Last time on Black and White:

She couldn't help but wonder what James and Ray would have said if they could see their boy now.

"Professor... may I leave now? I have preparations to make for the next task of the tournament."

"You will report to my office no later than 7pm this evening to discuss your attitude, young man." she told him before leaving the common room which was filled with students who were shocked at not only Andrew's attitude, but McGonagall's rage. They turned to the boy in question and all just watched him.

Andrew looked back at the crowd and frowned in annoyance. "What the fuck do you all want?!"


Book 4 – Chapter 31: Where are they now?

"Are you mental?! Do you have a death wish? Why would you challenge McGonagall like that?!" an older student Andrew hadn't met before spoke.

"And you care... why?" Andrew responded lazily before he made to walk to the portrait door.

"Typical Potter, always thinking about yourself." a voice called from somewhere in the back.

Andrew didn't have to turn to know who had just spoken.

"McLaggen, if I had just a few more moments with you, I would've made sure that the only way you could've eaten anything was through a straw. You almost killed me, you pushed me off the landing of the moving staircase and now you have the iron balls to stand their and try to take the high road?" he spoke clearly but coolly.

"I- I don't know what you're-"

"Save it. I'm not going to do anything to you. I just wish I had the memory of caving in your face though. Anyway, if that's the end of idiot hour, I've got shit to do." he said as he walked to the door and pushed it open he spared one last glance at the occupants in the common room and his eyes just seemed to be drawn to another set.

Hazel locked on to Brown and in a single second, a million emotions ran through both; longing, sadness, anger, hurt, acknowledgement just to name a few. For that single second they were connected again, and both wanted nothing more than to run to other and just hold them, but they knew it was too late. Andrew sighed and tore his eyes away, that bridge was burned and going back would mean ignoring how the other person felt about what they had just... discussed. It would mean going back to a reality that no longer fit within their views, it would mean actively forgetting what caused this. It would mean, compromising.

Relationshi- Friendships are nothing more than an excuse for lonely people to feel less lonely.

Andrew walked away from the tower and actively chose to not look back. He checked his watch, he had 5 hours before he had to see McGonagall. He needed to do research on methods to breathe for an hour.

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Su sat in the library, a Runes text on the front in front of her, she had been trying to get a leg up on the next term lessons. The keyword in that sentence being "trying" seeing as she could not stop her mind from wandering lately.

She had thought about many things, but most distracting was her memory of the Yule Ball, and more specifically the end of the Yule Ball. She thought back to that moment more and more, Andrew had been a great date, even though she would admit his occasional glare at Granger's date was a bit frustrating.

They danced, they ate, they spoke and they danced some more. He was clumsy and would trip every now and again, but his goofy smile and joyous laugh had managed to bring a smile to her own face. Just remembering it made the young Ravenclaw smile slightly. Then the end of the night had come, she felt tired, her feet were sore and she just wished to sleep.

Andrew of course escorted her the entire way, unprompted and once they had arrived at the raven engraving, she decided to just go for it and kiss him. And kiss him she did, while she was not experienced in the act, she was certain she was performing the action correctly. Su raised a finger to her bottom lip and rubbed it gently, she remembered the softness of his own lips on hers and feeling the heat radiating from his skin.

Su snapped herself back to reality and looked around to make sure no one would catch her daydreaming. Then she saw her; Hermione Granger, Andrew's best friend. Though if rumours were to be believed, that title would no longer belong to the Gryffindor girl.

Su's thoughts once again began going back to that night, she had been in bed damn near asleep when Cho Chang and Marietta Edgecombe entered the room all a tizzy. They forced the other girls to wake up before sharing what had happened during the time Su had been getting ready for bed, apparently Andrew had gotten into a fist fight with Viktor Krum over Hermione. This was then proceeded with 21 questions directed at Su about how she felt about the boy and whether she thought he was worth her time.

When Su tried digging for more information though, she was met with comments such as:

"I didn't see how it started I just saw the two of them rolling on the ground throwing fists at one another, Cedric had to step in and stop them."

Or

"Su I think you're too hung up on this guy, which I mean I get it, but come on, he was obviously using you to get back at Hermione and she used Krum because she knew the two don't like one another."

Or something else along those lines. Before she knew it, she was the whisper target of Ravenclaw, people assume she had gotten cheated on or that she had been the rebound girl for Andrew. So Su made the executive decision to distance herself from the entire group. She barely saw Harry or Ron and she avoided Hermione and Andrew like the plague.

