Chapter 32: Trouble Abound
HP-BTVS-HP-BTVS
They had a great time camping the three days before the Weasleys showed up. Not that they didn't like the Weasleys, it was just that the small family was happy with the time they spent together. At the school there were always others there, like Joyce, Spike, Sal and Rick. The house had Neville and Hermione, and Remus and Sirius would stop by all the time. For the last three days it had just been them. Well, and the rest of the Quidditch fans, but they didn't count.
The Weasleys came like a storm just like always, sans Molly, to which Xander was happy to hear. She still didn't approve of his way of raising the kids. She had been close to Xeno, and Pandora, and felt that Luna should be raised by her. Xander did his best to ignore her, but she was quite pushy.
"Arthur, how are you doing?" Xander asked the man once he stopped at their tent. The Weasleys would be next to them, Xander had made sure of it. He really liked the family, bar Molly, and wanted a closer relationship with the kids. That and Luna was Ginny's best friend. Harry got on well enough with the twins. Their training sessions had made Harry a first-class prankster. However, the kid was still too shy to do it to anyone but Xander. Sirius had been tickled pink to hear that. The dogman said he'd work on making Harry more outgoing. Xander wished him luck.
"I am well, Molly sends her regrets. You remember my son Bill, but I don't think you've met Charlie," Arthur said, pointing out the stocky young man. "Charlie, this is Xander, he is Harry and Luna's adopted father," he said, now pointing at Xander.
"Please to meet you. Is Bill telling the truth? Are you really the King of the Goblins?" Charlie asked, a bit of awe in his voice.
"Sure am," was all Xander said on that topic. "I hear you wrestle dragons for a living?" he joked.
"Seems like it sometimes," the younger man said with a chuckle.
"This is my son Harry Potter, and my daughter Luna Lovegood," the yellow-eyed man said, bringing Harry from behind him and nodding to Luna, who stood by his side already.
"Pleasure," Charlie said, shaking hands with both of them. "I've known Luna since she was in nappies," he added, making the girl smile.
"Harry!" Ron and the twins cried upon seeing him.
"Hey, guys, how was your summer?" Harry said, moving towards them, glad to be away from the adults and near those that he knew.
"It was good," the twins said, looking out at the strangely dressed wizards, and had answered with a distracted air. The Weasleys dressed poor but blended in better than most wizards.
"Don't mind them," Ron said, poking the twins. "Mum threw a bunch of their pranks away."
"Wow, that sucks," Harry said in commiseration.
"Don't worry, she only got the small stuff. We never keep the bigger stuff at home," Fred said, nudging his brother in the side.
"Yeah, we have another place for that stuff," George agreed, giving Harry a wink.
"Is Neville coming?" Ron asked, not used to seeing Harry without his entourage.
"Hermione and Neville are spending time with their families. Neville's gran doesn't like camping, so he's going to listen to it on the Wireless," Harry explained, a bit disappointed that his other friends weren't here. But he did understand.
"Blimey, that's a downer," Fred said, bumping Ron out of the way. He and George were closer to Harry than Ron. Even Percy had a better relationship with Xander and his kids than the youngest male Weasley.
"We'll have to get him something nice," agreed George, sharing a smirk with his twin.
"Be nice," Harry said, giving them a mock glare. He knew they wouldn't go overboard.
"We're always nice," protested the twins.
"Whatever," Harry said, then giggled.
"Looks like Dad needs help putting up the tent," Fred said, moving to leave.
"See ya, Harry," George said, grabbing Ron.
"Bye, Harry," Ron said as he was being drug away.
"Bye, guys," Harry called after them.
"Say what you will about the Weasleys, they are a friendly bunch," Xander said as he came up to Harry.
"Some would say too nice," Harry sighed, remembering all of the times Molly tried to hug him. Granted it was only twice, but that was two times too many.
"She'll learn," Xander said, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"I doubt it," Harry rebutted. "Still, the males are all great," he added, beaming at the Weasley men trying to erect a tent the non-magical way. They were putting the poles in the ground, just not where they belonged. It would be a very crooked tent if they did get it up that way.
"Should we go help them?" Luna asked, coming alongside them, bringing Ginny with her.
"I'll go, you guys hang out here," Xander said, knowing that with his help they'd get it up sooner.
"Harry, have you met Ginny?" Luna asked, noting the way that her brother was wary around the girl. She did know that in the future they would be good friends, but right now, Ginny was a bit too enamored with the Boy-Who-Lived.
