Harry is walking outside with Fleur when he finally feels the magic he was looking for. The Yule holidays were already a couple of weeks ago, but Harry hasn't been sitting still.
He has collected the diadem from the ROR, had been evading Dumbledore everywhere he goes, and the man is getting craftier with finding Harry, much to Harry's dismay. And he has been meeting with Snape for the potion that is needed for Tom's return.
He also has been training with the other Champions and finding out the clue. They are now talking about strategy for the second task that will be in a couple of weeks, but Harry still had a little side project that will be going to fruition now.
He had talked about it with Fleur, he knew how the press was interested in his love life, and he knew they probably couldn't help themselves if he was being seen more and more with the French beauty. She agreed immediately when he presented her with his plan, and so they have been walking outside almost every day of the week.
''Fleur-'' He started, trying to keep a straight face. Fleur seemed to understand what would be happening and bit her lip to keep in her laugh. ''-the last couple of weeks have been amazing, and you are in the center of it.'' Harry says, coughing a little because he thinks his acting is ridiculous.
''Oh, Harry, I thought it was only me!'' Fleur replies while putting the back of her hand against her forehead as if she's swooning. Harry barely keeps in a snort before barreling on.
''No! No, it's not only you, you are a true flower in my dark existence, my only sunshine in between all the horrible things that have been happening in my life-'' Harry says, and Fleur giggles. She can't keep her laughter anymore. Harry sees tears in the corners of her eyes and quickly continues.
''I know your father would never approve of me, but I don't care, run away with me! Stay with me. I have enough money for you to live a long and happy life by my side!''
Fleur is now pressing a hand against her mouth so she won't burst out laughing. ''Oh, Harry!'' She mumbles, barely holding her composure, but then Harry finally sees what he's been looking for, and with the speed of a professional Seeker, he reaches out and snatches the bug that was hovering nearby out of the air before putting it in an unbreakable jar.
He puts the jar on eye level and smirks, he can see the lining of Skeeter's glasses around the eyes of the bug, and he knows he has the right one.
''Oh, thank god that's over, I couldn't keep a straight face anymore,'' Fleur says before bursting out in gleeful laughter. Harry starts chuckling too. He's thankful that Fleur wanted to help with Rita Skeeter.
''Me neither, not that you're not beautiful or anything, but you're not my type,'' Harry tells her simply with a smile, and Fleur kisses him on the cheek.
''You're not my type either, Harry,'' She replies with a smile before they start walking back in the direction of the castle.
''What are you going to do with her?'' Fleur asks curiously when they are almost back at the castle.
''Not sure yet,'' He tells her with a shrug before saying goodbye and leaving her at the Beauxbaton's carriage. He does know, but he doesn't think that she would want to know.
He then makes his way to the ROR. When he opens the door, he sees some kind of interview room he remembers seeing in some muggle movies a long time ago.
He puts the jar down on one side of the table before taking a seat on the other side. He then vanishes the jar wandlessly and pushes Rita out of her animagus form with the reversal spell.
She looks haggard, her hair is in disarray, and she is glaring with a blinding hatred at Harry, but Harry doesn't care.
''You can't just-'' But before she can get on steam with a tirade, Harry chuckles coldly, making her freeze and blink at him in fright.
''Rita, you will see that I can do anything I bloody want. And what you're doing is something I will no longer tolerate. So this is what's going to happen.'' He then stands with his hands behind his back before making his way to Rita's side.
''Option one, you aren't going to listen to me, and I will make your life very, very, difficult, like Azkaban difficult.'' Harry starts, and Rita shrinks into herself by the threat.
''Or, option two, you will stop writing shit about my friends and me, and I will give you in the following years a couple of stories that need to be written with extreme care, if you chose option two, I am going to demand a secrecy vow so you can only write about the things I want you to write about. You can still write for the Prophet or other tabloids, but you will not be able to leak anything I don't want you to reveal.''
He has now planted his hands on the table again and looks her straight in the eye.
''So, what's it going to be, Rita? Azkaban, and let us be real, no job anymore when you come out, or a simple secrecy vow, and a couple of juicy stories when I need one?''
He can see how she's thinking about it. She doesn't like the ultimatum, but she also sees that she doesn't really have another choice.
''Fine. Option two.'' She finally snaps. Harry grins ferally at her, making her shrink even further back in her chair.
''Good choice. I think this is the start of a very special business relationship.'' Harry tells her before making the vow with her. She is fuming when they finally leave the ROR, not liking the vow at all, not with everything that is revealed with just the simple vow. But, she also knows that if he needs a story, she's the first one that will be able to write about it. Something that will help her career in extraordinary amounts. Harry James Potter - Peverell is going to be a big player in the wizarding world in the next couple of years. She knows that for sure.
Harry groans when someone shakes him harshly awake. He could've still slept a couple of hours before the second task! Who the hell is waking him up?!
''Wh't you w'nt?'' He slurs, blinking sluggishly before taking in a very white piece of hair.
''Wake up, Potter-Peverell!'' Malfoy sneers, sending a stinging hex to Harry's bum. Harry flinches but doesn't react further than glaring at Malfoy.
''What the fuck, Malfoy?'' He grouches, he hears the other Slytherin seventh years waking up around him while he's still in a glaring contest with Malfoy.
''Hermione is missing, you ass! And I know for a fact that she isn't the only one. So I'm guessing that it has something to do with the second task, and I want you to put a stop to it right the fuck now!'' Malfoy snarls, and Harry bolts upright, thinking over the clue and cursing up a storm.
