Ninja Wizard IV: Goblet of Fire 01
By David
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and friends. JK Rowling has that honor.
Author's Notes: These marks [] indicate Japanese spoken. These '' indicate thoughts.
Ninja Wizard IV: Goblet of Fire 01
'Let The Games Begin'
The Quidditch World Cup is one of the biggest events to be had in the Wizarding World and it was known to bring out huge crowds of fans each year. This year was no exception. This year the contest was between Bulgaria and Ireland. Tickets were selling out as fast as possible. According to Neville, the hosting country would spend weeks working hard putting up all kinds of wards to ensure that muggles wouldn't find out about the event, and that it was done at a very remote location. A lot of the fans would bring their families and camp there for days before and after the Quidditch World Cup to take advantage of the great weather. This year it was to be out in one of the most remote areas not too far from the Forest of Dean. Harry had smiled at that as he had been there before. Harry had gone visiting the Wizard's Adventure store in the alley to get information on the manufacturer who had built his tent to offer an endorsement. The company had eagerly jumped on the offer and Griphook had negotiated a great contract. Harry recorded his lines for the radio ad and posed for pictures next to the tents for the Daily Prophet and for posters to go up in the Wizarding stores. Their sales went through the roof and caused Dumbledore a significant amount of pain as he had wished he thought of selling the Potter name for things. Harry even had endorsed his favorite series of books of a Wizard that was an explorer in the early 1800's having all kinds of neat adventures. The author was very pleased at the endorsement as the man enjoyed writing the books and was pleased to know that Harry enjoyed them and due to Harry's endorsement of the books they were selling much faster. The man asked Harry if he could use him in the next book and promised him a copy for his approval, to which Harry said yes. Harry had planned on going to the Quidditch World Cup and using what books he had obtained on the Forest of Dean planned on where he would have his campsite. He planned on reserving space for Neville, the Weasley Family, Hermione, and Luna. Harry had gotten a bigger tent for the girls while he had gotten another one for the guys. Harry would have his in the middle with the other two flanking. He had planned on going there right after he got back from Majorca. All he needed to do was to stop at Potter House long enough to run laundry and set up the tent and stock it up with what he would need. He sent out letters through the Gringotts mail drop to everyone on his list. Unfortunately Dumbledore knew about the Gringotts mail drop and was constantly sending Harry 'bugged' letters in an effort to find him. The goblins didn't take too kindly to that and they made sure that the 'bugged' letters were documented with what spells were on them and there was a rather large pile of them by now. All of them were pretty much the same theme, 'you need to be under my protection' or something close enough to it. The only letters that were ever sent to Harry were those on his 'cleared to send' list. So the arrangements had been set up in advance and the plans set. Harry got home from Majorca in high spirits and checked his mailbox as he had a sandwich. The usual bank statements, investment reports, and letters from Griphook. Hermione, the Weasleys, Luna, and Neville informed Harry they would be looking for him on the appointed day. Harry had planned on apparating out the next morning and getting the campsite setup and warded. He was looking forward to the big game as Arthur had managed to score a nice block of tickets as someone had owed him a favor and Arthur had been agreeable to the payoff in the form of tickets, and that was the only reason why Harry was going in the first place. Harry was really looking forward to it.
Harry got there mid morning the next day. He came up on one of the many Aurors that were policing the area and the man was kind enough to inform Harry where the actual stadium was going to be and where the campsites were to be. There would be public portkeys available to go from the stadium to the campsites for people using other ones. Those who could apparate would be allowed to. Harry thanked the man and went to where he thought would make a good campsite and got set up, which wasn't that hard to do as all he had to do was pull the tents out of his pack and toss them out on the ground and the magic would take over and get the tents up. Harry had chosen a really nice spot to camp in. Not too many trees, not too much sun, a water spigot close by but not too close as Harry didn't want people tromping past on a constant basis, and had the three tents set up in a half circle around the fire pit. Harry immediately sent out letters with the portkeys needed so they could travel directly to the camp. Harry then sat down in a low beach chair to relax and wait for his friends to arrive. He didn't have long to wait. Ron Weasley was the first to arrive. He walked up to Harry with a grin on his face and Harry greeted him with a handshake.
"Good to see you Ron," Harry said. "How was your summer?"
