Eight days before the Quidditch World Cup, on August fourteenth, Harry woke peacefully in his bed, checking his watch and determining it was one o'clock in the morning. Before he moved, Harry took a moment to feel his magic within him. It had slowly changed over the last month, feeling both as if it was deeper within his body, but also not quite as active as before. That made sense, though, as according to Magic, both of them had completed their physical maturity, at least, in terms of their bodies physically growing taller or developing in any other way. Harry still felt like he had a lot of energy, though, and felt perfectly healthy. Slowly, Harry climbed to his feet and walked quietly from his room, entering the bathroom where he was going to take a shower. Harry touched his face, feeling the hair on it. Magic, at his wishes, stood in front of him, her hot hands gently caressing his face, he feeling his flame of deep magic touching him along with Magic's hands. It was a sensation he found enjoyable, and had the duel purpose of shaving him as well. When she finished about half a minute later, Harry hugged Magic, she returning the embrace wordlessly. Harry admitted to himself that the only reason for the elaborate, and completely unnecessary way in which he was using his magic, was to enjoy Magic's physical contact with him. Magic knew this, of course, and Harry grinned as he leaned against her strong form.
"Love you, Magic." Harry whispered.
Magic patted Harry's back with precise, calculated movements, and he pulled away from her to undress and get in the shower. Magic teleported from the bathroom, and Harry enjoyed the wonderful hot water, knowing he wouldn't wake anyone by showering this early, and due to Sirius' additions to the house, there was now more than one bathroom that could be used.
Once Harry finished cleaning up for the day, and dressing appropriately, he made his way from the bathroom to the couch, where Magic sat waiting for him. Harry sat next to her and leaned against her, saying, "Hi, Magic."
"Hello." Magic replied.
"Tomorrow, we're heading out to camp." Harry said. "So. You ready?"
"I'll do as you wish of me." Magic stated.
"Let's practice." Harry said, and with a thought, had transformed Magic's clothes from her usual robe to casual Muggle clothes.
To Harry, having Magic dressed in different clothes other than what she'd always warn, was unnatural. It felt somehow unfamiliar, but the guidelines on showing magic at the campsite were strict, and Harry wanted to follow the rules. When at the Dursley's, dressing Magic like this wasn't an option due to the trouble he'd get into. While it would have made her appear more normal, the Dursley's had strictly forbidden Harry from doing what he pleased with his magic, lest he get into trouble and be punished for it. Being in a place where he could freely use his magic without worrying about being punished was refreshing. As Harry thought about these things, he reached up and ran his fingers through Magic's long and smooth hair, which was free of tangles.
Harry kept leaning on Magic, who's right arm was wrapped around him, and after a time, dozed off in the comfort of her presence. Harry drifted in a peaceful state between sleep and consciousness, and found himself grinning with contentment as he did so. He didn't know how long he was in such a state, but the sound of pots and pans being moved in the kitchen woke him completely. Harry was just starting to sit up when he heard a loud clang and Sirius swearing. He felt a bit of amusement at that, guessing that Sirius was going to try and cook.
Harry stayed on the couch for a few minutes until he started to smell the scent of something burning as he heard sizzling. Harry then stood and walked into the kitchen, smelling the burning even more.
"Problems?" He asked.
"Yeah." Sirius said. "I guess I just can't cook."
With a thought, Harry vanished the smoke and the burned content, walking over to the stove and feeling what its dials were set to.
"What were you cooking?" Harry asked.
"Trying to cook eggs." Sirius said.
"You've got it way too high to stay on when you're cooking like that." Harry said.
"I guess that's why Sharen tells me I burn water." Sirius replied.
"Cooking again, Black?" Sharen asked in a firm voice.
"Trying." Sirius responded.
"Let's go over this one step at a time." Harry stated. "First. Don't leave it on high like that, you'll burn a lot, over boil water, and so on."
"I thought it needed a lot of heat." Sirius said. "Things are so much easier with a magical stove that regulates itself."
"Well, this isn't magical, you've got to regulate it yourself." Harry said. "So. Ready to learn from a true professional?"
"Oh, please." Sirius said sarcastically.
"Harry cooks better than you do, Sirius." Sharen said. "He's about as good as I am, better with some things."
"Yeah, with the things the Dursley's pounded into my head to cook right." Harry responded.
"You say that so calmly." Sharen said. "I'd feel bitter about such a thing, what they did to me if I'd lived in your shoes."
"No reason to do that." Harry said. "Bitterness never helped a thing. Okay, Sirius, cooking lesson one zero one. Listen to me at all times, and do exactly what I tell you."
"I can do that, I hope." Sirius said. "You know, you remind me a lot of Lily."
"I do?" Harry asked.
"Yes, you do. She tried to teach me how to cook when... Before you were born." Sirius said. "I just couldn't catch on."
