The Headmaster's Log

by james Thomas

Harry's story as seen by the Headmasters of Hogwarts

8. Chapter 8

Chapter VIII The Triwizard Tournament

July 5, 1994

Ludo Bagman the ministry official in charge of making arrangements for the Triwizard Tournament tells me they are complete except for the exact number of students from each of the visiting schools. Once again I am faced with a problem of security for Harry. With perhaps dozens of strangers coming to Hogwarts including former death eater Igor Karkaroff, I have asked my old friend Alastor Moody to take on the position of DADA instructor. He retired as an Auror several years ago but is still the best person I know at spotting irregularities and odd actions involved in dark magic. I explained my problem and he accepted the task of helping me keep Harry safe but just for one year while the tournament is going on.

Headmaster APWBD

July 12, 1994

I have contacted Arthur and Molly about getting Harry out of his aunt Petunia's house before Harry loses his temper with the family like he did last year and they agreed to take him in. Arthur got tickets to the Quidditch World Cup which is in England this year for the first time in many years and Ron suggested asking Harry several weeks ago. I can rely on them and this will be one less thing I need to worry about, freeing up my time to do other things.

Headmaster APWBD

July 27, 1994

Arthur informed me that Molly has contacted Harry's family and he will be going to get Harry personally. He and Molly will keep Harry for the rest of the summer and get him to the Hogwarts Express on September first.

Headmaster APWBD

Aug 15, 1994

Arthur had a problem getting Harry; he gave me a full report. He had the flue network connected to the Dursley's house since he no longer has a muggle car and Harry is too young to apparate. It seems the Dursleys had their fireplace sealed off and an electric unit put in. When Arthur arrived he found himself trapped in the fireplace and had to blast the front off to get out making a mess of the Dursley's living room. Then George and Fred who went along to see what a muggle house looked like left some hexed candy for Harry's cousin Dudley to find and eat. His tongue had grown several feet before Arthur could break the hex and restore him to normal. Arthur did clean and restore the Dursley's living room also but he is afraid that Harry's aunt and uncle may take their anger out on Harry when he returns home next summer.

Headmaster APWBD

Aug 27, 1994

The trouble during the riot at the Quidditch World Cup is disturbing even after reading Arthur's reassuring report. I am afraid there will be more trouble soon. People have started wild rumors that the Dark Mark that appeared was cast by Voldemort himself, and that several people had been killed; both of which Arthur assures me are not true. According to him the mark was cast by an unknown death eater who then escaped. Whether this was to encourage the death eaters that started the riot earlier or scare them away as it actually did is not known, but death eaters acting so boldly is not a good sign.

On top of that Arthur said Harry was accused of casting the Dark Mark. A number of ministry officials searching for the perpetrator met Harry, Ron, and Hermione at the scene where Barty Crouch's house elf Winky was found with Harry's wand. Upon testing the wand using Prior Incantato they found that Harry's wand was the one that cast the Dark Mark. Harry explained how he had noticed the wand missing only minutes earlier during the rush to escape the riot at the camp site. While searching the area to look for it they saw the Dark Mark form and rise from a clump of trees nearby. No human was found in the trees and I can not believe the house elf could cast the spell. This is supported by the children's story of hearing a deep human voice cast the spell, not the elf's high squeaky voice.

Barty sacked his elf anyway for disobeying orders and for being out of his tent; I think he is afraid of another scandal like the one involving his son thirteen years ago.

Headmaster APWBD

Aug 29, 1994

A letter from Sirius Black arrived with more bad news. Harry wrote him a few days ago after having a dream about Voldemort. Sirius informed me he is returning to England to be closer to Harry but promises me he will not do anything foolish as long as he feels Harry is safe. Sirius has sent me several letters asking about Harry's life since his parents were killed. I explained most of what happened but had not told him how Harry's aunt and uncle have been treating him. If he knew the truth I thought Sirius would be back in the country to take Harry away from them which would break my spell that protects Harry and most likely get Sirius caught and sent back to Azkaban also. Sirius told me Harry related stories about his aunt's family treating him poorly but luckily Sirius thinks Harry is exaggerating the stories because he want Sirius to let him move in with him.

I have sent him a reply to this most recent letter in which I told Sirius about Harry's encounters with Voldemort here at the school over the last three years but assured him Harry is safe while here. I am not sure he believes this to be true. I also told him of my spell on Harry's aunt's house which protects him as long as he lives there and hope it is enough to convince Sirius to leave Harry there even if his life is not the most luxurious one at least he will be safe there.

I also told Sirius I have Alastor here to help guard Harry and I asked Sirius for more details about Harry's dream. I prefer not to question Harry and let him know I am in touch with Sirius unless necessary.

Headmaster APWBD

Sept 1, 1994

Alastor sent a message that an intruder tried to get into his house last night and when his alarm went off he chased whoever it was away but not before muggle police arrived. Fortunately Amos Diggory was at the ministry early and got the news to Arthur who was able to smooth out the mess without a lot of publicity. Alastor said he will be here later today.

