Author's Note: So I've seen a few comments regarding Crouch Jr. and I can undertand the confusion. I noticed after rereading the way I've done this story it is actually a mix between both the books and the movies. In the books Crouch and Winky ended up stunned after he cast the dark mark. When investigated they discovered Winky but Crouch Jr. was under his cloak. His father found him and took him home then Voldemort came to free him and swap him with Moody. I hope that clears the misunderstandings.

Another comment I'd like to address if one where someone pointed out my mishandleing of James's apology to Severus through Harry's memory. First of all Remus never participated in the bulling of Severus that was Sirus, James and Pettigrew so it was three against one not four. And if you think Severus Snape did not get even with them then I think you need a reality check. He was skilled in potions and a Slytherin! He got his payback I'm sure!

Chapter 19: Squashing Bugs

The month went by rather quickly after that day. Harry walked the halls of Hogwarts daily and noticed the badges people were wearing that promoted Cedric as the true Hogwarts Champion but they would quickly morph to read out 'POTTER STINKS'. As a group of girls walked by wearing the badges proudly while Harry and Hermione sat in the courtyard he wondered aloud, "Wonder who made those this time?"

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

"You've seen the badges right?" He looked to her and she nodded, "In my last life Draco made them." He explained, "But Draco's on our side this go around so I'm curious who would be bored enough to make all those things."

"Hmmm. I doubt it was Ron." Hermione stated, "Fred and George are still keeping him on a tight leash."

"Perhaps Pansy? I mean seeing as I've apparently 'stolen' her precious Draco from her." Harry rolled his eyes as he remembered the remark the pug girl made one day as Harry, Hermione, Draco, and Ginny left the library. She blamed Harry for everything, which she technically wasn't wrong about, but she added that Harry and the 'Gryffindorks' stole Draco from her. Draco had rolled his eyes and dragged Ginny away while Harry just laughed his head off at the insinuation.

Hermione chuckled as she remembered the encounter, "That girl needs to see a Mind Healer." She says as she sets the book she was reading to the side. "Aside from us not having Ron around is anything else different this time?"

"Well, I expected to hear from Hagrid by now regarding the dragons. Then there is Fake Moody, he's not being as nosey as he was in my last life. Still I should warn Cedric about the dragons. Its only fair that he be fully prepared like the rest of us." Harry said.

"Perhaps do it anonymously?" Hermione suggested.

"Great idea!" Harry smiled then stood, "I'm going to get my cloak. See you at dinner?" he asked.

"I'll save your seat." She smiled back her cheeks a little pink.

'How did I not notice how adorable she gets when she embarrassed?' He thought, 'Fucking Dumbledore.'

Harry then retrieved his cloak from his room and waited outside the dungeons for Diggory. Harry had thought about Cedric for a while now. He didn't want the Hufflepuff to die this time around so he planned to just let Cedric deal with the Imperiused Krum while he got to the Cup. It would be a bit ruthless of him but Cedric handled the Bulgarian Seeker on his own just fine in his last life so he really shouldn't be worried. As he thought about his plans he saw Cedric coming up from the Dungeons to head to dinner.

The seventh year Hufflepuff had Cho on his arm which made Harry chuckle a bit especially noticing the older teen's disheveled hair, 'They had to either be in a broom cupboard or Diggory snuck her into his dorm either way good on him.' Harry then dropped a folded piece of parchment then flicked his wand at it. The parchment turned into a origami mouse and scurried after Cedric then climbing into the boy's robes.

"There, he has been officially warned." Harry muttered then turned to head back to Gryffindor Tower. However he paused when he noticed Fake Moody heading down to the dungeons. A sly grin crept across Harry's face as the man walked right by him while his magical eye was completely oblivious. As he walked away Harry followed, using the Muffliato Charm to silence his footsteps.

Harry knew where the imposter was headed. He needed more ingredients for his Polyjuice Potions so he was heading for Snape's storeroom. Though Harry had already informed his godfather's new boyfriend of Crouch Junior's sticky fingers and Snape assured him that the fiend would be in for a startling surprise the next time he broke in. Knowing this Harry was deeply curious as to what exactly Snape had planned hence why he chose to follow Fake Moody down to the storeroom.

Harry stopped just outside the storeroom and watched as Crouch was attempting to break in. Harry refused to get caught in the middle of whatever trap Snape had set so he watched with a smug expression on his face. When the imposter finally got the door open he had a look of victory on his face. However the moment he stepped inside metal wires suddenly shot out. The wires wrapped around the man's arms tightly and suspended him in the air making it look a if he was being crucified. Another wire shot up from the floor and bound the imposters legs and just before the door shut all on its own trapping him inside Harry pulled off the cloak with a grin and waved at Junior who saw him and his eyes went wide.

"Well then I'll leave him to Snape. I'm sure he plans to bust him after dinner so the Polyjuice Potion has time to wear off." Harry said then threw his cloak back on and started making his way back to Gryffindor tower.

