I certainly have no rights to Harry Potter, but this won't stop me writing this story. However, you probably already know this. As it is my specialty, and as in my other big stories, this shows how things go if something went different right at the beginning. Please note that I'm not a fan of bashing and also don't expect the two main pairings to differ from canon. However, the path to them certainly will be quite different. I also want to try and subvert certain plots and things that became common in the fandom over the years.
For now, the story will update every second Saturday, until I say otherwise.
I'll try to answer all my reviews, since I do like the feedback for improvement. So please tell me your thoughts on the story in reviews. I would appreciate it. The more feedback I get, the more I can improve the story even further.
This story now does have a TvTropes page. You can find the link in my bio. Feel free to visit and contribute to it.
Chapter 42: The Goblet of Fire
The day had finally arrived when the students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were expected to arrive, and for some it couldn't have come soon enough due to the disruption of the normal routine at Hogwarts that came with it.
Clearly to impress the foreign guests, no effort had been spared to get the castle into top condition, everything becoming cleaner than normal and any metal surface in the castle being polished. The animated suits of armor obviously knew to appreciate how shiny they now were. For others however that attempt to impress felt a bit embarrassing.
Now however it almost was time and the whole school was assembling outside of the castle on the lawn close to the lake to greet their guests. The presence of Aurors, who from now on would be present for the security of their guests, was accepted without blinking an eye. After last year, everyone had learned to appreciate the presence of security. Less welcome was the press, a mob of reporters and photographers who would document the arrival of the schools as well as the announcement of the impartial judge.
While waiting, Harry noticed Fred and George. "Hello, guys. Are you still intent on trying to enter?" Harry asked them.
"You better believe it! Whatever judge they plan on having, we can fool him," George said confidently, clearly not lacking in that regard.
"Are you two that strapped for cash? Or do you honestly plan to use the prize money to finance your joke shop?" Ginny asked her brothers, wondering about that.
"Well, it certainly would help us a lot. However, we of course are not idle!" Fred admitted, then leaned closer to look like he was revealing a big secret. "Selling the wares we already have finished to students has proven to be quite profitable. Maybe we can scrape enough Galleons together."
Hermione rolled her eyes when hearing that. "Please don't tell me you sell anything dangerous or experimental to other students."
"Dear goodness, no!" George gasped over the top, raising his hands in defense. "We only sell harmless joke items. After what we heard about liability, we would never risk it."
That was putting it mildly, since when reading up about what they would need to know to start their joke shop, they had learned that should someone come to harm due to their products, it would be their asses getting burned in the legal fires. That had scared them enough that they wanted to make sure that all their products were properly tested and their effects only temporary and not harmful.
"Well, look who we have here!"
They knew that voice and looking up, they were greeted with a familiar face framed by pink hair. "Dora? What are you doing here?" Harry wondered when seeing Sirius' cousin look at them with a big smile.
Dora laughed at the question. "Honestly? Have you already forgotten what my job is? Thanks to the experience I gathered last year, I was nominated to be part of the security for the whole thing. Sure, I'm rotated out on the occasional week over the year, but I will be present for most of the time."
"That's awesome! Maybe you can again help with Defense? You were really good last year," Ron said excitedly, having enjoyed Dora's practical lessons.
"If I can get permission, sure. However, since it's old Mad-Eye who teaches, he can use his old connections to help me out get the permission." Dora then looked around. "Ah, Hufflepuffs. Our house always gets overlooked and ridiculed. They however look like a good crop."
"The sister of one of our friends is a Hufflepuff. Even she complains how Hufflepuff by many is seen as a dumping ground for those that didn't fit into the other houses, which she feels is an ignorant view," Luna said while observing the Hufflepuffs.
"Really? I have to meet that girl. But right now I'm on duty, so let's talk later..." That said, Dora returned to her duties. However, someone else replaced her right away.
"Bill?" Ginny gasped when seeing her oldest brother stand there, looking at ease in his Indiana Jones-inspired outfit.
"Surprise! You will see a lot more of me this year," Bill laughed, enjoying the looks they were giving him.
"Bill, what are you doing here?" George wondered, clearly being caught on the wrong foot by his brother's arrival.
"Oh, the entire tournament has a lot of sensitive stuff in it - enchantments and other things. Headmaster Dumbledore arranged that I'm loaned out to the school this year. I'm really moved by the trust he's giving me." Bill left it unsaid that Dumbledore also did that due to being a nice chap.
"I bet you also like being so close to home. One can only search through so many tombs before getting thoroughly sick of them," Fred joked.
"That as well. Three years of tombs is enough for now and I need a change of scenery. Since my new job doesn't take nearly as much time, I volunteered to help out in some NEWT classes as well," Bill told them, looking quite proud. "I'll see all of you later however, the schools will arrive shortly."
While Bill walked to the staff, the students wondered how the schools would arrive.
"It can't be the train, since that is for Hogwarts use only and they still would have to get to England. The way they have us stand here it's almost like the teachers expect them to appear just like that. Maybe a portkey?" Harry speculated.
"A portkey is possible, but apparation isn't. After all, Hogwarts is shielded against it," Hermione added, knowing about the anti-apparation wards around Hogwarts.
"I bet they'll try to show off. After all, our schools are in a competition, right?" Neville speculated, knowing a lot of politics were interwoven into this tournament.
"Considering all the press being present, they would go for nothing less than a spectacular entrance," Luna agreed. She had spotted her father among the press, but knew he was in his professional-mode and thus she should leave him to his work.
That moment Dumbledore looked up. "Ah, the delegation from Beauxbatons is arriving."
Indeed, a black shape had appeared on the horizon, growing bigger by the second, meaning that the delegation from Beauxbatons was arriving by air. As of now however it was impossible to see what exactly was approaching.
"Don't tell me they arrive on a dragon!" one first-year girl shrieked.
Dennis Creevey snorted at the idea. "Don't be stupid. That looks like a flying house."
As it turned out, Dennis had guessed close enough. The shape turned out to be a gigantic, powder-blue carriage the size of a large house, drawn by a dozen winged palomino horses each the size of an elephant. This spectacular carriage did a honor round around the castle - most likely to impress - before landing close to them, causing the ground to rumble for a short moment.
Moments later the carriage doors opened and golden steps unfolded and then someone walked out of the carriage. It was a woman wearing an elegant blue winter coat. She looked quite attractive, but the one thing everyone saw right away was, that she was almost as tall as Hagrid, being at most just an inch or two smaller. Hagrid's friends, knowing of his ancestry, knew right away that the woman had to be a half-giant.
Dumbledore started to clap and his students quickly followed, causing the woman to relax, knowing that their entrance had been a success. She then approached Dumbledore.
"Ah, my dear Madame Maxime, that was a spectacular entrance, if I may say so," he said, while kissing her hand under a storm of flashlights from press photographers.
If anything, Madam Maxime looked a bit amused. "Old charmer... We feel honored that you'll host us for this year. May I present my pupils?"
