"𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚜 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚊 𝚖𝚎𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚢."

𝔽𝕝𝕦𝕠𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕔𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝔸𝕕𝕠𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕔𝕖𝕟𝕥 - 𝔸𝕣𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕔 𝕄𝕠𝕟𝕜𝕖𝕪𝕤

"Watch your mouth Malfoy, or the next thing to come out of it will be your teeth,"

─── ∙ ~☾~ ∙ ───

Y/N felt as if she had barely slept before she was being shaken by Hermione to get dressed. 

"Hermione it's still dark outside," Y/N complained pulling the covers over her face. 

Hermione ripped them out of her hands and threw the covers off of both Ginny and Y/N making them both whimper at the sudden cold air. 

"Come on! Get dressed, we have to wake up the boys," Hermione ordered. She was already in the middle of getting dressed and as awake as ever.

"Your way too peppy at 5 am," Ginny whined rubbing her eyes. 

The three girls finished getting ready and made their way to the boy's room to wake them up. 

The room was still dark, with Harry and Ron in beds and Fred and George in a pile of blankets on the floor. 

Y/N walked over to Harry and shook him awake, making him stir awake.

"Y/N?" Harry asked groggily, feeling around for his glasses.

Y/N handed him his glasses and gave him a small smile before her attention was averted to Hermione and Ron already bickering early in the morning. 

"Wake up! Wake up Ronald!" she whisper shouted. 

"Bloody hell," Ron said pulling the covers over his chest like he had something to protect.

"What exactly are you covering Ron?" Y/N asked laughing. 

Ron scowled at her before laying right back down.

Y/N's smirking gaze was averted when Harry winced in pain holding onto his scar. 

"Is everything alright?" Y/N asked.

"Yeah," Harry lied, not wanting her to worry. "It just burns a bit."

Y/N traced her finger along his scar on his forehead delicately, "I promise I'm fine," he assured. 

Y/N didn't seem to believe him but got up from his bed and walked over to where Hermione was still yelling. 

"'S' time already?" Fred asked trying to adjust his eyes after Ginny whacked him with a pillow. 

"Honestly, get dressed," Hermione insisted turning away from Ron's bed to walk out the door. "and don't go back to sleep."

She then turned to see Ron with his eyes closed again. "Come on Ron!" Hermione demanded clapping her hands. "Your mother says breakfast is ready!"

Y/N and Harry both exchanged amused looks before Hermione was grabbing her arm and pulling her out of the boy's room. 

Ron rolled his eyes and let out a snore before setting down on his pillow again. 

Y/N, Ginny, and Hermione said good morning to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley as they walked into the kitchen. Mrs. Weasley was stirring something in a pot on the stove, while Mr. Weasley was counting tickets at the table. 

"Oh Good Morning dears," Mrs. Weasley smiled at them. 

"Morning," the three coursed back to them. 

Soon they heard the rumble of footsteps, and Ron, Fred, George, and Harry came into the kitchen dressed but puffy-eyed and sleepy. 

"Where's Bill and Charlie and Per-Per-Percy?" George asked taking a seat across from Y/N, failing to stop himself from yawning. 

"They're Apparating later, so they can sleep in," Mrs. Weasley said moving the pot she had been stirring onto the table and putting porridge in bowls. 

"No fair!" Fred said pouting. "So they're still asleep? Why can't we Apparate?"

"You aren't of age and you need to pass the test," Mrs. Weasley snapped. "Don't need to go splinching yourselves do you?"

"Splinching?" Harry asked taking a seat next to Y/N.

"Leaving half of yourself behind," Y/N said. "You're stuck, can't move either way."

"Some don't even bother with it because of that," Mr. Weasley said. "Many adult wizards don't even try."

Harry couldn't possibly see why someone would choose to Apparate if that was a risk, but nonetheless, Charlie, Bill, and Percy got to sleep in because of it. 

"Percy only passed two weeks ago," George said rolling his eyes. "He's been Apparating downstairs every morning just to prove he can do it."

After breakfast, and Mrs. Weasley using a summoning charm on George and Fred's clothes after finding them smuggling Ton-Tongue Toffee in their pockets and out of the house, Mrs. Wealsey gave Mr. Wealsley a kiss on the cheek but was still glowering at the twins. 

"Well, have a lovely time," Mrs. Weasley said, "and behave yourselves," she said, more specifically to George and Fred. 

The group waved goodbye to Mrs. Weasley and began their walk, however, Y/N and Harry didn't have the foggiest idea where they were going. 

The air was a bit chilly, and the moon was still shining. The horizon showed a dull hint that the sun was about to rise as they walked across the grassy area. 

Harry and Y/N stuck to the right of Mr. Weasley as he was leading the group. Fred, George, and Ron behind them, and Hermione, and Ginny walking closely behind the three boys. 

"Mr. Wealsey, how does everyone get there without the Muggles noticing?" Y/N asked from her spot next to Harry. 

"It's been a massive organizational problem," Mr. Wealsey explained. "The trouble is, about a hundred thousand wizards turn up at the World Cup, and we just haven't got a magical site big enough to accommodate them all. Imagine trying to pack a hundred thousand wizards into Diagon Alley or platform nine and three-quarters. So we had to find a nice deserted moor and set up as many anti-Muggle precautions as possible. First, we staggered the arrivals. People with cheaper tickets have to arrive two weeks beforehand. Some Apparate, of course, but we have to set up safe points for them to appear, well away from Muggles. I believe there's a handy wood they're using as the Apparition point. For those who don't want to Apparate, or can't, we use Portkeys."

"A Portkey?" Harry asked.

"They're objects that are used to transport wizards from one spot to another at a prearranged time. You can do large groups at a time if you need to. They're just ordinary objects that Muggles wouldn't pick up and play with you know. There have been two hundred Portkeys placed at strategic points around Britain, and the nearest one to us is up at the top of Stoatshead Hill, so that's where we're headed."

Their walk didn't stop after they exited a small village they passed through. Once they had finally reached Stoatshead Hill, they began to climb, trying to avoid small rabbit holes that caused many of them to trip. 

Y/N felt a sharp pain in her chest every time she took in a breath and wanted to kiss the ground when they were finally on level ground.

"Whew," Mr. Weasley panted. "Well, we've made good time — we've got ten minutes. . . ."

Y/N and Harry didn't have to be told twice before taking a seat next to each other trying to catch their breaths. 

"Now we just need the Portkey," Mr. Weasley said, making Y/N sigh as Harry got up and helped her off the ground so they could all use the last of their energy to find the portkey.

They were all searching until a voice caught their attention. 

"Over here, Arthur! Over here, son, we've got it!" A voice shouted.

"Amos!" Mr. Weasley shouted smiling. 

Y/N and Harry gave each other confused looks until they saw Mr. Weasley walk up to a man who had glasses and what resembled a golf hat on. He had a huge camping backpack placed on his back. He was holding an old boot in his right hand, waving it so Mr. Weasley could see. 

