Landing in the Past
It was neither cold nor hot. Her senses slowly came back to her, and strangely enough, she smelled fire and smoke at the first instance. She hoped all those muggle fairy-tales about Heaven and Hell weren't true. It would be terrible if they were. Hermione opened her eyes with caution. Harry was no longer in front of her. Their lips weren't touching anymore. He was on her right having his eyes fixed on the Goblet and Ron was next to him. Suddenly he and Rondosed their eyes and opened them what they saw gave them a shock that was visible from miles amay. Hermione looked around. They were in The Great Hall. She was rather shocked to see Dumbledore at the high table. The Goblet of Fire was there. And Dumbledore was waiting by it for the names of the champions. The Triwizard tournament!
Their eyes searched around. They immediately spotted Ernie who was starting at the Goblet in Hermione's wand range. She cast a swift and silent Imperius Curse. It hit him and his expression changed slightly. Hermione was perhaps one of the few capable of doing Unforgivables non-verbally, although she wasn't entirely sure if she could do the other two as well. She noticed Dumbledore's sharp eye on her. He might have noticed it, but Hermione could not worry herself about that; Only one thing was on her mind – avenging Hugo and Rose. Ernie had to pay for what he had done. For his crimes against humanity, death would be a lenient punishment. Her options for ending Ernie were endless. She almost ordered him to go and drown himself, but then she remembered that darkness cannot defeat darkness. She could not remove evil by being evil herself. So another began to take shape in her head.
Dumbledore was already naming the contestants. When he got to Harry's name, he called him up. And Harry stood up, or rather jumped up due to his stress, doing his best to keep his eyes away from Severus Snape's piercing eyes. It was not very difficult to look surprised because he was still in shock. He pointed at himself and looked at Dumbledore waiting for his confirmation. Hermione and Ron were the only one in Gryffindor not shocked by the turn of events.
"But I didn't put my name in there," said Harry loudly.
"Like he's going to buy that," said Ron. "Just go on with it, Harry."
"Harry, come up here if you please," said Dumbledore patiently.
Harry walked to Dumbledore. It was a rather short walk to the top table. Harry didn't hesitate to open the door and walk through. The corridor was darker than he remembered. He walked to the other champions and stood by Fleur who was unbelievably young. Harry smiled at her out of habit.
"What is it?" she said moodily, "Do zey want us in ze Hall?"
"I'm afraid not," said Harry. "Something has come up. You'll find out soon enough."
He took his wand out and summoned a cup out of thin air followed by a very quick silent Aguamenti. Too late he realised that he had just done two spells he shouldn't have learned so early as a fourth year. His mind was too occupied to care, and his situation too dire to worry about the consequences.
"That was impressive, Harry," said Cedric. Ah, poor Cedric. Hopefully he wouldn't die this time. Harry tried his best not to think about the family he had just lost. His sons were gone, so were Hermione's son and daughter. An entire generation was lost thanks to Ernie MacMillan and he was going to pay for it.
Hermione waited until Dumbledore and other Heads of schools were away and then as everyone was discussing what had just happened she dragged Ron along to spy on them. Hermione did a simple espionage spell so she and Ron could hear them clearly.
They both listened to the conversation in silence while both kept thinking about similar things – Their shared children that did not exist anymore and the events that had led to that outcome. In the meantime Hermione mentally ordered Ernie to go to Dumbledore's office. Hopefully, she could maintain the spell until she could use him to expose Moody to Dumbledore.
Harry, however, had another plan of his own. He explained to Dumbledore that he had not put his name in the Goblet and fake-Moody defended him wholeheartedly. Of course he would. He had planned it all along.
"Professor, can you, Professor Moody and I have a talk?" said Harry discreetly to Dumbledore when only he, Cedric and Moody had remained with him. "It's about Voldemort and I can only trust you, sir."
"Of course, Harry. I believe we should continue in my office. You should be off to bed Cedric."
