No Time For Losers

by DZ2

As the Fourth Champion, Harry took his bow. His curtain call. They brought him pain, betrayal and everything that goes with it. He thanks you all: The Tournament's no bed of roses. No pleasure cruise: it's Harry's challenge before all the betrayers, one he will not lose! Darkish Powerful Harry;

2. The Marauders' Champion

No Time For Losers

Disclaimer/Plot/Author's Note: SEE FIRST CHAPTER

Dedication: I'd like to dedicate this story to my good friend JustBored21 for being my second inspiration for this story: my recommended reads are Trickshot and Apex by JustBored21, Aspirations by megamatt09, The Rise of the Last Potter by HPfanfictioner66, The House of Potter-Greengrass by WolfgangNH, Magicks of the Arcane by Eilyfe, Harry Potter and the International Triwizard Tournament by Saliient91, Kill me if you can by PercyPendragon3, We Are Eternal by KhaosOnion and Harry Potter and the Potter Grimoire by IamZerokun

Key Pairing: Harry/Ginny; Neville/Luna

Other Pairings: To be determined

Normal Speech

'Thoughts'

/Parseltongue/

Review Answers:

WhiteElfElder: Almost makes you wonder why one fell so easily, only to have another take his place so quickly;

Zero Moondragon: Being able to write these amazing ideas once again reminds me why I love Fanfiction so much;

Alix33: More like the bond between them became official;

Skyler the Elf Owl: I'd say that's a given, wouldn't you?

"Which bit, Sirius?" asked Harry, though not before he chose to forsake the potion and, instead, he crossed the room and embraced his godfather fondly, earning a soft laugh from Sirius as he tousled his boy's hair and held him close.

After a moment, Harry wiped tears from his eyes as he looked up to his godfather before he smiled coyly;

"The bit where I'm put in a Tournament I'm not even old enough to write my name on a bit of paper…or the fact that my godfather, the Prisoner of Azkaban, is apparently playing squatter in my family's old home? Take your pick, Padfoot; trust me, we've got all night."

Chapter 2: The Marauders' Champion

Potter Castle was, in a word, amazing.

The fact that such a grandly-designed building – with more than enough space to mess around, play around and cause chaos in, while maintaining the air of a home of a noble Lord – apparently belonged to his Family and yet he had been raised in Durzkaban for so long was not one that Harry appreciated, let alone accepted.

However, the fact that this same castle estate had played sanctuary to his innocent godfather, keeping him safe and protected from the idiots at the Ministry of Morons placated Harry's ire, if only a little.

By the time Sirius had shown Harry around the entire castle, talking all the while about his own experiences in the Castle, as well as discussing the injustice done to Harry as a result of the Triwizard Tournament, the midnight hour was well-and-truly upon them. And yet, because of the adrenaline coursing through Harry, as well as the fact that he was more than physically wired from the disgusting excuse for support he'd received from his friends and Housemates, the young wizard decided to use his apparent-insomnia to get some more answers.

And, unlike at Hogwarts, he had someone at the Castle who'd gladly give him all the answers he desired and more.

Namely Sirius Black.

As they returned to the main lounge, however, Harry's head snapped up suddenly when he heard a loud, mournful howl echoing through the castle, startling him and returning him to beyond-full wakefulness as he looked to his godfather, "Was that what I think it was?"

"If you mean was it dear old Moony going through his worst three days of every month, then yes, pup, it was," said Sirius, earning another surprised look from Harry, while Sirius, having reached the lounge, sat Harry down as he explained, "Don't worry, though: even at half their strength as they are now without a Master of the Castle, the wards and locks in the dungeons are still powerful enough to keep the Big Bad Wolf at bay."

"He doesn't take his potion?" asked Harry.

"Actually, yes," replied Sirius, smiling with a reassuring air as he explained, "After reuniting with him and coming here to the Castle, which, even with the one-sided idea that I'm a criminal, I have the right as a friend of the family and James' honorary brother, we were surprised to find more than enough Wolfsbane Potion to keep Remus' mind in check for the next decade. Thankfully, it bore the signature of a real Potions Mistress, meaning Lily, and not some snivelling wretch who I still bet forgot to give Moony his potion on purpose, once he realised Albus wasn't going to feed his ego and hatred towards me and my old friend."

