Chapter Forty Six

The morning of the third task drew bright and clear. Harry sat at a very happy Slytherin table as his friends tried to get him to eat something. He wasn't hungry, he felt sick. They still made him eat, and he did know it was for the best. Three bits of bacon and a slice of toast later Harry had to admit, he felt a little better.

A large owl dropped off the Daily Prophet to Daphne before flying off to deliver to other students. Harry saw several other students looking over and laughing after reading their papers, including several of the Gryffindors and a smug looking Ron.

"What's in there?" Harry asked, sighing.

Daphne started to look through the paper, she didn't have to look far though, a large picture of Harry filled the front page.

She moved over to Harry's side of the table so they could read it together.

Dear Loyal readers,

Do I have news for you! As many of you know, I have been closely following the lives of our four Triwizard Tournament champions, and today I bring you a fascinating bit of information regarding our youngest champion.

Harry Potter, only the other day, suffered from a massive mental breakdown while in Divinations class, and had a fit! Right there in the middle of the floor! Reports say he was screaming and clutching his head as he rolled around to gain attention.

What I mean is, we have to ask if this is real or not. Could this all just be a ploy to get back at Miss Granger for leaving him for Mr Krum?

Unlikely, so we shall go straight to what I was told. Harry Potter had a fit, and that clearly shows he is mentally unstable. My sources say he was crying out about You-Know-Who and someone called Bella. Who is this mystery woman? And more importantly, do they even exist? We all know that You-Know-Who died many years ago, on the dreadful night when James Potter was killed, saving Harry and his Mother Lily. So why is Harry shouting out about the dead now? Does this mean that he's actually mentally unstable? Is he safe?

It's put thoughts and questions into my head at least. Over the last four years, trouble seems to be following Harry quite closely, so you have to ask; is the trouble finding him, or is he going looking for it? How much was Harry simply being a hero and how much was Harry finding dangerous situations to put himself in to prove he's some sort of hero. First the "death threat" teacher, who mysteriously vanished after Harry's interesting story. Then, Gilderoy Lockhart, who Harry claimed was a fake. That led to all sorts of other problems, but the only proof we have is Harry's word. Third year with the Dementors for protection and other rumours about various faculty members being not human, the person he just so happens to know outside of school as well!

And this year, with Harry's name "mysteriously" being put into the cup so he could "just happen" to have to take part and get all the attention back on him.

All of this leads me to one conclusion, and it's not one I think you're going to like, dear readers. I believe that the night his father was killed scarred Harry mentally for life, and has now left him vulnerable to outside influences. Can you imagine, growing up knowing your real father was a hero and then your mother remarrying someone who was a Death Eater? What sort of damage did that do to poor Harry? He's clearly unstable now, and that leads to the horrible question of is he even safe to be around? Is he going to be a danger to other students? And what about that little sister of his? What's he going to do to her when she gets old enough to start annoying him? Could that be soon, as she is clearly her parents' favourite?

Mental health facilities are few and far between here in the Wizarding world, and clearly Harry is living proof that we need to do something about it. What if poor Harry simply thinks he needs help dealing, and this is the only way to get our attention? It's a dark path, readers, but it's one that Harry could quite easily go down. Is this a cry for help, or Harry's true colours showing through?

With the last task coming up, I'm starting to wonder if Harry will make it out alive, let alone with no further mental damage done. he's clearly already cracked a little, and it's so obvious that it won't take much to make him crack completely!

I will of course be covering the last task in the Triwizard Tournament, and will update you as to Harry's mental well being when I've found out for myself!

Until next time, my faithful readers,

Rita Skeeter

Harry rolled his eyes, "Why I do think she hates me even more than normal?"

Hermione had come over with her own copy of the Daily Prophet, "You've seen it then?"

Harry, Draco, Pansy and Daphne all nodded. Hermione sat down with them and sighed.

"What I want to know," Daphne said, "is how did she know your scar hurt you that day in Divination?"

