The Pensieve
Hey everyone! The newest chapter of United We Stand is here! This chapter is dedicated to Fairy Princess Yuugi who gave me the idea for the song in this chapter! Hope you all enjoy! I own nothing but I wish I did!
Two days later...
'This doesn't make any sense. Who on earth would kill Mr. Crouch like that?' asks Hermione for the hundreth time. 'Who knows Hermione? And the second question is why?' I answer her.
He did act a little weird after Professor Moody said something to him, I can't really remember exactly what he said. Maybe... ah, what am I thinking? Even Moody isn't all that crazy.
'Harry, didn't you say that your scar hurt when you found Mr. Crouch?' asks Ron. 'Yeah, you're right. It has been hurting a lot lately.' I admit. 'I really think you should go and see Professor Dumbledore about it.' says Hermione. I consider it for a few seconds then nod. 'I'll go to him later; right now, I gotta go to practice.' I say. 'See you later mate.' says Ron.
I head off down the corridor, thinking. I have a bad feeling about all of this. Voldemort is definitely nearby, I know it. But where is he?
'Boujour ma petit Harry Potter.' greets Fleur when I enter the Room of Requirement. 'Hi Fleur.' I say softly. Fleur puts a hand on my shoulder. 'Are you alright Harry?' she asks gently. I slowly shake my head. 'Not really.' I admit.
Just then, Viktor arrives grumbling angrily to himself. 'Stupid idiot!' he growls. 'What?' I ask. 'Not you Harry. Karkaroff. He was shouting at me again because I was going to meet you guys. He kept saying 'You should not be friends with enemies Viktor! You are in this tournament to show everybody who is the best!' I can't take it anymore!' Viktor tells us.
'I'm sorry Viktor.' I say. Viktor smiles and rubs my shoulder. 'It's not your fault Harry. It's worth going through all the lectures. I have more fun here with you than Karkaroff's tutoring.' he says. I grin at him and start to say 'Did either of you hear what happened to-'
When a gasping and panting Cedric bursts through the door. 'Sorry- I'm- late.' he gasps, dropping to his knees. 'Are you okay Cedric?' I ask. 'Yeah, I'm fine. Professor Sprout just asked me to help with her new fly-traps and I've only just finished.' he says. 'It's alright Cedric, we haven't even started yet.' Fleur assures him.
Cedric stands up shakily. 'As I was heading up to the Room of Requirement, I saw the Minister for Magic head towards Dumbledore's office. I wonder why though.' he says.
'I think I know.' I say. The three champions look at me. 'Yesterday, after the task, I was on my way to visit Hagrid when my scar started to hurt. When I went a little further, I found Mr. Crouch. Dead.' I explain.
Fleur gasps. 'Mais alors!' she cries. 'Are you serious?' asks Cedric in shock. I nod slowly. 'I am. And I have a feeling that it might have something to do with... with...' I can't say it.
'With You-Know-Who?' asks Cedric gently. 'Yeah. My scar has been hurting me on and off since the start of summer. I think it's a sign that he's coming back.' I explain.
There's a long silence. Cedric looks as if he's thinking really hard.
'First, the Dark Mark at the Quidditch World Cup. Next, Harry's name comes out of the Goblet of Fire. And now, Mr. Crouch is dead. This can't be just a coincidence. I think it definitely has something to do with You-Know-Who. But my question is- where is he, if he's responsible for all of this?' he says. 'My answer is: nearby.' says Viktor.
Viktor is right. Voldemort is nearby. If he could hurt Mr. Crouch, just to get to me... he could hurt my friends as well.
'At least he did one good thing.' says Fleur. We three boys turn to look at her. 'And what was that?' I ask. 'He brought us together as a band- and as friends.' she answers.
At last, I feel a smile creep on my face. Fleur is right. I actually have to thank Voldemort. If it hadn't been for him, I would never have become part of a band or made friends with Cedric, Fleur and Viktor.
'How about we practice a song?' I suggest. The others grin at me and a few seconds later, we start the fun again.
Long Way To Go by Alan Jackson
(Harry)
'Well I drove down to the ocean
Left my heartache way behind
But the rain won't leave and the pain won't ease
And the sun don't wanna shine'
(Cedric)
'So I ordered me up a killer
Found a view out across the sea
I sat down in the sand
A drink in my hand
And in the glass looking back at me'
(All)
'I got a bug in my margarita
Seems bad luck won't leave me alone
I got a woman I'm tryin' to drink away
And I got a long, long way to go
Yeah, I got a long, long way to go'
(Fleur) He said the rain won't leave
'Well I met an old boy from Georgia
Yeah, his woman done knocked him down
I asked him how's he doing
He stared at me confused
And said, "Hey, ain't you looked around?"
