The rest of the year went busily but well. Hermione and Draco created the perfect two potions -their own concoction of the antidote, which they experimented and created like true potioneers- and got their O+, Harry for once got an O, no group failed.

Snape's blatant favoritism ran so deep, he even accorded their sacrificial group a passing grade (Crabbe, Goyle & Weasley). Meanwhile, Draco worked on his Slytherin promises. Nott had asked for a favour - a blank slate to be filled in later - for his partner was Longbottom, it didn't get worse. Zabini and Daphne had accepted - assuring Draco would take the fall were the plan to go South, their grades would remain intact and Draco suspected his position in their house and surname helped.

With Daphne and Parkinson on, the other girls had agreed. Parkinson had demanded a Hogsmeade outing. It was, at once, the easiest and hardest to muster. That too, Draco accorded. Although a little clingy, she was socially acceptable and he used her to help construct the memories of Hermione, as Harry had so crudely suggested.

Severus Snape, a master Legimens could literally see the pheromones in the air. As if Potter picturing Patil naked wasn't bad enough, there was a new couple; Dean Thomas and Tracey Davis, and now his own god-son and the teacher's pet were gallivanting. Severus was more on guard during Potions than ever. The tension palpable in his eyes and strained shoulders. He was more flustered than ever, he couldn't let out his ambient anger problems at the students since they were -dirty minds apart- well-behaved.

And so, before Hogwarts knew it; the third task was upon them. Harry had practiced defensive and offensive spells, trained his mind. Draco had approached them during a particular practice session;

"Potter I have news our agreement dictates I must share,"

"Alright, get on with it,"

"I'm not sure it even means something, Father and Professor Snape have felt their mark-"

"The dark mark?"

Draco nodded gravely

"It never disappeared, but went faint. Now the ink is growing stronger. It apparently also tingles,"

"And they shared this with you?" asked Harry, sceptically.

"They asked me to be careful, and gave me this portkey to take me straight home,"

"Do-does it circumvent Hogwarts anti-apparition wards?"

"What do you think? Father wouldn't give it to me otherwise, and he is on the b-"

"Board of governors, so we know"

And so events repeated themselves; Harry found himself at the graveyard. The body of Diggory fell limp beside him as they fell to the rubble. Despite the traumatic events he'd witnessed, death had so far never been one of them, not consciously remembered that is. The quickness of it, as the light left Cedric's blue eyes sent goosebumps crawling up Harry's skin, his mind blanked in shock. The second of shock saw his hands being tied.

He tried to clear his brain, control his fear and not reveal any more to the Dark Lord, or a version of him, Harry had encountered four versions in his short life. Alas it came to him; Draco's portkey.

He screamed as a painful cut was carved on his arm, to collect blood for a rejuvenation potion, or whatever deplorable thing Voldemort was undertaking to have a Corporeal form.

"You are pathetic Voldemort." spat Harry before he activated the portkey and stumbled on a hard marble floor.

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Author's Note : Thanks so much for spending your precious time reading my story! Truly honoured! Should this be continued? I haven't written beyond and am at a bit of standpoint..lmk! Below is what Part 2 might look like!

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As soon as the wards alerted her of a presence Narcissa Druella Malfoy rushed down the foyer. Her son's safety at the forefront of her mind, by-passing the need to be dressed appropriately. Despite herself she gasped at the viscous liquid which was seeping across her marble flooring. The dark hair, a tell-tale sign that it was a stranger. An intruder in her foyer -seconds after Lucius had been summoned.

Had the Dark Lord ordered his death? For betrayal? Or some other dumb reason, his insanity perhaps? Or were Lucius and god forbid Draco already murdered...could this intrusion be explicit? Her killer?

Her wand was on him, curse on the tip of her tongue when his emerald eyes met hers. Another gasp escaped her throat.

What in the seven hells was the chosen one and her son's arch nemesis -if his letters were to be believed- doing bleeding out on her carpets? She opened her mouth to demand answers but he passed out, already weakened from his blood loss and tasks from the Triwizard Tournament. Narcissa Druella Malfoy -née Black- found herself at a loss of what to do -now this was a first.

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Stay well and stay safe xx