Harry twisted to the side and shot off another spell around the corner before he made his move. He ran up the corridor before taking cover again behind a wall. Just in time. A flurry of arrows had filled the air where he had been standing just moments before.
He was beaten down, exhausted, and his magic was almost at an end. But he was so close. He could literally see the Cup. It was right at the end of this corridor. He just needed to make it another few yards and he would have victory in his grasp. But how?
He poked his head around the corner but immediately retreated when a cloud of arrows shot towards him. He put another hand out and there was a bit of a delay this time. About five seconds before more arrows filled the air. So, he had a bit of a window while they reloaded. He would use it.
He sighed heavily. This could be it. Time to face what was ahead.
He poked his head out and brought it back as he triggered the response. As soon as the arrows past he rushed around the corner. There it was. Some kind of launcher that was shooting the arrows at him. Like something you would see out of a Wile E Coyote vs Road Runner cartoon. "Reducto!" A ball of magic that was barely formed shot towards the launcher. It did its job. The top half of the launcher was blown off and moments later it fizzled out of existence. Like the whole thing had never been there at all.
Harry fell to one knee and sucked in gulp after gulp of precious air. He slowly looked up. There it was! The Cup. The thing he had fought tooth and nail to get to. He slowly got to his feet and started shambling towards it.
"Incarcerous!"
"Shit." He muttered to himself and moments later what felt like tentacles pulled him and trapped him against the ground.
"Annnddd you're dead!" Daphne said from behind him. She shook her head and waved her wand. The tentacles released him. "That could've been Krum who had been waiting for you to do all the heavy work for him before taking you out."
"I can barely stand Daphne." Harry argued as he shambled to his feet.
"You need to work on conserving your energy Harry." She sighed. "When you cast those Disarming Charms when you first entered the maze you put way too much power into them. Also was that a Patronus you cast earlier?" He nodded. "Since when can you cast a Patronus?"
"Since last year." Harry said nonchalantly.
"Harry." She blinked. "Not even my father can cast a full Patronus Charm and you learned how to do it at thirteen? That's a big deal."
He looked sheepish. "I guess." He shrugged.
"You still need to conserve your energy while you cast it though Harry. The maze that we've been using will be child's play compared to what they have in store for you."
"What if it's too much." Harry muttered.
"What did you say?" Daphne stepped closer.
"What if I can't do it?" Harry snapped. This had been running through his mind for week- no, not weeks. Months. Ever since he had been forced to enter this damn tournament. What if it finally happened? "I'm not good enough Daphne, everybody knows that. I'm the youngest one here, I don't know half the spells the other contestants do and they're far stronger than I am. What if I can't do this?"
She didn't respond. At first Harry thought she might've tuned him out. That was before she started hitting him in the shoulder. "You. Are. A. Total. Prat. Harry. Potter!" Each word she struck him.
"Stop hitting me!" He tried to get away but was still so weak from the maze he didn't have much luck.
"Maybe it'll knock some sense into you!" She hissed. "Do you know how pathetic you sound? "What if I can't do it Daphne?" That's not the boy that I fell in love with. You WILL be able to do this! You're one of the strongest people I've ever met, and you've shown it all your life. Do you think anyone else in this tournament knows how to cast a Patronus? Do you think any of them could fight off V-V-Voldemort not once but three times?! No! They might know more magic than you Harry but they're not fighters like you! If you're ready to throw in the towel before you even compete don't waste my time with this self-pitying."
Harry was blown away. The fact that she had said Voldemort's name without flinching just showed how serious she was. "I'm sorry Daphne." He said sitting down and resting against the hedge. "I'm just…tired. Tired of this fucking tournament. Tired in general."
She sat down next to him and rested her head against his shoulder. "I know Harry. I know." She whispered to him before kissing his cheek. "I hate seeing you forced to go through with this. It breaks my heart. But I know that if anyone can get through it, it's you."
"I'm lucky, Greengrass." He smiled. "Lucky to have you."
She smirked before kissing him on the lips. "Don't you know it, Potter."
"You know we do have the Room to ourselves." He wagged his eyebrows. "And we're already laying down. I can-"
"No." She said immediately. "Not today, Harry."
"I was only half serious anyway, Daph." He said. They had decided to wait, and he was willing to wait as long as she wanted to. He would never pressure her.
"I know." She kissed him on the cheek again. "Have you spoken to John recently."
Harry shook his head. "Haven't seen him since the party."
