A/N: It's almost the end of the year (2014) and here is another chapter. I hope the holidays have been good for you.


The Quidditch Cup


I remember when I was young. I was in the past. Holding a baby with the fine American name of Robert James. At the time, I thought there was nothing more wonderful than watching a new life.

When I was older, I held my own son in my hands. I thought the same thing. Then, I held my daughter for the first time. Maybe it's true that familiarity breeds contempt but my first thought was not how wonderful she was but that I shouldn't expect to get much sleep in the near future.

It was during a Quidditch match at Hogwarts. She was playing as Chaser. Ravenclaw, of course. I realized why it was wonderful. I was watching the young while they learned. And that was amazing.


The twin boys sat in their room, waiting until it was time to leave for the Quidditch match. They were discussing things that didn't happen.

"If you want my help," Draco drawled, "I need to know what we're dealing with. You want to make sure that Harry wins the final battle. You remembered how it happened but things are different. What things?"

John smirked. "Us. I wasn't there the first time, the time I read about. You were Harry's adversary."

"Theodore is happily taking my place. If you like, I'll even help him to be devious and mean."

"Thank you. Other changes? Harry only had Hermione and Ron as friends. He was a very private person. He's still willing to help others when they need it. He should be fine."

"That is so nice to hear. It's no problem that Harry's having a healthy childhood. What is different about the situation we're dealing with?"

"Oh, let's see. Sirius Black originally died in Harry's fifth year. Alastor Moody died in Harry's seventh year, helping him flee the Dursleys." John frowned. "And Tonks was notoriously clumsy."

"Clumsy? Why would that change?"

"I don't know. Maybe for the same reason I'm friends with Captain Kangaroo." John gave a forced snarl. "Maybe someone helped her because of some reason or other. She still married Remus Lupin but not until Harry's sixth year." He rubbed his chin. "That should be interesting to watch."

"And what do we change? Or try not to change?"

"I don't know for sure. I'm hoping things balance out. Ludo Bagman's still around." He paused. "We need to find out about Bartemius Crouch."

"He retired. Remember. He left a note saying he was tired of all of it."

"Oh. He's probably dead then." John saw Draco's frown. "His son was sent to Azkaban. When his wife was dying, they went to visit him. She convinced him to let her take his place. A polyjuice potion, you know. She died in Azkaban. Barty Junior was smuggled back home and kept under lock and key."

"Until he escaped," Draco added. "And killed daddy out of spite. Must be related to the Dursleys."

John smiled, glad that Draco thinking what must have happened. "Do you know what we need to do?"

"Something dangerous?"

"Make sure Harry is entered into the Tri-Wizard Tournament."

"Why?"

"You'll love this. If Harry's wins, Voldemort is restored to his body and we have a big bloody war."

"And we want a war? That sounds reasonable."

"The war's going to happen anyway. The secret is that if it happens this way, Harry can survive."

Draco looked at John, making sure he was telling the truth. "What about everyone else?"

"Remember how Father lured the Dalek to Diagon Alley and those people died?"

Draco nodded. If Father did not do that, the results would have been worse. More people would have died. "If Harry can't survive, Voldemort would win?"

John nodded.

"I almost forgot," John added. "Ludo Bagman decided to enter Harry's name because of his gambling losses at the Quidditch World Cup. When Ireland beat Bulgaria by ten points. Victor Krum caught the snitch by the way."

Draco's interest increased. "That is interesting. Considering Bulgaria is playing Mexico." He frowned, thinking. "Why would that have changed?"

"You," John said. "The last time, USA beat Mexico only to lose to Ireland in the Quarter Finals. You changed things just enough to affect who made the American team. They weren't as good this time. And Mexico must have worked out their problems to win over Ireland."

"Makes sense. I wonder if I changed anything else."

"Yes. I have no idea what." He paused. "I heard Father call us. Hermione must be here."

Draco smirked. "And the serious son smiles at last."


"It's simple," Ludo Bagman was explaining to the prospective wagerer. "No country from the Americas has ever won the cup when they played this side of the ocean. That's why the odds are so good. Bulgaria is favoured and not only because they have Victor Krum as their Seeker."

