Too Much Variables

'O cunning Love! With tears though keep`st me blind,

Lest eyes well-seeing thy foul faults should find! '

After the first task I retreated to the chamber instead of going back into my common room. I knew it was rude of me to not to go to the party they had obviously prepared for me but I was not in the mood. Something was not right. Never before in the history of the tournament had there been a task where the champions had to face two Level Five dark creatures at the same time. It just didn't make sense. It was as if someone wanted a blood bath. And after that fiasco at the world cup that would definitely reflect badly on the ministry.

Yet someone caused this. Someone still hidden in the shadows. This tournament is a cleverly planned assassination attempt. But who do they want to kill? Me, Fleur or Krum? The Krum family had a lot of enemies; The Delacours had no shortage of enemies too.

I thought I had prepared for all possible scenarios. But too many variables had entered the play. It was as if someone had wanted them to enter. Someone knew I had plans, so they changed the game entirely. They changed the game because I had changed. This implied that someone close to me was an enemy.

A spy.

There was a spy at Hogwarts. A spy who knew I had changed long before the students knew. He or she must have been here during the summer or before the welcoming feast. The spy must have reported to his master about my odd behavior. It was no secret among the staff that I had been missing for most of the summer. But who? Who was the spy? Who was his master? Voldemort? It didn't make sense. If it was indeed Voldemort he would want to kill me himself. He would want the world to know that he killed me. But I'm making these all up on assumptions. Why? How? Who? When? I don't know.

Too many things. I need to take a step back and need to see the bigger picture. I can't do this alone anymore. I need more people. Compartmentalization of information, it was time for phase two. I let out a deep breath as I watched the giant squid swimming past my bedroom window.

"Again" I shouted as I picked myself up from the floor.

"You sure?" Cedric hesitantly asked.

"Again" I snarled. He shrugged and started throwing bludgeoning curses.

I twisted sideways to avoid the first volley. He increased the pace and soon I was jumping, crouching and twisting till one caught me in my ankle and I fell down again.

"Again" I snapped.

"What exactly are you hoping to accomplish, Harry?" He sighed. We had been doing this for an hour for the past two weeks. But nothing had happened yet.

"Again, Cedric" I snarled and ducked as he started firing curses. I focused on the constant pulsating sensation on my chest. I was trying to slow it down, to recreate what happened during the summer. Trying to slow time down.

"That's enough for today." Cedric said firmly as I was blasted off my feet once again.

I sighed and sat down on a bean bag the Room of Requirement had conjured at my request.

"It's not working. I can't unlock it this way" I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples.

"Maybe-

"You should-

"Try kissing –

"A girl" Two voices came from behind me.

"Oh, why is that?" I decided to amuse them. The twins often visited and helped us with our training. That or they just liked cursing me without the fear of me getting back at them.

"They say –

"Time stops-

"When you –

"Kiss a girl" They both made kissing sounds and duck faces.

I shook my head. "Did you get it?"

"Yeah, was a pain in the ass though" Fred said.

"Twenty points and one week of detention" George imitated Snape as he handed me over a fist full of gillyweed.

"Thanks, guys. We really needed it" Cedric said.

"What was the thing again?" Fred asked.

'Come seek us where our voices sound,

We cannot sing above the ground,

And while you're searching, ponder this:

We've taken what you'll sorely miss,

Just once you've stood, not eye to eye,

Now seek that bond, 'fore the end is nigh,

An hour long you'll have to look,

And to recover what we've took,

But past an hour – the prospect's black,

Too late, it's gone, it won't come back'

I recited the clue from the egg. It had taken only an hour for us to realize that the screaming was actually mermish. According to the British ministry, they were dark creatures and in preparing for the first task Cedric had came across them. It was obvious that we needed to go under water for the second task, but what the hell was the thing we would miss the most? What bond?

"You know, Percy might know something" George suggested.

"Yeah, we can threaten him "Fred added a little too fast.

"Or can actually-"

"Alright, we get it." Cedric cut them off.

"I need some fresh air, I'll be back in before dinner" I said and Cedric nodded before going back to practicing spells. The twins just went to their laboratory section in the room or as they liked to call it "Where things go BOOM", to invent something crazy.