"Well, let's see if we can expand on her lessons." Harry replied, smiling at knowing another thing about his parents that he hadn't known before.
An hour later, under Harry's direction with Sharen assisting a little, Sirius had made his first pan full of scrambled eggs, fried up some bacon, and cooked some waffles. They were fairly good for a first time cook, Harry thought, and told Sirius so, also giving him some advice on how he might improve. After they'd finished breakfast, Sirius said, "We'll be going to the camp sight tomorrow."
"Why so early?" Harry asked.
"Not only are we in one of the lower seating boxes, but Sharen wanted to take a camping trip and enjoy it for quite a long while. She's never been, apparently." Sirius said.
"Neither have I." Harry responded. "It could be pretty fun."
"We've got a couple of options for camping, for a tent we can use." Sirius said. "First, is what I personally prefer, a magical tent with bunks, a nice, comfortable kitchen with a stove, and multiple rooms. Think of it like a portable home."
"And the second is a fully Muggle tent?" Sharen asked.
"Right." Sirius responded.
"I think you Wizards need to learn how to rough it." Sharen said. "I vote for the Muggle tent."
"Harry?" Sirius asked. "Come on, Harry, vote for the magical, magical, magical."
"Muggle." Harry said.
"Magic?" Sirius asked pleadingly.
"Harry's wishes are my wishes." Magic stated. "Furthermore, the Muggle tent will be adequate for our needs, and will serve to ensure our compliance with the rule of no magic use in the campsite."
"You're really no fun." Sirius grumbled.
"What tent are we getting?" Sharen asked. "Or are we going with a couple small ones?"
"No, we'll go with a single large one." Sirius said sadly. "This is the one I'm thinking about, for a strictly Muggle tent."
Harry heard a page turn, then Sharen said, "Looks fine. Two rooms, separated by a fabric divider. How are we organizing the sleeping arrangements? Women in one side, men in the other?"
"What, don't want to sleep with me?" Sirius asked in a voice that Harry thought was supposed to be charming.
"Are we married?" Sharen asked.
"No, but..." Sirius began.
"There you go. Women and men, that's my vote." Sharen said.
"I don't mind that." Harry responded. "Besides, if I want to sleep with Magic, all I need to do is want it, a desire I physically want rather than an idle thought or fantasy. Magic's gotten better at determining what my actual wants are, rather than what I only dream about or fantasize about."
"That's good." Sharen said quickly. "Don't you start, Sirius."
"Oh, you just take all the fun out of things." Sirius said, then sighed. "Okay, then. We're buying this one, and we'll be going tomorrow to our campsite."
"Great." Sharen said. "Harry, I'm wondering what you're going to do. You don't sleep quite as long as the rest of us, do you?"
"No, about four hours." Harry replied. "Usually, that's what I get, unless I'm with Magic, then I can doze a bit more. So, I'll probably be awake and bored until you people decide you're going to get up."
"I feel sorry for you." Sharen said.
"Don't." Harry replied. "Feel sorry for Magic, who won't at all be sleeping. She'll probably just lay there, staring up at the tent ceiling, waiting for my wishes."
"Accurate assessment." Magic stated.
"Good to know that." Harry said. "If I'm up and bored, want to spend time with me, then?"
"I do as you wish." Magic stated.
"Then that's a yes." Harry said, grinning. "So. How are we getting there?"
"Since Sharen's a squib, and since you technically don't have an apparation license, we'll be using this." Sirius said.
Harry felt a strange type of magic that almost seemed to spiral on itself as Sirius pulled something out, and Sharen said, "An old belt?"
"It's a Portkey, actually." Sirius said. "At the appropriate time, we'll all grab on, and it'll take us to the arrival point."
"You don't know about Portkeys, Sharen?" Sirius asked, surprised.
"Nope." Sharen replied. "I wasn't as exposed to the magical world as you were."
"I bet this won't be any different than other forms of magical transportation in terms of comfort." Harry said. "I wonder something, though. When I flooed at the Burrow, Magic was pulled along with me."
"You were pulled along with me when I flooed at the Burrow, and I was pulled along with you when you flooed at the Leaky Cauldron." Magic stated.
"Thanks for the correction." Harry said. "But, I wonder if only one of us will need to hold on to the Portkey. Come to think of it, the only form of transportation where Magic can go alone, or I, is my own teleporting. I think, anyway."
"I'm able to remain behind during any magical form of travel, or leave you behind." Magic stated. "This is denoted by the evidence of your apparating with Umbridge to the Ministry of Magic last year, and not wishing me to remain with you, as I was caring for Sirius Black at the time."
"Oh." Harry said. "So, I'll just ask you, then. If you grabbed the Portkey and I didn't, would I be pulled along with you if you didn't make sure you went alone?"
"Yes." Magic stated. "That is the natural way, as your magic is spread between us, as I'm your magic, and guide your magic, and am sustained by your magic."
