Authors Note: Thanks again for all the support
Shadow Phoenix
Chapter 14
Horocrux
A few weeks pass and Harry is still seeing every night how different wizards use defections of their own soul or cause it in others to use those. Some creating blood thirsty minions by forcing good people to torture and kill until they learn to enjoy it. Others use their own broken soul to store dark magic in it and become stronger or turned themselves into Dementors by expelling what's left of their mutilated souls, others create dark objects to stay alive objects that are terrifyingly similar to the diary that Draco had found during his second year. He wonders if it was just that but if it was, is he gone now? No, Harry doubts it could be this easy. And Albus would have known and mentioned that the danger was over and who else could be behind getting Harry into this bloody tournament. Sure, fake Moody put the name in, but Mouldy probably ordered it.
Harry sighs, because of the stupid tournament Ron's been avoiding him ever since and glaring at him too. He's not the only one who thinks that Harry wanted to get in and cheated to get into the tournament. Being grounded only seemed to confirm it since most think he got grounded for that. Krum however happily told those that mentioned it around him that he's been holding back in classes and Harry knows that he now must make sure to get perfect grades but still hold back enough to avoid people getting scared of his power or hurt by a too powerful offensive spell.
But even without Ron, Harry manages okay but Draco also is upset that Harry has shown his power in front of others and not him. He at least is talking to him and even somewhat pacified after Harry took him to a small abandoned room in a quiet corner deep in the dugongs to show him even more of his power making the air crackle around him even more. He told him that he had held back a little around the others but not now, or rather not as much and that unlike the others he knows that he's STILL holding back. Draco is still upset that Harry had shown them as much as he had but accepts that Harry felt the need to prove that he can do this bloody tournament and that he has to do it to find out who and why is behind getting him into it in the first place. Harry also had to promise about a million times that he'll be safe and repeat those promises just as often to his dad.
The first task is soon when Hermione tells him that someone told someone who told someone that Hagrid wanted to talk to him that evening. Apparently, Ron is one of those someone's but doesn't want to talk to Harry. Still upset that Harry got in without telling him in advance and let him try too. Like Harry would have done anything himself.
With a sigh, Harry goes that evening towards Hagrid's and sees him all dressed up and Hagrid asks him to use his cloak and Harry summons it to hide under it. A little later Headmistress Maxime from the French school shows up and together they go into the Forrest where Hagrid shows her four caged dragons. She goes closer and Harry asks, "This is the task, isn't it?"
"Didn't Ron tell you?" Hagrid asks, "He knew since Charlie is here and saw his brother."
Harry frowns but doesn't say anything else about it. He just looks towards the dragons moving his own magic across the distance knowing that it is way too far for Albus but nothing for him. He can sense all of their strength and knows that he's powerful enough to win against them but not sure if he should show his full power or how to do it without ending up being feared.
He is thinking about it a few days later when Moody asks him to stay behind and asks him if he thought about the first task. Harry is surprised that the fake Moody is giving him advice during that conversation rather than attack him like Harry had first thought he would now that they are alone.
It does however make it clear to Harry that this man wants him to participate for some reason and since he is giving a rather reasonable advice, probably wants him to win or at least get to a certain task. Harry doesn't know why but at least he knows that he doesn't need to worry about fake Moody harming anyone until his plan is done and that definitely won't be before the first task, possibly during the last one. But Harry will need to be careful during all of them and keep in mind that this man is here for an unknown reason that has something to do with Harry being in this tournament. But clearly Moody hasn't figured out that Harry knows perfectly well that he's fake and responsible for throwing his name in even after the meaningful look he had given him.
Right before the first task with the dragons Harry finally starts to get what those soul lessons have been about. Harry goes towards his father the morning of the first task and asks, "How long does it take to make that potion?"
"What potions?" Severus asks.
"The one that cured Remus." Harry says, "The one that purifies from dark magic because I need to take it soon and see if it works against a piece of Mouldy's soul that is stuck in me. I think Albus knows more about it but if it doesn't work, you need to make it work."
"It takes a week and I'll get right on it." Severus replies.
