Sorry, this is so late! As I mentioned, I have school and work to juggle and the amount of homework in the first week was insane. Here's the next chapter! The following one will be the third task and I'll try to get it out as soon as I can. I'll have a little more time this week to write so hopefully it will be out by at least Friday or Saturday. Sunday at the very latest.

Hope you all enjoy it though! And I really appreciate the kind reviews I've been getting! You're all lovely people :)

Madam Pomfrey took one look at me and choked back a scolding complaint. She started for me, making me stiffen out of reflex, before backing off reluctantly and questioning Dumbledore. I couldn't hear what they were saying with the ringing in my ears. I honestly didn't care at that moment, as my heart was focused solely on Dubh being lightly placed on Dumbledore's desk. Mr. Crouch was brought in then and Dumbledore waved Madam Pomfrey over to look at him while I came up beside him at his desk, eyes fixated on Dubh as he ran his wand over the bird.

It felt like every second was far longer. My hands twitched for a scalpel, for some way to feel useful in helping Dubh as my throat remained tight like a noose was around my neck, slowly suffocating me. My heart beat right up against my ribs as my eyes began to take in the injuries to him. His wing, his leg, and quite possibly other internal injuries I couldn't see physically.

Then, Dumbledore put his wand away and I waited eagerly for signs of life, but Dubh didn't move. I felt my nails digging into the desk as my eyes scanned over him again, feeling a tight pressure building up in me before Dumbledore spoke.

"He'll be fine, Nox. He is simply resting."

My body sagged in relief, to the point that he must have feared I'd fall for he grabbed my arm to hold me up. I clung to the desk though, face pressed to it as I tried to hold back tears. He wouldn't be fine. I knew that. He was alive, yes, but that sort of damage wouldn't leave him unaffected. But he's alive… He's alive. God, he's alive. I pulled Dubh towards me and curled protectively around him as Dumbledore led me to a chair and Madam Pomfrey finally made her way over towards me.

She narrated everything she was doing before she did it, giving me plenty of warning before the icy feeling of magic or her own hands touched me. I was still tense from the fight before, looking out for any sign of Barty Jr. even though I knew Dumbledore's office was the safest place I could be. It made me angry and frustrated, to have let him get to me like that—to be flinching every time a wand was lifted and expecting pain. Gentle hands took one of mine and Madam Pomfrey sighed at the bruised and bloody knuckles of my fists.

Dumbledore cleared his throat when she finished doing as much healing as she could—simply bandaging my knuckles as too much of her healing magic made me feel sick. She handed me a small potion bottle before she left and I held it close, knowing I would definitely need it later. Dreamless Sleep would be the only thing to help me get through tonight.

"Now then, if you're ready, Nox," Dumbledore said calmly, both our gazes drifting to Mr. Crouch as he muttered under his breath still.

Madam Pomfrey helped as much as she could, but even this was beyond her. I wasn't even sure if they got anything out of him, but I was glad they weren't risking putting him in the infirmary where Barty Jr. might be able to sneak in and finish the job.

"Nox," McGonagall repeated, looking concerned and I pried my eyes away from Crouch and held Dubh a little closer.

"I…" I swallowed thickly, my voice having come out small and broken. Get a hold of yourself. You can have a meltdown later. "I, um…"

Dumbledore, seeing my struggled tried to help. "Perhaps you could start with why you were out on the grounds this evening."

Lie. "I was… looking at a map."

"A map?" McGonagall questioned and Snape scowled.

"Potter's map."

I nodded slowly, running my hands over Dubh softly to try and keep my focus. "It shows who's… who's moving through the castle. I saw… I saw two Barty Crouch's."

"How?" McGonagall questioned, looking to Dumbledore who gestured to Mr. Crouch.

"There is one explanation. One that I'm assuming he has the answers to. Mr. Crouch?"

The man didn't even stir until Dumbledore lightly touched his arm, then he whipped around and clung to him like a frightened child.

