History

LVI. MISSING WANDS

chapter fifty-six; the goblet of fire

1994

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

"What's that supposed to mean?" said Hermione defiantly.

"Granger, they're after Muggles," said Malfoy. "D'you and Wilson 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."

"Zo and Hermione are witches," Harry snarled.

"Have it your own way, Potter," said Malfoy, grinning maliciously. "If you think they can't spot a Mudblood, stay where you are."

"You watch your mouth!" shouted Ron. Everybody present knew that "Mudblood" was a very offensive term for a witch or wizard of Muggle parentage.

"Never mind, Ron," said Hermione quickly, seizing Ron's arm to restrain him as he took a step toward Malfoy.

"He's not worth it," Zoe said as she rolled her eyes at Malfoy. There came a bang from the other side of the trees that was louder than anything they had heard. Zoe jumped as she grabbed onto Harry's forearm tightly. Several people nearby screamed. Malfoy chuckled softly.

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

"Where're your parents?" said Harry, his temper rising. Zoe grabbed his arm and looked up at him. "Out there wearing masks, are they?" Malfoy turned his face to Harry, still smiling.

"Well. . . . if they were, I wouldn't be likely to tell you, would I, Potter?"

"Oh come on," said Hermione, with a disgusted look at Malfoy, "let's go and find the others."

"Keep that big bushy head down, Granger," sneered Malfoy.

"Do you want me to punch you again?" Zoe snapped.

"Zoe!" Hermione said, looking at Zoe with a motherly look. "Come on," Hermione repeated, and she pulled Zoe, Harry and Ron up the path again.

"I'll bet you anything his dad is one of that masked lot!" said Ron hotly.

"Well, with any luck, the Ministry will catch him!" said Zoe fervently. "Oh I can't believe this. Where have the others got to?"

Fred, George, and Ginny were nowhere to be seen, though the path was packed with plenty of other people, all looking nervously over their shoulders toward the commotion back at the campsite. A huddle of teenagers in pyjamas was arguing vociferously a little way along the path. When they saw Harry, Ron, Zoe and Hermione, a girl with thick curly hair turned and said quickly, "O est Madame Maxime? Nous l'avons perdue. . . ."

"Er, what?" said Ron.

"Oh. . . ." The girl who had spoken turned her back on him, and as they walked on they distinctly heard her say, "'Ogwarts."

"Beauxbatons," muttered Hermione.

"Sorry?" said Harry.

"They must go to Beauxbatons," said Zoe, looking at him. "You know, Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. I read about it in An Appraisal of Magical Education in Europe."

"Oh, yeah. . . . right," said Harry.

"Fred and George can't have gone that far," said Ron, pulling out his wand, lighting it like Hermione's, and squinting up the path. Zoe did the same and began looking around.