The Champions
The next day everyone gathered in the great hall to watch the choosing of the champions. Unofficially Cedric Diggory and Viktor Krum were the favorites of their schools. The French with their close sisterhood were indifferent as long their champion won.
The goblet began with a spectacular fire in red. "The Durmstrang champion is..." Dumbledore waited until a little piece of parchment flew out. "Viktor Krum!" Said man stood up and marched directly towards the small chamber. With a yellow fire a second one flew out. "Fleur Delacour!"
The blue fire lit and Dumbledore caught the smoking parchment. "Cedric Diggory!"
The blue fire made a larger show, forming hearts with its smoke before two pieces of parchment, linked by a golden band flew out. Dumbledore caught it and was surprised of the names. He looked over to his fellow school masters. Karkaroff was shaking while Madame Maxime was surprised. "Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley." He nearly whispered. Silence. "Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley!" Dumbledore said louder. An uproar filled the hall. The students couldn't believe that two were chosen. Both not of age and both not Cedric Diggory. The foreign students protested against the unfairness of Hogwarts having three champions. A loud thunder shut the students up.
Ron looked betrayed. Harry just looked at the floor as he and Ginny left the table for the chamber for the champions. As soon as they passed the goblet a golden band flew out of it and connected their wrists tightly.
As they entered the chamber the three occupants were surprised. "Harry?" Cedric asked.
"Whatz up? Should we come back?" Fleur asked.
"No, they are the fourth champions for Hogwarts." Erik explained as he closed the door and stood guard. Soon a knock was heard and he opened the door. After the head teachers entered he closed it again and had two guarding it from the other side.
"I demand the truth! What is this?" Karkaroff shouted. Dumbledore looked at him. "I don't know. The goblet was supposed to choose three champions, one for each school. I have an explanation though for why their parchments were bound together. Soul-bonds."
"Soul-bounds?" Fleur asked. Harry and Ginny suddenly felt something caressing their bond and looked over at Fleur who opened her eyes again. "Mon dieu, 'e is right. I can feel zer bond. It iz veri strong."
"There is no such thing. Do you really believe me to fall for that bed time story?" Karkaroff scoffed. "I assure you, it's not a story. Those bonds exist." Erik answered.
"I demand a new choosing! This is unfair for the other schools!" Maxime rolled with her eyes. "You know az well az me zat the goblet haz eztinguished. It will light again with the beginning of the nezt gamez. Dumbly-dorr didn't have a hand in thiz."
"Now this is funny." They turned around to see Erik examining the piece of parchment which held Ginny's name. "The piece containing Ms Weasley's name is a stuck-together piece of other parchments." He showed them the piece. They could see that each letter was in a different writing. "Unless someone made this I would say it was the goblet's work."
"Are you sure that your men didn't fail?" Karkaroff asked. "Please, we can go over the recordings of the past 24 hours if you want." Erik retorted. "My platoon is a mixed group. Each of them has connections somewhere. Falcon for example, his wife was in Beauxbatons. Doc has a brother in Durmstrang. Our whole unit was set up from the start to become a multinational group like this."
Mr Bagman and Mr Crouch arrived and briefed the champions on the idea of the first task. "We will test your bravery and creativeness."
After they left Dumbledore invited the other teachers for a drink. However, Madame Maxime escorted Fleur out while Karkaroff ordered Victor back to their temporary dorms.
As Harry and Ginny entered the common room they were celebrated by their friends. "Show them what a Gryffindor is like!" Harry looked for Ron and Hermione. "You could have told me how you did it!" Ron steamed before he rushed past Harry and into the dorms. George and Fred lied their arms around his shoulder. "Don't mind him. He just realized that you and his sister got into a tournament he wanted to get in and couldn't. If you need some pranks, ask us. We have enough for testing that might blow up!"
Ginny giggled. "I'll remember that." ~Lucky our own room is ready tonight. I wouldn't have the patience to listen to all of them.~ She pulled Harry out of the mob and they climbed the stairs up to the top where Erik waited for them. "Password is Sua Sponte. You have your own bedroom and your own bath. The house elves already brought your stuff up. I took the freedom to leave you some books and equipment. Use them wisely."
As Harry and Ginny entered their room a loud roar was heard below them. "I guess someone told Ron that I won't be in his dorm from now on." The room was like an apartment. Although it was on the top of the tower the magical expansion made it as big as the common room. On the nightstand was a set of books. Harry picked them up and noticed that all were hand-written. One was a manual on basic martial arts. One was a diary of Erik and Catherine where they wrote down their experience with the soul-bond.
Curiously, he opened it on the first page.
Dear Harry, dear Ginny. When we found out about your soul-bond we decided to comply everything we know on it. It might not cover everything as you are both wizard and witch while we are non-magic beings. We hope that these notes will help you to use the advantages of the bond and deal with the disadvantages. This booklet updates itself magically. If we find out something new we will write it in our copy and it will appear in yours.
Erik and Catherine.
~At least we are not alone with this condition~ Harry thought.