"This is Amos Diggory, everyone," Mr. Weasley introduced. "He works for the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."

Y/N and Harry both immediately recognized the last name but they both had completely different reactions to it. 

Harry hadn't known the Diggory's would be walking with them, and Harry still wasn't the biggest fan of Cedric after the Hufflepuff v.s Gryffindor game last year. Not to mention he was an extremely handsome Hufflepuff seeker who Ginny, Hermione, and Y/N seemed to swoon over.

Y/N however was just excited to see her friend. She didn't notice Harry's slightly scowling face as Cedric jumped down from a tree, landing perfectly next to his father. 

"This strapping young lad must be Cedric, am I right?" Mr. Weasley greeted holding out his hand which Cedric kindly shook. 

"Yes sir," Cedric said. He then turned to the group and greeted them with a smile. "Hi."

Fred, George, and Harry just gave him a nod, given they all still held a grudge. 

Fred, George, and Ron moved forward a bit while Hermione and Ginny gave Y/N a knowing look before moving with the rest of the group. 

Harry and Y/N were about to start walking before Amos said, "Merlin's beard! Your Harry Potter!"

"Er—yeah," Harry said not knowing fully what to say. 

"Ced's talked about you, of course," Amos said with a grin. "Told us all about playing against you last year...I said to him, I said—Ced, that'll be something to tell your grandchildren, that will... You beat Harry Potter!"

Harry remained silent not knowing exactly what to say while Cedric looked rather embarrassed.

"Harry fell off his broom, Dad," Cedric said, his cheeks going even more pink they already were. "I told you...it was an accident..."

"Yes, but you didn't fall off, did you?" Amos said giving Cedric a slap on the back. "Always modest, our Ced, always the gentleman...but the best man won, I'm sure Harry'd say the same, wouldn't you, eh? One falls off his broom, one stays on, you don't need to be a genius to tell which one's the better flier!"

Y/N's smile increased to a fake one as the blatant insults Amos was saying towards Harry kept coming, but she understood he was just proud of his son. 

Cedric, however, felt responsible for the awkward atmosphere his father was making. 

Amos tottered off to stand next to Mr. Weasley leaving the three of them in the back of everyone, for an awkward moment. 

"I'm sorry about my father," Cedric apologized shaking his head. 

Harry gave him an obviously fake smile before joining Ron who was standing a bit ahead of them. 

"Well hi Ced," Y/N greeted kindly, given the greetings he got from the boys were definitely not the friendliest. 

"Hey Y/N," Cedric sighed. "Are you at least happy to see me?"

"Not really," Y/N said sarcastically making him laugh. 

Harry turned around from his spot by Ron barely listening to Ron's rants about Viktor Krum, a Bulgarian seeker. He found himself growing jealous as he looked at Y/N and Cedric's smiling faces as they joined the rest of the group who were getting ready to leave by Portkey. 

"Are you even listening to me, Harry?" Ron asked snapping his fingers in Harry's face. 

"Oh yeah," Harry snapping his narrowing eyes from Cedric to Ron. "Krum's a terrible player."

"No, he's an amazing player!" Ron exclaimed rolling his eyes. "You haven't been listening!" 

"Do you know whether we're waiting for anymore, Amos?" Mr. Weasley asked.

"No, the Lovegoods have been there for a week already and the Fawcetts couldn't get tickets," Amos assured. 

"Yes, it's a minute off...We'd better get ready..." Mr. Weasley said looking at his watch. 

He then looked at Harry and Hermione who looked puzzled at what the group was doing. 

"You just need to touch the Portkey," Mr. Weasley explained. "One finger should do it."

The ten of them all crowded around the boot standing in a tight circle. 

Harry saw Cedric flash Y/N a smile in close proximity to each other, making Harry not even notice the dizzy state he was in until he felt himself jerk forward and his feet lifting off the ground. 

Y/N felt as though her hand was drawn to the boot, while she felt herself speeding and spinning as the howling wind beat against her face.

"Let go kids!" Mr. Wealsey shouted in the haze.

"What!" Hermione yelled. Again, definitely not a fan of magical flying. 

As soon as Y/N's grasp on the boot detached she felt herself flying backward until she was suddenly slammed on the ground. 

She tried to get up until she noticed Harry was in a pile on top of her too. 

"Sorry," Harry muttered flipping himself on his back to the side of her. 

Y/N propped herself up on her elbows to see Mr. Weasley, Mr. Diggory, and Cedric gliding down like they were walking on air, and landing perfectly on their two feet. 

(A/N: The WALK I can't! 😭)

Cedric held out a hand to help Y/N up, which she gladly took straightening her clothes after since she had collided dangerously with the ground. 

Cedric did the same for Harry, but Harry managed to get himself off the ground and walk back over to Ron. 

Cedric looked slightly hurt, as he turned around watching the rest of the group standing up. 

"Awww the Hufflepuff's feelings are hurt," Y/N teased. 

"Shove off Y/N," Cedric said playfully rolling his eyes and heading behind the group.

"No wait, let's talk about this!" Y/N continued to taunt. "Chosen boy Potter hurt your feelings."

Cedric playfully scowled at her as Y/N smiled at the successful teasing of her friend. 

After walking another twenty minutes, a gate came into view, and then hundreds and hundreds of tents filled the group's view in front of it. 

The group said goodbye to the Diggory's and then they approached a cottage door. 

Harry immediately noticed he was a muggle who was standing at the doorway. 

"Morning!" Mr. Weasley greeted cheerfully. 

"Morning," the Muggle ruffed. 

"Would you be Mr. Roberts?"

"Aye, I would," Mr. Roberts said. "And who're you?"

"Weasley...one tent, booked a couple of days ago?"

Mr. Roberts looked at the list that was on the door. "You've got a space by the wood there. Just the one night?"

"That's it," Mr. Weasley confirmed. 

"You'll be paying now then?" Mr. Roberts asked. 

"Ah—right—certainly—," Mr. Weasley said. He looked at Harry and gave him a helpless look. "Help me, Harry," he muttered pulling out Muggle money that was stuffed in his pockets. "This one's a—a—a ten? Ah yes, I see the little number on it now...So this is a five?"

"A twenty," Harry corrected him. 

"You foreign?" Mr. Roberts asked when Mr. Weasley finally gave him the correct amount. 

"Foreign?" Mr. Weasley repeated confused. 

"You're not the first one who's had trouble with money," Mr. Roberts said studying the group closely. "I had two try and pay me with great gold coins the size of hubcaps ten minutes ago."

"Is that right?" Mr. Weasley asked trying to not sound nervous. 

"Aye, people from all over. Loads of foreigners. And not just foreigners. Weirdos, you know? There's a bloke walking 'round in a kilt and a poncho. It's like some sort of...I dunno...like some sort of rally," Mr. Roberts said. "They all seem to know each other. Like a big party."

To Y/N's surprise, a wizard appeared directly to the right of her, making her jump back.

