It was a good ten minutes after Severus left the room, Kingsley floo'd back to the Ministry, and Mad-Eye followed after Severus (Along with an obliviated Daphne), that Nyssa became visible again. She had been watching the entire office from the shelf that held the Sorting Hat. The serpent had heard and seen everything, and she personally agreed with Severus and the staff's decisions. She would protect and watch over Bastila just as she always had, only her job was now even more important. She would have to make sure the girl didn't stray from the Light.

Nyssa flew off the shelf and landed on Dumbledore's desk, eliciting a gasp from Minerva. Albus didn't seem at all surprised to see her. "Hello, Nyssa. I trust you will abide by Severus's wishes, and my own?"

Nyssa nodded silently.

"I'm afraid your task of protecting Bastila has become much more important." Dumbledore said softly, as if having read Nyssa's mind and sensed her earlier thoughts. "I believe if any Death Eaters were to learn of her identity, it would be much more severe than even what has occurred today. They might even seek to rally behind her." Dumbledore smiled at the snake, closing his eyes momentarily. "I think you should proceed to the Hospital Wing. I sense that Bastila has need of you."

Nyssa tucked a wing in front of herself and lowered her body in a bow. Then she flew out of the office, bound for the Hospital Wing for the second time this week.

Bastila Phoenix opened her eyes, only to have them meet darkness. She turned her head from side to side. It was late evening. She immediately recognized where she was. 'Why am I in the Hospital Wing?' She thought blandly. She tried to remember the duel with Draco and Daphne. But it was all a huge blur, and difficult to recall. What she COULD remember very clearly was going back to the dorm with Daphne...Kissing her, falling asleep in her arms. Waking up later on and confronting two girls who had seen them together, and then spending a long emotional time talking about her mother to Daphne. Bastila weakly wondered if it was still even the same day, and what had happened to her.

Then she became aware of Severus, who was sitting at her bed-side. He simply watched her, his face a worried frown. Bastila sat up. "What happened to me? I feel horrible."

"That would be because of the aftermath of your duel with Mr. Malfoy and Miss Greengrass." Severus replied quietly. "And I will assume you were not aware that dueling is against school rules."

"The rules only said no using magic in the corridors. It didn't say anything about dueling out on the grounds." Bastila countered quickly.

Severus smirked. "Marvelous." Then his face softened. "How do you feel? Are you having any trouble with anything at all? Confusion, memory loss?"

Now that he mentioned it... Bastila nodded. "I can't remember anything much about the duel. But I remember after..." She trailed off, realizing what she'd been about to say. She was silent for a moment, wondering if she should tell her new father about it. Bastila thought back to her mother, and knew she would have wanted to know. "I...Sort of...Was...WITH, Daphne, after the duel." She said, forcing the words free. She braced herself for her father's reaction.

Severus simply blinked, then smirked. "The two of you have been quite smitten lately. Do you think I have not noticed your hand holding and flirtatious behavior after my classes, or your overall close proximity to one another in the corridors?"

Bastila blushed a deep red. "Yeah well now you know a little more." She said, trying to regain her cool.

"Yes, well, you suffered an emotional breakdown in the dormitory after the duel. Miss Greengrass came to me for help, and I brought you here." Severus said softly.

Another overload? That would explain the memory loss, Bastila thought, feeling annoyed. Then a thought struck her. "The Champion selection! And the feast. I have to be there. What time is it?"

Severus smiled. "To my knowledge the feast is well underway. You may attend it. There seems to be no lasting damage done to you from your duel. However I will still ask that the next time you engage in magical combat that you not duel so...Intensively. It was reported by other students that you used several advanced spells. I don't want any accidents." That was a lie on his part, of course. He'd seen it in her mind when he'd modified her memory.

Bastila nodded quickly, already getting out of bed. "I promise." She paused for a moment, searching through her recent memories. "Oh, and pretty much the whole school knows about Nyssa by now. I think. She showed herself at the duel...We had a crowd." Bastila finished sheepishly.

Severus groaned and shut his eyes for a second. "Perhaps it will turn out for the best. But I would still like for her to remain invisible as often as she can. But...I will not oppose her if she wishes to be seen by your classmates."

"Thanks daddy!" Bastila said with a grin, though it faded quickly as she looked around. "Where is Nyssa anyway?"

As if on command, Nyssa slithered out from underneath Bastila's bed and flew up onto her shoulders. Bastila smiled at her and patted her head gently. *Time to see who gets to be in the Tournament!* She told Nsysa excitedly, already rushing out of the hospital wing. In her well of good cheer, Bastila hadn't noticed that Severus had flinched when she'd called him "Daddy".

As the feast ended, Professor Flitwick anxiously awaited Dumbledore's arrival, and was relieved when the Headmaster strode into the Great Hall not a moment later, along with Professor Mcgonagall. McGonagall took her seat at the head table, her face grim. Mad-Eye Moody was leaning back in his chair, his eyes on the Goblet of Fire.

Dumbledore gave each of the other teachers a nod of acknowledgement, then turned to face the students. "I apologize for my tardyness. However it appears I arrived just in time for the selection, so no harm has been done." Dumbledore didn't elaborate on his absence. Nor did Minerva. "NOW! The moment you have all been waiting for. The Champion selection!" Dumbledore waved his hand around the great hall, dimming the candles. Everyone's eyes turned to the Goblet of Fire. A few seconds later the flames turned red, and out came a piece of paper. Dumbledore caught it and smiled. "The Durmstrang Champion is Victor Krum!"

There was mass cheering as Victor made his way up to Dumbledore. They shook hands before Krum went past the head table and into the trophy room.

Next came Fleur Delicour, of Beaubatons. She too went into the trophy room after shaking Dumbledore's hand.

"And now, our third and final Champion! The Hogwarts Champion is: Cedric Diggory!" This was met with applause from all around, but most especially the Hufflepuff table. Cedric grinned as he disappeared behind the head table.

Just then, Severus and Bastila Phoenix entered the Great Hall. Bastila immediately spotted a cheerful Draco and Daphne at the House table and went to sit beside them. Severus sat at the end of the head table, as usual.