"Been good," Ron said. "Been working hard around the burrow, Mum's been teaching me quite a bit of magic, the counselor I've been seeing has helped me a lot and it's down to one visit a week, and the small local school has been great. There's talk about letting me come back to Hogwarts."
"That's great, Ron. I'm happy to hear that," Harry said.
Ron looked at the tents in front of him. "Are these the Wizarding tents I've heard about? We've seen you posing next to them in the adverts."
"They are," Harry said and gave him a tour of the one the guys would be using.
Ron liked it as it definitely had a man's look to it. The one the girls were going to use looked like a girl's dorm room. Ron chose his bunk and tossed his pack on it back in the men's tent. He turned to Harry.
"Trouble you for something to eat?" he asked.
Harry grinned. "Sure. Come on, let's check out the kitchen."
Harry led the way to the kitchen and started pulling stuff out for sandwiches when they heard the twins hail the tent. Harry went out to greet them.
"Hey you guys, I was wondering when you two were going to show," Harry said as he hugged them.
"We're here!" Fred exclaimed. "Been looking forward to this."
"You chose a great spot," George remarked.
"Thanks. Ron and I got food on the table if you guys are hungry," Harry said. "Unless you guys want the tour first."
"Later," Fred said. "What do you have out on the table?"
They followed Harry into the men's tent and saw the sandwich makings out on the table and took a seat. Arthur arrived with Ginny and Hermione and Harry escorted them over to the ladies tent and showed them through it. They liked it as it reminded them of the girl's dorm back at Hogwarts. What they really liked was the bathtubs in the bathrooms.
"Comes standard with the ladies tents," Harry said. "I've read someplace a lady likes to relax in a warm bath."
"Oh believe it, Harry. Thank you for thinking of us," Ginny kissed Harry on the cheek and he blushed as the girls giggled.
Harry smiled as he left the ladies tent.
The rest of the Weasley men arrived just as the evening was falling. Percy led Bill and Charlie out of the woods and up to the tent. They stopped and looked at the campsite and gave their nods of approval. Harry showed them around inside the men's tent and they liked it even more. After going into the kitchen area to get some dinner, Harry went back outside to start the fire in the fire pit. He got it going and then added a ward around it so it wouldn't get out of control. He took his seat as the others joined him in front of the fire.
"You picked a good spot, Harry. I like it," Arthur said.
He produced a bottle of wine and poured a bit for him self and passed it around. Harry took a quarter glass and sipped it. Harry liked the taste of it.
"This is good," Harry commented.
Bill raised his glass. "I think so too."
Hermione had a tiny sip of it and she liked it too. "If I were to drink wine this one would be it. Never knew there were so many different wines out there."
"I like this one as it goes fairly well with anything," Arthur said.
"Who's the big favorite to win this cup?" Fred asked, and that started a discussion of the various qualities of both teams.
Harry didn't know much about the two teams meeting for the game so he stayed out of the conversation preferring to watch the fire and to listen to what was being said. Sometimes you learn more by listening to people expound on things. Hermione and Ginny were discussing the boys at Hogwarts and every now and then Harry's eyes would meet Hermione's eyes and he would recall what he felt from the first kiss he had gotten from her that night in the darkened hospital at Hogwarts. The kiss had opened up a lot more feelings deep inside of him so he had gone off to talk to Terrence, the old man in the picture. He told the man what had happened and the old man had toasted Harry on his success. Then he advised Harry on what to do next. Harry had planned on taking Hermione for a walk at the right moment, and that moment popped up when Ginny decided she wanted to turn in and Hermione said she wasn't ready to. It was now or never and Harry went for it.
Harry turned to Hermione as Ginny stood up and announced that she was headed off to bed and Hermione said she wasn't ready.
"Hermione, want to go for a walk?" Harry asked her.
Fred and George beamed, as they knew what Harry was up to. Arthur looked at them for a moment and they tried to give him the 'we're innocent' look. Harry stood up and Hermione joined him. They headed down the road a bit in the direction of the nearby river. It was a nice night out and warm. They could see other campers out in front of their tents enjoying the evening.
"It's really nice out tonight," Hermione said.
"Full moon too," Harry commented.
They got to the river and stood there for a time, watching the water flow past them. Harry turned to her and she looked at him. Harry felt something happening between them and he leaned forward as he put his arms around her. The feeling grew once more as Harry kissed Hermione. Hermione returned the kiss and Harry liked what he was feeling right then. A moment later they broke away and the world started once more.
