– Chapter Twenty Nine –
Disbelief
There was a very long silence in the woods. Romi looked between Ginny, Neville and Luna. They all looked very confused.
"What… just happened?" Romi asked. Ginny and Luna shook their heads, completely bewildered as to what could have occurred. Neville was standing opposite to her, staring at something in his hands.
"Wasn't War here?" Luna asked, looking at her arm where he had scratched her. There wasn't any indication that there was a wound.
"And a demon?" Ginny said, spinning on the spot, looking all around the clearing. "What on earth…?"
"I don't think it matters," Neville said finally, holding up what was in his hand. Romi walked over to him and looked at it. It was a ying yang peace symbol dangling on a long chain. Romi reached into her pocket and pulled out the other two horseman chains. They were identically made.
"How did you manage that?" Romi asked, looking at him impressed.
"I don't know," Neville said, finally, looking at her. "But… I have this feeling like, I'm forgetting a ton of stuff."
"Yeah, me too," replied Ginny, rubbing her forehead. "It's like something's erased my memory or something…"
They all looked at each other, completely unsure what to do.
"Does this mean Neville defeated him?" Romi asked. "Can we go back to the castle?"
There was a rubble in the woods behind them. All four turned just in time to see a huge, many legged creature amble through the far side of the trees. Night had fallen, so none of them could see exactly what it was.
"I think should head back now," Neville said, trying to control his voice from squeaking.
"I'm agreeing with Neville," Ginny said, her eyes glued to the spot where the creature had been. "I think if the monsters are coming back into the forest, we're safe from War."
"Just not from them," muttered Romi. "Let's go."
The four of them turned and ran full tilt along the route they had come in. It was now very dark inside the forest, and they weren't really sure which way they should be going.
Thankfully, though, they crashed through the tree line of the forest beside Hagrid's hut moments later. The four of them stopped, to catch their breath.
"Well done," Romi said, smiling at her friends.
"I'm sure –" said an extremely strict voice behind them, "–that the four of you have an excellent reason to why you are out of bed and in the forest in the middle of night."
Romi and the others turned around to see Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore accompanied by Severus and Hagrid. It was Professor McGonagall who had spoken, standing closest to them with her hands on her hips, and steam practically coming out of her ears.
Romi glanced at the other three. "I'm sure you wouldn't believe us if we told you," she said, finally. Professor McGonagall's nostrils flared.
Suddenly there was a crash behind them from the forest, causing all four kids to turn around and whip out their wands – Romi even pulled out her sword, despite having the teachers' right behind her.
"Perhaps we could relocate to the castle," Professor Dumbledore said, watching the forest slightly apprehensively, "then you can tell us why exactly you four are all so jumpy."
Romi looked at her friends, then put away her sword and her wand, and looked over to the teachers. Her eyes fell on her godfather's, she expected him to be furious, but he looked worried, glancing from her to the forest.
"Up," said Professor McGonagall sternly, pointing up to the castle. Romi sighed and then led the procession up towards the castle, Professor Dumbledore, McGonagall and Severus coming up the rear. When they reached the Entrance Hall, Professor McGonagall took the lead and guided them all to her office.
They were silent until all of them where inside. Professor Dumbledore was the last one in and he closed the door, and turned to look at them.
"Well?" he asked.
Romi just looked to her friends. She then gave Professor Dumbledore a sort of shrug, even if she wanted to explain what they were doing, she wasn't sure that she could.
"I'm assuming it wasn't some sort of dare," Professor Dumbledore said, looking between the four of them, "you're too well prepared for being attacked. So that leads me to conclude that you had a very specific purpose for going into the woods at night."
"Technically we went in during the day," Romi said, mostly to herself, frowning slightly.
"What were you doing in there?" Dumbledore asked, his blue eyes hard behind his glasses.
"I'm not sure," Romi replied, "We seem to be missing a couple of hours or so."
Professor Dumbledore, McGonagall and Severus all looked surprised at that.
"Missing how?" Professor McGonagall demanded.
"I don't remember what happened," Romi said, looking to her friends, who nodded. "It's really weird–"
Severus interrupted her, sounding slightly angry. "Romi, if this has to do with that Elena person again, don't lie."
