Since most of the fifth and seventh year students had stayed back in the castle during winter holidays in order to prepare for their OWL and NEWT exams the train was somewhat empty so Harry, Neville and Hermione found an empty cabin rather quickly and settled in. Harry locked the cabin door and applied some privacy charms so they wouldn't be disturbed as he waited anxiously to meet Sirius who'd wrote to him that he will be at the station to pick him up. It would be a good moment in Harry's life where he wouldn't have to meet his relatives at the platform as he'd walk up to the car with them and then drive 'home' in silence with occasional rants from his uncle and aunt.

As the train started to move Harry's communication mirror buzzed. Since both Hermione and Neville knew about Daphne Harry didn't bother to put up a privacy charm or walk out of the cabin in order to talk to her as he swiped the mirror and her face appeared on it.

"Can we talk?" she asked.

The two hadn't talked ever since Harry had told her that he liked her. Ever since then the air between them was somewhat awkward. They'd occasionally look at each other during meal times but then look away almost immediately. So when she said that she wanted to talk to him Harry wondered whether it was about what he'd said and it somewhat made him nervous thinking if he'd gone too far, telling her about how he felt for her. He probably shouldn't have been a Gryffindor at that moment, doing or saying something without giving it a second thought.

Leaving the cabin Harry went for the one where Daphne had called him. She was in an empty cabin waiting for him as he entered and closed the door behind him. Daphne was quick to apply a series of privacy charms before taking a seat as Harry sat opposite to her, looking at her as she looked down.

"About what you said in the chamber that day," she broke the awkward silence a few minutes later.

"I'm sorry," Harry said before she could finish her sentence as she looked at him. "I crossed the line. I shouldn't have said that to you. I…I just didn't know…I didn't know what I was thinking…"

"Harry," her voice stopped him, "it's alright," she said. "I gave it some thought and…" she paused for a little while before taking in a long breath and breathing it out. "…I've noticed that I've changed somewhat ever since we both started spending time together and…after you saved me that night from Collins and McNair I…I couldn't stop thinking about all of it and you and…" she stopped mid way as she stood up and walked over to him. Before Harry could think what was happening she planted a soft kiss on his lips and left the cabin.

Sitting there dumbstruck and shocked Harry's mouth remained open as his mind froze. A few minutes later he realized the position he was in as he closed his mouth and looked at the opened cabin door. Standing up he walked outside and looked for Daphne but she wasn't there anymore. She must've gone back to wherever she was sitting in the train as Harry subconsciously touched his lips as he closed the cabin door with his other hand. He then slowly walked back to where he was sitting with Hermione and Neville as the two looked at him wondering what had happened.

"Harry, are you okay?" Hermione asked.

"Huh?" Harry said coming out of his train of thoughts. "Uh, yeah…yeah I am," he said before looking outside the window at the stretches of fields that passed by.

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Harry woke up looking at the ceiling as he sat up in the bed. Looking around he remembered being in 'his' room at the Greengrass manor. He and Sirius had come here yesterday being invited to a little dinner party with the Greengrasses and after yesterday night he said that he'd stay here until the winter holidays came to an end.

Getting off the bed Harry headed down a few minutes later after freshening up when he stopped on the stairs as he saw Daphne in the hall sitting on the couch reading the morning paper. She put the paper down and saw him looking at her and once again the air of awkwardness filled between them.

Memories from what had happened in the Hogwarts express between them came back rushing to the two teens as Harry slowly walked down the stairs and just stood there in the hall with no idea what to do now. He sighed in relief when Anna walked into the hall and smiling at the two as she sat on the couch beside Daphne as a house elf popped beside her and placed a tray containing three cups of tea.

Anna had talked to him last night in his room letting him know that Daphne had told her about what had happened between her and Harry who, while shocked hearing this, also felt a little relieved knowing that Anna wasn't angry with him or anything for kissing his daughter. Well, technically it was Daphne who had kissed him but he didn't know what details of that moment she had told to Anna. He wasn't going to talk about it because of how awkward it felt.

"You two really need to talk to one another," Anna said taking as sip from her cup of tea. "It helps. And while I know it's not easy for the two of you," she said before looking at Daphne, "especially you but talking about it is the only way you're gonna dissolve this air of awkwardness and somewhat tension between the two of you. Now, what do I think of it," she said looking at Harry as she knew he was worrying mostly about that question – how Anna felt about it, "is not of importance. Yes, one of you is my child and the other is also someone I see as my own but I know that both of you are mature for your age and you have enough understanding to not make it awkward between the two of you. I understand that neither one of you had such an experience before so I know it's very different for you but unless you talk about it it's…this sense of awkwardness between the two of you will only increase."

Daphne sighed as she rolled her eyes at her mother's antics as she looked at her but Harry spoke before she could say anything. "Before anything happens I want to ask you never to let Sirius know about this because he won't shut up about it and tease me until the end of my days," he said causing Anna to chuckle. He then looked at Daphne. Knowing that Anna knew about what had happened between them and was cool about it gave him some confidence. He looked at Daphne with complete seriousness as Daphne looked at him wondering what he'd say now. He took in a long breath before sighing.

