Chapter 70
Finally, it was time for Harry to return to Hogwarts. As much as he loathed participating in the tournament, he knew that it was the only way for him to keep his magic. So, taking a deep breath, he took his sister's hand and apparated to the castle. Landing outside the gates, they walked to the Quidditch pitch with Suzaku, Byakko, and Genbu. While Byakko walked beside Harry and Suzaku rested on Emily's shoulder, Genbu was in their tattoo form on Emily's body.
Arriving at the pitch, Harry went to the champions' tent while the others went to the stands or the judges' box. Seeing as he was the first to arrive, he took a seat and pulled out everything he might need for the task. Both his watches, the potions kit, two wands, and Guardian. Pretty soon, the others started coming in, wearing the battle uniforms he gave them.
"Security is pretty tight. Aurors and agents from the ICW are patrolling the castle and pitch," Cedric took a seat next to Harry. "Do you think having this many guards is necessary?"
"In a normal sense, no. But in cases like this, then yes," Harry replied as Fleur and Viktor took their respective seats. "Remember that we must use caution! And above all, watch each other's backs while in the maze."
"Oui. We are stronger together than we are apart," Fleur checked to ensure she had everything. "No matter how skilled we are, the things being put in the maze will test us mentally, emotionally, and magically."
Viktor cleared his throat "we will survive this tournament and live to tell our stories," the look of determination was clear on his face. Once the tournament was over, he would spend time with his siblings and Nicole.
In the bleachers, Sirius, Amelia, and Sarah sat with the teens while Arcturus was with the other judges, and Jack patrolled the grounds. Out of everyone, Sirius was perhaps the most nervous and looked moments away from jumping out of his skin. Something that didn't go unnoticed by his wife, who took his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Harry will be fine, Sirius. I have guards stationed everywhere. Nobody gets in, nobody gets out."
"That's not what worries me," a look of skepticism appeared on his face. "I'm worried about the obstacle he and the others will face in the maze. This is utter madness."
Nicole handed him a calming draught. Like him, she was also nervous and a bit worried. The only thing keeping her mellow was the calming charm she applied to herself a few moments ago.
"Don't worry, Sirius, Harry, and the others will make it out in one piece," Daphne stated. "They've spent hours strategizing, formulating plans, and how to deal with the obstacles. No one will get left behind."
"How are you so calm about this?" Blaise asked.
"Believe it or not, I'm actually freaking out," she admitted. "However, I know Harry, and he won't leave anyone behind."
Emily nodded in agreement. "He's also keeping his communicators on so we can know what's happening."
"Mmhm," Daphne tapped her watch.
"Hey, it looks like they're starting," Tracey pointed to the field.
At that moment, Filch sounded the canon to get everyone's attention. Bagman pointed his wand at his throat and muttered, "sonorous," to magically amplify his voice so everyone could hear him. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the fourth and final task of the Triwizard Tournament! Let me remind you of where each champion currently stands!" He could feel the glare Lord Black was giving him as it sent shivers down his spine. If looks could kill, then he would be dead by now. Hopefully, everything will go as planned.
He continued after regaining his composure. "In first place representing Mahoutokoro - we have Hadrian Potter," the thunderous claps and cheers sent the birds in the forbidden forest flying into the darkening sky. "In second place, representing Hogwarts School - we have Cedric Diggory. In third place, we have Fleur Delacour - representing Beauxbaton Academy! And in fourth place - Viktor Krum of Durmstrang Institute."
One by one, the champions went to their starting points.
Bagman explained the rules about what they could take in and where the cup had been placed.
"So… on my whistle, Hadrian," said Bagman. "Three – Two – One."
He gave a short blast on his whistle, and Harry rushed into the maze.
Adrenaline was pumping through his veins as he made it to his first turn. Thanks to the abilities of his animagus forms and natural abilities, he was able to see through the dark maze. Quickly stopping in his tracks after making another turn. Pointing his wand in the air.
"It seems like our young champion is doing something unconventional," Bagman announced, and then he saw it. "Blue and yellow sparks? Why would Mr. Potter send those sparks in the air when the red means unable to continue?" He was dumbstruck as the two sparks remained suspended in the air.
The other champions entered the maze three minutes later and sent their own sparks into the air. Then, with all their sparks suspended in the air, they twirled their wands in a unique pattern, making them all converge. Everyone watched as the sparks came together and formed the word. Unity.
"Unity? Why would they use that word? The task is a race to the cup to see which school will take home the trophy." Meanwhile, the other representatives and the professors swelled with pride as the four made it clear that they were standing together.
Ignoring what was said in the box, Harry proceeded to deal with the fire crabs. From what he saw, there were about seven of these crustaceans. Taking his wand, he levitated all seven of them in the air and fired a jet of cold water at their underbellies. Fire crabs were weak against water and ice attacks. They'll retreat into their shells if they're hit in their weak spots with enough force. Adding a quick array of runes to make sure they stayed in the air, Harry proceeded to rendezvous with Cedric. Expanding his senses, he stopped dead in his tracks after sensing the presence of three others. Peering his head over the corner, he saw three Aurors.
Conjuring a deep black fog that covered the area, completely concealing his presence. Then he stealthy moved through the fog and took out the Aurors with such speed rendering them unconscious. When the smoke cleared, his enemies were all out cold. Grabbing their wands, he bound them in chains and threw their wands a fair distance in the opposite direction.
Cedric, on the other hand, was having a difficult time. Already he had to deal with two trolls and dodge the roots which sprouted from underneath. But now, he was dealing with several of Hagrid's Blast-Ended Skrewts. The damn things had a taste for meat and looked at Cedric, thinking it was dinner time. Then, looking ahead, he saw the person he was supposed to rendezvous.
"Cedric, remember what we practiced."
Giving a nod, he deviated from handling the Skrewts and raised his wand in the air, "ascendio," immediately shooting in the air. Harry used the summoning charm to bring Cedric to his side away from the beast. "Thanks."
"We're not out of this yet." The Skrewts charged toward their prey only to stop when Harry created a pressurized wall of fire. "Let's get out of here."
"Good idea," the two left the Skrewts to the flames while they went to meet with the others.
(0^0)
"So far, so good," Blaise looked at Daphne and Emily.
The young Ravenclaw silently prayed for them to be safe, quickly adding a calming charm to relax her nerves. "These judges are out of their minds. The only thing we're allowed to see is the feed."
"Bagman will be lucky to work anywhere in Britain after I get done with him," Sirius turned to the box where the judges were located. Then, activating his watch, he contacted his grandfather "deal with that useless meat bag after the tournament."
"I intend to," Arcturus promised.
(0^0)
Harry and Cedric just finished dealing with a graphorn with the latter panting. "How are you not-" He didn't get to finish as Harry killed an acromantula with a blasting curse. "We need to keep moving."