"I liked that Harry," Hermione smiled at him.
"So did I," Harry said. "Can we do it some more?"
Hermione smiled. "I was hoping you would ask me that, Harry. Of course we can. I was hoping that we could move on to the girlfriend/boyfriend part of our relationship."
"Hermione, do you want to be my girlfriend?" Harry asked.
"I would love to be your girl, Harry. Nothing would please me more," Hermione responded. "I'm not ready for the rest of it just yet."
Harry nodded. "I'm okay with that. We are still kind of young. We have plenty of time for that and I don't see the hurry for it. I want to get to know more of you before we decide to get real serious about each other."
Hermione looked relieved at that. "Thank you Harry. Oh by the way, Happy Fourteenth Birthday, Harry. I got you a little something."
Hermione reached into the pocket of her jacket and pulled out a small wrapped package. Harry smiled as he accepted it from her.
"Thank you Hermione," Harry said as he opened it to find a simple gold link bracelet inside the bright wrapping paper.
Hermione helped him put it on and it fit on his right wrist perfectly. Harry folded the wrapping paper and stuck it into his pocket.
"I really like this and it fits so well. Thanks," Harry smiled as he leaned in for another kiss.
Harry was going to enjoy being with Hermione.
Harry went running the next morning. He stayed on the road and noted how full the campsites looked as he passed them. Everywhere he looked he could see the two team colors out and it seemed that people were in a festive mood. Quite a few people waved to Harry as he passed them. He got to his two mile mark and then turned around to head back. When he got back he found breakfast waiting. Ron had woken up a bit early and showed off his newly learned cooking skills by making omelettes with potatoes, cheese, green onions, green bell pepper, tomato, and bits of beef.
"Mum thought I should learn how to cook," Ron explained as he handed Harry a plate. "It's actually a lot easier than I thought."
"It is. My Mom, Shizune, taught me how to cook when I was nine. I got hooked onto it and I can do a fair job of it. I can do most anything from scratch and I can follow a recipe once I've looked it over. My forte is barbecue. Beef, chicken, and fish. Dad enjoyed teaching me how to barbecue," Harry said.
That set off another discussion about various ways to cook on a barbecue. Hermione and Ginny just sighed and went back to their tent leaving the men to their discussion. They went outside and sat in the chairs out in front with their coffee and tea to continue their discussion until the Daily Prophet showed up. Harry got a copy as the other men got theirs and after reading the headlines and the front page stories started talking about the stories and the people in them.
"Do you think Fudge is an effective minister?" Harry asked. "I really don't know how the ministry works."
Between Arthur and Percy Harry got a crash course in Wizarding politics with commentaries from Fred, George, Bill, and Charlie thrown in. Lavender Brown and the Patil sisters showed up right then.
"Good morning ladies," Harry greeted them. "Hermione and Ginny are in the smaller tent if you are looking for them."
"Oh thank you Harry," Lavender Brown said. "We were wondering if they were here. Can't wait for the World Quidditch Cup to start."
The girls went to see Hermione and Ginny as Harry turned back to the discussion. More people were passing by now and quite a few of them would approach the men and exchanged pleasantries with them. It was turning into a great day.
By game time the excitement levels were at a fever pitch. Harry made sure his tent was secure before leaving it. They joined the crowd passing by on the road in front of them and Harry marveled at the stadium in front of them as it appeared. Arthur had the ticket checked and was surprised to discover they were for VIP box seats.
"Great job Dad!" Charlie piped up. "How did you get these?"
Arthur beamed. "I did a favor for a friend and he offered me these in return."
"Box seats. Should give us a great view of the game," Bill stated.
"I've never been to a professional Quidditch match so I really can't comment on that," Harry said.
Percy turned to Harry. "Just like playing back at Hogwarts except that this is much bigger than any of the games at Hogwarts. They will be using International rules for this one and they have a different set of fouls than the regular game. Oh, there's Minister Fudge coming!"
They approached the VIP boxes about the same time Fudge and his party did. Percy puffed up immediately and Harry sighed at how Percy was acting as he went to greet Fudge. Harry looked at the two blond men behind Fudge and knew instantly who they were. Lucius Malfoy and his son Draco.
"Hello Minister," Percy began, acting like he was somebody important. "I believe you know my father."
