Daphne stood by the window in the hospital wing, she'd woken up with her head in her arms on her boyfriends bed in the hospital wing and now stood watching as the sun rose. She'd fought nail and tooth with Madam Pomfrey about staying the night and only when she'd flatly refused to leave and threatened to tie herself to the bed had the matron relented and allowed her to stay. Harry hadn't woken up since he'd fainted on the field, he had barely stirred during the night only twitching which Madam Pomfrey had gravely said was the aftereffects of the cruciatus curse. She felt a shudder run up her spin as she remembered the day and thanked Merlin that it was over finally.
Flashback
Daphne watched as Harry disappeared into the maze and tightened the grip on her fingers until Tracey wrestled one of her hands away and gripped it tightly.
"He'll be fine, don't you worry. Besides this is the boring part."
"How is this boring!?" Daphne exclaimed.
"You were obviously pretty out of it for the second task but we were basically left staring at the lake for the hour. That's what we're gonna be left to do here, just watch a 20ft hedge, oh look another brunch that makes 34 that I've counted so far." The mock enthusiasm she pushed into her tone caused Daphne to snort as she levelled an unimpressed glare at her friend.
"Well I was only trying to help." She shot back with a grin as Daphne let her lips twitch upwards.
"I think I got 5 more on the left, Trace." Neville said with a smirk.
"I thought I was counting the ones on the left?" Luna asked looking genuinely confused.
"No little moon, you're counting the middle 10 rows I'm doing the ones on the left." Said Theo.
"No you're doing the left middle 6 rows I'm doing the left left ones." Injected Sirius with a grin.
They each got involved and ended up laughing at the ridiculousness of their statements until the people around them started to glare and ask them to quiet down.
The scream that wrenched the silence from the air caused the crowd to quieten instantly as they stared at the maze in apprehension. When nothing else happened an element of unease seemed to strike the crowd and a restlessness grew. Daphne's eyes flickered over the labyrinth, hoping for some sign of Harry. She could see the aurors and had even glimpsed the Unspeakables as they strolled around the area and kept an eye on the crowd. Killick had said a brief hello before explaining her idea of searching Moody's office while he was monitoring the maze and had disappeared, she hadn't been seen since though they'd all kept an eye of the ex-auror as he'd spoken to the other professors and kept vigil.
Daphne was just starting to become nervous at the lack of movement when a second scream went up, followed a few minutes later by red sparks. She watched with her heart thumping loudly as Moody made his way in and the tightening of her gut didn't feel any better as Killick suddenly rushed past and made her way to Vexmoor who was standing near to the minister.
"What do you think happened?" Tracey asked as her hands clutched at Neville.
None of the answered as Killick and Vexmoor also disappeared into the maze.
Unease rippled through the crowd and murmurs began to get louder as wild suggestions were thrown around.
"I'm sure he'll be fine, darling."
Daphne looked into the hazel eyes of her mother and Aquilla's heart broke a little at the fear present in her daughters gaze and wrapped her in a hug.
"You've done so much with him, little one. He's strong. Have faith." She whispered as she felt her daughters shoulders shake even as she kept her eyes on the maze.
"I'm so scared mum."
Aquilla kissed her head and held her tighter.
The crowd around them suddenly burst into conversation and Daphne pulled away to stretch up on tiptoe to see what had happened, what she saw made her breath pick up and she started to push past people as she caught Vexmoor's desolate gaze as they finally left the maze with an unconscious and levitated Moody as Killick helping Fleur who was limping.
"Where is he? What happened?" She demanded as soon as she'd forced her way past the last of the crowd.
"He's gone."
She stumbled back, face whiter than snow and her breathing picked up as her stomach twisted into knots. She felt an arm around her shoulders and clutched at the hand on her shoulder as Neville stood firm next to her.
"Can we do anything?" She asked desperately.
"Unfortuantly no, we're going to revive this bastard and see what he knows." Killick said with a look of loathing towards the unconscious professor.
"Whats he got to do with it?" Neville asked.
