Growing Legacy

Chapter 13

Harry paced anxiously back and forth in the magical tent that was situated at the edge of the quidditch pitch. All of them had their own section, and were called when it was time. The silencing spells ensured they had no idea who had gone when, and how the task had been handled. It wouldn't be until after that they'd find out how the others did and be introduced to the rest of the friends and families.

"Harry, stop, close your eyes and breathe." Severus stated firmly, finally looking up from the book he was immersed in. "Pacing isn't going to make the time go faster, nor is it going to make you feel better. Meditate, mentally prepare yourself for the task, pacing is the work of those completely unable to do anything regarding their fears and worries. You can, there are many options available to you."

Harry listened to his father, he always listened to him. His father had never been one for placating, he always told him the truth regardless of what the consequences were. He loved his father for that. "I'm sorry, I just want it over with." Harry admitted, and part of him was worried that the sabotaging would get worse before the end of the tournament. So far it had just been giving him less points…what if it escalated from that? If anything happened to his father…he would bring the world and kill those who had been involved.

"Yes, I can understand that, but it won't make the day go any swifter." Severus commented, "Come and read, this is a fascinating passage," and with that Harry moved towards his father, sidling up to him, he began to read from the book.

Harry sniggered, losing himself in reading the book alongside his father. Severus looked down, smirking at his accomplishment. If Harry went into the arena tense then he'd most definitely screw up in one way or another. He should know, worrying before the event just screwed up your concentration, focus and determination. Going in relaxed but a little tense? You'd be just fine.

The book isn't one he normally read, but he'd had a feeling something like this would happen. So brought a book that was definitely written for amusement's sake. It helped both of them relax.

They lost themselves to the merriment of the book, so much so they barely reacted until someone spoke loudly in the tent. "Five minutes until you're up!" giving nothing away as to what was going to go down or what had already happened or if his friends were okay. Yes, they were his friends more than they were his competitors. All they could do was their best after all…what happened after that? It needn't stop them remaining friends after this was done.

"Thank you," Severus replied politely, inclining his head, despite the abrupt way he'd chosen to spoke to them. He had long ago learned on how to best deal with people like that. Plus, the guy could just be having a bad day. He should know, he'd personally had a lot of them back in the day.

Severus set the book aside and went to the toilet, knowing they wouldn't get much of another chance until they were done. "I'll be back in a moment," Severus murmured to his son as he left.

Harry stood in the middle of the room, continuing his meditation exercises. Feeling much more positive about the task than he had earlier. It couldn't have been more than thirty minutes surely? Who knows…there wasn't a clock in here for him to tell how long had truly passed and he didn't have his watch on. He had nothing but his dragon hide armour which he was just about to put on and of course, his wand.

He just about jumped out of his skin when another new voice broke through the calm, he had centred himself in.

"Ah, Mr. Regis! Glad I caught you, you're aware of the rules? Yes?" Bagman asked, as he made an appearance in the tent. A tent by rights as a spectator he really shouldn't be in at all. Glancing around to make sure nobody was around.

"Are you allowed in here?" Harry asked, staring in surprise at the wizard, wondering why he was there. Had he visited the others? Was it all part of learning more about the task? "Sir?" never hurt to be polite, he'd learned that from his father. Then again, he was sure he'd seen him around during the other tasks so he didn't get too worried.

"Not really," he said joyfully, winking at Harry with merriment. "All you need to do is go out there, protect the person you're supposed to protect for as long as…"

"You mean my father?" Harry interrupted Bagman, now truly perplexed.

"Yes, yes, that's right, your father, protect him for longer than fifteen minutes and you'll win." The wizard said with fevered eagerness. Moving forward he began to shake Harry's hand, "Good to meet you, and good luck!"

Bagman squeaked and jumped back when Severus made himself known. Wrestling himself from Harry's hand, he nodded a few times to Septimus Regis as he backed out of the tent.

"What was that all about?" Severus enquired of his son.

