Chapter 12

High in the trees in the Forbidden Forest, Albus Dumbledore struggled not to lose his grip as he climbed from tree to tree.

The Ford Anglia was prowling below, trying to hunt him. Tom was caught rather quickly, currently confined in the trunk of the beast. Dumbledore had no wish to rejoin the man in that confined space, so he was desperately hiding in the trees, trying to traverse from one tree to another.

"ALBUS DUMBLEDORE, what are yeh doing up there?" came Hagrid's voice.

Shut up Hagrid, Dumbledore thought. Please shut up.

Too Late. The Ford Anglia figured out which tree he was currently up and sped right over, crashing into the tree. The impact shook the tree and he fell off, hitting the ground on his arse. Due to the pain, he was unable to run, giving the car the opportunity to swallow him in the trunk.

"Alby my dear," Tom wailed. "It's good to see you're alive. Come here and kiss me."

Albus Dumbledore screamed.

Outside, Hagrid shrugged and continued his trek through the forest to check on the unicorns.

IlIlIlI

"Boys, dinner is ready," Molly and Narcissa shouted upstairs at The Burrow.

A very angry Ron and Draco Weasley descended the stairs.

"Ah, look at how angry they are, Molly," Narcissa crooned.

"They must have had their first argument as a married couple," Molly said, tears in her eyes. "They are such a perfect couple."

The vein throbbing on both boys heads looked ready to burst.

"So, how was your first time with Ronnie, Draco?" Narcissa asked, cupping her son's cheek.

Draco promptly vomited at the question. Ron himself had fainted at the question.

"They clearly need more practice, my friend," Molly said. "In no time at all they won't have these responses anymore."

Narcissa nodded. "Get upstairs and make love boys. You're not having anything to eat until we hear noises from upstairs."

And they forced the boys into Ron's room and locked the door.

IlIlIlI

Professor Wrickman looked over the practical exams he had assigned his Fourth Years. There were many that weren't exactly perfect, but most results were good given the circumstances.

He was well aware that many struggled to do the subject under his teachings. After the long-time teaching that Severus Snape had done, many struggled on the ability to do a proper potion, as they weren't properly instructed before he had come to teach.

Miss Granger could use a bit of improvement, he mused. Although she was a very intelligent girl, she sometimes missed using the flour as it stabilised the potions after brewing. Her potion was well done otherwise and was a fine student.

Neville Longbottom on the other hand was always full of nerves in his classes. He was well aware of how Severus Snape treated the boy and tried to encourage him, but four years of having Severus Snape teach the boy made him a nervous wreck when he was brewing, always convinced his potion would blow up. His potions were alright given the results, but he knew the boy's talents laid in the Hogwarts Greenhouse instead of his classroom.

And Harry Potter. Seeing him again after thirteen years felt heartbreaking. When Lily Evans finished Hogwarts he took the kind-hearted woman under his wing and worked with her for three years after she graduated. He was not privy to her address when she was in hiding, but she came out at least once a week to work with him. Many of those times she would take baby Harry with her. He remembered feeling paranoid that the little excited one year old might fall into his potions.
He knew Harry was his own man with his own talents, but the boy reminded him so much of Lily with his abilities in Potions. In less than a month under his teachings, the boy proved himself to be one of the most brilliant minds when it came to Potions.

As he studied Harry's pitch perfect potion, he decided the next step should be done with him.

IlIlIlI

Harry finished his concoction on the Wolfsbane Potion he was brewing in Professor Wrickman's private brewing room. Faint blue smoke exuding from the fumes from the Potion told him he had done it right, but he had to check.

"Allan, can you check this?" he asked the man, who was reading a book on dangerous poisons at his desk.

As they had spent a lot of time together in private brewing, he was given permission to call the man by his first name, but only in private. They had developed a great partnership, and he loved it. Professor Allan Wrickman was really the greatest teacher he ever had.

Allan Wrickman investigated the potion. "An experimental weapon, with experimental ammunition."

"Sir?" Harry asked, confused.

"Every potion known to exist is experimented. The discovery of all potions were mainly made by luck. Small pieces of ingredients, no matter the size or weight, were always thrown in as an experiment, to see the results forthright, so they can further be experimented. Potential and courage is a must for development of potions. Courage must be encouraged in oneself when brewing. You need to believe you can do it right. Never question yourself when brewing. Don't ask yourself "Am I doing this right?", ask yourself if you can believe in yourself. It is vital to understand yourself when you're at your best and worst. Every potion in existence can be used to heal and hurt."

Harry shivered. One of the best things about being around Professor Allan Wrickman was his voice. The voice sounded iconic in its own right. And the delivery of his speech was brilliant.

Harry knew where he was coming from though. Don't ask questions about your own brew. Look for the answer rather than the question.

"Now let's see what your effort has entailed in this famous complicated brew," the man said. He pulled out a vial and filled it. He poured a drop into a magical bowl used for testing potions on their success.

To Harry's joy, small blue sparks appeared around the bowl. His potion, the very difficult Wolfsbane Potion, was achieved successfully.

"Brilliant, Harry Potter," the man said, smiling. "Absolutely brilliant. However, there is another matter I'd like to discuss with you. It is your choice though whether you choose the opportunity or not."

He leaned forward. "I was wondering if you would like to become my apprentice. We can start whenever you want. You can say no, if you want. I would not hold it against you no matter your choice."

Harry's mind was reeling. An apprenticeship offer at Potions, his once hated subject now turned into his favourite. He relished in the chance at becoming an apprentice.

As he stood there wondering what to say, the professor spoke. "You don't have to make up your mind now. I will give you time before you can give me your answer."

Harry left the room to the Gryffindor Common Room. He spoke at length about the offer to Hermione, whom was very encouraging. She told him to follow his heart and he did.

The next day he seeked out Professor Wrickman and told him yes, he would like to enter an apprenticeship. They would start in September.

IlIlIlI

Finally, dirty, dishevelled and tired Albus Dumbledore and Tom Riddle managed to get out of the Forest.

As Dumbledore tried to finally breathe the fresh air, he was grabbed roughly from behind.

"Where have you been, Albus Dumbledore?" growled Mad-Eye Moody. "The Third Task is about to begin."

WHAT! How long had he been in the bloody Forest? He didn't get any other thoughts as he was stunned by Moody, and dragged to the Third Task, while Tom was jumping up and down excitedly that the Third Task was beginning.

IlIlIlI

"Ladies and gentlemen, the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament is about to begin! Let me remind you how the points currently stand! In first place, with eighty-five points — Miss Fleur Delacour, of Beauxbatons Academy!" The cheers and applause from the crowd sent birds from the Forbidden Forest fluttering into the darkening sky. "Tied in second place, with eighty points — Mr. Cedric Diggory of Hogwarts School and Mr. Viktor Krum, of Durmstrang Institute!" More applause and cheers.

Harry was sitting with his godfather Sirius Black at the very front. As Minister, Sirius was called to judge the final task of the tournament. Originally when the Tournament started Barty Crouch was going to be one of the judges, but once Barty Crouch Junior was discovered alive the man received Sirius' old cell in Azkaban for breaking his son out and casting Unforgivables on him.

The First and Second Tasks had been judged by Madam Amelia Bones, who Sirius worked with closely over the past many months bringing law and order to the Ministry dealing with the corruption. All the corrupt members were now imprisoned.

Sirius was finishing his role as Interim Minister at the end of the week. Amos Diggory won the election the previous month and was taking over the position on Monday. Sirius was of the opinion that the man was perfect for office.

Harry waved at his girlfriend as she prepared to go into the deadly maze. She gave a wave at him and a small wink. Harry smiled back and returned the gesture.

Dumbledore tried desperately to run from the Third Task. He knew his time was short. He was either going to die in the Tournament or go to prison after the Task for his crimes. He was currently petrified at the entrance, and Tom was wailing over Dumbledore's prone body. Sirius managed to keep himself professional despite the urge to laugh at Dumbledore's misfortune.

Eventually the Task started and Harry watched as the maze magically closed around Fleur. Harry hoped she would get out of it alive, and remembered the conversation he had with her the other day.

One Week Prior

Harry and Fleur were sitting by the lake with Hermione, Viktor, Cedric and Cho talking about the Tournament.

As Harry knew Hagrid the most out of nearly everyone at Hogwarts, he was relaying the kinds of animals to them that were likely in the maze. Everyone at Hogwarts knew Hagrid was the one to organise most of the creatures to be put in the maze.

"How the bloody Merlin will I able to get past Jaggy, if he's there?" Cedric was almost shouting.

"I don't think Jaggy will be there," Harry said, rubbing his temples. "Hagrid gave him to the Manticore Reservation in Macedonia back in the seventies. I'm just naming all the animals that I know Hagrid has had in the past."

