Legal requirement- I own nothing. And a word- I have like a half a chapter still in the wings, so the chapters might get smaller, or it might take a little longer to get them out. Stay with me, I promise to not abandon you.
I fixed the formatting errors. Hope it makes easier to read.
Chapter Ten
After about twenty minutes, Hermione sighed and changed positions again. She regretted not bringing a book with her. Red sparks shot up from the far edge of the maze. Professors McGonagall and Snape hurried to help. They assisted a limping Fleur and dazed Viktor. Both had scratches on their arms and legs, and torn clothing. Many people leapt to their feet in concern. Despite Snape's assistance, Viktor careened about dangerously. He looked to be on the verge of collapse. Hermione's hand flew to her mouth, horrified at the possibilities. Mediwitches and healers swarmed the pair. Sirius grabbed her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. She looked at her parents, smiling at their attempts at comfort from a distance. Mrs Weasley hugged Hermione tightly. Seeing the painful sadness flash on Narcissa's face, Hermione mouthed, 'save me' to Remus. Instantly the werewolf came forward and liberated Hermione from the older witch.
"Let the girl breath, Molly."
"Oh, you poor dear," she began, moving back towards the girl.
Hermione cut her off. "I'm fine. Viktor may be injured, but it
doesn't seem any worse than after a rough quidditch match." This
quieted the older witch down. Hermione resumed her seat. Truly she lacked the patience for sitting back and waiting. She agonized over the stretching minutes of inactivity. This is what going insane feels like, she mused. An eternity later, Hermione felt her locator spell pop, indicating Harry had left Hogwarts grounds. Momentarily panicked, she looked at Sirius and Remus. The older men nodded grimly. "We have him, kitten. Try not to worry too much. We'll be back before you know it."
She nodded, "Bill and I will do our part." Sirius and Remus rushed off. Hermione quickly followed, ignoring Mrs Weasley's cries for her to come back and explain. She flung herself down the stairs, then ran to the box where the Malfoys sat. Feet pounding on the wooden boards, she made her way to the top, ignoring the startled stares of somber faced adults. "Lucius." She pulled to a stop, panting from exertion."I need you to come with me. Now."
"Dear, I'm sure Mr Krum will be just fine." A middle aged witch with mousy brown hair smiled condescendingly. Hermione ignored her, returning her focus to Lucius. "This relates to the project we discussed, the delicate, time sensitive one."
His eyes widened in realization. Lucius stood. "Lead on." Hermione grabbed his hand, making a show of dragging Lucius off. Once they reached the bend in the path, she slowed to walk. "Fire extinguished then, my treasure?"
"Not at all. I needed a performance to keep the Death Eater
unsuspecting of the trap awaiting him. Barty Crouch, Jr has been
impersonating Alastor Moody all year. He's hidden the real Moody
somewhere in the DADA office. Bill Weasley went ahead to start
breaking the wards and enchantments." Lucius nodded. "So, we don't
have to run. I know where we're going, and someone competent is all
ready there."
"Something new and different for you, I'm sure."
"It is rather." She grinned at him.
"And what role shall I play?"
"Indignant governor or concerned father, whatever ensures Moody's rescue and Crouch's return to prison."
"Are we pushing to replace Dumbledore?"
Hermione shrugged one shoulder. "I don't know." She replied honestly.
"I doubt he would be easily removed. I'm not sure what response he will have to our activities. He's avoided Harry most of this year so he didn't look like he favored him over Diggory. At least, I hope
that's why."
She pondered the Dumbledore enigma as they walked to the DADA classroom. On the surface, he appeared to be a genial grandfather
type. He smiled, offered treats and gave seemingly sage advice. Yet,
year after year some catastrophe arose involving Harry. An observant,
intelligent person might begin to speculate about the headmaster's
true agenda. Hermione never doubted Dumbledore's goals, just his
methods. As Chief Warlock or Supreme Mugwamp, surely he had the
political standing to free Sirius if he had wanted to. And he had to
know how horribly the Dursleys treated Harry. Could he defend his
decision to allow so much suffering by innocents?
