The day after the first task Bartemius Crouch Junior writhed in pain on the immaculate tile floor of the drawing room at Riddle Manor. He screamed, but the silencing spell prevented any sound from escaping the room. His master tired quickly, and Barty was grateful for that when the pain ended.
Pettigrew stood quietly in a corner watching the proceedings. He did enjoy watching the torture. He was happy there was someone else here now to share the pain. He didn't like it much when he was on the receiving end.
Nagini lay coiled under her master's homunculus. She used her coiled body to support his more feeble one, and she held her head up next to the diminutive shoulder. She stared avidly at the delectable treat now recovering from her master's punishment. He absently stroked her, laying a hand on top of her head and running it down her neck. "Someday Nagini, if he continues to fail me." The voice was high and weak, but Voldemort's servants did not mistake the tone or content of the words. "You have been my most loyal servant Bartemius. For that you are forgiven your recent failure. Now, speak truthfully and make no false promises. Can you guarantee the Potter boy's victory and the successful completion of our plan?"
Bartemius Crouch Junior had at one time been a charming and pleasant young man. He had found friends and enjoyment in his Lord's service. He was fearless and completely obedient to his Lord's commands. He drew upon that courage and loyalty and answered according to his Lord's command. "I cannot, My Lord. The boy is resilient and powerful for his age, and he has made friends of the other champions. All but a very few of the students have accepted him. I cannot control the outcome of the tournament, and I fear the boy's unchecked influence in the school."
Lord Voldemort considered Crouch's reply. He was annoyed that the man could not do as he wished. He was tempted to crucio him again for his failure. But his resources were limited, and a follower of Crouch's skill and loyalty should not be wasted. "We must modify our plans then." He mused aloud. "Yes, the boy's influence must be checked. I will need my full body to operate properly. Hmmm. The Winter Solstice would be an auspicious time to perform the ritual. But how to demonstrate our success?..."
"My Lord, a Yule Ball is traditionally a part of the tournament. Could we not incorporate the festivity..." Crouch's voice trailed off at the sadistic smile on his master's face.
"Yes, Bartemius. Yes. That will do nicely. Pettigrew, you will be prepared for the Winter Solstice. Bartemius, you will bring the boy at the appointed time. Neither of you will fail. I will not be forgiving."
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Siona heard the breathing of her two remaining companions behind her as she ran through the forest. She didn't hear the D-wolves, but she knew they were there. Ten of them infiltrated Leto's citadel earlier this day. Seven of them were lost to Leto's various traps and guardians. They had acquired the target of today's mission. Siona carried the citadel's plans as they had deemed her the most likely to escape. She also carried an unknown treasure. She could hear Ulot's breath coming hard now. He was the slowest of the three remaining. He did not have the physical characteristics to come on this mission, but he had insisted and trained hard. He had a knack of seeing things others missed, so his desire had been granted. He had been the one to notice the hidden Ixian device and uncover the encoded ridulian crystals that Siona also carried. His breath was harsh now, and Siona knew the wolves would have him soon. She cursed as Ulot shrieked and was cut off. "I will have you Tyrant! You will pay Worm!"
Siona Ibn Fuad al-Seyefa Atreides had a gently oval face, generous mouth, and small nose. She didn't think of herself as beautiful, although she knew many looked on her with desire. Long hours of running and physical training has shaped her body. She was athletic and lanky. She knew Ulot had joined her cause as much because he liked her as because he believed in her goals. She hadn't returned his feelings, but she had respected him and considered him a good friend and valuable asset. And now he was gone. And now Kuteg was falling behind.
Kuteg should have kept pace with her easily. He was a better runner. He was taller than Siona and should have had an easier stride. But he had turned an ankle when escaping the citadel, and the damage limited him. She heard a wolf yelp and the thud of a body hitting a tree. "Run Siona. Run!" Kuteg called to her, and she knew he would sell himself delaying the wolves as long as possible.
Siona let a whimper escape. Nine of her soldiers. Nine of her allies. Nine of her friends. They had given their lives for this mission. They had sacrificed themselves because she asked them too. She held her emotions in check ruthlessly, and she ran. The river was close now. Once across, she would be safe. She would mourn her friends. She would recover. And she would make the Worm pay.
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Nayla was a blocky woman. She had a blunt, flat face and a personality to match. She was a competent Fish Speaker soldier when she was called into God's presence. He had called her by name and given her a mission.
