Notes: We're in the home stretch

Disclaimer: I don't own either franchises - Harry Potter or Yu-Gi-Oh!

Harry Potter and the Tri-Academy Tournament

Ch. 19: Times Change


"Ready for another shadow game, Potter? Whoever loses this duel will lose their soul!"

"You can't lose what you don't have."

"Excuse me?"

"You already sold your soul to a terrorist intent on cheating death."

Dumbledore spoke up, "If I may, exactly how did you escape prison, young Crouch?"

"I'm so glad you asked."

Harry sighed, "Nice to see he picked up his master's habit of loving the sound of his voice."

Crouch looked annoyed, but continued, "Before my father disowned me and locked me away, I gave my shadow charm, this eyepatch, to my mother for safekeeping. Once I was in prison, she begged my father for a visit. As soon as they arrived, mother gave me my charm. She then declared that she would take my place in prison. With a bit of magic, our appearances were switched, and I was free. She died shortly after that. To honor her memory, father kept me locked away in our house and told no one. I put up with him, until one day I finally heard my master had returned. I knew I must go to him and that he would reward my loyalty. My magic kept father in a daze, and a simple phone call made everyone believe he was simply sick. Almost as if by instinct, I went to the old Riddle mansion. And sure enough, there he was. That was when I told him about the tournament and he began forming a plan. Peter and I ambushed Moody and I took his place. I remembered him well enough to be a good copy. However, father had begun to fight against the magic, and he eventually freed himself. He was tired and weak, but he made his way here to warn Dumbledore. I got to him first. With his death, I finally got even with him for putting me away."

"That's stupid," Harry said.

"What did you say?"

"I said that's stupid. You joined a criminal organization for what purpose exactly?"

"Lord Voldemort promised me power and respect."

"So I guess when someone said that sounds too good to be true you were out of the room at the time. That's why you joined? Because he gave you everything you wanted? All because you hated your father? Well considering that it's obvious that you enjoyed torturing and killing all those people, your dad, whatever his faults, was right to imprison you. And if your mum really loved you, she would've let you rot in there so that maybe you'd learn something."

"How dare you talk about my mother that way?!"

"How dare I?! Considering you work for a man who killed my parents, one of my friends countless other people, and even one of his own followers, if anyone's qualified to criticize your life choices, then I think it's me!"

Crouch growled, "I'm going to make you suffer."

HP: 8000

BCJ: 8000

"I play Pot of Greed. I set a card. I send one Infernity monster from my hand to the graveyard to special summon Infernity Wildcat."

Infernity Wildcat

LV3

Dark

Fiend/Tuner/Effect

1400/0

A large, red cat with fiery forepaws and glowing red eyes leapt onto the field.

"I summon Infernity Bishop."

Infernity Patriarch

LV4

Dark

Fiend/Effect

1000/2000

A man holding a large book now stood on the field.

"I play a spell, Infernity Paranoia. I tribute one Dark monster, in this case my Bishop, to special summon one Infernity monster from my deck or graveyard with the same level, but a different name. I now summon Infernity Daemon."

Infernity Archfiend

LV4

Dark

Fiend/Effect

1800/1200

A blue-skinned demon with long arms and no legs now appeared.

"Since I have no cards in my hand, I banish one Infernity monster from my graveyard to increase the level of Wildcat by 1."

IW: LV3 - LV4

"Now I can Tune my Wildcat with my Daemon to Synchro summon a new monster. The dead and the living...The moment they meet at zero, the demonic dragon will be released from the cage of eternity! Come forth, Infernity Death Dragon!"

Infernity Doom Dragon

LV8

Dark

Dragon/Synchro/Effect

3000/2400

A large, grey, bipedal dragon with a mop of green hair landed on the field. It spread its wings to show off its four arms, with the smaller pair ending in three claws, while the larger pair ended in crab-like claws. It also had four yellow eyes, a horn on its snout, and spikes on the end of its tail.

