Disclaimer: JKR's characters, not mine, except for my beloved OCs.

Chapter 49: The Third Task

23rd June 1995

Harry stood nervously before the large maze that had been grown in place of the quidditch pitch. Jamie looked a little green but still smiled encouragingly at Harry.

Harry wondered what was up with his twin but all thoughts of his brother went out of his head as Barty Crouch stood on the dais that had been assembled in front of the maze.

Crouch cast sonorous and turned to the crowd. "The Champions need to traverse the maze set out behind us. The winner will be the one who manages to take the cup and bring it back here. The Champions will go in the following order: Mr. Krum, Mr. Potter, Mr. Lupin and finally Miss Delacour."

Crouch then turned to the Champions. "As with the previous task, if you run into trouble, then you must shoot red sparks into the air. Hold tight and someone will come and collect you."

Harry gentled cradled the tube of Euphorbia sap and wondered why he actually needed it. He then watched as first Viktor, and then Jamie, entered the maze. Finally the bell sounded and it was his turn. Harry took one last look at the crowd behind him before heading into the maze. Four small arrows pointed in different directions. Taking the one marked with the Ravenclaw insignia, Harry plunged further into the maze.

Given the fact he was carrying Euphorbia sap, Harry wasn't entirely surprised to find a table set up with other potions ingredients. After scanning the available ingredients lain out on the table, Harry hurriedly lit a fire beneath his cauldron and added distilled water. Within a minute, the water was boiling. After removing the cauldron from the heat, Harry carefully selected the ingredients he wanted and dropped them into the cauldron. Finally he poured out the milk sap from the vial, taking care not to get any on his skin.

As he spent a few minutes waiting for the potion to cool, Harry scanned what was left on the potions table. Deciding it might be a good idea to take them, he slipped the remaining potions ingredients into his pocket. After checking that the potion was now ready, Harry carefully poured it into a fresh vial, charmed it unbreakable, and slipped it into his pocket before moving around the table and onwards.

Harry hadn't gone far when he encountered what he at first thought was a Dementor. However, he soon realized that, in contrast to the second test, this was indeed a boggart. Shaking his head and muttering about having no originality, Harry easily dispatched the boggart before continuing on his way.

He eventually came to a fork in the maze. Picking the left hand side he soon found that he wished he hadn't. "Oh crap." Harry turned round to go back only to find a hedge had grown up behind him.

"Such inappropriate language, young wizard." The lion's head of the Chimaera chided Harry before opening its mouth wide.

Harry ducked as flames shot forth from the lion's mouth, and he quickly cast a water spell which, instead of dousing the flames, only succeeded in angering the Chimaera as it shook its head free of the water droplets.

Hastily, Harry backed up against the hedge behind him and unholstered his wand to send up red sparks. Just before he did, Harry suddenly remembered one of the earliest legends in wizarding history that Remus had recounted and, rummaging in his pocket, he felt for the lead pellets that he had picked up from the potions table. It was then that he noticed the snake that formed the Chimaera's tail swaying in front of him. Harry had expected a simple dragon's tail. The snake danced around.

"Let me bite him."

"You don't want to bite me," Harry responded as he palmed the lead pellets.

The snake was fascinated. "A speaker of tongues."

The lion simply growled and threw flames at Harry again, this time catching the side of his face making Harry cry out. "You're going to die, young wizard."

Harry was now grateful for his dueling training, dropping and rolling out of the way as a huge claw swiped at him. As the lion opened its mouth once more, the snake hissing encouragement to it, Harry threw the lead pellets he had in his hand into the lion's mouth. The lion's head screamed in agony as its breath melted the lead, liquefying it and burning a path down into the Chimaera's stomach.

Harry was sickened as the creature's three heads thrashed around before it crashed to the ground, dead. Harry moved warily around it and continued on his way. He was shocked that the school had not only allowed such a dangerous creature anywhere near one of the contestants, but that he had been forced to kill it.

Harry steadily made his way through the maze, smiling as he left an enraged pack of Cornish pixies floating immobile in mid-air, until he finally came to a solid stone wall. On closer inspection Harry realized that the wall was actually made up of hundreds of small stone blocks, each one of which had a different pictograph on it. Harry frowned as he tried to work out exactly what they meant. Suddenly he spotted an eagle on one of the blocks that made up the wall; however pressing it did nothing. Looking more carefully at the wall, Harry then spotted a wolf which he also pressed, again to no avail.

