Due to the quick response of my regular reader (AKA Authoressinhiding), I decided to give you 3 chapters to read and hopefully enjoy! Thanks so much, I'll update ASAP! (after i get some reviews of course!)

Love From,

MotherCrumpet

PS Thanks again to my readers and reviewers!

Chapter 25: Crisis Averted

"What in the world," I gasped breathlessly.

In the hour or so that we had been outside the school had been completely trashed. The majority of the school was now standing in the Entrance Hall gaping at the destruction. The hourglasses that recorded points were smashed and there were little blue, red, green, and purple stones all over the floor. But my attention was on the ceiling, not the floors.

"The ones too close beware, distance is best to keep from the one who defeated me! Moresby," Spencer read the message in a hushed voice, "I think its talking about you."

"No, really," I replied sarcastically, "Mother of Macaroni and all things Cheesy."

"Miss Potter, come here please!" Professor Delacour had arrived on the scene along with the Headmasters of all three schools.

I didn't say anything, just shuffled over to where the authority figures stood. The Hall broke into whispers and then started talking loudly.

"Miss Potter, I think we could use your skills of talking to quiet everyone down and get them into the Great Hall where we will be spending tonight, in lockdown mode," The Headmaster said exceptionally calmly for someone whose school just got pulverized.

"Okay," I cleared my throat and blew and ear-piercing whistle. Everyone instantly shut up. "Hey, we need everyone to go into the Great Hall right now. There will be no leaving the Great Hall and anyone who chooses not to go inside and stay there will be dealt with severely. GO!"

The whole school moved into the Great Hall quickly and pretty soon only the teachers and I were the only ones in the Entrance Hall.

"Miss Potter, please go into the Great Hall with your fellow students and tell the Prefects and Head Boy and Girl to lock everything down. Please hurry if you will," The Headmaster turned away from me to issue instructions to the teachers. I walked off to do exactly as he had told me.

"Riley!" Greg was standing in a corner with the whole gang.

"Just a second," I called back hurrying off to find the Prefects and Head Boy and Girl to give them instructions. After I found them I hurried back to my friends.

"Are you okay? Are they mad?" Celeste was talking exceptionally fast.

"Yes and no," I replied somehow managing to keep up with what she had said.

"Thank God," Spencer said pulling me into a quick hug.

"What's going on?" I looked around to see who was talking only to realize that the entire school was watching me and wondering what was happening. I saw fear and confusion in almost every face; Lily's face was the exception.

"Everything's going to be fine," I said soothingly, "We're going to stay here for the night while they do a check of the castle and grounds but Moresby is long gone. There's nothing to worry about."

Several first-years were crying. I instantly knew what was going to have to happen. I was going to have to take charge since nobody else was going to do it.

"Listen up everyone! I want all of the older students to take care of the younger ones. I also want all of the authority figures- Quidditch Captains and anyone with influence- to meet me over on the other side of the Great Hall; we have to get this place in shape! That includes Champions!" I added as I saw the Durmstrang Champion, Brian, sneaking off.

Colby and I went over to the other side of the room and waited while some kind of order fell across the place. I cleared my throat and everyone in the group fell silent.

"Okay, the first thing we need to do is move the tables. You eight do that," I pointed to some of the best charm workers in the school, "You four come with me, we have to see about getting food." I pointed to Colby, Brian, Braden, and Corinne, "The rest of you make sure everyone is calm and keep order please."

I led my group down a hall that came off of the Great Hall and up to a painting of a bowl of fruit. I reached out and tickled the pear, which laughed and turned into a door handle. I opened the door and we stepped into the Hogwarts kitchens.

"You've been here before, no?" Brian asked gazing around, "We are not allowed in the kitchens at Beauxbatons."

"We're not allowed here either," Colby pointed out, "but this is not exactly a normal situation."

"Riley Potter, youse is not supposed to be in the kitchens youse is not. Youse be getting yourseself into trouble," Dobby the house-elf spoke from somewhere to my right.

"Dobby, this is an emergency," I spoke loudly and clearly, the house-elves stopped moving to listen, "Moresby has broken into the school and all of the students have been shut into the Great Hall. They're all hungry and there's no way we can do things the normal way. I think we should just plan on having a picnic. Can we do that?"

"Whatever youse bes wanting ot do, wes be doing," a house-elf piped up excitedly, "We's be getings that ready before youse knows it!"

"Great, you can just put it all on the Staff Table and send it up. We'll make it a buffet," I turned to leave, "Thank you, it makes things easier than you will ever know."

"Youse not be needing to thanks us-uns Riley Potter, wes is happy to bes doing it," Dobby waved us out of the kitchen.

After getting back out in the hall I turned to the other few people, "Here's what I want you to do. We have to keep everyone entertained. You four are in charge of that. Have a talent show or whatever. Just keep everyone happy!"

"That sounds easy," Corinne said thoughtfully, "We'll make an announcement and ask for anyone who's interested to come up to the Staff Table."

