AN: Can't believe how close we're going to the end... Still got a few chapters to go.

~NicoDiAngeloLover7

A Lynx to the Past – Chapter 15 (It's a Massacre)

Marcus' lips twisted into a frown before sighing. He was starting to get annoyed all because of one certain feline.

"Ezio," he growled.

The feline didn't even look at him, basically ignoring him. More interested in getting into anything he could around the dorm.

Terence started to snicker in the background. He found it hilarious that Ezio was doing anything possible to annoy Marcus.

"If you are not at that entrance in five minutes. I'm leaving you here," Marcus threatened.

Terence snorted, "like that's going to make him listen."

Marcus' eyebrow twitched. "What do you suggest I do?"

"Mention the last task, he seems to like going to those," Terence suggested.

Ezio's ears perked up at that, proving the Slytherin's point.

"Fine," Marcus growled. "Ezio if I don't see you when I leave. I'm leaving you here while I watch the last task."

If a cat could talk back, Ezio was certainly doing that. Though there had been a hiss as if saying, don't you even dare think about leaving me behind.

"There, now stop complaining," Terence commented.

"And you couldn't have told me this thirty minutes ago?" Marcus hissed.

Terence shrugged, "seemed like you preferred it that way."

Marcus rolled his eyes; he was going to curse Terence one of these days.

Ezio curled around Terence's leg, his bright eyes watching Marcus.

"Whatever, I have a meeting with McGonagall. And Ezio's going to make me late. You take him to the task," Marcus grumbled.

Terence laughed as he watched Marcus storm out of the dorm. He already knew what McGonagall would tell him. Probably the same instructions as last time. Guiding the students down to the maze for the final piece of the tournament to begin. He stroked a few fingers down Ezio's flank.

"Lunch before heading to the third task?" Terence asked Ezio.

When he got a resounding meow in response, the 7th year nodded. Letting the orange feline follow him down to the Great Hall. There he would wait for Professor McGonagall to give the announcement to head down to the Pitch. That didn't stop Terence from noticing that Dumbledore wasn't in sight. He wondered if that meant that the old coot was finally out of Hogwarts or not. He wasn't certain if the old man was just in his office or somewhere in the castle. But he was a little hopeful that the man had finally been driven out. But there hadn't been any special announcement yet.

And if something had happened, he knew that the Daily Prophet would be the first to report it. Especially if Rita Skeeter was the one in charge of it. That in mind, Terence followed the rest of his house when McGonagall made an appearance.

The stern professor directed for Slytherin and Ravenclaw to follow Marcus. And Gryffindor and Hufflepuff to follow Alianna. There were no Durmstrang or Beauxbatons' students in sight, so they were probably already on the pitch. And it wasn't like Hogwarts had a champion anymore.

Basically, all the schools were rooting for Durmstrang. It wasn't like Krum had any competition now. But the Bulgarian still had to find the cup deep within the maze. Which held a variety of creatures and enchantments within. And there was still a risk that there could be another death. Even Marcus had been sure of that possibility.

Terence didn't doubt Marcus when he had brought that topic up. If there hadn't been any deaths, he would be less inclined to believe his friend. But for now, he let Ezio curl on his lap until the final task began. Though he did go on guard when he was approached by three Gryffindors. He didn't summon his wand from his holster just yet. They didn't seem to be on the defensive side and there were no wands in sight.

Terence studied them for a minute, making them fidget in place.

"Can I help you?" Terence asked sharply.

Ezio peeked his eyes open to look at the visitors around him.

"You are friends with Marcus, right?" one of the Gryffindors stuttered.

Terence nodded, "and you are?"

Terence listened as the Gryffindors rattled off their names. He recognized the last name of the chubby one. The fate of Alice and Frank was pretty well known in the wizarding world. He didn't know Dean or Seamus though, so he assumed they were either a half blood or mudblood.

"What made you approach me? Typically, Gryffindors don't like Slytherins. I would know," Terence drawled.

The three Gryffindors looked abashed at that.

"Marcus helped us out and defended Harry's name," Seamus explained.

Terence nodded, that did sound like Marcus. He had never hesitated on helping a student, no matter the house. He did sometimes envy his friend's ability to do that. Though he knew that Marcus was no fan of Gryffindors, yet he never allowed that to interfere with his responsibilities.

"Harry?" Terence asked. He didn't think he knew a Harry.

"Potter," Neville squeaked out.