As he searched the small blocks, he eventually realized that certain symbols had meaning to him. Pressing one of a quill, he winced as small spikes shot out and imbedded themselves in his hand. Harry knew immediately that they were filled with some sort of poison, as his hand began to tingle. Not wanting to give up, he continued pressing symbols, making a few more mistakes, before pressing the tenth symbol, that of a full moon, which caused the wall to crumble away.

Losing feeling in the entirety of his arm, Harry pulled off his ring. "I hope this works." He then swallowed it, feeling relieved as it shrank quite a bit as it touched his mouth. Harry let out a sigh of relief as the tingling in his arm began to dissipate.

Now that his immediate concern had been dealt with, Harry wondered how the other Champions were getting on. No sooner had the thought crossed his mind, when a scream rang out from his right. Harry recognized the sound as coming from Jamie. Pulling out the vial of potion he had brewed, Harry dripped it over the hedge separating him from his twin. Harry stepped back as he watched the bush contort and retract backwards, eventually leaving a hole large enough for him to step through.

He found Jamie lying on the floor, a large three headed snake towering over him. Harry pulled out his wand and hissed at the creature, "Get away from him."

The snake spun on Harry before its second head hissed at him, "He's mine."

"I said let him go."

The snake didn't bother answering and darted back down towards Jamie again.

Harry swiftly took aim. "Reducto."

Jamie cringed as he was covered in small pieces of snake and blood. "Gross."

Harry ignored Jamie's comment and held out a hand to him to pull him up. "Are you all right?"

Once he was back on his feet, Jamie turned his face so that Harry could see the right side of it. "It bit me."

Harry immediately cast a freezing spell on the bite. "I'm not sure for how long this will stop the poison from spreading. You should send up red sparks for help."

"I'm going on."

Harry couldn't believe his brother's pigheadedness. "Don't be so sodding stupid. That was a Runespoor. If you don't get help now, you're going to end up dead."

Jamie simply pointed. "Look."

Harry turned to see what Jamie was pointing at, only for a sound to alert him that his brother had moved. Looking down, Harry saw that Jamie was now on his knees. "For Pete's sake." Harry slipped his arm around Jamie's waist and, after pulling him on to his feet, supported him the last fifteen feet towards the Cup. "If you want it so badly, then just take it."

With most of his weight on Harry, Jamie reached out to grab the Cup, only to pull back his hand at the last second. "Together, let's take it together."

Harry double-checked that this was indeed his brother standing next to him, before shaking his head. "I don't need or want the limelight."

"If you don't take it, then neither will I." Jamie could feel himself getting woozy as he spoke.

Just wanting for it to be over and for Jamie to get help, Harry sighed. "Very well. On the count of the three."

As Harry said three, the two boys reached out and each grabbed a handle. Harry swore as he felt a recognizable tug behind his navel.

Stumbling as he landed, Harry looked up as screams reached his ears, only to let out a sigh of relief as he realized that they were back at the start of the maze and the screams were coming from the delighted Hogwarts students.

Standing close by, Remus spotted Harry's predicament straight away and rushed forward. "What happened to him?"

Jamie was now unconscious, and Harry was struggling to hold him up. "Runespoor."

Cho pushed through the crowd. "What have you done to him, Lupin?"

Harry snapped at the girl, "I haven't done anything, Chang."

Remus took Harry's burden from him. "Five points from Ravenclaw, Miss. Chang. Now get back to your seat and sit down. I need to get Jamie to Madam Pomfrey." Remus then practically ran to the tent that was set up on the side of the pitch.

Poppy glanced over as Remus came through the flap. "What happened to him?"

"Harry said it was a Runespoor." Remus laid Jamie on a bed.

Poppy sounded angry. "I don't know why the Headmaster allowed such a nasty thing as a Runespoor into the tournament."

Wanting to check on his brother and escape from the attention, Harry had hurried after his dad, and he was just in time to catch Poppy's comment. "A Runespoor was nothing, you should've seen the Chimaera I had to fight."

Remus blanched. "Please tell me you're joking."

Harry shook his head. "It's dead, Dad."

Remus pulled open the tent flap. "I'll speak to you later."

Poppy finished administering the antidote to Jamie. "He'll be fine in a few minutes." She then noticed Harry's face. "Come here, Mr. Lupin. That burn needs treating."

Harry gratefully received Poppy's ministrations, and sighed in relief as the thick salve she applied soothed his heated face. "Thanks, Madam Pomfrey."

