AlsethGosia, hah now that you mentioned it, I actually can imagine how that could have been Bella overexaggerating her impersonation of Rodolphus, and him glaring at her because he was annoyed by it. Hahaha Too bad the Polyjuice isn't ready yet. What a missed opportunity!
If Bellatrix is going to participate? Please, Bella is the reigning champion :P All hail the winner of all duels! (Except... that one in which she lost... but shh... That one didn't count, right?) Haha
This chapter is to wrap up somethings, hopefully some of your questions will have been answered. xD

Chapter XXI – The unwanted insight

"I never thought I'd see so many people taking part in the championship..."

Fillius said, watching as the kids put their names in the black enchanted box that would randomize the competition. The Professors were giving time for the indecisive students to make up their minds, before they divided the class between those who would start training for the competition, and those who would just use this time to practice spellcasting.

The championship, as Hermione had explained to the enraptured students that witnessed her skills with conjuring charms, consisted of two categories: Individual and Teams.

The individual category did not change at all. A person will enter the competition, regardless of year, and face other competitors in eliminatory duels until they reach the final and take home those 100 points.

The Team format would consist of individual duels as well, but each one of those would count as a point for the group (of four). In the end, the team with the highest score will come out victorious, and everyone will get 50 house points, even if one integrant of the group do not particularly win a single duel. This was mostly to encourage participation.

Of course, a person could still compete individually and be a part of a team to maximize the quantity of points they can win for their house.

The duelling championship was usually the stage for students with confidence in their abilities to win the unofficial title of most skilled of Hogwarts with those 100 house-points. The competition was usually short.

Fillius excited eyes followed each person that signed up. Hermione, though, watched one single person. Trying to figure out what that small crease between her eyebrows meant... why her jaw was locked so... If she was still angry, or simply indecisive, as she watched her youngest sisters debate from afar. It was difficult to read emotions on her face when they weren't so strong.

Still, absentminded as she was, she heard what was said. "Where I come from this is common occurrence."

Giving up the task of figuring Bellatrix out, she turned her gaze towards Fillius, just as he looked up to face her as well. "I've seen it. But the initiative in your-" He cut himself off, before the word 'time' could leave his lips. "-past... was not to encourage participation, it was to encourage interhouse interactions. It's not the same here! I'm surprised so many people want to take part despite never really showed interest before!"

"Regardless of reason, I believe that we'll have a successful experiment." She smiled brightly at her equally optimistic mentor, unaware of another set of eyes fixated on her.

"I told you, Rod. Look at her... Is that the face of someone who is just getting to know her colleagues? She studied here! So why there's no record of her anywhere?"

They were waiting as Rabastan went to invite a fourth person to complete their group. Rodolphus had no idea why Rabastan wanted so much that Tonks boy to be a part of their team... He looked weak... Rod doubted that he would even have the reflex needed for defence and evasion. "Can't you get a glimpse of her memories?" He asked, without giving any real attention to what Francine was seeing, more interested in the way his brother was all smiles and charisma to approach that Hufflepuff little chicken.

Francine groaned in response "You don't think I've tried? It's like... trying to see a reflection through disturbed water. The memory is there, but I can't see it clearly. I can't even decipher her feelings. Unless I push through her mental barriers, I won't grasp anything at all. But that would denounce me... What is she hiding, Rod? What is she hiding?"

"Relax. If there's nothing you can do about it, there's no use worrying about it either." He watched warily as his brother talked to that... Lanky boy. He could not begin to guess what was being said, but he felt apprehensive either way... They were so... smiley... I don't like this... I don't like this at all...

He could see from the corner of his eye the moment Francine stopped staring at their professor and turned to look at him. "Take your own advice, then. Why are you worrying about your brother if you can't control his feelings?"

"He had his heart fucking crushed last time. I'm not letting that happen again. If this chicken ever thinks about hurting my little brother..." On cue, Rabastan let out that rare booming laughter he just released when he was truly amused. Rodolphus glared at the potential heartbreaker.

"Rod. Rabs can take care of himself."

"But-"

"Rod."

"Fine!" He looked away from the worrisome scene unfolding where his brother stood, turning his gaze towards his fiancée instead. Bellatrix was glaring at Andromeda's back as she talked to Alecto Carrow. A small smile inadvertently took over his face, he was probably the only person who thought she was amusing when pissed off.

No doubt she wanted nothing more than to compete with only her sisters on the team. Too bad that rules were rules, and it dictated that those groups had to be formed by four people. Funny how there's nothing stopping people from partnering up with different houses. "Hey, you never told me what you saw in her mind when she pulled you for that staring contest earlier." He was trying his best to keep his eyes from wondering back towards his brother and his... friend.

Whatever Francine saw in Bella's mind must have been something she found incredibly funny, because soon enough she was laughing with just the thought of it. "What?" He asked again, the laughter he didn't release made his voice drip with humour. "Francine, what the hell? What did you see?"