"Kinda. I was at her house once," he said, making sure to not smile, as it might lead the girl further down her crush, "and we're both Gryffindors, but no one has introduced us."
"Allow me to right this wrong," Luna said, then she put her arm over Ginny's shoulders. "Ginny this is my foster brother, Harry Potter. Harry, this is my best friend, Ginny Weasley. There now, you are all properly introduced."
"Nice to meet you, Ginny," Harry said, holding out his hand. Still not smiling.
"You too," she squeaked, then took off to her family's tent.
"She's madly in love with the Boy-Who-Lived," Harry explained to Luna. He was feeling like he had dodged a spell in the past but couldn't put his finger on how.
"She'll get over it the more you are around her and she sees that you're just as bratty as her brothers," his sister said, an airy smile on her face.
"I hope so," Harry said, then went into their tent to get some money to do a bit of browsing. He hoped there were some neat things for sale. He'd never been to any place like this. After grabbing his money bag, he went back out. "I'm going to walk around. Do you want to come?" he asked Luna.
"Tell Xander Dad first," she said, taking his hand and leading him to the Weasley's tent. "Xander Dad, we want to explore," she called out.
The tent had been erected and everyone was inside. It was a well-worn tent, there were patches in places. And it tilted just a bit. It did seem a lot homier than the tents around it, including theirs.
Arthur and Xander came out and went to the kids. The Weasley brood followed.
"Can you take Ginny and Ron?" Arthur asked.
"Sure," Harry said, with a casual shrug. He knew the twins would take off to find their friends, and he didn't mind Ron or Ginny coming with. It was better than ignoring them.
"Great," Xander said, clapping his hands together and rubbing them. "You guys go explore, but be back here before dinner," he said, looking pointedly at his watch. "And don't spend all your money."
"Okay," the four kids said, and then took off, glad to be away from the adults.
The whole campground looked like a carnival, not so much that it had games and rides, which it didn't, but that the tents were all colorful and bright. It was like the magicals had no concept of subtlety. Especially, judging from the way they dressed.
There were kiosks set up selling goods and food, and the group did go and browse. Harry wound up buying Omnioculars for everyone, including those not there, so that they could all see the game. He had heard that these games were so fast that the only way you could really see what was happening was to have a pair of these, since they can replay in slow motion. It didn't take all of his money, but it was close. They were pricey. He was sure if he bought them in a store, they would be less expensive.
Ron, who had gotten a galleon from his father, spent it on a Viktor Krum action doll, which unlike the non-magical kind, did move on its own. He had to make sure that it didn't march off the table, but he liked it well enough. He was a huge fan, even though Krum didn't play for the Chudley Cannons.
They had a great time exploring, and Luna was right, the longer Harry was around Ginny the least she saw him as a hero. He was just as moody as her brothers. Harry was glad to see the stars diminish in her eyes. She even joked with him over school and parents. She, like the twins, didn't understand why he didn't like hugs, but like her brothers, she got the gist.
They made it back to the tents, and saw that Sal was now with them. Harry knew Spike was around somewhere, but they would see little of him. He knew that the vampire would be in the Minister's box, having been invited by the Malfoys. The kids were warned to act as if they didn't know him. It was all part of a big prank, according to Xander.
The kids took off to find friends, and the adults were eating a dinner of hot dogs and crisps via the campfire, when they were surprised by other visitors. Sirius and Remus came and sat with them, each grabbing a plate.
"Hey, Sirius, Remus," Xander said, handing each a bottle of butterbeer. "I didn't know you two would be here," he commented as they grabbed the bottles.
"I got invited to the Minister's box as an apology. Well, one of the many concessions that I've been granted," Sirius said, taking a sip from his bottle. "Remus is my plus one," he added, nodding in his friend's direction.
"That should piss quite a few people off," Xander said with a laugh.
"Why do you think I did it?" Sirius stated, laughing with the rest.
"I'm all for putting purebloods' noses out of joint," the yellow-eyed man said, chuckling along with everyone. "I'm sorry that you were let go Remus. If I had a say, you'd still be the DADA professor," he added to the werewolf. "However, the parents were threatening to pull their children. Stupid Dumbledore."
"It's not your fault. I don't want to think bad about the headmaster, but…" Remus said, rubbing his chin.
"He's not the headmaster anymore," snarled Xander, then he grinned. "Like I said, I can't prove it, but he looked so smug, I just booted him out."
