Chapter 20-I'm it, but why?

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I really had multiple minds in more than one area. I have had enough of this year already but alas it is now time for the first task of the Tri-wizard tournament. In some ways I wish I was in the tri-wizard tournament right now. Fighting a dragon is not as much of a problem as what was taking place in my bedroom.

While it might be every boy's dream to have multiple girls in his bed it is best to keep it as a dream and not a reality. First off there's problem of the two girls agreeing. Secondly regardless of what is possible, sex at this age is not realistic especially with Gabby who was a few years younger. However with the little sex maniac Veela every morning is a new experience. Thirdly it was by two thirds majority that clothing was no longer authorized as sleepwear. Also my shower time is turning into a communal affair. I just hope that I survived all this when we all reached a proper age. But then I have to survive mornings were Daphne looked up into my eyes and exclaimed "Husband of mine, I want you so much, why do we have to be so young? " But then Gabby chimed in from the other side, "Count me in on that, husband."

We arrived at breakfast. Daphne has my right arm while my left arm is over Gabby's shoulder. As we settle into the Slytherin table we of course started loading our plates with food. I stuck my fork in one of the bangers and was nibbling the end of the sausage while I visually swept the hall but did not find any oddities. Ron Weasley was stuffing everything in his face as usual. Although Neville Longbottom had his back toward us he appeared to be in conversation with his fan club. Krum look surly while Fluer gave me a small wave. The phony Madeye Moody was taking a nip from his pocket flask. If anyone looked overly nervous it was Dumbledore.

His possible nervousness was possibly explained when the Minister of Magic along with Bagman, Weatherby, and several Aurors tromped into the Great Hall. Fudge looked as pompous as ever. Bagman look like an overweight cartoon figure in his Wasp uniform. Percy looked like he had a broomstick suck of his posterior while he was trying to look like he was superior to all the filth around him in the Hall.

Daphne sent me a thought, "Same actors and it appears they have the same personalities. Wonder how many the champions know they could be facing dragons in a few minutes?" Gabby must've been eavesdropping she let loose a loud, "Eeep!"

"Harry why didn't you tell Fleur about the dragons?"

"Gabby I'm sure Madame Maxime has told her what was coming and I think the same holds true for Krum as Karkaroff is always sneaking around. Ron Weasley's brother is one of the dragon handlers and he's buddy buddy with Longbottom."

"Come on you two, this get to the stand so we can get good seats." After we got our seats I wondered if Bagman had offered his ball sack of purple silk and what their reactions were..

"So you think Bagman is sharing his great wisdom with Longbottom?" Daphne asked... I was wondering what help and pointers that Bagman was offering as we had heard that MadEye had been giving out advice." Our discussion ended as a whistle had been blown from somewhere signaling the beginning of the first task.

FLeur and Victor performed as they had before. Then the comedy routines began, the first act was Ron Weasley, Ron strutted out onto the field with his wand drawn. Ron faced the stands and attempted to do a Lockhart; I'm the greatest pose. His Dragon belched a flame in his direction but the flame was only close enough for Ron to turn around… and promptly faint. A couple of the dragon handlers dragged him into the hospital tent as was now time for the next act.

Neville entered the field, raised his wand and appeared to cast a spell. The Neville that I knew was not very adept at flying brooms… yet seconds later… a broom soared onto the field toward Neville. The Dragon promptly turned it into ash with a burst of flames. You have to hand it to Neville as he didn't waste a second and charge toward the nest. The spectators also learned that Neville could become quite quick when he had to dodge Dragon flames, a barbed tail and a Dragon's snapping jaws. I also learned that each task at a time limit which Neville literally ran out.

/Scene Break/

Life for Lord and Lady Slytherin at Hogwarts was fairly quiet, the same applied to Lord and Lady Black. While Daphne and I both helped Gabby with the school work we both had areas where we separately worked with Gabby. I for instance helped her with her spells. Being around me had never been safe so Gabby knowing good defensive shields and a few offensive curses were a necessity. Daphne had the real work enforcing Gabby's social graces. Actually Gabby had been taught very well by her parents but her application of those graces was wanting. We all worked with Gabby on becoming an animagus. She was bonded with me so we were hoping there was a chance she would become a Phoenix.

