!!! World Wizard Tournament!!!
Part Seven
"Harry, don't know what to say. This is most unexpected," Dumbledore told Harry.
"I thought he was completely rid of his Death Eater past," Harry said.
"Yes, I know for sure that he is…I think that it's something else…."
"What?" Harry said. He was confused.
"The Imperius Curse! That's what it has to be!" Dumbledore said, half believing himself.
"Are you sure?" Harry wondered. "It's possible…but—"
"Oh yes, it's very much possible. Your scar's been hurting, the Bobbles are occurring. Things are starting to match up. Unfortunately, the Ministry's not willing to believe that this has to do with Voldemort. That's the last person that they want to accuse."
"I can't believe them! How can they do that?" Harry asked. The Ministry of Magic was stubborn recently. Fudge still hasn't come to his senses and realized that Voldemort had his own body restored.
"Harry, you and your friends, along with Lupin and Black can help this situation. I trust that you will know the right thing to do," Dumbledore was concerned. He really couldn't do much about the problem. After all, he was just a Headmaster representing one of the schools.
"Yeah, I think that we'll just have to go investigate. I'm going to get my cloak," Harry started to leave then stopped.
"Harry? What about your friends?" Dumbledore wondered.
"Ron's in the hospital tents and…Hermione…." Harry paused for a long time. Hermione was acting very sick and strangely.
"Yes?"
"She's acting really weird. She collapsed and is unconscious now. Sirius carried her. I don't know where she is now…."
"I think that she'll be ok. That is very strange news. When did this start?"
"During breakfast. But there's still Daryn. He can help!" Harry said, a little more excited.
"Yes, Daryn will turn out to be a great wizard. He's got some good qualities," Dumbledore said.
This made Harry wonder. "How do you know him so well?"
"Why, he's befriended the great Harry Potter. What a choice in friendship! I think that you two will meet again in the future. I'm glad that you're supporting him too. But I do think that you should also consider Draco…." Dumbledore answered.
"Yeah, he is part of Hogwarts. But right now the tournament can wait. This is getting serious, Professor."
"You may leave now Harry, I understand." Harry dashed out of the room and went into his own to retrieve his Invisibility Cloak. Then, he ran to the Emeraldon tent to find Daryn.
The Headmaster, Alvin Birnstead, welcomed Harry. "Hello, Daryn left for a meeting about the second task. I'm not sure when to expect him."
"Ok, that's fine. I'll be on my own. See you later," Harry said.
"Good-bye, Harry!" Birnstead said.
What was he to do now? He would just have to do things on his own. It would be ok.
Harry looked to see if the coast was clear. He carefully put on the cloak and could no longer be seen among the common eye. Harry wasn't sure of what he was looking for. He thought that he could find something. Maybe he would see what Lupin was up to. Somehow, Harry thought that he and Sirius knew more than he did. He hated the fact on spying on them. But things couldn't get out of hand. Someone was going to get hurt.
Lupin was no where to be found among the judges' tents. It was hopeless. Lupin seemed to be showing up only when Harry least expected it. While considering this, Harry realized that Sirius never mentioned whether or not Snape had seen he and Hermione! It was to Harry's presumptions that Snape never saw them. He would have attacked them or something. Maybe it was the work of the Imperius Curse. It can be difficult to overcome. Harry's only conclusion was to go and see how Ron was doing.
~
"Hello, Ron? Are you ok?" Harry called out to Ron. He didn't move.
"I don't think that these patients are ready to awake yet. They just need to awaken from their Sleeping potions. The kids that were exposed to the rain earlier today…well…they are in for a bit of trouble!" The head nurse said. "—And there was this girl that was just handed in today by a judge! She was unconscious. I think that she's had some sort of a potion or pill! It's no doubt that it was something not to be messed with. Oh but what do you care? You're just here to see your friend. I shouldn't be babbling on like this…." The nurse dashed off to see to some other patients.
"Boy, I'm glad she did mention about Hermione," Harry said to himself. Since there was nothing that he could do here, Harry set off to find Daryn, again.
To Harry's surprise, Daryn was walking from the stadium to see Ron and possibly Hermione.
"It's no use, they're both under potions. Ron should be out in a while. Hopefully, tonight!" Harry explained.
"Well, that's good. I have some other news as well! It's about the second task. It'll be in a couple of weeks, after all!" Daryn said, excited.
