Harry disentangled himself from Ron and got to his feet. They had arrived on what appeared to be a deserted stretch of misty moor. In front of them was a pair of tired and grumpy-looking wizards, one of whom was holding a large gold watch,the other a thick roll of parchment and a quill. Both were dressed as Muggles, though very inexpertly: The man with the watch wore a tweed suit with thigh length galoshes; his colleague, a kilt and a poncho. "Morning, Basil," said Mr. Weasley, picking up the boot and handing it to the kilted wizard, who threw it into a large box of used Portkeys beside him ;Harry could see an old newspaper, an empty drinks can, and a punctured football. Harry looked around and saw Percy looking at the empty thrashes of wastes in disgust. There is something different about the international wizard ,Harry could say that , at the same time that difference is not a bad difference .
He is not like some arrogant bastard who boasts about their achievement . He is very humble and modest . Harry is looking forward for the school year with Percy . Percy knows nearly all kinds of magic and he is nearly a expert in it . He don't know why he has to attend school at all. He was shaken out of his thoughts by Basil speaking to "Hello there, Arthur," said Basil wearily. "Not on duty, eh? It's all right for some... We've been here all night... You'd better get out of the way, we've got a big party coming in from the Black Forest at five fifteen. Hang on, I'll find your campsite... Weasley ... Weasley..." He consulted his parchment list. "About a quarter of a mile's walk over there, first field you come to. Site manager's called Mr. Roberts. Diggory ... second field ... ask for Mr. Payne." "Thanks, Basil," said Mr. Weasley, and he beckoned everyone to follow him.
They set off across the deserted moor, unable to make out much through the mist. After about twenty minutes, a small stone cottage next to a gate swam into view. Beyond it, Harry could just make out the ghostly shapes of hundreds and hundreds of tents, rising up the gentle slope of a large field toward a dark wood on the horizon. They said good-bye to the Diggorys and approached the cottage door.A man was standing in the doorway, looking out at the tents. Harry knew at a glance that this was the only real Muggle for several acres. When he heard their footsteps, he turned his head to look at them." Morning!" said Mr. Weasley brightly. "Morning," said the Muggle."Would you be Mr. Roberts?" "Aye, I would," said Mr. Roberts. "And who're you?" "Weasley - two tents, booked a couple of days ago?""Aye," said Mr. Roberts, consulting a list tacked to the door. "You've got a space up by the wood there. Just the one night?""That's it," said Mr. Weasley."You'll be paying now, then?" said Mr. Roberts. "Ah - right - certainly -" said Mr. Weasley. He retreated a short distance from the cottage and beckoned Harry toward him. "Help me, Harry," he muttered ,pulling a roll of Muggle money from his pocket and starting to peel the notes apart."This one's a - a - a ten? Ah yes, I see the little number on it now... So this is afive?""A twenty," Harry corrected him in an undertone, uncomfortably aware of trying to catch every word. "Ah yes, so it is... I don't know, these little bits of paper...""You foreign?" said Mr. Roberts as Mr. Weasley returned with the correct notes."Foreign?" repeated Mr. Weasley, puzzled."You're not the first one who's had trouble with money," said Mr. Roberts, scrutinizing Mr. Weasley closely. "I had two try and pay me with great gold coins the size of hubcaps ten minutes ago."
Before could say anything Percy strode forward and handed a bunch of money to Mr. Roberts . looked at Percy and said " You don't have to do that Percy . You are our guest ". Percy shook his head with a smile and said " It's okay . You had allowed me to stay at your home , this is something I could do ". looked uncomfortable but he nodded in the end causing Percy to give huge grin.
After Mr. Roberts checking the amount he said ""Never been this crowded," he said suddenly, looking out over the misty fieldagain. "Hundreds of pre-bookings. People usually just turn up ,People from all over. Loads of foreigners. And not just foreigners. Weirdos, you know? There's a bloke walking 'round in a kilt and a poncho.""Shouldn't he?" said Mr. Weasley anxiously "It's like some sort of... I dunno ... like some sort of rally," said Mr. Roberts. "They all seem to know each other. Like a big party."At that moment, a wizard in plus-fours appeared out of thin air next to 's front door."Obliviate!" he said sharply, pointing his wand at Mr. , Mr. Roberts's eyes slid out of focus, his brows unknitted, and a took of dreamy unconcern fell over his face. Harry recognized the symptoms of one who had just had his memory modified. "A map of the campsite for you," Mr. Roberts said placidly to Mr. Weasley."And your change." "Thanks very much," said Mr. Weasley. The wizard in plus-fours accompanied them toward the gate to the campsite. He50looked exhausted: His chin was blue with stubble and there were deep purple shadows under his eyes. Once out of earshot of Mr. Roberts, he muttered to , "Been having a lot of trouble with him. Needs a Memory Charm ten times a day to keep him happy. And Ludo Bagman's not helping. Trotting around talking about Bludgers and Quaffles at the top of his voice, not a worry about anti Muggle security Blimey, I'll be glad when this is over. See you later, Arthur."He Disapparated.
