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Assistant: Title: Keep Heaven Dancing -Goblet of Fire
        Author: lamarjenson lamarjenson 
        Chapter: 8/8 
        Summary: Hogwarts was supposed to be a fresh start — but nothing ever stays simple for [Y/N] [L/N]. As the Triwizard Tournament turns the school into a spectacle, [Y/N] finds himself pulled deeper into the shadows of his past and the chaos of the coming war. Whispers follow him through the corridors. His connection to the Dark Lord grows stronger. And Pansy Parkinson? She’s still as infuriating as ever… and harder to stay away from than he expected.Secrets are unraveling. Loyalties are shifting. And survival isn't about staying hidden anymore.It’s about deciding who he’s willing to become.
        Contents: Chapter 8: A Reckoning in Green
    

    


      
        
          
          (See the end of the chapter for  notes.)
          
      
  

  
  
    
    “Don’t tell your mother you’ve been gambling,” Mr. Weasley implored Fred and George as everyone made their way down the purple carpeted stairs.“Don’t worry, Dad,” said Fred gleefully, “we’ve got big plans for this money. We don’t want it confiscated.”Mr. Weasley looked for a moment as though he was going to ask what these big plans were, but seemed to decide, upon reflection, that he didn’t want to know.They were soon caught up in the crowds now flooding out of the stadium and back to their campsites. Raucous singing was borne toward them on the night air as they retraced their steps along the lantern-lit path, and leprechauns kept shooting over their heads, cackling and waving their lanterns. When they finally reached the tents, nobody felt like sleeping at all, and given the level of noise around them, Mr. Weasley agreed that they could all have one last cup of cocoa together before turning in. They were soon arguing enjoyably about the match; Mr. Weasley got drawn into a disagreement about cobbing with Charlie, and it was only when Ginny fell asleep right at the tiny table and spilled hot chocolate all over the floor that Mr. Weasley called a halt to the verbal replays and insisted that everyone go to bed. Hermione and Ginny went into the next tent, and Y/N, Harry and the rest of the Weasleys changed into pajamas and clambered into their bunks. From the other side of the campsite they could still hear much singing and the odd echoing bang.“Oh I am glad I’m not on duty,” muttered Mr. Weasley sleepily. “I wouldn’t fancy having to go and tell the Irish they’ve got to stop celebrating.”That night, Y/N lay wide awake, eyes stuck on the slats of Fred’s bunk above his. He thought about Pansy, and Barty Crouch—both of them—, and all that rubbish that Lupin and Dumbledore had come to his house to tell him about, and that letter that McGonacgall had sent him about meeting with Dumbledore when he got to Hogwarts. Eventually though, sleep was able to find him, and it dragged him down into its abyss as it always did, and consciousness came far too fast.“Get up! Ron — Harry — Y/N — come on now, get up, this is urgent!”Y/N watched Harry jolt up and smash his head off of the bunk above him. Luckily for Y/N, seeing this meant that he was able to avoid doing it himself.Dimly, he could tell that something was wrong. The noises in the campsite had changed. The singing had stopped. Y/N could make out the sound of panicked screams and the hurried thumping of footsteps. Y/N began to put his clothes on, to which Mr. Weasley grabbed his wrist, exclaiming that there wasn’t enough time.Y/N threw a jacket on and followed the group outside. By the light of the few fires that were still burning, he could see people running away into the woods, fleeing something that was moving across the field toward them, something that was emitting odd flashes of light and noises like gunfire. Loud jeering, roars of laughter, and drunken yells were drifting toward them; then came a burst of strong green light, which illuminated the scene. The curiosity was replaced with alarm, then terror, when his eyes got sight of what was in front of him.It was a crowd of wizards, gliding like a single creature across the field, their wands pointed to the sky, faces masked and hooded. The tremor pressed into Y/N’s bones before he could stop it. The disguises did next to nothing to stop Y/N from recognizing the dark wizards. He knew them.
  
    The masks. The robes. The proud, lazy cruelty in their gait. Every inch of them was etched into the back of his skull.
  

  
    He froze, breath catching as though someone had yanked all the air from the night.
  

  
    Above the masked crowd, four limp bodies floated in the air — Muggles. He could see them being twisted and contorted like rag dolls. One of them — a child — spun grotesquely, his arms flailing like a broken marionette.
  

  
    “No… no, no, no…” Y/N’s voice came out in a cracked whisper, barely audible over the jeers
  

  
    The sickening laughter from the crowd erupted again. One of the figures below flicked their wand, and the Muggle woman flipped upside down, her nightdress falling over her face as dozens of wands shot sparks in amusement. Her limbs thrashed helplessly.
  

  
    Y/N’s vision blurred. The sounds around him distorted — like he was underwater.
  

  
    His knees buckled.
  

  
    Y/N!” Hermione’s voice cut through the fog. She dropped beside him, reaching—
  

  
    “Don’t touch me—don’t—” he gasped, jerking away, but his limbs wouldn’t obey. He collapsed backwards into the grass
  

  
    “Bl@@dy hell,” Ron whispered, dropping beside him. “What’s happening to him?”
  

  
    Harry knelt quickly, pulling his coat tighter around his shoulders. His hand hovered, unsure whether to touch him or not.
  

  
    More screams echoed across the field.
  

  
    Mr. Weasley’s voice boomed from behind. “We’re going to help the Ministry! You lot — get into the woods, now! Stick together!”
  

