"Professor, will any of the school's wards be taken down for the Third Task?"

Severus Snape looked up at her from his stack of parchments. "Why do you ask?"

"I'm just thinking," explained Hermione, "whoever entered Harry into the Tournament, why did they do nothing during the first two Tasks and insist upon waiting for the third. In other words, what is it about the third Task that's different from the first two? Well, one of the differences is that the third Task will be open to VIP spectation, yes? Important people like the Minister will be there."

"And what of it?"

"I've only realized this after Alessandra Greengrass mentioned it in conversation today, but aren't there always some emergency evacuation procedures whenever a large group of VIPs is in one place? Even if the school is well-defended, I hardly think the Minister would waive protocol just because it's Hogwarts. And if they are going to evacuate, I sincerely doubt that the plan is for everyone to fly out on brooms."

"You would be correct on both counts. Usually evacuation would be done via Apparition or Portkeys. In this case, our outbound anti-Portkey wards would most likely be disabled for the duration of the Third Task and award ceremony so that the Ministry-provided emergency Portkeys will be able to function," Professor Snape raised an eyebrow, "but as the name suggests, the only thing this affects is people's ability to leave. This is not usually considered a safety issue. I don't see why it should concern you."

"Outbound Portkey..." considered Hermione, "That ward prevents abductions."

"You think Potter was entered into the Tournament to be kidnapped? To what end?"

"To have an offering on hand?" Hermione guessed, to herself as much as to Severus, "To keep as a hostage? A bargaining chip?"

"Wouldn't that make for a convoluted plan, though? Why not simply kidnap him from one of the holiday parties, for example?" Severus pointed out, "Assuming your guess is correct, the mastermind of this plan would have to be either stupid or incredibly short of resources. The usual suspects are none of those things."

"That's true," agreed Hermione, "but I have no better ideas to go on. It wouldn't hurt to take some precautions."

The potion master stared at her for a moment, then pinched his nose in obvious exasperation. "Fine. I would tell you that your efforts here would be entirely unnecessary, but I have no illusion that you would listen. What are you planning to do about it?"

'Why, Severus, now you know how I feel when you insist upon tutoring me in how to mask my thoughts!' "Ideally I would like to persuade the Headmaster that outbound Portkeys might be an issue and let him handle it," smirked Hermione, "but I don't expect to convince him with such a shaky theory. Otherwise, the only thing I can immediately think of is to ask Harry not to touch anything until the Tournament's over. Do you think that would work?"

"Doubt it," said Severus at once.

"I'm not implying that your friend is incapable of following instructions," he elaborated at her look, "This is restricted information, but I'll tell you anyways. It's not possible to win the Tournament without touching the Triwizard Cup."

"I see," said Hermione, absorbing the information. "Thanks, Professor."

The potion master shrugged. "Discuss with your friends. I'm sure they'll change your mind."

"A kidnapping?" asked Anthony skeptically. "I think that's pretty far-fetched."

"I agree with Anthony," said Theo, "If the intent is to kidnap Harry, then it doesn't make sense to concoct some elaborate plan that involves the Tournament."

"I know," conceded Hermione. Even she couldn't really defend the theory when it never held much water to begin with. "I'm just pointing out that there's a higher-than-normal risk."

"I think we should keep working off the assumption that we're up against an assassin," said Blaise.

"We can keep the abduction theory in mind," said Daphne conciliatorily, "maybe it'll be useful if we ever arrive at a dead end."

"So just to confirm," summarized Harry, "we still think Bagman's trying to kill me? He seems like such a nice bloke."

"It could still be that nobody wants you dead and we're all just here chasing air," reminded Terry, "but if anyone's trying to kill you, it's most likely him."

"Bagman has the most suspicion points, but it could still be Moody or Crouch," Theo pointed out, "it's one of the three. But most likely Bagman, yes."

"The question now is, what do we do about it?"

