Chapter 15

The Quidditch match that followed the dueling matches was already the stuff of legends. No one had expected the spectacular performance of Harry Potter, and while his loss to Krum for the snitch was certainly not a surprise, he certainly proved himself extremely capable on a broom. With the help of Oliver Wood the team had a two pronged strategy. One part was to disrupt Krum at every possible turn. Their goal was not to beat the best in the world, but like the Irish their plan was to delay him as long as possible, and Harry did just that. He drew half a dozen foul shots, and nearly got a technical twice for roughing the opposing seeker, but Oliver saved 5 out of 6 foul shots, and the chasers led by Justin Potter had scored close to two hundred and fifty points in just over an hour. The final score was Hogwarts 240, Durmstrang 220. Krum had once again been outscored to win the match, much to the man's obvious ire. Harry had to give it to the chasers and Oliver Wood, the team had played the game of their lives.

The party thrown that night deserved its own chapter in Hogwarts a History, because it showed all four houses coming together and celebrating the great victory. The fireworks that had come from Hogsmeade throughout the evening seemed to show even the Alumni of Hogwarts that had attended the matches were thrilled to see their school on top of the world. It certainly seemed with the Potter boys' help they were going to sweep the competition in dueling, quidditch, and the tournament itself.

It was a cold day in early December when Harry and Justin were finishing their training on the grounds. Despite nearly a foot of snow, the two brothers had paved out an area to train in, and pushed each other as much as possible regardless of the ugly weather.

At the end of their training, Harry was feeling great and took a deep breath of fresh air. He threw his arm around his brother happily, "This summer I am going to enter you into the under 17 dueling circuit. I was your age when I started, and I suspect you will hold your own. If not, then someone is going to get that ego of yours in check."

Justin grinned cheekily at the boy, "It's not discouraging losing to you, and after taking down Krum I just feel invincible."

Harry nodded in understanding, "Well, you are a long way from being so. Keep your head on straight or Volkoff is going to take your head off. Some of those curses she was firing at my head might've seen me in Saint Mungos. I'm surprised Maxime didn't stop her a few times."

"Maybe she was hoping that Durmstrang would take you out so they would have a chance at winning. I've seen Aimee and Fleur duel, and they are definitely not slouches. You may actually have to try against either of them." Justin said wisely.

"I would never underestimate an opponent. My master would have me flogged in the streets." Harry said with a slip of the tongue. Immediately he chastised himself for calling the man his master. It was likely the first time he had referred to Gellert as anything but mentor or teacher to his family, but if his brother noticed his slip up then he didn't comment on it.

"I think it will be a lot of fun entering the circuit. Is that what you are going to do when you graduate? Travel the world and beat down on adults everywhere? I know you enjoy making them cry." Justin inquired, interested in his brother's future plans.

Harry thought on this, "I've been told it was once a right of passage for powerful wizards to travel the world and increase their knowledge and understanding of magic. I think I'll do that first. It also partly depends on the state of things with Voldemort. If he continues to make moves, then I'l pursue masteries with things I've invented, and prepare for the coming conflict. That would mean I'd be preparing you to help protect our family full time as well. This won't be like the last war though. When things come to a head, victory or defeat will be decided quickly. We'll throw everything we have at the man until we have buried the bastard for good, and when it's finally done, only then I will be able do as I please."

"Perhaps it won't be your job to finish off Voldemort, Harry." Justin said quietly.

Harry shrugged, "Doesn't really matter whose job it is. He killed members of our family, and I intend to see the man destroyed. If I had it my way I would erase his existence in the Wizarding World, and defeat him in such a way no one would ever fear the stupid name again."

Justin stopped at his brother's words, and looked at him with fear written all over his face, "He marked me, Harry. He is going to come after me if he ever returns to full power. I think our adventures over the years have proved that he wants me desperately."

Harry frowned, wondering if his brother had finally realized his supposed destiny, "Don't concern yourself with the plots of a dead man, Justin."

"His Death Eaters are planning something big. All of this has to lead to something. The fight for the stone, the opening of the Chamber, Pettigrew coming after me, and now our names coming out of the Goblet. He may be less than a man right now, but, Harry, tell me this doesn't all reek of something terrible."

The older brother said nothing for several moments, and Justin took a deep breath, "There's something you should know. Something I don't think mum or dad ever told you."

Harry turned to face his brother curiously with a pit of dread building in his stomach, "What is it?"

The boy took a deep breath, "When I was born there was a prophecy. It was part of the reason our family went into hiding. It says that Voldemort marked me as his equal...that neither can live while the other survives. When Voldemort disappeared the first time they thought the prophecy would be complete, but the light is still lit in the ball. It means it's not over, and Voldemort will undoubtedly come back to finish what he started."

