Chapter 2

The small group headed off down the path, most of its members yawning in the early morning light. Mr. Weasley seemed especially excited and was humming happily as they started to ascend a little hill. At the top two people were waiting for them, and as they drew nearer the two figures waved.

Drawing closer, Hermione and Ginny smiled to each other. Noticing their batting eyelids, Serena poked them in the ribs, "Want to let me in on the secret?"

Ginny giggled, "You should be the last one talking about secrets,"

"You told her?" Hermione raised her eyebrows at Serena.

"If 'you told her' is the same as 'walking in on' then…"

"They were pretty cozy when-" Ginny added, but was then cut off by Serena.

"That is beside the point," Serena narrowed her eyes at Ginny, "you have been sworn to secrecy. What I was referring to was that little gesture that passed between you and Hermione."

"Oh come on," Ginny sighed, "Don't even try to pretend you don't see Mr. Hunk over there!" she whispered. Glancing again to the top of the hill, the three looked to a tall and handsome brunette waving down at them all.

Hermione smiled, "Cedric Diggory." Her and Ginny batted their eyelashes once more and giggled under the breaths, for they neared the top of the hill and Cedric Diggory and his father were both smiling broadly.

"Amos my good friend, are we all set to go?" Mr. Weasley embraced the tall man warmly.

"Arthur, it's been ages." They pulled away and Mr. Diggory looked at them all, "I suppose we'll be off as soon as introductions are made."

"Of course, of course!" Mr. Weasley pointed to each in turn, "These are my boys, George, Fred, and Ron. Then my girl Ginny and her friends Hermione Granger and Serena Black." Ron glared slightly at Ginny and she spat out her tongue at him.

Whispering quickly to Serena and Hermione, "Ron's convinced that I've stolen you two from him." Serena and Hermione laughed quietly while Mr. Weasley's hand rested on Harry's shoulder.

"And this is Harry Potter," Mr. Weasley looked to Mr. Diggory, their eyes communicating briefly.

"Lovely to meet you all!" Mr. Diggory exclaimed, "This here is my boy Cedric."

Cedric's smile turned towards the three girls, "It's a pleasure to see you all." As he turned away Ginny fanned herself with one hand and pretended to swoon.

"Well, well. I'm sure we're excited to be off now!" Mr. Weasley began walking towards an old resting in the middle of the hill, "Alright everyone! Grab a part of the port key and don't let go." Mr. Diggory held out the boot and everyone looked for a spot to grab.

Everyone was tightly packed around, squeezed tightly together. George slid in behind Serena and innocently touched part of the torn boot while he playfully tugged on a belt loop on her jeans. However since everyone was in such close quarters no one noticed, although Serena swore she saw Ginny wink at her.

Once everyone was touching the boot, there was suddenly a whoosh of air and a feeling quite like a vacuum, sucking them away. This feeling lasted for only a moment before the whirling scenery around them began to slow and they were thrown down to the ground. There were several thumps as various bodies hit the ground. Serena sat up and rubbed her lower back, slightly sore from the fall. Looking around she saw Hermione and Ginny doing the same.

Seeing a hand loom above her, she grasped it and was pulled up, the hand was George's. Her hand remained clasped in his until at last he pulled away, her palm still tingling from the feeling. He threw a smile at her and turned to join Fred as he bounded after Mr. Weasley.

Ginny linked her arm through Serena's, "Too good," she repeated and dragged her after the others.

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"Everyone," Mr. Weasley raised his arms theatrically, "welcome to the world cup!"

Around them people bounded through tents and stands, all sorts of colors waving in the air. Different wizards from all around the world walked by wearing an assortment of green or scarlet, a small group of wizards had even gathered (each clad in their team's colors) and seemed as if a fight would soon start. Serena stared in wonder around her, her face matching many of those near her.

Mr. Weasley led them to a tent and pulled aside the flap and rushed them all inside. The tent seemed terribly small and shabby; Serena looked at it in apprehension, Harry also sharing her look. Harry looked at her and shrugged his shoulders before stepping inside. She followed and was surprised to find the inside was enormous and even had separate rooms.

Ginny and Hermione waved her over and she found them inside a tent with two bunks inside, they all plopped their bags on a bed and Ginny looked skeptically at Hermione, who was putting her bag on a top bunk.

"I dunno Hermie; I think maybe we should put Serena on a top bunk instead."

Catching the hint right away, Hermione nodded vigorously, "You know you're absolutely right. I don't think we can trust Serena sleeping near the floor. Anyone could come in and take advantage!"

Serena responded by throwing a pillow at her and Ginny started laughing at both of them. Hermione winked at Serena and they both raised pillows towards her. "Wait-" she started to say, but Hermione and Serena flung the pillows at her. After recovering from being struck she immediately picked one up and started hitting them both.

Soon they all had pillows in hand and were laughing at each other as one of the pillows ripped. Serena had flung it up to hit Hermione and didn't even notice it had ripped until feathers began raining down on them all. They laughed even harder and Serena swung the pillow at Ginny, even more feathers pouring out.

"What the bloody hell happened here?" Ron and Harry were peering inside the room and all three exchanged mischievous looks. Then they threw all the pillows at the boys, one last explosion of feathers blasting from the opening of their room as the other two pillows burst. Hermione, Ginny and Serena collapsed on a bed, exploding with laughter at Harry and Ron's disgruntled and feather writhen faces.

"By George I think I've had a revelation!" Fred peered in over the shoulders of Harry and Ron, both smothered in feathers.

"Oh my Fred I think I've had one too!" George picked up a handful of feathers and threw them in the air, shouting together they said, "Exploding Pillows!"

Fred said to the three girls, "Well done ladies! You've just invented a new product for Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes!" Fred and George high-fived each other and hurried away discussing ways of production and product labels.

Mr. Weasley then hurried up, "Oh my, what happened here?" He waved his wand and the feathers flew back to their pillows and the seams closed up once more, "That's better, isn't it. Well, if you'll get in your quidditch gear we can start to head to the stadium!" Mr. Weasley hurried away, wearing his own green and gold colors in support of the Irish.