Chapter 20: The Bond is Sealed

Trouble With-in Hogwarts

Welcome back my dear readers.

At the beginning of this term for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry the Triwizard tournament was announced making many students among the student body eager to become the Hogwarts Champion for the competition, though it appeared that some were not too thrilled about the age restriction placed to prevent those under the age of seventeen to enter. However, on the night of the Selection Ceremony when Cedric Diggory was called as the Hogwarts Champion the students of Hogwarts erupted in applause.

Cedric Diggory, a seventh year Hufflepuff, is well liked among his peers throughout all the houses at Hogwarts. He is an accomplished student who received numerous O's on his O.W.Ls so response to him becoming the Hogwarts Champion was well received. However underhanded tactics made it so the young man wasn't the only Champion of Hogwarts to be chosen.

Shortly after Cedric was led away to be given a briefing with the other champions the Goblet of Fire erupted once again shooting out another parchment. The name of the mysterious fourth competitor was none other than Harry Potter.

Yes, you read that right Ladies and Gentlemen. Fourteen year old Harry Potter was selected as the mysterious fourth competitor in the Triwizard tournament. Before anyone could speculate his entrance however the boy himself was outraged. Harry stated before the student bodies of all three schools and the tournament committee that he wanted an investigation as to why his name came out of the Goblet seeing as he nor any of his friends ever went near the goblet.

According to a reliable source, the Headmaster of Durmstrang, Igor Kakaroff, blatantly accused the young Boy Who Lived of putting himself in this tournament. But eyewitnesses state Harry was not having that.

"Harry looked that stuck up prick in his face a basically said, 'You know who I am right? You know how much money my family has? So what need do I have to be in this tournament?" sixth year George Weasley told me when asked for clarification regarding the matter. "And he was right. Everyone knows who Harry Potter is. And the Potter Family is an Ancient and Most Noble House so of course their loaded he had no need to participate in this tournament." The sixth year Gryffindor added.

Upon further investigation it was later learned that the man responsible for entering Harry into the Tournament was the Chairman of The Tournament committee and Head of the Department for International Magical Cooperation Bartimus Crouch's son, Bartimus Crouch Junior. Now many of you may know this but for those who don't, allow me to enlighten you on a few key details.

Crouch Jr. was a convicted Death Eater who was serving time in Azkaban after being identified as one of the assailants who brutally tortured Aurors Frank and Alice Longbottom. After looking into Azkaban records it was learned that Junior supposedly died only a year after his incarceration. So imagine the DMLE's surprise when Severus Snape, Potions Master at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, contacted them after finding the man alive and well in his storage closet.

According to the Head of Slytherin house, he had noticed someone had been stealing from his stores and set a trap thus resulting in the criminal's capture. After interrogation while under Veritaserum, Crouch Junior confirmed his father and mother swapped the two of them as his dying mother didn't want him to suffer in Azkaban. After hearing this Head of the DMLE Amelia Bones arrested Crouch Senior but it was quickly learned Senior was under the Imperius Curse.

Junior was confirmed responsible for the curse on his father and also stated he was the one responsible for casting the Dark Mark in the sky after the attack at the World Cup. He then admitted to also attacking Retired Auror Alastor Moody with the help of Peter Pettigrew and using Polyjuice Potion to take Moody's place as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor at Hogwarts.

His reason? To bring You-Know-Who back by getting Harry Potter into the Tournament forcing him to compete with plans to help him win so Harry could be whisked away during the final task where the Boy Who Lived would be used to help revive Voldemort.

Upon Hearing this, we at the Prophet reached out to the Ministry for a comment on this matter and the Minister had this to say, "These are nothing more than the words of a Madman. There is no way You-Know-Who could be revived." Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge stated.

However after speaking with the new Lord of House Potter our famous Boy Who Lived had this to say, "I'm not surprised. It wouldn't be the first time he tried to come back. I had to fight him my first year when Voldemort hitched a ride on the back of our DADA professor's head and tried to steal the Sorcerer's Stone that was being kept in the school."

Alarmed by this, I reached out to Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall for clarification on the matter. The Transfiguration professor confirmed during the 1991-1992 school year the Sorcerer's Stone, created by the famed Alchemist Nicolas Flamel, was indeed being kept in the castle under protection. "The Headmaster asked me and other Professors to create protections but not only was Quirrell able to get passed them, three first year students also managed to get past them in their attempt to stop You-Know-Who and his 'taxi' from getting to it. To this day I'm ashamed at myself for not listening when Potter and his friends tried to warn me. They did MY job."

After hearing all this I for one hope the DMLE actually looks into these instances because if You-Know-Who is out there and trying to regain a body we could all be in real danger.

Interviews with Champions on page 3

Harry had a smirk on his face when he read Rita's recent article. Minutes later owls swooped into the Great Hall. All of them headed for Dumbledore. There were howlers, cursed letters and even a dungbomb that exploded as soon as it landed. He was being berated for putting students in danger with the Stone incident and also for not doing more to keep Harry out of the tournament. Harry was actually laughing at this which made Draco, Hermione, Luna, Ginny, and Neville all start laughing as well, though the others were much more discrete than Harry.

This continued as a daily occurrence all the way up to the first task. On the day, Harry stood at the back of the tent with his eyes closed while he focused his magics. He was busy determining the extent of his magic reserves so he knew just how quickly he had to end his planned tussle with the Horntail. Bagman entered the tent making a lot of noise which only annoyed Harry. He opened his eyes and glanced to Cedric who was pacing and looking nervous. Cedric spotted Harry looking and gave Harry a nod.

After their interviews a week ago, Cedric had pulled Harry aside and tried to warn him about the dragons. The teen was surprised when Harry told him he already knew and he was the one who gave the Hufflepuff the note. Cedric thanked him profusely to which Harry waved him off and told him to just stay alive and that would be thanks enough. Now Cedric seemed to be pacing while he formulated a plan to do as Harry asked and 'Stay alive'.

Harry sighed and prepared to resume his mental training Severus suggested but before he could he heard a familiar voice from behind the tent flap, "Pssst, Harry." Hermione's voice whispered.

Harry smiled, 'She's the same as ever.' He thought as he turned to the tent, "Yes?" the tone in which he said it indicated he had known she was coming.

"I really hate it when you do that." Hermione mumbled.

"Do what?" Harry asked.

"That annoying tone you get when you know what someone's gonna do." She responded.

"Sorry Mione." He said back, "But you have to remember a lot of the things that are happening are like déjà vu for me."

"Yea…I guess you're right." She said through the hide flap, "Are you alright…you remember the plan right?"

"Yes." Harry told her, "I'll be fine Hermione." He then counted down in his head, '3…2…1.'

Hermione pushed the flap out of the way and hugged him tightly making his neck pop. 'Geez have her hugs always been so bone crushing?' But he just chuckled and hugged her back around the waist pulling her close.

There was a sudden flash and Skeeter's Voice suddenly called, "Oh my! Is this young love Harry?"

Hermione immediately pulled away red in the face, Harry sighed, "I'm abstaining from commenting at this time Miss Skeeter." He said firmly giving the woman a warning look.

Rita smiled, "Very well, I look forward to that particular interview." She gave a slight excited giggle then turned and walked away with her photographer.

"She's not going to put that picture in the paper is she Harry?" Hermione whined a bit.

"No," Harry told her, "She has her orders." He pets Hermione's head, "It will be fine."

Hermione smiles and nods before glancing Krum's way, "What's with him?" she asked.

Harry followed her eyes and saw the Durmstrang was glaring at Harry with a death stare, "Well…he was supposed to be the one who was courting you this year. But you've been avoiding him and dismissing him since he got here and now your clinging to my arm." Harry said wiggling the arm that Hermione was latched on to a bit. "He's obviously jealous." He explained.

"But why?" Hermione asked, "Its not like I'm that much of a catch." She mumbled the last part.

Harry's eyebrow twitched at that statement, "Don't talk about yourself like that Hermione." He said firmly, "You're brilliant, kind, and beautiful. Don't let anyone tell you different. Anyone who ties is a fucking idiot."

Before Hermione could respond to Harry's declaration Dumbledore enters, "Champion's gather round!" he called.