The man considered, then bet five Galleons on Mexico. He could afford it. And if he won, he had 15 Galleons instead of six. Ludo Bagman was happy. All he had to do was wait for Krum to catch the snitch and he would have a fortune. Nothing could go wrong.


Hermione Granger laughed as she entered the Weasley tent. It was bigger on the inside. It was something she thought she would never get used to. She also laughed when Harry agreed to join the Weasleys in the upper decks. Harry said they may even be in the top row.

"It's obvious that you're a Seeker. This way you can look down on the match as though you were playing."

Harry agreed. That was his thought exactly. Parvati said she'd rather be sitting in the Minister's box with them but Ron wouldn't agree. "He's too much like Harry. Bird's Eye view is the best."

"Wouldn't mind a cushioned chair, though," Ron admitted. Hermione saw it in his eyes. He would love to join them but that would mean not being with his family. Then Ron turned to his father. "Dad, do we even have seats?"

All too soon, it was time to go. John appeared at the entrance to let her know they were ready. Susan Bones was with him. She smiled at everyone and said it was a beautiful tent. She led the way through the crowd with practiced ease. Sooner than expected, Hermione found herself in the Minister's box with the Bones, the Malfoys and at least 100 others. She did have a cushioned chair to sit in although it was in the eighth (and last) row. It being the Minister's box, she still had an excellent view. It was funny. Even Lucius Malfoy was in the eighth row. John told her it's because he always works behind the scene. That's why they were behind everyone.

There was a fanfare and the Bulgarians were announced. The air was filled with women dancing, or so it seemed. Somehow, they were magically levitating. And she noticed that all then men were watching intently. To the point of ignoring the Bulgarian team as they flew out over the pitch.

"John?"

"They're Veela. All men are automatically attracted to them. Human men." He pointed. "That's why Draco looks bored." Hermione laughed as Mister Malfoy told her that some men know how to control themselves.

"It's called love," Narcissa Malfoy said. "Most people don't know it but Veela magic has no affect on a man if he's truly in love." She smiled. "I know he loves me but it is nice to have proof."

Suddenly, the crowd roared as the spell was suddenly broken. Hermione followed the crowd to see what looked like to giant feathered snakes bursting through the crowd of Veela, all of whom turned into harpies in their anger. As the snakes flew around the stadium, music played. Mostly strings with a heavy drum background.

"I know this," she said. "That's Quetzelcoatl and Xolotl, the Aztec gods of life and death."

"And the music," John pointed out, "sounds distinctly like 'La Bamba' at a slower pace."

Hermione grinned. It was similar but not quite. It suited the snakes and their flying dance. They were followed by the Mexican team, who received louder cheers. John agreed with her that it was because half the crowd had been distracted when the Bulgarians came out.

Then came another distraction. Someone from behind her was trying to hand her a drink. Butter Beer. The server also asked which of a choice of appetizers she wanted. She chose the spicy chicken wings. She promised herself not to tell Ron or Parvati that the Minister's box was catered. There was another small distraction as John showed her how to set up the tray that was magically stored in the arm of each chair.

As the server put her plate on the tray, he told her to let him know if she needed more. She whispered to John that she hoped it was a long match.


Albus Dumbledore sat in his office. Professors McGonagall and Snape sat on the opposite side of his desk. "And that was all that Draco Malfoy said, Severus?"

"Before he apparated away, yes. He seemed annoyed. Almost as though he was wasting his time but there were no messengers available."

"And he clearly apparated?" McGonagall asked. "He's only fourteen."

"You forget, Minerva," Albus reminded her. "The time loop." He smiled . Minerva seemed amused and agitated at the same time.

"I'll tell you this, Albus. It must have been because he spent all that time as a child. He didn't learn any maturity from it. It was in May. He pouted when I threatened to take away his desserts as punishment."

"Whatever did he do?" Severus asked.

"Levitating first years so they could sit in the rafters in the main hall." McGonagall chuckled. "The first years complained when I made Draco lower them all."

"I have never thought of doing that," Albus admitted. "And now, I'm too old to enjoy it."

"I have, as a cat," Minerva admitted. "The view was nice but it was the climb I enjoyed."

"It does give an interesting perspective," Severus admitted. As Albus arched an eyebrow, he added, "Lily dared me to figure out a way. And I dared her."

