Chapter 04: Portkeys and Wizarding Tents
Kellie was the first one up in the girls room, having set a small alarm to wake her instead of Mrs Weasley. She had grown use to an alarm so she would be able to wake up before her uncle and have her own time. She looked at it as it flashed four am, and she groaned silently as she stood, her feet not lifting off the floor as she opened her trunk.
She pulled out a pair of bell bottoms, her most common Muggle attire bottoms, that were designed with silver beads that made a flower up her left leg. On the back pockets were two smaller flowers, and she wrapped around a scarf where a belt would have normally gone. She slipped on a bright green shirt, in support to Ireland, and a pair of black fingerless gloves that she would wear when she rode a bike, or was riding a broom.
She walked over to Ginny's mirror and looked at herself before pulling her blond locks up into a tie at the top of her head, her hair falling in waves to her shoulders and her bangs clipped back, barely covering her right eye. She sat on the bed and looked at the clock once more, 4:07am read back at her. She slipped on a pair of white socks and some leather boots that were quite comfortable for her to walk in.
It was a quarter past four when the footsteps from the boys could be heard coming down from Ron's room, and it was only five minutes later when Mrs Weasley entered the room and looked at Kellie who was fully dressed, lying half on the bed while her feet remained on the floor. She had fallen backwards onto the bed and had fallen back asleep.
"Kellie, dear, why don't you go on downstairs." Mrs Weasley said re-awaking the blond. Kellie nodded before leaving the room, leaning on the railing so she wouldn't fall down the stairs. She let out a yawn as she entered the kitchen where the boys were talking about splinching and Apparation tests.
"Mornin' love." Fred and George both chimed as Kellie gave a small smile to them before collapsing onto Fred's lap and continued to try and fall asleep on him. "Aw, still tired?" She mumbled something that was not audible. "What was that?" She just merely nodded her head as she buried her face into his neck, hiding amongst his hair.
"Aw, isn't that cute?" Ron teased as Fred hugged his tired female friend. Ginny and Hermione entered the kitchen looking pale and drowsy minutes later, and had to do a double take at Fred and Kellie.
"Why do we have to wake up so early?" Ginny asked as she sat down at the table between Ron and Harry. She yawned and rubbed her eyes some more.
"We've got a bit of a walk." Mr Weasley told them all.
"Walk?" Harry asked as Kellie mumbled something along the same lines. "What, are we walking to the World Cup?"
"Oh no." Mr Weasley chuckled and Kellie was relieved, "That's miles and miles away. We only need to walk a short way. It's just that difficult for a large number of wiards to congregate without attracting Muggle attention. We have to be very careful about how we travel at the best of times, and on a huge occasion like the Quidditch World Cup-"
Mr Weasley was cut off by Mrs Weasley who had spotted something in Georges' pocket as he stood from the table, "George!" Her voice carried through the house, but between Charlies' snores, everyone was sure Bill was still asleep.
"What?" George asked, playing innocent, but everyone was not decieved. Kellie lifted her head from hiding in Fred's neck, deciding that it was time to wake up since Mrs Weasley had snapped at George.
"What is that in your pocket?"
"Nothing!" George said quickly.
"Don't you lie to me!" Mrs Weasley pointed her wand at George's pocket and said, "Accio!" and several small, brightly colored objects flew out of the twins pocket. He made a grab to keep them in his grasp, but he missed with his drowsiness of lack of sleep, and the fact that they had been magically summoned. "We told you to get rid of the lot! Empty your pockets, go on, both of you!"
Kellie stood only to let Fred stand up as well. Mrs Weasley found them in the oddest of places, the lining of George's jacket, and the turn-ups of Fred's jeans. "We spent six months developing those!" Fred shouted as his mother threw away the toffees.
"Oh a fine way to spend six months!" Mrs Weasley shrieked. George slid back into a seat and pulled Kellie to him, using her as a shield from his mother, whom all knew loved Kellie to death. "No wonder you didn't get more O.W.L.'s!"
It was only five minute later when the group had to leave, and the mood hadn't lightened at all. Mrs Weasley was still upset at the twins when she kissed Mr Weasley farewell. Both Fred and George didn't say a word to their mother as they pulled their bags onto their backs and left the house. Kellie gave Mrs Weasley a quick hug telling her, "I'll talk to them too." Mrs Weasley gave her a warm smile before she called after all of them when Kellie turned to catch up. "Well, have a lovely time, and behave yourselves!"