"And what about the three headed dog," Cedric asked. "I managed to escape him back in Fourth Year when I took a wrong turn on that blasted Third Floor Corridor."

"I think you wandered there on purpose Cedric," Cho muttered.

Harry and Hermione laughed. "The secret with Fluffy is that music, any music puts him to sleep almost immediately. Whether he's in that maze or not, you now know how to get past him."

Fleur looked at her two fellow champions. "What matters to you most about this Tournament?" she asked.

The two male champions looked at each other before answering. "Surviving!" they said simultaneously.

"I don't care about winning anymore either," Fleur said.

"Indeed," Viktor Krum responded. Putting his arm around Hermione he spoke, "I have learned this year that some things are more important than winning."

Hermione blushed vibrantly red. Harry smiled in her direction and she smiled back. Hermione had become a lot more playful and fun since she started dating Viktor.

"I don't care about winning either," Cedric said too. "Originally I put my name into the cup to impress my dad. But with him becoming Minister shortly I doubt I will see him often to make him pleased."

"Cedric, your dad will be proud of you no matter what you do," Cho said fiercely. "He loves you. Consider yourself lucky."

"I am lucky," he said with a small smile, holding Cho close.

"Does anyone here care about eternal glory anymore?" Hermione asked.

"NO," came the unified response.

IlIlIlI

Present

Dumbledore was unpetrified the moment before the maze closed on him. He looked around terrified. He knew full well that Hagrid helped to organise creatures for this damned maze.

He had always been terrified of Hagrid's creatures. And the fact he hadn't had a wand on him since Dobby disarmed him months ago made him even more nervous.

He peeked around the corner and saw Fleur Delacour up ahead, holding her wand with a lit Lumos.

Anger flowed through him as he saw her. She caused him extreme torment by going out with Harry Potter, ruining many of his plans for the boy.

Without thinking of a calm and sneaky approach he charged. He forgot that the girl herself was part Veela, and was currently just finishing her transformation to scare the creature in front of her away. By the time Dumbledore noticed he was too late.

Fleur heard something approach her from her left. When she transformed her magic would reach its highest peak and her spells were incredibly powerful when that happened. So she turned her wand and cast a quick "Stupefy".

Dumbledore went flying through the air over several rows of hedges before landing painfully on his bum. Groaning, he looked around only to figure out he was in a dead end maze.

Suddenly, and without warning, branches and vines from the hedge reached out and tried to grab him. Dumbledore, now feeling alert, ran for his life from the now enclosing hedges around him. He darted down different paths. He turned to his left and suddenly let out a horrified scream.

In front of him was the most vicious monster he had ever come across in his long useless life. With a body of a lion, a head of a human, and with venomous spines of a tail.

Jaggy the Manticore, Hagrid's old pet, struck without warning.

"NO!" Dumbledore screamed, trying his hardest to kick the creature. He managed to land a blow on Jaggy's face, which made the creature even more angry than it currently was.

"HELP ME!" he screamed. "SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME! ANYONE, HELP!"

His cries were futile. He was quickly devoured. With his last breath he swore.

"DAMN YOU HARRY POTTER!"

IlIlIlI

Voldemort hummed merrily as he made his way through the maze. He did not hear the cries of help coming from his husband.

He turned down several paths through the maze, unaware he had gotten himself completely lost in the maze.

"Hi, there honey," he called down the row to a creature at the end.

The sphinx didn't spare him a glance and continued with the crossword in the newspaper.

Tom went over to the sphinx and looked at the crossword.

"Anything interesting dear," he asked.

The sphinx had enough.

"Go down that pathway to the right, to the left and to the right, hedges towering to the sky," the sphinx said. "It's outta sight in the dead of night."

"Thank you," Tom said, making his way through the pathway the sphinx had ordered him to go.

Once he reached his destination he sat down and started singing.

"I'm happy as I lay here singing in the sand, singing in the sand, singing in the sand. The currency decided to go on a break and left me stranded alone," sang Tom in a high voice. "And now I wonder how did I get here alone, I wonder why I love Dumby like I do, is it because I think he loves me too, so come on and light my fire, my name not being known in heaven won't make me strong, this heart of mine won't break for gold-"

Tom continued singing out loud. The birds in the sky flew away as fast as possible, unable to listen to Tom's horrible singing. Every other animal in the maze trembled in fear at the horrible singing, and the now three remaining champions covered their ears.

