Chapter Seven - Bagman and Crouch

[voicelady_2000]

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No: HPFGUIDX C7630
From: voicelady_2000
Subject: Chapter Seven - Bagman and Crouch
Date: 8/23/00 9:17 am  (ET)

Sorry this is overdue, folks. But you know, work got in the way. Don'tcha
just hate when that happens? Anyway, without further ado:

Chapter Seven - Bagman and Crouch

The Weasley's, Harry and Hermione have just used the portkey and arrived
at the camping area, paid Mr. Roberts his fee (who is amazed at all
of the goings-on) and find their designated camping spot. They pitch
2 tents which, upon entering, are quite a bit more than tents. Inside,
they are as big as a 3 room flat with a bathroom and kitchen. And this
is also when Mrs. Figg is mentioned - twice in this chapter.

Ron, Hermione and Harry set off to get water from the tap. The sun is
coming up, and they are amazed at the site. There is a "city of tents
that stretched in every direction." (p. 81) They see little witches
and wizards playing, African wizards, witches from Salem - witches and
wizards from all over. At the Irish section, which is simply covered
with shamrocks, they run into Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas, friends
from school. At the Bulgarian section, they notice that the tents are
covered with posters of Viktor Krum, the Bulgarian Quidditch superstar.

During their trek, they also run into Oliver Wood, who is now playing
Quidditch for the Puddlemere United reserve team, Ernie Macmillan, and
Cho Chang. We're told that Harry gets quite flustered at the sight of
her - indications of things to come.

Once back at their campsite which is along a main thoroughfare, they see
quite a number of Ministry Members who all say hello to Mr. Weasley. Here
we are first introduced to Ludo Bagman and Barty Crouch. They are as
different as night and day. Bagman is dressed in old Quidditch robes
of yellow and black with a picture of a wasp. He seems the picture of
an overgrown schoolboy. Barty Crouch, however, is impeccably dressed,
and could pass for an investment banker. He is very serious and efficient.

During conversation, Crouch calls Percy "Weatherby." So we realize
that Percy has been overplaying his importance in the Ministry. Also
discussed peripherally is the event which will take place at Hogwarts
this school year.

The three friends go shopping for souvenirs. Harry buys each of them a
pair of Omnioculars - therefore dispelling the myth that Harry never buys
anything for his friends. (Which is why Ms. Rowling wrote that particular
passage I think.) Finally, the signal sounds for the beginning of the
Quidditch match and this is where the chapter ends.