On that a dozen students walked out of the carriage. Clearly someone had been smart enough to understand that Scotland at this time of the year was cold, thus everyone of them was wearing a coat the same shade of blue as their uniforms. The group was split equally in gender and looked in interest at Hogwarts.
Harry for his part blinked when noticing one student in particular. "People, look at that girl. I remember her from the World Cup."
Ginny did recognize her as well. "Yes, it's the girl that got bullied by those other girls. The one with that allure. Strange coincidence that we meet her again here. Only, the way she's acting now is weird - like some stereotypical French snob."
Luna meanwhile noticed something else. "Take a look at Hagrid."
They did and saw right away what Luna meant. Hagrid looked to Madam Maxime as if he was seeing the most beautiful woman in the entire world. In a way that was understandable, since someone as big as him, the dating opportunities had to be quite small. Seeing a woman his size must have been eye-opening for him.
"You don't think...?" Hermione started, but stopped when seeing more happening.
"Karkaroff has not yet arrived with the Durmstrang delegation. Seeing how you came prepared, you want to wait for him?" Dumbledore asked Madame Maxime.
"Most certainly. I want to see what kind of arrival that windbag has planned. However, the horses need to be taken care of," Madame Maxime told Dumbledore.
"No problem, out Care for Magical Creatures professor Rubeus Hagrid will be delighted to take care of them," Dumbledore said with a knowing look and Hagrid, knowing this was his call, moved to the huge horses.
Watching Hagrid interact with Maxime and her only now actually becoming aware of the big man and actually looking to be a bit at a loss while managing to give him the instructions, Harry and friends couldn't help but to be a bit amused at the situation.
"These two are adults, yet they act like others say us teenagers do," Ron remarked.
Ron once again was a bit blunt, but Hermione knew he had hit the core of the matter. "Both of them probably never had a crush in their lives due to their ancestry. Cut them some slack," Hermione reminded everyone.
Thankfully, they didn't have to wait for too long for the delegation from Durmstrang.
"Look there, on the lake!" Lee Jordan called, pointing to the lake.
The surface of the lake closest to them had started to bubble before transforming into a roaring whirlpool, water splashing around like in a storm. Then, out of the middle of the whirlpool a big sailing ship arose, its wooden masts reaching into the sky and every porthole being illuminated. The press had a field day with that display, getting pictures of this grand entrance.
"Somehow I wonder who got the idea of crossing a sailing ship with a submarine," Harry remarked, though he wasn't any less impressed by the entrance.
People appeared on the deck of the ship, which had moved to the shore closest them, and as soon as the ship had stopped moving, they lowered the gang plank. Moments later the Durmstrang delegation marched off the ship in an orderly fashion, their thick uniforms and fur caps being well suited for this weather.
The man leading them, clearly the headmaster of Durmstrang, was tall and thin, sporting short-cropped white hair and an equally white goatee. He quickly approached Dumbledore. "Dumbledore, how are you? This is a great occasion!"
"Indeed it is, Professor Karkaroff. It is," Dumbledore said politely while shaking hands with the man.
Harry gulped, because despite the outer friendliness of Karkaroff, the man gave him bad vibes, like a snake that was only waiting to bite you. The warmth the man on first glance seemed to radiate didn't reach his eyes. These eyes were cold and calculating. Oh no, Karkaroff was clearly way more than he wanted to show and that made Harry nervous, since he had learned that people trying to hide their true nature in general were bad news.
I have the feeling I should stay far away from that man, he thought.
"Hey, Harry, look!" Ron suddenly said. "Viktor Krum is part of the Durmstrang delegation!"
Indeed, Viktor Krum was one of the students in the Durmstrang group, yet he didn't exactly look happy, looking to where Karkaroff was exchanging platitudes with Dumbledore. Granted, considering Krum went to Durmstrang, it should have been obvious he would most likely be part of the delegation, but Ron nonetheless was excited.
"Man, I wonder if I can manage to get an autograph from him?" Ron thought aloud, making no secret of him being a fanboy.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Ask him if your happiness depends on it."
Ron was a bit taken aback by the suggestion. "Eh... perhaps once there are less people around."
...a little later in the great hall...
Ron was a little disappointed that extra tables had been provided for both delegations in the great hall, meaning they would not sit at any of the house tables. That most likely was done for the sake of fairness, since otherwise one house could have felt advantaged.
Now that the coats were off, the stark contrast between the powdery blue uniforms of Beauxbatons and the red uniforms of Durmstrang was very glaring. Even more glaring was, that while the Beauxbatons students essentially looked like normal students, the Durmstrang students very much felt like being from a military academy. Many girls actually looked horrified that the Durmstrang girls had the same buzz cut as the boys, many touching their long hair protectively at the sight.
"Instead of us being able to enjoy a peaceful meal, this has turned into a media circus," Ron grumbled due to the press still being there, though thankfully no photographs were being made right now.
"It's a big event, of course they would be here," Neville said with a shrug.
The students from the other two schools were clearly reluctant to mingle with the local students, though they clearly were impressed by the ceiling of the great hall as well as the golden goblets and plates and the silverware - who knew that Hogwarts would have those for special occasions? Though, the students from Durmstrang seemed more impressed than those from Beauxbatons.
"Take a look at that. I guess Snape found someone he really can't stand," Harry told his friends.
They all saw what he meant. The looks that Snape was giving Karkaroff were of a cold hatred he had never before shown - not even to Remus. In a few moments it became pretty clear that Snape honestly wished for Karkaroff to die, raising the question what the man had done to make Snape dislike him so much. It only added to them feeling they should be careful around Karkaroff.
Ron then noticed two extra seats at the faculty table and who sat in them. "Isn't that Ludo Bagman sitting there? But I honestly don't know who the man beside him is."
Indeed, there was Ludo Bagman sitting at the head table, though he looked a bit worse for the wear, as if he had gone through some serious stress and had not yet recovered. The man sitting beside him was unassuming and looked more like a paper-pusher who seemed uncomfortable with being put into the spotlight.
"No idea who that is, but Bagman looks like he lost some weight," Neville observed.
"Little wonder. He's under lots of pressure," Ron said and all of them knew what this was about, Ron having relayed what his father had told him.
"Couldn't have happened to a nicer person," Hermione said, making no secret that she by now saw Ludo Bagman in a really negative light.
Ludo Bagman was banking a lot on the tournament to be successful, since his position right now was rather weak. Not only were his screw-ups from the World Cup in fresh memory - the whole mascot debacle having almost caused a riot - but his handling of the issue with Bertha Jorkins was under fire. Arthur asking questions had revealed that Bagman had not cared about his subordinate vanishing for almost eight months and thus had disguised the fact she actually had vanished with his own inaction.
Eveyone knew something must have happened to the woman and Bagman not alarming anyone to the fact for such a long time meant whatever had happened could never be discovered now. There was serious talk about throwing Bagman out on his ass and Bagman was desperate to have the tournament be a success to save his own skin.
"Wonder what they are doing here," Ginny asked while watching the faculty table.
"They must be here for the Ministry to oversee the opening of the tournament," Harry said with a shrug.
