Chapter nineteen:
Endeavor
It had been the last week of June and the past few months, it had been a difficult time for Harry and the rest of the Triwzard champions being unable to figure out the next task. There wasn't a clue like the previous task that had the golden egg and none of the staff were informed unless they were involved with setting it up. The classes resumed as normal but Victoria had found herself often stuck in her office correcting schoolwork and making the final exams of the year for her History of Magic class. She still had taught Ghoul Studies once a week as promised to Dumbledore which seemed to have gotten a little more students interested in the subject for an extracurricular class. As the class was dismissed, Victoria noticed a fair haired sixth year approach her desk. "I apologize for turning in my essay on ghosts a day late, I had been up late working on it last night. I've been far too focused on the next task in the Triwzard tournament." Cedric Diggory stated, setting the essay on her desk. Victoria nodded and placed his essay onto the stack of essays turned in previously. "I understand and will excuse the Triwzard champions on late work, Mr. Diggory. I appreciate your honesty and effort." Victoria replied, smiling warmly. Cedric was relieved that it was excused and politely excused himself with a charming smile before exiting the class. Victoria had also been quite bothered the past few months with Rita Skeeter lurking about, constantly trying to get the scoop on Harry and even trying to get questions from Victoria herself from being the 'Mysterious new relative of Harry Potter'.
Later that night, Harry woken up from a nightmare, speculating it was a vision from Voldemort but only told Ron and Hermione that same night. Harry found himself in Dumbledore's office the following day, having experienced the pensive before telling Dumbledore about the nightmare the night before. Snape had been going through his ingredients in his ingredients closet one afternoon at the end of June when he had been approached by Igor Karkaroff, trying to convince of the dark mark becoming more bold just like he had tried to the night of the Yule ball. Snape wasn't convinced as he had secretly worked for Dumbledore undercover and knew that Karkaroff had been suspicion of him still working for Voldemort only. "You can't tell me that you don't know about the-" Karkaroff stated before Snape interrupted. "-i have no idea what you are talking about. Nor have I when you brought it up last time, Igor." Snape stated, taking his attention back onto his potion ingredients, looking for a particular one. "It's a sign Severus, you know what it means as well as I!" Igor sneered, pressing his wand against Snape's chest before Snape caused the door to swing open, spotting Harry in the hall coming to a halt at the scene - Harry had just left Dumbledore's office.
Once the door had been opened, both Snape and Harry watched as Karkaroff left the scene. Harry awkwardly decided to walk off from the situation, not wanting to interrupt Snape as they didn't get along before a voice caused him to stop in his footsteps. "Potter! What's your hurry?" Snape caught Harry attempting to leave the scene. Harry turned his eyes off of Karkaroff that turned the corner and onto his Potions professor, walking over to him. "Congratulations, your performance in the black lake was inspiring. Gilliweed, am I correct?" Snape questioned. Harry nodded. "Yes sir." Harry replied hesitantly, surprised that Snape had brought it up. "Ingenious. A rather rare herb, gilliweed, not something found in your every day garden. Nor is this, do you know what it is?" Snape asked, interrogating. Snape had suspicion that Harry and his two friends had been in his ingredients storage stealing ingredients for a specific potion to sneak around. Even though Snape had been dating Harry's aunt Victoria, Snape surely wouldn't let Harry get away with anything under his watch, even Harry's fame didn't mean anything to Snape.
