Chapter Nineteen: Break The Wall

'Insanity is relative, it depends on who has who locked in what cage.'~ Ray Bradbury

Fleur's eyes were wide with interest, the more Harry spun his tale the angrier he got and soon he was pacing snarling about how the Thestral didn't know what it was talking about. She watched with an amused smile, he was kind of cute when he was angry, his lips curled a little, his eyes covered by his wireframes and hair almost obscuring them.

"But the craziest thing, it said something was worse than this rune!" He growled pointing to his chest, his dark grey button up was wide open; something she found extremely attractive for him. Harry's light skin, and fairly toned body from not only his time with his new relatives but a new workout regimen. The Black rune danced over his heart, spinning like an angry clock, it corrupted the veins near it turning them black as well.

Fleur frowned at the sight, he had scars yes, she had seen them when he wasn't paying attention, could feel them when her hand spread along his chest. "Are you sure that, Gamma, did that right?" She asked, knowing that the walls had ears and if they were talking about Bellatrix Black, they could get in serious trouble.

Harry stopped pacing, looking down at the rune a little then shrugged "I'm sure she knew what she's doing, spent days looking at the time before talking to me about it." He said running his fingers over the symbol.

Fleur wasn't impressed with that answer, she knew that any experienced Wizard could make mistakes with any type of magic and all it would take is a small one to put the screws on a rune like that. Harry had explained it as something that would seal his emotions but it doesn't, if anything he's more ruthless and cunning than ever before; she was afraid for him.

Harry tilted his head a little, walking over to her and cupping both her cheeks "Hey, turn that frown upside down eh? I can't have my best girl all gloomy, you pick me up after all." He whispered, kissing her nose and looking into her eyes.

She didn't like what she saw, his eyes were full of something, it could be pain or hate but she couldn't tell. She could tell that she didn't like it, it wasn't her Harry, the Harry that spun her at the ball or had taken such strides in overcoming a Dragon. This Harry was twisted by HER, had been broken by HER and it made her blood burn.

"It's hard to be happy, when we have the third task in the morning." Fleur said with a sharp tone, in each of the events Harry had gotten stronger but at the cost of something. The Dragon was the start of his Elemental training, this left him often spitting up blood. The Lake was the second time that Harry had frightened her, this time his power was unquestionable but the cost of most his emotions left her struggling to breathe.

Harry waved her off, leaning back in the chair "We don't even know what it's about, they just told us all to dress in the boxes that they gave us. They're rather tight gear like when we fought the dragon." His voice was a rather void.

"I see." Fleur spoke leaning on him "What do you think will happen?"

"Honestly I really don't care."

XX~XX~XX~XX

"Morning." Harry said airily wearing his red and black battle gear as he took to calling it. He sat down between Hermione, and Daphne, across from Mindy and Fleur all at the Ravenclaw table "Pass the eggs."

Fleur raised a brow at his state of dress, he altered the robes to his liking. The sleeves were supposed to be long, his were cut off at the shoulder; showing his tightly wrapped arms. He worn ratty torn jeans, with holes in each of the knees with smaller holes every which way. The look was complemented by boots, a leather belt and knee guards.

Her robes were white and purple, and largely the same to his "Good Morning, Arry." She spoke softly, with a smile across her face.

"How did you sleep Harry?" Mindy asked across from him, she was picking at her eggs with a look of distaste. She'd been dating around again, as Fleur had told him was fairly common with her and she struck out on someone.

"Well." He replied simply, placing a few items on his tray and starting to slow eat without much enthusiasm.

Hermione raised a brow at this, normally before something this big she'd have to force it down his throat or bribe him to even eat a little toast. "Are you feeling alright?" She asked with a hint of worry.

Harry glanced up from his bacon pieces "I am." He answered before turning back to his hotcakes. He didn't even look up as Hedwig landed on his shoulder, placing a paper roll into his lap then clicking into his ear. "Good girl." He spoke calmly, petting her under feathers.

Hedwig barked once, clicked and then took off, her job done; not without snagging a slice of bacon from his plate. Harry glared at the bird, before taking the paper roll from his lap and looking it over a small smile spreading over his face "Brilliant." He whispered, tucking it into his bag and then finishing his meal.

