Chapter 43
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
AN1: The next two chapters are really close to canon as I needed to include a lot of what happens.
AN2: Thank you for the support. PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW.
August 18th 1994
Two mornings later the members of the Lupin-Black/Lupin house as well as Neville are once more up early, but this time it is because they have to go to The Weasley's to travel to the World Cup.
"Why do we have to be up this early?" Harry asks as he, Hermione and Neville, all three of them wearing jeans, t-shirts and jackets, walk into the living room, all three of them also look barely awake, where they find Sirius and Remus, both, actually looking awake, and wearing jeans but Sirius is wearing his leather jacket while Remus is wearing a cardigan, it being more than clear that are both more than comfortable in muggle clothes and now that Sirius has a lot of time away from Azkaban, regular meals, and time around the people he loves he looks a lot better than he did, in fact he has gained back a lot of beauty that Azkaban took away from him
"Because there are a lot of people who need to travel to the cup it's carefully coordinated to try and minimise the chances of magic getting found out because Wizards and Witches aren't the best at hiding themselves when we're excited." Remus explains.
"That's an understatement." Sirius says amused.
"Is it really that bad?" Hermione asks curious.
"Yes." Sirius and Remus say together.
"How are we getting there?" Neville asks curious.
"We're flooing to The Weasley's and then we're all walking to the nearby portkey." Sirius reveals.
"How long's the walk?" Hermione asks curious.
"Not that long." Sirius answers, "But we should get going." He says and one by one everyone grabs their bags and floo to the Weasley's house.
A while after flooing to the Weasley's where they arrived just in time to see Molly fighting with Fred and George, and after a long walk, the Weasly's minus Bill, Charlie and Percy who are Apparting later and Molly who isn't going to the cup, Lupin-Black's, Neville and Harry arrive at the hill where they are going to be taking the Portkey.
"Well, we've made good time, we've got ten minutes." Arthur reveals.
"You okay, Princess?" Sirius asks his daughter as she comes over the crest of the hill, clutching a stich in her side.
"Yes, I'm good." Hermione answers.
"Now we just need to find the Portkey." Remus comments.
"What will it look like?" Neville asks curious.
"It won't be big." Mr Weasley reveals and the group spread out and start to look through the empty field for the portkey.
"Over here, Arthur! Over here, Remus! Over here son, we've got it." A voice says and everyone start to walk towards it where they find two tall figures standing.
"Amos." Mr Weasley says, smiling as he strides over to the man who shouted, the man who is holding a moldy-looking old boot.
"Arthur." The man says shaking his hand, "And Remus, it's good to see you too." He says, shaking Remus's hand once he let's go of Arthur's.
"You too Amos." Remus says, returning the hand shake and smile of the only person in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures who treats him like a human being, "And I'm not sure have you meet Sirius before?" he asks.
"In passing." Amos answers, "It's nice to see you again."
"You too."
"Everyone this Amos Diggory, and his son Cedric. Amos works for the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures." Arthur introduces.
"Hi." Cedric says and everyone, except Fred and George, say hi back.
"Are you all together?" Amos asks surprised.
"Just the red haired are mine." Arthur explains.
"This is mine and Sirius's daughter Hermione, our godson Harry and their friend Neville." Remus explains pointing everyone out.
"Harry? Harry Potter?" Amos asks shocked.
"Er, yeah." Harry answers, feeling uncomfortable as Amos eyes's flicker up to Harry's scar and back.
"Ced's talked about you of course." Amos reveals, "Told us all about playing against you last year, I said to him, I said, Ced, that'll be something to tell your grandchildren, that will… You beat Harry Potter!"
"Really Amos, Harry fell of his broom, it wasn't exactly a fair match up." Sirius points out.
"Mr Black is right, Dad." Cedric objects, "I told you, it was an accident."
"Yes, but you didn't fall off, did you?" Amos says as he slaps his son on his back. "Always modest, our Cred, always the gentleman, but the best man won, I'm sure Harry's say the same, wouldn't you, eh? One falls off his broom, one stays on, you don't need to be a genius to tell which one's the better flier!"
