Year Four: The Goblet of Fire

The three magical schools of Europe compete for eternal glory in the form of the Triwizard Tournament. Death Eaters are rising, gathering followers to join Voldemort. Dark times are approaching, threatening everything Marie loves. It's time for bravery. To be the light in terrible darkness...

Chapter Eighteen-A Reminder

Severus Snape had been leaving the Headmaster's office when the hidden door opened and he saw Harry Potter, who was shouting at the gargoyles that guarded the secret passage to Dumbledore's private office.

"C'mon! Move!" shouted the boy.

"Potter!" snapped the Potions master as the door slid closed behind him. Did he honestly think shouting at the door's guard was going to do him any good? Thick headed Gryffindor. A sneer made its way across his face. It was unsettling how the boy was exact replica of his troublesome father, James Potter. Harry flinched in surprise, not expecting to see the Slytherin Head of House.

"What are you doing here, Potter?" demanded the teacher.

"I need to see Professor Dumbledore!" Harry explained, winded. "It's Mr. Crouch...he's just turned up...he's in the forest...he's asking-"

"What's this rubbish?" asked Snape, eyes narrowing in suspicion. "What are you talking about?"

Barty Crouch hadn't been seen in months. The Ministry kept saying that he was sick and overworked, taking some time off. It was sounded quite strange but there wasn't any proof to say otherwise. Now, the Gryffindor was saying that he just so happened to encounter the missing judge in the forest.

"It's Mr. Crouch!" continued Harry, voice rising. "From the Ministry! He's ill or something-he's in the forest, he wants to see Dumbledore! Just give me the password-" Snape's temper flared when the teenager made a demand. As if he owed the Gryffindor anything.

"The headmaster is busy, Potter," he informed with a tight lipped smirk. Harry's cheeks colored with his impatience.

"I've got to tell Dumbledore!" he was shouting now.

"Didn't you hear me, Potter?" he asked, voice even and cold.

"Look," flustered Harry, his anger apparent, "-Crouch isn't right-he's-he's out of his mind-he says he wants to warn-"

The was the sound of moving stone as the hidden door opened once more. Turning, Snape was miffed to see Dumbledore standing there as if Potter's will power had summoned him. The silver haired wizard looked calmly between the professor and student.

"Is there a problem?"

"Professor!" spoke up Potter before Snape could start. "Professor, Mr. Crouch is here-he's down in the forest, he wants to speak to you!"

"Lead the way," he said with a wave of his hand. The pair took off and Snape gave a scowl before following them. If this was some type cry for attention, the Slytherin was going to make sure it wasn't just glossed over and the student was properly punished for his outlandish theories.

"What did Mr. Crouch say, Harry?" inquired Dumbledore as they made their way down the staircase.

"Said he wants to warn you...said he's done something terrible...he mentioned his son...and Bertha Jorkins...and-and Voldemort..." Severus Snape's ear perked at the name of the Dark Lord and his gaze narrowed, the mark on his left arm stinging in response.

"...Something about Voldemort getting stronger..."

"Indeed," Dumbledore commented softly as the three stepped out into the darkness.

"He's not acting normally," continued Potter. "He doesn't seem to know where he is. He keeps talking like he thinks Percy Weasley's there, and then he changes, and says he needs to see you...I left him with Marie Rogue and Viktor Krum."

"You did?" asked Dumbledore sharply. Both teachers started to take longer strides, the student jogging to keep up. Snape's concern spiked as Harry's story became more valid with the involvement of Marie. "Do you know if anybody else saw Mr. Crouch?"

"No," said Harry. "Marie, Krum and I were talking, Mr. Bagman had just finished telling us about the third task, we stayed behind, and then we saw Mr. Crouch coming out of the forest-"

"Where are they?" asked Snape. They were well into the grounds now, near the edge of the forest and there's was nothing out of place.

"Over here," said Harry, leading them through the trees. The walk was shrouded in silence as they listened for the students and judge. There was no other sound beside their own footsteps. Potter was starting to appear worried as he looked about.

"Marie?" he called out. "Viktor?"

No answer.

Snape's pulse began to quicken at the lack of response. If Marie was involved she would have answered immediately.

"They were here," Harry promised, looking to Dumbledore with worry. "They were definitely somewhere around here..."

"Lumos," said the headmaster, the end of his wand glowing so to provide light. Snape cast his enchantment non-verbally, scanning the area as well. Harry followed the procedure, fumbling a moment for his wand.

"Marie! Viktor!" he tried again.

The beams of light checked the grounds and areas closest to the trees, illuminating the nearby area. Their search didn't take too long as the light revealed a pair of feet. Just a few paces away they spotted another set. The first figure was Viktor Krum on his side and Marie was face down just a short distance from him. Dumbledore and Harry stayed to check on the Bulgarian while Snape passed them without a second glance.

He knelt down and carefully turned the girl over so that she was lying on her back as well. Her eyes were closed but she was still breathing, if a bit shallow. His fingers checked her neck to confirm a pulse and some of the panic subsided. She had been Stunned and judging from how she fell, the spell had struck her from behind. He drew his wand and whispered softly,

"Rennervate."

