I do not own Harry Potter, only the OC.

Hello guys, Badger here. Back again, with a new chapter. Now that my University Foundation Year is over, I now have a lot more free time to update my stories with new chapters. And here I am with the long anticipated seventh chapter for Rebirth. Because it has been a while since the previous chapter, I had to take a moment to read through the previous 6, just to remind myself of what I've already done, so I don't repeat anything or make any continuity errors.

Anyway, in one of the reviews for one of my other stories, I have seen someone comment about how OC's aren't for them, or something like that. This has made me wonder if you guys actually like my OC, who I've included in some of my stories. I try not to force him into a story, if he doesn't fit into the narrative of the story, though I never really considered if you like the OC or not. Do feel free to let me know.

Anyway, that is all for now, I hope you enjoy and I will see you at the end.

Chapter 7

Final Preparations For The First Task

Harry walked through the rickety old building, wincing at every creak and croak the floorboards made, as he slowly moved up the stair case, cringing at all the cobwebs that stuck to his skin like a fungus. Reaching the top of the stair, down a narrow corridor, opposite him, was a door. It was slightly ajar and Harry could hear voices coming from inside the room. Curious, Harry cautiously made his way to the door, the voices getting louder with each step he took. Reaching the door, he opened the door a little bit to get a closer look, where he saw Pettigrew and a man with dark hair talking to someone in a chair. The chair was turned so Harry couldn't see who was sat there.

"My…my Lord" Pettigrew spoke up "Can we not just…kill the boy…surely we don't need him"

"You are a fool Pettigrew!" A raspy voice said "The boy is more important than you may think…mark my words, he will die…but only after he is no longer needed…Barty, can I trust you enough to make sure that the boy is the one to win the Tournament before the others?"

"On my life and on my magic, I will do everything in my power to make sure the boy makes it to where he is needed" The dark haired man, Barty, replied, crouching beside the chair, bowing respectfully

Harry grew nervous and took a few steps back, causing him to step on a loose floorboard, causing a loud creaking sound to echo across the building. The sound cause the three occupants in the room to be alerted to his presence, with Pettigrew and Barty to turn in his direction. With a cruel smile, Pettigrew approached and swung open the door, pointing his wand in Harry's direction, only to be stopped by the raspy voice coming from the chair.

"Move aside Pettigrew" the voice said "Our guest here must've wanted to meet their new neighbours…allow me to give them a proper welcoming"

Pettigrew's smile turned sinister, as he took a step back. Before Harry could do anything, his vision was assaulted by an ominous green light, the words, 'Avada Kedavra' ringing in his ears, before everything went dark.

…

Harry jolted awake, sweat pouring down his brow, as he took a few deep breaths to calm down. He was immediatley alerted to the sound of birds coming from outside, which told Harry that it was morning, or at least the afternoon. Sitting up in his bed, Harry placed his head in his hands. The nightmare felt so real. Over the last few weeks he had been having frequent nightmares, like the one he had. They all went about in a different way, but always resulted in the same outcome. Harry wasn't sure what they meant, though he had his suspicious, but he was worried. Getting changed into a fresh pair of Gryffindor Robes, Harry put away the books he had been reading before he ended up falling asleep.

When he wasn't training for the First Task, Harry had been reading the books James and Daphne had given him, when he could. Every book informed him about the politics of the Wizarding World, as well as the power he can possess, politically, as Lord Potter that he couldn't possess as just Harry.

Reading about the Sacred 28, presented Harry with an opportunity. According to the books given to him by James, the Sacred 28 possess a lot more power in the Wizengamot then the other Houses. Power to the point where no one can deny one of the Sacred 28 when they make demands in the Wizengamot, whether that is for laws to be discussed, or even for the Minister of Magic to be replaced if the current Minister is proving to be incompetent and inept at their job. Something Harry could look into later. For now, Harry thought of a perfect opportunity to have Sirius be given a fair trial, if his godfather is unable to receive a trial elsewhere. Once Harry claimed his title as Lord Potter, and therefore claiming his seat on the Wizengamot, as the Potters are a part of the Scared 28, no one can deny him for demanding a fair trial for Sirius. Something that should've been done all those years ago.

