Enough With All Your Games
Chapter 1: The Third Task
Note: This is an AU where Harry and Cedric pick up on the general… fishiness… of the Triwizard Tournament. When Harry saves Cedric from being attacked by the Imperius-cursed Viktor Krum, Harry and Cedric decide to stop the Task before anyone can use any more Unforgivables on any more of the Champions. Their realization – and their decision – will throw off Barty Crouch Jr.'s evil plan and change all of Wizarding history.
Another note: This chapter borrows some dialogue directly from the Goblet of Fire book. Just so you know.
On Saturday June 24, 1995, Hogwarts Triwizard Tournament Champion Cedric Diggory woke up with jitters all over his body. Even though he was a very talented sixth-year at Hogwarts and he'd been preparing for the past month nonstop to face the maze that was the Third Task, he was really nervous.
But when he entered the Great Hall for breakfast, he put on a brave face for all the Hogwarts students who were rooting for him. The room buzzed with energy; everyone was excited to see what would happen tonight. Fred and George Weasley and their friend Lee Jordan were even taking bets for who would win the tournament.
Professor McGonagall tapped Cedric on the shoulder and let him know he should go to the room where the champions had gathered the night they'd been chosen. Fleur and Krum were already on their way over there – was there something else the champions needed to be told before the task tonight?
But it was nothing task-related: Fleur was greeting her parents and little sister Gabrielle, Krum was conversing with his own parents in rapid Bulgarian, and Mrs. Weasley and her son Bill were waiting – presumably for Harry.
Before Cedric could look any further, he was being ambushed and hugged from both sides. "Surprise!" He recognized the voices of his parents, Amos and Natalie, and happily hugged them back.
"Hey, guys!" he exclaimed when they broke apart. "Are you here to watch me-"
"Ace the Hell out of the Third Task, Win the Triwizard Tournament, pocket 1,000 Galleons, and have your name go down in everlasting glory? Yeah, pretty much," said his father with a wide grin.
"Uh, actually, I was just going to ask about you watching the Third Task," said Cedric.
"Well yes," said his mother Natalie, "We're here to watch the Third Task and we want to let you know that we're so incredibly proud of you and we'll still be ridiculously proud of you no matter how the task tonight goes. Mwah!" She leaned in to kiss his cheek, probably leaving a mark of her trademark hot-pink lipstick behind.
"But you're brilliant and we know you've been preparing like crazy, so we kind of basically already know you're going to win," added his father.
"Uhh… do you guys want a tour of Hogwarts?" asked Cedric, hoping to steer the conversation away from the task that already had him so nervous.
"That sounds lovely," said his mother.
They were making their way out through the Great Hall when they passed Harry, who was leaving with Mrs. Weasley and her eldest son Bill.
"There you are, are you?" asked Amos Digrory, looking Harry up and down. "Bet you're not feeling quite as full of yourself now Cedric's caught up on points, are you?"
"What?" said a confused Harry.
"Ignore him," Cedric said to Harry in a low voice, frowning at his father. "He's been angry ever since Rita Skeeter's article about the Triwizard Tournament – you know, when she made out you were the only Hogwarts Champion."
"Didn't bother to correct her though, did he?" said Amos, loudly enough for Harry to hear as he started to walk out the door with Mrs. Weasley and Bill. "Still… you'll show him, Ced. Beaten him once before, haven't you?"
"Rita Skeeter goes out of her way to cause trouble, Amos," shouted an angry Mrs. Weasley. "I would have thought you'd know that, working at the Ministry!"
Mr. Diggory looked as though he was going to say something angry, but Cedric and his both steered him away, so he merely walked out in the opposite direction with them.
"Dad…" moaned Cedric once they were out of earshot of Harry and the Weasleys, "Why'd you have to antagonize Harry? It's not his fault he got entered into this tournament."
"I still don't fully believe that," countered Cedric's dad. "The Boy Who Lived steals the spotlight constantly and the one time you have so much as an opportunity to show the Wizarding World what you're truly capable of… it makes me sick."
"Dad, would you be mad if I said the privacy's been kind of a blessing? I mean, I wouldn't wish the media antagonism Harry's been dealing with on anyone, but I'm so bloody glad Rita Skeeter's at least keeping away from Cho and me. I really love Cho, and I'm so glad the Skeeter woman's steered clear of her."