"Of course I do!" Fudge immediately smiled. "Ah, Arthur Weasley, right? Improper Use of Muggle things office?"
"Yes sir," Arthur smiled, shaking Fudge's hand. "My sons Bill, Charlie, and Ron, my daughter Ginny, and a family friend Harry Potter."
Fudge beamed as he shook Harry's hand. "Ah, so nice to see you Mr. Potter! I do hope you enjoy the game. Do you know the Malfoy's?"
Harry nodded as he looked past Fudge. "I do, sir. Draco Malfoy and I are in the same year at Hogwarts."
Fudge beamed once more Draco snarled at Harry and Ron from behind his father as Lucius looked down on them. Harry smiled pleasantly. Arthur decided to find their seats before anything happened. He moved everybody onward as he nodded to Fudge.
"Enjoy the game sir. Hope your team wins," Arthur said pleasantly.
Fudge and his group moved on down a ways as Arthur sighed in relief. They settled into their seats and then a man named Ludovic Bagman stepped forward and started the game.
The game was everything Harry thought it would be, fast paced action, lots of great flying, and really close calls. The one Seeker that people had come to see, a man by the name of Viktor Krum, thrilled the crowd with a number of flying stunts and managed to catch the Snitch ending the game after a few hours of play setting off the crowd and the Irish supporters, Ireland winning the game despite Krum's catching the Snitch. People would be talking about that final play for days afterwards. All Harry cared about was the fact that he had seen a great game, something he knew he would remember for the rest of his life. Hermione was more concerned about the scared house elf they had met that went by the name Winky. She had informed them she was there to save a seat for her master, a man named Bartemius Crouch who apparently was a VIP in the ministry and he never showed up. Hermione wanted to give the man a piece of her mind for the way he treated Winky by forcing her to sit up there. Harry knew of her opinions about the house elves and hoped she would keep them to her self and not cause any trouble. Hermione had a serious misunderstanding going about house elves and mistakenly thought that they were slaves in the Wizarding World and she wanted to free them. No matter what people told her about them she believed they would be better off with freedom. People wisely avoided the issue around her.
It wasn't until Harry got back to his tent that he realized his Ollivander wand (the wand that was the brother to Voldemort's wand) was missing.
"You can go looking for it later," Ron said. "It's far too dark and there's way too many people running around right now."
Ron was right as people were celebrating Ireland's win over Bulgaria. Harry could see a lot of the firewhiskey bottles being passed around. Arthur was a bit concerned and wanted to get back to the tents as Bill had cast a few wards of protection around the campsite, something that Harry thought was a good idea. Harry checked the Potter wand (the wands his parents had that fused together when Harry was much younger creating a much more powerful wand that the Ollivander wand) on the sly and it was still there in the disillusioned holster on his left forearm. As he knew the Ollivander wand wasn't that strong of a one he simply kept that one in a pocket of his jeans and really didn't care if he had it or not. Harry had his suspicions that Dumbledore had cast some kind of tracking and informing spells on it to keep him informed as to what Harry cast with it and his power levels when using it. Harry used that wand in class and trained hard in his spell arena with the Potter wand. Harry decided to ask Arthur if he could cast the Accio spell for it the next morning and see if it turned up. They sat up for a bit and then headed to bed when it got very late.
