Chapter 94: Endgame

Harry and Hermione sat in the Great Hall, engaged in two different battles. It was the morning of the final task and both tried to make themselves appear as normal as possible while the crippling stress ate at their every nerve. All the while, they both tried to eat their breakfast one-handed, as their other hand had a firm grasp on their partner's.

After tonight, it will be over, Harry thought while he traded tense looks with Hermione.

Tonight it all starts, Hermione's inner monologue differed from Harry's. She felt that whatever was coming, tonight was simply the beginning.

Their thought train derailed as the morning post flew through the Great Hall. Hermione gave her owl a knut and took the paper, letting out an "eep" before hastily trying to keep the paper from Harry's eyes.

"What did she write this time?" Harry pushed his glasses up to pinch his nose.

"Oh Harry," Hermione cajoled. "It's ridiculous, there's no reason to read it."

"Then why are you trying to hide it?" Harry countered. Under his steady gaze, Hermione brought the paper back out.

Harry Potter, nascent dark lord?

Dear readers, I have debated for a while about this article. Who could imagine that the Boy-Who-Lived, our national hero, known for his heroic defeat of You-Know-Who, is, in fact on the precipice of becoming a dark lord?

Those of us who were old enough to remember the last war will recall that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named rose to power slowly, deliberately. He collected allies through his fanatical ideals, through blackmail, and, when that did not work, through magic, notably the Imperius Curse. By that fateful night in October, everyone was afraid to speak his name, afraid to go outside, wondering if their next day was their last.

Malfoy, Nott, Parkinson, Goyle, MacNair, Crabbe, Yaxley.. All notable families who fell prey to the Dark Lord's machinations, their free will subverted by the You-Know-Who and his megalomaniacal views, though thankfully, after You-Know-Who's defeate, the spell was broken and they all exonerated themselves after the war.

But what does this have to do with Harry Potter, you might ask? Well, as difficult as it might be to grasp, young Mister Potter is on that same path.

"He's assembled quite the base," Pansy Parkinson, whose father was killed under mysterious circumstances during the riots at the Quidditch World Cup, said. "You count them up. Longbottom, Bones, Greengrass, Black, Abbott, Davis, Patil, Diggory- all influential members of the Wizengamot across each of the key factions. He also has the support of Dumbledore, making him a political powerhouse. Add in he's got connections with two writers and Potter is poised to do whatever he wants and whatever he wants, it will be covered favorably to him, you've seen that with every issue of the Quibbler."

Not even He-Who-Must-Be-Named had allies of this sort, certainly not Albus Dumbledore.

"It's scary," Theodore Nott said. "Potter has free rein over the castle. He can go where he wants, do whatever he cares to do and nobody will stop him. My head of house, Severus Snape, has tried but he's overruled every time by Dumbledore or McGonagall. Potter's always been arrogant, strutting around like he owns the place but now he's becoming even brasher. He's got all the champions to align with him as well and it's probably a good bet they all let him win the tournament.

"So now you'll have a boy with more fame than he deserves who is politically powerful, wealthy and- I must admit- magically powerful," Nott continued. "The Dark Lord was never so well-aligned. Even at the height of his powers, his political power came from those he imperiused. Potter has that power now and he hasn't reached his majority."

But just how powerful is the young Potter? He is already completing a mastery in Charms, despite being 14, has produced a Patronus strong enough to kill Dementors- a feat as of yet deemed impossible. He has faced down trolls, restrained a dragon, killed a Sea Serpent and rumor is, he has also killed a Basilisk during his second year. But where does this power come from? The Potters were reasonably good at dueling and his mother was decidedly brilliant as a student but what if there was another source?

"He can speak to snakes," Hufflepuff third-year Zacharias Smith said. "No one since You-Know-Who has been able to do it but he can. I saw him in my first year talk to a snake and give it orders."

Parseltongue is a rare ability, one that traces back to Salazar Slytherin himself. What if this power Potter has comes from You-Know-Who?

"Nobody knows what happened that night," Smith said. "Nor why You-Know-Who went after the Potters. Up until now, everyone assumed it was just what he wanted to do, as he had done with so many others before. However, I now wonder if he knew something, something that made him target Harry. What if he knew Harry's power would rival his own one day and decided to remove him? What if when the spell went wrong, Harry came away with some of Voldemort's powers and gifts?"

