Chapter 344: Dark Wizards Parade, Dark Mark in the Sky
Ultimately, the Quidditch World Cup concluded with Ireland's victory.
The scoreboard displayed: Bulgaria 160, Ireland 170.
Krum, despite his nose being broken by a bludger and blood splattering, caught up to Ireland's Seeker, Lynch, and snatched the Golden Snitch at the last moment.
Although he won the duel between Seekers, his team lost the match.
There was nothing he could do; his teammates were too weak.
The other players on the Ireland team were far superior to those on the Bulgaria team, and if they dragged it out, the gap between the two teams would only widen, so he could only choose between a crushing defeat and a narrow loss.
The Ireland fans erupted in huge cheers, the Ireland team danced with joy, and the Goblins were ecstatic.
Krum left the field with a grim face for treatment, his six teammates were dejected, and the Veela regained their beautiful appearance but also seemed very unhappy.
The enormous Quidditch World Cup trophy was brought into the box, and Minister for Magic Fudge presented the awards, with the Ireland team receiving great honor.
Next, the Bulgaria team took the stage, shaking hands in turn with the Bulgaria Minister for Magic and Fudge.
Although they looked a bit disheveled, the audience's enthusiasm for them did not diminish; at least this match was much more exciting than previous ones.
"Let's go!" Adrian closed her notebook with satisfaction. "This match gave me a lot of inspiration."
"Sister, we still don't know why you're recording that stuff," Leon said, exasperated. "The rules are clearly written in the instruction manual."
"The rules on paper and the rules acceptable to the audience are two completely different things," Adrian said. "Besides, this has nothing to do with you, don't be nosy."
The Weasley brothers immediately sought out Ludo Bagman as soon as the match ended, extending their hands like Muggle debt collectors. "Our money."
"Oh, right, how much was I supposed to give you?" Bagmanasked hoarsely.
"Thirty-seven Galleons..."
"It's thirty-eight Galleons, George," Fred reminded him. "Plus Dad's one Galleon, and fifteen sickles and three knuts besides."
"This..." Ludo was momentarily bewildered. "Is it that much?"
"Of course not," George laughed. "This is our principal, but seeing as Mr. Bagman got us such good tickets, we don't want the winnings.
You offered us very high odds back then, so you'll save at least three hundred Galleons."
They were essentially laying it out: we just want our principal, and the rest counts as the ticket money, after which we'll be even.
Bagman hesitated for a moment, separated the Goblin gold in his pocket, and placed the real Galleons, sickles, and knuts into the brothers' hands.
"Arthur has two good children," Bagman sighed. "Also, a piece of advice: don't gamble with people casually in the future."
George and Fred exchanged glances upon seeing his earnest expression.
But inwardly, they admired Leon's judgment even more; if it weren't for his reminder, they would have suffered heavy losses, perhaps not even getting their principal back... After returning to the campsite, Adrian released several owls, sending out her compiled notes in the form of letters.
The night after the Quidditch World Cup became even more boisterous, with the lanterns of every tent still lit, and almost everyone enthusiastically discussing the match's events.
Just then, an unusual firelight suddenly appeared outside, and whooshing sounds continually traversed the campsite.
A group of Wizards wearing hoods and masks waved their wands, laughing maniacally like madmen, slowly advancing through the campsite.
Tents were set ablaze one after another, and confused Wizards fled in panic.
"Young Master..." Gines returned from outside. "It looks like Dark Wizards, and it's organized and premeditated; their ranks are constantly growing.
Also, they've taken the Roberts family hostage, and the Ministry of Magic members are somewhat hesitant to act."
"Uncle Gines, I must say, the spot we rented is really good," Leon said with an indifferent smile. "No matter which direction these people attack from, we'll have enough time to respond."
"Young Master Leon, this is not the time for jokes," Ginessaid, exasperated. "I think we should leave here as soon as possible."
"No need, it might be more dangerous outside," Aaron said, snapping his fingers and casting an illusion on the tent. The internal environment remained unchanged, but from the outside, it looked like a burnt ruin.
"This illusion magic is really good, but it's not quite enough," Leon sighed, then waved his wand, and golden runes formed a circle, enclosing the tent.
"This is the spell I'm most used to; both the fleeing Wizards and the Dark Wizards will subconsciously ignore this place."
"That won't fool a Wizard stronger than you."
"Isn't there still your illusion magic? I'm just adding an extra layer of security," Leon said casually, then looked at Adrian. "Sister, do you think any additions are needed?"
"No need," Adrian said calmly. "If we're discovered, just kill them all."
