Hey guys I am very sorry I kept you waiting over a year for this update, things just haven't been very easy in reality plus I kinda got into a new fandom and it's pretty much all I can focus on. Either way I hope this chapter makes up for that somehow.
This chapter Viktor and Harry prepare for the final task, intimate moments are shared but nothing that goes too far. We also go to Severus and Charlotte having a chat, and check up on a certain enemy here.
I don't own Harry Potter.
Enjoy!
Meadow near Hagrid's hut:
"Harry, are you nervous about the final task?" Viktor and Harry had taken some time away from their classes and had been given permission by Anton to be excused so they could discuss the final task. It was only a few days away, less than that, and every nerve in Harry's body was on edge.
"Terrified to be exact." Harry knew the final task could likely bring the return of Voldemort, and Charlotte hadn't been able to see much in the upcoming bits. She knew it would involve Wormtail and the other death eaters, and a ritual that concerned Harry's blood, but the rest was unclear. It meant that anything could happen to disrupt the process, but whatever it could be was unknown.
"You just have to stay focused, and be close to me."
"We're starting at different points, and it's in a maze what else can we do?" Viktor pulled Harry over to a tree and held him close, feeling how tense he was. Harry had been rather quiet the past day or two, and Viktor knew why.
"We'll make it through, I'm sure we will."
"Maybe, but there's still the possibility that Voldemort might return."
"Then we'll do what we can."
"Oh do you have a plan?" that came out with sarcasm.
"Not yet, but we'll figure something out. He has to have a weakness, we just need to find it."
"It's not that simple." nothing with Voldemort was ever so.
"Perhaps, but we'll do what we must."
"And how do you propose that? The magic my mum Lily was what did him in last time, and he's still alive even without a body! What can we do against a man who knows more about Dark Magic than me or you?"
"Harry…"
"It's not fair though, I know everyone's trying it's just…UGH!" Harry punched a wall, and immediately regretted it when his knuckles started aching terribly.
"Now look what you've done, come here." Viktor pulled him over to a bench and started to examine Harry's hand. "Can you move it?" Harry flexed his fingers, he felt pain but nothing seemed broken.
"Yeah…still hurts."
"You've only bruised it then, but no more hitting walls I don't want anyone thinking you're up to fighting right now."
"I'm not, and I'm sorry it's just so damn frustrating."
"I know, but we have to keep a cool head. Things are beginning to unravel around us, we have to pull it together." Harry sighed and looked out towards the open area. The snow had long since melted away, but the grounds were still nice with newly fresh grown grass. When a breeze blew by it was calming, but it didn't help too much.
"It seems almost hopeless Viktor, what can we do against him?"
"Harry calm down…" Viktor tried to touch him but Harry pulled away.
"Mum can't find much, something's missing and even she can't see or find it."
"Then we'll figure it out somehow, Harry we don't have to rush we have time." Viktor's hand was on Harry's shoulder, he felt the tension building up.
"Not enough time…"
"I know it seems that way, but we can make it through we have so far."
"Dammit Viktor!" Harry yanked himself away. "This isn't a game, it never was! A madman is after me, even after I got away to Paris and I have you…he'll use you to get to me."
"I won't let that happen."
"You say that now, but he has ways he always has ways."
"Harry…"
"NO! Dammit I can't stay quiet anymore! I don't want to participate in this tournament I never did!" Viktor saw Harry had tears in his eyes. "I didn't actually want to compete, but it was a stupid decision I should've let Charlotte stop it!"
"She tried love, she really did it's just someone found a way around it all." Harry didn't know what to think anymore, this was all happening so fast he just didn't understand how. He felt his heart racing in his chest, he could feel his breath restricting in his lungs, but a hand on his back and another holding his hand seemed to help him a little more. "Breathe Harry, breathe. C'mon match mine, in and out, in and out…" Harry tried, and tried again and again, until he finally felt himself relax. Viktor pulled him into his arms and kissed his head.
"I can't take much more of this Viktor, I just can't…"
"Harry…" both boys turned around to see Sirius and Remus coming their way. "You ok pup?" Harry didn't talk, just got up and went straight into his godfather's arms.
"I think we'd best get somewhere more private, classes are about to let out." Remus had the idea, so they managed to sneak away to an empty alcove away from prying eyes.
"Ok pup, what's wrong?" Harry looked away. "C'mon pup I can smell something's upsetting you, some come on and talk to us. It'll help." the boy sighed, he knew Sirius was right and maybe this would help but it wouldn't change anything.
"Sirius I don't want to do this anymore."
"You don't want to be here anymore, or you don't want to compete…?"
"Both, I just…I want this to stop. Coming back here was a huge mistake, I wasn't ready to face everyone and I stupidly let myself get caught up in this tournament. I should've stayed home, mum could've kept me safe but NO I had to go and take a risk!" Sirius took the chance to hug Harry again, trying to calm him and it worked.
"This isn't your fault Harry, none of this is."
"You know when people say that it's usually the other way around in meaning."
"Harry stop it." Viktor used his forceful tone. "Stop blaming yourself, you know this isn't your fault."
"Then who's is it? I was the one who chose to come here, I chose to come back, and I chose to be stupid and let it all happen!" Remus grabbed Harry's arm, gentle but firm.
"No you didn't, Harry this might've happened whether you were here or not. The Dark Lord, Voldemort would've found a way to get you involved. You heard Charlotte he has spies everywhere, this was bound to happen."
"But why? Why to me? What did I do to have all this thrown my way?"
"You know some answers never come, but whatever does we will find it."
"But we can't find ANYTHING! Dammit why's it always me?! Why? First my parents, then my godfather, my relatives, my…my attempted suicide….why is it always so complicated?!" Harry felt the tears falling, and he felt a strong set of arms wrap around and hold him close. The embrace muffled his sobs, and a hand stroking his hair made his nerves relax. He stayed like that for several minutes before finally pulling away, and this time he felt Viktor come up behind him.
"Pup, how long have you been feeling like this?" Sirius was concerned greatly, he didn't realize how much Harry was being affected by everything. Ok he assumed, but damn the kid was stubborn like his father, and his mother.
"A while." he had been, Harry had been stressed out more with the tasks coming around but he didn't want to bother anyone with his problems. Not now at least.
"Why didn't you say something? To us? To Viktor ? Your friends? Charlotte?"
"You've all got enough to worry about, I didn't want to add fuel to the fire."
"Harry…you know you can come to us about anything. We're your family, we love you, and we'll do anything for you." Harry pulled away from his godfather.
"I know, but this is so frustrating. I should've stopped it when the chance came."
"Harry you couldn't have known all of this would happen. Yeah you made a mistake, but the best you can do right now is let us help. We love you." Harry knew they were right, but this didn't make it easier for him. How could he have been so stupid? Why did he let this happen?
"I…I know. I know you guys love me I love you all too, but…can I be alone for a bit? I need to think." The men all nodded, though Viktor was hesitant to leave. He kissed Harry's head and left with Sirius and Remus, promising to meet him later. Harry knew they were only trying to help, and he knew he couldn't just do this on his own…so for now he would clear his head, and then later on meet with Viktor and his friends to practice some dueling before the final task.
Charlotte's private quarters:
After her little chat and catch up with Bill, Charlotte had gone back to her own rooms at Hogwarts to try and mull over what lay ahead for Harry. The task was one thing, but there were others at play; her spell on the Dursleys would lift soon, and then the Ministry would have some words with her. Technically she did kidnap Harry, but the adoption was entirely legal; things in the magical world weren't the same in the muggle, since Harry had pretty much consented on his own to be her son there would be no way of overturning it and if it was, Sirius would get him.
Either way those awful muggles wouldn't get Harry again, and Dumbledore wouldn't be able to do anything. Charlotte had been asked by Ignatius to watch over Harry until the time was right, and now she had him under the family protection. The issues with the Weasleys would be rocky for a while, but at least Harry would be with those he truly cared for. Snape though, well he wasn't going to be close to Harry for some time.
Knock knock knock
'Oh what now?' Charlotte put her book down and opened her door, revealing said potions master.
"Professor, care to enlighten me on this…visit?"
"I would assume you knew I was coming." she gave him a look. "Forgive me, might I come in? I wish to speak with you on…certain matters." he motioned to his right arm, so she let him inside and put up a silencing ward around the room.
"I can sense it's getting stronger, am I correct to assume it's darkened more?" he pulled up his sleeve, and there it was. The tattoo moved and gave a dark aura, it made Charlotte shudder.
