Disclaimer is in chapter 1.

Albus Dumbledore stiffened as he felt the wards report a portkey leaving the area, for a moment he didn't believe it.

Who authorized that? He thought, stunned. He hadn't made any portkeys, or authorized any that he could remember. Normally that would mean it was practically impossible for this to have happened, however this year the Ministry had insisted on having the ability to make their own portkeys.

Mindful of Harry's safety more than anything else, Dumbledore had refused initially and finally caved just enough to permit Bartimus to create outgoing portkeys. This one had to have been made by him, but he hadn't mentioned it.

Bartimus had been acting oddly in his final days… Albus frowned under his beard, but set the question firmly aside. For now it didn't matter who, but rather what and why. He rose from his seat and moved closer to the hedge maze.

"Alastor." He called calmly.

Moody stumped up in his direction, coming to a stop close enough so they could speak without being overheard. "What is it, Albus?"

"The wards just registered a portkey, check the maze for Harry if you would."

Moody nodded, turn slightly as his eye swiveled crazily. After a long moment he frowned, "Can't find him. The Diggory boy is missing too."

Albus paled.

The portkey dumped them both on the ground, Harry in a lump and Cedric just barely managing to stay on his knees rather than be sprawled out beside his companion.

"I don't remember anyone say anything about the cup being a portkey, you?" Cedric asked as Harry got up.

Harry shook his head, "No."

"Wands out, you reckon?"

This time Harry nodded grimly, "Yeah."

They both drew their wands, looking carefully around them. They were in a graveyard, of all places, the cooling air of the evening had laid down a light mist, making the place look like something out of a horror film.

Harry shivered. Like my life isn't horrific enough.

They heard a noise and twisted in that direction just as a rasping voice spoke across the headstones.

"Kill the spare."

Harry winced as a flash of pain stabbed through his scar, the image of a ball of green magic searing itself into his brain. He snapped his wand hand up, a spell on his lips as he heard an incantation from across the field.

"Avada Kedavra!"

"Protego Facetus!"

The pyramidal shape of Xander's layered spell surged into being as the green hued spell lashed across the graveyard, firming up just as the killing curse slammed into its side. Harry grunted under the impact, but was shocked to see the facet of titanium do exactly what it had done in their tests against heavy blasting curses. It shattered and slid along the inner Protego shield, redirecting the killing curse along with it.

The spell glanced off, taking shards of titanium with it, and slammed into a headstone a dozen feet behind them in an explosion of destruction.

Cedric gaped at the spell, barely able to believe how close he'd just come to death.

"B… b… bloody hell." He managed to say.

"Snap out of it, Cedric, we don't have time for shock!" Harry growled, drawing his second wand in his off hand, shifting the shield to one side slightly as he fired a Reductor back.

"You stopped a killing curse!" Cedric protested, unbelieving. "That's not even possible!"

"Well we're dead then, and this is heaven." Harry muttered, "Keep a look out for my mum and dad, will ya?"

Cedric crouched down, wand coming up now as instincts kicked in. There hadn't been any return fire, probably because whoever had fired at them was as shocked as he was if he had to guess.

"Someone tried to kill me." Cedric muttered, suddenly frowning, "Who tried to kill me!?"

"Voldemort and Pettigrew," Harry answered tersely, "Do you see them out there?"

Cedric almost went into shock again, "The… d… d… dark lord?"

"Do you see them out there!?"

"N… no." Cedric shook his head clear, peeking around the shield Harry was still holding up.

"Bugger." Harry muttered. "I know I didn't get him with the Reductor."

Cedric stared at the second wand in Harry's hand, "This seems silly, given that you just blocked a killing curse and all, but Wizards can't use two wands at once."

Harry cocked his head and just stared at Cedric for a long moment.

"Right. Sorry." The older boy foundered slightly, completely out of his depth.

International attention, Tri Wizard Tourney, these things he could handle. Death curses from the Dark Lord and boys younger than him who broke the laws of magic were a bit much, quite frankly.

Harry sighed, however, "It's a special wand. I got it from a friend who used it just like this last summer, it's not some boy who lived miracle or anything."

"And the shield?"

"Same friend actually."

Cedric's eyes widened, "That's some friend."

"Yeah, I'm thanking Merlin I met him right about now." Harry admitted, peering around intently. "You still don't see anybody, do you?"

Cedric shook his head, staring about as intently as he could. "No. You think they're gone?"

Harry just snorted.

"That is impossible!" The homunculus hissed at the portly man who was carrying him.

"Yes my Lord," Peter moaned softly, feeling immensely sorry for himself at the moment.

"How did Potter manage it!?" The detestable little creature that was Lord Voldemort demanded.

"I don't know, my Lord." Peter admitted, "What should I do now?"

"Circle around."

Peter nodded miserably, but obediently began to move around the two boys in the distance, keeping his head low and behind the headstones and mausoleums.

"Ok," Harry said after another check, "How do we get out of here?"

"Where's the cup?" Cedric asked, casting about, "Maybe it's a two way portkey?"

Harry frowned, "Would you put a two way spell on a trap?"

"Well… no," Cedric admitted, "Stupid, huh?"

Harry shrugged, "Dunno. Let's check it anyway. Wizards are weird."

"Hey!" Cedric objected.

"Trust me, speaking as a muggle raised," Harry said, "Weird is the polite term."

Cedric shot him a dark look, but found the cup. "There it is."

Harry glanced over at where the cup had fallen, just a few feet away, and nodded. "Alright, we'll move over toward it…"

As he turned, however, he moved the shield off of where it was and Cedric's eyes widened as he looked over Harry's shoulder.

"Harry! Behind…!"

Cedric's warning was cut off by a familiar and hated voice calling out, "Stupefy!"

Harry started to twist around, but was too late as the stunner slipped through the gap in his shield and struck him head on. He crumpled in place, wands falling from his hands as his shield spell faded away.

"Now, Wormtail." That same dark voice Cedric had heard the first time spoke up, "Kill the spare."

Albus Dumbledore was just about ready to panic, or as close as he came. Harry was missing, Cedric was missing, and no one seemed to have the slightest clue as to where they were.

The final task was in chaos, the Ministry officials had finally admitted that something was wrong and stepped in to start pulling down the maze. Hagrid, Moody, and others were helping, but Albus knew that Harry wouldn't be found within.

Fleur had been tortured under the Cruciatus, Viktor Krum was still under an unbroken Imperius. The fact that two of the three unforgivables had been used on Hogwarts grounds sent cold chills down the Headmaster's spine.

He glanced over to where Percy Weasley was snapping out panicked orders to the Auror guards the Ministry had assigned to the tournament. He briefly felt sorry for the boy, knowing that Percy was well out of his depth, but had no time for the sentiment.

He was bustling back to his office when Minister Fudge arrived on the scene and zeroed straight in on his position.

Bugger. The headmaster cursed mentally, I have no time for this.

"Albus! What in Merlin's name is going on? I'm hearing reports of a kidnapping, murder, and god knows what else!"

"There's been no murder, Minister," Albus assured the man.

Not as best I can tell, at least. He thought grimly a moment later before taking a breath, "Misters Diggory and Potter are missing, however."

Fudge paled, "Potter? No… The papers will have a field day, you have to get him back!"

"I'm going to my office right now to…"

"Your office!? Blast it, man! Now is not a time for paperwork! Find him!"

"Minister," Albus forced himself to remain calm, even to smile, "I have materials in my office that will help me track Mister Potter."

"Right… well…" Fudge seemed nonplussed, "Carry on then."

"Thank you Minister."

Albus tipped his head slightly, and then marched back to the castle. Only when he was out of site did he hike his robes up slightly and run for his office.

Once there he closed and secured the door before turning to the knickknacks on his shelves, breathing a sigh of relief.

Harry was alive.

A few more moments, however, left him with some deep worries. Wherever the boy was, there were wards in place to prevent tracking. Albus frowned deeply, knowing he could crack them, but uncertain if he could do so in time.

