Harry groaned in pain as his head hit the ground. He closed his eyes, trying to push away the dizziness that was threatening to take him over. For a couple minutes he had no idea what had just transpired but soon his mind cleared and he was brought back to the present. He slowly pushed himself into a sitting position and looked around. Before he even registered what he was seeing, his body filled with dread and two things came to his mind: trust your instincts and never assume you're alone.
"Harry, are you all right?" he heard Cedric say and looked to his right before jumping to his feet.
"I'm fine. Cedric, where's the Cup?" Harry asked, his eyes locked on a tombstone next to a large stone statue of an angel holding a scythe. He was hardly aware that he was inching closer to the gravestone.
"It was a Portkey," Cedric said. "The Cup was a Portkey. Where are we? This is a strange twist in the task."
Tom Marvolo Riddle.
"This isn't part of the task," Harry said, turning away from the tombstone. "We're not at Hogwarts anymore. They never would have had us leave the grounds," he said, now staring at a large black cauldron in the middle of the graveyard.
"You sure?" Cedric said gazing around.
"Yes!" Harry shouted. "We're nowhere near the school! I've been here before! We have to leave. Where's the Cup?" he looked around frantically. He could feel his bracelet getting warm and could only imagine how his guardians were reacting.
"It's over here," Cedric called. Harry ran towards it with Cedric. They could almost touch it when it flew a few feet away and a spell hit Harry in the chest, blasting him backwards and into the tombstone. He groaned as pain spiked through his back.
He opened his eyes and tried to clear his vision. He could see a blurry dark figure but wasn't sure what it was. He forced himself to stand, suddenly aware of an occasional beep. He looked at his watch to see his magic was at seventy percent.
"Kill him," a high voice said and Harry spun around at the sound of it to see the figure raise a wand at Cedric.
"Avada Kedavra!" a squeaky voice cried.
"No!" Harry yelled and ran to Cedric, pushing him to the ground. Harry felt the curse fly over his head. "Cedric, run!" Harry yelled and they jumped from their spot on the ground just as a spell blasted a hole in the ground.
"What's going on?" Cedric shouted as they ran, Harry trying to ignore the searing pain in his scar telling him exactly who their visitors were: Peter Pettigrew and Lord Voldemort.
"Just run and hide!" Harry shouted and dove behind the statue, a Blasting Curse sailing past his elbow.
"Come on, Potter," Pettigrew said and Harry held his breath, hoping he wouldn't be found. "Reducto!" he yelled and Harry moved, narrowly avoiding the spell which hit the ground.
"Stupefy!" Harry yelled, cursing when he missed. Pettigrew waved his wand and Harry found himself tied to the statue, his wand on the ground a couple feet away. Harry struggled though he knew it was pointless. What had happened to Cedric?
"Now! Now!" Voldemort hissed from Pettigrew's arms. Pettigrew raised the bundle he was holding over the cauldron which filled with liquid and a fire ignited beneath it. Pettigrew dropped Voldemort into the liquid which began to bubble and boil.
Harry fell silent as he watched the events unfold before him. Pettigrew raised his wand and levitated a bone from the tombstone beside Harry. "Bone of the father, unknowingly given," and the bone fell into the cauldron.
Harry watched as Pettigrew pulled a dagger from his robes and held the blade to his right wrist, holding his hand over the cauldron. As he spoke, Harry heard a quiver in Pettigrew's voice. "Flesh of the s-servant, wi-willingly sac-sacrificed!" he screamed as he sliced through his wrist and his right hand fell to the boiling liquid.
Harry's eyes widened as Pettigrew advanced on him with the dagger. I've heard this somewhere. Bone of the father, flesh of the servant, blood of the enemy. This is Voldemort's resurrection! He concluded to himself in horror. Voldemort was about to return, Harry was unarmed and bound to a statue, and Cedric was nowhere to be seen. Was he dead or simply hiding? Or had he taken the Cup back to Hogwarts?
"Blood of the enemy, forcibly taken," Pettigrew muttered and Harry let out a cry of pain as Pettigrew sliced his right forearm open, getting blood on the silver blade. Pettigrew tapped the dagger and Harry's blood dripped into the bubbling potion. Harry knew what was coming but wasn't ready for the pain that accompanied the next step.
The cauldron seemed to melt away as the thing that was Voldemort rose into the air and began transforming. Everything began elongating to form a long, thin, and pale body. The face smoothed out, ending in small eyes, a thin lipless mouth, and two slits for a nose, making Voldemort greatly resemble a snake. Black robes appeared out of nothing and draped themselves over Voldemort's newly created body. Voldemort's feet touched the ground and he stood tall, his eyes still closed. Harry could almost feel the extra evil that Voldemort brought to the graveyard. The evil was so strong and dense that Harry thought it might suffocate him.
