Freak of Nature – Chapter 7 (The Announcement)
For the next four years, Harry had been growing more accustomed to having a tail. Which also meant becoming rather adept at hiding it from his dorm mates. He was still best friends with Neville, whose love of Herbology had only grown. He even got along with his other roommates, Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan. They were both Quidditch fanatics. Which meant the dorm was almost always empty during Quidditch matches and training. Neville would either sleep, go to the library to study or go to the Herbology Greenhouses to help Professor Sprout.
Harry had never brothered on trying out for the team, despite he knew that his father may have been disappointed in that. Not that he ever told Remus about that. But he was content enough to spend his time in classes, homework, and with his friends. Even went to some of the Quidditch matches.
Remus had told Harry about the Prefect's bathroom and had given him the famed Marauders Map in his first year. It had taken him a few years to risk the Prefects bath though. He wasn't a Prefect and wasn't sure he ever would be. Although Remus and his mother had been Prefects, then his mother and father had been Headboy and Headgirl. He still wasn't sure he wanted the extra responsibilities on top of his O.W. Ls and N.E. .
It was Harry's third year when he finally tried the Prefects bath for the first time. It had helped that Remus had been Professor Lupin, the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. He felt safe with Remus there. He had later found out that his godfather, the man that was the Secret Keeper for his parent's safehouse.
That Sirius had broken out of the wizarding prison, Azkaban. He had never found out on the reason why that was either. Revenge on him living? He wasn't sure. But wasn't Azkaban supposed to be inescapable?
Remus had told him that Sirius had betrayed his parents, killed Peter, and countless of muggles as well. That apparently it had been him that James and Lily chose as Secret Keeper. At first, when Harry was eleven, he wasn't sure if that was true. He knew that Lily and James had thought it too obvious, but perhaps they had gone through with that anyways.
Even knowing this, it terrified Harry. The fact that this mass murderer had broken out of an inescapable prison was scary. Even more so when you knew they were coming after you. Even with Remus there, he did feel safer and had taken up the guest bed in Remus' office.
Though Harry never thought he would hear the end of it when Ron Weasley kept whining that Hermione's cat, Crookshanks had killed his rat. He swore he saw a hint of a tail before the cat ate the thing.
Despite the humor of that, Harry didn't fully relax until Minister Fudge had declared that Sirius Black had been captured and was given the Dementor's Kiss. At least now, Harry no longer had to worry about someone in Voldemort's service trying to kill him for the death of their Lord. Even though Remus had moments of looking sad. Harry imagined he was just grieving for his best friend, or the best friend he thought he had. He couldn't imagine what it must be like to realize that someone you thought you had trusted was really just a betrayer.
His second year had been completely normal, Professor Lockhart had been a joke. Thankfully the infamous curse meant he was gone at the end of the year. Harry had also met Ginny; she had been awkward around him all year. Every time he walked into a room she would squeak, go red and run out. Percy just rolled his eyes and explained his mother had read her stories of him since she was a baby. Harry had felt extremely creeped out. He already had enough people that stared at him because of being the Boy-Who-Lived, he didn't need another obsessed fan of his.
The first year had been just as wonderful as he had hoped, beyond Snape's issues with him. He and Neville were at the top of their classes, they never let themselves slack off. Snape had tried every chance he got to question him or give him detention. But Professor McGonagall had kept her promise, when Snape gave detention, it was served with her. It almost always ended up being him just doing his homework while she watched. Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger had formed an odd sort of friendship. She bossed him around and he insulted her, but the minute Harry was in the room. They would pair up and try to be his best friends while trying to shove Neville away. Harry had snapped and shouted, defending Neville. They continued this every year. The biggest happiness and surprise was at the end of first year. Harry went home only to discover Remus and Petunia had started dating. Remus had been so nervous asking if he was okay with it. Harry had just laughed and hugged him asking when he would move in permanently.
And now, he was starting his fourth year. He knew that Professor McGonagall was probably still giving Aunt Petunia and Remus daily updates about him. She didn't have to anymore for Remus since he was a professor at Hogwarts now. Though she was always asking what he was doing in his classes in her letters.