"Look, that girl from the World Cup is coming over," Luna then said, pointing to where the girl was approaching them.
The girl looked a bit unsure, which was impressive considering that she had kept an air of indifference while being around her fellow Beauxbatons students. "Excuse-moi... I remember you... from the World Cup."
Harry nodded, noticing that she was holding in her allure. "Yes, we all remember you. I helped chase away these bullies that were screaming at you. I'm Harry Potter."
"I'm Fleur Delacour... Thank you again... Not many defend me so openly... because..." Indeed, Fleur sounded quite humble, a far cry from the mask she had shown ever since departing the carriage.
Hermione for her part realized that Fleur most likely still had trouble with her power. "You still have some trouble controlling it?" Seeing the astonished look Fleur gave her, Hermione added "We guessed what that is about, especially after that display in the stadium."
Fleur gumbled in French something about shameless displays not helping, before she looked up. "Again thank you... Not many would want to help me..."
"Please don't take it personally, but we were a bit confused when you walked out of the carriage and acted like a stereotypical French jerk. You act all aloof and haughty to keep them at a distance?" Harry guessed.
"No offense taken... Acting like this prevents me... from getting more disappointments. Must go now... Can feel my control start to slip when I'm nervous." Fleur then left them.
Watching the girl walk back to her table with her emotional mask back in place, Hermione sighed. "I kind of feel sorry for her. Not yet having full control over such a power in a school environment can't have made her very popular."
"Considering that at the end she looked like someone who really needed to used the bathroom, it can't be fun to hold her powers down at times," Ginny added, having seen how Fleur had grimaced in discomfort.
It was that moment that Dumbledore stood up and everyone fell silent.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, ghosts and - most particularly - guests. I have great pleasure in welcoming you all to Hogwarts. I hope and trust that your stay here will be both comfortable and enjoyable. The tournament will be officially opened at the end of the feast. I now invite you all to eat, drink, and make yourselves at home!"
The food then appeared.
Checking it all out, Ron noticed some foreign dishes, and one in particular made him frown. "I don't recognize that one," he said, pointing at pointing at a large dish of some sort of shellfish stew.
"Oh, that's Bouillabaisse, a French fish stew that originated in Marseille. It's very tasty and it's nice Hogwarts is trying to be good a host for the other schools," Hermione said, clearly encouraging Ron to widen his horizon.
Ron looked a little skeptical, but then took a little to test the waters. It clearly had to be to his liking, since he then took a full helping of the dish. "Might look a little strange to me, but it certainly tastes quite good."
While Ron's first meeting with French cuisine had not ended in disaster, he clearly seemed to appreciate the dishes that honored Durmstrang more, since those for some reason were German Schlachtplatte - a fact that Ron appreciated a lot, hoping that it would be served again over the year. Nothing out of the ordinary happened, and by the end of it Dumbledore again stood up.
"The moment has come," Dumbledore said, smiling around at the sea of upturned faces. "The Triwizard Tournament is about to start. I would like to say a few words of explanation before we bring in the casket-"
"Casket?!" Neville gasped, hoping he had heard wrong.
"Calm down, I don't think they will bring in a corpse. This after all is not the Department of Mysteries," Luna told Neville, and the boy realized the idea had been stupid. He then began to wonder what she meant with the latter part of what she'd said.
"-I need to explain a few things." Dumbledore then nodded to the direction of the two Ministry officials. "At this table sit Ludo Bagman and Basil Castamere, who respectively work for the Departments of Magical Games and Sports and the Department of International Magical Cooperation. Sadly, Mr. Castamere's predecessor, Mr. Bartemius Crouch, died earlier this year. It mainly was his hard work that made this tournament possible and sadly he won't see his work paying off. That said, both of them will join the three headmasters on the panel which judges the efforts of the champions."
Dumbledore waited a moment before he continued. "While the delegations from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will continue their own education in their transportation, they will live in the Hogwarts guest building. Due to the natural need for security for such an event, Hogwarts this year again will be host for an Auror force wich also is housed inside the guest building."
"Now, as for the casket..." Relief flooded the students when a Ministry official brought in a wooden chest encrusted with jewels.
"As all of you know, three champions will be in this tournament, which will test their magical power, their daring, their smarts and of course their ability to deal with danger. Three tasks spaced throughout the school year, and three champions, one from each school, who will face those tasks. Their performance for each of the tasks will give them points and the student with the highest score will win. The selection of these three champions will be done by an impartial selector: the Goblet of Fire."
Dumbledore opened the chest and then pulled out a goblet. The Goblet itself wouldn't have been that remarkable, being made of wood, if not for the fact that it was filled with dancing blue flames. In a storm of flashlights that went off when photographers immortalized the moment Dumbledore presented the Goblet, faint, carved runes became visible on its surface.
"Anyone wishing to submit themselves as champion must write their name and school clearly upon a slip of parchment and drop it into the goblet, which will be standing in the great hall until the evening of Halloween, when the champions will be determined." Dumbledore then gave everyone a serious look. "Due to the still considerable danger involved with this tournament, only those who have come of age, seventeen years, can apply."
There was quite some protest at this restriction, even though most of them already knew these news.
"To ensure that this rule is followed, I will draw an age line around the Goblet. Additionally, two Aurors will always stand guard inside said line and check that no student is tempted to submit someone else into the tournament by checking each and every slip before it is given to the Goblet. The Goblet also is proofed against someone nonetheless trying to smuggle in a name that's not theirs."
If anything, Fred and George looked encouraged to try something after hearing what the obstacles would be.
"Finally, think carefully before you enter your name. Once you are selected, a binding magical contract is made and you have to see the tournament through to the end. Breaking such a contract would have dire consequences for you. I implore you to not enter your name on a whim or as a show of bravado."
Soon enough after that the students went to their respective dorms.
However, while his students walked over the the guest building to make themselves at home there, Igor Karkaroff walked around the now dark Hogwarts grounds, muttering while trying to order his thoughts about what he had seen since his arrival.
I should have known that my return here would complicate things, but I clearly didn't think about it deeply enough, Karkaroff thought.
Truth to be told, being confronted with Snape of all people shouldn't have come as a surprise, but he had not followed news from Britain, so him being a professor at Hogwarts had come as a surprise. Snape clearly had not forgiven him the attempt to rat him out to the Ministry. No, the one thing he could expect of Snape was a knife to the back.
And then there was Harry Potter. While Karkaroff should have been thankful for the brat to kill the Dark Lord before he could have hunted him down for his treason, the boy's presence instead was causing him discomfort. It was hard to grasp, but Karkaroff had the feeling there was something dangerous lurking and Potter was somehow connected to it.
"Out for a late-night stroll?"
Looking up, Karkaroff was confronted with Moody, his magical eye reflecting the light of the crescent moon. Karkaroff tried to play it cool. "It's no crime that I want to have a look around. After all, me and my students will be here for the near future."
"Don't try to play me as a fool, you might have bought your freedom by having made a dirty deal with the Ministry, but your character has not changed at all," Moody said while continuing to look at one of the biggest disappointments of his career.