Harry just walked over with Hermione still latched onto his arm. Dumbledore began his speech but then spotted Hermione, "What are you doing here Miss Granger?"

Hermione looked to be about ready to stammer her response and go as she had done in his last life but Harry quickly took her hand and squeezed it, "She's here because I asked her to be." He said firmly looking at Dumbledore defiantly.

To his credit, the old man didn't say another word about it. They just went on about the first task as Harry pulled Hermione behind him a bit as things were discussed. Then they each chose their dragon. Just as before Fleur went first getting the Welsh Green, followed by Krum getting the Chinese Fireball, then Cedric once again got the Swedish Short-snout. When it was Harry's turn he said nothing and pulled out the miniature Hungarian Horntail, 'Its like they are trying to kill me letting the fourteen year old get the most aggressive type of dragon.' He thought.

He, Hermione, Snape, and Sirius had done their research over the summer and concluded there were numerous other breeds they could have chosen from but they chose the most aggressive, most territorial dragon there was, but Harry just shrugged. He then joined Hermione in the corner letting her hold on to the mini-dragon which was definitely more docile than the real Horntail.

"You'll be okay right?" she muttered, "According to you this thing has killed you before."

"I'm not going to die again Hermione I promise." Harry tells her taking her hand in his, "I got this."

The bushy headed Gryffindor simply let out a sigh, "Right…just stick to the plan." She affirmed.

"The plan…right." Was all Harry said but this got him a side eyed look from his best friend, "I know the plan!" he affirmed holding up his hands in surrender while thinking, 'She's so going to kill me later.'

~ ~ ~

After each of the other champions took their turn, finishing the exact same way they had before, it was finally Harry's turn. Hermione went up to the stands to watch with Draco, Luna, Neville and Ginny leaving Harry to stand at the tent exit. He had his eyes closed and he took a deep calming breath. At this point Cedric had just returned from getting his score and looked Harry's way. The older teen prepared to walk over to give the younger boy some words of encouragement but froze mid-step. Harry's wand hand slipped into his hand just before Harry opened his eyes and for a moment the Hufflepuff swore he saw Harry's green irises swirling which caused him to take a step back in surprise.

The cannon sounded and Harry walked out before Cedric could say anything or ask him about that. Not that Harry would have any clue what the Hufflepuff meant seeing as even he was still unsure just how much the Family Magics he had received over the summer had affected him.

~ ~ ~

Harry walked out into the arena and stopped. Just as before the Horntail was not immediately in sight. He waited, not moving an inch until he head the sound of a rattling chain and the sound of claws scraping across stone. The beast came into view and Harry looked up at it tilting his head to the side, 'Ya know…its not nearly as scary the second time around.' He then shrugged his shoulders and assumed a stance, "Lets go ugly…I have better things to do."

Harry was unsure if the dragon could understand him but his comment seemed to enrage the beast. It reared it head back preparing to unleash its fire breath but just before it did Harry stuck his wand out and cried out, " PROTEGO MAXIMA!"

Fire erupted from the dragon's mouth but before it could touch Harry it collided with an invisible barrier thus sending its flames in every other direction. When the beast finally stopped Harry just smiled, "Surely that's not your best." He said his attitude rather cocky.

The dragon let out a roar and moved to swing it spike tail at Harry but Harry swiped his wand up and the stone around him shot up creating a wall, "Spongify!" he called just as the beasts tail was to connect with the wall.

The spikes on the dragon's tail didn't pierce the slab, instead the spikes sunk in as if it was mush. With the momentum absorbed the spiked tail bounced back smashing into the far wall. Harry quickly flourished his wand and the wall the tail hit sunk in as well swallowing the beasts tail. Harry flicked it wand at the wall and the stone hardened again trapping the beast.

Enraged by this, the dragon began breathing fire again, but another Protego Maxima shielded Harry without so much as singeing his clothes. The Horntail quickly learned it's breath was not doing anything so it started ramming its body against the wall that was confining its tail. Harry just chuckled before casting the same spell that trapped the beast tail to the ground at its feet. The dragon began thrashing as its feet started to sink. Harry just watched as its feet sunk until it got to what Harry figured was its knees, he then flicked his wand again the ground hardened once again.

