Chapter Fourteen: Steam

Daphne had held Harry in that corridor for an hour or so, Mrs. Norris showed up at some point during their antics. The annoying fur ball was promptly stunned, silenced and then thrown into a closet; the one you needed to tickle to open. Harry honestly didn't even feel that bad about it, being that the stupid cat nearly got him killed his first and second year.

Running head long into a Cerberus and having a caretaker threaten to cut off your toes, was not a fun experience.

When the deadly duo parted, Harry went up to the Common Room passing silently through the restricted halls and using little back ways. Ducking a few Prefects, Snape and Moody at one point; Moody made a small jerk towards the Common Room, giving the teen a grin.

Harry slipped in through the Portrait, who was not happy at all to see him an hour after curfew but didn't complain. He really should have expected it, really should have just brought his cloak; Hermione was sitting in the normal lounge chair.

Glaring right at him.

"Lovely night isn't it?" He said rather calmly, noting there wasn't a single soul in the Common Room.

Hermione continued to glare at him for a moment "You have purple lipstick." She pointed to her lips, cheek and neck "In that order."

Harry gave a weak smirk, rubbing the back of his head "Turns out Daph, gets jealous." He laughed a little "Funny huh?"

"Mmhm." She closed her eyes for a few moments, then looked at him calmly; happily almost "Good, a little jealousy is wonderful."

"Er…What?"

"Just as long as she doesn't try to split you and me up, I don't care." Hermione said pulling a strand of fabric off her sweater "It's Halloween tomorrow, do you want anything."

Harry frowned, looking at her curiously "Why would I want anything?"

"It was the day your parents died." She deadpanned "It's always been rough on you."

The lines on his face went deeper "I'm fine…I just don't like thinking about it." He felt a flash of that night, the husband, nursery, red, green.

"You never told me what happened to you." She pointed out, crossing her arms.

Harry rubbed his neck again "Look Mione, this isn't really the best place for this conversation." He tried to get off track, to drop the subject.

"No, I think now is just fine." She locked eye contact with him "I managed to fine what a Horcrux was."

Harry froze, his skin visibly paled and his eyes grew wide. Just the mention of the sick word made a flash pass through him, the actions that Tom did he only saw the first one before his ring tightened.

He slumped his shoulders, looking over at her with a sad face "Mione…I really wish you'd have dropped it…" He said in a whisper.

Hermione glare grew colder "I can't believe you!" She promptly stood up and tried to throw something at him "Why is it so hard for you!?" She screamed at him, managing to throw a candlestick at him. "Why can't you ever just let me help you! Why?!"

"Because I am afraid!" He yelled back, throwing his wand out to forge a silencing ward; after ducking the object. "Mione, I'm afraid to pull anyone close to me…."

"Does Ron know about this…horrible ritual?" She spat out the words.

"No."

"When were you going to do it? Who was the sacrifice?"

"No one."

"Bullshit. Don't you lie to me Harry James Potter." Hermione stomped across the distance.

Harry glared down at her, his eyes alight and her's locked on with a cold rage "I wasn't going to make one." He spoke in a firm voice "Voldemort did."

Hermione recoiled a little, looking at him with confusion "Wh-How do you know?"

"I was one."

"The…The ritual…it wasn't meant for living hosts…"She managed to murmur after a moment had passed.

"Figured that out…"

Hermione didn't wait, she placed her hand on his forehead and then opened his eye with her fingers "So is this, what caused the changes?" She asked looking him over again.

"Not all of them." He admitted "My increase of magic was one yes…as was my increased in…"

"Personality shifts?" She questioned with a raised brow "I know your mask when I see it, and you've been wearing it a lot lately. Only when you're around Daphne, Sirius or I is it off."

Harry rubbed the back of his neck "You saw through that huh?" He said casually sighing "Damn…"

"What exactly is wrong?"