"No-nothing. Nothing, really. It's just that..." She took deep breaths, trying to control her own amusement. "Oh... man... She is thinking about learning Legilimency just to keep us in check."

Now Rodolphus himself had to laugh at the irony. "Good luck with that..." He said as if Bella could hear him. She didn't of course. Unaware that she was the topic of conversation, she was now drilling Alecto, who took it all with her usual mask of indifference. "Was that all?"

"Yes... But her feelings were all over the place. I got the impression that she wasn't just worried about us. There's something else bothering her, I just couldn't dig up what." He turned to look at his friend, in time to see her losing the smile on her face as if she was just realizing something. "It... just reinforces something I already told you..."

"Hmm... What is it?" He didn't like when Francine frowned like that. Like she carried bad news.

"Jean Grey is a threat."

"Oh, come on."

"You saw the look on her face."

It was nothing! He would not allow himself to get wrapped up in Bellatrix' paranoia like Francine was. "You don't know what was on her mind."

"Just because I can't get a read on her it doesn't mean it isn't obvious." Francine sighed and bit her lower lip, clearly torn about her own beliefs. "What if Bellatrix is right?"

I can't believe it... Shock didn't begin to describe Rodolphus' reaction to her suggestion. His brain stopped its functions for a second, in which he just stared at his friend like she was speaking Greek. "You can't be serious..."

"I mean..." She looked around to make sure that people were minding their own business and leaned closer so she could be heard over the chatter going around the room while she lowered her voice. He figured that she had a lot to say, and it would be weird if they stood for seconds on end staring into each other's eyes. Conventional method for privacy it is, then... He bent forwards a little bit to hear better, all the while he pretended to stare at something on the ground... "What if she knows about Lord Voldemort? Professor Grey is lying about who she is! Why would she do that if she didn't have a hidden agenda? Bellatrix has a logical mind, even if she came up with this idea out of prejudice... She must have had the same suspicions I do."

"Andromeda trusts her." he rubbed his nose so no one could read his lips.

"She was impressed by her power. A little too convenient that Ms. Grey would immediately take her as an 'apprentice'. You can't discard the possibility that she is working for someone. And if she's working for Dumbledore... You're in immediate danger."

He looked towards his professor... Suddenly her smile didn't look so friendly... His heart stilled inside his chest for a second... there was this sudden fear that was almost overwhelming. To think that he didn't even have the chance to live yet, and was already tied to a lost fucking cause... He didn't want to go to Azkaban. He didn't want to be caught by association, when all he did was swear fucking loyalty. It's not lost. Lord Voldemort is biding his time... If Dumbledore could stop him, he would do so already. He has the support of the most important families of our society... He has a plan, he has power... He is unstoppable. He is going to win... I can't be on the losing side. I can't be on the losing side... A hand was placed on his shoulder, and he was startled out of spiralling thoughts. He looked away from his professor - that seemed much too engrossed in Bellatrix' actions - hating the sudden awareness that came with Francine's insight. Is she watching for potential enemies?

"I'm sorry for bringing it up..."

He could understand that she just wanted him to be aware... But what was the use of it? What difference would it make if she was right about it? He already gave his word that he would help. He would not back down... Not when it was important to have Bellatrix' trust... He would lose his freedom; it didn't mean he should lose his happiness... "Can't you just... Drop the matter? It's too late to back out. There's no use worrying about it! Let's just focus on making our plan work." He seriously preferred when his only thoughts about their professor revolved around beautiful and badass...

Francine nodded, looking guilty for making him worry like that.

He needed to distract himself now... So, he asked the second thing that came to mind. "What do you think about Andie joining our team? You think she's going to make it?"

"I think that Rabs just asked her to join to keep his straight image intact. The rumours were starting to take a turn for the worse..." Shit... there's that, too... He grimaced, crossing his arms over his chest, glancing quickly in the direction where his brother was with the Huffleboy. They were talking more seriously, now Rodolphus could guess that they were discussing something about the team. "Andie accepted. And honestly, It's not a matter if she's good or not. Rod needs a break for now, at least until people forget this. Like they forgot the whole fiasco of our fifth-year celebration party. One rumour overshadows the other, you know that. He is playing up his relationship with Andie."

"Oh..." He finally understood now... But now he worried about something else... Is this boy the reason he's trying to get a cover?

"So yeah. Better pray Andie knows how to fly. I honestly can't imagine how that'll go. We might have to come up with one huge lie to justify our choice."

"I think we're in the clear. Bella acted as though it was a certainty Andie would get on the team. She wouldn't be so angry if Andromeda was a bad flier, would she? I mean, she acted as though the girl was already betraying her whole anti-quidditch movement."

Francine chuckled "Alright, you have a point."

"Hey!"

The greeting made Rodolphus look away from Francine's smile "Hey. Who's the little chicken behind you?"

"Give it a break, Rod." Fran elbowed him in the ribs, his fake pout and hurt look was completely ignored by the girl. "Nevermind him, Tonks. Did Rabs tell you that we have a mutual friend?" Her bright smile had a new target, and it bothered him to see the boy perking up to it. He really didn't like that boy. Not one bit.

