Author's Note:
Reviews and Comments: To LifeonEarth: Thanks for finding the Hinny situation hilarious! Thanks for agreeing with my Michael is a douche scenario and Ginny basically being too good for him and too kind-hearted. Thanks for loving my Remadora and yes, we will see them again soon! Thank you! To Denisa: Thank you! I definitely think Michael got what he deserved. As to Harry keeping his feelings hidden, well he is with Mandy now. Thank you! To Faaan'Taaas'Tilique: Thanks for saying Harry and Mandy are cute and for liking Hermione's SPEW project! To Enchanted Lynx: Thanks for enjoying my Hinny developments. To alix33: Sorry to make you tear up, but thank you! To Guest: Thanks for loving the "details threaded throughout" my story "that depend the colour of the story, like a finely woven tapestry." Thank you so much!
To iKingAnomalyII: Thank you. I am definitely not brushing off the Chamber. It will be come back again, and yes, part of that will be with her relationships. I think Michael deserved worse myself and so do others as you will see below. As to the Bat-Bogeys from his crotch, I kind of took it to mean that she forced the Bogey's down his body and to come from his penis in massive bat flapping shapes and I expect that it was incredibly painful (or I hope so)! I wanted to address the nickname situation for Ginny as some people have questioned where they have come from. I have been slowly dropping them in from time to time over the vastness of this story. Each one of Ginny's brothers has his own nickname for her or chosen version of her name that they prefer to call her by. I like to think it is a sweet term of endearment they use. Bill calls her Firecracker (first mentioned in chapter 61), Charlie calls her Jitterbug (first mentioned in chapter 23), Percy calls her Ginny or Ginevra as I like to think he's the only one allowed to call her by her full given name simply because he likes to be pompous like that (first noted in chapter 119), Fred calls her Gem (first mentioned in passing in chapter 154), George calls her Nevra (first mentioned in chapter 85), and Ron calls her Din or Dinny (first mentioned in chapter 103). Thank you!
To wheezing-reader: Thank you for saying you were waiting for Ginny to have flashbacks, I definitely want to show that this is something that will be with her for a while. I'm glad you enjoyed the throwaway line about Dean being refreshed, he is starting to question his sexuality a bit. Thank you! To sunmoonwindandstars: Thank you for loving Zee and saying she's an amazing mother! I think her advice was very great as well! As to Dean and Ginny, I haven't really decided yet, but Ginny will have someone else or two before Harry. The Hinny scene is written and it's just a matter of getting to that spot in the timeline. Thank you! To Guest: Yup, she bat hexed him in the penis LOL. Thank you! To scrappy8: Thank you! To Leaf Ranger: Nope, Harry is happy with Mandy for now and we'll have to see if they break up on amicable terms or not. Thank you! To midnitewanderer: No more Michael and Ginny, but not quite time for Hinny either. Thank you! To Wolf's scream: George is right, Ginny did say no. Harry is very lucky to have a woman's perspective in his life. Ginny deserves a pat on the back. As to Sirius overreacting when Harry peed on him: He — is — a — drama — queen. Enough said lol. Thank you!
To Inhaled Atoms: Thank you! I did say it was a slow-burn and this story started when Harry was five years old, so that has to be taken into consideration. Thank you for saying that I am "writing a slow burn perfection." Glad I could make you shudder with my bat-bogey hex lol. Thank you! To Saz: Yay! You're caught up again! I can hear your sorrow that Michael is out of the picture, gutted, LOL. Thanks for loving my hair prank! To xXMizz Alec VolturiXx: You will have to wait and see if Sirius and Zee ever have their own children. To speedsONEandONLY: Theo is a gem and Zee is a great mom. The In Death Series is great, I agree. Thank you! Yes, Michael is an asshat! LOL. To Steelcode: Harry definitely wanted to punch Michael that's for sure. But Ginny made him promise. She doesn't want anyone to do anything to him because a) she's embarrassed by her panic attack and wants to forget about it and b) she hexed him and left him lying on the floor pretty good. That girl can handle herself! Thank you!
To notthatchhavi: Michael was a git! Thanks for loving George in this chapter, he is sweet! It is kind of the first time Zee and Sirius have gone on holiday together. I love the begging for some Remus and Tonks and don't worry there is lots coming up with them — some even in this chapter :D Thank you! To Moony The Sheep: Thanks for loving Harry's wild hormones and his obliviousness. Sirius is definitely a drama queen lol. Thank you! To Paola1991: I agree, Michael is a jerk. Thank you! To DaphThePuff: Michael is definitely an insensitive idiot and I think Ginny could talk Harry out of everything if she just asked him. To Soveliss: Ha, the small camp stove underneath the glacier LMAO. "At this rate we'll stop global warming, except the warming is Hinny and I think I can speak for most readers when I say that's not something we want to stop." Thank you for that! To Jmcglynn522: You wish there was an illustration for the bat bogey hex emerging from Michael's penis? Haha. That would be amusing! Michael is definitely the type to spread rumours. And no, Mandy is not a bad person and yes, the wards on Black Cottage do still repel anyone who enters with the intent to harm. I love the Whedon reference! Thank you!
To LadyPhoenix: Harry is admitting he likes Ginny, he's just to willing to do anything about it right now lol. Yes, when Michael said it should be fine because she's already done it, I wanted your blood to boil! George threatened him with all sorts of things and you know Fred was there too. Sirius absolutely did need to be pranked as he is a drama queen and I thought that it was a fun way to do so. I am working on the house elf thing slowly with Hermione, I want her to want the change but to also understand it. It was important I think for Sirius to tell Harry about the Horcrux without actually telling him about it. But yes, obviously he is not going to be pleased. Thank you! To Yami_Faerie: Thank you for saying that Ginny's flashback was painful to read, I do want to show how her trauma is still with her. She will need time to get over that. I can't tell you what will happen, that's cheating LOL. But I do already have the Hinny scene written that brings them together. Thank you!
Thank you to my Beta — SilverStarwolfe for her help in getting this scene just right!
My posting schedule: Once a week and sometimes on weekends.
As always, thank you very much for reading and please, please review!
Your reviews give me life! They give me inspiration! And they make me want to keep writing for more than just myself! Thank you for all of your continued support!
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-SIX:
The One That Ends With 'Oh, Shit!'
Theo was heading back to the Slytherin common room to change out of his muddy clothes from Herbology when he heard someone call his name. He turned and raised an eyebrow when he realized it was Potter. He could count on one hand how many conversations he'd had with him so he wondered why he was coming to see him now.
"Potter, what can I do for you?"
Harry gestured for him to follow him into the private nook off to the side and Theo raised an eyebrow, curiously.
"My favourite snogging place! I didn't know that you wanted to kiss me."
Harry rolled his eyes. "I'm here about Ginny."
Theo merely raised his eyebrow again. "Oh? Realized she's gorgeous, did you?"
Harry chose to ignore that. "Let me rephrase that. I'm here about Corner and his treatment of Ginny."
Theo's eyes darkened. "That prat deserved every bogey erupting from his prick. Apparently he screamed like a little girl, but I feel like it was justice. Did you know that the bogeys actually travelled from his nose and down and out of his prick, flapping like giant bats? No one messes with our girl."
Harry winced at the image. "I agree. But, I don't think that he was punished enough."
"On that I also agree," he said, angrily. "However, she practically ripped me a new one when I threatened to do just that."
"Me too. She made me promise not to do anything nor to get anyone else to do something for me. I keep my promises."
Theo grinned widely. "I never promised."
"I was hoping for that as well," Harry said back. "I know how much you care about her."
Theo's eyes gleamed. "I have an idea. You're right, I love that girl, and she is one of my closest friends and I refuse to sit back while some arse treats her like shit. I would have to lower myself… but it would be worth it."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Lower yourself?"
Theo nodded. "Just wait, Potter. It will be worth it. Now pucker up. You're going to want to snog me when you see it."
"I'm not snogging you, Nott."
Theo pouted. "Spoilsport."
~ ASC ~
Hermione grinned when she saw Viktor waiting for her outside of the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom that Friday afternoon. She hurried over to him happily, standing on her toes to kiss him. She dropped her book bag to the floor and his arms came around her, holding her in place as they kissed softly.
"Hi," she said, biting her bottom lip.
"Hi," he said back with a grin, bending to kiss her softly again. "How vas class?"
"Good. Professor Lupin is one of the best teachers."
Viktor nodded. "Valk vith me?"
Hermione nodded, smiling when Harry came up behind them.
"I'll take your bag, Hermione. See you at dinner?"
