Chapter 05
But at what price?
Minerva's POV
"Now that my lion has come back to us all, would I like to be the next to read, Mr. Malfoy. I want to know who the scumbag is that is posing as a personal friend." I tell the Malfoy elder, trying to keep the anger out of my voice and keep up my strict appearance and the man nods in understanding, before stepping away from the platform.
I walk over to take his place, glad that my stiff walk can make sure no one sees how angry I am at the current situation and look at the young lion I consider one of my favorite students. I see him being held tightly by Cedric, crying in the Hufflepuff's shirt, obviously hurt that his friend could have been killed had he not done this.
Feeling relieved, as I always have one favorite in all of my years and Mr. Diggory had been the one for Hufflepuff for the last 4 years, I think: "Mr. Potter's a lot, but he sure knows how to prepare for situations out of his control." This makes me smile, even if I wish this situation had never existed and then I start to read.
Veritaserum
Harry felt … more tightly.
The young Hufflepuff now does the same to my lion still sniffling softly and I feel my heart break as he doesn't seem to be able to get over the fact that Cedric would have been murdered had he not cast the spell. This in itself makes me hate myself as I can only feel proud of the young lad for his unknowing rescue act.
But when I see Potter's hands desperately gripping Cedric's shirt, almost tearing it, as if never wanting to keep Cedric where he is, it hits me and I realize that's not what Potter is really crying for. He's crying out of fear. Fear it will still happen. Fear he won't be able to save the elder boy. I smile in pride for my lion before I continue the chapter.
He raised … "He's back. Voldemort."
This makes Albus nod in pride and I too smile, knowing that now the Order will be brought back together in the book and we will have a fighting chance, one much better than during the last war, where the Order was easily overpowered every time we fought. Shuddering at the many heart-breaking memories, do I lie my focus elsewhere.
I look up, hoping not to see the faces of the many people I lost, but of my own students and to my shock do I see them indeed and do I see determined and strong faces all over the Great Hall, on the faces of Hogwarts, Beauxbattons and Durmstrang students, that prove how much everyone actually wants to fight to keep that madman back.
I look shocked at the unity I see in the hall, a unity I have never seen before – not when I was a student, teacher or Head of House – and when I see that this determined look is even on the face of Mr. Draco Malfoy, I know this book is the best that ever happened to Hogwarts. I smile, not afraid to show my pride and read on.
"What's going on? … come on. Now …"
This angers me as I can only think of one person who would go against the words of Dumbledore and Krum voices my thoughts: "The Fake Moody. He's going to try and take – Harry away." This makes Hermione gasp and she says: "He wants to kill Harry. He wants to know what happened at the Graveyard and then kill him."
Instantly, while Molly tries and fails to hold back a shout of pure fear and while her sons all look white in shock is Harry switched and this time Krum is the one holding onto Harry so tightly, so protectively I know instantly the boy doesn't feel any brotherly feelings towards my little lion; that his feelings reach deeper than that.
This makes me smile as I had been scared my little lion would not be taken seriously by his elder fellow Champions or that they would ban him out and would form their own little team, but apparently Potter has – yet again – gotten himself a place in the hearts of some good and loving people. And with my worries at ease, do I read on.
Someone larger … Lord Voldemort …"
Now Harry pushes his head into Krum's shoulder, showing the whole school just how scared and worried the boy really is and I know I personally can't blame as young book-Harry had already been through hell and would probably go through a hell almost just as bad in the supposed care of the impersonated ex-Auror.
Krum seems just as worried and his hold on the young boy tightens, pushing his entire body against his own and when I look closely, I see the Bulgarian isn't holding him like a brother would hold a fellow sibling, but in the way a lover would hold his boy or girlfriend if he or she were afraid of losing their beloved.
This shocks me as I had expected the Triwizard Tournament to at least create some close friendship bonds, maybe even a familiar bond between the 4 combating students, but had not expected romance to bloom between any of the Champions and certainly not between the youngest and the eldest of them. I smile slightly and read on
Cluck. Clunk. … His throat.
