Hi all. so sorry for the huge delay, its been a grueling few months, classes have been a killer, i have had a couple of survival camps already and another one next week, skydiving coming up soon and been saving up for a trip to Europe next year, its all been very stressful. Hopefully this chapter will be alright and everybody can forgive me for not having posted in so long, if people are still reading that is. Moonlight Ace does not own any of Harry Potter, other than any OC's i create. Moonlight Ace is brought to you by the following sponsors... oh wait, we don't have any sponsors. in that case, on with the show.
Harry woke the next morning, remembering with bitterness the fight he had with Ron last night. He took a shower and dressed, before heading out of the portrait hole. Expecting to run into Hermione, Harry was surprised when he opened the portrait hole and came face to face with Cedric instead.
"Morning Harry, are you free at the moment?" said Cedric, as Harry walked towards him.
"Umm, yeah, what's up?" asked Harry in confusion, wondering what Cedric wanted.
"I was thinking we should meet up with Fleur and Krum, since we all…" Cedric looked cautiously around, as Harry realised his intention. Nodding his agreement, Harry followed Cedric out onto the grounds, heading in the direction of Hagrid's hut, where Harry noticed the two remaining champions standing in the shade of one of the great oak trees which stood near the hut. After reaching them, Harry had enough time to give Krum a brief handshake before Fleur wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace. Harry gave a happy smile before he hugged Fleur back, while Cedric sniggered and even the stoic Durmstrang champion gave off a chuckle, before they both received a silencing sort of glare from Fleur.
"Arry, are you okay?" asked Fleur, breaking the hug and looking at him with concern reflecting in her beautiful sapphire eyes. Ever since the troubles with Bill had started up, Fleur had come to spend most of her time with Harry, finding solace in her young friend. As a way of helping her through her own troubles, Harry told Fleur all about his life, from the Dursley's to all his troubles through the Triwizard Tournament. She knew this was the day after he had had a fight with his first friend.
"I'm alright," mumbled Harry, while Fleur gave him a small, sad smile. She could tell that he was anything but okay, though she wouldn't push him.
"Well, now that we're all done with that, I think we should get down to business, right guys?" said Cedric, sitting down underneath the great oak tree, reclining against the trunk.
"I think that vood be a good idea," answered Victor, copying Cedric and sitting back against another tree, while Harry sat down against a third tree and Fleur leant against his chest, to both his embarrassment and pleasure.
"Well, apart from me, you've all lived through this whole war with You-Know-Who, so you know what is coming then right?" asked Cedric. Harry and Fleur nodded, having both been there at the battle of Hogwarts, while Krum gave a stoic nod.
"Its not a pretty thought. Voldemort began by gathering his supporters, the giants, werewolves, vampires and all sorts of other creatures, as well as his Death Eaters," began Harry, watching as Cedric's face took on a serious and grave expression. "In the end, a lot of lives were lost to repel Voldemort's forces and destroy him. But, I have information that we can use to destroy him much sooner this time, so that by the time the Third Task comes around, when Voldemort uses the Triwizard cup as a Portkey, we can safely and finally destroy him," finished Harry, smiling slightly when Fleur squeezed him arm gently in reassurance, having felt him tense up at the mention of the battles.
"Vhat kind of information Harry?" asked Victor, his back straight against the tree in interest.
"Voldemort, when he was still a teenager at Hogwarts, used very dark magic to enable him to anchor himself to life, even if his body was destroyed. He created Horcruxes, a very dark form of magic which allows the user to plant a piece of their soul into an object to anchor them to life," explained Harry, causing both Victor and Cedric's eyebrows to rise into their hairlines and their eyes to widen in shock.
"Horcruxes! Ve have studied the use of such black magic at Durmstrang," spat Victor, as though the word left a bad taste in his mouth.
"Wait, you said Horcruxes, do you mean he made more than one?" asked Cedric, a hint of worry evident in his voice.
"Yes, Voldemort split his soul into seven pieces, and he hid each of them very well. Actually, scratch that, he technically made eight, though the last one was an accident," said Harry thoughtfully.
"Eight?" asked Victor and Cedric in confusion, while Fleur gave a reassuring squeeze to Harry's arm.
"To split a persons soul, one must commit murder, and at the time he tried to commit the murder of my family, when his spell rebounded upon him and destroyed his body, that piece of his soul latched onto the only thing in the room it could use," explained Harry, reaching his hand up to tap his scar. Both Cedric and Victor looked horrified and worried.
"You mean You-Know-Who made you his Horcrux?" asked Cedric stammering slightly.
"Unfortunately yes, but I can get rid of it, I think, and I know where the rest of them are," said Harry, grinning slightly, which was infectious, as the other champions all split into smiles themselves. They started making plans for the year, detailing everything from the Tasks, the Horcruxes, defeating Voldemort, and of course, the all important party to celebrate at the end, which Harry said was essential since he didn't get one last time he had to deal with Voldemort.
Harry walked towards Hagrid's hut on the edge of the Forbidden Forest, having just finished Herbology. True to Cedric's word, the Hufflepuff's did indeed leave him alone, and were even civil to him, a dramatic change from the first time. Justin Finch-Fletchley and Ernie Macmillan both explained that Cedric had talked to the whole house last night and had said that he believed Harry did not enter himself into the Tournament, and how they had all been proven wrong when the Chamber of Secrets had been opened, so this time they should trust Harry. This relieved Harry immensely, especially since he was unable to talk to Ron for the time being.
"Ah, look boys, it's the champion," came the haughty voice of one Draco Malfoy, his arrogant voice carrying over as Harry approached. "Got your autograph books? Better get a signature now, because I doubt he's going to be around much longer… how long do you reckon you're going to last, Potter? Ten minutes into the first task's my bet," he continued, looking pleased at his condescending monologue, while Harry merely looked mildly impressed.
"Wow Malfoy, that's a lot of big words you just used there," said Harry, as though he were talking to a small child.
"Watch when you're talking to you're superiors Potter," growled Malfoy in a warning tone.
"The idea of you being superior to anything bigger than a gnome is actually rather laughable Malfoy, laughable like when you were on the train when those fireworks went off," replied Harry, grinning at the look of outrage on Malfoy's red face.
"That was you!" screamed Malfoy, as Crabbe and Goyle stood next to him, looking as imposing as they could.
"Indeed, and I must say, I've never known men could scream quite like that Malfoy. Tell me, were you really that scared, or were you just wearing tight underwear?" asked Harry, a grin taking over his face, as Malfoy looked as though he would explode soon, the arrival of Hagrid thankfully stemming the oncoming explosion.
"Alright, settle down, settle down," boomed Hagrid, as he started pairing students up with Skrewt's to walk. Hagrid talked to Harry during this time about him believing he did not enter himself in the Tournament, and in the last ten minutes of class, Harry put a quick Confundus Charm on Malfoy's Skrewt, so that it blasted off right after it had jumped a few feet in the air, its fire managing to burn off Malfoy's left eyebrow. Looking thoroughly pleased with his handiwork, Harry exited the class amongst peels of laughter directed at the blonde Slytherin.
Harry groaned as he headed toward his last class for the day, double Potions with Snape. True, he somewhat respected the man, since he had learned how he had cunningly helped them, but it didn't take away any hatred he had for the greasy bat. When Harry got to the dungeons, his blood began to boil, as he saw that Hermione had arrived before him this time and, just as last time, her teeth had begun to grow at an exponential rate. Ignoring the howls of laughter from the Slytherins, Harry pulled Hermione away and started heading towards the Hospital Wing, but ran into Snape halfway.
"Well, well Potter, skipping classes so soon? I'm afraid that will be a detention for both you and Miss Granger," said Snape in a silky voice.
"I'm taking Hermione to the Hospital Wing," said Harry shortly.
