"Okay is everybody ready?" Sirius asks as tired looking bunch of teenagers standing on the patio.
"Vell ve vould ve iv it vasnt siv o clock in the morning."
"Sorry what was that Harry? I don't speak yawninsh mate." Sirius replied humorously as he winked at Harry.
"Oh very funny Sirius. I said that we would be ok if it wasn't six o'clock in the morning.
"Ah well Harry you see we have to leave this early in order to get there on time." Remus said standing up from the bench and stretching.
"Yes but the match is not for hours Remus."
"I agree with you Ron. However, we will need this time before the match to get organised. We need to find our tents, get something to eat….."
"So all of that is going to take us nine hours is it?"
"Well you know what Ryan? You can stay here if you like and help your mother and grandmother bake a cake for your sisters Birthday tomorrow. Perhaps you would rather go shopping with lily and molly for presents. Would you prefer to do that?"
"No dad….." Ryan answered meekly.
"Well then stop complaining and get with the programme son!" Sirius said sharply.
"Harry May I have a word with you please?"
Harry looked at his Godfather quizzically but followed upon seeing him beckoning him towards him. They walked down to the end of the garden because what Sirius was about to say he didn't want anybody else to hear.
After checking that nobody had followed them Sirius turned to a perplexed Harry and said….
"Harry, Remus told me about a dream you had."
"Oh? Which one was that?"
"The one where…..death eaters trampled the grounds after the match and left their mark. Are you okay?" He asked placing a hand on his shoulder. Harry who had his head bowed slowly looked up at him and answered steadily.
"Yeah. I'm fine Sirius. It's Ryan that I feel sorry for. Why were you so heavy with him?"
Sirius stood back a little and tensely replied.
"Heavy? I wasn't heavy with him Harry."
"Padfoot, you tore his right arm off and fed it to Moony. Now the only time that you that you lay into any of us like that is when something is bothering you and I am not talking about a tooth ache here."
Sirius studied him for a few seconds, taking in every word that he uttered. He knew that Harry was right and so…..even though he was warned not to tell him he felt he, Harry had the right to know.
"The first thing that you have to understand Harry is that this is strictly order business so by right I should not be telling you this however, I like James think you should kept within the loop to a certain degree. I don't mean to scare you kid but……Dumbledore has suggested that members of the order throw their weight around Hogwarts this year. After the events of the last year…..he is a little bit concerned that something…..else could happen this year."
"Did he say what?"
"No Harry. He is not 100 certain but when he heard about your dream…..that Hogwarts was hosting a tournament…his mind went into overdrive and well….lets just say that we all need to be on our guard from here on in."
"Okay Sirius. Have you heard from Rob?"
"Yes. Harry he isn't coming back. He wants to finish his education over in America. After the events of last year who can blame him?"
"I can Sirius. If Dumbledore is right and things are about to get worse then we should all stick together and not abandon each other….."
"Harry….Rob was born and raised in America. He became an orphan at the age of seven and without any say was forced to start a new life in a new country with a family he barely knew. I tried to be the father that he wanted but I'm afraid that I failed. When he first came here you and I were inseparable but you knew that Rob needed some stability. You had James I know but you are James son…..my best friend's son…..my godson and I swore to you from day one to always be there for you no matter what. Rob just couldn't get that……I tried Harry but when push came to shove…..Id die for you ten million times over before I would for Rob. I would do anything to keep you safe."
Sirius embraced Harry tightly for about a minute before Harry broke away and asked….
"So what aurors are going to be at Hogwarts this year?"
"Well there are already some there. There is Dumbledore of course, Mc gonagall, Moody, Remus, Snape….."
"Snape?? Snape is an auror??"
"Yes. Dumbledore trusts him and allows him to be a member of the order of the Phoenix. I and James are still suspicious of him but Albus wont here of it….
Tonks and I will be sharing our role with your dad and Kingsley up until Christmas at least."
"So that means that we will be able to see more of each other….."
"Yes but it also means that I will be able to keep an eye on snivilus and mark my words Harry…..the one thing that I can faithfully promise you is that he wont be making your life a hell this year."
"Cool. Thank you Sirius."
"It's alright….high five!" they both laughed as they high fived each other and then walked up to the patio where Arthur and the others had arrived to go to the quiddtich world cup.
"Hey ya Harry! Hey ya Sirius!" Fred and George exclaimed gleefully.
Alright fellas? Arthur have you got the portkey?"
"Yes I sure do Sirius. Are we all set to go?"
"Yes I think so….James?"
"Everything is in order." He nodded to Sirius, Remus and Arthur while the kids looked at each other quizzically.
"Alright troops lets go." Arthur chimed with a smile.
"Dad where are we going? We can't apparate off these grounds! So….. "
"We are just going a few metres out the road so…..everybody ready? James are you taking a count?"
