A/N: Because it is mentioned in the text below I would like to explain the meaning of the following word. TWIT (noun): a pregnant goldfish.
Also, um, well, maybe I should just stop there.
Chapter 18: The Silver Cups
It was as the desserts appeared that Hermione stated the obvious.
"You know, Draco, I just realized how close you came to being expelled."
"Tell me something I don't know."
Hermione's voice became a whisper. "Potter lied."
Draco said nothing. He couldn't think of a reply. Hermione didn't give him much of a chance, anyway. She immediately started to explain what she had just realized. Draco didn't have to be a student at Hogwarts to be in the tournament. He didn't even have to be in school. After all, he represented the Salem Institute and he didn't go there. If the Minister had thought of it, all he had to do was inform everyone that he would simply give permission to Draco to return to Hogwarts on the competition days.
"I'll wager Dumbledore saw it right away," Hermione said in conclusion.
"Damn."
Hermione smiled. "You can thank him now and get it over with."
Draco stood up with a grimace. After all he had gone through with Potter, this would be the second time he'd thanked him. But it had to be done. He walked quickly over to where the other boy was sitting, conscious that more than a few eyes were on him. His feelings for Potter were well known. Almost everyone would tell you he would rather play with Hagrid's pets than spend a minute with that black-haired wizard.
"Potter," Draco said as he came up.
"Malfoy." It was a statement. Potter knew why he was here. He probably expected it. And his tone said he agreed with Draco that they should get it over with as quickly as possible.
"I need to thank you, again. And please extend my thanks to your father as well."
Potter started to say something, then looked around at the others who were with him. One of them was Longbottom. Neville shook his head. Potter turned back to Draco.
"I'll tell him."
Potter didn't smile, but Neville did. As Draco walked back to his place, he thought about that smile. Not necessarily a friendly smile. It said there was more to be told, but not now. What must be said should be done in private. He could be wrong. But he had seen that same smile before, many times before. Back at the home, Mick always gave him that smile when something was up. When there was a chance to make money. Or when they needed to discuss something in case anyone asked questions.
As he sat down, Hermione commented on how little time it took. Draco assured her it was by mutual agreement.
"'mione, could I ask a favour? Let Potter know that if he'd rather talk to you, it's fine by me."
Hermione nodded her head. She understood what he meant. She was the one who figured out what Potter did. Potter would have to explain. Being Potter, he would want to explain. And she knew as well as Draco that Potter would be more open with her.
As Draco served himself a clump of blackberry crumble, he could only wonder why. His most likely idea was that Potter senior knew about Helga Hufflepuff's cup and wanted to repay the debt. His least likely idea was that Potter senior made a mistake and thought he was telling the truth.
The meal was over. At Ludo Bagman's request, the four champions stayed behind. They followed the Minister for Games and Sports into the room where they had first gathered on the night their names were called.
On a table in the center of the room sat four silver chalices. Bagman told them that he was about to explain about the next task. While the first task did not turn out as planned, thanks to their youngest member, it was considered a success. Again, this was despite their youngest member.
Bagman asked Draco if he understood the nature of the first task, considering the fact that he did manage to succeed in gaining the cup. He laughed at Draco's comment about the troll and admitted that was the Minister's idea. He added that the Minister did it simply to annoy the young Gryffindor. The actual task was facing the spider. The champion was forbidden to use any attacking spells. No curses or jinxes. The task was designed so that the champion would lose.
The purpose of the first task was to test how each champion reacted to an impossible situation. It was a test of endurance and cunning. Since he or she could not attack the spider, it would only be a matter of time before it bit them. The bite would temporarily paralyze them but they would recover without any lasting problems. Bagman pointed out that Angelina Johnson had the best score. Her shielding spells were stronger than the others. She had even managed to get past the spider at one point. Viktor Krum had also managed to get past the spider but he had let his guard slip by running for the chalice. While Miss Delacour had not managed this feat, she did last longer than the other champions. That was why the scores were so close.
