Chapter 77: Look What you Made Me Do

Hermione walked into the hospital wing with Nancy in lockstep beside her. They walked through the doors and toward the bed with a plaque adorned above it. Inwardly, she marveled at the fact her feet knew where to take her. You're here far too often, Harry, Hermione mused with a smile.

"Harry?" Hermione called out to the bed with curtains drawn around. "Can we come in?"

"Sure," Harry's voice called from the other side of the curtain. "I'm just waiting for Madam Pomfrey to return with the potion.

Hermione found the seam on the partition and opened it for Nancy to walk through.

"Harry," Hermione introduced the girl with her. "This is Nancy. Nancy, this is Harry, the boy I was talking about."

"Hi, Harry," Nancy's grey eyes studied the boy whose face still looked like the Slytherin flag. "What happened to you?"

"Just a nasty prank by someone who doesn't like me," Harry smiled at the girl. "Madam Pomfrey will set me right, she just needs to get the right potion. Are you doing alright, Nancy?"

"Getting better," Nancy shrugged. "I was really sad, I will admit but Miss Hermione fixed my books and my bag, just with magic! Isn't that amazing?"

"Hogwarts is a great place to learn magic," Harry agreed. "But I've always found it's the people who make it magical."

Hermione blushed when Harry's eyes fell upon her.

"I am so glad Miss Hermione found you and helped you," Harry said. "You want to know a secret? Come here."

Harry moved over to let Nancy sit next to him on the bed. Harry leaned in and spoke in a stage whisper.

"The first day I came to Hogwarts, she helped me too," Harry winked at the now-crimson Hermione. "She helped me onto the platform, fixed my glasses and became my very first friend. You can do a lot worse than to have Hermione Granger as your friend."

"And you'll have to look rather hard to find a better defender than Harry Potter," Hermione sat on the other side of Nancy so she was surrounded on both sides by the two fourth years. "He stood proudly between a four-meter Mountain Troll and me. Even after it threw him into the wall, he stood and continued to defend me"

"Sounds like a hero," Nancy's eyes widened and she looked from Hermione to Harry.

"He certainly is," Hermione said sweetly with a smile. "And he won't ever back down from helping someone in need when he can possibly help. So if those girls- or anyone else- try to do anything to you, you look them in the eye and you tell them 'Harry Potter, the defeater of Dark Lords, Basilisk Slayer and Star Seeker is my friend' and watch them run for the hills."

Hermione smiled and winked at Harry who was positively scowling at her in response.

"Thank you," Nancy said, quietly. She wrapped her small arm around each of the Gryffindors around her and pulled them in closer. "For everything."

"You are welcome," Hermione said. "If you have any other issues, talk to Padma Patil. She is a Ravenclaw like you and she is a friend."

Nancy departed with a bounce in her step, smiling as she exited the wing.

"That was a nice thing you said," Harry nudged Hermione. "Just don't let Dobby hear how you just described me."

On cue, Dobby popped in, wearing a tunic with Harry stabbing a snake.

"Too late," Dobby said. "Does the Defeater of Dark Lords have any requests for breakfast? I know you didn't get to eat much."

Harry leveled Hermione with a glare that said "see what you've started?" Hermione, to her credit, simply giggled behind her hand.

"I would just take a simple breakfast sandwich," Harry made his request, Hermione asked for the same and Dobby popped out to make it.

"Ah Miss Granger," Madam Pomfrey said. "I was wondering when I would see you. Mr. Potter, if you put this cream on, it will remove any basic spells, potions or transfigurations that are present. In 15 minutes, you can wipe off the cream and you will be right as rain."

"Thank you," Harry opened the container and grimaced. "Smells like stinksap."

"That is one of its components, yes," Pomfrey said. "That and diluted Bubotuber pus with a little dittany."

"I think I'd prefer not to," Harry made an uncomfortable face as he dipped two fingers into the cream. "But, as they say, it's not easy being green."

Once Harry applied the cream, Hermione cast a timing spell and Dobby popped back in with their breakfast.

"It's a good thing I love you," Hermione joked. "Because you smell terrible."

"Cheers," Harry joked back, leaning toward her with his lips puckered. "Come on over and give me a kiss then, if you love me so much."

"In 15 minutes," Hermione extended her arm into his chest and leaned away from him as he inched toward her. "When the cream is off and you don't smell like an herbology accident."

"You're all heart," Harry tried to look serious. However, after a few seconds, his façade cracked and set off a cascade of laughter. 30 minutes later, Harry was back to his normal face as the duo departed the ward.