She smiled. "Thanks."
Ever since she and Harry had gone on that double date with Viktor and Mandy, Harry had seemed to be extra nice to her about Viktor. Harry and Viktor seemed to have become good friends, actually, and she found it a little strange sometimes, the way they laughed and joked, as if they had some secret between them that she couldn't quite get. But the thought of her best friend, the one that she often considered to be a brother to her, being nice to her boyfriend, made her smile.
Not that Ron wasn't nice to Viktor, he was. But it wasn't quite the same. With Harry it was just easier. She couldn't explain why either.
Viktor took her hand in his and led her out of the castle and into one of the courtyards on the south side, his fingers entwining with hers as they sat on the bench. "I can see your mind thinking, stop."
She smiled at him. "Sorry, sometimes I have too many thoughts."
He kissed her softly. "I like your thoughts." When she blushed he kissed her again. "Mama vrote to me. She and my papa and my sisters vill all be at the Third Task in a few veeks. I can't vait for you to meet them. Mama says you sound like a smart lady."
Hermione smiled. "What if they don't like me?"
Viktor rolled his eyes. "Then they are stupid and I can promise you, they are not."
"Your English has gotten so much better," she told him.
"I have excellent teacher," he said with a smile.
"But, you always forget your articles. You have an excellent teacher."
He smirked and bent to kiss her again. "Teacher talks too much."
She laughed when he tugged her up into his lap and planted soft kisses along her neck, his stubble tickling her. "Mmm, I want to stay with you, but I have a lot of homework to do tonight."
Viktor kissed her ear. "So? Ve have time before dinner, da?"
Hermione grinned when he jumped to his feet, her hand clasped tightly in his and he tugged her out towards the Black Lake and the Durmstrang ship. They climbed aboard and he led her down into his room.
It wasn't the first time that he had taken her there, but the thought of being in a boy's room was still oddly thrilling.
He urged her onto the bed and they kissed deeply, hands roaming, and soon they were both without their shirts. Hermione liked it when he touched her. She hadn't let him go any further than this, but she loved kissing his broad chest, playing with the curly dark hairs and she loved the feel of his hands on her back. He never pressured her to do more. He just kissed her and touched her, fondled and kissed her breasts, and made her feel things that she had never imagined feeling.
Viktor pinned her to the bed, kissing her deeply, his fingertips dancing along her stomach as his tongue did wicked things to hers. Her hands roamed over his naked back, nails tickling as they snogged and soon she felt his hardness against her thigh. He grunted slightly, shifting himself away from her, his lips moving to her neck.
Hermione hesitated only a moment before she let her hand wander down his ribs and over the bulge in his trousers, squeezing lightly. The hardness surprised her and his breath hitched.
"Hermione," he moaned softly. "Don't, moyata kafyava krasavitsa, I vill lose control. You vill make me come."
She smiled coyly at him and rubbed. "I think that I'd like to see you lose control."
He groaned against her neck as she continued to fondle him through his trousers. He was hard and big, and seemed to be getting bigger the more she touched him. Hermione didn't really know what she was doing, but she slid her hand up and into his trousers, finding hot skin. He felt big in her hand, hard and soft. His eyes were dark when they met hers and his hand covered hers, guiding her into a soft rhythm. It was obviously enough because soon his hips were thrusting into her hand and he groaned her name, a wetness covering the front of his trousers and he let out a soft sigh of satisfaction.
"Ti si boginya, moyata kafyava krasavitsa," he murmured, kissing her neck, down her collarbone and over the swell of her breasts.
"A goddess, am I?" she asked, a pleased smirk on her face as she slid her hand out of his trousers, her cheeks flushed. "Did you…?"
Viktor nodded, his hands moving up to fondle her breasts through her bra. "Da. I am lucky man to have you here vith me."
Hermione watched him use his wand to clean them both up before he kissed her again just as the door to the bedroom opened. She grabbed the pillow to cover herself as Andrei came in.
"Oooh, am I interrupting something good?"
Hermione blushed scarlet.
"Otidi si dosaden varvarin," Viktor said in annoyance.
Andrei only chuckled. "Annoying barbarian? How crude. Vhy do you put up with him, Hermione?"
Viktor called him something crass and Andrei smirked.
"I didn't come here to intentionally invade your privacy." he nodded behind him. "Karkaroff is on the varpath, you better make sure he doesn't see her."
Viktor nodded. "Blagodarya."
Andrei discreetly turned his back as Viktor helped Hermione back into her shirt and tie, kissing her softly.
"You must go. Karkaroff vill be furious if he sees you here."
Hermione frowned. "Is he still giving you grief for being with me?"
Viktor shrugged. "I choose voo is in my life, not him." He kissed her softly as she slipped her robe back over her uniform. "He vill be looking for me. Andrei vill help you off the ship. I vill come find you later; ve can vork on our homework together, da?"
Hermione nodded, her eyes smiling. "Da."
He grinned when she tugged him close by his hair and kissed him deeply before she whispered in his ear.
"Next time I want to see you when I touch you."
The back of his neck heated as he grinned at her.
Hermione only grinned back as she let Andrei take her arm and lead her away, feeling bolder than ever. Being with Viktor was more than she had ever imagined and she couldn't wait to make him lose control again.
The thought made her blush and bite her bottom lip nervously. Yeah, she was definitely feeling bolder than ever and she thought next time they were alone, she might even let him take off her bra.
She grinned to herself as she said goodbye to Andrei and hurried back to the castle, feeling confident and incredibly feminine in a way that she couldn't quite explain.
But she was happier than she had ever been.
~ ASC ~
Remus knocked on the door to Dumbledore's office. Even though he was no longer a student, being summoned to the headmaster's office still gave him a deep sense of foreboding. He stepped inside when called and offered a polite smile as Dumbledore urged him to have a seat.
"Remus, yes, please sit."
"What can I help you with, Albus?" he asked, sitting in the cushy armchair that Dumbledore provided.
The headmaster looked strained. "Severus has made contact tonight. He wants to report."
Remus nodded. It had been almost three months now since Snape had acquired Pettigrew. He had wondered a few times if he had decided to make the leap back into Voldemort's clutches yet. It seemed that he had and he wasn't sure how he felt about that. He knew that he trusted Snape, but the thought of sending anyone willing into Voldemort's ranks unnerved him.
They only waited five minutes before Snape stumbled through the fire. He looked paler than usual. There were dark circles under his eyes and Remus knew immediately that he had been tortured.
He jumped to his feet, but Snape merely waved him back.
"He has accepted me back into his fold."
Dumbledore nodded, his usually twinkling eyes staring at Snape in concern. "What happened?"
Snape let out a slow breath, holding a hand to his ribs. "As you know, I made contact through Malfoy; Lucius through Abraxas, specifically. We spoke and he agreed to take me to a secret location. I was brought in the dark, side Apparition through three different stops. I believe it was Selwyn Manor, but I can't be sure as they worked hard to cover their tracks."
"Did you see him?"
He nodded, his eyes dark. "He's in the body of a baby; just over a year old. But he can hold a wand as you know."
"And?"
Snape let out a slow breath. "I told him that I had learned that he was back and how I had bided my time to return to him; how I have been spying on you for thirteen years, and how you're getting old — he liked that."
Dumbledore nodded. "Go on."
"I told him that I had kidnapped Pettigrew and how he had told me his struggles over the last while and how I had learned about the Dark Lord's attempts to restore himself with a potion. I begged him to let me help him. He tortured me and he laughed; said that the potion was already done and that it was just a matter of obtaining a few key ingredients. I begged him to let me help him obtain the last few key ingredients and he only smiled and said that it wouldn't be a problem. His plan is well underway and the last ingredient would be coming to him shortly."
"Coming to him?" Remus asked. "Harry? What does that mean?"
Snape nodded. "I think so. He didn't tell me what it means. I'm not there yet, but I got that impression that he expects Potter to be brought to him. He told me that he has people working hard for him from the inside. I don't know who. But he seems confident that he will have access to Potter."
Remus paled. "How?"
"I honestly don't know and he didn't seem much inclined to tell me."
Remus clutched his hair making it stick up everywhere. "What can we do?"
"We can't do much. If he does indeed have people close to Potter, we can't risk them getting suspicious. However, Potter also can't be left alone for any period of time," Snape said simply.
"He won't like that," Remus said, shaking his head. "We can have teachers walk him to every class?"
Snape snorted. "That would make it incredibly obvious that we think someone is trying to get to Potter. Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment, Lupin."
