Inheriting a Draconian Mantle – Book 4
By Stargatesg1fan1
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the recognized characters or universes within. If I did…I would have ended the Inheritance Cycle with Arya and Eragon in love and entangled in a heated, naked, and sweaty mess in their bed. Harry Potter would have been smarter and taken every opportunity he had to make love to the gorgeous Miss Granger and when they were old enough he would have made her the next Mrs. Potter.
Females Bonded by Harry Potter So Far (In Books One through Three):
Nymphadora 'Nym' Tonks is played by Sarah Chalke
Hermione Granger is played by Emma Watson
Susan Bones is played by Karen Gillian
Cho Chang is played by Katie Leung
Ginny Weasley is played by Julie McNiven
Luna Lovegood is played by Evanna Lynch
Queen Dianna of the Fairies is played by Dianna Agron
Females Bonded by Harry Potter in Book 4:
Jaimie (Merlin's mother) is played by Jaimie Alexander
Arya is played by Sienna Guillory
Professor Bridget Regan is played by Bridget Regan
Fleur Delacour is played by Clemence Poesy
IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM - IaDM
Chapter 8
The evening before the second task it became apparent who Dumbledore had chosen as Harry's hostage to sit at the bottom of the Black Lake. In certain ways Nym made the most sense. She was close to Harry and she was also of age so that if anything happened to her she had consented to it. Her absence also wouldn't be as noticed quickly if the Headmaster had chosen someone such as Hermione or another witch visibly present as a Hogwarts student.
"It kind of seems like cheating," Nym suggested as she stood invisibly beside her mate while he waited for the second task of the Triwizard Tournament to begin.
"Semantics, Love," Harry replied. "I'm powerful enough to vanish, lift away, or teleport away all the water in the lake if I wanted to. I naturally have an unfair advantage over the other Champions."
"I know…but you could have let me go down there for the half hour before the task," Nym pointed out with a pout.
"Don't pout…you just look even cuter," Harry said with a suppressed grin. "Besides I wasn't about to leave you in Dumbledore's clutches no matter how silent he has been this year. And Zepath wouldn't stand for it."
"Too right," Nym's dragon put forth.
"Quiet you," Nym said to Zepath. "I've got enough trouble with this overprotective git," she said while gesturing towards her boyfriend with a finger. "I don't need you trying to keep me safe."
The dragon's response was to lick Nym's front with his sizeable tongue. Harry had to fight to suppress his grin. It was actually one of Harry's duplicate forms at the bottom of the lake in Nym's place using her form.
"Oh hello," Harry mentally said, his mental tone changing to a pleased timber as he laid eyes on Fleur who had just joined Harry and Victor on the dock at the edge of the lake.
The French champion was wearing the extremely revealing bikini Harry had picked out for her. A slight blush tinged the beauty's cheeks.
Aloud Harry whispered, "You look gorgeous in that Fleur."
"Zank you 'Arry," Fleur replied with a response equal in volume to her favorite wizard.
"She looks downright tasty. I bet you just want to peel that swimsuit off and give her a lick," Nym purred suggestively while molding herself to the side of her boyfriend opposite Fleur. She whispered into his ear, "And I would join you."
Harry barely suppressed a groan at the mental images his girlfriend had just generated.
"I will get you back for this later, beautiful," Harry assured.
"Promises, promises," Nym replied in a flirtatious tone.
"I keep my word," Harry stated and as he sent the last mental word he also sent a burst of his ability to make women climax.
Nym gasped and shuddered through an orgasm while clinging to Harry's side. Jaimie stood up from the stands where she and Harry's other mates had been standing and walked to the dock. A fairy Notice-Me-Not charm kept the other spectators from paying her any attention. She levitated the invisible metamorphmagus off of Harry and back towards the stands.
As he focused on the event about to start, Harry heard Jaimie send to Nym, "Girl, when will you learn not to tease him? He teases back harder than you."
"But it's so fun," Nym managed to say.
"It you three would please spread out at ten foot intervals," Ludo Bagman requested of the three champions, signaling the imminent start of the task. The three champions did as asked. Plying a sonorous charm on himself Bagman called to the crowd, "All of our magnificent champions are ready for the start of the second task. This task shall commence when I blow my whistle."
"Such a lovely mental image," Cho commented, making those sensitive to her musings smile.
"Champions, you have an hour to recover what was taken from you. On the count of three. One, two, three," Bagman called before blowing his whistle.
At the count of three Victor with his wand aimed at his head dove into the water. The Riders present and some of the more observant spectators watched as he partially transfigured himself into a hammerhead shark. Fleur dove in at the same time while grasping a very special amulet crafted for her by her new favorite wizard. When she hit the water in Fleur's place there was an aquatic creature very similar in appearance to a pink dolphin. When Fleur struck the water a pink aura of energy enveloped the water surrounding her. Tiny crystals of all colors of the rainbow in vibrant hues formed from that water and swirled around her. Her front fins looked different than a dolphin's fins but an onlooker would not have been able to say why. As Fleur shot towards the center of the lake Harry stepped off the dock and onto the water. He didn't sink in.
