John's tent was bustling with activity, spacious enough to comfortably accommodate fifty people. Malfoy, with his usual disdain, mentioned that he and his parents were invited by Ludo Bagman, the head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports. Bagman had sent tickets to the Malfoy family, a gesture Malfoy deemed as rightfully theirs. John suppressed the urge to point out that Bagman had distributed tickets to numerous families, aiming to encourage them to spend more in the betting pools. He saw Bagman as a cunning businessman, always ready to 'shear the sheep' with his generosity.
Fleur displayed a keen interest in Durmstrang and Ilvermorny, inquiring cryptically about their knowledge of the Triwizard Tournament. Heinrich, with a glance of indifference, shared that due to the tournament, he was exempt from returning to Durmstrang that year. Kim expressed regret that Ilvermorny, despite its global prestige, was ineligible for the tournament as it was not a European institution. Fleur couldn't hide her pride, considering Beauxbatons' longer history compared to Ilvermorny.
Cedric, with his gentle demeanor, found it easy to mingle. He and Jin struck up a friendship swiftly, much to the delight of Fleur, who found Cedric's company enjoyable. Daphne, however, watched Fleur with a wary eye, aware of the allure Veela-like women possessed.
Astoria was busy attending to her younger sister, Gabrielle, as they deliberated over an assortment of colorful snacks. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, until Percy, glancing at his watch, realized he needed to leave early to welcome officials. As he opened the tent flap, he was greeted by the towering figure of Hagrid, who was surrounded by a group of young wizards fascinated by tales of giant trolls. Hagrid, cautious not to step on any of the children, looked relieved when Percy came to his aid.
Hagrid, a professor of Magizoology, was grateful for the rescue. He had received a ticket to the Quidditch World Cup from John, a visit made possible by Dumbledore's offer of a vacation. Nearby, Harry, having heard Hagrid's voice, was quick to escape Mrs. Weasley's admonitions, with Ron in tow. Hermione, too, joined them upon seeing Hagrid.
"Hagrid!" they exclaimed, thrilled to see him. Hagrid, looking slightly lost, asked for directions to John's tent. Percy, with a polite gesture, pointed towards the grand, circus-like tent next door, prompting a surprised reaction from Hermione, who hadn't realized John's proximity.
As they cautiously entered, they were met with the sight of the luxurious tent. Hagrid, towering over everyone, tried to make himself less conspicuous, a difficult task given his size. Gabrielle, in awe, compared him to Mrs. Maxim, while Fleur, mistaking him for an intruder, defensively drew her wand. Kim, having previously met Hagrid, greeted him warmly.
John welcomed Hagrid with a surprised smile, pleased by his visit. Hagrid, noticing Gabrielle's astonished gaze, waved shyly, careful of his own strength. Harry, Ron, and Hermione, peeking from behind, were equally amazed by the tent's opulence, their expressions mirroring Gabrielle's wonder. John greeted Hermione and the others as they entered the surprisingly spacious tent, which left Ron in particular dumbfounded. He jokingly thought a Quidditch match could be held inside, though that was clearly an exaggeration. As introductions were made, John quickly noticed Harry and Ron acting unusually. Their faces flushed and their eyes darted towards Fleur, clearly enchanted by her Veela charm. Fleur, noticing their attention, gave a disdainful smile and casually brushed her hair, causing the boys to blush even more.
Malfoy, feeling a pang of jealousy, approached Harry and used his usual taunts to snap the boys out of their Veela-induced daze. John was aware of Fleur's Veela heritage and the effect it had on boys, but he also knew that his group, the Qunxing Club, was largely immune thanks to their strong mental fortitude. Even Malfoy had undergone John's emotional resilience training, which helped him resist such charms.
The conversation flowed smoothly among the group, except for a near-miss with a curse aimed at the trio. Meanwhile, Hermione sought John's advice on her vacation homework, drawing Daphne's curiosity. Daphne's overt interest puzzled Hermione, but Fleur found it amusing, understanding Daphne's competitive nature. Fleur, however, only saw John as a friend and had no romantic interest in him, having already dismissed any affection she might have had for Cedric upon learning he was interested in someone else.
Hagrid's arrival added to the tent's lively atmosphere, much to the delight of the younger guests who adored the gentle giant. The day progressed until Mr. Weasley realized his children were missing and called them back for lunch. Fleur and her sister Gabrielle said their goodbyes, with Gabrielle reluctantly waving to Hagrid.
As the tent began to empty, Hagrid prepared to showcase his cooking skills, prompting John to subtly suggest Jin help with the cooking to avoid Hagrid's culinary experiments. Daphne was reluctant to leave, but her sister insisted, highlighting the dynamics between the siblings.
Lunchtime brought Bill and Charlie Weasley to the tent, leading to a lively discussion about dragons with Hagrid. John, unimpressed by Hagrid's cooking, politely took a few bites. The arrival of Ludo Bagman, looking to entice the Weasley twins into betting, caught John's attention. John, with a knowing smile, hinted at the impropriety of Bagman's actions, suggesting there were official channels for betting near the stadium. The twins, realizing their mistake, demanded their money and fake wands back from Bagman, who hastily retreated, shouting as he ran.
This encounter highlighted John's keen observation and the respect he commanded among his peers, as well as his subtle influence in guiding them away from potential trouble. "You've already placed your bet," Ludo Bagman reminded them. Despite his current portly appearance, Bagman was once renowned as an exceptional Beater, known for his swift speed and sharp reflexes. The Weasley twins, unable to keep pace, watched as the rotund man adorned in yellow and black stripes vanished from their sight.
Shortly after, Percy returned, accompanied by Barty Crouch. They had been searching for Ludo Bagman, but to their dismay, he had already made his escape and was nowhere to be found.
As evening descended, the much-anticipated Quidditch World Cup officially commenced. The air buzzed with excitement and anticipation, as fans from all over the wizarding world gathered to witness the spectacle.
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If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge