Rita Skeeters Scoop Part 1
Chapter Summary
Everyone starts their fourth chapter of the day...
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Everybody got up late on Boxing Day .. Sleekeazy's Hair Potion on it for the ball,
"That was a Potter invention," Severus said.
"Anything to tame the Potter hair," Sirius said, messing with Harry's mop. "Not that it ever worked on James's hair."
Hearing this, Severus felt a challenge. He would brew something that worked even for Potter.
"but it's way too much ... not to discuss their argument.
The mind healers rolled their eyes but said nothing. Pointing out everyone's emotional issues could prove counter-productive.
They were being quite friendly ... nearly as shocking as Ron did.
"Of course not," Hermione said. "I mean, it's Hagrid. He's huge."
"Well, I thought he must be," ... It's just bigotry, isn't it?"
The adults all looked unsure of that. It wasn't just bigotry, but it wasn't completely true that they were evil either.
"It's more complicated than that," Albus said. "It's true that they're more violent than wixen and their intelligence is lower than ours. They are definitely a risk to the statute of secrecy and they won't hesitate to kill you. They're not really friendly towards wizard... well, actually, they're not friendly towards anyone, even their own kind. But our kind have been unkind to them, involving them in our wars and persecuting them to near extinction. All in all, its a mix of both."
Ron looked as though he would ... Hermione wasn't looking.
Ron's brothers laughed at that as George muttered, "Coward."
It was time now to think of the homework ... feel slightly nervous.
"Only slightly?" young Dean asked. He'd have been terrified.
The trouble was that February ... it would make some sense.
"That won't help," Minerva muttered. How anyone thought a fourteen year old boy who might not even know merepeople existed would work the clue out was beyond her. She was beginning to feel like an utter fool. Not even all the wixen raised kids would have known the answer. Merepeople were hardly something they would come across, unless their family had them on their land. Or they'd been to visit one of the merepeople sanctuaries, something the average teenage wix wouldn't have done. She wondered if they could arrange that for one of the many field trips that Harry had suggested. It would certainly be educational.
He strained to think ... really expected that to help.
Sirius sighed, pulling Harry closer.
Harry had not forgotten the hint ... been a lot more explicit.
The Slytherins were nodding in agreement.
He, Harry, had told Cedric ... carrying that around with him too.
Harry sighed. How was he supposed to know to put the damn egg under water?
"I worked the clue out pretty quickly," Krum said. "There are merepeople on the grounds of Durmstrang. We learn about them and can even choose to learn their language in an extracurricular lesson if we want."
Fleur grimaced. She hadn't been as quick to work out her clue. She'd found out by accident when one of her friends got so irritated by the noise the egg made that they threw it in the lake.
Snow was still thick ... Hagrid's cabin would catch fire.
A couple people laughed although not for long, feeling guilty at the look on Hagrid's face.
When they arrived ... "Where's Hagrid?"
"Manners, Ronald," Molly said, before stopping. She had promised herself that she would be more restrained.
"My name is Professor Grubbly-Plank," ... "Where's Hagrid?" Harry repeated loudly.
Sirius merely gave Harry a look that told the young man that he wasn't impressed with his behaviour. Apparently, younger Sirius cared more about his manners than his Sirius ever had.
"He is indisposed," ... she thought he was being nosy.
Severus sighed. That's probably exactly what she thought. Teachers weren't really supposed to be friends with their students.
"I do mind, though," said Harry hotly. "What's up with him?"
Sirius raised an eyebrow. It wasn't like Harry to talk to his teachers like that.
Professor Grubbly-Plank ... really hard to catch!"
Harry shrugged. "There are loads in the forest. Hagrid cares for them."
The unicorn was so brightly white ... easy does it... "
"They'll let yer close if they can sense you're trustworthy," Hagrid said. "It's not that they prefer women, exactly. Just that they find women easier to read. It takes them a little longer to tell if a man is trustworthy. But you were all children and shouldn't have had much issue. They are innocent creatures and would sense your own innocence."
She and the girls ... show his big, ugly face."
Lucius focused on his occlumency shields.
"What d'you mean?" ... Hagrid looking extremely shifty.
Rita looked especially pleased with herself while her younger self shifted nervously.
DUMBLEDORE'S GIANT MISTAKE ... notoriously jinx-happy ex-Auror,
Alastor glared at Rita. He could easily guess who had written this particular article.
to teach Defense ... teach Care of Magical Creatures.
"Oh dear," young Narcissa said.
Rubeus Hagrid, who admits to being expelled ... heads of many better-qualified candidates.
Several people in the chamber spoke out in anger. Hagrid knew more about creatures than almost anyone. Sure, he probably needed to learn what was suitable for his students to learn about and he certainly should have been allowed to continue his education, but there was no doubt among them that he could be an amazing care teacher.
An alarmingly large ... 'I was attacked by a hippogriff,
Lucius frowned. He forgot about his son's part in this article. He'd been too focused on his darkening mark, to care at the time.
"I'm sorry, Professor," Draco said. Hagrid shrugged.
and my friend Vincent Crabbe ... too scared to say anything."
"Can you even be bitten by a flobberworm?" Seamus asked.
"No," Harry answered. "They don't have teeth and they're herbivores."
Hagrid has no intention ... hastily changing the subject.
Amelia frowned. While she hated this article, she couldn't help but think that Hagrid should have been penalized for breeding those creatures.
As if this were not enough, ... whereabouts are currently unknown.
Several people looked ready to throttle Rita.
Bloodthirsty and brutal, ... mass Muggle killings of his reign of terror.
"That wasn't a lie!" Rita said in her own defense. Really, these idiots were defending a half-giant over her! What was wrong with them?
While many of the giants ... inherited her brutal nature.
Everyone stared at the book in horror. Hagrid was gentle and sweet. You couldn't call him brutal. Even if he did have a habit of picking deadly pets.
In a bizarre twist, ... dangers of associating with part-giants.
Harry glared at Rita. What he wouldn't do for Mother Magic to remove the no violence rule for just a minute or two.
Harry finished reading ... They haven't even got teeth!"
Draco did not look proud of himself.
Crabbe was sniggering, ... bottle of Skele-Gro when he was young...
Harry rolled his eyes. How could Ron and Draco ever think that Hagrid was anything except part giant?
None of the mummies ... "Are you paying attention over there?"
Everyone rolled their eyes. Perhaps if she hadn't excluded half the class...
Professor Grubbly-Planks voice carried ... so that the boys could hear too.
Minerva tutted. That was a terrible method of teaching. She'd practically excluded half the class from the lesson.
"I hope she stays, that woman!" ... not monsters..."
Charlie laughed. "That's stupid. If you want to work with creatures, you have to learn about all of them. Not just the cute and fluffy ones."
"What about Hagrid?" ... "He can still be gamekeeper, can't he?"
Hagrid tried to hide his feelings but he'd never been very good at that and it was clear for everyone to see that Parvati's words had upset him.
Parvati had been very cool ... Hogsmeade on the next weekend trip.
"Trying to make you jealous," Seamus said with a chuckle. Harry could be so oblivious sometimes.
The girls all shook their heads. While that might be true, it was a little presumptuous on Seamus's part.
"That was a really good lesson," ... You don't think Hagrid told her?"
"Of course I didn' tell her!" Hagrid said angrily.
"No," said Harry, ... Hagrid said Dumbledore banned her..."
Rita was still grinning, clearly pleased with the devastation she'd caused.
"Maybe she's got an Invisibility Cloak," ... Ron did, you mean," said Hermione.
"It's not like we wanted to hear," Harry said bitterly.
"We weren't trying to hear him!" ... where anyone could have heard him!"
Ron groaned. He hadn't wanted Hagrid to hear that. "Sorry, Hagrid."
"We've got to go and see him," ... you do want him back?" he shot at Hermione.
Hermione sighed. "Of course, I did!"
"I - well, I'm not going to pretend ... quailing under Harry's furious stare.
"That wasn't a proper care lesson," Minerva said. "Half the class was excluded from participating."
So that evening after dinner, ... "Open up!"
Sirius smiled at his son. He really was a caring boy.
Hagrid didn't answer ... but there was no response.
"You can't force him to talk to you," Remussaid.
"What's he avoiding us for?" ... him being half-giant?"
"Of course, I did!" Hagrid muttered. "Who wouldn't?"
But it seemed that Hagrid ... every possible opportunity.
Lucius said nothing. He didn't even look at his son. He was too focused on trying not to let his irritation show.
"Missing your half-breed pal?" ... "Missing the elephant-man?"
The teachers were glowering at Draco now.
There was a Hogsmeade visit ... "Really get to work on that egg."
"Right... because he's going to work out the clue in the common room," Blaise muttered.
"Why didn't either of you offer to help?" Theo asked. "You could have all researched it together in the library."
Neither Ron or Hermione said anything.
"Oh I - I reckon I've got ... "Well done!"
Hermione glared at Harry for lying.
Harry's insides gave ... persuade him to come back.
Hagrid looked at Harry. "That was silly, Harry. Working out that clue was more important than checking on me."
"You're my friend, Hagrid."
He, Ron, and Hermione left the castle ... dived, right into the lake.
"I was practicing," Krum said.
"He's mad!" ... "I suppose it feels quite warm to him."
"No. It was definitely cold," Viktor said. "I don't swim in the lakes at Durmstrang ever."
"Yeah, but there's still the giant squid," ... much better here, he told me."
"Well, not exactly," Krum said. "The education at Durmstrang is superior, I think. But it was nice to be somewhere different and to get away from the rest of the students. Durmstrang has many more students than Hogwarts."
Ron said nothing ... Bulgarian Quidditch robes.
That caused some of the others to laugh.
Harry kept his eyes peeled ... Hagrid was not in any of the shops.
"He wouldn't be in Hogsmeade with an article like that," Sirius said with a sigh.
Chapter End Notes
Hope you enjoyed it... Did you know this story has approximately 120K words, 50 chapters and has had over 90K hits, almost 1.5K kudos, almost 400 bookmarks, almost 700 subscriptions, and over 4K comments. I'm so glad you're all enjoying this fic so much.
Rita Skeeters Scoop Part 2
Chapter Summary
They finish the chapter...
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
The pub was as crowded as ever ... listened to the egg wailing after all.
Hermione couldn't resist feeling a little bit smug.
"Doesn't he ever go ... looking rather menacing.
"That's never a good sign," young Bill said.
It was indeed odd ... a weekend
"Wait. It's the weekend." Sirius laughed loudly. "Hermione, you do realise that most people working at the Ministry take the weekend off right?"
Hermione blushed. "Well, yeah but he was always around. He must work sometime."
"I'd take that bet," Remus smirked. "Ludo isn't really known for his work ethic."
when there was no Triwizard event, ... his boyish grin back in place.
Sirius's smile disappeared.
"Harry!" ... Everything going all right?"
"Because that's not creepy at all," Seamus said.
"Fine, thanks," ... went off to find a table.
"Yup. Definitely creepy," Dean said with a sharp nod.
Bagman led Harry along ... slanting eyes.
"That's suspicious," young Bill muttered. There was only one reason goblins would be paying so much attention to a wix. Gold. Bill would bet a year's wages that Bagman was in debt to the goblins.
"Absolute nightmare," ... I'm threatening them."
That's not true," Bill said angrily. "Goblins are master linguists. I don't think there's a language they don't all seem to know."
He gave a short, booming laugh ... they're looking for Barty Crouch."
Moody sat forward. He recognised a lie when he heard one.
"Why are they looking ... gone missing like Bertha Jorkins."
"Merlin, this man is an idiot," Hermione complained.
"Have you heard anything ... getting on with your golden egg?"
"Why is he so interested?" Blaise asked, his eyes narrowed shrewdly.
"Er. . . not bad," ... well, just say the word."
"And this man was supposed to be a judge?" Fleur complained, before ranting away in French.
Harry stared up ... breaking the rules.
Sirius smirked at that. Severus chuckled. Definitely a secret Slytherin.
"Well. . . well, yes," ... offered Cedric help?" Harry said.
Amos smiled gratefully at Harry.
The smallest of frowns ... Just thought I'd offer. . . "
"Stranger danger," Dean said loudly, causing all the muggle raised to burst out laughing.
"Well, thanks," ... advice from Ron, Hermione, or Sirius.
"That's because it is," Lucius said. "Asking friends and family for help isn't against the rules at all. Accepting help from a teacher or one of the judges however."
Bagman looked almost affronted, ... "no, thank you, boys. . . "
Mrs Weasley eyed George with suspicion. Just what were those boys up to?
Fred and George looked ... exited after him.
Yup. He definitely owed the goblins gold, Billthought to himself.
Harry went to rejoin ... worked it out - haven't you?"
Hermione glared at Harry. Why had he lied?
"Er. . . nearly," ... still looking deeply disapproving.
Albus gave Hermione an odd look. Cheating was expected. He really didn't care one way or the other. And he imagined his older self would just want Harry to survive. Or at least he hoped so.
"I hope he's trying ... Harry privately agreed.
Hermione looked affronted. Cedric however just laughed.
"Those goblins ... "What were they doing here?"
Bill frowned. "They have just as much right to be there as you. The Three Broomsticks caters to magicals of all kinds. Not just wixenkind."
"I didn't mean..." Hermione sighed.
"Of course, you didn't," Bill said with slightly less censure in his tone. "But you have to be careful Hermione. The words you use when talking about other beings are important."
"Looking for Crouch, ... International Magical Cooperation."
"RONALD!" Molly screeched. No calming techniques would work this time. "That's a terrible thing to say about your brother."
Ron sighed when he saw that Percy did look hurt. "I'm sorry, Percy. I know you'd never do something like that."
Percy nodded, unable to respond.
Hermione gave Ron ... Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."
"And that right there is one of the reasons the goblins and other beings know you all look down on them," Harry said angrily. "Regulation and control? Just who wix think they are, trying to control other beings like that? There should be two departments. One for dealing with Magical Creatures and another for relations with non-human and part-human magicals."
"Crouch can speak loads ... Society for the Protection of Ugly Goblins?"
Bill was not impressed and started ranting about showing respect.
"Ha, ha, ha," ... who never stick up for themselves."
"Did you just call house elves stupid?" Draco asked. "Because I can tell you that they're really not. My nanny elf has been helping me with my summer homework since first year."
"Uh-oh," ... looking very satisfied about something.
Everybody groaned.
"... didn't seem very keen to talk to us, ... someone else's life?" said Harry loudly.
Sirius grimaced. Harry shouldn't make an enemy of Rita Skeeter. Especially since in the old timeline he didn't realise just how powerful he was. In the new timeline, if he wanted to take her down, Sirius would support him one hundred percent, but talking to her like that was reckless.
A few people looked around ... I am merely doing my-"
Young Rita sighed. She was going to have to do some major clean up if she had any hope of gaining a good working relationship with the prince. She was going to have to have words with her older self. Either that or request Mother Magic stick her older self whether she left You Know Who. She wouldn't even let her older self get in the way of her ambition.
"Who cares if he's half-giant?" ... Would you call him a father substitute?"
Sirius growled, glaring at the woman in question.
Hermione stood up ... eyeing Hermione's bushy hair.
Sirius sighed. It was easy to guess who would be Skeeter's next victim.
"Let's go," ... they walked quickly back up the street.
Sirius nodded his agreement.
"Let her try!" ... First Harry, then Hagrid... "
Severus sighed. That temper would get her into trouble.
"You don't want to go ... the grounds to Hagrid's cabin.
"I really think you should calm down before you go and say something you shouldn't," Minerva said. "Hagrid was fragile. He didn't need to deal with your temper tantrum. Even if it was well intended."
The curtains were still drawn ... but with Albus Dumbledore.
Hermione blushed. This was just too embarrassing.
"Good afternoon," ... "Hi, Hagrid," said Harry.
Everyone eyed the book in concern.
Hagrid looked up ... attempting to break down the door."
Mrs Weasley tutted. Hagrid was a teacher and should have been treated as such. She couldn't imagine them doing that to Minerva.
"Of course we still want ... staring at the ceiling.
Multiple people laughed.
"Er-right," ... they would have something to say about it -"
"I wrote to the headmaster," Blaise's mother said.
"As did I," Arthur said.
"I may have done so anonymously," Lucius coughed.
"Not all of 'em," ... refuse to talk to anybody?"
Albus nodded. That was certainly true.
"Yeh - yeh're not half-giant!" ... "Look at the Dursleys!"
Several people swore angrily at the mention of the Dursleys.
"An excellent point," ... so that may not have been bravery... "
"Of course, I can read!" Abe grumbled. "And you know as well as I do that all I did to those goats was turn them pink. It's not my fault they belonged to Lord Lestrange."
"Come back and teach, Hagrid," ... great man... "
Aberforth grimaced. He did not agree.
"Yeah, he is," ... he looked hardly older than eleven.
Several of the younger kids grinned, imagining themselves with their own parents on their shoulders. Fred and George exchanged looks. Now that was an idea for a prank.
"Tha was taken jus' ... Died, see, in me second year..."
Hagrid pulled out a large handkerchief and blew his nose.
"Dumbledore was the one ... Big bones... I'll give her big bones."
No one said anything about Madam Maxime. Especially Harry and his friends. They were quite certain Hagrid had kept in touch with her. Well, as much as you could during a war.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione ... School champion!"
Harry smiled sadly at Hagrid.
He looked at Harry ... How you doin' with that egg, Harry?"
Harry grimaced. It had been a lot harder lying to Hagrid.
"Great," ... Cedric's hint was worth anything.
Sirius nodded, pleased that Harry was finally accepting Cedric's help.
Chapter End Notes
Hope you enjoyed it. I know some of you probably think I'm overly harsh on Ron and Hermione but really its sort of inevitable. I'm certainly not trying to bash them...
But:
1. They are main characters and so they're under the microscope more than almost anyone else - except Harry and Dumbles. That means their mistakes will be noticed.
2. It's human nature. I want to make the people in the chamber real. And humans aren't usually the best about not pointing out other people's flaws.
3. And some of it (maybe not all of it) definitely needs to be said.
4. A lot of it leads into good lessons for everyone about the wixen world and so even if it seems harsh, it has purpose.
Please don't hate me too much. xo
The Egg and the Eye Part 1
Chapter Summary
Our characters start their last chapter of the day...
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Harry had no idea ... he would be disturbed.
Sirius nodded, agreeing with Harry's logic.
Harry planned his excursion ... rule-breaking Harry owned.
Minerva sighed. She should be grateful Harry wasn't more like his father.
The map showed the whole of Hogwarts, ... Harry crept out past him.
"Very well done," Remus said.
It was awkward moving ... prefect just to be able to use this bathroom.
All those who had been a prefect nodded their agreement. The bathroom was a definite perk of the job.
It was softly lit ... It fluttered every time she snored.
Hermione grinned. She loved the prefect's bathroom.
Harry moved forward, ... slid into the water.
Several people blushed. It was rather odd to be reading about someone else taking a bath.
It was so deep that his feet ... no sudden burst of understanding.
"I actually really like swimming," Harry admitted. "But I've never had lessons. Well, except for the mandatory ones that I got in Primary School. The teacher wanted me to join the swim team, said I might be good at it with a little practice, but Aunt Petunia wouldn't let me."
"She was hoping I'd drown one day," young Harry added.
Harry stretched out his arms, ... if I were you."
Everyone jumped upon realising that Harry was not alone.
Harry had swallowed ... a toilet three floors below.
"What is she doing there?" Minerva asked suspiciously.
"Myrtle!" ... taps ever since he had arrived.
"She better not have," Arcturus said crossly.
"I closed my eyes ... "You haven't been to see me for ages."
That got a few giggles from the younger girls.
"I think someone has a crush," Blaise said, raising one eyebrow.
"Wait! Does she spy on the prefects?" Percy asked, utterly horrified.
Unlike the young girls, who seemed to find Harry's situation funny, the teachers and parents were not looking pleased at all. Albus's eyes were blown wide and Minerva looked ready to spit fire.
"She better not have," Minerva muttered.
"Yeah... well..." ... "You used to be in there all the time."
Ron was smirking, trying not to laugh. "Not by choice," he muttered.
This was true, ... That's what Cedric Diggory did."
Cedric looked a little sick and his father didn't look much better.
"She needs to be removed," Sirius said, barely controlling his temper.
"Have you been spying ... speak to anyone before."
At Myrtle's words the chamber erupted. The parents were shouting at the teachers. The teachers were shouting at the headmaster. And all the prefects were tinged a horrid green colour. Harry was almost entertained. For once someone other than him was being embarrassed. Although, he did admit to himself that this was pretty bad. He probably should have told a teacher. Except he wasn't supposed to be there. And Harry wasn't really sure any of them would have believed him if he tried.
"I want that ghost gone," Arcturus said finally, loud enough for everyone to hear him. "Before September 1st or so help me, I'll exorcise her myself. I'm sure we have a book on exorcisms in the Black family library."
"The Department of Mysteries could help," Bode said calmly.
Eventually they all sat themselves back down to listen to the book.
"I'm honored," ... open it under the water!"
"At least she was useful," Harry muttered darkly.
Harry lowered the egg ... "Go on!"
Sirius growled. He did not like this ghost.
Harry took a great breath ... taken what you'll sorely miss,
Harry grimaced at that. He hadn't thought for one second that they'd take a person.
An hour long you'll have to look, ... it wont come back"
Fleur cried quietly. She had really feared that she might have lost her sister.
Harry let himself ... hang on, I need to listen again... "
The younger kids looked thoughtful, trying to work out the clue.
He sank back beneath the water ... who could that be?"
"The merpeople," young Luna said straight away.
"Slow, aren't you?" ... nearly all the bubbles had gone..."
Amos swore, fists clenched.
"Underwater... " ... aren't merpeople in there, are there?"
Sirius gave Harry a proud smile.
"Oooh, very good," ... flashing her fins... "
Cedric blushed.
"Thats it, isn't it?" ... live right at the bottom...
Young Harry looked suddenly panicked. How had his older self done it?
"Myrtle," ... not for ages... "
"She's so sensitive," Daphne sighed.
She buried her face ... I remember at her brother's wedding -"
Albus sighed. They were right Myrtle need to go.
But Harry wasn't listening; ... What were they going to take?
Sirius wondered that too. And his gut instinct was telling him whatever it was, he wouldn't like it.
"-and then, of course, ... live in my toilet."
"They should have just exorcised her and been done with it," Rookwood said. While he felt bad for the girl, becoming a ghost during her teens couldn't be fun, but this was unacceptable. She'd committed a crime against an unknown number of children. And it had to stop.
"Good," ... thanks for your help."
Sirius chuckled. Only Harry would thank a ghost for peeping on him. Although he had to admit, she had been helpful.
"Bye, 'bye," ... zoom back up the tap.
"I guess we'll have to add exorcising Myrtle to the list of things to do," Amelia said with a sigh. That list was getting longer every chapter.
Chapter End Notes
Sorry, it's not longer. It's my Birthday so I've been a bit distracted, lol. Hope you enjoyed it. xo
The Egg and the Eye Part 2
Chapter Summary
Everyone finishes the last chapter of the day.
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Out in the dark corridor, ... something distinctly odd.
"Ignore it, whatever it is," Sirius whined. He had a really bad feeling about this. Then again everything about this book put him on edge.
Peeves was not the only ... it was Bartemius Crouch.
Snape sat forward at that. That was definitely odd. Not only odd, but alarming.
Harry stared at the dot ... around the room, pausing here and there...
Moody glanced across the hall at Barty. Could he be the impostor?
Harry hesitated, thinking...
"Careful, it might hurt," Remus said with a small teasing smile.
and then his curiosity ... what Crouch was up to.
The teachers all sighed in unison. Potter's curiosity was legendary.
Harry walked down the stairs ... somebody else's office this late at night...
"No. It doesn't," Alastor agreed. "He always had someone else do his dirty work."
And then, halfway down ... Neville always forgot to jump.
"Rookie mistake," Sirius murmured, grinning slightly as he tried not to think about the ball of anxiety that had settled in his stomach.
He gave an ungainly wobble, ... he couldn't reach it.
"That's not good," George said.
The golden egg fell ... "PEEVES!"
"You might be alright so long as Filch doesn't see the map," Fred said.
It was the unmistakable ... exactly where he was.
Everyone held their breath in anticipation.
"Egg?" ... "You've been stealing!"
"He's so obsessed with Peeves that he didn't even consider another reason for the egg being there," Blaise muttered.
"Just think all those pranks you could have pulled if you'd only thought to blame them on Peeves," Theo teased.
Blaise loved pranks almost as much as the Weasley twins. He was just better at keeping his identity hidden. It wouldn't do for a Slytherin to be caught pranking.
He ripped back ... you filthy, pilfering poltergeist..."
Albus sighed. When would Argus listen to him and accept that Peeves was not going anywhere. He was literally part of the school. The headmaster couldn't remove him. Control him to an extent but not remove him.
Filch started to climb ... gray nightshirt and he looked livid.
Severus frowned. He really didn't like the relationship between his older self and Harry. He could easily imagine how it had become that way, but it was something he wanted to avoid at all costs. Perhaps he should book himself in for a session with the mind healers.
"Its Peeves, Professor," ... couldn't get into my office..."
Severus rolled his eyes. Now Harry was going to get the blame for that too.
"This egg was in your office ... Somebody has been searching it!"
This caused everyone to think again about why Crouch had been searching Snape's office.
But Peeves couldn't -" ... thrown out of the castle once and for all -"
The headmaster sighed.
"Filch, I don't give a damn ... "Pajama party, is it?" he growled up the stairs.
Alastor leaned towards Amelia. "Collecting ingredients for more polyjuice, I'm betting."
Amelia nodded. That was a logical deduction.
"Professor Snape and I heard noises, ... "Shut up!" Snape hissed to Filch.
Severus and Alastor shared a look. They weren't friends exactly but they'd always gotten along well enough. Snape had even saved his life once while in his role as a spy for the Order.
Moody took a step closer ... "Someone broke into your office?"
"What I want to know is how Albus missed that one of his closest friends was an impostor," Severus said, sneering at the headmaster.
Albus frowned. He didn't understand it either.
"AN IMPOSTOR?" young Mrs Weasleyscreeched, reaching for her children fearfully.
"It is unimportant," ... illicit mixtures, no doubt..."
Severus nodded. That did happen from time to time.
"Reckon they were after potion ... pulsing more rapidly.
Severus rolled his eyes. Moody might have said such a thing in jest but he knew better than to actually mean it.
"You know I'm hiding nothing, Moody," ... orders to search my office!"
"I would never do that," Albus said certainly, only for him to pause. He would have said he'd never do a lot of the things his older self seemed to be willing to do.
"Course Dumbledore trusts you," ... d'you know what I mean?"
Severus reached for his arm. He didn't like having his mistakes thrown at him like taunts.
Snape suddenly did something ... prowl this school after dark as you do!"
"More so in fact," young Minerva said, "as a head of house."
"Prowl away," ... "It's mine! Mine!"
Severus sighed. He didn't want to think how much trouble Harry would be in if he thought he'd broken into his office. All the same, he didn't like the idea of his older self leaving the young man with the impostor either.
Snape had reached ... as only Snape could...
"Thanks, Harry," Severus laughed, "I admit I've always been pretty good at math. You know I know math and stuff."
Everyone gaped at the head of Slytherin. Had he just made a joke? With Potter of all people?
"Potter," ... but any moment now -
Everyone held their breath.
"There's nothing there, Snape!" ... looked deeper and darker than ever.
"He's doing a brilliant job of pitting Snapeagainst the headmaster," Minerva muttered. She still struggled to believe that Snape had betrayed them in the end.
Snape was looking down ... best interests at heart, have you?"
"At least half the time he did," Harry said. "When he wasn't trying to get me expelled."
There was a pause... this is evidence of Peeves' treachery!"
The headmaster actually laughed. Treachery indeed. "Peeves isn't going anywhere," he said with a heavy sigh. "The sooner the staff realise that, the better. He is part of the school, literally created by the magic that permeates its walls. We should just be grateful there is only one Peeves. There could be hundreds with the way Hogwarts is so..."
"Alive?" Harry suggested.
"Yes. Exactly, Harry." Albus nodded. "All we can do is try and deter him from poor choices. Remind him that he is there to safeguard the children, help them when they're feeling sad and homesick. He just gets bored and needs redirection. It really is a shame that the ghosts have a vendetta against him. He is a manifestation of Hogwarts and should be treated with respect. He behaves as he does, because he is treated as a troublemaker. He used to have countless responsibilities. But between the staff and ghosts those duties have all been taken away and what you have left is a... Well, a child with no direction."
"He's not a child, Albus," Minerva huffed.
"He might as well be," Albus countered. "The mind of Hogwarts is very young and ancient at the same time. It's caused by the dual nature of how she gains magic. The magic from the ley lines that Hogwarts sits on is ancient and strengthens her wards while the magic that permeates the air and walls is generations upon generations of ambient magic from the very children she serves, gives Hogwarts its child like nature. The excess of this magic is what gives life to Peeves. He would never intentionally harm the children, but he often, like most children needs reminding about where danger can be found. Just like a mother tells her child not to touch the stove, we must remind Peeves not to let his pranks get out of hand."
"It's the property of the champion ... tell him what Peeves was up to..."
Albus didn't say anything more. It really was pointless. People didn't like Peeves and so he acted out. A little kindness went a long way.
A door slammed ... unfolding it.
Sirius grimaced. He didn't like the idea of the impostor having the map.
"Map of Hogwarts," ... this is some map. Potter!"
"Probably panicking that you saw him on it," Moody growled. "He'll take it, I imagine. I wouldn't, mind you. A kid like you needs all the security you can get and that map of yours will certainly help keep you safe."
"Yeah, its... quite useful," ... He looked suddenly alarmed.
"Definitely panicking," Moody growled. "So, it's Barty for sure then."
Barty looked up, not liking having the aurortalking about him.
"Crouch?" ... wanted to look around Snape's office?"
"Polyjuice ingredients," Severus said matter-of-factly.
Moody's magical eye ... compared to Barty Crouch."
"Well, he's got that right," Moody laughed.
He continued to stare ... "Like what?" said Moody sharply.
Sirius leaned forward.
Harry wondered how much ... tricky questions about Sirius.
"That's wise," Sirius said. "You can't trust him."
"I don't know," ... Both of Moody's mismatched eyes widened.
"I think he thought I was stupid or something," Harry muttered. "Like I wasn't paying attention."
"People tend to underestimate you, Harry," Hermione said with a small smile. "More fool them."
Harry grinned at her.
"You're a sharp boy. Potter," ... "its a Death Eater who walked free..."
Barty's eyes widened.Yep, that was him all right.
Harry stared at him ... Harry thought he meant?
Albus sighed. "Severus has my full support."
"I know," Harry said as Minerva muttered, "and what good has that done you?"
Albus frowned. What did Minerva mean?
"You were right to trust him," Harry said. "He did everything you told him too."
The bitterness in Harry's voice surprised several people. Minerva frowned, looking between Harry, Severus and Albus. Did he mean that...? No. Surely Albus wouldn't? But then again, Albus had done a lot of things that she never thought he would. Orchestrating his own death didn't seem quite as outside of the realm of possibility as it had before coming to the chamber.