Their footsteps echoed on the stone corridors as they moved through the empty castle. Even the portraits gathered at the better vantage points to await the outcome. Hermione whispered a prayer to any listening deity to keep Harry safe and let the plan work. She hoped Sirius and Remus got there in time to protect him. Lucius directed her through a secret passage that let out not far from the DADA classroom.
The door stood open, light spilling out into the corridor.
Bill Weasley stood facing the door, examining a large steamer trunk.
He looked up when Lucius rapped his knuckled against the door frame.
"The real Alastor Moody appears to be inside. I removed the wards, but decided to wait for back up before opening it."
Lucius nodded his approval, "A wise decision." He pulled his wand and gestured for Hermione to do the same. "Let us proceed. Mr Weasley, if you would do the honors?"
Bill grabbed the lid with both hands and lifted the lid. It crashed backwards. Nothing happened. Hermione swallowed the giggle that threatened to escape. The anticlimactic opening further ratcheted up the tension she felt.
With painstaking slowness, Bill Weasley expanded the many drawers. He levitated the one eyed, one legged unconscious form. "Lord Malfoy, would you mind summoning Madame Pomfrey from the field? I'll take Moody to the hospital wing."
Quickly, Lucius agreed and gestured for Hermione to join him. Swiftly they returned to the quidditch pitch. Hermione followed closely behind Lucius as he made his way through the crowds. Just as they reached the healing tent, a cry rose up. Hermione turned to see Harry supporting a bleeding Cedric Diggory. Sirius and Remus sprinted up to take the Hufflepuff. They carried him to Madame Pomfrey.
Fake Moody moved to intercept Harry. "Stupefy!" Hermione cried. Red light exploded out of her wand hitting the impostor square in the
chest.
"Miss Malfoy, what are you doing?" exclaimed Professor McGonagall.
Hermione kept her wand trained on the fallen wizard. "That isn't
Alastor Moody, and it hasn't been all year."
An auror with hair the color of pink bubblegum looked between the determined young woman and the wizard on the ground. She nodded to Hermione. "Incarcerous." Thick ropes encircled the prone body. "At
your service, Scion Black." She gave a showy bow, grinning so Hermione knew she was joking.
"Thank you, Tonks." The young woman gave her an odd look.
"Sirius told me all about his cousin Andromeda's daughter, the pink haired auror, especially that she hates her name and goes by Tonks."
"Bless him, he's a good man." Tonks laughed as she wiped away fake tears. She levitated the body. "Where to?"
"The infirmary, where Harry and Cedric should be."
Inside the Medical Wing, Madame Pomfrey bustled about. She administer several potions to Harry and Cedric before return her attention to Moody. Tonks settled the impostor onto a cot, using the bindings to lash the prisoner to the bed. Dumbledore moved to stand at the foot of Harry's cot. "Harry, my boy, what happened?"
"An escaped Death Eater transfigured the trophy into a portkey tied to me. When Cedric and I touched it, together, it took us to a
cemetery. Peter Pettigrew, Voldemort in a baby's body, and a giant
snake were waiting for us." Hermione shook her head when several
people recoiled at the mention of Riddle's nom de guerre. "They used
some kind of ritual meant to give him a body. But, they must have
botched it. Voldemort's stuck in some kind of clay statue thing. It
didn't move very fast, but Pettigrew escaped with it before we could
destroy it. Pettigrew and Riddle dueled us. Well, Pettigrew dueled us. Riddle got off a few shots, but his new body doesn't lend itself to spell casting, even if he still packs a wallop. His parting shot is what took down Cedric, that and his concussion." Harry looked over at him. "He hit his head on a tombstone diving out of the way of some
hexes."
Cedric moaned. "Thanks for making it sound more heroic than I
tripped over my shoelaces, Potter."
"At least Remus and Sirius took out the snake."
"Yeah, but we missed the rat." Sirius sulked. He started to say
something when Dumbledore noticed Tonk's prisoner.
"Nymphadora, may I inquire as to why you have your mentor trussed up like a Christmas turkey?"
"According to several sources, this isn't my mentor. And if it is and I didn't, he's have my guts for garters for not being vigilant to the possibility."
Hermione nodded. "It's Barty Crouch, Jr. Bill brought in the real Moody. He's been masquerading as Moody all year." She pointed at a cot further down the ward.
"However did you discover this?" Dumbledore asked, clearly surprised.