"I'm not lying!" Romi replied, "Elena actually wasn't there this time."
"Who is Elena?" Professor Dumbledore asked, looking between Severus and Romi.
"The girl Romi thinks tried to drown her in first year," Severus said with a sigh.
"I don't think!" Romi said angrily, looking at her Godfather. "Elena is real and she did try to kill me! Twice now!"
"Romi, there has never been any proof that this woman was on Hogwarts grounds and–" Severus began.
"Neville has seen her – she does exist! And she did have a hand in what's been going on lately," Romi said heatedly, "why we were in the forest tonight."
"I have seen her," Neville said, quickly, "I saw her last year – she did try to kill us."
"And has Miss Lovegood and Miss Weasley seen her?" Professor McGonagall asked, looking to the other two.
Ginny and Luna exchanged glances. "Well," Ginny said, slowly, "not exactly."
"And was she in the forest this evening?" Severus asked, quickly.
"No, but–" Luna started, but Severus cut her off.
"Then what were you doing in there!" he said hotly.
All four were silent.
"Severus would you please get Professor Sinistra," Dumbledore said finally, as Severus opened his mouth again. "She can deal with Miss Lovegood while Professor McGonagall takes care of Miss Weasley, Miss Black and Mr Longbottom – as she should as Head of their House."
Severus glared at Professor Dumbledore for a long moment and then strode out of the room. Professor Dumbledore than looked at Romi and the others.
"I wish you would tell me what you are up too," he said finally. "If you think it requires as much attention as you are giving it, perhaps we could help."
Romi raised her chin a little. "I wish you would believe me about Elena. You'll regret it if you don't."
Professor Dumbledore held her gaze for a long time, and then sighed. "I will see you in the morning, Minerva," he said and left them alone.
Romi looked at all of her friends, wondering if she should have told the teachers what they were up to. Ginny gave her a small smile, and Romi could read the expressions of Luna and Neville well enough to know that they thought she had said enough.
It was silent for a long moment, and then Professor McGonagall spoke very businesslike.
"You will all receive detention, and fifty points will be taken," she said, "I'm sure Professor Sinistra will agree with me. I will be writing to your all parents, and you two," she said pointing at Neville and Romi, "You'll be on suspension for the week. This is the second time I've caught you out of bed in the middle of the night and you haven't been able to explain yourselves."
"Professor the first time was three years ago," Romi said, having to think when it had been.
"Well, you shouldn't have gone out three years ago, should you?" she replied. "You will spend your days in the study hall doing your classwork with supervision. You may return to your classes as usual the following week. It will remain on your permanent record. Is that clear?"
Romi and Neville nodded. She knew that she should feel more disappointed about having a suspension on her record when she was trying for her Healership, but mostly she was just glad that they weren't expelled, and that they had somehow managed to get rid of another Horseman. All in all, she felt almost like it was a fair deal, it would be better than the alternative of not defeating the horseman, right?
Professor Sinistra arrived several minutes later, but Severus did not come with her. She listened to Professor McGonagall's plan, and agreed with it. She then took Luna and headed back towards Ravenclaw Tower. Professor McGonagall, with her lips tight, ushered the other three out of her office and towards Gryffindor Tower. Romi wasn't sure what was worse, her yelling at them, or this complete silence, like she had given up on the three of them.
Professor McGonagall saw them to the portrait hole and they all scrambled through. The Common Room was empty, and Romi was sure that it was after midnight, however the three of them collapsed into the armchairs by the fire. They were quiet for a long moment.
"Should I have told them?" Romi asked.
"No," Ginny replied, with a sigh, "they didn't even believe you about Elena – do you really think they would believe us about the Apocalypse?"
"Hmm, probably not," Romi replied. "At least you don't have a suspension, Ginny," she added.
"Yeah, that's going to be exciting," Neville said, putting his hands on his face. "Actually, that's going to be better than hearing it about it from Gran."
Romi grimaced, "I forgot about that bit. I doubt my parents will be too thrilled either…"
"Yeah, nothing like saving the world and getting a detention for it," Ginny said with a small laugh.