"What form of magic did you use?" Albus asked.

"None. A stone. A rope. And the hardest I've ever thrown something in my life. We climbed up."

"And received your detentions," McGonagall noted.

"For refusing to come down," Severus clarified.

Albus held his smile as he reflected. These past three years, since Harry came to Hogwarts, he'd watched the Potions Professor changed. He once was the stern, dour teacher who scowled all the time. He was still stern, but more in Minerva's style. But he was more human. Approachable. Still devious as ever if he needed to be but also willing to do something good for its own reward. All because he looked into a young boy's eyes and saw the reflection of a woman he once, and still, loved.

"Severus, you didn't go to the match?"

"Thought it best not to. Rumour has it that there is going to be an . . . incident, afterwards. A demonstration. To remind everyone that the Dark Lord is coming."

"I assume Lucius knows."

"I told him."

"But . . ."

"He's no longer trusted, Albus."

"Not by them," Minerva added to stress a point. "He is no longer on their side, and they know it. Our advantage is that they think he's on our side."

"Isn't he?" Albus asked, curious at the remark. Then he frowned. He understood her point. For all the friendship that Lucius has shown, he never did anything, publicly, to promote his new cause or to degrade the old. "Severus, you would know. Is Lucius truly on the side of the Order?"

Severus paused longer than normal. Thinking about what to say.

"No, Albus, he isn't. He's . . . in his own world, so to speak. His interests lie with ours, for the most part. He is against Voldemort taking power. In his own words, 'that would ruin everything'."

"He has his own plans?"

"Not plans. More like commitments."

McGonagall looked at Snape with a critical eye. "An unusual word."

"Look at our staffing," Snape suggested. "The last two Defense professors worked for Lucius. Alastor Moody also worked for him and he was supposed to be our next professor."

"I remember." McGonagall gasped. "Albus, I've figured out what Lucius Malfoy does at the Ministry. He isn't trying to stop HIM from getting help from aliens. He's stopping the aliens." She smiled. "And the message was a cryptic way of saying they stopped the one that attacked at the wedding."

Albus was surprised that Severus answered.

"It's called Torchwood. None of us are supposed to know, in case we slip up in front of his children. Bur since they know, there's no longer a reason to keep the name secret, within a closed circle."

"Torchwood?" Minerva seemed surprised. "I thought that ended." She sighed. "I shouldn't be surprised it started up again."

"You've heard of Torchwood, Minerva?" Albus asked.

"A former student," she answered. "He was proud. He wanted to share the news with his favorite teacher. I watched him from afar, until that day."

She didn't have to say which day. It was the day all of them died.

"Which brings us back to the reason we are here," Minerva added, after wiping a tear. "What are our choices for a Defense teacher?"

"None, I'm afraid," Albus said. "I'm asking for suggestions. If either of you know anyone."

"Lucius," Severus offered.

"Too busy. I already asked."

"John." Minerva was frowning as she said that.

Albus chuckled his amusement. "John Malfoy? He is exceptional. And qualified. But he is also underage, by Ministerial Decree."

"There's a decree?" Severus asked.

"1368. Any wizard or witch who permanently transforms into an earlier age is to legally be considered that age. It was written specifically with John in mind."

Severus nodded his head in thanks for the interesting information.

"Not for teaching," Minerva said, almost laughing. "He knows who to ask. The only other choice would be Severus, which that would devastate our potions program. Otherwise, hire someone barely qualified just to fill the space."

Albus sighed. Not that he had much hope. He would begin sending out inquiries to the appropriate people. Defense had been a strong point the last two years, because of Lucius' help. And the next year was also promising.


Hermione watched as the players flew in front of her. They flew with more skill than she'd seen in any school match. Harry was a natural flier but he would still have a difficult time with these players. She was, in one word, impressed. John whispered to her, asking what she thought.

"Mexico," she said. "They have the better team."

"Bulgaria's secret is their Seeker. Victor Krum has won every match for them to date by catching the snitch. They were behind in all but two of their qualifying matches."

Hermione shared John's grin. "Then Krum had better hurry up. Mexico already has fifty points on them." She paused. "Did you see that?"

"The Mexican beater?" John asked.

"He swatted the air for no reason."

John smirked. "He has a reason."