Bagman's next question was if Draco understood why this was being explained to him. It was important to know that the tasks were not only about how good one was at magic but also how well they handled themselves. And that was why the Second task would begin with a challenge.
He handed out the chalices to each of the champions. Once that was done, he told them the second task would take place on February 24. The nature of the second task was hidden in the cups. Each of them would have to figure it out. And they would have to keep him informed of their success. If they wished, they could compare notes and even work together on the solutions if they wanted to.
As Bagman dismissed them, Angelina gave Draco a curious look, as though to ask why she would trust him to help if they were competing against each other. Draco gave her a smirk in return. There was no reason to trust him.
Doctor McCudgeon was waiting as the champions exited the room. She asked to speak to Draco in private. He wished the other champions good luck, asking Angelina to let him know what she found out. She laughed as she left the Great Hall. When Bagman exited the room, he smiled politely and wished the doctor a good night and wished Draco good luck.
"That was nice of them," the doctor said, indicating the silver cup. "I noticed the four crests on the base."
Draco looked at the chalice and noticed that the emblem of each school was embossed on the flat. "Don't even know which one is yours. Only know Hogwarts."
"It's this one, dear. The pentangle" She pointed to a five pointed star within a circle. Inside the star was a moonstone. "Do you know what the symbol means?"
"In the movies, it means evil."
Doctor McCudgeon gave a derisive laugh. "That would be the inverted pentagram. It would be the same as hanging the Christian cross upside down. Any symbol reversed is considered a sign of evil." She mused on a thought. "Let's leave it at that or I'll end up giving you my lecture on symbolism and interpretations. But back to this symbol. Do you have any idea what it means?"
"The pentangle?"
"It's from the Wiccan. And they got it from the druids. The points of the star are the five elements, the top point being spirit. The others are Earth, Air, Water, and Fire. The lines of the star are the five senses: touch, hearing, sight, smell and taste. The circle is the circle of life which encompasses everything. And the point within the circle represents peace. The symbol represents harmony in all things." Having finished her explanation, she asked Draco what he thought.
"I'll stick with interesting," Draco said. "It's a safe word." He added with a laugh, "if Hermione were here, she'd demand to hear that lecture."
Doctor McCudgeon nodded. "Perhaps I should talk to the headmaster about that. It wouldn't hurt to keep my feet wet, teaching-wise. And since we are now alone, let me explain why I wanted to talk to you." Her tone became serious. "We need to meet with you on Saturday. Will that be a problem?"
Draco responded by shrugging his shoulders. "Why?"
"It concerns our reasons for refusing to accept you at our school. And why we did so in such a vocal manner."
"Wondered 'bout that. After you made that nifty plan."
McCudgeon sniffed at 'nifty', as though no proper young man should ever use such a word. "Would you prefer after the morning meal or the afternoon?"
"Professor Lestrange wants to be there," Draco noted. "He is my godfather."
The doctor didn't say anything at once. She didn't seem surprised that the man guessed there would be a meeting. Her look was different from Potter's, though. Potter looked like he wanted to tell him what happened. This woman looked like she had to tell him. That was enough to make him nervous. When she finally spoke it was to comment that the man "has associations with people we do not care to have know our business."
"You mean 'is brother. They ain't talkin' no more. 'ad a fallin' out. An' I trust 'im."
Doctor McCudgeon thought for a while. She told Draco she would consider it. She then gave him her congratulations for a most interesting day as she walked him out of the Great Hall.
"Minister's angry at me, you know," Draco pointed out.
"I could say the same for myself," McCudgeon, replied. "Not that the man doesn't deserve it. He's been in his job too long if you ask me. Too used to people jumping up when he opens his mouth." She smiled at a memory. "Do you know, his first question when we met was how soon I could take you off his hands. Those were his exact words. He made a very bad first impression."
