Lunch, before the World Cup, was a splendid affair. Tom had forgotten that July 26th was officially now his birthday. Not to mention that he was now 17 years of age, so the 'surprise birthday lunch' was truly a surprise. Presents were passed around and Tom tore into them happily. The elves had outdone themselves with a rather realistic dark chocolate dragon cake that spouted sparkling red juice. They were all encouraged to eat up, as the games tended to run for a long time when the World Cup was at stake.

The elves planned to pop into the box with snacks or even a meal if the game ran late. But the younger wizards and witches ate heartily; missing any part of the game for mere food was unthinkable.

The group made their way through the camp, led by the Aurors and Hugo – who was resplendent in his Scarlet Robes with numerous badges of office and honor. He didn't really have any jurisdiction, as it was France, but it was impressive and people moved aside to let the group through.

The Bulgarian youths flanked the many youngsters and the adults brought up the rear. They did have to stop occasionally to buy t-shirts, hats, pennants. The kids were soon decked out in either the blues of France or the sun-yellow of Japan.

Harry, Draco and Dudley were wearing the French emblem in deference to the Malfoys, who still felt some lingering allegiance to the country Lucius' ancestors had come from. Victor Krum joined them in wearing the French colors – mostly because the stall owner was really cute and very French.

The Weasleys and Higgs children were split over the teams. Ron and Neville were supporting Japan. The twins had divided – one rooting for each team. Severus felt that this was likely on purpose to cause more chaos. Terrance Higgs was for Japan, because his two sisters were loudly pro-France and were annoying him with it. The rest of the crowd was indifferent, and just hoped to see a good game.

They found a face painter just as they made it to their box and most of the kids had their faces painted with the emblem of the team they favored. A large crowd of other spectators had gathered to watch the 'artwork'. There was a sudden upsurge in that booths sales, as people decided to have their faces painted, as well.

Victor thought it crazy, but submitted with good grace. Draco reminded him that it could be worse – the French National Team colors were baby blue and royal blue trim – but the color of the Quiberon team who was hosting the World Cup at their stadium was a shocking pink and Victor agreed it would be much worse to be painted pink.

Cornelius, of course, was awaiting them with a beaming smile and a photographer. Harry sat next to the Minister with a resigned smile. Severus sat on his other side and patted him shoulder. Harry sighed, but Severus had said not to worry – once the action started all the youngsters usually gathered down at the rail to watch the game, so he wouldn't be stuck away from his friends for long.

The Krums, Higgs and Weasleys got settled fairly easily. The Aurors parked in seats near the door to the box and the Bulgarian youths found spots where they could keep a good watch on everyone easily. Hugo nodded approvingly and sat close behind the Minister and Harry. Things had gone surprisingly well on this trip – even with Lucius' repeated threats to put him in the dungeon.

Hugo chuckled softly – the dungeons had turned out to be old, underground kennels for the hunting hounds some ancestor had kept – but they would make pretty good cells as well, if necessary he conceded.

The French Minister arrived and bowed slightly to Minister Fudge and a few other Ministers also in attendance. Cornelius nodded back with a smile. Several of the people accompanying the French Minister waved at Harry, who grinned shyly and waved back – they all looked so important.

The Teams burst onto the scene and the players took their places. The Minister released the snitch and the 1991 World Cup was underway.

The younger wizards and witches rushed to the railing to watch with their omnoculars. Tom and Dora were tempted to join them, but it was easier to cuddle in the seats, even if Dora's parents were directly behind them. The Bulgarian youths stayed where they were stationed with an effort, though they were just as eager to watch the game.

The game was played intensely from the very beginning. The French were well – known for their flamboyant style and they pulled out all the stops for the World Cup. The Japanese were determined to bring home the Cup for the first time in decades. The Japanese quickly saw the French were playing with risky moves. They immediately switched to a tighter, defensive style – stealing the quaffle several times when a showy move went too wild. The score was 140 to 30 in favor of the Japanese.

