Chapter 286
Harry nodded, accepting the compromise although Ron knew it didn't
guarantee their meeting the teams at all. "Thank you." Sirius ruffled his hair. "Come on. Let's get to the tent."
It took a good half an hour to exit the stadium and find the Potter alliancetent. The rest of the alliance – especially Terry Stebbins – was delighted that theteams might stop by. Harry and Neville went off to do the rounds while
Hermione and Ron hit the buffet table set up at the back of the tent, withtheSlytherins at their heels.
"You don't have to stick with us, you know." Ron complained. Malfoy shot him a look. "This is the Potter alliance, Weasley. Most of themaren't too fond of the House of Malfoy or of Nott." Ron cast a look in Zabini's direction.
Zabini shrugged. "We're neutral. They don't mind us." He paused. "My mother
has almost finished completing an alliance deal with the House of Black andthe House of Potter." Malfoy and Nott looked at him with surprise.
"I thought she was still angling for marriage?" drawled Malfoy. Zabini laughed. "Lord Black isn't as stupid as her usual targets. He knowswhat she is." Ron frowned in confusion and he darted a look at Hermione who sent himoneback that said she'd explain later. There was a noise by the front of the tent and in the next moment the Minister
arrived. Harry caught Ron's eye across the room and waved frantically at himto come over. Ron hurried, not wanting to miss his opportunity to meet theteams although really there was only one player he wanted to shake handswith. Ten minutes later, he got his wish. Sirius shook hands with Viktor Krum and congratulated himon catchingthe
Snitch. "This is my son, Lord Harry James Potter. He plays Seeker too."
"Although not as good as you." Harry added, grinning happily at the thin dour
looking Bulgarian with his large nose. "That feint you did was incredible." Hemotioned to his side where Ron and the others were standing. "May I
introduce my friends and allies? Draco Malfoy, my cousin; Hermione Granger, a daughter of the House of Black; Neville Longbottom, my godbrother; RonaldWeasley, my best mate, and Theodore Nott and Blaise Zabini, my classmatesat Hogwarts although we're in different Houses." Viktor shook hands with all the boys and kissed Hermione's knuckles whichmade her blush furiously. He turned back to Ron. "Vou vere mentioned innewspaper?"
"Yes," Ron said, his heart pounding at having the famous Seeker actually talkwith him, "Harry gave them my prediction when he was asked what he thought
the outcome would be today."
"Vou vere right." Viktor commented dryly.
"Thank you." Ron felt his face heat up at the praise and knew he was probablyas red as his hair. "I've followed your career. You're amazing!"
"Vou play?" Viktor asked.
"I play but not for my House team. I'm hoping to try-out as Keeper this coming
year." Ron said, attempting to act normal, despite his racing pulse. He pointedat Harry who was indulgently grinning at him like a loon. "He was the youngest
Seeker for a century at Hogwarts."
"I play Seeker too." Malfoy added, pushing into the conversation. Viktor's dark eyes flickered to him before returning to Harry and Ron. "Voumust practice, practice, practice to be the best." Harry nodded. "That's what our old captain, Oliver Wood, said. He's just signedwith a British team."
"Well, I'm sorry to break this up but we should let Viktor move on and let
others talk to him." Sirius prompted gently.
"It vas nice to meet vou all." Viktor said and fell into step beside his coachasthey moved to the next group. Ron watched him go and turned back just in time to be introduced to the IrishSeeker. Life just didn't get any better than this, he thought happily.
