CREATING CHAOS
Harry Potter Fanfic:
Disclaimer
I do not own any part of the Harry Potter franchise. The following story is to simply entertain and/or amuse those who should happen upon it. Any similarities to other fanfics are circumstantial or part(s) of a story so well written they stuck in my mind, and towards that end I must give the storyteller my compliments and any apologies believed needed.
CREATING CHAOS
CHAPTER 9
On the day of the First Task, six boys were wandering among the students, asking them to cheer all three Champions equally and razz any officials that tried to make a speech. The Champions had somewhat choreographed their plan of attack, they agreed they were going to try to do the exact same things. Draco had talked all three into signing an exclusive contract with the Quibbler for the duration of the Tournament, because he found out from his dad, that the Ministry told the Daily Prophet they would have exclusive story rights. These new exclusive contracts, Magically barred any other publications from printing photos of them or even printing their names for the duration of Tournament.
The First Task required that each Champion find a way past a dragon and collect a gold egg. Everything played out pretty much as they had all planned. The three Champions were now tied. The judges were all angry. Rita Skeeter tried to get interviews with the Champions, but they just showed her their exclusive contracts with the Quibbler. The three Champions then proceeded to gather around Luna to give their story.
A week later the six boys and three Champions gathered in the empty classroom, with the gold eggs the Champions received for completing the First Task. Cedric opened his, a loud wailing screech filled the room. Cedric quickly closed the egg.
Neville knew immediately, "That's Mermish! Harry, Draco and I studied the basics of the language at Salem, I understood 'singing' and 'looking', I think.
"Don't ask me, I was better at Gobbledegook, because I could practise on Ripjaw." said Harry.
"Well if it is Mermish, perhaps we could put it underwater," suggested Fleur.
Victor Transfigured a desk into a medium sized wooden tub, they used Magic to fill it with water, Cedric placed his egg in the tub and opened it up again. The three Champions each took turns leaning into the water and listening to it. They reported to the boys that it was a song,
'Come seek us were our voices sound,
We cannot sing above the ground,
And while your searching, ponder this;
We've taken what you'll sorely miss,
An hour long you'll have to look,
And to recover what we took,
But past an hour - the prospect's black
Too late, it's gone, it won't come back.'
"If you have to seek Mermaids, you'll probably end up in Black Lake," said Draco. "Dad told us, that he and Uncle James used to go swimming in the Lake when they were students, and that they often saw Mermaids in there."
"How do we breath underwater for an hour?" asked Cedric
"Self-Transfiguration?" suggested Victor.
"Bobblehead Charm?" suggested Fleur.
"No. The simplest thing of all." said Neville, "Gillyweed. No fancy spell work, just swallow some leaves. Go in the water together and stay together."
Everyone agreed to the plan, and they would now have more than two months, plus a worry free Yule, without having to think about it.
As Yule approached, there was announcement that a Yule Ball would be held as part of Triwizard celebration. The Black cousins were often approached, and asked if they would be escorts to the Ball, but the boys would simply state that they were going home for Yuletide.
On first day of Yule Hols, while the other students who were going home for the holidays boarded carriages to Hogsmeade, the Black cousins were waiting in the Entrance way, Sirius was going to meet them, so they wouldn't have to board the train. Neville left his trunk with the twins, but the other two had theirs shrunk and in their book bags.
Sirius soon arrived, and escorted them to Black Manor, they dropped off their bags, and changed out of their school uniforms. Then the three boys, Remus and Sirius Portkeyed to an American Magic Plaza, that had become a favorite of theirs, well living in America. They separated and went Yule shopping, also Draco hadn't yet found what he saw as an appropriate bonding gift for his dad and soon to be stepmom. When they had all finished they returned to Black Manor.
The week passed with Andy and Tara almost constantly fussing with and changing the choice of room for the Ceremony, and the overall house decorations. Sirius only commented once, about how it didn't matter, because only the family would be attending. Both gave him a glare, and he didn't say it again, just complied with their wishes.