Cedric left reluctantly. Dumbledore asked Moody to come with Harry to his office. Great move. Hermione now could follow them there. It would have worked if Snape hadn't caught Ron and her.
"Well, well, aren't you two snooping around," said Snape with a nasty smile.
Snape was perhaps the most trustworthy person in Hogwarts after Dumbledore.
"May we have a word with you, sir," said Hermione. She was internally surprised by her own audacity, so was Snape.
"And what is it that you wish to tell me., Miss Granger?" said Snape with his usual indifference toward her.
"It's a bit complicated," said Ron.
"Safety first," said Hermione and cast a very strong sound barrier that would prevent anyone from overbearing them.
"I'm impressed, Miss Granger. May I inquire why you needed to cast such a spell?" asked Snape.
Wow Snape was impressed, and he had admitted it. That was interesting.
"Professor, Alastor Moody is an imposter called Barty Crouch Junior. Don't ask me how I know this. He put Harry's name in the Goblet of Fire. We should go to Al … Professor Dumbledore's office now."
Snape looked at Hermione and Ron skeptically and then he sighed.
"Miss Granger, if this is a joke you two should consider yourselves suspended till Easter."
"This is no joke," said Hermione seriously.
They followed Snape to the seventh floor. Through her connection with Ernie she realised that Harry had already reached the seventh floor. Hermione ordered Ernie to attack Moody. She began to practically run up the stairs. Snape and Ron in return quickened their pace. Harry who was right behind Moody hit him with a stunner and deflected Ernie's spells quickly. At that moment Hermione disconnected the connection. When Hermione and Snape arrived at the seventh floor they found Ernie and Harry disarmed and tied. Dumbledore was about to recover Moody when Hermione stopped him.
"Professor Dumbledore, please stop."
Dumbledore held his wand up and looked at Hermione.
"I'll explain, sir."
Dumbledore and Snape transferred the unconscious bodies to his office. Hermione silently followed them inside. Once they were in there, she tied up Ernie and Moody with a powerful binding spell to the ground. Dumbledore and Snape were extremely impressed by it, and Hermione knew why; This spell was her own creation.
"Have you created any other spells, Miss Granger?" asked Snape.
"Quite a few," said Hermione with a smile. Some of her spells were extremely dangerous. So dangerous that she had either left them undisclosed or had them restricted. Her Absolute Vacuum spell was such a spell. She was very tempted to use it on Ernie.
"I believe we deserve an explanation, Miss Granger," said Snape.
"And I deserve to be freed," moaned Harry.
Hermione pointed her wand at Moody.
"Revilio!" she chanted loudly.
Dumbledore and Snape saw Moody's body morph into Barty Crouch's with horror.
"Harry, Ron, Ernie and I come from the future. Ernie MacMillan is in fact Mr. Crouch's son – I mean this one,' she pointed at Barty Crouch Junior. "He tried to use a special time-turner to come to this time, although he wasn't first to do so. Before him, a girl called Delphini did it. She intended to use it to warn Voldemort about Harry, but we tracked her down and stopped her. However, we did not know Ernie's secret and once he replaced me as the Minister of Magic…"
Snape frowned and Dumbledore smiled.
"... I gave him the time-turner. Ernie secretly killed dozens of people to get here. In order to fully activate the time-turner, he had to offer human sacrifice. He actually succeeded in activating the device, but he died before the time-turner was fully activated, or so we thought. Our world began to crumble and it finally faded away. I don't know why our souls came back, but they did. Oh, and our children died with everyone else in the future."
Hermione looked away so that they wouldn't see the tears in her eyes. Dumbledore seemed genuinely upset.
"Is making such a time-turner possible, Albus?" asked Professor Snape.
"Who made this time-turner?" asked Dumbledore.
"I believe a number of Death Eaters were involved. We discovered that Voldemort had already commissioned the moment he overtook the Ministry of Magic. According to Rodolphus Lestrange, Rookwood was supposed to create a limitless time-turner which would allow Voldemort to go back to any point of time. Apparently, Voldemort was keen on correcting a few mistakes. Yet we won before the device could be completed. It took Theodore Nott years to finish his teacher's work. By that time the Wizarding community had established peace."