"Talking back now are we Potter? Ten points from Gryffindor I think," said Snape, his voice edged with arrogance. Unable to contain himself any longer, Harry turned to face Snape and, his eyes boring into Snape's own, begun an attack on Snape's mind. He could see Snape's look of shock as he smashed through his Legilimency barriers and forged a connection with the Potions master.
"Listen here Snape, one of your students attacked Hermione without provocation and I will not be punished for taking her to the hospital wing. I know that you have never liked my father, but I am not my father, and personally I think my mother would be disappointed in you as well, to see her friend acting like this as well," thought Harry, as Snape's expression became more and more shocked. Harry turned to walk away, still with Hermione in tow, before he looked over his shoulder at the stunned professor.
"If you want to know, ask Dumbledore," called Harry, as he began walking to the Hospital Wing once more. Snape finally regained his voice and went to shout at him to return, but quickly realised that Harry was already gone. Snape felt a pang of regret, as he thought about his long time friend and love interest, Lily Potter, wondering what she would think of him now.
"What would you say to me, Lily?" asked Snape quietly, before turning and quietly walking back towards the dungeons.
Harry walked into the dungeons fifteen minutes later, having taken Hermione to the Hospital Wing earlier. Snape shocked everyone by not even looking at Harry as he walked in late.
"Professor, Potter just walked in late," said Malfoy loudly, smirking as he thought Harry would be in trouble.
"I am aware, Mr Malfoy," answered Snape, shocking everyone yet again, Malfoy especially, as he still did not punish Harry. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, and Colin Creevey entered.
"Yes?" said Snape curtly.
"Please, sir, I'm supposed to take Harry Potter upstairs."
"Very well then, Potter you're excused. Come down and see me later to pick up your assignment," said Snape. If it was at all possible for the class to look more shocked, it would be happening now. Snape, letting Harry off class without even putting up a fight was weird enough, but to even tell him to return to pick up work later… even Harry was wondering what was going on by this point. Harry grabbed his schoolbag and slung it onto his back, before making his way out of the classroom with Colin. Colin chatted animatedly with Harry all the way up to the classroom. Harry let himself in and had to repress a groan, as he caught sight of Ludo Bagman, a cameraman and, most annoyingly, Rita Skeeter, possibly the most annoying witch in the world.
"Ah, here he is! Champion number four!" cried Bagman, ushering Harry in, gibbering on about the Wand Weighing Ceremony. Harry caught Cedric's eye, which was currently half closed due to overexposure to Skeeter.
"I wonder if I could have a little word with Harry before we start?" Rita Skeeter said to Bagman, gazing at Harry. Who had only just stopped staring at Fleur, who was smiling at him. "The youngest champion, you know… to add a bit of colour?" she continued, her eyes fixed upon Harry. Shortly after, Harry found himself once more inside a broom cupboard, with Rita Skeeter perched on an upturned bucket, a Quick-Quotes-Quill already out.
"So, Harry… what made you decide to enter the Triwizard Tournament?" she asked in a reporter voice.
"First off, I didn't enter the Tournament in the first place, and second, I never gave my permission for this interview to take place and was taken, against my will I will add, and stuffed into a broom cupboard," said Harry, acting as though he knew what he was doing. "With that evidence in the way, which I can produce in a Pensieve, I could have you tried for kidnapping a minor, Miss Skeeter," he finished, watching the reporter turn red in embarrassment.
"Nonsense Harry, nobody is kidnapping you, our rabid readers are just dying to know about you and why you entered into the Tournament," she replied, attempting to dance over the minefield.
"However, I have not given you permission to conduct this interview, and have been dragged here against my will, therefore I believe I will be going, since I have already stated that I did not enter this tournament and you have not believed me, therefore, I can provide you with no new information Miss Skeeter," said Harry, an air of finality in his voice, as he walked out of the cupboard and shut the door in her face. Harry quickly aimed his wand at the ceiling.