Terence nodded. He only knew Potter by his last name. Though he probably should have thought about that these Gryffindor would refer him by his first name. They actually knew him, while the other students referred him as Potter.

"You know Ezio?" Terence questioned.

The three Gryffindors nodded their heads.

"Ezio was with Marcus when he helped us out," Dean explained.

"Why isn't he with him now?" Neville asked.

"He had to lead some of the students here and help set up the task to begin. I imagine he'll find me when it starts."

Terence was surprised when the three Gryffindors decided to not head back to where their house was sitting. But to join him and not mind the other Slytherins around him. He didn't say a word to protest this seating arrangement. And not a single Slytherin paid their presence any mind. Though that could be because their eyes were focused to the maze in front of them.

Ezio climbed from Terence's lap to Neville's and decided to curl up there.

It was obvious that the Gryffindor in question didn't know what to do. He just stared at the orange Lynx in shock.

Dean reached over and smoothed his hand down his flank. Noticing that it was incredibly soft to the touch.

"I don't think he's going to bite your hand off, Nev," Dean teased.

Neville went slightly red in the face, not bothering for a reply.

Terence rolled his eyes but kept an eye on Ezio. Just because Ezio decided they had gained his approval, didn't mean that he trusted them.

"As you all know, this is the 3rd and final task of the Triwizard Tournament. With one champion left, his task is to find the Triwizard Cup. Which has been hidden deep within the maze that you see before you. Once found, he will then be transported to the entrance of the maze. We will then move on to Awarding Ceremony," McGonagall's voice echoed across the field.

Minerva gave a firm nod, giving the approval for the task to begin. She waved her wand to open the entrance of the maze.

Everyone watched as Krum walked pass the entrance before it closed behind him. The third task had officially begun.

"Terence," Marcus growled. "Why are they holding my familiar?"

Terence half jumped in his seat, fully expecting a curse aimed at him.

Marcus' words had no bite to it, as he grinned.

Neville looked half terrified at the notion that Marcus thought he kidnapped Ezio.

Marcus waved him off, "you Gryffindors are so easy to rile up."

Dean and Seamus snickered at that, though they didn't disagree. Finding the look on Neville's face hilarious.

"Not funny, guys," Neville mumbled.

Terence's lips twitched at that. He also found it amusing at the half-terrified look on Neville's face. But that was after he calmed down, realizing that Marcus wasn't about to curse him. He was positive that Marcus was probably taking enjoyment out of that.

Terence wasn't sure how long they were there. He usually didn't keep track of time during these tasks. But there was this twist in the air, he could feel it. It felt wrong. No, something was wrong. He just didn't know what. Terence's eyes glanced around. He didn't think anyone noticed yet.

Ezio's ears were perked up and shifty. His nose was in the air, something smelt different. It was like a scent of death.

Terence noticed the off behavior of Ezio, which proceeded to make him even more alarmed.

Suddenly there was a scream in the air.

Marcus immediately jumped to his feet and raced towards the maze. To where Professor McGonagall and the other professors were huddle together.

The scream had come from several Hogwarts and Beauxbatons students.

When Marcus got closer, he could see why.

The Durmstrang champion, Viktor Krum, was lying on his back. He was completely motionless, face deathly pale. The professors must have carried him out of the maze.

The wizard was covered in blood, no doubt he had more than one wound. If Marcus had to guess, he had gotten stabbed by some creature. And if the murmurs were anything to go by, it was from one of Hagrid's Blast-Ended Skrewt.

"What happened?" Marcus asked. "He's not dead, is he?"

Minerva looked to be in a state of shock, which seemed to be the answer to his question. So, Madam Pomfrey filled him in.

"I'm afraid so, Mr. Flint. He was weakened by a Blast-Ended Skrewt. If that were the only wound he had, he may have survived. And the wounds from the Selkies seem to have opened. But that's not what killed him. There had been several Venomous Tentacula placed within the maze. The spikes did quite a bit of damage to his body," Madam Pomfrey started to explain.

"Did the spikes kill him?" Marcus asked, almost afraid of the answer.

Madam Pomfrey shook her head.

"What did?" Marcus asked.

"The venom," Madam Pomfrey replied.

Marcus' eyes went wide as his mouth hanged open. He knew the implications of being bitten by a Venomous Tentacula. It could easily stun a witch or wizard. But it was more likely that it would kill you first.

"Has anyone told his betrothed," Marcus choked out. He hoped that the young man hadn't glimpsed at Krum's body.

