***PLEASE READ THIS!
Hi :3 Okay so I've come up with a new idea! I was thinking of not doing updates anymore. Not in writing at least. Some of you may know I have a DeviantArt account (it's where the comic for chapter 70 was). Anyway I thought it'd be a nice idea to have the updates there instead. This way you don't have to read them if you don't want to and we can have only the actual story chapters here instead. So do you think this is a good idea? Seriously I want your opinion since the point of an update is for you (aka the reader) to know what's going on and stuff. For those wondering the way I would go about doing that is probably to write a little snippet like *New Update Deviation* at the top of the page of new chapters so if you wanted you could go see it. I could number them too I guess, to make things easier to find. And FYI my account name is AnnyBee3 since someone already had AnnyBee :'( … So let me know your opinion on the matter in a PM or review and enjoy the chapter (^-^)/ ***
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We waited for the fire to get a little warmer before we could put anything to cook. The group sat together as Mr. Weasley spoke about the Ministry. I guessed he was doing that for Harry and Hermione's benefit since the rest of us had family working there. I recognized some people as they kept passing by our campsite; they were from the Ministry too. They greeted Mr. Weasley pleasantly as they walked but none of them seemed to notice me among the group of redheads and Gryffindors. But I doubt any of them would believe it was me even if they saw me. Not just because of my company but because of my very Muggle looking attire. I excused myself from the group after a little while and walked into the tent to get some things out of my bag.
I had brought some treats Alla made for Lev for the trip. He had developed a fixation on chocolate. As I looked for the small tray they were wrapped in I stumbled across the old and useless looking piece of parchment I shared with Draco. We didn't use it much seeing as we were almost always with each other but I still liked to carry it around with me, just in case. I took it out of the bag and put it inside the pocket of my pants before getting Lev's treats. If he didn't have his sugar he got restless. And a restless magical puppy is never good, especially near Muggles. I walked back outside and took my seat next to George pulling my puppy onto my lap as I did. He looked much happier as he bit down on his treats and Mr. Weasley began to cook.
"Just Apparated, Dad" someone called loudly from behind us. "Ah, excellent lunch!"
Percy came into view, stepping closer to the fire along with two other redheads. One was rather tall and lanky while the other looked more like the twins but with more freckles. It wasn't until they sat down with their plates of food that they noticed me. Percy frowned in confusion trying to remember where he knew me from while the others stared wide eyed. I wondered for a second if I had met them once before, on separate occasions of course, while out with my father doing errands. He liked to take me places with him. While my mother liked to keep me fragile and ladylike, Papa liked to teach me how he went about his day; personally I liked my father's way best.
"These are my sons: Bill, Charlie and Percy." Mr. Weasley said after a note of silence. "Boys, this is Katerina. She's Fred and George's friends"
"Volkov, right?" the tall one with the long hair asked. I nodded and smiled a little. Again there was silence. I played with Lev's fur not bothering to say anything else. I never really minded silences even when I knew they weren't supposed to be there. If it bothered someone then they could change it but it was fine by me.
"So Bill works for Gringotts. He's a curse breaker" George said trying to fill the silence. I smiled as he continued. "I think I've told you that since we went on the trip to Egypt last year. Charlie's visiting us from Romania. He works with dragons and –"
"You get to work with dragons?!" I yelled accidentally. Lucky! I wish I could work with dragons
"Yes, I do" Charlie smiled as others chuckled around us. "Are you interested in them?"
"I am" I smiled. "It's a shame they're thought to be dangerous"
"Thought to be?" Ron repeated incredulously. "They are literally untamable"
"I get that they breath fire and kill people and all that but how do you know there's not a nice dragon out there. For all you know they can be domesticated and people have just been going about it the wrong way" I told him waving my hand dismissively.
