I will remind people, this is an M rated story.

A/N: I am trying to post the next few chapters rather rapidly because they all play into each other.

A/N2: Harry Potter and his world belong to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights. I am grateful she gives us the privilege of playing in her world.

-oOo-

Chapter 16

November 20, 1994

-o-

DAILY PROPHET

TROUBLE AT HOGWARTS

By Rita Skeeter

With only days to go before the first event of the Tri-wizard Tournament, this reporter, Rita Skeeter, Winner of Witch Weekly Best Writer Award, can reveal big trouble at Hogwarts.

As has been previously reported, the underaged Wizard, Dracon Malfoy, has found his way into the contest. The Headmaster and Department for Magical Games said all precautions had been made and the DMLE is still investigating. Lord Malfoy has been very vocal in his support for his son when asked. "I have full confidence Draco will perform to the best of his abilities. If the people running this farce had done the same, then he would not be in it. Or perhaps they had. The Headmaster is getting well past his prime."

Albus Dumbledore would not respond to this, but it is known the ICW has issued a censure to him for missing a few emergency meetings in the last few months. Could his vaulted position as Head Mugwump be in jeopardy? It may be time for him to step down if he can't handle Hogwarts and the ICW. Thirty-eight years as Head Mugwump may be enough?

Then there is the other problem. Both the Headmaster, DMLE and Minister are all stepping around or in this one. Could there be something larger going on than what has been reported?

The diminutive Boy-Who-Lived has been confirmed as one of those raging beasts we all know of as werewolves. Friday night he instigated a mass breakout of the other werewolves under the WRC overlook at the full moon. Rumor is that he killed several students or town folks of Hogsmeade. One student was reported as saying, "It was horrible. There where body parts everywhere."

The DMLE refutes these claims, but it has been known in the past they have hidden or covered up major events to keep the Wizarding world 'safe'. They claim it was a pack dispute covered under the ICW and that no innocents were harmed. But while they were dealing with blood crazed beasts on the ground of Hogwarts, there was a break in at the Hogsmeade Branch of Gringotts. The goblins will not confirm if anything was stolen, but this brings into doubt the security they offer to wizards and witches. In four years, that is two break-ins in a place that is supposed to be the safest place to store our valuables. Maybe it is time for a review of our treaties?

As for the Tournament, the DMLE, ICW and French Aurors have increased security. it is encouraged that anyone wishing to attend the first task this Thursday arrive about two hours early. The incompetent DMLE is instituting security checks into the grounds and into the arena for the first task.

Let us just hope things go wrong again Thursday.

-oOo-

November 24, 1994

Hogwarts, Scotland

Classes had been canceled today for the first task of the Tournament. Harry was using it as an excuse to lay in. Since last week, McGonagall had agreed that any of the Lobos could eat in their dorms for any meal. The school was afraid or angry at them. It didn't matter that it was only Hermione and him that had broken out. The non-stop bashing in the Prophet had made it so he didn't want to go anywhere outside of the dorm, unless it was out into the cold November air of the grounds.

Hermione was already up, sitting at his desk and scratching away at a piece of parchment. She was wearing his favorite Gryffindor Jumper, her legs curled up on the chair with Crookshanks on her lap. He could see small goosepimples on her legs from the cool air of the castle. Revenah, the grey kneazle that had moved in with them, was nowhere to be seen. That wasn't that uncommon. She only seemed to curl up with Harry, and that was only at night or the few times they would find her in the dorms in the afternoons. She wasn't Hedwig, but he liked her. Most mornings she was gone by the time they woke up.

Light was coming into the dorm from the window, so he figured it was past nine.

He wanted to fall back to sleep but knew he wouldn't. Throwing his hands over his head, he stretched his body and yawned. A thought that Hermione was corrupting him passed his mind. He would never have slept in like this before. The Dursley's, and the fear of them, never would have let him.

"Morning, luv," Hermione said not looking up from her parchment.