This seems to make Snape relax, while the idea of my lion being fed anything by a person of who we don't really know his identity scares me and he says: "Pepper-up potion. No poison." But the fact the fake has a Pepper-up potion does nothing to make me feel any more comfortable as it shows how much he prepared for all of this.
This makes me thin my lips in fury as no one touches my lions and gets away with it and I think: "I lost James and precious Lily to that mass-murderer, no way will I lose their little boy to one of his disgusting lackeys." And with fury strong enough in my voice that I shock my colleagues do I continue the chapter.
Moody's office … back down.
"Нека си иде, вие отрепка." I hear the young Bulgarian Champion whisper, his voice full of venom and obviously aimed at the man keeping book-Harry captive, but I can't understand a word of it and apparently neither can Potter, as he looks at the elder boy questioningly, who then whispers: "I told him to let you go."
Harry smiles and Krum lies his head back against his shoulder, softly petting through his hair and while my cat-eyes notice a small flinch coming from Harry's form when Krum pulls him closer, does the petting have an apparent calming effect as he peacefully lies against the Bulgarian. This both worries and calms me as I read on.
"I know … his enemies."
This makes me look at the Bulgarian Headmaster in question and while I see many of the other students look at him in disbelief and his own with indifference is it only then that I notice that throughout almost the entire reading, Karkaroff has been white as a sheet and has been almost tearing apart the table cloth in his worry.
To me this obviously means that the Headmaster will indeed flee from Hogwarts the minute Potter's plan fails and I look at the boy, worried not just for his plan to work, but for his health to remain stable as he pulls through. And this is not just because I know what You-Know-Who is capable of, but also because of the Third Task.
I had been against the idea of letting Hagrid put his creatures in the Tournament from the beginning and even more so when Harry had been named an unexpected fourth champion, but when I had tried to openly protest this, had Albus shockingly enough sided with Fudge on the matter and had I been forced to back down.
I now try not to look at the two with contempt, even if I had seen the guilt shadow over Fudge's face as we read about the dangers Harry had faced in the Maze and even more often when we read about the aftermath of the Cup being a Portkey, but – to my confusion – had this emotion been absent from Albus' face.
The man had simply kept himself to a regal seating, with his back straight, his eyes aimed at the students instead of Severus and Malfoy and had kept his hands above the table, his fingers interlaced. Wondering how the man could not be worried over what I know is his absolutely favorite student, do I read on, determined to find out.
"Karkaroff's gone? … have done …"
"Can't blame you, mate." Ronald finally speaks, sitting across the Champions and Cedric's family and the redhead goes on: "First seeing a friend get killed, then your parents killer returns, you fight him to escape and then you suddenly find out that the teacher you trusted betrayed you." He stops for a second to breath, shakes his head and says:
"Nope, really can't blame you." Before he's hit on the head by Hermione, making him scream in pain as she asks: "Do you ever stop to think before you speak? How can you talk about Cedric dying, when Cedric only sits 2 seats away from you?" The ginger turns red and crouches his head in his neck, mumbling an apology before I read on.
"I assure … upon Harry.
"He better not try anything." Lupin growls, his eyes almost completely amber and his arms so tense, it's almost as if his hackles are raised in anger. I can really see the werewolf behind the ever calm and reasonable man and realize this is his anger for someone holding and endangering the only cub he has ever had in his pack.
Knowing how important pack members are to a werewolf, I wonder if Remus ever really formed a pack with the Potters or Pettigrew – or maybe even – with Black. I shudder at the way the man must have felt when he heard what a possible pack-member had done and smile, knowing he'll protect his lone cub, no matter what the consequences are.
His lopsided … your stupidity.
This seems to anger the dog and Krum more than it angers anyone and while I wonder how that dog can be sentient enough to realize his – as far as I believe – owner is being insulted, do I feel an adored smile twitching at my lips at the thought of a protective Viktor Krum. Already knowing Potter will be well-loved by Krum, do I happily read on.