"We know that the Third Task is probably going to be some kind of enchanted obstacle course, which means that there once again won't be any direct witnesses to the Task," said Daphne, "And we know that there's going to be monsters in it. Probably spell traps too, because why not? And Sal, you heard a professor mention that the Champions would need to touch the Triwizard Cup to win?"

"Yup," confirmed Hermione, "so we can assume that one step of the Task would be to find the Triwizard Cup inside the obstacle course."

"In that case," said Daphne, "I think we should do our own observation spell like we did last time. And we should sit near the judges so that we can let someone know as soon as the public projection starts to deviate from ours."

"And Harry should check the area every few paces for malicious enchantments, especially before touching anything," Theo weighed in, "just in case there's curses. But some curses are hard to catch, so if you do need to touch something you should try to do it as quickly as possible. Some curses get stronger the longer you're in contact with its anchor, you know."

"Bagman might cast some spells that make you extra attractive to monsters, so obviously don't get eaten," said Terry. "And if you see more monsters coming at you than you're expecting at any point, just forget about the Tournament and get out of there."

"I think that covers both the enchantments and the creatures," nodded Daphne.

"Alright," Harry nodded, "I'll wear gloves and wingardium leviosa everything I need to move. I'll use that curse breaker spell we found the other day to check for special enchantments. And - no seriously, I promise - I'll get the heck out of there as soon as anything goes wrong. Anything else?"

"What about wizards?" asked Terry, "someone could be waiting in ambush inside the maze."

Harry shrugged. "I'll beg Crookshank really nicely to scout for me. He's got a ridiculously great sense of smell."

"A whole year since you decided to share that secret and I still can't believe you of all people are a Parselmouth," grumbled Blaise. "Just imagine: the Boy-Who-Lived helped to Triwizard victory by Parseltongue!"

"What's wrong with that?" asked Terry, nonplussed, "Using a snake to scout sounds dead convenient to me. Say, Harry, do you think you can get Crookshank to bring other snakes along? The more noses the better, right?"

"Maybe," considered Harry, although he was quick to warn, "I can't just order them about, mind. I'd have to do something for them too, like renovating their nests or something."

"It'll be worth it!" insisted Anthony, "Just imagine! A whole army of tiny scouts sussing out traps for you!"

"Yeah," Terry suddenly burst into a wide grin, "You're winning this Tournament hands down, mate. Nobody will be able to get at you now!"

"A thousand thanks, Teacher! It would have taken me a whole year to dig that second chamber in my home by myself!"

"Thanks for warming my rock for me, Teacher and Teacher's friends! It feels just like a sunny day!"

Hermione was watching proudly as Harry contributed to the good name of Parselmouths among the serpents.

"I will help you, Teacher! But can you carry me to the pit when your task begins? It is very far away."

"It feels weird listening to a whole conversation that I can't even begin to understand," muttered Blaise.

"That's how I feel around the Beauxbatons girls," said Anthony sympathetically.

"They're thanking us," translated Harry obligingly, "They're very happy."

"Oh. They're welcome."

"I am glad you found serpents to help you with your task, Teacher," said Harry's viper friend Crookshank, who was riding on Harry's shoulder for the moment, "I asked Esmeralda if she would come but she said she is too big to be of help to you."

Come to think of it, Hermione did have a vague recollection of seeing this particular horned viper on one or two of Esmeralda's once-a-season court days. Crookshank had been quite receptive to the concept of reasoning and logic, if she remembered correctly. It was no wonder that he and Harry became friends.

"She is right," reassured Harry, "I would like to ask smaller snakes to help me in this task, because they can hide better."

"No wonder she is right. Esmeralda is so wise! We call her the Great Teacher, did you know? I wish she could see this magic pit that you have to go into for your task. Maybe she would even know about the magic!"

"Crookshank thinks very highly of this girl snake called Esmeralda," Harry filled their friends in dutifully, "He's singing her praises."

Anthony snorted.

"Teacher, I almost forgot to tell you something," said Crookshank from Harry's neck.

"Go on,"

"Remember that night when my home was smashed with a rock and you rescued me? I smelled someone before it happened. I smelled that person again today!"