~Look!~ Ginny showed him a wand holster. It designed to fit on his arm. A note from Bill marked it as a charmed one which was protected against disarming charms and the wand could only be taken out by the owner in this case Harry. A small cord was attached to the wand so in case he used it a disarming spell wouldn't automatically mean losing the wand.
~Didn't you get such a holster?~ he asked his mate.
~No, Catherine showed me how to use my affinity to make things appear and disappear. I don't even have to use a school bag anymore. I only have one so I don't have to reveal my powers. Also, it still takes too much out of me to use it as frequently as she does.~
The next was package contained two sets of robes. It was from the overseer Frostbite.
Dear Lord Potter, dear Lady Weasley.
As you have claimed your titles of lordship and ladyship it would only be appropriate for you to wear the proper clothes. These lord robes will grow with you and protect you against weak charms. The back is covered with the coat of arms of your respective clans/houses as is the left breast pocket.
May your vaults be always filled with gold.
Overseer Frostbite
They looked at the robes before Ginny let them disappear in her fire. ~No need to wear them now. Ron is already jealous. I don't have a death wish and I don't want him to chase me with stakes.~ ~Figures. That won't work~ ~You know Ron.~
They sat on the bed and read the noted together.
Power – I can't say much because as a normal human there is no supernatural power for me to increase. However Catherine shows symptoms that she can temporarily change into a CAT8 if I am in grave danger and unable to defend myself.
Senses – Erik is a sniper however since we properly bonded (and with properly I mean the final step of a relationship), he shares my senses and often uses them to calculate the aim. It is irritating, at least to me to use a weaker set of senses but it's a way to communicate apart from the telepathic connection.
Telepathy – I mostly work with an open comm, means that I listen to the chatter. It is similar with the telepathy. Sometimes Cath shares something. I notice it like the radio chatter but if I don't have an earpiece it comes unexpected and is irritating. She with her already sharp ears is used to hear the chatter of the whole block and also her brain has the processing speed (See survival manual on main categories) for that.
Teleportation – As known, CATs with an elemental affinity can teleport. The usual restriction that one had to have been to a place to teleport doesn't apply. As long as the soul-mate has been there the CAT can teleport. Example. I was on a mission and got trapped in a chamber with poison gas. Catherine, despite having never been to that place was able to teleport to me without me sharing my exact location. It is a connection by heart. Love guides you. I can't do it but you, Harry might be able to do it with apparition (when you learn it.) I don't know how wards will affect you.
Defense against Rape – No one, absolutely no one but the soul-mate is allowed into the private areas. This mostly concerns Ginny so don't fear of being raped. If someone enters you without your consent any magic placed on you by that person is rendered useless. It happened to me when I was put under strong drugs. As a CAT7 they only dulled me for a minute instead of days. To summarize what happened afterwards: The rapist doesn't have the necessary item to rape anymore. If you know what I mean.
Defense against mind tricks – Being connected has vast advantages. One of those is the automatic protection of one's mind. No one, regardless how skilled they are are able to get through these shields. However, this only applies to one's memories. They can still take control as the imperius, Imperio, whatever, does but it will be easier to fight it off.
Emancipation – Soul-mates benefit from the full rights of their mate. While I am considered a weak human by vampire standards, I have the full rights as Catherine due to my connection. This seems to be the case with every bond. This does not work with earned rights like my officer ranks. Also the emancipation is separated in two stages: The magical and the social. By goblin laws you are adults by now, but by society laws you will be with 14, the legal age for arranged marriages.
Emotions – Due to the constant connection you feel the other's emotions. This happens regardless of blocking. It can lead to contradictions like acceptance on my side, but indifference on his. Also with closer, more intimate relations the enhancement can lead to "pleasurable" moments. I don't really have to deepen that. I think you can do the math.
Contraception – Is not necessary. The bond somehow recognizes if the time is right for a baby. Also if one of the mates doesn't want a baby, one will not be conceived. Bond-thing.
Physical changes – Each mate will be changed to match to their partner. How it happens and what is considered a perfect match is unclear. While for you two, Harry and Ginny, it seems like being the same height, for us it is different. I am still taller than Erik. Maybe it's to fit our fighting style.
Harry and Ginny looked at each other. Each had read from the other end of the book but both knew what the other had read. ~Did we just?~ Harry began. ~Yes, we shared our memory.~ Ginny concluded. ~Takes advantage in learning. I could share my experience on the spells to you.~ Harry had already an idea forming in his head.
The next morning during breakfast Harry and Ginny were mostly alone. The Hufflepuffs weren't too keen as they thought it was one of Harry's attention-seeking tricks but Cedric backed him up so they left him alone mostly. The Slytherins joined in although Ginny suspected that the sole reason was that it was an anti-Harry campaign. A large part of the Gryffindors was undecided. Ron led a small group of haters while Fred and George had fun in teasing Harry and their sister. The Ravenclaws were indifferent although some tended to Cedric. That group was led by Cedric's girlfriend Cho Chang. Since her failed attempt during the last year to capture Harry's attention she had looked somewhere else.
The weather got colder. The first sign was that the soldiers began to wear long winter cloaks in their armor color which went up to their helmets and closed around their necks.
The Hogwarts champions had no lessons so they could prepare for the tasks.