"Good idea," Cedric complied.
The two continued moving through the maze until a cold feeling overtook them. Mostly Cedric, who felt a shiver run down his spine. It also didn't help his nerves that the fog made it difficult to see. However, that is not what scared him most as the cold feeling was familiar, and then out of nowhere, three dark hooded creatures came out of nowhere and shot straight towards them.
Together they cast their patronuses. Though Cedric was briefly stunned and couldn't move got himself together. The dragon and wolf mowed the lethifolds down like they were nothing.
"After this tournament is over, I'm taking a vacation."
Harry pat him on the shoulder "come on, we have to meet the others. We only have a few more turns."
Cedric couldn't help but give him a perplexed look. "Seriously, how are you able to maintain such a stoic composure? Doesn't this make you want to go crazy? You should be at your wits end or terrified."
"Fear is an illusion created by the mind telling you now to move forward. If you succumb to fear, then you will surely end up dead," Harry explained. "Remember, the strongest source of magic comes from a person's spirit and will. To overcome fear, you must steel your heart and be willing to take a chance."
"Breathe in and breathe out," he instructed Cedric. "In the night, find the light and remember you are not alone."
"I understand." For someone who was only fourteen, Harry was very wise.
Harry was about to say more, but a scream of agony cut him off. "Fleur. Come on."
They made a mad dash to where the scream originated from. Being more athletic, Harry left Cedric in the dust.
"I will never understand him," running as fast as his legs could carry him.
The more he ran, the more his lungs burned. When Harry briefly stopped, he thought he had found one of the others, but it wasn't. Before he could even register what was going on, Harry used some advanced hardcore muggle martial arts to take down two of the Aurors that stood in his way. As they drew closer to the screaming, the two were shocked to see that Viktor was torturing Fleur with the cruciatus curse. He was only seconds away from using the killing curse. "Avada-"
Almost immediately, Harry and Cedric fired spells at him. Viktor tried to protect himself with a shielding charm, but the combined spells from both Harry and Cedric broke through his shield and sent him to the ground in chains with a loud crunching sound.
Completely full of adrenaline, Cedric shot a reducto curse at the Bulgarian's head, only for a shield to stop it midway. "Harry, what are you doing? He was using the cruciatus curse on Fleur and was moments away from executing her."
"Would you hold on a minute," with a wave of his wand, Viktor's wand came flying towards him. Cautiously moving forward, Harry looked directly into Viktor's eyes, only to see them glazed and his pupils gone. "Well, that explains why he attacked Fleur." His elemental sight told him everything.
"What are you talking about?" Cedric looked at him like he had grown a second head. Using his wand, he ran a diagnosis spell over Fleur, who was stunned.
"Someone put the imperius curse on Viktor," Harry answered.
"How's that possible we were all together?" Still feeling a little apprehensive, he didn't know what to believe.
"Look for yourself," beckoning him to come closer. "See his eyes?"
"Yeah, what about…" it then hit him like a bludger "…they're glazed, and his pupils are gone." He remembered Professor Moody and the imposter before him lecturing about the imperius curse. Those who were imperiused have glazed eyes and are unable to control themselves. "But who cursed him?"
"Let's find out," with a jab of his wand, the water instantly rushed out and splashed Viktor's face bringing him back to consciousness.
Viktor tried to sit up but quickly took notice of the pain he was in and that he was bound in chains. "What is going on here? Where am I?"
"Viktor, I'm going to need you to listen to me," Harry began. "Do you remember what you did after entering the maze?" The boy shook his head. "It would appear that you were torturing Fleur and was only seconds away from using the killing curse."
"What?!"Having been completely shocked, Viktor couldn't believe what he was hearing. "I would never the unforgivables. Not on anybody." Looking at Fleur's unconscious form.
"Viktor. Eyes on me," turning his shoulders so he could look him directly in the eyes. "This was not your fault…someone put you under the imperius curse," he explained. "After we split to be with our families, did you meet with anyone else? Did anyone strike you as shady? Or untrustworthy?"
Shaking his head. "After we separated, I left with my mother and aunt to see my siblings. We spent most of the day together in Diagon Alley and when we went to lunch at the Leaky Cauldron."
"What else?" Narrowing his eyes.
"That's it. I don't remember anything after I left to use the bathroom."
Harry looked to see if there was any deception but found nothing. "I need to look into your mind and see what happened. Can you remain calm enough for that?"
Viktor gave him a nod. Carefully, Harry used legilimency on him and sifted through his mind. Ten minutes later, he exited. "All right, good news, you're telling the truth. Bad news, someone erased your mind and magical signature."
"But how does that explain how someone put the curse on me? Someone should have noticed."
"They likely put it in the subconscious part of your mind. It makes it harder to detect that way. At least we know you weren't acting on your own accord," waving his wand, he removed the chains and helped him up.
"But this raises some questions," Cedric stated. "Who would want to curse Viktor? And why? Also, what are we going to do with Fleur," jabbing his wand at her "she can't continue? We can't leave her unprotected."
"Alright, let me think," for a moment, Harry thought of what to do. "Cedric fire a red spark, let the judges know that Fleur cannot continue. "I'll send a message to Mr. Delacour."
Cedric shot a red spark in the air, and Harry silently cast his dragon Patronus. Whispering a message, he sent the thing off. "They'll be here soon. But just to be safe, I need the two of you to cast some protective enchantments around her. Quickly he conjured a stretcher and levitated Fleur into it.
When they were done with the enchantments, Lucas arrived with two Aurors and took his oldest daughter out of the maze.
"If we want to get out of here, we need to find that cup." All agreeing, they started walking through the maze, watching each other's backs.
After three junctures, Harry called for a break. "You guys will need to save your strength. Your cores are working overtime right now, and who knows how much further we'll have to go." He then looked at Viktor. "Sorry can't do much about your bones. I'm no healer."
Krum had three shattered ribs, a broken right arm, a dislocated shoulder, and a sprained ankle. "I'll be fine, don't worry about me. Go on. I'm only slowing you down."
"We're not leaving you here. We don't leave anyone behind," Cedric said firmly.
"I can barely walk, and I'll only be a hindrance in my current condition."
"Oh, shit, not again," Harry cut him off by pointing to the Quintaped. The large five-leg clubfoot creature was magically resistant and covered in thick red-brown fur. Its kind were very aggressive, especially towards people, and had a taste for flesh. When the carnivorous creature saw them, it gave an ear-shattering roar and charged toward them.
Acting quickly, Cedric used the levitation charm while Viktor used mobilicorpus. Though he was having difficulty keeping his wand up, his arm hurt like hell.
"Hurry up, Harry. I can't hold this forever," Viktor said.
As if on cue, Harry took a vial from his potion's kit, added the maxima spell, and threw it directly into the creature's mouth. Within moments the creature shrank and became drowsy. Fortunately, he was not done and shot an assortment of black darts along with red-blue ones. The darts impaled its skin, and at that moment, the thing was now asleep.
"Drop it!" The two lowered the thing back to the ground, where Harry bound its arms to the ground with chains. "Those won't hold forever, and I don't want to be here when it wakes up."
Cedric gave him a look of bewilderment. "What did you throw down its mouth?"
"A variation of the Shrinking solution and Draught of Living Death. Normally the Draught will put someone in a coma, but in the case of a Quintaped, it will only knock it out for a couple hours.
"Viktor, I know you're tired, but I need you to hang in there a bit longer."
"I can probably last another two obstacles, but after that, I'll be done." Then, reaching into his own kit, he pulled out a strengthening potion and downed the contents to get some strength back.
Surprisingly Viktor lasted a lot longer as the three fought two mountain trolls, a chimera, and four more Aurors. If Viktor was sore before then, he was in hell as his entire body ached and felt like it was made of jelly. So when they found a clear path, Viktor shot a red spark in the air to let the judges know he was done.
Now with Viktor out, only Harry and Cedric remained. The former had a lot more latitude than the latter, as Cedric was at his limits. It also didn't help that he acquired quite a few injuries like deep gashes, broken bones, and magically drained. Harry was able to heal some of his injuries, but there was a limit to what he could do in the art of healing. So doing what he could, Harry conjured a crutch for him.
Finally, after so many traps and dangerous things, either wanting to eat or maim them, they made it to a checkpoint where they encountered a sphinx. It had the body of an over-large lion: great clawed paws and a long yellowish tail ending in a brown tuft. Its head, however, was that of a woman. She turned her long, almond-shaped eyes upon Harry as he approached. He raised his wand, hesitating. She was not crouching as if to spring but pacing from side to side of the path, blocking his progress. Then she spoke in a deep, hoarse voice.
"The two of you are very close to your goal. The quickest way is past me."
"So . . . so will you move, please?" said Cedric, had a feeling he knew what her answer would be.
"No," she said in a sharp voice, continuing to pace. "Not unless you can answer my riddle. Answer on your first guess I let you pass. Answer wrongly I attack. Remain silent I will let you walk away from me unscathed."
"Fine, whatever," Harry said in an annoyed tone. "Let's get this over with."
The sphinx looked moments away from attacking but stopped after getting a good look at him only to gasp. "T-The chosen," she immediately sat on her hind legs and bowed her head. "Please forgive me. I was brought here against my will." Cedric looked between them wondering what they were talking about.
"Forgiven. May we please here your riddle?" He asked in a calm voice.
"My apologies to the bearer but I can only allow one to proceed at a time," she replied.
Releasing a deep breath, "ok, Cedric, you go, first."
Initially reluctant the Hufflepuff complied and went forward. "Please speak your riddle."
The sphinx sat in the middle of the path ahead and recited:
"First think of the person who lives in disguise,
Who deals in secrets and tells naught but lies.
Next, tell me what's always the last thing to mend,
The middle of middle and end of the end?
And finally, give me the sound often heard
During the search for a hard-to-find word.
Now string them together, and answer me this,
Which creature would you be unwilling to kiss?"
While not very proficient with riddles Cedric knew how to decipher them. Rehearsing it in his head a couple of time the answer finally came. "A spider!"
"You may proceed," she stepped out of the way to allow him passage. Cedric went straight through as she rounded on Harry. "For you, my protector." She recited:
"I look flat, but I am deep, Hidden realms I shelter. Lives I take, but food I offer. At times I am beautiful. I can be calm, angry and turbulent. I have no heart, but offer pleasure as well as death. No man can own me, yet I encompass what all men must have. What am I?"
A smirk appeared on Harry's face. "The ocean!"
"Congratulations. You may proceed," moving out of the way so he could join his friend.
Together the left the sphinx assuming that their would be no further obstacles. Cedric took his wand and said, "point me." The wand spun in his hand until it stopped and told him to go right.
Following the path they saw the trophy about three-hundred yards away. "There it is." Cedric was ecstatic soon the task will be over. Proceeding toward their goal Harry's senses immediately kicked just in the nick of time as three trolls, a dozen or so acromantulas, and a chimera appeared to surround them. "Damn, I spoke to soon."
"Alright, Cedric here's the plan. You take the trolls while I handle the acromantulas and chimera."
"No need to tell me twice." Immediately Cedric shot reducto, confringo, and banishing spells at the trolls clubs.
Meanwhile, Harry was dealing with the spiders. Conjuring a fire whip he slashed it at them taking some of their legs. Just when a few went down more appeared.
"We don't have time for this," dipping into his affinity for fire magic he created a pressurized fire comet and fired it straight at the approaching acromantulas. The narrow area combined with the fire comet made it that much easier to get rid of them. Pretty soon all of them died. Burned to cinders. Now all that was left to do was deal with the chimera.
"How are you holding up?"
"Still here," Cedric panted, quickly firing a bludgeoning curse that knocked out one of the trolls. The other two didn't seem happy and charged at him. "Though, I wouldn't mind a little help."
"Then get down," as soon as Cedric hit the dirt and Harry used the blasting curse and amplified it with the elemental force of wind creating a powerful shockwave that knocked out the trolls. "For my next trick," with a vertical slash of his wand a set of sleeping darts landed near the chimera releasing its gas around the beast making it fall into a deep sleep.
"Wow," Cedric was completely awestruck. Harry not only took out two trolls but a chimera in no time flat.
"Don't get distracted we're not out of the maze yet," Harry rationalized.
"Right, right. Let's move," not getting the chance to finish as a spell just narrowly missed him. Looking at his right he saw three more Aurors coming and they were hurling some rather lethal curses and some serious dark spells.
Striking without a moment of hesitation Harry sent a blast of wind at the assailants. Unfortunately they dodged the blast and rushed forward firing spells after spells. If it weren't for the fact that he had to protect a weakened Diggory then they would have been defeated by now. Right now he was only stalling for time waiting for Cedric to get clear. Thrusting his left arm he banished the boy behind him.
With Cedric temporarily out of the way Harry dominated the Aurors and after they were incapacitated he summoned them forward. Checking them to see if they had any other weapons he found the dark mark on two of them.
"I-Is that…" Cedric was having a hard time forming words… "the dark mark yeah. Meaning these are Voldemort's stooges."
At hearing that he immediately paled. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named had Aurors in the Ministry. Harry snapped their wands and bound them in chains.
"We have to get out of here." The alarm in his voice showed that he was serious.
