Harry Potter and the Phantom Thief
Chapter 21
Daisuke smiled over at his fellow Gryffindors with nervous anticipation. Ginny flashed him a grin.
"Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision," Dumbledore announced from the front of the Great Hall, sending a hush through the collected students. "I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions' names are called, I would ask them please to come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber, where they will be receiving their first instructions."
Daisuke glanced around the room, wondering who would be chosen. The Beauxbatons students looked as if they could hardly stay in their seats, and the scarlet Durmstrang boys were watching Dumbledore very seriously. But who would be the Hogwarts champion?
I still can't believe they got permission to do this, Dark mused silently.
Daisuke smiled. It sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun, though.
I just hope that old codger knows what he's doing, Dark laughed back, clearly intent on enjoying the Triwizard Tournament despite whatever misgivings he might have.
With a wave of his wand, Dumbledore extinguished all the lights in the room, except for the candles inside the carved pumpkins. Daisuke gulped in a breath of air. The magnificent Goblet of Fire shone brilliantly in the center of the room, captivating everyone's attention. Daisuke could see the shimmer of its light reflected in the eyes of all the students.
"Any second…" a voice from the Gryffindor table whispered in anticipation.
Suddenly, the flames in the goblet went from dazzling blue to a deep red. A moment later, the fire doubled in size, causing a small boy at the Hufflepuff table to yelp and fall from his bench.
And there, on the tip of the flame, rose a scrap of paper. It rode a wave of sparkling fire towards the ceiling, and then drifted gently back towards the floor. Stepping forward, Dumbledore reached out a hand and deftly snatched the parchment out of the air. The flames returned to blue, as if they had only been mimicking the colors of the foreign students' robes all along.
Daisuke held his breath as his Headmaster looked down at the small piece of paper, adjusted his half-moon spectacles, and then looked back up at the waiting crowd.
"The champion for Durmstrang will be Viktor Krum!"
The room erupted into wild applause. Daisuke craned his neck around, looking for whomever it was who was starting the walk up towards the staff table. He nearly bashed his forehead against Parvati, dodging in the nick of time.
She blinked at him, and he tried not to start blushing and apologizing. Dark started laughing, but before the Phantom Thief could slip in a comment on Daisuke's clumsiness, the fire in the goblet darkened into red again.
Beyond it, Daisuke finally caught sight of a sturdy-looking boy in scarlet, who undoubtedly went by the name Viktor Krum. But his attention was quickly drawn back to the goblet as the flames reached towards the enchanted ceiling and released another piece of slightly charred paper.
Dumbledore smiled kindly as he grasped the paper and went about reading it. He lifted his head.
"The champion for Beauxbatons is Fleur Delacour!"
Daisuke watched as a strikingly beautiful girl waltzed gracefully past him, towards the staff table. Her long blond hair flowed behind her, complementing the smooth curve of her back. The sky blue of the Beaxbatons uniform perfected her sleek—
Hey now, don't get too carried away, Daisuke. You just might find yourself transforming! Dark teased wickedly, and suddenly Daisuke swallowed, averting his eyes from the girl as a blush crept up into his cheeks.
Why on earth did that girl have such an effect on him? She was definitely the same one that had caused Ginny to tease him all throughout dinner last night. What had Ron called her? A veela? It had something to do with her stunning looks, right?
I'd say that 'stunning' is surprisingly apt, Dark remarked with a short laugh.
Daisuke shook his head and willed himself to pay attention as the Goblet of Fire's dancing flames turned crimson.
There was only one more champion to choose. Daisuke gave one last glance around the Great Hall, wondering which Hogwarts student would become their school's representative and champion. He knew that most of the Gryffindors were hoping for Angelina, while all the Hufflepuffs (and apparently some Ravenclaws) were in favor of Ced—
With a cascade of fire, the third piece of parchment erupted into the dark air. It fluttered back towards the ground as the flames trembled warily. The tension throughout the room heightened, and it felt as if the entire room were holding a collective breath.
"The Hogwarts champion is…"
Dumbledore's face grew very grave for a moment, and the Hall's quiet turned to absolute silence. The headmaster looked out into the crowd as if to draw out the anticipation for as long as possible, his eyes searching as he slowly spoke two more words.
"Daisuke Niwa."
Daisuke stared, blinking.
Wait. What? Dumbledore couldn't have possibly said… he couldn't possibly have meant that the champion… the Hogwarts champion… was him? It was impossible! And yet… there was his headmaster, standing at the front of the room, eyes fixated on the redhead.
But he hadn't put his name in! He wasn't even old enough! Dark! he whined, mentally shaking the Phantom Thief. How can this be happening?
Just calm down, Daisuke, and follow directions, his other self responded coolly, adapting to the situation quickly. And if you don't, I will. He could sense the smirk in the Phantom Thief's words, and tried not to get frustrated. Wasn't Dark supposed to be on his side?
He stood up, and then suddenly noticed the whispers around him, louder than the small spattering of applause. Ginny's green eyes stared at him in amazement, and he was aware of Harry, Lavender, and Parvati staring in awe. Hermione was shaking her head, and from the other tables, the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students were craning their necks to get a better look at…
The Hogwarts champion?
Daisuke swallowed thickly as he slid out from the bench and walked up towards Dumbledore and the staff table. There must have been some kind of mistake. He hoped he wouldn't be in trouble for having his name burst from the Goblet of Fire. Or had the goblet just known he was around, and deemed him more worthy than the rest of the student body? He couldn't decide what scenario could be more ridiculous.
Steady, Daisuke, Dark cautioned when Daisuke's body threatened to freeze and he thought about walking right back to his table and telling them he was technically not eligible to compete.
Dumbledore gave him a heavy look when he approached, and then clapped a few times, which signaled to the rest of the Great Hall that they were to do the same. A few cheers even came forth as Daisuke turned towards the room by the staff table.
He was thankful, however, when the door thudded behind him and the sound from the hall was muted. The room he had entered contained a healthy fire and the champions from the foreign schools.
They looked over at him solemnly as he approached, and he tried not to blush as Fleur fixated her blue eyes on him. Dark's laughter, however, brought him out of what he was considering to be a veela-induced trance.
"'ello," she said, still staring at him like she didn't quite believe he was the champion for Hogwarts. Then again, Daisuke wasn't sure he believed it, either. "You are… ze 'ogwarts champion?"
Daisuke replied in a head motion that could either be a nod or a shake and stepped into the empty space between the two, in front of the fireplace. Viktor Krum held out his hand. "Krum," he said, and Daisuke nodded, shaking the proffered hand.
"I'm Daisuke Niwa," he replied automatically, looking over at Fleur as he said his last name. He didn't want such a beautiful girl to feel excluded. He heard Dark's subdued chuckle, and set his mind to focus on what was important, rather than fall under the spell of whatever it meant to be a veela.
It was discomforting to realize that both the other students were taller than him. Krum was about twice as wide, too, with a grip that could damage the weak, he realized when he dropped his hand after their handshake. They were probably three years older than him, and undoubtedly had far more experience with magic.
Don't sell yourself short, Daisuke, Dark reminded him. You've got me, and that's way more than these kids will ever have.
Daisuke tried not to get disheartened, but then again, it was Daisuke who was going to be participating against his will, not Dark. In fact, if he didn't know any better, he'd guess that Dark was actually starting to look at the whole mess as some kind of opportunity to show off. Dark probably wanted to be a champion.
After a long, penetrating silence during which Daisuke only felt more and more inadequate despite Dark's encouragement, the door creaked open again. Hoping to see Dumbledore to tell him there had been a mistake, Daisuke was slightly crestfallen to see Harry.
Then again, he liked Harry, so it really wasn't that bad.
"What is it?" Fleur asked. "Do zey want us back in ze Hall?"
Before Harry could answer, the door swooshed open again and the large, boisterous man from the staff table—Mr. Bagman—entered the room, grabbing Harry by the arm. Daisuke winced, seeing the uncomfortable look on his fellow Gryffindor's face.
"Extraordinary!" Bagman was saying as he propelled Harry further into the room. "Absolutely extraordinary! Gentlemen… lady, may I introduce—incredible though it may seem—the fourth Triwizard champion?"
Daisuke thought he was certainly the only one in the room whose hopes rose at that moment. So he wasn't the only one too young to enter! There had probably been some kind of mistake if Harry, who was also fourteen, had his name chosen.
"Oh, vairy funny joke, Meester Bagman," Fleur intoned girlishly. Immediately Daisuke realized she was probably right—it wasn't called the Triwizard tournament for nothing.
But Bagman seemed confused by her response. "Joke?" he asked. "No, no, not at all! Harry's name just came out of the Goblet of Fire!"
"But evidently zair 'as been a mistake," she continued in a darker tone. "'E cannot compete. 'E is too young."
Daisuke raised his hand, catching Bagman's attention before he could respond to the French girl. "Me, too, actually. I'm only fourteen, too." He glanced at Harry, and suddenly found a budding solidarity. "I'm not eligible, either."
At this, Bagman simply blinked. Krum sighed heavily from Daisuke's side and Fleur tossed her hair, rolling her eyes.
"Is zis 'ow it's done 'ere?" she retorted, just as the door swooshed open again, this time admitting the three Headmasters, Mr. Crouch, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Snape.
Daisuke swallowed, wondering how much trouble he was going to be in. But I didn't put my name in! he cried fruitlessly to Dark.
And neither did I, the Phantom Thief replied. Daisuke could tell his alter ego was trying to focus on the exchange between the adults, so he did his best to pay attention and not get freaked out by some kind of horrible magical punishment. He would just have to prove his innocence when the time came.
"Madame Maxime!" Fleur interrupted, striding forward gracefully. She pointed at Harry and then at Daisuke. "Zey say zat zese little ones are to compete also!"
Daisuke swallowed, even as he heard Dark bristle at her words. Little ones?
Though, in comparison to Madame Maxime, both he and Dark qualified as little. The large, formidable woman looked somewhere near anger as she turned to the frail-looking Hogwarts headmaster. "What is ze meaning of zis, Dumbly-dorr?"
"I'd rather like to know that myself, Dumbledore," the Durmstrang headmaster intoned icily. He glanced at the two Hogwarts students. "Two champions? Both who have broken the rules we set down? Or is it that I have not read the rules carefully enough?" His tone was bitter and sharp as he spat out his last line.
"C'est impossible," muttered the Beauxbatons headmistress. "'Ogwarts cannot 'ave two champions. Such a zing is most unjust, regardless of age."
"We were under the impression that your Age Line would keep out younger contestants, Dumbledore," Karkaroff continued. "Otherwise, we would, of course, have brought along a wider selection of candidates from our own schools." Daisuke was really beginning to dislike the sneer in the man's voice, and could tell that it was bothering Dark more than it was bothering him.
"But I didn't put my name in," Daisuke burst out, and then realized that everyone else in the room had turned to look at him.
"Neither did I," said Harry, drawing the attention away for a moment.
"I thought as much," Dumbledore said quietly after everyone had stared at the two of them for long enough. "Did either of you ask an older student to put it into the Goblet of Fire for you?" he asked kindly, though his gray eyes gave off less of a twinkle than usual.
"No," Daisuke and Harry said in unison. He heard Snape make a small noise of disbelief, and nearly flinched when he heard Dark's voice after Dumbledore gave him a long, even look.
He doesn't believe us! Dark hissed. He could feel Dark's sense of injustice and tried not to let it become his own. It wouldn't do to get too riled up in this situation. So many people already were.
"But zey must be lying!" Madame Maxime cried, shaking her head as if it were the only answer.
"They could not have crossed the Age Line," said Professor McGonagall, speaking up for the first time. "I am sure we are all agreed on that—"
Madame Maxime shrugged.
"Are we?" Karakaroff intoned dramatically.
"It is possible that I made a mistake, of course," Dumbledore offered politely.
No, it's not, Dark said angrily, even though it appeared as if most of his anger was at Dumbledore. Daisuke had the feeling there was some kind of history or clue in the entire exchange that he was thus far missing completely.
"Dumbledore, you know perfectly well you did not make a mistake!" McGonagall countered. "Really, what nonsense!" she went on, throwing her hands into the air, causing Snape to take a step back and stop curling his lip disdainfully at Harry. "They could not have possibly crossed the line themselves, and if Professor Dumbledore believes they did not persuade an older student to do it for them, I'm sure that should be good enough for everybody else!" She met Snape's glare determinedly, and Daisuke found himself impressed.
Karkaroff switched tactics, turning to Crouch and Bagman with a friendly smile. "You are our—er—objective judges. Surely you will agree that this is most irregular?"
Bagman appeared to be at a loss for words for the moment, but fortunately his quieter partner was willing to answer the question.
"We must follow the rules," he began without any ado, "and the rules state clearly that those people whose names come out of the Goblet of Fire are bound to compete in the tournament."
"Well, Barty knows the rule book back to front," Bagman said with a smile, as if any of his words had added something important to the discussion.
"I insist upon resubmitting the names of the rest of my students," Karkaroff demanded, turning to Dumbledore. "You will set up the Goblet of Fire once more, and we will continue adding names until each school has two champions of any age. It's only fair, Dumbledore."
Daisuke breathed a sigh of relief as he heard the words, watching as Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully and stroked his long, graying beard.
"But Karkaroff," Bagman interrupted, "it doesn't work like that. The Goblet of Fire's just gone out—it won't reignite until the start of the next tournament—"
"—in which Durmstrang will most certainly not be competing!" Karkaroff exploded, causing all of the students, even Krum, to jump back a little. "After all our meetings and negotiations and compromises, I little expected something of this nature to occur! I have half a mind to leave now!" he shouted, spraying bits of spittle towards the Hogwarts headmaster.
"Empty threat, Karkaroff." Daisuke turned to see Professor Moody standing in the doorway, making his way towards the group of arguing adults with his distinctive step-clunk. "You can't leave your champion now. He's got to compete. They've all got to compete." Daisuke felt his stomach drop out at the words. "Binding magical contract, like Dumbledore said. Convenient, eh?"
There was no way out? Daisuke didn't want to compete. He hadn't put his name in—hadn't even tried—and now… now he had to?