"He was wishing me good luck in the task," Harry said, shrugging his shoulders just as lost as his father was.

"Go on, toilet then get dressed, you have only three or four minutes before you're due out there." Severus urged Harry, he unlike Harry had his wristwatch on.

Harry immediately jerked forward, making a beeline for the toilet, grabbing his bag that held his dragonhide armour while he was at it. Might as well do two birds one stone.

"One more minute," came his father's voice as he hastily dressed after doing the toilet.

"Just a sec!" Harry called, hastily adjusting his elbow pads with a flick of his wand, until they stayed perfectly in sync with the rest of his armour. Oh, he loved it, he really did, he was going to be so gutted when it wouldn't fit…then again, he might not hit another growth spurt. His dad said he would though, since his Dad James, mum and him were all rather tall, and he had DNA from all three of them. Dad had been taller than Dad James by the time they were fully grown actually.

Severus watched Harry return; the armour truly was like a second layer of skin. There was no awkward gait, tripping or unease due to being constricted. He was going to be able to manoeuvre around without a problem or difficulty. "I'm going to leave my cloak off and put a mild warming charm on."

Severus nodded, unsurprised, cloaks, even closed ones, would definitely just get in the way. Plus, he wasn't wearing it, so that too was a clear indicator he'd decided to forego it.

"You ready?" wondering if they were supposed to just make their way outside…or if someone would return to inform them it was time? That part hadn't really been explained at all, and he'd asked for that information.

"I'm ready," Harry said, green eyes gleaming with apprehension and nervous fear.

"Regardless of how you do, you will have done GRMS proud." Severus informed him, "Win or lose, you're doing brilliantly, you're in the top tier, lets see if we can get to the top hmm?"

Harry grinned widely, "Yeah!" he said loudly, as always, feeling like he could do anything with his biggest cheerleader always encouraging him. Although, Severus would loathe to be called a cheerleader, but what else could you call him when he was always cheering Harry on to do well?

"Then let's go," Severus declared, thumping him lightly on the shoulder, he had his own wand in his holster. Was he fuck walking into something he didn't know without some sort of protection for himself and his son if anything did go wrong. He knew how easily that could happen, so yes, he'd keep his only means of protection. He wouldn't use it unless he had absolutely no choice.

Harry stepped out first, and the immediate roar of the crowd met his ears. The mirrors were strategically placed all over, with two massive 'mirrors' at each end of the pitch so that everyone could see what was going on in the mirror if they couldn't see below.

"SHIT! PROTEGO MAXIMA!" Harry ducked both of them down, avoiding the three fireballs that had just been blasted at them. "Every three seconds!" he hollered as they moved, it took a few seconds for Severus to understand. As every three seconds, the contraption moved, it was a long circular wooden platform with green looking gunk that was boiling, certainly looked like it would be painful if you fell inside.

"Incoming," Severus told him curtly, eyes gleaming warily, disliking just standing there like a sacrificial lamb, as three individual spells came at them from every direction. It was literally painful not to whip out his wand…he hadn't realized just how mentally difficult it would be to not do something.

Harry only had a few seconds to figure out what they were, to do the counter curse or find a different way to remove them from the equation. First one he conjured up a set of birds, the second he shielded from the third…he returned to sender with nostrils flaring hoping the git that sent it would be hit with that spell see how he liked it! all the while every three seconds they moved their legs to stop themselves falling off into the green gunk.

"Did you see…" Harry said, grasping his father again, "Move right after the next turn all the way off the platform!" both of them moving with the circular contraption before Harry and Severus bolted across, almost coming undone having overestimated the time it would take to get over. Thankfully neither ended up falling, which they were presuming was a fail.

"I saw," Severus said darkly, "I will deal with it as soon as we are done here. If any other attempts are made, we stop." Dark eyes gleaming with ferocious protectiveness. It was one thing to cast something…but an attempt to render his son sterile? Or him, for that matter. He would not risk Harry's future…and while children hadn't really been discussed, he was sure his son would make the most wonderful father…when he was in his thirties naturally not a second before.