Harry furrowed his eyebrows at Snape, confused slightly on the compliment that turned into a question of suspicion. "Bubble juice sir?" Harry guessed, knowing he was most likely wrong. Snape's expression remained apathetic. "Veritaserum. Three drops of this and you-know-who himself will spill his darkest secrets. The use of this on a student is regrettably forbidden, however, should you ever steal from my personal stores again...despite being a relative of Professor Hawthorne, my hand might just slip over your morning pumpkin juice." Snape threatened hesitantly, he was serious about stealing things he owned and even if it was Harry who is a relative of his girlfriend that was taking his ingredients, it didn't matter. Harry furrowed his eyebrows at the accusation and had no clue what Snape was on about. "I haven't stolen anything." Harry refuted, telling the truth. Snape pierced his dark eyes at Harry as he gripped the side of the door frame. "Don't lie to me. Gilliweed might be innocuous, but boomslang skin? Lacewing flies? You and your friends are brewing polyjuice potion and believe me, I'm going to find out why." Snape spewed before closing the door on Harry.
Harry took a step back for a moment at the occurrence that just happened before deciding to walk off from the scene. Harry wasn't planning polyjuice potion and from his knowledge, Hermione hasn't mentioned making it. Snape had sorted through his ingredients, gathering what he has needed in order to continue his experiments, his last experiment had gone well with the cure for Spattergroit before he exited his closet storage of ingredients and went back to the dungeons to his office. The following night, the final task of the Triwzard tournament was to commence and the four champions were very nervous, not sure what to expect upon arriving to the grounds. Victoria had gathered to the grounds where the maze had been set into place minutes before the headmaster would be announcing the task, catching Harry. "Harry..." Victoria spoke warmly, flashing a genuine smile that Lily had as well when Harry turned around to notice her presence. "Aunt Tori. Hi." Harry said, obviously that he was quite nervous for this last task. Victoria took a couple steps forward towards her nephew, keeping the smile on her face. "I wanted to wish you good luck on the task...please be safe, Harry. I worry." Victoria pointed out. Harry nodded gently, taking in the concern from his aunt before giving her a bear hug, showing that he was very nervous about the maze task. "I will try. Thank you." Harry thanked politely before stepping back. Victoria watched as Harry walked off towards the other champions and then she decided to get to the stands where the crowd was gathering before she noticed Rita Skeeter lurking around the area to get in touch with the champions.
Rita had attempted to make her way through there but Victoria stopped her. "I don't think so, Rita. You've had enough interviews with them." Victoria stated, blocking her path. Rita briefly laughed her off before attempting again, only to be blocked again. "I need to add this to my story, Victoria. So excuse me, dear." Rita stated arrogantly. Victoria formed an annoyed expression before taking out her wand and pointing it at Rita. "Flippendo!" Victoria casted, causing Rita to fall onto the ground before muttering another spell. "Epoximise." Victoria casted once more, causing Rita to become stuck to the ground. Victoria knew her spells well and had no more patience for the nosy Rita Skeeter harassing her nephew and the champions. "You better remove this now! You will hear a long, irate article about this!" Rita shouted. Victoria watched her attempt to struggle on the ground and leaned down a few inches, hovering over the reporter. "Stay away from my nephew, Rita." Victoria warned then stood back up straight and walked away, leaving Rita stuck to the ground, making her way to the stands where staff and students going there to watch and cheer while the four champions gathered outside of the stands with their headmasters. Victoria took a seat in the stands next to Snape on her right while McGonagall followed behind Victoria and sat on her left near the steps. Of course Victoria was nervous about Harry in the tournament but more particularly this one as it was the most difficult.
"Calm down, Victoria...Potter made it this far." Snape encouraged in a soft tone. Victoria turned her green eyes from the maze in front of them and onto Snape. "I suppose you're right, Severus." Victoria replied, giving a barely noticeable sigh before turning her attention onto the maze once again. "Earlier today Professor Moody placed the triwizards cup deep within the maze. Only he knows its exact position. Now as Mr. Diggory..." Dumbledore announced, pausing for a moment while the crowd of Hogwarts students cheered loudly for Cedric Diggory before continuing. "and Mr. Potter tied for first position they will be the first to enter the maze. Followed by Mr. Krum..." Dumbledore paused as the Bulgarian crowed cheered loudly for their school mate, Viktor Krum. "Then Miss Delacour. The first person to touch the cup will be the winner. I've instructed the staff to patrol the perimeter, if at any point should a contestant wish to withdraw from the task he or she need only send up red sparks with their wands. Contestants, gather round." Dumbledore instructed while the crowd was both fascinated and tense from the seriousness of the last task. Victoria watched as Dumbledore spoke to the champions and kept her eyes on Harry.
