Disclaimer: See Chapter One.
Chapter Three
Several days later Draco was eagerly invited over to be formally introduced to Teddy. The young boy had known that Harry had been quite morose for several months due to Draco Malfoy – that much he had deduced from Harry – and he was elated to finally see Harry happy once more.
Draco came over in the afternoon and Harry greeted him with a kiss to the cheek.
"I'll admit I'm a bit nervous," Draco told him as Harry took his cloak and put it on a hook in the hallway. "He's so important to you and what if he hates me?"
Harry shot him a dubious look and put his hands on both of Draco's shoulders.
"I find that hard to believe. He hasn't stopped talking about wanting to meet ever since I told him about you."
"Really?"
"Yes, now come on. I don't want him to get any ideas about what we're doing."
Draco laughed and Harry led him down the hall into the sitting room where a boy was sitting on the sofa facing away from them. The sounds of their footsteps alerted the boy and he stood and turned, a huge grin on his face.
"Teddy, this is Draco Malfoy. Draco, this is Teddy Lupin."
"Hello Teddy," greeted Draco and Teddy nodded back, still grinning.
"Hi. So you and Harry are finally talking again?"
"Teddy," hissed Harry with a stern look. The boy didn't appear to be moved by it and Draco shifted from foot to foot, a smile still on his face.
"Yes, we are. We realized we were being quite silly."
"How about we have some tea?" Harry suggested, a blush on his face. He wasn't sure why he felt nervous about Teddy and Draco meeting. Perhaps it was because Teddy was the only form of family he had left and he desperately wanted the boy's approval even if he was only thirteen.
They moved into the kitchen where Harry put on a kettle of tea and set out some biscuits. Teddy eagerly snagged several biscuits and began munching on them, asking Draco questions in between bites.
"Had you ever seen a werewolf before?" Teddy asked Draco, a tone of awe in his voice. "My dad used to tell me stories about them, but I've never seen one. The pictures in school weren't like the one you all fought!"
Draco was pale and had taken a sip of his tea so he didn't have to answer right away.
"Teddy," Harry said forcefully, shooting the boy a look that said the topic was off limits. He didn't want to think about the Games and Teddy should have known that Harry didn't like speaking about his time in the arena.
"Sorry," the boy mumbled abashedly, looking down.
"Teddy," said Draco brightly, changing the subject. "Has Harry ever taken you on a broom? I'm sure he has one."
"Only a couple times. Can we go now? Can we Harry?"
Brown eyes pleaded to green ones and Harry glanced towards Draco who nodded.
"Alright. But bundle up, it's cold!"
Teddy was already retreating towards his room to put on extra layers of clothes and Harry shook his head.
"I'm sorry he asked about the Games. He knows he shouldn't."
Draco shrugged, his finger tracing the rim of his teacup. "He probably didn't know what else to talk to me about. I hope it's alright I suggested flying. Not many young boys have brooms and I knew that each victor gets one so you had one."
Harry smiled gratefully at Draco. "Yeah, we have two actually. My godfather had one and then the new one, but I've only taken Ted a couple of times. Thanks for suggesting it."
"It's a good way to get our minds off of the Games especially since we leave for the Ministry the day after tomorrow."
They fell into solemn silence, neither ready to go back to the Ministry or face the other districts of their fellow fallen tributes. It would only serve as a reminder of the destruction they faced in the arena and Harry didn't want to relive those moments ever again.
Teddy came racing back into the room, pouting when he saw the two still sitting just as he left them. Harry banished the tea and biscuits to their proper places and loaned Draco some extra clothing before they headed outdoors to escape thoughts about the Hunger Games.
Harry had the feeling of déjà vu as he sat on the train next to Draco that was speeding off to the Ministry, the only thing being different was that parts of the landscape had a thick layer of snow.
"We don't have to meet with the Minister do we?" Harry had asked Snape shortly after they had settled on the train.
"No. You're only going to the Ministry to receive your outfits and your prep teams will look you over. The Ministry will be the final place on the tour and I imagine you'll see him there."
They were all dreading the moment they came face to face with the Minister, Harry in particular after their last meeting. The feeling of unease would not leave him and he was sure it would be a permanent fixture within until the Victory Tour was over.
When they arrived at the Ministry they were transported to the same building as before and to the twelfth floor despite there being no other tributes there.