"Dumbledore… I-I made a mistake… My son, h-he…"

Mr. Crouch let him go then, gaze drifting into that blank stare as he muttered for Percy to write another letter to Fudge.

"Shall I get Madam Pomfrey to escort him to the infirmary?"

"No," I blurted out, drawing their gazes to my fearful one. "You can't. He's trying to kill him."

"Perhaps," Dumbledore said calmly, "we should hear the rest of the story before we make our decision. What happened once you were outside, Nox?"

"I… I saw the champions in the distance with Bagman… I thought I'd wait for Harry, but he… Krum started to walk him towards the forest. I snuck around and hid out of sight. In case Krum tried anything." Liar.

"Of course," Dumbledore hummed, a twinkle in his eye that unnerved me. "And then Mr. Crouch appeared?"

I nodded. "Came out of the forest, muttering about Percy writing letters and talking to Fudge, but also about Voldemort a-and needing to speak to Dumbledore."

"Much like Mr. Potter's story, wouldn't you say, Severus?"

Snape scowled but didn't argue against Dumbledore as I continued.

"Harry convinced Krum to stay while he rushed off. I didn't go with him. It wasn't safe. Then—"

A flash of green light made me stiffen and my breath hitched. A hand on my shoulder pulled me out of it as McGonagall looked down at me in concern.

"Perhaps we should—"

"No," I muttered, knowing I needed to continue. "It… There was a flash of light. A stunning spell. I fired a spell back, but it was blocked. I couldn't see anyone, but I-I was still hidden and I had the map to help. Then, he shot… he tried to kill Mr. Crouch. I came out and tackled him to get him out of the way."

"You… You saved him," McGonagall murmured, surprised.

"It's unblockable, but useless if it misses," I muttered, exhaustion sinking in now that the danger had finally begun to pass. "But he… he kept trying. I couldn't see him and with both Mr. Crouch and Krum behind me…"

"Who was attacking you?"

I went quiet for a moment, trying to figure out how to explain this to them. "I-It was… It was Professor Moody."

"Impossible," Snape snarled.

"It looked like him," I continued, "but it wasn't him. He talked about things I did in class, but… but Mr. Crouch called him his son. H-He came up on the map as Barty Crouch even after Dubh… after Dubh took off his invisibility cloak and he looked like Moody."

"But that's…"

"Minerva, did you pick up anything while we were out on the grounds?" Dumbledore asked then, and she nodded, passing him the magical eye that spun unnaturally in its casing, the invisibility cloak, and Moody's flask.

My God. I didn't even see that was on the ground. How could he have made the mistake of just letting it fall out of his pocket…? Dumbledore placed the eye and cloak on the desk but handed the flask to Snape.

"If you would, Severus."

Said man scowled, but took the flask, opening it and smelling before understanding dawned on him and he placed it on the desk as well.

"It's a Polyjuice Potion. Moody was an impostor."

Dumbledore nodded as McGonagall went pale. "It seems that Mr. Crouch was possibly hiding his son after having him escorted from Azkaban."

"W-When he panicked, at the World Cup," I mentioned, lifting my gaze from Dubh as I finally started to shake off the chills and adrenaline. "Maybe his son was there, hidden with an invisibility cloak. He could have escaped, conjured the mark, then…"

"Then, attacked Moody at his home and disguised himself to get here." Dumbledore sat behind his desk, steepling his hands and staring idly up at the ceiling, thinking. "Barty Crouch Jr. is most likely the one who put Harry's name in the Goblet then. It was a plan for Voldemort, no doubt, but to what end, I wonder?"

"Voldemort…" Mr. Crouch muttered, making eyes shift to him as he quivered. "Getting stronger… Bertha Jorkins… she's dead… All my fault… should have never… my son…"

"I do believe we'll need to move Mr. Crouch to the infirmary until I get someone from the Ministry to pick him up," Dumbledore declared. "If you wouldn't mind guarding him for the rest of the evening, Severus."

