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Ron Weasley groaned when he read the headline.

Chudley Cannons sold to retired Quidditch star.

Ron’s mood did not improve when he saw who the buyer was.

“Viktor effing Krum! Why’d he have to go and buy MY favourite team? Isn’t it enough that he took my girl all those years ago, now he has to buy the Cannons,” he wailed.

Lavender gave him a sour look when Hermione had been mentioned. She still got her feelings hurt by her insensitive, immature husband of ten years.

When Ron left for work, Lavender started reading the article in the Prophet.

Since retiring last year from professional Quidditch, Viktor Krum has been looking for a team to buy. The owners of the Chudley Cannons, desperate to unload the perennially losing team, made a deal with Krum. Mr. Krum was quoted as saying, “I am going to make this into a winning team by stressing training and regular practices. Some change of personnel may be necessary.”

Lavender’s only comment was, “I hope you can do it, Krum, if only to piss off Ronald Weasley even more.”

Percy had seen the same headline and knew his youngest brother would be livid about the sale. He realised he would have to be the one to warn Ron not to make a scene.

The rest of the family had pretty much written Ron off after the tantrum he'd thrown when Hermione married Viktor thirteen years before.

Percy, who had just been welcomed back into the family after his four years as a Ministry stooge, had taken on the job of mediator between the family and Ron. Even Ron’s subsequent marriage to Lavender Brown hadn’t brought Ron back into the family.

Deciding how best to approach the subject, Percy contacted Lavender who confirmed that Ron had thrown a fit.

“He was on about Krum stealing his girl, too, Percy. I have had it. This morning was the final straw. I won’t be here when he gets home. Right about now, I envy Hermione. She got a husband who worships her, instead of one who can do nothing but whinge about everything. Tell your mum and dad I’m sorry, but I just can’t put up with it anymore.”

That was when Percy realised that Ron was going to do something really stupid.

The Cannons were based in Leeds. Viktor was holding another press conference, naming the players who had been recruited for the revamped team.

Hermione was standing at the side of the field when Ron Weasley showed up. He looked at no one except Viktor and pushed past security in his haste to address his grievances with the new owner.

Viktor, at thirty-five, was still in prime physical shape. His hair had grown longer and he now sported a rakish beard. In a casual shirt and jeans, he looked not much older than he had at the Triwizard Tournament.

Hermione, as befit the wife of the most famous Quidditch player of all time, was dressed in a designer outfit with her hair and make-up done just perfectly.

Their three children were standing next to their father as he gave the interview. The oldest, a girl who looked almost exactly like her mother, noticed the irate red-haired man making a beeline for her father.

“Daddy, I think there is going to be some trouble,” Irina said.

“I see him, pet. He is an old adversary. He fancied your mother when they were in school. Take Sergei and Georgi back to your mother. I will deal with him,” Viktor said.

When Ron got close to Viktor he lashed out with his fists. Viktor sidestepped the punch and tripped Ron. Another red-haired man was running onto the field as Hermione and the children came to see what the matter was.

“Ron, what are you doing?” he yelled.

Hermione came face to face with Percy Weasley as Viktor picked up the youngest boy, Georgi. The security guards were holding Ron who was struggling unsuccessfully.

“Hermione, Viktor, he didn’t mean anything. I promise,” Percy said resignedly.

“Hello, Percy, nice to see you,” Hermione said.

“Weasley, why does your brother want to attack me?” Viktor asked.

Percy shrugged, looked at Hermione, and began to speak. “Ron has been jealous of you since the Tournament, Viktor. When Hermione chose you instead of him, it increased his resentment. The final blow was the Cannons. You bought his favourite team to make it into a winner, and that drove him round the twist. Lavender left him today. I think he is losing his mind.”

“You may have to take him to St. Mungo’s, Weasley. We have to go take the children to the sitter. There is a dinner tonight. Contact me tomorrow. I will see if there is anything I can do,” Viktor said, handing Percy a roll of parchment.

Little Georgi spoke up, “Papa, that man looks like he ate a bar of soap. Are his knickers in a twist? Isn’t that what Mum says to you when you get upset?”

The adults all laughed at the boy’s words.

HermioneDiggory:

The character of your choice, a pair of knickers, a roll of parchment, a bar of soap, St. Mungo's.