The Ties That Bind
Chapter Fifteen: The Tournament
October 20, 1972
Quidditch practices got tougher and tougher as the months flew by. With less than a fortnight until the first match, tension was high between Gryffindor and Slytherin, even more so than usual. James and Sirius often spent long nights in the Magician's Study, working until two in the morning on their homework. Remus would finish his homework, only to stay up later helping Peter finish. Many times, Alex, Frank and Edgar would help them and that took a load off their shoulders. Whenever Remus and Leon could, however, the two would go to the Magician's Study and help James and Sirius.
The ceiling of the Great Hall was a mass of clouds and falling rain as the students gathered for dinner. When they were finished, Professor Dumbledore stood, waiting for their attention.
"I have an announcement to make. We are going to hold a Triathlon here at Hogwarts." Excited whispers rose and Dumbledore held up a hand to quiet them. "This tournament will consist of is three events. There will be two teams of four from each year who will compete against each other. This will be based on a point system, awarded to teams and individuals, depending on the task. After the final task, the team with the most points will be awarded a trophy and points to their respective houses. Following this, the eight individuals will compete for a trophy and points for their house in a task that includes things from all three events. The task will be determined according to the years of the individuals, so that it can fair to all years.
"The individual that wins the Hogwarts Triathlon will bring points to his or her house and will be awarded a trophy. Your professors will be selecting the teams. The list will go up in the morning. The choices will be based on merit and skill. I bid you all good luck. This Saturday morning, all teams need to report to the Quidditch pitch at nine o'clock, where the first event will be explained. Thank you."
Excitement filled the air as the students began conversing, standing or heading back to their respective common rooms.
"Who do you think will be picked?" someone asked.
"The best," another answered.
"But how are they going to make the teams? By house?"
"The teams are four people. I bet it'll be one from every house."
"That spells disaster."
"Depends on who you're teamed up with."
"I wish we could pick our teams."
The Marauders were among these groups of people walking and they were wondering the same things. "So who do you think it'll be from our year?" Leon asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" Sirius asked.
"Me and Evans," James said, rolling his eyes. "We're the top of the school; of course we'd get picked."
"We'll know for sure tomorrow," Remus said.
"So long as I'm not teamed up with Evans, I'm happy," James said.
"Anything can happen," Peter said and James looked at him.
"Not if I have anything to say about it."
"I'm sure you'll be picked, Lily," Erica said. The girls sat in their dorm, getting ready for bed. Lily was in the lavatory, combing out her hair.
"There are plenty of people better than me," Lily said modestly, walking out in her nightdress.
"Name one," Jaina said.
"Do names really matter?"
"Yes, name one," Jaina persisted.
"Fine, you."
"You're nutters, Lily. You're the top of our class, how could I be better?"
"You're more skilled at sports and if you'd just put more concentration into your schoolwork, you could beat me."
"Doubt it."
"Then you name someone."
"Lily, there just isn't anyone better," Erica said. "You'll see when that list goes up. I guarantee your name will be on it."
"Then we'll see in the morning." Lily slipped into her bed. "Night." She pulled the drapes shut.
"Night," the other two said before going to bed as well.
"You'll be on that team," came Jaina's voice.
"Will not," Lily responded.
"Will too."
"And you won't be around tomorrow to see if you don't let me sleep," Erica said, but she was joking.
"Someone needs their beauty sleep," Jaina said.
"Let's just sleep, alright?" Lily asked.
"Night."
"Night."
It was silent for a while and then Jaina said, "Will too," and was rewarded with a pillow coming through her drapes and hitting her in the face. She laughed.
