Hey everyone,
I am a little confused as to how to feel about this chapter. It is going to focus solely on the Gang and the Squad and they are going to prove just how far they are willing to go for one of their own and how close they really are, but whether or not I should like that as it will mean they will turn on Ron and the others that turned on Harry in Fourth …
I'm not sure,

Venquine1990
Shout-Out To:
V.L. Crawford
Wishfull-Star
Kirsty21
Setokayba2n
Lilly-flower15


Chapter 48
One Gang, One Squad, One Family

3rd of November 1994
Great Hall, Hogwarts
Irma's POV

I give the file to my younger self as, for the better part of the second half of the last chapter, I have felt the need to start reading myself, something I usually don't feel like as I prefer to study the water or reading a book. Yet when Alicia stops and before Katie can take the book from her friend, do I say: "My turn." And I use the water from a jug close to the three to take the book from them.
"This just can't be good." Jeremy mutters and Hermione asks: "Why is that?""Irma doesn't read. She's a practical learner, not theory. The only few times she read something was when it was the newspaper and even then it was only when something really bad happened, either in Muggle or Magical England." Her brother answers, yet the girl says:
"But that doesn't make sense. Harry gave her the file.""Because they are small notes that have a practical meaning and a warning for the future. Otherwise he wouldn't have bothered." The girl grimaces at this, yet I just turn back to the book, remembering the last time I read anything; the Daily Prophet that wrote an article honoring all those that died in the Final Battle.

The Four Champions

Just this title alone seems to split the whole Great Hall into two groups; one of them growing a strong sense of excitement over hearing about the Champions and learning more about the two foreign ones and the other half growing an even stronger sense of apprehension for what may be yet to come for Harry and some for Cedric as well. I feel part of the latter group as I read on.

Harry sat … heard correctly.

Here Hermione turns to the doors leading outside and asks: "Should we go get him?" But her brother shakes his head and says: "Like I said, if Irma wants to read, things are about to take a turn for the worst. And I mean even worse than Harry himself was already expecting when he left. Best just wait till later and tell him privately." The girl nods, I agree as well and read on.

There was … blankly back.

Instantly most of the Gang and the Squad wants to glare at the duo, but I finally understand why I had this feeling. "Don't." I say strongly and that Irina gasps right after at the sight of a new note popping out really doesn't surprise me. I take the note myself and read: "They're thirteen, not fourteen. Remember that." At which I nod in agreement.
"We can't get mad at the things people are going to do in the future, not if they're not against the rules or the English code. Only if they give us any indication that they might repeat the written behavior." I tell the others and Hermione whimpers: "Harry – trusts that we won't do what we did in the book?" "You are quite the studious person – and a quick learner too." Her brother tells her.
"And even our Ronnie here isn't stupid enough to make the same mistake twice.""Yeah, look at how quickly he picked up on that whole Pettigrew thing, even before any of us had a clue about it and how well he acted on it.""This is a learning experience, nothing more." The Weasley twins chorus and while both of Harry's friends share proud smiles with each other do I read on.

At the … you please!"

"Wait a second, that sounds like McGonagall convinced Dumbledore –." Mr. Malfoy growls, but then the Headmaster himself says: "I can only imagine that Minerva reminded me of the dangers of what could befall Harry if he refused to compete. I must have given in as I hate the thought of anything like that being done to my grandson." The blonde gives a reluctant nod and I read on.

"Go on," … them were.

"I got to admit, I know that we've already had the better half of another book now, but if I had to imagine this happening, I never would have imagined Potter to react like that." One of the older students at Ravenclaw tells their table partner and I silently think: "When are they going to see Harry for who he really is? By the seventh book or something?" And I read on, feeling deeply annoyed.

There was … Triwizard champion?"