"Merde," Fleur muttered. "This is worse than the creatures. Once I get out of this maze, I'm going to listen to Celine Dion to block out that sound."

However, there was one creature that was not affected by Tom's horrible singing. The happy animal traversed the maze, following the sound to its source, wanting to see the singer up close.

The animal found its source easily enough, only to recognise the scent of the man once it was up close, the man who once tried to kill it a little over four years earlier.

Fluffy the three-headed dog pounced on the man once known as Lord Voldemort and ripped apart the still singing former Dark Lord who had no idea what was happening.

"Beelzebub has a devil put aside for me, for me, for-". Those were the last words spoken by Tom Riddle before he died.

IlIlIlI

"So, Harry," spoke Sirius softly. "Are you okay after seeing what happened to those two?"

Harry remained quiet. Sirius had arranged a modified camera to be planted on each champion and placed up on Projector Magical Screens so the audience could see what was happening inside the Maze. Fleur, Viktor, Cedric and Voldemort were all too happy to wear them. Dumbledore had one planted on him without his knowledge.

Harry's thoughts were reeling. He honestly wanted Dumbledore to suffer in Azkaban after the Tournament for everything he had done to him, so that he could see what it was like to be imprisoned, cut off from his friends and living around people who couldn't stand his presence.

Watching Dumbledore getting devoured by Jaggy though, while humorous to him, felt anti-climatic. While watching Tom's fate felt like justice since he got eaten by Fluffy who was assigned against him four years ago just felt purely sensational and awesome.

"They both should have gone to Azkaban," muttered Harry, keeping his face down and his eyes focused on the ground so his godfather couldn't see his expression.

"Harry, it's okay," said Sirius, pulling him close. "And besides, they are both serving a fate worse than Azkaban."

"How?"asked Harry.

"Remember when you married the both of them at Christmas," reminded Sirius, a shark like grin on his face. "Remember their vows: 'Do you, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, take Thomas Marvolo Riddle to be your lawfully wedded husband, to take him into your life and vow to be together after death so you do not part'. And once again in reverse order."

It only took two seconds for Harry to realise what he had said. He had completely forgotten about that.

Everyone turned to look at the laughing Sirius Black and Harry Potter who could both be heard above all the noise in the stands.

"I really put them through hell, didn't I?" said Harry.

"You put them through hell and straight to Hell, Harry," smiled Sirius.

Harry chuckled. "Oh, they would have both been sent there, alright."

IlIlIlI

Colin snuck into the seat behind George Weasley.

"Hey, George," he whispered. "Is it ready to go off."

"Payback Prank is about to go into effect," George whispered.

Since the prank war the twins, Colin, and Harry had, George and Colin were finally going to get back at Fred and Harry for vanishing them into the center of the maze every few days. They both would nearly always get the two back, but at every last second they would find themselves appear suddenly in the center of the maze and trying valiantly to get back to the entrance. They didn't want to involve the teachers in their predicament, since that would mean owning up to the pranks committed on Hogwarts from the prank war.

"Al systems go in ten... nine... eight... seven... six... five... four... three... two -

POP!

"DAMMIT," George and Colin screamed, as they once again found themselves in the center of the maze.

"I am so bloody sick of this," Colin screamed.

A noise of something very familiar roared right in front of George. He looked at the creature he thought was in front of him and burst out laughing.

"Why is there a CAR of all things in this maze?" asked Colin.

"This isn't just a car Colin," said George going up to the Ford Anglia his dad once owned and now lived in the Forbidden Forest. "This is a Ford Anglia that once belonged to my dad. What are you doing here?"

The headlights turned on and pointed right at something behind them. George turned and saw the TriWizard Cup up on a pedestal.

"You're the final obstacle," said George, feeling astounded. "You're guarding the cup."

George saw Colin investigating the cup. He knew immediately what was on his mind.

"Oh, hell no Colin," he practically shouted. "We are not claiming the TriWizard Cup. We are not champions. The crowd will lynch us. Hell, the champions will lynch us."

"No, they won't," smirked Colin. "Harry told me they don't care about winning anymore. They care about surviving."

George was still unsure.

"And besides, wouldn't a thousand galleons be enough to start up the joke shop you and Fred are always on about."

"Let's go."

IlIlIlI

Silence.