Snape frowned, shooting me a hesitant glare before nodding in agreement and helping the man from the chair to take him away.

"I will escort Nox to his dorm," McGonagall declared as well, placing a hand lightly on my arm and encouraging me to my feet.

"I trust nothing about this will leave this room, Nox," Dumbledore hummed, earning a small nod. "Do wait until morning to send any letters, otherwise I'm sure your… guardians would burst in rather unannounced at breakfast and I'd like some time to prepare myself before facing their wrath. And, I will allow you permission to keep Dubh close, as I'm sure you'd start skipping classes if I said anything on the contrary."

"…Thank you," I murmured before he approached and knelt down, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"And if you need to speak with anyone, my office, as well as Minerva's and Madam Pomfrey's, are always open. I cannot force you, but I do hope you will speak about it when you're ready." He cracked a small smile at my hesitant expression. "Even adults need to speak of their troubles after an experience like this."

He so knows, my mind supplied as I nodded numbly, and I was led from the room. McGonagall remained quiet most of the way, only requesting that I drop by her office when I was ready to talk. Upon entering the dorm, I wasn't surprised to see Harry, Ron, and Hermione there waiting. I didn't want to talk to them. Harry would have told them most of what had happened anyway, and I was bone-deep tired. I just wanted to curl up with Dubh, take my Dreamless Sleep, and pass out. I didn't want to think about it anymore, because if I did, I wasn't sure I'd pull myself back together quickly enough for class the next morning.

They hesitated too, watching me with uncertainty as I held Dubh closer before Hermione stepped forward and pulled me into a hug. A tight pressure welled up in my chest, threatening tears as Ron and Harry muttered that they were heading to bed. The pressure broke some, allowing a choked sob to creep out as I pressed my eyes to Hermione's shoulder with a muttered apology. I thought I was going to die.

Nox had surprisingly explained what had happened the second the trio woke the next morning. They were quiet through the whole thing, though Harry wondered what made him tell them after he said Dumbledore made him swear to say nothing. He wondered if Nox knew something more that he wasn't saying; something that has to do with them and him telling them was a warning of some kind. The thought sent a shiver up his spine, and it didn't help that Nox was more withdrawn than usual. He was speaking less, eyes focused either on Dubh—who he carried everywhere with him as the bird healed—or off into space with that old, exhausted look that made Harry and the others feel uneasy.

Defense Against the Dark Arts had ended up becoming more enjoyable though. Dumbledore himself had started to teach it with Moody's disappearance. Harry wondered if they ever found the professor. Nox said they would, but Dumbledore was keeping it really quiet if they had. Dumbledore was an odd teacher though. It was apparent he knew what he was talking about and his homework was decent enough—never too much, which made the students like him even more. There were times when he would get off topic though, rambling on about one thing or another before smiling and apologizing about losing track of things before finding where he'd stopped and moving on. Still, he was better than the other professors they had—sans Lupin, of course.

Harry felt worried though, having asked Nox if he'd told said werewolf. Harry wasn't stupid, after all. He knew that Nox treated Lupin like family, much like how Harry felt about Sirius. Problem was, Harry didn't know if they'd made up since their disagreement from Hogsmeade, and Nox hadn't mentioned sending a letter or asking to borrow Hedwig to do so. Harry almost asked him one day if he had or not, but it seemed Nox had something to say that was more important.

"What's the third task?"

Harry blinked in surprise, pausing in the idle spellcasting he'd been doing in their borrowed classroom. "What?"

"The third task," Nox repeated, diligently doing push-ups on the ground with sweat dripping down his face.

He'd added exercising to his usual morning routine and now seemed to be breaking a sweat any chance he could get. Hermione had mentioned it being a coping mechanism to Harry and Ron, but that only made them feel more concerned for their friend. He was bottling things up.

