Chapter 39: Quidditch Tournament
The old man was walking up the stairs when something slithered past him. It was one of the biggest snakes he'd ever seen. The old man followed the snake to one of the rooms in the old home. The room he'd seen light from.
In the room a man was talking with something in a chair. The voice scared the old man for some reason he couldn't fathom. Then he saw another man talking to the chair as the snake slithered into the chair.
One of the men came to the door and saw him. He stepped aside and there was a flash of green light ….
Harry shot out of bed wide awake with sweat pouring down his face. His eyes roamed around the darkened room and landed on his mother. Margaret was sitting in a chair by the bed feeding her baby staring at Harry as her green eyes glowed dully.
Ever since the first dream he had during the summer he woke up to find her sitting there with glowing eyes. She never said anything to him unless he spoke first but her presence just seemed to calm him somehow. Her eyes didn't even seem to bother him. He figured it was her magical energy reaching out to him.
"I didn't wake Rhi up did I?" Harry asked swinging his legs off the side of the bed. He didn't feel like sleeping anymore.
"No she was up for her dawn feeding," Margaret answered looking down at the baby on the bottle. Rhianna was about five months old now and Margaret only breast fed her before bed.
"So…when are we leaving for the Tournament?" Harry asked.
"About seven. It's four now," Margaret answered as the baby finished the bottle and she put her over her shoulder to burp her.
"I…I don't have to tell everyone else do I? I mean…they'll just say it's expected because of this stupid scar," Harry sighed rubbing it.
"Only if you want to. I'm not going to make you do anything as long as you stay honest with me," Margaret stated.
"Good," Harry sighed, "So…are you going back to bed or not?"
"Well she is," Margaret stated standing with the now fed, burped, and sleeping baby. "I'm going to go start breakfast. You can help if you like."
Harry nodded and quickly got up to get dressed.
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"Maggie are you sure you want to take all of them by yourself?" Jackson asked as they stood by Margaret's house early that morning.
The six children were dressed and had their backpacks on their shoulders. Margaret stood by Jackson with baby Rhianna strapped to her chest in a little carrier.
"Don't worry so much. I can handle this lot and besides…I got a head boy with me and mum," Margaret smirked winking at Billy.
The kids had gotten their school lists just two days ago and Billy had been made head boy. Minerva was going to meet them at the sight.
"All right…kids you listen to your aunt though," Jackson warned in his father tone.
"Yes sir," the two girls and boy nodded.
"All right kids let's grab the port-key before we're late," Margaret stated holding up a tin can. The kids nodded and grabbed the key as they were whisked off.
"I love this!" Billy shouted over the rushing wind as they flew.
"I hate this!" Hermione and Stephanie screamed together.
"All right kids let go!" Margaret shouted as she released the can and went spinning off hold Rhianna close to her.
The others released the can and were falling and spinning around very fast as they slammed into the ground.
"We really need to work on your landing," Margaret giggled offering a hand to Harry.
"Yeah," Harry groaned as they stood up. Margaret laughed as she quickly paid for their spot at the rental hut.
"Wow you've got to be some of the better muggle impersonators," the man smiled handing Margaret her changing.
"Thanks we did extensive research," Margaret grinned winking.
The group walked through all the other fans and families there marveling at some of the tents that had been sent up. Some even looked like inflatable homes. Of curse those were people like the Malfoys.
The lot Margaret had been given was right beside a rather dumpy looking tent. They found Minerva there in jeans and blue blouse with a low pony tail tapping a last nail into the ground. Harry found their tent looked rather new on the outside and was loads nice than the one beside them that had patches all over it.
"Mum!" Margaret called loudly.
Minerva looked up and smiled waving her mallet at them as she stood.
"Oh the old tent still looks great! You must have kept it in the spare bedroom then," Margaret stated hugging the older woman.
"I did," Minerva sighed, "Hey kids!"
"Hey granny!" they greeted each taking turns hugging her.
"Professor McGonagall!?" a voice exclaimed.
Everyone turned and saw Ron Weasley looking green. He was standing at the entrance to the patched tent.
"Mr. Weasley," Minerva nodded, "Something wrong?"
"Probably seeing you dressed like a muggle mum," Margaret laughed.
"Ah Professor McGonagall wonderful to see you again," Arthur smiled exiting the patched tent.