~ ~ ~

The reveal of Barty Crouch Junior came the next day. Dumbledore spoke at breakfast and informed them of the imposter that had been among them for months. They even got a testimony stating he had been the one to put Harry's name into the goblet. Though surprisingly the old man didn't tell the students why. Harry assumed Junior must have admitted to them he was trying to revive Voldemort. Harry couldn't figure out if Dumbledore left that information out because there was no undeniable proof or if he had been talked out of it. Either way the students were then informed until the real Moody recovered from his three month confinement Professor Snape and Professor Flitwit would be substituting for him.

However all this changed Harry's original plan. With Crouch out of the way the Triwizard Cup wouldn't be turned into a portkey which meant Harry no longer had to win. Instead he could sit back and bomb all the tasks without worry. However the Slytherin in Harry just couldn't abide that idea. This would be a great oppritunity to show everyone just how powerful he really was. He had no interest in actually winning the tournament but he could still display a show of force that would in turn make people realize he was not one to be trifled with.

With that in mind Harry completely dismissed his original plan of dealing with the dragon during the first task. Hermione's idea had been similar to the plan from his first life but instead of summoning his broom Harry would summon a sleeping potion, brewed by Severus, that was so powerful the fumes alone would put the beast asleep. While this would be quick and effective, Harry decided now that Crouch was out of the way he was just going to use brute force, though he refused to tell Hermione his new plan, 'She'll kill me herself.' he thought.

~ ~ ~

Finally the day came for the Weighing of the Wands. Harry sat in his Potions class awaiting Colin's arrival. He tapped his foot rather impatiently which annoyed Hermione and Draco, who sat on either side of him, to no end. Hermione even reached over and grabbed his knee firmly to stop his bouncing leg.

"Relax." She said in a hushed tone.

She may have thought she was helping to calm him but for Harry her hand on his leg did nothing but irritate his teenage hormones. He quickly pulled his leg out of her reach and hid his face which had gone red. 'Crap!' he internally screamed, 'Why did she have to do that?! That only made things harder…literally.' He now had a slight erection that he was hiding by keeping his legs closed, 'Having the mentality of an eighteen year old in a fourteen year old body really fucking sucks!!!' He now prayed for Colin to show up. He needed to put distance between himself and Hermione as quickly as possible. And his plan for Skeeter would likely distract him from the lecherous thoughts that were jumping around in his head.

When the third year finally came to get him Harry practically fled from the room at top speed calling over his shoulder, "See you at dinner." to Hermione.

When he got to the classroom in which the ceremony was to take place he saw Dumbledore, Fudge, Bagman, Madam Maxime, and Kakaroff off in the corner while the champions all stood around Ollivander, 'Guess we get to see how good Snape's memory modification skills are.' He thought as he moved to join the other Champions. However as soon as Cedric spotted him, the seventh year Hufflepuff walked over and pulled Harry aside.

"Harry, I have to tell you something when we're done here. Will you have a minute?" the brunette asked.

Harry was intrigued by this and smiled, "Sure thing Ced." He smiled.

"Oh and about those stupid badges…I've asked people not to wear them." The teen states.

"I know you have Cedric." Harry tells him and pats his arm, "I'm not worried about it."

"You sure?" the Hufflepuff asks.

"It's just some moron trying to stir up strife between us." Harry tells him. "We both know I want nothing to do with this tournament. But since I'm being forced to participate we are both Champions of Hogwarts. So lets just do our best and may the best man win." Harry extended his hand to the, physically, older boy.

Cedric looks down at Harry's hand and smiles, "Right." He says then shakes it. After their little 'bro' moment the two join the other Champions and the Weighing begins.

Harry watches from the back as one by one his fellow Champions surrender their wand to Ollivander. His comments to them were the same as they were in his last life. But when he took Harry's then man looks up at him, "Ah Mr. Potter how is my father's creation treating you?" he inquires politely.

"Quite spectacularly." Harry responds, "Its even better than my old wand."

At these words Dumbledore swooped in, "You had to get a new wand?" he asked looking utterly flabbergasted.

"Indeed." Ollivander said, "Mr. Potter visited me shortly after the summer holiday's began." The old man explained, "The wand I sold to him four years ago had been snapped in half."

Dumbledore looked to Harry with wide eyes. Harry simply looked at him and shrugged, "My Uncle Vernon threw a fit when I came home about how I accidentally blew his sister up like a balloon last summer." Harry told him. "As soon as we were in the house he took my wand and snapped it." Harry lied with relative ease.

Dumbledore stared his eyes wide with shock. The old man then looked to Ollivander, "This wand wasn't made by you?" he asked.

"Oh no." the wandmaker smiled, "It was one of my father's creations. After we tried nearly forty wands I noticed the box it was kept in was vibrating which was the first time the wand ever showed a reaction to anyone. It had been in storage during Mr. Potter's first visit to my shop four years ago. I had only recently dug it out. I had intended to keep it as a memento of my father but seeing the wand reaction to Mr. Potter I had to sell it to him."