..... Neville took a gulp of butterbeer and sank back in the chair that he had
commandeered an hour before. The Potter alliance tent continued to buzzwith chatter and laughter as everyone celebrated the Irish win. The teams
themselves had left ages before as had the Ministers who were expectedback at the stadium for the official Ministry party. Some of the adults haddeparted for other places – Simeon and Anna had gone home; the Tonks' hadheaded to other friends. Many were taking turns to rotate a presence at theMinistry party except for Sirius. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 287
Sirius had refused to move further than a half a tent from Harry and Nevillecould understand why after the events earlier that week. He hadn't strayedtoofar from Harry himself once they'd reunited in the box. Zabini shifted beside him. Neville had made a concerted effort with the
Slytherin remembering his comment at the party. Zabini had proven to haveasly sense of humour and a wicked eye for observation. Some of the
comments he'd made as they people watched had had Neville and the othersin hysterics. Neville followed Zabini's gaze to where Harry was conversing with Nott andHermione, along with Jeremy and Michael. It appeared that Jeremy knewNott
quite well and the group seemed animated, discussing something that hadHermione's hands flying in debate and Harry's head cocked to the side withinterest. He frowned. Malfoy had left with his father earlier to the Ministry party; hehadgone protesting, claiming he preferred to stay with friends his own age but
Lucius Malfoy had been insistent. He wasn't sure why Nott and Zabini hadbeen allowed to stay since the Malfoys were hosting thembut as Narcissaremained in the tent, he guessed protocol was satisfied. Neville pursed hislips. He and Ron had both noticed the Slytherins manoeuvring during the
discussion of the Quidditch match. Both Nott and Malfoy had clearly decidedto build a closer relationship with Harry – presumably not for Harry's benefit
but their own. Protectiveness welled up in Neville. Harry was far too trusting and forgiving. Neville knew he himself had a
problem with wanting to please people – especially his Gran – but his
gratitude that some people wanted to be his friend was tempered by his
Gran's lessons on the wizarding world and their various alliances. In fact Harrywas the only person he believed had no ulterior motive in befriending himbeyond wanting a friend himself, and that pleased him enormously. He certainly knew Nott and Malfoy however would never approach a
Longbottom or a Potter without ulterior motive. Harry though hadn't beenraised to think of the possible alliance motivations first. Sirius was
browbeating it into Harry but there were times during their politics lessonswhen he would have to question Harry at length before Harry would see howadiscussion at a dinner with an ally wasn't just idle chatter but a testing of
Harry's agenda. Neville understood to some degree Harry shying away fromviewing every
interaction with suspicion, questioning every comment and monitoring
himself to the nth degree. It was the core Slytherin behaviours that as
Gryffindors they were meant to abhor. But politically it was behaviours theyneeded as Lords and Heads of Houses. Sirius for all he disliked his family hadbeen raised as a Slytherin and was embracing that in order to protect Harry. Neville understood Harry was going to have to be more Slytherin if he wasgoing to swim in the snake infested waters of the wizarding political world. Neville even thought Harry understood that just…Harry didn't want to act likeaSlytherin.
Well, that was OK, Neville mused. He would act like a Slytherin; it didn't bother
him. In fact he'd rather enjoyed the politics they'd been immersed in duringtheSummer. Harry could be Harry and Neville would deal with the politics withintheir alliance. Which meant that Neville was going to have to deal with Malfoy and Nott. He wasn't cowed by the idea as he might have been a few months before, but
he wasn't looking forward to it either.
"Theo isn't so bad." Zabini said softly. Neville's head snapped to him in alarm.
"You've been glaring at him for over a minute." Zabini pointed out as his wandsketched a privacy bubble around them – the underage tracking charmwouldn't be able to tell since they were surrounded by adults. "It wasn't reallythat hard to work out." Obviously being Slytherin wasn't just a question of attitude, Neville thought
sheepishly. He was being far too Gryffindor in his behaviour and body
language.
"It's just…"
"You've realised Nott and Malfoy have understood the power Potter wieldsnow and are repositioning themselves." Zabini supplied. He raised his bottle. "You're worried because Potter is politically naïve. Lord Black is trying tocorrect that but he cannot undo the years where Potter was kept unawareof
his heritage and his position in a single Summer."
"I wouldn't call Harry naïve so much as wanting to think the best of people," Neville said firmly.
"How very Dumbledore-ish." Zabini's smile took away the sting of the job. "Soyou've appointed yourself his protector?" Neville's chin went up. "We stand together." There was a warning note inhisvoice for Zabini not to question him on his loyalty to Harry. Zabini nodded slowly. "Theo's politics are closer to Potter's agenda thanhisfather's. The only area of major disagreement is equality for muggleborns–Theo would rather keep the political power with pureblood or at least oldmagical families. My guess is that when Theo becomes Lord Nott, he will
seek an alliance of mutual aid and support not a détente, and he will seek it
directly with Potter not with the House of Black."
