By the next day rumors were swirling about what had happened to Professor Moody. Most seemed to agree that he and Harry Potter had fought each other, but who won and why they were fighting varied from story to story. Harry's insistence that he had been fighting Barty Crouch Jr and not Professor Moody was usually met with confused reactions since no one really had any idea who Barty Crouch Jr was, and the few who did thought he was already dead. For the rest of that week Defense Against the Dark Arts was being taught by Professor Snape, as he had done the previous year during Professor Lupin's absences. This, of course, prompted disappointed groans from three quarters of the school and excited cheers from the rest.

Aurors had come and taken statements from him and Alastor Moody concerning what had happened. They promised to look into it before they left, but a week later the Ministry had done nothing and no mention of it had been made in the Daily Prophet. Obviously, someone was trying to cover up what had happened. The only relevent article that Harry had seen was one announcing that Barty Crouch Sr was giving up his position in the Ministry and retiring. Harry had a strong hunch that Barty Crouch Sr was not going to be heard of again, either because he was in hiding or because his son had murdered him. Once again Harry was frustrated at the wizarding world's corruption and inability to face the truth. He wasn't surprised that no one believed him, he was a future dark lord in their eyes after all, but they had ignored the warnings of Mad Eye Moody. If the Ministry and Prophet wouldn't listen to one of the most respected Aurors ever who would they listen to? 'Maybe it would be better if we got rid of them both and started over.' Harry had thought in his frustration.

Harry had learned that the Greengrass family's first reaction to the articles against Daphne was to buy a significant piece of the newspaper. According to Daphne, they now owned seven percent of the Daily Prophet which was enough to get them never to mention the Greengrasses in a negative light ever again but not enough to have their star writer fired. Rita Skeeter's downfall would not be so easy, it seemed. Daphne's father, Daniel Greengrass, was meanwhile checking up on rumors that Rita Skeeter had a secret and illegal method of getting stories. No one seemed to be willing to say exactly what it was so far but the angered father was determined to find out.

Dumbledore had assured Harry that he had his own search for Crouch Jr going on, but they had not had any luck tracking him down. Likely, they decided, he was already back with Wormtail and Voldemort wherever they were hiding. And so, since nothing could be done, life returned back to normal. Or as close to normal as it could get.

Harry patiently waited for Charms class to end. Ever since seeing Professor Flitwick duel Barty Crouch Jr he had wanted to talk about it with his professor. Harry was still in awe of the speed and aggressiveness which the small man displayed during the fight and wondered if that was something he could learn. Finally, Professor Flitwick dismissed the class with a note that their essays on the Patronus Charm were due the next period. Harry grinned at that and wondered if he could get extra credit by producing one. As the rest of the class left Harry remained seated and when the room was almost empty he approached the desk where Professor Flitwick was still gathering his things.

"Hi, Professor. Can I talk to you for a minute?" Harry asked.

"Certainly, Harry. How are you feeling?"

"I'm great. It took a few days for the soreness to wear off but I feel normal again now." Harry explained truthfully. One thing he had not known about the Cruciatus curse until he experienced it was that the pain seemed to stay with you even after the spell was lifted. There were potions that could dull the pain, but only time could get rid of it completely.

"Excellent! Now, what can I help you with?" Professor Flitwick asked.

"Well, I've been thinking about the fight with Crouch Jr. I did ok, right up until the Crucio, but when you started fighting he didn't stand a chance. How were you able to move so fast and cast so many spells?"

"Ahh, I see. Harry, my proficiency in dueling is due to a combination of my own natural talents and decades of practice. I am sorry to say that there is no secret trick that will enable you to do it in a short amount of time. But I can help you to get started if you would like." Professor Flitwick offered.

"That would be great!" Harry said enthusiastically. "I'd really like to be able to move as fast as you did."

"That is one thing I can not teach." Flitwick answered. "It is not a spell that makes that possible. It is a natural skill that can be done without a wand, much like Animagus transformations or Metamorphmagus changes. I am what's known as a Curromagus, which is basically a witch or wizard that is able to use magic to boost their natural speed and reflexes. We are quite rare, although not as rare as Metamorphmagi, and a person is either born one or not. There is no way to become one."

"I see." Harry answered, the disappointment clear in his voice. "I guess that means I'm not one."