The elevator doors opened and standing before them were his and Draco's prep teams along with Gilderoy Lockhart.
"Boys! Welcome welcome! We have so much to discuss!" declared Gilderoy Lockhart giddily with a huge smile on his face.
The usually irritating man couldn't even bother Harry at that moment for he was dreading this Victory Tour almost as much as the Games. Almost. Nothing would compare to that dreadful feeling of rising up in the glass tube and into the unknown.
Harry forced a smile and looked towards Fleur who was just as pretty as last time, if not a bit tanner.
"I zink zey should eat something first, no?" said Fleur with a smile.
"Oh, yes," said Gilderoy. "I'll have someone bring us something up for tea. But we really must discuss our schedule for our upcoming time in the districts!"
"Don't worry Lockhart, we'll get to it," drawled Snape. "I'm sure they just need to stand there and look handsome while you speak, correct?"
Lockhart blushed in embarrassment and began to shuffle through his papers. "Well yes, I speak, but they should say a few words too."
"Come on," said Fleur, linking her arm through Harry's and guiding him down the hall. Harry glanced back at Draco and smiled, the blonde sending him one in return.
"So you and Draco, hmm?"
Harry smiled and said sarcastically, "Oh yes, shouldn't you have known by now? After all, we were madly in love during the Games."
Fleur sent him a pointed look and Harry rolled his eyes.
"Well, we had feelings for each other, but there was a misunderstanding. We really are together now though."
"Zat is good," she said, her back to him. She was rolling in a rack that had many garments on it.
"Are those my clothes for the tour?"
Fleur nodded. "Yes. But we will try zem on tomorrow. Come, sit."
She sat down on the bed and Harry sat next to her. Her amber eyes were staring intently at him and Harry squirmed. It was the first time he ever felt uncomfortable around Fleur.
"I want to tell you somezing important." Her voice was serious and Harry was on alert at once. The unsettling feeling that had always been in his stomach seemed to grow larger in that one moment.
"What is it?"
She took Harry's hand in his, their skin color nearly the same except Fleur's was a shade bronzer than his own.
"Zere has been talk about ze Quarter Quell amongst ze Ministry workers ere. You must be careful, Harry."
"What are you talking about? I know the Quarter Quell is coming up, but what does that have to do with me?"
Fleur adamantly shook her head, squeezing her eyes shut. Frustrated, Harry stood.
"You can't just say something like that and not explain, Fleur!"
"You know I can't, Harry. Think about it."
With that finally said Fleur got up and left, leaving Harry more irritated and frustrated than before. Harry lay back on his bed and thought about his stylist's words, not noticing when the door cracked open and a platinum head peeked through.
"Harry? Are you alright?"
Turning towards Draco's voice, Harry sighed, beckoning Draco to come in.
"What happened? Did Fleur say something to upset you because she left pretty quickly."
Draco sat down on the edge of Harry's bed and Harry grabbed the pale hand.
"Nothing to upset me, but she told me there has been talk in the Ministry about the Quarter Quell and to be careful. She refused to tell me anything else."
Draco's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Why would she say something like that?"
Sighing once more Harry shrugged. "I have no clue, but it sounds like she definitely knows something and it's not to our advantage."
"I think it's best if we talk to Snape in private later. Maybe he'll have some idea."
They were both exhausted and this new piece of information from Fleur left Harry feeling mentally drained so when Draco curled up in the bed next to him he readily accepted the strong arms that wrapped around him.
The next morning after breakfast the two asked to speak privately to Snape where they explained what Fleur told him. The man paled and shook his head, remaining tight lipped.
All he said was, "I'll investigate."
"That's it?" cried Draco after Snape hurriedly left the room. "I don't know why we listen to him in the first place."
Harry understood Draco's disgruntlement with their former mentor, but he really didn't want to think about it any longer. First there was the Minister's visit and the worry that came along with it and now this predicament.
"I don't want to think about it anymore. How about we just go get fitted in our outfits and get through this tour? I can't stand fretting over threats and whispers people have heard about when we know nothing concrete."
"You're right," sighed Draco, sitting in a chair next to him at the table. "I just don't want all this to go away."
Harry understood what Draco was trying to say, that he didn't want this new relationship between them to suddenly disappear and Harry felt much the same way. He told Draco so.
"Either do I, but we can't do anything at the moment about the things going around us now can we? Perhaps it is best to just act like nothing is going on in the districts on the tour just so we can try and appear as if we are doing what the Minister wants."