He quickly wandlessly conjures clothes before storming out of the dorms. He knew that something would've been taken from him, but to take Hermione, yeah, Harry is not going to take that lying down. He doesn't care if the hostages are safe according to the judges.
He storms into the Great Hall and sees Dumbledore, Bagman, and a very, very pale Crouch.
Without waiting for them to acknowledge him, he starts, ''Which idiot had the idea to put teenagers into a Black lake for an hour in freaking February?!'' He yells, his voice carrying with his rage.
''Mister Potter-Peverell, pleas-''
''No! I will not calm down. You've stepped out of bounds too far now! To ask from the participants to prove themselves with bravery and all that shit-'' He hears a couple of snickers behind him, but he ignores it. ''-is fine, they have signed up for it, but to put hostages, teenage, UNDERAGE , hostages into the lake in February for one hour unconscious with the threat of not returning if the participant fails is something that is just cruel and illegal! Did you even ask for parental approval from the hostages? Or did you just think that if they don't know about it, it doesn't matter? Because let me tell you, that if the hostages didn't agree to anything or let their parents sign at least something, I'm going to make a huge uproar about it with the Prophet and the Wizengamot. Let's see if any of you three will have fucking jobs after that.'' Harry seethes, Bagman is pailing rapidly, Crouch seems ready to faint, and Dumbledore is biting his tongue.
Several gasps are heard all around him, and he sees that he has gathered quite the audience.
''You were going to put hostages that meant something to us into the lake?'' Cedric asks from Harry's side, and Harry can hear the horror in his voice.
Then Fleur storms up to the Head table and starts ranting in French, Harry isn't fluent in the language, but he hears the word 'sister' in between there somewhere.
''The hostages are perfectly safe! No harm will come to them at all!'' Bagman tries to placate the students who are now reacting in worry to everything since Harry's rant.
More and more students are filling the Great Hall, hearing from their friends what is happening, and all calling out in outrage.
Harry has crossed his arms and is watching Dumbledore with a critical eye. Dumbledore seems to be watching Harry with just as much intensity, waiting for him to stop this or for Harry to snap again so he can step in.
It's a battle of wills, and Harry isn't going to lose it.
''There has to be another solution! You can use anything else, but not our friends or family!'' Victor thunders, Fleur, and Cedric quickly agree with him, and Harry sees Malfoy in the corner of his eye, walking closer to the Head table.
Malfoy makes his way to Snape, where he goes into a rant Harry can't hear, but the long-suffering sigh Snape releases give Harry enough indication that he's asked Snape for help. They disappear through a side door in the Great Hall, and Harry is waiting patiently for their return.
''What are you all suggesting then?'' Crouch asks the champions warily.
''Free the hostages, and take something else, or hide a clue in the lake for the third task, whatever, but you should know that we will riot if you take alive hostages again.'' Harry declares, still having eye contact with Dumbledore.
The other champions all agree, and Harry sees Snape and Malfoy returning. Malfoy gives him a nod, and Harry knows that the hostages are safe. They aren't in the water yet. Thank Godric.
''It's too late to change anything now-'' Dumbledore starts, only to be met with protest from the whole student body in front of him and the other Headmasters and teachers.
Dumbledore grits his teeth and finally breaks eye contact with Harry, who smirks smugly, feeling like he has won this round.
Hermione, Fleur's sister, Cedric's best friend, and a Bulgarian girl are quickly released, and Hermione rushes to Harry, clinging to him.
''Are you alright?'' He whispers in her wild hair, feeling sick to his stomach that they tried to kidnap her for him.
''Yes, yes, I'm fine. We were put into a sort of coma where we would've been brought out when the hour was finished.'' Hermione tells him matter of factly.
''And what did they say would happen if you weren't above water when that hour was finished?'' Harry growls, tightening his grip on Hermione when Malfoy walks closer, clearly wanting to check if she's alright for himself.
Hermione is silent for a moment before a weak response comes. ''They-they didn't tell us.'' Harry nods to himself. He has heard enough.
Harry hands Hermione carefully to a worried Malfoy, who hugs the girl close before mouthing 'thank you' to Harry. Harry just nods before glaring at the Head table again.
''Make sure that the next task is ready, and after, I will give an interview to the press together with the other champions. Let's see what the public thinks about all of this.'' He then storms out of the Great Hall. Quickly vanishing to the ROR for some rest and alone time.
A couple of hours later, he's standing on the docks above the Black lake. He grimaces at the cold water, not really wanting to jump in but knowing he doesn't have another choice. The rest of the Champions look equally hesitating to jump in.
Harry feels a little naked without the locket and the ring, but he doesn't want to lose them or have protective magic strangle him while he needs to be underwater for about an hour.
Harry looks around and frowns when he sees Percy Weasley instead of Crouch at the judge's table. He draws Cedric's attention.
''Where is Crouch?'' Harry asks with a frown. Cedric looks back and then frowns too. ''He went home claiming he was sick just after what happened in the Great Hall this morning.''
Harry nods, something feels wrong, but Harry can't place what exactly is wrong. He tries to shrug it off, but the feeling stays with him.
Bagman aims his wand at his throat and casts a Sonorus charm. "Well, all our champions are ready for the second task, which will start on my whistle. They have precisely an hour to recover a clue for the next task. On the count of three, then. One, two, three!"
The Champions all dive into the water. Harry lets himself sink for a moment, wanting to have cover before he uses his magic. He explained that he had a plan to the other Champions, but he didn't share what kind of magic he would use because he was going to use Dark Magic.
He thinks Krum was on to him from the smirk he had received a couple of times, but he couldn't be sure.