"Nayla, I have seen your good work. I have noted your loyalty and devotion. I have need of you." The Lord Leto ignited her passion and assured her absolute obedience. "My beloved Siona is planning a rebellion."
"I will bring her to you Lord." Nayla spoke impulsively. She cringed at the thought that she had interrupted her Lord. His tone and manner remained gentle, but she felt rebuke in his words.
"No Nayla. My Siona is not to be harmed or interfered with. You will join her. You will protect her. And you will obey her absolutely. You will obey her as you would me."
"Yes Lord. My Lord? I am not well versed with deception." Nayla sadly stated her deficiency.
"You will never lie to Siona. Deception will not be needed."
"My Lord, what if she asks about You?"
"Nayla," Leto spoke kindly and authoritatively. "You will obey Siona's every desire. You will truthfully answer anything she may ask you. And you will protect her from harm to the best of your ability."
"Yes Lord." Nayla acquiesced, trusting her Lord to know best.
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Nayla did not like Topri. Siona found him useful though. And it was not her place to question Siona. Nayla stood in the corner and glowered at the two of them. Siona and Topri sat near the middle of the room speaking quietly.
"You are certain your contacts will deliver, Topri? We have paid in blood, and we will not dishonor the fallen with failure."
"Yes Siona. I understand the importance of what we do. And I mourn our fallen comrades. We have the appropriate blackmails and bribes, and my contacts will behave as we require."
Siona sighed softly and looked around the room. Something about Topri didn't feel right. But he had been nothing but loyal, and he had the means to help her bring down the Tyrant. Her gaze was caught by the scowl on Nayla's face. She knew she could trust Nayla absolutely. Nayla usually held her face expressionless. Siona had always felt like Nayla didn't like her, but Nayla was scowling at Topri, not her.
"You don't like me, do you Nayla?" Siona thought she would approach this directly.
Nayla startled at being addressed. She berated herself for drawing attention and allowing her mind to wander. But God had commanded her to always be truthful with Siona, so She answered truthfully. "No, I don't."
"Yet you scowl at Topri. Why?"
"I don't trust him." Nayla answered immediately, without thinking.
"So, you don't like me. You don't trust Topri. And yet you joined our organization. You fight for us. Why?"
"Why do you allow her, Siona?" Topri broke in. "You heard her, we can't trust her."
Topri's voice grated on Siona. "This is between Nayla and I, Topri. You will remain silent."
"But she is attacking me."
"She is speaking the truth Topri. She doesn't trust you. But she has not attacked you. Now, be silent while Nayla and I converse."
Topri sputtered, but Siona ignored him and turned back to Nayla. "Well?"
Nayla was afraid. She had attracted Siona's scrutiny, and now she would fail her mission. But she would obey her God's orders. "I swore an oath."
"Yes," Siona drew out her response, thinking as she spoke. "You swore an oath to our organization, but that oath was meaningless to you. You serve what you consider to be a higher power. Who do you serve, Nayla?"
"I serve God." Nayla's voice was becoming hoarse but she did not hesitate.
"And what oath did you swear to God?"
"I swore to obey your orders, to always answer you with truth, and to protect you from harm."
Siona laughed delightedly. "You see Topri. She did not swear to like us or trust us. But I trust her because she believes in something greater than herself." Nayla's words had crystallized her misgivings concerning Topri, though. He did not believe in anything greater than himself, she thought. She would trust him less and watch him more closely.
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"And your daughter? How proceed our plans for Siona?"
Moneo often wondered why Leto asked these questions. He always seemed to know before Moneo could answer. And He always knew more than Moneo knew himself. Moneo answered happily though. He used to dread this topic. He feared he would lose his only daughter to her stubbornness and pride. Lord Leto had softened toward Siona recently. Moneo now found hope where previously had been only despair. "Her companions were captured, My Lord. She believes them dead, as You instructed. She is attempting to disseminate the stolen material."
"She is using Topri, yes?"
Lord Leto had done it again. How did he know that Topri even existed, let alone that Topri was Moneo's spy. Moneo kept his voice neutral. He didn't want His Lord to know how much this annoyed him. "Yes Lord. She has asked Topri to use his contacts to spread the material to Your enemies."
"Excellent. Instruct Topri to do as she asks."
"Yes Lord."
Moneo shook his head as he left the meeting. Another tale he could share with Susannah. She had shared similar experiences with Lord Leto. He probably did it because it annoyed them.