Headmaster APWBD

Sept 2, 1994

Alastor arrived during the welcome feast and I got the chance to introduce him to the students. I also informed everyone officially about the Tri-Wizard Tournament. It seems security was not that good because many of the students already knew about it.

Headmaster APWBD

Sept 4, 1994

Alastor reported that Draco Malfoy attacked Harry in the entrance hall firing a curse while Harry's back was turned. Fortunately it missed and before Harry could respond Moody stepped in. I heard from Professor McGonagall that Alastor transfigured Malfoy into a ferret and bounced him around the hall; Alastor didn't mention that part of the story. Lucius Malfoy will be furious but he is afraid of Alastor so I don't think a major problem will arise. I did warn Alastor again about proper disciplinary actions but I think he is too set in his ways to change his methods now.

Headmaster APWBD

Sept 6, 1994

I asked Alastor to cover defenses against curses in the forth year because of what happened at the world cup. With the death eaters so active I am worried about Harry's ability to recognize curses and defend himself against attack. Alastor demonstrated all three Unforgivable curses using an Egyptian sand spider. Some of the students were very upset; especially Neville when the Cruciatus curse was used. With his parents still in the mental ward at St. Mungo's because they were tortured into insanity by that curse I can understand this reaction. Alastor knows the story and said he talked with Neville but it was necessary to show the students what they face if Voldemort and his followers gain power.

I hope Alastor doesn't go overboard and cause a problem with the ministry, but that will be better than letting Harry face the Unforgivable Curses without experience in what they do.

Headmaster APWBD

Sept 25, 1994

Alastor placed the students one at a time under the Imperious Curse, explained how to recognize someone being controlled, and told them how to fight the curse and free yourself from its influence. Harry was the only one able to throw off the curse completely. Ron and Hermione will have to learn to do this; if they fall under a death eater's influence they will become a threat to Harry.

Blocking the Imperious and Cruciatus curses must be stressed. The killing curse, Avada Kedavra, is another matter. The official stand that it can't be blocked is nonsense. I have done so but it requires intense concentration which most witches and wizards lack. Even those that have the mental skills are often caught unaware or lose their concentration when they hear the curse aimed at them and are thus killed. A strong Shield Charm will deflect or even reflect back the killing curse if the person being attacked maintains mental sharpness during the entire attack.

I will have to speak to Harry personally to explain about magic being in the mind of the person not in the wand or words of a charm or curse. James and Lilly had the mental strength but were killed I believe because they lost concentration during the surprise of Voldemort's attack. Harry must have inherited his parent's ability and has to know he can fight Voldemort's curses if he remains prepared at all times. Headmaster APWBD

Sept 30, 1994

I have heard Hagrid has some new monstrous creatures for the students to care for, Blast-Ended Skrewts, he calls them. I checked them and they seem nasty but not deadly, assuming they don't get to big. I will have to monitor the situation.

Headmaster APWBD

Oct 25, 1994

The students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will arrive at the end of the week to start the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Everything here is ready especially security.

Headmaster APWBD

Oct 30, 1994

The Goblet of Fire is set up. The rules have been explained to all the students and I personally placed an age line around the goblet to prevent underage students from trying to enter the tournament. Tomorrow night the Goblet will select the champions from each school and the Tri-wizard tournament will begin.

Harry ran into Karkaroff on the way out of the feast but Alastor was right there to let Karkaroff know not to try anything. I don't believe he will since it would cost him his comfortable position as the Headmaster of Durmstrang if he did.

Headmaster APWBD

Oct 31, 1994

The Goblet chose the champions but not without a serious problem. The drawing started at the end of the feast as normal with Victor Krum picked as the Durmstrang champion, Fleur Delacour as the Beauxbatons champion, and Cedric Diggory as the Hogwarts champion. Then as I was ready to dismiss the students the Goblet flared a fourth time and a paper with Harry Potter's name on it came out of it.

Not sure of what should happen I sent Harry out with the other champions; dismissed the children; and called for all the officials to meet in order to decide what should be done about Harry. Madam Maxine and Igor of course accused Harry of sneaking his name into the Goblet but Harry assured me he had nothing to do with it and the surprised look on his face when his name came from the Goblet makes me believe him.

Barty Crouch who has the final word about all tournament rules informed everyone that the rules firmly state that all names coming from the Goblet must participate in the tournament since the spell on the Goblet constitutes a binding magical contract under penalty of death. Even if Harry didn't put his own name in; as far as the spell on the Goblet is concerned he is bound by the rules since it was his name that came out. I must take Barty's word as truth since he knows more about the goblet than anyone else.

After the others were gone I met with Professors McGonagall, Snape, and Moody to discuss what to do about Harry, and the reason behind his name coming out of the Goblet. Professor McGonagall being the head of Gryffindor house wanted to pull Harry from the tournament which I reminded her is impossible according to Barty. We agreed that the purpose behind putting Harry's name in the goblet is to kill him and make it seem like an accident during the tournament.

