Draco's Warning

The tickets Arthur Weasley had secured were all first-class seats on the very top level, courtesy of Ludo Bagman.

They took the lift up to the top level. The Minister's box was one floor below them.

A crowd squeezed in, chattering away in a language none of them understood. They definitely weren't British wizards.

"Oh, Minister, it's a pleasure to see you." Fudge appeared on their level with several people in tow. Surprised, Arthur Weasley went over to greet him, while everyone else turned to look at the Minister for Magic's unexpected arrival.

As though he had spotted the opportunity of a lifetime, Percy Weasley bounded up to the Minister in a few strides and bowed deeply. The Ministry employees following behind were treated to quite a sight; his bowing skills put theirs to shame.

Fudge was thoroughly pleased, but he merely patted Percy Weasley before moving past him.

"Harry, how have you been?" Under the puzzled or envious gazes of the crowd, Fudge walked over to Harry and greeted him with great familiarity.

After all, as the Minister for Magic of an entire country, Fudge usually had people falling over themselves to curry favor with him wherever he went.

Harry looked a little awkward. He wasn't particularly fond of the rather ponderous Minister, and Fudge's enthusiastic greeting made him deeply uncomfortable.

"This is Harry Potter. I'm sure you've all heard of him! Harry Potter, the Chosen One!" Fudge spoke to a lavishly dressed wizard as though showing Harry off.

The wizard launched into a long stream of incomprehensible words, gesturing constantly as he spoke.

Still, judging by the way he excitedly pointed at Harry's forehead every so often, he clearly knew who Harry Potter was.

This was Bulgaria's Minister for Magic, and he apparently didn't understand a word of