"Well, let's not try out experiments on Ministry approved Portkeys, okay?" Sirius asked.
"Wow." Harry said. "That's surprisingly serious of you."
"I'm always serious. I'm Sirius, after all." He responded in a cheeky tone. Harry and Sharen chuckled.
"What time are we leaving tomorrow?" Harry asked.
"Six in the morning." Sirius said. "So, everyone be up and ready."
"That'll be no problem for Magic and I." Harry said. "Got bags we can pack clothes and such in?"
"I thought we'd just transport what we needed over to the tent." Sirius said.
"Nope." Sharen responded. "No magic means no magic." Harry laughed at Sirius' sigh of resignation.
"Harry, Magic's not taking any clothes with her, is she?" Sirius asked.
"Nope." Harry responded. "She's a unique case, though. I'm taking extra changes of clothes, so are you."
"But you could..." Sirius began.
"Could, not. Rough it, dog!" Harry shouted with a grin.
Sirius transformed and jumped on Harry, who cried out and tried to push him off. Magic, responding to his wishes, levitated Sirius and sent him to the other side of the room, Harry sitting up and laughing.
"Thanks, Magic!" Harry said as Sirius transformed back into a man.
"I do as you wish." Magic stated in response.
Sirius purchased their Muggle tent at Diagon Alley. While it would behave and act exactly like a Muggle tent, it had been magically constructed rather than built by Muggles. Sharen had agreed that was an acceptable compromise to Sirius' desire for some type of magical use. It would still have to be set up the Muggle way, though, and Harry found himself eager to go on this camping trip, and do everything without magic. In many ways, using Magic made him lazy, and he was looking forward to the challenge.
Harry had packed clothes for himself for the next day, and as usual, was awake after four hours of refreshing sleep. At five thirty, Sirius and Sharen were up, they all had a quick breakfast, and grabbed on to the Portkey at a minute to six o'clock.
"Okay, here we go." Sirius said. "Get ready. Three, two, one."
Harry felt as if a hook behind his navel jerked forward, could feel the magic spiraling around them as they were sucked through some type of magical travel that was just barely stable enough to prevent them from being ripped apart. His heart pounded at the feel of it, and he could hear howling wind around him, felt as if his body was spinning around and around. Magic and Sharen's shoulders slammed into his as they spiraled around, and Harry felt that, at any moment, the magical form of transport was going to break apart and rip them to pieces. Moments later, and to his great relief, his feet slammed into the ground. He almost fell, but Magic's right arm wrapped tightly around him and she held him up with her powerful physical strength, his heart still pounding as he trembled. Sharen had fallen, taking Sirius with her, and Harry listened to them untangling themselves.
"Six o'clock, private registered Portkey." Harry heard a man's voice state as he heard Sharen and Sirius stumble to their feet.
"Morning." Sirius said as Harry felt Sirius tug the belt from his hand, then heard it tossed into some type of bin.
"Hello there, Black." The man responded. "Let's see where you're at." Harry heard a moment of silence, then the man continued and said, "About a quarter mile that way. First field you come to. Sight manager's Mrs. Jackson."
"Thanks." Sirius said. "Right, follow me."
Harry let Magic lead him, grasping his hand as they walked through the cool air, enjoying the sound of nature around him. After about twenty minutes, Sharen said, "Looks like that's her. I'll pay for us."
"Here, then." Sirius said, and Harry heard him handing her money.
"Good morning!" Sharen called as they drew closer.
"Morning!" The woman said.
"You're Mrs. Jackson?" Sharen asked.
"That's right." She said. "And who are you?"
"Henderson. I'm with Black, we've booked a tent a few days ago."
"Ah, yes. Here it is." Mrs. Jackson responded. "You'll be on the edge of the forest there. Staying for a week, I see?"
"That's right." Sharen said.
"Very good. Are you paying now or later?" Mrs. Jackson asked.
"Now." Sharen said. "Here you are."
"Thank you." Mrs. Jackson responded, and Harry heard coins being retrieved from a container. "Here's your change and a map of the campsite for you."
"Thanks." Sirius said.
"You're welcome." Mrs. Jackson replied. "Glad to see you're not foreign. Or, are you?"
"Foreign?" Sirius asked. "Well, we're not from this area if that's what you mean."
"No, not quite that." Mrs. Jackson said. "But, it's rather odd for so many people to show up like this. There have been a lot of bookings lately. I'm sure you can see that there's a lot of people camping out. Why, about seven minutes ago, someone tried to pay me with some type of strange golden coins."
"I'm sure it's nothing to worry about." Sirius said calmly. "You have a good day, Mrs. Jackson."
"Sure, sure." Mrs. Jackson replied, sounding preoccupied.
As they walked off and were some distance away, Harry heard a crack, felt the familiar magic of apparation, then heard a voice faintly say in the distance, "Obliviate!" Curious, Harry felt the magic that came from the man's wand behind them, determined how it modified memories. It was crude compared to what he was capable of, and something he didn't like.