The second … manipulate, Potter.
"Only by those who have no respect for anyone whatsoever." A young girl I know is named Luna Lovegood says seriously, the dreamy look I know she is known for gone and her eyes straight on me as I read. I smile at the girl, while most of the other Ravenclaws look shocked at the girl's amazingly well-said comment.
This makes me sigh as it's not hard to see where their disbelief comes from as Luna has – and shows – a very different form of intelligence and while I know that she is often pestered for this, have I always treasured the girl, who – thanks to her different way of thinking – was always able to be the first to finish my projects.
I then let my eyes sweep over her fellow ravens yet again and shake my head at how some of them are now looking from the girl to each other, obviously trying to see if any of their fellow ravens had expected the girl to be this bright and I think: "She is a fellow raven too, you know." But I ignore this thought and just continue the chapter.
I was … ruined all.
"Long live Harry's pride!" The twins cheer, their loud voices making some of the students that had been paying close attention scream in shock and I want to reprimand them for their loud interruption, but then they say: "May it always muck up the plans of evil, twisted death-idiots." And the hall laughs at their comment,
While I smile at their genius and their caring for the young boy. I then send a quick look at Molly, if only to tell her not to reprimand them for their well-placed comment, as I know very well how the woman's willing to try and keep her sons locked away from the entire magical world, just because of one small piece of evil.
I shake my head, hating how I had already seen the consequences of this stubborn belief of her and think: "She really believes she knows what's best, but her stubborn blindness in that dumb belief is exactly what made Bill and Charlie take the jobs they wanted so far away and will probably cause the same for her other kids."
As I know just fine that Charlie could have worked at the South of Scotland, there being a reserve for the Welsh Green and other Magical Creatures that – sometimes – are smuggled into our nation illegally or are – more often than not – hunted into extinction and that Bill could have easily gone to work at Gringotts back in Diagon Alley,
But the two boys had talked to me during their Career advices and both stories had – sadly enough – been the same; the ideas and orders of Molly Weasley were too precautious or old-fashioned for the two eldest Weasley brothers and they wanted out of England, if only to live their own lives and grow into the men they know they can become.
I had been proud of my lions, knowing that they indeed could be amazing and great, but had, after hearing some of the orders they were given, understood how their mother was actually driving them away from their family, from the siblings they loved so much they sometimes doubted their decision to leave the country.
This had saddened me and I had agreed with both boys that in exchange for them spending every possible holiday at home, I would help them pass all of their O.W.L.s and all the N.E.W.T.s they would later want to take. I had even vowed that I would personally make sure they would both be hired exactly where they wanted to work.
I had never, in my life, been more proud than of how hard those two boys worked to achieve their goal and keep to their words. Yet, at the same time, had I never been more saddened by the reason behind their ambition and their hard work. Yet I try, again, to look at the positive side of it all and with a proud smile do I continue the chapter.
"So what … the wall.
This relieves me, while younger students and those that don't know what a Foe-Glass is look at each other in confusion and Harry seems to understand as well as he says: "That means people know. They know Moody's a fake and they're coming. They want to catch him." This relieves everyone nervous for the young boy's fate.
Even the dog seems to calm down, while he had been softly whining since Harry had entered the office and he now sits on the ground in front of Harry with his head on the boy's lap. I wonder how close the two are as I never before saw the animal and then decide to see if he comes up somewhere during the other books. And so I read on.
"You were … at all …
Now Ronald and Hermione shake their heads, while I wonder why they don't seem as worried as Krum and the others and then Hermione answers my curiosity as she says: "If only you hadn't just had to fight off Voldemort. That would had made sure you had a clear enough head to figure out who that man really is."
To this, while I wonder how the girl knows this and whether or not it's due to the other mysteries Harry had to solve to save the school, does Harry jump up and just like a few chapters ago, does he start to pace, this time the other Champions letting him do his thing. He mutters words I can barely hear, but there are a few words that I do hear.
