A/N: And here's the next chapter! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Godzilla. I only own my original ideas.
Chapter 49: On to 4th year
Back on the Hogwarts Express on the way to his 4th year, Harry met up this his friends, and discussed their summers. Harry told them about spending time with Sirius and Remus (They were planning on doing some house-cleaning/uncursing of Sirius' old family home, an arduous task to say the least), as well as a bit about the extra training he'd received in psychic defense.
"That sounds like you're training in Occlumency," said Daphne, "that's what wizards call it, the art of shielding one's mind from intrusion, and to opposite to Legimency. or mind reading".
"Well, it might be necessary," said Harry, "apparently I've managed to attract outside interest, so I doubt that's the last interplanetary visitor we'll be seeing… and they'll likely only get more dangerous".
"How bad?" asked Hermione.
"Anywhere from a small scouting force to a full-blown invasion fleet," said Harry, "and with at least one kaiju with them either way. In any case, they likely won't arrive for a while so there's time to prepare… It will be a year or two, most likely".
"So, what exactly was that thing you fought?" asked Neville.
"That was Gigan… or at least a Gigan," explained Harry, "The others have told me they've destroyed versions of it in the past, so there must be multiple".
"What monster is the worst case scenario if it shows up?" asked Daphne.k
"Oh, definitely Ghidorah," said Harry, "if they shows up, I either need to be extremely prepared, or hope that a friendly kaiju is in the area. Even Godzilla has trouble with them at times, and he's one of the most powerful of us".
"Them?" asked Hermione.
They are a 3-headed hydra," said Harry, "and apparently each head can act somewhat independently".
Their conversation moved on to other topics, with Harry explaining that his spell research was beginning to have an effect on the wider world.
"…and when I saw Norberta, she summoned an orb of light and proceeded to chase it around her lair," said Harry.
"We're talking about the same Norberta, right?" said Hermione, "the dragon Hagrid was planning to raise in our first year?"
"The very same," said Harry, "she seemed to be quite happy".
"Old roads are rediscovered, the winds are shifting," said Luna, "a choice will be made".
"…So, that was you at the world cup, right?" asked Daphne, changing the topic, "the roar, I mean".
"Maybe," smirked Harry.
"That was risky, someone could have seen you… someone should have seen you!" said Hermione.
""There was nothing to see, really. I did the same thing as I did with the troll in first year, releasing a small aspect of my abilities" said Harry, "except to alter my voice like I did to Lockheart, and unlike with Lockheart, I didn't hold back on volume".
The train rolled on into the night, and there was a buzz of excitement about some special event at the school this year. Harry already had a bad feeling that he'd somehow get mixed up in whatever it was, whether he liked it or not.
Eventually, the train rolled to a stop at Hogsmede station, and the students departed. They boarded the carriages, and arrived at the castle itself. They made their way to the great hall, and sat at their respective tables. The sorting came and went, and Dumbledore gave his announcements. Most of it was the same as usual, until he came close to the end. Suddenly the doors to the great hall were thrown open, and an extremely beat up man entered. He was covered in scars, had a peg-leg, and one of his eyes was electric blue and spinning wildly in its socket.
"Ah, just in time!" said Dumbledore, "may I introduce you to our newest faculty member, Professor Alastor Moody!"
Harry heard Ron Weasley shouting something about 'Mad Eye' Moody, and about how he was one of the toughest wizards to ever serve in the Aurors... and also one of the most paranoid.
The electric blue eye fixed on Dumbledore, and Moody made his way up to the staff table. This was clearly their newest Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Well, at least it looked like this one was well experienced.
"As well, I am sorry to announce that the inter-house quidditch cup will not be held this year," said Dumbledore.
Shouts broke out from all corners of the room, with Ron being the loudest as usual, and Dumbledore waited until everyone had quieted down.
"Instead, I am pleased to announce that Hogwarts will be hosting the newly revived Tri-Wizard Tournament!" continued Dumbledore, "this special competition will be open to any students who are of at least 17 years of age, and we will also be hosting students from two of our fellow magical schools as well".
Ah, there it was… Harry knew he had no chance of a quiet year. He was certain that even though he wasn't old enough to compete, he'd end up in the tournament regardless. He heard Hermione telling about the history of the Tournament, and how it was halted in the past due to the sheer number of competitors (and spectators) that died. That all but confirmed it: he was going to end up in the tournament. He couldn't have year at Hogwarts without some potential threat, could he? While he'd managed to mostly defuse the ones in the past, this one would likely require more effort.
Dinner passed normally after that, and the students made their way up to their dorms. Harry sat down on his bed to meditate for a bit. While he'd completed his psychic defense training, he knew there was no reason not to do what he could on his own to make it even better. He imagined his lair on Monster Island, continuing to build up even more defenses around it, and the island as a whole than he already had.
'Let's see… yes, the Cerberus goes over here, the Basilisk over there, add some new locks to that memory vault… Ah yes, can't forget a flight of dragons!' thought Harry.
The new elements of his mental defenses snapped into place, and he was satisfied for now. He exited his reverie, and finally got ready for bed.
A/N: And then we go! not much to add here, so next time: it time for class with 'Professor Moody'. see you then!