  
    Bill, Charlie, and Percy were already sprinting toward the Death Eaters, wands out, sleeves rolled up. Mr. Weasley followed, wand lit, face grim with determination.
  

  
    The masked figures continued their march, growing closer, their twisted puppets floating above them. Fires burned behind them like a trail of desecration.
  

  
    Fred grabbed Ginny’s hand. “C’mon, let’s go.”
  

  
    “Come on,” Hermione urged, tugging at Y/N’s arm. “Please — we have to get away from here!”
  

  
    Y/N flinched at her touch but didn’t resist.
  

  
    Ron and Hermione each took an arm, pulling him to his feet as Fred and George helped cover them. They stumbled toward the woods, tripping over roots and scorched grass.
  

  
    Y/N’s legs moved, but his mind stayed behind.
  

  
    He couldn’t shake the image — the masks, the gleeful cruelty, the Muggle boy spinning in the air like he had once spun, screaming how he had once screamed, tormented by magic he didn’t understand, under the gaze of laughing monsters.
  

  
    And for the first time in a long time, he realized how close they still were.
  

  
    Even in the open, surrounded by friends, surrounded by magic meant to protect — he could still feel them breathing down his neck.
  

  
    He didn’t say a word until they were deep in the trees.
  

  
    The forest swallowed them.
  

  
    Branches clawed at their faces. The underbrush cracked beneath their feet. Moonlight flickered through the canopy in jittery fragments. They ran in silence, save for the thundering of their breath and the distant screaming behind them.
  

  
    Y/N pushed himself forward, legs trembling beneath him. Each step felt like dragging chains. But he didn’t stop. Couldn’t stop.
  

  
    They reached a clearing, panting and disoriented
  

  
    “What happened?” said Hermione anxiously, stopping so abruptly that Harry walked into her. “Ron, where are you? Oh this is stupid — lumos!”
  

  
    She illuminated her wand and directed its narrow beam across the path. Ron was lying sprawled on the ground.
  

  
    “Tripped over a tree root,” he said angrily, getting to his feet again.
  

  
    “Well, with feet that size, hard not to,” said a drawling voice from behind them.
  

  
    Harry, Ron, Y/N and Hermione turned sharply. Draco Malfoy was standing alone nearby, leaning against a tree, looking utterly relaxed. His arms folded, he seemed to have been watching the scene at the campsite through a gap in the trees.Ron told Malfoy to do something that Y/N knew he would never have dared say in front of Mrs. Weasley.
  

  
    “Language, Weasley,” said Malfoy, his pale eyes glittering. “Hadn’t you better be hurrying along now? Wouldn’t want one of them getting spotted, would you?
  

  
    
      
        He nodded at Hermione and Y/N, and at the same moment, a blast like a bomb sounded from the campsite, and a flash of green light momentarily lit the trees around them.
      
    
  

  
    
      
        “What’s that supposed to mean?” said Hermione defiantly.
      
    
  

  
    
      
        “Granger, they’re after Muggles,” said Malfoy. “D’you want to be showing off your knickers in midair? Because if you do, hang around ... they’re moving this way, and it would give us all a laugh.”
      
    
  

  
    
      
        “Hermione’s a witch,” Harry snarled.
      
    
  

  
    
      
        Malfoy scoffed. “Sure, she is, Potter.” He looked at all four of them, his face portraying a ridiculous level of condescension. “Lord, look at you lot. You’ve got Scarhead, the Charity Case, and two Mudbloods who think they belong.”
      
    
  

  
    
      
        “Shut your mouth,” Ron snapped.
      
    
  

  
    
      
        But Malfoy wasn’t done.
      
    
  

  
    
      
        “Careful, Weasley. You wouldn’t want L/N to snap, would you?” he nodded to Y/N, “He already looks ready to p@ss himself after that little puppet show back at the tents.”
      
    
  

  
    
      
        Y/N froze.
      
    
  

  
    
      
        Malfoy grinned wider.
      
    
  

  
    
      
        “What’s the matter? Reminded you of home? Or maybe your little Muggle family doing the air dance would’ve fit right in with the rest of the entertainment.”
      
    
  

  
    
      
        Y/N lunged.
      
    
  

  
    
      
        Before anyone could stop him, he tackled Malfoy to the ground.
      
    
  

  
    
      
        Draco hit the dirt hard with a surprised grunt, but Y/N was already on top of him, one fist buried in the front of Malfoy’s robes, the other slamming into his jaw.
      
    
  

  
    
