Hey everyone,
Remember what I said about hoping to get an early start? Yeah, this story is actually the second to last I am writing for the update of December (2018) by the point of me writing this and only Preventing Trouble is left. I don't know what it is about these two as they, along with To Read Into the Universe took the longest to write, but oh well, what can you do?
Anyway, I want to give a special Shout-Out to Jostanos as he actually read the last chapter at FIVE THIRTY in the morning. Jostanos, you have been quite the constant through the better part of this story and the fact that you would be up that early just to read my stories, I cannot begin to explain how honored that makes me feel.
Thank you, man,

Venquine1990
Shout-outs to:
V.L. Crawford
Wishfull-Star
Kirsty21
Lilly-flower15


Chapter 47
It Has Begun

3rd of November 1993
Great Hall, Hogwarts
Alicia's POV

"My turn." I say, my friend's concerns giving me a strong need to help her feel better and she gratefully hands me the book. So far I have definitely been enjoying listening to the others read, but like my friend I keep one thing constantly on my mind. The summary description that the Gang gave at the start of the Third Book reading about the other books.
This definitely cut into my ability to fully enjoy these books as I kept reminding myself of what they were really about; miscommunication, the start of the war, how not to be a leader, the history of that monster and the heat of the war as well as the end of it. And to knowledge of what Harry was like after the war was over also really worries me.
But then I remember my own words and think: "They were there for the Harry of the future to pull him out of that state, but they suffered too. They lost a person who was like a mother to them and had to hide themselves the same way James and Lily did all those years ago, but then for an entire year. They came to protect us, we should help them heal in return." And with that I start reading.

The Goblet of Fire

Instantly everyone's excitement skyrockets out of the room and muttering, giggling, excited whispers and mumbling starts to sound all over. Yet then suddenly Edena snaps her fingers and various gargoyles that are holding bowls with candles on them explode, the candles on the bowls flaring up with loud bangs that instantly silences everyone.
"I don't mind noise, but let's keep it quiet until we know for sure this is something we can be excited about, alright? Don't forget that we have some crazy madman in the school and that that monster knows about the Tournament. Let's first see if these two are related and if not, then we can get excited." She sternly tells everyone, who nods, some frightened others abashed and I read on.

"I don't … at school!"

"I wonder who of you two would be the better Seeker." Oliver mutters and to this Jeffrey answers: "The two of them actually held two Snitch Races after the war ended. They only wanted to do one, but Harry's heart and mind weren't in the game, due to the location, during the first, so they held a rematch as Krum didn't think he won all fair and square." Oliver smirks and I read on.

As they … you, Harry?"

"You guys are just weird." Irina suddenly says and both her sisters nod at this. We all look at them and Irma says: "Honestly you guys, you've been going to school with a celebrity for, in the book, three years and two months now. And the only difference between Harry and Krum is where their fame comes from. Both they are both students, so why can't you treat them the same?"
But before anyone of us can answer, does the girl herself get shocked by the file in her lap shooting up and a note getting shot out. She pulls it out and reads: "He deserves all of the annoyance that he gets from how others treat him. Let them treat him like a celebrity, it will only make him fall harder when he gets found out. Seven weddings." This last bit confusing her.
"Wait, is Krum going to crash seven weddings and try to make the attention be on him or something?" Katie asks, but Dumbledore says: "I think it's more likely that there will be a wedding in the seventh and final book and that Mr. Krum will show his true colors at that wedding." This makes me share a smile with my friends and I read on, excited for this light in the now darkening tunnel.

"Nope, they're … Hermione snorted.

So do several others, yet the Potter-Blacks also turn to the red-faced boy and Harry says: "I am so glad you don't treat me that way." And both James Potter and Sirius Black chorus: "So are we." And their other two sons nod, great smiles of gratitude on their own faces. And to my slight amusement does this actually make the boy turn even more red before I read on.

"They look … derisive laugh.

