I own nothing. I know some people enjoy play lists, and for this chapter I did listen to music, so here ya go.

What It Takes -Adelitas Way

The High Road -Three Days Grace

Blue on Black -Five Finger Death Punch

A Reason To Fight -Disturbed

A Grave Mistake -Ice Nine Kills

Remember When -Bad Wolves

Chapter Nine

The second weekend of May, Sirius contacted Harry. After tireless investigation, Remus found Tom Riddle, Sr and his parents in a cemetery outside of Little Hangleton. The cemetery lay on uneven ground making the switching of tombstones a herculean task, even with magic. But the Marauders rose to the challenge. Upon request, Narcissa sent Hermione information about the tracking charm placed on her and Draco's rings. She placed a tracking charm on several items. She mailed one to Sirius, had the twins mail one to the Burrow, and asked Viktor to send one home. She wanted to determine the range of the spell. She planned on placing the charm on Harry's glasses. They had no guarantee the Death Eaters would take Harry to the cemetery. Sirius and Remus would need a way to find him. She doubted she would be able to feel the spell in Bulgaria, but hugged the twins in delight when she could feel the tug of the package in Otter-St Catch-pole and in London.

The evening after students discovered the body of Barty Crouch, Harry used the Marauder's Map to search for Hermione. He noticed something odd. Noticing Professor Moody to be in his office, Harry decided to report it to him. Surprised to find the door locked, Harry checked the map again. Alastor Moody was in his office. He pulled out his wand, "Alohomora." The remained locked. Undoubtedly, Moody would use a stronger locking spell, being a paranoid retired auror. Harry knocked on the door several times. No one answered. Harry raised his hand to knock harder, when he noticed Filch approaching on the map. Deciding discretion was the better part of valor, Harry quickly retreated to the Gryffindor Tower where the map showed Hermione.

Harry found her helping Neville with this Charms essay. He smiled, Sirius had been right. Hermione hadn't changed, she was still Hermione. He began moving in her direction when Ginny popped up in front of him.

"Hi, Harry."

"Hello, Ginny." He tried to step around her, but she moved back into his path.

"I was wondering if you wanted to play a game of Exploding Snap with me, I mean, us?"

"I would, but I have something to discuss with Hermione."

Ginny's face fell briefly. "Oh, okay, maybe later then."

"Later, yeah." Harry said absently, all ready moving towards the study table. He nodded at Fred and George as he passed them. Fred leaned over George's shoulder as his twin scribbled on some parchment.

"Hey, Harry?" called Fred.

"Yeah?"

"Could we borrow Hedwig?"

"Sure, why not?" Harry shrugged. He slid into the chair next to Hermione as the twins finished their letter and hurried to the owlery.

"What are those two up to?" she asked.

"No clue. I didn't ask, as I'm not sure I want to know." He pulled the Marauder's Map from his robes. "I need to show you something." She looked at the map with a questioning look. "I know, not here."

Hermione turned to Neville. "Make sure to mention the ways the spell can go awry, and how to fix them. Harry needs to practice dueling spells for the final task."

Neville looked up to a fidgeting Harry. "Yeah, no, I understand, Hermione. Thanks for your help." He smiled reassuringly.

Hermione followed Harry to the empty classroom they used for training. He located the abnormality and handed her the map. "Look at the grounds around the quidditch pitch."

She scanned the map, gasping when she saw it. "But Crouch is dead. We saw this body."

"I know. I was going to tell Moody, but his office is locked, and he didn't answer the door when I knocked."

"I would suggest he might be a heavy sleeper, but that seems unlikely for a retired auror."

"That's what I thought, too." He took back the map. "Mischief managed. So, now what?"

Hermione wrinkled her nose. "I suppose the only thing to do tomorrow is tell Professor Moody we noticed something amiss with the pitch and get him to investigate He's suppose to be overseeing tournament security now that Crouch is gone."

"I guess." Harry agreed dejectedly. She raised a questioning eyebrow. "I kind of wanted to investigate it, like old times."

"Harry!" Hermione admonished. "We promised Sirius and Remus no unnecessary risks. I know having adults who believe and support you is new and different, but no more leaping then looking for a place to land. Tomorrow we report our concerns to Professor Moody, then we tell the Marauders."