Leto smiled to himself as Moneo left the room. He did enjoy annoying his commanders. Being all-knowing also kept them alert. They were the type to take it as a challenge to be equally well informed and not the type that would use Leto's omniscience as an excuse to do less.
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Topri was flushed with pleasure as he led the meeting. He always did enjoy the pageantry, thought Siona with a snort. His contacts had proven true. The plans and encoded crystals had been delivered to the Bene Geserit, the Tleilaxu, and the Ixians. Hopefully they could crack the encryption on the crystals, and Siona would know if Ulot's sacrifice was justified. But Nayla's mistrust had proven well founded, and Siona had no more use for the spy.
Topri followed Siona to a small anteroom after the meeting. He was still flushed with pleasure, but his pleasure faded as he found himself facing a stone faced Nayla and several resistance soldiers. Two soldiers grabbed him as Nayla disarmed him. Siona turned to face him.
"Tell my father that I am aware of his machinations."
Topri opened his mouth to voice a denial, but he fell silent at the force of Siona's glare.
"Don't bother. I don't know why the Worm allowed us to spread the material we stole, but I know that allow it, He did. I would have enjoyed feeding you false information. I would have enjoyed using you." Topri quailed at the malice in Siona's eyes and voice. "But you are too clumsy. You endanger my plans more through incompetence than as a spy. Return to my father, and tell him you are a failure. Tell him my opinion of your performance. And if you wish to live beyond the week, be truthful in your report."
Topri looked into Siona's eyes and saw the truth of her command. She did not boast. He would die if he disobeyed.
Siona saw Topri's acceptance of his fate. She motioned to her guards. "Take him away. Release him where he will be safe. No reprisals and no harm. I want him to report to his masters." Topri gulped at her extra instructions. He hadn't realized how hated he would be. Siona would not have reinforced her wishes with direct orders unless it was necessary. He had thought he was playing a game. He hadn't realized how close to death he was.
xxxxXXXXxxxx
Harry rubbed his eyes tiredly. He hated sleeping on his back. Dragonfire burns healed slowly though. He poked at his breakfast and waited for his Quidditch Conspiracy fellows to arrive in the Great Hall. He wondered now if that had been such a good idea. He was exhausted from the first task. He needed to work on the clue from his egg. He needed to train his body and mind as Leto instructed. He needed to work on his magic. He hadn't done himself any favors with his less than stellar efforts his first three years either. He sighed. There was something off with Katie, too.
She had held him tight after the task. She was upset he had been hurt. But there was something bothering her, and he didn't know what. They had a good time yesterday in Hogsmeade. They held hands and talked about quidditch. They exchanged chocolates at Honeydukes and butterbeers in The Three Broomsticks. They and Hermione snuck away in the afternoon to meet Sirius. Katie had seemed ok with it, but he wondered if maybe she had a problem with the situation involving his godfather.
He had been spending his free time during the day practicing his spells and working in the library. Katie joined him in the library most evenings. He spent his nights in his hideaway in the Chamber of Secrets.
He and Leto had learned some interesting things about their relationship, he mused. Leto told him that whenever they conversed, Leto entered a trance like state. When Harry connected them via meditation he felt well rested, even when they spent the entire night in conversation and training. But Leto existed only in his mind with that type of connection. If Harry connected while awake and active, then Leto appeared in the spiritual form he had experienced with the dragons. In that form, Leto could move and observe somewhat independent of Harry. And he could interact in Harry's world with similar limitations as a ghost would have. But that active connection drained Harry and exhausted him quickly. The farther he moved from Harry, the more quickly Harry was drained. Through discussion and experimentation they surmised that Harry was using his magic to power the connection. Leto had been unable to open either type of connection.
Harry looked up when Hermione entered the Hall. He waved to her, and she sat by him and prepared her breakfast. Harry knew she was bothered too. But at least he knew why she was annoyed with him. And he had an idea what to do about it.
"Good morning Hermione." He said and she grunted and flashed her eyes at him. He smiled. She always hated it when he addressed her just as she took a bite.
Hermione swallowed and responded. "Good morning Harry. Why do you always do that to me.?"
"Because I know it annoys you." Harry answered with a smirk. "Hermione, I've got a lot to do today, but I miss you too. Could we get together tonight and talk. Just the two of us."
The tension left her body, and she graced him with a brilliant smile. "I would love that, Harry."