When his lungs start to burn for air, he starts to chant in his head. It takes about ten seconds before he feels a warm feeling settle over his whole body and his lungs inhale fresh air. He opens his eyes and finds that he can see clearly underwater.
He starts to swim but finds himself going too slow and mostly annoyed at that. He pulls out his wand, not that he really needs it, but it's easier to use his wand to direct himself with the next spell.
He points the wand behind him, and a powerful wind propels him forward. He wants to grin at the sensation, but he needs to keep his mouth closed. The spell he used only gives his lungs air, but he's still underwater.
After about twenty minutes, give or take, he finds himself in a lighter part of the lake and stops the wind spell to swim at a slower rate into the Merpeople habitat. Just when he thinks he's out of the weeds, something grabs his ankle and pulls him down. He turns and frowns at the horned creature that is grinning ferally at him.
He opens his mouth and grimaces when his mouth fills with the cold water of the lake. Thankfully it doesn't go to his lungs when he coughs to get it out of his mouth. But the tugging on his ankle isn't going away, and now Harry finds himself being drawn further and further into the weeds.
More and more Grindylows are surrounding him, but Harry doesn't panic. He kicks and is glad when the one that was still holding his ankle releases him. He then waves his wand, and a bright red light pushes the creatures back. They crackle and light up as if electrocuted. The creatures seem dazed for a moment before they are quickly scrambling and swimming away from Harry.
Harry uses his wand again to propel him forward until he has reached the town of the Merpeople. They are watching him intently with pitchforks raised and sneers on their faces. They are clearly hostile towards him, and Harry can't imagine how it would have been if the hostages had been down here. He tries not to think about it too much.
When he reaches the middle of the town of the Merpeople, he sees four totems, one for each of the Champions. Attached to each of them are bags, and Harry swims closer to see which one is his.
One has a yellow color with a Hufflepuff crest. One is blue with a Beauxbaton crest. Another is red with a Durmstrang crest, and the last one is green with the Slytherin crest.
Harry rolls his eyes at that, but he quickly swims to the green one and takes the bag. He looks around but doesn't see any indication of the other Champions.
He shrugs, not really bothered. It will only be better for him to be in the lead for the last task.
He uses his wand again to propel him back to the starting point, and he decides to make an entrance. What? He deserves some fun.
He cancels the spell that makes his lungs breathe underwater before using his wand to propel him out of the water. He makes a flip in the air before landing on the docks in a crouched position. It's silent for a moment before the audience starts clapping and cheering, making Harry smirk.
He looks up, and his eyes immediately find Death in the stands in another disguise but still clapping like a proud father, even if he rolls his eyes in exasperation at Harry's entrance. Harry just grinned at him and made a bow to the crowds before he was pulled into the medical tent so Madam Pomfrey could check him out.
Harry got a vial pushed into his hands and was ordered to drink it, which he quickly did. Nobody can really say no to Madam Pomfrey if she's fussing like this. Steam got out of his ears, and he blinked a couple of times but felt more relaxed now he was warm again.
He waved a hand over his body and felt himself sigh in relief when his wet clothes disappeared and his regular robes took place completely dry.
Harry then waved off Madam Pomfrey to watch the rest of the task. Which was pretty boring because you couldn't actually see anything happening until Krum breached the surface ten minutes later, shrugging his transfiguration of a shark's head off before swimming towards the docks. Harry helped him out of the water before he too was hurried to the medical tent. Five minutes later, red bubbles rose from somewhere in the middle of the lake, and Harry started to worry about Cedric or Fleur. What could've happened?
He watched anxiously while Madam Pomfrey and a couple of wizards he didn't know got into a boat and made their way to the red bubbles. There, one of the wizards went down and pulled out a haggard-looking Fleur. She was checked out, and when she was back at the docks, she told them that she couldn't get out of the Grindylows claws, they had scratched her up pretty badly, but thankfully she was okay. She only hadn't retrieved her bag.
Finally, after the hour was already finished, Cedric came up, making Harry sigh in relief.
''Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! The judges have reached their decision! Merchieftainess Murcus has told us exactly what happened at the bottom of the lake, and we have therefore decided to award marks out of fifty for each of the champions, as follows; We have awarded Harry Potter - Peverell the full fifty points because he retrieved his clue within the first half-hour, we only don't know which charm he used during the task, but nonetheless, it was very effective.'' Harry just smiled at the judges. He was never going to tell them what he did use.
Bagman continued, ''Victor Krum used an incomplete form of Transfiguration, which was nevertheless effective and was second to return with his clue. We award him forty points.''
"Cedric Diggory, who used the Bubble-Head Charm, also retrieved his clue, though he returned one minute outside the time limit of an hour." Enormous cheers from the Hufflepuffs in the crowd. "We, therefore, award him also forty points."
Fleur seemed sad, and Harry pulled her into a side hug, making her blush slightly. ''For miss Fleur Delacour we award twenty-five points for correct use of the Bubble-Head charm. She, unfortunately, couldn't get out of a tough spot with the Grindylows, which was the reason she hasn't retrieved her clue.''
There was polite clapping while Fleur grumbled. ''I deserve zero. I didn't even find the clue.''
''But you did use the Bubble-Head charm correctly, and if it's a clue for the next task, don't worry, we'll help you,'' Harry told her, and she smiled at him thankfully.
"The third and final task will take place at dusk on the twenty-fourth of June," continued Bagman. "The champions can try to figure out the clue of what is coming precisely. If they don't succeed, they will get more information exactly one month beforehand. Thank you all for your support of the champions."
Cheers erupted again around them, and Harry really wanted to talk to Death, but before he could leave towards him, he was tackled into a hug by Izzy.