I sat on the roof of the astronomy tower, watching the ground. The trees and grass looked impressive under the moonlight. I could feel my inner animal begging me to go for a run. I took a deep breath and smelled something pleasant.

"You are pretty good with disillusion charms" I commented to seemingly empty air.

"Not zat good if you were able to detect me" A musical voice replied me.

"Still spying?" I asked, without turning back. I had my wand in my hand though.

Fleur shimmered into existence. "Oui" She answered as she sat down, her legs dangling over the edge. A small wind caressed her silvery hair.

"You spent an awful lot of your time spying on me." I stated.

"Oh?"

"Yes. What confuses me is the why." I was gazing at the full moon. It shone brightly tonight, much brighter than I have ever seen before. Perhaps it was because I had never taken the time to notice it before.

"I'm sure zat you 'ave some zeories" She mused with that lazy tone she always uses.

"Oh, I have three theories. " I replied.

"Three?" She was swinging her legs back and forth.

"Yeah, the first one is that I'm the only allure immune person you have ever seen other than your father and that you are hoping for a strong mate in me," I said sarcastically and she snorted.

"The second one is that you are working for your mother," I turned to face her. She tilted her head. "And ze last one?" she asked curiously.

"If I told you all of my theories then I'll be at a disadvantage, non?" I smirked.

"You are an enigma, 'Arry, And I fully intent to solve you" She mused as she stood up to leave.

"Same to you, Fleur Alexandra Delacour" I said and she froze. Then she laughed.

"You do not know what you have just signed up for 'Arry" She said and left without another word.

"I do, and I hope it's worth the price." I sighed as I watched a cloud slowly masking the moon.

"Did you really need that much fresh air?" Cedric asked as I threw him a bag filled with food.

"Met Fleur " I shrugged. He raised an eyebrow. Man, he has that down to an art form. Believe me; I have tried to do it. If you don't believe me just try it. It's damn hard to raise just one eye brow.

"I hope you know what you are doing. You are playing with fire, literally" He conjured a thin flame so as to make a point.

"I told you, that story about Apoline burning a man to death is just a rumor" I said for what must have been the fourteenth time.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night" He shrugged. Guy battles dragons and cockatrices for thrill but is scared shit of a Veela. Granted, she may be the don of all of France, and may have killed thousands and …. Er, maybe, just maybe, he was right to be scared of her.

"How is it going with Susan and Ernie?" I tried to change the subject.

"Good. I'm like a brother to them. And I take that responsibility seriously, Harry. I want your word that when shit hits the fan they will be safe." He said seriously. He was all in for risking his life but was not so interested in risking other people's life.

"I am not Dumbledore, Cedric. I won't give you false promises. But I promise you that I'll do my best to protect them" I looked him straight in the eye. He's the only person in the world who can tell if I am lying.

"That's not enough, Harry" He said. But before I could reply he continued "I trust you. If you can't trust the person who you fought a dragon and cockatrice with, I don't know who you can trust. They trust me and I trust you. So I'll do what we have to do. But I need your word. Your word that you won't ever manipulate me" His fists were clenched.

"I trust you, Cedric. You have my word." I promised. We did not say anything for a long time.

"So, are you going tell me about your plans now?" He asked, finally breaking the silence.

"If you want to. But once I tell you there is no going back. You sure you want to know?"

He nodded determinedly.

Three hours later he was sitting there gob smacked.

"So, what do you think?" I asked hesitantly.

"Where the fuck do you come up with these things?" He was looking at me as though he was seeing me properly for the first time.

"This is just part one, Cedric. We are going to be here all night if I'm to explain everything." I shrugged.

"What happened to you down in the chamber, Harry?" He asked quietly.

"I can't tell you, Cedric. It was the worst and best days of my life. Kind of like the defining moment of your life. I don't think I'll ever tell anyone. Sorry." I apologized.

"I understand, Harry. " He nodded. "So, what's rest of the plan?" He asked, his curiosity getting better of him.

I smirked.

I sat down near Terry Boot for the breakfast. By now everyone had grown out of their initial surprise at me sitting at different house tables.