"Anyway," Remus said, changing the sore subject, "I started up the werewolf village in the forest, like you asked. It was easy, the centaurs were happy to have us as extra security. Not to mention that we are far enough away from their village. Still, we work well together. The wolves are just grateful that they won't be out of control on the full moon."
"I'm glad to hear that," Xander stated, then said, "I'll be by every full moon, but, if I'm not then I expect you all to take precautions. You might be okay since you are in the vicinity of the castle, but it never hurts to be sure."
"We'll do that," the werewolf said, with a firm nod of his head.
"I know the Acromantulas were cleared out when Slinky and Norberta started roaming around the forest, but if you see any feel free to kill them," Xander said with a look of disgust. He hated those creepy critters.
"I have no problem with that," Remus said, also not liking the freaky spiders.
"I'll help. I'm going to be hanging around in the village too," Sirius said, rubbing his goatee.
"How are things going with Spike and the Malfoys?" Xander asked Sirius.
"Oh, I confirmed that Spike, I mean 'William', was a bastard Black child. But that I didn't like him. That should get him in good with Lucius," the other man said, laughing. "He already has Narcissa singing his praises. Sneaky bastard," he added, laughing harder.
"I heard that the missus was dissatisfied with Lucius, as of late," Remus added, glad to see his friend so happy. He thought the whole thing was one big prank, and they let him. The poor man had spent the last thirteen years in hell.
"That's what Spike tells me," Xander said, laughing along with Sirius. He too thought it was good to see the man happy. "Oh, here come the kids, let's drop this for now," he said as the children joined them.
The Weasley children headed to their own tent, and Sal came out to join Xander's group. Everyone appreciated the simple fare, since it was a nice night, and no one wanted to cook.
With that they talked about how the game might go the next day. There was a lot of speculation, but Sirius and Remus were supporting Ireland. As one might expect. Harry, while an Ireland fan, thought that Bulgaria had a better chance of winning. Xander and Luna, who already knew, decided to stay neutral in this discussion.
It was in good spirits that everyone retired for the evening.
Hpbtvshpbtvs
The next morning everyone, bar Spike, got ready for the game. Spike had spent the night in the tent and was still sleeping. He would get up in time for the game, and not a minute before. He'd be there before them, as fast as he was.
"Okay, we're not sitting in the Minister's box, but we're right under it. I just thought that you should know you'll be near your friends," Xander said, ruffling Harry's hair.
"Why are we not with the others?" Harry wanted to know as he batted Xander's hand away.
"Well, for one, I don't know the Minister well. Two, even though I don't know him, he seems to dislike me. Could be all the times I kicked him, or one of his, out of the castle. And three, I didn't feel like putting up with the likes of Malfoy," Xander explained, ticking off on his fingers.
"Alright," Harry said, agreeing with those reasons. He really didn't want to put up with the Malfoys either. He felt bad for the Weasleys. They had a feud type situation with that family. He didn't know if it was a real feud, but they did act like it.
The group of four made their way up to the nosebleed section of the stands. And Xander was right, they were right under the Minister's box. He could see that the Weasleys and the Malfoys, with Spike, were already there as they passed under it.
Harry was glad he had purchased the Omnioculars the day before. The game was so fast that the commentator didn't call out plays, just the names of the players making them. It was bizarre to hear and hard to follow. He had spotted the snitch a few times, sometimes when the seekers had, other times not. He didn't think he could compete with those two, but it would be fun to try.
All said and done, it was a quick game with Bulgaria losing, but Krum catching the snitch. For some reason they heard the twins celebrating in the box above them. They must have made a bet. How they would have guessed that outcome no one would know.
Celebrations were already going on by the time they got back to the tents. Sal and Xander were sitting out front watching people make fools of themselves.
"I've never seen a Quidditch match," Sal said, watching a witch fly by with little on but green paint.
"Not even at the school?" Xander asked, confused.
"No, last year I spent trying to catch up with what was going on in the world. Remember I was asleep for centuries. Mum and Rick were walking me through what I needed to know," Sal said, taking a sip of his tea.
"Oh, well, how did you like it?" the other man asked as he watched another celebrator throw up down the lane.
"It was good," Sal said, still fascinated with what he was watching. These wizards and witches were getting rowdy. In his day, only the men would get this unhinged in their cups. Only loose women would be so bold as to drink in public. Even after a year of catching up, he was still blown away with how much more equal the sexes were. Though he did have Joyce Summers as a mum, Rowena and Helga as sisters, the women outside his little group were very submissive.
