The next morning Harry and the others were woken up while it was still dark out for their trek out to the site where they'd be catching their ride to the location the World Cup would be held.
When he got down to the kitchen to get breakfast, still droopy eyed and barely coherent, it was to find Arturia sitting at the table with a cup of tea while Mrs. Weasley bustled around preparing meals for them. He sat down beside his Servant, letting out a tired grunt when she greeted him, amusing her. He envied her supernatural stamina and alertness.
After a hearty meal (and an argument between Mrs. Weasley and the twins), the group set off to the hill where their ride was. As they walked Hermione tried to ask Arturia questions about Camelot and Merlin, but she didn't manage to get far before the conversation was derailed by Harry and the Weasleys discussing what they expected out of the World Cup match, which prompted the Servant to try to find out more about the game, which hadn't been around during her time (or if it had, she hadn't heard of it).
By the time they finally reached the old, worn out boot (which confused Harry and Arturia) that was their portkey to the World Cup, everybody except the Servant was tired. The blonde turned to her Master as he rested.
"Harry, I believe you should begin exercising more to improve your fitness." She said, looking pristine and fresh compared to Harry, who was sweating rather heavily.
"Yeah." Harry said tiredly. "You're probably right." Then he looked up at her, remembering what Ron had mentioned the previous night. "Actually, I was wondering, do you think you could teach me how to use a sword?"
Arturia was surprised, but then she smiled. "Yes, Harry. I believe I could teach you some techniques. It would be a good idea for you to have a way of physically defending yourself anyway." She patted his shoulder. "We'll start your training once we've returned from this trip. I warn you, however, that it will be hard work."
Harry nodded agreeably. "I figured as much. Still, it sounds like something worthwhile to learn. I've only ever used a sword once, and I didn't know much beyond 'pointy end goes in the other guy'."
Arturia chuckled before Mr. Weasley called her and Harry over, where the rest of the group had been joined by two new arrivals, Cedric Diggory and his father, Amos.
Harry shook hands with Cedric, who proceeded to cringe when his father began loudly bragging about how Cedric had beaten Harry at quidditch once. Despite being a bit uncomfortable, Harry gave Cedric a small smile, letting him know it was alright.
After an unpleasant portkey trip and a bit of walking the party arrived at their designated campsite and helped set up the tents. Harry, Hermione and Arturia were surprised by the space in the tents before reminding themselves that it was magic.
"I wish we'd had something like this during my time." Arturia sighed as she looked at one of the beds, clean and soft. "It would have made long campaigns much more bearable."
Hermione smiled. "I would imagine so. Did you have to do that a lot?"
"Often enough, yes." Arturia said. "In those times conflict was inevitable. If it was not invaders to your lands it was some sort of monster. Which is why we savored peace whenever it came."
The younger girl nodded in understanding as she followed behind Harry and Ron, who had grabbed the water bucket and were leaving to fetch some water, leaving Mr. Weasley behind to entertain himself with the matches.
The quartet couldn't help but stare as they passed the various odd tents with equally odd inhabitants. Arturia was especially interested in seeing more examples of how the magical people of the current time lived. Not to mention she was seeing peoples from different parts of the world, some of whom she'd never heard of, and others that her people had been at outright war with. It was a surreal experience for her.
There was also the fact that they kept running into Harry's schoolmates. She made sure to study each of them, seeing as she'd be charged with protecting them soon when she worked as security at Hogwarts. Her lips curled in amusement at Harry's reaction to seeing the Chang girl. It seemed her Master had a small infatuation. Cute.
She stopped when a small form barreled into her leg, looking down to find a child of about 4 looking up at her from atop a small toy broom. She smiled down at the girl pleasantly, making her smile back before her mother took hold of her, apologizing profusely to Arturia with an accent the Servant didn't recognize. She waved it off and resumed walking, her charge and his friends having gotten away from her a bit.