"Obliviate!"  The man said sharply, at Mr. Roberts who had seen the whole thing.

His eyes went blank, then in a dreamy haze. Harry and Ron looked at each other remembering the effects of the accidental memory charm Ron had put on their former Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor in Year 2. 

"A map of the campsite for you," Mr. Roberts said as nothing had happened. "And your change."

"Thank you very much," Mr. Weasley said.

The wizard that had apparated to clear the Muggle's memory had deep pockets under his eyes and had stubble on his chin. He went on a rant about how many Memory Charm's he's had to perform, and how a man named Ludo Bagman was not helping by screaming about Bludgers and Quaffles all morning. 

The man said goodbye quickly before Dispparating again. 

"Who's Ludo Bagman?" Y/N asked Ginny. 

"Head of Magical Games and Sports," Ginny said. "He should know better to talk about Bludgers near Muggles, shouldn't he?" Ginny then asked her father. 

"He should," Mr. Weasley said, "but he's always been a bit lax about security. He was the best Beater the Wimbourne Wasps ever had though."

They made their way through the crowds of people waving flags corresponding with the color of the team they were rooting for. Once they reached the edge of the wood at the top of the field there was a small sign hammered into the ground that read 'Weezley'.

"Couldn't have asked for a better spot!" Mr. Wealsey said happily. "The field is just on the other side of the wood there." 

He took his backpack off his shoulders and began giving instructions. "Right, no magic allowed strictly speaking, not when we're out in these numbers on Muggle land. We'll be putting this tent up by hand. Shouldn't be too difficult...Muggles do it all the time...Here, Harry, where do you reckon we start?"

Harry looked at Mr. Weasley with wide eyes, given he had never been camping in his life. When the Dursleys went on any holidays or vacations, he would be left with Mrs. Figg their old neighbor. 

"I'll help," Y/N volunteered, taking off her bag and setting it down. Y/N had been camping once at Ilvermorny, given the school was located in Mount Greylock in Massachusetts and had plenty of places to camp and their forests didn't have creepy creatures and living cars wandering around it. 

She helped Mr. Weasley with the poles and pegs, while Hermione read the directions for them. When it came time for the hammering part, Mr. Weasley got a little overexcited to use the mallet, but they ended up pitching one decent size tent. 

However, there was no way eight people were going to fit in a tent that looked like it would barely fit three people, not to mention when Bill, Charlie, and Percy got there, they were going to be eleven, 

"We'll be a bit cramped," Mr. Weasley called from inside the tent, "but I think we'll all squeeze in. Come and have a look."

Hermione looked just as confused as Harry was, but entered with Ginny after Ron. 

Y/N opened the flaps to reveal what looked like a three-room flat. It was decorated in an old fashion but it looked cozy nonetheless. It even had a bathroom and a kitchen. She turned around when she realized Harry wasn't following. 

"You coming Harold?" she smiled at him. 

Harry looked around stunned still in the doorway until Y/N grabbed his arm and pulled him in. 

"Ah excellent, excellent. Everyone choose a bunk and unpack," Mr. Weasley instructed. He then noticed Ron already looking for something to eat. "Ron get out of the kitchen we're all hungry."

"Yeah get out of the kitchen Ron!" Fred and George echoed. 

"Feet of the table!" Mr. Weasley scolded at the twins. 

"Feet of the table!" They chorused moving their feet off and on the table that was in the tent. 

"Stunned a bit their Harold?" Y/N asked smiling at Harry who was gaping at the inside of the tent. 

"I love magic," Harry smiled looking around again before giving a goofy smile at Y/N. 

"Choose a bunk and then —Harry, Y/N— Could you go get water after?" Mr. Weasley said. "He handed a kettle to Y/N. We'll get firewood. I've seen camping before and they usually cook on fire's outdoor right?"

Y/N smiled and nodded at how precious Mr. Weasley's excited face was. 

"We've got an oven," Ron protested. "Why can't we just—"

"Muggle Security!" Mr. Weasley said. "I've seen it! When you camp you light a fire!"

Mr. Wesley retired to his room in the back that had 2 bunk beds for when Bill, Charlie, and Percy arrived. 

"Want to share a bunk?" Harry asked. "Ron snores."

"I do not!" Ron yelled from across the room.

"Sure," Y/N laughed. "I'll take the top, given with your track record, you'd fall off."

"That little faith in me," Harry said pretending to be hurt. 

"Yeah," Y/N said moving her bag to the top bunk, then smiling at him. "That little faith in you."

After everyone got situated, Hermione and Harry grabbed saucepans while Y/N carried the kettle. Ron followed after them hoping he could find something to eat. 

As they continued to walk through the campsite the decorations on the tents changed became mostly emerald.

"Er — is it just my eyes, or has everything gone green?" Ron asked. 

There was a tent that had big shamrocks around it and hillocks sprouting around it. 

"Harry! Ron! Y/N! Hermione!" They heard a voice call in a thick Irish accent. 

Seamus Finnigan was sitting in front of one of the shamrock-covered tents, and he was sitting next to Dean Thomas, his best friend, and a woman who they assumed was his mother. 

"Like the decorations?" Seamus asked. "The Ministry's not too happy."

"Ah, why shouldn't we show our colors?" Mrs. Finnigan said. "You'll be supporting Ireland of course?" she asked looking at the children sternly. 

They nodded slowly before setting off again. "Like we'd say anything else surrounded by that lot," Ron said. "Say any different we could've gotten jumped."

"I wonder what the Bulgarians have dangling on their tents?" Y/N said thoughtfully. 

"Let's see," Harry said grabbing her hand and moving over to where white, green, and red flags were flying proudly. 

Many of them had a poster, all the same, but with a picture of a man with a heavy pair of eyebrows. The pictures moved but all it did was blink and scowl. 

"Krum," Ron said astounded. 

"What?" Harry asked, not recognizing the name. 

"Blimey, I told you this on the walk over here!" Ron exclaimed. "Viktor Krum, the Bulgarian Seeker! Next time stop focusing on your jealousy and pay attention when I speak!"

Harry's face went red as Y/N looked at the two in confusion. She personally thought Krum looked like he was in a bad mood. 

"He looks really grumpy," Hermione observed. 

"'Really grumpy'?" Ron repeated dangerously. "Who cares what he looks like? He's unbelievable. He's really young too. Only just eighteen or something. He's a genius, wait until tonight, you'll see."

Their attention was caught at two men who were in a quite amusing argument at the corner of the field. One man was wearing a flowery nightgown while the other man was wearing pinstriped trousers. 

"Just put them on Archie, there's a good chap. You can't walk around like that, the Muggle at the gate's already getting suspicious —"

"I bought this in a Muggle shop," the man protested. "Muggle's wears them."

"Muggle women, wear them, Archie, not the men, they wear these," the Ministry wizard said pointing to his trousers. 

"I'm not putting them on," Archie said stubbornly. "I like a healthy breeze 'round my privates, thanks."

