Chapter 10- The Third Task
Severus was in shock as the headmaster pulled him into one of the spare rooms practically at wand point. "Your curiosity seems to have put us all in a pickle." Albus said. Snape merely glared at the old man. "Nobody was meant to find out about our mission Severus." Albus said conjuring chairs for the two of them.
"I am sure you have questions. And also you want to know what I plan to do to you." Albus said. Severus just stared as he took a seat. "We are here to fix many mistakes. And also to stop a cataclysm from happening." Albus said. He then explained the events of the future. How after Voldemort died, the world started dying and then descended into chaos. After a few hours, Severus had a glass of brandy in his hand to calm his nerves.
"So you see, we have to fix these mistakes. Or else the quest will be for naught." Albus said. Severus finally found his voice. "Is this why you adjusted my teaching methods?" Snape asked. Albus merely nodded. "Honestly, its for the best. I hear several students have gotten better grades due to you being tough but fair." Albus said. Severus merely glared. "In any case, I need to know if I can indeed trust you. Because we are in need of allies and I have a better use for you than being a spy." Albus said. Snape sat in thought.
He knew that he would need to work with Albus on his project. It was a challenge he had been looking for. And the knowledge from the future greatly disturbed him. "You won't use me as a spy anymore?" Snape asked. Albus nodded. "My future knowledge will be useless but I feel we can try and direct the war in our favor. Namely in the tactics I am preparing." Albus said. Snape snorted. "You mean, observe and report?" Snape scoffed. Albus merely smiled at him. "I have no love for the Death Eaters. No, we will be engaging in warfare with them. I have already started the first move with a potion that should become a powerful tool to reduce Tom's numbers." Albus said. Snape knew he would be vague but it seemed Albus could read him. "I don't wish to divulge information until I have something to divulge. It makes no sense to limit intelligence to just me and whoever I see fit." Albus said. Snape accepted his answer.
"Very well. I shall help you. You have not led me astray yet." Snape said. Albus smiled at him and put away his wand. He did not want to memory charm the man. He did though have one last thing to tell Severus. "Oh, invade the mind of a student again, and Voldemort will be the least of your worries." Dumbledore said with a glare. Severus looked at the blaze in his piercing blue eyes and remembered why Voldemort feared the old man. A knock came to the door and Madam Pomfrey stuck her head in. "Professor? Potter is awake."
Hermione was eating lunch when the doors opened to the Great Hall. Hermione looked up and saw Dumbledore walking in, escorted by Harry. Not even thinking, she got up and ran full speed to him. A smile came to Harry as he was tackled to the ground by the Harry seeking missile. The Hall laughed as they saw the scene, one of Harry on the ground being kissed furiously by his girlfriend.
Harry and Hermione walked over to their spot in the table, with Harry's face full of lipstick marks from Hermione. He was slightly dazed and he seemed to be holding his shoulder. But he looked no worse for wear.
"I thought you would be out for a week mate." Ron said as he greeted his friend. Harry smiled slightly. "Pomfrey did a great job with me." He said. He didn't want to mention that he seemed to heal a lot faster than normal. He wondered if that was Uriel's doing but he was glad to be out of the Hospital Wing.
Luna came over and sat next to Hermione, smiling at the recovered Harry Potter. "You seem better Harry Potter. Was the snogging from Hermione helpful and getting the angel dust off of you?" She asked. Harry spat up his pumpkin juice at Luna's question. "Excuse me?" Harry asked.
"Angel Dust. It's the only way you can be up and about so quickly. That or your part god. But I don't think your parents were gods." She said taking a Yorkshire pudding and pouring gravy on it. Harry was sightly worried at how perceptive Luna was. "Oh don't worry Harry Potter. Angel dust is just a myth. Or it's a muggle drug. I keep forgetting." She said and began eating her own lunch.
The next few weeks were consumed by homework, workouts, and spellwork. Dumbledore told them about how Snape found out and Hermione felt guilty about that. Dumbledore explained that it was fine and now they had a new ally on their side.
Ron and Snape took to working in the forge with restless abandon, making chainmail shirts that had spell protection. Harry and Ron took to sparing and were seen regularly with black eyes and bruises. If it wasn't for the fact they were always laughing and joking, people would assume they were bitter enemies.
Snape himself was in a new element. The new standards on him seem to have brought out a highly competent teacher. For once the Slytherins were not his favorite as he took more points from them than any other. Only Malfoy, Greengrass, Davis, Parkinson and Nott seemed to be keeping up in his class that rivaled McGonagall's in difficulty.
"You must cut the roots like this to get a finer chop." He said while demonstrating a way to cut roots with three fingers in front and one in the back. Harry took to it as it was a cooking technique. Snape gained a new appreciation for Harry and his potion techniques.
Sirius and Remus left the castle once Harry was recovered on a mission for Dumbledore. Albus assured Harry he would explain after the third task. Speaking of which.
"A maze!" Fudge said as he guided the Champions to the Quidditch Pitch. Harry, Cedric and Krum had offended looks at seeing the Pitch in such a disarray. "Disrespektful!" Krum said as he saw the bushes. Fudge looked nervous as the male champions glared at him. "Well, this was decided before the tournament, brought in special creatures." Fudge said.
"Any extra suprises?" Cedric growled. Fudge laughed nervously. "Nothing that wasn't already in the plan." He said. Fleur just glared at Fudge, still angry at his failed attempt for registration of half breed creatures. "Well, at the very least the final task will be based on points and seeing as all of you are tied, you will all start together. Whoever reaches the end of the maze and reaches the Triwizard cup wins!" Fudge said trying to be jovial to the angry champions.
The four wandered away together to the edge of the forest. "I say we get through together, show the officials real cooperation!" Cedric said. Harry grinned while secretly planning on saving everyone. "Ow about 'e 'ave a duel in the center?" Fleur suggested. Krum nodded. "May the best champion vin." Viktor said.
A noise came from behind them. All four had wand pointed as Barty Crouch stumbled out and fell into Krum's arms. "Made a mistake…need Dumbledore…something bad is happening…" Crouch mumbled. "We need to get him to the castle." Cedric said. The fo8r nodded and levitated him up as they moved him to the castle. Harry could see Moody walking towards them, but Harry silently cast a tripping jinx on him to slow him down enough for them to get to the castle and to a waiting Filch. "Taking the headmasters example and attacking ministry officials are we?" Filch said with a smile. Harry shook his head. "He needs to see Madam Pomfrey." Harry said. Filch just nodded and opened the door to allow the champions and Mr. Crouch through.
Dumbledore was sitting with Fudge as Crouch was transferred to St. Mungo's for treatment. He was malnourished, exhausted, and suffering effects of the Imperious curse. "So, that's one judge down. Good thing Weatherby agreed to be a pinch judge. Are you sure you won't allow me to use Delores?" Fudge asked. Albus gave him a stare. "You know how I feel about her. And you should do well to be cautious of her." Albus said.
"Oh come now, you must listen to her. She tends to make a lot of sense. Especially about some unsavory elements in our society." Fudge said. Albus had to stop from rolling his eyes. "I have no desire to liten to your undersecretary Cornelius. But rest assured we have adequate coverage now for our judges. You can even be the announcer in lieu of Bagman." Albus said, playing to Fudge's vanity. That earned him a smile from the Minister.
The weeks leading to the final task were grueling. Ron and Hermione were both studying for finals while Harry kept up with his school work and tournament preparations. The other champions joined Harry for the preparations. Fleur and Krum were impressed by the dedication from the English wizards.
"Ve shall show you some Durmstrung spells!" Krum said while demonstrating shadow spells. Fleur demonstrated spells that use magic circles and runes. She demonstrated by using a spell that made the circle then poured energy into it. Her stunner that came out was able to break through Cedric's shield.
Harry was excited by the new spells, he even showed Ron and Hermione later. "Magic circles are usually not made so fast, and combining with runes…. I am surprised she was nice enough not to wipe the floor with you the last timeline." Hermione said.
The day before the task, Harry and the others were summoned to the headmaster's office. He had a somber look on his face as they seated themselves. "Tomorrow is the final task. And the resurrection of Voldemort." Albus said. Harry nodded grimly. "You three have done me proud this year, and I also share the same anxieties you have about Harry going to that graveyard and confronting Tom. But I think now is the time to reveal my plan." Dumbledore said. He pulled out the Elder Wand from his desk and handed it to Harry. Red sparks came out of it and it just felt right in Harry's hand. "You will take that wand and use it as a back up." Albus said. Harry nodded as he put the wand in a backup holster.
