Chapter 20
Alright, time to kick things up a bit...
Warning: Things get kicked. Most likely upwards.
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Upon awakening, Harry was more concerned that they had not come up with a contingency for if such a thing were to occur than worrying how things went so horribly wrong. He knew he could talk to Luna right away to try solving this, but he did not know if this would be the best time to tell Neville of such a thing as his "power", overall leaving him with little help at the moment. Luna was brilliant and Harry knew she would probably be all the help he needed, but this would also likely put her in danger. This line of thinking, along with a million other possibilities running through his brain, kept him busy for over an hour as he wrote notes and tried to remember everything that happened. When Harry realized he might have wasted a crucial hour, he went with what his guts told him to do; pay more attention throughout the day to gather clues before dying again and starting off the next day with a head start. Luna was against this kind of plan, not wanting him to test purposefully manipulating his powers in case it backfired and he winded up permanently dead. From what he understood about the "Multiverse Theory", an interesting bit of muggle philosophy, this likely didn't matter as there could be a universe somewhere where he dies and doesn't come back for some reason. This was something he had apologized for in advance in case he did die, but this only lead to a long argument about time travel and fate. However he realized that line of thinking, like before, would only distract him if he thought too much about it, and so he quickly began to catch up with his day.
Luckily class had been fairly simple, with study time followed by Potions. Then he had only a half class of Charms, followed by lunch. Once again absolutely nothing out of the ordinary happened, and he realized that he was wasting time. He decided to try talking to the Potions master as soon as possible, as he likely knew something useful and certainly wasn't on the dark side. Rude and imposing, mean maybe, but not on the side of evil.
He acted normal during lunch. Well, at least he kept the appearance up. His friends noticed something off but said nothing, nervous about the day and not wanting to distract Harry. He was using one of the twins recent inventions; a earpiece that let one listen to whatever one wanted within fifty feet. He was listening to several teachers and the various officials there for the event, but found that nobody had anything interesting to say over their meals. When he returned himself to the conversation he was still careful to keep an eye out for anything suspicious.
It was after lunch that he got his first clue towards what had happened. Harry noticed a door was missing from the entrance hall as he exited and was about to make his way towards where the arena for the first task would be. He did not think the door had anything to do with his search, as it was quite normal for some to change places, but one of his biggest hobbies was learning the secrets of the castle, causing him to investigate its disappearance in case a new passageway had been made. Nothing about the wall seemed amiss upon closer inspection though and with little time he gave the rock wall a gentle pat as an unspoken promise to come back and play with it later. However he did not pat cold stone, but instead rough wood. He placed both hands on it, feeling around to the edges until he was sure that there was indeed a door there hidden with magic. Harry cursed under his breath as he realized he had no idea how to dispel the illusion or even how one made it. The branch of magic had seemed somewhat useless to him before now and he wondered how long it would take him to learn.
Suddenly the door reappeared in front of him. Thinking fast he pulled his invisibility cloak from one of his robe pockets, magically expanded on the inside, and pulled it over himself as he slid up against the wall. A moment later he was shocked to see Professor Moody peak out of the doorway, the magical eye whirling around. The haggard ex-aurors tongue jutted out from his lips strangely, as if tasting the air, before signaling back into the room to follow. Harry was very shocked to see the headmaster of Durmstrang follow him out. Both made their way in opposite directions, and Harry quickly decided to follow Moody.
Normally following a man with one leg is not the hardest thing to do, but for some reason the aging wizard moved faster than Harry. More than once he was almost caught until Harry altogether lost the man. The boy who lived was very mad about this, realizing he wasted a lot of his time to find out nothing. If he couldn't resolve things somehow he knew he would have to do better tomorrow finding out what they were up to. Just as he was about to head off to find Neville, he was surprised by the sudden appearance of of the imposing Defense Professor who jumped out from behind a corner to Harrys right. He made no sound as the man examined the hallway, clearly under the impression someone was there. Luckily he stormed off after seeing nothing, with both his regular and magical eyesight, this time not taking as much care to loose any followers. Harry didn't hesitate to continue following his target, this time being far more careful to not be detected.
His ability to sneak around proved to be enough as the limping man never once grew suspicious of where Harry moved, though he observed him reacting to other things that could be mistaken for a tail. So caught up in the chase Harry didn't realize that he was not very familiar with this part of the school until the Professor ducked into a room, though he guessed it must be near the dungeons from the damp chill in the air.
Cautiously approaching the door, he heard two voices but could only catch "Secure the room, if you will." followed by silence. This was enough for him to be able to tell that it was Professor Snape. Harry didn't dare try to get in the room and waited outside for over thirty minutes before the handle turned and both Professors rushed out of the room, once again in different directions. For the second time he was conflicted on who to follow, but something told him that he should keep following Moody. Despite the animosity between himself and the Potions Master, Harry trusted him to some degree because of Dumbledore. Moodys strange behavior, today in particular, was a definite sign that he was up to something.
Whatever it was, Harry realized a moment to late that he would probably have to wait. Around the next corner was Moody, wand pointed right at Harry. His surprised yell was cut short by a flash of green light.
