Hi all! I'm sorry about the accidental hiatus...
Anyway, I hope you'll be happy to find that this will be the longest chapter yet, so yay for that! Also, just to let you all know, some of the speaking bits during the last half are taken directly out of the book, so you don't think I'm plagiarizing! I will happily admit that I used some of Rowling's words.
Please enjoy!
Part 9: Severus
Finally, tonight is the night when the names of the Triwizard Tournament champions will be selected. The delegations for Durmstrang from Bulgaria and Beauxbaton from France arrived yesterday, causing everyone's excitement and anticipation for the tournament skyrocket. All day today, students eligible to compete have been adding their names to the pool of names in the Goblet of Fire. Even Severus finds himself caught up in the excitement. Of course, he would prefer one of his Slytherins be chosen, but, realistically, he also acknowledges that many of the students in the other three Hogwarts Houses also qualify for the title of Hogwarts champion. He may not be pleased that the Tournament will still be allowed to commence with all three competing schools' full endorsement and the Ministry's endorsement, but he will allow himself to admit that he is rather intrigued as to how everything will play out. It certainly will be rather interesting no matter what occurs.
While today is Friday, Severus is rather relieved that classes had gotten out half an hour early yesterday and then been canceled today. He very nearly gets a headache just thinking about the absolute travesty it would've been if he'd had to teach the bumbling students today with every single one of them no doubt much too preoccupied with the tournament and wondering about the champions to do much of anything. No doubt, the classes would've been an absolute waste of time on everyone's part.
Instead, Severus had been able to spend time with Darcy, who had decided to stay with him until after the champions are chosen before returning to the Tower for the weekend. It had been a lovely day of simply remaining in their quarters together. He had graded while she had gotten work done for her Avenger's Liaison position. They'd been able to relax and spend time with simply the two of them. In fact, he'd even been able to show her the Thestrals in the Forbidden Forest, which he was quite pleased to find that she thought was rather fantastic. Overall, while the day had been a welcome reprieve from teaching at the castle, he is ready to return home at the Tower.
It's Friday night, and Severus is ready to leave already. Normally, he'd only have classes to teach during the morning on Fridays and then be able to arrive in New York City by early afternoon. Instead, he's still at this infernal school, waiting for three brats to have their names called from the Goblet of Fire and be announced as a champion. Why, fucking why, does he still have to be the Head of Slytherin House? Specifically, why did he let Albus wheedle him into remaining at Hogwarts as the Head of Slytherin House? It's not as though Hogwarts is the only school that wants him. He receives plenty of job offers from Heads around the world to teach at their school. Damn sentimentality, he grumbles mentally. Hogwarts certainly has its issues, but it's also the first place he could ever call home. True, home has always been where his mother is, but Hogwarts was the first physical place to become a constant for him. In addition to the sentimental aspects of the school, he can also say that it is somehow one of the main hubs in the British faction of the Wizarding World, which, he supposes, is useful from an intelligence perspective. However, if he weren't a Head of House, he wouldn't be required to stay at the castle to attend tonight's selection.
Severus smirks as he makes his way towards the Great Hall, listening to the students excitedly chattering about the feast and what is to follow it. While it is annoying, it is also rather amusing. Once he reaches the Hall, he enters through the side door near the staff table.
"What do you make of the new Professor Lewis? I have not had the opportunity to get to know her very well with her frequent comings and goings, you know," Pomona asks Filius as Severus nears the table. The Potions Master refuses to feel guilty for slowing his gait to listen.
"I haven't been given much of an opportunity to get to know her much either. From the few interactions I have had with her, though, I find her to be quite friendly and intelligent. I heard some of my Ravens talking about how she's introduced her students to some of the most recent Muggle communication devices. It seems she's even given them devices of their own that work on the grounds. Apparently, I'm told, Hagrid's Muggle motor-vehicle is quite behind the times compared to the devices they have not. An antique, I believe they called it," the Charms Professor chirps. "What do you make of the girl, Minerva?"
"I have had a few more interactions that the rest of you, and I must say that I quite like her. What's more, the students seem to adore her, which is the most important thing to consider," the Deputy Head of Hogwarts replies.
Severus holds in a chuckle as he hears this. As a trained spy, he naturally tends to listen to the conversations around him and hearing Darcy being brought up only hones his focus onto the trio's conversation.
"I would prefer you not gossip about Darcy. It is entirely unprofessional, rude, and can be truly hurtful. However, as you were merely stating your personal opinions and not offering each other speculative facts, I am not entirely certain one could consider that gossip. Regardless, if you should have an issue with Darcy or her teaching methods, do address them with her directly or kindly keep such issues to yourself. We are not school children anymore," Severus cuts in before he continues on to his seat.
When he arrives at his seat, Darcy is already in hers, aggressively typing away on her Stark phone. He arches an inquiring eyebrow. "Is everything alright? You seem…agitated."
"Oh, I am absolutely fantastic, Severus. What in the world made you believe otherwise?" she replies with a barely restrained growl, eyes not leaving the screen in her hand.
"Look, I understand that you're not exactly thrilled with this Tournament, but don't take it out on me. I did not instigate it, nor do I exactly endorse its presence here," he retorts under his breath.
"I know. I don't really blame you either. You were stuck between Thor's abs and a hard place. I'm more pissed at the whole fucking situation than I am with you. If anything, I'm pissed at Not So Crunchy and Baggy over there, sitting all pretty." He just barely holds in an amused snort at the ridiculous nicknames given to the two important Ministry Department Heads.
"You could at least restrain yourself from growling and glaring so openly. You manage just fine in Ross' presence. Those two should be a walk in the park compared to him. You're beginning to scare the students, dear. If I'm not allowed to scare students during meals then neither are you."
She grumbles but puts down her mobile to merely send her empty plate a glare. Another few beats pass and then she's glancing up at him, furious worry (yes, she somehow manages to pull the expression off quite well), painting her features. "Something's going to happen, you know, and they're not going to do anything about it. These students are going to be in danger, and they barely care. I've been thinking, and if you had told me about this fucking tournament when you had asked me to teach here this year, I'm not sure what my answer would have been.
"On the one hand, of fucking course, I'd have said no because I want no part in this stupid dick contest. On the other, I'd probably still have said yes because someone needs to help these students, and I doubt you alone would've been enough," she hisses low under her breath. Thankfully, as a sniper and a spy, Severus has acquired the skill to read lips and been trained to listen for sounds that most people wouldn't pick up, and he is able to understand her easily.
"Of course, something is going to happen. I'm certain this entire competition has been rigged, but I have yet to figure out exactly how and to what end rigging it would accomplish. I also have a strong feeling that if I had been able to tell you about the tournament when I asked if you'd be willing to teach here, you'd have hesitated for about a second before agreeing. You wouldn't have let me deal with all this alone," he tells her.
"Damnit, you're probably right," she acquiesces. "So how big of a mess do you think tonight is gonna be?"
"Tonight, the Goblet chooses the champions. Either something minor will happen or something major will happen. Currently, I am unable to tell which one will occur."
"Great." The pair watch as the Great Hall fills with students and staff, each of them eagerly awaiting the moment when the three champions will be chosen.
Igor eventually settles into the empty seat at Darcy's side after making sure all of his students are accounted for. "I'd wager it'll be Viktor. He's my best student and the most likely candidate from Durmstrang. What do you think, Darcy?" the Bulgarian Headmaster asks in lieu of a greeting.
"I don't really know much about your students, but from seeing them a bit today and your endorsement, then I'd say Viktor probably has a pretty high chance of getting picked," Darcy answers with a shrug. "I'm curious to see who gets picked from here since we have a bigger pool to choose from and a much less obvious choice."
"Ah, yes. You have many students who would make fine champions, as does Madam Maxime's Beauxbaton students! This will certainly be an interesting Tournament, will it not? Three of Europe's top magic schools competing in a Tournament of ages."
"Yes, it most certainly will be," Severus comments in the silence.
Soon, everyone is settled and eating happily. As it's Halloween, there is a feast as usual, but this meal seems to drag on longer than most as everyone anxiously waits to hear who is chosen to represent each school. Severus, who doesn't entirely agree with this whole situation, finds himself wishing the plates would clear faster in anticipation, wishing to know the results already. Beside him, he can tell that Darcy is also ready for the names to be revealed.