Steady, Daisuke, Dark said. It won't be so bad. If you want, I could even take care of the tasks for you.
Daisuke refrained from telling Dark that it didn't really make him feel better. He would rather let Harry do it and had been looking forward to watching and cheering on the Hogwarts champion.
"Convenient?" Karkaroff asked, incredulous as Moody's word choice. "I'm afraid I don't understand you, Moody."
"Don't you?" Moody said quietly, in a voice that made the hairs on the back of Daisuke's neck stand on end. "It's very simple, Karkaroff. Someone put Potter's name in that goblet knowing he'd have to compete if it came out."
"But what about ze uzzah?" Madame Maxime chimed in disdainfully. "You zink zat someone else put 'is name in ze goblet as well?"
Moody shook his scraggly head only slightly, and shrugged. "We've got two very different situations on our hands. One may have slightly more… interesting implications." Moody's magical blue eye fixated on Karkaroff for a moment, and then continued whizzing around the room. "If anyone's got a reason to complain, it's the two of them." Moody paused, giving Karkaroff and then Maxime each a long look. "Funny thing is… I don't hear either of them saying a word…."
Harry's mouth opened nervously, but before he could get any words out, Fleur cut in.
"But why should 'e complain? 'E 'as ze chance to compete, 'asn't 'e? We 'ave all been 'hoping to be chosen for weeks and weeks! Ze honor for our schools! A thousand Galleons in prize money—zis is a chance many would die for!"
"Maybe someone's hoping Potter is going to die for it," Moody said in a low voice, and suddenly the room went very still. "He's Harry Potter."
Dark? Daisuke queried tremulously. Exactly how dangerous is the tournament? Do you know?
Don't you worry, Daisuke, it's nothing I can't handle. This time, he did feel reassured by the smooth confidence in the voice of the Phantom Thief. At the very least, Daisuke wouldn't die, but… if the world knew his other identity….
"We all know Professor Moody considers the morning wasted if he hasn't discovered six plots to murder him before lunchtime," Karkaroff said loudly, pulling Daisuke from his thoughts. "Apparently he is now teaching his students to fear assassination too. An odd quality in a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Dumbledore, but no doubt you had your reasons."
"Imagining things, am I? Seeing things, eh? It was a skilled witch or wizard who put their names in that goblet…." Moody replied cryptically. His stared pointedly at Karkaroff.
"Ah, what evidence is zere of zat?" the Beauxbatons headmistress asked.
"Because they hoodwinked a very powerful magical object!" Moody returned without pause. "It would have needed an exceptionally strong Confundus Charm to bamboozle that goblet into forgetting that only three schools compete in the tournament…." The Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher shook his head in a way that seemed to confirm the direness of the situation.
He's right… this is… uglier that I first thought, Dark intoned seriously, all anger apparently put aside as he contemplated Moody's latest words.
The professor continued, his voice darkening from its usual light rasp to a gravelly tone. "I'm guessing they submitted Potter's name under a fourth school, to make sure he was the only one in his category."
Daisuke resisted the urge to suddenly shake his head as he thought towards the Phantom Thief. But none of this relates to me, anymore. Dark, why do you think Moody's focusing on Harry?
The thief hesitated. I'm… not really sure. Daisuke felt his other self's invisible shrug, and also that his attention was mostly directed at the continuing conversation. Perhaps he has some enemies, or relatives with enemies.
"You seem to have given this a great deal of thought, Moody, and a very ingenious theory it is—though of course, I heard you recently got it into your head that one of your birthday presents contained a cunningly disguised basilisk egg, and smashed it to pieces before realizing it was a carriage clock. So you'll understand if we don't take you entirely seriously…" Karkaroff sneered, his eyebrows drawing together and etching the lines in his face deeper.
"There are those who'll turn innocent occasions to their advantage," Moody said darkly, leaning towards Karkaroff. "It's my job to think the way Dark wizards do, Karkaroff—as you ought to remember—"
"Alastor!" Dumbledore promptly interjected with a note of warning in his voice. Moody immediately fell silent and leaned back, but Daisuke could see the seething fury on Karkaroff's face.
"How this situation arose, we do not fully know," Dumbledore continued after a heavy breath. He looked at all the faces in the room in turn. "It seems to me, however, that we have no choice but to accept it. Both Daisuke and Harry have been chosen to compete in the Tournament. This, therefore, they will do…"
Daisuke swallowed dryly, and his eyes met Harry's green ones. He had the feeling they were thinking the same thing: Why does it have to be this way?
"Ah, but Dumbly-dorr," Madame Maxime attempted with a raised finger the size of Daisuke's wrist.
"My dear Madame Maxime, if you have an alternative, I would be delighted to hear it." Dumbledore's words seemed to take all the fuss from her, as she became quiet and then shook her head and gave him a sour look.
