Anyone in the large audience who thought that this fifteen-year-old muggle born witch shouldn't be giving orders to the minister of magic kept their mouths shut for two very good reasons. The first being that she had just single-handedly knocked out a dragon in under two seconds and the second reason was the look on her face when she said 'we'll deal with it,' this had scared the life out of everyone and they all silently thanked Merlin that they weren't the ones going to be dealt with.
Sirius was hurrying out the stadium and cursing himself for stupidly letting Joan go without a bigger escort, they could see Harry and there were aurors everywhere so they thought she'd be safe having such a short walk. He could see Moony berating himself about the same thing, his friend had fought most of his life to contain his inner wolf but one thing that always brought it to the surface was anyone harming a child. The fact that he was going to become a father and already considered Joan part of his family made it ten times worse, his cousin would not survive to see tomorrow it was only the manner and, noticing that Dan and Emma both had their weapons already in their hands, a question of who would carry out the deed.
Back in the stadium Pomona had to take the phone off her sobbing niece and hand it to Justin Finch-Fletchley as the people in Italy would be every bit as anxious for news as they were, she pulled Amber into a hug. "This is why they're fighting, so our children can grow up without this threat. They'll come back to us and we'll have to be strong for them, hurting a child is probably the worst crime anyone could commit and they won't be taking prisoners."
...
At the Potter Institute it was pandemonium as everyone had heard Hermione's instructions to Amelia. While Filius and Minerva tried to restore order, Percy was assisting Jillian with the younger children and only the fact that they couldn't hear what was happening at Hogwarts got the noise level reduced. Justin's voice coming out the speaker that was hooked up to the phone had a lot to do with this, his plumy tone was similar to a BBC WWII radio correspondent which was probably quite apt as whoever had taken Joan had just declared war on the Potters, not a good idea.
The three former Gryffindor chasers were comforting a distraught Natalie Macdonald with Minerva and Filius watching as the older students helped comfort the younger ones and especially the children from the orphanage. It was little Joanne who changed the whole mood with her heartfelt comment, "That bad witch doesn't know who she's messing with, Harry and Hermione will be really pissed and kick her arse into next week."
Jillian Green scooped the little girl into her arms and, instead of a lecture about her use of language the girl received a hug and a kiss, "Joanne's right, Joan will likely be home for dinner so lets sit quietly so we can hear what's happening."
Alice Longbottom was sitting holding Augusta's hand, silently praying that fate wouldn't bring her back only to take the most precious thing in the world away from her as payment. Alice was aware on some level that her thoughts were irrational but she was a mother whose family were going into battle so conflicting thoughts and emotions were par for the course.
There was no way on this earth that Harry and Hermione wouldn't go after their adopted daughter just as there was not a hope in hell of Neville and Luna not being right by their side when they did. Both had stayed by her last night as they had talked for hours about everything and nothing, just trying to get to know each other and lay the foundation for their future relationship. When Neville and Luna had left because of needing sleep for today, Augusta and Alice had chatted long into the night as the mother was brought up to speed on her son's life.
Augusta's eyes had almost glowed with the pride she felt for her grandson but there was also a hint of sadness in her voice that Alice was quick to pick up on and immediately set about dispelling.
"Mum, we're always going to need you in our lives. The way Neville and Luna look at each other it's not going to be long before we've got a wedding to plan and that's very hard for me to take, I couldn't be happier with the girl he's chosen but the last memories I have of him he was still in nappies. We need to get tomorrow over with then hopefully Frank back before making any plans about where we go from here, never doubt for a second that you are a big part of those plans. You were left in a terrible situation yet have done a wonderful job of raising Neville, I couldn't be prouder off my son and know I couldn't stop him today even if I wanted to. He's his fathers son and I'm just praying he gets to meet him."
Justin's voice informed them that Hermione had also been given full marks and they were trying to get an unconscious dragon out the arena and prepare for the fourth contestant, Fleur Delacour.
Some of the older students were now beginning to understand why Harry didn't want them to attend today, they were realising just how dangerous this could turn out to be if Voldemort actually made an appearance.