"I see." Neville murmured. And he did see. He saw why Nott had evidently cultivated relationships with
Jeremy Branstone and Michael Corner, and why he looked relaxed talkingtoHarry. He didn't have to watch what he said because he agreed with Harry'sviews. That agreement would help him forge a bond with Harry – a closer onethan Malfoy who remained entrenched in his father's political viewdespitethefact that they had to comply with the House of Black's primacy.
"What about you?" asked Neville. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 288
"Our political agenda is close enough to Potter's for the differences not tomatter." Zabini said with a shrug. "Mother was simply holding out on the
alliance because she hoped to convince Lord Black of the advantages of amarriage including giving Potter a maternal figure." He snorted a little inderision.
"Your Mother has Veela blood." Neville commented hesitantly.
"Yeah, she constantly seeks her," Blaise lifted his hands and mimed quotationmarks, "'true mate.' Obviously it's a load of bollocks because that kind of thingis the invention of romance writers, but that's why she's been married somuch."
"Your father…"
"An arrangement." Blaise changed position. "But she's not a murderer nomatter what they say though." He claimed defensively. "Father died of a raregenetic heart condition. Donald, her next husband, didn't actually die, they
divorced when they realised his resisting her allure wasn't because he was
powerful but because he was gay; he's living in the States with a guy calledBob now. Don's pretty great really – still sends me birthday and Yule gifts. Gunther was just dull and drank a lot. I'm pretty sure he died of boredomevenif the official report said liver failure." Neville remained silent not sure what to say. Blaise shook his head. "Anyway, mostly Mother's romances don't bother me. I
lived with my Great-Aunt Josephine, my grandfather's sister, until Hogwartsasshe had the regency. She died the Summer after our first year which is whenmy Mother took over. I inherited Great-Aunt Jo's house so I stay there mostly."
"I'm sorry about your Great-Aunt." Neville said softly, knowing the condolenceswere a poor substitute for a woman who Blaise spoke about with fondnessand who obviously had been the parental figure in Blaise's life.
"Thanks." Blaise sighed heavily. Neville decided to change the subject a little. "So are you a Veela?"
"No, only daughters of the blood can be called Veela." Blaise said with a laugh.
"Sorry, I don't know much about them." Neville explained with chagrin.
Blaise nodded. "They're like all magical creatures, secretive about their ownways. What I do know is that pure Veelas can reproduce asexually but most
mate with wizards now. Sons are rare and generally have a resistance totheallure but no other Veela characteristics; daughters are considered Veelaregardless of how many traits they actually retain." He took a sip of his
butterbeer. "Mother wanted a daughter." Neville swallowed the urge to say 'sorry' but what could he say? He knewsomething about being a disappointment for something outside of his control
after all – before the Summer his Gran had practically mentioned in every
sentence that Neville failed to match up to his father. He opened his mouth to say something – anything but before he could aloudboom echoed outside the tent and the ground shook hard beneath their feet
sending some of the glassware and bottles crashing to the ground. Zabini dispelled the privacy bubble and they immediately made their way toHarry. Sirius had already reached him and gave a nod to Neville and Zabini.
"You don't think that's…" Harry began. Sirius shook his head. "I'm not sure…" A wolf patronus appeared – a message from Remus. "Sirius! There's beenanexplosion at the stadium and the stadium is on fire! The Aurors are tryingtocontain it but need help! Send as many able bodied men and women as youcan!"
Sirius turned toward Harry and Harry immediately motioned for himto leave. "Go and help! We'll be fine!"
"Portkey out if there's any sign of trouble otherwise stay here!" Sirius ordered. "Bill…"
"I'll remain with him." Bill confirmed.
