Dudley stumbled, feeling dizzy when they emerged.

Percy grabbed his shoulder to steady him. "First time using floo powder?" he asked. "You get used to it. Come along, mother is cooking stew."

Percy led the way to the house—it was just like he remembered, clean but untidy. A home that was clearly lived in. A pile of muddy wellies were outside the door (Dudley assumed the pink ones were Ginny's) along with a large pewter potion which was full of soapy water ready to be washed. There was a flock of chickens pecking around and a pair of goats too.

Dudley kicked off his trainers and entered the Burrow. "Dud, glad you're here," Ron greeted, hurrying down the stairs. "Fred and George are out, but everyone else is here—Dad's just arrived back from the Ministry."

The kitchen was crowded and everyone greeted Dudley when he entered. Molly Weasley was just spooning out her stew (which smelled delicious) onto plates for Dobby to carry. Dobby grinned and waved eagerly upon spotting Dudley.

Sat at the table was Bill Weasley and Charlie, who had been having a conversation when Dudley entered. Dudley had met them both at Christmas during his third year.

"Good to see you, Dudley," Bill said, shaking his hand.

"Looking forward to cup?" Charlie asked. "I reckon its Ireland's this year—the best three seekers in the world."

Arthur Weasley was sat at the table, reading a copy of the Daily Prophet. He looked a bit tired. "Hi, Dudley. Sorry I couldn't pick you up—it's been hectic with last minute preperations for the World Cup."

Also at the table was Ginny and Luna who greeted him warmly. Hermione was stood in the corner, talking to Dean.

"We're eating out in the garden," Molly announced. "There isn't room for all of us in here—especially when Fred and George get here. Come on, chop chop—Bill, did you get the table ready."

"Yes, Mum—you've asked me three times now," Bill Weasley said, rolling his eyes as he led the way out.

The crowd trooped around the back of the Weasley's house where a huge table had been set up with seats for 14.

Dudley sat next to Dean. Luna plopped herself on the seat next to him. He was amused to see that Dobby had a seat at the table too, stacked high with cushions so he could reach his food.

Mrs. Weasley had prepared quite a feast. As well as the big bowl of stew that Percy mentioned, there was a plate of ham cold cuts, a bowl of mashed potatoes, carrots and roast potatoes. Dudley listened to the other's conversations as he heaped food onto his plate.

Next to him, Luna was talking to Dobby all about the upcoming issue of the quibbler which would be about a fresh sighting of a Crumple-Horned Snorkack near Malmö. Dobby was listening intently and nodding every now and then.

At the far end of the table, Percy was telling his father all about his work at the Ministry.

"I've told Mr. Crouch that I'll have it ready by Tuesday," Percy was saying pompously. "That's a bit sooner than he expected it, but I like to keep on top of things. I think he'll be grateful I've done it in good time, I mean, its extremely busy in our department just now, what with all the arrangements for the World Cup. We're just not getting the support we need from the Department of Magical Games and Sports. Ludo Bagman -"

"I like Ludo," said Mr. Weasley mildly. "He was the one who got us such good tickets for the Cup. I did him a bit of a favor: His brother, Otto, got into a spot of trouble - a lawnmower with unnatural powers - I smoothed the whole thing over."

"Oh Bagman's likable enough, of course," said Percy dismissively, "but how he ever got to be Head of Department...when I compare him to Mr. Crouch! I can't see Mr. Crouch losing a member of our department and not trying to find out what's happened to them. You realize Bertha Jorkins has been missing for over a month now? Went on holiday to Albania and never came back?"

"Yes, I was asking Ludo about that," said Mr. Weasley, frowning. "He says Bertha's gotten lost plenty of times before now - though must say, if it was someone in my department, I'd be worried..."

"Oh Bertha's hopeless, all right," said Percy. "I hear she's been shunted from department to department for years, much more trouble than she's worth...but all the same, Bagman ought to be trying to find her. Mr. Crouch has been taking a personal interest, she worked in our department at one time, you know, and I think Mr. Crouch was quite fond of her - but Bagman just keeps laughing and saying she probably misread the map and ended up in Australia instead of Albania. However" - Percy heaved an impressive sigh and took a deep swig of elderflower wine - "we've got quite enough on our plates at the Department of International Magical Cooperation without trying to find members of other departments too. As you know, we've got another big event to organize right after the World Cup."

