Chapter 267: Quidditch World Cup
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The students' wand sets were upgraded to the most advanced combat models. Additionally, they each received a crossbow along with twenty arrows.
Their utility belts were also transformed into compact pouches filled with a variety of potions, making them well-prepared for any confrontation.
The cost of this equipment was steep, but Ethan, now wealthy and without financial concerns, considered it a necessary investment.
He anticipated the Quidditch World Cup would be targeted by Death Eaters and prioritized the safety of his students.
"Get ready. We're leaving now," Ethan instructed the students standing before him, his tone firm.
From his pocket, he pulled out a rusted iron bucket.
"This is the portkey to the Quidditch World Cup stadium," he explained.
The students, familiar with the use of portkeys, gathered around and firmly grasped the edges of the battered bucket.
"Let's begin," Ethan said.
Almost immediately, he felt the familiar sensation of a hook pulling him sharply from his navel. His feet left the ground as the group was propelled forward with unstoppable force.
A fierce wind whipped against their faces as they hurtled through the air, the scenery around them an indistinguishable blur.
After a few moments of this chaotic flight, Ethan's feet touched solid ground, and he exhaled in relief.
The students, though slightly disheveled with windblown hair, quickly began to compose themselves.
They had arrived in a vast, desolate swamp shrouded in fog.
Standing before them was Rufus Scrimgeour, the lion-like head of the Auror's Office.
"You're here, and just in time," Scrimgeour said as he stepped forward to greet Ethan.
From a folder tucked under his arm, he pulled out a large map.
"This will be your students' training ground," he said, indicating several circles marked in red ink.
Ethan took the map, studying it briefly, then turned to his students. He outlined their patrol areas with precision, ensuring they understood their responsibilities.
The students listened attentively, nodding in acknowledgment before vanishing with a crack of Disapparition to begin their assignments.
"Ethan, your students are remarkably capable," Scrimgeour remarked, watching them disappear.
"They hardly seem like recent graduates."
"With proper training, anyone can achieve this," Ethan replied with a smile.
Scrimgeour hesitated for a moment before speaking again.
"Ethan, can we talk?"
"Of course," Ethan said, meeting Scrimgeour's piercing gray eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses.
"I've heard rumors. And given the Ministry's recent actions... Ethan, I need to know. Is He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named still alive? And are there insiders within the Ministry aiding him?" Scrimgeour asked cautiously.
Ethan's expression grew serious. "I have solid evidence that the Dark Lord is indeed alive. He's in hiding, and yes, there are individuals within the Ministry supporting him."
"I knew it!" Scrimgeour exclaimed, stomping his foot in frustration.
"I knew something was wrong all along! They even called me paranoid!"
"Do you know who these Death Eater sympathizers are?" Scrimgeour asked urgently, clearly eager to act.
"Unfortunately, our information is limited," Ethan replied.
"We'll need to wait for the traitors to expose themselves."
Scrimgeour placed a hand on Ethan's shoulder, his demeanor resolute.
"If you need any help in the fight against the Dark Lord, tell me. I'll do everything in my power to support you."
"I definitely will," Ethan replied earnestly.
Rufus Scrimgeour gave a curt nod before heading off to attend to his own tasks, while Ethan turned and began walking toward the camp.
The desolate swamp stretched endlessly around him, shrouded in a dense fog so thick it was nearly impossible to see more than a few feet ahead.
As he walked for what felt like twenty minutes, the faint outline of a structure gradually emerged from the mist—a small stone house.
Behind the house, hundreds of grotesque tents climbed the gentle slope of a vast field, which stretched all the way to a dark forest looming on the horizon.
Two figures stood at the gate. One of them, a wizard, was repeatedly casting spells on the other, a bewildered Muggle man. Ethan recognized the Muggle as Mr. Roberts, the camp's caretaker.
"Obliviate!" the wizard muttered, sending another forgetting spell toward Mr. Roberts.
"Having trouble?" Ethan asked as he approached.
"Too much trouble!" the wizard sighed, clearly exasperated.
"There are so many wizards here, and this Muggle keeps stumbling into things he shouldn't. I've already had to use the Obliviate spell on him seventeen times today!"
The wizard ran a hand through his messy hair, his dark eye sockets and unshaven face a testament to his frustration.
"If it weren't for the Imperius Curse being illegal, I'd be tempted to use it just to keep him from wandering where he shouldn't."
"Let me help you," Ethan offered. He raised his hand and traced a simple circle in the air.
A soft white light enveloped Mr. Roberts, and his eyes momentarily gleamed with the glow of the spell.
"Mr. Roberts, don't you have something else to do?" Ethan asked gently.
"Yes, yes," Mr. Roberts replied in a dreamy voice.
"My wife and daughter came to see me. I wanted to take them out, but there are so many people here, I've been stuck working overtime."
"You don't need to work overtime anymore," Ethan assured him.
"I'll handle things here. Go spend time with your family."
"Thank you, thank you," Mr. Roberts said, still dazed but grateful. He turned and wandered off toward his family.
"Oh, thank Merlin!" the wizard exclaimed, looking visibly relieved.
"You're a lifesaver! Thank you so much!"
"Think nothing of it," Ethan replied with a smile.
"No, really, I must thank you properly," the wizard insisted. He fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a small card, handing it to Ethan.
"This is an employee's internal card. With it, you can eat and drink anywhere in the venue for free—no limits!" the wizard explained, a note of pride in his voice.
"Well, thank you," Ethan said, accepting the card with a smile. He wasn't in need of free meals, but the gesture was thoughtful, and the idea of unlimited food and drink was undeniably tempting.
"You deserve it, sir!" the wizard said with a grin before turning back to his duties.
Ethan pocketed the card and continued walking deeper into the field, the tents and the buzz of activity growing closer with every step.