Chapter Six
Pre-Match Fights
Harry, Hermione, and Emily spent the rest of the week at the Burrow. Mr. Weasley had gotten tickets to the Quidditch World Cup and they would be leaving this weekend for the match. Emily had been spending most of her time reading the books Hermione let her borrow and (according to Ginny) she had developed a crush on Harry. She had been writing poems in her diary and had gotten particularly angry with Ron's older twin brothers, Fred and George, for reciting those poems in front of Harry.
Harry didn't mind the attention he had gotten from Emily since he was used to it. Emily had spent her time talking with Hermione about the years she spent at Hogwarts. Emily listened intently to what Hermione was saying and scared at times when she came to something scary. Mrs. Weasley spent her time preparing for Bill's wedding since it was coming up at the beginning of the coming month.
The day before the World Cup, the Weasleys had a magnificent dinner while Fred and George set off their stock of enchanted fireworks after dinner was over. Emily spent her time reading her course books as she scratched her cat's, which she named Snowy, ears. Harry went to bed early to find Ron already in bed and fast asleep. Harry again had a dream concerning a brown haired girl and they were dancing to a waltz. He gazed into her chocolate coated ears and they etched closer to kiss. Harry was startled by a loud snort from Ron. Harry lay awake trying to put a name on his mysterious girl in his dreams. "That can't be Hermione. We are just friends," Harry thought before falling back asleep.
Harry woke up with Ron and they both change before heading downstairs for breakfast. Harry took a piece of toast offered to him by Mrs. Weasley as Mr. Weasley came downstairs. He had done a poor job of dressing like Muggle. He was dressed in an old shirt; which had the collar missing, and with jeans with holes on the legs and the color was fading and they were held up with a thick rope since they were too big and too long. The rest of the Weasleys and Hermione and her cousin came down for breakfast.
"What time are we leaving?" Ginny asked.
"We are leaving tonight by six," Mr. Weasley said promptly.
"Why so late?" Ron asked.
"The United States is hosting this years World Cup and England will be playing them," Mr. Weasley said.
"Good, by that late?" Ron asked.
"Ron, the time is different in the United States and depending where the World Cup is; the time change could be five hours behind England's," Hermione said promptly.
"What do you mean?" Ron asked Hermione but she shook her head and remained silent as she continued to eat her porridge as the rest of the Weasleys came down the stairs.
Since they had several hours until they had to leave for the World Cup, Harry spent his time reading his mother's diary as he tried to get in every detail in all the entries. Ron, meanwhile, was doing his homework; along with Ginny. Hermione was talking to Emily as she continued asking her questions; which know was about the classes she was going to take this term. Emily was appalled at the history that surrounded Hogwarts and how she was going to be able to find her ways around the castle. Hermione reassured her that she couldn't get lost.
The time neared for their departure for the Quidditch World Cup as they left the Burrow almost an hour till six as Mrs. Weasley bid all her sons, Ginny, and her guest farewell. Harry made sure that he had his Omnioculars with him before he left. They headed in the direction where in which Harry had gone with them three years prior, Stoatshead Hill. Hermione was able to tell Emily, who has been intrigued, on the different was that wizards can travel and how they are going to travel.
They made their way up the hill and spent almost fifteen minutes look for the Portkey; which was an old newspaper. They each took hold of the paper; Emily was apprehensive at first, but with reassurance from her cousin; she took hold of the newspaper. Harry felt a jerk behind his navel as he was lurched forward into an old article of the newspaper.
Harry fell and tripped over his feet as he hit the ground. He felt someone fall on his and notice that bushy brown hair was know in his face; who he noticed it was Hermione.
"Six on the hour from Stoatshead Hill," a drawling voice spoke.
Hermione removed herself off of Harry and he rose up dusting himself off as Hermione helped Emily up off the ground. The one who spoke look well dressed; even if a Muggle looked at him, they wouldn't know that he was a wizard. He dressed in a long-sleeved collared shirt with a vest over it. He wore long jeans that were dark blue with a leather belt and the hems of the jeans tucked into his leather boots. On his head, he wore a white hat and Harry could tell that this wizard was dressed like the cowboys of the Old West in the United States.
"Afternoon friend, name?" the wizard asked as Mr. Weasley handed him the Portkey.
"Weasley," Mr. Weasley replied.
He consulted his parchment that he was holding after discarding the Portkey with the other Portkeys in the box. "Quarter mile to the north and first field you come to; ask for Mr. Porter. If I were you; set your watches six hours back since your party came from England and the current time here is noon."
"Thank you," Mr. Weasley said and led the way towards the direction that the wizard had pointed while setting his pocket watch to the correct time.
"It was six in England now-" Ron started but Hermione cut him off.
"Ron, it's not going to be the same time anywhere else. I could lecture you on how time is different in other countries, but you only get more confused."
"Ron, Hermione's right. Time is not going to be the same here as it is in England," Mr. Weasley promptly said as he shifted his knapsack on his shoulder and Harry thought that he said this so that and argument between Hermione and his son could start.