"It wasn't exactly Harry's fault, Amos, there were dementors." Remus says with a frown.
"Must be nearly time." Arthur says, pulling out his watch, putting an end to the conversation, "Do you know whether we're waiting for any more, Amos?"
"No, the Lovegoods have been there for a week already and the Fawcetts couldn't get tickets." Amos comments, "There aren't any more of us in this area, are there?"
"Not that I know of." Mr. Weasley comments, "Yes, it's a minute off. We'd better get ready."
"What do we do?" Harry asks Remus confused.
"You just touch the Portkey, one finger is enough." Remus explains and the large group crowd around the boot, in a tight circle made difficult with their bag, that Amos is holding.
"Three." Arthur mutters, one eye still on his watch, "Two… one." He says and then as soon as hhe says it everyone feels a like a hook just behind their navel has been suddenly jerks forward.
When everything becomes clear it becomes clear that everyone but Mr Weasley, Mr Diggory, Cedric, Remus, and Sirius are on the ground.
"Seven past five from Stoatshed Hill." A voice says as everyone who fell are helped up.
"Moring, Basil." Arthur says as he picks up the boot and hands it to a kilted wizard.
"Hello there, Arthur." Basil says wearily, "Not on duty, eh? It's all right for some, we've been here all night."
"Wow, that would not have been fun." Sirius comments, looking sympathetic.
"It really wasn't." Basil confirms, "You 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 campsites." Basil says as he searches the list, "Weasley, Weasley, about a quarter of a mile's walk over there, first field you come to, Black you're there too, site manager's called Mr. Roberts. Diggory, second field ask for Mr. Payne."
"Thanks, Basil." Arthur says before beckoning everyone forward and they all walk.
After about twenty minutes the large group arrive at a stone cottage next to a gate beyond which there are clearly hundreds upon hundreds of tents. Seeing that the Diggory's say goodbye while the others head towards the cottage door.
At the cottage door a man, who is clearly the only real muggle, is standing.
"Morning." Mr Weasley says brightly.
"Morning." The muggle responds.
"Would you be Mr. Roberts?" Arthur asks.
"Aye, I would." Mr. Roberts said, "And who're you?"
"Black and Weasley, two tents booked a couple of days ago?" Sirius says.
"Aye." Mr Roberts says as he looks at a list that's tacked to the door, "You've got a space up by the wood there. Just one night?"
"That's it." Arthur confirms.
"You'll be paying now, then?" Mr Roberts says and Arthur gets a confused look on his face.
"Why don't I handle the money Arthur." Remus suggests, knowing it will end better that way.
"Yes, that would probably be a good idea." Arthur confirms and Remus steps forward and handle the money with ease so they are able to move on after about a minute.
After about ten minutes of walking through rows of tent that make it more than clear that a lot of people haven't gotten the 'meant to blend in' message, the group reach the very edge of the wood at the top of the field where there is an empty space with two small signs hammered on the grounds, one reading 'Weezly' and the other reading 'Black'
"Wow, Dad, you weren't kidding." Hermione tell her father.
"Always the same." Arthur says smiling, "We can't resist showing off when we get together."
"So true." Sirius says, amused.
"This is a pretty good spot." Remus comments.
"It really is, the field is just on the other side of the wood there, we're as close as we could be." Arthur explains, "Right. No magic allowed, strictly speaking, not when we're out in these numbers on Muggle land. We'll be putting these tents up by hand!" he says, looking excited.
"That won't be a problem. Rem here's been camping plenty of times and always insists on putting the tents up the Muggle way." Sirius reveals as the three adults take off their back packs off.
"Really?" Arthur asks, looking fascinating.
"Yes." Remus confirms, "Hermione, Neville do you remember when I showed you what to do?" Remus asks and they both nod, "Do you?" he asks Sirius.
"Vaguely."
"Okay then, how about we dividing into two groups, one on each tent and try to get them up." Remus suggests.
"Sounds good to me." Arthur confirms and the large group divide into their two groups and all start to put together the tents and together they manage to get them up before too long and once they are together Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville go to get water.