Harry paused for a moment, trying to word it properly "I have his memories…They are…under control." He said looking her dead in the eyes, trying to show that he was fine. When he really was on the edge, he felt Voldemort pushing on his walls every second; The Ring was helping but even that had its limits.

Hermione glared at him for a moment, and then nodded in acceptance.

"So you got the…abuse taken care of too? Explains why you're taller and more filled out?" She asked leaning on a chair.

Harry nodded in response, crossing his arms and looking at her.

Hermione gave him a weak smile "Good, that's good." She said before rubbing at her wrists. "….when you said extra project, you meant the Animagus?"

"I did."

"While I will not be participating in pranks, I would like to learn how."

"I said 'We' didn't I?" He asked with a grin "You've been a part of We since the Troll."

Hermione gave him a large smile "So what is Sirius like as a parent?"

"Terrible, Remus is the only one who actually tries."

"What do you mean?"

"Not that I'm complaining, some days you'll wake up with your hair pink or glue will be on the handles." He replied in a very calm voice "Then I retaliate with some tricks of my own"

The teen giggled a moment "Good, take the Mutt down a peg or two." She said brightly "Now I doubt I need to ask if you finished your potions paper?"

"Was done yesterday."

"Good. Now off to bed with you."

"Yes Mum."

"Prat."

XX~XX~XX~XX

Harry wasn't going to sleep that night, in fact he stayed up in his bed and glared at the Map. Staring right at the Goblet of Fire's location, watching at who might approach it in the dead hours of the night. He almost jumped when he saw himself slide into bed with him.

"Don't breathe a word, I'm exhausted." The Future self snarled.

"Yes Sir." He replied in a calm voice, reaching over for a glass of water.

"Grip from the bottom or you'll drop it." Came a sleepy voice.

"Thanks."

"Yeah, Yeah.."

Hours passed, no one in the room moved not even himself as he watched the map with careful eyes. It was around four when he saw someone's dot approach the area, it was Bartemius Crouch which he found very strange. The man stayed at in the area for a few minutes, then started to walk off.

Harry wanted to know where the man had come from, or at least where he was going. So he followed him, watching calmly and then with extreme interest when Crouch walked into the Defense room and was with Moody.

At Four in the morning? He didn't care how close someone was to being friends or even if they were related. That was ridiculous.

He filed it away for the moment, and continued to watch the Goblet of Fire.

It was around Six when his future self woke up "You need to go back, six turns." He spoke in a very tired voice "Then I'm going back to sleep."

"Should I say anything if I ask questions?"

"You didn't."

"Oh…Right…"

Harry fumbled with his hands for a moment before he pulled out the Time-Turner, he found it was safer around his neck and stashed under his shirt than in his trunk. He turned it six times and felt the word fall around him.

Then just like he'd done before, he slipped into the bed and glared at his past self "Don't breathe a word, I'm exhausted."

"Yes Sir." His past self replied reaching for the glass of water.

"From the bottom…you'll drop it."

After a minute a voice replied "Thanks."

"Whatever…."

Harry felt his past self stir for a little while, and then he was asleep dreaming about Daphne, Voldemort's memories and everything in between. The one thing that was not part of his dreams, was the Tournament; he wanted to be far away from the blasted thing.

Anything that was dangerous yet safe, he wanted to be far away from. Truth was better than sugar coated lies.

He'd always been an early riser, and when he felt the first ray of sun peeking into the day he woke. Rather tense and heavy, he turned to his past self "Six turns, don't worry."

"Oh…Okay, will I-"

"No."

"Oh, alright then."

After a few moments he felt the bed get lighter, and he rolled into the middle and went back to sleep. At least for a few more minutes.

After all, he had a sinking feeling about tonight.

XX~XX~XX~XX

Ron woke him up not long after his little nap, sleep travel or whatever you'd call it. The way the Professor's had been working them, he'd might start making a habit of using his Turner to his advantage.

So long as he didn't spook himself or do it in front of others; he should be fine. Hell Hermione did it for a full year, and he could guarantee that she'd met with herself.

