Chapter Seven –

Bagman and Crouch

Romi's feet slammed into the ground, and she toppled over, landing hard on her butt. She picked herself up off the ground, Draco did too, but their parents were still standing, looking no worse for wear.

"Four forty-eight from Childerley Forest," said a voice to their right.

Romi looked around and saw that they had arrived on what appeared to be a long stretch of deserted misty moor.

There was a pair of tired and grumpy looking wizards, one of whom was holding a large gold watch, the other a thick roll of parchment and a quill. Both were dressed as Muggles, though very inexpertly; the man with the watch wore a tweed suit with thigh-length galoshes; his colleague, a kilt and a poncho.

"Good morning Mrs Black, Mr and Mrs Malfoy," said the kilted wizard, holding out a hand for the punctured football.

"Good morning, Basil," Charis said warmly. "How was the night?"

"Oh, very long," replied Basil with a sigh. "You just missed Hector. He was going to wait for you lot, but Mr Crouch pulled him away."

"That's alright," Charis replied. "I didn't expect to see much of him today."

Basil nodded, "he certainly has his work cut out for him. You're in the first campsite on your left, about a quarter of a mile's walk; ask for Mr Roberts. I believe Hector's already set it up for you."

"Thank you, Basil," Charis said.

They set off across the deserted moor, unable to make out much through the mist. After about twenty minutes, a small stone cottage next to a gate swam into view. Beyond it, Romi could just make out the ghostly shapes of hundreds and hundreds of tents, rising up the gentle slope of a large field towards a dark wood on the horizon. Uncle Lucius was the one that approached the cottage.

A man was standing in the doorway, looking out at the tents. Romi could tell that this was the only Muggle for miles. When he heard their footsteps, he turned his head to look at them.

"Good morning," Uncle Lucius said coolly.

"Morning," Mr Roberts replied, looking at them oddly.

Charis was the one who spoke next.

"My husband came before us," she said quickly. "Mr Hector Black?"

"Ah, yes," Mr Roberts said, he turned for a moment, retrieved a piece of paper and then turned back, holding it outstretched. "Map of the campsite. You're plot is about halfway towards the wood. Number 502."

"Thank you," Charis said, taking the map and they turned into the campsite.

Mr Roberts watched them closely as they passed and Romi couldn't help but get a strange feeling from him.

They trudged up the misty field between long rows of tents. Most looked almost ordinary; their owners had clearly tried to make them as Muggle-like as possible, but had slipped up by adding chimneys, or bell-pulls, or weather-vanes. However, here and there was a tent so obviously magical that Romi was surprised that Mr Roberts wasn't getting suspicious. Halfway up the field stood an extravagant confection of striped silk like a miniature palace; with several live peacocks tethered at the entrance.

Charis stopped here and looked at the map and then at the tent.

"Really?" she said dryly to Aunt Narcissa and Uncle Lucius, "that's what you gave him to set up? It's not exactly inconspicuous. He's supposed to be setting the example."

"It's in the middle of campground and no Muggles should be coming by," Uncle Lucius said striding forward towards it.

Charis gave an exaggerated sigh, dropping her arm with the map in it beside her leg.

"Fine," she said, and followed her brother-in-law inside. Romi and Draco stood outside for a moment.

"Wow," Romi said finally. "I'm inclined to agree with my mother. I kinda don't want to go inside."

"Come on," Draco said, grabbing her hand and dragging her inside the tent.

Inside was at least eight times inside, which was saying quite a bit. It was nearly the same size as the Malfoy's Manor back at home. It could very easily have stationed an entire regiment of soldiers in there, and there seemed to be enough cots for them also. The kitchen was enormous, the living room full of over-stuffed chairs and couches, and there was a complete sun room with see-through cloth.

There were four bedrooms on the bottom floor, and near the back was a ladder leading upstairs. The kitchen looked fully automatic, complete with a dishwasher and refrigerator.