"Does it have to be," he asked.

She snorted. "Yes." She sounded and smelled annoyed.

He reached a hand out and rubbed her leg. She pulled it up out of his reach. When she lowered it again, Crookshanks was glaring at him, unhappy he had been disturbed. "I am trying to concentrate on a letter to my parents and then I need to figure out how to take care of that hag Skeeter."

He sighed. McGonagall had also allowed them to start taking all mail in their dorms instead of the typical morning delivery in the Great Hall. The Prophet must have been delivered already and gotten her hackles up.

He sat up and saw the paper on the other side of the desk. "Should I read it or not?"

She huffed. "Well I am not going to read that tripe again. The bloody bint called us raging beasts again and is now saying the DMLE is covering up a massacre. It doesn't matter the next story refutes the cunts claims. The front story is a picture of us that day we signed the bloody registry. I knew this would happen. I warned Madame Bones." She let out an aggravated scream as her quill tip snapped. "Second one today. Scorgefy," she said pointing her wand at the ink spot. It quickly cleaned up and she grabbed the last quill in his holder. He would have to send Hedwig out later to get more.

He also tried not to laugh. It was not a laughing matter what the Prophet was doing, but Hermione was not one to swear or get this riled most of the time. She looked at him over her nose in an I'm-not-in-the-mood type of way.

"Have you called, you-know, to bring up some breakfast?"

She turned back to her parchment. "I have not called that over-exuberant elf yet. We should go to the Great Hall but I won't be able to stomach the gossip this piece will start." She started to write again.

He reluctantly threw the blankets off himself. He was only in his night shorts and the room was cold. Normally he would grab his jumper but Hermione had started to wear it most mornings, most other times too when she could steal it first. He slipped his feet into the cold bed shoes and walked over to his dresser. He had two other jumpers, but they weren't as nice as his Gryffindor one. Well, not as worn in anyways. He threw a grey and blue knit one over his head and grabbed a pair of pants and new boxers.

"Any letters yet from the DMLE or WRC?" He had to ask. They had been released on Saturday under McGonagall's supervision. There had not been any formal charges or news if they were cleared. His hands still shook some when he let himself think about the life he had taken. Before they had left the cells, he had released the others that had submitted to him. He didn't want them or consider them Pack. He wasn't sure what might happen to them, but if they had killed people before, he wasn't sure if he felt sick or relieved at the idea they may walk through the veil. They were werewolves, like him, but he would never condone the harming of innocents. Anyone in his Pack would live by the same rule.

He was also anxious to hear news about Sirius. It had finally broken yesterday that he had been locked in Azkaban without a trial and that he was Lord Black. That had caused a stir in the school almost as big as what happened Friday night. Harry felt a little guilty that the Tournament was being overshadowed by this, but he wasn't really that excited for it anyways. He was sure innocent creatures would be harmed in this. Before, he probably wouldn't have thought about it that much, but now he was one of them.

He threw his clothes on the bed and moved to Hermione. "I love you," he said wrapping his arms around her shoulders. She stopped her furious writing and put the quill down. A moment later, she put her hand on his arm and leaned her head into him. He took in a deep breath of her scents. Her sweet musk that drove him crazy was still on her from last night. Her hair smelled of her fruity shampoo and she smelled of the parchments and inks she used so often. It was a soothing scent.

"I love you too." He held her like that for a few before she sighed. "There was an article that they are going to set Sirius trial for next Friday."

Harry sighed. He had been so worried for his godfather when the ICW had taken him away. Fudge had rescinded the 'Kiss on sight' order, but the ICW refused to return him until a trial for his original crimes were set. "Thank Merlin," he whispered into her ear.

She squirmed below him. "That tickles," she said.

A grin broke across his face as he moved just a little closer. "What? This? This tickles?" He breathed into her ear as he talked, and she tried to shy away.