"I of course compensated him extra for having to part with it." Harry added with a smile happy to see Snape's memory modification had been exquisitely done.

"Is the wand suitable?" Dumbledore asked the old wandmaker.

"Oh yes," Ollivander replied as he looked it over, "It was made with two wood types," he explained, "with a phoenix feather core. Eleven inches, sturdy, and unyielding." He said as he passed the wand back to Harry, "I'm proud to see one of my father's final works to have found its wielder." He smiled.

"Thank you sir, I'll continue to take excellent care of it." Harry said as he slipped the wand into his holster on his arm.

Harry glanced the Dumbledore's way to see him looking rather perplex but he then turned and walked back over to the other committee member's. Harry then joined the other contestants as they all posed for pictures. Then she came in.

Rita Skeeter walked into the room looking as harlot like as ever. Harry had to hold back a look of revulsion as she smiled sweetly at them. "What a charismatic quartet." She smiled.

She went about her nonsense of wanting to unmask them all for her 'readers' while Harry tuned her out a bit having heard it all before. When she approached him and grabbed his arm Harry sighed, 'Same old Skeeter.'

"Shall we start with the youngest?" she asked then moved to pull Harry away.

Harry swatted her hand causing her to retract it, "I can walk myself thanks." He said as he straightened his robes.

"Of course you can." She smiled but Harry could see she was a bit miffed, "Follow me."

Harry did and he was once again led to a broom cupboard as he had been in his last life. Once inside Harry discretely flicked his wand casting privacy wards then without batting an eye he walked to the seat meant for him and sat down, "Please Miss Skeeter," he gestured to her seat, "Take a seat."

The woman cocked an eyebrow at him and walked over sitting across from him. As she pulled out her vicious and tacky peacock feathered Quik-Quotes quill. Harry raised an eyebrow, "You don't mind if I use a Quik-Quotes quill do you?" she appeared to be ready to move on without giving Harry a chance to respond but he spoke first.

"Actually I do." He smiled. She looked at him surprised. "Forgive me but I've done my research on you Miss Skeeter." With a flick of his wand her quill went limp and fell to the floor with a clatter, "Let's just say…I'm not impressed."

She looked from Harry to her lifeless quill then back to Harry her eyes clearly showing her shock.

At that moment a ladybug seemed to float over and landed on Harry's shoulder. Harry looked to it for a moment then promptly smacked his hand down on top of it which seemed to startle the woman in front of him as she gawked. This was part of Harry plan. The 'ladybug' he just squashed had actually been conjured by Snape and had been following Harry all day for this exact moment. Intimidation.

He looks to her as he makes a show of wiping his hand on his trousers, "I hate bugs." He says looking directly at Skeeter with a smirk.

Her eyes widen at his statement. She gulps a bit, "Is that so?"

"Yea." Harry smiled, "Anytime I see them I squash them. My friends like to do the same because they know how much I UTTERLY HATE BUGS." He put extra emphasis on the last three words and Skeeter's face went pale. "Now then, I have a proposal for you." Harry lifts his right leg and sets his foot on top of his left knee.

She gulped, "W…what kind of proposal?" she asks.

"You see Miss Skeeter I've recently learned that certain aspects of my life have been…for lack of a better word…'controlled'." He began, "I have recently taken steps to insure that will no longer happen in the future. However the one responsible must still be punished. After researching your…work. I noticed you have a habit of getting the most tantalizing and most secretive of scoops. Many have confirmed after you published articles that the conversations you 'quoted' were done in private. Makes one wonder…" he was grinning, "if they checked the room for bugs."

Again she gulped nervously, "What do you want from me Mr. Potter?" she asked.

"Its quite simple really." Harry tells her, "When it comes to writing any articles regarding me, my family, and my friends you will use the absolute truth. None of your usual…speculations and the like. Should you uphold this request I will personally sign a contract with you giving you every little exclusive regarding me henceforth. Now is that not tantalizing? Being the one reporter allowed to write about 'The Boy Who Lived'?" he asked.

She gave a curt nod, "Very tantalizing indeed, but what of this person who has been controlling your life? You said he needs to be punished? How exactly?"

Harry's grin grew, "Well I said you couldn't right your usual slander about me, my family, or my friends. I never said you couldn't use your…talents on others."

Her eyes widened, "Is there anyone in particular you'd like me to…direct my talents at?" she asked.

"Well a few." He said, "But before we get to that I'd like to see how well you keep your word regarding being truthful in your articles regarding me. Starting now. From now until the end of this tournament I will be looking VERY closely at your coverage of the tournament. Should you meet my standards I will invite you to my home over the summer for an in-depth interview with me. How does that sound?"

"That sounds…" she paused, "very agreeable Mr. Potter." She stood and stuck out her hand.

Harry smiled, "Excellent." He stood as well and shook her hand, "Now shall we move on to your first interview with me?"

Up Next: Harry shocks everyone with his performance in the First Task... particularly Hermione.