She was about to reach them when she paused, frowning. Her finely honed senses were whispering to her, warning her that something wasn't right. She looked around, trying to figure out what was causing the sensation, but saw nothing other than happy and excited witches and wizards going about their day in preparation for the big event later that night. Nobody was looking at her or Harry with malice, too involved in with their own things. Though the crowd would be a good place to disappear into after planting a dagger in their backs or, in this case, launching a spell at them.
That thought firmly in mind, she hurried to her charge and stayed close, alert and ready for anything. Thankfully nothing presented itself, and the sensation of wrongness dissipated after a while. Still, she stayed on her toes even as the day passed.
Later that night, Arturia could hear the cheering of the crowds in the stadium, the noise thunderous in the night, especially as the campgrounds were utterly empty of people except for Ministry personnel wandering around in case of trouble. They occasionally stopped to glance at her as she sat outside of the tents as a guard, Quidditch Through the Ages in her hand, before moving on, apparently determining she wasn't going to go around robbing people while they were busy at the game.
Mr. Weasley had been apologetic that he didn't have another ticket so she could join them, and had even offered her his own, but she'd declined the kind offer. It was not his fault she had not been expected, and he deserved to enjoy the game with his children.
As she sat back, perusing the book to try to figure out what the fuss about the game was about, her mind wandered.
She had been surprised when she felt the summons to the ring not that long ago. It had been something she'd eagerly responded to, the change welcome.
Existence in the Throne of Heroes was not an unpleasant one. Indeed, it was actually quite enjoyable, in some respects. However, any Heroic Spirit would jump at the chance to spend time in the living world once again, to see how things had changed. Arturia had accepted because the summons told her that her summoner was a kind soul that needed help and was compatible with her. There were likely other Heroic Spirits that were just as compatible, but she'd gotten the call first. Something she was glad about.
Harry was a kind, strong young man. Had he been born during her time she would have been glad to have him serve her. The deeds he'd told her of, without a hint of boasting, were the kinds of things that would have had him placed high in her armies had he ever decided to join their ranks, perhaps even amongst the Knights of the Round Table. She could tell that they would get along well, and indeed, they already did. He was always considerate of her, even when it wasn't necessary. She wondered if he would have any aptitude when it came to swordsmanship.
Turning back to the book, she raised an eyebrow at the absurd number of ways to foul a player. Some of them were ridiculous, and made her chuckle. Her head lifted again, however, when she heard the roar of the crowd in the stadium reach a crescendo. Something must have happened. Perhaps the game was over?
It seemed so, as within fifteen minutes people began to arrive back among the tents, singing raucously and celebrating an Irish victory, something that brought a smile to her face. Putting the book away she sat to wait for the rest of her group to arrive, watching the partying crowd begin getting more and more enthusiastic.
Finally they arrived, all of them smiling from the excitement of the match and chattering about what they'd seen, Ron making some expressive gestures as he argued with one of the twins.
"So, it was a good game, I take it?" Arturia asked Harry as he sat beside her.
Harry nodded enthusiastically, still clutching his omnioculars. "Oh yeah, it was amazing. I saw some things I really want to try the next time I play as well."
Hermione turned to Harry from where she'd been talking to Ginny. "Harry! I'm hoping you don't intend to try that Wonky-Faint thing!"
"Hermione!" Ron cried, sounding deeply offended. "It's a Wronski Feint." He sounded truly exasperated with her.
Hermione raised her nose, ignoring his offence. "That's far too dangerous. You saw what happened to the man who plowed into the ground."
Arturia quirked an eyebrow. "Wronski Feint?"
Harry turned back to Arturia. "It's a move where you pretend to have seen the Snitch and dive to the ground like you're chasing it, making sure the other team's seeker follows. Then, right before you hit the ground, you pull up, avoiding the ground while they crash into it."
Arturia cocked her head. "That does sound very dangerous. Obviously a risky move, but I imagine it has an equally high reward."
As Harry nodded Ginny leaned forward to address him. "But Harry, you've already done it, or something like it."
Harry turned to Ginny, blinking in confusion. "Huh?"
"Last year, in your match against Ravenclaw. You did it against Cho." She said.
Harry thought back, trying to remember that game. "…Huh, I guess I did." He smiled. "Well, at least I know I can do it."
