AN: Sorry for the long delay. It's been chaotic with end the semester with college and hitting writer's block. So I had to put this on hold for a little bit. But here is Chapter 16!

~NicoDiAngeloLover7

Touched by Death – Events and Tragedies

Harry was in stunned silence as he looked around him. His hand was currently holding onto Marcus' tightly. Sirius was currently grinning ear to ear as he dragged along his godson and his boyfriend. Though according to Marcus, Sirius had managed to get hold of some VIP tickets. The Slytherin didn't doubt that Sirius had slyly mentioned about wanting to attend the World Cup and the wizarding world was trying to get into Lord Black's good graces.

There were tents everywhere and countless of wizards and witches that were wearing face paint to show which team they supported for the upcoming match. It didn't take a genius to know that green was for the Irish and red was for the Bulgarians. There were some people that Harry recognized from school, mainly people Harry knew from being in Gryffindor. Some of those included seeing Seamus, Dean, and Neville. They had hesitantly waved to Harry, almost gesturing for him to come over.

The three boys seemed to pale at little at the fact they were face to face with Sirius Black. Though Harry's godfather seemed to fail in his serious act after a few minutes. The only moments of tension were when the three Gryffindors looked at Marcus warily. It didn't help much that Marcus glared half-heartedly at them. Marcus definitely wasn't helping matters with the Gryffindor and Slytherin rivalry.

It was only after Seamus, Dean, and Neville left that Harry sighed in relief. There was no doubt in his mind that the Hogwarts would increase the tension ten-fold. And if the entire school didn't know that he was with Marcus, then it wouldn't take very long. Though it was a nice feeling to be able to talk to some of his friends that he knew wouldn't be judgmental of who he was with.

It was fascinating to watch the actual match between two nations. Harry hadn't never seen a match besides the ones at Hogwarts. It wasn't hard to become at the level of excitement that Marcus had been at since the Slytherin started mentioning the match. Though Harry would never be able to get Marcus to admit that he was acting like a Gryffindor.

Just like that, Harry would never realize how much excitement could be turned into absolute terror.

Before Harry knew exactly was happening, Marcus was dragging him out the tent and into the frantic crowd. All he knew was that Sirius looked the most serious he had ever known the man and that he had told Marcus to get out of here and keep Harry safe. But he kept hearing the same scared shout and they made him frightened, "It's the Death Eaters!"

The young Gryffindor didn't know what a death eater was, but he least knew it was nothing good. The term seemed vaguely familiar. And knowing his luck, he would be involved in something or least it was something concerning Voldemort.

Harry could feel the strong grip that Marcus had on his hand and before he knew it, it was gone. Fighting through the raging crowd had separated him from Marcus. Harry wouldn't be able to tell anyone how much time had passed, because he honestly had no idea. Next thing he knew he was knocked to the ground and had passed out. As he lost consciousness, he thought he heard someone yell, Morsmordre.

Harry started to flutter his eyes open, everything seemed quiet and dark. Though he heard something or someone calling his name. The voice seemed frantic. The next thing he realized was that he was on the cold, hard ground. It took him a moment to remember what had happened. He remembered Sirius having this hard look in him before demanding that Marcus get to the closest apparition point or get to the portkey they appeared at. There was a lot of running to get away from these 'death eaters.' Sirius and Marcus never elaborated on who they were, and Harry didn't think it was best to ask yet. The last thing he remembered was some male voice, shouting a spell… though he couldn't remember what spell it was. It was something he never heard of before and then it all went back. There was an acid taste in Harry's mouth as he realized that Marcus had gotten separated from him and he had no idea where he was.

It took Harry a moment to try to stand, his feet felt unsteady. He took that moment to look around him and only saw a destroy campsite. All the tents that had been standing for the match was destroyed and burnt to a crisp. Harry gulped, he didn't know where to go or how to find Sirius or Marcus. He clutched at the Slytherin pendant desperately, thankful he never bothered to take it off.

That's when Harry felt himself being grabbed into a hug and almost crushed. He almost didn't react before he realized who's grip it was. Harry frantically held him tighter, Marcus had found him.

Harry felt more than saw Marcus hands cupping his face, brushing the now dirty hair away from his eyes. "You're safe," Harry heard Marcus whisper before his lips were covered. The kiss was very brief, but the meaning was clear.

