Author's note: I apologize to you all; I have been completely lacking in inspiration recently, until I had a random dream about a scene that would work wonderfully in this story. I have been working on that, it should be in the next chapter, which is actually coming along. I have also gone through and been editing/adjusting a few things here and there. I did change the name of the Firebolt Junior; I was never happy with the name so it should be Fireblast (still not perfect) in all chapters shortly. I plan to finish this story and my other story, it just may take some time.
Thank you all for reading.
Without further ado, here is my next chapter...
Chapter 36 – Up in the Air
Hogwarts Grounds
"Good morning Champions," Ludo Bagman smiled at the four students standing before him. "Today is the day, the fifth task of the Triwizard tournament."
The four champions, their headmasters, Percy Weasley and Ludo Bagman stood in a tent that had been erected not far from the green houses. Their competition grounds for the day were taking place above the open grounds. The spectators were once again seated in the stadium seats at the quidditch pitch but most of the task would not be taking place there.
"Now, only Mister Potter managed to complete the previous task so only Mister Potter knows anything about what is coming." Bagman grinned with childlike glee at this, it was apparent where his bets would be. "There are four fields of play for you today and each will take place well above the ground but only one of those challenges will allow for the use of a broom. It was decided that you will each compete at a different arena, at different times, but will not be able to watch each other. We wouldn't want anyone to have an unfair advantage, would we? And of course, the spectators would not be happy if they had to split their attention.
"The first arena is the one I have already mentioned. You will have to fly your way through an obstacle course on the Fireblast provided for the task and the fastest time will receive the highest score for this quarter of the task. The next will take place above the quidditch pitch. You will stand on a small floating platform and all around you will be dueling dummies set to attack you. For five minutes you will have to dodge, shield and counter to try to stay one the platform and stay conscious; the champion who stays up the longest will score the best or if more than one of you complete the five minutes the judges will decide who was the most efficient. The dummies will only be casting stunners."
So far, they had guessed fairly correctly.
"The next is another type of obstacle course, this one comprised of various platforms that you have to cross. There are many paths that could get you to the end of the island chain, and it will be judged on time but your decisions and spell choice could also increase your final total. Remember, the shortest path is not always the best choice." Bagman wiggled his eyebrows as if to suggest his advice was best listened to. "Lastly, there are magical flying creatures that you will have to choose from. This will be judged both on time and on the choice of creature, the choice make will be important to your score. Each creature is more dangerous than the last. You will then fly that creature to three different platforms, collect three disk and then fly to the end point."
Percy stepped forward, his boss was at the quidditch pitch, ensuring the dueling dummies were set properly. "You will start at different stations but will not compete simultaneously as the judges do need to watch each attempt at each arena. The challenges will happen in the same order each time so you may not have time to rest between attempts. The first challenge will always be the platform islands, followed by the broom course, then the dueling and finally the creature course." He met each of the champions eyes, "In this bag, I have four disks with one through four labeled on them. The champion who draws one will compete in the order I just told you. The person who draws the two will start at arena two and end on arena one. I am sure you all understand what the order for three and four will be?" He paused before extending the bag, "Miss Delacour, you will have first draw as you are currently in fourth.
In the end, Harry drew the one. Fleur drew the two. Cedric would be going third and Viktor would be the fourth in the first round of the challenge.
"Good show, good show," Bagman cheered. "Well, Harry, my boy we should head to the pitch." Bagman slung an arm around the youngest champion's shoulder, "Weasley, please show the other champions to their starting arenas."
"Mister Bagman, Cedric Diggory is the champion that will be dueling first," Percy sighed. "Harry needs to come with me to the platform course."
"Oh," Bagman deflated slightly, "right you are, Weasley. I'll see you later, Harry." Bagman waved to Harry before rushing out of the tent, the confused and amused headmasters following closely behind him."
"Is it just me or is Bagman really obsessed with me?"
Cedric shook his head, "It's not just you, Harry. That man has some of the worst Boy-Who-Lived fanaticism I've ever seen."
The other champions nodded while Percy shook his head. "That's not it. He is hoping Harry will win the tournament so he can win back some money off the bets he has placed. Bagman owes the Goblins a great deal of money because he lost a very large sum during the world cup. He still owes Fred and George for the bet they placed with him. The odds that Harry will win are lower than any of the rest of you, mostly because of his age, so Bagman placed a very high dollar bet that Harry would win the whole tournament."
"And why is he allowed to continue judging?" Fleur wondered.
"Bagman has been fair in his judging," Percy shrugged. "He has consistently judged everyone higher than the other judges and honestly no one wrote anything into his contract that prevents him from betting, he just had to promise to judge fairly. It would be too much of a situation to replace him at this point."
"Part of me wants to throw this just so he can't profit off of me but Fred and George would kill me."
"True," Percy nodded with a grin, "alright you four, the challenge needs to begin soon. Cedric, head to the pitch, the rest of you come with me."
…
"Welcome back Witches, Wizards, students and family members." Bagman was having a good day. "Three of the four challenges of this task have been completed and the final round is about to begin. To recap, Harry Potter, Cedric Diggory and Viktor Krum have completed the first challenge; Mister Diggory was the fastest but was injured most severely and Mister Potter has the slowest time so far.
"Mister Diggory is the only champion who has not completed the broom course, it will be tough for him to beat Mister Potter's time. Miss Delacour showed that Mister Potter isn't the only fast flier by beating Mister Krum through the course, but only by a quarter of a second. I wonder if that was due to their different sizes." It was true, Krum seemed to have struggled to keep his bulkier figure compact during the sharp turns and even scrapped the side of a few of the rings they had to fly through, which probably slowed him just enough for the Beauxbatons champion to edge him out for the second fastest time. All in all, the three had remarkably close times. Harry had only beat Fleur by a second and a half.
"We are waiting to see Mister Krum here in the dueling arena for his final shot today. As you all know, Miss Delacour managed to last the full five minutes while both Hogwarts competitors were stunned before the five minutes were up. Mister Potter was stunned just shy of the four-minute mark and Mister Diggory at three minutes and forty-six seconds, placing him in last for that course though between the two Hogwarts champions, Mister Diggory relied on more magical means to stay conscious while Mister Potter was much more mobile.
"And finally, Mister Potter will have to chose one of the magical creatures to fly him to the three disks he has to collect for this round. Mister Krum chose the Hippogriff, the level two creature, and was relatively quick. Mister Diggory also chose the Hippogriff but was slower than mister Krum. Miss Delacour was the quickest and chose to fly on the Aethonan, the level one creature. Which creature will Mister Potter chose?
"Now for the first task of the round," all eyes turned to the large screens that were levitated to the center of the pitch. "Miss Delacour will have to do what her three competitors before her did. She has to make her way from one end of the islands to the other. Remember folks, some of those islands are not stable or have traps on the surface. The longer your route the safer your will be, but having the fastest time will give you the highest score."
On the screens, you could see Fleur take her place on the first platform.
The task had taken less than ten minutes for all the previous champions, in fact, all of the different parts arena challenges had taken less than ten minutes, most had taken less than five. Harry had taken the longest at seven minutes and seven seconds. Viktor had taken five minutes and twelve seconds while Cedric had completed the course in four minutes and one second but had sprained his ankle, and received several cuts.
