In no way am I connected to Harry Potter or RWBY
Qrow just knew today was going to be a long day.
The actual Task was scheduled to start in the evening. That left the entire day with little to do, as classes had been cancelled and tiring yourself out before the Task was a very idiotic thing to do. The Champions appeared to have been chosen because they were the least idiotic people currently in the Suicide School. Not much of a claim to fame.
The day started off with Ruby, Emerald and Mercury having a lie in. They resisted all attempts to get them up before midday.
Eventually, Yang taught Talaria some of Zwei's more annoying tricks. She seemed very eager to learn those and managed to master them in an hour. Then again, the fact they had somehow managed to teach her Atlesian code in two weeks showed how intelligent the little dragon was.
Why they called these creatures mere beasts was something Qrow didn't understand.
Qrow was also curious as to how the trio were going to get back at Yang for that. He just didn't want to be anywhere nearby when they responded.
Just before she got them up, Yang told him about what happened the day before. Qrow had been surprised when he learned about what Emerald had done and he could understand their concerns. Mercury had been the first to get up and so Qrow asked him. It was obvious Mercury was worried, but explained that he had triggered a flashback and she had reacted. He had asked her hours later if she wanted to talk to the Fall Maiden and she had refused. When Qrow asked her when she got up, she scowled and said it wouldn't happen again.
Mercury had caught his eye then. When Ruby took Emerald for something to eat, he hung back and asked what the results would be on Emerald if she tried to suppress that power. Qrow didn't know, but he was sure it wasn't anything good. He did agree that Emerald had to approach the Maiden on her own. Their history made it difficult for all three of them and Emerald had to be absolutely certain Amber would help rather than try and take revenge. Emerald may logically know she wouldn't, but fear was not a good mind-set for learning control.
Qrow didn't push further.
All eight kids spent the afternoon in the Room of Requirement playing dodgeball, with no Semblances or weapons allowed. Qrow chose to walk around the school, mostly letting his mind wander.
He, Oz and Amber weren't coming back to Hogwarts the next year. The question was whether or not the students would. If they did, then Glynda would also stay. It wasn't wise to leave them completely without supervision. Given the mess that the past four years had been at Hogwarts, he was very sure someone had to be here and it would be best if it was a student.
There's also the fact none of us trust these people with Harry.
The more that time went by though, the more everyone wanted to go back home. Qrow would admit he was included in that. Almost seven months with no idea why they were here wasn't boosting anyone's spirits. As it happened, their aura was still developing naturally. Ruby was starting to disobey the laws of physics when she burst into rose petals and Blake was now able to physically touch her shadow clones. Emerald was managing to alter two people's perception without a headache now and Yang's control over her temper was transferring well to her Semblance.
Mercury's aura abilities spoke for itself, though while he had said he had figured out his Semblance, he hadn't told it to Qrow. Typical.
An hour before the start of the Task, he found Mercury mostly alone in one of the alcoves on the second floor overlooking the maze. His company was Talaria, who was curled up on the windowsill and using the edge of the hip cape as a pillow.
Qrow leaned against the wall. "Something bothering you Silvertongue?"
"Just wondering what's going to go wrong this time. If it was anyone else, there is a good chance their dragon would have killed them. The second time, they almost kill a hostage that they are personally responsible for. That's not a great track record."
"The next logical step would be the audience, though you could argue that was the dragons too."
"At least they didn't put Emerald or Ruby down there."
Thank goodness.
"I really don't think they'll put hostages in there. They're old news. All the other tournaments finished with the winner grabbing the cup. For…'tradition' reasons…" The worst reason for abuse ever in his opinion, "they're probably going to do that again."
Mercury hummed. "I'm still not going to win."
"Is that a lack of confidence or is that a choice?" Qrow did remember him saying that right from the very beginning.
"Choice. I've seen the way they treat celebrities and I'm not impressed."
He had a point. "Might want to make it look good then. They love slander." After all, they believed Skeeter's stories of Harry despite constantly getting his age wrong, one of the few things everyone would know. More than once, Qrow and Yang had had to calm Ruby down after she read something the 'journalist' had said about Mercury, despite never meeting him.
"I noticed." He laughed. "I don't think that's going to be as big as a problem as it was. No more news on Skeeter, after all. Shame."
Qrow chuckled as well. "Shame indeed. Honestly Silvertongue, how are you feeling?"
"About the maze, pretty good. But we still don't know who put my name in. That bothers me."
That bothered Qrow as well. The problem was that they were unlikely to get an answer. The handwriting didn't obviously match any of the teacher's, which left the Seventh and some Sixth Years. They hadn't asked for the teacher's handwriting but took it from homework assignments as they tended to be more natural. They could be wrong, but it didn't look like a teacher was responsible.
"Whoever it was probably wasn't expecting you to do so well." Officially, Mercury may be in last place, but the bias was obvious from the very beginning. He had heard a lot of students were unhappy with the scoring. "After all the complaints last time, they want to have a way to watch the rats running around. No idea how they're going to manage that though." That was the reason it was in the evening and not the morning.
"Rats huh? I think I've been insulted."
"The other three are performers while you and Harry don't know how to die. Would you prefer cockroach?"
Mercury chuckled. "Definitely not."
There was a comfortable silence after that. A little while later, Ruby showed up to fetch him for the Task. They met Emerald and Yang on the Grand Staircase. They chatted about the Vytal Festival. They were confident they would do well as they had had a lot more time than most First Years. Then they wondered what it would be like if people had ended up on different teams.
They were laughing. It made Qrow smile.
While they hadn't built an entire stadium this time, they had built rather tall stands. In fact, the stands were taller than the hedges for the maze. The maze itself seemed very unimpressive. What was it like inside?
"Have fun Silvertongue," Qrow chuckled as he headed over to the stands. Mercury's responding scoff summed up his feelings well.
Very soon, most spectators were in their seats. There were binocular like devices on each seat and that, combined with the height of the stands, would allow people to see what was going on in the maze. At least they had cleared that up.
"Anyone else got a bad feeling about this?" Blake asked. She and the other students were in the row directly below Qrow and the other adults.
"You worry too much," Zephyr responded as he fiddled with the binocular things.
Qrow was in agreement with Blake. Oz seemed troubled and Amber wasn't even trying to hide her concern. Glynda's face was carefully blank. Something was up, but no one knew what. It put all of them on edge.
Moron Bagman and Professor McGonagall were talking to the Champions. One seemed annoyingly chirpy while the other looked solemn. Whatever they said, the magical Champions nodded while Mercury just shrugged and said something. They walked away with Moron putting his wand to his throat.
That seems like a great way for accidents to happen.
"Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the Third and Final Task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament!" As cheers met his words, all Qrow thought was that they should have changed the name. "In first place and so entering the maze first: Harry Potter!" Hypocritical cheers there. "Entering second place: Cedric Diggory!" They're likely to be sincere to be fair. "Third: Viktor Krum!" Mindless fan boys and girls. "Fourth: Fleur Delacour!" Teenage boys. "And entering the maze last: Mercury Black!" Oddly, he got a very good cheer as well. Huh. That was a first. "Alright Harry. On the whistle! Three…Two…One!"