"World Cup – something – it – Winky – Crouch – Bagman." But these words mean nothing to me and then the boy seems to have figured it out, as he stands still with a suddenness that shocks those around him and almost makes the Hufflepuff next to him fall off his seat in shock, except Hermione and Ronald, who are of course used to it.
He starts pacing again, making Ron roll his eyes before the two of them share a proud smile and this time Harry clearly says: "Of course, it all fits. The Cup, Winky struggling, the secrets she couldn't speak off, Bertha Jorkins, the attack on Moody. All of it fits, except – how did he hide? What did he use? A spell – or maybe a talent – or –."
Another sudden stop, his eyes looking at me while I can tell by his look that he isn't seeing me the way we are all seeing him and he says: "Yes, of course." Then Ronald says: "You know, mate. You and Hermione are really the same. You both mutter and think for yourselves, but what you're talking about, no one understands."
Harry glares at him, as if expecting of his ginger-haired best friend to instantly understand his mumbling and says: "Remember that empty seat Winky was saving for Crouch? She wasn't. That's the secret she spoke off. The secret Bertha Jorkins discovered. She discovered it and then Crouch cast Memory spells on her mind and –."
But then, just when some of the students move to sit closer to him does he shake his head and say: "The Chapter's called Veritaserum. I say we just read and I'll try to see how much of it I figured out." Everyone nods, Hermione and Ronald smiling in happy pride while some students look amazed and when Harry sits down, do I read on.
The foggy … a son …
"So that's why he joined." Harry mutters with a frown, making me wonder who he's talking about. Ronald and Hermione look at the boy confused, but Harry shakes his head, which the two seem used to as they don't voice their questions and instead listen as he says: "I just wondered how they could be that different."
This confuses me, but I know the answer lies in the book before me. I then look back at my little Lion, now patting and softly stroking the fur of the large dog with a proud, loving grin on his face and I feel relieved he can use his talents and family to stay calm during such a tense chapter as I know others are worried plenty enough. And so I read on.
Moody's normal … blasted apart –
This makes the tension that came up when I read about the fake wanting to conquer my little Lion calm down considerably, some students even taking some water to ease their worries and Albus says: "If that fake ever betrayed himself to be a fake, it was there. Alastor would never take his eye of his Foe Glass, not even around friends."
I nod at him, while hating how the man that was once my mentor during the war with Grindlewald became the most paranoid man to have ever lived in the Moody family, even if I know that part of his paranoia was due to his family having all been renowned Aurors themselves, the job itself not being without risks. And with that thought do I read on.
Moody was … burning heat.
This makes several students – especially the younger ones and the students of the other schools – and even myself tremble in fear and I think: "I barely ever saw him like that. The last time was – that fake attack on Hogsmeade." I shudder as I think back to that horrible day – the day You-Know-Who almost conquered Hogwarts.
It had been in 1976 – the year Lily had been in her 6th and had only just started to get over her pain of losing Severus as a friend – and had been during the Christmas Hogsmeade Weekend. James had been pestering Lily that she should be hanging around Hogsmeade with him, his friends laughing behind his back and Lily snapping at him terribly.
But then Death Eaters had attacked the small town and Albus and I had immediately come to the students aid. It had been the day where the McKinnons had lost their Leading Lady, Marigold McKinnon, where Lily Evans had proven herself a worthy Prefect and where James Potter had proven himself proper Head Boy Material.
But while I had been fighting and leading the Students into the Three Broomsticks had Albus realized that half the elite of You-Know-Who's inner army was missing, had he rushed to the castle, only to release wave of his purest of magic as You-Know-Who had as good as breached the Hogwarts' wards and was trying to hold 1st years hostage.