Though Voldemort's back was to him, Harry knew he had opened his eyes for Harry got another jolt of pain tear through his forehead but no noise escaped him.
"My wand," Voldemort said his voice high, threatening, and lethal. Pettigrew handed his master a wand that appeared to be made of bone. "You have done well. We must call the others," Voldemort hissed and extended Pettigrew's left arm. He pushed the tip of his wand to the Dark Mark on Pettigrew's arm.
Harry felt more dread and fear fill the rest of his body. As figures began slamming into the ground surrounded by black smoke, Harry became aware of a dull but increasing pain on his wrist and knew it was his bracelet. He was in so much danger and was so terrified that the bracelet was beginning to burn his wrist. Harry's attention was brought back when Voldemort began speaking.
"Welcome, my friends," Voldemort said to the surrounding Death Eaters. Harry's attention was once again torn from the danger in front of him as movement caught his eye. He slowly turned his head and saw Cedric leaning around a large tomb, his wand raised. Harry followed the wand's direction and saw a spell hit Pettigrew who had been whimpering and cradling his handless arm in a dark area. Pettigrew silently fell over and stopped moving. It was at this time that Harry saw the Triwizard Cup beside Pettigrew's unconscious body.
"Harry Potter," Voldemort's voice broke into Harry's head, making his eyes snap back where they met Voldemort's red slits. "You've escaped me many times over the years but not tonight," and Harry feared the dark wizard could be right. How was he supposed to get out of this one? He was tied to a statue, unarmed, and his only companion was Cedric who wouldn't stand a chance against all the Death Eaters, let alone Voldemort himself.
How am I getting out of this? Harry questioned himself, wishing he had his wand.
"You see," Voldemort said, turning back to his Death Eaters, "thirteen years ago, Harry and I met for the first time. However, I was unable to defeat him. He defeated me. Something he was only able to do because of dear Lily Potter and her sacrifice. I could not touch him. Then we met again three years ago but I was once again defeated by a mere eleven year old because of the power of love," he sneered the word and the Death Eaters laughed. Voldemort turned back to Harry who met his red, snake-like eyes, trying to keep his fear from showing. "Love. Dumbledore's answer to everything. After that, we met once more, two years ago and I thought I had won this time but I was wrong. Harry bested me again when he killed my precious Basilisk and destroyed my diary. You destroyed a part of me in the Chamber of Secrets that night, Harry."
A part of him? Surely the diary hadn't been that important, Harry thought slightly confused.
"Things are different now though. There is no one here to protect you, Harry," Voldemort said and slowly raised his hand. "No one to sacrifice themselves to save you," he extended a finger. "I can touch you now," and he pressed his long finger to Harry's scar.
Harry screamed in excruciating pain and wished with everything he had that the pain would stop. Just as he thought his head was going to split open, Voldemort pulled back abruptly as if he had been burnt. Harry stared at Voldemort with wide eyes, not having any idea what just happened and trying to push out the pain in his head. He could feel his wrist burning. The pain told him that his bracelet continued to get hotter and was burning into his skin.
"Let us see just how powerful the great Harry Potter is now that I have returned to full power," Voldemort said and Harry fell to the ground as his bonds disappeared. "Pick up your wand," he ordered and Harry scrambled to pick up his wand, turning around and immediately pointing it at Voldemort who laughed, the sound echoed by the Death Eaters. "This is the end, Harry. No one is going to question me ever again," he whispered and raised his wand.
"Harry!" Harry's eyes widened when he heard Cedric shout and heard him running.
"Cedric, no! Get out of here!" Harry yelled and jumped to his feet to see Cedric heading towards him.
"Ah, I see the spare lives," Voldemort sneered. Harry didn't like his tone and turned to face Voldemort to see his eyes flash dangerously as he raised his wand at Cedric. "Avada Kedavra!"
"NO!" Harry cried and jumped between the green light and Cedric.
"HARRY!" Cedric's scream was the last thing Harry heard before he fell to the darkness.
Harry opened his eyes and allowed his eyes to adjust to the brightness. He slowly pushed himself up onto his feet and looked at his surroundings...or he would have had there been any. It was as if everything had been erased leaving only white. Noticing his body was absent of pain, Harry looked down at himself. He was still clutching his wand but any cuts or wounds he had received were gone. His bracelet was no longer burning and his scar wasn't paining him.
"Hello, sweetheart," a woman's voice said softly and Harry spun around, his jaw dropping. Walking towards him were his parents, Lily and James Potter. They both had smiles on their faces as they looked down at him
"I'm dead," Harry said without thinking and his parents laughed.
"Not quite, son," James said, clapping a hand on his son's shoulder.
"Then what's going on? Where are we?" Harry frowned.
"Where would you like to be?" Lily asked softly.