"You know, Magic, with all the memory modifications, the secrecy the magicals are trying to maintain, and the advancing technology of Muggles, discovery is inevitable." Harry said.
"Yes." Magic stated.
"Na." Sirius said, unconcerned. "Muggles aren't going to discover the magical world."
"What if they do?" Harry asked.
"Then it'd be a bloody war, I can tell you that." Sirius said. "But, you've got nothing to worry about."
"Hopefully not." Harry replied.
They eventually came to their campsite after about ten more minutes. Harry heard the clang of the bag with the tent inside it as it hit the ground, Sirius having obviously removed it.
"Right." He said. "So what's first with this thing?"
"Um, Sirius?" Sharen asked. "Just what's with all the extravagance? I mean, take a look at the tent over there. It's got a garden and a fountain."
"Witches and Wizards, can't help showing off when they're together." Sirius responded. "But, we agreed, no magic. So, how do we set this up?"
"First, we've got to make sure the ground is flat." Sharen said, and Harry heard silence for a few moments. "Seems okay. Now, go ahead and open up that bag."
Harry heard Sirius unzip the bag on the ground, then Magic stepped forward.
"We shall begin with the most logical first." Magic said.
"Just a second, Magic." Sharen responded as Harry heard her walking over. "Just what did you have in mind, exactly?"
"This would appear to go on the ground." Magic stated, and Harry heard her pull something from the bag.
"You're right." Sharen replied. "Okay, miss perfect, what's next?"
"My identity is Magic." She responded, then added, "We shall unfold the tent and hook its posts into the appropriate hooks."
Harry stood back and listened until Sharen beckoned he and Sirius forward to help hook the tent up and hammer the stakes into the ground. It only took them about four minutes to set up the tent, and once complete, Harry stepped into the entirely Muggle tent, which only felt like it had a hint of magic that had constructed it. He grinned, then said, "Perfect! I can't say you'll like it, though, Sirius!"
"No beds? No kitchen? No extra room inside? Man, this is terrible!" Sirius said as Harry heard him step into the other side of the tent.
"Oh, please, we've got beds." Sharen said.
Magic, who had carried a large bag on her back, let it drop to the ground. Together, the four of them set up their mattress' and sleeping bags in the tent, and Harry found himself looking forward to sleeping here at night, having never before done such a thing. After they set everything up, they went outside the tent and Sharen rubbed her hands together in what Harry thought was eager excitement.
"This is perfect!" She said. "So, what should we do first?"
"How about make some breakfast." Sirius said. "There's some shops with food and such we can purchase."
"Your little bit of toast wasn't good enough for you, Sirius?" Harry asked jokingly. "I get it. I'm hungry too, after all that and only eating a little."
"Well." Sharen said. "Why don't you and I go shopping, Sirius. Harry, you and Magic, mostly Magic, can get the fire going. Sound good?"
"Sure." Harry responded.
As Sharen and Sirius walked off, Harry thought to himself, 'Yeah right. Mostly magic.' He wanted her to teach him as she had when they were young, and she responded as usual.
"Accompany me." Magic stated, and grasped his hand. "The first step is to retrieve an appropriate amount of firewood to make the fire hot enough to cook on, and kindling to light the firewood."
"And just how do you know that?" Harry asked.
"I predicted a ninety-three point eight percent chance that I would be asked to assist on this camping trip where we aren't allowed to use magic. Due to this, I requested that Sharen obtain books on the subjects. She did. I read them." Magic said.
"Really?" Harry asked. "It had nothing to do with my wishes, then?"
"You wish Sharen and Sirius to be happy, and I can assist in increasing productivity due to the knowledge I would possess by reading the books obtained." Magic stated. Harry chuckled.
"So, you're doing what I want." Harry said.
"I'm doing as you wish." Magic agreed.
The two of them gathered firewood before returning to the pit. Magic arranged everything appropriately and showed Harry how to light a match, and where to use it to start the kindling on fire. Harry grinned as he succeeded, though it took him a few tries. Magic didn't ever get upset or impatient with him, only patiently told him to try again, guided his hands where they needed to go. From experience, Harry knew Magic would continue to patiently try and teach him until he was able to succeed in his task, though also remembered times as a child when he'd gotten upset when he hadn't been able to do something quickly, and Magic had held him and calmly told him she would do as he wished while drying his eyes, informed him that, if he wanted her to proceed, she would. Harry was glad he wasn't a child anymore, though, and once the fire was going, he and Magic set up four camp chairs around it. Content, Harry sat in one with Magic next to him, feeling the cool air and waiting for Sharen and Sirius to return.
"That must have been a pretty big bag you were carrying." Harry said.
"No." Magic replied. "One other small concession from Sharen was to have a bag larger on the inside, so more items could be carried, as long as we ensured no one saw everything we were removing from it when we took out multiple items."