They walked the distance when they came upon a cottage with a man sitting in a chair while resting on of his legs; which was in a cast, on another chair. The man had black hair with hints of gray.
"Afternoon, name?" he asked.
"Weasley," Mr. Weasley.
The man consulted a list in his hand, "Near the woods; just the night?"
"Yes," Mr. Weasley said reaching into his pocket.
"I hope you have the right currency."
"Pardon," Mr. Weasley asked.
"I had many people pay me with gold coins and others with foreign currency. I had to have my brother sort it out since he can change the currency into the right amount needed."
"Is there a problem, John," a new voice spoke and a man dressed in a shirt and jeans approached.
"No, I was just telling this gentleman of the problems that have arisen with different currency," the man named John answered.
"Don't worry about him," the man said to Mr. Weasley, who had an apprehensive look on his face. "This is my brother and since the World Cup is held here; I asked him to help since he owns this plot of land."
"Can't be too careful," Mr. Weasley said taking out, what Harry could tell, his currency of British pounds.
"I can exchange the currency for you here," the man said taking out a small box and tapping it with his wand, and the box expanded.
The box hovered as the man opened the box. Mr. Weasley gave him some of the pounds and the man exchanged them with greenish bills before giving the bills to his brother, John. The man then gave Mr. Weasley his change back in British pounds.
"Your map," the man said taking a map that was held down with a brick and handed it to Mr. Weasley before he put the bills into a jar in John's hand and after shrinking the box and putting it back into his pocket.
They walked toward the woods and Hermione spoke, "I thought that we were not supposed to use magic here."
"Well since, I think, that Muggle knew our world already; it was okay. I also think different Ministries have different rules governing our kind," Mr. Weasley said.
They walked near the woods and found a sign that read: Weasley. Mr. Weasley set down the knapsack as Harry, Hermione, and Emily; being raised by Muggles, started to help set up camp.
"Okay," Mr. Weasley said after the tents were up and a fire had been started; provided by Hermione since Mr. Weasley was fascinated be the way a fire starts from the matches. "We will need water. Ron, Harry, Ginny, and Hermione, go get us some water near the lake."
They left; with Emily coming along, as Mr. Weasley stayed behind as the rest of his sons talked to some of their old friends. As they walked with Ron and Harry carrying buckets, Harry could feel that it was much hotter than it was back in England, or maybe it was hot since he was wearing jeans. They continued toward the lake to find several others around the lake getting water. They approached near the shore of the lake near a boy and girl; that looked a few years younger than Harry, who were also getting water. They both wore short-sleeved shirts and shorts; Harry just thought that it must be much hotter here than it was back in England. Harry and Ron bent over to fill their buckets until a sneering voice called out and Harry knew the voice too well.
"Well, if it isn't Potty, a Weasel, and a Mudblood," they turned to see a blonde haired boy named Draco Malfoy; he was accompanied a girl they knew to be Pansy Parkinson and a boy and girl they have not seen. Malfoy's insult toward Hermione was heard by the people near the lake as they turned to watch.
"Do you think that killing the Dark Lord will make you famous Potter?" after Malfoy said this the crowd whispered what they have heard. "You, Weasel, did your parents have to sell their house to get here?" Both Harry and Hermione had to hold Ron back before the could advance on Malfoy. "You who's this?" Malfoy said spying Emily behind Hermione.
"My cousin," Hermione said.
"Just what Hogwarts needs-" but before Malfoy could finish, and Harry knew what Malfoy was about to say; Hermione punched him hard on the nose and Harry could have sworn he heard Malfoy's nose break. The crowd groan as Malfoy was hit as he staggered back with his hands over his nose. He removed his hands to find that his nose was bleeding profusely and hands stained with blood. Malfoy tried to approach them again but the boy that was between them and Malfoy put his hand out and pushed Malfoy back then faced him; although being a head shorter, he didn't back down as Malfoy tried to intimidate him. Malfoy didn't wait to talk; he tried to punch the boy, but the boy ducked before hitting Malfoy with an uppercut to the jaw. The punch sent Malfoy off his feet and into the lake as the crowd groaned from the punch. The boy was massaged his hand that he had punched Malfoy with; then he turned with his fists ready to the boy that had been approaching him from his side. Harry could see that the two knew or loathed each other as they stood not moving. Malfoy came out of the lake soaked and nose still bleeding. He approached the boy who hit him, but when he tried to punch him; the boy grabbed his arm and threw Malfoy over his shoulder. Malfoy hit the ground hard as the crowd groaned as Malfoy groaned in pain.
Malfoy stood up quickly and tried to approach the boy again but the boy, who had dark brown hair with hints of blonde, that was with him put a hand on his shoulder and muttered something to Malfoy. Malfoy gave a dirty look toward the one who attacked him and left. Pansy Parkinson and the other girl, with light black hair, also gave the boy a look of disgust before leaving. The boy turned to face; from what Harry could tell, was an irritated look from his friend.
The boy had dark brown hair that was slightly ruffled from the skirmish with Malfoy to face the girl with dark brown hair that was tied up into a ponytail and she had the look of that someone had done wrong.
"That was not necessary, Jason," she said with her arms crossed.
