Harry Potter and Threstral Guardian
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any associated characters. There may be parts of the goblet of fire within, but they will soon cease as the story diverges.
Chapter two: Quidditch World Cup Shenanigans
For the last two months Harry had spent his time practising all his spells from year one to year three. He managed to perfect all of those spells and increase his magical reserves by a quarter. He was quarter of the way to his original capacity.
His improvement in the mind arts was the most startling. He had finally completed level one of each mini-skill set. He was now able to clear his mind at a moments notice. He also trained his emotional control, which was very difficult for Harry. He was naturally an emotional person. Nonetheless he managed to pass the first level of each skill set. The natural shields around his mind were now much more stronger than they were when he first began his training.
The shields would likely help him detect and intrusion and shield himself against surface thought scans. The last added benefit was it helped him with silent casting. He had just recently began practising the wand-lighting charm wordlessly. He can only get the dimmest of lights out of his wand at the moment. He could barely see the light, if he was honest.
August 29, 1994
Harry stood alongside Kreacher and Dobby. He had a bag on his back, and his wand was strapped to his wrist. He wore a pair of black sweatpants, and a white long-sleeved shirt and trainers.
Just a few days ago Harry had received an invitation from Ron, to go to the quiditch world cup. Harry of course accepted, and asked for the apparation co-ordinates and so they gave it to him.
Harry grabbed Kreacher and Dolby's hands and shortly after they disapparated. Harry re-appeared in an area that was filled with a number of tents. Luckily for Harry the co-ordinates that he was given were in the immediate area of where he would be camping with the Weasleys. "Kreacher, I want you to make yourself invisible, please keep me safe."
Kreacher bowed slightly before disappearing from view, and Dobby disapparated. Harry walked over to the Weasleys. "Harry, its good to see you!" Mr. Weasley grinned.
"You too Mr. Weasley." Harry hugged him.
"Come I want you to meet my other two sons, I'm sure you haven't met either of them yet."Arthur brought him over to a man in his early twenties. He had long red-hair and a fang earring. "this is my son William, but you can call him Bill - everyone else does - he is a curse-breaker for Gringotts."
Bill offered his hand to Harry. "Its nice to meet you Harry." Harry took his hand and shook it. "You, as well Bill, I would really like to talk to you about curse-breaking it sounds interesting."
"Yeah, I wouldn't mind."Bill replied.
Next Arthur brought him to a another red-head. He was short and stocky, similar to George and Fred. He was also very muscular. "Harry this is my other son, Charlie, he is a dragon keeper in Romania." Arthur introduced the two. "This is Harry Potter."
Harry shook Charlie's hand firmly, he could feel the rough calluses and scars on the man's hands. Evidence of his experience when dealing with dragons. "Its nice to meet you Charlie, that is if I can call you Charlie."
"Charlie's fine, Harry and its nice to meet you as well." Charlie replied.
"Harry unfortunately you just missed Ron and Hermione. They went to go and fetch the water for us." Arthur replied. "But I was wondering if you could help us light the camp-fire?"
"Do you have a lighter? Or a box of matches?" Harry asked, he assumed magical fires were prohibited.
"Yes, I've broken a few. . . But there are a few left." He said in embarrassment.
"Give them here." Harry replied. He took one of the matchsticks and struck the black strip on the box and lit the wood.
"Great stuff Harry!" Arthur grinned.
Harry nodded, before entering the tent and putting his bag down. After returning he noticed that Percy was there doing paperwork. So he decided to walk over to him and ask what he working on.
"Greetings Percival." Harry greeted formally, knowing the type of person Percy was, he knew it would be the most appropriate form of greeting.
"Hello Harry, how are you?" Percy greeted pleasantly, although he was surprised by Harry addressing him.
"I'm well thank you, and yourself?" Harry replied.
"I'm doing well thanks." Percy replied.
"So, what are you doing? The paperwork, I mean." Harry replied.
"Its, a report on the reduction of thickness in cauldron bottoms." Percy replied.
Harry wanted to mock the uselessness of such a report. But then he thought about it for a second, the importance of cauldron bottoms, became clear. "its understandable, I mean there are various acidic and combustible potions. If the cauldron bottom is not thick enough it may burn through, and well Neville Longbottom is enough of an example of what faulty cauldron bottoms can do."
Harry thought that it may be laying it on quite thick, but he was sure Percy needed someone to pay interest to his work, no matter how feigned it may be. "I'm glad you think so, unlike my brothers who cannot see the importance of the integrity of cauldron bottoms."
"Well to be fair Percival, initially it sounds like a irrelevant issue, but when you think about it, you can understand while it is such an issue." Harry replied reasonably.
"I suppose you're right." Percy sighed.
"You know Percy, I might have an idea that could either improve your position in the ministry of magic, or it may stall your progress." Harry offered, he was so concentrated on their conversation that he didn't notice Hermione and Ron return.
"Really? What's your idea?" Percy asked eagerly.
"Well I was think that you could form an agreement with the goblins, since they're renowned for their forging -"
"Harry! Mate!" Harry turned around, and noticed it was Ron. He grinned and hugged Ron casually.
"How are you Ron?" Harry grinned.
"Good and you mate?" Ron asked.
"I'm brilliant actually, Percy and I have been having a rather interesting chat about cauldron bottoms." Harry smirked, then he noticed Hermione standing behind Ron.
"Hermione!" Harry embraced her tightly with huge grin on his face. "I've missed you Hermione!"
"I've missed you to Harry." she said, while blushing slightly. Harry hoped that she wouldn't get any ideas. That was the problem with Occlumency, you need to train your ability to control your emotions. In order to control your emotions you needed to first understand them and the reason for them. So Harry studied emotions just before he practised Occlumency and so he understood why girls blushed around him - mostly because he was the-boy-who-lived - they were attracted to him. And so was Hermione, either that or she had never been complimented, which is unlikely.
"Harry, could you tell me what you meant?" Percy asked.
Percy rescued Harry - even if it was unwittingly done - and he was grateful. "What I meant was since goblins are incredible forgers, they could forge the cauldrons for you and it has the added positive of improving wizard-goblin relations."
"You know Harry, that isn't a bad idea." Percy smiled. "I may submit that idea to Mr. Crouch."
"Mr. Crouch? Is he your department head? What department do you work in anyway?" Harry asked.
"Oh, I didn't tell you. I just started in the department of international magical co-operation. Our department head is Mr. Crouch - he used to be the head of the department of magical law enforcement - much better than that Ludo Bagman, his the head of the department of magical games and sports - our departments are cooperating to organise the quiditch world cup." Percy explained enthusiastically.
"Why is it you don't like Ludo Bagman?" Harry asked, he thought that it was the most important piece of information at the moment.
"He just doesn't take things seriously - he thinks everything is a game, gambling or otherwise - not to mention that Bertha Jorkins - went missing quite a while ago." Percy replied.
"Where was she last seen?" Harry asked.
"She went on holiday to Albania." Percy replied, but Harry's eyes went wide.
Harry knew that Voldemort was in Albania before professor Quirrell ventured there. When he returned he had Voldemort sticking out the back of his skull. So either Bertha is now too the product of possession or she is being used for other purposes.
"Is something wrong Harry?" Percy asked him, in a concerned tone.
"Oh no nothing, I was just thinking." Harry replied, however Internally it was something different. "I need to get better at Occlumency if I am to have total control of my emotions."
"Aha! The man of the moment Ludo." Arthur greeted.
When Harry turned to Percy had already moved to greet the ludo Bagman that he apparently did not like. Then again Harry knew that Percy was a man of ambition.
Harry decided to greet the blonde man in what seemed to be his quiditch robes. They were black and yellow. Harry never knew when he may need contacts in the ministry and his boy-who-lived status may play to his advantage.
". . .and Harry Potter."Harry just arrived a moment before Mr. Weasley finished the introductions. He stretched his arm out to shake Mr. Bagman's hand after Percy did.
"Its nice to meet you Mr. Bagman, I'm Harry Potter. Its not if you are not aware of that." Harry introduced himself.
"I'm indeed aware of who you are, Harry, and please call me Ludo." Ludo grinned.
"Harry you know it was Ludo who managed to get us these tickets in the first place." Arthur praised.