"Guess that's why no one talked to you about it." Harry said.
"We all carried bags similar in size to each other." Magic stated. "No one knew of what mine contained."
"I suppose not." Harry said, thinking for a moment about his duffle bag at the foot of his bed in the tent.
Harry listened to the sounds around him, people talking and happily laughing with each other. Occasionally, Magic would stand and move wood around in the fire, which continued to get hotter. Harry could hear it crackling as it burned, and could smell the scent it gave off. He curiously thought about what it would be like at night, with the cool air and a hot fire. He found himself excited to experience it.
Sharen and Sirius returned after a few more minutes, and Harry heard Sirius set something down on the table the campsite had. Sharen walked over to them, then asked, "Went well, I see?"
"Perfectly." Harry responded. "Magic and I got the firewood, and she taught me how to light it."
"Harry, do you realize just how dangerous that is for you?" Sharen asked. "You could burn yourself if you're not careful."
"Magic was ready to pull me back if I didn't move, and as you can see, I'm fine. Please, Sharen, don't start this overprotective stuff, okay?" Harry asked. Sharen simply sighed.
Harry listened as Sharen taught Sirius how to cook over a fire, something Harry had only done in the Gryffindor common room with toasting forks. He wondered if they would be doing something like that at night, listening to the two of them talking, hearing the sounds of others in their campsites. Eventually, Sharen and Sirius had cooked another breakfast meal for them to eat, and after doing so, Sharen took out some games for them to play. Harry was able to play with them, as the cards had braille on them, and the games Sharen had brought with her were accessible. Throughout everything they did, Harry continued to hear the chatting of others, feel some use of magic including memory modification, and could hear some officials hurrying back and forth as they struggled to keep the use of magic under control. Seeing some of this, Sharen asked, "Aren't you glad they're not hurrying over here to cover up anything we're doing?"
"Oh, please." Sirius said casually. "If I'd be doing anything at all, I'm not stupid enough to do it in plain sight of Muggles. I mean, take a look at that woman, she's wearing a cloak and just strolling along like it's normal."
"Ma'am!" Harry heard someone call from a great distance off, and smirked a bit.
"Guess magical people don't know how to dress like Muggles." Harry commented.
"Nope." Sirius said. "Not a lot of them do."
Night came, and it found the four of them sitting around a rather warm camp fire, toasting things over it and talking. Sharen and Sirius were discussing the Quidditch World Cup, and who they thought might win. Harry and Magic were quietly listening. They all went to bed around ten o'clock, and Harry grinned as he lay in his sleeping bag, hearing the sounds of nature and the quiet that seemed to have settled over the campsite. There were still people awake, though, and he could hear them talking, and on occasion, could hear Ministry officials telling people off for using magic in a Muggle area. As Harry heard this, he didn't know how Muggles wouldn't discover the magical world eventually. Surely, with satellites, they'd be able to determine something was what it shouldn't be, and unless Witches and Wizards had operatives high enough in the Muggle government to erase records that were written on paper or recorded on computers, eventually, the magical world was going to be discovered, especially with people showing off stupidly as they were. Harry peacefully went to sleep despite his thoughts.
Harry woke around two o'clock in the morning, just as he expected. It was much quieter now, with only the sounds of nature and a couple other people in different campsites talking. Beside him, Sirius was peacefully sleeping, and for about half an hour, Harry lay where he was, though felt wide awake. Climbing quietly from his sleeping bag, he gathered some clothes for the day and some showering supplies before climbing from the tent. Magic joined him, the two moving as quietly as they could, though despite this, Harry heard Sharen and Magic whispering, as their movement had woken her. Harry was shortly joined outside the tent by Magic, who quietly led him from the campsite and toward the showers that were available. Once finished, Harry returned to the campsite and sat in one of the chairs near the fire pit, which still had warm coals within. Since he and Magic were the only ones awake, and Harry felt a bit cool, Magic put a couple pieces of wood in the fire pit, the coals lighting them and starting a small fire burning. They sat quietly until Sirius and Sharen both woke, breakfast was made for them, then they spent the day walking around the campsites, looking at some wizarding vendors, some more discrete than others with Muggle repelling charms around them.
Throughout their week of camping, Harry met some of his classmates, including Seamus and Tracey, and on the day of the World Cup, found himself wondering where the Weasley's were. He never saw them, though, and when he heard a gong ring through the campsites and a huge crowd of people moving in one direction, he knew it was time for the Quidditch World Cup to begin. Harry had Magic lead him, following Sharen and Sirius, as he was more comfortable with that, and once they were seated about half way up the stadium, he found himself hoping things wouldn't be too loud. It was a vain hope, though, as the amount of people that cheered and talked already made things rather loud.