Harry was always happy to reply back to all her letters. Though she had been very proud of his progress in his classes. He knew that Neville's gran was probably pleased as well, from what Neville said.
Even Dean and Seamus had been doing well and they did study sessions frequently. Even if it was just to chat about the day and lessons, not actual homework or essays.
Harry did wonder when Remus would propose to his aunt, they had been dating since the end of his first year. He didn't know if Remus was looking to get his opinion of the matter. Since his Aunt Petunia was family. He didn't see why that mattered so much, because Remus was family too.
Though he had been surprised when he saw Remus sitting at the Head Table again for another year. He had figured that Remus was only going to teach for a year. Had there even been a supposed curse on the position?
He grinned and waved at his Uncle Moony, of course, the Marauder had kept his return a secret. Harry giggled when Remus just winked with a smug grin. As usual, the Welcoming Feast was just as magical, Harry thought with an inward chuckle. He happily filled his plate with roast vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, and three different roast types of meat, Chicken, Lamb and Pork.
He allowed himself to be pulled into conversations with his friends about his summer. He and Neville excitedly told Dean, Seamus, Fred, George and Lee about how they went to New Zealand for a three-week holiday. They had gone with Gran, Uncle Moony, Aunt Petunia, and Dudley. Of course, making it back home for the full moon.
Of course, all of them had seen each other briefly at the Quidditch World Cup. Harry had even had the chance to catch up with the recently graduated Percy and Oliver. Mr. Weasley had won the tickets and Percy had been able to use a spare ticket to take his best friend. Ron had tried to use the other to take Hermione, but since her distaste for the sport was well known, Arthur had let Fred and George bring Lee instead.
Harry pouted as the meal vanished, of course, his dismay was short-lived as the desserts filled the table. Immediately grabbing himself a large slice of Treacle Tart and Vanilla Ice Cream. He eyed the head table as he ate. Narrowing his eyes when he noticed an extra person.
"Hey, who is that guys?" He asked.
"Merlin, what's Mad Eye doing here?" Fred asked choking on his chocolate.
"Dad only said a week or two ago the man was retired. He got called out to deal with his alarm dustbins," George added with an eye roll.
"He was an Auror. The Auror. Put away half of Azkaban." Neville whispered nervously. "My parent's trained under him." It had taken awhile, but Neville had opened up to their small group about why he was raised by his Gran. Harry had then told Neville his own secret. Neville had insisted on taking an oath to protect his best friend and godbrother. Of course, Remus and Petunia had been there for that. He did promise after all.
Neville had taken it much better than anyone else, although that was mostly due to him growing up in the Wizarding World. The Longbottom's had a few different magical creatures in the bloodline but hadn't surfaced in four generations.
Before it felt like this big, huge secret, which it still was. But it felt lighter somehow since his best friend knew that part about him. Something that didn't have to hide from him.
Remus had still exercised caution about being careful. He had taken one day to explain to Neville a bit more about it. Since Lily had been his friend too. He had a few books that were glamoured and keyed to him. Anyone curious would only see a regular Herbology book. But he could look it over and it would help Neville recognize any signs for land illness, scale deformation. There would be times that Remus couldn't always keep Harry safe, so having someone else look after him, even though the boys were the same age, made him feel more at ease.
Harry was pulled from his fond memories as Dumbledore stood up and raised his hands. Slowly the Great Hall quietened.
"To our first years, welcome to Hogwarts. To our returning students welcome back. I am happy to inform you all, that Professor Lupin has returned to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts for another year." At this the students erupted into applause for a favorite Professor. Fifth and Seventh years hooting loudly at having a competent Professor for their OWLs and N.E. . Harry and his group of friends also whistled and shouted out happily.
"Yes, yes, we are all pleased with that." Dumbledore grinned.
Harry giggled when Neville snorted and nudged him and nodded at Snape's sour expression.
"But as always I have some notices to give." Harry groaned quietly; the old coot always waffled on at the beginning of year speech. He had joked to Neville once that the wrinkled windbag spent all summer writing them.