"Wait a few days." Harry replies, "I need to use that nasty soul piece while I've got it for something first. But don't worry, it's not dangerous, at least not for me!" Harry gives him a hug, "You can come along if you want to make sure I'm safe dad, but we'll talk more later I might have to do some research first and start with the, in your opinion, dangerous stuff after Christmas. But first, I've got to kick some Dragon's ass."
"Dragon?" His dad squeals clearly not knowing about the dragons out in the forest.
"You didn't know?" Harry wonders, "The first task has to do with Dragons. There are four in the forest for a few days now and I presume that we'll all have a different one to get past or unconscious or whatever. But don't worry. I've got a plan."
"A plan?" Severus asks pale as a sheet. "You don't even know what you'll have to do exactly but you have a plan? I really shouldn't have let you participate."
"Calm down dad." Harry grins. "I promise to be careful and that I will just flash out if it gets too much even if it means I'm out."
"You better." Severus grumbles. "Just keep in mind that I'll be watching and I do believe you don't want to give me a heart attack on purpose."
"Please, contrary to your constant whining, your heart can take more than I can dish out!" Harry grins. "But I do promise to keep your health in mind and be very careful."
Harry just goes away and hopes that everything will go well. He decided to rather show his flying skills than his magical ones. Before the task all champions meet in a tent with the organisers of the tournament and they draw a moving dragon figure with a number from a bag. The number tells them when it's their turn to fight the dragon they pulled out. Harry uses his magic to make sure he gets the strongest since magically he is the strongest.
Once it's his turn he goes out and summons his broom right away. Until it shows up he hides behind a boulder and then grabs the broom and starts to fly and try to get around the dragon. Unfortunately, the dragon pulls loose and follows Harry who flies over the teachers and looking back he sees the tail destroyed part of the stand. His fear for his dad or anyone to get hurt makes him use his magic instinctively and the dragon is pushed back and tied up much more tightly then before while Harry just flies to take the golden egg from the completely bound dragon.
Once Harry got his score his dad shows up in front of him. "Why, pray tell, did you not bind the Dragon that tightly to begin with?"
"That wouldn't have been much of a show." Harry points out. "But I had a very powerful fire proof shield up around myself that would also have blocked any physical attack from the dragon so I was perfectly safe."
"I still believe that a good show should be second and way after any and all considerations for your safety." Severus grumbles.
"But I was safe." Harry repeats with a sigh, "Please dad, can't you trust me a little?"
Severus watches him for a moment but then sighs, "I do hope that you know what you're doing but since you are the only campion that got out without as much as a scratch I'll let this one slide but next time don't give anyone a show, just make sure to get out of this fast."
"All right." Harry sighs. "May I go? I think Gryffindor wants to celebrate."
"All right." Severus sighs, "But make sure to figure out that egg and be prepared."
"I will be." Harry promises.
During the party, Harry finally makes up with Ron and is sad that whatever that screeching from his egg is, it's probably a magical language since he has no idea what it means when he hears it. It does sound familiar though and he decides to just try and hold it under water since it sounds like merpeople do out of water which he knows thanks to Godric who used to talk to them after learning their language. But since it's still some time he decides to just wait and enjoy that he's in first place.
A few weeks later Draco is acting strange and constantly asking Harry if he already has a date for the Yule Ball and whom he wants to ask. Draco even starts to ask before Harry even knows that there is a Yule Ball. Draco looks rather disappointed when Harry answers that he doesn't have a clue and might just skip the Ball. Ron also asks Harry a few times but seems more worried about finding a date for himself since he uses the question as a start to talk about talking to girls. The twins don't seem to have a problem with that since both have a date quickly.
Draco is particularly annoying the day Harry finally goes to the quidditch pitch with Krum for a seekers game. Harry wins quickly while Draco is constantly watching them and glaring towards Krum who is just grinning. After Harry won, Krum grins toward Draco and says, "To bad I already have a date for the ball, I might have asked Harry otherwise."
"Don't you dare." Draco growls.
"Why not?" Harry asks surprised. "I mean he already said he won't since he's got a date but why would you care?"
"I would because I don't trust him." Draco quickly replies looking away with a blush.
"Cedric was right." Krum grins towards Harry, "He is jealous."
After that Krum leaves and Draco glares after him before he asks Harry blushing, "Are you sad he's got someone else?"
