The Hidden One

dark marks

The quartet walked until they hadn't been able to see Malfoy for a few minutes before talking.

"Fred and George can't have gone that far," Ron finally spoke, pulling out his wand as he said so and lighting the end up. Rose and Hermione did the same.

"I can't believe it! I lost my wand!" Harry exclaimed.

"You're kidding!" Rose said. Harry shook his head no and the three teens with wands used their light to look on the ground for Harry's wand, but they didn't find anything.

"Maybe it's back in the tent," Ron said.

"Maybe it fell out of your pocket when we were running," Hermione offered.

"Yeah, maybe," Harry muttered, looking lost without his wand. Rose placed her hand on his arm in what she hoped was a comforting way. A sudden noise made everyone jump and turn around to see Winky slinking through the woods, obviously troubled.

"There is bad wizards about! People high...high in the air. Winky is getting away!" Winky muttered, although it seemed as if she was talking more to herself than the group. Rose noted that she seemed as if she couldn't even walk properly.

"What's up with her? Why can't she walk?" Rose asked.

"Maybe she didn't ask permission to hide," Harry guessed. Rose nodded her head, as that answer made sense.

"We give house elves such a bad deal! They're slaves! That's all that they are!" Hermione shouted. Rose agreed to an extent, but also knew that if you offered freedom to most elves they would die with shock.

"I mean...they are happy...maybe Winky...likes being bossed around," Ron pointed out sheepishly.

"It's people like you, Ron! People like you who-" Hermione started to shout, but was interrupted by even more yelling.

"Let's keep moving," Ron muttered, staring at where the shouting was coming from. Everyone nodded and started walking. Harry reached his hand out to Rose, who took it hesitantly.

There was no sight of the twins or Ginny as they walked through the woods. There was, however, a group of men who were attempting to impress what seemed like a Veela. Ron also yelled at her, but Hermione was able to drag him away.  The group walked for another few minutes before coming to a clearing.

"I reckon we can wait here. We'll hear anyone coming from a mile off," Harry said. As soon as Harry said that, Ludo Bagman appeared in front of them. He was very different from how he was before the match.

"Who's there? What are you doing here, alone?" Ludo asked.

"There's a riot going on," Ron informed the man, speaking up when no one else would.

"What?" Ludo replied, staring at Ron with bloodshot eyes.

"A riot- back at the campsite. Some people have a family of muggles."

At Ron's words, Ludo let out a string of curse words and apparated off.

"Not exactly on top of things, is he?" Hermione asked.

"He was a great beater though. The wasps won three times in a row because of him," Ron told the girl, setting down the fake Krum as he did so. Everyone watched at the figurine walked around the ground.

"Those poor muggles," Hermione sighed. Rose left Harry's side to wrap her arm around Hermione's shoulders. The bushy haired girl placed her head on Rose's shoulder.

"They're mad to do something like that will all the ministry workers. Everyone involved will be caught!" Ron said confidently, trying to reassure his friend. Hermione nodded and went to reply when a rustling came in the woods behind her. Despite the fact that he was wandless, Harry came to stand in front of the two girls with Ron at his side.