That's what greeted George and Colin when they landed back at the entrance of the maze. There was not a sound in the air.

Then Harry Potter and Fred Weasley started laughing.

George and Colin held the Cup high in the air.

IlIlIlI

Two Days Later...

"I simply still cannot believe you did that," screeched Hermione.

"Hermione," soothed Viktor. "Calm down, I'm just glad I survived that maze. I don't care that they took the cup. They want the money. Only thing I want now is you."

Fred and George were very grateful to have the champions backing them.

It was utter bedlam after George and Colin came back with the cup. The other judges, particularly Ludo Bagman were furious and tried placing the cup back in. But every attempt to grab the cup gave them a nasty electric shock.

Sirius Black though, read the rules which said the first one to grab the cup wins. It didn't specify whether it had to be a champion, Muggle, or random wizard.

In the end George and Colin were declared the winners of the TriWizard Tournament, especially when the other champions had backed them up.

IlIlIlI

Two nights before school ended the Champions, winners, and their boyfriends/girlfriends met up to have a celebratory drink before leaving.

Harry was currently talking Quidditch tactics with Cho Chang.

"No, Harry," Cho argued. "The Wronski Feint is very different from the Kleinheim Manoeuvre. The Kleinheim Manoeuvre is only performed by Seekers. You lure a following Seeker towards the stands and whenever you're about to hit it, you pull away at the last second."

"Oh," said Harry. "Should I have done that to you last year when we had that Gryffindor/Ravenclaw game."

"You wouldn't have dared," Cho laughed. "You were trying your hardest not to hurt me. I remember Wood roaring at you to not be a gentleman and to knock me off my broom if you had to."

Harry blushed. He remembered why he acted like that. That was the game where he first met Cho and had an instant crush on her.

"I know you had a crush on me, Harry," Cho said softly.

Harry reared back, shocked. "How- how did you know?" he asked.

"Have you ever met a subtle Gryffindor, Harry?" asked Cho

It took Harry less than a second to answer. "No," he said, chuckling. Merlin, how obvious was he?

"I had a crush on you too, Harry," Cho said quietly. "But truthfully, I'd rather stay friends with you. Something just tells me we would have been a terrible couple."

Harry smiled, looking over at Fleur, who was chatting rather amicably to Cedric and dancing with him.

"Well, then. Why don't we have a nice friendly dance like them two?"

"I'd like that."

George and Colin were going around the room, talking to everyone they could about the joke shop until Hermione got sick of them.

"Oh for heaven's sake George," she gritted her teeth. "Instead of annoying everyone why don't you and Colin avenge yourselves on Harry and Fred since the curse has clearly broken."

George and Colin had completely forgotten about their revenge on Harry and Fred since they won the cup.

"You take my brother Colin and I'll get Harry," George grinned, especially when he saw Harry was dancing with Cho.

"Deal."

Moments later there was a cry of outrage when Fred Weasley found himself in nothing but his underwear.

During his dance with Cho Harry suddenly found himself flung forward and his lips stuck to Cho's. They both tried to pull away but they couldn't.

"Me and Fred saw the way you were looking at her last year during the Quidditch Game," George said, coming up to them. "And I just figured, why not take my revenge on you now by embarrassing you."

"GEORGE WEASLEY," roared Fleur, suddenly realising why her boyfriend was 'kissing' Cho.

George's smile faltered as Fleur approached.

"Maybe I should have tried something else for revenge."

IlIlIlI

In A Place Far Far Away (Or Below)

"Ah, I've been waiting for this day for a long time," said Satan.

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore and Tom Marvolo Riddle were standing in front of him, absolutely terrified.

Upon his death, Tom Riddle lost his drunken like personality and once again became his normal self. An angry idiot who loved torture.

Satan happily informed the bugger that he had married Dumbledore back at Christmas under the suggestion of Harry Potter. The look of horror and revulsion appeared on the man's face, especially when he showed the couple pictures of what they had done during their marriage, was absolutely hilarious.

"You two are going into this room. Your ultimate demons are in there."

They went into the room without question, terrified out of their wits. Only to start screaming moments later.

Satan smiled as he walked into the room full of lawyers.

Who would have thought a 1960s Ford Anglia would be someone's ultimate demon?

AN: Sorry this has taken so long. I've been so busy since February and barely had time for FanFiction. However, I have now managed to set my own schedule I am coming back. There will be one more chapter showing everyones fate. Coming as soon as it can.