"I assume you and Potter ended up together? I would not be surprised?" said Snape.
"Actually, they didn't," said Hermione angrily with a hoarse voice. "The painful part is exactly that. Because Ron and I might never be able to rebuild our marriage," she began to cry. "And I will never see Rose and Hugo again."
"It's complicated," said Ron unnecessarily.
Snape and Dumbledore said nothing. They didn't even ask her not to cry.
Ron released Harry.
"Ah, thank you," he said as he stood up. "My back hurts."
"You're not even 20 yet," said Hermione with a deadpan expression.
"Spiritually, I'm 43." Harry winked.
"Yes, you used to be more mature as a 14 year old."
"Please leave my maturity alone. Wake up Ernie and nag that mature bastard. Sorry professors," he finished cringingly.
"Mind your language, Mr Potter. You are only a pupil here," said Snape in his usual manner.
"I missed you, sir. Really, I did." said Harry. "Please don't go abroad this time."
Snape narrowed his eyes dangerously. Ron murmured something to Harry which was probably a warning.
"My head is exploding," said Hermione. "Let's get these two to confess and get some well deserved sleep."
"Miss Granger, is this one of your usual headaches?" asked Dumbledore carefully.
"Actually, it is," said Hermione realizing that her body had not rejected Dumbledore's transfiguration at the time.
Dumbledore bent down, pulled out a drawer and took out a batch of Hermione's potion.
"I was going to give this to Madam Pomfrey tomorrow. It would be safer if you drank your portion tonight. You will get a better sleep after."
Hermione looked at Harry. Were they going to tell Dumbledore that they knew about Hermione's real parents?
"Well, I'm afraid that will do very little to keep the inevitable from happening," said Hermione to the Professors' surprise.
"Yes, and these two complicate the matter even more" concurred Harry. "We have to obliviate them both and let Crouch finish his mission. I'll just have to make a few adjustments. For instance this time I'm the only one who wins the Goblet. Voldemort has to use my blood to come back."
Snape and Dumbledore tensed. They obviously wanted to disagree. Hermione interrupted them smoothly.
"The most important question is whether you have told Alastor Moody about the source of my inconvenient headaches or not,"
Snape and Dumbledore's faces lost colour. Dumbledore shook his head negative. Hermione nodded with a smile and pointed her wand at Moody.
"Obliviate," she whispered softly and let her mind join Moody. To obliviate a person you did not need to do that, but Hermione had found that more effective. You could actually see the memory that the person had and you could alter it. If Hermione had learned proper legilimency she could have even altered his personality. That was a power she did not wish to have.
"Moody will not even notice he had been unconscious," said Hermione as she magically put him on a chair. "Before we do anything to Ernie, I'll need to question him first."
She revived Ernie. He seemed confused. Once he got a grip of his situation, he gave Hermione an angry glare.
"How is your plan going on, Ernie?"
"How did you find out?" said Ernie angrily. "Those stupid Death Eaters couldn't keep their mouths shut. I knew it!"
"Hermione Granger always knows, honey," said Hermione. Now, she knew Ernie had come with them too. That meant that those who had been around there time turner had returned as well. That could include Pettigrew and that would be bad. That would be very bad.
Hermione waved her wand carelessly and summoned a piece of stone. She pointed her wand at Ernie's right temple and began to whisper a series of spells none of which were familiar to Dumbledore or Snape. Then she pulled her wand away and stretched out a strand of memory only it was golden. She tapped her wand on the stone and resumed her whispering. The strand began to be absorbed by the stone. She kept absorbing Ernie's memories for almost ten minutes. When she was done the stone was shining like the fire in a furnace. He was looking at her numbly. There was no trace of his initial rage towards Hermione.
"Do you have a place for this, sir?" asked Hermione politely.
"I have a secret room behind my library, Miss Granger. Please put it there."