Harry froze. He never knew they'd told Justin the contents of the prophecy. H'd suspected that they told him something, and he himself never knew the actual words. Grindelwald had told him the night they met about such a prophecy, but neither the master nor apprentice knew the exact words.

Taking a deep breath, Harry put a hand on his brother's shoulder, "I've known there was a prophecy for many years but I didn't know the wording. I can promise you this. As long as there is breath left in my body Voldemort will not take any more from our family. I can also promise that I will teach you every bit of magic I can think of to ensure you are prepared to face the man, and if I have any say in it I will be right beside you. That bastard killed our grandmother, and if he returns, then prophecy or not, I will race you to take the monster's head."

Justin surged forward to embrace his brother, and Harrypatted the boy gently on the back as he returned the hug. His shoulders were shaking after a moment, and Harry put his hand on the back of the boy's head, "Nothing is going to happen to you, Justin. I won't see all the time I put into your training wasted. I'll have you taking down dad's Marauders in another year or two, so just hang in there with me. Voldemort won't know what hit him"

The boy sniffled a few times and separated from his brother, "Sorry about that."

"It's okay, kid, I know you're an emotional creature." Harry joked gently.

This made a smile reappear slowly on the boy's previously solemn face, "Shut up, Harry."

"Monsieur Potter?" A soft voice called out from behind.

Both brothers turned quickly to see a pink-faced Fleur Delacour. Harry frowned, wondering just how long the girl had been in the area, but she spoke before he could make accusations, "I hope I am not interrupting?"

Before Harry could answer Justin replied, "Not at all. Good training Harry. If I don't see you around today I will see you tomorrow morning?"

Nodding in agreement, the young man bumped knuckles with his brother, "For sure, buddy. See you later."

AfterJustin left it brought an awkward silence for a few moments. This was not a usual problem for him, as most people were quick to state their business as to not to test his patience, but Fleur seemed content to just stand there and let the silence stretch. He grasped at straws for something to say, but before it could become unbearable, Harry offered his arm, "Would you like to take a walk, Fleur?"

The girl nodded, giving him a light smile, "Only if you wouldn't mind using that warming charm on me again. English weather is more annoying than I had originally suspected."

The young man offered her a smile, and when she took his arm he placed his hand on hers, wandlessly casting the charm, "A witch of your talent? I am surprised you have not learned it yet with how awful our weather is around this time of year."

The girl gave him a soft smile, "I have learned the charm. When I cast it on others it seems to work fine, but when I use it on myself I tend to overdo it. I am unsure if it is the nature of my heritage or if it is in my own head."

"Well, I am happy to cast it for you anytime. Perhaps it will just take some more experience with the spell." Harry said kindly.

The girl hummed in agreement and the two walked the wintery grounds in silence. After a more comfortable silence she spoke again, "I think you have terrified the witches and wizards in my school."

"Great power has often struck fear into even the bravest witches and wizards." Harry returned evenly.

"Oui, this is true. Even I have to admit I would not want to be on the other side of any of the magic you used in the first task. I have seen my fathers memory. He was most impressed by your display, and it was obvious that you held back in the dueling challenge. Even against the other champion who had decimated her way through the Hogwarts opposition." Fleur said with a tone of interest.

"I had watched the Durmstrang duelists, and I admit Ms Volkoff was good for her age, but I believe my brother can beat her. I have arranged for them to face each other after the holidays to find out. She will be a good match for him. I look forward to watching Beauxbatons first round next month as well. I have seen Aimee and yourself duel around in the courtyards and perhaps you will be enough to defeat my brother." Harry said carefully.

"But not you?" Fleur asked quietly.

The young man chuckled, "I hope you don't think me too arrogant. I think you are quite the witch Fleur. The way you had been beaten at the World Cup, but still managed to get back to your wand and take two men down was inspiring. I knew then and there you were more than a pretty face." He paused briefly after giving his compliment before continuing, "However, I was trained to a different level of magical ability. One does not raise to my level of skill without a magical stain, one which I would have recognized in any of you if I had seen it. Even my brother for all his talent and hard work does not have such a mark, but perhaps in the coming years he will have it forced upon him. I hope to prevent him from doing such a thing, but only time will tell."

"This magical mark… tell me about it? I wish to understand." Fleur asked curiously.

Harry sighed, "Everyone has a breaking point in terms of magic, and magical endurance. In times of strife you will sometimes reach dangerously close to those points to survive. To do it once won't leave a mark, not even two, three, or four times. When you break your limits and push the boundaries of what you are possibly capable of dozens of times though, then that will leave a mark on your magic"

"And you have such a mark?"