Remus nodded. "You're right. What about Nyx? She's the size of a full grown tiger by now and Minerva has her well trained. She could stay by his side between classes. Minerva says that Harry plays with her sometimes so she knows him already."
"That's an idea," Dumbledore said carefully. "However, I don't think that we should do something as drastic as that. Severus is right; we can't let anyone know that we're onto them. We have to be careful."
"On that I agree with," Remus said, sighing. "Anywhere he goes in the castle he should be accompanied by his friends or Mandy at least. Never alone."
Snape nodded. "Agreed; nothing out of the ordinary."
"And I don't want him going to Hogsmeade," Remus said. "He won't like that, but there's only one trip left and we can use the tournament as an excuse. He can stay behind to train for it."
Dumbledore's long fingers tapped on the desk. "That sounds like a good idea. We get him through the Third Task safely and then if the threat still seems imminent, we'll have Sirius take him home after the tournament. The rest of the students will be returning home two days later anyway."
"Are you going to tell him?" Snape asked, his eyes on Remus.
"Yes," he answered simply. "I won't keep him in the dark on something concerning his safety." He let out a slow sigh. "I'll talk to him about it tonight before I head home. Albus, I know that I'm not supposed to be staying in the castle due to my lycanthropy, but maybe Tonks and I could —"
"Of course, Remus; if you'd prefer to stay in your suite for the last month, no one is going to stop you. You know that I never agreed with the Ministry's restrictions on you. I imagine Harry would feel safer with you close by as well."
"Thank you," he said, turning back to Snape. "Did you learn anything else, Severus?"
Snape shook his head. "Nothing new, no. He wants me to report to him on Dumbledore again. He asked about Karkaroff, I told him that he's in the castle and terrified of the burning on his arm. The Dark Lord only chuckled at that and said that he would be dealt with for his betrayal. He doesn't take well to betrayal and I can only imagine what will happen to Igor once the Dark Lord gets his hands on him. He's asked me to continue my role as a spy here and he says that he will call for me when he needs me again. Until then, I am a sitting duck."
Remus clutched his hands together and nodded. "Thank you for sharing this with me. I'm going to talk to Minerva and then find Harry."
"Is Sirius still in Greece?"
"Black's in Greece?" Snape asked in surprise.
Remus nodded. "For four more days. He went with Zee. He needs a break as much as anyone. They extended their stay and I think they deserve it. After I talk to Harry, I'll contact him."
"He should be down at the Quidditch pitch with Bagman and the new Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation. They were supposed to be filling in the champions on what the Third Task is tonight," Dumbledore said, glancing out the window.
"I'm going to soak in the bath," Snape said, standing up.
"Poppy would be more than happy to provide you with something for the pain, Severus," Dumbledore said quietly.
Snape shook his head. "I have my own pain potions. Goodnight."
Remus watched him step through the fire and let out a slow breath. "Albus, we can't let him get to Harry, not again."
"He won't be alone, Remus. We'll see to it."
Remus nodded, but the little ball of fear in the pit of his stomach was still there.
~ ASC ~
Harry and Cedric arrived at the Quidditch pitch at seven o'clock that evening and Harry's eyes widened in horror. When he had read the notice last week that the pitch was down he had been bummed, but this was more than he had anticipated. The entire pitch was surrounded by large overgrown hedges, digging into the grass and surrounding the goal posts.
Bagman noticed his expression because he grinned widely. "No need to be so horrified boys! I would never not put a Quidditch pitch back to rights!"
Viktor and Fleur approached from the other direction, both looking out at the pitch in interest.
Bagman slapped his hands together anxiously. "Excellent! Now that we're all here! I'd like for the four of you to meet Mrs Miranda Jameson, the new Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation."
Mrs Jameson smiled warmly at them. "Good evening. I look forward to watching you all succeed in the final task. It sounds very exciting."
Harry only continued to stare at the pitch, his eyes wide. This meant that the pitch would be closed until after the Third Task which meant that he wouldn't be able to run and work on his training. There was only three weeks left of school, but he looked forward to flying just as much as he wanted the outlet of it to let out some energy. He let out a slow sigh as Bagman placed a friendly hand on his shoulder.
"Don't look so glum, Harry. I promise, all will be as right as rain soon enough!"
Harry only nodded and shoved his hands into his pockets.
Mrs Jameson continued to smile at them. "The three tasks of the TriWizard Tournament were designed and organized over the last five years. I was on the task building committee and helped construct the Third Task for you. I am pleased to say that it will be a maze."
Cedric merely raised an eyebrow. "A maze?"
"A hedge maze," Bagman said proudly.
Mrs Jameson smiled. "A hedge maze. Your Care of Magical Creatures professor is assisting us with the maze. By the time the task starts, the walls will be over six metres high. The TriWizard Cup will be placed in the centre of the maze and the champion who reaches the cup first, will be the winner."
"Zo we just 'ave to get through za maze to ze cup?" Fleur asked carefully.
Mrs Jameson nodded. "Exactly. However, there will be obstacles. Like any maze, you will find yourself at a dead end. There will be magical creatures to pass, charms and spells to unlock, and of course, you will be competing with each other. With every task you complete, you will move one step closer to the cup. Any questions?"
"How do we know when someone touches the cup?" Cedric asked.
"The TriWizard Cup will set off the end of the tournament and when it is removed from its spot, the Cup will be charmed to make the maze itself collapse, showing the audience who the winner is," Mrs Jameson explained proudly. "The final task will be testing your skills as witch and wizards: Your logic, your bravery, your intelligence, and your cunning. Do not underestimate anything. I wish you all the best of luck in your final task."
The four of them nodded and said goodnight, making to head back. Harry stopped when he heard Bagman call out his name.
"Harry? Could I have a word?"
Harry nodded and said goodbye to the other champions, moving over to where Bagman was standing. "What can I do for you, Sir?"
Bagman had his hands in his pockets and he nodded at Mrs Jameson before urging Harry to follow him closer to the maze and out of her earshot. "I just wanted to check in on you, Harry. You did great in the last two tasks, you really did! How are you feeling about this one?"
"Okay, I guess," he admitted. "An obstacle course inside of a maze sounds pretty decent. Professor Lupin likes to put us through these kinds of tests actually."
"Good! Good! So you have a plan then?"
"I guess so. Look, Mr Bagman, I appreciate that you want to help me, but I don't really think its fair that you ask me and not at least Cedric as well."
Bagman looked slightly guilty with that, his fingers twitching slightly. "You're right obviously, it's rather un-sportsmanship-like. I apologize. I guess I just feel like you got stuck with a rotten deal and have constantly surprised us with how well you're doing. I'd like to see you succeed. I really think you could win this."
"I just want it to be over," he said honestly. "I don't care who wins."
"You could do it, Harry. Even if you don't care, you should do your best in there."
Harry nodded. "I will, Sir."
Bagman smiled at him and tapped him on the shoulder. "Good luck."
Harry nodded at him and made his way back to the castle. He appreciated Bagman wanting to help him, but it felt wrong to accept help from the man essentially running the tournament. When he reached the castle, he went straight to Remus' office and found his father marking papers at his desk. He knocked on the doorjamb and closed the open door behind him.
"It's an obstacle course maze. First one of us to the cup in the centre is the winner."
Remus grinned widely. "Well, that sounds like something that we can handle."
Harry nodded. "Mr Bagman tried to help me out again."
Remus frowned. "He owes a lot of money to a lot of people. Sirius said that he has high odds on you winning the lot. If he loses this time, I don't know if he'll ever get out from under it. Don't worry about Bagman. It's the maze that we need to work with. Minerva and I already have most of the courses set up down in the Chamber. We'll let you try them out before anyone else. It will give you some practice. There's six different ones set up, one for each defence class. It would be great if you could try them all."
Harry nodded. "That sounds great. I'm just so glad that it's going to be over."
"You and me both."
"Uncle Moony? Do you really think that I could win?"
Remus smiled at him. "Harry, I believe that you can do anything that you put your mind to."
He grinned. "You have to say that."
Remus chuckled and leaned back in his chair. "I would never say it if I didn't believe it."
Harry nodded. "I'll be ready."
Remus smiled. "Good. I need to talk to you about something. I just need to clear up a few things first. Will you meet me in my suite in about an hour?"
"Sure. What's going on?"
Remus smiled. "We'll talk in an hour. Go tell your friends about the task. I'm sure that they'd like to help you."
Harry scratched his chin and nodded. "Okay. See you in a bit then."
Remus watched him leave the office and he let out a slow breath. An obstacle course in a maze, that didn't sound too bad. Once this tournament was over and he was safe at Black Cottage, they could all breathe a sigh of relief. At least until they told him about the Horcrux, he thought. He checked his watch and closed the books on his desk.