"I am Arthur….okay so we got Harry, Arielle, Ryan, Hermione, Ron, Fred, George, Ginny and us four would make twelve. Alright let's go."
They walked a few metres as Arthur had said to a field where a large, worn old boot lay. As they approached it Remus asked….."
"Are you sure Arthur that this will be sufficient for the twelve of us?"
"Oh yes of course Remus….."
"Wait a minute….we have to….touch that?"
"Yes Arielle but don't worry….we are all in the same position now come on time is of the essence!" James shouted.
They all placed one hand on the boot, Arielle reluctantly did so. Within seconds the boot began to carry them threw the air and sent them swirling for a minute or so but what felt like a never ending roller coaster ride to the inexperienced port key travellers. Eventually they all landed on the grounds of the world cup.
"Welcome to the quiddtich world cup troops."
"Yeah cheers dad. You could have warned us though that we may experience some bone breakage along the way."
"Oh Harry if u can stand and walk then you will be just fine champ." He winked at him as he helped his son up off the ground.
"So where are our tents then?"
"What do you mean tents Ron? We all share the one? Don't look at me like that….. When you see our tent then you will understand." Sirius replied smirking.
"Okay so shall we go then?"
"Yes Remus….lead on son." James answered saluting him.
They walked on another few yards until they came to a large maroon and gold coloured tent. The adults let the kids in ahead of them and what they saw they did not expect. The tent was the size of the three houses back home put together. There was a large living area with two three seat sofas and one arm chair. The kitchen area was spread out vastly; at one end was a large dining table which could seat twelve people and at the other end were the sink and a few cupboards for storing items in.
The sleeping quarters were at the very back of the tent; two double beds and four sets of bunk beds.
Sirius and James agreed to arrange dinner while Remus and Arthur were in charge of getting everyone settled. James and Arielle took one double bed, Hermione and Ginny took the other the rest of the boys spread out the bunk beds between them.
After the meal was over they all headed out towards the stadium. Everyone was in their element and excited about the match. As they were nearing the stadium however, Amos Diggory who works with James and Arthur at the ministry came rushing down towards them.
"James, Arthur thank god I found you."
"Amos what is the matter? You look as though you have seen a ghost mate!"
"No James it's worse than that. Someone has been struck down in their tent. Crouch has ordered me to recruit as many aurors as possible and to not allow the word to get around….."
"What word is that Amos?"
Amos came very close to Arthur and James as he said…..
"The person who was struck down has said that he was a death eater. There are death eaters at the world cup."
Harry looked up at Sirius who shook his head and tapped his index finger against his mouth.
"We are going to need all the aurors that we can find so….Remus, Sirius…..will you help…."
"What about the kids? We can't just abandon them if there a bunch of fruit and nut cakes running around the place!"
"I agree Sirius but……"
"No buts Amos…..take the boys if u must but I am not abandoning my godson and company alright."
"Okay Sirius…..are you sure that you will be okay on your own?"
"Yes Remus. Fred, George, Ron and Harry are brilliant wizards and don't even get me started on Hermione's talent…." He winked at her as she smiled abashed at him.
"Alright well go on then….. The sooner ye catch whoever is out there, the sooner ye can enjoy the match."
"Okay but…..take care Sirius….."
"Of course James now go on….."
The four of them waved to Sirius before running in the direction of Amos destination.
"Alright then you lot…..stick together now and don't get lost."
"Sirius will dad and Remus and Arthur be back in time for the match?"
"Well I sure hope so Airs love because this will be a great game and I don't much fancy mind all of ye by myself…."
"Oh sound job Sirius…." Fred and George shouted back which earned them a laugh from Sirius.
"Alright Hermione will you and Ron please make sure that Ryan and Arielle get a seat beside ye, Ron, Fred, George…..take care of Ginny….Harry and I will join you in a moment." They all looked perplexed at Sirius who ignored them as he turned to Harry and said….
"Sirius….what is going on? My dream has come true hasn't it?"
Sirius placed both of his hands on Harry's shoulders, bent a little so that they were looking directly at one another.
"Harry look at me okay? I promise you that I don't know what is going on. Yes it is possible that your dream may have more than just that but…..I don't want you to waste a single second of your time here worrying about this okay? We are here to enjoy the match and that is exactly what we are going to do. Don't worry about something that hasn't even happened. Enjoy every moment because we do know what we have got until its gone."
"I know you think something is going on here tonight Sirius….."
"Harry I honestly don't know what is going on. Yes, its possible that there could be death eaters around here somewhere but….I am not going to get too worried about it and neither should you. Not until we know what we are dealing with at least okay?"
"Yeah….okay Sirius….."
"Alright….now come on lets go find the others and enjoy the match Prongslet."
Well what did we think? Sorry about the long delay in updating but I had a lot going on here. I will try to get the next chapter up here this week but….no promises!!