October 21, 1972
A crowd of students gathered in front of the wall by the Great Hall doors where the teams had been posted. They were listed according to year:
EACH TEAM CONSISTS OF FOUR, ONE FROM EACH HOUSE
1st YEAR TEAMS:
Hestia Jones
Victoria Rigsbley
Gideon Prewitt
Regulus Black
Will Hudson
Marshall Stebbins
Camille Pearce
Payton Lavey
2nd YEAR TEAMS:
Beth Cusack
Jacen Lemay
James Potter
Severus Snape
David Waters
John Sellers
Lily Evans
Andromeda Black
3rd YEAR TEAMS:
Melanie Harthrow
Ryan Marcel
Jason Valentine
Carlotta Sinclair
Ian Corell
Marci Bower
Tracey Cross
Ted Tonks
4th YEAR TEAMS:
Fabian Prewitt
Alan Mowbery
Dawn Hastings
Kate Clifton
Alice Liroff
Rachel Ewin
Rabastan Lestrange
Alan Harmon
5th YEAR TEAMS:
John Flynn
Emmeline Vance
Frank Longbottom
Bellatrix Black
Ryan Bell
Marci Gallagher
Aubrey Valleta
Heather Flynn
6th YEAR TEAMS:
Abigail Panettiere
Chad Gaines
Edgar Bones
Rudolphus Lestrange
Jack Breslin
Dean Richards
Betty Hallow
Robert Wilkes
7th YEAR TEAMS:
Hayden Corbett
Amelia Bones
Lucille Stover
Walden Macnair
Raven Begler
Marlene Faust
Alex McKinnon
Theodore Travers
A reminder to the teams: Be at the Quidditch Pitch at 9:00 a.m. on this Saturday
"Try not to kill him," Leon said.
James was seething as he looked at the list, his fists clenched. "There is absolutely no way that I will work with that low-life Slytherin."
"You've got Jacen," Remus said. "He and Beth will keep you plenty occupied. Just ignore Snape."
"Easier said than done," Sirius said.
"If Dumbledore thinks that by throwing us together we're going to stop being enemies, he's nutters." James stormed away and the Marauders followed, if only to keep him from hurting someone.
Jaina looked at Lily. "Told you."
Lily rolled her eyes. "Yes, Yes, I know."
"At least you're not with James," Erica said.
"Thankfully," Lily nodded.
"This entire tournament will be interesting," Jaina said. "If not for the obstacles, for the rivalries."
A little further away, Alex and Frank stood. "I suspect Dumbledore is doing this because of Voldemort," Alex said.
"Who else?" Frank said. "With those attacks, even if they aren't directed at Hogwarts itself, anyone could be in danger."
"Pulling the houses together is not going to be easy."
"No one ever said it would."
October 24, 1972
Saturday morning dawned chilly but sunny. The fourteen teams had assembled at the Quidditch pitch, sitting in the bleachers. Professor Dumbledore and Professor Moody stood out on the pitch, their voices amplified by spells.
"Welcome, everyone," Dumbledore began. "I congratulate you all on making it this far. There are a few rules I'd like to cover before I let Professor Moody tell you about the first event. Rule number one: Rivalries will not be permitted. Whatever disputes you have between your houses, during the time of the tournament they will not exist. You must come together as a team, for the only way you will succeed is if you work together. Rule number two: No foul play. You will be constantly watched as you compete in the events and if any foul play is suspected, your team will be eliminated from the tournament and the person responsible for the action will be awarded a private audience with me, in which I assure you, I will not be as pleasant as I normally am. That person will also lose a considerable amount of points for their house.
"Rule number three: Be safe. That is one of the top priorities. If at anytime you feel that something is unsafe, or you feel that you cannot perform, let one of the professors know. And finally, rule number four: Have fun." Dumbledore smiled. "This is a learning experience, but it's also meant to be fun. Professor Moody?"
Moody stepped forward. "Each year has two teams. And each year will have a separate skill level. Something a seventh year can do is not what a first year can do. Therefore, for the first event, it will be a logic puzzle of sorts. Everyone will be required to go around to seven stations in and around Hogwarts. At each station, after completing the task, you will receive two items. One is your clue for solving the final puzzle. The other is a clue to guide you to your next station. At each station you will be required to perform a spell, mix a potion, solve a problem, or something of that nature. Each member of your team has certain strengths and it's up to you as a team to recognize and use it. You will have a limited time at each station, as you will hear a loud bell chime when your time is up. Once you have been to all seven stations, you must work together as a team to figure out your seven clues and find where they lead you.