      
        “Say it again,” Y/N hissed through clenched teeth. “Say it again!”
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            Malfoy choked, trying to shove him off — but Y/N’s knee pressed into his chest. His hand rose again, fist clenched — and for a second, the mask of control was completely gone. All the horror. All the pain. It burst out of him like fire from a broken wand.
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            His hands found purchase on the collar of his robes, fisting them as he pressed down hard into his throat.
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                “Y/N, stop—!” Hermione cried.
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                Harry grabbed Y/N’s shoulders and yanked him off just as Ron stepped in and dragged Malfoy up by the collar, holding him back.
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                Draco staggered, panting, eyes wide with pain and fear.
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                “You’ve lost it,” he hissed. “You’re mental—”
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                Y/N clenched his hands into trembling fists, feeling the ache in his own knuckles, still shaking.
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                “Go run to Daddy, Malfoy,” he spat, voice dripping with all the venom he could muster. “Tell him what the  Mudblood  did to you.”
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    Draco stared at them for a second, trembling, then turned and fled into the trees.
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    There was a long silence.
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    Hermione looked stunned. Ron looked like Christmas had come early. Harry just exhaled.
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    “…I mean,” Ron said slowly, “I was going to hit him, but bl@@dy hell.”
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        Harry nodded, his voice gruff. “About time somebody roughed him up.”
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        Hermione, face still flushed from anger, smiled at Y/N. “You did good, Y/N. Thank you. Just don’t do something like that again. Especially not to Malfoy, he could get you in lots of trouble.”
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        “Nothing he can take was ever worth keeping anyway,” he muttered.
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        “Let’s go,” Hermione repeated, pulling Harry and Ron up the path again. Y/N followed close behind, still glancing back toward the rising smoke.
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        “I’ll bet you anything his dad is one of that masked lot!” Ron said hotly.
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        “With any luck, the Ministry will catch him,” said Hermione fervently. “I can’t believe this is happening. Where’ve the others gone?”
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        Fred, George, and Ginny were nowhere to be seen, though the path was swarming with people—most of them in pajamas, some barefoot, all looking anxious and whispering as they glanced back toward the chaos at the campsite.
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        A huddle of teenagers a little way ahead was arguing in rapid French. One of the girls, tall with thick dark curls and dramatic cheekbones, turned as they approached.
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        “Où est Madame Maxime? Nous l’avons perdue —”
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        “Er — what?” Ron blinked.
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        “Oh—” The girl frowned and turned away dismissively, muttering something under her breath. As they passed, she said to her friends, “’Ogwarts.”
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        “Beauxbatons,” Hermione muttered.
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        “Sorry?” Harry asked.
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        “They must go to Beauxbatons Academy of Magic,” Hermione explained. “I read about it in An Appraisal of Magical Education in Europe.”
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        But before they moved on, Y/N slowed beside the French girl. He cleared his throat and said, in hesitant but confident French, “Excusez-moi. Vous cherchez Madame Maxime? Nous ne l’avons pas vue, désolé.”
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        The girl’s eyes lit up with surprise—and amusement. “Ton accent est mignon. Tu es Canadien?”
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        Y/N smiled sheepishly. “Ouais. Le français est… mon deuxième langue.” He gave an apologetic shrug.
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        She laughed softly. “C’est charmant. Tu parles mieux que certains garçons français.”
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        “Merci, mais je crois que tu es gentille avec moi,” he said, grinning.
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        The girl giggled, and turned away from him, red in the face as she turned to her friends.
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        Hermione turned her head, frowning slightly but amused. “I didn’t know you spoke French, Y/N.”
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        He shrugged. “My Ma insisted. You can’t avoid French in Canada.”
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        Ron glanced at them, eyebrows raised. “Well, whatever you said, you definitely made her happy.”
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        Harry, curious, titled his head at Y/N. “What did you say to her?”
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            Before he could answer, Hermione cut in—
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            “It doesn’t matter, we don’t have time for this,” Hermione muttered, continuing to walk.
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            Ron squinted up the path, wand out, casting a faint beam of light. “Fred and George can’t have gone that far.”
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            Harry patted his pockets and frowned. “Wait—where’s my wand?”
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            Y/N stepped forward, eyes wide. “You lost it?”
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            “No, no way,” Harry muttered, pulling out his Omnioculars instead. “I’ve lost my wand!”
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            Ron’s mouth dropped open. “You’re kidding!”
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            Hermione raised her wand to spread a wider beam of light on the ground. Harry and Y/N scanned the underbrush and shadows.
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            “Maybe it’s back in the tent,” Ron suggested.
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            “Or it could’ve fallen when we were running,” Hermione added anxiously.
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            “Yeah, maybe…” Harry’s voice trailed off. Without his wand, he felt exposed in the middle of all this.
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            Suddenly, a rustling noise nearby made them all jump.
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            Winky, the house-elf, burst clumsily out of the bushes, struggling as if invisible hands were trying to hold her back.
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            “There’s bad wizards about!” she squeaked frantically. “People high—high in the air! Winky must get away!”
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            She darted past them, panting and squeaking, fighting the unseen force as she disappeared into the trees.
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            “What’s wrong with her?” Ron asked, watching the odd movements.
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            “Bet she didn’t ask for permission to run.” Harry guessed.
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            “House-elves get a raw deal,” Hermione said sharply. “Slavery. That Mr. Crouch made her go to the top of the stadium. She was terrified. And now she’s bewitched so she can’t even run. Why doesn’t anyone do something?”
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            Ron snorted. “Well, the elves seem happy enough. Winky told us at the match—‘House-elves is not supposed to have fun.’ They like being bossed around.”
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            “That’s exactly the problem,” Hermione said hotly. “People like you, Ron, who just shrug and accept it.”
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            Y/N looked between them and added quietly, “It’s awful. No one should be treated like that, magical or not.”