Cedric hugged his father before the task would begin while Harry looked up to spot his aunt sitting in the stands, both exchanging smiles while Victoria quickly mouthed 'be safe'. "On the count of three...two..." Dumbledore began counting down before Filch had set the cannon off a second too early and the band began playing the championship song. Moments later, the four champions began heading into the maze one by one and the crowd held hope, tension and mere silence as they awaited for the champions to withdraw or return. "I haven't seen that Rita Skeeter this evening. Perhaps she had already gotten enough for her lousy section in the Daily Prophet." McGonagall stated. Victoria formed a smirk onto her lips at McGonagall's comment about Rita Skeeter, knowing exactly it had been her doing. Snape, who say beside her, had noticed the smirk on her lips and became slightly suspicious at his girlfriend's reaction. "Have anything to say, Victoria?" Snape asked curiously. Victoria noticed Snape's stare and shown a nervous smile. "I might've prevented her from further bothering the champions tonight..." Victoria trailed off. McGonagall turned to look at Victoria in surprise as Snape rose a questionable brow. "What exactly did you do, Victoria?" McGonagall asked, taken back. Victoria placed her hands on black dress covered lap before parting her lips to reply. "I sort of used Epoximise on her and stuck her to the ground..." Victoria explained hesitantly.
Snape formed a light, crooked smile on his lips at her words as he remained facing forward. "Well, I must admit I'm impressed. Hopefully that would stick in her mind to respect the privacy of others. McGonagall replied, practically applauding Victoria. "Well done, Victoria." Snape complimented, admitting that he was impressed by it as well. Victoria smiled to herself for a second before there was a red spark shot up into the air - the sign of one of the champions withdrawing. Victoria had hoped deep down that Harry had been the one to send the spark for withdraw for his safety, but little did she know that he had sent it but for Fleur Delacour who had recovered from the maze with twigs and leaves in her hair, causing Victoria to become disappointed. "Surely, Potter is excelling." McGonagall tried to encourage. The moment McGonagall had said that, Victoria spotted Fleur's unconscious body be taken out of the maze and to the castle to the hospital wing.
The moment Victoria spotted Fleur, she had become a little more worried than she had been before the task had begun. If something like that could happen to Fleur, it could happen to Harry. She didn't know what lurked inside the maze but all she knew, it was the most difficult and dangerous task. Snape noticed how tense Victoria had seemed and casually checked on her beside him while everyone mingled and watched for any sign of an update. Nearly a half hour later, Vicktor Krum had turned up from the maze, being rescued after shooting his own red spark up which left Harry and Cedric inside the maze to fight for the win. An hour had passed by and still no sign of the last two champions. "How long does the last task generally take?" Victoria asked curiously, trying to calm her nerves as she gently and quietly placed her hand onto Snape's whom was beside her. Snape had noticed and briefly curved a thin smile onto his lips. "I'm not entirely sure, Victoria. It had been centuries since there had been a Triwzard tournament, who knows how long this task can take. There are Sphinxes, boggarts and large spiders in the maze to my knowledge, I'm sure Dumbledore told you that." McGonagall replied, ending the sentence on a hesitant tone.