"Harry," she scolded him with a laugh. He liked how she moved. Crookshanks, seeming to understand his time with his Mistress was over, jumped off her lap and walked towards the door. Harry liked how she gasped when he took her lobe into his mouth and gently sucked on it. Her voice was breathy when she repeated his name this time. "Harry, I want to get this letter done." He moved his lips down her neck. She cocked her head to the side to let him kiss her whole neck. A sigh escaped her throat as he slipped a hand down her side to slide under his jumper and up to her breast. She let out a moan that sounded as much pleasure as exasperation at him as he cupped one of her perfect breasts. They may not have been overly large, but he liked how they fit in his hand. His hand was almost big enough to fully cup her.

"Harry," she said with no heat as he continued to kiss her neck and start to play with her hardening nipple. "I wanted to send this out this morning."

"Do you want me to stop," he asked, nipping the base of her neck and she growled at him.

"Can I get my knickers off first? I only have a few more clean pairs," she asked him and he smiled as his other hand drifted lower. She moved to kiss him. "Take me to bed?"

He smiled into her mouth and moved to lift her into his arms. She laughed as he flopped her down and moved over her. She had a sultry smile that sent a thrill through him. He leaned down to kiss her as he pushed his jumper up her side to expose her stomach. She reached down to take off her knickers as he kissed her neck again and ran a thumb over her nipple. She let out a sigh as he played with her. After a moment, she was taking his jumper over his head and he pushed up the one she was wearing over hers.

He moved from her neck to her chest as a hand wandered between her legs. She moved and spread her legs with a moan as he ran his hand over her slit. He loved the sound she made as his hands wandered and his mouth sucked on a nipple. The smell from between her legs was so intoxicating that he felt himself pressing hard against his shorts.

"Harry," she panted and the smell of her essence grew stronger than normal. He started to kiss lower today. Her hands went to his hair and encouraged him to go lower. He moved between her legs and she let out a longing groan the first time he put his lips to the top of her mound. He looked up, trying to ask permission without saying anything. Her eyes were closed, her head back and her breasts rising rapidly as he flicked his tongue out to get the top of her slit.

"Please," she asked in a needy tone. It was all he needed to learn how to use his mouth and tongue to please her. It took a little bit to find the spots he knew she liked with his fingers, but soon she was panting and squirming as his lips opened around her slit and his tongue was diving in and out, constantly searching the nip that made her cry out every time he touched it. His tongue was as deep in her as he could get it when he finally felt her clench and pulled the pillow over her face to scream into it.

A few moments later, she lay almost boneless in the bed, breathing heavily. He was on his arm, looking at her and his free hand stroking up and down her thigh. To see her so sated made the decision easy to do this regularly to her. He liked the half smile on her face. He may not have control of most other things lately, but he would show her he loved her and that he would never abandon her.

-oOo-

Edge of the Forbidden Forest, Hogwarts, Scotland

Draco was feeling very nervous as his godfather escorted him down the lawn towards the edge of the forest. It was a path that many students used to get to a few nicely hidden spots on the far side of the Black Lake. Pansy had taken him to one of those spots last weekend to try and relieve his stress after he snapped at a seventh-year that just about pounded him into the ground. If Crabbe and Goyle hadn't been there he would be sporting more than just a shiner on his left eye.

People were already wandering down the path and Aurors were walking around the grounds. Parents and visitors were allowed on the grounds, but not close to the Arena. As they crested a rise in the ground, there was a new dirt, grass and rock wall that had not been there a week ago. It looked like a steep hillside, but it was too perfectly round to have been made by nature. He could see a wooden tower protruding above the wall. The path split not far over the rise. To the left was a sign saying "Champions, Staff and Family ONLY". The other route led to a rock tunnel in the side of the new hill. Uncle Severus led them down the left path towards a large tent tucked against the wall and almost into the trees. He noticed two Aurors outside the tent and four at the other entrance.

