ᵖʳᵒᵘᵈ ᵖᵃʳᵉⁿᵗˢ ; ʰᵃʳᵐⁱᵒⁿᵉ

Chapter Thirty

Chapter 30 - Feeding Time

For Antonio de Marco, today was personal. His wife taught potions to these students, his family actually lived at the Potter Institute - and they all loved it here. He and his partner were charged, by the Minister himself, with keeping Harry Potter and Hermione Granger safe on their visit to Hogwarts. Antonio had certainly volunteered for this duty, and had even trained with Harry and his crew a few mornings. He was well aware this couple had good people around them, but he would officially be in charge of the group - and sanctioned by Amelia Bones to work in Britain on the day of the tasks.

"Ok people, let's check those emergency portkeys. No one leaves the Institute without theirs." Antonio winked at Joan, which had the little girl giggling. She ran about the Institute with his own children, and treated Antonio the same as they did - as a six foot five cuddly teddy bear. He fervently hoped Joan's opinion of him didn't change today. The chosen group were primarily going to support the young couple competing, but all of them could hold their own in a fight.

The rope portkey was stretched out amongst the entire party, with Antonio double-checking everything before counting down to activation.

-oOoOo-

Amelia was accompanied by six aurors, while waiting on the party from the Institute arriving. It might seem like overkill but, as with Antonio, this was personal for her too. Not only did Amelia know every single person who would arrive from Italy, Susan would be part of the group too.

The loud crack that signalled the Institute's arrival was quickly followed by them dropping into a formation that was clearly rehearsed. Leading was Pomona and Filius, Minerva stayed at the Institute - claiming she couldn't be anywhere near Dumbledore without drawing her wand on the old goat.

Harry and Hermione followed next, with an Italian hit wizard either side of them. The Grangers, Joan, Sirius and Remus were behind them, their job obviously to protect the group's youngest member. Ron and Millie, Neville and Luna, Susan, Hannah and the Weasley twins completed the group.

With Amelia dispersing her aurors to cover the group, they started to make their way to the stadium and champions tent. When the attack came, it was carried out with the precision and ruthless efficiency this trio was known for. That the initial screams almost instantly turned to laughter was the only reason curses didn't start flying. Harry and Hermione though moved like lightning to ensure their accompanying Italians didn't take any action.

"It's fine, they're very good friends we haven't seen in a while. They'll be making their way toward us in a moment - once they're done torturing the twins." Harry had barely finished speaking when Angelina had Hermione wrapped in a hug.

"How can I ever thank you. I nearly put my name in that stupid goblet - have you seen those dragons?"

Katie now had Harry in a hug, but still managed to reprimand her fellow chaser. "Way to go, Angelina. Who do you think is going to be facing those same dragons this afternoon?"

A mortified Angelina was now trying to apologise while Hermione caught movement out the corner of her eye. "Joan, come and meet some of our very good friends." The little witch's demeanour changed instantly, she would say hello - rather than use her new boots to kick ankles.

Pomona took control of the situation. "Girls, that was a very, very stupid thing you just did - you could have been mistaken for Granny V. Had you ran at these two first, I guarantee you would have been cursed. Sorry Fred and George, we should have recognised that half of Hogwarts would want to attack you."

Since each twin had an arm around Alecia, all three of them started the laughter off before the Gryffindor chaser got herself back under control. "Oh, I can't tell you the last time we had anything to laugh at here. Dumbledore isn't exactly known for cracking jokes - well, not any that are funny. Those Institute robes are amazing too - they even make Fred and George look sexy."