Karkaroff did remember how Moody had hunted him down. "The past is the past, I now have responsibilities."
Watching Karkaroff leave, Moody added "I'll keep an eye on you."
Karkaroff didn't give Moody the pleasure of showing his discomfort, but knew that Moody meant it. That would make his plans more complicated, but he could adapt.
o
It was a bit later when Harry had finished telling Sirius over the mirror all about what had happened that day. However, he had been unable to shake his bad feeling about Karkaroff and told Sirius about that as well. Sirius for his part did look concerned about it.
"Harry, whatever you do, try to stay far away from that man," Sirius warned his godson.
Harry honestly had not expected such a reaction. "You sound like you know who he is. I only know that beside being the headmaster of Durmstrang, that Snape looked ready to murder him."
"And with good reason. Karkaroff used to be a Death Eater, but when he got caught by the Ministry he made a deal with them and sold out others in order to be granted a pardon," Sirius explained who Karkaroff was.
Harry paled a little when hearing that. "Oh damn! No way I would want to be close to him when he got such a past. Wait... since Snape hates Karkaroff so much, does that mean...?"
Sirius sighed, knowing this would have come up sooner or later. "Yes, Snape used to be a Death Eater as well, but something happened and he repented. It was sincere enough that Dumbledore helped him out of the following legal troubles. Since Karkaroff wanted to backstab Snape as well, you understand why he loathes the man."
Harry had known for some time that Snape did have a less-than-respectable past, that he had made bad decisions, as no one had made any bones about that. However, hearing he used to be a follower of Voldemort was something else and suddenly painted the encounter between Voldemort and Snape back in his first year in a new light.
"It would have been nice if you had told us in time," Harry complained.
"Would that honestly have changed anything apart from making you paranoid? Also, it's no big secret, as it's public record and you simply never looked. You better believe your good pal Draco Malfoy knows that as well," Sirius calmly told Harry.
While Harry still felt unwell with what had been revealed to him, he had to admit that while Snape was not exactly his most favorite teacher in the school, he had done nothing that would make him suspect of wrongdoing. Harry also had to admit he didn't see Snape outside of the Dueling Club and thus was hardly qualified to judge the man's character.
"All right, that point goes to you. I'll still tell the others however... And yes, we'll all stay far away from Karkaroff," Harry promised Sirius.
"I hope so. I honestly don't know how he became the Headmaster of Durmstrang, but that doesn't exactly speak well for the school. Should anything happen, don't hesitate to tell me," Sirius reminded Harry.
"You can count on me, Uncle Sirius." Harry then ended the call, put the mirror away and got ready for sleep. Good thing tomorrow was a Sunday.
...the next day, October 30th, in the great hall...
"It can't be that all of them are here for a late breakfast. Any idea what this could be about?" Ron said, scratching his head at seeing the students milling around the great hall.
"I bet they are here to see others enter their name into the Goblet - hoping to see some failed attempts," Hermione speculated, opening up a book before filling her plate.
"Too bad that Luna and Neville got an early breakfast to work in the greenhouses. Luna is always good for biting commentary in such situations," Ginny said while getting some orange juice.
Indeed, the Goblet of Fire was prominently displayed on a pedestal in the place where normally the Sorting Hat was situated during the sorting ceremonies. Two Aurors flanked the pedestal while a thin golden circle of about ten feet radius had been drawn around the pedestal. That had to be the age line, as it looked very similar to the thick golden line that acted as the age barrier to the Forbidden Forest.
"Who knows, who knows. I bet some have already entered their names into the Goblet and we simply don't know," Harry speculated while pouring milk into his cereal. "Maybe we'll get some entertainment from it, since I have the feeling many students still underestimate the Headmaster."
"Did you hear the newest? Rumor has it that Warrington from Slytherin got up early and entered his name," Dean Thomas said while sitting down next to them.
"Isn't he the bloke who looks like a sloth? Fat chance that he'll be selected as a champion," Harry said dismissively, knowing the boy in question was gasping for air after running a mere twenty meters. Not exactly champion material.
"Cedric Diggory also entered his name," Dean added while shoveling some bacon onto his plate.
"Well, there is someone who got a chance to actually be selected. From all I have seen he's well-rounded in his skills," Hermione commented.
Ron grimaced a bit. "As much as I want a Gryffindor champion, Diggory did prove he is really good on the pitch. So maybe..."
Suddenly there was laughter, then Fred and George came in together with Alicia Spinnet.
"Oh dear, looks like these two learned nothing from their last encounter with an age line and now they have roped Alicia into it as well," Ginny said with a sigh, having a feeling they would soon get their entertainment.
Ron also was not exactly breaking out in cheers when the three of them had reached them. "Alright, what is the great plan you have cooked up?"
"Aging potion! One drop is enough to push us over the line by aging us a few months," George said proudly.
"Yes, and Alicia here got it for us, so she'll try together with us," Fred added, looking to their partner-in-crime.
"Well, then don't let us stop you," Ron said. After all, it's not my ass on the line, he added silently while watching them walk up to the age line.
The trio meanwhile had walked up to the age line. "All right, all of us go on three," Alicia told Fred and George. They then did so and walked over the line.
For a short moment nothing happened and just when the trio broke out into grins at how smart they were, the circle suddenly flared up. -zap!- There was a bright flash and all three of them were thrown out. To add insult to injury, all three of them - including Alicia - also now spotted long white beards, looking suspiciously similar to Dumbledore's. The hall erupted into laughter at this display.
"Buttheads..." one of the Aurors snorted.
"What the...?! I got turned into the bearded lady!" Alicia screamed in mortification at her predicament.
"I did warn you," Dumbledore, who had entered the hall and walked to the faculty table for his own breakfast, said with amusement. "I suggest all three of you go up to Madam Pomfrey. She is already tending to Miss Fawcett, of Ravenclaw, and Mr. Summers, of Hufflepuff, both of whom decided to age themselves up a little, too. Though I must say, neither of their beards is anything like as fine as yours."
"They should have expected that to happen. No one can fool Dumbledore," Ginny said, amused that her prank-loving brothers got pranked themselves this time. "Percy will report that one to Mum for certain."
As if to add insult to injury, Angelina entered the hall that moment and after some giggles at the sight passed the age line without problem, showing her slip to one of the Aurors, who checked in a little book that the name fit with the photo of the student in said book. In the end everything checked out and Angelina added her name to the Goblet.
While Angelina walked to the Gryffindor table under some applause, she again looked to George - God knew how she managed to consistently tell the twins apart. "Nice beard," she giggled. "You know, you would look sexy with a beard, though perhaps a shorter one that is not white."
George was confused what that was about while he together with Fred and Alicia retreated to the medical wing to get rid of these beards.
"Since when are you seventeen, Angelina?" Ron asked Angelina.
"Since last week. Kind of lucky that my birthday is in October," Angelina said, still looking to where the trio had left the hall.
"I honestly hope you get selected. As much as this year is about cooperation between houses, I really wish for a Gryffindor champion," Hermione told Angelina.