A feeling of danger woke up Harry around one in the morning. He looked out the front door of his tent and noted the people still streaming past the campsite. But this time it was because something scared them. The moment he heard that it was death eaters attacking, Harry ducked back into the tent and created a copy of him self with his Potter wand and gave it instructions on what to do. He slipped out the back door of his tent after going ninja and took to the trees. He moved through the trees using the fleeing crowd to find them, and sure enough, there was a large group of them casting curses and setting tents on fire. Harry knew now that this was it. He could no longer hide in the shadows and fight them from there. It was time to make an appearance and fight them. Harry drew his bow out of his combat pack and fired the first shot in defense of the people. The DE out in front of the group of DE's stumbled back as he dropped his torch, the arrow suddenly appearing out of nowhere in the middle of his chest. One of the DE's behind the man caught him as he fell and reacted to the sight of the arrow sticking out of the man's chest. Before he could do or say anything, an arrow slammed into him and he blinked at the sight of it before he too, dropped to the ground. Harry used the moment of confusion between the DE's to leave his hiding place in the tree and slipped down to the ground. He popped up between a pair of tents and engaged the first DE he saw. That one never stood a chance as Harry charged forward and attacked, throwing a handful of shirikins with his left hand and casting the cutting curse with his wand in his right hand. His shirikins took out the DE on his left while the cutting curse slid through the neck of the DE on his right. Both fell backwards as their buddies stood there frozen, the one in back inadvertently letting go of the levitation spell that held a family of muggles spinning upside down in midair. Someone was fast enough to save them from a nasty landing on the ground. Harry hadn't stopped with those four, he kept on going, his wand firing the reducto curse at the next DE as he pulled a small kunai knife and thrust it at the next DE. The four in back of the one Harry was attacking snapped to and got it in gear, pulling their wands. Harry ducked under their attempts to curse him and pulled ninja-to with his left hand and used it to slice their wands in half as he cast incarcerous on one of them as the other three fell backwards. Magical ropes popped out of his wand and wrapped themselves around the DE targeted and he fell down on his face. Harry turned to the three that fell back and one of them had pulled a sword as the other two fired off a string of incindios before disappearing. Harry put his wand back into his holster and took on the DE with the sword. People watched as Harry fought the DE. Harry gave the DE every chance possible as they fought. Harry very skillfully cut away the DE's clothes until the guy was left in his silver boxers. He cursed Harry or tried to but Harry was a lot faster with his wand, blocking every curse with protego before the DE saw the Aurors closing in on them. As the DE apparated away, a loud voice was heard to cry out a single word, "Morsmordre!" and a floating skull with a snake wrapped around it appeared in the sky above the burning tents. Harry decided now was a good time to leave.
The next morning Harry came out of his tent to find a large number of wizards and witches gone. He saw Arthur talking to some people and headed over there. Arthur turned to Harry when Harry walked up.
"Good, there you are Harry. The Aurors found your wand in the hands of a house elf by the name of Winky last night just after the Dark Mark was shot into the sky," Arthur informed him.
Harry sighed. The last thing he wanted was for an innocent victim to find his wand.
"Thank you sir," Harry stated. "I noticed it missing this morning and I was hoping to report it to an Auror. I'm glad they found it. Who was it that found it?"
A man stepped forward. "Auror John Dawlish at your service, Mr. Potter. I knew your father and had the opportunity to work with him once. It was a learning experience for me watching him. Your father was a great man. I did find your wand in the hands of a house elf named Winky."
Harry frowned at the name and then he remembered. "I know the elf, sir. I met her up in the VIP boxes during the game. She was there to save a seat for her master, I think she said the name was Bartemius Crouch."
Dawlish nodded somberly. "He was her master. Crouch gave her clothes and set her free this morning for having cast the Dark Mark."
Harry frowned once more. "I thought a house elf couldn't use a wand. Is it possible somebody else used the wand and dropped it on the ground someplace, and she found it there, and wanted to return it?"
Arthur nodded. "That sounds reasonable to me. I've never heard of a house elf using a wand to cast as they have their own kind of magic."
"Be as it may sir, she was found in possession of it. Mr. Crouch is well within his rights to do what he wishes with his house elves," Dawlish stated.
Harry sighed. "Is it possible to send her to Hogwarts?"
"That would be up to Albus Dumbledore, Mr. Potter. We will inform Crouch that you suggested sending her there. Very kind of you," Dawlish said. "In the meantime here is your wand. Dumbledore ordered it returned to you after he examined it."
'Oh I bet he did,' Harry thought.
"Thank you sir," Harry accepted his wand as it was offered to him handle first.
He saluted Dawlish and returned it to his front right pocket as the man nodded.
"I have just one more question," he said.
"What would that be, sir?" Harry asked.
"Where were you last night about one this morning?" Dawlish asked.
"In bed sir," Harry replied. "Ron Weasley was in the bunk below me. I don't think he woke up when all of the noise started."
Dawlish nodded. "Thank you Mr. Potter. Do have a good day."
"Harry," Arthur called to him as Dawlish turned away. "I have to be here for a bit longer. Would you please go back to the burrow? I imagine Molly is worried about you. She does think the world of you."
"I can do that," Harry said. "I can leave the men's tent up for you and other people if you guys need a base to operate from. I can take mine."
"That would be kind of you Harry," Arthur said. "Thank you."