Before Harry realized what was going on, he witnessed five spells heading towards him. Before Harry could have the instinct to duck, the spells disappeared. The spells had hit a shield that Marcus no doubt created. Marcus' grip on him felt stronger than ever, safer really.

"How dare you?!" Marcus snarled.

Harry didn't say a word and just watched as the shield was kept up but five wizards came closer.

"Which one of you conjured it?!" was a furious yell in return.

"Conjured what?!" Harry yelled.

The man looked furious, "you both have been discovered at the scene of the crime."

"Harry's been knocked unconscious. Crouch, are you enough of a lunatic to think an unconscious and teenager at that would be able to cast any spell? And a healer at that?!" Another man snapped.

Harry and Marcus recognized that tone immediately, it was Sirius.

The man looked stunned. Not knowing what to say. Then his gaze landed on Marcus. "And you don't think he wouldn't have conjured it?"

If Harry didn't know that Sirius was protective of his boyfriend, he sure did now.

"You're a bloody idiot if you believe that, Crouch! Marcus has been the one to protect Harry and here you all are accusing them of being a Death Eaters and casting the Dark Mark! He hates his father and for good reason and unless you're going to arrest that man. Then I would suggest finding his father at his manor. So, we're done here. Though, in case you haven't realized yet, both of them are still school aged."

Sirius didn't hesitate to go over to Harry and Marcus, wrap both of them in a tight hug and disapparated.

Once safely back inside their house did Sirius ask, "as you both alright?"

Harry not trusting his words, nodded.

"Thanks Sirius."

Sirius sighed in relief. "If I had known this would have happened, we never would have gone. There might be a few things I need to find out from the Ministry, doubtful they'll be very helpful."

Marcus snorted at that.

"What's a Death Eater?" Apparently, Harry had forgotten about the brief conversation the prior year.

Marcus and Sirius' eyes focused on Harry immediately.

"Harry, a Death Eater is the name for Voldemort's followers before he disappeared. What you saw in the sky is called the Dark Mark. During the war, the Dark Mark would be placed in the sky where the Death Eaters have been…" Sirius explained.

"Their calling card…" Harry muttered to himself.

Sirius looked uneasy with the conversation. He had never pictured having to tell his godson about the Death Eaters or the murders they committed in the past. "You two need rest. You have less than a month before you're off to Hogwarts."

At the mention of Hogwarts, did Harry perk up. Despite the recent events, he was excited to go back to Hogwarts for his fourth year. The only downfall about it was that this was Marcus' last year before graduating. Though he had forgotten that he would be going back this soon. It was surreal to think about. Then there was the fact that Marcus was HeadBoy this year, something the Slytherin knew was all Harry's doing. Despite that Harry never corrected Marcus that it was actually Professor McGonagall's doing, not his.

Harry's hand felt sweaty in Marcus' firm grip. He was about to board the Hogwarts Express and Sirius decided to go early. Something about having to check something out at the Ministry. Marcus seemed to know what Sirius was talking about. Which made Harry even more frustrated since both of them had been very tight lipped about it. In the end, Harry just wound up rolling his eyes. But he was nervous, he couldn't just walk up to Ron and Hermione and chat with them like he used to.

Apparently, Harry was staring at the train too long, because he let out a high-pitched yelp. Thankfully there wasn't anyone close by around the station to hear him. Harry turned his head to glare at Marcus. The Slytherin had the audacity to slap him on the ass. He groaned when he saw the returning smirk aimed at him.

"It's not going to wait all day…"

Harry wound up rolling his eyes. But he ended up dragging Marcus behind him, it didn't take much effort.

The Gryffindor went to find a compartment towards the back end of the train. His eyebrows shot up when he saw three familiar faces.

Harry met the stunned faces of Neville, Seamus, and Dean.

"Umm… hi…" Harry's tone was awkward, unsure what to say.

Marcus was faced with three wary looks. The Slytherin rolled his eyes. He wasn't in the mood to deal with three anxious, mouthy Gryffindors.

Harry felt Marcus' heated breath touch his ear. It created a pleasurable shiver.

"Headboy meeting. I'll see you later."

"Ohh… okay," Harry was a little disappointed, but he knew Marcus would find him later. It's not like the entire school didn't know they were together. Thanks to the end of school rumors. That didn't mean he wouldn't face looks like he was confronting now.

The smaller Gryffindor felt lips touching his forehead in a feather-like touch. He let a dopey grin show on his face.

If he looked at the three others in the room, he would have seen slack jaws and wide eyes. Like the idea of Marcus having a soft side towards Harry was imposturous.