Harry didn't say it aloud – if only because of how his heart was still racing, albeit warmly, with the revelation that his favourite teacher and Father's friend was also here at the Castle – but he actually agreed with Sirius about Snape choosing to forget the potion on purpose. Given the fact that it was the biased, childishly-minded greasy piece of shit who'd outed Remus in the first place, forcing him to resign just because he'd been put in his place again, Harry wouldn't put such a vile act against the disgusting stain on Hogwarts' existence.

As he had his silent thought, Harry looked up at Sirius again before he smiled sadly as he said, "I'm glad you two are able to stay together, Sirius, but if you are, and this is my family's place, why didn't you come for me? You said we'd see each other again and, to be frank, after the crap I've had to deal with lately…not to mention what happened at the World Cup, I…I just…"

"Believe me, kiddo, I had this exact same argument with Remy," admitted Sirius, rubbing the back of his neck while he cleared his throat as he added, "But, unlike right here, right now, Moony said it wasn't safe because, without claiming your Lordship as Head of the Family and Master of the Castle, certain parties, meaning the Ministry, could challenge the fact that a werewolf and a child were hosting a so-called Prisoner of Azkaban."

"And now's different…why?"

"Because," answered Sirius, smiling slyly before he tapped his nose as he explained, "Thanks to the Tournament, Harry, and whatever suicidal dickhead decided it'd be funny to force you into such a thing, you're now an emancipated minor in the Magical World. In other words, you can claim your rightful place as Lord Potter, Head of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter, and all that applies. And if anyone questions your place or your rights, it means they have to argue against Mother Magic herself and the bullshit law that says only those of 17 years or older can be in this stupid thing in the first place."

As Harry listened to his godfather's words, a smile threatened to break across his face as he drawled, "They can't have it both ways."

"Bingo."

Harry's smile became shark-like, even as he looked back to his godfather before he asked, "And…how do I claim my right as Lord Potter?"

"Well, there are two ways you can do it," said Sirius, leaning over before he patted Harry's right hand as he explained, "The first involves going to Gringotts, which isn't really an option for now because they don't tend to open their doors to wizards after the last rays of sundown and before the first light of day. And, as I'm sure you've heard, you'd have to be mad to try and break in by force."

"Fine," replied Harry, a part of him wondering what sort of things he might learn from the goblins, even as he asked, "So, what's the other way?"

"A Blood Declaration, made by an Heir of the Family who is of age," replied Sirius, earning a curious look from Harry, which prompted Sirius to explain. "Because you're on Potter Family Grounds, all you have to do is let your blood spill onto these grounds while declaring you claim your right as Heir of the Family to take control of your family's wealth and power. Once that's done, your Family Magic will either reward you with the Lord's Ring, or, if it deems you a liar, you'll forfeit your magic. An old, archaic method of claiming all that's rightfully yours, I'm sure you'll agree, but an effective, ironclad one that nobody can challenge, even if they want to or try to and, given it's our bullshit excuse for a government we're talking about here, I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say they will try and deny you what's yours."

Again, Harry didn't say it aloud, but he definitely agreed with that fact, especially since people also seemed to have a hard time grasping the fact that he didn't want anything to do with the Tournament in the first place.

Then there was how they all failed once before to remember that his Mother was a Muggle-born, when they were accusing him of being the Heir of Slytherin and attacking Muggle-borns, including, but not limited to, the insufferable know-nothing whom Harry swore he would make eat her words.

And, personally, if the stupid, self-centred bitch choked on those words, he'd just stand there and watch.

In the meantime, Harry found his shark-like smile returning as he looked to Sirius before he asked, "If I do this, can I use my power as Lord Potter to help you clear your name?"

"Yes," said Sirius, indicating the castle around them as he explained, "For one thing, your becoming Lord Potter will allow you to hear Lily and James' will, which even Remus said he never received word about. And, knowing those two brilliant minds, I'd bet every Galleon I own that they left a notice saying that I wasn't their Secret Keeper; plus, as Lord Potter, you'd also claim your place on the Wizengamot, which means you can use your power over that place to demand that I receive a trial, just in case the Ministry of Mush-for-Brains doesn't take the bleeding obvious truth for what it is, which, given the fact one of them's that Death Eater dick, Lucius Malfoy, and another's this vile, one-track-minded xenophobe, Dolores Um-bitch, I'd still bet every Galleon they'd try and make you jump through hoops."

"And that's different from the past thirteen years of my life…how, exactly?" asked Harry, earning a knowing snigger from Sirius, while Harry drew in a breath as he asked, "So…what do I have to say and do?"