"Better get that cup. It's our only way out…"
"No. Something else is wrong. They weren't trying to stop us from reaching the cup…it feels like they're trying to lure us to it," thinking hard. "This was-"
Two other individuals came out of hiding from near the cup. "Indeed it is," the one to the left quickly levitated the cup and banished it towards them with frightening speed. And once it made contact with them the two were immediately transported away.
"The Dark Lord will be pleased when-"
"Where are they?" Almost immediately, Sirius appeared on the scene with six or so Aurors and began firing spells at the two. Within moments they were rolling on the floor in agony, not that Sirius cared. Instead, his grey eyes burned with rage as he picked one of them up. "Talk! Where is my godson," he demanded.
Spitting out some blood the man had a cruel smile. "Halfway to the others by now. That crazy bitch will enjoy having some new toys."
His partner then looked up. "You will get nothing from us, Black." Little did the man know was that he will soon be dead and it won't be pretty.
Up in the stands the professors were trying to control the chaos as the students went into an immediate frenzy. Amelia went into Head Auror mode and order that the Aurors who came with her to patrol the entire pitch.
In the judges box things weren't any better as Bagman tried to escape but was stopped and held against the wall by a very pissed off Arcturus. He might be old but he still had some good reflexes and amazing speed. From the start of the task he'd kept an eye on Ludo as he didn't trust him. When the little shit tried to flee Arcturus knew something wasn't right.
"Where is my nephew you swine?" Lifting the fool off the ground with his left hand gripping his throat. Seeing as he wasn't going to get an answer Arcturus tightened his grip over the man's throat and punched him repeatedly in the gut. "If I do not get my heir back then you will not survive to see tomorrow's dawn." The cold angry steel in his voice let everyone present know that they better not interfere.
Throwing the man on the ground, he stomped on his nut and began crushing it under his foot. Ludo could only scream in pain as his family jewels were being destroyed. But, unfortunately for him, Arcturus was far from done as he used an ancient spell from the depths of the Black's family library. The black and gold spell shot out of his wand and nailed Ludo in the chest, making him scream louder than before. It was a spell that would make the cruciatus curse look tamed by comparison.
Two minutes later Arcturus lifted the curse and his foot away from the twitching man. "Did you like that, Bagman? It's a spell from my House that makes the cruciatus curse look nothing more than a simple tickling charm. Now let's try this again. Where…the fuck…is my heir?" He growled in rage. Bagman didn't say anything.
"Not talking huh," he put the same spell back on him but with much more power. Ludo screamed again as pain beyond anything he had ever felt before surged throughout his entire body. "Keep in mind that I will keep this spell on you indefinitely, unless you tell me where he is."
"I-I don't…know," he said through his bloodcurdling screaming.
"You know I might actually believe that if you didn't have his mark," waving his wand over the man's left sleeve revealing the dark mark. "I grow impatient. Tell me what I want to know."
"L-Like…hel-hell I…will?"
Not liking his response Arcturus removed the spell and grabbed him by the collar. "Very well, then I have other means of making you talk," the cold sadistic look on his face made Bagman shit himself.
"Wait…please," he begged as Arcturus leveled his wand against his head. "Potter is likely with the other Death Eaters by now. My only orders were to place the cup in the maze and put Krum under the imperius curse and have him eliminate the others. But I swear that I don't know where they are or where the cup sent him."
Despite the man's words Arcturus's rage soared to new heights as the fire in his eyes burned bright. If looks could kill then Ludo would be suffering the most agonizing death known to man. While the other occupants gasped the scowl on Arcturus's face deepened as he started kicking and stomping on the man's head and chest. "Dirty. Fucking. Little. Shit." He continued smashing the whelp's face in breaking his nose, jaw, and chest.
He aimed his wand in the man's face and was prepared to finish him.
Bagman was utterly terrified and it was only thanks to Dumbledore's intervention that he lived. "Lord Black, I understand your anger but killing Ludo will not get Harry back. Perhaps if we interrogate him then we will learn where he and Mr. Diggory are."
Arcturus hated to admit it but the interfering goat had a point. However, that didn't mean he wasn't going to get even. Before the Aurors could cuff him Arcturus sent two cutting curses that took both his hands off and kicked him in the face. "Get this trash out of my sight," he ordered two of the Aurors. "And pray for your sakes that he's secure in the holding cell by the time I get down there. No one other than your Director or I will see him. If he escapes then I'm going to be even madder than I am now.
The Aurors were frozen with fear but quickly regained themselves cuffed the now sobbing Ludo Bagman and escorted him away. As the Aurors dragged the man away Arcturus went to the pitch.
(0^0)
When the spinning finally came to an end the cup deposited Harry and Cedric in an unknown location. It was obvious that they have left the grounds of Hogwarts likely traveled miles — perhaps hundreds of miles — for even the mountains surrounding the castle were gone. They were standing instead in a dark and overgrown graveyard; the black outline of a small church was visible beyond a large yew tree to their right. A hill rose above them to their left. Harry could just make out the outline of a fine old house on the hillside.
Cedric looked down at the Triwizard Cup and then up at Harry. "Did anyone tell you the cup was a Portkey?" he asked.
Ignoring the question. "This is bad. We need to get out of here!" The manor on the hillside was familiar and sent shivers down his spine. Not to mention the
"What are you talking about?" Cedric nervously asked.
At that moment ten people wearing dark robes and masks apparated around them and fired some lethal spells. Harry used his left arm to banish them away while he dealt with them. Having expected this he quickly retaliated with blood boiling, organ liquefying, withering, brain exploding, and blasting spells. But as soon as they were defeated twenty more came and he could tell they were more powerful. In fact their magical prowess and fighting styles bared a resemblance from the people in Russia and Ukraine. After them a group from Africa came. Wizards and Witches from Africa were naturally fast, flexible, and skilled with battle transfiguration.
However, Harry was more than ready for them as the rituals he performed enhanced his speed and reflexes making it able for him to fend them off. Though, it was not easy as he had other things to worry about. "Cedric you have to get out of here." Firing a dark cutting spell that was deflected by two but he purposefully made it wide to slice through a line of them.
"Do you take me for a coward?" Cedric was having a hard enough time trying to defend himself. "I'm not going to leave you here."
"Don't be a hero these guys are Death Eaters from Russia, Africa, and Ukraine." Conjuring a shield that deflected their spells back at them and retaliating with deadly force. The one's he killed were rolling on the ground in agony and only minutes away from succumbing to their injuries.
Trying to handle these idiots and protecting Cedric was not easy. It also didn't help that the boy was injured and could barely fight. Furthermore, no matter how many he killed, more just came. Thinking quickly, Harry sent a powerful shockwave that caused some explosions and sent them flying and bombarded them with a consecutive amount of explosion spells.
Cedric was not having much luck as five of them sent a combination of spells that destroyed his shield and sent him flying into a grim reaper statue with some painful injuries. As soon as he landed on the ground, he coughed up blood. All of his ribs were broken, along with his arms.
"Harry," he wheezed.
Just then the worst of the Death Eaters appeared along with some werewolves. "Well, well looks like my cousin knows how to play," Bellatrix cooed. He knew about her reputation and to her left was Dolohov. However, his attention drifted to Fenrir and the werewolves that accompanied him and his blood boiled.
"Greyback," he growled and sent a volley of dangerous high-level spells at them mainly at Fenrir. The dirty fucker was lucky as he was a werewolf as it granted him a greater amount of speed and reflexes. That said he was barely able to avoid the boy's spells.
He had heard of the brat's skills in martial magic but didn't believe them, and now he was soon why he shouldn't have been so careless. It was humiliating that Fenrir Greyback, the most notorious werewolf in the world, was being put on the defensive by a teenager.
No matter how skilled Harry the fuckers put him on the defensive as he not only had to defend against the Russian and Ukrainian brutes but he had to defend his friend all at once.
That was the least of Harry's concerns as the Lestranges, Dolohov, and other Death Eaters closed in on him. Their teamwork was impressive, and the spells they hurled were nothing short of deadly. "Remember, we want Potter alive. Kill the spare," she yelled. Poor Cedric was in no condition to fight and took a piercing curse to the hip courtesy of Dolohov.
"I told you to go," narrowly missing two cruciatus curses from his bitch of a cousin and her husband. Then, quickly dispatched some of the people next to him.
"I won't leave you," Cedric got to his feet clutching his injured hip and coughed up some more blood.
"Yes, you are," thrusting his left arm at him he mentally said "portus," the blue spell left his hand and shot at Cedric. "Harry no…" that was he could get out as the spell hit his shirt and transported him away.
Now that Cedric was out of harm's way, he turned his attention back to the others and fired spells from the Potter and Black family libraries. Another twelve fell to the floor dead and heavily brutalized. Bellatrix all but laughed and did a silly dance as she watched him kill her teammates.
The bitch might be insane but the speed and power of her spells combined with the others became too much. Just as he sent an incendio to Greyback that burned the left side of his face and took off his ear. Before he could finish him off thirteen stunners hit him and sent him flying into a stone statue and his world went blank.
Breathing a sigh of relief, the Death Eaters went to tie him up with a special set of black chains. They made sure he was secure on the angel of death as the chains wrapped around his arms, legs, and waist. Rabastan finished by putting a black metal collar around the boy's neck.
"Rockwood, Rabastan take a few others and check the wards," Bellatrix ordered.
Back at Hogwarts, there was an uproar as the Aurors were desperately trying to contain the situation. Dumbledore would have spoken, but he felt the portkey wards around the pitch shatter, and out came a severely wounded Cedric, who landed on his back. His parents were the first to reach him, followed by Viktor, Sirius, Arcturus, Jack, and Dumbledore.
"Mr. Diggory, what happened?" Albus asked the twinkle lost from his eyes.
Ignoring the question. "Get me back in there. Harry," he yelled.
"Cedric what did you see?" Came Viktor who helped him up.
"It was a trap and we were ambushed by Death Eaters," there were gasps from the officials and even Madam Pomfrey who just arrived paled. "Harry tried to protect the both of us but they came in force. He identified some of them as Russians, Ukraines, and …"
Arcturus was not in the mood for games and got ion the boy's face. "And who? Who came boy? Who?" His steel grey eyes bored into Cedric's brown.
"Antonin Dolohov, the Lestranges, and Greyback."
Sirius and Jack immediately went white as a bedsheet. "This is bad we need to get Harry back. Arcturus can you track him?"
"I've been trying since the cup transported him away," Arcturus growled. "No, good. They must've put up some anti-tracking wards."
"Shit," Sirius grunted. "The longer he's with them the more likely they'll kill him. Isn't there anything we can do?"
"They might have blocked us from tracking him but we can still hear." Arcturus took a moment to think. "Wait. Hadrian went in there with two watches. One is transmitting to me the other is to the Greengrass girl."
Emily and the others were worried sick. Sarah and Severus erected some privacy wards around the teens and trying to make sense of what was going on. Meanwhile Byakko and Suzaku were doing their best to try and keep them back.
"What do you mean we can't go?" Emily demanded.
"Hadrian ordered us to keep you lot safe," Byakko replied. "Against our better judgment we agreed and this was his decision." Genbu was trying to keep the girl from storming off as they explained.
Severus merely sneered and mentally cursed his son for being noble. "Please you two Hadrian is my son. Tell me where he is."
Byakko looked solemnly at him. "I am sorry but there is nothing we can do."
"Fuck," Severus said not caring that teenagers were around. He then tried reaching through the link he shared with his son.
(0^0)
Bellatrix looked upon the stunned body of her cousin. The boy was indeed impressive and had slaughtered several Death Eaters. Many of whom were from Russia, Africa, and Ukraine. Some even came from Fenrir's pack. But that didn't matter at the moment as they had a job to do.
Dolohov soon returned with the others. "The wards are ready and everything is set."
"Finally," she sneered and turned to Wormtail who was carrying the deformed baby-like version of her master standing near a large cauldron. "Do it now Wormtail."
Doing as he was told; Peter dropped the thing into the cauldron just as Harry shook off the effects of their stunners. "Please let the thing drown," he said mentally.
Wormtail was speaking. His voice shook; he seemed frightened beyond his wits. He raised his wand, closed his eyes, and spoke to the night.
"Bone of the father, unknowingly given, you will renew your son!" The surface of the grave at Harry's feet cracked. Horrified, Harry watched as a fine trickle of dust rose into the air at Wormtail's command and fell softly into the cauldron. The diamond surface of the water broke and hissed; it sent sparks in all directions and turned a vivid, poisonous-looking blue.
And now Wormtail was whimpering. He pulled a long, thin, shining silver dagger from inside his cloak. His voice broke into petrified sobs.
"Flesh — of the servant — w-willingly given — you will — revive — your master." He stretched his right hand out in front of him — the hand with the missing finger. He gripped the dagger very tightly in his left hand and swung it upward cutting his hand clean off.
Harry watched as the rat-like man fell to the ground groaning in agony, not that he cared about what happened to him. But the potion had turned into a burning red. He then took a moment to regain himself before walking over to Harry.
"As soon as I am free, I will make you suffer," he said in a cold, sadistic voice that made Wormtail's blood freeze for a moment.
Without another thought, Peter proceeded. "B-blood of the enemy . . . forcibly taken . . . you will . . . resurrect your foe." The silver dagger pierced the skin of Harry's right arm, taking some blood. But at the moment, that was the least of his problems as the chains and collar were sapping the magic right out of him. Whenever he tried to fight it, the chain would send a powerful backlash that hurt every part of his body. In all honesty, the pain from the chains and collar were similar to the effects of the second ritual he did.
He then staggered to the cauldron with the boy's blood and poured it in. The liquid within turned, instantly, a blinding white. Wormtail, his job done, dropped to his knees beside the cauldron, then slumped sideways and lay on the ground, cradling the bleeding stump of his arm, gasping and sobbing. The cauldron was simmering, sending its diamond sparks in all directions, so blindingly bright that it turned all else to velvety blackness. And then suddenly the sparks emanating from the cauldron were extinguished.
Then a blinding white steam erupted from the cauldron covering the entire thing making it hard to see. Harry, however, wished that thing had drowned but was not to be…through the mist he could see the outlines of the dark of a man, tall and skeletally thin rising from the center of the cauldron. This was bad Voldemort was back, though not at full power. He watched as the man stepped out of the cauldron where his Death Eaters rejoiced at how their master finally had a new body. Kneeling before him they watched as he walked towards Wormtail.
"Robe me, Wormtail," he said in a high, cold voice. Wormtail, still moaning and cradling his mutilated arm, scrambled to pick up the black robes from the ground, got to his feet, reached up, and pulled them one-handed over his master's head.
Voldemort took a moment to admire his new body as he felt it would do and could feel his magic returning to him. Harry had to push the amount of fear and anger surging within as he watched as the man who was the bane of his nightmares returned worse than ever but not at full power. Whiter than a skull, with wide, livid scarlet eyes and a nose that was flat as a snake's with slits for nostrils. His blood-red eyes then rested on Harry. "Ah, Hadrian, welcome to my rebirth."
Harry refused to speak and just stared at him.
Voldemort then surveyed the entire area looking at the faithful members of his inner circle and others from overseas. "Rise my Death Eater. You all have done well in not renouncing me and will be rewarded," the cold darkness of his voice made some of them freeze, but they complied. He then slipped one of those unnaturally long-fingered hands into a deep pocket and drew out a wand. He caressed it gently as if it was like a long-lost relative; and then he raised it and pointed it at Wormtail, who was lifted off the ground and thrown against the headstone where Harry was tied; he fell to the foot of it and lay there, crumpled up and crying. Voldemort turned his scarlet eyes upon Harry, laughing a high, cold, mirthless laugh.
Oh, how he wished he could break the worthless piece of garbage.
Wormtail's robes were shining with blood now; he had wrapped the stump of his arm in them.
"My Lord . . ." he choked, "my Lord . . . you promised . . . you did promise . . ."
"Hold out your arm," said Voldemort lazily.
"Oh Master . . . thank you, Master . . ." He extended the bleeding stump, but Voldemort laughed again, finding it amusing at how much pain the man was in.
"The other arm, Wormtail."
"Master, please . . . please . . ."
Voldemort bent down and pulled out Wormtail's left arm; he forced the sleeve of Wormtail's robes up past his elbow, and Harry saw the very same tattoo he saw during his first year. His father told him how it worked as it was a variant of the protean charm that was directly aligned to Voldemort's life force. Voldemort examined it carefully, ignoring Wormtail's uncontrollable weeping.
"It is back," he said softly, "they will all have noticed it . . . and now, we shall see . . . now we shall know . . ." He pressed his long white forefinger to the brand on Wormtail's
arm.
Tom was clearly reveling in the discomfort he was causing Peter.
"How many will be brave enough to return when they feel it?" he whispered, his gleaming red eyes fixed upon the stars. "And how many will be foolish enough to stay away?"
He went back to Harry with a cruel smile that marred his snakelike face and spoke in parseltongue. "You stand, Harry Potter, upon the remains of my late father," he hissed softly. "A Muggle and a fool . . . very like your dear mother. But they both had their uses, did they not? Your mother died to defend you as a child . . . and I killed my father, and see how useful he has proved himself, in death. . . ." Tom laughed again, but this time in a colder manner.
"You see that house upon the hillside, Potter? Gesturing to the manor on the hill. My father lived there. My mother, a witch who lived here in this village, fell in love with him."
Harry had been looking for this information as he wanted to know where Merope had lived- now he knew. If he lived, he would sure investigate the location of the Gaunt's shack.
"But he abandoned her when she told him what she was. . . . He didn't like magic, my father . . ." The anger in his eyes burned bright when he mentioned his father. So it appeared that he still had daddy issues. "He left her and returned to his Muggle parents before I was even born, Potter, and she died giving birth to me, leaving me to be raised in a Muggle orphanage . . . but I vowed to find him . . . I revenged myself upon him, that fool who gave me his name . . . Tom Riddle. . . ."
Still he paced, his red eyes darting from grave to grave.
"Listen to me, reliving family history . . ." he said quietly, "why, I am growing quite sentimental. . . . But look, Harry! My true family returns. . . ."
The air was suddenly full of the swishing of cloaks. Between graves, behind the yew tree, in every shadowy space, wizards were apparating. All of them were hooded and masked. And one by one they moved forward . . . slowly, cautiously, as though they could hardly believe their eyes. Voldemort stood in silence, waiting for them. The Lestranges and others sneered and looked at them with disgust.
After they prostrated themselves before him the group formed a circle around the graveyard, where Voldemort spoke up again but this time in English.
"Welcome, Death Eaters," said Voldemort quietly. "Thirteen years . . . thirteen years since last we met. Yet you answer my call as though it were yesterday. . . . We are still united under the Dark Mark, then! Or are we?"
He put back his terrible face and sniffed, his slit-like nostrils widening. "I smell guilt," he said. "There is a stench of guilt upon the air." A second shiver ran around the circle, as though each member of it longed, but did not dare, to step back from him.
Harry looked at the Death Eaters that were addressed with disgust as they had no spine or honor. He could practically feel the waves of fear coming off some of them. A small part of him rejoiced as they looked upon their master with fear. One by one, he ripped off their masks and called their names. It was quite clear to Harry that old Voldemort was angry with them as they fell to their feet.
One of the men suddenly flung himself forward, breaking the circle. Trembling from head to foot, he collapsed at Voldemort's feet. "Master!" he shrieked, "Master, forgive me! Forgive us all!"
Voldemort sneered in disgust and raised his wand. "Crucio!"
Instantly the man fell to the ground shrieking in pain under his master's torture curse.
Voldemort raised his wand. The tortured Death Eater lay flat upon the ground, gasping.
"Get up, Avery," said Voldemort softly. "Stand up. You ask forgiveness? I do not forgive. I do not forget. Thirteen long years . . . I want thirteen years' repayment before I forgive you. Wormtail here has paid some of his debt already, have you not, Wormtail?"
"I…returned…my Lord," he shuttered looking into his master's eyes.
He glided himself over to a still sobbing Wormtail. "Out of fear," cutting the pathetic excuse for a man off, "not loyalty. But still you have proved yourself useful these past few months and freed my most loyal Death Eaters." Talking about the Lestranges, Rockwood, Dolohov, Rowle, Jugson, Travers, and Mulcibur. "You also helped return me to my body," Voldemort coolly stated.
"Worthless and traitorous as you are, you helped me . . . and Lord Voldemort rewards his helpers. . . ."
Voldemort raised his wand again and whirled it through the air. A streak of what looked like molten silver hung shining in the wand's wake. Momentarily shapeless, it writhed and formed itself into a gleaming replica of a human hand, bright as moonlight, which soared downward and fixed itself upon Wormtail's bleeding wrist, forming a new hand.
"My Lord," he whispered. "Master . . . it is beautiful . . . thank you . . . thank you. . . ." Admiring his new hand he scrambled forward on his knees and kissed the hem of Voldemort's robes. "It's more… than what…I deserve."
"On that we agree," Voldemort agreed to which Harry scoffed at as the traitorous rat deserved worse. "May your loyalty never waver again, Wormtail," said Voldemort.
"No, my Lord . . . never, my Lord . . ."
Wormtail stood up and took his place in the circle, staring at his powerful new hand, his face still shining with tears. Voldemort soon stared at the others.
"Look at the lot of you," staring directly at the people near Lucius. "When I see some of my inner circle all healthy I feel…insulted. Unlike the most of you the ones who went and braved Azkaban rather renounce my name will be rewarded beyond their wildest dreams." The former prisoners held looks of superiority.
Voldemort continued with his monologuing. "And here we are missing some Death Eaters…two who are dead. Another one dead by our guest here." Pointing at Harry causing some of them to murmur.
One, too cowardly to return . . . he will pay. One, who I believe to have abandoned me at one point but returned and has proven to be one of my most loyal and faithful follower. . . and one, who remained a faithful servant, who died in my service."
Harry, of course, knew he was referring to Karkaroff, his dad, and Barty Jr.
"Yet, I believe young Harry here had something to do with that. Did you not?" Harry offered no response and instead struggled with his bindings as the dark backlash hurt like hell. He could feel his magic draining, mentally thanking that ritual he performed as it was the only thing keeping him from losing his magic completely. Already his core was operating at only sixty-percent of its real power. "Oh, I wouldn't do that, Harry. The more you struggle, the worse it'll get. After all, you're guest of honor for our little party."
"Can't say I'm liking the way things are," finally speaking. "It's definitely not the worse party I've been to."
At that Voldemort let out a high, cold laugh. "Don't worry. We're just getting to the best part."
Before Harry could speak, Lucius beat him to it. "Master, we crave to know . . . we beg you to tell us . . . how you have achieved this . . . this miracle . . . how you managed to return to us. . . ."
"Hey Malfoy, do you mind we are trying to have a conversation here," he interrupted. Besides, it is considered rude to interrupt the organizer and guest of honor when they're speaking. You might want to mind your tongue a little better as you are not that important, not after abandoning the man at the first chance you got. As it is, you and your friends are not seen in a favorable light."
Goyle stupidly stepped forward. "Stem your tongue when speaking about the-"
"Crucio!" The red spell brought Goyle to the ground where he shrieked in agony. Similar to Avery he laid on the ground gasping for air. "Do not think that these years in solitude have made me any kinder. You and the others have to work your way back into my good graces."
As for you, Lucius, our young friend here is right as you and the others have disappointed me greatly. You should know how I am if I'm dissatisfied," said Voldemort turning his attention back to the blonde. "Crucio."
Malfoy fell to the ground screaming his lung out. Before long Voldemort lifted the curse.
"However, being the merciful Lord that I am. I will satisfy your curiosity. It begins — and ends — with my young friend here."
He explained how he went to the Potters that night. How he quickly disposed of James and then went upstairs with the intent to kill Harry. But his mother intervened by using sacrificial magic and created a blood protection that shielded her son. Now that he shared the boy's blood he now had the same amount of protection and could now touch him. At that he touched Potter's head with a finger. It took all of Harry's mastery in the mind arts to keep a stoic face as he would not give Voldemort or his Death Eaters the pleasure of seeing him in pain.
"I miscalculated, my friends, I admit it. My curse was deflected by the woman's foolish sacrifice, and it rebounded upon myself. Aaah . . . pain beyond pain, my friends; nothing could have prepared me for it. I was ripped from my body, I was less than spirit, less than the meanest ghost . . . but still, I was alive. What I was, even I do not know . . . I, who have gone further than anybody along the path that leads to immortality. You know my goal — to conquer death. And now, I was tested, and it appeared that one or more of my experiments had worked . . . for I had not been killed, though the curse should have done it. Nevertheless, I was as powerless as the weakest creature alive, and without the means to help myself . . . for I had no body, and every spell that might have helped me required the use of a wand. . . ."
Harry found Riddle's monologue dreadfully boring but paid attention.
"I knew that to achieve this — it is an old piece of Dark Magic, the potion that revived me tonight — I would need three powerful ingredients. Well, one of them was already at hand, was it not, Wormtail? Flesh given by a servant. . . ."
"My father's bone, naturally, meant that we would have to come here, where he was buried. But the blood of a foe . . . Wormtail would have had me use any wizard, would you not, Wormtail? Any wizard who had hated me . . . as so many of them still do. But I knew the one I must use, if I was to rise again, more powerful than I had been when I had fallen. I wanted Harry Potter's blood."
He explained in detail on how he planned on abducting the boy as he was needed for the ritual.
"Oh, where are my manners, Harry. I forgot to thank you because if not for your blood then I wouldn't be here," he mockingly stated. Not getting a reaction as the boy looked at him with a bland expression but his eyes burned with anger. "I can tell you have something on your mind. So speak."
"You're right I do have something on my mind," he admitted "but I have one request and some business to settle with Cousin Bellatrix over there." Using his finger to point at the woman who was standing next to her husband and Dolohov. "It's Black family business I'm sure you understand."
Voldemort merely chuckled. "Certainly," gesturing for Bellatrix to come forward wondering what was on his mind.
"To my question. Can I please beat Peter within an inch of his life? I have some unfinished business with him." Peter went ghostly pale at the look Harry was giving him.
"Hmm, perhaps later," he laughed. "He might be annoying but is still useful to me."
"Do you really believe that?" Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Shut up, Harry. Shut up!" Peter tried to get him to be quiet, remembering the pain inflicted upon him years ago.
"Silence yourself, Wormtail," Voldemort commanded not taking his eyes off Harry. "Go on?"
"Let's face it here. He's a filthy cunt who is only out to protect himself," he began. "He betray anyone just to get his way. You even said it yourself "Worthless and Traitorous as you are…" you said that."
"Do you have a point?" Voldemort raised a hairless eyebrow.
"I do I'm saying that he might betray you as he is so good at it. He betrayed my parents, betrayed his best friends, that and his animagus form is a rat! That should say a lot about his character. And don't even get me started about how useless he is."
Voldemort contemplated what he said and had to admit that Harry was right. "Young Harry here does make a point Wormtail," the man whimpered and pleaded for mercy. "However, fortunately I still have need for you."
"Thank you, master," he kneeled down.
"Well then I guess I'll have to settle for this then," shrugged is shoulder he took a deep breath and looked at Wormtail. The next second he roared as loud as he can and released a stream of fire from his mouth that scorched Peter's body.
The weak-portly man rolled on the ground crying as the flames burned his skin causing an unending amount of pain. Just because he was chained to a stone it didn't mean that he was powerless. But now he was only operating at about forty-five percent of his power, the chains were blocking his magic from replenishing.
Voldemort and a few others found Peter rolling around the ground amusing. "Well done, Harry. Look at him rolling on the floor in agony. Then again I wouldn't expect any less from you."
"Yes, I have been following your activities for a while now," he stated coolly. "Attended Mahoutokoro at the age of seven, capable of murder at the age of twelve, been the top of your classes since arriving at Hogwarts, and won three dueling championships. Very impressive I might say."
"What can I say I am part Potter and part Black," Harry said in a neutral voice. "Now if you would be so kind I have some business to discuss with Bellatrix."
"I'll allow it," gestured for him to proceed.
Harry stared at the women who was said to be one of the most powerful followers in Voldemort's inner circle. "So your my dear cousin, I'm a bit…conflicted at the moment. Cassie always did speak highly of you."
Bellatrix was frozen to stillness as she wasn't expecting to hear that. "Aunt Cassie? I thought her dead during the first war."
"No, she survived, and let me tell you, she was quite the slave driver and didn't tolerate any slack. Though she did passed away this year."
Bellatrix cackled as she remembered how her great aunt was. "That she is," confirming what he said. "I take it that my grandfather tasked her to be your instructor."
"He did! Lord black is not a man you would want to meet in a dark alley. That man is ruthless." Shaking his head. "Any way back to the point. I'll let you in on a little secret when I was younger I kind of admired you."
"Really?" She stared completely perplexed at him.
"Oh, yes. Top of your classes in school. An International Dueling Champion like Dolohov over there," gesturing to the man near the tree. "Earning the position High ranking- Master class Duelist, and being a magical prodigy. You know if I had a piece of parchment I ask for an autograph."
"Finally! Someone who recognizes my talents. If you submit to my master then I can show you a lot more."
"Tempting, though I'm a bit disappointed in you" narrowing his eyes at her. "For all your achievements you abandoned the House of Black. You were the oldest of the family and had a responsibility to protect them. Much dissatisfaction."
"You would be wise to lower your wand as you know the consequences," revealing the Black's heir family ring.
Bellatrix looked murderous at him. "Just because you're the future Head of the family doesn't mean I can't punish you for your insolence."
Harry spit on the ground and continued to stare at her. "Tell me Bella was your ambition and quest for power so grand that you would forsake the members of your House? Your own sisters. Andromeda and Narcissa."
"How dare you," she shrieked. "My sisters were everything to me. Andromeda is only alive because she shares my blood, despite the fact of marrying a mudblood and being kicked out. Narcissa may have married Lucius," she looked at him with disgust not that he cared, but at least he came from a respectable family and had a decent amount of money."
Giving her a dark chuckle. "If that's the limit of your knowledge about them then you don't deserve to call them your sisters. Narcissa may have married into the Malfoy family. However, you should know that they are not as great as they once were. Especially with Draco as his only heir. The fool struts around school like he's Merlin's gift and acts like he's entitled to everything. Hell Lord Black nearly had a heart attack when I asked him to give Lucius's son a chance. And you above everyone should know how he is."
Seeing the conflict in her eyes he pressed on. "The right to become a Lord is earned not given like a piece of candy. You know that! Were if you had not been sent to Azkaban then maybe he wouldn't have turned out to be such a disappointment. Now, Lucius here may be many things but at least he knows the value of hard work and actually possess a spine and cunning. He also doesn't whine like a five year old child the moment something doesn't go his way."
"And don't even get me started on Andromeda. She's a woman who puts her family first something you've failed to do or don't you know what happened that day in Ireland!"
Bellatrix's black eyes burned. "What happened that day? What happened to Andromeda?"
"You really don't know? Dolohov didn't tell you about the attack or what Greyback did?"
Bella whirled around "what is he talking about?" Dolohov instantly went pale and so did Greyback. "I swear if either of you did anything to Andi then…"
"The boy lies. I didn't do anything," Fenrir looked crossed between fear at her and anger at Potter.
"What's the matter to afraid to tell Bellatrix the truth about what you did to her sister," he mocked. "Well, I happen to know how we can tell who is lying?" Bellatrix turned back to him. "Order Lucius to tell you what happened."
Lucius went ghostly pale as Bellatrix pointed his wand at his throat. "If you know anything then tell me now," she ordered.
Weighing his option as this could either turn out very good or very bad for him. He took a chance. "In March there was an incident in Ireland. Dolohov, Greyback and a couple others attacked your aunt, sister, and a friend of there. While Dolohov dispatched Kawada, and the duelist attacked your aunt. Fenrir and members from his pack attacked your sister and he bit her."
If Bellatrix was made before then she was pissed now. Her eyes burned into his silver and she yelled in rage. "Crucio!"
Lucius closed his eyes as he thought she aimed the curse at him, but then he heard someone else scream. Opening his eyes he saw Fenrir thrashing on the ground.
"You dare go after my sister and turn her into a werewolf," running towards the shrieking man. The area became filled with Fenrir's screams as Bella poured more power into the spell.
A/N: The gang has entered the maze and are demonstrating that they are united in the tournament. I decided to put my own spin on what should be in the maze. As for Ludo and the Aurors who were Death Eaters, well I had to get creative here. I also never liked Bagman as he was too much of a weasel.
You all might remember from the last chapter that Harry spoke with the gods about a certain topic. That topic was to protect his family and friends at all cost. Loyalty to the family above all. That should everyone's main priority.
You might have noticed that I let Cedric live albeit with several injuries. I know that Wormtail killed him on Voldemort's orders but I felt like he should have survived. As for the collar and chains around Harry, they're designed to sap and torture individuals who try to use magic. Making it near impossible for them to escape.
Last Voldemort's resurrection as I know in the book it said that he was at full power but not in mine. Right now he is at less than forty percent of his full power.
Next Chapter: Goodbye!