When the plates have finally been cleared to signal the end of the meal, Albus stands and the room silences like a switch has been flipped. "Well, the Goblet is almost ready to make its decision," the elder wizard starts. "I estimate it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions' names are called, I would ask them to please to come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber where they will be receiving their first instructions."
Then the Headmaster of Hogwarts pulls out his wand and, with a swift flick of his wand, extinguishes the candles lighting the room, except for the ones in the floating pumpkins. Now, the only illumination left is the small flickering of the candles in the pumpkins and the Goblet of Fire with its blue flames licking along its rim.
Anticipation builds with each second that passes.
Suddenly, the blue flames turn red, and a single, singed scrap of paper spits out of the Goblet. Albus catches the paper and reads the name aloud, announcing the first champion of this year's Triwizard Tournament.
When Krum's name is called, excessive cheering and clapping fill the air. Even Darcy and Snape clap for the young wizard. Of course, the other Durmstrang delegates seem disappointed at not being chosen, but they also seem to have an air of resignation about them, as though they knew that the famous Quidditch player was always going to be chosen. Karkaroff is also understandably very expressive with his congratulations. Though, shouting at such high a volume that he can be heard over the crowd of cheers is a bit more than Severus would deem necessary.
Slowly, the Hall quiets down to wait for the next champion to be chosen. They only have to wait a few seconds before another slip of paper comes flying out of the Goblet. Fleur Delacour is chosen as the champion of Beauxbaton, and, again, the Hall erupts in cheers and applause, the two Avengers (while Darcy is not technically an Avenger, everyone on the team considers her, Pepper, and Jane to be one) joining in on the celebration. This time, however, Severus notices that the young population of the room seems to be paying close attention to the French student as she follows Krum to the side room, specifically to her appearance. As for the remaining Beauxbaton students, he notices that they seem to be taking Ms. Delacour's new title rather difficulty. After all, Severus understands that they all had a fair, even shot at being named champion, unlike the Bulgarian students, who all seemed to expect Viktor Krum would be selected. The Avenger watches as two girls burst into tears and let out sobs, taking the rejection especially hard. While he can certainly understand the disappointment at not being chosen, Severus does feel their reactions to be a touch too dramatic.
Once Ms. Delacour has exited the Hall, things tend to settle down a bit, though the excited buzz remains high in anticipation of the Hogwarts champion. A moment passes and another paper emerges from the Goblet. Cedric Diggory. As soon as the name has escaped through Dumbledore's lips, a roar of excitement and screams erupt from the Hufflepuff table. Every single Hufflepuff leaps up, wildly cheering and applauding their chosen one. Of course, everyone else, including his Slytherins, is joining in on congratulating the Hogwarts champion, but the Badger House students are by far the loudest. Even Severus claps genuinely for the boy in support. True, he would have preferred the champion be from his own Slytherin House, but he does admit that of all the eligible, legal students, he is glad it is Cedric Diggory who will represent the UK school. If the age limit weren't an issue, Severus would've hoped for Draco to be selected, but since there is an age limit that Severus had no plan to ignore as it would be a horrible example to his students, he prefers Cedric. Mr. Diggory is honestly and simply a good student who is not as insufferable or as terrible at Potions as nearly every single other student in his Year, including the Slytherins as much as Severus hates to admit it.
Due to the intensity of pride that the Hufflepuffs display, it takes noticeably longer for everyone to settle down even after Mr. Diggory has left the room. When they do, Albus begins to speak. "Excellent, well, we now have our three champions. I am sure that I can—" Severus ends up drowning out the old wizard's speech in favor of surveying the scene around him, specifically Darcy's reaction to everything. He glances down at her with a questioning eyebrow.
From what he can perceive, she is excited for the three who have been selected but is still peeved that the whole ridiculous fanfare is still going to happen. He offers her a hand in support and to simply be able to be somewhat publicly affectionate, which she accepts without hesitation. They share a moment before realizing those around them have gone completely silent. They look up to find that the Hogwarts Headmaster is holding yet another slip of paper in his hands, a new fourth one, and annoyed dread fills Severus. Darcy squeezes his hand, and he knows that she shares the sentiment. As soon as Albus opens his mouth, Severus knows whatever comes out of the older wizard's mouth will not only be unnecessarily irritating as the wizard always is, but also utterly irreparable. Whatever is said next, once said, there will be no going back or fixing things.
