I was completely amazed at how many people read the short prologue, so I decided to publish the next chapter ahead of schedule.
The day of the Third Task found an exhausted Cassiopeia Black, waiting in the Entrance Hall for the arrival of the other Ministry employees. Paperwork had kept her up half of the night, again, and she was currently functioning solely on Pepper Up Potion. Maybe she should take the day off tomorrow and simply sleep for twenty-four hours.
The witch stood next to the hour glasses and watched the students passing by. Thinking back to her time as a student at Hogwarts, she could hardly believe it had already been five years, since she last set a foot into the castle.
It was almost time for lunch, so there where many students coming through the Entrance Hall and heading for the Great Hall. Some of them noticed the witch, leaning against the wall, and gave her strange looks, probably wondering what she was doing there. Whilst still at Hogwarts, she might have done the same. Who in their right mind wore a black traveling cloak in summer?
She had been running a bit late, when she had come to Hogsmeade earlier. Since she hated using the floo connection, apparating to Hogsmeade was the only way to get to the castle and the walk took a good couple of minutes. In order to arrive on time, she did not have the chance to go back home and change out of her work uniform. The silver-grey robes and the sturdy black boots were easily recognizable and she did not want to scare the spectators. The shiny DMLE badge on her traveling cloak should make her official enough, without causing unnecessary fear. After all, she or her colleagues usually only showed up in very dangerous situations.
"Ms Black! How nice to see you, again."
A squeaky voice jostled her out of her thoughts. Looking down, she found a beaming Professor Flitwick in front of her.
"Good morning, Professor Flitwick," she greeted politely. Charms had been one of her favorite subjects, she had even gotten an O for her N.E.W.T.s. Well, technically she had gotten seven Os and two Es on her N.E.W.T.s in total, so Charms wasn't that special - but she had liked it anyway.
"Are you here to watch the Third Task?" the tiny being asked her. "I am sure it will be very interesting. If you consider how good Harry Potter has been until now, despite his disadvantages, I am sure he will give us quite the show. And, of course, you can't neglect the other Champions, very talented, all three of them. I can't wait to see who will be the winner, tonight."
The witch smiled indulgently at the part-goblin. Whenever he was particularly excited, his voice became so high pitched, it gave her a headache. Still, she somehow like him. His lessons had never been boring and the students could always question him on any charm they had read about or seen.
"I'm sure the Task will be exciting but, unfortunately, I am not here for watching it, at least not solely. I'm here on Ministry business."
"Ministry business? Don't you work for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement? I thought the Tournament was the Department of International Magical Cooperation and the Department of Magical Sports and Games' responsibility."
"I do indeed work for the DMLE. It's just an additional security measure, you know, with the Minister around. Nothing to worry about. I am actually looking forward to a day without anything dangerous happening to me," Cassiopeia told her former Professor with a smile. "Ah, if you'd excuse me. The rest of the team has arrived."
Together with Kingsley Shacklebolt and the Head of the Auror Office Rufus Scrimgeour, Nymphadora Tonks, her cousin Andromeda's daughter, John Dawlish and two wizards she didn't know had arrived. They stuck out of the crowd, especially Tonks hair - since when did she favor purple? - was easily spotted among the students. Cassiopeia went over to them.
"Mr. Scrimgeour, Mr. Shacklebolt," she greeted. Dawlish only got a cold nod, she was still cross with him. "Nymphadora, it's been a while."
"Don't call me Nymphadora," the witch growled, her purple hair turning dark red. Cassiopeia deliberately ignored her comment and introduced herself to the other two wizards.
Annoying Andromeda's daughter with her name had been a favorite pastime of hers during their days at Hogwarts. The reactions of the Metamorphmagus had been very entertaining.
"The Minister won't arrive until dinner, so we still have time. Professor Dumbledore was so kind to invite us for lunch," Kingsley Shacklebolt told her. "We will have a shrot look at the maze after that, to check security and prepare everything for the Minister's arrival."
"Very well."
Sitting at the High Table, with all of the Professors and the Headmasters of the other schools, instead of her old House Table felt strange. It gave Cassiopeia a completely different view of the Great Hall.