Harry crouched down, his dad with him, casting counter-spells and deflectors as he fought off invisible foes, who were casting quite strong magic actually. He regretted the heating charm, it was way too hot at the moment, he was sweating. Admittedly it was all the fireball charms…someone seemed to be partial to them.

"Which way?" Harry asked, wiping away the sweat building up on his face. The incessant sweat was stinging his eyes, and he was finding it a little difficult to make things out, between the steam, fireballs and general unpleasantness of this obstacle course he was facing. "Everyone will want to go for what looks easiest…"

"They may well have done…" Severus agreed, eyeing the entirety of the Quidditch pitch, and the finish line. It was eery, the second they'd entered this place the cheering had been silenced, for that he was grateful, otherwise he wouldn't have heard Harry at all. It would also prevent any cheating. For anyone to direct them in the direction that would see them winning and very, very quickly. It was as though the pitch had been turned into a dungeon of sorts, but the only way you knew you were outside was if you looked up.

The sky was visible, but the area was so clogged up with steam and potions and fireball smoke, and the smelt of burnt wood that they didn't get a single bit of fresh air. The air was repugnant and stifling, and he was beginning to sweat in places he wasn't sure it had been possible before this day. The sweat was also beginning to irritate his skin, making him itchy.

And there was nowhere he would itch that spot in a crowd like this.

No, he'd rather it drives him insane.

At least, Severus thought, 'I think so…' he thought as the irritation and itch began to compound.

"This way!" Harry decided, and they bolted over the grass to the 'bridge' almost immediately afterwards shards of ice began to propel themselves in droves around both of them. Harry quickly covered both of them, and fired out spell after spell that half melted the ice before it could get near and the other to blast them into snow. "Come on let's go!" Harry said, teeth chittering now, at this rate he was going to end up sick after the task. He didn't know which way was what! All he knew was the finish line was in that direction.

Severus huffed, this had to be the most ludicrous thing he'd ever done in his life. Why they hadn't been just asked to do it on their own, instead of trailing someone who was clearly not to participate in it he didn't know. The Rune course had been the most logical one thus far, but everyone would probably agree that the dragon was the most exciting.

This was just odd, but a complete Minerva McGonagall thing to do. Although, she'd probably would have preferred it going a different way than family helping. Unfortunately, the rules seemed to have been twisted on her.

"Harry look out!" Severus ordered as they were both waddling across the bridge, making themselves smaller targets. His son was ahead of him, naturally, and was quickly taking care of the obstacles coming their way, one of the icicles flew by, and ripped his clothing, but didn't technically catch his skin.

Harry was quick at getting away from the two loads of spells, but the third deftly slammed into the dragonhide. Harry arched back against the pain of the projectiles slamming into his shoulder and breast plate. The ice may have shattered…but the pain was indescribable. He was too stunned, in too much pain to make a sound. If that had been what it was like with armour on…he didn't dare think on what it would have felt like without it.

"Easy, stay still, breathe through it," Severus murmured, peeling away the armour to see the damage to both the armour and Harry. He winced, the red and deep booming bloody bruise was already spreading across Harry's shoulder. "Well, at least it's your left shoulder," he said in sympathy, delicately putting the armour back, it would protect the wound from being touched too much.

"I don't think I can move," Harry said tearfully, it hurt too much. He just wanted to curl up and die. He felt as though his bones were being eaten alive.

It made Severus hurt seeing his son in so much pain, "Then you and I will leave, you gave it your best. There is no shame in bowing out, you're hurt." He was so very proud of his son, of what he'd tried to accomplish. There was no shame in that.

It would add to the legacy Harry would one day leave behind.

It was his Growing Legacy.

"I…it…hurts to even move a little," Harry whimpered, as he flicked his wand in three directions, taking care of the threats that were still coming despite the fact he was basically out of the game.