Dumbledore switched his gaze to Karkaroff, who kept his lips tightly sealed, but vented his frustration through his gaze.
"Well, shall we crack on, then?" Bagman said suddenly, in a voice entirely too cheerful given the thinly-veiled (or not veiled) hostility in the room. "Got to give our champions their instructions, haven't we? Barty, want to do the honors?" He rubbed his hands together in excitement as he glanced over at Crouch.
"Yes," the stout man said slowly, "instructions. Yes… the first task…."
I think something's troubling him, Dark said without warning, and Daisuke looked closer. Indeed, there seemed to be something off about Mr. Crouch. But it didn't appear to be that serious, either. Perhaps he had had a long day, and was just due for a lot of paperwork trying to officially sort out the mess they were all in.
"The first task is designed to test your daring," he said, turning to face the four champions. They instinctively drew forward slightly, with Daisuke standing next to Harry between the older students. "So we are not going to be telling you what it is. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard… very important….
"The first task will take place on November the twenty-fourth, in front of the other students and the panel of judges.
"The champions are not permitted to ask for or accept help of any kind from their teachers to complete the tasks in the tournament. The champions will face the first challenge armed only with their wands. They will receive information about the second task when the first is over. Owing to the demanding and time-consuming nature of the tournament, the champions are exempted from end-of-year tests…."
It was a relief for Daisuke to finally get out of the stuffy room and away from all the officials. He shook his head. Why did everything bad or unusual seem to happen to him?
Aw, come on, Daisuke, I'm not that much of a curse, am I? Dark teased, his mood having lightened considerably when Dumbledore assured them that Gryffindor was no doubt waiting to throw a party for both its champions.
Yeah, but what about Krad? He's always causing trouble for us, Daisuke replied in a whine. If he thought too much about it, being at a magical school at all was unusual enough.
I'd say he's more Satoshi's problem than ours, the Phantom Thief mused thoughtfully.
It was enough to make Daisuke want to pull out his spiky red hair! Here he was, worrying about his future and his horrid luck, and Dark was hardly even paying attention! It was getting pretty obvious that Dark was actually looking forward to the Tournament, just so he could show off and then reap the rewards of pretty girls or something like that. Was Hogwarts destined to become a repeat of Azumano Junior High? Would Dark make him transform by teasing him about Riku, and then go chase Ravenclaw skirts or something like that?
"Aaargh!" he said angrily, clenching his fists and squeezing his eyes shut for a moment. Even this, Dark seemed to think was funny.
"Daisuke?" came a voice from behind, and instantly Daisuke felt silly. He turned around to see Harry approach cautiously from behind. "I didn't mean to, er, intrude, but… I was thinking we could just walk back together?"
Daisuke nodded, feeling the blush leave his cheeks as he recognized Harry's tone as one in need of companionship. They were, after all, in exactly the same boat. At least, to Daisuke they were, but the things Moody had implied about Harry's name coming from the Goblet were…
"Harry?" Daisuke asked suddenly, looking over at the other boy as they both shuffled slowly along the hallway. He went on when Harry returned his gaze. "I was wondering… about that stuff Moody said… do you really believe someone wants to kill you?"
Harry stared at Daisuke in shock, halting abruptly and turning to face him. "You… don't have any guesses?"
Daisuke shook his head in confusion. "Of course not, Harry. It's not as if I expected you'd have any!"
Harry looked just as confused for a moment. "But I'm Harry," he said, as if repeating his name would make it clearer. "Harry Potter."
"We room together! I know your name," Daisuke replied indignantly.
"But you don't know… anything else about me," Harry continued, pinning Daisuke with an unreadable look. Why was everyone acting so strange lately?
"It's not like I stalk you, Harry," he said flatly, but he felt that the conversation had gained Dark's interest. "Besides, it's not like you're a bad person," Daisuke continued earnestly. "I'd be surprised if someone like you had enemies."
Harry shook his head, and then massaged the bridge of his nose underneath his glasses. When he finally looked back at Daisuke, it was with a smile. "I guess I figured everyone had heard about it. It's kind of a relief to know that not everyone makes a big deal out of it."
"Out of what?" Daisuke asked, feeling more tired than anything else.
"That… well… I mean, how my parents died," Harry said solemnly.
Daisuke gasped. "Your parents are dead?" He shook his head wordlessly, feeling suddenly very sorry for Harry. "I'm so sorry—I-I didn't hear about it." He let out a huge sigh and looked at his feet. "It must be pretty tough, especially now, with this Tournament and all…."
Daisuke couldn't imagine what it would feel like if both his mom and his dad died. His mom had always been around to take care of him. She had made him breakfast before school, convinced him to confess to Risa, helped him pick out Riku's birthday present, and done everything exactly as a mother should. And his father, well, if anything happened to him, Daisuke would never be able to accept it. Although his dad had been away for long periods of his childhood, he still admired and respected him, and in a lot of ways, he hoped to grow up to be just like him. To imagine going home to no parents… just Towa and his grandpa….