Izzy babbled at him at how amazing he had been while the other Slytherin seventh years hovered around them with a fond exasperation towards Izzy.
The next couple of weeks go by with no weird things happening, which suits Harry just fine. He visits Snape as much as possible in the evenings to check the potion and knows for sure that it will be the best that there could've been.
Snape was still a bit stiff around Harry. But it was clear that Snape was doing his best not to resort to his old ways, something Harry could appreciate.
''Why do you think he will be grateful for what you're doing?'' Snape suddenly asked one evening while Harry was reading on a chair in the corner. He looked up and saw that Snape was still bent over his cauldron. His shoulders were stiff, so Harry was pretty sure that he hadn't imagined the question.
''I don't.'' Harry simply replies because he isn't in the slightest way convinced that Tom Riddle would thank him for bringing him back to sanity.
That makes Snape look up at him. ''Why are you doing this?''
''Because it's needed. Otherwise, the world will cease to exist.'' Harry tells him dramatically.
''He will kill you,'' Snape tells him calmly, only for Harry to respond with a snort.
''No, he won't, one, because I won't let him, and two, because Death will have his balls, he doesn't have a choice but to help me unless he wants to die,'' Harry tells his professor matter of factly.
Snape rubs the bridge of his nose. ''My Lord was very manipulative and persuasive. Why do you think that you will stand a chance against him?''
''Because he underestimates me, just like everybody else, especially Dumbledore.''
The last word is more a growl than actual English, but Snape seems to understand.
The clue was very simple thankfully, with the four of them, they figured it out in no time. There was going to be a maze with all kinds of creatures and charms inside, which they needed to evade or defeat.
Harry decided that dueling practice would work best to help them get ready for the last task, and so that's what they mostly do when they're in the Room of Requirement.
It's a nice day in early may when Harry leaves the Room and notices that he is being followed. He makes a couple of twists and turns in the corridors before he slips into a classroom and pulls out his invisibility cloak.
He waits a couple of moments, but then the door opens, and Professor Moody steps inside.
He closes the door behind him, and Harry holds his breath. But it's for nothing.
''I can see you, Potter. This eye is more convenient than I had ever thought.'' The man says with a smirk before turning his wand to Harry.
Harry frowns because not even Death himself could see behind the cloak. How can a charmed eye?
He's pulled from his musings when Moody throws a stunning spell at him, and Harry dives to the side. They duel, and it's clear that Moody isn't a slouch, but he isn't used to Harry.
Harry is younger and has more stamina. It doesn't take long for Harry to take over the fight and push Moody into a corner. The twitch at Moody's lips is back, and Harry narrows his eyes at it. Something is wrong, but what could it be?
Harry conjures bindings and puts Moody under a stunning spell so he won't be able to get free.
This is a golden opportunity, Moody attacking him can't be random. He conjures his Patronus.
''Snape, come to the transfiguration classroom on the fifth floor, bring Veritaserum.'' He watches Prongs vanish on the spot before conjuring another one. He promised his godfather to keep him posted. And he will keep his promise to him. He also wants to talk to Death, but that has to wait until he's done here.
''Padfoot, Moony, Professor Moody just attacked me. I'm fine. I called Snape to interview him. I will keep you posted.'' The second Prongs also vanishes, and Harry turns back to his prisoner.
He's still out of it, but Harry can see that the hair is starting to color. Just when he thinks he knows what is happening, the door opens and closes quietly.
''What's the meaning of this Potter-Peverell?'' Snape hisses when he sees Moody bound to the chair.
''I'm not sure, he attacked me, and I won. I want to know why he did this.'' Harry explains calmly.
''I can't just let you get away with -''
''He's turning into someone else, weren't you missing some potion ingredients? Like ingredients for Polyjuice?'' Harry snarks at him.
Snape scowls like he doesn't want to admit that Harry's right, but Harry knows he is. Snape walks closer and seems to notice the changes too.
''Fine. This could be the one that put your name in the goblet.'' Snape muses, and Harry agrees.
''I'm aware,'' Harry responds cooly. He's fine with how things are now, but at first, when he entered Death's realm, he was more than a little angry. It took forever for him to come to terms that his friendship with Hermione and Ron would never be the same, that his life would be completely different than how he had envisioned it.
Not that he had much to fantasize about because he always was sucked back into the ugliness of the Dursleys. But still, being normal was now never going to be in the cards.
They wait for a couple of moments until the transformation seems to be done. It wasn't a pleasant sight at all, but Harry didn't look away, a little bit fascinated when the crazy eye of Moody is pushed out, and a regular eye is grown in its place.
''Do you know who it is?'' Harry asks when he sees Snape gaping at the man.
''Y-yes, it's Barty Crouch Jr., the son of Mr. Crouch, who is one of the judges. But he's supposed to be dead.''
Harry makes a little noise in the back of his throat. ''Well, he doesn't look dead to me. Let's wake him up and ask him a couple of things.''
Snape takes one side of the man and Harry the other, Harry wrenches the man's jaw open, and Snape puts three drops of the Vertisarum in Crouch's mouth.
Then Harry re-enervates him with a wave of his hand.
He blinks his eyes sluggishly, and his mouth works in the same tick that Harry has seen a couple of times now.
''What's your name?'' Harry starts asking.
''Barty Crouch Junior,''
Well, it seems to work. Just when Harry wants to ask the next question a Patronus of a werewolf bounces into the classroom.
''Harry, be safe and keep us posted. Padfoot is already up the wall.''
Harry chuckles, and Snape rolls his eyes but doesn't comment. They both turn back to the prisoner.