"It is unlikely, but still possible. The differences usually do not become clear until a wizard is a little older than you are now. I was 16 before I discovered the ability, although even before that I was aware that I had very good reflexes. If I were to suspect that anyone in this school might be a Curromagus I would suspect you, Harry."

"Really? Why?" Harry asked with a look of confusion on his face.

"Mainly because of the way I've seen you act during Quidditch. Your success in that sport is not due solely to your abilities to fly a broom, but in the speed with which you are able to react to Snitch as it changed directions. It is quite impressive, Harry, and one reason among many I wish you had been sorted into Ravenclaw." the small professor explained with a chuckle. "Wait and see, Harry. Perhaps you are a Curromagus, perhaps not. Either way you should remember that there is more to dueling than simply magical power. Honestly speaking, one day you will be a far more powerful wizard than I."

"Do you really think so?" Harry asked uncertainly.

"Of course. You are stronger than most, while I am merely average." Flitwick admitted.

"You have to be better than average, sir. I heard you were a duelling champion, that's far from average."

"Ah but you missed the point, Harry. What I meant was that I am not capable of putting as much power behind my spells as many other wizards are. Because of that it is much wiser for me to avoid spells in a fight rather than trying to shield against them. Due to my size and Curromagus talents I am uniquely capable of doing this." Flitwick explained.

"OK, I think I understand that. But how were you able to cast spells so quickly? Was that just another part of the Curromagus abilities?" Harry asked, surprised to be learning so much.

"Partly, but not completely. I utilize a talent that any witch or wizard can do but only professional duelers ever bother to master. It is a way of linking spells together so that your wand never stops moving. In order to link two spells together the last wand movement of the first spell must be the same as the first wand movement of the second spell. If they are, you can do the movement once when casting one spell right after the other. For instance, what is the last movement in the disarming charm, Expelliarmus?" Flitwick asked, reverting back to his teaching attitude.

"A full clockwise spin." Harry answered confidently.

"Correct! And what spell can you think of that begins with a clockwise spin?"

Harry had to think about that for a few seconds, but finally remembered one. "The body bind curse does."

"An excellent suggestion, and the one I was hoping you would remember. So using one movement but two incantations it is possible to quickly disarm and bind an adversary."

"Wow, that sounds really useful. Why doesn't everyone use that technique?" Harry asked.

"It takes practice to learn the skill well enough to get to the point where the increase in casting speed is noticeable, and most people that aren't professional duelers have no reason to learn it. Beginners often create what are called chains of linked spells and practice the same ones over and over so that they can use them in a duel. The problem with this is that an advanced dueler will see the first spell in the chain and know what is coming after it. Masters of the technique are able to create chains as they cast." Flitwick explained.

"You're a master, aren't you?" Harry asked with a knowing smile on his face.

"I am. And it took me decades to reach this point. If you want to improve you must practice, Harry. I have seen how easy the spells in this class have become for you, so you must be studying ahead of time. Tell me, how far ahead are you?"

"Either finishing sixth year or starting seventh in Charms, Transfiguration, and Defense. I guess I have been practicing almost non-stop since my name came out of the Goblet of Fire." Harry admitted.

"Your dedication shows. If I may make a suggestion though: don't neglect practice on casting speed, accuracy, and curse dodging. They are just as valuable as the number of spells you know and how strong you can cast them." the small professor advised.

"Thank you, Professor Flitwick. You've given me a lot to think about."

"Good luck in the tournament, Harry. I'll be cheering for you."

"Thanks! Bye, Professor." Harry said happily and turned to walk out the door. He had underestimated how much he could learn from his Charms professor and wondered what the other professors could teach him that wasn't normally discussed in class. The ultimate source of information would likely be Professor Dumbledore, but he always seemed to be busy with something although Harry still didn't know what the Headmaster's job really entailed. Professor Flitwick had given him some good ideas, though. Harry's dedication to improving himself had not wavered. In fact it was stronger now that he had tested himself against Crouch Jr and come up lacking. 'That won't happen again.' Harry thought to himself, strangely hoping for another chance to fight Barty Crouch Jr.

In another part of the castle, Draco Malfoy was plotting his revenge and thinking about his nemesis Harry Potter. He had disliked Potter since the day his offer of friendship had been rejected in favor of the blood-traitor Ron Weasley who Potter apparently wasn't even speaking to now. Over the years he and Potter had fought constantly, causing his dislike of the other boy to grow. This year had by far been the worst of them all.

