Harry later found out that they would be told about the third and final task at a later date and for now to focus on his studies. So, that is what Harry did, and his time duelling with Daphne, though his focus was generally in the opposite order. After the second task it seems Harry's reputation had been solidified for the other schools. He had not only controlled lava in the first task, but now he had split Black Lake in half, and it had not taken long for Harry to start hearing mutterings of "the Raven" or "le Corbeau" from the other two schools. Harry had been confused about how suddenly the students knew his nickname until Daphne had told Draco had spread it and the meaning after the second task. Harry was annoyed, but he figured his cousin felt he was helping Harry out so Harry left it alone.

This sudden increase in attention had some drawbacks: first, the constant whispers were quite annoying and it made it hard to spend time alone with Daphne; and secondly it drew attention and confrontation with some of the more egotistical students. The Durmstrang students treated Harry much the same; they had known about his skills, and while rituals were only taken by a small minority of the student body, it was not unheard of and they had seen them used from time to time. The other schools did not appear to have a similar familiarity with it, and was much more shocking. Even the Slytherins seemed quite impressed, even though he knew many of the older families had their own ancestral rituals.

The run-ins with other students trying to prove themselves was beginning to become slightly annoying. He had already faced a couple of Hogwarts students, a Slytherin and Gryffindor oddly enough, and a Beauxbaton student. Harry would normally have just walked away, but he knew he was representing his school, and if he backed down it would reflect badly on it. So, he had met each challenge and beaten his opponents. The Gryffindor was thankfully just a fifth year who was easily beaten. The Slytherin, while being a seventh year, was not overly strong. The boy, one Marcus Flint, seemed especially heartbroken upon being beaten. The Beauxbaton student was a challenge, but luckily enough had tripped on a rock and thus Harry had been able to disarm him. Other challengers had approached him, but they had all been stopped by either professors or from the Hogwarts prefects.

Harry's training had been progressing well, especially with the stress of the tournament diminished. He had completed his required work for the year in several of his subjects, specifically transfiguration, charms, magical theory, arithmancy, and creature studies. His work on potions was still behind, but he was catching up with the help of Daphne. He did notice Professor Snape watching him closely whenever he was in dungeons, unsure if it was because he was dating Daphne, or he was an outsider and therefore had to be watched, or some other reason. But, the man kept his distance so Harry paid it little attention. He was technically done his homework for rituals having finished the book, but the later chapters were still confusing, and Harry could make little of their meaning. When he spoke to Professor Selwyn or Albu they laughed and just wished him luck and suggested the Highmaster. When speaking with said man, he would just tell Harry he needed to find the answer himself. One could not be taught, but only guided.

So, Harry was concentrating on battle magic. He was still working on the Melenchalad, which was exhausting. It was proving more difficult than the Narya iz Anor, which was frustrating. Professor Selwyn had laughed and assured him he was doing fine.

But, the break had to come to an end. On a Friday at the end of May, the champions were all summoned and led down to the quidditch pitch. Where once was a nice green well maintained field, now was a giant wall of hedge.

"As you see this is your final task!" Harry felt as if he was missing something as all he saw was the Hedge. How was that a task? Thankfully Viktor asked the question.

"What is it?"

Bagman's smile faltered for a second, "Surely you can tell?" He looked at their faces, and everyone must be feeling the same as Harry for Bagman continued, "It's a Maze! You will have to enter the maze and reach the Triwizard Cup which will be at the centre. Mr. Potter and Mr. Black will enter, followed by Mr. Krum, then Mr. Diggory, followed by Mr. des Cartes, with Ms. Delacour bringing up the end. Inside the maze you will face many surprises that the different teachers have supplied. Any questions?" Hmm, a race. Well this was not too bad. Just had to prepare all around. "No? Alright let's head up to the castle. There are some people wishing to speak with you." Ah, great more reporters, was all Harry could think. Soon they were led to a room, where upon opening it they found a pleasant surprise.

Harry could see his Aunt, along with others. Harry recognized the Potters and Sirius, and Viktor's parents. The others must be the other's families. Harry quickly walked over to his Aunt and gave her a hug. Bagman told them that they had the afternoon to spend with their families. Harry and his aunt quickly set to leave, but they were caught before they could exit the room.

"Dorea! Wait a moment." Both Dorea and Harry turned to find James with his family and Sirius approaching them. "What do you say we all go to the Three Broomsticks? It would be nice for all of us to speak." Harry turned to his Aunt hoping that she had some way out of this, but knew that unless it was really good declining would just cast suspicion on them. Harry's hopes were crushed.