"It's not home," Uncle Lucius said, staring around at the tent. "But it'll have to do for one night."

Romi stared incredulously at the place, and then with a shake of her head, went and picked the bedroom beside Draco's. She dumped her backpack on the bed and then went out into the living room again.

Draco had planted himself on one of the couches, feet up and started to read a Quidditch book.

"Come on, let's go explore," Romi said, leaning against the couch. Draco looked up to her.

"There's nothing out there, just a bunch of sleeping witches and wizards and the children that are probably already running around unchecked," Draco said. He did look very tired.

"Alright, fine," Romi said, and she sat at the end of the couch where Draco had his feet up. "You don't intend on staying in here all day, do you?"

"I was thinking of having a nap," Draco said, smiling. "Care to join me?"

Romi didn't answer because her mother came back out into the main room.

"Well, I think we'll start getting breakfast ready," she said, "if you guys are up for it, this early in the morning."

"Sounds good," Romi said. "I can go get water or something!"

"We have a kitchen, Romi," Draco replied.

It turned out he was right; Aunt Narcissa and Uncle Lucius didn't really seem to care about Anti-Muggle security now that they were actually at the campsite amongst other wizards.

Aunt Narcissa and Charis started getting breakfast ready, and Romi could feel her sleepiness coming back, and she dozed on the couch for a bit.

Her mother called her some time later and they all moved to sit down to breakfast at the dining room table. Just as Romi plopped into her seat, the front door opened, and Hector strode in looking exhausted already.

"Hey, dad!" Romi said, smiling as he came up to them.

"Hey, pumpkin," Hector replied, and gave her a kiss on the top of her head before sitting down at the empty chair. Charis immediately started piling food onto his plate.

"How is it going out there?" Charis asked.

"Oh, it's a nightmare," Hector replied. "People just can't help showing off when we all get together." Hector seemed to glare pointedly at Uncle Lucius. Uncle Lucius pretended not to notice. "Thankfully I don't have to deal with all of those people."

"What are you doing?" Romi asked.

"Oh, mostly making sure everything is set for the Bulgarian delegation," Hector replied, folding up a large pile of bacon into his toast. "They should be arriving any minute now. Fudge is worried out of his mind because he can't speak Bulgarian. Crouch is just about all over the campsite, so we can't pin him down to talk for us."

"Maybe I could help," Romi said smiling. She was fairly good at languages, and she knew a little bit of Bulgarian. Hector contemplated his daughter for a moment, his eyes sparkling.

"Well, if you're looking for something to do, you're more than welcome to come along," he said smiling, taking a bite out of his sandwich.

Romi nodded eagerly and looked at her mother for permission.

"I guess that's alright," Charis replied. "Come back for lunch though."

"Okay!" Romi said.

Draco decided to stay in and have a nap during the morning. Romi tried to wait patiently while her father finished his meal, but it was very hard. Then he was up again, and Romi followed him out waving goodbye to her mum.

Outside the sun was burning off all the mist, and it was turning into a bright sunny day.

"Your hand, please," Hector said, holding out his arm.

"I thought we weren't allowed to do side-along Apparation?" Romi said, looking at her father's outstretched arm.

"Special treatment for an Ambassador," Hector replied with a wink. "Not to mention that we're just traveling inside the World Cup grounds."

Romi smiled, took her father's arm and seconds later, after the sensation of being sucked through a tube, Romi was standing in a clearing, in front of a very large tent, with many smaller tents connecting to it.

"Stay close, Romi," Hector instructed her and he headed towards the main tent. Romi went with him, her eyes all around the clearing. It was obviously the Ministry headquarters, because there was a large 'M' above every entrance to the tents in this area and Ministry wizards were running all over the place.

Hector held up the flap for the biggest tent and let Romi go in first. She looked up and all around. It was twice the size of the Malfoy's tent, and quite possibly held all of the Ministry of Magic inside. There were people everywhere, in various states of conspicuousness with their mismatched Muggle clothing. All of them looked extremely haggard and exhausted, running around with papers or talking to some who appeared to be foreign delegates.