That night, Harry stood in Dumbledore's office, looking around the group assembled. Professor Flitwick stood to his left, Sirius next to Hermione who was on his right.

Dumbledore steepled his fingers with his hands just under his nose. Beside him stood Moody, Snape and McGonagall.

"Glad to see you back to your normal self, Harry," Dumbledore gave a strained smile. "By now I am sure you know who is behind your name being submitted."

"Voldemort," Harry said while nodding. It was weird to say the name and not have anyone flinch. "Considering Trelawney said two servants would return and he'd rise again. Even without the prophecy, he was always going to come back. With Pettigrew and Malfoy on the run, it only makes sense they'd run to him."

"Excellent summation," Dumbledore said. "There are the usual signs I'm sure you have seen but there are also signs that corresponded to his last rise to power. A young woman, Bertha Jorkins, disappeared in Albania which is the last place Tom Riddle visited before disappearing altogether. Another disappearance, Frank Bryce, who was the gardener for the Riddles, Tom's father's family. I did some investigations in Little Hangleton and while nothing turned up, I believe these two disappearances to be connected.

"How is your mark, Severus?" Dumbledore asked.

"It is still faint but not as faint as it was last year," Snape's eyes never moved from Sirius.

"Constant vigilance," Moody said. "Every last one of you. We don't know who Voldy will send or what his endgame is. His agents could be in plain sight, he might even use Polyjuice to impersonate someone. He could be looking to kill Harry."

Hermione sucked in a breath at Moody's statement while McGonagall scowled at him.

"Then again, he could have a different plan in mind," Moody continued. "Be aware and question everyone. We don't know who his intermediaries will be."

"I don't think he wants me to die," Harry offered to incredulous looks from the other occupants. "Rather I don't think he wants me to die by any means other than his own wand. He lured Ginny to the Chamber to get me to follow. Even his younger self wanted to face me. It's a point of pride for him. I'm the only one to defeat him. Sure others went toe-to-toe, some battled him and few got away but nobody defeated him before me. Add in I stopped him first year I stopped him- with some help but still. In his mind, he can't come back while I still live. He'll want to assert his dominance, kill me himself."

"All the same," McGonagall spoke for the first time. "Prepare the best you can for the tasks, don't take any of this lightly because you still could be killed, even if that's not his plan. Miss Granger? Help him as much as you can. I know what you are capable of and how meticulous of a researcher you are. That is an asset Mr. Potter needs right now."

Hermione nodded fiercely.

"And this week we'll be stepping up your training," Flitwick said. "Get you ready for the duels to come."

"I'll let Amelia know about all this," Sirius said. "We've got 30 recruits coming along nicely and we're trying to prepare for the older Aurors nearing retirement but we're still playing catch-up."

"Pay attention in class, lad," Moody locked both eyes on the teens. "Some of my lessons will be mighty relevant."

"Keep your head on a swivel, Potter," Snape said. "Prove you're more your mother than your father."

"Severus," Dumbledore warned while Harry forestalled Sirius' retort.

"I'll try to make my parents proud," Harry's green eyes locked on the beetle black of Snape's. "Both of them."

"Alright it's late," Dumbledore closed the meeting. "You have classes tomorrow. Good luck in the tournament, Harry. I can't be biased as a judge but just know that I believe in you. You can do this."

"See you in the morning," Moody said as they departed. "I think you'll find that lesson particularly interesting. Oh and scan your food next time for potions. Constant vigilance, Potter. Constant vigilance."

The next morning, Harry sat down in the Great Hall, scanned his food and, when guaranteed to be safe, began to eat. Many years later, he would think back to Vinny, Greg and the Weasley twins entering after everyone began eating. George nudged Harry underneath the table with his foot and winked at the bespectacled boy.

Before Harry could process what George was doing, screams filled the hall. Down the table, Ron threw himself back from his third helping of sausages with his head on fire. Seamus and Cormac threw water on top but that just made the flames burn higher. Oddly, Ron's clothes didn't burn nor did anything else. The next table over, Cho, Marieta and the third girl, who they learned was named Rebecca Smythe, yelped as an invisible hand braided their hair together. They tried to pull back which only increased the force on the three, pulling them toward the head table. Last, at the Slytherin table, a cauldron of slime dropped over Nott and Parkinson, covering everyone in the vicinity with slime. Harry could see Malfoy wiping slime off his sleeve while Nott's bookends Bole and Derick caught the full force. Nott tried to vanish the substance but that only increased its amount.