He had three goals today: Survive, complete the task and impress his father. If he did those, his life would become easier again. Slytherin would not reject him anymore and he would work to rebuild his dominance. If his father was on his side, then he would have influence and full access to his trust vault again. It would also show his father he would be ready to step into the family legacy in the near future and give him a chance to cement the betrothal with Lord Parkinson and by Christmas she would be his. He wouldn't be able to do any of that, though, if he didn't survive.

"You know what to do," Uncle Severus asked.

Draco nodded. He knew what to do. He just hoped his hands would be steady enough to cast his wand the way he needed too. He also hoped he got the Welch Green or the Chinese Fireball. The other two were nastier and might resist his plan easier. "Yes, Uncle," he said quietly, making sure no one heard him. It was a closely guarded secret that Severus Snape was as close to his family as he was.

Uncle Severus nodded his head.

He led him into the tent. Sprout and Diggory were already here. Diggory had that stupid easy smile he normally wore. Draco wanted to wipe that pretty boy expression off his face. "Malfoy," Diggory said with a nod.

He nodded back. That was all he would give the real Hogwarts Champion. Much of the school still hated him and thought he had put his own name in. Unintentionally he had, but that didn't matter. This was not his idea of a fun day. Servants and others should be taking care of dragons. Wasn't there a whole magical creatures department dedicated to this?

Speaking of creatures, this should have been Potter standing here, not him. How had his plan gone so wrong?

He leaned against a support on the outer wall and Uncle Severus stood nearby. It was very quiet as they heard more people start to move towards the event stadium. Fleur Delacour entered the tent promptly at 12:45, the time they had been told to be there, and Viktor a few moments later. They both eyed him, looking disgruntled he was there. Malfoy held their stare, challenging them to say something. He may not disagree with them, but he would never let them know that.

About five to one, Dumbledork, Crotch and Baggypants entered the tent. "Oh, good morning Champions," a smiling Crouch said to them. "An exciting day. An exciting day. I hope you have prepared for the unexpected. In a few moments we will give you your first task, and the first champion will be called out promptly at 1:30."

The man looked genuinely excited and Bagman behind him looked rather expectantly towards him. "Yes, today will be a big day. I will be announcing the task, not that you will be able to hear me in here. I trust you all will do your utmost best and be successful."

"Yes, right. Now, just to review the rules. You are only to bring your wands, footwear, pants, a shirt and a cloak or robes. If you have anything else on you, please leave them in the boxes next to the chairs with your names. Any items you have will be safe guarded and returned upon completion of the task."

"I 'ave my mot'er necklace I don't want to remove," Fleur said to him.

"All items, Ms. Delacour. Those are the rules. If you wish to bring it in, then you can challenge the cup," Crouch said in a manner that said he would brook no disagreement. "Now, once you receive your task, you are to start the event. You may surrender with blue sparks in the air and you will pass to the next task, but you will not have the clue you need for it if you do not retrieve it first. I would highly recommend completing the task."

Crouch looked around. "Lastly, the judges will grade you on time to complete, finesse, damage to the arena or any creatures that might be involved and a few other minor points."

The saccharin smile the man gave them made his skin crawl. There was something about the man that rubbed him the wrong way. "Ludo, would you do the honors?"

Ludo stepped forward with a bag and crooked smile. He looked to have been hit in the head one too many times while being a quidditch star. "Brilliant. Now, you will be drawing out a creature that you will need to retrieve a golden egg from. Once you receive your egg, the task is over. Simple." Ludo sounded like he was going to a match.

His lip lifted into a snarl. He would like the man to face a dragon. He doubted he would call it simple then.

He watched as the snotty nosed French wench reached her hand in and pulled out a model of a green dragon that snapped at her. She looked resigned, as though she already knew what was coming. She reached down to look at the tag around its neck. Cedric's expression had gone pale and his eyes wide. Draco tried not to laugh. Apparently Sprout or Dumbledore didn't believe in letting their champion know what was coming. Draco was just happy the smile had been wiped from his face. "Very nice choice, Ms. Delacour. A Welch Green. As you can see, you will be facing dragons."

