Sorry, this took a little bit. School's started again and my Japanese teacher convinced me to go up a level, so my easy A semester just got a little more hectic with school, a thesis proposal I may have to scrap, and work on top of that.
But I hope you all enjoy! Sorry if it's a bit word-heavy this time. Sirius has quite a bit to say and I tried to cut some of it down. I also sort of... got rid of Rita Skeeter rather early on (one of Nox's more subtle changes) which—surprisingly enough—was a whole chapter of the book... And, well... don't hate me for the cliffhanger at the end there... Let me know what you think though! Even if you are mad at me for what I did to poor Nox ;)
"So, what's the egg riddle again?" Nox asked, brows furrowed as he dipped a ladle into the potion Neville had tried to make and it came out sizzling and vibrant green color.
"'Come seek us where our voices sound. We cannot sing above the ground. And while you're searching, ponder this. We've taken what you'll sorely miss. An hour-long you'll have to look and to recover what we took but past an hour the prospect's black. Too late, it's gone, it won't come back,'" Harry recited, having actually written it down when he'd had the chance.
"And you're certain it's Merpeople?" Hermione pressed.
"Moaning Myrtle was there and confirmed it. Said they don't like her visiting. Thing is, I'm not a very good swimmer."
"Swimming's hardly the problem," Ron grumbled. "You've got to be underwater for an hour?"
"And you have to find something they're going to take and haul it back up," Nox added, looking to Neville. "I think you didn't grind the snake fangs enough, Neville. You have to grind them until they're like fine sand, not small pebbles."
"Sorry," he murmured as Nox shrugged and whisked away the potion.
"Go ahead and try again, unless you'd rather work on the Banishing Charm from Flitwick's class."
"Better not," he muttered. "Snape will probably kill me if I ruin another cauldron again."
So, Neville went back to potion brewing with Nox keeping an eye on him and altering a few minor mistakes. Neville hadn't actually ruined his cauldron in some time, thanks to Nox's tutoring, but his lack of confidence proved far harder to beat out of him; mistakes still being made that kept his potions grade low.
"Of course, the ideal solution would be for you to Transfigure yourself into a submarine or something," Hermione offered Harry as a way to hold his breath for the task ahead. "If only we'd done human Transfiguration already! But I don't think we start that until sixth year, and it can go badly wrong if you don't know what you're doing."
Harry agreed. "Yeah, I don't fancy walking around with a periscope sticking out of my head."
"Then, I think your best chance is some sort of charm."
"Um," Neville spoke up then, drawing attention to him. "I might know something that could help."
"You?" Ron questioned, making Neville flush in embarrassment.
"Any help you can give, Neville," Harry urged, knowing that Neville wasn't entirely useless like the rest of the school thought.
He just wasn't confident in anything other than Herbology.
"T-There's a plant. Gillyweed. It, um… Well, when you eat it, it gives you gills a-and makes this sort of webbing to help you swim well. A sprig of gillyweed lasts for well over an hour, I think. There are some debates among herbologists about the length of time between freshwater and saltwater…"
Harry was rather surprised. "Neville, I think you just saved my life."
Neville grew even more embarrassed, looking away sheepishly and rubbing the back of his neck. "I-It's the one thing I'm good at, Herbology."
"Do you know where I can get some?"
Neville nodded, smiling away at the ability to be helpful. "I-I can ask Professor Sprout! I'm sure she'll let me have a sprig. I won't even tell her it's for you if you want. I know you're not supposed to ask professors for help and all."
"That's great, Neville!" Hermione cheered, looking to Harry with a grin. "Now, you're all set for the second task and it's still two weeks away!"
"Just means we can keep working on our homework, eh, Harry?" Nox teased, getting a book thrown at him only for him to easily deflect it with the Banishing Charm they needed practice on.
Relieved that he wouldn't have to panic over the second task any longer, Harry was in quite a better mood leading up to the next task. He'd heard from Nox that Sirius and Lupin wanted to know when the next Hogsmeade was for a visit, which was exciting. Hagrid had returned to teaching now that their little band had cheered him up too, leaving Nox practically drooling when two unicorn foals were brought in that he was able to touch this time round. And, of course, the foals seemed to enjoy his presence too, seeming to enjoy chewing on his hair and getting scratched in just the right spot as the boy chuckled.
His good mood helped relax Hermione a little too. Harry had noticed her getting tense and upon asking her, was reminded that Nox would have his werewolf problem to deal with soon. He usually ended up getting a bit more volatile the closer it got to his change, so seeing him cheerful and relaxed was a good thing. For Rita Skeeter especially. Harry hadn't seen or heard from her since the incident with Hagrid, and while Nox said he'd take care of it, Harry couldn't help but feel a bit worried. For her, of course. Not Nox.
Then, it was finally time. The second task was upon him and much to his surprise, he didn't see Hermione or Ron the next morning. When he asked Nox about it at breakfast, the boy looked annoyed and kept glaring up at Dumbledore as he ate, muttering something about the tasks being stupid and dangerous. Harry wasn't sure what to make of that but thanked him when he snapped out of it enough to give him some tips on repelling other underwater creatures that may be living under the lake.
Soon enough, he was standing on the edge of the bank with the other champions; the gillyweed safely stowed in his pocket after he'd gotten it from Neville the previous evening. And with the blow of a whistle, he ate it and dove into the lake, almost worried as to what he'd find waiting for him at the bottom.