Hermione had broken things off with John at the party they had in the CG Room to celebrate the tournament win. There hadn't been many people just the team really and friends. Hermione hadn't made a big scene of it. She had just brought him into the corner and told him straight out. She was just…afraid she had told Harry. She knew he would never plan to hurt her, but things always didn't work out that way. He had more than a few personal demons he needed to work on. She wished she could be there for him, but this was something he needed to do by himself.
John had been in tears. He had pleaded with Hermione, but she wasn't listening. She didn't want to end things. To her this wasn't even a real break up just a little time away from each other. But he didn't see it like that. The one person he would do anything for in this world wanted nothing to do with him.
She had left him in the corner, and he had immediately left the party. He had been looking forward to telling her the news first. How the Irish U-17 coach had offered him a spot on the squad. He had learned only an hour beforehand and wanted to share it with his favorite person first.
Since then he had been a ghost. He had shown up to classes of course but outside of that nobody could find him. He wasn't eating meals with them anymore, he wasn't hanging out with Harry. According to Blaise he hadn't even said anything to any of his housemates in the dorm. At least he was sleeping there.
It was painful for everyone around him to watch, especially Hermione. She had never meant to break him like that. It was affecting her as well. According to Susan, and Daphne she was still showing up to their study sessions. At meals if someone asked her a question, she would answer but she wasn't offering any input anymore. To every teacher's surprise she was no longer the first one with her hand in the air to answer a question in class. She hadn't wanted to do this, but she felt like she had no choice.
"Talk to Hermione recently?" Daphne asked. Harry shook his head.
"Not since you probably." Harry sighed. "I do need to talk to her really. She said she was going to help me with the Third Task."
"What I'm not enough?" Daphne raised an eyebrow.
Harry shrugged. "Would one more clever witch helping me out really be such a bad thing? She told me a couple weeks ago that she found some book in the bookstore down in the village that could possibly help me out. All three of us could go down there this weekend. It's open for students."
Daphne nodded. "That sounds good. It'll be nice to get out of the castle anyway."
Harry agreed. He hadn't been down to Hogsmeade just to go in months. He had been working hard towards both his tournaments he really didn't have a lot of free time. Every time he had gone down there was to speak to Sirius about something. The time he had gone down to have drinks with the Greengrass family didn't count. He had come back to the Castle straight away.
"We should probably get to dinner." Daphne said moving to get up. She was surprised when Harry grabbed her arm and pulled. She let out a squeal as she fell into his lap. "What are you doing?"
Harry wrapped his arms around her and grinned. "Well I know I might've failed the maze, but I do think I deserve a little reward for making it that far."
She rolled her eyes. "What would I be if I rewarded you for not succeeding?"
"Generous?" He tried.
"Lucky for you I'm feeling generous then." She grinned before capturing his lips with her own.
Barty slouched in his chair. Why was he here? They had just had a staff meeting the day before. It wasn't enough that he had to pretend to be Moody, but he really had to go to things like this. All to sell the deception. That didn't explain why he was here though.
"Do you have any idea why Dumbledore called us here?" He muttered to Sprout.
She shook her head. "Only that it was of great importance. I've never known the Headmaster to call two staff meetings in back to back days. It must be serious."
Barty seriously doubted it. Probably just how they should be looking out for that brat Potter more. It was only a matter of time now, however. Only a matter of time before the boy sprang his trap and the Dark Lord was reborn. He just needed to keep up this charade a little while longer and this entire year of hell would've been worth it. When the Dark Lord rose again, Barty would be counted among his most loyal followers. For only he and a few others had remained loyal to their Lord.
"Thank you all for coming on such short notice." Dumbledore announced as he entered the staff room. "I fear that I have grave news."
"The Tri-Wizard Cup has been tampered with."
There were several gasps across the table. Barty tried to look as interested as possible but on the inside his heart was going one hundred miles per hour. Impossible. The old man should've never been able to find it unless he thoroughly checked it recently. "Tampered in what way Headmaster?" Barty said in Moody's voice.
"It appears that the Cup itself was made into a Portkey." Dumbledore responded.
"Where did the Portkey lead?" Snape asked. Who's side the former Death Eater was on Barty couldn't tell. He had acted as a double agent for the Dark Lord in the last war but who knew where his allegiances truly lay.
"Alas I do not know." Dumbledore sighed. "Whoever cast the Charm covered their tracks. All I could decipher was it is located in England."