''What are you doing at Hogwarts?''
''Teaching Defense against the Dark Arts, spying for the Dark Lord, and assisting Harry Potter so he will be the first to touch the cup at the third task.'' He responds in a monotone voice.
Harry frowns at this. ''What have you done to assist me?''
''Until now, only putting your name in the goblet, you didn't need more help, but I will do more with the last task. I also need to change the cup into a Portkey.''
Harry nods. ''So, you are working for Voldemort?''
''Yes,''
''What is Voldemort's plan?'' Snape then asks with narrowed eyes.
''Get his body back, and kill Harry Potter.''
Harry nods again because he figured that out before Snape speaks up.
''How did you escape Azkaban?''
''My father-'' For the first time since he woke up, he showed some emotion, and it's hate and disgust. ''Mother couldn't handle me being in prison and withered away. She only asked my father to get me out before she kicked the bucket. So he pulled some strings to visit me with mother, and then he switched us with Polyjuice. Mother died in Azkaban, and I was a prisoner in my old childhood home, under the Imperious curse for the last decade.''
Harry feels kind of bad for Crouch but chooses not to focus on that.
''Where is your father now?'' Harry can't help but ask, and he really hadn't expected the feral grin on the man's face.
''Dead, I killed him, when I was freed from my father I went back to take my revenge, he has been under the Imperious curse since the beginning of September. But he started to fight it. Just before the second task should begin, he broke the curse and came looking for me. And then I killed him. My Lord praised me,''
Harry rubs his head. He feels a headache coming. This was something he hadn't expected.
''Okay, let's tackle that some other time-'' Harry gets an incredulous look from Snape but waves him away. ''-what potion is Voldemort going to use for his resurrection, and who is brewing it?''
He already knows which ritual Voldemort wants to use but not which potion. It's not really important, but Harry is curious. Death and Lady Magic were pretty adamant about brewing a new potion if they were going to do another ritual to bring Tom Riddle back.
''Wormtail is brewing it, and it's called the restituens corporis animum,''
Harry looks to Snape, who is frowning. ''Which imbecile thought it would be a good idea to let Wormtail brew that potion? It's a potion nobody can brew unless you are Potion's master.'' The man says, seeming aghast at the implications.
''Wormtail,'' Crouch answers to the rhetorical question making Harry snort.
''Okay, let's put that all on the back burner for now. We still need him to make the cup into a Portkey, but he needs to forget this whole thing,'' Harry says while scrubbing his hands through his hair.
''You seriously want to let him go?! He just admitted to killing his father!''
''I know!'' Harry snaps back. ''But unless you want Voldemort to do something else entirely, which we don't want! He needs to forget this evening happened and just make the cup into a Portkey. We will figure out what to do later.''
Snape glares at Harry, and Harry glares right back, then Snape rubs the bridge of his nose again before sighing. ''Fine. But I will do it. How did he attack you? And wait a moment, how is he looking like Moody at all?''
They both look back to Crouch and frown. ''How can you use Moody's hair?''
''He's trapped inside his own seven compartment trunk in his office,'' Crouch replies simply.
''Okay, I feel a little bad about not saving Moody from down there,'' Harry murmurs with a frown making Snape sigh again.
''We will make sure Crouch takes care of Moody when I fix his memory.'' Snape sounds about done for the night or at least done with Harry, which Harry can understand on some level.
Harry can agree to that and explains what happened and how he found out after training with the other Champions. Snape nods and knocks Crouch out before casting an obliviate. Harry finds in the meantime the flask that Crouch was using for the last couple of months and pours some into the man's mouth, making him turn back into Moody. Without gagging, Harry binds the fake eye back on the right spot.
Harry and Snape then together bring the man back to his own quarters, so he won't know exactly what happened and hopefully just thinks he went to sleep.
Then Harry follows Snape back to Snape's quarters and sends another Patronus to Sirius and Remus to keep them posted.
He then sinks down back into the chair he has claimed for himself and conjures a glass and Snape's secret stash of Firewhiskey. Snape scowls at him but conjures a glass too.
''Don't make it a habit, Potter-Peverell,'' Snape can't help but sneer.
''Wouldn't dream of it, sir,'' Harry says with a smirk; he felt that he deserved a drink after this evening.
''What are you going to do for the last task?''
''Professor, are you trying to help me with the task?'' Harry says with a fake gasp making Snape roll his eyes at him.
''No, you imbecile. I just want to know what your plan is.'' Snape grumbles before taking a sip of his drink.
''I'm going to win. That's my plan.'' Harry replies with confidence.
If Snape could roll his eyes further, Harry is sure that he could see his own brain.
''That's not a plan, Potter-Peverell. That's a goal.''
Harry scoffs, ''it's a plan if I'm the one executing it.''
''You're really sure of yourself, I don't want to compare you to your father, but he was sure of his case a lot too.''
It irritates Harry again that Snape is the one saying this when Sirius and Remus told him how much he was like his mother during Yule break. It's not that he doesn't want to be compared to his father, but he's more than his parents. He hasn't had the chance to get to know them.
''I know, I look like my father, I know.'' Harry bites out before standing.
Snape stops him with a simple raised eyebrow. ''You're also a lot like your mother even if you haven't known them, people will keep comparing you to them because they were great people. Or at least, that's what I thought of your mother.'' He seems almost sad and mostly constipated to admit this.
Harry considers this and nods. ''I understand, but I am still my own person. Even compared to my parents, I will always be my own person. And that's what I want to be remembered off. Just as Harry.'' He then nods goodnight to Snape before leaving the room and walking back to the Slytherin common room.