"Harry my love is again time for the Yule Ball and as you should know Gabby and I both need complete outfits, so for this Hogsmeade weekend we should go shopping for formal attire for us all. I do believe we shall also have time for you to escort us to the Dragons Breath restaurant."

Knowing my place as the Lord of two Noble House I answered appropriately, "Yes dear."

Sunday morning I dragged myself…err… I escorted my beautiful wives into the Great Hall for breakfast after a previous long day of shopping. Tracy was just bursting with information.

"He guys did you hear what happened yesterday in Hogsmeade?"

This got two shaking heads and a "Nope" from Gabby.

"Well you know know Malfoy is always picking on Longbottom here in school, well they went head-to-head in Hogsmeade yesterday. Not just one on one but a bunch of Sytherins took on a bunch of Griffindor guys. They made it look like the O.K. Corral, there were curses flying every which way. Half of them are still in the hospital."

I just had to ask, "And how do you know about the O.K. Corral?"

"Muggle studies, easy credit."

/Scene Break/

The Yule Ball was quite enjoyable if you ignored Ron Weasley and Theodore Nott's fistfight and Draco and Neville's yelling match.

It was the night before the second task, and while we suspected it as possible, but we felt they couldn't be that stupid. They were!

Answering and knocked on the door and found Professor McGonigal. "Yes, I'll need Miss Delacour to accompany me to my office."

"First off that's Lady Black and that will be a no! She will be available after the second task."

"That was not a request!"

"My answer is still no, have a good evening Professor." I actually thought she was going for a wand as I shut the door in her face.

"Okay my dearests, I do believe it's time to visit Daphne's parents." I then transformed into my phoenix form and wiggled my tail feathers. In a flash we were gone from Hogwarts.

/Scene Break/

Not taking any chances we didn't reappear back at Hogwarts until dinner two days after the second task had been completed. Tracy's thrilling description of the second task was going to have to wait as we had seen enough in the Daily Profit.

^^^^^^^^^^Is the boy who lived a fake?^^^^^^^^^^

Is the boy who defeated He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named for real or possibly a made up legend, writes Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent. Alarming evidence has recently come to light about Neville Longbottom's incompetency, which casts doubts upon his suitability to compete in a demanding competition like the Triwizard Tournament, or even to attend Hogwarts School.

Reliable sources and his pathetic showing in the first two tasks see page three…

The article went on for pages...

Somehow Rita had gotten to Hagrid about Voldemort's attack on the Potter family while only Death Eaters attacked the Longbottom's. She had also dug up facts concerning Fudge and Dumbledore attempt to obtain the Potter money vaults. She of course did not reveal that Harry Potter was still alive and continued to sling mud in her article.

No sooner did the three of us step into the Great Hall than the headmaster rose from his golden throne, "I want the three of you in my office immediately!" His tone quieted the the hall quite effectively.

"I'm afraid your request will have to wait until after dinner as we are quite famished from our travels."

Severus Snape apparently was still not a fan. He leapt to his feet growling, "Why you little…"

His drawing his wand and pointing it in my direction was almost enough but the dark curse he threw at me sealed the deal, "Bombarda" I calmly said pointing my left hand at Snape while my wand flew into my right hand erecting a dome shield. Erecting that shield was possibly the most important thing I've done in quite a while. That shield was also protecting my two wives who were now moving behind me.

Bombarda is a nasty curse and did its damage as it blew Snape into the far wall. If he lived he wouldn't be bothering anyone for a while but in any case I summoned his wand. My shield however was now being bombarded by numerous curses but somehow my shield continue to hold. To say what all the spells were or where they ended up was impossible to determine but Dumbledore's were the strongest. The teachers seemed to loose it and were joined by the Headboy and some Perfects in the frenzy of throwing curses. A blasting cursor from Madeye Moody was deflected to the ceiling causing chunks the stone to rain down as the magical ceiling now resemble a gathering thunder storm. A "Stupefy" ricocheted to catch McGonigal between the eyes. A number of ricocheting curses caused a good portion of the items on the Heads table to explode as the Professors scatered. That's when I went on the offensive.