"I don't regret or feel anything bad about what happened between us," he said. He didn't know if that's what he was supposed to say as all of this was happening to him for the first time. "I don't know what to say but all I know is that I said what I felt…for you and while what happened…between us really took me off-guard a part of me was…was happy about it."

"So you liked it?" Daphne asked, her question coming as a shock to both Harry and Anna who looked at her. "We will never talk about it…with anyone. Not even with ourselves if you want to live, do you understand?" Anna smiled as Harry swallowed, nodding slowly. "What I think about it…about you is for me. What you think about me and about all of this is for you. Whatever it is…even if we both have the same feelings towards one another I think we're both still very young to take this further for now. While that doesn't mean that I would not share your feelings I have to put this out in the front to let you know that we have to take this slow…because we're both still too young and then there're the other reasons obviously."

Anna blinked. Not in a million possibilities had she thought that her daughter would talk something like this. She didn't know what to say to that and she could tell that Harry had the same thoughts. 'Poor guy,' she thought looking at him.

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Moody finished setting up the portkey charm on the Tri Wizard cup as he looked at it. A smile on his face he could already see his master's return. At first he'd thought that things wouldn't go as he'd planned since he hadn't been able to form such a relationship with Harry where the boy would see him as a mentor figure or trust him but call it luck or whatever, he was presented with an opportunity which gave him assurance that he could gain Harry's trust and it had worked.

When the boy had come to him seeking help with the Weasely boy Moody couldn't let that opportunity pass and he was right. After he'd 'caught' Ron mixing certain potions into the mudblood Granger's drinks Harry had come to him thanking for his help. That single thing that he did for the brat was enough for Harry to trust him but still the events had happened in such a way that he'd never got the chance to 'mentor' that boy personally but the silver lining in all of this was that Harry had still come out on top in the tournament in both the tasks.

All Moody had to do now was to make sure that Harry won the tournament in order to see his lord's plan succeed. Perhaps setting up a few traps inside the maze would do the trick in order to eliminate the three other champions. Yes, that will ensure Harry will reach to the cup and ultimately to the location where the real thing will happen.

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Viktor looked at the ball of patronus message as it dissipated away. The same message had been sent to both Fleur and Cedric as well so they all knew what they needed to do. He looked at his spare wand as he put it in his holster before leaving his room.

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The journey back to Hogwarts was a quiet one. After 'sorting' their thoughts and feelings with each other Harry and Daphne had been in so much relief. He was happy that his 'friendship' with her hadn't been broken and he understood Daphne's wishes and respected it. She was right. They were too young to talk about how they felt about each other. If it was in their luck then they'd be together in the future but for now they needed to give it some time.

As he sat by the window looking at the trees passing by he thought about the third task wondering what it could be. He had no intention of winning this tournament since he'd been made to enter it by Merlin knows who and this mysterious person clearly wanted to cause him harm. As he thought about it he also thought about the nightmare he'd been having about being an old man who finds Pettigrew, another skinny man and a baby-like thing in a dark room. After having the same nightmare for days this whole year he'd stopped caring about it. There were other important things that were happening in his life for him to care about some dream in which he was an old man.

He turned to look at the people with whom he was sharing the cabin with. Hermione was sitting by his side completely immersed in a book and Neville was talking with Susan on the seat opposite to him. Seeing those two Harry wondered about himself and Daphne. It was clear that he had feelings for her and no one but Daphne and Anna knew about it and he wanted to keep it that way until it became something serious…if at all.

As he sat there he didn't know when sleep took over him and he was woken up by Hermione as the train was about to reach Hogsmead station. They all gathered their things, whatever they had taken out of their respective trunks in order to pass the eight hours on the train as it slowly stopped at the station before they all boarded off.

They took a carriage back to the castle sharing it a third year Ravenclaw girl named Luna Lovegood. Harry had noticed her a few times and had found her to be a little odd. As she was sitting opposite to him on the carriage he saw she was reading a magazine called the Quibbler upside down. She also had weird glasses on her face with an extremely large frame in a color pink. He wondered if something was wrong with her but she had always been that way every time he'd seen her.

00000

She opened the door when the wards alerted of his arrival as she saw Sirius standing at her door waiting to be let in. It had been pouring outside and she could see he was somewhat drenched. But none of that stopped him from smiling at her as she stepped to the side inviting him in.

She looked at him as Sirius hung his overcoat on the coat rack before using the drying spell to dry himself and his coat. He then straightened his shirt before turning to look at her and was a little surprised seeing her look at him like that. He knew this was just as difficult for her as it was for him.

Looking around Sirius took in the place which Amelia had begun to call home ever since she'd lost her sister and brother-in-law. It was a two-bedroom flat in the heart of London, a big enough place for her and Susan to live in.