But then, just when Albus had made sure that the 1st year could escape into the school, had the Marauders shown up and had they showed why they were a pride to our School as the spells they fired at You-Know-Who and his men were beyond exceptional. Black had even, with a couple of spells, showed pride in his family's upbringing,
But it was James in the end that You-Know-Who was after. This in itself makes me shudder as only four years later had You-Know-Who's attention dwindeled from father to son and even now – 18 years after that awful day, is that madman still after the poor young boy. I shake my head at this and think back to that day, so long ago.
You-Know-Who had dueled James that day, actually playing with him, but James seemed to be holding back as well – I can only fanthom on his actual Potter heritage and the spells his father had taught him – and You-Know-Who had, throughout the duel, tried to convince the Sixth Year Gryffindor to join him.
But that had been the first time James had defied You-Know-Who as he had shouted about how You-Know-Who had killed almost all of his family and had, while I can still very clearly remember the pain with which he had been shouting, banished him from the grounds with a powerful stag Patronus – the same his son can apparently conjure.
I then look back at my oldest friend and know he vowed to do everything to make Harry just as strong and make sure he could make us just as proud as his father did. But then I look back at the young boy in question – the boy that has been pushed through so much he thought of all this and think: "But at what price?" Before reading on.
He stepped … and why."
This makes the dog glare at Dumbledore and I too feel angered at my friend for actually doing this to a boy, who had just seen his friend get killed and his parents murderer get revived, only to be almost killed by the spy, pretending to be a teacher my young lion actually trusted. I shake my head, knowing my answer and continue the chapter.
"Moody." Harry said … I followed."
"Followed?" Remus asks furiously, his voice strong enough to even silence me and make many students look at him in shock and then he spats: "Albus, if you had followed you would have stopped them halfway the trip to that retched office, not when Harry was at wand point with a locked door and a madman in front of him."
Severus of course glares at the werewolf, which makes me yet again wish that the Head of Slytherin would let go of a past that died along with James and Lily, but Remus doesn't back down like he sometimes does and I know that the werewolf within him must be amazingly strong now that it knows its cub was in so much danger.
I smile at this, knowing that to a werewolf only 2 things are really important: its mates and cubs. And because Remus, for some reason I still don't understand, never gave himself the chance of a mate, he considers Harry even more precious. Not to mention the fact that he is the only adult of the pack left to take care of the young, lone cub.
This makes me sigh and curse Black, just like I silently do every year on Halloween, when I retreat to my office after the Feast and where I spend the whole night – until midnight – going through my many photobooks of Lily and James, rereading their Transfigurations essays and crying over their deaths. I then shake my head and read on.
Dumbledore bent … called Winky.
About this I feel confused, but Harry seems to understand and says: "I knew it. The – . Wait a minute." He then says and turns to Albus and asks: "Professor, I know how I know of Winky, but how did –?" But before he has even finished his own sentence, he says: "Oh wait, the Pensieve. Never mind, sir." Albus smiles at him and I continue reading.
Minerva, kindly … back here.
Now the dog barks happily and I wonder: "Is it Hagrid? No, he was just as shocked when he saw it come in. But then whose is it? And how do Albus and Harry know about it?" I shake my head, deciding to just let the book answer my questions as it's obvious the only people knowing won't tell me and read on.
If either … real Mad-Eye Moody.
This makes me sigh relieved as I had been worried for my friend since the start of the reading, but then I ask a question that has been bugging me for quite some time now: "How could anyone even have been able to capture him?" But Harry says: "Trust me, the man impersonating Moody's not alone and he sure is crazy enough to pull it off.
Besides, Ron and I know exactly when they did it." This makes Ron look shocked and Harry says: "Sure you do. Remember that floo call, just before we had to leave for King's Cross?" And Ron seems to get his words as he says: "Of course. The false attack of those trash cans." Harry nods, I feel confused again and read on.
His wooden … "Barty Crouch!"
"WHAT?" Everyone shouts shocked, the Ministerial members more than anyone else and Zacharias Smith says: "But that doesn't make sense. Crouch disappeared in the forest. He was almost found by Potter and Krum." But Harry shakes his head and says two words that make no sense whatsoever: "Different Crouch."