Five minutes, and a summoned request to Dobby to bring them a ceremonial knife for the sake of the declaration, later, Harry stood before the main hearth of his home, staring deep into the flickering flames of the fire before, turning his back on the fire, he lifted the knife high, clutching it tightly in his grip as he made his declaration.

"I am Harrison James Potter…Son of James Charles Potter and Lily Alexandra Potter nee Evans…Heir of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter by right of birth…"

As he said the last part, Harry brought the knife down in a single stroke, cutting deep, but also un-flinchingly, causing his blood to slowly spill out onto the ground at his feet as he continued, "By my blood, and by right of age and heir apparent, I call upon the Family Magic to recognise my claim as Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter. With this blood, I vow to uphold the rights and traditions of my Family, honour alliances old and new, respect the ways of magic and faith, as set down by my forbears, and act only in justice, never vengeance. Honour, never disgrace. Truth, never bigotry. Loyalty, never treachery: by my blood, and upon my vow, I do decree…to my life's end, so mote it be!"

"So mote it be," repeated Sirius, though not before his eyes widened when he saw Harry's body light up in a powerful, radiant, reddish-golden glow that, were it not for the fact that he could see his boy as clear as day, Sirius might have mistaken for the glow of the fire behind him.

But no, the glow was all-Harry and, as Sirius saw the glow envelop his godson, he also smiled as he saw the Castle's light, magic and even the home comforting feelings that Sirius had tried to enjoy in sanctuary for the past couple of months rise up and take their full strength.

At the same time, Sirius could see Harry's slashed palm healing, though not before the reddish trail of Harry's blood moved up to his ring finger where it formed the shape of a gold band with two griffins in the head, the claws of the griffins holding onto a blood ruby that sparkled in the light of the magic that radiated off of Harry's body.

"He did it," whispered Sirius, tears of delight, as well as pride, filling his eyes as he whispered, "Lily…James…if only you could see…"

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"

Suddenly, Sirius whispered prayer to those who were no longer with them died in his throat as Harry started screaming bloody murder, clutching at his forehead, which seemed to afflict him with a terrible level of torment far greater than all others he had felt before.

As Sirius watched, his eyes widened in horror when Harry's forehead literally burst into flames, making Harry look like some sort of demon spawned from the pits of hell, especially since the flames were such a dark, eerie shade of red that they almost looked black in a certain light.

However, Sirius was more-concerned with the fact that his boy was screaming bloody murder; when he tried to get closer to Harry, however, the Black Scion felt a great, impenetrable magical barrier kept him at bay, even as Harry fell to his knees, clawing and grasping at his burning forehead before, to Sirius' alarm, the flames receded, leaving Harry's head as exposed as before.

Though not before Harry fell to the ground, twitching with the after-spasms that Sirius might associate with the effects of the Cruciatus Curse, while the aforementioned Prisoner of Azkaban found himself able to get to his boy.

Holding Harry in his arms, Sirius turned his boy over, holding him in his arms as he asked, "Harry! Are…are you okay, pup? Speak to me! Come on, Harry, open your…"

Suddenly, Sirius was cut off when, to his disbelief, a soft, gentle snoring sound came from Harry, earning a dumbfounded look from the Marauder, which turned into an amused, but also disbelieving laugh as he shook his head.

"You're asleep? All that…whatever the bloody hell that was and all you do is fall asleep? Damn, pup: if you weren't my godson…or Prongs' kid…"

Lifting Harry in his arms, which seemed to be remarkably-easy, even with the change that had taken hold of the boy's body, Sirius laughed softly as he carried Harry out of the lounge, deciding to let him rest off his experience, whatever had happened to him.

"Yeah, you got me with that one, kiddo…ah well, you get some sleep, pup; trust me, after the hell you've been through, you've more than earned it."

NTFL

Many miles away from Harry and Sirius, a red-eyed, heavily-deformed creature that could hardly even be called human anymore suddenly tore out of a hopeful rest as it started screaming even bloodier murder than the cries that had tore out of Harry's mouth.

At the same time, the deformed thing was dimly-aware of a spark of darkest-red-almost-black fire that ignited for only a brief second out of the corner of its eye.

Consumed by torment as it was, however, the shell of the Dark Lord Voldemort, or what was left of him, could only scream in agony as levels of overwhelming torture seared through his temporary vessel, the screams so terrifying that even the useless rat Wormtail cowered, not sure of what he was meant to do to try and aid his Master.

Suffice to say, a Cruciatus was definitely on the cards for the rat.

And that was if he was lucky…

NTFL

'Ugh…gods above and below, did anyone get the number of that tank that rolled over me?'