Harry realized they must be staying in this tent and he didn't know whether to feel sorry for them or bad he had a nicer one.
"And you as well Arthur," Minerva smiled shaking the man's hand.
"Oh is the baby Stephanie's letters talk about all the time?" Arthur smiled seeing the wide awake baby strapped to Margaret. Stephanie and Ginny were very good friends.
"This is. This is Rhianna," Margaret stated unhooking the baby and handing her over to the father of seven.
"She is adorable," Arthur laughed bouncing the baby. Rhianna squealed in delight and had everyone laughing.
Ron disappeared into his tent and sat in a chair scowling. The twins jumped down from their beds. The tent was much larger on the inside than the outside. Most of the tents at the Quidditch Cup were.
"Aw what's wrong with little Ronnie?" Fred teased.
"Go away," Ron growled.
"Come on Ronnikins what's wrong?" George asked.
"Shut up!" Ron shouted throwing a pillow at them.
"All right Ron what's got your wand in a knot?" George frowned.
"Our tent is right next to McGonagall's," Ron stated.
"McGonagall!? Is Margaret outside?" Fred asked. Ron nodded.
"Sweet!" the twins shouted and ran outside to the only teacher in their words… 'Was Smokin' Hot.'
"You really should get over yourself. Its better they took the rat so it didn't kill you. Be grateful," Ginny stated before heading out to her friend. Ron remained inside scowling and annoyed his family like the stupid McGonagalls so much.
"That was a great meal Minerva thanks for inviting us," Arthur grinned wiping his mouth.
"Yeah you're as good as mum," Fred nodded.
"Thank you Fred," Minerva nodded giving him a small smile.
"I'm not Fred he is," Fred stated.
Minerva peered at the twins over her eye glasses.
"You are Fred and he is George I'm not an idiot," Minerva stated calmly.
"Wonderful mum," Margaret laughed.
"Haven't you learned not to play games with her yet?" Arthur sighed.
"It's always worth a shot," George shrugged.
"Oh before we forget we made a plate for Ron. I hope he feels well enough for the game tomorrow," Minerva stated handing Arthur a plate wrapped in plastic wrap.
"I'm sure he will. It was just a headache," Arthur replied.
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"So where are your seats?" Stephanie asked as the McGonagalls and Weasleys approached the stands for the World Cup game.
"Oh we're a ways up top," Arthur said nervously.
Everyone started up for it seemed the seats Minerva got were up high as well. Half way up it seemed Ron was getting winded.
"Blimey dad how far up are we!?"
"Well put it his way….if it rains…you'll be the first to know," Lucius sneered as he and Draco approached from a slightly lower level.
"Father and I are in the Minister's box but personal invitation of the Minister himself," Draco sneered.
"Draco don't boast. These people know their place," Lucius stated.
"The Minister's box eh? God I hated sitting there. The bludgers always seem to find their way in there," Hercules stated as he came up behind the Malfoys. Venus was standing just behind him.
Hercules was wearing black slacks with an emerald shirt and black sweater vest. Venus was wearing a purple off the shoulder dress with sleeves that tapered at her wrists in triangles. Her blonde hair was in soft curls.
Lucius turned to the two and eyed them. He had a scared look in his eyes seeing Venus and quickly left dragging Draco with him.
"What are you two doing here?" Minerva asked leaning over the railing.
"Eh mum went off somewhere and wouldn't let us go. We figured coming here would be better than staying at home with a bitter old ghost," Hercules shrugged pulling Venus up the stairs.
"Has it ever occurred to you not to steer Aunt Venus everywhere? She's like your rag doll or something," Billy stated.
"That is what she is. My cute little toy," Hercules laughed patting the woman's head.
"Who are these people?" Ron asked.
"Children these are two of Katherine's children; Hercules and Venus. They were Professor McGonagall's mother's brother and sister," Arthur introduced.
"Pleasure," Hercules nodded, "Now how about we get to our seats before the game starts. Ma said you were taking the box Min."
"Aye," Minerva nodded, "Actually I was just about to offer it to the Weasleys. We have more than enough room for everyone."
"Oh that's kind but…"
"Come on Arthur please do," Margaret nodded, "I'm sure the kids would love to watch the game together."
He looked at his kids and saw them all nodding their heads. Ron was as well knowing that box seats were the best.
"Oh all right," he sighed and smiled.