After reaching the spot told there will be no magic and they had to do like muggles which caused scowl from the twins and Ginny while Percy looked happy on hearing that . Hermione couldn't help but smile at Percy's enthusiasm , he looked like a child during Christmas but there is something about Percy she could not understand . Sometimes he looked happy but at sometimes he has a faraway look and he would drone on . But she waited for him to say about that , she could give him privacy if he want to speak about that she would listen like a good friend she is.
So here they are trying to set up the tents , since is a wizard he don't know how to do that . But she ,Harry and Percy had managed to set up them perfectly at the end thanks to Percy. Hermione looked at Percy and asked curiously " Have you set up a tent before ? ". Percy replied " Of course my friends and I had gone to camping many times " with a wistful look.
She was about to ask that but she was cut off by saying "Well, why don't you, Harry, Percy and Hermione go and get us some water then and the rest of us will get some wood for a fire?" ."But we've got an oven," said Ron. "Why can't we just -""Ron, anti-Muggle security!" said Mr. Weasley, his face shining with anticipation."When real Muggles camp, they cook on fires outdoors. I've seen them a tit!"After a quick tour of the girls' tent, which was slightly smaller than the boys',though without the smell of cats, Harry, Ron,Percy and Hermione set off acrossthe campsite with the kettle and saucepans.
Harry looked at Percy and asked " So Percy are you interested in going to Hogwarts ? '' to which Percy replied " Yep . I had heard many things about Hogwarts . The beauty of the castle , the forbidden forest , the black lake and more . I think this year will be awesome ". Ron was about to ask something but Hermione interrupted by asking " Which was your house when you were in Illvermorny Percy ? " . Percy instantly replied " Wampus " . Hermione looked at Percy and asked " It is also called as House of Warriors right " to which Percy nodded . Ron looked at Hermione in disbelief and asked " Blimey Mione how did you know that ? " . Hermione rolled her eyes and said " Unlike you I read Ron " causing Percy and Harry to chuckle.
Then they continued to start walking where many kids are having fun with magic while their parents are scolding them ."Er - is it my eyes, or has everything gone green?" said wasn't just Ron's eyes. They had walked into a patch of tents that were all covered with a thick growth of shamrocks, so that it looked as though small,oddly shaped hillocks had sprouted out of the earth. Grinning faces could be seen underthose that had their flaps open. Then, from behind them, they heard their names."Harry! Ron! Hermione!"
It was Seamus Finnigan, their fellow Gryffindor fourth year. He was sitting in front of his own shamrock-covered tent, with a sandy-haired woman who had to be his mother, and his best friend, Dean Thomas, also of Gryffindor."Like the decorations?" said Seamus, grinning. "The Ministry's not too happy.""Ah, why shouldn't we show our colors?" said Mrs. Finnigan. "You should see what the Bulgarians have got dangling all over their tents. You'll be supporting Ireland, of course?" she added, eyeing Harry, Ron, Percy and Hermione beadily.
Dean looked at Percy in confusion and asked " Who are you ? " . Ron said " He is my distant cousin Peter Johnson from the States " causing Percy to smile at him which he returned . Hermione was thankful for the transfiguration , if he had not transfigured himself he would have attracted a large amount of crowd.
When they had assured her that they were indeed supporting Ireland, they set off again,though, as Ron said, "Like we'd say anything else surrounded by that lot." I wonder what the Bulgarians have got dangling all over their tents?" said Hermione."Let's go and have a look," said Harry, pointing to a large patch of tentsupfield,53where the Bulgarian flag - white, green, and red - was fluttering in the tents here had not been bedecked with plant life, but each and everyone of them had the same poster attached to it, a poster of a very surly face with heavy black eyebrows. The picture was, of course, moving, but all it did was blink and scowl.
"Krum," said Percy quietly.
"What?" said Hermione.
"Krum!" said Ron. "Viktor Krum, the Bulgarian Seeker!"
"He looks really grumpy," said Hermione, looking around at the many Krums blinking and scowling at them." 'Really grumpy?" Ron raised his eyes to the heavens. "Who cares what he looks like? He's unbelievable. He's really young too. Only just eighteen or 's a genius, you wait until tonight, you'll see."
Percy nodded and said " True . A good wizard also " causing Ron to ask " Do you know him ? " . Percy looked at him and said " Yeah a competitor in the championship but got eliminated at the league stage itself . Many thought Dumstrang will be the one to win considering its reputation but it didn't happen . But anyway eventhough he is an excellent quidditch player he is very modest and humble " causing Ron to look at him in disbelief . Ron shook his head and said " Of course you are a International wizard you know him " causing Percy to shrug at him .
