"Psst! Psst! Lili!"
Lili rolled over, half opening her eyes. She sighed when she saw it was Cedric. "Mmm?"
"Do you wanna go to London today?"
"Why would I want to go to London, Ced?"
"Cause it's my birthday?"
Lili's eyes opened wide and she sat up quickly. She suddenly remembered that it was the holidays, and that she was living with Cedric and his parents. And that it was his birthday.
"It's your birthday."
"Mmhmm."
"And you're 17."
"Mmhmm."
"And you wa-"
"Want to go to London to celebrate. Mmhmm."
"Happy birthday!" Lili yelled, tackling Cedric with a hug. The two rolled on the floor, giggling to each other.
"Thank you," Cedric laughed. "You ever been to London?" Lili gave him a pointed look. "Right. You're a Malfoy. Of course you haven't been to London."
"But I'm assuming that you have. And that means that you can show me around?"
"Of course I can. Now get dressed. Dad says we should leave soon so that we can have longer there."
--
"This is not what I expected London to look like," Lili said in awe, staring up at all the buildings and big screens.
"What did you expect it to look like?" Cedric laughed from beside her.
"I don't know, but it wasn't this. What's there to do in London?"
"We could do some sightseeing. Maybe try some muggle food."
"Ooh, that sounds like fun."
"And don't forget that we're meeting with the Weasleys in a few days. For the Quidditch World Cup."
"I hadn't forgotten."
"Of course you haven't. Cause you're gonna see George again."
"Oh, leave off! Now, let's try some muggle food."
--
"Where are we going, Mr Diggory?" Lili asked, walking beside Cedric as they followed his father.
"To meet the Weasleys."
"But I thought we were going to the Quidditch World Cup?"
"We are. We're travelling by portkey. Here's the meeting place." The three of them spotted the large Weasley family approaching. "Arthur! It's about time son."
"Sorry Amos," Mr Weasley replied. "Some of us had a bit of a sleepy start." He turned to his kids. "This is Amos Diggory everyone, he works with me at the ministry." He turned back to Lili and Cedric. "And this strapping young lad must be Cedric, am I right?"
"Yes sir," Cedric said.
"And I'm sorry, I don't quite recognise you. What is your name?"
"Lili Malfoy, sir. But I live with Cedric."
"Right then, that's fair enough." He began to lead the group towards a hill. "That's it, just over there."
"Shall we?" Mr Diggory asked. "We don't want to be late."
The group walked up to the portkey and began to lie down, putting their hands on it.
"Why are they all standing around that manky old boot?" Lili heard Harry ask.
"That isn't just any old manky boot mate," Fred replied.
"It's a portkey," George added.
"Time to go," Mr Diggory said loudly. "Ready? After three. One...two...three!"
A white flash crossed Lili's vision and she soon saw that they were all flying through the air, spinning using the portkey.
"Let go kids!" Mr Weasley yelled.
"What?!" Hermione cried.
"Let! Go!"
Lili trusted Mr Weasley's judgement and let go. She felt herself go flying and then landed hard on the ground. She slowly opened her eyes as the pain in her back cleared, being surprised by George sticking his hand out to her. She smiled as she took it, being pulled up to her feet and then brushing herself off. She looked to see Mr Weasley, Mr Diggory and Cedric come down more gracefully.
"I bet that cleared your sinuses, eh?" Mr Weasley joked. The group followed him towards a large field, where a massive crowd and many tents could be seen. "Well kids, welcome to the Quidditch World Cup!" As they all walked through the large crowd, they had to duck from people flying overhead on brooms. They approached a small tent.
"Parting of the waves I think, old chap," Mr Diggory said. "See you at the match. Off we go, Cedric and Lili."
--
"So glad I found you," Lili said, finding the Weasleys heading up to their seats. "I got lost in the crowd and don't know where the Diggorys are."
"I'm sure they'll be up there," Ron replied. "Blimey Dad, how far up are we?"
"Well put it this way, if it rains...you'll be the first to know."
They reached a small platform and looked down to see Lucius and Draco below them"
"Father and I are in the minister's box," Draco boasted smugly. "By personal invitation of Cornelius Fudge himself."
Lucius poked his son in the stomach. "Don't boast, Draco. There's no need with these people. Do enjoy yourself, won't you. While you can." He spotted Lili. "Hello, Lilianna."
"Hello, Father. I didn't realise you'd be here."
"I see you've found someone to stay. No hard feelings, right?"
"Of course not. I was only disowned by my own father, no big deal. Now I live with people who actually care."
"It won't last long," He sneered. "And by the way..." Lucius pulled out his wand, where flames burst out and disappeared. Lili lurched away from the fire. "Stay out of trouble."
"Let's go, Lili," She heard George say from beside her, and allowed him to steer her away.
"Come on up, take your seats," Mr Weasley called up, attempting to distract from the moment. "I told you these seats would be worth waiting for."
"Come on!" George yelled.
"It's the Irish!" Fred shouted.
Lili cheered as five figures flew across the sky, cloaked in green and white. Their brooms trailed the same coloured smoke, which grouped together and burst into a glittering leprechaun that danced.
"Look!" Lili cried. "The Bulgarians!"
The crowd cheered as the Bulgarians flew around in their red cloaks, one of them doing a stunt on his broom. His picture appeared on the screen, and the crowd began to chant 'Krum' over and over.
"Good evening!" The announcer called out, his voice echoing and quieting the crowd. "It gives me great pleasure to welcome each and every one of you to the final of the 422nd Quidditch World Cup. Let the match...begin!"
--
Back in the Diggory's tent, Lili laughed at the loud noise outside. "Sounds like the Irish have got their pride on."
"We've got to get out of here," Mr Diggory poked his head inside suddenly. "Now."
"What? Why?"
"Now!"
Lili and Cedric quickly got up and exited the tent, jumping back as people ran in front of them.
"What's happening?" Lili asked.
"No time for questions!" Mr Diggory said quickly. "Get back to the portkey. Stay together. Cedric, look after her."
"Come on, Lil."
The two of them ran. All they had to go on was the vague area of where the portkey brought them when they arrived. They weaved through the crowd, everyone panicked and scared of what was happening. Lili could feel her breath becoming raggedy as she ran, and she was terrified at not knowing what was going on.
She was relieved to see the Weasleys waiting for her at the portkey. Fred was the one closest to her, and she almost threw herself at him in an effort to stop her momentum.
"What's going on?" She asked the others.
"No idea," Hermione replied.
"Something bad," Ron said.
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