Chapter 281: "Final Days Part - 2"

The stands filled quickly, with students proudly displaying their school colors. Fleur, sitting with her Beauxbatons classmates, caught Harry's eye and blew him a kiss, even as she wore her school's colors in support of the opposition.

Lee Jordan, who couldn't resist the opportunity to commentate one last time, grabbed his magical megaphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the first-ever Tri-School Exhibition Match! And what a lineup we have today!"

The game began with explosive intensity. The combined team's Chasers, led by a talented Durmstrang seventh-year, launched an immediate attack on the Hogwarts goals. They moved with impressive speed, the Quaffle a red blur between them.

But they hadn't counted on Harry's reflexes.

Their first shot, a clever reverse pass that would have scored against most Keepers, was plucked out of the air as if Harry had known exactly where it would be. Their second attempt, a powerful throw to the lowest hoop, met the same fate.

"Impossible save by Potter!" Lee shouted. "Did he just catch that one-handed while hanging upside down? Is that even legal?"

The Hogwarts Chasers quickly took full advantage of Harry's impressive defense. Realizing that he could handle the goal on his own, they focused entirely on scoring. Angelina, Alicia, and Roger executed plays they'd perfected over years of practice. Their formations were flawless, their passing precise, and their shooting deadly accurate. 

"Johnson to Spinnet, Spinnet to Davies - SCORE! Another ten points to Hogwarts! That's 60-0, and we're only fifteen minutes in!"

Above the main action, Krum and Cedric circled like hawks. The Bulgarian Seeker was clearly toying with his less experienced opponent, occasionally feinting into spectacular dives that had the crowd gasping.

The Weasley twins, meanwhile, were putting on a show of their own. They'd bewitched their Bludgers to trail sparkles, turning each hit into a fireworks display. Even the opposing team's Beaters had to applaud some of their more creative shots.

"And there goes Fred - or is it George? - with another spectacular Bludger! Look at those colors! If professional Quidditch doesn't work out, they could have a future in magical pyrotechnics!"

As the game progressed, the skill gap between the teams became increasingly apparent, but not in the way most had expected. While Krum clearly outclassed Cedric in the Seeker position, the Hogwarts Chasers were putting on a masterclass in teamwork.

"And there's another brilliant interception by Johnson!" Lee's commentary echoed across the pitch. "Look at that formation - they're running the Hawkshead Attacking Formation, no wait, it's morphed into a Reverse Porskoff Ploy! SCORE! 110-0 to Hogwarts!"

The visiting team's frustration mounted with each failed attempt at scoring. Harry's keeping was beyond anything they'd expected, his style unlike traditional Keepers. He didn't just defend the hoops - he seemed to control the entire defensive zone.

"Potter's not just stopping goals," Lee observed excitedly, "he's directing the entire defense! Look how he's positioning himself to force the Chasers into the twins' firing range!"

The score mounted: 120-0, then 140-0. Krum, realizing their only chance lay in catching the Snitch quickly, stopped toying with Cedric and began hunting in earnest.

"Krum's spotted something!" Lee shouted. "He's diving - and this time it's no feint! Diggory's trying to catch up, but that Firebolt's in a league of its own!"

The crowd rose to their feet as Krum streaked downward, Cedric trailing hopelessly behind. The Snitch gleamed just above the grass, and there was never any doubt about the outcome. Krum's fingers closed around the golden ball with typical flourish.

"KRUM CATCHES THE SNITCH! 150 POINTS TO THE COMBINED TEAM!" Lee announced. "But wait... what's the final score? Ladies and gentlemen, despite Krum's spectacular catch, Hogwarts wins 160-150! The power of teamwork prevails!"

The teams descended amid thunderous applause. Even Krum looked impressed as he shook hands with the Hogwarts players.

"You fly well," he told Harry gruffly. "Should haff been Seeker."

Harry smiled. "It was a friendly game. Sometimes it's more fun to help others score than to grab all the glory yourself."

The post-match celebrations carried on through dinner, momentarily pushing aside the darker events of the past week. Students from all three schools mingled freely, exchanging addresses and promises to keep in touch.

As evening fell, Harry found himself alone with Fleur in their usual spot on the Astronomy Tower. The castle glowed softly in the twilight, its windows twinkling like earthbound stars.

"You know," Fleur said softly, breaking their comfortable silence on the Astronomy Tower, "you promised to show me something special in ze castle. A special secret room, you said?"

Harry raised an eyebrow, though his eyes twinkled with mischief. "Did I?"

"Oui. You said it was... 'ow did you put it? Magical even for Hogwarts?" She leaned against him, her silver hair catching the moonlight. "Tonight is my last night here, and I don't think I will ever return. I don't want to miss ze chance to see this special room."

"Well then," Harry stood, offering his hand with an elegant bow, "shall we explore one last Hogwarts secret?"

They made their way through the quiet corridors, their footsteps echoing softly against ancient stone. Moonlight streamed through high windows, casting their shadows in elongated patterns across the floor. The castle seemed to hold its breath, as if aware of the significance of this final night.

Reaching the seventh floor, Harry led them to the blank wall opposite the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy. "Watch carefully," he instructed, beginning his three passes.

Fleur gasped softly as an ornate door materialized from the stone. The dark wood was intricately carved with patterns that seemed to shift in the dim light.

"After you," Harry gestured, and Fleur stepped through - only to freeze in wonderment.

The room had transformed into an exact replica of the French dueling arena where they'd first met. Every detail was perfect, from the marble columns to the gilded observation galleries. Even the lighting was identical, warm golden rays streaming through high windows that couldn't possibly exist within Hogwarts.

"This brings back memories," Fleur said softly, running her hand along a familiar railing. "Ze place where I was defeated so thoroughly."

"Where I taught an overconfident witch who relied too much on her allure a valuable lesson," Harry teased, though his tone was gentle.

"I was not overconfident!" Fleur protested, then laughed. "Well, perhaps a little. But let's not dwell on my old self. I like to think I've grown since then." She turned in a slow circle, taking in the perfect recreation. "This room can become anything?"

Harry demonstrated by summoning training dummies and conjuring ancient tomes. "It becomes whatever you need," he explained. "Though it can't create food or break Gamp's Laws. And anything conjured here must stay here."

"Ze room provides whatever you need?" Fleur's eyes sparkled with growing understanding, a mischievous smile playing at her lips.

"Would you like to try?" Harry asked, moving toward the door.

"Oui," Fleur's voice held a note that made Harry's heart skip. "Wait outside?"

Raising an eyebrow, Harry complied. The door vanished behind him, and he watched as Fleur paced deliberately, her expression concentrated. When the door reappeared, it was different - darker wood, with intricate carvings of roses and vines.

Harry's breath caught as he followed her inside. The room had transformed into an elegant bedroom that somehow combined both French and magical aesthetics. Floating candles cast a warm glow over midnight blue silk hangings. A trail of rose petals led toward a massive four-poster bed, its dark wood matching the door's carvings.

"Fleur..." Harry began, but found himself silenced by her finger against his lips.

"Non," she whispered, her blue eyes dark with emotion. "No more words, 'Arry. Just us."

As their lips met, the floating candles dimmed of their own accord. The Room of Requirement, understanding perfectly what they needed, ensured their privacy, sealing them in their own private world for one last magical night at Hogwarts.