"He attacked us! 'Arry and I were at the cup, but I 'urt and shot up sparks. This man, he comes. Tells 'Arry to take the cup but he refused, he wanted to help me back. This man he tries to take me away but 'Arry is firm. Then he summons the cup towards us! 'Arry jumped in front of me and was immediately away. This man he started to laugh and turn on me raising his wand and starts to say 'cruc' I start to fight but I am tired then these two come." Fleur explained pointing to the Unspeakables.
"We arrived and saw what was happening. Whoever this man is was using dark curses on Miss Delacour so we stunned him and returned here." Vexmoor clarified.
"But you came back for a reason, didn't you?" Daphne asked Killick who nodded but motioned for them all to remain quiet as Fleurs family came up to them and gently pulled their daughter away.
Dumbledore, Bagman, Fudge and several aurors came up to them in baffled bewilderment in fact Fudge could barely speak.
"How…What…Why have you done this to Mad-Eye? He is an auror! You should respect him and-"
"Minister Fudge, how kind of you to show an interest. We do not have all the facts right now but what I can tell you is this is not Mad-Eye, the real Mad-Eye is in the tender care of Madam Pomfrey. If you'll excuse me I need to go and interrogate this one."
"Now wait one moment I'm the one in charge-" He tried to bluster before Sirius made his presence known.
"Fudge my Godson is missing, as of right now the only information we have is that this person is not the real Alastor Moody and I think I would be in my right as Lord Black to demand an immediate interrogation." Sirius said, his Head of House mask firmly on as he stared down at the rotund Minister, his eyes storming as the worry leaked from them.
"Well well yes! Of course, Lord Black. I was just asking them to do it, at once. Go, go at once!" Fudge said quickly.
"Now Sirius I'm sure everything is going to be alright."
"Oh do you Dumbledore! How is that you didn't realise that one of your closest friends was not who he said he was?" Snapped Sirius as he glared at the older wizard.
Just as it was obvious the Headmaster had no defence Luna stopped all conversation as she pointed to the edge of the forest where a gleam of silver was speeding its way over.
"Prongs." Whispered Sirius in awe as the stag galloped towards them and landed in the palm of his hand.
As Harry's voice came, Daphne felt a moment of relief followed quickly by pure fear luckily Vexmoor took complete control of the situation, ignoring a fussing Fudge who was asking nonsense questions.
"Aurors with me, Sangin and Clements you stay here and keep an eye on the students. Sirius and Remus-"
"Try and keep us away." Snarled Remus, his eyes ambering into the colours of his counter-part.
"Excellent, Killick stay here too and get all the information you can out of this thing." She said motioning to the still unconscious 'Moody'
"Dumbledore I think it should be assumed this task is now over, please retrieve the other champions from the maze and gather the judges to explain what has occurred. Do not tell the students what has happened except that the cup has been derailed somewhere and we are going to retrieve the youngest champion."
"What about us?" Daphne asked.
The Unspeakables looked at them and her gaze softened.
"I know you guys are fantastic and you want to help but I ask you to remain here. We don't know quite what we're dealing with and although your training is incredible I can't be in charge of what happens to you personally."
Neville laid a hand on Tracey's arm as she went to argue and simply said.
"We'll let Madam Pomfrey know there might be some damage. Good luck."
The Unspeakables nodded and giving Daphne a hesitant smile, the large group immediately turned and began running towards the fence. Within moments their figures were swallowed in the darkness.
Daphne took a deep breath before turning to face Killick who was glaring down at her prisoner.
"Any idea, who he is?"
"Unfortuantly not. There was nothing in his office that let me know, in fact it was only when I finally managed to open up his trunk I found the real Moody."
"His trunk?"
"Ah yes." Suddenly spoke Dumbledore who had returned from speaking with the rest of the judges." Alastor has this fascinating trunk which opens up 7 different compartments, its quite ingenious."
The others stared at him until he had the good grace to look slightly abashed.
"It is of course quite terrible, I assume he was locked in the final compartment? Yes I thought so, that is where he used to keep the dark witches and wizards he captured during the last war in order to transport them."
"Right well, if you excuse me I am going to try and find something. And Daphne try not to worry, your boyfriend is quite good at getting out of impossible situations remember."
Daphne gave a shaky smile and Killick turned up towards the castle, quickly disappearing with the fake Moody dangling behind her.
"Right we don't know what they're doing. Theo, you and Luna go and tell Madam Pomfrey there might be some more injuries coming in. Maybe ask her if she can get a dark curse specialist in from St Mungo's then go and help Killick." Daphne said shaking off her worry and forcing her brain into power. "Tracey, you're going –"
"Going to stay right here and keep Daphne from exploding from nervous energy." Neville said firmly and held up a hand to stop Daphne from protesting. "I know you're a stron, independent woman but Harry is missing and although you're surviving, he'd kill me if I left you alone." And Daphne had to nod in agreement.
"I'm going to go and use the floo to get Gran to get over here and try to figure out a political angel. Daphne are you going to be okay?" He finally ended with a worried gleam in his eye as he squeezed Daphne's shoulder.
"I'll be fine, Neville and thank you."
He gave a smile and nod and left with the others as Tracey took his place and pulled her over to the nearest seat and plopping down with her. Tracey kept up a steady stream of simple conversation, enough questions that Daphne had something to pay attention to but light talk so that she didn't feel forced. Cyrus, Aquilla and Astoria all stayed close to the two girls, protecting them from the various questions that were thrown at them and keeping Dumbledore and Fudge from speaking to them.
It was a harrowing 40 minutes at which point Daphne had started to pace when she heard a pop. Immediately she spun and propelled herself to Harry's side – pushing Dumbledore out of the way as he lay on the floor gasping. As soon as his eyes connected with hers, they lightened to the emerald fire and he smiled wearily at her, she barely caught his last words before he passed out and she screamed for Madam Pomfrey as she saw the blood over him while casting the diagnostic charms she'd thoroughly researched.
Flashback ended
A low groan snapped her out of her musings and she immediately was at Harry's side as he rolled his head from side to side. Suddenly his eyes snapped open and he sat up sharply clutching at his shoulder. Daphne immediately slid onto the bed and held his face in her hands.
"It's okay, you're okay. You're at Hogwarts, you're okay. Everyone is okay. They made it back. They're okay." She kept up the mantra as his eyes glowed and he lay a hand on hers.
"Are you okay?" He asked, his eyes crinkling in concern and to Daphne's horror she found her eyes stinging even as she tried to nod.
"You…you were gone…we didn't know where or or or what to do."
Harry immediately pulled her to his chest and she held onto him tightly before pulling away.
"What is it?"
"You were gone. Gone for ages! We should have done more training! How could you have been so stupid as to let Moody get the uper hand!"
"I protected Fleur." Harry said evenly, he wanted also to shout and rave at the injustice but he could see the fear and hear the tremble in his girlfriends voice.
"You could have been killed, you idiot! All for some girl! Why Harry why the fuck would you think it was okay!?"
"Because I had to protect her!"
"But why!" She sat in front of him and stared into his eyes. "You could have been gone forever! And you would never see Sirius or me or-"
"Daphne stop!" At the raised voice his grilfriends mouth snapped shut and he sighed, taking her hand in his.
"Daph...I'm sorry. I tried to get out. I tried to get away from Moody but sometimes things are out of my hands, I came back, didn't I?"
She leant forward and wrapped her arms around him. "Don't do it again." She mumbled.
She could feel his smile as he whispered that he wouldn't.
"I'm sorry for yelling."
"Its okay, I love you."
"I love you more."
"Not possible, ice queen."
They stayed wrapped in each other before Daphne pulled away.
"I need to go and get Pomfrey. I'll be right back, okay."
Reluctantly Harry's arms unwound themselves from her and she quickly walked towards the matrons office and knocked on the door.
"Madam Pomfrey? Harry's awake."
"Ah wonderful, wonderful. Let me see the impatient boy. Ah hello Mr Potter and how are we feeling today?"