I waited anxiously for them to reappear at the edge of the lake. My foot bounced uneasily until I couldn't wait in the stands any longer and slipped away to the ground below, closer to the judge's table as Fleur was brought back up, half-sobbing at failing to get who she was supposed to. She'll be fine. You know this. Harry would grab her even if that bastard Krum—I winced, trying to rein back my jealousy. God, puberty is a pain. Krum will bring her up. Everything is going as it should. I've got nothing to worry about. I glanced at the clock as Cedric popped up with Cho. Come on, where are they?
Then, the head of a shark broke through the water, and relief flooded through me as I scrambled towards the bank and helped pull Hermione up with Krum. I hastily threw my cloak over her as she shivered and shot the awkward Krum a look.
"Thanks," I muttered, knowing I'd better and the boy looked surprisingly relieved and nodded firmly as I shuffled Hermione away. "You okay?"
She nodded, trying to look around as Madam Pomfrey bustled over. "W-Where's Harry?"
"Not come up yet," I explained, glancing back over the water. "Fleur had to drop out because of grindylow. Knowing him, he's probably trying to save them both; Ron and whoever her person was." I looked back to her though, hugging her almost desperately. "I'm just glad you're okay."
She was probably half as surprised as I was with the forward action, but I was worried. This was the first person in all my years of life that I'd gotten this close to, and I knew I was changing things now. Small things at the moment, but even the smallest of changes could cause big ripples. Anything could happen from this point on, including Hermione or any of the others getting hurt because of a change I made. Clearing my throat though, I released her.
"You're certain you're all right?"
"Yes, Nox," she smiled, squeezing my hand briefly before Madam Pomfrey interrupted us and demanded she take the Pepperup Potion to help break what was left of her chill from the lake.
Then, a commotion. Harry had finally emerged with both Ron and Fleur's sister. More relief flooded through me as Madam Pomfrey went over to warm Harry and Ron up as well. It made me feel a bit silly, knowing that Dumbledore had ways of ensuring that no one would actually get hurt in this task, but with what I knew would happen in the third task, I couldn't help but want to be careful.
"Harry, well done!" Hermione smiled over at Harry as Krum wandered over, making me frown again.
"You have a water beetle in your hair, Herm-own-ninny," he informed her, starting to reach out, but Hermione brushed the bug off before he could, still focused on what had happened with Harry.
"You're well outside the time limit, though, Harry. Did it take you ages to find us?"
"No. I found you okay," Harry muttered as I nudged Hermione.
"I told you, he's being the hero. He wanted to make sure everyone got out safe."
"Dumbledore wouldn't have let anyone get hurt though," she countered, only to spot Harry's flushing face. "Oh, but you didn't… Oh, Harry."
"Shut up," Harry muttered as Hermione chuckled and I smiled a bit.
The judges went into a discussion then as Fleur thanked Harry and Ron for helping her sister before the points were given out. Fleur with twenty-five, Cedric with forty-seven, Krum with forty, and Harry with forty-five. Harry was now tied with Cedric for first place.
"The third and final task will take place at dusk on the twenty-fourth of June," Bagman announced as I tried to mentally track down whether that would be a full moon or not. "The champions will be notified of what is coming precisely one month beforehand. Thank you all for your support of the champions."
Ron was the center of attention for a while after that, being the one to tell the story of what happened, despite having been unconscious for a good portion of it. Still, it gave him the chance to feel important, taking away some of the edge that had started to occur when Harry's name was first put in the Goblet. Hermione had started to get teased too, as people murmured about her being Krum's most precious person. That is, until every person who spoke of it was jinxed; having their legs locked, tripped randomly in the corridors, hair turning vibrant colors or other such charms. It made Hermione smile knowing that Nox had her back, and it made Ron snicker every time he caught the two holding hands or Nox flushing in embarrassment at getting caught doing so.
Then, it was time for them to meet with Lupin and Sirius in Hogsmeade. Hermione wasn't thrilled, knowing that Sirius was still very much a wanted man, but Nox reassured her that he wasn't about to be actually showing his face. Lupin wouldn't let him. Still, they drifted into Hogsmeade—buying some socks for Dobby as a present—before Dubh flew in and landed on Nox's shoulder. Nox scratched him fondly under the chin before the bird took off, cawing and circling back.
"Seems Dubh is leading the way."
Said bird flew down the main street and off towards a lane that led out of the village towards the wild countryside. Sitting at the end of a lane was a large black dog with Lupin leaning against the top of a fence of stone.
"Remus!" Nox chimed, earning a soft sigh as the man turned and Sirius bounded towards them barking happily.
"Hello, Nox, Harry, Hermione, Ron."
"Hello, Professor Lupin, Sirius." Harry smiled, petting the dog fondly.
"But what are you doing here?" Hermione pressed, eyeing Sirius in concern. "What if they catch you? What if you're seen?"
"Come," Lupin said, leading them away from the lane and up towards the mountain. "Best not discuss things here."
The group ended up in a cave where they settled down and Sirius changed back to his more human self with a sigh of relief.
"Now, to explain simply, we're concerned about what you've both been putting in your letters," Lupin replied as Sirius nodded.
"Let's just say things are getting fishier. I've been checking the papers and by the looks of things, we're not the only ones who are getting worried."
"But you shouldn't be here," Harry pressed—concern for his godfather welling up.
"You four and Dumbledore are the only ones around here who know I'm an Animagus," Sirius countered with a shrug.