"Well, we're glad Rita Skeeter hasn't been making YOUR life or Cho's a living Hell, Cedric," said Natalie Diggory affectionately.
Amos Diggory nodded, as though he had no choice. Then, curiosity directed his thoughts away from Harry Potter and he asked, "So you really love this girl, huh?"
Cedric nodded enthusiastically. "I really do. You guys want to meet her later?"
"Oh my gosh, yes, please!" squealed Natalie Diggory.
The moment Cho Chang's Charms O.W.L. exam ended, she practically skipped out of the exam room. Then, she hurried to a sprint because she and Cedric had agreed at breakfast that Cedric would meet her in the Entrance hall when it was all over – and she couldn't wait to see him.
And there he was, her Cedric. "Cedriiiiic!" she squealed and launched herself into his arms not caring that half the Hogwarts student body was watching.
The moment she reached him, he picked her up and swung her around. Then, he pulled her close and she made sure to plant a kiss squarely on his lips. A broad grin spread over his face when they came apart. "Well, hello yourself. How was Charms?"
"The entire last section was on first aid and healing spells."
That was all the answer Cedric needed about how it went, for he reached up with both hands for her to high-five at once. "That's amazing, Cho! I knew you'd ace it!"
"I'm so happy to be done with my O.W.L.'s – a week before everyone else finishes term! I feel so bad for the examiners – they must've had to cut themselves, like, a hundred times! I definitely don't miss the class where we learned to heal wounds. We had to practice on each other!"
"Yikes, I remember that one. Wasn't pretty." Cedric grimaced at the memory.
"Well, enough about me," said Cho, "What've you been up to? Last-minute practice for the Third Task? Getting in some flying on the Quidditch pitch?"
"My parents are visiting, he replied as he laced his fingers through hers. "Want to meet them?"
"Wait, now?" Cho knew that Cedric wanted to introduce her to his family at some point, but she thought it would be over the summer and that she'd have more time to prepare.
"If you don't mind?" asked Cedric, gesturing to two tall people standing a bit behind him. One was a scruffy and bespectacled, but very handsome, wizard who had Cedric's broad shoulders and light brown hair. He was holding the hand of a striking, dark-haired woman who had Cedric's sparkling gray eyes. They both gave Cho a friendly wave. "It's totally okay if you need to take some time to yourself first. But I promise they'll love you."
Cho swallowed. "Well, I guess now is fine." Despite the wobbling in her legs, she let Cedric lead her over.
"Cho, please meet my parents, Amos and Natalie Diggory."
Cho gave a nervous wave and felt her throat tighten. "Nice to meet you!" she said.
"A pleasure," replied Natalie Diggory, coming forward to meet her. "Of course, Cedric's told us all about you. And by the way, congratulations on finishing your exams!" She took both of Cho's hands in her own and then leaned in to plant a kiss on both her cheeks.
Then, Amos Diggory came forward to shake her hand. "Ced's told us all about you. It's great to finally meet you in person."
"Great to meet both of you too," replied Cho. She appreciated how Cedric held her hand all through the introductions to his parents, and even afterward.
Since Cedric and his parents didn't want to face the crush of attention in the Great Hall, they decided that they could all go out into Hogsmeade for lunch. Half an hour after they'd met Cho, they wandered into the Three Broomsticks.
"Ah! The other Hogwarts Champion!" greeted Madam Rosmerta. "Want a table by the window? I'll get you and your girlfriend and your parents Butterbeers on the house, of course." She winked at Cedric.
"The other Hogwarts Champion?" asked Amos when they were seated.
"Dad, it's fine. I told you, Harry didn't put his name in the Goblet of Fire, and I don't think he wants Rita Skeeter dissecting his life in the papers, either."
"I believe that Harry Potter didn't put his name in the Goblet of Fire," added Cho, hoping to help smooth things over.
"I'm just mad that Harry Potter basically stole your glory!" complained Amos Diggory.
"Ced does deserve to be acknowledged for his participation in the Tournament," Natalie Diggory said diplomatically, "And I'm sure he will be after the Third Task tonight."