"Harry Potter is walking on the water," Bagman cried in surprise. "The water doesn't appear to have been altered in any way."
Harry leapt and crossed ten feet of the lake. Several more strides and he was over the spot towards the center of the lake where he could sense the captives were being held. Harry simply sank faster than any stone straight down. A barrier of air surrounded the warrior as he plummeted towards the lake bottom. As he sank Harry saw through the darkness of the lake with his enhanced vision when Fleur was attacked by a swarm of grindylows. Grindylows and Veela did not get along. A high pitched squeal was let out from Fleur which gave the cloud of Grindylows pause. Then when they persisted the crystals in Fleur's aura brightened to an almost painful intensity. The crystals whipped through the water at incredible speeds and sliced through the nearest attackers. Fleur darted through the swarm and left many dead Grindylows in the confusion the bright light and her battle cry caused. This confrontation happened quickly and was all perceived by the mage as he plummeted to the bottom of the lake. When he struck bottom he allowed a cloud of silt to be thrown up by his impact.
Harry had heard the Mersong identical to that which came from his enchanted egg emanating directly from the source. When the black mud was thrown up in the silt cloud the music was replaced with coughing. Harry had landed in the square of a village. A crowd of Merpeople was gathered for the singing and participation in the task. An immense stone carved Merperson statue held the hostages tied to its tail fin. Harry rushed forward and freed his Nym-form duplicate and also Gabrielle Delacour. He gestured with his hand and Fleur's little sister glided up into the air just in time for the pink dolphin in the lake to swim under her and catch her.
As he watched Fleur swim away the Rider retrieved his own hostage and kicked off from the statue. With his ability to fly put to use the mage rose from the bottom of the lake swiftly. The cushion of air magic around him kept him from feeling any negative effects from the pressure.
"Watch this…now this will be cool," Harry sent to his friends on the surface.
To those watching it looked as if a thin cyclone of water half a dozen feet in diameter formed on the surface of the lake. In the heart of this cyclone was Harry but only the Riders watching knew this. The crowd grew worried as this cyclone shot towards the docks behind which they all sat. Just as Dumbledore intended to attempt to stop the cyclone it reached the dock and vanished, leaving behind Harry Potter carrying his hostage. There was a moment of silence before the crowd jumped to their feet and applauded.
"Yeah…that was pretty badass," Nym agreed as she materialized in place of Harry's duplicate of her.
The metamorphmagus leaned against her mate ostensibly for support. She maybe just really enjoyed being in contact with him. The feeling was mutual.
"I'm always badass," Harry assured as he smiled and waved.
Just then Fleur and her sister arrived at the dock. Harry reached down and helped Gabrielle out of the water. He conjured her a big pink fluffy towel and Nym began drying the girl off. As Nym applied a warming charm Harry helped Fleur out of the water as well.
"Zank you 'Arry," Fleur said.
As soon as her hand touched his Fleur felt warmth flood her body. All effects from the swim in the frigid lake left Fleur. Fleur's thanks were for more than just her friend helping her out of the lake.
"Think nothing of it, beautiful," Harry replied.
"Oui, zank you 'Arry Potter," Gabrielle said as she rushed over and hugged her older sister.
Then with a giggle the girl buried her face against Fleur.
"Someone has a crush on Harry," Nym pointed out with amusement.
"Yeah well she'll have to join the club…literally. I have a fan club!" Harry replied telepathically. Aloud he replied, "You're quite welcome Gabrielle."
It took a few minutes longer for Krum to return to the surface with his hostage. The judges conferred with the Merchieftainess and each other.
Ludo Bagman using a sonorous charm stated, "Ladies and gentlemen, we have come to a decision regarding the scores for this second task. This task is awarded out of fifty points. In third place is Victor Krum who while demonstrating a successful partial self-transfiguration, retrieved his hostage but returned two minutes after the time limit was up will receive 43 points. Fleur Delacour who was in second place while demonstrating either an animagus form or a full self transfiguration and met all other requirements of the task will receive 46 points. Harry Potter who was in first place and demonstrated some rather unique magic use receives full marks, 50 points."
At this announcement loud applause broke out among the spectators for the champions. The applause from the Hogwarts contingent was the loudest and not just because they were the most well represented faction.
"You did well," Saphira told her Rider. "Fleur is pleased with you after how you helped her."
"I know," Harry agreed.
Fleur was practically projecting her feelings towards the psionically sensitive Harry. Fleur was very satisfied with the outcome of the second task. She found herself in second place just behind the man who was arguably the most powerful mage to walk the Earth possibly ever. When faced with those odds the real contest wasn't between three people but between two. The talisman Harry had gifted her with was an incredible work of magic. The fact that he had then insisted she learn how the enchantments worked in detail only made the gift more precious. That session where the handsome wizard had sat down with Fleur and taught her how the enchantments worked had been intimate and very fun. Fleur understood the mechanics of her talisman but it would be a few years yet until she became efficient enough with her power to charge the runic matrix of such a powerful talisman.
