Ludo Bagman announced the results and Draco complained about manhandling and kidnapping old coots and their unethical treatment towards children.

"My father will here about this!" he heard Draco say as he turned to leave, but a large, familiar hand rested on his shoulder, putting his footsteps to a halt.

"May I have a bit of your time?"

Chapter 4

Viktor was nervous.

He couldn't understand why Harry had ran away from him after the Yule Ball. Indeed, he was upset over being considered as only a friend, but he had made sure not to show it. He was glad to be Harry's friend, but he just wanted to be more...

Could it be that Harry found out? That he felt disgusted by his feelings for him?

Viktor didn't know and wanted to confront Harry the day after, but the blasted article ruined all chances of reconcile.

He saw the younger boy leave the hall the moment he saw the Prophet, and as expected the reaction was, he still felt his heart drop at the sight of Harry walking away. He had waited outside Harry's classroom for the boy to finish his first class, but even after the last student left the class, he still saw no shadow or hide of Harry. He decided to search by the lake, the library, everywhere Harry might have been at, but still, he couldn't find the boy.

It was only today, that Viktor had finally managed to catch Harry.

"May I have a bit of your time?" he asked.

Harry let out a sigh before entering the room. Even though he knew this would eventually happen, he still didn't know how he should deal with it. He sat across Viktor, taking a sip of the tea that sat on the coffee-table. Viktor had refused to let him out of sight and Harry insisted on taking a warm bath before commencing any serious talk, and so they reached a compromise; Harry would take a bath where Viktor could watch him.

"Are you angry at me?" Viktor asked earnestly.

"No, why would I be?" Harry replied. Viktor thought he was angry with him? Why on earth would Harry be angry over him? He was more angry at himself than with Viktor; after all, it was his slip of emotional control that strained their friendship, if Harry could even call it one now.

"I thought you were ang-" Viktor said before Harry cut him off.

"Yes, you've already said that you thought I was pissed off at you. No, no I'm not. I was angry that I lost control of my emotions; that's all," Harry sighed.

"But the article-" Viktor begun when Harry cut him off again.

"Viktor. You're not the journalist so why in the name of Merlin's tits would I be angry at you over such a childish thing?" Harry replied impatiently, rolling his eyes. Honestly! Did one of those nargles Lovegood always went on about invade Viktor's brain and obstructed all intelligent thought?

"I'm sorry, I'm just not use to these...emotions," Harry said, snarling at the word emotion, "I just needed some time."

"So we're alright?" Viktor asked hopefully.

"No, we're all left," Harry replied sarcastically.

Harry and Viktor soon fell back to their old routine. Harry quickly forgot about the whole embarrassing debacle, and Viktor never mentioned it again. Gossip and murmur followed wherever the two went together. With the way they were stuck to each other hip to hip, it was inevitable that everyone thought that they were indeed, as the Daily Prophet said, were dating. It didn't really help that the day after they made up, the Prophet decided to print another article on them, this time with a picture of Harry entering the Drumstrang ship with Viktor. This time, he made an effort to read what it had to say, but couldn't even make it pass the first paragraph before choking on his laughter. When Parisinus slid in, asking why in the name of Salazar was he making such a racket, he recited to her how "Viktor Krum, teen heart throb, had his own heart shattered when his boyfriend, the Boy-Who-Lived, saved a luscious blonde, who was the one he would sorely miss, from the depths of the Black Lake". That day, Viktor walked back into his room to find the Boy-Who-Lived and his snake rolling on the floor in laughter- or at least what the snake seemed to be doing.

However, it wasn't simply because they enjoyed one another's companionship that they always stuck together; Dumbledore also seemed unusually interested in Harry ever since the second task.

More than once, the Headmaster would try to catch Harry alone, but the two boys never gave them the opportunity to. Harry never liked that old coot and didn't really want to have to speak to the old man alone, one on one. Harry and Viktor were on their way back to the Drumstrang ship when suddenly, an all too familiar voice stopped them.

"Harry, my boy, may I have a word?"

Dumbledore had allowed Harry free reign for the past four years but now, he was going to have to take that freedom he granted back.

Initially, Dumbledore didn't want to put the pressure of the Prophecy upon the boy; he was still so young. But now, he had no choice. The fallout between the Gryffindors and the boy had greatly worried him, but Harry didn't seem inclined to befriend the slimy Slytherins either, so he decided to let it go. He truly did wish for Harry to be able to experience the joys of growing up, but with the type of magic the boy displayed in the second task, he had no choice but to interfere.