"I play this continuous spell, Wave of Nihility. If I have no cards in my hand, my Infernity monsters gain 400 attack and defense. I play another Continuous Spell, Infernity Gun. I end my turn."

IDD: 3000/2400 - 3400/2800

"I play a spell, Black Magic Veil. I pay 1000 life points to special summon one Dark Spellcaster from my hand or graveyard. Here comes my faithful companion - Black Magician!"

HP: 7000

Dark Magician

LV7

Dark

Spellcaster/Normal

2500/2100

Harry's signature monster smirked as he held his staff before himself.

"Now I play this spell, The Eye of Timaeus. I can Fusion summon a Black Magician Fusion monster. Let me introduce a new monster - Dragon Magical Knight Black Magician!"

Dark Magician the Magical Knight of Dragons

LV8

Dark

Dragon/Fusion/Effect

2900/2400

Black Magician was now wearing Gaia armor, while riding atop Curse of Dragon, who was also fitted with armor. He had a large lance in each hand.

"I play another spell, Card Flipper. I discard one card to change the battle positions of all your monsters."

The monstrous dragon was forced to the ground.

"I also summon Chocolate Magician Girl."

Chocolate Magician Girl

LV4

Water

Spellcaster/Effect

1600/1000

A young woman with long blue hair appeared. She was dressed similarly to Black Magician Girl.

"I discard one Spellcaster monster to draw one card. Now let's get to business. My knight will attack your dragon. In case you didn't bother reading it, he has piercing damage. Black Double Dragon Lance!"

His dragon flew close to the ground, and the mage struck the demonic dragon with his lance.

BCJ: 7900

"Once per turn, when my knight destroys a monster by battle, I can inflict damage equal to the destroyed monster's original attack."

The mage knight and his dragon circled around and struck Crouch directly.

BCJ: 4900

"Now my Magician Girl attacks directly!"

She smiled as she fired a blast of magic from her wand.

BCJ: 3300

"I end my turn."

"I summon Infernity Pawn."

Infernity Pawn

LV1

Dark

Fiend/Effect

0/0

A dark blue robot with red orbs on its body walked into view.

"I send Infernity Gun to the graveyard to special summon two Infernity monsters from the graveyard. Come back, Infernity Wildcat and Infernity Daemon. Now I'll Tune my three monsters to Dark Synchro summon your worst nightmare! When the curtain of darkness comes down, the eyes of the underworld will open. Swoop down, darkness! Show yourself, One-Hundred Eye Dragon!"

Hundred Eyes Dragon

LV8

Dark

Dragon/Synchro/Effect

3000/2500

A single, large, purple eye appeared in the darkness. It was then followed by several dozen more eyes opening. The darkness cleared away to reveal another massive dragon. It was bipedal, grey and black, and covered in purple eyes all over its body.

"Attack his magic knight. Infinity Sight Stream!"

The dragon fired a purple beam from every eye at the Fusion mage.

HP: 6900

"When my monster is destroyed, I can special summon one Black Magician and one Dragon Knight Gaia from my hand, deck, extra deck, or graveyard."

Gaia the Dragon Champion

LV7

Wind

Dragon/Fusion

2600/2100

The same dragon was back, minus the armor, and Gaia was riding it now, complete with dual wielding lances.

Crouch looked unfazed, "I end my turn."

"I switch my mage and my knight to defense mode and end my turn."

"Didn't get the card you needed, Potter? Trying to goad me into attacking your magician girl? I'm not a fool. Black Magician is the biggest threat. I play this Field Spell, Dark Zone. All Dark monster have their attack increased by 500, and their defense decreased by 400."

The entire playing field seemed to get darker, with the occasional bolt of lightning to illuminate the area.

O-HED: 3000/2500 - 3500/2100

BM: 2500/2100 - 3000/1700

"Attack his mage, my dragon!"

Like before, a burst of lasers fired from its eyes and destroyed the magician.