Hector came in right after his daughter, and smiled at her astonished face.

"Hector!" called a voice to their left, and there was a very tall, paper-thin man with a thick Scottish accent loping in their direction. "There yeh are," he said, getting up to them.

"Brian, this is Romi, my daughter," Hector said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "She was curious of the behind the scenes, and she's a bit of a linguist, maybe she'll be able to help us out."

"Excellent," Brian said, holding out a hand for Romi to shake. "It's a pleasure to met yeh. Yeh came just at the righ' momen'," Brian continued. "The Bulgarian delegation jus' arrived."

"Oh, good," Hector said. "Lead on."

Brian turned and led Hector and Romi through the tent.

Romi was looking all around her, amazed at what she was seeing. She was lagging behind her father, and accidentally banged into someone.

"Sorry," Romi said, immediately looking down again, and backwards at the person she'd hit.

"Oh, it's okay!" a tall girl in her twenties with curly brown hair said, turning towards Romi. She was walking with a short stubby man, with a camera over his shoulder and a tall blonde woman in heels. Neither of these two looked back.

"Enjoy the match!" the girl called to Romi and then turned back her to companions.

Romi continued to walk after her father, but she kept staring back at the retreating young woman. She couldn't put her finger on it, but she felt like she knew that girl.

Romi was distracted when Brian showed Hector and Romi into an office inside the tent. There were a couple of people already inside. Cornelius Fudge, the Minister for Magic himself, was one of them, and another was Ludo Bagman, the Head of the Magical Sports and Games Department. Cornelius Fudge was dressed in a smart suit, his bowler hat in his hands, talking to a tall dark haired man that Romi didn't recognize.

Ludo Bagman on the other hand, was wearing bright yellow and black Quidditch robes with a large Wasp on the front of the stretched out robes, his boyish face and blue eyes alight with excitement.

"Good morning, gentlemen," Hector said, as they all entered the room.

"Ah, Hector, there you are," Cornelius Fudge said, turning to look at him. "You haven't seen Barty Crouch around, have you?"

"Nope," Hector replied. "Just finished having breakfast. We need him?"

The tall dark haired man said something in rushed Bulgarian. Romi stared at him, trying to figure out what he had said.

"This is Mister Ob… um…" Cornelius Fudge started, glancing at the tall dark haired man.

"Mr Obalenskji," Hector said, holding out a hand to shake. "Nice to see you again."

The man jabbered something in Bulgarian, which Romi understood as 'Don't tell him', but she missed the rest of the words. Hector watched him for a moment, slightly confused, and then glanced at Fudge.

"Ah yes, you know the Bulgarian Minister for Magic," Fudge said, twisting his hands. "He doesn't speak English, you know. Just looking for Barty Crouch to help out."

Hector's eyes twinkled and he nodded.

"Sorry, I haven't seen him," Hector replied. "Perhaps Romi can help," Hector motioned to her. "My daughter's fairly good with languages."

"Oh, nice to see you again, Romi," Fudge said, glancing at her, looking a little flustered. "It must be almost eight years since I saw you! My, you grew up fast."

"Yeah, it happens," said Romi, feeling a little awkward.

"Could you ask the Bulgarian Minister why he is so distressed?" Fudge asked her.

"Uh, I can try," said Romi.

"Is something wrong?" she stuttered out in broken Bulgarian.

The Bulgarian Minister looked at her with a little smile. He thankfully spoke slowly so that Romi could understand what he was saying.

"Just playing a joke," he said, with a wink. "I want to see what he'll try to do to get me to understand English."

Romi smiled after a moment, figuring out what he had said and the Bulgarian Minister continued.

"I would like to see the updated security designs for my team," he said.

Romi looked to Fudge.

"Uh, he wants to see the updated security, um, measures taken for his team," she said.