Victor for his part wasn't exactly happy to be in third place. This was a position he was unaccustomed to. But Victor too realized that he shouldn't hope to compete with the savior of the world. Potter's power was awe inspiring. As a teenager Potter had already bested Dumbledore's capabilities and saved the world. What was professional Quidditch compared to that? In truth Victor felt a little inadequate in comparison. That the third champion who was quite beautiful was obviously enamored with Potter instead of Victor didn't help his ego any. Despite all of this Victor had to admit that the contest was exhilarating. He was having just a bit of fun.
Bagman announced, "We will reconvene on the twenty-fourth of June to watch our brave champions confront the third and final task of this tournament. They will be notified of the details of the event approximately a month before. Thank you all for coming."
"So who wants to go swimming?" Harry asked as the other Riders approached the champions and Victor departed the dock.
"Did you hit your head?" Hermione asked with an odd look at her boyfriend.
"Yeah, are you bloody mad?" Nym added.
"It's February," Cho pointed out.
Even as she spoke the Ravenclaw witch and her friends felt the temperature increase drastically around the lake. With a manic grin Harry jumped into the water. A cyclone of fluid shot Harry high up into the air. As he soared over the lake the mage let out a shout of glee. Another water cyclone caught him before it grew to hundreds of feet above the lake and started twisting around while sliding its master through it.
"It's like a water slide," Luna suggested.
"That looks like loads of fun," Ginny commented.
"Let's join him," Dianna suggested while transfiguring her outfit into a bikini and jumping into the lake.
Another waterspout controlled by her boyfriend caught the Queen. The other Riders along with the two Delacours quickly followed suit. That day the idea for a magical amusement park was born in Harry Potter's mind. His family's business would benefit greatly.
IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM
Excitement concerning the second task remained high for a few days after the event was over but then the residents of Hogwarts and the castle's guests moved on. The weather became dry and the winds picked up as March started. Post owls had the most trouble because the strong winds would often blow them great distances off course. The dragons had no trouble. They could jump Between for course corrections.
During the next Hogsmeade weekend it was a reduced group of Riders that visited the town. Arya had matters of state to deal with. Arya had these matters of state to deal with because of a mission undertaken by Arya, Merlin, and Harry a few days previous.
Flashback
Three dragons appeared in the skies high above the small town of Loudonville, Ohio in the U.S.A. The town only boasted around 2,600 residents but it was also home to the Mohican State Forest.
"This area has a lot of trees," Harry observed.
"But it is still only a shadow of Du Weldenvarden," Arya replied as her dragon Fírnen circled in the sky along with Saphira and Merlin's Rouge.
"Indeed," Saphira agreed. "The game here is smaller."
"And not as tasty," Fírnen added, recalling the small deer he had eaten upon arriving above this small town months before.
"I can sense the anchors drifting in the air up here," Merlin told his two companions. "Our suspicions were correct. Your spell crafters did create a pocket dimension very similar to the ones I used for Dianna's realm and the other magical realms but it lacks anchors to the time stream of the local spacetime continuum."
"Can you anchor it?" Arya asked.
"With help from both of you," Merlin confirmed. "It's much easier and less power consuming to create the anchor when the pocket dimension is initially generated. I've never done it after the fact. But if my calculations are right it will take 250% of the normal power required."
"How do we proceed?" Arya queried.
"Channel this type of magic through your dragon and the anchor threads will attach to their hides," Merlin answered while pushing his magic in a particular way through Rouge. Arya and Harry were both very perceptive and very skilled magicians. They quickly figured out how to bend their magic to the desired effect and the anchor threads latched onto the three dragons. "Now we fly in a fast circle and alter the energy as we do to match the time stream of the surrounding spacetime continuum. We do this by jumping between times. Follow Rouge and I."
Saphira and Fírnen followed the other dragon between times. It was like jumping backwards then forwards in time in short intervals in rapid succession. After a few minutes of these jumps the dragons felt the anchor threads pull free.
"The threads have now caught in the time stream," Merlin explained. "Natural gateways into your realm will have opened up. We just need to locate them."
It hadn't taken the three long to locate the pathways.
"Thank you Merlin. I am happy to have quick access to my people again but at the same time I am not looking forward to the resumption of paperwork," Arya stated after passing into her realm.
The two males laughed at Arya's comment and then followed the elven Queen towards Ellesmera.
End Flashback
For Harry and Saphira it was a reaffirming experience to visit a place they had once called home in their past life. This was proof that not all had been lost to the ravages of time. Not much had changed in the elven realm. Of course Harry and Saphira hadn't expected much to have changed given the relatively short amount of time that had passed within the elven realm. Dianna and Jaimie were also absent from Hogsmeade. They were attending a function in the Fairy realm. Since her reunion with her sister Dianna was including Jaimie in greater and greater numbers of Fairy events. Half sister she may be but Jaimie was still blood to the Fairy Queen and the only family Dianna had left other than Merlin. Dianna was also coming to consider Harry her family and it had nothing to do with the fact that technically he was the descendent of her nephew.
