Chapter 87 "1st Battalion"

"At five thirty, from the Greenery Manor," echoed a solitary voice through the misty marshland of Dartmoor Wilderness.

Before them stood two disheveled wizards, their attire a peculiar blend of Muggle fashion gone awry.

One clutched a large gold watch, the other, a thick roll of parchment and a quill pen.

Despite their attempt at blending in, their mismatched clothing raised eyebrows – thigh-length rubber overshoes under a tweed suit, a Scottish Highlander pleated skirt combined with a South American cloak.

"Good morning, Basil," greeted Gareth, handing a key to the kilt-clad wizard.

Basil wearily acknowledged, "Hello, Mr. Greengrass. I'm sorry, we're a bit exhausted. We've been here since last night, just ushered in a large group from the Black Forest in Germany a quarter of an hour ago. Let me find out where your camp is." He perused a parchment list. "Ah, you're in the first camp. Just walk past here. The camp manager is Mr. Roberts."

"Thank you, Basil," Gareth acknowledged, signaling for everyone to follow him.

Despite Greengrass's penchant for low-key appearances, Gareth's chosen camp was strategically placed in the first, the prime location closest to the game venue.

Surrounded by pure-blood wizard families and noble identities, it mirrored the anticipated arrangement for the Malfoy family camp by Lucius.

Recalling the original work, Skyler remembered that the Weasleys, too, resided in the first camp, courtesy of Arthur's assistance to Otto Bagman, brother of Ludovic Bagman, the Sports Department director.

Legal troubles resolved, Ludovic had extended the best ticket in gratitude.

In high spirits, laughter echoed through the deserted swamp as they navigated the dense fog.

A door materialized after roughly twenty minutes of walking, leading to a small stone house. Behind it sprawled thousands of peculiarly shaped tents.

Following the gentle slope of a vast field, their gaze reached a dark wood on the horizon.

At the door, a man stood, surveying the multitude of tents.

Judging by his expression, Mr. Roberts, the venue manager, seemed to be the only genuine Muggle in the vicinity.

Upon hearing their footsteps, he turned to observe them.

Butler Morgaddon approached him to discuss tent rental.

Morgaddon, unfamiliar with Muggle currency, fumbled through a roll of bills, raising Roberts' suspicion.

Skyler stepped in to assist, prompting raised eyebrows at the unexpected knowledge of Muggle bills displayed by the young master of a pure-blood family.

Proceeding through the venue entrance, a wizard from the Ministry of Magic, visibly fatigued with an unshaved beard and green eyes shadowed with purple, guided them to their camp.

Clearly acquainted with Gareth and Morgaddon, he grumbled about the overwhelming workload and the challenges posed by a troublesome Muggle.

"It's dreadful, Gareth!" he muttered, "That Muggle has given me no end of trouble. I have to perform the Forgetting Curse on him dozens of times a day just to keep him in good spirits. On top of that, there are numerous unconscious wizards and other issues waiting for me."

"Are you alone?!" Gareth exclaimed in surprise, "What about the others?"

"Don't even mention it. Ludo is more of a hindrance. Although this falls under his department's responsibility, he just wanders around, loudly discussing Quidditch and ghostly flying balls, completely disregarding the need to be cautious around Muggles for safety." He sighed heavily, "Oh, Merlin, I can't wait for this to be over. It's pure torture. See you later, Gareth!" With that, he Disapparated from the spot, disappearing from view.

"I thought Mr. Bagman was the head of the Sports Department," remarked Astoria in surprise, "Shouldn't he be aware of the need to avoid talking about magic around Muggles?"

"Indeed, dear!" Gareth replied with a smile, "Ludo has always been careless about safety matters, but when it comes to leading the Sports Department, you won't find anyone more passionate. You know he used to play Quidditch for the United Kingdom. He's the best Beater in the history of the Wimborne Hornets."

Ludovich "Ludo" Bagman is a widely known and popular figure in the wizarding world.

However, upon hearing Gareth's words, Morgaddon, usually reserved, sneered, "Bagman's past isn't as glorious as the rumors suggest. He was once accused of providing confidential information to the Death Eaters. Undoubtedly, he was a complete idiot, and I doubt he even knew what he was doing at the time."

Skyler nodded in agreement, recalling Ludo's portrayal in the original book, confirming his reputation as a real fool.

As they strolled between two long rows of tents, most of them appeared inconspicuous, with their owners making an effort to make them resemble Muggle tents.

Some inadvertently overdid it, adding unnecessary chimneys, bell ropes, or weather vanes, making them stand out.

Occasionally, magical tents were interspersed among the ordinary ones.

For instance, a tent in the middle of the camp stood out extravagantly, using striped silk to resemble a small palace.

Pure white peacocks were tied to the entrance, and a garden adorned with a bird bath, sundial, and fountain surrounded it.

Skyler recognized the unmistakable style—the Malfoy family, showcasing their luxurious, high-profile, aggressive, and domineering taste.

Gareth cast several smiles in Skyler's direction but refrained from commenting, leading them to their own camp.

A dark green tent occupied a significant area not far from the Malfoy's opulent setup.

Simple in design, it featured a conical spire adorned with dark gold Greengrass family decorations.

Despite its magnificence, it blended seamlessly with the surroundings, lacking any ostentatious elements.

The tent resembled a Muggle dome tent but on a larger scale.

Entering the tent, Skyler marveled at the spacious interior and its furnishings.

In the corridor leading to the hall, rose-colored copper pots and utensils gleamed while the wooden table shone after a thorough polish.

Silver cups and saucers were neatly arranged, catching the warm firelight.

