Chapter 26: Shadows Over the Celebration
The Quidditch World Cup had ended in a raucous celebration. Fireworks painted the sky in colors of victory, the Irish team danced through the field holding their golden trophy high, and spectators from across the globe poured out of the stadium in joyful exuberance. Harrison Strange Potter and his companions—Clarissa, Penelope, Fred, George, Lee, Cedric, Harry, Daphne, and Neville—had all been cheering in a private VIP box sponsored by the Ministry. Spirits were high, and the night had seemed flawless.
But euphoria has a cruel habit of masking the calm before a storm.
The Dark Mark Rises
It began subtly. A ripple of unease moved through the crowd. A single scream pierced the air, followed by another. Then came the shrieking, the unmistakable sounds of hexes being flung and tents collapsing. Dark-robed figures with white skull masks descended upon the camping grounds, wands drawn and casting spells that sent people fleeing.
"Death Eaters!" someone shouted.
Harrison was already on his feet, his sword appearing in his right hand as if summoned by sheer will. Clarissa and Penelope flanked him instantly, their wands ready. Fred and George pulled up their sleeves, exchanging a quick nod with Lee Jordan and Cedric, while Daphne and Harry moved to protect the younger children nearby.
A burst of green light shot past them, narrowly missing a fleeing family. Harrison moved like lightning, casting a shield that deflected another killing curse.
"Fan out! Protect the innocents! Fred, George—get the kids out of here. Cedric, Lee—flank left and draw their fire!" Harrison commanded, his voice firm and battle-ready.
They obeyed without hesitation.
Clarissa fired a barrage of stunning spells at a masked Death Eater aiming for a terrified couple, sending him flying into a collapsed tent. Penelope disarmed another and bound his limbs with glowing ropes conjured mid-air.
Harrison met Lucius Malfoy head-on near the clearing. Malfoy's wand glowed with cruel intent, but Harrison deflected his curses easily. "Still hiding behind a mask, Lucius?"
"You filthy halfbreed pretender," Malfoy sneered. "You dare stand against the future of pureblood supremacy?"
"No," Harrison answered, eyes blazing. "I am the future—one where cowards like you no longer rule by fear."
Their duel was fierce. Spells collided in the air, lighting up the night sky like stars gone mad. Harrison's mastery of ancient magic overwhelmed Lucius, finally forcing him to retreat with a slash of the sword that destroyed the ground beneath him. Lucius vanished in a swirl of smoke, Apparating away.
Nearby, Fred and George cornered two masked attackers, stunning them in tandem while Lee tripped a third with a clever jinx. Cedric led a defensive line, casting protective barriers around clusters of fleeing families.
The fight raged for over an hour. By the end, a dozen Death Eaters lay unconscious or bound. The rest had fled.
But the damage was done.
The Accused and the Disowned
As the Ministry arrived, attempting to regain control, chaos still reigned. Magical tents lay in ruin. Injured witches and wizards were being treated by mediwizards.
A group of Aurors found a wand lying suspiciously in the grass. Upon casting Priori Incantatem, a bolt of green light emerged from the tip—evidence of the Killing Curse.
Gasps echoed.
The wand belonged to Neville Longbottom.
And it was found in the hands of a house elf—Winky.
Barty Crouch Sr. stormed forward, fury in his eyes. "Winky! What were you doing with that wand?!"
The elf trembled, wide-eyed. "Winky only meant to protect the young master—Winky meant no harm—"
"Enough! You've disgraced me. You are no longer mine! I give you clothes and free you!"
A magical ripple echoed outward as Winky's bond shattered. She collapsed with a heart-wrenching squeal, sobbing uncontrollably.
Hermione, having arrived at the scene, knelt beside the trembling elf. "This is wrong. She doesn't deserve this. She was scared! She didn't cast that curse!"
Harrison stepped beside her, face solemn.
"Hermione," he said gently. "Do you know what happens to a house elf with no family?"
She shook her head.
"They become unanchored. Untethered from their binding magic. Their body and soul begin to unravel over time unless another family accepts them. It's a slow death, often filled with madness. Winky's fate is now sealed unless someone steps forward."
Hermione's eyes welled up. "That's inhumane."
"So is the system that binds them," Harrison said. He turned to Clarissa and Penelope. "Take Winky with us. She deserves better."
Penelope nodded and lifted the trembling elf carefully.
The Truth in the Shadows
Later that night, after the chaos subsided and the wounded were cared for, Harrison stood with Cedric and Sirius.
"They planned this," Cedric muttered. "It wasn't random."
"They wanted to send a message," Sirius added. "That the old regime still breathes."
Harrison's eyes narrowed. "Then it's time we suffocate it. Piece by piece."
He glanced at Hermione who was still comforting Winky, brushing her tear-streaked face with quiet words.
Change, he thought, always begins with compassion.