The man here looks quite flustered, though that is because he has both of Harry's parents, his former – supposed – mother and the entire Gang and Squad glaring at him. "Now really is not the time for your love for exciting games to come out, Ludo. I hope you realize that." Mr. Crouch mutters and his coworker nods frantically. Though if he fully agrees on it, I can't say for sure as I read on.

Viktor Krum … the door.

"Wait, he was in there – alone with them – AAAAAAAHHH!" Aunt Rosie screams, clutching her head as if it's about to be ripped in half and she's trying to keep the two halves together. The sight is horrifying and I instantly want to drop the book, but my new younger sister, Irina is already ahead of me and rushes at Auntie with Edena and Rosaline.
"I – I don't – I don't believe this. That – that's what – what happened. Ludo, how – how –?" The woman asks, but then actually runs off, bursting through the Great Hall doors and running out of sight. And as she does, do I feel my own power reacting to her as droplets of water leave her, flying through the air behind her. "She figured it out. That last burst was so painful, it actually got her her memory back – or at least the memory suppressed by the MMB that concerns Bagman."
Uncle Sirius states, his shock clear on both his face and through his voice as he looks at her as she runs off and then Mrs. Longbottom says: "I'll go after her. Sirius, perhaps it's better if either you or James go check on Harry, let him know what just happened before he starts to worry." The man nods and after the two leave and close the door behind them, do I pick up the book and read on.

"Madame Maxime!" … own schools."

"I'm sure Krum loved hearing that." Eddy jokes and Irina is this time the one picking the note out of the file as she calmly reads: "He was quiet for the rest of the meeting, plotting ways he could prevent that from happening. Didn't hear that it wouldn't until three days later. Karkaroff hardly even told him off for it." This makes Eddy mutter: "I knew it." As I giggle and read on.

"It's no … lip curling.

"You know, I'm getting really sick of the fact that no one in the Wizarding world seems to have ever heard of the term innocent until proven guilty." Jeffrey growls and his younger brother says: "I'll say. You guys judge and treat Harry worse than the Dursleys sometimes do. And I thought that was impossible!" Some of the adults in question look down ashamed at this and I sigh, reading on.

"He could … Professor Snape.

"Guess I got that from you, huh mum?" Jeremy suddenly asks his mother, who asks: "What?""The thoughtfulness of knowing when I need to give up on fighting a battle I can't lose." His mum cringes at this and says: "No, that is your dad's. The MMB is just blocking it and increasing his level of stubbornness to where it's more fit for a whole House instead of just him." Jeremy nods and I read on.

"Mr. Crouch … fair, Dumbledore."

"I'm starting to see a pattern here, one I really don't like." Elena sneers and she actually resembles her father quite a bit as she does. Her sister nods and says: "I agree. It's like these people care all about fairness as long as it works in their own favor. If it's in the favor of another, they throw it out the window like yesterday's newspaper or something." The adults cringe and I read on, agreeing as well.

"But Karkaroff … a growl.

"And the reason so many people take the chance of my son dying so lightly is what exactly?" Harry's mum asks and it's actually Neville that groans and says: "His ridiculous title. Boy-Who-Lived. The fact that he somehow survived the Killing Curse makes people think nothing can kill him." Mss. Lupin whitens at this as Mr. Potter rolls his eyes and shakes his head. And with disdain do I read on.

An extremely … his category…"

"Guessing, my thorns. That must have been how he got Harry in." Rosaline snaps, but Isaac shakes his head and says: "Too easy. Plus, a bastard like him wouldn't just go out and reveal that, even if he feels sure of his cover not being blown. It's more likely he's speaking of such a simple method to make sure others wouldn't go looking into more complicated ones and find his."
"Nevertheless, I will work alongside whoever is willing to help me, may they be student, teacher or otherwise, to make sure this doesn't happen. I'm sure my older self feels more confident having Harry compete in tasks he helped design, but I personally would prefer Harry stay out of the tournament period." Everyone in the Gang and Squad and their parents nod at this and I continue reading.

"You seem … hear it."