Daphne raised a brow, flicking her lighter a few times to distract herself "Alright, I'm out, I want to see how Tracy is doing." She spoke with a smirk, turning and walking off after standing up.

Harry shrugged, pushing his plate forward and then downing the goblet of juice "I'm done, I'm going to go warm up. Want to join me?" He asked Fleur, holding his hand out to her with questioning eyes.

Fleur shook her head a small smile on her face "Non, Merci. I 'ave not finished." She explained, pointing to her eggs.

"Suit yourself." His words weren't hostile but his tone cold, without another word or a fond farewell he turned and walked out of the hall.

Fleur frowned, her lips pouting and eyes glaring at his back "E is in a bad mood." She snapped without looking at the other women.

Mindy shrugged, with a sigh "You have to admit, he isn't the same boy we first met a few months ago." She whispered to her, playing lightly with the fork in her right hand.

"That's what worries me." She explained, a small glare still across her face as she started to cool down. Veela ran hot, it was how they always were and she knew that, it was why in certain situations she'd strike first. Harry though, he was her counter as a Water type but he wasn't being cool headed of late he was being more and more aggressive. He had his moments, where he was fairly docile but most of the time, he was harsh and cold.

Fleur frowned at the thoughts that started to build in her mind.

XX~XX~XX~XX

They had turned the Dragon Ring into something new, not exactly building it up but building it out and with large walls breaking it apart into four corners. It was now a large dark stone circle with a cross going straight in the middle, with small chalk circles in the center of each. Unlike the First task, they weren't going one at a time but all at once.

Harry glanced over his shoulder at the people behind him, they were all roaring with cheers and celebrations. The Puffs were up in arms with their banners, all of them supporting Diggory with bright Black or Yellow colors. He could hear the foreign students shouting and cheering their own champions on, everyone though had stopped cheering for the Last Potter.

Within the first handful of days, everyone had noticed a difference in character with him, and everyone after his action in potions had largely left him alone. His sharp keen eyes looked around the ring for the only people he could trust, near Dumbledore was Andie and Padfoot. In a mix of Ravenclaw and French, he could see the rest of his friends.

There was no instructions given to them ahead of time, no words of wisdom from Dumbledore not even Bagman had come down to speak with him. It didn't put him on edge, it made him grin.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!" Bagman finally shouted after several moments, everyone had been cheering and roaring for minutes. Viktor seemed to take in the crowd, roaring like a great bear within his soul and smiling at everyone; though his eyes drifted towards a certain brunette. Fleur did simple smiles, polite curtsies and waves that a woman like her did with the utmost grace. Cedric was waving awkwardly, laughing at the signs and largely trying to unwind the stress that Bagman could see in the boy. Potter though, he hadn't moved a single inch, his green eyes merely looked around the stage; he didn't acknowledge anyone or anything.

"It is my honor." He continued after a moment "To present you with the Third Task!" He paused for the roar of cheers "In the last tasks we have tested the Champions in many ways, we have tested their resolve, their strength, their intelligence and their ability to overcome the impossible. At the moment, we have Number 4-Harry Potter in the lead!" There wasn't much cheering or applause, more people were booing the Potter heir "Tied for Second and Third, Cedric Diggory and Viktor Krum!" There wasn't anything but cheers this time, he could barely hear himself "Finally in Fourth, the lovely Fleur Delacour!"

Harry didn't need to know much to know where Fleur was, she radiated heat and fire when she was angry. He could feel it coming from his direct left.

"Now Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a task unlike all other." Bagman spoke softly, lulling the crowd "This is a task of self and talent, the Champions were chosen by the Goblet of Fire! And we intend to give them a reason to prove themselves!" He shouted now, the crowd growing wild with anticipation. "They will battle their own Peers! We have selected four members of each level the Champions are at! Four members ready to prove themselves!"

"Ladies and Gentlemen, let the Third Task Begin!"

Harry frowned, glancing towards the door nearest to him as it opened, he could hear the announcer shouting out those they would be fighting and could feel the blood pumping into his ears at the sound of his first opponent "Ronald Weasley!"

Ron, he hadn't spoken to Ron in weeks, months and now he wanted to face him down on the field of battle. The Field where he was the master, where everything would fall into place, he had earned that right after defeating so many, he was the Lord of it. Ron hadn't changed much in the last few months, if anything Harry could see a thin line of anger across his face that wasn't going away.