"He did! Thanks for... you know. Everything."

"Don't mention it... Seriously. Don't ever."

Are they speaking in codes now? What friend? Since when Francine knows Tonk's friends?

"Alright, Everyone! Let's get started!" When Jean Grey's voice echoed around the room, they looked towards the platform where she was now standing side by side with Professor Flitwick.

He would have to remind himself to ask Francine what was going on. He felt like he was out of the loop.

As everyone stared up at them, Hermione summoned her wand and pointed towards one of the students in that small crowd. She had no intention of sending any spell, yet all her NEWT students pulled out their wands at once to protect themselves... Receiving weird stares of all the others who had no idea what the hell was going on. The little third-year Gryffindor who was at the end of her wand, before Dorian Leyfer jumped in front of him with protego at the ready, stared at up at his housemate in confusion.

That's precisely the kind of reaction she wanted them to have... But right now Hermione was making an effort not to laugh. She sent two or three spells in Dorian's, Bellatrix's and Andie's direction – who were also receiving the same weird look from Narcisa – it helped her get over that amusement... and make the others understand why her NEWT students acted like she was a threat with a wand pointed in their direction. "Constant Vigilance in check. Ok. Good... Now, who is going to take part in the championship?"

Except for some third and fourth-year students – she didn't have the chance to meet yet – everyone raised their hands. It surprised Hermione, who didn't really watch the people leaving their names in the box. Now she understood what Fillius meant... Twenty-eight... That's seven teams! I didn't expect this many people taking part either! "Those who will train for the championship will get instructions from Master Flitwick... Those who want to practice spellcasting... Follow me! We're going to the shooting range!"

She smiled at the students that made the motion to follow her towards the space with dozens of mannequins, all dressed like wizards, with wands in their immobile hands.

"I can't believe this, Albus. I can't believe you'd lead a boy to his death because of a prophecy." Minerva's disappointed expression hurt more than watching his own failures Hermione's memories "A prophecy!"

He was too prideful to bend his head down, even if he felt like it, as he listened to Minerva like a child being chastised. "Prophecies, when they are true, have a way of fulfilling themselves." He didn't know who he was trying to convince. Minerva, or himself. He was never one for believing in divinations... He didn't know why he prepared the boy for his death, when he could have simply bound Voldemort to a forgotten cell for the rest of his 'eternal' life.

"So, you decided to fulfil it yourself?"

"If I made it come true, then I build the path towards it, and the outcome. Maybe that was it... I apologize, but I don't know what led me to make those decisions." Or maybe it's because I feared that only I could stop Voldemort, and since I was going to die... I had to make sure that the prophecy would come true with Harry victorious. But it still didn't explain how he knew that the boy would win... He was consumed by that question...

Minerva sighed and finally decided to settle in the chair in front of his desk. "I'm sorry, I know it wasn't you..."

"No, you are right. It was me. I admit I fail to find the logic... but that was me. On another occasion..."

"A forgotten future. One that hopefully won't come true."

"It won't. I have all the tools to stop Voldemort's ascension to power before he can make a real damage. I just can't make a move at the wrong time."

"That book..."

"Is the counter play I need. But she has no name, for anyone who doesn't know her, she is one random muggleborn I wrongly hired. No one will take her work seriously if she doesn't have someone backing her up. If your name is in this 'research' as well..."

"I see. So, it wasn't just to make the girl feel at home, was it?"

Only this woman could make him feel ashamed by the duality of his decisions. His main intention was to make her feel at home... Hermione deserved better than to go through that kind of loss twice in her lifetime... She lost her friends to time. It wasn't death, but it hurt just the same. He could feel her pain as if it hit his own heart...

However, Minerva knew him well enough to know that: "No, it wasn't. I can't have my name associated with this work... Voldemort might find it easier to discredit it if I have any part. And if anyone but you get close to Hermione... Her complicated situation might come into question. As you now know."

"Very well. Is there anything else you need from me?"

"I want you contact some muggleborn parents. See if any of them will be interested in taking part in the experiment. Tell them that this is to test if magic can be passed through blood-transfusion."

"I won't lie to them about this!"

"It's not a lie. If Hermione was wrong, what would we prove?"

"We know she isn't..."

"They don't know that. And for all intents and purposes, neither do us."

She didn't look too convinced, but as always, she trusted him. More than she trusted her better judgement. Her silent nod was loud. Like a Howler. That kind of trust placed upon him didn't settle so well when it was brought to his conscience how much of a fallible man he was. The weight of responsibility made him feel like he aged one hundred years. I can't fail anymore...

"At this moment, we are running against the clock." He tried to reassure her... "Voldemort has been stalled, but once he convinces his followers that the minister he wants isn't weak, he will be ready to launch his attack on the ministry as soon as the election is through."

"When will we begin?"

"As soon as Hermione gets on board. Hopefully... Today. Could you begin scoping which parents are most likely to agree?"

"You better be right, Albus..."

I know...