"Thanks, I hope so as well..." Angelina said before sidding down to eat.
That moment the delegation from Beauxbatons entered. Under Madame Maxime's instructions they formed a line and one after the other entered their name into the Goblet without any problem. Once that was done they walked to their table to eat, chatting excitedly in French among each other, clearly gossiping which of them could be selected.
"Did you notice? Apart from two students, the others seemed a bit reluctant to interact with Delacour," Ginny had observed.
"It's like with special powers you flip a coin. Either it's great like with Dora, or it sucks. Seeing that, her powers suck for her," Ron observed in his own, blunt way.
"Well, they have it easy- a one in twelve chance one of them gets selected," Harry observed how their numbers made being selected more likely. "Hey, now that it's day, maybe we should check out the carriage and the ship?" Harry then suggested.
Shortly later they did exactly that.
First they saw the ship from Durmstrang. Compared to its improvised status yesterday, it now was anchored at a proper pier. All the Durmstrang students were standing at attention on the deck while Karkaroff was talking to them in a different language - most likely preparing them for entering their names into the Goblet of Fire.
"These Durmstrang guys give off way too much of a military vibe..." Harry then saw Ron again looking to where he saw Viktor Krum among the Durmstrang students. "Ron, you really have the entire year to get the chance to meet him properly, so take it easy."
"Uhm, sorry..." Ron hoped this wouldn't become a theme.
Hermione meanwhile had taken a closer look at the ship itself. "But the ship itself is impressive. It actually does look like a schooner of the late 19th century. It is most likely that Durmstrang obtained the ship at the time and then retrofitted it for their needs. Like the Ministry bought the Hogwarts Express."
They then walked to the Beauxbatons carriage, which had been moved closer to Hagrid's hut. A makeshift paddock had been built next to it and the huge flying horses were grazing peacefully inside it. The carriage itself currently was quiet due to the Beauxbatons students eating in the great hall.
"I guess Hagrid must have built that. I wonder when he found the time for that?" Harry wondered when looking at the paddock.
"He must have used his magic." Hermione then took a look at the carriage. "It honestly wouldn't look out of place in the fairy tale of Cinderella, though thankfully this carriage is not pumpkin-shaped." She then noticed Ron and Ginny giving her looks. "Long story, ask Harry to show you the Disney film when you can visit him at home. I know he has it on tape."
"The carriage certainly is big enough to hold a whole classroom inside," Ginny observed, then looked over to Hagrid's hut. "Maybe we should visit him? I bet he knows a lot about these giant horses."
"I honestly hope he won't get the idea to have them in our next lesson. They are a bit too big for my tastes." Ron looked honestly put off by the idea, clearly being uncomfortable with getting too close to horses the size of an elephant.
By silent agreement they decided to visit Hagrid and after knocking on his door he opened it for them to come in. However, the sight that greeted them caused them to become speechless for a moment.
"Uhm... Hagrid?" Harry finally got out.
"Speechless, I see. Must be a good sign," Hagrid said.
Hagrid had went through quite the change. Before, Hagrid had not exactly cared about his hillbilly image and apart from really official things like court appearances was almost always seen farmer's jeans and a checkered shirt; not to speak of his ratty-looking coat during the colder months. He also cared little about having long hair and a wild beard.
Hagrid now looked quite a bit different. Not only was his hair shorter, he also had it bound into a ponytail to finally tame it. His beard had been trimmed down significantly, now looking quite neat and under control. Hagrid also was wearing his best suit - though he probably only owed one considering it had to be specially tailored for him - and a horribly tie which sported a yellow and orange checkerboard pattern. His clothes screamed 70s - early 70s at that.
If anything, Fang, Hagrid's big dog, was showing quite a bit of intelligence by looking very unimpressed with his owner's new look while watching them from where he lied on a blanket.
It was Hermione who found her voice first. "Hagrid, what exactly is the occasion?"
"Oh well, I felt like trying something new..." However, Hagrid right away showed his true intentions by looking to the carriage and the towards Hogwarts while he let them in.
Ginny right then proved that it not only was Ron who could be incredibly blunt. "I knew it! It's Madame Maxime, right? You want to impress her!"
Hagrid blushed at having been seen through so easily by a thirteen-year old girl. "She soon wants to tell me exactly how to care for the horses properly and..."
"Oh, Hagrid. We do understand that there are not exactly many dating opportunities for people of your height, but maybe you should start slow? After all, I doubt she got many opportunities, either," Hermione reminded her big friend.
Hagrid honestly had not expected to be found out this easily. "To be honest I have little clue what I'm doing."
"You are almost seventy and only now have the chance to date. A bit sad when you think about it." Harry then gave Hagrid another look. "Well, even though I have not dated myself yet, I know two things. For now just be a nice chap and test the waters, since clearly both of you have little idea what you are doing. And second... get rid of that tie. That thing is twenty years out of date."
Hagrid looked at his mirror, only then seemed to notice how shitty his tie looked, and quickly took it off. "Any other good tips?" he then asked.
Harry noticed his friends staying silent. Traitors... he thought, then gathered his thoughts. "Perhaps invest into a new suit, since this one is also twenty years out of date and looks like it came straight out of the early 70s. Other than that... get into contact with our fathers... with Uncle Tom, with Sirius. They are all married men and can help you more with dating advice than any of us could."
Hermione chose now to speak up. "Hagrid, an additional advice from me. Better not mention that she is a half-giant in any way. Remember how sensitive of a topic that is for you."
Hagrid did remember, but he probably wouldn't have thought about it and most likely offended Maxime if not for Hermione reminding him. "Now that you say it... What if it gets close to that?"
"Try to be diplomatic," Harry suggested. "Never speak of giants and instead just talk about it like people your height have it difficult. Wait until she's ready to talk about it."
Ginny meanwhile looked out of the window. "And there she is coming, so now is your first test to be a gentleman."
Hagrid looked quite nervous when he left the hut and they watched through the window how he greeted Madame Maxime. She for her part seemed surprised how well Hagrid had cleaned up... Was that a little blush they wre seeing? Soon enough both of them had walked to the paddock, obviously talking about the horses, but both of them were clearly enjoying it.
"Looks like Hagrid can wing it for today until he gets better advice... and a better suit. I don't even want to know how long that thing had hung in his wardrobe." Ron clearly was not exactly impressed with Hagrid's fashion sense.
Harry then saw that Fang still seemed unimpressed with Hagrid's interest in a woman, but Harry had an idea what that could be about. "Fang, don't tell me you are jealous of Hagrid giving you less attention."
The dog clearly must have understood him, since Fang then laid down and closed his eyes. There was no doubt that Fang was sulking.
...at the same time in the greenhouses...
Since it was only three people in the greenhouse, the atmosphere, unlike during classes, was serene and peaceful, only few sounds apart from that of water were disturbing the peace in this small, green oasis. Granted, this was not the greenhouse for the NEWT classes, thus the plants in this one were mostly not dangerous. The NEWT greenhouse actually was housing a number of dangerous plants, some of them even in the habit of biting off the fingers of careless students - thankfully the last incident of that kind had been years ago.