Then they met on the steps of the Astronomy tower. He invited her and Luna to hang out; Su had been up there informing Luna of her recent decisions and that she would appreciate the blonde's support on it. So when she saw Andrew, her heart began pounding. She just wanted to say screw it all and kiss him again. But she couldn't! She would distance herself until such time she was more informed on what the entire situation was and how it got to that point.

"Hey Su, mind if I join you?"

Blinking Su looked up and had to physically bite her tongue to stop herself from screaming as Hermione stood just in front of her with a warm smile and red eyes. She had been crying recently, why?

"Um, yeah sure. Go ahead." Su said as she gestured to the seat.

"Thanks, I saw you were working on Ruins, and well, I figured why don't we work together, you know?"

"Oh of course, I don't mind." Su said watching Hermione closely. Whatever was bothering her it really hurt her.

The two were silent for about ten minutes, each one reading their own book and working on taking notes. After the seventeenth sniff though, Su had enough. She had to know what was bothering the other girl.

"Hey Hermione?"

"Hmm?"

"Um, listen, I know me and you aren't exactly the... closest of friends, but I still think we're friends right?"

The bushy haired girl smiled at the clunky delivery but nodded nonetheless.

"Well, I couldn't help but notice your... well, you've been crying. I was just wondering if maybe, you wanted to talk about it?"

Hermione seemed to ponder this question for a moment before looking back at Su.

"Are you sure you want to hear about it? It's really long and really kinda dumb."

"I've been told I'm a great listener." Su answered back while thinking of the conversations she's had with Luna.

Hermione smiled gently, Su could feel the appreciation in the small facial movement. "Okay, but can we go somewhere more, private?"

"Kitchens?" Su asked with a small smile.

Hermione immediately nodded with a smile of her own. "Kitchens."

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Later that evening Andrew found his way to McGonagall's office and knocked twice. Once he had taken a seat, he waited to hear what she wanted to discuss with him.

"Mister Potter, I must admit, I find myself deeply disappointed. Your attitude these past few months have been really disrespectful."

"Well, while that may be a fair assessment, I believe it is the appropriate behaviour to have after all I have endured this year."

There was a pause as the Head of House regarded the young man.

"While I understand that this year has been a rather difficult for you, that does not excuse you."

Andrew frowned for a moment.

"'A rather difficult year', professor? I have almost died more times this year than I have in my entire life. I had to fight a Death Eater, got placed in a killing tournament, almost got done in by my house mates and had to fight a Dragon in order to get a stupid magically enchanted egg, which took me the better part of two months to finally solve, not to mention the slander, verbal attacks and general crap I've had to put up with. Now I have to figure out a way to breathe under water for an hour lest I wish to become a snack for the Giant Squid. So no professor, I don't think you understand how difficult this year has been for me."

The Professor sighed sadly and empathised with the boy.

"Then why don't you bring up the issues you've been having with one of your professors?" she asked.

"I don't have the time nor the energy to convince an adult that my life isn't fun at the moment, when they could just open their eyes and see the result themselves." Andrew answered.

"Now that's hardly fair, as professors we are charged with watching and protecting all of you."

"Really? Because Luna Lovegood was being systematically bullied for months, hell I think for a full year even, and not a single teacher did anything about it. I was punished for attacking the student who nearly killed me, when they attempted murder was outed was anything done? No, because to this day McLaggen walks around Gryffindor like he owns it. Don't act like the professors are trying to help us, you make us help ourselves and when we do, you punish us for it."

The Scottish woman didn't really have anything to say to that. It was a massive jab at the faculty as a whole and she had to admit she felt a bit defensive about that.

"I implore you to name one time we have let you 'help yourselves' and ended up punishing you for it."

"Snape's classes."

"Professor Snape, Mister Potter."

"The only time I will call him 'Professor' is when he has earned the title and stops verbally harassing the students."

"Now, now Professor Snape is a professional Potions Master."

"Yeah and a horrible teacher."

"Mister Potter, do not disrespect Professor Snape." she warned in a stern tone.

"Oh sure yeah, I'll just ignore the times he refers to students as Dunderheads, or the times he berates Neville in class and insults him, rather than inform him where he made his mistake and attempt to help him correct it. Or maybe when Malfoy cursed Hermione and caused her teeth to grow to ridiculous lengths before saying that he didn't see any difference. Oh and of course the constant, non stop, continued insults directed at Harry and mines parents, well specifically fathers. Who are currently, dead Ma'am. As we are orphans. I doubt I need to remind you of course, but Snape? Feels like an everyday thing."