Percy looked at Ron and said " How about this ? After finishing the match tomorrow morning we can see him " . Ron looked at Percy in disbelief and said " Really mate " .
"Yep we both bonded over two months time and he is a good friend of mine . He said if I am there to watch any quidditch match he is playing he will be more than happy to see me " .
Ron looked like he will faint on hearing that causing Hermione to giggle but he managed " Thank you mate " .
Ron looked happy on hearing that . He and Harry both continued to talk about Quidditch while Hermione started to walk with Percy . She looked at him ,he was towering over her at 6'2 and he looked ridiculously handsome even without his usual raven black hair and gorgeous sea green eyes . She was shaken out of her thoughts by Percy asking " What ? Why are you staring at me like that ? It looks creepy " . Hermione blushed in embarassement and quickly lied " It is a good thing you did there " . Percy stared at her for a moment and said " Yeah he had become my friend and this is the least I could do for him ".
They crossed a pair of old wizards who were having a weird conversation about pants causing Hermione to suppress her strong urge to giggle while Percy looked at them weirdly .
Then they collected water from taps and they started to walk slowly to their camp site due to the weight of water.
Here and there, they saw more familiar faces:other Hogwarts students with their families. Oliver Wood, the old captain of Harry's House Quidditch team, who had just left Hogwarts, dragged Harry over to his parents' tent to introduce him, and told him excitedly that he had just been signed to the Puddlemere United reserve team. Next they were hailed by Ernie Macmillan, a Hufflepuff fourth year, and a little farther on they saw Cho Chang, a very pretty girl who played Seeker on the Ravenclaw team. She waved and smiled at Harry, who slopped quite a lot of water down his front as he waved to stop Ron from smirking than anything, Percy and Hermione grinned at each other causing Harry to glare at three of them .Harry hurriedly pointed out a large group of teenagers whom he had never seen before.
"Who d'you reckon they are?" he said. "They don't go to Hogwarts, do they?""'Spect they go to some foreign school," said Ron. "I know there are others. Never met anyone who went to one, though. Bill had a pen friend at a school in Brazil ...this was years and years ago ... and he wanted to go on an exchange trip but Mum and Dad couldn't afford it. His pen friend got all offended when he said he wasn'tgoing and sent him a cursed hat. It made his ears shrivel up." causing all of them to roar with laughter.
When they reached their tent "You've been ages," said George when they finally got back to the Weasleys' tents. "Met a few people," said Ron, setting the water down. "You've not got that fire started yet?""Dad's having fun with the matches," said . Weasley was having no success at all in lighting the fire, but it wasn't for lack of trying. Splintered matches littered the ground around him, but he looked as though he was having the time of his life. "Oops!" he said as he managed to light a match and promptly dropped it in surprise.
"Come here, Mr. Weasley," said Hermione kindly, taking the box from him, and showing him how to do it properly. At last they got the fire lit, though it was at least another hour before it was hot enough to cook anything. There was plenty to watch while they waited, however. Their tent seemed to be pitched right alongside a kind of thoroughfare to the field,and Ministry members kept hurrying up and down it, greeting Mr. Weasley cordially as they passed.
Mr. Weasley kept up a running commentary, mainly for Percy's, Harry's and Hermione's benefit; his own children knew too much about the Ministry to be greatly interested. "That was Cuthbert Mockridge, Head of the Goblin Liaison Office... Here comes Gilbert Wimple; he's with the Committee on Experimental Charms; he's had those horns for a while now... Hello, Arnie ... Arnold Peasegood, he's an Obliviator member of the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad, you know...and that's Bode and Croaker ... they're Unspeakables..."
"They are what ? " Percy asked in confusion .
"From the Department of Mysteries, top secret, no idea what they get upto..."At last, the fire was ready, and they had just started cooking eggs and sausageswhen Bill, Charlie, and Percy came strolling out of the woods toward them.
When the three noticed Percy they looked at him in confused and asked their father " Who is that? " looked at them in confusion and finally understood and said " That is Percy . He transfigured himself to avoid unwanted attraction " . The three nodded at this .
"Just Apparated, Dad," said Percy loudly. "Ah, excellent, lunch!"They were halfway through their plates of eggs and sausages when jumped to his feet, waving and grinning at a man who was striding toward them."Aha!" he said. "The man of the moment! Ludo!"