"Certainly James, why don't we head there." The large group headed out and down to Hogsmeade. Thankfully a carriage was too small for all of them, so Harry and his aunt had space to themselves. "Don't worry dear. To them you are Sirius' nephew. So long that is all we give them. How have things been going?" Harry quickly filled in his aunt, and told her briefly about Daphne. He could tell she wanted to discuss her more, but they had arrived at the village, and she knew that Harry would not speak about her in front of the others.

When the large group arrived at the pub, they were allowed to use a backroom for themselves. Most everyone got an order of butterbeer, except for Sirius who had Firewhiskey and Dorea with her tea.

"So, its nice to meet you, Harold. I don't think we have had the chance to meet, yet?" Lily opened the conversation.

"No ma'am, I do not believe we have. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"We have heard quite a lot about you from Henry here. Seems you're quite gifted. We heard you split the Black Lake in the last task?"

"Ah, yes. I do fairly well in my studies."

"Well? Harry dear, you were top of your grade last year." Dorea couldn't help but brag to the Potters.

"Top of your year? Impressive. What is your favourite subject?"

"Battle Magics. It is sort of like the Defense class here."

"Is that where you got your nickname?" Harry cursed, internally of course. Sirius had heard of Harry's nickname from his time at the school investigating.

"Nickname? I hadn't heard of a nickname." James seemed to become very interested in that fact, Harry briefly wondered why.

"Ya the kids are calling him the Raven!" Sirius was not observant enough to notice Harry glaring at him, or Henry either. Harry thought it was quite strange that the boy was being so quiet, in all of his other interactions the boy seemed much louder. Perhaps it was due to the presence of the boy's parents?

"The Raven, why do they call you that?" Lily once again.

"It comes from a few places I guess, in part due to the family's crest being a raven, and then in part due to my interest in battle magics. Some I guess connected it to an old god of war." That seemed to surprise the older Potters.

"Oh, well. That is, umm, good?" Lily seemed to be struggling with what to say to that, James seemed to withdraw from that, and Sirius seemed impressed. "How are you finding Hogwarts? Do you find the classes comparable?"

"For the most part yes. Some of the requirements are different, like Astronomy is required here, instead of arithmancy at Durmstrang. Also, at Durmstrang we have a magical theory course where we cover most theoretical work for courses like charms and transfiguration which allows those classes to be more practical in focus. Though, I believe, from my discussions with other students, that Hogwarts and Beauxbatons spend more time on theoretical, than we do at Durmstrang."

"A separate class for the theoretical. Would you ever consider switching to Hogwarts?" At this Harry froze, Why would they want to know that? Had they reali- a quick grasp of his hand by Aunt Dorea stopped the worries that had spread through Harry with the comment. She smiled, and answered him.

"No I don't think Harry is interested in doing so. He has quite enjoyed Durmstrang and its teachers are quite excellent." Harry couldn't help himself and added his own comment.

"And, we don't have any stupid houses." This seemed to cause the other males in the room to become defensive.

"Hey Hog-"

"Gryffin-"

"Stup-" A loud cough from Lily seemed to stop all three. Harry had to use his occlumency training to stop from smirking.

"Harold, you do not like the house system? It dates back to Hogwarts' founders you know."

"Hmm… well it seems a very stupid practice to me, and the other Durmstrang students. From the few discussions I have had with the Beauxbatons students, I think they agree as well."

"It allows for the students to be grouped with people who share the same traits as they do. Further, that group then is able to act as one's family at the school. The bonds formed between housemates last well past their time at Hogwarts, so why myself, James, and Sirius were all friends at Hogwarts and look at how that has grown." Harry almost made mention that it had grown to abandoning a child, but restrained himself.

"And, don't forget Quidditch! Its how the quidditch tournament is organised!" Sirius had to add his own input.

"Well, from what I have seen it creates discord and infighting between the different houses. Often people are stereotyped based solely on their house, and it seems that such stereotypes continue long past one's time in school." Here Harry pointedly looked at Sirius, which caused the man to look away. Lily and James both caught it and frowned. "As to quidditch or any other extracurricular you just have students form their own teams. That's how we do it at Durmstrang. And, we play more often and have more teams that way, last year I think there were 7 full teams and a couple partial teams."This seemed to draw in Sirius, James, and Henry. More teams meant more quidditch, and all three liked that idea.