"Harry Potter."
Shock consumes the crowd, and every head turns to get a look at the declared fourth champion. Some students even rise from their seats to get a better view. Severus' hand goes slack, and Darcy's hand leaves his. For a moment, one long moment that seems to stretch for lifetimes, all is still and silent. Then the still is shattered as students begin to nervously chatter amongst themselves. There is no applause or celebrating now, only confusion and hints of envy that Severus can detect from students who wish it had been their names that were announced.
Up at the Head table, the staff and judges remain frozen in shock, still very much processing this turn of events. None of them move until Darcy hisses, "Oh, hell, no" under her breath in rage. Severus then lets out an extremely pissed off sigh of resignation that ripples across his chest. Another moment passes before Minerva gets up to whisper something in Albus' ear when Potter has yet to stand.
"Harry Potter!" he tried again. "Harry! Up here if you please!"
Everyone instantly quiets as Harry Potter stands and then slowly makes his way up to the staff table.
For a mere second, Severus is surprised that Darcy has yet to react. Then he hears her breathe out a second sentence under her breath. "No, they're still going to make him go through with it!" Ah, so she had been holding out to see how they'd react to the situation, hoping that they'd let Potter opt out of competing. Once the boy reaches their table at the front of the Hall, it becomes evident that he will be the true fourth champion of the Triwizard Tournament. Then Darcy acts.
"WHAT?" she roars as she leaps to her feet and leans forward to slap her hands violently against the table. Potter slows to stop in response to her exclamation. "NO, you have to be kidding me."
"Ms. Lewis, I assure you I do not jest!" Albus replies. Severus watches the boy, who simply stands in front of everyone awkwardly, obviously unsure as to what his next course of action should be.
"I hope you realize this is your fault, all of you who wanted this tournament to happen," Darcy starts as she aims a heated glare at the staff and judges, specifically ending at Dumbledore. "I hated even the idea of this Tournament, but it's obviously happening anyways. With the proposed age restriction, I had almost allowed myself to hope that older, hopefully more experienced students would be the only ones able to compete, but I knew that something would go wrong. Your single, limited magic age line should never have been the be all, end all precautionary measure, but it was. That's on you. Not Harry. Look at his face. You can easily tell that he didn't put his name in the Goblet or even knew it was in there at all. I know you—you're going to make him compete, but if he gets hurt, that's on you," she hisses. Then, instantly losing the stinging venom in her tone and the steely glare in her eyes, she addresses the Fourth Year. "Come on, Harry. Let's go meet the others," she beckons the youth, her voice far less threatening than it was mere nanoseconds earlier.
Potter shuffles over to Darcy, who instantly wraps an arm around his shoulders. Then the two of them follow the path the other three champions had taken into the side room, leaving everyone in hushed awe in their wake.
"Excuse me, but who was that young woman? I don't believe that I've seen her before!" Mr. Crouch asks, cutting into the silence Severus' wife has left in the Great Hall.
"Darcy Lewis, our new Professor of Muggle Studies," Minerva supplies with a smirk.
"She's also my wife," Severus adds. "It would be well within your best interests to refrain from arguing with her and to remain on her good side. Better people than you have gone up against her and lost." After imparting his advice upon the stunned Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, he stands and goes to join Darcy, his robes billowing behind him with each step.
Within the side room, he finds the five of them grouped near the fire, all four of the students listening to Darcy explain the situation. "They said none of us staff are allowed to help you, but since they're forcing Harry to stay a champion and to compete, I've decided that helping you, should you need or want it, is now fair game too. So, if you want my help, I'll help you," she tells them very seriously.
"I shall offer my assistance to whoever is willing to take it as well," he states in lieu of announcing his presence. They startle slightly at his voice and turn as one to look over at him as he pads over to stand next to Darcy. The four champions, even Potter to Severus' mild surprise, all nod and even offer thankful smiles or smirks.