As the group skirted around the outer edges of the village and headed towards the one end Saphira noted where her Rider's thoughts were from her position sunning herself with the other dragons on a hillside a few leagues from Hogwarts.
"They have come to love you very much," Saphira observed.
"And I them," Harry replied.
"Let's get this hike started," Ginny said excitedly, bubbling with energy as the Riders headed out of the village on a winding lane where the cottages were few and far between.
The countryside was wild with clumps of trees and tall grasses mixed with weeds. The mountain in whose shadow Hogsmeade was built loomed ahead.
"Should we run, jog, or walk?" Harry inquired of the group.
"Not all of us have your physical abilities, mate," Neville pointed out.
"We have all gotten fitter since becoming Riders but I think I speak for the rest of us when I say we would prefer not to run up a mountainside on a weekend," Hannah added.
Harry let a mock-pout show on his face in response.
"It's alright, love," Hermione said while patting Harry on the arm. "I think I speak for the ladies present with the exception of Hannah when I say we would all be glad to help you burn off some of that extra stamina and energy in bed tonight."
"Hear, hear," Nym chipped in.
"Let's walk briskly," Cho suggested.
The group agreed. They had fun walking briskly up the winding and rocky path. As the group neared their destination they heard the sound of a dog barking, a bird chirping, and hooves on the rocky ground. They arrived in a clearing in front of the mouth of a cave which held the unusual sight of a stag, a dog, and a sparrow playing. Well the dog and the stag were playing. The sparrow was flying happily around them chirping.
Luna used her wand in an intricate movement while gesturing towards the three animals playing just as Remus walked out of the woods on the side of the clearing opposite the larger group of Riders. Gallons and gallons of creamy white matter suddenly materialized in the air above the animals and fell on top of them. The matter acted more like a liquid and splashed everywhere. Harry managed to put up a shield in time to block himself and his companions from getting coated but Remus and a suddenly very human looking Lily, James, and Sirius were glaring at the blonde Ravenclaw.
With a perfectly innocent look on her face and wide doe-like eyes Luna declared, "The Nargles made me do it!"
It only took three seconds for Sirius' bark-like laughter to break the silence followed quickly by James.
"At least it was only whipped topping," Lily admitted as she licked her lips.
"That was great," James added.
"This stuff is great James. If we had only used this stuff to prank while in school nobody ever would have complained," Sirius suggested.
"Except the females," Lily corrected. "This is bad for your hips."
Remus vanished the whipped topping and announced, "The food is this way."
The former werewolf led the group the way he had come. A nice table was set up with a full spread.
"When I suggested a picnic I didn't realize there would be such variety," Hermione mused.
"This is a picnic wizarding style," Ginny declared with a grin.
"Ooohh…pie," Neville said as he sat down near a particularly appetizing elderberry pie.
James and Sirius exchanged an amused look at Neville's reaction.
"Minds out of the gutter boys," Lily chided, having caught the look. "Now dig in folks."
"So how is project Rebirth coming?" Bridget asked the Marauders as the group settled into enjoying their picnic.
"All of our parents have been recovered and are adjusting nicely in the Astari complex," James replied.
"Except my parents of course," Sirius corrected.
"We're still monitoring some of the other individuals. Susan, your maternal grandfather is proving challenging. His exact time of death was never known," Remus added.
Susan's grandmother on her maternal side had died several years before her grandfather. Therefore her grandfather had been dead for quite some time before being discovered.
"There are other similarly challenging cases. Luna's paternal grandmother was never found so we have to follow her on her last adventure," Lily explained. "Don't worry. We'll recover them all."
"Grandma Bella always had wonderful stories," Luna put forth with a dreamy smile on her lips.
Project Rebirth was a project the Riders were undertaking to travel back in time and retrieve deceased loved ones much like Harry had intended to do with his parents. A new and younger body was created for each of these individuals. Then their mind and soul were transferred into this new body. The last step in the process involved bonding these individuals with dragon eggs. All the parents of Harry's mates along with Neville and Hannah's parents were also bonded to a dragon. The Astari complex was one of several Rider-only complexes located on Mars. Astari was primarily used for new Riders where they adjusted to being bonded to a dragon and trained with that dragon.
Neville grabbed the last roll out of the basket and there was a mad cackle of glee followed by a swooping sound. The conversation at the table died down as what looked like a gargoyle swooped down and replaced the basket with fresh rolls without ever stopping.
"That was unusual," Neville commented.
Nym turned one raised eyebrow at her mate and said, "You just had to give Dobby both Gremlins movies for his birthday after having already gifted him a set of wings that work!"
"His wings aren't bat-like enough for the Gremlin from the second movie," Luna commented.
"Plus you know…there's the fact that those bat-like Gremlin turned to stone in the day light," Cho pointed out.
"I always thought that was a fascinating mutation on the plot device that Gremlins died when exposed to sunlight," Hermione stated.