"There seems to be one good thing about tonight," Neville said, holding up the pendant with the peace sign on it. "Only one to go, and then we can seal them all away forever."
"Or at least for another seven thousand years," Ginny said with a yawn, "then it's someone else's problem."
Neville stared at the pendant for a long time, "do any of you have this feeling of… I dunno… sadness?"
"Yeah," Romi said quietly, "like whatever happened, whatever memories that we don't have any more – they were sad."
"Very sad," Ginny agreed. She looked at them, "like how I'd feel if War had won, and not us…"
They were quiet, then a black streak shot towards them and onto Romi's lap. Zhi purred and rubbed her face against Romi's and wiggle all over like she hadn't seen her in years.
"What's with you, Zhi?" Romi said, scratching her cat's ears, "I haven't gone anywhere."
Zhi just purred louder and putting her front paws on Romi's shoulders, lay down across her stomach and vibrated with happy purrs.
Sunday turned out to be an extremely uneventful day. Romi, Ginny and Neville only left the Tower to eat, where they saw Luna briefly. All of them were exhausted but Luna managed to tell them that she had received no worse punishment than Ginny.
Monday morning found four exceptionally angry letters from parents swooping down on the four of them. Thankfully though, none of the parents had sent a Howler, which was just about the worse thing to open in the middle of the Great Hall. Romi was surprised that Gran hadn't sent one, as she had last year when Neville left the passwords of Gryffindor Tower hanging around to be stolen by Sirius Black. Perhaps she didn't want to advertise that Neville had got a suspension to the whole school.
Professor McGonagall came by at the end of breakfast to escort Romi and Neville to the empty Study Hall for their in-school suspension. Professor Flitwick was there waiting for them, and without a word handed them work that Professor Sprout had set aside for them.
Neville and Romi sat together and slowly made their way through the work. Neither of them wanted to make this pretty crappy situation any worse, so they just did as they were told. Professor Sinistra came at the class break, with work from Hagrid for Care of Magical Creatures.
"At least we don't have to deal with the Skrewts!" Romi said with a grin, Neville returned it, but the two fell silent under Professor Sinistra's harsh glare.
What Romi was dreading happened after lunch. Professor McGonagall had sent them some sandwiches so they didn't have to leave the Study Hall, and then just as the bell rang, Severus swept in to watch them for the afternoon.
"Professor Trelawney tells me that it is impossible to teach you without you being there," Severus said, sounding very menacing, "you can finish your homework for that class, and then if you run out, I have more than enough Potions work for you to do. Understand?"
Neville and Romi just nodded.
"Good," Severus said. "Longbottom stay here, I will speak with you, Romi," he said, pointing to the opposite side of the Study Hall. Romi exchanged a glance with Neville, and then got off her chair and walked to the far side of the Study Hall and took a seat. Severus followed her, and sat opposite, staring at her for a long time.
"Are you going to say something?" Romi asked finally.
"Are you going to tell me what you were doing in the forest?" asked Severus.
Romi looked down, "you wouldn't understand."
"Try me," Severus replied. Romi looked up at him, and watched him carefully.
"Did you feel anything last night?' Romi asked. "Anything about me being in danger?"
"Why do you think we were at the forest? Having a midnight tea with Hagrid?" Severus replied.
Romi was silent for a long time, trying to form her thoughts.
"How can I explain to you what is going on, and have you believe it, when you won't even believe that Elena exists?" Romi asked. She took a breath. "Because she's a major part of what's happening, and if you can't believe in her, how can you believe in this?"
Severus watched her, trying to understand her words.
"I know you believe it," Severus said finally, "All I want is to keep you safe."
"You can't," Romi whispered, "ask my mother. She knows. She's known for a long time, I think. I got a letter from my mum and dad today, and my father was furious, like I figured he would be… but my mother didn't seem surprised."
Severus sighed, and put his hands together, staring at his fingers.
"Charis did warn me, when you were about six years old," Severus finally said, "that one day you would start to do things that no one would be able to explain, and things would happen that were completely out of our control… I didn't think she meant so soon."
"Severus, you're my Godfather, and you've always been there, and I've always wanted to make you proud," Romi replied, "but I'm not who I was four years ago. Big things are shifting, and I'm in the middle of it. But you can't be there to protect me from it."
