300 days since my last update. I'm sorry. But, here, 2 chapters in a row to make up for it.
- Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, Mr. Malfoy. A rumor has reached my ears and I wondered if it was accurate. Will you be one of my students next year?
- Good evening Professor Dumbledore. It seems that the rumor reflects the truth for once. My cousin, Lucius, received approval from the Ministry yesterday to act as my guardian until I finish school.
- Good, that's good. I had an interesting discussion with Igor... sorry, Headmaster Karkaroff, a few days ago and he explained your situation to me. First of all, I offer you my most sincere condolences for your father. Please be aware that if we had known about your parentage, you would not have had to spend so much time at your school. It is so tragic when a child does not have the opportunity to fully live their childhood during the holidays. I know that other schools regularly have orphans or children left in their care because of inappropriate guardians. Fortunately, this never happened at Hogwarts during my tenure as Headmaster.
Mirus was internally seething. From what he understood, the opportunity to welcome a student who was not supposed to return to his guardians had presented itself more than once. Marvolo had begged to be allowed to stay at Hogwarts rather than return to the Muggle orphanage where he was mistreated and risked his life from the bombings of the Muggle war. Likewise, Severus had wanted to escape an abusive father and find refuge in the school that had become his home without success.
He just nodded at the old man.
- However, I wanted to make sure that you know that you can come to me if you have the slightest concern in your new family. Lucius is someone... unique. If you ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe around him, please do not hesitate to contact me, young man.
- Thank you, Headmaster, for this attention. I have only known Lucius for a short time so I have no judgment towards him at the moment.
- I understand that well and I want not to influence you in your relations with your cousin. My priority is the safety of all the young people who attend my school, after all, and my reaction would be the same for everyone.
The young blond surprisingly had difficulty not showing his contempt towards the old goat. Harry Potter had never been safe with the Dursleys, yet Dumbledore had never acted to change that. Worse, it was Dumbledore himself who had left him on the porch of their house without even making sure they agreed to take him under their roof. Petunia had complained enough about that.
All this man wanted was a spy near an important Death Eater, no more, no less. If he had been from another family, this invitation to tea would never have come.
- Thank you sir. I unfortunately need to leave. I have to return to the ship in less than fifteen minutes. And considering the distance between it and your office…
- Oh, of course. Thank you again for accepting my invitation, Mr. Malfoy. I wish you a good evening.
As soon as he left the castle, Mirus disappeared under the Cloak, put his ring back on and used his Time Turner.
Once settled in his bed in his Ravenclaw dormitory, he placed a Silencing spell around his bed and used his bracelet.
-Mirus.
-Mirus? Good evening.
- Good evening Marvolo, am I not disturbing you?
-If you had called me half an hour earlier, that would have been the case.
- Luckily I was having tea with Dumbledore half an hour ago, then. Or before I came back in time… It's quite disturbing.
- What did that old fool want from you?
- Oh, he just wanted to assure me that he was a generous old man who takes care of his students and his future students. He was very saddened by the fact that I had to spend part of my childhood locked up in a school, he who was lucky to never have had a reason to welcome a student during the summer holidays.
A heavy silence followed this statement. Clearly, Voldemort was thinking the exact same thing he had been thinking during the discussion with the Headmaster.
- I see. And what else did he say?
- That I could turn to him if I didn't feel safe with Lucius.
- So he's trying to make you a spy. It might be useful to us, eventually. Speaking of spies, did Severus give you the Gillyweed?
- Yes, he did it last night when I left the Slytherin Common Room.
Mirus and Marvolo talked for part of the night, discussing the younger one's studies and the older one's plans for the future.
Their discussion ended with what they planned to do once Harry Potter died.
.oOÔOo.
The day of the Second Task finally arrived. In the freezing cold, the three remaining Champions stood in their swimming gear on a pontoon above the lake.
As soon as the whistle was heard, Fleur Delacour cast a Bullhead spell on herself before diving while Viktor Krum used a partial animal transfiguration, his head becoming that of a shark. The youngest competitor was seen swallowing a plant with difficulty before rushing into the water.