Snape had listened on to the entire conversation and had known that Victoria had no idea about what was in each task since it was Dumbledore's request to keep Victoria in the dark in order for her not to worry, but that had seemed to be diminished now due to McGonagall spilling some details. McGonagall noticed Snape's skeptical glance before turning to focus on the maze awkwardly. Victoria watched on nervously before suddenly Harry appeared outside the maze with Cedric's body a moment before the cheerful music from the band began playing before Victoria noticed something wrong as did Dumbledore who stood on the grass - Harry was weeping. "Harry! Harry!" Dumbledore called alerted Harry, trying to pry Harry off of Cedric's motionless body. Victoria stood up instantly from her seat and went to step passed McGonagall when Snape grabbed her wrist. "Best you stay, Victoria. Dumbledore will handle it." Snape advised. Victoria usually let Dumbledore handle things but this time - especially when her nephew is distraught - she had to go comfort him. "I'm sorry, Severus. This time I must assist my nephew." Victoria replied before posting pulling away and walking down the steps. Snape gave a quick look to McGonagall before following Victoria down to the grassy field.
"Tell me what happened!" Dumbledore pleased. "He's back, he's back! Voldemort's back. Cedric, he asked me to bring his body back. I couldn't leave him, not there." Harry cried. Dumbledore looked over the crowd, spotting Victoria making her way down to the field before looking back to Harry. "It's alright Harry. It's alright, he's home, you both are." Dumbledore tried to calm Harry down. As Victoria and Snape made it to the field, Fudge who was there to judge the tournament approached Snape. "Keep everybody in their seats. A boy has just been killed." Fudge notified. Victoria pushed her way through anyway towards Harry as Snape followed and crouched down slightly at the scene as Fudge approached. "The body must be moved Dumbledore, there are too many people." Fudge added towards Dumbledore. Victoria placed her hand on Harry's back as Harry remained clutched onto Cedric's corpse. "I'm here, Harry." Victoria attempted to comfort her nephew. Moments later, there was a distraught shout coming from the crowd from a man forcing his way through the crowd. "Let me through! That's my son! My boy!" Amos, Cedric's father, cried out.
Victoria and Snape had backed away as Amos approached the head of Cedric in mourning and pain. Snape held Victoria for a moment when Moody had taken Harry from the scene, not having any thought of it being bad having another professor comfort Harry while Dumbledore tried to console Amos. McGonagall went over to comfort Amos five minutes later while Dumbledore approached Victoria and Snape. "Where did Harry go?" Dumbledore questioned. Snape and Victoria had separated and Victoria furrowed her eyebrows. "Alastor walked away with him-" Victoria replied, cutting herself off when Dumbledore walked off after hearing a name while motioning Snape to follow. Snape paused Victoria in her steps before walking off and following Dumbledore to the castle and to Moody's office. Victoria just stayed in place before McGonagall looked over at her with Fudge standing around getting things in order. "Victoria, could you help me with Amos, please?" McGonagall asked in which Victoria nodded and went to aid the situation.
Dumbledore blasted the room open, knocking Moody onto the chair and pointing his want at Moody while Snape had a bottle of Veritaserum in his hand. "Severus." Dumbledore alerted, having Snape pour the truth potion into Moody's mouth forcefully before stepping back while Harry stood by, watching the scene. "Do you know who I am?!" Dumbledore shouted at Mood, Dumbledore gripped Moody's face tightly to face him. "Albus Dumbledore." Moody spat out, not willing to speak but forced to. "Are you Alastor Moody? Are ya?!" Dumbledore asked further. "No." Moody answered quickly. Snape had become suspicious of the so called Moody for months but couldn't put his finger on it though he suspected Harry using his ingredients for Polyjuice potion. "Is he in this room? Is he in this room?" Dumbledore asked. The stranger pretending to be Moody had turned his eyes to a chest that soon Dumbledore and Snape uncovered to find the real Alastor Moody deep inside.Harry was confused by the scene and parted his lips to speak. "If that's Moody, but then who's that?" Harry asked, motioning towards the stranger on the chair who had suddenly began to change as the Polyjuice potion had worn off. "Now we know who's been stealing it from your store Severus." Dumbledore pointed out. Snape instantly looked at Harry, having been the type of person who hated to be wrong but had been relieved that he wouldn't be losing anymore potion ingredients for the time being.