"No, why would I be?" Harry asks surprised.
"Don't know." Draco smiles for a moment before he looks worried again, "Do you know who you want to ask yet?"
"I think I do." Harry replies and Draco looks worriedly towards him. Harry just grins and says, "I thought we could go together as friends unless you have a date? We can even let Ron tag along unless he manages to get a date."
Draco just glares at Harry before he says, "I don't mind going with you, but you better not let anyone tag along and you better make sure to call me your date in that case because I don't care why we go together or that we are only friends but a Malfoy never goes to a party without a date! It would look like I couldn't get a date which I might point out is not true I had plenty of girls and guys asks me out." After that Draco storms off looking upset and Harry just wonders what he's done to upset him now.
He just leaves it for now though and just goes to Ron and Hermione and starts saying that Draco is his date whenever he's asked if he asked someone. Draco is quickly pacified when he hears that Harry calls him his date for the Yule Ball and the rumour mill in Hogwarts quickly states that they finally got together. And even though Draco knows better, he enjoys it too much to stop it.
Ron manages to find a date the last minute with a little help from Ginny who offers one of her friends and now Ron is going with a girl that is rumoured to be slightly crazy and is named Luna Lovegood.
Harry is shocked when he has to enter with the other champions and even more when he has to open the dance with them. It helps a little that he sees Hermione looking great and in the company of Krum meaning she'll be there too just like Draco obviously will be. He does complain when Draco questions Krum's taste because of his date but Draco just grins and takes his hand before they go into the great hall. It's obvious that Draco loves being in the spotlight next to Harry and to open the dance with him and Harry is just glad that his feathery friends have taught him to dance the same way he had learned to wield a sword.
He enjoys the evening while Ron seems to mope and Luna dances with others more than with Ron but she does sits with him a lot and talks to him even though he hardly reacts, she seems happy to be there.
The night goes on and Draco keeps dancing with Harry and enjoys the evening. Towards the end, Harry hears some of the rumours about him and Draco and watches Draco more remembering how Victor Krum and Cedric Diggory seemed to think that Draco loves him. He even remembers how Lucius and his own dad had talked about it a few years back already and assumed that if Draco wasn't aware of being in love then, that he was still falling for him badly anyway and would eventually notice his own feelings for Harry.
The more Harry watches the blond the more he believes it considering that Draco seems to glow the more attention he's getting from Harry. It also is the only thing that explains his strange behaviour around Krum. By the time, Harry decides that it must be true, most already left and a slower song is playing. Harry is in Draco's arm letting the blond lead the dance when Harry finally dares to say "You're really beautiful Draco."
Harry watches him nervous about his reaction. Draco seems surprised at first but then smiles gently and with a small blush replies "Not as magnificent as you are Harry."
With a smile, Harry leans up to give the taller boy a kiss on his cheek and says "I disagree."
Draco just beams at him and leans down slowly to give Harry plenty of time to move before his lips finally touch Harry's in a gentle kiss.
Sadly, their first kiss is interrupted by an angry drawl "I assume that research you mentioned before your first task is done considering that you have the time to…dance?"
"Honestly, did you have to ask now?" Harry groans wile Draco chuckles happy that Harry is upset about the interruption "And I'm sorry Professor that information was between me and my dad.
Severus just grins evil and says "In that case you should see him bright and early tomorrow morning and I suggest you go to bed for that."
Harry just grins and says "But off course Professor I'll see him bright and early." Harry turns to Draco and gives him a kiss on the cheek whispering "He'll probably check my room. Let me know when you're ready and I'll flash you to me." After that he adds louder so his dad can hear it too "Good night Dray."
"Good night Harry." Draco replies and watches Harry leave and runs off right after him before Severus can get him alone.
Harry and Draco spend about three hours kissing after Harry flashed Draco to him and only when Draco is nearly asleep does Harry flash Draco back and flashes right towards his dad after that. It's four in the morning and Harry summons a pepper up from the hospital wing to stay unnoticed by his dad and drinks it before he shouts "Good morning daddy dearest isn't it a beautiful day?"
Severus sits up glowering towards his son before he checks the time and glowers even more after he checked the time. "Since it's still dark I wouldn't know." Severus grumbles "Why are you here this early?"