"Miss Delacour," Bagman continued. The young woman looked right to the recording device and nodded. The crowd cheered and she smiled briefly while waving. "Your chance at this course will begin in five… four… three… two… ONE!"
As Bagman shouted Fleur took a running leap, landing on the closest floating island.
The Beauxbatons champion was angry with herself. She had been so sure coming into this tournament that she would be superior because at school she always had been. Yes, she had a run of exceedingly bad luck, like in the last task when she didn't smell the flammable gas fast enough but she also realized that she had just assumed this tournament would be like everything else in her life and would come relatively easy. She assumed that she would breeze by, waving to her competitors from the finish line. This had been the ultimate humbling experience.
She pushed herself harder, feeling the platform beneath her begin to crumble but it would not matter, she was moving fast enough that she would be off the island before it fell.
There wasn't going to be anything left unused anymore. Like most that had something different, she tended to hide it, but no more. Today she would show the champions, show her school, show the audience what a Veela could do.
Fleur felt her foot begin to slip beneath her as she landed on the second island of her trek across the field. She would not go down. The fire that was always just below the surface began to boil over and for once, she let it out instead of viciously squashing it.
Her foot slipped a bit on her second step and she knew she would be going down, that is if she didn't fly.
A moment after it began it was over. Fleur Delacour, who appeared as though she was going to fall and potential slide right off the platform was instead flying. Her arms sprouted feathers, her features turned a bit birdlike and then she was flying at high speed toward the last island in the chain of floating platforms.
The audience roared in excitement. Where before they saw potential disaster, now they saw something few could admit to seeing. Witches and Wizards could not fly without aid, but Fleur Delacour had sprouted wings and had changed the whole tone of the day. In a record eighty-four seconds, Fleur Delacour completed her final challenge of the fifth task.
"Merlin!" Bagman shouted while watching her feet touch down on the large screens. "Fleur Delacour has just proven her Veela ancestry by transforming into her avian form and blowing the competition away on this challenge of the task. That is both the quickest and the safest anyone has been on the task. Well played, Miss Delacour." The Beauxbatons students and spectators roared again as the young woman bowed toward the recording mirror floating over her head, currently showing her normal form. They were proud of their champion's showing.
"Well done indeed! Now how is Mister Diggory going to fair in the speed flying course." The screens switched to the flying course to show Cedric sitting on his broom smiling and waving to the recording mirror. "Now, as many of you know, Cedric Diggory is the Hufflepuff seeker when regular school quidditch is in play so he is talented on a broom and used to quick speeds. My notes say he has only ever lost to Mister Potter on the pitch, so let's see just how quick he is." Bagman smiled as the crowd cheered again; on the screen, Cedric blushed.
If you listened, you could hear a man yell "That's my son!"
"As you all know, Mister Diggory will have to fly around the course three times, flying through each of the seven rings and slalom around a total of thirty-five posts throughout the course each time. If he misses a post or ring, he will be given an additional half second added to his time, and with the times already posted, that extra time is worth quite a lot." Cedric leaned down on his broom making himself as aerodynamic as possible. "Cedric Diggory, your time will begin in five… four… three… two… ONE!"
Cedric pushed his broom forward as fast as he was capable of making it accelerate. This course reminded him vaguely of the one he competed in at the World cup. He swerved in and out of the first set of posts then banked into a sharp right to slip through the first ring to then instantly have to bank back to the left to swerve around a single post into the first corner which required a dive to fly under a post. Up again and then slaloming though a dozen or so posts, followed by a steep climb to, just barely, slide through a hoop. The next hoop was directly after and required another steep dive to make it and if you didn't dive at the right angle, you would miss the hoop so Cedric let up on his speed; a portion of a second lost due to speed here could save him a time penalty if he missed the hoop. The final part of the course was the last twenty posts, subtly climbing up, swinging back and forth to pull around each one. The challenge was, they were different distances between each post so it wasn't something he could relax into.
As Cedric rounded to the start of the course again, he took the chance of checking his time. 'Not bad,' he thought, 'but not good enough to catch Harry.'
The crowd was going wild. Cedric Diggory was going fast enough to potentially beat Viktor Krum. The Hufflepuff pushed himself to go faster.
Cedric felt his shoulder brush a number of the posts this time, but that didn't matter. As long as he passed on the correct side, he could touch them all he wanted. When he got to the double ring section he didn't let up as much as he had last time, diving at a steeper angle and trying to channel Harry and his crazy quidditch moves to achieve the tight angles.
His second lap was better. Cedric knew he still wasn't fast enough to surpass Harry, and doubted he could beat any of the other champions at this point. Hearing Bagman recap the time differences, he had been surprised how well Fleur had flown; Harry beating Viktor was not hard for the Hufflepuff to picture, the young Gryffindor was that good, but hearing that the only female competitor beating Krum had Cedric thinking that he would come in last for this. Of course, he wasn't going to go down without a fight either.
Twist, twist, dive, climb. Cedric pushed himself well past his comfort zone, hoping that he didn't embarrass himself. As he came into the home stretch, he laid himself flat on his broom almost needing to close his eyes to stop the sting of the wind.
He flew past the finish line slowly decreasing his speed as he searched the screens for his final time and hopefully, he would be able to see where he stacked up.
"AMAZING!" Bagman screamed. "All our champions were just amazing witches and wizards. Not one of them had a single penalty for a missing ring or post. On top of that, they all flew within three seconds of each other. The final standings for this challenge of the fifth task are Harry Potter in first, completing the course in two minutes fifty-nine and a half seconds. Fleur Delacour flew the course in three minutes and one second. Mister Krum managed at three minutes ones and a quarter seconds and Mister Diggory was at three minutes one and four tenths of a second! Amazing showing everyone. All this flying makes me miss my broom."
Cedric flew down to the ground to find Fleur waiting for him. "You flew well. I am glad I got to watch at least part of this task."
"Thanks, but I still came in last."
"You lost to Viktor Krum, Harry Potter and the fluke that was my run. I have never flown that fast in my life. Less than a second separated us, Cedric."
He smiled and nodded, "Let's go watch Viktor get stunned, shall we?"
Fleur laughed, "I would greatly enjoy that."
"Alright everyone," Bagman said as the screens rose and moved to the outside of the stadium. "Now it is time for Mister Krum to face off against the charmed dueling dummies. In order to win, Mister Krum has to stay standing for the entire five minutes. If he does, it will go down to spell choice and skill to determine who gets the top marks for this challenge."
Viktor stood on a three-foot platform; his wand held loosely in his hand as he scanned the arena. Surrounding him were twelve dueling dummies, each on their own platform. He knew they would all be casting at random, from all sides. It would take skill and instinct to get him through the next five minutes.
"Mister Krum, you may begin in five… four… three… two… ONE!"
Viktor instantly started casting, shooting disarming charms at three dummies in quick succession. He saw two spin before having to duck and roll from a stunner coming at him from the right. Coming out of the roll her shielded, using a shield spell that was dome shaped and covered him on all sides. Quickly, he scanned the arena; the three he had sent disarming charms at seemed to be frozen but the other nine were still casting. He let the shield drop, side stepping the curses coming toward him, once more casting a flurry of disarming spells as well as a pair of stunners of his own. Two more dummies stopped moving but movement out of the corner of his eye alerted him to the fact that the original three dummies were back in play.