Harry shrugged, "Well, I had the window open, I guess she could have heard me scream..."

"From the top of the north tower?" Hermione asked sceptically, "I don't think so."

"It doesn't seem likely." Pansy agreed.

"She always seems to know things when it makes no sense that she knows." Draco said.

"Well, magical bugging maybe?" Harry suggested.

"Bugging?" Draco asked, confused. Daphne and Pansy looking equally so.

Hermione frowned and raised her hand to her mouth for a moment, "She couldn't be… she really shouldn't… it's totally illegal..." she stood up and grabbed her bag, "I'll see you later!" she called behind her.

"What was all that about?" Harry asked.

"No idea." Daphne shrugged, "I'm sure she'll tell us later though."

"What's 'bugging'?" Draco asked.

"It's when muggles use little recording devices to listen in on people." Harry explained, "They wouldn't work in Hogwarts though, with all the magic floating around but maybe there is a magic version?"

Pansy nodded, "Well that makes sense, but I think that's tomorrow's problem though."

The bell rang, telling the students they needed to get ready for class. Harry stood and stretched, he didn't have to take part in exams as he was a champion so he'd been sitting in the back of the classrooms looking up more curses for the last task.

Severus walked over and smiled, "How are you doing Harry?"

Harry forced a smile, "I think I'm OK. Trying not to think about it to much."

Severus smirked, "Yes I can imagine. You won't be going to class with the others today. All the champions are congregating in the chamber just off the Hall after breakfast."

"I thought the task didn't being until sundown?" Harry asked.

Severus nodded, "It wont. The champions' families are invited to watch the final task. We thought it would be nice for you to be able to spend the day with them."

Harry felt the excitement grow inside his stomach, "Is everyone here?"

Severus smiled, "Lily, Sirius and Nikka yes. We thought it best that Danica wasn't here, she's with Remus. Lucius and Narcissa are here though."

Harry felt a little sad that Danica wasn't here but he didn't want her to see the third task, not really. She was only a child, "Thank you Dad. Will you be watching as well?"

Severus nodded, "Of course. I wouldn't miss watching you for anything."

Harry wanted to give him a hug, but there were still a lot of students milling around the Hall, "Will you come join us?"

"Of course." Severus assured him, "I have to watch the Potions exam at half past nine until eleven but then I'm free until two."

Harry nodded and waved goodbye to him before heading to the small room. Krum and Fleur had entered the Great Hall and were heading in the same direction.

Cedric and his parents were sitting just inside the door, chatting happily. Krum went straight over to a dark-haired couple, the man had Viktor's crooked nose and was clearly his father.

Fleur took after her mother, who was standing next to the fire, long fine blonde hair, falling down her back. Her father's hair was a darker, mousy brown, with a dark little pointed beard, but he was also elegant and moved with more grace than Harry could ever muster.

Gabrielle, Fleur's little sister, was clutching to her mother's long skirt, "Mama, mama!" she called, pointing to Harry and talking to her mother in rapid French.

"Harry!" Lily smiled, coming over and giving him a tight hug, "How are you doing?"

Harry hugged her back, "I've been worse."

Lily smiled, a forced smile but a smile none the less and brushed the hair away from his face, "I'm so happy to see you."

"We all are." Nikka said, coming over, Sirius's arm wrapped around her waist.

"We'll be cheering for you." Narcissa said, coming over and giving him a hug, "Are you all ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be." Harry shrugged, "Thank you for coming."

"We wouldn't want to be anywhere else." Sirius promised him.

"I'm really glad you're all here." Harry smiled, "How's Danica?"

"Causing havoc for Remus and Petal." Lucius smirked, "Last I checked she was learning to make crème brulee."

"Oh dear, Danica and fire, not sure that's a good mix." Harry grinned.

Lily led them over to a small group of chairs and they sat down, "So how is everything going? Your school work?"

