Chapter 9- Aftermath
Percy Weasley would never forget the sight of seeing Hagrid emerge from the lake, carrying what appeared to be a dead Harry Potter with a hysterical Hermione Granger following close by. Percy's legs moved without thought as he rushed to meet them. "Get me a damn healer!" Percy shouted.
Dumbledore didn't know how he managed to arrive at the judges tent, or how he found himself being attended one of the Durmstrung healers. All he could think of wa show he failed to protect his students. But a burning rage came over him. "Its not my fault." He growled to himself, radiating magic and scaring the other judges. "Where is that little prick Bagman." Dumbledore growled.
Ludo was in chains near the castle, being guarded by two very angry French students. Dumbledore strode towards him, and Bagman knew he was about to have a bad time. Snape was at Albus's side with a bottle in his hand. "Gibe it to him." Albus ordered.
Three forced drops later and Bagman was under the truth serum.
"What is your name?"
"Ludorovic Bagman."
"Why did you add more creatures to the task?"
"To make the task more exciting."
"Why did you make a deal to have the Beauxbatons Champion killed?"
"Making her vanish would be to suspicious. I could have made a ton of gold off her and her sister. The young veela sell for a lot at overseas brothels."
"Who helped you facilitate the deal?"
Bagman went silent, Not able to answer, Severus looked in his mind and found the reason. "His mind has been bewitched to not answer. He physically can't answer." Snape said. Dumbledore growled in frustration before he had Severus administer the antidote. "Amelia Bones is coming to pick you up Bagman. Madam Maxime and the Delacour's are petitioning for you to be extradited to France. And I for one will allow it." He said as he turned and left.
Hermione sat stiffly by her boyfriends bedside. Madam Pomfrey had worked her magic and he was no longer in any danger, but the sight of seeing him impaled with the trident was forever etched into her mind. At that moment, Harry was asleep, the potions and spells doing their work to heal him. The wounds he sustained would leave scars.
She gripped his hand as she sat by his side, hating everything about this tournament. "I think this time is worse." She said. She kissed his sleeping face and she resumed her vigil by his side. Ron entered the hospital wing soon enough with Lavender, carrying several sandwiches and goblets of pumpkin juice. "Bagman was picked up by Madam Bones. Apparently keeping him in the castle was going to be bad for his health." Lavender said. Hermione merely nodded, not even having the energy to be angry that Bagman was to blame for all this.
Ron sat next to Hermione, worry etched on his face. "I hate seeing him like this too." Ron said. Hermione looked over at Ron. "Every damn year, in the hospital wing. And yea, I worry that the next time is going to be the last time. But I have faith in him. Faith he will make it through." Ron said, an arm around his friend.
Lavender frowned as her boyfriend comforted Hermione, but she realized they have been friends for years and it shouldn't be unusual to see them comforting each other.
Ginny stood outside the room, her notes about Ron's behavior in her hand, she looked down at them and looked at her brother being a rock for Hermione while Harry recovers and with a silent "incindio" burned her notes. She didn't care what was going on with Ron, she was just glad he was a good man now.
Draco sat in his common room, staring at the fire. The events of the Second Task playing in his head. Seeing Potter and his friends fighting the merfolk just to save one child. A half breed child at that. He was curious about his rival, about how maybe there was something more to him than just fame and bravado.
"Never thought I would see you lost in thought Malfoy." Came the voice of Tracey Davis. The brown haired girl took a seat near him and observed him. "Yea, I am just reexamining thing." Draco said. Tracey smiled at him. "That's good. You know you have been impressing others here. You don't have to back the Dark right?" She asked. Draco nodded. "Sadly, Father will not approve." He said. Tracey frowned at him sadly. "The time is coming for us to take over from our parents. You don't need to worry about daddy dearest Draco. You need to ask yourself, 'what can I live with' instead." She said. Draco merely nodded. "You have given me much to think about." Draco said.
At the Ministry, things had become quite hectic as there were complaints from concerned parents over how the tasks involved hostages, the merfolk seemingly starting a war, and the news of a ministry employee trying to cause an international incident. Fudge had been reading multiple reports, angry that they all seemed to blame him instead of Dumbledore for this mess.