When the Triwizard Tournament was announced Draco had loudly announced that he would have entered the tournament if it were not for the age line. The other Slytherins had nodded and agreed that he would have easily won it. His interest in the tournament would have ended there if Potter had not found a way to trick the cup and get into the tournament. After that everyone started asking him why he hadn't snuck into the tournament when Potter had been able to. It was yet another humiliation he had to endure at the hands of his rival. Worse than that was when Potter had shown up to the Yule Ball with Daphne Greengrass who was easily the prettiest girl in Slytherin. And as the prettiest Slytherin she was supposed to be his. Draco had approached her several times but been turned down each one. Pansy Parkinson, his date to the Yule Ball, didn't seem to understand why he was so angry when Potter and Greengrass showed up. Draco did not feel the need to explain himself to her.

The final insult had been finding Potter sitting at the Slytherin table and then causing him to get detention. It was all Potter's fault, just like everything bad that happened to him. His dominance in the school should be unchallenged, but Potter had prevented that. And so, Harry Potter would pay the price for his crimes against him. And if he couldn't get to Potter directly, he would have his revenge through Greengrass. She had also shown herself to be a thorn in his side and so deserved it.

'But how should they be punished?' was the question now on Draco's mind which was now drawing a blank. As he struggled to formulate a plan he grew more frustrated and angry, once again blaming everything on Harry Potter. 'You will pay, Potter!' his mind screamed, 'One way or another you will pay.'

Hermione finally found Daphne in the library after looking for her for almost an hour. 'Funny,' Hermione thought, 'that the last place I look for her would be the first place people would look for me.' As Hermione approached she saw that the other girl with with a couple of books open writing an essay. Daphne didn't look up until Hermione had sat down at the across the table from her.

"Hermione?" Daphne asked as she noticed her. "Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing's wrong really." Hermione answered, although obviously something was on her mind. "What are you working on?"

"The essay McGonagall assigned about the Third Law of Transfiguration. Looks like I only have four inches left, actually. Is that why you're here?" Daphne asked, still not sure why the other girl was talking to her. Daphne and Hermione had slowly moved from polite to somewhat friendly when interacting with each other during the practice sessions with Harry, however this was the first time that either of them had sought out the other away from that situation.

"No." Hermione answered and then leaned in towards Daphne, speaking softly so as not to be overheard for the next part. "It's about our training with Harry." At this Daphne puts down her quill and looks towards Hermione curiously.

"What about it?"

"I didn't tell Harry because he'd just say I was being ridiculous." Hermione started, seemingly very reluctant to admit whatever it was she was thinking about. "I'm not as strong you two, and I don't think I will ever be able to keep up with either of you." she admitted.

"That's not exactly true, you know." Daphne said thoughtfully. "There are some spells that you can do as good as Harry, maybe even better. You were the first one to pick up on those battlefield healing charms and the best with them."

"Maybe, but all of my attack spells are weak." Hermione said sadly. It was then that Daphne noticed tears in the other girl's eyes just waiting to be shed. "I just want to be able to help out Harry when he needs me, but I feel so useless."

"I know for a fact that Harry does not think you are useless. He depends on you more than you know." Daphne reassured her.

"He did. But not anymore, he depends on you now."

"I guess so, but my relationship with Harry is a lot different than yours." This response finally drew out a small smile from Hermione.

"And what exactly is you relationship with him?" she asked with a little grin.

"Let's stick with talking about you. You know that I am not trying to replace you, or ruin your friendship with him right?" Daphne asked.

"I know that, and I am not really afraid of losing Harry's friendship anymore. We've patched things up well enough. I just want to find a way to make myself useful. Every year Harry manages to get himself into some kind of trouble and most times he has had me and Ron to back him up. But Ron's gone now and Harry's problems seem to be getting bigger and more dangerous. Both of you have improved so quickly, I just wonder if he will even need me around."

"Don't be daft, Granger." Daphne said with a hint of annoyance in her voice. "Surely you didn't miss the lesson where we were told that all witches and wizards seem to have some branches of magic they are better at than others. So battle spells aren't your thing, who cares? Figure out what your good at and keep trying to improve."