"You're all so crazy," Ginny declared with a grin and a shake of her head. "We're having a serious discussion concerning Gremlins."
"So Harry, where is Fleur at?" James questioned.
"Yes, we couldn't help but notice she was absent today," Sirius added.
Remus and Lily exchanged an eye roll.
"Don't mind these two Harry. They think it's beyond awesome that you are so friendly with a veela," Remus explained.
"Fleur wanted to spend some time with her family today since they were here for the second task," Harry answered.
"Well we like her very much Harry," Lily announced.
Sirius and James leaned back and gave Harry a double thumbs up gesture apiece. Although she didn't see the gesture Lily leaned back and swatted James on the arm.
All in all it was a very pleasant picnic for the Riders.
IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM
As the Easter holidays approached, the teachers at Hogwarts seemed to give the students greater and greater workloads.
"You know…it isn't fair that Harry can task one of his duplicates to do all of his homework," Ginny grumbled as the Riders sat in the common room of their Martian complex working on their school work.
"He did go through all the trouble of creating the enhancing system which allows him to split his consciousness that way," Cho pointed out.
"Besides, you wouldn't be able to use that same system even if you wanted to. You are good in the mental arts like all of us but you aren't to the level yet that you can do what Harry does," Nym added.
"I guess I'm just getting really bored with this school work," Ginny grumbled. "We could be out flying on our dragons or exploring some strange planet or planetoid in the solar system," the redhead suggested. She noticed her boyfriend's smile and asked, "What are you smiling about?"
"Your timing with complaining couldn't be better, love. I anticipated that you would eventually get bored with school and have been working on a project," Harry explained as a small headband appeared on the laps of the school aged Riders in the room.
"A neural interface," Luna observed as she picked up the headband and placed it on her head.
"Leave it to Luna to get right to the point," Harry said fondly. "This neural interface will allow you to do your homework subconsciously in your sleep. The work will be stored in your personal computer. It basically uses an AI matrix based off of your personality to do the actual work. In this way your dreams won't be interrupted. By controlling it with your subconscious you won't experience the headaches that come from using such a system at such a young age."
"And we'll learn the content of our studies as well?" Cho questioned.
"Yes, just as if you had studied it while conscious," Harry confirmed.
The Riders had already uploaded their books into their personal computers.
"Harry," Hermione complained in a stricken tone. "You're taking all the fun out of school!"
The other Riders broke out laughing. Hermione pouted. Harry teleported to Hermione's side and wrapped his arm around her. The mage turned the witch's head and captured her lips. Hermione moaned in protest at first because she was somewhat cross with her mate but then she sank into the embrace as his tongue entered her mouth. Miss Granger moaned approvingly by the time the kiss ended a minute later.
Luna leaned forward and snapped her fingers in front of Hermione's face.
"She doesn't remember what she was mad about," Luna declared.
"What," Hermione asked as her dreamy expression continued.
"Damn, mate," Neville spoke up. "Sometimes I wish I could do that."
"So do I," Hannah replied while sticking her tongue out at her lover.
Neville, quick as a snake, leaned forward and sucked Hannah's tongue between his lips. The playful move turned into a deep kiss.
"Go Neville," Susan cheered amongst catcalls from the other women present.
IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM – IaDM
The last week of May, Harry was summoned down to the Quidditch pitch in the evening.
"Good evening Fleur," Harry greeted the beautiful French witch outside the Beauxbatons carriage.
"Good evening 'Arry," Fleur returned as she took the offered arm.
The pair walked towards the Quidditch pitch chatting amiably. The two magicians passed through a gap in the stands and were greeted with the sight of dozens upon dozens of large crystal cylinders growing out of the ground and joining in the air to form complex cylindrical bridges high in the air. Currently the tubes were not transparent.
"Hello there," Bagman greeted the new arrivals, drawing their attention from the crystalline structure. Ludo was standing with Victor in the center of the field where the crystalline columns were absent. Harry and Fleur joined the other two. "What do you think? Give them another month and the crystals will form a fine labyrinth."
"I just 'ope zat zis maze does not 'ave a minotaur," Fleur commented.
"It will have far worse than a minotaur my dear," Bagman assured. "The Triwizard cup will be placed at the center of the labyrinth for you to retrieve. Not only will you face creatures but you will also have to break through spells designed to stop you. The order you go into the maze will be determined by your point standings with a pause in between champions entering to give the preceding magician a head start. That means Mr. Potter, followed by Miss Delacour, and then Mr. Krum will be the lineup. Are there any questions?"
"Will there be a one way transparency enchantment on the maze so spectators can watch us but we can't see them?" Harry clarified.
"Exactly Mr. Potter," Bagman replied respectfully, determined to stay on the powerful wizard's good side after the unpleasantness that had taken place between them not long before at the Three Broomsticks. "If there are no further questions let us return to the castle and warm up from this chilly air."
"'Arry," Fleur said as she lagged behind the other two wizards with her friend. "Let's take a walk around ze grounds," the blonde suggested.
"Alright," Harry agreed.