For now though, he just needed to wait, for an update from Sirius. If he was unable to receive an acceptation for a fair trial in another country, then this will prove to be a perfect backup plan. And with James and Daphne backing him up, will definitely increase their political power in the Wizengamot, especially as the Badger and Greengrass family's are labelled as part of the Sacred 28. A thought for another time, though. Right now, Harry needed to focus on surviving the First Task, which was just over a day away.

After getting dressed, Harry ran a hand through his untameable mess that he called hair, before leaving the boys dorm. The Gryffindor Common Room was empty, meaning everyone else must already be inside the Great Hall. As he made his way down the many corridors, he stopped when he felt two arms wrap around his shoulders. Harry didn't need to turn to see who was there, as he immediatley recognised the voices.

"Good morning Young Harry" Fred said "Good to see you up and about, isn't it George?"

"It is indeed Fred, dear brother of mine" George said "It is good to see you Harry, how are you feeling, the First Task is practically here after all"

"I'm fine" Harry smiled, the Twins' enthusiastic mannerisms was contagious making it impossible not to smile when they were around, though he did have a question on his mind "Fred, George…I need to ask…what's going on with Ron and Hermione?"

"We aren't sure" George sighed

"We've tried talking to them, trying to get them to see reason, but they won't listen to us" Fred added "We're sorry Harry, we've tried a lot"

"It's fine guys" Harry reassured "I've been receiving help elsewhere"

"Ah yes" The Twins said in unison

"Help from the lovely Daphne Greengrass" Fred said

"And James Badger who is, depending on who you ask, the unofficial Prince of Slytherin" George finished "Angelina told us that they had been helping you…in fact, James wanted us to give you this"

Harry was surprised, and a little confused, when Fred removed an envelope from his pocket and handed it to him. Harry gently took the envelope before looking to them.

"Why would James give you this?" Harry asked

"We are, sort of…acquaintances" They said in unison, once more "We won't say anymore"

"Thank you guys" Harry said, feeling like there was a story he needed to find the truth behind sooner or later

"You're welcome Harry" Fred said, as the Twins began walking away

"And good luck in the First Task" George added, as they disappeared round the corridor

Once more, Harry was alone in the corridor, as he opened the envelope and read the letter that was inside.

Harry,

If the Twins did as I asked them, then hopefully you are reading this and they haven't taken a peek. We may be acquaintances, but they know that I do not make empty threats.

If you are reading this, then I want you to meet me and Daphne in our usual meeting place, after breakfast. It is time. Everything is ready for the Fire Protection Wards to be applied. I must warn you though, it may not be a painless endeavour. Applying wards to ones skin via methods we are about to perform, means that the magic and protection the wards provide will burn into your skin and through your Magical Core. The markings from the wards will also leave scars, which will fade when the ward effects have worn off. Thought I should warn you now, so you can mentally prepare yourself.

See you soon.

James

Harry swallowed nervously as he read the letter. He wished James told him about this, when they first spoke about the Fire Protection Wards with Daphne, but at least James told him. However, that didn't mean he wasn't worried about the possible pain he was going to go through. Shaking himself, Harry stuffed the letter in his pocket, as he made his way to the Great Hall for breakfast. Better to get this done sooner, rather than later.

…

Dumbledore stood in the arena, overlooking the Dragon Handlers, as they placed the dragons in their holding pens. A job easier said then done, as the dragons kept thrashing and restraining against the chains, making it difficult to place them in the pen. The Headmaster hoped their roars didn't alert anyone in Hogwarts.

He was worried, however, as he looked at the dragons they had at hand, for their champions. More specifically, the Hungarian Horntail. One of the most dangerous species of dragons. The Headmaster felt like there was a more sinister reason behind that choice in species. Dumbledore was already worried about Harry's placement in the Tournament being part of a plot. A Hungarian Horntail made him wonder if the dragon was to play a part in it. No doubt Sirius would learn about the First Task, especially if Remus was to learn of such things. Dumbledore could only hope that he could stop Sirius from risking being spotted at Hogwarts by hiding amongst the crowd, to make sure his godson was alright. Sirius needed to be kept away.