In the midst of all these incoming curses I called the 'Death Stick' wand, that I had previously obtain ownership of, from Dumbledore's hands. I then let loose a cutting curse from my focus ring that took down the phony Madeye's shield and removed his offensive head from his body. Keeping my shield up we backed out of the Hall under heavy spell fire. I transformed and the girls again grab my tail feathers and we flashed to the Ministry and the office of the DMLE.

"My people are running test on your wand, Snape's and that of Dumbledore's for prior spells. We have dispatched personnel to retrieve the real Moody from his trunk and my people are reviewing your memorys. Should all these areas checkout as you have claimed I see no charges as this should fall under self-defense."

"Madam Bones while we're here I believe I have another story to tell you, have you ever heard of the Golden Trio?"

Daphne and I of course did not explain about being from elsewhere from else when nor that I was Harry Potter. We did explain we did not want to be involved and why we had sent information in anonymous letters. Madam Bones was not happy as reports came in from different areas. "After my people reviewed your memories I'm not happy about your over zealous Professors and the dangerous curses they threw at A student in total disregard of the other surrounding students.

Daphne added a few words, "With what is going on in Hogwarts Harry and I would be out of there in a flash. Gabby however needs to take her OWLs this year or we would be gone from Hogwarts. If we could arrange tutors we wouldn't be returning as we cannot trust the people running that institution."

"Let me check on something real quick. My instincts tell me you should return so give me a minute as I may have a solution."

"Harry did you get the impression that Madam Bones seriously suspects your real identity?"

Gabby answered for me, "Of course she does! Furthermore I would prefer tutors then having them grab me for the next task."

Madam Bones answer was a personal security guard. While Daphne and I had the same class schedule Gabby did not and she was still learning and vulnerable. Time seemed to fold and it seemed one minute we're picking up something at Gringotts next minute we were waiting outside the door for Gabby to finish her last OWL practical. We should have departed Hogwarts but curiosity over the third task kept us there just a bit longer besides Fawkes had long ago told us we had to stay through the third task.

/Scene Break/

Excitement was high as today was the third and final task of the tri-wizard tournament. I checked the shrunken sack that I picked up at Gringotts for at least the third time. Could Voldemort be stop this time or would the timeline continue basically unchanged? It all revolved around the sacks content and the time line.

This time for some reason there was a humongous thing that hovered in front of the stands. A new wrinkle in magic we assumed. Apparently they wanted everybody to see everything that happened in the maze. It was like a large magical TV screen.

Bagman in his wasp Quidditch robes then announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, the third and final task of the Tri-wizard Tournament is about to begin! First let me draw your attention to our fabulous screen. Each champion has been issued a necklace which allows the screen to switching to each champion as the champion runs into an obstacle with full sound and in living color. Let see how the contestants currently stand! Tied in first place, Mr. Viktor Krum, of Durmstrang Institute! and Miss Fleur Delacour, of Beauxbatons Academy! In second place, Mr. Neville Longbottom, of Hogwarts! And in third place Mr. Ronald Weasley, of Hogwarts. How about a nice hand for our champions."

"So… on my whistle, Victor and Fluer!" said Bagman.

He gave a short blast on his whistle, and the first two champions entered the maze.

A while later Bagman tooted his whistle for Longbottom and a good while later he again tooted his whistle for Weasley.

The maze turned out as before, a trap. This time the students got to see what was happening in the maze. Fleur get snagged with devil snare but as Victor came to rescue her a Death Eater materializes from under an invisibility cloak stunning Victor. The Death Eater seem to disappear as he returned to under his invisibility cloak, professors rushed to the scene.

The TV image switched back to find Ron tailing Longbottom. Great areas of the maze's walls seems to disappear allowing Longbottom a direct route to the tri-wizard cup.

Longbottom raced to the Podium on which rested the cup and as Longbottom grabbed hold of the cup Ron was grabbing hold of Longbottom's robe . The screen then turned into psychedelic colors showing Portkey travel.

As the magical TV screen clears it show Peter Pettigrew firing the killing curse at Ron.

Everyone's attention was riveted on the screen as the action continued...

Ron evades the killing curse by fainting onto the ground. With a flip of his wand Pettigrew then ties Longbottom to a marble statue in the middle of a graveyard.