Severus frowned, he should have checked, but he'd only noticed the bruise. "Let me see," wishing they were in the tent so he could look properly, it wasn't exactly an ideal lighting here. "Ah, yes, you've dislocated your shoulder." Touching delicately, only to have his son protest vehemently.

"Do you want to surrender?" Severus asked, then with one swift movement, he had the shoulder aligned in its correct spot. Wincing at the grip Harry squeezed in retaliation, it would be best to be surprised when doing these sorts of adjustments. Tensing up just made it significantly more painful.

Harry panting outrageously, "No, no, I'm not, no," Harry said grimly, tense now, scrambling to his feet, "Let's get going."

Surprise flashed over Severus' features as he was dragged over to the end of the bridge. "Well, alright," he murmured, "Try to keep your arm tucked into your body and not move it." if he moved it around too much, he risked dangerous and permanent damage.

"Oh, no, he's dislocated his shoulder!" Dylan murmured, watching Harry and Mr. Regis intently as they made their way around the course. Harry had chosen the way that could potentially shave off ten minutes of his course distance at least. He would have shouted it at him if he thought for a second Harry would hear.

"Ouch!" Josh winced, rubbing his own shoulder, remembering the pain of his own dislocation, he'd screwed up during Quidditch manoeuvres. "Do you reckon they'll stop?"

"No, they're moving!" Luna hollered, "GO HARRY!" cheering him on, despite the fact he wasn't her schools' champion. Not that she cared overly much, she'd be transferring over there soon enough everything was all set. She just had to finish up this year before transferring.

She was so excited.

It helped that everyone was leaving her alone, Cho and the others had all received detentions and public reprimands and forced to issue public apologies.

She wasn't a vindictive person, but she'd gotten immense satisfaction out of it. Harry told her that she should feel vindicated, three years of constant harassment was too much. Honestly, if she hadn't, she'd be a saint and not human like the rest of them if forgiveness could be gotten for the cruelty, they'd perpetrated on her for the simple reason of being different.

"He's not going to be able to go up that reverse escalator!" Dylan shook his head, "Not with his shoulder that way." And he had to be first, otherwise Mr. Regis would be hit and then he'd lose anyway.

"You're right, it will be damn near impossible," Josh admitted, watching his best friend blast away anything that came his way, keeping his shoulder sort of hunched.

"But Harry is really smart, he'll think of something," Dylan said, avidly watching them go. "They really have a preference for fire, don't they?" he asked exasperated. As yet more fire spread out.

Talin gazed intently, dark eyes glittering, hands clenched as he avidly watched. "Indeed," his lips pursed as he watched his best friend and a boy he loved fondly as a son endure yet another trial.

"Son, you have to stop!" Severus whispered, "We cannot do this, you cannot do this…the strain will be too much!" running up an escalator that was going down wards. It would force too much pressure on his injuries. He however, didn't say it loud enough for anyone to know what he was saying. He didn't want Harry to feel smothered or embarrassed by his 'dad'.

"I…I have to!" Harry shook his head, staring in trepidation. "I can't let Talin down!"

"You haven't done," Severus informed him seriously, only to have his son conjure rope and lope it together before wrapping it around their waists. Arching a brow, he wasn't injured so why the rope? "He's proud of how far you've come."

"In five seconds," Harry said, staring straight ahead, determination written across his face.

Severus pursed his lips, stretching out, fine, he would do what he must, hopefully he'll be able to catch Harry before he hurt himself too much.

"Ready…Set…GO!" with that Harry bolted into the escalator, the more he strained to get up…the worse the pain and the more he tripped up and found himself right back at the bottom.

"Ahh!" Harry cried out, falling to his knees, "How did anyone manage to pass this task?" if they'd received injuries like he had.

"We don't know they have," Severus said softly, "Shall we?" ready to shoot a white flag out of his wand.

"No," Harry panted raggedly.

"You silly, stubborn…"

"Just like my dad then, huh?" Harry said through pants.

Severus couldn't help but smile, "Exactly like me, too prideful too stubborn to my detriment." He warned him, shaking his head. Yes, he'd raised a stubborn lad, and you know what? Despite this, he didn't care, he was proud of how Harry had turned out.