Ludo waved him off as if it were nothing. "Fancy a flutter on the match, Arthur?"He said eagerly, jingling what seemed to be a large amount of gold in the pocket of his yellow-and-black robes. "I've already got Roddy Pontner betting me Bulgaria will score first - I offered him nice odds, considering Ireland's front three are the strongest I've seen in years - and little Agatha Timms has put up half shares in her eel farm on a week-long match."
"Oh. . .go on then," said Mr. Weasley. "lets see. . .a Galleon on Ireland to win?"
"A Galleon?"Ludo Bagman looked slightly disappointed, but recovered himself. "Very well, very well. . .any other takers?"
"They're a bit young to be gambling," said Mr Weasley. "Molly wouldn't like -"
"We'll bet thirty-seven Galleons, Fifteen sickles, three nuts," said Fred as he and George quickly pooled all their money, "That Ireland wins - but Victor Krum gets the snitch. Oh and we'll throw in a fake wand."
Percy was about to interrupt but Harry beat him to it. "I'll add one hundred galleons to that bet." the twins were about to complain, but he continued. "I want you to add my one hundred galleons to the twins bet. It has nothing to do with either of you, if Ludo takes the money its a deal. . .but if I find out that you two are cheated out of your bet - since this is not an official bet - I'll just go to the prophet."
"There is no reason for that."Ludo Bagman said nervously.
"Of course not," Harry said smoothly, "its only a precaution."
Ludo Bagman quickly accepted their bets and jotted them down in notebook, before quickly changing the subject. "Couldn't do me a brew, I suppose? I'm keeping an eye out for Barty Crouch. My Bulgarian opposite numbers making difficulties, and I cant understand a word his saying. Barty'll be able to sort it out. He speaks about a hundred and fifty languages."
"Mr Crouch?" said Percy, suddenly abandoning his look of poker-stiff disapproval and positively writhing in excitement. "He speaks over two hundred! Mermish and Gobbledegook and Troll. . ."
"Anyone can speak Troll,"said Fred dismissively. "All you have to do is point and grunt."
Harry tuned out most of the conversation until he heard Ludo Bagman. ". .Oh - talk of the devil! Barty!"
A man had had just apparated into their camp-site. He wore a crisp suit and stood in a impossibly rigid fashion. His hair was combed, in a way that it parted in the centre and his moustache looked like it hand been trimmed with the aid of a ruler of some sort.
"Pull up a bit of grass, Barty,"said Ludo brightly, patting the ground beside him.
"No thank you, Ludo,"said Crouch, and there was a bite of impatience in his voice. "I've been looking for you everywhere. The Bulgarians are insisting we add another twelve seats to the top box."
Harry again chose to ignore most of their conversation, except for the information that there was going to be an international sporting event at Hogwarts. Soon though he, Hermione and Ron left the camp-site in search of souvenirs.
"I've been saving all year for this." said Ron, as they came upon a group of Victor Krum model figurines.
Ron of course paid for his figurine, so Harry moved on to an interesting stall. It was a stall that was selling Omnioculars. "Excuse me sir, what do these do?" Harry asked.
"You can replay action. . .slow everything down. . .and they flash up a play-by-play breakdown if you need it. Bargain - Ten Galleons each."
"Wish I hadn't bought this now," said Ron, gesturing at his dancing shamrock hat and gazing longingly at the Omnioculars.
"Three pairs." said Harry firmly to the wizard.
Ron was about to complain, but Harry stopped him. "Look Ron, its my money and how I choose to use it is my choice, and if I choose to use it on you that's my choice."
"Oh alright, that's fine I guess." Ron replied.
"Oooh, thanks, Harry," said Hermione. "And I'll get us programs, look -"
Quiditch world cup
Top Box
Harry and the rest of the Weasleys at in the Top Box. Harry now donned crisp suit, similar to the one Mr. crouch wore, he had changed his clothes when he returned to the camp-site. Soon enough Cornelius fudge came into the Top Box, and greeted Harry like an old friend. He then introduced Harry to the wizards on the side of him.
