The Raven's Call

Bigger on the inside

Monday, August 22nd 1994

"HEY DAD! Where are we going?" I hear a familiar voice in the distance. Cedric had just challenged me to a tree climbing contest to see who could climb the highest, faster. I had quite the considerable growth spurt over the last few months, so I'm almost the same height as him, no longer will he have the height advantage.

He still won.

We sit atop the tree as a conversation brews below us. "Haven't the foggiest!" An older voice replies to the first, a voice I barely recognise. "Arthur!" Amos calls once the Weasley family come into view. "It's about time, son!" "Sorry, Amos. Some of us had a bit of a sleepy start." Arthur Weasley replies. "This is Amos Diggory, everyone." He announces to the kids. "Works with me at the Ministry." I watch as Cedric jumps from the branch down to the leaf covered ground below. "And this strapping young lad must be Cedric, am I right?" I can do that. I jump down from the branch now, though I already know I'm not sticking this landing. "WAH! Oof-" I land with a thud. "And you are?" Arthur asks, looking down at me. "Atticus!" The twins speak up, running over to help me to my feet. "Blimey, you've gotten tall, mate!" Fred says, grinning ear to ear. "And look at your hair!" George says in a gasp, admiring my curly locks I had pulled into a bun earlier that morning. "Look at yours!" I exclaim back, as they pull me into a warm hug. Hermione gives me a smile as we now follow behind Arthur. "I've got something for you, George. A gift from Asteria." I tell him, handing over a journal I was keeping for him. "Remember that day at Diagon Alley? Well, this is your very own." I announce. He smiles brightly at me. "What do I do??" "Oh, just write your full name in the front, and then you'll be able to send any message to her." I reply with a nod. He grins and puts the journal in his own pack.

We walk for what feels like hours, but the twins kept me entertained, telling me all about their holiday antics. "Yes, it's just over there." Amos calls as we make our way to the top of a hill, with an old boot resting in the grass. "We don't want to be late!" Arthur announces to us. "Come on. Nearly there now. Get yourself into a good position." Amos continues as we all gather around the boot.

"Why are they all standing around that manky old boot?" I hear Harry ask the twins. "That isn't just any manky old boot, mate." Fred tells him with a smile. "It's a Portkey." George tells him. "Time to go!" Arthur calls. "What's a Portkey?" Harry asks, confused, as we all place our hands on the boot. "Ready! After three! One.. two.." Amos counts, Harry still isn't touching the boot. "Harry!" I yell, causing him to quickly hold on. "Three!"

"WoooaaaaaaaahhHHHhH!!!!!"

We all scream as the boot spins us around, the world around us morphing from the grassy hill until we're flying through the air, soaring through clouds, still spinning. "Let go, kids!" Arthur calls over the wind. "What?!" Hermione protests. "Let go!" Arthur repeats. So.. we let go. I hear a plethora of screams as we all, minus Arthur, Amos and Cedric, land with a multitude of thuds on the grass below. I look up to see the three of them all floating down gracefully. Of course, Amos never taught me that. Of course. "I bet that cleared your sinuses, eh?" Arthur chuckles as he lands, helping the twins up, before Fred comes over to help me to my feet. I see Ced helping up Harry, which only slightly hurts. And Amos helps up Ron, which hurts even more.

I walk with the group, as we head up a short hill. "Well, kids, welcome to the Quidditch World Cup!" Arthur announces. The fields ahead are full of witches and wizards and rows of tents galore. The smell of street food fills the air as a mix of Irish and Bulgarian music blares around us. As Arthur leads us through the crowds towards his tent, I even spot Alex passing by with his aunt, giving them a quick wave. I hear Amos and Arthur up ahead. "Parting of the ways, I think, old chap." Amos says, patting his shoulder. "See you at the match!" Arthur replies. Amos turns to me. "I'll see you after the match, Atticus. Ced, come on." He calls, ushering Cedric away. "See you later, Cedric!" I call back as they disappear through the crowd.

"Home, sweet home." Arthur speaks, opening up the door of a rather small, bland looking tent. It's so small that it looks like it can barely fit three people. I follow in after the twins, taken aback by the amount of space that appears. "It's bigger on the inside!" I exclaim as I run over and take a seat with the twins. "Girls, choose a bunk and unpack. Ron, get out of the kitchen. We're all hungry." Arthur orders. "Yeah, get out of the kitchen, Ron!" The twins tease, both with their feet up on the table. "Feet off the table!" Arthur instructs. "Feet off the table!" The twins chime, removing their feet from the table, only to put them back on a moment later.