Nothing was said for a moment until Draco nodded. "Alright, but I don't like it."
"Neither do I, but I want us to be safe."
Reaching across the table, Harry took Draco's hand in his and squeezed it. He wanted to protect Draco as much as possible and if that meant cooperating with the Ministry for the moment then so be it.
Their first stop was their own district. Harry found it a tad ridiculous that they had to travel all the way to the Ministry just to take the ride back days later. There was a large celebration in the town hall where everyone gathered for food, drinks, and music while they watched replays of Harry and Draco in the Games. He was glad to see Teddy and Neville and for the first time Harry met Draco's parents.
"Harry, this is my father, Lucius Malfoy, and my mother, Narcissa."
It was quite obvious that Draco got his fair looks from both of his parents, each of whom had extremely light or platinum blonde hair in the case of Lucius. Narcissa had gray-blue eyes while Lucius' were a clear bright blue and they both had light skin. Draco was a perfect mixture of them both. Harry had seen them only a number of times in Victor's Village and only in passing.
"Pleased to meet you," Harry said, stepping forward and holding out his hand.
Lucius shook it and gave a sharp nod. "Pleased to meet you also, Mr. Potter."
"It's nice to finally meet you!" said Narcissa with a smile on her face.
"Yes, you too."
Draco led them all to a table in the hall where Teddy joined them and was introduced. An array of biscuits and tea were sitting on the table and Narcissa doled out the tea while they took biscuits at leisure and were pulled into easy chatter.
"It's a shame you boys have to leave so soon," Narcissa said after taking a sip of her tea. "But just think that after the tour you two will come home and won't have to bother with any of this ever again!"
Harry and Draco exchanged wary looks and Draco's hand slipped into his under the table.
"Yes," replied Draco calmly. "We'll be quite relieved when it's all over."
"Do be careful boys," stated Lucius, his voice low. He glanced over his shoulders to see if anyone nearby were listening. "I've heard things," he whispered lowly. "There is unrest in the other districts and I doubt it will affect you all, but just be careful."
The hand in Harry's tightened and they gripped onto one another as if trying to hold back their fears. Neither said anything and the conversation became subdued until Snape came over, telling them that they had to return to their quarters for they left early the next morning. Harry bid Teddy goodbye and told Neville to look after him while Draco said his farewells to his parents.
As they walked back to the inn they were staying at in town Harry and Draco told Snape what Lucius said.
"Yes, well, I imagine the mayor knows something about what is happening in the other districts so naturally the next in charge, which is Lucius, would also know. I don't think they realize the seriousness of it all though, but your father is right Draco. We must be careful and keep our eyes open at all times."
They all parted ways inside the inn and Harry slipped into his bed wishing that the Victory Tour was over and that things could go back to normal, but he knew deep inside that everything was different.
The next morning they left on the train and headed towards District Eleven just as the sun was rising. Harry and Draco were sleepily sitting on a sofa as they drank cups of coffee to try and remain awake. They watched as the scenery changed and the sun rose, the snow slowly melting away until they came across large open fields with numerous trees, every once in a while passing by one that was filled with workers.
"Hermione and Blaise were from here," Harry whispered to Draco.
"It seems very poor," Draco commented, pointing out the homes that resembled shacks more than anything else.
"Things must not be as good here as in 12."
They spent the rest of the time looking sadly at the wearied workers and their ramshackle homes until they saw a town on the horizon.
"We're almost there," said Snape. "Tonight will be the welcoming feast and tomorrow you all will give recognition to the Games as we have discussed. I'm sure Lockhart will repeat all this once we get settled in." He rolled his eyes and Harry and Draco quirked their lips at the jab at Lockhart.
They stood and neared the exit when Snape glanced at them. "You all might want to take off your coats. You won't need them."
The two victors glanced at one another and shrugged, abandoning their coats and waiting patiently as the train slowed and pulled up to the station. As they stepped off Harry was immediately grateful for the advice, although he was still hot in his long sleeved shirt. It was much warmer here than back in 12 and he felt beads of perspiration already starting to form.
"This way, this way!" sing-songed Lockhart, waving his hand up above his head for them to follow. A car was waiting for them to take everyone to the inn where they would go over the schedule once more, freshen up, and change into their outfits for the feast.