"Oh, professor Snape told me to see you bright and early today to talk about the horcruxes Mouldy made." Harry replies.
Severus groans and mumbles "I thought that grin was because you either would sneak into Slytherin which is why I had used a spell to locate you a few times or because you'd show up tomorrow morning since it was past midnight when I told you. How come you're this cheerful so early in the morning?"
"I had a great night kissing with Draco and don't ask me how I did that because I'd hate to lie to you, and I'll probably be dead tired later but I'm still cheerfully awake." Harry replies grinning towards his glaring dad.
Severus sighs and says "Whatever, since I'm up already, how about you tell me what you know since Albus knew next to nothing apart from there being more than one horcrux and one already down and that you're one but he hadn't even thought about my potion working."
"I know how many, where and how to destroy them." Harry replies before he summons Godric's sword and asks "Want to sleep or hunt them down with me?"
"Now?" Severus asks "We would need to prepare."
"Why do you think I did research? I'm prepared to go alone whenever. If you tag along or not won't matter." Harry replies.
Severus sighs "We should at least wait and take Albus just to be safe."
"Fine but since I'll be tired later and I'm doing at least most of the work, we should wait till after dinner." Harry replies sending the sword away. "And are you involved in the tasks or may I ask my dad for advice?"
"I know nothing, as witnessed with the Dragons, because my son is in the game. And now ask ahead." Severus replies.
"Great!" Harry says before summoning the egg and a sphere of water in the air around the egg before magically opening it. After Harry himself listened to it for the first time he asks. "Is flashing under water once the others are gone too risky since the merpeople would probably see me or do you think I should swim past all the creatures?"
"Dumbledore is the only one they talk to. If he'll ask them in advance they'll keep it secret." Severus replies "How are you going to breathe underwater long enough?"
"Air bubbles are simple enough." Harry shrugs "I've also got some back up plans. What do you think they'll take? If I find out I could just summon it."
"How would I know? Meaning unless you have a way to find out that I don't have, that plan won't work." Severus questions.
"I'll try to guess in advance and put spells on everything that could be used." Harry shrugs. "Anyway, I think I go have breakfast."
"Curfew Potter." Severus replies.
"Why? It's morning." Harry points out but after a glare resigns and says "Fine I'll go to bed here."
Harry sleeps until past lunchtime and by the time he wakes up Albus and Severus are talking about possible dangers while hunting the remaining horcrux. "Since you're both here," Harry suggests "We might as well head out now."
Severus glowers and summons some food from the kitchen. "We can consider this after you've eaten!"
Harry just rolls his eyes but sits down grinning and still happy to have his dad even if he can be a bit overprotective. Once he ate as much as he can Albus starts to question him. "How many horcrux are we talking about?"
"He made six." Harry replies "Planning to divide his soul into seven pieces. The one he left in me was an accident. But it wasn't the first time this happened and at least a similar potion to dad's one had been developed and used on that person meaning it's possible to get rid of this piece in me. But today we should only hunt for four."
"Why leave one out?" Albus questions knowing that if the diary was one there are five remaining not four.
"Nagini is one." Harry shrugs "If we hunt her the already too strong to die main part that is left will know and try to return faster and make new ones and to be honest I rather not fight Voldemort just yet."
Severus and Albus nod and Harry smiles certain that they wouldn't approve if he told them that he's waiting for the man to become more powerful again just because Harry is curious how the guy plans to go about that. "Where is the first one you're trying to get and what is it?"
"Hufflepuff cup and it's in Gringotts in Bellatrix's vault." Harry replies.
Albus frowns "Narcissa might be able to get in there."
Rolling his eyes yet again, Harry grabs both mans' arms and flashes them into the vault. "There is no ward against flashing remember?" He says before summoning Gryffindor's sword and throwing it towards the cup hitting it with enough force for the sword to damage it before both fall. They hear a screaming before Harry summons the sword back and says "Next stop the old home of Mouldy's grandfather." Once again, he just grabs them and the next moment they are in an old shack. "If you can still call this a home that is."
Without looking Harry sends a carefully controlled blasting curse to the floor boards. Albus is closest and gasps after seeing it and mumbles "Could it be."