She opened her eyes upon his incantation. Severus released a breath he didn't realize he was holding. It took her a moment to understand where she was, still disoriented. Green eyes found him and she gasped, trying to push herself upright.

"Professor! I looked away for just a second-" She swayed dangerously and Snape gently directed her so that was lying on the ground once more.

"Keep still, Miss Rogue. You've just been Stunned," he explained calmly. For a brief moment, fear had dared to flicker through his mind at the possible chance of her being seriously hurt. While a Stunning spell was effective, it could be very serious depending on the strength and amount of times it was used. Though it seemed as if she was lucky as the spell caster only wanted her unconscious, not permanently damaged or killed.

"He attacked me!" shouted Viktor Krum. "The old madman attacked me! I vos looking around to see vare Potter had gone and he attacked me from behind!"

"No," argued Marie, rolling onto her side. She was still trying to get up as she grabbed her fallen wand. "There was something else moving in the forest, that's why you went to go check."

The discussion was cut short by the thunderous footfalls of Rubeus Hagrid running out to them, Fang on his heel. He was carrying a crossbow. Marie pushed herself onto all fours before slowly putting one foot flat on the ground and forcing herself to stand. She swayed and Snape was quick to grab her shoulders to keep her upright. Clearly, she wasn't going to listen to him as she was more focused on moving toward Dumbledore and the others.

"Professor Dumbledore!" exclaimed Hagrid, eyes wide as he took in the scene. Viktor on the ground with Harry and Dumbledore while Marie was being supported by Snape. "Harry-what the-?"

"Hagrid, I need you to fetch Professor Karkaroff," instructed Dumbledore. "His student has been attacked. When you've done that, kindly alert Professor Moody-"

"No need, Dumbledore," came a familiar growl. "I'm here."

Marie looked over to see the teacher limping over toward them, wand lit and leaning heavily on his staff.

"Damn leg," he swore. "Would've been here quicker..."

"How'd you know?" Marie heard herself ask, still unsure of her bearings. She couldn't stop the question from escaping her lips. His electric blue eye swiveled before focusing on her.

"Potter was shouting in the hall. He said something about Crouch-"

"Crouch?" repeated Hagrid.

"Karkaroff, please, Hagrid!" said Dumbledore sharply.

"Oh yeah...right y'are, Professor," said Hagrid as he headed toward the Durmstrang ship, Fang following him.

"I don't know where Barty Crouch is," Dumbledore told Moody. Snape had helped Marie back onto the ground since she was still uneasy on her feet. "But it is essential that we find him."

"I'm on it," growled Moody. He then disappeared into the forest.

Nothing was said while they waited for the requested figures to join them. Harry had moved so that he was kneeling between Marie and Viktor and he gave her a questioning look. She shook her head, hand pressing against her temple.

"My back was turned. I didn't see anything," she whispered.

It didn't take long to hear the returning footsteps of Hagrid and Fang, now accompanied by Igor Karkaroff. The Headmaster of Durmstrang was dressed in his sleek furs and he was quite pale and irate.

"What is this?" he cried out when he spotted Krum on the ground. The two Stunned champions flinched at his volume. "What's going on?"

"I vos attacked," said Krum, finally managing to sit up. "Mr. Crouch or votever his name-"

"Crouch attacked you? Crouch attacked you? The Triwizard judge?"

"It wasn't Crouch," Marie tried again. No one seemed to pay her any mind.

"Igor," started Dumbledore, but Karkaroff was already drawing himself to his full height, positively livid.

"Treachery!" he shouted, pointing at Dumbledore. "It is a plot! You and your Ministry of Magic have lured me here under false pretenses, Dumbledore! This is not an equal competition! First, you sneak not one-but two champions," he pointed at Marie and Harry with a degree of savage anger, "who are both underaged! Now one of your Ministry friends attempts to put my champion out of action! I smell double-dealing and corruption in this whole affair, and you, Dumbledore, you, with your talk of closer international wizarding links, of rebuilding old ties, of forgetting old differences-here's what I think of you!"

Karkaroff spat at the ground by Dumbledore's feet.

In one swift movement, Hagrid had grabbed the Durmstrang Headmaster by the furs and slammed him up against the nearest tree. Viktor and Marie forced themselves to their feet, the dizziness finally subsiding just in time.

"Apologize!" Hagrid snarled and Marie could see the giant side of the Gameskeeper. It was terrifying, to say the least. The once friendly groundskeeper was now painted with anger. Karkaroff gasped for breath as Hagrid's massive fist was against his throat, feet dangling.

"Hagrid, no!" shouted Dumbledore, eyes flashing. Hagrid released him without hesitation and he slid down to the ground, taking a large rattling breath.

"Kindly escort Harry back up to the castle, Hagrid," Dumbledore instructed sharply. Still breathing hard, Hagrid's eyes didn't stray from Karkaroff as he pushed himself to his feet.