There was a whistle.
Harry ran into the maze. However, when the hedges closed behind him, he immediately slowed into a walk. His wand lit up like a torch and he continued with a swift, but cautious gait.
Smart lad.
At the next whistle, Cedric entered in a different opening. Like Harry, he had seemed eager at first, but almost immediately slowed. Something about the maze unnerved them.
Viktor had been pacing before he was allowed in on the third whistle. His actions mimicked Harry's and Cedric's.
When Fleur entered, she hesitated at first but then took off at a run. She did have some catching up to do.
Amber, who had been watching one of the Champions, winced. "Cedric's just had a nasty run in with Hagrid's Blast-Ended Skrewt. He got away fine, but it's still alive and he had to backtrack."
Qrow remembered the kids talking about those Skrewts. All of them, even Mercury, were in agreement they never wanted to meet one and that they would make a very poor pet. They would even make a poor guard dog, all things considered.
When Mercury was allowed to enter the maze, there was none of the hurry Fleur had. In fact, he could be taking a stroll in the park for all the care he was showing.
That is not what I would call making it look good Silvertongue.
"What's that thing?" Nora asked. "It looks like the Grim Reaper."
"Who?" Ren responded.
"Harry. He turned left then right, then right agai-That's the Patronus he showed us! The stag. Cool."
Qrow's eyes left Mercury and went to Harry. It looked like a cloaked figure as it stumbled back. That was a dementor? For some reason, Harry dismissed the Patronus and jabbed the wand forward. The cloaked creature began to rapidly change shape before vanishing in a puff of smoke.
That's what happened to Mercury's boggart, according to him. Is Harry's worst fear dementors? For good reason if Oz's description of them was right. A boggart seems a little personal. Uh oh.
Harry was heading straight for a huge spider that was at least the size of a full grown and many year old Ursa. Harry hesitated when he saw it, but he quickly avoided its jump to bite him. One spell later and it smashed into the hedges on the opposite end, unmoving. After waiting a moment, probably to make sure it definitely wasn't getting up, he moved on.
Impressed, Qrow followed the path Mercury took and finally found him again. He was also heading towards an acromantula. He wondered if the officials knew where Hagrid had gotten them from.
Probably not.
Mercury didn't hesitate when he saw it. He ran right at it. When it leapt at him, he skidded underneath it. By the way it stumbled when it landed, Mercury had done some damage. The knife was in his hand and he swiped it before it could turn around. It did not like that. When it faced him again, it couldn't react to Mercury fast enough. He jumped on top of it and drove the knife deep in the body.
It collapsed and stopped moving.
Mercury flicked the blood off the knife and kept going, still in no hurry.
Harry was getting close to the Cup. So were Cedric and Fleur by the sound of it. Krum had gone the wrong way from the very beginning and so had to correct himself. While Mercury was deep in the maze, he was making no attempt to find the centre. He even did an eenie meenie miney mo between two paths to 'accidentally' pick the wrong way.
Well, it's obvious to us that he's trying to lose. Whether or not these idiots realise that is up for debate…That is a hippogriff. Why did they put a hippogriff in the maze? What stops the person from just hitching a ride and flying to the Cup? I bet they would claim they were cheating too.
Mercury stopped when he saw it. His mouth moved in what looked like 'you're magnificent'. Qrow was sure when Talaria bared her teeth and growled. Ruby chuckled and cooed.
"Don't worry girl. You're still his favourite."
Qrow let out a very low chuckle, almost too quiet to pick up.
The hippogriff had been aggressive at first. In moments, the wings tucked in a bit and it just stared at Mercury. When Mercury bowed, it wasn't the most sincere bow Qrow had ever seen, but then Mercury didn't really bow to anyone. Maybe the hippogriff picked up on that. It only took a second before it bowed back and allowed him to approach.
After a few pets, it allowed him to go on his way.
Seeing nothing more in Mercury's path, Qrow searched for Harry. He was only a few turns away from the Cup, but had been stopped by some Red Caps. These ones had shields as well as clubs. A type of rope shot out of Harry's wand and pulled one's shield away. A red spell later and that one dropped to the ground. The second one didn't learn from this experience and so was dealt with in the exact same way.
Qrow zoomed out. Mercury was the farthest away. Physically, Krum was closest, but he had the most distance to go due to the twists and turns in his path. Fleur went left when she should have gone right and it would be a little while before she hit the inevitable dead end. Cedric was also near.
It would be close between Harry and Cedric.
They both met at a t junction and so knew the third way was the way they needed to go. That path lead directly to the Cup. However, in their way was a very difficult creature and they had to get rid of it to get past it.
It was a second Blast-Ended Skrewt.
We really need to talk to oblivious fool, though kudos in managing to get two of those things to that size without them killing each other.
Both of their spells seemed to just bounce off the armour. Given that it could attack in opposite directions, surrounding it wouldn't help and the hedges made the task even more difficult. Qrow certainly wouldn't want to fight one of these things in those conditions.
The two Hogwarts Champions seemed to be in agreement. They were backtracking. The Skrewt followed them. They were heading for the junction where they would have more room. The question was whether or not they could find a weak spot. It obviously wasn't the armour.
Legs seem durable and there are no obvious eyes. Nothing I can see screams 'strike here'. The joints and the underside are their best bets.
"How are the others doing?" Qrow asked.
Glynda waited a moment before answering. "Harry and Cedric are battling a Skrewt. Viktor has just fallen for the same gold mist trap Harry did earlier. Fleur is battling the maze itself as the vines have grown in her path and trying to trap her. Devil's Snare possibly. Mercury…What is that? He's encountered…They didn't. He's fighting a chimaera."
That got Qrow's attention. It took him a moment to remember what a chimaera was. When he did, he immediately searched for the fight.
It wasn't difficult to find.
Why the hell did they put a chimaera in there? There's only one record in history of a wizard killing one of these things. In fact, a chimaera was the reason this tournament was stopped.
Mercury didn't look concerned. He was focused, choosing to dodge and study instead of rushing into an attack. The creature was much swifter than the acromantula and moved in a very different way than Mercury was used to. While he didn't have claws to watch out for, the dragon's tail was just as dangerous a weapon as its teeth.
"Careful Merc," Ruby muttered.
Grimm had a very specific pattern of attack when they are young and an experienced Huntsman recognises how they learn as they age. Patience was the main thing, but very few learned to adapt. They always attacked head on, even if they choose to ambush.
Natural animals were different, especially the predators. They have to adapt or they die. Older ones rarely attack head on and, if they're smart enough, alter their strategy in battle. These very rarely attack humans though and so are left alone for the most part. This thing was made up of a goat (not very dangerous), a lion (plenty dangerous and intelligent) and a dragon (First Task speaks for itself).
