Chapter 45: Quidditch World Cup

Quidditch is a popular sport in the wizarding world that needs no introduction. The World Cup, which is being held in the UK after a long time. Any Quidditch fan would shout that anyone who has a ticket but doesn't come to watch must be crazy. Leonard Taylor, one of those crazy few, is in his home laboratory with his best friend Hermione Granger and Ku, who is like a daughter they created themselves. They have long finished their homework and are now spending their time doing research.

"Speaking of which, today is the final match of the World Cup. Leo and Ku don't seem interested, but Mr. Erskine and Mrs. Ferris are at the venue."

"That's right. I guess my mom is probably enjoying herself right now. My dad has security work, so I'm not sure if he can watch the match."

When it's time for dinner, everyone cooperates to make and eat dinner. Hermione is planning to stay at the Taylor residence again today. There's even a room just for Hermione, so she's treated almost like family. Hermione's parents also agree with this, and if Leo and Hermione start dating, they're ready to hold a wedding ceremony.

After dinner, during a relaxed time, Ferris Taylor, Leo's mother, suddenly apparates into the living room. Realizing that something had happened from her appearance, Leo rushes to his mother.

"Mom! Are you okay? Did something happen?"

"I'm fine, Leo. It's just that the Quidditch venue was attacked. I think it was probably the Death Eaters."

The Death Eaters were a group that committed atrocities under the Dark Lord Voldemort at his peak. In Muggle terms, they might be close to terrorists. According to them, they might be something like revolutionaries.

"Right now, Erskine and other Aurors are dealing with it. I think it should be okay."

"Well, if Dad's there it's probably okay. Should I go help just in case?"

"You don't have to do anything like that. Children shouldn't stick their head into dangerous things. No matter how strong you are, it's our job as parents and adults to protect you."

Ferris hugs her son. All she can do now is pray for her husband to return safely.

～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～

The Quidditch World Cup venue was filled with shouts and screams, and various spells were flying around in all directions. The Death Eaters were amusing themselves by levitating Muggles and attacking the spectators. However, a man stood in their way.

"What's with him? Does he intend to stop us out of a sense of justice?

"Hah! He's a reckless fool. Let's hang him up like we do with the Muggles."

One of the Death Eaters in front noticed something and dashed towards the back.

"What's with that guy, Foy? Did he get scared?"

The Death Eaters continued to walk without concern. At first, they intended to torment the man just like they did with the other spectators. But one of the Death Eaters at the front noticed who the man was and screamed.

"Hoaaaa!? Is that Erskin Taylor!?"

"Hey, hey, hey... You're kidding, right? Seriously? You're joking, right!?

"It's over... It's all over... There's no way we can win..."

The Death Eaters started to murmur. Just by taking one step, Erskin instilled fear in them and they began to flee. During the peak of the Dark Lord's reign, there were countless battles with the Aurors and Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix. Among them, Erskin Taylor was the one who defeated the most Death Eaters.

For the Death Eaters, Erskin Taylor was an object of fear more than Dumbledore. The bravado from earlier was nowhere to be seen. Erskin hadn't even uttered a word or a spell yet. He just walked closer. Despite this, they started to run away as if they had forgotten that they were wizards.

Erskin readied his wand. And at the moment he was about to cast a spell from his wand, a skull spitting out a snake appeared in the dark night.

Everyone, including the Death Eaters, saw this spectacle.

The Dark Mark, it is a symbol of the Dark Lord Voldemort. Its appearance means that there are those who are truly loyal, not like these cowardly Death Eaters. The surroundings became much more panicked than before.

Erskin left those who caused the commotion and hurriedly headed under the Dark Mark.

The fleeing Death Eaters took this chance to disappear and scatter.

～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～

Late at night, when the date was about to change, Erskin finally returned home.

"I'm home! Ah, I'm tired..."

"You! You're safe. I'm glad."

"Welcome home, Dad. Are you hurt?"

He embraced his beloved wife and son who had come to greet him. Then, while having a light meal, he explained the situation. The Ministry of Magic would probably want to regulate information to avoid unnecessary confusion, but the Daily Prophet newspaper would surely report it in a big way the next day. The Dark Mark was created by a house-elf, and surprisingly, it was Barty Crouch's house-elf. Moreover, it seemed that the owner of the wand was Harry Potter. After that, various things happened, but for now, it seemed to have been a prank by the house-elf. However, Erskin didn't believe that conclusion at all.

"A house-elf created the Dark Mark? And it was Crouch's house-elf? That's impossible. I have an intuition that something is happening behind the scenes. Ferris, Leo. Something might happen from now on. Be careful. Especially Leo, there is an event at Hogwarts this year. Death Eaters or the Dark Lord himself might take advantage of it."

"Event?"

"There should be an explanation from Dumbledore on the first day. Well, I think it's probably okay... But it's better to be careful."

The veteran Auror believed in his intuition. He felt that things would get rough this year or next year.

The next day, the Daily Prophet newspaper reported in a big way about the commotion at the Quidditch World Cup venue. Poor security, remnants of Death Eaters, Dark Mark, people were terrified.

In the meantime, Leo and Hermione are shopping in Diagon Alley for school preparations, and various rumors are flying around here and there. Death Eaters are plotting something, the Dark Lord is resurrecting, Dumbledore will do something about it, the Ministry of Magic is useless, there will be a mass escape from Azkaban, dark magical creatures will invade, etc.

"Everywhere is just rumors. Some of them are no different from delusions."

"The magical world is quite behind compared to the Muggle world in terms of information networks. It's not unusual for rumors to change from their original source."

Leo and Hermione continue shopping without caring about rumors. Although they were shopping, they only needed textbooks for fourth graders and nothing else.

"Well, that's about it."

"That's right. By the way, I saw in the guide that dress robes are necessary but I wonder what for?"

"Dad said there's an event at Hogwarts this year so maybe it's related to that. I think Mom probably prepared it. Maybe she prepared Hermione's part too."

"Ah... That seems possible. She made so many and I feel like I'm going to be dressed up as a doll."

After shopping was over, they spent time window shopping and eating ice cream at Florian Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor.

For Leo, it was just another day with Hermione as usual, but for Hermione it was a date. Today Ku is at home helping Felis so she is not here. She always hangs out in Leo's study room but he feels like it's been a while since he was alone with Hermione.

"Speaking of which, it's been a while since we've been alone together Hermione. It's fine if Kuu or someone else is with us but I feel most relaxed when I'm alone with you."

"I was thinking about that too just now. It reminds me of when we first met at the library."

When they go home Kuu and their family will be there. In a few days time their days at Hogwarts will resume.

Considering this, time alone with Hermione is now considered quite valuable.

So Leo felt that he had to enjoy this time.

Hermione felt the same way.

Afterwards they enjoyed their peaceful time together until dusk fell and they returned home.

---

Even though the title is the Quidditch World Cup, there's nothing about that ...

Well, it can't be helped if the protagonist isn't there.

Erskin's rampage ended before it began.

As Erskin, he should deal with the dangerous things that emit the Dark Mark rather than the small fry in front of him.

And then, the guy who noticed Erskin quickly and ran away. It's Foy who recently got the name of a bee.

And then, after a long time, Leo and Hermione had a date alone.