"Tch. Fine."

"Harry, I'm sure the third task will be more than enough adventure by itself, even before the possible side trip at the end."

He perked up, "That's true! Thanks, Hermione."

"You're welcome." She waved her wand and sent a stinging hex at him. "Constant vigilance," she teased. Harry laughed and engaged her in a duel, neither going easy on the other, nor taking it too serious.

Before breakfast Harry checked the map for Moody, finding him still in his office. He suggested going straight there. Hermione vetoed the idea. "After breakfast, Professor Moody strikes me as a grumpy morning person."

"Hermione, I think he's just a grumpy person." She swatted his arm playfully. "But, after breakfast works."

"The final task is tomorrow. You need to keep your energy up and get plenty of rest."

"Yes, mum."

"I'll yes mum you." Laughing the two headed for breakfast. Hermione noticed many of the other students staring as they made their way through the castle. Over the last few weeks the attention dwindled significantly. Now, it appeared to have geared back up. Briefly Hermione worried there might be a new article by Rita Skeeter, but as no one burst into excited whispers after they passed, she doubted it. Maybe the looming Task had everyone excited.

Upon entering the Great Hall Hermione scanned the tables for people pouring over papers. Finding none she relaxed, glancing over at Harry. He stood staring at the head table. "Harry?" she asked looking for herself. "Oh my." Sitting next to Professor McGonagall, taking a swig from his flask, was Alastor Moody. The same Moody the map showed in his rooms off of his office. "Could the map be wrong?" Did it show them a ghost or something similar last night she mused.

Harry shook his head, "Last year Lupin told me it was never wrong. It can see through disillusions and invisibility cloaks. Polyjuice can't fool it. The only think it hides is people in animagnus form, unless you know about them. We would see Sirius as Padfoot, but Neville wouldn't." He sat at the Gryffindor table and fixed himself a plate. "How did he get down here so fast? He had further to come than we did." Harry began eating.

Hermione shrugged, "Secret passages?"

"Possible." Both teenagers began eating, still nervously eyeing the Head table. "I want to check the map again. Do you think you could do something to distract Ron and Ginny?" She gave him a questioning look. "If he thinks I'm keeping secrets, he'll be upset. I mean, I am, but still. Ron thinks he should know everything about me at all times. And Gin keeps trying to insert herself in everything I do."

Hermione sighed, "You owe me." She removed the glamour from her family ring. "Lavender, would you please pass the jam?" She gestured in a manner that both emphasized the ring and looked completely natural.

"Merlin's pants, Hermione! Where did you get that ring?"

Hermione innocently glanced down at her hand, "Oh, this? Lucius gave it to me awhile back. A welcome home gift you could say." She held out her hand for inspection. Like nifflers on the hunt, most of the older girls descended on her to admire the ring. Ron sputtered and huffed about "filthy evil snakes." Distracted by Hermione's bauble the others ignored him.

Harry slipped from the hall unnoticed. He waited for Hermione in a nearby alcove. She emerged ten minutes later, visible annoyed. He whistled to gain her attention. She changed course, veering towards him. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good." Together they looked at the map. Sitting at the head table was the deceased Barty Crouch.

The feeling of something forgotten wiggled in Hermione's mind. Something bothered her about the idea of Barty Crouch having faked his death to sneak around. "Why would Crouch want to look like Professor Moody?" she questioned.

"Since when does any of this have to make an sense?"

"Do we tell Professor Dumbledore?"

"We'd have to show him the map. He might feel obligated to take it for my safety, like Lupin did."

"Agreed. We need to talk to Sirius later."

"Free period after lunch?"

"As good a time as any."

"I'll collect the mirror at lunch."

The universe, being the fickle bitch she is, decided not to cooperate with the plan. Ron latched onto Harry like a leech during Charms and couldn't be shaken off. Where Harry went, Ron followed, even into the bathroom. Harry stalled for so long waiting for Ron to leave him, they were late for Care for Magical Creatures. Not that Hagrid scolded them or took points. As the last two to arrive, he did pair them up for classwork. Hermione smiled reassuringly. Hagrid had paired her with Draco, hoping she might be able to rein in some of his antics. She laughed as their niffler tried to steal first her ring, then Draco's. She sprinkled cheap shiny pieces in front of the creature. It gave a joyful cry and threw itself towards the ground in front of them.