And the pain won't ease
And the sun don't wanna shine
And there's something in the bottom of this drink I just got
And it don't look like a worm to me'
(All)
'I got a bug in my margarita
Seems bad luck won't leave me alone
I got a woman I'm tryin' to drink away
And I got a long, long way to go
Yeah, I got a long, long way to go'
(Harry)
'So we put our drinks together
And toasted rainy weather
And the women that had done us wrong
Then we threw back margaritas
The bug just made it sweeter
And we both sang a happy song'
(All) Yeah, I got a bug in my margarita Yeah, I got a bug in my margarita
'I got a bug in my margarita
Seems bad luck won't leave me alone
I got a woman I'm tryin' to drink away
And I got a long, long way to go
Seems bad luck won't leave me alone
I got a woman I'm tryin' to drink away
And I got a long, long way to go
Seems bad luck won't leave me alone
I got a woman I'm tryin' to drink away
And I got a long, long way to go
Yeah, I got a long, long way to go'
The four of us stop and grin at each other. 'We need to set up a date for our next performance.' says Viktor. 'Let's rule out a date.' agrees Cedric.
A little while later...
I step out of the passage to Dumbledore's office. I'm feeling better since our practice and Cedric agreed with me when I said I'd go to Dumbledore. As I get closer to the door, I hear voices.
'A man has died here! And he won't be the last, you must take action.'
Dumbledore. And it's obvious he's found out about Mr. Crouch.
'I will not. In times like these the wizard world looks to its leaders for strength Dumbledore.'
That sounds like Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic. What's he doing here? Back and forth, he and Dumbledore argue.
'Then for once show them some.'
'The Triwizard Tournament will not be cancelled. I will not be seen as a coward!'
'But surely that is what's right, no matter what others think.'
'What did you say? What did you say to me?'
Then another voice cuts in.
'Excuse me gentlemen, it may interest you to know that this conversation is no longer private.'
Before I can knock on the door, it slowly creaks open. I stand awkwardly in the doorway.
'Ah Harry! Harry, how good to see you again!' says the Minister, smiling at me. 'I-I can come back later Professor.' I say quickly. 'Oh not necessary Harry the minister and I are done.' Dumbledore tells me.
'I'll be back in a moment. Minister, after you.' He and Fudge start walking down the steps, heading towards the door. 'Harry do feel free to indulge in a liquorice snack in my absence, but I have to warn you they're a little bit sharp.' Dumbledore says, picking out something from a bowl.
Moody follows them outside and closes the door.
I turn to the bowl that Dumbledore pointed out and take out a handful of the sweets when-
'Ow!'
The sweets bite my hand, their little fangs nipping at my skin. I shake my hand, trying to get them off of me, banging against one of Dumbledore's cabinet. At last they fall off, racing away from me. I try to grab them when there's a clattering noise behind me. I turn around.
What looks like a basin slides out of a cabinet. It lets out a bright blue glow. Curious, I move towards it, looking down.
Blue mist swirls around inside the basin. Taking out my wand, I swish it around the contents. I lean in closer to see what's inside, when suddenly-
I scream as I tumble head first into the basin, falling down, down, down until-
THUMP!
I land in a seat in what looks to be a courtroom. Then I see who's sitting beside me.
'Professor?' I say. But he doesn't seem to hear me. 'Professor.' says a man sticking his hand to Dumbledore- right through my chest! Dumbledore shakes the hand and the man withdraws. I touch my chest warily. They can't see me. I'm invisible to them.
Just then, there's a rattling sound and someone is risen into the cage in the middle of the room. Hold on a minute...no. It can't be! It's-
'Igor Karkaroff, you have been brought from Azkaban at your own request to present evidence to this counsel. Should your testimony prove consequential. Counsel may be prepared to order your immediate release. Until such time you remain in the eyes of the ministry a convicted Death Eater. Do you accept these terms? asks Mr. Crouch from a judge's podium.
'I do sir.' answers Karkaroff. He's wearing the Azkaban uniform and he's thinner than now. Igor Karkaroff, a Death Eater?
'And what do you wish to present?' asks Mr. Crouch. 'I have names sir. There was Rosier. Evan Rosier.' says Karkaroff. 'Rosier is dead.' Mr. Crouch tells him.
'Yeah, took a piece of me though with him, didn't he?' Moody whispers to Dumbledore from behind. He points at his magic eye. I always wondered where he got that.
'Well if that's all the witness has to offer...' says Mr. Crouch. 'No! No! There was Rookwood! He was a spy!' says Karkaroff quickly. Mr. Crouch looks confused. 'Augustus Rookwood? Of the Department of Mysteries?' he asks. 'Yeah, yeah, the same. He passed information to You-Know-Who from inside the Ministry itself!' Karkaroff tells him.