The audience was soon tensely watching the seekers – many more goals and even if the French got the snitch their score would still be below the Japanese score. The French supporters howled in anguish when the Japanese scored yet again. Then the seekers, who had been feinting back and forth across the stadium, caught sight of the snitch. The audience saw this and screamed hysterically. The seekers chased after the snitch madly, the French seeker knowing that if it wasn't caught soon the Japanese would make it hard to win at all.

The Japanese seeker sped after her determinedly. The French seeker dropped down behind the snitch and almost managed to grab the snitch but only managed to slap it further down as it slipped past her fingers. The Japanese seeker saw his chance and dove – swinging his arm a bit wildly to close his hand around the snitch.

He leaned a bit too far though, slipping much too far off the broom. He tried to hook his leg back over the broom but it was too late. He clung to it long enough during the brooms plummet that when he lost his hold completely, he only fell thirty feet into the deep sand, to the horrified screams of the crowd.

Healers apparated to the seekers side, waving their wands frantically while the crowd whispered 'is he dead?' and, more importantly - 'does he still have the snitch?' The Healers backed off and lifted him to a stretcher, taking him off the field. The seeker managed to raise his arm in the air – waving the snitch triumphantly and the stadium roared in approval.

The referees blew their whistles and called the game – the Japanese had won. Harry and Dudley cheered in relief that the seeker would be alright. Draco and the Bulgarians cheered in appreciation of the Japanese seeker's gutsy move. Even the French Minister managed to congratulate the Japanese diplomat with at least some sincerity.

Cornelius said a happy goodbye to the boxes occupants. He went to talk to the French minister and others in the Ministry box, sensing there was networking to be done. The occupants of Harry's box gathered up their things to leave, but that was a bit of a problem. Leaving the stadium was slower that entering it – so many people were lounging around discussing the game.

There were, oddly enough, a lot of Hogwarts students present and they all were screaming "Hello, Professor Snape!" Severus would always turn in surprise, though he sometimes waved, muttering that they just wanted to see Harry. Harry grinned and elbowed him 'maybe you're a celebrity, too, now.' Severus just rolled his eyes and pushed harder through the crowd.

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The group was exhausted by the time they reached the campsite and the supper the house-elves had prepared for the group. Soon they were all drowsing in chairs around the campfire that was centrally located in their grouping of tents. Draco, Dudley and Harry were manfully ignoring Neville and Ron's rather unsubtle gloating over their teams win. Molly had finally shushed Ron and Neville subsided as well.

Harry and the other kids were attempting to toast some marshmallows. The Bulgarian youths were looking on with interest as Petunia was now showing them the fine art of marshmallow toasting and, of course, the consequent addition of chocolate and graham crackers to make s'mores.

The treats were a huge hit and the house-elves were sent to get more supplies of marshmallows, Honeyduke's chocolate and graham crackers. The youthful guards apparently could eat their weight in the s'mores if given the chance and the children were quite eager to show the amused adults their new 'marshmallow toasting' skills.

Harry presented Severus with one of the s'mores and Severus took it with a grim smile, telling himself if he could choke down skelegrow when necessary – he could eat one of these. He was pleasantly surprised by the taste and smiled his thanks to a grinning Harry, who was chewing through his own treat.

Lucius had watched with trepidation as Petunia cheerfully made a s'more 'just for him'. Severus seemed happy enough with his, but he was aware of the lengths that Severus would go to to make Harry happy. Petunia finally handed him the s'more and Lucius took it gingerly with a smile and a "Thank you, my dear."

Lucius reminded himself that men who were courting were often sent on impossible quests or given frivolous errands to 'prove themselves' with. This sticky concoction was obviously one of them. He took a hesitant bite and was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't crème brule or tiramisu, but it was quite good for something made over a campfire. And, after all – it had Honeyduke's chocolate in it.

"Quite good, Petunia, thank you." Lucius said with much more sincerity than he had thought he would be able to muster when he'd taken the treat from Petunia.