Poppy passed him a container. "You need to apply this twice more to make sure that there's no scarring. It shouldn't be too painful now that I've treated it."

Harry watched as Jamie groaned. "Hey, Potter, you all right?"

Jamie sat slowly up. "My entire body feels as if it's been trampled by a hippogriff."

Poppy frowned sternly at him. "I'm not surprised. The venom had spread throughout most of it. You'll feel fine in a few hours."

Poppy helped Jamie up off the bed just as Lily came rushing into the tent and flew over to Jamie to enfold him in her arms. "Honey, are you okay?"

Jamie's voice sounded muffled, his face pushed against Lily's shoulder. "I'm fine, Mum. Harry rescued me."

Lily let Jamie go and walked over to Harry to hug him as well. "You're hurt."

"It's nothing." Harry brushed off his mother's concerns. "Jamie was worse. He got bitten by a Runespoor."

Lily was furious. "It's bloody preposterous what they've put you through."

Sirius entered the tent at a far more leisurely pace. "Jamie, I see you're okay."

Jamie's face brightened at the sight of Sirius and turned his face towards his dad. "Madam Pomfrey's healed it now, but I got bit by a Runespoor."

Harry pulled a face at his brother's obvious delight in receiving a 'war wound' during the Tournament. "What he's failing to tell you is that he didn't want to send up red sparks for assistance, and that he decided to go for death and glory instead."

Sirius shrugged off Harry's obvious annoyance with his brother. "It's exactly the sort of thing that we Marauders would have done if we'd had the chance." Noticing that Harry still didn't look entirely happy, Sirius slung his arm around his shoulders. "Relax, Harry. You're both fine, and you won the victory for Hogwarts."

Jamie grinned at his father. "Harry didn't want to take the Cup. He helped me up to it and told me to take it."

Lily slid an arm her son to support him as he made his way across to where Sirius had transfigured one of the beds into a sofa. "Sit there and tell me all about it."

Harry listened as Jamie told Lily about the potion he had had to make. Jamie's hadn't been a plant killer; he had ended up brewing a form of solidifying potion, which he had had to use when the ground in front of him had turned out to be quicksand. Jamie had also had to battle a boggart.

Lily giggled as Harry once more complained about the lack of creativity shown by the organizers. "What did your boggart become Jamie?"

"I'd rather not say."

Harry was now curious as to what Jamie's biggest fear was. "Mine turned into a Dementor."

Jamie didn't tell them that his biggest fear had been himself, and he continued with his recitation. "After getting rid of the boggart, I came across a Sphinx which asked me a riddle."

Harry visibly started at the mention of the Sphinx; he knew from his dreams that that was what the other Harry had had to face.

Lily frowned. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Harry rubbed his leg. "Just a bit of cramp. So what happened then, Jamie?"

Jamie shuddered. "I walked around the corner and ended up facing a huge snake with three heads. I wasn't quick enough to draw my wand and the middle head bit me on the face; I lost my footing and ended up flat on my back on the floor. I let out a yell."

Harry sniggered. "It was more like a girl's scream; I thought I was going to have to rescue Fleur Delacour."

Jamie glared at his brother. "Up yours, Lupin."

"Jamie!" Lily wasn't happy with Jamie's attitude. "Don't be so rude to Harry, he was only joking."

Jamie went red. "Sorry, Mum." He looked over at Harry. "You can continue the story."

"There's not really much to tell. I blew up the snake, helped Jamie over to the Cup, we argued, and then we took it." Harry didn't mention the Chimaera as he didn't want Lily having a meltdown.

Barty Crouch's head appeared around the tent flap. "Glad to see you boys are both okay. We need you out here."

Harry didn't move. "I'd rather not."

Sirius pulled him off his feet. "Come on, Harry, everyone's obviously waiting out there to congratulate you two boys."

Knowing he had little choice, Harry followed Barty Crouch out of the tent, Jamie close behind him. Suddenly Jamie reached out and grabbed his arm before drawing to a halt. "Harry, I know we don't always get along, but I wanted to say thanks for saving me."

Harry was a little stunned by Jamie's friendly overture. "I've have done it for anyone."

"I know that but I still wanted to say thank you." Jamie then resumed walking towards the stands where the entirety of Hogwarts was cheering loudly.


A few hours later, Harry flopped on to a bench. "I can't believe everyone's still celebrating."

