Old Barty truly lived up to once being a top official of the Ministry of Magic. That startled, uncertain expression had only appeared on his face for a short while before being quickly restrained, turning into a look of blank indifference and silence.
This left Link a little disappointed.
All the things he had just said weren't only meant to mock Old Barty. More importantly, they were meant to test Old Barty's reaction, to verify once and for all whether it really was Old Barty who had rescued Young Barty.
This was an ability Link had developed after mastering Legilimency, somewhat similar to the study of micro-expressions in the Muggle world.
Unfortunately, Old Barty was simply far too sly and cunning. Link wasn't able to see anything substantial.
"What are you all gathering here for? Crouch, I had you bring Aurors here not to wrong the innocent!"
Just as the scene was growing even more out of control due to Old Barty's silence, Fudge's voice suddenly rang out from beyond the crowd.
Looking stern, he squeezed in with more Aurors, followed by Madam Flamel, Emily, and, someone Link had not seen for a long time, Krell.
Emily, not caring about anything else, immediately broke away from the group and rushed anxiously to Link's side. She patted and checked him all over.
Only after confirming that Link was uninjured did she tightly hug him.
In doing so, she also "accidentally" squeezed Hermione aside, making Hermione so angry she stomped her foot.
Meanwhile, Madam Flamel and Krell followed Fudge and headed straight toward Old Barty.
"Minister, isn't it far too soon to say he's innocent? You must know there's still someone lying over there."
"What does that have to do with you?"
The moment Old Barty saw Fudge, he hurriedly tried to argue back.
But before he could finish, Fudge interrupted him.
Fudge's eyes were cold, his face faintly angry. He fixed his gaze on Old Barty, who looked like he still wanted to speak, and said again, "Don't forget you are now only the Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation."
"Quelling and controlling riots in the camp is not your job! What you need to do right now is immediately head to the foreign guests' area and appease those foreign wizards!"
"Especially that Bulgarian Minister of Magic, he has already threatened that once he returns, he'll issue an international statement condemning our security management at this Quidditch World Cup! Get moving!"
Being scolded like this in front of everyone, Old Barty's face turned alternately green and purple, looking extremely humiliated.
Back then, if not for the incident with Young Barty, he would have been the one most likely to become Minister of Magic. At that time, Fudge had only been a little shrimp he could crush at will.
But unfortunately, times had changed. That man who once had to bow and scrape before him had now become the most powerful person in the wizarding world.
Gritting his teeth, Old Barty finally released his tightly clenched fists, turned, and prepared to head toward the foreign guests' camp.
There was one thing Fudge had said correctly, appeasing the foreign guests was indeed what he should be doing right now.
If that Bulgarian minister really did issue such a statement of condemnation, the responsibility would ultimately fall on him, the Head of International Magical Cooperation.
"The Flamel family will not forget what happened last night, Mr. Crouch. For your own sake, you'd best not leave home these coming days. If something 'accidental' were to happen, well, that would be unfortunate."
Old Barty hadn't gotten far before Madam Flamel's icy voice rang out.
At her side, Krell let out a harsh, cackling laugh, his one remaining eye fixed coldly on Old Barty's back. In it was no trace of humor, only cruelty and malice.
Old Barty's fists, which had just been relaxed, clenched again. But his footsteps quickened.
By now, he naturally already knew Link's identity.
What happened last night was only a small matter, and should have ended there.
But clearly, Madam Flamel had no intention of letting him off so easily.
He knew well that back when Old Barty was purging Death Eaters, he had also targeted the Flamel family. Although he had failed in the end, he had still caused Madam Flamel considerable humiliation.
That hatred had festered for a long time.
Before, she hadn't acted simply because she lacked an excuse. But now, with this incident, the Flamel family would surely launch a campaign of revenge.
And such revenge would be ruthless, that much was obvious just from the fact that Madam Flamel had brought along Krell from Knockturn Alley.