"Oh, excellent," Fudge said. He turned to the Bulgarian Minister for Magic and said very loudly, "Yes, we can certainly do that! Absolutely, right away."

He gestured for the Bulgarian Minister to exit the room first. He glanced back at Romi.

"Thank you!" he said, looking haggard, before exiting the room. Brian followed him, but Hector and Ludo Bagman stayed behind a moment.

"I don't know how he gets anywhere with that accent," Ludo said with a sigh, shaking his head. "At first I thought he was going on in English, and I tell you, that didn't make sense at all."

Hector laughed. "I'm sure it didn't. Can you go and look out for Barty," Hector asked. "I don't know how much Bulgarian Romi can translate."

"Not that much," Romi admitted. "I can speak like a caveman."

"Impressive nonetheless," Ludo said, giving her a little bow. "But you must be bored following around your father all day, doing all this official stuff."

"It's not bad," Romi replied.

"Why don't you take her out for a bit, Ludo," Hector suggested. "You've got to do your rounds, visit people and make them excited for the game. Got to be better than sitting in here with me and a bunch of other old loony diplomats."

"I would love too!" Ludo said, cheerfully looking at Romi. "Care for a tour?"

"Sure!" Romi replied.

"Make sure you're back at the tent at lunch time, or your mother will have my head," Hector said.

"Don't you worry," Ludo said, "I don't think there's a ministry wizard out there doesn't know Romi. She'll get back okay, whatever happens."

"Thanks, Ludo," Hector replied and he left the office.

"All right, little lady," Ludo said, rubbing his hands together. "Let's go and meet some people!"

Ludo Bagman, it appeared, knew everyone. They Apparated into what Bagman told her was her campground. There, almost immediately they were flagged down by a group of little witches sitting around a modest campfire. Ludo talked with them for a while, getting them to laugh hysterically, and getting a couple of wagers out of them too.

They walked through the tents, where a lot of the witches and wizards were up, cooking various things over their campfires. Bagman stopped to talk to everyone on the way, getting everyone hyped up on the upcoming game. Romi was enjoying herself immensely, everywhere they went there was a different story to be told by the people, and plenty of good things to eat.

"Oh, try this, Romi," Ludo said, handing her a mug of something frothing and steaming from the cauldron over the fire of three African wizards. "It's fantastic, you'll love it," he said, taking one for himself from the wizards. They were laughing and smiling, and held up their own mugs to Ludo and Romi.

"To the biggest game of the year!" said one of the African wizards in a thick accent, smiling broadly.

"To the biggest game of the century!" Ludo corrected, clinking mugs with him. Romi clanked her mug against everyone's also and then the five of them took big gulps.

"Mmmm! What is it?" Romi said, wiping the foam from her mouth after her first gulp.

"It is the sweet nectar of life," said one of the other African men. "It's made of honey and a rare flower that grows in our home land. But the recipe is secret! So I won't tell you the rest."

"It's wonderful!" Romi said, taking another gulp.

"It is supposed to bring good luck and fortune to the drinker," said the third man. "It will bring in good health and scare away death!"

"Hmm!" Ludo said, through a big gulp. He brought the mug down again, "I'll definitely drink to that!"

Ludo and Romi left the African wizards after a second cup of the wonderful hot frothy mixture. They were making their way across the campground, and made several more stops. Romi tried a number of different foods from all over the world as they talked with people. Some of them she recognised, but others she definitely didn't.

She had a great time with Ludo trying to figure out what everything was, and daring each other to try it. Ludo was in a state of extreme excitement and agreed to eat pretty much everything.

His state of being was completely infectious, and Romi was already beaming broadly. Everyone they met seemed to get extremely excited and joyful as well.

They had just left a locust eating competition from a Middle Eastern tent, the two wizards there had thought it was hilarious that Romi and Ludo had never eaten locusts before, when they started towards the camp spot nearest the woods.

