CHAPTER 10:

A SIRIUS ATTEMPT AT SABOTAGE

Barty Crouch Junior found himself enjoying the role he was playing as Mad-Eye Moody. How much of a delight it was to fool that antediluvian fogey Dumbledore, and put the fear of a paranoid ex-Auror into the traitors Snape and Karkaroff. And, of course, to turn the son of that coward Malfoy into the Incredible Bouncing Ferret. Oh, what fun that was. If only that dried-up old hag McGonagall hadn't come along and spoiled his fun!

Of course, he had a serious task to perform. His master had been most adamant that it was Harry Lupin, rather than Charles Potter, he needed for the ritual to create a new, powerful body. Hence why Barty put in Harry's name into the Goblet of Fire. The magic of the Goblet meant that, even if his name had been changed, the intent of the one who put the name into the Goblet was everything. So the boy born under the name of Harry Potter would be entrapped into this.

That Charles' name came out as well as something of a surprise, but hey, it looked to be a good chance to humiliate the spoilt little porker as well. Though to be fair, Barty was actually impressed at how competent Charles was in Defence Against the Dark Arts. It seemed that he wasn't just a brat coasting on his reputation, as Snape was wont to complain, but a half-decent wizard. He'd certainly be capable of facing off an adult wizard in combat.

But his brother…While he hadn't been present at the Weighing of the Wands, he had seen the aftermath, and had also seen at dinner Harry, his parents, as well as that group of aliens that included a little sister and three lovers. He had to admit, they were beautiful women, and what's more, they were more interesting than Veela. And that mask illusion he had heard Karkaroff speak of in fearful whispers, the one that the Asama woman had used…now that was intriguing. And the boy wasn't afraid or arrogant. He was assured and confident, and Barty knew why his master had chosen Harry instead, and not just because Harry was actually the Boy Who Lived.

Still, his orders meant that Harry would need to be kept alive, and he was almost certain that Sirius Black and James Potter would try something during the First Task. Which meant that he needed to truly emulate the man whom he was impersonating, and practise constant vigilance. No, no no no, that wasn't right…CONSTANT VIGILANCE! Roared at the top of his voice like Brian Blessed on a megaphone.

He watched as Harry, along with the werewolf, the Asama woman, and the Sekirei with Harry approaching the arena, with the younger girl staying between them. So too was that Blood Traitor Tonks and a silver-haired young man, possibly another Sekirei. As they approached Barty, he gave a forced grin. "Quite the entourage, Lupin," he said, speaking to Harry rather than Remus.

Harry shrugged. "They're family. You must be Alastor Moody, right? I've heard a lot about you."

"I'm sure you have, lad," Barty said, his eyes flickering over to Remus and Tonks pointedly. "You ready for this?"

"As ready as I can be," Harry said.

Barty grinned. "Good answer." He indicated a tent at the edge of the arena. "They're waiting for you there, Lupin. Champions only past this point."

The boy nodded, and headed to the entrance of the tent. Lupin came over, and said, quietly, "Are you keeping an eye on James and Sirius?"

"You expecting trouble?" Barty asked.

"Of course I am. James and Sirius were always sore losers."

Barty nodded. "Looks like I rubbed off on you and Tonks there. Don't worry, making sure your son gets through this Tournament is paramount for me." Which was nothing less than the most literal truth. Of course, Harry living beyond that was another kettle of fish entirely…

Harry found himself feeling a little lonely, even isolated, without his Sekirei. And, of course, there was the fact that he was about to face a fucking dragon. That was a task and a half even for an adult wizard. To send those who were doing their NEWTS or the equivalent thereof was even worse.

He also found himself in close proximity to his half-brother. That was all kinds of awkward right there. Though his glare was mitigated by the friendly nod of Cedric, the rather curt but courteous nod of Krum, and the more enthusiastic greeting of Fleur Delacour. "Ah, good afternoon, Harry. Are you ready for this?"

"As ready as I can be. You guys all know what we're up against?"

After a moment, all four of them nodded. Cedric indicated Charles. "Charles told me. I also got that letter later."

"Oh. Well, thanks Charles," Harry said.

Charles merely scoffed contemptuously. "And how did you find out about it?"

Harry, bristling a little at the attitude he was being given by his younger half-brother, merely rolled his eyes, and said, "Muggle technology is a wonderful thing these days. I just hope that you have what it takes to survive this. You shouldn't be in this Tournament."

"Neither should you. At least those Sekirei are unable to help you with these Tasks," Charles said.