Seeing that the silence between them was becoming awkward Amelia cleared her throat, deciding to break the ice. "So, how are you?" she said.

"I've been good," Sirius answered just as awkwardly. "Life could've been better to me but now that I am free I don't get to complain." Amelia nodded before showing her to the drawing room as she and Sirius settled on the couch, none of them looking at each other. "So, uh…why did you invite me?" he asked.

"I…I just wanted to meet you," she said before taking a long pause as Sirius sensed that she had more to say so he waited. "I…I didn't know," she said looking at her hands. "I didn't know. I thought that you'd done it. I'd…I'd lost my sister…Susan was…she was made an orphan that night and then news arrives that you…"

Sirius was instantly by her side hugging her as she broke down in his arms. He knew it must've been so difficult for her to hold it all in. "You didn't know," he said slowly. "It's not your fault. Don't blame yourself."

"But it was," she said looking at him. Sirius was in awe looking at her beautiful face but then shoved those thoughts aside as he cursed himself mentally. It wasn't the time to think of something like that. "I didn't try to look for the truth. I just believed what they told me and…" she couldn't speak as she broke down again.

Sirius hugged her again, rubbing her back slowly. "I am telling you it was not your fault," he said slowly. "It was a different time back then, lots of deaths and kidnappings happening every day. They just tried to shorten the judgment."

"Just yours?" she said. "They shortened the judgment time just for you? You were the only one who didn't get a trial, Sirius! Even death eaters like Malfoy and Nott got their trials but not you. How can you be okay with that? You had to spend almost a decade in Azkaban for a crime you didn't commit. You could've easily been spared of such unnecessary cruelty that they just put on you." Her expression then darkened. "I will never forgive them," she said slowly.

"Ams," she looked at him when Sirius called her that name. He was the only one who dared to call her by that nickname back in Hogwarts. "I know that what happened with me shouldn't have and I know that what you could do and couldn't was all because of how the times were back then but the important thing now is I am free and…" he paused and looked at her as she looked at him, "…and that we two are together."

He stopped and slowly closed the gap between their faces as his lips touched hers. Amelia closed her eyes, her heart fluttering in turmoil of emotions as she responded to the kiss but then stopped and pulled back. Sirius looked at her or rather her face of guilt and somewhat shame.

"I…I can't do this," she said looking away from him. "It's just…no…not yet, Sirius. I hope you understand."

"I do," he said. "Thanks, though for helping me get the trial. Augusta told me how you risked your dream job in order to find evidence that would support my case. And I will be waiting for your approval."

00000

It was chaos in the castle as one could see several groups of aurors there after word got out that a very dangerous criminal was hiding in the castle. With Dumbledore away on some ICW business McGonagall was in control of everything but news like this had shocked her too.

Opening the door to Moody's office she and the aurors found an unconscious and tied Barty Crouch Jr. The aurors acted quickly looking for any wand or other weapons while one of them folded his right sleeve to reveal the dark mark. There was also an opened vial on the floor which one of the aurors picked up and quickly cast a reveal spell.

"It's polyjuice," the auror said as others looked at him.

"He was impersonating him." Everyone turned around and saw Snape standing at the door. McGonagall quickly walked over to him.

"Severus…" she couldn't form words.

Snape kept looking at an unconscious Barty Crouch Jr before looking at the aurors. "You should also question Junior's father," he said. "He just confessed to me in shock a few minutes ago that he was the one who broke him out of Azkaban and kept him at his place all this time until Junior here ran away from home. You will find Senior in the dungeons."

Without wasting another moment a handful of aurors left the office and headed for the dungeons as students standing in the corridors looked at them with varied expressions. They all knew something was wrong but what they didn't know. To have this many aurors in the castle all at the same time couldn't be good.

Snape walked into Moody's office and looked around. Everyone gave him space knowing that intellect-wise he was the most qualified one in the room at the moment to take in the situation compared to others. "Where is auror head Bones?" he asked as his eyes stopped at Moody's trunk that lay in the corner with a series of locks on it.

"She's on personal leave since yesterday," one of the aurors said. "Deputy Head Kingsley Shacklebolt was in command of the entire DMLE in her absence but he's to report the minister on some cases so he sent me. I'm Rogers, Professor."

"Rogers," Snape said uninterestingly as he didn't even look at the man, "open that trunk."

"The trunk?" Rogers said looking confused but then nodded before casting a series of spells as everyone realized the amount of security spells that was on the trunk. It now made everyone suspicious. Opening the trunk everyone saw the real Moody inside lying unconscious.

"Enervate," Snape said waking up Moody who groaned before realizing what was happening and was immediately looking around. He tried to stand up but realized his prosthetic leg was missing along with his eye and wand when his memories started to return and he looked more ashamed than surprised.

"Bastard got the jump on me," he said sounding extremely disappointed in himself.

"Don't worry," Snape said. "No one has to know of your failures. Now, let's get you out of here. You've still got a few classes to teach before the term ends."

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Thanks for reading…