Chapter 17

Harry chuckled as a full month had passed since the Second task and nothing had gone wrong, or weird for that matter. He was currently leading the Tournament, which was surprising unto itself if you just considered his age and schooling against the other champions. But his performance in the first and second task really showed that this was not true. He was not only keeping up with them, but helping them to perform better as well.

But for Harry this was a minor joy, he still had one task left to get through to get to the years end. And this one was likely to be the hardest, as well as the most dangerous of the three. But with even a small amount of luck Harry would get through it unharmed. Then it would be a short while before they were off and heading back to their real home.

Harry, as he thought about leaving this world for that of Luna's and the others, could not help but feel a little bit of regret. He knew he should let someone know where he was headed to. But, by doing so he could indirectly give them a link to tracking or find him, however unlikely that may actually be. That and he knew he would be leaving other friends behind who would miss him and the others greatly.

But in the end, home is where the heart is. And for most of the group, that meant Pony Ville, and Canterlot Castle. And as Night, and Rainbow Dash at the very least held Harry's heart, he would willing go where they went. And Hermione was going to follow Harry, as he was in many ways her last bit of family.

But sadly it was not all simple life. As Harry and Hermione were still in school they were dealing with an ever increasing work load. The teachers were getting them ready for their up and coming OWLS testing, which would have happened in their Fifth Year. Hermione was not going to just stop studying, and getting a prefect grade, just because she was not going to be around in a few more months either. The idea to her was about as crazy as marrying a Dementor.

As such Harry, Hermione were found often enough in the library or the Common Room going over book after book. Harry helping Hermione study, since he was a Champion he was exempt from Fourth Year tests. Though as he asked her question after question, or helped her look up spell details, and rune charts, Harry could not help but feel she might be going a little overboard in her studies. But as it was Hermione, he knew better than to argue, at least for now. Besides with him helping her, he could at least make sure she was getting needed rest and relaxation and not running herself to the bone.

Harry and Hermione were not the only ones working hard of course. Every student in the school was working hard getting ready for their exams. Though most agreed that three months was way too long of a time before the exams to start studying for them. Some of the older student thought like Hermione, and knew that they needed all the time they could get to study.

Harry had seen more than a few people already taken down to the Hospital wing for a calming potion. Which was a little unusual as that did not normally happen till the final month before the exams. But then again, since when was one year at Hogwarts like another. Each year as far as Harry had seen, had been completely different so far. Then again, he tended to get mixed up in the events a lot more than most normal people so he might not be the best judge.

Even the ponies were keeping rather busy. With Luna, Night, and Twilight watching Harry around the clock with the aid of Rainbow Dash, and Applejack, they were making sure not one thing got to Harry without him knowing beforehand. They had upped their alertness the best they could as they were sure that the person who had placed Harry's name in the Goblet, would most likely be getting desperate at this point if they were trying to kill him.

But nothing happened. No one outside the normal line up made a move to annoy let alone harm Harry. No evil letters by the post. No people out of place. Not even some random dark events that might give warning to a problem farther down the road. And they could not help but agree with Harry when he finally said, "It is quiet, to quiet. Like the eerier calm before the storm." But for the most part they tried to do their best to not listen to this nagging feeling.

The relationship between Harry and the ponies was also growing. And a new one had formed as well, which surprised most of the group. While Luna had finally gotten up the nerve and asked Harry out, though they did not go out on a date; Hermione had asked Twilight if she might join Applejack, and Twilight in a date someday. Harry still found it hard to believe what he had seen that night, when it happened.

It was even more surprising to Harry's small group that not only did Twilight agree, but so did Applejack. It was not till Rainbow Dash did a little bit of explaining later did Harry understand why Applejack, who seemed to love following the Traditional ways, gave it a chance. It was because Applejack had lost her own parents. Harry after hearing this, really hoped it worked out for Hermione's sake.

It was not long after this something happened none of the group had thought of. Sirius black wrote to them, asking Harry why he had not written to him at all. In all honestly they should have expected this, after all Sirius Black as Harry' godfather. But then again surviving the tasks, and all the minor drama was a pretty big distraction.

'Dear Harry.

I have come back to the country and wish for you to meet me first chance you get. I will be at the first meeting place. We have much to talking about, first being why you have not written to me about what has all happening. The others we will discuss when we meet.

Your Godfather

PS Be Safe.'

"Seems to be asking for a lot," Hermione said later that day.

They were all currently in the room the ponies had claimed as their own. Harry had stopped by the room as soon as break had started. Hermione had followed along wanting to hear just was said, and the likely plan that was to follow.

"Yes, he does," Harry said, replying back after he had finished explaining not only the letter, but just who his Godfather was, as well as why he had never been around up till that point.

"You cannot blame him for wanting this," Luna pointed out, "I am surprised he has not already snuck into the school to speak with you."

"Probably feels it would do more harm than good right now," Night said thoughtfully.

"That does not make me feel any better about it," Harry said, "What is to stop him from changing his mind and coming to visit me here and getting himself caught."

"Us going to visit him," Luna answered simply.

"Yes I know, but I cannot figure out where the first spot I met him would really be," Harry said, sounding a little annoyed.

"Well, there is only one time you have actually met and seen him," Hermione pointed out.

Harry blinked a little confused, "When?"

"In the Shrieking Shack. That is the only time you saw him, and knew who he was. All the other times you saw him, you only saw a large black dog that looks somewhat like a Grimm," Hermione explained.

"Oh, right. Thanks," Harry said feeling a little stupid.

"I do have a question," Twilight said looking around the group, "How can we be sure it is him?"

"Considering his reputation I doubt anyone would willingly impersonate him. For that matter very few people know he is Harry's Godfather. But you are correct, we don't know if it is really him or not," Luna said.

"It could be Voldemort, or Wormtail. They would both be willing to trick me," Harry said thoughtfully.

"Unlikely but possible," Night said.

"I think what it comes down to, is do you trust that letter to be from your Godfather or not," Hermione said.

"It believe it to be him," Harry said after a few moments thought.

"Okay, in that case when do we leave?" Hermione asked.

"Tonight, we will have to use the cloak. And I want everyone coming with us," Harry said looking around the room.

"Everyone?" Applejack said a little surprised.

"Yes, I want you all to meet him. Besides when we leave, we might as well drag him along too," Harry said.

"Another one?" Luna said thoughtfully.

"Yes," Harry said, "Well most likely another one."