"Like a truck ran over me Madam P."
"Yes, I imagine that feeling will stay with you for a while I am afraid."
She started to cast some diagnostic charms and checked the salve she'd put on his head and leg.
"You have a slight concussion but nothing too severe so I am confident you can rest, your arm has been dislocated and will probably feel stiff soon so as soon as it does drink this." She said placing a bottle of yellow liquid on his bedside. "Your leg got hit with a nasty curse and it was only because Healer Johnson was here that we managed to stop it from bleeding. Apart from those and severe magical exhaustion which is why I recommended you stay away for casting anything for a few days, you'll be alright."
Madam Pomfrey stepped away from plumping his pillows, looked down at one of her favourites and asked him gently.
"How are you really feeling, Harry?"
Harry smiled back at the genuine worry in the nurse's gaze and he reached over and squeezed her hand.
"I'm alright Poppy, really. A few aches and pains but nothing out of the ordinary, I wouldn't say no to one of your headache drafts either."
The nurse's normal demeanour returned and she nodded briskly.
"Right you, stay still and I'll be right back. No doubt Miss Greengrass can stop you from your usual dash."
As she bustled off Daphne sat on the edge once more and got comfy next to her boyfriend who started to ask questions.
"Yes Sirius and Remus are fine. No some of the aurors didn't make it out alive. Yes Pettigrew is now in custody, your Uncles are having fun with him. No Voldemort fled when the Unspeakables joined the fight. Yes we captured Moody or at least the fake one, the real Moody was being kept prisoner. Yes Fleur is alright." She motioned over to the other two beds that were filled and Harry saw the stream of gold that belonged to Fleur and the reddish brown he assumed was the real Moody.
"Wait a minute, the real Moody?"
"Yes, Killick decided to investigate the office to find something that would give her a reason to be suspicious. She couldn't really find anything of note until she managed to open up his trunk and find the real Moody. He's okay but completely exhausted and malnourished, the imposter had been keeping him alive for Polyjuice Potion."
"Who is the imposter?"
"His name is Barty Crouch Junior." Said a female voice and the two teens looked over to find the whole gang coming through the doors.
"Harry!" Came a high-pitched squeal and two blonde haired blurs launched themselves at him, knocking him back onto the bed. He couldn't help the yelp of pain that came from his shoulder being struck and Astoria and Luna immediately backed up looking apologetic until he waved them forward and they punced again.
"We were worried." Luna whispered and Astoria nodded enthusiastically.
"Well its all okay, and thankfully all over." He said quietly in return.
"Awwww." They all turned to Robins who had her hands clasped over her heart as she watched the scene.
"I ruined the moment, sorry." She said quickly, looking away but the bubble had burst and they all laughed.
"Alright there, mate?" Neville asked coming to stand at the end of the bed as the rest of the group crowded around.
"Been better." Harry returned as Tracey and Theo also looked at him worriedly.
He kept his gaze on his Godfather who rested a hand on his good shoulder, looking him over before nodding and sliding back to sit on the bed next to him.
"You want to tell us what happened, Prongslet? You don't have to if its too soon." Remus said as he sat down next to Sirius as Theo conjured up several more stools for the Unspeakables and Greengrasses.
"Actually I want to tell it all." And so he did. No one interrupted, no one spoke except for a few curse words at the mention of the Dark Lord rising.
"And then you all arrived and I managed to get back here." He finished.
There were a few minutes silence before Vexmoor spoke up.
"You are a remarkable young man. Slightly strange maybe, but quite remarkable."
The comment had Harry blushing a deep red and immediately his friends jumped on it and started to take the mickey, leaving the tense atmosphere to a fun, light one. This was ruined by the entrance of Dumbledore and Fudge as well as Madam Bones
"Ah Harry, good to see you awake. How are you feeling?" The Headmaster asked and Harry was a little surprised to see the blue eyes containing nothing but worry.
"I've been better, sir but alright thank you."
"Excellent, now I know you must be feeling quite exhausted but I am afraid that Minister Fudge has something to say and then Madam Bones really needs to ask some questions."