It pounced and missed. When it turned its head to try and catch Mercury as he had dodged, the kick nailed its muzzle. If anything, having a dislocated jaw only enraged it.
Mercury began dodging again. His movements were fluid and measured. He chose to allow himself to get pinned to the ground so he could shift his weight. The knife went into an eye. It immediately reared up and altered its trajectory to stomp him. Mercury had already rolled out of the way and was back on his feet.
When it landed, Mercury dashed forward and dashed back again.
"Where are they?" Amber muttered. Qrow ignored her, keeping his focus on the fight.
In moments, it was obvious the chimaera was struggling to breathe. Blood was everywhere, dripping from a deep slash in its neck. As it weakened, it began to sway. A few more seconds passed before Mercury felt safe enough to approach and stick the knife into its brain, putting it out of its misery.
Nice Silvertongue.
Qrow's gaze went back to where he remembered the Hogwarts Champions were. The dead Skrewt was there (upside down), but there was no sign of Harry or Cedric. A glance further on showed the Cup was gone too.
"What happened?" Who won and where did they go?
Those three questions were being repeated around the stands.
Oz frowned. "Both Harry and Cedric touched the Cup at the same time. They vanished and haven't reappeared."
Zooming out, Qrow searched the maze for any sort of movement. He could see Mercury, Fleur and Viktor. No Harry or Cedric.
"Where are they?" Zephyr asked. "What'd I miss?"
"Was the Cup supposed to be a teleporter?" Blake queried. "If so, where was it supposed to go?"
"And where has it actually gone?" Ren added. "Something is very wrong here."
Ozpin stood up and headed down. Curious, Qrow followed him. The judges (minus Crouch who Qrow was only now noticing wasn't there) seemed to be arguing. Another woman approached them that Qrow had never seen before.
"Amelia Bones," Oz murmured. "Head of the DMLE."
Ah. Ozpin did say he was meeting with her today. She didn't appear to be a happy camper. That said, with the messes these guys left behind even before this incident, Qrow wouldn't be either.
"Well?" She demanded the 'judges'. "We appear to be missing two Champions. Where are they?"
"I'm sure there's nothing to worry about Amelia," Dumbledore smiled. "We know the Cup is a portkey that will take them just to the entrance of the maze."
"How quickly does a portkey work?" Ozpin asked. He was in as bad of a mood as Madam Bones was.
She was the one who answered. "They are usually instantaneous, especially over this distance. We are five minutes in and they are still missing. Any explanation at all?"
A man that Qrow had also never seen before waved a hand. "Come now Amelia. There's nothing to worry about. I'm sure we'll see them any second now."
"Minister, I disagree. They have been missing for too long. Someone has altered that portkey."
"Nonsense."
This is the Minister? No wonder this world is in such a sorry state.
Dumbledore nodded. "I must agree with Cornelius, Amelia. Alastor himself placed the Cup in the maze. There is no room for foul play."
Alastor Moody.
The Huntsmen spun around. Moody was trying to make a subtle getaway. Glynda noticed their stances, followed their gaze and targeted the ground in front of the fleeing man. He froze, before spinning around and firing a green spell in their direction.
Qrow wasn't sure who he was aiming at. It didn't matter. While he had drawn his sword, Oz had raised a force field, which absorbed the light with no problems.
A red spell left Bones' wand and Moody went down.
She then did the 'microphone spell'. "Everyone remain in their seats and don't move unless you are dismissed." She then cancelled the charm and looked at the maze. Her question was to the judges. "Is there a better way to search the maze than using omnioculars?"
So that's what they're called.
They didn't respond.
"There is one," Qrow commented. It was the angles that made the search difficult and if, for some reason they were unconscious, they wouldn't be seen. "I can't guarantee the results."
"Any help would be welcome."
Qrow's eyes searched the crowd. Spotting his target, he beckoned them over. Ruby was at his side in an instant, with Talaria balanced on her shoulder.
"Uncle Qrow? What's going on? Where are Harry and Cedric?"
"We're working on that kiddo." His eyes focused on Talaria. "Go to Mercury and tell him to get an overhead view of the maze. He's looking for the two Champions."
Talaria nodded to say she understood and took off.
Emerald and Yang had joined them at this point. Yang opened her mouth.
"We're working on it Yang."
Minister Idiot sighed. "There's nothing to work on. Everything's fine."
DMLE Head sighed. "It very obviously isn't. Headmaster, I need somewhere to interrogate Moody and someone to watch over him while we fetch some Veritaserum."
"Amelia-"
"Minister, it may only be Hogwarts students that were kidnapped, but any of the competitors could have touched that Cup." Her voice dropped. "France and Bulgaria are going to watch our actions closely Minister. As it was pure luck that their Champions are fine, this can very easily become an international incident. That was a Killing Curse. We cannot allow any mistakes."
So green can only be a Killing Curse? Nothing else? Good to know.
Professor McGonagall shook her head. "Is this really necessary Amelia? It's Alastor Moody."
"So he wouldn't disapprove," Emerald interrupted. "'Constant vigilance' is his motto."
"Exactly," Bones agreed while most others glared at her. "He is going to be furious if we don't interrogate him when the evidence points to him. Also, Alastor Moody didn't even use Unforgivables during the war when they were legal. I would like some answers."
Minister Idiot was getting very annoyed. "Nothing has happened Amelia! The portkey is just slow."
"We have far passed slow Minister. This is now a kidnapping case." With a murmur and a wave of her wand, a big cat Patronus appeared.
Dumbledore interrupted now. "That is not necessary Amelia. Severus has some Veritaserum in his stores for educational purposes." Qrow snorted there, which most (not including Bones) ignored. "Would that be satisfactory?"
"It would."
Again Minister Idiot opened his mouth. Then his eyes widened and he shut it again. Curious, they all turned to have a look.
When Qrow sent Talaria to Mercury, he assumed Mercury would choose to possess his winged fox aura animal to have a look around. Mercury had instead decided to backtrack a bit and return to the golden brown hippogriff he had passed by earlier.
Qrow approached as the two other Champions got off and thanked the creature.
"No obvious sign of them," Mercury reported. "It was just a swift scan though. Want me to take another look?"
Bones studied him, looked at the maze and then turned her attention back at him. "One moment. Mr Weasley." The Weasley that had been at the judge's table approached. "Where are the blueprints for the maze?"
"On the table Madam Bones." Without being asked to, he fetched them. "All the obstacles are recorded along with their position."
That is surprisingly competent.
"Thank you Mr Weasley." Madam Bones walked closer. She gave a brief bow, which the hippogriff dipped its head to, and handed the sheets to Mercury. "Would you mind checking these? My department is currently busy due to unforeseen circumstances."
Mercury raised an eyebrow and glanced pointedly at Moody. "I see that. Sure thing. Let's see…Nope. No name. You wouldn't happen to know this hippogriff's name, would you?"