He's about to pick up the ring that was hidden there when Harry uses his magic to send the old man flying across the room saying "Are you crazy? There is a curse on it that will kill you if you touch it!"
Severus is helping the old man off the ground while Harry brakes the curse and uses the sword to crack the stone. Only after that does he pick it up and recognises it from a memory of Fawkes. He frowns and looks towards his headmaster asking "Who died that you want this stone so badly and how do you know the legends are real?"
Albus looks away clearly unwilling to answer while Severus looks confused. After a moment, Harry puts a spell on the stone that will allow him to flash the stone itself from wherever it is towards himself and floats it towards the Headmaster. "One night Professor, after that I will hide it or, if possible, destroy it. This is the most dangerous one after all."
"I understand and thank you my boy." Albus replies surprised at the wisdom the still young boy is showing. Before he quickly changes the subject before Severus can become too inquisitive. "Where is number three?"
"In London." Harry replies before holding out his hands and for once waiting for the others to take them before he flashes them.
"Hi Siri." Harry says cheerfully seeing his godfather in the dark kitchen.
The other man was standing with his back to them and turns around shocked "How did you get here?"
"Flashed." Harry replies "We're looking for something that Voldemort had for a while."
Harry walks towards a cupboard under the sink and finds a house elf inside. "Dirty half blood." The elf starts to mumble.
"Shut up Kreacher." Sirius orders angrily. "You'll do as Harry says understood you worthless…"
"Don't." Harry Interrupts "No one is worthless." Harry looks towards the elf and gently says. "I'm looking for a locket. It must be in here so I assume it's yours?"
"You won't get master Regulus' locket." The elf says loudly before mumbling "Bad Kreacher Master wanted it gone bad Kreacher not able to destroy evil locket."
"I have a special sword that can destroy it when it's open." Harry replies.
"Can't be opened." Kreacher grumbles "Kreacher doesn't have sword."
"I can open it and borrow you the sword." Harry offers.
"You'd help Kreacher destroy it?" The elf asks sceptical.
"You said Regulus wanted it destroyed." Harry says gently. "That means Regulus wanted to defeat Voldemort because that locket helps Voldemort. Regulus must have been a great man and have the same goal as we all here have. We are on the same side Kreacher. The only question left is, will you destroy it with my help or will you give it to me to let me destroy it."
"Kreacher will. Master said Kreacher must destroy it." The elf replies.
"Good, but you have to be careful the locket is evil and has a mind of its own. It will try to deceive you maybe even pretend to be Master Regulus." Harry warns.
"Regulus." Sirius mumbles sadly to Harry's surprise.
However, Harry can't react to it because Dumbledore asks "Are you sure it's wise to leave this to an elf my boy?"
"Never underestimate an elf Professor." Harry grins "If he was free and choose to battle you, Kreacher would win! And I have faith that Kreacher will be able to follow his true Masters orders and not to be deceived by the locket. Voldemort tried to enslave everyone starting with his death eaters and would eventually have killed every magical being that isn't willing to bow to him. Regulus didn't want to be a slave to that monster and Kreacher will make sure to fulfil his Masters wish!"
"Kreacher will." The elf says and picks up a small golden locket that was lying beneath some other things and holds it out for Harry. "Will Master open it now?"
Harry nods and hands the sword of Gryffindor to the elf and places the locket onto the ground not too far from the elf. He tries to imagine that the S on the locked is a snake and orders it to open in parsel. The locket opens and mist comes from it forming the shape of a man that looks a bit like Sirius and starts to order the elf to leave the locket and kill Harry and everyone else that tries to destroy it.
"Regulus." Sirius mumbles behind Harry and assumes them to be closely related, possibly brothers considering that clearly Regulus was the master of the elf that now belongs to Sirius. Also, they do look a lot alike and clearly this Regulus means something to Sirius.
"Remember it's not real." Harry tells the elf that looks at the mist. He hardly finished it when Kreacher lifts the sword and lets it fall on the locket.
The elf glares at it, "Master is nicer than evil locket, Kreacher would never think this thing was Kreacher's Master."