He wasn't exactly averse to spending more time with the beautiful witch. The couple moved towards the Forbidden Forest and walked along the tree line for a few moments. Occasionally they would converse when they saw something that caught their attention. Fleur seemed to be somewhat intrigued by the forest and Harry enlightened her upon some of its contents.
After they had been walking for some time Harry sensed a person approaching and before the person walked out of the trees the Rider recognized the mind of Bartemus Crouch Senior. Fleur clutched at Harry's arm in surprise as a crazed looking Crouch Sr. stumbled out of the tree line.
"What iz Mr. Crouch doing 'ere 'Arry?" Fleur asked as she rushed forward to help the man who had fallen to the ground muttering to himself.
Crouch was speaking nonsense. Crouch began talking louder and gesticulating violently to apparently no one.
"I'm not inclined to help this bastard given what he did to Sirius," Harry told his dragon as he approached Crouch Senior.
"I agree with you. But his mind is too far gone anyway. Do you sense it?" Saphira asked.
Harry did sense it now that he lightly probed the edges of Crouch Senior's consciousness. Harry gestured and sent a sleeping spell at Crouch.
The Rider caught the Ministry worker in a levitation spell and told Fleur, "We need to get him to the hospital wing. His mind was ravaged for information by a Legilimens that didn't care how much damage was done. On top of it I sense the remnants of the Imperius curse that Crouch Senior is even now struggling to break free from."
"You have to give the man that much. Even after his mind was half broken from telepathic interrogation he broke most of the Imperius curse through sheer force of will," Saphira pointed out.
"Maybe," Harry allowed. "That doesn't mean I have to like him. This person was enough of a bastard that his son felt no remorse in doing this to him. I think it's safe to say Riddle and his side have plenty of information about the Tournament and Ministry now."
Fleur followed her friend, marveling that he could detect all that he had concerning Crouch's condition in such a short time. Harry sent a patronus message off as the pair made their way to the hospital wing. As they approached the door to the infirmary Amelia Bones mounted on a broom and four Aurors, two disillusioned, flew into the hall behind them.
"Harry," Amelia greeted as she shrunk her broom and straightened her robes. "Can you tell me what happened?"
"Crouch came stumbling out of the woods mumbling and gesticulating wildly to someone only he could see," Harry explained. "His mind has been pretty much broken by a Legilimens sifting through it for information. He has also managed to partially break the hold the Imperius curse has on him."
"I'm suspicious this is an attempt to get inside information on the Ministry," Amelia stated. Amelia didn't bother asking how the genius celebrity had deduced what was affecting Crouch Senior. She was well aware that he was highly skilled in magic. Amelia hadn't been offered a dragon egg yet but the Riders were seriously considering her for membership. "We'll take Mr. Crouch from here," the Head of the DMLE said while gesturing towards one of her Aurors. The Auror took over the levitation charm and took off with the nearly insane man tethered magically to his broom. Harry hit the Auror and Crouch with a fairy charm which would prevent the Hogwarts wards from detecting them and alerting Dumbledore to their presence. "I would appreciate it if you two did not repeat this incident to anyone."
Amelia's glance told Harry that she knew he would be sharing the story with his mates and closest friends and that she didn't mind.
"Of course Amelia," Harry replied.
"You two have a good evening," Amelia said while mounting her broom and taking off again.
"'Ow did zeir arrival not alert Professor Dumbledore?" Fleur inquired confusedly.
"I summoned Amelia to the school. I also ensured she would not be detected arriving if she did not wish to be," Harry explained.
Harry had gifted Susan's aunt with an invisibility bracelet enchanted with fairy magic. In times of need she could extend its protection around a small group of Aurors as well.
"Life iz never boring wiz you iz it 'Arry," Fleur said as her eyes danced with mirth. "Shall we go somewhere more private where we can sit and enjoy eachuzzer's company?"
Harry teleported away with the French witch instead of responding verbally. The snog session that followed definitely took the pair's minds off of the events with Crouch Senior.
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Amelia Bones was not a happy witch.
"I'm sorry Amelia. I must have heard you wrong. Did you just say that Barty Crouch Junior, a Death Eater who helped torture Frank and Alice Longbottom into insanity with an unforgivable is alive?" Cornelius Fudge asked from behind his desk, his voice rising with a distinct note of incredulity.
"Unfortunately Cornelius it appears he very well may be," Amelia confirmed. "Barty Senior isn't making much sense most of the time but he kept mumbling about his son and what a terrible mistake he had made. Some of the things he said gave me a very bad feeling so I sent a pair of Aurors to the Azkaban graveyard to check Crouch Jr.'s body for any irregularities.
"And what was found that would lead you to believe he could be alive?" Cornelius probed.
"Well the most glaring irregularity was that the body occupying the supposed grave of Barty Crouch Jr. was female," Amelia replied causing the Minister's eyebrows to shoot up. "As you may or may not know the presence of Dementors on Azkaban Island causes bodies to age at a faster rate than is normal. Nothing else could be gleaned from the scans from my Aurors. They transported the body back to the Ministry and submitted it to the liaison for the Department of Mysteries. The Unspeakables are analyzing the corpse even as we have this conversation."