Yuletide Eve, the group consisting of the three boys, Sirius, Tara, the Tonks, Remus and Severus gathered for their traditional Rune carved log burning. They all stayed at Black Manor that night, including Severus, who had asked Professor Sinistra to act as a temporary Head of Slytherin. They were up early the following day, for the morning Bonding Ceremony. They spent the day celebrating Yule and the Bonding. Sirius and Tara left that evening, for a week long honeymoon, leaving the boys with Remus. The boys used the time to further their animagus training and occasionally meeting with Fred, George and Lee. During one such meeting, the cousins were regaled with stories of the Yule Ball.
The holidays passed, and all to soon the Black cousins were back at Hogwarts, and continuing their studies. Toward the end of January, the six friends met up with the three Champions, once again, they were fine tuning their plan.
"We might have problem." said Harry, "I was going through some of books about previous tournaments, most of them all showed a regular pattern with the Second Task."
"What kind of pattern?" asked Victor.
"The Second Task was almost always, a hostage situation. Where the competitors would have to pass some sort of test, rescue the hostage and take them to the finish line." revealed Harry.
"With Hogwarts on notice for past mistakes, I doubt that there would be any real danger to the hostage. Dumbledore couldn't take that risk," said Lee.
"I think we should stick with our plan of just going underwater, and waiting out the time limit," said Cedric.
"Just in case, who do you each think, your hostage would be? It was always someone close to the competitors, in the past." asked Harry.
"The only one I can think of, is one of my parents, but they can take care of themselves." said Cedric.
"Me too." said Victor.
Fleur began to pale, "My little sister, but non… they can't. She is only eight years old."
"Not to mention part Veela like yourself. Veela are fire elementals. It would be very dangerous for a young Veela to be submersed in subzero temperatures for so long." said Neville.
"It's all right, we can handle this. Fleur, you write to your parents, tell them our suspicions. Tell them not to come to the event. That they should stay with your sister and make sure she's kept far away from Hogwarts. Talk to Madame Maxime too, make sure she knows, that you are against your sister being used." said Harry.
Everyone was nodding their heads.
"It is good that you have Headmistress who cares about you," said Victor. "Professor Karkaroff is not happy with me, because I will not tell him how I have been training for the Task. When he sees what we have planned, he will be very angry."
The day of the second Task dawned, Fleur told the group the day before that she received a letter from her parents. They removed Gabrielle from her Primary school, and she was taken to their grandmother's home within a protected Veela colony behind Ancient Wards.
The six friends once again went among the crowds telling them that they would be given specific cues, and to cheer all the Champions loudly at the end no matter how it ended.
The students were in stands gathered along the edge of Black Lake. The three Champions were beside the judges table, each already dressed in just their basic school uniforms, no shoes or cloaks . The coordinators were very pleased that there had been no bad publicity about the Tournament since Yule Ball. Ludo Bagman came out, announced the beginning of the task, then blew the whistle.
Victor and Cedric slowly walked to Fleur who was making a big show about hurriedly checking her pockets, constantly avoiding the one with and obvious bulge. Cedric and Victor began to loudly argue that one of them should of brought IT, and just as things appeared as if they were going to come to blows, (the crowd gasp) Fleur reaches in the bulging pocket, pulls out a small cloth bag, and shows it to the boys. The boys each hold out a hand, Fleur opened the bag, looked in, the looks up at the boys appearing very worried. She points at Victor, then Cedric, then herself as if she's counting. Fleur looks in the bag again, looking relieved, she brushed the back of her hand across her forehead, in apparent relief. (the crowd laughs) Fleur reaches in the bag takes something out gives it to Victor, he nods. She reaches in again, takes something out gives it to Cedric, he nods. She reaches in again takes something out, then makes a show of neatly folding the bag and presenting it to a student in the stands, then goes back to the boys. The three of them nod, look in their hand, and make a disgusted face, gulp loudly, (the crowd laughs) nod again, then they eat what they're holding then slowly wade into the water. Once the water is past their waist they dive forward. (the crowd roars)
By this time a full ten minutes had passed. The crowd watched the water, discussing what might be happening beneath the surface. Once an hour passed with no sign of any champions, the judges began to look very worried. Ten minutes later, three heads broke the surface at same time. They lazily swam to the shallows, then made big show of helping each other out of the water. The crowd is cheering loudly, stomping their feet and clapping their hands. Madame Pomfrey came over and scanned each of them with her wand, and gave them each a blanket and some Pepper Up Potion.