Hermione huffed.
It was well after midnight, the camp grounds quiet after everybody partied themselves out, when Arturia's eyes snapped open as she heard unfortunately familiar sounds.
People screaming in fear.
Quickly getting out of her bed, her armor appearing around her form in an instant, she hurriedly woke the girls, having just gotten them out of bed when Mr. Weasley rushed into the girls' tent.
"What's happening?" She asked swiftly as the girls put on robes.
"Seems like someone had a bit too much drink and sounds like they're coming this way." Mr. Weasley said grimly, quickly leading the three out.
Arturia looked at where the commotion was coming from to find a group of individuals in black robes and white skull masks making their way among the tents, laughing raucously as they blasted tents out of the way. Several among their number were holding the non-magical camp attendant and his family high in the air. One was making the young boy twirl around like a top, while another made the wife go upside down, her nightdress falling about her body and exposing her to the black robed group, who hooted at the sight.
"That's sick." Ron spat from nearby as the older Weasley boys emerged, wands in hand.
"What are Death Eaters doing here?" Hermione gasped.
"Who?" Harry and Arturia asked at the same time, the Servant's eyes narrowed in fury.
"That's what You-Know-Who's followers called themselves." Ginny explained.
As Bill, Charlie and Percy rushed to help the Ministry workers that were trying to contain the situation their father turned to the kids. "I want you all to run to safety. Get into the trees, you should be alright there till we can come get you. We don't want to let them catch sight of more targets. Especially you, Harry."
Harry nodded in understanding and, as Mr. Weasley rushed off as well, his eyes narrowed and he turned to Arturia while the others began to move away towards the treeline. "Arturia, go deal with the Death Eaters. Don't kill them, but if the choice is them or the family…"
The Servant could see how the implications of that order affected him. "Master, I think I should stay by your side."
Harry shook his head. "I'll be fine. The danger is where the Death Eaters are. We'll be safe in the trees, and I would feel better putting your skills to use dealing with them."
Arturia hesitated before nodding. "Alright, stay safe." She then launched herself at the Death Eaters with speed and grace no normal human could achieve, her hands already clasping her invisible blade.
Harry turned to Ron and Hermione, who had stayed behind to wait for him, and nodded, the three quickly rushing into the treeline.
None of them noticed the dark shape following behind.
The Death Eaters causing the commotion were enjoying themselves more than they had in years. It felt good to finally let loose, showing the muggles who was boss. The best part was that the Ministry workers were hesitant to go on the offensive for fear of causing harm to the family.
One of the Death Eaters let out a loud laugh as he blasted another tent out of the way, moving out of the path of a Ministry spell and retaliating. He turned with an unseen grin as the Ministry lackey fell to a body bind, only to find a beautiful girl practically flying towards him and swinging her arms before everything went black when he felt something smash into his head.
The Death Eaters were utterly unprepared for this sort of resistance. Arturia became a wrecking ball, smashing the dark robed wizards aside with enough carefully measured force to injure but not kill. Her innate magic resistance protected her from the panicked spells they launched at her, the relatively minor curses and jinxes splashing against her like water against steel.
When she reached one of the wizards holding the family in the air she moved her arm in a blur, smashing his wand (and a good number of bones) to pieces. Then, without pause, she launched herself into the air, catching the daughter of the family before she'd even begun to drop and setting her safely on the ground where she shook, traumatized.
After offering the girl a brief, reassuring smile, she launched herself back into the fray, her invisible sword lashing out to continue bashing the enemies with the flat of the blade, rescuing two more of the non-magicals in short order.
One of the remaining Death Eaters became desperate, and with a cry of "Avada Kedavra!" fired a jet of sickly green light at her.
Arturia, unfamiliar with the spell, nevertheless could sense the danger that radiated from it and quickly dodged, the light missing her by inches. However, not everyone was so lucky, and the Death Eater holding up the last hostage was hit, instantly dropping like a stone, his captive doing the same. The Servant once again launched herself into the air to catch the falling woman even as an emerald light began to shine at her back. She set the woman down with her family, where she proceeded to hug her children, sobbing.