"That's what caught me off guard," Cedric admitted as he stood watching Viktor with Fleur. "I forgot to keep track of how long the dummies had been out of commission. One I had stunned caught me from behind after it re-animated."
"They did not return at the same speed," Fleur added, "the longer the duel went the shorter the time they were out of the fight."
"I noticed but still didn't keep good enough track. Harry still beat me according to Bagman."
"I think it is because he has such a well-developed instinct for battle. His stories make me think he is always waiting for something to come up behind him."
"You are probably right."
Above, Krum was trying to keep track of which dummies he had been temporarily out of the fight and which he was still facing. He was irritated that the dummies kept reviving much more quickly. Sensing something coming from behind, he dropped to the ground and rolled over so he was on his back. He sent off a few stunners in the direction of the blue decorations in the pitch.
He was counting down in his head when it happened. He knew he was fast approaching the five-minute mark; he was only seconds away and then there was nothing.
On the ground, Fleur squealed, "I did it! I beat you all in this one too."
Cedric smiled as she bounced around in a small circle, giggling. He knew she was frustrated with her own performance in the tournament so far, she needed a win for her own self-esteem. "Congratulations, you got him by three seconds." Viktor had been stunned at four minutes and fifty-seven seconds.
"It appears you have defeated me again, Miss Delacour," Viktor bowed his head as he stepped up to the two of them after being revived. "Luck has not been mine today."
Cedric put a hand on his shoulder, "Don't feel too bad about it, Viktor, I feel like that every time I face Harry on the pitch. Heck, I feel like that facing Harry in this tournament."
"There will always be someone better, as my mother always says," Fleur nodded. "I have seen proof of that. I was sure I would win everything easily only to find myself outclassed at every turn."
"This is true," Viktor sighed, "I was just hoping to have a few years before a young seeker came to dethrone me, I am barely eighteen after all."
Cedric looked at him, "Viktor, when did you turn eighteen?"
"In January."
"And you didn't tell us? I am sure Harry would have insisted on celebrating."
"Yes, Cedric, blame it on the one not here." Fleur rolled her eyes, "I am sure we all would have wanted to at least wish you the best on that day, but he is right that Harry most likely would have wanted to do something special for you, that did not include the media. He does understand your derision of the press."
"Perhaps I will apologize to him, but I think it should wait until after he finishes this task. He is supposed to begin shortly if I am not mistaken."
"You are correct, Viktor." Cedric grinned. "Now, we know that we have missed your birthday, mine was in September before any of you arrived and Harry's is in July. When is your birthday, Fleur?"
"Why would you like to know, Mister Diggory?"
"I would like to know so I can see if we can celebrate at least one of our birthdays during the school year. Or am I mistaken that we aren't friends?"
Fleur shook her head, "My birthday is in May, and if you insist on celebrating it, then I think we should celebrate all of our birthdays instead of just mine. We have, after all, missed two and one will happen long after we have returned to our families."
Before Cedric could reply, Viktor interrupted, "are the two of you planning on watching Harry compete or are you going to stand around planning birthday parties all day?"
"ALRIGHT, ladies and gentlemen. The final part of the fifth task is about to begin. In a moment, young Harry Potter will be led onto the starting platform. Once on the platform he will have to choose his method of transportation, as it were, and then collect the disks and bring them to the finish line. When the third disk rests on the peg, the challenge will be complete and the task will be over."
The viewing screens moved back to the center of the pitch, floating into place so that every person in the stadium could see perfectly, well except for the few sitting behind Hagrid and Madam Maxime. The three other champions had snuck up into the stadium and were hiding among Harry's friend and family, they were the least likely to care or make a scene with the champions there.
"Which one do you think he will choose?" Cedric asked the other champions.
"He is a fourth year, the Aethonan would be the safest."
"I disagree, Fleur, Harry is brave and has seen death, I think he will choose the Thestral."
"Hagrid taught Care last year," Cedric said considering the options, "I know they didn't cover them in Harry's year but I heard a rumor that Hagrid had Harry and his friends down to meet his Hippogriff friend and one of them let him ride. That would be my vote."
"Griffin," Fred, George, Neville and Draco said as one.
The three champions looked at the younger boys, "Why do you say that?" Cedric asked.
"He's Harry Potter," Draco said as if that was an actual explanation.
"He's a Gryffindor," Fred grinned.
"A true Gryffindor," George agreed, "and Gryffindor's symbol is a Griffin."
"George, it's not…"
"Hush, Hermione, we're trying to make a point here." Luna's lion head hat standing just a few feet away to refute the jokester's claims.
"I think you should just wait and see," Neville had the most mischievous glint in his eyes as he looked at the other champions. "Hopefully, I also win a bet today."
Fred and George looked at each other and as one said, "CHANGE NOW."
"I'm not there yet," George shook his head.
"You're closer than me!"
Neville and Draco laughed as the two started to argue in whispers before giving each other a high five. "I knew it would be Harry."
Hermione sighed, shaking her head, "Boys."
"Mister Potter," Bagman continued after having to wait while the creature experts ensured that the four magical beasts were unable to attack each other but could still leave if the champion picked them. "Your final challenge will begin in, five… four… three… two… ONE!"
Harry stepped out onto the platform to find four different, flying creatures; one in each corner. Aethonan, flying horses, were the most docile of the creatures represented here and also the most likely to allow a rider. He took a step toward the large, winged horse before stopping and looking toward the Hippogriff. Hagrid had been so excited to share his love for misunderstood creatures and he had told Harry all about them. All it took was respect.
The fact that he could see the one in the far-left corner made him think he should choose that one. Harry didn't think the other champions had seen death, well maybe Viktor, but not the others. None of them would have chosen the skeletal horse in that case and they were supposed to be extremely fast. If he remembered correctly, Luna had talked about them a few times and said they were rather sweet creatures.
No, Harry turned his gaze to the final creature. He had to choose the Griffin. The Griffin was the most dangerous, but also the most noble. A mixture of eagle and lion. Lord of the sky and king of the jungle. Protector and leader. His inner animal, his other self.
Harry and the noble creature made eye contact and, for Harry, time stood still. He understood now. He could not move, could not blink. After an eternity that played out in the span of a breath, he took a slow, confident step toward his companion. Harry placed his hand on its eagle cheek and the griffin bent its bird-like front leg, lowering its body to allow Harry an easier time mounting. He swung himself onto its back, feeling the lion muscles move underneath him; knowing for the first time how they felt when they stretched and contracted.
"Let's do this, my brother."
The Griffin let out a mighty cry, spread its wings and took flight.
Harry pressed his right leg down a bit harder and the majestic creature below him veered to the right, toward the first and closest platform.
Below, a man licked his lips as he watched the youngest champion fly around on the back of a Griffon. He was furious. Only his master should have such an honor. Only his master was capable of understanding and appreciating that honor. Only his master was worthy of ruling such a creature. Both would have to pay.
His Master's enemy had already flown to two of the platforms that held disks and was nearly at the third. The boy swung off the Griffin with speed and grace while the servant grinned.
"Reducto," he said under his breath but with extreme hatred. The curse sped toward the platform where the boy stood. He was not stupid. He knew his master wanted the boy alive, but the servant didn't think it mattered what condition the boy was in when he arrived as long as he was breathing.