Harry wasn't too interested in the finer details of his surroundings, so Magic didn't attempt to describe them, and he kept his link of knowledge with her closed for the moment. Sirius spoke to Harry, though, telling him about some of the history behind the Quidditch World Cup, the mascots that the teams were likely to bring, and slyly told him he hoped they'd get to see some type of beings called veela. He tried, unsuccessfully, to get Harry excited about the spirit of the thing, but as far as Harry was concerned, the sooner things were over, the better. He'd never enjoyed loud crowds, and sitting in the middle of one didn't make him any more comfortable.
About forty or so minutes passed before a voice suddenly boomed through the stadium, obviously amplified, and said, "Ladies and gentlemen ... welcome! Welcome to the final of the four hundred and twenty-second Quidditch World Cup!"
Harry heard loud cheering, singing, and whistling from thousands of people, including Sirius and Sharen, and the others that were arrayed around them in the stands. The sound made his ears ring, and was so loud that he completely lost all sense of his surroundings, the sound all that filled his ears. Magic took his hand and firmly gripped it, Harry returning the comforting grasp, not feeling quite so scared with her next to him. The loud crowd making their various sounds went on for at least a minute, it felt to Harry, until another announcement boomed over the stadium.
"And now, without further ado, allow me to introduce... The Bulgarian National Team Mascots!"
One side of the stands began to cheer and clap, and intermittently within the other side, Harry could hear others cheering and clapping. After a few seconds, Sirius shouted, "Yes! They brought veela, excellent!"
Harry, personally, didn't know what the big deal was about these veela. Sirius had described them as being beautiful women with the ability to charm men, but Harry was immune to any physical beauty, since he couldn't see, though, there were certain things about women that he did like, such as straight hair or smooth skin, or height that was close to his own. As the music began, however, Harry felt a change in the crowd, feeling an odd sort of magic weaving its way throughout the entire crowd, even effecting him. He felt a desire to do something very impressive that would earn the approval of, not the veela, but Magic next to him. Her hand was still in his own, and he heard her say calmly and loudly into his ear, "I feel nothing, you cannot impress me, I do as you wish!" Magic then acted, and the veela magic fell away from him and moved around he and Magic as if they weren't even there.
"Sirius!" Sharen was shouting. "Honestly, get a hold of yourself!"
The music soon stopped and Harry could hear the crowd angrily shouting for the veela to be brought back, but it wasn't long before the Irish team's mascots came with what sounded to Harry like some type of fireworks, which he could feel the magic from, and the sound of gold coins raining down on them, which possessed magic as if they were conjured to last only a certain amount of time. The crowd's loud cheering was still uncomfortable to Harry, which only grew in intensity as the Quidditch teams flew on to the field he couldn't see.
The match, to Harry, seemed to last at least an hour or longer. With the loud announcements throughout the stadium, the cheering, and the sounds that made Harry's ears ring and hurt, Harry felt great relief when it was finally over. His ears stopped ringing once they were out of the loud crowd, though, doing so with surprising speed. The feeling of the magic throughout his body told him why, though, as it healed his ears of any damage they'd received. As they walked from the stadium, Sharen and Sirius were talking cheerfully about the match, both of them excited. Harry was glad it was over, but Sirius was looking forward to next year's Quidditch World Cup, which Harry planned not to attend. When Sirius asked him if he was ready for next year's cup, Harry said, "No, but you enjoy it!"
"No? Come on!" Sirius said. "Wasn't it exciting, wasn't it great? You can't tell me you didn't enjoy it!"
"I didn't enjoy it!" Harry responded with a grin. "See? I just told you. I went for one reason only. To be with family. That's it. But in the next four years when this comes up again, I'm not going. To be honest, the sound of the loud crowd was a bit scary to me."
"But that's what makes it fun!" Sirius said. "The cheering, the clapping, all the excitement."
"I'm not the two of you, I don't get caught up in such things." Harry said. "I'm just looking forward to getting back to our campsite and getting some sleep."
"You really are no fun, are you, Harry?" Sirius asked jokingly.
"Sure I am, just not with a ton of noise." Harry said.
Despite the loud bangs, cheering, and other sounds, including Sharen and Sirius doing their own celebrating, Harry dressed for bed and climbed into his sleeping bag, closing his eyes and hoping to drift off to sleep. He felt the feel of his magic helping him as Magic responded to his wishes, and was gently drawn into a place of dreams, where it was quiet and there weren't so many loud sounds. To his great surprise, Harry felt himself shaken awake by Sirius in what seemed to be moments, though despite that, felt awake.
"Harry, get up!" Sirius called. "We've got to go, come on!"
"What's going on?" Harry asked, but almost immediately realized the sounds he'd heard before had changed. The cheerfully celebrating crowds were now panicked, screaming ones.
"Put on a jacket and move, hurry!" Sirius said.