The box was an enclosed area with seats for everyone that jutted out enough to really see everything grandly. It was in the middle of the stands so they could get a view of the post easily.
It didn't take long before Minerva and Margaret were screaming their heads off with the kids cheering on the teams. Minerva led the Irish cheer and Margaret led the Bulgarian cheer. They were all leaning over the railing of their box shouting at the players.
"Come on McConnell dive, dive!!" Minerva screamed.
"Get your arse after him Vlad!" Margaret shouted.
"They get crazy during Quidditch games. I never understood it personally," Hercules shrugged, "Diana was definitely never like this."
"Diana was never like anyone in the family," Venus stated.
"Diana was always the one to mediate you two wasn't she? How do you stop an argument now?" Arthur asked.
"Ma hits me in the head," Hercules stated.
"Katherine is into Quidditch though isn't she? Strange she went off on an expedition during the World Cup," Arthur mused.
"A lot of the things she does is strange. You get used to eventually," Venus stated, "Quite frankly I don't like Quidditch."
"How is it you three hated Quidditch with being raised by your mother?" Arthur asked.
"Skips a generation sometimes I guess?" Hercules shrugged as the scream escalated in volume. Over the speakers they heard the commentator say something about Ireland winning and the Bulgarian's catching the snitch. They didn't hear the score for Minerva, Margaret, and the children's screams were far too loud.
"Oh yeah! Oh yeah we're the bomb!" Minerva screamed high fiving Hermione and Stephanie.
"Did you see that catch mum!? That was awesome!" Harry exclaimed.
"Yeah!" Margaret grinned as she and Harry bashed fists.
"The only thing worse than a sore loser is a happy loser. Optimism isn't fun," Hercules sighed.
"Fun to watch," Venus stated rocking Rhianna. She'd been holding the baby through out the game.
That night after the game the two families were in their tents celebrating. The Weasleys were goofing on Ron's love of Viktor Krum the Bulgarian seeker.
"Sounds like the Irish have got their pride on," Fred sated as the twins started a pillow fight with Ro and Ginny.
"It's not the Irish," Arthur stated sticking his head out and back in. "It's not the Irish."
The McGonagalls were watching Venus, Hercules, Minerva, and Margaret dance an Irish Step Dance.
They stopped suddenly hearing the noise.
"Hermione get the baby up," Margaret stated as they went outside.
Outside tents were being set aflame with figures in cloaks and skull mask walking through chanting. They were floating some people in the air.
"Venus take the kids and get out!" Hercules snapped drawing his wand and pulling Margaret with him. Minerva drew her wand and ran after a different group of hooded figures.
"Aunt Venus what's going on!? Where's Mum?" Hermione asked holding a now shrieking baby.
Venus blinked her large eyes as her cold unemotional demeanor lifted to be replaced by the girl she only let Margaret and Katherine see.
"Death eaters. We have to go!" Venus cried.
"Right then we'll go to the port-key," Billy nodded heading to the exit.
"No! They'll get us if we leave. No I'll take you," Venus stated as she transformed into a beautiful phoenix.
"Right then everyone grab hold of be I'm the heaviest," Billy nodded picking up Vanessa.
"On three Aunt Venus," Billy stated as the bird hovered over him.
"One…two…" the other kids quickly grabbed hold of him. Harry held Hermione as she held the baby. "Three!" Billy screamed.
In a flash of flame they found themselves on top of the hill they had arrived on. The Weasleys were there as well.
Billy let go of the bird and she morphed back into Venus who took Rhianna and got the baby to calm down.
"Where's your dad?" Stephanie asked Ginny.
"He ran off to help. I guess the Professors and Mr. Hercules did as well?" Ginny asked. Stephanie nodded. Screams rose up to them and they watched in quiet horror at the burning tents.
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"It's a sign as sure as anything," Margaret stated. She and several ministry officials were meeting after the attack had been controlled. Minerva and Hercules were there as well.
"I don't believe it," Crouch stated.
"You better. Just look at that!" Hercules shouted pointing to the skull and snake in the night sky.
Several of the people looking up were sheet white.
"You better find out what the point of all this is," Hercules stated looking at the one death eater he and Margaret had caught.
"Right. Well thank you for your assistance. You may return home now," Crouch stated as tow officials took the bound man.
"You better tell your mother," Margaret whispered to her uncle before they all disappeared with a pop.