"Er, it happened a long time ago," Harry said suddenly, looking over at Daisuke in concern. "But… look, have you ever heard of Voldemort?" he asked.
Daisuke shook his head.
Harry took a deep breath, and started walking down the hallway again. "He was a powerful dark wizard. He terrorized a lot of people, and had this groups of followers—the Death Eaters, they're called—"
"Wait, you mean You-Know-Who?" Daisuke asked, remembering his conversation with Ginny on the steps of the castle.
Harry bobbed his head. "Anyway, when I was a baby, he killed my parents and then… tried to kill me." At this point, Daisuke gasped just as Harry shrugged. The following moment was slightly awkward, but Harry continued with his story. "For some reason, Voldemort couldn't, and instead he lost most of his powers and everyone assumed he was dead."
He said 'assumed,' Dark said suddenly. He thinks this Voldemort is still out there.
Daisuke swallowed nervously and then hung his head. "That sounds awful, Harry. I had no idea."
Their conversation was suddenly interrupted by a loud call from a wall.
"Oh, there you are, boys!" the Fat Lady called, waving a hand. "I heard from Violet what happened," she cooed as they approached her. Harry gave Daisuke a sidelong glance, and Daisuke smiled back. "Hurry on in," the portrait continued. "They can't start the party without you!"
By the time Daisuke finally made it up to his room, he was utterly exhausted. He was thankful that tomorrow was Saturday, even though he knew he had loads of homework to do. At least he didn't have to work at anti-Krad defenses anymore, because if he did, he felt that he would probably succumb to the weight of all the schoolwork.
He flopped face-first onto his bed, smiling into his pillow at the mental image Dark sent him of literally falling under the weight of textbooks.
As long as that doesn't really happen, it's funny, he responded, rolling over so he could at least stare at his pajamas. After a moment, he convinced himself that he needed to wear them, so he pushed himself into a sitting position. He struggled out of his shirt and tossed it onto the floor, promising himself he'd pick it up in the morning. He pulled on his cozy flannel top, fumbling with the buttons, and then kicked off his jeans.
Oddly enough, something fell out of them.
What's that? Dark asked, his interest obviously piqued. Daisuke yawned. How was it that Dark didn't seem at all tired?
I don't know—probably a wrapper from one of Ginny's brothers' candies, he replied wearily. He put one leg into his pajama bottoms, and leaned over to pick up the wayward scrap of folded paper that had fallen out of his pocket. He stared at it for a long moment, realizing that the paper didn't actually look like a candy wrapper. It looked much more like a note. A folded-up message.
He hurriedly stuffed his other leg into his pajamas, and then opened up the note, using the light from Neville's wand—the boy had apparently fallen asleep before whispering nox—to read it.
He stared at it. Lemon drops? he echoed to Dark. So… was it a candy wrapper?
Dark laughed. He never changes, does he? The Phantom Theif seemed to suddenly be in a cheery mood. Come on, Daisuke, we've got an appointment.
What are you talking about? I'm so tired! Daisuke yawned, looking longingly at his pillow. The only place I'm going is to sleep, he said firmly.
Well, that suits me just fine, Dark said with a roguish laugh. The appointment's for me, anyway.
Without any warning, the Phantom Thief smoothed his presence out onto Daisuke's skin, transforming it into his own.
Hey! Wait a minute! Daisuke yelped in surprise, even as the hair in front of his eyes darkened to strands of purple. Dark held up his hand in front of his face for a moment, tossing some of his bangs back carelessly, and then curved his lips into a smile.
You just go back to sleep if you're tired. He stepped out of bed, ignoring Daisuke's protests.
What if you wake people up? the redhead pouted. If they do, then what's going to happen to me?
Relax, Daisuke, Dark purred, his grin growing wider as he made his way down the stairs towards the Common Room. I'm the legendary Phantom Thief!
In moments, Dark had flitted across the room, past the few students who had fallen asleep in the chairs by the fireplace during the celebration. The banners and flags were still draped around the dimly lit room. Dark looked towards the Fat Lady's portrait, and then smirked, turning away to face the window. Without even the slightest noise, he leapt beside it and placed his hands on the sill. It opened smoothly, effortlessly, and Daisuke could hear the faint echo of his own thoughts from several nights before.
Too easy, Dark murmured, and then added the sentiments that strictly belonged to the black-winged artwork. It's no fun if they don't make it a challenge!
You know students aren't allowed outside their dormitories after hours, Daisuke reminded him sourly.
I'm not technically a student, Dark retorted smugly.
That's not what you said this morning! the redhead railed in vain as Dark leaned out the window. How could he be so self-centered! He should have known Dark only existed to cause him trouble…. Even now, Dark was completely ignoring him.
