Dark clouds quietly gathered in the sky, casting a shadow over the otherwise festive atmosphere at the camp. The air was filled with the sound of laughter and singing, punctuated by the occasional quack from the leprechauns flying overhead. It was a day of joy unlike any Harry had ever experienced. The Weasley family was engrossed in a lively discussion about the Quidditch World Cup, with Charlie eager to demonstrate Krum's famous feints. Harry found himself completely absorbed in the conversation, debating the nuances of charging fouls with genuine enthusiasm. The debate grew so heated that Mr. Weasley and Charlie ended up in a spirited argument, only ending when Ginny, overcome by sleepiness, accidentally spilled her hot chocolate on the floor.
Realizing it was time to call it a night, Mr. Weasley herded the family back to their tent. As Harry lay in bed, he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of belonging. The Weasleys had become like a second family to him, with Mr. Weasley filling the role of the father he had lost, always ready with a joke or a kind word. The sounds of the night, initially a cacophony of celebration, gradually morphed into a soothing lullaby, lulling Harry into a dream where he stood victorious at the World Cup, the crowd cheering his name.
His dream was abruptly shattered by a loud roar. It was Mr. Weasley, frantically waking everyone up, struggling to pull on his jeans over his pajamas. "Something's wrong, it's chaos out there! Harry, grab your coat and let's go, now!" The festive singing had been replaced by screams and the sound of panicked running. Mr. Weasley, sensing the urgency, had acted quickly to rouse everyone.
The children scrambled to dress and rushed outside, only to be met with a scene of chaos. The air was filled with jeers, laughter, and drunken shouts. A group of hooded and masked wizards was advancing, with four figures floating helplessly above them, contorted in fear. It was the Muggle campsite administrator, Mr. Roberts, and his family, victims of this senseless torment. The group of wizards continued to grow, their ranks swelling as they moved through the camp, setting tents ablaze with their wands.
Mr. Weasley, determined to help, ushered Harry and the others towards the safety of the woods, intent on assisting the Ministry of Magic in restoring order. Bill and Charlie were already on the move, with Percy trying to take charge of the situation. The Ministry officials were quick to respond, but the gravity of the situation was not lost on Fred, who took it upon himself to ensure Ginny's safety. George, always the protector, lingered at the back, keeping a watchful eye on his siblings.
As they made their way into the woods, Harry glanced back and noticed something alarming. "Look, someone's in the sky!" he exclaimed. George, initially dismissive, turned to see the floating figures and recognized one of the attackers. "Fjonny Silver Hand!" he shouted, his voice filled with a mix of recognition and fear.
Above, amidst the darkening clouds, John observed the scene with a cold, detached gaze. He didn't know the Roberts family personally, but the cruelty displayed by the mob below filled him with disgust. His left hand, adorned with a silver ring featuring a blue gemstone and five amethyst crystals, channeled a steady stream of magical power into his wand.
"Percy, get out of there," John commanded, his voice cutting through the chaos. Percy, recognizing the authority in that voice, immediately urged Bill and Charlie to retreat. A wave of unexplained panic swept through the crowd, halting their wild laughter.
At that moment, Barty Crouch Sr., a high-ranking official at the Ministry of Magic, stepped forward. He drew his wand, ready to confront the madness head-on, his actions driven by a deep-seated sense of duty and a determination to protect those in harm's way. Under a sky heavy with dark clouds, an oppressive atmosphere enveloped the area. Silver lightning streaked across the sky, resembling dancing serpents. John, standing with a commanding presence, had his eyes morph into vertical pupils as lightning illuminated the scene behind him, casting a fearsome shadow of a black dragon on the ground below. With a gentle swing of his wand, he uttered a single word, "Thunder." A crackling bolt of lightning, as if summoned by his command, twisted through the dark clouds and descended upon the crowd below. The woods echoed with a loud rumbling sound, and to the countless witnesses, it was as if the sky itself expressed its fury. A brilliant white light bridged the gap between heaven and earth, concealing within it the sound of screams, both piercing and sharp. The lightning, like a celestial spear, scorched the earth beneath it, and John, floating above, seemed to wield this mighty power.
The energy from five magic crystals surged into his glove, amplified by the Philosopher's Stone. This, combined with ancient thunder magic and the thunderbird's mastery over the skies, allowed the lightning to cover an extensive area, striking all the troublemakers below. The display lasted an intense five seconds. As the white light faded, those on the ground lay defeated, their disguises shattered and their bodies marred with gruesome scars from the thunder's lash.