"Bye…" Harry's voice was breathy.

The young raven watched his boyfriend leave the compartment as he sat across from his dormmates.

"What!?" Harry's tone was irritable. The smile was gone, replaced by a frown.

"Tha—that was…" Seamus stuttered.

"Just didn't expect that from a Slytherin, is all…" Dean lamely finished.

Harry felt his hand twitch and he was pretty sure he was glaring by now. Considering that Dean and Seamus slightly twitched from his stare.

"This isn't going to be a repeat from what Ron did, is it? Cause I will find another compartment." Harry's voice was dead serious.

Seamus and Dead shook their head vigorously.

"You both look cute together," Neville shyly chipped in.

Harry looked relieved. "It isn't weird, is it?"

"A little bit—" Seamus commented.

Harry looked a little alarmed.

"Calm down, Harry. It's nothing bad. We just didn't expect Flint to have a soft side. We've always seen him cursing or sabotaging someone on the team," Dean quickly said.

"Thanks guys," Harry grinned.

Seamus and Dean cracked a smile.

"I still don't want to be on the other side of him, he's fiercely protective of you," Dean observed.

Neville snorted.

That comment drew a blush out of the young Potter.

"Don't even try to deny it, you know it's true," Seamus teased.

"What's it like to live with Sirius Black," Neville asked.

Harry blinked at the new question. It caught him a little off guard. The young Gryffindor shrugged, "like anything you can expect if you live with someone like Fred and George."

Neville gapped almost in horror as Dean and Seamus were awestruck. Everyone knew about the notorious pranksters in Gryffindor Tower.

Harry laughed and continued as if in forethought, "though Sirius might be a little worse than them."

The three Gryffindors in front of Harry seemed to look nervous at that thought for a spare moment.

That's when Neville decided to change the subject, "do you know what they plan for Hogwarts this year?"

Harry chewed at his bottom lip, "Not sure… Sirius and Marcus have been very tight lip about it. No doubt finding amusement out of all of this."

Dean and Seamus seemed to deflate at the answer.

Seamus was almost hesitant to ask his next question, "what happened to you guys after the match? There was a hint of something in the Prophet—"

"Not sure… I just remember Sirius yelling for me and Marcus to run and get back to the portkey. I must have gotten trampled and knocked out. I just remember Marcus finding me and being surrounded by people from the Ministry. Marcus had created a shield and suddenly Sirius was telling off some wizard by the name of Crouch."

"That makes sense, Crouch is part of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. There has been talk about him accepting a new position—" Dean noted as his sentence slowly died.

Harry looked at Dean, unsure why his friend had stopped talking. He soon found out when he was jerked out of his seat.

Neville was smiling as Dean and Seamus were trying to keep their snickers silent.

Marcus had come back from his meeting and decided that Harry needed a new seating arrangement.

"Possessive Slytherins," Harry muttered good-naturedly under his breath.

"Idiotic Gryffindors," was the snarky reply.

Seamus and Dean pretended to look offended as Neville let out a small laugh.

"I think someone missed you," Neville joked.

Harry huffed as he felt the vibrations from Marcus snickering. He turned slightly to get a look at Marcus and noticed there was a slight glare.

"Be nice. It's not like they will curse you. More likely they're scared you'd curse them," Harry reprimanded.

The Slytherin scoffed and acted offended, "I am nice…"

"Lies… you're nice only when you feel like it," Harry corrected.

Harry felt the shrug, Marcus was silently agreeing with him. It's not like it wasn't true. That didn't make the wary looks towards the Slytherin any better.

The small Gryffindor rolled his eyes, "Oh Merlin… it's not like he's going to curse you guys. He's not about to curse my friends and then face my wrath about it."

Dean let out a nervous laugh, "right…"

"So, does that mean you're going to tell me what happened in your meeting?" Harry's voice was hopeful.

"Nice, try. I'm still not telling you. But I will say they need to choose better prefects. Diggory isn't too bad, but he's not as bad as Weasley was. Most of them just stared at the fact they have to listen to a Slytherin Headboy," Marcus grumbled.

Harry snorted. "Don't think I won't eventually find out."

"I know you will," Marcus breathed in Harry's ear. Fully aware that the heat of his breath would make the Gryffindor shiver and lean more on him.

AN: There is a reason why Harry forgets about Marcus' previous conversation about Death Eaters.