Ch 28
A/N: Please don't even say it; I know it's been a long time. All I can say is please forgive me. I still don't know how long it's going to take me to finish this story, but it will be finished. Now, I know that I've kept extremely close to cannon throughout this story, and I'm going to continue to do so. However, if any of you happen to be reading the books right now you will find out that I changed very minute things in this chapter to make it work for me. I don't think it's anything to glaringly obvious that it is that big of a deal, but it is for me. Warning- MAJOR FLUFF ahead. So, I hope you enjoy and continue to be patient as I continue on this story. As always reviews are always appreciated, and I will answer questions in PMs to the best of my ability.
…
The sun had just sunk below the horizon as Victoria walked onto the Quidditch field. Grasping her broom firmly in her hand a rush of excitement coursed through her. Glancing around at the staff members surrounding her, she smiled seeing how each one readied themselves for what was to come. Professor Sinistra's brilliant blonde hair shone gleaming gold in the waning light, her broom slung haphazardly across her shoulder. Madam Hooch was in the process of donning her dragon-hide gloves; her broom tucked firmly under one arm. Nervously straightening her hat with one hand, Minerva had her broom grasped in the other as if it were a lifeline. Hagrid, beaming at the crowd seemed the most light hearted of them all. Walking in Hagrid's towering shadow was tiny Professor Flitwick. The rhythmic thump of Moody's walking stick could be heard, just behind the others. Rounding out their group was Snape, his dark cloak wrapped around him as usual, giving him the appearance of an overgrown bat.
The group walked into the tent where Dumbledore had told them to meet. Upon entering he gave them a welcoming smile. "Good evening. Thank you all for your assistance with our last task. I have chosen each of you for a specific reason and I know that everyone will do their level best to keep these champions out of harm's way. You will each be assigned a champion to watch over, either on the ground or from the sky. Madam Hooch, you and Professor Moody will be watching over Mr. Diggory. Professor Sinistra and Professor Snape will be with Mr. Krum. Miss Knight and Hagrid will take Miss Delacour. That leaves Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick for Mr. Potter. Does anyone have any questions?"
Victoria looked around the room, until finally Professor Sinistra spoke up, "Headmaster? What happens if one of the students is in trouble or injured."
"In the case that any red sparks are sent up, the staff member following that student from the air will fly down immediately. They are to assess the situation and if able they will take the student out of the maze themselves. If the situation calls for more assistance, these red stars," Dumbledore indicated to the bag he was holding, and produced a glowing red star, "will start to blink, please put them on a part of your apparel that will be easily seen." He handed each staff member a star, then turned back to them, "A reminder to those of you on the ground, there is to be no other person other than the champions and the eight of you on the field once the task has begun. If you see anyone please direct them back to the stands immediately. With that being said, please make your way out to the field, the students will be arriving soon."
As the group exited the tent, they found that the sky had now turned to a dusky purple. The sounds of laughing and chatting filled the air as students, staff, and families had already started to fill the stands. Professor Sinistra and Madam Hooch had already kicked off from the ground, while Moody, Hagrid, Flitwick, and Minerva went to talk to the champions. Victoria gave Severus a quick glance, wanting to say something, but not knowing what. He gave her a curt nod, and then turned away towards the other end of the field. She gave a deep sigh, and kicked off the ground.
Once in the air, the din of the crowd below settled to a murmur. The air was much cooler here, and the quickly darkening sky seemed to envelop them. Professor Sinistra, Madam Hooch, and Victoria all flew rather close together, waiting for the task to begin. Victoria looked to her right where Professor Sinistra sat, pulling her long blonde hair back into a ponytail. She smiled, "Aurora, I didn't know you were a flier."
"I was a chaser for Ravenclaw at one time actually. Not that I was ever good enough to be captain or anything, but I was a fair chaser." Aurora answered with a smile.
"That's right, and who beat Ravenclaw in your final year?" Madam Hooch asked from Aurora's other side.
"We don't need to go into that again Rolanda," Aurora rolled her eyes. "I know Hufflepuff beat us."
Rolanda smirked, "You just don't like to admit that my team was superior."
