The chaos from the Death Eater attack had finally settled, leaving behind only confusion and a growing list of questions from the Ministry. My thoughts, however, were miles away, trying to process the weight of what had just happened. Barty Crouch Jr. lay dead—killed by my Kurohitsugi, one of Aizen's more powerful Hado. I hadn't intended to change things this much, I didn't know who behind the mask was, but now the future was altered in ways that could prove problematic.
I watched as Ministry officials scurried about, trying to understand how a man who was supposed to be locked away in Azkaban had shown up at the Quidditch World Cup, seemingly free. As far as they knew, Barty Jr. had been imprisoned for years. That mystery would occupy their minds for some time, though it didn't concern me as much as what his death meant for the timeline. Without him, things were off course. The Triwizard Tournament, specifically, was going to change now that Barty wasn't around to manipulate events behind the scenes.
'Great', I thought to myself. 'Another ripple I have to navigate'. I had killed Barty Jr. before he could add Rose's name to the Goblet of Fire. Now what would happen? Would someone else step in, or would the entire tournament play out differently?
A soft voice pulled me from my thoughts. "Shiro, you okay?"
Rose stood beside me, concern etched into her features. She had handled the chaos well, helping guide others to safety when the attack had begun, but now her worry was focused on me.
"I'm fine," I replied, shaking off my distraction. "Just thinking about what happened. It's a lot to take in."
"I can't believe the Death Eaters attacked here, of all places," Rose said, her voice tinged with disbelief. "Do you think they'll find out how Barty Crouch Jr. even got here?"
"I'm sure they'll figure something out," I said vaguely, though I doubted the Ministry would ever get the full picture. 'And that's for the best'.
Rose sighed, looking at the Aurors who were still questioning witnesses. "It's just… I don't get it. How can someone be in Azkaban and here at the same time?"
I shrugged, feigning ignorance. "Who knows? Maybe he escaped a while ago, and no one noticed."
She frowned but didn't push further. "I guess. But it's strange, don't you think?"
Before I could answer, Sirius and Arthur Weasley approached us, both looking relieved that the situation was under control. Sirius had a grim expression as he looked around the aftermath of the Death Eater attack.
"I never thought I'd see them again, not after everything," Sirius said, his voice low.
Arthur nodded in agreement, his face still pale from the events. "It's unsettling, seeing them so bold. I didn't expect this…not at a Quidditch World Cup, of all places."
Sirius turned to me with a serious expression. "Thank you for what you did back there, Shiro. Without you, things could have been much worse."
I nodded, offering a small smile. "Just doing what I could."
We stood in silence for a moment, the weight of the situation pressing down on us. Sirius glanced at Rose, his expression softening as he saw her. "I'm just glad you two are safe. That's what matters most."
Rose smiled up at him, though the tension of the night still lingered in her eyes. "I'm just glad we made it out in one piece."
Sirius clapped me on the shoulder, his usual grin returning as he tried to lighten the mood. "Well, enough with the doom and gloom. Let's get back to the tent and celebrate surviving an attack by a bunch of cowards."
Rose laughed softly, and we began walking back toward the tent, Sirius leading the way with Arthur close behind. As we walked, Rose's expression shifted, becoming more thoughtful.
"Shiro," she said quietly, falling into step beside me. "Do you think we'll ever be free of all this? The constant danger, the threats…"
I glanced at her, seeing the weight of everything she had been through in her eyes. "I don't know," I admitted. "But we can handle whatever comes next. You've got Sirius, Lupin, and your friends. You're not alone."
She smiled at that, though it was a little bittersweet. "And I've got you, too."
I nodded, though I knew my time here was limited. I wouldn't stay forever—I had my own world to return to, and soon. But for now, I could be there for her, and that was enough.
As we reached the tent, the atmosphere inside was a mix of relief and lingering tension. The Weasley twins were already cracking jokes to lighten the mood, and Sirius was chatting with Arthur about the Ministry's likely response to the attack.
Rose caught my eye and gave a small, almost shy smile before she joined the others. I watched as she interacted with her friends, her strength and warmth shining through despite everything. I had done what I could to protect her, and I'd continue to do so, even from the shadows if necessary.
But as I watched her, my mind drifted back to the larger problem: the Horcrux inside her. It was something I had sensed and knew about from the beginning, a dark fragment of Voldemort's soul lodged in her. I knew that at some point, I'd have to deal with it, but it wasn't something I could rush. It required careful planning and the full mastery of Aizen's powers to remove it without harming her.
And I couldn't kill Voldemort now, even if part of me wanted to. His soul was too fractured, too dispersed across different Horcruxes. If I moved too soon, Rose would be in even greater danger. For now, I had to let things play out while staying close enough to protect her when necessary.
Later that night, as the camp quieted down and most of the Ministry officials had left, I made my decision. It was time for me to go back to my world, at least for a while. The attack here had disrupted things more than I expected, and I needed to regroup and think about my next steps.
Sirius and Rose were by the fire when I approached them, both looking up as I walked over.
"I need to head back," I said, my voice calm but firm. "I've been away from home too long."
Sirius stood, a mix of surprise and understanding in his eyes. "So soon?"
I nodded. "I've done what I can here, for now. You and Rose are safe and free, and that's what matters."
Rose's face fell slightly, though she quickly masked it with a smile. "You're always welcome here, Shiro. Anytime."
"I'll be back," I promised, giving her a reassuring smile. "I'm just a word away, after all."
Sirius grinned. "Don't be a stranger."
As I turned to leave, Rose suddenly stepped forward, her face flushed. Before I could react, she leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to my cheek, her blush deepening as she pulled back. "That's for everything," she whispered, her voice soft but sincere.
I chuckled, slightly surprised but touched by the gesture. "Take care, Rose."
With a final nod to Sirius, I turned and made my way into the darkness, walking just far enough to activate a portal. As I stepped through the swirling vortex back to my own world, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief mixed with anticipation.
'There's always more to do', I thought, stepping back into familiar territory. But for now, I'd done my part.