"Still going on about his girlfriend?" asked Blaise.

"No," Harry laughed, "now he's talking about the time when I rescued him after some invisible person dropped a rock on his burrow. I almost forgot about it - " He frowned. "Wait."

"I did, Teacher!" Crookshank was not finished, "But it was strange. At first he smelled familiar, and I hurried out of my home because I do not want to be smashed by a rock again. But this time he did not drop a rock on me. This time he ate something, and suddenly he smelled completely different! Teacher, how could his smell change?"

"Invisible person? There was an invisible person sneaking around and we're only just finding out now?" exclaimed Terry, but Harry ignored him in favour of twisting his head around to stare at Crookshank. "His smell probably changed because he drank something called a Polyjuice Potion! This person you smelled, he was not invisible this time, right? Did you see what he looked like?"

Poor Crookshank looked a bit uncomfortable as he suddenly found himself the focus of seven pairs of hopeful eyes.

"He wore a long black robe that flapped in the wind like yours. But not the same as yours. But they all look similar from the bottom," said the little serpent, flicking his tail from left to right, "And his face is like a rectangle. Or an oval? It is in between. Human heads are weird. And he is taller than you... I think."

Blaise and Anthony slumped in disappointment when Harry translated the viper's best attempt at describing the mage. "Taller than Harry, huh. Real helpful. That narrows it down to, oh I don't know, just over half the school?"

"I'm not that short! I've grown taller this year!" Harry complained. "Thanks, Crookshank."

"I really thought we had a new clue," Terry groaned in defeat. "All this tells us is that our suspect is still hanging around. And that he's using Polyjuice on himself, I guess."

"And it also tells us that we're right to be suspicious and we're not just chasing shadows," added Daphne, "Nobody goes through all that trouble to Polyjuice themselves for a whole year without a strong ulterior motive."

Anthony swore. "Bloody Death Eater. If he's got issues with Harry defeating his boss, why can't he just come out and take it up with us to our face? Scared of a bunch of teenagers?"

Theo gave a small sigh that carried a world of unhappiness. "Yeah," he muttered tonelessly, "that would be nice."

He tried to avert his eyes from the others, but ended up catching Hermione's instead. There was something sadly expressive in his gaze, but for once she found herself at a loss for what to say. A dozen arguments, reassurances, and condolences flew through her mind, but none of them felt appropriate. Her mouth dropped open but no words would come.

And just like that, the moment was wasted. Theodore broke the connection and dropped his eyes to the ground, leaving her to gape ineffectually like a stupefied fish.

"Complaining won't do us any good," Daphne pointed out, quick to move on from the sore point before it could turn the mood ugly. But the glance she shared with Blaise showed that they both understood the truth. While they could avoid the fission for the moment, one day it may become inevitable.

Hermione gritted her teeth. 'Please, Tristan Nott. If you insist on damning both yourself and your son, I will hate you forever!' But of course, such anger would be unproductive and misplaced, because the fault did not lie with Theodore's father. It was her family that produced Tom Riddle, her corrupted legacy that helped him take his first steps in tyranny, and her present powerlessness that enabled him to rally his Death Eaters once again. She could no more blame Tristan Nott than she could blame herself.

"Let's continue with our plan," suggested Harry, "it'll still help, and it's the best we have."

The others nodded. That made sense.

In truth, thought Hermione, her friends had assembled a pretty good plan. Although it was becoming apparent that they would not unravel the whole mystery behind the identity and motive of Harry's nominator in time to apprehend him, the situation could still be saved if they made sure that no opportunities ever arose for the shadowy entity to take advantage. Now, while the Nocturne Group made the necessary arrangements to ensure Harry's safety, Hermione could cover the few remaining holes in their defenses.

A few surreptitious wards on the competition area wouldn't be amiss - perhaps a few mage detectors, or free-will gates at the entrance. And, oh yes, a Portkey hijacker that would redirect all outbound Portkeys within the arena to the judges' table. It would most likely make no difference, but it would cost her nothing. She'd very much like to be thorough when it was a friend's life on the line.

