Chapter 47

Classes resumed at Hogwarts, and things were going as well as they could be. Harry loved his Godfather's class in Care of Magical Creatures, while also thriving in his mother's Ancient Runes Class. There was of course his time with Moony in astronomy, and an occasional flying clinic with his dad, but the real odd one had been his Defense Against the Dark Arts Class.

It was here that Moody had taught the lesson on the Unforgivable Curse, and it was much unlike how his father had explained it to him. Moody was vicious, and almost loving of the curses. Harry was beginning to think the man was finally becoming unhinged on their final day covering the curses.

Professor Moody was standing before the class finally giving a practical demonstration after much discussion, "The Imperious Curse. Deadly to all, and not necessarily in the same way as the other two. This curse can only make someone do something they could do. I could not for example make a dog become a cat, or change the physiology of anything, but the curse could make someone do something that flashed through their minds in their darkest moments. Perhaps the loving marriage had one bad night where the man just thought he could strangle his wife with how frustrated he was with her, and then with this curse and a suggestion the man simply did with no hesitation. I heard of the incident last year with Mr. McMillan, and it is for that very reason that I am going to place every person under the curse today in hope that if and when they ever face this curse in the real world or in a duel they have a fighting chance. Volunteers who would like to go first?"

Harry bravely rose to the challenge knowing that Moody would never be able to hold him, "Alright Lad since you volunteered first I will come in a bit slow, and start with something less outrageous. We will build from there. Are you ready?"

Harry nodded his head slowly and felt the familiar tingling sensation pass through him, "Jump."

The young man shook it off easily, "No."

Moody grinned, and then reapplied the curse, the strength doubling. Harry flinched when the voice said to strike Neville who was sitting next to him. Harry's hands tightened, but he fought it. One last time the man barked out the word clearly intending to get Harry to fall to his will, but this time Harry realized that the signature of magic was completely foreign to him, which should be impossible. This startling fact barely allowed him to process the fact that Moody had tried to get him to profess his love to Daphne Greengrass. The boy swirled with power and said, "Enough!"

Desks went sliding backwards at the force in which Harry denied the curse, and Harry stared at the man suspiciously, but said nothing. Moody barked a laugh, "Well done Lad. Take thirty points for Hufflepuff."

Susan volunteered next and fought off the first two attempts, and succumbed on the third when Moody made her begin to dance. Hannah fought off all three attempts very successfully, and never even flinched. Harry remembered that all the Abbotts family magic included mind magic and there was no way the curse would ever affect his betrothed even from Voldemort himself. Many others were able to get past the first wave, but outside of Neville, and Daphne no one else got past the first stage. Draco/Tom however managed to fight off all three without even blinking and Harry wanted to glare at the boy, but said nothing. When everyone was finished Moody spoke at great lengths the effect the Imperious curse was used in the war, and how he expected it would be used in the next. Then things got even more interesting.

Moody summoned a spider from a large glass container and began using the cruciatus on it. Hannah buried her face and nearly screamed at the sound of the incantation, and Harry grabbed the girl tightly.

The man held the spider far longer than necessary, and Harry was about to stand up when suddenly a flash of green light rocketed towards the Spider as the young woman next to him thundered towards the front of the class and put the spider out of its misery. Susan spat, "The killing curse. Two words and then the end. Class dismissed."

Susan came back towards Hannah and helped her to her feet with Harry's help, and the two quickly removed her from the room. Harry was furious that Moody got carried away in his demonstration, and was extremely insensitive to Hannah who he had known had been exposed to the curse just last Christmas. He didn't even process why his magical core had changed so much at his age, but knew he would be bringing it up with Flitwick in a later lesson.

The rest of the classes leading up to Halloween were filled with heightened anxiety. Between the random attacks, and Flitwick admitting that something was definitely not right with Professor Moody, everyone was off balance. No successful attack happened to Harry and company, but on odd nights a random flash of spell fire would break out, and the galleon would be activated causing the perpetrator to flee before ever even being seen. It had been frustrating, but the group at large was happy that no one had been hurt.