Harry could feel the use of magic all around him, so decided that using magic was acceptable. With a thought, he was dressed in clothes to keep him warm as he stepped from the tent, his shoes on his feet. Magic grasped his hand as he heard loud bangs and screaming, and also what sounded like drunken laughter and jeering. He felt someone familiar quite close bye, though, even as Sirius grasped his arm.
"Come on, Harry!" Sirius called.
Harry felt Rose's familiar magic touch his and allowed it into his mind. Her voice rang clearly in his mind, but her means of communicating with him was less like Magic sending thoughts and more like a prepared message.
'It's time for you to help us, Harry.' She said.
Harry knew what he needed to do as Sirius pulled him onward, and silently told Magic what it was. At the same moment, he felt the familiar feeling of his own magic, spread between he and Magic, which was so close he could almost feel it washing over him in a wave of power. It was moving off with Rose, though, and he knew that he'd be coming back into the past as soon as he could, and dealing with the constriction of warnings that would prevent him from causing a paradox. He could feel them faintly even now as the time for him to go into the past drew nearer, a sensation he didn't much like. Setting it aside for now, he hurried off with Sirius and Sharen, who were hurrying from the campsite.
"Where do you want me to take us, I'll teleport!" Harry shouted over the running and screaming of the crowd.
"Too dangerous!" Sirius said.
"No!" Magic called, her voice loud so he could hear her, but still calm, as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening. "You are incorrect! I shall know what is ahead of us before we arrive!"
"Then magically pack up everything and take us back to our house!" Sharen called. "Don't worry about not using magic now, there's plenty of that going around!" With a thought, Harry had Magic do as Sharen requested, but he didn't appear with Sirius and Sharen in their house, as it wasn't time for him to do so yet. Instead, he appeared in the past, only a few seconds earlier, precisely where he'd remembered himself appearing before. He followed the warnings he could feel and moved off with Rose next to him, both of them concealed with the magic used by the Unspeakable's.
Harry could hear the shouts and screams of the crowd as they drew closer to the commotion, and quickly decided on a solution. He could feel the magic from the people in front of him and how it was holding up four individuals, along with the destructive blasts of magic that were catching tents on fire. As they drew closer, some in the crowd began sending magic against them, Harry simply sent his magical shield out in front of them, absorbing the magic and using it to add to his own power. He then placed a dome of magic around the crowd that was causing such destruction, which absorbed all the magic they attempted, which would include any magical forms of transport as well. The four people, no longer being held up by the magic from the crowd, began to fall before Harry had Magic gently place them on the ground. The screaming, panicking crowd was starting to go quiet as Harry felt the feeling of his own magic at work from the outside perspective, knowing that Sirius and Sharen, with all their items, were back at their house, where he'd have to appear in the exact time they appeared to avoid any suspicion.
"This situation is under control, being handled by the Ministry of Magic." Rose stated, her voice amplified to echo throughout the trees. "Panic is unnecessary. The Death Eaters are now contained." Rose removed the amplification, then stated, "Remove their masks."
Harry did so, and heard several gasps from around he, Rose and Magic. One man called, "I always knew you were a Death Eater, Malfoy!"
"You will release us, now!" The voice of Mr. Malfoy shouted, sounding rather drunk.
"No." Harry stated emotionlessly.
Harry knew that Death Eaters were those followers of Voldemort, and felt no guilt about what he was about to do. With a thought, Harry vanished their wands and exposed their arms, then stated, "Is binding their magic permitted?"
"Yes, Unspeakable." Harry heard a woman state. He recognized her as Madam Bones, the woman who had tried him in court almost a year ago, and who, he'd learned, was also now the Minister of Magic. Harry bound their magic with a thought.
"Task complete." He stated.
"How dare you do this!" Harry heard one of the men shout in fury.
"Unspeakable's, please send them to the Ministry holding cells." Madam Bones stated.
Harry sent his magic ahead of him to determine what was there, and which cells were empty, then thought his instructions to Magic. All within the dome vanished, and Harry removed the dome of magic with a thought.
"You may now go." Rose stated. Harry assumed she was speaking to him, but didn't know for sure.
'Correct.' Magic stated, and thought his instructions to Magic.
Harry appeared in the past, standing where he would have been standing had he gone with Sirius and Sharen, Magic at his side, both no longer concealed. Sirius and Sharen were there as well, and as he'd appeared precisely when in time they appeared, they didn't miss him, thought he'd simply gone with them. Sirius hugged them both along with Sharen, and Harry guessed both were trembling in relief.
"Thank you, Harry." Sirius said, pulling back from them. "I know you could have helped them, but family is the most important thing to me. You're more important than anything, Harry, anything."
"Thanks." Harry said after a moment, feeling glad he had returned to his house, which was hidden and safe.
"We're all tired." Sharen said. "I suggest we get some sleep, maybe we can talk about this tomorrow."
"Yeah." Harry said, yawning a bit. "I'm a little tired myself."
"Not surprised, you only got a couple hours of sleep before the Death Eaters decided to crash the party." Sirius said, then sighed. "At least all of you are safe, and that's all that matters to me."