"Mister Potter, I believe the Headmaster has informed you of Professor Snape's relationship with your father; James Potter-"

"Honestly, I don't care. James Potter died, October 31st 1981, at the same time or near the same, I suppose, that Lily Potter died, October 31st 1981. And your telling me that after all of these years, Snape still holds a grudge? And that he feels the best way to get his petty revenge is to pick on a pair of orphaned students? Remind me again who is the child in this scenario, Professor McGonagall?"

This back and forth went on for a little bit. Andrew refused to give an inch on his stance. They tackled the not sleeping in Gryffindor tower topic to which Andrew simply informed her;

"Ma'am if my house is supposed to be my family, then Gryffindor tower has been doing a brilliant job of recreating a lot of the same emotions I felt while living with the Dursleys.

Needless to say that approach didn't work either. In the end, Andrew stated that he would prefer to take the extra detentions, loss of points, as well as having his Hogsmeade privileges revoked as he honestly couldn't care less.

Professor McGonagall agreed and finally allowed him to leave. Once her door shut all she could do was remember the energetic and excitable Andrew Potter who first entered her class in his first year, which now felt like an eternity ago, and all she could ask herself was, where had they go wrong and allowed that child to grow up feeling like the only way through life was alone?

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Weeks passed relatively quickly, classes recommenced, Andrew served his detentions with little to no restriction or arguing. Even during Snape's detentions where the man would spend the entire time creatively insult him and making him redo work because he was 'being lazy and doing a worse job than mountain trolls in an arithmancy class'.

Andrew held his tongue through it all.

His lessons with Flitwick continued where the smaller Professor would routinely alternate between teaching Andrew new magic, duelling and meditation.

Harry continued his lessons with Dumbledore as well, when the man had time. They mainly focussed on magic theory though. There were moments when Dumbledore would allow him to practice in an empty classroom. The spells generally consumed a fair bit of his energy but overall Harry could feel his casting time and magical output improve after each lesson.

Hermione and Su Li quickly became fast friends and along with Luna, the three were more than often seen together, either in the Library, or eating lunch together or just hanging out around school grounds. Hermione hadn't spoken to Andrew since the ending of their friendship weeks prior and Su hadn't spoken to him since the last time she saw him on the steps of the Astronomy tower. Luna had run into the boy occasionally and managed to have a nice conversation with him a few times, but he would always have to leave before they could really settle into it.

Draco Malfoy remained to himself mostly, recently he had made a bunch of buttons and sold them to students they would say: "Support Cedric Diggory, the Real Hogwarts Champion." and when you pressed them the words to change to: "Crazy Andy Potty, is not our champion". Needless to say they sold like mad, even the sour ones in Gryffindor purchased some.

Fleur had focussed on her bubble head charm, hoping to get it up to an hour and forty five minutes. Rather be safe than sorry. She had seen Andrew every now and again, walking through the halls but wouldn't call out to him, she missed his company, but realised that whatever demons the teen was facing at this point in his life were only going to be exorcised by him. So she would wait for him to go back to normal before she jinxed him for making her worry as much as she was.

Weeks continued to pass, and routines became fixed. People were back in their Hogwarts flow and when the reminder that the second task of the tournament would be taking place that weekend, the students were more than happy to get a change to their routine once again.

The ones who considered themselves Andrew's friends were getting rather worried as they hadn't heard, seen or spoken to him in months. Though they had "broken up" for a lack of a better term, Hermione still felt anxious. Strong feelings don't just disappear over night, and she really did care about Andrew and his life. She did admit her feelings of fear did also stem from the fact that they had no idea what the task would contain nor how Andrew would tackle it.

The day before the second task announcement for students were called.

Harry, Hermione, Su and Cho were called to the Headmaster's office after supper. The last Ron would see of two of his friends would be when they left the Great Hall that night. The next morning, the entire castle was excited as they were called out to the Black Lake and were astounded at what they saw. Massive stands were placed to allow the audience to watch the action from above.

The Champions were called to get ready. Andrew stretched and pull off his clothes, revealing his swim trunks underneath. He took a few breaths and was about to walk to the starting point when he was suddenly grabbed by a small figure.

"Luna?" He asked with frown. The platinum blonde haired girl seemed to be hyperventilating. Quick short breaths in succession. "Hey, hey, hey what's going on? Are you okay?"

"It's- I don't know where... I've looked- I've looked everywhere but I can't find them..."