Harry was left alone in his room once Lockhart went over their schedule again and he took a quick shower before changing into the outfit Fleur had set aside for this particular event. He was thankful to find that it was made of thin cotton and it was loose fitting. She must have known the weather in each district then.
He had a few more minutes before they were to meet in the entrance of the inn and he looked out the window. It overlooked a large plaza and the buildings were reminiscent of the Spanish style. Across the plaza and over a bit was the Justice Building where they would give their speeches tomorrow. He wondered if anyone would show up.
Realizing that it was time to go Harry joined the others and found that there were several peacekeepers there.
"I wonder if it's for our protection or if they are monitoring us instead," Draco muttered as they walked across the plaza and towards the town hall where the feast was held.
"I bet they're using the protection as an excuse," Harry whispered back.
Their hands touched each other's briefly as they walked and entered the hall.
In the hall an array of food was set out just like in 12, but there were different foods that were particular to the area. It was all splendid given that they were in the agriculture producing district.
"Why is everyone avoiding us?" Draco asked. They were sitting at the head table and the hall was packed with people who were laughing and drinking. It reminded Harry of their very own feast in 12.
"Well their tributes weren't victors now were they?" Snape said. "They are here to eat and socialize, nothing more. If you all are the means to food then they will take it, but they don't have to like you."
The truth stung, but they both knew that Snape was right. Why should people in any of the districts be happy about the victors coming to see them? In the poorer ones it was just like Snape said – means to eat more food – and Harry was the first one to know about that. It was the one time a year where he and Teddy were guaranteed a good meal back when they had to fend for themselves. For the rest of the night Harry felt uncomfortable, especially when he saw guarded eyes from several people land on him and Draco. He always looked away swiftly and tried to reengage himself in the conversation at hand, but his thoughts kept drifting towards the Games and Hermione and Blaise. Were their families here in this very room? He wouldn't see why not.
"Are you alright?" Draco whispered quietly with worried eyes.
"I'll just be glad when we can leave. I feel uncomfortable with it all."
A hand was gently placed on Harry's thigh and Harry placed his hand on top of Draco's.
"I know. Lockhart said we can leave shortly. How about we get dessert? I see this funny looking pie that looks green. Want to try it with me?"
Thankful for the diversion, Harry agreed and found the pie was quite good indeed.
"What am I going to say? I – I haven't even planned anything," said Harry nervously, running his fingers through his hair.
He, Draco, Snape, and Lockhart were standing inside the Justice Building preparing to go out and make a formal introduction and Harry's nerves were running haywire.
"Shh," said Draco, stepping forward and ignoring the peacekeepers' gazes. He placed his hands on Harry's cheeks and pulled him in closely. Harry's hands rested on Draco's hips and his eyes shuttered closed before opening once more and focusing on Draco's gray ones.
"Lockhart will speak and if you don't want to say anything then don't. I'll say a little something and then it will be over with."
Harry nodded and leaned forward, capturing Draco's lips with his own. It had been the first time they had been truly open about their feelings and it spurred Harry's courage. He would prove to the Ministry and most of all Minister Riddle that what he and Draco had was real and nothing would take that from him.
"Ready then?" Draco breathed, his forehead touching Harry's.
Harry nodded and together, hands clasped, they followed Lockhart out.
The sun was bright and hot, but thankfully they were wearing short sleeves, and the plaza was entirely full of people. Many wore bland blue-gray uniforms – field clothes – but what Harry noticed most of all was that every face looked worn and tired. All throughout the open area were stationed peacekeepers.
The entire plaza was silent as Lockhart, Harry, and Draco stepped forward. Snape and the peacekeepers with them stayed back.
"Thank you District Eleven!" began Lockhart. He droned on about the Games and the importance of it all while thanking them for welcoming the victors. As if they had a choice.
"Before we give a chance for our victors to speak let us watch a few minutes worth of this past year's Games featuring your very own."
It was at this moment that Harry spotted the two families standing in the front. Harry immediately knew the one was Blaises' due to the dark skin and his mother was tall with rounded shoulders. Her face was hardened and her arm was wrapped steadfastly around an elderly woman with skin like paper. Next to them stood a middle-aged woman who was crying softly, the tumble of curls pulled back away from her face while the man with thinning hair and glasses held onto her tightly.