"I do." Harry answered easily.

"If it came from anyone else I would scoff at their arrogance, but after watching you over the last month I think I will agree. You must have had one incredible teacher to cause such a stain as you call it."

This made him smile, "Yes, that is what everyone keeps saying, and incredible is the correct word. I do not wish to speak of him though. I would much rather speak of us."

"Us?" Fleur questioned.

"Oh yes. You ran into me and my brother on the grounds after our training, but you never said why you approached me?" Harry said with a hint of a smile.

"Perhaps I just sought your company? Many of my heritage enjoy basking in what you have already admitted to be a formidable power. Your magic practically sings around you to those sensitive enough to feel it. When I was beside you in that room where you fought the lunatic it felt like an explosion of magical force. It was incredible to witness. I must have been too distressed the night the Death Eaters attacked me to notice it, but I wish I had been able to pay proper attention." Fleur said with a visible shiver.

"We can go with that then. You merely sought my company, which makes me quite fortunate because I was hoping to seek you out in the coming days." Harry admitted in a quieter tone than before.

The girl stopped as they had reached a secluded area of the black lake, "You were going to seek out moi? Pourquois?"

It was clear her interest made her slip into French, but it hardly mattered as Harry had already proven to be quite fluent in the language, "I was hoping you would be willing to attend the ball with me?"

Fleur frowned for a moment, "In hopes of strengthening the alliance between our families?"

This made Harry's mouth slide into a small smirk as he looked out to the water, "No. No, it was actually because I think you are quite beautiful, and as I said earlier you are more than just some pretty face. I would be quite honored to have a witch such as yourself accompany me on the night of the ball. No strings attached, and no further commitment necessary. Just one night of fun."

Fleur seemed to think on this for a moment, before stepping into his personal space. Her body nearly touched his, and her mouth was close to his ear as she whispered, "And if I wish for another night?"

His heart beat a little faster as he said in an equally quiet voice, "I would be open to negotiations."

This made the girl laugh as she separated from him, and took his arm back in hers, "Why, Monsieur Potter, I do believe I would be delighted to attend the Ball with you. I will be wearing a silver dress, and I expect my date to match it, oui?"

Harry offered a short bow of his head, "Of course, my lady."

This made the girl giggle, "Aimee will be most jealous. I think she had hoped to steal what was left of your honor on the night of the ball."

The young man smirked, "I guess she will have to leave the job to you."

The woman laughed again, "That tongue will get you into trouble if you are not careful, 'Arry."

"I am certainly counting on it." He said back cheekily, continuing to make the girl laugh.

They finished their short lap around the lake talking about the castle's upcoming events, and he was thankful that no more talk of his mentor came up. It seemed every day that passed it became harder and harder to avoid the topic with the people around him. He was really hoping he would be able to keep the secret until he had graduated, but that was becoming more and more unlikely.

As they arrived back at the Beauxbatons carriage Harry allowed Fleur to leave his arm, but he took her hand before she could go, and planted a gentle kiss on her knuckles, "I look forward to our evening, mademoiselle Delacour."

The half Veela smiled brightly at him, "I hope you can dance as smoothly as you talk, Monsieur Potter. I will see you around the castle."

With that the two separated, and Harry smiled all the way up to Ravenclaw Tower.

Scene Break

The prefect patrols were something Harry never really cared much for. In his fifth year when he had been given the title, the Marauders Map would tell him all he needed to know for students wandering out of bed, or who may be with whom in a broom closet. Tonight, however, was his weekly rotation with Penny, and the girl liked to run things one hundred percent by the books.

The conversation was light at least as they made their way through the fifth floor classroom areas, and she was grilling him for information on Cedric to see what he would give up, "There has to be something wrong with him. No one is perfect."

This made Harry chuckle as the girl seemed to stamp her foot in irritation, "I think you just let so many of your problems with Weasley go, that you forgot what it was like to have a normal-ish relationship."

Penny and Cedric had now gone on two dates to Hogsmeade in the past few weeks, and it was clear the girl was enjoying the Hufflepuff's company more than she thought she would, "That's terrible if it's true."

Shrugging his shoulders the head boy responded flippantly, "I don't know if it really is, but I told you I thought Cedric was likely to be a perfect gentleman. He represents all the good qualities of his house, and exemplifies them well. I think you will be hard pressed to find something wrong with him unless you just have no feelings for the man?"

Shaking her head, "It's not like that. I think I really like him. It just all seems to be happening-"

"Fast?" Harry questioned gently.

She nodded, making the young man sigh, "Cedrics is a good guy Penny. Don't let-"

Before Harry could finish his thought, the wailing of the caterwauling charm echoed through the halls. The two head students went to their pockets for their fake galleon and heard the message play, "Astronomy Tower, HELP!"

Harry was off like a shot, not even checking behind to see if Penny was following. He wasn't sure he recognized the female voice, but they weren't far from the seventh floor but he would find out when he got there. He was taking several stairs at a time, barely maintaining his footing, while the sound of sobbing was ringing down, making him push himself to move even faster.

The astronomy tower corridor was one Harry was quite familiar with as he ascended to the observation deck. What he saw there made his stomach clench.

A boy from Slytherin that Harry recognized as Marcus Flint, was propped up against the wall, crumpled, and pale as a ghost. His throat had clearly been slashed, and there was a pool of blood around him. That wasn't the thing that made the young man's stomach clench though, norwas it the sobbing sixth year Gryffindor prefect that held the broken galleon in her hand. While her partner, Roger Davies,made Harry's blood boil slightly, the Ravenclaw prefect looked completely solemn as he looked over the body of the fallen Slytherin.

No, the thing that made his stomach clench the hardest was the sign of the Deathly Hallows carved into the young man's forehead. The symbol his master had rallied people behind, and the symbol his ancestors, the Peverells, once coveted was now carved into this young man's lifeless body, and for the life of him, Harry did not know why.

Penny arrived and began demanding answers from the Gryffindor girl who was clearly inconsolable. While she did this, Harry drew his wand and cast his patronus. As the corporeal form of an eagle began to form, Harry began speaking quickly, "Dad, a body has been found in the Astronomy Tower. A seventh year Slytherin has been killed."

As quickly as he could, he then dispatched several more patronus eagles to the headmaster and each of the house heads to inform them of what had happened. He desperately wanted to begin investigating how such a thing could have happened, and discover who might've left the Deathly Hallows symbol behind, but knew if he left even the slightest magical trace on this body no one would believe he did not have a part in the murder.

It did not take Dumbledore long to arrive in a flash of flames with Fawkes, and the look on his face was quite severe. None more so than when he saw the symbol carved into the young man's forehead. His eyes shot to Harry so fast the young man almost drew his wand in defense. The man said nothing for several moments. In those moments he looked every bit the nearly hundred year old wizard he was, and Harry felt a slight pity for the man. He had been teaching in this castle for nearly eighty years, and had only ever experienced a handful of student deaths at Hogwarts. This could not have been easy, and even less so with that particular mark being left behind.

Finally Dumbledore questioned, "Everyone's alibi for the evening?"

Penny looked surprised at the headmaster, but answered, "Harry and I have been together since dinnertime, Headmaster. We were on patrol when Ms Johnson activated her panic galleon. Harry and I were on the fifth floor, and we came running."

The headmaster did not show any signs that he heard Penny, but then turned to who Harry now recognized as Angelina Johnson. His own housemate answered for her as Angelina seemed to be in no state to speak, "Sir, Angelina and I are on the same schedule as Potter and Clearwater. We walked together after dinner, and began our patrols. We were assigned this area tonight, sir, and when we came up here we found the body, and started the panic alarm."

Penny then added something Harry had not thought of, "Headmaster, there are no astronomy classes this evening, so it's possible this body has been here for some time."

The headmaster stared at the body for several long moments before asking Harry, "Did you cast any magic on the body?"

"No, sir. I did not wish to contaminate the crime scene in any way. You will find no trace of my magic on Mr Flint." Harry said in a snappish tone.

Penny looked at Harry in question, but he gave her a brief shake of his head. No one other than Dumbledore and himself needed to know just why he had to be the number one suspect. It was almost as if he was being framed, but that was impossible. No one knew of his secret other than Dumbledore, and what would be the purpose anyway?

Before accusations could fly, or further words could be exchanged the heads of each house began arriving with James Potter at their side. The man had a tight, angry expression on his face as he marched towards the fallen student and began casting diagnostic charms, and warding off the immediate area to declare a crime scene. No words were said as he worked. Sirius and Remus had arrived behind him but they didn't so much as greet Harry. When James finished waving his wand, he said, "This body has no magical residue. I believe he was killed in a muggle fashion. The body temperature suggests he has been here for several hours."

McGonagall choked at that, "A student murdered in broad daylight, and no one heard or saw anything?"

James frowned at her question, "It does seem odd. If they were killed like a muggle, and there is no magical residue on the body, then he couldn't have been silenced."

Harry however answered that, "Perhaps it was an ambush. Started with the throat to prevent him from crying out for help."