About two hours later Neville, Harry, Hermione and Ron have returned from getting water, a trip that took a while as they ran into a lot of friends, and the fire that Remus helped Arthur start is finally hot enough to cook food on. Though, waiting for the fire isn't as boring as one would expect as Arthur, with impute from Sirius and Remus, are running a commentary of the Ministry members that keep running by and greeting the three adults, something which Hermione, Harry, and Neville all find fascinating.
Once the fire is ready they start to cook eggs and sausages and about then Bill, Charlie and Percy arrive.
"Just Apparated, Dad." Percy says, his voice very loud.
"Ah, excellent, lunch." Charlie says and they join the group and start to eat, the entire group having happy conversation as they eat.
Once everyone is about half way through their food Mr. Weasley jumps to his feet, waving and grinning at a man who is walking towards them.
"Aha!" Arthur says, "The man of the moment! Ludo!" he says and a man who is clearly the worst at trying to blend in as he is wearing long Quidditch robes.
"Ahoy there." Bagman calls happily as he walks towards them, "Arthur, old man." He puffs as he reaches the campfire, "And Sirius, it's damn good to see you." He says to Sirius as they crossed paths while at Hogwarts, were even friends to some degree.
"You too." Sirius says, actually meaning that.
"And you too, Remus." Bagman adds, and Remus just smiles back from where he is sitting right next to Sirius.
"What a day, eh? What a day! Could we have asked for more perfect weather? A cloudless night coming and hardly a hiccough in the arrangements. Not much for me to do!" he reveals as a group of ministry wizards rush past to deal with a magical fire.
As that happens Percy hurries forward to make a good impression.
"Ahh yes." Arthur says grinning, "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 and my daughter Ginny."
"And this is mine and Remus's daughter Hermione, our godson Harry and their friend Neville." Sirius introduces and hearing Harry's name Bagman does the familiar flick upwards to the scar on Harry's forehead.
"Everyone, this is Ludo Bagman." Remus adds.
"He's who we have to thank for the amazing tickets." Arthur finishes, looking at his kids, causing Bagman to wave his hand as if it is noting.
"Fancy a flutter on the match, Arthur? Sirius? Remus?" Bagman asks, "I've already got Roddy Ponter betting me that 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 share in her eel farm on a weeklong match."
"Yeah, I'll take a bet, ten gallons on Ireland to win." Sirius says, handing over the money.
"Okay, that's a pretty fair bet." Bagman says writing it down, "Remus? Arthur?"
"Not for me." Remus comments.
"Yeah, why not, a Galleon on Ireland to win." Arthur comments.
"A Galleon?" Bagman asks, looking slightly disappointed, but he quickly recovers himself, "Very well, very well, any other takes?"
"They're a bit young to be gambling." Arthur says, "Molly wouldn't like it."
"Molly's not here." Sirius points out.
"Sirius." Remus says amusement in his voice.
"What? We were gambling at Ginny's age." Sirius says with a 'you can't stay mad at me, I'm innocent look', but before Remus can say something to his mate Fred quickly starts to speak.
"We'll bet thirty-seven Galleons, fifteen Sickles, three Knuts." Fred says as he and George quickly pooled their money, "That Ireland wins, but Viktor Krum gets the Snitch. Oh and we'll throw in a fake wand."
"You don't want to go showing Mr. Bagman rubbish like that." Percy hisses, but Bagman clearly doesn't think it is rubbish as he takes it with excitement and when it turns into a large rubber chicken, causing Bagman and Sirius to roar with laugher and Remus to grin.
"Excellent! I haven't seen one that convincing in years! I'd pay five Galleons for that!" Bagman says, causing Percy to freeze in stunned disapproval.
"Boys." Arthur says under his breath, "I don't want you betting. That's all your savings. Your mother…..."
"Don't be a spoilsport, Arthur." Bagman says as he rattles his pockets excitedly, "They're old enough to know what they want! You reckon Ireland will win but Krum'll get the Snitch? Not a chance, boys, not a chance. I'll give you excellent odd on that one. We'll add five Galleons for the funny wand, then, shall we." Bagman says as he adds the twins names to the list.
"Cheers." George says as he takes the sip of parchment Bagman hands him.