They all broke into a fit of giggles and had to move away until Archie collected his water and left. 

Now walking with the water, they made their way back to the tent. They saw familiar faces as they walked. Oliver, now a recent graduate, made Harry introduce himself to his parents, and told them all how he had been signed to Puddlemere United reserve team. They also saw Earnie Macmillan a Hufflepuff fourth year.

Walking a little further Y/N saw Cho Chang, a gorgeous Ravenclaw girl, who smiled at Y/N and waved. Y/N was a little surprised to see Cho greet her so kindly, but she couldn't lie and realize last year, the few times Cho had smiled at Harry and made him blush, clouded her judgment about her. Cho was really a sweet girl.

"You've been gone ages," George complained when the four finally returned.

"Met a few people," Ron explained. "Have you started the fire?"

"Dad's having fun with the matches," Fred said. 

Mr. Weasley was trying to get the fire roaring, but it was an epic fail. Not that he wasn't putting in any effort. He looked like he was having the time of his life. 

"Come here, Mr. Weasley," Hermione said kindly. She showed him how to light the fire properly however, they weren't going to be able to cook anything until at least another hour when the fire would be hot enough. 

Occupying their time, Mr. Weasley pointed out people from the ministry and what department they were in as people passed. 

Soon, the fire was finally hot enough and they started cooking eggs and sausages when Bill, Charlie, and Percy came strolling towards them. 

They were all in the middle of eating when a man wearing Quidditch robes with thick horizontal stripes that were yellow and black came over to them. He had an enormous picture of a wasp on his chest making him the most noticeable person there, rivaling the man with the nightgown. 

"Arthur old man!" he puffed. "what a day, eh? What a day!"

"Ah yes! Ludo Bagman!" Mr. Weasley grinned. "this is my son Percy. He's just started at the ministry—and this is Fred—no, George sorry—that's Fred—Bill, Charlie, Ron—my daughter, Ginny—and Ron's friends. Hermione Granger, Y/N Sinclair, and Harry Potter."

Bagman did a double-take at the scar on Harry's forehead and the fact that someone with the last name 'Sinclair' was having the time of her life with the Weasley family. 

"Everyone," Mr. Weasley introduced. "this is Ludo Bagman, you know who he is, it's thanks to him we've got such good tickets—"

Bagman smiled at the group waving his hand insisting it was nothing. 

"Fancy a flutter on the match, Arthur?" He asked. "I've already got Roddy Pointer betting me Bulgaria will score first."

"Let's see...a Galleon on Ireland to win?"

"A galleon?" Ludo said looking slightly disappointed. "Very well, very well....any other takers?"

"They're a bit young. Molly wouldn't like—"

"We'll bet thirty-seven Galleons, fifteen Sickles, three Knuts," Fred said pulling out money and pooling it with George, "that Ireland wins—but Viktor Krum gets the Snitch. Oh, and we'll throw in a fake wand."

"Don't show Mr. Bagman that rubbish—" Percy started but Bagman began roaring with laughter when he tried out the fake wand. 

"Excellent! I haven't seen one that convincing in years. I'd pay five Galleons for that."

Percy went pink and had disapproval written all over his face. 

Soon a man Apparated to Ludo's side. He was in a crisp suit and tie and his short gray hair was straightened. 

"Mr. Crouch!" Percy said breathlessly. "Would you like a cup of tea?"

"Oh," Mr. Crouch said blandly. "Yes—thank you, Weatherby."

Fred, George, Ron, Ginny, Harry, and Y/N choked into their cups trying to contain their laughter while Percy went scarlet and fumbled with the kettle. 

Y/N studied the man, he seemed like he was a Ministry official who was definitely strict about the law, given how he was eyeing Bagman. 

"So, you been keeping busy, Barty?" Bagman asked. 

"Fairly," Mr. Crouch said, accepting a cup of tea Percy handed him. "Organizing Portkeys across five continents is no mean feat, Ludo."

"I expect you'll be glad when this is over?" Mr. Weasley asked. 

"Glad!" Bagman exclaimed, eyes going wide wondering how anyone could complain. "I haven't had this much fun in years! Still...though it's not like we haven't got anything to look forward to, eh, Barty? Eh? Plenty left to organize, eh?"

Mr. Crouch gave Bagman a stern look with his eyebrows raised. 

"We agreed not to make the announcement until all the details—"

"Details! Details!" Bagman said waving away the word. "They've signed. They've agreed. I bet you anything, these kids'll know soon enough anyway. It's happening at Hogwarts—"

All the kid's heads snapped in his direction at the mention of their school.

"Ludo, we need to meet the Bulgarians," Mr. Crouch said cutting him off. "Thank you for the tea Weatherby."

He handed the tea, which he didn't even have a sip of, back to Percy and waited for Bagman to join next to him. 

"See you all later!" Bagman called. "You'll be up in the Top Box with me—I'm commentating!" He waved and then they both Disapparated. 

Y/N doubted anyone's commentary could be better than Lee's but the time was almost ready to get to the stands. 

"What's happening at Hogwarts Dad?" Fred asked as they made started walking. 

"You'll find out soon enough," Mr. Weasley assured.

"It's classified information, until such time as the Ministry decides to release it," Percy said sharply. 

"Oh shut up, Weatherby," Fred said.  

The Top Box wasn't fully filled yet when they reached it. They took the front purple chairs that were placed in rows. 

She took a seat next to Hermione and Harry as the darkness was illuminated with the lights from the stands. She had no fear of the vast height she was at, as she anxiously waited for the match to start.

She noticed a house-elf saving a seat for someone, who looked extremely terrified of being up as high as they were.

Soon the Minister of Magic himself, along with another man arrived in the box as more and more people entered.

"Harry Potter you know," the Minister told the man next to him rather loudly. He was definitely Bulgarian. The Bulgarian's robes were black velvet trimmed in gold and he didn't seem like he even spoke English. 

"Harry Potter...." Fudge said slowly. "Oh come on now, you know who he is....the boy who survived You-Know-Who...you do  know who that is—"

The Bulgarian wizard looked really confused until he saw Harry's scar and then began pointing at him excitedly. 

"Knew we'd get there in the end," Fudge said. His eyes fixed on Harry and Y/N. "I'm no great shakes at languages; I need Barty Crouch for this sort of thing. Ah, I see his house-elf's saving him a seat...Good job too, those Bulgarian blighters have been trying to cadge all the best places....ah, and there's Lucius and F/N."

Y/N heart dropped to her stomach. 

Ron, Hermione, Y/N, and Harry all snapped around to see Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco both wearing black suits. 

Y/N was more focused on her own Mum and Dad who were standing behind them, who were also wearing black. 

She immediately turned around and sunk deep into her seat trying to avoid being seen. 

"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck," Y/N muttered to herself quietly. 

Harry looked at Y/N confused, given he had never met Y/N's parents before and had no idea about Y/N leaving her house three days ago. 