Ron glared at her. "Little Miss Perfect. Gawd, she's horrid."

Harry scowled at him. "What is your problem? Hermione hasn't done anything. She hasn't even talked to you in weeks."

"She's a rich, spoiled, pureblood bitch."

"While I can't refute the pureblood part, and yes the Malfoys have money, but Hermione isn't spoiled."

"So, the Malfoys didn't buy her things, and you didn't stay at a vacation house?"

"They have, and we did. But Hermione didn't ask them to, she certainly didn't demand they do so. Hell, you might have been invited along if you hadn't turned on her." Ron started to object. "Which you did BEFORE you knew she was a Malfoy."

"The Malfoy family is all talk and no follow through. They talk a big game, but never come through. Don't believe any promises they make. They won't keep them."

Harry sighed. "Look, Ron, Hermione is my friend, one of my two best friends. She promised to never make me choose between you. But I don't want to listen to you bad mouth my friend anymore." He turned back to their niffler. Ron grumbled under his breath. Harry ignored him.

Hermione swallowed back a sudden giggle. She knew how to drive Ron to complete distraction. At least long enough for them to mirror call Sirius. She grinned at Draco. "Oh, brother mine?"

"Yes, sister dear?" he glared at Theo who snorted in laughter at them. He drew a shiny thing at him, chuckling when the nifflers began regarding Theo closely.

"How would you like to annoy Ron to no end?"

"I'm all ears."

"Join me for lunch."

"Can we do that?"

"There are no rules against it, but we probably shouldn't do it all the time."

Blaise looked incredulous, "Aren't you even you going to ask why?"

Draco shrugged, "I don't really care the why. She wants to annoy Weasley, I enjoy annoying Weasley, win win." Theo laughed and Hermione beamed.

When he saw Draco seated with his sister, Ron's mouth began opening and closing randomly. No sound came out. His face and the tips of his ears reddened. "What is the Ferret doing at our table?" he demanded.

Hermione sniffed, "My brother, Draco, joined me for lunch to meet my friends." Fay and Sally-Anne waved to Ron.

"He's a snake! He can't sit here!" Ron raged.

"It isn't against the rules. And it's only one meal. Deal with it." Fay told him. "Don't be rude."

"Rude? Rude? This is Malfoy! Of course we should be rude!" The red of his ears spread down his face and neck. Hermione scrunched her face in distaste. She wondered what she had been thinking back when she thought Ron attractive.

Professor McGonagall approached from behind Ron. "Is there an issue, Mr Weasley?"

Ron's shoulders dropped with relief, finally some back up. Someone who would agree with him. "Yes! Malfoy is sitting at our table."

McGonagall looked at her favorite cub and her brother. They smiled at her. Her stern face softened, she returned their smiles. "How wonderful, twenty-five points each for promoting inter-house unity and sibling bonding." She looked to Ron. "You should count yourself lucky, Mr Weasley, you've never had to chose between House and family." She continued towards the head table.

Ron stomped his foot twice. No one paid any attention to his objections. Huffing angrily, Ron stomped away. Hermione fought to keep the satisfied smiled off her face. Part of her felt ashamed for manipulating her former friend. She knew all of Ron's triggers, she knew what buttons to push, and how to push them. She promised herself she would do something really nice for Ron to make amends, even if he never knew it was from her.

"Didn't enjoy that as much as you thought you would?" Draco whispered.

"Never intended to enjoy it, just needed to give Harry breathing room."

"Huh." Draco dropped the subject and returned to teasing Fay about the niffler stealing her bracelet in class. Hermione felt a surge of affection for her brother.

After lunch, Hermione met Harry in the empty classroom they used for tournament training. "Padfoot." Harry said holding up the mirror.

Sirius's grinning face appeared. "Hey, pup! Nervous about tomorrow?"

"Yeah, but that's not why we're calling."

"Hello, kitten."

"Hi, Sirius."

"So, lay it on me, pup. What's up?"

"Well the map keeps showing a dead man."

"Come again?"

"The map keeps labeling Professor Moody as Barty Crouch. And it keeps showing Professor Moody in his office, when he isn't."