"Harry Potter, you know," he told the Bulgarian minister loudly, the man didn't seem to understand a word of English. "Harry Potter. . .oh come on now, you do know who he is - "
The Bulgarian wizard suddenly spotted Harry's spotted Harry's scar and started gabbing loudly and excitedly, pointing at it.
"Knew we'd get there in the end," said fudge wearily to Harry. "I'm no great shakes at languages; I need Barty crouch for this sort of thing. Ah, I see his house-elf's saving him a seat. . .Good job too, these Bulgarian blighters have been trying to cadge all the best places. . .ah, and here's Lucius!"
Harry, Ron and Hermione turned quickly. Edging along the second row to three still-empty seats right behind Mr. Weasley were none other than Dobby the House elf's previous owners: Lucius Malfoy; his son, Draco; and a woman Harry supposed must be Draco's mother.
"Ah, Fudge,"Said Mr. Malfoy holding out his hand as he reached the minister of magic. "How are you? I don't think you've met my wife Narcissa? Or our son, Draco?"
"How do you do, how do you do?"said fudge, smiling and bowing to Mrs. Malfoy. "And allow me to introduce you to Mr. Oblansk - Obalonsk - Mr - well, he's the Bulgarian minster of magic, and he cant understand a word I'm saying anyway, so never mind. And lets see who else - you know Arthur Weasley, I daresay?"
Harry could predict the outcome of their confrontation to either a fist-fight or something similar so he decided to cut that short. "Lord Malfoy" Harry stated, he waited for Lord Malfoy to offer his hand, and so he shook it. "Yes, hello Mr. Potter."
Harry then turned to Narcissa Malfoy. "Lady Malfoy, a pleasure to make such a beautiful acquaintance." Harry said as she offered her hand and he kissed her knuckle.
"A pleasure, cousin." she replied.
Harry nodded, and then turned to Draco. "Its good to see you, Heir Malfoy."said Harry.
Harry could see Draco was about to make some derisive remark, but his father gripped him tightly on the shoulder. "Its nice to see you too, P- heir Potter." Draco grunted.
Harry nodded calmly before he returned to seat, and focused on the pitch. "Did Mrs. Malfoy say cousin?" Hermione asked.
"My Grandmother's name was Dorea Potter, but before that she was Dorea Black, and Narcissa was also a Black, hence that makes her like my second cousin or something to that extent."said Harry.
Top Box
8:15pm
"Everyone ready?" He said, his round face gleaming like a great, excited Edam. "Minister - ready to go?"
"Ready when you are, Ludo,"said Fudge comfortably.
Ludo whipped out his wand, directed it at his own throat, and said "Sonorus!" and then spoke over the roar of sound that was now filling the packed stadium; his voice echoed over them, booming into every corner of the stands.
"Ladies and gentlemen. . .welcome! Welcome to the final of the four hundred and twenty-second Quidditch World Cup!"
The spectators screamed and clapped. Thousands of flags waved, adding their discordant national anthems to the racket. The huge blackboard opposite them was wiped clear of its last message and now showed BULGARIA: 0, IRELEAND: 0.
"And now, without further ado, allow me to introduce. . .the Bulgarian National Team Mascots!"
The right-hand side of the stands, which was a solid block of scarlet, roared its approval.
"I wonder what they've brought," said Mr Weasley, leaning forward in his seat. "Aaah!" He suddenly whipped off his glasses and polished them hurriedly on his robes. "Veela!"
Harry had of course read about Veela while he was in Grimmauld place. He knew a few facts about them, such as their natural magical aura allowed them to influence males of any species.
The music started to play and the Veela started to dance, Harry could feel their influence just at the edge of his Occlumency shields, so he focussed on clearing his mind. It helped keep the Veela's influence at bay. The same could not be said for Ron who looked like he was about to dive off the railings.
"Ron!" Harry exclaimed, he knew the influence was taking hold, he needed to get his friend back. The music stopped and Ron blinked. Arthur pulled him back into his seat, and he began ripping his shamrock hat up.
Arthur leaned over and pulled the hat out his hands. "You'll be wanting that," he said, "Once Ireland have had their say."
"And now," roared Ludo Bagman's voice, "Kindly put your wands in the air. . . for the Irish National Team Mascots!"