Dumbledore had been doing a good job at making sure Sirius was kept out of Harry's life thus far. It was for the Greater Good after all.

…

After breakfast, Harry entered the room he where he always met up with James and Daphne. The two Slytherins were talking amongst themselves, whilst Daphne alternated between reading through a book and crushing up something with a mortar and pestle. Whatever it was, it seemed to be slowly turning into some kind of black ink. The two looked up, when they heard the door close.

"Ah good, you're here" James said "Good to see the Twins delivered the letter"

"They did" Harry replied "I didn't know you were acquaintances with the two"

"Acquaintances is a slight understatement" Daphne scoffed, as she continued work with the strange ink "You'd think they were old friends with how the three interact at times"

"Thank you for that" James glared at the blond

"Your letter also said something about you not making empty threats" Harry said "What did you mean by that"

"Let's just say the Twins better not prank me again, unless they want an ice forming spell, as well as multiple stinging hexes, to be used on a certain part of their body" James replied, before turning to Daphne "How's the ward ink coming along?"

"Should be ready in a few minutes" Daphne said, looking up to Harry "How's Sirius, did he take the Godfathers Oath like we suspected?"

"He did" Harry nodded "He was surprised when I brought it up…He is in agreement with you, about possible foul play for keeping him locked up…he's planning on speaking with Ministers from other Ministries abroad to see if they can get him a fair trial"

"Let's hope they do, the sooner his name is cleared, the better" Daphne said, before putting the mortar and pestle down "Okay…the ink is done"

"Ink?" Harry repeated "What is the ink for?"

"The ink is for the Wards" James explained "With a special quill, the ink will be used to draw the runes…once completed, the protection wards will activate and will last for at least a week…and, in order for the wards to be applied, you'll need to strip down and lay on the stone bench"

"Strip…down" Harry repeated, stopping himself from rubbing the scars on his back

"Yes, strip down" Daphne rolled her eyes "You don't have to strip down entirely, you can remain in your underwear…you just need to be stripped down, which will allow the wards to be easily applied to your body"

"O…okay" Harry said, before he began to remove his clothing

As he undressed, he heard slight gasps coming from James and Daphne, when they saw how thin he was, as well as the fading scars from his uncles abuse. The two Slytherins didn't say anything, but the two looked at one another, with murderous gazes. Harry could only imagine what the two were thinking. He may need to keep them away from his relatives, as there might be a blood bath if he didn't. After stripping down, leaving him in his underwear, Harry lay down on the stone bench Daphne pointed out to him, taking a sharp intake of breath as the cold stone sent sharp ripples up and down his entire body.

"How long do you reckon this will take?" James asked, as Daphne dipped a quill into the ink

"I don't know" Daphne replied "These wards take a lot of care and precision, one mistake could ruin the entire thing and I only have enough ink for one go"

Harry swallowed nervously, as he tried his best to remain as still as possible, as Daphne placed the quill against his skin. Harry winced, nearly screaming in pain and agony, as the quill cut into his skin, the ink entering his body as it marked his flesh, where he felt it entering his bloodstream, connecting to his Magical Core. Every single one of his nerves felt like it was on fire, as if he was being stabbed over and over by hot knives all over his body.

The pain was so extreme, he felt his entire body going numb, to the point where he nearly passed out.

…

And that is chapter 7 done, what did you think?

I wanted to keep the First Task in its own separate chapter, so I apologise if this chapter was short and didn't have much happen, there would've been too much going on if I included the First Task in this chapter alongside everything else.

Now, when developing this story, I thought about two possible new stories to make. The first one being a story where Harry leaves after Sirius' death and becomes a wizard vigilante, taking out any and every Death Eater until he's ready to take down Voldemort. The second one being a story where both Hermione and Ron abandon him during the Horcrux Hunt and he continues the search on his own, delving more into the Dark Arts and Dark Magic, as he does so. I'm sure other people have done similar stories. If you know of any, please let me know the names and author, that way I can see what they've done and I don't end up writing something too similar to theirs.

That is all for now, I hope you enjoyed and I will see you next time.

Badger Out