"I'm afraid not."
Emerald approached, also bowing. Again, it dipped its head. She walked to its side and waited for permission before hopping up behind Mercury. The hippogriff was fine with that.
Talaria flew off of Mercury's leg and landed in Ruby's hood. She scratched her between the wings. Ruby gave a wave. "Have fun."
They chuckled. With a short run up, the hippogriff was back in the air again.
Oz sighed. "I suppose it isn't possible to track portkeys?"
"Unfortunately not. However, I am sure that this interrogation will be a useful one."
Most of the students were sent back to their dorms. The Beacon students (save Ruby), Glynda, Amber and a few adults (including Amos Diggory) stayed behind in case they reappeared. Snape headed to his dungeon while most headed to the third floor.
Qrow had a very bad feeling about this.
If Harry survived this, he was having very serious words with Hagrid.
Nothing he nor Cedric were using was getting through. Everything bounced off the armour and there was nowhere safe they could stand. Although he would never admit it out loud, he was with Malfoy when it came to these things. They should be exterminated.
The only question was how to do it.
"Harry, you're friends with Hagrid. Did he ever mention to you where he got this from?" Cedric ducked to avoid a fireball that didn't burn the hedges.
Now they choose to be thorough.
"No." Harry leapt to the side to avoid a stinger.
"Are all of his Care of Magical Creature's classes like this?"
"Umm…Well, the hippogriffs weren't actually that bad." Hagrid had warned them that insulting a hippogriff was a very stupid thing to do. Malfoy had had it coming. "The nifflers were good too."
Cedric chuckled as his next spell bounced off. "Nifflers. Good times."
Harry wanted to ask, but found it difficult to catch his breath. This thing just wasn't letting up. It jumped at him. Harry almost didn't get out of the way in time.
"Harry?!"
"I'm fine!" Yes that had startled him, but he had seen something. "It's not armoured underneath!"
"Right." Cedric sidestepped another. "I flip it and you hit it?"
"Sounds good."
Now they just needed the right time. Also, if they stuck close together, they found it difficult to dodge. They separated, but kept an eye on one another.
It leapt at Harry again…
…and suddenly flew backwards.
Harry didn't hesitate. "Impedimenta!"
They both winced when they heard the crunch as it hit the ground. It obviously wasn't getting up again. As one, they let out a long and relieved breath.
"Thanks," Harry gasped out.
"Don't worry about it. I can't believe there were two of them."
"Neither can I." Harry was very sure they were cannibals. Why did Hagrid have such a bad taste in pets? What idiot decided it was a good idea to put them in this maze? An acromantula is one thing, but that was ridiculous.
There was only one way to go.
That way led directly to the Tri-Wizard Cup.
The two stared at it. They turned to each other.
"Take it Harry. You deserve it."
Harry shook his head. At no point in the maze did it actually hit him he could win. "I don't deserve it over you."
"You told me about the dragons and the lake."
"And I got that off of Mercury and his group." How did they decide?
Cedric's eyes went back to the Cup. It was so close.
"Together then. A joint Hogwarts win."
Harry could agree with that. "Together."
Together they reached for the Cup. At the same time, their hands touched opposite sides.
A tug near his navel told Harry it was a portkey. That did seem more convenient than trying to find their way back through the maze.
But they didn't arrive at the beginning of the maze. As Harry shoved himself up, he took a look around. He was very sure he had never been here before.
And yet…
He was in a graveyard. The portkey took him to a graveyard. Why?
"Was the Cup supposed to be a portkey?" Harry asked, his wand in his hand. His eyes went to the graves as he passed them. Why were they in a graveyard?
"I don't know." Cedric was still over by the Cup. "Makes sense though. But where are we?"
Harry's eyes caught. For a moment, he just stared.
Then everything clicked.
Harry turned and ran back. "Cedric, we need to touch that portkey. Now!"
This was the graveyard from his dreams of Voldemort.
Cedric looked at him funny. "What's the hurry? What's wrong?"
"Kill the spare."
Harry heard the weak voice, but couldn't see anyone else around. It was too dark; there were too many hiding spaces. Where was the attack going to come from? What was it talking about: 'spare'?
The green flash came from in directly front of him. It wasn't aimed at him.
Not really thinking, Harry brought his wand up. The spell that was fired was red, but he had no idea what it was. The two collided and cancelled the other out.
There was a hiss.
Cedric was fine.
The Cup was nowhere to be seen. The short, but powerful shockwave must have knocked it around the tombstones.
Damn it.
Cedric fired a Stunner at the figure they could barely see, but he ducked. When he vanished completely, both Champions spun around trying to find him.
"Can you see him?" Cedric seemed panicked.
"No." Harry's mood was similar, but he there was a calm about him. He had been in a deadly situation many times before. The most important lesson: don't panic. "Was that Apparation?"
"No. No noise. He's around here somewhere. Disillusioned maybe."
Disillusioned. Harry had read about that, but he hadn't yet mastered the spell. He knew it was NEWT level. "How do we find him?"
How do you fight someone you can't see?
The memory of the first night he met the Remnant group suddenly popped to mind. Mercury had heard him on the gravel. If he couldn't rely on his eyes, he had to hear. He remembered Emerald telling him to Silence his feet once when he was under the Cloak. It had never occurred to him to do so before.
"Cedric, stop moving and be quiet."
Cedric caught on quick. While he was mostly still, his wand was still raised. He controlled his breathing to try and catch something odd. They made sure to face different directions.
Nothing.
The headstone to their side exploded.
Harry hit the ground hard, landing on his arm rather badly. Fortunately, he was mostly only bruised. The Basilisk armour he had been wearing underneath had blocked anything from cutting his side, but some of the shards still cut his hands. It wasn't deep, so Harry ignored it.
"Avada Kedavra."
When Harry rolled back to his feet, Cedric was still on the ground. He wasn't moving. Some red spell hit Harry, but he ignored it and returned a Stunner of his own. He missed.
For minutes, nothing happened.
Harry doubted the assailant was gone. If he was in the graveyard in his dreams, then he was either fighting Voldemort, Pettigrew or that unknown third man. He was very sure he would know by now if it was Voldemort, so it wasn't him. Pettigrew was a coward, but a very sneaky one. He had no hope of finding a rat here.
Unless…It worked on the Horntail and that was a real animal…
"Accio Scabbers."
There was a squeak from the side. When Harry spun around, the shadows moved. Something hard smashed into the side of his head.
Harry must have blacked out.
He woke up when something cut into his cheek.
"Blood of the enemy…Forcibly taken…You will resurrect your foe."
Harry noted he was tied up and very well at that. Pettigrew was a little distance away by a huge cauldron he knew hadn't been there before. A few tugs showed he wasn't going anywhere without the ropes being cut. Where was his wand?
Pettigrew wasn't paying him any attention. Even with his hazy sight from skewed glasses, Harry could see him shaking badly.