"Good heavens." … master's son!"
"SON!" All the adults shout as all of us can clearly remember Junior's last act before his incarceration and then Potter's words finally make sense. But then Neville asks: "Wait, you mean – Barty Crouch Junior?" And when I nod, I can see an anger and hatred shining on the boy's face that almost makes me worried about the fake's fate.
But then Harry, who sees the anger and hatred as well, lies a calming hand on his fellow Lion's shoulder and says: "Neville, like I told Lupin and his friend last school year in the Shack, I will tell you almost the same: your parents would not have wanted their son to be a killer, just to get rid of a piece of scum like that."
Longbottom takes a deep breath to calm down, while many are shocked at Potter's responsible words and that he said something like that a year ago, but while I wonder why Potter had to say something like that to Lupin, does this only answers my question all the more and makes me know that yes, it indeed cost way too much.
"He is … in class.
"EXCUSE ME!" Remus and I growl at the same time, the man standing up and looking at Snape with the same hate filled glare he is often looked at, actually scaring Severus enough, but when Lucius raises an arm in front of the Potions master, for some reason, Remus draws back slightly, before his love for his cub overcomes his fear.
He then seems to try and ignore Lucius for reasons I do not understand and growls: "No one threatens my cub. Especially not people who just don't have the guts to see past their personal grudge and harass an innocent child." And Potter shocks and silences any retort Snape might have wanted to give as he harshly says:
"An innocent child who never got to know his father, because some maniac took him that chance way too early and no one ever told the child a single thing about his father." This makes me lower my head as I had always believed that Petunia had been Harry's source of information about his parents and I read on, not wanting to think further.
Dumbledore got … other's appearance."
This alone shocks me, but then Harry nods and Ron asks grinning: "And pray tell how you thought of that?" To which Potter, with a very calm smile on his face, shrugs and says: "He used the Polyjuice Potion to impersonate Moody a little too expertly for my taste. He had to have used it before." Ron turns his eyes skyward and I read on
Winky was … said Dumbledore.
"Any ideas, Harry?" Cedric asks teasing, but to my shock Harry nods and Amos, who is obviously still shocked that Junior had escaped, asks: "Oh come on! How did you figure this one out then?" And Harry answers: "I heard from a reliable source that Couch sr. allowed the Aurors to use the Unforgivables." Amos growls and I read on.
"The Imperius Curse." … day and night.
Harry shrugs and says: "No way would Crouch give that order to his Aurors if he didn't have any experience with it himself, whether he had been under it or knows how to cast it." I feel shocked at his amazing logic and while wondering if Crouch could have been under this spell before he disappeared and – possible died – do I read on.
I was … Bertha Jorkins.
To this Harry looks down, as if he regrets being right again and Fudge asks: "Mr. Potter, how on earth could you have known that?" To which Harry admits: "During last summer I had a nightmare where I saw Voldemort and he confessed that he had taken several memory charms off of her mind, making him know of the Cup and Tournament."
And Ronald ends: "And he said it two chapters ago." Making Fudge blush, but making Harry smile at his best friend and I know that Ron didn't say it to make the Minister feel bad, but to make his best friend feel better. This makes me feel very proud of the bond the two boys have developed over the years and I read on.
She came … said Dumbledore.
"How on earth did you know about that?" This time it's Harry who is actually asking Albus and then Remus growls and says: "Albus, if you stayed behind that closed door, listening in, then so help me Merlin, I will make you regret endangering my cub for your curiosity." And personally I can only agree with the werewolf protective of his cub.
I then sneak another quick glance at the man that became a friend of mine shortly after the War with Grindlewald and another small twinge of hate grows in my heart as the man is still avoiding the chance to look my way, but isn't looking at Remus either, looking directly over the man's shoulder instead. Sighing at his actions, do I read on.
"Winky talked … Death Eaters.