Darrel's class had been going magnificently according to the group. They had a great opportunity to work with some of the people they didn't usually get too, and even get some different looks of dueling styles from people who weren't on the dueling teams. Harry had been surprised by a few people, and Slytherin 4th year Tracey Davis had a fierce battle with Hannah almost defeating her before Hannah furiously cut the girl down. It only proved to Harry that they were all not invincible, and this just pushed the group to push harder and harder in their training.

Darrel had of course kept up with the group during training hours in the morning and tried to stay as professional as possible during school hours. He kept his evenings reserved for Heidi behind closed doors, and the group respected their time together.

The rumor mill had circulated further about Hannah, Susan's, and Harry's relationship and most of the male populace just believed he was 'the luckiest sod ever' and Harry had no problems agreeing with them. A few of the more forward girls including Rose's friend Romilda asked if Harry had any intention of taking a third into his group, and both his girlfriend and betrothed shot that down immediately.

The only other thing of note was Draco Malfoy/ Tom Riddle. The boy was an absolute ace in every class he partook in, and some teachers had said that the rude arrogant boy had clearly grown up since his father passed, and even claimed him charming. Harry had to resist the gagging motion when Horace Slughorn fawned all over him and his abilities. Draco had tried to partner with Harry on a few assignments, but the girls never gave him a chance, and were always quick to pair off with others so they wouldn't be singled out. It was a walking time bomb, and Harry hoped with the upcoming tournament the school would soon become distracted.

The TriWizard tournament was approaching faster and faster as the days went by and Halloween was upon them before they knew it.

Today was the day the two rival schools would be arriving, and the school had been positioned out in the front lawn awaiting their arrival.

Harry stood outside with both his arms around the girls casting wandless warming charms into their clothes to keep them comfortable on the cold fall day. Susan swore, "Why we are waiting for them outside in this freezing bloody weather I will never understand why we haven't invented charms that could stop the wind."

Hannah chided the girl, "Are you really complaining having our hunk of a wizard keep us warm while most of the rest of the castle is freezing their arses off."

Harry blushed at the girl's comment, and they both giggled, "Okay your right Hannah, I don't know why I'm complaining. Harry I am actually still really cold if you can hold me any closer."

Susan pressed her body against his, and he blushed even more as the girls continued to have fun at his expense. One on one he could handle either of them, and make them do the blushing, but when they ganged up on him, he hardly stood a chance. It was a game of sorts the trio liked to play, and Harry enjoyed their teasing because it was always good natured.

"I still can't believe Jack beat me to the animagus transformation, and it's not fair that he got to be a bird!" Hannah complained bitterly.

"It does explain his skill on a broom. Give him some time to grow out a bit, and he is going to end up out shining Harry." Susan said consolingly.

Harry smiled at the thought. He would love it if his brother would one day surpass him in Quidditch. It was what Jack loved more than anything in the world besides his family, and the boy would never catch him in dueling, so it would be nice for Jack to have something on him. Just as long as he couldn't beat him and sister and break the streak of course.

Jack had mastered his animagus transformation a year after Harry had, and turned into a stunning black hawk. Ever since he had mastered his ability the boy was an absolute devil in the air. He knew no matter what happened he could always transform to save himself so his boldness had doubled, and his training in the skies was ever increasing. He was also constantly writing back and forth with Oliver getting tips on general strategies, and he was taking to it like water took to the ocean. Harry had little doubt Jack would be a pro if he could stay healthy, and stay on top of his training. That would make the whole family really happy.

Rosalie came up to the trio at the point, "He has been bragging for weeks that he is going to beat us next year in quidditch, and I admit I am concerned, because next year we won't have Cedric."

Harry smiled at the girl who was standing next to Astoria Greengrass who always seemed to be at her side, "Well maybe I will go for seeker next year. Think you and Story can stand up to our brother?"

"It's possible, but I am honestly not sure. We would need some really good beaters, and a Keeper that is worth his socks. Losing Heidi isn't going to help our case. At least we will play Gryffindor last next year to make adjustments."

Susan grinned, "I will definitely be trying out for beater next year, and I will follow your brother around with a beater bat the whole match if I have too."