Dudley had followed Harry to where a few of the other students had tried to escape from the noise of the celebrations. "What do you expect? The first Triwizard Tournament in years and Hogwarts wins it."

Goldstein, who was sitting on the table next to them, scowled at the pair. "Big deal. Lupin rode on his brother's shirt tails to get the trophy."

"Potter would be dead if Harry hadn't helped him," Dudley argued. "Harry should have been the only winner."

"Yeah, right," Goldstein sneered. "Believe what you want to, Lupin. Everyone else knows the truth."

"Goldstein, you weren't there so you have no idea what the truth is," Jamie said, interrupting the conversation. "Harry could've won on his own if he hadn't stopped to help me."

Goldstein's mouth fell open. "But…"

"Goodnight, Harry." Jamie slung his arm around Cho's shoulders and led her away.

Dudley looked at Harry. "Are you sure that's your brother?"

"He's been a lot friendlier over the last few days. I've no idea why though."

"You've got company." Dudley smiled at the newcomers. "Come to say congratulations to your brother?"

Cassie grinned. "Hi, Dudley. Hi, Harry. Isn't it great that Mummy and Daddy brought me with them to watch the last task?"

Harry pulled his sister down beside him. "Are you enjoying Hogwarts?"

Orion giggled. "She should be, she's pestered everyone she's come into contact with, including Filch."

"I only stopped to pet his cat," Cassie protested.

"Did he hurt you?" Harry knew how Filch felt about him, and was worried that his dislike of Harry might have transferred over to his sister.

"No." Cassie was confused. "He was very nice to me, and said that I could see Miss Rumples whenever I wanted to once I start school."

"That's a first," Dudley told Cassie. "Filch usually tells students to get lost."

"I didn't know." Cassie was worried. "Do you think I shouldn't visit him when I come back?"

"I'm sure you'll see Miss Rumples a great deal," Harry assured his sister. "Why don't we go and sit by the bonfire?"

Cassie gladly took Harry's hand and led him to where her parents were sitting by the huge bonfire made up of the hedges that had formed the maze.

Sirius pulled Cassie on to his lap. "So, Harry, how did you enjoy being the hero of the hour?"

"I hated it," Harry said honestly. "I really wish I'd just let Jamie take the Cup on his own."

"I'm glad you didn't." Lily was pleased that her twins finally seemed to be getting along.

"So what plans do you have for the holidays?" Sirius tickled Cassie as he asked.

"I'm spending the first month with Dad," Harry told him.

Lily was surprised. "Just you?"

"All of us."

"Are you excited about your soon-to-arrive brother?" Lily asked.

Harry's face lit up. "I am. Mum said in her last letter that she felt ready to pop now. It's why Dad's looking after us for most of July; to give Mum and Uncle Grim a chance to have some time alone with the new baby when he arrives."

"When will you go stay with your mother?" Sirius stopped tickling Cassie, who promptly settled herself more securely on her father's lap before leaning back against him.

"A few days before my birthday. Mum wants to hold a party for both Dudley and me." Harry shook his head. "But I think she's probably going to be too tired."

"I'll hold a party for you both," Lily offered, before remembering exactly why that wasn't a good idea.

Thankfully Harry took the decision out of her hands. "I don't really want one to be honest, and neither does Dudley. We were hoping that Mum wouldn't force one on us."


On the far side of the pitch, Hermione stood with Luna watching the Blacks and Harry. "I really want to go over and talk to Harry but I can't while he's over there."

"You really don't like Sirius Black, do you?" Luna observed as she sipped her lemonade through a glass straw.

"Not particularly," Hermione admitted. "I am trying though, as Harry really thinks a lot of him."

"So how are you and Harry?" Luna asked interestedly.

"We're doing well. Actually we're doing really well." Hermione blushed. "Luna, I think I'm in love with him."

"Even though he's beating you in your dueling sessions on a regular basis?" Luna knew how competitive Hermione was, and couldn't resist teasing her friend.

"Even with that." Hermione grinned at Luna. "Anyway, we'll see who's beating who when we get our test results in at the end of the year."

"I don't envy you lot." Luna had watched as Harry, Dudley and Draco had studied late into the night for their exams. "It's only going to get harder next year with your OWLs coming up."

Hermione actually felt excited. "I can't wait."

Luna enjoyed studying but not to the extent that Hermione seemed to. "I can."

