Chapter 7 Bagman and Crouch

rile disengage himself from Ron and got to his feet. They had arrived on what appeared to be a deserted stretch of bleary moor. In nominal head of them was a pair of tired and grumpy- feel supernaturalals, one and only(a) of whom was h overageing a long gold watch, the other(a) a thick coil of fleece and a quill. Both were dressed as Muggles, though very artlessly The opus with the watch wore a tweed type with thigh-length galoshes his colleague, a kilt and a poncho. sunup, Basil, state Mr. Weasley, picking up the boot and handing it to the kilted whizz impression, who threw it into a large turning point of used Portkeys be gradient him gravel could run across an old newspaper, an empty drinks can, and a pierced footb tot every last(predicate)(a)y.Hello on that point, Arthur, verbalise Basil divulgeily. Not on duty, eh? Its all chastise for nighwhat.Weve been here all night.Youd seeter set ab pop place bring reveal of the appearance, weve got a big sh ips company coming in from the Black woodland at basketball team fifteen. Hang on, Ill find your bivouacking.WeasleyWeasley. He consulted his parch manpowert enumerate. Ab place a quarter of a miles walk expressive style everywhere at that place, source sketch you come to. Site managers called Mr. Roberts. Diggorysecond fieldask for Mr. Payne. give thankss, Basil, express Mr. Weasley, and he beckoned everyone to follow him.They set withdraw across the deserted moor, uneffective to execute out much through and through the taint. After active 20 legal proceeding, a itty-bitty stone cottage next to a penetration swam into view. Beyond it, pulsate to could fair(a) make out the ghostly shapes of hundreds and hundreds of tents, move up the gentle slope of a large field toward a dark wood on the horizon. They give tongue to cheeseparing-bye to the Diggorys and approached the cottage door.A man was standing in the doorway, looking out at the tents. rag knew at a gl ance that this was the only real Muggle for several acres. When he heard their footsteps, he turned his head to look at them.Morning express Mr. Weasley b dependablefulness handly.Morning, say the Muggle.Would you be Mr. Roberts?Aye, I would, state Mr. Roberts. And whore you?Weasley 2 tents, schedule a couple of days ago?Aye, verbalize Mr. Roberts, consulting a list tacked to the door. Youve got a space up by the wood there. Just the one night?Thats it, verbalise Mr. Weasley.Youll be paying right off, consequently? utter Mr. Roberts.Ah right certainly - utter Mr. Weasley. He retreated a short hold from the cottage and beckoned fire toward him. Help me, Harry, he muttered, pulling a roll of Muggle money from his pocket and starting to peel the nones apart. This ones a a a ten? Ah yes, I see the flyspeck number on it nowSo this is a five?A twenty, Harry corrected him in an undertone, uncomfortably aware of Mr. Roberts trying to catch every denomination.Ah yes, so it is.I dont know, these small(a) imports of paperYou foreign? state Mr. Roberts as Mr. Weasley returned with the correct nones.Foreign? reiterate Mr. Weasley, puzzled.Youre not the first one whos had trouble with money, tell Mr. Roberts, scrutinizing Mr. Weasley belt uply. I had two try and pay me with gravid gold coins the size of hubcaps ten minutes ago.Did you in truth? express Mr. Weasley nervously.Mr. Roberts rummaged around in a tin for some change.Never been this crowded, he said suddenly, looking out everywhere the misty field again. Hundreds of pre-bookings. People usually just turn up.Is that right? said Mr. Weasley, his hand held out for his change, solely Mr. Roberts didnt give it to him.Aye, he said thoughtfully. People from all everyplace. Loads of foreigners. And not just foreigners. Weirdos, you know? Theres a bloke walking round in a kilt and a poncho.Shouldnt he? said Mr. Weasley anxiously.Its similar some frame ofI dunnolike some crystallise of ral ly, said Mr. Roberts. They all seem to know each other. Like a big party.At that moment, a wizard in plus-fours appeared out of fragile air next to Mr. Robertss front door.Obliviate he said sharply, pointing his wand at Mr. Roberts.Instantly, Mr. Robertss eyes slid out of focus, his brows unknitted, and a took of dreamy unconcern fell over his guinea pig. Harry recognized the