Harry nodded and looked over at the Minister who stepped forward with his chest pushed forward pompously and announced." Your winnings, Miss Delacour has explained that you did grab the cup first and therefore I wish to congratulate you on your exemplary skills and achievement." He held out a brown bag and Harry took, immediately feeling the weight of the coins inside.
"Thank you, Minister."
He nodded and then Madam Bones stepped forward looking slightly apologetic.
"As your headmaster said, I do need some questions answered if you feel up to it?"
"Of course, ma'am. Ask me anything you want."
"Thankyou."
Just as the Head of the DMLE sat down, Madam Pomfrey swept in with a scowl.
"No no no, my patient is supposed to be resting! The boy has gone through extreme magical exhaustion and had several extreme injuries."
"Poppy, this is necessary." Dumbledore tried to speak but was quickly shut down.
"I know what you think is quite necessary Albus and I don't care! He needs rest!"
Just as it was clear the tirade would continue Harry decided to speak up, hoping to diffuse the situation.
"Poppy, please. I do need to tell Madam Bones what happened."
"And what exactly is so important that you must?"
"Well, Voldemort being back for one thing." Came the reply.
The matron paled and left muttering something about needing a calming draft. Dumbledore sighed in what seemed like resignation. Fudge gasped and immediately began shaking his head furiously. Madam Bones nodded and sat forward.
"Start from the beginning."
"One minute." Dumbledore said. "Is it necessary for all of these young people to be here?" He said looking down at Luna and Astoria but clearly counting Theo, Tracey, Neville and Daphne in the mix.
"They've already heard it, its up to them." Harry replied blandly, feeling a headache start up again and simply wanting it to be over.
"Why don't we all go and find some food." Tracey said catching the look Daphne shot her and the gang plus the Greengrass's said their goodbyes with only a small amount of complaining.
"I think we should go and check on our colleague." Vexmoor said and the Unspeakable's also left with Robins shooting Harry a wink.
Harry shuffled up a little in the bed and took hold of Daphne's hand before she could leave, at the pleading in his eyes she remained seated, running her thumb over his knuckles. Remus and Sirius also refused to budge, meeting Dumbledore's gaze with blank faces as they remained seated on the bed over. Fudge was still gasping as he leaned against Harry's bed and was muttering, "He can't be back, he just can't be. Its not possible." Madam Bones remained where she was looking faintly amused at the emptying of the room and noted the look that the eldest Greengrass gifted everyone.
"Now Harry, please start and I will ask questions at the end."
So Harry retold the entire story, leaving no bits out and ignoring Fudge's mutterings; after it Madam Bones got right into the questioning, going over every detail and double checking her facts, Harry recounted each part patiently no matter how many times she asked and stood firm in his decisions and conclusions. Sirius and Remus then told their stories and what happened and Madam Bones also filled in her part of it. The only part that was truly interrupted was Minister Fudge trying to get Lucius Malfoy out of the possibility that it was him.
"No, no I know Lucius. He is an upstanding member of this society, he has contributed to my campaign I simply cannot believe this!"
"Minister, please calm down!" Sirius said harshly and at once the Ministers mouth was shut. "Now Harry is not a liar and the man has had a lot of history, we must at least investigate him."
While the minister still looked torn, he eventually agreed and after a few more questions left, closely followed by Madam Bones departed and Dumbledore who had gone to speak but was silenced by the simple glare from the three remaining three. After they were left alone, Sirius and Remus both came closer.
"How are you really, Harry?" Remus asked, his eyes still slightly amber and he had a hand on Harry's leg as though he needed proof his nephew was there.
"I'm really okay, tired but we're all okay so how can I not be."
His statement had them all grinning.
"But what about you guys? I mean you were battling a Dark Lord!"
Sirius immediately puffed up and looked awfully smug with himself.
"Managed to get a hit on him when he was distracted by your exit but he left soon after, the Black Magic kept us mostly protected. Poppy says we're not allowed to do any magic for at least today and to stick to simple things but we'll be fine."