At that moment, a young witch with a pretty, heart-shaped face and spiky bubblegum-pink hair approached their table. "Cedric Diggory!" she exclaimed. "Can I have a quick word?"
Cedric questioningly cocked his head. "Depends… are you from the Daily Prophet, or any other newspaper or magazine?"
"God, no. Absolutely not. I'm an Auror."
"Then please, have a seat. Can I order you a butterbeer?"
"I'm just here for a moment," she explained. "My name's Tonks. Nymphodora Tonks, though you won't call me by my first name unless you want to get hexed. Like I said, I work as an Auror and I'm supposed to be here as a recruiter from the Auror Office."
"Supposed to be?" asked Cedric.
"Look, I was supposed to track you down and give you this really long speech about how great you'd be as an Auror and how glad we'd be to have you in the Auror Office. They're even okay with you skipping your 7th year of Hogwarts and starting training immediately after the Third Task, actually."
"Okay?" asked Cedric. "And if that's what you're supposed to say… is there something else that you want to say but aren't supposed to?"
"Oh, I think you'd be fantastic for the Auror Office! I just don't feel like giving you a long and tiring speech that'd interrupt your lovely day with your family. Anyway, let us know if you're interested in training as an Auror – you know where to find us. I can't wait to see the amazing performance you'll no doubt put on for the Third Task, and I'll certainly not interrupt your day with your family any longer. See ya!" Tonks gave a cheeky little wave and was on her way.
"Ced, this is bloody fantastic!" exclaimed Amos Diggory.
"I'll drink to that," added Natalie Diggory as their Butterbeers arrived. She raised her glass in a toast.
Cho clinked her glass against the others, but then turned to Cedric and asked, "What do you think of their offer, Ced? It's certainly cool, but I'm sure you'll have many other opportunities ahead of you if you decide you don't want to be an Auror." After all, she knew Cedric's real dream was to teach Transfiguration at Hogwarts.
"Thanks, Cho," said Cedric, giving her an affectionate squeeze. "I'm not really sure what I want to do after Hogwarts just yet."
"That's okay, you can definitely take your time," she replied sweetly, before giving him an equally sweet kiss. She hoped it communicated to him that she'd be proud of him no matter what happened – and no matter whether he did or didn't fulfill his father's lofty expectations.
Cho, Cedric, and his parents spent a lovely afternoon wandering around Hogsmeade and the Hogwarts grounds, talking about everything and nothing. At last, they had to go their separate ways for dinner. When Cho saw that Cedric was among his friends at the Hufflepuff table, she doubled back to speak to his parents.
"I hope we get to celebrate," Cho heard Amos say to Natalie, "Our boy has a really good chance of winning the tournament!"
"He does," said Natalie, nodding.
"Excuse me?" asked Cho.
Mr. and Mrs. Diggory turned around. "I just wanted to let the both of you know that there'll be a surprise party for Cedric in the Hufflepuff common room after the Third Task ends. I've arranged it. It would be great if you came! Oh, and we'll be celebrating the end of the tournament and Cedric's amazing accomplishments, regardless of whether or not he wins."
Suddenly, Cho wondered if she'd been too forward.
But Natalie Diggory simply told her, "We'd love to come!"
"That's… nice," added Amos.
Cho hesitated. It really wasn't her place to intervene in Cedric's family life, but… she heaved a deep breath.
"Is there something you want to say, Cho?" asked Natalie.
"Cedric is really nervous about the Third Task, and he's under a lot of pressure. He wants to make Hogwarts proud, and he wants to make Hufflepuff proud because they don't get a lot of victories, but I think a lot of the pressure is that he wants to please you and make you proud. It's obvious how much you love each other, but I think he's worried that he can't measure up to your expectations of him. I think he wants to win for you more than he wants to win for himself, to be honest."
Amos Diggory gave Cho a blank stare that had her wondering if she'd gone too far.
"We do love him regardless," said Natalie. "It matters to us that he knows that."
Cho heaved a sigh of relief. "I think it would make a lot of difference if you just reminded him that you're proud of him regardless of how he does tonight."