"And now I want to ask ... who braced himself-
Several people laughed. He wasn't going to ask about the map's history. He wanted to know if he could keep it.
"Can I borrow this?" ... what I've been looking for...
That was suspicious. Moody growled lowly under his breath. Just what was he up to?
Right, bed, Potter, ... career as an Auror, Potter?"
Alastor grimaced. He thought the boy would make an exceptional auror but he didn't like the fact that a death eater was the one encouraging him to become one, a death eater who, no doubt, didn't plan on the boy living long enough to do so.
"No," ... looking at Harry thoughtfully.
"As much as I'm loathed to agree with him," Alastor said, "he's right. You'd be exceptional."
Harry blushed. "I used to want to... But the war..."
"It put you off," Alastor said with a nod of understanding. "That happens."
"Yes, indeed ... working out the clue."
Hermione frowned. She was surprised how easily Harry was talking to the man. He'd never really talked to the teachers much. Well, except Hagrid and Professor Lupin. Never mind the fact that he seemed to trust him.
Moody winked ... concealing in his office?
Severus laughed. "Nothing but potions ingredients. And my own potion recipes, of course. I wouldn't want those getting into just anyone's hands."
And Moody thought he ... he chose it as a career.
Moody laughed at that. "Good thinking, Potter."
Chapter End Notes
Hope you all enjoyed it. Thank you to everyone who wished me Happy Birthday yesterday. I had a great day... Very lazy tbh.
Oaths, Vows & Treaties
Chapter Summary
Everyone discusses the treaty...
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
While the youngsters headed off with Professor McGonagall for a Transfiguration lesson, the adults all gathered together to discuss the council of advisors and the necessary vows they would be required to take. Some were excited, eager to get to work, while others were feeling apprehensive. Would the prince want them to act as his advisor? The death eaters in particular were feeling very uncomfortable. They had yet to ratify a peace treaty, how could any of them expect to have a voice on the council? These feelings were only enhanced when the goblins marched into the chamber.
"We are here to act as witnesses," the Goblin King said. "We also brought the treaty contract you requested we look over, my prince."
Harry stepped forward, exchanging bows with Ragnok.
"It all looks to be in working order," the king said. "No obvious loop holes. It is very well written."
Lucius preened slightly at the Goblins praise. It was well accepted that Goblins were masters at contract writing.
"Which should we do first?" Harry asked uncertainly. "The council vows and oaths or the treaty?"
"Personally," Ragnok said gently or as gently as a goblin could, "I would go over the treaty first. It will put everyone on a more level footing."
Harry nodded. That made sense.
"Lord Malfoy," he said, "would you do the honours of explaining the contract to everyone?"
Lucius bowed deeply to Harry before accepting the paperwork as everyone else took a seat. "I would recommend you all read the treaty yourselves before we ratify it," Lucius began, "but we can enter into the first round of negotiations if it pleases our prince, once I have appraised you of the details." He used his wand to send a copy of the contract to everyone in the chamber. "First, this treaty is between multiple sets of people and is therefore lengthy and complicated. I apologise for that. Our Prince, his council, once it is formed tonight, the Ministry for Magic, Tom Riddle and the Deatheaters are all held under the contract."
"How will we be able to ratify it without the minister?" Arthur asked.
"As we have both the Chief Warlock and the head of the DMLE present," Lucius explained, "the minister is not necessary. Especially as we have three aurors present to serve witness on behalf of the ministry."
Arthur nodded before looking back down to the contract in his hands.
"The Prince will sign for himself," Lucius explained, "but also Lord Black will sign as his proxy so that the treaty is still valid after our return to the new timeline. Two members of the council will sign on behalf of the council, although they must be of age and have no links to Tom Riddle or the Death Eaters. Then Lord Dumbledore and Madam Bones on behalf of the ministry along with their witnesses. Tom Riddlewill sign for himself and the deatheaters will provide two signatures."
"Should the Order of the Phoenix not be held under this contract too?" Harry asked.
Lucius blinked. "That would be a good idea. Yes."
Albus looked like he wanted to argue but he stopped himself at the last moment. So long as Tom kept his end of the agreement, the Order would have no reason to break the treaty.
"I will need time to add the Order into the treaty," Lucius said with a sigh, "but we can still go over the rest of it for the time being."
Harry nodded.
"Those signing are doing so on behalf of a wider group and therefore it was important that when writing this contract that was taken into account," Lucius said. "Those that sign will not be held personally responsible for the actions of those they sign on behalf of."
There were murmurs of relief. They didn't trust the people outside of the chamber to follow the treaty.
"First with regards to Tom Riddle, under the contract he agrees to put an end to the war. He will face trial for his actions under veritaserium and if found to show remorse will be granted a pardon, upon the following conditions. One, he will abstain from all criminal activity and be monitored by a parole officer from the DMLE for two years."
"A parole officer?" several of the wixen raised asked.
"It's a muggle thing," Lucius said. "But basically its a member of law enforcement that monitors your behaviour for a period of time. They use it to help ex-offenders who are released from prison."
Several people were wondering why the magical world didn't have parole officers. Although you were rarely released from Azkaban, so it probably wasn't necessary. But if they were going to reform the prison, it might just become necessary.
"Two, he will complete two thousand hours of community service in the muggle world," Lucius said tersely. He still wasn't sure he liked that part of the agreement. Putting the Dark Lord and the death eaters anywhere near muggles seemed foolish to him. But he understood the Prince's reasoning. They needed to learn to see muggles as people. "And a further two thousand hours of community service in the wixen world. Three, he will take up a seat on the Prince's advisory council and his family seat on the Wizengamot, using both for the betterment of the wixen world. Four, he will not run for public office at any time in the next five years. Lastly, he will have weekly sessions with a mind healer for a minimum of two years."
Tom nodded. He'd already agreed to those terms and found them more than fair. He hadn't been expecting to be allowed to take his seat in the Wizengamot so to have it as one of the terms of the treaty was a major relief.
"Shouldn't he be made to pay some sort of damages?" Amos asked.
"We could add a monetary component if you want," Tom said readily.
"No," Harry refused. "Money is meaningless. He can't be seen to be buying his way out of his crimes and what's more, I would rather he work to fix the damage he has done."
Amos nodded. Money wouldn't bring Cedric back. He smiled softly at his son. He was the luckiest man alive to be able to have his sonback.
"As for the death eaters," Lucius continued, "they will also face trial and if they are found to be remorseful under veritaserium will be granted a pardon. Their conditions are very similar to Lord Gaunt's. Abstaining from all criminal activity and monitoring from a parole officer for two years. One and a half thousand hours of community service in the muggle world and another one and a half thousand in our world."
"Why do they get less hours?" Ron asked.
"Because I was their leader," Tom explained, "and I hold the greater responsibility and blame. They acted on my orders."
"If they have a seat on the Wizengamot," Lucius said, "they will be allowed to keep it under the proviso that they use it for the betterment of the wixen world. And they will have weekly sessions with a mind healer for a minimum of two years."
"What about those that don't show remorse?" Augusta asked.
"They will go to Azkaban following a full trial of their actions," Lucius explained. "There is a clause that says that they cannot receive the kiss."
This shocked many in the chamber.
"WHAT?" Augusta asked. "Why not?"
She glared at Lucius, thinking that he was just protecting his friends.
"I decided that," Harry said. "Our souls are sacred and I will not condone anyone losing their soul. Our time in this chamber should have taught us that much. It will also be removed from the list of possible punishments for criminals, once we confirm the Azkaban Prison Reform bill that we will be putting before the Wizengamot."
One or two people looked ready to argue but for the most part, they couldn't disagree. It was a horrible act, the Dementor's Kiss.
"Next, the Ministry," Lucius said. "The Ministry will prove Tom Riddle and anyone accused of being his death eater with a trial under veritaserum before the whole Wizengamot and a delegation from the Prince's council. They will provide the death eaters with parole officers to monitor their behaviour. And will listen to the concerns raised by Tom Riddle and the death eaters that are pardoned, so that we can work together to better our world. They will not continue the war against the death eaters."
"And the Prince?" Sirius asked.
"The Prince will allow Tom Riddle onto his advisory council along with at least two others from his death eaters. He will work with them to try and bridge the gap between light and dark cored wixen once he is old enough to do so, until then his chosen proxy will do so on his behalf. Lastly, the council will assist the Wizengamot with the trials and will support this peace treaty. We'll have to work in the Order. Mostly, I imagine they will just need to stop fighting against the death eaters."
They continued talking about the treaty, although for the most part they seemed to all be in agreement with it and didn't want to change very much. Even Augusta was happy that there would still be consequences for the death eaters actions. Lucius reminded them all to read the contract in its entirety and that he was happy to discuss the finer points at any time. He then made his way over to the goblins, calling Albusover so they could discuss the clauses that should be added for the Order of the Phoenix.
Harry frowned, realising that there wouldn't be enough time to go over the oaths and vows for the council before dinner. Luckily, Sirius had insisted that they block off the evening session too as a precaution. Harry got to his feet and walked out of the chamber with Ron and Hermione.
"The whole world is going to be different this time around, isn't it?" Ron said. "I cannot even imagine a world where the death eaters are pardoned."
"It does seem a little crazy," Hermione agreed, running a hand over the scar on her hand. "What if Bellatrix shows remorse?"
Harry sighed. "I don't think she will."
"But what if she does?"
Harry grimaced. "Then she'll go free but if she breaks any of the conditions, she'll wind up in Azkaban."
Hermione shuddered. "I really don't think I could live in Britain if she was free."
Harry nodded in understanding. This was the difficulty with a treaty. It had to be fair. But it also had to protect the people. People who had been hurt. Who had lost loved ones. Harry made a mental note to discuss it with Augusta. This was hard on her too. Perhaps she might have some good ideas for how to make the wixen community feel safer with the treaty in place.
Chapter End Notes
Hope you liked it guys xx
A Difficult Decision
Chapter Summary
DAY THIRTY FOUR IN THE CHAMBER...
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
The next morning, Harry had a strange buzz of excitement in his belly. They had discussed the vows and oaths for the council the night before and everyone seemed more than happy with them. The question had been asked how many people Harry wanted in his council and that had drawn a blank from Harry. He sort of just expected that everyone would want to be included. Was he wrong? Most of them were here because Mother Magic had decided they should be or if not that, she had agreed that they would be good additions to the chamber. Harry thought it might just be best to trust her judgement and included everyone.
But did they all want to be included?
He would have to ask them. And if he was including everyone that left another difficult question to be asked. What was he going to do about Rita Skeeter? He didn't really want her on the council, but perhaps that was a good thing. He was pretty sure you weren't supposed to always be in agreement with your advisors. They were supposed to give critique and offer a counter opinion to your own. And who did he disagree with more than Rita Skeeter? Well, except Voldemort. He even found himself agreeing with Tom and the death eaters on some stuff. But could he trust Rita Skeeter to be involved?
Then there was the question of the younger people in the chamber. They were all just kids. Should they really be included? Harry was certain that he wanted to give them the option. After all, no one had ever given it to him. That's why they had decided on a vow and an oath. The adults would give a magical vow - not an unbreakable one, Harry didn't want to risk their lives, but a magical one with very clear consequences for breaking it. And the kids, if they chose to join would take an oath. That was less dangerous for their magic. It also gave them more freedom to leave the council at any time, so long as they continued their silence.
Next he was concerned about the death eaters. While he was getting to know them in the chamber, he couldn't help but wonder if they should have their trial and prove their remorse before he included them. That seemed like the right thing to do. But he wasn't sure it was fair to put them through two trials. One here in the chamber and another in the new timeline. He knew Severus regretted his part in the war. He'd seen his memories after all. But the others? He really didn't know them well enough to judge. Could he just accept Mother Magic's guidance on it? She'd allowed them into the chamber...
But then there was Peter. If he was letting everyone in the chamber into his council, did that include the rat? He really didn't want to include him. But he wasn't sure how much longer they could keep him trapped in his rat form. It wasn't very humane. And he'd been a lot more forgiving of the other death eaters. Some of which were responsible for causing serious harm and potentially death to the family of other people in the chamber. Wasn't it a bit hypercritical of him to keep the death eater that hurt his family locked up while they all discussed the books politely with the ones that had hurt them? It didn't sit well with him at all.
And that brought him back to the idea of trials... He needed to give Peter a trial at the very least. But he didn't want to rush the others, they deserved to hear the books in their entirety before their trial. What if they missed their chance because they didn't feel remorse until the last chapter of the seventh book? No. That wouldn't work. They could have their trials after they finished reading and not before, unless they decided they were ready. Perhaps, he could leave it in their own hands. They could decide if they were ready for their trial...
Yes. That might work.
But Peter... Harry sighed, pushing his breakfast away.
"Madam Bones," he said, his voice tense.
"Yes, Prince Myrrddin?" She looked up expectantly from her own breakfast.
"I think..." He hesitated, glancing at his dad. Sirius would not like this. "We need to let Wormtail out of his cage."
Amelia's eyes widened in surprise. "But my prince, he..."
"Harry," Sirius started, before stopping himself. He didn't want to say anything rash.
"Can you explain your reasoning?" Remusasked, struggling to control his own feelings on the idea of the rat being freed.
"The other death eaters are allowed to move about freely and..." Harry grimaced. "It's not fair. I can't expect other people to do what I won't. The rat betrayed my family and is the reason my parents are dead, but... Crouch went to Azkaban for what he did to Neville's parents and we're letting him move around freely. Dolohov was one of the death eaters responsible for killing the Prewett's but Mrs Weasley still makes his meals. I shouldn't expect that of the others, if I'm not willing to do the same."
Augusta looked pained. While she agreed wholeheartedly with the Prince's reasoning, she thought it was completely unreasonable that he was holding himself to such a high standard. He was barely more than a child after all.
Sirius looked like he'd swallowed something foul and Remus and Severus looked much the same, although none of them disputed what Harry said. Mr Weasley looked hesitant. He wasn't sure if he'd manage to keep the No Violence rule if the rat was freed. He'd slept in his son's beds. But he knew Harry was right.
"Should we give him a trial here in the chamber?" Amelia asked. They could give him his trial and then if he didn't show remorse, they could lock him back in his cage and be done with it.
"No," Harry said with a sigh. "I think all the death eaters should be allowed to decide when they have their trial, if that means waiting until they leave the chamber or having a second one here."
She raised an eyebrow at that.
"I've been thinking," Harry said, "and I think they need to have their trials before taking any vows for the council."
Several people murmured their agreement to this statement.
"But I don't want to rush them," he continued. "What if they don't feel remorse yet, but will after they've read all the books?"
Amelia nodded in understanding. These books had that potential, she could definitely agree. "Very well. He will have a trial in the chamber if he decides it is something he wants. But I will be keeping a very close eye on him. I don't trust him."
Her eyes darted towards the Weasleys. No. She wouldn't be letting Peter Pettigrew out of her sight.
When they returned to the main chamber, Madam Bones approached the mantle and with a heavy sigh, she unlocked the cage, pulling the rat out. Immediately, the wards in the chamber took effect and Peter transformed back into his human form.
"Peter Pettigrew," Amelia started in her harshest tone of voice. "You have been accused of being a death eater, betraying Lord, Lady and Heir Potter to You-Know-Who and the murder of twelve muggles."
"I didn't!" Peter squeaked. "They're lying."
Amelia rolled her eyes. "You can have a trial to prove your... innocence at a time of your choosing. You can either wait until we return to our time or you can have a pre-trial hearing here in the chamber to confirm your story. I will leave that decision to you. For now, you will sit and you will listen to the books, as you no doubt have already been doing."
She pointedly glared at a chair next to her own. Young Kingsley took the other seat next to the rat, ready to stop him if he tried to escape. Not that he had anywhere to go. The man was shaking violently and muttering about his innocence. But she wouldn't fall for that. Not when she'd heard the truth for herself in the last book. She sat tall in her chair and looked towards Professor Flitwick who was waiting to start the charm on the book. It was going to be a long day.
Chapter End Notes
Personally, I don't want the rat to be freed... but Harry is incredibly good natured and he doesn't like double standards.
The Second Task Part 1
Chapter Summary
Our characters start the first chapter of the day...
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Reading the book was harder with Pettigrew sitting in the chamber. Even if he wasn't in Harry's direct line of sight. It didn't help that his father was tense beside him.
"You said you'd already ... indignantly.
Sirius sighed. Why was the Granger girl always berating Harry? In fairness, he shouldn't have lied, he conceded silently.
"Keep your voice down!" ... Professor Flitwick, for instance.
"Sorry, sir," Neville said with a blush, but Professor Flitwick chuckled in delight.
"It was quite impressive, Mr Longbottom," Filius said. "It was certainly unexpected."
"Just forget the egg ... him a second chance or something..."
Albus sighed. That wasn't quite right. Severusmade the choice, not him. He couldn't take responsibility for Severus's decision to protect Lily's son and turn spy.
"What?" ... name in the Goblet of Fire!"
"That's certainly what he seems to want you to think," Moody growled.
"Oh Ron," said Hermione, shaking her head sceptically, "we thought Snape was trying to kill Harry before, and it turned out he was saving Harry's life, remember?"
She Banished a cushion ... all supposed to be aiming at.
"Well done, Miss Granger!" Flitwick said.
Harry looked at Hermione, thinking ... suspended from the school.
Severus sighed. He couldn't dispute the fact that his older self was highly suspicious.
"I don't care what Moody says," ... even if Snape is a bit -"
The teachers looked between Albus and Severusuncertainly. They were no longer quite so sure that the headmaster's judgment could be trusted. Especially with regards to Severus.
"- evil," ... night when he wants to?"
"Yes, it's certainly suspicious," Tonks muttered.
"You just don't like Crouch ... zooming neatly into the box.
Several people sighed when they realised the two teens were back to bickering.
"I just want to know what Snape ... his second one," said Harry grimly,
The teachers glared at Severus. They knew the answer to that question now.
and his cushion ... neatly on top of Hermione's.
"Very good, Mr Potter!" Filius squeaked.
Obedient to Sirius's wish of hearing ... twenty-fourth of February.
"Gillyweed," Severus suggested, earning himself a grin from Harry. Neville was nodding his head in agreement.
Ron quite liked the idea ... the nearest Muggle town.
"Try the Statute of Secrecy," Amelia muttered.
Hermione squashed this plan ... zooming across the countryside to Hogwarts.
The aurors all murmured their agreement.
"Of course, the ideal solution ... you don't know what you're doing... "
Minerva sighed. Harry really was at a disadvantage.
"Yeah, I don't fancy walking ... he might do it for me..."
Moody huffed. The impostor was not helping his reputation.
"I don't think he'd let you choose ... live to tell the tale.
Minerva grimaced. Why hadn't she offered him some advice? She knew it was against the rules, but that hadn't seemed to matter to anyone else.
Familiar flutterings of panic ... as distant as the moon.
Sirius tighted his grip on Harry. He didn't like hearing that his boy was panicking.
Just as it had before he faced ... Harry started to go off food again.
Poppy's mouth was a harsh line.
The only good thing ... but it was blank.
Sirius raised an eyebrow, surprised his older self hadn't said more.
"Weekend after next," ... forgotten to mention the egg's clue.
Sirius rolled his eyes. Of course he had. But he couldn't really blame him.
"What's he want to know ... conceal how much she liked them.
Draco rolled his eyes. Pansy was ridiculous.
"Easier ter spot than the adults," ... give 'em a few o' these sugar lumps...
"That's a much better way to handle a unicorn lesson," Minerva said giving Hagrid a wide, approving smile.
"You okay. Harry?" ... Got yer clue worked out, haven' yeh?"
"Yah should have told me," Hagrid said. "I could have told yer what yer needed was gillyweed. Use if occasionally maself ter check on the creatures in the lake."
Harry blinked. He'd had that exact thought. But even so... "I didn't want to disappoint you, Hagrid."
"Disappoint me? Nah, that's not possible."
Harry nodded, ... else on the grounds, after all -
Hagrid sighed heavily.
"Yeh're goin' ter win," ... he were trapped in a nightmare.
"You still hadn't worked it out?" Minerva's eyes were wide with panic.
He was fully aware ... how to breathe underwater?
Severus grimaced, tightening his grip on Sirius. A large part of him wanted to grab Potter and surround him in bubblewrap and never let anyone anywhere near him ever again. He didn't like that. He felt like he was going soft.
He sat with Hermione ... drain the lake."
"Not only would the spell not work," Filius laughed, "but you'd kill all the creatures and plants if it did."
"There must be something," ... a task that was undoable."
"It wasn't impossible but you just hadn't learned anything that would help yet," Pomona said sadly. This wasn't right.
"They have," ... Best you can do, mate."
A couple of people laughed but it was a hollow, scared sort of laughter.
"There's a way ... it had never failed her before.
That earned still more laughter but it was still lacking in actual humour.
"I know what I ... any time you wanted!" said Ron.
That got yet another round of laughter.
"Or a frog," ... your markings, so you can't abuse it..."
Several people rolled their eyes. Couldn't Granger take a joke?
". . . Hermione, I was joking," ... nose hair grow into ringlets?"
Giggling from the younger girls was heard throughout the chamber.
"I wouldn't mind," ... Ron. And you, Hermione."
Sirius's eyes widened. What did McGonagall want with both of them? He'd suspected that one of Harry's friends might be taken but both of them?
"Why?" ... looking a bit grim, though," said Fred.
"I didn't agree with the choices," Minerva said. "I thought it was unfair to Mr Potter."
Sirius didn't like the sound of that.
"We're supposed to take ... how to do the task alone?
Minerva sighed. "Of course not."
"We'll meet you back ... "Right," said Harry uneasily.
Severus frowned. "There's not enough time. Even if he miraculously picks up a book with gillyweed in it," he said, "where is he going to get some at such short notice?"
Harry blushed and Severus's eyes narrowed. He knew one place Potter would find gillyweed. And for the first time in his life, he would be relieved if he heard a student had broken into his stores. Anything that kept Potter alive had to be a good thing.
Chapter End Notes
Just a short one because it's easter and I have a bit going on, sorry.
The Second Task Part 2
Chapter Summary
Harry and the others continue reading the chapter...
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
By eight o'clock ... Now You've Wised Up.
Everyone was beginning to panic. Harry didn't have enough time to learn a new spell, perform a ritual or buy a magical object or plant. His options weren't just limited. They were none existent.
Crookshanks crawled ... Hermione had not come back.
Sirius glowered at Minerva. "I hope for your sake that you didn't use students are hostages."
Minerva grimaced. It wasn't like she wanted to. She wasn't given a choice. She'd argued against it at length but as usual, no one ever listened.
"Why both of them though?" Remus asked. "Why would you need to take both of Harry's best friends?"
Minerva didn't answer. She'd argued against that too. She had felt it left young Potter at a serious disadvantage. But Karkaroff had insisted, with a gleam in his beady eyes that suggested he knew exactly what he was doing.
It's over, ... tell the judges...
Minerva gulped. Potter had come so close to losing his magic and she'd never realised.
He imagined himself explaining ... disbelieving face...
"Oh, Harry," Hagrid murmured. "You could never disappoint me."
Forgetting that Crookshanks ... opened the library door.
Sirius smiled sadly at Harry. He was so proud that he hadn't given up. He couldn't imagine how he could find a solution with the time left but at least he'd tried. And kept trying. Even when others would have accepted defeat.
Fleur's eyes widened. "I was in bed getting an early night." She couldn't believe that he'd faced the depths of the black lake with so little sleep.
Wand tip alight, ... the next one...
Mrs Weasley was whimpering, muttering about how they asked too much from him. Demanded too much from a child.
The mermaid in the painting ... "Come on, jump!"
"Is he dreaming?" Theo asked.
"Think so," Draco replied.
"The merpeople in the Black Lake look very different from the one in that painting," Albus said. "She's from a warmer climate. Ours look a little fiercer. They're perfectly pleasant though. On a good day."
"I can't," ... "Harry Potter must wake up, sir!"
"Definitely a dream then," Blaise said with a grin.
"Stop poking me ... ten minutes, and Harry Potter -"
Everyone seemed to stop breathing at the exact same moment. He only had ten minutes? Siriuswas the first to start breathing again, only to start hyperventilating. How would Harry survive? How come he still had his magic? If he wasn't able to even attempt the task. That was practically a refusal to compete and a violation of the contract. Except... What had Lucius said about the contract? Could that contract take Harry's magic? He couldn't think straight. Couldn't remember the important details. Not when his pulse was so loud in his ear.
Severus rushed to force him to drink a calming draught, rubbing his back soothingly. "He's here. He's safe. He has his magic. He has his life. Do not fear."
His calm, warm voice washed over Sirius and left him feeling surprisingly more settled.
"Ten minutes?" ... I don't know how -"
"At the very least, you need to get into the lake," Minerva said. "You can't not attend. You'll lose your magic."
Even though she knew he found a solution just in time, she couldn't stop the panic bubbling up inside her.
"Harry Potter will do ... Dobby did it for him!"
Several people let out sighs of relief. Siriusmade a mental note to buy the elf a present.
"What?" ... his Wheezy -"
"His wheezy?" Fred asked. "What's a Wheezy?"
"The name of the first broom I make," Ron murmured to himself. It was a terrible name for a broom, but he'd do it anyway. As a small way to honour Dobby.
"Why would you name it a Wheezy?" Charlie gaped at his brother. "That's even worse than calling it a Weasley. The Wheezy... It's so slow it wheezes around corners." He paused, considering. "I guess, it could work for a kids broom."
"Find my what?" ... they've got Ron?"
Mrs Weasley was glaring at the book now. She hadn't given permission for that. Had Arthur? No. One glance at his face was enough to confirm he had not known about this either.
"Why were we not informed that our son was being used as a hostage?" Arthur asked sternly.
"You were informed that he was helping with the second task," Minerva said weakly.
"Helping!" Molly said in a cold voice that didn't match her usual fire at all. "Helping! Not..." She couldn't do this. What was wrong with the teachers at Hogwarts? What was wrong with the Ministry? That they didn't think twice about using underage students like this?
"The thing Harry Potter ... gillyweed!"
Severus nodded in relief. That would work perfectly. And if it was from his store, it would be guaranteed to be of the highest quality and stored in perfect conditions.
"What's it do?" ... Harry Potter lose his Wheezy!"
Ron blushed as his siblings laughed.
Harry's doubts vanished ... accidentally splattering Fleur's robes.
Fleur grimaced as she remembered how she had been annoyed by that. She'd felt pretty awful about it after the task.
"Where have you been?" ... he wasn't going to turn up.
Severus glared at the book. What sort of person wished for a child to lose their magic?
Harry bent over, ... "Know what you're going to do?"
"What is he up to?" Blaise asked. "Why does it matter to him?"
"Yeah," ... then. One. . . two. . . three!"
Everyone grimaced. Harry was nowhere near ready.
The whistle echoed shrilly ... weighed him down as he walked in deeper;
"Why didn't you provide them with appropriate clothing?" Sirius demanded.
"They were all aware of what the task involved and should have had plenty of time to procure their own clothing," Minerva said, although her heart wasn't in it.
now the water was over his knees ... jeering from the Slytherins...
The Slytherins in the chamber blushed. They hadn't been very kind to Potter that year. Or any year actually.
Then, quite suddenly, ... he flung himself forward into the water.
"Good," Severus said with a sigh. "It's not the most pleasant experience but it is quite effective."
The first gulp of icy lake ... he had sprouted flippers.
"Quite effective?" Sirius asked, leaning into Severus's side, chuckling lightly.
The water didn't feel icy ... dived into its depths.
Even those that had attended the second task were paying avid attention. They hadn't seen anything at all during that task. It had been pretty dull as a result.
Silence pressed upon his ears ... nor, thankfully, the giant squid.
"The Giant Squid would probably have loved to see you," Albus said. "He's very friendly."
Light green weed ... grabbed hold of his ankle.
Sirius sat forward, tightly gripping Severus'shand.
Harry twisted his body ... except that no sound came out...
"This is completely inappropriate," Remus said. "How can you expect a child who has not learned silent casting to perform spells underwater?"
A large bubble issued ... boiling water,
"Well, that will work," Remus said with a small smile.
for where it struck them, ... her thick, pearly glasses.
"That ghost is so strange," Cedric said.
"Myrtle!" ... Moaning Myrtle actually giggled.
Several people gaped in surprise. "Myrtle has a bit of a crush on Harry," Hermione said.
"Not any more," Harry said darkly. "Not since sixth year."
Draco frowned at that. He was pretty sure he knew why.
"You want to try over there!" ... might be lurking there.
"Very wise," Remus said.
Chapter End Notes
Sorry about the delay. Like I said last chapter, with the easter holiday and everything things have been a bit hectic.
The Second Task Part 3
Chapter Summary
Everyone in the chamber finishes the chapter... A lot of concern over the hostages...
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
He swam on for what ... a snatch of haunting mersong.
Everyone sat forward eagerly, anticipating what would happen next.
"An hour long ... following the mersong.
"What on earth possessed you to use actual hostages?" Sirius demanded.
"That was Ludo's idea," Minerva huffed.
". . . your time's half gone ... the prefects' bathroom...
"Different water," Sirius murmured. "Fresh water verses salt water, cold verses warm water. There are multiple variations. Just like people all around the world are different. We've adapted differently to where we live."
The merpeople had grayish skin ... spears clutched in their hands.
"The second task was so boring," Dean complained.
"We didn't see anything at all," Seamus agreed.
The Slytherins were nodding their agreement.
"They didn't use a spell to cast a view of the mervillage?" Remus asked in disappointment.
Harry sped on, ... tail of the stone merperson.
The adults in the chamber were beginning to get twitchy. Just how many of the hostages were underage? Ron Weasley for one... Mrs Weasley looked like she wanted to grab her son and hold him tight. What was wrong with the teachers at Hogwarts? Constantly putting her son in danger.
Ron was tied ... Cho Chang.
Sirius glared at the teachers. "Both his best friends? Were you trying to make it unfair?"
The teachers didn't say anything. They knew he was right but Karkaroff had insisted.
There was also a girl who looked no older than eight,
"WHAT?" All the parents were immediately on their feet and Albus looked horrified.
whose clouds of silvery hair ... Fleur Delacour's sister.
"They did what?" Fleur's grandmother was glaring daggers at the teachers, grabbing younger Fleur and pulling her into her side. "My granddaughters are part veela. They should not be exposed to... They have a fire affinity and spending an hour in cold water could prove disasterous to their health, not to mention the effect on Gabriel's magical core development. Eight? She was eight? What was she doing there? I can't imagine your parents agreed to this, Fleur." She turned to face Fleur.
"No. They thought she was coming to watch," Fleur said crossly.
Fleur's grandmother looked ready to fling fireballs at the teachers. She gritted her teeth, trying to control her anger. "Just how long was my granddaughter in the water?"
"Er... about three hours in total," Minerva said.
"You're lucky my granddaughter didn't lose her magic," Isabeu said coldly.
All four of them appeared ... no use to him whatsoever.
Sirius frowned. He should keep it on him at all times.
He looked around ... "We do not help," he said in a harsh, croaky voice.
"Rude much," Ginny said. Her younger selfnodding in agreement.
"They certainly aren't the hospitable sort," Tracey Davis said with a snigger.
"Come ON!" ... anything...
"What about a cutting hex?" young Ron asked.