The person responsible must have confounded the goblet into believing there was a fourth school in the contest and then put Harry's name as the only one from this fourth imaginary school thus assuring he would be chosen. This had to be done by an adult and a magically skilled adult at that.

Snape, who is pledged to protect Harry, gave the only alternative, allow him to proceed but be watchful and protect him as much as possible while we try to discover who put his name in the Goblet. I asked Alastor to stay close to Harry and check into all the strangers staying in the castle because of the tournament. We all are assuming it has to be one of them and is not one of the regular staff since that would mean someone was under the Imperious curse and there is no sign of that in anyone's behavior.

Headmaster APWBD

Nov 1, 1994

I wrote to Sirius knowing Harry would also and the whole thing would be in the news anyway. I informed him of the entire incident and suggested if he insisted on coming that there is a cave in the mountains outside of Hogsmeade in which he could stay without being seen. This way he would be close in case he was needed and he could consult me without waiting days for owls to transmit messages. I am sure this is what he will do.

Headmaster APWBD

Nov 5, 1994

This time Harry threw a curse at Malfoy while they waited to get into their potions class. This is becoming like Harry's father and Snape when they were in school. Snape gave Harry and Ron who was also involved detention and docked Gryffindor fifty points; a little harsh but if it stops Harry from getting into trouble it will be worth it. He has enough problems already without an open feud with Malfoy in the hallways every time they see each other.

Also the wand weighing ceremony took place today. Inspecting the champions' wands, although publicly said to be sure the wands are functioning properly for the champion's safety, is actually to check for cheating which is generally rampant in the history of the tournament.

Unfortunately before I arrived that acid tongued reporter Rita Skeeter got to Harry for an interview to go along with the publicity pictures for the Daily Prophet. I am sure she will present the worst possible side to the story but there is nothing I can do about that; Harry will have to live with whatever lies she writes about him.

Headmaster APWBD

Nov 10, 1994

Well Rita did it; not only making Harry out as a tragic hero, but dragging Hermione in as Harry's love interest and almost ignoring the other contestants. Both Harry and Hermione are going to get some serious teasing until after the first task draws people's attention away from Rita's article.

Headmaster APWBD

Nov 15, 1994

Sirius wrote asking for permission to contact Harry using the flue network. He wants to talk directly with Harry face to face. I agreed it might bolster Harry's courage and suggested Sirius not actually come into the castle since other students might see him. I asked if he could use a stranger's fireplace and simply appear in the fire so he could escape quickly if necessary. I believe he will follow my suggestion.

Headmaster APWBD

Nov 18, 1994

The first task in the tournament is coming quickly and Harry is at a three year disadvantage compared to his competitors. I have suggested to Hagrid that he should let slip to Harry about the dragons the students will have to get past in the first task and he informed me that Alastor had already suggested the same thing. Hagrid already decided the best thing is to let Harry see the dragons ahead of time so the sight of them will be less of a shock on the day of the first task and I agreed.

He will invite Harry to his hut this weekend and take him to where the dragons are being kept until the event. He also said Harry may already know about the dragons since Ron saw them when he visited with his brother Charlie the day Charlie and his team brought the dragons in from the colony in Romania. Charlie told Ron that it is to be kept secret from the contestants but Ron probably told Harry anyway. Headmaster APWBD

Nov 23, 1994

Hagrid told me he showed Harry the dragons as we discussed but confessed he brought Madam Maxime along. I assured him it really doesn't matter as long as Harry knows and has time to prepare himself for the task. I will of course not allow Harry to be harmed; but it will be better for our plans to find the person who set this all up if Harry gets past the dragon on his own and we don't have to revel we are watching Harry almost constantly.

Headmaster APWBD

Nov 25, 1994

Sirius wrote he is in the cave outside Hogsmeade and asked me to come and talk things over. I did and he told me of his meeting with Harry in the Gryffindor fireplace and how he was interrupted before he could tell Harry how to get past the dragon. I assured him we were all taking care that Harry would be safe and he should not try to come near the arena but could watch from a distance if it made him feel better.

We also discussed other matters like death eater activity and he told me Harry knew about Bertha Jorkins' disappearance in Albania where Voldemort is rumored to be hiding. I am glad that as busy as Harry must be with the tournament he is still paying attention to the larger picture of what Voldemort is doing. Sirius also confessed that he told Harry about Karkaroff being a death eater and to be alert to what Karkaroff is doing. I am not sure I like this and I hope Harry doesn't do something to let Karkaroff know he is getting special attention from us.

Headmaster APWBD

Nov 27, 1994

Alastor talked with Harry and gave him a hint how to get past the dragon by using his broom and flying skills. He also told me that Harry had told Cedric Diggory about the dragons and that Fleur and Krum also knew. I knew about Fleur from Hagrid and I am happy the others also know since that will make to contest even for the three real contestants. We will of course be helping Harry and I hope one of the others wins the tournament so this business of our helping Harry doesn't come to light.

If Harry wins because of our help it will be bad for the relationships the contest is purportedly designed to build between students from different countries. With Voldemort becoming more of a threat a united magical community is more important than who wins a contest.