"Couldn't do me a brew, I suppose?" Bagman asks Arthur, "I'm keeping an eye out for Barty Crouch." Bagman says and the second he does Remus reaches out and takes Sirius hand, honestly hoping that Sirius doesn't have to see that man, "My Bulgarian opposite number's making difficulties, and I can't understand a word he's saying. Barty'll be able to sort it out. He speaks about a hundred and fifty languages."
"Mr. Crouch?" Percy suddenly says, "He speaks over two hundred!" He says, causing Sirius to roll his eyes, "Mermish and Goggledegook and Troll…."
"Anyone can speak Troll." Fred and Sirius say together,
"All you have to do is point and grunt." Fred finishes, causing Percy to throw Fred and extremely nasty look.
"Any news on Bertha Jorkins yet, Ludo?" Mr Weasley asks and as he does Harry goes to say something, but as Sirius and Remus both giving him warning looks he doesn't.
"Not a dicky bird." Bagman says as he makes himself comfortable on the ground, "But she'll turn up. Poor Bertha memory like a leaky cauldron and no sense of direction. Lost, you take my word for it."
"Maybe not. It's odd that she's still missing." Sirius comments.
"That's what Barty Crouch keeps saying." Bagman admits, "he thinks I should send someone to look for her, but we can't spare anyone at the moment. Oh, talk of the devil! Barty!" Bagman says, sounding glad and as he does Sirius closes his eyes and tenses, knowing that he is about to come face to face with the man who sent him to Azkaban without trial.
"It's okay, you're okay, he can't send you back there." Remus whispers into his mate's ear as a man dressed pretty perfectly appears.
"Pull up a bit of grass, Barty." Bagman says, as he pats the ground besides him.
"No, thank you Ludo." Crouch says there being a bite of impatience in his voice, "I've been looking for you everywhere. The Bulgarians are insisting we add another twelve seats to the Top Box."
"Oh is that what they're after?" Bagman asks, "I thought the chap was asking to borrow a pair of tweezers. Bit of a strong accent."
"Mr. Crouch." Percy says, sounding breathless, "Would you like a cup of tea?"
"Oh, yes, thank you Weatherby." Crouch comments and as he does he looks around the circle, "Black." He says, surprise in his voice.
"Crouch." Sirius responds, everyone being able to hear the distain in his voice, "How have you been? Are you still sending innocent people to Azkaban without trials?" he asks, causing Percy to give him a shocked look.
"Now, Sirius, mate, today is a day of fun, there is no point bringing up the past." Bagman comments, trying to defuse the tension.
"That's easy for you to say" Sirius mutters bitterly, and Remus just squeezes his mate's hand, wishing he could do more.
"Oh, Arthur, I've been wanting a word with you too." Crouch says, clearly changing the subject, "Ali Bashir's on the warpath. He wants a word with you about your embargo on flying carpets." Crouch says, causing Mr Weasley to heave a deep sigh.
"I sent him an owl about that last week. If I've told him once I've told him a hundred times: Carpets are defined as a Muggle Artifact by the Registry of Proscribed Charmable Objects, but will he listen?" Arthur asks.
"I doubt it." Mr Crouch says as he takes the cup from Percy, "He's desperate to export here."
"Well, they'll never replace brooms in Britain, will they?" Bagman asks.
"No way, I know some of my relatives have tried." Sirius comments.
"So, been keeping busy, Barty?" Bagman asks breezily.
"Fairly." Crouch says dryly, "Organizing Portkeys across five continents is no mean feat, Ludo."
"I expect you'll both be glad when this this over?" Arthur asks.
"Glad! Don't know when I've had more fun." Bagman comments, looking shocked, "Still, it's not as though we haven't got anything to look forward to, eh, Barty? Eh? Plenty left to organize, eh?" he asks, before turning to Remus and Sirius, "I bet you two are glad that you're at Hogwarts this year." he says to Remus and Sirius.
"It's going to be interesting, that's for sure." Remus comments, causing Crouch to raise an eyebrow.
"We agreed not to make the announcement until all the details…." Crouch starts to say.
