Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
When Wizards Gather
"Have a lovely time", Mum said tersely as she stood in the doorframe of the kitchen door. Dad stayed back to hear her and offer his own goodbyes with our younger siblings and Hermione standing behind him. But, hand-in-hand, Fred, George, and I were already walking away; matching scowls on our faces. "And behave yourselves", she called after us. But we couldn't be bothered to turn around or answer. Honestly, it wasn't like showing off their fake wands at the cup was going to cause any injuries.
Right now was one of those in-between parts of the day when the moon was still visible and dawn was barely making an appearance. It was something we rarely saw, being rather fond of our beds. But with our moods as they were, we weren't in a place to appreciate the experience. Even when we stepped over the invisible boundary that marked the end of the Weasley family property. The one we hadn't been allowed to cross for most of the summer.
"There have been two-hundred portkeys placed around Britain", we heard Dad explain as he and the others caught up. "The one closest to us is on Stoatshead Hill, and that's where we're going".
Walking helped. And as our path took us through the darkened village, Fred and George's grip on my hands loosened. As if all we needed was to put some temporary distance between us and our house for us to feel more like ourselves again.
The village was still in the early morning. Eerie, even. Seeing it like this when we hadn't seen it in months made it feel like there had been a big change that we weren't aware of. But that was nonsense. It was the same Ottery St. Catchpole as always. My hands started to feel cold as we listened to the sounds of our footsteps. But there wasn't much I could do to warm them, because just as we were leaving the village, we started the steep incline as we climbed Stoatshead hill. Hands couldn't be warmed in pockets or held under your armpits when you needed them to catch yourself after tripping due to unseen rabbit holes or losing traction in your shoes. No one talked; focused on making it up the hill in one piece, but occasionally we'd hear a huff of a complaint. Mostly from Ron, who had never been an early riser and was struggling the most out of everyone.
Smiling broadly, Dad cleaned his glasses of sweat and morning condensation once he reached the top. "That's one way to start the morning", he said, as if he found crack-of-dawn exercise enjoyable. If he was being genuine, Dad was the only one. Behind him; Ron, Hermione, and Ginny reached the top; panting and holding their sides as they tried to recover. "Ten minutes", Dad announced as George swung an arm over my shoulders and allowed me to lean on him. Ugh, the only time I'm awake this early is when I've woken from a nightmare. "We're right on schedule. We'll just need to find the portkey. It'll be something unobtrusive. Something that looks discarded so a muggle wouldn't want. Like litter", Dad explained specifically to Hermione as the rest of us started a grumbling search. Well, sort of. Being asleep on my feet, I just let George lead me around as he searched.
It wasn't long until we weren't the only group on the hill. "Over here, Arthur!" A too enthused voice called out. "My boy's found it. We have it".
"Amos", Dad greeted as he started to lead our lot over.
"I'll bet you five sickles that being an early riser is a Hufflepuff trait", I complained quietly to George as Fred joined us on my other side.
"Now, Jolly Holly", Fred started as we approached two figures; already back to his good-humored self. "Is that something the president of YUP should be saying?"
"It does sound hypocritical, doesn't it Fred?" George played along as we became close enough to make out the yellow of Cedric's quidditch team jumper. "Not something a person preaching inter-house unity should be saying".
I opened my mouth to retort, but all that came out was a tired mumble that was made incomprehensible by being interrupted by a yawn. Fred and George snickered over my head, but otherwise, let it go. Things were different now. Cedric was no longer a rival from an opposing quidditch team. He was our friend. Not as cherished as Lee, but still someone whose feelings matter; making comments about personality traits and parents (the things people can't help) off limits.
"Hello", Cedric greeted as Dad and Mr. Diggory shook hands. Hufflepuff's favorite son waved to our little siblings and Hermione as he approached us triplets. "Are you ready for the big match?" He asked as our dads discussed the hour they had to leave their homes and sleepy starts.
"Oh, yeah", George agreed. "Should be great. Ireland hasn't had this strong a team in years".
"But we've heard Bulgaria's seeker is a beast on the pitch", Fred continued. "We wouldn't miss this for the world". And they weren't lying. Even knowing there was a chance the campgrounds would be attacked wasn't enough to dampen Fred and George's spirits to witness the world cup in person.
"Alright, everyone", Dad called; asking for our attention. "It's nearly time. Amos, do you know if any other families are coming?"
"No, no", Mr. Diggory said with a shake of his head as we gathered around an old weathered rubber boot. The type fishermen wear and something you might find washed up on the shore. Not the type of boot one would imagine stumbling upon in the inland countryside. "The only others in our area are the Fawcetts and the Lovegoods. The Fawcetts couldn't get tickets, mighty sore about that, they were. And the Lovegoods have already been camping for a week".