"So, it could be anywhere?" Moody asked. England was a large country. It would be like finding a needle in a haystack.
Dumbledore nodded. "Fortunately, because we caught it so early, we are now able to counteract the Charm. It has been rendered null and void."
"Thank Merlin." McGongal said. "Who could've done this, Albus?"
"I wish I knew Minerva." Dumbledore sighed. "Professor Moody, when you yourself were examining the Cup at the beginning of the year did you noticing anything off about it?"
Barty shook his head. "No. Everything appeared in order." He responded. Suddenly, he felt a tug against his mind so he immediately broke eye contact with the man. "I'm telling you the truth Albus. No need to try to see my thoughts."
Dumbledore's eyes narrowed. He had been getting an off feeling about Alastor all year. Something seemed…different about him. He just couldn't place it. "Very well." He said.
"What measures will be taken to find who did this?" Barty asked. Bloody bastard! What made him look at the Cup now? He was supposed to let Barty place it in the maze himself. The Cup had resided in the Castle all year without any incident up until then. Why was he doing anything more than look at it? This severely complicated things.
"We will be searching the school top to bottom." Dumbledore responded. "A search of the village is already underway by the Aurors. So far it has yielded no results."
And it won't yield anything old man. "Please Albus, let me know if I can do anything." Barty said.
Dumbledore slowly nodded. "We must all be on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary. You are all dismissed. Please see me with any questions you might have."
Barty rose from his chair and followed the other staff members out.
Bloody hell. The old man had ruined an entire year of careful planning. He had been foolish. He should've waited to place the damn Charm. As it was now, he hadn't activated it yet so that was why Dumbledore hadn't been transported anywhere but Barty had still turned the Cup as soon as he got his hands on it.
"Damn." He muttered under his breath as he made his way back to Moody's office. The Dark Lord would not be pleased. There would be punishment for this.
However, Barty had an idea in the back of his mind. It wasn't as methodical as the first plan, but it would still work if executed correctly.
First there was a couple of floo calls he needed to make, but not here. Too many eyes and he could almost guarantee that the old man was watching the network.
"Oi, Duffy! Get down here!"
Joseph grumbled. It wasn't enough that he was stuck in this damn shack, he had to be called like an animal as well. It was better than an Azkaban prison cell that was for sure. If they even locked him in one that is. They might just give him the Kiss straight away.
He really shouldn't be complaining. He would owe Barty a lifetime of favors for getting him out of that damn situation. His old friend had come to him just before the Aurors had arrived to tell him to get out of town. He knew it wasn't out of the goodness of the man's heart. He only was doing it because he would need Duffy down the road. For what, Joseph had no idea.
He had arranged travel to London and there he had met with one of his and Barty's contacts from the War. A one-eyed man named Devron who had greeted Joseph with an ugly smile that was missing most of his teeth. Devron had smuggled him to the mainland through Denmark and into Germany. From there he went to Berlin. Barty had arranged for him to stay at one of their old safehouses that was under the Fidelus Charm. It was a dreary place, but it was safe.
It would be just fine if he was alone but there was four other shady characters seeking shelter there as well. They were like minded individuals, all friends of Barty's and all of them on the run from their own governments.
"What the bloody hell do you want?" Joseph shouted back.
"Floo call. From the Island." Joseph shot to his feet and started towards the door. From the Island? It had to be Barty. Did he finally get to leave this damn shack?
"Is it Barty?" He asked as he thundered down the stairs. In front of the floo were the other four Dark Wizards he had been with for the past month. He hadn't met any of them before except for Yuri, the man who had called him down. A big bear of a man from Eastern Russia with arms and legs the size of tree trunks. The rest of the men were only peons compared to Yuri and Joseph. They didn't offer their names and Joseph didn't care enough to ask.
Yuri nodded. "He wants to speak with you." He said and moved aside sitting in one of the chairs by the fire. It creaked under his weight.
"Barty?" Joseph asked stepping towards the fire. There in the middle of the flames was his old friend. "What news?"
"There have been complications my old friend." Barty sneered. "We require your assistance."
"My assistance?" Joseph asked. "What good can I do? I'm stuck in this bloody shack."
"We need you to return home." Barty replied. "You are being assigned a mission."
"Retu- The minute I set foot back in Dublin, Greengrass Hit Wizards will have my head on a fucking spike."
"I'm not talking about Dublin, you fool." Barty snapped. "I need you in Hogsmeade. Not just you. Everyone."