"It's, um… It's a maze. Bagman said there'd be obstacles. Hagrid's providing creatures, spells that need to be broken, that sort of thing."

"Like what we did with the Sorcerer's Stone?" Ron questioned and Harry nodded.

"Sounds like it."

Nox stopped doing pushups, holding a plank, and lifting his head to eye Harry. "I'll work with you on dueling. You'll need quick reflexes."

Harry shifted uneasily, knowing how many jinx and hexes Nox knew and worried about how long he'd be stuck with vibrant hair or the number of bruises he'd have by the time the third task came around. As though reading his thoughts, Nox rolled his eyes—the first sign of his old self they'd seen since what happened.

"I'll teach you the jinxes first with me blocking. We can work on the blocking my hits after and I'll go slow. Jinxing you repeatedly—as much fun as it'd be—would be useless to teach you anything."

Relief flowed through Harry, and he couldn't help but hold a hand to his heart as Ron pat his back with a chuckle.

"You should probably go running with me too."

"What?"

Even Ron was confused. "Yeah, why? You haven't even really explained why you're doing all this… exercising stuff."

"I have, you just don't listen very well," Nox argued, arms beginning to shake as his expression pinched in mild frustration and he turned his nose back towards the ground.

Ron huffed. "You said you wanted to be prepared or something, right? Prepared for what? And how's doing that—" Ron jabbed a finger in his direction as Nox finished his plank and flipped onto his hands into a handstand. "—going to prepare you for anything?"

"You'd be surprised how flexibility could come in handy when dodging spells," Nox grunted out, trying his best to see if he could lift a hand off the floor only to tip off balance with a curse.

Hermione took a step forward but needn't have bothered as Nox curled and rolled back onto his feet without a problem.

"Knowing the right way to fall could help prevent unnecessary injures too."

"But… running?" Harry questioned, making Nox shrug as he grabbed a goblet of water that had appeared, drawing confused expressions from them as to how it got there.

"You'll be able to go farther without having to stop for breath as often." Nox started to tick off his fingers. "Last longer in a duel and be able to escape from dangerous situations quicker." He paused then, a thoughtful look on his face. "How concerned with getting detention are you?"

"Um… what?"

"Nox!" Hermione scolded, getting ignored for now.

"We'll have to help with your reflexes. I just thought that maybe unexpected attacks in the hallway might—"

"You are not going to be randomly jinxing Harry, Nox!"

He looked to Hermione—head tipped in confusion. "Why not?"

"Because it's against the rules!"

"We can only do so much while dueling, and I don't know any villain ever giving their opponent a proper chance to duel," Nox countered.

"We're not arguing this!"

"Catching an opponent off guard is the best way to—"

"He's not going to get attacked!"

"Well, we don't actually know—"

"Um…" Harry interrupted, earning one angry glare from Hermione and an almost amused one from Nox. "I actually don't mind, though I'd like to avoid detention, if possible."

"Perfect," Nox replied, cracking a hint of a smile that Harry felt was a bit fake. "I'll teach you the shielding spell then, and once you're capable of it, I'll jinx you whenever I feel like it."

Nox scooped up Dubh and carried the bird out as he mentioned something about taking a shower before the next class.

"Mate," Ron muttered, looking to Harry who was still rather blown away by the conversation that just happened. "Can I just say… I'm glad I'm not you."

Harry looked away from the door and over towards him and Hermione. "Yeah, I honestly don't know what I was thinking…"

"N-Nox! Slow down!"

I blinked, coming to a stop and lowering my wand as I looked at Harry a couple of feet away from me, doubled over and panting. I'd gone off in my own thoughts that afternoon, forgetting that he'd actually agreed to start training with me.

"Sorry," I apologized, taking the small break as a chance to check on Dubh as he worked with Hermione on standing upright once more.