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            Another loud bang echoed from the woods.
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            “Let’s keep moving,” Ron said, glancing nervously at Hermione, who was still bristling.
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            They pressed deeper into the woods, eyes sharp for Fred, George, and Ginny. Passing a group of goblins cackling over a sack of gold won betting on the match, they kept going.
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            Eventually, they entered a patch of silvery light filtering through the trees. Three tall, stunning veela stood in a clearing, surrounded by a noisy gaggle of young wizards shouting boastful claims.
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            “I pull down about a hundred sacks of Galleons a year!” one shouted. “I’m a dragon killer for the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures!”
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            “No, you’re not!” another yelled back. “You’re a dishwasher at the Leaky Cauldron! But I’m a vampire hunter, killed about ninety so far—”
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            A third, pimply-faced wizard cut in loudly, “I’m about to become the youngest ever Minister of Magic!”
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            Harry chuckled. “That’s Stan Shunpike. He drives the Knight Bus.”
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            He turned to tell Ron, but Ron’s face had gone slack, and then suddenly he yelled, “Did I tell you I’ve invented a broomstick that’ll reach Jupiter?”
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            Hermione and Harry exchanged a look, then grabbed Ron’s arms firmly and steered him away, laughing as his boast faded into the distance. Y/N trailed, also laughing. “Hell, I’m gonna tell her I built my entire village out of ice back in Canada.”
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            They reached the heart of the woods; the noises died away. Everything was quiet.
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            Harry scanned the trees. “We can just wait here. Anyone coming will make plenty of noise.”
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            Before the words left his mouth, Ludo Bagman emerged from behind a tree.
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            Even in the faint wand-light, Y/N saw the change: Bagman looked pale, strained, no longer rosy and buoyant.
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            “Who’s that?” Y/N whispered.
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            Bagman blinked, trying to focus on their faces. “What are you lot doing out here, all alone?”
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            Ron explained quickly, “There’s a riot at the campsite. Some people have got hold of a family of Muggles…”
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            Bagman swore loudly. “D@mn them!” before disapparating with a small pop!
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “Not exactly on top of things, Mr. Bagman, is he?” said Hermione, frowning.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “He was a great Beater, though,” said Ron, leading the way off the path into a small clearing and sitting down on a patch of dry grass at the foot of a tree. “The Wimbourne Wasps won the league three times in a row while he was with them.”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                He took his small figure of Krum out of his pocket, set it down on the ground, and watched it walk around. Like the real Krum, the model was slightly duck-footed and round-shouldered, much less impressive on his splayed feet than on his broomstick. Y/N was listening for noise from the campsite. Everything seemed much quieter now.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “I hope the others are okay,” said Hermione after a while.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “They’ll be fine,” said Ron.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “Imagine if your dad catches Lucius Malfoy,” said Harry, sitting next to Ron. “He’s always said he’d love to get something on him.”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “That’d wipe the smirk off old Draco’s face, all right,” said Ron.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “Those poor Muggles, though,” Hermione added nervously. “What if they can’t get them down?”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “They will,” Ron reassured her. “They’ve got the whole Ministry out there.”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “Still real gutsy to do something like that, with so many Aurors around,” Y/N muttered, his back against a tree trunk, arms crossed. “You’d have to be drunk or unbelievably arrogant.”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                Hermione nodded. “Or both.”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                Y/N’s jaw tensed. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Crouch Sr. tries to sweep this under the rug.”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                Ron looked up. “You really hate that bloke, don’t you?”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                Y/N didn’t answer immediately. Then: “How could I not?”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                But Hermione broke off abruptly, her head snapping around. A rustling, uneven footfall was coming toward them from the darkness.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                They froze, listening as the steps halted just behind the thick trees.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “Hello?” Harry called.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                Silence.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                Harry got to his feet, peering into the gloom. “Who’s there?”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                Then, without warning, a sharp voice split the air.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “MORSMORDRE!”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                Something vast and glittering shot out of the dark. It soared up past the trees—an enormous emerald skull, with a serpent emerging from its mouth, glowing hideously against the night sky.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “What the — ?” gasped Ron, leaping up.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “Oh goodness,” breathed Hermione.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                Y/N was already on his feet, wand drawn. “What—what is that?”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                The woods around them erupted with screams.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “Harry, move! That’s You-Know-Who’s signal!” Hermione seized his arm and dragged him backward.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                Harry staggered. “Voldemorts—“
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “Yes!” she cried. “We need to get out of here!”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                They turned to run, but a loud crack crack crack filled the air—twenty Ministry wizards had Apparated around them in a flash of blinding light.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                Every wand was aimed directly at them.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                Harry shouted, “DUCK!”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                They all hit the ground just as twenty voices bellowed, “STUPEFY!”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                Crimson bolts shot in every direction—crashing into trees, slicing through brush—
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                One hit Y/N directly in the side.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “AH—!”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                Y/N’s body jerked violently as he collapsed, stunned, onto the forest floor, smoke curling from his robes.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                Y/N!” Hermione shrieked.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                Ron started to crawl toward him, but more jets of red light scorched the ground inches from his feet