"Maybe I'd better stay here, Headmaster..."

"You will take Harry back to school, Hagrid," he repeated firmly. "Take him right up to Gryffindor Tower. And Harry-I want you to stay there. Anything you might want to do-any owls you might want to send-they can wait until morning, do you understand me?"

"Er, yes," stammered Harry. Apparently Dumbledore had been spot on the mark on what the boy was going to do.

"I'll leave Fang with yeh, Headmaster," said Hagrid, sparing Karkaroff one more glare as he rejoined the group. "Stay, Fang. C'mon Harry."

Harry sent one more look Marie's way and all she could do was give a tense nod as he walked away. With a sigh, Dumbledore turned his attention to the Slytherin.

"Now, Marie, tell us everything that happened."

"Yes, sir."

From there, she recited everything back to the Headmaster. They had been to the meeting with Mr. Bagman, stayed back to talk (she left the part about Hermione out for Viktor's sake), and that was when Mr. Crouch came out of the forest. Dumbledore simply nodded along with her story, not openly surprised by anything she said. Apparently, Harry had recited most of what happened.

There was the familiar thunk of Moody's leg as he made his way back to the group, interrupting the girl.

"There's no sign of him, Dumbledore," he gruffed. "If Crouch was here, he's long gone now."

"What about a second person?" asked Marie, hopefully. The adults gave her a concerned look and she flushed slightly under the focus.

"Do you believe there was another person in the forest?" Dumbledore asked kindly. Karkaroff, on the other hand, was still glaring at her.

"Yes, sir. Mr. Crouch didn't Stun us-"

"A likely story!" interrupted Karkaroff, chest puffing out with his frustration. "Trying to cover for your Ministry after he attacked our champion!"

"He couldn't have Stunned anyone-" tried Marie as Snape spoke up as well.

"-Rogue was also Stunned, Karkaroff," reminded the Potions master.

"So there is no reason to believe her!" declared the Durmstrang Headmaster. "Viktor says that it vas Crouch and that is it!"

"Mr. Crouch couldn't've Stunned anyone because he wasn't in a state to even use magic properly!" argued Marie, heat blooming from under her collar. "And why would Viktor's word be worth more than mine? We were in the same situation!"

"I refuse to accept the vord of the Hogwarts champion who has been the prime example of Dumbledore's double standard! An underaged champion, a girl nonetheless-"

"You won't believe me because I'm a girl?" Marie heard herself snarl at the insult, bristling. Snape's hand grabbed her shoulder tightly and brought her firmly to his side before she could get herself into proper trouble for fighting with the foreign school's Headmaster. She could feel the anger rolling off her in waves as she clenched her teeth so she wouldn't speak out, pinning him in a fierce glare. He did regard her strangely when he took in her glare and infuriated expression. His hand rubbed his left forearm subconsciously, as if something had reminded him of an old ache.

"Clearly, this will require further investigation and the involvement of the Ministry," decided Dumbledore, moving so to stand between the Slytherins and the Durmstrangs. "For now, I am thankful that no one was seriously injured, and it may be best for us to return to the safety of our dorms. We will continue this tomorrow when the Ministry officials arrive."

Without another word, Snape and Karkaroff led their champions away in opposite directions. Marie was still fuming silently when her teacher spoke up quietly.

"I believe you gave Karkaroff a fright."

"What do you mean?" she asked, curiosity soothing the anger just a bit. Severus smirked.

"Am I correct in assuming you are aware of Karkaroff's former status since Moody confronted him on Hallowe'en?" he asked.

"You do remember Tess Andrews, don't you?"

"How could I forget?"

"...It's my job to think the way Dark wizards do, Karkaroff-as you ought to remember..."

"Yes," said Marie, looking up at him. "He implied that Karkaroff was a Dark wizard, a Death Eater, but I don't see how I frightened him." The warmth of the castle greeted them as they made their way toward the dungeons.

"Did you ever see Tess Andrews properly angry?"

She thought for a moment before shaking her head. "No, I haven't actually."

His smirk remained.

"In that moment, you looked just like her."

Marie's chest swelled with pride as she gave a grin. "Good."

She was going to throw herself into her work and learn as much as she could to prepare for the final task. Fueled by the anger inflicted by Karkaroff, she was more than determined to beat the maze and whatever it threw at her. Age and gender weren't going to limit her and she was going to prove it to everyone. They should not underestimate her magical ability.

REVIEW! Sorry for the little delay, (and that it's a little short), I got caught up with school and trying to work out the rest of GoF while simultaneously thinking about OotP.

So, finishing up the Barty Crouch surprise and dealt with a rude Karkaroff (jerk!) when Marie insisted there was a second person, and we got to see some of Snape's concern which is always nice.

Next time: The third task!

:D

I seriously can't convey how freakin' exciting I am for the rest of this book! Everything's about to go down! Action! Drama! Set up for the next book/rest of the series! (screams from writing thrill)

I hope you enjoyed and your thoughts would be lovely as always!