"Did you record the game for later? I know Joyce and Rick are going to want to see it," Xander asked, holding up his Omnioculars to show he had.
"Yeah," was all Sal said, waving to his Omnioculars lazily.
They spent the rest of the time until dinner in compatible silence. The kids had opted to stay close and not get lost in the revelry. They didn't like their chances of making it home in one piece, so they were hanging out with the Weasleys, since they were going home in the morning.
Everyone had a great time celebrating, and were soon in bed, with full tummies and bright dreams. Well, the kids were. The adults were still sitting around talking about nothing really. It was going on midnight when the screaming started.
"Arthur, get the kids and go to the woods. All but Harry, I need him for something," Xander said, standing and going to the tent to get Luna and Harry. "Luna, wake up," he said, shaking the girl's shoulder. "You need to go with the Weasleys."
"Okay, Xander Dad," she said, slipping out of bed and grabbing a robe, and putting on slippers. She then quickly made her way outside.
"Harry," Xander said, shaking his son awake. "It's time."
"Oh goodie," Harry said with a great deal of sarcasm. "Time to scare the Death Eaters," he added with a bit more enthusiasm. "Let me get my robe on," he said, getting out of bed and donning a large, hooded robe. He pulled the hood and hid his face. Then he used his metamorphmagus abilities to make his eyes appear yellow. "Let's go," he said, slipping on his shoes and moving to the tent opening, which looked like a door on the inside.
"Remember, you're Death, and I'm your hand. Sal is going to be there too," Xander said as they hurried to where the screams were the loudest. "He's going to get the grounds keeper and his family to safety."
"Where's Spike?" Harry wanted to know.
"He left with Mrs. Malfoy. I'm sure Lucius is in this group," his father stated, knowing that Spike was probably sweet-talking Mrs. Malfoy. If he was doing his job, this event might be the tipping point for the woman.
"Okay, let's do this," Harry said, running for all he was worth. He had to hike the robe up, but he was fast on his feet even with the heavy garment.
They made to where the torture was taking place and Harry instantly created a fog. It crept over the land like a piece of silk on the skin. Smooth and quiet. The fog was not dense, but it was unnerving. He threw his voice to sound like it was coming from everywhere.
"You dare use my name," he boomed, making the Death Eaters falter. He made his presence felt with a cold wind. He stretched his shadow to seem larger than life. "You dare mock me so," he said, lifting himself off the ground and causing a dark aura to form. His yellow eyes glowing in the dark. He then lit his lightsaber and brandished it in front of him.
Many Death Eaters cried out in fear but there were some brave ones that shot spells at him. He phased and let them fly right through him. There were a few he swatted away with his faux lightsaber. This made the Death Eaters very afraid.
"Do that again, and you die," Harry said in his omnipresent voice.
The grounds keeper and his family fell at the inattention. Sal was there to magic them to him and then to safety. Harry made it look like he had vanished them, causing the Death Eaters to quiver more.
"To prey on the innocent, what brave men you are," Harry mocked, a great deal of sarcasm was evident. He even gave a small golf clap, which was awkward with the lightsaber.
Xander, also dressed in a hooded robe, crept up to them and with only his yellow eyes showing, he lit his lightsaber and said, "I am Death's Hand, you will pay this night." He lifted his empty hand and the men and women started sinking. They all threw spells at him, but he phased or deflected them with his saber. "Pitiful mortals, I serve Death," he repeated, "your weak magic will not affect us."
By this time the Death Eaters were waist deep in the ground and panicking.
"I am Death," Harry said, still throwing his voice from where he was still hovering. "I demand satisfaction." Suddenly all the Death Eaters were unarmed and further alarmed. Their cries filled the air as they demanded for their wands to be returned.
"Have mercy," one cried, struggling to get out of the ground, but making it worse. Like quicksand, though the ground was hard.
"No, you have never shown any, therefore you will not receive any," the voice from everywhere said, pushing a chilling wind over the people still stuck in the ground.
Then a loud voice from far away shouted, "Morsmordre." And a picture of a skull with a snake intwined in it showed in the nights sky. Making more than one Death Eater panic. They tried to pull themselves free but were stuck fast.
"He dares," 'Death's voice said as the night grew colder.
"We will deal with him, but we must finish this," Xander said, waving his hand and causing the Death Eaters' clothes from the waist up to disappear. "You will be exposed now. Good luck trying to stay out of prison," he said with great cheer and a handwave.