Fred and George didn't look back as they knew she was talking to them about behaving. "I'll send Bill, Charlie and Percy along around midday." She told Mr Weasley as they all ventured off from the Burrow.
"Come off it you two." Kellie said as her and the twins fell behind everyone else once they realized they didn't know where they were going to go. "It's not like she didn't check your bags or mine."
"You still got some?" Fred said in hope.
"Of course." Kellie said matter-of-factually. "You act like I don't know your mother."
"We do, but she still gets us all the time." Fred explained.
"Well, you hide everything in the most obvious of places." Kellie sighed rolling her eyes. "I'll hand over the goods when we get there, as to not draw attention from everyone else."
"Right." The two twins said, both in a better mood all ready.
"Have I ever told you how much I love you?" Fred said as he wrapped an arm over Kellie's shoulders, "You amaze me all the time. Thinking of things we don't even think of."
"I don't think you ever have told me how much you love me, Fred." Kellie mused, "And I'm glad to know I always amaze you."
They arrived at the hill, Stoatshead Hill, where the portkey was to be at, "What sort of objects are Portkeys?" Harry asked curiously.
"Well, they can be anything." Mr Weasley explained, "Unobtrusive things, obviously, so Muggles don't go picking them up and playing with them... stuff they'll just think is litter..."
They all spread around the hill looking around for it, stumbling occasionally on rabbit holes, or slipping on due grass. The air was cold, and there was no way to warm up. "We've got ten minutes to find it." Mr Weasley warned. "It can't be to big..."
Kellie was looking around when she slipped on a patch of wet grass and crashed into a tall, handsome boy that Kellie recognized instantly as the captain of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team. "I'm sorry." Kellie blushed as the boy helped her up.
"It's okay." He said with a smile, "Are you hurt?"
"No, I'm fine." Kellie said with a smile.
"Cedric." He said putting his hand out, "Cedric Diggory."
"Kellie Cotton." Kellie said with a smile back as she shook his hand. "And I'm guess the reason your out here isn't because your a weird Muggle at the crack of dawn now is it?"
"With that talk I'm guessing your here for the Cup too?" Cedric said and the two laughed. "Any luck finding it?"
"Not yet." Kellie told him with a small frown.
"Over here, Arthur! Over here, son, we've got it!" A man's voice came and Cedric looked up at the voice.
"That's my father, they found the Portkey." Cedric said with a small nod, guiding her up around the hill where his father was at. "Dad, you say you found it?" Cedric asked his father, a ruddy-faced wizard with a scrubby brown beard, and was holding a moldy looking boot in his left hand.
"Yes, I do believe so." Mr Diggory said with a grin. "Who's your friend here?"
"Kellie Cotton." Kellie introduced herself, "I go to Hogwarts."
"Amos!" Mr Weasley's voice came as the clan came into view. Mr Weasley and Mr Diggory shook hands as they greeted each other. "This is Amos Diggory, everyone." Mr Weasley introduced, "He works for the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. And I think you know his son, Cedric?"
"Hi." Cedric said with a smile. Everyone returned a hello back except for the twins who had not forgiven the seeker for beating their team the previous year when Harry had fallen off his broom. It had been the first match of the year, and dementors had been on the grounds of Hogwarts. Kellie could see Ginny and Hermione blushing under the presence of the Hufflepuff Captain.
"Are all these yours, Arthur?" Mr Diggory had asked as Fred pulled Kellie back towards him and George and away from the Captain.
"Oh no, only the red heads." Mr Weasley chuckled, "That's Fred and George."
"No, I'm George." Fred said, attempting to confuse his father.
"And I'm Fred." George argued, Kellie trying her hardest to not laugh.
"Well, I'll eventually get it right." Mr Weasley said moving along, "Ginny, and Ron are all mine. These are their friends, Hermione Granger and Harry-"
"Merlin's beard." Mr Diggory said, taking note of the scar on Harry's forehead, "You're Harry Potter."
"Yes..." Harry said disconcerted. Mr Diggory went on about the game last year where Gryffindor lost, and Fred and George were scowling, getting an elbow or a small hit from Kellie to cut it out.