…
Harry's fingers wrapped around the disk when the platform shook violently beneath him before exploding into hundreds of pieces. His companion screech in anger as his perch disappeared; while the Griffin flapped its powerful wings, Harry began to fall.
Hermione shot to her feet, wand in her hand, "Harry!" She bit her lip, "Not again… Aresto…" Before she, or anyone else, could finish the spells they were casting to save the falling Gryffindor (despite the fact that most of them were watching from the quidditch pitch and he was currently over the Forbidden Forest), he was enveloped in a flash of light. When the light faded there was a second Griffin in the sky, this one much darker.
Where the original had the same body coloring of a lion, the new one looked almost gray and the eagle's feathers were black and white instead of brown and white.
"Oh, Harry," Hermione sighed again, a small smile on her face as relief flooded through her.
…
One moment he was falling, the next he was flying. He felt his body grow. His hair turned to feathers, his skin to fur. Talons replaced his fingers and paws formed where his feet used to be. His nose and mouth were now a beak. He had a tail, and most importantly, he had wings.
By instinct alone, his wings beat.
The world was much sharper now. He could see for miles.
Something out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. There was a man walking quickly out of the arena. Griffin Harry turned to give chase only for the other Griffin to block his path. Confusion set in, why was his brother Griffin blocking him from giving chase to this suspicious man? The other Griffin tilted its head toward the highest floating platform and then he remembered. He was supposed to be finishing the fifth task of the tournament.
Together the Griffins flew up to the highest platform and landed. The brown Griffin nudged the gray toned one, pushing him toward the peg in the middle.
"Mister Potter," Professor McGonagall was suddenly there, standing on the platform, a broom in her hand. "You need to remember your original form. If I must, I can help you change back but it will be better for you in the future if you find your own way back to yourself."
He looked at the stern Scottish woman and then to his companion. The other noble lord of sky and land nodded, he would need to return to his other form now. Harry bowed to the other Griffin then closed his eagle eyes, picturing Harry Potter in his mind, remembering what and who was waiting for him.
"Thank you, Professor," Harry smiled as he approached the peg, placing each disk around the peg as he continued. "I didn't even mean to transform; until I saw Idris, I didn't even understand the physical body or what was necessary. I guess it was the shock of knowing I was going to fall and the Griffin inside knowing that I could save myself." He scratched his head, messing up his eternally rebellious hair, "I got a little lost in the Griffin's mind for a minute there."
She smiled slightly at him, "But you managed to return to yourself."
"Idris reminded me that I had things to do and people waiting for me, though I have no idea how I know that is what he told me."
"Your godfather has not been explaining things well enough," she sighed. "When transformed, you can understand others of your species to a point. The more intelligent the species, the more you understand. It is said that Griffins are highly intelligent and were once capable of communicating with wizards. Wizarding kind has lost the ability to understand but the Griffin has not lost its intelligence."
Harry looked to the noble creature beside him. "Thank you, Noble Idris, and thank you again, Professor."
"You are welcome, Mister Potter," she turned to leave the platform, "oh and fifty points for achieving the Animagus transformation so successfully and so young. You also won me a bet. I bet on you to achieve this first, the other professors thought me mad."
"You bet on the students, Professor?"
"How do you think we entertain ourselves year in and year out surrounded by teenagers? Now, Mister Potter, I believe it is time for you to join the other champions back at the pitch. The judges should be ready to announce your scores."
Harry watched momentarily as his head of house flew off with absolute control and ease on a broom. It shouldn't have been surprising considering her love of quidditch but for some reason Harry could not quite get used to the image. He felt a gentle nudge and turned back to Idris. "I suppose it is time to go then, isn't it?" The proud Griffin nodded sagely. "Would you like to join me?" again his companion nodded. "Then let's go."
…
"Ladies, gentlemen and champions," Bagman stood with the other judges in their box, the champions stood on the platform they had used for the dueling challenge, only it had been expanded. The Griffin still stood next to Harry, refusing to follow the handlers when they approached and they were not stupid enough to challenge it with so many innocent bystanders.
"It is time to announce the final scores for the fifth task of the Triwizard tournament. To start, the scoring is a bit different this time. Each challenge can receive a maximum of five points and the amount you get is determined entirely on the time you achieve in the task; first or best time, will receive five, second will receive three, and so one. Next, each judge can award a total of five points for the overall performance in the event. Headmaster Dumbledore will be judging on creativity, Headmistress Maxime will be judging on safety and Headmaster Karkaroff will be judging on precision. Mister Crouch will be judging on spell choice and I will be judging on showmanship." He paused to let the audience absorb that information. "If you are doing the math, then you have realized that there are five points that are unaccounted for. Those last five points will be awarded based on the animal each champion chose to fly them during the fourth challenge of the task.
"Since he drew the one, we shall start with Mister Potter." Harry stepped forward slightly, the Griffon still right at his side. "Mister Potter had the slowest time in the first and fourth events, each will award him one point. He had the fastest time in the second event and the third best time in the dueling event. All together that will give him nine points for the individual events." Bagman turned to the judges, "What will you score Mister Potter?"
Madam Maxime stepped forward, "He remains un-injured, despite interference in his final task, so he will receive five points."
"Harry chose to play to his strengths and as always his Parselmagic spells were highly effective and creative, I shall award him five points." Harry had used Parseltongue to traverse the islands as well as using it to block during the duel.
Karkaroff had a rather repulsed look on his face as he spoke, "Mister Potter was the most accurate in the broom competition but could have been more precise in the duel, I will award him three points."
"Mister Potter is at an advantage with the ability to speak Parseltongue," Crouch began, "he will always have a diverse selection at his beck and call; however, he could have been more varied and effective in his choice of spells during the dueling challenge. I award three points."
"Well," Bagman continued, preparing to give his score, "I personally thought that Mister Potter deserved a five for his showmanship, he did turn into a Griffon when some unknow individual interfered in his final performance, after all." The other judges nodded, though some seemed reluctant. "Finally, Mister Potter will be awarded five points for gaining the trust and aid of the Griffon. It was determined before the task began that this animal would be worth five points, the Thestral is worth four, the Hippogriff three and the Aethonan two points. Though it wasn't told to the competitors, they technically could have summoned a broom to complete the fourth challenge, that would have resulted in a one for the choice of creature because it is a spell so does actually require some skill or knowledge.
"That means that Mister Potter receives twenty-six points from the judges, adding in the nine from his times and he receives a thirty-five."
"Miss Delacour came in with the best time in three of four event and placed second in the fourth giving her an eighteen for the timed scoring."
The judges ended up each giving the only female champion fours and five, fours for creativity, precision and spell choice; fives for safety and showmanship, Bagman had loved her choice to change into her avian form. Combined with her choice of the Aethonan and the timed scoring she ended with a forty-two.
Cedric ended up with a total of twenty-six points. He had the slowest time in the dueling and broom racing challenges, even if he was barely behind, so received one point for each. His attempt at the island course left him in second behind Fleur. Lastly, he came in right behind Krum in the animal course adding two more points. The judges generally awarded Cedric average scores. He had some creativity, but the others were more creative, the same for showmanship and accuracy. Crouch had given him a four for spell choice as it was on par with the other two of age competitors and Madam Maxime was forced to give him a two as he had injured himself multiple times in the island challenge. The Hippogriff awarded him three points bringing his grand total to twenty-six. Cedric had the poorest showing in this event.