The Bulgarian didn't look surprised either as he drew out a grey scaled monstrosity that looked as surly as the real thing. "Oh, the Ukrainian Ironbelly."

As he watched Cedric reach his hand into the bag, Draco suddenly put the pieces together. "Wait, you said we had to collect an egg. Those aren't nesting dragons, are they," his voice rose against his will as a sense of panic stirred in him. At his words, the other three champions stopped what they were doing and looked at Bagman and Crouch. Crouch's smile faltered for the first time.

"Mr. Malfoy, I think you can keep your voice down," Dumbledore said.

" 'ou 'ave nesting mot'er," the big Headmistress from Beauxbaton rumbled in displeasure.

"How else would they retrieve a golden egg? This is going to be a great show," Bagman said with enthusiasm.

"If we didn't think a champion could handle this then we would not have brought them in," Crouch told her.

"A dragon hoard is different than a dragon nest," Sprout said angrily. "What are you playing with nesting mothers?"

"Be that as it may, Mr. Draco must pick his dragon and then we must get to the judge's box," Crouch said over everyone grabbing the bag from Bagman and shaking it out onto his hand. "Your dragon, Mr. Malfoy," the man said with a glare before tossing the model at him.

"I don't think that attitude is called for," Uncle Severus said. The dragon had spread its wings and glided onto his folded arms. Draco swallowed hard to see the Norwegian Ridgeback. It gave out a roar before it started to climb up his arm. He didn't move, unsure if his stomach would rebel or not.

-oOo-

Dragon Pit, Hogwarts, Scotland

Lucius sat in the box just behind the Minister. After seeing the other three champions complete the task, which ended with two of them leaving on stretchers, he was feeling nauseous. He had not been able to get the betrothal contract completed before the task. Harold was holding out to see how Draco did in the first task, not wanting to bound his daughter until he was sure Draco would survive.

As such, he had paid good galleons for a few private tutors over the last three weeks. He knew it wouldn't be enough, but it had to be. Watching the handlers take out the dragons that the last Champion had faced made the pit in his stomach grow. If Draco were to die or become infertile, then there would be no options left to keep the Malfoy line going. Before the last war, there would have been four possibilities. Two of them he killed at his own hands after his Master had bid him too and the other two died as a results of Aurors or the Order of the Pheonix while supporting the Dark Lord. It was part of why he would never go back to the man if he was really out there.

He knew he was deluding himself. For the first time in thirteen years, his Mark had started to become visible again. If the wanker came back, Lucius would be ready for the thing. He had already destroyed three of the anchors that the man had to the world. Of course, he hadn't quite realized what they were until Harry Potter had killed the first one, but he knew where four where, having been in the man's most inner circle and having been the one to hunt down Regulus Black when he turned. That necklace had sat in his vault in his house until that night he knew what it was.

If Draco survived, Lucius could start to focus more on his own plans.

For now, he felt his gut twist as the Handlers revived the massive Hungarian Horntail. It gave a deafening roar and blew a fireball that even the wards couldn't block all the heat. Lucius looked down the maw of the beast and had the feeling all his plans had been for naught.

He really thought Draco had put his name in until that night the Judges list of names was presented to him. Draco had inadvertently added his own name, but not in the way he thought. Dumbledore had been far sneakier than he had given the man credit for. No, Draco had been entered because someone else had entered him.

Who did he didn't know. The why was obvious. Someone was trying to get back at him.

"The cannon will blow any moment now and we are all waiting to see what the youngest competitor will do," Bagman said with excitement. At least the cunt had the decency to sound contrite as Delacour and Diggory were rescued. Somehow they both managed to get their eggs, but they had been hurt badly. Lucius found he would have rather seen them die. The half-breed harpy was an abomination and the Diggory brat came from parents he would have eliminated if he could have last time.