Lupin shook his head mildly at Sirius's nonchalant attitude. "We're only stopping by to speak with you, Harry. Nox's home isn't that far from here, so it's not a long trip, nor do we plan on staying longer than necessary."
"Can't even stay at my place longer than necessary," Nox grumbled, earning a soft sigh from Lupin.
"I did apologize for leaving you during the summer, Nox."
"Sending me sweets for Christmas doesn't count," he grumbled, earning a hint of a smile from Lupin.
He wasn't too upset, it seemed.
"Anyway, this is our current concern." Lupin pulled a Daily Prophet from his cloak, letting the group read over it.
It was an article about Barty Crouch Senior being suspiciously missing. His house looked deserted. St. Mungo's refused to say anything and the Ministry won't confirm anything either.
"They're making it sound like he's dying, but he can't be that ill if he managed to get up here," Harry commented, having had Nox inform the adults of his seeing Barty Crouch in Hogwarts through a letter earlier.
"My brother's Crouch's personal assistant," Ron added. "He says Crouch is suffering from overwork."
Harry nodded. "Mind you, he did look ill, last time I saw him up close. The night my name came out of the goblet."
Hermione huffed. "Getting his comeuppance for sacking Winky, isn't he?"
"Hermione," Nox chided, earning a small pout from her as Ron leaned towards a confused Sirius.
"Hermione's obsessed with house-elves."
"Crouch sacked his house-elf?" Sirius questioned though, interested.
"Yeah, at the Quidditch World Cup," Harry explained, giving him a brief rundown of what happened while they were there.
Lupin and Sirius exchanged a look before questioning them.
"Let me get this straight. You first saw the elf in the Top Box. She was saving Crouch a seat, right? But Crouch didn't turn up for the match?"
"No," Harry hummed. "I think he said he'd been too busy."
"Harry," Lupin asked. "Did you check your pockets for your wand after you'd left the Top Box?"
"…No," Harry said after a moment. "I didn't need to use it before we got in the forest. And then I put my hand in my pocket, and all that was in there were my Omnioculars. Are you saying whoever conjured the Mark stole my wand in the Top Box?"
"It's possible."
"Winky didn't steal the wand!" Hermione pressed, but Nox interrupted.
"They're not saying she did. There were others in the box. The Bulgarian Minister, Fudge, the Malfoys—"
"The Malfoys!" Ron exclaimed. "I bet it was Lucius Malfoy!"
Nox rolled his eyes. "There was also Bagman and plenty of room for anyone else if they were able to use an invisibility cloak or any other form of concealing themselves. Wizards make it real hard to narrow anything down."
"I don't know anything about Bagman except that he used to be Beater for the Wimbourne Wasps. What's he like?" Sirius asked.
"He's okay. He keeps offering to help me with the Triwizard Tournament," Harry replied.
"Did he now? I wonder why he'd do that?"
"Says he's taken a liking to me."
"He's not," Nox interrupted, drawing their attention to him. "He's probably bet money on Harry winning. He was trying to scam Fred and George at the World Cup too, and I've looked up some things. He's made a bet with some goblins or something. Owes them money."
Harry nodded. "I saw him last time in Hogsmeade with them! He said they were hired to look for you, Sirius."
"A lie to hide what he was doing," Nox mused as Lupin thought it over.
"When the Dark Mark had been conjured, and the elf had been discovered holding Harry's wand, what did Crouch do?"
"Went to look in the bushes, but there wasn't anyone else there."
Sirius started to pace. "Of course. Of course, he'd want to pin it on anyone but his own elf… and then he sacked her?"
"Yes," Hermione growled. "He sacked her, just because she hadn't stayed in her tent and let herself get trampled—"
"Hermione, will you give it a rest with the elf!" Ron complained, but Sirius shook his head.
"She's got the measure of Crouch better than you have, Ron. If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals."
"He doesn't seem the type to like Quidditch though," Nox chimed in. "Crouch, I mean. He's all… super serious Ministry worker, you know? Why save a spot if he's not going to show up? Why go check the bushes when someone else already did and saw only the elf? You're not exactly going to miss seeing a body lying on the ground, but Crouch had to go and check again? Doesn't make sense."
"Excellent points, Nox," Lupin praised. "It's not like Crouch. I'd be surprised if he's ever taken a day off work because of illness before this."
"You know Crouch?" Harry questioned and Sirius growled.
"Oh, I know Crouch all right. He was the one who gave the order for me to be sent to Azkaban without a trial."
"What!" Ron and Hermione gaped.
"You're kidding!" Harry added.
"No, I'm not. Crouch used to be Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, didn't you know? He was tipped for the next Minister of Magic. He's a great wizard, Barty Crouch, powerfully magical and power-hungry. Oh, never a Voldemort supporter. No, Barty Crouch was always very outspoken against the Dark Side. But then a lot of people who were against the Dark Side…"
"Sirius," Lupin lightly scolded and Sirius waved it off.
"You wouldn't understand. You're too young."
Ron though scowled. "That's what my dad said at the World Cup. Try us, why don't you?"
Sirius smirked and Lupin sighed, knowing there would be no stopping him now.
"Imagine that Voldemort's powerful now. You don't know who his supporters are, you don't know who's working for him and who isn't; you know he can control people so that they do terrible things without being able to stop themselves. You're scared for yourself, and your family, and your friends. Every week, news comes of more deaths, more disappearances, more torturing… the Ministry of Magic's in disarray, they don't know what to do, they're trying to keep everything hidden from the Muggles, but meanwhile, Muggles are dying too. Terror everywhere… panic… confusion… that's how it used to be."