He had to speak to McGonagall.
~ ASC ~
Harry made his way to Remus' suite later on that evening and let himself inside. He grinned when he saw Tonks drinking a glass of red wine sprawled out across the sofa. She had her feet up on the table and she grinned widely at him.
"Come, sit! I'm celebrating!"
Harry moved to sit next to her. "You got it?"
She beamed at him. "You are now looking at Special Auror Nymphadora Andromeda Mary-Ellen Tonks."
"Yes!" he exclaimed, high-fiving her. "I knew you'd get it! Wow, an A3!"
She drank her wine, a huge smile on her face. "I know! It's what I've been dreaming about forever!"
"So, now what?"
"Now I get to be an even more bad-arse Auror than before!" she exclaimed, making him smirk at her.
"No really, what does it mean?"
"I get to run my own cases. I can be put in charge of missions and operations and most importantly, I am ranking officer to my partners. Within the next two years, depending on how I've worked and how my cases have worked, I have the potential to move up the ladder, but anything higher than an A3 is usually more bureaucratic and I'd like to stay in the field longer," she explained. "Also, I no longer have to wear my uniform except for special occasions."
"That's brilliant, Tonks! I'm happy for you."
She grinned and kissed his cheek. "I'm so happy, I could burst! I also get a teensy little raise, not much, but it's still exciting because it makes me feel like I'm worth it."
Remus stepped through the portrait hole and Tonks jumped to her feet, passing her wine glass to Harry as she threw herself into his arms.
"I got it!"
Remus' face lit up as he spun her around, kissing her lips. "I knew you would! I'm so proud of you!"
She grinned, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him deeply. "I brought red wine."
"I see that." He kissed her again and then smiled at Harry. "I take it Dora already shared her news with you?"
"Yeah, it's great," he said honestly, smiling at how happy the two of them looked.
Tonks moved to sit back next to Harry as Remus took a seat in the armchair.
"It is great," Remus said honestly. "I'm so proud of you, Nymphadora."
Tonks beamed at him as Harry turned to grin at Remus.
"So, what did you need to speak to me about, Uncle Moony?"
Remus let out a slow sigh. "While you were down on the pitch, Dumbledore and I met with Snape. He's made contact with Voldemort as his spy on Dumbledore."
Harry's eyes widened. "And?"
"We don't know anything new, Harry. However, Snape did try to get information on this restoration potion and Voldemort wasn't talking, but he did tell Snape that the final ingredient would be coming to him."
"Coming to him?" Harry asked in bewilderment. "What does that mean?"
"We think that he was referring to you," Remus said honestly. "Remember we talked about him needing you for the potion."
"I'm not just going to go to him," Harry said. "Does he think I'm stupid?"
Remus smiled. "I know that, but it sounds like he has a plan in place and that unnerves me. I want to make sure that this doesn't happen. Dumbledore and I spoke about it and we both agree that there's only one month left of school and you should be confined to the castle to some extent." He held his hand up as Harry made to protest. "Let me finish. You're safest in the castle, but as we have learned from four years of experience, this castle may be safe, but it's not impenetrable. We would like you to refrain from going to the last Hogsmeade trip next weekend; you can use that time to train for the tournament, and we will keep it as such so as not to attract suspicion for why you are staying back. I want you to promise me that you will not be travelling outside of Gryffindor Tower by yourself. At least one of your friends or Mandy must be with you at all times."
"But Uncle Moony —"
"— This is absolutely not up for discussion," Remus said sternly. "If you are with other people there's less of a chance of you being taken or hurt in some way. However, that also means restricting your access on the grounds. You will only stay on this side of the Black Lake, not near the mountains or the Forbidden Forest. If you want to visit Hagrid, bring Mandy or your friends. And lastly, walking to and from classes, you will always have your Invisibility Cloak with you just in case."
"Really?"
"Well, I suggested having teachers walk with you at first or even have Nyx follow you around. She likes you because she's known you since she was a kitten and Minerva would be more than willing to part with her to guard you during the day. However, Dumbledore told me that would look too suspicious if there is someone on the inside so, I voted on your friends and your cloak. Can we agree on that?"
Harry wanted to protest, but the worry in his father's eyes had him nodding. "Yes."
Remus let out a sigh of relief. "It's only four weeks. I know it seems drastic, but until this tournament is over and you are home safe, I think that it's for the best."
Harry nodded and let out a slow sigh. "I guess that I can live with that."
Remus smiled at him. "Yes, you can. Sirius and Zee will be back on Friday, but I'm going to let him know about our plan of proceeding with caution anyway. Tomorrow after dinner, meet me in my office and we'll head down to the Chamber to go through the first obstacle course. You will be ready for the Third Task."
Harry grinned at him. "I'll be ready."
~ ASC ~
When Harry left, Remus moved to wrap his arms around his mate.
"I am so proud of you, my bad-arse Auror," he said kissing her neck.
She grinned and tugged him down onto the couch with her. "I'm proud of myself! This is what I always wanted."
Remus kissed her again, his hand moving to slide up her leg. "I think we should celebrate."
"Oh?" she asked, grinning up at him. "Should we?"
Remus kissed her neck, moving his mouth down and using his teeth to unbutton her shirt, making her laugh and then gasp when his mouth found her beneath her bra. "Mmm, my beautiful bad-arse Auror," he murmured, kissing his way down her body.
He climbed to his feet, tugging her with him and carrying her into the bedroom of his Hogwarts suite. She fell back on the bed, smiling at him as he undressed her, crawling onto the bed with her.
"You, too," she breathed, tugging at his jumper.
He helped her take off his clothes until he was just in his boxers and then he stopped her, pinning her arms up over her head, his head moving between her legs to kiss her softly.
"I want to please you," he murmured, kissing her thighs.
Tonks tossed her head back. "That's never a problem, Rem."
He grinned up at her and spread her legs, his tongue sliding into her, licking and stroking her deliciously as she moaned his name. She struggled under where he was holding her hands, but he only kept her in place, his tongue working her over and over until she was pleading his name, only then did he let go of her hands in lieu of adding his fingers.
"Reeemmm," she whined, but then she was soon going over and crashing down.
She bit her lip as he kissed up her stomach; kissed her breasts.
"You spoil me," she said, tugging him closer to kiss him.
Remus kissed her passionately, his hands cupping her breasts as he did so. "Not possible."
She pushed him off, hopping off of the bed and finding her jeans.
Remus merely raised an eyebrow. "Oh, did you think we were done already?"
Tonks smirked at him. "Well, I already came."
He chuckled. "And you're going to come again! Get your sexy arse over here."
She held up one finger as she rifled through her things and then turned, a wicked grin on her face. "Found it!"
"Found what?" he asked as she straddled him and his hands slid up to cup her breasts again.
"These," she exclaimed in delight, locking his right hand into one of the Auror-issue magical handcuffs.
Remus' eyes widened in surprise when she hooked the other cuff to the headboard. "Nymphadora!"
She grinned and slid her hands up his chest. "Now, you're all mine. I can have my wicked way with you." She pressed a kiss to his ribs and smiled at him. "Very special Auror issue too, so, you can't break out of them."
Remus smirked and used his free hand to cup the back of her neck. "Come here, you minx."
She coyly escaped his grasp and tugged his boxers down. "No." And then her hand was on him and he groaned when she licked him. "Let's hope no one decides they need to speak with Professor Lupin… all naked and cuffed to his bed, his very impressive erection pointing at his stomach… waiting to be deliciously used… so naughty."
Her tongue slid over his length languidly, licking the tip seductively, and his breath hitched.
"Dora," he gasped as her mouth sucked on the tip of him.
Tonks smiled and changed positions to straddle him again, taking him into her, and he groaned when she began to ride him; slow and torturous, her hips moving in a slow circular movement that made him pant her name. When he came she followed, riding him into bliss before she collapsed against him, kissing his lips.
"I love you, Remus."
"Untie me, Nymphadora."
She flicked her wand at the cuffs and they opened and he wrapped his arms around her, snuggling her into his embrace. "I love you so much," he murmured against her cheek. "So much that it still takes me by surprise that you love me back."
Tonks smiled at him as she was snuggled close. "It shouldn't." She kissed him softly. "Mmm, I feel so loose and limber… take me from behind."
Remus' eyebrows shot up and he grinned at her. "Greedy."
But he did as she asked and this time he used the handcuffs on her.