"Listen up! The stadium is on fire! Anyone who wishes to help, come withme!" Sirius shouted, already moving towards the tent opening. Most of the adults hurried after Sirius with only Wallace Granger and a fewof
the women were left behind with Bill. There was a rising sense of hysteriainthe tent as everyone started talking over each other. His Gran set off her wand to make a small bang. "Dear Merlin! Get a holdof
yourselves!"
"But what do we do?" Celia Inglebee clutched Lydia – who was crying for
some inexplicable reason – and looked at Harry. Everyone looked at Harry.
Harry shot a nervous look at Neville's Gran who nodded at himencouragingly. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 289
"We don't really know what's happening except that there's a fire." Harry began, and his voice which had started out unsteady gained more confidence withevery word. "I suggest everyone gathers in the centre of the tent, young
children in the middle, anyone capable of defending themselves placed
around them. And…and anyone with a portkey should identify themselvesandagree who they'll take if we need to leave urgently."
"Good plan, Harry." Narcissa said.
"Right, you heard Harry," Neville said authoritatively, knowing Harry neededsupport which they had vowed to give him, "Heirs start organising seatinginthe centre of the tent and a play area for the youngsters. Portkey people toHarry!" He gave Harry a confident look and went to start rearranging the tent. Susanand Hannah immediately moved to help him as did Jeremy and Michael. Hermione dragged Ron into the centre to move some chairs and smiledat
Neville. Neville felt a frisson of pride that they'd all followed himHe glanced back at Harry, quietly directing those with portkeys to strategicpoints with Bill's assistance, and felt a surge of confidence; of satisfactioninhis choice to stand beside Harry. He just hoped the fire at the stadiumhadnothing to do with Harry's death threats…
o-O-o
"What is going on here?" Amelia shouted over the panicking crowd in the
stadium's reception room. Remus managed to wriggle close enough to her position to answer without
yelling. "The portkeys aren't working." Amelia sighed heavily. "Where the hell is Crouch or Bagman?"
"I haven't seen Bagman at all." Remus said. "Crouch left as soon as the matchwas over. He said he was feeling sick."
"So basically the two people in charge of this mess are AWOL?" Amelia
rubbed her head. Cornelius popped up beside them suddenly. "Amelia! Thank goodness you'rehere! Something's wonky with our portkeys and the stadiumis on fire!"
"Yes," Amelia said dryly, "I had worked that out for myself, Cornelius." Shewhistled loudly and everyone stopped chattering and turned to look at her. "Auror Dawlish," she motioned at the man standing to her left, "escort
everyone out of the emergency exit and to the portkey site outside of the
encampment." Cornelius beamed at her. "An excellent suggestion! Lead on, Dawlish!" Dawlish nodded at his partner, a wiry looking woman who looked like shewassucking a sour plum, and the two of them began herding the VIPs efficiently. It
wasn't a surprise to Remus that Cornelius was at Dawlish's elbowas the
Auror led the way out. Bogdan nudged Remus. "Vou are staying?"
"I should," Remus said apologetically, "to help with the fire."
"Tomas will stay with you." Bogdan indicated one of his guards and Remusimmediately knew it was Tomas was the werewolf that Bogdan had spokenabout earlier.
"Thank you." Remus said.
"You will always be welcome in Bulgaria, Remus." Bogdan stated with a smile. He gave a nod of farewell and let his security force usher himout.
"Pleasure to meet you, Lupin." Kate said with a grin as the Irish Minister
followed the Bulgarian's example and left.
Remus turned back to Amelia. "What's happening? Where do you need us?"
"Rufus has set up a command tent," Amelia said, "Sirius and most of the other
volunteers have been pressed into fire duty on the North stand."
"I figured." Remus said as they moved out of the way of the flowing crushof
people. "Sirius has the training for it at least."
"I think Rufus wants to give him his badge back," Amelia joked, "he's got himleading that group – thankfully because the Auror contingent is strugglingtohold the East stand." Remus nodded. "Tomas and I will join with Sirius then."
"Actually, Remus…" Amelia sighed as she stepped out of the way of a runningchild, "if the portkeys aren't working then that's another problemwe needtosolve."
