We had arrived on what appeared to be a deserted stretch of misty moor. In front of us 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.
"Morning, Basil," said Dad, picking up the boot and handing it to the kilted wizard, who threw it into a large box of used Portkeys beside him; there was an old newspaper, an empty drinks can, and a punctured football.
"Hello there, Arthur," said Basil wearily. "Not on duty, eh? It's all right for some. . . . We've been here all night. . . . You'd better get out of the way, we've got a big party coming in from the Black Forest at five-fifteen. Hang on, I'll find your campsite. . . . Weasley . . . Weasley . . ." He consulted his parchment list. "About a quarter of a mile's walk over there, first field you come to. Site manager's called Mr. Roberts. Diggory . . . second field . . . ask for Mr. Payne."
"Thanks, Basil," said Dad and he beckoned us to follow him.
We 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, we could just make out the ghostly shapes of hundreds and hundreds of tents, rising up the gentle slope of a large field toward a dark wood on the horizon. We said good-bye to the Diggorys and approached the cottage door.
A man was standing in the doorway, looking out at the tents. We knew at a glance that this was the only real Muggle for several acres. When he heard our footsteps, he turned his head to look at them. "Morning!" said Dad brightly.
"Morning," said the Muggle.
"Would you be Mr. Roberts?"
"Aye, I would," said Mr. Roberts.
"And who're you?"
"Weasley — two tents, booked a couple of days ago?"
"Aye," said Mr. Roberts, consulting a list tacked to the door. "You've got a space up by the wood there. Just the one night?"
"That's it," said Dad.
"You'll be paying now, then?" said Mr. Roberts.
"Ah — right — certainly —" said Dad.
He retreated a short distance from the cottage and beckoned Harry toward him. It seemed Harry was helping him with some Muggle money.
"You foreign?" said Mr. Roberts as Dad returned with the correct notes.
"Foreign?" repeated Dad, puzzled.
"You're not the first one who's had trouble with money," said Mr. Roberts, scrutinizing Dad closely. "I had two try and pay me with great gold coins the size of hubcaps ten minutes ago."
"Did you really?" said Dad nervously.
I rolled my eyes and looked at Hermione.
"You'd think we'd be able to just occupy some Muggle land for a few weeks wouldn't you?" I said "Nothing a few good memory charms couldn't manage. Why are we having to use an actual Muggle campsite? Would certainly make it more discreet"
"Ginny, just "occupying" some Muggle land would be highly immoral, and by the way, he heard everything you said" she whispered back, pointing at Mr. Roberts, who was giving me a very strange look.
"Don't mind my daughter" Dad said with a nervous laugh "she, uh, is quite the outspoken type. Try not to take it too seriously".
He then gave me a brief but angry look.
Mr. Roberts rummaged around in a tin for some change.
"Never been this crowded," he said suddenly, looking out over the misty field again. "Hundreds of pre-bookings. People usually just turn up. . . ."
"Is that right?" said Dad, his hand held out for his change, but Mr. Roberts didn't give it to him.
"Aye," he said thoughtfully. "People from all over. Loads of foreigners. And not just foreigners. Weirdos, you know? There's a bloke walking 'round in a kilt and a poncho."
"Shouldn't he?" said Dad anxiously.
"It's like some sort of . . . I dunno . . . like some sort of rally," said Mr. Roberts. "They all seem to know each other. Like a big party."
At that moment, a wizard in plus-fours appeared out of thin air next to Mr. Roberts's front door.
"Obliviate!" he said sharply, pointing his wand at Mr. Roberts.
Instantly, Mr. Roberts's eyes slid out of focus, his brows unknitted, and a look of dreamy unconcern fell over his face. I recognized the symptoms of one who had just had his memory modified.
"A map of the campsite for you," Mr. Roberts said placidly to Dad "And your change." "Thanks very much," said Dad. The wizard in plus-fours accompanied them toward the gate to the campsite. He looked exhausted: His chin was blue with stubble and there were deep purple shadows under his eyes. Once out of earshot of Mr. Roberts, he muttered to Dad, "Been having a lot of trouble with him. Needs a Memory Charm ten times a day to keep him happy. And Ludo Bagman's not helping. Trotting around talking about Bludgers and Quaffles at the top of his voice, not a worry about anti-Muggle security. Blimey, I'll be glad when this is over. See you later, Arthur."
"Ludo should know better than to talk about Quaffles and Bludgers near Muggles" I said "I hope Amy's not doing the same"
"He should," said Dad, smiling, and leading us through the gates into the campsite, "but Ludo's always been a bit . . . well . . . lax about security. You couldn't wish for a more enthusiastic head of the sports department though"
"I think Amy is a bit less reckless" Demelza said "she won't be doing it herself"
We trudged up the misty field between long rows of tents. Most looked alright, their owners had clearly tried to make them as Muggle-like as possible, but had slipped up by adding chimneys, or bellpulls, or weather vanes. Occasionally, however, there was a tent so obviously magical that it was no surprise that Mr. Roberts was getting suspicious.
One of these was the Lovegood's, and Demelza and I broke off here to see them.
"We'll be at the end of this row here, next to the woods" Dad told us.
When we walked inside, we found Xenophilius, Luna, and, surprisingly, Amy, together eating breakfast. We sat down with them.
"Hey guys" Demelza said "Fancy seeing you here, we didn't think you'd be interested"
"Yeah, Quidditch is really boring, wish I was at home" said Amy sarcastically
"Why are you here then?" said Luna, missing the sarcasm.
Amy facepalmed
"Mate, they mean you obviously. I was making a joke"
Luna still looked confused, but nonetheless looked up at us
"Amy convinced us to come. Said loads of our classmates would be here as well as you guys. Thought we may as well, it's something to do. That and the high number of Quafflesnatchers at this world cup"
We didn't bother asking what those was supposed to be.
"We had to get here 2 weeks ago" said Xenophilius. "We have the cheapest tickets you see, so we've been here a while"
"They went to the England-Translyvania game too" Amy added. "At least someone else I know shared my misery at witnessing that live"
"I wouldn't call it misery" Xenophilus said "There were loads of Cloudsurfers above the stadium"
"They put on quite the show too" Luna said. "No wonder Quidditch is so popular when that comes with it. Hogwarts needs to improve, there's barely been any at our games"
Again, there was no point in asking them to elaborate.
"So what's it like in the Top Box?" I asked "Ludo sorted us tickets for there too!"
"Really?" said Amy excitedly "Oh mate, wait till you get up there, it's incredible! The view is insane, the seats are ridiculously comfortable, and the food is wonderful, makes Hogwarts look shit! Have you only just got here?
"Yeah, had to be up at 4, we're bloody exhausted" I said, yawning. "Couldn't let us kip for a couple hours could you?"
"Haven't you guys got your own tents?"
"Yeah, but they're all the way at the end of the row, and that's really far with how tired we are" Demelza said. "Where's Ludo?"
"Think he's at the stadium. He's got a few meetings with the Irish and Bulgarian delegations. Admin stuff about the match. He should be along later though. Speaking of that, who are you guys supporting tonight?"
I chewed my lip, thinking.
"Ireland I guess, but I'm not too bothered either way, just hope it's a good game"
"Same" said Demelza
"Well I'm Ireland all the way tonight. I've got Irish heritage, my grandparents on Mum's side were" said Amy
"Ludo's being a bit lax with the security apparently" Demelza said. "Some guy at the campsite entrance was telling us that he'd been talking about Quidditch within the earshot of Muggles"
Amy bit her lip
"Yes, well, he can be a bit over the top about it all sometimes" she said "But it's not caused any major trouble, not yet anyway. I'll keep more of an eye on him when I see him next. I'm being a bit more reserved, you'll be glad to hear".
"Is Andrew here?" I asked
"Nah, he couldn't get tickets sadly. I'll see him on the train. What about Stefan, and I assume Harry's with you Ginny?"
"Yes" I said
"Stefan's been back in Sweden this summer" said Demelza. "He and Magda are visiting their uncle and aunt"
Xenophilius conjured 2 camp beds.
"Take your pick" he said to Demelza and I
"You're a lifesaver" I said
"Yeah, thank you so much" said Demelza
I jumped on to one of them, and had just enough time to see Xenophilius send a Patronus message to Dad saying we'd be a few hours, before I fell asleep.