Harry was in heaven. He was in the top row of the stadium but everything was in plain view. His hopes were correct. It was like watching the match from the Seeker's view. He only wished he were really on a broom so that he could move around. And he could see it. Mexico was clearly the better team. Fred and George said it didn't matter. Bulgaria had Krum. Krum caught the snitch in every match, to date.

Harry nodded. It was true. Krum was better than the Mexican Seeker, a woman named Hernandez. And Hernandez was a better flier than Harry was. "I'm curious. There's a Hernandez who plays with Manchester."

"It's a common name, Harry," Parvati answered. "Probably not."

The man directly below them looked up. "Ask an expert, Potter. They're first cousins. The Seeker's a witch on her mother's side." The man smiled and turned back to the march. Harry didn't recognize him but did note that his ears were slightly pointed. When Ron asked, Harry said the man was probably a friend of his mum's. He turned back and said, "What was that?"

"What was what? That beater? All he did was hit air?"

"And Hernandez is moving," Parvati said mirthfully. "That was clever."

Harry agreed as he watched the chase ensue. If anyone spots the snitch, they signal the Seeker. It could be the edge Mexico needed.

Hernandez had the lead in the chase, once the snitch was spotted. Krum was closing the gap quicker than expected. A bludger came close. Harry could see the peripheral battle for control of the bludgers. Nor were the Mexican Chasers staying out of it. Two came almost too close to Krum, barely avoiding a serious foul both times. They slowed the Bulgarian Seeker but not enough to make a difference.

Something did. It was a series of small events. Not that unusual. It happens in all sports. Something brilliant is undone by the smallest misjudgement.

A bludger was heading toward a Bulgarian chaser. The chaser lowered his height by two feet to let it harmlessly pass by. Just before that happened, the snitch changed directions. Instead of passing behind the Chaser, the Seekers were going to be passing under him. Krum was in the lead and the snitch was inches away.

They collided. And fell. The Mexican Keeper pulled to one side and managed to stay on her broom. Harry could only imagine what she saw when she looked down. She immediately placed a hand before her eyes as though wiping them would make the scene disappear.

Two minutes later, the match resumed. Bulgaria had a replacement Chaser as good as the one that was being cared for by the mediwizard. They also had a replacement Seeker. One who had never played in a professional Cup match. Harry felt a pang for the Bulgarian team. Krum, thanks to magic, might be fine withing the hour but the match wouldn't last that long. Even Arthur Weasley admitted it. Bulgaria would have been better off if Harry took Krum's place.

Twelve minutes later, the inevitable happened. This time it was a chaser. He left his position and did all but directly point at the snitch. Hernandez was on the chase at once. Harry winced as the Bulgarian Seeker visibly hesitated before following. It was clear he never even saw the snitch until Hernandez raised her hand to show it to everyone.

"THAT WAS GREAT," Harry shouted in awe as the crowd roared. No one even heard him.


Dolores Umbridge was more interested in her associate than in the match. What attracted her attention was the sudden mood swing when the two Bulgarian players collided. He went from elation to horror. She noticed him look at his little black book and knew the reason for the horror. She walked over to Ludo Bagman.

"Ludo, you look terrible. Do you want to leave?" She feigned looking at the pitch. "A horrible collision. It would upset anyone."

Ludo looked at her, gratefully, and apparated away at once. Dolores smiled. She would over to lend him the money to cover his bets. Unless he did something stupid such as borrowing money from the goblins. Either way, he would be open to suggestions. She would have to let Barty know that there would be no problem with his plan.


Harry Potter was happy, tired and full. He had the great fortune to be introduced to Mexican food as a result of the victory. Including a steak fajita. Three, to be honest. As a result, he even declined dessert. He sat down in a chair inside the Weasley tent and tried to decide if he could sleep there instead of trying to reach his bed. He had decided on the chair when the shouting began.

"ARTHUR," Lucius Malfoy yelled as he stepped into the tent. Having everyone's attention, he informed them that the camps were under attack. Tents were on fire and the mob was coming this way.

"We'll stop them," Arthur said with bravado. He turned to the twins, "You two. Take everyone into the woods. Keep them safe."

"They can take my twins with them." Lucius offered.

"That's not going to happen," Hermione whispered to Ron as they helped Harry to his feet.