"Lucius, it will be nice to see if your son is as skilled as you," Cornelius said with a congenial smile and clapping with the rest until the cannon blew. Like the other times, the noise rose as many wanted to see the blood sport this was. If Potter had been out there, he would have been just as excited.

The dragon roared its disapproval at the crowd, releasing a fireball at the stands that rose to the sky as it hit an invisible barrier. He didn't notice people screaming or scrambling back as his eyes locked on the entrance tunnel. While the dragon was distracted, he saw several stones fly into the tunnel. He furrowed his brow. This was not what he had approved.

"If we can have silence for our champion, who seems to be a little shy at coming out," Bagman said with a laugh. "Don't worry in the stands. The wards are strong enough to resist even this angry mother's fire. Ah, here he comes."

Lucius watched as Draco ran out of the tunnel, hands over his head and screaming. The dragon, who had reared on its haunches, saw the screaming boy and landed back on all four, shaking the stadium. Lucius' blood ran cold. He had raised a complete fool who deserved to be put down. His face scrunched in rage. The dragon roared and beat its wings at the small form, but it didn't leave its nest. It followed the screaming boy as he made his way around the edge of the ring towards the exit tunnel.

Lucius drew his wand, unsure if he should curse his son or not. People around him started to laugh. This was not the way a Malfoy acted. His eyes burned with rage and embarrassment.

That was until he saw another figure walk out of the tunnel. This one was in a layer of what looked like water over his clothes. He moved quietly and blended seamlessly into the rocks when he stopped. The dragon roared at the coward and released a ball of fire at Draco. The form screamed as he was consumed in fire and the crowd gasped and screamed started all around.

"Oh, Merlin," someone said close by. His eyes were on the wall though. The form had moved half around the stadium and was behind the dragon. There was no evidence of Draco. Then a second Draco ran out of the tunnel, screaming and doing the same thing. He saw the bludgeoning charm come from the shape along the rocks and hit the dragon. It roared as it was hit in the head and turned towards the new Draco. It didn't wait to charge the boy this time. The dragon beat its wings and lumbered across the floor of the pit. The second it was a hundred feet from its nest, the real Draco dislodged from the wall and ran for the egg.

"Over there," someone screamed. There was a mass movement to see the new indistinct blob running for the nest. Lucius realized that Draco had conjured essential water to cover his body and learned to make a rune dummy. His eyes rose. Those were NEWT level runes, charms and transfigurations the boy had used. Most of it could have been done with the proper runes, which was why he summoned the rocks. He was using runes. Either way, it was a very impressive feat that none of the other competitors had used.

The dragon caught the gist of the now cheering and hopping crowd. It turned to see Draco grab the golden egg and run for the exit. The beast roared and turned, but turning tons of scales, muscle and bones was not an easy task. It was too slow and by the time it had turned, dug its claws in and started for his son, Draco was a hundred feet from the exit tunnel. The horntail roared and then released a massive jet of fire, larger than any it had so far. He saw his son turn and then tucked into a roll as the flames raced towards him.

The flames just barely missed him. Lucius could see steam rising from the coating of magical water. It looked thinner around him, but it had saved him from being burned, if not his life. Draco scrambled to his feet, holding the egg tight and raced for the tunnel. The dragon was hot on his tail. Draco dove and made it into the tunnel just before the dragon hit the wards around the tunnel. It got up, shook its head and roared its displeasure. The stadium exploded in cheers.

-oOo-

Healer's Tent, Hogwarts, Scotland

Pansy burst into the tent. She had run as fast as she could to get down here. A pair of strong arms grabbed her. "Slow down there, Miss."

She tried to shake the man off. "Let me go."

"This is only for family, staff and champions," the wizard in blue robes said, moving her towards the door.

"I'm here to see Draco. Let me go," she told him loudly, grabbing the hand that was holding her arm. The man was holding her so had that she felt where bruises would most likely form. "Draco," she cried out.