~ ASC ~
Sirius and Zee returned from Greece a few days later feeling refreshed and relaxed. They had extended their stay an extra week just to veg and take some time to themselves. Sirius had spent time with Apollo and Medea and had met their newest daughter Cassie. Marauder had particularly loved the holiday. He had been pleased to meet Hermes and Calypso, his brother and sister dogs, and they had played happily, but he had been tired and spent a good portion of the trip sleeping as well. Apollo had commented on Marauder being almost ten years old and said that his father Zeus had lived to be nine, which was how old Marauder was now, surprising Sirius who sometimes forgot how long the dog had been with them.
Sirius spent his spare time playing with Apollo and Medea's three daughters. Circe was utterly charming and soon had Sirius wrapped around her finger just as much as she did her father. Daphne had a way about her, always smiling and she would march over to her new sister and point every time Cassie made a sound. Sirius thought the little family was charming and told Apollo he was a lucky man. They spoke about Xander and Althea and Apollo said that two sets of twins on top of Phoenix was more of a handful than they had bargained on. Medea claimed when the new baby came, they were going to be in over their heads and incredibly happy. Sirius had to agree with that statement.
Zee had worked with Princess Sapphira and the Greek Tmíma Magikón Dimiourgión to get the village secured. Two agents worked with her and with the princess to use a mix of magic as well as Merpeople magic to seal the village in a protective magical bubble that sealed it away from the Muggle world. The photos that the Muggles had taken were destroyed and the memories were wiped of all those who had thought that they had seen something. The Greek Ministry promised to help keep tabs on the village and help keep it away from the Muggles. It had been taken care of safely and efficiently and Princess Sapphira was very grateful.
Sirius introduced Zee to Apollo and Medea and they had dinner together. They dropped in to spend the afternoon with Xander and Thea. Xander told them that he had scheduled everything to be taken care of at St Nicholas Hospital on the eighth of July. Sirius only nodded. He had almost told Harry when he had been home for the holiday, but the last thing that he wanted was for Harry to be worried about the Horcrux instead of the Third Task. He and Zee both agreed that they would talk to him the first day he came home from school with Remus and Tonks. They spent their nights in Greece exploring the nightlife, going for long motorbike rides, and making love in their room or down by the beach. Both were very happy with their trip.
Sirius filled Zee in on his conversation with Remus concerning Harry's safety and what Snape had to say. He agreed with the idea of proceeding with caution, but he also desperately just wanted to wrap his son up in a protective bubble and take him home.
Marauder and Lady Godiva moved to prowl around the house when they returned as if they felt the need to make sure that nothing had changed while they were gone. Sirius plopped himself down on the sofa, tugging Zee down into his arms.
"That was great. I should travel with you more often."
Zee kissed him softly. "I agree."
Sirius stretched his legs out, lifting them to prop them on top of the coffee table. "Harry should be going through obstacle course number two tonight."
"Did Remus say how he did on the first one?"
"Very well," Sirius told her. "He said that he flew through it without a hitch, but it was the Beginner level. I think an obstacle course in a maze is the best thing that he could go through for a Third Task. He works well under pressure."
Zee nodded and snuggled into Sirius' side as Lady Godiva stretched out on the floor in front of them. "He does."
Sirius kept his arms around her, sighing in contentment. "Let's just stay like this. We don't have anywhere to be."
Zee smiled against his chest. "You won't hear any complaints from me. But weren't we going to head to Hogwarts and watch Harry go through the obstacle course?"
Sirius sighed. "Yeah, but he won't be doing that for a few hours… just let me close my eyes for ten minutes."
Zee chuckled against his chest. "Deal."
~ ASC ~
The next three weeks seemed to fly by for Harry. He spent his spare time snogging Mandy or talking with Mandy or his friends about the obstacle courses that he'd been practicing on and his preparations for the Third Task. Cedric heard that Harry was using the Defence Club courses and he asked Remus if he too, could practice on them.
Harry and Cedric were soon training together, working their way through the obstacles as Sirius timed them since Remus wasn't able to, as it would be considered help from a teacher. But Sirius was only there to time them; the courses were for their own practice and nothing more.
Mandy usually came down to watch him practice and afterwards they would go over where he went wrong before falling into a long snogging session that was always sadly broken up by curfew. He loved kissing her. Long, sweet kisses that made his blood flow and his cock twitch in his trousers. She had let him put his hands under her shirt the other day and he had nibbled at her neck as he fondled her and her eyes had heated as he touched her.
Being with her was making him happier than he had felt in a long while.
But the best thing that happened was the big dent to Corner's reputation. Apparently, Theo had finally put his revenge into motion.
It had happened one random Wednesday morning in the middle of the Great Hall. Everyone was eating breakfast and chatting amongst themselves when Theo simply stormed across the Great Hall. He grabbed Corner's face, and kissed him deeply, passionately, and with a great deal of tongue before pulling back, grinning widely and saying loudly, 'thanks for last night.'
Corner's eyes widened in horror as he desperately stuttered that he had no idea what Nott was talking about, but Theo had taken it one step further and loudly said that Corner really knew how to use his mouth and that he hoped to see him again soon. Theo winked at him and walked back to the Slytherin table as people at the Ravenclaw table began to question Corner. Rumours were soon flying that Corner was cheating on Su Li with Theo and Corner was seen trying to explain that he wasn't gay and that he had never been with Theo or any other bloke in his life. But the damage was done. Corner's worst nightmare made into a reality and Su Li broke up with him.
Harry thought hurting the prick's reputation was better than nothing, he thought; even though he still really wanted to punch him in the face rather badly.
By the time the day of the Third Task finally arrived, Harry just wanted the whole thing to be over. He woke up with a ball of worry in the pit of his stomach. This was it. He would finally be done with this wretched tournament after today and he couldn't wait.
He dressed in jeans and a tee shirt and walked with Neville down to the Great Hall for breakfast. He didn't see his girlfriend at the Ravenclaw table but caught sight of her eating oatmeal at the Hufflepuff table with Hannah and looking over her notes. He hurried over to kiss her softly and wished her luck on her History of Magic exam that day before he went to have a seat next to his friends.
Nyx approached him after breakfast and he stroked the large tiger behind her ears. Without his own exams to write, he wasn't sure what he wanted to do today as the Third Task wouldn't be until eight, but McGonagall came over to him.
"Nyx has found you already I see."
Harry smiled. "She's a beauty, Auntie Minnie. It makes me miss Marauder even more."
McGonagall smiled. "It's Professor, Harry. Come on; the Champion's families are arriving."
He grinned and hopped to his feet, eager to see Sirius and Zee. To his surprise, his family was more people than he had anticipated. Sirius was there along with Ted, Andy, Misha, Sorcha, and to his surprise Bill.
"Hi, Bill," he said in surprise.
Bill grinned at him. "Hey! Sirius let me tag along today so that I could see you in action. Charlie and Percy have both told me how great you've been doing. Mum and Dad are going to come later too."
Harry smiled. "Thanks. It's nice of you all to want to come." He shook his hand before Andy engulfed him in a hug, kissing his cheek. "Hi, Andy, hi, Ted, where's Tonks?"
"She's still at work, but she'll be here before dinner."
"As will Zee," Sirius said, smiling when Harry moved to Sorcha next, the woman snuggling him close and kissing his cheek.
"Our Champion!" Sorcha said proudly, kissing him again. "We can't wait to see you out there tonight, mo ghaisgeach treun."
"What does that mean?"
Sorcha kissed his forehead. "My brave warrior."
He grinned at her before he moved to Misha next, grinning when the man hugged him in a tight bear hug and kissed the top of his head. "Are you ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," he admitted, finally going to Sirius and hugging him fiercely. "I'm so glad that you're here."
Sirius kissed the top of his head with a smile. "No where else that I'd rather be." He made to move his arms away, but Harry held on tighter and he smiled, his face buried against his son's neck. "I love you and I'm so damn proud of you," he murmured quietly in his ear, kissing his cheek.
Harry pulled away and smiled at them. "Thanks for coming. I didn't expect you all to be here so early."
"No where else that we'd rather be," Sirius repeated, making Harry smile.
He nodded at Cedric when he saw him wave. "Um, do you want to maybe meet the other Champions?"
Sorcha nodded, hooking her arm through his. "Yes, please!"
Harry smiled and led them over to Cedric first. "Grandmama, this is Cedric Diggory, the first and real Hogwarts Champion.
"Don't be modest, Harry," Cedric said with a smile. "We're both Hogwarts Champions no matter what the circumstances behind us becoming so entailed."
Mr Diggory scoffed at this. "Through treachery!"