"I never once indicated that my team was superior. I simply stated that I was a fair flier." Aurora retorted throwing her hair over her shoulder.
"Who is a fair flier?" Minerva asked, joining them a moment later.
"Madam Hooch and Professor Sinistra were discussing their Quidditch memories." Victoria answered.
"I see," Minerva said with a nod. "However I think now is not the time to discuss the past. We need to be keeping our attention on the present task." With that, Minerva sped away, following Harry as he entered the maze.
"Don't mind her," Aurora said a moment later as they watched Rolanda speed off after her. "McGonagall was one of the best Quidditch players Hogwarts had ever seen, but she doesn't like to talk about it."
"Why not?" Victoria asked, genuinely curious.
"She quit in her sixth year. Said that flying was too hard for her after that." Aurora answered, watching as Krum entered the maze.
"What happened?" Victoria asked, casting a glance at Minerva.
"The third task in the Triwizard Tournament then was a maze, but it was in the air. The other champion fell off his broom, and she made it to the cup. I think somehow she felt guilty for it."
Victoria nodded sadly as she watched Fleur enter the maze.
"Well, time to go. My champion just took a wrong turn. See you on the ground." Aurora said turning towards the far end of the maze.
For a few minutes all was quiet. The only sound Victoria could hear was the air whipping her hair behind her as she kept up with Fleur's hurried pace on the ground. Fleur's progress was rather slow, hitting one dead end after another until she finally found her way. Victoria tensed as she stepped through the hedge, towards a large group of doxies. Readying her wand, just in case, she watched as Fleur fought her way through the little cloud of biting fairies, and kept going. A few more dead ends and she managed to get on the right track again. Fleur was now on the outside edge of the maze, next to where Moody was leaning on his walking stick, keeping a look out. Taking her eyes off the girl for a mere moment, Victoria watched in horror as a huge chimera made its way towards the girl. In that split second Moody, having seen Fleur coming with his magical eye, shot a stunning spell at the girl. Fleur let out a blood curdling scream, having seen the chimera just before being stunned. Victoria waited a moment, thinking that Fleur was frozen in fear. Finally, as the creature rounded on her, Victoria couldn't wait any longer.
Speeding down into the maze Victoria shot spell after spell at the monster. Nothing seemed to have an effect on it, however, as the creature came nearer and nearer to the girl. Touching her wand to the star on her coat, signaling to Hagrid for help, she placed herself directly between the girl and the monster. Its scaly tail beating the air around her, shaking its mane in agitation, and a roar resounding from the depths of the creature's body were all that Victoria could sense as pointed her wand at the creature's furry body. Shooting a spell with all her might she watched as the creature opened its mouth, intent on burning her to a crisp, but was hurtled back into the darkness.
An opening formed in the side of the maze a second later and Hagrid came loping out from it. Victoria's voice came out shakily, still trying to calm her nerves, as she said, "Hagrid, take Fleur to Madam Pomfrey."
"Miss Knigh' 're yeh ok?" Hagrid asked, noticing Victoria's still labored breathing.
"I'll… I'll be fine. Please, just take her there. I'll follow you in a second." Victoria said quietly.
Hagrid nodded, giving Victoria another worried glance, but picked up Fleur and made his way out of the maze. Victoria took another minute, taking a deep calming breath. She'd never been that close to a chimera in her life, and definitely never wanted to repeat it. Finally feeling that she could move again, she made her way to the hospital tent.
Stepping into the brightly lit tent, it took her eyes a moment to adjust from the darkness she'd gotten accustomed to. Noticing Fleur lying on a cot with Hagrid standing at the end of it and Poppy flitting about performing diagnostic spells, she made her way towards them. "How is she?" Victoria asked concernedly.
"She will be fine. It was a rather powerful stunner that hit her." Poppy answered glancing at Victoria.
Hagrid's shaggy head turned quickly upon hearing this, "How can that be?"
"I believe the answer to that is pretty obvious Hagrid." Poppy said shortly.
"Moody was standing on the outside of the maze next to her." Victoria added, not able to look up at Poppy. "He was the only one close to her."
Poppy didn't say a word, but would not take her eyes off the girl in the bed either.
A moment later, their silence was broken by a loud, almost animalistic growling coming from just outside the tent. Victoria tensed, thinking that the chimera had somehow managed to escape from the maze. To her relief, she saw Professor Sinistra and Severus enter, each struggling to hang onto a belligerent Krum. "What happened to him?" Poppy asked, picking up a bottle of calming draught and pouring out a measure full.
"Don't know," Aurora answered, still fighting to hold onto the boy. "One moment he was fine, next he was trying to hex Cedric."
"What on Earth is going on with this task?" Poppy asked, pouring the liquid down Krum's throat while Severus held his mouth open. Severus and Aurora pulled Krum over to an open bed and laid him down just in time as he fell into a deep sleep.
"A bit overzealous on the draught there Poppy," Victoria asked, hearing Krum snore loudly.
Poppy shrugged, "I wasn't going to have him try to hex one of us."
"Why'd someon' try an' do this?" Hagrid asked, glancing around the small group.
"It seems someone is intent on having a certain champion win the tournament." Severus drawled, looking down at the sleeping Krum.
A silence fell over the group as the weight of Severus's words fell over them.
Their silence was once again short lived as Minerva burst into the tent with Madam Hooch only a step behind. Minerva's eyes were wild with fright as she gasped, "Harry and Cedric… something happened… they're gone…"
"What?!" Poppy and Victoria exclaimed together.
"The cup, it was a portkey," Rolanda added, slightly more collected than Minerva. "The boys are gone. We don't know where."
"Oh my stars," Aurora sighed dropping down into the closest chair.
"Have you searched the maze to see that they haven't been transported somewhere inside?" Poppy asked.
Minerva nodded, "They're not there. They're… they're gone."
"Come on Minerva." Poppy said gently leading her friend over to another chair and surreptitiously pouring a very small amount of the calming draught for her. Handing Minerva the glass Poppy said, "I'm sure the boys will turn up any minute."
Minerva swallowed the contents of the glass quickly and shot a glance at Poppy that would have made most people cower, "The boys are gone Poppy, they are not lost."
Poppy smirked lightly, "Well, we're up to full sentences now. That's something."
"This is not a joking matter," Minerva retorted icily. "Two students under our supervision are missing, while most of the wizarding world is watching. What are we going to do?"
Severus drawled from the corner, "There is nothing to do until they return."
Rolanda turned on him, a glare nearly matching Minerva's shooting from her eyes, "And what are we going to do in the mean time? We have no way of knowing how long they will be gone!"
"I do not see as we have much choice in the matter," he answered easily.
The crowd outside suddenly became so loud it sounded as if a jet was taking off. As all of the staff members in the tent ran out to see what was going on, save for Poppy, they came upon a sight no one would have believed. On the ground in front of Dumbledore lied Cedric, whose body was sprawled out in odd angles. Harry was practically laying on top of him, sobbing and screaming something, with the Triwizard cup still clenched in his hand. They all ran to the boy's side, finally able to hear what he was saying, "He's back, he's back. Voldemort."
Hearing those words Victoria took a slight step back as if the power of them had forcibly hit her. Next to Dumbledore she could hear Fudge saying something, but was not able to process what he had said. All her mind was able to think about was the one word she hadn't ever wanted to hear again, Voldemort. She watched as Moody took Harry away, still to shocked to wonder where he was going.
Dumbledore finally looked up, beckoning to her. "Victoria, please take Mr. Diggory into the hospital tent. There is no more we can do for him, but to get him away from prying eyes."
She nodded mutely conjuring up a stretcher and levitated him into the tent, leaving the others to control the mass of students and parents trying to get onto the field. Hearing Poppy's gasp as she entered the tent behind the stretcher, Victoria gently set it down on one of the unoccupied cots. "What happened?" Poppy asked when she finally found her voice.
Victoria gave her a solemn look answering quietly, "He's back Poppy."
Poppy's eyes widened, "You don't mean… You-Know-Who?"
Swallowing the rising lump in her throat Victoria nodded, "Yes, Voldemort is back."