Draco was laughing as he walked through the doors. He stopped laughing at once. Sirius Black was standing there.
"Doctor," he said politely with a short bow. "I hope you don't mind if I ask what you were discussing. As Draco is my legal ward, I am responsible for his actions. Even if I don't like it."
Neither Draco nor the doctor were looking at him. They were looking at what was in his hand. An Extendable Ear. When Draco looked up, Sirius was grinning broadly.
"Useful things, these are. I must promise the Weasley Twins my endorsement of their product. And, Doctor McCudgeon, for the reasons I've stated, I must insist on being part of this meeting."
"And why the sudden concern for what your legal ward is doing? From what I've been given to understand, you've never spent much time trying to be a mentor to him."
Sirius laughed. "I assure you, I've spent more time than I care to remember. I learned the hard way to give him his freedom of movement. But this is too important to let it slip away. I need to know your reasons, and I know Draco will not tell me."
"Saturday morning, then. After breakfast." She glanced at the ear. "And I will remember to always use a silencing spell from now on." She began to leave, then stopped and turned back. "Mister Malfoy, you will inform your godfather."
"You can't be serious?" Black asked.
"The boy trusts him."
"And he doesn't trust me?"
Doctor McCudgeon gave the man a rare smile. "Oh, he does trust you. He just doesn't like you."
Draco awoke the next morning feeling tired. He remembered giving the password and stumbling into the common room. He did not remember climbing the stairs much less climbing into bed. He went through the motions of getting washed and dressed without even trying to think about it. He finally climbed down the stairwell to the common room to find it empty. Everyone else had gone to breakfast. He checked his pickle watch. He had time, if he didn't take too long to eat.
Walking out of the common room he headed toward the Great Hall, taking his normal detour when he was alone. It took him past a certain portrait and gave him a chance to say hello. Walburga, true to form, would have none of that. He was late for breakfast as it was and he had best hurry. A good start meant a good day. Draco called back with a grin that he already had a bad start. Walburga retorted that it couldn't be worse than yesterday.
"You have fifteen minutes, Malfoy," Argus Filch said as a warning as Draco entered the hall. "You talk to Walburga?"
"She chased me off. Too close to classes."
"I tried to be the first to tell her about the task but Kreacher beat me to it." Filch smiled. "Got to tell her about that Rite thing. She was so proud of you." Argus patted him on the shoulder and told him to take his time.
Draco sat down and grabbed enough food to hold him until lunch. If asked, he could not have told anyone what he at except that eggs were involved. He gulped down a glass of juice as he stood up. With five minutes to spare he walked out and made his way to class. As he stepped outside and made his way to Hagrid's hut, his only thought was that it was warm enough for the coat he was wearing. He yawned as he joined the rest of the students who were already listening to the giant's lesson. Since he was standing in the back, he closed his eyes and tried to listen to what Hagrid was saying.
His eyes were open again in a second. He tried to look over the other students to confirm his suspicions. Hagrid had mentioned spider. In the singular. He heard a whimper from his right. He looked over to find himself standing next to Ron Weasley.
"I hate spiders," Ron said when he noticed Draco watching him. Fear was in his voice and his face.
"Yeah," Draco agreed in a bored voice. "Especially this'un. Got a snarky attitude." His voice became mocking. "Oh, you're that little friend of Hagrid's. How nice to meet you."
Ron snorted. "You're joking. You mean the spider let you get past him because of Hagrid?"
(Everyone ooohed and aaahed at that moment because the spider was showing how far he could stretch his legs.)
Draco used his upper class twit voice. "He was verrry polite about it."
"Hagrid," a familiar voice said, "He is there, behind the others."
Hagrid's voice boomed as he called out Draco's name. Everyone quickly made a path for him. Hagrid was standing there, almost head to head with Aragog, the spider.