But the night air was cool beneath a slightly clouded sky, and Daisuke could feel Dark take a deep breath, senses coming alive and fantastically alert. Starlight shivered along the side of the castle beside the shadowed forms of the clouds.
With a smile, Dark rolled and twisted out the window, feet landing gently into place on a decorative ridge a meter below the sill his fingers still clung to. The wind rustled through his long bangs, and he reached a hand up to slide the window back into place, a broad smile flashing across his features as he peered in at the sealed room. The glassy reflection showed the wild twinkle in the Phantom Thief's amethyst eyes as he surveyed his handiwork.
The slight breeze that curled across the common room was the only indication that the mysterious Phantom Thief had ever crossed it.
Off we go, Dark laughed, releasing his hold on the sill as he edged his toes backwards.
Wiz isn't here! Daisuke yelled as they began falling. Aaaaaaahh!
Dark continued laughing until his hands caught a horizontal flagpole, which he used to change the direction of his momentum. He swung off it like a gymnast, arcing through the night air until he landed precisely on a fierce-looking gargoyle. Dark crouched down and patted its cheek affectionately. If Daisuke could have, he would have rolled his eyes. Dark was just showing off, now.
Alright, alright, I'll hurry on my way, the Phantom Thief conceded. I guess I just haven't been out in a while, but you're right. It's late, and you'll at least need to be well rested by the morning.
The thief took a deep breath, and dropped off the gargoyle, landing a story below in a roll. He ran lightly along the slanted shingles of the roof, and then jumped up to another protruding dragonesque gargoyle, hoisting himself on top of it and leaping towards another.
Who is it that you're meeting, anyway? Daisuke asked. You said it was an appointment? Or are you just making it up? he finished flatly. He wouldn't put it past Dark.
You'll see, Dark replied mysteriously, lifting himself up on top of the next gargoyle. He leapt to another, bounding across the curved face of the tower like nothing more than a shadow. He knew how to use every crack, every ledge, and every ornamental outcropping to his advantage. The castle below them slowly spun as they spiraled up the tower, passing window after darkened window silently.
And suddenly, Daisuke could see their destination. Towards the top of the tower, a single lit window. But whose window was it?
Dark slowed in his rapid ascent, and then paused, settling onto a ledge just below the lit window. He leaned his back into the wall, staring out at the broad expanse of sky and clouds for a moment. The panorama was gorgeous, and everything below seemed to be made of miniature. The black water of the lake was a velvety cloth scattered with diamonds—the twinkling reflections of the stars—except for a silhouette in the shape of the Durmstrang ship. If not for the breeze that caused the tallest trees to sway, Daisuke could have mistaken the Forbidden Forest for a thick, dark green carpet. He and Dark were higher than the Owlery. They were level with the Astronomy Tower's wide observation deck. Dark had taken them only three stories below the rooftop of the tallest tower.
Dark shook his head, and Daisuke wondered what he was thinking about. Maybe… a long time ago… Dark had come this way before?
The Phantom Thief laughed suddenly, shaking his head. "Figures," he said aloud, putting his toes on the edge of the ledge and looking up.
A moment later, Dark was closing the window behind him, and standing in an apparently unused corner of the room. The bookcases were covered in dust, and a heavy-looking table was cluttered up with some kind of cloth and a cracked crystal ball. There were old, dried papers with brown ink on the floor, and an empty golden birdcage on top of a dusty cabinet. What was this place?
Whatever it was, it was obvious that Dark was quite familiar with it. He smiled and Dark could feel him relax and shake out his shoulders. At least it was much warmer inside than it had been on the tower wall.
"So, I see you've moved up in the world," Dark called, sliding between the two old bookcases and striking a cool yet natural pose in the middle of the room. Daisuke inwardly gasped.
Dumbledore was seated behind an enormous desk piled with papers, books, old quills, and a stand with a giant red bird. He looked up over his half moon spectacles and smiled kindly, as if it were perfectly normal for a purple-haired man in blue pajamas to stand uninvited in the middle of his office.
"Ah, yes. Welcome. Care for a lemon drop?" the Headmaster asked, gesturing to a bowl full of them that they had passed on their way in.
Dark laughed, holding up his hand with a wrapped candy between each finger. "I already helped myself." He pulled a chair from the wall and swung a leg onto each side of a chair, straddling it backwards as he popped a candy into his mouth. He folded his arms across its back and leaned forward casually onto his wrists. "So," he quipped with a smirk, "did you want to shake hands before the games begin?"
Dark, Daisuke cried in embarrassment, that's no way to talk to the Headmaster!
Relax, Daisuke, and stop being such a worrywart. As usual, there was no sign of remorse from the Phantom Thief. He cocked a purple eyebrow at the old wizard, who was shaking his head slowly.
