Chapter 223: The Campsite and Familiar Faces

After setting up their tent, they soon encountered some familiar faces nearby.

This was quite normal, actually. The Ministry of Magic tried to arrange accommodations for spectators from the same country in close proximity, much like how the tents of wizards from Britain were clustered together.

The entire British wizarding community wasn't very large.

Soon, Alaric ran into several of his housemates: Terry Boot, Michael Corner, and Anthony Goldstein.

Among them, he also met Newt Scamander's grandson, Rolf Scamander, at Anthony Goldstein's place.

The reason was obvious: Anthony Goldstein was a distant relative of Rolf's grandmother, Porpentina Goldstein.

They exchanged greetings, and his housemates introduced Alaric to their parents.

When they first saw Hermione, everyone crowded around her, asking for her autograph.

In fact, they could hardly believe that their classmate had won the International Wizarding Dueling Championship.

"Honestly, I'm a bit numb to it," Anthony quipped while chatting with Alaric.

"First it was you, then Hermione, and now Cho Chang. I didn't realize my classmates were so talented. Compared to you all, I feel like a nobody."

He also saw the Weasley family, as well as Harry and two of his father's friends.

"Oh, hello, Alaric," Sirius Black greeted warmly. "And Miss Granger and Miss Clearwater, it's great to see you."

Due to Alaric, Black had been exonerated, so he was quite grateful to him.

Harry and Lupin also greeted them.

Then there was the Weasley family.

Since Alaric's family had been neighbors with them in St. Catchpole during the summer, they were quite familiar with each other.

Except for Percy Weasley.

After receiving his N.E.W.T. results, he got a job in the Ministry of Magic's Department of International Magical Cooperation.

When Percy saw Penelope next to Alaric, his face immediately turned pale.

"H-Hello, Penelope," he stammered. "You... you two are...?"

"Oh, hi, Percy," Penelope casually greeted, then linked her arm with Alaric's.

"As you can see, he's my boyfriend now."

"Oh—"

A chorus of teasing voices erupted behind Percy, unmistakably from George and Fred.

"Y-You... really?" Percy looked a bit uncomfortable.

"Oh, by the way, did you know? I got a job at the Ministry of Magic. My boss is Bartemius Crouch, who almost became the Minister of Magic."

Talking about his job made Percy's speech flow smoothly, and his tone brimmed with pride when mentioning Bartemius Crouch, as if he were talking about the ruler of the world.

"By the way, I heard you got excellent grades on your N.E.W.T.s, but I didn't see your name among the new recruits at the Ministry," he added with a touch of superiority.

"Oh, yes," Penelope yawned, replying casually.

"That's because I don't want to work at the Ministry for now.

My boyfriend opened an alchemical goods store to settle me, and it's already made over ten thousand Gold Galleons this month."

This figure made Percy's face turn white, then red, then white again.

The Weasley family wasn't wealthy, and money was always a sore point for Percy.

He soon left, dejected.

With so many familiar faces, everyone had a good time catching up.

They were especially keen to talk about Cho Chang making it to the Irish team and advancing to the World Cup finals, particularly Roger.

At the same time, he expressed regret that Alaric hadn't participated in the World Cup.

"We all know you're the best player Ravenclaw has ever had," he said somewhat indignantly.

"I have to admit the Irish team is good—Mullet, Troy, and Moran are excellent Chasers—but if you had played, I'm sure their opponents wouldn't have scored a single point."

"Oh, come on!" Alaric shrugged.

"You know Quidditch doesn't challenge me anymore. And isn't Cho on the field? I taught her flying techniques and modified her broom. Her victory is as good as mine."

"Just like Miss Granger?" George Weasley asked.

"Just like Hermione," Alaric nodded.

"Geniuses will always be geniuses. Not only can he win championships himself, but he can also teach others how to win," Fred sighed.

"When will you teach us?"

"He won't teach you," George teased.

"You're not a pretty girl."

"If I were," Fred struck a pose, mimicking a flirtatious manner and said in a high-pitched voice.

"I'd be his girlfriend."

"Hahaha."

A burst of laughter erupted around them.

As the afternoon wore on, an excitement spread through the camp like a palpable cloud.

By dusk, even the still summer air seemed to tremble with anticipation.

As night fell, shrouding hundreds of eager wizards, the last vestiges of pretense vanished: the Ministry seemed to concede to the inevitable trend, no longer opposing the evident signs of magic that popped up everywhere.

Every few steps, vendors appeared out of nowhere, carrying trays or pushing carts filled with all sorts of magical novelties.

There were luminous rose badges—green for Ireland, red for Bulgaria—that shouted the players' names; tall green hats adorned with dancing shamrocks; Bulgarian scarves with roaring lions embroidered on them.

Flags of both nations that played their anthems when waved; miniature Firebolts that really flew; and collectible figurines of famous players, strutting around on your palm with smug expressions.

As the three of them strolled leisurely past these vendors, Penelope bought a hat with dancing shamrocks and a large green rose badge.

She was the biggest Quidditch fan among them.

Alaric now had a nonchalant attitude toward Quidditch, and Hermione, while somewhat fond of the game, wasn't very skilled at flying and had little exposure to Quidditch news growing up in a Muggle household.

However, all three of them bought a small figurine of Cho Chang, the Seeker for the Irish team.

The miniature Cho didn't seem to like being held by Hermione or Penelope, instead showing great interest in Alaric.

Soon, all three figurines lined up on Alaric's shoulder.

"Okay, now I'm starting to dislike them," Hermione muttered.

Penelope nodded in agreement.

This made Alaric feel a bit uncomfortable.

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