"I end my turn."

"I set a monster and end my turn."

"Pathetic! Attack his knight."

The eye lasers destroyed the knight and his dragon as well.

"I end my turn."

"I set another monster and end my turn."

"I set a card, and now I'm going to do you a favor. Attack the magician girl, my dragon!"

"When she's targeted for an attack, I can target one Spellcaster monster in my graveyard and special summon it. I choose Black Magician."

The mage appeared from out of nowhere, and wagged his finger at Crouch.

"He becomes your attack target now, but your monster's attack is cut in half."

O-HED: 3500/2100 - 1750/2100

"Oh, and thanks for the boost."

BM: 2500/2100 - 3000/1700

As the dragon lunged at the mage, he held up his staff and blasted the dragon away with a burst of magic.

BCJ: 2050

"You knew that's what would happen, but you did it anyway. Why?"

"Because when my dragon is destroyed and sent to the graveyard, I can add one Earthbound God from my deck to my hand. I end my turn."

"I summon Necro Gardna."

Necro Gardna

LV3

Dark

Warrior/Effect

600/1300

A warrior with white hair and dark red armor crouched on the field.

NG: 600/1300 - 1100/900

"Black Magician, attack him directly!"

"I activate my trap, Strength Enhancement Drug - Super Z. During damage calculation, if I'm about to take 2000 or more battle damage, I first gain 4000 life points."

BCJ: 6050

Harry simply continued, "Black Magic!"

BCJ: 3050

"Your turn to attack him, Chocolate Magician Girl."

BCJ: 1450

"Now it's your turn, Necro Gardna."

"I activate my trap, Sacrifice of Honor. When you declare a direct attack while I have 3000 or less life points, the attack is negated, and then I special summon two Sacrificial Stone-Monument Tokens."

Ceremonial Token

LV1

Earth

Rock/Token

0/0

Two small rock statues now stood on the field. Harry knew what was coming.

"I end my turn."

Barty began to laugh, "Here it is, Potter. My master gave me this card just to make sure I'd kill you. I offer these souls to you! Advent! Earthbound God Ccapac Apu!"

Earthbound Immortal Ccapac Apu

LV10

Dark

Fiend/Effect

3000/2500

EGCA: 3000/2500 - 3500/2100

An enormous humanoid figure erupted from the earth from behind the stadium. It was black with blue lines decorating its body.

"So it was you at the tournament."

"Correct, Potter. I did it to put the fear of their master back into those who denied him. The disloyal who don't deserve forgiveness."

"Spare me you inter-gang politics."

"You always have a quick reply for everything, don't you?"

"Well, one tries."

"Try and dodge this! Your monsters can't touch my Earthbound God! Attack him directly!"

The giant extended its long arm towards Harry, and then slammed its colossal hand right in front of him, send him flying back several feet.

HP: 3400

Harry winced as he picked himself up, and then walked back to where he was standing before.

"Are you done yet?"

Crouch sneered, "A sarcastic remark even in the face of death. I end my turn. Savor life while you can."

"Believe me, I do that all the time. I flip summon my two face-down monsters. First we have Tech Genus Cyber Magician."

T.G. Cyber Magician

LV1

Light

Spellcaster/Tuner/Effect

0/0

The small blue mage now stood on the field.

"I Tune him with my Black Magician to Synchro summon my other ace. Clustering wishes will become a new shining star! Stardust Dragon!"

Stardust Dragon

LV8

Wind

Dragon/Synchro/Effect

2500/2000

Harry's other signature monster appeared in a burst of light.

"What are going to do, glow at me?"

"I'm not done yet. Here's my other monster, Mono Synchron."

Mono Synchron

LV1

Dark

Machine/Tuner/Effect

0/0

A small green and yellow robot with a red number 1 emblazoned on it now took to the field.

"I Tune this one with my Necro Gardna, with Mono's effect treating my Warrior as a Level 1 monster. The power of hope, Formula Synchron!"

Formula Synchron

LV2

Light

Machine/Synchro/Tuner/Effect

200/1500

The racecar robot had reappeared at last.

"I Tune my Formula Synchron with my Stardust Dragon to Synchro summon a new monster. Become the path the light shines upon! Satellite Warrior!"

Satellite Warrior

LV10

Dark

Warrior/Synchro/Effect

2500/2000

A silver and gold robot with four solar panels on its back now descended from the sky.

"What good is that thing if it can't touch my God?"

"When this monster in Synchro Summoned, I can target cards you control up to the number of Synchro monsters in my graveyard, and then destroy them. Dark Zone is now gone. Oh, and so is Wave of Nihility."

The field was now much clearer.

"No Field Spell means no Earthbound God. I guess you and your boss both decided to make the same mistake."

Crouch could only do that odd tongue twitch of his while he watched in horror as his behemoth faded away.

"For every card destroyed by its effect, Satellite Warrior gains 1000 attack."

SW: 2500/2000 - 4500/2000

"Game over, Junior. Satellite Warrior, attack him directly!"

Satellite Warrior hovered high into the air, and then fired what looked like rays of sunlight from its panels.

Crouch could only scream, "NO!"

BCJ: 0

Crouch fell to the ground and began to snicker, "I may have lost, but so have you. I can still set off the explosives."

He pushed the button, but no explosion came. Instead, fireworks were being set off.

Harry crossed his arms, "You were saying?"

Before Crouch could say anything, darkness began to form around him.

"No. No! Not like this!"

A glow formed around him as he screamed in pain.

"Master, forgive me...that I couldn't be of more help."

Just then, the light left his body and he stopped breathing. His empty shell collapsed in a heap on the ground.

Dumbledore sighed, "So ends the line of Crouch."

Harry got down on his knees next to Cedric's body and began to cry. In a flash, the Weasleys had surrounded him. Molly brought him into a hug as he began to sob. The ambulance was finally able to reach the stadium, and the team took Cedric away. His mother and father were right behind them.

"That's my boy!" Amos Diggory wailed, tears flowing down his face.

Ginny looked around at the chaos - Ron comforting Hermione, Cho being surrounded by her and Cedric's friends as she bawled, the security team ushering out the crowd, and now Hagrid was flagging down the medics. He pointed towards the distance, and then came Bill being helped along by Fleur.

"Bill!" Ginny shouted as she ran over to him.

Bill was still bleeding, holding a towel on his face. The medics took him to get treated, asking Fleur to wait back.

She noticed Ginny running up, "He will be fine, but he has deep cuts on his face from that Greyback brute."

"Afraid he'll be keeping some nasty scars on his face," Hagrid said.

Ginny walked back over to Harry, "Mum, we ought to get Harry to the infirmary so he can rest."

"The rest of the team can handle things for now," Arthur said, "We're all going with him."

In a few minutes, Harry was laying in a hospital bed, still silently shedding tears. Ron and Hermione were on one side of his bed, Ginny was on the other. Charlie was the first other Weasley to arrive, followed by Molly. Arthur, Fred, and George arrived after that.

"Sorry we took a while," Arthur said, "We had to inform the police about Bagman's illegal activities."

Percy came in next, "I had to tell the authorities everything I knew about Crouch Senior. I can't believe what he went through."

A few medics then showed up with Bill and Fleur. Bill was placed in another bed, now bandaged up. Fleur sat next to his bed.

"He will be okay?" Arthur asked one of the medics.

The medics nodded and whispered a few things. Arthur thanked them as they left.

"He's going to have big scars across his face?" Molly asked, "How terrible. He was going to be married."

Fleur immediately turned to face her, "What do you mean was?"

"Oh...well...I only thought..."

