Chapter 13 – –Preface to a tournament
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The next morning at breakfast the doors the Great Hall open to the head of the DMLE and two Aurors. I with my three wives immediately stood up as Madam Bones indicated that we should follow her. Dumbledore tried to run interception but apparently Madam Bones won the discussion by leaving the two Aurors to discuss the current heat wave. After we had entered an empty classroom my wives sealed the door and erected a silencing charm while Hermione took out paper and pen to take notes.
While I saw that Madam Bones had taken note of their actions she turned to me, "What is of such importance that required my immediate attention Lord Potter?" I was happy to see the use of my formal address which indicated she was taking this seriously.
I took out the Marauders map and began my presentation, "Madam Bones this is a map of Hogwarts and I will swear on my magic that this map never lies. When you entered the Great Hall did you notice Alastor Moody? "
"Indeed I did Lord Potter, Alastor is hard to miss even in a crowd."
"Good! Now if I can draw your attention to the upper floors you'll notice that the map indicates that Mad-Eye is in his office. Extremely fast for a person with a wooden leg I would assert. Now drawing your attention to the Great Hall I believe you find that this person is supposed to be dead. The person in the Great Hall is an imposter who takes his hourly drink from a flask containing the poly-juice potion; the ball is in your playground Madam Bones."
/Scene break/
That afternoon, the rumor mill raged. "Harry I hear that the odds on bet is that Dumbledore had called Mad-Eye to his office to discuss security for the first task. When Mad-Eye entered the office he found Dumbledore and six hit wizards." Colin gushed.
"I heard had he made it back down the stairs he would've found a dozen Aurors." Dean added.
"I heard that the phony Mad-Eye was said to have put up a furious fight but in the end he was stunned and escorted to the Ministry." Lavender squealed.
"Is a true that the real Mad-Eye was found locked in his own personal trunk that sounds really cool! " Colin added.
I was wondering if Crouch Junior would get the kiss this time while under the Minister's supervision.
/Scene break/
Later that afternoon Ragnot with an escort of six warriors entered the Great Hall and requested my presence. Dumbledore again tried to interfere but apparently was told to go kiss one of Gringott's Dragons.
Once we are all in the now sealed classroom and a desk transfigured into conference table, I start apologizing. "Director Ragnot I must apologize for interrupting your valuable time. I only needed some official documents to be created which I'm sure did not need someone your importance, so I must again apologize."
"Harry no apology is needed from the richest customer that Gringotts has ever seen. If you just asked for some Goblin for a little chat I would feel insulted that you had not asked for me personally. Those investments that you suggested have almost doubled our net worth; please what can Gringotts do for you today."
"I wish to establish several official documents that cannot be ignored, forgotten or circumvented."
"Easily done Harry, to what purpose?"
"I want documents for each of my wives absolutely not allowing them in the tournament in any shape or form other than a spectator."
"Consider it done and it will be sent to all parties concerned."
"Just make sure Dumbledore gets a copy. Now is there any money riding on this tournament other than gambling with the Goblins at Gringotts?"
"I have the feeling that you have some inside information Harry? Would you care to share as we have a couple of clans in France and Germany that we would like to extract a few galleons from."
"I would not bet on myself winning the tournament outright I would put money on my being the sole surviving winner. The first task is dragons, the second is to rescue someone from the bottom of the lake, and the third is a maze. However, I would bet heavily that Voldemort will be returning at the end of the tournament. However his return will not be officially recognized by the Ministry until about a year later. If you see any profitable bets in this information please include me as I think I have a galleon or two I can spare."
Ragnot is a Goblin and Goblins do not show emotions but Ragnot was obviously stunned as I said that Voldemort would be returning. Ragnot soon returned to a normal stoic Goblin and proceeded to try and return the favor...
"Do you have any information or thoughts over who will win the exhibition Quidditch games?" Ragnot asked.
"Ragnot what are you talking about? What Quidditch games? Dumbledore canceled all of the Quidditch matches for the year."
"The French Goblins are asking for wagers on the outcome of the exposition games being held at Hogwarts. The French Junior Quidditch League champions the Lyon Les Gones will play all four Hogwarts houses."
I really hoped it wasn't an insult to the Goblin nation but the girls had to help me off the floor as I was laughing so hard. As I returned to my chair Ragnot turned to my wives but found them giggling.
"Ragnot I had no idea but I wished to bet the maximum legal limit on each aspect of the games with my money." I borrowed a pen and paper from Hermione and passed my quickly scribbled note to Ragnot. Ragnot quickly scanned the note, looked at me and broke into the equivalent of a Goblin belly laugh while pounding on the conference table with both fists. So much for the stoic Goblin.
Ragnot's guards were from different clans within Gringotts. The more people betting with inside information could really louse up the odds. Betting was not done just on who won the game but the score, the name of the player who had the highest score or the player who had the most goal attempts. Goblins had a tendency to bet on every aspect of the game. So the slip of paper passed to Ragnot cut down on the spread of information.