"Oh details." Bagman says, waving his hand, "They've signed, haven't they? They've agreed, haven't they? I bet you anything that these kids'll know soon enough anyway, if they don't already, I mean, it's happening at Hogwarts." He says, causing all the students to exchange confused looks, though Harry and Hermione are sure that it is that they are talking about is what they need dress robes for.
"Ludo, we need to meet the Bulgarians, you know." Mr Crouch says sharply, cutting Bagman's remarks short, "Thank you for the tea, Weaterby." Crouch says and he hands the undrunk tea back to Percy and stands, a few second slater Bagman finishes his tea and then struggles to his feet.
"See you all later!" Bagman says, "You'll all be in the Top Box with me, I'm commentating" He reveals before he and Crouch disapparte Crouch doing so after giving a curt nod.
"What's happening at Hogwarts?" Fred asks at once, "What are you all talking about?"
"You'll find out soon enough." Arthur says with a smile.
"You're still going to tell Mione and me soon, right?" Harry asks Sirius in a whisper.
"Definitely." Sirius confirms, with a grin.
As the afternoon wears on a sense of excited rises and as darkness spreads it becomes clear that the ministry has given up trying to stop the blatant uses of magic that is occurring everywhere, when suddenly salesman start to Apparate ever few feet, carrying trays and pushing carts full of extraordinary merchandise.
"Been saving my pocket money all summer for this." Ron tells Harry, Hermione and Neville as they all stroll through the salesmen, buying souvenirs. Ron buys a dancing shamrock hat and a large green rosette as well as a small figure of Viktor Krum, the Bulgarian Seeker. Neville buys an Irish scarf and Hermione and Harry just look.
"Wow, look at these." Harry says as he hurries over to a cart piled high with what look like brass binoculars, except they are covered with all sorts of weird knobs and dials.
"Omnioculars." The saleswizard says, eagerly, "You can reply action, slow everything down, and they flash up play-by-by breakdown if you need it. Bargain, ten Galleons each."
"Wish I haven't brought this now." Ron says, gesturing at his dancing shamrock hat and gazing longingly at the Omnioculars.
"Four pairs." Harry says, firmly to the Wizard.
"No, don't bother." Ron says, starting to go red.
"You won't be getting anything for Christmas." Harry says as he thrusts the Omnioculars into his, Hermione and Neville's hands, "For about ten years, mind." He jokes.
"Fair enough." Ron says, grinning.
"Oooh, thanks, Harry." Hermione says.
"Yeah, thanks Harry." Neville adds, not understanding why Ron has issue with Harry buying them all things.
"And I'll get us some programs, look…" Hermione says pointing to them.
"You're both supporting Ireland, right?" Neville asks, looking at Hermione and Harry and as he sees them nod he purchase scarfs for all of them.
Once the foursome purchases all their souvenirs they head back to the others where it is clear that practically everyone is supporting Ireland.
Suddenly, a deep booming gong sounds and at once green and red lanterns blaze into life in the trees, lighting a path to the field.
"It's time." Arthur reveals, "Come on, let's go." He comments and that's just what they do.
After twenty minutes of walking the group of thirteen arrive at the entrance to the large stadium, Arthur and Sirius in the front as they hand over their tickets for their respective families.
"Prime seats." The Ministry which at the entrance says once she checks all the tickets, "Top box! Straight upstairs, Arthur, Sirius as high as you can go." She says and the group joins the crowed heading upstairs but the higher they go the more the crowed filter away until it's just them left, at the highest point of the stadium situated exactly halfway between the golden posts and in the box there are a little over twenty purple-and-gilt chairs which are in two rows.
Together the Weasley's, Lupin-Black's, Neville and Harry file into the front row, taking all the seats. Looking around it is clear that everyone is amazed by the sights.
"I never thought I'd see something like this again." Sirius mutters.
"I know." Remus says comforting.
As he takes his seat Harry start to look around the box and as he does he quickly realises that the box is empty apart from a creature that is sitting in the second from last seat in the row behind them.
"Dobby?" Harry asks incredulously, but he quickly discovers that it's not Dobby, but in fact a friend of his named Winky who is in fact a friend of Dobby's and is in the top box even though she is afraid of heights.