Half an hour later, Mirus was looking bored at the lake. Next to him, Vladimir was yawning loudly and Draco seemed to be dozing. Clearly, the organizers had not thought about the fact that spectators would only be able to see the surface of the lake during the hour that the event lasted. If the first minutes had been lively, with everyone commenting on the Champions' choices to overcome the major obstacle of being able to stay underwater for a long time, boredom quickly spread to the stands. He could see some students playing cards, others immersed in a book, but the majority were chatting.
This is why everyone was surprised when the surface of the lake was broken after around fifty minutes of dead calm.
The sound of applause was deafening as the students of Hogwarts realized that the only Champion they had left was the first to complete his task. Indeed, they could see Harry Potter heading towards the pontoon, a young red-haired girl in his arms.
A few minutes later, Viktor Krum emerged with a visibly terrified Cho Chang. Madam Pomfrey immediately rushed to the four young people who were shivering with cold to bring them towels and check that their health had not suffered during their stay in the water.
Mirus snorted in disdain.
- It seems that they no longer know they are wizards. A Warming spell is not difficult and much more effective than a stupid towel.
Draco nodded his head.
- You are right, Mirus. This is what happens when the Headmaster prefers to hire a friend of his family rather than a real healer. I hope for Potter that he doesn't get pneumonia, he's the only chance for Hogwarts to win.
Mirus turned to his brother and gave him a smirk.
- I don't think you have to worry about him.
A quarter of an hour passed while waiting for the French Champion who did not return to the surface. Dumbledore approached the water and spoke in a language no one knew. The head of a mermaid appeared at her feet and they talked for a moment.
The old man's shoulders hunched and he nodded sadly. They saw him point his wand at his neck.
- Dear spectators, it is with sadness that I announce to you that the Champion of Beauxbatons died during the event. She fought with courage and honor against a horde of Grindylow who ultimately managed to pierce her air bubble. All my condolences go to her friends and family. The hostage that Miss Delacour was to go and retrieve will be returned to us in good health in a few moments. Please go to the Great Hall, the points awarded to Mr. Potter and Mr. Krum will be given to you in the evening.
The students set off en masse towards the castle, the buzz of discussion gaining momentum as the circumstances registered in their minds. Diggory's death had been shocking but it had taken place far away from them and several hours after the ordeal against the dragons while Delacour's had taken place while they were around the lake, watching and waiting.
There were only two Champions left in the Tournament, two were dead. The realization of their mortality dawned on the youngest minds. If two gifted wizards like Cedric or Fleur could die, so could they.
Madam Pomfrey had to call on the house elves to distribute Peace draughts to the most disturbed students, many of whom were in the first and second years. For the calmer students, a simple hot chocolate was offered.
Time passed, everyone calming down little by little. The judges entered the Great Hall, their faces serious. Madam Maxime's cheeks still bore traces of her tears and her eyes were red and moist.
Dumbledore stood in front of the teachers table and gestured to the students for their attention.
- Thank you all for your patience. First of all, here are the points awarded to the two Champions who succeeded in today's task. Mr. Potter arrived first with his hostage and made judicious use of the plant called Gillyweed. He obtained a total of forty-three points. Mr. Krum also arrived within the allotted hour and his partial transformation was impressive. So he won forty-one points.
The students applauded the two boys before returning their attention to the director who seemed to have something else to announce.
- Unfortunately, the death of Miss Delacour during the event announces the departure of the delegation from Beauxbâtons. It seems that the French Ministry of Magic decided on this action, judging the presence of their fellow citizens unnecessary on our lands. It is with sadness that tomorrow afternoon, we will say goodbye to these young people who shared their culture with ours during these few months.
Mirus looked around and gestured to a young man dressed in a sky blue uniform. He nodded and got up, leaving the Great Hall. The blond waited a few minutes then got up as well.
He found the young Frenchman in an empty classroom on the first floor.
- Jean, I'm sorry about Fleur.
- Don't worry, no one could suffer her. If you only knew how arrogant she was. All this because she had a Veela grandmother and the Veela community is important in France. As if being beautiful is the answer to everything, laisse-moi rire. What saddens me the most is having to leave...
- Mmhmm, and why is that?
Mirus slowly approached the young brunette in a feline manner.
- What do you think, beau blond?
- I thought being handsome wasn't everything, hmm?
Jean burst out laughing before throwing himself at Mirus to kiss him.
- We only have one evening left, so we might as well make the most of it. Colloportus!
Mirus nodded and transfigured a desk into a bed.