The two boys, then Hermione when down in the Common Room slid into the Entrance Hall to examine the people putting their names into the Cup.

While Ron was talking with Seamus, Harry took his chance "I saw Crouch in here last night." He whispered to Hermione.

The girl raised her brow at him "So? He's a Judge right?"

"At Four in the Morning." He continued "And then he joined Moody for tea."

"Professor Moody? That is strange…" She murmured, watching as the door was thrown open by Fred, George and Lee.

"We've done it!" They shouted in unison.

"Done what?" Ron asked.

"Taken that age potion dung-head." Fred scolded his little brother "We're going to split that prize three ways when one of us wins."

Ginny's laugh could be heard behind them, Harry turned and saw she was with that Luna girl. "Come off it." She said loudly "You idiots can't fool that age-line."

"Watch us little sister!" George said boldly, walking up towards the cup and crossing the line. Fred took this as a good sign as he joined his twin, both howling in pride.

That was when they heard a hiss, and were thrown across the room. When the two detangled themselves from each other, they have identical snow white beards nearly reaching their knees.

There was a moment, before the entire hall was filled with laughter.

"I did warn you." Dumbledore's voice came from the entrance, he sounded rather amused with himself "I suggest you see Madam Pomfrey, She is already removing the beards of Miss. Fawcett and Mr. Summers…though I must say, your beards out do theirs."

Fred and George wore proud grins, as they stood up and headed for the door.

"I told you idiots!"

The twin winked at their little sister "No use in not trying!" They chorused, a spring in their step as they walked.

Harry shook his head, he'd give it to the pair that they were bold in effort. He walked into the Great Hall for breakfast, done with the cup for now. The place was as wonderful as it had been in the past, hundreds of jack-o-lanterns, candy bowls, bats and flying brooms. He really did love to hate this holiday.

He gave a wave to Nott, Davis and Sophie who gave him a wave back.

It seemed that most of the student body was concerned about who was going to be in the tournament. Daphne finally showed herself when they were eating, she promptly sat in his lap and kissed him right on the lips. Hard.

"Oi!" Ron's voice said loudly gaining everyone's attention around them. "What the hell are you doing?"

Daphne looked confused at the statement "Well, I'm kissing my boyfriend." She said innocently "You have dirt on your nose again."

"When did you two start dating?" Lavender asked with a glare, Ron started to angrily wipe his nose and glared at the pair.

Daphne turned and glared with those hard eyes at Harry "A few weeks, we wanted to keep it low…you know inner house relations and all.." He said rubbing the back of his neck.

"We just got tired of hiding ourselves from the public." Daphne refused to slide off Harry's lap at this point and took a strip of bacon from his plate.

"Women."

"Aw, you do care." She said brightly tucking her head under his chin.

Harry chuckled closing his eyes "Have for a while."

They could feel every eye on them for a little while, before the talking and discussions resumed.

"How'd I do?" He asked down to her.

"Eh, You could have done a little better." She said flicking his forehead with a grin "You took too long coming up with an excuse."

He rubbed his forehead "Menace."

"Hey Harry." Hermione said gaining his attention "Want to see what Hagrid's up to?"

Harry nodded after a moment's thought, they hadn't really visited the giant man since their work load increased. OWL studies, what a blasted joke; more like making sure the Hogwarts students didn't look like idiots to the other schools.

"You coming?"

"Yeah, why not."

Ron was glaring at Daph, who was to his right holding his hand as they exited the Hall towards Hagrid's hut. For a while they walked, getting closer before something just snapped "I can't believe you!"

Harry stopped, tilting his head looking at the red-head "You talking to me?" He said in a low voice.

"Yeah, I am." Ron said glaring "I was tolerant about you two being friends, but dating a Slytherin!?"

"Let me guess you think I'll need a shorter knife?" Daphne said with freezing cold eyes.