"Harry." Ron said holding his wand out, getting into a dueling stance.

"Ronald, may I inquire as to how you thought this was a good idea?" Harry asked in the simplest of voices.

Ron smirked "Like I said at the beginning Harry, Fame and Glory." He said before glaring once more.

Harry didn't look interested in the fight, in fact he was looking around the ring for someone and then he found them "Ginevra, I suggest you tell your older brother to stand down before he hurts himself." He spoke calmly, hands behind his back.

Ginny flushed red at the attention she was now receiving but then glared at her brother, while it wasn't uncommon knowledge she did still have a crush on the BWL. "Ron this isn't a good idea!" She warned him, knowing it wasn't going to work.

"Keep my sister out of it!" Ron snarled and threw a spell at Harry.

It connected, slicing right into his shoulder blade and blood began to pour from the wound "Oh were we starting? I hadn't noticed." He spoke offhandedly, ignoring the wound on his left. He started to walk towards his former friend.

Ron continued to throw hexes and jinxes, most of them went a little wide or Harry would move an inch or two to avoid it; slowly. Soon Harry wasn't more than three feet in front of him, he would not be able to dodge now and Ron sent a blasting hex at him.

Harry flicked his wand at the spell and it crashed right over his shield, now he was barely a foot away and then he struck. His wand in his free hand as he grabbed Ron's wrist, snapping it with a sudden movement "I have no interest in fighting you, I would like a challenge." He spoke in a voice void of everything and eyes that bore down into his very soul.

Ron started to whimper as he looked at his right wrist, it was clearly snapped out of place and he was trying hard not to cry in pain. That was before Harry took the wrist and started to pressure him towards the floor, now he did cry out.

"Submit." Harry spoke the word in a hiss "Or I'll break the other."

Ron looked terrified and knew that Harry would keep the promise "I surrender!" He shouted, then was thrown back harshly into the ground. He started to cradle his broken wrist, tears leaking now from his eyes.

"I warned you." Harry spoke simply, his eyes looking hard and like rubies before he turned and walked off. "Pitiful."

XX~XX~XX~XX

After Ron, Harry had to fight Terry Boot, who had started the rumors that he was the Heir of Slytherin, which he was, but still it caused him nothing but trouble during that entire year and then everyone seemed to forget it. He beat Terry in the duel, using better magical talent and stronger wards than him.

He was surprised to see Daphne standing across from him after he had beaten Ron and Terry, it wasn't something that expected her to do. When questioned about it, she calmly explained that her family could receive a little bit better treatment from both sides so long as she did this; so he played with her for a time.

It logically made sense to him, she didn't have to beat him nor had she said she wanted to, she wanted the attention for her family. As a Slytherin he understood that statement, using everything and anything to your advantage; he was a Slytherin right?

Daphne was extremely more advanced than she let on, she knew her stuff and knew it well. In fact he had to resort to some of his Parsel Magic to beat her without getting truly serious; after the stone snake had coiled around her she relented.

"It is now down to the last round!" Bagman shouted "Potter has beaten all of his opponents with ease, proving that he though underage truly belongs here!" This was met with a roar of the crowd, they seemed to like him again. "Viktor was knocked out of the race last round, Ursa Gilion beat him though they were both heavily wounded!" Boos rang out through the crowd "Fleur and Cedric are still in the race, firmly behind Potter! Can they all survive their final fight!?"

Harry wasn't interest in who the others were fighting, he knew that Fleur had what it took to face her friends and allies; as they had ridiculed and tormented her all her life. His ears perked up when he heard the final name "Draco Malfoy!"

Said blond teen walked into the stage, giving simple waves and a small boy "Well Potter, I have to admit I hoped you be bloodier." He drawled.

Harry glanced his robes over, the cut on his left arm from Ron was still bleeding a little, Terry got lucky with a fire hex and burned his chest, making part of the robe fall off in a burning heap. Daphne was the cause of most the new small cuts and bruises along his body.

"Is that so?" Harry tilted his head, looking up to the crowd "Crabb! Goyle! Get your lard asses down here, and make this a fair fight!" He shouted for the first time, he looked like he was about to enjoy himself.