Amelia, having been warned, took that moment to appear. This was Harry's and Xander's queue to disappear. Which they did.
They made it to the woods where the Weasleys had disappeared to and broke down laughing. Only seeing the Dark Mark in the sky sobered them up.
"That is not a good sign," Xander sighed, looking at the mark. "I wonder who did that. I thought all the Death Eaters were back there," he said, jerking a thumb over his shoulder.
"I thought so too," Harry said, then added. "We should find the others."
"Yeah, let's go," his father said, heading into the woods.
Hpbtvshpbtvs
They found the others having an argument with an unknown man and Crouch Sr.
"What's going on here?" Xander demanded, he and Harry having doffed the robes in the woods. Now they wore their normal clothes of jeans and t-shirts.
"What business is it of yours?" Crouch asked, still glaring at his house elf. He then turned his glare to Xander, there was great loathing in those eyes.
"These are friends, and family," the yellow-eyed man said in a menacing manner. He really didn't like the man. Anyone who thought they were better than others, as this man did, were worthless in Xander's opinion. That and the man had thrown Sirius in prison without a trial. No there was nothing redeeming about Crouch.
"You don't scare me, Harris," the government official stated, standing tall and strong.
"I'm not trying to," Xander stated, not backing down one bit. "I'm trying to figure out why you are yelling at everyone. You can't believe they had anything to do with that mark in the sky," he said flabbergasted. "For crying out loud, these are just kids. They were just babies the last time that thing was seen. How would they even know the spell?"
"The young man's wand was at the scene of the crime," Crouch said, pointing to Ron. "You are well informed for someone new to this country," he added, his eyes narrowing.
"I researched. Besides, he's not old enough to have done this. That and his wand is crap. Sorry Arthur, but it's true," Xander said, nodding to the Weasley patriarch, then pointed to the cowering elf. "And her?"
"She was caught with said wand. Elves are not allowed wands," the other man said, having not introduced himself.
"Now, Amos, don't be too hasty, she was out cold, and it could have been planted on her," Arthur said, not wanting this to get any worse. "Again, my son did not cast that spell," he said to Crouch, like he had said it many times before.
"I've been trying to tell them that it was a man who cast the spell. We all heard him," Luna said, swaying a bit from exhaustion. It was very early in the morning. "He had a deep voice, and it came from the same place the elf was found," she finished, pointing at the bushes. "She was fighting to get away, then someone snatched her back. My money is on that person," she stated in a firm voice.
"There you have it, a witness. Heck, we heard the voice as far away as the campgrounds, and it was a man's voice. Go find the real criminal and leave the kids alone. I'm not going to let you put another innocent in prison," Xander said, taking a step towards the offending man, making said man back down. "Drop it and let us go home," he said, in a tired tone.
"How can we take her word for it? She believes in imaginary creatures," Amos said, giving the girl a leery look.
"Ah, but she's never lied. That and the other children heard the same thing," Arthur said, pointing to his children, who were all nodding their heads. "We all heard it," he added, backing up Xander.
"You're just trying to cast blame where none is. Let us go, or I'm taking this to the press," Xander said, tired of the games.
"Winky, I give you clothes," Crouch said, throwing his glove at the elf, and then stalking off.
"Winky, go to Hogwarts," Xander said, in a kind manner. The crying elf nodded and then popped away. "Come on you guys, let's get back to the tents." With that, he started to lead the way.
"If it's all the same to you, I think I'll take the kids home," Arthur said, dragging his feet.
"You still have to pack first. When we left the Aurors had the troublemakers in hand," the other man said, he too barely putting one foot in front of the other. Damn, he used to be able to stay up for days at a time, he must be getting soft. 'That has to change,' he thought as he once more tried not to close his eyes while walking.
"Xander Dad," Luna said, holding a quiet Harry's hand.
"Yes, Luna?"
"Are the nargles gone?" she asked, in her dreamy voice.
"Until the next time we see them," was his answer. He hoped she was talking about the government officials. They were the bullies tonight. Even if she meant the Death Eaters, well they were in cells right now. He hoped.
"Goodie, I can't sleep when they are around," she murmured, leaning on Harry a bit.
"I'll keep them away," Harry promised, disengaging his hand, and putting an arm on her shoulders.
"You're such a good brother," she sighed, letting him lead her to the tent.
"I try."