Bab 149: Chapter 149: The Warming Sunlight
Augustus glanced at the sky and turned to Weasley. "Shouldn't it be about time?"
Weasley checked his pocket watch. "Amos, are we waiting for anyone else?"
"No, the Lovegood family arrived a week ago, and the Fawcett family couldn't get tickets," Mr. Diggory replied. "That should be everyone for this area."
"Looks like it's just us," Arthur nodded. "Alright, one minute left... Everyone, get ready..."
He turned to Harry and Hermione. "You just need to touch the Portkey, like this—just a finger will do."
Augustus joined the group as they gathered around an old boot, forming a tight circle. Each person reached out to touch the boot. Weasley glanced at his watch and muttered, "Three, two, one."
A tremendous force erupted from the boot, pulling everyone off their feet. They were hurled forward as if caught in a whirlwind, with nothing but chaos around them. The boot acted like a magnet, gripping them firmly as they sped through the air.
The next moment, their feet hit solid ground. Apart from Augustus, Arthur, and Amos, everyone else toppled over in a heap.
"Five-oh-seven, from White Weasel Hill," announced a voice.
Augustus allowed a small smile. The Portkey was amusing, though teleportation arrays were far more comfortable and gentle by comparison.
Looking around, they had arrived in a desolate, misty marshland. Ahead stood two weary and sullen wizards. One held a large gold watch, while the other carried a thick roll of parchment and a quill. Both were dressed as Muggles, but their efforts were laughably inadequate. The man with the watch wore a tweed jacket over thigh-high rubber boots, while his colleague donned a kilt paired with a South American poncho.
It was clear these two were responsible for logging arrivals at the Portkey point. However, their Muggle disguises were so poorly executed that they would look outright bizarre in the Muggle world.
"Good day, Mr. Augustus," said the wizard with the gold watch, Basil, in a tired voice. "We've been expecting you. Miss Lilian reserved a tent for you in the First Camp area. You just need to head north and take a turn; you'll reach it soon enough."
Augustus nodded politely. It seemed Lilian had anticipated his arrival via the White Weasel Hill Portkey and made arrangements in advance, saving him a great deal of hassle.
After bidding farewell to the Weasley family, Harry, and Hermione, Augustus headed north. He crossed the empty marshland, walked for about twenty minutes, and eventually reached a door leading to a small stone house. Beyond it lay a sprawling field dotted with hundreds of eccentric tents, sloping upwards toward a dark forest on the horizon.
At the gate stood a stern-looking man, clearly a Muggle and presumably the camp manager.
"Good morning. Is this the First Camp area?" Augustus inquired.
The man eyed Augustus and replied stiffly, "Yes, I'm the manager here. Slugh."
"Has a tent been reserved under the name Augustus?"
Slugh consulted a chart on the wall and nodded. "Yes, reserved two days ago. It's over by the woods. The deposit has already been paid, so you can use it directly."
"Thank you," Augustus said and proceeded in the indicated direction.
Walking past rows of tents, Augustus noted that most had been carefully designed to mimic Muggle tents. However, some overdid it, adorned with chimneys, bell ropes, or weather vanes, making them look comically out of place. Others were blatantly magical in design.
Finally, Augustus spotted a particularly extravagant tent made of striped silk, resembling a miniature palace. Peacocks were tied near its entrance.
"Hey, Mr. Augustus, over here!" A platinum-haired boy waved excitedly.
Of course, only Malfoy would think of keeping peacocks outside his tent.
Before Augustus could respond, a girl with deep red eyes emerged from a nearby multi-story tent adorned with turrets. Lilian greeted him warmly, her eyes glinting with amusement.
The two approached Augustus, and Lilian eagerly led him to his tent. It was located just behind Malfoy and Lilian's tents, featuring a garden with a sundial and a fountain. A small plaque at the entrance read: Augustus.
Entering the tent, Augustus found its compact exterior deceptive. Inside was a floating pavilion with a Gothic design. A staircase spiraled gracefully down from the elevated structure. The vibrant interiors featured large stained-glass windows casting colorful patterns onto the floor, with a blend of natural and architectural beauty. Ivy vines lined the corridors, adding a lush green ambiance.
"Overall, not bad," Augustus remarked, pleased as he surveyed the surroundings.
"Now that you've seen your tent, let's take advantage of the nice weather and explore the camp. There are bound to be plenty of familiar faces around," Lilian suggested enthusiastically.
Augustus nodded, and Malfoy reluctantly trailed behind them.
The sun had just risen, its warmth melting away the morning mist. Light dappled through the trees, deepening the shades of green. The sky was a vivid blue, moist and clear. As sunlight bathed Augustus's tall figure, it lent him a golden, radiant glow.
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