Chapter 5 - The Quidditch World Cup

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Hermione opened her eyes. Everyone but Amos, Cedric and Mr Weasley were on the ground, and even they looked very windswept, but everyone was slowly getting up. Ron helped Hermione up and they followed everyone else towards two wizards who were appalling at dressing as Muggles 

"Morning, Basil" said Mr. Weasley, giving the boot to one of them
"Hello there, Arthur" Basil yawned "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..." he looked at a long parchment list "Weasley... Weasley... 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 Mr. Weasley, and they all set off down the field

After about twenty minutes, they found a small cottage next to a gate. They bade farewell to the Diggorys before walking up to the cottage. The person standing in front of it was clearly one of the only real Muggles for miles around
"Morning!" said Mr. Weasley 
"Morning," said the man
"Would you be Mr. Roberts?" asked Mr Weasley
"Aye, I would" said Mr. Roberts "And who're you?"
"Weasley - two tents, booked a couple of days ago?"
"Aye" said Mr. Roberts, glancing at a list taped to the front door "You've got a space up by the wood there. Just the one night?" "That's it" said Mr. Weasley brightly
"You'll be paying now, then?" said Mr. Roberts
"Ah - right - certainly-" said Mr. Weasley slowly, before walking a small distance away with Harry. He clearly hadn't used 'Muggle Money' often before

"You foreign?" asked Mr. Roberts as they both returned
"Foreign?" repeated Mr. Weasley, a blank expression on his face
"You're not the first one who's had trouble with money" said Mr. Roberts "I had two try and pay me with great gold coins the size of hubcaps ten minutes ago"
"Did you really?" said Mr. Weasley anxiously
"Never been this crowded" he said as he rummaged in a tin for change "Hundreds of pre-bookings. People usually just turn up..."
"Is that right?" said Mr. Weasley
"Aye" he said "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 Mr. Weasley 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"

Suddenly, a wizard Apparated next the Mr Roberts' front door
"Obliviate!" he said, pointing his wand at Mr. Roberts. Mr Roberts' face went blank, and his eyes slid out of focus. Hermione could tell that he had just had his memory modified
"A map of the campsite for you" Mr. Roberts mumbled "And your change"
"Thanks very much" said Mr. Weasley

The wizard looked exhausted. He had deep shadows under his eyes, and was stumbling rather than walked
"Been having a lot of trouble with him" he said to Mr Weasley "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"
He Disapparated
"I thought Mr. Bagman was Head of Magical Games and Sports," said Ginny "He should know better than to talk about Bludgers near Muggles, shouldn't he?"
"He should," said Mr. Weasley, smiling, as they walked 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. He played Quidditch for England himself, you know. And he was the best Beater the Wimbourne Wasps ever had"

They had reached the campsite. Tents of all different sizes were pitched as far as the eye could see. Most of them looked like regular Muggle tents, occasionally slipping up with chimneys and front gardens, but some of them looked like they weren't even trying. They passed at least three that had multiple floors, two that had turrets and one with an Olympic sized swimming pool in front of it and firewoods attached to the top, spewing multicoloured sparks everywhere. Hermione couldn't blame Mr Roberts for thinking it was odd
"What's the chance that that one is the Malfoy tent?" whispered Ginny, pointing at a massive castle shaped tent
"I didn't know that Malfoy had siblings" said Hermione, gesturing to the three peacocks tied up outside. Ginny burst out laughing, and Hermione grinned
"Always the same" Mr. Weasley sighed "We can't resist showing off when we get together. Ah, here we are, look, this is us"

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