Harry's eyes practically sparkled as he looked up at his guardians who were standing alive and well in front of him before something else came to his mind.
"Oh by the way what do you mean about the fake Moody?"
"Ah that's interesting, his real name is Barty Crouch Junior."
"Didn't Neville mention him?" Harry asked Daphne who nodded.
"Yes, you were actually quite close to figuring it out. Apparently during his son's time in prison his mother got sick and her last wish was to rescue her son. Crouch senior polyjuiced her and smuggled his son out and then kept him under imperious for years with only-" Remus was interrupted again.
"Winky! Merlin she even rambled it to us, do you remember?"
"Yes and if we'd all just thought about it a bit more you wouldn't be lying here!" Daphne took a deep breath and turned away slightly to hide the tears she knew where coming to her eyes.
"Hey now, you both had a lot going. Plus Harry is here and he's fine. If you had found out about Moody what would you have been able to do anyway?" Sirius said gently putting an arm around the young woman who nodded unhappily.
"So he was kept under imperious?"
"Yep until he managed to break it and overcome his father. Then he found Riddle…"
"My dream." Harry suddenly gasped. "In the summer, that was Crouch wasn't it?"
"We believe so."
"And that muggle died. Its my fa-"
"Don't even think about it Prongslet! You did not kill him, you did not cast the curse you did not kill anyone, understand?" Sirius said, settling his hands on Harry's shoulders.
"But if I had just-"
"Harry no. You can't think like that. Did you cast the curse?"
"Well, no."
"Did you at least try to figure it out?"
"Well yes."
"And have you or have you not been a little distracted over the last year, what with a tournament and ack stabbing friends and then everything that's happened in the last month?"
"Yeahhh."
"So how exactly is any of it your fault?"
"It…its not." Harry said quietly.
"I know you still feel something but please remember that." Sirius said quietly, knowing that guilt never really left. Harry nodded quickly and Remus quickly changed the subject.
"Crouch found Riddle who told him to impersonate the new DADA professor and make sure you got into the Tournament and into the maze to touch the cup that he had transfigured into a Portkey. Crouch senior freed himself from the imperious after the second task and that's when he was killed. Killick is working on Junior a bit more, trying to find any information on Riddle."
"And I think that's all the information your brain needs for now, I think you need to rest Prongslet."
"I think I can agree to that, Padfoot, as long as Daph is okay to stay too."
"I'm not going anywhere." Daphne said gripping his hand tightly, the fear of maybe losing him still very real to her.
The men smiled at the two who so reminded them of another couple and left.
Harry pulled on Daphne's hand until she eventually climbed onto the bed and lay down next to him, laying her head on his shoulder and putting her hand where she could feel his heart beating.
"I was so scared, Harry."
"I was too but I'm back now. Tell me about what happened, please?"
"Well after you had popped in and fainted, Madam Pomfrey quickly arrived and immediately took over. Luckily Neville had had the foresight to ask Theo to ask her to get a specialist over from Mungos in case the aurors came back with more scraps, and was able to stop your leg from bleeding. What really worried her was your core level she'd never seen anything like it, but Johnson said all you needed was to rest and keep off the magic for a few days and it will return to normal. You'd been back for about 10 minutes when everyone else got back. Sirius and Remus were also exhausted but despite going against Riddle were mostly unharmed. We think its because Remus's werewolf side deflected most of the curses while the Head of Black House ring kept Sirius safe. Madam Bones and the aurors managed to capture several Death Eaters including the ones that were already unconscious when they arrived. Once Riddle realised, you'd gone and his followers were being taken down he apparated away and most followed him. Four aurors have lost their lives and two Death Eaters and Madam Bones was on a war path. She was bleeding heavily when they all got back but insisted on her people having the attention first, then she went to the Ministry to put them into secure cells and to request veritaserum."
Finally stopping Daphne suddenly realised the evenness of his breath and looking up into his face she couldn't stop the smile from spreading at the sleeping visage. She curled a little further into him and also shut her eyes.