Severus sighed, and looked down. He suddenly looked old and exhausted to her. Like he had spent years and years bottling all this worry and now it was out on his face.
"I promise I will ask for your help, if you can give it to me," Romi said finally. "I'm sure I'll need it eventually. But you have to stop asking what I'm doing, it's not a job for you, or Dumbledore or anyone else. It's my job."
"Alone?" Severus asked.
"I have Neville," Romi answered, "and Ginny and Luna, and we're doing fine. A little hidden away and in the background… but that's okay. Let the world worry about the Triwizard Tournament, and Sirius Black and all of those things. We'll deal with the rest."
The study hall was silent.
"Alright," Severus said finally.
Romi smiled, and then got up and went back to where Neville was sitting, trying very hard to look like he was doing Divination homework rather than listening.
They didn't speak for the rest of the day. They were released to go down to dinner with the rest of the school.
The rest of the week passed in the same manner. Romi enjoyed it the most, if that was possible for the situation, when Professor Moody came down to supervise them. He had brought a stack full of papers from Madam Pomfrey for Romi to read before she had her next lesson, and Moody insisted that while he was here to supervise, they might as well practice counter-curses and protection spells with him.
Romi tried not to let Professor McGonagall realise that they had enjoyed themselves with the extra practice from Moody when she came to release them for dinner that night.
They returned to their regular schedule the next week, aside from having a detention with Professor McGonagall every night of the week.
Romi and Neville got to see firsthand about the hate mail Harry had said was arriving for Hermione daily, when a Howler exploded in front of Romi ten minutes after she had sat down, screaming profanities at the top of its magical lungs.
"You'd think that adults would know better than to send a screaming swearing letter to a school," Romi said, tossing away bits of the now silent Howler from her breakfast.
"Apparently not," Harry answered.
"How come you didn't get any, Romi?" Hermione asked, incinerating a pile of hate mail in front of her.
"My mail gets screened before it gets to me," Romi answered.
"Really?" Harry said, looking uncomfortable, "they read your letters before you get to?"
"No," Romi said quickly, realising that he was probably wondering about all the times he had called her his sister in his letters. "Just who they come from. I have a 'safe' list, and it must come from them before it's let through."
"I wish I had that," Hermione muttered, as another eight owls dropped more hate mail in front of her and took off again.
Although Ginny, Romi, Neville and Luna spent a good deal of time together, they didn't bring up the Horsemen. They were still too sore about the detentions and suspensions to talk about it quite yet. They focused on their classes, and Romi really stared cracking down on all of her Healership content. Madam Pomfrey said that she had been discussing it with the College of Healers, the Healers' governing body who did standards and exams and all that, and they had agreed to let Romi write her Level 1 but with restricted practicing, owing to her age. Madam Pomfrey had set the date of July 16th.
So Romi spent extra hours in the Hospital Wing, practicing and treating as many people as she could. She saw Professor Moody in there often with complaints of headaches and indigestion, but every time he came in, he asked Romi to produce a counter-curse or protection spell or something for him. She wasn't entirely sure if he was trying to figure her out, or if he was actually having headaches and indigestion.
Dumbledore's lessons continued as well, though there was definitely an air of awkwardness over the Forest event. Romi didn't say anything more about it and Professor Dumbledore didn't ask about it. She continued trying to control the flame, which was proving even more exhausting than just breathing.
It was last week in May when Harry told them that he was going to find out what the Third Task was that evening. Romi had already planned to have tea with Severus that evening. It was both of their attempts to stay close with each other, despite Romi's declaration in the Study Hall a couple of weeks ago. She asked Harry to wait up for her to come back, if he made it back first, so he could tell her about the Third Task.
Severus was just moving his things from his desk when Romi knocked and then opened the door.
"You're late," he stated.
"Well, you don't look like you're exactly ready," Romi replied coming in and shutting the door behind her. "Harry just told me that he was going to find out what the Third Task is all about."
She walked over to Severus, and gave him a hug.
"Are you worried?" he asked, returning the hug and kissing her on the top of her head.
"A little," Romi replied, letting him go and sitting on her usual chair.