Dumbledore casually pointed his wand at a bookshelf behind and it swung open. Hermione put the stone inside and came back.
"You have a very nice collection of sucks sir," she commented. Dumbledore smiled happily.
"Oh, thank you, Miss Granger. I've knitted them all myself. You could pick a pair if you like."
Hermione declined politely.
"Now that Ernie and his father don't remember anything besides what they should know we should be good to go," she said. "Although, I have a feeling that we were not the only ones to return, Harry, Ron and I need to get some sleep. Professor Dumbledore, sir, please make sure fake Moody keeps an eye on Harry."
"And would you like to tell us what happens to the real Alastor Moody?" asked Snape.
"Ah, don't worry, Professor," said Harry. "He's going to be just fine. Though it would be wise if we didn't tell him about this little meeting."
"So you are going to be a champion, Potter?" asked Snape.
"Off course," said Harry. "I have a pretty good idea what I'm going to do."
"You're going to do what you did before?" asked Hermione before leaving the office.
"It worked for the best, didn't it?" was Harry's incredibly dimwitted response.
"I am looking forward to seeing that," said Ron.
"Sure you do," said Hermione. "There is one last thing we need to determine – will you uncover the truth about my parents, Professor Dumbledore sir?"
Dumbledore and Snape looked at each other with concern. Dumbledore had hoped that his intuition had been wrong and Hermione would not wish to reveal her secret to the world. She clearly did.
"You already knew I was going to ask this?" said Hermione. "Keeping it a secret did not help me very much."
"Perhaps we should discuss this in a few days," said Snape urgently, "When less people would connect that fact to Mr. Potter's name popping out of the Goblet of Fire."
To their surprise Hermione simply nodded in agreement. Albus and Severus knew well that whatever was coming, would not be good.
**the next day**
Hermione did not sleep for a minute until the sun came up. She wondered how on Earth her mind could still operate. It turned out to be almost the same for Harry and Ron.
"I had some weird dreams last night, and they kept me awake the whole night." she heard Harry say as she was having a look at her books and prepared essays. "And I can't stop thinking about my children and Ginny."
"It's just memories of the old body," said Hermione, trying her best to ignore the second half of what he had said. "You had forgotten them but since we are in this body it will come back soon enough. Should be the same for Ernie."
"You are being kind to him," said Harry.
"He went bad, Harry. The thing is, when I obliviated Crouch I made him forget that Ernie was his son and I did the same to Ernie. I wonder how he will turn up this time. It's hard for me to forgive him, but the Ernie we knew is in that piece of rock in Dumbledore's office."
Harry sat there and watched Hermione read. After what felt a century he said what he had in mind.
"Are you going to date Ron?" he asked.
"Mate!? said Ron in protest behind him.
"AAh …" yelled Harry and jumped away. "You scared the shit out of me!"
"No, Harry," said Hermione. "I don't want to think about this stuff, and if you're looking for a relationship with me. It's just going to be as friends. Don't you think it would be for the best, Ron?"
"I think we should put those kind of things aside for a while," said Ron. "At least I feel that way. I am too depressed."
"Lovely!" said Harry grumpily.
"Will you date Ginny?" she asked.
"I need to think about it," retorted Harry and then with a softer tone he continued, "I miss James and Albus. I even miss Lily who died so early. I reckon you feel the same. But Ginny is nut-case. No offense, Ron."
"None, taken. Harry ,you are condemned like us. This is the worst curse imaginable, isn't it?"
"Indeed," said Harry and Hermione simultaneously.
They went for breakfast, feeling terrible about being alive.
Ron took out the financial section of Hermione's paper. "We should buy some stocks. It's the perfect opportunity."
"And with what money are you going to do that?" said Hermione.
"Mushrooms,"
"Mushrooms!?" growled Hermione.
Ron hushed her and began to dive into the news.
Harry tried to divert the topic by ranting about having double Potions that day. He hoped others wouldn't notice Ron and Hermione's different behavior.