Headmaster APWBD

Nov 29, 1994

The first task is over and all the contestants got past their dragons and got the clue to the second task with only minor injuries. Harry got a cut shoulder from the horn tail but Madam Pomfrey fixed it in minutes. Harry and Krum have tied scores for first place and I find myself torn between the pride of how well he did and wishing Harry did not do so well thus attract more attention to himself.

Headmaster APWBD

Dec 5, 1994

A couple of things have come to light that may or may not cause problems. First, Hagrid's Blasted-Ended Skrewts have grown enormous and dangerous. Thankfully they are killing each other and not students. If any survive they will be a formidable obstacle to add to the third task. I have talked to Hagrid about allowing the students to get to close to such dangerous creatures and he assured me he is careful with his student's safety.

Next, Hermione has been trying to get better treatment for house elves which I agree is a noble idea; however, she has been trying to set the castle elves free by giving them clothes. I am facing a rebellion by the elves who do not want to be free and Hermione does not understand that other creatures have their own needs and requirements. House elves need to serve people to be happy and cannot be treated like humans who need to be free. Goblins, gnomes, and other creatures must be treated according to their own standards; not have human standards pushed on them.

I have told all the elves that clothes from Hermione will not set them free since they are bound to Hogwarts School an only the Headmaster and not students can free them but they are so upset they don't want to go into Gryffindor tower to work. I have temporarily solved the problem by getting Dobby who is already a free elf to volunteer to do the work in Gryffindor house.

Dobby, the Malfoy's former house elf was set free by Harry two years ago and is an oddball for elves. He enjoys being free and I took on both him and Winky, the elf freed by Barty Crouch, to work at Hogwarts starting in September. Although Dobby is happy I am afraid Winky will not survive freedom. She is taking her dismissal by Crouch badly and only the kind treatment by the other elves has kept her alive this long. If Hermione continues to press for elf freedom I will have to speak to her.

Finally Rita Skeeter is still poking around for stories even though I told her to stay off the castle grounds. I am sure she will find some dirt on someone and I hope it is not Harry again.

Headmaster APWBD

Dec 15, 1994

The castle is being overrun with hormones as the students prepare for the Yule Ball. Boys are working up the courage to approach a girl they like and ask her to the ball while the girls discuss which boy they would like to go with and how to get that boy to ask them. While boy-girl relationships are common in a school like Hogwarts the formal nature of the Yule Ball has increased this normal tension tenfold. I can't wait for it to be over so the school can return to as close to normal as possible with the tournament going on. Headmaster APWBD

Dec 26, 1994

The ball went well as a whole but I am informed there is trouble with my little trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Harry escorted Parvati Patil and Ron escorted her sister Padma. I thought for sure that one of them would ask Hermione and that is where the problem would start; two boys and one girl being close all these years. Hermione it turns out was escorted by the Durmstrang champion Viktor Krum which now that I look back on it is not surprising. Hermione has always been mature beyond her years and having an older boy attracted to her should not be a surprise to anyone.

Harry was not upset by this but Ron as it turns out was. It seems Harry thinks of Hermione as a friend and is happy if she is happy; but Ron must have been having romantic feelings for her for some time. He spent most of the evening ignoring Padma and watching Hermione and Viktor dancing. In a fit of jealousy he then accused her of helping Krum solve the second task clue in the golden egg and after the ball they had a row in the Gryffindor common room. I hope this rift is not long lasting; Harry needs the support of all his friends and can't but be upset about them fighting.

On another vein Barty Crouch didn't come to the ball. He sent his assistant Percy Weasley, Ron's brother, to represent him. Percy said Barty was tired from all the work of organizing the World Cup and the Tri-Wizard Tournament and was just taking a needed break. I admit it has been a lot of work for him but it is not like Barty to miss a big event like the ball.

Headmaster APWBD

Jan 5, 1995

Rita Skeeter struck again and this time at Hagrid. Somehow she found out he is a half giant, which to anyone looking at him should be obvious, but by printing it in a story along with information about some of the creatures he has been showing in his class she made him look like a danger to the students. Hagrid is taking the outing of his family background hard and has refused to teach or come out in public. I called retired professor Grubbly-Plank to come back and cover Hagrid's classes until he get over it.

Headmaster APWBD

Jan 17, 1995

Harry and Hermione made a scene at the Three Broomsticks pub yesterday. Rita Skeeter came in and they started an argument about what she wrote about Hagrid. I am afraid she will be penning another piece of dirt about them to get even. I wish they would learn to control their tempers but that is something learned with age and experience and I can't expect teens to have acquired the skill.

On the bright side, upon returning to the school, they came to Hagrid's hut while I was there trying to convince Hagrid to forget what Rita wrote and to return to teaching. They did a good job of it and between us we got Hagrid to come back.

Headmaster APWBD

Jan 19, 1995

Alastor tells me he has been checking on Harry's progress with the clue in the egg and he is nowhere on it. Krum must have solved it because he has been practicing swimming in the ice cold lake, and Fleur has also been out in the water. Alastor said he dropped a clue to Cedric about the egg and water in the hope he will tell Harry in order to even the debt he owes because Harry told him about the dragons. Alastor didn't want to approach Harry directly again because he might get suspicious after Alastor helped him with the idea of the broom and flying to get past the dragon.