Harry was taken out of potions lessons to go to the interview. On the first look he hated the reporter. Bagman introduced her as Rita Skeeter, the same woman who reported about the world cup.
Erik and his soldiers patrolled the corridors especially around the area of the officials. Turning around a corner he saw Harry and Ginny being urged by the journalist Skeeter into a broom closet. He rose an eyebrow. He had spoken to the Ranger who had been pressured into making a statement. According to him, Rita was the kind who ripped the words out and rearranged them to make a sensation out of anything. After reading the article, his man had been sure that half of it was invented and his statements were incomplete, changing the meaning behind it.
Erik marched towards the closet and waited for a short time before he knocked. "Skeeter, move to the official area before someone might think about you as a pedophile. The camera records can have a completely different meaning if the sound is missing." He tapped against the microbinocular.
Harry and Ginny looked confused as Erik led them back into the room for the photos. Ginny immediately looked over at her husband. ~If she tries that again, I will kill her!~ she growled in his mind. ~It's not worth it. Don't give her what she wants~ ~Fine, prat.~ ~Love you, too.~ Harry retorted as they had to pose for a group photo. Rita insisted on getting Erik onto the photo, too. She even wanted him to take his helmet down but Erik refused. Harry wished he could have one, too. A faceless person among others. Not distinguishable by outsiders. ~Why don't you ask him? Maybe he can get us some armor. Even Catherine has a set although she doesn't use it often.~ ~After the task.~
After the press finally left Erik escorted the two back to the Gryffindor tower.
As they entered, they invited Erik in. The soldier took the chance and crashed on the couch in the common room. He placed his helmet down and ruffled his hair. "So, are you well prepared for the first task?" Fred asked them.
They shook their heads. "If I were you I wouldn't spent so much time looking out of the window at night. Nothing exciting, but the forbidden forest." Erik said as he stood up again. He picked up his winter cloak. "Get some sleep. You'll need it tomorrow."
Going up to their apartment they looked at their bound wrists. "How are we supposed to change with this?" Harry asked as he examined the golden band. Ginny didn't answer but closed her eyes to focus. A warm feeling overcame Harry. He looked down and found himself in his pyjamas. "How did you?" "The same way I can absorb and release things." Ginny laughed as she pulled him to her into the bed. When night fell they stood up and went to the only window facing the forbidden forest.
~Are you sure he wanted us to look out here?" Ginny asked. ~I'm sure. He taught me and Dudley a few tricks on hidden messages during the holidays. I'll share the memory.~ Harry explained.
They looked out when Ginny suddenly saw a flash. ~Did you see that flash?~ Harry shook his head. Ginny groaned and shared the memory. ~How come you can see it but I don't?~ ~Maybe infrared? Catherine told me that she can actually see a wider spectrum than humans can.~
Ginny looked down focusing on Erik he seemed to look right at her. She gave a thumbs up. Pretty stupid, she thought, but Erik lifted his thumb, too and moved his hand like he wanted them to follow him. They observed him as he walked along the forest and then disappeared into it. Ginny let the warmth in her take over and flamed. Harry was pulled along as they landed on the edge of the forbidden forest. They took it to the trees and kept following. Erik's armor made him nearly invisible in the darkness. Then he stopped. "Are you sure to take her along, Hagrid?"
The gamekeeper stood with Madame Maxime at the edge of a clearing. "Hmpf. Karkaloff tak's his pupil here, too. Why shoudent Ei at least invite someone?" "Never mind. Have fun." Erik left again to set up the shields around the spectator stands.
~Look, there's Charlie!~ Ginny pointed at a man. In the light provided by the fire Harry barely recognized him. ~Maybe that's what he meant with his job here.~ Charlie and his group went to one of the boxes and pulled it open. A roar filled the air followed by a fire. ~Dragons!~ ~I think we've seen enough.~ The two teleported back into their room.
The first task was in four days. They thought about how to get past the dragon without revealing to much. The first idea to have Ginny use her fire ability was rubbish. ~Why not a sign telling them that I'm a vampire?~ Walking across the lawn they crashed into Cedric. "Oh, hi Cedric." Harry greeted. Different to the other Hufflepuffs, Cedric shook his hand. "Excited about the first task?"
"Actually, no." While Ginny made sure nobody was around them, Harry whispered: "The first task are dragons. The others know, so I thought it would be only fair to tell you, too."
Cedric's eyes widened. "Good. Thank you. I have to think on that. By the way, did you really want to get into the tournament?" Harry showed him his bound wrist. "Do I look that way? I'm bound to her. We can't separate from each other." Cedric drew a face. "Awkward arrangement."
"More than awkward. Dumbledore allowed us to use the prefect's facilities to avoid embarrassment."
~ It's actually not that bad. We have our own bath anyway.~
Keeping going they ran into Ron's group. They all wore the insulting Potter-stinks-badges.
"Get your filthy hands off my sister!" he shouted. Ginny looked bored as she lifted her bound arm. "You are free to try." But whatever solution Ron thought off, it didn't work. His slicing charms got reflected and gave him a new hair cut. He tried with his scalpel which lost its blade against the golden band. At some point the group thinned out as they still had lessons to attend to.