"I know you, Albus, though in this case, I'm not sure I fully agree with you. You're going to have Harry compete, make one of your teachers help him in a way that is off-handed enough it won't break the rules and try to figure out how this all came to be in the first place. I just don't think the latter of that plan is all that – convenient, seeing the situation."
The Headmaster sighs and says: "I'm afraid that my future self will not see it the same way. You know why I kept my distance, Sirius, about the fear that kept straying my heart wrong. I just wish I didn't listen to it at a time like this and I can only fear how much further it will lead me astray." And while I wonder when the man became so bloody cheesy, do I just shake my head and read on.

Sorry, couldn't help myself there.

Dumbledore waited … first task…"

"That – doesn't sound like you, Barty." Madam Bones tells her colleague and Mr. Crouch grimaces as he says: "I'm being held under the Imperius Curse. With that imposter at Hogwarts, it's only logical that they would put me under one; to keep me from spilling the beans while there." All the adults grimace in concern at hearing this and I read on, hoping we'll read of him breaking free soon.

He moved … the tournament.

"So the teachers are allowed to call in help from the outside? Great, that means we might get to see Professor Lupin again. He'll want to help Harry when he hears about this, no doubt." Lavender cheers, but Uncle Remus frowns and says: "You're forgetting something. This is an event organized by the Ministry. I'm sure Dolores Umbridge has had a say in it as well."
And before the Minister or Bertha Jorkins can retort or argue this, does Irina read another note: "She did. She gathered a special task force of Aurors, stating it was to keep the events of the world cup from repeating, but she actually gave them pictures of every known werewolf and told them to keep those out, the more force used the better."
The girl looks up and states: "She even gave daily permission – for the Unforgivables to be used." Uncle Remus winces at this and whispers: "And I probably expected such a thing and decided to stay away, like a fool.""Didn't you just hear her?" Aunt Lily asks and Uncle Remus replies: "I heard daily, meaning the permission was only for the days of the tasks. I stayed away period." His wife grimaces at this and I read on, feeling for them both.

The champions … and noise."

"Ehm Al, please tell me that you told the students not to believe Harry to be responsible for all of this and not that you were going to question him to see how this could happen. Cause if you did the latter, all the students will think you believe Harry responsible. And then he'll be in even more of a hot mess." James tells his uncle, who grimaces and I think: "They better not." As I read on.

Harry glanced … you, then."

This alone makes all of my friends glare at the blonde, who moans: "Why am I emulating my bloody father?" And Uncle Frank sighs as he says: "Because of what we just established. Wizards would rather declare someone guilty than actually listen to the statements of the innocent. And they're stubborn to boot." This really doesn't do anything to calm my anger, yet I read on anyway.

Instead of … considered entering..

"But he did make that one statement that would make a lot of people think otherwise." Jessie moans in concern, yet to this Joshua asks: "Who cares? Knowing Harry, he must have made a good three-dozen statements proving otherwise. Are people really just going to ignore those?" And a lot of students start to look uncomfortable with themselves as I read on, my annoyance with them growing.

But someone … and powerless…

"Except that monsters like that are never feeble or powerless. They always make sure to have something to keep them strong and to dominate over. Like Pettigrew and that other wizard, who might as well be inside Hogwarts as we speak." Elena states, her voice cold with the rage that must be going on inside her right now, yet then suddenly Mr. Crouch gasps.
We all turn to him and he says: "Young lady, if – if what you're saying it true then – then we're safe." This really doesn't make any sense to me and Madam Bones asks: "How can you be sure of that, Barty?""Because that man – is in the Chamber, right now. He's our prisoner." And the assurance that comes from the man's voice makes me read on, feeling a lot better about everything.

Yet in … common room.