I checked with the ghosts, portraits, and house elves but they all said they haven't seen or heard anything about Harry learning the secret of the egg.

Headmaster APWBD

Jan 21, 1995

Professors Snape and Moody came separately to report Harry had been out in the middle of the night working on the clue but I already knew since Moaning Myrtle had seen me early this morning and told me Harry was in the prefect's bath with his egg last night. I still have all the ghosts and portraits watching Harry when he sneaks out at night. She said with a small clue from her and another from the stained glass window of the mermaid Harry had figured the task was to swim into the Black Lake to recover something the Merpeople took from him. He still needs to figure how to breath under water for an hour but that should be easy enough with a number of spells and charms.

Snape told me someone had broken into his office and again took stores needed to make Polyjuice potion. While checking on this he heard a noise that turned out to be Mr. Filch with Harry's egg. Filch thought Peeves had stolen it but when he saw the egg, Snape realized Harry must be near using his invisibility cloak to hide. Before he could confront Harry, Alastor arrived. Snape noticed Harry's map of Hogwarts on the floor and knew he had been out trying to solve the egg clue but Snape and Moody don't get along and began to argue. Instead of continuing to argue in front of Harry Snape decided to leave it to Moody to take care of Harry.

Moody said he sent Filch away and helped Harry to get unstuck from the missing step that most students except Neville remember to jump over. Before Harry could leave Alastor asked to borrow the map so he could keep an eye on people coming and going in the castle. They also discussed what had been happening around the castle then Alastor sent Harry back to his dorm.

Headmaster APWBD

Feb 2, 1995

Sirius told me Harry filled him in about the incident with the egg, and Snape's and Moody's argument that night. Harry still suspects Snape of being up to no good. It has been four years now and still Harry doesn't trust Severus. Of course Severus' ill treatment of Harry because of his problems with Harry's father aggravates the situation. I have given up on trying to get Severus to understand that Harry is not his father and to treat Harry more kindly. I guess they will have to spend Harry's next three years with this belligerent attitude toward each other.

Sirius also said Harry told him it was Barty Crouch that was in Severus' office that night; Alastor left that out of his report. I will have to talk with Barty about this the next time I see him.

Headmaster APWBD

Feb 13, 1995

My sources in the castle report Harry hasn't found a way to breath under water and the next task is only days away. I talked with Professors Snape and Moody separately about what to do about it. I suggested we just let Harry show up for the task and not be able to compete. This would knock him out of the tournament and protect him from any planned attack. It would however make headlines in the Daily Prophet and I would like to keep Harry out of the news.

Both of them also pointed out that keeping Harry in the tournament will give us more time to discover who put his name in the cup. Also underwater is the least likely place for this person to attack Harry so he should be safe. If this person's plan is thwarted by Harry's exit from the tournament they may try something else that we are not prepared for. I agreed and Alastor said he hoped to get Neville with his interest in herbs to tell Harry about Gillyweed which causes anyone who eats it to grow gills and webbed extremities for an hour or so. The trick will be to do this without Harry getting suspicious. I think this may work and told Alastor to go ahead with his plan.

Headmaster APWBD

Feb 20, 1995

Alastor reports that Harry only talks about the tournament with Ron and Hermione. He hasn't been able to get Neville and Harry to discuss the problem and is trying to come up with another idea.

I suggested he try Dobby the house elf who is very close to Harry and would do anything to help Harry. Still Dobby would have to be tricked into it so he doesn't accidently come out and tell Harry we got him to pass on the information about Gillyweed. Alastor said Harry had spoken to him about Dobby before and he would work out something to let Dobby accidently overhear that Harry is in trouble and that Gillyweed would help.

Headmaster APWBD

Feb 23, 1995

Professors Moody and McGonagall let Dobby overhear them talking about Harry's problem and the Gillyweed. Minerva summoned Ron and Hermione to her office since they are two of the treasures the contestants will be trying to recover in the third task. Ron is Harry's best friend, and Hermione it seems is Viktor Krum's treasure. I knew they have been seeing each other since the Yule Ball but I didn't realize they were that close. Fleur's sister is her treasure and Cedric's is Cho Chang who was his date for the ball.

I have been so involved with Harry and Voldemort these past few years and have forgotten about the student's love lives around the school. I will have to watch Harry, Ron, and Hermione more closely. If love interferes with Harry's future encounters with Voldemort it could be a disaster.

Headmaster APWBD

Feb 24, 1995

The second task is over and was almost a disaster. Harry got the information about Gillyweed from Dobby at the last moment and almost didn't make it to the lake in time. He was the first to reach the treasures but wanted to save all four children instead of just Ron who was his treasure. He must have taken the clue's words about the treasure being lost forever seriously; not thinking I would never have left any of the children come to harm.