His leg had gotten pretty messed up thanks to Barty Jr., and he'd been hesitant about putting any weight on it despite the daily appliance of the healing cream I'd been given to help. He was only just now getting used to being able to perch again, and I hadn't seen him flutter his wings other than for balance. He needs to regain his strength and even then… My expression faltered. He may never fly again.

"Your shield spell has gotten quicker," I noted, turning back to Harry as he shook out his hand. "Want to try switching roles?"

"Please," he breathed out, taking a deep breath and straightening, wand lifted and looking determined.

I shrugged, waving a free hand for him to go ahead and try attacking. He did so, but my reactions were quicker. I'd had more experience trying to dodge deadlier attacks, so none of his landed, but it was interesting to see how his mind began to work out strategies to try and catch me off guard. It's what made my sneak attacks in the corridors so much fun. Already, I'd gotten him with a number of jinxes—we'd yet to get detention, thank Merlin—and he'd started to catch on and even managed to block a few. It'll definitely help when Voldemort shows up.

The bell rang then, making me look away, but I still blocked the attack Harry had shot the second I did. Still, the effort made me crack a smile.

"There ya go," I mused, earning a grin from him as well. "Keep that up, and I'll make a dueler out of you yet."

Hermione got up, beaming away with Dubh settled on her arm. "I got him to perch!"

I felt a more relieved smile come over me then, holding out an arm and getting Dubh to walk over and up to my shoulder. "Thanks, Hermione. It's good to see he's getting his strength back, as displeased as he is about it."

Dubh clicked his beak at my fingers in annoyance.

"Oh, shush you. I know you want to do it just to impress Hedwig," I teased him, waving at the boys as we started off in different directions.

Harry and Ron had Divinations, after all, so Hermione and I were off to Arithmancy.

"You and Ron should start trying dueling too, you know," I mentioned idly, not seeing the hesitant look she was giving me at the suggestion.

"You really are worried something bad is going to happen, aren't you?"

It was almost annoying how well she was starting to see through me at this point.

"Something bad is already happening," I muttered, expression solemn and serious. "We know Voldemort is back, and he's only going to get stronger. He's going to regain his old power through any way necessary. It's just the type of person he is. And with that power, comes the fear of his return. He's going to gather up everyone again. He'll weed out those who betrayed him or those who fled, and he'll keep those who didn't. This whole thing with Harry being put in the tournament is proof of that. Voldemort's reach has already extended to Hogwarts, and the only reason they know about it is because—"

"Because you fought him—fought Mr. Crouch's son," Hermione finished, understanding.

I nodded. "And it's because I fought him—a proper Death Eater—that I know we're not prepared. I barely held him off, and I wouldn't have gotten out of there if Harry hadn't brought Dumbledore in time."

Hermione grabbed my hand, more for her own comfort than mine. Ever since she'd heard of what happened, she'd been more worried than anyone.

"You guys don't have to do the training I'm doing. That's just what I'm comfortable with, but I still think learning dueling would help. Ron might think it's a pain now, but… better be a minor annoyance than stepping out into war and realizing how useless you actually are."

"You're not useless," Hermione scolded me solidly, making me crack a small bitter smile.

"I suppose not completely, no. Just hard to feel that way when I'm looking at a mess like this and can't figure out what to do to help."

"We'll get Harry through this; I know we will."

"We'll do our best, anyway."

"Dumbledore reckons You-Know-Who's getting stronger again as well?" Ron questioned that evening when Harry had returned from an impromptu visit to Dumbledore's office when his scar nearly made him sick in Divinations. "And he trusts Snape? He really trusts Snape, even though he knows he was a Death Eater?"

"Yes," Harry said, having explained everything that had happened in the office from Dumbledore's concerns regarding his scar, his dream, and the things he'd seen in the Pensieve.

His gaze kept drifting to Nox though, curious what he thought, but the boy was staring into the fire and even Hermione was quiet.

"Winky said before about Ludo Bagman being a bad wizard. Mr. Crouch would have been furious he got off, he would have talked about it at home."