"I can only imagine that Madam Maxime will be taking her to task for that later. As you heard with the standing up bit, Beauxbatons is much more strict with its rules and protocol than Hogwarts. In fact, it's one of the schools most known for this, though it's not the most strict. To be honest, Hogwarts is actually the complete opposite, even with the many rules it has."
Mrs. Lupin says, yet this draws another note out of Irma's file and she frowns as she reads: "That wasn't always the case. Twice it wasn't. And both times were horrid and wrong." The girl looks up and the Headmaster asks: "Does it say when?" The girl shakes her head, but says: "No, but it doesn't need to. I know it means Harry's Fifth and his Seventh.
I know this because we saw him from the Hide-Out after his fifth and just looking at him proved this. He hadn't just lost something personal, it was as if there had been nothing of the past year that he could be proud of or happy with. And we know the other one was his Seventh, because it was after that that he came to get us. He also gave us a brief retail of his life, but never many details."
"That's just not good. Those are our OWLs and NEWTs years." Hermione moans and this draws out another note that Irma reads: "Even the troubles of Fifth didn't stop you and the events of Seventh were an achievement all their own. Just you wait, the girl who worried for her First year exams by March was long gone by that time." The girl in question turns red at this, yet all of her friends smile at her and her brothers pat her on the back in support as I read on.

"No one's … black pudding.

"That's another thing that will change after we exit the EEM. Trust me, if we had gotten the chance to raise you, you kids would have one favorite native dish, most probably a treat or dessert, and one favorite foreign dish. It kind of runs in the family. My dad used to love homemade brownies, but he would also kill for some bami with foe yong hai." Mr. Potter tells his sons as I read on.

The Great … silvery hair.

"Can I just say that I am loving this?" Mr. Black asks, leaning back with a wide grin on his face and he turns to his son as he says: "When I escaped Azkaban, I was afraid that you had already either reached or surpassed this stage of your growth. Starting to see that girls are more than friends, which usually starts by noticing their good looks, I mean."
The boy turns red, yet James hugs him and says: "I definitely agree, though I also appreciate what is happening here. The more that we read these books, the more we're diverging from their path. And you dating a boy you are well-acquainted with instead of a girl you only played against once is up my personal preferences. No offense, Mss. Chang." Yet the girl does seem to take offense.
"And why is that better, exactly?" Yet Mr. Potter is obviously not taken with her superior tone of voice as he frowns at her and says: "Because that way both my son and I know that he has more in common. After all, what have we learned about you so far, other than that you have looks and like to let others do your job on the field for you."
The girl shrinks back as if stung and Mr. Black rolls his eyes as he says: "Take that as a lesson to heart, boys. Your mum can accept a lot, but he won't take anyone talking as if they're better than him, especially anyone younger." The three boys nod and I notice Oliver doing the same, a slight look of fright on his face. This makes me hold back a giggle and I continue to read.

"When you've … with danger."

"And that's the problem." Irma reads, her voice grim as she looks up and actually seems to quote the note that is now in her hand: "Some people just don't get that every level of danger has a limit and that 17 does not equal experienced adult. The reputation of what Hogwarts has been able to withstand these past years also caused this."
She then turns to both of the two men just mentioned and says: "According to this note, you are equally to blame for this, though each for different reasons. Mr. Bagman, there is a difference between Professional Quidditch and school-team Quidditch. You forgot about that. And Mr. Crouch –." But the man says: "I know. I know what made me make this mistake." The girl nods and I read on.

At this … to compete.

At this both Edena, Isaac and Jeremy turn to Dumbledore and actually speak in perfect sync as they say: "We will guard that. We will ensure that no one puts in a name not their own and that everyone who does put in a name is the right age to do this." Yet the man only smiles at them before turning to each of their parents. And it's Mr. Black that says:
"We'll take a wait and see approach on this. No, hear me out, Jeremy. Once we know more about how this Tournament is going to ruin things for the future and start the war, we will decide if you can do this by yourself or if you're better off having some extra protection. Like Aurors to back you up with defensive spells incase the person responsible becomes trigger happy."
Jeremy frowns at this, but then Isaac says: "He's right, Jeremy. Let's face the facts, while our skills as Elementals are impressive, they are just that, skills. They're not magic and we don't really have any experience with dueling or battling wizards. Aurors do, so having them as back-up will only work out for the best." Jeremy nods at this and Mr. Black smiles at them both as I read on.

"To ensure … Age Line.