Harry suddenly felt as though he might have been better off not knowing. His eyes drifted between his friends, who all had similar expressions of unease, only to fall on Nox. His eyes were cold and almost unseeing, mind having drifted as Sirius went on to talk about what he knew of Crouch and the time before Voldemort's disappearance. A time of war and suspicion. Harry almost wanted him to stop so he could see the half-smile back on Nox's face and not this far older, unsettling gaze.
"Crouch's own son was caught with a group of Death Eaters who'd managed to talk their way out of Azkaban. Apparently they were trying to find Voldemort and return him to power."
"Crouch's son was caught?" Hermione gasped.
"Yup. Nasty little shock for old Barty, I'd imagine. Should have spent a bit more time at home with his family, shouldn't he? Ought to have left the office early once in a while… gotten to know his own son."
"Was his son a Death Eater?" Harry asked hesitantly, prying his eyes away from Nox at this new piece of information.
"No idea. I was in Azkaban myself when he was brought in. This is mostly stuff I've found out since I got out. The boy was definitely caught in the company of people I'd bet my life were Death Eaters, but he might have been in the wrong place at the wrong time, just like the house-elf."
"Did Crouch try and get his son off?"
Sirius barked out a laugh, earning another small scolding from Lupin.
"Crouch let his son off? I thought you had the measure of him, Hermione! Anything that threatened to tarnish his reputation had to go. He had dedicated his whole life to becoming Minister of Magic. You saw him dismiss a devoted house-elf because she associated him with the Dark Mark again. Doesn't that tell you what he's like? Crouch's fatherly affection stretched just far enough to give his son a trial, and by all accounts, it wasn't much more than an excuse for Crouch to show how much he hated the boy… then he sent him straight to Azkaban."
"What about his wife?"
All eyes went to Nox then, who'd seemed to have drawn himself out of his daze if only for a moment.
"Crouch cared about his wife, right?"
"Seemed like it," Sirius shrugged.
"If she liked the son enough, Crouch might have helped him for her."
Sirius shook his head. "I saw the dementors bringing him in, watched them through the bars in my cell door. He can't have been more than nineteen. They took him into a cell near mine. He was screaming for his mother by nightfall. He went quiet after a few days, though… they all went quiet in the end… except when they shrieked in their sleep..."
"So, he's still in Azkaban?"
"No. No, he's not in there anymore. He died about a year after they brought him in."
"He died?"
"He wasn't the only one. Most go mad in there and plenty stop eating in the end. They lose the will to live. You could always tell when a death was coming because the dementors could sense it, they got excited. That boy looked pretty sickly when he arrived. Crouch being an important Ministry member, he and his wife were allowed a deathbed visit. That was the last time I saw Barty Crouch, half carrying his wife past my cell. She died herself, apparently, shortly afterward. Grief. Wasted away just like the boy. Crouch never came for his son's body. The dementors buried him outside the fortress. I watched them do it." Sirius looked to Nox. "So, no, Nox. His son wasn't helped."
Nox didn't look convinced, surprisingly, muttering something about magic making proof of anything impossible as he turned his gaze to Dubh. Lupin eyed him in concern, Harry noticed, the man shifted over towards him and muttering something in his ear as Sirius continued.
"So old Crouch lost it all, just when he thought he had it made. One moment, a hero, poised to become Minister of Magic… next, his son dead, his wife dead, the family name dishonored, and, so I've heard since I escaped, a big drop in popularity. Once the boy had died, people started feeling a bit more sympathetic toward the son and started asking how a nice young lad from a good family had gone so badly astray. The conclusion was that his father never cared much for him. So, Cornelius Fudge got the top job, and Crouch was shunted sideways into the Department of International Magical Cooperation."
It went quiet for a while then, before Lupin spoke up.
"I heard from Sirius that you had suspicions about Moody, Nox."
Nox hummed, giving him a brief glance before it shifted into something like disappointment. "You don't believe me."
"It's not that. I just… I've known Moody a while. I've seen and heard of some of the things he's capable of, and while he is a bit… unhinged, he's the last person who would side with Voldemort."
Nox's frown deepened and he turned his gaze away once more, not appearing to have anything more to say about it. Lupin looked rather upset about this, reaching out before drawing his hand back.
"I'm not saying we won't take it into consideration, Nox. I just… I don't think Moody would do anything like what we're seeing."
Nox remained silent, earning a soft sigh from Lupin. The boy wouldn't be speaking about his concerns again, it seemed. Harry felt a bit sad for him too. He knew what it was like to have no one believe what you felt was true. He opened his mouth to say something about it, but Ron spoke over him before he could.
"But Crouch sneaked up here to search Snape's office!"
Sirius frowned. "Yeah, and that doesn't make sense at all."
"Yeah, it does," Ron argued.
"Listen, if Crouch wants to investigate Snape, why hasn't he been coming to judge the tournament? It would be an ideal excuse to make regular visits to Hogwarts and keep an eye on him."
Hermione though wasn't convinced. "Look, I don't care what you say, Dumbledore trusts Snape—"
"Oh, give it a rest, Hermione," Ron drawled, having heard this before. "I know Dumbledore's brilliant and everything, but that doesn't mean a really clever Dark wizard couldn't fool him."
"Why did Snape save Harry's life in the first year, then? Why didn't he just let him die?"
"I dunno. Maybe he thought Dumbledore would kick him out."