Harry turned back to his tent and went to work getting everything put away. He folded it up and stuck it inside his camping pack and took the portkey Arthur gave him to the burrow. Ron was the first to greet him at the door.
"There you are mate," Ron said as Harry approached the front door. "Mum's all fluffed up about it all."
Harry could see how right Ron had been, as Molly Weasley appeared the moment Harry walked into the burrow. She practically smothered him in one of her famous (or infamous) hugs. Harry managed to break the hold she had on him before he suffocated.
"I'm just fine Mrs. Weasley," Harry placated her.
"Good. Professor Dumbledore was most worried about your safety," she said.
'Oh I bet he was,' Harry thought. 'Can't have anything happen to his precious weapon before he got a chance to use it.'
Harry smiled. "I'm just fine, Mrs. Weasley. Bill's protection ward kept all of us safe."
"I am very relieved to hear that Harry," Dumbledore said as he came out of the fireplace. "You put yourself in a great deal of danger there."
Harry turned to face Dumbledore and smiled. "I had every confidence that Bill's protection ward would work if they discovered me there. Bill told me that it was strong enough to keep even you at bay to give us plenty of time to escape should we need to. As it turned out we didn't need to. I heard the story about the mysterious person in black showing up. Any idea who it might have been? I should like to thank him for saving us all from the DE's."
"Ah, yes. The person in black. Yes, we should all like to thank him for his efforts in protecting us. I wish that he hadn't killed them as they could have been redeemed," Dumbledore said.
Harry wasn't in the mood to carry on with that argument so he let it go for now. He turned to the couch and sat down, putting his pack down on the floor next to his feet. He wasn't in the mood for Dumbledore's prattle so he tuned out the old man as he closed his eyes. He just wanted to go home and soak in a hot tub for a couple of hours. He listened to Dumbledore leave and then relaxed for a bit before Molly called lunch. Harry sat there at the table and had some of her great cooking. He decided he wanted to go see Hermione and make sure she was okay.
"You can't leave Harry," Molly said. "Dumbledore said you were to stay here while he arranged safe quarters for you."
Harry smiled. "I will be just fine. I will see you again soon, and thank you for the great lunch. You are a marvelous cook."
Harry then made his getaway.
Harry retrieved his pack and went out the front door despite Molly's protests, which soon turned into demands for him to come back. Harry went down the road to the edge of the wards. As he moved he pulled his 'show' wand and checked it. Sure enough there were three spells on it. One was a tracking spell, the second was an informing spell, and the third was a listening spell. Harry moved all three spells onto a nearby squirrel and then he swept himself from head to foot and discovered another tracking spell on his watch. Harry shook his head as he moved the spell onto the wing of a passing bird. Then he swept himself and the 'show' wand once more and apparated the moment he knew he was clean. He appeared in the Granger back yard and headed to the house when he heard Dumbledore's voice and Dan's voice arguing. Harry listened in. The gist of the argument was that it wasn't safe for Harry to be here and that Harry was putting them all in danger by coming here to the Granger house. Dan countered that it was their choice if they wanted Harry there or not and they chose to have them there and that they would risk the danger and now that you are done with your speech get the hell out. Dan slammed the door behind Dumbledore and Harry came out of hiding clapping. He went over to Dan and took hold of his hand and raised it.
"Ladies, here is your winner, Dan 'The Dentist' Granger and the new heavyweight champion!" Harry grinned as Emma and Hermione applauded.
Dan blushed as he grinned. "Well, I would have to answer to my daughter as to why I didn't allow you here. That old man has no business dictating your every move."
"So, want to tell us about this Quidditch thing?" Emma asked.
Harry and Hermione spent the next two hours explaining it all. Harry stayed for dinner and had a great time. Both of them did inform Emma and Dad of their budding relationship and promised them they would take their time in building it up. Dan appeared to be relieved by that.
"Good, because most young people tend to rush things and get in way over their heads. I hope the both of you will talk to us when you two need advice. Us old people do have things to say about relationships, both of us having learned the hard way as I am sure the both of you will learn things the hard way," Dan said. "You have a lot of growing up left to do and I want to see the both of you enjoy it while you can."
"We will Daddy," Hermione kissed him on the cheek.
Harry shook his hand. "Thank you for your trust in us."
Harry did leave before it got too late. Arriving in the reception room Constantine nodded at him in greeting.
"Have a good time?" he asked.