Adjacent to the dining area and bathroom, a landscape painting adorned the wall, creating an exceptionally cozy ambiance.

The brown-black staircase, adorned with thickly paved stalls, extends upward for about three stories.

The upper levels house bedrooms, mirroring the narrowing space as you ascend, yet the decoration exudes a stylish flair.

Surprisingly, this elegant structure is not a noble family's holiday villa but a tent.

Upon arrival, two house elves, Tiva and Dino, hurried out to greet the guests, employing magic to transport their luggage to their respective rooms.

After indulging in a breakfast prepared by the diligent House-elves, Gareth and Morgaddon set out to visit the family tents for social activities aimed at fostering connections.

Curiosity piqued, and Astoria, Skyler, and the girls decided to explore the camp, absorbing the unique atmosphere.

The vicinity is home to pure-blood wizard families and noble wizard lineages.

A tent resembling a castle, complete with several turrets, catches their attention. Its alluring fragrance captivates, making it difficult to leave.

Skyler recognizes the boy at the entrance as Blaise Shabini, accompanied by a striking woman—his mother, Mrs. Shabini.

Mrs. Shabini is no ordinary individual, having been married seven times, each husband meeting a mysterious demise and leaving behind a substantial inheritance.

Her beauty is undeniable, featuring big wavy blond hair, impeccable features, a perfectly proportioned figure, and a captivating blend of grace, nobility, and elegance.

Her smiles exude charm, and every movement carries an irresistible allure.

Skyler, having encountered numerous beauties, including his mother Narcissa, recently met sister Giuliana, and the Royal Vampire Princess Elizabeth Batori, is struck by a visual impact he hasn't experienced before.

Unconsciously, a term comes to Skyler's mind—"Femme Fatale."

This French expression encapsulates the concept of a deadly woman, one whose beauty exerts a fatal attraction, ensnaring men in a dangerous and enchanting allure.

While other beauties may evoke happiness or pity, fatal women create an addictive spell, invoking indescribable emotions.

"Hi, Skyler!" Blaise walked over with his mother, extending a friendly greeting.

As Skyler found himself in close proximity to Mrs. Shabini, a fragrant breeze enveloped him, leaving his lips dry, and his heartbeat accelerated.

Employing Occlumency, he subdued the captivating thoughts, restoring clarity to his eyes.

"Blaise, are these your friends? Won't you introduce them to your mother?" Madame Shabini's eyes danced with allure.

After fixing her gaze on Skyler for a few seconds, she noticed his composed demeanor, raising her red lips slightly—a testament to her intrigue with this captivating young man.

Directly meeting Mrs. Shabini's eyes, Skyler introduced himself effortlessly, "Mrs. Shabini, hello, I am Skyler of the Malfoy family. These two are Daphne and Astoria of the Greengrass family, and this is Meredith of the Shafiq family."

Aware of Skyler's reputation as the youngest Sir Merlin, Mrs. Shabini expressed her delight, "It's truly outstanding. I'm so glad Blaise has a friend like you. You must visit our house when you have the opportunity to play more..."

Though Mrs. Shabini's enthusiasm seemed excessive, Skyler, having observed everything through the Illuminating Insight, maintained a calm exterior and graciously accepted the invitation.

After the encounter, Skyler accompanied the three girls to visit the Malfoy family camp.

Inside the tent, Narcissa, the sole occupant, leisurely directed Lele in creating various decorations and furnishings.

Despite knowing the tent would be used for only one day, Narcissa anticipated the unpredictable duration of the match—considering the last semi-final lasted five days and nights.

In her view, ensuring the tent's interior was exceptionally comfortable was a necessity.

Spotting her son after a week of separation, Narcissa greeted Skyler with a warm hug.

The three girls, welcomed by Narcissa, blushed with embarrassment at her overt and subtle displays of affection.

"Mother, why don't we see Father and Draco?" Skyler inquired.

"Your father recently made a significant donation to St. Mungo's Hospital. He's currently dining with senior Ministry of Magic officials, and Fudge is among them. As for Draco, he left early, mentioning something about meeting Goyle and Crabbe. His mysterious behavior throughout the summer vacation suggests he might have a girlfriend..."

Next, they encountered several tents belonging to familiar families in the first camp: the Parkinson family's park, the Burst family's camp, the Runcorn family's setup, and the Nott family's camp.

Skyler, along with several classmates and their parents, exchanged polite greetings. Finally, they reached Mr. Nott.

Mr. Nott, a stern and unsmiling elderly man, was over sixty years old, yet his eyes remained sharp.

Skyler expressed gratitude for the two gifts received at the end of the last semester and engaged in an equal exchange of alchemical knowledge with Mr. Nott.

Skyler's proficiency in alchemy, even in the eyes of the seasoned Mr. Knott, was eyebrow-raising.

Despite the age difference, Skyler's alchemical skills rivaled those of Mr. Nott. After the exchange, both parties gained valuable insights.

Mr. Nott knows it won't even matter if Skyler is under the guidance of Mr. Borgin.

For he saw Skyler's eyes were filled with wisdom by the time they were in conversation. The knowledge that Skyler proudly carries is not something he could easily learn from Mr.Borgin himself over the span of a few months.

Skyler is a genius in Mr. Nott's eyes.

"Such a young man with these kinds of knowledge, it's hard to say... But, I don't think Theodore can establish his own business in the alchemy market. It would be great if he could manage to keep in contact and cherish the connection between him and this young Master of the Malfoy family." Mr. Nott mused to himself.

Mr. Nott couldn't help but sigh inwardly; he believed that for his son Theodore to inherit the family business and maintain dominance in the British alchemy industry, it wouldn't be an easy task.