After a couple more words between the four of them, Harry and Magic entered their room. With a sigh, Harry climbed into bed, having Magic dress him in pajamas. As he lay down in the bed, he smirked to himself.
'If only they knew.' Harry thought. 'But, then, they won't. At least I can be glad that those Death Eater's will never hurt anyone with magic again.' He was comforted by his thoughts and certainty, and within a few minutes, was sound asleep.
*** Voldemort POV ***
His faithful Horcrux, Stacey, held the bottle steadily to his lips and Voldemort drank from it until he was full. He wasn't disgusted by what he had to do. After all, he would soon have a body of his own that was far, far better than this meager form. As Stacey took the bottle from his lips, Voldemort stared into her cold eyes and smirked, even now, feeling the control he had over her. Having been a soulless being when he'd made her a Horcrux, and powerful magically, she was perfect to both keep him alive after death should he be killed, and help him now for as long as she was alive. Voldemort watched her as she moved toward a table, where a meal she'd prepared for herself waited. Within moments, however, he heard the pop of apparation, saw Stacey turn to face the visitor.
"It's only me, my Lord." Barty, one of his most faithful followers, said, and Stacey lowered the wand that she'd aimed steadily at him.
"News?" Voldemort asked in his high, cold voice.
"The boy is more powerful than I even imagined, my Lord." Barty replied. "Sixteen of your Death Eaters decided to celebrate after the World Cup, and reveal themselves as Death Eaters, dressed in their garb."
"Rather than find me, the fools seek their own pleasures?" Voldemort asked angrily.
"Yes, my Lord." Barty replied. "I didn't interfere, as you instructed, only watching the boy. He can travel through time as easily as he can perform any magic, my Lord. He placed some type of unfamiliar magical ward around your followers, acting as an Unspeakable for the Ministry. He exposed all of them for who they were by vanishing their masks and exposing their arms. He also vanished their wands and bound their magic, my Lord."
"Fools." Voldemort stated coldly. "Then they, like Wormtail, are no longer useful to me."
"Correct, my Lord." Barty responded.
"Then, we shall wait." Voldemort stated. "The Triwizard Tournament will soon be at Hogwarts. I can wait should Potter be forced to attend, but I wish you to prepare for our secondary plan, Barty. You know where that squib guardian of the boy's works?"
"I do, my Lord." Barty responded.
"Very good." Voldemort said. "Then, if he isn't forced to attend the tournament, we'll take her captive. Oh, yes. And one other thing, Barty."
"Yes, my Lord?" He asked eagerly.
"Capture a Muggle." Voldemort stated. "Make certain the Muggle is well placed to expose the magical world for what it is. And should the boy fail to show when I wish him, then he will be the cause of the war."
"Because if he fails to show, my Lord, we'll send the Muggle back to their work, protected magically against memory tampering so they can expose the magical world for what it is? But what would that accomplish, my Lord? It will only turn the Muggle's against us and hinder all we're trying to accomplish!" Barty said.
"Yes, it shall." Voldemort responded coldly. "But, Barty, either one of two things will happen. First. I will regain all the power I once had, and more, by the use of the boy's blood, and kill both him and his pathetic Magic. And should that happen, you shall release the Muggle back to his job with no memory of the magical world, so I may control it. But, if that doesn't happen, the boy won't know who you are or where you are, and we shall be using shielded Muggle technology to communicate, so it won't be effected by magical interference, and so the boy can't track it."
"But, my Lord, if you don't rise again..." Barty began.
"Then, Barty, I never will, and I shall die. But you shall ensure the Muggle returns to his job as we discussed, and the boy will be single-handedly responsible for the bloodiest war between Wizards and Muggles in the history of the wizarding world. And, I highly doubt he'll wish to do that, do you? For if I can't live, Barty, then the wizarding world shall know the full wrath of the Muggles." Voldemort stated.
"But, my Lord, I..." Barty began.
"You dare to question Lord Voldemort, Barty?" Voldemort asked as Stacey rose her wand and aimed it at Barty.
"No, my Lord, I shall do as you command of course." Barty said in terrified fear, fear that Voldemort felt great pleasure at having caused.
"Very good." Voldemort said, delighted. "And for questioning me, Barty..."
"Crucio!" Stacey cried, and Voldemort laughed as his faithful Death Eater writhed and screamed under the torture curse, which only lasted a few moments, just as Voldemort wanted. He should, a long time ago, have made himself a Horcrux in this manner, Voldemort thought as Barty stumbled to his feet, panting from the pain.
"Do we understand each other, Barty?" Voldemort asked.
"Yes, my Lord." Barty responded, trembling slightly.
"Very good, then." Voldemort stated. "Now, do as I have commanded you."
"At once, my Lord." Barty said eagerly, and as he disapparated, Voldemort cackled in glee.