"Adversus Sepulchrum," muttered Harry, sending a small orb of gravity up towards the ceiling. With his handiwork finished, Harry traipsed upstairs to the other champions.
"Ah Harry, glad you could join us, do you know where Miss Skeeter has gone to?" asked Bagman jovially, clapping Harry on the shoulder as he lined up next to Krum. At that moment, a small shriek of surprise was heard, accompanied by a thump.
"I'm sure she's just hanging around somewhere," replied Harry, succeeding in keeping a straight face, while Bagman and the school head's went down to get her, Dumbledore looking at Harry briefly, his eyes twinkling merrily.
"What did you do Arry?" asked Fleur, a hint of amusement hidden in her voice. She knew well what Harry could do with a wand and a good bit of humour.
"Fleur, you wound me so, why do you suspect me?" said Harry in mock hurt, clutching his heart as though in pain.
"Probably because it vas you," said Krum, smirking slightly at Harry's indignant look, which quickly turned to a grin as he heard a peeling sound from below.
"I used a Gravity Reversing spell so that when somebody walked under it, it would suck them up into the roof, which I conveniently put a Quick Dry Paint spell on, something of my own creation," reported Harry, causing Fleur to giggle and Cedric and Krum to snicker. They all put on straight faces as the judges returned, though it became quite hard to keep them on, when Rita Skeeter returned, her face red from anger and embarrassment, her hair stuck up at odd angles and, funniest of all, rainbow coloured paint all over her back in a polka dot fashion.
"Well, now that Miss Skeeter has been removed from the ceiling," started Dumbledore, receiving a glare from said reporter. "May I introduce, Mr Ollivander?" finished Dumbledore, taking his place at the judges table. "He will be checking your wands to ensure that they are in good condition before the Tournament." Harry looked over at the window, seeing the old wizard standing quietly in the shadows. The last time Harry had seen the man he had been in bad condition, having been kept prisoner for over a year and tortured.
The Wand Weighing went for a long time, as did the photographs, though there were at least several changes to them this time. Krum was more willing to be in the photos, knowing that they would last longer if he tried to hide in the back, and Fleur, whenever made to come forward, seemed to drag Harry with her each time. Finally, the last photo was taken, a group shot of all the champions, the only photo they would all admit to have enjoyed. Harry actually smiled a little as he remembered it, Krum standing tall and actually smiling for once, Fleur, beautiful as always, laughing as a grinning Cedric put Harry in a headlock, who was grinning at the camera as well.
"Well, it went better this time round," Harry said to himself, sitting alone at the Gryffindor table, eating a slice of steak and kidney pie. He finished and started heading up to the Common Room, thinking about finishing off an essay, when he encountered Ron in their dormitory.
"You've had an owl," said Ron shortly, indicating to a school barn owl, perched on his pillow.
"Thanks," replied Harry, keeping his answer just as short. Harry continued to the letter, while Ron kept walking away. Harry unrolled the letter and, with a pounding heart, realised it was Sirius' letter. It had just occurred to him that he now had the opportunity to once again talk to his Godfather. He could barely contain his excitement, as he laid down on his four poster bed, taking out the Marauders Map.
"In between Voldemort, meeting Sirius again and a certain lovely Veela, this looms to be an interesting year for me," said Harry, grinning as he spied the names Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson in a broom cupboard on the third floor. With that, Harry set off for the third floor, armed with a wand, a couple of Dungbombs and a dangerous sense of humour. "I'd say I deserve a treat after today, I'm sure embarrassing Malfoy will be fun."
and there we have it, another chapter down. that was one of my longer ones, roughly 3,000 words. anyway, i can't make any promises on when a new chapter will be out, but hopefully not so long since i got over my writers block and i'll have a holiday coming up in a couple weeks where i can hopefully sit down and type up a few chapters. in any case, i'll have to have the story finished before i leave for Europe, since i'll be there for over a year. ja ne peoples, reviews always welcome :)