Harry was very glad they weren't just talking about the up coming task, "I think, under the circumstances I'm doing fairly well, I'm ninth in the year, better than half way up the list."

"That is very good." Narcissa said, "Well done, it can't have been easy with everything going on."

Harry shook his head, "I've certainly not been the best at focusing at times."

"Excuse me."

Harry looked over to see Fleur and her family standing close by, her mother had stepped forward, her hands on Gabrielle's shoulders.

"Can we 'ave a word?" She asked.

Harry nodded, "Yeah sure."

Fleur's mother smiled, "I am Apolline Delacour, Fleur's mother. T'is is my 'usband, Elouan. We wanted to thank you for saving Gabrielle, during the third task. We were most distressed to 'ear that Fleur was attacked by the Grindylow."

Harry smiled, "I'm glad I could help. This is my mother, Lily, and my godfather Sirius and his… umm… lady friend, Nikka. There are our other friends, Lucius and Narcissa."

Apolline smiled and shook their hands, "It is an 'onour to meet the family of such a wonderful son."

Harry blushed.

"Thank you." Lily smiled, "We're very proud of him as well."

"Please will you join us?" Narcissa asked.

"Non non, thank you for the offer but Fleur 'as said she will show us around the castle. It is so beautiful." Elouan said, with a courteous smile, "But we 'ope to see you again."

"That would be lovely." Sirius said.

Harry waved goodbye to the Delacours are Fleur led the from the room.

"Lady friend? Really?" Nikka asked with a grin.

"Well I don't know what to call you." Harry laughed, "Sirius is too old to have a girlfriend."

Nikka snorted with laughter at Sirius's shocked and offended face.

"Well I think you could do with some lessons on how to introduce people Harry." Narcissa said, trying to be serious but not quite hiding the smile, "I mean really, Danica could do better."

Harry shrugged, "Can't really argue there. She's turning into a proper little lady." he sighed, "I know why she can't be, but I wish she was here."

Lily swapped seats to give him a hug, "I know. But you will see her soon."

Harry nodded, "Come on, lets go see Hagrid or something. If that's OK? I'm not really in the mood to sit."

They made their way towards the door when Cedric's father, Amos Diggory stepped in their way.

"You all ready for the big finale?" Amos said. Cedric was just behind him, looking rather embarrassed.

Harry smiled, "As ready as I'll ever be."

"Yes, yes. Not so confident now that Cedric here has caught up with your points?" Amos said, rather smug.

"Please, please, just ignore him." Cedric said.

"No no!" Amos said, pulling Cedric forward, "I'm proud of you. Looks like we might well have a Hogwarts champion after all, a rightful champion!"

"And what, exactly, is that meant to mean?" Sirius asked, stepping forward slightly.

"Well there is only one real Hogwarts champion." Amos chuckled, smacking Cedric on the back.

"Dad, come on." Cedric pleaded, "Harry has done just as much as I have."

"Well I think-" Amos started.

Narcissa put her hand up to stop him, "Don't waste you're breath Mr Diggory, please. We wouldn't want you to be under the erroneous impression that we care, at all what you have to say. Come along Harry, you were going to show us around."

With that she took Harry's arm and swept passed a shocked Amos, an embarrassed Cedric and a silent, almost confused Mrs Diggory.

"Well, I never." Sirius said, looking back over his shoulder, "What was all that about?"

Harry sighed, "There have been more than a few people not happy about me becoming a school champion. Most of them got over it sometime after the first task, clearly Mr Diggory never got the message."

"I hope his boy Cedric hasn't been giving you a difficult time?" Lucius asked.

Harry shook his head, "No Cedric is fine. He's pretty all right really."

"His father was totally inappropriate." Lily said, holding tightly to Harry's shoulder, "Don't let him get to you."

"I won't Mum, I promise I'm fine." Harry smiled, "Lets go see Hagrid yeah?"

Lily nodded, and let him lead them from the hall.