Hearing the name that could strike fear in the hearts of even some of the bravest of wizards, Poppy unceremoniously flopped down into a chair. "How…"
Victoria shook her head, "I don't know."
Tears started to roll down Poppy's face, her body shaking uncontrollably. Victoria made her way to the older woman, putting her arms around her in an attempt at some comfort. In between sobs Poppy managed to choke out, "I don't know if I can live through it again."
Nodding, Victoria understood exactly what she meant. The fear of what was to come seeming to seep into her consciousness. Hearing Poppy's breathing start to return to normal, Victoria stepped back.
Victoria had just opened her mouth to say something, when she heard the tent flaps open once more. Dumbledore stepped inside with Minerva and Severus close behind him. "Miss Knight, did you see where Mr. Potter went?" He asked, a slight tremor of panic entering his usually calm voice.
"Moody took him," she answered easily. "I thought you had told him to."
"Come," Dumbledore called to the trio, "to the castle, immediately."
Taking off at a dead run Victoria made it through the grounds faster than she'd ever traveled. Severus was mere steps behind her, and Dumbledore and Minerva just behind him. She didn't look back, didn't even think to slow down as she entered the castle and started up the stairs. She could still hear the footsteps of the others behind her as she made it to the door of Moody's office. She didn't even stop to open it, instead blasting it apart with her wand. Behind her she heard Dumbledore yell a stunning spell at Moody, and watched as he was thrown back onto the office floor. The four stepped into the room quickly; Dumbledore stepping over to Moody, moving the man's body over with is foot. Severus went to the foe-glass that stood on one side of the room, and Minerva and Victoria rushed over to Harry.
"Come along... the hospital wing…" Minerva was saying, her accent thick from her emotions.
"No." Dumbledore retorted harshly.
"He will stay, Minerva, because he needs to understand." Dumbledore said sharply. "Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery." He added in a gentler tone, "He needs to know who has put him through this ordeal he has suffered through tonight, and why."
"Moody," Harry said in disbelief. "How can it have been Moody?"
"This is not Alastor Moody. You have never known Alastor Moody. The real Moody would not have removed you from my sight after what happened tonight."
Bending over Moody's limp body Dumbledore pulled out Moody's hip flask and a set of keys. Then turning to Severus and Minerva he said, "Severus, please fetch me the strongest Truth Potion you possess and then go down to the kitchens and bring up the house-elf called Winky. Minerva, kindly go down to Hagrid's house, where you will find a large black dog sitting in the pumpkin patch. Take the dog up to my office, tell him I will be with him shortly, then come back here."
Minerva and Severus left the room without another word. Dumbledore stepped over to the trunk taking the set of keys in his hand and put each of the keys into its lock in turn. On the seventh attempt Dumbledore opened the lid and Harry let out a small cry. They were looking down into a pit, ten feet below, at an emaciated, sleeping Moody. His leg was gone, his magical eye was absent, and large chunks of his hair were missing, but it was him all the same.
Victoria and Harry watched on in awe as Dumbledore lowered himself into the trunk and bent over the sleeping form of Moody. "Stunned," he said, "controlled by the Imperius Curse – very weak. Of course, they would have needed to keep him alive. He's freezing." Dumbledore looked up at Victoria, "I wonder Miss Knight, if you would do me a great favor and take Mr. Moody to the hospital wing. I'm sure he will need to see Madam Pomfrey."
Victoria nodded and let herself down into the trunk. Conjuring another stretcher she and Dumbledore levitated Moody back into the office and crawled out of the trunk. "You'll know where to find me if you need me." Victoria said levitating Moody back out of the room.
Making her way through the castle, Victoria was amazed at how quiet the place was. She realized that the students and staff were probably still on the field and wondered for a moment if Poppy would have made her way back yet. Deciding to take Moody to the hospital wing either way, she turned down the corridor and stopped momentarily to open the double doors.
"Victoria?" she heard Poppy gasp from the other side. Turning around Poppy saw the stretcher and collapsed down onto the nearest cot whispering, "Oh no."
"Don't worry Poppy; it's not what you think. This is the real Moody, the other one was an imposter. He's stunned and under the Imperious Curse. He'll be alright." Victoria said quickly, putting down the stretcher on another cot.
