The next morning, all the kids had to wake up early to go the Quidditch World Cup. It was a tired group that walked to the portkey and found themselves at the campsite. After setting up the tent, Mr. Weasley sent Harry and Ron to get water. While walking to the taps, they met Seamus Finnigan.
"Maybe we should ask him to join us tonight," Harry muttered. "An extra pair of hands is always helpful."
"My parents probably wouldn't approve," Ron said. "They don't want us to be part of the action either."
"Tough," Harry said. "I'm right in the middle of it."
Walking back with their water, they met Oliver, Ernie, and Cho.
"Oliver's of age," Harry said. "We should ask him to join us."
"We have enough people," Ron said.
Not long after they returned with the water, Ludo Bagman strolled over.
"Fancy a flutter on the match, Arthur?" he said eagerly, jingling what seemed to be a large amount of gold in the pockets of his yellow and black robes.
"Don't," Harry said loudly, "he's going to keep your money and give you leprechaun gold instead."
"That's a serious accusation to make," Mr. Weasley said.
"How come I don't see the others?" Harry asked.
"Who do you need?" Mr. Weasley wanted to know.
"Someone who could back up my accusation," Harry answered.
"They all have wards up," Mr. Weasley whispered. "We're going to put ours up after the game."
"So there's no way to communicate with them?" Harry asked.
"Sorry," Mr. Weasley said. He turned to Ludo. "We're not betting on the game tonight."
When they took their seats, Harry was relieved to see that Winky wasn't there. He sat down with the whole Weasley clan.
"We're probably going to see the Malfoys here," Harry said. "I think we should invite Draco to our tent."
"Why would you want to do that?" Ron asked suspiciously.
"I don't want him to get arrested with his father," Harry said.
"That's kind of you," Mr. Weasley said. "As much as I dislike Lucius, his son deserves a chance."
Not long after, Fudge came up to their box with the Malfoy family. Mr. Malfoy's cold gray eyes wept over Mr. Weasley, and then up and down the row.
"Good lord, Arthur," he said softly.
"Hey, Draco," Harry interrupted. "We're planning on staying up all night to celebrate Ireland's victory. Do you want to join us?"
Draco looked conflicted.
"That's right," Fudge said. "I heard you boys were good friends. Don't stay up too late!"
Harry warned all the males to close their ears when the veela started singing. The game was every bit as exciting as Harry dreamed. After the game, Harry invited Draco again.
"Why would I want to spend the night with blood traitors?" Draco asked.
"If my dad was a pure blood, and he willingly married a muggle born, does that make him a blood traitor?" Harry asked.
"I guess so," Draco said.
"So if Voldermort's mother was a pure blood, and she married a muggle, does that make her a blood traitor?"
"Go with Harry," Lucius said. "It's important to keep up the appearances of friendship."
After reaching the tent, everyone sat at the tiny table while Mr. Weasley put up the wards and began guard duty. They made hot cocoa to drink while discussing every detail of the game. After a while, Bill took over guard duty while Mr. Weasley and Charlie got into an argument about cobbing. Ginny fell asleep at the table, but the conversations continued. After a while, they heard the word "now" yelled from outside followed by a series of bangs. Mr. Weasley, Charlie, Bill, and Percy ran out with their wands drawn. Mr. Weasley stopped at the door of the tent and told the younger kids to stay put.
"Don't let Draco out," he said. "I can't take responsibility for putting him in danger."
The bangs outside continued.
"What's happening?" Draco asked.
"Death eater uprising," Harry said.
"I need to get out!" Draco said urgently, pushing back his chair.
Fred and George grabbed his arms.
"We're trying to keep you safe," they said.
"It won't do you any good to be arrested for being at the wrong place," Harry added.
Draco continued to struggle.
"Sit down and be quiet," Harry ordered. "We'll explain everything."
Draco hesitantly sat back down.
"Death eaters are trying to riot now," Harry said. "The ministry is trying to stop them. Regardless of which side we're on, leaving the tent puts us in the middle of the crossfire. We could get hit from curses on both sides. As soon as it's over, someone will come in to tell us it's safe."
A few minutes later, Mr. Weasley walked back into the tent.
"Everyone okay?" he asked.
"Did anyone get hurt out there?" Harry wanted to know.
"The death eaters were all stunned," Mr. Weasley answered. "The ministry is gathering them to take them in."
Draco turned white.
"Is Professor Snape outside?" Harry asked. "I think Draco needs him now."
Mr. Weasley went outside and came back a minute later with Snape. Snape placed a hand on Draco's shoulder before glaring at the other kids.
"Could you all step out while I talk to Draco?" he asked.
"Ginny's sleeping already," Harry said. "Should someone move her to the bedroom?"
Mr. Weasley tiredly moved Ginny to a bottom bunk before they all left the tent. The ground was littered with stunned death eaters. Ministry of Magic officials were walking around, trying to decide the best way to transport them. Harry ran over to Sirius.
"How did it go?" he asked.
"You're plan worked perfectly," Sirius answered.
"I thought you said it was Dumbledore's plan," Moody challenged.
"It was," Harry said. "I gave him advice, but I don't know if he took it."
Fudge entered the group.
"I sent for dementors," he said. "They will help us keep the death eaters under control."
Harry paled at the thought of demenors.
"Go inside quickly," Sirius told him. "I'll come with you."
Harry, Ron, Fred, George, Sirius, Remus, and Mr. Weasley ran to the tent, followed at a slower pace by Bill and Charlie.
"I asked you to stay outside," Snape said coldly.
"Dementors are coming," Harry said.
"You're scared of dementors?" Draco taunted.
"If you're not, you're welcome to go outside and join your parents," Harry retorted.
Draco drew his wand, and with a loud bang, a spell whizzed towards Harry. Harry blocked it with a quick protego.
"You need to make a choice," Harry said. "Either you're with us, or you're not with us. If you're with us, you stop trying to hurt us and enjoy the protection we're offering. If you're against us, go outside to your parents and let the dementors deal with you."
Harry stalked into the bedroom, followed by the whole Weasley clan, Sirius, and Remus. The image of a bouncing ferret came to his mind.
"I would love to have Moody deal with him," Harry said. "He would keep him under control."
A while later, Dumbledore walked in.
"They're gone," he said.
"Is Moody still here?" Harry asked.
"What do you want him for?" Dumbledore asked suspiciously.
"I want to discuss something with him," Harry said.
"It's best for you not to have lengthy conversations with him," Dumbledore said. "Alastor is a great man, but he is very suspicious."
"That's why I want to see him," insisted Harry. "Is it still called paranoid if people are really out to get you?"
"Maybe you'll see him in the morning," Dumbledore said. "It's late now, and you need to get some sleep."
Draco left the tent with Snape. Slowly, everyone else departed as Harry and the Weasleys got ready for bed. Harry fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow and enjoyed a dreamless night.