About now there are sounds coming from the audience, some are getting sick others are gasping as Pettigrew picks up bundle containing a gross and highly deformed baby and chunks it into cauldron as the magical ritual continued. About then I knew something was wrong as there was this tremendous flash. I was wondering what part of the ritual had been loused up as Voldemort exited the cauldron.

Baldy was from head to toe and was getting his robe and wand. He turns to Neville and Voldemort asked, "Who the hell are you, you fat lump? Your not the Boy-Who- Lived, I would know his magical aurora anywhere."

Oh well being stupid is being stupid and I knew those two idiots couldn't stand up to Voldemort. The Ministry was supposed to be there but was nowhere to be seen, so I transformed into my Phoenix form and flashed to the graveyard. At first I didn't realize I had a tailgater. This started a whole sequence of events. Daphne transformed and flashed. Fawkes grabbed Dumbledore and flamed him into the graveyard... Hedwig grabbed the Minister of Magic and flamed into the graveyard. After all if one thought about it, it was Dumbledore's and the Minister's tournament, they really needed to see how it ended up close and personal.

"Wormtail! YOU have fouled up the ritual! I want to know which Horcrux you added to the cauldron?"

Before a confused Pettigrew could answer, the Death Eaters start arriving, as one a Phoenix arrives with a young lady. The Phoenix transforms instantly into some type of lion while the young lady transforms into an avian being with claws and throwing fire balls and it's party time in the cemetery. Voldemort hurls a few lethal curses at the lion, which bonce off, in comes the Ministry troops chasing after the Minister and Voldemort heads for the hills but not before giving a parting shot to the Minister who is now laying in several places in the graveyard by Voldemort's wand.

Not everyone survives the graveyard but it makes no difference as the Dark Lord is back. Many Death Eaters are captured or killed before good portion of them can escape.

As I was transforming back to good old Harry Potter form, "Do you think Peter will be in a world of hurt when Baldy finds out that Peter caused the snake to be used in the ritual?"

It's now late so I again transformed and flashed my tail at Daphne and Gabby and we returned to our quarters. After a communal shower we all colaps on the master bed in the arms of Morpheus. The next morning we walk into the Great Hall for breakfast and the entire hall goes silent. Tracy is waving frantically from the Slytherin house table, so we joined her.

"Merlin are you three brave! Half this table wants you dead and you to just calmly stroll in and have a seat. The whole school saw you in the graveyard with what's his name on that TV thingy." What Tracy didn't realize was I had my left hand was pointed down the length of the table as she continued, "The entire school saw you fighting…"

Tracy was quite correct and number of students at the table who had Death Eater parents were glaring. Draco looked like he was about ready to explode. I was wondering if his father was one that was picked up or killed in the graveyard. I thought he was ready do something when he stood up but all he did was turn and stomped out of the hall. Luckily in a couple of days summer vacation would start so we could escape this depressing and now dangerous place.

Ron Weasley held a knife that was embedded in the table as he glared over to the Slytherin table. What he saw made his blood boil. Potter had Greengrass leaning on him on one side, and his Veela leaning into him on the other side. They were all whispering, probably over Black's having something that he Ron Weasley would ever get close to obtaining. It made Ron sick, seeing Black seemly luck into fame, fortune and all the girls. Ron was a tri-wizard champion but the school was a paying attention to, He-Who-Made-The-Dark-Lord-Run.

Tracy had a head of steam and was explaining that Longbottom had quit Hogwarts. According to the rumor mill from Griffindor that Neville's grandmother was in this morning and was all over dummy and she withdrew Neville from the school. They say that Dumbledore was hiding under his desk. They also say Dumbledore had to go to the hospital wing over number of hexes that Neville's grandmother had landed. Surprisingly the Daily Profit said absolutely nothing about the graveyard nor Voldemorts return.

Dumbledore appeared to be elsewhere which didn't bother me in the least.

A special edition of the Daily Profit arrived during the lunch break. Not only am I the hero who solely by himself made He-Who-Made-The-Dark-Lord-Run in terror but captured twenty Death Eaters in the graveyard battle. Oh and by the way Minister Fudge was definitely dead and the Wizengamot elected a new Minister late this morning,

"Hail the new Minister Lord Black!" Someone yelled from across the hall. The hall broke into applause. I broke into a run to get out of the Hall.