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “STOP! THAT’S MY SON!” Arthur Weasley’s voice thundered.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                The storm of spells stopped abruptly. Mr. Weasley began pushing through the crowd of stunned wizards, pale-faced.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “Ron—Harry—Hermione—Y/N—are you all right?”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                Ron looked horrified. “Bl@@dy hell, he wasn’t even doing anything!”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “Out of the way, Arthur,” said a cold, sharp voice.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                Mr. Crouch stepped forward, wand raised, eyes bulging.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “Which of you conjured the Mark?” he barked. “Speak!”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “We didn’t do anything!” Harry said, pointing up at the sky.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “Are you mad?” Ron said angrily. “We just saw it too! And you lot attacked us!”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “Do not lie, sir!” Mr. Crouch snapped, jabbing his wand threateningly. His eyes narrowed at Hermione. “You. You knew the incantation. ‘Morsmordre,’ was it? Convenient that you’d recognize it.”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                Hermione flushed, incensed. “Yes, because I read! That doesn’t mean I cast it!”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “Where did the voice come from?” Mr. Weasley asked, trying to calm the tension.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “Behind the trees, there,” Hermione said quickly, pointing. “We heard someone—he said the spell—then disappeared.”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                Mr. Crouch turned on her. “So well informed about Dark spells, aren’t you? How very interesting…”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “Oh, come off it,” Ron snapped. “She’s the last person who’d conjure that thing.”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                Several of the other Ministry wizards seemed to agree; many were now turning their wands toward the trees, squinting suspiciously.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                Y/N stirred on the ground, groaning faintly. Hermione leaned over him.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “He’s waking up—thank Merlin…”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                Y/N’s eyes opened slowly. He winced and coughed, trying to sit up. “What the hell… was that for?”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “You were hit by a Stunner,” Hermione said softly. “One of theirs.”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                Y/N turned his head, glaring up at Mr. Crouch, who was still scouring them with suspicion. “Figures,” he rasped. “You’d love to pin this on me, wouldn’t you?”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “Hold your tongue—” Mr. Crouch began.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “I won’t,” Y/N snapped, struggling to his feet with Hermione’s help. “Not after what your son did to me.”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                A ripple of tension passed through the circle. Several Ministry wizards looked between Crouch and Y/N with growing interest.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                Mr. Crouch’s face had gone completely rigid. “This is neither the time nor place—”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                “No,” said Y/N, eyes burning. “Of course not. You Ministry types are always looking for the most convenient scapegoat. Bet his son probably conjured it and he’s acting oblivious.”
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                Hm. So he is aware that his son tortures ten year old children. Good to know.
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    Harry stepped protectively beside him. “We didn’t conjure anything. Someone else did.”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “And they’re still out there,” Hermione added.
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    Mr. Weasley gave a short, tense nod. “Then we’d better start looking before they vanish completely.”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    Mr. Crouch, however, didn’t move. He stared at Y/N for another long second… then turned sharply and stalked toward the trees.
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “We’re too late,” said the witch in the woolen dressing gown, shaking her head. “They’ll have Disapparated.”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “I don’t think so,” said a wizard with a scrubby brown beard. It was Amos Diggory, Cedric’s father. “Our Stunners went right through those trees. There’s a good chance we got them…”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “Amos, be careful!” said a few of the wizards warningly as Mr. Diggory squared his shoulders, raised his wand, and marched into the darkness.
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    Y/N stood nearby, his jaw clenched. Hermione had her hands over her mouth.
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    A few seconds later, they heard Mr. Diggory shout.
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “Yes! We got them! There’s someone here! Unconscious! It’s — but — blimey…”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “You’ve got someone?” shouted Mr. Crouch, sounding highly disbelieving. “Who? Who is it?”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    Snapping twigs, rustling leaves, and then crunching footsteps followed as Mr. Diggory emerged carrying a small, limp figure in his arms. Y/N recognized the tea towel immediately.
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “Winky,” he murmured.
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    Mr. Crouch did not move or speak as the elf was laid at his feet. The rest of the Ministry wizards stared. Mr. Crouch remained frozen, his eyes blazing in his pale face — and then he strode past Diggory and plunged into the trees.
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “No point, Mr. Crouch,” Diggory called after him. “There’s no one else there.”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    But Mr. Crouch ignored him, his movements audible in the rustling leaves.
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “Bit embarrassing,” Mr. Diggory said grimly, glancing at Winky. “Barty Crouch’s house-elf… I mean to say…”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “Come off it, Amos,” said Mr. Weasley quietly. “You don’t seriously think it was the elf? The Dark Mark’s a wizard’s sign. It requires a wand.”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “Yeah,” said Mr. Diggory. “And she had a wand.”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “What?” said Mr. Weasley.
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “Here, look.” Diggory held up a wand. “Had it in her hand. Clause three of the Code of Wand Use broken, for a start.”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    Another pop. Ludo Bagman Apparated right beside them.
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “The Dark Mark!” he panted. “Who did it? Did you get them? Barty! What’s going on—gulping gargoyles!”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    He’d just spotted Winky.
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “I have been busy, Ludo,” said Mr. Crouch, his lips barely moving. “And my elf has been stunned.”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “Stunned? By you lot? But why—?”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “Winky? Conjure the Dark Mark?” Bagman looked around. “She’d need a wand for a start!”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “And she had one,” said Mr. Diggory. “I think we should hear what she’s got to say.”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    He pointed his wand at Winky. “Rennervate!”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    The elf stirred, sat up shakily, caught sight of the skull in the sky, and burst into terrified sobs.
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “Elf!” barked Diggory. “Do you know who I am? I’m with the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. The Dark Mark was conjured, and you were found beneath it. Explanation, now.”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “I—I—I is not doing it, sir!” Winky gasped.
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “You were found with a wand in your hand!”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “Hey — that’s mine!” said Harry, eyes narrowing at the wand.
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “Excuse me?” Diggory said incredulously.