"You seem to know a lot!"
"Well, it's sort of my area of expertise. I'm sort of agile. The second task is a magical obstacle course! Everyone's is different though. But they're all of the same length. It's just my job to get through the obstacles faster than anyone else will! Wait there's more. The course is in a specially made 'haunted house'!" Daryn sounded really excited.
"That sounds interesting. It's almost like the maze that I had to undergo in my third task this past year at the Triwizard Tournament," Harry said. Then he remembered that night very clearly.
"Harry are you ok? You just suddenly went blank or something!"
"Oh, it's nothing. That third task reminded me of Voldemort. That was the same night that I confronted him. It's sort of hard to explain…" Harry said, a little scared.
"Don't worry about that. We now have a number of things to worry about now! There are the Bobbles, Snape, Ron and Hermione, Voldemort, and the second task. Of course, some of those are really one big issue," Daryn said. This made Harry smile. It sounded pretty bad. But Daryn had no tone in his voice that made him sound nervous or scared. It was understood though.
Daryn hasn't had the same history that Harry had with Voldemort and stuff like that. It just wasn't the same feeling. Daryn understood that he had to help. Harry was glad about that. Right now, no adult could truly help Harry, no matter how hard they tried.
It was difficult for Harry to think in this respect. Lupin, Sirius, Dumbledore, and even Hagrid were great adults. Harry knew that those four were people that he could look up to for guidance and care. But all of the predicaments that Harry faced, he was with Ron or Hermione, and this past June, Cedric. Daryn was probably going to share the next part of the excitement waiting for Harry during this tournament.
"Let's go have a snack, Daryn," Harry suggested. It was now three o'clock. Harry didn't have any lunch. Daryn hadn't had a bite to eat since breakfast either. The two walked happily toward the dining tent.
For the remainder of the day, Harry and Daryn discussed useful charms and hexes that Daryn might need. If Hermione were there, Daryn's list would be considerably longer. But she was sick. Harry didn't know what happened to her. Something or someone did something to her. He wasn't sure when or how. It was puzzling. Things weren't coming together. Even with the knowledge that Snape was performing the second Bobble attack. It could have been on his own will or under someone else's control. Snape couldn't be found anywhere. Harry decided that he needed to talk with Sirius or Lupin again. Some other things had to be discussed.
~
The next couple of weeks had passed. Hermione was still in the hospital tents. Harry knew that the nurses were doing their job. But she must have been really sick, or drugged by someone. But who did it?
It was the day of the second competition. Harry, Ron, and Daryn were eating breakfast together.
"I'm thinking that no one's trying to do any of the Bobbles anymore! There hasn't been an attack since we found Snape," Daryn said.
"Yeah, but I don't think that Snape saw Sirius or Hermione," Harry said.
"I wonder what happened to her…" Ron said. Everyone paused. Hedwig, who had a letter for Harry, interrupted the silence.
"Thanks!" Harry gave a piece of fruit to her. She took it carefully, not knowing what to do with it. Finally, she opened her beak and swallowed.
"I don't think she likes it, Harry," Ron noted.
"Just read the letter!" Daryn said impatiently.
Harry,
How are you? It's been a while since I've talked to you. Well, I need to meet you again tonight at the Southern Gate. This will be after the second task. When you reach the gate, there's a small cave to the right of the exit. That's where I'll be. This is a very private and important matter. Bring no one except yourself along.
-Sirius
"Hmm, that's a little odd," Daryn said. "I don't think that I could make it anyway. That competition could leave me tired and tied up with all of my Emeraldon friends."
"Harry, I think that I should come with—" Ron started.
"I don't know, Sirius knows what he's talking about. Maybe this has nothing to do with Bobbles and Snape. Maybe this is a family matter," Harry said.
"It's totally up to you, Harry," Ron said. "I understand."
Harry was surprised to hear that from Ron. Maybe the Brazilian Fire Toad bite changed his way of thinking. Who knew?
The night finally arrived and Daryn was pumped up! The haunted house was really big and was centered in the stadium. There was no monitor to watch the champions as they raced in the house. Harry and Ron were disappointed about that. However, there were plenty of windows for spectators to see what a champion was doing at that time. Cornelius Fudge was discussing the rules to the champions. Harry and Ron couldn't hear.
