0429 Pre-match Festivities

Around noon, Bill, Charlie, and Percy Weasley apparated to the campsite with loud cracks, adding to the growing crowd. Ron immediately cornered Charlie to inquire about the wisdom of his bet with Ludo Bagman. Upon receiving his older brother's confident affirmation, Ron's entire face lit up, as if he was already fantasizing about the lavish life he could lead after winning those hundreds of Galleons.

As the afternoon wore on, a palpable sense of excitement spread over the campsite like an invisible, energizing mist. The very air seemed to vibrate with anticipation, despite the stillness of the summer day. When night finally fell, draping the thousands of waiting wizards in a velvet cloak of darkness, the last trace of pretense evaporated into the cool evening air.

The Ministry of Magic, seemingly bowing to the inevitable tide of enthusiasm, appeared to have given up on enforcing the Statute of Secrecy. Obvious signs of magic use began popping up everywhere, from floating lanterns to enchanted tents that looked like miniature palaces.

Mr. Weasley could only sigh in resigned exasperation at this blatant disregard for magical secrecy. He was already mentally preparing himself for at least two weeks of endless overtime work after the World Cup, dealing with the inevitable Muggle sightings and memory modifications that would be required.

While the adults continued their energetic discussions within the magically expanded tent, Harry and his friends could no longer contain their excitement. They ventured out into the bustling crowd, their eyes wide with wonder at the magical spectacle unfolding around them.

Every few steps, peddlers would materialize out of thin air with loud pops, their arms overloaded with trays or pushing carts filled with a variety of bizarre and fascinating trinkets.

Glowing rosette badges caught Harry's eye immediately. They came in two colors – a vibrant emerald green for Ireland and a deep red for Bulgaria. These weren't ordinary badges, though. As Harry watched, he realized they were shouting the names of the players in shrill, excitable voices that somehow managed to be heard over the general ruckus of the crowd.

Towering green hats, their brims wider than car tires, were decorated with dancing shamrocks that fluttered and swayed in a non-existent breeze. Nearby, a vendor was selling Bulgarian scarves emblazoned with fierce lions that emitted earth-shaking roars at random intervals, causing nearby witches and wizards to jump in surprise.

Flags of both countries hung from many of the tents and were being waved enthusiastically by-passing supporters. As they fluttered, Harry could hear parts of the respective national anthems playing, as if tiny orchestras were hidden within the fabric. The music blended and clashed in the air, creating a chaotic but oddly festive atmosphere.

One cart that drew particular attention was filled with miniature Firebolts. These tiny marvels actually flew, zipping around their delighted owners' heads or performing complex aerobatic maneuvers in midair. Harry watched, mesmerized, as a young witch guided her miniature Firebolt through a series of loop-the-loops with skillful movements of her wand.

Perhaps the most intriguing items on offer were the collectible figurines of famous players. Standing no taller than a chocolate frog card, these miniature athletes marched across their owner's palms with an air of unmistakable smugness.

As they navigated through the sea of magical novelties and excited fans, Harry found himself repeatedly bumping into familiar faces from Hogwarts. Oliver Wood, his former Quidditch captain, greeted him from outside a luxurious tent decorated with the Puddlemere United team colors.

"Harry! Over here!" Oliver called, waving enthusiastically. As Harry approached, he could see that Oliver's face was flushed with excitement, his Scottish accent was even thicker than usual. "Can you believe it? I've been recruited as a reserve player for Puddlemere United! Me, playing professional Quidditch!"

Harry congratulated his former captain warmly, genuinely happy for Oliver's success. As they chatted about the upcoming match and Oliver's new career, Harry's attention was momentarily caught by a flash of long, dark hair in the crowd.

It was Cho Chang, the pretty Ravenclaw Seeker who had always made Harry's stomach do backflips. She spotted him as she emerged from a nearby tent, her almond-shaped eyes lighting up with recognition as she raised her hand in a friendly wave.

Harry felt his cheeks grow warm, and he raised his own hand to wave back. But before he could even complete the gesture, the surging crowd seemed to swallow Cho up, pushing her out of sight. Harry craned his neck, trying to catch another glimpse of her, but the sea of witches and wizards had closed in, leaving no trace of the Ravenclaw girl.