"Hogsmeade?" Duffy asked. "Say I could get myself there. What does He require?"
"All in due time, old friend." Barty responded. "You and the others are to make your way to the Berlin Tegel Airport. From there you are to purchase tickets to Paris."
"Paris?" Yuri asked confused. "You say you need us in Hogsmeade then why are we going to France?"
"Less suspicious." Barty answered. "Besides you are to pick up another."
"Another?" Joseph asked. "Who?"
"Macnair."
"That damn cunt?" Joseph sighed. "We can do this job with just us."
"No, you cannot." Barty said simply leaving no room for debate. "Besides this isn't up for debate. It comes from above us."
"Who?" Yuri asked interestedly. Joseph shook his head. Only a privileged few knew that the Dark Lord had survived that night. Yuri was a good soldier, but he was also a drunk idiot. He would know when the rest of the world would know that the Dark Lord walked again.
"Rest assured that it is someone who will make the Ministry crumble." Barty answered simply. "And bring all of Europe under our control." This was enough to satisfy Yuri and the others. They didn't just want Wizarding Europe. They wanted the whole world. "
"Do we really have to travel as fucking Muggles though?" Joseph curled his lip. He was a Pure-Blood Lord. He shouldn't be forced to mingle with the filth that didn't even deserve to be crushed under his boots.
"I don't know if you've noticed this Joseph, but you're on the fucking lamb." Barty rolled his eyes. "Oh, what's that? You don't want to go to ICW and get a travel permit? Didn't think so."
"Now listen here Barty." Joseph growled. He might owe the man, but he wouldn't sit here and be a made a fool of.
"No. You listen. Either head to the airport now or get the bloody hell out of the safehouse."
The other four wizards didn't say a thing as they looked at Joseph for a response. Everyone there knew he wouldn't last long on his own. They had frozen his assets in Ireland and the mainland. He had no choice. "I'll gather my things."
"No need." Barty said. "Arrangements have been made. Head to the airport." Without waiting for a response Barty disappeared from the flames.
"How will we pay for a ticket?" Yuri asked as the men started preparing to leave. "We have no money."
Duffy shook his head and reached into his pocket producing an envelope. "Devron gave me this before he saw me off the boat. In case of emergencies. This seems like an emergency." He opened the thick envelope and put its contents on the table. Pouring out came hundreds and hundreds of Deutsche Marks. More than enough to purchase plane tickets.
"And when we get to Paris?" Yuri asked. "This German money won't do anything for us."
"I'm aware. We'll let Macnair take the bill." Joseph shook his head. "This mission better be worth it."
"And you're sure that they'll have this book in stock?" Harry asked Hermione as they entered the village.
Hermione nodded. "That's what Miss Taror told me at least when I wrote her the letter. The book I was telling you about should be in stock."
"It should be able to help you a lot." Hermione continued. "It goes into detail about some of the more dangerous creatures that exist and how to combat them."
"How do you know that those creatures will be in the maze?" Harry asked.
"Look at where we go to school." Daphne rolled her eyes. "Just earlier in the year a Blast Ended Skrewt put you in the Hospital Wing."
"Point taken." Harry replied. As long as he didn't have to go up against another dragon then he would be satisfied. He didn't fancy getting turned into dinner for another Hungarian Horntail. "Where was this book when I had to go through the First Task?"
Hermione shrugged. "I didn't know about it until recently. Besides it might not have had the Horntail in it but just dragons in general. Each one is different in the way you combat it."
Daphne nodded in agreement. Harry had forgotten that her cousin worked with dragons. "Where did you say this place was again?" Harry asked.
"Just a couple of blocks that way." Hermione responded waving them off. "If you want, we can meet at the Three Broomsticks. There's a couple more books that I want to get while I'm there."
"There's no need for that Hermione." Daphne smiled at her, but Harry pulled his girlfriend close to him.
"If you want that's fine." Harry told his best friend. "I was hoping to talk to Daphne about something anyway."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Does that conversation have anything to do with both your lips?" She smirked. Harry went red giving Hermione the only answer she needed. She chuckled to herself. "It's okay Harry. I know when to take a hint. I'll see you guys at the Three Broomsticks alright?" With one final wave Hermione was off towards her favorite place outside the library.
"She could've come with us you know?" Daphne said after Hermione walked away.
"Yeah. But then I wouldn't have gotten to do this." He smirked taking her into a kiss.
"Fair enough." She breathed after he released the grip on her lips. "We could've have done that later though."