In the aftermath, a heavy silence fell. Even Barty Crouch, who had lived through Voldemort's reign, found himself trembling at the display of power. John descended slowly, stepping deliberately on one of the troublemakers, eliciting a scream of pain. Without a hint of mercy, he indifferently crushed every finger under his shoe, the screams cutting through the silence. The Ministry of Magic, finally snapping out of their shock, hesitated to approach John.
"Barty, my friend," John spoke softly, disregarding the injured on the ground, "don't let them trouble you." Barty Crouch's face was a mask of displeasure. He had meticulously planned, only to have it nearly ruined by these disruptors. He nodded in agreement, a stern look in his eyes. "Your Excellency, they will pay for this," he vowed, his voice carrying a promise of retribution. He then ordered the Ministry officials to search for any who might have escaped.
As Barty Crouch departed, the Weasley brothers remained. Bill, sensing the danger emanating from John, protectively stood in front of his younger siblings. Charlie, feeling an unease greater than facing a dragon, positioned himself to shield Percy. Percy, puzzled, wondered how John knew his name, given they had never crossed paths.
John, having cleared the area of troublemakers, felt a wave of fatigue. He reassured himself that the major threats were eliminated, leaving only the weaker ones behind, easily handled by someone of Malfoy's caliber. Passing by the Weasley brothers, he noticed their protective stance and couldn't help but chuckle. "Afraid of what I might do?" he teased.
"Your Excellency Johnny Silver Hand, your reputation precedes you," Bill responded, his voice tinged with respect and caution. As a curse-breaker, Bill had encountered numerous dangers, but none as formidable as the man before him. If not for his brothers, he might have chosen to retreat.
"Don't worry, I have no quarrel with kind wizards," John reassured them, then continued on his way, leaving Bill relieved and Percy deep in thought.
Hagrid, arriving belatedly, frantically searched for John, calling out his name. His concern was palpable as he rummaged through the tents. John, touched by Hagrid's concern, felt a warmth in his heart, quickly followed by alarm at Hagrid's excessive strength as he shook a troublemaker violently by the shoulders. The individual in question lost consciousness. With a swift motion, they were hurled through the air, covering a distance of more than ten meters as if they were no heavier than a ball. This display of strength was astonishing, akin to tossing a hundred-kilogram person effortlessly.
King sought out Hagrid to inform him that John had ventured into the woods. Meanwhile, John witnessed this remarkable scene, only to sense someone's presence materializing silently behind him. It was Heinrich. John, unfazed, remarked, "Well done. It appears Jin has uncovered my true identity."
Heinrich nodded, his expression awkward and uncharacteristic, admitting, "He's very astute." It was unusual for Heinrich to offer praise, and as John prepared to depart in disguise, the night sky was suddenly illuminated by a green light. A sinister skull, with a snake protruding from its mouth, appeared in the sky, sending a wave of tension through everyone present. This was a signal for the Ministry of Magic, prompting over twenty wizards to apparate to the scene immediately.
John's expression darkened at the sight of the Dark Mark, a symbol he recognized all too well from Lucius' left hand. "Wait for me here," he instructed Heinrich before disappearing with a soft pop, only to reappear at a scene where three young individuals were encircled by a crowd.
Barty Crouch was on the verge of madness, overwhelmed by the day's events. Amos Diggory, Cedric's father, burst onto the scene, apprehending a house-elf in the process. To his dismay, the elf belonged to Barty Crouch. Upon laying eyes on Shining, Crouch's reaction was one of shock and disbelief. He paced around Amos, muttering, "This... it's impossible... impossible..." as if trying to piece together a puzzle.
John, observing Crouch's behavior, recalled the individual seated next to Shining in the box, which caused his expression to darken. "Mr. Crouch," he addressed the elder Barty with a stern voice, "attend to your affairs!"
Crouch, visibly shaken, managed to compose himself and nodded at John before the latter turned to leave. John made his way to the spot where Amos had found Winky, only to discover an invisibility cloak. Pulling it aside, he revealed a young man whose pale complexion and freckled face bore the signs of prolonged absence from sunlight. His light yellow hair was unkempt and overgrown.
The young man's identity was clear to John, especially after witnessing Crouch's earlier distress. This was Barty Crouch Jr., the son whose actions had once led his father astray. Without hesitation, John grabbed the unconscious figure and disapparated, vanishing from the scene.
_________
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https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge