Chapter 35
The Tournament Council
Author's Note: For those who did not notice before I changed it, I added this before Sirius walked out of the Great Hall at the end of the chapter. "Sirius followed, after collecting a sample of the dosed beverage for evidence." I realized my mistake could have changed Cho Chang's punishment, without evidence being proved.
Also, the chapter starts with a time-skip. We start a bit over two weeks after Thanksgiving on a Friday afternoon, with a summary of the time-skip to begin. When it begins, it is Friday, December 11th, 1994 – One Week before the Winter Solstice.
Thanks to everyone who suggested Patronuses, especially LoveEvangeline, who suggested Tracey's.
Two weeks had passed since the Thanksgiving Feast when Cho Chang's plot to dose Lord Harry Potter with Love Potion was discovered by Harry, himself, using Charms he had learned only the day before.
For the countless time since she and Sirius had become a couple in early November, Amelia Bones had come back to Hogwarts. This time she had come, accompanied by Aurors Shacklebolt and Savage, and her visit was to deal with Cho Chang. By the end of the night, Harry, Lily, and Albus Dumbledore had been interviewed in addition to Cho, Remus, Sirius, and Professor Flitwick, who Amelia had met with upon her arrival.
Harry recounted his tale – how he had noticed an oddity in the pattern of jugs placed by House-Elves at the feast. How this specific jug was out of place. How he had used a Charm, taught by his mother, to detect Illegal Amortentia. And how the rainbow beam had hit Cho Chang. Lily parroted the event from her point-of-view, as well as verifying the lesson she had taught Harry the day before. Albus Dumbledore tried to persuade Amelia to let him, as Cho Chang's Headmaster take care of the matter, as it happened in the castle he lorded over. Amelia wouldn't have it. After being presented with the witness statements, and given the sample of the dosed beverage from Sirius, Amelia arrested Cho Chang on possession of illegal Love Potion, and three counts of Attempted Line Theft.
Severus Snape was investigated for a possible connection to the Love Potions, as he was the Hogwarts Potions Master. But his brew of Amortentia – used for educational purposes – had not been tampered with. It was soon discovered Chang had bought the Potion from an outside source, and had it smuggled inside Hogwarts in a case of Butterbeer.
Cho Chang spent two nights in the Ministry Holding Cells. But she wasn't alone. Her father, Lord Xi Chang had tried to argue with Amelia about his daughter's arrest, and how she should be placed on house arrest so he could watch her. He got part of his wish to watch her – he spent two nights in the same cell as his daughter.
Then Cho was put on trial in front of twenty-one Wizengamot Council members – a combination of School Governors who were also Council, and those Council who specialized in trials. In the end, it was decided Cho Chang was expelled from Hogwarts, but her father and their House Solicitor had saved her from time in Azkaban, saying she was a minor. He also saved her from getting her wand snapped. She would be allowed to attend a school in a different country. She also had a restraining order placed on her against Harry Potter, and any allies, family, or close friends of House Potter. If she broke it, she'd be going to Azkaban.
Two enormous changes happened in light of the Thanksgiving Feast "fiasco" – as some had put it.
The first, was that nobody was looking jealously toward Harry and Hermione anymore. Nobody wanted to end up like Cho Chang. If that meant stop being jealous of Hermione, so that Harry Potter didn't suspect someone of attempted Line Theft, then by Merlin, they were going to stop being jealous! They'd take their chances once Hermione broke up with Harry, or vice-versa. It was bound to happen sooner or later, right?
Whether or not it was due to a possible law passed by the Wizengamot, or their relationship just went bad, it was bound to happen! This was Hermione's first boyfriend, after all. She needed to play the market! Date several boys to find the right one! Yep... it was definitely going to happen! That is what was on the minds of several girls anyway. A few girls even denied really good wizards who asked them to go to the Ball, just so they'd be available when Harry became single.
The second big change was Professor Moody's defense class. The paranoid Ex-Auror had dedicated two whole weeks of classes, teaching every single student in every single year how to detect Illegal Potions and mind-control magic. Severus Snape had even volunteered to brew the necessary Potions. But no! The paranoid ex-Auror brewed his own.
Oh, and he also subjected those who got it wrong to drink it. He even put the hairs of their closest neighbor – of the opposite sex - in the class, into their the mugs of potion at their desk, and forced them to drink if they got it wrong. Dumbledore had apparently given Moody permission. So Severus was forced to brew antidotes for the Potions, and give them to Madam Pomfrey to cure the lust-filled students – of all ages – who drank the dosed Potions.
One memorable incident was when Ron Weasley had drank a Love Potion dosed with Lavender Brown's hair, and Lavender Brown had shrieked and fled class when Ron proclaimed his undying love for her. He spent the next couple of days in the Hospital Wing. At least he didn't hear the laughing and jeering at his expense, or the stories about it. Harry had heard the tale when it was delightfully retold by Hermione, Daphne, Tracey – and Tonks, who was doing her guard duty – who were in the class at the time – even though the class was Gryffindors and Ravenclaws, Hermione and the two Slytherins were in the lesson, due to their "Hogwarts" Sorting.
Suffice it to say by the end of two weeks, most students in Hogwarts now knew how to detect several illegal Potions and mind-control magic, whether it be on themselves, in food and drink, or someone else was under the influence of the mind-magic and Potions. It was a common sight for wands to be waving over food and drink in the Great Hall at every meal. Moody's "good paranoia" had spread widely around Hogwarts, and he got a kick out of it.
Hermione, Daphne, Tracey, Luna and Astoria were the quickest to learn, because they were taught in extracurricular lessons by Lily. Harry, Rose and Gabrielle had joined in on the lessons too – Harry, simply wanting more practice. They had finished the lessons after one week of lessons – the lessons were held between the time of their final school lesson, and dinner. At the end of Lily's lessons, all eight students in Lily's 'class' had gone through an exam, which took place during dinner in the Ilvermorny Cafeteria Tent. They had all passed with flying colors, and the Hogwarts students earned Outstanding grades from Professor Moody by the end of the lessons.
After Lily's lessons were done, Hermione, Daphne, Tracey, and Luna were then taught the Patronus Charm by Remus. Tonks was being taught how to do a Patronus Charm, and Harry was Remus' assistant. By the end of Thursday's lesson, two weeks after Thanksgiving, Luna was the first to complete her Patronus, and had moved on to the Swarm lesson. Hermione, Tracey and Daphne had only been able to create 'shields'. Hermione, Tracey and Daphne were shocked when Luna succeeded first. And all of them – including Harry, Remus and Tonks, were shocked to see Luna's Patronus.
It was a Crumple-Horned Snorcack.
Hermione went to bed that night, confused about how an imaginary creature could be a Patronus. And she started wondering how many of Luna's imaginary creatures... were imaginary.
Friday, December 11th, 1994
Friday afternoon, Harry, Hermione, Daphne, Tracey, Luna, Remus and Tonks were on the Grounds of Hogwarts. The last class of the day had ended about an hour ago, and they were once again participating in another Patronus Charm lesson – their fourth lesson. Harry was helping Tonks – who had a jack-rabbit Patronus, and Luna – her Crumple-Horned Snorcack still confused Harry – with their Patronus Swarms. Hermione, Daphne and Tracey were still trying to cast Corporeal Patronuses, with Remus' help. They could only get shields.
"I have to be misunderstanding something here!" Hermione fussed, after producing yet another shield, "I should have gotten this by now!"
Harry gave words of encouragement to Luna and Tonks, then walked over to Hermione.
"What have you been picturing in your mind as you cast?" Harry asked.
"Several things," Hermione said. "Receiving confirmation that I'm a witch. Seeing Diagon Alley for the first time. Seeing Hogwarts for the first time. Meeting and becoming friends with Luna. Meeting you... you asking me out on a date... when you kissed me. How are these not happy enough?"
"Because you're a perfectionist, Hermione," Remus said. "It makes it more complicated. You're doubting yourself. This is our fourth lesson. You expected to have a Corporeal by the first. Maybe the second. Luna beat you yesterday. And that has you doubting you can do it. Am I correct?"
Hermione frowned and nodded.
"Doubting yourself is blocking memories," Remus said.
"What if she had a more recent memory to use?" Harry asked.
"It could possibly work," Remus said, "What do you think she –?"
Harry cupped one of Hermione's cheeks and kissed her. Their kiss turned into a French kiss. Then Harry backed away.
"Expecto Patronum!" Hermione said, breathlessly, as she stared at Harry.
Harry grinned as a silver lioness emerged from her wand and flew into air. He was slightly disappointed her Patronus wasn't Shadow... as he thought it might be. But it was a type of large cat, and that had to mean something. Hermione stared at it in awe – whether it be in awe of her feat or in awe of what it represented, she did not know.
"I did it!" Hermione squealed.
Then she jumped on Harry and kissed him again. The lioness rubbed at their legs as it moved around them. They could almost feel it.
Tracey sighed. "Maybe we should kiss, Daphne."
Daphne snorted. If it was that easy, we'd have our Patronus on the first night of lessons."
Harry backed away from Hermione's lips.
"So, you're saying," he said, "That each night you -"
"Snog before bedtime?" Tracey suggested.
"While doing so in bed?" Daphne suggested. in a teasing manner.
Harry gulped, and nodded slightly. Hermione rolled her eyes, and her lioness vanished. Harry winced at the implications of what that might have meant.
"Yes," Daphne and Tracey said, in unison.
Remus cleared his throat. "I am not sure – er – snogging would solve your issue, ladies. Since it seems to be a – er – daily occasion."
Harry, Daphne, Tracey and Tonks snickered at Remus' awkwardness of the situation. Hermione rolled her eyes, but grinned at the witch couple, happy that they were so happy.
"It needs to be more powerful," Remus said. "Maybe not a memory, but an emotion during happy memories. How you felt about something. The happiest, most positive emotion you felt during a favorite memory."
Daphne and Tracey exchanged glances, staring searchingly at each other for long moments.
"Expecto Patronum!" Daphne exclaimed.
An arctic fox cantered out of her wand, and started running circles around her and Tracey. Obviously it represented her fierceness, slyness – and appeared to also compliment her apparent nickname.
"The day you agreed to be my Consort," Daphne whispered to Tracey.
Tracey smiled then cleared her throat. "Expecto Patronum!"
A tortoise – no, a fire-crab crawled out of her wand ,and started running in the same circles as the arctic fox.
"The day you helped me convince our parents to have sleepovers," Tracey said to Daphne; in a whisper that Harry could barely hear.
Tracey then stared at the fire-crab, and she smiled sadly at it. She seemed to know why she had that Patronus. Harry studied it and tried to see the metaphor in it. It resembled a tortoise more than a crab. Tortoises were known for hiding in their shell. Harry nodded. She was hiding her past trauma, and perhaps her sexuality. Her Patronus would likely change once she freed herself of her secrets.
"Very good, all of you!" Remus said, smiling. "If you're up to it, you three can move onto practicing Swarms until dinnertime. And we can practice Swarms next lesson too."
"Remus?" Hermione asked. "After we do these lessons, I'd like our next to be Occlumency – I don't know if you, Lily or Sirius are better at it. But..."
"I would be happy to help," Tonks said. "I learned it during my first year of Auror training."
"I'm pretty good at Occlumency," Harry said, "I think I told you that once, Hermione. I could help."
"Yes, you told me," Hermione said.
"Anyone else up for those lessons?" Remus asked.
Daphne, Tracey and Luna nodded.
"Then we'll figure that out," Remus said, "and it will be our next extracurricular lesson after we test whether or not all of you can do the simplest of Patronus Swarms. Now, as I told Luna and Tonks, the Patronus Swarm is very difficult..."
Saturday, December 12th, 1994
Around eleven-o-clock, Saturday morning, Harry and Hermione were sitting in Harry's bedroom – curtains opened, but a Privacy Bubble was around the room. Hermione had wanted to talk to him in private. And she wanted to do it in a far more private place then secluded corners around the Grounds.
"I need to tell you something I've been keeping from you for a couple of weeks now," Hermione said. "The only reason I didn't tell you two weeks ago, is because I've been giving it a lot of thought. First of all... I'm not breaking up with you. So don't even think about that."
Harry exhaled in relief. "Well, when you come in and want to speak to me in private..."
"Far more important things need privacy too, Harry," Hermione said; then blushed, "And it isn't what you think. Damn it, I am messing this up!"
"Just say whatever you need to tell me," Harry said, "I am silent until you say I can speak."
"The day after Thanksgiving, your mother let me take a whiff of the Amortentia," Hermione said, "To see what I would smell. She said it was only fair since you smelled it."
"She Charmed away our smelling senses otherwise during those practices," Harry nodded, then winced when he realized he interrupted her. "Sorry."
"Yes, she did," Hermione said. "Anyway, First I smelled spearmint toothpaste – you know, my parents are dentists. I smelled flowers that are usually sitting in a vase in my sitting room at home. And I smelled..."
She cleared her throat. "Do you remember the day you showed me Shadow? How I hugged you and wouldn't let you go when you told me you would be facing a Dragon?"
Harry nodded, silently.
"I remember a musky scent," Hermione said. "or maybe it was dirt. Whatever it was, I smelled it again in the Potion. It was the aroma of your body when I hugged you, after you played as Shadow."
Harry grinned. Did that mean...?
"I had a vision under the influence of the Amortentia," Hermione said. I was sitting in my sitting room, talking to my parents. And you transformed from Harry, to Shadow, then back to Harry, to prove you were a wizard. We were telling them how we felt about each other... and..."
She sighed. "We agreed not to talk about the future. But it was something I wanted – still want - to happen. Harry... did you... have a vision?"
"I had a vision of you walking out of my house in Boston, then toward me as I was looking at the flower bed," Harry said. "The wind blew, and I smelled your shampoo."
Hermione smiled. "I know we agreed to slow down our relationship. I still want to do the seven month thing. But after two weeks of thoughts, pondering and a bit of meditation, I decided I wasn't mad. That what I smelled in the Amortentia was real. I am falling in love with you, Harry."
Harry beamed, grinning like a fool. "And I with you, Hermione."
Hermione smiled and blushed. "We still need these seven months, Harry. Just in case."
"I know," Harry said. "We made a promise. I really... really... want to kiss you, but Mom would scream at me."
"Yes," Harry's mother said, poking her head into the invisible bubble, "I probably would. I only heard the 'wanting to kiss' part, Harry. Stop panicking."
"Privacy!" Harry exclaimed.
Lily rolled her eyes. "Sorry, private time is postponed. Padma and Professor Flitwick are here. And someone else apparently. Padma says Professor Flitwick wants to speak to both of you, and me as well."
"Oh," Harry said, "Alright then."
He stood up, and offered Hermione his hand. She took it, and pulled herself up. She pecked him on the lips as soon as she reached him.
"There's that kiss you wanted," Hermione said; then whispered. "And promises of more to come."
Lily cleared her throat.
"Yes – we heard you – we're coming," Harry said.
He grinned at Hermione, and they followed Lily hand-in-hand out of the bedroom, and outside the tent. They found Padma and tiny Professor Flitwick standing a few feet away.
And Mandy Brocklehurst was standing in between them, looking a lot more timid than she had the last time Harry had seen her. So, Brocklehurst was back. Fantastic. Then he noticed... she was wearing a green tie in her school-robes. Fantastic!
"Greetings!" Flitwick said, "Lady Potter, I will address you first. Headmaster Dumbledore has requested you be in his office at three-o-clock this afternoon."
Lily tensed up. "Me... or me and my son?"
"Just you!" Flitwick said, "There will be a Tournament Council meeting. I believe the Headmaster said you were expecting it?"
Lily's expression softened. "Finally! I will be there!"
"Headmaster Dumbledore will be happy to hear it!" Flitwick said; then turned to Harry and Hermione, "As I am sure you've noticed, Mandy Brocklehurst has returned from her out-of-school suspension. Well... hopefully. She arrived an hour ago and was immediately Re-Sorted into Slytherin."
"Rightfully so!" Padma exclaimed; then merely grinned when Flitwick looked at her.
"Perhaps so," Flitwick said. "However! Miss Brocklehurst's father, the Lord Brocklehurst, has requested that I give a message to you. So here we are. Miss Patil is here just as an escort, but I believe she wanted to say something important after we were finished."
Padma nodded.
"Um... the message?" Harry asked.
"Oh!" Flitwick said. "Yes, of course! Lord Brocklehurst sends you, and Miss Granger as well, his deepest apologies for his daughter's behavior last month, and in the many months in Miss Granger's time here at school which she had to deal with Lord Brocklehurst's daughter. He has requested his daughter to speak to you – be it an apology or whatever. He asks that you listen to what she has to say. Because then it will be up to you to deem whether or not she returns to Hogwarts."
"He wants us to decide whether or not she's a changed person," Hermione said, glancing at Mandy.
"I believe so," Flitwick said.
"Hermione?" Harry asked, "It will be your decision whether to listen, and your decision of her fate."
"Putting a load on my shoulders, are you?" Hermione said, smiling. "Please begin, Mandy."
Mandy inhaled and exhaled. "I was seven years old the day my parents took me to Gringotts, and told me what it would mean to be a future Lady. I'd have a powerful pureblood husband. I'd give birth to the next generation of pureblood wizards of my husband's House. I was eight when my parents took me to my first social party. They brought me into the so-called children's parlor, where all the Heirs of the guests hung out. They pointed at various boys my age. 'Any one of these boys could be your future husband. Just tell us whom, and we'll try to work out a Betrothal Contract'.
"Five years later, I'm still looking for the boy my parents told me to find. I don't know if I haven't been looking right, or if there isn't a boy that is right for me in Hogwarts. Then you arrived, Harry. Just like that. The House of Potter was no longer extinct. You were an eligible bachelor, Heir of one of the longest bloodlines, and most popular Houses in Wizarding Britain. I followed you that day you went to the library. Watched you. I wanted to talk to you, and flirt, and whatever it took to get us on the road to me being your Lady. And then you asked Gran – Hermione.
"A Muggleborn. Once again, another generation tainted by Muggleborn. My parents may have disapproved of what I had done to Hermione, but they did agree with my beliefs. However, they also said I had gone at it all wrong.
"Then I got word of what Cho Chang did. Attempted Line Theft. Love Potions. Obviously she was mad at what happened to me. We were friends. I know she wanted our group of friends to be your wives – the three you said in your interview. But she did it in a way that was... she's smarter than that. I can't believe... I'm not as dumb as her. I won't ruin my life over a boy who I'm not going to be able to marry.
"I want to continue my education at Hogwarts. Maybe now that I'm in... Slytherin... I'll find a boy who is right for me, and believes the same beliefs I follow. I never really interacted with Slytherins. Maybe I was looking in the wrong places. But I also want to complete my education, pass my OWLs and NEWTs, so I am not just going to be a stay-at-home mother like my own mother is. I can't be her. I won't. But I will... if I can't go back to Hogwarts. I can't go elsewhere. I'd be disowned like... like Tracey. I have a sister who will be starting Hogwarts next year. She would be Lady in my place.
"I suppose that is it. My fate is up to you."
"Good Merlin, you are a Slytherin," Padma snorted.
"Miss Patil," Flitwick said, in a light scolding tone.
"Hermione?" Harry asked.
"Stay away from me, my friends, and anyone affiliated with House Potter, Mandy," Hermione said, "Unless we approach you. Basically a restraining order while still being a Hogwarts student. Enjoy being a Slytherin. You do deserve it."
"Thank you, Hermione," Mandy said.
"You never really did apologize," Harry said to Mandy.
"She isn't going to," Hermione said, "Because she wanted to be honest with us. There's my decision, Professor Flitwick – she can stay with limited restrictions. If she messes up... expulsion."
"An excellent decision, Miss Granger," Flitwick said, "I agree with you, and I am sure the Headmaster will too. Let's go tell the Headmaster, Miss Brocklehurst."
Mandy glanced at Harry and Hermione for a moment, before she turned and followed Professor Flitwick.
"Padma?" Harry asked.
"Winter Solstice Session is in less than a week, Harry," Padma said, "Next Friday. Since it falls on a Friday, those future Lords and Ladies have permission to sit and watch the Council. Only future Lords and Ladies are welcome in the visitor seats – no media, nobody else."
Harry whistled. "That clears out a good portion of Hogwarts for a day. Is that common amongst Solstice Sessions?"
"No," Padma said, shaking her head, "We've been invited to this one. Which means it is an important one."
"Who has invited the Heirs?" Lily asked.
"I have no idea," Padma said, "I only heard rumors. Anyway, Parvati, Luna and I can't go -"
"Oh, yes, you can," Lily said. "We're going to be asking for the Patil and Lovegood Houses to be welcomed into the Wizengamot as Noble Houses. I was planning on writing to yours and Luna's fathers today."
Padma grinned. "Thank you, Lady Potter. Alright. Um... we need to have at least one, maybe two meetings of the CGA between today and Thursday evening."
"Tomorrow at noon," Harry said, "Thursday after classes, but before dinner."
"Wait," Lily said. "Tomorrow is fine. However, either you and I are going to write to every Great Alliance House between tonight and tomorrow. We're going to host a large dinner meeting Wednesday or Thursday evening at the Three Broomsticks in a private room."
"You've been keeping that one in," Harry accused playfully.
Lily merely shrugged.
"I will speak to the others about tomorrow's meeting," Padma said, "And encourage everyone to write to their families about the latter meeting too. I know you'll be writing them too, but we'll do our best to encourage it. Obviously you have better access to well... all five tent-mates of yours, Hermione. So you can speak to them about it. Leave the rest – Parvati, Susan and Hannah – to me. And we can collaborate again tonight during dinner."
"Deal," Harry said.
"See you this evening," Padma said.
She smiled, then turned and started off to the castle.
"Six days," Hermione said. "Six days to know whether or not you and I can still be together. Six days... of knowing we can still be together."
"No, Hermione," Harry said, "It won't be the Wizengamot who decides for us. We will make sure of that."
Hermione smiled, and leaned toward him and kissed him. Lily had retreated into the tent before their kiss had even started.
Hogwarts - Headmaster's Office
As three-o-clock approached, Lily was now sitting in a chair at a large round table that had been temporarily placed in the Headmaster's Office. The Tournament Council, including Albus Dumbledore, Madame Maxime, Bartemius Crouch, Ludo Bagman, British Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge, and Amos Diggory was sitting at the table. French Minister of Magic Pierre Delacour was also present, sitting between Fudge and Diggory.
Lily was surprised, at first, that Pierre was there. She thought Albus had agreed with her about Pierre's expertise, in the subject of the Second Task. But she had caught Albus frowning when Pierre Delacour had arrived with Cornelius Fudge and Amos Diggory. Obviously Pierre had been invited by Fudge, and not Albus. Which could only mean – in Lily's opinion – that Albus might have been counting on Amos Diggory perhaps having a lack of knowledge of Merpeople and Veela, and hoped that lack of knowledge would help to keep the Task the same as it had been.
Standing almost unnoticeable against various positions around the office, were eight wizards. Four were Fudge's personal security, and four were Delacour's personal security.
"I believe we can begin this Tournament Council meeting," Fudge said.
Lily noted a slight displeasure on Albus' face – perhaps he hoped to lead the meeting.
"I would like to introduce Amos Diggory and French Minister of Magic Pierre Delacour," Fudge said, "They are here to present some information that could help us make a decision. Recently, an issue, regarding the future of the Second Task, has come to me as very concerning. Amos has volunteered to be the seventh vote in our decision-making, to prevent a draw in votes. I am sure we are all busy, so let us do away with small talk and get right to it.
"When we decided on what the Second Task would be, we did not take into account one serious problem. Madame Maxime had told us that one of her contenders was a Veela, and it wasn't until recently I understood her concerns. Now, as we know, Fleur Delacour is the aforementioned Veela, and as we know, she is the Beauxbatons Champion. Recent discoveries have made me concerned about Miss Delacour's safety."
"Pardon me, Minister Fudge," Pierre said, "Not just my daughter's safety, but also two entire magical races could be threatened if the right decision isn't made today.
"Please, Minister Delacour," Fudge said, "Enlighten us so we know how to make the best decision available. Amos, you may bring in additional information if you find it necessary."
"Veela, such as my daughters and wife," Pierre said, "Have one mortal enemy above all others. Merpeople. Now, it may seem silly at first. Merpeople live in lakes and oceans. Veela live on the land and take to the air. But Veela can also swim. There is a legend amongst Veela and Merpeople lore, about the beginnings of what started this turmoil. It has to do with the Lost City of Atlantis. Most know about the legendary city – it is famous amongst Magicals and the mundane alike. Mundanes believe it is simply that, a legend. Magicals know it was once a very real city which resided below and on the surface of the ocean. What nobody realizes, is that there was a secret, hidden Veela colony a few kilometers away.
"Merpeople called Atlantis home. In fact it was their capitol. Their kingdom. In Veela history, there were two famous island Veela colonies. One was the isle of Lesbos in Greece. The island near Atlantis is was named from an olde, dead Veela language. Veela now speak the language of their homelands to blend in with humans. In the olde language, the island's name translated to 'Paradise'.
"As legend goes, a group of teen Veelas, all friends, were celebrating another friend's second Ascension. So as you can imagine, they were twelve, thirteen, fourteen year old friends. They celebrated on the beach of their island, and swam in the ocean. Before this day, Veela didn't know about Merpeople, Merpeople didn't know about Veela. The group of teen Veela were swimming in the ocean when they encountered a teenaged school of Merpeople who were exploring the shore of the mysterious island, which their people knew of, but never approached. They had done so on a dare.
"The Merpeople surfaced when they heard splashing. They started shrieking, panicking. The Veela teens panicked, and the Veela who had just Ascended earlier that day panicked. At that Ascension, one learns how to bring forth their fireball ability. The newly Ascended Veela accidentally threw a fireball at a mermaid. The mermaid was a daughter of the King of Atlantis. The friends of the Mermaid princess attacked the Veela who had attacked their princess, and they dragged the attacking Veela - the Veela the group was celebrating – deep into the depths of the ocean, drowning and killing the Veela. The dead Veela was a niece of the Veela Queen of the island's colony."
Lily's eyes widened. Yep. That would start a war.
"The Merpeople and Veela started a war because of the death of the Queen's niece, and the attack of the Merpeople's princess. The war lasted nearly a year, and ended with Atlantis sinking."
"Why is this not a more famous tale?" Lily asked.
"I agree!" Ludo said, "That is an amazing story!"
"It is interesting," Albus commented, speaking for the first time since the meeting started.
"Most Veela don't like telling just anyone aside from mates about their histories," Pierre said. "I learned it from my mother-in-law on my wedding day to my wife."
"And the war still rages on even to this day?" Lily asked.
"It is more like a... peacetime that could end in a snap of a finger," Pierre said. "If a Merperson kills a Veela, or vice-versa – war will begin again."
"When we met last," Albus said, "You mentioned about the threat from the Merpeople to your daughters. What was that all about."
"Simply a warning to let my daughters know that they were near Merpeople territory," Pierre said; he looked around at the Council. "And now you know why the Second Task must be changed. If you don't change it, you will be responsible for possibly sparking another war between two races – simply for a Tournament, and so you can entertain yourselves."
"I believe we should listen to other opinions," Cornelius said, "I really don't want to be responsible for having a part in starting a war with a history that resulted in the end of a legendary city! Amos?"
"You were right to invite Minister Delacour," Amos said, "I wouldn't have known of any of that. I don't get much audience with Veela, I am afraid. That is just terrible."
"I will not be responsible for hurting one, perhaps two my students," Madame Maxime said.
"Change the Second Task," Lily said, "We can figure out something else."
"While we would do all we can to prevent such a war from beginning," Albus said, "We have discovered we are not infallible in this Tournament – Champion Longbottom's entry proves this. We could make a mistake and that would be our fault."
Crouch snorted. "We put together this Task before Champion Delacour entered the Tournament. She knows the dangers. It should be up to her to prevent doing anything that might start a war between her race and the Merpeople!"
"While the Second Task would have been very entertaining," Ludo said, "I had my doubts. I mean – the Champions will barely spend anytime in the spectator's views. I would only be able to commentate at the start and finish! If there is a chance our decision could start a war, we obviously change it"
"Let's take a vote," Cornelius said, "Those in favor of changing the Task."
Six out of seven – all aside from Crouch – voted in favor. Lily noticed Albus' slight hesitation.
"Majority," Cornelius said, as he frowned in Crouch's direction; then cleared his throat. Let's discuss suggestions! Lady Potter? You raised your hand first."
"A Dueling Tournament," Lily said, lowering her hand. "Instead of a one-day tournament, we stretch it to two days. For example, Harry versus Neville, Fleur versus Angelina for the first round. Second round different duels. The following day. Third round, the Champions duel who they hadn't dueled already. Then the final round. The judges vote – deciding on the performances in the duels. Whoever places first and second duels for first place. Third and fourth duels for third place. The losers get second and fourth respectively.
"Points as such: First: Fifty Points. Second: Forty-Five. Third: Forty. Fourth: Thirty-Five. The duels could take place on dueling platforms in the Great Hall, or out on the Grounds. The Dragon arena is still built. If you don't want duel platform style duels, the Dragon arena could be used. Or we could change arenas up. Great Hall first day. Arena second."
"Hmm," Madame Maxime said. "In order to make up for Golden Egg clue, we could give the Champions an exam of questions. Whoever gets the most questions right, gets to decide the schedule in the duels. Who they want to fight first, second third. And the rest is decided there. If there is a tie, it would be whoever finished. We could have the exam be in an impartial room with impartial Council – Amos Diggory, Bartemius Crouch and Ludo Bagman – perhaps, to watch over the exams. The exam would take place one month from the Task. We could all pick out two or three questions and add them into the exam."
Lily smiled and nodded. "A good addition to my idea. Thank you, Madame."
Madame Maxime smiled.
"Any other ideas for Tasks?" Cornelius asked.
"Since we can't use the lake," Crouch said, "Let's use the Forbidden Forest. Play a game of – what do the children call it - hide and seek. We figure out an area, block it off so no dangerous animals – those we don't want to interfere anyway – go into the area. And set the four into the Forest. We judges and other volunteers, follow them around silently, so we make sure they aren't using illegal spells. To add interest, the 'seek' part could be elevated. The winner of the task is the one who is the last Champion standing. The other three must be rendered incapable of competing. But... they also have to make it back out of the forest to prove that they survived the Task. If all Champions are rendered incapable – that obviously drops points down greatly."
"Would Bartemius' idea be possible, Albus?" Cornelius asked.
Albus stared at Bartemius. "I don't know. It would certainly upset the Centaurs, and we need their permission to take creatures from the Forest for the Third Task. That was agreed upon originally when we discussed the Dragons with them. I'm afraid changing our deal might be impossible. I am in favor of Lady Potter and Madame Maxime's decision."
"I trust we don't need your votes, Lady Potter, Madame Maxime?" Cornelius asked. "You support the duel and exam Task?"
Lily and Madame Maxime nodded.
"Amos?" Cornelius asked.
"Duel," Amos said, "I agree with Albus about the Centaurs not allowing us any more use of the Forest."
"Ludo?" Cornelius asked.
"Bartemius' idea seems exciting! Duels are exciting too!" Ludo said, "Either are entertaining, and it seems since the forest Task is already outnumbered, I pick the duel!"
Cornelius nodded. "Duel idea. Well done, Lily, Madame Maxime. The Second Task will be the Duel. Between now, and January 24th – one month before the Task – we'll figure out three questions apiece for the exam. We'll also figure out dueling arenas. The Great Hall and Dragon Arena seem a good idea to me. I'll figure out a date between now and the end of January for another meeting. Amos, Pierre, thank you for your assistance – you are, of course, welcome to join us at the Yule Ball. Bring your lovely wives – we'd love to have them."
"Shall I announce the new change in Task during the Yule Ball, Minister?" Albus asked.
"Shouldn't we leave it a mystery for everybody?" Fudge asked.
"No," Crouch said, "This task isn't to face the unknown like the Dragons. What better night than to announce the Task than the Yule Ball?"
"Show of hands to agree with Bartemius?" Fudge asked.
Everyone raised their hands. Their first unanimous decision.
"I believe we are finished then," Fudge said. "Thank you all for attending. Minister Delacour, thank you for an enlightening tale and making us see the error of our ways. Lady Potter, Madame Maxime, Bartemius, thank you for all your ideas. I look forward to the future of the Tournament. Meeting adjourned."
Lily smiled and stood. As she walked out of the office, she patted herself on the back for a job well done. And Madame Maxime have added a great addition to her idea. She had faith Harry would do well. This was something Sirius could teach him. And something he was very good at.
Chapter finished! Thanks to those who suggested the Patronuses. Daphne and Tracey's are subject to change in the future.
Harry and Hermione's discussion about the Amortentia wasn't planned until I started writing, it and neither was the discussion with Padma – including the Great Alliance meeting at the Three Broomsticks, Patils and Lovegoods hopefully becoming Noble Houses, and the Heirs getting permission to sit in amongst the Council. So yeah, a lot was added as I wrote! But I liked all the ideas!
I hope you liked my version of the sinking of Atlantis. I thought it worked well.
Crouch's Forest Task idea came from a reviewer who suggested something similar. I like my duel idea, but I added the forest Task as a suggestion.
Next Chapter: We meet the Great Alliance, for their meeting in the Three Broomsticks. And possibly more. Two Chapters (I think) until the Winter Solstice.