Ah, Harry. You shave years off my life with every year you spend at Hogwarts, The aging headmaster thought fondly despite the seriousness of the situation, even though deep in the back of his mind the prophecy was whispering over and over to him.

And either must die at the hands of the other, for neither can live while the other survives.

"Avada Kedavra!"

Forewarned this time, and not completely stunned to senselessness, Cedric threw himself out of the way of the incoming spell and tumbled to the ground as the green death passed by.

"Wormtail, you imbecile! You missed!"

"I'm sorry, Master…" The second voice simpered, sounding for all the world like one of the first years Cedric caught out after curfew while on his prefect patrols.

Cedric scrambled to his feet and tried to make it to Harry, only to be forced back when he again heard the dreaded incantation.

"Avada Kedavra!"

He threw himself back as the green death exploded into the ground between him and Harry, showing him with dirt and rocks.

"You fool! Don't kill Potter! I need his blood!"

"Sorry Master."

Well, if they don't want to kill Harry maybe I can use that to my advantage… Cedric thought as he clawed his way along the ground back toward Harry, this time trying to stay low and out of sight. He still couldn't see his attackers, but their voices had given him a good idea of their location, so he moved to keep headstones between them as much as he could.

His heart dropped when he heard an incantation from another direction and a wash of excruciating pain sent him convulsing to the ground.

"Crucio!"

Cedric writhed on the ground as the curse held him in its grip, barely able to think past the level of how much pain there was. When the spell ended he wanted nothing more than to lay there and not move again, ever, but in a flash of lucidity he realized that was just what he was courting.

Groaning, Cedric reached out one aching hand and clawed into the dirt as he dragged himself around. There had to be a way out, but all he could think of was the forlorn hope that the cup was still a portkey.

"Kill him already, Wormtail." The raspy voice hissed from behind him.

Cedric forced himself along the ground by the fractions of inches, it seemed. He could feel the eyes of his attackers on him from behind and just tried to stay lucid and mobile.

"Avada Kedavra!"

Cedric tensed as he heard the first sound of the spell, then threw himself with all his force to one side as it was completed. The killing curse exploded into the ground at his side, again showering him with rock and dirt, but he was still alive. Still breathing.

Behind him he could hear the rasping voice berating the whiner again, but now Cedric wasn't listening. He gathered up all his strength and lunged for the cup.

"You fool, Wormtail, can you do nothing right? Finish him!"

"Yes, master." The second voice said.

Cedric could feel the wand bearing down on him as he skidded across the ground, hands outstretched for the cup. It was the greatest feeling in his entire life when he felt the sharp hook of the portkey yanking him away.

A feeling that was killed by the cold realization that he'd just left Harry behind with two murderers, one of whom was possibly the Dark Lord himself.

I'm sorry, Harry.

Voldemort screamed in fury as the boy vanished, causing Peter to quake in terror.

"What do we do now, Master?"

"We hurry." The Dark Lord hissed, wanting to kill the fool at his side, but knowing that he needed him. "The boy will bring word to the old fool at Hogwarts and he'll be coming after his precious savior."

"We should leave, Master."

"Fool! This is the place." Voldemort snapped, "It must be here. The bones of the father are here, all our preparations are here, and as much as I despise it, my blood runs from here. Gather up the boy."

Wormtail nodded eagerly, happy not to be cursed, and levitated Harry's unconscious body with a flick of his wand.

They had a great deal to do, and time was now running short.

When the portkey speared back through Hogwarts Wards, Albus shot up like a bolt of lightning and rushed out to meet it. Only outgoing portkeys should have worked, yet this one came back. His mind was trying to understand why even as he rushed outside to where a crowd was forming.

An Auror was standing over Cedric Diggory as his father held his head up off the ground.

"He's been hit with a Cruciatus." The Auror, Kingsley Shacklbolt announced grimly.

"Who? Who did this to you, Cedric?" Amos demanded.

Cedric looked up at him, "Harry…"

"Harry Potter Crucioed you?" Amos nearly screamed.

The crowd fell silent with an air of shock.

"No!" Cedric rasped out, grabbing his father, "Not Harry. Harry said… his name was Pettigrew."