"It was interesting," Harry said. "Watched the game, Ireland won, the DE's showed up and I cashed in their chips. Not too bad."
Constantine grinned. "Good. Them bloody bastard are getting too big for their britches."
"That's why they need to be taken out," Harry said.
"Hard. No mercy for them killers," Constantine said.
Harry went into his library and found Remus and Sirius there discussing the current news. They sat up and put down the Daily Prophet.
"You made the papers, kid. Good show," Sirius said. "According to the papers, people are glad to see someone working to protect them. Dumbledore is steamed as he was quoting in saying that this person in black should be brought to justice for killing the DE's. A number of people are questioning Dumbledore's sanity."
Remus nodded as he sipped on his goblet of wine. "I hear rumblings from different places, and they are saying that it is time the DE's got what they deserved."
"I agree with that. Dumbledore made his move trying to trap me at the burrow as he told Molly Weasley that he was making arrangements to have me put into a place of safety," Harry reported.
"Like jail," Sirius snorted.
Remus sighed. "He's simply much too controlling for his own good. You need to be real careful this year, Harry. I've been hearing rumors of something big going down at Hogwarts this year. Some kind of a competition."
Sirius frowned at that. "The only competition I've ever heard of is the TriWizard's Competition. He wouldn't…"
"He would," Remus nodded grimly. "Harry, the TriWizard's Competition is a year long event in which three competitors compete in three different events. It's dangerous to compete in, as there have been deaths in the previous competitions. That's why it was finally banned by the ICW. I wonder how the hell Dumbledore managed to convince them to restart it."
"Most importantly, what does he hope to gain from it?" Sirius growled as he began pacing the floor.
"To somehow get me involved in it?" Harry guessed.
"And use it as a way to get you under his control," Remus said. "Wouldn't put it past him to do that."
"Can I please take his head?" Harry asked.
"No, as we need the old bugger," Sirius said.
Harry grumbled as he went to his desk. He opened his letterbox and found a few letters there. The first one was from Griphook.
"Lord Potter, I send you greetings," Harry began to read. "I have news. It seems that Hogwarts will be playing host to the TriWizard's Competition this year. My brothers and I believe this could be a trap. I implore you to take caution."
Harry put down the letter as Sirius and Remus both nodded. Both men watched Harry as he folded his arms in front of himself and thought for a few minutes.
"I will be a lot more alert than usual," Harry said. "Can't give the old goat a moment's rest."
"Too bad you can't be there Remus. That damned Snape," Harry growled.
Sirius smiled brightly. "I've got just the thing for old Snapey."
Harry laughed at the name. "If it will cure him of being a greasy old bat I'm in."
All three laughed at the name.
"This would be a great 'prank the bat' year," Harry grinned.
Sirius and Remus both smiled as Harry began to outline a number of great pranks for Snape. They planned them late into the night.
Harry worked hard under the tutelage of Remus and Sirius the last two weeks of his summer vacation getting ready for Hogwarts. But not all of his time was spent working down in his training rooms. He did find a bit of time to play as Remus and Sirius knew that an overworked Harry was a cranky Harry and they didn't want that. So the three of them staged a prank war and Harry managed to beat them both and had a great time doing it. Harry did get the chance to have his friends over on a Saturday afternoon for swimming and a barbecue. It also gave them the opportunity to discuss things and plan for the coming year. Neville told them he had heard a rumor that a man named Mad-Eye Moody had attacked an intruder at his house.
Harry nodded. "While I was at the Burrow, Cedric Diggory's Dad dropped in and told us that too. Any reason why?"
"Amos Diggory?" Sirius asked as he sipped a goblet of wine.
"Yes," Harry replied. "Do you know him?"
"Only by name," Sirius said. "Nice fellow. Cedric is his only son."
Harry filed that bit of information away inside his head, not sure why he did. He had a feeling that it would be important to him in the future.
"Rumor has it that Mad-Eye Moody is going to teach defense this year," Neville reported to the group.
Sirius sat up straight. "He is? If that's true, then all of you need to pay real close attention to him, as he was a legend in the Auror Teams. He knows what he's talking about as he has battled the DE's during the first Voldemort war. He was responsible for bringing in a large number of DE's, including Bella LeStrange."
Harry filed that bit of information away in his head as well. "I get the feeling that this is going to be an interesting year."
Harry hoped he was wrong.
To Be Continued