"What's wrong?" he asked puzzled, but Hermione seemed to have caught on to what was happening. 

"Those aren't—" Hermione started. Y/N nodded, closing her eyes tight, praying that she wouldn't be seen. 

"Ah, Fudge," Y/N heard Lucius say. "I don't think you've met my wife, Narcissa? Or our son, Draco?"

"How do you do?" Fudge said smiling and bowing towards Narcissa. "And you F/N, how are you?"

"Wonderful Fudge," Y/N heard her father say. 

Bullshit, your daughter practically told you she doesn't give to flying fucks about you, but yeah tell the Minister of Magic you're 'wOnDeRfUl'.

"How are you? Have you met my wife, M/N?"

"How do you do? Oh Y/N's right over there," Fudge said pointing to where Y/N's head was in her hands. 

Shit.

Y/N's heart was beating out of her chest and she debated jumping out of the box but decided against it. She couldn't even see her parent's reactions but she knew it was not a good one.

"Here let me introduce you to everyone," Fudge offered, unaware of the tension in the room. "Mr. Oblansk—Obalonsk—Mr.—well, he's the Bulgarian Minister of Magic, and he can't understand a word I'm saying anyway so never mind. And let's see who else—you know Arthur Weasley, I daresay."

Everyone had no choice but to turn their heads at the mention of the Weasley's last name. 

Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Sinclair looked at Mr. Weasley sharply. 

"Good lord, Arthur," Mr. Sinclair started standing sharply next to Lucius. "What did you have to sell to get seats in the Top Box?"

"Surely your house wouldn't have fetched this much?" Lucius asked. 

Y/N's eyes narrowed at the two men. Her mother was looking directly through her. Guess they were serious with the whole disownment thing. Y/N surprisingly felt liberated not having to associate herself with her parents. 

"The Malfoy's and Sinclair's have given a very generous contribution to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, Arthur. They're here as my guests," Fudge said, not even listening to the conversation. 

"How—how nice," Mr. Weasley said with a tight smile. 

Y/N admired Mr. Weasley for how calm he was in situations like this. Y/N's temper would have caused her to sock Lucius and her father in the head, but Hermione's tight grip on her arm was stopping her from restoring to act.

Lucius's eyes stopped on Y/N now that the Minister had walked off to say hello to someone else. 

"Heard about your disownment," Lucius laughed. "What a relief it must have been on you F/N."

"Never been happier," Y/N's father smirked from next to him. 

Since when did my father and Lucius Malfoy become the Wonder twins?  Y/N thought. 

"We're here on a private invitation," Draco bragged. "What are you hear by?"

Lucius stuck Draco with his walking stick. "Now don't boast Draco."

"There's no need with these people," Y/N's father said eyeing the Weasley's sharply. 

Y/N's scowled at him, who just looked right through her.

"If only you hadn't betrayed your family. You could be here with us," Draco said.

"Who said she wanted to sit with you in the first place," Harry chimed in.

"I'd rather jump from this box," Y/N said sending them all a bright cheery smile before turning around and ending the conversation with her back.

Their lips curled as their eyes went from Y/N to Hermione who had her hand on Y/N's shoulder. 

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Weasley," Y/N began ranting as soon as they took their seats.

"It's okay," Mr. Weasley assured kindly. "Your nothing like them."

"Slimy gits," Ron muttered. 

"Ron!" Hermione scolded. "That's Y/N's family."

Y/N let out a laugh. "Ron's right, and besides I'm disowned. That's not my family."

Harry looked at Y/N.

"Disowned?" He asked his voice rising. "You got disowned over the summer and you didn't tell me!"

Y/N looked at Harry who's expression was dangerous. 

"You couldn't have put that in the dozens of letters you write. 'Hey, Harold I got kicked out just thought I'd LET YOU KNOW!' "

"I did not get kicked out..." Y/N shrugged. "I kind of peaced out..."

"This is not the time for jokes," Harry exclaimed. "What are you going to do—"

"Shhhh," Y/N said, pressing a finger to his lips and turning back to the field to avoid the question. "The match is starting."

"Ladies and gentlemen....." Bagman's voice rang out. 

"We're talking about this later," Harry insisted. 

"Huh? I don't know what you're saying. I'm trying to watch the match."

Harry scowled at her while she gave him a sweet smile and continued to watch the match unbothered.

"Welcome to the final of the four hundred and twenty-second Quidditch World Cup!"

Cheers and claps rang out and Harry was sitting there watching Y/N suspiciously until she forced him to clap and cheer along with her, letting him put a stop to his worries. 

"And now without further ado, allow me to introduce....the Bulgarian National Team Mascots!"

The Bulgarian side illuminated in cheers.

"I wonder what they've brought," Y/N said. "Oh my god, they've got Veela!" 

"What are Veel—" Harry started to ask until he was cut off to see hundreds of women gliding onto the field. 

He looked at Y/N who looked memorized.

Veela were beautiful women that Y/N thought couldn't be human. Their skin glimmered and their hair looked exceptionally beautiful in the moonlight. Then the music started and they began dancing. Y/N's mind went gleefully blank. All she was focused on was the Veela's and that they needed to keep dancing or else it would be disastrous. 

"Y/N?" Harry asked tugging on her arm and trying to avert her gaze. 

"Huh?" she looked at him with her mind blissfully empty. "Oh hey, Harry."

"Are you okay?" he laughed looking at the girl's dazy expressions. 

"Yeah I'm fine," Y/N said turning her attention back towards the Veela that were now dancing even faster. 

"What is wrong with her?" Harry asked Hermione who was too busy trying to stop Ron from shredding the shamrocks on his hat and jumping into the arena. 

"It's Veela magic," Mr. Weasley explained. He seemed to not be affected. Definitely not as much as Ron or Y/N. 

Once the music stopped Y/N blinked and realized she was standing up and pressed against the wall of the box. 

Mr. Weasley smiled at Ron and took the hat out of his hands. 

"You'll be wanting that," he said, "once Ireland have had their say."

"What?" Ron asked, his mouth open at the Veela who were now lined up to the side. 

"Honestly!" Hermione rolled her eyes, pulling Y/N and Ron back into their seats. 

"Wait what happened? Where'd they go?" Y/N frantically asked Hermione who was rolling her eyes while Harry was bursting out laughing at her state. 

"And now," Ludo shouted. "kindly put your wands in the air.....for the Irish National Team Mascots!"

Next came what looked like a green and gold comet into the stadium. It then split into two smaller comets and went zooming to the goalposts. 

Soon a rainbow arched across the arena, each one of the odd lights at the bottom of it. Then when the rainbow faded the balls merged into a shamrock that rose into the sky across the stands.

A golden rain seemed to start to fall from around it. 

"Excellent!" Ron yelled, heavy gold coins raining into the seats and on their heads. 

"Leprechauns!" Y/N observed noticing tiny beard men with red vests, while Mr. Weasley broke into applause. 

Hermione rolled her eyes as Ron and Y/N immediately picked up the gold and stuffed it into their pockets. 

