The Dark Mark Rises

The Quidditch World Cup celebrations were unlike anything Ezekiel had ever experienced.

Inside the luxurious England Team tent, players were cheering, drinking, and celebrating their historic win. Reporters swarmed in, desperate to interview the youngest Chaser to ever win the World Cup.

"Ezekiel Malverne, how does it feel to be a world champion at only fifteen?"

"Many are calling you the next legend of Quidditch—what's next for you?"

"Are you planning to go full-time professional after Hogwarts?"

Ezekiel grinned, holding a goblet of firewhisky he hadn't even sipped yet.

"One victory at a time, yeah?" he replied smoothly, dodging the overwhelming questions.

Meanwhile, Daphne and Fleur stood nearby, watching with amused smiles.

"Your husband is already a star," Fleur teased Daphne.

Daphne rolled her eyes but smiled, watching Ezekiel handle the media. "As long as he doesn't let it get to his head."

---

As the celebrations continued, a loud explosion suddenly shook the campgrounds.

Screams erupted outside. Flashes of green and red light filled the night sky.

Ezekiel immediately tensed. He recognized those spells.

"Daphne, Fleur—stay with me." His voice was firm.

Pushing through the crowd, they stepped outside to witness chaos unfolding.

Masked figures in black robes stormed through the campsite, launching curses at terrified spectators.

The Dark Mark—a ghastly green skull with a serpent tongue—glowed ominously in the sky.

Death Eaters.

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Ezekiel's mind raced. The last time Death Eaters had openly attacked had been years ago.

Now, they were terrorizing innocents, setting fire to tents, and levitating Muggles for sport.

"Pathetic," he muttered, gripping his wand.

He turned to Daphne and Fleur.

"We need to get out of here—"

Before he could finish, a curse blasted toward them.

Ezekiel reacted instantly. With a swift flick of his wand, he conjured a thick ice barrier, deflecting the curse back at the Death Eater who cast it.

"Idiots," he spat. "You really want to fight me?"

Three Death Eaters surrounded them.

One of them sneered. "You must be the Malverne boy. Lord Voldemort would have loved a talent like yours."

Ezekiel's blue eyes turned cold.

"Shame he's dead, then."

With a fluid movement, he launched a wave of ice magic, freezing one Death Eater mid-spell.

The second one tried to counter, but Daphne stunned him before he could react.

The third barely had time to cast Protego before Fleur's Blasting Curse sent him flying into a tree.

"Looks like we work well together," Fleur smirked.

"Now's not the time to flirt," Daphne said dryly.

More Death Eaters arrived, but suddenly, a team of Aurors and Ministry officials apparated onto the battlefield.

"Ezekiel! Get back!" someone yelled.

Recognizing the situation, he grabbed Daphne and Fleur's hands. "We're leaving—NOW."

With a powerful Apparition spell, he transported them out of the chaos and back to the safe zone near Ravenclaw Manor.

---

The following morning, the Daily Prophet exploded with news of the Death Eater attack.

"DARK MARK RETURNS – SIGNS OF VOLDEMORT'S FOLLOWERS?"

"MALVERNE HEIR AMONG HEROES DEFENDING CAMPERS?"

"MINISTRY STRUGGLES TO CONTROL THREAT!"

Daphne read the headlines, frowning. "This isn't good. If Death Eaters are bold enough to attack now, something bigger is coming."

Ezekiel exhaled, running a hand through his hair.

"This was just the beginning."

He could feel it.

The wizarding world was about to change.

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