Amos finally nodded. "He fought his way past a bloody dragon with his head on fire and rescued you from the bottom of the lake. We're so proud of him, regardless. We'll, ah, make sure he knows."
"Would you like to sit next to us in the stands?" asked Natalie.
Cho realized for the first time all day that she truly had the approval of Cedric's parents. She couldn't be more relieved. "That'd be great. I'll find you after dinner. Uh, can I also bring my friend Marietta?"
"Of course, my dear! We'll see you soon," said Natalie.
Cho couldn't have been more pleased.
It was the end of the evening feast when Dumbledore rose to his feet at the staff table, and silence fell. "Ladies and gentlemen, in five minutes' time, I will be asking you to make your way down to the Quidditch field for the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament. Will the champions please follow Mr. Bagman down to the stadium now."
Cedric got up. The Hufflepuffs all along the table were applauding him. His parents and Cho all wished him good luck, and he headed off out of the Great Hall with Harry, Fleur, and Viktor.
They walked onto the Quidditch field, which was now completely 8nrecognizable. A twenty-foot-high hedge ran the way around the edge of it. There was a gap right in front of them: the entrance to the vast maze. The passage beyond it looked dark and creepy.
The stands began to fill with spectators five minutes later, and Cho and his parents approached him.
"We love you so much," said Natalie Diggory. "Amos and I are so proud of you."
Cedric accepted a hug from both his parents.
"Afterwards, we'll celebrate with you – regardless of the outcome, okay?" said Amos.
"Thank you," said Cedric.
Then, Cho approached him and held him close.
"Was that your doing?" Cedric whispered in her ear.
"I just clarified to him how proud he already was of you," said Cho.
"Thank you," murmured Cedric, holding her close as tears pricked his eyes. "That means the absolute world to me."
"I know, that's why I did it," said Cho. "I love you so much. Promise me you'll be safe in there, okay?"
"I promise," said Cedric.
Cho pulled him close for a kiss, kissing him as this was the last time she'd ever get to do it.
"And one more thing?" asked Cho.
"Yes?" said Cedric.
"Look, I spoke to your mom about the creepy goings-on that've been happening all year. And we both think something's really fishy with Harry Potter being forced into the tournament. Will you… will you promise me you'll look after him if something happens? Will you promise me that if things go out of the normal, even a little, you'll be sure to ask for help?"
"I will."
"Please stay safe, Cedric!" Cho threw herself around him and Cedric could feel her body shaking with nerves.
"I promise," he assured her, kissing her on top of the head. "You won't be rid of me for many years, and someday when we're an old married couple, you'll live to wish that my promise to be with you forever didn't come true."
"Forever?" Cho asked.
"Oh yeah," replied Cedric. "I love you and our relationship so bloody much, I absolutely want it to last forever."
"I want that too," sighed Cho.
Cedric and Cho leaned in for one last loving kiss before Cho and his parents had to make their way to their seats in the stands.
Then, Hagrid, Professor Moody, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Flitwich came walking into the stadium and approached Ludo Bagman, where he stood with the champions. The professors were wearing large, red luminous stars on their hats, all except Hagrid, who had his on the back of his moleskin vest.
"We are going to be patrolling the outside of the maze," said Professor McGonagall to the champions. "If you get into difficulty, and wish to be rescued, send red sparks into the air, and one of us will come and get you, do you understand?"
The champions nodded.
"Off you go then!" said Bagman brightly to the patrollers.
All too soon, Bagman was announcing the champions and their point totals, before blowing the whistle for Harry and Cedric to enter the maze. It was so dark that both Harry and Cedric had to light their wands. After fifty yards or so, they reached a fork.
"See you," Harry said as he took the left one, while Cedric took the right.
They'd barely entered the maze when Cedric encountered one of Hagrid's Blast-Ended Screwts.
"Stupefy!" he yelled at the thing, but the spell didn't penetrate its armor. The hideous thing advanced toward him, and another one joined it.
They both raised their stingers to shoot an explosion at Cedric, who shouted "Protego!"
But the spell didn't quite protect Cedric in time, and his sleeve caught on fire.
He rapidly extinguished his sleeve with his wand and then pointed it back at the Screwts. "Impedimenta!"