There was one last finishing touch to Harry's security details: a letter. Hermione had carefully adjusted this short note over several revisions. All she had to do now was send it.

It was time. In fact, she'd already fussed over this first contact for longer than necessary. She would send it off as soon as her friends finished talking to the snakes. 'Well, here goes nothing,'

A thought suddenly occurred to her, drawing out a chuckle despite herself. What would Severus say when he finds out?

'To Headmaster Dumbledore, greetings.

We are not acquainted, although we must certainly have met. I am writing to you to ensure that you are alerted to the plot against one of your students in the unlikely scenario that you are not yet aware. Close to the start of the school year, a mage whose identity is unknown to me has infiltrated Hogwarts and has remained there ever since. It is my understanding that said mage has remained undetected to this moment with the aid of disillusionment charms and Polyjuice Potion.

Since I find it unlikely that you do not already suspect this, I am unsure that there is in fact a need for me to send you this letter. Nevertheless, I have always intended to make contact with you at some point. It might as well be now.

I am concerned that this imposter at Hogwarts may be working to abduct the Boy-Who-Lived, Headmaster. You know better than I how this can be accomplished. Please take precautions accordingly if you have not done so already.

My best regards,

S.'

Albus chewed on a lemon drop as he pondered this letter that had made its way to his office. It had been delivered by an enormous serpentine patronus that couldn't possibly be anything but a basilisk, which alone had warranted his full attention. Then there was the actual content of the letter.

It was true, he'd suspected the presence of an imposter in the school ever since the potion storeroom theft. He'd checked the school's identification ward as closely as one could feasibly inspect a list of hundreds of names, but none of the current inhabitants of the castle had stood out as suspicious. That, of course, did not mean there was no imposter. Any intelligent mage could see that the missing Polyjuice ingredients went missing for a reason.

That said, Albus had not believed this knowledge to be widely shared. He hadn't told anyone but Minerva and Severus of his suspicions for fear of causing an international incident, and the theft of potion ingredients was known only to Severus and Alastor. Aside from himself and the aforementioned professors, the author of this letter could only have obtained knowledge of this plot from the imposter's co-conspirators themselves. And whoever they were, they had decided to reach out to Albus Dumbledore.

We are not acquainted, but we must certainly have met. That described most of the magical population on the British Isles. Between the two wars, his position in the Wizengamot, and his teaching career at Hogwarts, it was safe to say without conceit that Albus was well-known. The means by which the letter had arrived offered more clues to its author's identity, however.

Albus had always been fascinated by the Patronus spell. Of all the spells that he'd encountered over the years, the patronus embodied a combination of purity, goodness, and strength that was entirely unparallelled. Many practitioners of the Dark Arts would name expecto patronum as the only light magic that was not a diluted version of their dark counterparts, but that was a debate for another time. What interested Albus right now was the fact that corporeal patronuses only ever took on forms that were known to its caster. At the very least, the caster must have a mental concept of the creature that was detailed enough to attach some meaning to it. One cannot have an otter patronus without knowing what an otter was. One cannot have a phoenix patronus without understanding what made a phoenix a phoenix. Similarly, one could not possibly cast a basilisk patronus without meaningfully understanding the characteristics of a basilisk. And what did this say about Albus's new correspondent?

To have familiarity with such a rare creature, they must certainly be either well-read or well-travelled. A magizoologist, an alchemist, or a potioneer perhaps. Or a polymath like Albus himself. Albus was almost certain that he was receiving communication from a learned, knowledgeable mage.

And one who had contact with Harry Potter's or Albus's own enemies. He had not forgotten that.

A mage whose identity is unknown to me has infiltrated Hogwarts. This suggested - or rather, was meant to suggest - that the letter's author had not been directly involved in the plot. Nevertheless, they must be close enough to the conspirators to have some ongoing knowledge of their progress, either by being told directly or through deduction. A friend? A family member?