"I acted out of self-defense, and do you think I would let a fight break out because of a punch to the face after an insult. You know that he deserved that punch," the boy replied with a slight drawling in his voice.
The crowd that were watching slowly started to go about their business.
"Hello," the boy named Jason said spotting Harry and his friends, "sorry about that. I, myself, can't allow a Muggle-born be insulted as much as the next person can."
"Not at all," Hermione said as she comforted her cousin.
"Nice right hook," Jason replied.
"Thanks, but I only did that because that git was about to insult my cousin."
"Still that wasn't necessary," the girl with Jason replied.
"Not necessary! That was bloody brilliant. How did you learn to fight like that?" Ron as appalled.
"You can learn a lot from the way Muggles fight. I used self-defense the way a Muggle would learn. I don't need magic to settle petty arguments like this," Jason replied. "Now tell me who that was you and I just hurt."
"Draco Malfoy," Harry replied.
"Malfoy? Any relation to Lucius Malfoy?"
"Yes," Harry replied.
"You are Harry Potter," Jason pointed at Harry; not even staring at Harry's scar, "You are; by that Malfoy character's insult, any relation to the ones who set up Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes."
"Ron and yes I am related to them. Why?" Ron asked.
"The products they sell are very popular and have been selling far too quickly to stay in stock here. Your two names are?" Jason continued and looked at Hermione and her cousin.
"Hermione and my cousin Emily," Hermione replied.
"I am Ginny Weasley, and I am Ron's sister," Ginny said.
"My name is Jason Wright and this is-" Jason started but Ron interrupted.
"Are you related-" Ron started but was interrupted by Jason.
"Yes, I am related to Bowman Wright, the creator of the Golden Snitch," he sounded angry at what Ron was about to say. "This is my friend Juliet."
"I wish I could fight like you," Ron said after they greeted each other.
"It takes years and years to learn and hours of practice. You can learn the basics in a few months, but learning some of the advanced moves takes years. I hope you are not thinking of learning Muggle self-defense as revenge for Malfoy's insults."
"What? No," Ron said, but Harry could tell that Ron would love to get back at Malfoy for all the insults that he had received over the years.
After they had gotten their water, they bid farewell as they left in opposite directions to return to their tents. When they had approached their tents, Mr. Weasley had been talking to a number of Ministry officials and didn't notice them as they approached. Hermione decided that they should go for a walk to see if they can see anyone else from Hogwarts. They walked around the England supporters' camp and couldn't find anyone else from Hogwarts. Ron had an idea to see what the United States supporters camp looked like. Hermione silently agreed since she had said that she wanted to go there when she left Hogwarts to see more of the country than what they see now.
They approached a hill and as they came across the crest of the hill; they saw that the campsite had a pattern to it. There were three colors that Harry could see: red, white, and blue. He could see what he could tell are a number of stars against a blue background and a number of stripes alternating between the colors of red and white. The sound of a shutter was heard and Harry turned to see the two they had seen by the lake.
"Hello," Jason said as he spotted them, "I thought that I would get a picture of the campsite before the start of the World Cup, and while there is enough light."
"It looks beautiful," Hermione said. "Is the campsite situated to look like the nation's flag?"
"Yes, we Americans have a strong sense of patriotism to our nation," Jason said.
"How strong?" Ron inquired.
"Very strong. I can't explain it to you if you haven't any knowledge of Muggle history."
Ron was about to say something but Hermione interrupted him.
"I can't tell what the flag looks like since it is difficult to tell from here."
"The stars against the blue background each represent the number of states in the Union, or the United States," the girl name Juliet said. "There are fifty states in the Union. The stripes each represent the original thirteen colonies that had where founded by Great Britain before the start of the American Revolution in 1776."
"The what?" Ron asked.
Juliet just rolled her eyes.
"As I said; if you haven't read Muggle history; you won't understand. I will tell you in words you can understand. America was founded by your country, England, but the people in the original colonies didn't have any representation in the laws that were made; so they had a revolted. They signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, and a revolution broke out. America won their independence and we have been a country ever since. From the thirteen original colonies; we grew into fifty individual states," Jason said and Harry could tell that Ron didn't understand a word.
"You must know your Muggle history very well," Hermione said changing the subject.
"Yes, I know my Muggle history very well, and in the American wizarding schools; we learn the history of our country along side with the history of the wizarding community."
They continued to talk; mainly of the differences between the wizarding schools. Harry learned that there are at least one school per state, but there can be more due to the population of each state. They also learned that American students started learning at age six and continued for the next twelve years. They bid each other farewell since Harry and friends hadn't eaten, and due to the time change, since they have left the Burrow.
They made their way back toward their tents to find Mr. Weasley trying to warm their dinner on the open fire. Hermione helped him and it took her half an hour for her to help him fix dinner. The sun was slowly setting and the temperature was still hot. Harry could see that the England supporters were spending their times inside their tents due to the heat. Harry could see the American Ministry officials in shorts and Harry could see some of the other officials having a hard time coping with the heat. The sound of a gong was heard and that was the single for the supporters to fill the stadium for the Quidditch World Cup.