"No time like the present." Harry shrugged. "What do you feel like doing?"
"I haven't been to Zonko's in a while." Daphne said.
"Zonko's it is." Harry gestured down the street with a flourish. "After you my dear."
Daphne rolled her eyes but took her boyfriend's hand as they started walking. "It's so nice to see that spring is here." She smiled. She didn't mind the snow. It was nice to look at. But did it have to be so damn cold?
"I've always hated spring." Harry said more to himself than to her.
She looked at him surprised. "Why? It's so nice." She said. He had closed his eyes and had started biting the inside part of his lip.
"Spring just means it's one step closer to summer." He answered still refusing to look at her. "And summer just means I'd have to spend months on end at the Dursley's."
She assumed Dursley was the name of his family. If you could even call them family. "Harry." She said firmly. "Look at me." He looked down at her his face still filled with trepidation. "You never have to go to that house again. Ever. You're going to be living with Sirius from now on. And this summer you'll be visiting my family every weekend."
"Oh, will I?" He asked his expression slowly changing. "And do I get a say in this?"
"No." She leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Afraid you don't."
"What will these visits entail?" He asked curiously.
"Well." She thought about it for a second. "You would spend the days at our manor. It's about twenty miles west of London. We have about fifty acres to ourselves of just wide-open space that we ride the horses on."
"You have horses?" He asked. She nodded.
"I've spent my life in the sad- What?" She asked. He was just staring at her with a smile on his face.
"I just love hearing about you." He said the smile never leaving. "What makes you…well, you."
She smiled. "And you wonder why I love you."
"Not really." He shrugged ignoring the glare she gave him. "I'm pretty awesome."
"If you say so Potter." A familiar voice called out. They turned and to say they were shocked was an understatement. In the flesh was John Duffy.
"Nice to see you out and about mate." Harry said accepting the handshake his friend offered him.
"Why?" John responded. "Just here enjoying a nice day in Hogsmeade."
"We've been worried about you." Daphne tried instead. "We haven't seen you at meals lately."
John shrugged. "I've had a lot of homework the past week." It was obvious he was trying to pretend not a thing in the world was wrong. Daphne wanted to shake her head at him. That wasn't healthy. He needed to talk about his problems.
"Is that why you asked Snape to change partners?" Harry asked. He was now partnered with Theodore Nott instead of Hermione. The switch had come a day after Hermione had broken up with him.
John shrugged again. "Just felt like switching fucking potions partners." He said a touch of anger seeping into his voice. "What's with Twenty Questions over here?"
"Look John." Harry released his grip on Daphne's hand and started walking towards her cousin. "We're just asking because we care about you. Stop acting like everything's alright when it fucking isn't."
"You're a prick you know that Potter?" John growled but his gaze softened. "I'm sorry. I'm just…I can't describe it."
"I understand." Harry clapped him on the shoulder. "It sucks man I know."
"I don't what I'm going to do, Harry." John rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. "She won't talk to me. How can I get through to her if she won't talk to me?"
"Stop being a pussy for one." Daphne suddenly said.
John glared at her. "What the hell did you just say to me?"
"You heard me idiot." Daphne rolled her eyes. "Merlin, I've never heard a bigger crybaby than you right now. Girls don't find the whole self-pitying thing attractive. Last time you did that what happened? You took Vivian to the Yule Ball and made the situation a million times worse. Stop being a pussy and go talk to Hermione."
"W-What if she doesn't want to speak to me?" John asked. The look of defeat on his face was profound.
"Then make her talk to you." Daphne answered. "She's at that bookstore that she's always going to."
"Taror's." John said automatically. "Yeah I've been there."
"Then you know where it is?" Daphne asked slowly. He nodded. "Then why the hell are you still here? GO talk to Hermione."
He closed the distance between the two and embraced Daphne. "Thanks, Daphy." He said to her as she returned his hug. "You should think about becoming a self-help coach."
"Stop making jokes and go get back together with your girlfriend." Daphne said irritably.
John nodded and without another word to either of them he sprinted off towards the center of the village where he knew the bookstore was located.
"You know if this doesn't work out, there's a chance Hermione will be angry at you for giving out her whereabouts." Harry said. Daphne shrugged.
"And if it does work out, she can thank me." She grabbed her boyfriend's hand and they continued on their way to Zonko's. "I was getting tired of seeing him mope anyway."
"Fair enough." Harry agreed as they stepped into the shop.