He then said he would need to get a walk and get all the negativity off his chest. In reality he was going to send Sirius a Patronus, which he decided against on his way out. Sending a patronus could be an unwise idea. He knew Patronus alright, but you needed to be taught to use it as a communication tool. He could not afford having Sirius suspect him. Instead he wrote a letter, had to curse himself for his improved handwriting and rewrote it. He finally managed to send it and get to Herbology on time. Naturally, no one wanted to talk to him but a few. Harry couldn't care less. However, he could see how disinterested Hermione was in the work they were doing. There was no sign of her youthful passion for learning. She was doing everything like a robot. With perfect precision and no emotion. Professor Sprout seemed slightly concerned about that. Harry could see her look at Hermione from time to time. She finally approached them as they were about to leave.
"Hemione, could you stay behind for a minute," she said.
"Of course, Professor," said Hermione.
Harry dragged Ron out and said they would wait for her at Care of Magical Creatures.
"Is everything alright, Hermione? You seemed different today."
Hermione smiled. That in fact unsettled Professor Sprout even more. It was not like Hermione's usual cheerful smile and more like Karkaroff's cold smile.
"I'm fine, Professor. I really am. It's just what happened to Harry last night has me worried. I think someone wants him to get hurt."
Something in Hermione was different. Professor Sprout could tell that much. She let Hermione go but made a mental note to have a talk with Minerva.
If memory served Hermione correctly, Hagrid would be working on the Skrewts. She was right, he had brought them and they were as disastrous as she remembered. Only this time Harry and Ron were commiserating. Things were already taking a different direction. By the end of the class Hermione had the worst headache ever.
"Mione, are you alright?" asked Hagrid as he saw her pained expression.
"It's just a headache," she said. She was more concerned about what her pain could mean. Great magic always came with its consequences and side effects. While magic was transferred through genes it was carried by and attached to souls. Which was why Voldemort had magic even in his spiritual form.
"Yeh should have Madam Pomfrey get a look at yer head," said Hagrid.
Hermione was not planning to visit the infirmary. The unbearable pain could temporarily be fixed with Madam Pomfrey's – or Snape's – potion. However, her magical core was too powerful now, and that meant Hermione needed a more convenient solution; the only reasonable way to deal with the problem was to use a powerful glamour. One that would fool everyone.
She was certainly capable of pulling it off. The problem was when she slept. She could not be sure it wouldn't be undone when she was unconscious. Dumbledore's spells could give in at any moment so the risk was worth it. Instead of the infirmary she went to the Room of Requirements. She asked for a room with a tall mirror and a bed, guaranteeing that no one would be able to disturb her. She walked in and closed the door behind. The bed and the mirror were exactly where she wanted them to be. She sat on the bed and looked at her reflection in the mirror. God, she was young! Young and so damn serious. She understood why people were worried about her. She looked like professor McGonagall.
She tried to lighten up, smile a bit and say a few sentences with enthusiasm. That was better. There, she could do it. It wasn't so hard.
Now, it was time she broke Dumbledore's enchantments and replaced them with her own. Hermione let her magic come to surface. She could feel Dumbledore's magic all over her body. She snapped her fingers and let that act as a trigger. Her magic washed over Dumbledore's and let her see the features she was born with; Her perfect straight black hair and rather pale flawless skin. Hermione looked at her face for a few seconds before reaching for her wand and applying her glamour. The usual Hermione Granger was back with a bright smile.
"Make sure your eyes smile, too, Hermione," she reminded herself.
She checked for flaws in her glamour. She corrected a few minor details and she was good to go.
At the same time Harry was dealing with another problem, which was keeping his pants on. Having experienced all kinds of sexual pleasures, it was hard for him to ignore girls now.
"Hermione is going to have my head," he said when trailed a seventh-year witch with his eyes. She surely wouldn't even acknowledge his existence. Girls her age wanted to be with men older than themselves who were mature. Harry had dealt with that before. Only he was the more mature guy. He now felt bad for getting girls who might have found love with the younger ones.