"It must nearly be time." Mr Weasley cut in. "Are we waiting for any more, Amos?"
"No, the Lovegoods have been there for a week all ready, and the Fawcetts couldn't get tickets." Mr Diggory explained, "There aren't any more in the area, are there?"
"Not that I know of." Mr Weasley nodded, "Yes, it's a minute away. Everyone grab on now." He looked to Harry, Hermione and Kellie who had never used a Portkey before, "A finger will do, you merely need to just touch it." Mr Weasley watched his watch, "Three...two...one.."
Everyone's feet hit the ground, everyone but Mr Diggory, Mr Weasley and Cedric lied on the ground. Cedric offered Kellie a hand, and she took it, "Thank you." She said as Cedric helped her up.
"First time is always the hardest." He said with a smile.
Fred elbowed George who was once more scowling towards Cedric. "Seven past five from Stoatshead Hill." A voice came, and they all turned to see what it was. They turned to see a man wearing a kilt and a poncho, and his partner in a tweed suit with thigh high galoshes. Kellie stifled a small laugh as she looked at the two men.
"What's so funny?" Cedric asked, catching her hand shooting to her mouth as she bit her lip.
"Disguise yourself as a Muggle is a task, and they very well did not do enough research." She pointed out, "I know very well that Muggles would never wear that unless they are drunk off their rocker or have spent hours smoking some unknown substance."
"You liveamongst Muggles don't you?" Cedric asked.
"I'm only a Muggleborn, so I would figure." Kellie said with a smile.
Cedric returned it, "No wonder you know their style."
"Come on kids, this way." Mr Weasley said as Mr Diggory told Cedric that their site was in the opposite direction.
"It was nice to meet you." Cedric said respectfully with a smile.
"You too." Kellie smiled back before turning and leaving with the Weasleys.
"Why are you flirting with some git?" George asked as they trudged on behind the group once more.
"I was not." Kellie said, her cheeks turning a light pink as she licked her lips. She knew she was guilty, but she wasn't about to admit it. "And Cedrics not a git." Kellie argued, "You're just upset because he beat you last year in Quidditch."
"Well duh." Fred said, "It's not fair that Harry was rendered unconscious on the field because of those bloody dementors."
"Should have just rescheduled the match until Harry was better." George continued.
"So you are upset that you lost the match, not because I was flirting with some guy?" She pointed out to George.
"So you admit you were flirting?" George asked, catching the loop.
"I did no such thing." Kellie protested once more. "And for you to accuse me of doing such falls under the whole not trusting thing."
"We were standing right next to you, love." Fred said matter-of-factly, "You can't deny the evidence, and you did admit it when you said, I was flirting with some guy."
Kellie flushed a deep red, as red as the Weasley's hair. She had been caught by her own statement. How she hated herself at the moment. Hermione looked back, hearing Fred's last part of his statement, confused as to why Fred was flirting with men, but saw that Kellie was deep red meant it was about what had happened with Cedric.
"Morning." Mr Weasley said as he approached a cottage. They all could tell it was a Muggle that stood there.
"Morning." The Muggle replied.
"Would you be Mr Roberts?" Mr Weasley asked him.
"Aye, I would." Mr Roberts said in his thick accent. "And who're you?"
"Weasley- two tents, booked them a couple days ago."
"Aye." Mr Roberts agreed with a solemn nod. "You've got a space up by the wood there. Just one night then?"
"That's it." Mr Weasley said with a nod and smile.
"You'll be paying now, then?"
"Ah- right! Certainly." Mr Weasley said as he pulled out the Muggle money. "Harry, help me." Mr Roberts listened closely, trying to figure what they were talking about.
"You foreign?" Mr Roberts asked after a minute of Mr Weasley and Harry fumbling with the money.
"Foreign?" Mr Weasley asked confused.
"You're not the first to have trouble with money." Said Mr Roberts, "I had two try and pay me with great gold coins the sie of a hubcap ten minutes ago."
"Did you really?" Mr Weasley asked nervously.
Mr Roberts nodded as he turned to rummage for Mr Weasley's change. "It's never been this crowded before." He looked over the fields, "Hundreds of pre-bookings. People usually just turn up."