He hoped to be able to approach the boy when he was alone, but it seemed he had no such luck. Ever since the second task, the boy and the Drumstrang champion grew even closer; a fact that greatly worried him. Drumstrang was known for allowing Dark Arts into its curriculum and no doubt, Harry had already been influenced by the other boy in that aspect. The only way Harry could have learnt about such ancient, evil, magic, was through that boy. Lady luck however, wasn't shinning on him. He could never catch the evasive boy alone, and even after trying for a whole month, he was nowhere near successful.

In the end, Dumbledore had no choice but to throw aside his initial plans and seek the boy out regardless of his company.

He found the boy with the Drumstrang champion, walking back to the Drumstrang ship, and stopped the boy in his footsteps.

"Harry, my boy, may I have a word?" he asked in a grandfatherly voice.

Harry raised an eyebrow and looked at him dubiously before letting out a sigh and turning around to his companion saying, "Viktor, I'll meet you in your quarters once I'm done."

"No, I shall wait for you outside the headmaster's office," the other boy replied firmly. Harry simply gave a shrug before turning back to Dumbledore and asking him to lead the way.

"Would you like a cup of tea or some biscuits my boy?" he asked as he sat on his chair.

"Thanks, but no thanks. With all due respect, it would be much appreciated if you could get straight to the point, Headmaster. I do have to prepare for the third task. It is only a month away," Harry said impatiently.

Such animosity, Dumbledore thought sadly.

The twinkle in his eyes faded as he stared at the boy with a mixture of disappointment, pity and sorrow. He had made many mistakes in his life, and Harry, seemed to now be one of them.

With a sigh, he said, "It is about the second task. It was an amazing display of magic, but Ancient Runes has been classified as Dark Magic and is banned by the ministry. Where did you learn such...diabolical magicks my boy?"

"Ancient Runes sir? How does one utilized Ancient Runes? Is it not just an ancient language? I think you might have confused my use of gillyweed with the form of magic you thought I used sir," Harry said earnestly with an expression of shock and confusion. He would have truly thought the boy innocent of his accusations, but he could see beyond the boy's façade and the glint of pride and amusement shinning in the boy's eyes.

"Harry, do not think of me as a fool," Dumbledore said seriously, voice dripping with disappointment, "The necklace you wore was a definite proof."

Harry's eyes started to water and he looked down, trying to shield his tears from the prying eyes of Dumbledore.

"W-why do you doubt me so much? Is it because I'm a Slytherin?" he said, sniffing. "I have no wish to dabble into the dark arts; it was what killed my parents. The necklace was a good luck charm given to be my Luna- something about chasing away evil spirits or creatures. Can't you see headmaster? I just want friends!" Harry said as tears rolled down his cheeks.

Dumbledore's features soften as he looked upon Harry crying. Perhaps, he had once again made a mistake. The boy was after all, still so young. Perhaps he was just being paranoid, especially with Voldemort growing stronger.

"I apologize, my boy. I have misunderstood you. Do understand however, that what I did was because I care deeply for you," Dumbledore said sadly. His slip of judgement made the boy tear, something he regretted. The boy was already suffering so much, and instead of helping the boy, he was making him suffer more.

"I'm sorry for taking up you time," Dumbledore nodded as Harry stood up to leave.

Harry exited the office silently as Dumbledore fell slack in his chair, letting out a deep sigh.

Harry wiped his tears away before leaving Dumbledore's office to meet Viktor. Viktor saw the redness in his eyes and followed him silently when Harry walked out of the office and headed back to the Drumstrang ship without a word. Once they reached Viktor's quarters, Harry shut the door, setting up extra wards before he suddenly burst out in laughter. Confusion was evident on Viktor's face but Harry couldn't stop himself from laughing. Merlin! The great Albino Bumblebee (1) actually fell for his ridiculous excuse!

After he finally managed to catch his breath, Harry recounted the meeting he had with the Headmaster to Viktor causing the stoic boy to actually let out a laugh.

Dumbledore seemed to stop breathing down his neck as much after the meeting, but seemed to constantly shoot Harry pitying looks, that annoyed Harry. Much to Harry's amusement, he even offered help to Harry as the third task neared. By Harry acted his part as righteous Gryffindor, declining with the reason of fair play.

The champions, save Harry, gathered in the small classroom where their parents sat, awaiting their children's' arrival. Harry decided that it would be a waste of time for him to join the rest considering his lack of parents. Harry was sitting by the lake as usual, when suddenly, Parisinus slithered up to him, hissing urgently.

:Master, there is a man in the forest.: She hissed before turning around, leading Harry to the man.