Dumbledore gave them each a smile before continuing. "Excellent! We now have our three Champions. But in the end, only one will go down in history. Only one will hoist this challace of Champions. This vessel of victory. The Tri-Wizard cup!" Barty Crouch dramatically swept away a cloak in front of the head table, revealing a shining, crystal cup with a handle on each side.

Before anyone could say anymore, the Hall was filled with gasps and whispers as the Goblet of Fire began to flare up once again. And just like the previous three times, it spat out a paper that held a Champions name on it.

Dumbledore was surprised as anyone else, but he caught it with his quick reflexes. He stared at it in his hands. The Hall was deadly quiet now. "Harry Potter?" Dumbledore looked over the Great Hall, his eyes roaming. "HARRY POTTER!" He bellowed.

Bastila watched as Harry got up from the Gryffindor table and walked as slowly as possible toward the front of the Great Hall. Murmurs and whispers broke out like wildfire, and Bastila heard someone shout what everyone was thinking. "He's a cheat! He's not even 17 yet!" Bastila shook her head at them all, even the Slytherins at her table. Harry couldn't have done this. It just wouldn't make sense, from all she knew about him. Harry was an extremely famous Wizard, but he never seemed to relish it, she'd heard from people. He was shy and always tried his best to cover his scar. And he'd faced Voldemort, a Basilisk, and endured being hunted by a mass murderer, Sirius Black, last year!

There was no way Harry did this himself, Bastila concluded. He wasn't a sucker for fame, and he didn't have an ego at all. But then she wondered just who could have possibly put his name in the Goblet of Fire? And why? Was it a prank, or something worse? Maybe they thought Harry would get hurt or die-

The sound of rushing flames took Bastila out of her scrambling thoughts. The Goblet of Fire apparently wasn't done tossing out names. 'So now there are three legal Champions and two illegal ones...' Bastila thought, feeling amused as she watched Dumbledore read off the slip of paper silently.

His next words brought her world into chaos. "Bastila Phoenix!"

Bastila sat there in shock. Her brain stopped working entirely. It was one thing for someone to prank a famous Wizard like Harry by putting his name forth, but hers? She was a nobody, she was only a medical fascination! She was intelligent, very powerful in magic, sure, but she wasn't someone anybody would want to do this to! Why her?

"BASTILA PHOENIX!" Dumbledore said a great deal louder, his eyes staring straight into hers.

Bastila was suddenly aware of Nyssa's invisible weight on her shoulders, aware of Draco looking at her with surprise and wonder, and Daphne giving her a look of pity and concern. But Bastila ignored her friends. She stood up slowly from the table and walked up to Dumbledore, keeping her face cool and calm, as well as her emotions. She stood before Dumbledore, ignoring his gesture beyond the head table at the door that led to the trophy room. "Professor, this is a mistake. I was thinking about it when Harry's name was put forth, and now me...It's...It's a prank. A joke." She said calmly, keeping her voice under control. "Someone thought it would be funny to put us in the Tournament. Or maybe there's some other reason, something worse, like they expect us to get hurt."

Dumbledore stared at her for the longest time. His eyes looked as if they were searching deep into her soul, and that's when Bastila felt it. She felt his presence in her mind, and felt him looking through her memories. He was using Ligillimency on her! Bastila didn't put up her Occlumency shield though. She just stared right back at the Headmaster. She even lowered her natural shields. She wanted Dumbledore to KNOW she was telling the truth, that she hadn't done this.

"I believe you, Miss Phoenix." He said finally. "But regardless, you must join your fellow Champions. I'm afraid Champions are under a binding magical contract. There is no way to avoid competing."

Bastila tried to wrap her mind around his words. What did he mean, a binding magical contract? Did that mean she would...What, die if she didn't compete? Would the magic of the world force her to act? She sighed to herself and looked toward the trophy room, then back at Dumbledore. "Fine." She glanced at Severus, wondering what he was thinking of her now. His face held fear and worry, but no accusation or anger. So he believed her too. Bastila wasn't done yet, though.

She turned around and looked over the entirety of the Great Hall. She pulled out her wand and cast the Sonorus charm. "Listen up, all of you. Not that you have a choice..." Bastila trailed off, letting her booming voice wash over everyone in the Hall. "I will discover which one of you did this to me and Harry. I will find out which one of you put our names into the Goblet of Fire against our wishes. Everyone keep in mind that whoever did this is sitting in this Hall right now. This person could be sitting beside you. This person is most likely a Hogwarts student, since Beuxbatons and Durmstrang weren't aware of me before today. But they knew about Harry. Everyone does. So that leaves a Hogwarts student. Someone who knew about us both."

She paused, gathering herself and calming her voice once more. "Now. I speak directly to the one who did this to me. To you I say this: When I find you, and I will, I won't give a damn about school rules. I won't care what year you're in or who you are." She said dangerously, her eyes giving a glare that would make Severus proud. "You're going to wish you never messed with my life." Then she spun on her heel, pocketed her wand and went to join the other Champions.

Bastila traded glances with Harry as she entered the trophy room, making sure her Occlumency shields were in place. She braced herself for anything, but felt nothing at all like the last two times she'd been around him. Satisfied, she then slid her gaze to Cedric. Cedric gave her a small nod to show that he'd heard her words in the Great Hall, and Bastila assumed he believed her. Krum was unreadable, and Fleur just looked disgusted.

"Five Champions?" Fleur muttered, practically sticking her nose up at Bastila and Harry.

The Champions all waited for what seemed like an eternity. Finally Bastila heard the students leaving the Great Hall. Then Dumbledore, Severus, McGonagall, Kakaroff, and Madam Maxime came into the trophy room. Mr. Crouch and Ludo Bagman were among them.

"Professor Dumbledore!" Bastila said, her eyes going right to him.

"What is the meaning of this?" Madam Maxime cried, interrupting before Dumbledore could say a word to Bastila. "Hogwarts has three Champions!"