Hearing this, Aaron and Leon's hearts skipped a beat, and they both swallowed.
"But there are so many of them, we might not be able to defeat them!"
"Don't I know you?" Adrian rolled her eyes. "If you weren't confident, you would have run already. It's easier to fish in troubled waters by following the main group, isn't it?"
"That's true, but..."
"No 'buts.' Otto might help you set up a defensive barrier, but Klein focuses on offense. If we're discovered, I'll lead you out."
The two exchanged glances, then simultaneously looked at Gines.
"Don't look at me like that, I can't fight that many people."
"Hmph!" x 3.
That would only fool a three-year-old, but the three of them weren't ordinary people, not so easily fooled.
"Alright!" Gines shrugged. "Fighting is out of the question. If it were just me, it would be fine, but you're all here, and if anything unexpected happened, I would be solely to blame.
So... if we're discovered, I'll buy time, and you'll leave on Abey."
As his voice fell, Abey, who was dozing on the table, rubbed her dragon eyes blankly, then rolled over and continued to sleep.
"Isn't that inappropriate!" Aaron said with a wry smile.
"Young Master, I'm not joking. I can't risk your safety in the slightest."
"Alright! I respect your decision," Aaron shrugged. Abey had already grown to ten meters long, a qualified young dragon, and carrying the three of them away would be no problem at all.
If anyone was foolish enough to try and stop them, she would just sneeze; a Holy Dragon's morning temper is also terrifying... The environment inside and outside the tent was vastly different. Outside, flames soared and screams echoed, but inside, it was quiet and peaceful.
Aaron stroked the dragon, Leon read a book, and Adrian sat by the window, sipping tea and admiring the full moon outside, while only Gines stood guard vigilantly, afraid of being caught off guard by the Dark Wizards.
Fortunately, their disguise was very successful; almost all of the hundred thousand Wizards in the venue had fled, and the Dark Wizards hadn't discovered them.
Just then, an enormous green skull pattern appeared in the night sky, and a python emerged from the skull's empty eye sockets, letting out a terrifying hiss.
"The dark mark," Adrian frowned slightly. "After disappearing for more than ten years, it seems the Dark Lord has found a way to regain his strength."
"According to that, those people must be Death Eaters," Leon said. "I didn't expect Lord Voldemort to still be able to gather so many people to cause trouble at the Quidditch World Cup."
"It's normal," Aaron sighed. "Since he decided to return, he had to do it with some fanfare."
"Young Master," Gines said with a dark face, looking at Aaron disapprovingly. "You can't be so reckless in the future. This is very dangerous, truly very dangerous."
"Dangerous?" Aaron scoffed disdainfully. "Compared to what I went through last year, this is just a small-scale incident."
Hearing this, Gines's mouth twitched slightly. "Even so, one shouldn't underestimate any crisis."
"I understand, but with our lineup, getting out safely shouldn't be a problem.
After all, all four of us... can Apparate, can't we?"
"Harry."
"Harry, where are you?"
Ron and Hermione's voices came from outside, and the few people inside the tent all looked at Aaron.
It seems to be your friend; whether to go out and help is up to you.
Slap!
Aaron slapped his forehead in exasperation. "He's really unlucky; out of over a hundred thousand Wizards, he's the one who got lost.
Let's help him find his way; the Dark Wizards have all left, so there's no harm in going out now."
None of them raised any objections and walked out of the tent one after another.
Aaron gave Abey a look, and she immediately understood, sniffing the air for scents.
Following her for a few minutes, they found Harry Potterunconscious in an open space.
"Tsk!" Leon clicked his tongue, looking at a rotten log nearby and the footprints on Harry's body, calmly analyzing, "First he tripped, then... conservatively estimated, he was stepped on at least four times by people fleeing in a panic."
"Wake him up!" Adrian said impatiently. "What are you just standing there for?"
Aaron drew his wand and pointed it at Harry's face. "Aguamenti."
"Cough, cough!"
Cold water splashed on his face, and Harry groggily opened his eyes.
He looked at the familiar faces in front of him, and after a while, he stood up.
Before he could speak, Ron and Hermione rushed over. "Harry, we've been looking for you for ages, we thought we'd never find you!"
"Thanks," Harry said with relief, then looked at the green skull head with the python spewing from its mouth in the sky. "What's that?"
"The dark mark," Leon said, looking at Harry Potter with interest. "Harry Potter, I'm starting to wonder about your fate now; this will surely be very interesting."
Hearing this, Harry involuntarily shivered, feeling a burning pain from the scar on his head for no apparent reason.