The next moment, what seemed to be a great green-and-gold comet came zooming into the stadium. It did one circuit of the stadium, then split into two smaller comets, each hurtling towards the goal posts. A rainbow arced suddenly across the field, connecting the two balls of light. The crowd oooohed and aaaaahed, as though at a fireworks display. Now the rainbow faded and the balls of light reunited and merged; they formed a great shimmering shamrock, which rose up into the sky and began to soar over the stands. Something like golden rain seemed to falling from it - "Excellent!" yelled Ron as the shamrock soared over them, and heavy cold coins rained from it, bouncing of their head and seats. Squinting up at the shamrock, Harry realized that it was actually comprised of thousands of tiny little bearded men with red vests, each carrying a minute lamp of gold or green.
"Leprechauns!"said Mr. Weasley.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen, kindly welcome - the Bulgarian National Team! I give you - Dimitrov!" A scarlet clad figure on a broomstick, moving so fast it was blurred, shot out onto the field from an entrance far below, to wild applause from the Bulgarian supporters.
"Ivanova!" a second scarlet player zoomed out.
"Zograf! Levski! Vulchanov! Volkov! Aaaaaaand - Krum!"
"That's him, that's him!" yelled Ron, following Krum with his Omnioculars. Harry decided to use his own, to get a better look.
Victor Krum was thin, dark, and sallow-skinned, with a large curved nose and thick black eyebrows. It was hard to believe he was only eighteen.
"And now, please greet - the Irish National Team!" yelled Bagman. "Presenting - Connolly! Ryan! Troy! Mullet! Moran! Quigley! Aaaaaaand - Lynch!"
Seven green blurs swept onto the field; Harry spun a small dial on the Omnioculars and slowed the players down enough to read the word "Firebolt" on their brooms.
"and here, all the way from Egypt, our referee, acclaimed Chairwizard of the International Association of Quidditch, Hassan Mostafa!"
The referee released all the balls : the Quaffle, Bludgers and Snitch.
"Theeeeeey're OFF!" screamed Bagman. "And its Mullet! Troy! Moran! Dimitrov. . ." Harry watched the quaffle get past from player to player, from team to team. Until there was a shout from Ludo. "TROY SCORES!"
As play continued Ireland scored twice more, bringing the score to thirty-zero. The next moment the Bulgarians scored.
9:45 pm
The final score, after Krum caught the snitch was BULGARIA: 160, IRELAND: 170 across the crowd, who didn't seem to have realized what had happened. Then slowly, as though a great jumbo jet were revving up, that rumbling from Ireland supporters grew louder and louder and erupted into screams of delight.
"IRELAND WINS!" Bagman shouted, who like the Irish, seemed to be taken aback by the sudden end of the match.
"KRUM GETS THE SNITCH - BUT IRELAND WINS - good lord, I don't think any of us were expecting that!"
"Vell, ve fought bravely," said a gloomy voice behind Harry. He looked around; it was the Bulgarian minister of magic.
"You can speak English!" said fudge, sounding outraged. "And you've been letting me mime everything all day!"
"Vell, it vos very funny," said the Bulgarian minister, shrugging.
"And as the Irish team performs a lap of honour, flanked by their mascots, the Quidditch world cup itself is brought into the Top Box!"Roared Bagman.
Harry's eyes were suddenly dazzled by blinding white light, as the Top Box was magically illuminated so that everyone in the stands could see the inside.
"Let's have a really loud hand for the gallant losers - Bulgaria!" Bagman shouted.
And up the stairs into the box came the seven defeated Bulgarian players. The crowd below was applauding appreciatively; Harry could see thousands and thousands of Omniocular lenses flashing and winking in their direction.
Then came the Irish team. Aidan Lynch was being supported by Moran and Connolly; the second crash seemed to have dazed him and his eyes looked strangely unfocused. But he grinned happily as Troy and Quigley lifted the cup into the air and the crowd below thundered its approval.
Bagman pointed his wand at his throat and muttered, "Quietus."
"They'll be talking about this one for years ," he said hoarsely, "a really unexpected twist, that. . .shame it couldn't have lasted longer. . .Ah yes. . . .yes, I owe you. . .how much?"