"Good", Dad said; only half listening as he did a quick head count. While not always as on top of things as Mum tended to be, Dad knew that if he lost one of us, he'd never hear the end of it. "We better be ready", Dad said as he ensured he was next to Hermione. "All you have to do-" I heard him explain as the rest of us worked to have at least a finger on the manky old boot. It's more challenging than it sounded. With two Diggorys, one Granger, and six Weasleys, not to mention the gear we were carrying, it was a squeeze to let everyone in.
"Three…Two…" Dad counted down as he did one last sweep with his eyes to make sure someone wouldn't have to make the trek back to the Burrow and inform Mum they'd been left behind. George still had an arm around my shoulders and I felt him grab a fistful of my shirt at the last moment. I'm not sure what good that would do if something was to go wrong, but I appreciated the thought. "One!"
It happened all at once. Dad's voice became strained as it felt like I was jerked forward by an invisible force; my finger glued to the boot. From my left, Fred's shoulders banged into mine. And on my right, I think I elbowed George in the ribs. But it couldn't be helped. Not as we were being swept up in swirls of colors and wind. If there was ever a time to make a Wizard of Oz reference, it was now. However, unlike Dorothy; when things came to a halt there wasn't a house crushing a witch or a new world of technicolor for us to explore. All there was were a few new bruises, windswept hair, and grass as a voice announced our arrival.
Two magical tents set up the 'muggle way' and everyone was fully awake and ready to go. Not just us, either. As we went about our assigned chores (Hermione and Ron to find water, and the rest of us wood), the other campers on the moor started to wake. Witches and wizards of various ages went about making their morning coffee. Some choose to try the suspicious task of using matches to light their campfires while others couldn't be bothered and just made sure no one important was looking before drawing their wands. Dad was very much of the first category. As soon as we had enough kindling, Dad eagerly knelt next to our makeshift fire pit and rubbed his hands together. "Matches. Ingenious, really; these muggles. "Holly, come help me".
And that is how I spent my morning; trying to explain matches and fire safety to my own father. Despite my involvement though, we still ended up using half the box before we were nursing a decent-sized flame. Ruined matches, some with burnt tops and others snapped in half, littered the ground around us. But at least Dad was thrilled; beaming brighter than the flame we were using to cook our breakfast.
Many familiar faces popped by to say hello before they jogged off to complete whatever task they were trying to do. Mostly, these faces belonged to members of the ministry. Dad knew them all by name as he pointed them out to Hermione once she and Ron had returned with the water. It wasn't long after we'd finished cooking when Bill, Charlie, and Percy arrived; looking well rested and not at all like it had taken effort to get here. "Just apparated", Percy announced; sounding very pleased with himself and failing to notice the fond and slightly exasperated head shakes of his older brothers behind him.
The next ones to stumble upon or campsite and stay a while were Harry, Sirius, and Adrian. "Harry!" Ron said excitedly as he heard over to his best friend's side with Hermione following. "Did you see the Bulgarian tents? They had Krum's face plastered all over".
"Sirius", Dad greeted as he handed the head of the Black family a plate of eggs and sausages. "Get settled alright? Where are you and Harry camping?"
"Breakfast?" Adrian asked as he took a seat next to me on a fallen log we were using as a bench. "It's almost noon".
"Real men can eat breakfast food at any time of day", Fred said before shoving a large mouthful of eggs into his mouth, just to be obnoxious.
Rolling his eyes in a fashion that was a lot more tolerant than he had been in the past, Adrian stretched an arm to rest on the other side of me. "Dad insisted on cooking the nonmagical way", I explained; offering him a bit of toast from my plate. "It took a while to set everything set up right".
Adrian accepted the toast and as he ate it, I couldn't help but notice how out of place Adrian looked. Well… in a sense. Compared to all the witches and wizards here who were trying to look like muggles and failing, Adrian didn't stand out. But when considered in isolation, Adrian did look like a person who was camping at all. Instead of old trainers that did matter if they were dirtied, Adrian had on black leather loafers. The same kind of shoe he wore in school. Instead of flannels, he wore a sweater that looked more suited for Sunday brunch than roughing it in the moors. One day, I'm going to have to teach him how to dress down because Adrian really doesn't know what he's missing out on.
However, Adrian's fashion choices were easily forgettable. Especially when Ludo Bagman found his way to our campsite. Dressed like a bumblebee in old quidditch robes that were a tad too tight, Ludo wasted no time in greeting Dad and sharing his excitement. "Excellent weather for quidditch", he announced; seemingly unbothered by the ministry workers running behind him in the background as they tirelessly tried to prevent the statue of secrecy from being destroyed. "We couldn't have hoped for any better", Ludo exclaimed as he and Dad shook hands.