Viktor was on par with Harry. The individuals judging him on safety and accuracy gave him fives, no surprise for Karkaroff there while Dumbledore and Crouch gave him fours, feeling that others did better. His choice of the Hippogriff, like Cedric awarded him three points. Viktor did not have his best showing in the timed events. He, like Harry, took a more cautious route for the islands, so placed third. His size also hindered him in the broom event. He did place second in the dueling and animal events, coming in just behind Miss Delacour in both events. In total, Viktor Krum received a total of thirty-four points.
"Give your champions a hand," Bagman laughed. "I am sure you are all wondering, what the final standings are so far. Let's just say, that things are getting interesting. The overall standings hardly change, Mister Krum will remain in first, Mister Potter will move to second over Mister Diggory and Miss Delacour will stay in fourth. The difference in points between those positions, however, has greatly decreased. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next event.
"As always, my lovely audience, the next task of the Triwizard tournament will happen in a month's time, the third Saturday of the month, so we will be seeing you on the twentieth. Champions, please head to the meeting tent from this morning."
Harry looked at the other three after swinging onto Idris's back, "I'll see you at the tent."
Room of Requirement
Hermione launched herself into Harry's arms the second he walked through the door. The group of friends had decided to meet in the Come and Go Room after the fifth task. To start, it was just the twins, Neville, Fay Draco and Hermione; after Harry joined them and Hermione go to have her moment, they would be joined by a few others. Eventually, the Gryffindor quidditch team, Luna, Nicole Fray, Ilia, their foreign friends and the Slytherin and Gryffindor fourth years would be joining them.
"DO NOT scare me like that!"
Harry hugged her close and fought back a chuckle. "I'm sorry, Hermione. For ounce, I thought I would get through one of these things without having something actively trying to kill me."
"This was actually one of the safest tasks, if you think about it," Cedric said from right behind Harry. The other three champions were tired of the crowding so had followed Harry up to be with his friends. "He would have been fine, with no near-death experiences, if someone hadn't interfered."
"As long as you don't consider choosing a Griffin to carry you as dangerous," Fleur said under her breath.
"I know, and in this case I don't consider the Griffin dangerous because Harry has an odd infinity for dangerous creatures and that is also his Animagus form, which the whole school and a good portion of the wizarding world now knows," Hermione loosened her grip, and gave Harry a pointed look while catching her breath. "But I am really tired of seeing you fall from high places."
"Twice," Harry said in exasperation, "that has only happened twice now."
"And I sort of caught you the first time," Draco said throwing his arm around Harry's shoulders, "and thank you for winning me a bet, Harry."
"Not the point, Draco," Hermione gave him a slight glare.
"That is the second time a bet has been brought up," Victor added, referring to the conversation the younger boys had before Harry's last challenge in the task. "What is this bet?"
Neville stepped up, "We have all been working on our Animagus forms and we made a bet on who would preform a full transformation first. Draco and I bet on Harry."
"So, did I," Sirius strolled up with a bounce in his step. "Thanks for winning me money pup."
"Does pup even work anymore?" Harry wondered but shook his head planning to discuss it alter "Apparently, I won money for professor McGonagall too." Harry rolled his eyes. "And don't you have to split that three ways? How much do you get anyway, isn't it like 20 Galleons a piece?"
"It's thirty, and I plan to put my winnings to good use and bet on who is the second to transform."
Hermione rolled her eyes at Sirius, "Professor McGonagall said she bet on you? Our teachers?" the brunette sounded extremely disappointed.
Oddly, it was Cedric who answered, "The professors actually bet on a lot of random stuff for the fun of it. Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout are the worst though. They will bet on anything. I think there is a bet every year on when you will implode due to your revision schedule for finals, and one for how many times a year Ron will call you bossy or a know-it-all." He chuckled under his breath, "Professor McGonagall usually wins on the Ron bet, he gets in trouble if it isn't said as a joke, and I'm not sure they found a winner for the revision one yet because Harry won't let you go crazy over tests; last I heard it was going to roll over to your OWL year."
Hermione covered her face in embarrassment.
"Don't worry Hermione," Remus placed a hand on her shoulder, "there is also a bet every year on how early Harry will end up in the hospital wing and one for which day the twins will end up getting their first detention."
"Are you making bets on whether or not I end up needing medical attention for each task too?"
"Yes. If it makes you feel better there is also a bet on how many times Angelina will break up with Fred in a year and who will have the messiest breakup; no one has bet on you and Hermione but there is a bet on Cedric and Cho."
"Hey," Cedric seemed offended while Remus just shrugged.
"Madam Hooch doesn't think she can handle not being the center of your world for long." A good portion of the group could see the flying instructor's point; Cedric didn't spend much time with the Ravenclaw. Most of his free time was spent studying for the tournament of avoiding Viktor's fans with the fourth years. "We were all quite disappointed that Mister Krum has not hexed any fanboys, but have enjoyed Miss Delacour's responses to weak minded school boys."
"I think we have made fun of Harry and the other champions enough," Fay said with a smile, while the four champions tried to hide their embarrassment. "I for one would like to celebrate the end of the fifth task and Harry's first Animagus transformation." As she spoke, the room transformed, the stone walls were covered in streamers and balloons like a kid's party would be. She wanted something fun and silly. Reaching over to the nearest table she pulled a popper and was rewarded with a rainbow cowboy hat that she placed on her head with a giggle. "Come on, when is the last time any of us have just had some fun?"
The Ministry of Magic
Narcissa was nauseous and absolutely irritated. Normally, a day such as the one she was having would not put her in such a mood but when she started the day emptying the contents of her stomach only for the smell of her breakfast to make her feel sick all over again, the day did not look bright. To make matters worse, she had a meeting with the minister and Fudge was having a particularly daft day. The man may be becoming a politician, but he still had his moments where he appeared to be a brainless simpleton. Why couldn't the man understand that other countries had intelligent people too and it was important to at least read reports from other ministries?
Of course, the meeting started out poorly for her when the man's over pungent aftershave made her want to vomit. Being a Black, there was no way she could ever show such a weakness but that didn't mean her stomach didn't roll the entire time. She loved children but this was her least favorite part of pregnancy.
"Narcissa!"
The blonde paused on her way to the Floo, irritated that someone was preventing her from the peace and quiet of Grimmauld. Seeing who spoke, she nearly allowed herself to swear. Magdalena Malfoy stood just behind her with a baby swaddled in a blue blanket in her arms. Doing the mental math, Narcissa realized that she and Lucius must have conceived their child in May or June, which should have meant that the woman was clearly showing for her wedding, something she had not heard.
"Magdalena," Narcissa said, keeping her voice void of emotion, "what can I do for you? And congratulations on the birth of your child; I apologize, I didn't see the announcement, or I would have sent an owl earlier."
The younger woman shook her head, "There wasn't an announcement," she sounded embarrassed, "the papers aren't really interested in Lucius's family because of what he did, and my family has been distancing themselves as well."
Now that was surprising, her family may not be dark per say, but they tended to lean that direction. "I see. Is there something I can do for you?"
"I was hoping you would agree to speak with me," she paused and looked around at the people milling about the atrium, all of them clearly interested in their impromptu conversation. "In private?"
Narcissa didn't have to look around at the various employees and random members of their society to know they were all watching and listening very closely, that was just the way it was when you were a Black. "I suppose. I can meet you today if you wish, my afternoon isn't terribly busy and I am free now."