Harry felt ill at having to re-watch the Games once more and in front of two families whose children were murdered and they had to witness the horror once more. Draco squeezed Harry's hand and it brought everything into focus. He tried his hardest to not look at the gigantic screen replaying Blaise and Hermione's time in the Games, but one thing he did notice was the omission of when Harry had laid the phoenix feather on Hermione after she died. It was obvious that the Ministry did not want the people to see this act because it was more than likely seen as one of defiance.
When the tape was finished playing the screen went white. Everything was silent.
"And now," said Lockhart, sensing the unease and trying to appease it even though he himself was uncomfortable. "Our victors Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy!"
He clapped, but quickly stopped when no one else did. Why would these people clap for them? Harry had never clapped for a visiting victor in the past when they came to 12 so why would they for him?
Draco's hand slipped from his as he stepped forward towards the podium and microphone.
"Hello District Eleven." His voice was calm and collected and he was the epitome of grace, something Harry couldn't fathom himself ever being. "Harry and I first want to thank everyone for showing up. We realize that it must be difficult to watch two young and innocent, well children essentially, be taken from you and be sacrificed in the Hunger Games. And now you all are here to see the winners which is even more difficult."
Sweat dripped down Harry's face and he knew that it wasn't from the sun. What was Draco saying? His tone was pleasant and somber at the same time, but his words were bordering on defiant.
"Blaise and Hermione were both strong competitors in the Games and their lives were taken from them too early," Draco continued with an edge to his voice. "We're sorry that they aren't here with us today and were forced into the Games like we all were. I didn't get a chance to know either of them very well, but they will be greatly missed and not forgotten. I think that is the most important thing that we all must take away from the Hunger Games – that those lost will never be forgotten and remembered for their strength of entering the Games. Thank you."
He stepped back and Lockhart began to shuffle back towards the Justice Building, but Harry quickly stepped forward, feeling that it wasn't right to not say something, especially in front of the district that Hermione hailed from.
"I – I didn't prepare anything," began Harry, "but like Draco said, we're sorry that you all have lost part of your family. I know the feeling and it rips you apart inside, but this is made worse because the Ministry has done it and for what? For their entertainment and to prove that they can control us? It's complete and utter madness that they are willing to sacrifice twenty-three young people, or in this case twenty-two, to prove a point."
Harry shook his head, knowing that what he was doing was most definitely defying the Ministry and openly doing it too! He was going to hear it from Snape, but the feeling he had had all along was one he could finally identify. A sense of foreboding that all would not end well even if he did play along with the Minister. It was too late to take back what he said now anyway.
"Hermione and Blaise died in barbaric ways that no human being should have to experience and year after year we're all put through this whether it's waiting for our name to be called or not to be called during the reaping, watching a loved one compete, or the fact that it's an injustice to be forced to accept the Hunger Games. When will this all stop?"
Harry stepped away and for a moment stared out at the crowd when the most incredible thing happened. A middle-aged man in the crowd began to whistle like the trill of a phoenix. When he finished everyone did the District Twelve salute – the same one that Harry had done when Hermione died. They touched their three middle fingers to their lips and saluted the air.
At once chaos occurred. Shots rang out and people in the plaza began to scream. Harry ducked and was being shoved back towards the Justice Building, but not before seeing the peacekeepers in the crowd, some using their wands to barricade people while others used weapons to try and take control of the crowd.
Harry was pushed back into the building along with Draco, Snape, and Lockhart. He was breathing heavily and hadn't quite taken in the drastic turn of events, but before his mind could grasp what was occurring Draco was tugging on his hand.
"Come on," the blonde urged, and ignoring Snape and Lockhart the two rushed up the beaten and crumbling stone staircase that led to a second floor.
The rooms that they passed through were bare and seemed to have been unused for years. What furniture that was in them was covered in dust covered sheets.
"Here," Draco said, stopping in front of a grime covered window that must not have been cleaned in decades. He cracked it open a bit and from there they were able to see the open plaza.
Below people were still shouting and many still resisting, but a number of people had either left or been detained. Bloodied and unmoving bodies were scattered across the plaza, including the man who had sang the trill.
"What have I done?" Harry whispered.
"Don't even think that way, Harry," said Draco sharply, turning away quickly from the window. "Don't. You did not do this. Did you really think the Ministry would let us go so easily even if we follow what they say? We can change things Harry! Can you imagine not ever having another Hunger Game or being able to freely go to another district? And why shouldn't the children of those in the Ministry not have to compete? Do you think it fair that Lockhart, who sits there and promotes the Games, never had to worry about his name being drawn during a reaping?"