She led him to a man who was definitely off the rocker. He was addressing the tree he stood beside, giving orders to "Percy", as he called the tree. He eyed the man warily from a safe distance, when the man suddenly jerked to his direction, seemingly noticing the presence of another wizard. Crouch.

"Get Dumbledore! Tell him- tell him it was my fault! Stop him!" Crouch exclaimed as he ran towards Harry, gripping his shoulders and shaking him violently.

Harry pushed him off onto the ground, disgusted by the sudden physical contact. Crouch fell onto the floor, and started his nonsensical talking an imaginary person, suddenly calm and composed, as if he were a different person.

He went closer and prodded the man with a stick curiously, which cause another sudden change of demeanor is Crouch.

"Voldemort! He's after him! It's my fault! Tell Dumbled-"

"Potter? What are you doing here?" Professor Moody said as his wooden leg clucked with every step he took. He turned his attention to the lunatic mumbling and shivering and frowned.

"Stupefy!" he whispered, as a red jet of light shot out from his wand and hit Crouch.

Harry observed the whole scene, intrigued, as Parisinus slithered up his body, draping herself over his shoulders.

"I'll handle this situation. You better report to the Quidditch pitch Potter, the third task is about to start," Moody said as he turned around to face Harry.

Harry had turned to leave when he heard the Professor call him again.

"Potter, take this," Moody said as he grabbed Harry's hand, shoving a ring onto his finger, "Keep that, you'll need it for the task."

On his finger sat a gleaming, silver snake that coiled around his finger. Its eyes glimmered, ruby red and its body decorated with emeralds. The snake was animate, and would time to time, stick its tongue out, tasting the surrounding air.

Harry tugged the ring lightly before nodding towards his Professor. It was rather amusing how Moody was ordered him not to remove the ring when he couldn't even remove it. He shrugged and thanked the man before heading towards the Quidditch pitch.

It was time for the third task.

Harry navigated his way around the maze with ease. The hedges were thick and towering, but a simple point me spell was enough to direct him to the cup. He met a number of creatures on the way, but had no problem getting past them. He had always held an interest in magical creatures and even though he dropped the elective, he was still rather knowledgeable about the creatures that resided in the Wizarding world. The only reason as to why he dropped the elective in the first place was because of the menial tasks they had to do like learning how to care for bowtruckles.

Another advantage of the hedges was that nobody could see what sort of spells he used. He didn't have to restrict himself to using only light and neutral magic. While light and neutral magic were no weaker than dark magic, he simply preferred using dark spells. He felt an unexplainable sort of comfort using dark magic and he could control, and utilize his magic in a much more effective manner.

He followed the direction his wand was pointing towards as he thought about Mad-Eye Moody. It didn't take a genius to figure out that he wasn't the real Moody, and that he was most likely part of the Dark Lord's army. He could roughly guess who the man was, but he wasn't sure. He hated not knowing things.

He knew for one that something big was definitely going to happen today, which made him shiver in excitement.

He turned at the corner and came face to face with Cedric Diggory.

He jerked back in surprise and due to the close proximity and pointed his wand at the fellow Hogwarts champion in reflex. Something was wrong. The boy's eyes were clouded, his face blank, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings. Diggory suddenly spun around, pointing his wand at an unsuspecting Viktor who walked in on the scene.

Viktor fell to his knees, screaming in pain as Diggory muttered the incantation, "Crucio."

Enraged, Harry was about to stun Diggory when suddenly the ring on his finger started burning, and before he knew it, he felt like he was sucked into a vacuum and spat onto the floor.

The ring was a portkey.

He laid sprawled on the floor, robes soiled with the dirt of the floor. He quickly got up and cast a cleansing charm on his unsightly appearance before examining the area. It seemed like a muggle graveyard. If his deductions were right, and it was indeed Voldemort who was behind the whole thing, why in the name of Merlin was he in a muggle graveyard?

Harry could feel the crease deepening in between his brows when he suddenly felt a gush of magic in the air. He spun around sharply, staring at the approaching figure, green eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Harry Potter," the person said with a smirk, arms spread and blood red eyes shining with reflecting excitement.

Harry's face split into an impossibly bright, nearly psychotic grin.

Finally, he could see his blank, white canvas being filled with a striking colour like no other; red.

(1) Albus Dumbledore translates to Albino Bumblebee in ancient vulgar latin LOL

A/N: Finally! 3 I have the whole fic planned out tho everything is still WIP. I'll update it whenever I have the time to so yeah.

I'll try to find time asap to reply to all of your comments! I really really love reading through every single one of them and they're what inspire me to write (:

-Lavi

12/07/13