"Money is money," Ron insisted handing a fistful of coins to Y/N to keep safe. 

The shamrock began to fade and the Leprechauns settled on the opposite side of the Veela sitting down to watch the match. 

After the mascots left, the Ireland team exited and flew up making the stands erupt in applause. 

Next came the Bulgarians and Y/N noticed the man from the posters that the Bulgarians had on their tent flying on his broom. 

His face illuminated against the stadium's stands so everyone could see making Ron go crazy. 

"Ladies and Gentlemen, LET THE QUIDDITCH WORLD CUP BEGIN!"

─── ∙ ~☾~ ∙ ───

"Don't tell your mother you've been gambling," Mr. Weasley said as they made their way into the tent after the match. 

Ireland had won and Krum caught the snitch, meaning Fred and George were gleefully enjoying the money they gained from Ludo Bagman. 

"Don't worry, Dad," Fred assured. "we've got big plans for this money. We don't want it confiscated."

Everyone was celebrating in their tents and Fred and George were pretending to use their Irish flags as instruments and were doing an Irish jig dance. 

Y/N, Hermione, and Ginny were around a table trying to talk, but Ron decided it was his best time to make a speech. 

"There's no one like Krum!" Ron announced standing up on one of the tables. 

"Aww Ronald has a crush," Y/N called. 

"Shove it Y/N!" Ron glared.

"KRUM"

"DUMB KRUM"

Fred and George began to chant. 

"He's like a bird the way he rides the wind!" Ron yelled. 

Fred and George continued their chants flapping their arms like a bird circling Ron.

"He's more than an athlete," Ron shouted, earning George to put his Irish flag over Ron's head. "He's an artist."

"I think you're in love Ron!" Ginny said dreamily. 

"Shut up," Ron hissed. 

"Viktor I love you...." George sang, grabbing one of Ron's hands. 

"Viktor I do..." Fred added grabbing the other. 

"And when we're apart my heart beats only for you!!" Harry joined in with the twins sending a smirk towards Y/N making her break out into a smile. 

The tent laughed until screams were heard from outside. 

"Sounds like the Irish have got their pride on," Fred said looking outside the tent. 

However, there was something off about the screams. 

"I don't think that's the Irish," Y/N said standing up slowly. 

They all walked out of the tent to see what was going on, but the only thing that they saw was panic.

Things seemed to be catching on fire, and screams of people hurrying everywhere could be seen. 

Something set on fire seemed to be thrown near Y/N and Harry grabbed her, wrapped his arms around her, to make sure they both ducked. 

"Get back to the Portkey everybody, and stick together!" Mr. Weasley said frantically. "Fred, George, Ginny is your responisbility."

The two both nodded while George held onto Ginny protectively. 

"Go! Go!" Mr. Weasley said drawing his wand and going the opposite way. 

Harry grabbed Y/N's wrist as they followed Ron and Hermione through the chaos. 

People dressed in black, wearing masks and pointy hats, came marching through the campsite with torches chanting something Y/N could barely make out. 

Through the bustle of people, Y/N could barely stay with the group and in a matter of seconds of people pushing and trampling them, Harry and Y/N's hands were broken apart and Y/N could hear Hermione's screams from one side and Harry's screams from the other. 

Y/N made her way through the people trying to make sense of her direction but the masked people were walking through, lighting random things on fire with their wands.

A tent nearby was sent ablaze and almost got Y/N before her arm was pulled behind a tent. 

"Rue?" Y/N asked, noticing her cousin holding onto her tightly. Her curly hair was a mess and the bottom of her Auror robes were singed. 

A kind girl about the same age as Rue with violet hair was standing slightly behind her. She was wearing matching uniforms.

"No time to explain, just find the portkey and get home safe," Rue instructed. 

"What's going on?" Y/N asked. "I can't find Harry, I can't find anyone."

"I saw a group of kids just that way," Rue said pointing to people.

"Wait what about you?" Y/N asked panicked. "You need to leave."

 "I'll be fine," Rue assured. "I'm an Auror I need to help the Muggles. Stay safe Y/N, I love you."

"Ok yeah," Y/N nodded. "I love you too, I'll see you later."

Rue gave her a quick hug before running back out into the chaos, with the violet-haired witch. 

Y/N ran to where Rue had said she saw a group of teens and noticed Hermione's frantic expression standing by Ron.

"Thank god!" Hermione exclaimed. "Where's Harry?"

"You mean he's not here?" Y/N asked, fear rising 

"I'm here, I'm here!" Harry yelled running up to them. They all had some sort and scratches on their bodies. 

Suddenly a yelp of pain from Ron went out and they immediately tried to find him in the dark. 

"What happened?" Hermione asked anxiously. 

"Tripped over a tree root," Ron said angrily before getting to his feet. 

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

Draco was standing next to a tree looking oddly relaxed and seemed to have been watching the innocent people getting hurt nonchalantly. 

"Go fuck yourself," Ron snarled. 

"He'd be disappointed," Y/N said, sending daggers towards Draco.

"Language, Sinclair. Weasley." Malfoy said. "You better be hurrying along, now? You wouldn't like her being spotted, would you?" he nodded at Hermione.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hermione snapped. 

"Granger, they're after Muggles," Draco said. "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."

"Watch your mouth Malfoy, or the next thing to come out of it will be your teeth," Y/N threatened. 

"Have it your way. If you think they can't spot a Mudblood, stay where you are."

A bang came from a side of the campsite and people nearby screamed making Draco chuckle. 

"Scare easily, don't they?" Draco said. "I suppose your daddy told you all to hide? What's he up to — trying to rescue the Muggles?"

"Where are your parents?" Harry hissed. "Out there wearing masks, are they?"

Draco smirked. 

"Why don't you look at your little girlfriend's parents before you assume anything about mine," Draco laughed, "And if they were, I wouldn't be likely to tell you."

Y/N felt her breath caught as she realized even though Draco was a dick, he wasn't lying about her parents.

"Come on," Y/N said trying to leave the conversation. "Let's go find the others."

"Keep that pretty little face of yours down Y/N," Draco sneered. "Wouldn't want them to know about the blood traitors."

"Come on," Y/N urged pulling on Harry who started to step up to him. 

"Oh, I can't believe this. Where have the others gone to?" Hermione said. 

There was no glimpse of any other Weasley other than Ron around them. 

Suddenly a girl with thick curly hair turned up near them and said to them quickly, "Où est Madame Maxime? Nous l'avons perdue —"

"Er—what?" Ron said. 

"She goes to Beauxbatons," Y/N said noticing the French. 

"Nous ne connaissons pas Madame Maxime, désolé," she said kindly to the girl. 

"Oh...." the girl said. She gave Y/N a weak smile before leaving. 

"What did you just say to her?" Ron asked. 

"She was looking for Madame Maxime, I just told her we didn't know who that was."

"You speak French?" Harry asked. 