"Yeah, but Bagman didn't pass information on purpose, did he?"

Hermione shrugged as Nox finally spoke up.

"We're focusing on the wrong people. As much as Snape rubs you in the wrong way, Ron, if Dumbledore is willing to trust him even now, then there's a good reason for it. We should too. As for Bagman, I already mentioned he's just a guy with terrible betting habits. He possibly sold information for money or something stupid. He couldn't keep a secret to save his life." Nox looked at Harry. "What did Fudge say about Mr. Crouch?"

"Nothing much. Mr. Crouch isn't doing good though, so the Minister thinks it was mostly made up." Harry shrugged. "Dumbledore seemed to be trying to convince him otherwise, but he's under the impression that Mr. Crouch did the attacking."

"Delusional git," Nox spat under his breath, folding his arms over his chest. "I'll have to keep an eye out for him and my business."

"You think he's going after you?" Hermione questioned, surprised.

"It's possible. He was scared of my father, but with him gone and an underage wizard in charge of things? Add this on top of what he thinks is an unbelievable story about the Dark Lord plotting something with Harry, and me being the only witness?" Nox lifted his hands, tipping them like a scale back and forth. "It's only a matter of time before the scales tip and he realizes the amount of influence I have."

"How'd you mean?" Ron questioned, brows furrowed as he tried to understand.

"I have connections with almost every shop in Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley, thanks to the rare ingredients I can provide with my creatures. Meaning that if I want to start spreading word that, say, Voldemort is back? It would be almost too easy. Him not believing what was told to him about Barty Jr. attacking me is something that not only ignores the fact that Voldemort is very much back and active but also discredits everything I said into being a fantasy. I was the only person to witness and deal with Barty Jr. in disguise as Professor Moody. He's saying I was lying or imagined it." Nox gave Ron a drab look. "Try telling someone who thinks you're crazy the truth, and they're not going to believe a word you say."

"I mean, I guess…"

Hermione checked her watch then, ushering everyone to bed and Harry was more than glad for the potion of Dreamless Sleep Nox offered him. Harry wondered if he knew what he'd been thinking. The dream he had was so vivid and to know that Peter Pettigrew had been killed by Voldemort for his mistake only made him feel worse. The fact that Nox looked almost happy about the man's death only added to that feeling. The Dreamless Sleep was his only reprieve from the nightmares of seeing that flare of green light and watching the man collapse to the ground—unmoving.

As the school moved into June, the excitement and tension from before began to return. The students were eager to see the third task, but Nox seemed more amped up and on edge than before. Harry had grown used to being prepared for his jinxes in the corridors, blocking them more often than not now and was doing far better in their dueling practices. He and Nox were now dueling properly; dodging, blocking, and attacking as they pleased instead of just one attacking and the other blocking. Harry learned a lot of new spells in the process too, rather surprised at the many jinxes and charms Nox knew of.

The Reductor Curse, the Impediment Curse, the Shield Charm, and quite a few others. Hermione—upon hearing the third task was a maze—even showed him a handy spell that would allow his wand to point due North to help him with directions. Neville even offered him a book on dangerous plants and vines that may come in handy, as the fast-growing hedges had piqued his interest. Then, came the full moon.

Nox had one of the worst transformations yet, it seemed, and had missed classes for two days after the moon had waned. When he finally did return, he looked haggard and had bandages on his arms and walked stiffly. He'd told them not to worry, but they did nonetheless until he explained that it wouldn't likely happen again. He'd forgotten to take his potion the day of the full moon in the hustle and bustle of the upcoming exams and the third task, and whoever Dumbledore sent to keep an eye on him hadn't shown up this time. And when Hermione mentioned telling Lupin through a letter, Nox had snapped at her about how pointless it would be to tell someone who hadn't cared about his concerns regarding Moody, much less the fact that he'd attacked himself during a full moon.