While the appearance of Moody had disappeared and the real identity of a man had been revealed, it was a surprise to Dumbledore and even to Harry who had seen the man from the pensive. "Barty Crouch Junior." Dumbledore stated. It was no longer the appearance of Moody but now of the known death eater son of the late Barty Crouch senior. "I'll show you mine if you show me yours." Barty Jr. spewed, showing his dark mark on his lower arm. "Your arm Harry." Dumbledore stated, pulling Harry's cut arm to show the difference in scars. Barty seemed to take a thrill out of the scene before them and Snape kept his dark eyes pierced on the death eater he once knew. "You know what this means don't you? He's back. Lord Voldemort has returned." Barty Jr. clarified. Dumbledore directed Harry out of the room while Snape walked over to Barty Jr. to keep guard. "Let's send an owl to Azkaban, think they'll find they're missing a prisoner." Dumbledore told Harry. Barty looked from Snape and onto the two that were leaving. "I'll be welcomed back like a hero!" Barty Jr. shouted. Dumbledore turned around while Harry stepped out. "Personally I've never had much time for heroes." Dumbledore stated before he left the room. Snape then made sure that Barty Jr. wouldn't escape by keeping his guard, having the wand of his he held pointed at Barty in case he tried to flee from the soon aurors that were to arrest him.
Victoria had made her way to the castle and down the hall towards Moody's office when she spotted Dumbledore with Harry exiting the office towards the owlery. "Thank goodness, are you alright Harry?" Victoria asked, relieved she found Harry with Dumbledore. Harry nodded briefly but the expression he gave was of discouragement. "We have a prisoner in waiting in Professor Moody's office. Must get to the owlery to inform Azkaban of is missing prisoner." Dumbledore told Victoria. Victoria covered her mouth for a moment before she parted her lips to speak but before she could, Dumbledore spoke over her. "I believe Severus could use some assistance in keeping the prisoner put, Victoria. We will be back shortly." Dumbledore explained. Victoria nodded lightly before giving her nephew a quick hug and they both split up. Once Victoria entered the office, she spotted Snape towering over Barty Jr. and the fake eye on the floor. Immediately, Victoria took out her wand and kept cautious of the situation as Snape noticed her presence from his side vision. "Dumbledore insisted that you needed my assistance." Victoria stated.
Snape kept his dark eyes pierced at Barty Jr. as he spoke. "Clearly. Not for too long, I hope. Azkaban is longing for their missing prisoner." Snape stated. Barty Jr. licked his lips as his eyes flicked over to Victoria before back onto Snape. "Who's the brod?" Barty Jr. spewed to provoke Snape. Snape pressed the wand deeper into Barty Jr's cheek. "Don't, make me do it you know..." Snape warned, threatening to harm Barty Jr. before the aurors got there. Luckily, Barty Jr. kept silent as the aurors rushed in several minutes later, taking Barty Jr. back to Azkaban. As the students went to their dormitories after they had their dinner, which was very quiet, some of the staff along with Amos Diggory had arranged to remove Cedric's body and have Amos make his plans for his son's funeral off the school grounds. Victoria had visited Harry in the hospital wing, sitting on the bed and comforted her nephew from the event that happened that night. She knew it wasn't easy for Harry to not only witness a classmate die but also from what he said, coming face to face with the murderer who killed his parents and her sister. "You don't have to talk about it with me if you don't want to, Harry. What you went through was traumatic enough." Victoria stated. Harry looked down at his hands as Victoria gently embraced him with one arm before he leaned back and looked at his aunt. "You believe me though, don't you? That Voldemort is back?" Harry asked curiously. Victoria didn't know much about Voldemort but had learned more since she had began teaching at Hogwarts and moved to the UK - but she did believe her nephew. "Yes, of course I do." Victoria reassured. Harry was a little relieved by the reassurance that he at least had his aunt and Dumbledore on his side, but he also knew that Hermione and Ron would as well. Victoria stayed another hour before leaving Harry to rest and returned to her living quarters.