Cedric and Krum showed up to save Cho and Hermione and that left only Ron and Fleur's sister Gabrielle for Harry to recover. Fleur had been attacked Grindlows and forced to the surface. This delay put Harry way over the time limit but four of the five judges agreed not penalize him too many points since the Merpeople told us the story of Harry arriving at the location of the children first and insisting on trying to save all of them. This tied Harry and Cedric for first place in the tournament and gives us until the last task on June 24th to continue to look for the person responsible for putting Harry's name into the goblet.

Headmaster APWBD

Feb 26, 1995

Sirius asked if it would be safe to see Harry. I don't want to chance him coming into the castle and being seen but I suggested he meet Harry at the edge of town on the next Hogsmeade weekend. There are so few people around that it should be safe if Sirius is in his dog form when he meets Harry. He can take Harry to the cave and transform there to talk.

Headmaster APWBD

Feb 28, 1995

Another article by that dirt digging reporter Rita Skeeter appeared in Witch Weekly this time. It accuses Hermione of being Harry's girlfriend and then dropping him for Krum. It also suggests she used love potions to attract both boys. I guess this stems from the row Hermione and Harry had with her at the Three Broomsticks some months ago. I have already banned her from the grounds and there is nothing else I can do to stop her lies. I hope it doesn't cause too many problems for Hermione and Harry.

Headmaster APWBD

Mar 12, 1995

Sirius met Harry, Ron, and Hermione and got to spend some time together. I hope it will satisfy Sirius and prevent him from coming to the castle to see that Harry is safe. Sirius told me one of the things they talked about was Barty Crouch's seeming disappearance. He hasn't been seen since before Christmas and I am suspicious myself. Sirius filled them in on Crouch's history including that his son was an accused death eater and that Barty himself sent his son to Azkaban where he died. Since it was Barty that also sent Sirius to Azkaban without a formal trial I bet Sirius' slant on Crouch wasn't favorable.

They also talked about Igor Karkaroff and Snape's history together and the odd events that have happened over the past few months. Again I am happy to see Harry's interest is not all on the tournament and he is learning about events that have shaped the present situation with Voldemort, his followers, and the people who oppose him.

Headmaster APWBD

Mar 20, 1995

Hermione has been getting hate mail because of the article about her, Harry, and Krum. I am told several owls a day are bringing the most vile letters. I hope it will wear itself out soon and I believe she is strong enough to withstand the gossip. Even Molly Weasley believes it. She wrote to me asking how I could let Hermione treat Harry so badly. I didn't respond; she will have to talk with Harry and Hermione herself.

Headmaster APWBD

Apr 14, 1995

Things have quieted down it seems. There is a lull in the tournament and Rita Skeeter hasn't caused any new problems.

The only thing that bothers me is there is still no sign of Barty Crouch and I am afraid the ministry is not being aggressive enough in investigating the situation.

Headmaster APWBD

May 28, 1995

Something bad is afoot. The contestants were taken down to the Quidditch pitch by Ludo Bagman to have the final task explained to them. It is a maze they will have to get through with obstacles to get past like Hagrid's last Blast-Ended Skrewts.

On the way back Harry said Viktor Krum asked to talk in private and they walked along the edge of the woods and waited for the others to head back to the castle. Harry never said what Viktor wanted to talk about but after the walked past the paddock where the Beauxbatons' horses were tied he heard a noise in the woods and Barty Crouch came staggering toward them.

Harry told me Barty was confused. He talked as if he was at the ministry, then as if he were at home and his wife and son were still alive, then about Voldemort, then he asked to see me, then he acted like he was back at the office. Harry told Viktor to stay with Barty while he came to get me. I met Harry in the hall where he was telling Severus what happened. When we got back to the spot Barty was gone and Viktor unconscious on the ground. I sent a Patronus to get Hagrid who's hut was nearby and then revived Viktor.

He was confused and said Barty had attacked him but I believe someone else did it. From Harry's description Barty was recovering from either a Confundus Spell or an Imperious Curse. He did not sound like he would be able to concentrate enough to attack anyone by casting his own spell.

When Hagrid arrived I asked him to get Karkaroff and then Alastor; but before he could start Alastor arrived saying Snape had told him about Barty appearing on the grounds. I sent Alastor to look for Barty and Hagrid to get Karkaroff. When Karkaroff arrived he was furious about Viktor being attacked and as he ranted Hagrid grabbed him and pinned him to a tree. I stopped Hagrid and sent him to escort Harry back to Gryffindor tower ordering Harry not to stop to send any owl messages tonight.

Igor took Viktor back to the Durmstrang ship and I returned to my office to contact the ministry about what happened. Then I sent an owl to Sirius telling him what happened and to expect to hear from Harry. Alastor could not find Barty anywhere on the grounds.

Headmaster APWBD

June 4, 1995

Harry came to me to tell me about a dream he had. When he arrived at my office I was with the Minister of Magic and Alastor discussing the recent events. I asked Harry to wait while I went with the minister to the spot where Crouch had appeared and disappeared.

