Barty Crouch

"Ah, Arthur, you finally made it," a cheerful voice called from outside the tent.

A tall man ducked inside, dressed in a lively Quidditch robe with a striking bumblebee emblem on his chest.

It was clear that this man had been quite the athlete in his younger days; his clothes stretched tight across his body.

"Ludo," Arthur Weasley said in surprise, setting a half-used box of matches on a nearby table.

"How have you been? You must have been run ragged lately." Arthur Weasley gave him a warm hug.

"That's right, but things are much better now. Most of what needed doing has been taken care of. I mean, I can finally cheer in the stands like a normal spectator," he said excitedly, with little of the stiffness one expected from an adult.

"Almost forgot to introduce you." Arthur Weasley looked over at Eli and the others, who were busy fighting Bill and the rest for sausages.

"This is Bill, this is Charlie, and Percy, Ron, George, and Fred, plus my daughter Ginny—you've met them all. These are their friends: Eli Hall, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter."

Arthur Weasley rattled off the long list smoothly, though he was somewhat perfunctory when introducing George and Fred, since he could not tell the twins apart very well himself.

Ludo Bagman had worn a broad grin the whole time, but when he heard the name Harry Potter, surprise flickered across his face as he glanced at the scar on Harry's forehead.

"Pleasure to meet you all. What a lively family!"

Ludo Bagman suddenly leaned close to Arthur Weasley, his expression sly. "Interested? Fancy a bet?"

"A bet?" Arthur Weasley was intrigued by Ludo Bagman's persuasive expression, but he restrained himself. His family's finances did not exactly support gambling.

"Some people are betting that