For Fred and George had just scrambled over the back of their seats and were standing in front of Ludo Bagman with broad grins on their faces, their hands outstretched.
A couple of hours later
Inside the camping tent
1:00 am
"Get up! Ron - Harry - come on now, get up, this is urgent!" Mr Weasley shouted, waking Harry up from his slumber, Kreacher, was also discretely pulling him up.
Harry quickly cleared his mind to clear the fogginess out of his mind. The sounds of people screaming and running. Luckily Harry had strapped his wand to wrist before going to sleep.
Harry hurried out the tent, he flicked his wand out his holster with Ron at his heels. He could see people running away into the woods, fleeing from something that was emitting flashes of light and loud sounds like gunshots, accompanying those sounds were drunken jeers and roars of laughter.
A group of wizards, that were tightly gathered together, they held their wand forwards. They wore hoods and silver masks over their faces, Harry realised immediately what they were, Death Eaters, Above them were four figures suspended in the air.
Two of the figures in the air were very small, Harry assumed that they were children, and seeing that these were Death Eaters, they were probably Muggles.
The group blasted a few tents here and there that blocked their path, causing them to catch a light. The woman was flipped upside-down, causing her nightdress to fall towards her head and show off her undergarments. The crowd screeched with glee.
"That's sick."Ron muttered, watching the smallest muggle child, who had begun to spun like a top, sixty feet above the ground, his head flopping limply from side-to-side. "That is really sick. . . ."
"We're going to help the ministry!" Mr Weasley shouted over all the noise, rolling up his own sleeves. "You lot - get into the woods and stick together. I'll come and fetch you when we've sorted this out!"
Dark figures blundered through the trees; children were crying; anxious shouts and panicked voices were reverberating around them in the cold night air. Harry could no longer see Ron or Hermione, so he used a silent Lumos, he wasn't sure that it would work, since he hadn't yet mastered it; obviously the fear and adrenaline had helped him.
He searched around cautiously with his narrow wand light. The good-news is that Harry was alone, the Bad news is that he had lost Ron and Hermione. "Kreacher?" Harry whispered.
"I'm here Master." a voice replied.
"Good, I want you to stay concealed, but stay with me in-case I need to get out of here quickly." Harry replied.
Camping grounds
1:10 am
Harry skulked through the woods, looking for the crowd of Death Eaters. Cautiously he waved his wand-light around. He followed the scream and he soon found the rear of the Death Eater crowd.
He watched them carefully looking for a Death Eater that was closer to the back of the group and took aim. "Petrificus Totalus," whispered Harry, then in quick succession he fired, numerous spells. "Immobulus - Colloshoo - Locomotor Mortis - Furnunculus - Densaugeo - Calvorio - Sensus Immobulus - Mimble Wimble - Innecto."
All Harry could see from the distance was the death eater standing unnaturally erect. He picked the next death eater repeating the same string of incantations, and so that death eater remained standing unnaturally.
He continued this until the fifth death eater, who, must of had a ward or detection spell around him, obviously he was one of the better death eaters. The hooded man whipped around casting a deadly accurate green curse, Harry remembered it from his dreams, so he rolled out of the way and dropped his wand. Next, a bright orange curse came hurtling towards him, he dodged that and said. "Kreacher, home!" he would have to leave his wand behind. Harry felt Kreacher's hand touch his back and soon they disappeared into a tight tube of magic.
Quiditch Camp-site
Woods
01:10 am
"Lumos. . ." Hermione muttered, and her wand tip lit up. She directed the beam of light down the path. Ron was laying sprawled on the ground.
"Tripped over a tree root," he said angrily, getting up again.
"Well with feet that size, hard not to," said a drawing voice from behind them.
Ron and Hermione turned sharply, Ron had his wand pointed in the direction of the voice. Draco Malfoy was standing alone nearby, leaning against a tree, looking nothing, but relaxed.
"Shouldn't you be hurrying along, now? You wouldn't want her to be found would you?"he nodded at Hermione.
"What's that supposed to mean?"said Hermione defiantly.