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Harry's third attempt at the day started off slightly better than the last, as he managed to find the spell Moody used to hide the door. There was also several other charms to help one stay concealed in the book How to Evade Evasion, lifted from the restriction section, and he found himself growing a bit more hopeful about learning what his Defense Professor was up to. Harry looked all over the school for the Headmaster but could not find him. With time running short he slipped a note behind the Gargoyle outside his office. It flinched for a moment before looking at him and nodding, then grabbing the letter and holding it tightly as it turned back to stone. With a possibly pointless thanks he left and headed for the Great Hall.
Lunch was filled with questions, but once again Luna picked up on what was happening and got the rest to let him leave early. He slipped her a note under the table telling her he would explain later. Moody was still seated at the staff table when he left amidst another group of students leaving as to hide his movements. In the hallway he hung around the doors leading outside until the coast was clear. Then he slipped behind a pillar and put on his cloak before ultimately heading inside the room to wait for Moody. Harry stood next to the doorway and swung it open, peaking around the edge to see inside. Seeing no one he rushed inside and closed the door, checking all the corners. Satisfied he was clear, Harry found a suitable spot sitting atop an old teachers podium to spy on the teachers. He wrapped the cloak up around his feet and sat patiently, going over what few spells he could try to defend himself with if caught.
The wait did not take long before he heard the clack of Moodys foot in front of the door. Harry breathed as steadily as possible as the older teacher entered and began casting spells, though none of them were aimed at him. Harry guessed they were privacy spells of some sort but couldn't tell exactly what they did. He was relieved when the man seemed to find nothing and leaned up against a desk, taking a large gulp from his flask. Soon after Karkaroff came in, Moodys head snapping up towards the door a few moments before. From Harrys angle he could see that the mans wand also came out, but he doubted Igor could tell.
"So, what is it you wish to tell me Moody? Still chasing me for my sins in the last war? I proved myself-"
"More like sold out your comrades you little worm." Said Moody, standing straight up. "Im not that fool Alastor anyway." Harry had to admit that made sense, though it made him wonder where the real one was and that perhaps finding him would be a good course of action. "You may know me as Crouch Junior, but I expect to be called Sir and for you to listen to everything I say if you don't want the Dark Lord to be angry with you."
"W-what do you mean!? Barty Junior, is that you? Theres no way you could have escaped-"
"Silence, we are not here to discuss pleasantries. Neither is that our goal, so you better listen up. On this bit of parchment are instructions that you are to read in private later that will be a reminder for you in case you forget what I'm about to say." He pulled out a small scroll and handed it over, which was accepted and hidden away amidst the foreigners robes. "You are to control Neville Longbottoms mind and convince him to do the same to his dragon in the tournament, but have it attack the bleachers where Harry Potter is sitting. I have arranged a meeting with Neville later at the time specified where you will surprise him and carry out the plan."
"What if I refuse?"
"Don't even ask that bullshit, we both know what he Dark Lord would do to you after I brought you to him. There is little risk for you anyway, so do this and Lord Voldemort will be pleased. Maybe enough to forgive your betrayal."
"Fine, like you said this will be quite easy. Hopefully the boy doesn't get eaten in five seconds or this plan wont work."
"This is only the first part, more will be on the way. If Potter does not die there will be other opportunities."
"Fine, I will be going then. Make sure you don't let that blasted maniac get out of wherever you're keeping him. I know you're the type to drag things out."
"Get out you sneak before I cut your tongue off and send it to my Lord."
Both men then stormed out of the room, the door slamming shut. Harry waited a few minutes, taking a moment to organize all this new information. By the time he had a plan together, as poor as it was, he slipped out of the room and after Moody, hoping to use his greater knowledge of the school to arrive before him. With any luck Snape would be persuaded to listen to him.
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"Enough Potter, that will be all. Not that you have convinced me of anything, but you may cower under your fathers cloak beside that cabinet. He will be here in a few moments so keep quiet."
Harry wisely listened to the potions master and threw his cloak back on, sliding up against the shadowed wall next to the cabinet. Not a minute later Moody burst in. Harry learned nothing that he didnt already know from the conversation. They discussed security risks during the event and what they would be doing, neither saying anything at all related to Voldemort. Moody left as suddenly as he came, and after a reasonable amount of time Harry slipped off his cloak.
"I swear Professor, that was Barty Crouch Junior. I don't know who that is other than he must be the son of that official organizing he event. It sounded like he escaped from Azkaban and definitely has the real Professor Moody hidden somewhere."
"Fine, I shall believe this as you have little reason to lie. But I will not be acting against anyone until I have proof. You said you had some?"
"Later he set up a meeting with Neville where he has told Karkaroff to control his mind into getting Neville have his dragon attack the stands. If you go there instead of Neville I promise he will be there and you can get it out of him yourself."
"Fine, I will find Mr Longbottom. If he knows of this meeting I will carry out that plan. However if this is a joke you can expect to feel fear greater than you have ever felt before. Now go and keep your head down. I will send Neville along, at which point you are to protect him."
"Yes, sir Ill keep an eye out for Moody as well. Is Dumbledore here?"
"It would seem fate is most unfortunate today, as he will not be back from London until just before the event. Rest assured he will be informed as soon as possible."
"Thank you, Ill be on my way."
After harry had left, Snape mumbled "Five points to Potter for finally using his brain."
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AN
Yes I will be leaving it there, sorry for the cliffhanger. Thanks for reading, please leave a comment to let me know what you think of the story.