Andrew's mind immediately shot back to when he had helped Luna get her belongings back and he sighed in annoyance.

"They took your stuff, again?" he asked with a frown.

"No!" she shouted, shocking the boy. "Hermione... Hermione and Su... I can't- I can't find them anywhere."

Just then, Ron came jogging up. "Hey good luck out there, you haven't happened to Harry and Hermione have you? I can't seem to find them anywhere?"

Andrew's eyes widened before he shut them quickly. No, the organisers wouldn't be that dumb... would-? Of bloody course they would be!

"Harry, are you there?"

"A- Andy?"

"Yeah it's me. Where are you right now, Ron's kinda worried about you?"

"Um... I'm not sure, I just remember going to Dumbledore's office with Hermione and- and Su. He asked our permission to put us in the next task, and we agreed."

"Where are you right now, Harry?" Andrew asked his anger rising.

"I'm not sure... but I feel... wet?"

"God dammit, okay just hang tight, I'm on my way."

Andrew turned back to Ron and Luna.

"Okay, they're fine, I'm going to get them now, they'll be fine. Okay Luna?" he asked as he tried to help the third year calm down slightly. She nodded her head in a jerky manner. Andrew then turned to Ron.

"They're part of the task, it's too long to explain and I should already be up there with the others, do me a favour and get her to Pomfrey for a Calming Draught please?"

Ron nodded. "Yeah, sure no problem, just make sure they're safe. And you stay safe in there too you hear?"

Andrew regarded the red head for a moment before a smile crept it's way on his face.

"Aww, I didn't know you cared, Garfield."

"I just don't want to have to deal with a crying Harry if you die. Now get on!" Ron yelled before he gently led the Ravenclaw to the Medical Tent.

Andrew made his way to the starting point for the champions amidst a cacophony of "Boos!" from the spectators. He simply shot them a grin and waved happily emitting more negative responses from the audience.

"You seem like you are enjoying yourself." Fleur said from his left.

"Never let them see you sweat." he responded before he cheekily blew a kiss out to the crowd.

"Now! Ladies and Gentlemen, the champions will have exactly one hour to find their lost Treasure and return back here to this platform. The one to do it in the fastest time will be awarded the most points and second place will received the second highest and so on and so forth!" Ludo Bagman's voice echoed out to the crowd as he explained the rules of the task.

"Do you zink he is using ze Sonorous charm? Or iz 'is voice just zat loud?" Fleur asked the other champions.

Cedric chuckled. "Three knuts says it's just his normal voice."

"That's a fools bet." Andrew replied with a small smile tugging at his lips.

The other two laughed amongst themselves while Krum didn't seem to move an inch. Not that Andrew cared, he was washing his hands of the Bulgarian. He no longer gave a shit.

"Now then champions, are you ready?!" Ludo yelled happily.

Andrew glanced over at Fleur for a moment and seemed to have a mental debate with himself before he leaned over and whispered in her ear.

"The lost treasure is a person."

"What?"

"Yeah, my brother, Hermione and Su are missing and I have it from a... very reliable source that they're somewhere in this lake."

Fleur seemed to pause for a moment before nodding back to Andrew in thanks. Andrew returned to the gesture. Now that he had paid her back for telling him how to solve the egg, he owed her nothing from this point forward.

"Alright champions, please prepare yourselves. For when that canon sounds, your time will officially start!"

It seemed as though Cedric and Fleur had the same intention as they both applied the bubble head charm, while Andrew did nothing but draw his wand.

"Okay, champions are you ready?! Three! Two! One!"

At the end of countdown the canon blew and Fleur, Cedric and Krum all dived into the depths while Andrew remained on the platform with his eyes closed.

"Oi! Get a move on, Potter!"

"What's wrong, Potter? You too scared to get in the water?"

"What is he doing, praying?!"

The barbs from the audience wouldn't stop, they threw insults, and statements at Andrew as though they would make him back out. But Andrew was remembering something he tried a few days earlier with Professor Flitwick.

"God, I hope this works, Professor. Cause the crowd maybe arseholes, but they're right I can't swim." he muttered quietly to himself before he opened his eyes and pointed his wand at the surface of the lake. And with a deep breath he cast his first spell in the second task of the Tournament.

"Glacius!"


Hello again.

Now I'm aware that this last chapter feels rushed and to be honest, I'm just tryna sleep my dudes, but my brain won't let me until I post these chapters.

In any case, please let me know what you thought!

Until next time,

Peace, Love and Respect

Zak