"She's joking right?" he asked looking around bewildered. Everyone else laughed, even Ginny who had been somewhat serious since we left the tent. It occurred to me they thought I was but if I got the chance I wanted a dragon. They were powerful and looked fun
With the tension gone everyone ate from their plates of eggs and sausage. I gave Lev some of mine after seeing he was eyeing those of people around. I didn't want to be a bother to any of them as I knew my being there had already changed their plans for family time. Though they were kind people and didn't show it Ron and Ginny's expressions confirmed my thoughts
A little while passed and Ludo Bagman showed up. He was an old Quidditch player and apparently the reason the Weasleys got their tickets. I sat eating quietly staring at the man. I liked doing that, watching people and seeing how much I could decipher with one glance. He was seemingly humble but, really, he liked attention. He was somewhat kind but that could be selfish kindness, something I wasn't a stranger to. And he liked to gamble
"…any other takers?" Bagman asked our group after betting with Mr. Weasley. The one galleon he offered was obviously not enough for Bagman. He cared about money, but also appearances, trying to hide his desires behind playfulness
"They're a bit young to gamble." Mr. Weasley told him. "Molly wouldn't like –"
"We'll bet thirty-seven Galleons, fifteen Sickles, three Knuts," Fred interrupted as he and George started getting their money together next to me, "that Ireland wins – but Viktor Krum gets the Snitch. Oh and we'll throw in a fake wand."
I frowned at this exchange. However likely I thought that was to happen I didn't want them betting that much. And certainly not with this man. While he may act friendly, people can have an ugly side. He cared a lot about money, of that much I was sure. The man took out a notepad and quill and my frown deepened. He was prepared for several and most likely large bets…
"Are you sure about this?" I whispered to George. He gave me a reassuring smile
"Cheers" he said taking slip of parchment from Bagman and tucking it into the front of his clothes
Some more conversation went on but I couldn't look away from Bagman. He better not do something to their money or he'll be sorry. I drank from my tea not turning away from the man. After a while another man joined us, Barty Crouch. I'd met him a few times but paid him no attention. Lev noticed my trance and began nuzzling his nose in the crook of my arm. I smiled and picked him up. He was getting heavier but had stayed rather small even through the years. I was so glad he was a half breed
The adults began discussing work and my mind drifted. The things Papa worked on I found appealing, this not so much. He often dealt with dangerous creatures or people. Or he participated in discussions of territorial restrictions sanctioned in other countries allowing him to travel; sometimes he took me with him. These two men and their flying carpets, or whatever it was these people were conversing about, did not catch my attention. Though Mr. Weasley was a sweet man I had to admit I found his job tedious. But to each their own…
"I expect you'll both be glad when this is over?" I heard Mr. Weasley say as my mind began to come back down to earth. Bagman looked surprised by the remark stating that, on the contrary, he was enjoying this time. And that he wasn't done just yet
"Plenty left to organize, eh?" he said to Crouch who raised his eyebrows
"We agreed not to make the announcement until all the details –"
"Oh details!" Bagman interrupted Crouch. "They've signed, haven't they? They've agreed, haven't they? I bet you these kids will know soon enough anyway. I mean, it's happening at Hogwarts –" Where they talking about the Triwizard Tournament? It would make sense seeing as that wasn't supposed to be spoke of yet. My father had told me anyway. He wasn't supposed to but it's not like anyone would tell him not to. Like me he didn't like being told no.
The men left shortly after that leaving behind their cups of tea along with some now very curious young wizards. Looking around it was clear the Ministry had gotten tired of stopping people from using magic. Salesmen were Apparating about with many souvenirs and such to choose from. I stood up
"Want anything?" I asked the twins pointing to the wizard who Apparated not too far from us with a cart full of fun looking items
"We don't have any money" Fred smiled up at me though he knew I meant I was paying
"You can pay me back later" I tried to assure them but it didn't work
"Even if we won we wouldn't be able to pay you back for all you've bought us" George said as his smile waivered just slightly
"What are you doing?" Fred asked me
"Eating" I smiled. I had sat back down and pulled out a piece of chocolate I had from Lev's little pile. My puppy looked up but noticing it was for me he turned back down to rest his head on my lap
"Why? Aren't you buying souvenirs?"