"The cottage," Harry said without hesitation and as soon as he finished, their surroundings changed. They were now standing in the kitchen/dining room of Remus' cottage. "Whoa," Harry said in awe.
"Have a seat, sweetheart," Lily said and sat in the seat usually occupied by Remus. Harry sat across from her and James sat in Sirius' chair at the head of the table.
"What's going on?" Harry asked again. "Voldemort hit me with the killing curse. I should be dead."
"True," James nodded, "but you're unique. You survive things others wouldn't."
"You sound like Dumbledore and Remus," Harry said.
"Two excellent people to be compared to," James said with a grin and Harry laughed.
"What about Sirius?" Harry said.
"Of course," James nodded. "Not all aspects of Sirius but most."
"Dad, you two are almost identical. If you insult him, you pretty much insult yourself," Harry said, smiling at his father's dumbfounded look.
"Moony's rubbed off on you," James said and Harry laughed again.
"I'm okay with that," Harry grinned.
"Back on topic, boys," Lily said and they looked at her.
"So what's happened?" Harry asked.
"You were correct when you said you were hit with the killing curse," Lily said and Harry nodded. "What were you thinking?"
"I was thinking I wasn't about to let Voldemort murder one of my friends," Harry said.
Lily looked at him compassionately. "So brave and selfless and sweet."
"Wonder where he got that?" James said looking proud.
"Not from you, dear," Lily said, patting her husband's hand.
"Hey!" James said, looking deflated.
"Don't worry, dear. I'm sure we can find something he got from you," Lily said with a smile.
"Oh, ha ha. Very funny," James scowled.
"I have to ask," Harry interrupted his parents. "How did you get together? I mean, Mum, you hated him."
"We'll tell you and you can tell those two idiots down there when you want," James said.
"Those two idiots down there are raising your son," Harry said with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, and they're doing wonderfully," Lily said quickly, cutting across James who had opened his mouth to reply. "Anyways, that day I had received a nasty letter from Petunia. It upset me and I went outside to the tree to be alone. Your father was walking around outside."
"I was upset too for my parents had just died," James said.
"He came and sat with me. I was too upset to tell him to leave me alone. However, since the death of his parents he had been different. He wasn't being obnoxious, he wasn't pulling pranks, he was quiet. Keeping to himself," Lily explained.
"We started talking and felt sorry for each other. It didn't take long and we ended up kissing. Then Padfoot and Moony decided to make an appearance," James said, smiling at the memory.
"So how come you never told them?" Harry asked.
"That was my idea," Lily said. "It was my revenge for all the pranks they had ever pulled on me. Some of my revenge anyways."
"That reminds me," James said. "Slap Padfoot for me."
"Why?" Harry frowned.
"Because he came over one day to watch you while I worked in the den. He had destroyed the living room. There was paint everywhere. I don't know what he did but I got blamed for it. I had to clean the living room and you without magic," James told Harry who laughed.
"I'll make sure he gets the message," Harry said.
"We are far off topic," Lily said. "Back to the situation at hand. You are being protected from the Killing Curse."
"How? It can't be stopped," Harry frowned.
"Moony and Padfoot," James said and Harry blinked.
"What? That doesn't make sense. They're nowhere near me. They're at Hogwarts. I'm in Voldemort's graveyard," Harry said.
"Their love for you is protecting you," Lily said. "Much like my sacrifice but this is simply their love. It is creating a shield and the curse cannot penetrate it."
"Seriously?" Harry said.
"Yes, sweetheart," Lily nodded.
"But, how—" Harry said.
"They love you so much, Harry," James said.
"So Remus and Sirius are keeping me alive?" Harry said and his parents nodded. "How are they doing?"
"They're worried especially because the bracelet keeps getting hotter. The pendant's burned into all of your wrists," James said.
"They're just worried?" Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Okay, they're completely terrified and frantic," James shrugged. "They're trying to hide it but Ron, Hermione, and Dumbledore can tell something's wrong."
"How long have I been gone?" Harry asked.
"You entered the maze three hours ago," Lily said.
"Three hours?" Harry repeated. "Wait. Cedric. What's happened to him?" he asked, fearing the worst.
"He is attempting to fight off the Death Eaters. He's not doing well," Lily told him.
"What?" Harry jumped to his feet. "I have to get back. I have to help him."
"A few things before you go," James said, he and Lily standing. "This is going to get much worse before it gets better. The Second Wizarding War is about to begin."
"Listen to Remus and Sirius. Confide in them. Tell them your secrets and fears. They want to help you but only can if you let them," Lily added.
"Last, be prepared. Things are going to get difficult. You will always have people to help you but you must be prepared," James finished.
"Goodbye, sweetheart. We love you," Lily hugged her son.
"Goodbye, son. Good luck," James said.
"Bye. Thanks. I love you too," Harry said. He stared at his parents' smiling faces before everything went black again.