Nott, Parkinson, the Ravenclaw trio and Ron found themselves pulled in front of the head table. With everyone's attention on them, a host of fireworks flew through the open doors.

"Bigots and bullies beware, the Mauraders have returned," A voice boomed through the hall as the fireworks exploded and the Hogwarts coat of arms appeared over the Head Table with a stag antler, dog's foot, moon and monkey tail in place of the usual houses. The fireworks vanished, lifting the spells on Ron and the girls while allowing Nott to scrape off the slime.

"Nice," Harry commented on the fireworks display.

"We couldn't keep Wormtail, after hearing who he actually was," Fred beamed. "So Sirius told us to use our Patronus forms instead."

"Welcome to the club," Harry said. "I hope you know the responsibility you've taken on."

"POTTER!" Snape shouted as he marched from the head table, robes billowing as he approached. "50 points from Gryffindor and detention for bullying students."

"Professor, I did not do this," Harry locked eyes with Snape. Harry felt Snape poking at his mental barriers. Harry mentally swatted it away. "If you have proof, I would like to hear it."

"Don't lie to me," Snape sneered. "I know who your father was."

"And, as I have told you repeatedly," Harry glared at Snape. "I am not my father. Stop expecting me to be."

"That's enough, Severus," McGonagall approached to diffuse the situation. "Mr. Potter, did you have anything to do with this? I can't help but see the connection to you."

"No ma'am," Harry said earnestly. "While I'll admit the magic was impressive, I'm not inclined to do anything like this to another student."

"Liar," Snape glared. Harry stood and drew his wand

"I, Harry Potter, Son of James and Lily Potter do swear that I had nothing to do with this, so mote it be," Harry lit his wand and sat back down, returning Snape's glare. "Professor, you left me alone for much of the last year. It was lovely and I appreciated it. If that could continue, that would be wonderful."

With a flourish of his robes, Snape whipped around to vanish the remainder of the slime off the members of his house.

"Can't even have bloody breakfast without making a scene," Harry lamented.

"Language, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said. "Nice job on the braiding charm and I'd love to one day hear how you did that to your brother, Mr. and Mr. Weasley. That said, it'll be detention for you both. I understand why you did this but know that the next time something happens, I will not be so lenient. Am I clear?"

The Weasley twins nodded and the Gryffindor head collected Ron to ensure he was okay.

"So don't get caught," Fred said.

"Couldn't be clearer," George finished.

Breakfast broke up and Harry walked toward Moody's class, feeling irritable after his latest run-in with Snape. My father is dead, he thought. Couldn't he just bury his resentment with him? His feet carried him on autopilot toward Moody's classroom, not aware of anything around him.

Seated in the defense classroom between Hermione and Neville, with Hannah on Neville's other side, Moody broke him from his reverie as stepped from his office and limped down the stairs. His magical eye spun to every student in turn.

"Good morning," Moody finally spoke. "First, here are your essays on the best ways to identify and counter curses. Some of you did rather well, though a number of you forgot the best counter to a curse was dodging. I trust you learned your lesson about vigilance, Mr. Weasley?"

Ron's hair still looked singed and he glared at everyone in the room, specifically Harry.

"Scan your food before you eat or drink any of it," Moody gruffed. "10 points to Gryffindor, Potter. I saw you do just that after your incident-"

Ron sniggered and leaned back with pride. Moody turned his magical eye on him again.

"-After your incident," Moody repeated louder. "Yesterday."

Harry chose to nod, as opposed to speaking.

"To this point, you have seen some curses and learned how a simple cutting curse can become lethal," Moody paced in front of the students. "Today, with the approval of the headmaster, I am going to show you the three spells that the wizarding world has dubbed unforgivable. Now, who can tell me what they are?"

Hands went up around the room, Hermione's well-practiced hand arriving at its zenith first. Harry knew them but was less than eager to offer the information.

"Mister Weasley," Moody seemed equally surprised and amazed that Ron's hand went up.

"My dad told me one," Ron said. "Called it the Imperius Curse."

"Nasty curse," Moody said. "I can tell you about these but to know them, you really have to see them."

Hermione gasped and out of the corner of Harry's eye, he saw Neville tense. Moody summoned a glass case containing a spider from his desk.

"Imperio," Moody cast. The spider stopped moving and turned to look at Moody when the white spell hit it. "Total and complete control. That's what this spell does."