"Here's the thing, little brother," Harry said, emphasizing the phrase. "I don't need their help. I worked hard to get where I am, not have it handed to me on a silver platter. I sincerely hope your father trained you well, because you'll need it to survive."

Charles sneered, before he turned away. "You should be worried about your own back, Lupin. Especially as your harem's not here. Or the werewolf."

"Enough of this," Cedric said. "Charles, behave yourself. And Harry…try and act like you're representing another school, please?"

Harry rolled his eyes, before gesturing to Fleur. She nodded, and walked over with him to a corner of the tent. "I'm sorry I didn't catch up more earlier," he said quietly. "How's things?"

"Bearable," Fleur said quietly. "I would prefer to be back at Beauxbatons. And what they have us facing…ugh, I wish I could set Bagman on fire."

"So do I," Harry said quietly.

"Your Sekirei…they are in the audience? Along with your family?"

Harry nodded. "We'll let you catch up with them afterwards. Assuming we don't get immolated."

"Do not remind me, s'il vouz plaît," Fleur said with a scowl.

Any further discussion was finished when Bagman came in. "Ah, so we're all here? Good-oh! Time to fill you in…"

Bagman didn't really tell them much more than they knew already. They had to draw a figurine of a dragon from a bag, and their task was to retrieve a golden egg. Some minutes afterwards, they were allowed to select their figurines, each with a numbered tag around the neck. Fleur drew first, and got a Welsh Green with the number two on it. Krum got the Chinese Fireball with the number three on it. Cedric got number one, attached to a Swedish Short-Snout. Charles got a Norwegian Ridgeback with a four on it. And Harry, with a sinking feeling, got number five: the Hungarian Horntail.

Shortly after the drawing, Bagman asked Charles to have a word with him outside, and Charles, confused, did so. "Is he going to cheat?" Cedric asked.

"I dunno," Harry said. "He certainly wasn't expecting Bagman to take him outside. Personally, if I were him, I'd take any tips he was offered. He's fourteen, Cedric. Even at our ages, we're hard-pressed to deal with a fucking dragon."

"You don't want to see him dead?"

"Not Charles, no…"

Charles re-entered, looking annoyed. As time went on, whistles blew to notify each Champion when they were supposed to leave the tent. All Harry could hear was occasional commentary from Bagman, and the cries of the crowd, and occasionally, the roar of a dragon.

Soon, only he and Charles were left. The tension between them was thick. Then, finally, it was Charles' turn. He merely turned to Harry and said, "I'll show you how a true Potter does it."

As he strode out, Harry scowled. Spoilt little shit, he thought. But that was the only thing he thought before he heard a pop from behind him. As he whirled to react, the last thing he saw before he suddenly fell unconscious was a House Elf…

Barty blinked. He'd been keeping an eye on Harry, albeit from outside the tent, intending to make his way to the medical tent when it was finally time for Harry to undertake his task. Moody's magical eye, however, showed what happened. A House Elf appeared behind Harry, stunned him, and then disappeared with Harry in tow. The kidnapping was over in but a few seconds.

Barty had to admit some grudging respect for whoever planned this. Probably Black: Potter didn't have the nous to do something this simple but effective. Take Harry away somewhere where he wouldn't be able to complete the First Task, sit back, and let his magic simply go away, and with it, his life would probably go with him.

The problem was, doing this was not an option. Harry Lupin needed to be kept alive and magical. His master would refuse to accept any other option.

Should he notify Dumbledore or someone else? No, that might alert Potter or Black or whoever the kidnapper was. No, Barty had to do this himself. But how could he find Harry? He could be anywhere. Though he'd bet on somewhere in Hogwarts.

Of course, he was on a time limit. Charles would finish his bout before long, and he had no way of knowing whether he could reach the castle, let alone find Harry and fetch him back in time. In fact, he saw Charles' broomstick (it had to be a Firebolt) flying overhead, summoned by a Summoning Charm. He'd given the fat brat a tip, gratis, to play to his strengths. And the brat was a decent enough Seeker, apparently.

It took some time for Barty to realise he had a possible way of getting Harry back. It was risky, it could mean blowing his cover, but he had to try. It was his best option, frankly. Hell, it was the only option.

"Winky," he growled out, hoping beyond hope that his father's House Elf would respond to him.

And then, with a pop, she was in front of him. She squeaked when she saw him. What was more, he was sure she recognised his magical aura. She had spent so much time around him, after all, feeding and caring for him. House Elves had to be able to read magical signatures, after all, to home in on their masters. "Master Barty?" she asked, hesitatingly. Thankfully, she was keeping quiet.