They talked lightly for the next little while and somehow got onto the topic of potions and Severus was trying to describe one of the treatments that Romi was supposed to be learning when her hearing suddenly started to rush.
Severus must have noticed something, because he stopped explaining and reached out to grab her arms.
"Romi, what's the matter?" Severus asked.
"Nothing," Romi tried to reply. "It's just–"
The room was dark, only the flickering of the fire place was lighting the people around. There was two men, one facing a large chair, the other hovering in the back.
"I will not fail my lord," the man kneeling before the chair said with enthusiasm. "The ex-Auror is nothing to my powers."
Romi felt like she knew the man, like he was familiar in some way, but she couldn't place it.
"Excellent," hissed a voice from the chair and it split through Romi's head like a knife.
"Romi!" Severus gave her a little shake, holding her head in his hands. "Are you alright? Did you See something?"
Romi stared at him for a long moment. "I'm not sure," she said finally. She felt rather heavy and exhausted.
"Well, what did it look like?" Severus asked.
"It was dark," Romi said, slowly trying to remember. "There was a fire and someone was sitting in a chair, and someone else was kneeling in front of him."
"Do you remember their faces?"
Romi shook her head, "one of them spoke, he said… "The ex-Auror is nothing to my powers"… I think he said something else as well, but I can't remember."
Severus was looking at her worriedly.
"And there was hissing," Romi said, "something was hissing and it wasn't the fire."
Severus suddenly rubbed his left forearm, looking very worried.
"Come along, Romi," he said, standing up.
"Where are we going?" Romi asked, standing up.
"I think you should tell Professor Dumbledore what you have told me," Severus explained.
Severus took Romi straight up through the castle to the gargoyle that guarded Dumbledore's office.
"Cockroach Cluster," Severus said and the gargoyle jumped aside. "I try not to understand him sometimes," said Severus, when Romi giggled aloud.
They rode up to the top and then Severus strode forward to knock on the door. It opened and Dumbledore walked past it reading something.
"Come in, Severus," he said, without looking up. Severus motioned for Romi to go in first and so she did although reluctantly. "What can I do for you?"
"Well," said Severus looking to Romi as Dumbledore stared at them.
"I don't know what to say," Romi replied.
"Just tell him what you told me," Severus said. He looked from Romi to Professor Dumbledore, "she had a vision."
Dumbledore folded the piece of parchment he was reading looking concerned.
"What did you see?" he asked. Romi relayed as much as she could remember about the vision, and the more she said, the more Dumbledore frowned.
"Severus, do you mind?" Dumbledore said finally, "I'd like to talk to Romi alone."
"But sir–"
"Please, Severus," said Dumbledore firmly. Severus looked to Romi and then swept out of the room. "He's growing more protective of you every minute. Especially after that night a few weeks ago," Dumbledore noted, he sighed and looked to her. "Does this vision have anything to do with what you and your friends are up to?"
"No, I don't think so," Romi answered. "Why?"
Dumbledore sighed. "Because then it must have something to do with what my friends and I are working on."
"You mean Harry and the Tournament," Romi said. Dumbledore nodded.
"Is there anything else that you can think of, from this vision or another that might help explain this?"
Romi shook her head, "I don't think so."
Dumbledore sighed again, looking very tired. "I feel like we're only being handed small puzzle pieces and being asked to make a masterpiece before it blows up."
"I know how you feel," Romi said.
"Please let me know if you ever have any more visions," Dumbledore said, "they might just save a life in this Tournament." Romi nodded in agreement. "Well, come along, I bet Severus is hanging around waiting for you. And though I shouldn't, I wouldn't mind nipping down to the kitchens for a little bite to eat – would you?"
Romi grinned and followed Dumbledore down the stairs and he asked her if the house-elves had ever made her chocolate bickies, then had to explain to her that a bickie was a word he used as a child for a cookie. They walked out of the staircase to find that Harry was standing there, looking panicky, and Severus was also there, looking very annoyed.
"Is there a problem?" Dumbledore asked with a mildly curious expression, looking between Harry and Severus.
"Professor!" Harry said, side-stepping Severus before he could speak. "Mr Crouch is here – he's down in the Forest, he wants to speak to you!"
Dumbledore asked no questions and merely said, "Lead the way." He swept off along the corridor behind Harry. Romi, without much thought, was right in step with Dumbledore, giving a quick wave to Severus before she left.
"What did Mr Crouch say, Harry?" said Dumbledore, as they walked swiftly down the marble staircase.
"Said he wants to warn you… said he's done something terrible… he mentioned his son… and Bertha Jorkins… and – and Voldemort… something about Voldemort getting stronger…" Harry trailed off, looking worriedly at Romi.
"Indeed," said Dumbledore, and he quickened his pace as they hurried out into the pitch-darkness.
"He's not acting normally," said Harry, hurrying along beside Romi. "He doesn't seem to know where he is. He keeps talking like he thinks Percy Weasley's there, and then he changes, and says he needs to see you… I left him with Viktor Krum."
"You did?" said Dumbledore sharply, and he began to take longer strides still, so that Harry and Romi were running to keep up. "Do you know if anybody else saw Mr Crouch?"
"No," said Harry. "Krum and I were talking, Mr Bagman had just finished telling us about the third task, we stayed behind, and then we saw Mr Crouch coming out of the Forest–"
"Where are they?" asked Dumbledore, as the Beauxbatons carriage emerged from the darkness.
"Over here," said Harry, moving in front of Dumbledore, leading the way through the trees. There was no sound of people in the trees.
"Viktor?" Harry shouted. No one answered.
"They were here," Harry said to Dumbledore. "They were definitely somewhere around here…"
"Lumos," Dumbledore said, lighting his wand and holding it up. Its narrow beam travelled from black trunk to black trunk illuminating the ground. And then it fell upon a pair of feet. Romi hurried forwards to check on Krum. He was unconscious but still alive. Romi lifted one of his eyelids to look.
"He's been Stunned," Romi replied, looking up to them.
"Should I get someone?" asked Harry. "Madam Pomfrey?"
"No," said Dumbledore swiftly. "Stay here, both of you."
He raised his wand into the air and pointed it in the direction of Hagrid's cabin. Romi watched something silvery dart out of it and streak away through the trees like a ghostly bird. Then Dumbledore bent over Krum again, pointed his wand at him and muttered, "Enervate."
Krum opened his eyes. He looked dazed. When he saw Dumbledore and Romi he tried to sit up, but Romi put a hand on his shoulder to make him lie still.
"He attacked me!" Krum muttered, putting a hand up to his head. "The old madman attacked me! I vos looking around to see vare Potter had gone and he attacked from behind!"
"Lie still for a moment," Dumbledore said.
The sound of thunderous footfalls reached them, and Hagrid came panting into sight with Fang at his heels. He was carrying his crossbow.
"Professor Dumbledore!" he said slowing down, his eyes widening. "Harry – Romi – what the –"
"Hagrid, I need you to fetch Professor Karkaroff," said Dumbledore. "His student has been attacked. When you've done that, kindly alert Professor Moody–"
"No need, Dumbledore," said a wheezy growl, "I'm here." Moody was limping towards them, leaning on his staff, his wand lit.
"Damn leg," he said furiously. "Would've been here quicker… what's happened? Snape said something about Crouch–"
"Crouch," said Hagrid blankly.
"Karkaroff, please, Hagrid!" said Dumbledore sharply.
"Oh yeah… right y'are, Professor…" said Hagrid, and he turned and disappeared into the dark trees, Fang trotting after him.
"I don't know where Barty Crouch is," Dumbledore told Moody, "but it is essential that we find him."
"I'm onto it," growled Moody, and he pulled out his wand, and limped off into the Forest.
Romi, Dumbledore and Harry did not speak again until they heard the unmistakeable sounds of Hagrid and Fang returning. Karkaroff was hurrying along behind them. He was wearing his sleek silver furs, and he looked pale and agitated.
"What is this?" he cried, when he saw Krum on the ground, Romi kneeling beside him and Harry and Dumbledore standing above them. "What's going on?"
"I vos attacked!" said Krum, sitting up now, and rubbing his head. "Mr Crouch or votever his name–"
"Crouch attacked you? Crouch attacked you? The Triwizard judge?"
"Igor," Dumbledore began, but Karkaroff had drawn himself up, clutching his furs around him, looking livid.
"Treachery!" he bellowed, pointing at Dumbledore. "It is a plot! You and your Ministry of Magic have lured me here under false pretences, Dumbledore! This is not an equal competition! First you sneak Potter into the Tournament, though he is underage!"
"Hey!" Romi started to say, but Harry clamped a hand over her mouth silencing her quickly. Karkaroff didn't even seem to notice that Romi had tried to interrupt him.
"Now one of your Ministry friends attempts to put my champion out of action! I smell double-dealing and corruption in this whole affair, and you, Dumbledore, you, with your talk of closer international wizarding links, of rebuilding old ties, of forgetting old differences – here's what I think of you!"
Karkaroff spat onto the ground at Dumbledore's feet. In one swift movement, Hagrid seized the front of Karkaroff's furs, lifted him into the air, and slammed him against a nearby tree.
"APOLOGISE!" Hagrid roared, as Karkaroff gasped for breath, Hagrid's massive fist at his throat, his feet dangling in mid-air.
"Hagrid, no!" Dumbledore said firmly, his eyes flashing.
Hagrid removed the hand pinning Karkaroff to the tree, and Karkaroff slid all the way down the trunk and slumped in a huddle at its roots; a few twigs and leaves showered down upon his head.
"Kindly escort Harry and Romi back up to the castle, Hagrid," said Dumbledore sharply.
Breathing heavily, Hagrid gave Karkaroff a glowering look. "Maybe I'd better stay here, Headmaster…"
"You will take Harry and Romi back to school, Hagrid," Dumbledore repeated firmly. "Take them right up to Gryffindor Tower. And you two – I want you to stay there. Anything you might want to do – any owls you might want to send – they can wait until morning, do you understand me?"
"Er – yes," said Harry. Romi removed her brother's hand, but only nodded.
"I'll leave Fang with yeh, Headmaster," Hagrid said, still staring menacingly at Karkaroff, who was still sprawled at the foot of the tree, tangled in furs and tree-roots. "Stay, Fang. C'mon, Harry, Romi."
They marched in silence past the Beauxbatons carriage and up towards the castle.
"How dare he," Hagrid growled, as they strode past the lake. "How dare he accuse Dumbledore. Like Dumbledore's do anythin' like that. Like Dumbledore wanted you in the Tournament in the first place. Worried! I dunno when I seen Dumbledore more worried than he's bin lately. An' you!" Hagrid suddenly said angrily to Harry, who looked up at him taken aback. "What were yeh doin', wanderin' off with ruddy Krum? He's from Durmstrang, Harry! Coulda jinxed yeh right there, couldn' he? Hasn' Moody taught yeh nothin'? 'Magine lettin' him lure yeh off on yer own–"
"Krum's all right!" said Harry, as they climbed the steps into the Entrance Hall. "He wasn't trying to jinx me, he just wanted to talk about Hermione–"
"I'll be havin' a few words with her, an' all," said Hagrid grimly, stomping up the stairs. "The less you lot 'ave ter do with these foreigners, the happier yeh'll be. Yeh can' trust any of 'em."
"You were getting on all right with Madame Maxime," said Romi feeling slightly hurt. Now more than ever did she feel that Canadian accent seemed strong.
"Don' you talk ter me abou' her!" said Hagrid, and he looked quite frightening for a moment. "I've got her number now! Tryin' ter get back in me good books, tryin' ter get me ter tell her what's comin' in the third task. Ha! You can' trust any of 'em."
"I guess you can't trust me that much then, eh?" Romi said bitterly. Harry slipped a hand into hers.
"Yer not foreign, Romi," Hagrid said briskly.
"Haven't you noticed, I don't exactly talk like the rest of you," Romi answered. "I'm as good as one of them."
"Yer were born here," Hagrid answered. "And yer go here. Yeh don' act like any of them. You're good, just like your parents."
Hagrid was in such a bad mood that they were happy to leave him at the Fat Lady. They clambered through the portrait hole into the common room and collapsed into the Common Room, feeling very exhausted indeed.