He later apologized, of course, as it was his temper flaring from the rough transformation—promising to send Lupin a letter as soon as he was able. No one from their group believed him, but Harry was getting regular mail from Sirius in the attempts to get more tips for the third task and they occasionally traded information about Nox and Lupin as well.

"Remus is rather upset lately about having to hear about things second hand, but they brought this on themselves after arguing like they did. They'll both be too stubborn to listen to good advice for a bit, I'm sure, so try to distract him with your task, Harry. He seems to be helping you the most as it is, with the dueling. We'll have to try and set something up over the summer so Remus and I can see you two in action!"

Then, the day of the third task was finally upon them.

I scowled as I was brought up to Dumbledore's office before breakfast the morning of the third task.

"Did he say what he wanted to talk about?" I asked Professor McGonagall, who gave me a raised brow of amusement. "I wanted to get my morning run in before breakfast."

Her lip twitched up and she shook her head. "He didn't say, but I'm sure it won't be more than a moment."

The gargoyle leaped aside as she gave the password and we started up the stairs, where I entered and felt my heart stop. I didn't take a step back, I just moved, wand flicking out and a spell shooting across the room at the sight of the magical spinning eye and hunched figure. There were others in the room, of course, but their image was blotted out as my panicked mind kept a firm watch on Moody. Then, everything went black.

I was breathing heavily, my own heart and breaths pounding in my ears as someone murmured quietly to me with a hand on my wrist to lower my wand and the other keeping my eyes covered as I quaked. It's him. It's Barty Jr. He's back. He's come to kill me, to kill Harry. He's in disguise again. They didn't believe me. H-He hurt Dubh a-and they don't believe—

"Calm down, Nox. It's not him. It's actually Moody this time, I swear it to you."

"He's got right good reflexes, I'll give him that," Moody grunted, making my body stiffen—wrist jerking slightly towards his voice as the person holding me sighed.

"Please, Alastor. Let me calm him down before you go upsetting him again. Nox, it's all right. Dumbledore found him locked in his trunk and ensured that he was back to full health."

"Or close enough to it," Moody grumbled, and while still on edge, I was slowly starting to relax.

"I'm going to let you go now, okay? Try not to set off nay more spells in the headmaster's office, would you?"

My wrist was released first, then the hand over my eyes slipped away, revealing a concerned Lupin who eyed me cautiously as I fought to regain control. It seemed my incident with Barty had traumatized me more than I expected. I hadn't thought to consider how I would react to the actual Moody returning. I didn't prepare myself for that. Merlin, I feel kind of silly now for overreacting. My gaze latched onto Moody, who watched me curiously from both eyes—surprisingly enough—before I got my voice working again.

"Sorry," I muttered, putting my wand away and flexing my hands in and out of fists.

Adrenaline was still pumping, and I could tell it would be some time before I'd be comfortable around him. I was actively trying to keep myself from focusing on him now as my eyes drifted to a more relieved Lupin and McGonagall and a thoroughly amused Sirius and Dumbledore.

"Now that you've regained your senses," Dumbledore hummed cheekily. "I'd like you to meet the real Alastor Moody, Nox."

"Pleasure," I grumbled sarcastically, sparing the man another glance as he cracked a smirk.

"Where did you pick this boy up then, Remus? I rather like him. Nice control mixed with just the right amount of suspicion." His eye swirled around the room. "Where'd you learn to duel, boy?"

"Taught myself," I replied, forcing back the shiver that tried to go up my spine with his attention and hastily looked to the others with a frown. "Why am I here?"

"You weren't answering my letters," Lupin answered, making me frown.

"You didn't believe me," I said back sharply.

"And if you'd read my letters, you'd have seen my apologies, Nox. I hadn't considered that he might not have been himself."

Seeing the argument brewing between us, Sirius cleared his throat.

"How's Harry doing?"