"Even after years I can't thank both of you enough. There are not many volunteers for the greenhouses, so it warms my heart how well you are doing with the plants," Professor Sprout thanked Neville and Luna while putting away several bottles which had contained a special fertilizer additive.
"It's no problem, Professor. Both of us really like working with plants and we are doing something good this way," Neville told her while re-potting a plant.
Luna meanwhile was being busy with mixing the special fertilizer. "It is very peaceful and relaxing work, making me honestly wonder why there aren't more students volunteering. I've read that many teenagers think prolonged contact with plants causes acne."
Neville laughed a little when hearing that and Professor Sprout herself also was amused. "It wouldn't be the first bizarre idea why teenagers think they got strong acne," she said, then looked to the back of the greenhouse. "I need to check the water supply. That will only take a few minutes."
Neville watched Sprout leave, then looked to Luna. "You know, that acne thing has to be a rumor. After all, despite working here so often, your acne is no worse that of other girls your age."
Luna couldn't help but to think of her own face. While she did have some acne, fact was every teenager her age had at least some, and hers was no worse than that of other girls. She didn't think of herself as vain, but... every girl, including her, did have at least some pride. Also over the past year puberty had made itself known, causing further shifts in her personality, making her at times wonder about her past behavior.
"Thank you... I appreciate it." She then gave Neville an interesting look. "While I do enjoy working in the greenhouse, it is even better since I do it together with you. I like being with you."
Now, while it was said that teenage boys were dense, Neville did have a hint of what Luna was talking about. After all, he had to be blind to miss how Luna was enjoying his presence. "I like being with you as well. You are always so patient with me and never judge me for my choices."
"Unless you are truly acting foolishly," Luna added, knowing of a few times where she had been very frank with him about him being about to do something stupid.
Neville then was done with re-potting the plant. "That's one of the things I like the most about you. You are really honest to everyone - which would make you a poor Slytherin. Though I think we can all breathe in relief you learned some tact over the years."
"I'm happy about that as well." Luna did remember how her brutal honesty in the past got her into some rather painful situations. Over the past years she had learned when it was best to keep her mouth shut or at least deliver the truth with more tact. "I heard some other girls think you are not very impressive compared to Harry or Ronald."
Neville grimaced, not being surprised about that. While no one would tell him that to the face, it was an open secret that some found him to be lacking compared to his other friends. "I guess they don't think much of a bloke who likes to work with plants and doesn't want to play Quidditch."
If anything, Luna looked quite determined to prove him wrong. "They are very foolish. These things don't make you any less of a man. You also have proven multiple times that you are far from being a weakling."
Neville blushed a little at these words, knowing Luna was very direct with what she wanted. However, Luna then stood up and walked into his private space. "You are better than even you think you are and I will prove that to you."
Neville was a bit speechless, however, the moment was ruined, when a plant right next to them, looking like a small gray cactus, suddenly... -splaaatsh- The plant all of a sudden ejected jets of a thick, stinking liquid which splashed Neville and Luna, sticking to them like a disgusting slime. Both of them for a few moments were unable to say anything.
"Eeeeeewwwwwww!" If anything, Luna's reaction of disgust proved that she did have feminine sensibilities.
Professor Sprout had run back to them when hearing Luna's cry of disgust, then gasped when seeing the mess. "Oh dear! I had completely forgotten that the Mimbulus mimbletonia were getting ready to discharge soon."
Luna meanwhile was trying to regain her calm while taking off her glasses to clean them. "This... is a very unfortunate accident. Professor, may we be excused? We need to get a change of clothes and take a shower."
Professor Sprout looked a bit embarrassed that her forgetting about that plant caused this little disaster. "Uh, yes, please go. But first allow me..." Using her wand, she managed to get the worst off them before sending them onto their way.
While walking back to the castle, Neville couldn't help but to be impressed. "Many other girls would have been freaking out over this."
"Do not be fooled by how calm I appear to be. Just because I don't show it doesn't mean I'm not affected by it... Let us hurry, I need that shower." Her expression and voice had not changed, but Neville knew that meant nothing.
I think she's also misjudging how strong she herself is, Neville thought while they made hast to get back to Gryffindor tower.
...the following day, dinner time in the great hall...
Halloween evening had finally arrived and all students were in a great mood, especially since due to the circumstances, classes on this Monday had been canceled so that everyone could prepare for the big event at the evening when the three champions would be chosen by the Goblet of Fire.
This time the Halloween dinner was especially opulent - most likely because of the presence of the other schools as well as the press. However, things got even more intense when news arrived that Minister Fudge himself would be present. That most likely was a PR-stunt by the Minister to create some good press after his recent missteps and to show presence at something positive.
As a result, many students felt the school now felt more like a madhouse and many of them had hidden away in their dorms until it was time for the Halloween dinner.
Dudley for his far groaned when seeing how their Halloween feast, which normally was supposed to be relaxing, had turned into a media circus. "This is worse than that 50-year party at Grunnings I was forced to attend," he grumbled.
"There seems to be a story behind that," Daphne mused, now wanting to hear it.
Dudley shuddered at the memory. "That was about a year before I met both of you. Grunnings, the company my father works for, was celebrating its 50th anniversary. My mother and me got dragged to that horrible party that was as boring as hell and for several hours I was forced to watch my father shake hands and being an ass-kisser."
"Sounds... delightful." Millicent honestly now understood Dudley's dislike of an 'official' party.
"I'm more concerned about Astoria than myself," Daphne said, looking to the Huffepuff table. "She never liked official events, either, and this is disrupting what should have been a relaxing evening for her."
"Yeah, and then there are those who enjoy this a bit too much," Millicent added, looking to where Malfoy and Parkinson clearly were enjoying the media circus.
"No wonder with those two," Dudley waved it off. "I'm honestly toying with the idea of asking the elves to save some food for us for a private party in the dorms later on, far away from all of this."
Truth to be told, this was starting to sound like a sensible idea, they just had to find one of the elves.
Meanwhile at the Gryffindor table, the friends were groaning at the sheer media circus this was starting to become. They had just wanted a peaceful Halloween feast, but this, together with the revelation who the champions would be, promised to be anything but peaceful or quiet. Center piece of all of it was the Goblet of Fire, its blue flames being brighter than normal.
"Oh boy, this actually is even worse than I feared. This whole tournament thing has turned Hogwarts into a giant media circus," Harry groaned when seeing Cornelius Fudge at the faculty table, flashlights from cameras constantly going off. "And of course he has to be present as well."
"We can only hope this will only happen during the tasks and not during normal school days," Hermione added, being very much alarmed at the possibility.
Even Ron looked annoyed. "Considering how I in the past craved for more attention... Seeing this now makes me feel foolish for it. I could tolerate the attention and the press after the chess tournaments, but this here is way too much."
Ron most certainly has come a long way, Ginny thought, knowing her brother used to be very different.
It was that moment that the hall went silent, seeing as Dumbledore had stood up.
