Broomsticks and Bronze: A World Cup Surprise

Chapter 2

//Harry//

As they all set across the deserted moor, Harry was 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, Harry could just make out ghostly shapes of hundreds and hundreds of tents.

Mr. Weasley gestured to him to help him out with the muggle currency. Harry had imagined that the man's first choice would be Rachel or Hermione, but he figured that he was closer than Hermione, and Rachel, being from the States, would not be the most ideal choice.

The muggle — Mr. Roberts — was eying them suspiciously, asking if they were foreigners. 'Foreigners' was not necessarily an incorrect word for a lot of the wizarding population. They were quite cut off towards muggles.

After paying him, they trudged up the misty field between long rows of tents. Most looked almost ordinary; their owners tried to make them as muggle-like as possible, but had slipped up in both minor and major ways (like a chimney, for instance).

However, a tent here or there was so magical that Harry could hardly be surprised Mr. Roberts was getting suspicious.

'Always the same,' said Mr. Weasley, 'we can't resist showing off when we get together.'

When they had finally reached the very edge of the wood by the top of the field, there was an empty space with a small sign that read Weezly.

'Couldn't have a better spot!' said Mr. Weasley happily. 'The pitch is just on the other side of the wood there, we're as close as we could be. Now, everyone, no magic allowed, strictly speaking, not when we're out in these numbers on muggle land. We'll be putting up these tents by hand! Shouldn't be too hard... muggles do it all the time, do they not? Harry, Hermione, Rachel. You guys are the most experienced here, where'd you reckon we should start?'

Harry had never been camping in his life. The Dursley's never took him, opting to leave him with Mrs Figg. Although, Hermione and Rachel managed plenty well without him too. Mr. Weasley was more of a hindrance than help, but Harry appreciated the man's enthusiasm either way. Nobody who looked at the two tents would guess they belonged to wizards.

The only question was how they'd all fit in the tiny tents. Hermione seemed to have spotted the same problem, and gave him a quizzical look. Rachel, on the other hand, didn't look like she saw any problems with the tents.

Harry entered the tent and felt his jaw drop. There was a whole house inside.

Arthur had sent Harry, Ron and Hermione across the campsite to get water.

With the sun risen more than before, they could see the city of tents spread out. Harry had met many of his classmates and friends on the way too.

After collecting their water, the trio walked back more slowly.

'—cate. It's bad enough that America and England lost already,' someone said.

Harry looked around for the speaker. He recognized the voice. It sounded like...

'Percy!' he exclaimed.

The person in front of them turned around. Sea green eyes and jet black hair. Exactly the same shade as his brother's. Almost. His eyes seemed slightly darker, but Harry put that off as the trick of the light.

'Harry! Didn't expect to see you here,' Percy said.

Harry put down the bucket he was holding, and stormed towards his brother. He punched his shoulder.

'I could say the same to you! You disappear for ten months, and just send one letter!'

He then wrapped his hands around his brother. 'Don't leave me like that. Not again. It was bad enough the second time,' he whispered.

'No promises, Haz, but I'll try.'

The two brother's pulled apart.

'Hermione! Ron! Good to see you both! Hope you took good care of this little trouble-magnet. Nearly worse than me. But not close, no. Nobody can defeat Percy Potter in being a trouble magnet! Actually, not nobody, no one.'

Hermione and Ron laughed.

'Where were you gone though? It was like you'd vanished into thin air!' Hermione asked.

Percy rubbed the back of his neck. 'Well... funny story. My aunt kidnapped me and took my memories. Eventually, I ended up on a ship with my girlfriend, and five more people. Then we met my great-grandmother and I came back here. The end.'

She did not look satisfied, but nodded nonetheless. Harry doubted Hermione completely believed his brother.

'Would you like to come with us to our tent?' Ron asked.

'Sure, I'd like that,' Percy said. He turned towards his companion (who Harry had just noticed). 'Hey Hecate, I'm going with my friends, see you later.'

'Oh finally remembered me, did you? Well, I'm coming with you — no you can't change my mind — I have a feeling something really exciting is about to go down, and I'm not going to miss it.' Hecate said.

Percy sighed. 'Fine... but don't do anything crazy.'

The woman looked affronted by his statement, but nodded nonetheless.

Harry and Percy walked at the front, followed by Ron and Hermione. Hecate trailed along at the back.

'Percy,' Harry whispered, 'is Hecate, like the goddess Hecate? The magic and crossroads one?'

His brother nodded. 'The very same,' he said in an undertone. 'She's not like the Olympians, she's pretty cool. Although, she dragged me along here, said she'd bought two tickets. Said it was a birthday present on behalf of my dad. Not what I was expecting, but at least she didn't drag me onto a broom.'

He shivered involuntarily. 'A nightmare, honestly. Oh don't give me that look! I know you love flying and all, but me and the sky don't mix. I remember flying lessons in my first year. Got up into the air, the sky started crackling with lightning. Then I was knocked off my broom by the wind. Not even my first week and I'd already ended up in the hospital wing.'

Harry cracked a smile. 'A goddess dragged my brother to the Quidditch World Cup and then we ran into each other. How... convenient.'

'Ah yes. How convenient! We just arrived an hour or so ago, you know. At least Hecate let me tell Annabeth I was going somewhere. Gods know she'd storm up to Olympus and demand my return.'

'I've been meaning to ask, how's Annabeth? You two still going strong?'

'She's absolutely thriving. Loving her job as architect of Olympus. And she's gotten herself another project with my cousin too. And yes, we're still going strong, little bro. I heard you had your own little adventure last year while I was gone, though. Care to share?'

'Well, you know Sirius Black, right?' Percy nodded. 'Well, he's my godfather, he's innocent and wrongly convicted. Also, Professor Lupin is a werewolf, he's dad's friend, and Sirius is too. Also, Peter, another one of his friends, betrayed him and mum. That's how Voldemort was able to find our house.'

He grinned. 'Finally got to know the Marauders, bro, didn't ya? Also, finally someone else realised. I was starting to go mad trying to convince the minister that Sirius's innocent for the past three years.'

Harry's jaw dropped. 'You knew? Wait, I need the full explanation. You and me, we are talking later. Got it?'

Percy nodded. 'Sure thing. And I'll tell you all about my latest quest. Because I know you want to know. 'Kay?'

Harry smiled happily.