"A bit, now can we get back to figuring out how to not die please," Y/N sassed.

Harry nodded and dug into his pocket to find his wand to light a pathway but all he found was the Omnioculars he bought before the game. 

"I've lost my wand!"

"Your kidding," Y/N said. 

There was a rustling noise to the right of her that made Hermione jump, clinging on to Ron's jacket sleeve. 

A house-elf made her way out of the bushes. It seemed like someone was pulling her back because she seemed to be struggling. 

"Who's that?" Y/N asked squinting at the house-elf. 

"That's Mr. Crouch's house-elf," Harry said remembering seeing the House elf in the box. 

"Well, what's up with her?" Ron asked. "Why can't she run properly."

"Guessing she didn't ask permission to hide," Harry said. 

"Permission?" Y/N asked. "They need permission to protect themselves?"

"You know, house-elves get a very raw deal!" Hermione said. "It's slavery, that's what it is! That Mr. Crouch made her go to the top of the stadium. Did you see how terrified she was?"

"Well, the house-elves are happy, aren't they?" Ron said. 

"It's people like you, Ron," Hermione began, "who prop up rotten and unjust systems, just because they're too lazy to —"

"Can we lead the house-elf revolution after we've gotten out of here please," Y/N hissed. 

"Let's just keep moving, shall we?" Ron said edging slightly away from Hermione. 

They found themselves in the thick of the wood and they seemed to be alone now, which just made things creepier. 

Everything seemed quieter but Y/N didn't know if that meant the riot was over or not.

"I think we can wait here," Harry said once they were at a clearing.

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

"Me too, the Auror's are out there. I saw my cousin," Y/N said hugging her knees to her chest. 

"They'll all be fine," Ron said. He then eyed Y/N catiously. "Do you think your parents are out there?"

"Oh I know my parents are out there," Y/N said, her stomach-churning. "No wonder the Sinclair's and Malfoy's became BFF's over the summer."

Harry interlocked his hand with Y/N's and gave it a squeeze.

"Those poor Muggles," Hermione said. "What if they can't get them down?"

"They will," Y/N said bouncing her leg. "They'll find a way."

Suddenly, staggered footsteps made Harry, Ron, and Y/N look behind Hermione, while she looked over her shoulder. 

Harry moved Y/N behind him, while she was trying to protect him first. 

"Hello?" Harry called. It was too dark to see a far distance but they could make out somebody standing in the shadows. 

"Who's there?" he asked. 

It was silent until a voice shouted a spell. 

"MORSMORDRE!"

Something glittering and green flew over the treetops. 

Harry was confused but he felt Y/N's handhold even tighter onto him. 

"What the—?" Ron gasped. 

For a second Harry thought it was another Leprechaun but he then noticed a mass skull, with a serpent coming out of its mouth like a tongue in emerald green. It rose higher and higher off the ground until it soared against the dark sky. 

The woods around them erupted in screams and Harry looked back into the darkness but no one was there. 

Another flash of green light came from the woods and even more, screams went out.

"We need to go," Y/N said frantically. "Now."

"What's the matter?" Harry asked, looking at the look of terror he's never seen on Y/N's face. 

Y/N grabbed Hermione protectively and pulled Harry and Ron to follow. 

"It's the Dark Mark, Harry!" Y/N urged. "Voldemort's Mark!"

"What—?" 

"Come on," Y/N pleaded. 

They hurried a few steps until popping noises appeared all around them. 

Y/N assumed they were Auror's and Ministry members who had begun to Apparate. 

Without thinking, Y/N pushed Harry, Ron, and Hermione to the ground while about twenty voices yelled, "STUPEFY!"

They felt footsteps edge toward them until a familiar voice called out in the darkness. 

"Stop! STOP! That's my son!"

A wizard that was directly in front of them lowered their wand.

"Ron—Y/N—Harry—Hermione are you all right?" Mr. Weasley asked, his voice shaking. 

"Which one of you conjured it?" a cold voice accused.

Mr. Crouch pointed his wand at the group, stopping for a second on each one of the fourteen-year-olds. 

"We didn't do that!" Harry said gesturing to the skull. 

"Do not lie, sir!" Crouch shouted. "You have been discovered at the scene of the crime!"

Y/N looked around from the Auror's hoping to see Rue but she was nowhere in sight.

"Barty," a witch whispered. "They're kids, Barty, they'd never be able to—"

"Where did the mark come from, you four?" Mr. Weasley asked. 

"Over there," Hermione said, pointing at the woods where the figure was standing. 

"There was someone behind the trees and shouted some kind of incantation—" Y/N explained. 

"Stood over there did they?" Mr. Crouch said, pointing his wand at Y/N. "Said an incantation, did they? You seem very well informed about how that Mark is summoned, missy—"

"She didn't do anything," Harry said sternly looking at Mr. Crouch whose eyes were popping out of his head. 

"We're too late," a witch said. "They'll have Disapparated."

Suddenly noise of rustling came off from the woods in the clearing.

"I don't think so," A wizard said. Y/N quickly recognized him as Amos Diggory. "Our Stunners went right through those trees...There's a good chance we've got them...."

"Amos be careful!" a few wizards warned. 

Mr. Diggory raised his wand and marched into the clearing, and into the darkness. 

Y/N's heart was beating out of her chest. Everything the witches were saying was going in one ear and out the other.  

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

"There are people here! It's—but—blimey..."

"You've got someone?" Mr. Crouch shouted. "Who? Who is it?"

The witches and wizards rustled into the forest and they followed. 

Y/N's body went numb, her stomach dropped making her feel nauseous.

Lying on the floor was Rue Sinclair. Her eyes were open but lifeless, and her mouth was slightly parted. 

Her wand was clutched in her hand.

Surrounding her was the bright-haired Auror Y/N had seen with Rue before, and Mr. Crouch's house-elf, Winky stunned on the ground. 

Y/N pushed through the crowd of adults surrounding the bodies and she barely heard the argument between the people around her.

"No....no..."

She flung herself on her knees feeling tears well up in her eyes

"Come on—wake up," Y/N pleaded checking for a pulse on Rue's neck.

Nothing.

"Wake up—please," Y/N begged, placing her hand on the side of Rue's face and brushing a loose strand of her curls out of her face. Her vision blinded by tears. 

But that was it. Rue Sinclair was gone.

Harry felt helpless. He didn't know what to do, watching Y/N cry in a way he's never seen before sent shivers down his spine. 

Y/N was never one to let out full sobs like that and her cries that she let out even made Ron flinch as Hermione's eyes welled up with tears. 

The young witch to the side had tears streaming down her cheeks. 

"Nymphadora what happened?" a witch asked in the crowd. 

"Rue and I were f-following our orders, to protect the M-muggles," the young witch explained. Her voice was shaky and she could barely catch her breath. 