"This isn't the time!" Hermione snapped them, hitting Ron on the back of the head and then glaring at the other two. Both of them put their hands up defensively.

The bushy bookworm walked, more like stomped off towards Hagrid's.

"You think I'm a menace, that woman is scary." Daphne spoke after a moment.

"She has her moments…"

Harry was close enough to hear Hagrid when Hermione knocked "Bout time you lot! Thought you'd forgotten where I lived!" Fang was barking when the door was opened.

"We've just been busy Hagrid." He said regarding the large man for a moment "You look…nice."

Hagrid was wearing a brown furry suit, with a checkered orange and yellow tie. His hair was in what looked like two pony tails that was just dripping in axle grease, he didn't look…terrible over all it was just an odd sight.

"Oh, Er…Greengrass right?" Hagrid said to the girl who was regarding him carefully.

"Yes, Professor."

"Oh, you don't need to be so formal outside of class."

"Then call me Daphne." She replied, walking in with the Gryfindors "Cozy."

"I'll put the tea on." Hagrid said with a large smile.

It wasn't too long before they started to talk about the Tri-Wizard Tournament. "Just wait you lot, you'll love the first task." He said joyfully, then frowned at them "Now, don't you lot start asking me questions now either. Don't want ta spoil the surprise."

Harry held up his hands, smiling at his friend "Honestly Hagrid, I really don't care about the tournament." He said truthfully.

Ron frowned at him "Come on Harry, think about eternal glory!"

"I already have that, basically everyone knows my name. Hell more know about me than I do." He said rather dully "Unless all those, Biographies I read were lies."

Daphne and Hermione muffled their giggles and Ron just went silent.

XX~XX~XX~XX

Dinner was rather boring, you could feel the tension in the air and it was nearly thick enough to cut with a knife.

"Well, I believe the Goblet is finally ready to decide!" Dumbledore broke through their thoughts "When the Champions' names are called, I would like for them to come up to the top of the Hall, and enter the next chamber." He motioned towards the door "There they shall be given instructions."

Harry and Daphne were sitting at the Slytherin table, choosing to mess with Malfoy a little more than normal. They kissed a few times and fed the other, whispering and laughing. Best part was while it had been to mess with the blond ferret, it was completely natural.

Sophie and Theodore were trying to figure something out, looked complicated because Harry had never seen the normally quiet boy speak this much. Davis was just trying her best to tease the couple, though they both knew she supported them.

They were in the middle of being lip locked, when the champions had been called.

"For Drumstrang! Viktor Krum!" Dumbledore bellowed.

Then another few moments, they kissed harder "For Beauxbatons, Fleur Delacour!"

At the mention of Fleur, Daphne slipped her tongue along his lips and he let her in. "Hogwarts Champion shall be…Cedric Diggory!"

Harry wrapped his arm tighter around his waist, she had both of her arms around his neck and didn't look like she'd be going anywhere anytime soon.

Dumbledore started to talk about how they needed to show the Champions the respect and motivation they deserved through the tasks. Then Harry noted everything went dangerously quiet.

"Harry Potter."

That made the two of them pause, Harry opened his eyes and looked over at the Headmaster. Every single eye was on them, and the Elder was holding a slip of paper.

"What?" He said rather casually, raising his brow.

"Can…Can you come up here dear boy?"

"Er. No?" He answered "I was in the middle of something."

"I can see that, please. It will only be a moment."

"Why? What'd I do?"

"You entered yourself into the Tournament you dunderhead!" Snape snarled, a few murmurs of agreement went around.

"I most certainly did not." He hissed, stepping out of Daphne's arms. "You lot really think I'd like to be the center of attention for this crap?"

"What were you doing just now or this morning!?" Someone shouted at him.

"That? Oh that was just to piss a few people off." He replied rather calmly "You know, add a little venom in my morning coffee." Harry reached back and undid his ponytail, shaking it out "Now, I can say a hundred percent that I was only near that goblet once. When Fred and George threw their names in."

"He's lying!"

"Right, because a fourth year can break a mystical artifact and break an age-line done by Dumbledore?" He replied calmly "I have a wonderful Idea!"

Everyone was still watching his, he pulled his Holly wand from his pocket "How's this then?!" He shouted "I Harry James Potter. Do solely swear on my life and magic, that I did not place my name into the Goblet of Fire. So mote be it!"

He waited a second, then started to laugh "Hey what'd yah know, I'm still standing." His face went hard "Lumos." He whispered, the runes along his body were alight and the charm was huge. Cries of pain sounded around him, from the burning bright ball in front of him.

"So how's that!? You lot still think I entered my name into this?" He shouted, dispelling the charm "I have done a lot in this school, all of it against my damn will. I say no more, I AM NOT IN THIS."

"Harry..You have a magically binding contract on you."

"Do I!" He said brightly "Well then that changes everything! So here's what I'm going to do, I am going to sit down and continue to snog my girlfriend. While you do what you were going to do." Here he sat back down, his glowing eyes meeting everyone staring at him "Or, am I being forced against my will?"

"Harry, I must insist."

"Then I must insist that you shove it." Harry replied to the old man "I am not part of this Tournament, in fact I want as far away from it as possible."

"You are in danger of losing your magic Harry, your very life even."

"Well then, I guess I'll meet my 'MUDBLOOD" He roared making the ones that used the term flinch "Mother in the next journey won't I?"

"This conversation is over, Headmaster." Daphne said coldly "He doesn't want to participate and you can't force him."

"This is Mr. Potter's hand writing, if it was in his hand then it shows willingness." Dumbledore said calmly.

"Accio-Paper Slip." Harry said flicking his wand towards the Headmaster, the slip of paper flew through the air and into his grasp. He examined the slip carefully for a few seconds "This is a joke?"

"I'm sorry?" Bagman said confused.

Harry held up the slip "On my papers I write my name in the corner, using only one line." He explained casually "But on everything else I use two lines, and there is no school on this. It just says Harry Potter."

"He's lying." Snape snarled.

"Shut up Snivellus, I'm tired of hearing your voice." Harry growled with a glare at the man. That name made the Potions master's face grimace.

"Harry was with us all day." Hermione said from the Gryffindor table.

"It would have taken…." Nott's harsh voice whispered loud enough "A rather strong Confundus Charm to break through the Goblet…Harry what is the Confundus Charm?"

"I remember Snape raving about it last year." He said boredly "Something about making someone confused?"

Nott nodded "Precisely, what's the spell?"

"Confundus?"

"No, that's not it." He then looked over at Dumbledore "He doesn't know the spell that caused it, I doubt he put his name in it."

"This Tournament kills, someone is trying to get me killed." Harry said calmly "Shocker, so much for 'NO' Place safer! We get possessed Professors, Basilisks, Dementors. I swear to Merlin, this place is just one fucking accident waiting to happen."

"Potter!"

"It's the bloody truth though!" Ginny joined in "You'd think that the Teachers here would have better sense! Do you know what Dementors do to you, when you've experienced a lot? It's not fun!" A lot of people agreed with that.

"You also have to remember." Susan stood up, hands on the table glaring the front "Harry is already famous, he is already rich and his name is already in history. What more does the Tournament do for him?"

"He's a glory hound!" Snape called off.

"If that was true why didn't he boast about slaying a Basilisk?"

Everyone went silent, and turned to the dirty haired blond with wide silver eyes. "What?" She asked simply "It only made sense for Slytherin's greatest weapon to be a Basilisk, ageless and lethal to everything."

"Well said Luna." Ginny said gently.

Sophie was tugging at her shirt sleeves "Harry isn't the type to lie…he's a very kind person…I heard he owns up to his mistakes…." She said in a very soft voice.

"I'm going for a little moon lit stroll." Harry announced, standing up kissing Daph on the cheek before walking towards the doors. "Just try and stop me." He mouthed to Dumbledore.