"Something you want to say, Amos?" Sirius asked, his eyes glaring daggers at Mr Diggory.
Mr Diggory shook his head. "We both know that your boy is only in this tournament through trickery. My son is the real champion and everyone here knows it!"
"Dad!" Cedric said sharply. "Harry and I are both champions and if you can't accept that then I don't want you here."
Mr Diggory's face heated in embarrassment. "I won't miss my son winning the TriWizard Tournament!"
"You will if you don't pull your head out of your arse, Amos," the woman next to him said smartly. She extended her hand and Harry could see where Cedric got his eyes and smile from. "Piper Diggory, lovely to meet you."
Harry accepted her hand with a smile. "Nice to meet you as well, Mrs Diggory."
Mr Diggory didn't say anything more as they talked politely for a few moments before Harry moved with his family over to Fleur. She was talking animatedly in French to an older couple, who he assumed must be her parents as the woman had the same silvery blonde hair, and he recognized Gabrielle standing there as well.
Gabrielle saw him and ran at him, hugging him tightly around the middle. "Merci, 'arry Potter! Tu m'as sauvé la vie!"
"De rien, Gabrielle," he said with a smile. "Bonjour, Fleur. This is my family, they wanted to meet the French Champion. Everyone, this is Fleur Delacour."
"Bonjour! Comment ça va?"
Sirius took her hand and kissed it. "Bien. I am Sirius Black, Misha and Sorcha Zacarias, Ted and Andromeda Tonks, and this is Bill Weasley."
Fleur locked eyes on Bill in interest before looking away. They met Monsieur and Madame Delacour, who owned a winery in Burgundy and learned that Fleur had just been hired by Gringotts herself. Bill immediately began to ask her questions about the program and told her all about his experiences working as a curse breaker. Fleur kept her eyes locked on him, a slight blush on the back of her neck.
After meeting the Delacours, Harry approached Viktor with a grin. Viktor's little sisters looked like tiny little fairies as they bounced and danced as they talked and were very much teasing their big brother about something as they spoke in rapid Bulgarian and Viktor translated in amusement.
"We saw you at the World Cup," Sirius said with a smile. "You're very gifted. I look forward to seeing more of you. I heard that you are looking to stay in England?"
"Da," Viktor said. "I have signed up vith the Falmouth Falcons for two years, but then I hope to play again for the Vratsa Vultures, stay close to home."
Sirius nodded. "Good for you. I also heard that you are dating our Hermione."
Viktor smiled. "Da. I like her very much."
"Good. You take care of her now," Sirius said with a grin. "Since her father isn't here, I thought I'd just let you know."
Viktor grinned. "Her father threatened me already, Lord Black. I promise to be good to her. She is vunderful."
"That she is," Sirius said with a smile.
They chatted a bit more and Misha spoke with Mr and Mrs Krum, since he actually could speak Bulgarian, before they said goodbye, and Harry led his family out into the grounds by the Black Lake. Dobby eagerly brought them drinks and snacks closer to lunch time as Harry showed them around the grounds and around the castle. Misha was very interested in seeing the castle since he had never been to Hogwarts before.
When it was finally time for dinner, Mandy found him and kissed his cheek before Harry introduced her to his grandparents and to Andy and Ted and Bill. He held her hand as they ate dinner at the Gryffindor Table and Ginny and Ron eagerly sat with Bill. He told her all about his day and she told him about how her last exam went. Zee and Tonks soon arrived and the chatter turned to work. Hermione, who had been sitting with Viktor and his family, soon came over and sat with Zee. The two of them discussed Hermione's final draft for the house elf legislation and Zee promised to present it at the next meeting in two weeks.
The Head Table was full of special guests again as Dumbledore reintroduced the Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge, Ludo Bagman, Miranda Jameson, the French President Simonne Richelieu, and the Bulgarian Minister, Chavdar Oblansk — all present for the final task of the tournament.
And then dinner was ending and Dumbledore climbed to his feet and quieted the Great Hall announcing for everyone to make their way down to the Quidditch pitch and for the champions to head into the room behind the Head Table for their final instructions.
Harry stood up, grinning and kissed Mandy, ignoring the wolf whistle from his father as the Gryffindor table cheered him on. He kissed her again.
"Last one."
"Go win it, Harry," she said kissing him a third time.
He grinned. "I just want it to be over. I don't even care. You can cheer for Fleur if you want."
She chuckled and brushed his lips with hers. "I'll be cheering for you, you daft boy. Good luck."
Harry smiled and kissed her once more before he made his way back into the room.
~ ASC ~
When they made the announcement for the champions, Hermione had stood up and hugged Harry, wishing him luck before she moved to the Slytherin table to find Viktor. His sisters were adorable and she had immediately fallen in love with them that afternoon, listening intently as they asked question after question about her hair and her clothes and her studies and her parents as Viktor and his mother, Boyana, kept up on translations. Viktor's father, Kosta, had kissed her cheek and told her that she made his son very happy and she blushed furiously. They were wonderful. She smiled warmly at Mr and Mrs Krum again before taking Viktor's hand.
"Good luck."
He smiled and tugged her into the entrance hall and down behind a tapestry before he pushed her back against the wall, kissing her deeply. Hermione sighed into him as his lips crushed hers, greedy and full of promise and when he finally let go she sighed happily.
"After, ve vill talk about you coming to Bulgaria, da?"
Hermione nodded, her eyes glazed from the kiss. "Da. Viktor?"
He tucked a curl away from her face and ducked his head to kiss her softly again. "Da?"
"I love you," she said, surprising herself. She had been falling for months and she knew that, but at this moment, she knew that she had to tell him. "Harry doesn't care if he wins, he just wants it to be over and done with so, I have no qualms about telling you that I hope it's you. I love you. Go win this thing and come back and kiss me."
Viktor grinned widely and ducked his head to kiss her again. "I love you, too, Hermione, moyata kafyava krasavitsa. I have been yours since I first laid lay eyes on you. Obicham te."
"My brown-haired beauty," she said with a smile. "I love it when you call me that. Obicham te. Good luck!"
He kissed her once more and then he kissed the palm of her hand, winking at her before he took off to meet with the other champions. Hermione placed a hand over her fluttering stomach with a grin.
He loved her, too, she thought with a squeal, running to find Ginny. She couldn't wait to share her news with a friend.
~ ASC ~
Harry stepped into the room behind the Head Table after Cedric as Fleur followed them. Viktor came almost five minutes later, his lips swollen and Harry grinned. He hadn't expected Viktor and Hermione to still be a thing, but the Bulgarian was completely besotted with his friend and he could hardly blame him. He knew that Hermione was head over heels for him and he loved seeing her so happy. He had thought the age difference thing would affect them, but it didn't. Hermione would be sixteen in September and honestly with everything that she had undergone with the Time Turner last year, she was really closer to being seventeen and he sometimes forgot that.
He looked up when Dumbledore entered the room followed by Madame Maxime, Professor Karkaroff, Bagman, and Jameson.
Dumbledore smiled warmly at them. "At last, we have come to the final task. The five of us will be judging, as you know, and each of you will be entering the maze from a different corner. Your champion clothing is available in your designated spots in the change rooms of the pitch. Let's head down and get you ready."
Harry nodded and made his way down to the Quidditch pitch. He was soon outfitted in a similar outfit that he had worn for the First Task. It was even made from the same fire-proof material, which worried him slightly. He hoped that there wasn't another dragon hidden in the maze.
He walked out to see the stands full as everyone cheered. There was a high stand in the front where the two ministers and president were sitting along with the champions' families. He listened as Bagman explained how Cedric would enter the maze first and Fleur last based on their scores and how each champion would follow one minute later on the whistle.
Jameson walked Harry around to the left corner of the maze. Cedric would be entering on the right corner, Viktor on the corner left of Harry, and Fleur on the corner left of Viktor. He watched as Karkaroff spoke to Viktor, Maxime to Fleur, and Dumbledore smiled warmly at Cedric. He smiled at Jameson as she instructed him to enter upon the second whistle and that if he came to any harm or felt that he was unable to continue on, to send up red sparks, and that someone would come and fetch him. She explained how the five judges would be patrolling the maze as Bagman wouldn't be commentating as they wanted the champions to be kept in the dark on the other champions' progress throughout.
Harry nodded and smiled, glancing at his watch. The task was supposed to start at exactly eight and it was five to eight already. He shifted from foot to foot, his wand in his hand and finally on the second whistle, he headed inside and was immediately surrounded by darkness as a hedge of the maze closed up behind him. The hedges themselves were over six metres high, almost seeming to go on forever. The setting sun was all that illuminated the walk through, but the dark hedges still darkened the path. Harry lit his wand and moved carefully forward.