The smile slid off Sirius's face. "One of the map's few flaws is that it does not differentiate between people with the same name. If John Smith, Sr visits John Smith, Jr the map shows them both as John Smith."

The light bulb clicked on in Hermione's head. "Holy shite! Crouch has himself polyjuiced as Moody."

"Hermione, Junior died in Azkaban. He was one of Voldie's biggest supporters."

"No, he didn't."

"Yes, he did." Sirius told her in a gentle apologetic tone. "I saw them carry his body out not long after his parents came for one last visit."

"You saw them carrying a body, but not his body. I'm sorry, Sirius, but you aren't the first person to escape Azkaban." Harry hissed in a breath. "Winky told us that Senior snuck his son out to honor his wife's dying wish. You saw her polyjuiced body. Winky said Senior kept Junior under the Imperius curse. Riddle helped him break it. Before she was given clothes for failing to keep Junior out of trouble, she said he was constantly raving about his master's grand scheme."

Sirius stared at them. His mind struggling to process what Hermione just revealed. Harry began laughing. "You did it, Mione. You broke Padfoot and rendered Sirius speechless." The other two joined him in laughter.

"So, now that we know who the Death Eater is, the question becomes what do we do about it?" Sirius put forth the question.

They sat in silence for a moment before Hermione spoke up. "Nothing. We do nothing. Exposing Junior and the plot now eliminates our advantage. We know what's going to happen, and when it is most likely to occur. I can't believe I am suggesting this, but I say we stay the course and proceed as planned."

Harry stared at her, mouth agape, "Who are you and what have you done to Hermione?"

She chuckled, "I know, right? I think this is one of those times where we take the calculated risk. We have the element of surprise now. And while Junior is distracted with the tournament someone else can rescue the real Moody."

"Bill!" exclaimed Harry. "Bill Weasley works for Gringotts as a curse breaker. He'd be perfect. And Junior won't be watching him."

Sirius nodded. "I'll contact him this evening. Stay safe. I will see you tomorrow." He broke the connection.

Harry looked at Hermione. "Do you really think this is the best idea?"

"Idea? No. Plan? Yes. In an ideal world we would tell Dumbledore and be able to leave it, assured he would immediately apprehend the impostor. Albus Dumbledore is a brilliant man. I cannot believe he hasn't realized this isn't his friend of years. Anyone can pass scrutiny for a few minutes, few people can keep up the charade for months. If he doesn't know, he suspects, and yet the tournament continues. I think he knows and is watching to see what happens." She began pacing, and waving her arms."Despite the fact that you are three years younger than the other champions, AND the other headmasters are cheating, Dumbledore hasn't lifted a finger to help you, or Cedric." Harry stood, shell shocked. "Or, perhaps, even worse, he's been having the other professors help you, like Hagrid and Moody. Which means he's abandoned Cedric!"

"Which is the greater sin in your eyes, following the rules, or breaking them selectively?"

Hermione whirled about and stomped her foot. Her eyes flashed dangerously. Reflexively, Harry took a step back. "Harry James Potter, how dare you suggest that I am upset because the rules weren't obeyed. The Triwizard Tournament started out a dangerous, deadly game. It has a death toll. When your name came out of the goblet the stakes raised. The judges could have called it based on tampering, reset the goblet and redrew the names. But Dumbledore decided to play the hand as dealt. Personally, I think you all should have known what was coming at each stage instead of these little surprises. But what would I know? When I suggested this back in November Ginny told me as a muggleborn I just couldn't understand these things.

"This is not a game! Dying for a game is not glory! People's lives are not markers used to keep score of who's winning!"

Harry stepped forward. He wrapped Hermione in a hug. "I get it. I'm trying hard not to worry, so please don't do it for me." She nodded against his chest. "Let's go. We can hang out like it tomorrow isn't the beginning of the end of the world."

"We should warn the others something nefarious is going down. I'll tell Viktor, you tell Cedric. I'll ask Viktor to pass word along to Fleur."

Harry chuckled again, "Trust you to use the biggest word possible to say evil."

She sniffed, "I refuse to dumb down my vocabulary just so you can keep up, Mr Potter. Get a dictionary." Laughing the two left the classroom to enjoy the late spring sun outdoors.

