The World Cup
The holidays passed. But this time Harry had every reason to enjoy them. Nearly everyday Ginny contacted him and later flamed over to his house. Harry had to admit that this mode of transportation was something great. According to Ginny she got better. Alone, she could do the distance between the Burrow and Privet Drive about four times before being exhausted. To facilitate the travel to the world cup, Catherine would help to get all the Weasleys to the camp.
Erik and Harry checked their trunks for the last time before Catherine let them disappear in her shadows.
Grabbing them by the shoulders they sank into the ground after bidding their goodbyes to Petunia and Dudley.
They reappeared at the Burrow. No one noticed them until Ginny jumped Harry. "Harry! I was about to get you!" Catherine went to the kitchen to help Molly while Erik got occupied by a question Arthur had about a muggle artifact he found.
"Go away, Ron. He's mine." Ginny said before she disappeared a flame taking Harry with her.
Erik looked at the artifact. "No, Mr Weasley. The moving picture is a video."
He explained the digital camera and the difference between the picture and the video.
"So there isn't a spell on this?" "No." Erik laughed. "These are regular cameras. That, however, is charmed." He pointed at the model airport with moving planes and people.
Ginny reappeared in her room. Hugging Harry closely, she kissed him again. "You've grown." he commented. "I did. Side effect of being a CAT3." Ginny laughed. She had noticed a while ago that she was about the same height as Harry.
They kissed again. This time her kisses went down to the throat. She licked a vein and Harry groaned. "Go ahead." Her fangs dropped and she scratched the skin a little bit, causing Harry to shiver. She pressed him close to her before she sank her fangs into his neck. The warm blood filled her stomach. Just before Harry was about to faint she stopped. Licking the wound, her saliva helped to heal it. "Thanks. The most decent meal in weeks."
The evening they all sat in the garden as the kitchen was too small for all of them. Ginny rolled her eyes as her mum set down a plate with vegetables and bacon in front of her. "Thanks mum." Just as she began to eat a blood pack landed next to her. "Should have included your new diet by now." Catherine said while she sucked on her own blood pack. "But you don't have to." Mrs Weasley took the pack and was about to throw it away when it disappeared from her grasp. Ginny ripped it open and poured the red juice into her goblet. "But I want to. It's part of who I am now."
"But, Ginny, darling." "Don't darling me. I already explained it to you, mum. I am a vampire. Vampires need blood. End of story." Ginny felt bad as she hid the other reason why she could do it.
Professor Dumbledore had explained to them that, while the goblins recognized her as an adult, the magical law didn't yet. As soon as they both were 14 and legally married the ministry would recognize them as adults thus the trace on them would be lifted.
The next day they had a decent breakfast and waited. When Catherine was finished absorbing the luggage, she stood on the field, waiting for the others.
"It takes some time getting used to but is more efficient than a portkey or apparition." Erik explained before they sank into the ground. Just as they moved down they rose again. "It didn't work?" Ron asked which got him a head slap by Ginny. "OW!" he rubbed his head. "Look." They were directly at the camp where the Weasley tents were. Erik separated from the group. "You go ahead. I have to join the staff meeting."
Catherine kissed him before replacing his helmet and sending him off. "His unit is responsible for the security today. That's why he was gone during the holidays." She explained "Because he is with the security? Wicked. Think he can turn a blind eye on our bets?" The twins said. "He is responsible for the VIP area while his men and women distribute across the stadium. They represent the International Law Enforcement. Aurors from England, Ireland and Bulgaria will assist them. And no. Bets are not of his concern."
When they entered Erik stood there with an Auror to check. After the Weasleys entered Erik checked the list. Everyone was accounted for. "Lockdown." A stryker tank rolled back and blocked the exit. Without control no one would get in nor out.
The game was as the Weasleys expected: Krum caught the snitch but Ireland still won. The night Erik was out on his patrol. A commotion by the ireland-camp got his attention. He listened in when the responsible soldier shouted: "All units! Code Red, Code Red! Attack on the irish camp and its not Bulgaria!"
As one the platoon moved to detain the attack. "Give the evacuation order!" Along the camps sirens howled as the warnings were given out. Mass panic rose. Everyone was running from the center of the fight. Erik saw the cause of the uproar. The attackers had taken the family Roberts, the camp overseer hostage and probably killed them. "Usage of lethal force approved!" he shouted into his comm. As he pushed through the mass he came across the older Weasleys. "Arthur!" "I know!"
The panic spread as the Rangers began the counter attack. Blue bolts flew across the camp while red stun spells were exchanged. "Rangers, retreat! Civilians take priority!" With the last refugees the soldiers pulled back into a single line and moved backwards. "Break contact!" Immediately the soldiers turned around and ran for the cover of the forest. As Erik hid behind a tree Ginny appeared next to him. "Harry is missing!" "How did you loose him in the first place?" Ron shouted.