"Oh, look!" Romi said pointing, "It's the Weasleys!"

Ludo looked over and spotted Mr Weasley waving at them.

"Right you are, Romi," he said. "Ahoy there!" Ludo called happily, as Romi waved to her friends.

"Arthur, old man," Ludo puffed, as he reached the campfire, "what a day, eh? What a day! Could we have asked for more perfect weather? A cloudless night coming… and hardly a hiccup in the arrangements… not much for me to do!"

Behind him, a group of haggard-looking Ministry wizards rushed past, pointing at the distant evidence of some sort of a magical fire which was sending violet sparks twenty feet into the air. Romi watched them go past, slightly concerned for Ludo's lack of observational skills.

"Hey, Romi!" Ginny said, happily. She patted the grass beside her and Romi went to sit down. Harry and Hermione were also with the Weasleys and they greeted Romi warmly when she joined them. "Fancy meeting you here," Ginny said, as Romi sat down beside her.

"I was bored," said Romi, "the idea of sitting in the tent all day...eehh."

"Yes," Ludo said, laughing, "I got the wonderful task of entertaining the Ministry's favourite pest all morning!"

"Did you know that if you deep fry locusts, they taste a bit like a chicken wing?" Romi said conversationally to Ginny. Ginny laughed heartily while Harry, Ron and Hermione stared at her and the Weasley twins leant over to each give her a high five.

"Wow, what have you been feeding her, Ludo," Mr Weasley said, jovially. "Hector won't like that at all."

"Ah, Hector would have tried to beat us in the bug eating competition," Ludo countered, smiling.

"Yes, and then you'd all be in trouble with Charis," Mr Weasley chuckled.

"Ah, yes," Ludo said, looking back at Romi seriously. "Don't tell your mother what you've eaten today."

Romi smiled broadly, "I won't."

At this point Percy Weasley, one of Ginny's older brothers, came out of the tent behind them. He saw Ludo Bagman standing there and hurried forward with his hand outstretched.

"Ah – yes," said Mr Weasley, 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 – my daughter, Ginny – and Ron's friends, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter."

Ludo did the smallest of the double takes when he heard Harry's name, and his eyes performed the familiar flick upwards to the scar on Harry's forehead.

"Everyone," Mr Weasley continued, "this is Ludo Bagman, you know who he is, it's thanks to him we've got such good tickets–"

Ludo beamed and waved his hand as if to say it had been nothing.

"Fancy a flutter on the match, Arthur?" he said eagerly, jingling his large amount of gold in the pockets of his yellow and black robes. "I've already got Roddy Ponter betting me Bulgaria will score first – I offered him nice odds, considering Ireland's front three are the strongest I've seen years – and little Agatha Timms has put up half shares in her eel farm on a week-long match."

"Oh… go on then," said Mr Weasley. "Let's see… a Galleon on Ireland to win?"

"A Galleon?" Ludo looked slightly disappointed, but recovered himself. "Very well, very well… any other takers?"

"They're a bit young to be gambling," said Mr Weasley. "Molly wouldn't like–"

"We'll bet thirty seven Galleons, fifteen Sickles, three Knuts," said Fred as he and George quickly pooled all their money, "that Ireland win – 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 hissed. But Ludo didn't seem to think the wand was rubbish at all; on the contrary, his boyish face shone with excitement as he took it from Fred, and when the wand gave a loud squawk and turned into a rubber chicken, Ludo roared with laughter.

"Excellent! I haven't seen one that convincing in years! I'd pay five Galleons for that!"

Percy froze in an attitude of stunned disapproval.

"Boys," said Mr Weasley under his breath. "I don't want you betting… that's all your savings… your mother–"

"Don't be a spoilsport, Arthur!" boomed Ludo, rattling 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 odds on that one… we'll add five Galleons for the funny wand, then, shall we…"

Mr Weasley looked on helplessly as Ludo whipped out a notebook and quill and began jotting down the twins' names.