The sun shone the morning of the last task. Harry tended to become distracted easily. He kept running his hands through his hair, making it an even bigger mess. His eyes had a slightly manic gleam to them. When he started pacing Hermione sent him away. Her nerves had been fraying for days. Most people blamed the stress of her best friend and her boyfriend competing against each other in a deadly contest. She blamed Riddle and his obsessive personality.

By noon she avoided populated areas. She stood studying the hedges dominating the quidditch pitch. Nearby birds sang and insects buzzed about. She dreaded the dangers secreted within the green leafy walls. Sensing another person approaching, she slipped her hand into her pocket tightly grasping her wand. Slowly she pulled it out. Muscles tensed, ready to strike first, she turned. Smirking, Rita Skeeter stood before her, the ever present Quick Quotes Quill floating nearby. Hermione's frowned deepened. "Can I help you, Miss Skeeter?"

"Why, yes, Miss Malfoy, you can. You owe me an interview."

Hermione widened her eyes innocently. "I'm not sure I follow you. I don't recall promising you any such thing."

"I'm the one who discovered your identity. I'm the one responsible for reuniting you with your family. Without me you would have lived on in muggle ignorance." She gave Hermione a feral grin of victory.

Counting to ten, Hermione forced herself to relax. "I see. And how exactly did you make that discovery? I certainly never suspected a thing, what with never even knowing my parents adopted me."

"A good reporter never reveals her sources."

"Why, then you CAN tell me."

Skeeter narrowed her eyes. "Listen here, little girl, I can make or break you. I will ruin you if you don't cooperate. My next article will make the first two look like child's play."

"Topping that drivel shouldn't be too difficult, even for you."

"I am going to enjoy destroying you."

"Oh, are you?" Hermione raised an eyebrow. She put her hands on her hips. "And just how do you propose to do that?"

"By the time I'm finished dragging you through the mud your own parents will be ashamed to claim you."

Hermione barked a joyless little laugh. "But Sirius Black would never be." Skeeter looked perplexed. "As Scion Black, the only opinion I really have to worry about is his." She chuckled lowly again. "Then again, if you think Lucius Malfoy will allow you to print even a whisper of hate mongering lies about his beloved daughter, you are dafter than I thought." Skeeter paled, the poison green of her robes casting a sickly greenish tint on her skin. "Oh, did you forget that part? According to you, you are the reason I am no longer an unfortunate muggleborn anymore. My parents not only know what you're writing, but whom to complain to when it's libelous." Hermione gave her an evil little grin. "But that's the least of your problems.

"Right now I would worry about the fact that I know your little secret." Skeeter's eyebrows shot up. "That's right. I know how you've collected all your scoops over the years. I'm guessing revenge fictions came later."

Skeeter spoke up, "Breaking the news of the Eze Baby reappearing was hardly personal. Face it, sweetie, you're the story of the century, maybe even the millennia. I never thought I'd find one bigger than the Boy-Who-Lived."

"But your first articles about me were revenge. I defended Hagrid, and that annoyed you. And I have no intention of granting you an interview, ever. In fact, if you ever write another unauthorized word about me, my family, my friends, or anyone in our employ; I will go straight to the Ministry with what I know. I imagine Minister Fudge will find the time to meet with me, don't you?"

Skeeter began to sputter. "But, I, I, you can't do this."

"I can, and I will. You discovered who I might be by eavesdropping on a private conversation, in an illegal form. Your big scoop took away my choice in the matter. I am ensuring you can't ever do this to anyone ever again." She watched the gears in Skeeter's head turn as she searched for a loophole. "And if I catch you spying like that again, I promise telling Fudge will be the least of your problems." She smashed her hands together, squishing a flying bug. Skeeter flinched, and paled as Hermione wiped the flattened remains off her hands. "Do enjoy the rest of the tournament, Miss Skeeter." Hermione spun on her heels and stalked away. She wondered if Skeeter would heed her warning.