"Hello, Harry" He greeted me excitedly. Ever since the first task he had been begging me to tell him what spell I had used against the dragon. Thirst for knowledge was his weakness. Of course, considering that I needed him on my side that was an advantage for me. So I had told him that I would teach him in return for his help for the duration of tournament. I plan to make an ally out of him by the time the tournament finishes.

"Hi, Terry. How's it going with the spell?" I asked conversationally.

"Great. I finally broke it down to the basic structure. I'll need one or two days at most to do what you want me to do" He whispered the last part as many were not so subtly trying to catch what we were speaking. I had asked him to modify a spell for the second task. He took great pride in the fact that the Hogwarts champions had asked him for help. Cedric had been somewhat doubtful at first but after speaking with Terry for an hour he agreed with me on the fact that Terry was way beyond N.E.W.T level at spell crafting.

"Good. You are a lifesaver Terry. I'll owe you one if this works" I said graciously.

"Nah, "He shook his head."It's my pleasure Harry. I quite like experimenting with spells. Those books you gave me were more than enough."

"Am I interrupting somezing?" A sweet voice asked.

I turned around and saw Nicole smiling apologetically. My smile became rather fixed.

"Bye, Terry. I'll speak to you later." I saw the twins looking at me and gave them a small nod as I motioned Nicole to follow me in to the entrance hall. It was empty except for the two of us.

"What do you want?" I asked coldly.

"I wanted to apologize to boz of you for ze manner –"

"Save it. Tell me what you really want." I cut her off. Her sweet neighborhood friendly girl persona was really pathetic.

"You seem to 'ave believed ze lies fed by my classmates." She accused.

"And you are denying them all?" I countered rather acidly.

"Non, not all of zem. I am ambitious. Zat means I did what I 'ad to do. But zat does not mean I am a complete bitch like zey say I am," She spat the last part. "After all, you must know 'ow eet feels to be labeled as dark. Nonetheless, I am only asking you to give me a chance to be a friend" She sighed.

My eyes narrowed for a second. She had obviously done her research well. She was acting in a manner that would have made the old Harry begging for forgiveness. She had skills. She admitted she had faults, and then asked me not to judge her.

"I'll think about it" I replied without any hint of emotion. She frowned for a second then smiled brightly.

"Zank you, I guess zats all I can 'ope for" She waved as she left the hall presumably towards the Beuxbatons carriage.

"Did you get her?" I asked turning around.

"One Weasley special listening charm planted successfully, sir" The twins saluted as they emerged from behind a tapestry covering a hidden passageway.

" How long will it take before it fades?"

"Twelve hours at best. We are still working on it." Fred answered.

"Just think about the things we are about to hear!" George wiggled his eye brows suggestively.

"Just tell me if you find anything interesting guys". I really did not want to hear what jokes they were going to come up with.

"Oh, don't worry dear. We'll tell you everything "Fred winked.

Oh, Merlin what have I created? I shuddered involuntarily.

I found myself on the Astronomy tower once again. I was too worked up. Frustrated. And I needed to calm down. There's nothing that beats the privacy and solitude of the Chamber but I've never felt more clear headed than in the company of a light wind and a wide, unobstructed view of my surroundings. Huh. Funny that. The two places where I feel most at home lie on two opposite sides of the castle.

I watched a raven lazily flapping about above Hagrid's chimney, unmindful of the cold. A plume of smoke rose over the hut and I could almost smell the tea and rock cakes baking over the wood fire from here. I hadn't visited him after the first task.

So lost was I in such ordinary thoughts that I barely registered the door opening behind me.

"Hey, Harry."

I turned around and saw her. The one who'd started off this whole affair. The one person responsible for all the changes happening in my life now. Her red hair fanned out in the breeze and I felt a flash of anger shoot through me. I turned away before it showed on my face.

"Hello, Ginny," A touch too frostily maybe. "What're you doing here?"

Staring at the grounds as I was, I didn't notice the look of hurt on her face.

"I dunno. Just needed a bit of light and fresh air I guess. It's just... There's... I dunno... Something about being surrounded by stone walls all the time... You know?" She was starting to blabber.

"Mmm" I grunted noncommittally.