"Nah" I told them with a smile. They each gave me a sad smile before getting more food themselves. I handed them some of Lev's treats which he wasn't too happy about. Once the rest of them returned, all sporting their own souvenirs, it wasn't long before the gong went off, beckoning us
"It's time!" Mr. Weasley told us looking very excited. "Come on, let's go!"
We made our way towards the field together, though each seemed to find their own little group. I gestured Lev along as I walked with the twins. Hermione stayed at Ron and Harry's side and Ginny with her father and other brothers. We had to climb several steps to get to our seats. I never really liked stairs, but being at Hogwarts and living in a house with so many floors, one kind of got used to them. Still it was a bit annoying
"Ugh too much walking" I grumbled and the twins laughed. I saw Ron giving me a look but doubted he'd say anything rude with his father so close by. Lev wasn't helping ether. He had refused to walk this much and not wanting him to get lost I picked him up. He didn't like anyone here so it was up to me to carry him. Well maybe Hermione but their relationship wasn't at that level just yet. Finally we reached the Top Box. We slid into the front row of seats for the best view. I sighed happy to give my feet a rest after having climbed so much. Mr. Weasley really had gotten great seats. The view was perfect and right in the middle of the field.
People kept walking into the Top Box. I didn't look at any of them, not caring who they were. The twins and I talked idly about match meanwhile. I still thought they had made a mistake betting that amount of money but I didn't want to ruin their fun. There was shuffling as one by one everyone found their seats. Lev growled suddenly surprising me and making both the twins jump a little. I found it strange that he would do that for no reason but it didn't take long before the reason showed itself
"Ah, and here's Lucius!" Cornelius Fudge exclaimed and my head snapped to the door. I hadn't even realized Fudge was here but that's not what got my attention. Looking behind me the Malfoys stood by the entrance. Mr. Malfoy greeted the Minister of Magic and introduced his family to him. I could see Draco's eyes looking for me in the mixture of Weasleys. They found me between twins and he frowned. I smiled at him. Next to him Mr. Malfoy looked towards us as well, but his eyes swept past me only noticing my company.
"Good lord, Arthur," Mr. Malfoy said softly. "What did you have to sell to get seats in the Top Box? Surely your house wouldn't have fetched this much."
"Lucius," Fudge spoke as if he hadn't heard him, "has just given a generous contribution to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, Arthur. He's here as my guest"
"How –how nice" Mr. Weasley said with a stiff smile.
Mr. Malfoy ignored him and looked over to Hermione who stood, or rather sat, her ground. She didn't let him intimidate her. I knew I liked her for a reason. She shouldn't be ashamed of being Muggle-born, she was still a brilliant witch even with that. Mr. Malfoy went to sit in his seats with his family behind him, seats not too far from me and twins. Once sat I turned around and smiled at them
"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy. Hi Draco" I greeted deciding that calling him Deedee in front of the twins was probably not a good idea. The set of blondes looked at my face suggesting they thought there was a mistake
"Miss Volkov..." Mr. Malfoy said wide eyed
"I wasn't aware that you would be coming" Mrs. Malfoy looking at company with distaste
"Nor was I with you" I replied looking at Draco. He hadn't told me they were coming. Though he didn't look the least bit surprised to see me since I had told him…
"What are you doing with these... people?" Mrs. Malfoy said since I was sitting quite comfortably between Fred and George. Her tone was nasty as if "people" wasn't the word she would've liked to use
"They're my friends," I heard Ron snort at the comment, "and they invited me, so I came. Plus I wanted to watch the game." From corner of my eye Fred and George looked a little smug. Draco was still frowning. I didn't like the way the Malfoys were looking at the Weasleys, as if they were dirt. But I knew I couldn't change their minds so why bring it up? Just leave things as they were
"So you came with them" Mr. Malfoy said as if still not believing me. "And your father? I would expect him to be with you." Were they not listening or something?
"My father knows where I am. Thank you for your concern but we're fine" I smiled at him. I gave Draco one last look before turning back around. Maybe he thought I'd changed my mind and decided it wasn't worth mentioning he'd be here too, though I didn't think so. Bagman finally stepped in and began announcing. With his wand to his throat he began the game