When I returned I found Harry with his head in my Pensieve watching the memories I had been going over before the minister arrived and interrupted me. The first was of Karkaroff's hearing where he brought up Snape's name among others as a death eater. I wish Harry had not seen that one he is overly upset with Severus already. The second memory was Ludo Bagman's hearing where he was acquitted of helping Voldemort. The third was the hearing for the death eaters accused of the attack on Frank and Alice Longbottom, Neville's parents.

One of the accused was Barty's son and Harry had already heard this story from Sirius so that doesn't matter. What happened to Neville's parents however is private. I pulled Harry out of the memories and explained what a Pensieve was and demonstrated how it worked and I asked Harry to respect Neville's privacy and not talk to Neville about what he saw in the Pensieve unless Neville brought the subject of his parents up himself.

I then asked Harry to tell me why he came to my office in the first place and he related his dream. I never told him that Sirius had told me of the first dream last summer and I let him relate what happened in his own way. Then I asked if there was any other time his scar hurt besides during the dreams and confessed that Sirius had told me of the first dream. When he asked what it all means I explained my theory that his scar is a mark of a tie between him and Voldemort formed when he was attacked as a baby. Voldemort is becoming stronger and when he is angry the emotion is felt by Harry through the scar.

Then he asked why I trust Snape and I just told him it was private and refused to tell him the story of Snape's relationship with Harry's mother and father.

Headmaster APWBD

June 24, 1995

Today is the third task and Rita Skeeter struck again. An article accusing Harry of being mentally unstable and dangerous is just what he didn't need as he goes into the maze. It also stated Harry can speak Parseltongue which was know by the students since his second year but not known by the general magical community.

The parents of the contestants were invited to spend the day with their children before the third task and Molly Weasley and her son Bill asked if they could be here to visit Harry since he has no family of his own. I hope their presence will keep his mind off the dreadful accusations in the article.

I am worried that since this is the end of the tournament whoever put Harry's name in the goblet will strike tonight. What other plan could they have once the tournament is over?

Headmaster APWBD

June 25, 1995

Yesterday was a black day for the magical world; Voldemort has returned. I will start this report with my direct knowledge and then the stories I obtained from others.

The third task began at twilight. Harry and Cedric entered the maze first since they were tied for first place. A few minutes later Krum entered then Fleur a few more minutes later. There was little to do but wait and then after about fifteen minutes wand sparks were seen. Someone was in trouble and signaling for help. The professors patrolling the perimeter brought Fleur back unconscious. Moments later another set of wand sparks and Krum was brought out also unconscious. After being revived neither could remember sending up the sparks on what happened to them.

My first thought was that someone was after Harry and eliminating anyone they met while searching for Harry. This didn't hold up; if this person knew that sending up sparks would bring help they also knew it would bring a chance of being seen by the rescuers. Harry or Cedric must have found Fleur and Krum unconscious and sent for the help. If they didn't stay with Fleur or Viktor they must not be worried for their own safety.

After about an hour there was the flash of a Portkey and Harry and Cedric both appeared. It only took a second to realize something was wrong. Neither Harry nor Cedric was moving. Several of us rushed to them and I knew as soon as I touched him that Cedric was dead. As I pulled on Harry I could tell he was alive and then Harry whispered to me, "He's back, He's back. Voldemort." The others began to yell, "He's dead, Diggory is dead. Cedric is dead."

I told Harry to stay here while I got things under control but just moments later when I look for him he was gone. Several people told me Alastor had taken him back to the castle; but that couldn't be. I told Harry to stay here and Alastor would never think of moving him from a place of safety with me and all the other professors here to an isolated spot where he could be attacked again. I knew something was wrong. That couldn't be Alastor, and the memory of Snape's office being broken into came to me. Ingredients for Polyjuice Potion were stolen and I knew what happened. I got Severus and Minerva and hurried toward the castle; the direction they said they saw Alastor take Harry. We went directly to Alastor's office and found the door locked. There was no time to waste I blasted it open and stunned the imposter.

I sent Severus to get a truth potion and the house elf Winky who I had a feeling would be needed if we were to get the entire story about the imposter. I sent Minerva to get Sirius who was waiting at Hagrid's and to take him to my office to wait for me and Harry. When they left, I opened Alastor's multi-dimensional trunk that was in a corner of the office and in the last section found the real Alastor Moody weak but alive. I knew he had to be near as a source of hair for the Polyjuice Potion and for personal information needed by the imposter to fool everyone including me into believing he was the real Alastor.

As Harry and I waited the effect of the Polyjuice wore off and the imposter changed into his real appearance; Barty Crouch Jr. When Severus returned we gave him some truth potion and between him and Winky we got the story of how Barty Jr. had escaped from Azkaban. How Voldemort with the help of Peter Pettigrew captured Berta Jorkins and found out about the tournament then set up a plan to return Voldemort to a normal human form. He explained what happened at the Quidditch world cup and how he killed his own father the night Harry and Krum met Barty Sr. while he trying to get to me and tell me the truth. When he was done I bound him and left Minerva to guard him. I sent Severus to get Madam Pomfrey to treat Alastor and then to get the Minister of Magic. I took Harry to my office to see Sirius and relate what happened to him after he entered the Maze.