A hurried pair of feet coming near the door announces the arrival of Mr. Bagman a second later. Then the Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports strides up the Fourth Years champion and takes him by the arm. "Extraordinary! Absolutely extraordinary! Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce—incredible though it may seem—the fourth Triwizard champion!" he announces.
"We know. Ms. Lewis 'as already told us. It 'as to be a mistake! 'E cannot compete. 'E is too young!" Ms. Delacour exclaims in response to Bagman's useless declaration.
"Well…it is amazing," Bagman says with a smile, "but as you know, the age restriction was only imposed this year as an extra safety measure. And as his name's come out of the Goblet…I mean I don't think there can be any ducking out at this stage…it's down in the rules, you're obliged…Harry will just have to do the best he—" Bagman mumbles in explanation, and Severus sneers at the poor cop out of actually addressing the issue.
However, the man is interrupted by the entrance of Dumbledore, Minerva, Igor, Crouch, and Madame Maxime. At seeing her Headmistress, Ms. Delacour hurries over to her in distress. "Madame Maxime! Zey are saying zat zis little boy is to compete!" she cries.
"What is the meaning of zis, Dumbly-dore?" the French Professor demands in response to her troubled student.
"I'd rather like to know that myself, Dumbledore," Igor adds. "Two Hogwarts champions? I don't remember anyone telling me the host school is allowed two champions—or have I not read the rules carefully enough?" Madame Maxime seconds this notion. "We were under the impression that your Age Line would keep out younger contestants, Dumbledore." At this, Darcy snorts, and Severus watches as she rolls her eyes as well. He smirks. She's been silent until now during the conversation between the school Heads, and he'd become curious as to when she'd interject.
So far, the main theme has been about how many champions Hogwarts has, not their ages, which has bugged Severus and obviously Darcy the most. From the content already shared, the Potion Master also guesses that Igor is about to complain about not being able to bring some of Durmstrang's younger students as potential candidates and that Madame Maxime will agree. It greatly annoys Severus that none of the Heads of Schools have mentioned any concern for the safety of the youngest champion. Nor have they addressed the potential safety issues that would've arisen if the visiting delegates had been permitted to bring younger students. Thankfully, Darcy quickly directs the discussion towards the Issue at hand.
"For all that you waxed poetry that being able to keep anyone under age from getting into your damned age circle, Dumbly, your words meant jack shit. That obviously didn't work since Harry is fourteen! I knew something like this would happen, so why didn't you?" Darcy snarls as she enters the conversation. "You're all focusing on the wrong problem here. Yes, a fourth champion is unexpected, but it's his age that should bug you the most, not that there even is one!"
"Professor Dumbledore is one of the most powerful wizards in the world," Mr. Crouch replies. "We had assumed that his spell would ward off any underaged students."
Severus could swear he can see his angered wise mouth some variety of "yeah, in this world, maybe" before she responds. "Well, obviously, you assumed wrong. Seriously, that was your reasoning? What? Was the other half of your reasoning that not one student would dare go against the Headmaster and his rules? It was, wasn't it? Reality check here. First of all, never assume, especially with something with stakes as high as they are in this situation. Don't get sloppy or lazy like that. It leads to mistakes like this one. Haven't you ever been told to never assume? Anyway, secondly, rules are made to be broken, especially when untold riches and eternal fame are on the line and teenagers are concerned. Everyone knows that. Now, I am definitely not throwing teens under fire here because the same totally applies to adults too, but in this case, it can be said specifically for the students involved in this tournament. I personally know plenty of people who would've figured out a way to get around Dumbly's stupid age-spell easily by the age of twelve, without the explicit use of magic might I add. That simply proves that neither of your reasons behind the very limited precautions were valid and did basically nothing," Darcy lectures.
"Let us solve this mystery as to how Harry's name was put in the Goblet of Fire. Harry?" Albus askes the youngest champion softly.
"No," the youth replies.
"Did you ask an older student to put it into the Goblet of Fire for you?"
"No."
"There, you see? Young Harry did not put his name into the Goblet," Albus so wonderfully deduces, the irritating twinkle in his eyes just beginning. Severus holds back a snarl and settles for a low-level scowl.