"As always, the Forbidden Forest is forbidden to students," Dumbledore said sternly, glancing towards the twins yet again. Of course, he was well aware of the Gryffindor Tradition. At the end of every year, the Gryffindor students brave enough to try would go as deep as they dared. If you got caught or went back you lost. Fred, George and Lee had won their first, second, third and fourth year. Their fifth, Harry's third, Harry won. What the twins didn't know was Remus was under the invisibility cloak. He had partaken himself as a student and wanted Harry to experience the rush and joy of being a child. But too protective of his cub to let him go alone.
"The list of forbidden items are posted in each house on the notice boards." Dumbledore continued. "It is also my painful duty to inform you that the Inter-House Quidditch Cup will not take place this year."
The hall was filled with shocked gasps, for a moment no one seemed to talk before the Quidditch players erupted into protests. For the first time Harry was grateful Oliver had graduated.
"This is due to an event that will be starting in October, and continuing throughout the school year, taking up much of the teachers' time and energy - but I am sure you will all enjoy it immensely. I have great pleasure in announcing that this year at Hogwarts, we are to have the honour of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months. An event that has not been held for over a century. It is my very great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year."
"You're JOKING!" said Fred and George shouted in surprise. Harry felt his heart sink when he saw Remus' face. He clearly hadn't known, but he was looking, Harry couldn't believe it, but he looked terrified.
Dumbledore chuckled heartily at the Weasley twins. "Now for those who don't know, The Triwizard Tournament was first established some seven hundred years ago as a friendly competition between the three largest European schools of wizardry: Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. A champion was selected to represent each school, and the three champions competed in three magical tasks. The schools took it in turns to host the tournament once every five years, and it was generally agreed to be a most excellent way of establishing ties between young witches and wizards of different nationalities until, that is, the death toll mounted so high that the tournament was discontinued."
Harry gulped, death toll? How could Dumbledore say something like that so easily, Harry felt fear settle in his gut. Something this big happening at Hogwarts? Uncle Moony called him his little trouble magnet for a reason. Harry found himself crossing his fingers that there was a way to select the champions that he wouldn't qualify for. Now he could understand Remus' expression.
"The heads of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving with their short-listed contenders in October and remaining with us for the greater part of this year. I know that you will all extend every courtesy to our foreign guests while they are with us. The selection of the three champions will take place on Halloween. An impartial judge will decide which students are most worthy to compete for the Triwizard Cup, the glory of their school, and a thousand Galleons personal prize money." Dumbledore revealed, the hall once again burst to life.
Students from all houses claiming they wanted to go for it. Fred and George Weasley among them. But Harry had tunnel vision, unable to see or hear beyond Dumbledore, hoping, praying for something to protect him.
"But, to protect our students," Dumbledore continued yet again, silencing the hall. "The Heads of the three schools and our three Ministries, have agreed to an age limit." Harry held his breath. "Only those of age, that is 17 years of age can enter." Dumbledore finished.
"RUBBISH!" The twins howled, they were joined by many others who were only just shy of the age limit, and a few younger students who didn't truly understand the danger.
"This is a measure we feel is necessary, given that the tournament tasks will still be difficult and dangerous, whatever precautions we take, and it is highly unlikely that students below a sixth and seventh year will be able to cope with them. I will personally be ensuring that no underage student hoodwinks our impartial judge into making them Hogwarts champion. Now, it is late, and I know how important it is to you all to be alert and rested as you enter your lessons tomorrow morning. Bedtime! Chop chop!"
The students were slow to move, most caught up in their excitement. But Harry just felt this overwhelming dread.
"Neville." Harry gasped, grabbing his friend's arm. "Let McGonagall know. Need Moony." Neville shot the message off to Dean and Seamus before guiding Harry towards Remus' private quarters. He wasn't going to let Harry go alone. Thankfully as Remus was down as shared Guardian for both boys, they had a shared room in his quarters, and as long as McGonagall knew where they were, they could stay there.
Dean and Seamus both had sympathetic looks as they nodded. At least they weren't stupid enough to think that entering a tournament that was known for its deaths was a smart idea.
But Harry could feel his nerves and magic going everywhere. He just knew something was going to go wrong and he wanted Remus. He wanted Moony. He had never felt gladder that Remus was a professor this year. Like last year, he was going to need his presence this year.