"I'd like an explanation too, Dumbledore." Kakaroff growled out, crossing his arms. "If I had known we needed more than one Champion this time, I would have brought more candidates."

"Maybe Dumblydore did not tell us this on purpose! He has undermined us and now his school has a greater chance of winning than ours!" Madam Maxime shouted angrily.

"Ridiculous!" McGonagall fumed. "You cannot accuse Albus of foul play! He would never do that!"

Dumbledore raised a hand for silence, and everyone quieted. "What do you think, Severus?" He asked the potions master.

"I agree with my daughter." Severus said firmly, mirroring Kakaroff by crossing his arms. "Her theory makes sense, and it is far better than anything the rest of you have come up with. Someone has entered both her and Potter into the Tournament for reasons unknown. I don't know if you were paying any attention to her out there in the Great Hall, but her emotion and words were genuine."

"Of course you would stick up for your child." Fleur said, wrinkling her nose. "I think no matter how this happened that these two should not compete! They are too little!" She waved a hand airily at Bastila and Harry.

Bastila fixed Fleur with an angry look. "I'd be more than happy to not compete, but as Professor Dumbledore said out in the Great Hall, I'm magically bound to this Tournament."

Everyone looked to Ludo Bagman, who shrugged apologetically. "It is true. Every Champion is bound by an unbreakable magical contract. Choosing not to compete in the Tournament at this point would have...Grave consequences."

Dumbledore sighed. "I agree with Miss Phoenix as well. Her theory is the only one that makes any sense."

"How can you believe her?" Kakaroff barked. "A lying little miscreant!" Severus's hand found its way to his wand, and Dumbledore gave him a warning look as if he knew exactly what he was thinking.

"I used Ligillimency on Miss Phoenix in the Great Hall. I saw the truth in her mind." Dumbledore answered Kakaroff levelly. "I trust that is good enough for the rest of you?" He added, looking around the room at teachers and Champions alike.

Kakaroff was silent. While everyone else nodded and murmured their agreement.

"I'll keep a lookout for the little son of a Goblin who entered these two into the Tournament." Mad-Eye said gruffly, jerking a thumb at Bastila and harry. "Might see something out of the ordinary in classes or out in the halls. If I do, I'll report it to you Albus."

"Thank you Alastor." Dumbledore said gratefully. "I believe we should all keep an eye on things at Hogwarts." His eyes lingered on Bastila for the briefest of moments, something that didn't escape her notice. But she chose not to comment on it. "How this situation arose, we do not know," Continued Dumbledore, speaking to everyone gathered in the room. "It seems to me, however, that we have no choice but to accept it. Both Bastila and Harry, as well as Cedric have been chosen to compete in the Tournament. This, therefore, they will do.…"

"Ah, but Dumbledore-"

"My dear Madame Maxime, if you have an alternative, I would be delighted to hear it." Dumbledore waited, but Madame Maxime did not speak, she merely glared. She wasn't the only one either. Snape looked furious; Karkaroff livid; Bagman, however, looked rather excited.

"Well, shall we crack on, then?" he said, rubbing his hands together and smiling around the room. "Got to give our champions their instructions, haven't we? Barty, want to do the honors?"

Mr. Crouch seemed to come out of a deep reverie. "Yes," he said, "instructions. Yes…the first task…"

He moved forward into the firelight. Close up, Bastila thought he looked ill. There were dark shadows beneath his eyes and thin, papery look about his wrinkled skin.

"The first task is designed to test your daring," He told Bastila, Harry, Cedric, Fleur, and Viktor. "So we are not going to be telling you what it is. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard. Very important..."

"The first task will take place on November the twenty-fourth, in front of the other students and the panel of judges."

"The Champions are not permitted to ask for or accept help of any kind from their teachers to complete the tasks in the tournament. The champions will face the first challenge armed only with their wands. They will receive information about the second task when the first is over. Owing to the demanding and time-consuming nature of the tournament, the champions are exempted from end-of-year tests."

Mr. Crouch turned to look at Dumbledore. "I think that's all, is it, Albus?"

"I think so," said Dumbledore, who was looking at Mr. Crouch with mild concern. "Are you sure you wouldn't like to stay at Hogwarts tonight, Barty?"

"No, Dumbledore, I must get back to the Ministry," said Mr. Crouch. "It is a very busy, very difficult time at the moment.…I've left young Weatherby in charge.…Very enthusiastic…a little overenthusiastic, if truth be told…"

"You'll come and have a drink before you go, at least?" said Dumbledore.

"Come on, Barry, I'm staying!" said Bagman brightly. "It's all happening at Hogwarts now, you know, much more exciting here than at the office!"

"I think not, Ludo," said Crouch with a touch of his old impatience.

"Professor Karkaroff - Madame Maxime - a nightcap?" said Dumbledore.

But Madame Maxime had already put her arm around Fleur's shoulders and was leading her swiftly out of the room. Bastila could hear them both talking very fast in French as they went off into the Great Hall. Karkaroff beckoned to Krum, and they, too, exited, though in silence.

"As for you three, I suggest you go up to bed." said Dumbledore, smiling at the Bastila, Harry and Cedric. "I am sure Slytherin, Gryffindor and Hufflepuff are waiting to celebrate with you, and it would be a shame to deprive them of this excellent excuse to make a great deal of mess and noise."

Harry glanced at Cedric, who looked at Bastila, who nodded, and they left together.

The Great Hall was deserted now. The candles had burned low, giving the jagged smiles of the pumpkins an eerie, flickering quality. "So," Cedric said to Harry, with a slight smile. "We're playing against each other again!"

"Looks like it." Harry replied blandly.

"So…tell me…" Cedric said, glancing back at Bastila who was trailing behind the two boys. They reached the entrance hall, which was now lit only by torches in the absence of the Goblet of Fire. "Who do you think put yours and Harry's names into the Goblet?"

Bastila shrugged, feeling tired all of a sudden. "I can't think of anyone specific."

"Ah…okay," said Cedric. His eyes seemed stuck on Bastila for a moment before he turned away. "Well…See you, then. Hope you find out who did it."