Everyone looked at him and Hermione thought Ludo Bagman was easily the most noticeable person she had seen here. He was wearing long Quidditch robes in thick horizontal stripes of bright yellow and black. An enormous pictureof a wasp was splashed across his chest. He had the look of a powerfully built man gone slightly to seed; the robes were stretched tightly across a large belly hesurelyhad not had in the days when he had played Quidditch for England. His nose was squashed, but his round blue eyes, short blond hair, and rosy complexion made him look like a very overgrown schoolboy. "Ahoy there!" Bagman called happily. He was walking as though he had springs attached to the balls of his feet and was plainly in a state of wild excitement.
He and talked about something how ministry had to check this place from muggles while Percy leaned towards Hermione and said "He looks like a child in christmas day ". Hermione wanted to say "Like you " but she instead nodded with a grin.
Hermione started to talk with Percy about Illvermorny but they were cut of by saying "Ah - yes, this is my son Percy. He's just started at the Ministry - and this is Fred - no, George, sorry - that's Fred - Bill,Charlie, Ron- my daughter, Ginny ,Percy our distant cousin and Ron's friends, Hermione Granger and Harry Potter."
"Everyone," Mr. Weasley continued, "this is Ludo Bagman, you know whohe is,it's thanks to him we've got such good tickets -"Bagman beamed and waved his hand as if to say it had been nothing.56"Fancy a flutter on the match, Arthur?" he said eagerly, jingling what seemed to bea large amount of gold in the pockets of his yellow-and-black robes. "I've already 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 weeklong match.""Oh ... go on then," said Mr. Weasley. "Let's see ... a Galleon on Ireland to win?""A Galleon?" Ludo Bagman looked slightly disappointed, but recovered himself." Very well, very well ... any other takers?" "They're a bit young to be gambling," said Mr. Weasley. "Molly wouldn't like -""We'll bet thirty-seven Galleons, fifteen Sickles, three Knuts," said Fred as he and George quickly pooled all their money, "that Ireland wins - but Viktor Krum gets the Snitch. Oh and we'll throw in a fake wand."
Hermione shook their heads at them while Percy chuckled . Hermione asked " Are you not going to gamble ? " Percy shook his head and said " Of course not . I am not interested in gambling at all ".
"So how was the past few years ? " Hermione asked and immediately she regretted since Percy's eyes became glassy and he looked like he will break down . She quickly added " It's okay you don't have to speak about that ". Percy wiped his eyes and said " Its okay . A close friend of mine, she died in a attack and some other friends had also died ". Hermione took his large hands and squeezed in comfort and said " Oh Percy I am sorry . If you want to talk I will be there " causing Percy to give her a watery smile.
Hermione thought about what Percy said she must have more than a friend based on Percy's reaction, how he looked broken on mentioning her . She swore to herself she will be there for him when needed. She was broken out of her thoughts when Percy Weasely started to boast how could speak over two hundred! Mermish and Gobbledegook and Troll. . .
"Anyone can speak Troll," said Fred dismissively. "All you have to do is point and grunt." while Percy whispered " I too know how to speak mermish " loud enough only to be heard by Hermione. Hermione looked at him in disbelief and asked " Really. What you cannot do ?"
Percy shrugged while Hermione asked " The pegasus with which you came , is that yours ? " . Percy gave her a broad grin caused her to blush thankfully he didn't notice " Yep that is Blackjack . My pegasus . He is a donut obsessed one " causing Hermione to giggle at thought of a Pegasus eating donut . "Can I see him ? " She asked hoping Percy will allow that . Percy instantly replied " Of course . I will show him tomorrow " causing Hermione to smile broadly at him.
They were interrupted by Ludo yelling "Barty".
A wizard had just Apparated at their fireside, and he could not have mad emore of a contrast with Ludo Bagman, sprawled on the grass in his old Wasp Crouch was a stiff, upright, elderly man, dressed in an impeccably crisp suit and tie. The parting in his short gray hair was almost unnaturally straight, and his narrow toothbrush mustache looked as though he trimmed it using a slide rule. His shoes were very highly polished. Hermione could see at once why Percy idolized him. Percy was a great believer in rigidly following rules, and Mr. Crouch had complied with the rule about Muggle dressing so thoroughly that he could have passed for a bank manager.
Percy looked at him weirdly and whispered to Hermione " British wizards are weird . Who wants to keep a toothbrush mustache ? " . Hermione couldn't help but giggle at that .
Fred begin to argue with his dad about the event that is going to happen at Hogwarts this year . Hermione was curious and one look at Percy she found out he knows about the event . Hermione looked at Percy and asked " What is going to happen ? You know it right ? " . Percy grinned and said " Yep . I know about it but you will have to wait since it is a surprise " causing Hermione to groan in annoyance while Percy chuckled at her.
Then the four went to shops and bought souvenirs and when they arrived at the campsite Mr. Weasely announced " It is the time".
-Please review , it will help me to improve further