"One of the professors is bringing him to the castle, he doesn't deserve to see him like this," Madam Pomfrey's voice sounded heartbroken.

"Durmstrang and his parents will want to take his body back to his homeland," Marcus whispered.

Madam Pomfrey nodded.

"We'll have to get the students out of here. This is no place to be gawking at a dead body," Marcus muttered lowly.

Madam Pomfrey nodded, "Severus, Minerva, Filius, Pomona. Gather each of your houses and get them back to the dormitory. Minerva, will you make an announcement later?"

Minerva seemed to get over her shock by then. She had not expected to have another champion's death so soon. And it seemed to be worse as she saw Krum's dead body. Her lips thinned, suddenly furious with their 'esteemed headmaster.' He should have been there to help console the students. If he wasn't sacked after this, she would make sure of it. And she already knew that he was on thin lines with the Ministry and Bones. Not to mention the other countries that blamed Dumbledore for their champions' deaths. And it looked like another one would be added to the list.

Marcus watched with a distant eye as the stands slowly emptied of students. He knew that majority of them would be confused until Professor McGonagall got around to announcing what had happened. Though it was very possible that she would have each Head of House explain the events to them later.

It would be a few days later that Marcus was directed to the Headmaster's office. Which he had found strange since Marcus only really reported to Professor McGonagall. Not Dumbledore. It was a Deputy Headmistress' duty after all.

Marcus rolled his eyes as he gave the gargoyle the candy password. Slowly walkimg up the stairs with Ezio at his heels.

So, imagine his shock to see Professor McGonagall behind the Headmaster's desk, instead of Dumbledore.

"Professor McGonagall?" Marcus gaped in shocked.

Minerva gave a rare smile, "it's Headmistress McGonagall now, if you will, Mr. Flint. And I see you brought young Ezio along."

It took Marcus a few minutes to register the words that his professor, or Headmistress had said.

"Congratulations?" it sounded more of a question than a statement.

McGonagall gave a snort at that. She didn't say a word against it, she had expected it would be a surprise.

"How?" Marcus was at a loss.

"Well, Ms. Skeeter's article certainly moved things along. But I imagine that after Mr. Krum's unfortunate death, that was the final straw. The Board of Governors delivered the sacking papers a few days ago," Minerva revealed.

Marcus had to blink a few times at that. He knew that it was coming, a lot of Slytherins did. But he had never expected it to happen so quickly. He had expected Dumbledore not to be booted as Headmaster until after he graduated Hogwarts.

"That does make sense," Marcus commented.

"But you have a question," Headmistress McGonagall noticed.

Marcus nodded, "does the other houses know?"

Minerva nodded, "yes. I had each of the Heads of Houses speak to their houses individually. And I of course, spoke to Gryffindor myself. But there is some news that you must know as Headboy."

Marcus scrunched his eyebrows in confusion.

"Since this does relate to our missing student. One of the goblins from Gringotts has stopped by a few days ago," McGonagall started to explain.

"Potter?" Marcus asked.

Ezio perked up at the mention of his name.

"Yes. Gringotts keeps a file of the Triwizards' Champions since its inception."

"But not this year, all of them died," Marcus assumed.

McGonagall shook her head, "you do remember that Bartemius Crouch Jr is dead because he attempted to place Mr. Potter's name within the Goblet of Fire?"

Marcus nodded.

"Well, despite his unfortunate demise. The representative of Gringotts had informed that Mr. Potter would be declared the winner of the Triwizard Tournament, since he is technically the only champion that is still alive," McGonagall finished explaining.

Marcus took a few minutes trying to absorb the information. "But that doesn't help Potter now, does it?"

"It doesn't. But the school is expected to be informed of this. The Ministry has already been informed."

"How will he get it, then? It's not like he's here to accept the galleons," Marcus asked.

"Gringotts will transfer the money to his family vault," Minerva revealed.

"Why are you telling me this? I know its my duty to watch over the students. And Potter has been missing for almost a year now. But why tell me this much?" Marcus asked.

Minerva gave a hint of a smile, "because I know that you are wanting to search for him after graduation. And if anyone is capable of finding him, it's you and Mr. Higgs."

"How?!" Marcus was dumbfounded.

"It's not hard to miss the worry you have over Mr. Potter," she had a knowing look.

Marcus felt his face go red, though he never protested against her words.

It took a minute before Marcus could muster any words, "I'll find him."

Professor McGonagall gave a nod, "if anyone can, it'll be the two of you."