Cedric nodded at Harry, then headed for a door to the right of the marble staircase. Bastila and Harry stood listening to him going down the stone steps beyond it, then, slowly, Harry started to climb the marble ones.

Bastila sighed and went down the steps into the dungeons. She lost herself in her thoughts and found herself in front of the Slytherin portrait. She gave the password and entered the common room when the portrait swung open for her. She was met with dead silence. But the common room wasn't empty, on the contrary. Every student was sitting around, and they all looked up at Bastila when she stepped into the room.

Draco immediately rushed up to her, as did Daphne. "We'll find the scum who did this to you!" Said Draco fiercely.

"You're one of the most powerful and skilled witches in the entire school. There's no way you'll loose the Tournament." Daphne put in, her voice smug.

"Thanks guys." Bastila said meaningfully, grabbing both her friends into a hug. "But I get the feeling that whoever did this wants me to DIE in this Tournament."

"Not a chance." Daphne said instantly, all confidence.

Bastila smiled. "I'm feeling exhausted. I'm going up to bed. See you in the morning." With that said, she went up to the dormitory. She felt Nyssa lift off from her shoulders, no doubt going to find a safe place to sleep herself, then Bastila lay on her bed and fell asleep within a minute.

When Bastila awoke the next morning she was laying on her side. She was acutely aware of the warm and familiarity of Daphne's embrace and the feel of her body pressing up against her from behind. Bastila couldn't help herself. She smiled. Carefully she extracted herself from Daphnes' clutches and dressed herself, then she smoothed out her hair and pocketed her wand.

Bastila was about to go down to breakfast when Daphne woke up. She smiled at Bastila as she yawned and stretched. "What are you up so early for?"

Bastila smirked. "It's not early. It's about ten minutes to breakfast. And what did you get into my bed for, exactly?"

Daphne just grinned, swinging her feet off the bed and standing. "I think you snuck a love potion into my juice. I'm obsessed with you."

"Maybe it's YOU who snuck a love potion into MY juice. I never thought I'd accept girls sneaking into my bed." Bastila countered playfully, wrapping her arms around Daphne and kissing her lips.

Daphne returned the kiss for a few moments. But then she pulled back. "Are you complaining?" She asked, half serious.

Bastila took Daphne by the hands and kissed her again quickly. "Not in the slightest."

It only took a short time for Daphne to dress and make herself look presentable, and then the two girls were headed out of the dungeons, bound for the Great Hall, with Nyssa flying behind them. The serpent was completely visible, something she was immensely enjoying.

"Thanks for yesterday." Bastila said to Daphne as they made their way through the corridors.

"Which part of it? The kissing, the dueling, supporting you as Champion?" Daphne replied, smiling and taking Bastila's hand while they walked.

"When we had that discussion about my mother." Bastila said, her voice quiet. "When I broke down, and you...You got help for me. You were there for me. Again."

"You're welcome."

For the rest of the trip across the castle, they didn't speak. At least not until they reached the Great Hall.

"Are we girlfriends now?" Bastila said, stopping at the Great Hall entrance and pulling Daphne aside.

Daphne didn't even hesitate. "I think we've been girlfriends for weeks now, Bas. We've just never publicly or personally admitted it." She laughed. "All those times of kisses, hand holding and touches...I think we just weren't ready to admit to ourselves about what we were really doing until recently."

"You're right. We've already pretty much been dating." Bastila laughed. "But...I'm ready to make it official if you are."

Daphne held her gaze and smiled brightly. "I've been ready for a long while now. I'll be glad to get it out in the open."

"I guess this is for the best." Bastila sighed dramatically. "After all, three weeks to enjoy being with me openly before I die in the first task is better than nothing."

"You're ridiculous, Bastila." Daphne swatted her arm, and not at all gently. She took hold of Bastila's hands and held her close. "You are not going to die in this Tournament." Daphne said firmly.

Bastila hugged her tight. "I'm glad someone has confidence in me." She tipped her head at the open doors to Great Hall. "So, shall we do this?" Daphne smiled and squeezed Bastila's hand. "Let's do it."

Bastila and Daphne entered the Great Hall hand in hand and made their way to the Slytherin table. They sat at the very end of the table, closest to the Great Hall entrance. Nyssa landed on the table directly in front of them and lay down, as if she did this every day. Several people gasped and a few screamed, but for the most part she didn't cause any disturbance.

Bastila ate her breakfast and read the Daily Prophet. She also chatted to Daphne and many of the other Slytherins, and even translated a few conversations between the students and Nyssa. She was in an extremely joyous mood, and she felt that it was going to be a good day.

When breakfast was coming to an end, Bastila received a nudge in the ribs from Daphne.

"Your father is looking at us." Daphne said, pointing to the head table.

Sure enough, Bastila looked over to see Severus Snape staring at the two girls. He had a half smile on his lips, and his eyes shown with a rare joy. Bastila gave him a hearty wave, and he rewarded her with a casual wave of the hand in return.

"He's happy for us." Bastila said with a smile.

After breakfast they headed for Defense Against The Dark Arts class with the Gryffindors. When they entered the room Mad-Eye Moody was sitting at his desk with quill in hand, grading papers. All the desks were moved against the walls, leaving the entire classroom empty.

"Just sit anywhere on the floor." Mad-Eye barked at the students filing into the classroom without looking up.

Bastila and Daphne sat in a corner, and they were joined shortly by Draco. Nyssa perched herself on a window-sill so as to bask in the sunlight. Bastila also spotted Harry, Ron and Hermione (the Golden Trio as they were called) sitting together across the room.

To their surprise, Professor Moody announced that he would be putting the Imperius Curse on each of them in turn, to demonstrate its power and to see whether they could resist its effects.

"But- but you said it's illegal, Professor," said Hermione uncertainly. "You said- to use it against another human was-"

"Dumbledore wants you taught what it feels like," said Moody, his magical eye swiveling onto Hermione and fixing her with an eerie, unblinking stare. "If you'd rather learn the hard way, when someone's putting it on you so they can control you completely, fine by me. You're excused. Off you go." He pointed one gnarled finger toward the door.