"Would you tell everyone about dinner too, I've got a lot to worry about," I asked, trying to figure out how to keep everyone calm.

"Sure, you go do what you need to do," Colby waved me away and I ran off to see if they had succeeded in keeping the relative calm in the Great Hall.

"Miss Potter," the Headmaster addressed me hours later, I had almost been asleep.

"I'm awake," I muttered sleepily, crawling out of my sleeping bag beside Spencer, "What's going on?"
"Everything is fine, I just wanted to talk with you about some things," The Headmaster walked off, slowly picking his way through the sleeping students, "Come to my office please."

I followed the rather stout man through the now neat halls and to his office. We went through the statue entrance and up the escalating staircase until we came to a door, which he opened, and we walked inside. I looked up at the pictures of old Headmasters and Headmistresses. I saw that most of them were asleep, in fact all but one of them were snoring quite contentedly. Albus Dumbledore was looking directly at me with his blue eyes that seemed to scan your very thoughts.

"Miss Potter, I am a very old friend of your father's. I have never called you into this office to discuss the events that have taken place at my school partly because of it. I knew you were quite capable of handling yourself because you are very much like your father," the Headmaster sat behind his desk and gestured to a chair indicating that I sit down, "I find today's events highly disturbing."

"Yes, sir, so do I," I nodded sleepily.

"I'm sure you do," Professor Longbottom chuckled softly, "I want you to know that I appreciate everything you have done today. You showed wisdom far beyond your years and took charge when no one else seemed ready to do so. You chose those to help you and to give responsibility for the well being of the students sensibly. For this I am thankful."

"No problem, sir, crisis averted," I blinked sleepily; I was exhausted and was fighting to keep my eyes open.

"I think it best if we have this conversation tomorrow morning, let's say right after breakfast?" Professor Neville Longbottom looked at me questioningly.

"That sounds lovely," I replied stifling a yawn.

"I wish you the best of dreams, good night," Professor Longbottom waved me out of his office.

"Good night sir," I replied shuffling out the door and down the hall.

I passed through the doors into the Great Hall and picked my way over to the sleeping bags that were occupied by my friends. I crawled into mine and Spencer stirred.

"I love you Riley," he muttered half asleep.

"I love you too, Spencer," I said quietly, though he didn't hear me because he was already snoring softly. I rolled over and fell into a deep sleep.

Chapter 26: Impeccable Timing

"You're getting my dad!" I exclaimed. I was sitting in Professor Longbottom's office the next morning just after breakfast.

"Yes, we want the best Auror team to be checking this disturbance out and your father, Ron, and Hermione, happen to be the best. Besides he'd be coming here for the Third Task anyway," Professor Longbottom kept his patience despite my surprise.

"I guess that makes sense, sir," I had calmed down after the initial shock. Why do nobody else's parents come to investigate things at the school?

"You may go now, Miss Potter. But before you do, know that I am hoping that you finish well in the Tournament. Good luck," Professor Longbottom gestured towards the door out of his office and I left.

I walked up to the Common Room distractedly. We had been allowed to leave the Great Hall after breakfast that morning and everyone was sure to be sitting in the Common Room talking about yesterday's events.

"Riley, what did the Headmaster say?" Lauran asked as I walked over to their group, which was surrounded by interested people who thought we knew more of yesterday's events than everyone else put together.

"My dad, Ron and Hermione are coming," I replied calmly.

"Uncle Ron's coming, awesome!" Celeste exclaimed, "When are they getting here?"

"Sometime today I think. They're investigating or something like that," I sat down by the fire, "They'll be here for the Third Task unless plans change."

"Well, your dad was going to come to that anyway I'm sure," Lauran observed.

"Yeah, I hope Mum doesn't feel the need to come," I sighed.

"Wait, your dad's coming. He doesn't know about us does he?" Spencer asked, and a good thing too because this hadn't occurred to me yet.

"I guess he'll find out soon enough," I replied.

Spencer and I had been some of the first to get tired of the endless talks of Moresby and his getting into the school. Each new story of how he got in was even more ludicrous than the last. I had just overheard a girl insisting to her friend that he could turn into an ant and had gotten in that way.

"They're crazy," I told Spencer after hearing this, "He probably just walked in wearing an invisibility cloak or something. It's not that hard to get into Hogwarts. I mean since Voldemort's gone security isn't that tight."

Spencer just shrugged and we went outside. The snow wasn't as deep as it had been yesterday. Everything was starting to thaw out. I looked down the path towards Hogsmeade. I couldn't see anyone coming. I was getting impatient for my dad to get here, even though I wasn't exactly thrilled about his coming to my school.

"You're looking for them again," Spencer said looking after checking to see what I had been looking at.

"Sorry," I said, but I just kept looking down the path.

"I'll help take your mind off of it," Spencer said, leaning down and kissing me.

"Riley, how good to see you!" my dad had chosen that moment to arrive at Hogwarts. What luck I had!

