Chapter 78: Ambush?

Chapter 78: Ambush?

Tom and Natasha alongside Weasleys, Harry, and Hermione were running toward their designated portkey place all the while everywhere around them was mayhem and chaos, people screaming and running around like headless chickens.

Frankly, Tom wondered why they were not apparating away, instead of choosing to be like sitting ducks to the masked thugs who were merrily shooting dangerous spells all around.

The whole situation was incredibly suspicious.

Events like this should be teeming with Auror forces, yet, there was not even one Auror in sight and the masked individuals had free reign to sow terror and mayhem all around.

There was no way the British Ministry of Magic would be stupid enough to not station Aurors here so that could only mean they were called away for some reason, which meant outside interference.

Tom grimaced. He knew the corruption in the Ministry was massive but this was simply ridiculous. This World Cup was the best bet for Wizarding Britain to bolster international cooperation and relationships with other Wizarding Countries.

Some form of terrorism should be expected, no matter how unlikely that would be. There should have been plans made to prevent this and yet...

Apparently, the Ministry didn't give a fuck about its relationship with other countries.

As they ran through the campsite, Tom saw that the attackers were not exactly holding back too much. They were not shooting unforgivable curses yet but they didn't shy from killing either.

Even if no foreign wizard died today, Tom could already imagine tomorrow's headlines.

'Foreign wizards killed at the World Cup in Britain! Their Ministry could not be bothered to arrange proper security!'

This was a veritable diplomatic catastrophe as far as Wizarding Britain was concerned.

And while Tom was thinking about it along these lines, Natasha was horrified for a completely different reason.

She couldn't believe how cowardly the wizards and witches were.

At best, there were twenty masked individuals and she managed to notice they were all attacking only the British area of tents but nevertheless, they managed to completely scatter hundreds of magic users.

It was... beyond pathetic sight for the redheaded killer.

If everyone shot a household charm at their attackers, they might not kill or injure them but they would sure as hell stop them!

Tom sighed and gave her a helpless smile, "Isn't it obvious, my dear Natalia?"

They didn't get much choice here anyway...

"I guess it is." Natasha mirthfully chuckled, her lips stretching into an enthusiastic smile.

'Finally!' Unlike Tom, she didn't feel annoyed that they would be forced to fight. On the contrary. She might not like fighting but it was something she was good at. Something that could be of use to her lover. And at the moment, she loved feeling useful.

It wasn't often Tom would get into trouble where her particular expertise was needed so every single instance where she could make herself useful in this way counted, in her opinion.

The poor sods who were trying to ambush them had no idea what they signed up for, for Natasha really felt motivated and eager to cause some pain right now.

Slowly, both Tom and Natasha started to slow down, covertly enough that the kids in front of them would not notice their sudden disappearance, at least not instantly, until they came to a complete halt in a forested area and turned around.

The two casually stood in the fresh evening breeze, their eyes boredly washing over the trees where their would-be attackers were shoddily hiding.

All the noise from the still panicking crowd on the campsite blended into the background as they focused and waited to be properly surrounded. It not only gave the kids time to get away but also made Tom and Natasha able to ensure none of the thugs would continue pursuing them.

So, they waited.

Tom felt like one of those cowboys in the western movies just before a final show-down. Everything fit the scene. Hair caressed by the breeze, the smell of smoke in the air due to the nearby fires, only him and Natasha standing side by side, about to face the bad guys...

Especially when two pistols appeared in Natasha's hands, the impression was complete for Tom and he couldn't help but smile as he felt the small, almost unnoticeable hum of her magic dutifully working to create temporary mana bullets inside of the chambers.

Unlike him who kept potions in his small pocket space, Natasha had her enchanted pistols in there so she would be armed at any moment. It certainly came in handy right now.

Tom let out a long breath, the air misting in front of his mouth due to the slightly unnatural freezing nightly air, 'We are fully surrounded but none went after the kids. Good.' His mana sense was definitely nifty and useful here.

He exchanged a quick glance with Natasha and smirked at the eagerness in her eyes that were just asking for permission to engage.

Tom mirthfully narrowed his eyes and subtly nodded his head forward, telling her which side was hers.

"Don't kill." He said to her before he turned on his heel until he was back to back with her and raised his arm with his palm pointing at one of the trees and with a vindictive smile added, "Just permanently maim."

It was time to let loose.