"So even now you still think I'm a shallow person. I would've actually preferred if you just didn't like that I was French. These scars show how brave Bill is, and he still looks handsome to me. Do you know how many people have tried to flirt with me since I came to your country? None of them cared about me personally. They saw how beautiful I was, and I was nothing to them but a trophy. Bill was different. He was helpful. He never bragged. We actually had real conversations. That's why I love him."

Molly was now crying, "I'm so sorry. I suppose I was just being selfish and judgmental. If I had just talked to you, I would've known your feelings were genuine. We're honored to have someone like you become part of our family."

Fleur was starting to tear up as well, and she and Molly hugged each other. Ginny heard Harry attempt to laugh.

"Harry, are you okay?"

"Isn't it amazing, Ginny, that even through all this, people can still find love?"

"As someone once said, Harry, there's good in this world, and it's worth fighting for. And you just went through an entire marathon."

Harry gave a brief smile, but then went back to his depressed state, "I can't believe he's gone. He tried to protect me."

"You saved him, Harry. Don't forget that."

Just then, Neville and Luna ran in.

"Sorry it took us so long," Luna said.

"I had to let my gran know I was okay. Luna had to talk to her dad. The police asked us if we saw anything. It's a circus."

Harry gave another small smile, "Thanks for coming by."

"What are friends for, Harry?" Luna replied.

Some distance away, Draco and Astoria were heading for the hospital wing.

"Remind me again why I'm doing this?" Draco asked.

"Because unlike all the other cretins in this school, Potter is the closest thing you have to a friend."

"Okay, fine, I'll give you that. Now remind me why I should listen to you at all."

"Because I'm refreshingly honest."

"You win this round."

"I'll win a lot more, believe me."

"You sound confident. How can you be so sure?"

"If I wasn't sure, I wouldn't be confident. I've seen you duel. By the way, when we went to check on your parents, your father seemed nervous."

"Of course he's nervous. He was a Death Eater back in the day. Now that they're back, he's going to panic until they show up at his doorstep. At which point he'll get down on his hands and knees and beg for forgiveness."

They finally reached the hospital. Everyone was surprised.

"What are you doing here?" Ron demanded.

"Just because I don't like Potter, doesn't mean I don't respect him. A tag duel that might kill you does that, I suppose."

"And who is this?" Ginny asked, "She doesn't go here."

"I'll be joining next year. Astoria Greengrass. You've met my older sister."

"Isn't that the girl you wiped the floor with?" Ron asked Hermione.

"Oh yes, she had a good deck, but I got lucky."

"While all games require a bit of luck," Astoria said, "You also have a lot of skill. My sister underestimated you."

Dumbledore walked into the room, a grim look on his face. Ginny stepped back to give him room as he sat at the edge of Harry's bed.

"A fine principal I turned out to be."

"Sir, I don't blame you for what happened."

"It's my duty to look out for all my students, Harry."

"You took precautions, sir. You had security and everything, but you couldn't exactly plan for magic."

"Nevertheless, young Cedric is dead."

"Yeah, but one of his killers is also dead, and the rest are still out there. We can't just sit around and feel sorry for ourselves."

"Harry's right," Ginny added, "We need to take the fight to them and make sure they never enter the Academy again."

Dumbledore smiled, "Your parents would be proud, Harry."

"And so are we," Arthur chimed in.

"You were so brave, Harry," Molly said.

"You took the wind out of old no-nose's sails," Fred joked.

"His big comeback was much less impressive after you made him look like a fool," George added.

Harry was actually starting to cheer up, but that didn't last very long. Fudge shoved his way into the room, McGonagall trying to stop him, and Snape quietly walking in behind them.

"What is the meaning of this, Cornelius?" Dumbledore questioned.

"As if you didn't know! This attention seeking troublemaker is at the center of this debacle. It's on all the news stations now. Do you know how much trouble I'll be in?"

"Exactly how is this Harry's fault?" McGonagall said, "He was attacked!"

"The escaped convicts might be real, and that madman that set up the explosives might have been real, but it was all smoke and mirrors making us believe that Tom Riddle could possibly be alive again."