"And then there're the dreams, you know? Just surrounded by stone, everywhere I look. Except at the edges. The cold and the dark, you know? And I hear this awful hissing all around.. ."

Huh. She's been having nightmares about the Chamber. I wonder if I should tell her I sleep in there.

"-then you were there and it all stopped and-"

By Merlin, she had a good set of lungs on her. Maybe I should interrupt sometime. I am still a bit pissed at her. A good rant ought to clear my head up beautifully.

"-just that I lost so many days in between and I don't even-"

Okay. That's it.

"YOU lost a few days? I lost a WHOLE BLOODY YEAR thanks to you. And what did everybody do? They just went on with their life"

Ooh this felt pretty good. I could see all the signs of approaching tears on her face. Just needed a little push.

"And for Merlins' sake girl, you grew up in a pureblood home. Didn't Mummy Weasley ever teach you not to write in strange books that write back? Didn't Daddy Weasley ever read to you bedtime stories about being POSSESSED?"

There we go. The first few salty drops splashed onto the stone floor. Ginny Weasley stood there looking absolutely stricken, almost unable to believe that I had this much anger in me. Truth be told, I didn't really. She was just a silly girl who was in the wrong place at the wrong time and all I could muster was irritation.

"You are solely responsible for the new me, do you understand that? Although... The best thing in my life happened that year too. And then I lost that too..." Damn. I'm tearing up old wounds again.

"Gah. Come back when you've grown more sense."

"I- I- I didn't- I'm so sorry, Harry..." She sobbed before turning around and running away.

Damn. I actually feel a little guilty. Shame. And I feel like blowing something up right now.

From the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of blonde. Looking down I saw something move by the Forest. A closer look and I felt an absolutely evil grin growing on my face.

'Well, well, well. I've been waiting to have a word with you, Malfoy'

I applied a cushioning charm on myself and leapt off the tower. A silent stunner and presto, one blond ponce, ready to be served. I levitated Draco and started walking towards the deeper parts of the forest. Once we reached a part where trees for so dense that I could no longer see the sky I stopped. I drew a privacy ward around us to avoid unnecessary interruption. Then I bounded Draco to a nearby tree with conjured ropes.

"Wake up, wake up, Drakey poo" I shook his head with much more force than what was required.

He slowly opened his eyes and looked into mine. A full ten second passed before,

"POTTER! Release me now" He struggled against the ropes.

"Oh, Drakey poo. Now why would I do that?" I asked with a truly sadistic grin. His face paled as he realized the shit he was in. His eyes searched frantically for help.

"Release me now, Potter. Or I'll make sure you end up like your mudblood mother" He sneered. But his eyes betrayed him, they were full of fear.

"Tsk, tsk. Bad choice Draco. Especially considering that you can't run away because your legs are broken" I whispered.

"What are you talking about? My legs aren't broken" He sneered again.

"Oh? My mistake." I apologized and his eyes widened.

'osseus fragmento' Malfoy's cry would've attracted half the creatures of the forest if not for my wards. " Now they are broken. Sorry, Forgot to do it before waking you up" I apologized.

I had a truly dark being inside my heart filled with regrets, hatred and pain. A beast they created through years of abuse. And it was reserved for my enemies only.

I waited patiently till Draco stopped howling.

"You'll pay for that, you mudblood bastard" He spat at me.

"You never learn, do you?" I sighed as I broke his other leg. He howled again in pain.

"Whoops, I'm sorry Draco. Let me cure that" I waved my wand and performed the mending charm.

He let out a cry as his bones were mended. He was whimpering now, finally realizing the gravity of the situation.

"Let me go, Potter," He pleaded. " You know you can't get away with this"

"But I can, Drake. You see, you came to the forbidden forest by your own. I did not ask you to come; in fact nobody knows I'm here. I'm sure that the creatures in this forest would appreciate pureblood meat. Who'll know what happened here if you die?" He whimpered as he watched my cold smile.

"You don't have what it takes to be a killer" His eyes betrayed his brave voice.

"Oh, but I don't have to kill you myself. I just have to leave you here like this. Do you see that trail Draco?" He nodded fearfully. "That leads to an acromatula nest. You know what those are?" I asked pleasantly.