/Scene break
By the next morning at breakfast I had hit with everything from threats, to the girls attempting to use female wiles on me, as limited as they were at this time. They wanted to know what Ragnot and I were laughing about. All I would tell them is they would find out once the tournament started. While I was in trouble the girls and I were both surprised as one Sirius Black, our new DADA Professor strolled in to the hall. By this time I was confused, the Lady with the staff said everything could change but in the end the future would not, yet here sat Professor Black. Rather than get a headache I decided to let the future sort itself out all by itself, there was enough going on at Hogwarts.
It wasn't long before Sirius asked us to stay after class..."I think it's best if you all would just pretend that I'm just a Professor here and not your godfather Harry. Dumbledore has me involved in the Order of the Phoenix so it would be best if the majority of the school doesn't connect us with each other. There are people coming from the other schools that could use our relationship against us or link it to the wrong people."
/Scene break/
The Beauxbatons Institute and the Durmstrang Academy arrived and as in my memory, they arrived in the flashiest style to impress the English students.
From this point on the students and the rumor mill ran amok. Many of the male students were drooling behind the Veela while the females were drooling after Krum. The rumor mill had a daily update on the latest student that had a new plan on how to impress and attain the undying love of their chosen one. Both Fluer and Krum were too aloof to be bothered by the common peasants.
About that time Mr. Bartemius Crouch, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation was introduced by Dumbledore as part of the tournament. He was accompanied by slender male redhead who appeared to be part of the Weasley family. I was kind of scratching my head because they had just haul Crouch's son out of here in handcuffs.
"I would like to inform all of you Quidditch fans while Hogwarts intramural competition has been canceled there will be Quidditch." A great roar came from all four tables. "I'm happy to announce that this year's French Junior league champions, the Lyon Les Gones Quidditch team will play each of our Houses Quidditch teams for the tri-wizard Quidditch championship." The Great Hall erupted into applause and anticipation.
/Scene break/
So life presses on and Dumbledore introduced the Goblet of Fire and announced that those interested had twenty-four hours in which to put their name in for consideration.
This of course was the start of the many students multiple attempts to beat the system and Dumbledore's age line. It was kind of funny to see some 15-year-old walking around sporting Dumbledore's chin beard. Alas the night came for the drawing of the three champions that would participate in the tri-wizard tournament.
"Nice theatrics that, dimming the lights so that those blue-white flames of the Goblet really stand out." Hermione whispered.
"That's Dumbledore for you; always make himself the center of attention, a showman to the end."
With Sparks and a red flame the goblet belched up a piece of paper which Dumbledore snatched from the air causing a collective gasp across the hall. Viktor Krum of Durmstrang was followed by Fluer Delacour from Beauxbatons and finally Cedric Diggory from Hogwarts. I just couldn't pass up the opportunity. I leapt up onto my seat...
"Wait for it everybody!" I said loud enough for the hall to hear. "The idiocy is not over with yet! I didn't put my name in that stupid Goblet but just watch the spectacular about to unfold! Here Yee, Hear Yee, the fourth champion cometh." A charred piece of parchment fluttered out, atop the red flame, which Dumbledore snatched and a second later announced, "Our fourth champion is Harry Potter."
This was not a shock for my wives as I had previously previously prepared them for what probably would and what was going to happen throughout the tournament up to and including Voldemort's return.
In the trophy room Crouch briefed the champions but insisted that this was a binding magical contract for all concerned, so I asked, "Mister Crouch, what are the rules in this tournament?" As I asked the redhead who was accompanying Crouch gave me a dirty look.
"Mister Potter the only rules are that you will enter each event by yourself and accompanied only with your wand."
"So what is each task or event going to consist of?"
"You will be given the information necessary at the appropriate time. Not that a child such as yourself would ever have a chance in this tournament." The redhead pompously answered.
The lack of information started the yelling and screaming, accusations and name-calling, not to mention that Hogwarts had two champions. The two school heads grabbed their champions and angrily left the room. Again I could only try, so I just asked Cedric for a private word before he left the room. I was stuck with a binding contract but this was my attempt to help Cedric.
"Cedric you really don't know me but I need to give you some information and I hope you take the last part to heart. Our first task is to get past a Dragon and get a golden egg. The second task is in the lake to rescue someone dear to you. Once you've done these tasks I hope you will recognize that I'm not making things up and trying to stop you from winning. I have a warning for you. Call it a prophecy if you will, but if you touch that tri-wizard cup in the third task your dead five minutes later." I had done what I need to do so I turned and headed out the door with a clear conscience. Regardless of what he felt or thought of me or my information I could now enjoy the tournament. Now all I had to do was face the rest of the students in Hogwarts.