"Is that right?" Mr Weasley said, still a bit nervous that this Muggle may find out about the Wizarding world.
"Aye." Mr Roberts said as Mr Weasley held his hand out for change. "People from all over. Loads of foreigners. And not just foreigners, weirdos too, you know? There's a bloke walking around in a kilt and a poncho."
Kellie and Hermione stifled their laughter as they remembered the guy from earlier. Mr Weasley's remark didn't help them trying to not laugh, "Shouldn't he?"
They talked for a little bit more before some Obliviatorsarrived, modifying the Muggle's memory as they accompanied the group to their site, the wizard talking to Mr Weasley as Fred and George still grouped against Kellie on her flirtatious behaivor with Cedric Diggory, an enemy to them. They found the site after spotting many odd tents set up by wizards. Three stories high, some where, another had peacocks tied to the front, while others had a front garden attached with fountain, sundial and birdbath.
"We're as close as we could be." Mr Weasley said proudly as he looked around, "Just through the woods is the field." He hoisted his backpack down before saying, "No magic allowed, strictly speaking, not when we're out in these numbers on Muggle land. We'll be putting these tents up by hand!" Many groans came from the twins and Ron. "Shouldn't be too difficult... Muggles do it all the time...Here, Harry, Hermione, Kellie, where do you reckon we should start?"
Harry had never been camping before, and Hermione had slept in a family camper. The three looked to Kellie for an answer, "I went camping once, but I was young, and I didn't put up any tents." She confessed, "I'm sorry."
After much difficulty, they finally managed to get two tents up. Harry, Hermione and Kellie all looked at them baffled. There was no way all of them would fit in them, not even comfortably. The three that had lived in the Muggle world looked at each other a little concerned before Mr Weasley crawled in on his hands and knees, calling out, "We'll be a little cramped, but I think we'll all squeeze in. Come and have a look."
They all crawled in, ducking under the flap as they entered. Harry Hermione and Kellie all looked star-struck as they looked at the old-fasioned, three room flat, complete with a bathroom, and a kitchen. There was crocheted covers on the mismatched chairs and a strong smell of cats. "Amazing." Kellie said looking at it. "It's so unreal."
"Well, it's not for long." Mr Weasley said wiping away the beads of sweat that were on his balding head. "I borrowed this from Perkins at the office. Doesn't camp much anymore, poor fellow, he's got lumbago." He picked up a dusty kettle and peered inside it, "We'll need water..."
"There's a tap marked on this map the Muggle gave us." Ron said pointing it out. "It's on the other side of the field."
"You three can go and get us water then." Mr Weasley said gesturing to Harry, Ron and Hermione. "The rest of us will get wood for a fire?"
"But we've got an oven." Ron began, "Why can't we just-"
"Ron, anti-Muggle security." Mr Weasley pressed on, "When real Muggles camp, they cook on fires outdoors. I've seen them at it."
After touring the girls tent, which was slightly smaller, Harry, Ron and Hermione set off in one direction while Mr Weasley went with Fred, George, Kellie and Ginny in the other direction to the woods. "Do any of you know what we need to make a fire?" Kellie asked.
"Wood." Mr Weasley said with a proud smile.
"Not just wood, Mr Weasley." Kellie told him, "You'd need small twigs to start to kindle the fire, then once you have it going, you add more wood, bigger pieces. You don't just start out with large chunks of wood."
"Really?" Mr Weasley asked, surprised. Kellie nodded and she bent down and picked up some small twigs, and brushes.
"Like these." She held up some twigs, "Will be used to kindle the fire." She handed them to Ginny before jumping up and grabbing onto a tree branch where she continued to pull herself up where she was able to break off a large branch above her with a small flick of her wand which Mr Weasley had not seen in the dim light, she handed it down to Fred and George before jumping down. "You would cut this into chunks for when you want the fire to grow."
"How are we going to cut it up?" Ginny asked.
"Mr Weasley, if you would use magic to cut it, there are no Muggles around to witness." Kellie said. Mr Weasley was hesitant for a minute before he sliced the branch into six solid good chunks before they all left back to the camp.