"What is this!? Potter requests more than Malfoy to face him!" Bagman shouted, the crowd roaring behind him "Should we give them to him!?" The crowd roared even more "Be careful what you wish for Mr. Potter, would Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabb please join Mr. Malfoy in the ring! Unless they do not wish to!"

Harry didn't have to wait more than a few moments before the two gorillas walked up to their puppet master. The three of them whispered for a moment, then started to throw curses at him, and they were connecting. The three attackers sent the Potter Heir, flying backwards after they sliced, burned and frosted him.

"What's wrong Potty! Scared!?"

Harry lay on the ground, not moving for a few moments before slowly raising his head "Nah just gauging you." He explained before rolling backward and onto his feet. "Keep up?"

Draco raised a brow at the word, before volleys of curses were sent right back at them. It took all of their combined shields to hold up against the assault, when the dust had settled Harry was standing a few feet away with his glowing red eyes.

Harry slowly brought his free hand to his mouth, he opened it wide and it dislodged like a snake's mouth would. Slowly a silver snake was brought out from his mouth, then he wrapped his fingers around the leather bound handle, dragging it from his throat and into the viewing world. The blade was as beautiful, as it was deadly 'The Last Dance'

"What's this! The tables have turned as Potter seemed to have conjured a sword!"

Harry didn't exactly conjure the blade, he had Bella create a rune in the back of his throat to store the sword. It was Slytherin's idea, in fact it was where he stored the blade originally it took the enemies by surprise that the snake had a fang.

With a strong blasting curse, he destroyed their shields and entered them in hand to hand. Goyle tried to swipe left, which Harry avoided then sent a low kick and blast at his face; he was sent flying with blood. Crabb roared as his friend was blown away, grappling Harry from behind but then started to shake when they connected; he went down in a seizure fit.

Now it was just Harry and Malfoy, he recalled something about Malfoy that he too was a swordsman, with a flick of his wand, he turned a rather large stone into a blade. With his foot, he tossed it to Malfoy. "Let us see who is better, Lucius." He hissed, eyes narrowing.

Malfoy raised a brow, looking to sword over for a moment and then taking a stance, his wand still held firmly in his free hand "You really are going blind aren't you?" He snarled, before parrying a blow.

The two locked blades for several minutes, Potter just playing with him really, a second passed as Harry deflected a blow with his blade then drove it right into Malfoy's shoulder. The blond screamed in pain, and was swept of his feet by a low kick to the knee. "This is going to hurt." He warned, a smile across his features.

Harry didn't lie, another few moments passed before Malfoy was thrashing in pain screaming for mercy. The venom that the blade had been forged with, infected the pierced flesh. Harry placed a small black vial in Malfoy's hand "Don't break it, it'll save your life." He almost started to laugh, before he walked away.

XX~XX~XX~XX

Sirius looked disconcerted, whining every now and then as Harry was struck then he'd return it back almost tenfold. In fact the way that he was throwing the curses was very similar to someone he'd seen fight several years ago, but he wasn't sure how Harry would know that; he was one.

Andie scratched him behind the ear "He's alright, sticking largely to base magic and curses. He used Lightning against that idiot that tried to grapple him, he should be fine though." She soothed him, trying to keep him under control.

"Hey, why do you have a dog here?" A man above her growled, holding his nose as the fighting had come to an end, they were tallying the pointing now.

Andie glanced up, when Sirius was out in public like this she'd enchant her eyes to appear glassy and grey "My ward is fighting down there, I am making sure he'll be alright and Padfoot is my seeing eye dog." She explained offhandedly. "Is that a problem?"

The man shook his head, but then thought about that for a second "No, sorry Ma'am."

Sirius barked once, then whined as the judges had come up with a verdict.

XX~XX~XX~XX

Bagman didn't look happy, in fact he looked torn "Ladies and Gentlemen! We have a new turn! Potter, Delacour and Diggory have faced their peers and proved their worth, they are truly on the first steps of becoming duelists! So now to prove how close they are! We are calling the Professors of these students to duel them!"