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “I dropped it earlier!”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “You dropped it?” Diggory’s tone sharpened. “Is this a confession?”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “Think who you’re talking to!” said Mr. Weasley angrily. “Is Harry Potter likely to conjure the Dark Mark?”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “Of course not,” mumbled Diggory. “Sorry…”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “I didn’t drop it there, anyway,” Harry added. “I lost it when we got into the woods.”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “So,” said Diggory, rounding on Winky, “you found the wand and thought you’d have some fun?”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “I is not doing magic, sir!” Winky sobbed. “I is just picking it up!”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “It wasn’t her,” said Hermione, nervous but firm. “The voice doing the spell was deep — not squeaky.”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “Yeah,” said Harry. “Definitely a human.”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “Human voice,” agreed Ron.
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “Well, we’ll soon see,” said Diggory. “There’s a simple way to check.”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    He touched the wands together. “Prior Incantato!”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    A ghostly skull burst forth.
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “Deletrius!”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “So,” said Diggory, eyes gleaming triumphantly. “Caught red-handed.”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “I is not knowing how!” wailed Winky. “I is a good elf!”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “Amos,” Mr. Weasley interjected. “Think about it. How many people even know that spell?”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “Perhaps Amos is suggesting,” said Mr. Crouch, his voice suddenly sharp with cold fury, “that I routinely teach my servants to conjure the Dark Mark?”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    A heavy silence fell.
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “Mr. Crouch — not — not at all—” stammered Diggory.
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “You’re accusing the two people least likely to do it,” Crouch barked. “Harry Potter — and myself!”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “Of course — everyone knows—”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “And I trust my record against the Dark Arts is well remembered?”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “No one’s questioning that—” Diggory began.
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    Y/N finally stepped forward, his voice cutting through the tension.
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    Y/N, who had been standing slightly behind Hermione, stepped forward sharply.
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “Bit strange, though, isn’t it?” he said, his voice steady but sharp. “Your son knows how.”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    The clearing turned colder, somehow, as all eyes turned on Y/N.
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    Mr. Crouch froze mid-breath. His expression remained carved in ice, but a tic twitched along his jawline. “I beg your pardon?” he asked, the words clipped, venomous.
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    Y/N didn’t flinch. “I said—your son knows how to conjure it. Barty Crouch Jr. A Death Eater. I read the trials.”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    A few gasps rippled through the gathering of Ministry officials. Even Mr. Weasley turned his head toward Y/N, eyebrows lifted.
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    “Y/N—” Mr. Weasley began warningly.
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    But Y/N didn’t back down. “It’s just a fact,” he said, eyes still fixed on Crouch. “If you’re asking where a house-elf could’ve learned a spell like that… well, if Winky was ever near him…”
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        “That is enough,” Mr. Crouch snapped. The temperature of his voice dropped several degrees. “My son is dead.
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        But Y/N knew that wasn’t true. Lupin and Dumbledore told him so. Y/N glared at him, a sharp, piercing gaze that said ‘I know you don’t believe that’. Mr. Diggory was visibly rattled, looking from Y/N to Mr. Crouch.
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            “Perhaps we should listen to the elf. Winky?” Mr. Weasley prompted gently.
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            “I — I is finding it… in the trees, sir…” she whispered.
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            “You see?” said Mr. Weasley. “Whoever conjured it Disapparated and left the wand. Winky found it by accident.”
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            “But then she was right near the culprit!” Diggory pressed. “Elf? Did you see anyone?”
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            “I is seeing no one, sir… no one…”
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            “Amos,” said Mr. Crouch curtly. “Ordinarily, I know you’d want to question her yourself. But I ask you to leave her to me.”
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            Diggory hesitated, clearly unhappy.
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            Y/N said nothing more, but his gaze didn’t move from Crouch — and Crouch, though he said nothing, refused to look back.
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            “You may rest assured that she will be punished,” Mr. Crouch added coldly.
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            “M-m-master...” Winky stammered, looking up at Mr. Crouch, her eyes brimming with tears. “M-m-master, p-p- please...”
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            Mr. Crouch stared back, his face somehow sharpened, each line upon it more deeply etched. There was no pity in his gaze.
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            “Winky has behaved tonight in a manner I would not have believed possible,” he said slowly. “I told her to remain in the tent. I told her to stay there while I went to sort out the trouble. And I find that she disobeyed me. This means clothes.”
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            “No!” shrieked Winky, prostrating herself at Mr. Crouch’s feet. “No, master! Not clothes, not clothes!”
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            Y/N felt like he was missing something. He leaned towards Ron. “Clothes?” he whispered. “Why’s she bent out of shape over getting something to wear?”
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            Ron whispered back, “If you give a house-elf clothes it means they’re free. She doesn’t wanna be free, they like being owned.”
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            “But she was frightened!” Hermione burst out angrily, glaring at Mr. Crouch. “Your elf’s scared of heights, and those wizards in masks were levitating people! You can’t blame her for wanting to get out of their way!”
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            Mr. Crouch took a step backward, so Winky wasn’t touching him, regarding the elf with a look of repulsion, as if contact alone with the were an act of disrespect.
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            “I have no use for a house-elf who disobeys me,” he said coldly, looking over at Hermione. “I have no use for a servant who forgets what is due to her master, and to her master’s reputation.”
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            Y/N’s gaze sharpened, and his voice cut through the cold air, low but firm. “Your reputation, sir? I’d think a man whose son’s gone mad torturing children half to death might have more to worry about concerning his reputation than his elf’s obedience.”
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            Crouch’s eyes flicked to Y/N, the corner of his mouth twitching. For a heartbeat, the ice in his expression cracked, just barely. Then he snapped, “Mind your place, boy.”
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            Meanwhile, Winky was sobbing so hard that her sobs echoed around the clearing. There was a very nasty silence, which was ended by Mr. Weasley, who said quietly, “Well, I think I’ll take my lot back to the tent, if nobody’s got any objections. Amos, that wand’s told us all it can — if Harry could have it back, please —”
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            Mr. Diggory handed Harry his wand and Harry pocketed it.
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            “Come on, you four,” Mr. Weasley said quietly. But Hermione stayed rooted to her spot, eyes unmoving from the sight of the poor elf. “Hermione!” Mr. Weasley said, more urgently. She turned and followed Harry and Ron out of the clearing and off through the trees.
