Chapter 10

Easter had passed with its usual silence. Eggs had been swapped and everyone had eaten at least half their weight in chocolate. Montague and me were still together, as were Harry and Cho.

It was the start of the summer term. The third, and last, task would be in the next month. One more task to survive and then we would be safe. Though, I say 'we', Harry and I hadn't spoken to each other since before Easter. I was completely ignoring him. He and Sirius Black, Padfoot, could go and have their own happy family for all I care. I've got friends in Slytherin, a boyfriend in Slytherin. If they want me to choose between family or friends, well I've always found friends more reliable.

My eyes fluttered open to find the bell ringing to signal the end of potions. It had been a double lesson and my potion had been finished an hour early - though no one was quite sure how I had managed it - and after that I had slept. Snape, being my head of house, had remained silent about it, after giving me 50 points for finishing the potion correctly. I watched, silently, as the others packed up their belongings and disappeared from the room - I was in no particular hurry to move.

"Comfortable Miss Potter?"

"Yes Sir," I replied, grinning sleepily, "thanks for asking."

"Miss Potter, I need to inform you that you need to go down to the Quidditch pitch at nine o'clock tonight," explained the professor, "you will be informed about the third task."

I nodded, "thanks."

Then grabbed my stuff and left quickly.

I walked down the Quidditch pitch with Krum, who had promised Montague he would look after me. Outside the sun had almost completely set over the Scottish mountains. The last dieing rays of the sun rippled over the surface of the lake.

"Vhat do you recon the last task vill be?" asked Krum conversationally.

I shrugged, "no idea. Probably dangerous though."

He nodded in reply as we walked into the pitch.

The commentator, Ludo Bagman, who also happened to be head of the Ministry department for 'Magical Games and Sports', was standing on the pitch. He was wearing baby blue robes that matched his eyes perfectly. He was looking thoroughly excited about the entire prospect. Harry and Fleur were already down there and my twin gave me a pleading glance, which I ignored.

"Everyone here?" asked Bagman, counting heads, "excellent!

"As you can probably see, your Quidditch pitch is being transformed into a giant maze. On the day of the task you will be expected to reach the cup in the centre. The first one to touch it receives full marks. However, there will be magical creatures hidden within the maze that you will be required to face. Kirsty, being the leader, will enter first. Followed by Harry, then Krum and finally Fleur. Any questions?" there were none, "brilliant, let's get back inside. It's freezing!"

He rushed off quickly, trailed by Fleur. Harry, myself and Krum remained behind.

"Kirsty can I have a word?" asked Harry, "in private?"

I looked at Krum for a second, "can you wait for me please?"

The elder boy nodded before I followed Harry to the fringe of trees that lined the forbidden forest. It was even darker now. I could hear the noises of the forest around me and the occasional breaking twig made me nervous.

"Why here Harry?" I asked, "why not back in the castle?"

"Because you always avoid me!" he exclaimed, obviously frustrated, "Here we can talk without Krum overhearing and without disturbance from anyone else."

"Harry I don't want to hear it! Go be a family-" I paused, I had heard something. So had Harry.

We both turned in unison to face a man. He didn't look particularly well; his hair was filled with bits of twigs and dirt, his robes were torn and he was missing a pair of shoes. The man seemed to be talking to someone we couldn't see, or didn't exist.

"Isn't that Mr Crouch?" whispered Harry, "Percy's boss?"

"Yer, he was meant to be judging the second task, but was too ill," I commented, "and Percy says he hasn't been seen at work for ages.

"Mr Crouch?" I greeted nervously, "Are you ok?"

He continued to mutter to himself,

I tried again, "Mr Crouch!"

Before I could blink, he had turned and gripped me by the robes,

"Dumbledore! I need Dumbledore!" he exclaimed, his eyes piecing through mine.

"Come with us," I explained, voice shaking, "we'll take you to him."

"Dangerous… Voldermort stronger…Imperious…Son…Who…you?"

"Students," I replied, worried by his incoherent ramblings.

"Kirsty, he won't make it," hissed Harry, "I'll go on my own!"

"Don't leave me Harry!" I shouted, "You don't know what else, who else, might be in there!"

In the end Harry did go, saying he'd send Krum to find me. I watched as he ran off into the distance. The man continued to mutter randomly, I was shaking now. Why the hell did he leave me? He obviously doesn't care that much about me.

I turned again, hearing a twig brake. It was nothing, just another animal probably. Harry had been gone for ages, I think he might have forgotten about me, and Krum was nowhere to be seen.

"Hello there…"

I looked up from my position on the ground to see a young man I didn't recognize. He looked at me with wide eyes and I got a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. His robes seemed fairly clean, so I guessed he hadn't been down here very long.

"Who are you?" I asked slowly.

"A friend or your foe, depending on your side," he replied mysteriously. I think he's mad, "who are you and which house are you in?"

"I'm Kirsty Potter and I'm in the Slytherin house," I replied, thinking it would be best to answer him. I didn't want to anger the mysterious man.

"Then, Miss Potter, I cannot answer without further investigation. For now I must bid you goodbye."

The last thing I remember is a red light from his wand, then my world went black….

"Enervate."

"It's a wonder who ever it was didn't kill her as well…." someone was saying as my eyes flickered open.

I was still lying on the forest floor, it was pitch black apart from the light from someone's wand.

"What happened?" asked Dumbledore.

My eyes fixed on Professor Moody for a second. He looked pleased with himself and attempted to give me a friendly smile, but I could see a malevolence sparkling darkly in his eyes.

"A man," I whispered, "he was young and asked me my name, then stunned me."

The teachers, including Snape and the deputy headmistress McGonagal straightened, looking nervous.

"Moody," commanded Dumbledore, "it is of importance that Mr Crouch is found."

"Of course Headmaster," growled the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, limping into the forest.

A/N: Slightly spooky? What do you lot recon? Please tell me in a review!!

TBC…..