"How is any of this my damn fault?" Fudge roared as Umbridge brought more reports. "Well, to the public, they don't see you doing anything," She said. Fudge grumbled as he agreed with his Undersecretary. "Release a statement that the unfortunate incident was done by Bagman. We need to distance ourselves from him." Fudge said. Umbridge nodded as she took notes. "Also, bring up severe safety issues at the school. It might make public opinion turn our way if they think the school is dangerous." Fudge continued.
Umbridge smiled as she took her boss's notes. He was good to be guided to a particular path and she hoped she could get him to start legislation on creatures and half breeds. "Let us see if we can blame the veela girl for this. Somehow she spurned Ludo's advances?" Delores suggested. Fudge grinned. "That can work. Get that run to tomorrow's headline." Fudge ordered.
Dumbledore was walking by the lake when Remus came to him, walking with a large black dog. "Ahh, Remus, good that you have returned." Albus smiled. Remus grinned back at him. "Yes, America was great, especially calling on some old contacts." He said. Albus nodded and gave the large dog a few head pats. "When you told me about the second task I grew concerned. I hope you don't mind I added a few security measures." Remus said. He looked over and the four kappa were walking out of the water. "These are some friends, Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael." Remus said introducing the four. The blue one, Leonardo, nodded to Albus. "Remus asked us to keep watch in the task. Mikey here saw the chuul being brought in and we figured we should keep an eye on a few champions." Leonardo said. The orange one, Michelangelo, nodded. "Yea, we totally saw those ugly lobsters getting moved near that hot French chick." He said. "It is good you were here. But I would make myself scarce though. The Ministry has a problem with unregulated magical creatures." Albus said. The four nodded and the red one, Raphael spoke. "Yea, we'll be heading home. Just call us if you need some skulls cracked." He said as they made their way back into the lake.
"Remus, I have a few more jobs for you but your furry companion here can stay with Harry in the hospital wing. I always found having pets by our sides to be good medicine." He said. Remus nodded as he and the black dog walked into the castle. As Albus began walking, he was approached by McGonagall.
"Albus, I just received word from Aberforth. Rita Skeeter is requesting a meeting at the Hog's Head." She said. Albus contemplated this before nodding and heading for Hogsmeade.
Getting to his brother's bar was a quick walk once he apparated outside the castle foundries. He found the old dingy bar near the edge of town and headed inside. As he walked in, he saw Aberforth looking up from his bar and head towards him. "You, stupid, crazy fool!" Aberforth yelled as he pulled Albus into a hug, surprising the headmaster. "You had me worried when I saw you and Hagrid jump into that lake. You need to be more careful you old fool. Your only 117!" Aberforth shouted. Albus smiled as his brother railed on him. "I am fine Abe. Your concern is refreshing. Now I believe I have a Ms. Skeeter to see me?" He asked. Aberforth nodded and pointed to the stairs. "Upstairs. I have a few privacy charms up." He said. Albus nodded as he headed up the stairs.
The room was a bare bones room with a bed and a table. Rita was alone, writing on parchment. Albus knocked in and she jumped as he saw the headmaster enter. "You wished to see me Rita?" Albus asked. Rita nodded. "I got an emergency report. The Ministry is trying to frame this as the French girl's fault. Some kind of weird slut- shaming." Rita said. Albus grimaced. His last meeting with Fudge was uncomfortable with how he is being influenced by Umbridge and her hate campaign. "I can try and educate but the press has always been a problem for me." Albus said.
Rita nodded. "I saw far to much heroism for this to stand. You and your students and the other champions fought the merfolk and Harry Potter almost died. This is not the result of some spurned former beater, this was an organized attack and I want to help expose it." Rita said with a hard look on her face. Albus was surprised by this new development. He knew she was in the lake, remembering the last timeline Ms. Granger said she was in her hair as a water beetle, but he didn't think she was changed from seeing this. "You wish to run a counter story." Albus said plainly. Rita nodded. "I already have it written, I have enough clout to get it published but the Ministry has far to much influence. What I will need is a strong story. Something that can help turn public opinion." Rita said. Albus smirked. "I may have an idea." Albus said.
Hagrid was having a long day. After getting treated by Pompfrey and getting released, Hagrid returned to the lake and started rounding up the chuul. They were large, about eight feet tall, but some quick stunning spells and handling with safety gear, and the colony was removed. Sadly, the merfolk reported that not only could they not find the Midgard Serpent, apparently Bagman brought three. Hagrid grumbled about stupid wizards as he loaded the chuul to be sent back to the tropics. Madam Maxime found him a few hours later as the sun was rising. "Long night?" She asked. Hagrid nodded. "Got a few more beasties to round up but I need some shut eye." Hagrid said. Maxime nodded as she handed him a bottle. "I wesh to tank you for your good work." Maxime said. Hagrid nodded and was blushing hard when she kissed him.
Harry was still asleep when Hermione woke up from her own hospital bed. The matron didn't have the heart to toss her out and brought a bed for her. Hermione walked over and kissed her boyfriend on the cheek. "I miss you baby." She whispered to him. Hermione smiled at him as she went to the washroom.
When she got out, the Prophet was there and the front page was an older photo from the wand weighing ceremony but a strange headline.
Triwizard Champions foil Ministry assassination attempt! By Rita Skeeter
Hermione read the article, which details how Bagman tried to use the tournament to kill Fleur because she spurned his advances. It screwed over the Official Ministry response trying to blame Fleur especially when details of Bagman's associations with sex traffickers and organ harvesters. Hermione laughed when she imagined Fudge blustering at how likely they will believe Rita's story over the Official one.
Dumbledore also had a laugh while reading the paper. Rita showed him her article but he added a few more flourishes. Now he planted the seed in her head. He hoped she would join the Order when the time came. Severus entered his office with a knock. "I have finished delivering potions. You wished to see me?" Snape asked. Albus nodded and indicated he take a seat. "How confident are you in your potions brewing Severus?" Albus asked. Severus snorted at the question. Albus smiled as he pulled out a parchment.
"I have a special project for you. It is an obscure potion I found in an ancient text." Albus explained. He didn't mention he was given this ancient potion by Uriel and it was going to help with his plans on Earth.
"This is a very complicated potion, but I feel I am up for the task." Severus said. Albus smiled. "Good, I expect you to work on it once term ends. You will get a bonus for the work." Albus said. Severus nodded and he stepped out of the office. Once he was gone, Albus pulled out a large crystal, something he had Remus "procure" for him. It was a flawless diamond, one that with the right treatment, could seal the soul of Lord Voldemort.
Severus entered the hospital wing, and saw Hermione still by his bedside. He was slightly annoyed by seeing the girl there. "Ms. Granger, you are needed elsewhere. I shall watch over Mr. Potter." Severus said. Hermione merely nodded as she walked out.
Severus was no fool. Before October, Potter was an average student with lazy tendencies. His hatred for James Potter aside, he knew Harry would not join his N.E.W.T. class. And there is still the matter of Ronald Weasley. He still had a sample of a potion that he graded as Outstanding. Something was up and he was not liking his gut feeling.
When he was sure Ms. Granger was gone, Snape pulled out hos wand and pointed it at the boy. "Legilimens" he muttered and he was in the boy's mind at once.
Memories flowed through Severus, things that could not be explained, things that had not happened yet. He finally found the three in a house, hugging each other as a mob of bloodthirsty cannibals surrounded their home and they drank a poison. After that, they were back in Hogwarts on October.
Severus left his mind and collapsed in a chair, stunned. He didn't notice the headmaster enter and he had a sad look on his face. "Oh Severus I wish you hadn't done that."
AN: I like cliffhangers, don't you? Writing is still very slow, so I am partially glad I wrote the act in one go. But act two might be a while. Especially when other interests get me. I was playing Knights of the Old Republic on my Switch, and subsequently got me to love Star Wars again. Plus, I just tend to take writing breaks to get my creative juices flowing. Writing the summer break stuff is just a slog to me and I hate it.
As for my eyes, my next treatment is July 1st, and hopefully the doctor won't yell at me for running out of insulin cause I can't get a doctor's appointment till the 15th.
I used to recommend books on here and I think I might again. A book I have loved since I was a teenager was Swan Song by Robert McCammon, it's a really good post-apocalyptic story. After World War 3 ends with nuclear fire, the survivors look to recover. In the ruins of New York, a crazed bag lady has found a ring of magic, in a survival compound in Colorado, a young boy is taught how to kill, and in a basement in Nebraska, a young girl discovers she has the power of life. All while the man with the scarlet eye seeks her destruction.
