Frank's bad leg had woken him up during the night. The pain was worse with his old age. He got up and limped downstairs into the kitchen with the idea of refilling his hot-water bottle to ease the stiffness in his knee. Standing at the sink, filling the kettle, he looked up at the house and saw lights glimmering in its upper windows. Frank knew at once what was going on. The boys had broken into the house again, and judging by the flickering quality of the light, they started a fire. He picked the keys and a flashlight and headed towards the house. He opened the door and went upstairs. He was trying to be quiet as possible since he noticed that there was no sign that the door was forced open. Then he heard a voice, "How fastidious you've become, Wormtail. As I recall, you once called the nearest gutter pipe home. Could it be the task of nursing me has become wearisome for you?"
"Oh, no. No, no, my Lord Voldemort. I only meant perhaps if we were to do it without the boy and the girl," he said.
"No! The boy is everything! It cannot be done without him. The girl will be there to watch him suffer for protecting him! It is her punishment for her imprudent meddling. And it will be done. Exactly as I said."
"I will not disappoint you, my lord," another man said as he kneeled before him.
"Good. First, gather our old comrades. Send them a sign," he replied. A snake had appeared and made its presence known to Frank before slithering into the room and talking to Voldemort, "Nagini tells me the old Muggle caretaker is standing just outside the door." Wormtail had gotten up to the door, "Step aside, Wormtail, so I can give our guest a proper greeting. Avada Kedavra!" A green light flashed and killed him.
Ella had awoken from where she was sleeping. "Edward!" He ran upstairs to where she was sleeping. Edward took her into his arms and rubbed her back. Whenever she had a nightmare, it always took her time to calm down enough for her to tell him. The nightmares were frightening her and she genuinely didn't know what to do. Edward and Ella had come back to Hogwarts before the World Cup to pose as security to protect Harry.
As soon as she was calm, Edward asked, "What is it, love?"
"I just had a nightmare. I think Harry had it, too. I need to go and check on him," Ella said as she got up and changed into her clothes. During that time, she told Edward her dream. "Look, don't talk to anyone right now while I'm meeting Harry to see how he's doing. But I do need you to start packing some extra blood that we brought. I think that Voldemort will do something at the World Cup and I'll be needing it. I'll meet you at camp," Edward nodded. Ella paused and looked at him lovingly. "Thank you, Edward."
"For what?" he asked.
"For helping me and Harry when it's not your responsibility," she said.
"Yes, it is," Edward said, then placed his finger over Ella's open mouth. "You are my life, Ella. Whatever responsibility you have, it's mine as well. I will not allow you to carry it on your own."
Ella nodded, "I love you."
"And I you," he replied.
Ella kissed him just before she stepped away from Edward, smiled gently at him and Apparated. She reappeared moments later at the Burrow. She went up to where Ron and Harry were sleeping, "Harry? Wake up," she said gently as he was tossing and turning from the dream.
He woke up and saw Ella, "When did you get here?"
"Just now," she replied.
"What's the matter?"
"You just had a nightmare, didn't you?" she asked.
"Yeah, how did you know?" he asked.
"I had the same dream, Harry," she replied. "We're connected that way because of what Voldemort did."
"What should we do?" he asked.
"I don't know right now, to be honest. I've already told Edward about this. He's getting our things ready and meeting us at camp," Ella said.
"Should we tell Dumbledore about this?"
"Yes, this is something that we can't deal with by ourselves. We need all the help we can get, but for now, you need to get up and get ready. I'll be joining you and the Weasleys when you go to World Cup," she said as she left the room and met with the other Weasleys.
Once everyone was ready, they left the Burrow, unsure as to where they were going until they heard they heard a voice, "Arthur! It's about time, son."
"Sorry, Amos. Some of us had a bit of a sleepy start. This is Amos Diggory, everyone. Works with me at the Ministry," he introduced them. Cedric had jumped down from a tree, "And this strapping young lad must be Cedric, am I right?"
"Yes, sir," he replied as he shook Arthur's hand. He looked around and saw Ella and nodded, "Miss Cullen"
"It's good to see you, Cedric," she replied. She knew that he had a crush on her but did her best to dismiss the crush.
They all followed Amos as Ella stayed with Harry, "Merlin's beard! You must be Harry Potter," Amos said.
"Yes, sir," he replied politely.
"Great, great pleasure."
"Pleasure to meet you too, sir," Harry replied.
"Miss Cullen, very nice to see you again," he said.
"Likewise," she said and they walked up hill and saw a boot on the hill.
Everyone gathered around the boot and touched it, "Why are they all standing around that manky old boot?" he asked Ella.
"It isn't just any manky old boot… it's a portkey," Ella said.
"On three, everyone… one… two… Harry!" Arthur shouted. Harry touched it. It happened immediately. Harry felt as though a hook just behind his navel had been suddenly jerked irresistibly forward. His feet left the ground; he could feel Ron and Hermione on either side of him, their shoulders banging into his; they were all speeding forward in a howl of wind and swirling color; his hand was stuck to the boot as though it was pulling him magnetically onward and then he heard Mr. Weasley say, "Let go!"
"What?" Harry asked.
"Let go!" Arthur said and everyone let go at the same time. Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Fred and George all landed on the ground whereas Ella, Arthur, Amos and Cedric looked like they were walking on air before they touched the ground, "I'll bet that cleared your sinuses, eh?" Cedric helped Harry up from off the ground. Cedric looked towards Ella and stood to the right of her while Harry stood to the left. "Go on, look at that! Well, kids, welcome to the Quidditch World Cup!"
"This is where I leave you, Harry. You'll be staying with Mr. Weasley. I have got to go find Edward and make sure that everything is going smoothly," she said but before she moved, Edward appeared out of thin air and smiled as he saw Ella. "Edward!" she said happily and ran into his arms. He lifted her up and circled around.
"Now, now! It's a bit too much for the kids, don't you think?" Arthur asked.
"Oh! This is just innocent hugging, Arthur! It's fine for the kids," Ella said as they laughed.
"Let's go, love. It's time to meet up with Professor Dumbledore, the Minister and head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation," he said.
"Right. Harry, remember what I told you before. If you need me or Edward, just scream in your head as loud as you can, so that he can hear you and tell him where you are. We'll find you, okay?"
"Right, okay," he replied. Edward and Ella both left to meet with Fudge and Crouch.
"You know that the Diggory boy likes you, right?" Edward asked.
"Are you jealous?" she asked, smirking.
"Well… I don't know if I should be… you know you're not that much older than him," he said, smiling.
"Oh, maybe in human years, but still at 17, that makes me a woman… or at least it did, during our time as humans," she said.
Edward nodded, "Very true."
"Plus, I nearly succeeded on dying because my father had put me into an arranged marriage to a man I despise who was into slavery and domestic violence. Plus my own father abused me. It's no wonder that he would pick someone who physically and mentally abuses other people for their own pleasure," she said with disgust.
"You know, they never found your body," Edward pointed out.
"That's because it's right here next to you," she said. "And besides, Cedric's a teenager… he's allowed to develop a crush and be hormonal," she said.
"I agree."
"And I only have eyes for a certain someone," she said, nudging him. They both smiled as they looked around them as they headed towards the meeting place. "Miss Cullen, Mr. Cullen, thank you for coming on such short notice," Dumbledore said. "Cornelius, Barty, I would like to introduce Ella Cullen and Edward Cullen who as you know is part of the security at Hogwarts."
"Why have you asked them to come here, Albus?" Fudge said. He was wary to both of them ever since they first appeared at the Ministry of Magic.
"You have asked me to help tighten the security around here, did you not, Fudge?"
He looked at him suspiciously, "Vampires? Should we trust them?"
"How could you not especially after three years of protecting Hogwarts school especially against You-Know-Who?" he asked.
"He is not back yet!" he said stubbornly.
"Then Professor Quirrell died on his own accord? Is Miss Weasley is the heir of Slytherin? How is it that Sirius Black escaped yet again without the help from You-Know-Who?" Ella asked, enraged. She knew that Sirius had escaped from prison the second time from the help of Hermione and Harry but she wasn't going to tell Fudge that. Edward was holding her back. He knew how protective she was of him and how she would immediately defend him.
"Harry would not have assisted Miss Weasley out of safety without Ella's help nor brought Harry out of the dungeons after Professor Quirrell attempted to murder him or protected him from Sirius Black," Edward said.
Fudge stood there quiet, "None of that matters," he stood his ground, refusing to believe the evidence.
"If you refuse to look at the evidence, then, Fudge, I do have authority over the Cullens' position?" Dumbledore asked.
"Of course you do," he said, refusing to work with either of them.
Dumbledore turned to Edward and Ella, "Then I must ask both of you to stay with Harry and the Weasleys. Have your family protect the Weasleys as well. I know that Arthur doesn't think it's necessary but I do. Obviously Fudge does not trust you to mingle amongst the rest of the wizarding world." Ella and Edward nodded after they had calmed down some. "Go, find them and stay with them." They went back from where they came and chatted about what to do and how to protect them. Dumbledore had seen to it that they had a couple of days where they could hunt in which they were grateful for. They both wanted to be prepared for anything that may have happened. They had brought two hip flasks full of blood plus an ice cooler full of blood as an added security. They found the Weasleys' campsite easy enough especially since Edward has heard Harry's mind. They had found their family right near the Weasleys tent and told them what Dumbledore informed them. They had agreed to it since it was not part of their world.
"Mr. Weasley?" Ella called out from outside the tent.
"Come in, Ella," he said. Ella and Edward both went inside. "Ah, I see that Edward has come along as well as the rest of your family. What brings all of you here?"
"Dumbledore assigned us to stay guard for you and your family but most importantly Harry," Ella said.
"Personal bodyguards?" Fred asked, wiggling his eyebrows.
Ella rolled her eyes and looked at Edward who was standing there smirking. "We are more of personal bodyguards to Harry than you, Fred," Ella said.
"But Dumbledore said that you are assigned to us, the Weasleys," George said.
"Yes, he did, but he said that Harry is our top priority over you," Ella replied. "So if something happens to Harry and you're lying down on the ground, writhing in pain, we leave you for Harry." Both Fred and George stood there in shock. Hermione, Ginny, Ron and Harry were laughing because both Fred and George have been trying to outsmart Ella for the longest time. "In all seriousness, the rest of my family will be protecting you."
"Did Albus leave that minor detail to you just now?" he asked. Ella nodded. "That man. Well, more protection for us, then. Have all of you got a place to stay for the night?" Mr. Weasley asked. Ella and Edward looked at each other and realized that they don't have one, "You'll be staying here with us. I am aware that your family doesn't need to sleep but I know that you do, Ella…"
"But where will she sleep? All of the beds are occupied," Ginny asked.
"Don't worry about it," Ella said. "I can sleep on the couch. It'll be easier for me to do so that way I can protect all of you in a neutral place."
"Are you sure, Ella?" Mr. Weasley asked. "The couches aren't all that comfortable."
"It's okay. I have the most comfortable pillow," she said, looking at Edward, smiling. Hermione and Ginny sighed wistfully, hoping for a man like Edward. Then it was time for everyone to head to find their seats.
They walked a long time before heading to the stairs. They nearly got to the top before Ron asked, "Blimey, dad. How far up are we?"
Lucius had overheard what he said and answered, "Well, put it this way: If it rains, you'll be the first to know."
"Father and I are in the Minister's box by personal invitation of Cornelius Fudge himself," Draco added.
Lucius had used his walking stick and jabbed Draco on his stomach. "Don't boast, Draco. There's no need with these people." Harry was ready to leave and motioned for Hermione to go up first but before they could, Lucius used his walking stick and held Harry's foot, "Do enjoy yourself, won't you? While you can."
"I suggest that you let him go, Lucius before you get yourself harmed," Ella informed him.
"And what will you do, Miss Cullen?" he asked. She picked up her wand and pointed to Lucius, who then became confused and wandered to his seat. Draco looked at what had happened to his father.
"I suggest you follow your father, Draco, before I do one on you," Ella said, leaning against the banister. He followed him and helped him to their seats. She heard stifled laughter behind her. "You can laugh, if you like. It doesn't bother me, although you should have done it out loud to embarrass Draco."
"Come on, kids, let's go to our seats," Mr. Weasley said motioning for them to go up the stairs. Once they found their seats, they saw the Irish team make their entrance and then the Bulgarian team.
"Who's that?" Ginny asked as one of the team members of Bulgaria stood out.
"That's the best Seeker in the world!" George said.
Then they heard a voice, "Good evening. As the Minister of Magic, it gives me great pleasure to welcome each and every one of you to the final of the 422nd Quidditch World Cup! Let the match… begin!" There was a spark that came out of his wand that signified the start of the game. They played well which ended Krum getting the Snitch but Bulgaria had lost to Irish by 10 points. In their camp, the Weasleys, Harry and Hermione were caught up with the crowd in the celebration of Irish winning the World Cup.
Ron was trying to convince Fred and George that Krum was better, "There's no one like Krum!"
Fred and George were appalled, "Krum? Dumb Krum?"
"He's like a bird the way he rides the wind!" Ron explained.
Fred and George were flapping their arms and moving around and chanting, "KRUM KRUM!"
"He's more than an athlete," he continued on.
"Dumb Krum!"
"He's an artist!"
Ginny went up to Ron and said, "I think you're in love, Ron!"
Ron told her off, "Shut up!"
Fred and George started to sing "Viktor I love you! Viktor I do-"
Others joined in, "When we're apart, my heart beats only for you..."
Fred heard the commotion from outside and said, "Sounds like the Irish have got their pride on."
Mr. Weasley had then heard something different from outside of the tent. He looked around and noticed that Ella, Edward and the rest of the Cullens were not there. He went outside to look at what was happening, went inside and said, "Stop! Stop it! It's not the Irish. We've gotta get out of here..." he said and started organizing everything. "Get back to the portkey, everybody and stick together!" he said as soon as they were outside. "Fred, George! Ginny is your responsibility." Jasper, Alice, and Emmett split from the Cullens to follow the Weasley twins and Ginny. Carlisle, Esme and Rosalie followed Hermione and Ron. They all were running towards the direction of the portkey. Somewhere along the way, Harry was apart from the rest of the Weasleys. He saw the Death Eaters walking around and setting fires among campsites. He fainted.
"Harry! Harry!" Ella called out as soon as she saw him on the ground, Edward was right behind her alongside Alice and Jasper. She didn't know what to do, "Edward, what do we do? I don't have strength enough to cover us with the Invisibility Charm."
"Maybe we could try to make cover in the forest?" he suggested. No sooner did he stop talking, Harry had awoken.
They had seen a lonely male figure point to the sky and say, "Morsmordre!" and left a Dark Mark in the sky. He turned to look and saw the five of them and left. He knew better than to fight against those odds.
"Harry!" they heard Hermione call out. "We've been looking for you for ages!" She helped him up. Emmett and Rosalie were following them.
"We thought we lost you, mate," Ron said.
Then they saw a group of men encircle them. Ella had seen what they were going to do and spoke fast to Edward, Emmett, Rosalie, Alice and Jasper, and they all said "Protego!" at the same time as the men said, "Stupefy!" The latter spell had lost its power against Ella, Edward, Emmett, Rosalie, Alice and Jasper.
"Stop!" Mr. Weasley said but noticed that the men's spell lost its power. "It's my son! Ron, Harry, Hermione, you all right?"
"We had to come back for Harry," she said. "We didn't realize that the Cullens had come back for him and obviously protected us against the men."
"Which one of you conjured it?
"Crouch, you can't possi…"
"Do not lie! You've been discovered at the scene of the crime," Crouch said, pointing his wand between Hermione and Harry.
"There's no proof that they have committed a crime, Crouch!" Ella stated.
"Crime?" Harry asked.
"It's the Dark Mark, Harry. It's his mark," Hermione said, pointing to the skull and the snake in the air.
"What, Voldemort? Those people tonight, in the masks, they're his too, aren't they? His followers?" he asked.
"Yes, Death Eaters," Ella said.
"Follow me," Crouch said.
"You know if you had Edward and me on the security, this wouldn't possibly have happened!" Ella called out to him. Crouch froze for a minute then left, refusing to give into the vampires.
"There was a man before…" Harry said.
"A man, Harry? Who?" Arthur asked.
"I don't know. I didn't see his face," he answered. They managed to get to the Portkey without much trouble. However, there were heated discussions as to what was happening. Several times, Arthur had to diffuse the disagreements. They all went back to the Burrow but the topic of who created the Dark Mark was at the top of the list.
"But why make it and then Disparate?" Harry asked. "What's the purpose of creating it? Do you think it would be for the other Death Eaters?"
"If it were other Death Eaters, they must have worked hard to stay out of prison. It might be their idea of fun. Half of the Muggle killings back when You-Know-Who was in power were done in fun. I suppose they had a few drinks tonight and couldn't resist reminding us all that lots of them are still at large," Arthur said disgustedly.
"So whoever conjured the Dark Mark, were they doing it to show support for the Death Eaters, or to scare them away?" Hermione asked.
"Your guess is good as ours, Hermione," Ella replied. "But I'll tell you this, it was only the Death Eaters who ever knew how to conjure it. I'd be very surprised if the person who did it hadn't been a Death Eater once, even if they're not now." Arthur agreed with the sentiment.