After Limbo
Chapter Thirteen
Severus Snape was in his office when Harry entered it.
"What do you want Potter?" Snape snapped. "Are you going to sack me too?"
"Actually no" Harry replied. Snape sat back in his hair, studying the boy he had treated miserably for the past three years.
"Then what do you want?" He asked.
"I know what you did" Harry said quietly. "I know that it was you that told Voldemort about the prophecy" If Snape could have gotten any paler, he would have. He made to speak, but Harry held up a hand. "I also know that you had no way of knowing he'd go after my parents and that you went to Dumbledore for help, but you were played by two masters"
"Why are you telling me this?" Snape asked warily.
"Because, I need your help" Harry replied. Snape raised an eyebrow.
"What kind of help?" He asked. Harry pulled out the marauders map and Snape recognized it instantly. Harry laid it on the desk and pointed to the name that was in the DADA classroom.
"The map never lies" Harry said. "That isn't Alastor Moody teaching us defense, its Barty Crouch Junior"
"And what do you want me to do?" Snape asked.
"He intends to bring his master back on the night of the third task. I intend to permanently end his master once and for all. He needs to place the cup in the maze, because it will lead me to Voldemort, but during the task, I need you to apprehend him, but don't unmask him until I return to claim the winnings" Snape was silent for a moment.
"and what do I get in return for this?" He asked. Harry smirked.
"The job you always wanted. Defense against the Dark Arts" Snape raised an eyebrow.
"Can I ask who you plan to have teach Potions?" He asked.
"Sirius Black. I intend to have him pardoned by the end of the year" Harry replied. "Do you think you can handle working in the same building as him?" Snape sighed.
"I'm sure I'll manage, Potter" He said grudgingly. "I suppose I can help you in this endeavor"
Harry's next stop was to see Professor Binns. Binns was not happy to be sacked from the teaching position and almost refused to leave until Harry threatened to expell from the castle permanently.
"The students are supposed to be learning the history of the wizarding world, but how can they learn anything when the professor is dull and merely lectures and then assigns homework that never gets done?" Binns had no answer for this and left the classroom dejectedly. Harry had already hired a new teacher for the job, Remus Lupin. He would answer any complaints fully and measurably, but he wanted Remus looked after and new it was hard for the werewolf to find a good job.
At the end of the day, only two teachers were sacked, Binns and Trewlaney and Divination was scrapped as Harry knew that not everyone would posses the ability to do well in that class and use the 'inner' eye. Filch was also sacked, as unfit to work in an establishment with children.
Harry kept an eye on Crouch Jr. until the eve of the tournament. On that evening, Harry stood with the other champions and locked eyes with Snape, who gave a slight nod and stood. He briefly talked to Moody/Crouch and the two of them left together.
"Earlier today Professor Moody placed the tri-wizards cup deep within the maze. Only he knows its exact position. Now as Mr Diggory..." McGonagall began. The crowd cheered on hearing his name. She continued above the cheering and Mr Potter tied for first position they will be the first to enter the maze. Followed by Mr Krum..." The bulgarian crowd went nuts. "And Fleur Delecour. The first person to touch the cup will be the winner. I've instructed the staff to patrol the perimeter, if at any point should a contestant wish to withdraw from the task he or she need only send up red sparks with their wands. Contestants, gather round" The champions stood in front of her. "In the maze you'll find not dragons or creatures of the deep. Instead you'll face something more challenging. You see, people change in the maze. Oh find the cup if you can, but be very weary you could just lose yourselves along the way" McGonagall began the countdown. "On the count of three... ONE..."
The cannon fired. Harry and Cedric entered the maze through different entrances. The entrance closed up behind Harry. Heavy mist set in. Harry started traversing the maze, creature noises all around him. Unfortunately for Harry, he had only vague memories of the maze from the first time.
Cedric was walking along, the maze walls began to close in on him. He made a run for it. Fleur was running around scared, she was attacked and knocked down by an odd looking creature. Harry spotted Fleur being swallowed into the undergrowth. He ran to her and grabbed her by the arms, pulling through the ground.
"Thank you 'arry" She said. she sighed. "I don't think I can do this anymore" Normally Harry would talk her out of quitting, but since he knew what was waiting for him he didn't.
"Do you want to send up red sparks?" He asked. Fleur nodded and sent up the sparks. Harry stayed with her until Professor Vector came and guided her out of the maze. Harry breathed a sigh of relief. A heavy wind started blowing, walls were closing in, Harry began running. Harry, Cedric and Viktor met up in the middle of the maze.
"We have to get out of here" Cedric said. Harry nodded,
"Listen to me guys, the cup is a portkey" Cedric and Viktor stared at Harry in shock.
"A deatheater made it a portkey to lead me into a trap" Harry replied. "He's tried to make sure I win. I don't really want eternal glory, but the only way to prevent Voldemort from getting a new body is for me to take the cup and finish him off"
"We're coming with you" Cedric replied.
"No" Harry replied. "He will not hesitate to kill you immediately. He needs my blood, so he won't kill me right away. That will buy me some time"
"Are you sure about this Harry?" Viktor asked. Harry nodded. "Then I believe you. Once you take the cup, I will send up the sparks and let them know that you vanished"
"Thank you" Harry replied. "I would appreciate you not telling anyone what Voldemort is up to. If things go smoothly, no one needs to know" Ceric and Viktor nodded. Harry ran towards to cup and looked back at his friends. He saluted them and then reached out and grabbed the cup. He vanished before their very eyes.
Viktor shot up the sparks the the maze opened as a teacher led them out. Viktor explained to McGonogall that they had all reached the cup but Harry had touched it first but had vanished. the crowd was in an uproar, wondering where Harry could be.