"It's probably an anti-transportation ward." Remus suggested. "I doubt
apparition will be possible either."
"Can you track down the source?" Amelia asked.
Remus felt torn. He wanted to help Sirius, or failing that to return to Harry'sside because he sensed Sirius wouldn't be happy about leaving Harry evenif
he'd left him with others that he trusted. But if his skills were needed…"I'mfair."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 290
"I can help." Tomas said. "I am trained Auror."
"Excellent." Amelia said. "Well, if you two can try to find the source of the wardand destroy it; that would be great." Remus exchanged a look with Tomas and nodded. They fell into step with the stragglers from the Ministry party and within
minutes were outside of the stadium. Remus cast a look back at the building; at the rising plume of smoke andtheflicker of yellow flames licking at the far side of the walls. He shivered. Tomas started casting the ward detection spell and pointed towards the far
side of the camp. "Over there." Remus conjured a patronus. "Sirius, I've gone to track down an
anti-transportation ward. Good luck with the fire." He sent it off and caught upwith Tomas. He just hoped Harry would be alright. o-O-o
Amelia coughed and swiped a hand over her face, pushing her hair back out of
her vision. Bloody smoke, she thought tiredly. She directed a set of peopleaway from the stadium and made her way to the Auror Command tent. Rufus looked up as she entered and gave a small nod.
"Report!" She ordered, coughing again. Rufus pointed at the blueprints of the stadium. "We've established that themain fire is here at the kitchen, and as you know it's already spread to theEast
stand above and the North stand. It looks like the magical cooking oil
ignited…it's not quite Fiendfyre thank Merlin but it's a bad enough magical
fire." Amelia nodded sharply.
"Shacklebolt reports that the East stand fire is only just being containedandLord Black's report on the North stand isn't much better. Both have askedfor
the Magical Fire Unit." Rufus stabbed the blueprints at various points. "They'll
be needed here and here to cut off the fire. At the moment everyone is usingaguamenti charms but we need a proper Magical Fire Unit."
"I've sent a patronus to Bertie for him to send a Magical Catastrophe teambut
we've detected an anti-portkey and anti-apparition ward directly over the
stadium and campsite so it could be a while before they get here. Lupin andamember of the Bulgarian security detail went to track down the source of theward and break it." Amelia informed him briskly. "I've got Dawlish and a small
contingent evacuating most of the Ministry and the Wizengamot out totheportkey point outside the muggle field." Rufus grunted. "Explains why we've had complaints that nobody can apparate. I've got Cavendish and Hoskins set up to provide information and guidance;
I've sent a few others out to inform the campers to stay where they are but if
they wish to leave to do so in an orderly fashion. Keats and his teamare onmuggle duty. The fire will attract attention." Amelia nodded again. It looked like all the bases had been covered –nomorethan she expected from her Head Auror.
"Director, if asked I would have said the fire was an accident but the wardsindicate a malicious intent. Is there a chance this is to do with the tip we
received about certain activity? A diversion maybe?" Rufus asked.
"Good question," Amelia conceded tiredly, "we should check in with the Rat
Squad." Rufus took out a communication mirror and tapped it. "Wood, report."
"Wood here, sir." Wood's face appeared in the mirror. "All our targets are insight, sir. Fire was a surprise. They're in discussions. I think they may takeadvantage."
"Keep on top of them, Wood. They move; so do you – understand?" Rufusbarked.
"Yes, sir." Wood confirmed.
"Out." Rufus tapped the mirror again and it went back to normal. "Unconnected then." Amelia's eyes narrowed at his tone. "What?"
"You remember the fire we had in 'eighty-one in Kopbridge? Almost took out
Ogden's?" Rufus asked gruffly.
"Yes, mostly for the fact that I had to listen to everyone bellyaching about theprice of Firewhiskey for the next five years." Amelia said dryly. Rufus huffed but nodded. "The LeStranges set it to draw out Alphonius Ogdenso they could murder his wife and child. Classic misdirection." Amelia's eyes widened. "Harry." She barely got his name out, her throat had
closed up. "You think this has something to do with the death threat?