"Ahem, Welcome to tonight's second task. Each of the champions is going to run through a marked trail in this haunted house. They are racing against each other to see who gets out of the house first. Every trail is of the same length, but they are all different. Scoring will go like this:
The first champion to finish will be awarded 15 points. It will then descend to the last champion to finish. That person will get 5 points. Champions, get ready!"
Harry saw Daryn choose one of the ten doors on the house. Fudge then blew a whistle. The champions were off. Daryn's door wouldn't open. He tried a spell but it didn't work! Then Harry saw him ask the door politely if he could enter, that did the trick. From then on, Harry only saw Daryn twice through the side windows. This was an interesting spell.
After fifteen minutes, the first champion exited the house; it was Leonardo Mendalson from Burntwist. He now was in the lead with 24 total points. Daryn had to come in second in order to tie him.
Pamela Hannon from Winehardt closely followed Leonardo. She had 22 total. Where was Daryn? Ron was becoming anxious. He saw Draco Malfoy on the first floor near a door. That could mean a whole lot. He might be finished soon.
"I hope Daryn comes soon!" Harry said.
"I just hope he beats Malfoy and Krum!" Ron said. Daryn opened the door to exit. He wasn't alone though. He and Malfoy tied exactly. Fudge made an announcement.
"It looks like both Daryn Wilkins and Draco Malfoy have tied for third place! They will each receive thirteen points!"
"Well, that brings Daryn into second place!" Harry said to Ron. Ron was furious that Daryn tied with Malfoy. Even though Daryn had more total points than he did.
Krum ended up coming in 6th place. The second task lasted only 45 minutes. Fudge spoke again.
"The total scores will now be posted for you to see." The judges pointed their wands and the scores appeared in the sky.
Leonardo Mendalson-Burntwist 24
Daryn Wilkins-Emeraldon 23
Pamela Hannon-Winehardt 22
Draco Malfoy-Hogwarts 19
Howard Marvin-Freezelyre 19
Frederica Savage-Leflours 19
Viktar Krum-Durmstrang 18
Jehmie Plours-Beauxbaton 16
Jacob Anderson- Pyrmidos 15
Chow Young-Dragonsling 13
"There are the scores for tonight's task. It was a lot of fun. The champions need to stay for information on their next task, planned for October 29!" Fudge's voice called. Harry and Ron were happy for Daryn.
"Look, Ron, I have to go and meet Sirius. I'll be back later tonight, ok?" Harry said
"Yeah, I'll be ok. See you," Ron said, a little gloomily.
Harry ran toward the southern gate as quick as he could. He wanted to meet up with Sirius. When he finally reached the cave, he didn't see the black dog anywhere. "Sirius?" Where was he?
Harry looked in the sky. It started to turn green above the grounds. What was happening? Suddenly little flames flew down toward the ground. They were bugs! Harry heard shouts and screams of horror. It was another Bobble attack! He had to help. He heard some Ministry wizards shout charms at the sky. What could he do? Then, he heard footsteps. Was it Black?
Harry ran toward the gate to get a better view of the arrival. It wasn't Black it was Viktar Krum. He was smiling. It was the smirk of someone doing something mischievous. "What are you doing here?" Harry called.
"Why, I'm meeting up with my dear friend Harry Potter at the cave. The letter said after the second task didn't it?" Krum said.
"Yes, but that letter was from Sirius!" Harry said.
"Are you sure? I'm quite the forger, Harry. You'd be surprised. Let's go to the cave. Someone wants to see you…." Krum took Harry's hand and they entered the cave.
"What's going on?" Harry asked.
"You're going to meet an old friend. I believe you've met him before haven't you. Why that was only a few months ago!"
It was then when Harry realized who this person was. It was surely not a friend, but an enemy. The thin red eyes glowed as Harry stepped in the cave. He saw the long, white fingers unfolding. The atmosphere began to turn dark and ominous. Harry didn't have time to think that his scar was hurting, but it was!
"Hello…Harry Potter…this will be a most interesting night…"
I don't want to have a really long author's note, because this suspense is just killing me! I think everyone knows who this figure is. It's very obvious. Get ready for part eight. That's the last one. I'm going to write it right away because I'm so excited about it. I know you're thinking about a lot of things. The whole ending will put things together. I promise that. Enjoy!
-Ludo Lupin
Thank you so much for reviewing the parts in the past. I enjoy them very much. Thanks again! J