Petunia smiled indulgently at Lucius. She had told herself not to be insulted if he'd declined the s'more – or if he hadn't liked it. It had been a bit of a test, to see if he was truly open to trying a few 'muggle' things – even if it was just to please her. She might be designated as a squib, now, but in practical terms it didn't change the fact she didn't have any real magic. Much of her life would still have muggle elements, even if she had house-elves to help her, and Lucius would have to be open to muggle things if they were to get along.

She'd been delighted that he seemed to like the sweet – it really was a kid's treat, and a very unsophisticated one at that, so she appreciated his sincere thanks – and of course his smile made her toes tingle quite nicely.

Harry and Draco watched the interplay with small smiles, amused. Draco had started to make a s'more for his dad, but Harry had put a hand on his arm and nodded toward Petunia. Draco had immediately caught on. They'd watched the interplay with a certain satisfaction. Draco was relieved to see the slow romance getting a bit warmer.

Dudley also watched the interaction happily. He worried a bit about his mum – he'd be going to Hogwarts and she would be alone in the new house. Hopefully between Lucius and their Spinner's End projects – and the owls, she would be too busy to even notice his absence.

Algie listened to the conversations around the campfire from the shadows carefully; he'd managed to convince Augusta that they needed to spend the night 'to keep an eye on things'. He wanted to pitch this story just right. The Bulgarian youths finally gave him the right opening – talking about the marsh across the field they'd been playing 'tackle Frisbee' at.

"Yes, that marsh looks to be a dodgy place." Algie broke in. "But the place reminded me of my father and brother – I saw several starfire orchids and a very nice firerose vine on the other side of the fence. They were brilliant collectors of unusual plants and rare potions plants." Algie looked in his mother's direction. "Those orchids are ones my father always wanted to acquire – and I know Frank would have leaped at the chance to get them."

Augusta smiled mistily. "Yes they were a prize he meant to go after, when he had the chance."

Lucius and Severus had stiffened when Algie started his reminiscing. They were quite aware that Algie had envied Frank his inheritance and had despised his father's devotion to his greenhouse – though he hadn't minded spending money made by the greenhouses.

"They were both quite brave when it came to getting a new species for the greenhouse." Algie blathered on – noticing he'd gotten Neville's complete attention. He swung into a story about his father – Frances Longbottom smuggling a Chinese Mandrake out of the Forbidden Cities Greenhouse of magical plants. The story was an exciting and humorous one that had everyone chuckling – even Lucius and Severus.

Algie ended his monologue with a last sigh and a "I know my father and Frank always hoped to add the Starfire orchids to his collection. But, at least we know where some are, now." He heard his mother's sad sniffling with satisfaction. That was sure to add pressure to the boy.

Neville looked around the darkening campsite. Everyone had eventually wandered off to their tents after the big day. Molly had cornered Petunia in the Weasley tent to get more idea's like the 's'mores'. Such treats were a godsend to parents with many children. Neville had heard Lucius tell Dudley that they'd give her an hour, and then mount a rescue.

Neville had sneered quietly, he liked Dudley but the Malfoys had he and his mum totally deluded. Lucius could only be looking for the prestige of marrying the Aunt of the 'Boy Who Lived'. He'd even heard his grandmother say so.

The others had scattered around, the three Higgs children – Terrence and his two sisters – had fled to the Malfoy tent when they heard Algie and Augusta were staying the night, leaving Enid alone with the venomous pair. Neville had also run off, muttering about Ron.

Now he was considering exactly how to get across the field to the marsh without being seen. He looked around the campsite and his eyes fell on a cloak. Harry's cloak – the one with the dragon on it was lying across a chair. He'd worn it in the cooler evening until the fire had built high enough to warm the crowd.

Neville grabbed it and pulled the hood forward. From a distance others would hopefully mistake him for a rather short wizard instead of a child. He started across the field, darting from bush to bush and got to the fence. The watery marsh was dotted with little 'islands' of grass that, indeed, held many of the starfire orchids as well as other plants. The trees were hung with mosses and firerose vines that were in full bloom. Whoever owned this place was obviously keeping it quite well – as well as a rather wild marsh could be kept.

