I had not planned on releasing another chapter so soon after the last chapter but I had hit a writing milestone over the weekend and also surpassed 100 follows, so thought I would post this one as well.


Disclaimer – It has come to my attention recently that I unfortunately do not own Harry Potter. Who knew.

Author Note – I enjoy writing short stories for my own enjoyment but at a suggestion from a friend, I have decided to start posting some of my stories that I am working on or have completed. All feedback is welcome (hopefully constructive!) Looking forward to what you think!


"I would be interested but how about we go back to the tent first and grab a bite to eat. I am guessing, if not already, your brothers are due to arrive soon, and I imagine they won't actually start the events until sometime later in the morning."

As if his stomach could have heard the mention of breakfast, Ron's stomach grumbled loudly causing him to look forlornly in the direction of the field and then down to his stomach, as if it had betrayed him.

"Aye ok, let's eat first but then we are going to check out this field, I want to see all the events."

Ron finished his thought and took off in the direction of the tent. Shouting with glee, "VICTOR…BLOODY…KRUM!"


By the time, Harry and Ron made it back to their campsite. Ron was almost vibrating with excitement talking about how amazing this broom racing obstacle course would be to try, along with all the other events. He ran over to the twins, no doubt to share the plans with them, grabbing a plate of food on his way.

"Ah, just in time boys, food just finished cooking. I want to thank Hermione for helping light the fire. I was having a little difficulty, but I am pretty sure I almost got it." Mr. Weasley said, gesturing to several dozen matches surrounding the grill.

After hearing Mr. Weasley's statement, the twins looked up and silently laughed, as they pointed towards the ground, indicating dozens upon dozens of spent and splintered matches, before sobering up and repeatedly mock bowing to her while applauding. This caused Hermione to blush and focus on her plate.

Harry chuckled and grabbed a plate of delicious smelling sausage and eggs and proceeded to head over to where Ginny and Hermione were sitting, to catch up and see what he and Ron had missed this morning.

Ginny immediately stopped talking as Harry approached, causing Hermione to shake her head slightly. Getting over her embarrassment of the twins antics, she smiled up at Harry and welcomed him to join them.

"How was your walk? Did you have the chance to see anything interesting? Ginny and I went to fill up the water and saw a wizard wearing a flowery dress." Hermione said laughing and then continued.

"We also saw a couple of our classmates; Seamus was quite spectacularly dressed up. You and Ron definitely need to see him later. Then we bumped into one of Ginny's classmates, what was her name Lyra? Oona? Slightly peculiar dresser…even amongst what wizards are wearing today, but she seemed…nice." Hermione looked at Ginny to supply the name but noticing Ginny was not interested in replying, Hermione continued. "And finally, we bumped into Cho and Cedric on the way back with the water."

"That must have been right after we saw him. We were out exploring the campground talking about Quidditch and flying for the upcoming year and bumped into Cedric a little while ago. Apparently, there is going to be a flying competition and Quidditch related games just at the edge of the campground. Sounded kind of like a tailgate party I had heard occur at football matches."

Hermione nodded understand, while Ginny looked up with a confused expression but did not ask for clarification, before once again deciding that her food was more interesting than talking.

"As long as it is alright with Mr. Weasley, Ron and I were going to check it out. I am sure Fred and George will not be able to stay away either. If it had been up to Ron we would have headed there right after hearing of it from Cedric but I though grabbing breakfast and letting Mr. Weasley know where we were off to would be a good idea."

"And now that I think of it probably waiting for the arrival of Bill, Charlie, and ..."

"Father, I successfully apparated!" exclaimed Percy at that exact moment, causing Harry to look up and laugh as he noticed the arrival of the eldest Weasley sons.

"Well speak of the devil." Harry commented causing Hermione to laugh.

"Welcome boys! The gangs all here now! Grab some breakfast! Ron was just telling me there is some sort of prematch flying competitions for fans. Might be worth checking out after we eat." Mr. Weasley said, addressing the new additions to their party.

Harry looked up and saw that several tents away, Ludo Bagman was heading in their direction. Harry remembered the difficulties he had caused the twins the first time and quickly excusing himself from the girls he went to join the twins before Bagman had a chance to make a bet with them.

"Heya Harrikins, how was the walk? Ron told ..."

"...us about the competitions. Sounds positively..."

"...delightful! We will definitely be ..."

"...checking it out. We hear there is some ..."

"...prize money available. And not to ruin the surprise..."

"...but we have an actual serious plan that just needs a little funding to get off the ground."

They paused and looked around, before their faces adopted a more serious expression, "Actually maybe just to be safe don't mention anything to Mom, or Dad ..."

"...or Percy. Ya definitely not mom. We feel this is a revelation..."

"...that is better appreciated once complete."

"Don't want to ruin the surprise after all." They finished together, with matching smiles of innocence that anyone who didn't know them might mistake as actually sincere.

Harry crossed his heart. "I promise you boys I shall breath no word of...whatever you plans are. But if you are looking to make some money Cedric had mentioned Ludo Bagman is taking bets on today's match. Although Cedric warned me that Bagman isn't exactly the most responsible individual and suggested having secondary payment options in case something happens to the payment itself."