"I would greatly appreciate that," she nearly sighed in relief. "Wherever you would like, I will agree to."
Again, a surprise. This meeting must be very important to give Narcissa that much freedom. "My cousin owns a house in Hogsmeade, a friend is caring for the property while her fiancé teaches at the school."
"That sounds fine, thank you. Shall I meet you in the center of town then?"
"Hogsmeade station is closer to the cottage." She didn't particularly want to walk through town with the woman and the shorter distance would be much better for her aching feet.
…
When the pair arrived at Hogsmeade station, the baby started to fuss. "Hush now," Magdalena said, bouncing the child slightly, with a look that said she was at her limit.
Narcissa was saddened to see just how awkward the woman looked holding her own child. The worst thing she could do to calm a child after Apparition was to bounce the child; the added movement only added to the child's discomfort. "He will be much calmer when we are no longer moving." She swiftly started walking toward the house; she did not need to feel sorry for her ex-husband's wife.
"Your cousin owns this?" Magdalena asked when they reached the Wolf Den, confusion in her voice. "It doesn't really seem like the sort of place a Black would own; it's so common."
Narcissa opened the door and looked over her shoulder, "You obviously haven't met my cousin. He could care less about status. When he was just out of school, he owned a muggle apartment in London."
"Cissa," they heard from inside the house, "I didn't think you would be coming by today and I really didn't expect you to bring the replacement wife," Aria stood in the doorway that led from the living room to the kitchen, her arms crossed.
"Magdalena asked to speak with me, I thought it best to agree as the request was done in the ministry atrium."
"Alright," Aria rolled her eyes, obviously irritated with Magdalena forcing Narcissa's hand in that way. "Tea then?"
"Thank you, Aria," Narcissa turned to the younger woman, still standing in the entryway with her child. "Sit, Aria will be joining us because I will not push her out of her own home, but, if you wish you may begin. I would like to know how you knew I would be at the ministry to day though." She was smart enough to realize that the meeting was planned to a point.
"I have a contact in the ministry that was keeping an eye out for any appointments the minister scheduled with you; had you not had a meeting before the next Wizengamot meeting I would have sought you out then."
"I see," Narcissa would have to discover who it was that was leaking this information. "I don't have all day, Magdalena and even if I did, you would not be my first choice in companion."
The younger blonde sank into one of the chairs and seemed to deflate. Her robes, while very expensive, were wrinkled and there was a stain on the shoulder from burping her son. Her hair was styled but lacked its usual luster, and her face was too pale.
"I can't do this," her voice shook, losing all superiority she had used previously.
"You asked to speak with me, I am not forcing you."
"No," she shook her head, "I don't mean this conversation; this is not what I wanted." She looked down at the infant. "I didn't even know if I wanted to marry Lucius. My father pushed for it because of what it would do for the family, not for me. He isn't the most enjoyable lover, in fact, he's rather selfish but I did like the lifestyle. There are only so many Lords of an acceptable age available and he has, had," she corrected, "all that status and power; the connections and respect."
Narcissa raised an eyebrow, Lucius didn't really have respect, he dealt in fear. "Why did you marry him?"
She looked at Narcissa, "I wanted your life. I wanted to be the envy of all the other women. I wanted to set the trends and throw the best parties. I wanted to shop at all the best stores around the world and vacation whenever I wanted." She whipped a tear from her cheek, "When he first brought up marriage, I thought maybe someday and told him that I wasn't sure. I knew he would demand a child so I thought we would just have some fun until he found someone willing to give that too him right away, because I never planned to have children."
"And yet, here you are, married to Lucius with his son in your arms," Aria said placing the tea on the small table in front of them.
"Lucius did something to my birth control potion. I actually think he switched it with a fertility potion; I mean, he brings up marriage and children and I say I would consider the first but don't think I could do the second and the next thing I know I'm pregnant and my father is demanding we marry." Her volume rose as she spoke, startling the child in her arms. "And all he does is cry."
Narcissa stood and held out her arms, no longer able to watch the woman fail to comfort the distraught child. "What are you saying?" she asked in a soothing tone so as not to further disturb the baby.
"I can't do this!" there was finality in her words and tone. "It wasn't as bad at first. He was attentive and supportive during the pregnancy and he seemed genuinely excited when we learned we were having a boy. The Malfoy family would have a proper heir," she said with no small amount of bitterness. "I thought it would be alright. Our lives would continue and we'd get a nanny or a team of nanny elves so I could continue with my life but then he got arrested. Now he is in Azkaban and I am all alone. I don't have control over anything at the manner. The elves won't listen to me and I don't even get a stipend from his account, if he even still has one. I think the goblins seized his account for some reason that I didn't really understand when I read the letter they sent and there was nothing I could do about it because he didn't even put me on any of the accounts." She got up and started to pace, "Now I am forced to live with my parents because the wards barely tolerate me and they are blaming me for Lucius bringing shame to them when my father was the one pushing for this."
Magdalena threw up her hands in exasperation and then turned to stare at the older blonde. Narcissa sat cuddling the tiny baby boy, smiling down at his tiny form as he gripped her finger. For the first time that day, the child was calm and smiling. "You need to take him."
Narcissa and Aria both looked at the other woman with wide, shocked eyes. "Excuse me?"
"You have got to be kidding," Aria spoke at the same time as Narcissa.
"I can't do this. I can't be a mom because all I want to do is hand him off to someone else. The thing I think about most is how he is ruining my social life. My parents refuse to have anything to do with him because of Lucius being arrested so won't let the elves help and I am floundering. Do you know that sometimes I dream about just leaving and not coming back? When I do, I worry about what people would think of me instead of what would happen to him.
"But you, you are the ultimate mother. That's what everyone is saying. Do you know how often people compare their parenting styles to you? Everyone knows that Lucius is a shitty father and everything that is good and respectable about Draco is because of you. He used to be an arrogant little twat but ever since Lucius was removed from the picture, he has become a great student, a respectable young man. That is all you."
"Draco made his own choices."
"And that's just it. Everyone knows that too. Your son made those choices because you gave him options and knowledge of the world and he saw the benefit of following your lead. That baby boy deserves that too. He deserves a parent who actually cares what happens to him." Magdalena dropped to her knees in front of Narcissa, "Please."
Narcissa Black looked down at the tiny little boy snoozing in her arms. He looked a bit like Draco had when he was a baby; the nose and cheeks so much like her boy's had been while the hair was more gold than white. Innocent. The child was innocent but was cursed with an evil, horrible father and a selfish, flighty mother. He did deserve better than fate had given him. "What is his name?"
"Roderick Bartholomew Malfoy."
"When was he born?" Aria asked. She had moved to stand behind Narcissa and was staring down at the tiny boy, he looked so small.
"March thirty-first. He was more than a month early."
"And is less than a month old," Aria gave the woman a hard look. He was only twenty-six days old. Magdalena should not have been traveling so much with him, especially if he was premature. The Scottish Highlands could still be bone chillingly cold in April and a child that young should really not be out in the element with so little protection.
Before the selfish blonde could respond Narcissa stood, "I need to speak to my son and Severus before I can give you an answer. I will return shortly." She did not care if the woman consented to waiting or not, Narcissa was already sweeping out of the house on her way to the school, her mirror in her hand.