Harry leapt out of bed, "Are you insane? It was live and on camera. Voldemort is back!"

"Do you know what would happen if people really believed that? Better to have them think it was all part of the show."

Dumbledore's calm demeanor now had a stern look to it, "So you're making Harry a scapegoat?"

"Not entirely, of course. After all, everyone knows there was a breakout."

Harry couldn't believe this, "So you'll accept that the prisoners were here, and one lunatic who faked his death, but not Riddle or Pettigrew? And on top of that, you think I'm somehow connected to this?"

Snape now said something, "The Dark Lord has been reaching out to his followers ever since his first demise. He planned to make a spectacle at the tournament to show everyone that he has returned. Karkaroff hasn't been found, so he's likely gone into hiding. All the members who claimed it was mind control that have been employed by the ministry will now do whatever it takes to put him in power."

Fudge eyed him warily, "And where do you stand, Severus Snape?"

"Severus has his faults, but I trust him with my life, just as I would Minerva or Hagrid."

"I suppose we shall see, Dumbledore."

Fudge threw a check at Harry.

"Your prize money. Don't expect a ceremony. I hope you realize, Albus, that the ministry won't simply stand by after all this. We're going to take matters into our own hands."

Dumbledore sighed, "I have no doubt."

Fudge stormed out. As soon as he left, Hagrid came in.

"I heard everything, Sir. I thought I'd better stay outside since Fudge doesn't like me."

"Does what he said mean what I think it means, Albus?" McGonagall asked.

"Unfortunately, yes."

"What are they talking about?" Ron asked in a whisper.

"It means," Hermione answered, "That the ministry will be interfering with the Academy next year."

"Right you are, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said, "To what extent is yet to be seen, but we must all be ready."

Madame Pomfrey finally came out of her office, "I've had enough of you turning this into a conference room. Mister Potter needs some rest. Oh, and that goes for Mister Weasley as well."

"I quite agree, Poppy. Come along everyone, except for Miss Delacour and Miss Weasley. You wouldn't object to that, would you, Poppy?"

"Well, I suppose not. As long as they're quiet."

Dumbledore exited the room, followed by McGonagall, Snape, Hagrid, and the Weasleys. Draco just looked at Harry and gave him a nod, and then he and Astoria left. Neville and Luna waved as they left.

"See you later, mate," Ron said.

"Try to get some sleep, Harry," Hermione said.

The room was now silent. Bill had fallen asleep. Fleur had also dozed off in the chair next to his bed. Ginny smiled as she looked at the pair. She trusted Bill's judgement, so she never doubted that Fleur really loved him, but it was nice to hear it. It took guts to stand up to their mother. Ginny now looked at Harry. He was alternating between napping and just laying there.

She leaned in close, "Harry, are you awake?"

He said nothing.

"I should let you rest, and this isn't the best time, but...why did you kiss me?"

"Because I wanted to."

"Yes, but why? Why me? You're famous. You could probably have any girl."

He looked at her, "We've known each other for a long time, haven't we?"

"Yes."

"It was awkward for you at first, wasn't it?"

"Absolutely."

"But over time, you opened up and became as good a friend as Ron or Hermione. When they were fighting, you were there to give me advice, or even just hang out. At first, I didn't mind that you were dating other guys. But lately, I started to feel...I don't know, jealous?"

Ginny didn't know what to say.

"You're an amazing woman, Ginny. You're smart, you're tough, you're a great duelist, and you're very beautiful."

Ginny gave him a kiss on the lips. He didn't want it to end, but she cut it short.

"Get some rest, Harry. We'll talk more later."

"It feels like only yesterday that Remus and Tonks confessed their feelings in here. What is it with the hospital wing and falling in love?"

Harry finally seemed to fall asleep, now with a smile on his face. Ginny was blushing as she sat in the nearby chair.

She smiled to herself, "Don't worry, Harry. We'll take on the world together."