Choosing to try and feign unconsciousness, Harry lidded his eyes and tried to look around. When Pettigrew was on the opposite side of the cauldron, Harry took a gamble. His murmur was very quiet. He pictured what he was aiming for. He knew this spell well. But would it work?
Harry watched the three way match between Ren, Yang and Nora during one of their Combat Classes. It was insane what they could do. It never ceased to amaze him.
After all of them save Mercury had left, who immediately requested the Room give him a forest with creatures Harry could only assume were Grimm attacking him, Harry approached Professor Ozpin.
"Something bothering you Harry?" Professor Ozpin smiled.
"Sort of…I'm not an expert on science, but well…Nora seemed to defy gravity there for a moment. How does that work?"
"How indeed?" He seemed both amused and intrigued. "I'm sure there is physics behind it Harry, but Nora doesn't know it. She just knows her limits from her experiences. She knows how to move to fall the way she wants. It helps for a good landing strategy."
"So it's not something to do with your aura?"
"It may be. It may not. It's not something that can be easily measured. A lot is trial and error. There is one lesson that many Huntsmen and Huntresses learn a variation of very early on and I think it would help you."
Harry just blinked. "What lesson is that?"
"Don't waste time trying to think of whether something is possible or not. Follow your instincts and ask the question later. Doubt is just as much your enemy in battle as an injury is."
Accidental magic could be called wandless magic. Hermione had said one instance of her accidental magic had been Summoning books to her that she couldn't reach on the bookshelf.
Typical Hermione.
"Accio wand."
To his absolute amazement, it worked. The wand in his hand was very familiar and welcome. It took a tiny bit of squirming to make sure he wasn't about to hurt himself. With his luck, he would miss the armour and hit himself.
"Diffindo."
When the ropes were cut, they vanished. Harry didn't immediately jump up. Cedric was still unmoving in the same place. Was he…He couldn't be…
Harry let out a shaky breath and focused. He needed a way out. The Cup was his best bet but where had it gone? It had to be nearby; the shockwave wasn't that strong.
Bubbling drew Harry's attention to the Goblet. A figure rose.
Lord Voldemort.
The face of terror itself. The creature that had haunted Harry's nightmares for years.
Lord Voldemort was alive and strong once again.
Harry kept his eyes closed. There was no thought in that, no attempt to play unconscious. He did not want to see his parents' murderer. A monster that had tried to kill him so many times. A monster that had gripped Britain in a state of fear so deep they were still afraid to say his name when they thought he was dead; when they thought Harry the Boy-Who-Lived.
"That it's an absolute scandal any idiot should have seen through?"
Harry's breathing calmed. How many times had he and his friends scoffed at the stupidity and cowardice of the Wizarding World? The students had been terrified of Harry for speaking Parseltongue. They were afraid of everything they didn't understand or couldn't do.
Voldemort is a master duellist. He is very dangerous. That is obvious. But is he truly so unbeatable? I would love him to go a few rounds with one of the Remnant group. Mercury put it best.
That calmed him further. They were trained to kill monsters that had no sense of morality; monsters in every sense of the word. He remembered the woman that had bought Mercury a drink; the one he had warned them against ever meeting with. Someone Mercury was cautious of was dangerous, probably more so than Harry could imagine. He had still met with her.
Mercury was careful. He used his brain and didn't panic.
Panicking was the worst thing to do now.
Pettigrew blubbered as his blood dripped. Riddle paid him no attention.
"How many will come, I wonder? How many will respond to their Master's summons?"
Riddle placed his wand against Pettigrew's Dark Mark. The same Dark Mark that Harry had seen at the World Cup.
The scar exploded in pain. Harry forced himself not to visibly respond to it. He needed to use his brain; he needed not to panic.
Riddle chuckled. "You seem to have hit him quite hard, Wormtail. Or was it a Stunning spell? Enervate."
Wormtail had hit him, so the spell would have to be a little stronger than overcoming a Stunning spell. Could Harry get away with acting? He would try.
"It would seem you hit him but fortunately for you, he is still alive. For now, I will allow him to rest. He will need it and I wish to battle him fair."
Harry didn't see how someone who had over fifty years of knowledge of Dark Arts could possibly battle a fourteen year old fairly. That fear tried to dredge itself up, but Harry swatted it away without a thought.
Riddle chuckles. "My true family returns…"
Harry had seen family. They had five separate surnames, but there was no doubt that was family. Death Eaters were not family. They were monsters, not humans. Riddle didn't see them as family. They were puppets, nothing more.
Pop.
The sound echoed throughout the graveyard. Many pops and many voices told Harry there were quite a few, but he didn't risk checking how many. The only fact that mattered was that he was outnumbered and outgunned. Harry needed to escape.
A quick glance showed Cedric still lying there, unmoved.
Harry couldn't help him.
Another glance showed him something that both terrified and disgusted him. They knelt and kissed Riddle's robes.
Malfoy's bow to no one, eh Draco? I wonder which one is your dad. Proud purebloods acting like dogs.
"Welcome my Death Eaters. Thirteen long years it has been and yet…it seems like only yesterday. As prompt as ever to your summons, I see. Which makes me wonder…"
There was a shiver in the circle.
Harry was still being ignored. He swiftly glanced around. The Cup was his best chance out of here. It was nowhere in sight.
"You claim loyalty. Why then, was I abandoned for thirteen years? Did I not say I was immortal? Yet none of you believed me. You chose to claim innocence, spread your gold as you spread your lies…I must confess myself disappointed. Did you not have faith in me? Did you believe that someone would have the power to kill me?"
They shifted, but no one answered.
"No response? How…expected with what you have become. You are worthless to me."
One of them dropped to the ground. "Master, please! Please forgive us!"
"Crucio." The incantation was said almost lazily. The voice that followed was hard. "Get up Avery. Thirteen years of betrayal. I would not think thirteen years of complete loyalty is much to ask for forgiveness?"
"Of course my Lord…Thank you my Lord-"
"Silence." There was no wind, yet the only sound was the rustle of robes. "I am not unreasonable. Wormtail here has already repaid part of his debt. It may not be due to loyalty…and yet he did what you never tried…" Riddle returned to Pettigrew. "You will find I will merciful and rewarding to those who deserve it."
Anger boiled inside Harry at that. All of Riddle's victims deserved life more than he did. Cedric, Lily and James Potter, Gideon and Fabian Prewitt, Alice and Frank Longbottom…There were so many. Merciful was not a word Riddle could be called.
Pettigrew had a new arm. His blubbering changed only to words. "Thank you my Lord. Thank you-"
"Your loyalty will not wane again."
"Of course not, my Lord. I will always-"
"Good." Riddle began to walk back to his followers. "Lucius, my slippery friend. Always thought to be the personification of Slytherin traits. I have been told that, while you present a respectable face, you have not renounced the old ways. You are still willing to engage in some harmless fun at the World Cup. Why did you not try to find your Master?"