"You are a coward and a fool," Aria said as she held the baby securely in her arms. There was something amiss in the woman's story, she could smell it. "Narcissa will not allow this child to leave with you, so you get what you want there but she is also going to require you to legally give up your rights."
"I am prepared to do that."
"But are you prepared for what society will think of you when they find out?" I there is one thing that she knew, Magdalena wanted to appear perfect, and this would tarnish her reputation. "Narcissa will not hide his parentage from him or anyone. Everyone will know that you gave him up; Narcissa Black will raise this boy with all the love you don't have and you will be shunned."
Magdalena looked down, "I don't plan to stay. I think France is more my style. The fashion, the nightlife, the cuisine, the men. I am not cut out for this traditional society."
"I thought you didn't have any money?"
"I have enough to keep myself in the life I am accustomed to. Plus, someone who looks like me doesn't need to pay very often when dining out."
Aria gave her a feral look, "If you leave, don't even think of coming back. I will not tolerate you waltzing back into their lives years down the road claiming guilt and trying to break what I know they will build. If you do, I will end you, and no one will know anything about it."
"Aria," a deep voice rumbled causing the blonde and redhead to turn.
Magdalena instantly looked at the redhead smugly seeing a polite looking man standing in the room, "Now I have a witness that you threatened me."
Remus walked into the room and wrapped his arms around Aria's waist, looking over her shoulder at the small baby boy she still held. Narcissa had called him as well as Severus. It just so happened that his seventh years had a test that day and didn't need the full double period to complete it; leaving him available to act as back up. "You know I would insist on helping you deal with this filth if she tried anything; that is if Severus didn't beat us to the punch."
"Of which I am sure I would," the potions professor said in his smooth, intimidating way. Severus had also been free, simply because he had a free period. He had pulled Draco from class to a room just off the entrance hall by the time she arrived at the school. Draco and Severus were informed that they would be taking care of Draco's half-brother from now on; she did not ask. She had said that they could look at other options in the future but that she would not allow Magdalena to have access to the child any longer based on her selfish words and what she wasn't saying. Draco had been stunned but supportive; Severus had been happy to act as backup. "If you are sure that you want to give your son up, then Narcissa and I will take him but you must know that you will not be allowed in his life. You will not get to come back and make him question his life."
All of them could see Magdalena shudder with fear.
"Make no mistake," Narcissa added leaning into Severus's side, "He will know exactly who his birth parents are but he will also know what they did." She walked to Aria and took Roderick into her arms, "He will have a family in us. A family with Draco and his friends. With Lord Black, Remus and Aria."
"Harry, Fay, Hermione, the Weasley," Remus added.
"Andromeda, Ted and Nymphadora," Severus finished.
As one, all four of them turned their attention to the shallow blonde, "Are you prepared for that?" Narcissa asked looking down on her coldly.
She reached into her robes and drew out a roll of parchment. "I took the liberty of having the goblins draw up the paperwork before I came here. I am glad you agreed to take him; I was prepared to look elsewhere or resort to leaving him with muggles."
"You sicken me," Narcissa growled low after she had read through the contract and escorted the woman from the house. "I hope one day you realize just how despicable you are. You are from a rich family; your parents gave you a fortune upon reaching your majority. It is not that you don't have money, you don't want to lose your adoring male fans."
"As I told your friend, I can afford to keep myself. If I were to keep Lucius's child, I would not be able to continue to live a respectable life. I would not be able to attend the functions I wish to. I would waste my money on his child. I would waste the best years of my life on someone other than myself. That is something I refuse to do."
Watching the woman walk away, now appearing to be completely fine and without worry, was sad. No woman should be able to pretend to be so disadvantaged one moment simply because she did not want to take responsibility for her choices. Magdalena had been ecstatic to marry Lucius, and had told a great many people that she was overjoyed to carry his child. Now that things were not exactly how she wanted them; she sang a different tune.
This would not be the last they heard from that family; she only hoped that when they did return, they did not harm Roderick
Near the Coast
Three men stood under the cloak of darkness watching the waves crash against the cliffside. If not for the storm raging, the howling wind and drenching rain, the people of the town would find it odd that three individuals would stand with nearly identical floor length cloaks, but as it was, the gloom of the day had caused most to ignore the world outside their warm, dry homes. It would have been even stranger to see the men because despite the fact that the wind was causing even the largest of trees to sway, yet their cloaks barely rippled. No one would be able to identify any of them, even if they were looking, for the hoods were pulled far over their heads, obscuring their faces from all but someone standing directly in front of any of the figures.
Each of the men were different. The tallest, was pale with equally pale hair cut short and threaded with gray. His eyes were sharp and warry and his hand hovered over his holstered wand. He questioned, as he had for some time now, the intelligence of following the orders of his companion and their Lord. It could be worse, of course, he could be following the other version, the one that was protected by a man with a mind damaged by years of mind manipulation and torture. The other one was also much more insane and much more likely to kill those who bowed to him than compliment them.
The shortest of the three was irritated and tired. His once dark hair was generously accented by steel gray to the point where it was more gray than brown but his dark eyes were still the hard, dark brown they had been in his youth. He had cared for his body over the years and still had a slim build, though his muscle definition was starting to lessen. Of the three who waited, he was the oldest and the most certain, proud and prepared. He did not question his loyalties, for he had followed since before there was a cause. It was easy to see where things would go and where he should avoid. The only irritation in his life was his children. Each and every one of them, disappointments.
The last knew nothing. He was ignorant of all that was about to happen. The last was the youngest and also the least educated. He had not had the same upbringing of his companions; his parents could not afford tutors, hell, they could barely afford to send him to school in the first place. He had lived his life constantly wishing for more. More money, more time, more friends, more power, more, more, more. More never came for him. So, when his companions approached him, he was ripe for the picking. They could see that even the barest hint of reward would call to the young man and when offered, he came instantly.
Thunder cracked and as it did a fourth man appeared on the rocky shores above the crashing sea. This last man was one who drew attention. Eyes were drawn to him simply because he held himself in a way that screamed of importance. His physique and demeaner told of his high-born upbringing and impeccable schooling. His perfectly styled hair and immaculately kept clothes quashed any question of his belonging. This man was important and everything about him said so.
Of course, looks can be deceiving. The fourth man was not high born. He had not been able to buy the best quality tools for school. He had no understanding of etiquette until he arrived at school with no knowledge of his heritage. This fourth man had changed himself over time, erased his humble upbringing so that, hopefully, none remember the nothing he had crawled out of. Now he looked like he could be royalty and if he had anything to say about it, he would rule all, as was his right.
"I see you have brought me another servant, Tiberius," the regal man drawled. "Let us hope this one is more effective than your worthless children."
"My children, apparently, grew up with too much privilege and not enough responsibility. Our new companion grew up with nothing and is hungry, willing to do what it takes to have everything."
The powerful man smiled wickedly, "Good." He turned to the ocean, "Now, if my notes to myself are correct, I will have hidden one of my anchors in this cave. It was a favorite place of mine as a child. I used to punish those who thought themselves superior to me here. Those I grew up with learned to fear this place almost as much as they feared me." He walked toward the edge of the cliff, "Come, I will show you my brilliance."