Harry had to laugh. "If you ask him politely, John might only watch."

"Up close," Ron added with his own laugh.

They stepped outside to see light everywhere. Not too far away, they could see tents burning. There were already crowds in the makeshift street. People fleeing with their families. It was obvious which way they should run. John was already explaining to Fred and George that all they had to do was run around the tent. The Weasley twins were pointing out that Ginny and her friends were there. Harry was surprised when John changed his tune and said he knew the quickest way to a muggle shopping mall.

They began running. All of them. John leading the way with a comment that he liked running. Fred and George taking up the rear, keeping everyone together. Almost everyone.

"Where's Draco?" he asked Ron. Ron reacted by slowing down his run until he was level with his brothers. He signaled that Harry should join him.

"We're going back. Draco's missing." Ron told the twins.

Harry patted the pocket with his spell phone. "We'll call."

One second later, Harry went sprawling. As he fell, he reminded himself that it's always a bad idea to slow down while running in a maddened crowd. After a couple of kicks and someone grabbing him, dragging him to one side, Harry decided to open his eyes.

"Ron?"

"Almost lost you, mate. Can't have that."

"Thanks." He gratefully accepted the hand up, assuring Ron that he wasn't hurt. Much. He looked around. "The crowd cleared awfully fast."

"We were near the end to begin with. They're the ones that are frantic." Ron pointed toward the burning tents. "I think Draco is this way." As they walked back the way they came, he asked, "Is there a muggle mall near here."

"London's close, too, the way John thinks. For him, far away is anything the other side of the horseshoe nebula."

Ron laughed. Harry noticed that Ron drew his wand. He thought his friend had a good idea and did the same thing. Suddenly, the burning tents were accompanied by a blazing burst of fireworks. Ron's laugh faded. Harry knew why. The fireworks. That meant the Weasley's tent.

They were at one end of a long row, tents on either side. At the other end, the marching crowd appeared. All wearing robes and masks. Ron said his father was very good at description. Those were Death Eaters. Harry asked if he had any idea where Draco was.

"Here," Draco said from behind them.

Harry didn't turn. He had seen something that terrified him. Four people, two adults and two children, were being levitated above the crowd. Lifted up, let fall, caught roughly. Then the process repeated. He felt sick as he realized one of the children, a boy, was younger than Sky.

"We have to stop them!"

"Good idea," Draco said from the other side of Ron. "There's three of us. That will put the fear in them."

"Any suggestions?" Ron asked, not bothering to hide the fact that he was now nervous. Harry shared the feeling. Draco was taking charge.

"Harry," Draco said. "Call John and tell him and Hermione to come up on our right. Ron, call your father. He's on our left and ahead. Tell them when they see my signal to rescue the muggles." He smiled. "He's with a dozen or so from the Ministry. He'll know what to do."

As the two made their calls, Draco raised his wand. And waited. The mob saw them. The ones in front taunted and began to raise their wands. Harry watched as Draco smiled, then shouted.

"MORSMORDRE."

Harry looked up as a figure formed in the sky. A blazing green skull. A snake was coming out of its mouth. "What the . . ."

"It's the Dark Mark," Ron said, in surprise and fear.

Harry looked ahead as he heard the noise. Apparently, the Death Eaters were as surprised as he was. They paused. And the Ministry, led by Ron's dad, attacked from the side, casting protection spells on the muggle and anything they could think of on everyone else. As the Death Eaters turned to face the attack, Draco told Harry and Ron that it was practice time.

Harry cast his first spell then. His first deliberately attacking someone. The petrifying curse. He hit his target, who was freed almost at once by a comrade. Harry's second spell was deflected, then he had to practice his shielding. He was grateful for the extra time he had put in with his training.

He knew the spells from the other side of the road were John and Hermione. He was surprised that the spells were coming from more than two wands. His surprise lessened as a hand with a wand appeared over his head and a woman shouted a curse at the Death Eaters.

"Keep your shields up, boy. You do the defense. I'll do the offense."

It took no more than five minutes. The Death Eaters began to disappear. They'd had enough.


Marcus Boot knew his family was safe. If trouble approached, they only had to walk further into the woods. That was when he noticed the second group. His summer helpers were in the lead. He called to them.