Dumbledore is very confused, he went to the waters edge and talked to the Merpeople. He went back to the judges table, and told the other judges what the Merpeople said.
"The three champions never went near the hostages, they stayed near the shore the whole time, and appeared to be playing tag with each other."
The judges, were all very angry, except Madame Maxime who appeared to be amused.
Dumbledore went back to the Merpeople and asked them to bring the hostages to shore. The three Champions were surprised to see their Yule Ball dates, this is who they were supposed to sorely miss, they all stared laughing. The crowd laughed along with them.
Dumbledore announced that they would all receive zero. The crowd started to boo, then saw the three Champions were celebrating like they been given the best scores possible, so they cheered for the champions.
The judges are becoming even angrier, except Madame Maxim who is outright laughing. Dumbledore is wishing he had never allowed the Black cousins to return to Hogwarts he knows that their behind this FOOLISH ACT, of making an Ancient Honoured Tradition into a joke. This was supposed to bring good publicity to Hogwarts, to erase his mistakes with the Defence Professors.
The three Champions are ushered into the castle to change into dry clothes and warm up. Two hours later they go meet up with their new friends in the classroom, they have always used.
Victor reports, "Karkaroff is really very angry, he says that he will expel me if I do not take the Third Task seriously. But he cannot scare me, because the Tournament lets all competitors have automatic pass on all final exams. Besides my father has already arranged with the Bulgarian Ministry to let me take my test, if I choose to."
"Madame Maxime is very amused, she said that Muggle mimes are very popular in France. Then she told me that, the coordinators did want to use Gabrielle, but since they could not, they used my Yule Ball date, like they did for Victor and Cedric." said Fleur.
"Dumbledore hasn't met with me even once, Professor Sprout barely talks to me. If it wasn't for these meetings I wouldn't have clue about anything," said Cedric. "Victor and Fleur were told about the Ball weeks before hand, if wasn't for them passing the word, I wouldn't have known anything, until it was posted on the common room bulletin board."
Just then there was a knock on the door, Harry opened it to see Luna, she had come to get the official Quibbler interview.
The last week of May, the three Champions had to meet at the Hogwart Quidditch pitch at nine o'clock in the evening. The next morning they met with the six boys and told them, they would have to go through an obstacle course/maze filled with Creatures and Spells that they'd be expected to Counter. The nine friends start brainstorming the best actions to take.
Time passed and the end of year exams were approaching, the six boys were all studying, the twins were studying more than usual. (Sirius had offered to pay the first years rent on the storefront of their choice if each got at least six N.E. . the following year, because that was how many he had gotten, so they had a lot of previous years catch up to do.) The Black cousins had given out copies of the American O.W.L and N.E.W.T practice exams to any fifth through seventh year that wanted them.
On the morning of the third Task, all the students were trying to figure out what kind of show the three Champions would put on. But the three Champions would simply say that they had had no idea what the students were talking about, that the Triwizard Tournament was a very serious event and needed to be treated as such.
Six boys knew that the three Champions had worked out another pantomime and chose to see for the first time with the rest of the crowd. After breakfast the three Champions were to meet with their family members that come to the event and spend the day with them.
At lunch the three Champions introduced their families to their new friends. Victor and Fleur's families were very surprised to find out that each of the Black cousins were able to speak with them fluently.
After the evening Feast, Dumbledore stood and announced that it was time for the Champions to go to the stadium. Then ten minutes later everyone else filed out and made their way to the Quidditch pitch and found seats in the stands. Sirius, Tara, Remus and the Tonks all sat with Harry's group.