The two girls stopped talking as Albus' voice suddenly cut through their conversation. "I'd like to thank everyone who came today and Mr. Potter and Mr. Lupin for bringing the victory to Hogwarts. But I'm afraid that it's time for the celebrations to end, so if all students could make their way back to their houses where you'll find a light supper waiting for you. Thank you."

Hermione sighed. "I didn't really get to talk to Harry at all tonight."

"At least it's Saturday tomorrow. You can talk to him then... when he's kicking your butt in the dueling room." Luna laughed at Hermione's annoyed face.

"We'll see." Hermione picked up her cloak after the table. "We'd better go in."

Over in the stands Harry hugged Lily, Sirius and Cassie before the three of them headed off towards the gates.

Remus appeared behind Harry. "Are you going back to Ravenclaw, or do you want to come and stay with me?"

Harry grinned. "With you. I have a horrible feeling that the partying will be going on for quite some time yet."

"That's what I thought." Remus put an arm around Harry's shoulders and led him away.

Once in his room, Remus passed a bottle of shandy to Harry. "You're allowed one celebratory drink."

Harry took a long draught from the bottle. "That's good." He then looked at his Dad. "Did you find out about the Chimaera?"

Remus sat down. "I did. Apparently it was Percy Weasley's idea for you to face it. It was supposed to have asked you a riddle, not attacked you. I think the Ministry is going to have some fun trying to explain to the wizard who owned it why their prize pet is now dead."

Harry didn't really care what the Ministry was going to have to do. "It serves them right. I didn't know what else to do when it attacked me. Luckily I picked up some of the potions ingredients from the table when I completed my potion. I was even luckier that you'd told me about the legend of the Chimaera and Bellerophon."

Remus was amazed. "But I told you that ages ago."

"I just remembered how Bellerophon had killed it and tried copying it. I'm just thankful it worked and that Severus' lessons helped me." Harry put down the bottle. "I didn't dare try any of the Dark Magic spells that I knew, but if it had come down to it, I probably would have if I'd had to."

"I'm glad you didn't have to. How did you cope with the rest of the obstacles?" Remus drank his tea while he listened to Harry's discourse on how he had gotten through it.

"I just wish I'd forced Jamie to take the Cup on his own." Harry yawned. "I don't know what was up with him. I half expected him to simply take it when I told him to."

"He's getting older; maybe he's simply becoming more mature," Remus suggested.

"I don't know." Harry got up. "Sorry, Dad, but I'm beat. I'll see you in the morning."

Remus hugged his son. "Goodnight, Harry."

Frances watched as Harry closed the door. "So, Remus, it looks as if we have a new Champion."

"A reluctant Champion," Remus reminded her. "Do you fancy a chat? I'm not really ready to go to sleep yet, and I could do with some stimulating conversation."

"You can always move me into the bedroom to talk." Frances winked at Remus.

Remus laughed out loud. "Are you flirting with me, Frances?"

"An ugly old thing like you?" Frances snorted. "I wouldn't be so desperate." She then smiled saucily at him. "Of course I'm flirting with you. You try spending as long as I have in a portrait, and you'd soon realize that you have to make your own fun."

Remus swung the portrait down from the wall. "Let me just get changed and I'll hang you up in my room."

Frances pouted. "Spoilsport."

Remus just laughed and went into his room before closing the door. A few minutes, clad in his pajama bottoms and a t-shirt, he came back out to retrieve the portrait.

"About time," Frances grumbled.

Remus just smiled. "Let's get you on the wall."

After hanging Frances up, Remus grabbed his cup of tea from the sitting room, before walking back in the bedroom and closing the door.


2nd July 1995

Harry looked down at the parchment that he had just been handed by Professor Flitwick. He grinned and punched the air in triumph. "Yes!"

Over on the Slytherin table, Hermione groaned. "Drat."

Auri who had a similar parchment in her hand looked over to her friend. "What's wrong, Hermione?"

"Harry got top ranking this year." Hermione felt disappointed.

"Where were you?" Auri folded up her own parchment to take home to her parents.

"Second." Hermione's voice was dismal, reflecting her frustration. "How did you do?"

"Sixth; Georgie finished eighth." Auri was pleased with her ranking. "I'm just glad exams are over and that we're going home tomorrow."

"Me too." Hermione smiled as Livvy raced alongside the table to her. "Hermie, I finished first in my year, and Orion Black was second."

Hermione scowled at her sister. "Don't call me Hermie!"

Livvy's face dropped and she turned away. Hermione grabbed at her arm. "Sorry, Liv. I'm just a little disappointed Harry beat me."