Hearing the loud cracks of apparition (recognizing the sound from the occasional times she heard it from the adult Weasleys and around the campgrounds), Arturia turned to find that the Death Eaters that weren't unconscious (or dead) had run away, meaning the fight was over. She relaxed marginally, but tensed again when she looked up at the green light to find a shape in the sky made up of green stars, looking like a colossal skull with a snake leaving its mouth like a twisted parody of a tongue.
Whatever it was, she doubted it was a good sign.
"Hands in the air!" Someone barked, and she turned to see several Ministry people approaching her warily, wands in hand and aimed at her.
Arturia dismissed Excalibur and did as told. She could evade them easily, but that would cause unnecessary issues for Harry. Best that she do as she was told for now. The danger had passed, and everybody was safe.
So why did she have a bad feeling?
Harry stood stock still, staring in disbelief at the knife buried by his cheek in the tree he was pressed against, a bit of blood escaping the cut it had caused. Beside him, Hermione gasped and clutched his arm, while Ron let out a loud gulp. Slowly, he turned his gaze to see who had thrown it.
It was a man, or at least seemed to be a man. Much like the Death Eaters, he wore a skull like mask and wore a black, tattered cloak about his form. His shoulders were wide, and stance hunched. All in all, he was highly intimidating.
He couldn't believe how lucky he was. He had only barely avoided death when he turned his head to the sound of the voice calling "Morsmordre" and launching the shape of green light into the sky. A single millisecond's difference, and that knife would be buried in his skull.
Frantically he reached into his pocket, trying to find his wand, even though he already knew he didn't have it. Without it, he was as good as dead. That impression was strengthened when the figure held up a hand covered in unusual black skin, a brace of several more throwing knives held between its fingers.
Before he could do anything, or think of anything to do, for that matter, Ron let out a shaky breath and stepped forward, his wand held out to aim at the menacing figure even as his legs shook, his intent obvious.
"Ron…" Harry croaked.
Ron didn't appear to hear him, focusing on holding his lightly wavering wand steady.
Then, the figure attacked.
I skipped a lot of stuff in this chapter because it was for the most part not necessary. That said, I don't like this chapter precisely because of that.
I've had trouble getting up the motivation to write more of this story because of the reviews I got after the last chapter. Almost all of them were copy and paste reviews from guest accounts to try to influence me to write this in the way whoever that person was wanted.
It was demoralizing to see ten new reviews when I woke up, getting excited to see what people said of what I wrote, only to find out that they were all copy/pastes from, apparently, the same person. The fact that the reviews had related usernames was a clue.
I stopped reading them, and lost interest in this story for a while, focusing on my other stories.
That's not to say I didn't appreciate the real reviews. I treasure every single one. Those do motivate me to write.
If I get any similar reviews going forward, I'm deleting them. So please, don't bother. If this keeps going on, I'll just end up disabling guest reviews, and I'd rather not do that.
Also, stop with the story challenges in reviews! I have too many of my own ideas to take on challenges, so please don't waste your time.
Now, in other, more interesting things, this chapter finally gave us some action. We saw that even magicals can't hold much of a candle to Servants. Not in a drunken, disorganized mob, at least. The fact that these Death Eaters were captured in this way will have consequences too. Draco's going to be especially pissed.
As always, been playing Grand Order a bunch. I love that game. It's continued to provide ideas. Like why Blackbeard should never be included in this fic.
I still don't know about pairings. I have decided that Harry will date someone during this school year, but that won't necessarily be the final pairing. People, after all, date around when they're younger before settling down, if they ever do.
Now, so everyone knows, because of some money issues in my life, I've set up a Pat A Ron. It's Pat A Ron dotcom slash athanmortis. I've set things up so that, if you become a patron, you get a say in what I write. One of the stories I do a month will be Patron chosen from the list I put up for vote each month. So if you want to see Ballad updated more often, become a patron and vote for it whenever it comes up.
I think that's it. If you liked the chapter, I'm glad, and please leave me a (real) review telling me so. Till next time.