"Yes, excellent skills of deduction, Albus. We have concluded that Potter didn't put his name in the Goblet, which we'd deduced earlier in this conversation. That does not, however, answer or even address the real method in which his name was successfully entered," Severus drawls.
"That hardly matters now that the boy is actually a true contestant. What matters now is whether he should be allowed as the fourth champion," Igor cuts in. "Mr. Crouch…Mr. Bagman, you are our—er—objective judges. Surely you will agree that this is most irregular!"
Everyone quickly turns their attention to the two Ministry Heads of Departments expectantly. Bagman gulps, dabs his nervous face with a handkerchief, and simply looks over at Crouch with the same look. Crouch breathes softly, nods at his fellow Ministry judge, and then speaks with a dry, curt, but also slightly nervous tone. "We must follow the rules, and the rules state clearly that those people whose names come out of the Goblet of Fire are bound to compete in the Tournament."
When this does not satisfy them, everyone turns to Bagman for either confirmation for a different answer. "Well, Barty knows the rules book back to front," is all he supplies.
In response, Igor grumbles and makes a comment about leaving the tournament altogether.
"Empty threat," Darcy's absolute favorite colleague states as he strides into the room. "You can't leave your champion now. He's got to compete. They've all got to compete. Binding magical contract, like Dumbledore said. Convenient, eh?" Alastor Moody clambers his way towards the group, making sure to choose the path farthest from Darcy, Severus notes.
"Convenient?" Igor repeats. "I'm afraid I don't understand you, Moody."
From there, it snowballs into complaints about Hogwarts being allowed a higher chance of winning and then to the motivation behind someone putting the boy's name into the Goblet, even going so far as to start blaming each other for doing it. Severus stands back and watches with vague interest as the other professors pretty much ignore the students and the true situation at hand to squabble like pretty children. Finally, it is decided that Potter is to compete as a champion, despite the little (big) fact that he's only fourteen.
"The first task Is designed to test your daring," Crouch tells the four champions when it's all finally decided. "So we are not going to be telling you what it is. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard…very important…"
As the details of the first task are explained, Severus only just barely listens. His thoughts instead wander to his wife, who has been surprisingly silent the last few minutes. After a few seconds of observing her, he knows that she is absolutely livid about the outcome of this discussion but also recognizes that she can't get them to change their minds. He remembers when he'd first been informed that the Triwizard Tournament would take place. He'd been completely and vehemently against the idea. However, after so many failed attempts to dissuade those in charge from following through, he'd begrudgingly accepted its occurrence. Instead, he'd made a personal vow to ensure the students' safety during the tournament's duration. Now that it has been declared that there are four champions, Severus only repeats his promise to ensure the safety of the students. Knowing his wife, he can easily say that she has most likely come to the same conclusion as well.
Once the details of the first task have been explained as well as they can, given the fact that none of the champions can know what the task actually will entail, it is decided that it's finally time for everyone to retire for the night. Before leaving, Darcy tells all four of the champions, "I don't care what the rules say. If you need help, come find me." Then she struts out with only a nod to him before exiting the room.
When Severus enter their quarters, Darcy is already splayed across their couch. He divests himself of his annoying, heavy black robes, leaving him in a pair of dark trousers and a grey shirt, before he situates himself next to her in the space she's provided as her human pillow. Then, once they're comfortable, Darcy speaks.
"How the fuck did Dumbles not expect something like that?" she muses. She glances up and meets his eyes with a stubborn glint. "Only three champions, all of legal age, are supposed to be allowed, but Dumbles and those two Ministry wacknuts are ignoring that in favor of letting everything be dictated by a little wooden cup. All bets are off now. If they can ignore the rules so that that can let students be put in danger, then I can damn well ignore them to keep those students safe. I dare someone to try to stop me."
"I completely agree."
"Great!" Then her expression changes to one of mischief. "Also, seeing Moody defend this stupidity also reminded me to the ferret incident. No, I didn't forget. I just haven't thought of the right way to get back at him. Any ideas—that don't involve turning him into a ferret to get personal experience?"
"I'm glad you finally asked…"
Thank you all for reading!