Tell him Lucius. Tell him a Malfoy bows to no one. I wonder how your son will respond to the reality of serving the half-blood madman. Or do you not know that part? Come on Lucius. Show yourself as the coward you and your son are.
"My Lord, I was always on alert, always listening for something as small as whispers. Had I seen any sign-"
"Such as the Dark Mark shot into the sky last summer, perchance?" Again, Riddle was very casual. Malfoy Snr shut up. "Of course, you are not alone in that sin." Riddle moved again. "Crabbe, Goyle. You will do better next time."
"Of course my Lord. Merciful…Thank you-"
Riddle ignored them. He was staring at the space between them and Malfoy. "The Lestranges…They certainly earned their place here. They were always faithful. They will re-join us soon…Azkaban is no obstacle. My most faithful will be amongst us again soon. The dementors will join us like they did before…They are our natural allies…" Riddle seemed to frown at the next spot. "Nott's death is unfortunate…or perhaps it is fate. What happened, I wonder?" The final Death Eater. "Macnair. Wormtail tells me you destroy dangerous beats for the Ministry? I will certainly provide more fitting victims soon…"
"Thank you my Lord. Thank you."
Riddle had told Harry the identity of everyone there. They may be in masks, but they had confirmed it. Harry just needed to escape.
Riddle sighed. "Six more. Three dead in my service. One was too cowardly to return…One who I believe has left me forever…Both will pay. One who has remained my faithful servant these past thirteen years and even to this day…" Riddle chuckled. "He has delivered our young friend tonight."
Harry's eyes slipped shut before Riddle turned around. He still caught surprise on the Death Eaters' faces. Somehow, they hadn't seen him yet.
"Harry Potter, my guest of honour. Although Wormtail seemed a little too enthusiastic. I would prefer him awake, but I prefer our duel more equal more."
They hadn't noticed he was awake or that he was free. Think. Which way had the Cup gone? The memory played again in his mind.
"My Lord…" Malfoy Snr was very nervous. "If I may ask, how? We are curious to this miracle…How you were returned to us?"
"What a story it is Lucius. It begins with our young friend here." Riddle was quiet for a few seconds. "I see no need not to indulge you." Footsteps. They were getting closer. Riddle was right next to him. The burning in his scar was so intense, Harry was amazed it hadn't burst open. "This boy…My downfall? No…It was an oversight on my part. I tried to kill him that night. His mother gave her life in an attempt to save his…Ancient magic I must admit I overlooked. A protection that I could not touch. Yet now…"
Harry could see where this was going.
His response was instinctive.
"Ossis effergo."
Riddle had blocked it, but he had backed off. Harry immediately jumped to his feet, keeping a very tight grip on his wand.
He didn't expect Riddle to laugh.
"The Bone-Breaking Curse Harry? A good choice, I'll admit. I suggest you aim for the head next time. How long were you awake I wonder? A very Slytherin move."
Stall. I can't afford to guess the wrong direction.
"Well, if it wasn't for Draco Malfoy, that is where the Hat would have put me."
"Is that so?" That both amused and intrigued him. "We are even more alike than I originally thought."
Riddle may have been amused, but Lucius was not. He seemed furious. Harry saw that it was petty, but he didn't really care right now.
"Alike?!" Harry spat the word out. "We're not alike. I'm as similar to you as we are to a cockroach." He would have to thank Qrow for that comparison later. "You see muggles as not worthy to live? I see you and Death Eaters not worthy to live."
"A pity. I would have offered you a place Harry. That trick was certainly worthy of recognition."
Harry didn't answer. He just glared.
"Crucio."
Harry rolled to the side. He fired a Stunner back, then mentally cursed himself after he did so. Riddle was surrounded by followers. They would merely wake him up even if it did work.
The next Cruciatus hit. The armour absorbed most of it, but not all of it. Harry hissed and stumbled.
"Imperio."
The armour was no defence against that.
"Answer me Harry. Are you ready to die?"
Yes…Just say yes…
Harry grit his teeth. "I am not dying here!"
The words echoed throughout the graveyard. As if cold water had been thrown over him, the carefree feeling he had barely noticed was gone. The ache from the Cruciatus returned but that could be dealt with. The silence followed.
The Death Eaters were completely still.
"Is that what you believe Harry? How delusional."
Maybe it was. Maybe Harry would die here. It was thirty to one. He was fighting someone who had cheated death; someone who was over five times his age. Cedric was already dead. His parents had been killed by this madman.
For them, he was going to at least die resisting their killer.
He aimed for the head.
"Ossis effergo!"
"Avada Kedavra!"
One dark blue beam. One bright green beam. They collided.
Unlike before, they didn't cancel each other out. They locked. Blue vs green, with neither gaining any space. The wand was jerking so violently and yet Harry couldn't let go even if he wanted to. Riddle's wand was doing the same thing. In an instant, the thread was completely gold, with no distinction of where the two previous colours had begun and ended.
To add to the confusion, Harry felt his feet leave the ground. The gold stretched out, encasing them in a cage that the Death Eaters couldn't get through. They circled like animals, but neither they nor the snake could get through.
It was just Riddle and Harry.
"Do nothing!" Riddle snarled, silencing his followers. Red eyes were agitated, darting around the cage occasionally. He was just as amazed. "He's mine to finish!"
Is that…a phoenix song? Fawkes?
It wasn't Fawkes. The song was so similar, but it wasn't Fawkes. Hope still grew in his chest. Hope not just for survival, but for joy.
Harry focused. His wand had been red hot, almost scorching his skin, but as he steadied it, it cooled slightly. Riddle's wand was vibrating more powerfully now. The gold thread remained but there was a grey smoke. It gathered, slowly taking form until…
Cedric? I'm sorry…
It was Cedric. He wasn't a ghost, but…He studied the gold line, then turned to look at Harry. He smiled.
"Keep holding on Harry."
An echo, like hearing a voice at the end of a tunnel. Harry nodded. He didn't think he could let go if he tried.
Again the grey smoke gathered before forming shape. Harry had never met him, but he had seen him before: the old man from his dream that wasn't a dream.
"A real wizard eh? Didn't think they existed. Killed me, he did. You fight him boy."
The next figure was one Harry did and didn't recognise. He had seen her before but only briefly and not in detail. A picture or a newspaper. It disappointed him he couldn't remember.
"Don't let go Harry. Don't let him get you."
Harry's arm was still shaking greatly, but he ignored it. His instincts wouldn't let go. He focused instead on a distant memory as he waited…no…prayed. But they were pacing and there was a gap that wasn't there with the others…
Can I see them? Just this once?
Finally. The next was a woman…and a woman he knew. The face of his mother…
She placed a hand on his shoulder. It felt solid yet not. "Your father's coming. He wants to see you…You've grown so much Harry…It'll be all right."
Mom…
The man…The first thing Harry noted was the untidy hair just like his…Tall and proud.