With that done Harry started walking forward towards the nest as the beast roared and tried to break free. He ignored it until the dragon once again directed its fire breath at him. Harry just simply cast his Protego Maxima again and kept walking as the flames bounces off his shield. He made it to the nest, grabbed his egg, and then made his way out all while keeping his Protego up as the Horntail had continued to shoot flames at him since it couldn't break free from its restraints. Once Harry was out of range the dragon wranglers jumped in and began trying to free the beast so they could contain it.

Harry entered the tent and tossed his egg over to the bed he was meant to use for treatment while Madam Pomfrey rushed him to check him for injuries, "Madam Pomfrey I'm fine, really there isn't even a scratch on me." He tried to assure the frantic woman but she wouldn't have it. She insisted on running diagnostics on him only to be baffled to see he was indeed completely unharmed.

As the Matron looked over the results in shock Harry noticed Dumbledore had entered the tent and was looking right at him in astonishment. Harry smirked a bit but said nothing until Madam Pomfrey released him to go get his scores. As he stood there waiting for the judges to score him he caught sight of Hermione in the stands who was glaring down at him with a look of utter fury, 'Yea…I'm dead…I'm more afraid of Hermione than I was of the Horntail…' he thought.

The judges then gave their scores. Bagman gave him a ten, which Harry expected. Amelia Bones, who was now taking Crouch Senior's place on the judging committee, also gave him a ten as she looked at Harry with an impressed expression. Surprisingly Madam Maxime also gave him a ten, 'I suppose she knows power when she sees it.' He thought.

Dumbledore gave Harry a nine, which made Harry cock an eyebrow at the old man. Meanwhile Kakaroff gave Harry an eight. At that Harry took a page out of Sirius's book and flipped the man off which got applause from the entire crowd who were booing the Durmstrang Headmaster for his score.

This gave Harry the score of forty-seven which placed him in a tie with Cedric who also scored forty-seven, Krum came in second with the score of forty, while Fleur came in last with the score of twenty-five. 'That's all the same except this time Cedric and I tied.' Harry thought then shrugged and went back to the tent for the briefing of the second task.

Harry ended up tuning out the entire speech Dumbldore gave regarding the second task and sighed in relief when they were dismissed. He grabbed his egg and left the tent to see Cedric surrounded by his fellow Hufflepuffs and a few others from different houses including Cho, who was hugging onto the teen while sobbing. Cedric looked a bit uncomfortable by this but didn't seem to be trying to get away so Harry shrugged and started making his way to find his friends. However before he could Neville came running up out of no where.

"Harry! Hermione's coming!" He said frantically.

"What?" Harry asked, but before Neville could elaborate Harry was suddenly tackled to the ground by a bushy headed missile sending his egg flying into the air. Neville caught the egg as he looked down on the scene before him.

Harry was now sprawled out on his back his face twisted in pain while Hermione had her arms around his neck and her face buried into his neck as she cried quietly. "Oh…that's what you meant." Harry groaned out and slowly brought his arms around Hermione, "Mione I'm okay…breath…its all good."

"All good?" Hermione's quiet sobs stopped and Harry immediately sensed he was in danger. Hermione then sat up as slapped him right across the face, "ALL GOOD?! WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING HARRY JAMES POTTER?!" she started punching at his chest repeatedly, "WHY CAN YOU NEVER STICK TO A PLAN?! A SIMPLE ACCIO AND YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE! BUUUT NOOO! YOU HAD TO SHOW OFF!"

Throughout her rant she kept punching Harry in the chest again and again until she stopped and started crying again. Harry sighed and reached up wiping the tears away gently with his thumbs, "I'm sorry Hermione…I thought the dragon would be a great test for my Family Magics. I wanted to see just how deep my reserves go."

She looked at him surprised and Harry noticed when her brain clicked the information he just gave her, "And?" she asked.

He smiled, "Didn't even scratch the surface." He replied.