"Winky…can you find Harry Lupin?" Her eyes widened, and she began to shiver. Barty realised she must have been the House Elf he had seen. "Winky…did you kidnap him?"

"Winky had orders…Master Black tolds me to. Harry Lupin is in Come and Go Room, sleeping," Winky said, wringing her hands.

Barty scowled down at her. "Do your loyalties lie with me, or with Black?"

After a moment, Winky said, "You is my master, Master Barty."

"Then fetch Harry Lupin here. I will do the rest. And Winky? Will you be my House Elf once more, even if you work for Black?"

Winky nodded vigorously. She then disappeared, before reappearing with Harry. She then disappeared again. Harry was comatose. Barty said, "Go to the DADA classroom, Winky. Open the trunk to the trunk containing the real Moody. Wait for me there."

Winky nodded again, before disappearing. Barty then picked up Harry and dragged him to the first aid tent…

McGonagall, who was watching on as Pomfrey administered the antidote, asked, "Are you sure that's what happened, Alastor?"

"I saw it with my eye, Minerva," Barty said. "A House Elf kidnapped him, and I got one of the other ones to bring him back. They found a discarded Draught of Living Death bottle next to him."

"Who do you think caused such a thing?"

"Potter or Black," Barty scowled. "Potter got humiliated by that Asama woman twice."

"But surely James would not stoop so low as to commit homicide, even by proxy!" McGonagall said, not truly out of any loyalty to him, but rather, just disbelief.

"He nearly got Snape eaten by Lupin," Barty pointed out. "During his school years. Homicide by proxy comes naturally to him."

McGonagall thought about it, before nodding slowly. "You have a point, though I sincerely hope you're wrong. Is there any proof?"

"I doubt it. House Elves are good at cleaning up after themselves. It was lucky they left the bottle," Barty said, as Harry revived.

"What happened?" Harry demanded.

"Easy, lad. A House Elf jumped you. Thankfully, I asked one to look for you. I'd better get you back to the Champions' tent…"

People would remember Harry's performance. Oh, they would remember the other performances of the other Champions, which were all very exciting. But when he finally emerged from the Champions' tent, facing down a Hungarian Horntail (with James and Sirius astonished that their plan had failed, and left with the desperate hope that the dragon would eat him), people didn't expect what happened next. Well, except for Harry's family and Flock.

A strange, dark miasma filled the arena, along with a feeling of dread and fear. And then, a massive, demonic mask appeared. The dragon, upon realising it, shied away, the once-aggressive nesting mother staring horrified at the apparition before it. More than a few audience members soiled their robes. Including James Potter. And Bagman and Karkaroff.

Harry merely walked over to the nest, plucked the golden egg from the dragon's nest as it shied away from the Hannya mask, and walked unhurriedly away. But as he reached the arena, he turned, and faced the audience, looking at one member in particular, meeting the hate and fear-filled hazel eyes of James Potter. And then, he looked over at Black, who looked back at him almost impassively.

Harry knew that the House Elf had been sent by either Potter or Black. He couldn't prove it, but he knew it. The glare he sent at them said, I know what you tried to do. There will be a reckoning. He then made his way to the first aid tent, their attempt at sabotage thwarted. But only this battle had been won. Not the war. Not by any means…

CHAPTER 10 ANNOTATIONS:

So, there you have it. Barty managed to thwart Sirius' attempt at killing Harry. Trying to think of a way to resolve this little sabotage attempt took a while, until I found the simplest solution.

As for how Harry bypassed the dragon…well, given his mother, how else would he have done it?

Before I go onto the reviews, I'd like to take a moment to give a shout-out to my latest Sekirei fic. Many of you will have seen it already, but I did the first marked crossover between Sekirei…and Pirates of the Caribbean. No, really. Minato is the reincarnation of Captain Jack Sparrow. It's called Yo-Ho, Yo-Ho, An Ashikabi's Life for Me.

Review-answering time! A number of you praised me for my complex take on the WBWL character. As you saw in the chapter above, Charles is still antagonistic towards Harry, and somewhat petulant and selfish. They're not going to be friendly with each other for the foreseeable future. But unlike most WBWL OCs, this one is at least not a caricature or stupid character. James has more of the traits of most WBWLs than Charles.

DalkonCledwin: I'm pretty much committed to the Shin Teito spelling here. I'm changing it for future Sekirei fanfics. As for Miya and Remus, well, maybe it isn't, but this is fanfic. Fleur won't be an addition to the harem. As for Moody being like Frankenstein's Monster, of course I didn't mean the version from the Nasuverse!

No numbered annotations this time.