Feeling a mix of disappointment and embarrassment, Harry turned back to his friends, only to find that Ron and Hermione had wandered a short distance away, examining the products of another peddler.

As Harry moved to join them, his attention was caught by a cart piled high with what looked like brass binoculars. However, these were unlike any binoculars Harry had ever seen before. They were decorated with all manner of knobs, dials, and tiny spinning wheels that glinted in the light from nearby magical lanterns.

"Feast your eyes on these beauties!" the peddler exclaimed as Harry approached, his voice carrying a hint of a cockney accent. "Omnioculars, they are. Latest in magical spectator technology!"

Harry picked up a pair, turning them over in his hands. The brass was cool to the touch, and he could feel the thrum of magic emanating from the device. "What do they do?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

The wizard's eyes lit up at the question. "Oh, these little marvels do it all, my boy! You can replay the action, slow everything down to a snail's pace if you like. And if you're new to Quidditch or just want to brush up on your knowledge, they'll even flash up a play-by-play breakdown. It's like having your very own commentator right there in your hands!"

Harry's green eyes widened with excitement. He glanced at Ron, who was eyeing the Omnioculars with unconcealed longing, his fingers absently toying with the dancing shamrock on his hat.

"How much?" Harry asked, already reaching for his money pouch.

"A bargain at ten Galleons each," the peddler replied promptly, a hopeful gleam in his eye.

Ron's face fell at the price, and he muttered under his breath, "Blimey, I wish I hadn't bought this ruddy hat now."

Harry, however, had already made up his mind. "We'll take three pairs," he said firmly, counting out the golden coins.

Ron's ears turned pink as he tried to refuse. "No, Harry, you don't have to—"

But Harry cut him off with a grin. "Consider it a loan, mate. When we win that money from Ludo Bagman, you can pay me back. Deal?"

A slow smile spread across Ron's freckled face as he considered this. "Yeah, alright. Fair enough," he agreed, taking the Omnioculars Harry handed him. His eyes shone with excitement as he began fiddling with the various knobs and dials, already imagining the piles of gold they'd soon be collecting from Bagman.

"Thanks, Harry," Hermione said softly, accepting her pair with a grateful smile. The gesture seemed to have lifted her spirits, pushing aside her earlier gloom over Kreacher's situation. She peered through the Omnioculars, gasping in delight at whatever she saw. "Oh, these are marvelous! But you know what would make them even better? A match program! I think I saw a vendor selling them just over there—"

And with that, Hermione darted off into the crowd, her bushy hair bouncing as she navigated through the horde of excited Quidditch fans.

The night sky above was deepening to a rich, velvety black, but the darkness was repeatedly shattered by brilliant bursts of magical fireworks shooting up from the nearby forest. Each explosion painted the sky with dazzling colors and fantastical shapes – miniature dragons that roared silently as they soared through the air, shimmering phoenixes that burst into flame and were reborn in showers of golden sparks, and intricately patterned Celtic knots that spun and danced before fading away.

Harry felt a sense of urgency building within him. They needed to get back to the tent, to fetch Sirius and Lupin so they could hurry to the stadium. He didn't want to miss a single moment of his first Quidditch World Cup final.

While Hermione was still engaged in what appeared to be intense haggling with a vendor over the price of match programs, Harry decided to take a closer look at the magical fireworks display. He raised his new Omnioculars to his eyes, marveling at the crisp, magnified view they provided. The dials and knobs allowed him to zoom in on individual sparks, slow down the explosions to see every detail of their formation, and even replay particularly impressive bursts.

As he watched a spectacular Catherine wheel of emerald and gold sparks unfurl across the night sky, Harry suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. It was an unsettling sensation– the feeling of being watched. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up, and he felt his muscles tense instinctively.

Slowly, Harry lowered the Omnioculars from his eyes. The bustling, noisy campsite seemed to fade into the background as he scanned his surroundings, his Seeker's keen eyes darted from face to face in the crowd. Years of Quidditch had honed his ability to spot small details in chaotic environments.