Finally, in order to stop their bickering (Nox usually would have stepped in at this point but was remaining stubbornly silent), Harry spoke up over them.
"I-I believe in Nox."
The group went quiet then and Nox lifted his head, looking rather surprised by this sudden show of trust.
"What I mean is, he has a point. Professor Moody has been doing weird things."
"Just because he tortured some spiders doesn't mean—"
"He enjoyed torturing them," Nox said sharply, silencing Ron instantly with the bite in his tone. "He cast the Imperius Curse on us and made us do cheap tricks for entertainment."
"He was just showing us how to break it," Ron argued poorly.
"So, have everyone you put under do the same thing. Tell them to all to do pushups until you see they're not breaking it and move to the next one and tell them to do pushups. No. He had us jumping on desks, acting like a chicken, hopping on one leg, doing backflips."
"Nox, that doesn't mean—"
Nox whipped to Lupin, eyes blazing as he stood suddenly and made Dubh flutter on his wings uneasily. "Why would I lie? Why would I make any of this up? Like you said, I don't know him. I've got nothing to go on except what I've seen in the last few months. I've got no reason to hold a grudge or pick him out of a crowd like they're doing with Snape. So, why would I make this up?"
"I'm not saying you're making anything up, Nox. There's just not enough evidence to prove—"
"And there's more for Snape? For Bagman? I'm giving you proof that there's something not right about him and you're treating me like I don't know anything because of what? I'm not a child!"
"You are a child!" Lupin roared then, making Nox bristle. "Yes, you've been through more than others! Yes, you've been forced to grow up quickly, but you're still a child, Nox! A reckless child who shouldn't have anything to do with this, and who needs to stay out of this and stop running head-first into situations that are too dangerous for a mere fourteen-year-old!"
"A fourteen-year-old who's running their own business, who's fought Voldemort, who helped kill a Basilisk and has helped Harry get through these tasks and everything else on his own!" Nox shouted back, fists clenched at his side. "I may look like a child, but I'm not just some normal, idiotic kid! I know what I'm seeing! I know the risks, the dangers, and that's why I'm doing this! Because I don't want anyone else to have to go through the same sort of shit that I had to!"
"You don't know him!"
"I shouldn't have to! And if you're not going to listen, then I don't know why I bothered to come!"
Nox turned and stormed out, Lupin calling after him and making to chase him for a moment until Sirius grabbed his arm and stopped him. Harry and the others weren't sure what to do either. Harry fully believed Nox, though he had a few doubts given that Lupin did know more about Moody than he had. Still, everything Nox said made sense. It was weird. Hermione obviously was uncertain, being more inclined to believe Lupin, but also having mixed feelings because of her relationship with Nox. Ron wasn't sure at all who to believe, a sense of unease settling in his stomach. Lupin sat heavily on a rock then, and dropped his head in his hands while Sirius shooed the other kids to return to Hogsmeade for now.
"I don't know what to do with him," Lupin murmured, earning a pat on the back from Sirius. "I know he's not exactly a normal kid, but you know how it is, Sirius. You know how dangerous this is and how it could turn out."
"Of course, but he probably knows that better than the others do too," Sirius added. "And you and I both know he looks up to you. We're probably that kid's first real chance at a decent family, so you can expect he probably said what he did in the hopes that you'd believe him. It's probably why he got so upset when you didn't."
"But he suspects Moody, of all people. Moody's the last person who would go to Voldemort's side."
"But he has made good points, Remus. Even I can see that."
"You know Nox though," Lupin sighed. "He'll jump right in the middle of things if his friends were in danger. If he suspects Moody, he's going to do something stupid."
"Nah. He'll think it through first, at the very least," Sirius countered with a sharp-toothed grin. "He might not be your actual kid, but he's got your brains, you know. He wouldn't do anything without a plan."
"That's what I'm worried about," Lupin muttered. "You've heard what he's been doing at Hogwarts. Not even James was jinxing teachers."
"Well, they weren't exactly the best professors, were they?" Sirius reminded him, making Lupin grumble.
"Still. For him to be so adamant… There has to be something he's not telling us."
"There's a lot he's not telling us," Sirius agreed. "No one mentioned Moody putting them under the Imperius Curse."
"It's a stretch even for Dumbledore," Lupin agreed. "And using the Cruciatus Curse? Even on a spider, that's… It's no wonder Nox dislikes him, with his fondness for creatures."
"I don't think that's it," Sirius murmured, giving Lupin a serious look. "Just how much did he tell you about… about how he was treated at home?"
Lupin's gaze went serious. "Enough."
"But not everything."
"No. I doubt I've even scratched the surface with what happened. The scars were evidence enough."
"But you and I both know there are things wizards can do without leaving marks," Sirius pressed, making Lupin sag a little as he gazed out the entrance of the cave where Nox had left.
"You don't think… his father…"
"I don't see why not," Sirius murmured, hating the thought of it as much as Lupin. "And to have that shown to him in a classroom? And didn't Dumbledore mention the possibility while he was protecting Harry that first and second year?"
Lupin nodded, dragging a hand through his hair tiredly. "I still don't… I don't know what to do with him. He's not just a kid. He was right about that much, but… is it wrong for me to want him to try and be a kid?"
"Nothing wrong with that," Sirius agreed. "But given the situation… This is more likely a chance of when will Voldemort come back, not if. And when he does… Nox won't be safe. No one will, and him being even that much more prepared because of his maturity and caution might just save him. I think we should trust him on this. It's not like you and I can just wander around Hogwarts."