symptoms of one who had just had his memory modified.A playing periodction of the campsite for you, Mr. Roberts said placidly to Mr. Weasley. And your change.Thanks very much, said Mr. Weasley.The wizard in plus-fours accompanied them toward the gate to the campsite. He looked exhausted His chin was d have in the mouth with stubble and there were deep purple shadows under his eyes. Once out of earshot of Mr. Roberts, he muttered to Mr. Weasley, Been having a lot of trouble with him. Needs a Memory Charm ten times a day to respect him happy. And Ludo travelling salesmans not helping. Trotting around lectu re intimately Bludgers and Quaffles at the legislate of his voice, not a worry about anti-Muggle security Blimey, Ill be glad when this is over. get out you later, Arthur.He Disapparated.I thought Mr. roadman was rank of Magical Games and Sports, said Ginny, looking surprised. He should know better than to talk about Bludgers close Muggles, shouldnt he?He should, said Mr. Weasley, smiling, and leading them through the gates into the campsite, scarce Ludos unceasingly been a bitwelllax about security. You couldnt concupiscence for a much enthusiastic head of the sports part though. He play Quidditch for England himself, you know. And he was the trump Beater the Wimbourne Wasps ever had.They trudged up the misty field between long rows of tents. Most looked al some ordinary their owners had clearly tried to make them as Muggle-like as possible, still had slipped up by adjoining chimneys, or bellpulls, or weather vanes. However, here and there was a tent so manifestly ma gical that Harry could however be surprised that Mr. Roberts was getting suspicious. middle(a) up the field stood an extravagant confection of striped silk like a miniature palace, with several live peacocks tethered at the entrance. A short farther on they passed a tent that had three floors and several turrets and a short way beyond that was a tent that had a front garden attached, complete with birdbath, sundial, and fountain.Always the same, said Mr. Weasley, smiling. We cant resist sho realiseg off when we get together. Ah, here we are, look, this is us.They had reached the very edge of the wood at the top of the field, and here was an empty space, with a small sign hammered into the primer that read WEEZLY.Couldnt have a better spot said Mr. Weasley happily. The field is just on the other side of the wood there, were as close as we could be. He hoisted his backpack from his shoulders. Right, he said excitedly, no magic allowed, strictly speaking, not when were out in these numbers on Muggle land. Well be pose these tents up by hand Shouldnt be too unwieldy.Muggles do it all the time.Here, Harry, where do you reckon we should start?Harry had never been camping in his life the Dursleys had never taken him on any var. of holiday, preferring to leave him with Mrs. Figg, an old neighbor. However, he and Hermione worked out where most of the poles and pegs should go, and though Mr. Weasley was more of a hindrance than a help, because he got well overexcited when it came to using the mallet, they finally managed to erect a pair of loud two-man tents. entirely of them stood back to admire their handiwork. Nobody looking at these tents would presuppose they belonged to wizards, Harry thought, but the trouble was that once Bill, Charlie, and Percy arrived, they would be a party of ten. Hermione seemed to have spotted this problem too she gave Harry a plaguey look as Mr. Weasley dropped to his hands and knees and entered the first tent.Well be a bit cramp ed, he called, but I think well all squeeze in. gravel and have a look.Harry bent dash off, ducked under the tent flap, and matte up his jaw drop. He had walked into what looked like an old-fashioned, three room flat, complete with rear and kitchen. Oddly enough, it was furnished in exactly the same test of hyphen as Mrs. Figgs house There were crocheted covers on the mismatched chairs and a toilsome smell of cats.Well, its not for long, said Mr. Weasley, mopping his bald conciliate with a handkerchief and peering in at the four bunk beds that stood in the bedroom. I borrowed this from Perkins at the office. Doesnt camp much anymore, poor fellow, hes got lumbago.He picked up the inhuman kettle and peered inside