"House-elves can do that?" Malfoy junior asks, shocked enough to make me know he never had that done to him and Hagrid nods, shocking the blonde into looking at him as he says: "They can only do it to the children of families that own them. It's their way of protecting their families and ensuring the Family line to continue.
If a child, no matter what the age, gets bound to a House-Elf by their own magic, only Light spells can hit the child and only if the parent is sure the spells won't harm the child or if the casters are people the parent trusts. Once the child turns seventeen or if the House-Elf is freed or accidentally killed, can the bond be broken."
Malfoy looks shocked that his Care of Magical Creatures teacher knows such things, while he must also feel pretty stupid that there was something of a creature he had that he didn't know about, while Hagrid, who doesn't have a House-Elf, did know about it. This makes me smile as it proves that Albus chose wisely when he chose Hagrid as teacher.
I tried … both Stunned.
"How can that be?" A Beauxbattons girl asks, her look at Hagrid clearly showing how little she thought of him and his knowledge and her smirk proving she thought she had proven him wrong, even while Madam Maxime glares at her to keep quiet, but Harry, who obviously also sees the look in her eyes, answers and says:
"Mr. Crouch sr. was one of the casters at the time, meaning he trusted his fellow casters. And so the bond was broken as the parental bond between father and son was reinstated and the spells could hit Crouch jnr. Am I right, professor?" He asks in the end, looking perfectly innocent as Hagrid nods proudly and I continue reading.
"When Winky … the door."
"That must have been one of the last moments he was completely in control of his own sanity." Harry mumbles, shocking Percy, while he looks worriedly at Krum, who nods in silent understanding of the boy's needs and yet again pulls him close, the way he holds his arms proving that the older boy has romantic feelings to his younger partner.
But then I look closer at Harry and see that he doesn't see that Krum has a crush on him. Lily had been unable to see that as well, wanting not to see past the bullying toe rag she thought of James, but when the boy became Head boy and let something important to him slip, Lily saw the caring, helpful and ever loyal boy, James Potter was.
This had been the start of their relationship, but as I look at Harry again, as I sigh at the single, very significant difference between the two. Where Harry allowed death and other troubles to emancipate him before his time, James went out of his way to keep his teenage years even as a 20 year old father of a son. I shake my head and read on.
The smile … search it."
I look at the young boy over my spectacles, while several of his friends, like Hermione and Ronald, look at him openly and the students looks at him curiously, but the boy looks at me too seriously to make me think he's shocked by any of the things I'm reading, making me know he thought of everything like it happened this far.
This makes me wonder how he could have known all of this and I decide to question him on his entire discovery after we have read it from the mouth of this monster. I shake my head, knowing how hard it must be for young Mr. Longbottom – seeing what this man did to his parents – and read on quicker – both to know and to help.
"And what … from Azkaban.
"The night ve met him at the Forest after seeing vhere the Third Task vill take place. The night I – I asked you about you and Hermione." Krum says with eyes showing his shock, while faltering slightly at the end and Hermione asks: "He actually asked that, Harry?" Harry nods and I see Hermione look at Krum strangely.
Hermione's POV
I wonder why Krum asked Harry about me and him, because at the end of the Yule Ball, Krum took me alone and told me he was gay, had been for 3 years now and only went out and looked at girls, because of his reputation as a Quidditch star. At first I had been hurt, but then I felt giddy, as Viktor explained me why he had asked me.
He had apparently believed to have seen an angel when he saw Harry fly and now had a crush on him. I had felt flattered and honored that I was Viktor's way to get closer to Harry and had promised to let as much of him slip as I could to make Harry interested in him as well as the idea of those two together had pleased my inner girl.
Viktor had thanked me and we had laughed as he told me that if that didn't work, he always had the other Champion, who wanted for Harry to be happy. Then I realize why Viktor had asked this and giggle, making Ron glare at me, but I whisper: "Viktor has a crush on Harry and asked me to the Ball, so my friendship could get him closer to Harry.