Hermione went very pink and muttered something about not meaning that she wanted to leave.

Bastila watched as, one by one, her classmates did the most extraordinary things under its influence. Dean Thomas hopped three times around the room, singing the national anthem. Lavender Brown imitated a squirrel. Neville performed a series of quite astonishing gymnastics he would certainly not have been capable of in his normal state, having become very familiar with the boy's clumsiness. Not one of them seemed to be able to fight off the curse, and each of them recovered only when Moody had removed it.

"Potter," Moody growled, "you next." Harry moved forward into the middle of the classroom, into the space that Moody had cleared of desks. Moody raised his wand, pointed it at Harry, and said, " Imperio!"

Bastila watched him closely. He seemed to be actually fighting the curse as he prepared to jump on the nearest desk. He ended up doing a little half leap, banging his knee on the desk as Moody lifted the curse. "See that! Potter fought it! Damn near beat it too!" Moody explained proudly. "Ten points to Gryffindor."

After Harry, Draco and Daphne were put under the curse next. Draco did cartwheels, while Daphne acted like a cat.

Then it was Bastila's turn. She was the only one who hadn't had the curse preformed on her yet, so she was the last one left. She focused her mind and calmed her breathing as Moody pointed his wand at her and uttered the curse.

It was the most wonderful feeling. Bastila felt a floating sensation as every thought and worry in her head was wiped gently away, leaving nothing but a vague, untraceable happiness. She stood there feeling immensely relaxed, only dimly aware of everyone watching her.

And then she heard Mad-Eye Moody's voice, echoing in some distant chamber of her empty brain: Pull out your wand...Curse Potter...Curse Potter...Use the Avada Kedavra...Use the killing curse!

Bastila came back to herself in a rush, her Occlumency shields slamming up. She felt alarmed. Her racing thoughts shoved their way into her head again. She was a calm, cool and collected person, and she'd never curse anyone without provocation, much less use the killing curse! And worse, he was a TEACHER! A teacher telling her to kill another student! It was unbelievable, inconceivable!

Bastila soon realized that with all of her mental activity, she had shoved Moody's Imperius curse out of her mind. She was completely aware of her surroundings again, and what Moody had just tried to make her do. Bastila was standing with her wand aimed right at Potter. She was horrified and disgusted. But most of all: She was pissed. Bastila spun on her heel towards Moody without warning and shouted, "Stupefy!" Her spell shot out of her wand, the red bolt striking Moody in the chest. His face registered shock before he slumped to the floor with a heavy thud.

The other students gasped in shock, muttering surprise and other such things. Daphne grabbed Bastila's wand arm, her face livid. "What the hell was that?" She said, trying to force Bastila to look at her.

But Bastila only had eyes for the unconscious Mad-Eye Moody. She tore her arm out of her Girlfriend's grasp and crouched down beside Moody. She stared at him for a moment, wondering if she should do what she was thinking about doing. She'd been practicing for months, and she was sure she wouldn't cause any damage to Moody's mind. Besides, there was no other way to figure out just why he had tried to get her to kill another student.

Bastila looked back at Daphne, then her gaze swept over the other students. Her voice was deadly calm and clear when she said, "Listen to me, and listen well. Mad-Eye Moody tried to make me use Avada Kedavra on Harry Potter while I was under the influence of his Imperius Curse." Several students gave gasps of horror. Hermione squeaked, and Ron looked terrified. Harry's face darkened as he stared at the unconcious Moody. Daphne and Draco drew their wands and trained them on the unconscious teacher's form.

"That's why I'm going to use an advanced form of mental magic I've been learning, called Legillimency, to dive into Moody's mind." Bastila continued. "I'm going to look at his thoughts, his memories, everything. And I'm going to find out why a damn teacher tried to make one student murder another." She paused to collect herself, as well as to send two more stunners into Moody with a casual flick of her snakewood wand.

"Anyone who doesn't want to be a witness to anything that might happen in this room, leave now." Bastila told the other students firmly. No one moved. "Good. Now if anyone knows how to magically seal the door, I'd welcome that. I'd rather not risk Moody waking up and escaping to go on a rampage. As for my Legillimency, I'll need everyone to stay quiet and let me focus."

Bastila took a deep breath and knelt beside Moody. She took his wand from his grasp and tossed it across the room to a surprised Hermione Granger, who had just finished erecting a magical barrier around the door. "I think you're one of the most talented people in the school, and in this classroom." She told Hermione quickly. "Please hold onto that wand for dear life. If anything happens, don't let Moody get it." Hermione smiled briefly at the praise, then nodded. Bastila turned her eyes on the rest of the students. "Don't let him get any of your wands either."

Bastila glanced back at Draco and Daphne, taking them in as well as the other students. "If Moody so much as twitches, hit him with more stunners." She told them all calmly. "If he manages to get up, go to the more extreme routes like Incarcerous or Petrificus Totalis. Even Diffindo or Incendio. Whatever it takes. If he's willing to murder one student, I doubt he'll take issue with slaughtering a room full."

"While I'm inside his mind, I won't be able to do anything physically if he gets out of hand. Odds are he'll attack me first, too. So I'm counting on every one of you to protect me, yourselves, and each other." Bastila explained quickly. She got several nods and affirmatives in return. Several students drew their wands and aimed for Moody.

Bastila gave the room one last look before pointing her wand at Moody and saying, "Legillimens."

Her world went black and she felt herself lift out of her body. She focused on Moody, and it was like she was hurtling down a dark tunnel before bursting out into the open. She was still disembodied, something that unnerved her. But she pushed past it. She'd expected this from her reading. Of course, every Legillimens experienced the process differently. To her, she was in a dark sphere, and there were memories and thoughts streaming around that she could see and hear.

But Bastila knew what she was searching for. She focused on the killing curse, and Potter, and Bastila was suddenly struck by an overload of information. She heard glimpses of conversation, saw a dark room and a fireplace, saw...No! Focus!