"Pettigrew?" Amos repeated, "That name is familiar. Does anyone here know a Pettigrew?"

"He means Peter Pettigrew," A voice said calmly.

"Impossible! He's dead!" Fudge blustered, "And an Order of merlin recipient!"

"Harry met him last year," Xander Harris shrugged, "Black was trying to kill Pettigrew for betraying the Potters. Hogwarts wards identified him as Pettigrew."

"We can worry about that later," Albus said, interrupting. "Cedric, where is Harry?"

Cedric shook his head, "Graveyard… somewhere."

He pointed to the cup, "Portkey."

Albus whipped his wand at the cup, casting quickly, and his eye's widened. "Still active. Interesting, whoever charmed this put a lot of effort into it. I'll have its location in a moment, Kingsley, go gather a team."

The tall black Auror nodded, rushing off.

Moody stomped over, "I'll go now."

"Alistair, you can't…"

"It'll take time to get a team, Albus. I'll go, see if I can buy it for you." Moody said gruffly. "Boy could already be dead…"

"No…" Cedric rasped out, "Stunned. They wanted him alive. I tried to get to him, I swear I did…"

The Hufflepuff shuddered from the effects of the curse.

"Couldn't do it." He rasped out, "Killing curses… so close."

"It's alright, my boy, I know you tried." Amos said, trying to quiet him. "Just hold on, the Mediwitch is coming."

"I'm here." Poppy Pomphrey announced, "Everyone clear back and give the boy some room."

Moody stomped over to the cup, "You've got enough to make another portkey, Albus. I'll go on ahead, make sure the boy lives through this."

Dumbledore swallowed, but nodded. "Very well. Be careful."

Moody snorted, "Constant Vigilance, Albus."

He grabbed the cup and was pulled away as Dumbledore nodded.

"Constant Vigilance, my friend." He said, before getting ready to make another port key of his own.

Harry woke to the sound and sensation of an enervate passing through him, and he blinked slowly as he looked around.

"Wormtail." He hissed, angry to see the traitor again. Especially without his wand in his hand.

Pettigrew didn't look at him, just kept his eyes down and went about what he was doing.

"Welcome back, Potter." A raspy voice attracted Harry's attention, bringing his eyes down to see an ugly infantlike creature below him. "You surprised me today, Harry. How did you block the killing curse yet again?"

Harry looked away, remaining silent.

"Very well, I will learn your secrets, Harry." The dark lord said, sounding almost amiable, charming even, "One way or the other."

"We're almost ready, Master."

"Good, we have to hurry, but make NO mistakes!"

"Yes Master."

The sound of a portkey arriving shocked them both, causing Pettigrew to fumble for his wand. As he brought it up, he recognized the arrival.

"Oh it's you."

Mad Eye Moody stomped into view, causing Harry to hope for a moment, until the battle scarred former Auror knelt before the homunculus of the Dark Lord.

"You shouldn't be here." Voldemort hissed.

"I apologize, My Lord." Moody said, "When the boy came back the Headmaster began preparing a rescue team."

"How much time do I have?"

"Minutes. Fifteen, perhaps twenty. There weren't enough Aurors on hand to mount a credible force, but the Old Man could decide to come ahead of schedule."

"What did the boy say?"

"He said he saw the rat, and that you wanted the boy alive. I think you have time."

"Good." Voldemort hissed, "very good."

"Traitor!" Harry growled.

Moody glanced in his direction, then ignored the boy.

"Why was the portkey a two way charm?" Voldemort hissed.

Moody shook his head, "My father must have better resisted the Imperious than I thought."

"Contrary to the end." The Dark Lord hissed, nodding. "I suppose it isn't a surprise. His son turned out to be my best servant, I suppose that the Father would have qualities of his own."

"My father was a fool and a bastard," Moody growled, "but he was anything but weak of will or magic."

"Very well. Rise, my servant. You will be here to witness my rebirth after all."

"It is an honor, My Lord."

Harry swallowed as the trio turned back to face him.

"Let us begin…" Voldemort hissed."

"Bone of the father, unknowingly given, you will renew your son!"