"S-she had just protected a group of Muggles when the dark mark was c-casted," she continued. "S-she followed the person who did it. The d-death eater. Saw them too b-but they...they," The witch's breath caught but she continued, "right in front of me......I tried to protect her b-but..." her voice trailed off as she looked at the dead body and Y/N crying into her chest. 

"I-I'm so so sorry," the witch said guilty breaking into sobs. 

The voices around Y/N felt foggy, as if they were happening a distance away. All she saw was was the person who had been there for her, her entire life gone. Her face was drained and pale. 

Y/N couldn't even wrap her head around what the last thing she said to Rue was. 

All Rue ever did was love others, make them laugh when they felt sad, protect others before she protected herself. 

She didn't have to die. 

She shouldn't have died. 

"Betrayal—" Mr. Crouch started before Y/N's sadness turned into rage. 

"You can't possibly think she's lying!" Y/N snapped her tears turning maliciously angry.

"You do know about her family," a wizard whispered to Mr. Crouch. "She could have been killed after conjuring it."

"SHE DID NOT CONJURE THE DARK MARK!" Y/N yelled at the officials who were being deathly insensitive. 

"Calm down—"

"SHE'S DEAD AND YOUR FIRST INSTINCT IS TO THINK HE CONJURED THE DARK MARK?" Y/N shouted. 

Harry, Ron, and Hermione had scene Y/N mad numerous amount of times, but never like this. The amount of pain behind her rage startled everyone around them.

"You can't be sure she didn't, she was in the place where it happened—" Crouch started.

"I watched Rue Sinclair be murdered right in front of me," The violet witch spoke. Her tears seemed to turn to anger at the Ministers words as well. "She died for you all."

"Nymphadora—"

"My name is Tonks!" The young witch spoke trying to pull herself together. She walked over to Y/N and wrapped her arms around her, whose heavy tears just fell without a sound, not being able to pull her gaze from what was left of her family, lying lifelessly on the ground. 

"Well if it wasn't Sinclair then it was the house-elf," Amos Diggory insisted. 

"What?" said Mr. Weasley. "These accusations need to stop. The dark mark requires a wand."

"The elf had a wand," Mr. Diggory said, holding up a wand. "Had it in her hand."

Just then a pop broke out and Ludo Bagman appeared next to Mr. Weasley.

"The Dark Mark!" He panted, almost stepping on Winky. "Where have you been Barty? Why weren't you at the match? Your elf was saving you a seat too — gulping gargoyles!" he shouted now noticing the scene before him.

"I've been busy Ludo," Mr. Crouch said barely moving his lips. "We need to find out the truth about the late Miss Sinclair. Rennervate!"

He pointed his wand at Winky who stirred a bit and then her big brown eyes blinked several times when she opened them. She was shaking when she got into a sitting position. 

Everyone began bombarding her with questions but the feeble elf began rocking back and forth in place on the ground. Her breath in short bursts. 

"An explanation at once!" Mr. Diggory yelled. "Did you or Miss Sinclair conjure the Dark Mark!"

"I—I—I is not doing this sir!" Winky gasped. "I is not knowing how!"

"This wand was found next to you and Miss Sinclair explain!" Mr. Diggory yelled. 

Y/N cocked her head, her eyes still filled with tears to see what kind of wand was near her late cousin, but she recognized it immediately.

"That's Harry's wand," Y/N spoke up. 

To Harry, Y/N's expression looked scarily lifeless and plain with the tears falling fast down her cheeks. 

Everyone looked at her confused, now looking at the girl who had been sobbing, whose eyes were puffy, cheeks were stained, but now had a plain expression on her face. 

"I er—dropped it," Harry said, now noticing the wand was his 

"You threw it aside after you conjured the Mark!" Amos Diggory accused. 

"Amos, look at who you're talking to. Neither Harry nor Rue conjured the Dark Mark," Mr. Weasley spoke. "Have some compassion."

"Er—of course not," Mr. Diggory mumbled. "Sorry.....carried away..."

"So you found this wand eh, elf?" Mr. Diggory said turning back to Winky. "You killed her and then conjured the mark?"

"I is not doing magic with it, sir!" Winky squealed, tears now down her cheeks. "I is... I is... I is just picking it up, sir! I is not making the Dark Mark, sir. I is not killing anyone! I is not knowing how! The lady was trying to help. I is only getting in the way!" 

Winky then twisted the hem of her tea towel she was wearing and looked guilty at the floor seeing the dead body on the floor. "I is finding it....finding it there sir!" she said pointing at the floor.

"But then, she'd have been only a few feet away from the real culprit!" Mr. Diggory concluded. "Elf? Did you see anyone?"

"I is seeing no one, sir... no one," Winky assured.

"There's a simple way of discovering the last spell a wand performed, elf, did you know that?" Mr. Diggory sneered. 

He put his wand tip to tip to Harry's and then bellowed, "Prior Incantato!"

What looked like the ghost of the dark mark illuminated above them. 

"Deletrius!" Mr. Diggory shouted. 

"So!" Amos shouted at the elf. "You did do it!"

"I is not doing it! I is not knowing how!" Winky pleaded again. 

"Amos," Mr. Crouch said tightly. "I am fully aware that, in the ordinary course of events, you would want to take Winky into your department for questioning. I ask you, however, to allow me to deal with her."

Mr. Diggory backed down, however, he seemed to not be too fond of the idea.

"You may rest assured that she will be punished," Mr. Crouch said. 

"M-m-master, p-p-please..." Winky stuttered, tears pooling out of her eyes.

"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, master! Not clothes, not clothes!" Winky shrieked. 

"She was frightened!" Hermione shouted. "She was in danger, and she saw someone get killed! You can't blame her for wanting to get out of the way."

"I have no use for a servant who forgets what is done to her master, and to her master's reputation."

The anger Y/N felt was rising more and more. All Barty Crouch cared about was the way these deaths and riots made him look. Half the people surrounding them didn't even care that there was a dead body lying on the ground. 

"Well, I think I'll take my lot back to the tent," Mr. Weasley piped up. "If nobody's got any objections. Amos, that wand's told us all it can – if Harry could have it back, please –"

Suddenly, Y/N felt a hand on her shoulder. "Come on, Y/N," Mr. Weasley said quietly. "Let's go home."

Y/N nodded and stood up. Tonks engulfed her in a tight hug, "I'm so sorry," Tonks mumbled. 

"It's not your fault," Y/N choked out, trying her best to give Tonks a smile but failing in the process. 

Y/N turned around to leave with Mr. Weasley but Harry grabbed her hand, and wrapped his arm around her, letting her rest her head on his shoulder as they walked. 

Y/N gave one last look at the scene behind her as she saw a witch conjure a sheet and place it over Rue's body.

She turned back around letting more silent tears fall. Harry rubbed her back and kissed the top of her head that was resting on his shoulder. 

The group made their way back to the tent in silence.

─── ∙ ~☾~ ∙ ───

𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝟑: 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟕

/*

A/N: Well shit that ending was depressing.

Same as always, thank you for the reads, votes, and comments!

I love you all! <3 💕