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            “What’s going to happen to Winky?” said Hermione, the moment they had left the clearing.
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            “I don’t know,” said Mr. Weasley.
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            “The way they were treating her!” Hermione fumed, kicking at a root as they trudged on. “Mr. Diggory, calling her ‘elf’ all the time… and Mr. Crouch! He knows she didn’t do it and he’s still going to sack her! He didn’t care how frightened she’d been, or how upset she was — it was like she wasn’t even human!”
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            “Well, she’s not,” said Ron.
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            Hermione spun around. “That doesn’t mean she hasn’t got feelings, Ron. It’s disgusting the way—”
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            “Hermione, I agree with you,” said Mr. Weasley quickly, motioning for them to keep walking. “But now’s not the time to discuss elf rights. I want to get back to the tent as fast as we can. What happened to the others?”
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            “We lost them in the dark,” said Ron. “Dad, why was everyone so uptight about that skull thing?”
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            “I’ll explain everything back at the tent,” said Mr. Weasley, his voice tight with urgency.
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            Y/N kept silent but tense, the image of Winky sobbing, Crouch’s stupid, condescending smirk still fresh in his head. His fists clenched in his pockets.
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                When they reached the edge of the woods, a crowd of frightened witches and wizards blocked their way, anxious and buzzing.
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                “What’s going on in there?”
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                “Who conjured it?”
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                “Arthur — it’s not — Him?”
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                “Of course it’s not Him,” Mr. Weasley snapped, his patience thin. “We don’t know who it was; it looks like they Disapparated. Now excuse me, please, I want to get to bed.”
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                He pushed through the gathering, leading them back into the campsite. The place was quiet now. A few smoking tents still stood as grim reminders of the riot.
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                Charlie’s head poked out of the boys’ tent. “Dad, what’s going on?” he called through the dark. “Fred, George, and Ginny got back okay, but the others—”
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                “I’ve got them here,” said Mr. Weasley, ducking into the tent. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Y/N followed.
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                Inside, the Weasley brothers looked battered. Bill had a sheet pressed to his bleeding arm. Charlie’s shirt was torn. Percy nursed a crooked, bloodied nose. Fred, George, and Ginny looked unhurt but pale.
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                “Did you get them, Dad?” said Bill, sharp and on-edge. “The person who conjured the Mark?”
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                “No,” said Mr. Weasley. “We found Barty Crouch’s elf holding Harry’s wand, but we’re none the wiser about who actually conjured the Mark.”
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                “What?” said Bill, Charlie, and Percy in unison.
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                “Harry’s wand?” said Fred, eyes wide.
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                “Mr. Crouch’s elf?” Percy echoed, stunned.
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                With help from the others, Mr. Weasley explained what had happened in the woods.
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                Y/N stood with his arms crossed near the tent flap, leaning against the pole, watching Percy’s reaction closely.
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                When the explanation ended, Percy puffed himself up like a toad in a Ministry robe.
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                “Well, Mr. Crouch is quite right to get rid of an elf like that!” he said stiffly. “Running away when he’d expressly told her not to… embarrassing him in front of the whole Ministry… how would that have looked, if she’d been brought up in front of the Department for the Regulation and Control—”
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                “She didn’t do anything — she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time!” Hermione snapped, surprising Percy, who had always assumed her an ally in logic.
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                “Hermione, a wizard in Mr. Crouch’s position can’t afford a house-elf who’s going to run amok with a wand!” Percy insisted, trying to recover his tone of authority.
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                “She didn’t run amok!” Hermione shouted. “She just picked it up off the ground!”
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                “She wasn’t even holding it right,” Y/N said flatly from the edge of the room. Everyone turned to him. “It was upside down in her hand. She didn’t even know how to use it, Percy.”
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                Percy gave him a stilted glance. “Regardless, public perception—”
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                “Oh, give it a rest,” Y/N muttered, cutting across him. “The only thing Winky did wrong was be loyal to a man who wouldn’t even bend down if she dropped dead at his feet.”
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                Fred let out a low whistle. Percy opened his mouth, then promptly closed it.
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                “Look, can someone just explain what that skull thing was?” Ron interrupted, clearly fed up. “It wasn’t hurting anyone… why’s it such a big deal?”
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                “I told you, it’s You-Know-Who’s symbol, Ron,” said Hermione, before anyone else could answer. “I read about it in The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts.”
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                “And it hasn’t been seen for thirteen years,” Mr. Weasley added quietly. “Of course people panicked… it was almost like seeing You-Know-Who back again.”
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                “I don’t get it,” said Ron, frowning. “I mean… it’s still only a shape in the sky…”
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                “Ron, You-Know-Who and his followers sent the Dark Mark into the air whenever they killed,” said Mr. Weasley. “The terror it inspired… you have no idea, you’re too young. Just picture coming home and finding the Dark Mark hovering over your house, and knowing what you’re about to find inside…”
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                Mr. Weasley winced.
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                Y/N stared at the ground, jaw clenched.
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                “Everyone’s worst fear…” Mr. Weasley went on. “The very worst…”
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                The tent fell into a heavy silence. The smell of blood and soot lingered in the air.
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                There was silence for a moment. Then Bill, removing the sheet from his arm to check on his cut, said, “Well, it didn’t help us tonight, whoever conjured it. It scared the Death Eaters away the moment they saw it. They all Disapparated before we’d got near enough to unmask any of them. We caught the Robertses before they hit the ground, though. They’re having their memories modified right now.”
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                “Death Eaters?” said Harry. “What are Death Eaters?”
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                “It’s what You-Know-Who’s supporters called themselves,” said Bill. “I think we saw what’s left of them tonight — the ones who managed to keep themselves out of Azkaban, anyway.”
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  So those were the people who hurt me. Good to know.
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                    “We can’t prove it was them, Bill,” said Mr. Weasley. “Though it probably was,” he added hopelessly.
                                                  