Harry then widened his eyes with excitement, the others had been easy to deal with and Malfoy hadn't really left much of any effect when everything was said and done. His face split into an even wide grin when he heard that 'Severus Snape' would be his opposition. How he had waited for this day, ever since he felt betrayed by the man, who now lived at Albus' beck and call.

He was going to spare Lily, he was, but that little witch had to intervene and now he was, well he was the predator and prey all rolled in one.

The Potions Master showed himself after several moments "Severus, Severus, Severus." Harry tisked walking a little closer with a smile still on his features "What am I to do with you? You know I don't take kindly to betrayal."

Snape raised a brow, his face a mask of indifference but Harry could see the confusion in his eyes.

"You don't recognize me Severus? I'm hurt, the years might not have been exactly as kind as I have wanted them to be. Alas here I stand, ready to punish you for your betrayal." Harry shook his head, then snapped a curse at him, one that was far beyond his years.

Severus jumped back, eyes wide with more confusion as Harry continued his assault. The way he moved, the way he had slowly started to talk and the cold look in his green or red eyes. It couldn't be, it was impossible, this boy couldn't be channeling him, Lily wouldn't stand for it.

Harry grinned more, a twisted sort of grin that certain people knew very well. He stopped charging, whispering words in a language few could read or interpret and even few could speak. Suddenly, the ground and walls around him started to turn into serpents; hissing and showing their fangs.

Severus' eyes widened at the Parsel Magic and jumped backward, he saw him use it on Greengrass but he never thought he'd have this up his sleeve. With a flick and twirl, he transformed the ground back into solid rock, when his boots connected, he attacked.

Harry blocked him blow for blow, either with magical shields or summoned objects "Please Severus, you'd have thought the last thirteen years would have made you at least on my level." He snarled, twisting his face away from a purple curse "I like this face you know!"

"Potter enough games, I don't know how you're doing this or channeling him but you must stop this!" Snape barked his tone much like it would be in potions.

"We are not in your little class Severus, and if we were, then I'd be the Professor wouldn't I? How much about the Dark Arts did I teach you? All the Rituals?" He taunted, tossing more curses at the man "The Mark?"

Severus' eyes widened, pain flaring from his forearm at the mention of it "Silence!" He threw his more violent curses, the ring now taking serious damage and the spells nearly blowing holes in the wards that were protecting the audience.

"Enough, I've grown tired of this game Severus." Potter yawned, twisting his wand into the sky and creating a cloud. Lightning and heavy rain threatened to being to pour down. "Tell me Severus, have I ever shown this to you?" He asked, looking at the slowly beaten back man.

Severus was fuming, Potter had channeled him perfectly and the magic was Nature based it was something that he had done in the start of the war. Then he had the gall to ask that question, the question they both knew the answer to "I submit, you have me bested." Severus growled out, tucking his wand away.

Harry grinned even more, before pressing his thumb to his wrist and keeping eye contact. Severus growled in pain, slowly it brought him down to his knees and then he bowed his head "You have Potter to thank for how merciful I am Severus, do not forget this." With that Harry turned and walked away; the weight now removed from the man.

Harry's ears could pick up something, something that sounded so haunting "Lily what happened to your boy?" Severus' words connected with him, making him twist into a smile, nothing happened to him, he was finally free.

XX~XX~XX~XX

Fleur was tired, no she was completely exhausted and was in fact lucky to have outsmarted her Professor with a sinkhole. Her peers weren't any less of a challenge, Headmistress must not of been aware of who was truly in this. One had been her friend, the rest her direct enemies and ones prone to violence at her at that.

So when she was told to wait for a moment, it confused her, there had to be no one else, what were they going to make her fight Dumbledore now?

"This is quite interesting Ladies and Gentlemen, Cedric Diggory could not handle the raw experience that Alastor Moody had to offer while the others faced their Professors and remained on top. They have shown that they have experience and talent beyond the others, so now we have one more test for them!"

Fleur's face paled, as the wall to her right was destroyed by a spell and then her eyes went wide at the look that Harry had; he looked completely lost. His hair was wild and coated in dirt or his own blood, cuts and bruises covered his body and a nasty burn marked his chest.

Harry cocked his head to the side to look at her, she could feel his eyes looking her up and down, trying to find something on her or from her. Whatever it was, it didn't slow her heartbeat.