"Also, the whole idea is ridiculous. You are placed when you are eleven, no? So you are telling me that someone doesn't change or grow from the time they are 11 years old? Further, people are defined by more than just one trait. I find it offensive that I am either cunning, loyal, brave, or studious." Harry had started to rant, but thankfully Aunt Dorea gently squeezed his hand again and it seemed like she was going to way in.

"Personally I enjoyed my time at Hogwarts and no issues with the houses," Here the Potters, Harry had started counting Sirius as one, all looked pleased, "but, we did let it define us to the degree that you generation did or Henry's. Why I myself was Slytherin, but my best friend was Gryffindor. She even ended up marrying a Slytherin as well. And, certainly after Hogwarts no one thought about it. I mean can any of you tell me Alastor Moody's house?"

"Well, Gryffindor for sure." Henry, of course fell for the bait.

"Ha, he was Slytherin. Gryffindor, that man was one of the reason's my house won so many house cups during my time." This information seemed to shock the three men once again. Henry looked especially confused.

"But, but he hates dark magic!"

"Hates dark magic? What are you going on about? I personally know that man knows a tome or two of dark magic. He hates criminals, especially murders and such, but he will use any legal spells, light, dark, or grey. I am sure your parents could tell you about him using the unforgivables in the last war. All aurors from then on." Harry thought back to Moody's use of the imperious on the students. He did not doubt it. "Like I said most from my generation did not give one lick about houses, especially after school. Your generations are far too concerned about it."

"But, Slytherins all become Death Eaters!" Henry again, Harry almost decided to curse the idiot. Sirius and James looked to agree, Lily looked conflicted.

"Oh, do tell me the name of the individual who gave up your fidelus again?" Aunt Dorea's question hit the Potter stronger than a bombarda. James scowled and muttered the name under his breath. Aunt Dorea continued as if she heard him, "Ah, yes Peter Pettigrew. Now If I remember correctly he was in Gryffindor, no?" Here James and Sirius just nodded. "Why wasn't Crouch's son convicted as well? He was a Ravenclaw. Death Eaters can come from any of the houses. Further, if you had said that in front of Alastor or Rufus Scrimgeour, they would not be pleased."

Harry had no idea who this Rufus was, nor did it appear to Henry either, "Rufus Scrimgeour? Who is that?"

"My boss." It was James who answered. Harry had to give it to his aunt, which was nicely done. She had used Henry to remind James and Sirius that their prejudice could land them into issues at work, and she reminded them that she knew far more about their lives than they did hers. Or His. Unfortunately such a subtle move was beyond the youngest Potter for he continued with his arguments.

"But they are all purebloods who only care about their blood status!" Harry was able to take this one.

"While many Slytherins are purebloods and come from old families, not all are. Tracey Davis is a half-blood whose father is muggle-born." This seemed to catch Henry, who looked shocked. Seriously he had been going to school with the girl for four years and he knew so little. They even had a small class size, with the number of births dropping until after the first war.

"Well what about Draco? The Malfoys are terrible! He is always calling Hermione a mudblood and other things. Why did he say that Neville should have been abandoned by his family for being a squib!" Suddenly the adults all sat straighter, and Dorea tried to grab Harry's hand, but he pulled it away.

"Oh how is that different from your family!" Henry looked shocked, his parents looked both scared and defensive, but Harry pushed on with his anger, "Where is your brother? What happened to the squib twin of the Boy-Who-Lived? Have you seen him in years? Have you written to him? Do not talk of Draco and his family when yours is just as bad. Worse really, at least Draco does not pretend to be something that he is not. Hypocrites!" With that Harry stormed out of the building. He had not realised fully what he had done and said until he was several shops down from the pub. He slowed and stopped. Merlin, if they realised, if they connected his anger… shit, he needed to talk with Aunt Dorea, but she was still there. He hid around one of the buildings and kept an eye on the Three Broomsticks. He saw the Potters come out. Henry was glaring at his parents and Sirius was bringing up the rear. He saw them head back towards the carriages and castle. A minute later his aunt came out. He almost ran up to her like he was a boy of eight again.

She was not pleased, her frown in her eyes showed that, but as soon as Harry was near she grabbed and hugged him. "Oh, child. Don't worry it is fine. I told them that I told you when I went through our family's history. They were too busy fending off Henry's questions to think too much about your anger. I don't think the boy knew." Harry gave her a sharp look. "Remember Harry you were only a year when you left their house. If the Dur-, if they had not treated you the way they did, and I had not found you, would you remember him, or them?" Harry had to shake his head. "So, I think they will be far too busy dealing with his questions to give us much thought." That seemed to quell Harry's concerns, but the ride back to the castle was a quiet one.