Chapter 16

 

            Their trip to Diagon Alley was uneventful but when Lucius told them that they would be going to the Quidditch World Cup later that summer the boys were ecstatic, even Sirius behaved like a small child, wanting to get out and see something, to live after his years in prison.  It was funny to see Sirius jumping around excitedly when Lucius told them.  Harry and Draco laughed as they watched the black haired man pull the aristocratic blonde into a big hug.  Now they were at the match, all five of them.

            As they went to take their seats they noticed that a group of unmistakable redheads were sitting in the same box.  Granger was with them as well, sitting beside Ron.  They were seated with the minister and a few others.

            “Ah, Fudge.” Lucius said, holding out his hand toward the minister, “How are you?  I don’t believe you’ve met my wife Narcissa, our son Draco, or Harry and Sirius?”

            “How do you do?” Fudge replied, smiling and bowing slightly to Narcissa, he regarded Sirius with a healthy amount of fear even though he had been cleared of his crimes, “And allow me to introduce you to Mr. Oblansk…Obalonsk…Mr…well, he’s the Bulgarian Minister of Magic, and he can’t understand a word I’m saying anyway, so never mind.  And let’s see who else…you know Arthur Weasley, I daresay?”

            It was silent for a moment as the two patriarchs looked at each other, obvious contempt in their eyes before Lucius quietly broke the silence, “Good lord, Arthur.  What did you have to sell to get seats in the Top Box?  Surely your house wouldn’t’ have fetched this much?”

            Harry and Draco fought not to laugh softly, just looking them over with a slight sneer.

            “Lucius has just given a very generous contribution to St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, Arthur.  He’s here as my guest.” Fudge said, not hearing what Lucius had said.

            “How…How nice.” The Weasley patriarch said with a slight but very strained smile.

            For a moment their eyes traveled to Granger, none of them looked pleased about her being there except for Sirius who was indifferent.  He didn’t really care either way, he was too busy trying to reign in his excitement and be a gentleman.  Draco sat between his parents while Harry sat between Lucius and Sirius.  Soon after they took their seats the game began.

            “Veela, Harry, look!” Draco said a little excitedly as the mascots came out on to the field.

            He scowled and looked at the women that had come out onto the field, “Harry, Draco, careful, don’t pay too much attention to them.” Lucius said then looked over at Sirius, “Sirius, you too, you’re being too much like the boys.” There was a smile in his voice even if one didn’t actually grace his features.

            Sirius looked over at him, pouting a bit, “But…”

            “Sirius, you know why you shouldn’t pay attention to them.”

            “So?”

            “I don’t know why I even bother.” Lucius said with a sigh, “You’re as bad as the children.”

            Harry laughed, “Are we really that bad?” He asked, looking innocent.

            “Yes and that look won’t work on me, I know you too well.” He said with a light chuckle.

            Harry pouted a bit and then laughed upon seeing the position the Weasel had put himself into.  It looked like he was about to dive out of the box they were in.  Harry burst into laughter; because they had been so busy arguing they had missed the Veela’s dance which was a good thing considering what many of the men looked about to be doing.

            “What’s so funny?” Draco asked before looking in the direction Harry was, immediately he held a hand over his mouth to stifle his laugh.

            “That’s enough.  The two of you need to get a hold of yourselves, what kind of example are you setting?”

            “But Lucius, this is supposed to be fun, let us live a little.”

            Sirius nodded in agreement, “Loosen up a little!”

            Draco gave his mother puppy eyes, “Please?”

            Lucius looked at them each in turn but it was Narcissa who spoke, “Of course dear.” She smiled at him.

            Lucius glared at her, “They’re representing their families, they need to behave in public.  As heirs…” He started but Narcissa cut him off.

            “It will be fine this once.  After all, as they said, this is supposed to be fun.”

            Sirius stuck his tongue out at him childishly as the game began.  They watched intently.  Harry had been to Quidditch games at school before but none of them had compared to this.  It was loud and fast, Sirius behaved like a child, cheering loudly.  The game ended with the Bulgarian seeker catching the snitch but the Irish won.