Into The Multiverse

Chapter 37 - Bagman and Ludo

???: Seven past five from Stoatshead Hill.

Said a voice. I look behind me to see 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, well tried to. The man with the watch wore a tweed suit with thigh-length galoshes; his colleague, a kilt, and a poncho. 

Mr. Weasley: Morning, Basil.

Mr. Weasley picked up the boot and handed it to the kilted wizard, who threw it into a large box of used Portkeys beside him.

Basil: Hello there, Arthur. 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 soon. Hang on, I'll find your campsite... Weasley ... Weasley... 

He consulted his parchment list. 

Basil: About a quarter of a mile's walk over there, first field you come to. The site manager's Mr. Roberts. Diggory ... second field ... ask for Mr. Payne.

Mr. Weasley: Thanks, Basil.

He beckoned everyone to follow him. We set off across the moor, and after about twenty minutes, a small stone cottage next to a gate swam into view. Beyond it, we 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 goodbye to the Diggorys and approached the cottage door. 

A man was standing in the doorway, looking out at the tents. It was a real muggle. When he heard our footsteps, he turned his head to look at us. 

Mr. Weasley: Morning!

Muggle: Morning.

Mr. Weasley: Would you be Mr. Roberts?

Mr. Roberts: Aye, I would. And who're you?

Mr. Weasley: Weasley - three tents, booked a couple of days ago?

Mr. Roberts: Hmm... Aye, I see it. You've got space up by the wood there. Just the one night? 

Mr. Weasley: That's it.

Mr. Roberts: You'll be paying now, then?

Mr. Weasley: Oh, yes please. Just give me a second —

He retreated a short distance from the cottage and beckoned Harry toward him. 

Mr. Weasley: Help me, Harry...

He muttered, pulling a roll of Muggle money from his pocket and starting to peel the notes apart. 

Mr. Weasley: This one's a ten? Ah yes, I see the little number on it now... So this is a five? 

Harry: A twenty.

Harry corrected him as Mr. Roberts watched their interaction. We all silently snickered as Mr. Roberts asked.

Mr. Roberts: You foreign?

Mr. Weasley: ? Foreign?

Mr. Roberts: You're not the first one who's had trouble with money. I had two try and pay me with great gold coins the size of hubcaps ten minutes ago.

Mr. Weasley: Did you really?

Mr. Weasley asked nervously. Mr. Roberts rummaged around in a tin for some change. 

Mr. Roberts: Aye. Never been this crowded... Hundreds of pre-bookings. People usually just turn up...

Mr. Weasley: Is that right?