Hannah sighed, "How does it always end up about Quidditch! I love Quidditch as much as the next person, but when you guys get going it never ends. You're lucky I have been reading all these medical books. It sounds like I am going to be patching you lot up for the rest of my life."

Harry kissed the girl on the cheek softly, "What a life to live right?"

The girl blushed at this, and both girls smiled at him while Rosalie rolled her eyes, "Get a room Harry!"

"Don't tempt me!" The boy bit back with a quick smile causing both girls to blush. That would be one point for Harry Potter the boy thought smugly.

Just then a girl nearby pointed to the sky, "Look its Abraxan Horses!"

All of Hogwarts looked up to the sky to the descending massive chariot that seemed to come from the heavens. Susan snorted, "Leave it to the French to make a dramatic entrance."

As she said this another round of his gasps came through and a warship came from the black lake, and Hannah said, "OR the Scandinavians to try and upstage everyone at the last second. They have probably been waiting down there for hours."

Rosalie chuckled, "Idiots."

The French were the first to exit their method of transportation, and Dumbledore came to greet a giant of a woman that stood in front of the Beauxbatons students, "Welcome Madame Maxime dear it is a pleasure to have you back at Hogwarts."

"Thank you Dumblydore. Please make sure that our horses are properly attended too. I already told your Mister Hagrid that they only drink Single Malt Whiskey." The woman said pompously.

Seamus Finnegan whistled lowly to Harry's right, "Blimey, that's one big woman."

This caused many of the Gryffindor boys to snicker and most of Harry's group to roll their eyes. That wasn't the only thing that made them want to roll their eyes though. Most of the Beauxbatons females were wearing fairly skimpy looking blue skirts that looked freezing.

Neville stepped forward and conversed with a few of the females in French, and a few of them giggled and nodded their heads appreciatively as Harry could tell Neville began casting warming charms on each of them. One girl in particular that looked like Fleur Delacour and her friend stayed behind to chat with Neville as the rest of their group began to make their way towards the Great Hall. Harry noticed his little sister glaring daggers at the older French Girls, and Hannah and Susan whispered something that had both girls in giggles once again, and Harry decided he simply did not want to know.

The Scandinavians were the next to arrive and they were led by a familiar face that made Harry's face turn to stone. Igor Karkaroff led this contingent with his arm strung around Viktor Krum the Bulgarian Quidditch champion, and Harry could already tell this year was going to annoy him more than it needed too.

Igor and Dumbledore shook hands smiling, but Harry could tell Dumbledore was just being polite. After all he knew the man perhaps better than anyone else alive.

As the show seemed to be over and the other schools had arrived most of the Hogwarts student body quickly returned to Great Hall in order to get ready for his feast. In the chaos a small patronus in the shape of a Raven came flapping in front of Harry, and before Harry could decipher if it was going to give a message Professor Flitwick came to his side, "Ah my young apprentice. Just the young man I needed to see. Can I steal you from your two lovely young ladies for just a moment? Ladies I am terribly sorry!"

Hannah and Susan both smiled at their favorite professor, and accepted his apology telling him that they would save Harry a seat, and Flitwick motioned for Harry to follow him. Harry followed the fast footed man for a few minutes through the last of the students and into an abandoned classroom where the man quickly began casting all sorts of privacy enchantments, and quickly began warding off the room.

When the man was done, he quickly began talking, "When did I first approach you about becoming my apprentice, and who was with you?"

Harry was thrown off guard, but only momentarily, "We were at Potter Manor on my birthday, and I was speaking with Hannah on what our relationship should be going forward."

Flitwick nodded with a smile, "Very good. Now I have some information for you Harry, and I need you to keep this between you and I for the next 24 to 28 hours. Can you do this?"

"Master Flitwick as your apprentice, I would never betray your confidence. "Harry said adamantly.

The man smiled, "Yes I am glad you brought up our situation. Now as you know to accomplish your mastery in Charms and dueling you will be required to undertake all sorts of tasks, and even contribute to the field in order to gain a master level. For dueling your task will be beyond simple. You're unnatural ability to create massive shields and teach others how to do it will you get you there with a few more years of experience and accomplishments, but your task in charms is going to be very different, and tomorrow I would like to take a step into completing a task that will be a bookmark in history one day."