"That's not good. If even the portraits aren't willing to give him a chance to explain himself –." Jessie mutters in frightened concern, but then Jeremy stands up and looks around. "Listen up, I won't hold what your book-selves to do Harry against you, unless it just goes below belt. But if you treat the Harry of this time like that, you deal with the Squad."
"And trust me, the Gang may not be as experienced, old or powerful, but we're not above proving book-Harry wrong in thinking that older means better. Harry, especially this Harry, is our Gang member and whenever we're together, we're family and we look after each other." Jason growls, standing up alongside his brother.
And then, to the shock and confusion of many, do both the Lupin and the Evans twins stand up and chorus: "So hurt Harry.""And you deal with us." I look around and notice that most of the shock comes from the fact that four twin boys, who have been constantly laughing and joking around, now sound so powerful and serious. "If only they knew." I think to myself as I read on.

The blast … at all.

"You know what? Harry should have shown you his powers at this point. The shock and fright you lot would have felt over seeing that kind of power would have served you right." Jeffrey growls and it's easy to see why he's saying this with so much anger as the boy is almost joined at the hip with his father. This symbolism really doesn't surprise and others seem to catch on too as I read on.

"I'm tired!" … corner. "Congratulations."

"You can't be serious." Edena growls at her younger brother, who winces and Iris growls: "You better apologize. I don't care if this isn't something you've done yet, it's uncalled for. You're his best friend." The two girls then turn to Hermione and snarl: "And you better not make the same mistake either, you hear?" Both students nod and I read on, dreading the rest.

"What d'you … Harry snapped.

"Especially considering the fact you were probably around him from dinner until the moment he went to sleep, so you probably would have seen him leave or heard him mutter about ways he could do it, don't you think?" Aunt Lily asks the boy, yet her tone isn't accusing, just helpful, proving she just wants to make sure Ron won't make this mistake in the future. Ron nods at her and I read on.

"Yeah?" said … believe him.

"As is his good right. For Merlin's sake, the fact that the book mentioned his team mates is one thing, but his closest friend? If this keeps up, Harry is going to either have just Hermione to rely on or be completely on his own. And seeing what will happen after this book – sweet Merlin, he better get some help." Rosaline whimpers in concern.
I lie the book down and turn to the Headmaster as I say: "If this Tournament happens, you lot do your best to keep this trouble from happening and it still happens, then Harry represents us, the Elementals. And I don't care what any of you have to say about that; the fact you think Gryffindor's victory more important than our friend's safety is what made us decide this."

A lot of the Gryffindors had tried to stand up and object to this, but then the Headmaster sighs and says: "I understand and I agree completely. The staff, Ministry and I will do our best to keep this from happening and we will happily accept any help offered.""Hold on a second. The guy responsible for this has already been captured. So it can't happen anymore, right?"
Someone at the Hufflepuff table asks, but Uncle Regulus states: "Unfortunately, there are still several of the Dark Lord's supporters and those who believe in his cause out there, regardless of whether or not they ever contributed to his side of the war. And knowing him, either he or Pettigrew will go for these people if they hear that this option has become unavailable."
"Not to mention one other problem." Uncle Severus grumbles, his face dark with concern. We all turn to him and he says: "We may think that that bastard is secure down there, but we're forgetting one vital fact. There are only two known Parsletongues alive right now. One of them is the Dark Lord – the other – is Harry.""How is that a problem?" Percy asks confused and it's Ginny who answers:
"It's a problem because of two reasons, Percy. One, I – I know better than anyone how easily that monster can manipulate whoever he wants, how smooth his words and convicing his tone is. The other is the Tournament; it proves that Voldemort can trap Harry – however he wants to." Silence rings.


Dang, that's problematic.
Am I going to make this a plotpoint later? Maybe, not sure yet. Personally, I was expecting to bring the Gang and Squad a little more to the forefront and prove that their friendship with Harry is stronger than any Hogwarts has ever seen, but this chapter didn't actually contain half as much content of the whole Tournament trouble as I first thought.
Oh well, better luck next time,

Venquine1990
PS. Yes, Harry will be brought back into the fold at the start of the next chapter.