"Oh, thank Merlin," Poppy said returning to her feet. She waved her wand at Moody and smiled slightly at Victoria. "He's no longer Imperiused. We'll just have to wait for him to wake. I don't want to cause too much of a shock to his system." She put a hand on his arm for a moment and then took it back. "Here, let's get him some blankets. I think a warming charm would be too fast."
After piling a few blankets onto his sleeping form Poppy took a chair next to him. Victoria couldn't help the smile that crept across her face, "Would you like me to stay with you until he wakes up?"
Poppy shook her head, "No," she whispered, "I'll be fine. Would you go and check on Rolanda and Aurora? I left them back in the tent to watch over Fleur and Krum. I was only to be gone a minute."
Victoria nodded, giving Poppy's shoulder a gentle squeeze, "Of course. You look after him."
…
Nearly a half an hour later Poppy was still keeping her silent vigil next to Moody's bed. The room was silent except for the deep breathing of the man in front of her. Suddenly he started to moan and move around a bit, startling Poppy. She jumped to her feet, immediately running a diagnostic spell, finding that other than being dehydrated and nearly starved he was fine. A moment later his eye fluttered open. Taking a moment to let it focus, he looked at her, a slight smile forming on his lips. "Poppy," he breathed.
"Alastor," she smiled, a tear trailing down her cheek. "We were so worried about you."
He reached out grasping her hand firmly in his, "I though I'd never see you again."
Another tear slipped out of her eye, "You don't need to say that."
He reached up with his free hand, cupping her cheek, "I do need to."
Swallowing the knot forming in her throat she turned away from him, "You don't mean that Alastor. You've been through a great shock, you are not thinking clearly."
"I have been through a great shock," Moody conceded, "but that's not why I'm saying this." He took a deep breath and continued, "It may have taken months in a dark pit for me to finally come to my senses, but I think it's bloody well time I tell you the truth." He gently pulled her face back to look at him as he said, "I love you Poppy. I can't imagine spending another moment without you."
Tears were streaming down her face by this point, but a radiant smile was on her lips, "Merlin help me if I'm dreaming," she whispered. "I love you too." Leaning down she captured his lips with her own. She could feel every nerve in her body tingling as his arms went around her waist and hers went around his neck.
After a few moments enjoying each other he broke their kiss. Looking deep into her eyes he said very quietly, "Marry me Poppy."
"Oh Alastor!" she beamed and kissed him fiercely again. "I would love nothing more."
…
The next morning Victoria had just apparated into Hogsmeade, just outside the gates to Hogwarts, after taking Crouch Jr. to Azkaban, when she heard the loud pop and another person was suddenly standing next to her. She looked up to see that it was Severus, his dark hair shining in the morning sunlight. She smiled at him, "Good morning Severus."
"Victoria." He drawled as they started their way towards the castle. "On your way back from Azkaban I trust?"
"Yeah, just brought Crouch in. Let me tell you, they were pretty surprised."
"As I would assume, they had though he was dead." Severus answered.
They walked across the grounds in silence for a moment, and then she asked, "So I heard Karkaroff ran off last night."
"Indeed, his fears throughout the year seemed to be realized last night."
"I guess it's a fear we all share," she looked down at the ground for a minute. Walking on, another awkward silence seemed to envelop them. Finally she asked the question that had been plaguing her all night, "So where did Dumbledore send you?"
"That is between the Headmaster and myself," he answered shortly.
"But the Order is forming again. We're in this together Severus."
"We may be in this together, however there are some things you are still not at liberty to know."
She looked up at him surprised, "I'm sorry. I merely thought that you would like someone to talk to."
"I appreciate the thought," he answered gently, opening the large entrance doors for her. "Nevertheless, what I am doing is something I must keep to myself."
She nodded, "I understand. If you ever need to talk, just remember, I'm here."
He gave her a curt nod and then proceeded to the dungeons, leaving her to watch his retreating form. Turning she made her way to the Great Hall, deciding to join the rest of the school. The thought occurred to her that everything would change now, but she would never guess how right she would be in her assessment.