Three men followed the first, walking carefully along the rain slicked rocks that lead to the sea. The man in the lead walked as though her were walking down a dry corridor, nothing seemed slick and, for him at least, there was no possibility of falling to a rocky, wet grave. There was a path of sorts, a slim ledge that wrapped around the cliff face, it also led down. After a few minutes, the leader came to a wider landing. He stopped, standing next to the sheer face of a cliff waiting for those following to all finish their trek down the rock path.
"What is your name, my new follower?"
"Stan," the man answered quickly. "What can I do for yah, ma Lord?"
The Lord did not show his distaste for the young man's lack of vocabulary; though it irritated him beyond measure. "It is time to prove your worth, my new friend," when he said friend there was a predatory note to his voice. "I require your assistance."
"Wah ever yah need, sir," he ambled forward, "any thin is betta then workin the Knight Bus."
"Whatever I need," he mused, "I guard what is mine," he addressed all of the men with him. "Even as a child I managed to ward my things so that the vile muggles I was surrounded by could not take what was rightfully mine." He placed his hand against the stone wall of the cliff. "I can pass into the chamber within, the rest of you will need a sacrifice of blood to pass." Without another word, the man slid through the stone and out of sight.
"Yaxley, show Stan what he needs to do," Tiberius commanded of the tall man.
Yaxley scowled under the cover of his cloak. Why was it that none of them realized he did not like to be ordered around as if he was stupid? He pulled his wand swiftly from its holster and cast a very low powered cutting curse on his hand, a thin trail of blood started to seep from the wound. Before the blood could drip from his hand, he placed his palm on the rock wall where the previous man had placed his. Before his eyes, the face of the cliff disappeared and he could see the path to the cave within.
"Quickly now, young Stan. The barrier will close if we do not follow fast enough." He pushed the man in front of him, "Normally, it is the newest members who must give of themselves, normally Yaxley would not have done that but for me, and to show you what is expected, he relented. It will not happen again." He waited for the young man to nod. "I expect that there are other protections that our Lord will require assistance with; if you are capable, you must be the one to offer aid to prove you are worthy of the rewards he promises."
"I can do that."
The pair joined their Lord and Yaxley; they stood on the shores of a murky lake. Tiberius knew that his Lord had placed that lake there for a reason and knew that the reason would not be good for any intruders.
"Yaxley," the Lord started, "you will stay here, you have done well. Tiberius, you will take young Stan across the lake to the small island in the boat; I will await you there." Without another word the Dark Lord was enveloped in black smoke and flew the distance across the lake to the small island.
"Blimey," Stan whispered in awe. "He flew and didn't have no broom!"
"There is much the Dark Lord can do, my young friend. It was a wise decision to consent to joining us. Come, we will have to take the boat as that is a skill, I have never been able to master." Stan obediently climbed into the boat and Tiberius stepped in after him; both needed to stand as there was so little room.
The journey across the cave lake was not long, you could see the walls of the cave from the entrance so they pair new the lake was not large. Stan bounded out of the small boat and walked quickly to the Dark Lord's side. He wanted to learn, to serve.
"Do you see the basin?" the Dark Lord all but whispered. "Inside, I have hidden an important object. To retrieve this object, the potion in the basin must be drank, not a drop can remain."
"I can drink it."
"Do not volunteer so hastily, young Stan, there is more I must tell you." He was pleased that the young man offered so readily. "The potion will not be pleasant to drink. It will make you see things about yourself you would not wish to see. You will feel sick and guilty. You will wish for water, but you will not be able to drink any until the basin is empty. If you begin you must finish. Do you think you can help me?"
"I'm ready, ma Lord."
The Dark Lord nodded, "Tiberius, you will ensure he completes his task."
Tiberius was no fool. He knew what was in the basin. He knew what would befall the young man and he also knew that only three people would be leaving this cave. Stan would not survive this. He did not have the strength of mind or the magic to fight the dark poison that would cause his magic to attack his mind and body. Every regret would burn though him until he shriveled away to nothing. Only the most powerful would survive beyond finishing the potion and even then, most, if not all, would require immediate attention from a healer. Tiberius also now new that there was some dark creature hiding under the surface of the lake. It would not be able to come out until someone touched the water with their skin. This potion all but guaranteed that the drinker would dive head first into the water to try to find relief.
"Of course, my Lord."
Most would be repulsed to watch what was happening to Stan. The rest would not be strong enough to force him to continue. Tiberius realized he had lost his pity for the pathetic long ago. He felt nothing as he watched and forced Stan to kill himself. For Stan, it was an agonizing twenty minutes; for Tiberius, it was utterly annoying. When the final drop was poured down the pathetic, crying man's throat Tiberius nearly ended his life to shut him up. He waited, just in case his Lord needed something else from their sacrifice.
The Dark Lord reached into the basin and picked up the locket that had been preserved within. "What is this?" His voice shook with rage. The locket did not feel right. It did not feel like him in any way. "This is not my Horcrux."
Tiberius looked over in alarm, releasing Stan in the process. The Dark Lord ripped the locket opened and read the note that was placed inside.
"R.A.B."
"My Lord?"
"Which of my followers has the initials R.A.B?"
Tiberius quickly went through his mental list and came up with only two with the first and last initial. "I can think of only two that could be possible, my Lord. Rosalinda Bulworth and Regulus Black. I must apologize, I do not know their middle names off the top of my head. Additionally, both are dead. Rosalinda died in the late seventies and Regulus died only a few weeks before your own downfall."
"You know as well as I do that Rosalinda was hardly useful enough for me to trust her with this location. She may have had her uses, but she was not that devote. I am remembering a note in my journal saying I borrowed a Black elf. I must have requested it from Regulus." His voice had gone ice cold, causing Tiberius to shiver in fear. "Is this Regulus, perhaps related to Sirius Black?"
"Regulus was Sirius's younger brother."
"I shall take my revenge on Regulus Black by destroying the Black family. The Blacks will rue the day that I learned their name; none will survive. This is just another reason to not even allow young Bellatrix to survive. Her family is responsible for the loss of two of my most important possessions."
Unbeknownst, Stan had crawled to the lake in hopes of quenching the burning thirst that consumed his being. He sighed in relief when he looked down and saw his own reflection. "Finally," he muttered as he shoved his head beneath the surface and started to drink.
The moment Stan's face broke the surface of the water, the creatures struck. Hundreds of Inferi surged from the water, three dragging Stan into the water so that they could feed. Tiberius whirled and instantly cast a flame curse to repel the ones closest to him. He ran as fast as he could to the boat and pushed off headed toward the entrance once more.
The Dark Lord was absolutely furious. One of his followers had betrayed him in the worst possible way. He allowed the rage within him to come to the surface.
On the shore, near the entrance, Yaxley watched as Tiberius fought Inferi that tried to climb into his boat. He saw something on the far shore. The Dark Lord was surrounded by fire but the fire did not touch him. It radiated out and seemed to be traveling very quickly away from him.
"Tiberius," he shouted, "behind you."
Tiberius whirled at Yaxley's frantic warning. He dropped to the floor of the boat, shielding as he fell when he saw a wall of fire coming toward him at alarming speed. Hopefully, it was not Fiend Fire or he would be dead.
The Dark Lord stood panting in the center of the island he created at some point to house a piece of his soul. There were charred bodies of Inferi all around him. His eyes burned with intensity and rage. "Your family will regret existing, Lord Black. I am coming for you."