My gaze shifted to him and calmed slightly. "He's fine. I've been teaching him dueling tactics to help with the third task."

"Good!" Sirius beamed, looking more than pleased. "We plan on watching from the stands. Not like this, of course. I'd be a dog, but it's better than nothing, right?"

How thick does he think I am? "You mean you're all here to make sure nothing goes wrong."

Lupin and McGonagall stiffened, but Sirius shrugged, Moody smirked, and Dumbledore had an easy smile on as well.

"I'm not stupid," I muttered, frowning at them. "Harry's name was put in the goblet for a reason. Barty Crouch Jr. attacked and replaced Moody for a reason. Voldemort's not going to just stop because someone like me got in the way. I haven't heard that Barty Jr. was caught, so you're worried he'll show up and try something. Now that I know why you're here, why am I here?"

Looks were exchanged but it was Moody who was the first to respond.

"Harry's not the only one in danger. You have meddled in things you shouldn't have been meddling in."

"I'm not the one who needs protecting," I argued. "Harry's more important and—"

"You're important as well, Nox," Lupin protested.

"They're hardly going to go after me when Harry's the one out in the open."

"That doesn't mean you shouldn't have protection," he pressed.

"I don't need protection!"

"I can't lose you!" He shouted, making my mouth close with a "snap" as my mind tried to wrap around what he'd just said.

The room went quiet after this declaration and he let out a heavy sigh.

"Please, Nox. Just let me—us—worry about you."

I shifted uneasily, trying to remember a time when I had people willing to care for me. Other than Harry and the others, I haven't had anyone in this world… and even before, people cared—coworkers and the like—but my parents had died ages ago. My brother was the only one who would check up on me.

Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Now that we have settled that, I would like to hear your thoughts, Nox."

I gave him a dubious look. "Mine?"

"As you said, you were correct about Alastor and I do believe you've had… intuitions before this that have been proven correct as well, such as your dislike of Quirrell and Lockhart."

"Not to mention believing in me," Sirius chimed in.

"I just thought that was a given," I muttered under my breath. The Ministry has some serious legal issues if they're just throwing people away based on no evidence… not to mention how useless the Minister is currently.

"Either way," Dumbledore went on, "for the sake of our own curiosity, Nox." He waved a hand for me to speak and I still hesitated.

He basically just said he's suspicious about me for my accuracy. It's dangerous. He knows I have knowledge I shouldn't, and now he's seeing what he can do with me.

"Nox?" Lupin pressed, misreading my silence as fear and reaching for my shoulder, but I slipped away from the touch, giving him a brief glance and stuffing away the feeling of guilt at his hurt expression.

"I'm sorry, sir," I muttered, looking back to Dumbledore, "but I don't quite trust you."

His brows rose in mild surprise as Moody let out a guffaw, smacking me heartedly on the back and making me frown as I moved away from him instead.

"The cheek! We'll make an Auror of you yet!"

I'd rather not if I'm being honest. Dangerous business, being an Auror… though handling dragons isn't any less dangerous…

"Nox," Lupin murmured, looking disappointed which only made me bristle. "If you have any ideas, it's best to just say them. Dumbledore isn't the type to—"

"It's fine, Remus," Dumbledore waved him off before I could say anything, that hint of amusement back on his face. "We already have plans in place, so nothing he could say will have changed anything at this point."

Don't rise to the bait. He's trying to egg you on. I wrinkled my nose but kept my mouth shut, earning another eye-twinkling smile as he told me I could leave. I bowed my head slightly and turned to go, but paused beside Lupin, who watched me hesitantly. He's only worried and trying to help… in his own weird way. Don't know how he became a teacher when he's so awkward with kids. I let out a soft sigh and reached out, taking his hand and squeezing it briefly.

"I'll see you later."

His face seemed to light up and he cracked his own toothy smile, nodding as I left. Now, to find Harry. I don't have much more time to warn him if I'm going to help keep people safe.