Livvy was confused. "But I thought Harry was your friend."

"He is, but I still like to beat him." Hermione sighed. "There's always next year."

Down the table, Ginny Prewett smirked at Hermione's disappointment. "Serves her right."

Blaise said, "Give it up, Ginny. Now tell me, how did you do?"

"I finished ninth if you must know." Ginny didn't really care that much about academics. "You?"

"Fifth. As you heard, Lupin and Snape took the top two places. Black and Nott were third and fourth." Blaise was happy with his standing. "Slytherin took three out of the top five places."

"How did Potter do?" Ginny tried to look at Blaise's parchment.

Blaise pulled it away. "Why so interested?"

"Because he's coming to stay during the holidays and I want some ammunition," Ginny explained.

Blaise grinned. "He finished fourteenth, just in front of your brother."

Ginny sniggered. "I can't wait for Mum to find out."

"Did I ever tell you that you've got one mean streak?" Blaise teased his fiancée.

"But that's why you like me." Ginny stood up. "I've got to finish packing. I'll see you later."

Blaise watched as Ginny left the table and went out of the room. He got up, but not before glancing in Isobella Porter's direction. A few minutes after he left the room, the girl got up and followed him. Hermione watched, knowing exactly what was going on.

Once in the empty classroom, Blaise waited for Isobella to come in before grabbing her wrist. "Are you going to miss me?"

Isobella nodded eagerly. "You know I will."

"Come here." Blaise pulled Isobella to him before lazily kissing her. "Ginny's going to be staying with the Blacks for the last week of the holidays. I'm going to be a little lonesome. Would you like to meet up?"

Isobella was unable to help herself; even though she knew what she was doing was wrong, she couldn't bring herself to care. "I'd love to. Where?"

"I'll let you know." Blaise kissed her again, letting his hands slide under her robe. "You are so lovely."

Isobella blushed. "So are you."

Blaise kissed her one final time before letting her go. "I'll be in touch."

Isobella sighed as Blaise left the room before waiting a few minutes and exiting herself.

A few moments after she did so, Ginny removed the disillusionment spell. She found it hard to believe that Blaise had gone back to the girl, particularly after Snape had found out about the two of them and had threatened to make the affair public. Ginny liked being known as the fiancée of Blaise Zabini, and she hadn't wanted anyone to think that she didn't have what it took to keep him. She had therefore bowed to Snape's demands and backed off from harassing the younger students.

As she sat on the desk, she wondered what to do about Blaise's continued liaisons with Isobella. After thinking about it, she decided that as long as it never became public, it didn't really bother her that much. Her mother had warned her that men were all alike, and that you had to take whatever you could. Ginny decided that it was time for her to do some taking.

On going through the possibilities in her mind, she eventually got to Jamie Potter. She knew that he was dating Cho Chang, but she considered the girl to be a bore, and while she hadn't particularly liked Jamie when she had first met him, they had at least been quite cordial and friendly to each other the previous Christmas. Grinning, Ginny got up. Deciding that Jamie might be worth having a little fun with, Ginny pulled open the door and headed off to Slytherin, a small smile playing on her lips.


17th July 1995

Tired and aching from his dueling session that day, Harry had fallen asleep quickly, only to wake up to find it was two in the morning. Thirsty, he got out of bed. As he made his way downstairs, Harry thought about the session. Severus had now taught him everything he could except for the one curse Harry would need to use on his birthday. Trying to ignore the knots that made themselves known in his stomach whenever he thought about his birthday, Harry headed into the kitchen and pulled open the fridge.

"Are you all right, Master Harry?" Pasha's voice came out of the darkness making Harry jump and drop the bottle of milk he was holding. "Pasha is very sorry, Master Harry."

Harry repaired the bottle and vanished the mess on the floor. "It's okay, Pasha. Do we have any more milk?"

"Pasha will get some."

Harry waited patiently for the house-elf to return, thanking her when she did and taking the glass of milk she poured for him. "Goodnight, Pasha."

"Night, Master Harry." Pasha disappeared.

Harry had started to make his way back towards the stairs when a noise alerted him to the fact that someone had just apparated into the hallway. Hearing soft voices he realized that whoever it was, they were not alone. Curious, Harry turned round and headed into the hallway. He then almost lost his second container of milk that night. Standing in the hallway was his dad and someone he never expected to see in his house at that time of the morning.

"What are you doing here?"