Lupin shot him a look. "You're doing a good job of it."
"Dumbledore's orders," Sirius smirked cheekily, knowing he'd been allowed to keep Nox company during those full moons. "You're welcome for that, by the way. I'm sure he'd be even angrier if he was left on his own again."
"How has he been?" Lupin asked seriously, knowing Nox's condition wasn't good when changed.
"It's not good like you said, but it seems to be getting better. Dumbledore says Madam Pomfrey has started weaning him off his morning potions, so his magic sensitivity is clearing up now. Should be fully off them before the end of the year, so I suspect his wolf problem will clear up as well."
Lupin nodded idly before sighing heavily again. "You think I should send him something? To apologize?"
"Don't think he'd want it," Sirius admitted. "He wanted your trust, Remus. Giving him sweets now would only upset him."
"I do trust him," Lupin murmured, before sighing heavily again and pushing off the rock he'd been sitting on. "I suppose I'll have to make it up to him. More so if he's proven right about Alastor."
"I think we'll all owe him an apology if he's right," Sirius agreed. "Back home?"
Lupin nodded as they Apparated away.
The months passed rather quickly after that, though partially due to my temper being worse than usual. Without Rita around causing drama in the newspapers after a swift letter to her about her secret Animagus, there wasn't much else happening. I managed to enjoy myself a little with the Nifflers Hagrid brought for one of our classes, but with the third task edging ever closer and our heated discussion with Sirius and Lupin, I was on edge.
My morning runs went for longer than usual—myself using my anger to fuel my exercises until I was left returning to classes with wobbly legs and a scowl plastered on my face. Hermione had tried cheering me up, but my mind just kept drifting back to Lupin not trusting me. I knew people wouldn't. I hadn't expected Harry or the others to believe me, nor Dumbledore or McGonagall or whoever else would listen. I expect a bit of backlash as to not having enough proof. But I had thought Lupin would be different. He had been so adamant about Moody being trustworthy that he hadn't considered anything else. He hadn't even tried giving my suspicions a chance, and it hurt. It hurt far more than I felt it should.
Why should he believe me? He knows Moody better than I ever could, even with my memories of the movies and books. But what if it was Sirius telling him this? He'd give him a chance, wouldn't he? So why not me? Just because I look like a kid? This line of thinking had me bristling every time I caught sight of my reflection. It had me missing my old life and I almost missed my father at one point. At least he treated me like an adult… It put a sour taste in my mouth, comparing Lupin to him, but I was angry and upset. I only had Harry trusting me about Moody, and I got the feeling that that didn't count for much because he didn't seem to have a good reason why he trusted me other than him being my friend.
This added guilt on top of everything else, and it showed—especially during the full moons. Sirius was left whining typically when he was allowed in to keep me company. I'd snapped at him at least once, at the time, and proceeded to not turn or look at him the following two months. And, given that I was aware of my temper, I'd chosen to distance myself from my little group of friends, burying myself more and more in my physical exercises, studying, and magic practices.
Then, the end of May came, and Harry was taken away to learn more about the third task. This was my chance, I was certain. If I'd remembered right, this would be the only way to get Barty Jr. caught, and it meant doing something risky and slipping out not long after Harry. It was… surprisingly easy. I knew where Harry kept his Marauder's Map and used it to avoid any prowling people—or cats. Sorry Mrs. Norris, but I can't give you a pet tonight. Once outside the large double doors, I was able to slip into the shadows of the castle, checking the map to ensure I knew where everyone was.
Bagman's with the champions still, on the Quidditch pitch. Hagrid's in his hut. Barty Crouch is… perfect. Slowly making his way through the forest now and his son is… I nodded, locating Barty Crouch Jr. just as I spotted Bagman and the champions heading up towards the castle. I slipped away towards the edge of the forest, near enough that I would be within arms reach of Mr. Crouch when he stumbled through. I have to be careful though. Can't give myself away too early. I took a deep breath and let it out, calming my nerves as I wrapped my hand tight around my wand, hearing the footsteps of Harry and Krum approaching.
It's odd though. Krum was supposed to come out here and talk to Harry about Hermione because of Rita Skeeter's article, but I threatened her early. They should have technically not come out here at all, so why? I found out a moment later when the two had stopped and Krum looked to Harry.
"I vant to know vot there is between the dragon boy and Hermy-own-ninnny."
Harry's brows furrowed. "You mean Nox?"
Krum nodded, surprising me. This is not what I thought they'd be talking about.
"I mean, we're friends, so I'm not sure if they'd want you to know, to be honest," Harry replied hesitantly.
"Hermy-own-ninny talks about him very often," Krum persisted before his expression eased. "He got angry ven I hurt his dragon. No one has ever spoken to me like that. Ven they see me, they run or stay away, talking behind my back. He is… different. I did not expect a boy so small to train dragons."
Who are you calling small! I thought with a scowl, though Harry looked absolutely baffled.
"So, you… you're not mad at him? You actually… like Nox?"
Krum nodded, looking proud. "Not many people challenge me as he did. I respect that, but I like Hermy-own-ninny, and she cares about him. I vant to know vat they think of each other. If I have a chance."
All right, this is beginning to feel a bit like I'm intruding now…
"They both like each other," Harry declared then, voice serious. "They… They told each other after the ball, I think."