She sighed, "God your such an idiot." Mumbled. She then bit her lower lip for a moment and before Harry knew what was happening she had pushed him back down and kissed him hard on the mouth.

Harry's eyes went wide at the kiss which at first was just a chaste meeting of lips, but that changed as soon as Harry wrapped his arms around her, one hand holding her waist, the other holding the back of her neck as he deepened the kiss. It felt as if everything around him was shaking, but he didn't care in the slightest. He continued to kiss her as it felt as if something deep inside, like a piece of a puzzle, just became whole. Though his eyes had closed he could see lights shining brightly through his eyelids.

After what felt like an eternity of them kissing they finally pulled away and Harry slowly opened his eyes to see Hermione's big chocolate brown eyes looking into his only now the edge of her irises had a green hue to them. Harry couldn't see his own eyes but Hermione certainly noticed the brown that now encircled Harry's green irises, "Your eyes." They both said in unison.

But before either could contemplate what was going on Draco walked up and pulled Hermione off Harry while Snape picked Harry up off the ground, "Stay quiet and follow me." He growled as he pushed Harry towards the castle while Draco escorted Hermione, albeit more gently.

Harry had no idea what was happening as he was led to the castle by Snape, "What are you on about?" He asked his godfather's boyfriend.

"Shut up and keep walking before Dumbledore catches up." Snape hissed.

The Potion's Master led them down to the dungeon and entered the his private quarters practically throwing Harry inside. As soon as Draco led Hermione in Snape turned to his godson, "Out." He said firmly.

"But professor…" Draco tried to protest.

"Not now Draco, Potter and I need to have a discussion one that you can not be apart of due to an Unbreakable Vow, now leave." He ordered.

"Yes sir." Draco looked to Harry who looked baffled.

Once the blonde left Snape rounded on Harry, "Did you know?"

"Know what?" Harry asked.

"Did you know that you and Miss Granger were soulmates?" the Slytherin head growled only more firmly.

Harry was surprised by the question, "Um…yea…Death told me."

"And you didn't bother tell any of the adults in your life because?" Snape snarled.

"Uh, I thought it was something personal between me and Hermione." Harry said as if it were obvious.

Snape put his fingertips to his four head and begins massaging them gently, "You're going to be the death of me Potter."

"Professor what is the issue with Harry and I being soulmates?" Hermione asked.

"I'm glad you asked Granger, allow me to explain." The Potion's Master replied in a slight condescending tone, "Soulmates meeting is a rare occurrence in this world. Every living person on this planet has a soulmate. Even muggles. However just because a person has a soulmate does not mean they will ever meet them. There are 5.6 billion people on this planet so the odds of a person meeting their soulmate is rather low, however when it comes to witches and wizards our soulmates are always magical as well. Thus making our chances to meet our soulmates much easier than it would be for muggles. However like muggles we are not guaranteed to meet our soul mate. Take me for example, I'm thirty-four and have yet to meet my supposed soulmate. For all I know they could be dead by now." Harry resisted the urge to ask the question that popped into his head that would have inquired if Snape thought Harry's mother had been his soulmate, "The fact that you two are soulmates and that you both attend this school is astounding in itself."

"I don't understand Professor." Hermione spoke up, "Why is it bad that we are soulmates?"

Snape sighed, "Miss Granger while there are many benefits to finding ones soulmate and sealing the bond, there is one major flaw." He paused, likely for dramatic effect, "When one of the pair dies so does the other."

Harry's eyes widened at this, "Come again?"

"You heard me Potter." The man snapped, "If two people who are soulmates seal their bond and one of them dies the other dies as well."

Both Harry and Hermione looked to each other then back to Snape, "How…how does a bond get sealed?" Hermione asked.

"Between soulmates its quite simple really." Snape said, "One kiss and the bond is sealed…permanently."

Harry's face went white, "Oh fuck…" was all he mutters.

"Yes Potter, "Snape said, "The two of you just sealed your bond. In front of at least a hundred witnesses. Now you've made yourself a giant weakness. If one of you falls so does the other."

Up Next: Harry gets interrogated by Dumbledore regaring what happened after the First Task. Hermione recieves some suprising visitors down in Hogsmead to discuss some new changes.