AN: The scene that most have been waiting to read. If Harry will or won't have to participate in the Triwizard Tournament.

Enjoy!

~NicoDiAngeloLover7

Touched by Death – Chapter 23 (Out With the Old and In With the New)

The closer it got to the deadline the more pissed that Marcus got. The Slytherin couldn't tell if Sirius was more worried or mad about the whole situation. They only had a couple hours before it would hit the 24-hour mark.

Marcus was trying to think of any possible place Harry might have been. The library was completely empty, he checked even in the back. Marcus had checked the Room of Requirement with any possible room that his boyfriend might have thought out. He had no such luck so far, though Sirius seemed impressed with the room. Apparently, it was one of the rooms that he never found when he was in Hogwarts. Marcus even had McGonagall check several times about Gryffindor Tower. He was pretty sure the woman only did it because she was just as worried about Harry as he was. There still had been no sign of Harry in the Tower. Harry wasn't in even the abandoned classroom that the Gryffindor had helped him with the Patronus last year.

It was by the last hour that Marcus was getting desperate. Terence was trying to help look when he could, and they even had the entire house looking. Sirius had even commented about the 'Point Me,' spell. Marcus looked at Sirius like the man was an idiot.

"You realize that the Four-Point charm only points north, right?" Marcus' tone was sharp. "That's not going to help me find Harry. Unless you happen to know a locator spell…"

Sirius winced at Marcus' irritated tone. He never used the spell, he just assumed it might help find Harry. But he couldn't think of anything that would help them find his godson.

Marcus' eyes just went wide with realization, "Sirius you're a fucking genius!"

Sirius looked at the Slytherin in disbelief. He wasn't sure if the 17-year-old was being serious or not. Most people would not associate the word 'genius' with his name. "Tell me again, on why you suddenly think I'm a genius?"

Marcus rolled his eyes, "the pendant I gave Harry two years ago. I had a tracker inside of it. He never takes it off. I have it connected with a pendant of mine." The Headboy showed a similar necklace that was hidden under his robes. Marcus was impatient as he waited for it to heat up before he had a location.

It would be cutting it close, but hopefully Harry was where he was about to be led to.

Turns out the place his necklace was leading them to was the Hogwarts Kitchens. Sirius had known exactly where they were going soon as they took the stairs down from the Entrance Hall. Marcus was glad that Sirius was with him, because he had no idea how to get inside whatever room Harry was in.

Hence, why Marcus looked at Sirius like he was crazy when the older man tickled the pear. But the look turned into amazement when a door handle appeared.

"Welcome to the Hogwarts Kitchen," Sirius whispered to Marcus.

Marcus' gaze landed on Harry, who was sitting on one of the couches that the kitchen provided. Dean, Seamus, and Neville were joined around Harry.

Harry automatically noticed when Marcus and Sirius walked in. He was confused on why the two would be in the kitchens. Well… maybe not curious on why Sirius was there, the man was currently asking the house elves for food.

"Marcus, what are you doing here?"

"Looking for you obviously… you had to choose the one place I didn't even know about…"

Harry looked at the Slytherin, guilty. He hadn't thought about the fact that Marcus never knew about the kitchens. He was thinking of a place where he could hide that almost nobody knew about. He just wanted to get away from everything. He had barely stepped inside Gryffindor Tower before he realized that he made a mistake. He should have never stepped inside, he was immediately met with hateful and scornful stares. That wasn't counting all the comments that were made, Harry did his best to ignore them. No doubt that they wanted to be the champion, not a Slytherin or someone they considered a betrayal to Gryffindor. No doubt that everyone in there thought he cheated so he could be a champion in a tournament that could kill him. Harry would have run immediately back out if it wasn't for his friends. He may have been in the Common room for maybe ten minutes before he headed back out. And that's when all four of them headed to the Kitchen to hide there. Harry was grateful that Seamus, Dean, and Neville believed that he was forced in the tournament. And the fact that they were willing to keep him company, though he imagined the temptation of food helped.

"Sorry, I just needed some place where nobody knew about. I don't even want to think about going back to Gryffindor Tower, honestly…"

Marcus' face still looked grim, but he nodded. "I don't blame you. I wouldn't have been as worried if it wasn't as important as this."