Sirius wanted to let Harry rest but I insisted on hearing his story immediately for two reasons. In order to recover mentally Harry needed to get the story out and not be brooding on it all night. Also I needed to act quickly if Voldemort was really back even a few minutes wasted could be tragic and I needed details of what happened to act properly.

Harry explained how he and Cedric took the cup together and how it transported them to the Riddle family cemetery where Voldemort and Wormtail were waiting and how they killed Cedric. When he got to the part about how Voldemort restored his body I wanted every detail. When he talked of Voldemort using his blood in the spell Harry expressed worry about Voldemort being protected by it. I knew that wouldn't do anything for Voldemort but it did do something for us. It would make the bond formed by the scar even stronger making it even harder for Voldemort to hurt Harry with whom he now shared blood.

The problem that comes from this tighter bond between Harry and Voldemort is Harry will be subject to Voldemort's emotions more deeply and more often. The cause of this connection worries me most. For many years, since Severus told me that Voldemort claimed he could not die and if killed he would come back to life; I have been investigating Horcrux lore. When I saw Harry destroy Tom Riddle's diary two years ago I realized it must be a Horcrux. It could think and act independently like a piece of Voldemort lived in it which is exactly what a Horcrux is. It was destroyed so how does Voldemort still live and how did he come back. There must be another Horcrux.

No mention in any book talks about making more than one Horcrux; in fact they all warn of the danger of making one. It splits the soul and weakens it. To make two would be much more dangerous to one's soul but I see no other way that Voldemort can still exist. A Horcrux is made during the act of murder and that is what Voldemort attempted to do to Harry as a baby. Could his soul have been so weakened that it split as he tried to kill Harry and could that bit of his soul entered Harry making him a Horcrux? I don't know if a living person can be a Horcrux but it does explain the connection between Harry and Voldemort. It also explains why Harry speaks Parseltongue and several other characteristics Harry displays that are similar to Voldemort.

This will require me to treat Harry as if he is Voldemort, at least until I can get more information and discover the truth one way or the other because the connection works both ways. Eventually Voldemort will sense the connection and try to use it against Harry and me also. I will have to stay away from Harry as much as possible. Every bit of information Harry gets about my actions against Voldemort could be seen by Voldemort if he enters Harry's mind through this connection. Harry will also have to be left out anything done by anyone that helps me like my friends in the Order of the Phoenix.

In describing the duel with Voldemort Harry related how his wand and Voldemort's had connected and the spirits of the people killed by Voldemort returned including his parents. I told Harry and Sirius about the wands being twins; sharing feathers from my Phoenix Fawkes as the core of each and how this would not allow them to destroy their twin. Harry finished by explaining how these spirits gave him time to reach the cup and return with Cedric's body. I could see Harry was exhausted by this time and I took him to the hospital wing along with Sirius to keep him company.

All of Harry's friends were there waiting and I asked them to let Harry rest the night, I would fill them in on events. I left Harry in Madam Pomfrey's care and went to meet with the Minister of Magic. When I got back to where I had left Minerva guarding Barty Jr. nobody was there. I raced back to the hospital wing and as I approached I could head yelling.

When Fudge came to see Barty Jr., he brought a dementor with him which gave Barty a kiss; sucking out his soul and leaving him a vegetable unable to testify in court. Fudge then insisted on seeing Harry. When I arrived I told Fudge what happened and he refused to believe that Voldemort is back. He said Barty Jr. was insane and just thought he was talking to Voldemort. He quoted Rita's story that Harry had mental problems and couldn't be believed. He denied what Severus and Minerva told him. He threatened that if I keep insisting Voldemort is back he will have to do something about me running Hogwarts and he left with the idea all the problems were over and there was no danger from Voldemort.

I knew I couldn't wait. If the ministry was going to do nothing I would have to. I asked Molly if she and Arthur would help and she agreed. Bill left immediately to inform Arthur what happened. I asked Minerva to get Hagrid and Madam Maxime; I knew I would have to sent somebody to approach the remaining giants and persuade them to join our side. I sent Sirius to inform the old members of the Order of the Phoenix of the return of Voldemort. Finally not wanting to speak in front of Harry I turned to Severus and simple said, "You know what I must ask you to do. If you are ready." He answered, "I am." And he left. Harry must not know Severus is my spy in Voldemort's camp in case Voldemort ever reads Harry's mind.

Headmaster APWBD

June 28, 1995

Hagrid and Madam Maxime have left to search for the last giant community. Molly asked if Harry could live with them instead of going to the Dursleys and I had to explain about my spell protecting him. I didn't mention that I was going to ask the Weasleys to move out of their house soon and that I didn't want Harry to know what was happening. She agreed to let him return to the Dursleys for now.

The second war against Voldemort had started and we need to act before he grows as strong as he was the first time. We can't count on an accident like his curse rebounding off Harry saving us twice.

Headmaster APWBD