"Ron, Hermione, gather the other Weasleys. Ginny, you're with me. Lead the way."
"Lead?" "Use your bond. It should have a slight tuck into his direction. Use his senses. What can you determine?" She closed her eyes and reached out. After a short moment her eyes snapped open.
"That way!" Ginny ran. Erik let her run ahead, following her path. "Group Red, sortie! Spread out, ten meter distance." Single attackers were still in that area but they downed them quickly. Ginny dropped to her knees as she found Harry. "Harry!" She searched for a pulse. She found one just as Harry woke up. "Ginny." "Harry." Both kissed. As they attempted to stand up Erik pushed them down. Stun spells hit above them. Ginny was ready to defend herself. "Cease fire! Friendly fire!"
Erik recognized Mr Crouch who had his wand directed at Harry and Ginny. "Who of you was it?" Who of you summoned the dark mark?" He shouted.
The soldier immediately aimed his rifle at the man. "I don't know what's up with you but you won't threaten the two teenagers under my protection." The ministry wizards aimed at Erik now, too.
Erik switched to the open comm channel. "Rangers, visible targeting of hostile forces."
Targeting lasers appeared and connected the wizards with the forest. Some were outside at the borders of the other camps and around them. "I suggest we all calm down."
He heard something over his comm. "Bring her here." Five minutes later a squad arrived. "We found her. Shocked in the bushes."
"Winky?" Crouch said unbelieving. The wizards interrogated the elf. While they concluded that she had summoned the dark mark it stood against Harry's notice that it was a male voice.
The Weasleys gathered at their tent. Different from the other tents it was burnt on the outside but not on the inside. They looked at Ginny. "So what? I protect my things."
While Erik joined his unit in securing the remaining camp Mr Weasley explained his family about the dark mark.
Returning they found a crying Mrs Weasley. While she hugged her family Hermione picked up the dropped newspaper . "No wonder she is crying. This article exaggerates about the events."
"Rita Skeeter." Bill and Charlie said with one look at the style.
Ministry fails... Security by muggles more effective than Auror Forces... Culprits not caught alive...
Dark Wizards roaming the country... Shame...
Erik looked at the picture. "And that's one of the reasons we wear full armor."
On the picture they could see the aftermath where soldiers searched the whole place.
One of the muggle soldiers commented how this was a routine job. Do we have to fear more attacks? Rumors of corpses being carried away from the forest left us to fear a deadly outcome of the battle.
How come that muggle fight so effectively against dark wizards? See page 3
What is this mysterious army called Baselisk? See page 5
"Is she really that bad?" Erik said unbelieving after he read the first article.
"You haven't seen the worse. She makes everything a headline story and a scandal if she can."
"Well, lucky we have a good PR-Department. Mysterious army. In all the other countries we are known and feared. Even the muggles know us as special forces."
Erik shared a room with Ron and Harry while Hermione slept in Ginny's room.
It was the last day before the beginning of the new term. They packed their things when Mrs Weasley entered. "Ron, your dress robe." "Mum. That's Ginny's robe you gave me."
After a little argument Erik leaned to Ron. "I can borrow you my tux. A little charm was placed on it to fit the carrier." "Thanks but what about you?" "My army dress uniform serves the same purpose." Downstairs, Mr Weasley talked to Mr Diggory on the Floo-network. "Muggles have heard the commotion and now these bolzman are investigating." "Policemen, Mr Weasley."
Catherine offered to take the kids to King's Cross. Again with shadow teleport they crossed the rose out of the platform 9 ¾.
During the ride they talked about the school. "How come no muggle runs across Hogwarts?" Ron asked. Hermione began her theory of charms until Erik stopped her. "It's much simpler. Officially the area is under military lock down as it is a SAS-training facility. Order of the prime-minister who works closely with the ministry of magic. The queen has her royal guards trained in such areas so no muggle questions it. That's also why you can't find it on satellite pictures. Military areas are never shown on it.
Draco came and Ron exploded at the provocation. It had taken Erik's reminder of his presence to break up the tension. "Good thing Ginny was asleep. She would have killed him." Harry said as he looked at her. ~I heard him but I chose to burn his robe instead. He might notice by now.~
A shy cry in the distance made Harry chuckle. "Anything we missed?" Hermione asked. "Ginny set Malfoy's robes on fire."
The sorting and the following feast was nothing too serious apart from Hermione realizing that house elves fixed the meal and she refused to eat right away. Dumbledore explained how the quidditch cup wouldn't take place this year as they would hold the Triwizard Tournament.
The schools Durmstrang and Beauxbatons would arrive just before Halloween.