"Do you want to lose a limb?" Cassius Warrington asked. "He's not learned silent casting yet, so there's no guarantee what he'll cast if he casts a cutting hex on you."
There were rocks littering ... little in the ebb of the water.
"Good job!" Sirius grinned. "Now it's time to get the hell out of there."
Harry looked around ... they hurry up?
"The Grindylows," Fleur said with a shudder.
"I... Er. I might have gotten lost," Krum admitted.
He turned back to Hermione ... "Leave the others... "
"That wasn't fair," Harry said. "Both of my best friends were in that lake."
Krum blushed. He hadn't even thought about that. He wasn't sure why they'd chosen to use Hermione. Sure, they'd gone to the ball together and he'd certainly been interested in her but he had actual friends with him from Durmstrang. Why not one of those? Was it all because Karkaroff had wanted to make things more difficult for Harry?
"No way!" ... leave the others..."
"My own friend?" Harry huffed. "Hermione was a better friend to me that year than Ron was. If anything she should have been my hostage."
"I hope you know this is really fucked up," Terence Higgs said to the teachers, Marcus Flint and Cassius Warrington both nodding their agreement.
She's my friend too!" ... "And I don't want them to die either!"
"Oh, Harry. We weren't going to die," Hermione giggled.
"Speak for yourself," Isabeau said. "My granddaughters very well could have died in that lake."
"And don't forget the reason they stopped the tournament in the first place was because people kept dying," George pointed out.
Cho's head ... ghostly green and pale.
"That is not good," Isabeau said. "We are very warm blooded as veela. We are unsuited for those sorts of waters."
Harry struggled to fight ... Hermione and the others?
"Not likely," Draco said. "They told you your time was half gone."
Would he be able to ... oddly wide and stretched.
Amos grinned at his son, pride evident in his expression.
"Got lost!" ... out of sight.
"See Cedric didn't waste time playing the hero," Ron muttered, only to blush when he remembered what Fleur's grandmother had just told them about the very real threat those waters posed to the part-veela.
Harry looked around ... be lost after an hour...
"Not only that," Neville said, "but your gillyweed will stop working."
The merpeople started screeching ... but badly.
"Er, yeah. I sort of panicked," Krum admitted. "I'm not the best at transfiguration."
The shark-man swam straight ... rip Hermione in half.
Hermione's eyes darted wide and Krum gave her a nervous half grin. He wouldn't have hurt her. It might not sound like it but he had been trying to be as careful and precise as possible.
Darting forward ... her toward the surface.
Hermione gave Harry a blinding smile, silently thanking Merlin for her best friend.
Now what? ... nothing to be done except...
Mrs Weasley was hyperventilating, causing a concerned Severus to float a calming draught towards her.
He snatched up the stone ... "Get out of the way!"
Michael Corner grinned. "Not sure you were all that threatening, blowing bubbles at them."
Only bubbles flew ... suddenly stopped laughing.
"Shows what you know Corner," Seamus said with a smirk.
Their yellowish eyes were fixed ... the giant squid did.
"How could you tell from looking at them?" Millicent Bullstrode asked. "I mean, you're right. Merpeople don't really have magic. Not the way we do at least. But still... How did you know?"
"I can sort of see magic sometimes," Harry muttered.
"He's magic sensitive," Sirius said with a huff. He wanted this chapter to be over and book Harry to be back on land.
"You've got until three!" ... at last she was free.
Fleur was crying now, cradled in her husband's arm and her younger self was clutching at her grandmother.
He seized the little girl ... water above him was so dark...
"You were a big help, Ron," Dean said.
"Yeah, so much for fighting Merpeople..." Seamus agreed with a laugh. They'd heard enough of Ron's exaggerated stories of what happened in the lake in the months that followed the second task.
Ron for his part simply blushed.
Merpeople were rising ... when the time was up?
"They better not," Remus growled, his eyes golden.
Did they perhaps eat humans?
"No, Harry," Hermione said with a sigh, "they do not eat people."
Harry's legs were seizing up ... drawing breath with extreme difficulty.
"The gillyweed must be wearing off," Neville said in concern.
He could feel pain on the sides of his neck again...
"Definitely wearing off," Severus sighed. "Which means you're definitely past the time limit."
Everyone was staring at the book in concern now. What if the gillyweed stopped working before he got to the surface?
he was becoming very aware ... he could see daylight above him...
Sirius sighed in relief but he couldn't help but think that his son still might not have enough time.
He kicked hard ... nothing more than feet...
"That can't be good," Cassius said.
water was flooding ... only ten feet above him...
"Come on Harry!" young Millicent said. "You can do it!"
he had to get there. . . he had to. . .
"Good," Moody said. "Don't give up. Whatever you do."
Harry kicked his legs ... he could not stop -
Everyone was sitting forward in their seats now, hopeful that Harry could do it, even as they read about him drowning.
And then he felt his head break the surface of the lake;
"That was close," Terry Boot muttered.
"Too close," Mandy Brocklehurst replied with a shudder. How come they were never told just how close Harry came to drowning?
wonderful, cold, clear air ... they were smiling at him.
"That was creepy," Draco muttered.
The crowd in the stands ... little girl might be dead,
"We did!" Astoria said sadly. "It was terrifying."
but they were wrong ... scared and confused,
"Gabrielle didn't understand what was happening at all," Fleur said crossly. "It wasn't right. She was far too young."
but Ron merely expelled ... "Wet, this, isn't it?"
That got a round of laughter.
Then he ... "What did you bring her for?"
"RONALD!" Mrs Weasley complained, although nowhere near as loudly as she usually screeched.
"Fleur didn't turn up, ... let any of us drown!"
Ron rolled his eyes. He wasn't so sure of that now.
"The song said -" ... acting the hero!"
Harry glared at the book. "I don't act the hero."
Ron frowned. He hadn't meant that. Well, not exactly.
"I just do what I think is right," Harry said crossly. "It's not my fault that everyone else in the wixen world is so damn selfish."
Ron wanted to argue that he wasn't selfish... Except... Recently he had been wondering if he was. Selfish and jealous. And completely blind.
"People have died in the tournament before," Harry said. "I wasn't about to leave a little kid at the bottom of the lake."
"I know," Ron said softly. "I'm sorry, mate."
Harry felt both stupid ... eerie it was down in the lake,
"Thank Merlin for that," Ron shuddered.
surrounded by spear-carrying ... she can swim very well."
"She can swim," Fleur said. "But she was exhausted. Her magical core was depleting rapidly and... She wasn't okay."
Minerva looked horrified.
"After the task my parents had to send her to the magical hospital in France," Fleur said. "She was there for over a week. My parents sued the ICW and Beauxbaton for involving her without proper parental consent. My sister didn't go to Beauxbaton as a result. My parents sent her to America for schooling. The whole thing was a major scandal in France."
They pulled Fleur's sister ... judges stood watching,
"Someone should help her!" Sirius growled. "Where was Poppy?"
"I was there," Poppy said. "Looking after the other champions and hostages."
twenty merpeople ... horrible screechy songs.
"A guard of honour is exactly what it looked like," Hannah Abbott said.
Harry could see Madam Pomfrey ... wrapped in thick blankets.
"I just couldn't fathom it," Poppy said crossly. "Sending students into the lake in February! The school is in Scotland for Morgana's sake."
Dumbledore and Ludo Bagman ... splashing out to meet them.
"I didn't realise they were using human hostages," Percy said in a quiet voice, "not until Cedric got out of the water. I sort of panicked and searched the crowd for Ron and couldn't find him anywhere."
Meanwhile Madame Maxime ... quite hysterical,
"Of course, I was hysterical!" Fleur cried. "Gabrielle was too young!"
fighting tooth and nail ... let alone shout.
"Thank you, Harry," Fleur said. "My family owes you a huge debt and even when we go back and change things, I'll never forget it."
"Neither will I," Isabeau said softly.
Percy seized Ron ... hugging her sister.
Harry sighed. Sometimes it really sucked. Moments like that had always reminded him just how alone he was in the world. No parents. No siblings. No one to care if he drowned. Sirius'sarms tightened around him, silently telling him that he cared.
"It was ze grindylows ... Steam gushed out of his ears.
"Pepper up," Poppy said. "I was convinced you'd all catch your death."
"Harry, well done!" ... how all by yourself!"
Sirius rolled his eyes.
"Could you be more patronising?" Blaise laughed.
"Well -" ... Karkaroff could hear him.
"Karkaroff was not happy," Krum said with a smirk.
"You haff a water beetle in your hair, Herm-own-ninny," said Krum.
"And let me guess," Astoria said. "There's going to be another article in the prophet."
Harry had the impression ... rescued her from the lake,
Krum chuckled. "Yes. I was frustrated she wasn't paying me any attention."
Hermione blushed brightly.
but Hermione brushed away ... Did it take you ages to find us?"
Harry rolled his eyes.
"No ... they hadn't taken the mersong seriously...
"They also haven't had your life experiences," Claudius said.
Dumbledore was crouching ... Dumbledore could speak Mermish.
Albus nodded. "I can speak several languages."
Finally he straightened up, ... "Look after Gabrielle," she told her,
"I was so scared," Fleur cried.
and then she turned ... not your 'ostage."
"Of course, I did," Harry said. "I just did what anyone else would do."
"Obviously not," Theo said. "Or Diggory and Krum would have done the same. You're a decent person, Potter. Better than most."
Harry blushed, hiding his face in his father's shoulder.
"Yeah," ... "And you too-you 'elped -"
Hermione huffed.
"Yeah," ... kissed him.
Ron gave Bill a sheepish look. But his older brother barely noticed. He was too busy trying to soothe his upset wife.
Hermione looked simply furious,
Hermione grimaced. Was her crush really that obvious?
but just then, ... champions, as follows...
"I still don't understand why they didn't cast a view of the bottom of the lake for you to see," Remus said. "They could have even used the surface of the lake as a massive screen. It wouldn't be that hard to do." His mind was whirling with the possibilities.
"Fleur Delacour, ... twenty-five points."
"I deserved nothing," Fleur said crossly.
Applause from the stands ... forty-seven points."
Cedric's dad patted him on the back.
Harry's heart sank ... certainly had been.
Harry rolled his eyes.
"Viktor Krum ... We award him forty points."
"It was quite effective," Minerva said. "Even if you did get a little stuck at the end. You really shouldn't transfigure yourself if you can't also untransfigure yourself."
Krum gave her an awkward grin.
Karkaroff clapped ... not merely his own."
Lee Jordan frowned. "I don't think I'd have thought to do that."
George nodded. "I'd like to think I would... but I get quite competitive."
Ron and Hermione ... half-commiserating looks.
They both rolled their eyes. That was just who Harry was. He always thought of others first.
"Most of the judges," ... merits full marks.
Everyone cheered.
However ... forty-five points."
"Still not bad going," Justin said.
Harry's stomach leapt ... you were showing moral fiber!"
Harry rolled his eyes.
Fleur was clapping very hard too, ... support of the champions."
"Thank fuck that's over," Sirius muttered. These books were going to be the death of him.
It was over ... get into dry clothes...
"Why not use warming and drying charms?" someone asked.
"I was very concerned they could get hyperthermia," Poppy explained. "I couldn't risk warming them too quickly or they could lose a limb. I didn't particularly want to have to reattach limbs or deal with necrotic tissue, thank you very much."
it was over ... June the twenty-fourth...
"I don't think I want to read that chapter," Siriussaid to Severus who nodded in agreement.
Next time he was in Hogsmeade ... socks for every day of the year.
"I imagine he'd like that," Lucius said with a small smile.
As the book finished, all the adults turned to face the teachers. "I'd really like to know what you were all playing at," Lady Zabini said.
Sighing, Minerva said, "We really weren't involved in the planning. The tasks were mostly organised by the ministry. We didn't have much of a say about anything."
"Why were all the hostages under age?" Remusasked coldly.
Minerva didn't have an answer for that. "The heads of each school decided the hostage for their students. I had no say."
She continued to field the parents' questions for the next twenty minutes. No one was willing to let the subject go. They were furious. None more so than the head of the veela council, Fleur's grandmother. "That tournament will not be taking place when we return, or so help me, I'll start a war." She chose not to say that if they weren't returning to the past, she would have declared war on both wix and mer alike for this. Veela were very protective of their children.
Padfoot Returns Part 1
Chapter Summary
Harry and co. start a new chapter.
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
One of the best things about the aftermath ... Harry's limelight for once.
Ron ears turned pink. He'd never realised just how much Harry noticed before. It was one thing to be jealous and stupid, but it was another thing to know that your best friend knew you were jealous and stupid.
Harry noticed ... Professor McGonagall's office,
Sirius growled at the headmaster.
first assuring them that they would be quite safe,
Isabeau huffed.
and would awake ... submission before tying him up.
The Weasleys all laughed. That was exactly how Ron was.
"But I had my wand ... those mer-idiots any time I wanted."
Several people rolled their eyes.
"What were you going to do, snore at them?" said Hermione waspishly.
That got a round of laughter. Even her mother laughed, although she did look a little torn as if she really wanted to take her daughter to task for how she spoke to her friends.
People had been teasing ... a rather tetchy mood.
Viktor sighed. That always happened. His fame had complicated every single relationship he'd ever had.
Ron's ears went re ... sleep version of events.
More laughter from the Weasleys filled the chamber and Harry sighed. It was nice to have everyone focused on someone other than him for once.
As they entered March ... short as the previous one.
Sirius flinched. Why wasn't his older self making more of an effort with Harry? Sure, he was technically on the run but surely he had plenty of time to write a decent letter.
Be at stile at end of road ... food as you can.
Sirius blinked. So, he was back.
"He hasn't come back ... "if he's caught..."
Sirius frowned. His older self was certainly taking some serious risks and if anyone found out that the three kids knew where he was... Well, he didn't want to think about that.
"Made it so far, ... dementors anymore."
Sirius and the death eaters all shivered at the thought.
Harry folded up the letter, ... steps to the dungeons.
Sirius smiled down at his son, wrapping his arm around his shoulder. Younger Harry was sitting on the floor, leaning against his leg, seemingly quite at ease. It amazed Sirius how much both boys seemed to take everything in their stride.
Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle ... Witch Weekly.
The Slytherin girls all sighed. Pansy was so annoying.
The moving picture ... looking startled.
Narcissa's eyes narrowed. What was that girl up to now? Narcissa knew she was never happy unless she was causing someone else distress.
At that moment ... magazine under the desk.
Severus tutted. "Couldn't wait until after class?"
Hermione grimaced. "Sorry, sir."
At last, in the center pages ... a short piece entitled:
Arcturus leaned forward. He had been making a mental list of people he would need to deal with. And Rita Skeeter was currently top of the list.
Harry Potter's Secret Heartache ... Muggle-born Hermione Granger.
"Hermione is not and has never been my girlfriend," Harry complained. "She's practically my sister."
Little did he know ... Harry alone cannot satisfy.
Viktor glared at the book. "I thought the papers were bad in Bulgaria before coming to Hogwarts."
Since the arrival ... "never felt this way about any other girl."
Viktor's eyes tightened as he glared at Rita.
Lucius huffed. "Something really needs to be done about this. She's a child. Her... relationships... or lack thereof, should not be in a national magazine."
There was a murmur of agreement from Ameliaand the aurors. There were laws that were supposed to protect minors from this sort of exploitation. Why was it that when Harry Potter was involved that didn't seem to matter.
However, it might not be Miss Granger's ... I think that's how she's doing it."
"That's a serious accusation to make!" Amelia complained. While most love potions were not illegal, there were laws against using magic to control others. Surely, the aurors looked into this. One look at her colleagues told her otherwise.
Love Potions ... investigate these claims.
Albus looked blandly at the book. He'd had to investigate those sort of claims plenty of times while Rita was a school. He gave her a withering look.
In the meantime, ... a worthier candidate.
Harry's fists were held tightly in his lap as he struggled to keep his cool.
"I told you!" ... sort of- of scarlet woman!"
"Now really isn't the time for I told you so, Ronald," Percy said crossly. He had been distinctly cool after he was purged of his own potions because of this article.
Hermione stopped ... she looked around at Ron.
Several of the girls seemed to find this funny too.
"It's what my mum ... "What a pile of old rubbish."
Older Rita glowered at Hermione. That wasn't the reaction she was expecting. Younger Ritawas looking between them all nervously. These were enemies that Rita did not want. She needed to talk to her older self.
She looked over at the Slytherins, ... "How could Rita Skeeter have known...?"
The students were all pleased to finally have the answer to that particular question.
"Known what?" ... Love Potions, have you?"
Everyone looked at Ron in surprise. "You didn't actually think Granger would do that, did you?" Draco asked, an eyebrow raised.
"No. Of course not," Ron replied. "But I didn't know what else she could possibly mean."
"Don't be stupid," ... pound up her beetles again.
Young Rita gulped as Hermione gave her a vicious smirk.
"No, it's just ... he'd pulled me out of the lake."
Ron grimaced at his reaction.
Hermione muttered... "... he was looking at Hermione.
Ron's siblings seemed to find this hilarious.
"And he did say ... watch the second task..."
"Or maybe she's a creepy beetle," Astoria muttered.
"And what did you say?" ... Ten points from Gryffindor."
Severus rolled his eyes. He actually thought that was pretty reasonable. They were evidently distracted. The other teachers seemed to be in agreement with him too.
Snape had glided over ... across the dungeon at Harry.
Severus gave his godson a glare that would have terrified Draco a couple of years back. Now he knew what real fear was and nothing would scare him quite like the dark lord.
"Ah... reading magazines ... points from Gryffindor...
Again, Severus was surprised. That wasn't unreasonable either. Minerva looked especially displeased. Miss Granger would never have done that in her classroom and she was horrified to realise how disrespectful she was being towards the Potions master by reading magazines under the desk.
oh but of course..." ... his press cuttings..."
Severus sighed. No longer could he say that his older self was handling the situation reasonably.
The dungeon rang ... 'A boy like no other, perhaps...'"
The teachers all glared at Severus. Teachers weren't supposed to mock their students.
Harry could feel ... blushing scarlet now.
Minerva looked ready to spit fire and if older Severus were here, she'd have plenty to say to him.
"'...Harry Potter's well-wishers ... your tangled love lives.
"They're fourteen!" Narcissa said smoothly. "They don't have love lives, tangled or otherwise."
Weasley, you stay here ... Move. Now."
Flitwick sighed. Other than reading the article aloud, everything else Severus had done had actually been fair. Separating them was certainly the right decision. Even if he didn't agree with putting Miss Granger with Miss Parkinson. That was a recipe for disaster.
Furious, Harry threw his ingredients ... one to have Snape's face.
That made Severus chuckle. His older self had really missed out on getting to know Potter. He was kind of funny in a sarcastic sort of way. Severus's favourite sort of way.
"All this press attention ... settled down again.
Everyone was glaring at the book again and Minerva was huffing under her breath. Somethings were going to have to change at Hogwarts. If she still had a job that was.
Harry didn't answer ... the end of the class.
Severus sighed. The boy was right. His older self wouldn't like to realise just how transparent he was.
"You might be laboring under the delusion ... rules to be beneath him."
"I still don't get why everyone thinks I break the rules all the time," Harry grumbled. "If I break a rule, its usually to help someone else."
Harry tipped the powdered beetles ... Snape was saying to him.
"Good boy," Sirius murmured. He wasn't happy with what Severus was saying but he was trying his very best not to hold it against his younger self.
"So I give you fair warning ... my office one more time -"
"I've never broken into your office," Harry told the potions master.
Severus nodded. "I know."
"I haven't been anywhere ... I know who stole them."
"Obviously not," Fred grumbled.
Harry stared back ... had stolen the gillyweed.
"You're a good friend, Potter," Susan murmured.
Harry shrugged, feeling embarrassed.
"I don't know ... and you will pay!"
Albus sighed. He didn't like how his staff behaved in these books. He'd clearly lost his touch if this was how his staff acted.
"Right," ... the urge to go in there."
"Cheeky," Sirius said, although he was clearly smiling.
Snape's eyes flashed... completely clear potion.
"SEVERUS!" Minerva hissed.
Harry stared at it ... this entire class to hear," said Snape viciously.
Severus grimaced. Surely, his older self had more sense than to threaten a student with truth serum. Amelia Bones was eyeing him suspiciously and he couldn't really blame her.
"Have you ever used veritaserum on a student?" she demanded.
"No. Never. Haven't even threatened to," Severus said honestly. "It's a highly regulated potion and I quite like being a potions master."
She didn't look like she quite believed him. Severus sighed. "I'm willing to testify to that under veritaserum, if necessary."
That earned him a sharp nod before the head of the DMLE returned her attention to the book, her eyes still narrowed in suspicion.
"Now, the use of this potion ... my office or not."
"I don't understand how they didn't notice there was an impostor in the castle," Tonkscomplained.
"The person most likely to work it out is too focused on suspecting the Prince," Kingsley said in reply.
Harry said nothing... in contact with Sirius...
Sirius sighed. He didn't like that his son was so worried about him. Their roles were far too reversed for Sirius's liking.
and - his insides squirmed ... a private hip flask.
Severus groaned. Really, his older self was a bit of a dunderhead.
There was a knock ... Professor Karkaroff came in.
The death eaters all sneered.
Everyone watched him ... listening hard.
Severus almost laughed. Potter was too curious for his own good.
"I'll talk to you ... You've been avoiding me."
"I wonder why," Severus muttered.
"After the lesson," ... two minutes to go to the bell,
Severus sighed.
which gave him an excuse ... something on his inner forearm.
Several people looked confused, not understanding what was going on.
"His dark mark, I presume," Moody said by way of explanation.
Severus nodded. "Most likely."
"Well?" ... this clear, never since -"
That caused Albus, Severus and Moody to all sit forward. If the mark was darkening...
"Put it away!" ... "Potter! What are you doing?"
"He's getting stronger then," Albus said with a small sigh. He'd hoped that he wouldn't return to power until later. Much later. When Mr Potter was an adult and capable of... when he'd had time to train him... Prepare him.
"Clearing up my armadillo bile, ... he had just witnessed.
"You shouldn't really be spying on your teachers," Minerva complained.
"No one ever tells me anything," Harry said unapologetically. "It makes me suspicious."
Chapter End Notes
Hope you enjoyed the chapter...
Padfoot Returns Part 2
Chapter Summary
Everyone finishes the chapter...
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
They left the castle at noon ... pumpkin juice from the lunch table.
Sirius grinned nervously. He tried to put off his fear of just how fucked up his older self probably was.
They went into Gladrags Wizardwear to buy a present for Dobby,
Lucius smiled softly. He was definitely going to talk to the prince about gifting him Dobby, so long as that was what Dobby wanted.
where they had fun ... looking very familiar...
Sirius smirked. He was definitely proud of his animagus form.
"Hello, Sirius," ... cutting into his shoulders.
Everyone wondered where they were going.
Then, at last, Sirius ... dimly lit cave.
Severus frowned. He didn't like the idea of Sirius hiding out in a cave, most likely starving. Definitely mentally unwell.
Tethered at the end of it ... his godfather.
Everyone frowned, realising just how difficult it must have been for Sirius to be on the run from the DMLE.
Sirius was wearing ragged ... He looked very thin.
Young Harry didn't like the sound of that. His dad shouldn't... It wasn't fair. He wanted his dad to be safe and out of danger. Not living in a cave, wearing dirty, old clothes and going without food. It wasn't right.
"Chicken!" ... chicken legs and bread.
"I have a good nose," Sirius murmured, trying to ease some of the tension. It probably wouldn't work. The tension had been simmering since the previous chapter and he was pretty sure things would be explosive when this chapter finally ended and they stopped reading for the morning. He was almost positive that this morning's lesson would be postponed so they could deal with everything they had read this morning.
"Thanks," ... "I've been living off rats mostly.
Several girls went green at the idea of living off rats. Peter blinked rapidly, curling in on himself and Sirius gave him a malicious glare, one that more than promised to make a meal out of him.
Can't steal too much food ... pretending to be a lovable stray."
Severus huffed. "Lovable my arse."
Sirius gave the other man his best puppy dog look but Severus merely rolled his eyes.
He was still grinning, ... things are getting fishier.
"Not wrong about that," Moody growled.
I've been stealing the paper ... What if you're seen?"
Sirius wrapped an arm around Harry's shoulder. "Let me doing the worrying for both of us."
Harry frowned. He couldn't exactly help worrying about his dad.
"You three and Dumbledore ... Now Personally Involved.
The ministry employees paid particular attention to that. Things seemed to be moving so slowly. Why hadn't Bertha's disappearance been handled by the DMLE? Why was the minister now involved? And what the hell was wrong with Crouch?
Harry scanned the story ... house appears deserted...
"It's all highly suspicious," Amelia muttered to herself, glancing towards Crouch Junior.
St. Mungo's Hospital ... he managed to get up here."
"Because he didn't," Moody grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest.
"My brothers Crouch's ... the goblet..."
Everyone was looking between Moody and Crouch Junior, wondering what the hell was going on.
"Getting his comeuppance ... she's not there to look after him."
No one said anything. They'd more than covered this topic and the tension in the chamber was far too high among the adults for a productive conversation to be had.
"Hermione's obsessed with house-elfs," ... Crouch a seat, right?"
The aurors sat forward. That was a significant point. Why hadn't Crouch made an appearance in the top box? Moody frowned, his eyes darting back to Crouch Junior. "Unless she wasn't saving him a seat at all."
"Right," ... you'd left the Top Box?"
Tonks frowned at that. She hadn't considered that the elf had access to the Prince's wand in the top box. Except that didn't make sense. It wasn't the elf that cast the dark mark into the sky. That had definitely been a man. Unless... What if the elf wasn't alone in the top box? An invisibility cloak? Disillusionment charm? It would explain the weird way she had been walking in the wood.
"Erm..." ... stole my wand in the Top Box?"
"It's certainly possible," Amelia murmured thoughtfully. There were so many puzzle parts, it was almost impossible to piece them together. And yet... It seemed to all be coming together in a very worrying way.
"It's possible," ... steal that wand!" Hermione insisted.
"No one said she did," Blaise complained irritably. He was finding all the talk of House Elves incredibly tedious.
"The elf wasn't the only one ... the Malfoys... "
Narcissa grimaced. She could easily imagine that her family was about to become suspect number one.
"The Malfoys!" ... "I bet it was Lucius Malfoy!"
"For once, I had nothing to do with this," Lucius said.
"Anyone else?" ... Ludo Bagman," Hermione reminded him.
"People often forget about Ludo," Moodygrowled. "No one ever suspects him of anything."
"Oh yeah..." ... Triwizard Tournament."
"And that would be suspicious if we didn't know the man has a gambling problem," Amelia said.
"Does he, now?" ... a liking to me," said Harry.
"And if that isn't creepy I don't know what is," George said.
"Hmm," ... "Remember?" she said to Harry and Ron.
Everyone leaned forward at that. Was Bagman involved?
"Yeah, but he didn't stay ... where he Disapparated to?"
Moody nodded. "Good. Don't just believe what people say."
"Come off it," ... she's obsessed with house -"
Hermione glared at Ron for a moment. "You don't understand. You have no idea what its like coming into a completely new world, where everything you used to think you knew, no longer makes sense. It's..."
"It's disorientating," Harry said.
Hermione nodded, as always she could trust Harry to understand.
But Sirius held up a hand ... wasn't anyone else there."
Moody nodded. So Crouch Junior was there in the woods. He cast the dark mark using Potter's wand.
"Of course," ... let herself get trampled -"
Terence Higgs rolled his eyes. Sure, it sucked that the elf's oath had been dissolved. But it was hardly the most important thing in this discussion.
"Hermione, will you give it a rest ... not his equals."
There were murmurs of agreement all around the chamber.
He ran a hand ... I'll eat Buckbeak."
Barty Crouch Junior snorted. The man wasn't wrong.
"D'you know Crouch, then?" ... without a trial."
"And he'll get a trial of his own for that," Amelia said shortly. "You have my word."
Sirius nodded. He didn't quite believe it but he wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt.
Amelia looked back at Crouch Junior. Just how had he escaped Azkaban? And why did she have a horrible feeling that he'd been living imprisoned by his own father? His father would certainly have the means to break him out of the prison, although she could hardly believe that Crouch would do such a thing. He was such a stickler for the rules. Except apparently he took no issue with sending an innocent man to Azkaban without a trial... so maybe it wasn't as outlandish as it seemed.
"What?" ... Law Enforcement, didn't you know?"
"There's a lot of things I don't know," Harry muttered. "No one ever tells me anything."
Harry, Ron, ... and power-hungry.
No one disagreed with him. There were nods of agreement around the chamber.
Oh never a Voldemort supporter," ... "Try us, why don't you?"
"Everyone says I'm too young," Harry complained, "but then my life constantly gets turned upside down and they expect me to know what to do. But how can I? When I don't know what the hell is going on."
A grin flashed ... "Imagine that Voldemort's powerful now.
Those from the new timeline shuddered at the idea.
You don't know who his supporters are ... that's how it used to be.
Both Mrs Weasleys were crying, curled into their husband's sides. Everyone who had lived through the first war had very serious looks on their faces.
"Muggles weren't the only ones dying," Arthur said, his voice breaking. "We all lost someone."
"It was worse than can be put into words," Amelia said softly. "The taboo put everyone in danger and no one knew what drew the death eaters to those who said it. Not at first, at least. Eventually people started working it out. But we lost a lot of people to the taboo. Good people."
"Everyone was suspicious," Blaise's mum said. "They were suspicious of their own family but mostly they were suspicious of people like me, people with dark cores."
"There was a lot of in-fighting," Lucius said. "The Dark Lord seemed pleased with that. He reveled in turning everyone against one another."
Tom frowned. He couldn't deny the truth of those words. In his insanity, creating that level of chaos had been... intoxicating. It had made him feel powerful. Something he'd craved since feeling so utterly powerless as a child.
"Well, times like that bring out the best ... I wouldn't know.
Moody nodded his agreement. He wasn't sure if the war had brought out the best in him. That was a difficult question to ask oneself. He certainly did things he wasn't proud of. At times, he'd wondered if he wasn't just as bad as the people he was fighting. He fought fire with fire and that was something he had long ago accepted that he would have to live with. But Crouch... "He was ruthless and power hungry. I'm not sure when it started. Or if he was always like that." He shrugged. They were of an age, old Hogwarts classmates, but he didn't know if he knew Crouch well enough to provide anything close to a character reference.
He rose quickly ... Voldemort's supporters.
"It helped that it was what people wanted," Amelia said with a sigh. "They wanted to know the ministry was doing something. Everyone was scared."
The Aurors were given ... capture, for instance.
"It made sense," Moody growled. "Wrong or right, it saved my aurors. Before those powers went into place, I was losing them quicker than they could be recruited."
And I wasn't the only one ... dementors without trial.
Amelia looked horrified at that. She was the head of the DMLE but she was unaware of that.
"They talk about it," Sirius murmured. "Or they did to begin with, before they lost themselves to the dementors. Only the most high profile cases got trials and even those... Well, they weren't exactly handled well. No legal defense provisions, for example. Mass trials..."
Amelia nodded. She knew about that. It had been a judicial nightmare. And it had set a horrible precedent.
Crouch fought violence ... Unforgivable Curses against suspects.
