25. Nightmare
He hasn't actually gotten to sleep by the time it happens. The day was too exciting for that. He can't sit still, energized more than tired by celebration and post-match discussion and only lying in silence because his weary mother condemned him to bed. The sound of someone running past draws his attention to the side of the tent. Others must be out, still celebrating. He aches to join them. Beside him, Dean, who can sleep through anything, slumbers on.
There are loud voices now. Seamus tosses and turns. Across the tent, his mother rolls out of bed and shuffles toward the flap, mumbling something about riots. More footsteps thunder past as she leaves. Seamus is in no state to keep trying to sleep, so after a few moments of internal argument he throws aside his covers and kicks on his shoes, heading outside to find her.
She is talking to Mr. Brady from the lot over, looking fit to kill in her nightdress and matted curls.
"Where's everyone going?" he asks. He has to speak loudly over a group of worried-looking Chinese wizards hustling by.
She fixes him with a stern look. "Go back in the tent, Seamus."
"I just want to know what's going on!"
"Go inside and stay there, please." Her exasperation radiates to her fingertips, and Seamus knows not to talk back when she's in this state. He returns to the tent and sits at the dining table. His fingers tap anxiously on the wood. Dean is still sleeping.
A spell flies past, casting a flash of blue light against the side of the tent. Within seconds his mother has burst in again. Before he can get a question out she's shaking Dean awake. "Come on, boys, we're going to get out of here."
"What's happening?" demands Seamus as they are ushered outside. "Mam!"
"Is something on fire?" asks Dean, squinting toward an orange glow in the distance
"There are dark wizards causing trouble down that way. Some sort of Muggle-baiting..." She looks haggard in the low light, tired. "You two make sure you stay with me."
They grab hands like children and follow her, swept along in the tide toward the campground entrance.
There is a large throng of people by the gates when they get there, and more arriving behind, crowding them in. Dean, the tallest of them, drops Seamus's hand to stands on tiptoe, craning his neck. "I don't think anyone's getting out."
"They don't have enough people ready to set up portkeys at this time of night," says a man near them in the crowd. There Is a lot of nervous chatter, some shouting, a few sparks flying up ahead.
An official stands up on a table by the entrance and taps her wand to her throat. "Qualified wizards feel free to apparate, and use side-along apparition to transport friends or family if you are able," she says. "Ministry aurors are currently attempting to resolve the situation and apprehend those involved, so please remain calm."
No one remains calm. Seamus is looking to his mother, who looks about ready to punch her way out of the lot, when something makes the people around them gasp. The sky lights up like someone's lit a firework off but the burst of green doesn't fizzle out. It resolves into some ghostly, twisting shape that hangs above the woods. Many people scream. He tugs on his mother's arm, asking for explanation but she offers none, too transfixed by the sight above, just grips him tighter. Perhaps it's just the green glow, but she looks ill.
"Impossible!" says someone behind them.
Seamus is beginning to panic now, and glances at Dean, who just looks confused. Then back to his mother. "Mam!"
She gathers him and Dean in, eyes wide and fearful. "It's his sign. You-Know-Who's."
He slips his hand into Dean's again.
They wait under the Dark Mark for long, nervous minutes, the horror around them rising and swelling, until another Ministry official says things have been sorted out and orders everyone back to their tents.
The faintest green tinge remains in the sky as they walk back. "That match was something," says Dean with a shaky laugh. "I'm glad I saw it." He's trying to make them feel better for bringing him here, into this darkest of nightmares.
Seamus exhales heavily.
The thought has occurred to him only now that anyone they know from school could be in this crowd feet away, could see them walking shoulder to shoulder and hand in hand. It's worrying, but he doesn't quite care enough to let go.