"Dark, that's not the attitude I was hoping you'd take," he said, pulling his glasses from his face. He set them down on his desk and the bird gave a sudden squawk, startling Daisuke, although Dark didn't flinch. The Headmaster slowly walked around the desk, and then leaned against the edge. "The Triwizard Tournament is not something to take lightly," he said solemnly.
Dark laughed. "What made you think I was talking about the tournament?" He leaned over the back of the chair with a roguish smirk. "You and I have our own game—if you haven't forgotten."
What?! Daisuke yelped in surprise. Well, Dumbledore did look to be about his grandfather's age, or older, so maybe he and Dark had been troublemakers together? That couldn't be right!
"As you can see, I've grown over the past forty years," Dumbledore returned graciously, stroking his beard. "And more than just a fine beard."
"And that's a mighty fine beard," Dark snorted.
"Now's not the time to be playing such a game, Dark," the old wizard said sternly. He shook his head and sighed, turning around to search for something on his desk. "Besides, don't you think you'll be in for enough trouble now that you've gone and—ah, here it is—done this?" The Headmaster turned back around as he said the final words, holding up a piece of slightly blacked parchment to the light.
Dark stood and plucked the parchment out of the man's hands, glancing at it as he answered. "Gone and done what?" Dark blinked down at the paper, and then stared at it.
Hey, Daisuke said in recognition, that must be the paper from the Goblet of Fire!
"Why does it say Kokuyoku?" Dark asked grimly, looking Dumbledore in the eye.
The old wizard returned the look. "You're just lucky I know which boy goes by that name."
What?! He knows my identity! Dark! What am I going to do?! Daisuke yelled. How on earth had the doddering old man figured out that he was the same as Dark? Or maybe, maybe—aah! His mother had been so excited for him to go to the school, maybe she had told the Headmaster! But wait, she knew how important it was to keep the family secret, so it had to have been Dark himself! But when? And why? Dark! You're going to get me expelled! he continued in frustration. Act nicer!
Nah, old Albus won't expel you, Dark replied, cracking a slight smile at his tamer's words.
"You don't know how lucky you are that I've met you personally, andthat I had my wits about me when I read that. Imagine the chaos if I had read your handiwork syllable for syllable," Dumbledore said. The Phantom Thief opened his mouth, but Dumbledore held up a hand. "No, what's done is done, Dark. You beat me at this round—I admit defeat. And now, since you've won the game, let us be on better terms than before," he said, holding out his hand towards Dark.
The Phantom Thief looked warily at the proffered hand for a moment, and then shook it. "So you just wanted a handshake after all," he said, grinning.
"There's more to it, Dark," Dumbledore intoned cryptically. "I've spoken with some of the faculty on the subject, and we agree that there may be more danger in this tournament than we anticipated. I, for one, would prefer if no one gets hurt. If you could keep a close watch on—"
"Babysitting one's enough for me," Dark answered, lifting his hands up to signal that he wanted no part of it.
What do you mean 'babysitting one'? Daisuke asked indignantly. But Dark ignored him as the headmaster continued.
"A close watch onthe school," Dumbledore continued firmly. He nodded, and Dark blinked at him for a moment.
"You're the one who needs to keep a close watch," the thief joked. Dumbledore put his glasses back on slowly as if he hadn't heard.
You're not planning on stealing from the school, are you? Daisuke asked in shock. You said all the artwork here was good!
"At any rate, I believe it's far too late for students to be out of bed," he said, glancing up around the room as if his eyes might alight on a clock if only he could find one. Daisuke mentally sighed. Why was the person in charge of his school so weird?
Dark gave the man a cheeky grin. "Not a student!" he taunted, using the same excuse he had used on Daisuke. But as Dumbledore turned back to his desk, he at least he began making his way towards the window he had used as an entrance, slipping between the bookshelves.
An old mirror caught the headmaster's reflection as he set a hand on the red bird, petting it slowly. "There may be someone using the Dark Arts at Hogwarts, Fawkes," he whispered to the bird, causing Dark to stop mid-stride and listen, watching the old man in the cracked mirror. "They say it takes a thief to catch one. If only I were a thief…."
Dark laughed loudly as he brushed his fingers across the table with the cloth-covered crystal ball. The sound rang in the dusty old room even after he had closed the window and leapt into the cool night, racing across the ramparts and rooftops towards Gryffindor Tower. Occasionally, the starlight caught on Dumbledore's crystal ball as he carried it away with him.
Dark! Why did you take that! Daisuke yelled, aghast that Dark would take something from the Headmaster. Without reason, too! And no warning note! It wasn't even art! Dumbledore would know it was him!
Dark let loose a wild laugh, turning into the wind to face the Headmaster's tower. Let the games begin!
Author's Note: Yaaaay! I'm so excited to finally post this chapter! I hope everyone is enjoying the story! Please review!