Moody flinched. "We used them too. We weren't going to refuse to use a weapon that could save our lives. Or the lives of those we were trying to protect."
Harry nodded. He could understand that. "I get it. I've done plenty I'm not proud of in this war."
"We didn't have a choice, Harry," Ron said.
"You always have a choice," Harry countered. "I made a choice. A terrible choice. But it was still a choice. And my choice cost the goblins..."
"You weren't responsible for what Voldemort did," Hermione growled.
Harry couldn't look at her. He shook his head. "I put a death sentence on the entire gringotts clan. Sure, I didn't mean to but actions have consequences. And what I did, brought the end to the war but at what cost?"
No one said anything. They didn't know what to say. How to ease the burdens the young man carried.
"I used the imperius curse on a goblin twice," Harry said in a voice cold with self-hatred. "I broke into their bank to steal a horcrux. I couldn't end the war without it and I couldn't exactly just walk into Gringotts and ask for the goblins' help. But..."
The door to the creature side of Mother Magic's domain opened and the Goblin King walked into the room, his sword at his side. "You did what you had to. You fought valiantly and you brought an end to the war. You did not end my clan."
Harry shook his head. "There's only one of all of you..."
"Because we would have stayed," the Goblin King sneered, although his voice lacked mallace. "We would have defended our land even if it meant losing our lives. But our clan... I promise you we have thousands of contingency plans for protecting our own in the event of war. We are a warrior race. Even in your time, I promise you, the Goblin Nation has not been defeated. We would have evacuated the majority of our people before the war was even announced. Only my fiercest warriors would have remained and believe me, they would be more than willing to sacrifice their lives for an end to the war. Do not belittle their sacrifice by trying to take responsibility for it. It was their choice to remain and defend the Goblin Nation."
The Goblin King waved his hand a chair appeared. He sat himself down in it and settled in to listen to the rest of the chapter. He wouldn't allow the young Prince to place the blame on himself. He was not responsible for the war. The other wixen let him down, not the other way around.
I would say he became as ruthless ... take over as Minister of Magic.
There was a murmur of agreement. They'd thought he was a sure thing at the end of the war.
When Voldemort disappeared ... managed to talk their way out of Azkaban.
"Still not sure how Bellatrix managed that," Lucius commented. "That woman was deranged even then."
Apparently they were trying ... gotten to know his own son."
Crouch Junior stiffened in his chair. He didn't like hearing people talk about that night. He didn't like what he or the Lestranges had done. But he could still remember how scared he was to hear that his lord had gone. He'd never known fear like it.
He began to wolf down ... just like the house-elf."
Augusta huffed. She didn't believe that for one second.
"I wasn't," Crouch said tentatively. "I wasn't in the wrong place at the wrong time. I was a death eater. I just... Well, I didn't know what Bellatrix planned to do. I don't know that any of us did. I just wanted answers. I didn't really care how I got them... But I... I didn't mean it to..." He wasn't sure what he wanted to say.
"You didn't mean to torture my son and daughter-in-law?" Augusta scoffed.
"I didn't torture them," Crouch said. "Not with my own wand, at least. Rabastan and I, we were standing guard. We didn't... But we didn't stop it from happening either so I guess, we were just as guilty."
He wanted to defend himself. Tell them he was practically still a child, fresh out of Hogwarts. That he didn't know what he'd involved himself in. But he couldn't... All he knew was that the Dark Lord had promised him a way to escape his father and he'd jumped at it. To see that chance of escape disappear, well, it had left him unhinged. "I just wanted to escape. I didn't want to hurt anyone... I just wanted out of that..." His voice trailed off and a distant look came over his face.
Augusta looked ready to rage at him but that broken look on his face shook her slightly. She hated it. She didn't want to feel compassion for one of the ones responsible for her son's condition. She hated Crouch and everything he stood for but in that moment all she could see was a lost little boy and it bothered her more than she wanted it to.
"Did Crouch try ... measure of him, Hermione!
That got a bark of laughter from Crouch. "My father wouldn't do that. He'd sooner kill me himself than see me damage his career."
Anything that threatened ... sent him straight to Azkaban."
Crouch flinched at the words. They hurt more than he wanted the people in the chamber to know. He'd always tried his best to make his father proud. But nothing was ever good enough. So, he'd found himself someone else to look up to. And sure, the Dark Lord wasn't really the best father figure. But he'd promised him freedom. A life away from his father's tyranny. And he'd jumped at it.
"He gave his own son ... his mother by nightfall.
Augusta looked at Neville. Crouch hadn't been much older than her grandson when he'd been imprisoned. But she didn't want to think about that. She wanted to go on hating the man in peace.
He went quiet ... shrieked in their sleep..."
Everyone shuddered. They didn't want to think about what life as an Azkaban inmate was like.
For a moment, ... closed behind them.
Severus wrapped an arm around Sirius. He hoped he wouldn't have to see that look in his eyes. He would make sure he got all the help he needed to deal with those particular demons.
"So he's still in Azkaban?" ... "He died?"
"Apparently not," Augusta said.
"It was my mum's dying wish," Barty said. "She took my place."
That surprised most of those present.
"I wish she hadn't," he muttered to himself, although everyone heard him.
"He wasn't the only one," ... they got excited.
No one spoke. They barely breathed.
The quiet was eventually broken by Ragnok. "That prison is criminal. And that's by goblin standards."
Harry frowned. "What do you do with criminals?"
"We put them to work in the mines. It's hard labour but they're fed and watered. They get health care. And in time, they're rehabilitated. Of course, for the worst crimes we execute. We will not allow our clan to be dishonoured."
That boy looked pretty sickly ... I watched them do it."
Barty had tears rolling down his face now and Augusta couldn't look at him. She hated that she pitied him.
Sirius threw aside the bread ... a big drop in popularity.
"Nothing he didn't deserve," Moody huffed. He could still remember what sort of child Junior had been. He got up and made his way across the chamber. He settled down on the arm of Crouch's seat and pulled the young man into his side. "It was his own damn fault for not being a decent father when he had the chance."
If anyone was surprised by his actions, they didn't comment on it.
Once the boy had died ... gone so badly astray.
"Good question," Moody growled. "Twelve OWLs, outstandings in all his NEWTs. Prefect and Head Boy. Barty was the perfect son. Old Crouch bragged enough about his son but didn't once say he cared about him. Didn't talk about the time they spent together like most fathers do. The way Arthur is always going on about how he taught his boys to fly or Amos goes on and on about his and Cedric's fishing trips. No. Crouch never had stories like that. He just bragged about the boy's achievements like they were his own."
"He did?" Barty asked, looking surprised.
It concerned the old auror how much the young man looked like a small child eager for his father's praise. Had his father never told him he was proud of him?
"Frequently," was Moody's gruff reply.
The conclusion ... Magical Cooperation."
Augusta sighed. It seemed this entire war was a result of children growing up in abusive households. "I'm sensing a theme..." she muttered to herself.
"A theme?" Amelia asked.
"It would seem there's a lot more child abuse and neglect in our world than we'd care to admit," she explained.
Amelia nodded. It certainly seemed that way.
There was a long silence ... fall from grace at the Ministry.
"Most likely," Augusta said harshly. "Selfish, egotistical man. I wasn't happy with the trial. I wanted answers. And all I got was the ravings of a mad woman."
"Moody says Crouch ... catching one more Death Eater."
They all frowned. They didn't like what they were hearing about Crouch Senior. And Ameliawas already adding him to the list of things she would need to deal with when they returned. But first, she needed to work out just what he'd done with his son.
"And he sneaked up here ... Sirius shook his head.
"Sirius is right. It doesn't make sense at all," Shacklebolt said. "Why stay home when he had the perfect excuse to be in the castle, if he wanted to search Snape's office? No. He was after something else. Potions ingredients... But it's much more likely that it wasn't Crouch Senior that Harry saw on the map."
"Listen, if Crouch wants ... Hermione broke in.
The Slytherins all groaned. Why did everyone always immediately blame the Slytherins?
"Look, I don't care what you say ... Dark wizard couldn't fool him -"
Minerva huffed. She would have defended Severus once upon a time. But now she wasn't so sure. Except Potter seemed to have forgiven him and wasn't that strange in and of itself. The man was responsible for his parents' deaths.
"Why did Snape save Harry's life ... kick him out-"
The lions all rolled their eyes, seeing another of the pairs fights coming.
"What d'you think, Sirius?" ... greasy-haired kid, he was," Sirius added,
"Don't hold back, love," Severus murmured, causing the other man to blush.
"Sorry," he muttered.
and Harry and Ron grinned ... half the kids in seventh year,
"Now that's definitely not true," Severus said with a bark of laughter.
and he was part of a gang ... they're in Azkaban.
Neville tensed at the mention of the Lestranges.
Avery ... not that that means much.
"I was definitely accused," Severus said mildly. "Dumbledore defended me."
Plenty of them were never caught ... keep that quiet," said Ron.
"Being friendly with Karkaroff wouldn't endear me to either side," Severus said.
"Yeah, you should've seen Snape's ... I couldn't see what it was."
"The dark mark," Severus explained for the children's benefit. With a sigh, he rolled up his arm. "Voldemort branded us all like cattle."
He showed Snape something ... "Well, I've no idea what that's about...
"I'm not surprise," Moody growled. "We didn't learn about the marks until we started arresting people at the end of the war."
but if Karkaroff's ... he'd ever worked for Voldemort."
That got derisive laughter from almost everyone in the chamber, including Snape himself.
"Why are Moody and Crouch ... he never killed if he could help it.
Moody nodded. He'd certainly tried. Failed more than he'd liked mind you.
Always brought people in alive ... judging the tournament?"
The aurors were muttering between themselves. How did they know Crouch Senior was even still alive?
Sirius lapsed into silence ... Percy loves Crouch."
Percy groaned. He'd really been an idiot that year. In his defense, he hadn't known any of that about Crouch.
"And you might try ... quite the reverse.
The Hogwarts professors all nodded their agreement.
She was a bit dim, ... liability at the Ministry of Magic...
Pomona nodded. That was certainly a fair assessment of the girl.
maybe that's why Bagman ... someone to attack you."
"It would be if that's what they planned to do," Harry muttered to himself. He really resented that he'd spent that entire year fearing an attack, only for it to turn out that the death eater at Hogwarts was intentionally keeping him alive.
"No one's tried to attack me ... Sirius scowled at him.
"You need to remember just how precious your life is," Sirius said crossly.
"I don't care... call me Snuffles, okay?"
That got some laughter from the youngest in the chamber. It was nice to hear them laugh. These books were so morbid.
He handed Harry ... admire Crouch even more.
"I didn't," Percy said, glaring at his brother. "For what its worth."
Yeah, Percy loves rules ... dementors," said Hermione severely.
Percy's brothers looked unconvinced. But they didn't say anything. They weren't sure how much of Percy's behaviour was a result of the love potion. Percy himself looked uncertain. He'd like to think he wouldn't... But honestly, if his family had done what Crouch and the Lestranges had done... Yeah, he might have then.
"I don't know," ... Percy's really ambitious, you know... "
George glared at Ron. "Percy isn't just ambitious. He's a lot of other things too. If he sent us to Azkaban, it would be because we deserved it."
They walked up the stone steps ... Imagine having to live off rats."
"They're not the tastiest, that's for sure," Siriussaid.
Chapter End Notes
Sorry about the delay. Not going to lie, I think I've been procrastinating a bit because I know how hard its going to be to write the 3rd task and the grave yard. And it's getting closer and closer...
Explanations and Excuses
Chapter Summary
Lessons are suspended for the morning...
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
There was silence in the chamber as they all tried to process everything they had learned in the last two chapters. It was clear to everyone that lessons would be suspended for the morning and that they needed to have a very serious conversation about the contents of the book. But no one seemed willing to be the one to begin such a conversation.
The door to the other part of Mother Magic's domain opened and a flurry of angry veela marched into the chamber. They immediately went to stand behind the head of their council. Other beings followed them through the door, settling all around the chamber. Many were angry, that much was clear but still no one spoke.
Isabeau Lemaire sighed heavily, realising that someone would need to break the silence and she would do anything to prevent that responsibility - like so many others - falling to the young Prince.
"I think explanations are required," she said coldly, her eyes moving between the headmasterand his teachers. "I want to know everything you can tell us about the second task. Speak truthfully and hold nothing back or so help me, I'll declare war here and now."
Harry didn't like that. He didn't want another war. This was all getting so messy. Things were supposed to be getting better. Not worse.
Minerva looked over her colleagues. She knew the most about this situation. She should probably be the one to explain everything. But she just knew the veela would not like her answers. "To explain the second task, I probably need to give you more information about the tournament itself. Discussions between the British, French and Norwegian ministries began a year before the tournament took place. Our ministry had just had a break out from Azkaban and according to Albus, our minister felt that the tournament would help fix the damage the Azkaban break out had caused to his political reputation."
Several people nodded. The parents in particular were trying their best to keep their tempers. They needed the information.
"Albus was against it," she continued. "When the ICW voted on it, he argued that it was too dangerous, that lives had been lost and that the tournament was unsafe for not only the champions but all those involved. The vote went in favor of the tournament with the concession made that provision must be made to ensure the safety of those involved. An age limit was imposed and discussions began about what sort of tasks would be appropriate for the tournament. This proved surprisingly contriversal as the tournament traditionally follows a particular pattern. First the champion would have to face a creature to get a clue, then using said clue to complete some sort of quest, and finally a labyrinth. It was insisted upon that the format at the very least remain the same."
"But that doesn't explain why they had to use XXXXX creatures or why the second task was in the dark lake!" Mrs Weasley huffed in irritation.
Minerva frowned. "With that much decided, the ministers allocated the rest of the planning to their staff and Albus didn't hear much more about it until Yule when he was called to a meeting to discuss the various tasks that were in the planning process. He came back highly aggrieved, saying that the fools had seemingly forgotten all of the safety concerns he had raised. They were insistent that an XXXXX beast be used. Albus tried to suggest that they have an obstacle course instead, starting with an innocuous creature, something barely dangerous at all and work their way up through the classifications gaining clues as they went. The higher they made it through the classifications, the more clues they would have for the second task. I think he suggested they have to start by harvesting Horklumps, then collect a jobberknoll feather, battle a dugbog... I mean even though a dugbog is only a XXX creature, they're still plenty dangerous. And then for the XXXX creature, he thought that being riddle tested by a Spinx should be more than sufficient. He told me he had refused to even entertain the idea of including an XXXXX beast."
"Well, that's a much more reasonable task," Fleur said. She would have been much more confident against those creatures. It would still have been a challenge but definitely less deadly.
"Ludo said it sounded boring," Minerva sighed. "He said that if anything they should have to face an obsticle course of XXXX and XXXXX creatures."
"The fool!" Amelia grumbled. "I'd like to see him face off with a dragon."
"He said that at the very least they should face a Graphorn," Minerva continued. "And it all went downhill from there. Albus said that every new idea they shared between themselves became more and more outlandish and the three heads were left utterly flummoxed on how to protect their students. Madam Maxime was increasingly agitated at the idea of any of her students facing multiple XXXXX beasts and so insisted that only one beast be confronted. Albus was unhappy because the ministry officials refused to determine what beast should be used in their presence as the first task is always supposed to be something of a surprise."
"Very well, but what of the second task!" Fleur's grandmother demanded.
"The meeting moved onto the second task and what sort of quest they could send the children on," Minerva said. "There was some suggestion about using the forest but Albus quickly shut that down, recommending the lake. He thought that it would be the lesser of two evils. He knew that the merpeople and giant squid would help protect the children and compared to the forest... well, the creatures in the lake are all X or XX creatures for the most part. Of course, at that time, he had no idea that a veela would be chosen as the Beauxbatton champion. It was decided that the children would have to find something in the lake and Albus offered to speak to the Merpeople to ask for their assistance. During this meeting it was not agreed to use human hostages. They then went on to discuss the third task. Apparently quite a few people liked the idea of multiple creature challenges and so that was incorporated into the final task."
Minerva hated having to explain this. It wasn't that she disagreed with their anger. She was completely on their side. But she didn't really like being the focus of it. She had tried to protect the students and she had failed, but she had tried. "The next we heard anything about it was at the end of year staff meeting when it was announced to the staff that the tournament would be happening. Obviously no one was happy about it. Albus explained to us all that he was in a difficult position. He had already tried to refuse Hogwart's involvement on the grounds that the school did not fall under the jurisdiction of the ministry and that had resulted in the ICW becoming involved. And we couldn't risk going against the ICW if we wanted to keep our status as an ICW accredited school. I mean we'd have to close the school if we were no longer accredited to provide O.W.L and N.E.W.T testing."
"Was that actually threatened or is that conjecture?" Amelia demanded.
"It was certainly implied if not outright threatened," Minerva replied. "When it was discovered at the weighing of the wands, that Fleur's grandmother was a veela, Albus called for an emergency meeting about the second task. He allowed the four heads of house to join the meeting with the other judges. He argued that given Fleur's nature the Black Lake was no longer a suitable location for the second task. Ludo seemed to think nothing of it."
"The fool didn't understand," Filius said. "He didn't appreciate the danger of the situation at all."
"Crouch, well... I don't know what to say about Crouch. I thought he'd see reason. Going ahead with the task would potentially put us in a difficult spot with the Veela Nation but he wasn't really paying attention. Just kept saying it was too late to change the task. Karkaroff seemed pleased. He liked the idea that his student would have an advantage. Madam Maxime asked where else the task could be held and we began brainstorming ideas. The village of Hogsmeade was a good suggestion, definitely the safest."
Pomona nodded. "One of the mountains was also suggested, although that was quickly squashed because of the risk of trolls."
"I think Severus suggested a flying circuit," Filius said with a sharp grin. He was pretty sure that the potions master had made the suggestion to help Harry.
"But Crouch, Bagman and Karkaroff refused to budge," Minerva said in a huff, "even when the headmaster threatened to report them to the ICW."
"He did too," Filius said. "Saw him send off the paperwork myself."
"But the ICW were slow to act," Minerva said. "We didn't hear anything back until a week after the second task."
"Albus even tried to suggest postponing the task until they heard back from the ICW but the minister was enraged," Filius said. "He came to the school one afternoon with that odeous woman, Umbridge, and insisted that he would not allow Hogwarts to embarrass him. Albus tried to reason with him, argued that the school did not fall under his jurisdiction but that seemed to just make him more furious. When Umbridge learned the reason they wanted to postpone the task, she said some quite despicable things about half breads... Things I won't repeat. Madam Maxime backed down and by this time Crouch was already on sick leave apparently and so young Percy Weasley was filling in for him. The judges all voted and only Albus voted against proceeding with the task as planned."
Percy grimaced. He didn't like the looks they were all giving him. He hadn't agreed with the minister because he had a problem with veela. He just didn't want to waste any more time at the school than was absolutely necessary. He'd been working relentlessly filling in for Mr Crouch while still maintaining his own workload. Delaying the task would have put him back weeks. "I wasn't thinking about veela... I just... I didn't want to delay my work any more than it already was. I'm sorry."
Amelia sighed. It wasn't the young man's fault. It hadn't been appropriate for him to fill in for his head of department in the first place. He was fresh out of Hogwarts for Merlin's sake. She made a point to say as much too, just in case anyone tried to blame the young man for this mess.
"You said the school heads determined who the hostages would be?" Mr Granger asked, his tone rigid.
"That is correct," Minerva said. "I argued against the inclusion of either Mr Weasley or Miss Granger due to their age. But, well, Dumbledore said that Mr Potter wasn't really close to any of the older students. I suggested a family member instead but Albus argued against that as we could hardly bring a muggle into the school. The only other option would be a teacher and well, that would have been embarrassing for young Mr Potter so I didn't think that was the right solution either. I asked why it needed to be a person at all. I suggested perhaps their familiar. Albus seemed to like this suggestion but the other judges were adamant that human hostages were needed."
"It caused a lot of problems with the merpeople in the run up to the task," Filius said. "They weren't happy. They felt the task portrayed them in a very villainous light. They very nearly backed out, especially when Fudge threatened to evict them from the Black Lake. Albus had to remind the minister that he did not have the authority to do such a thing."
"As for Miss Granger," Minerva continued, "Karkaroff was convinced that she should be his champion's hostage. He was pretty gleeful about it too. He believed it would put Mr Potter at a disadvantage, which it certainly did. Both of his closest friends were in that lake."
"And Gabrielle?" Isabeau asked.
"Madam Maxime refused to choose a hostage," Pomona said. "This was before the vote was cast about continuing with the task and she refused on the basis that the task should not go ahead as it was planned with a veela participating. I believe Ludo Bagman made the decision to involve your youngest granddaughter without discussing it with the other judges. There was certainly a lot of contention about it."
The parents of those that had been involved in the task continued to ask their questions, barely managing to contain their rage. By the time they were supposed to break for lunch, the children in the chamber were growing restless and the adults were still raving mad, but at least they had some answers. One thing was for certain, Arcturus was going to destroy Ludo Bagman and it looked like he'd probably get some assistance from the head of the veela nation. No one seemed sure if they should take the teachers' word for it that they had in fact tried to protect the children on this instance. They'd failed in their duty far too many times at this point for that to just be presumed as truth. A very distraught Mrs Weasley left the chamber accompanied by multiple other mothers to go and prepare a light lunch. Molly was surprised when Narcissa Malfoy came and walked beside her.
"I cannot cook," she said, "but I'm very good at listening if you want to rant. And I can definitely butter bread to make sandwiches."
That brought a smile to the red head's face. To think that she was having a polite and friendly conversation with Narcissa Malfoy of all people. "I'd appreciate that," she said with a brisk nod.
"I'm good for a long rant too," Mrs Granger said. "I can cook but only the muggle way... so I'm probably not going to be much help either here."
They all laughed heartily, trying their best to think about anything other than the terrible book they were being forced to read.
Chapter End Notes
Hope you enjoyed the chapter. xo
The Madness of Mr Crouch Part 1
Chapter Summary
Our characters start their next chapter...
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
After lunch, they all settled in to read the next chapter. They were getting closer to the end of this particular book and Sirius was getting nervous. He knew something bad was going to happen. It seemed inevitable at this point.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione ... Mr. Crouch lately.
"I thought it was odd that you were asking," Percy said. "It's not like you to care about my work, Ron."
They used Hedwig ... Dobby his new socks.
That brought a smile to nearly every face in the chamber.
The house-elves gave them ... gillyweed, Dobby, you really did," said Harry.
Several people nodded their head in agreement. The house elf had really been a massive help for Harry.
"No chance of more ... supported by four elves.
Hermione rolled her eyes. Ronald really was obsessed with food.
"We should get some stuff ... hurried off to get some more.
Sirius smiled at his son's thoughtfulness.
"Dobby, where's Winky?" ... she gave an enormous hiccup.
Barty gave a distressed whimper. Winky was his friend. His only friend.
"Winky is getting through ... that stuff," Harry said.
"Butterbeer is strong for a house elf," Poppy said quietly. "A year or two drinking like that and she'd... Well, she wouldn't last long."
But Dobby shook his head ... they returned to work.
Hermione huffed. She still didn't understand why the other house elves hadn't been kinder to Winky. She was clearly hurting.
Lucius, seeing Hermione's confusion, said, "It's not a lack of empathy. They know that the school would help Winky if she would just accept a new bond."
"They've been where Winky was," Minerva said. "Most of them come from bad homes. But usually they settle quickly into the new routine and are able to resolve their inner pain by becoming part of the Hogwarts family. They were offended she wouldn't let them help her."
"Winky is pining, ... Dumbledore is her master now."
Minerva nodded. "She won't improve until she realises that she cannot go back."
"Hey, Winky," ... judge the Triwizard Tournament."
Sirius rolled his eyes. "Not the most tactful thing to talk about."
Winky's eyes flickered ... staring blurrily at Harry.
"That definitely won't help," Theo said with a shake of his head.
"Master - hic - ill?" ... all by himself..."
"Now she'll probably blame herself," Lucius said with a sigh.
"Other people manage ... Hermione said severely.
"Not helping," Mrs Granger said.
"Winky - hic - is not only ... the most secret... "
Everyone leaned forward expectantly.
"What?" ... "You is - hic - nosing, you is."
"She won't tell you anything," Lucius said. "She's not dissolved her side of the bond. That can take time."
"Winky must not talk ... Harry Potter is not nosy!"
Harry chuckled lightly at how quickly Dobby came to his defense. He was a good friend.
"He is nosing ... pry and poke - hic -"
"Sounds like you hit a nerve," Tonks said. "It's probably something that has happened before."
Winky's eyelids drooped ... hiding her from view.
Barty was crying now. He tried his best to hide it. It was especially difficult because Mad Eyehad refused to leave his side since earlier, even going as far as to sit with him through lunch. But Moody must have noticed because he tightened his grip and allowed Barty to hide his face in the man's side.
"We is sorry you ... judge us all by Winky, sirs and miss!"
Everyone looked a little sad as they heard that.
"She's unhappy!" ... masters to be served."
"For the Hogwarts house elves," Minerva began, "Hogwarts is a sanctuary away from abusive masters. They can't understand why Winky doesn't appreciate that she is now somewhere safe, where she will be loved and appreciated."
"Oh for heavens sake!" ... look at Dobby!"
"Hermione," Mrs Granger sighed. "You might not agree with how they live but you need to respect their choices. Even if you were right and it was slavery, the way you handle people who are abused and trapped is not by getting angry with them. If you were right, then they were the victims. Show them some empathy, not more disrespect."
"Miss will please keep Dobby ... looking scared.
Lucius frowned.
The cheery smiles had vanished ... mad and dangerous.
Ron laughed. That was exactly how they had looked at her.
"We has your extra food!" ... "Good-bye!"
"I don't think anyone has been chucked out of the kitchens before," George said, whistling loudly.
The house-elves crowded ... Winky about Crouch!"
Arthur sighed. "She most likely wouldn't have told you anything anyway."
"Oh as if you care ... the food!"
"She's not wrong there," Ginny laughed.
It was an irritable sort of day ... evening on his own.
Hermione and Ron both grimaced. They hadn't realised that they'd made their friend so uncomfortable.
Pigwidgeon was much too small ... large package between them.
"Let's hope no one spots that going into the cave," Tonks said.
Harry leaned on the windowsill ... carriage shortly afterward.
"I was still cross with her," Hagrid muttered.
Unwilling to go back ... snarling at each other,
"Don't blame you," Blaise said.
Harry watched Hagrid digging ... quite as good as usual.
"The elves wouldn't do that!" young Filiuslaughed.
When the post owls arrived ... from the Slytherins."
"That's a good idea," Lucius said with a sharp nod.
"Good thinking!" ... looking disappointed. "It's -"
The students in the chamber all groaned. They remembered this.
But to her bewilderment ... deliver their own letter first.
The adults sat forward, wondering what the hell was going on.
"What on earth - ?" ... "It's - oh how ridiculous -"
"What is it?" Amelia asked.
She thrust the letter at Harry ... cut out of the Daily Prophet.
Now the aurors were all looking at the book in concern.
YOU ARE A WICKED GIRL ... YOU CAME FROM MUGGLE.
"That is a hate crime," Amelia pointed out. "Did you report it?"
"Er... No." Hermione grimaced.
"Inform a teacher?"
"No."
"Your parents?"
"No."
Amelia sighed. Why the hell not, she wanted to demand, but really what was the point. This had happened years ago. "If something like this happens again, I want you to report it immediately."
Hermione nodded.
"I won't stand for that," Amelia said sharply. "Not against anyone and especially not against a child."
"They're all like it!" ... Ouch!"
Amelia's eyes widened in horror.
She had opened the last ... large yellow boils.
"Bubotuber pus," Severus said angrily.
"Undiluted bubotuber pus!" ... Sprout where you've gone..."
"You never told me why she was in the hospital wing!" Professor Sprout grumbled. She would have done something about that if she'd only known about it.
"Why didn't any of the teachers notice the number of owls?" Amelia demanded. "Students don't usually receive so many, do they?"
"Er..." Minerva sighed. "No. I don't have a reasonable answer for you. I also don't understand how that got through the wards."
"I warned her!" ... she'd better watch out for herself."
Amelia sighed. She couldn't blame the children for not knowing what to do. This was just another example of how the Hogwarts staff wasn't big enough to deal with the number of students. She wasn't sure she could even really blame the teachers for the situation. The Great Hall was full of students, they couldn't possibly be expected to notice everything. That's why they needed more teachers. More eyes. More ears.
Hermione didn't turn up ... Why was she so upset at breakfast?"
The Slytherins all sighed. Draco grimaced. Pansy was horrid. Even to the people she called her friends but especially to everyone else.
Harry ignored her ... politely puzzled at all the attention.
"Nifflers," young Luna said excitably.
"These're nifflers," ... jumped backward.
That got a round of laughter from the children and even the adults cracked a smile.
"Useful little treasure detectors," ... an get ready ter set 'em loose."
"That's a brilliant idea for a lesson, Hagrid," Minerva said with a small smile.
Harry took off his watch ... sniffed enthusiastically.
"That's adorable," Astoria said with a sigh.
It was really quite cuddly ... Pansy Parkinson was listening.
Theo rolled his eyes. That witch was the worst sort of gossip. Luckily she wasn't very sneaky.
It was easily the most fun ... filled his lap with coins.
The students all talked among themselves about the brilliant lesson they had had that day.
"Can you buy these ... "I on'y buried a hundred coins.
"Absolutely not," Mrs Weasley said. "No nifflers in the house."
Oh there y'are, Hermione!" ... Vanishes after a few hours."
Ron grimaced, remembering how embarrassed that had made him feel.
Goyle emptied his pockets ... Honeyduke's chocolate for a prize.
"Nice," George said, slapping Ron on the back.
The bell rang ... other carriage window.
Hagrid sighed. He really shouldn't have held that grudge for so long.
"What yeh done ter your hands ... bubotuber pus.
"Wait!" Amelia said crossly. "So, you told Mr Hagrid? You did report it to the school?"
"Well..." Hermione sighed. "I guess."
"Mr Hagrid, did you inform her head of house or the headmaster?"
"Er... No." Hagrid looked abashed. "I should have done that, shouldn't I?"
Minerva shook her head, adding one more thing to her mental list of things to do. Hagrid clearly needed more training in the responsibilities of being a professor. It was hardly his fault that no one had bothered to do it before now. If anything, it was hers and Albus's fault.
"Aaah, don' worry," ... jump in a lake. '"
"Those should have been reported too," Ameliasaid with a small sigh.
"Why bother?" Hagrid asked. "No one cares about me. I'm half giant."
"I care," Amelia said. "I care that people are attacking you based on your heritage. I would have helped you."
"Ah, but it wouldn' have been some'in for yer to deal with," Hagrid said. "Some auror would have got the case and just plain up ignored it."
Amelia didn't know what to say to that. She could only hope that he was wrong. But perhaps that was naive. There was certainly plenty of prejudice in the DMLE, and she hadn't succeeded in stamping it out yet. Nowhere close. "Well, you know me now, Mr Hagrid. If an auror ever ignores your report, you come straight to me. You hear me?"
Hagrid nodded, blushing brightly.
"No!" ... Chuck 'em straigh' in the fire."
