GET A ROOM
28 June 2002

In a secluded area of the Australian outback, thousands of wizards gathered around a newly erected stadium, keeping warm in tents and cabins that had been outfitted for the Quidditch World Cup. The Weasley family had now grown too large to share two measly tents and with Angelina and Ginny so involved in the tournament, the family upgraded to a roomy cabin which much like Perkins' tent, was larger than it appeared from the outside.

Ginny was one of two junior reporters assigned to the cup. While the two of them switched off covering the tournament matches, their work had come to an end as the only remaining match was the final, which The Daily Prophet's chief sports writer was in charge of. Angelina's duties had also come to an end when the British team was eliminated from the competition. Aside from occasionally tending to her players' existing injuries, she was free to relax during the rest of their stay in Australia.

But Ginny and Angelina were not the only ones working at the big event. Harry and Ron were only able to get away from the Ministry because they agreed to represent the British Auror department and act as an additional security measure while they were guests of the Australian Ministry. Luckily for the rest of the Weasleys, Ron was afforded enough time off to cook their meals each day, as he was doing now.

"What are you making?" Ginny asked, patting her rumbling stomach.

"Roast chicken," he explained, "Mum's recipe. Should be ready in an hour but if you're hungry I think there's still some dragon milk cheese. I can make you a sandwich."

"Could you make some bacon?" she pleaded.

"Don't say I never do anything for you," he groaned, grabbing a clean pan from the cupboard.

Ginny squealed and hopped up on the counter to keep her brother company. Even though they hadn't been close during their years living at The Burrow, she had warmed up to Ron. Since becoming an Auror he had become more bearable, and his friendship with Harry made him impossible to avoid. Sure, they would never be the best of friends, but she could appreciate him making her a bacon and cheese toasty.

"Do I smell bacon?" George poked his head in as soon as the crispy meat began to sizzle.

"It's not for you," Ginny warned him.

"I know how we can fix this," George said, when Ron placed a sandwich in front of Ginny. He pulled out his wand. "Geminio!"

Instantly there were two sandwiches where there had only been one.

"How many times have you tried that one?" she scoffed.

"Literally any time I see bacon," he told her.

"Merlin, Ron," Ginny said after taking a bite. "That's bloody amazing."

"Don't tell Mum," he warned. "She still thinks she's the best cook in the family."

"She is," George said with certainty. "Don't get too excited."

They finished up and Ron took the roast out of the oven as Angelina strolled into the kitchen with Freddy nestled in the crook of her arm.

"What's going on in here?" she asked.

"Well," Ron checked his wristwatch, "the match starts in a couple hours. Can someone wake up Charlie and Harry so we can eat?"

"Freddy's got it," George assured them, grabbing his son from Angelina's arms.

"You're not making our son the prefect of the cup cabin," she told him. "Just throw a few Dungbombs in their rooms and they'll be up in no time."

"Aw Angie," he broke into a smile, "I've rubbed off on you."

"Stop it," she laughed. "I'm just hungry."

When they finally managed to to haul the stragglers out of bed they sat down for a quick meal. Then Angelina packed a bag for Freddy and they all headed to the stadium for the big match. This year's final two teams were Egypt and Bulgaria. As usual their Seeker Viktor Krum led the team as they zipped out onto the pitch.

The game started slowly as most Quidditch games do. Angelina almost regretted showing up on time, given that she had a small child who was prone to get sleepy. But she knew as well as anyone that an empty box at the world cup, especially one housing a family of 'war heroes' would only fuel Rita Skeeter's defamatory gossip column.

Eventually the match began to pick up speed with the Egyptians scoring a series of goals while the Bulgarians struggled to keep up. Freddy patiently played with his toy Snitch as his uncles bought pint after pint of Steaming Stout. By the time the sun began to set over the pitch, Freddy was awaking from a lengthy nap and Angelina silently thanked him for not throwing a fit before Krum finally caught the Snitch.

Unfortunately for the Bulgarians, the one hundred and fifty points did nothing to catch up to Egypt's astronomical lead. Viktor Krum looked defeated as he descended back onto solid ground. For the second time in his career, Bulgaria lost the cup final even after catching the Snitch. Ron couldn't help but smirk at his misfortune. Even after all these years a part of him was jealous of the man who took his wife to the Yule Ball.

"Well," George got up, "looks like I'm a hundred Galleons richer."

"You're still betting?" Angelina scoffed. "What do you need a hundred Galleons for?"

"I'm off to collect," he placed Freddy in Angelina's arms. "I'll meet you all back in the cabin."

"That's it," Harry wrapped an arm around Ginny's shoulders. "You've covered your first world cup."

"I guess so," she laughed, but was interrupted when a bright blue paper shaped like a bird soared in her direction. "What's this."

She recognized her boss's usual method of communication and unfolded the note.

You're needed in the press box. Krum has an announcement to make. Bring a quill!

-Sylvester Tugwood
Chief Sports Writer

"I have to go," she told Harry. "I'll meet you all back there."

Harry nodded and they all followed Ginny out of the box, parting ways when they reached the staircase. Ron and Charlie broke off to join in the celebration of the end of the cup while Harry and Angelina returned to the cabin. He plopped down on the sofa and Angelina traded Freddy's toy Snitch for a stuffed Hippogriff which he immediately began to drool on.

"So," she turned to Harry, "looks like you'll have one of these running around soon."

"Yeah," Harry sighed. "You make it look so easy."

"It's not," Angelina sighed, "but at the end of the day it's a whole lot more rewarding than anything else I've ever done."

"Sometimes I worry I'll make an awful father," he admitted.

"If George can do it," she teased, "anyone can." Then she stood up, bouncing Freddy in her arms. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to put him down before he keeps us up half the night."

Harry didn't object as Angelina sauntered into the next room to put Freddy down for a nap. In her absence, Ginny came running in the door bursting with news.

"You'll never believe this!" she panted, out of breath. "Krum just retired."

"You're kidding!" Harry laughed. "Ron will be glad to hear it."

"I know," Ginny sighed. "He made the announcement after the match.

She sat down next to Harry on the sofa and leaned on his side, resting her hand on the subtle swell of her abdomen.

"I was thinking," she sighed.

"Should I be worried," he asked.

"Not at all," she replied. "Since I'm not going back to the Harpies until after the baby is born, maybe we should push the wedding by a couple weeks. We can get married after the school year starts so the students can attend. I know you wanted that."

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Absolutely," she replied. "It will be nice to have a big wedding and it gives us more time to plan."

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"I am," she kissed him.

Harry reached over and grabbed Ginny's legs, slinging them across his lap so they were closer. Their lips met again but just as things were heating up, George walked in the door instantly commanding their attention by resorting to infantile gagging sounds.

"Get a room," he rolled his eyes before disappearing into his own bedroom.

Ginny turned back to Harry and the two locked eyes before bursting into laughter. That's what big brothers were for.


COMING UP: There's a commotion at The Three Broomsticks