"Cheers," said George, taking the slip of parchment Ludo handed him and tucking it away into his shirt.

Ludo turned most cheerfully back to Mr Weasley. "Couldn't do me a brew, I suppose? We're keeping an eye out for Barty Crouch. My Bulgarian opposite number's making difficulties, I can't understand a word he saying, and Romi's Bulgarian isn't the greatest. Barty'll be able to sort it out. He speaks about a hundred and fifty languages."

"Mr Crouch?" said Percy, suddenly abandoned his look of poker-stiff disapproval and was positively writhing with excitement. "He speaks over two hundred! Mermish and Gobbledegook and Troll…"

"Anyone can speak Troll," said Fred dismissively, "all you have to do is point and grunt."

Percy threw Fred an extremely nasty look and stoked the fire vigorously to bring the kettle back to the boil.

"Any news of Bertha Jorkins yet, Ludo?" Mr Weasley asked, as Ludo settled himself down on the grass beside them all.

"Not a dicky bird," said Bagman comfortably. "But she'll turn up. Poor Bertha … memory like a leaky cauldron and no sense of direction. Lost, you take my word for it. She'll wander back into the office sometime in October, thinking it's still July."

Romi turned to Ginny. "Did you get my letter," she whispered.

Ginny nodded and took a sip of her tea. "I have a couple of ideas, but I think it's best if we get to talk to Neville and Luna as well."

Romi nodded in agreement just as a wizard Apparated at their fireside.

Romi looked up to the man that had appeared before them. He could have not made more of a contrast with Ludo Bagman, sprawled on the grass in his old Wasp robes. Romi recognised Barty Crouch immediately, a stiff, upright, elderly man, dressed in an impeccable crisp suit and tie. The parting in his short grey hair was almost unnaturally straight and his narrow toothbrush moustache looked as though he trimmed it using a ruler. Mr Crouch had complied with the rule about Muggles dressing so thoroughly that he could have passed as a bank manager.

"Ah, there you are!" Ludo said brightly, "Pull up a bit of grass, Barty." He patted the ground beside him.

"No, thank you, Ludo," said Crouch, and there was 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?" said Ludo, grinning at Romi, "I though the chap was asking to borrow a pair of tweezers. Bit of a strong accent."

"Mr Crouch!" said Percy breathlessly, and sunk into a kind of half bow, which made him look like a hunchback. "Would you like a cup of tea?"

"Oh," said Mr Crouch, looking over a Percy in mild surprise. "Yes – thank you, Weatherby."

Fred and George choked into their own cups, and Romi had difficulty keeping a straight face while Percy, very pink around the ears, busied himself with the kettle.

"Oh, and I've been wanting a word with you, too, Arthur," said Mr Crouch, his sharp eyes falling upon Mr Weasley. "Ali Bashir's on the warpath. He wants a word with you about your embargo on flying carpets."

Mr Weasley heaved a deep sigh, "I sent him an owl about that just last week. If I've told him once I've told him a hundred times: carpets are defined as a Muggle Artefact by the Registry of Proscribed Charmable Objects, but will he listen?"

"I doubt it," said Mr Crouch, accepting a cup from Percy. "He's desperate to export here."

"Well, they'll never replace brooms in Britain, will they?" said Ludo.

"Ali thinks there's a niche in the market for a family vehicle," said Mr Crouch. "I remember by grandfather had an Axminster that could seat twelve – but that was before carpets were banned, of course."

He spoke as though he wanted to leave nobody any doubt that all his ancestors had abided strictly by the law.

"So, been keeping busy, Barty?" asked Ludo breezily.

"Fairly," said Mr Crouch dryly. "Organizing Portkeys across five continents is no mean feat, Ludo."

"I expect you'll both be glad when this is over?" said Mr Weasley.

Ludo looked shocked. "Glad! Don't know when I've had more fun… still, it's not as though we haven't got anything to look forward to, eh, Barty? Eh? Plenty left to organize?"