Bastila concentrated hard, and felt everything slow. She saw from the viewpoint of Mad-Eye Moody now. She saw him talking to the back of a chair, and a high cold voice emanated from it that made her skin crawl.

"...You will take the form of the esteemed Auror, Alastor Moody and arrange for Potter to arrive in the Graveyard by way of the Tri-Wizard Cup. You will turn it into a Portkey." Said the voice.

"Yes, My Lord." But the voice didn't belong to Moody, despite the fact that it was coming from his perspective. His body.

Bastila's mind was in overdrive as she tried to comprehend what she was witnessing in Moody's head. The Tri-Wizard Cup was a Portkey? Moody wasn't Moody? Someone had taken his shape?

Bastila supposed she shouldn't be surprise about this. Given that Wizards and Witches could turn into animals. Of course they would be able to change their appearance to look like someone else! Bastila focused on this idea, and the scene shifted to a montage of Not-Moody taking several potions. Bastila watched through a mirror in the memory as he changed from a thin dark haired man into Mad-Eye Moody, the gruff teacher. Then she saw him open a large trunk and climb in and out of it, where another Moody, no, the REAL Moody was trapped inside.

Bastila felt sick. This man was an imposter! A fake! He was the one who had put Potter and herself into the Tournament. But why would he do this to HER too?

Bastila was taken into another memory, another scene. It was the same room with the high backed chair and fireplace. But there was a large snake with them this time.

"My Lord...I have discovered some...Disturbing news at Hogwarts..."

"This had better be quite important, for you to come here unannounced. You are expected at the Champions Selection, are you not?" The cold, high voice said dangerously, making Bastila shudder.

"It is, My Lord!" The man who had taken Moody's shape, Crouch, said quickly. "Today a...Student was almost murdered by another."

"You are trying my limited patience, Crouch." The other voice whispered.

"My apologizes, My Lord!" There was pause before Crouch continued. "A student tried to murder another. The attacker was taken to Dumbledore's office, and I was brought there as Moody, being an Auror. It was there that I learned, just earlier this evening in fact, that...The attacker, Daphne Greengrass, had preformed the Lineage Spell on a girl named Bastila Phoenix. She attacked Bastila Phoenix because of who her parents were discovered to be."

Bastila's mind was reeling now. This event had NEVER HAPPENED! Daphne had never used any spell on her, she'd never discovered who her parents were, and she'd certainly never tried to kill Bastila over it! How could this be?

"I hardly see how this concerns me, Crouch." The high voice replied in irritation.

"There were several teachers there, as well as Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt! Greengrass was put under Veritaserum after she revealed who Bastila Phoenix's father was! She confirmed it under the truth potion!" Crouch said desperately. "Albus Dumbledore...It...It was you, My Lord!"

The room was quiet for a long time. "What?"

"You're the father of the girl, of Bastila Phoenix." Crouch said, his voice going very quiet now. "My Lord...My Lord?" Another memory surfaced in the silence. It was Dumbledore's office. McGonagall, Dumbledore, and Severus were speaking together, and Bastila saw Daphne there as well. She listened closely as they talked about her parents, about LORD VOLDEMORT being her father, and then Severus spoke of fixing the shattered relationship between Bastila and Daphne. Then Bastila watched as Daphne had her memory modified and changed by Severus-

"So..It seems my young Heir has finally surfaced..." The high voice muttered to itself, pulling Daphne back into the current memory. "Crouch, you will need to return to Hogwarts immediately and place Bastila Phoenix's name in the Goblet of Fire. Ensure that she survives the Tournament and utilizes the Portkey along with Potter."

Crouch didn't argue. "I..Yes My Lord."

Bastila suddenly felt herself flying back, out down the tunnel again. She was aware of herself again, aware of being back in her body once more.

She was laying on her back, staring up into Daphne's concerned eyes. She sat up quickly and looked around the room. Several students looked fearful and shaken. Bastila then looked at Moody. He was laying on the floor a few feet away from her, his body bound by dark ropes. He also looked like he'd been struck by a light cutting curse or two. It was nothing fatal, but it would sure hurt.

Bastila got to her feet and was surprised to find that she was shaking. But she kept her voice cool as she surveyed the room. "What happened?" She asked.

A fourth year boy, a Gryffindor, spoke up. Though Bastila didn't know him. "Moody woke up again and shouted about getting you out of his head. He jumped at you, but me and Dean here hit him with the cutting curse. Then Greengrass over there," The boy motioned at Daphne "Got him with Incarcerous and a Stupefy."

"Thanks." Bastila said sincerely, smiling at the Gryffindor boys. "That was really quick of you. I owe you guys my life, no doubt. What's your name?" She asked the unknown boy.

He seemed surprised at that, but said all the same, "Names Seamus. Seamus Finnigan."

"Thanks Seamus." Bastila replied, still smiling. "For saving me." Then she turned to Daphne. Bastila stepped up to her and, without caring about anyone in the room, kissed her full on the lips. A few boys let out whistles and jeers, and several girls let out gasps of shock. "Thank you for saving me too." Bastila told Daphne, staring into her eyes with great intensity, her arm still wrapped around her waist.

"I've had your back for this long haven't I?" Daphne said, rolling her eyes and stepping away. "Why would I stop now?"

Bastila grinned. "Right." Her grin quickly faded as she glanced down at Moody, though, and Seamus called out with, "What did you find out in old Mad-Eyes head?"

Bastila sighed and turned to address them, quickly sorting out what she wanted to tell them and not tell them. As well as what she'd tell Daphne when they were alone. "That's the first thing. This isn't Mad-Eye Moody. It's someone else who took his appearance. I don't know if there's any magic that can do that, but I wouldn't be surprised given what Wizards can do. His real name is Crouch or something."

Several people looked alarmed, and Hermione, Ron and Harry all looked at one another in shock. "Polyjuice potion!" They said in unison.

"It's a potion that lets you look like anyone, as long as you have a piece of their hair. And it only lasts for an hour." Hermione explained to Bastila, her face going pink. She was still clutching Crouch/Moody's wand.