To say that I was not in a good mood would be minimizing how I felt after coming out of the room I ran smacked into Draco Malfoy. He had the knack to aggravate my emotions the longer he stayed in my presence. The hall was still full of people expressing their opinion over what had been announced and the selection of a fourth champion. Draco hadn't seem to learn not to push me and hurried to engaged his mouth.
"Potty is trying to impress his sluts. You think his whores can meet my needs after he gets killed trying to be a tournament hero... 'SPLAT!' This time I was sure I broke his nose.
"Potter this time I'll have you expelled!"
"Snivelus, I don't think you have neither the balls nor the authority to even talk about expelling me so why don't you go slither back into your dungeon and stick your head in a cauldron." Silence fell throughout the Great Hall.
"Why you little snot I'll have you for that insult." Snape was a bit upset.
"All you will have is the back of my hand. I'm tired of your stupidity, your insults and your incompetence as a teacher. As I said earlier go away little boy and go bother your real master." What was Snape or the school going to do to me, give me detentions? I would ignore the detentions and then what would they do, expel me? That was one thing about binding magical contracts, anyone standing in the way of the contract's completion got zapped by magic.
Snape reached out an attempt to grab me but I just use my favorite wandless 'Depulso' which knocked him backwards. I was really tempted to put a little power behind my spell but I realized that I could easily kill using the power I was tempted to use. Whatever the Lady with the staff put in that potion was really increasing my powers so I had to put less and less power to my spells.
Needless to say we had not lost the attention of the students within the hall.
"I'll have you expelled for attacking a teacher a little smart ass son-of-a-B..."
"You can snivel all you want Snivelus but I can't be expelled because you see I am in a binding contract with this tournament so your insult time has expired, just leave."
Whether it was my hearing or what I could almost feel, Draco had stood and drawn his wand. As I glanced in Draco's direction I saw his two brain trusts had also drawn their wands along with two other Slytherins a bit further back from Draco. Snape drawing his wand started my fun and a little gratifying emotional release.
Snape fired a purple curse at me which I shielded so it reflected into Draco who started screaming as if in excruciating pain. I hit Snape with a 'Conjunctivitis curse' quickly before he could raise his shield. I've followed up by a slightly increased powered 'Engorgio' to where Snape's family jewels should be located before he could counter the first curse. The second spell was really intended to collapse Snape's shield which it did. His shield fell and a weakened 'Engorgio' hit Snape straight on his privates.
Nott's cutting curse I deflected back towards the Slytherin table causing an explosion of wood, plates and utensils. The second Slytherin, who I did not know, sent an S shaped 'Flagrante' which I deflected by overpowering and shaping my shield. The S burnt fairly deep in the Slytherin arm and started another student screaming in pain. Again killing is not my forte so Snape got a 'Incarcerous' followed quickly by a 'Levicorpus'. Snape it seemed was occupied with trying to reverse the 'Engorgio' spell and not worried about self-defense. Now that Snape was hanging upside down and totally at my mercy I couldn't resist and I sent my last curse 'Rictusempral'. Unfortunately the last curse seem to be defective as all that came out of Snape was grunts, growls and some other unidentifiable sounds.
Teachers within the great Hall could not ignore the attacks, as they usually did, and had stunned number of Slytherin students including Crab and Goyle.
I received applause, from the students, as I exited the hall and headed toward the Headmasters office, where I was going to end up anyhow. The Gargoyle sprang out of the way and I stomped up and into the Headmaster's office. I grabbed a pinch of 'floe' powder and called for Chancey, Cheatem & Hyde.
Fawkes flew to my shoulder and gave a short warble but said in my head, "Hatchling take a deep breath and relax. All you have done is defend yourself and embarrass your foes. I'm proud of you that you did not kill."
Dumbledore was saying something to the effect that by my actions I had endangered everyone. That the binding contract could have...which Fawkes and I were ignoring.
This time Lord Cheatem stepped out of the 'floe' and took quick statement from me and then immediately 'floe' called for Madame Bones.
When Dumbledore finally got our attention, " Harry I highly object to anyone charging in here and using my fireplace and by what authority do you Mister Cheatem call for the Head of the DMLE?
"From what little I've heard you have a number of students and a professor that are most likely going to be charged with assault on a Lord but I'll let Madame Bones sort that out."
Meanwhile in the Great Hall there was flying sparks, words and insults, it took quite a while for Snape to get himself back on the floor and his dirty underwear covered backup. Madam Pomfrey was doing a great job of educating students on the use of foul language while treating the injured students. It seemed the purple curse turned out to be quite a serious bit of dark magic and the school nurse was not at all happy. In the end my attackers were all either in holding cells in the Ministry or headed to the holding medical cells in Saint Mungo.
Dumbledore was stuffing lemon drops for a good part of the evening. Fawkes seemed to be chuckling as he sat on my shoulder throughout the time I was in the Headmasters office.