Mr Crouch raised his eyebrows at Ludo. "We agreed not to make the announcement until all the details–"

"Oh, details!" said Ludo, waving the word away like a cloud of midges. "Hector's sorted it all out! They've signed, haven't they? They've agreed, haven't they? I bet you anything these kids'll know soon enough anyways. I mean, it's happening at Hogwarts–"

"Ludo, we need to meet the Bulgarians, you know," said Mr Crouch sharply, cutting Ludo's remarks short. "Thank you for the tea, Weatherby."

He pushed his undrunk tea back at Percy and waited for Ludo to rise; Ludo struggled to his feet again, swigging down the last of his tea, the gold in his pockets chinking merrily.

"Well, Romi," he said, "it's just about lunch time, so you'd better head back to your mum's."

"I will," Romi replied, getting to her feet herself, "it's just up there I think," she said, pointing away from the wood.

"See you all later, then!" Ludo said. "You'll be up in the Top Box with me – I'm commentating!" he waved, Barty Crouch nodded curtly and both of them Disapparated.

"What's happening at Hogwarts, Dad?" asked Fred immediately. "What are they talking about?"

"You'll find out soon enough," said Mr Weasley smiling.

"Its classified information until such time as the Ministry decides to release it," said Percy stiffly. "Mr Crouch was quite right not to disclose it."

"Oh, shut up, Weatherby," Fred interrupted. "Won't you stay for lunch, Romi?" he added, looking up at her.

"No, I can't," answered Romi. "Two reasons, one, mum asked for me to back for lunch, and two, I've had so much food I don't think I could possibly eat any more."

Mr Weasley shook his head; "I can't believe your father let you wander around all morning with Ludo Bagman. Great man, but really."

Romi laughed, "It was my father's idea. Anyways, I'll see you guys when the match starts!"

They all waved her off and Romi made her way back through the tents towards the middle, where her Uncle's tent was.

Charis and Aunt Narcissa were sitting outside on lawn chairs as Romi approached.

"I thought you were with your father," Charis scolded as Romi walked up alone.

"Oh, we met up with the Weasleys," Romi said, pointing behind her. "So I just spent time with Ginny."

"Alright then," Charis said, after eyeing her for a moment.

Hector returned about an hour later for his lunch, and carefully said nothing to his wife about letting Romi explore with Ludo Bagman. Romi and Draco spent the afternoon outside, and Romi told him all about her morning.

A sense of excitement rose like a palpable cloud over the campsite as the afternoon wore on. By dusk, the still summer air itself seemed to be quivering with anticipation, and as darkness spread like a curtain over the thousands of waiting wizards, the last vestiges of pretence disappeared: the Ministry seemed to have bowed to the inevitable, and stopped fighting the signs of blatant magic now breaking out everywhere.

Salesmen were Apparating every few feet, carrying trays and pushing carts full of extraordinary merchandise. There were luminous rosettes – green for Ireland, red for Bulgaria – which were squealing the names of the players, pointed green hats bedecked with dancing shamrocks, Bulgarian scarves adorned with lions that really roared, flags from both countries which played their national anthems as they were waved; there were tiny models of Firebolts, which really flew and collectible figures of famous players, which strolled across the palm of your hand, preening themselves.

Romi and Draco strolled through the carts, hand in hand, looking at all the different merchandise. Romi and Draco got a set of Omnioculars each and an Irish Flag. At a distance, Romi saw Harry, Ron and Hermione looking at a stall filled with programmes. Romi pushed Draco in the opposite direction.

They were making their way back to the tent, where Charis, Aunt Narcissa and Uncle Lucius were standing chatting in the warm summer night.

And then a deep, booming gong sounded somewhere beyond the woods, and at once, green and red lanterns blazed into life in the trees, lighting a path to the pitch.

"It's time!" said Charis, looking as excited as Romi and Draco. "Come on, let's go!"