Harry stood up to join Ron, who himself had decided to sit with the recently arrived Bill and Charlie. Judging by the extravagant arm gestures Ron was likely describing his plans for the competitions...well either that or his plans to make the world's largest pizza.

Looking over his shoulders to the twins, he offered one more piece of advice. "Also maybe get your own version of the agreement in writing...just in case anything happens."

Feeling confident the twins would be able to make do with the advice from the imaginary conversation with Cedric and hopefully save themselves the experience of being cheated by the former Quidditch star.

Harry sat down with Ron, Bill, and Charlie who were indeed discussing flying strategies related to competitions, just as Bagman entered the camping area and greeted Mr. Weasley.

"Morning Arthur, see you made it in and got settled without issue. Get in this morning or last night? Those were some parties last night! This must be the family, can see the resemblance. Except well these two" Bagman commented, singling out Harry and Hermione.

"Hey Ludo, just made it in this morning. Join us for a bite to eat if you haven't eaten already."

Patting his slightly bulging waistline Ludo smiled, "I could definitely grab a small plate. Been on the go since dawn and issues keep popping up so never know if I will be able to sit down for my next meal today."

Harry smirked noticing that Ludo piled his plate to overfilling after asking for just a small plate.

"But you are correct, this is indeed my family. Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred and George, Ron, and my youngest, Ginny. Brought the whole gang out. And of course these are Hermione Granger and Harry Potter, friends of my children's from Hogwarts.

Mr. Bagman immediately looked over at Harry, appraising him before continuing on, "So are you all looking forward to the game? Who are we all cheering for? ...Ireland? What are we up to today, going to check out the booths or just relax?"

Ron excitedly spoke up, "Mr. Bagman, what have you heard of the flying competition for fans? It hasn't started yet has it?" he finished as his expression dropped, worrying as if he might have missed out on the experience.

Ludo's face broke out into a large smile, "Ah! You have heard of the competitions! You definitely all have to check it out! The best of the best have been setting record times since people started arriving earlier in the week. Victor Krum..."

Ron audibly exhaled in excitement.

Bagman chuckled. "Looks like we have a Krum fan here. He is quite a marvel on the broom. I wish I had been given the opportunity to play with the seeker the likes of him. But yes Krum had tried the course yesterday and left the audience speechless. The way he handles a broom truly is a wonder..." Bagman trailed off, no doubt recalling the run.

Ron's eyes sparkled with excitement and then did something Harry never thought he would see him do. He pushed away his food declaring that he was ready to go.

This action did not go unnoticed by Bagman, who smiled.

"Well if you kids are interested I'd suggest going sooner rather than later. It is open till an hour before the game starts but you'll definitely want to be back here with time to get ready and check out some of the booths near the arena. Get some merchandise to support the Irish! Good luck down there though, there are some good prizes available, although the great prizes have ridiculous requirements in order to win them. I think they are giving away a new broom for the top flier each day leading up to World Cup. And for any of you considering the quaffle target toss. I think there is prize money available if you can hit all the targets in a certain amount of time. Actually if you all want to head over in that direction I will come with you. I have been looking for Barty Crouch all morning. Concerns with his counterpart in the Bulgarian ministry and all that."

It was at that point Harry noticed that somehow in between all the talking and gesturing Ludo Bagman had somehow also managed to polish off his plate in a feat that Ron surely would have been jealous of.

Ludo Bagman continued, "Can't understand for the life of me understand the gentleman and old Barty speaks over a hundred languages."

Percy looked indignant, "More like over 200, some people take their job seriously." He mumbled under his breath.

As a group, they got up and started heading over in the direction of the field, which held the flying attractions, with Ludo and the twins bring up the rear, huge smiles on all their faces. Harry had no doubt that the twins were going to wager with him again as he heard Ludo excitedly exclaim. "That is very interesting. There is no way that could happen, but I will give you excellent odds." Harry only hoped that his words of caution would help this time.

About halfway to the field they encountered another individual from the Ministry, one who Harry did not recognize. After a brief conversation, he let Ludo know that Barty had just come by and had headed up a parallel row to the one they had just come down. With a quick good bye and a cheery wish of good luck, which he seemed to say as he was looking at the twins, Ludo took off at a jog in the direction Barty Crouch had headed.

As they approached the edge of the tent line, Harry realized that over the past couple minutes he had been noticing that there was the sounds of lots of people cheering and it had been steadily increasing in volume. This was understandable, however the cheering was accompanied by a very persistent buzzing sound that increased and decreased in volume but was definitely present.

When Harry, who was in the lead of the party with Ron, crested the hill, he froze, as he had never expected to lay eyes on the marvel that spread out before him.


SLYNNR - If I was a betting person (and if Bagman gave me excellent odds) I would bet that Luna will be making an appearance rather shortly.

isabelahemmo - Ooo I have a pretty good feeling that Hermione might have noticed something; she isn't the brightest witch of her age for nothing after all. I wonder what might come out of it? While I might have little problems with the way Ron was written with respect to certain moments, his relationship with Krum in GOF was satisfying and in no way relatable...guilty face...


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Again, appreciate all feedback whether positive or positive! Haha but seriously constructive criticism or suggestions are welcome!