"May I have your attention please? First of all, as you might have already seen, for this evening we are hosts to the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge. He is attending personally in order to witness the selection of the champions and to congratulate them."
There was some applause, but it was clear the World Cup fiasco was still sticking on Fudge.
Dumbledore then continued. "Now, before the feast starts, I have to repeat that this is the last chance to back out, since being selected by the Goblet is a binding contract. Should any of you feel the need to back out from applying, then now would be the moment to approach the Goblet and ask it to release you from the candidate pool. Considering the dangers involved in the tournament, I implore you to think about it."
While the warning was warranted, everyone knew backing out now would result in a major loss of face, so no one would do so. Clearly Dumbledore knew so as well, but felt the need to spell it out anyway.
"But for now, let us enjoy this special Halloween feast before the champions are selected."
The food appeared and again golden plates and goblets as well as the silverware were being used - it was telling that Hogwarts had those somewhere for occasions like this.
"Ah, now this is what I'm talking about. Durmstrang might be a dark school, but they know their food," Ron said happily. Since for some reason Durmstrang students had a taste for German Schlachtplatte, Ron got something that be bound to be very tasty and filling.
Hermione could only shake her head at Ron's enthusiasm for this fat food, but since Ron had been open-minded about French food, she now felt she had to return the favor, even though she knew Schlachtplatte was bound to really fill up her stomach. Not that she would dislike it, it was more a fear she would like it too much.
"People seem to be a bit impatient, despite all of this being delicious," Luna observed while while helping herself with some French cuisine.
"Can you blame them? All of them are waiting for the Goblet to make its selection," Ginny reminded her, then looked to the tables of the two foreign schools. "Though while the French students seem to be equally eager, the Durmstrang students are all subdued - even Viktor Krum."
"Today I watched Karkaroff verbally dressing down all of them with exception of Krum on the deck of their ship. While I didn't understand a word, I can guess that considering that Krum stood apart from the others, he is playing favorites," Neville said, up to now not having felt this to be important.
"Well, he clearly doesn't seem to like being Karkaroff's favorite, considering the somber mood he seems to be in," Harry concluded.
Ron said nothing, but after seeing for himself how somber Krum's mood was, he again got reminded that fame and special treatment didn't have to be good things. Man, thank all goodness Harry dislikes his own fame. I don't want to imagine him actually demanding special treatment.
Instead of contributing to that topic, he looked to where Fred and George sat. While both of them were back to normal, they didn't seem very enthusiastic. "Guess them being unable to enter the tournament didn't help their mood. Though perhaps Percy having written about it to Mum also didn't help."
Ginny couldn't help but to snort. "Well, her Howler this morning was loud enough. Her promising interesting consequences once they are home over Christmas doesn't bode well for them - no way for them to stay in the school with Percy being present."
Finally however the feast neared its end and once the plates were cleared, Dumbledore again asked for attention. "Now, the moment has come. In some moments the Goblet of Fire will determine the three champions."
While Dumbledore and Minister Fudge walked to where the Goblet sat on its pedestal - it still being guarded - the floating candles in the hall dimmed down except for those next to the Goblet, its blue flames giving off an eerie light. The press had moved closer, knowing that in mere moments the three champions would be determined. Each of them wanted the best look and a good angle for a photo
"Let's hope it's Angelina for Hogwarts," George said with a strange fondness.
Fred gave his twin a strange look, wondering what else was being his brother's strange appreciation of Angelina. True, they had known her for years, but recently things seem to have changed between George and her, and Fred was at a loss what that could be about.
The seconds went by, until Dumbledore looked up. "Now let's see who those are who are favored by Fortuna."
The flames in the Goblet suddenly turned red for a moment and with a shower of sparks it spat out a parchment. Dumbledore caught it, and then read aloud "The champion for Durmstrang is Viktor Krum!"
"No surprise there," Ron said, his fanboy-side shining through while applause thundered through the hall and flashlights went off.
"Yes, but Krum himself doesn't seem so eager about it," Hermione observed.
Indeed, there was a strangely subdued atmosphere at the Durmstrange table at these news and even Krum himself looked like this came as little of a surprise while getting up and walking to stand next to Dumbledore. The one anomaly was Karkaroff, who was overly enthusiastic, almost as if it had been himself who had been selected.
"Bravo, Viktor! Knew you had it in you," he boomed, though it seemed his students gave him dark looks for it.
The applause died down and everyone waited in anticipation, until the Goblet flared again and another parchment flew out. Dumbledore then read it aloud. "The champion for Beauxbatons is Fleur Delacour!"
Again there was applause while Fleur stood up. Unlike Krum, she looked honestly moved to have been selected as a champion. Her fellow students, after a few seconds of surprise, also applauded enthusiastically while Fleur gracefully accepted the congratulations from Madame Maxime before standing next to Krum.
"I noticed a number of girls were for a moment reluctant to applaud and also seem less enthusiastic," Ginny observed.
"They obviously can only see the outside and not the person behind the allure. Clearly they must see her as a threat of sorts. At least her fellow students seem to have been selected to be supportive of her," Luna observed.
After the applause had died down, everyone waited for the Hogwarts champion to finally be selected.
Silent moments went by, until the Goblet flared up for one final time and Dumbledore read the final parchment. "And finally, the champion for Hogwarts is Cedric Diggory."
Now there was a thunder of applause, but the other tables were easily drowned out by how enthusiastically the Hufflepuff table was cheering for their champion. Always standing in the shadow of the other three houses, the time had finally come for the Hufflepuffs to shine and Cedric looked very honored and humble while he joined the other two champions under a storm of flashlights from the press.
The flames in the Goblet then went out and Dumbledore looked to the Minister so he would take the word.
"This most certainly is a most splendid evening. As Minister of the host nation it falls to me to congratulate all three of you for the great honor given to you. Furthermore..."
Harry blanked out Fudge's long-winded speech while looking to Angelina, who looked a bit disappointed. "Sorry, Angelina, we all knew you had hoped to be selected."
Angelina sighed. "I can't have everything. At least it is Diggory, the bloke is of a decent kind. Imagine having to support a champion who's not well-liked in the school."
Harry tried to imagine it and shuddered. While Malfoy was too young to compete, Harry imagining him in place of Cedric did the trick. "Thanks for the mental image... I guess we now know another reason why Dumbledore made this the year of cooperation between houses."
I could have lived without that mental image, he added in thoughts.
Finally Fudge was done and Dumbledore again took the word.
"Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real way in their efforts. The Weighing of the Wands will take place on November 11th and the First Task on November 26th. The champions are not to be told what the tasks include, as that is part of the tournament as well."
Dumbledore then paused for a moment before he continued. "The champions are not permitted to ask for or accept help of any kind from their teachers or other officials to complete the tasks in the tournament. The champions will face the first challenge armed only with their wands. They will receive information about the second task when the first is over. Owing to the demanding and time-consuming nature of the tournament, the champions are exempted from end-of-year tests."
"Lucky them," Ron sighed, not looking forward to those.