"Hello Ludo", Dad said; willing and able to match the man's enthusiasm. "Let me introduce my children. I don't think you've met them before". One by one Dad started to point us out, trusting we'd act accordingly as He did so. "Let's see… There's Bill and Charlie; my two eldest. Both work abroad. They came home specifically for the cup. Couldn't dream of missing it. Over there is Percy and Ron. Percy just started an internship at Lord Flint's law firm. Great man, Lord Flint. Then there's Fred and George. My daughters, Holly and Ginny. And their friends Hermione Granger and Adrian Pucey". Dad paused, adjusting so he could address all of us. "Kids, this is Ludo Bagman. He's the one to thank for our tickets". Ludo beamed at Dad's gratefulness. "And of course, you know Sirius Black and his Godson Harry Potter".
Ludo spent a little too much time looking in Harry's direction, but he snapped himself back to reality when Sirius inched to stand protectively in front of Harry. It wasn't something I had anticipated, but Sirius being openly and actively involved in Harry's life had done a lot to protect the boy from his fame. "Yes", Ludo agreed as he waved at everyone. Although most of his attention was fixated on Dad and Sirius. "So happy to see the lot of you're here today. It'll be quite the match, I'm sure. Not something anyone will be able to forgive themselves if they miss it".
Eating slowly, I watched the scene play out before me. Having not spent a lot of time thinking about Ludo Bagman or trying to recall the little Jessie knew about him, it was like watching a movie you know you've seen before but could remember if your life depended on it. "Want a go at the pot, gents?" Ludo asked as he shook the pockets of his robes; making the coin in them jingle like sleigh bells. "Good odds all around. The pot keeps growing at every place I stop".
Sirius looked bored and ultimately unimpressed as he excused himself to go talk with Bill and Charlie instead. Only Dad remained. "Oh, why not", Dad said. "Put me down for one galleon on Ireland". After winning the lottery, Dad wasn't in any hurry to try his luck. Being lucky once didn't guarantee it would last forever.
The disappointment on Ludo's face was easy to read. And it had me sharing knowing looks with my fellow triplets; earning us a suspicious frown from Adrian. In this order of things, I made sure Fred and George knew better than to bet their savings.
Adrian finished his toast and I finished my last bit of sausage. "Ready to head out?" Adrian asked; talking lowly to not draw too much attention. Although, in a family as large as mine, that's rather difficult.
"Where are you going?" Bill asked with a raised eyebrow as I handed Ginny my plate. Since I helped with the wood, fire, and cooking; cleaning up fell on Ginny's shoulders. Though I have no doubt she'll be able to rope Bill or Charlie into taking care of the chore magically
"Just taking a walk", I said as Ludo asked Dad for a cuppa in the background. "Seeing the sights". It sounded innocent enough, but I'm sure Adrian and I would be able to occupy ourselves until it was time for the match. In which case, my family wouldn't be seeing me again until after the game was over. Dad was able to get ten tickets for the match. The one extra we had, Ron used to invite Hermione. Over a conversation we had during his many visits to the burrow, Harry and I decided to trade tickets. This way he could enjoy the match with his friends and I could spend the time with my boyfriend with only Sirius looking on.
"Alone?" Charlie asked; sounding just as concerned as Bill.
"Dad", I called out interrupting not only him and Ludo but Bill and Charlie's display of brotherly protectiveness; something I generally appreciated but would never admit to. "Adrian and I are leaving".
"Uh…" Dad stuttered a little bit at having to redirect his attention. But nothing could stop him from reminding me how careful I needed to be. Excusing himself from Ludo, he hurried over to stand in front of Adrian and me. "That's fine", he relented; allowing me the freedom I'd been craving since the start of summer. "You'll stay together", Dad said; waiting for both Adrian and me to nod before continuing. "You have your wands on you". Another round of confirmation. "You'll stay around people", Dad instructed. I'm not sure why. That one was an obvious one. "And if either of you sees hide or hair of Lockhart you'll run and get the nearest ministry official. Even if it was only an inkling-"
"We'll be fine, Dad", I broke in; blushing a little at having to listen to these instructions in front of Ludo. "Even if Lockhart's here, he won't be able to do anything with so many people around". Besides, I doubt Lockhart is the person we need to be concerned about for this event.
"They'll be with me for the match", Sirius reminded Dad as he stepped into the conversation. "If they're not in their seats before the game begins, I'll hunt them down".
Dad nodded his thanks, but he kept his words directed at me. "And you'll come straight back to our tents when the match is over or if it resigns for the night. No lingering". He made his expectations very clear.
"You have my word, Mr. Weasley", Adrian stepped up; his hand ghosting my lower back. "I'll bring Holly straight back".
Satisfied, though still slightly worried, Dad nodded for the last time. "Alright. Off you go".