"Would you look who it is!" The Weasley Brothers said simultaneously. "Our favorite cross House couple."
Daphne wiped a mock tear from her face. "That means so much to me. You might be making me cry."
"You're one of the good ones, Miss Greengrass." Twin one complemented. "Would any of you care to buy a-"
"OI!" The shopkeeper yelled from behind the counter. He had a dozen different students in line, but he reserved a glare for the Weasley Twins. "What have I told you two about selling in the shop?"
"To do it as often as possible?" Twin Two asked.
"OUT!" The shopkeeper roared. "And don't come back! Else I'll have a conversation with the Headmaster about you two."
The Weasley Twins left with a bow to the rest of the shop, Daphne and Harry quickly behind them. "What were you about to try and sell us?" Harry asked as they stepped back out into the street.
"Try to sell you?" The Twins look aghast. "Oh, we don't try. In the name of that Yoda person: Don't try. Do."
"I see." Harry raised an amused eyebrow. "Then what were you going to succeed in selling us?"
"Whatever you take a fancy to!" Twin One took out a briefcase from his cloak and opened it up for the two. Inside were a whole assortment of goodies. "We have Puking Pasties, Dungbombs, The Screaming Yo-Yo, The Electric Shock Snake and our newest invention, The Skiving Snack Box. Fancy a day away from classes? Take the sickness of your choice and you experience any symptom you like! Then once you're tucked away in your comfy bed, simply take the antidote and you'll be good as news."
"…You both are bloody amazing." Harry whistled and started clapping. Whenever people thought of the Twins they first thought of their mischief and confused that for stupidity. This just showed how clever they actually were.
"So, what would you like to purchase first for you and your lady, Mr. Potter?"
"All of it preferably but can I ask you both a question?" Harry asked.
"You just did." They smirked.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Why don't you have a shop yet? You could make serious money selling this stuff."
"Wittle Harry thinks us made of money my dear brother Gred." Twin one said. "Aye Feorge. Well Wittle Harry, we hate to lower ourselves in your eyes, but we are in fact not made of money. Oh, how nice it would be. Being able to shit Galleons. Meaning no offense towards your lady for our language."
Daphne only shrugged. She had heard worse and said worse before. "There's always a loan from Gringotts."
"Miss Greengrass." They sighed. "The interest from a loan like that would bankrupt in itself."
"Then what about an investor?" Harry asked with a twinkle in his eyes.
"What do you mean?" They asked curiously. Now the younger boy had their attention.
"Well boys not to rub your noses in it, but I found out recently that I'm rather well off." They shrugged. They had heard how wealthy the Potter Family was. That had nothing to do with Harry, however. Unlike Malfoy he wasn't a little cunt who acted like his money made him better than everyone else. "And I think it's time I start investing some of it."
"You can't be serious, Harry." Their mouths had dropped to the ground. Was he really offering to bankroll them?
"Serious as a heart attack." The expression was lost on them, but they listened. "For a minority stake in your company I would like to offer you boys whatever you need to get yourselves started."
"A minority s- Harry are you insane? The money for that alone would guarantee you no less than sixty percent." The Weasley's argued.
"But then you would be in debt to me boys." He shrugged. "A minority stake. Take it or leave it."
They both looked at each other. It was almost like they were conversing with themselves in some silent twin language. "We would be fools to resist your offer, Lord Potter." They grinned.
"Sounds like a plan then boy-"He was interrupted when they each grabbed him in a bear hug.
"You're really the nicest damn guy in the world. You know that, Harry." They both told them. While each of them tried to hide it, they were obviously failing to hold back the large amount of emotion seeping into their voices. It had always been their dream to open up their own prank shop and now he was helping them do it.
"Don't mention it boys." He told them. "I'll have Griphook contact you with the details." It turned out that the Goblin who had originally helped Harry when he first came to Gringotts, was actually his Family account manager. He had learned that little tidbit of information when he wrote the bank a letter a few months ago.
"We look forward to receiving this letter." They said. "Only have it delivered to us at school. Don't let it go to the Burrow."
"Wh- Oh. Right." Harry agreed. Molly Weasley was never the most supportive of her son's desires to turn themselves into professional pranksters. Harry's involvement should probably stay a secret. At least for now.
"Well we must be going." The Twins bowed to Harry and Daphne deeply. "We have preparations to make. Locations to look at. We will keep you informed, Partner." With that they left, failing to hide (or not even attempting) the pep in their step.