"Ronald, Hermione, the screen is going to go black when the champions reach the center of the maze, so when that happens, you two will sneak to Moody's office and rescue the real one from his trunk. I will keep the fake one busy. Crouch put powerful enchantments on his office so be careful." Albus said.
"I just wish we could do something for Harry in the graveyard." Hermione said gripping Harry's hand. Albus nodded. "I may have a means of helping. But I am confidant Harry will prevail. As such, you have two tasks when you are in the graveyard. Kill the snake and bring back Wormtail. If we can get him we can clear Sirius." Albus said.
Harry nodded at the idea. He hoped he could get Sirius cleared. Hermione squeezed his hand as the trio were dismissed. Hermione led Harry to an empty classroom. " I am very scared for you Harry. The second task left me terrified!" Hermione said. Harry pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead. "I am scared to. But I think I am a little more prepared this time around." Harry said. Hermione looked up at him and kissed him, the pair embracing until they needed to return to the tower.
The next day, while finals were being completed, Harry and the other champions were excused for family day. The timeline was different as Amos Diggory was kind to Harry when he entered the chamber. "Sorry about the things said. You were a good lad to help in that lake." Amos said shaking Harry's hand.
Harry smiled at the man, remembering the madness as he joined Umbridge and her Knights of Purity. He regretted having to kill him but the world had gone insane. Harry excused himself and found Molly and Bill there to greet him, along with Remus and Sirius in dog form. "Harry, good to see you dear." Mrs. Weasley said hugging Harry. Harry returned the hug with just as much love as he could muster. He missed the kind lady and seeing her again for what felt like decades was a relief.
Remus hugged Harry as well. "Its good to see you again Harry." He said while the black dog jumped around Harry to the group's amusement. Harry did not miss the looks shared between Fleur and Bill and was hoping things resumed. And also hoped for a better ending for the two than last time.
Harry walked with the group around the grounds, Remus telling stories that were (mostly) true about his friends exploits. At lunch, they gathered in the great hall. Ron was the first to arrive and he saw his mother, he could barely hold himself together. Lavender thought it odd that he looked like he missed her despite seeing her nine months ago. Ron rushed over to Molly and was pulled into a massive hug from his mother. "Oh Ronnie, I missed you to." She smiled.
Hermione joined them later and was pulled into a massive hug from Molly, which left Hermione with tears in her eyes as she remembered seeing her dead body in the ruins of the Burrow. Molly was slightly confused but she was happy the young people were happy and healthy.
Soon it was time, and the champions were called to the maze. Before Harry left, Hermione gave him a deep and passionate kiss that Molly looked away from while talking with Lavender.
The four were brought to a tent to change. Harry was presented with not only the uniform but Snape snuck in a chainmail shirt. Harry smirked as he began changing into the uniform. He was bare chested when he put a shirt on, then the chainmail, then the tournament shirt. Harry turned around and saw an ashen faced McGonagall. "My boy….the thought of you going in that maze…."She said, while seeming like she was debating reaching out to Harry. Harry made the decision for her and hugged his head of house. He could head soft sobs coming from her as she held him.
"Remember Mr. Potter, you are a Gryffindor, so act accordingly. Be brave my cub." She said as she left the tent. Harry had a few ears of his own at her words.
He congregated with the other champions at the maze entrance. Fleur looked nervous, Krum was determined, and Cedric was waving to the cheering crowd. Harry returned the wave as Fudge walked to them. "All right, wands only for this task. No pulling swords out." He said staring at Harry. He merely nodded as Fudge turned to the crowd. "WELCOME TO THE FINAL TASK OF THE TRIWIZARD TOURNAMENT!" Fudge declared in a magically enhanced voice.
"As all the champions are tied, they will all start together and make their way to the maze. First one to reach the Triwizard cup wins overall. Now, the viewscreen!: Fudge said while indicating to the screen. "Terrible traps and dangers await in the maze! Be prepared for the excitement of the final task." Fudge said.
Harry wondered why he wasn't an announcer. He was better at that than as a politician. They all got in position as Fudge fired off a bang from his wand and they all four ran into the maze.
Moody looked through and saw they were all working together. He kept up with his eye and a growl came over him. "Can't have that can we?" He said and he waited for his moment.
The four were in a tight formation, Fleur leading with a Point Me spell, Cedric next to Harry while they observed threats. Krum took the rear. What Harry didn't know was the other three had a discussion about making sure Harry made it through, and maybe stun him to remove him. They liked Harry and didn't want him hurt like at the second task. Harry had a plan of his own and he needed to wait for Moody to try and sabotage the champions.
They all felt cold tto their left in a clearing in the maze and Harry realized it was the boggart dementor. He pointed his wand. "RIDDIKULUS!" He shouted at the cloaked figure, and it turned into a jack in the box that had the four laughing as it disappeared. "You are afraid of dementors?" Krum asked. Harry merely nodded. "Ever since I had a bad experience with one on the train." Harry explained. Fleur and Viktor were going to ask about it later, as they moved away they were soon attacked by blast ended skrewts. Their shells were heavily armored, but Harry remembered their soft underside and fired a stunner at them. Krum followed his lead and took out two of them. Fleur Levitated several of them and they began using them as target practice. The laughter they heard indicated the crowd enjoyed that.
Continuing together, they found themselves fighting through more traps than Harry remembered, but they were not nearly as stupid as the second task. The Sphynx though was a different matter. The riddle was the same and Harry answered for them, and it let them through. They were in the final stretch when they found two armored trolls slamming clubs at them. "Holy shit!" Cedric yelled in surprise. One grabbed Fleur by both of her hands and lifted her up She used her allure and made the stupid creature drop her. Harry then his it with a bludgeoning curse.
The second one was swinging wildly at Cedric and Krum, both men fired loud noise charms to distract it. Cedric got an idea and he swished and flicked his wand, taking the troll's club and bashing it on the head, knocking it out. Harry looked at him funny. "A story I remember from four years ago." Cedric laughed. Suddenly, Krum's eyes glazed over and Harry knew this was his shot. The Bulgarian fired a stunner at Fleur who dodged it. She cried out as he fired a few more cutting curses. "The hell, Krum?" Cedric asked. Krum turned to Cedric and caught him off guard with a stunner. Harry ran forward and tackled the larger boy and punched him several times.
Krum wasn't going to attack him, so it was easy to knock him out. Once that was done, Fleur was the only one standing. "E just attacked us?" She wondered. Harry shook his head. "He looked imperiused." Harry explained. Fleur nodded as she fired up red sparks from both Krum and Cedric's wands. The pair then ran together to the final part of the maze.
They entered the center together and Harry pushed Fleur out of the way as the giant spider arrived. "Damn that thing is freaky." Harry said to himself. He then fired a cutting curse at it, but it seemed to just slice it, rather than harm it significantly.
Outside the maze, the viewscreen went dark as the pair entered the center. Snape walked to Ron and Hermione. "Ms. Granger, Mr. Weasley, the headmaster wishes you to check on something in the Defense office. It shouldn't take long." He said. Molly looked confused but Ron just smiled and nodded.
"All right, we'll be back to see Harry win this." He said. He kissed Lavender on the cheek and the two headed off.
Moody saw the boy and the veela were fighting the spider, and wondered when he should interfere when the magic eye caught Weasley and the mudblood leaving and heading for the castle. Turning his head he wondered what was going on. The boy seemed to be winning against the spider so he decided to find out what was going on.
Fleur hit the ground with water as Harry dove through, freezing the water as he went. The spider followed and slipped and ran into the hedges. Before it could recover, both champions both yelled "STUPEFY!" and knocked out the giant arachnid.
"I never want to see another spider as long as I bloody live." Harry said. Fleur nodded as she helped Harry up. "Are you okay Arry?" She asked. Harry nodded and both faced the cup. "I guess we got to duel for it huh?" Harry said. Fleur nodded sadly. She grew fond of the young man and hoped she wouldn't hurt him to bad. Harry though always had a plan and he had placed a few noise maker jinxes around during the fight with the spider and set them off, disorientating her. Harry then hit her with a surprise stunner and she fell over. He set off red sparks as he took a deep breath and grabbed the cup. Then Harry vanished.
AN: Yea, splitting the chapter, but I wanted to do a bit more without hurting my hand writing. I have a few stupid announcements. First one is I will release the end of act one on Friday. The second is after that I am done with writing this for a while. I am burnt out and exhausted. Its been a shit year and I just can't give to much of a shit about writing. I am not going to stop writing, but I am just going to take a break from this story until I feel like writing. So, I'll talk more about this on Friday.