Harry tried to occupy himself by playing chess with Ron. He lost the first round but won the second. Ron was amused.
"That was a very impressive game, Harry," said Ron. "But you still have a long way to go to beat me in all the rounds."
It made Ron's heart ache. That was what he had come to say to Hugo as his chess improved over time.
"So what are you really going to do about the Dragon?" said Ron casually.
"I'll use a dildo," said Harry.
"Don't let Hermione hear that," said Ron with a chuckle. "She might hide hers and you will have to use Malfoy's."
Yes, this was Ron with his later developed sense of dark humor only looking significantly younger. That could cause them some problems later on.
"You will not my non-existing dildo Harry Potter," said Hermione as she joined them. "Now, who else do you guys think might have returned?"
"I'm not sure. I checked Fred and George. Unfortunately, they have not made it," said Ron with a depressed tone. "Would have been so fun – though I'm not entirely sure about those two not playing me. Remus must have come back too, but we can't be sure about that. Tonks is graduating this year, I reckon we would have seen him around if he was back. That's really strange because he was in front of me when we entered Ernie's office."
"And Pettigrew might have returned as well," said Harry. "I'm sure you have taken that into account as well, Minister." The last word was meant as a joke. The twist on Hermione's face, though, indicated that she had not liked it very much.
Ron's face turned red like a giant turnip. Harry could see pure hatred in his eyes.
"Yeah, that would be bad. At least we have someone to kill for this horrible journey. Wait! killing is not a good idea."
"Aw, Ron," said Hermione. "You're finally growing up."
"Yes, we will torture him in the most painful manner. Speaking of being grown up, would you please stop acting as if you're trying to impersonate McGonagall or Snape? Sprout already suspects you."
"It's Professor Sprout, Ron," Hermione corrected him, causing him to smile . "I did notice that. I've been practicing being cheerful again."
"Well, to be honest you've always had an inner McGonagall in you," said Harry. "Just don't overdo it."
The following days each of the trio did admirably in their efforts to stay in character. Harry was nervous enough, Ron was oblivious enough and Hermione… well she was more like a schoolgirl than a former Minister of Magic.
Harry was having the worst treatment of all time, but this time he was not letting it get through him. He would crack a joke when someone said something stupid about him. However, Slytherins were too much for him. Even with the mentality of a middle aged man he found it excruciatingly hard not to be triggered by them. He finally lost it when the Slytherins showed up with their POTTER STINKS badges and Malfoy insulted Hermione by calling her a mudblood. Hermione realised too late what was about to happen. Harry's spell was different this time. It was a simple stinging hex, but Malfoy's was the same and when it hit Hermione she knew it was too late. She could feel her teeth growing. She covered her face but it was useless everyone could already see straight and black replace fuzzy and brown. Malfoy's hex was actually a painless one. Hermione put all her will into her magic and willed her glamour to come back. I amazingly worked. She removed her hands from her face and observed the Slytherins. They had seen Something but she could already see doubt in their eyes. She looked at Malfoy who was laughing. Once their eyes met he wasn't laughing anymore. He could see the devastating fury in her eyes. Despite her ridiculous looks Hermione was now the most terrifying thing in the world to Malfoy.
For a few seconds all that could be heard was Goyle moaning.
"And what is all this noise about?" said Shape who had just arrived, albeit the only source of noise was Goyle.
Slytherins were first to go to him.
"Potter attacked me, sir, and he hit Goyle," said Malfoy in response to Snape's request for explanation.
Harry did not interrupt him and waited for Shape to face him.
"I am terribly sorry that I lost my temper, sir," said Harry.
It took a second for Snape to react. His eyes widened and he half opened his mouth.
"I … please, take your seat, Mr. Potter. You and Mr. Malfoy just earned a week of detention for yourselves. Miss Granger and Mr. Goyle. You better hurry up to the infirmary and return quickly. You don't want to miss this class, do you?"
