Badgersoul

Chapter 6: Chaotic Good

Chapter 6: Chaotic Good

Sat with Reggie on the train again. His friend Barty was there too. Don't think I like him very much. He was spouting the usual pure-blood superiority nonsense and seemed to listen intently as Reggie told me about the balls I had missed. I could tell he was storing the information away - perhaps to use as personal gain later? Seems like the Slytherin thing to do. Also, he did this weird thing where he occasionally darted his tongue out. Reminded me a bit of a snake.

**

Everyone went to bed after that, but Leo couldn't sleep. Instead, he sat in front of the tents, keeping an eye on everything and ruminating on all that had happened over the past few hours. He had been excited to come to the World Cup – seeing all these professionals racing around and meeting foreign wizards – and see Draco. He had hoped for new experiences and fun times but had ended up getting far more than he had bargained for.

He hadn't expected to see Death Eaters. He hadn't expected to see them torturing Muggles. He hadn't expected to see the Cruciatus Curse again. He drew his knees against his chest, resting his chin upon them. He suddenly longed to be back with Sirius and Remus and deeply wished he had stayed with them instead of coming to the Cup.

But who would protect Harry? His mind whispered back. Who would've kept him safe from all those Death Eaters? Draco came to warn you. If you hadn't been there - He paused in his thoughts, suddenly worried about his friend. Had Lucius or Narcissa noticed his absence? Would they know where he had been? He shook himself. Draco was an accomplished liar, he'd be able to handle himself, surely?

Mr. Weasley came out of the tent, looking around worriedly before spotting Leo and relaxing. He ran back in the tent and, a few minutes later, had everyone awake and traipsing outside as he magically took the tents down. They left the campsite as quickly as possible, passing Mr. Roberts at the door of his cottage. Mr. Roberts had a strange, dazed look about him, and he waved them off with a vague "Merry Christmas."

Leo looked at Mr. Weasley with a small frown.

"He'll be all right," said Mr. Weasley quietly as they marched off onto the moor. "Sometimes, when a person's memory's modified, it makes him a bit disorientated for a while... and that was a big thing they had to make him forget."

They heard urgent voices as they approached the spot where the Portkeys lay, and when they reached it, they found a great number of witches and wizards gathered around Basil, the keeper of the Portkeys, all clamoring to get away from the campsite as quickly as possible. Mr. Weasley had a hurried discussion with Basil; they joined the queue and were able to take an old rubber tire back to Stoatshead Hill before the sun had really risen. They walked back through Ottery St. Catchpole and up the damp lane toward the Burrow in the dawn light, talking very little because they were so exhausted, and thinking longingly of their breakfast. As they rounded the corner and the Burrow came into view, a cry echoed along the lane.

"Oh thank goodness, thank goodness!"

Mrs. Weasley was running toward them, and Leo was surprised to see she wasn't the only one waiting for them. Remus stood there as well, looking quite weary but relieved when they came into sight. Leo ran past Mrs. Weasley, enveloping Remus in a running hug that almost knocked him over. Remus hugged him back just as fiercely, ignoring the gaping expressions of the Weasley twins, Ginny, and Percy.

"Are you all right?" Remus asked when they separated.

"Well, I have all my limbs attached so... could be worse," Leo gave a small half-smile before frowning. "There were Death Eaters there. They were awful."