Percy cleared his throat significantly and looked down toward the end of the table where Dudley and his friends were sitting. "You know the one I'm talking about, Father." He raised his voice slightly. "The top-secret one."

Ron rolled his eyes and muttered to the others, "He's been trying to get us to ask what that event is ever since he started work. Probably an exhibition of thick-bottomed cauldrons."

In the middle of the table, Mrs. Weasley was arguing with Bill about his earring, which seemed to be a recent acquisition.

"...with a horrible great fang on it. Really, Bill, what do they say at the bank?"

"Mum, no one at the bank gives a damn how I dress as long as I bring home plenty of treasure," said Bill patiently.

"And your hair's getting silly, dear," said Mrs. Weasley, fingering her wand lovingly." I wish you'd let me give it a trim..."

"I like it," said Ginny, who was sitting beside Bill. "You're so old-fashioned, Mum. Anyway, it's nowhere near as long as Professor Dumbledore's..."

Next to Mrs. Weasley, Fred, George, and Charlie were all talking spiritedly about the World Cup.

"It's got to be Ireland," said Charlie thickly, through a mouthful of potato. "They flattened Peru in the semifinals."

"Bulgaria has got Viktor Krum, though," said Fred.

"Krum's one decent player, Ireland has got seven," said Charlie shortly. "I wish England had got through. That was embarrassing, that was."

"What happened?" said Dudley eagerly. He didn't have the Wizarding Wireless Network at Privet Drive.

"Went down to Transylvania, three hundred and ninety to ten," said Charlie gloomily. "Shocking performance. And Wales lost to Uganda, and Scotland was slaughtered by Luxembourg."

Dudley was feeling very content and well fed. As he started on his dessert, Charlie leaned his way.

"Ron says your best class is Care of Magical Creatures," he said. "It was mine too, what's Hagrid got you doing?"

Dudley told Charlie about his lessons. He laughed at Hagrid bringing a Manticore in.

"I'm surprised he hasn't shown you more monsters," Charlie said. "He loves them, absolutely loves them. I suppose he's saving the best stuff for NEWT year."

"I'm surprised he hasn't shown us a dragon yet, did you hear about the one he had in first year?"

Charlie laughed. "That's with us now, Norbert he called it. He's lucky he wasn't fired really—Dumbledore pulled some strings. I think he said the dragon was actually his and got Hagrid off the hook. Only Dumbledore can get away with admitting owning an illegal dragon and having nothing happen."

"How did he beat You-Know-Who? Nobody has told me," Dudley said.

"That's because nobody knows," Bill said, joining in the conversation. "All that's known is after You-Know-Who murdered the Potters, Dumbledore was furious. Lily and James were favorites of is—but I think it was the death of little Harry Potter that got to him the most. It seemed to be the trigger to finally motivate Dumbledore to track You Know Who down. All that's known is that Dumbledore chased him up near Aberdeen ..."

Here, Charlie interjected. "There's more to it than that, Dumbledore wasn't alone. He and his brother ..."

"That's not proven," Bill said, sharply. "Most agree Dumbledore went by himself to face You-Know-Who. They dueled and Dumbledore was victorious."

"If Aberforth—Dumbledore's brother—did go, he didn't return," Charlie said.

"Speculation," Bill replied.

"Bit convenient though, Aberforth dying a few weeks later ..."

Dudley hadn't even known that Dumbledore had a brother, Dumbledore had never mentioned him. But then, he hadn't had a conversation with Dumbledore which hadn't revolved around whatever had been happening that year.

After dinner, Mrs. Weasley announced that they would have an early night since they had to wake up early to set off for the World Cup. Before he went to Ron's room, Dudley gave his gift to Mr. Weasley.

"Dudley! These area amazing!" he said, beaming at the batteries. "And this small one is what?"

"A watch battery," Dudley said amused. "For digital watches."

"I don't have any of these batteries yet, do I Molly," Arthur said.

"No dear," Molly said. "Now, don't you all think you should get getting to bed?"