A silvery patronus message shot into Amelia and she closed her eyes to absorb the information contained within the spell.
Cornelius gave her a moment to digest the information before asking, "Was that from the DoM?"
"Yes, they have found the residue of polyjuice potion on the corpse. It took the body several weeks to revert after Death but they were able to identify the woman as Mrs. Crouch," Amelia explained.
"Bloody hell…She took his place!" Cornelius cried in sudden realization.
"If you'll recall she was terminally ill around that time," Amelia pointed out.
"Well where the hell has Barty Jr. been all these years then?" Cornelius asked, not really expecting an answer.
"Knowing the political ruthlessness of his father Barty Jr. was probably imprisoned somewhere all this time," Amelia mused.
Bartemus Crouch Senior was legendary for his ruthlessness in the political arena prior to his wife's passing and his son's imprisonment for being a Death Eater. Sirius Black's unjust imprisonment was just one offense Barty had committed in a long line of offenses before his fall from grace.
"Barty won't be punished for his actions anytime soon. If he ever does recover we can charge him then," Cornelius suggested.
Amelia nodded her agreement before asking, "And his son?"
"It hasn't been confirmed he is still alive. It would probably be easier to find him if he wasn't aware we were onto him," Cornelius replied. "Leave the guard we have at Hogwarts for the Tournament unchanged less we alert him. Make your Aurors discreetly aware to be on the lookout for him. Hogwarts is as safe as it's going to be anyway with Harry Potter there."
"Of that I have no doubt," Amelia agreed before she left the Minister's office.
After Harry's exploits against the Atlanean Kraken pretty much everybody had little doubt of the safety of Hogwarts while he was there.
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"Report," Voldemort demanded as his servant knelt before him.
"Everything goes as planned at the school my Lord. Potter appears none the wiser to my true identity," Barty Crouch Junior in the guise of Mad Eye Moody explained.
"Be careful with Potter. He may appear to be unobservant but by the time you realize he really isn't it is often too late," Riddle advised.
"Yes my Lord," Barty replied.
He wouldn't say it aloud but after seeing Potter face off against the Kraken Barty would never again be underestimating Harry Potter.
"No matter," Riddle said. "If you get him to the location I've directed I will handle the rest. Has Potter needed your advice?"
"Not at all," Barty answered. "In fact I have very little contact with him outside of the classroom."
"Perhaps it is best that way. The survival and escape of your father was regrettable but it seems his continued existence has yet to come back to haunt us. Let us hope it remains that way. Have you been able to learn about the witch Vance?" Riddle inquired.
"I have only learned that she is dating the former werewolf Lupin through seemingly idle conversation with Slughorn and Flitwick," Barty informed his master. "I have been unable to learn anything else."
Riddle gripped the arm rests of his throne with an impressive grip that caused the material to creak and groan in protest. Emmaline Vance had survived the squad of Death Eaters he had sent after her and had managed to slay the Death Eaters when her house had exploded.
"Lupin is close to Potter. I doubt we'll easily get close to them. No matter. Her survival is annoying but not enough so that I will risk my plans. Return to Hogwarts and continue carrying out my previous orders. Check-in with me two weeks before the third task," Riddle commanded.
"As you command my Lord," Barty Junior answered with a bow before leaving the room.
"Peter," Riddle called into the darkness.
A rat in the shadows transformed into a pudgy humanoid figure.
Peter Pettigrew stepped out of the shadows and replied, "Yes Master?"
Voldemort eyed his minion. Peter could be quite valuable when he wasn't given tasks that were too difficult mostly due to Peter's rat animagus form. If the task was too difficult or too dangerous Peter could show a surprising amount of incompetence. But Peter had proved most useful when he had freed all of Voldemort's best followers from Azkaban. For that reason alone Riddle would send Peter on a mission he thought fairly straightforward.
"I want you to travel through all locations on this list looking to see if you can find Vance," Riddle directed with a flick of his wrist causing a list to materialize.
"Of course Master," Pettigrew replied, knowing better than to question his master's latest order contradicting what the Dark Lord had told Crouch Junior.
"If you find her then return to tell me at once," Voldemort ordered. "I would like to deal with her myself. You may go."
Peter performed a bow and hurried from the Dark Lord's audience chamber. His greatest consolation was that Remus was no longer a werewolf. Peter assumed that meant Lupin's human senses were no longer augmented, an assumption that would prove false in time.
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Peter had just entered the headquarters of Potter Enterprises. He certainly hoped he had better luck in this place than the dozens he had already visited in his search for Vance. It was lunch time. Peter went past the various stores that sold company goods and made his way through the twisting hallways. When he came to a fork in the hallways that would either take him to the office section of the building or the research and development section he made his way into the offices branch. His nose led him towards the delicious scent of truly well cooked food which just happened to be coming from Remus Lupin's office.
"How is your mother doing?" Remus asked his girlfriend.