"Your scenario while you are completing this is to infiltrate the enemy's territory and using the clues, find where the agents critical to your mission are hidden. Once you find them, you must all return to the Great Hall. This is a very relevant game. You must remember what is happening in the wizarding world. Things of this nature happened and will happen again and I've been on quite a few missions where I've had to take a team and rescue operatives. Good luck, everyone. And remember. Constant vigilance. You never know what could be lurking around corners as you seek out your stations."
Whispers of nervousness, excitement, and some trepidation between students filled the pitch.
"Students," Professor Dumbledore said and they quieted. "I would like you all to assemble by teams. Professor Moody will hand you slips of paper to lead you to your first station."
Everyone stood and began grouping together with their respective teams. James and Severus glared at each other and then looked at Moody, who was walking towards them. "Here you are," Moody said, handing the paper to James. "Good luck."
"Thank you, sir," James said, smiling and faced Beth, Jacen, and Severus. "Okay, here's the clue."
"Excuse me, who put you in charge?" Severus said coldly.
James glared at him. "I did. And if you have a problem, deal with it."
"Just stop," Beth said, looking at them. Ever the Hufflepuff, she wanted to keep it as peaceful as possible. "Look, James can lead this first one. Severus, you can lead us to the next one. We'll all take turns so it's fair, okay?"
"Fine," Severus said. "But don't expect Potter to do anything for the team. He cares only about himself."
"You're one to talk," James retorted.
Beth sighed, looking at Jacen and then back at them.
"We have a short time to get to our first station. Let's just stop arguing and get there," Jacen said. Many of the other teams had already left, heading towards the castle.
"Anyways," James said, glaring at Severus and then looking back at the other two. "As I was saying, here's the clue to our first station. 'Round, clear and tall, going by this, you'll never be late'."
"A tower?" Beth said.
"Round and clear…" Jacen mused, trying to think of something in Hogwarts. "The Astronomy Tower?"
Severus rolled his eyes. "You both are daft. Why would a tower be round and clear?"
"Never be late…" James glanced up the hill towards the castle and spotted the clock tower, where the sun glinted off it. "The clock tower."
"You sure?" Beth asked.
"That sounds right," Jacen said. "The clock is round and clear. The tower is tall and if you're by the clock, you'd never be late."
"Too easy," Severus said. "It can't be that."
"Don't try to be smart, Snape," James said coldly. "You're not good at it. Let's go." He began heading away from the pitch, Severus following but glaring.
Beth and Jacen sighed, following. "Let's just keep them from killing each other," Beth said.
"Agreed."
Lily, Andromeda, David and John were already at the clock tower and having preformed Incendio correctly, creating a fire in a small heater, they received their next clue. So far they were working together nicely and Lily hoped that would continue.
"Okay, let's see," Andromeda said, looking at the clue. "We'll put the one for the puzzle away for later."
"I'll keep them," John offered.
"Sounds good." Andromeda nodded and looked back at the clue. "Here's what is says: Gone in the morning, present in the afternoon, light shines here in a square of stone."
"Square of stone?" David asked. "That could be anything!"
Lily took the clue, looking at it. "Well, let's see. Gone in the morning, present in the afternoon. The sun? That would make sense. So, something in the West end of the castle, where the sun would set."
"Square," John mused. "Merlin, what is there?"
"The West courtyard?" Andromeda said. "That could be a possibility."
Lily nodded. "Sounds good. We should at least try. Do you all agree?" The boys nodded. "Brilliant. Let's go." She smiled and their team headed out just as James and his team entered.
Team after team went through the stations as clues were collected, charms were performed, and potions brewed. James' team was stuck at the third station, in which they were led to the garden near Hagrid's hut and had to find a puffapod. The trick was to keep the pod from falling to the ground until they gave it to Professor Sprout for her to approve and give them their next clue. James and Severus, however, were at each other's throats once again in another row.
"If you hadn't messed up that fire spell, we wouldn't be behind!" James glared.
"You couldn't start a fire if you already had one burning!" Severus snapped.
"The fact is, if you had let me do it, we would have been first. But no, you had to go prove yourself. You're nothing, Snivellus. And you never will be."
Severus had his wand out to James' chest, his glare turning colder. "Give me any reason – "
"And what, you'll poke me to death?" James sneered. "Merlin knows you couldn't do the right spell if it was sitting right in front of you. Besides, you remember what happened last time you went against me? I'm not top of our year in the Dueling Club for anything."