"What is this racket," Professor McGonagall asked coming around a curtain. "Ms. Parkinson, students are not allowed in here."

"You have to let me see Draco," she said angrily.

"Family and Champions only," she said in her clipped voice.

"She is family," the smooth voice of Lord Malfoy came behind her. "She is betrothed to Draco and as such is allowed as family."

The blue robed Auror looked to the man and then at Professor McGonagall, who frowned. "Fine. Ms. Parkinson can come in, but she needs to be quiet. Madame Pomfrey is healing Mr. Malfoy."

Her hands went to her mouth. She was afraid he had been hurt at the end. She shook the man's hand off and rushed past him and then McGonagall. Coming around the curtain, she saw Draco laying on his stomach. His robes and shirt had been removed and she could see two large burn spots over his shoulders and half his hair singed off. She couldn't keep the sob coming to her mouth to see him.

"Why is she in here! Get her out," Madame Pomfrey said curtly, moving to take some potion off a shelf.

"I am not leaving my betrothed," she told the woman. She knew her father had been in talks, but if Lord Malfoy had claimed it, then she was. It didn't matter she was fifteen.

The Matron didn't look at her. "Fine. Then make yourself useful. Take that purple bottle and come over here."

She turned to see a bottle on a shelf. She grabbed it and moved to the other side of Draco. "Pour that liberally over the wounds until it starts to spill off them."

The bottle tipped and she watched as the clear liquid fell like water. It hit the burns on his right shoulder and the liquid soaked into the burned area. After a moment, it started to roll off his body and she stopped. "His other shoulder and head too."

She repeated the process. By the time she finished, the Matron was sitting in a chair. "Will he be alright," Lord Malfoy said behind her and she jumped. She hadn't known he was there.

The Matron huffed. "He will be. Not sure about the other two yet. Dragons. Nesting Dragons! What fool decided on that."

"That would be the Head of Games for Britain, France and Poland," Dumbledore said in his serene voice.

She reached to hold Draco's hand. Lord Malfoy had a sneer on his mouth. "You are not welcome here while my son recovers."

"Ah, but I fear I must be. The judges found something they would like to look at closer. Do you have Mr. Malfoy's cloak?"

"I had to vanish it to heal him," Madame Pomfrey said looking at the Headmaster. "Why, Albus."

"I can explain in a moment. Is it safe to revive Mr. Malfoy? We must give marks but can't until I can talk with him. The tournament requires marks within an hour of completion of an event."

"Why must you talk with my son? He completed the task as required," Lord Malfoy told the man.

"Yes, but there are rules and there is some evidence that Mr. Malfoy took illegal objects in his pockets," Dumbledore said. "That will make a large difference in his points and possibly to the Goblet of Fire."

Lord Malfoy sneered. "He did not cheat, if that is what you are implying, Dumbledore."

"Draco didn't take anything into the arena he wasn't supposed too," she said defending Draco.

The Headmaster looked at her. She didn't like his piercing blue eyes or the look of calculation he gave her. "Ms. Parkinson, why are you here?"

"She is Draco's betrothed as of the end of the event," Lord Malfoy said.

"Ah. I see. Now, Ms. Parkinson, do you know anything about what Draco brought into the arena?"

"Of course I do. I helped him review the rules every day for the last three weeks. He had sown in a number of rune chains into the inner layer of his cloak that I worked out with him. They were inactivated, no charms, nothing that wasn't allowed per the rules," she said holding herself up tall."

Dumbledore nodded. "That would explain what we found." He nodded again. "Yes. You are right, there is nothing in the rules about that. I will have to declare Mr. Malfoy clear of this accusation. If you wish to follow, Lord Malfoy, then we can provide your son's scores in just a few minutes."

Lord Malfoy looked at her. "I will meet with you and Draco later, Ms. Parkinson."

She tried to keep a small smile off her face. Draco was going to be better and she was going to be Lady Malfoy someday.