"So that's a house-efl?" Ron mutters once he, Neville, Hermione and Harry, finish the conversation with the elf, "Weird things, aren't they?"
"Not all of them." Neville comments.
"Dobby was weirder." Harry reveals as Ron pulls out his Omnioculars and starts to use them to stare at the crowed.
As Ron starts to use them to make a member of the crowd pick his noise over and over again Hermione rolls her eyes an starts to skim through the program.
"A display from the team mascots will precede the match." Hermione reads aloud.
"You're really going to want to see that." Sirius tells his daughter.
"National teams bring creatures from their native land, you know, to put on a bit of a show." Remus explains.
For the next half an hour the box begins to fill and as it does Arthur, Sirius and in some cases Remus, shake the hands of people who are obviously very important wizards. Percy on the other hand jumps to his feet so often that it looks like he is trying to sit on a hedgehog, and when Cornelius Fudge arrive Percy bows so low that his glasses fell of and shatter.
"Sirius, it's good to see." Fudge says, taking Sirius's hand and shaking it, "Are you enjoying yourself?"
"Sure."
"And Harry, it's good to see you too." Fudge says, shaking his hand too.
"Harry Potter, you know." Fudge tells the Bulgarian minster loudly, as it seems like he doesn't understand a word of English.
"Harry Potter, oh come on now, you know who he is, the boy who survived You-Know-Who, you do know who he is…" Fudge says and as he does the Bulgarian wizard suddenly spots Harry's scar and starts gabbling loudly, clearly excitedly.
"Knew we'd get there in the end." Fudge says to Harry, "I'm no great shakes at languages; I need Barty Crouch for this sort of thing, Ah, I see his house-elf's saving him a seat. Good job too, these Bulgarian blighters have been trying to cadge all the best places, ah, and here's Lucius." Fudge says as Lucius, Draco and Draco's mother walk in and right over to were Fudge, the Bulgarian's, Arthur, Remus and Sirius are.
"Ah, Cissy, it's really good to see you again, Dear Cousin." Sirius says, with an overtop smile, doing so because it will annoy her.
"Okay, that's exactly how you sound when you call Malfoy dear cousin." Harry whispers to Hermione, sounding surprised, as Sirius sounds freakishly similar to Hermione just then, "You must get that from him."
"Guess so." Hermione responds, looking amused, and feeling amazed that she shared a trait with her father before she even knew him.
"Sirius, I see all those years in Azkaban didn't change you." Narcissa says, giving her cousin a look of loathing.
"I'm impossible to change, you know that." Sirius says with a grin, "I don't believe you've meet my daughter, Hermione. Mione, this is Narcissa your first cousin once removed." Sirius explains and Hermione breaks her glaring match with Draco to give Narcissa a forced smile.
"Ah, Fudge." Mr Malfoy says, loudly, cutting over the conversation between the Black cousins, "How are you? I don't believe you've met my wife, Narcissa? Or our son, Draco?"
"How do you do?" Fudge asks as he bows to Mrs. Malfoy, "And allow me to introduce you to Mr Oblansk- Obalonsk- Mr, well, he's the Bulgarian Minster of Magic, and he can't understand a world I'm saying anyway, so never mind. And let's see, you clearly know Sirius and his family, being related and I daresay you know Arthur Weasley?" he asks.
"Good lord, Arthur." Lucius says softly, "What did you have to sell to get seats in the Top Box? Surely your house wouldn't have fetched this much?"
"What about you, Lucius? I'm guessing a lovely bribe got you here." Sirius says, his voice also quiet, and before Lucius can respond Fudge, who isn't listening says,
"Lucius has just given a very generous contribution to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. He's hear as one of my guests." Fudge reveals.
"How, how nice." Mr Weasley says, with a strained smile, and without a word The Malfoy's continue down to their seats, Draco giving Harry, Hermione, Ron and Neville loathing looks.
"Slimy gits." Ron mutters as everyone takes their seats once more and Ludo Bagman charges into the box.
"Everyone ready?" he asks as looking excited, "Minster, ready to go?" he asks.