The next day, Dumbledore held a ceremony in the great hall, where the students gathered inside and sat together while the staff sat in the middle of the great hall, in between the mix of students while Dumbledore stood at the podium. Victoria sat next to Snape, McGonagall and Flitwick, along with the rest of the staff while she knew this would be a very sensitive subject for Harry. Dumbledore had been sitting on his chair at the podium and stood up to face the audience once everyone was settled. "Today we acknowledge a terrible loss. Cedric Diggory was as you all know, exceptionally hard working, intricately fair minded. Most importantly a fierce friend. I think, therefore, you have the right to know exactly how he died. You see, Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort. The ministry of magic does not wish me to tell you this. But not to do so, I think would be an insult to his memory. Now the pain we all feel at this dreadful loss reminds me and reminds us that while we may come from different places and speak in different tongues, our hearts beat as one. In light of recent events the bonds of friendship we made this year will be more important than ever. Remember that. Cedric Diggory did not die in vain, remember that. And we'll celebrate a boy who was kind, honest, brave and true right to the very end." Dumbledore stated, while the room remained silent, so silent that you could hear a pin drop against the stone floor.
They took a moment of silence for Cedric before Dumbledore had went to excuse them. "I wish you all a marvelous summer and see you next term" Dumbledore excused. While the students and staff made their way out of the great hall in mid silence, Victoria figured that she would wait for Harry once she was finished packing for the summer since she watched him head towards the floor of Gryffindor tower. Victoria took her time packing up some of her things when she got a knock on the door of her living quarters. Opening the door, she spotted Snape, who took a step inside after she closed the door. "I believe Potter will be fine." Snape insisted. Victoria appreciated her boyfriend's input and that he thought of her worry, but she knew this was something a boy of Harry's age shouldn't be having to deal with. "Eventually, Severus. But, he shouldn't have to experience this...not yet..." Victoria pointed out. Snape approached Victoria slowly and gently placed his hand on her left cheek to have her focus on him. "Victoria, I believe, that Dumbledore knows exactly what he is doing and he is a great wizard. It may be asking, too much, but I certainly advise you rely on him for such." Snape advised, his dark eyes connected with Victoria's green ones. Victoria sighed, knowing she had no other choice but to rely on Dumbledore, not wanting to risk ruining anything that may be possible to get rid of Voldemort. "I suppose you're right, Severus. But I, too, am doing my part in keeping Harry safe." Victoria explained.
Snape played a quiver of a small smile on his lips before parting them to respond. "Yes...I have no reason to question it." Snape stated. Victoria formed a smirk on her lips to the response and went to place a soft kiss onto Snape's lips before separating. "Will I see you this summer?" Victoria asked curiously. Snape had no idea when there would be time to see Victoria over the summer since Voldemort had returned, he knew that he would be busy playing double agent - not that he could tell Victoria that no matter how much he wanted to share. "Perhaps. I may check my schedule." Snape teased a little though it was the honest truth. Victoria took it as teasing and smiled warmly at Snape. "You better ." Victoria replied. Moments after, Victoria and Snape had went to continue their packing while Victoria waited in the courtyard for Harry. When Harry had came out with his trunk, Victoria formed a smile on her face. "I was wondering if you wanted to take the train as normal or rather this time I take you home?" Victoria asked. Harry looked from his aunt and onto Hermione and Ron who had waited for him before deciding. "I'll take the train." Harry replied with a hesitant smile. Harry had talked to Dumbledore earlier in the Gryffindor dorm which lightened his mood a little. "You sure, Harry?" Victoria asked. Harry nodded. "Yeah, I'll be fine. See you at the Platform." Harry reassured before leaving to the Hogwarts Express with his friends. Victoria then had left to Hogsmeade before apparating back to Wellington to get settled in before picking up Harry in London.