Harry knew that Draco was right. It wasn't fair or just in the least that everyone was controlled in this manner and rebellions had already started – the events at the plaza were an act that they were part of first hand. Should his children ever have to live in this kind of world if he could prevent it? The definitive answer was no and he wouldn't let the Minister win.
"You're right. But now what do we do? The Minister will be after our heads and we still have to go to the Minister at the end of all this."
Draco leaned forward and kissed Harry. The darker haired teen eagerly responded, pouring forth his tumult into the kiss.
"We'll fight back," Draco whispered against Harry's lips.
Really the answer was as simple as that and the stone that had settled in his stomach so long ago disappeared.
"Boys!"
They both leaned back to find a furious looking Severus Snape. He stalked forward towards both of them, his hands appearing to want to grab his wand and hex them both as he flexed them next to his thighs.
"What on earth were you thinking?" he shouted at them.
They remained standing next to each other and Harry pushed his shoulders slightly back as if telling Snape to not tempt him into hexing him right back.
"Did you really think the Minister would let us off easily if we agreed to what he said?" Harry asked coolly. "If so you aren't as smart as we thought. If we have the power to help change the way things are run then we'll do what we must."
Snape continued to glare, but appeared to deflate a little as he hunched forward.
"Stupid foolish boys," he muttered. "Let's go then. Just because District Eleven is in tumult now and the Ministry wants to hang you both it won't stop the Victory Tour. We're leaving early."
The older man turned and left the room. He was obviously still agitated with them and they didn't mind giving him space.
"I suppose we should go then," Draco said. With a nod and hands still laced together they left the room.
The train quickly whisked them from district to district and they were no longer allowed to speak so all the speeches were left to Lockhart. As Harry sat on the train to their last stop, the Ministry, he recalled District Two where he saw a whole group of redheads and immediately knew that they were the family of the Weasley siblings.
"Harry," Draco muttered, jabbing him in the ribs to get his attention. "The tall one with long hair. Wasn't he a tribute several years ago?"
Harry examined the family and noted the one Draco was speaking about and the man did seem familiar. When they asked Snape about it later he nodded, affirming Draco's suspicions.
"Yes, that's Bill Weasley, the eldest sibling. He won when he was eighteen. I imagine he's at least in his mid-twenties now."
The worst district to visit was District One, that of Viktor Krum and Cho Chang. Harry could feel the resentment from the crowd coming off in waves and was thankful to leave it even if it meant going to the Ministry.
"Well," declared Draco afterwards. "I'm positive that is one of the districts where there haven't been revolts."
Harry laughed for the first time in what felt like forever.
The most surprising visit, besides that of 11, was the Ministry. They had all been dreading it, expecting to be arrested and tortured, but to their shock the Minister wasn't even in attendance.
At the Welcoming Feast they were reunited with Fleur, Gabrielle, and their prep teams. This feast was more like a ball really and Harry was introduced to the new Head Gamemaker, Aberforth Dumbledore.
"Why yes indeed, I'm Albus' brother," said the older man after Harry asked. "How has your stay been in the Ministry?"
Harry nodded and answered as vaguely as possible. He was wary around any sort of Ministry official at the moment, excluding Fleur and Gabrielle.
"Fine."
"I must check the time," said Aberforth, retrieving an old gold pocket watch from his cloak. "We have a gamemaker's meeting at midnight."
It was an odd hour to have a meeting, but Harry brushed it aside since he knew the Ministry was never one to turn down a good party.
Aberforth opened the watch and an image caught Harry's eye. He was sure that on the face of the watch there was a holographic picture of a phoenix, but the watch was snapped closed.
"I'm sorry, but I must take my leave. Enjoy your stay and congratulations."
The older man bowed and Harry did so too before turning to find Draco. When he relayed the message Draco frowned.
"That's odd. What could it possibly mean? Was it a message of some sort?"
Harry shrugged. "I have no idea. Even if it was I don't have a clue what it could possibly mean so what's there to do about it?"
"You're right, but it is strange. I suppose we should just keep our eyes open."
For the rest of the evening they stayed together and the next day when they were introduced once more to the Ministry Lockhart made a speech, highlighting the overall Games. When it was finally over with they were thankful that the tour had come to a completion.
Now it was back to District Twelve.