"Ready when you are, Ludo." Fudge says and as he does Ludo pulls out his wand and directs it at his own throat, "Sonorus." He says and as he speaks his voice is louder than the roar that is filling the pack stadium, causing his voice to be echoed over everything, booming into every corner of the stands.
"Ladies and gentlemen…. Welcome! Welcome to the final of the four hundred and twenty-second Qudditch World Cup!" Bagman says and as he does everyone cheers and claps, flags wave, and national anthems break out.
"And now, without further ado, allow me to introduce, the Bulgarian National Team Mascots!" he yells causing the right-hand side of the stands to roar in approval.
"I wonder what they've brought." Arthur says as he leans forward in his seat, "Aaah." He says as he hurriedly takes his glasses off and starts to clean them on his robes, "Veela!"
"What are veel….." Harry starts to ask but as he does a hundred Veela glide onto the field and Harry's question is answers as Veel are woman, beautiful woman.
As the Veel start to dance Hermione quickly notices that Neville and Harry, who Hermione are sitting between, look completely dazed and so she quickly checks the rest of the row and notices that everyone but Ginny, Arthur who doesn't have his glasses on so he can't see, and her fathers have the same dazed looks.
"What is going on?" Hermione asks her Dad who just looks amused.
"Veel have a certain effect on people, men who are attracted to woman in particular." Remus explains, looking slightly amused too.
"Harry, what are you doing?" Hermione asks as Harry is standing up and has one of his legs resting on the wall of the box. Ron, looks like he is about to dive from a springboard and Neville seems to be trying to make himself look taller.
As Hermione tries to get Harry's attention the music stops and angry yells fill the stadium, it being clear that no one wants the veel to go.
"You'll be wanting that." Remus says, kindly to Ron who is trying to shred the shamrocks on his hat, "Once Ireland have their say."
"Huh?" Ron ask as he stars open mouthed.
"Honestly." Hermione says annoyed as she pulls Harry back to his seat as Sirius helps Neville.
"And now." Bagman roars, "Kindly put your wands in the air for the Irish National Team mascots." Bagman says and about a second later what looks to be a great green-and-gold comet came zooming into the stadium. It does one circuit of the stadium, then splits into two smaller comets, each hurtling towards the goal posts and then suddenly a rainbow arcs across the field connecting the two balls of light, causing the crowed to oooh and aaaah like it's a firework display. Then the rainbow fades and the balls of light reunite and merge, forming a great shimmering shamrock, which rises up into the sky and begins to soar over the stands, causing something like golden rain to fall.
"Excellent!" Ron yells as the shamrock sores over them and heavy gold coins rain from it, bouncing of their heads and seats.
"Leprechauns!" Arthur says as the crowed applause, while attempting to retrieve the falling gold.
"There you go." Ron yells as he hands a fistful of gold to Harry, "For the Omnioculars! Now you've got to buy me a Christmas present, ha!" and after a few more seconds the shamrock dissolves and the leprechauns drift down and land opposite to the vela.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen, kindly welcome, the Bulgarian National Quidditch Team! I give you Dimitrov!" He says as a scarlet, blurred figure, shots out onto the field, "Ivanova! Zograf! Levski! Vulchanov! Volkov! Aaaand, Krum!"
"That's him, that's him." Ron says, sounding excited.
"And now, please greet, the Irish National Quidditch team." Bagman yells, "Presenting, Connolly! Ryan! Troy! Mullet! Moran! Quigley! Aaaand, Lynch!" Bagman says and seven green blurs sweep onto the field, "And here, all the way from Egypt, our referee, acclaimed Chairwizard of the International Association of Quidditch, Hassan Mostafa!" he yells and a man walks onto the field. The man is bald, but with a moustache and as a silver whistle in his mouth and is carrying a large wooden crate under one arm, his broomstick under the other.
Seconds later Mostafa mounts his broom and kicks the crate open and four balls bust into the air, and once the Golden Snitch speeds out of sight Mostafa gives a sharp blast of is whistle and kicks off into the air.
"Theeeeey're OFF!" Bagman yells as the match begins, to the joy of everyone.
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