Krum nodded, looking mildly disappointed, but also relieved. "Yes. She deserves a good man. It is a shame it is not me." He looked slightly happier though as he eyed Harry. "You fly very veil. I vos votching at the first task."
"Thanks," Harry replied back, a smile spreading across his face at the praise. "I saw you at the Quidditch World Cup. The Wronski Feint, you really—"
They both stopped as I checked the map and nodded to myself. They're here.
"Vot is it?" Krum asked when Harry tugged him away from the trees, knowing what sorts of dangers could be lurking out in the forest.
But instead of danger, Barty Crouch stumbled out with torn robes, a bloody, scratched up face and skin pale from exhaustion. He was muttering to himself, looking half aware of his surroundings as Krum eyed him uneasily.
"Vosn't he a judge? Isn't he vith your Ministry?"
Harry nodded, slowly approaching Mr. Crouch and trying to get the man to explain what he was doing there. It made me worry, the way he was acting. He was my one, solid bit of proof that Moody wasn't who he said he was, and the man was half-crazy—talking as if Percy were there and they were coming up with things to do for the tournament. Then, he'd suddenly have a bit of clarity and grab at Harry, demanding to see Dumbledore.
"I've done… stupid thing… Must tell… Dumbledore."
Harry was trying to get him to his feet, but he could barely stand, let alone walk properly. Finally, seeing that they wouldn't be getting anywhere anytime fast, Harry told Krum to stay with him while he ran ahead. Krum didn't look thrilled to be stuck with the half-crazed man but stayed anyway as Harry rushed off. My gaze flickered to the map again, picking out the person I needed and turning so I was facing the right direction. No one would be able to see me in the dark shadows of the trees and I was hoping to use that to my advantage. Any mistake could quite possibly get me killed here.
I couldn't see him, but I could see his mark on the map, and prepared myself as soon as his wand sent a stunning spell towards Krum—mine shot the same in return. He was quick, I'll admit. My stunner was blocked as Krum hit the ground unconscious. I resisted a curse as I struggled to pay attention to the movement on the map and any sign of a spell being cast. Barty Crouch Jr. was tucked away under an invisibility cloak, after all, and my map was the only way of knowing where he was.
Another spell shot out, the incantation loud enough for me to hear and throw myself forward. Avada Kedavra couldn't be stopped with a mere shield spell, after all, and Barty Jr. wasn't stupid. He knew his secret wasn't safe as long as his father was alive. I had to give my position away to knock the unknowing Mr. Crouch to the ground. I scrambled to my feet then—the map tucked away, and my ears peeled for any sounds.
"Should have known it was you," Barty Jr. said in the dark as my eyes scanned the air for a sign of him.
A shimmer, a glimpse of his boot, anything.
"Your instincts are far too good, Sterling. Naturally untrusting, stubborn. You've seen some things, haven't you?" His voice purred, echoing in the dark as I struggled to locate him. "Yes, I saw the way you skirted around me. How you cringed when I used the forbidden curses on those spiders. Slipping so easily out of the Imperius Curse. Oh, he would like you."
"You'll find he really doesn't," I muttered, mentally pushing away the remembrance of my duel with Voldemort as Quirrell and as Tom Riddle.
I just need to buy time for them to get back. I'm not sure I can beat a Death Eater on my own like this. Not enough to get him caught anyway, not while protecting Mr. Crouch nor with his invisibility cloak. My wrist flicked before I mentally recognized the spell heading my way, rebounding it off a shield spell instinctually. Mr. Crouch behind me on the ground was whimpering and muttering things about his son now, only adding fuel to the crazed fire hiding in the darkness.
More spells were thrown out and I grimaced as I blocked them and shot a few of my own in return. None hit their mark, but I'd stuck to what spells I knew used fire in the hopes of connecting with even the slightest edge of his cloak. I'd lucked out there. I'd singed a bottom corner, revealing the smallest bit of his boot. It hardly helped though, in the dark, and doing anything more would cause more attention to us and to those behind me. I couldn't forget Krum was unconscious near me as well.
"You're right. He probably wouldn't like you. Saving those spiders, burying the other, protecting those behind you. You're far too kind to be useful," Barty Jr. grumbled. "Shame. It's your greatest weakness. Confringo!"
I cringed, throwing my shield spell up as quickly as I could, but the force that slammed into it knocked me back into a tree, crushing the breath out of me as bits of rock and wood slashed across my body at the impact. Seeing a blur of movement nearing Mr. Crouch and Krum, I spat out a curse.
"Bombarda!"
The spell was deflected as I pushed myself forward, throwing out any I could think of.
"Flipendo! Expulso! Reducto!"
"Oh, now you're just being tedious," Barty drawled. "Crucio!"
The unblockable spell hit hard, sending me to the ground with a cry of agony, even as I tried so desperately to get to Krum and Mr. Crouch. This isn't how it's supposed to go. I'm supposed to stop him! To change things! My vision was blurred around the edges as tears slipped past my cries before there was a cry of shock and the pain stopped. A flutter of wings drew my gaze upward to see a flare of black having started attacking empty air. Or what was empty air, which was revealed to be Moody/Barty Jr. as his cloak was yanked off.
"Bombarda!"
"No!" I cried out as Dubh screeched and fell to the ground a ways off and red suddenly filled my vision.
My wand was out in a second and I hardly cared when Barty Jr. turned his attention back to me in frustration. I threw spell after spell, pushing him back as I stormed forward. I dodged those few unblockable curses somehow, barely noticed spells that sliced deeply into my arms and legs and face. I'll kill him. I'll kill him for hurting Dubh. I hadn't realized when I finally surprised him, having charged in at full speed without really needing my wand when I tackled him to the ground and slammed a heavy fist into his face.