They had just arrived back and Mr Weasley was attempting to start the fire with Muggle matches when Harry, Ron and Hermione returned. "You've been ages!" George said when the three arrived back. Kellie had gone inside the tent to give it another look around, wizarding ways still amazed her.
It was minutes later when Fred and George arrived in the girls tent where Kellie was still walking around looking at it all. "You look like a kid lost in a Honeydukes." Fred teased making Kellie blush in embarrassment, unaware that the two twins had appeared.
"When did you two get in here?" Kellie asked.
"Just now." George explained, "Ron, Harry and Hermione are back, and dad's been giving them commentary on everyone that walks by."
"Really? Oh I wish I could have been there too." Kellie sighed, "I just got so caught up in this."
"You act like it's something huge." Fred said looking around, "This is so tiny."
"This is huge!" Kellie said with a large emphasis with her hands. "There are bunkbeds in here! A kitchen and a bathroom! Normally you'd be able to fit about two, maybe three people in here comfortably, and your stuff would be in the car, or hanging in a tree."
"That's how Muggles camp?" George said astounded.
"Hard to believe, I know." Kellie said, calmed down from her excitement. "I wish my Mum and Dad could see this." A sad tone came into her voice as her eyes dropped to her surroundings. "They'd love it..."
"Of course they would." said George trying to bring her out before she fell to fast into a slump.
"Mum never knew I was a witch..." Kellie said looking up at George who's arm was over her shoulder. "...and Dad died right before I got the letter..."
"You know they'd be proud of you, Kellie." Fred said wrapping his arm around her waist. "You're the brightest witch in our year, gives any Ravenclaw a run for their money."
"If they weren't proud of you, then... well... you'd still have us." George said making her laugh a bit. "Sadly you have the git of an uncle..."
"I have to go back next summer." Kellie sighed.
"No you don't." Fred argued. "You're going to be seventeen next month, you can live on your own."
"In the Muggle world, you have to be eighteen to live alone." Kellie explained.
"Well that sucks." Fred miffed.
"Live at the Burrow then." George told her, "The family loves you as it is, it's only a matter of time until you end up living with us."
"I couldn't stay all summer." Kellie said embarrassed. Fred had given George a look on what he had said, only a matter of time?!
"Fine, after one day of getting all your things packed, you'll come live with us." Fred said, "Then it's not all of summer. It's only a day off."
"You guys..." Kellie said with a pink tinge to her cheeks as she gave them a hug.
"So which bed are you going to be sleeping in?" Fred grinned cheekily at her.
"Why do you want to know?" Kellie said warningly.
"Why wouldn't we want to know?" Fred teased, braver than his brother to attempt to say such things because to him it was nothing but a best friends tease. "What if we're cold at night? Wouldn't we want someone to help warm us up?"
"You two are twins." Kellie blushed at the thought, "You have each other."
"Okay, and what if you were cold?" George cooed from her other side.
"Wouldn't you like to have us warm you up?" Fred finished making Kellie turn a deeper shade of red than the Weasley hair.
"Breakfast is ready." Hermione called from the doorway. She looked at the three quizzically before leaving the tent.
"So which bed is it, Kellie?" Fred teased her once more. Kellie ignored them and turned to leave the tent.
Kellie, Fred and George exited the tent and Percy, Charlie and Bill had exited the woods, striding to them, Percy said loudly, "Just Apparated, Dad!" He then spotted the food cooking and said, "Ah, excellent, lunch!"
They sat down and divided the food, Mr Weasley turning to Kellie, "You should have been out here, earlier, Kellie." He began, "Gilbert Wimple of the Experimental Charms Department was by. I'm sure you would have loved to have a conversation with him."
"Experimental Charms?" Kellie asked.
"Don't tell me you didn't know there was a department for that." Percy said.
"I didn't know." Kellie blushed. "I just thought it was all paper work."
"There are many departments at the Ministry, Kellie." Percy told her.
"It's just most of them do involve paperwork." Bill said getting a glare from Percy as he got a laugh from everyone else.
"Percy, maybe when we get back to the Burrow you and Mr Weasley can tell me about all the departments." Kellie assured Percy of her interest.
"Brillant idea, Kellie." Percy grinned, "Maybe you can even come down to the Ministry and talk to a couple of the Departments that you're interested in."
"Sounds like a good plan." Kellie said with a smile that made Percy proud to have finally won Kellie over to the Ministry.
Mr Weasley jumped to his feet minutes later, waving and grinning at a man striding towards them. "Aha!" He said, "The man of the moment! Ludo!"
Ludo Bagman was wearing his old Quidditch outfit from years before, the balck and yellow stripes with the large wasp on the front stood out amongst everyone else. "Ahoy there!" Ludo Bagman called as he marched over, looking like he had springs attached to the bottom of his feet. "Arthur, old man!" He had reached the campfire and shook hands with Mr Weasley, "What a day, eh? What a day! Could we have asked for more perfect weather? A cloudless night coming... and hardly a hiccough in the arrangements.... Not much for me to do!"
A group of Ministry officials rushed past towards a magical fire that was spurting violet streaks through the air. Percy, who had at last nights dinner disapproved of Ludo Bagmans style, stood and put his hand out, still wishing to make his best impression on the man. "Ah- yes." Mr Weasley said taking note, "This is my son, Percy. He's just started at the Ministry- and this is Fred- no George,- sorry that'sFred- Bill, Charlie, Ron,- my daughter Ginny- and family friends Kellie Cotton, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter." Ludo smiled but did a double take on Harry's name, his eyes finding the scar that lied on his forehead. "Everyone, this is Ludo Bagman, you know who he is, it's thanks to him we've got such good tickets-"
Ludo Bagman beamed and waved his hand as if to say it had been nothing. "Fancy a flutter on the match, Arthur?" He asked eagerly, jingling what seemed to have been a large amount of gold in the pockets of his yellow and black robes. "I've all ready got Roddy Pontner betting me Bulgaria will score first- I offered him nice odds, considering Ireland's front three are the strongest I've seen in years- and little Agatha Timms has put up half shares in her eel farm on a week-long match."
"Oh... go on then." Said Mr Weasley, "Let's see... a Galleon on Iralend to win?"
"A Galleon?" Ludo Bagman looked slightly disappointed, but recovered himself, "Very well, very well... And other takers?"
"They're a bit young to be gambling... Molly wouldn't like-" Mr Weasley was cut off by Fred and George, who broke free of Kellie's grasp to stop them from gambling.
"Thirty-seven Galleons, fifteen sickles, three knuts." Fred said as they pulled all their money together. "That Ireland wins... but Viktor Krum gets the snitch. Oh and we'll throw in fake wand." Kellie let her palm meet her forehead as she let out a small sigh.
"You don't want to be showing Mr Bagman rubbish like that-" Percy hissed, but Bagman dismissed Percy as he looked at the wand in much fascination. He waved the wand and it gave out a loud squeak, and turned into a rubber chicken. Ludo Bagman roared with laughter at it.
"Excellent!" Ludo Bagman cheered, "I haven't seen one that convincing in years! I'd pay five Galleons for that!"
Percy was stunned as Kellie looked up shocked as well. "You're kidding." The two mumbled in disbelief.
"Boys..." Mr Weasley warned under his breath, "I don't want you betting... That's all your savings... Your mother-"
"Don't be a spoilsport, Arthur." Ludo Bagman chimed, rattling his pockets with deleight, "They're old enough to know what they'll want! You reckon Ireland will win, but Krum'll get the Snitch? Not a chance, boys, not a chance... I'll give you excellent odds on that one... We'll add five Galleons for the funny wand, then, shall we...?" Bagman pulled out a notebook and a quill and began to jot down the twins names.
"Cheers." George said taking the slip of parchment from Bagman and tucked it away to his pockets. Bagman turned most cheerfully back to Mr Weasley.
"Couldn't do me a brew, I suppose? I'm keeping out an eye for Barty Crouch. My Bulgarian opposite number's making difficulties and I can't understand a word he's saying. Barty'll be able to sort it out. He speaks about a hundred and fifty languages."
"Mr Crouch?" Percy perked up at the name. "He speaks well over two hundred languages! Mermish, and Gobbledogook, and Troll-"
Disclaimer: I am not JKR
A/N: It very much follows the book, but it still has side stuff. Once the school year starts, the twins don't spend every minute with Harry, Ron, and Hermione, and so that's where the real fun will be. lol Reviews are loved. And thank you to the C2 that has added me to them. =)