The hall filled with chattering students, and they didn't get a chance to talk much more. But Harry relaxed and enjoyed the morning. At least he and Hermione would be ok.
When the Hall was mostly full Cedric made an announcement. "Our informal quidditch tournament has been organized. We have eight teams. Matches will begin on Saturday. The first match will begin at ten. If the first match ends in time, we will have a second match in the afternoon. The schedule will be posted on the notice board of the common rooms and is available in Madam Hooch's office as well. Since Harry and Victor have not been cleared to play by Madam Pomfrey, their teams will be assisting Madams Hooch and Pomfrey with the matches. Remember, the goal of this tournament is to have fun, so let's all be good sports."
After Cedric finished and returned to his seat, Professor McGonagall interrupted the excited chatting with her own announcement. "Thank you Cedric. And thanks to all the organizers of the quidditch event. Let us show our appreciation for their hard work by acting in the spirit of the organizers, and as Mister Diggory said, showing proper sportsmanship. For those of you who are unaware, it is tradition to hold a Yule Ball during the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Hogwarts will be honoring that tradition with a ball held here in the Great Hall on Christmas night. Only fourth years and up will be allowed to attend, unless you are invited by an eligible attendee. The Tri-Wizard champions will open the Ball with the first dance." She turned and looked at Harry. "That includes you Mister Potter." She said with a smile.
The noise in the Great Hall rose to a crescendo when Professor McGonagall returned to her seat. The excitement of quidditch and a ball was palpable. I'll have to ask Katie soon, thought Harry. Maybe this will make her happy.
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Harry had not found a way to ask Katie to the ball which he considered special enough. He did not want to simply walk up to her in the corridor and ask her. And George had called out to Angelina in the Gryffindor common room in a way that was perfect for them, but which made Harry hesitate in fear of not being unique to Katie. So he found himself in the Room of Requirement with Hermione without having asked Katie. I'll have to do something at breakfast tomorrow, he thought. Then he focused his attention on Hermione.
Harry configured the room as a cozy comfort place for talking. He and Hermione sat in comfortable, plush chairs next to a cheery fire in a small fireplace. The room was colored in muted reds and golds, and there were absolutely no books. "Hey Hermione," Harry said shyly. "It's been awhile since it was just us."
"Yeah. It has been." Hermione said somewhat distractedly, taking in the condition of the small room. "What did you want to talk to me about, Harry?"
"You are my best friend Hermione."
"What about Ron?" She interrupted, speaking quickly in her normal manner. "I know you are on the outs now, but you'll get past it and..." She trailed off as she noticed Harry looking at her intently and slowly shaking his head side to side.
"I am speaking to you tonight, Hermione, very precisely. I have something I need you to understand about me. I have been thinking a lot this year about my life and what I have done with it. I plan to tell you some things about me that I have only shared a little of with Katie and no one else. So, please, think about my words and what they mean. Try not to jump ahead. I know I haven't spoken to you like this before. That's because I haven't been as good a friend to you as you have to me."
He paused as she considered his words. Then she nodded. "Ok Harry, I'll listen." Then she stilled herself and focused on him.
"I have been considering the nature of friendship, Hermione. I have come to the conclusion that a friend is someone who will put your needs above his or her desires. As I think about our history together, I see that you have often done that for me. And I am ashamed that I haven't done the same for you. Instead I have done so for Ron. So, you have been, and are my best friend. I have been Ron's best friend, but I intend to be so no longer." He held up his hand as he saw Hermione fidget. "Oh, I don't dislike Ron. He was the first friend I ever had. But when I consider our interactions, I see that I have held myself back and let myself be distracted in order to retain his friendship. This year has shown me that my friendship with Ron is mostly one sided. No, he is not a bad person." Harry said interpreting the look on Hermione's face. "But he is immature. He has not yet learned that friendship is a two way street."
Harry paused to let Hermione consider his last sentence. Then he looked directly into her eyes. "Neither have you Hermione." He saw her redden at his accusation. "No, Hermione. You have been my friend without demanding the same from me, and I am very grateful to you for it."
As her blush turned from anger to embarrassment, Hermione tried to change the subject. "What about Katie?" She demanded.
Katie is my girlfriend, and I, her boyfriend. We kind of skipped the becoming friends part. But I think we are becoming friends now. We have talked a lot lately." He gave a small chuckle at the look on Hermione's face. "Yes, Hermione, talked. It hasn't been all snogging." He laughed at the look this statement engendered. "I like her Hermione. And I think she likes me." He gave her a pointed look. "It's the same as the way you like me."