My hands pried what they could, yanking off the magical eye, making his nose crack and sink under my knuckles, drawing blood as his cries of pain mixed with crazed cackling. I was too engrossed in my anger to feel the wand in my side until I was thrown off him and hit the ground hard. I heard footsteps approaching, a curse spat through grit teeth as I started to try and heave myself back up off the ground. In my hazed vision, I saw a limping figure take off towards the trees, and fear rolled in my stomach when I saw two seemingly unmoving bodies on the ground.
"No…" I breathed, stumbling over as I heard shouts in the dark and tripping my way to Krum to check his pulse.
Relief flowed through me upon finding one, and upon reaching for Mr. Crouch, the man gave a startled yelp, crying out for his son with terrified apologies. I-I… I did it… Oh, God… I fucking did it. My entire body sagged with exhaustion as relieved laughter broke through, making me bring a hand up to my mouth as tears streamed down my face. I heard my name vaguely in my ears but couldn't gather the strength to move now that I had sunk to the ground, quivering in the aftereffects of pain mixed with relief and concern.
"Dubh…" I breathed, not even realizing there had been a hand on my shoulder, nor someone speaking with me as my eyes sought out a small black bundle of feathers nearby.
I hurried over, tripping over my own feet and sinking to the grass as my mind flipped into veterinarian mode. I tried not to move Dubh, checking for a pulse, for broken breathing, anything that would tell me his condition. He gave out a weak squawk at my prodding as I murmured apologies over and over again. I felt blood on my fingers and tried not to focus on whose it might be, hoping that it wasn't my poor bird's. A firmer hand grabbed my shoulder this time and I whipped around—wand pointed at the jugular of the man who thought he'd be able to cast that damn curse on me again, only to see calm eyes behind half-moon spectacles.
"You shouldn't have been out here after bed, Mr. Sterling," he hummed, not even seeming to care about the quivering wood pressed lightly against his neck. "Is your bird all right?"
My mouth creaked open and shut before my wand lowered and I managed to form words. "I-I don't know."
He nodded solemnly, gesturing to Dubh, and getting silent permission from me to try and help. His wand ran over the bird for a moment before he nodded and took off a scarf he was wearing, wrapping Dubh in it.
"He is terribly injured, protecting you, no doubt."
"I can—" I started to say, knowing I could help him with my veterinary skills, but Dumbledore shook his head.
"No. Not at the moment, Nox. I do believe you need some tending to yourself, and you will not be able to do any medical feats while shaking the way you are."
My gaze drifted to my quivering hands before a flick of his wand sent something silver towards Hagrid's hut. Said half-giant rushed out with his dog, looking ready to fight only to stare in confusion as Dumbledore also woke up a startled Krum.
"Hagrid, I need you to fetch Professor Karkaroff," Dumbledore ordered. "His student has been attacked. When you've done that, kindly alert Professor Moody—"
"No!" I blurted out, stopping Dumbledore who eyed me for a moment before nodding.
"Alert Filch to summon Madam Pomfrey to my office immediately and for Professor Snape and Minerva here as quickly as you can."
"Blimey, isn't that Crouch?" Hagrid muttered, having spotted the man sitting on the ground muttering to himself.
"Karkaroff, please, Hagrid," Dumbledore demanded sharply and Hagrid hurried off, as Dumbledore looked to me in my daze. "Nox, who was it who attacked you?"
"Moody," I muttered, before trying to shake off some of the fog that was slowly trying to swallow me. "Sorry, not Moody. He just… He looks like him, but he's not. Crouch kept calling him his son."
Dumbledore looked surprised for only a moment before controlling himself as Karkaroff bounded over the lawn in his silver furs, looking pale and upset.
"What is this?" He demanded upon seeing Krum on the ground and those around him. "What's going on?"
"I vos attacked!" Krum blurted out. "I didn't see how, but—"
"Crouch?" Karkaroff muttered, staring at the bedraggled man in just as much surprise as Hagrid had shown. "What is this!"
"I will explain in the morning, Karkaroff," Dumbledore said sharply, silencing the fuming man. "As soon as I have heard myself what has occurred tonight. It appears we've had a traitor in our midst without knowing, but for now, take your student and get him safe. Hagrid?"
Said man had returned from the castle and nodded, eyes blazing in seriousness as Karkaroff helped Krum to his feet and hurried back to the ship.
"You will take Harry back to school, Hagrid. Take him right up to Gryffindor Tower. And Harry, I want you to stay there. Anything you might want to do—any owls you might want to send—they can wait until morning do you understand me?"
Harry nodded hesitantly, eyeing me, but I wasn't really paying attention. It was hard to focus with my head ringing and the aches sending the occasional shiver through my body. I flinched when a large heavy coat was settled on my shoulders, seeing Hagrid give me a kind but worried smile as he tugged Harry with him to the castle. Once alone, Dumbledore looked back to me.
"Say nothing until we are in my office, Nox, though… I don't suppose you would, would you?" He sighed softly. "Ah, here's Severus and Minerva. Would you both mind gathering anything lying around and helping Mr. Crouch up to my office?"
They did as he said, though McGonagall spared me a confused and worried glance. Then, Dumbledore started to lead me away, as I stared solemnly at the motionless Dubh.