"Alright. That would explain it." Bastila said thoughtfully. "I saw Moody, Crouch, drinking vials of potions in his memories. They looked exactly like the ones he keeps with him all the time here at Hogwarts. I'd guess those are filled with Polyjuice, and he has to keep himself from reverting."

"Did you find out why he tried to get you to kill me?" Harry asked quietly. His eyes locked with Bastila's, and she didn't hesitate to reply. She owed Harry an answer.

"He was talking to someone in a few memories. Someone with a high cold voice who owns some large snake. Crouch kept calling this man 'My lord' and the guy called Crouch his 'faithful servant'." Bastila said softly. She saw Harry's eyes light up with comprehension at that.

Bastila, too, was sure she knew who the man with the snake was. She'd read The Rise And Fall of The Dark Arts, and other books about Wizarding conflicts. And with what she knew personally about Harry's years in Hogwarts, and the discussion in Dumbledore's office with Daphne...There really was only one person it could be.

"It was Voldemort." Bastila said without hesitation. Then that made her remember the other crucial information she had learned. "Crouch put your name in the Goblet of Fire. And mine. He was supposed to help both of us win, because he transformed the Tri-Wizard Cup into a Portkey that would take you and me to a graveyard. I don't know why, but I'd imagine to meet Voldemort so he can kill you once and for all, if he's back at full strength again. No offense."

"None taken." Harry replied, looking overwhelmed at the information.

"That doesn't explain...Why you too?" Said Dean Thomas loudly.

Bastila shrugged him off. "I don't know why me. I didn't get that far through the memories before I was kicked out. Maybe he just needed a spare to kill or something." Bastila's eyes snapped to Crouch/Moody as he stirred, her wand coming up fast as lightning. A few other students raised theirs as well.

Bastila walked up to the tied up man, and he focused his eyes on her. Bastila smirked. "Hello, Crouch. Nice to see you awake again. How's Voldemort? Still living off the back of people's heads?"

Crouch/Moody glared, but said nothing.

"You know, my little jaunt into your sick head was really informative." Bastila said casually, twirling her wand in her hand as she took a few steps back for safety. "I gotta say though, Voldy's plan with the Tri-Wizard Cup and all...Not a great plan. It sounds like it would depend on luck, for the most part. If Harry and I don't get killed in the tasks...That's a risk."

"How dare you mock the Dark Lord! He is beyond you, beyond any of you! I'll be rewarded for my services, once I get you little brats to him!"

Bastila let out a laugh. A cruel, mocking laugh. "Good luck with that. It'll be pretty hard to manipulate Hogwarts from inside an Azkaban prison cell." Bastila then turned her eyes to Hermione. "Get Dumbledore, or any teachers you can find, if you can't find Dumbledore first. I'm sure they'll want to interrogate this evil piece of filth about the big bad scary Voldemort and his plans."

Hermione nodded and left the room quickly.

Bastila sighed dramatically as she returned her attention to Crouch/Moody. "So how does it feel to have been subdued by a group of fourth years? Just wondering. I bet old Voldy won't be lenient if he ever gets ahold of you. The guy's a psychopath. A total nutjob."

"The Dark Lord will never lose faith in me!" Crouch cried, unable to restrain himself.

Bastila smirked with triumph. "Fanatic much?"

They fell into a silence again, and it wasn't long before Hermione returned. She was accompanied by Dumbledore, Severus, Minerva, and Madam Pomfrey.

"Oh look! Here they are." Bastila said, grinning nastily at Crouch/Moody. "How long until your Polyjuice stops working? Tick tock, tick tock...Azkaban is beckoning, Mr. Crouch."

"Miss Phoenix, if you would allow the staff to take over from here." Dumbledore said, his spectacles twinkling as he looked at her.

Bastila nodded and retreated to sit on a desk. McGonagall went to motion all the students out of the room, but Dumbledore stopped her. "They were all here, and from what Miss Granger has told me, they played an integral part in detaining and ensuring Crouch remained subdued. They must stay, Minerva."

McGonagall huffed at that, but stayed quiet.

Bastila watched as Dumbledore went still and stared at Crouch, and she realized he was using Legillimency.

A moment later, he came out of it. His eyes were no longer twinkling. He was furious. He motioned for Pomfrey, who stepped forward and healed the injuries from the cutting curses. Then Severus approached. His eyes were hard and dark, and he looked murderous. "You attempted to have my daughter handed over to the Dark Lord. You are lucky this room is full of children and staff members or you would be dead where you lay." He hissed out. He waved his wand over Crouch/Moody, and then Crouch began to shake uncontrollably.

It looked as if he were having a seizure. Dumbledore regarded him calmly, however. Crouch/Moody began to change, and soon he looked like the man Bastila had seen in the memories. The dark haired, skinny man.

"Return to your dormitories, if you would." Dumbledore said, his eyes roaming over the students. "I believe some of you will be needed in my office later today." He turned to McGonagall as the students began to leave with Madam Pomfrey. "Minerva, notify the Ministry, and bring the Aurors as well as Cornelius."

Bastila was headed for the door as well when she was stopped by Severus. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and turned her back towards Crouch and Dumbledore. "You are directly responsible for this, my child." Severus said, his voice full of pride. "I believe you should see it through to the end."

Dumbledore flashed Bastila a smile. "He's right, Miss Phoenix. As well as your incredibly quick thinking, you showed amazing leadership qualities when dealing with the other students. And less important, if I may say, you managed to unite Slytherins and Gryffindors without trouble." Dumbledore paused. "I believe an award for special services to the school would be in order for you, as well as for Misses Greengrass, Granger, and Misters Finnigan and Thomas."

"Thank you Professor Dumbledore." Bastila said with a bow. "But I...I just didn't want to...Kill Harry..." Bastila ended up retelling the entire story to Dumbledore, with Severus's hand on her shoulder, and Minerva's watchful gaze.

And she told it again when the Minister for Magic arrived, along with Auror Shacklebolt and a woman who introduced herself as Auror "Nymphadora Tonks, but call me Tonks".

