"We don't really know what's happening except that there's a fire." Harry began, and his voice which had started out unsteady gained more confidence with every word. "I suggest everyone gathers in the centre of the tent, young children in the middle, anyone capable of defending themselves placed around them. And…and anyone with a portkey should identify themselves and agree who they'll take if we need to leave urgently."
"Good plan, Harry." Narcissa said.
"Right, you heard Harry," Neville said authoritatively, knowing Harry needed support which they had vowed to give him, "Heirs start organising seating in the centre of the tent and a play area for the youngsters. Portkey people to Harry!"
He gave Harry a confident look and went to start rearranging the tent. Susan and Hannah immediately moved to help him as did Jeremy and Michael. Hermione dragged Ron into the centre to move some chairs and smiled at Neville. Neville felt a frisson of pride that they'd all followed him
He glanced back at Harry, quietly directing those with portkeys to strategic points with Bill's assistance, and felt a surge of confidence; of satisfaction in his choice to stand beside Harry. He just hoped the fire at the stadium had nothing to do with Harry's death threats…
o-O-o
"What is going on here?" Amelia shouted over the panicking crowd in the stadium's reception room.
Remus managed to wriggle close enough to her position to answer without yelling. "The portkeys aren't working."
Amelia sighed heavily. "Where the hell is Crouch or Bagman?"
"I haven't seen Bagman at all." Remus said. "Crouch left as soon as the match was over. He said he was feeling sick."
"So basically the two people in charge of this mess are AWOL?" Amelia rubbed her head.
Cornelius popped up beside them suddenly. "Amelia! Thank goodness you're here! Something's wonky with our portkeys and the stadium is on fire!"
"Yes," Amelia said dryly, "I had worked that out for myself, Cornelius." She whistled loudly and everyone stopped chattering and turned to look at her. "Auror Dawlish," she motioned at the man standing to her left, "escort everyone out of the emergency exit and to the portkey site outside of the encampment."
Cornelius beamed at her. "An excellent suggestion! Lead on, Dawlish!"
Dawlish nodded at his partner, a wiry looking woman who looked like she was sucking a sour plum, and the two of them began herding the VIPs efficiently. It wasn't a surprise to Remus that Cornelius was at Dawlish's elbow as the Auror led the way out.
Bogdan nudged Remus. "Vou are staying?"
"I should," Remus said apologetically, "to help with the fire."
"Tomas will stay with you." Bogdan indicated one of his guards and Remus immediately knew it was Tomas was the werewolf that Bogdan had spoken about earlier.
"Thank you." Remus said.
"You will always be welcome in Bulgaria, Remus." Bogdan stated with a smile. He gave a nod of farewell and let his security force usher him out.
"Pleasure to meet you, Lupin." Kate said with a grin as the Irish Minister followed the Bulgarian's example and left.
Remus turned back to Amelia. "What's happening? Where do you need us?"
"Rufus has set up a command tent," Amelia said, "Sirius and most of the other volunteers have been pressed into fire duty on the North stand."
"I figured." Remus said as they moved out of the way of the flowing crush of people. "Sirius has the training for it at least."
"I think Rufus wants to give him his badge back," Amelia joked, "he's got him leading that group – thankfully because the Auror contingent is struggling to hold the East stand."
Remus nodded. "Tomas and I will join with Sirius then."
"Actually, Remus…" Amelia sighed as she stepped out of the way of a running child, "if the portkeys aren't working then that's another problem we need to solve."
"It's probably an anti-transportation ward." Remus suggested. "I doubt apparition will be possible either."
"Can you track down the source?" Amelia asked.
Remus felt torn. He wanted to help Sirius, or failing that to return to Harry's side because he sensed Sirius wouldn't be happy about leaving Harry even if he'd left him with others that he trusted. But if his skills were needed… "I'm fair."
"I can help." Tomas said. "I am trained Auror."
"Excellent." Amelia said. "Well, if you two can try to find the source of the ward and destroy it; that would be great."
Remus exchanged a look with Tomas and nodded.
They fell into step with the stragglers from the Ministry party and within minutes were outside of the stadium.
Remus cast a look back at the building; at the rising plume of smoke and the flicker of yellow flames licking at the far side of the walls. He shivered.
Tomas started casting the ward detection spell and pointed towards the far side of the camp. "Over there."
Remus conjured a patronus. "Sirius, I've gone to track down an anti-transportation ward. Good luck with the fire." He sent it off and caught up with Tomas. He just hoped Harry would be alright.
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