Harry shook his head with a grin. He looked back at Daphne and she was staring at him with a strange look. "What?"
"You're a very generous person, Potter." She said finally. "Not very business savvy though."
Harry shrugged. "I have a hunch. That minority stake will double my return at the very least."
"If you sa-"
"Potter!" They both turned. The voice came from an alleyway. They stepped closer to see who had called to Harry and about jumped in the air when Professor Moody stepped from the shadows.
"Professor!" Harry said. "You startled me."
"My apologies." Moody said sounding anything but apologetic. "We need to speak."
"Can't it wait, Professor?" Harry asked. "Me and Daphne were about to head to the Three Broomsticks."
"It's about the tournament lad." Moody said irritably. "I need to speak with you. Now. Greengrass can come as well."
Harry wanted to sigh but all he could do was nod. "If Daphne wants to come that is."
"Why wouldn't I?" She asked. She was a little irritated that Moody was interrupting their day together but since this was about the tournament, she really couldn't say anything.
"Follow me." Moody said turning into the alleyway before they could say a thing.
Hermione left the shop with an armful of books. She hadn't lied to Harry when she said she wanted to do some shopping of her own. She would probably breeze through the ten new ones she had bought for herself in a week.
She had also tried to change the subject every time Miss Taror asked about "the nice young man who she had come in with last time".
Hermione missed John every day. This was beginning to seem less like a break and more like a breakup. That's not what she wanted at all. She just wanted John to have some time to sort everything out. In hindsight she should've been there for him. He needed her and she needed him.
She sighed to herself. She would find John as soon as she got back to the Castle. They had some things to talk about.
"What's the quickest way to the Broomsticks?" She said to herself as she looked around. Her preferred way had too many people packed together. Some impromptu concert that someone had organized. She would never be able to get through in a timely manner.
She would have to cut between buildings. She started walking towards the alleyway nearest her.
It obviously had not been cleaned in quite some time. Hermione's nose crinkled when she stepped in something wet that she hadn't seen in the dark. She groaned.
"Don't trouble yourself over it my dear." A voice came from the shadows.
She turned towards the sound. In front of her she could see an outline of a man pressed against the wall. She couldn't see his face, however. "Who is there?"
"Do you not recognize me, girl?" The voice sounded familiar for some reason.
"Should I?" She asked inching for her wand.
The man stepped out from the shadows with his wand pointed towards Hermione. "You wound me, girl." Joseph sneered. "I thought I made a good first impression."
"W-What are you doing here?" She stammered. He was supposed to be on the run from the law, not here in Hogsmeade. "You better leave now before I call for help."
He gave her a lecherous grin. "By all means bitch, call out. You'll find nobody is listening. As soon as I saw you enter this alley, I cast a silencing charm on the area. Scream at the top of your lungs. No one will he- EXPELIARMUS!" Hermione had drawn her wand hoping that he wouldn't be able to see her but to no avail. It sailed through the air into the hand of her boyfriend's father. He grinned at her. "Don't fight me girl. It'll only end badly."
"W-W-What do you want from me?" She sputtered taking a step back. He sighed and flicked his wand lazily. She continued to back up until she hit a solid object. The walls were on her side though. He must've cast a shield charm.
"I want you girl." He took another step towards her. "There are plans for Potter that include you as well. Afraid you'll have to come with me."
"Leave me alone!" She shouted at him the sound echoing around her.
He smirked at her again as he drew close to her. She could feel his hot breath all over her. "I doubt the boys will miss me too long." She tried hitting him, but he caught her right hand with a firm grip. "What do you say girl? Want to have some fun?"
"P-P-P-Please d-d-d-" She sputtered. She didn't want this to happen like this. Not to some man who was the same age as her father.
"Keep saying no girl." He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to him. "I prefer it tha-"
"Let her go you fucking cunt!"
Hermione looked past Joseph towards the end of the alley. Standing there with his wand outstretched was John. "Didn't you hear me? I said let her go." He hissed as he shook with rage.
"Ahhh Jonathan." Joseph smirked when he saw his son. "If you'll leave us be, me and Miss Granger were in the middle of something."
"LET HER GO!" John yelled emphasizing the point with his wand. The only reason that he hadn't fired was of the fact he could possibly hit Hermione. "NOW!"
Joseph sighed and pushed Hermione away. "Oh, my dear boy do you really want to go down this path? I thought I showed you this when you were younger. You don't mess with the Alpha."