Harry just smiles a little and says, "I knew you could do it. I'll need that sword back now though. Voldemort left more things like that locket. Your master probably didn't know about them but they need to be destroyed too or this would essentially be pointless. But don't worry, if you give me the sword I'll make sure to take care of those things. I am curious however, how come Regulus had the locket."
Kreacher looks a little sceptical before he sighs and starts to tell his tale. A tale of Voldemort using the elf and most likely assuming it to die while hiding the locket. Forcing the creature to drink a pain causing poison and leaving it to be attacked by inferi. Still the elf follows his master's orders to return home as soon as Voldemort is done with him, enabling the little creature to survive the otherwise certain death. After that Regulus goes to the same place with the elf but instead of letting the elf go through the same pain again, he himself takes that part, ordering the elf to leave him there dying and to destroy the locket, leaving a fake one in its place. Kreacher still seems very upset that he couldn't save his master. Even though it's not really his fault. He could and gladly would have taken his master with him to safety but he was ordered to go and leave him behind. Harry doesn't know if Regulus just didn't know that Kreacher could have taken him along or if he didn't want to live on with whatever guilt he might feel for having followed Voldemort for however long he had at that point.
Either way, Harry is crying by the end of the story and looking towards the cupboard the elf had hidden the locket in and remembers his own cupboard under the stairs and the hidden and broken toy soldiers that were in it. "It's not the same." Severus says correctly assuming the cause behind his son's sadness. "I know that this seems familiar and that seeing him treated in a way you were hurts and yes I'm aware that it must seem like it's the same but believe me, for a house elf, having this much space and stuff is luxury. They have a different life and usually don't appreciate being treated too much like a wizard. Like if you offered him clothing it be an insult to every normal elf. Some are hurt by their masters and that is outrageous and sure Sirius could be more friendly and not call him worthless but please believe me, this is not the same." Severus tries to think of a way to explain it and then says, "Kreacher mumbles a lot to himself and hears badly because he's not healthy from being idle for too long while Sirius was in Azkaban. Elves need to have someone to serve, it's in their nature for so long, longer than wizards are alive, they used to serve other races like Veela's and other intelligent creatures and some still do that too. Pitying him is like pitying a shark for having to swim all the time even when resting. A shark can't stop because the water won't move through the gills if they don't move through the water and an elf's health will suffer if they feel useless. It's how their mind works and is an instinct for them. Freed elves usually go insane and become alcoholic unless they find some other place they can feel useful and wanted. Having an elf and not let it work for you is like owning a horse and leaving it in the stable and not riding it to save it the exhaustion of having to carry you. Horses need to move a lot and being ridden regularly is good for them, maybe not too much and there is a limit to how much they can carry but it keeps them strong."
Harry frowns until Sirius suddenly says, "Kreacher, I want you to make sure that Harry has everything he needs while he's at Hogwarts and to ask him if he needs more treats or anything I could get him at least once a day." Harry turns to look at his godfather who smiles at Harry and says, "That way you can see Kreacher and from what I saw just now, I think he'll be happier when he gets to see you more than me too. I never got along with him. But you're probably right, I shouldn't have called him worthless. And you will be assured that he's still fine and get to know him and see how he'll react when you are too kind to him."
Harry turns to the elf and asks, "I want you to be happy too, please Kreacher, let me know if anything is amiss okay?" He knows that his dad has a point. He had seen some memories with elves in them and learned about them even though it isn't much since most of the other Phoenixes never thought much about them but it was on the side-lines how they seemed to love to serve.
"If that's what Master wishes." Kreacher says confused and then asks, "But Master, Kreacher doesn't understand, what is wrong with Kreacher's nest? Kreacher likes nest, does master not? I can do with smaller nest!"
With a surprised look, Harry asks, "Wouldn't you rather have a room?"
"Oh, no master?" Kreacher says shocked, "That's much too big and much too, too everything master. Please don't take Kreacher's nest! And if Master needs this cupboard please let Kreacher find another one that can be used by Kreacher! Or just keep half a cupboard or a corner in the storage room."
"If you really like it." Harry sighs, "I was just worried that you don't."
"Why would Kreacher not like it?" The elf asks confused, "Mistress was nice enough to let Kreacher have it right here in the Kitchen and not sleep in the open with no tight walls. Kreacher loves his nest."