The Champions were gathered at the front of the maze, Professor McGonagall told them that Alastor Moody, Professor Grubby-plank, Professor Flitwick and herself would be patrolling the outside of the maze, and if there were any problems they should send signal sparks in the air. The Champions nodded calmly, the coordinators didn't know it but they were knowingly playing along with their plans.
Ludo Bagman came forward and announced "Since the Champions are all tied, they will be drawing numbers out of a hat, to see in which order they will be entering the Maze. They will be entering the Maze at two minute intervals." He held out a hat to Fleur, "Ladies first." After all the champions had drawn Ludo announced, "Miss Delacour will be going first, then Mr Diggory, and finally Mr Krum. So on my whistle Miss Delacour."
The whistle blew.
Oh the signal… the champions looked at each other, the boys nodded at Fleur, then appeared to coaxing her ahead. Fleur slowly walked the entrance of the maze, constantly looking back at the boys, who continued to coax her.
Then she suddenly ran to Ludo and clutched his arm, loudly declaring, "I have changed my mind. Please, please don't make me go in zhere. I am so very afraid."
The fear was obvious on her face and she had tears in her eyes. (The crowd gave sounds of sympathy) Victor and Cedric approached her, appearing concerned, trying to calm her down and telling her that they'll be going in too. But she continues to refuse.
Ludo is very confused, he pulls his arm away from Fleur and pushes her toward the Maze Entrance. (The crowd started calling Bagman a bully for terrorizing the poor girl)
Then Fleur with tears on her cheeks, enters the maze, (The crowd goes wild) she inches her way to the first turn. Fleur goes around the corner, and sits down on the ground to wait for the boys chuckling to herself. She hears the whistle.
Cedric steps forward starts visibly shaking, walks calmly to the entrance, looks in, steps back, takes a couple deep breaths, seemed to talking to himself as if raising his courage. He steps forward again, takes a deep breath, puts one foot in, waits a moment, nothing happens, he exhales. Cedric takes a deep breath, puts the other foot in, waits a moment, nothing happens, he exhales.
(The crowd is inhaling and exhaling along with him)
Cedric wipes his forehead, and walks forward. (The crowd goes wild) Cedric goes around the corner and takes a seat next to Fleur. A few minutes later they hear the whistle.
Victor was shaking his head in disgust, over Cedric's cowardly act. He looks around at the ground, picks up a stick and a stone. He transfigures the stone into a Knight's helmet and puts it on, he transfigure the stick into a sword.
Then to prove he was brave, faced the entrance and charged through.
(The crowd goes wild)
Victor went around the corner, threw away the sword and helmet, then sat down beside his friends.
They chatted for about fifteen minutes, then decided it was long enough. They stood up, Victor wove a Spell over the three to make sure any sound near them, was amplified to the crowd. Fleur put up sparks, and waited for rescue.
(The crowd was anxious, and really started to believe someone was hurt)
Professors McGonagall and Grubby-plank appeared, were surprised to see that all three were together.
"Who put up sparks?" Professor McGonagall asked, not knowing the whole stadium could hear.
"I did." answered Fleur.
"Why? There doesn't seem to be an emergency. You are all less then six feet from the entrance!" said Professor Grubby-plank.
(The crowd laughs) "I need to use the ladies room." (The crowd laughs again)
"You need a bathroom? Miss Delacour don't you think you can wait?" asked Professor McGonagall.
"Non, I insist I be allowed to use the toilet. NOW!"
Professor McGonagall turned to the boys, "Gentleman, why are you here? Continue on."
Cedric answered with a pout, "Well… it's not fair, if she gets to use the bathroom and we don't?"
"Dah," Victor nodded. (The crowd laughs)
"This is ridiculous." said Professor McGonagall, "If any of you leave this maze, you are finished, disqualified and cannot return."
The three champions huddle together and pretend to be talking over, then they turn all at once and say, "Okay."
"Okay." said Professor McGonagall, "So, you'll continue?"
"Non," said Fleur.
"We will use the bathroom" said Victor.
"I will wait with you, while Professor Grubby-plank goes to speak with the judges to find out how to handle this," said Professor McGonagall.