The whole hall was very quiet as the main Professors and Head's went into the side room.

XX~XX~XX~XX

Harry made his way through the Whomping Willow passage and into the Shreiking Shack. When they'd decided to make this their base of operations, Harry placed his 'Steam' gear in hiding here. When he approached the table he saw a file on it, a simple message of 'Call me.' On an index card.

"Padfoot." He whispered into his Mirror.

His God-Father showed his face after a few moments "Ah, the Vigil returns."

"Shut it." He said harshly "I'm starting tonight, this night holds more weight than any."

Sirius' face grew hard "It does. Eric Schin, he's from the German area of Wizards and was a finical backer of Voldemort." He explained as Harry went through the files "I noted a pattern he has, every Saturday he'll visit the Goose Neck in Mournally."

"Mournally?"

"Ah, right you've only been in two…The area of Wizards in London have more than Diagon-Ally or Knockturn-Ally. There are five in total; Traverse-Ally, Mourn-Ally and Post-Ally."

"Let me guess, Diagon-Ally is the shopping front. Knockturn-Ally is the side shopping. The rest are living areas?"

"Basically, now if my information and scouting holds true. He'll be there around two hours ago, so three turns and watch from a distance." Sirius instructed "Then wait for him to stumble out and remove him."

"Acknowledged." He said starting to shed his school gear "By the way."

"Yeah?"

"Someone tried to enter me into the Tournament."

"You called that didn't you?"

"Damn straight I did." He pulled on a pair of dark jeans, then a black shirt "Remus owes me a pizza."

"That he does, got any leads?" Sirius asked curiously.

Harry nodded "Crouch." He said with a smirk.

"Crouch? Like Barty Crouch?" The old mutt said confused "I doubt that Harry…"

"The map never lies." Harry recalled him saying that.

"You saw him then…Barty Crouch?"

"I followed him on the map, he joined Moody for tea at Four in the Morning."

"That is…very strange…" Sirius admitted "Keep an eye on Moody then, Crouch and him were never close. I trained under Moody, he didn't speak highly of him."

"Got it."

"So how is the lovely rebel Miss. Greengrass?"

"She's brilliant why?"

"You've got lipstick." He pointed to the corner of his mouth.

"So?" The teen replied with a grin.

"Just like your blasted father." Sirius said with a yawn "Call me when you leave again, then head back quickly."

"I will."

Sirius waved before the mirror returned to normal. "Alright." He pulled on the face mask, then lowered the Goggles and strapped on his gloves. With his knife belt secure, and crafted wand locked in place for emergencies, he felt ready. Grabbing a cloak, with a hood he muttered "Let's go."

Harry reached for the Time-Turner and then turned it a few times, when he finished there was still traces of sun in the sky.

He walked over to a shelve, on it was several necklace Portkeys. Each of them tagged 'Mourn-Ally' was a simple head-stone shape and it made him appear on a roof when he said the location.

Eric was a rather short man, his hair would be balding and nearing a slick grey. He would wear a purple suit and pair of simple glasses, those stood out in the wizarding world. The man would be overweight, a limp leaning towards the left and he wouldn't likely pay attention to his surroundings.

He just watched the entrance to The Goose Neck, the roof he was on was someone's home and he was carefully stepping around. His Shadow-Walking was still very minimal and barely in a Novice level. So while his steps were much quieter, they could still be heard by sharp ears or if someone was looking for them.

He pulled out a bag of chips, pulled down his face mask and casually scanned for his target. Sirius' warned him stake outs could be boring and suggested that he make the most of it, doing something light yet time consuming.

Around thirty minutes passed before he saw his target, the man was walking slowly through the lightly crowded streets. The man was rather easy to spot, one of the few heading towards and not away from the Goose Neck. Without a word, he lowered himself down behind the houses and followed the man.