Amelia sighed. Not the worst advice. It would be better to report them but at least she wouldn't be distressed by them. Or endangered.
"You missed a really good lesson," ... tell me about the gold?"
The Weasleys all groaned. They could guess where this was going.
"What gold?" ... it disappeared?"
"I didn't notice," Harry muttered. "I was too distracted, worrying about my wand being missing."
Harry had to think ... my wand, wasn't I?"
The adults all nodded. They could understand that. Being without your wand in a situation like the one they had found themselves in must have been terrifying for the young wix.
They climbed the steps ... pocketful of Galleons goes missing."
Mrs Weasley tutted but didn't say anything. She really was trying her best not to let her temper run away with itself.
"Listen, I had other stuff ... Chudley Cannon hat for Christmas."
George sighed. He didn't understand why money was such a big problem for Ron. Sure, they didn't have much, but they had enough.
"Forget it, all right?" ... "I hate being poor."
Arthur looked towards the fire. This was difficult to hear. He didn't like that his choices had upset his son.
"We're not that poor," George said with a huff. "There are plenty of people who have less than we do."
Ron shrugged.
Harry and Hermione ... Wish I had a niffler."
"That wouldn't help," Charlie said. "You'd probably just get in trouble for theft."
"Well, we know what to get you ... it's the last thing I do!"
Rita glared at the young witch. She hadn't forgiven her for trapping her in a jar!
Hate mail continued ... the whole Hall to hear.
"Okay, you can't tell me the staff aren't aware now!" Tonks complained. "Why didn't you do anything?"
The teachers all looked taken aback. Howlers weren't a common occurrence in the Great Hall. They should have noticed. But then they didn't all attend breakfast at the same time and most of them did tend to leave before the post owls arrived so that they could prepare for their first class of the day. It wasn't a good excuse but it was all they had.
Even those people ... she wrote about me last time.
"That's very mature of you," Severus said with a smile.
"I want to know how she's listening ... he walked away from the class.
Several people laughed at Harry's twitchy ears. Theo remembered just how cute Harry had been that day.
"Well, Rita's definitely not using ... anywhere near the lake!"
"Presuming he's telling the truth," Moodygrowled.
"Hermione, is there any point ... had you bugged," said Harry.
"Bugged?" Arthur asked, causing Hermione to quickly explain the muggle concept of bugging.
"Bugged?" ... read Hogwarts, A History?"
"Nope," Ron said.
"What's the point?" ... if it's illegal, I'll have her..."
Amelia grinned at the young witch's determination.
"Haven't we got enough ... "I'll do it on my own!"
Harry sighed. "More arguing."
She marched back up the marble ... Hate Rita Skeeter badges?" said Ron.
Hermione glared at Ron but he simply shrugged.
Hermione, however, did not ask Harry ... Her face fell when she saw it.
Mr Weasley gaped at his wife in surprise.
"Your mum doesn't read ... "Gets it for the recipes."
"MOLLY!" Arthur growled. "You didn't!"
"Sorry, Hermione," Molly said quietly. She really shouldn't have done that.
The Grangers frowned. On one side, the woman was certainly not obligated to give Hermione anything but... still. That had been needlessly cruel. Worse than if she'd given her nothing at all.
"It's okay, Mrs Weasley," Hermione said with a small smile.
"No. It's really not. It was very immature of me and I really am very sorry," Molly said, moving to give the girl a hug.
Hermione looked sadly ... a well-deserved break.
"Right," Ron said.
He is sending in regular owls ... Happy Easter.
"Percy, that was kind of rude," Bill pointed out.
Percy sighed. "I was very stressed. I'm sorry, Ron."
The start of the summer term ... the champions about the third task."
Everyone sat forward in concern. They knew it would involve a labyrinth of some sort and they knew that there was talk of creatures. This was not going to be good.
Chapter End Notes
Hope you enjoyed it. xo
The Madness of Mr Crouch Part 2
Chapter Summary
Harry and co finish the chapter...
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
So at half past eight ... Hufflepuff common room.
Cedric grinned at Harry. While he wasn't keen on the idea of participating in the tournament, he was grateful he had Harry with him. At least his older self wasn't alone.
"What d'you reckon ... got to find treasure."
"Underground tunnels?" Draco asked.
"They did it in one of the very first tournaments," Krum explained.
"That wouldn't be too bad," ... niffler to do the job for him.
That got a round of laughter from almost everyone in the chamber.
They walked down ... stopping dead.
Everyone who had not been there that year, waited in anticipation. They didn't want to know what had been done to their favourite pitch.
The Quidditch field ... examine the nearest one.
"A maze then," young Ron said.
"Maybe," young Hermione said, "but it might not be. It could be a labyrinth."
"That's the same thing," Ron muttered.
"It's not!" Hermione retorted. "A maze has dead ends while a labyrinth has a singular path."
"Hello there!" ... saved her sister from the lake.
Fleur blushed. The book was not wrong. She hadn't been very nice to the prince before the second task. She now felt deeply ashamed for it.
"Well, what d'you think?" ... what we're making here?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. Bagman was annoying.
No one spoke ... "A maze.
Young Ron gave a pointed look towards young Hermione. He had been right.
The third task's ... receive full marks."
"Simple he says," Fleur huffed.
"We seemply 'ave ... a number of creatures...
Almost everyone groaned. They could only imagine what sort of creatures Hagrid would provide.
then there will be spells ... head start into the maze."
"That's good, I guess," Sirius said with a sigh. He didn't really care if Harry won but surely the quicker he got into the maze, the quicker he could escape it.
Arcturus nodded his head in agreement. He couldn't wait for this book to end. He just hoped the next book was better. He didn't like how much his grandson's life seemed to be in constant danger. But he had a sneaking suspicion that wouldn't change in the next book.
Bagman grinned ... Should be fun, eh?"
"That man is balmy," Theo muttered.
Harry, who knew only too well ... it's a bit chilly..."
The Slytherins were all muttering between themselves about what they remembered from the third task. They'd seen slightly more with that task and they hadn't liked much of what they saw.
Bagman hurried alongside ... "Could I haff a vord?"
Krum grimaced, realising that their private conversation would be exposed to the entire chamber.
"Yeah, all right," ... slightly perturbed.
"I think he thought I was going to attack you," Krum huffed.
Harry laughed. "More like he was cross he had missed another opportunity to make sure I was ready to win so he didn't lose more galleons."
"I'll wait for you ... he walked toward the forest.
Sirius sighed. "Not the best direction to go in."
"What're we going this way ... turned to face Harry.
Everyone was pretty sure they knew what this conversation was going to be about and they weren't sure they really wanted to hear it. It really wasn't any of their business.
"I vant to know," ... Krum in amazement.
The Gryffindors in the chamber all gave out exasperated sounds. Harry could be so oblivious sometimes.
"Nothing," ... elaborated.
"I didn't believe you," Krum said. "Anyone could see how close you were."
"We're friends ... making things up."
"She's practically my sister," Harry said seriously.
"Hermy-own-ninny talks ... "because were friends."
Even Hermione was laughing now. She had in fact had a crush on Harry at one point. Quite a long time ago, now she thought about it. Second year, if she remembered correctly. It hadn't lasted long. As much as she loved Harry, she couldn't see them together. Not like that.
He couldn't quite believe ... a real rival -
Krum snorted. "There's no competition. You'd win hands down."
Harry's eyes bulged. "Only because I'm a prince."
"No. You're kind. Protective. Apparently, self sacrificing. Modest and a bunch of other things," Krum said. "Like I said, Hermione talked about you A LOT."
"You haff never ... I vos votching at the first task."
Harry blushed. He had appreciated that compliment.
"Thanks," ... The Wronski Feint, you really -"
Now it was Krum's turn to blush. It was nice receiving praise from some one else who flew as well as he did. He told himself that he'd help teach young Harry everything he knew so the kid could go pro if he wanted to. He had to have some fun in his life, being Mother Magic's chosen child was most likely going to be exhausting.
But something moved ... pulled him around.
The tension in the chamber ramped up immediately.
"Vot is it?" ... Mr. Crouch.
The aurors' attention was caught. What was Crouch doing there?
He looked as though ... gray with exhaustion.
Moody tutted at the description. He'd most likely been held prisoner in his own home.
His neat hair ... he alone could see.
"Oh dear," Molly whined. She was itching to grab Harry as if she could keep him safe from what had already happened in the book.
He reminded Harry ... shopping with the Dursleys.
Barty laughed almost manically. His father would hate being compared to a tramp.
That man too ... beggars and vagrants.
Kingsley was glaring at Albus, muttering about security risks.
"Vosn't he a judge?" ... Weatherby,
"Percy, he's talking to you!" George said.
"I don't believe so," Amelia said. "Didn't he have an assistant by that name when he had my position?"
"Do you know, Amelia, I think he did," Albussaid thoughtfully.
send an owl ... there will be twelve. . . . "
"Nope, definitely talking to Percy," George said.
"Mr. Crouch?" ... will you? Will you? Will..."
The aurors were eyeing the book seriously. "His mind is broken?" Tonks asked.
"Possibly," Amelia muttered. "He certainly seems to have lost track of time."
Mr. Crouch's eyes ... fell to his knees.
Barty eyed the book gleefully. He liked the idea of his father suffering. The others in the chamber probably wouldn't understand but he loathed the man.
"Mr. Crouch?" ... and get someone -"
"That is a terrible idea," Severus muttered. He didn't like the idea of Harry unprotected, alone with a madman.
"Dumbledore!" ... "I need... see... Dumbledore..."
"Imperious curse," Moody growled.
Amelia nodded. "Yes, and it would appear he's fighting it."
"Okay," said Harry, ... "Must... tell... Dumbledore..."
Lady Zabini huffs. "The school needs to find a way for students to summon teachers in emergency situations. I can think of countless times in these books that Prince Myrrddin needed a teacher and one wasn't there."
"Get up, Mr. Crouch," ... his mouth sagging.
"His?" Blaise asked. "What's he talking about?"
"The man is mental," Draco grumbled. "You don't expect him to make sense, do you?"
"No," ... "Warn... Dumbledore..."
"Warn him about what?" the younger kids all asked irritably.
"If I had to hazard a guess," Moody growled, "I'd say his son has escaped his prison."
"I'll get Dumbledore ... concert tonight with Mr. and Mrs. Fudge."
Amelia looked slightly smug. She knew it. It hadn't sat right with her that Crouch had forgotten his assistant's name. The man had an amazing memory for detail. And he wasn't that old by wixen standards, certainly too young to be going senile. Had someone been using memory charms on him? That could have a similar effect on his mind. While she agreed that he seemed to be under the imperius curse, she didn't think he'd been under it at the world cup. And he was already showing signs of memory issues then.
Crouch was now talking ... very proud indeed.
Barty huffed.
Now, if you could bring ... I know where his office is -"
Sirius thought that was a slightly better idea than Harry's first idea but he still didn't like it and by the tension radiating through Severus's entire body he didn't either.
"He is mad," ... Bertha... dead... all my fault...
"How does he know that?" Kingsley asked his older self.
"You should stun him," Luna said, "and levitate him to the castle."
Harry and Krum both frowned. Why hadn't they thought of that?
Amelia looked less convinced. "Unarmed and mentally unsound, we should not forget that he was still once the head of the DMLE. He won't take being attacked well."
my son... my fault ... Harry Potter...
Sirius tensed at the mention of Harry.
the Dark Lord ... "Help me, will you?"
"I was shell shocked," Krum said. "Things like that don't happen at Durmstrang."
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Harry said bitterly.
"In fairness, they didn't really happen at Hogwarts before you started either," Percy said with a shrug.
"That you noticed," Charlie said.
Looking extremely apprehensive ... sherbet lemon!" he panted at it.
"How do you know the password?" George asked.
"I didn't," Harry said.
This was the password ... glaring at Harry malevolently.
"It's changed every few weeks," Albus said. "Although if you tell the gargoyle that its an emergency he will call me down."
"And why don't the students know that?" Narcissa demanded.
"I..." Albus sighed. "I'm supposed to tell them in the start of year feast."
"Move!" ... "What are you doing here, Potter?"
Severus sighed. He could almost guarantee that his older self would be no help at all.
"I need to see Professor ... "What are you talking about?"
"He just told you!" Ron shouted angrily.
"Mr. Crouch!" ... an unpleasant smile.
Krum was glaring at Severus too now.
"The headmaster is busy?" Minerva looked ready to spit fire. "A student has just told you there is an emergency situation and you said the headmaster was busy."
"Pot meet kettle," Severus hissed. While he didn't agree with his older self's response, he wouldn't have Minerva tell him off for it. She was being massively hypercritical.
The older witch immediately deflated. The man was hardly wrong.
"I've got to tell Dumbledore!" ... he was so panicky.
"I really wish your older self was here right now," Sirius muttered angrily.
"You and me both, love," Severus replied. He'd happily give himself a piece of his mind.
"Look," ... looking between Harry and Snape.
"Finally!" Blaise huffed. He'd always liked his head of house but he didn't agree with the way he treated Potter.
"Professor!" ... looking twice as ugly.
Several people looked like they wanted to laugh but no one did, too scared of Severus's wrath.
"What did Mr. Crouch say ... Voldemort getting stronger..."
The adults in the chamber were all looking at the book with serious facial expressions.
"Indeed," ... anybody else saw Mr. Crouch?"
"Why would he ask that?" Tonks asked.
"He suspects there is an impostor in the castle," Moody growled. "I couldn't tell you if he's worked out who it is yet though."
"No," ... somewhere around here..."
"Oh dear," Fleur frowned. How had she known nothing about this?
"Lumos," ... peered around at the surrounding trees.
"So, whoever did it, didn't want to hurt Potter," Moody growled.
"How do you work that out?" Tonks asked her mentor.
"They waited for Potter to leave," Moody said.
"We don't know that for certain," Amelia said. "It could be coincidental."
"But you don't believe that, Amelia," Moodysaid sharply.
"No. Unfortunately, I don't."
"How is that unfortunate?" Tonks demanded.
"It means that whatever sinister plan they have for Potter, it won't involve killing him in the tournament," Moody explained. "They're keeping him alive for something."
"But we want Potter alive," Tonks said in exasperation.
"But it also means that there's a very real chance that they're planning to kidnap him." Ameliasighed heavily. "Kidnapping a student from Hogwarts should be impossible. You certainly wouldn't be able to pass through the wards with an unwilling child."
"The cup," Moody said. "It'll be a portkey."
Everyone gaped at the aurors. Just how were they able to... Was it just conjecture or were they really just that good at their jobs?
"Should I go ... "Stay here."
"I wouldn't want you out of my sight," Albussaid heavily.
He raised his wand ... "Ennervate."
"Not the best way I've ever woken up," Krum grumbled.
Krum opened his eyes ... he attacked from behind!"
"Doubt it was Crouch," young Kingsley said.
"Lie still for a moment," ... "Harry - what the -?"
"Gave me a right shock," Hagrid said.
"Hagrid, I need you to ... "I'm here."
"Of course he is," Moody huffed.
Moody was limping ... Snape said something about Crouch -"
"How did he know Potter spoke to Snape?" Amelia asked.
"The map," Mad Eye answered immediately.
"Crouch?" ... essential that we find him."
"He'll be dead by morning," Moody complained.
"I'm onto it," ... into the forest.
"I'd never have put my damn wand away," Moody almost shouted. He couldn't believe his old friend had missed the signs that were as clear as day to him.
Neither Dumbledore ... The Triwizard judge?"
"Karkaroff was not happy," Krum muttered.
"Igor," ... the ground at Dumbledore's feet.
Augusta Longbottom looked highly offended. "Well, really!"
In one swift movement, ... leaves showered down upon his head.
"You need to learn to control your temper," Professor Sprout said gently to Hagrid.
"Kindly escort Harry ... wait until morning, do you understand me?"
Sirius didn't like that but he had to admit it was probably safer. His older self could wait.
"Er - yes," ... "Stay, Fang. C'mon, Harry."
Everyone laughed. They all knew Fang was a coward.
They marched in silence ... lettin him lure yeh off on yer own -"
Hagrid looked sheepishly at Krum. "Sorry. That wasn't fair."
"Krum's all right!" ... Yeh can trust any of 'em."
Hagrid sighed. He didn't have a problem with foreigners. He'd just been angry with a particular French half-giantess.
"You were getting on ... You can' trust any of'em!"
Hagrid sighed. He'd forgiven her eventually. Although it had taken a while.
Hagrid was in such a bad mood ... tell them what had happened.
"I'll be glad when this book is over," someone said.
Harry grimaced. While the end of this book would suck, he didn't even want to think about how awful the next book would be.
Chapter End Notes
Hope you enjoyed this one xo
The Dream
Chapter Summary
Harry and co read another chapter, getting closer and closer to the third and final task.
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
They all continued onto the next chapter. Harry grimaced. He was not looking forward to the next few chapters. They were getting closer to the end of this particularly awful year of his life and the events coming up next were some of his worst memories. They didn't quite take the top spot but they were close enough. The problem was, there was little point in rushing through it because his next year at Hogwarts had actually been worse. And he couldn't put it off because it had only been a day and a half since their last break and he was pretty sure no one wanted one right now. Except him.
It comes down to this ... when Viktor wasn't looking."
"That would be my summation of things," Theo said quietly. His younger self had a thoughtful little frown on his face as he thought about it too. It was weird to think he'd once been that small.
"It must've been Crouch," ... He'd done a runner."
Theo rolled his eyes. "It's much more likely he was taken. The man was clearly not well."
"I don't think so ... Disapparating or anything."
Theo nodded his head, happy that Harry had agreed with him. There was a faint blush on his neck.
"You can't Disapparate ... enough times?" said Hermione.
The Slytherins all rolled their eyes.
"You missed the point," Draco said sharply. He was feeling surprisingly protective of his new cousin. "It doesn't matter how he left the grounds, so much as that he wasn't well enough to."
"Okay... hows this for a theory ... and then Stunned himself!"
Krum glared at Ron, highly offended. "I vould never!"
"And Mr. Crouch ... "Oh yeah..."
Blaise rolled his eyes. It was no wonder they were always coming to the wrong conclusions. First, Snape with the stone. Then Draco being the Heir of Slytherin. And now Krum. Who would they accuse next?
It was daybreak ... Mr. Crouch actually say?"
Susan Bones sighed. This was exactly like when she tried to tell her auntie a story. She'd over analyse every detail.
"I've told you, ... He mentioned his son."
"Well, that was his fault," Moody huffed.
"Well, that was his fault," said Hermione testily.
Moody laughed gruffly.
"He was out of his mind," ... You-Know-Who?" said Ron tentatively.
Several people seemed to shrink into their seats at the mention of Voldemort, even though they were sharing regular meals with the man.
"I've told you," ... probably just raving..."
"Never assume," Amelia said with a sigh.
"He was sanest ... to see Dumbledore."
Sirius frowned. It wasn't right that his son had to worry about this sort of thing. He should have been preparing for the third task. Or better yet, not in the tournament at all.
Harry turned away ... got out of the way?"
Severus grimaced. His older self was a real piece of work. He was going to have to spend days going over his memories to assess just how much of a bastard he was. His older self was clearly quite abusive. Was he like that too? He knew a lot of the students didn't like him and he certainly favoured Slytherin. But was he really as bad as his older self? If he was, things were going to have to change. He was going to have to change. His older self might have actually been responsible for Crouch's death, presuming he was in fact dead. Not that he liked the man. Couldn't stand him in fact. But that didn't change the fact, he shouldn't have prevented Potter from seeing the Headmaster. It had clearly been an emergency. Surely, even his older self could see that.
"Maybe he didn't want ... beaten you and Dumbledore there?"
The Slytherins all rolled their eyes.
"Get over it already," Blaise said. " Professor Snape didn't do it."
"Not unless ... bat or something," said Harry.
Severus chuckled. No. He couldn't do that. His animagus form was not a bat.
"Wouldn't put it past him," ... whether he found Mr. Crouch."
"You should leave it alone," Mrs Weasley said. "Leave it to the teachers."
The trio and pretty much all the younger people in the chamber gave her a gobsmacked look. Had she been reading the same book they had? The teachers weren't to be trusted with important things like this. And Harry clearly needed all the facts, if his life was in danger. Even some of the adults seemed to be in agreement with them.
"If he had the Marauder's Map ... "Shh!" said Hermione suddenly.
"That map truly is a marvel," Sirius said with a smirk.
Somebody was climbing ... lot of trouble for that-"
"Blackmail?" Ginny asked.
"- we've tried being polite; ... Ministry of Magic knowing what he did -"
"Who is it?" Draco asked.
"Who are they blackmailing?" Theo countered.
"I'm telling you, if you put that in writing, it's blackmail!"
"Better not to put it in writing," Lucius said with a slight chuckle, "if you're planning on blackmailing anyone."
"Yeah, and you won't be complaining ... sight of Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
Mrs Weasley turned purple, but she didn't say anything as she mentally counted to one hundred. She would not lose her temper. But who could her boys possibly be blackmailing? Her younger self was clearly struggling too.
"What're you doing here?" Ron and Fred said at the same time.
"That's what I'd like to know," Arthur muttered.
"Sending a letter," said Harry and George in unison.
That got a round of laughter.
"What, at this time?" said Hermione and Fred.
Another, much louder, round of laughter filled the chamber.
Fred grinned ... if you don't ask us," he said.
"Seems fair," Sirius said with a smirk.
He was holding a sealed envelope ... name on it was covered.
"That was definitely intentional," George said with a grin. "We always knew just how nosy you were, Harry. Ron and Hermione wouldn't have worked it out, but you would have."
Ron and Hermione both looked offended.
"Well, don't let us ... "Who're you blackmailing?" he said.
"Have you forgotten your agreement?" Blaise asked. "It literally happened two seconds ago."
Those sort of agreements were important in Slytherin. If someone wanted you to know their business, they'd tell you.
The grin vanished ... I was only joking," he said easily.
"Didn't sound like it," young Ron said, folding his arms. He wanted to know what they were up to.
"Didn't sound like that," said Ron.
The two Rons shared a grin.
Fred and George looked ... Can't see why you would, but -"
Mrs Weasley tutted, but still tried her best not to say anything. It was not getting any easier. The words 'this happened years ago' was a liturgy inside her head, but it was not helping.
"It's my business ... serious trouble for that."
Percy nodded his agreement.
"Told you, I was joking," ... you'll be made a prefect."
"Definitely got seer blood in the family!" Harry said.
"Didn't we tell you, Harry," Ron said. "We actually do. It was on my inheritance test and everything."
"Wow!" Harry grinned. "I totally knew it!"
"You must be a seer, Harry," Hermione said, rolling her eyes.
"No, I won't!" said Ron hotly.
"I thought you wanted to be head boy?" Bill asked.
"Er..." Ron wasn't sure what to say. He didn't actually want to be head boy or a prefect... He just wanted to be chosen. He definitely hadn't enjoyed the responsibility of being a prefect.
George carried the barn owl ... "About Crouch and everything?"
George gaped at Hermione. Where did she get that idea? If they'd known anything about that, they'd have told Harry and the teachers for sure.
"No," said Harry ... They'd tell Dumbledore."
George smiled. Harry was a good friend.
Ron, however ... "Yeah, but blackmail..."
George glared at Ron. He couldn't imagine their own brother would believe they would do that.
"It's this joke shop idea ... they want to start one.
"Why wouldn't we?" Fred asked. It had been their dream since... well, Fred wasn't quite sure when it had become their dream.
They've only got a year left ... they need gold to get started."
"Gold that we had every intention of earning ourselves," George said crossly.
Hermione was looking uncomfortable ... mind breaking rules, do they?"
George sighed. Sometimes, he really hated his family. Sometimes, it felt like Fred was the only one that actually saw him.
"Yes, but this is the law," ... maybe you'd better tell Percy..."
George glared at Hermione.
"Are you mad?" ... owl had departed,
"I wouldn't turn them in," Percy said with a grimace. "Unless, it was something really awful. And even then, I'd try and reason with them first. I think."
then said, "Come on, ... while he's asleep. Let's give it till break."
Moody smirked. He might well have done that. If it had actually been him, that is.
History of Magic had rarely gone ... her eyes out of focus.
"That ghost has got to go," Narcissa said.
When the bell finally rang, ... corner before he spoke again.
"No offense, Auror Moody," Astoria said, "but your eye is sort of creepy."
"Yeah, it is," Moody agreed. "It has different settings though. With a bit of silent magic, I can change what it sees and what it can see through. So, I can set it to only see through wood or stone. Or material that is a certain thickness. Or even a certain temperature. Most of the time, I use it just like a normal eye."
"Come in here." ... "Mr. Crouch?"
The aurors were all sitting on the edge of their seats, eager to hear what the impostor had to say for himself.
"No," said Moody ... He wasn't anywhere on there."
"So, he was already gone?" young Hermioneasked.
"So he did Disapparate?" said Ron.
Blaise laughed outright. "As annoying as I find Granger's constant reminders, how have they not sunk in yet?"
"You can't Disapparate ... disappeared, aren't there, Professor?"
Sirius grimaced. He didn't like the idea of his son and his friends in a room alone with a man he highly suspected was a death eater and based on everything the aurors were saying among themselves they suspected him too.
Moody's magical eye quivered ... "Mind works the right way. Granger."
Moody shook his head. Granger wasn't an auror, she would go to the DoM if she had any sense at all.
Hermione flushed pink ... He must've left the grounds, then."
"You're presuming that Moody is telling the truth," Theo said.
"I thought I could trust him," Harry said with a sigh. "Dumbledore trusted him."
Minerva had a few thoughts about that. She wasn't convinced she trusted the headmaster's judgment any more.
"But under his own steam?" ... flown off with him, couldn't they?" said Ron quickly,
"Not likely," Amelia said. "They'd most likely be seen."
looking hopefully ... the makings of an Auror.
Ron blushed.
"We can't rule out kidnap," ... he's not here."
"Unless he's dead," Moody growled, "or he's lying to you."
Several of the younger ones noticed that the auror was referring to himself in the third person. And all the adults seemed to be agreeing with him. Did the adults think that Professor Moody was an impostor?
He yawned widely ... keep your mind on the third task."
"Definitely planning to kidnap him then," Amelia said with a sigh. "It's a bit reckless, isn't it? Flaunting it, during the middle of a tournament like that?"
The other aurors all murmured their agreement.
"What?" ... with Krum the previous night.
Sirius brushed a hand through Harry's hair. He had such a one track mind.
"Should be right up your street, this one," ... your first year, didn't you?"
Everyone in the chamber seemed to agree with the impostor. This should be the easiest of the three tasks, at least for Harry.
"We helped," Ron said quickly. "Me and Hermione helped."
More eye rolls came from the Slytherins.
Moody grinned.
Moody couldn't wait for this book to be over so that the impostor would get out of his skin.
"Well, help him practice ... never have too many eyes out."
Moody grit his teeth. Fake Moody was too good at pretending to care.
Sirius sent their owl back ... the forest with Viktor Krum?
Harry blinked. This was the first time Sirius had ever sort of parented him. And he really hadn't appreciated it at the time.
I want you to swear ... You could have been killed.
Sirius was nodding along with his older self's words.
Your name didn't get into the Goblet ... A few hexes wouldn't go amiss either.
"Good advice," Amelia said.
There's nothing you can do ... "After all the stuff he did at school!"
Sirius chuckled. "Parent's prerogative."
"He's worried about you!" ... So listen to them!"
The adults all nodded their heads in agreement.
"No one's tried to attack me ... done anything to me at all-"
"They're luring you into a false sense of security," Severus said sharply.
"Except put your name ... Stunned Krum to kidnap Crouch.
"You thought the same thing only a few lines ago!" Draco said dramatically.
Well, they would've been in the trees ... I'm their target, does it?"
"Or it's just not the right time yet," Moodygrowled.
"They couldn't have made ... I had a duel or something."
"Because murdering you isn't their goal," Moody said, sitting forward. "It might be the end play, but there are other things that have to be done first."
Amelia nodded her head vigorously. This was becoming more worrying by the second.
"Harry, I don't understand it either," ... go sneaking off alone again."
"I hardly went sneaking off," Harry grumbled. "I told the adult I was with that I was walking back with Krum."
The adults all paused. Some were ready to say that Ludo Bagman hardly counted as a reliable adult. But that was hardly the point, Harry was right. He had done everything right. Technically.
The Hogwarts grounds ... sacrifices on Ron's and Hermione's part.
"Good. Stunning, disarming, minor hexes," Tonks said. "What else? There will be creatures. Probably should learn a bit more about those too."
"Can't we kidnap Mrs. Norris?" ... "Let's Stun her for a bit.
"RONALD!" Both Ginnys screeched.
Or you could use Dobby, ... "but I'm aching all over..."
Lucius glared at the red headed boy for suggesting Harry stun Dobby.
"Well, you keep missing ... "Just try and fall backward!"
Everyone gaped at Hermione. Did she really think anyone could control where they landed once stunned?
"Once you're Stunned, ... you take a turn?"
Everyone in the chamber sighed at the return of the bickering.
"Well, I think Harry's got it now ... some of these hexes this evening."
"Chicken," Blaise said with a smirk.
She looked down the list ... We'll start with that one."
"The Impediment Curse is a good place to start," Amelia agreed.
The bell rang ... silver ladder and the trapdoor.
Young Trelawney smiled serenely at hearing more of her own future. Even if it was likely to change now.
He was quite right ... It was extremely comfortable.
Professor Trelawney glared at Harry. She didn't like them opening the windows in her classroom. Rita Skeeter looked particularly impressed with herself.
"My dears," ... I will dim the lights..."
"Sounds like nap time to me," Sirius muttered to Severus, who chuckled dryly.
She waved her wand ... His eyelids began to droop...
Sirius smirked at his lover. "Told you so."
He was riding ... windows were boarded up...
Harry wondered at that beginning. It was odd. It was like a regular dream. Not quite like his most recent visions, where he was literally inside Moldy short's mind.
Harry had left the owl's back ... sobbing on the hearth rug...
Everyone held their breath. This felt strangely important. Significant somehow.
"You are in luck, Wormtail," ... He is dead."
"I'm guessing he means Crouch," Neville said thoughtfully.
"My Lord!" ... feeding Wormtail to you, after all...
"Shame," Sirius muttered.
but never mind ... still Harry Potter..."
Sirius's eyes roved over to where Tom Riddlewas sitting. "Did you just tell your snake that you'd feed her my son?" he demanded angrily, apparently not at all afraid that this man was in fact Lord Voldemort.
Tom grimaced. "It would appear so."
Sirius's fingers were itching to pick up his wand. But a slight tightening on his hand, had him looking at Severus. The man mouthed 'No violence in Mother Magic's domain' much to Sirius's annoyance, but it was enough to have Sirius settle back down, still glaring daggers at the once dark lord.
The snake hissed ... I beg you..."
Ron glared at the book. He hated hearing about the rat.
The tip of a wand emerged ... "Crucio!" said the cold voice.
The aurors were surprised. "So, he has a body?" Tonks asked.
"It would appear so," Amelia replied quietly. That was very worrying.
Wormtail screamed ... "Harry! Harry!"
Sirius pulled his son closer, wishing that younger Harry was with them too, but he was sitting with the younger Neville Longbottomagain.
Harry opened his eyes ... The pain had been real.