His eyes, if possible grew wider. "What do you want?" He whined.

"Sing, Malfoy. You are going to sing like a canary. You are going to tell me everything papa Lucy told you about the chamber."

He shook his defiantly.

'osseus fragmento'

"We are going to be here all night Draco. I'm just going to break your leg and mend it over and over again unless you tell me everything." I whispered to his ears as he cried.

"He-He told m-me the dark l-lord gave him a diary wh- which could open the chamber," He paused. I twirled my wand and he started speaking again "He said that he gave it to the smallest Weasly kid. That's all he said, I swear"

"You sure, Drakey?" I pushed my wand to his carotid. He nodded fearfully. I did a passive legilimency scan and nodded.

"Now, to the fun part of the evening" I bowed dramatically and he let out a whimper.

"I am going to ask you some questions and I'll break a finger for every question you don't start answering within five seconds. You got the rules, Draco?" I asked sweetly.

He gulped.

"That's five seconds, Drake." I shook my head as I broke his left thumb. He cried again. What a wuss.

"Yes, Yes, I get it, I get it" he shouted.

"Who gave you the idea to kill the elf?"

"Nicole, Nicole Du Couteau" He panted.

"The French witch?" I frowned.

"Yes" He nodded. I knew Malfoy never had that big a brain to plan something like that, But Nicole? Why? Moreover how did she know about Dobby?

"Start from the beginning" I ordered.

"She came to me after the welcoming ceremony. She asked me whether I wanted to get back at you. Told me to kill my elf just the day before Halloween and spike Bell's drink with a potion she gave me. "He answered as quickly and shortly as possible.

"And you didn't ask why?" The Malfoy I knew wasn't that big a stupid.

He frowned. "I trust her" He replied without any emotion. Then his fearful face came back. Then it clicked for me.

"Do you trust Nicole?" I asked.

"Yes" Again his face became expressionless for a second. A powerful compulsion charm, I realized.

"Did you meet her tonight?"

"Yes" he quickly answered.

"What did she want?"

"She wanted me to publically harass her in front of you." He has lost his will to fight by now. Coward. I wonder what he would have done if he were to spent an year with Dursley's.

"Draco, I could've gotten this information without inflicting pain upon you. You know why I didn't do that?"

He shook his head. Then remembering my instructions quickly answered, "No"

"I don't like you. You are just a bug under my boot, Draco. Know your place. I don't want to waste my precious time on something as unimportant as you. I don't make empty threats Draco. I am not the old Harry Potter. If you cross me I'll kill you. It's simple. You can understand that, can't you?" I said softly.

"Ye-Yes"

"Good. I know you are itching to tell me what your father is going to do to me once he hears this, aren't you?" I asked maliciously.

"No, No" He shook his head frantically.

"Perfect. Let's make an unbreakable vow on it, shall we? "

All hope left his eyes as he realized his situation. If he didn't agree I was going to leave him to his death, if he does then he will never be able to even lift a finger against me. Of course he did not know that I was bluffing. I may be cold, but I am not that cruel. But sometimes you have to be ruthless.

Draco was crushed psychologically and physically. He wouldn't even make eye contact. He ran as fast as he could once the vow was made. I sighed as I leaned against the now familiar tree and watched the calm cool surface of the lake. The lake looked like a giant mirror reflecting the stars and moon. I threw a rock and the ripple grew wider and wider.

"I am not broken" I whispered to myself. The viper tattoo on my shoulder flicked its tongue. Nicole wasn't a passive player hoping to gain advantage. No, she came to Hogwarts for me. She wants Draco to harass her publically so that I will be compelled to defend her. She was trying to use Draco to get closer to me. She wanted me emotionally unstable for Halloween. Halloween, the day the goblet selected the champions. Somebody had put my name on a parchment and made sure that I would be selected as a champion. So the conclusion?

Nicole de Couteau is a spy.