Thinking of this, Old Barty's expression grew even darker in the shadows.
Meanwhile, in the crowd, Fudge acted as if he hadn't heard Madam Flamel's earlier threatening words at all. Turning, he put on a smile and said to Link,
"Link, I've already heard the story from the camp manager. You truly are the pride of our young British wizards, stepping forward in a moment of danger. Well done!"
"Here's what we'll do, I've arranged for a healer to check your condition in a moment. And also, the head of the Auror Office will want to hear your account of last night's events. How does that sound?"
At these words, Cedric, Harry, and the others all breathed a sigh of relief.
Link also smiled faintly.
Fudge's way of speaking was very clever. He had immediately defined Link's actions last night as an act of bravery, clearly with Madam Flamel's hand behind the scenes.
Glancing at Madam Flamel, Link saw her give the barest nod. So he said to Fudge, "Then thank you very much, Minister Fudge."
"Of course! Someone, take Mr. Flamel to the temporary healing tent first."
With Fudge's order, several Aurors quickly stepped forward and escorted Link to a large white tent not far from the camp.
Inside were rows upon rows of single beds, already occupied by many injured people. White-robed healers bustled tirelessly between them, working intensely.
Under the Aurors' arrangements, a square-faced healer, looking very displeased, put down his work and examined Link, before just as irritably returning to his duties.
As he left, he glared at Link and the Aurors, muttering, "Nothing wrong at all! Damn rich people!"
Under the resentful stares of the patients around them, the Aurors quickly whisked Link away from the tent and brought him to the Auror's temporary command post.
This was where the real drama of last night would unfold.
Although Fudge had clearly only intended for Link to go through the motions, the head of the Auror Office, Scrimgeour, clearly didn't think so.
He not only met Link in person but also questioned him with sharp words about the riot last night.
After all, the Dark Mark had reappeared. That raised the seriousness of the incident by several levels.
The Aurors would not rest until everything was fully investigated.
Fortunately, Link was a master of Occlumency at level 5. Moreover, Krell accompanied him the whole time, insisting that since Link was still a minor, he needed a guardian present during questioning.
Completely ignoring Scrimgeour's warnings, Krell occasionally interrupted with a few words, deliberately breaking the rhythm of the interrogation.
With Krell's help, Link finally managed to barely fool the old lion, Scrimgeour.
When Link walked out of the Auror command post, the sky outside was already bright.
"Link, take care of yourself. I still have more important matters to deal with. Heh! That old fool Crouch, it's about time he paid the price for his past sins!"
Krell escorted Link back to the Flamel family's camp. Leaving him with those words, he grinned wickedly, snapped his fingers, and vanished on the spot.
Krell commanded a band of beast hunters who made their living through magical creatures.
Each one of them was hardened and deadly, their strength formidable. Taking down a washed-up Ministry official like Old Barty would be no problem at all.
So Link had no reason to worry about that side of things. What he really needed to worry about was how he was going to explain last night's actions to Madam Flamel.
Standing stiffly outside the tent, Link suddenly found himself afraid to enter.
He had thrown himself into danger without a word, ending up in such a mess. Madam Flamel had surely been worried sick last night.
And yet, he couldn't tell her the true reason he had gone out.
If she merely scolded him, that would be fine. But if she silently shed tears instead, that would be the real disaster.
This was exactly the kind of situation Link was worst at handling.
Taking a deep breath, Link finally steeled himself and entered the tent.
But what he saw inside left him stunned.
In the front hall of the tent, perfectly replicating the Flamel castle's living room, sat a group of women.
Madam Flamel and Emily were on the sofa closest to the fireplace. Opposite them sat a woman in a flamboyant dress, wearing a huge sapphire pendant around her neck. She was tall and muscular, an extraordinarily large and powerful woman.
Link swore she was the most towering, solidly built woman he had ever seen. Even seated, she was nearly as tall as he was standing. He had only ever seen such stature in Hagrid.