"She's doing pretty well and is just relieved I'm keeping in contact with her. She's got a new boyfriend," Emmaline answered before taking a bite of her sandwich.
Remus took a bite of his sandwich which Emmaline had brought for him. The couple was sitting on a comfortable couch in the spacious office.
"That's good to hear. Hopefully this one will work out better than her last," Remus replied. Still using a conversational tone Remus called, "You really aren't as clever as you would like to think Peter."
As he spoke the former werewolf and quite active Marauder sent a burst of energy to the ward control matrix in his office. A glowing energy cage sprang up around the rat. Peter let out a squeal of fright and transformed back to his impersonation of a man. He raised his wand and sent out a blast of energy at the cage.
"I wouldn't bother Pettigrew," Emmaline spoke up to say. "That cage could hold a moderately powerful demon."
"And you Peter Pettigrew are no demon. Although you might almost be considered evil enough to be one," Lily Potter declared as she materialized in the room.
The Marauders had known the second Peter had stepped into the building. Peter had built up a substantial black magic presence over the years given the dark ends he had twisted his arcane abilities to. The dragons had also been highly sensitive to the black magic around Peter.
"Peter," James greeted with his tone cold.
"This is going to be fun," Sirius stated with a grim smile after stepping into the room.
"I'll just give you all some privacy," Emmaline suggested.
"You don't have to go. You can stay if you want," Remus replied.
"Alright," Emmaline agreed.
Emmaline was intelligent enough to know she was about to witness some brutal retribution. She would not judge her lover who had saved her life or his friends who had befriended and taken her in to protect her from Voldemort and his Death Eaters.
"James, Lily…how can this be? You're dead," Pettigrew said with a trembling voice.
"We're very much alive Peter," James assured.
"No thanks to you," Lily added.
"I didn't mean for you to get hurt. The Dark Lord assured me he would just incapacitate you. He was going to find you anyway. This way he would only get Harry," Peter said, trying to justify his actions of betrayal.
Lily lost her voice as she gaped at Peter in shear astonishment at his appalling argument. James let out an inarticulate snarl.
"You little bastard," Sirius barked and drew a blade with magic.
One moment Sirius was across the room and the next he was standing in front of the energy cage thrusting his magical Rider's blade through Peter's right foot. Peter screamed as light burst from his wound where the sword burned at his essence. Lily drew her blade as well. Her sword was a color that matched her vibrant hair. Her strike through the energy cage struck Peter's genitals, severing his poor excuse for a manhood. A shaft of red light burst from his groin. The rat animagus was screaming in agony as the Riders blades burned at his essence.
"Mercy! Mercy," Peter shouted.
"You wouldn't have given Harry any mercy," James rebuked.
Remus collapsed the energy cage and with two swift steps came close enough to Peter to kick the rat in the face. Peter's head snapped back to his neck's limit and his eyes took on a dazed expression. Remus and Lily withdrew their blades. James stepped forward and reached down to Peter's head. He grabbed Peter's jaw and wrenched it open enough to shove a potion down the traitor's throat. Peter's wounds almost immediately healed.
"What…why did you heal me?" Peter asked after his head cleared of pain.
"I should think that was obvious Peter dear," Lily replied.
"We want to show you why your past deeds were such a terrible mistake. Death is too quick for that lesson," Remus assured.
"Dobby," Sirius called.
The elf appeared in the room with a soft pop.
"Yous wanted to harm Master Harry. Yous will pay for that," Dobby assured as he flicked his hand and sent Pettigrew hurtling into a wall.
A door appeared next to where Pettigrew landed and Dobby lazily banished the rat into the room.
"How long are you going to keep him alive?" Emmaline asked out of curiosity.
The room was thick with a tense desire for vengeance. It was Remus who answered his mate.
"The way I see it this would be a good test for the capabilities of the potion James just used. It's a variant that uses the elixir of life and some other potent healing concoctions from the ancient past. We're not sure of its restorative limits," Remus explained.
"But we would sure like to find out," James announced.
"Do either of you want first dibs?" Sirius asked James and Lily.
After all, it was their son Peter had wanted to hand over to Riddle.
James looked at his wife and saw how keyed up she was and replied, "No, you can go ahead Sirius. Lily and I will take turns later."
Sirius' grin was positively feral as he followed Dobby into the secret room. The door closed and not a sound could be heard from within. The silencing enchantments on the hidden room were truly impressive. They would be tested for the duration of Pettigrew's stay inside of the Potter Enterprises Headquarters.
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Posted: 1/11/2015 (Edited Version) Rev 0
Author's Note:
On my Facebook group there is an Excel file listing what stories I have read in the recent past and what I thought of them. This also includes stories you should probably stay away from and the reason why I think you should probably stay away from them (rated from 1 to 10). If you get a chance check it out. It might save you the trouble of reading some really bad fics and might also direct you to some really good fics. My Facebook group is called Stargatesg1fan1's Fanfiction Works and Favorites. The name on my author's profile is hyperlinked to the group.
~Deserdi Etere Lume
Stargatesg1fan1