His head was held down as he walked, barely keeping eye sight of the man until the ground was covered. Harry seemed to slide through the crowd, barely touching a soul as he went and everyone seemed to avoid him. He was just barely behind the man, he glanced around and no one was following him with their eyes.

He slid a dagger into his grasp, carefully pulling it out and tapping the man on the shoulder with his free hand "Mr. Eric Schin?" He asked in a muffled voice.

"Ja?" The man asked, as he turned and then he was shocked to find the masked man. "St-"

"You washed your money, poorly." Harry said before driving the dagger into the man's stomach and did it several times. Blood sprayed from the wound, it was hot and stuck to him like syrup running along his hand and upper arm.

Eric was coughing and gagging on blood, when Harry did the final strike slicing along the man's throat with a quick slash. Covering his front with blood as he slashed an artery, the man fell to the ground in a heap.

Someone started to scream, which got everyone's attention. Just as quickly as he showed up, he started to run and jump over obstacles, ducking over a fist or spell aimed towards him. When he ducked into an alley, he fired his Gauntlet into the walls and lifted himself onto the roof.

"There he is!" Someone shouted "Steam!"

Harry glanced over his shoulder and saw a pair of dark red robes, Aurors. They started to fling spells at him, trying to stun him or blast him off the roof.

A disarming spell hit him in the shoulder, causing him to laugh "Have to be armed for that!" He shouted down at them, jumping between the roof gaps.

He kicked a railing, making it fall down right into the Alley below and almost on top of the officers. As he jumped along the roof tops, a red flare went off into the night; within seconds more joined the sky in a blue burst. "Back up, they only do that when they lose a target or someone is dangerous." He muttered to himself "Thanks Mad-Eye."

As he was practically gone from the Aurors hands, he reached into his shirt and pulled on the Portkey. It snapped, making the world fall around him and he landed rolling in a forested area.

Another one of Sirius' ideas, should someone be tailing him or holding onto him then they would only find an empty field. Harry walked over to a tree, it was rotting and had fallen over but it severed a purpose. He lifted the bark from it, inside was a series of necklaces all very small and hardly noticeable unless looked for.

He pulled off the Tomb-Stone and set it aside then slid on the Leaf, to which he murmured "Safety."

XX~XX~XX~XX

Just as quickly as Harry entered the Whomping Willow tunnel, did he leave and come out no worse looking for wear. He'd have to shower tonight though, cleaning spells removed the blood and grime but he still felt sticky.

He made his way back to the Castle with a small smirk on his face, this was the start of tearing down an empire that the Ministry just wanted to cover up. Pure-Blood, Half-Blood, Muggle-Born, Squib, Vampire, Werewolf, even Muggles weren't safe from him now. If they supported the Dark Lord, Tom Riddle then they would meet his knife and enter the next world.

Harry walked towards the Enchanting Class room, where he'd set up sort of a study area for himself. It made his homework easier, no one watched him here and there wasn't any prying eyes.

At least there shouldn't have been.

When he clicked the door open, he heard something move and whisper. Inside the room was a handful of people, people he trusted or who trusted him.

Hermione, Susan, Fred, George, Nott and Daphne each of them looked at him with a smile but something else was there. He wanted to know why they were in his space.

"Can I help you guys?"

Daphne held a book he'd been reading lightly, it was slightly controversial and wasn't something a Fourth Year should be reading. It was about Dark Magic, Dark Wizards and Rituals, he wanted to learn about the enemy and their tactics.

"Little light reading, Hero?" She asked with a raised brow.

"Don't. Call me Hero." He said in an irritated voice "You all know I'm not."

"Fine what about King? Tiger? Potter?" She listed off holding up a finger each time she did.

"What's gotten into you?" He said leaning on the door.

Daphne raised a brow "Do you want me to call you Dipstick all the time?" He shook his head "Thought so, now which one?"

"Ugh, call me anything but Hero." He said rubbing his forehead "What do you lot want."