Two minutes later he was racing back to the camp with four of the children. Correction, four young adults. It would have been five but he had put Terry in charge to keep everyone safe. How John Malfoy had managed to talk him into this, he'd never know, but the boy was unnaturally smart for his age. Granger was the smartest witch in her year. He knew the quality of the Weasley twins. And he felt better when he told a family where his were, and the father joined him as the mother led her children to safety.

John pulled out his phone as he ran. Marcus heard the Potter boy at the other end, telling them where to attack from. John put his phone away. Marcus saw Harry and two others from a distance as John was saying they needed to be in position before the signal. Someone asked what the signal would be. John smirked.

"What THEY would least expect."

It wasn't long to wait. Marcus almost laughed. The Dark Mark. And he saw it. The attacking mob stopped in its tracks in surprise. He saw John raising his wand but he was already casting a curse. They were a dozen, now. And it didn't take long. The Death Eaters fled after only five minutes.


She was nobody. She never was. She was one of those witches that was also there. Part of the group. Never the center of interest. When the attack started, she hid in her tent. It wasn't even a magical tent. But it was big enough for her. She wasn't quick enough to be part of a group but she was quick enough to get one ticket.

When she first heard about the attacks, she ran to pack her things. It wasn't long before the fleeing became a flood of panicked fans. She hid in her tent. She didn't know what else to do. That was when she saw him. A boy, fourteen, perhaps fifteen, standing near her tent. Waiting. He saw her and smiled, saying nothing.

Together, they waited. The flames getting closer. The noise getting louder. And she saw them. Two boys, one tall enough he had to be a Weasley. Walking toward the flames. The blond boy smiled at her once more and walked after the other two.

She followed, slowly. And she watched from a safe distance. Three against so many? It was madness. She laughed to herself. Here she was. Early forties. Going to the biggest event of the year. Going alone. What did she have to lose?

The blond boy cast a spell. An image out of memory formed in the sky. And decided something. If the boy had such . . . cajones . . . he deserved all the help he could get. She ran up to help. The fighting started as she approached. The shortest of the boys had cast two spells then was forced to shield. She saw that someone was targeting him and raised her wand, casting a curse. It was deflected but the Death Eater had been distracted.

When the boy glanced up at her she said, "keep your shields up, boy. You do the defense. I'll do the offense." And he did wonderfully. She concentrated on those trying to attack. He managed to stop everything thrown at them. And her first reaction when it ended was, "I don't believe that was only five minutes." That was when she realized that she was standing over the famous Harry Potter.


Lucius Malfoy kept himself in the background. It wouldn't be appropriate if he took a direct hand against his former colleagues. On the other hand, Draco was standing out in the open. The phone call came that they should wait for the signal. Arthur Weasley relayed the message. Amelia Bones asked, "how will we know what the signal is?"

"It's Draco," Lucius drawled. "He'll make it obvious."

"He'd better make it quick. He's been spotted." Minister Bones frowned. "He has Potter with him?"

"They're best mates." Lucius received no replay. Someone had cast a spell and a familiar emblem, familiar to Lucius, was forming in the air above them. He prodded Minister Bones. "Before they recover from their surprise?" he hinted.

As the brief battle began, Lucius began walking toward Draco. When he had a clear view, he paused to watch. A woman was standing behind Harry. Harry had his shield up while the woman cast the attacking spells. He also noticed what she was doing. She wasn't trying to disable her opponents but to keep them from firing back. It was a smart tactic. Too many Death Eaters not in the line of fire. Spells could be cancelled very quickly.

As expected, the battle ended with no casualties. At least none that were left behind. He approached the group, ordering Draco to check on his brother, ordering Ron to check on his father and ordering Harry to stand up and brush off his pants. He then turned to the three adults and thanked them. Two went away to check on family and friends. The third, the one who stood behind Harry, stayed.

"No family? No friends?" Lucius asked.

"Sorry."

"You made one today," Harry said, making the woman laugh.

"I'm being rude," Lucius said as he introduced himself.

"Chaylse Branxton," the woman answered.

Lucius pointed Harry to Hermione, who was walking toward them. Harry nodded and went to meet her. Lucius turned back to the woman.

"I'm curious, Chaylse. What do you do for a living?"