That was the first thought that ran through Harry's mind as he opened his eyes, though not before closing them again as blinding sunlight pierced his retinas, flooding his vision with more light than he was able to deal with. At the same time, Harry was dimly aware of a new weight pressing down on one of his fingers, as well as a sense of surprising clarity and strength that seemed to flow through every fibre of his being.

As he slowly opened his eyes again, wincing at the intrusion of the light that shone through what he now saw to be a curtained window, the young wizard groaned softly before he smiled thinly.

"That's right…I'm in Potter Castle…and…wow…what happened to me?"

"You went through a very painful magical maturity, cub," replied a familiar voice, the sound of which surprised Harry, even though he dimly remembered being told the owner of the voice was there.

Looking to his right, Harry felt a smile cross his face before, moving slowly, but carefully and with intent on his mind, he put an arm around the shoulders of a smiling Remus Lupin, who hugged his young cub fondly, patting him on the back while he chuckled softly, "Yes, it's really me, Harry; I told you we'd meet again, but I never expected it to be in such an interesting, but also-scary scenario. You certainly gave Sirius a fright."

"Is he okay?" asked Harry.

"See for yourself," replied Remus, indicating Harry's other side; when the young man turned to look, his surprise and worry turned into satisfied liking when he saw his devoted dogfather's Animagus form lying next to Harry, the large black dog sleeping soundly, even as his form was cuddled up next to his boy.

"He's exhausted," said Remus, returning Harry's attention to him. "You've been sleeping for three days, Harry: we only knew you were still with us because the magic of the Castle recognised your headship and didn't lock us out of the grounds, which it would have done had you died without siring an heir. After my own bad time was done, I had to promise him I wouldn't move him or you, even if your body started spasming again; that was the only way he'd lie down and sleep, even though he took on his other form to do it."

"I guess he was worried he'd lose me again," said Harry, rubbing at his forehead before he looked up to Remus as he asked, "And you say I've been out of it for three days, Remus?"

"That's right."

"So…it's November the third?"

"It is."

"And I bet, if I go back to Hogwarts, nobody will even notice."

"Oh, I'm pretty sure they will," said Remus, even as he drew in a breath before he continued, "Especially since you're not wearing your glasses anymore, the Magic of the Family's also healed and restored you physically and you're now wearing the Lord's Ring on your hand, signalling to everyone else that you're Lord Potter now."

Here, Remus drew himself to his full height as he continued, "Plus, they're probably going to notice the fact that your former werewolf professor is going to be with you, helping you get ready for the Tournament."

When Harry's eyes widened in alarm, Remus held up his hand, shaking his head firmly as he told Harry, "No, cub: I know the risks, but, as I'm sure Sirius told you, we found more than enough potion for me to make absolutely sure that what happened in June doesn't happen again. Also, I'm sure your new elf-friend will be glad to see me back here before sunset on those nights: more-importantly, you becoming Lord Potter and Sirius and I coming here reminded me of how much I failed you and your parents before, not only letting the Ministry's bias against my kind stop me from getting to see you grow up, but also taking the word of people who claimed you were safe at face value."

As Harry's surprise and alarm turned into pride and gratitude, Remus gently tousled his boy's hair as he continued, "Besides, with Wormtail still who-knows-where, Sirius can't get his freedom, even if you vouch for it and got Albus to help you out, which a part of me doubts he will, but I digress. Sirius told me straight: either I go with you and give you as much training in surviving this thing as I did your Patronus, or he would…and to hell with the Ministry."

"No Moony," said Harry, both relieved and more than glad to have his favourite professor once more standing by his side, ready to help him face the trials ahead with the Tournament.

The thought of which only made Harry's eyes glow like the Killing Curse as he remembered the fact that most of the people he'd be about to meet again also believed him a liar, a cheat and a Dark Wizard.

And there was only one thing he had to say about that.

"To hell with all of them!"

Chapter 2 and now Harry seems to have become changed by his experiences once again, but this time, the changes seem to be more-powerful and irreversible than normal: how will this affect his future?

Also, with his favourite professor, and most people's worst nightmare, ready to remind people that a Pack doesn't stand alone, how will Harry make absolutely sure that nothing and nobody stops him from not only surviving, but, possibly, winning the Tournament?

Keep Reading to Find Out

Next Chapter: Like day to night, the reactions to the return of Harry Potter and his Werewolf Mentor are pretty damn predictable: however, what isn't so predictable is Remus' first action when he returns to stand true to his cub;

Please Read and Review