"Winky." Hermione replied matter of factly. "She worried something bad might happen and knew about Junior." She smiled innocently.
Sirius smoothly stepped in to continue their narrative. "When
Hermione told me, I put a tracking spell on Harry in case something
like this," he waved his hands about, "occurred. So I could find him."
Dumbledore paused, for a second he looked affronted. "Why didn't you tell me, my boy? I could have mitigated the danger sooner."
Sirius shrugged, "I assumed you had realized the impostor wasn't your
long time friend and intended to monitor the situation." Sirius held
up his hands, proclaiming innocence. "Didn't want to upset any plans
in the works. And loose lips sink ships. I figured the less people
talking about these things the better." Dumbledore frowned, but
remained silent.
Before anyone else could speak the doors to the infirmary flew open again. Cornelius Fudge, followed by aurors and other officials poured in. "What in the blazes is going on, Albus? The entire tournament is in shambles." As he spoke the polyjuice potion wore off and Alastor Moody's features changed. The magical eye popped off and rolled under several cots. The wooden leg clattered to the floor. Years melted off and the clothes grew baggier as the frame shrank.
Instead of a grizzled retired auror sat man in his late
twenties, maybe early thirties. His sandy blonde hair flopped over his forehead into his eyes. His tongue darted out continuously to lick his lips. His brown eyes gleamed intensely.
"Who is that?" demanded Fudge.
"Bartrmius Crouch, Jr." stated Sirius in a matter-of-fact tone. Remus shifted towards the back of the crowd, moving to blend into the
shadows. Fudge paled. "Aurors, secure that criminal." Tonks snorted, "Got it covered."
Fudge pulled his robes forward, attempting to look important and, more importantly, in charge. "Then let us be away with this vagabond." He gestured towards the doors and began moving that way. The political bump from being involved in the capture of a Death Eater trumped demanding the half truths and lies Albus would feed him.
Madame Pomfrey insisted on keeping both Harry and Cedric overnight for observation. At Sirius's request, Tonks relinquished Crouch to the other aurors to remain behind and guard Harry. Pomfrey forced out anyone not immediate family. Hermione settled into a chair next to Harry and dozed.
A loud crash startled awake the inhabitants of the room. Lucius
Malfoy stalked into the large ward, anger radiating from him with
every step. Both Remus and Sirius leapt to their feet, wands drawn.
"Fudge," Lucius ground out, "the contemptible fool, had Crouch Kissed
before anyone had a chance to question him in any detail. We barely
got a passable confession." He threw his hands up in disgust.
Hermione stood up and moved towards the windows at the far end of the room. Idly, she looked out over the castle's courtyards. Lucius continued ranting, "Fudge insisted on summoning the dementors. The second Junior started raving about the Dark Lord coming back, and being a favored Death Eater, Fudge ordered the Embrace. For Fudge's safety, of course. As if a bound man without a wand, or shred of sanity, was really a danger to him."
Movement in her peripheral vision caught Hermione's attention.
Without moving her head, she dropped her eyes. A shiny black beetle
crawled along the sill in a straight line. A perfectly straight line.
Suspicious, Hermione conjured an unbreakable glass jar. She dropped it over the bug, capturing it. That none of this garnished any attention, testified to how much upset Junior's demise caused.
"The fool insists everything be kept quiet. Doesn't want to start a panic by bringing back those 'bad days full of fear.'"
Remus snorted, "No need to risk upsetting his wealthy patrons. No offense, Malfoy."
Lucius waved him away. "None taken. Fudge wants to save his job. Decades ago I helped shape him into this kind of politician. One reaps what one sows. Admitting there might be a body in the well isn't good for him, unless he can show it has been taken care of."
Sirius sneered, "Until the body rots and poisons the water."
Remus shrugged, "On the other hand, Hermione's plan trapped Voldemort in an even more limited form. And will ensure the ritual cannot ever be completed successfully." He smiled at her fondly. She returned his smile. "So nothing really changes."
Cornelius Fudge might have wanted to keep the side show a secret, but Albus Dumbledore disagreed. He informed everyone of the hidden events of the last task during breakfast the next morning. Well, what he decided to present as the events. He had Harry facing off with Riddle and defeating him again. He glossed over the facts that Harry had not been alone, and that Riddle remained trapped in a clay golem. He made sure everyone understood Lord Voldemort was returning.