Moody opened the case and the spider jumped out, stood on its rear legs in a choreographed song and dance number, though without the accompanying music. A smattering of laughs filled the classroom.

"Funny is it?" Moody's crooked mouth cracked a wicked smile. "I can make her do whatever I want. I can make her come say hi."

The spider flew from the desk to offer a hairy leg for Ron to shake. When he didn't shake, the spider bumped his hand before walking up Ron's arm.

"I could make her bite you," the spider reared back, raring to bite, causing Ron to panic and throw the spider off him. The spider approached again, this time landing on Ron's mouth. "Or crawl down your throat. Total and complete control of an individual's mind, body, and soul. That's what all three of these spells do; they attack an individual's very soul.

"Now, what's the next one?" Moody looked around the classroom of students who looked appropriately horrified. No hands went up this time; nobody wanted to answer. Neville's hands gripped the desk in front of him.

"Fine then," Moody called the spider back to himself, much to Ron's pleasure. "The second Unforgivable Curse is the Cruciatus; the torture curse. Crucio."

A black and silver light hit the spider and the spider started writhing in obvious pain. It squealed as if crying out for mercy, even breaking a few of its legs trying to twitch away from the invisible knives stabbing it. Neville's knuckles turned white he was gripping the desk so hard. Harry and Hannah each laid an arm on Neville in silent comfort.

"Pain," Moody said. "Unbelievable pain, worse than you've ever felt in your life and it won't leave a mark. The pain is in the mind and the soul cries out, wishing the pain to stop until a certain time as the brain stops sending messages and at that point, the victim drives themselves insane."

At Moody's last word, a loud snap sounded across the room as Neville's hands broke two blocks off the table he was holding. He stood and shouted at the professor.

"Enough!" Neville dropped the splinters to reach for his wand. Moody snapped from his lesson and released the curse.

"Sorry lad," Moody actually looked a little compassionate. "You all have to know. The third curse, Miss Granger?"

Hermione aggressively shook her head, tears falling down her face. Harry paled, knowing what was next. Hermione held his arm tight enough to cut off circulation.

"Very well then," Moody turned back toward the spider still trying to limp its way off the table to safety. "Avada Kedavra."

A green light hit the spider and the spider dropped to the surface of the table dead, not a mark on it.

"The killing curse," Moody said. "Designed to sever the soul from the body. Leaves no mark except a look of terror on its victim's face."

Harry relived his worst memory and pictured the spider as his mum. Ashen-faced, he slumped in his chair.

"In the last war," Moody retreated to the head of the classroom. "Death Eaters preferred these three spells. Control, torture, kill. That was their modus operandi. These spells cannot be shielded, they can only be blocked by an object or dodged. Get hit with one and they have you. Later this year, again with the approval of the headmaster, I will teach you to fight the Imperius but for now, let's call it a day. Class dismissed."

Harry sat in his chair, his eyes locked on the spider's corpse. Hermione rubbed his arm in soothing circles. A clunking noise approached the table while the rest of the students excitedly picked up their things and talked about what they had seen. Harry could tell it wasn't real to them and because of that, the lesson was fascinating.

"Potter, Longbottom," Moody stood in front of the two boys. "I know that was hard on the both of you. I knew both of your parents. Brave and noble, all four of them were. Nasty business what happened to them. Longbottom, I know what the curse did to your parents, I've seen it done too many times. I knew this lesson would be hard on you but there's no beating around the bush with this. You had to know, know what happens when these spells are used. You, more than anyone, have a better idea of what these spells do to friends, families and loved ones. Take this lesson into yourself. Don't let it happen to others or yourself if you can help it. All of us who fought in the war have a story about these curses and we carry that trauma with us. Trust in your friends, rejoice in the love you share, and fight for one another."

Harry mutely nodded while Neville examined with two chunks ripped out of it.

"I'm not going to fix that, by the way," Moody smirked. "Impressive feat of magical strength, what you did. I pity the person who crosses Neville Longbottom once he's fully matured."

With great coaxing of Hannah and Hermione, the group moved from the classroom. Harry and Neville agreed on one thing: they would make it their goal that no one would suffer what they suffered.

(A/N: Didn't intend three Swift songs from the same album in a row but listening to the song while writing the Snape part it click. "I don't trust nobody and nobody trusts me" is a phrase to describe Snape if I've ever heard one. Nobody bar Dumbledore trusts him.

The Marauders are back and Harry has a new title, similar to one you would get in Game of Thrones, much to his chagrin. Next chapter, we get to meet a certain reporter as the tournament rolls on.)