He'd been unable to resist when he heard about the orchids. He wanted to live up to his father's and grandfather's reputations as plant collectors. Getting one of these Starfire orchids would impress even his grandmother. Neville glanced longingly at the firerose vines. They had some at the greenhouses, but they desperately needed out-crossing. Knowing his father favored the fireroses made them all the more attractive.

Neville looked around – there was no sign of any dugbogs, though there must be some, if the starfire orchids were thriving.

Neville carefully climbed the fence and crept to the edge of the water. There were a lot of logs that criss-crossed the marsh that could be used to go from 'island' to 'island'. The caretakers had likely placed them there for that exact purpose. He balanced carefully and started across the log to the first 'island', and then froze when he heard a familiar cruel laugh.

"You're such a predictably pathetic worm." Algie said from just beyond the fence. "Dangle a carrot in front of you and off you trot, like a good little ass." Algie laughed at his own joke.

Neville thought frantically. He obviously had fallen into a trap. As he glanced around he realized that several dugbogs were slipping into the water, their little red eyes gleaming with hunger and malice. His stomach clenched in fear, and his mind froze in terror as he saw Uncle Algie aim his wand at the log.

"Confringo!" Algie shouted, blasting the log from beneath Neville.

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Evan had been following the group surrounding Harry Potter for days without success. There were always eyes on Harry and the other children, making a successful kidnapping impossible. Just cursing him from a distance would be unsatisfactory. He'd just leave and try some other time rather than do that.

He'd robbed an old hag and days ago – hiding the body in the marsh, certain that the dugbogs would take care of it. The ancient tent was barely adequate, but a few waves of the wand had improved it. She had a ticket to the game, and he'd watched the World Cup – and the box with Harry Potter in it carefully.

Severus – and Lucius had kept their eyes on Harry and Lucius' son … Draco was his name, Evan was sure. He'd watched the whole campfire scene with a sneer of distaste. Lucius had really lowered his standards to interact with such a varied group of muggleborns, blood traitors and squibs. Narcissa would never have allowed it.

Then, as luck would have it, he caught sight of a small form leaving the campsite – and the cloak was Harry Potter's distinctive one with the dragon on it, and he could see dark hair peeking from under the hood. To his aggravation another wizard was following Potter from a distance. However one other wizard he could handle, one Avada Kedavra and he would have Potter in his clutches. He could almost see the chaos he could create - sending messages about Potter's torture to Snape and Malfoy, and of course children this age were easily terrified and screamed delighfully. He could drag the torture - both Potter's and Snape's, on for months if he was careful.

He shadowed them and saw Potter go over the fence and start crossing the log. To his horror the other wizard blasted the log from under his prey.

Evan raced forward with a howl of fury and blasted Algie with a harsh Confringo. The spell lifted Algie over the fence and tossed him into the dark marsh water with a loud splash. Evan raced to cross the fence and levitated the still form of the boy out of the water. However, he was too distracted by the shrill screams from Algie as the swarming dugbogs tore him apart to attend to the boy – or notice the other wizards racing up to the fence around the marsh.

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Severus had been a bit distracted all day – he'd felt they'd been watched from the first day they had arrived – but with so many people around, well - they were being watched. The aggravation of sensing familiar magic though was making him crazy – if he could just pin it down long enough to recognize it.

He and Harry were playing a lazy game of wizard chess, with Severus pointing out some strategic moves. Tom and Dora were on the sofa looking over Dora's classes for the first semester of Auror training. Severus' sat up suddenly - his senses were abruptly on full alert and he stood violently, making his chair tip over.

Harry froze in alarm, noticing Severus' grim look. Tom stood as well, sensing danger from Severus' tense alertness.

"Rosier!" Severus spat the name out in fury, the magical aura had been nearby just long enough for Severus to identify him. "Evan Rosier is here … but he's supposed to be dead." Severus' alarm was mixed with angry confusion. He drew his wand and raced out of the tent, Tom and Dora followed with Harry trailing them. Severus stopped at the campsite edge, peering out over the field.

He could see some forms walking toward the marsh. A couple of the Bulgarians wandered over. "Vat is it, sir?" One asked in curiosity.