"You have the makings of a fine Auror in you." Auror Shacklebolt told Bastila after she'd finished with her story. He had a deep, smooth voice, and a friendly demeanor that Bastila couldn't help but like.

"Thank you, Auror Shacklebolt." Bastila replied respectfully. "And who knows, maybe I'll train to be an Auror after Hogwarts. It would be great to work with good people like you and Auror Tonks, and Minister Fudge and Professor Dumbledore."

After that, things moved quickly. Minister Fudge questioned Crouch under Veritaserum. Fudge and Dumbledore went to the Ministry with Crouch, while Minerva went with Pomfrey to Crouch/Moody's office. Bastila and Severus also went with them. They found the real Moody in the trunk, just as Bastila had seen. Alastor personally thanked Bastila for her actions, saying much the same as Shacklebolt; She'd make a good Auror. Bastila accompanied Pomfrey and McGonagall when they took Moody to the Hospital Wing. Bastila stayed with Moody for as long as she could before she was told to go to the Slytherin dungeons, and that she was exempt from the days' classes due to the horrifying ordeal she had gone through.

Bastila didn't feel upset or traumatized about it all though. Sure, she was shocked and confused and her brain had been thinking about everything non-stop since she'd delved into Crouch's mind, especially about who her father was, but she wasn't as terrified as she probably should have been.

Bastila entered the Slytherin common room, which was empty except for a sleeping Draco Malfoy, and went up to the Girls Dormitory. First she would have to tell Daphne about everything she'd learned, and then they would confront Dumbledore and Severus about the memory loss. Bastila mused as she climbed the stairs. She only hoped Daphne wouldn't try to kill her, as she'd allegedly done before they had had their memories modified.

She would need to deal with this very carefully. She'd have to make Daphne see that she wasn't on her way to becoming the next Dark Lord. When Bastila entered the dormitory, it was to find Daphne laying in bed with a worried expression on her face. But it changed instantly into joy when she saw Bastila. Bastila sighed and went to lay beside Daphne. "We need to talk." She told her quietly, wrapping her arms around her lover. "And it's really important that you don't...Freak out. No matter what it is."

Daphne smiled and kissed her on the cheek. "I won't. What is it you want to talk about?"

"I saw things in Crouch's mind." Bastila began slowly, tightening her grip on Daphne. "More things than just what I told everyone about." Bastila paused as Nyssa floated out of the dormitory. Daphne sat up now, as did Bastila. "You know most of the Slytherins here have dark parents...Death Eaters, even."

"Are you saying you found out who your real parents were from inside Crouch's head?" Daphne asked, ever the quick study.

"Just my father." Bastila admitted after a long silence. "But you need to promise me, swear to me that no matter who it is, no matter what I say next that you won't see me any different and that you won't try to...Hurt me."

"I would never hurt you over something like that." Said Daphne firmly, her eyes boring into Bastila's as she hugged her.

"You have before. Yesterday. The day of the Champion Selection." Bastila replied, remembering what she'd witnessed in Dumbledore's office from Crouch's viewpoint.

"What?" Daphne was confused.

"Yesterday after the duel we had, when we talked about my mother and I had another meltdown...That wasn't real. It was a false memory put into our heads by the teachers. To cover up what really happened. To protect our friendship." Bastila said calmly. "They used memory charms on us to protect us from what happened. What REALLY happened is that you...You used a dark spell called the Lineage spell on me to find out who my real parents were. You...Became terrified, upset, at who my father was. You attacked me."

"You tried to kill me." Bastila continued. "You were taken to Dumbledore's office and interrogated under Veritaserum by Dumbledore himself. Crouch was there, because of Moody's Auror status. He saw it all. That's how I know. And then they modified your memory because they didn't want our friendship to be broken. Or our blossoming love. Then they visited me in the hospital wing and did the same thing to me. That's why I was in the hospital wing that evening: Because you tried to kill me over who my father was."

Daphne, to her credit, was horrified. She sat in shocked silence, her eyes brimming with tears. "I...I can't believe I would even do that! But if you've seen it and Dumbledore himself..I have to believe it. I'm so sorry Bas, I swear I won't do anything like that..Ever again..."

Bastila hugged her tighter. Then she tipped Daphne's head up and kissed her lips softly. "It's alright. You were just afraid, and you reacted. Knowing who my father is, I don't blame you either."

"So, who...Who is he?" Daphne asked tentatively, wiping away her tears.

Bastila shut her eyes "Tom Riddle." She whispered.

"What?"

Bastila opened her eyes again. Daphne was frozen in her arms. "My father is Tom Riddle. The Dark Lord."

They sat in silence for a long while. Neither girl moved or said anything to the other. Until Daphne spoke. "It doesn't matter." She said, her voice firm.

Bastila was confused, but secretly grateful. At least she wasn't being attacked this time! "It doesn't?"

Daphne shook her head, relaxing back into Bastila's arms. "No. You weren't raised by him. Your adopted mother raised you in the Muggle world. I know you, Bas. Over the last few months...You're kind, you're sweet and soft and wonderful and loving. You care. The Dark Lord is NONE of those things. Besides, he dumped you off in the Muggle world. You might have picked up his skills and powers, like Parseltongue or how you're so good at spells, but there's no way you obtained his evil and cruelty. If he had raised you, I'm sure you would have. But he didn't. Your soul and heart are your own and they're beautiful."

They were closer now. So close Bastila could feel Daphne's breath on her face. "Are you sure about all that?"

"Very sure..." Daphne breathed. Her lips met Bastila's slowly. Blood rushed to Bastila's head, making her feel light and fuzzy. Daphne made to pull away, but Bastila ran her fingertips through her hair, and pulled her back in. Their lips moved together, and their hands moved over each-other's bodies. She felt Daphne glide her tongue against her lower lip. Unsure, Bastila opened her mouth to let Daphne in. Their tongues slid against each other, and their lips were still in motion. Bastila could feel Daphne's smile through the kiss as Daphne cupped her hand over Bastila's cheek. Daphne pulled away from Bastila's lips, but she kept her lips lingering on her skin. She kissed down her jawline and traced Bastila's collarbone...