I have always intended to make contact with you. It might as well be now. This statement was also significant. If this had anything to do with the Dark Mark in the sky last summer, or the growing boldness of the dark-traditionalists this past year, or the irregular activities of former Death Eaters in recent months… Albus furrowed his brows. He would not make hasty, hope-blinded assumptions, but the narrative was beginning to sound familiar. He should show this letter to Severus and see what he made of it.

In the meantime, Albus penned his reply:

'Greetings.

Thank you for your inquiry. It is unfortunate that Mr. Potter's experience as an infant has made him more enemies than most adults, and I will certainly ensure that his safety remains uncompromised.

Please allow me to assure you, sir/madam. I would dedicate all my strength to ensuring that each of my students can go on to live fulfilling lives, free of the spectre of a tyrant looming over their heads. No matter the complication, no matter if they are inside Hogwarts' castle walls or not, I will not abandon anyone I've had the privilege of teaching to face their troubles alone.

Hogwarts is ever a haven for those who require protection. I swear this on my honour. Please feel welcomed to contact me again if you have any remaining doubts.

I wish you all the best,

Albus Dumbledore'

There. Albus sat back and reread his reply. At first glance, it was officious enough to pass as generic reassurance from headmaster to ordinary concerned citizen. If one chose to read between the lines, it was loaded with enough meaning to convey his offer as leader of Voldemort's opposition. It would not come across as overly pushy, and it would not damn his new correspondent even if it were to be seen by the wrong eyes. If S, whoever they may be, had not felt safe attaching their real name to their warning, then it would only be wise to be equally circumspect in his response.

He did not in fact know whether he was writing to one of his former students. Nevertheless, the prose of the letter had the sort of nebulous familiarity that typically develops after reading one too many Transfiguration essays by the same author, so he was willing to wager on this assumption.

It would do. Albus waved his wand and transferred his finished reply onto the neatly enchanted two-way parchment that his new correspondent, 'S', had enclosed in their envelope. It was really a fine way to communicate. He would have to remember this idea for future use.

If this mage, 'S', really was a dark-traditionalist teetering on the decision between joining Voldemort or changing sides, then Albus prayed with all his heart that they would choose to accept his protection. He meant what he said in his reply, and he'd hate to see another shining mage damn themselves in their fall to darkness. Not to mention, others under his care needed someone like S just as much as S needed him. A strong mage would always be a boon in the battles to come, and any light that S may shed on the recent behavioral shift among the dark-traditionalists would be invaluable.

And finally, to address the most immediate matter at hand: the actual warning itself. Albus would take another look at ways to further insulate Harry from abduction. Among other things. For all he knew, the entire letter could be an attempt to distract him from the imposter's true motive.

But one thing was for certain. He would not let Harry be killed or taken on his watch.

'Selaine,

Our guess has been confirmed. They'll move within the week, and Borgin is the target. I'm honestly not surprised. Say what you want about the man's business practices, but Merlin does he have a merciless tongue when he decides that you're not worth your business.

Looks like the Basilisk Eye has wisely decided to cough up some of their commission and enlist the help of two other bands - albeit minor ones. I have not even heard of them until yesterday. In any case, we cannot say if Borgin will be the only target, or merely one of many to be attacked simultaneously. I do hope they will be smart enough to concentrate their forces and choose the former. It would not be much of a challenge otherwise.

Will keep you posted,

Cassius'

...

'Slytherin,

Please be ready for our call this week. Avery is adamant that the matter can be handled without your appearance, but I will call you as soon as things go south.

Myself and Avery have organized the four fighters we've got the best we could, but I do not know how they will behave when they realise that they are facing not just the Basilisk Eye, but two more groups as well. Do you have any intel on the hitwizards who call themselves "Cerberus" or "Hell's Legion"? If you do not, we will be going in blind and outnumbered twenty - perhaps thirty - to six. I can only hope that the wards you built for Knockturn Alley are as prodigious as you claim.

May Merlin grant all of us luck.

Montressor Selwyn'

AN: This chapter was written on the 5yr anniversary of this story and the Lunar New Year! Thank you all for your well-wishes. Your comments are a joy to read :)