Hermione seemed to think about that for a moment and then gave a little nod in agreement. "I suppose you're right. If nothing else I will be there to help him research whatever he is going to face. Thanks Daphne, I needed to hear that."

"Sure." Daphne shrugged and then went back to her essay. Hermione recognized that as the end of their conversation and left the table so that Daphne could get back to her essay. Hermione didn't know why she had originally thought it would be a good idea to ask Daphne about her worries but was glad she did. As she walked out of the library Hermione's mind was racing as it tried to think of ways to objectively determine what branches of magic she was best at. Pictures of charts and graphs showing the results of her experiments were already popping up in her head.

Harry sat at the edge of the lake getting ready to begin his first real underwater exploration. After hours upon hours of research he had determined that there was nothing in the lake beyond his capabilities to handle as long as he did not anger the Merpeople village. Merpeople had their own brand of magic that rivaled that of humans. No one was really sure which was better because there had never been a true war between humans and Merpeople. The fact that one lived on land and the other underwater seemed to keep them separate enough to ease any conflicts that might arise.

After casting a warming charm and the bubble head charm Harry dove under the water. He immediately noticed that the bubble head charm seemed to help his visibility underwater a little as if he had been wearing goggles. Still, the visibility was poor towards the shore but as he swam farther out he was relieved to find that it was improving. This part of the lake appeared to be calm and Harry took the time to stop swimming and observe his surroundings.

The lake was far deeper than he had thought it would be. The first fifty feet or so from the shore were shallow but that was followed by a steep drop that led to the main part of the lake. From his vantage point Harry could a large, dark shape gracefully moving in the distance and assumed it was the giant squid. Schools of fish were swimming away from the squid as quickly as they could. The floor of the lake was covered with green plants that swayed in the currents. Elsewhere, Harry could see the ruins of what was once an impressive stone building and he briefly wondered what had happened to it. He could not see the Merpeople village from here, but guessed that it would be in a deeper part of the lake in the direction the giant squid had come from.

Having no desire to meet the Merpeople yet, Harry began swimming in the opposite direction and continued trying to remember the layout of the lake. It was going to be much more difficult than he had anticipated, he realized, because the lake was far larger than he had assumed. Even if he spent all of his free time in the lake there was no way he could map out all of it by the time of the second task. Perhaps simply exploring the lake was not the solution he had been looking for. Frowning slightly, Harry realized he would have to start thinking of another way to ensure victory in the next round.

For the next hour Harry continued to explore, slowly coming to the realization that he much preferred life on the ground or in the air to that underwater. On the ground he could run and on his broom he could soar through the air at even higher speeds, but under water he was painfully slow. He attempted to use blasting hexes to propel himself forward but all that did was blow a hole in a nearby rock. He made a mental note to look up spells that would help him move underwater and continued on.

Harry was swimming through a deep valley when he noticed group of creatures approaching him. As they got closer he saw that they were Grindylows and there were four of them. The pale green animals have sharp green teeth and horns. Although aggressive on their own, it is as a pack that they become truly dangerous. Four Grindylows should not be ignored, but are not a real threat. That was when Harry noticed that the group of Grindylows in front of him was not his only problem. Four more Grindylows had managed to sneak up on him from behind. Harry cursed, wondering how he had let that happen, and then realized that he could hear very little of what was going on underwater. A fact that was probably made worse by the bubble head charm he was using. 'There's another reason to use the gillyweed in the tournament' Harry thought as he drew his wand and prepared to fight off the underwater beasts.

"Relashio!" Harry called, sending the revulsion jinx at the group in front of him. One of the books he had read recommended the jinx when fighting Grindylows but he was disappointed to see that the spell merely knocked them back a few feet and made them angry. Groaning at his spell's failure, Harry turned and sent a powerful banishing charm at the group behind him which knocked them back far enough so that he would have time to take on the first group. Those four angry Grindylows were rapidly advancing.

"Defodio!" he said, pointing his wand at one of the Grindylows. He wasn't quite sure what the gouging curse would do to a Grindylow and cast it more out of curiosity than anything else. He was quite surprised to see a large chunk of the creature's chest fall off its body as it briefly screamed before dying. 'That was a little disgusting...' Harry thought as he prepared to cast the next spell. A quick wave of the wand and a yell of "Diffindo" was enough to sever the head of another Grindylow leaving only six of them left.