The Professors used the opportunity to hear about the lives of their former students. Somewhere to her right side, Nymphadora was in a deep conversation with the former Head of her House, Professor Sprout. Kingsley Shacklebolt and Rufus Scrimgeour were talking to Professor McGonagall and the two wizards from Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures were talkingto Hagrid. Cassiopeia sighed. She was not to keen on talking to her former Head of House. Fortunately, he didn't seem to be either. A familiar clonk had her look up.
"Alastor!" she exclaimed, surprised. Of course, she had known that Dumbledore had convinced him to teach Defense against the Dark Arts this year, but that, in her mind, somehow hadn't equaled with meeting the former Auror again. Nymphadora had noticed the arrival of her former mentor, as well, and got up to greet him. In her excitement, she managed to knock over Professor Sprouts drink. Thanks to her quick reflexes - a must have in her job - and somewhat expecting an accident caused by her cousin, Cassiopeia managed to catch it before it could spill.
"I'm so sorry," Nymphadora apologized, looking ashamed.
"Not like we weren't expecting it, Ms Tonks," Professor Sprout said with a fond smile. In her school days, the now Auror had had more than one unfortunate mishap. Cassiopeia was just happy, that she had been one year above the accident prone witch.
Alastor Moody was watching the Metamorphmagus with his good eye, while his magical eye was looking through his head. Somehow, Cassiopeia got the feeling, it was trained on her but she couldn't for the life of her figure out, why the Ex-Auror would be suspicious of her. They hadn't seen each other in a year and she couldn't remember doing anything reckless - well, too reckless anyway but that was her job.
Lunch went on with a lot of talking and, fortunately, no more accidents. They had all politely greeted Professor Dumbledore, Madame Maxime and Professor Karkaroff. Cassiopeia's eyes narrowed, when she saw the former Death Eater. Suddenly, Dumbledore's decision to hire Moody made a lot more sense. Having the Dark Lord's Ex-Followers around Harry Potter might be a danger to the boy's life. Who would be a better protection than the man, that brought dozens of dark wizards into Askaban?
When Cassiopeia inspected the House Tables again, she noticed the parents of the Champions sitting with them. Curious, as to who was here for Harry Potter, she checked Gryffindor table. She had only heard rumors of him being Muggle raised from her cousin Narcissa and couldn't help being a bit nosy. Looking for adults at the table she was confused, when she was met with the sight of the Weasley matriarch and ... was that Bill Weasley? The witch blinked and looked again. He sure had grown out his hair, it was almost as long as hers - and her hair reached down to her waist.
"Why is Mrs. Weasley here?" she questioned Professor McGonagall, who sat two seats to her left.
"Well, the Weasleys are Harry's family. Or, as close to family as he can get. The Muggle relatives he is staying with are not too fond of magic," the Head of Gryffindor explained.
Cassiopeia raised an eyebrow in question, waiting for more information.
"Ron, the youngest of the Weasley sons, is Harry's best friend, along with Ms Hermione Granger, who is quite the brightest student we have had at Hogwarts in some time. Anyway, as soon as Molly Weasley found out about Harry's family, she practically adopted him into hers," Professor McGonagall continued explaining.
Cassiopeia made a noncommittal sound still watching the Weasleys. She had only seen Mrs. Weasley once, during a Quidditch game. She had been a bit preoccupied with the Quaffle and scoring goals, to get a good look, but the woman was quite recognizable.
"I was quite surprised to see Bill coming as well. You remember Bill Weasley? He was Head Boy in your sixth year?" McGonagall said.
Cassiopeia nodded: "I remember, I was a Prefect back then. I can recall quite vividly the Prefects Meeting in the Hogwarts Express that year. Some idiot had used dung bombs in the corridor..."
"Oh yes. I remember giving out a lot of detentions for that. Anyway, as I was saying, I am surprised to see him here. He actually works for Gringotts, as a Curse Breaker in Egypt."
"Curse Breaker? Perhaps I should have him have a look at my parents house. I haven't set a foot in there since my mother died because of all of the cursed objects in there...," Cassiopeia mused.
The Deputy Headmistress looked at her questioningly: "I would expect you know far more about dark spells and curses than anyone else."