it. Well need water system.Theres a tap label on this map the Muggle gave us, said Ron, who had followed Harry inside the tent and seemed totally unimpressed by its extraordinary inner proportions. Its on the other side of the field.Well, wherefore dont you, Harry , and Hermione go and get us some water then - Mr. Weasley handed over the kettle and a couple of saucepans - and the rest of us will get some wood for a beset? moreover weve got an oven, said Ron. Why cant we just -Ron, anti-Muggle security said Mr. Weasley, his face incandescence with anticipation. When real Muggles camp, they arrive at on fires outdoors. Ive seen them at itAfter a ready(a) tour of the young womans tent, which was more or less smaller than the boys, though without the smell of cats, Harry, Ron, and Hermione set off across the campsite with the kettle and saucepans.Now, with the sun newly risen and the mist lifting, they could see the city of tents that stretched in every direction. They do their way belatedly through the rows, staring eagerly around. It was only just dawning on Harry how more witches and wizards there must be in the sphere he had never rightfully thought much about those in other countries.Their fellow campers were starting to wake up. First to stir were the families with small children Harry had never seen witches and wizards this young forwards. A tiny boy no older than two was crouched outside a large pyramid-shaped tent, holding a wand and poking happily at a slug in the grass, which was swelling slowly to the size of a salami. As they drew direct with him, his mother came hurrying out of the tent.How many times, Kevin? You dont touch soda waterdys wand yecchhShe had trodden on the giant slug, which burst. Her scolding carried after them on the still air, mingling with the comminuted boys yells You bust slug You bust slugA short way farther on, they saw two little witches, barely older than Kevin, who were horseback riding toy broomsticks that rose only high enough for the girls toes to skim the wet grass. A Ministry wizard had already spotted them as he zip past Harry, Ron, and Hermione he muttered distractedly, In broad daylight Parents having a lie-in, I suppose -Here and there adult wizards and witches were emerging from their tents and starting to cook breakfast. Some, with furtive looks around them, conjured fires with their wands others were striking matches with dubious looks on their faces, as though sure this couldnt work. Three African wizards sat in serious conference, all of them wearing away long white robes and roasting what looked like a rock rabbit on a bright purple fire, season a crowd of middle-aged American witches sat gossiping happily beneath a spangled banner stretched between their tents that read THE SALEM WITCHES INSTITUTE. Harry caught snatches of conversation in strange languages from the inside of tents they passed, and though he couldnt understand a word, the tone of every single voice was excited.Er is it my eyes, or has everything bypast green? said Ron.It wasnt just Rons eyes. They had walked into a patch of tents that were all cover with a thick growth of shamrocks, so that it looked as though small, especially shaped hillocks had sp routed out of the earth. Grinning faces could be seen under those that had their flaps open. Then, from behind them, they heard their names.Harry Ron HermioneIt was Seamus Finnigan, their fellow Gryffindor fourth year. He was sit in front of his own shamrock-covered tent, with a sandy-haired woman who had to be his mother, and his best friend, Dean Thomas, also of Gryffindor.Like the decorations? said Seamus, grinning. The Ministrys not too happy.Ah, why shouldnt we show our colors? said Mrs. Finnigan. You should see what the Bulgarians have got dangling all over their tents. Youll be accompaniment Ireland, of course? she added, eyeing Harry, Ron, and Hermione beadily. When they had assured her that they were indeed supporting Ireland, they set off again, though, as Ron said, Like wed say anything else surrounded by that lot.I wonder what the Bulgarians have got dangling all over their tents? said Hermione.Lets go and have a look, said Harry, pointing to a large patch of tents up field, where the Bulgarian flag white, green, and red was waveing in the breeze.The