This time, both Screwts were blasted to smithereens, allowing Cedric to make his way farther into the maze ahead.
He came to a junction where he found Harry Potter, who eyed his smoldering sleeve questioningly.
"It's Hagrid's Blast-Ended Screwts!" he warned. "They're enormous – I only just got away!" Then, he ran off into the maze, away from Harry and any more creatures.
Cedric reached a few more dead-ends in the maze and had to use the Four-Point spell to guide himself toward the center of the maze. All in all, this was going pretty smoothly.
As he ran onward, Cedric heard a scream shatter the silence of the maze.
"Fleur?" he exclaimed.
There was no response. Apparently, Cedric was now only racing against two champions instead of three. Wait, what if he was actually going to win this tournament?
He made his way past a couple more challenges – a giant spider whose legs he'd lopped off with a curse and some silver mist that distorted his vision – before he crossed paths with none other than Viktor Krum.
Ced supposed it was okay to cross paths with other champions in the maze, but something about the way Krum turned toward him, wand raised, made him scared.
"What are you doing?" yelled Cedric, hoping to jar the other champion to his senses. "What the hell d' you think you're doing?"
And then, out of the blue, Krum yelled, "Crucio!"
All at once, Cedric felt as if a thousand hot knives were piercing his body. The pain was too intense to move, to think, to do anything at all but scream. Cedric only had the headspace to momentarily wonder: why was his kind, well-meaning friend Viktor Krum doing this?
The pain was interminable. Cedric would die of it here, maybe go insane like the poor tortured Longbottoms-
"Stupefy!"
All at once, the pain ended when Harry Potter had managed to stun Viktor Krum, who then fell motionless, facedown in the grass.
Next thing Cedric knew, Harry was helping him up. "Are you all right?" he asked.
"Yeah… I don't believe it… he crept up and he had his wand on me…"
Cedric was still shaking as he got to his feet.
"I can't believe this… I thought he was all right," Harry said, staring at Krum.
"So did I," murmured a shocked Cedric.
"Did you hear Fleur scream earlier?" asked Harry.
"Yeah," said Cedric. "You don't think Krum got her too?"
"I don't know," said Harry slowly.
Cedric still panted as he gazed, wild-eyed, at the sky. What the Hell was going on?
"I reckon we should send up red sparks over Krum and go on into the maze… even if he'd deserve to be eaten by a Skrewt for what he did to you," said Harry.
"Wait," stammered Cedric. "Please, Harry, wait. I know we're supposed to be opponents in this tournament and all… but will you help me wake Krum and ask why he did what he did? Because I honestly don't know why. He's not the type to use an Unforgivable Curse against anyone, even to win this tournament…"
"Shouldn't we finish the task first?" asked Harry.
"Just five minutes," begged Cedric. "Please. I have to know."
He turned to the fallen Krum and rolled him over onto his back.
"Enervate."
A dazed Krum woke up. "Cedric? What happened?" he asked blearily.
"You don't remember?" asked Cedric.
"No! One moment, I was entering the maze, and then-"
"Oh my God, Cedric, he was under the Imperius Curse," breathed Harry.
"I know," replied Cedric. "Viktor, do you know what happened to Fleur? Anything at all?"
"No," he replied, shaking his head and breathing heavily. Cedric reached out a hand and helped him to his feet.
"I don't know what's going on," murmured Cedric, "but if someone is using bloody Unforgivable Curses on champions, then this has to stop."
Harry nodded. "We ought to get the task over with. The sooner someone gets to the center of the maze, the better. Let's split up."
"NO," ordered Cedric. "I don't think anyone ought to go anywhere until we know who did this. Viktor, someone attacked Fleur, someone placed you under the Imperius curse, and that someone forced you into performing the Cruciatus curse on me. And Harry, if that's what happened to the three of us, then there's no telling what'll happen to you. So let's get out of here. NOW."
"Cedric, you're overreacting. Let's just all split up and get this bloody task over with."
"If that's what you want to do, then I can't stop you," replied Cedric. "But please, please hear me out before you do?"
Harry reluctantly turned around and crossed his arms.