Sensing that the other group of Grindylows had recovered from his banishing charm, Harry turned and cast "Expulso!" The explosion curse was surprisingly effective, taking out two of the Grindylows and injuring a third. The other Grindylow in the group seemed to realize that the battle had been lost and fled, taking along its injured fellow attacker with it. Harry returned his focus on the last two Grindylows to see that they were surprisingly close. Harry summoned a rock towards him and then banished it at the vicious little creatures head, knocking it out or killing it (Harry wasn't sure), as its friend reached Harry and bit into his ankle. Harry screamed in pain and then sent a "Reducto" at the animal which hit it in the chest with enough power to disintegrate almost half of its body.

As Harry cast a healing charm on his ankles he looked around the valley, surveying the damage he had caused. Pieces of the Grindylows were still floating everywhere and the water was pink with their blood. It was enough to make Harry feel a bit nauseous. All in all he had done well getting out of what was basically an ambush with only a few little bite marks. Even his spell variety was better than it had been against Barty Crouch Jr. Of course he had not been frightened today like he had been against the Death Eater, but perhaps it was also a sign that he was getting more and more used to fighting. He also felt a little more confident about the second task, knowing that a pack of angry Grindylows was one of the most dangerous things that a wizard could expect to find in the lake. 'I've had a productive day.' Harry thought as he began swimming to the surface, happy with the day's events.

Daphne found Harry shortly after he re-entered the castle from his trip to the lake. Harry was walking swiftly towards the Gryffindor dorms when she saw him pass by, though he apparently did not notice her. Grinning, she decided that simply calling out his name was too easy of a way to get his attention. When her silent sticking charms hit his shoes and pinned them to the ground Harry's eyes began darting around, looking for danger. By the time he noticed Daphne standing off to the side laughing he had already dispelled the sticking charm.

"Ten points from Slytherin, Ms Greengrass. There is to be no spell casting in the halls, you know that." Harry said playfully.

"Just checking your reflexes, Mr Potter." Daphne answered as she walked towards him and took his arm. They had taken a few steps when she stopped and sniffed the air. "What is that smell? What have you been doing all day?"

"I've been in the lake for the last few hours actually. As for the smell, I suspect it might be Grindylow guts. I was actually on my way to get cleaned up."

"You obviously need it." she replied. "So, how did the first time under the lake go?"

"Pretty good, but I think the gillyweed will definitely be a better solution. I can't hear or smell anything with the bubble head charm, I won't have that problem with gillyweed." Harry answered as they continued walking. "Plus gillyweed is supposed to change your hand and feet to make them better suited for swimming. I am going to have to look for a spell to increase my speed under water if that doesn't work."

"I see. What about mapping out the lake?"

"It's too big. I'll keep going down there and learn the major landmarks, but I won't have time to do more than that. I need figure out where they are going to hide whatever they take from me." Harry said, still a little frustrated that his original idea didn't work out.

"Or a way to find it..." Daphne said as a thought struck her. "There might be a way to do that, assuming you can figure out what they are going to take. Think about it."

"Alright. Are you still interested in coming with me next time?"

"Yes, assuming I don't end up smelling like you." she answered, smiling. "You need to talk to Hermione."

"Why?" Harry asked, wondering if his friend was in trouble.

"Not my place to say. Just do it." Daphne commanded. Harry nodded, hoping there wasn't a problem.

"I will." Harry promised. "Hey Daphne, next weekend is a Hogsmeade weekend and I was wondering if you would like to go with me."

"A second date then Harry? My, I must have made a good impression." Daphne said while Harry blushed. "Of course I will, Harry. I'd kiss you, but I have no desire to let that smell taint me. Go get cleaned up first."

"Great!" Harry said, now sporting a huge smile. "See you after dinner, ok?"

"Sure, now go. Your stench is making me sick." she joked as they both turned and went their separate ways. Neither of them had noticed Draco Malfoy standing in a nearby doorway listening to their conversation. Nor had they seen him grin as an idea began to form in his mind.

Author's Note:

I've got to say thanks to all of you who have been kind enough to correct my mistakes, whether that is on the spelling of Moody's name or reminding me of the difference between slander and libel. I do appreciate it very much. I hope you keep reading and commenting.