"Harry, when the connection is broken, you must get to the portkey. It'll take you back to Hogwarts, back to your friends. We can only linger a few moments to buy you time. Understand?"
Dumbly, Harry nodded. He couldn't find his voice.
In honesty, he had forgotten about the portkey. He could see it now, but the Death Eaters were in line of an Accio Charm. He could do this…Make his parents' sacrifice not in vain…
"Harry…" Even distant, Harry could tell Cedric's voice was hesitant. "Will you take my body back? Back to my parents?"
Again, Harry nodded. He couldn't leave Cedric here.
Dad put a hand on his other shoulder. Mum spoke.
"Now Harry. Let go now."
Suddenly aware of the absolute agony in his arm, Harry instinctively wrenched his arm upwards. In one snap, the cage vanished and the song stopped. Reality awoke in his mind.
Harry ran. He didn't look back.
For a few seconds, there was nothing. Then jets of light shot passed him as spells missed their mark. Without thinking or looking back to aim, Harry flicked his wand behind him.
"Confringo! Ossis effergo! Confringo!"
Whether they were yells of surprise or yells of pain, Harry didn't care.
"Stun him!"
Harry ignored Riddle too. Only now did it occur to him that Riddle had been terrified when they were in that cage. While Harry had gained comfort, Riddle had not. Riddle almost seemed panicked, but he didn't put any effort into thinking why.
Harry's fingers wrapped around Cedric's wrist. He was cold.
"Accio Cup!"
That tug. This time, it was very welcome.
"Harry!"
So many voices. It took a few seconds to realise exactly where he was. The bright lights immediately reassured him he was back at Hogwarts, but it was when the blades of the grass registered that it clicked.
Relief. He was safe.
"He's back."
It had been a long time since anyone had angered Qrow this much. Even General Ironwood wasn't this infuriating. That was saying a lot. Then again, they were usually arguing him out of responding to everything by blowing it up.
This 'Minister' was insane.
First off, Madam Bones had had to drive off a dementor that Fudge wanted as his 'personal bodyguard'. Then he claimed Bones was trying to kill him. When they finally made it to the prisoner, it turned out he was an escaped convict that had managed to put Harry in the tournament solely so he could resurrect Voldemort.
It was at that point that the Minister went from denial to delusional.
Qrow was almost impressed with his imagination.
Oz was pinching his eyebrows. "Madam Bones, I hesitate to ask, but is the Minister's presence really necessary? This does fall under your department."
Fortunately, the Minister was too busy arguing with Ruby over whether the fact no wand and no body meant no death to notice their discussion.
Bones was glaring at the idiot. "Ordinarily I would say yes as this is a matter of magical and muggle security. However, we are very short on time, so I will give him my final report later. We only have the follow up questions anyhow."
"How soon can we get to Little Hangleton?"
"I honestly don't know. If he isn't delusional and there are also Death Eaters there, then I'll need reinforcements."
Dumbledore stepped forward. He opened his mouth but, before he could speak, a winged fox came through the door. Impressive seeing as it wasn't open. It went to Ruby, who ignored the Minister and placed a hand on its head.
"Whose Patronus is that?" Bones asked.
"No one's," Qrow responded. To his surprise and dismay, tears started to swell in Ruby's eyes. He walked forward and pulled her into a hug. "What is it kiddo?"
Ruby swallowed, but twisted her head to look at Bones. "That was from Mercury. Harry's back with Cedric's…his…" She took a deep breath. "Cedric's b-body. Harry says Voldemort's back."
Cedric was dead.
Voldemort was back.
Ozpin broke the brief silence. "That is two witnesses. If Harry's story matches Barty Crouch Jnr's completely and agrees to Veritaserum, then we can't cover this up."
Fudge waved an impatient hand. "The boy is delusional and a liar."
"Where'd you get that idea from?" Ruby asked with a frown. Even through her tears, she sounded angry. Qrow covered her mouth to prevent her from snapping at the fool further.
"Have you not read the reports of the Tri-Wizard Tournament?"
"Oh you mean Skeeter?" Qrow asked idly. "The woman who was constantly getting Harry's age wrong and somehow managed to interview someone she has never met twice? We were debating whether or not to sue her for slander when she stopped reporting before the Second Task."
"Miss Skeeter is a well-respected journalist-"
"No she isn't," Bones snapped. "This is going nowhere. I already had a meeting with Mr Potter today, but I hope he doesn't mind if that topic is postponed for the moment. This is a matter that affects the entire Wizarding World and so I will investigate it."
Fudge growled. "I will have your job Amelia-"
"Not without an 80% agreement of the Wizengamot you won't. This became a kidnapping case the moment those two touched the Cup and didn't appear. Mr Cedric Diggory was alive when he left; many witnesses can testify to that. You cannot stop this Cornelius and I recommend you don't try. If Voldemort has returned, he is a threat to everyone."
"He's. Not. Back!"
"The current evidence suggests that he is. Miss Rose, did Mercury say where Mr Potter currently is?"
"He said they were taking him to the Hospital Wing. C-Cedric's still with his dad." Ruby buried her head into Qrow's chest. He gently rubbed her back.
"Ruby, let me take you back to the dorm."
Ruby shook her head. "I want to see Harry's okay. And make sure Snape doesn't get too carried away when he finally carries out his threat."
Bones managed to hear that mumble. "What are you talking about Miss Rose?"
Dumbledore definitely stepped in then. No need to tell the Head of the DMLE that his Potions Professor threatens students with a Ministry controlled substance all the time.
"Let us go see Harry now so he can get some rest. It would also be wise to get Alastor to the Hospital Wing."
"Agreed."
"One last question, Professor Dumbledore." Ozpin turned back to Crouch Jnr. "Did you put Mercury's name in the Goblet of Fire?"
"No."
So that was still a mystery. It probably was some prank from the students and him taking the three school limit off made it possible. A question for another day.
On the walk to the Hospital Wing, McGonagall and Fudge argued. Snape was next to them, but was silent. Ruby was glued to Qrow's side, clutching the fox in her arms tightly. It was a lot more animated than Qrow would think, especially as its eyes weren't grey. The pair were at the back of the group with Bones, Oz and Dumbledore.
"Madam Bones, you said before that you were planning to meet with Harry today?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes."
"May I ask what topic?"
"Strictly confidential, I'm afraid."
"As Harry is underage, he would need his guardian present."
"We both know that is not necessarily true. He merely needed an adult. I was going to ask Professor Ozpin as I intended to meet with him today also, if Mr Potter agreed. It was convenient to meet with them both on the same day."
Qrow was going to take a wild guess and think the topic was Sirius Black.
The Hospital Wing wasn't far, probably because DADA was the class the students were most likely to get injured in. Quidditch would probably rate higher though.
It was a red head invasion in the Hospital Wing. Even Ron was there. The Beacon students were giving them room, as it was obvious Harry had a lot of visitors. Including a black dog lying next to the bed. The rest of their kids were there too, although Amber and Glynda weren't.