"They won't even need to." Alice frowns and she turns to Dumbledore as she says: "All they need is someone in Seventh – or Sixth, but who is already off age – to put their name in the Goblet for them. That Age Line, unless further equipped with something like a core checking spell, just isn't going to be enough. And who else here already thought of this?"
She asks, turning to the students at large and under her severe glare do several dozen hands tentatively raise themselves up, the students that do so turning red with either embarrassment or shame. The Headmaster frowns at this and turns to Mr. Weasley. The man nods and says: "I'll make sure Bill helps with this once it happens." This reassures the adults in question and I read on.

"Where is … mutilated face.

"That doesn't make any sense. That Moody is a fake and working for You-Know-Who just like Karkaroff before he changed sides and gave out names. Why would he –?" A student from Ravenclaw asks, yet one from Hufflepuff answers: "You just gave your own answer. Karkaroff betrayed the other side by giving those names." The Raven girl nods and I read on.

As the … out again?"

At this Harry hits himself on the head and he says: "That's going to bite me in the ass, I just know it. It's going to make everyone think that that is exactly how I got into the Tournament.""How do you know that's what's going to happen?" Oliver asks and Harry sighs wearily as he answers: "Experience." Making his boyfriend frown as I read on, concerned myself.

Someone laughed … of this."

"That yes. What Alice suggested, not. And I'm sure there are many other easy ways of tricking my Age Line that I overlooked." The headmaster says and Mr. Lupin smiles at him as she says: "If you'll draw me one like you usually do, I'll be able to study it and see how we can improve it. Make the entering of the Champion names a little safer." The man smiles at her and I read on.

Fred, George … at him.

I look up as I had been noticing some activity going on from the corner of my eye and looking up, I notice that both the members of the Gang and those of the Squad are sharing uncomfortable looks with each other. "What's wrong?" Ron asks and Jeffrey says: "We're just worried about these obvious signs of how divided the Houses are.
I mean, we might be a team, you know the Squad and the Gang, but – what makes us like each other so much is how different we are. Meaning that, if we were to be Sorted, the chances are quite high that we won't all go to Gryffindor. We're just worried that, if that happens, we won't be able to be friends with you guys, because of it."
This actually makes quite a few of us share the same looks, but then Harry growls: "That won't happen." And just by the look on his face, a look of intense determination and anger, do I nod, knowing that if I don't I will probably regret it. And while the Gang and the Squad smile at their friend for his assurance that they'll stay friends, do I read on.

"What're we … the sarcasm.

"If I ever get the chance to breed those beauties, I'll leave them for the older years – once we know more about them, that is." Hagrid amends after seeing the stern looks send his way by both several of the parents present as well as Professors McGonagall, Flitwick, Snape and even Sprout. And while I silently giggle at this display of the adult peer pressure, do I read on.

Hagrid's cabin … ter say."

"It's dragons, calling it!" Ron yells and instantly his sister laughs and asks: "Want to make a bet on that, bro?" Mrs. Weasley wants to snap at this, but Edena stops her and whispers: "Watch. Just wait and watch." And I notice that Ron had turned a little red as he mumbles: "I – I don't have a lot of –." But then Iris proves that her older self was right about the wait and see approach as she says:
"I meant on things like candy, a special favor or a chore asked of you to do by mum. I don't bet money with my friends, let alone with my family. So, about that bet?" And the two, under the proud smile of their other siblings and parents, happily settle it with a handshake and Ron saying: "We'll discuss terms later." At which I giggle and read on.

"Go on … for us!"

"Hermione dear, that's just what love and teenage crushes do. They addle the mind and make even the best of friends do the stupidest of things." The girl's mother giggles as she says this and Professor Lupin rolls his eyes as he says: "Trust me, I know all about it. You should have seen what these two did when they finally plucked up the courage to tell each other."
Yet while he aims for Harry's parents at this, do the two just look at him with a raised eyebrow and Mr. Black asks: "I'm sorry but did you by chance forget about the first date you were planning to take Lily here on?""You swore you would never mention that again!" The Professor yells and yet Mr. Black shrugs and says: "You asked for it." Their kids laugh and I read on.

Without so … soon know!"

