Hidden In These Walls

CHAPTER SEVEN

 I stood by and watched Arthur as he lit the fire in the tiny stove with a long piece of wood. It was after the match, and truthfully it was an outstanding tournament. Ireland had won by only a few points and the Weasley twins were humming and blowing into tiny kazoos, dancing their interpretation of an Irish River dance and wearing the Irish flags on their backs like capes in celebration. Beside them sat Harry who only smiled and shook his head.

I definitely couldn't allow him to know that there was something afoot. I glimpsed back at Mr. Weasley who now stood and admired his handiwork with the said stove, "Arthur?" I muttered rubbing my arms. He glanced back and nodded to me, "Yes, what is it?"

"There was something that happened at the Cup–"

Arthur frowned and stepped closer, seeing my apprehension, and whispered, "What happened? What are you talking about?"

"I believe Moody is in trouble..." I muttered. I went to speak once more, but as the kids goofed around and hollered 'Krum' like barbaric vultures, my ears pricked at the sounds of screams and explosions from outside of the tents. Arthur must have heard it too because he was quick to rush outside first, followed by me right behind him. I pushed past the flap of the tent quickly.

My eyes widened as they settled on people screaming and running away from figures that wore black cloaks, flames engulfing other tents and one by one set ablaze as the dark figures approached them. Even with them being a bit away I could hear them chanting something. Arthur rushed back inside, likely to tell the kids we were leaving.

I didn't have much experience with things like this. I had only been given paperwork, advice, and the occasional help on an arrest as an Auror in training. This was not something that Moody had covered yet, saying that I needed to understand the basics first. Why couldn't he just listen when I said I needed to learn more?

I tried to go back inside of the tent, I had to get to them, but with the crowd dashing closer and closer, and the group of dark figures reaching nearer, I was swept up into the wave of the crowd. I struggled to try and fight against the currents, but there was too much shoving. I tried pleading with the people around me to let me through, but with all the terror, no one could hear me over wails and riots. The explosions were too close, and their chants were louder now.

I could have sworn in the distance, as I saw the speck of the tent I heard Hermione screaming out Harry's name. My eyes became wide and round. Not him dammit, anything but him! I tried driving back harder. Thankfully the crowd began to disperse, and I rushed forward as fast as I could.

"What do we have here?" I gasped as in view stepped one of the masked freaks, his voice low and his smile sickening right beneath his half-skulled guise. I glared up at him, I couldn't allow this asshole to see my fear, I wasn't scared of him, no matter how hard I was trembling and how badly my legs wobbled.

"It's none of your concern!" I growled back at him. He only chuckled and raised his wand, "You're right, I suppose not!" I could see the spark of malice in the dark of his eyes. He opened his mouth, ready to spout out a spell, I could only assume it was a curse. Then thoomp—

A spell hit him in the middle of his chest. I gasped and pivoted around to see Moody standing behind me with his staff facing the man who was now on the ground groaning and clutching his chest.

"Moody!" I cheered, "You're alright!"

"Yes, I'm alive and well! Listen to me, Ozwald," He spoke frantically. He took a few steps forward, "I need you to run, run as far and fast as you can. Try to find someone you trust. Stick with them. Don't tell anyone else where you are!" He spoke sternly striding past me with a heavy limp. He couldn't be serious. The man began to stand up once more stumbling around as he did so, and I shook my head, "No, sir! I can't do that!"

"I didn't ask for you to argue with me, Emerson! Now go!" The man behind him raised his wand, "Go!" He shouted once more, shooing me off with a wave. So I did what most would do. I listened. I ran and ran as far and fast as my legs could carry me. My mind was going too swift for me to stop for a moment and think of a better solution.

I ran back up the hill, and down into a nearby forest, the trees seemed taller with each step I took, towering far above me. I was gasping for breath at that point. My chest burned horribly. I finally decided to stop and lean against one of the trees. I had too many questions that I could have written an entire book on them, and have no answers, like a book of riddles. At this point, my life was a damn riddle.

Once I regained my breath I realized there would be only one way to get somewhere quickly. Something Moody had recently taught me. I could appartate, but where would I go? He said to find someone I trusted, but I didn't know where Lupin or Sirius were, the last time I spoke to either of them they seemed to be reluctant to give details of where they were holed up. Not that I blamed them at all after last year. I couldn't go to Hogwarts, that would be strange for me to just show up.

Man, sometimes I missed curling up by the fire in the Three Broomsticks with a good book. Wait... That was it. Hogsmeade! I knew I could go there and find someone, anyone willing to listen. It was quiet and safe there.

So that's where I headed, I apparated away from that dreadful place and found myself within seconds, dizzy and standing in the middle of Hogsmeade. Where there weren't many people out, and most of them looked busy; fixing up signs, and windows, and walking with what looked like boxes of food spilling out of the top.

"Excuse me!" I rushed forward to a tall older man, who grumbled and walked in the opposite direction. There was another man who sat there fixing Madam Rosmerta's sign, "Please, I need your help!"

"Tavern's closed to students!" He snarled.

"I-I'm not a student!" I shook my head, "Please, sir–"

"Buzz off!" He stomped back inside and slammed the door shut in my face. I stood there in awe, they were never this rude when I was in school... What in the hell happened since then? I sighed heavily and slid down the outer wall of the tavern, stuffing my face into my hands and moaning trying to keep myself from crying. I heard gentle pitter-patters and a whine. I frowned and slowly gazed up, there in front of me sat a ragged black dog, panting a few inches from my face. I tilted my head, the dog... I could have sworn he seemed familiar.

The dog tilted his head with a whine, and one of his ears, which was scared and torn flicked up. I chuckled and sighed. My tears were withheld thanks to the dog. I held my hand in front of the dog, who, instead of sniffing it, rubbed his head against it. I gently pet his head and muttered, "It looks like it's me and you buddy...." I muttered to my new furry friend.