School in the meantime. Harry was bored. Care of magical creatures with the Slytherins and Divination with Trelawney. Just as he thought that it couldn't get worse he and Ron crossed Malfoy.
"Hey, Weasley! Your dad is in the papers! They couldn't even get his name right like he is a loser!" Malfoy seemed to enjoy provoking Ron as he insulted his mother. "What about yours? Does she always look like she has dung under her nose or just since you were born?"
"Do...Don't insult my mother, Potter!" "Then shut your trap!" Harry retorted and turned away.
A muffled crash got their attention as they turned around. Erik stood behind them. With one hand he held Draco's wand arm risen into the air while he pressed his pistol into his neck. "No, you don't."
Crabbe and Goyle wanted to help their leader but both of them were knocked over by two other soldiers. "Ten points from Slytherin, for each of you. No dueling in the corridors and especially no aiming at someone's back."
"What are you doing?" McGonagall asked as she arrived to see what the commotion was. "He attacked me for no reason!" Malfoy tried to blame the soldier. Erik closed the hand cuffs. "This one tried to attack Mr Potter and Mr Weasley over there while they had their back at him, AFTER he insulted the Weasley family. I wouldn't have hold it against either of them if they had defended their honor. However, when they turned away he pulled his wand on them. Whatever he planned, it was against the rules." He turned around. "Take them away, girls. Make sure Professor Snape gives them detention." The students could barely contain their laugh as they spotted the wet spot where Malfoy stood before.
It was the 30th of October. The students marching towards the great hall stopped to see the arrivals. Beauxbatons arrived first. Nearly nobody saw the carriage until it got close enough. It was gigantic, as were the three lines of flying horses that pulled it.
Hagrid corrected their approach with what seemed like rackets. He jumped out of the way just as the wheels crashed down onto the place he was in a second ago. Durmstrang's arrival was more subtle. A small boat with a mast sailed down the lake with only one occupant. Suddenly it lifted high into the air and revealed a full galleon underneath it. Now they had Air and Water. Only Land was missing.
"Look!" Colin Creevy shouted. A group of vehicles, all with red and blue flashing lights approached the castle from the far grounds. Before the students could watch the Professors hushed them to the great hall.
Just after they sat down and Dumbledore explained the rules again, the french students entered.
The girls moved through the main corridor and made charming moves every few steps and let birds fly from their sleeves, putting nearly all male students into a trance before they stood on the right side of the hall.
Harry saw Ginny and Hermione roll their eyes. He noted that different from normal Erik stood besides Dumbledore in full armor.
Next was Drumstrang. They entered with a more aggressive performance including sticks and fire.
"Now that the schools are there, I present you the neutral party to oversee the Tournament. Known through their spectacular performance during the finals of the quidditch world cup and feared for their efficiency: The 13th Platoon of the Task Force Cobra.
Erik stepped forwards. "Rangers!" The marching sound of armored boots against stone floor filled the air.
As they entered they spoke as one: "We are Legion for we are many. We do not forget. We do not forgive. Sua Sponte! Rangers lead the way. Hoorah!" The platoon split up and filled the space between the tables. They wore all the same armor as Erik did with the urban camo. Some had additional gear on their helmets or their shoulders. Antennas, Binoculars or simple blast shields. Some had different helmet-designs others had a kilt-like piece of leather attached to their belts.. [Feel free to imagine all kinds of Clone trooper armor] Everyone was lightly armed with a pistol. They all snapped at attention and saluted. "SIR!" Erik nodded. "At ease." The soldiers relaxed and left the stiff attention pose.
"Thank you Lieutenant." Dumbledore said. "As now everyone is present we will ignite the goblet of fire. It chooses the champions of each school. Remember that only those of age can participate. Those who aren't will not be accepted." Erik chose the guards. "Doctors, you're on guard duty. Use your scanners to stop those not of age. Don't want them to suffer from the repercussions. Organize the shifts on your own."
Four soldiers left their group and stood by the goblet. They had in common that on their armor was a coat of arms with a heart and a cross in it. They stood with one's legs apart and hands clasped behind their backs. The headmasters of the schools and Mr Crouch joined their wands over the goblet. Blue, Red and Yellow Sparks joined together and rained down. A white fire woke from the goblet which shrank down to a blue one residing on the edge of the goblet.
Within the next 24 hours everyone considered of age which was 17 entered their names. Fred and George tried their aging potion. However, thanks to Ginny Erik knew about it and had warned the goblet guards, who caught the two early enough. The younger Veela tried their charms on them but each soldier was happily married or at least loyal to their partner so they were unaffected. Some of the Durmstrangs tried it with brute force, only to learn how the armor hurt them more than it hurt the carrier.