"I haven't received word of anything, only that I assume he's close to retaining his power. Your visions, what have you seen?"
"And why should I tell you? Don't start with because Harry's your son."
"That is only part of the reason, but the other is that if anything goes amiss you'll need assistance."
"You mean to tell Dumbledore, no need." she paused. "Anton has already contacted some friends, they know the location, and they are better professionals."
"You are going as well?"
"I will, I made the mistake of letting this happen, and I intend to fix that. I don't know how the Dark Lord keeps himself alive, but I know if we play the cards right his reign will end."
"How is it you care for him? For my son? When you have barely known him his whole life?"
"I care because I have known, for most of my own life. I've been watching over him for years, and the events unfolded sooner than expected but I will protect and love him. He will have trials ahead, but he will live his life as he sees fit."
"And…will he be happy?" Charlotte didn't answer, she turned away and sat in her chair. "I know I have wronged him, and I am angry that a man I've hated since my youth would have raised him should he have lived…"
"Your own crimes will catch up to you one day Snape." Charlotte's eyes turned hard. "It will be the turning point of your life, but whether it turns for the worst or the best, that is up to you."
"What do you mean?"
"I know about your past, more than you think. I know what you did, and I know what it led to, but when the truth comes out…your fate will depend on the path you take. You are conflicted even now, and Harry's life will go one with our without you." he stared at her, angry at her cryptic words but there was an understanding in there.
"I cannot be there, or I will give myself away…"
"I will protect him, count on that." he nodded after a moment, and left her room. Charlotte's vision was cloudy on Snape, but it didn't mean she couldn't see around him.
Severus Snape was a complicated man, he'd made some horrible mistakes in his past, as had everyone else in his time; he tried to repent for them, but he allowed his own anger and bitterness to take over. He tormented children, bullied them, but he never claimed to be a saint nor would he ever be. Somehow Lily had loved him, but she loved James more, but James loved Snape's son as his own and died protecting him. He was remorseful, but only after the light of Harry as his blood son was known. Harry would likely never be close to him, but there was still some hope.
Meanwhile, in Little Hangleton:
Somewhere, in an old, slowly rotting little house…a dark presence, strong but also weak, lingered in the very center of the old manor; the little wizard, once feared by all, sat in an old, dusty chair in front of a small fire glaring at the flames.
"Master…" a weak but deep voice came up behind the chair. His familiar hissed at the newcomer, and they yelped slightly.
"You escaped, I assume our friends kept their word?" the man walked slowly around the chair, letting his master see him.
"T-They did master, it was easy enough."
"Excellent Wormtail, you may be of use yet." the man didn't bother retorting, it was useless. "The boy…?"
"Last I heard master…he's…preparing for the final task. No one can get that close to him without that Krum or even that woman around him."
"Woman?"
"H-His adoptive mother s-sir…she's watching him all the time. Her name is C-Charlotte Prewett…" Prewett, he knew that name of course it was an old family name. He would dwell on it later, his powers were returning, and it was time to reclaim what he lost.
"We will deal with it later, for now make the final preparations."
"But milord…it's too soon…"
"No, it's almost time." he wheezed slightly. "This will be a night to remember, Crouch has done his part, and now…we wait."
"As you wish m-milord…" Wormtail bowed and left quickly, trying hard not to step on the large snake that sat by the door. She slithered up to the chair, and his long bony fingers stroked her head.
"Master…" she hissed at him.
"It's alright Nagini, our time is near."
"The boy…"
"He will be of no concern soon enough, he will not join me, and so he must die." she hissed in agreement. Voldemort had once been bested by the mudblood Lily Potter, but he would not make the same mistake again.
I am sorry it's not much, truth be told I had to go back and re-read the fic several times to pick up on some ideas I had forgotten for this. I'm sorry I made you wait so long, I will try and be better with the updates but I'm still blocked a bit on HP which is why the others haven't been updated either.
Next chapter starts the final task, and it shall end with a cliffhanger I warn you now.
Also, if you do have a problem with this fic in any way kindly take your negativity elsewhere. Nasty words are neither appreciated nor needed, thank you very much.
Sorry it's short, but hey it's something right?
R&R please!
Later!