James looked at the body for a few moments longer, and grunted, "Aye, that is possible. Would make the most sense I suppose, but this symbol is familiar to me."

Dumbledore answered that, "It is the sign of the Deathly Hallows. The Peverell family coat of arms, and the symbol Gellert Grindelwald stood behind during the Great War."

This made the head auror frown, "The Peverell family coat of arms. That's why I recognize it. I haven't seen it since I was a boy though. Why would it be here?"

Dumbledore now looked pointedly at Harry, "A question we would all like answered."

Harry felt the fire of fury enter his gut, but he said nothing. James watched the unusual interaction between his son, and the headmaster with tense eyes, but said nothing on the matter. The group remained silent for several long minutes, only broken by the occasional choked sobs of Angelina Johnson, before Dumbledore dismissed everyone back to their common rooms, and assured them they would be kept up to date as information became available.

Sirius and Remus offered to walk Angelina back to Gryffindor tower, while James said he would escort Harry, Penny, and Roger back to Ravenclaw tower. Normally Harry would scoff at this, but knew not to test the head Auror at this time. The walk back was silent, and Penny's head hung low the whole way back.

When they made it to the tower, James requested a word alone with his son, and the young man dreaded what came next. When it was just the two of them alone in the hall, James began casting privacy charms around the area, and finally turned to his son afterputting his wand back in its holster, "What do you know of the crime we just saw?"

Harry rammed up all his occlumency shields to full effect, "Nothing more than was said upstairs. I had already provided my alibi for the evening with Dumbledore, and before that I had been walking with Fleur. Many people would have seen us."

James looked surprised at his hostility, "I wasn't going to accuse you of the murder, Harry. I just saw that little byplay between you and Dumbledore, and I want to know what the hell all that was about."

Harry decided to respond with a misdirection, "It's the Deathly Hallows. There are things I know about them, and I think a part of Dumbledore suspected me because Flint and I have quarreled in the past. Remember, I thrashed him a few years ago when Draco Malfoy and Flint were picking on Justin. It all probably just seems like too much of a coincidence."

James frowned, "You know things about the Deathly Hallows? Harry, those are just children's stories."

Taking a deep breath Harry sighed, "No, dad, they aren't. They are very real, I'm certain of it. As certain as I am that I'm your son, and that the sun will come up tomorrow. You and mum both said you would trust me, and would one day take my secrets as your own, so please believe me when I tell you the legends are true about our ancestors."

James had a look of confusion on his face, "I don't understand. It's impossible, but even if it were, how could you know? And what does it have to do with the murder victim upstairs?"

Taking a leap of faith, Harry began to explain part of his story, "I have been in the presence of two, and I have hunted the last one since I first started here at Hogwarts. Dumbledore knows that my teacher has craved the Hallows his whole life, and I believe he suspected me when he saw the symbol."

Harry could practically see the gears spinning in his father's head. He had joked before about the head Auror's investigative skills, but Harry was starting to think he may have said too much. James, however, stroked his jawline, his expression showing signs of minor anxiety, "I don't like what all this is leading up to, Harry. I want to meet this man, or at the very least I would like to know his name. Merlin, Harry, a young man has lost his life upstairs, and I am trying to complete a puzzle that I don't have all the pieces to. If you were anyone else I would haul you in for obstruction of justice."

The teenager flinched at his father's sharp tone, but nodded in acceptance, "I will see him again soon, and I will speak to him about meeting my family. I must warn you though, you are not likely to get a warm reception. He knows what I went through when you and mum weren't taking care of me."

James seemed to deflate at that, but shook his head, "It's all in the past, and I think I can stand a scolding or two from the man who turned my son into the wizard he is today...Is there anything you can tell me about this murder that I need to know?"

Harry thought for a long moment before shaking his head, "Nothing I can think of, and I promise that if anything does come up I will tell you. As of right now, I want this person caught just as much as you. Marcus Flint was no friend of mine, but they are using our ancestors' coat of arms as a symbol that I do not approve of, and I will make whoever did this pay."

The two men stared down the empty hallway in Ravenclaw tower, before James sighed, "We will talk more tomorrow. Go get some rest, Harry."

With that, the two parted ways, and Harry knew he needed to see Gellert soon.

(A/N) Another step closer to the reveal for Harry's family. If you want to read through chapter 20 you can join me on Discord. Next Tuesday Chapter 21 will go live on my server, so if you want to be 6 chapters ahead you are welcome to join me over there, and chat anytime with me the team that helped bring this story to life. Cheers everyone, and see you all here on Fanfiction in 2 weeks!

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