"What do you mean?" Hermione questioned, but the blush of her face and squeak in her voice told Harry he was right.
"I told you I've been considering my life this year Hermione. I see how you have behaved toward me. Tell me, when did it turn from friendship to something more for you?"
Hermione shook her head, staring at the floor and refusing to answer. Harry watched her bushy hair sway side to side for a moment then questioned softly. "It wouldn't have been after the troll? We didn't know each other well enough then? But that's when our friendship began. Hmm. The incident with Quirrell? No, that cemented our friendship, but neither of us had gone through puberty, so it would have remained a platonic friendship. When we rescued Sirius? I remember the feel of your breasts pressing on my back when we rode Buckbeak." She raised her head and shot him a look of embarrassment tinged with anger, but Harry didn't let it deter him. "So, before that then." He looked deep into her eyes and spoke gently. "Tell me Hermione. Don't make me guess." He entreated.
Hermione returned his gaze and neither spoke for a few moments. Then she hung her head and spoke softly. "It was when I woke up after the basilisk." She raised her head and drank in his features. She felt free after finally admitting her feelings. "You sat by me for months. No one had ever done something like that for me. They told you it did no good. That I couldn't perceive you." Harry nodded, remembering that time. "They were right, in a way." She continued. "I didn't know at the time, but when I woke up I overheard Madam Pomfrey muttering about stubborn boys who wouldn't listen to her. Somehow, I knew it was you."
They sat quietly for a bit, both lost in thought. "I couldn't admit it to myself, let alone you." Harry broke the quiet softly. "But that is when I started wanting something more from you than friendship. Then you showed what a wonderful friend you were and turned in my firebolt to Professor McGonagall."
"Harry, I said I was sorry for that."
"I know Hermione." Harry waved her off. "I am not accusing you now. I am recognizing how true an act of friendship that was. And how badly I reacted to it."
"Oh." Hermione subsided with a small exclamation.
"I was incapable of believing that I deserved someone as wonderful as you because of the way my foster family raised me. I was barely able to believe I could be friends with Ron. So I clung to that friendship with everything I had. I did everything I could to be the friend Ron wanted, sometimes to my detriment. I think it was a good thing we didn't acknowledge our feelings at that time."
"But Harry, we could have had..."
Harry interrupted her. "I know Hermione. I know. It would have been wonderful for a short time, but I don't think it would have lasted. And then we would not have remained friends."
"But why wouldn't it have lasted, Harry?" Hermione asked, not ready to give up yet.
"Every time you nagged me, Hermione..."
"I didn't nag you." Hermione interrupted forcefully.
"Fine, Hermione. Every time you insisted I do my homework. Every time you advised we go to the teachers. Every time you tried to make Ron and I better people than we were." Hermione looked ready to explode again, so Harry looked into her eyes and spoke firmly. "That made me feel worthless Hermione."
Harry paused as Hermione's anger turned to confusion. "What? How?" She mumbled.
Harry took her hands and spoke gently again. "My Aunt and Uncle called me a worthless freak. I thought my name was freak until I learned it was Harry when I was five. Whenever you told me off for doing something, I heard my Aunt Petunia telling me I was worthless."
"But Harry," Hermione began with tears in her eyes.
Harry interrupted, still holding her hands. "I know you did it out of love Hermione. But that's how it made me feel. It made me feel like a worthless freak lying at my Aunt's feet, begging her not to punish me."
Hermione was crying now, so Harry released her hands and pulled her into a hug. She sobbed into his chest for a while. "I'm sorry, Harry." She kept murmuring over and over. Harry held her until she quieted. Eventually, she pulled back to look at him. "What does this mean now, Harry? What does this mean for us?"
"I think now that I have matured a little, we could actually survive each other." He spoke quickly, before the glimmer of hope in her beautiful eyes could blossom. "But I love Katie as much as I love you, and I would never hurt her that way."
Hermione nodded and leaned back into Harry's chest, seeking another hug. She spoke as his arms encircled her. "So, friends for now."
"Best friends, Hermione. Best friends." Harry buried his face in her hair, and they held each other in silence for a long time.
Eventually they parted. Hermione left for the comfort of the library. Harry spent the night in meditation in his refuge in the chamber of Secrets.