Professor Grubby-plank goes and confers with the judges, and returns a few minutes later.
"The judges, said that because Miss Delacour sent up the sparks and verbally admitted to doing so. She was already disqualified. But they want the boys to continue on," reported Professor Grubby-plank.
(The crowd booed)
Victor and Cedric looked at each other, nodded and sent up sparks.
(The crowd goes wild)
Professor McGonagall angrily led the three Champions out of the maze and to the judges table. The judges are angry. Dumbledore is furious. But the crowd is ecstatic, cheering the Champions. The three Champions play to the crowd, the boys bow, Fleur blows kisses. Then Cedric went to the stands and starts signing autographs, so Victor and Fleur followed along and did the same.
Dumbledore became even more furious, and orders them "STOP!"
They ignore him, he pulls out his wand and is about to send at Spell at them, when a Stupefy Spell hits him from behind.
The Stupefy is quickly followed by a "Incarcerous."
Everyone turned to see Mad Eye Moody with his wand pointed at Dumbledore, he comes closer and leans over and then takes Dumbledore's wand.
"When I was being healed from what Crouch Jr. did to me, the Healers diagnosed I had been Oblivated a few times, and offered to break the Oblivates. I accepted." said Moody.
"Took some time, to break. The Healers diagnosed the Oblivates to be more than ten years old. I finished the treatment last month. I wasn't sure how to approach you." said Moody, "Now, seems good."
"Know what I remembered Albus? I wanted Black to go to Trial. Not because I thought he was innocent. But because I knew he had been an Auror. And as an Auror, he had access to Ministry secrets. Knowledge of Safe Houses and Auror raid plans. I wanted him questioned to find out what other secrets he spilled. I came to YOU! Head of the Wizengamot!"
"You pretended to agree with me, then when I turned my back. You STUNNED me! Said that you needed Potter with the Muggles. Said that if Black was questioned he'd be set free and interfere with your plans. Said you were SORRY you had to treat an OLD FRIEND in such a way. Then you OBLIVATED me! And planted a mental suggestion that I had already questioned Black, and found nothing."
(The crowd gasped)
Sirius went down to Moody, spoke to him quietly, "Remember where you are, Everyone is watching and listening."
Then he pointed his wand at the three Champions and dispelled the Sound Amplifier. He waved over some Aurors who were at the event for crowd control. He sent one of them to get Magic Suppressing Cuffs, and waited with Moody, both had their wands on Dumbledore.
Dumbledore is soon taken away by a team of Aurors.
Interim Headmistress McGonagall steps forward, "I would like to ask, that all students, go to the Great Hall, and that all guest, please return to your homes.
Sirius, Tara and Remus followed the students to Great Hall. They sat at the Ravenclaw table across from Draco and Harry, Neville soon came over and sat beside Harry. The six were stunned. Dumbledore knew Sirius was innocent all along and had covered it up.
The fallout was Nationwide within days. Students finished the year in shock, there was a lot of students talking about transferring to other Schools. On the last day, Harry approached the Head table, then turned to the Hall and addressed the students.
"I just want everyone here to know that even though Draco, Neville and I talk up Salem a lot. It doesn't mean Hogwarts isn't a good school too. Don't let what happened with Dumbledore chase you away. You want to check out Salem's Summer Programs, that's great. But when summers over. Come back to Hogwarts. Come see what its like without Dumbledore. I think Professor McGonagall is going to be a great Headmistress. I plan to be here next year. I hope I see most of you here too."
"Thank you, Mr Potter." said Professor McGonagall.
~~ Finished ~~
AN * ( With all the news stories that were published while the cousins were in America - Riddle would know that some of his horcruxi were destroyed and that the British Ministry would be on alert - Now that he has the Philosophers Stone and knowing that the Flamells had lived over six hundred years - Riddle could easily afford to bide his time until his Prophesied Vanquisher had passed on and a new generation born before making his evilest Dark Lord of all time play - Perhaps with a whole new identity and in a smaller country. )