Fred grinned "So, did you do it?"

"Hell no." He answered with a glare "I was in room all night, bet you it was Crouch."

"Harry why would Crouch put your name in the Goblet?" Hermione asked rubbing her wrist a little.

"Don't know, why would Crouch get tea with nutter at Four in the morning." He answered casually. "Something isn't right about this…Hermione what was the timing for Polyjuice potion?"

"Polyjuice?" Susan asked looking between them.

"I'll explain later." He said to the Hufflepuff "Mione?"

"Depending on who makes it, anywhere from a few minutes to hours." She explained calmly, leaning on her section of wall.

Harry frowned "Fred, George." The twins looked up at him "Did Crouch have any family?"

The Twins looked at each other and then shrugged.

"Then I want you to find out." Harry said calmly "As soon as possible, contact your dad."

"Got it Harry." They said at the same time "We'll do it now."

"Good." He turned to Susan "I need you to go into the Library's restricted section, find me all the books on Animagus." He held out his Invisibility cloak "Do it now, the school is dead right now."

Susan nodded "Right, Hermione can you come with me?" She asked the bookish girl "You'll know more about the books than me."

Hermione looked to Harry who nodded, the pair left after the cloak was on them.

"Nott, I want you to gather some information on Moody." He held out the map to him "The Pass is 'I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.' And to wipe it say 'Mischief managed."

Nott nodded "I can do that." He said tapping the map and muttering the phrase "Impressive."

"Was my dad's."

"Potter's are scary…no wonder Voldemort wanted to remove your line." Nott said walking towards the exit, tapping the map and vanishing.

"So…" Daphne said after a moment "What's my task?"

"Comforting me." He said slumping his shoulders "I need you right now."

"Come here." She whispered, as he walked slowly into her arms. They sat down in the corner, his head on her shoulders and right under her chin. "Are you…Are you…coming to the tree…they strung up a man, they say who murdered three." She started to sing in a soft voice "Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be….if we met at midnight…in the hanging tree."

Harry felt himself drift, his body started to become heavier and she was more comfortable than any pillow.

Daphne continued to sing her song, it was morbid and slightly romantic but he liked it. It could just be because she was singing it, it could be that she just sounded good or it could be that he was too tired to care.

"Thank you…" He spoke after a while.

"For what?" She asked softly.

Harry leaned up, kissing her softly on the lips and pulled away after a second "For pulling me out of a dark place." He said gently.

Daphne gave him her bright smile, a truthful smile and kissed his brow "Anytime."

XX~XX~XX~XX

"Excuse me Miss. Delacour?" A voice asked from the shadows, near the carriage.

"Oui?" She asked with a raised brow.

"I have a proposal for you, something that will get you what you want….and what I want." The voice continued.

"I don't work with those I do not know, who are you." She snapped at the shadow.

The male walked out of the shadow into the moonlight, showing his pale blond hair and sharp eyes "My name is Draco Malfoy, you want Potter right?"

XX~XX~XX~XX

Hello Hello, I know I updated this one rather quickly I just felt like I needed to. So anyway, how'd I do? We have Harry completely rejecting the Tournament and he is on the move against 'Moody' and then we have Steam making an entrance. I imagine the Death Eaters are going to start being more careful.

So I heard a lot about Ron's betrayal, I feel like I should remind you if Ron does this. He will not be bashed, he will just be ignored and they will no longer be friends. I'll try to keep their snarls down.

To the guest who hates how Hermione hits Harry, I want you guys to think about what kind of relationship has this. Closeness, yet never romance and trust in each other; yet gets on the other's nerves.

I asked last time what kind of Creature Harry should be, I got a lot of Magical Animals. I'd really like to avoid this trap, because if you give someone a magical animal then they can be overpowered and I've been trying to avoid this. So Extinct or Rare animals are cool, liking the Dire Wolf idea so far along with Birds.

So Have a wonderful day guys: Live Long and Prosper.

Demon King.