It is concerning to think about this idea but if it is true, Potter must be stopped before he becomes too powerful. Even now, it might be too late because Potter could be ensnaring the thoughts and minds of everyone as we speak. Back at the World Cup, we were introduced to two companies both funded by Potter, one of them being Lavender Petal, a fragrance and cosmetics business that has taken the world by storm.

"Between his girlfriend, Lavender and Parvati, they could devise some way of putting all sorts of mind-altering potions into their products," Parkinson said. "Loyalty, obedience, love. Whatever you can think of, those three could brew it and you wouldn't even know. I never use the stuff which is probably why I have no affinity for Potter or his cadre of sycophants."

Concerning and troubling reports and all of them have one thing in common: Potter. He has the money, the power and the allies to do terrible things to our world, if we let him. I call on Dumbledore to put his love for the boy aside and investigate this boy to his fullest extent. I doubt he should even be allowed to participate in a possibly rigged third task. Potter has tainted so many things, don't let him taint the wizarding world and especially not an event so revered as the Triwizard Tournament, I implore the judges.

As he read, Harry's ears reddened further and further. Once he got to the end of the article, he slapped it down. Looking at the tears on Lavender and Parvati's cheeks, he knew a response was required.

"That's enough," he said, whipping out a piece of parchment. As if called, Hedwig landed on his shoulder. With a flourish and an emphatic ink blot for the last period, Harry rolled up the parchment and gave it to Hedwig. "Take this to the Tonks as quick as you can, please."

"What was that about?" Ginny asked from across the table.

"Rita Skeeter just made her last mistake," Harry said. "She can go after me all she wants but she's just defamed a business funded not only by me but also by the goblins. Wizarding law may not protect individuals the same way that non-magical laws do but it does protect companies to a considerable degree. Skeeter just wrote something without even asking for a comment from me or the company's creators. What she wrote could harm the business. I won't let that happen so she and The Daily Prophet are going to feel the full weight of Tonks' firm and the goblins descend upon them. They might be called the Prophet but they'll be lucky if they ever turn a profit again."

Harry's vehemence threw everyone for a loop. To see him dispense with his usual laid-back demeanor was a rare occurance, especially in a non-life-threatening scenario. As he looked at Lavender and Parvati they gave appreciative, if somber, nods.

"Well done," Daphne's voice cut through as she made her way over. "I believe your response is prudent. It's the best statement you can make in response. I will write father to keep him apprised of the situation just in case anything happens in the Wizengamot."

"It's a bit of a Catch-22," Harry said. "If the Gamot tries to do anything, our alliance can stop it but by stopping it, it kind of proves the report."

"It proves you have allies, not that you are dark," Daphne corrected. "To kill a Dementor, you'd have to conjure a Patronus and dark lords don't do that, they don't need to. Dementors would serve them anyway."

"This will blow over," Susan said as she walked up with Diggory, who nodded in confirmation. "She's taken random events out of context. We see you for who you are."

"And we'll make sure the world does too," Luna said as she pulled a quill from behind her ear to begin writing.

"Well at least we know who Theo and Pansy were talking to that night," Hermione said. "Now I just need to know how they're communicating with Skeeter."

"Yeah she had to have found another way," Ron piped up. "After Dumbledore forbade her from the grounds outside of the actual events, we only saw and talked to her when it was a Hogsmeade weekend and we never saw Pansy or Theo when we talked with her. Sorry about that again, Harry. I've come around and so will everyone else."

"I'll be curious to see if she pops up tonight," Hermione tapped her bottom lip as she pondered.

"Mr. Potter," Professor McGonagall roused them from their conversation. "I've come to grab you. The champions are all gathering in the antechamber."

"But the task isn't until tonight!" Harry shouted in panic.

"I am aware," McGonagall said with an even tone. "Your families have gathered and we thought you'd like to spend the day with them."

"But we have the History of Magic exam in 20 minutes," Harry argued. Even though he was exempt, he still chose to take all the exams.

"I am sure Professor Binns will not miss you," McGonagall said which was almost certainly correct since the professor failed to notice anything, including his own death. "My don't you join us as well Miss Granger? I have seen your grades, you can be excused from the exam as well."

"You sure I'm okay?" Hermione asked.

"Yes!" Everyone at the table shouted.

"Hermione, you got 124 percent on the last test," Neville said. "We're still trying to figure out how that's possible. You've forgotten more history than I've learned."

"I guess if you think it's okay," Hermione blushed as McGonagall led the way to the door Harry walked through almost nine months previous. Harry wasn't sure who would be gathering to see him. He wouldn't admit it aloud but his first thought was the Dursleys before he remembered their murders.

"Pup!" Harry barely had time to recognize who was there before someone grabbed him from behind and rubbed his head with his fist. "Noogie! Oh, I've missed you!"

"Geroff me, Padfoot!" Harry slipped through Sirius' hold and deftly spun him until Harry had Sirius' arm pinned behind his back.

"Okay uncle, uncle!" Sirius held his hands up as Hermione chuckled. "Yeah, yeah laugh it up"

"You never have grown up, have you?" Hermione asked her rhetorical question.

"Not as long as I've known him, " a gravelly voice answered.

"Professor Lupin!" Harry ran to embrace his honorary uncle. "What're you doing here, I thought you were with your pack."

"It's Remus, remember? They decided they weren't happy here, didn't like the climate, both weather and political," Lupin said. "I helped them get resettled. They're now living in the forests of Alberta, Canada. I would have gone with them but I had something more important keeping me here."

Lupin extended his hand right hand and Tonks took it, a simple ring on her left finger. Hermione was the first to cotton on.

"Congratulations!" Hermione hugged Tonks whose hair was bubblegum pink and her face crimson red.

"Thank you," Tonks said. "Remus asked me just last night. We're going to be married this summer. We wanted to tell you in person. You're coming to the wedding, right?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world!" Harry's exuberance filled the room like the sun shining through the window.

"Nor would we," another all-too-familiar voice said.

"Mum!" Hermione nearly tackled her mother as she sprinted toward her parents. "Daddy! What are you doing here? How are you here?"

"Professor Dumbledore," Richard explained. "He created a second bracelet for us to wear."

Richard raised both wrists to show a gold bracelet on each wrist.

"Our usual one allows us to see and enter magical areas like Diagon Alley," Richard said. "The other one prevents us from falling prey to the muggle-repelling charms around Hogwarts. We wanted to be here for Harry."

"However he did it, I am glad to see you," Harry also hugged the Grangers, though with more restraint than his girlfriend. "Thank you for coming, all of you."

"Family is there for you," Helen said. "In your greatest triumphs and your roughest failures, we are here for you. Whatever happens tonight, know that we're proud of you. Each and every day, in each and every way. You may not have been born to us but you are our son, in every way that matters and we love you."

Helen hugged him tight and Harry returned the hug with an even tighter squeeze. As the hug continued, he felt Richard and Hermione join, followed soon by Sirius, Remus and Tonks. Also there, he noticed, were Augusta Longbottom, Amelia Bones, and Mattias and Eleanor Greengrass.

"What're you guys doing here?" Harry asked. "Not that I am not pleased to see you all."

"We wanted to support you as you would support our houses," Mattias said. "We're allies are we not?"

"Indeed we are," Augusta said. "You look so good, Harry, there's really more Lily in you than anyone knows."

"Yet he's still James," Amelia drank in the boy, thinking back to how small and broken he was when she first met him, comparing him to the young man in front of her. "Though thankfully he's nothing like Sirius."

"Hey!" Sirius protested before turning back to Harry, cupping his chin in his hands. "I cannot wait to see you win this thing,"

"He'll have to get through my boy first!" Amos Diggory shouted from across the chamber. "The only man to go toe-to-toe with the Boy-Who-Lived, that's what they'll call him!"

Amos smacked his son's chest, laughing as he did.

"He vill have to get through my son first!" A thickly-built version of Viktor said. "Vladislav Krum. My son has spoken highly of all three of you."

"Once zis is all over we will all 'ave to 'ave a drink, oui?" Apoline Delacour said. "Fleur before zis day is over you must introduce us to zis Roger character and his heroic decision to step in for my Gabi."

Harry spotted Gabrielle behind her mother. She was taking turns between staring at Harry, blushing and hiding her face.