A spy who knew about Dobby. As far as I know only the Weasly's and Hermione knows about Dobby. So where did she get that information? That means she wasn't the only spy. Someone close to me is a spy. Nicole knew my behavior pattern, my weaknesses and knew how to exploit them. Fortunately for me, her data was on the robot, the fake persona that I had used for years. So it must have been someone closer to me, but is not close to me now. Yet they changed the tournament for me. That means they knew that I had changed but not how much. So there are at least two spies at Hogwarts. One of them is Nicole and the other is still hidden in shadows.

So Nicole is the key to solving the puzzle. And to solve Nicole I need Fleur. This just keeps on getting complicated.

"You know, life was so simple two months ago" Cedric said as he rubbed his eyes.

"You were the one complaining that it was too boring" I reminded him as I drank pumpkin juice.

"True," he sighed. "Then again, this is kind of thrilling".

"Only you Cedric, only you" I shook my head. It was two days after the "Draco" incident. I hadn't told him what exactly I had done. Just the relevant facts.

"All the professors checks out. No imposters. I don't know about Moody" Cedric said.

"You sure?" I asked.

"Yeah, look," He nodded towards the head table. "McGonagall always eat her toast before drinking the pumpkin juice, Snape likes to drink water before he eats, Flitwick places his fork on his right side, Sinistra holds the spoon between right middle finger and thump, Sprout likes to sit on that particular chair, Dumbledore likes treacle tart" he explained matter of factly.

"So that leaves Moody" I pointed out.

"Guilty until proven innocent, m'boy" Cedric imitated Dumbledore.

"Wait, The map" I exclaimed.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good" I whispered. Dots and lines started appearing on the parchment but to my disappointment sitting next to Albus Dumbledore was Alastor Moody.

"Well, there goes the imposter theory" Cedric summed up.

"Ha-Harry, Can I talk to you?" A hesitant voice asked. It was her.

"Speak, Ginny" I said, without any hint of emotion. I felt guilty about my earlier outburst.

"I am sorry, Harry I di-"

"Look, Ginny," I said as softly as I could "I am sorry for what I said. But everything I said, I meant. I don't hate you, but it would be better if you stay away from me. You bring up a side of me that I don't want my friends to see". Her eyes started watering up.

'Uh, oh'

"Look, I believe with time we can be friends, but just not now". She nodded and walked away as fast as she could. Her red hair fanning out as she walked.

"You lied" Cedric accused.

"Yes, I can never be friends with her. She sees me not for me but for the Boy-Who-Lived. She's living in a fairy tale, Cedric .I can never be friends with her. But she doesn't have to know that. Eventually with time she'll grow up. " I explained.

"You lied, Harry" He was too noble.

"Yes. Had I not, she would have broken down. Her mind works in a different way, Cedric. Had her Prince told her that he hates her she wouldn't have been able to handle it. A lie that hurts no one is better than truth sometimes." I sighed.

"Come on, We have a show to watch" Cedric shrugged and we both walked towards the ground were a crowd was gathering. I had told Malfoy to do the show today.

"-you French whore" Malfoy shouted.

"Why you little pu-"Nicole apparently was a great actor. But I decided to stop the drama.

"Hello, Draco" I said loudly. He paled visibly but remembering my instructions he started acting his part.

"Potter" he spat, trying to channel hatred but his eyes were full of terror.

"Leave the girl, Go back to your common hall" Nicole looked at me with wide eyes. 'She could give me a run for my money, she is killing her role'

"Yeah, Go to your hidey hole, Malfoy" someone in the crowd shouted and they started sniggering. One "When my father hears about this" and "You'll pay for this, Potter" later Nicole, Cedric and I were walking towards the beuxbaton carriage.

She kept trying to catch my eye but I chatted with cedric about how Ron tried to curse Malfoy with a slug vomiting curse. Of course I was saying it to gauge her reaction. Her eyes betrayed her. She already knew the story. But how?

"Zank you, Arry" She said graciously as she stepped into the carriage. Her body language made it clear that she was frustrated. She gripped the door handle a little too tightly.

" Don't mention it" I waved it off and started walking back.

" I don't like this" Cedric's face showed how much he hated her.

"Keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer. Know why?" I asked rhetorically. "So you can curse them before they can even raise their wand."

Cedric shook his head sadly. " I hope you know what you are doing, Harry"

" So do I"

A/N: Tada. What do you think?