It didn't take long for Harry to pinpoint the origin of his unease. About two hundred feet to his right, standing unnaturally still amidst the swirling crowd, was a woman. The sea of people seemed to part around her, as if subconsciously giving her a wide berth. She was wearing a cream-colored dress that seemed to shimmer slightly in the flickering light of the magical lanterns.

Harry squinted, trying to make out her features, but the distance and the constantly moving crowd made it difficult. Despite this, there was something eerily familiar about her.

Suddenly remembering the Omnioculars in his hands, Harry quickly raised them to his eyes once more. His fingers fumbled with the focus dial as he tried to zoom in on the mysterious woman's face. But in that brief moment when his eyes had left her, she had vanished. Harry moved the Omnioculars frantically across the spot where she had been standing, but there was no trace of the cream-colored dress or its wearer.

"What's wrong, Harry?" Hermione's voice cut through his concentration. She had returned, her arms now filled with three thick, glossy programs. Her brow was furrowed with concern as she followed Harry's gaze. "Did you see someone from Hogwarts?"

Harry lowered the Omnioculars slowly, his mind racing. Should he tell Hermione about the strange woman? Would she think he was being paranoid? After all, it was probably nothing – just another witch enjoying the pre-match festivities. And yet, that nagging feeling of familiarity, coupled with the sudden disappearance, left him uneasy.

"No," Harry said finally, his expression a mixture of confusion and seriousness. "Well, maybe. There was someone... she seemed familiar, but I didn't get a good look at her face. She was there one moment and gone the next."

Hermione opened her mouth, likely to ask more questions, but before she could speak, Ron's excited voice cut through the air.

"Oi, Harry! Hermione!" Ron called; his face flushed with excitement as he pushed his way back through the crowd towards them. He was practically bouncing on his toes. "I just saw Dad and the others leaving the tent. Come on, they must be heading to the stadium!"

...

*Scenebreak*

The woman who had fleetingly appeared in Harry's vision continued to linger in his mind. As they made their way through the dense, verdant forest towards the stadium, Harry remained silent, pondering where he had seen this familiar woman before. He felt as if there was a thin barrier obscuring his memories, separating him from the truth.

Mr. Weasley led their group through the winding forest path. The journey lasted a good twenty minutes, as they finally emerged from the trees, Harry's preoccupation with the mysterious woman was abruptly shattered by the awe-inspiring sight that greeted them.

Lifting his gaze skyward, Harry found himself in the shadow of a massive stadium. The structure was so vast, so utterly gigantic, that even straining his eyes to their limit, he could only take in a fraction of the grand, shimmering golden walls that encircled the arena. Harry's mind spun as he tried to process the fact that the space within could comfortably house ten majestic cathedrals, with room to spare.

A chorus of gasps and exclamations of wonder erupted from the group as they collectively gaped at the architectural marvel before them. Only Mr. Weasley, who had undoubtedly seen the stadium before, maintained his composure, though a proud smile appeared across his lips as he observed their astonished reactions.

"This magnificent structure can accommodate a staggering one hundred thousand spectators," Mr. Weasley announced, his chest swelling with pride. "Hundreds of Ministry employees have poured their hearts and souls into this project for most of the year!"

Sirius, his dark eyes glittering with genuine admiration, let out a low whistle. "By Merlin's beard, it's truly remarkable!" he exclaimed, his voice carrying a note of sincere appreciation. "I daresay the British Ministry of Magic will make quite the impression on the international stage this time, Arthur. This is a feat to be proud of!"

Mr. Weasley's face lit up at Sirius's praise, a warm glow of satisfaction spreading across his features. Despite the often-thankless nature of his work and the lack of recognition he received at the Ministry, it was clear that Mr. Weasley still harbored a deep-seated affection for the place where he had dedicated the majority of his professional life. With renewed vigor, he proudly led the way towards the ticket checkpoint, pausing frequently to exchange greetings with every Ministry official he recognized along the path.

As they approached the entrance, a witch dressed in Ministry robes scrutinized their tickets with a practiced eye. Her eyebrows shot up in surprise as she registered the details.

"First-class tickets!" she exclaimed. "Top box access! You'll want to head straight upstairs, Arthur – as high as you can go!"

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