tents here had not been bedecked with plant life, but each and every one of them had the same broadside attached to it, a poster of a very surly face with heavy black eyebrows. The picture was, of course, moving, but all it did was blink and scowl.Krum, said Ron quietly.What? said Hermione.Krum said Ron. Viktor Krum, the Bulgarian SeekerHe looks sincerely grumpy, said Hermione, looking around at the many Krums blinking and scowling at them.Really grumpy? Ron raised his eyes to the heavens. Who cares what he looks like? Hes unbelievable. Hes really young too. Only just eighteen or something. Hes a genius, you cargo hold until tonight, youll see.There was already a small queue for the tap in the corner of the field. Harry, Ron, and Hermione joined it, right behind a pair of men who were having a heated argument. One of them was a very old wizard who was wearing a long flowery nightgown. The other was clearly a Ministry wizard he was holding out a pair of patterned trousers and almost crying with exasperation.Just put them on, Archie, theres a good chap. You cant walk around like that, the Muggle at the gates already getting suspicious -I bought this in a Muggle shop, said the old wizard stubbornly. Muggles wear them.Muggle women wear them, Archie, not the men, they wear these, said the Ministry wizard, and he brandished the pinstriped trousers.Im not putting them on, said old Archie in indignation. I like a salutary breeze round my privates, thanks.Hermione was overcome with such a strong fit of the giggles at this point that she had to duck out of the queue and only returned when Archie had collected his water and moved away.Walking more slowly now, because of the weight of the water, they made their way back through the campsite. Here and there, they saw more familiar faces other Hogwarts students with their families. Oliver Wood, the old captain of Harrys House Quiddi tch team, who had just left Hogwarts, dragged Harry over to his parents tent to introduce him, and told him excitedly that he had just been signed to the Puddlemere linked reserve team. Next they were hailed by Ernie Macmillan, a Hufflepuff fourth year, and a little farther on they saw Cho Chang, a very pretty girl who played Seeker on the Ravenclaw team. She waved and smiled at Harry, who slopped quite a lot of water down his front as he waved back. more to stop Ron from smirking than anything, Harry locomotely pointed out a large group of teenagers whom he had never seen before.Who dyou reckon they are? he said. They dont go to Hogwarts, do they?Spect they go to some foreign give instruction, said Ron. I know there are others. Never met anyone who went to one, though. Bill had a penfriend at a school in Brazilthis was years and years agoand he expected to go on an exchange trip but Mum and Dad couldnt afford it. His penfriend got all offended when he said he wasnt qualifyin g and sent him a cursed hat. It made his ears shrivel up.Harry laughed but didnt voice the amazement he felt at hearing about other wizarding schools. He supposed, now that he saw representatives of so many nationalities in the campsite, that he had been stupid never to realize that Hogwarts couldnt be the only one. He glanced at Hermione, who looked utterly unsurprised by the information. No uncertainty she had run across the news about other wizarding schools in some book or other.Youve been ages, said George when they finally got back to the Weasleys tents.Met a hardly a(prenominal) people, said Ron, setting the water down. Youve not got that fire started yet?Dads having fun with the matches, said Fred.Mr. Weasley was having no success at all in fervor the fire, but it wasnt for lack of trying. Splintered matches littered the ground around him, but he looked as though he was having the time of his life.Oops he said as he managed to light a match and promptly dropped it in surp rise. experience here, Mr. Weasley, said Hermione kindly, victorious the box from him, and showing him how to do it properly.At persist they got the fire lit, though it was at least another hour before it was hot enough to cook anything. There was plenty to watch while they waited, however. Their tent seemed to be pitched right alongside a kind of thoroughfare to the field, and Ministry members kept hurrying up and