บท 72: It's what's inside that matters

Dinner passed without incident, and while Hagrid stayed behind to drink with Arthur, Barnaby and Tonks said their goodbyes early, as he wanted to walk her home—and maybe flirt a little along the way.

"I can't wait for the World Cup to start!"

"Yeah, it's going to be an unforgettable event."

"Hmm?" Tonks looked at Barnaby suspiciously. "Are you starting to catch Quidditch fever?" she half-joked.

"Who knows?" he laughed.

After a goodbye kiss at her doorstep, Barnaby returned to his newly created (but still empty) home and conjured a chair to sit in, feeling his legs weak.

"You're too nervous. Tonks almost suspected something," Sanshi gently scolded him as she approached. "You didn't even eat half of what you usually do."

"I can't help it. I've never been this scared in my life," Barnaby swallowed hard, almost reconsidering whether he should postpone the plan.

"Oh, come on! You've gone through so much trouble; it would be a shame to waste all that effort just because you chicken out at the last minute," Calcifer encouraged from the fireplace. "This is going to happen, so make it spectacular!"

"Calcifer's right. You specifically invited that person from the Isle of Skye and even spent months making that potion," Sanshi added.

"Ah, I think I'll need something strong to sleep tonight," Barnaby still felt a knot in his stomach.

"A bed would be a good start," Calcifer teased, flicking a tongue of fire as he laughed. "You literally have nothing in the master bedroom yet; you'll have to do a temporary transformation."

Barnaby groaned in exasperation.

"You can sleep against my side, I don't mind," Sanshi offered.

The date of the Quidditch World Cup arrived like a storm. The Weasleys picked up Harry from the Dursleys' house and took the Portkey along with the Diggorys. Once they split up to find their tents, Harry was surprised to see Barnaby there with a girl.

"Barnaby!" Harry called out as he approached after greeting the Weasleys, who he'd catch up with later. "I thought you didn't like Quidditch; what are you doing here?"

"I got some tickets, and I'm here with my girlfriend," Barnaby replied, gesturing towards Tonks. "This is Nymphadora Tonks—she prefers (and for your own good) that people call her Tonks. Darling, this is Harry Potter, as you might have guessed from the unmistakable scar."

"Nice to meet you," Tonks said, shaking Harry's hand.

"Likewise," Harry replied, still processing that the girlfriend Barnaby occasionally mentioned was real and not just a joke to mess with them.

Should I ask him for advice about girls?

"Harry, you should hurry back to the Weasleys," Barnaby advised, noticing they were moving away after waving from a distance. "Most of the tents look alike, and I assure you it's very easy to get lost, even if you have the tent number memorized."

"Oh! You're right. I hope to see you after the match," Harry said his goodbyes and ran towards the Weasleys, following their distinctive hair through the crowd.

"So that's Potter..." Tonks watched him go with interest. "He really doesn't seem as capable as the rumors make him out to be, although he seems nice."

"Yeah, he's like any other Gryffindor student at Hogwarts," Barnaby noted. "You know what I mean."

"He totally looks like a Gryffindor," Tonks laughed softly, not denying it as she took out the tickets from her ancient basilisk-skin bag. "Let's go! I want to get there early."

"You do remember we have a private box, right?" Barnaby raised an eyebrow at her impatience. "No one would take our seats even if we arrive later."

"Barnaby, Barnaby, you have so much to learn about the spirit of Quidditch..." Tonks feigned exasperation as she took his hand, and they walked towards the stadium. "What could we possibly do all alone in a private box, away from everyone's eyes, while we wait for the match to start?" she asked innocently.

Barnaby's steps halted for a second. He then lifted Tonks in a princess carry and hurried towards the stadium, making her laugh out loud.

The stadium gradually filled up, and the launching of fireworks announced the appearance of the teams from Ireland and Bulgaria, driving all one hundred thousand spectators wild, especially after the arrival of star player Viktor Krum.

The match was thrilling, with highlights like the first goal by Irish Chaser Troy, Viktor Krum's Wronski Feint against Aidan Lynch that resulted in Krum crashing into the ground, only to manage to continue playing after receiving help from some Healers. Fifteen minutes later, Ireland had extended their lead to 130-10, but the match ended when Krum caught the Golden Snitch, making the final score 170-160 in favor of Ireland by ten points. The Irish team then took a victory lap before being presented with the Quidditch World Cup in the stadium's upper box, with Kynch being supported by Moran and Connolly.

"That was absolutely amazing!" Tonks was completely thrilled by the match and its conclusion, her face flushed.

"You haven't seen the best part yet," Barnaby commented as he stood up.

"Did I miss something on the program?" Tonks asked, confused, certain that this should be all there was for the World Cup.

The awarding of the cup was happening right now!

A knock at the door of the VVIP box caught her attention, and Barnaby went to open it, allowing their visitor to enter—a sight that made Tonks jump out of her seat in astonishment.

"Catriona McCormack?!" Tonks shouted, utterly shocked and unable to comprehend what was happening.

What is the captain of the Pride of Portree doing here?

You know, that's been her favorite Quidditch team since she was a child!

"Hello, Tonks," Catriona approached with a kind smile. "I came here to give you something." She reached under her cloak and pulled out a small black box, which she handed over.

Tonks took it unconsciously and opened it out of sheer reflex.

"A Snitch signed by your entire team!" she exclaimed.

Yes, inside the elegant box, resting on a satin cushion, was a gleaming golden Snitch covered in the signatures of every member of the Pride of Portree, with clear, distinguishable, and energetic lines.

This collector's item was priceless to her!

"But, who...?"

Tonks wanted to ask Catriona what was going on, but Barnaby approached, took the Snitch from the box, got down on one knee, and gave the Snitch a light kiss, causing it to open and reveal the small object inside.

Tonks brought her hands to her mouth, feeling her breath catch as her eyes welled up with tears, overcome with emotion.

"Nymphadora Tonks, will you marry me?"

The answer came in the form of a familiar projectile that crashed into Barnaby, who didn't resist and let it knock him to the floor as Tonks hugged him tightly, laughing and crying at the same time as she kissed him.

"YES!!!"

Catriona watched this scene happily with a touch of envy as she discreetly left the box, having successfully fulfilled her purpose, wishing her husband had also made such an elaborate proposal.

Knowing Tonks' interest in Quidditch, Barnaby not only managed to bring the captain of her favorite team but also convinced her to help him create an unforgettable marriage proposal, where the entire team signed a unique golden Snitch with the ring inside, making its surprise delivery during the World Cup's final moment.

"Lucky woman," Catriona smiled as she walked down the corridor, wishing the couple the best of luck.

Maybe they'll invite her to the wedding?

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So, what did you think of Barnaby's proposal?