"How is that possible?" Theo asked. "It was just a dream, right?"
Draco shrugged. He didn't understand it either.
The whole class was standing ... What did you see?"
"He needs to go to the hospital wing!" Poppy said, her expression stern.
"Nothing," ... I have experience in these matters!"
"No, you really don't," Harry huffed.
Harry looked up at her ... see further than you have ever -"
"If only that was true," Harry muttered.
"I don't want to see anything ... denied a real treat.
Professor Trelawney frowned. She wouldn't have wanted him to share that particular vision with the class. She shouldn't have pushed him.
When Harry reached the bottom ... Dumbledore's office.
"Good," several adults said.
Harry rolled his eyes. They still trusted the headmaster far too much for his liking. Sure, he liked the older man but he didn't trust him.
He marched down the corridors ... Harry, was going to be fed to it instead...
"That must have been quite terrifying, Harry," Claudius, one of the mind healers said.
Harry merely grunted.
Harry had walked right past ... he didn't know the password.
"He's disassociating again," Claudius murmured to his younger self in concern.
"Like you said, it was terrifying. I wouldn't expect anything else."
"Sherbet lemon?" ... Cockroach Cluster!"
"What made you think it would be a sweet?" Remus asked.
"Have you met the headmaster?" Harry deadpanned.
Everyone laughed, especially the headmaster. "I do have a particularly sweet tooth."
The gargoyle sprang to life ... "I was only joking..."
"They're definitely not my favourite," Albussaid cheerfully.
He hurried through the gap ... hesitated, listening.
Minerva tutted.
"Dumbledore, I'm afraid I don't see the connection, ... linked with Barty Crouch's!"
"I presume that is the minister?" Lucius asked. "He really is especially dimwitted."
"And what do you think ... gone wandering off somewhere -"
Moody laughed bitterly.
"He wandered extremely quickly, ... you know what that woman is?"
There was a growl from both Hagrids. They didn't like what the minister was implying.
"I consider her to be ... monster fixation he's got -"
Hagrid actually laughed at that. He did have a bit of a fixation on beasts.
"I no more suspect ... who are prejudiced, Cornelius."
Lucius chuckled. The minister wouldn't like that.
"Can we wrap up ... He's just outside the door."
Several people shivered at the mention of Moody being able to see through doors.
Chapter End Notes
Hope you enjoyed the chapter.
The Pensieve Part 1
Chapter Summary
Everyone starts their last chapter of the day.
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
The door of the office opened ... chests rising and falling gently.
"Pretending more like," Albus said with a small smile.
Cornelius Fudge was standing ... "How are you?"
"And to think only a few weeks later he was calling you deranged," George said between gritted teeth.
"Fine," Harry lied ... "It was you who found him, was it not?"
Harry glared at the book. He didn't like Fudge one bit.
"Yes," ... she'd have a job hiding, wouldn't she?"
"Good boy," Sirius murmured quietly. If you overheard someone it was always better to acknowledge it. Well, most of the time. There were certainly some exceptions to the rule.
Dumbledore smiled ... perhaps if you just go back to your class -"
"He's there to see the headmaster!" Minerva complained. "What right does the minister have to send him back to class?"
"I wanted to talk to you ... "Hello, Fawkes," he said.
Albus smiled. Harry shared a special connection with his familiar.
Fawkes, Professor Dumbledore's phoenix, ... It had stopped hurting now.
"That's good," the parents in the chamber said almost as one.
He felt much calmer ... pulled open the cabinet door.
Albus frowned. That was odd. Why weren't any of the portraits telling Harry to stop snooping? Unless they thought the child should know something - something that was hidden inside his pensieve. It wouldn't be the first time they'd allowed a student to run amok in his office. It was usually when he'd done something to annoy them though.
A shallow stone basin ... Harry couldn't make up his mind.
Sirius sighed. "You know you really shouldn't..."
"I know," Harry groaned. "But I had no idea what it was."
"Curiosity killed the kneezle, Potter," Severussaid, his eyebrow raised.
He wanted to touch it ... a very stupid thing to do.
"At least you know that much," Theo said, rolling his eyes.
Oliver Wood laughed. "It won't stop him for long though."
He therefore pulled his wand ... prodded them.
Ollivander actually laughed. "How is touching it with your wand any better?"
The surface of the silvery stuff ... it looked like glass.
"What is it?" a young Dean Thomas asked.
"Memories," Seamus replied.
"Huh?" Dean blinked. "But memories aren't..."
He looked down into it ... its occupants were usually tied to it.
"A court room?" Tonks asked.
Where was this place? ... trying to see...
"Bad idea," Severus said, shaking his head.
The tip of his nose touched ... the substance inside the basin -
The muggle raised in the chamber all looked at the book in utter amazement. What had just happened?
But his head did not hit ... right next to Albus Dumbledore.
"Well, it is my memory after all," Albus said with a chuckle.
"Professor!" ... where are we?"
"At least you apologised," Sirius laughed. "Although, you'll have to do that again when the headmaster finds you stuck in his memories."
But Dumbledore didn't move ... something of the sort had happened again...
"Very well reasoned, Mr Potter," Minerva said with a wide smile. She loved how quick the young man was. He really was very inquisitive. Just like his parents. Although, he was a thousand times more polite than James and well, far less fierce than Lily. She wasn't sure she'd ever seen Harry truly angry before coming to this place.
Harry raised his right hand ... What were all these wizards waiting for?
"Nothing pleasant, that's for sure," Moodyhuffed.
Harry looked around more carefully ... Harry's insides went cold.
Albus sighed. "Yes, but they shouldn't be able to affect you, at least not directly. They are naught but a memory."
The dementors ... saw that it was Karkaroff.
Everyone sat forward at that. Was this one of the famous death eater trials?
Unlike Dumbledore, Karkaroff looked ... you have important information for us."
Barty growled. He loathed Karkaroff. He was the reason he ended up in Azkaban.
Karkaroff straightened himself ... eager to assist in any way I can..."
"Trying to buy his way out of Azkaban," Rookwood grumbled.
"It worked too," Doholov complained.
There was a murmur ... narrowed in intense dislike.
Moody smirked. "Never liked him."
"Crouch is going to let him out," ... throw him straight back to the dementors."
The death eaters in the chamber found themselves in agreement with the auror. They thought Karkaroff should have been kept in Azkaban. Information for a reduced sentence perhaps, but not letting the man go free. It was lunacy.
Dumbledore made a small noise ... ally itself with such creatures."
"And I still stand by that," Albus said. "It's inhumane and quite frankly the dementors are not to be trusted."
"But for filth like this ... He alone knew exactly who we all were -"
"And for good reason," Crouch said loudly. "Treacherous git."
"Which was a wise move ... some names for us?" said Mr. Crouch.
No one spoke. They had heard so many rumours of these trials over the year but rarely were they ever witnessed.
"I - I do," ... "There was Antonin Dolohov," he said.
"That won't help him," Antonin said. "I'm pretty sure they'd already caught me when they released him." They'd heard the rumours of his betrayal in the prison.
"I - I saw him torture countless ... the Dark Lord."
Antonin grimaced. "That's true enough. I did more than enough to land myself in Azkaban."
"Do you regret it?" Harry asked searchingly.
"Do I regret becoming a death eater? Torturing muggles? or fighting for what I believed to be right?" Antonin asked. "That's a complicated question. I certainly regret what I did. Being a death eater wasn't what I expected it to be. I just... I don't regret trying to defend the dark. I was terrified that my entire way of life was being eradicated. It doesn't excuse what I did. But I honestly feared that people like me, people with dark cores, were being marginalised. And well, the Dark Lord's promises were more than tempting. I didn't care for the violence. I didn't want to torture anyone or kill anyone either. But I was more than willing to do what I, at least then, believed was necessary to protect the dark."
"And helped him do it," ... I am delighted to hear it!"
"Liar," Rookwood laughed. He could easily imagine just how terrified Karkaroff was that his information might prove useless.
But he didn't look it ... killed in the struggle."
That got a wince from the death eaters. "He always was a bit foolish," Rookwood said. "He would have done anything to avoid Azkaban, even perform suicide by auror."
"Took a bit of me with him, though," ... "There was Travers - he helped murder the McKinnons!
Sirius growled loudly at that. His precious Marlene.
Mulciber ... countless people to do horrific things!
"Still does," Dolohov shivered.
Rookwood, ... inside the Ministry itself!"
"I wondered when he'd mention me," Rookwood sighed. "I wasn't a spy. I'd have been pretty useless at that since I spent most of my time in the DoM - and couldn't share its secrets. No. He kept me around to help him in his pursuit of knowledge. He was always looking up some arcane branch of magic, most thought was long forgotten."
Harry could tell ... to collect information -"
"Well, I might have done that on the side," Rookwood said with a sniff. "It wasn't my main role though."
"But Travers and Mulciber we have," ... "Wait, I have more!"
Rookwood rolled his eyes. The man was pathetic.
Harry could see him sweating ... Albus Dumbledore."
Several people gasped in horror - mostly the youngest of the children, who all stared at their future potions professor in fear.
"I promise you that I renounced the dark lord before his fall," Severus said. "I'll swear on my magic, if it puts you all at ease."
Harry turned to him and told him that wasn't necessary. If everyone could sit in a chamber with the dark bleeding lord himself, they could sit in a chamber with an ex-death eater.
"No!" shouted Karkaroff, ... no more a Death Eater than I am."
Minerva looked like she wanted to argue that point but she was hesitant. It had been Potter that told her Snape was a death eater, that he had killed Albus. Why was he now trusting him? Unless he knew something she did not. She would withhold judgment until she knew more.
Harry turned to look at Mad-Eye ... behind Dumbledore's back.
"I was skeptical," Moody said. "For several months. But he helped me with my investigations for several years after this and well, you get to know a person when you work together - no matter how distantly."
"Very well, Karkaroff," ... all else was swirling darkness...
Sirius wondered if that was all Harry had seen in the pensieve. That hadn't been overly informative however.
And then, the dungeon returned ... some sort of sporting event.
That got a bewildered look from several of the adults.
Harry noticed a witch halfway up the rows ... a younger Rita Skeeter.
Young Rita smiled, waving a hand at them all. She had just been starting her career back then.
Harry looked around ... a different trial.
"The trials went on for months," Moody said. "It was difficult for all of us."
The door ... Bagman walked into the room.
Several people let out a surprised, "WHAT?"
This was not, however, a Ludo Bagman ... managed a small smile.
"Was he arrested for being a death eater?" George asked suddenly. He could hardly believe it.
"Ludo Bagman, you have been brought here ... before we pronounce judgment?"
"He always was a bit of an idiot," Augusta huffed. "Far too easily led."
Harry couldn't believe his ears ... I know I've been a bit of an idiot -"
"Well, at least he knows it," Amelia said, rolling her eyes.
One or two wizards and witches ... Bludgers had permanently affected his brain..."
The adults struggled to not laugh.
"Ludovic Bagman, you were caught ... imprisonment in Azkaban lasting no less than -"
"And he'd have deserved it too," Moodygrowled. "That information caused deaths."
But there was an angry outcry ... even their fists, at Mr. Crouch.
"Idiots, the lot of them," Amelia grumbled. This was a criminal trial, not a popularity contest.
"But I've told you, I had no idea!" ... the rest of my life, can I?"
"Collecting information for our side?" Moodylaughed. "As if we'd trust any information out of his mouth."
There were titters ... those in favor of imprisonment..."
"A jury?" Hermione complained. "How is that fair? He's a public figure. They're never going to show neutrality."
Harry looked toward the right-hand ... against Turkey last Saturday," the witch said breathlessly.
"Like I said, IDIOTS the lot of them," Ameliasaid, rolling her eyes.
Mr. Crouch looked furious ... a sad day indeed for the Ministry..."
"Well, that explains why Crouch never liked Bagman," young Harry said quietly.
And the dungeon dissolved again ... her mouth with trembling hands.
Crouch seemed to curl into himself and Moodywrapped a tight arm around the younger man. He exchanged a look with Amelia who was sitting on his other side. This was going to be unpleasant for more than one person in the chamber.
"Er," Harry started. "I think you guys... Neville, I... You probably won't like the rest of this chapter. You or your gran." His eyes darted to Barty and he grimaced. He wouldn't like it either, most likely.
Augusta caught on first and seemed to straighten up. Quite impressive, seeing as she was already seated perfectly upright. "We will be just fine, Prince Myrrddin but we appreciate the warning."
Her and her younger self surprised everyone when they pulled their grandsons into their sides, cuddling them close. Young Harry looked bewildered at having his new friend desert him but shrugged it off when his cousin came and joined him with his friend Theodore Nott. Harry hadn't really spoken to the other boy yet but he seemed friendly enough. A little quiet. Kind of like him in that way.
Harry looked up ... twitching in his temple.
"He was furious," Barty laughed. "He could literally see his political career going up in smoke."
"Bring them in," ... flanking a group of four people.
"Group trials really shouldn't have been allowed," Harry said quietly. "They should have been tried independently."
Harry saw the people ... it were a throne;
Augusta looked like she'd happily rip the book to pieces, that or perhaps rip Bellatrix Lestrange apart with her bare hands.
and a boy in his late teens ... whimpering into her handkerchief.
"How old were you?" Ron asked suddenly, looking to Barty.
"Nineteen," Barty said gruffly.
Ron looked between Barty and Draco, comparing the two. If the war had gone on longer, this could be Draco's trial. There was only a year between them in age. It didn't seem right. Ron frowned. He'd been calling Malfoy a baby death eater for years but... honestly, he was a kid. A kid caught up in a war with very few options presented to him.
Crouch stood up ... pure hatred in his face.
Augusta hadn't noticed that at the time. She'd wanted the verdict she got. But... there was something fundamentally wrong about the idea of any father looking at his own son like that.
"You have been brought here ... "Father... please..."
No one spoke. No one even knew what they would say if they were to try and speak. They all felt like, much like the rest of these books, they really shouldn't be witnessing this. Young Neville had tears in his eyes as he shied away into his grandmother's side.
"- that we have rarely heard ... exiled master, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named -"
"Isn't it sort of ridiculous that they didn't even use his name in criminal trials?" Hermione asked Ron quietly.
Ron shrugged. Why would anyone want to use that name?
"Father, I didn't!" ... don't send me back to the dementors -"
The death eaters and Tom all looked towards Barty. Tom was horrified. He had led this poor child to spend his entire adult like imprisoned. Barty was shaking now, remembering the trial in perfect clarity, so much so that he wouldn't have been surprised if he were to learn that there was a dementor in the chamber. And then he felt a gentle wave of magic, pure loving magic, and his burden seemed to lift slightly. It was still there but dimmed by the magic that seemed to fill him. Forgiving and gentle and kind, much like his mother. He heard a quiet voice in his ear, "Hush, child, I promise, the pain will end."
Mother Magic's words were not heard by the others in the chamber but Barty found great solace in them.
"You are further accused," ... I now ask the jury -"
"I'm surprised he was allowed to stand in judgement over his own son," Mr Granger said sharply. "This is barbaric."
"Not to mention highly unprofessional," Mrs Granger agreed.
"In our world this would lead to a mistrial and they'd potentially go free," Mr Granger said. "He cannot possibly show neutrality or stand in judgement unbiased, therefore he should not be in that position."
"Mother!" screamed the boy below ... I didn't do it, it wasn't me!"
"They never let me explain," Crouch said. "He never let me defend myself. I didn't know what they were doing in the house. I standing guard. I didn't do it."
"I now ask the jury," ... deserve a life sentence in Azkaban!"
"This is pure theater," Mr Granger huffed. "You don't lead the jury like that."
In unison, the witches and wizards ... Don't send me there, don't let him!"
Still most of the chamber were unable to speak. The children were awkwardly trying to look anywhere but at the people affected most by the chapter.
The dementors were gliding back ... We alone tried to find him!"
Tom grimaced. That woman was mental. And to think she was one of his supporters.
But the boy was trying ... boy continued to struggle.
Barty was sobbing now.
"I'm your son!" ... "I have no son!"
"That bastard," Sirius muttered. "He should have met my mother. They'd have been fast friends."
The wispy witch beside him ... not to have noticed.
"His wife fainted and he didn't even notice," Mrs Weasley gasped in horror.
"Take them away!" ... No! No! Father, please!"
Utter silence met those words. No one knew quite what to say.
Chapter End Notes
Thank you for all your awesome support guys! I'm glad you've been enjoying this series so much.
The Pensieve Part 2
Chapter Summary
They finish their last chapter of the day before they all get a strange surprise that could lead to chaos...
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
"I think Harry, it is time ... looking right at him.
"That was weird," Harry said quietly, "seeing two of you."
Albus smiled softly.
"Come," ... the cabinet door was sort of open and -"
"That wasn't an apology," Mrs Weasley said with a small chuckle.
"In fairness, he did apologise to memory me," Albus said, eyes twinkling.
"I quite understand," ... memories crammed into my mind."
"Can't say I've ever felt that way," Ron said.
"Er," ... when they are in this form."
"You can often spot things you missed the first time," Amelia said. "We use them all the time in the DMLE."
"You mean ... stronger and clearer than ever..."
"The dark mark?" young Lucius asked.
"A connection I could have made ... have attracted your attention."
"Perfectly understandable," Albus said reasonable, surprising most people. They wouldn't have been quite so forgiving about having their own memories invaded in such a way. Fortunately, it hadn't been anything particularly personal for the headmaster.
"I'm sorry," ... exercise caution with our curiosity... yes, indeed..."
Sirius smiled. That was how a teacher was supposed to correct behaviour. The headmaster had clearly made a lot of mistakes during Harry's time at Hogwarts, but in moments like this one, he actually did a really good job. It was highly frustrating because Sirius really just wanted to be angry and hate the man for endangering Harry continuously.
Frowning slightly, ... kissing Florence behind the greenhouses last Thursday..."
Sirius blushed. That had been him.
"But why Bertha," ... "That was Bertha as I remember her at school."
"Nosy little..." Sirius muttered, causing Severusto smirk.
The silvery light from the Pensieve ... - er - I fell asleep."
Filius laughed. "Just what every teacher wants to hear."
He hesitated here ... "Quite understandable. Continue."
The teachers all gaped at him in disbelief.
"Well, I had a dream," ... "It woke me up, it hurt so badly."
Albus frowned. That dream wasn't quite what he might have expected, given Harry and Tom's connection. Harry had been an outsider looking in. That was good. At least he hoped it was. Perhaps the connection wasn't that strong. He still hadn't forgiven himself for not considering that the goblins might have been able to help. He should have thought of that. How arrogant he had been!
Dumbledore merely looked at him ... over the summer?" said Harry, astonished.
Everyone gaped at the book. How had he known?
"You are not Sirius's ... safest place for him to stay."
Remus almost growled. Albus had encouraged Sirius to hide out in a cave? Albus himself looked surprised at that. He could think of plenty of places where he could have hidden and been close at hand. And still been able to enjoy a warm meal and a bed.
"Should have sent him to me," Abe said gruffly.
Dumbledore got up ... looked at Harry.
Everyone was waiting eagerly to hear what the headmaster had to say about the dream. Surely, he would say something.
"My apologies," ... Lord Voldemort is near you,
Sirius huffed. Anyone with half a brain could work that out.
and when he is ... surge of hatred."
"It's not just hatred," Harry muttered. "It was any strong emotion."
"But. . . why?"
The others in the chamber wanted to know the same thing.
"It's the horcrux," Rookwood said. "It formed a mental connection between you. Presumably as the Dark Lord became stronger, those feelings became more pronounced and the connection strengthened."
"Because you and he are connected ... did it really happen?"
"That's impossible!" Young Hermione said.
"Not impossible, but highly improbable," Siriussaid. "It would take particularly strong magic to forge such a connection. I'm not sure much would do it. Except the horcrux..."
"Or having the gift of sight," Luna murmured.
"It is possible," ... did you see Voldemort?"
Harry blinked at the question. Had Dumbledore worried even then that he might have been Voldemort in the dream?
"No," said Harry ... he hasn't got a body, has he?
Harry looked to the headmaster. "Was your older self worried that..."
"Worried that you were most likely Voldemort in the dream?" Albus asked, a somber look on his face. "Most definitely."
"Did you - did he fear me being possessed?"
"No. Not that. But I imagine that I feared that the closer you got, the further into his mind you strayed, the more likely it would be that Voldemort would notice your presence and try and use it against you."
But... but then ... held the wand?" Harry said slowly.
"Good question," Moody gruffed.
"How indeed?" ... "do you think he's getting stronger?"
Someone let out a panicked little squeal. Harry could only presume it wasn't someone from his own time.
"Voldemort?" ... even Moody's magical eye could not.
Severus wondered if the man was using mind magic, only to remember the number of times he'd felt the exact same way in the man's presence without feeling even a slight probe against his shields.
"Once again ... unlike most of my Ministry friends."
"The man from Harry's first dream!" Theo said suddenly. "That was real too."
Dumbledore looked very seriously ... while waiting outside my office."
Amelia frowned. She wasn't Dumbledore's biggest fan. She'd blamed him for the deaths of her brother and his family. But if he'd come to her with his concerns, she liked to believe that she would have listened. Certainly more so than Fudge ever would.
Harry nodded ... in the Pensieve?"
Mrs Weasley smiled. Harry really was a very polite young man.
"You could," ... Neville's parents?"
Young Neville whimpered slightly.
Dumbledore gave Harry ... by his grandmother?" he said.
Augusta frowned. She remembered when the children had met Frank and Alice at the hospital. She had been disappointed to realise that Neville didn't talk about them. Now, she thought she understood a bit better. Who was he close enough to that he felt safe to share such personal information. She hoped that the prince would become that friend for her grandson. They certainly seemed to be getting closer.
Harry shook his head ... four years of knowing him.
"You didn't ask because you didn't want to talk about your own home life," Albus said with a sigh. "And inevitably, asking about his would lead to questions about your own."
Harry nodded. That sounded right.
"Yes, they were talking ... "So they're dead?" said Harry quietly.
"No. Not dead," Augusta said. "Far worse than that."
"No," said Dumbledore, ... They do not recognize him."
The children all shared horrified looks. They couldn't imagine how awful that must be for Neville.
Harry sat there ... bothered to find out...
"I'm sorry, Neville," Harry said softly. "I should have been a better friend."
Neville shrugged the apology off. Harry was a good friend. They just hadn't been that close.
"The Longbottoms were very popular," ... have been involved?" said Harry slowly.
"I was involved," Barty said. "I was... I was outside, standing guard."
Dumbledore shook his head ... "Mr. Bagman..."
"Idiot of a man!" Molly grumbled.
"...has never been accused ... "No more has Professor Snape," he said.
Severus rolled his eyes.
Harry looked into Dumbledore's ... supporting Voldemort, Professor?"
Severus glanced up at the book, wondering if the headmaster would tell him.
Dumbledore held Harry's gaze ... Professor Snape and myself."
The teachers all huffed their disagreement. After everything that happened in the last two years, they were no longer willing to accept that answer. Especially now that they knew the truth. Harry had shared it with the order after all.
Harry knew that the interview ... He stood up, and so did Dumbledore.
"You read emotions very well, Mr Potter," Albussaid softly. "It will be a good skill to have as prince."
"Harry," ... let people know, when he is ready."
"That's why you never mentioned it?" Neville asked.
Harry nodded. "I thought you'd tell me when you were ready, if you ever did."
"Yes, Professor," ... "Good luck with the third task."
Pomona smiled softly. She was tempted to tell him off for showing favouritism but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Potter would need all the luck he could get. It was as if Lady Fate herself was conspiring against him.
There was a flash of bright light but nobody flinched this time. They were all quite used to Mother Magic's sudden appearances. They were surprised by who she had brought with her, however. Most of the people in the chamber did not know the six people. Some of them had seen them at Kings Cross but never in such close quarters. Most in the chamber knew of them, but had never been able to put a face to what the books had told them about them. Only a small few recognised them immediately and Mother Magic was quick to remind them of the no violence rule.
Harry was shocked. Just what were the Dursleys doing in Mother Magic's realm.
Young Harry looked more than shocked. He looked downright terrified. He rushed to Harry's side, hiding behind his older self.
"Your aunt, uncle and cousin have been reading the books too, my child," Mother Magic said.
But Harry couldn't even look at her. His eyes were trained on his two uncles. They were both purple with anger and Harry had a sneaky suspicion that Mother Magic had put a silencing spell on him.
"Why would you bring them here?" Sirius demanded. He'd love to ring their necks but he couldn't understand why the immortal had done such a thing.
"It is important that they know just who their nephew is," she said. "I want them to know just who they have harmed."
There was a vicious gleam in her eye and Harry knew that even if Madam's Bones abuse case flopped, he'd still get some sort of vengeance. Mother Magic would ensure it. Not that he really thought he wanted vengeance. He mostly just wanted to get as far away from them as possible.
She turned towards the Dursleys. "You ridiculed my chosen child for what will happen next in this book and I want you to understand just what it was that you taunted him about. I want you to know the full depth of your crimes before I hand you over to my brother."
"Y-your brother?" Dudley asked.
Harry wondered if he was the only one that hadn't been silenced. Even his younger self looked like he was trying to scream.
"Lord Death," Mother Magic said, causing Dudley's eyes to widen in fear. She sighed, rolling her eyes. "Although I might show you leniency, Dudley. You certainly seemed to learn the errors of your ways eventually. The same can not be said for your parents and they have already been marked for death. Their souls are his to claim whenever he pleases."
Mother Magic personally hoped that her brother extended the hunt and made sure to torture them with it. A quick death would not provide adequate punishment in her humble opinion.
Chapter End Notes
Hope you enjoyed it!
Beings, Beasts & Freaks
Chapter Summary
The younger ones get an unexpected lesson...
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
No one seemed to know quite what to do with themselves after Mother Magic left and the silencing charms on the Dursley family finally fell. It was like all hell broke loose and they were all just present to witness the explosion. Young Harry was eyeing the exit to the chamber, like he desperately wanted to make a runner for it.
"Where the hell has that FREAK brought us now?" the elder Vernon demanded.
They were all horrified. Did he just call Mother Magic a freak?
Both Petunias were clinging to their sons as if they feared what the other people in the chamber might do to him, screeching loudly. The younger Dudley was complaining about not getting to watch his favourite television show. He wanted to know when they would finally be going home from this strange place, where there was nothing fun to do. With the freakish woman who insisted that he actually read a handful of books about his annoying cousin. He'd actually quite enjoyed the stories, so long as he ignored the fact that they were written about his cousin but he wasn't about to tell his parents that. It would have been better to watch a film of the whole thing but seeing as how he had nothing better to do in the strange place that the freaky lady had left them in, he'd actually read the things.
This place wasn't that different. Except there were more people here. He wondered if the food magically appeared here too. Although, that freakish lady never gave him enough food in his opinion and he'd had to steal food off his parents' plates at practically every meal. Not that they seemed to care, neither one of them wanting to eat the freakish food. Dudley wasn't sure why they thought the food was freaky. It tasted normal enough.
Young Harry hid behind his older self, shaking violently. Why had Mother Magic brought them here? His older self wasn't fairing much better. He was standing stock still, unable to move.
"YOU!" Petunia screamed when she spotted Harry. "This is all your fault!"
Sirius, Remus and Arcturus were the first to move, blocking the two Harrys in, away from the Dursleys. Everyone seemed to move on mass after that, coming to stand between the Dursleys and the two Harrys.
No one seemed to know quite what to do. Or what they should say to this particular set of new arrivals. No one felt particularly inclined to explain what was happening or why they were here. Or to help them find a suite of rooms for the night. There wasn't a single soul in the chamber that wanted to talk to them at all. What's more they couldn't just sit them down and continue reading as they had finished for the day. Professor McGonagall sighed. It was time for the children's lessons but honestly, she didn't feel particularly inclined to force them into the classroom chamber, not when young Harry was looking so...
"Children, lessons are cancelled for this evening," she announced. "Why don't you all go and spend an hour or so..."
She was at a loss for what to suggest they do. The goblins in the chamber stepped forward and suggested that the younglings come and explore the other side of Mother Magic's realm. There was a secretive grin on the Goblin King's face. "You'll find all sorts of interesting things through our door."
The adults looked a little hesitant to let their children out of their sights but they had to admit that they would be safer through the door. Especially seeing as how most of the adults in the chamber were having to actively remind themselves of the No Violence rule. Young Theotook Harry's hand and guided him through the door. "Come along, Harry."
The others were quick to follow, only glancing back once or twice. Young Harry grinned once he entered the other chamber, all thoughts of the Dursleys pushed from his mind, as he saw what was waiting for them. The chamber through the door was nothing like he'd ever seen before. The ground was a rich earthy soil and trees seemed to be growing out of the walls. All around the room, different magical beings were sitting and standing around, discussing the most recent events in the other chamber. Harry noticed a strange lake to one side of the room where he could hear the screeches of the merpeople. Harry noticed that there seemed to more than one type of merperson present and he had questions about that. Lots of questions. A herd of centaurs were sitting in one corner and Harrysaw one that he suspected might be Firenze. The centaur waved and smiled towards him. It really was him. He had about a thousand questions he'd like to ask the centaur.
His eyes moved away to where a group of tiny house elves were playing some strange game he'd never seen before. These house elves were even smaller than the ones he'd seen so far and Harry thought they must be children. Further into the chamber, there was a couple of hags drinking butterbeer. Although Harry noticed they were eyeing the centaurs and merpeople with distaste. There was a sphinx lounging on a rock as if sunning herself. Harry's eyes widened as he noticed there was even a giant in attendance, although he looked like he was on the verge of losing his temper because the story had ended for the time being.
"Thedius wants to listen!" he shouted loudly, stomping one foot, creating a mild earthquake.
A handful of banshees seemed to be trying to reason with him, which Harry noticed didn't seem to be going the way they wanted it to. Harry found himself feeling relieved that he'd taken the time to read several books on magical creatures, beasts and beings in Mother Magic's library so he could hopefully try and avoid offending any of those present.
"Come in, come in, younglings," the Goblin king said, encouraging them all to sit down in the centre of the chamber, in what seemed to be a large clearing.
Once everyone was seated, the Goblin king settled himself on a rock. "I know the adults in the other chamber have been giving you lessons about beings and beasts, but we thought it was time for you to learn about us from ourselves."
Harry grinned. This was guaranteed to be interesting.
"I suppose we can start with us goblins," the king said, showing his teeth. "Wix have made a bit of a muddle of defining magical beings. First they said, you could only be a being if you walked on two legs. We goblins proved the foolishness of that idea when we brought every creature that walks on two legs to the wizards council. Everything from Diricawls to trolls. It was deliciously violent. Ghosts were offended too as they glided rather than walked. The trolls caused absolute havoc. Then they said we had to speak the human tongue. This was just as foolish. Humans have many tongues, just live we have many languages. The goblins could learn to speak any human tongue we saw fit, but we prefer gobbledegook, our own tongue. The merpeople cannot speak human tongues but that does not limit their comprehension of language and communication. There are many dialects of mermish. I speak five of them including Merrow and Selkie. Technically, acromantula and manticores could be considered beings by this standard. Even Jarveys could attend a council of beings if that was the standard we kept to. The ghosts were further offended as they were perceived to be non-living."