Snape instructed everyone to sit. Harry sat patiently and hoped Snape wouldn't be too harsh on him. Malfoy seemed grumpy. Harry could say why. This was the first time he was getting a detention from Snape.
That day they were working on antidotes and Harry suddenly realised it was the day that their wands had been weighed by Olivander.
Snape was adamant not to let Harry go. Harry honestly didn't mind. He had once been severely poisoned by a poison Snape had thought about at one of sessions and Ron was the only one who had remembered that. Judging by Hermione's absence, this must have been that very session.
"I'll leave my bag, sir," said Harry. "My wand will do."
Snape nodded curtly.
Harry let Colin ramble all the way to their destination which was a small unused classroom.
"Hi," said Harry as he entered.
"Ah there you are! Champion number four. Harry in ..." said Ludo Bagman who was sitting with Rita Skeeter, Harry and Hermione's eternal nemesis.
"I was told that my wand was to be weighed," Harry interrupted Bagman's useless explanation. "Will Mr Olivander be here?"
"Oh… yes, yes, my clever boy! We have no one better than him to check the functionality of your wands. He's upstairs with Dumbledore. This, Harry, is Rita Skeeter," he pointed at Rita who was wearing magenta robes. "She's doing a small piece on the Tournament …"
"I doubt anything Ms. Skeeter does, be small," said Harry with a fake smile at Rita who seemed very flattered. Harry had to admit. Rita dressed impeccably for a witch in her profession. She was the kind of journalist who would do anything for a piece of news.
"Get a grip on yourself!" cried Harry's internal voice. "You will not have sex with that woman. You don't want her to be your first!"
"But look at those sexy nails!" said Harry's inner satyromaniac.
Harry shook his head to clear his head.
"I wonder if I could have a little word with Harry before we start?" said Rita to Bagman, but still gazing fixedly at Harry. 'The youngest champion, you know … to add a bit of colour?"
"Of course! If Harry doesn't mind of course," said Bagman uncomfortably. He obviously had noticed the way Harry was looking at Rita.
"It would be a pleasure," said Harry.
Rita jumped off her seat and grabbed Harry's shoulder rather enthusiastically. However it was Harry who took the lead and guided her to the very broom cupboard she would have taken him anyway.
Harry closed the door and cast a spell that made walls emit ambient light from outside.
"Impressive, Harry," said Rita.
"Careful where you put your feet," said Harry. "There might be some semen there. You won't believe how many children have been created in this place."
Harry wanted to spank himself. Where in the world a fourteen-year-old boy would say that?!
"You are very considerate," said Rita with a more passionate smile.
There were two types of women in Harry's world. The first would absolutely be repulsed by what Harry had just said and the second would not care very much or even like it. Rita obviously fell under the second type.
"Harry, would you mind if I use Quick-Quotes Quill? It leaves me…"
"Please do. As long as you are happy and I don't get upset we should be fine."
Rita's smile faltered a bit. She began testing her Quill. It was working well. Harry wondered if he should mess with it before deciding against it. Rita's article seemed so innocent and harmless now.
"So, Harry … what made you decide to enter the Triwizard Tournament?"
"Technically I was forced to compete," said Harry trying not to pay much attention to the quill. "The way my name was put in the Goblet is quite interesting, you know. The Goblet is supposed to choose only three people of three schools and none could be going to the same school. It's very complex as you can see. But I'm the fourth champion and according to Professor Moody someone must have confunded the Goblet in a way that it assumes there are four schools involved and I'm the only participant of the fourth school. That is frankly beyond my capabilities."
Rita seemed a bit disappointed but Harry's explanation was good enough for her.
"How do you feel about the tasks ahead?"
"Anyone in my place would be stressed at least, wouldn't they be? But what is life without some thrill?"
"Harry, you're quite good at this," said Rita with a big smile. "So as you know champions have died in the past. You have certainly thought about that, haven't you?"
"Well, yes. On the other hand I'm quite familiar with deadly situations."
"Of course you have looked death in the face before, haven't you?" said Rita.