Beth and Jacen watched them continue to bicker. "They get in a tiff every few seconds," Beth sighed.
"It's their nature. Maybe if we just find the puffapod we can get them to calm down," Jacen suggested.
Beth nodded. "Good idea." She looked around for the bright pink pods and spotted one. "There." She and Jacen walked over to where there were a few pink pods sticking up from a cluster of green leaves. Beth picked up one carefully, cupping it in her hands.
" – and now there are four teams ahead of us thanks to you!" James was continuing, furious. "I refuse to lose!"
"And I refuse to even think about helping someone as low as you," Severus retorted.
"James, Severus, stop," Beth said, moving between them. "We have the puffapod. Now let's get our next clue, or do you want to stand here all day?"
James continued to glare at Severus. "If we can leave him in the Forbidden Forest."
"You know we can't do that," Jacen interjected. "Now come on. If you want to win so badly James, you'll stop arguing and go." He pulled at James' arm, leading him over to Professor Sprout.
"You're too scared to go into the forest, Potter," Severus sneered.
James glared back at him. "I'll show you scared – " he began but stopped. He took a deep breath, calming down and looked at Jacen. "Let's get this done." They gave the pod to Professor Sprout and were handed their next clue.
"Full of shiny objects, just waiting for a good polish. You will see this room more often than not if you choose to misbehave," Jacen read.
"That's easy. The Trophy Room," James said.
"You would know," Severus said coolly.
James gave him a cold look. "At least someday I'll have my name on a trophy. More than can be said about you." He turned and headed up the hill towards the castle.
"This is going to be a long day," Beth sighed.
"I agree," Jacen said as they walked up the path.
Lily and her team had already reached the final station, up in the North Tower where Divination was taught. She wondered how the other years were doing at their tasks, but knew the only competition she had to worry about currently was the other first year team.
"How do you think the other team is doing?" Andromeda asked, looking over at Lily as they looked for the one object that would be out of place in the dimly lit room.
"With James and Severus on the same team, not far I'd think," Lily said, looking under one of the tables.
"Find anything yet?" David called over to them.
"Nope, you?"
"Nothing," John said, looking under a cushion. "Any idea of what to be looking for?"
"Something that doesn't belong here," Lily said, looking around the room. She bit her lip, thinking. What would work? Then her eyes landed on one of the crystal balls. It didn't shimmer like the others. She walked over to the table and picked the ball up. It was much lighter than glass should have been. "Oi, I think I found something."
"What?" Andromeda asked, heading over. "It's just a crystal ball."
"Looks like it belongs here to me," David said.
"It's too light to be made of glass. Here," Lily handed it to David, who moved it in his hands.
"You're right. What do you reckon makes it so light?"
"It's not a crystal ball," John said. He pointed his wand at it. "Finite Incantatum." The ball disappeared and in it's place was a Quaffle used in Quidditch.
"Good job," Lily smiled.
"He better do good, he is a Ravenclaw after all," Andromeda teased with a laugh. They all laughed.
"True," David said. "Now we can get the final clue to finding our hidden operatives."
Lily nodded and walked over to Professor Telle, who awarded them their final clue. They headed out of the North Tower, taking a seat in the corridor to begin deciphering the seven clues to find the location of their missing operatives.
James stood at the edge of the lake. They only had one more station to go and at least there were three other teams with them at this point. However, he didn't see Evans and her team, so that could only mean they were either way ahead of them or behind them somewhere. He had a feeling it was the former.
"So we have to swim out to that," Jacen pointed to the bright red object. "Retrieve the badge with our year on it, and then show it to Professor Seradd." The lake was sectioned off, making sure nothing would attack the students swimming in it.
"That would be me, obviously," James said, pulling off his robe, jumper, shoes and socks.
"And why would that be?" Severus asked coldly.
"I'm the strongest one," James rolled his eyes. Is Snivellus that daft? Honestly.
"So you say."
"Bugger off, Snivellus," James turned back to the lake and jumped in, swimming to the red bouy and taking the 2nd year badge. He turned and headed back, beating the others that were swimming out to their respective bouys. He smirked, climbing out. "Here." He handed it to Jacen.