"Fleur Delacour and Harry Potter have placed for first! This is unacceptable, so we have come to the agreement that the two of them shall duel!"

Fleur watched as Harry's eyes widened for a moment, she saw green flash in his deep blood like eyes, they happened after his training, she missed the bright green that he normally had, she missed her Harry.

Fleur drew her wand as Harry drew his, she watch with a worrying expression as he started to move "No hard feeling Mon Amour." He whispered before throwing a blasting curse at her.

Fleur threw a shield up, her eyes wide with horror that he would do something like that, he had been so protective of her lately that it struck her oddly. "Arry!" She cried, blocking another volley "I won't fight you!"

"Then my victory is assured! Just surrender!" He started to laugh, his eyes wide with a crazed expression.

Fleur shook her head, this wasn't her Harry and she might not get another chance like this "I won't you'll just have to make me!" She shouted to back to him, then ducked a stunner.

"Don't make me do this!" His voice had changed, gone was the emotionless man that plagued her nightmares. That was the voice of someone that existed in her dreams.

"Arry!"

The smoke and dust that had been kicked up by Harry's assault largely blocked his form making dodging the attacks that much harder. She froze when her back collided with the wall, she had nowhere else to run to, she try to roll to the side but Harry would corner her eventually. "Sorry, but Harry has check out!" Emotionless again.

Something blew through the smoke, when it pierced the thin veil she saw it was a fist, a fist wrapped in bloodied cotton wrapping; Harry. At the last second though something shifted in his balance, making him go wide and connecting to the wall behind her.

She watched with wide eyes, as Harry was crying, she glanced to the fist and it was broken, bleeding from the force of it. "I can't…." He whispered, his tone was soft but not directed to her, he was talking to himself.

"You can't stop me." The Harsh tone had returned. "Potter."

"Watch me." Harry whispered, slowly pulling the fist from the wall and driving it into his gut "I might only have enough for the arm, but I'll take you out! You won't harm her!" He started to shout, driving his fist more and more into his own stomach.

Harry stumbled backwards, his red eyes glowing with rage as the other arm tried to stop the assault that was happening on his own body. "Like I said you can't stop me!" The other voice roared out, slapping the hand away.

Harry looked at her, throwing a spell at her but at the last moment it went wide as did all the others. "Enough of this!" His voice was hissing, red eyes nearly glowing with rage.

Harry looked back up at Fleur, his face twisting into a smile "I have more to lose." He whispered, bright green starting to spread through his right eye.

"I'll destroy it all, everything."

"You won't."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, because I won't let you."

Harry started to scream as he fought against himself, the crowd was silent as they watched the insane looking boy who was talking to himself deal blow after blow to himself. He cried out in pain as he twisted his weight on his ankle, snapping it and sending him to the cold hard ground.

"I win. I'll always win against you." Harry whispered, tears leaking down his face and he slowly brought a hand to his burned chest "I never want your help again, Tom."

"What do you think you're doing! This won't stop me! I'll come back and kill everyone! You let me in! LET ME KILL!" He howled through pale lips, flakes of red started to fade into green.

Harry dug his fingers into the rune, twisting it as hard as he could in his weakened state, with a final scream. He went limp, his chest barely rising and falling as his body slowly started to regain all the color that he was repressing. Slowly the magic around his body fell away, and for the first time, she could see the scars.

Without another word, she walked away from her spot on the wall, it wasn't her fight but something that Harry had to work out himself. She wondered who this Tom was, that he whispered and thought better of it. She transfigured a cloak from his tattered shirt and did her best to cover him, as the medical team started to rush towards them. Bagman's words rang hollow for her, they rang out like she had won something, but in fact she might have lost everything.

"Fleur Delacour is the winner of the Third Task."

No one cheered, no one wanted to.

XX~XX~XX~XX~XX

Hello my avid fans, the Third Task is finally at a close and with it the Sun is starting to rise again but has the night done complete damage to this young Potter's soul? As some of you have guessed yourselves or from the small hints I dropped, Harry might not of been him and now you know why. I can tell you that Riddle and Harry will remain on different sides of the coin, not just one face.

I was actually really impressed that so many people guessed this stuff, really you guys are great. Thanks for keeping up with my madness guys, I'll see you for the next update: Help.