There was a round of laughter from the beings and beasts around the chamber. Harry was surprised to realise they were all listening closely too.
"We goblins, refused to participate under that definition, because it excluded merpeople," the Goblin king said with a nod to the merpeople in the lake. "So in 1811, the wizard council tried again. Grogan Stump defined a being as 'any creature that has sufficient intelligence to understand the laws of the magical community and to bear part of the responsibility in shaping those laws.'" A perfectly adequate definition, if we were all considered equal. We do not all play a part in shaping the magical community and so the definition falls short."
The children were all listening closely, some more than others. Theo was still holding Harry'shand and he was grateful for it. He was hyper aware of the door back to the other chamber, fully aware that his relatives were on the other side of it. Even so, with Theo's hand in his and the beasts and beings all around him, Harry was surprised how safe he felt.
Harry had a question but he wasn't sure if he could ask it. The goblin king seemed to notice his hesitance and asked, "What is it youngling?"
"Would you change the definition or just change how the system works?" he asked quietly after a reassuring squeeze to his hand from Theo.
"The system certainly needs to change, youngling," Ragnok said. "But I imagine the definition could use some work too."
Harry nodded. He desperately wanted to know what the goblin would change. He didn't know much about how wixen people interacted with other beings but from what he'd heard in the books it didn't seem like they all lived in harmony, working together. If anything, wix seemed to be very prejudiced against all beings and beasts.
"Back to us goblins," Ragnok said, "we are known for many things. Mostly, banking and metalwork. But our healers are second to none and our curse breakers are the best in the world. We're restricted from wanded magic by the wixen community, not that we need a wand to perform magic. For our particular brand of magic, a wand would prove more of a hindrance than a help. So, we've never really seen reason to challenge that. Goblin culture is nothing like Wixen culture, and our laws are not the same either."
The king went on to describe the values and views of the goblin nation, telling the children stories of goblin rebellions in a way that was so different to what they would come to hear in their History of Magic lessons that none of them were likely to forget this particular lesson in a hurry.
Meanwhile, just through the door, chaos reigned. The Dursleys had been silenced once more and more than one person was sorely tempted to stun them for good measure. Everyone seemed to have something they wanted to say to the six muggles and were not willing to wait their turn, leading to something of a free-for-all shouting match. Harry was beginning to get a headache from all the shouting.
"YOU VILE..." Minerva was shouting loudly as Pomona threatened to unleash her plants on them. Filius had taken to shouting expletives at them in gobbledegook and the death eaters were describing in perfect detail exactly which curses they would use on them. Ron was egging them on quite violently as Neville Longbottom actually spat at Harry's uncle.
"SHUT UP!" he shouted eventually, losing his temper. "Would you all just shut up."
They all turned to him in shock.
"Shouting at them isn't going to help anyone," Harry said with a sigh. "Can we just get them settled in and call quits for the night. If we're lucky we can finish this book tomorrow."
"But Harry," Sirius started.
"I don't want to deal with them tonight," Harry said.
"You surely don't expect us to eat dinner with THEM?" Ron said, folding his arms.
Albus sighed. "Mr Potter is not the one who brought them here. Mother Magic has brought them here, so I suggest we do our best to get along as best we can."
"But Albus," Minerva began.
"Minerva, why don't you show them to a suite of rooms," Albus said softly, leaving no room for argument.
Once the professor had led a resistant Dursley family out of the main chamber, Albus turned to everyone else. "I cannot force you to be polite to them," he said eventually. "And to be completely honest, I'm not overly inclined to do so. But, I will ask you to do your best to keep them away from Harry and his younger self."
There was a murmur of agreement from the others in the chamber. They could do that, even if they couldn't promise to keep the no violence rule. Protecting Potter was the least any of the could do.
After that, everyone seemed to disperse. Harry made his way over to Madam Bones, asking for a second of her time. The older woman led him to the room that the DMLE had claimed as their mini headquarters.
"What can I do for you, Prince Myrrddin?" she asked once they were both sitting.
"I need to talk to you about Barty," he said.
Amelia didn't look surprised, but that wasn't because she wasn't. That had been the last thing she thought he might want to talk to her about. She had expected this conversation to revolve around the Dursleys.
"Barty?" she asked.
"When we leave this place," he said, "he's going to need rescuing."
Chapter End Notes
Thank you so much for reading... Next chapter, we'll finally get to the dreaded third task.
The Third Task Part 1
Chapter Summary
DAY THIRTY FIVE IN THE CHAMBER...
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Harry was relieved when the children returned from the other chamber, talking animatedly about goblins and merpeople and centaurs. Harry had clearly enjoyed himself. But his older self still noticed the way, the boy seemed to glance about as if looking for his relatives. They sat as far away from the Dursleys as possible at dinner time. Both Petunias were refusing to eat and the two Vernons did so grudgingly. All four of them watched on in concern as both Dudleys happily ate the food in front of them. The two Harrys were quick to leave after dinner, choosing to spend the night in their own chambers away from prying eyes. Neither boy slept particularly well, both worried about the Dursleys and older Harry feeling especially concerned for what was due to happen next in the book. He didn't want to have to relive everything that happened in the graveyard.
He struggled enough talking about it. He didn't like even thinking about it. Reading about it would be awful.
But morning came quicker than Harry expected, seeing as how he had barely managed to get an hour or two of sleep. Harry went through the motions of his defense lesson and ate his breakfast in silence. The Dursleys were not particularly willing to listen to the book, but they seemed to have been temporarily scared into silence. Sirius and Remus sat close to the two Harrys, eyeing the Dursleys with distaste. The Dursleys for their part had hidden in one corner of the chamber, trying to stay away from all the others.
"Dumbledore reckons ... a relief to siphon them off.
Albus smiled sadly. That was not something a child should ever understand. Having too many thoughts was not a good thing.
Ron stared into the common room ... he knows he was a Death Eater?"
There was grumbling coming from the teachers and Severus wondered what he had done to offend his colleagues in the future.
"Yes," ... done with a Pensieve.
Hermione smiled briefly. A pensieve would be very helpful. She considered all the ways she could use one to study.
"Rita Skeeter," ... information to the Death Eaters.
Rita smirked.
And Winky too, remember ... talked about it at home."
The aurors were nodding in agreement. Although, they didn't think Bagman was the issue the children should be focusing on. There was an impostor at Hogwarts.
"Yeah, but Bagman didn't pass ... turning back to Harry.
The aurors rolled their eyes. Again, Madame Maxime was not the problem.
"Yeah," said Harry, ... she doesn't want to admit it-"
"Who would?" Hagrid said gruffly. "With how prejudiced wix are?"
"Of course she doesn't," ... telling the truth."
People all around the chamber nodded their agreement. Vernon was muttering under his breath about magic and giants and freaks. But no one paid him any mind at all. Mostly, the wixen in the chamber seemed to have decided it was best to pretend the Dursleys were not there at all.
Hermione looked at her watch ... you need to get some sleep."
Sirius frowned. They didn't have a lot of time left before the third task. They couldn't afford to waste time.
Harry and Ron went slowly ... about Neville's parents.
"Thank you, Harry," Neville said quietly.
Harry shrugged off the appreciation. It was the least he could do.
As Harry took off ... unable to recognize you.
Neville grimaced as eyes all around the chamber turned towards him.
He often got sympathy ... He understood how they had felt...
The Longbottoms didn't speak. Augusta sighed heavily, holding her grandson's hand tightly.
Then he remembered ... died a year later...
"Or not," Moody growled.
It was Voldemort, ... who had ruined all these lives..
Tom sighed. The child wasn't wrong. This was all his fault.
Ron and Hermione were supposed ... these hexes in class."
"Who are you?" George asked. "And what have you done with Hermione?"
"Good training for when we're all Aurors," ... excited and tense again.
"Everyone was talking about the third task," Theo said with a sigh. "It made studying next to impossible."
Everyone was looking ... prepare himself for what lay ahead.
"That's true enough," Seamus said with a grin. "Your years at Hogwarts prepared you for this one."
Tired of walking in on Harry ... she had looked up the counter-jinx.
"All good choices," Tonks said.
"You're still doing really well, ... "What's Malfoy doing?"
Draco grimaced. He was pretty much guaranteed to get in trouble with his parents for whatever Weasley had spotted him doing.
Harry and Hermione went to see ... using a walkie-talkie," said Harry curiously.
"What's a walkie-talkie?" Arthur asked.
Young Hermione briefly explained the concept to the older wizard.
"He can't be," ... don't work around Hogwarts.
"I didn't say he was," Harry said with a sigh. "Only that it looked like it."
Come on, Harry," ... "let's try that Shield Charm again."
Draco sighed in relief. Although, his parents were certainly watching him closely, both looking suspicious.
Sirius was sending daily owls ... his power to influence it.
Sirius was nodding his head in agreement with his older self.
If Voldemort is really ... our attention to other matters.
"Keeping you safe always comes first," Sirius murmured in Harry's ear.
Harry's nerves mounted ... an enormous relief.
Harry snorted. Yeah, some relief.
Breakfast was a very noisy affair ... pumpkin juice all over it.
The adults all groaned. What now?
"What?" ... "Rita Skeeter again?"
Rita looked particular pleased with herself. Her younger self looked almost fearful at what the book would say next. She just hoped she could fix whatever damage her older self had caused.
"No," said Ron, ... the Slytherin table.
Lucius sighed. He was seriously wondering if he and his wife needed to attend parenting classes.
"Hey, Potter! Potter! ... seats to see Harry's reaction.
Severus glared at his godson.
"Let me see it," ... beneath the banner headline:
"Something really needs to be done about this," Remus said.
"I'll be handling it," Arcturus said. He would not allow his grandson's privacy to be dismissed like this.
"HARRY ... DANGEROUS"
"Disturbed and dangerous?" Sirius said coldly, pulling out his wand. "I'll give you disturbed and dangerous."
Harry had to pull him back, with the help of Severus.
The boy who defeated ... attend Hogwarts School.
"Where the hell did she get an idea like that?" young Arthur demanded.
Draco blushed. He was at least partly to blame for this article.
Potter, the Daily Prophet ... attempted to kill him).
"How did she know about that?" Amelia asked.
On Monday last, ... too badly to continue studying.
"She wasn't there," Tonks said. "Was she?"
"The window was open," Moody growled. "And her animagus form would certainly lend itself to sneaking about."
It is possible, ... his deep-seated confusion.
"Deep seated confusion?" Claudius asked. "No healer worth their salt would talk to a reporter about a minor."
The other mind healers seemed to be in agreement with him.
"He might even ... a plea for attention."
"Oh, Merlin," young Minerva grumbled.
The two Vernons were smirking. "See even the freaks think he's an attention seeking brat," Vernon told his wife.
She shushed him, not wanting to draw the ire of the wizards to her family.
The Daily Prophet, ... a Hogwarts fourth year.
Lucius sighed. He already knew about this. He had written to Draco about it at the time. Although he hadn't been particularly focused on curbing his behaviour. Not when his mark was darkening. He had been half tempted to grab his family and run. But that wouldn't have saved them, so he'd been making counter-plans. Not that any of them had helped at all.
"There were a lot of attacks ... set a snake on another boy.
"Funny," Justin said. "Seeing as you are the one that cast the spell."
It was all hushed up, ... anything for a bit of power."
Draco grimaced. He should really apologise again but if he kept apologising he'd never stop.
Parseltongue ... associated with evildoers.
"Prejudiced fools," Amelia huffed.
Similarly ... a fondness for violence."
"Harry isn't violent!" Hagrid complained loudly as he struggled to ignore the way Vernon Dursley was laughing.
Albus Dumbledore should surely ... takes place this evening.
"YOU BITCH!" Mrs Weasley screeched at Rita. "He was a child. Just a child."
"He's a public figure," Rita argued. "The people have a right to know..."
"He has a right to his privacy!" Sirius got to his feet. "He was only fourteen."
Arcturus grinned maliciously at the woman. "If I have my way, you won't have a job when we return."
"Now, just a moment," young Rita said. "I haven't done any of this. And I certainly don't intend to."
Arcturus actually laughed. "You expect us to trust you?"
"Well, no," Rita admitted. "But I'd appreciate being given the benefit of the doubt. Everyone else is getting a second chance, why not me too?"
Arcturus considered that. The problem was he didn't really feel like giving her a second chance. "There will be no articles about my grandson in any news publications that are not pre-approved by me."
The witch nodded at that. Although she had noticed that he'd avoided saying that he'd be kind enough to approve something she wrote. She had a sinking feeling that he'd refuse her articles on principle.
"Gone off me a bit, ... folding up the paper.
Rita gaped at the book. She'd expected a better reaction than that.
Over at the Slytherin table, ... waggling their tongues like snakes.
"The school definitely needs more teachers," Pomona said. "Were any of us there?"
The other teachers were all grimacing, thinking the exact same thing.
"How did she know ... "I opened it to breathe."
"The wards really need updating if reporters can get in without anyone knowing," Kingsley said in concern.
"You were at the top ... "You tell me how she did it!"
Several people sighed. One thing they would not miss when they finally finished these books was all the childish bickering.
"I've been trying!" ... ran her fingers through her hair.
"That's the moment she worked it out," Ron said with a grin.
"Not that she shared her suspicions with us," Harry grumbled.
"Are you all right?" ... Harry and Ron stared at each other.
"I thought she'd spilled her upper cauldron," Ron said, tapping his head.
"I've had an idea," ... just to make sure!"
The aurors had to admit the girl was impressive. Very intelligent. Although she was definitely not suited to being an auror. Aurors had to work in pairs. They knew better than to handle a case alone. Even research was done together. It was the only way to ensure yours and your partner's safety.
With that, Hermione seized her school bag ... do in Binns's class - read again?"
"I was using every spare moment to study for the task," Harry said.
Exempt from the end-of-term tests ... after breakfast," she said.
Harry smiled over at Mrs Weasley. That had been a pleasant surprise. He hadn't imagined for one moment that she would come to watch the task.
"But the task's not till tonight!" ... a chance for you to greet them."
"That's a rather insensitive thing to say," Siriushuffed.
She moved away ... does she?" he asked Ron blankly.
"Like we'd ever come to that flea ridden school of yours," young Vernon said gruffly.
"Dunno," ... didn't want to go into the chamber.
"I'm sorry, Mr Potter," Minerva said softly. "I didn't think."
He had no family ... Cedric stuck his head out.
Several of the adults looked close to tears and Harry grimaced because the pitying looks were back.
"Harry, come on, ... opened the door into the chamber.
One or two people laughed at the idea of the Dursleys at Hogwarts.
Cedric and his parents ... front of the fireplace, beaming at him.
Sirius smiled, nodding to Molly. He mouthed a quick thank you.
"Surprise!" ... incredible against the Horntail."
Charlie nodded. "He was. I thought we'd have to intervene but he handled it perfectly."
Fleur Delacour, Harry noticed ... earrings with fangs on them.
Both Fleurs blushed brightly. Fleur couldn't believe how observant Harry was.
"This is really nice of you," ... every time they were mentioned.
"Well, I tried to be polite about it," Mrs Weasley said. "But anyone could see they weren't good people."
Vernon and Petunia took offense to that. "How dare you!" Petunia started.
"One word," Molly screeched. "Cupboard!"
Petunia practically snarled.
"Anyone who keeps a child in a cupboard deserves to rot, if you ask me," Molly said.
"No one asked you," Vernon retorted.
"It's great being back here," ... Sir Cadogan?"
The Gryffindors all groaned.
"Oh yeah," ... at four in the morning -"
"What were you doing out of your dormitory at four in the morning?" Minerva asked, mouth agape.
Molly chose not to answer, eyes twinkling.
"What were you doing ... a nighttime stroll," she said.
"A nighttime stroll?" George asked disbelievingly. "That's a euphemism if I've ever heard one."
"He got caught ... your father's still got the marks."
That got a round of laughter from the adults. They remembered the old caretaker.
"Fancy giving us a tour ... looking Harry up and down.
Amos frowned. He hadn't be particularly kind to the prince that day.
"Bet you're not feeling ... "What?" said Harry.
Sirius growled. Why did people seem to forget that his son was only a child?
"Ignore him," ... the only Hogwarts champion."
Amos blushed.
"That was stupid of you," Blaise said, folding his arms. "Anyone with any sense knows what Skeeter is like."
"Didn't bother to correct her ... Mrs. Weasley and Bill.
"How was I supposed to do that?" Harry asked seriously. "She wouldn't have listened to me. No one ever does."
"Still ... working at the Ministry!"
"Exactly!" Blaise huffed. Potter dealt with enough drama with the kids at school, he didn't need adults picking on him too.
Mr. Diggory looked ... turned away.
"I apologise, Prince Myrrddin," Amos said. "I.. Well, I don't really have an excuse."
Harry had a very enjoyable ... "Not good," said Bill.
Percy grimaced. He was surprised that Potter had asked after him.
"He's very upset," ... Cornelius Fudge is going to be doing it."
"They thought I should have realised something was wrong," Percy said. "But nothing changed. He was still calling me Weatherby and everything. They were very consistent."
They returned to the castle ... How was your exam?"
"That was weird," Ron said. "I never expected to see my mother at the Gryffindor table."
"Oh... okay," ... Urg the Unclean; it wasn't hard."
That got a laugh from the Goblin King who had decided that he would join the wixen this morning. He liked the young prince and he was going to help him in any way he could.
Fred, George, and Ginny ... "Are you going to tell us -?"
"Not bloody likely," Ron muttered. Hermione was very secretive.
Hermione shook her head ... much more stiffly than usual.
The adults all turned to Mrs Weasley. What was that about?
"Hello," ... Because Hermione's not my girlfriend."
Arthur shook his head in disappointment. Sometimes, Molly could be very foolish.
"Really?" Minerva said, her tone stern. "What happened to all that talk about Rita?"
Molly blushed. "I'm very sorry, my dear."
"Oh!" ... warmer toward Hermione after that.
The adults sighed. People everywhere believed the daily prophet far too much. Themselves included.
Harry, Bill, and Mrs. Weasley ... didn't eat much.
"Perfectly understandable," Poppy said. "But you'll need your energy."
As the enchanted ceiling overhead ... and silence fell.
"I'm not sure I'm ready for this," Sirius told Severus.
Harry heard him and silently agreed with him. "I hope you've got a batch of calming draught to hand, professor."
Severus nodded his head. He was prepared. And based on the look Potter was giving him, his preparations would be necessary.
Chapter End Notes
The third task is finally here... I hope you're ready for this. Because I'm not.
The Third Task Part 2
Chapter Summary
The kids are eager to hear about the third task and those that fought in the war are scared for what happens after it.
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
"Ladies and gentlemen, ... the stadium now."
The children grew excited. They had been anticipating this chapter. They'd all grown up hearing stories of the Triwizard Tournament.
Harry got up ... "Confident?"
"I was nervous," Harry admitted, "but less than I had been for the other tasks."
He wasn't ready for this. He knew they would all have questions and it was guaranteed to be difficult. His heart was racing, spiked with adrenaline and he didn't like the achy feeling that they would blame him for everything that happened. People always did.
"I'm okay," ... made him feel better.
The adults all smiled at that. He'd tried his best. That was good. Confidence was important.
They walked onto the Quidditch field ... dark and creepy.
"Dark and creepy?" Fleur said. "It was downright scary."
Five minutes later, ... get you, do you understand?"
That had some of the people in the chamber feeling marginally relieved. They wouldn't be completely alone. There were adults close at hand. They tried their best to ignore the intrusive thoughts that told them that these adults had repeatedly let down the prince already.
The champions nodded ... voice echoed into the stands.
Harry smiled over to Hagrid. He was a good friend.
"Ladies and gentlemen ... Beauxbatons Academy!"
There was a loud cheer from all the children. Harry almost laughed. It was as if they'd completely forgotten that something was guaranteed to go wrong. They had no idea what would happen. They just thought this was another task, another game. They didn't appreciate what sort of danger lay in that maze. Or what was waiting for him and Cedric out of it.
Harry could just make out ... hurried forward into the maze.
Cedric smiled, grateful that his older self wasn't alone.
The towering hedges ... while Cedric took the right.
Cedric grimaced. He probably wouldn't hear much more about his older self now. Not unless they crossed paths again.
Harry heard Bagman's whistle ... Harry sped up.
Sirius was already sitting on the edge of his seat, prepared for something awful to happen.
His chosen path ... Still, there was nothing in sight.
"That seems odd," Krum said. "I came across creatures within the first two minutes. Nearly got eaten by a kappa. Had to get through a kappa infested swamp."
Fleur nodded. "Indeed. I came across a nest of runespoors."
Bagman's whistle blew ... being watched was upon him.
"Good instincts," Moody growled. "Listen to them."
The maze was growing darker ... right again as soon as possible.
Hermione smiled, happy that he was using that useful little spell.
The path ahead was empty too, ... his way unblocked.
"That's highly suspicious," Kingsley said to the other aurors.
Harry didn't know why ... a false sense of security.
Moody agreed. He wouldn't have liked it either. That would have been extremely unnerving.
Then he heard movement ... The sleeve of his robe was smoking.
Cedric grinned, gratefully to hear that his older self was okay. He knew that his older self would die soon. His older parents had made sure to warn him but really, that had just put him on edge. He knew it was coming and he felt really uneasy about it.
"Hagrid's Blast-Ended Skrewts!" ... a dementor gliding toward him.
"Surely not!" Mrs Zabini said. "You wouldn't! I don't believe it!"
"There were no dementors in the maze," Minerva said sharply.
"The book just..." Narcissa began.
"Keep reading," Harry said with a sigh.
Twelve feet tall ... "Expecto Patronum!"
"I'm still amazed you learned that spell in your third year," Madam Bones said, an edge of excitement to her voice.
A silver stag erupted ... seen a dementor stumble.
"It's not a dementor," Remus said with a smirk. "Must be a boggart."
"Hang on!" ... his wand held high once more.
"Good," Moody growled. "Important to be ready for anything."
Left... right... left again ... mist floating ahead of him.
Everyone stared at the book wondering about the strange mist. Albus tilted his head in thought.
Harry approached it ... blast it out of the way.
"Not likely," Tonks said with a laugh.
"Reducio!" ... should he double back?
"Double back," Sirius said. "You have no idea what that enchantment will do to you."
He was still hesitating ... "Fleur?" Harry yelled.
Fleur glanced at Krum, giving him a small smile. She didn't blame him in the slightest.
There was silence ... ran through the enchanted mist.
"BAD IDEA!" Hermione cried out. "Very bad idea."
The world turned upside down ... blood rushed to his head, think...
"Not the easiest thing to do when the world turns upside down," Harry said quietly.
But not one of the spells ... disqualified from the task.
The children were all leaning forward, wondering what Harry would do.
He shut his eyes ... Immediately, the world righted itself.
"That's far too simple," Remus laughed.
Harry fell forward onto his knees ... she couldn't reach her wand?
Bill wrapped an arm around his wife tightly.
Harry took the right fork ... One champion down...
Fleur laughed. She couldn't blame Harry for that. She'd have felt the same way, if their positions were reversed.
The cup was somewhere close by ... front of the rest of the school...
Harry grimaced. He would give anything not to win. Although, he wouldn't have wanted any of the others to end up in the graveyard in his place either.
He met nothing for ten minutes ... facing a Blast-Ended Skrewt.
Hagrid grimaced. The things were massive by that time and he hadn't really wanted to include them in the tournament. They were insanely dangerous. More dangerous than he'd ever thought they would be but he'd promised the headmaster. Almost all the beasts were XXXX or worse.
Cedric was right ... "Stupefy!"
Hagrid frowned. That wouldn't do much.
The spell hit the skrewt's armor ... shell-less underside.
Sirius was practically vibrating. Severus was preparing to hand him a calming draught but Harry stopped him. "Not yet. The next chapter is probably going to be worse."
Severus frowned but listened to him all the same, wrapping Sirius in a warm embrace instead, whispering reassurance in his ear. "He's here. He's safe."
If the next chapter was worse, then Potter was right. He couldn't have two calming draughts one after the other. He wouldn't risk overdosing his lover.
Panting, Harry pushed himself ... "What the hell d'you think you're doing?"
Young Amos sat up straight. What was going on?
And then Harry ... "Crucio!"
Everyone in the chamber turned towards Krum. And Harry could see them breathing in quickly as if they were all about to blow up.
"An unforgivable?" Amelia whispered in disbelief.
"How could y-" Mrs Weasley started.
"Keep listening," Harry said. "It wasn't his fault."
Amos grimaced. Harry had already told him all this. He'd told him when he was still in the hospital wing after the task. And Dumbledore had told them too, but it hadn't truly sunk in. Amos wondered if it ever would.
Vernon grumbled under his breath about wishing it was Harry that had been hurt. It took everything Sirius and the others had not to curse the man themselves.
The air was suddenly full ... "Stupefy!" Harry yelled.
Krum nodded at Harry. He was grateful that the younger man had stopped him.
The spell hit Krum in the back ... grabbing Cedric's arm.
Amos sighed in relief. He knew what was coming. He didn't want it to happen but a quick death would have been better than that. The idea of his son experiencing the cruciatus curse... It sent shivers through him and he felt violently sick.
"Yeah," ... staring at Krum.
Krum looked devastated. He'd never used such a curse before. His wand had felt tainted after that. No longer his own.
"So did I," ... "You don't think Krum got her too?"
Fleur whimpered.
"I don't know," ... he'll probably be eaten by a skrewt."
"Would deserve him right," Fred muttered to his twin.
"He'd deserve it," ... "Oh... yeah... right..."
"I'd completely forgotten about the task," Harry admitted, feeling slightly abashed.
It was an odd moment ... It was between him and Cedric now.
Amos grit his teeth. He wasn't sure he could listen to this. His wife was sobbing at his side and it was taking all his self control not to do the same.
His desire to reach the cup ... Triwizard Cup that badly...
"No. Definitely not," Krum said shortly.
Harry sped up ... Monster Book of Monsters.
"That can't be good," Charlie said nervously.
It was a sphinx ... blocking his progress.
Sirius was hyperventilating. If James wasn't already dead, he'd kill him himself for leaving him solely responsible for their son. Parenthood was difficult. But being Harry Potter's parent, that was not difficult, it was practically impossible. Death seemed to be around every corner, waiting to snatch him up.
Then she spoke ... The quickest way is past me."
Sirius's shoulders sagged in relief. This was nearly over. Except Harry had said the next chapter would be worse. How could anything be worse than teenagers using unforgivables on each other?
"So... answer was going to be.
That got a round of nervous laughter.
"No," ... away from me unscathed."
"Well, that's not so bad," Hermione said with a sigh of relief.
"Speak for yourself," Dean said. "I'm terrible at riddles. I'd be dead."
Harry's stomach slipped ... "Can I hear the riddle?"
Everyone leaned forward, eager to hear the riddle.
The sphinx sat down ... Harry gaped at her.
"How are you supposed to guess that?" Ron asked.
Hermione however was already thinking through the clue. "Disguise? Spy. The last thing to mend? Not sure about that."
"The inside of a wound always takes the longest," Madam Pomfrey said. "Not sure that helps though."
"The middle of middle?" Hermione continued. "End of end?"
"The letter D," Severus said.
"A spider?" Ron asked. "I'd definitely hate to kiss a spider."
More laughter helped dissipate the tension in the chamber.
"Could I have it again ... I wouldn't want to kiss?" Harry asked.
"Good," Remus said. "Take your time."
She merely smiled ... an impostor.
"Should you be reasoning aloud?" Daphne asked. "Won't she attack?"
No, that's not my guess ... could I have the last bit again?"
Draco groaned. Potter was going to get attacked by a sphinx. He just knew it.
She gave him ... Er's a sound!"
"Is it?" George teased. "I never knew."
The sphinx smiled at him.
"She's a very patient sphinx," Bill said. "I've met a few in Egypt and they were pretty blood thirsty."
Young Harry looked like he wanted to ask about a thousand questions but his eyes darted over to the corner where his relatives sat and he didn't dare ask a single question.
"Spy... er... spy... er... " ... a spider!"
"YES!" Hermione grinned. "Well done, Harry!"
The sphinx smiled ... he might have a chance...
Young Draco didn't look so convinced. That had taken quite a while.
Harry broke into a run ... a hundred yards away.
The children all cheered. Sirius sagged in relief. It was finally almost over.
Suddenly a dark figure ... get there first.
Amos closed his eyes. If Cedric had taken the cup alone, he'd never have found out what happened to him.
Cedric was sprinting ... had not seen it -
Mrs Diggory let out a scream. Severus passed her a calming draught. She took in gratefully.
"Cedric!" ... "On your left!"
Cedric grinned at Harry. "That's the second time you saved me that task."
He wondered if that meant that he was supposed to die. Did it mean that it was his time? His fate? He hoped not. He'd quite like to live long enough to actually graduate.
Harry couldn't return the smile. He hadn't saved Cedric when it mattered most.
Cedric looked around ... bear down upon Cedric.
Mrs Diggory was as white as a ghost as she held her son tightly.
"Stupefy!" ... Stupefy!"
"That won't work," Sirius almost shouted. Harry needed to get out of there.
Arcturus rubbed his chest. He made a conscious effort to focus on his breathing. He couldn't afford to let his fear run away with him. If he did, he might well have another heart attack.
But it was no use ... he was in excruciating pain.
"That's not good," young Poppy said. "Acromantula venom is highly toxic."
Madam Pomfrey frowned. She hadn't treated Harry for that.
He could hear Cedric yelling ... "Expelliarmus!"
That got a cheer from everyone who had seen Harry in action during the war. Everyone seemed to think it was his signature spell, much to Harry's annoyance.
It worked ... a tangle of hairy legs.
Mrs Weasley's shoulders hunched forward. She wasn't sure she wanted the children to hear about this. Not that it mattered, they would know about it anyway when they returned to the new timeline. She wasn't sure she wanted to hear what came next either for that matter.
"Harry!" ... looked around.
"You shouldn't be standing on that leg," Madam Pomfrey said crossly.
Cedric was standing feet ... take it. You're there."
Cedric gaped at Harry. He couldn't believe that Harry was just giving him the cup.
But Cedric didn't move ... saved my neck in here."
Amos smiled sadly, feeling immensely proud of his son.
"That's not how ... win any races on this leg."
"You were injured saving me!" Cedric said.
Cedric took a few paces ... we can get out of here."
Cedric laughed. They were both being noble.
Cedric watched Harry ... we're square."
Cedric shook his head. They were far from square.
"I had help on the egg ... I should've done that."
Amos rolled his eyes. Silly Cedric. Silly Harry. They were surprisingly alike. Far too noble. If it had been him, he'd have taken that cup for himself.
"I was the only one ... Hufflepuff House hadn't had in centuries.
The puffs looked momentarily offended, before one or two shrugged. The book wasn't wrong.
"Go on," ... "Both of us," Harry said.
"Finally," Blaise grumbled. "A Slytherin would have taken the cup already."
"I guess I'm less Slytherin than the hat thought then," Harry laughed. Although his laughter was tense and fragile sounding, and it brought more of those pitying looks that he hated so much.
"What?" ... Let's just take it together."
Sirius smiled at Harry, pride radiating in his eyes.
For a moment ... "One - two - three -"
Severus frowned. Potter had said the next chapter would be worse. He squared his shoulders in preparation.