The rest of the afternoon flew past. Before she knew it, Hermione sat at dinner watching Harry greet Sirius and Remus. They, along with some of the Weasleys, attended as Harry's family. She smiled when Sirius and Harry embraced. She rolled her eyes while Mrs Weasley fussed over Harry. She gave Bill a small wave. He flicked his hand in greeting. She smirked when Mrs Weasley scowled because Bill enjoyed checking out Fleur Delacour after she made a show of checking him out. Once Hermione joined them, both Sirius and Remus hugged her in greeting. Mrs Weasley sniffed and looked away. Bill smiled apologetically, clapping her on the back. She laughed silently and gave him a half-hearted eye roll. Remus eyed the Weasley matriarch over her odd behavior. Harry broke from the group in the courtyard, heading to the tents set aside for the champions. The rest continued towards the family section of the stands. Sirius escorted Hermione so the two could have a whispered conversation.

"I've hunted down the payouts from the Potter account. The one to Remus helped pay for his father's funeral and repairs to the house. James and Lily would have approved. The one to Figg paid some hospital bills after she moved to Little Whining to watch over Harry. Poor dear thinks she's been doing a good deed."

Hermione shrugged, "I'm sure Dumbledore convinced her she is."

"Exactly, well, apparently contracting something called chicken pox as an adult is rather serious."

"Yes, it is. Think Dragon Pox without turning into a chicken. Harry says she's as nice as she can get away with, despite her cat obsession."

"I have the goblins hunting down Mundungus to repay his little loan, with interest. The Dursleys's will be problematic."

"How so?"

"First, they are muggles. Second, Harry would have to testify about his mistreatment."

"And dragging him through all that without his consent would be monstrous."

"Exactly.

She patted his arm. "Don't worry, between the four of us, we'll think of something." Sirius gave her a questioning look. "Harry, Remus, you and me."

Sirius nodded once, "Yes we will."

They entered the stands in front of the entrance to the maze. Hermione smiled and waved to the Krums, whom she had met earlier. Further down she noticed the Minister with other officials, foreign dignitaries, and the school governors. She nearly jumped out of her skin when Mrs Weasley wrapped her arm around Hermione's shoulders. She squeezed Hermione and Bill in an odd one person group hug. "You must be so nervous, sweetheart, your best friend and your boyfriend about to compete; knowing you'll have to console one, while celebrating with the other." Mrs Weasley released Bill to fuss over Hermione.

"You never know, Fleur or Cedric could win. Then I could be consoling them both."

"I suppose that is possible." Mrs Weasley sounded doubtful, like to idea Harry wouldn't win never entered her mind. She kept an arm around Hermione's shoulders, a smug smirk painted on her face. The Marauders looked at Hermione in confusion. She rolled her eyes in answer. From the Minister's box, Lucius glared, while Narcissa kept her gaze locked on the hedge walls enclosing the pitch grounds in front of her.
Making eye contact with Hermione, Lucius's glare softened. He nudged Narcissa. Both smiled and waved at their daughter. Hermione took advantage of the moment and surged forward to wave back enthusiastically. Bill coughed into his hand to cover his laughter.

Ludo Bagman stepped forward, casting the sonorous spell on himself. "Welcome to the third, and final, task of the first Triwizard Tournament in two hundred years!" He paused so the cheers could die down. "Tied for first place are Harry Potter and Cedric Diggory!" The Hogwarts students roared their approval. "The Hogwarts Champions will enter the maze at the same time. They will have a three minute head start over Viktor Krum, who will enter next. Three minutes after him, Miss Delacour will join the chase, and the race will be on.

"The Champions will race through obstacles to the center of the labyrinth where the Tournament Trophy awaits with the promise of eternal glory." The crowd roared again. Ludo flashed his audience, and the cameras, his famous smile. "If a champion cannot continue due to injury, or distress, they can send up a spark from his, or her, wand and be retrieved. Referees will be patrolling the perimeter to render aid." Ludo indicated the professors and volunteer aurors stationed along the edges.

The champions took up their positions in front of the entrance. Ludo raised his arm. "On your mark, get set, GO!" Ludo cried, setting off a bang of noise with this wand. Harry and Cedric raced into the maze, each choosing a different path. Three minutes later Bagman sent Viktor into the maze. Finally Fleur ran into the maze, causing the hedge wall to reseal itself.

Bill sat back in his seat. "Well, as fascinating as watching hedges grow will be, I think I'm off to find the youngers." Mrs Weasley nodded absently. She stared at the Ministry box watching something. Hermione settled down on the wooden bench to begin the exciting activity of watching hedges grow.