Yet while I feel the excitement growing around me, can I not help but notice how not everyone near me seems to share in that experience. I look up and notice that Harry is tense, but his tenseness doesn't seem to come from excitement. Instead fear and concern are clear on the young boy's face. And while I really hope that his statement of personal experience is wrong, do I read on.

The Halloween … as champions.

Yet the Harry in here doesn't seem to share in his book-self's experience as he actually stands up and, after checking to see if his pendant is still in place, does he say: "I can't take this. Let me know if I'm wrong." And he leaves the Great Hall, closing the doors behind him. "If he's right, what do we do?" Hermione asks frightened and her brother answers: "We support him." As I read on.

At long … next chamber.

"There was something wrong. Krum actually sabotaged the papers of the others, casting a spell to make their names unintelligible as they were thrown in; Karkaroff let him." Irma reads and this shocks everyone as the girl looks up and says: "Krum had some issues after the war and it made his fellow students turn on him. They apparently confessed to it all."
"That is just wrong. He's already famous and obviously Karkaroff's favorite. Why would he want to hurt his own fellow year mates like that? Is he really that much of an attention seeker?" Hermione asks and Irma turns back to her note as she reads: "You have no idea. Harry knew you'd be the one to ask that." The girl turns red, but also beams at the older Lovegood girl and I read on.

"Bravo, Viktor!" … their arms.

"They deserved it. They had actually bet money on Fleur not being chosen and had concocted a plan to humiliate her if one of them had been. They even faked to support her after the Tournament and stayed in England with her – only to join him later. She, luckily enough, was also the one to catch them in the act after they did."
Irma reads and her younger sister says: "It's official. Every place, no matter how famous, bright or full of light, has some darkness in it. And when it comes to Durmstrang, which is known for its love for the Dark Arts, I guess that darkness comes from the one source pretending to be light. Quite sad, really." A lot of us nod in agreement with the sometimes eccentric girl and I read on.

When Fleur … heard again.

Yet I stop and turn to Irma, expecting another note for her to read. And I get proven right, yet the note seems to really depress the slightly older girl. "You don't want to know. And that's not an insult meant to Cedric or an indication that he might have a dark secret in his past. Just – read on." She looks up at us all and her eyes are actually dark with pain as she says:
"I remember. I remember Harry writing this note. It was one of the few where he wasn't just writing. He was having emotional trouble writing the note down. This is one of them." She holds it up and I notice that the text, at the end, is blotched as if it got hit by something wet before the ink could dry. Realizing that the wetness is probably tears, I fear for the badger as I read on.

"Excellent!" Dumbledore … "Harry Potter."

I stop here, not because I want to, but because the chapter has ended with those two words. And for some reason do I get the feeling that I whispered them out in the same way that Dumbledore – or at least the one in the book – would have. Looking up at the man, I see that he has his head down, his hands clutched in his beard and his face a mask of regret and rage.
Both emotions are easy to understand as the man must regret not having done more to keep his great-grandson out of this Tournament and his rage must be at whoever was foolish enough to try and do this. And while part of me wonders how Harry is doing right now, do I actually feel relieved to not be the one responsible.
But this isn't because of the rage on Dumbledore's face, it's because of the united furious rage shown on the faces of not just the Gang and the Squad, but Harry's parents too. All of their faces are showing such a strong sense of rage that it almost terrifies me, yet I can also almost see the gears in their minds turning through the look in their eyes. Whether this has already happened or not, they are planning their revenge on the one who has – or might even once try – to do this.


Whoever they are.
Well, we know who they are and personally, I think they are going to be quite happy when they find out that they already have this bastard locked up and ready for their vengeance. Of course, a certain monster of a murderer is going to be less happy to find out that both his source of information and his perfect spy are no longer available, but who really cares for old Snake face.
Now I will admit that I don't like the fact that I ended some stories – this one and To Read Into The Universe – on such a dark note, but I just can't do anything else. I can't alter my stories just because of a certain event that takes place. It would throw the story for a loop, make me lose my roll with the story and probably make you guys wonder: "What did I just read?"
Anyway, 2018 has come to an end and 2019 is about to begin. And like I said in other AN's, January is going to get an early update on chapters as KH III will be releasing at the end of the month and I just know it will keep me too hooked to even think of anything else. And to be honest, I am just counting down the days until that wondrous January the 29th.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Venquine1990