Beside this giantess sat two silver-haired girls, one older and one younger. Both wore sky-blue dresses, both stunningly beautiful and clearly sisters.
The four women sat together chatting happily, smiling and laughing.
Link's arrival broke up the little tea party, and all eyes immediately turned to him.
The youngest silver-haired girl's eyes lit up. She jumped straight from the sofa and ran toward him.
"Daddy!"
Her clear little voice rang out, and she threw her arms tightly around Link's waist.
Looking down at the girl who barely reached his stomach, Link's eye twitched.
He recognized her at once. This was the little girl he had rescued in the forest last night.
Looking up again, sure enough, he saw Emily and Madam Flamel staring at him with complicated eyes, as if he were some kind of scoundrel.
"I'm not! I didn't! You've mistaken me for someone else!"
Link shuddered all over and quickly told the little girl seriously.
"I'm not mistaken, Daddy! You're the Phantom Knight! I even remember your scent!"
The little girl pouted in protest, then sniffed him twice more, nodding firmly.
This left Link at a total loss.
"Stop this nonsense, Gabrielle, come back here at once! Your father is still in France. This is your brother Link."
The giantess on the sofa put on a stern face. The older silver-haired girl hurried forward, pulled Gabrielle off Link's waist, and carried her back.
"Ahem!"
Madam Flamel coughed lightly and stood to introduce, "Link, this is my dear friend, Madam Maxime. She is the headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic."
The giantess stood with surprising grace, nodded to Link, and said, "I'm very pleased to meet you, little Link. Your godmother often speaks of you to me."
"Welcome, Madam Maxime," Link replied politely, bowing.
Madam Flamel then introduced, "And these are Fleur Delacour and Gabrielle Delacour. They've come along with Madam Maxime to watch the matches."
Just as she finished, a wave of fragrance washed over Link. The older silver-haired girl rushed up to him, hugged him, and kissed him on both cheeks.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Flamel! Thank you for saving Gabrielle last night! If it weren't for you, I can't imagine what cruel fate she would have suffered. She's my only sister! And please forgive her silly words, she can be too mischievous."
Fleur's voice was hoarse and trembling, clearly from crying much of the night.
"It was nothing, really, nothing at all," Link said a little perfunctorily.
But it was impossible not to be flustered. Fleur was as beautiful as her name, radiant like a lotus untouched by the mud.
From afar she had already seemed attractive. Now up close, Link's breath quickened unconsciously.
What's more, she was very well-developed, her figure exquisite. When she bumped into him like that, his chest felt completely overwhelmed, his heart thumping like waves crashing against rocks.
'The Veela's magic…'
Link sighed inwardly. Fleur had appeared in the original story too. In the film version she hadn't seemed all that stunning to him. But now, seeing her in person, she was breathtaking, surely this was the Fleur as described in the original novel.
"Ahem!"
Coughing twice, Link forcibly pulled back the hand he had been about to place on Fleur's waist and wriggled free from her embrace.
No more hugging, Emily was already rolling her eyes. If she got truly angry, that would be hard to mend.
"Phantom Knight! Gabrielle wants a hug too!"
The little girl's clear voice rang at his side again. Looking down, Link saw Gabrielle had slipped free and was holding her arms up expectantly.
But hugging a little girl wasn't a problem. Still, remembering how she had just embarrassed him, Link curled his lip and pretended not to hear.
"Eh! Gabrielle's so cute and you won't even hug her! You really are the Phantom Knight! I want to..."
Before she could finish, Fleur clamped a hand over her mouth, smiling awkwardly at Link.
"Please don't mind her, Mr. Flamel. Gabrielle just listens to too many fairy tales."
"I do not!" Gabrielle pulled away and cried.
"Grandmother wouldn't lie to me! Every beautiful girl has her own Phantom Knight! He is my Phantom Knight!"
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