"A supposedly dead Death Eater is here." Severus answered shortly, making them stiffen in alarm. "Rouse the Aurors and tell them Evan Rosier is here. Tom, get Lucius and tell the others – and see if anyone is missing."

Severus ran across the field, Dora and Harry on his heels and Lucius soon racing to catch up. Severus' long legs had him there at the marsh far ahead of the others – Algie's screams having spurred him to a greater speed. He was soon to the marsh fence and could clearly see Rosier's cruel smile as he watched Algie die.

Severus cast Expelliarmus quickly, before Evan noticed he'd arrived. Stupefy and Incarcerous quickly followed and Rosier lay helpless on the ground, glaring hatefully at Severus. Lucius caught up with Severus and climbed over the fence with a curse, seeing Neville's still form on the ground, Dudley and Draco following him.

"He isn't breathing, Severus." Lucius groaned. He may have been upset that Neville had tried to cast that malicious hex on Draco – but he hadn't wanted Frank's son injured … certainly did not want him dead.

Dudley pushed Lucius aside as gently as he could and started CPR, breathing for Neville. The Aurors raced up with Hugo, taking charge of Evan. Severus joined Dudley and pulled out his pouch of shrunken potions. He re-sized a bright blue bottle and interrupted Dudley briefly.

"Let me get this down him – It's called breath of life – it will get the oxygen into him more quickly." Severus poured the potion down Neville's throat and Dudley resumed breathing into Neville. After seemingly endless minutes, as a few of the other members of the camp arrived to watch in horror, Neville finally choked out a gasp and started breathing in labored gulps. Dudley backed off and watched anxiously.

Lucius gathered up the small boy, told Dudley to grab his arm and apparated them both back to camp. Severus took Draco and Harry and apparated as well with a loud crack. Hugo looked out at the marsh at the tattered form of Algie, wondering what had happened. He gave Evan a baleful glare – the not-as-dead-as-everyone- thought Death Eater was about to be re-introduced to Veritaserum.

Hugo levitated what was left of the body out, dugbogs snapping at the escaping food angrily. He sent one of his two Aurors to get a French officer. Diplomatic channels must be maintained during this, of course.

Lucius hesitated on arriving to the camp, and finally took Neville to his own tent – sending Dora to fetch Augusta and Enid as well, he hoped. Molly and Arthur were sent to fetch a Healer from the Hospital tent – there was always need for a few of them during such a gathering. Lucius gripped Dudley's arm, "There might not be time to tell you later, so I'll let you know, now - what you did was brilliant. You kept your head and saved Neville's life. Well done."

Dudley flushed with pleasure. "Didn't think I'd even have reason to use CPR in the magical world, but I'm glad I remembered it."

Severus, with Draco and Harry arrived as well as Rosemerta and Petunia. Others crowded in behind them.

Augusta arrived in a rush, white-faced and trembling. "What have you done to him, Malfoy?" She immediately cried to the now equally pale Lucius.

Rosemerta pushed forward – she'd arrived not far behind Tom and Draco and had seen most everything. "He and Dudley saved Neville's life – Evan Rosier killed Algie and Severus captured him – Lucius and Dudley rescued Neville and got him breathing again."

Augusta collapsed in a nearby chair at the news of Algie's death. The Healer arrived to everyone's relief and started to work on the still – unconscious Neville. A few spell, and an additional potion and Neville was awake, looking around in confusion. Memory soon returned, though and his pulse started racing along with his breathing. A calming potion was added, but this put him back into a light sleep.

"He mustn't be moved for at least a day – perhaps two. His lungs are in bad shape. They need to heal and movement will be detrimental." The Healer said adamantly.

Lucius sighed in resignation. "You are, of course, welcome to stay here with your grandson." Lucius said in icy formality to the grey faced Augusta. He'd hated that bounder Algie, but obviously Augusta mourned him.

Augusta nodded hesitantly – she'd prefer anywhere else, but the Healer was firm and she couldn't bear to lose Neville on top of Algie. Her eyes met Lucius' briefly. They were both musing on just how long the next day or two was likely to seem.

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