Everything was dark.
The hedges seemed to be rustling as he past them; vines and leaves twitching in the walls, almost closing in on him, and darkening the path. He held his wand high, brightening it as he moved forward. The TriWizard Cup was supposed to be situated in the centre of the maze. Hermione had found a handy compass spell that always pointed north: He whispered, "Point Me."
His wand pointed North, which was behind him, so he knew that he had to keep going straight for the time being. His feet made no sound as he padded across the soft grass of the pitch, eyes peeled for any signs of an obstacle for him to cross. He made a sharp left and caught himself before he fell into the deep trench that lay before him. It had to be at least 2 metres wide and four metres deep and it was filled to the brim with scorpions. He gulped at the sight of them. He hadn't learned the whole conjuring something out of nothing yet, and he wished that he had — just so that he could make a bridge. He tried to think of another way to make it across the trench safely.
There was no way that he could jump it, he thought, contemplating whether or not levitating himself over was a wise decision or not. Then he grinned. He was pretty sure that he could make that jump if he was a dog. He tucked his wand into his thigh holster and transformed, backing up carefully another ten feet, and making a run for it. He was a fully grown Tamaskan now and when he leapt, he kept his eyes open wide, praying silently that he wouldn't fall into the trench full of the scorpions. He landed on the other side and let out a breath of relief, changing back into himself, and pulling his wand out once more.
The scorpions were still in the trench and nowhere near him and that was all that mattered. One obstacle down, he thought, feeling a little thrill of excitement trifle through him.
Harry lit his wand again and headed back in the new direction. He had only been walking for a minute or two, but he heard the clicking sound before he saw them and the flash of sparks that erupted from his left made him jump before three massive Blast-Ended Skrewts started running at him. He veered to the left to avoid them as he shot a stunning spell, ducking when it ricocheted off the side of their armour and came flying back at him. He jumped over one of them as the second one made a beeline straight for him.
The bottom of his left pant leg was singed from the blast and he was stabbed with a pincer. He decided the best course of action was simply to run, which he did as he hurried off, sliding around the corner just as a large dining room cabinet charged at him.
He gawked in surprise as the drawers opened and knives flew out towards him. Plates and other dinnerware flew at him as he stunned and froze the objects in an attempt to get away. The last thing that he had expected to come across was flying furniture, he thought. He rolled to avoid the open door of the cabinet as it attempted to block his path, but the wood still struck him on the top of his head hard enough that he saw stars. He attempted to get by again and the cabinet leg stepped out in front of him, tripping him and he caught himself on the wall of the maze.
At least he thought he had.
The moment he touched the hedge, vines gripped his hand, tugging him forward and he used a severing charm on it as he pulled himself away just to get trapped in a headlock by the large cabinet. Harry struggled to get free, choking before he waved his wand and claimed, "Finite Incantatem" and watched in amazement as all of the objects suddenly stopped.
"Couldn't have thought of that first, Potter?" he muttered to himself as he moved past the fallen objects and further into the darkness of the maze.
He kept a watchful eye on the hedge walls. It seemed like the maze designers had done their job well; everything was a challenge, including the maze itself. He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination or if the maze seemed to be talking to him, but he swore that he could hear whispers among the hedges as the vines moves and shifted, occasionally stretching out an inch or two past the wall and attempting to reach for him.
He was moving for a while and the fact that he didn't find any other obstacles began to unnerve him. He thought that maybe he had just chosen the correct path when a feeling of absolute dread suddenly overcame him and he stopped in his tracks at the sight of the Dementor moving towards him. He thought of his family cheering him on when he came out of the maze and watched as his Patronus shot through the Dementor, the three animals surrounding it from all sides and plowing through it. The Dementor rose up as if to fight back before it disintegrated into nothing.
Harry stared in amazement. He knew that Sirius had told him how powerful his Patronus had been last year, but seeing it with his own eyes as the Dementor was destroyed was pretty incredible, he thought. It was the safest that he had ever felt when standing near those creatures.
He took a deep breath and hurried around the corner and the moment he turned, his entire being turned upside down. Harry threw his arms out in an attempt to catch himself from falling, but falling wasn't the problem. He was floating upside down in gold mist, hanging four inches above the ground as if something had tethered his feet. He waved his arms uselessly, trying to figure out what had happened. He had never heard of such a thing before.
It was at least a minute before he worked up the courage to just throw himself out of the mist. He crashed to the ground, landing on his left ankle and he winced at the pain that shot up his leg. He had definitely sprained it, he thought as he climbed to his feet. He turned to look back at the gold mist and saw that it was still glistening in a wall in the middle of the maze. Whatever it was, he had passed it, he thought in curiosity, thinking that he would ask Remus about it later on.
He used the compass charm again and found himself going in the wrong direction and sighed.
He had to keep going.
He had to find the cup.
He just needed this to be over.
~ ASC ~
The figure stood outside of the maze, looking around anxiously. The pawn had to find out what was happening in there. Fingers twitched nervously again as they reached for a cigarette that wasn't there and cursed bitterly. The figure glanced around again and seeing no one in sight, headed into the maze to inspect.
Guards stood all around the maze to make sure that the champions were safe so the pawn knew they had to be careful. They couldn't be seen. But they had to be cautious as well. They knew she was watching and reporting back. The figure just didn't know exactly who she was. The figure cast an uneasy eye back on Jameson before turning back to the maze. They needed to know what was going on. If anyone got to the cup before Potter, they were worse than dead. The figure had known better than to mess with Abraxas Malfoy, but the temptation had been too strong not to say yes. How were they supposed to know that the gamble wouldn't pay off?
Fuck, the figure thought, reaching for a cigarette again. The filthy Muggle habit usually calmed them, but at the moment the pawn was too high strung and too worried. If anyone reached that cup before Potter they wouldn't see a Sickle of the money Malfoy promised them.
Not to mention that they would be worse than dead.
The figure gulped audibly and began to move through the maze, his wand held high.
Potter had to make it to that cup.
And no one was going to stand in Potter's way.
They would make sure of it.
~ ASC ~
Harry continued to travel through the maze, limping a bit as his ankle twinged from his fall. He could hear the maze rustling around him, as if it was talking, and it sent shivers down his spine. He took a sharp right at the next available path and the large python that uncoiled itself had him gulping, especially when he saw that it was holding Cedric tightly in its grasp.
Harry pointed his wand at the snake and spoke clearly in Parseltongue. "Let him go!"
The snake's head spun sharply, yellow eyes staring at him. "Why should I? He is food."
"He is not food. Release him at once and let us both pass!"
The python squeezed Cedric tighter and Harry raised his wand higher.
"Release him!"
The python eyed the wand apprehensively before he let go and Cedric fell to the ground, gasping for breath. Harry kept his wand pointed at the great snake as he moved forward and helped Cedric to his feet, tugging him along and away from the python. They had just turned the corner as Cedric choked on his breath.
"Thanks, Harry. If you hadn't come along, I think that thing would have finished me off. I think I broke a rib or two."
"No problem. Let's get the hell out of here. A broken rib is better than being eaten."
Cedric grinned back at Harry. "Agreed."
They came to a fork in the maze and Harry veered to the right as Cedric went left.
"Good luck," they both said at the same time before moving in their own directions.
Harry stepped cautiously along the path, the hedges rustling and seeming to be moving in and moving closer; listening for any new sounds when the ground beneath his feet suddenly gave away and he fell six feet under, landing on the same left ankle that he had sprained earlier. He heard something snap and he hissed in pain just as hundreds of small fire ants began to emerge from around him, stinging him through his clothes, up to his arms. He hissed in pain and vanished the whole colony with one swift spell in relief before he moved to the edge of the crumpled earth and attempted to pull himself up.
It took four tries and on the second attempt a branch from the hedges shot out and sliced his leg down his calf right to his broken ankle. His whole body was burning profusely from the stings of the ants as he crumbled back to the ground, groaning. He had just grabbed the top of the ground again when a strong hand pulled him up and over the edge as he smiled gratefully at Viktor.
"Thanks," he said, lying on the ground for a minute to catch his breath.
Viktor nodded. "You're velcome. Vatch the valls. I vas trapped against the hedge for a bit, unable to break free."
"Thanks, I will. Be careful heading that way, giant python."
Viktor winced, but nodded. "Kŭsmet. Your leg?"
Harry shook his head and waved him on. "I'll be fine. Good luck."