With a sigh, Harry nods and says, "If you say so." He isn't really convinced but the Phoenixes never mentioned anything about living arrangements about elves just that they are there and help and have a lot of magic but are bound to follow their master was what he had learned from the memories they had been in. They always seemed to take it without a second thought and it always had felt so normal in their memories that Harry had never questioned it until now. But now seeing the elf live so much like he once had makes him reconsider. "Anyway, Sirius, maybe you can make Kreacher prove my point from earlier and order him to bring Severus and Albus to me again. Because Kreacher can do nearly as much as a Phoenix can. Somethings even a wizard can't." And the next moment Harry is gone again in a flash of bright orange flames.
Severus gasps seeing that, only now noticing that he hadn't noticed any blue flames while flashing with him, he hadn't seen any which might be because he had instinctively closed his eyes from the brightness never wondering why they were that much brighter. "Albus, did you see that?"
"Yes," Albus says just as surprised, "But please do not ask me how."
"Draco." Severus assumes, "They got together last night and spent most of it kissing. I presume that being in love is what changed it."
"He wouldn't have been ready for any form of relationship without you Severus." Albus says, "It's only because of you!"
"Whatever, we should go." Severus replies, "Harry is waiting god knows where and probably already fighting someone or something or breaking a curse or whatever else."
"Kreacher, you heard Harry," Sirius says in agreement. "Bring Severus and Albus to him."
"Yes Master." Kreacher says and takes a hand from both wizards and apparates them away. They appear in a room that at least could be at Hogwarts but doesn't look like any room they know. It's huge and filled to the brim with heaps of stuff. Brooms and books as well as everything else imaginable piled into rows and rows of mountains.
"Thank you Kreacher." Harry says from behind them. "You may leave or stay and watch, whatever you prefer is fine with me."
"Kreacher want to see another of those things destroyed." Kreacher says.
Harry just nods and points towards a diadem that is on a pile of different items. "Ravenclaw's diadem!" Albus sighs, "It truly is a pity that he had to use those heirlooms."
"It doesn't really matter what he used," Harry shrugs, "The real pity is how he made them!"
"Of course." Albus sighs while Harry already swings the sword and hits the diadem right at the big stone in the centre with the same result as the last Horcruxes.
"That's it." Harry replies, "As I said before, Nagini needs to wait for a little longer but I can summon the sword whenever I need it. Now we just have to wait until we are ready to fight and kill Voldemort."
"What about the potion?" Severus replies, "And why did you have to wait for it and for how much longer?"
"Because I could feel the others this way." Harry explains, "All pieces are connected. If I take it now, I won't be able to follow what he's doing but I assume it's still better to get rid of it now just in case it doesn't work. Also, Nagini is usually close to him meaning that once the part in me is out, I could end it if an opportunity presents itself."
"I hope it won't until you're much older." Severus grumbles and Harry rather not points out that considering that Voldemort is getting stronger and clearly preparing for his return while Harry was entered into a tournament that could kill a participant and yet the man that entered him and is a death eater was actively helping him with his first task by giving him the advice to harness his flying skills which means, that clearly something will go down either during the second or third task and Harry is reasonably sure that by the end of this tournament, either Mouldy or he himself will be dead and since a Phoenix doesn't die, at least not permanently, it clearly won't be Harry. The only thing troubling him is what killing Mouldy will do to his own soul. He's still a human being and as such, killing Mouldy will fracture Harry's own soul and leave a scar.
Authors Note: Will killing Mouldy really affect Harry's soul or is too little left of the dark wizard? Will Harry find a way to safe his own soul from feeling any effect and will it be in time? I doubt I will have to say what or rather who will be hidden under water for Harry to find but will he give a show somehow or will he win within seconds by flashing Draco towards himself? Will he even know that it's Draco who is underwater? How will Draco react if Harry does it the long way and actually stays underwater and tries to safe everyone else as well? And how will the last task go? Will he win or will someone else win and can he protect the other participants in the tournament? Will Severus find out that Harry knew that Moody is a fake one since day one of the school year and most of all, will Harry get grounded yet again? Sadly just one more chapter to go.