"Harry, you said that all year, your scar – the scar that You-Know-Who gave you – was hurting for a while now. Someone forced you into this tournament. Someone hurt Fleur, Imperius-cursed Krum, and Cruciatus-cursed me. If that's what that person is willing to do to the three of us, then what do you think they're willing to do to you? Voldemort attacked you once during your first year and once during your second year – and if your scar is hurting again, then who's to say he isn't trying to attack you now?"
Harry stood, dazed, and ran his hands through his hair. "My God…"
"Harry, we need to keep you safe, and we need to figure out who did this."
Krum's jaw went slack with awe. "Cedric, you'd rather try and figure out who did this to me than… than continue the task? Than go to the center of the Maze? Than win the tournament? Than receive 1,000 Galleons? Than have eternal glory?"
"Yep," Cedric said matter-of-factly. Somehow, yep seemed like the most positive, persuasive thing he could say in that moment. Stronger than yeah and more upbeat than yes. He hoped he could live up to it. With that, he sent up red sparks from his wand.
"Let's keep each other safe until someone gets here, okay?"
Harry and Krum nodded. "Okay," they both murmured.
"Do you think it was Snape who Imperius-cursed Krum?" Harry asked as they waited for help.
"Maybe it was Karkaroff," said Krum. "He was a Death Eater once, too."
"Could be," murmured Cedric. "But Snape and Karkaroff aren't in the maze, are they?"
Harry mused this over for a moment. "Well, I know it's not McGonagall or Sprout or Hagrid or-"
Professor Moody rounded the corner. "Laddies, what are the three of you doing together waiting for help, when there's clearly no danger about? Best be on your way, now!"
Harry's green eyes narrowed behind his glasses. "Wait… what are YOU doing here, Professor Moody?"
"Oughtn't you to concentrate on winning the Triwizard Tournament, Harry Potter?" he asked.
"Well first, we have questions," said Cedric.
"Many, many questions," added Krum.
"On. Your. Way." Ordered Moody.
"Wait a second…" muttered Cedric.
"Imperio!" Moody cast the Imperius curse upon Krum.
"Crucio!" Imperius-cursed Krum cast the Cruciatus curse on Cedric.
"Stupefy!" The untouched Harry stunned Professor Moody, who fell limply to the ground. As he did, Krum emerged from the Imperius Curse and Cedric ceased to feel the effects of the Cruciatus Curse.
"My God, it was him," murmured Cedric as he got to his feet.
"But he's a renowned Auror!" exclaimed Harry.
"We still ought to tell everyone," said Krum. "And we ought to do it now."
Harry and Cedric nodded.
Before any decisions could be made, McGonagall, Sprout, and Hagrid all emerged into the champions' path at once.
"What's happened?" Professor McGonagall shrieked.
"That's what we're trying to figure out," said Cedric. "Do you know what happened to Fleur?"
"She was stunned," replied Professor McGonagall.
"Which is odd, considering none of the challenges in the maze could have done that," added Professor Sprout.
"Krum was put under the Imperius Curse and whoever did it tried to use him to put the Cruciatus Curse on me. Maybe that person made him stun Fleur, too!" exclaimed Cedric.
"Good lord," breathed Professor Sprout.
"Cedric and I think that the task shouldn't continue until we figure out who did it," said Harry.
"I think so too," added Krum.
"Agreed," said Professor McGonagall. Hagrid and Sprout nodded their support.
The three remaining champions and the three remaining professors made their way out of the maze, levitating Professor Moody's unconscious body ahead of them.
"He was one of the best Aurors ever to fight You-Know-Who," Cedric whispered to Harry. "What the Hell could've happened to him, that he decided to do this?"
"I dunno," replied Harry.
A few minutes later, Krum, Harry, Cedric, Sprout, Hagrid, and McGonagall (still levitating the unconscious Moody) emerged from the entrance of the maze.
"Attention," announced Professor McGonagall in a magically magnified voice, "Owing to a grave misconduct committed against all the champions, the Third Task of the Triwizard Tournament has been ended prematurely. We shall be adjourning the task now, so as to better investigate the crimes that led to this grievous atrocity."
Professor McGonagall then nodded at Krum, Harry, and Cedric to follow her as she levitated the unconscious Professor Moody back to the castle.