"On how to use them or deflect them, sure, but lifting them has - unfortunately - not been on my curriculum. Especially if they are a couple of centuries old. Many of them get stronger as the time passes. I risk my life every day at work, there is no need to do so at home as well. Besides, I have my own flat, so there is no need to use the house."
Once they had finished eating, Rufus Scrimgeour shooed them all outside, to check security before the Minister's arrival.
When Cassiopeia saw what they had done to the Quidditch pitch, she scowled.
"Couldn't they have picked a different spot to grow the maze?" she grumbled. "There is more than enough space on the grounds. Why the Quidditch pitch?"
"It's already got seats?" Kingsley Shacklebolt answered hesitantly.
"Seats? Seats are transfigured within one day - even as many as they need here. That can't be the reason. No Tournament should prevent the students from playing Quidditch!"
"Perhaps Dumbledore wants to make sure all of the Hogwarts students support their Champion, or Champions, in this case. Quidditch is just a great way to intensify house rivalries," the wizard answered.
Scrimgeour called them to the entrance of the maze: "Everyone here? Good. Mad-Eye is currently bringing the Cup into the maze. He will also support us outside, once the Task begun. Mr. Shacklebolt and, Ms Black, if you would be so kind to help us out? One of the Aurors got the dragon pox, so he can't be here today. We could use your help in preparing for the Minister's arrival."
The witch shrugged: "I don't have anything to do, right now. Fire away."
"Good, you two check the Minister's Box. We need to be sure it is safe. The rest of you, I want to go around the maze, to make sure the spells on the outer part of the hedge are in working order."
"Let's go then," Kingsley Shacklebolt said to Cassiopeia and the two of them made their way up to the Box.
It took them over an hour to make sure the Box was free of any curses, cursed objects or other potential dangers. This was not part of what Cassiopeia did on her job, but growing up in the Black family had left her with a good sense for, if something was dangerous. Being almost strangled by old robes simply for opening a closet made one very careful, when dealing with even the most mundane objects.
Cassiopeia had to admit, the view from the Box, usually used by the Professors during Quidditch games, was quite spectacular. It was the first time she truly got a feeling of how big the maze was.
"Do they really expect the Champions to find their way into the middle?" she wondered out loud. One could just hope they all had an excellent sense of orientation.
When they came back down on the lawn in front of the maze, a small group of witches and wizards was already waiting for them.
"Box is clear," Shacklebolt told his boss.
"Excellent. The Minister is due to arrive in twenty minutes and I've sent Dawlish to pick him and the other Aurors up. So we're clear on that part, as well. That only leaves us with - oh no. Why now?" the Head of the Auror Office pinched the bridge of his nose. "Couldn't he have arrived when we are finished?"
Cassiopeia followed his line of sight and saw, what could only be identified as overgrown wasp. Ludo Bagman had obviously chosen his old Quidditch uniform for today. If she had to guess, Cassiopeia would say it was two sizes too small - at least.
"Mr. Bagman, how nice of you to join us," Scrimgeour greeted, in a voice that indicated anything but pleasure. Bagman completely missed the undertone and happily started babbling about the Tournament.
"Mr. Scrimgeour? The only thing I am required to do is still, sitting in the crowd and keep my eyes open, right?" Cassiopeia asked quickly, unwilling to listen to Bagman's chatter longer than necessary.
"Yes. I want someone to keep an eye on the crowd. Just in case. We'll handle the Minister, the Headmasters and the safety of the Champions. Should we need an extra wand, we'll call you."
"Good. Do you mind if I go have a look around, to find myself a nice spot?"
"Mind? No," the Head of the Auror Office answered. Then he added more quietly: "But I do so envy you, for being able to walk away. My office had nothing to do with the Tournament, but without Crouch... His assistant is simply too young for that kind of responsibility and I, I have to do everything!"
"Have fun with Bagman," Cassiopeia told him with s smirk.
Shooting her a dirty look and grumbling to himself, Scrimgeour went back to Bagman, to discuss last minute details. It was still some hours before the beginning of the Third Task.
Cassiopeia chose to spent the time left surveying her surroundings for a bit, looking for vantage points. She needed a spot that offered an excellent view of her surroundings - just in case some idiot really decided to cause trouble.