"I have. And that taught me well to steer clear from that kind of situation. You don't know when your luck runs out. However, I doubt anyone will die this time. They really wouldn't want any of us dead and the tournament being cancelled for another 200 years."
Rita couldn't stop herself from nodding.
"How would your parents feel?" said Rita.
"Well, it's a really difficult topic for me…"
At that moment they were interrupted by Dumbledore.
Rita tried to look happy to see the headmaster. Dumbledore wasn't keen to behave the same way. However, to any ordinary person he was as happy as usually. Harry could barely contain his amusement when he realized that Rita had described him as an obsolete dingbat.
"Well, I hope you'll be kinder to me when you write your piece about me," said Harry before Rita could make excuses. "Of course, I'm sure Professors Dumbledore wasn't offended. Free speech and criticism are necessary for functional governance. However, we shouldn't be rude, should we, Rita?"
"You are right, Harry," said Rita with a nervous smile. "And I'm truly sorry if I offended you Dumbledore."
"Do not worry yourself, Rita. I'm afraid we need to go now if we want to get to the wand weighing."
Harry followed Dumbledore and Skeeter behind and hoped this wouldn't take as long as he had remembered. Naturally they had Harry's wand tested last. Even after all these years Harry was surprised by Olivander's unique memory. Olivander spent quite some time on Harry's, and he for a second wondered if Olivander had any hobbies other than wands and things related to it.
Dumbledore dismissed them and while he had offered that they go for dinner Harry headed to the Dungeons to retrieve his bag and ask Snape if he could deliver his antidote later. He might have been stuck there if he had not confunded the poor photographer. He felt bad for others who had stayed longer than him. Because from what he had heard after disillusioning himself, Rita had asked for photos. And when she realised he was gone, Harry could hear her angry rant at the photographer from the end of the corridor.
When he got to the Dungeons people were leaving already.
"I'm sorry it took so long, Professor," said Harry politely.
"Mr. Potter, may I inquire why you are being so polite?" he said. He leaned forward and continued even more quietly than usual. "What happens in future that you feel the need to respect me all of the sudden."
"Let's say I found out where your loyalty lies," said Harry.
Snape looked at him skeptically before handing Harry his bag.
"I will hand you my antidote tomorrow, sir. Will that be fine with you?"
"Yes, Potter. You may go," said Snape. "Your detention will be here at 7 tommorow night."
"Thank you, sir. Bring your antidote then."
Harry hurried away to join Ron and Hermione. He found them at the Gryffindor tower.
"You have a letter," said Ron, pointing at him to join them.
Harry snatched the parchment from Ron's hand and unrolled and began to read it eagerly. Seeing Sirius's handwriting gave him a smile.
Harry
I can't say everything I would like to in a letter, it's too risky in case the owl is intercepted – we need to talk, face to face. Can you ensure that you are alone by the fire in Gryffindor Tower at one o'clock in the morning on the 22nd November?
I know better than anyone that you can look after yourself, and while you're around Dumbledore and Moody I don't think anyone will be able to hurt you. However, someone seems to be having a good try. Entering you in that Tournament would have been very risky, especially right under Dumbledore's nose.
Be on the watch, Harry. I still want to hear about anything unusual. Let me know about the 22nd November as quickly as you can.
Sirius
"This time you're going to help me when I talk to Sirius," said Harry.
"Sure, mate. We're there for you," said Ron. "When will it be?"
"In two weeks, 22nd November," said Harry.
"Lovely," said Hermione. "Now let's study, because that's what good students do."
"I never thought Ron would do it," said Harry.
"Well, what can I say?" said Ron as he sharpened his quill. "I have come to appreciate knowledge."
A/N:
Wow, an update after a very long time. Sorry for the lingering suspense. How was this chapter? Do you think Remus has come back as well or not? What about Peter? Why do you think a Dildo doesn't work against a dragon? (The essay should be at least five paragraphs long ;))
ImmortalSorcerer wishes you a great time and magical health.
OH, AND HAPPY BELATED NEW YEAR.