Draco nodded to the spider and said good morning. The spider acknowledged that it was a good morning as he had already fed. Hagrid told Draco he did wonderful in the first task, then told him that Professor Lestrange wanted to talk to him. In private. The giant called out Hermione's name and asked her to go as well. He pointed out an old tree trunk some distance away that the Professor was sitting on.
"Why me?" Hermione asked, as they began walking.
"Why do you go with me to visit Uncle Severus? Justin goes because he wants the extra help."
"They still bother listening to him?" She sighed. "He is the Minister. I suppose they have to."
Both of them wished a good morning to Professor Lestrange. The man was smiling as always, but this time he seemed cheerful.
"It is. Isn't it," Rodolphus said cheerfully.
"Black has an Extendable Ear," Draco said with distinctly less cheer.
"A silencing spell is already in place," the man pointed at the students. "My biggest concern is that one of them might decide to practice a new spell. That could be worse than someone deliberately doing it."
Draco nodded. He was beginning to feel some energy from the breakfast he had eaten. "Saturday morning, Sir," he told his godfather. "The American witches want to talk to me."
"And I am invited?"
"You and Sirius Black." By way of unneeded explanation, he added, "He is my legal guardian."
"Can't be helped. Might even work in our favour." He looked specifically at Hermione. "And how is our newest co-conspirator doing? Has Draco told you anything? I already know you were told about my brother."
Hermione was surprised when Rodolphus said conspiracy. He meant it for what it was. She was also nervous when she asked. "What are we conspiring about?"
The man was enjoying himself. "Bartemius Crouch and the fall of the government. Both sides are vying for power as we speak, each trying to make itself dominant. Draco and I are hoping for chaos. Yesterday, we confirmed a new ally. You know, Draco, Potter junior will want to explain himself. We might get more information out of him if we use Hermione as a go-between."
"He already asked me," Hermione replied. She watched as Rodolphus gave Draco a look of pride for thinking of such a thing on his own. She gave a smile of her own when Draco told the man it was so he wouldn't have to talk to Potter.
"It was still good thinking," Rodolphus said. "And I should be bold enough to predict when the government will fall. The 24th of May. After the Third Task."
Draco stared off as he remembered what he had heard. "That's the day Voldemort chose for his return."
"Exactly." A pause. "Oh, did he forget to mention we knew about that?"
Draco wasn't listening. He was remembering. And he remembered everything. He couldn't help but remember everything. And all the pieces were falling into place. Arthur Weasley had even guessed at part of it.
"Draco?" It was Hermione. She was physically shaking him. Rodolphus Lestrange had even lost his smile.
"Sorry." His voice was slurred. "'ad me an epiphany." He chuckled. He could hear that hint of madness in it. He said haughtily, "I know what is going to happen."
"How?" Rodolphus was demanding.
"The cups. One begets a mother's flame. One restores a wizard's name." He had to tell it all. He needed to explain what, or else he'd have to explain how. "The last quest. The Tri-wizard cup will be a portkey. It will take the winner to Voldemort. To be used to restore him to a human body." He was staring off into space. "If I win the tournament, I'll be able to stop him from restoring himself."
"How?" This time it was Hermione.
"I have no idea. But I do know that he intends to use the portkey to return to Hogwarts. And I'd wager me knickers, 'e'll bring frien's."
It was all there, in his head. All the pieces he needed to understand. He told Hermione he had no idea what he would do. That was a lie. He knew exactly what to do. But he had to win the tournament.
"We should tell someone," Hermione insisted.
"I already have," Draco told her. He smiled. "The hardest part of a conspiracy is knowing you can't be told everything."
"But," Hermione was trying to think and Draco could read her face perfectly. James Potter had turned against the Minister. That was what she was thinking. A quick movement of her eyes as she thought about the eventual meeting with Voldemort. The confusion as she understood that she did not know the purpose of the conspiracy, only its immediate goals.
"You were there," Rodolphus Lestrange explained. "You heard what Professor Trelawney said. "Draco is destined to rule the world, and I, for one, intend to be his right hand."