He wants to talk to Death but decides that it's better tomorrow. Now he just wants to sleep.
Harry is just talking and eating breakfast with the rest of the seventh years on the day of the last task when Snape makes his way over to him.
''Morning, Professor Snape!'' He chirps cheerfully, gaining some snickers from the rest of the seventh years. Snape just rolls his eyes exasperatedly, and it's that Harry has gotten to know the man better this year that he sees the hunch in his shoulders. He's nervous for tonight, something Harry also should be feeling, but he just feels a little excited.
''Potter, come with me, the other champions are waiting in the chamber of the Hall,''
Harry frowns, ''But the task is tonight. Why are they meeting already?''
"I'm aware of that, Potter," he drawled. "The champions' families are invited to watch the final task, you know. This is simply a chance for you to greet them."
Harry cheers up at hearing that, he doesn't know who has come, but he hopes it's Sirius, but no, probably not, he's still an escaped convict, he also doesn't know if Death can sneak away to come watch because he will already be at Harry's side tonight for the ritual, for a moment his mind goes to the Dursleys, before shaking it away harshly, no, not even Dumbledore would be stupid enough to invite them. Harry quickly follows Snape to the room.
He already sees Cedric with his parents inside the champer, and Cedric offers him a smile and a wave. Viktor is talking in the corner with his own parents in rapid Bulgarian. On the other side of the room, Fleur was jabbering away in French to her mother. Fleur's little sister, Gabrielle, was holding her mother's hand. She waved at Harry, who waved back, grinning.
He then found the last people in the room and grinned broadly.
''Mrs. Weasley! Bill! Remus, Padfoot!'' Harry calls happily. He laughs silently at the fact that Sirius has turned up as a dog to see him today. Padfoot wags his tail excitedly and jumps up when Harry comes closer to slobber all over his face.
''Oi, get down, you mutt,'' Harry laughs before hugging Remus, Mrs. Weasley, and shaking a hand with Bill.
''Thank you for coming today,'' He tells them honestly. He would already see Remus and Sirius tonight with the ritual. After softening Sirius for the past months, he agreed to be one of the sacrifices for tonight. The flesh of a hopeful participant will come from Sirius, and Harry is very pleased about that. It has taken a lot of weekend trips on Harry's part, but it worked.
''Sure! Charlie wanted to come too, but he couldn't get time off. He said you were incredible with the Horntail.'' Bill tells him enthusiastically.
Harry laughs and turns a little to see Fleur eyeing up Bill with interest. Harry smirks at that but acts like he didn't see it. They talk for a little while before Harry decides to introduce them all to the other champions.
First comes Fleur. Fleur shoots him a narrowed-eyed look, obviously noting the fact that Harry pushes Bill closer to her. But she stays pleasant and introduces her parents and little sister.
Then he guides them to Viktor and his parents. Remus starts fluently talking Bulgarian with Viktor's parents, much to their relief.
Mrs. Weasley and Bill already know Cedric and his parents and have a pleasant conversation until Amos Diggory suddenly eyes Harry up and down. Harry just gives him an unimpressed look.
Amos sniffs, ''bet you had hoped on a bigger head start for the last task.'' He mumbles in disdain.
Harry just raises an eyebrow. ''What are you implying?''
Amos Diggory scoffs, ''if it weren't for you, Cedric would've been the only Hogwarts Champion, and he would've taken the lead in the tournament.''
''Dad!'' Cedric hisses with wide eyes. ''Harry is my friend!''
''Some friend,'' His father replies haughtily.
''Sir, I believe you don't even know why I'm participating in this tournament,'' Harry says with narrowed eyes. He feels Remus putting a hand on his shoulder and squeezing, letting him know not to go too far.
''For fame?'' Amos sneers.
''No, because I'm already quite famous, sir,'' Harry snarks back easily before crossing his arms. ''I was put in this tournament because someone wanted me dead. Not that you care, that much is sure, but I really do see your son as a friend. So I will keep it very simple-'' He takes a step closer and sees Cedric grimace. ''-I didn't want to be part of this, but unfortunately, Lady Fate thought it was nice to mess even more with my life. It's why Lord Death adopted me, you see.''
Amos Diggory has turned a little white, but his scowl is still firm in place. Harry feels Padfoot push against his legs and growl a little, not liking Amos and what he has been implying at all.
''I don't believe you.'' He tells him with a raised chin.
Harry scoffs. ''Then you should talk to your son because he saw it with his own eyes at the beginning of this tournament. Maybe you should pull your head out of your arse.''
Mrs. Weasley gasps a little behind him, and he hopes he won't get scolded for the language, but Bill is snickering, and even Cedric is pushing his lips together to hold back a laugh.
''Well! I have never-'' Amos Diggory starts to huff.
Harry interrupts him, not wanting to hear the rant about being rude. He pushes his shoulders back a little and pulls his most Slytherin face to the front. ''Do you also know that I'm Lord Potter and Lord Peverell, sir? Do you have any idea how many votes I will have when I join the Wizengamot?'' Harry then tells him cooly, he can almost hear Remus's eye roll behind him, but he doesn't care.
''Wh-what?'' Amos then whirls on Cedric, ''is he telling the truth?'' He whispers, but Harry can hear him clearly.
''Yes, dad, but still, you are out of line. Come on. Let's go. I'm so sorry, Harry,'' Cedric says, but Harry waves him away. He doesn't want to have excuses from Cedric when he wasn't the one in the wrong. Then Cedric pulls his still spluttering father away. His mother turns around to Harry and has an apologizing look on her face.