A short time later everyone was walking back to their dorms and Harry couldn't help but sigh in relief. "Nothing has gone wrong. After a troll running amok, a message from Voldemort and a corpse in Hogsmeade, this was refreshing."
His friends said nothing, but they got the strange feeling Harry shouldn't have said that.
Indeed, something had shifted this night, again proving the Halloween curse right, only the effect had not been visible to them and centered around Voldemort.
o
Far away from Hogwarts, the idea that the Halloween curse had been defeated was proven wrong, since dark plans were being made.
Despite the late hour there was activity in the Riddle House. Voldemort had been quite busy over the past two months - or better, his underlings had been. After Malfoy it was most important to get the other Death Eaters before him one after the other, starting with those at the top. The grunts and dumb muscle like Crabble Sr. and Goyle Sr. could wait until a later time. Each and every of them them would feel his wrath and then would be forced to start to work off their debt to him.
At the moment however, Voldemort and Barty had a different topic in their conversation.
"By now all the champions should have been chosen," Barty said, having memorized the whole time table of the event.
"Not that it is of particular interest to us - at least not anymore. Once again you have proven your worth to me, Barty, by convincing me to abandon that possible plan," Voldemort commented while paying some attention to Nagini.
"I didn't do much. I simply stated that the more complicated the plan, the easier things can go wrong. After all, it would have been like having several roulette wheels going at the same time and hoping to win in all of them," Barty repeated his reasoning.
"Which we right now can't risk, since we are not in a position of strength." While Voldemort still was arrogant, especially about his own skills, his last defeat had taught him to be more careful. "No, we will keep it simple; my rebirth is too important. The third component can be acquired in multiple ways after all."
Indeed, Voldemort had toyed with the idea after killing Crouch Sr. to use the Triwizard Tournament in an overly convoluted way to gain the final component for his rebirth as well as having a dramatic effect. Barty however had quickly reminded him how many things could go wrong, especially due to way too many factors, and thus a more simple plan would be better suited.
Voldemort had agreed because regaining his body was his top priority and grandiose displays could still be done after the fact. While his original plan had been scrapped, the Triwizard Tournament still would be of use to him. One trait from his youth he never had been able to shake off was the need to show off - in his own way.
Voldemort then looked smug. "Dear Harry got a little grace period, but I won't be denied. All in its due time."
"Your orders regarding the boy are quite clear, my Lord, that you are to be the only one who has the right to finish him off," Barty reminded himself. "Though some of those that are returned to duty under you need a reminder about that rule."
Voldemort looked a bit darkly when being reminded about that fact. "Some of them seem to think they can get into my good graces by suggesting they hunt down Potter. Shameful that I have to remind them that Lord Voldemort's word is law."
Right then there was the sound of apparation coming from the outside.
Voldemort chuckled. "Ah, looks like the newest sheep is about to be returned to the flock."
Some moments later Pettigrew and the Carrows came in, a magically bound man hovering between them. "Master, we've got a hold of Avery. Wasn't easy to subdue him however," Pettigrew reported while the bound Avery hover to before Voldemort's throne.
"Ah, truly?" Voldemort asked, his outer calmness not relaying how angered he was at Avery's refusal to comply.
Alecto gave Avery a dark look. "The little coward tried to make a run for it when we confronted him and told him he is to return into your services. When we cornered him, he tried to inflict a severing curse onto me. That's why we decided to package him properly."
"I see..." Voldemort now indeed looked displeased. Most only put up little resistance when being returned into his service, so Avery trying to defy him was unwelcome news. "Is he disarmed?"
Amycus showed Voldemort a wand. "I took it off him as soon as we overwhelmed him."
"You three have done well." Voldemort then moved his wand and the magical bindings vanished, causing Avery to fall to the floor. "Avery... Stop winding on the floor like a worm and greet your Lord properly."
"Master, please! I'm your most devoted servant and thought them to be impostors..." Avery started to try and escape punishment.
Voldemort's eyes narrowed. "Liar..." That hissed word shut up Avery. "Your actions speak of cowardice. You claim to be my most devoted servant, but all I do see is self-interest."
"Oh, this is a cute one, Voldemort," Nagini hissed while watching Avery dissolve in numerous apologies in a pathetic display. "Can I coil around him and squeeze a little? Just a few broken ribs and I promise I won't kill or eat him."
Voldemort chuckled at that suggestion. "Once I'm done with him, you can have your fun with him."
"Thank you so much! I promise I won't damage him permanently" Nagini hissed, sounding quite excited at what was to come.
"Silence, Avery!" Voldemort finally snarled, having grown tired of his excuses. "You obviously are not man enough to admit you are in the wrong, thus I have to give you a reminder to never again lie to Lord Voldemort."
Avery paled. "Master, mercy!"
Voldemort however was just disappointed that unlike others who returned to his services, Avery was giving such a pathetic display. "Lord Voldemort does not forgive... Crucio."
While Avery was screaming in pain, Pettigrew and the Carrows felt not a shred of compassion while watching the torture. After the difficulties Avery had given them and him then giving such a pathetic display, they felt the man had earned every second of the torture.
"Why couldn't they all be like Nott? He at least made no trouble and bowed to our Master right away, admitting his guilt and self-interest and accepting his punishment," Alecto wondered.
Pettigrew looked to the screaming Avery in contempt. "Some are way more pathetic than others. They've grown soft while coddling themselves with their wealth. Disgusting."
Amycus for his part looked like he wanted to spit onto Avery. "I remember him treating us like dirt, thinking he's so much superior thanks to having money. My, how the roles have changed now."
Standing behind the throne, Barty watched everything with a smile. He felt deep satisfaction at his Master punishing those who had become selfish and renounced him with cheap excuses for their own deeds. Every single of them deserved their punishment and following servitude for their opportunistic ways. To Barty, Lord Voldemort had proven to be a much better man than his father, since he punished those who deserved it, but also gave reward to those who did well.
This is my real family, he thought while watching Voldemort stop the torture, only for Nagini to slither towards Avery to have her own fun with the man. Avery would be in for a long night.
to be continued...
Next Episode:
"The Three Champions"
Notes:
Here the notes.
First off... HAHAHAHAHAHA! Fooled you! You didn't REALLY think I would rehash the canon plot, did you? I worked hard to not show this little twist too early. Let's say for now Harry's year will be mostly stress-free. However, that means FOR NOW. Harry and friends will get caught up in other trouble later in the school year.
Now, to other points.
Fleur has not forgotten, but I wanted to show how awkward she is in social situations. I also solved the seating situation in a more logical way - no more favoritism. Of course Sirius would warn Harry to stay away from Karkaroff - you think he will listen in the long run?
Considering how much of a trainwreck Hagrid's courting of Maxime in canon was, him getting actual advice can only make things better. I also mayself like the scene in the greenhouse.
Of course we do get an explanation why the canon plot doesn't happen, but no word yet what the actual plan is. Also, Voldemort is quite busy, since he clearly can use the time to do much important work. I felt him sitting around for months in canon was rather stupid and made little sense. Of course, that's not good news for Avery, as we see.