The Beaubaton contingent took off in their flying carriage amid
waving arms and encouraging calls. The Drumstang crew boarded their
ship right afterwards. Viktor hugged Hermione farewell, promising to
write often. They raised sail and disappeared beneath the waves of
Black Lake. The next morning the Hogwarts express departed from
Hogesmeade headed for London.
Hermione nestled into the corner seat of her compartment. A lack of concrete plans to sit together enabled Ron to latch onto Harry,
leading him away from Hermione. On one hand, Hermione resented Ron's
childish behavior. She hoped a summer apart would grant him some much
needed maturity. On the other hand, the plan for dealing with the
Dursleys had Harry fretting, which frazzled Hermione. She decided Ron
deserved a nervous Harry, she'd had plenty of opportunities to deal
with him like a champ, thank you very much. Ron shouldn't get away
with just happy fun time Harry.
Before she settled in to finish her book, she placed her new pet on the seat next to her. She had poked holes in the lid of the mason jar, and dropped in a twig and some leaves. Rincewind and Twofeather had just launched on the mission to determine the gender of the turtle when the door slid open. Hermione looked up. Casually leaning against the door frame, Cedric Diggory looked about the compartment, frowning to find her alone. "Mind some company?"
"I suppose not." She waved him in, dropping the book into her lap.
"How can I help you?"
Cedric scrunched up his handsome face in confusion. "What makes you think I want something?"
"That's usually why people come looking for me." She smiled brightly.
"I, uh, I don't need anything, actually. I wanted to warn you."
"Warn me?" Hermione laughed, "About what?"
"Kevin Whitby and Owen Cauldwell told me they overheard Owen's older brother, Gawain, and his friend Evander Fawley talking about giving you love potions."
"Excuse me?" Hermione leapt to her feet, her book crashing to the floor. Ignoring the book, Hermione advanced to Cedric. "They're
planning to do what?" Little lightning bolts flickered at the ends of
her hair.
"Calm down, Hermione." Cedric told her gently. "The boys overheard them talking about how pretty you are, and how no one's parents would be be upset if their son brought home an intelligent Malfoy. Owen and Kevin got upset when they started talking about where they could get love potions. They're twelve, Hermione." She nodded gulping in deep, calming breaths. "They came to me, and I promised to warn you. While I don't think you have anything to really worry about, forewarned is forearmed. And I keep my promises."
"Thank you, Cedric."
"You're welcome. Though, maybe you shouldn't be sitting alone. And be careful around unpack aged sweets."
"Sound advice for anyone associating with the Weasley twins. Tell them I will take the warning under advisement." Cedric left and
Hermione attempted to settle back into the book. Unfortunately, her
mind raced with horrible possibilities. She might never again be able
to relax. Why would anyone would want to be with someone they had to
drug to love them was beyond her. A shudder of revulsion ran through
her.
The door slid open and Tracey Davis poked her head in. "There you are, I've been looking for you."
"You have?"
"Yes, silly. You were so busy at the end of the year, I barely got to see you."
Hermione gave her a sheepish smile, "I'm bad about losing myself in research. Just invade. I might grouse a little, but I'll get over it. We should hang out over the summer."
"I would love to. The other girls are friendly enough during the
school year, but they kind of forget me during the summer." She smiled weakly.
"Why would they do that?"
"I'm a half blood." Hermione stared at her blankly, her eyes
unblinking. "They're, um, all purebloods."
Hermione continued to stare, "And?"
"That's the reason. Their parents don't really approve, but at the same time they don't really disapprove." She shrugged.
Hermione blinked slowly. "You know what? Never mind, don't care. I intend to write you and invite you over. I expect you to respond and visit."
Tracey nodded. "Did I see Cedric Diggory leaving a few minutes ago?" She teasingly raised her eyebrows twice.
"You did," Hermione laughed. "He promised to warn me about a love potion plot." She repeated the entire conversation. "I have to admit, I am kind of nervous now."
"My grandmother taught me how to check my food and drink. The charm is super simple. I could teach you." she offered.
"When have I ever turned down new knowledge?"