"She's still enamored with you," Fleur whispered in Harry's ear. "By ze way, zhank you for your introduction."

"It's a good one then?" Harry asked.

"Better than I could have imagined," Fleur said with a smile. "I am going to work for Gringotts and 'e is going to transfer to the London branch."

"Glad to hear it," Harry beamed as the adults continued to converse.

"So you really think Cedric will win?" Sirius' argument with Amos carried, bringing everyone's attention back to the two of them.

"Of course!" Amos said. "He's older and will get through the task in record time."

"Yeah, but how many werewolves has he faced, hmm?" Sirius retorted.

"And how many dragons 'ave they subdued?" Jean-Luc Delacour asked.

"Men," Helen shook her head.

"Hey!" Sirius and Amos objected to general laughter.

"Would you like to see the castle?" Harry asked, hoping to move the topic away from tonight's task.

"You lot go on," Mattias said. "We'll borrow one of the conference rooms and have a chat, I think."

"Lead on, pup," Sirius beckoned Harry to lead them out the door.

Harry led the Grangers, Tonks, Remus and Sirius on a tour of the castle. They started at the Great Hall and went up from there, opting to skip the Dungeons. Sirius marveled at the meeting space that was Geneva.

"Wish we had this when we were here," Sirius said as he walked around the benches surrounding one of the fountains.

"Good thing we didn't," Lupin said. "You'd have made butterbeer pour from the fountains."

"I would not!" Sirius said.

"You would have," Harry, Hermione and Tonks all said in unison.

"Okay you got me," Sirius said. "But it would have been fun."

"Just don't give the Weasleys, Crabbe or Goyle any ideas," Harry said.

"Crabbe and Goyle?" Sirius stopped short. "Your Slytherin friends?"

"The same," Harry said. "They've joined with the Weasley twins to become pranksters. They're trying to make amends for their fathers, I believe."

"Oh well sounds like a new generation of Marauders," Sirius said. "I must meet them!"

"Forgive us for we know not what we've done," Hermione said, looking toward the ceiling as she spoke.

As they continued their tour, Sirius stopped them on the fifth floor.

"This was the Marauder's wing," Sirius said. "We planned all our pranks here. There's so many secret passages that begin or end here so we could get anywhere with relative ease. I think, yes it's still here!"

Sirius pointed out a couple stones where he gave the password to the map. When he did, the wall turned into a mural of the four of them in their animal forms walking around the Whomping Willow.

"I forgot we did this," Lupin said. "Such good times."

"And good times yet to come," Tonks used her shapeshifting talents to become taller so she could kiss him on the cheek.

They finished with a trip to the Room of Requirement and then went back down to the Great Hall for lunch. As they were headed down, Fawkes flamed in with a note in its beak.

"Would you mind having tea with me after lunch?" Harry read Dumbledore's loopy script. "Bring anyone you wish with you if you wish. Wear your robes for tonight as well, please. "

"Guess I know what I am doing after lunch," Harry said. "Would you like to join me?"

"Hermione will for sure," Richard said. "The curiosity will prevent her from opting out. As she gets it from me, I will be attending too."

"We'll see what Dumbledore's endgame is," Sirius said. "He's got something up his sleeve."

Dumbledore took the liberty of creating a new table running perpendicular to the house tables, just below the head table for the champions and their guests to dine at.

"Good afternoon," Dumbledore greeted. "With the last exams done and the task finishing tonight, this calls for a feast!"

The goblets filled and food appeared on the platters. Conversation struck up as everyone ravenously dug into the meals provided. After the meal, Harry retreated to his dorm to change into his robes. Without realizing where his feet were carrying him, Harry found himself at the Gargoyle leading to Dumbledore's office with Sirius, Remus, Tonks, and the Grangers behind him.

Inside Dumbledore's office, the old headmaster greeted the group with his usual smile and twinkling eyes. When they entered, Fawkes flew from his perch to land on Harry's shoulder.

"Good evening Harry and the rest of you," Dumbledore welcomed them as Harry stroked Fawkes' chin. "I was hoping we could have some discussion regarding the task."

Before he could continue, Fawkes sneezed and flamed back to his perch, leaving the shoulder of Harry's robes a smoldering ruin of ash.

"Oh, I do apologize," Dumbledore said though he did not sound the least bit contrite. "Fawkes does that from time to time. I can't tell you the number of robes he has ruined. Lucky for you, I have had a spare made up for you, just in case."

With a flick of his wand, Dumbledore floated a new set of robes over to him, identical to the ones he was already wearing.

"Just in case, huh?" Harry snorted. "Why don't we level with one another, then? We both know that someone entered my name and, aside from a dragon and a sea serpent, nothing has happened yet. Their endgame isn't known to us."

"Yes," Dumbledore steepled his fingers on the desk. "What worries me is that the kind of skill and nuance to get you entered into the tournament is significant, enough that it would lead me to believe the work of Voldemort."

"We can't know that for certain," Richard said. "I know he's still out there and he would love nothing more than to bring Harry down but let's not let our focus be pulled by one when there are also other factors to consider. This could be something Lucius Malfoy has planned to assassinate Harry or one of Umbridge's allies who wish to avenge her imprisonment."

"Agreed which is why I had these robes made," Dumbledore said. "If you examine the sleeve, you will find a rune embroidered into the cuff. If you push some magic into it, it will set off the one on my sleeve."

Dumbledore held up the navy cuff of his robe.

"It will enable a tracking device on yours, allowing me to find you," Dumbledore said. "As long as you are in Great Britain, I will be able to find you."

"You think the motive is abduction, not assassination," Helen stated.

"That is my expectation," Dumbledore said. "Yes."

"Then we can't go forward," Helen stood up, placing herself between Harry and Dumbledore. "Harry can't participate!"

"He must!" Dumbledore responded with unusual vehemence. "If he fails to participate, he will lose his magic."

"And if he does, he could lose his life," Helen shouted. "I would rather Harry without his magic and alive."

"If he loses his magic," Dumbledore tried to remain calm as he spoke. "He will lose the ability to access Potter manor. Even if he survives losing his magic, he will not be able to access Diagon Alley. He will be exposed."

"We can give him a bracelet, let him into Gringotts, empty his accounts and leave," Helen said. "We can take him elsewhere. I don't care, I just want him safe."

Harry was taken aback. Here was a woman who he had known for less than five years standing between him and the most powerful man in the wizarding world. He couldn't help but find the similarity between Helen and his own mother standing in front of his crib, between him and Voldemort. A single tear fell from his eyes, as he made the comparison.

"Listen, Mrs. Granger," Dumbledore took off his glasses and looked at her. "We know Lord Voldemort is still alive and we know he won't rest until he has taken out Harry. I know Harry's power, I can see his future. He can beat him- he can beat him because he won't be working alone. The love he shares with you and that you all share with him will make him stronger. Not because of magical or physical strength. It is the ties between one another that makes us stronger, that give us something worth fighting for. I know how you feel, I do. I would love to bundle Harry up and keep him safe but I won't do it in such a way that will bring him harm. I did that once to my own dismay. I won't do it again."

"Yes well your method put him in an abusive home where he found no love," Helen bit scathingly. "Our method has him safe and protected with us, the people who love him!"

Dumbledore hung his head in shame as Helen berated his previous failures.

"Do I have a say in this?" Harry cut across. Helen whipped around and instantly had her face softened.

"Of course you do, dear," Helen reached out and lovingly stroked his chin.

"Please," Dumbledore gestured for Harry to speak.

"I know you are frightened," he looked specifically at Helen and at Hermione who was fighting to remain calm. "I am torn here between wanting to run and wanting to stay and fight. But my instinct is to stay and fight. If I ran now, I know Voldemort will come back and when he does, he'll go through everyone and everything to get to me. If I ran, I'd be putting everyone I love at risk and I refuse to do that. Hermione and I have a saying: stronger together. I've recently been reminded of that and I am going to live that way. If I lose my magic, there would be a day where the only thing between me and him is her and I would rather we face him together."

Harry looked at Hermione who nodded back resolutely before turning to Dumbledore.

"Thank you for thinking of me and giving me a way to contact you if anything goes wrong," Harry said. "I'm worried, really I am. But I am also really touched, Helen."

Harry finished his speech with a tight hug for Helen.

"Everyone please keep an eye out and if you see anything weird, please alert us," Harry said. "I'll have my mirror on me, Hermione will have the map. Madam Bones is here and I assume we've also invited a few aurors?"

Dumbledore nodded

"Then we've done the best we can," Harry said. "We all know something is coming but now it's time to face it, whatever it is."

Dumbledore's tempus charm went off and he pulled a pocket watch from his robes.

"The task is about to start," Dumbledore looked at his watch. "We better get ready. Everyone keep a weather eye on their surroundings. I don't know where Tom intends to make his move, just that he's going to make it soon."

A short while later, Harry stood at the edge of the maze, looking up at the three-meter tall hedges. He absently fiddled with the rune embroidered into the sleeve, vaguely aware of the throng growing in the stands behind him while a steady rain fell on his head. A storm rolled in through the afternoon, soaking everyone and everything to the point where the organizers added a roof to the stands to keep the spectators dry.

"Ready?" Cedric asked as he massaged Harry's shoulders as he stood behind the younger boy.

"Ready to get this over with," Harry said.

"Relax," Cedric said. "Just a few hours and we'll be done. A little smile, a little wave, talk to the press and then we'll be free. I just can't wait until next year. This little diversion has been fun but there's nothing like a good Quidditch match."

Despite himself, Harry smiled.

"Think you'll be able to keep up with me in the next match?" Harry asked cheekily.

"I'm going to feed you every cake I can from now until then. Hopefully, you'll be too fat to get your broom up to speed."

"Still be faster than you, old man," Harry countered.

"Oh it's on," Cedric laughed. "First match, you're going down."

"And I thought my matches vere heated," Krum chortled. "I think I am better off in the league."

"I zhink you are," Fleur agreed as she tied her damp hair into a braid. "Tonight, after zhis all over, we celebrate, no?"

"Agreed," the boys chorused.

"Let's get to that cup and get this over with," Harry said.

"Gooooood evening, ladies and gentlemen!" Lee Jordan's magically augmented voice echoed across what used to be the Quidditch field. "Welcome to the third and final task of the Triwizard tournament.

"The Triwizard Cup has been placed at the center of this lovely maze. Each of our champions will be given a different starting path based on their current standing, though they all lead to the same place, I promise though Fleur if you wanted to take a detour to my-"

"Jordan!" McGonagall shouted prompting laughs from the students.

"Anyway," Lee started again. ""Currently in the lead with 89 points is the youngest champion. I give you Harry Potter!"

A round of raucous applause with Sirius' cheers echoing above the others, rang through the stands. Casting a glance at the judges' platform, he spotted Crouch, Maxime and Karkaroff before nodding at Dumbledore. He noticed Karkaroff looked pale and slightly panicked as he continued to massage a spot on his arm. Harry turned his attention down the stands where the Greengrass, Longbottoms and Bones families all sat. Further down he sought out Hermione who sat between her mother and Tonks. She nodded to him as if lending him her strength to help him on his way.

"Hot on his heels will be Cedric Diggory," Lee continued. "Both champions have represented Hogwarts wonderfully and we couldn't be prouder."

Again the stands cheered loudly for the older boy.

"In third we find Fleur Delacour," Lee said once the cheers died down. "The Beauxbatons champion won't be one to be ignored, I guarantee you this."

Fleur got a more subtle cheer but she beamed at the crowd regardless.

"And finally we have the Hero of the World Cup, Viktor Krum," Lee had to shout the last part as the crowd cheered their hearts out for the young seeker. "Let's give all our champions a hand. Best of luck to you all!"

The cheers from this last request were deafening.

"The first to touch the cup will be portkeyed to the podium where they will receive their 1000 Galleon prize and be officially named the Triwizard champion! If you are in distress and wish to retire from the task, shoot up red sparks. On the cannon blast, the task will begin."

The cannon went off and the four champions went for their respective paths. Just before he entered, Harry turned back, his eyes seeking out Hermione. She gave him a forced smile and then a fierce look. He caught the movement of her lips but he didn't need to read them to know she was telling him she loved him. Turning back, he moved into the maze, the hedges closed behind him. Taking a deep breath he walked forward.

(A/N and here we go. Wanted to get the Grangers to Hogwarts for the task but I didn't even plan for the confrontation between Helen and Dumbledore. That kind of came out of nowhere and I loved it. The next chapter is being edited and the two behind it are in the works.)