my life. But it didn't" admitted Viktor.
"Well, you were already a famous Quidditch player, so you probably couldn't get much more famous in your home country" replied Celia.
"Everywhere I go, people ask for my autograph, but it's no more than before the tournament"
"I don't think it impacted Fleur's life much either to be honest"
"You still talk to Fleur?"
"Yes. I used to send her letters every now and again. But I've seen a lot of her this summer, because we've been living in the same place. She's engaged to the brother of a friend of mine, so we've all been under one roof"
"That must be nice. She sent me a letter inviting me to her wedding next year. Do you know her fiance?"
"Not all that well, as he's a lot older than me and always at work. But he's a good man, and from what I've seen, he really loves Fleur"
"That is good".

"Even though the tournament didn't change your life much, do you still think about it?" Questioned Celia.
"All the time. It might not mean much to anyone here, but I have never forgotten the things that happened to me during the tournament" answered Viktor.
"I think about the final task, and Cedric's death all the time. I try not to, but I can't help it. My therapist is trying to help me put it behind me, but it's hard to move on and forget the worst day of my life" sighed Celia.
"Therapist? I do not know this vord" frowned Viktor.
"I don't know what the word is in your language. But my therapist is someone I talk to about my problems. And she helps me to deal with my trauma".

"It helps, talking to this woman?" Questioned Viktor.
"Yes. I haven't done anything stupid or destructive all summer, so she's definitely doing her job" revealed Celia.
"Vat is good" replied Viktor.
"Yeah, although when I go back to Hogwarts I will only be seeing her once a week, at the weekend. Which is less than I'm doing right now. But I guess I need to distance myself from her, because I can't see her forever".
Benjamin squeezed Celia, "You're doing really well".
"Thanks".

A few moments later a steward came in and told the players to start preparing for the match.
"We'd better go" mumbled Celia.
"I will see you after the match though?" Asked Viktor.
"Of course" promised Celia.
"Good. I'll introduce you properly to all my team mates, some of vhich are on the world cup team vith me"
"I look forward to it. Good luck in the match. I hope you win"
"Vank you. I'm sure it vill be a good match to vatch".

Celia and Benjamin then made their way into the large private box which was mostly empty.
"Wow, these are really good seats" smiled Benjamin, as he looked around.
"Well, they were given to me as a gift from Viktor. I dread to think how much they would cost if you wanted to buy them" admitted Celia.
"I guess it pays to have famous friends" replied Benjamin.
"I suppose it does... I haven't been a good friend though. I didn't send him and Fleur as many letters as I should have done last year. And I lied in all my letters, telling my friends that I was fine and coping with my brother's death, when I wasn't".

"You weren't being a bad friend, you were just having a tough time, and you didn't want to burden them with your pain" Benjamin said softly.
"I guess that's true... But I don't want to think about the past year anymore. This is a good day, and I want to enjoy it" announced Celia.
Benjamin laced his fingers into Celia's and grinned.
"Well then, let's hope Krum's team wins" he replied.
"I'm sure it will. Viktor is the youngest and best Seeker out there" reminded Celia.

"Having a good Seeker isn't everything. You need great Chasers as well to score points, and a good Keeper to defend the goals" informed Benjamin.
"You've got a point. But this is just the Bulgarian league, not the world cup, so it's not as competitive. Which is why I'm sure that Viktor's team will win" replied Celia.
"Well, we're about to find out" Benjamin said excitedly, as the players began making their way onto the pitch.
"I bet 2 galleons that Viktor's team will win"
"You're on".