Viktor gave him a curt nod, wand out, and he headed deeper into the maze.
Harry lay on the ground another minute, working to catch his breath. Keep going, he told himself. We have to be almost there.
He climbed to his feet, shakily. When he put pressure on his leg, the white-hot pain made him swallow back bile, but he kept moving, limping along. He was moving slowly, coming along the maze and when he found himself moving towards the walls in an attempt to use them as support, he stopped himself just as vine shot out and tripped him and he fell, swearing when he fell once more onto his injured leg.
He crawled to his feet, holding his leg tightly as he made to stand and his hand was covered in blood, reminding him that he had been cut badly when he'd fallen into the earth. He let out a slow sigh and turned the corner, heading right again.
The sight of the Sphinx sitting there made him stop in his tracks. She had dark brown hair braided around her head and large dark almond eyes. Her body was that of a lioness and her large paws rested in front of her, a sharp pointed tail flapping around her feet. She took in his injured state and smiled.
"Behind me lies that of which you seek."
Harry nodded. "So, er, can I pass through, then?"
The Sphinx smiled widely. "No."
"Um, I don't want to fight you."
"I do not fight," she said easily. "Answer a riddle and I shall let you pass."
"Just one?"
The Sphinx shook her head. "Three. If you answer all three correctly, I will let you pass by peacefully."
"And if I don't?"
She smiled and her eyes darkened. "Then you will not leave here alive."
"Can I hear the riddle first before I decide?"
"If you answer incorrectly, you will die. If you choose not to answer, I will let you go. If you answer one, you must answer them all. There is no in between."
Harry gulped. He had never been very good at riddles, he thought. "Er, okay."
The Sphinx smiled and carefully settled herself into a comfortable position.
"I can run, but I cannot walk.
I have a mouth, but I cannot talk.
I have a head, but I cannot think.
I have a bed, but I cannot sleep.
Who am I?"
Harry stared at her as he scratched the top of his head. "Run, but can't walk, talks but no head — er, could you please repeat the last bit again, please?"
She gave him a small polite smile and nodded. "A bed, but cannot sleep."
He nodded. What could run and also had a mouth, he thought, trying to work out the clues in his head. A mouth could be used to describe an area in a body of water, as could a bed he thought and then he grinned proudly as it suddenly came to him.
"You're a river!"
The Sphinx smiled. "Very good. Here is your second puzzle:
"What does man love more than life?
Fear more than death or mortal strife?
What do the poor have, what the rich require?
And what contented men desire?
What does the miser spend?
The spendthrift save?
And all men carry to their graves?"
Harry frowned at that one. She once more repeated it for him as he contemplated the verse. It was the third line that was sticking with him: What contented men desire, and he had a sudden image of standing in an empty classroom with Dumbledore four years ago staring up at the Mirror of Erised.
"The happiest man on earth would be able to use the Mirror of Erised like a normal mirror, that is, he would look into it and see himself exactly as he is."
And suddenly he realized that he knew the answer.
"Nothing."
The Sphinx's smile widened. "You are a worthy opponent, Champion. Are you ready for the final riddle?"
Harry nodded. "Yes, please."
The Sphinx settled back on her haunches.
"First think of the person who lives in disguise,
Who deals in secrets and tells naught but lies.
Next, tell me what's always the last thing to mend,
The middle of middle and the end of the end?
And finally give me the sound often heard,
During the search for a hard-to-find word.
Now string them together and answer me this,
Which creature would you be unwilling to kiss?"
"Could I have it again… more slowly?" he asked tentatively. The last one sounded much more complicated than the first two, he thought.
She blinked at him, smiled, and repeated the poem.
"All the clues add up to a creature that I wouldn't want to kiss?" Harry asked carefully.
She merely smiled her mysterious smile.
Harry cast his mind around. There were plenty of animals that he wouldn't want to kiss; his immediate thought was a Blast-Ended Skrewt, but something told him that wasn't the answer. He'd have to try and work out the clues.
"A person in disguise," he muttered, staring at her, "Who lies... er... that'd be an impostor. No, that's not my guess! A — a spy? I'll come back to that, um, could you give me the next clue again, please?"
She repeated the next lines of the poem.
"'The last thing to mend,'" Harry repeated. "Er... no idea what 'middle of middle' is… um the sound often heard during the search for a hard-to-find word… Er… that'd be... er… hang on — 'er'! Er's a sound!"
The Sphinx smiled at him and repeated the last clue.
"Spy... er... spy... er..." he repeated before he grinned widely. "A creature I wouldn't want to kiss — a spider!"
The Sphinx smiled more broadly. She got up, stretched her front legs, and then moved aside for him to pass. "Well, done, you shall pass. What you seek lies just beyond."
"Thanks!" Harry exclaimed, rather pleased with his own brilliance.
He hurried past the Sphinx and around the corner, still limping heavily just as he heard Fleur scream and he turned in time to watch a giant Acromantula fling her into the wall of the maze and he watched in horror as the hedges gripped her tightly and pulled her into its clutches and she vanished into the hedge. Red sparks flew up into the sky and he knew that someone would be there to collect her momentarily so, he moved towards the Acromantula, but Cedric was already dealing with it.
He watched in amazement as Cedric stunned it and transfigured its many legs into bubbles as it crashed to the ground, unable to run at them, but he didn't move away fast enough and the giant spider's pincers stabbed his leg and he howled in pain.
Harry stunned the beast and Cedric collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily.
"Thanks. You just keep saving my life in here."
Harry shrugged. "I just want to get the hell out of here. Go on, the Cup is there, you were here first, take it!"
Cedric wiped sweat from his brow and nodded at the cup gleaming before them behind a colourful mist. "I wouldn't have made it here if you hadn't saved me from that python. Hell, I wouldn't have survived the First Task if you hadn't told me about the dragons!"
"Yes, you would have. You're brilliant!"
Cedric grinned at him. "It's a Hogwarts victory either way, let's take it together. We've worked our arses off in this tournament, let's celebrate together."
"You mean that?" Harry asked in surprise.
He nodded. "I do."
Harry grinned and moved to help Cedric to his feet, wincing at his ankle. "Shit, my ankle is definitely broken."
"But you can walk?"
"Kind of," he said, grinning at him. "Bloody limp along more like it."
He laughed as they approached the colourful mist, both limping in pain.
Harry stared at the colours for a moment. "Have you seen anything like this before?"
Cedric shook his head. "No, but I feel like we can't just put our hands through it and grab it."
"Yeah, they wouldn't make it easy like that."
Something about the colour pattern was making his head itch. He had seen it before and suddenly it dawned on him. The blues, the reds, the greens, the yellows, and the white were glaringly obvious.
"It's a puzzle," he said, grinning widely. "In the Muggle world they call it a Rubik's Cube."
Cedric merely frowned. "Okay?"
Harry moved his wand over the blue and turned and watched in fascination as the colours shifted as if the mist itself was a giant cube that needed to be formed. After the first couple of shifts, Cedric caught on.
It took them ten minutes, but they worked in tandem, shifting each colour block until each side was a solid colour and when they put the last piece into place, the whole thing shimmered and lowered to the ground, the Triwizard Cup seeming to rise up from the centre, gleaming brightly.
Harry grinned at Cedric. "We did it!"
He nodded, grinning back at him. "Let's end this together. On the count of three?"
Harry nodded, limping towards the cup. "On the count of three. One."
"Two."
"Three," they both exclaimed and their hands closed over the handles of the cup.
A sharp pull started in their navel and Harry's eyes met Cedric's across the cup before they were both sailing through space in a howling wind of colour and movement and he swallowed nervously.
No one had mentioned that the Cup was a portkey.
End Author's Notes:
(Greek) Tmíma Magikón Dimiourgión = Department of Magical Creatures
(Bulgarian) Otidi si dosaden varvarin = go away, you annoying barbarian
(Bulgarian) Ti si boginya = you are a goddess
(Bulgarian) moyata kafyava krasavitsa = my brown haired beauty
(Bulgarian) Blagodarya = thanks
(Gaelic) mo ghaisgeach treun = my brave warrior
(French) Tu m'as sauvé la vie! = you saved my life!
(French) De rien = you're welcome
(French) Bonjour! Comment ça va? = Hello! How are you?
(French) Bien = good
(Bulgarian) krasiv = beautiful
(Bulgarian) Obicham te = I love you
(Bulgarian) Kŭsmet = Good luck
I wanted the task to be similar yet the same and I wanted to add more riddles because one just seemed too easy in my opinion. I can promise you this — the next chapter is a bit different than you're expecting :D
Thank you and please review!