"Hi dad," I greeted him sheepishly, "Hi Ron, hi Hermione."

"It's nice to see you again Riley," Hermione tried to keep a straight face but wasn't being very successful. Ron hadn't even bothered to try.

"Who's this?" My dad asked the inevitable question and Spencer turned an interesting shade of pink.

"Spencer Wood," I answered.

"You're Oliver Wood's son then?"

"Yes, sir," Spencer answered.

"Ah, that's okay then," my dad said and I let out my breath which I hadn't even realized I had been holding, "We should be getting inside and starting work. I'll see you later Riley."

"Bye dad," I gave him a quick hug and watched as they went inside.

"They've got wonderful timing," Spencer commented.

"Yeah, it's impeccable," I replied and we laughed.

Chapter 27: Threats and Jinxes

"If the Champions could come down to the Quidditch Pitch right after they finish eating it would be appreciated," Professor Longbottom announced on night in April.

"What do you think they want me for?" I asked no one in particular.

"Probably to tell you about the Third Task," Lauran replied shrugging.

"Yeah, I guess so," I finished my dinner and got up from the table, "See you later!"

I walked down to the Quidditch pitch wondering what the Third and final Task would be. I hoped it wasn't going to be a maze like it was for Dad because that would just be boring.

"Ah, here she is; now we can start our meeting," Professor Longbottom said brightly, "As I'm sure you've all guessed, this meeting is about the Third Task. It is to be held in several weeks but we decided to give you details now. The task will be getting, not only yourself but someone else too, through a series of puzzles. You will use logic and any knowledge of various spells and the wizarding world. Miss Potter is in the lead and will get a head start into the, hmm let's call it a labyrinth, shall we? I expect you all to try your hardest and make our schools proud. I wish the best of luck to all of you. You may go back to your proper accommodations now."

I walked with Braden Flout back up to the school. Brian and Corinne had gone back to their respective 'accommodations'. We walked silently until we got to the place where he would go to his dormitory and I would continue to mine.

"I just want to wish you good luck. You're a whole lot younger than the rest of us but you're still in the lead. That's amazing. You just keep it up. No hard feelings no matter who wins, deal?" Braden stuck out his hand and I shook it.

"Deal, let's make it a Hogwarts victory, shall we?" I turned and walked off to the Common Room.

The next several weeks were spent in preparation for the upcoming event. I didn't have to worry about end-of-year exams because the Champions didn't have to take them. Instead I spent every waking moment practicing jinxes or looking up new ones. We were in the middle of one of these practice sessions right now.

"Hold on Spencer, I just have to look up the counter-jinx," I ruffled through the pages of a library book full of useful spells and jinxes.

Spencer didn't reply since he had fallen to the ground after I had hit him with the full body lock. He had missed the pillows again.

"There you go," I had mastered the art of performing spells in my head. That was an awesome accomplishment seeing as how I was only in my second year.

"Ouch," Spencer muttered getting up off the floor, "Haven't you mastered that spell yet? I'm getting sore!"

"Well, if you'd just land on the cushions you wouldn't be!" Celeste shot at him.

"It's kind of hard to aim when you've been put in a full body bind!" Spencer retorted.

"Hey, I think that's enough for today," I cut in since tempers were starting to run high. "I'm going to look up more spells in the Library. You all had best go study for exams."

"What are you going to do during exams?" Lauran asked, "I mean you don't have to take them so…"

"I'm going to be looking up more spells and jinxes; I don't want to be killed during the Final Task," I answered turning left at the door, "I'll see you all later!"

I hurried off to the Library and started looking through some promising looking books. I was in the middle of Magic for the Brainless Wizard when Corrine Hodgepeckins walked up.

"Hello, you're looking up jinxes too I see. I feel like I've been in the Library for days now," Corrine sat down next to me; there was something in her tone that I just didn't like.

"I'm looking up new jinxes since I think it'd be stupid to die during the Final Task," I replied in what I hoped was a civil tone.

"Ah, I suppose you're right. But I really wanted to ask you about that boyfriend of yours. How did you manage to catch him?" Corrine asked as my opinion of her turned South.

"By not being rude," I said smiling politely, though I was dying to see if a human face could peel off.

The smile fell off of her face, "What about Braden Flout? He'd make quite a catch. Ever thought about going after him?"

"No, and you're not going to be able to turn me against Spencer. I suggest you stop trying before I get the notion to rearrange your face," I threatened standing up and turning to leave the table.

"Oh, you cut me deep. Watch your back Potter. We'll see who's laughing when I cream your butt during the Final Task."

"Yeah, that nasty grin will fall right off your face when you lose," I spat, "I'm not saying I'm going to beat you but one of the others will."

Corrine Hodgepeckins stalked off and I soon left the Library too. I was startled at her turn of heart, since she had always seemed like a thoughtful person before but I knew better than to worry about her empty threats; I had enough on my plate at the moment without worrying about her too.