Harry felt his magic sing in anticipation, "What is it you want me to do Professor?"

Flitwick grinned, "First a little backstory. I have been searching for the Diadem of Ravenclaw for the past few decades."

"The diadem that is said to grant its holder wisdom. I have read all about it, but it's said to have been lost for centuries." Harry said, confused.

The man beamed, "Yes it was, but it was found in the late 1940's by none other than Tom Marvolo Riddle."

"Voldemort found the Diadem?" Harry asked in horror.

"Yes, and not only did he find it, but I believe he corrupted it." Fillius said gravely.

"You think the Diadem of Ravenclaw is a Horcrux?" Harry asked in bewilderment.

"Yes, and not only do I believe it, but I am almost certain of it." The man said bouncing on his toes.

"But that means it could be anywhere. Literally. Tom could have buried it a thousand feet under the Earth!" Harry exclaimed.

"Yes that it was what a wise man would do. Any sensible Ravenclaw that was defiled enough in the head to create Horcruxes would do so in an amazingly annoying fashion for anyone who dared to search for them, but you forget that Tom Riddle was not a Ravenclaw, but a Slytherin whose greatest fault in this war, and I hope in the next will be arrogance."

Confused Harry said, "I don't think I am following you professor."

"Harry think! Tom Riddle is one of the most powerful wizards of all time and believed no one on Earth could match his power. He chose items of immense power. His own Diary was crawling with Dark Magic, and I believe with the headmaster's help that he may have chosen other objects of immense significance to Hogwarts." The man explained carefully.

"You think Tom Riddle chose other artifacts of the founders of Hogwarts to make Horcruxes out of?"

"I can't be certain about other artifacts, but I have been chipping away at the ghost of Ravenclaw House Helena Ravenclaw for many years. Finally this year she approached me after years of harassing her, and said that the one who defiled her mother's Diadem had returned to Hogwarts, and that she could feel his magic. She confessed to me that not only did she tell someone where she hid the Diadem that she STOLE from her mother, but also that Tom Riddle was that someone, and that he hid it here at Hogwarts."

This made Harry's jaw drop straight to the floor, "You're kidding?"

"Oh my young apprentice I am not! Have you ever heard of the come and go room?"

"I'm afraid not professor. It definitely isn't on the Marauders Map." Harry said positively.

"I couldn't imagine it would be. The place is unplottable by any map. Needless to say however I have spent nearly three decades as a teacher here at Hogwarts, AND, I so happen to know where such a room exists. On the seventh floor. It is a charmed passageway created by Rowena Ravenclaw herself to appear as whatever the seeker may need." Flitwick explained.

"That's incredible. The amount of charms she must have invented just to get something like that to work is-"

"Historically unprecedented yes." The man smiled.

"Sir if we know where one of Tom Riddle's horcruxes are, and he is literally walking around the school in the form of Draco Malfoy we have to get to that Horcrux as fast as possible." Harry said urgently.

Flitwick nodded, "Yes, yes I agree. I was begged by the Grey Lady to tell none, but the one that she believed would one day stop him though, so we must keep this under wraps until the Horcrux is destroyed. I have a plan, and tomorrow I would like to execute it, and when we take down Voldemort we will publicize to the world what we did, and I can guarantee it will help you get your mastery in charms. It may take us several more years to hunt down the other Horcruxes, but I believe that this would be an excellent start on the path to defeating that mad man."

"I'm in sir. Whatever it takes." Harry said resolutely. This was the first real step into defeating Voldemort. At best they were only one Horcrux down, and that was the diary which he had to have sacrificed to revive himself into Draco's body, but they still didn't know how many, and where they could be. This was actual progress.

