Chapter 49: The Final Task

When I awoke, I went to breakfast and found Harry looking nervous as he picked at his food, his friends whispering to him as I walked by. "You got to eat, get your strength." "Come on, Harry run through the spells again." I continued on and saw Dumbledore's eyes twinkling as I joined him. "Good morning. It is good to have you back now. Are you excited for the task?" I nodded and began to fill my plate, noticing his tone was slightly off, his eyes not as they normally were. He was hiding something and his letter I could tell as well. But this was not the place to talk about secrets.

After breakfast, I asked him if I could join him in his office, to talk about something, he agreed and I could tell that he would be willing to tell me more once we were alone. I followed him back to his office and let him get settled before asking. "Is there something I should know about Headmaster? Your letter seemed to give that off and you were a bit off this morning as well." he chuckled and nodded, gesturing for me to sit. "I see you are as intuitive as ever. Yes, there are many things on my mind at this time. Plenty are worrisome and others harmless. A few I feel you deserve to know."

I sat and waited, keeping my eyes on him for signs of him being dishonest or something similar. "Phoebe, a concerning thought I had been informed is that your father's followers are getting closer to bringing him back to power. Now these are rumors at most, no solid proof, so I am only mildly worried. However, I felt I should inform you as well, being as it would be world-shattering. I fear for Harry as well, it seems his whole year has been as if someone was leading him about, getting him ready for something with this tournament. I feel as though darker forces are at work, I had hoped he wouldn't be forced to be involved with this matter, but no luck."

He took a pause as my face must have been filled with fear and shock at the mention of my father being able to come back, I had always assumed…I mean…he had died when Lily's love rebounded his curse. When I didn't speak, he continued. "Phoebe, I want you to keep an eye out at the maze tonight. See if you find someone acting a bit off, you are excellent at that, picking up little things. I would like to be as prepared as possible and above everything else, the students, staff and guests need to be safe."

I agreed and left, my mind reeling with thoughts of what would happen if he actually came back…I went down to the lake, sitting on the pier and staring at the black water. My father had learned about her and told my mother to get rid of me. And when she didn't, I got a letter from him, stating that I was either to join him or never let anyone know of our connection, otherwise he would come back and murder me and everyone I loved. That's what was scaring me now…I didn't worry about my own life, I was training for the possibility of him returning and fighting against him, but if he found a way to come back and found out about Sirius, about Dumbledore, about Remus, about Harry, everyone I cared for would be doomed just for knowing he was my father.

I got so caught up in my head that I was scared when I heard the blast, turning to see the maze in the distance. I stood up, feeling so stiff and aching as I made my way to the field, hoping I would be able to help Dumbledore as he asked and still keep Harry safe. By the time I made it to the maze, all the champions were inside and I heard a scream from Fleur, but no red sparks. It was hard to listen for sounds from the maze, listen to what people were saying and watch the crowd for anything that stood out. It seemed like hours and hours went by and I couldn't pick up on anything, everyone seemed to be normal.

All of a sudden, my blood turned to ice and my body froze, my head felt as it was splitting open. I winced, placing my hand to my head, it was intense and I couldn't figure out what was happening. I stepped to the side, away from people as the tears began to fall, I sank to my knees, what was causing this? Were we being attacked? I looked through the tears and everyone seemed to be waiting, so normal and it was just me. I groaned as the pain shifted to my chest, it was as if I was having a heart attack. I closed my eyes, trying to stay calm and not cry out in pain, not wanting to alarm anyone.

The pain ran from my chest down to my forearm and hand, which was gripping my wand so tightly, I felt I may snap it. It was burning, as though invisible fire was licking my skin, I clinched my teeth, trying to stop it, just stop it. Behind my closed eyes, it was dark for a moment, until I saw a flash, it happened so quick, I almost didn't recognize the figure. Wormtail was standing at a large cauldron…but the vision disappeared as I got dizzy and had to lean against the stands. My head was fuzzy, my arm was still burning with pain, my chest aching beyond measure. I closed my eyes, trying to focus on the vision I had seen. It took a minute, but it faded back in, I saw Wormtail again, and a dark shadow of figure on the ground, but couldn't tell who it was.

The vision went dark again as I fell back, unable to focus as the pain ran to every piece of my body. I felt like I was being ripped apart, it was unbearable. I couldn't fight it anymore, I sighed and closed my eyes, ready to die now, whatever it was, as long as the pain stopped…

The scene in front of me sent terror into my bones…I saw Harry tied to a gravestone…I saw the figure walking toward him…the cold hissing voice speaking, "Robe me." the pain had disappeared, now replaced by so many other emotions. I had never seen him before…but here it was, the father that helped create me…I watched as he checked his body over, making sure he was whole again. It was so fast as I was slammed back into my body, feeling drained and aching with pain. I opened my eyes, trying to make sure I wasn't in the graveyard. I forced my body into a sitting position, sweat dripping off of me, my breath coming in pants.

I needed to get to Dumbledore, I needed to tell everyone. I needed to get to Harry, he wasn't going to survive against my father. Part of me hoping it was just a dream, I would wake up and the task wouldn't have started, it would have just been my mind playing tricks on me. However I knew better, this pain, this fear, it wasn't a dream…this is the real world and my father has come back to rule it. I pulled myself to my feet, my legs shaking under the weight, I took a couple steps when I fell again, I was too weak, I could barely move.

I lifted my wand to signal someone to find me, however I heard a voice behind me. "Phoebe?" I shifted my head and saw Sirius under a cloak, his eyes filled with worry as he pulled me to him, away from the people. "S-Siriu-" "Shhh, just hold onto me." he breathed and helped me wrap my arms around him, he snuck off with me in his arms, I wanted to fight, wanted to tell him what was happening…however my body gave out and I passed out.

When I woke up, it was dark and I saw we were just in the forest, right at the edge. "Phoebe? Are you alright? I seen you collapse. What's wrong?" his hands were on my face, checking my temperature and then my pulse. "You're heart is racing, what's happened to you?" I opened my mouth to speak, but the words left me, what could I say? My father had returned, the cause of our best friends' deaths…the reason Sirius was in prison for years. The cause of the whole world almost ending and now was on the verge again. I met his eyes and I started crying again, letting him pull me against him and allowing me to cry.

I felt a sharp stab to the chest as I cried out, grabbing Sirius tight as I shouted, the pain getting worse. Then it was gone, I was not hurting anymore, it was ached. I sucked in air as I loosened my grip on his arm, breathing out deeply. That's when I heard the screaming. I listened hard and could make out a few words, "He's dead! Dead!" I realized that it was students saying that. I got up and started toward the field, it wasn't possible. "Phoebe, wait!" he grabbed me and held me back, I let out a scream into the dark night, "HARRRYYY!"