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                    “Yeah, I bet it was!” said Ron suddenly, sitting forward on his camp bed. “Dad, we met Draco Malfoy in the woods, and he as good as told us his dad was one of those nutters in masks! Said something disgusting about Muggles, real nasty. And Y/N—he just snapped.”
                                                  
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                    Ron turned to the others, eyes gleaming with the memory.
                                                  
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                    “He tackled Malfoy right to the ground. Full-on slugged him in the face, had him by the throat—it was mental. Malfoy didn’t know what hit him.”
                                                  
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                    Mr. Weasley looked mildly alarmed, but Ron pressed on.
                                                  
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                    “I mean, I was going to hit him myself, but Y/N just went for it. I’ve never seen Malfoy look that scared in my life.”
                                                  
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                    Harry nodded, his voice low. “He deserved it.”
                                                  
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                    Hermione looked torn between disapproval and admiration. “It was dangerous,” she murmured, “but… Malfoy did cross a line.”
                                                  
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                    Mr. Weasley sighed deeply and rubbed his face. “I can’t say I condone violence, but… knowing what that boy said, I can’t blame Y/N either.”
                                                  
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                    “But what were Voldemort’s supporters —” Harry began.
                                                  
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                    Everyone flinched. Like most of the wizarding world, the Weasleys avoided saying Voldemort’s name.
                                                  
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                    “Sorry,” said Harry quickly. “What were You-Know-Who’s supporters doing, levitating Muggles? I mean, what was the point?”
                                                  
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                    “The point?” said Mr. Weasley with a hollow laugh. “Harry, that’s their idea of fun. Half the Muggle killings back when You-Know-Who was in power were done for sport. I suppose they had a few drinks tonight and couldn’t resist reminding us all that lots of them are still at large. A nice little reunion for them,” he added with disgust.
                                                  
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                    “But if they were the Death Eaters, why did they Disapparate when they saw the Dark Mark?” asked Ron. “They’d have been pleased to see it, wouldn’t they?”
                                                  
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                    “Use your brains, Ron,” said Bill. “If they really were Death Eaters, they worked very hard to keep out of Azkaban when You-Know-Who lost power, and told all sorts of lies about him forcing them to kill and torture people. I bet they’d be even more frightened than the rest of us to see him come back. They denied they’d ever been involved with him when he lost his powers, and went back to their daily lives. … I don’t reckon he’d be over-pleased with them, do you?”
                                                  
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                    “So… whoever conjured the Dark Mark…” said Hermione slowly, “were they doing it to show support for the Death Eaters, or to scare them away?”
                                                  
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                    “Your guess is as good as ours, Hermione,” said Mr. Weasley. “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…. Listen, it’s very late, and if your mother hears what’s happened she’ll be worried sick. We’ll get a few more hours’ sleep and then try and get an early Portkey out of here.”
                                                  
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                    Y/N lay awake in his bunk, staring up at the dark edges of the bunk above his, every muscle still taut with rage and adrenaline. The image of the Dark Mark was burned behind his eyes — and below it, the screaming of the Muggle family still echoed in his ears.
                                                  
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                    He couldn’t stop seeing their faces.
                                                  
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                    He couldn’t stop hearing what Malfoy had said.
                                                  
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                    Even now, the scent of blood lingered at the back of his sinus—Charlie’s or Draco’s, he wasn’t sure. His fists ached, but he didn’t regret it. Not a single second. Malfoy had pushed him, and for once, he’d pushed back — hard.
                                                  
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                    But it hadn’t helped. Not really. Because the ones behind the masks were still out there.
                                                  
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                    The people who had taken everything from him.
                                                  
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                    He closed his eyes, but no sleep came. Just memories.
                                                  
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                    And rage.
                                                  
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                    And the hollow, burning feeling he couldn’t shake:
                                                  
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          
                            
                              
                                
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                        
                                          
                                            
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                    Something huge is coming.
                                                  
                                                
                                              
                                            
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

  
  

    
      
        
        
          ugh i cant wait for our guy to go to hogwarts :( big big plans coming soon for this fic, lots to look forward too!!!'
User: Whats Y/N and Pansy’s current relationship?
User: Whats Y/N and Pansy’s current relationship?
Assistant: