Chapter 267: With So Many Aurors on Guard, This World Cup Should Be Very Safe, Right?
Only Ethan had the leisure to make observations at a time like this.
Portkey travel was like being hooked through the navel with a giant fishing line.
Hermione clambered dizzily to her feet, cast Scourgify on herself with a grimace, and said in a flat voice, "Isn't there a more stable method?"
Ginny nodded beside her, patting Hermione's back sympathetically. Perhaps because she played Quidditch, her complexion was better than Hermione's.
Mr Weasley said cheerfully, "Cheer up, girls! You don't get the chance to cross hundreds of miles in an instant very often!"
Ethan nodded. "Indeed. Hooking people up like salted fish is quite entertaining."
That ended the conversation.
Only the thick-skinned Mr Diggory, Cedric's Hufflepuff father, laughed heartily. "You must be the famous Ethan! You have quite a sense of humour. But our Cedric is no slouch either!"
While Cedric's expression turned awkward, Mr Diggory proudly slapped his son's muscular back. "Look at these battle-hardened shoulders! I have a feeling Cedric will become a great hero! Much better than being a scribbler—"
"Mind your words, sir."
Unexpectedly, it was the usually silent Mr Lovegood who interrupted Mr Diggory's boasting.
Everyone stared at the man with sickly pale-blond hair in surprise. Even Mr Diggory looked at him blankly, as if noticing his presence for the first time.
Mr Lovegood's face was taut as he enunciated each word. "Ethan keeps his promises. If he says he will hang someone up like salted fish, he will absolutely do it! You cannot disbelieve Ethan!"
The shout echoed in everyone's bewildered ears.
Wait, that's your rebuttal? Please definitely don't follow through on that part!
Mr Diggory was dumbfounded.
"Oh, you truly understand me, Mr Lovegood," Ethan said, moved.
Mr Lovegood chuckled shyly and scratched his head, relieved inside. Phew, spoke without thinking, but fortunately, all that time running around with Ethan and Luna had given him some experience. Didn't embarrass myself!
Mr Diggory looked shocked. This lunatic family was the object of Cedric's constant admiration?
He shivered, suddenly harbouring deep doubts about Hogwarts' safety. Though no matter what, with Headmaster Dumbledore there, Cedric couldn't possibly come to harm at school. He couldn't possibly die, right? Ridiculous thought.
The incident passed quickly. As they approached the venue, they were stopped by Aurors for inspection. Dozens of Aurors stood at the entrance with solemn expressions, wands in hand, tirelessly conducting thorough checks on everyone.
Directing them was a young black-haired woman. Her hair was pinned high behind her head, giving her an extremely capable appearance.
Ethan watched her from behind. For a moment, she reminded him of Miss Black from a century ago. According to Sirius, he had accidentally discovered one day while looking at the family tapestry that Eve Black's name had appeared on it.
So Miss Eve is doing well in the past too, Ethan thought, his eyes crinkling with pleasure. He planned to use the silver key to visit her again sometime.
Just then, the Auror turned around. With one glance, Ethan completely distinguished her from Miss Black. If he had to compare them, it was the difference between a wolf king and a husky.
Her face held a kind of clear stupidity. Round eyes, a pert little nose, her entire face radiant with energy and enthusiasm. She was quite pretty, though. A typical Gryffindor.
"Oh! Oh!" Seeing him, the Auror made an incomprehensible squeak. Her face rapidly flushed scarlet. Then, moving stiffly, she walked over, snapped to attention with a click, and announced loudly, "Connie Rosier, saluting you!"
Rosier? Ethan raised an eyebrow. The French family that once followed Grindelwald?
As if reading his thoughts, the Auror's face turned even redder. Fighting spirit blazed in her eyes. "I'm one of the Aurors responsible for security at this match! Even though there was an attack beforehand, I will catch the culprit and protect this World Cup! You, you'd better watch closely, Mr Vincent!"
With that, her face turned the colour of a tomato. After two seconds of silence, she shrieked "Ah!" and Disapparated.
Ethan pointed in the direction she had vanished, puzzled. "Was she challenging me?"
Why tell me to "watch closely"? Could she have detected his true identity?
Ethan's eyes darkened.
"Mate, if that's what you call a 'challenge,'" the Weasley twins said, "then every girl at Hogwarts is challenging you."
Meeting Ethan's confused gaze, the twins patted his shoulder helplessly and shot their little sister Ginny a look that said, "Good luck with that."
An iron tree blooming, a block of wood gaining sense. Little sister, you have a long road ahead of you. Then Ginny, mortified, elbowed them hard.
Elsewhere, Harry clenched his fists. He instinctively believed the attack was Mr Lamp's doing. The weakened Voldemort would not want to make front-page news. But that exaggerated style did remind him a bit of Ethan.
After passing the Auror inspection, they finally entered the grounds. Like bursting through a paper barrier, noise rushed to meet them. Everything in sight was lively and bustling. Wizards of different colours and nationalities moved among countless tents. Some even had chimneys sticking out. Morning light filtered through clouds onto the field. It was a rare sunny day for Britain.
Ethan raised his hand to shade his eyes. "The weather today is not very good," he muttered, then conjured a storm cloud above his head. With a splash, it drenched everyone thoroughly.
Passing wizards gaped at the "localized downpour" in shock, forgetting to watch where they were going and colliding with others.
"Much more comfortable," Ethan said with satisfaction, huddling under an umbrella he had already raised, pressed close to Luna.
Under the deadpan stares of the Weasleys and others, he and Luna exchanged smiles. The atmosphere was cosy indeed.
"This umbrella is beautiful," Luna said, running her fingers over the pitch-black surface. Her pale fingertips came away marked with a bit of black, like paint.
Ethan squinted meaningfully. "This is a wonderful tool for later use."
Just then, an excited shout rang out. "Mr Crouch!" It was Percy, who had Apparated over, waving excitedly and nervously at a figure hurrying past.
Hearing this, Ethan turned his head. He looked at Barty Crouch Sr., who insisted on giving his son the same name. His gaze shifted slightly. Beside Crouch, he saw an outline hidden under an invisibility effect.
Ethan's lips slowly curved into a smile.
Well, well. If it isn't little Barty. Haven't seen you in a few days, and you've been captured by your father again?