The Slytherin's words were making Harry curious. What was so important that Marcus needed to be where he was at, especially since it had almost been a day since the selection happened.

Marcus quickly explained where Sirius found out there was a 24-hour loophole for the Tournament.

Harry gapped in horror, he could have lost the chance of getting out of this tournament. "Do it!"

Marcus explained that Harry what he would have to say. 'Lady Magic, I wish to be withdrawn from the Triwizard Tournament.' It was a simple saying, but you had to have the words, 'Lady Magic' in it. After all, their magic originally came from her, its how the contract was so binding.

Marcus knew it might be a close call, he would have to speak to Gringotts for the list of the Triwizard Champions. It was updated automatically by year and was kept on record.

Harry looked so hopeful and Marcus didn't want to ruin that maybe they missed their chance by seconds or minutes.

"Harry, even if we missed this. You have me, the entire Slytherin House, Sirius, all your professors, and your friends with you. Even if we have to cheat, you will survive this," Marcus voice was firm. The Slytherin didn't care if they had to cheat, Harry was not going to die if he had anything to say about it.

Harry gave a hesitant smile. He didn't have a good feeling that the loophole worked. There was an immense guilt that he should have just chosen somewhere Marcus could have found him. Hell, even a place that Terence knew. But that hadn't happened.

Seamus, Dean, and Neville stayed silent as they watched Marcus and Harry talk. They had witnessed when Harry had been a nervous wreck when his name was called out of the Goblet. They knew immediately that something was wrong, Harry had gotten so pale and Marcus practically had to carry him. They noticed Harry had gained some color back when they saw him in the Common Room. It had taken some coaxing for Harry to let them come with him, so he wouldn't be facing this alone. The 3 Gryffindors weren't even surprised that Marcus wasn't with Harry, no doubt that he would be searching endlessly to get Harry out of the tournament. So, when Harry wanted to spend a few days in the kitchens to get away from everything, they went with him. And when Marcus had said that Harry had then, there had been furious nods from all three of them. There was still some leftover rage about what Granger did.

"We'll make Gryffindor regret wanting to accuse you of cheating, Harry" Seamus commented.

Harry's eyes glanced at Seamus and grinned, "that I have no doubt."

"Don't forget that you have your own Slytherin to give the school hell for doubting you," Dean chimed in.

Marcus snorted, "don't you mean that he'll have the entire Slytherin house?"

Neville's eyes went wide. "Really?"

Seamus and Dean gave Neville weird looks, "you need to look around more, Neville. I swear its like Slytherin views Harry as one of their own. Even Snape has warmed up to him. And that's saying something!"

Neville looked embarrassed.

Harry rolled his eyes, his mood clearly uplifted. "Lay off him guys, I can be just as bad."

Harry got four snorts for that comment, that was very true.

The small Gryffindor looked over to where Sirius was, apparently, he got plenty to eat. And decided to join Marcus on one of the couches. "You're not mad, right Siri?"

Sirius laughed at the nickname, "haven't been called that in years. I'm mad alright, but not at you. I'm furious with the situation and that a certain headmaster is part of the reason you're in danger once more. You should be mad too, I know Marcus is."

Harry's eyes went wide, "too nervous to really think about being mad. Which I know I am, but it's a lot to think about. I don't even know that much about the Triwizard Tournament."

Sirius frowned, "I'll send you everything I have about the tournaments in the past. Even if the loophole didn't work. Which is not your fault. But I still have some books leftover from Hogwarts. We're going to make sure you're prepared for this tournament, I'm not going to have my godson be left in the dark. No doubt Marcus and your friends will be helping you get up to speed. You most likely will be needing to learn up to 7th year."

Harry grimaced at that, but it was a relief that maybe he would have a chance.

Marcus frowned, he had already planned on helping Harry train for the tournament. "You aren't going back to Gryffindor Tower!"

Harry was taken back a little at the demand before it turned into amusement. "And where am I supposed to sleep."

"My dorm," like the answer was obvious.

"I doubt there's any room in the Slytherin dorms, Marcus," Harry laughed.

"You do realize that I live in the Headboy dorms, right?" Marcus raised an eyebrow.

"What!?" was Harry's shout.

He was met with 4 snickers. Apparently, Harry was the only one that wasn't aware that the Headboy got a dorm of his own.