Especially considering he may not have gotten that chance if not for the goblin's ritual.

Then Harry surprised him, more so because he'd had only one lesson. Just before the whole ICW and the tournament nonsense.

He levitated off the ground, and flew, without the aid of his broom. Shielding both of them from the spells coming their way, and focused entirely on the finish line.

Severus wished, oh, how he wished he could hear the spectators, their reactions. A fourteen-year-old flying without a broomstick. Not just on his own either…no, he had to take a passenger.

His landing was a bit off, as he stumbled a bit, but he had done it. It was a soft cushion landing, since you were supposed to use the pole as a means to get down below.

"Is that it?" Harry asked, rolling over and picking himself up off the ground. "Doesn't feel the entire length of the Quidditch pitch!" he confessed.

"Most of it's set up with the props." Severus said wryly, "Come on, you've only got a few more feet to walk. You won't finish until it's done." And it had been made more than clear to him he wasn't allowed to help.

Harry twisted around until he could get to knees, then from his knees he stood up. Wand out at the ready, they began walking, rope around the waist still. The second they passed over the finish line, the spells disappeared and Harry once again could hear everyone cheering and hollering.

He gained a 10 from Talin.

He gained a 10 from Minerva.

He gained a 10 from Bagman

A 9 from Maxime.

A 1 from Karkaroff due to his 'injury' and the fact 'Septimus Regis's clothes were torn' that he had cheated by flying.

A 6 from Crouch, who insisted that he knocked points off for the injury, which Harry thought was utter bullshit, they were supposed to protect their companion…there was nothing in the rules that suggested they weren't allowed to get injured.

46 in total out of 60.

"You come with me," Severus told his son, eyes blazing he made his way to the judges, blasting and banishing anything that got in his way. He was fed up with this prejudice and quite frankly…he wanted to know exactly who had tried to spell his son (or him for that matter) to be rendered infertile.

He wasn't going to leave until he had an answer, he did however, make sure he wasn't going too quickly, but Harry couldn't lag behind due to them still being bound.

"Dad? I'm fine! It's nothing new, they did it before," Harry pointed out, keeping up with his dad with difficulty. "Karkaroff is just spiteful and mean, there's no point to wasting your time or getting worked up."

"That's not the only reason I'm going," Severus said coldly.

"Oh, dear," Minerva murmured, watching Septimus approach with trepidation. "I don't think I've ever seen him quite so mad."

"I have…once…it did not end well," Talin admitted, "Frankly I don't blame him for being furious…I know I am." Throwing Karkaroff a disgusted look, one point! One single bloody point! The fact nobody in the Ministry had said anything…was disheartening.

"The next task…it's up to them whether they win now," Minerva said, "Oh, no, Headmaster Karkaroff, please don't leave yet, I do believe Septimus Regis want's a word." Spelling the wizard so he couldn't leave.

The GRMS students all grinned and laughed, almost jumping on their toes, this was going to prove to be amusing to watch and hear. It was just too bad all the other schools were too far away.

"Shall we take pity and let them hear?" Josh asked, "Man I wish I had popcorn! Mr. Regis is going to go to town on his ass!"

Dylan laughed, "Got your mirror? Maybe you should let Jay here." He was missing out on all the fun after all.

"Somebody's in trouble!" Luna said in a sing-song voice, watching them approach.

Deacon, Dylan and Josh all burst out laughing it was tempered somewhat by Harry's injury, they wanted to make sure he was alright.

Something just doesn't feel right about this chapter and I cannot put my finger on what it is...can you? hmm maybe it's just my imagination :) but there we go! They've finally gone too far...was it Dumbledore taking part in the task that hit Harry and attempted the spell? Or will it be someone else and perhaps have just mispronounced the spell they actually wanted to send? is Dumbledore going to find himself in a world of hurt like in Azkaban or will he be dead within the next few months? or both? :P R&R please