''I'm sorry, I know you're a good friend to Cedric and that you wouldn't have done this out of your free will, my husband is just-'' She leaves it at that and just shrugs with a grimace.
''It's fine, well, it's not, but I care about Cedric enough to see past this. Have a nice day,'' Harry tells her honestly. She gives him a small smile before following Cedric and his father out of the door.
A low whistle gains Harry's attention, and he looks at Bill, who is grinning at him. ''Fred and George were right, never a dull moment when around you.''
Harry wants to snark back, but Remus pats him on the shoulder. ''I think it has something to do with the Potter luck. There was always something exciting happening around the Potter's.''
Harry makes an incredulous noise but Padfoot barks in agreement, and he just pouts. ''So unfair! It's not like I asked for anything happening!'' He throws his arms up dramatically, and Remus snickers.
''Sometimes I really see James in you, he was just as dramatic, but you are truly your own person Harry.'' Remus squeezes his shoulder again before petting Padfoot.
Harry ducks his head, more pleased and touched by the simple declaration than he ever expected. Maybe because he only ever wanted to be his own person since joining the wizarding world.
The rest of the day goes by quickly. Harry walks with them through Hogwarts, where they all share stories about their own times here. He even shows them the Room of Requirement because he knows how much Remus and Sirius must love this. Even Bill has an excited gleam in his eyes when they step inside in the room of hidden things.
''Bloody Hell, Harry! Have you shown any of the teachers this?''
Harry snorts, ''of course not, it's my safe space,''
Bill nods in understanding, even if Mrs. Weasley looks a little conflicted about that fact. Harry doesn't care. He isn't going to share this room with the teachers, he has shared it with Hermione, though, and she will share it with whomever she sims fit when he has left Hogwarts.
The nerves are starting to crawl all over his skin when night starts to fall and the evening feast is held. The Weasley's asked if Harry would mind if they would sit with their family, and Harry obviously didn't mind. He was perfectly content with his friends at the Slytherin table, with Padfoot on one side and Remus on his other. Nobody even questions the fact that a big black dog is with Harry. Only Malfoy had narrowed his eyes at Padfoot for a moment until Padfoot growled at him.
All of the Slytherin seventh years sit around him, Izzy almost clinging to him and asking him if he is going to be safe tonight. He kisses her head and tells her for the hundredth time that he will be fine.
Padfoot eyes Izzy and Harry suspiciously, like he's trying to connect the dots, but Harry simply rolls his eyes and pushes Izzy to her girlfriend, who happily takes hold of her and plants a kiss on her cheek.
After dinner, it's time to get ready.
Hermione hugged him before he could go back to his dorm to put on the robes he would wear for the task.
''Be safe tonight, Harry.'' She squeezed him extra tightly before lowering her voice even more. Harry needed to strain to hear her. ''I know it's going to be tonight, I don't know what will happen exactly, but I do know something will happen, so please, please, be safe.'' She begs, making Harry rub her back in a soothing manner.
''I will, Mione,'' He whispers while hugging her closer. He should've known that she would connect the dots of the tournament and that she would know that tonight something would happen. She only doesn't know that it will be Harry who is deciding on the ending tonight.
Mrs. Weasley almost crushes him in her hug, Bill, thankfully, saves him from suffocation. Remus also pulls him into a hug, and Padfoot whines at his feet irritated that he can't hug Harry as he would like.
''You're wearing the charms?'' Harry asks softly when Remus is hugging him.
Remus pulls back and smirks at Harry. ''Of course, we know what to do.''
Harry nods, and his excitement and nerves swirl together in his stomach. ''Good.''
He waves at all of them before he quickly makes his way back to his dorm. There he changes into the robes for the task and adjusts the special bag he charmed on his body. Inside are the Horcruxes. Only the snake is missing. Harry truly hopes that the snake will be wherever they will end up.
Convincing Voldemort to part from his plan will be difficult enough, to let him give up one of his Horcruxes is something Harry knows will not work. Maybe if he's Tom again and knows it's for the better, but while he's still Voldemort? No, that won't work.
He has checked everything at least three times when he knows it's time to go to the Quidditch field. It's an utter travesty that they turned the field into a maze for the tournament. He knows for sure that Oliver Wood would have been sick over the fact.
He makes his way to the field, mostly ignoring the people around him. He wants to be alone for just a few moments, preparing himself for what he can expect.
It doesn't take long at all, and before he knows it, the sounds and music playing around him suck him in. The audience is cheering and singing. The excitement is seeping into his bones. He grins at the audience and can't help but think that he's doing the right thing.
Tonight is going to change everything.
Harry walks up to Cedric, Fleur, and Viktor, ''Guys, I just wanted to say, good luck, and be careful.'' He winks at them, and they all give a little nervous laugh.
McGonagall came explaining that she would be patrolling the maze on the outside together with Moody, Hagrid, and Flitwick. Harry tried not to narrow his eyes at Moody, but he knew that the man would be maybe a threat to the other champions, and Harry couldn't let anything happen to them.
Thankfully, he had a plan for that.
''Professor Moody, can I have a quick word?'' Harry quickly asked, making his eyes as big as possible. Moody looked taken aback before nodding. ''Of course, lad, walk with me.''
They walked a little away from the crowd, and Harry turned his back on anyone else so nobody could see what he would be saying. Before Moody could get another word out, Harry spoke the spell. Knowing that Moody couldn't throw this one off, he was a lot stronger than Crouch Sr.