"When was I going to be informed of that?" Harry looked annoyed.

"You didn't ask," was Marcus' obvious answer.

Harry grumbled under his breath.

Sirius had gone to the goblins about the list for the Triwizard Tournament champions. He needed to know for sure if his godson was required to participate or not. It didn't take long, it seemed Sirius gained a lot of respect for being associated with Marcus. He hadn't been there to witness Marcus' work on repairing the Goblet of Fire. But there had been very high praises and coming from a goblin, that was saying a lot…

His heart sank, they had missed the deadline as he saw four names with bright, emerald ink. He knew it probably would happen, but he would have preferred to have his godson out of harms way. Sirius knew that Marcus wouldn't be pleased about it, but the Slytherin wasn't as furious as when the events first came to light.

Sirius hadn't been too worried when Marcus had told Harry he wanted him to live in the Headboy dorms. He had wanted the small Gryffindor out of Gryffindor Tower, he didn't really trust what the other Gryffindors could do. Marcus had after all, informed him of the events that happened in Harry's second year. And the fact he knew that each Headboy and Headgirl dorm was set up as a four-room suite in case someone was visiting. And they were both equipped with a kitchen as well. Sirius didn't doubt there were times that Harry and Marcus probably did share a bed in his own house. But he trusted Marcus to know not to push his godson. Sirius had been 'serious' when he told Marcus that he had his approval on courting his godson.

Sirius wound up having to send a letter instead of coming in person. He didn't have time to schedule a personal visit to Hogwarts. The older Gryffindor had a meeting with Amelia about the findings concerning Albus' probation. He didn't doubt the way things would most likely go concerning these events. She would deal with the criminal charges and give the verdict to the Board of Governors.

Harry could say things weren't as bad as they were back when he was still a second year. For one, he had an entire house that had his back. And nobody would try to curse him no matter how much they might want to. If there was one thing Harry had to be thankful for that the headmaster did, it was the way all his classes were with Slytherins. The Gryffindor still had his three friends with him for most classes. If it wasn't Marcus, there was always some Slytherin around him. It was plainly obvious that Harry was under the protection of Slytherin house. Neville, Dean, and Seamus were included in that by association.

He did sigh when he got the letter back from Sirius, telling him about the list at Gringotts. The loophole didn't work, but Harry wasn't going to let that bother him. He was a bit upset about it, but Marcus had a way of distracting him most times.

Sirius wasn't kidding when he said he would be sending all his Hogwarts books. Sirius even thought it might be beneficial for Harry to learn Runes. It wasn't the extensive knowledge that Marcus knew, but it might help him for one of the tasks in the future. And if Marcus could help him, he would. Harry almost wished that he might have taken Ancient Runes, but he didn't think he honestly needed it. The electives Healing, and Care of Magical Creatures seemed more important at the time.

Marcus had liked the idea of his boyfriend knowing some runes, knowing they could be very useful and might save his life. So, the Slytherin supported Sirius' suggestion for passing on his knowledge. And hopefully, Marcus might be able to get Harry to know more than just beginners Runes.

Marcus hadn't been surprised when Terence had started helping Harry get up to speed. He was mainly helping him with fourth- and fifth-year material. Marcus would occasionally help, but he arranged with Terence that he would teach Harry sixth- and seventh-year material. And if there was one thing that Marcus wanted Harry to know, it was how to cast non-verbal.

It was easier now that the meddlesome coot was officially kicked out of Hogwarts. The whole scene had taken place in the Great Hall during breakfast. Amelia had arrived with the notice with a few Aurors, just in case. Apparently, Dumbledore had tried to worm out of it, saying that he was still Headmaster and they couldn't just dismiss him. Marcus noticed the sudden shift because the man looked more guarded. No doubt Amelia had revealed the list of charges against the old man and he wasn't happy. Even then it looked like the man was protesting on leaving, no doubt he was trying to say that Hogwarts needed him. Apparently, that had been enough for Amelia's patience because she had ordered the Aurors to arrest him and add it to the list of charges. Marcus already knew the man would be facing time in Azkaban for the manipulations for the goblet alone. The only question would be on how long the sentence would be. There was no doubt in the Slytherin's mind that there would be an article in the Daily Prophet tomorrow. Minerva McGonagall was officially Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.