"Mr Potter, Cruciatus exposure is not what I would call mild!" Madam Pomfrey sounded very exasperated.
"It didn't do much! Madam Pomfrey, I don't need it. I need to speak to someone in the Ministry!"
"If you think you're leaving that bed young man, think again. I am seriously considering labelling this one as yours."
"No need Madam Pomfrey," Emerald cut in. "They've come here."
Almost as one, everyone turned to look at them. Ruby walked to Yang as the fox faded. Yang pulled her into her arms, moving so she was sitting closer to Emerald and Mercury.
"Professor Dumbledore, Mr Potter needs his rest."
"I'm sorry Poppy, but this can't wait." Dumbledore had decided he was the spokesman. "Harry, you have met Minister Fudge. This is Amelia Bones, Head of the DMLE."
Harry nodded. "I'm willing to take Veritaserum, Madam Bones. About this and…" his eyes flickered at Fudge… "Our original topic."
Bones Conjured a chair next to the bed with the dog moving to give her room. He merely jumped up onto the sheets.
"Just what happened tonight will do for now."
"But I-"
Like a dog with a bone, Fudge wasn't giving up. "Amelia, you know that Veritaserum is not reliable in court. It can be countered."
"By a boy who has exposed to the Cruciatus, has no reason to lie and has been through a traumatic experience? Also, we are not at trial. We are currently establishing facts and a timeline. Veritaserum is allowed at questioning."
Snape stepped forward with the vial. "Open Potter."
Harry studied it very suspiciously. Then he glanced around and, leaning against the headboard, opened his mouth. Three drops.
"How do we know if it's working?"
Mercury spoke up there. "When we talking about Voldemort last week, what did I say about respecting him? Word for word."
Qrow let out a low chuckle.
"'The thing was very impressive to get an anagram feared for over a decade, but all respect vanished when he failed to conquer the sheeple within six months'." Harry blinked, then rubbed his head as he groaned. "Does it usually come with a headache?"
The magicals weren't listening. They were staring at Harry and Mercury with gobsmacked expressions.
"I assume that is correct Mercury?" Oz asked, half exasperated and half amused.
"Word for word," Mercury nodded with a small smirk.
Dumbledore sighed. "Mr Black-"
"I thought you were here to interrogate Harry," Mercury interrupted. "I'm sure our Ministry friends have other things to do and Madam Pomfrey isn't happy we're bothering her favourite patient."
"Agreed." Bones nodded. Her eyes had been on Mercury, not on Harry. When she turned back to Harry, she barely got three questions out before Fudge interrupted again.
"Come now Amelia. I told you this was a waste of time. Potter was Confunded when Black escaped Hogwarts."
"Black escaped Hogwarts? When was this Minister? Why have I not heard this from you before?" That shut the idiot up. "I have found no files on a trial on Sirius Black and so the Kiss-on-Sight is illegal. If it was Peter Pettigrew Mr Potter saw, then that case will be reopened. Now Mr Potter, what happened after Pettigrew fired the first Killing Curse?"
At the description of Voldemort, Fudge went green. When Harry named the Death Eaters, he again interrupted.
"He could have got those off of old case files! They were under the Imperius Curse, everyone knows that!"
"Can I gag him?" Mercury asked, almost eagerly. It was saddening that the other Beacon students barely reacted. In fact, Ren and Yang were glaring at Fudge.
"No," Professor Ozpin replied absentmindedly. Qrow on the other hand was entertaining the thought. "Harry, what were the actual words in the conversation between Lucius Malfoy and Voldemort?"
Fudge's face grew even redder. "Surely you're not believing these delusions Amelia?!"
"I have no evidence against and I currently have testimony supporting. Professor Dumbledore, could you show me where Little Hangleton graveyard is?"
"I will," Dumbledore agreed. "Now Harry. What happened after Voldemort finished speaking to his followers?"
Harry had a good head on his shoulders. He hadn't panicked and had responded very well in a stressful situation. That was no surprise given his past experiences, but there were several things that caught Qrow's interest.
The obvious things were the locked wands. However, there were very few Death Eaters that arrived. Were the others merely opportunists? Or were there really so few? If it wasn't a forewarning of Voldemort, why had they attack the campsite? Had they just got drunk or bored?
Fudge scoffed when Harry was finished. "What a fanciful tale."
Bones placed the dicto-quill and parchment into her bag. "We'll see. A Bone-Breaker Curse and a Blasting Hex Mr Potter?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Thank you. I will be in touch."
A Bone-Breaker Curse and a Blasting Hex…If those hit, then the victim would almost certainly need medical treatment. They may even need to go to the hospital. That could be checked. At least he wasn't throwing Stunners or Disarming spells.
"Thank you Madam Bones," Dumbledore nodded.
Bones ignored him and headed to the door. She stopped when she reached them and turned back. "Mr Black, that chimaera was a class XXXXX beast. Are you going to use the same harvester as before or would you like the Ministry to find one?"
Mercury chuckled. "I think you have enough on your plate. I'll handle it."
"Very well. Professor Ozpin-"
"I understand. I'll await your contact."
"Much obliged."
She left. With a glare, Fudge followed her out.
Qrow rubbed his head. "Okay seriously. How is he your Minister?"
Professor Dumbledore sighed. "Alas he was not even the third choice. He might not have even been the fourth. However, there is nothing we can do about that for the moment. We can hope that Madam Bones can get through to him." Qrow very much doubted that. "However, I do believe it's time for Harry to get some rest."
Everyone knew a dismissal when they heard one. Yang put Ruby on her feet, but it took both her and Emerald to get her moving. The others followed suit. Professor Ozpin led the way back to the dorm they were shared.
Qrow followed, staying close to his four kids. Ruby and Yang had been closest to Cedric, despite his friends' attempts to chase them off. Cedric himself stopped that and was at least on good terms with all of them. His death was going to be hard to take. Qrow hadn't heard Nora or Yang say a word yet.
Once at the dorm, Oz caught his eye. He seemed very sorrowful.
"Qrow-"
"This isn't your fault Oz. It's no one's fault."
These kids had just been forced into a war. A war that wasn't even theirs.
"If they choose to return to Hogwarts next year, it would be easy to have Glynda here as their tutor to watch over them. I just don't think it's going to be enough. I'm very sorry about Ruby."
"She may have been dragged here even if she didn't attend Beacon. We'll never know. I just want to finish this before…"
Before Ruby's innocence is destroyed…She is not ready for true war yet. I hope she never will be.
"Get some rest Qrow. I think we all need it."
It wasn't going to be easy to protect them. Qrow was going to do his damned best to try.
AN: That brings the Tri-Wizard Tournament to a close.
I know in some crossovers the villains tend to work together. Cinder won't work with Voldemort in this fic, mostly because it isn't in her best interest. I also don't think the two of them could be in the same room for very long without attacking each other.