I also promised I would let attributes of his fall every now and again to make Harry interested and now – back at that conversation – Viktor didn't ask that question because he was jealous of Harry for supposedly having me – but of me for having Harry." The boy looks shocked and then he spares a glance at Viktor.
The elder boy seems to have caught on, or at least understands Ron's shocked look, as he nods in agreement. Ron keeps looking at me a little longer and I shake my head at him in silent discontent, seeing how he has obviously not even thought of the idea of a boy liking another boy being possible – let alone his best friend.
Minerva's POV
I see Hermione explain the situation between Harry and Krum to Ron and the look on the boy's face makes me know he never even considered gay men, while that is a much more common pairing than straight couples in the Wizarding world, Mostly because others can easily see good pairings and then often help the gay-couples get together.
I then turn my eye to 1 of the 2 people of a couple I have been trying to get together since James and Lily did and sigh. Remus and Sirius Black would have made an adorable, not to mention amazing and sometimes dangerously funny couple had something not been keeping Remus from seeking out a partner and had Black not –
I then shake my head wildly, not wanting to think about that as the pain and disbelief in my heart are still too strong to face and had made me pull up every bit of my mental defences during the year Black was trying to get into Hogwarts, if only to make it easier for the last friend of the filthy traitor. With this do I lie my focus elsewhere and read on
"My Master … that night.
Now the twins and Harry whiten and Remus stands up and says: "I would like to admit that I know of what Map is being spoken off and would like to use this opportunity to say that this Map is an official Heirloom of Harry, left to him by his father, even in James' will and so cannot, under no condition, ever be taken from him. Is that clear?"
Everyone nods, but I wonder what Map the man's talking about. But then I look from the twins to Remus and finally to Harry as I finally get it and think: "So that's how those three groups are so capable to staying out of our eyesight all the time. They must all have used it." I shake my head, silently proud and continue reading.
I told him … I killed my father."
"He WHAT?" Most of the hall shouts while some of the students in the hall are just too shocked and revulsed to response, this not including one of the twins as he is one of the shouters and the other goes on: "HOW COULD HE?" And the other goes on: "HIS OWN FATHER?" And together they chorus: "HE'S BLOODY MAD!"
And with that I know the two perfectly worded how everyone in the Great Hall thinks of Crouch jnr as no one else makes a single sound, the revulsed students not doing so out of probable fear that if they open their mouths they will throw up and others – mostly my own lions – just too furious to speak. I personally tremble in rage as I read on.
"Noooo!" wailed Winky… at his side.
This makes me close the book, quickly marking the page with a flick of my wand, with thin lips, closed eyes and my head shaking as I just cannot believe what would have happened had we not decided to read these books and then Ronald, obviously trying to relieve the shocked tension all around the room, asks:
"Well Harry, old buddy, how much did you guess?" And Harry, who doesn't smile at all, states: "All of it. I first thought of the Quidditch World Cup and the empty seat and then thought of Professor Snape stating he was missing Polyjuice Potions ingredients. Then it all hit me as I put all other parts of the puzzle together.
What I heard from Voldemort about Bertha Jorkins – the empty seat – Winky knowing secrets she couldn't speak of – the fact Moody constantly drank from his flask – what I saw in Dumbledore's Pensieve of the Crouch family – my missing wand – and it all fit." I feel amazed at how well the boy thought things through and he says:
"Bertha Jorkins' mind was memory blocked and unlocked by Voldemort, because she had seen something Crouch sr. wanted no one to know about. And sr. is all about abiding the law, so he himself not doing that would allow his son freedom – or as much freedom as a man who gives his Aurors permission to use Unforgiveables is willing to give.
Now I can just tell you all that I figured out, but seeing we just read all about it, I guess it's not really necessary." Everyone nods, some of the student looking at him with slight relief and Viktor says: "No, it's not. I'm just glad you're done vith all this." And while Harry nods, do I look at Albus, wondering if it would really be for the boy.