"Hermione, can I ask why you have beetle in that jar?"
"Oh, that's just a little behavioral experiment." The beetle raced about the jar excitedly."Just ignore it." She moved the jar to the floor and nudged it under her seat. The girls enjoyed an uneventful ride back to London.
At King's Cross Hermione insisted on meeting the Davises. Mr Davis smiled, pleased to meet one of his daughter's school friends. "You'll have to come round some this summer, Miss Malfoy." Mrs Davis gave her husband a sharp, pained look. "What?"
Hermione smiled, "I would love to, but my parents might be a bit
overprotective. I was kidnapped as a baby, so..." she trailed off. "On the other hand I might be able to convince them to let me visit if my brother or a close friend comes with me. And Tracey has an open
invitation to visit me." She hugged her new friend. "It was lovely to
meet you, Tracey, I'll write you soon. Probably tonight." The Davises
waved farewell and began making their way to the exit.
Harry joined Hermione, "Am I the close friend?"
"Yep." She began walking towards Sirius without another word, forcing Harry to follow her.
"Not even going to ask if I want to?"
"Nope."
"Pup! Kitten! Good trip?" He clapped Harry on the shoulder and hugged Hermione. "All set for tomorrow?"
Hermione nodded, "Lucius and I have an appointment with the police at nine am. He has all the reports from Gringotts."
"I'll try to egg Uncle Vernon on as much as I can." Harry frowned. "Set him on edge."
Sirius nodded, "Just don't put yourself in danger." Harry nodded. He pointed to the school trunk at his feet. "Your fake trunk, all set up by yours truly." He flicked his wand shrinking Harry's real trunk.
Narcissa joined them, briefly embracing her cousin, before moving on to her daughter and Harry. "Hello, darlings." Lucius and Draco followed behind. "Once you and Sirius get settled, you two must come for dinner." When Sirius rolled his eyes she smacked him in the back of the head. "I will not take no for an answer. It doesn't have to be formal. We could try that curry Harry mentioned, or Chinese."
"I would like that, Aunt Narcissa." The honorific title caused
Narcissa to beam. Harry grinned back.
At that moment Molly Weasley bustled up to Harry and Sirius. Hermione briefly felt bad for noticing how frumpy the Weasley wife looked next to her mother. Mrs Weasley fussed over Harry mentioning numerous times how underfed he looked. Mr Weasley gave everyone an awkward smile of apology. Hermione frowned remembering Mrs Weasley's previous behavior.
Smiling an innocent little smile that would have immediately made Harry nervous, she slipped her arm into Narcissa's, "Mum, do you think we could head into London after the morning meeting tomorrow?"
"Of course, darling. Perhaps we could grab lunch and do a bit of shopping."
"Just us this time? I know we promised to take some friends, but I want some time just us." Hermione made eye contact with Ginny when she said friends. The cold look she gave the other girl left no doubt
Ginny Weasley would not be getting an invite.
Narcissa simply smiled. "That would be lovely. And we can go shopping with your friends whenever you want, wizarding world, or muggle."
Draco looked over, "Oi! No getting pizza without me!"
"You know you can go get pizza on your own. You don't need me."
"If you're going to be like that, maybe I'll take Potter."
"You go right ahead."
Harry laughed. "Next Friday?"
"Yes." Draco stuck out his tongue at Hermione.
Narcissa smiled at their antics. Lucius, dear, we should be going. Siri needs to get Harry to those muggles, and the four of you will have a rather long day tomorrow."
The Malfoys bid farewell to the others and departed the train
station. Once in the privacy of their own home, a beaming crying
Narcissa hugged Hermione tightly. "oh, my darling, you called me Mum."
Hermione returned the embrace. "Only 14 years late." She joked.
Narcissa pulled back and stroked Hermione's hair away from her face. "You know you don't have to."
"I know, I want to. I may not ever feel comfortable being formal and calling you Mother and Father. But it was time. I have no idea why Molly Weasley keeps running so hot and cold, but they way she keeps snubbing you annoys me."
"Don't worry yourself about all that." Narcissa rubbed up and down Hermione's arms. "Water under the bridge and all that." Hermione
snorted in derision, but remained silent. She let the matter drop for the moment.