"I am glad to hear of your dedication, and we will be swift. Tomorrow during the selection ceremony while everyone is at the feast you and I will be 'leaving' Hogwarts grounds on urgent master/apprentice business. In reality however we will be under your fathers' cloak on the 7th floor trying to find and destroy the Horcrux. I do believe if we are specific enough in asking what we want we will find it rather quickly. It also helps that we know exactly what we are looking for. Then we will only have the task of destroying it which I can promise you will be difficult. Harry I must be frank with you. The task we will embark on together will be very difficult and dangerous however I would not ask you to help me if I did not think you were capable, and it is the duty of a master to set difficult task to test his apprentice, and unfortunately for you this seems to be an excellent test of skill, knowledge, and possibly nerve. Are you up for such a task Mr. Potter?"

Harry felt his stomach churn a bit with nerves, but he steeled his nerves and nodded his head, "I won't let you down sir."

"That's my boy. Now we better get down to the welcome feast before we are missed too much. I am sure Dumbledore will not even be finished with his speech, but I also get the pleasure of delivering this to you possibly a few minutes before the announcement is made. Call it a perk of being my apprentice." The man said with a wide smile.

Flitwick pulled a shiny gold badge from his pocket that had the word captain on it, and handed it carefully to Harry. The young man stared in confusion at the badge, and Flitwick explained, "In order to engage the schools more, and to move forward from the traditional death toll that came with this tournament the committee decided to hold a Dueling and Quidditch competition as well. Myself and the other heads of house have elected you as the Captain of the Hogwarts dueling team. You will pick ten of the finest duelists in our school, and set out to become champions. I don't doubt for a second we will be victorious because of yourself, Mr. Diggory, and Ms. Macavoys incredible experience, but I would like you to see this as another opportunity to sharpen your skills, and increase that wonderful leadership qualities in you. I expect the best my young apprentice."

The man bowed lowly to Harry, and he returned the bow immediately out of respect, "This is a great honor sir thank you!"

Flitwick beamed and jumped up tossing his arm around the boy's waste guiding him out of the classroom, "Now come captain! Let's go disrupt a speech. I hate to keep you from your friends any longer. They may just burn down the castle looking for you!"

Harry had a massive grin on his face as he realized it was just one more thing to add to the resume, and one more thing for him to shove in Riddle's face. When Flitwick and Harry entered the Great Hall, Dumbledore stopped and gave the two a look and whispers broke out through the hall as Dumbledore continued, "I should warn you. Once selected there is no turning back."

When Harry sat down at the table Susan whispered into his ear, "What's with the badge Harry?"

"Did Dumbledore make the announcement about Quidditch and Dueling?" Harry asked quietly.

"Not yet." She asked questioningly, and the boy just merely smiled at her.

The speech continued on about the age limit to the tournament, and the boos that followed were only quelled by the announcement of the dueling and Quidditch competition that would take place. This caused some excited chatter, and it turned into roars of cheers and applause when Harry was announced as the Dueling Captain for Hogwarts, and Cedric was immediately announced as the Quidditch captain. The chants of Hufflepuff, Streak, and We've got Potter's was immense and quite frankly hilarious to Harry's friends.

At the end of the announcement Harry's friends all congratulated him, but not before Susan could knock the boys socks off with a searing kiss, "So that's what it's like to kiss the Hogwarts Captain!"

Heidi made a comment about trying to get a lower seed on the team, but when Hannah did the same shortly after the girl just laughed and shook it off.

When questioned where Harry was before the feast, he told them that Flitwick was just telling him about reports he submitted to the board of masters about his progress, and some upcoming projects they would be attempting. It was also a bonus that they would get to come in fashionably late together and cause some stir. This caused the group to laugh knowing that Professor Flitwick always had a show for the dramatics, and Harry briefly regretted lying to them, but knew what had to be done for appearances.

When the feast was over Harry talked with several people who wanted to know when tryouts were going to be held, and Harry had to tell them all he just found out about his captaincy and would need a few days to learn the rules, and when the first part of the tournament would take place. The actual TriWizard tournament became background noise in Harry's head as there was a party in the Hufflepuff common room for two of their own being selected as captains, and almost guaranteed that they would smash their way through the dueling tournament. This was a mistake that Harry would regret all too soon.

{A/N} I have the next two chapters written, and I am finally finding my rythm again with this story. We may actually see an ending one day! Hope you guys are enjoying, and please let me know what you think in the review section. Cheers!

-Orion