Mr. Crouch considers this for a moment. 'Very well. Counsel will deliberate. In the meantime, you will be returned to Azkaban.' he decides.
'No! No! Wait please, I have more!' Karkaroff pleads desperately. 'What about Snape? Severus Snape?'
From beside me, Dumbledore stands up. 'The counsel is very much aware you have given evidence on this matter. Severus Snape was indeed a Death Eater and prior to Lord Voldemort's downfall, turned spy for us at a great personal risk. Today he's no more a Death Eater than I am.' he states clearly. 'It's a lie! Severus Snape remains faithful to the Dark Lord!' shouts Karkaroff.
'SILENCE!' shouts Mr. Crouch, banging on the podium. 'Unless the witness possesses any name of genuine consequence, this session is now concluded!' he says.
'Oh, no no no no no. I've heard about one more.' says Karkaroff. 'What?' asks Mr. Crouch. 'The name.' 'Yes?' 'I know for a fact, that this person took part in the kidnap and by means of the Cruciatus Curse, torture of the Auror Frank Longbottom and his wife!' shouts Karkaroff. 'The name! Give me the wretched name!'
'Barty Crouch!'
What? No way, that's impossible!
'Junior.' adds Karkaroff.
Junior?!
Suddenly a man jumps up and tries to get away, but Moody stuns him and he falls.
Wait... I know him...
He's the man.
The man from my dream...
Suddenly I fall back against stone floor. I'm back in the office. Dumbledore is standing next to the basin.
'Curiousity is not a sin, Harry but you should exercise caution.' he says softly. Shakily I stand up.
'It's a Pensieve. Useful if like me, you find your mind a wee bit stretched. It allows me to see what small things I've already seen.' he explains.
'You see Harry, I've searched and searched for something. Some small detail. Something I may have overlooked. Something that would explain why these terrile things have happened. Every time I get close to an answer, it slips away. It's maddening.' he sits down on a step. I have to ask him something.
'Sir, Mr. Crouch's son. What exactly happened to him?' 'He was sent to Azkaban. It destroyed Barty to do it. But he had no choice. The evidence was too overwhelming.'
He looks at me curiously. 'Why do you ask?' he asks. 'It's just that... I had a dream about him. It was in the summer, before school.' I tell him. I can tell he's listening so I continue.
'In the dream, I was in a house. And Voldemort was there only... he wasn't quite human. And Wormtail was there too and Mr. Crouch's son.' I explain. 'Have there been other dreams like this?' he asks. 'Yes. Always the same one.' I answer.
'Sir, these dreams... what I see... you don't think it's actually happening, do you?' I ask. Dumbledore stands up. 'I think it's unwise for you to linger over these dreams Harry.' he tells me. 'I think it's best that you simply...' He puts his wand to his temple and pulls out something silvery. '...cast them away.' he finishes, dropping it into the basin. I nod slowly.
Later...
I'm heading back to the common room when I hear another voice.
'It's a sign Severus! You know what it means as well as I!'
A door bursts open and I see Snape and Karkaroff... who has the Dark Mark on his wrist. Seeing me, he pulls his sleeve down and hurries away. I try to head off when-
'Potter! What's your hurry?'
I turn back to Snape. 'Congratulations, your performance in the Black Lake was inspiring. Gillyweed, am I correct?' he asks. I nod slowly. 'Yes sir.' I answer.
Snape turns to his storage room, rootling through the jars. 'Ingenious. A rather rare herb, Gillyweed. Not something found in your everyday garden.' he remarks. He pulls out a bottle and shows it to me. 'Nor is this. Know what it is?' he asks.
'Bubble juice, sir?' I answer. 'Veritaserum.' he says. 'Three drops of this and You-Know-Who himself, will spill out his darkest secrets. The use of this on a student is regrettably forbidden. However, should you ever steal from my personal stores again, my hand might just slip over your morning pumpkin juice.' he says. Eh? What is he talking about? I never went to his stores.
'I haven't stolen anything.' I say firmly. 'Don't lie to me.' he growls. 'Gillyweed might be innocuous but boomslang skin? Lacewing flies? You and your little friends are brewing Polyjuice Potion and believe me, I'm going to find out why!'
And he slams the door in my face.
That was weird. But then that's Snape; he always blames me for everything.
But it's Karkaroff, I'm thinking about.
A term in Azkaban...
The Dark Mark on his arm...
Should I tell Viktor that his Headmaster could be a Death Eater?
To Be Continued! Next chapter, Harry has a talk with Viktor... and Viktor reveals a secret talent. Until next time- R&R!