"What kind of fucking man are you?" John took a step forward. "Raping a girl half your age."
Joseph shrugged. "I dare say that Miss Granger would prefer me over you. She's tasted the young calf. Now it's time she gets the Bull."
"Keep your panties on girl." Joseph said offhandedly to Hermione who was still shaking with fear. "This will only take a moment."
"Shall we begin my son?"
"You're not my father!" John fired off a storm of red sparks that Joseph barely blocked in time. "Hermione go!" He yelled and fired off another storm.
Joseph was momentarily distracted by the spells his son was throwing after him again and again. Hermione used the opening to sprint towards the end of the alley. "Come on!" She yelled at John as a spell hit the area where her head had been only moments before.
"No." He grunted shaking his head. "Go! Get help!"
"You can't be-"
"GO!" He shouted her down. After a moment's hesitation she fled the alleyway. She needed to find Harry.
"How chivalrous boy." Joseph said when his son finally ceased his spell casting. "All this for a Mudblood whore?"
"SHUT YOUR FUCKING MOUTH!" John roared. "CRUCIO!" The spell seared through the air and struck Joseph in the chest.
He started seizing and looked as if he would fall to the ground before he finally stopped and let out a strong laugh. "Come now boy. I thought you would've learned by now. That'll only work if you mean it."
"I meant it, you bastard." John growled. "Believe me I meant it."
"Why?" Duffy Sr pouted. "Because Daddy was mean to you? Because he tried to teach you right from wrong-"
"RIGHT FROM WRONG? I still have scars from what you did to me. You used the Cruciatus curse on me. ME! Your own son!"
Joseph shrugged. "Only way to make you listen boy."
"I'm going to fucking kill you." John seethed. "I swear it on my life, my soul, my future children. Now they know they won't have to deal with their fucking grandfather."
Joseph looked more than annoyed. "Come now boy. Enough talk let's just finish this." With that he sent off a spell that John was only just able to dodge. "Expulso!" The spell shot into John sending him into the alley wall. "Expeliarmus!" The wand shot into Joseph's hand. "Just stay down boy. It'll be easier that way."
John stumbled to his feet. "Fuck you." He roared and shot off towards Joseph.
With a flick of Joseph's wand, John shot into the wall again, his head cracking against the brick. "This is finished boy." Joseph smirked as he walked past his son's body. "Actually, there is one more thing."
He leaned down. "Krum and his goons really did a number on you didn't they boy? They didn't finish the job." Joseph stomped on his son's right eye and followed that up with another strong kick to it. A flood of blood began to pour from the eye as John grunted in pain. "There. Much better."
"Until we meet again, my son."
"We're here." Barty said without turning around to face the two children.
Harry looked around. Moody had led them to an alleyway on the far side of the village. If he wanted to speak to them why hadn't he just done it there? "What's this about, Professor?" He asked.
"There's someone you need to meet with Potter." Barty responded.
"We're already meeting with you aren't we Professor?" Daphne asked nervously.
"I'm meeting with Potter, not you bitch." The man snapped at her.
"You can't talk to her like that Professor." Harry barked taking a step towards the man.
"Professor." Barty mocked. "An entire year I've had to deal with you brats. I'm so happy it's at an end."
"You don't understand how relieved I was when I finally saw you shits on the signup sheet for Hogsmeade. No more bloody waiting."
He slowly turned and had his wand trained on the two of them.
"Y-You're not Professor Moody? Are you?" Daphne stammered inching back.
"Not another step girl!" Barty said. "Will you both come quietly?"
"Like hell." Harry snarled going for his wand.
"Bad move boy." Barty pointed his wand at Harry. "Stupefy." Harry dropped to the ground like a sack of potatoes.
"Harry!" Daphne cried out and moved to her boyfriend's side.
"Should've stayed home today girl." Barty smirked levelling his wand at her.
"Who are-" Before she could finish the sentence, a red light slammed into her from behind and she crumpled to the ground. It didn't fully stun her. Whoever had cast it had done a subpar job.
"Yuri where the hell have you been?" She heard the man who she thought was Moody snap.
"Forgive me, Barty." The man who must've been Yuri responded in a thick Russian accent. "I had to assist in Joseph's escape."
Joseph? They were working with her uncle. That rat bastard.
"Yuri, you idiot!" An Irish brogue hissed. "Bitch is still awake."
"Bring her. Before Potter dies, he'll get to watch her die a slow death."
"Stupefy." Her whole world went dark.