"Good job," Beth said with a smile.
"I know," James said confidently and took his clothes, heading over to Professor Seradd. The professor dried James off with a simple charm and handed them their next clue. James redressed and they headed for their final station.
Lily, Andromeda, John and David stopped after about twenty minutes of searching. They had already encountered fanged geranium that tried to bite them, a cage that tried to box them in (fortunately, John moved fast enough to get them out of the way), several locked doors, and a corridor that liked to change directions on them. David had a good enough sense of direction that he had led them out of that obstacle.
"What were the clues again?" Lily asked.
John pulled out the clues, looking at them. "In the dark. A small room. Many tables. Has books but isn't the library. Has a staircase. Learning is done here."
They thought about it. "What about the DADA classroom?" David asked. "It has a staircase and we learn things there."
"Let's check it out," Andromeda said and they headed towards the classroom. As soon as they neared the classroom, the floor dropped out beneath them and they were sent falling into the darkness with startled cries.
"What the –"John struggled, feeling something wrapped around him. Then he realized, looking around in the dark as his eyes slowly adjusted. The others were caught too. "This is Devil's Snare! Don't move!"
The four of them stopped struggling. "Right, if you don't struggle, it'll release you," David said.
"I've got it," Lily had her wand already out, trying not to move much. "Lecarnum Inflamare," she said, creating blueball flames to heat the plant. It dropped them to the corridor below. Lily pocketed her wand and looked around. "Looks like we're in the dungeons."
"What do you reckon we do?" Andromeda asked. "Split up to move faster?"
"No, we do this as a team," Lily said. "I have an idea of where this place might be. I don't think it's the DADA classroom."
"Where are you thinking?" David asked as they began to walk down the corridor.
"The study room near the library. There's a staircase in the back with a small room underneath. It's dark and small. The study room itself has many tables and we learn there when we study."
"Good thinking," Andromeda said with a smile.
The bell gonged from somewhere within the castle. "We have fifteen minutes left to get our people to the Great Hall," John said.
"Running would be a good idea right now," Andromeda said and the four began running down the corridor.
Finally, James, Severus, Jacen, and Beth finished their final station and were heading for the Charms classroom. Upon entering, they found it empty. "Not here," Jacen said.
"Brilliant deduction," James said sarcastically.
"You're the one that said Charms," Severus said coldly.
"I said it was a possibility. You're the one that headed for the classroom," James snapped back.
"Look, lets just go or we won't make it," Jacen said, getting rather frustrated at this entire matter. They heard a bell gong. "That's our fifteen minute mark. We have to find those operatives and get back to the Great Hall."
"Just brilliant," James muttered. "Bloody prat." He glared at Snape and then headed out of the corridor.
"Where are you going?" Beth asked, hurrying after him
"Where we should have gone in the first place."
Severus muttered something as they headed out once again about following this arrogant prat once again.
Lily and Andromeda were first into the study room, going to the back door, David and John right behind them. However, it was locked and Professor McGonagall stood at the entrance. "Congratulations. You have studied your clues, worked together to overcome obstacles, and have now reached where you must rescue your classmates," McGonagall explained. "You will have to perform four quick tasks and then make it back to the Great Hall in time. Time is of the essence. Now, to the tasks. Mr. Sellers, what year was the very first Triwizard Tournament held?"
John thought about it, and being a Ravenclaw, he had read quite a few books. "1294 A.D," he said after only a few moments.
"Very good."
Blimey, that's not something I could whip out at the top of my head, Lily thought. I'm working on knowing more and I know quite a lot.
"Miss. Evans, transfigure these beetles into buttons please," McGonagall continued.
Lily took out her wand and with a swift flick of her wand, she had transfigured all the beetles. That was something she had been practicing, getting better. Charms were more her top class than Transfiguration.
"Miss Black, unlock, this door if you would," she motioned to the door behind her.
"Alohamora," Andromeda said with a wave of her wand, unlocking the door.
"And finally, Mr. Waters, transform this frog into a goblet for me," McGonagall said, taking the cover off a frog sitting on one of the tables.
David frowned, as Transfiguration wasn't one of his strong suits. He pointed his wand at the frog. "Veraverto." Nothing. "Bloody hell," he cursed under his breath. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath and concentrated. Opening his eyes, he said, "Veraverto," and it changed. He breathed a sigh of relief.
"Good job," Lily said with a smile, patting him on the back.
"Thanks." David pocketed his wand, looking back at McGonagall.
"Very good. You may take your classmates," McGonagall opened the door, revealing Susan Stebbins and Jaina Lemay..
"About time," Jaina grinned.
"Jaina!" Lily laughed, helping her best friend out of the closet. John helped Susan out at the same time. "How'd you get picked?"
"Volunteered. Had to do something with my time," Jaina laughed. "Besides, it gave me some time to figure out some more pranks. Susan here is quite good."
Susan chuckled. "I try," she smirked.
"Let's go," Andromeda said. "We don't have much time."
Jaina looked over at Andromeda and frowned. She still didn't like Slytherins that much. Then she looked back at Lily. "Right. We want to win. We have to beat James, I've got ten Galleons riding on it!"
That made all six students laugh. "Only you would make a bet in something like this Lemay," John said.
"You got it, Sellers," Jaina grinned and the group ran out of the room, heading for the Great Hall.
Sirius, Leon, Remus, and Peter stood in the Great Hall with the other students, awaiting the arrival of the teams. "Ten Galleons Evans beats James," Sirius nudged Leon.
"Betting against your best friend?" Leon pretended to be shocked.
"It adds spice to the bet," Sirius laughed.
"I'll take you up on that," a voice said. Sirius turned to see Sturgis Podmore, a fourth-year Gryffindor, standing with a few of his friends behind the Marauders.
"Brilliant." Sirius grinned and looked back through the crowd.
Amelia's team came in at that moment and the Great Hall erupted into applause. Quickly following was the other seventh year team. A close match.
"Good job Amelia!" Leon yelled, cheering for his sister. Within a matter of moments, Edgar's team entered. "Yea! Edgar!"
"Nicely done," Remus said, clapping just as loudly.
One after another, the teams ran in, crossing the line where Professor Dumbledore and Professor Moody stood, awaiting their arrivals.
"Wonder where Evans and James are?" Sirius mused.
"They should be coming soon," Peter said, trying to get in front of some of the students that were blocking his view. Being short had its disadvantages. Sirius, already being tall for a second-year, was looking over the heads of some of the other students without a problem.
Lily ran in with Jaina, along with the rest of their team. The Great Hall erupted into applause once again.
"And ten Galleons, I'll take from you," Sirius smirked, holding out his hand to Sturgis.
Sturgis laughed, handing Sirius the coins. "James won't be too pleased."
"He'll weather it. He's go two more parts of the tournament to win," Remus said. "Knowing James, he'll go even harder now to win that trophy."
"I'm rooting for Gryffindor, no matter who it is. Those points would be a nice add, especially if we can secure the Quidditch and the House Cup," Sturgis said.
"Exactly," Leon nodded. "With James and Sirius on the team, we're bound to win that Quidditch Cup."
"I agree," Sturgis said.
"I can't see!" Peter cried, trying to hop up to see.
Sirius looked at Peter and then at the people in front of him. Then he simply pushed his way up, grabbing Peter by the back of his robe and hauling him with him. Now they stood in front of everyone. "Better?"
"Thanks!" Peter smiled up at Sirius.
"Welcome." Sirius clapped Peter on the shoulder and looked at the entrance to the Great Hall, waiting, wondering where James was. Finally, after one more team came in, James strode in, followed by the rest of his team, Erica Baddock and Barbara Ortner.
James looked steamed, glaring at Severus but not saying anything at the moment. All the teams assembled in front of Professor Dumbledore and Professor Moody. James shoved past Severus, knocking him to the ground and completely ignored him.
"Congratulations to the following teams for making it here first. You each earn 100 points. The other teams are each awarded 50 points. Please hold your applause until the end. First years: Hestia Jones, Victoria Rigsbley, Gideon Prewitt, and Regulus Black. Second years: David Waters, John Sellers, Lily Evans and Andromeda Black. Third years: Ian Corell, Marci Bower, Tracey Cross and Ted Tonks. Fourth year: Fabian Prewitt, Alan Mowbery, Dawn Hastings, Kate Clifton. Fifth years: John Flynn, Emmeline Vance, Frank Longbottom and Bellatrix Black. Six years: Abigail Panettiere, Chad Gaines, Edgar Bones and Rudolphus Lestrange. Seventh years: Hayden Corbett, Amelia Bones, Lucille Stover, Walden Macnair."
Thunderous applause and cheering followed until Dumbledore hushed them with his hand.
"Congratulations again, everyone," Dumbledore continued. "Professor Moody would like to say a few things." He stepped aside.
Moody looked around at everyone. "Your classmates have shown great talent and team-work, some more than others. Only by doing so, were they able to rescue their fellow classmates and return here safely. There were many challenges along their paths, some more difficult than others, and some that not only required magic, but logical thinking as well. You have all done very well for the first task and I hope to see more of your team work in the following tasks. Professor Dumbledore?"
"Thank you, Professor Moody." Dumbledore smiled and then looked at the teams. "Classes will resume after the weekend – " at this there were groans in the audience but Dumbledore only continued to smile. "-"- as well as Quidditch practices. We have the first match coming up in a fortnight between Slytherin and Gryffindor. Before the Christmas holidays, we will have the second task of the Triathlon. Be prepared for anything, and pay attention in class, as it may benefit you during this task. You may return now to your common rooms and we will have supper shortly."
As soon as he finished, the Great Hall erupted into conversations and grew quite loud. Students milled, chatting about the tasks that they had had to complete. Some headed out of the hall immediately, while others took their time.
The Marauders reunited, heading out of the hall.
"Being on the same team as Snivellus could not have been fun, mate," Sirius said as they walked.
James groaned. "It was horrible. I was ready to curse him several times."
"I still say you should have taken me up on the idea to send him to the Shack," Sirius smirked.
"I almost did," James admitted.
"And you shouldn't have even thought it," Remus said. "I don't want to be responsible for – "
"Relax, mate," Sirius put his hand on Remus' shoulder. "We wouldn't do that to you."
Remus sighed in obvious relief. "It's not even something to joke about."
"You did really well, James," Peter said. "You'll win for sure next time."
"Of course I will," James said confidently.
"Nothing dampens your spirit, does it?" Leon asked with a laugh.
"I'm a Potter," James said simply.
"Out to save the world," Leon laughed.
"Exactly," James smirked.
Sirius' stomach growled and they all laughed. "I'm going to starve to death," Sirius said, holding his stomach.
"We've got sweets in the dorm from our last little adventure," James grinned. "Don't worry, Sirius, we won't let you fade away. Even if you did bet against me."
Sirius gave him an innocent look. "Whatever are you talking about?"
James just rolled his eyes, laughing. "You, innocent? Right."
Remus hung back slightly, walking with the group. He had been tired lately and knew the full moon was coming in only a few short days, nearing very close to Halloween. At least he didn't have to make up an excuse to his friends.
"What's wrong, Remus?" Peter asked, looking at his friend. "Is it –"
Remus nodded. "Yes. Wednesday."
"We'll make sure you have all your homework and everything. Don't worry," Peter assured him with a smile.
Remus returned his smile. "Thanks, Peter."
"Anything for you, Remus."
"Are you alright?" Leon asked, noticing Remus' quieter than usual demeanor. James and Sirius were a few feet ahead, talking about the upcoming Quidditch match.
"I'm fine, thanks Leon," Remus gave him a reassuring smile.
"Okay, good," Leon said. "Now how about those sweets, hm?"
"Sounds good to me," Remus chuckled.
"I can't wait for some more of those chocolates," Peter said dreamily.
"Soon Peter, soon," Leon laughed and they headed to the common room.
That night, James lay in his bed, staring up at the ceiling. He couldn't sleep with so many thoughts running through his head, mostly about that day. If Snape would have just kept quiet and not messed up everything, we would have won. I refuse to let someone like Evans beat me. There will not be a second time. I will win this tournament and I will have that trophy with my name on it. Nothing and no one stops James Potter. He finally fell into a restless sleep.