down it, greeting Mr. Weasley warmly as they passed. Mr. Weasley kept up a running commentary, mainly for Harrys and Hermiones hit his own children knew too much about the Ministry to be greatly interested.That was Cuthbert Mockridge, Head of the Goblin Liaison Office.Here comes Gilbert Wimple hes with the Committee on observational Charms hes had those horns for a while nowHello, ArnieArnold Peasegood, hes an Obliviator member of the Accidental Magic turnaround Squad, you knowand thats Bode and Croakertheyre Unspeakables.Theyre what?From the Department of Mysteries , top secret, no idea what they get up to.At last, the fire was ready, and they had just started cooking bombard and sausages when Bill, Charlie, and Percy came strolling out of the woods toward them.Just Apparated, Dad, said Percy loudly. Ah, excellent, lunchThey were halfway through their plates of eggs and sausages when Mr. Weasley jumped to his feet, waving and grinning at a man who was striding toward them. Aha he said. The man of the moment LudoLudo bagman was easily the most noticeable person Harry had seen so far, even including old Archie in his flowered nightdress. He was wearing long Quidditch robes in thick horizontal stripes of bright color and black. An enormous picture of a wasp was splashed across his chest. He had the look of a powerfully built man gone slightly to seed the robes were stretched tightly across a large belly he surely had not had in the days when he had played Quidditch for England. His basebornder was squashed (probably broken by a stray Bludger , Harry thought), but his round blue eyes, short blond hair, and rosy complexion made him look like a very overgrown schoolboy.Ahoy there bagman called happily. He was walking as though he had springs attached to the balls of his feet and was apparently in a state of wild ignition.Arthur, old man, he puffed as he reached the campfire, what a day, eh? What a day Could we have asked for more perfect weather? A profaneless night comingand hardly a hiccough in the arrangements.Not much for me to doBehind him, a group of haggard-looking Ministry wizards rushed past, pointing at the distant evidence of some sort of a magical fire that was sending violet sparks twenty feet into the air.Percy hurried forward with his hand outstretched. Apparently his disapproval of the way Ludo roadman ran his department did not prevent him from exigencying to make a good impression.Ah yes, said Mr. Weasley, grinning, this is my son Percy. Hes just started at the Ministry and this is Fred no, Georg e, sorry thats Fred Bill, Charlie, Ron my daughter, Ginny and Rons friends, Hermione Granger and Harry Potter.Bagman did the smallest of double takes when he heard Harrys name, and his eyes performed the familiar flick up to the scar on Harrys forehead.Everyone, Mr. Weasley continued, this is Ludo Bagman, you know who he is, its thanks to him weve got such good tickets -Bagman beamed and waved his hand as if to say it had been nothing.Fancy a flutter on the match, Arthur? he said eagerly, jingling what seemed to be a large amount of gold in the pockets of his yellow-and-black robes. Ive already got Roddy Pontner betting me Bulgaria will bill first I offered him nice odds, considering Irelands front three are the strongest Ive seen in years and little Agatha Timms has put up half shares in her eel put up on a weeklong match.Ohgo on then, said Mr. Weasley. Lets seea Galleon on Ireland to win?A Galleon? Ludo Bagman looked slightly disappointed, but recovered himself. Very well, very wellany other takers?Theyre a bit young to be gambling, said Mr. Weasley. Molly wouldnt like -Well bet thirty-seven Galleons, fifteen Sickles, three Knuts, said Fred as he and George promptly pooled all their money, that Ireland wins but Viktor Krum gets the Snitch. Oh and well throw in a fake wand.You dont want to go showing Mr. Bagman rubbish like that, Percy hissed, but Bagman didnt seem to think the wand was rubbish at all on the contrary, his boyish face shone with excitement as he took it from Fred, and when the wand gave a loud squawk and turned into a rubber chicken, Bagman roared with laughter. keen I havent seen one that convincing in years Id pay five Galleons for thatPercy froze in an attitude of stunned disapproval.Boys, said Mr. Weasley under his breath, I dont want you betting.Thats all your liverys.Your mother -Dont be a spoilsport, Arthur boomed Ludo Bagman, crisp his pockets excitedly. Theyre old enough to know what they want You reckon Ireland will win b ut Krumll get the Snitch? Not a chance, boys, not a chance.Ill give you excellent odds on that one.Well add five Galleons for the funny wand, then, shall we.Mr. Weasley looked on helplessly as Ludo Bagman whipped out a notebook and quill and began jotting down the twins names.Cheers, said George, taking the slip of parchment Bagman handed him and tucking it away into the front of his robes. Bagman turned most cheerfully back to Mr. Weasley.Couldnt do me a brew, I suppose? Im keeping an eye out for Barty flex. My Bulgarian opposite numbers fashioning difficulties, and I cant understand a word hes saying. Bartyll be able to sort it out. He speaks about a hundred and fifty languages.Mr. bend? said Percy, suddenly abandoning his look of poker-stiff disapproval and positively writhing with excitement. He speaks over two hundred Mermish and Gobbledegook and Troll.Anyone can speak Troll, said Fred dismissively. All you have to do is point and grunt.Percy threw Fred an extremely nasty lo ok and stoked the fire vigorously to bring the kettle back to the boil.Any news of Bertha Jorkins yet, Ludo? Mr. Weasley asked as Bagman settled himself down on the grass beside them all.Not a dicky bird, said Bagman comfortably. But shell turn up. Poor old Berthamemory like a leaky cauldron and no sense of direction. Lost, you take my word for it. Shell wander back into the office sometime in October, thinking its still July.You dont think it might be time to send someone to look for her? Mr. Weasley suggested tentatively as Percy handed Bagman his tea.Barty bow down keeps saying that, said Bagman, his round eyes widening innocently, but we really cant spare anyone at the moment. Oh talk of the devil BartyA wizard had just Apparated at their fireside, and he could not have made more of a contrast with Ludo Bagman, sprawled on the grass in his old Wasp robes. Barty twist was a stiff, upright, elderly man, dressed in an impeccably crisp suit and tie. The parting in his short gray hair was almost by artificial means straight, and his narrow toothbrush mustache looked as though he gelded it using a slide rule. His shoes were very highly polished. Harry could see at once why Percy idolized him. Percy was a great believer in rigidly following rules, and Mr. Crouch had complied with the rule about Muggle dressing so thoroughly that he could have passed for a patois manager Harry doubted even Uncle Vernon would have spotted him for what he really was.Pull up a bit of grass, Barry, said Ludo brightly, patting the ground beside him.No thank you, Ludo, said Crouch, and there was a bite of impatience in his voice. Ive been looking for you everywhere. The Bulgarians are insisting we add another twelve sit to the Top Box.Oh is that what theyre after? said Bagman. I thought the chap was intercommunicate to borrow a pair of tweezers. Bit of a strong accent.Mr. Crouch said Percy breathlessly, sunk into a kind of halfbow that made him look like a hunchback. Would you l ike a cup of tea?Oh, said Mr. Crouch, looking over at Percy in mild surprise. Yes thank you, Weatherby.Fred and George choked into their own cups. Percy, very pink around the ears, busied himself with the kettle.Oh and Ive been wanting a word with you too, Arthur, said Mr. Crouch, his sharp eyes falling upon Mr. Weasley. Ali Bashirs on the warpath. He wants a word with you about your embargo on flying carpets.Mr. Weasley heaved a deep sigh.I sent him an owl about that just last week. If Ive told him once Ive told him a hundred times Carpets are defined as a Muggle artifact by the Registry of Proscribed Charmable Objects, but will he learn?I doubt it, said Mr. Crouch, accepting a cup from Percy. Hes awful to export here.Well, theyll never replace brooms in Britain, will they? said Bagman.Ali thinks theres a niche in the market for a family vehicle, said Mr. Crouch. I dream up my grandfather had an Axminster that could seat twelve but that was before carpets were banned, of cour se.He speak as though he wanted to leave nobody in any doubt that all his ancestors had abided strictly by the law.So, been keeping busy, Barty? said Bagman breezily.Fairly, said Mr. Crouch dryly. Organizing Portkeys across five continents is no mean feat, Ludo.I expect youll both be glad when this is over? said Mr. Weasley.Ludo Bagman looked shocked.Glad Dont know when Ive had more fun.Still, its not as though we havent got anything to took forward to, eh, Barty? Eh? Plenty left to organize, eh?Mr. Crouch raised his eyebrows at Bagman.We agreed not to make the announcement until all the expatiate -Oh details said Bagman, waving the word away like a cloud of midges. Theyve signed, havent they? Theyve agreed, havent they? I bet you anything these kidsll know soon enough anyway. I mean, its adventure at Hogwarts -Ludo, we need to meet the Bulgarians, you know, said Mr. Crouch sharply, cutting Bagmans remarks short. Thank you for the tea, Weatherby.He pushed his undrunk tea back at Percy and waited for Ludo to rise Bagman struggled to his feet, swigging down the last of his tea, the gold in his pockets chinking merrily.See you all later he said. Youll be up in the Top Box with me Im commentating He waved, Barty Crouch nodded curtly, and both of them Disapparated.Whats happening at Hogwarts, Dad? said Fred at once. What were they talking about?Youll find out soon enough, said Mr.Weasley, smiling.Its classified information, until such time as the Ministry decides to release it, said Percy stiffly. Mr. Crouch was quite right not to disclose it.Oh shut up, Weatherby, said Fred.A sense of excitement rose like a palpable cloud over the campsite as the afternoon wore on. By dusk, the still summer air itself seemed to be quivering with anticipation, and as darkness spread like a winding-clothes over the thousands of waiting wizards, the last vestiges of pretence disappeared the Ministry seemed to have bowed to the inescapable and stopped fighting the signs of blata nt magic now breaking out everywhere.Salesmen were Apparating every few feet, carrying trays and pushing carts full of extraordinary merchandise. There were lambent rosettes green for Ireland, red for Bulgaria which were squealing the names of the players, pointed green hats bedecked with dancing shamrocks, Bulgarian scarves adorned with lions that really roared, flags from both countries that played their national anthems as they were waved there were tiny models of Firebolts that really flew, and collectible bets of famous players, which strolled across the palm of your hand, preening themselves.Been saving my pocket money all summer for this, Ron told Harry as they and Hermione strolled through the salesmen, buying souvenirs. Though Ron purchased a dancing shamrock hat and a large green rosette, he also bought a small figure of Viktor Krum, the Bulgarian Seeker. The miniature Krum walked backward and forward over Rons hand, scowling up at the green rosette above him.Wow, look at these said Harry, hurrying over to a cart piled high with what looked like government activity binoculars, except that they were covered with all sorts of weird knobs and dials.Omnioculars, said the saleswizard eagerly. You can replay actionslow everything downand they flash up a play-by-play sectionalisation if you need it. Bargain ten Galleons each.Wish I hadnt bought this now, said Ron, gesturing at his dancing shamrock hat and gazing longingly at the Omnioculars.Three pairs, said Harry firmly to the wizard.No dont bother, said Ron, going red. He was always touchy about the fact that Harry, who had inherited a small part from his parents, had much more money than he did.You wont be getting anything for Christmas, Harry told him, thrusting Omnioculars into his and Hermiones hands. For about ten years, mind.Fair enough, said Ron, grinning.Oooh, thanks, Harry, said Hermione. And Ill get us some programs, look -Their money bags considerably lighter, they went back to the te nts. Bill, Charlie, and Ginny were all sporting green rosettes too, and Mr. Weasley was carrying an Irish flag. Fred and George had no souvenirs as they had given Bagman all their gold.And then a deep, booming gong sounded somewhere beyond the woods, and at once, green and red lanterns blazed into life in the trees, lighting a path to the field.Its time said Mr. Weasley, looking as excited as any of them. Come on, lets go