"Granger, they're after Muggles,"said Malfoy. " do you want to be showing off your knickers? Because if you do, hang around. . .they're moving this way, and it would give us all a laugh."
Hermione knew, that without Harry around, Ron was more likely to loose his temper. She pulled him away from Draco and said. "Come on."
When they were out of earshot Ron said. "I bet you anything his dad is one that masked lot!"
"Well, hopefully the ministry will catch him!" said Hermione fervently. "Oh I cant believe this. Where have the others got to?"
Ron and Hermione kept close together, wands pointing in-front of them defensively. They walked down the path listening to drunken mutterings such as Stan Shunpike and his friends at the leaky cauldron claiming to be Vampire hunters, and designing brooms that could reach Jupiter.
Ludo Bagman suddenly appeared from a tree from somewhere behind them. His face was no longer rosy and full of life, no, it was no pale and strained.
"Who's that?" he said, blinking down at them. "what are you doing in here, all alone?"
Hermione and Ron looked at each other in shock.
"Well- there's a sort of riot going on," said Ron.
Bagman swore loudly.
"Damn them!" he said, looking quite distracted, and he disapparated.
"Lets go, we need to find Harry." said Ron, his face contorting into a nervous expression. Suddenly Hermione and Ron heard pattering of foot-steps that suddenly came to a stop and shouted. "Morsmordre!" and something green erupted into the sky.
Shortly after that the light took the form of a giant green skull, with a snake protruding from the skulls maw.
"We need to move!" said Hermione, frantically.
"What do you mean? What is that?"Ron asked, seeing how sheet white her face was.
"It's the dark mark," said Hermione, "You-know-who's symbol."
they took off running but before they had ran a few hundred feet, there were numerous pops in the area and they were surrounded by about twenty wizards with wands directed at the two.
Ron and Hermione hit the deck.
"STUPEFY!" shouted the gathered group, and soon there were red flashes of light passing through their previous locations.
"Stop!" yelled a voice, they recognised. "STOP! That's my son!"
Mr. Weasley rushed over to Ron and Hermione. "Ron, Hermione - are you okay?"
"Dad, we're fine. . .but we cant find Harry, we lost him in the crowd, just before we got into the woods." said Ron, he hurried his explanation as he saw the cold, Mr. Crouch, hurrying towards them.
"Harry sent us a message, he is okay, he'll see you on the train." replied Mr. Weasley. "did you have anything to do with the Dark Mark? Did you see who cast it?"
"We, saw a green light shoot up from that direction and then the huge skull appeared."Ron replied, hurriedly.
"Was it, perhaps not you and your friend that cast it?" Barty asked, coldly.
"Be reasonable Barty, they're only children! Children who, might I add, who were babies when the Death Eaters and you-know-who ceased to be, plus Ron's uncles were killed by death eaters! And wizards and witches of the same blood status as Hermione have been killed and tortured by death eaters. It is not very likely for Ron and Hermione to have been in-touch with a death eater, who knew the spell, even less likely for them to have learned it." said Arthur furiously.
"Calm down, Arthur." Mr Diggory placated him. "I'm sure Barty is only on edge, and trying to look for all the possible suspects."
"Well shouldn't you be looking in that direction?" said one of the wizards, "the boy did say it came from that direction."
A few of the wizards ventured into the clearing and soon they brought out a house-elf. Ron recognised it as the elf that was keeping Barty Crouch's spot at the quiditch world cup, and from there right until they got back to the tent Ron was ignoring most of the conversation, because Hermione was going on about elvish rights this, and Barty Crouch that.
All Ron wanted to do was sleep. Harry was safe, he and Hermione were safe and not in trouble, so he had nothing else to worry about. And really who cared about a stupid mark in sky anyway. Its not as if it was Voldemort himself.
I would like to thank those that reviewed, Favourite or followed my story. I may not have a lot, but I am very grateful. I'll include the spells used in this chapter in my next chapter. I don't want to ruin anything. Anyway, if you have any questions feel free to ask, but don't ask me anything that's going to reveal the storyline, cause you will get the same answer politicians give to reporter when they don't want to answer. "I do not recall." which is my own presidents equivalent Tsek, and middle finger glasses raises(Kabuto style.)