''Imperio,'' Harry hissed. ''You will not harm any of the champions tonight, and you will 'forget' to take your Polyjuice potion tonight,''
The daze expression on Moody's face made Harry grimace, but it would do. ''Forget this ever happened. If anyone asked, I asked advice on a blasting curse.''
Moody nodded, and Harry did as well before turning back to the others.
Thankfully, Moody acted normal when they were with the others, and then it was time. Harry would be the first to enter the maze, and he needed every minute he had as a headstart to make his way to the cup. He needed to be there first. And he would do anything to do so.
The hedges towered around him as soon as he stepped into the maze, and Harry started to run immediately. He took to the right at the first fork in the hedges. He could hear a whistle behind him, and soon after that, another, and he knew that Viktor and Cedric would've now entered the maze.
He used his wand for a point me spell and made his way as fast as he could through the maze. He encountered two creatures (a boggart and an acromantula) and some charms, but they were nothing on his level of expertise, and he quite literally ripped through some of the enchantments.
Then finally, he turned a corner and saw the cup, waiting for him with a blue mist surrounding it. He ran, feeling breathless, not from the running but from the meaning behind that cup. This, this, is what he trained for three long years. This is what was going to be the next step for his plan.
When he finally stood by the cup, he finally honed in on his other senses. Not hearing anyone near, he sighed, feeling relieved. Then he tentatively reached out.
The pull behind his navel was immediate.
He barely registered the travel, and when he felt the ground approach, he bent his knees and landed in a graceful crouch. He sprang up immediately, taking in his surroundings.
It looked ominously enough. He almost snorted at the irony, coming back to life on a graveyard, how poetic.
Harry left the cup lying on the floor before taking a couple of steps forward, checking if he could identify where he was exactly and if he saw anything move.
It didn't take him long to find out exactly where he was.
Tomas Riddle
1880 - 1943
Mary Riddle
1883 - 1943
Tom Marvolo Riddle
1905 - 1943
It was engraved on a big slab of granite with an embodiment of Death standing over it as a guard.
Harry closed his eyes and started the familiar chant to call on his adopted father, and just a few moments later, he felt a brush on his shoulder.
''I thought he was named after his father and after his grandfather from his mother's side,'' Harry said instead of a greeting.
''He was. It's completely a coincidence that his father was named exactly the same. I do not know if Merope even knew his middle name.'' Death responded easily.
''Marvolo is such a wizard name. Are you sure that his father was a muggle?'' Harry then asked while turning to Death.
Death leveled him with a truly unimpressed look, but Harry merely grinned.
''Are you testing me?''
''I would never!'' Harry said with a fake gasp making Death roll his eyes.
''You're sometimes a real pain in the ass.'' Death said with a sigh, but Harry could tell it was fond.
Before Harry could respond, he heard someone approaching and turned together with Death.
Harry could feel the ache in his scar and the pull from the Horcruxes in his bag, but he ignored his scar and simply adjusted the bag a little. Only because of his mental blocks and because of being a master of Occlumency was the pain kept at bay. Otherwise, he would've been brought to his knees.
He snarled when he recognized Wormtail walking towards them with a bundle in his arms.
Then the bundle spoke in a high-pitched gravel-like voice. ''Kill the spare,''
Before Harry could respond, Wormtail had pulled out a wand and aimed for Death. ''Avada Kedavra!''
A blast of green blinded Harry for a moment before he blinked the spots out of his eyes and looked at Death, who was still standing and looking faintly amused.
Wormtail was squeaking and sounding more like a rat than a man.
''H-how?!'' Wormtail stuttered, making Harry chuckle. ''Wormtail, you should know that you can't kill Lord Death. But you can be punished for it.'' His voice was deadly calm, and everything Harry had held back the last couple of years poured out of him. He yanked with his magic until the bundle of Voldemort was in front of him.
''I'll deal with you shortly,'' Harry said with barely a glance towards the ugly baby thing.
Then his green emerald eyes blazed with fury turned to Wormtail again.
He had his wand raised, but little did it do to deter Harry, certainly when Wormtail was shaking so much. He had spared him before and was thanked with betrayal—something he should've expected.
He wasn't going to spare him now. Well, he was going to let him live because he really wanted Sirius exonerated, but that didn't mean he couldn't rough him up a little.
Without speaking or using his wand, Wormtail fell to the floor, screaming in pain, feeling as if he was being stabbed and electrocuted all over, the pain was immense, and Harry was aware of that fact, it wasn't the cruciatus, but it was something almost as intense.
Then with just a twitch of his wrist, Harry broke Wormtails right arm. The shriek Wormtail let out was something Harry would never forget.
Harry didn't know if it had been minutes or hours before he stopped. Death had been silent at his side, just as the Homonculus of Voldemort. Only raspy breaths were heard from the small bundle. He then wrapped Wormtail up in unbreakable bonds before knocking him out with a spell.
He then turned to Voldemort, the ache in his scar returning with full force.
''Stop that, you arsehole,'' Harry growled at him.
Voldemort narrowed his eyes, ''what are you talking about?'' Came the raspy response.
''You're trying to hurt me with our connection, stop it, and maybe I will make it less painful for you.''
Voldemort let out a sarcastic laugh, something that only sounded disturbing, coming from the homunculus.
''What would you make less painful, Potter? My dead?''
''No, your resurrection.'' Harry simply replied.
This stopped Voldemort, clearly not having expected that answer at all.
''You're going t- why would you?'' The homunculus almost sounded incredulous.
''Because my lord-'' Harry said with a smirk before sinking down next to the homunculus. He then turned serious, and the homunculus was watching every move warily. ''-it's time for the wizarding world to bounce back after you almost destroyed it together with Dumbledore.''