He and Cedric both grasped ... Cedric at his side.
"A portkey?" young Minerva asked.
The aurors were nodding, they'd suspected something like this might happen. They didn't like being proved right.
"You were already injured?" Lucius asked, an eyebrow raised.
Harry nodded.
Lucius nodded. "Impressive."
He didn't think he could duel anyone - let alone the dark lord - with acromantula venom in his leg.
"I think we're all in agreement that the Triwizard Tournament will not be returning," Amelia said shortly, daring anyone to argue with her.
Chapter End Notes
Hope you enjoyed it! xo
Flesh, Blood, and Bone
Chapter Summary
Harry and co read another chapter with plenty of tears.
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Harry felt his feet slam ... "Where are we?" he said.
The adults all frowned at the book. This wasn't good. The aurors in particular were on the edge of their seats.
"How is this even possible?" Amelia huffed. "The wards should have prevented this, surely?"
"I would have thought so," Albus said. "Except, certain wards would have had to be lowered to allow the beasts in for the tournament. If you wanted to interfere with the wards, it was the perfect time to do, I imagine."
Cedric shook his head ... mountains surrounding the castle were gone.
"Not good," Sirius said. "You need to grab the portkey and get the hell out of there."
"Will it take them back?" young Ron asked. "Is it even a two way portkey?"
"Only one way to find out," Fred said.
They were standing ... cup was a Portkey?" he asked.
"That was Crouch's idea," Minerva said. "It was supposed to bring the winner back to the outside of the maze."
"That explains why the wards didn't protect them," Albus sighed.
"Nope," ... "Wands out, d'you reckon?"
Moody nodded. Their wands should already be out. He would make sure both boys had that drilled into their heads before they left this chamber.
"Yeah," ... they were being watched.
Moody grimaced. That wasn't good. It was fortunate that Potter had such good instincts though. It would give him a little warning of an attack. Not much. But it was something.
"Someone's coming," ... between the graves.
Severus handed Sirius a calming draught. This was going to be bad. That much was certain. He also passed one to Arcturus. The man was looking alarmingly pale.
Harry couldn't make out ... merely a bundle of robes?
Both of Cedric's mothers were holding him tightly and his heart was racing. He knew what was coming but it didn't make it any easier to hear.
Harry lowered his wand ... watch the approaching figure.
"Do not lower your wand!" Moody growled.
It stopped ... Harry's scar exploded with pain.
"You-Know-Who?" young Ron asked.
It was agony ... "Kill the spare."
"NO!" Cedric's mother cried out. "Not Cedric. Please. Please."
Tom blinked rapidly as he watched the two mothers fall apart. He had caused their pain. This was all his fault.
A swishing noise ... "Avada Kedavra!"
"CEDRIC!" Mrs Diggory screamed.
No one else spoke. There was nothing they could say. Nothing that would make this better.
A blast of green light ... he opened his stinging eyes.
"The only reason I lived was because they needed me for the ritual," Harry said quietly, tears in his eyes. "It wasn't because I was better than Cedric. Or knew something he didn't. I was just useful."
He shied away from their attention, hiding in Sirius's side. His younger self was staring at the book in shock. Harry had warned him. Told him all about this but all his explanations had left him ill prepared for just how terrifying this all was.
"They killed the wrong boy," Vernon huffed under his breath, causing a normally mild mannered Remus to growl loudly at him.
Cedric was lying ... He was dead.
Cedric let out a deep breath. Finally, it was done. He didn't have to wonder about it anymore. He knew how his older self died. It was done.
For a second ... being pulled to his feet.
"Focus, Harry," Hermione cried.
"It's not that easy. I'd never seen..." Harry began. "Sure, I can remember my parents dying but this was different..."
"You were in shock," Galenus Everleigh said softly. "Anyone would be."
"I remember when my mum died," Luna said. "I didn't speak for a month."
Dudley looked sick. He couldn't fathom what his cousin had gone through. His mother was staring at the book as if she could smell something sour.
The short man in the cloak ... TOM RIDDLE
"My father's grave?" Tom asked.
Harry nodded.
The cloaked man ... It was Wormtail.
"I'll kill him," Sirius said, raising his wand.
"No!" Harry said, forcing Sirius's wand arm down. "No violence, remember."
"You!" ... some twenty feet away.
Sirius really didn't know how his son was going to get out of this. One thing was for sure, he was going to be the most overprotective father imaginable after all this.
Some way beyond him... ground at Cedric's feet.
"You don't even have your wand?" Astoria sniffled.
Theo was muttering curse words under his breath.
The bundle of robes ... he didn't want that bundle opened...
"I feel sick," Daphne muttered.
The other Slytherin girls nodded their agreement.
He could hear noises ... full-grown man to sit in.
"A resurrection ritual," Rookwood murmured. "Necromancy?"
"Death magic?" Bill gasped in horror.
The children all stared at the book. They remembered their magical theory lessons. They were told to avoid magic like that. It wasn't to be messed with. Not unless you understood it, something not many people did. And they were pretty sure Rookwood had said something about always asking for Lord Death's blessing before performing necromancy.
The thing inside the bundle ... away into the darkness.
"Good. That snake needs to stay away," Draco said. He was not a fan of Nagini.
The death eaters were all nodding in agreement. They did not like the snake.
The liquid in the cauldron ... "Hurry!"
Amelia frowned. She really wasn't sure how Potter had survived this. He was wandless, tied up and completely alone. And what was worse, no one knew where he was.
The whole surface of the water ... ugly, slimy, and blind -
"What is it?" young Ginny asked her mother.
"Nothing good," Molly replied.
but worse, ... with gleaming red eyes.
Several of the younger children let out a scream. Professor Snape busied himself distributing calming draughts.
The adults in the chamber were not fairing much better. Several people were crying. Others were clutching family members. While one or two paced the chamber.
"No child should have to witness that," Mrs Weasley cried, wishing that she could pull Harry into her arms and hold him tightly so that she might be able to protect him from everything that had happened to him.
The thing seemed almost helpless;
"Not how I'd describe it," Sirius laughed darkly.
"Me neither," Kingsley said.
it raised its thin arms ... let it drown...
Harry huffed. All the wishful thinking in the world wouldn't help.
Wormtail was speaking ... you will renew your son!"
Rookwood shook his head. "This ritual never ends well. Everything I've read about it suggests the subject will be... well, not human, that's for sure."
"That's sick," Lee said, looking ready to vomit.
The surface of the grave ... you will - revive - your master."
The death eaters listened thoughtfully. Very few of them would willingly give their own flesh for the dark lord. Not even at the height of his power.
Seamus sighed. It was no wonder Harry hadn't wanted to talk about this. And to think he hadn't believed him. Seamus felt like a terrible friend.
He stretched his right hand ... Harry's closed eyelids...
"What was happening at the school while this was going on?" Remus asked.
"We thought they were still in the maze," Minerva said tearfully. "We had no idea."
"The wards didn't alert you that the portkey had left the castle grounds?"
"No. At least, I don't think so. Albus certainly didn't say anything about the wards."
"If the cup was already a portkey and had been keyed into the wards, they wouldn't alert me." Albus had his head in his hands. How had his older self missed that? He should have known better than to allow a portkey on Hogwarts soil. It wasn't done. The heirs of noble and ancient houses studied in that school, the rules that governed it were strict for their protection. While Albus thought all children deserved the same level of protection, he didn't disagree with the security measures. He had faithfully tried to adhere to them wherever possible. He'd made some errors in judgement, especially early on in his career but he had thought that he had learned from them. To allow a portkey of all things...
Wormtail was gasping ... resurrect your foe."
Sirius had to be physically restrained as he went to launch himself at Wormtail. The man himself was hiding behind Madam Bones whimpering loudly.
"That snivelling bastard!" George said. "I'll gut him."
"I'd threaten to use him as potion ingredients but he's already done that to himself," Severussaid snidely.
Harry could do nothing to prevent it ... a dribble of blood fell into it.
Sirius was spitting mad. How dare he use his son's blood in a necromantic ritual!
He staggered back to the cauldron ... let it have gone wrong...
People all around the chamber were crying now. This was awful. How had the Prince survived this?
Young Vernon had a hopeful gleam in his eye. Perhaps the brat would die…
And then, suddenly, ... please let it be dead...
"It wasn't dead," Harry said. He could feel tears in his eyes. He'd had nightmares about this for months afterwards.
Dudley looked traumatised. He'd bullied his cousin over this. Laughed and ridiculed him for having bad dreams about his dead boyfriend. This was a thousand times worse than... well, anything he could have imagined.
But then, through the mist ... Lord Voldemort had risen again.
Tom shuddered, horrified to hear what had become of himself.
Chapter End Notes
Thank you so much guys for all the awesome comments. We're so close to the end now...
Quick reminder, please don't beg for chapters. I love it when you comment and I don't mind hearing that you can't wait for another chapter, but please don't just send a comment saying "When will the next chapter be posted?" or "Please update." I have a full time job and am first and foremost writing this for fun. Those sort of comments do not make this fun.
That said, thank you to everyone for the awesome comments and all the love. I really do appreciate it. xo
The Death Eaters
Chapter Summary
Everyone in the chamber read another chapter and tensions escalate.
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
"I don't think we should stop for lessons," Augusta said. "Perhaps a five minute refreshment break but I don't think I can wait much longer than that. We need to finish this book."
"How many chapters are left?" Minerva asked.
"Five," Filius replied.
"Do you think we can finish it today?"
"I think so," Filius said with a nod. "It might be wise. Then we can take a few days to catch our breath."
Minerva took a deep breath as she watched several people leave the chamber, many of them still tearful. She called a house elf and asked for lunch to be brought to the chamber in an hours time, so they wouldn't have to stop if they were in the middle of a chapter. She wanted this over and done with. She knew the remaining books would be bad. A lot had happened and she was certain even she would get a few surprises. But the sooner this book was finished, the better.
It took twenty minutes for everyone to return to their seats and Petunia was grumbling about freaks wasting her precious time. Not that anyone took much notice of what she had to say.
Meda Malfoy was looking at the woman in consideration. "Do you think she's a squib?" she asked her younger self.
"Most likely," her younger self said. "I'd love to be the one to tell her that she's a freak too."
"Perhaps we can ask the goblins for a couple of Inheritance Tests," Meda whispered. Although apparently not quietly enough because she noticed Ragnok glance her way, a toothy smirk on his face.
Filius restarted the book once everyone was back in their seats. The children who had been scattered across the floor had moved so that they could be closer to their parents.
Voldemort looked away ... more brightly through the darkness.
"That would be enough to give anyone nightmares," Dudley said thoughtfully, taking most of the chamber by surprise. It was the first time they had heard the boy speak since Mother Magic had left him and his family in the chamber.
He held up his hands ... circling Harry again, hissing.
"He promised she'd be allowed to eat me," Harry whispered hoarsely.
Voldemort slipped one ... He caressed it gently too;
Ollivander grimaced. He wished that he hadn't sold that wand.
and then he raised it, ... crumpled up and crying.
"Not very kind to your followers, were you?" Bill snorted, looking at Tom.
"I was bat shit crazy," Tom said. "I don't think kindness was in my vocabulary by that point."
Voldemort turned ... mirthless laugh.
Several people shivered.
Wormtail's robes ... you did promise..."
Peter was wide mouthed, staring at the book in fear. Was he going to die? There in that graveyard? He knew he must die eventually. His older self was missing. But was this the moment?
"Hold out your arm," ... "The other arm, Wormtail."
Sirius barked out a laugh, taking joy in Peter's suffering.
"Master, please ... Wormtail's uncontrollable weeping.
"I didn't know about the dark mark before that," Harry muttered.
"It was a very well kept secret," Rookwood said. "He probably only let you see it because he didn't plan on you living to tell anyone."
"It is back," ... now we shall know..."
"Know what?" young Neville asked.
"Who was loyal," Dolohov said.
He pressed his long white ... Wormtail let out a fresh howl;
Vernon grinned at the mere idea of Harry being in pain. No one noticed, except his own son. A son who was gradually becoming quite disillusioned.
"It's a horrible magic," Lucius said. "It draws magic from your core, forces it out through the mark to all his followers. It causes indescribable pain when he uses you to summon others. The more summoned, the more magic needed, the more it hurts."
"I am surprised you felt it in your scar though," Rookwood said. "It suggests that it also hurt the Dark Lord in some way. Perhaps, his resurrection left him unstable?"
Voldemort removed his fingers ... foolish enough to stay away?"
Lucius grimaced. He'd seriously considered it. He hadn't wanted to return to him. But his son was at Hogwarts. There wasn't enough time to fetch Draco and get his family out of the country.
He began to pace ... very like your dear mother.
"My mother was a witch," Harry said sharply. "And she wasn't a fool."
"There is no comparison between your mother and my father," Tom said. "My father... I resented him. Hated him. But truthfully, I don't think I can truly blame him for abandoning us. Not if what my uncle said was true... If she was using love potions on him."
Percy blanched at the mention of love potions.
"Your mother loved you," Tom continued. "She loved you so much, she chose death so that you might live. I can't even comprehend what it is to be loved like that."
But they both ... proved himself, in death..."
"I never planned to kill him," Tom admitted. "I... I went there hoping to find a father. But he didn't care for me. He wanted nothing to do with me. Things were said and I... I had just caused Myrtle's death and I was... well, I was already losing myself and I lost my temper. I killed him and my grandparents and then pretended they had never existed. I thought it a fair punishment after they'd done the same to me, leaving me alone in this world as they had."
Voldemort laughed again ... fell in love with him.
"I'm not sure she loved him," Tom said. "I think she just wanted to get away from her abusive father and brother. Convinced herself, she could have a fairy tale."
But he abandoned her ... He didn't like magic, my father...
"More like he didn't like that she'd used it against him," Tom said bitterly.
"He left her ... Tom Riddle..."
"I was so disappointed," Tom said. "I had felt certain that he must be a wizard. I foolishly thought that a witch wouldn't have died the way my mother did. That she'd have saved herself, if she could."
"Magic can't fix everything," Mrs Weasley said softly. "Especially for women back then."
Augusta nodded. "They weren't even allowed to attend Hogwarts for the most part."
"WHAT?" Hermione demanded.
"They were allowed in, of course," Augusta said, "but wixen families rarely allowed their daughters to attend. Especially the noble and ancient families."
Tom nodded. "She was a Gaunt."
Augusta sighed. "And the pureblood supremacists, like the Gaunts, were the worst for it."
Still he paced ... My true family returns..."
Tom grimaced. Followers weren't family. He'd never had a true family.
The air was suddenly full ... wizards were Apparating.
Amelia leaned forward. Finally, she would know for certain who had evaded justice for the last ten years.
All of them were hooded and masked ... hardly bel ieve their eyes.
"We couldn't," Lucius said. "Some like myself, wanted it to be a bad dream while others were delighted. Finally, they'd be able to return to their mayhem, torture and murder."
Voldemort stood in silence ... Master. . . " he murmured.
Moody growled something under his breath about weak willed sycophants.
The Death Eaters behind him ... waiting for more people.
"People were missing?" Amelia huffed. She wanted names. She needed to know who needed to have a trial under the new treaty.
Lucius nodded. "Azkaban. Among other reasons."
Voldemort, however ... the Dark Mark, then! Or are we?"
"He sounds angry," young Dean said.
"He was. Very angry," Lucius said.
He pulled back his terrible face ... guilt upon the air.
"Can he actually smell emotions?" young Ronasked, feeling panicked.
"No. I can't. He means it figuratively," Tom said softly.
A second shiver ran ... swore eternal loyalty?"
No one dared speak. They were all focused solely on the book.
No one spoke ... his bleeding arm.
"Pathetic," Sirius muttered.
"I'm surprised he didn't bleed to death," Severussaid, raising one eyebrow.
"It would have served him right."
"Indeed."
"And I answer myself," ... bewitchment...
Several eyes narrowed in Lucius's direction.
"And then I ask myself, ... against mortal death?
Albus leaned forward. Although he knew what Tom had done now, he was still interested in hearing the truth from Tom himself. He'd spent a solid decade speculating.
They, who had seen proofs ... Albus Dumbledore?"
Albus sighed. Nothing riled a bunch of blood supremacists up like mentioning his name.
At the mention ... I confess myself disappointed..."
"You know," Harry said. "This is how I got away. Well, not exactly but its part of it."
"Huh?" several people asked, turning to look at the prince.
"He talks too much," Harry explained, "and he likes to make a drama of everything."
Tom almost laughed. That was true enough. He always had had a flare for the dramatics.
One of the men suddenly flung ... Forgive us all!"
Moody rolled his eyes, or at least his normal eye.
Voldemort began to laugh ... "Crucio!"
Narcissa reached for her husband, not knowing if it was him who had been cursed.
The Death Eater on the ground writhed ... anyone... anything...
"There would have been silencing wards in place," Moody said. "There always was. Wherever they had a meeting."
Voldemort raised his wand ... "Get up, Avery," said Voldemort softly.
Amelia jotted down the name.
"Stand up ... before I forgive you.
Petunia's eyes were wide with fear. This was the freak that had killed her sister. And to think that he'd been after the freak all this time? A freak she let sleep in her house!
Wormtail here has paid ... You know that, don't you?"
"Talk about gas-lighting," Claudius muttered.
"Yes, Master," ... Wormtail's bleeding wrist.
Peter sighed in relief. Perhaps he wouldn't have to hear about his own death just yet.
Wormtail's sobbing stopped ... crushed it into powder.
Harry smirked. That hand would eventually kill him.
"My Lord," ... never, my Lord..."
Sirius glared at Peter. To think they had once been friends.
Wormtail stood up ... halting before him.
All eyes turned to Lucius. He'd already admitted to being a death eater, but it was something else to hear about it in the book like this.
"I am told that you have not ... a spot of Muggle-torture, I believe?
"Take the lead?" Moody growled.
"It wasn't my idea," Lucius said. "But I was higher ranked than most of those still free. They expected me to lead them."
"They would have turned on him," Narcissa said quietly, "if he refused."
Yet you never tried to find me, Lucius...
"I hoped he was gone," Lucius said, shivering slightly.
Your exploits at the Quidditch ... aiding your master?"
"He wasn't lying," Tonks said. "He's not very forgiving, is he?"
"I don't know," Harry said. "He let them all live. By Voldie's standards that's as forgiving as it gets."
"My Lord, I was constantly ... nothing could have prevented me -"
"You're a good liar," Moody growled. "You'd make a good spy. Shame you never considered that option."
"And yet you ran ... You are merciful, thank you..."
Lucius grimaced, remembering just how terrified he had been. How certain he had been that he wouldn't be returning home to his wife. Narcissa had been warned to wait two hours and only two hours for his return before heading to Hogwarts to collect Draco. They were then to head to America to join Meda and presume that he was dead.
Voldemort moved on ... "The Lestranges should stand here," said Voldemort quietly.
Neville shivered at that name. But he wasn't the only one. Seamus also looked slightly sick.
"But they are entombed ... honored beyond their dreams.
Augusta bit her tongue, trying to control her anger. She wanted those monsters dead.
The dementors will join us ... creatures whom all fear..."
"One of the light's biggest failings," Albus said, "has always been not caring more for our magical brethren."
Andromeda almost laughed. "You-Know-Who saw them as little more than wand fodder."
"True," Albus agreed. "But he gave them a future to fight for. He promised them everything we denied them."
No one could argue against that point.
He walked on ... spoke to them.
Amelia frowned. It didn't look like she would be getting all the names. Never mind, Tom had already promised names. It was part of the treaty arrangements.
"Macnair ... Lord Voldemort will provide..."
Several of the children whimpered and the adults looked horrified.
"Thank you, Master ... "We will, Master..."
Dudley didn't know who any of the people mentioned were but he saw the others in the chamber reacting to the names and he wondered at their significance.
"Did anyone who was pardoned actually deserve a pardon?" Tonks asked sharply.
"No," Lucius said, "probably not. Certainly, not many. We really didn't have the resources to have that many people under the imperius curse. We saved that for people in high office, for the most part."
"The same goes for you, Nott," ... I am your most faithful -"
Theo flinched at the mention of his father, his younger self shaking like a leaf beside him.
"That will do," ... three dead in my service.
"Good riddance," someone muttered, although Harry wasn't sure who. He actually suspected it might have been one of the death eaters.
One, too cowardly to return ... he will be killed, of course...
"Karkaroff and myself," Severus breathed.
and one, who remains ... young friend arrived here tonight...
"But who?" Young Ginny asked.
"Was it Snape?" young Ron demanded.
Harry rolled his eyes. Why did everyone - himself included - automatically blame Severus?
"Yes," said Voldemort, ... my guest of honor."
Sirius was breathing heavily, his eyes staring unblinkingly at the book.
There was a silence ... this miracle...
"That's one word for it," Blaise muttered.
"Not the one I'd use," Theo replied.
how you managed ... my young friend here."
"The longer he keeps talking," Sirius said, "the more time someone has to come and rescue you."
"That's presuming they've noticed I'm gone," Harry muttered.
"Surely they'd worked it out by then?" Siriusasked, turning towards the teachers.
"No. They were too deep in the maze," Minerva said. "Moody told us they were still working their way towards the centre and we... We believed him. He could see through the hedges... We didn't think for one second that..."
He walked lazily ... The snake continued to circle.
"I really hate that snake," Harry said.
"Once you've seen it eat someone," Dolohov said, "well, let's just say I had nightmares for months afterwards."
Harry considered comparing Nagini horror stories. He wondered what the man would think about what she had done to old Bagshot.
"You know, of course ... he almost screamed in agony.
Lucius glanced towards the prince. He had been bitten by an acromantula, had his blood used in a necromantic ritual and his scar was causing him pain and yet he'd still dueled the dark lord? That wasn't just impressive, it seemed practically impossible. How had the child managed it?
"You all know that on the night ... I was foolish to overlook it...
"Very foolish," Rookwood said with a sigh.
but no matter. I can touch him now."
The children all gasped in horror.
Harry felt the cold tip ... the Death Eaters.
Sirius's grip on the two Harrys tightened. The effects of the calming draught were already wearing off and he was beginning to feel panic well up inside him once more.
"I miscalculated, my friends, ... but still, I was alive.
Tom sighed. That wasn't living. He could honestly say he regretted it now. And wasn't that a strange thing. He couldn't remember the last time he had regretted anything before coming to this realm.
What I was, even I do not know ... to conquer death.
"Utter foolishness," Tom muttered to himself. He'd met Lord Death now and he knew there was no conquering him.
And now, I was tested, ... but I waited in vain..."
The death eaters in the chamber shivered. Those that had not been present in the graveyard were waiting for Voldemort to start flinging curses.
The shiver ran once more around the circle of listening Death Eaters.
"We were waiting to be cursed," Lucius admitted.
Voldemort let the silence spiral horribly before continuing.
"And he knew it," Lucius continued.
"Only one power remained ... the means for my return seemed assured.
"The philosopher's stone?" Ginny asked.
A wizard - young, foolish ... he carried out my orders.
Harry grimaced at the reminder of Quirrell.
But my plan failed ... thwarted, once again, by Harry Potter..."
More than one of the children cheered, causing more than one of the adults to jump.
Silence once more ... Death Eaters cared what had become of me..."
Tom almost laughed. Why would they care for a master that flung cruciatus curses like candy?
One or two of the masked wizards ... a servant returned to me.
Remus turned amber eyes on Peter. Moony wanted to rip his throat out for what he would come to do to his cub.
Wormtail here, ... a dark shadow that possessed them...
Peter whimpered loudly, drawing everyone's attention.
"But his journey back to me ... a veritable mine of information.
Vernon huffed. When would this book end? He wanted to go home already.
"She told me ... I disposed of her."
Percy frowned at how easily You-Know-Who spoke of killing. He had encouraged his brother to abandon Harry after this. Thought he was mad. Deranged even.
Voldemort smiled ... strong enough to travel.
"Unicorn blood?" Seamus asked, remembering what the very first book they read said about that.
"Snake venom?" young Ron said in disgust.
"There was no hope ... Flesh given by a servant...
A shiver ran through the chamber.
"My father's bone, ... where he was buried.
"Did no one wonder why his father was buried in a muggle graveyard?" Seamus asked.
"No," Lucius said. "It's surprisingly common for wix in Britain to be buried with muggles. We aren't as separated as we might like from their world."
Petunia looked aghast. To think some of the graves in the local church might belong to freaks!
"It's different in Ireland," Seamus said. "We have our own graveyards."
"There are a couple of magical graveyards," Lucius said. "There's one in Hogsmeade, for example."
But the blood of a foe ... reside in my veins too...
Dumbledore sat forward. Would that keep Harry alive?
Rookwood seemed to be having a similar thought. "Your mother's protection in his blood..." he began. "You said you were hit with the killing curse before coming here, Prince Myrrddin?"
Petunia's eyes narrowed. Why was that freak calling the boy a prince?
"Yes," Harry said softly.
"Your mother's blood protection would have saved you from it," Rookwood said. "I think."
"How?" Harry asked.
"Because the protection was in the Dark Lord's veins," Rookwood said thoughtfully. "Neither can live while the other survives... Equally, I don't think either of you could die."
"I don't understand," Hermione said.
"I do. For Voldemort to die, I had to die," Harry began, "to destroy the horcrux."
"Yes," Rookwood agreed.
"But for me to actually die..."
"The dark lord had to die," Rookwood agreed. "I mean, you could have died a thousand other ways, but if you were to die by his hand, he had to die first."
"Meaning what?" Hermione said.
"Meaning that I was always going to win," Harry said huffily.
"And more importantly live," Albus said gently.
"Did you... did your older self know?" Harry asked.
"I can't say," Albus sighed. "I imagine that if he knew about what happened in the graveyard, he would have surmised as much, yes."
"But he never said," Harry said, glaring at the elderly man.
"No. I don't imagine he did. I don't know that I would either."
Harry looked ready to scream at him.
"I would want to protect you from the knowledge of what I believed to be true, for as long as I possibly could," Albus said, looking deeply ashamed. "I made many mistakes, Harry. Like not trusting the goblins to help. But protecting you, was always something I wanted to do. Even if I couldn't take what I believed to be your fate from you."
"But how to get at Harry Potter? ... as long as he is in his relations' care.
"Blood wards," Rookwood said.
The Dursleys glared at the book for mentioning them.
"Those wards protected you too, you know," Rookwood told them.
Not even I can touch him there ... a horde of Ministry wizards.
"It probably would have been easier," Kingsley said, remembering how severely under-protected the prince had been.
And then, the boy ... won the tournament -
Sirius growled under his breath. They had suspected as much but it was something else to hear it confirmed.
that he touched ... you all believed had been my downfall..."
Lucius grimaced. He knew what was coming.
Voldemort moved ... He raised his wand.
Arcturus was on his feet, struggling to remain calm. Harry was unarmed. He had no means of defending himself. This situation could not be worse. He moved away from his armchair to settle on the arm of the sofa that his grandsonand great grandsons were sitting on. He would never normally do such a thing. Never dare to sit on the arm of a sofa, but the situation demanded that he join his family. He took young Harry'shand in his own and began whispering reassuring words.
"Crucio!"
"NO!" young Mrs Weasley screamed.
"He doesn't even have a wand!" Seamus said loudly.
"He's a child!" Narcissa cried out.
The entire chamber had erupted into chaos. To think that a fourteen year old boy had been put under an unforgivable like that. It was untenable. Severus was holding Sirius back as he tried to lunge for Tom. All thoughts of the no violence rule long gone.
It was pain beyond anything ... he wanted it to end...
Harry felt tears fall down his cheek. He didn't want to remember this. Young Dudley looked ready to hurl. And his older self wasn't fairing any better. Petunia didn't look like she knew what to think. But the two Vernons looked practically gleeful.
to black out... to die...
That caught Sirius's attention and his eyes returned to his son. "Don't you dare give up."
"I didn't," Harry said quietly.
"Brave boy," Sirius said, pulling him into his arms. "Brave, brave boy."
And then it was gone ... Death Eaters' laughter.
Everyone glared at Lucius.
"Laughing at a child being tortured?" Mrs Weasley demanded.
"I didn't laugh," Lucius said.
Molly said that she didn't believe him as Arthur countered, "But you did nothing to save him."
"No. Because I was picturing my own son in his place," Lucius said. "Shameful as it is to admit, I chose to protect my own."
"You see, I think, ... been stronger than me," said Voldemort.
Moody laughed. "He's comparing himself to a teenager. A teenager without a wand that is tied up. Ridiculous."
"But I want there ... which of us is the stronger.
Moody laughed bitterly again. A duel between a fourteen year old boy an a sixty something year old man is not a fair fight."
Just a little longer, Nagini," ... give him back his wand."
They all blinked in shock at the end of the chapter. At some point, the elves had brought food to the chamber, though none of them had noticed. Harry wondered how much more of this he could take.
Chapter End Notes
Hope you enjoyed this one. I really can't believe how much love this series has gotten so far. xo
Priori Incantatem Part 1
Chapter Summary
Harry has to witness his own trauma...
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Wormtail approached Harry ... tying Harry to the gravestone.
"I guess we should be grateful they didn't expect you to duel him tied up and gagged," Lee Jordan said, looking ready to start hexing someone.
There was a split second ... considered running for it,
"Yes, Harry!" Hermione cried, tears rolling down her face. "Get out of there."
but his injured leg ... have stood were filled.
Hermione sagged into her seat. Harry had told her and Ron what happened in the graveyard. But this was a thousand times worse than he'd ever described.
Wormtail walked out ... without looking at him.
"Oh, goodie," Lee grumbled, "you don't have to duel wandless. Now it's DEFINITELY a fair fight."
"Yeah, ignoring the fact he's injured," Fred said.
"And underage," George continued.
"And just been used in a fucking necromantic ritual," George said, rolling his eyes when his mother scolded him for swearing.
Then Wormtail resumed his place ... glinting through the darkness.
"Taught how to duel?" Ron scoffed. "Sure, if Lockhart losing his wand counts."
At these words Harry remembered ... "Expelliarmus"...
"You did not learn that at the dueling club," Neville said. "Well, you did but I don't really know how. No one actually taught us it."
and what use ... by at least thirty to one?
Several people nodded. "He's not wrong," Draco muttered, eyeing his cousin nervously.
"You must have known more spells than that," young Ginny said, staring confusedly at her idol.
"Not really," Harry shrugged.
He had never learned anything ... the unblockable Avada Kedavra curse -
"Transfiguration," Albus said. "Using your environment to defend yourself. That would be the best defense against that particular unforgivable."
Albus grimaced. The mere idea that he hadn't prepared Harry for this when there had been a real risk it would come to pass. Protection and preparation, that was the two things Harry had needed from him and the two things his older self had utterly failed at providing.
and Voldemort was right ... He was quite unprotected...
Sirius whimpered at the mention of Lily and Severus looked distraught at the mention of his childhood best friend. Petunia actually looked like she might vomit. She loathed her sister but for the first time she was beginning to understand her sister's decisions.
"We bow to each other, Harry," ... Bow to death, Harry..."
"He's mocking you?" young Percy asked, horror evident in his tone.
"Voldemort liked to play with his food," Harry said, ignoring the flinches that passed around the chamber at the use of the dark lord's name.
The Death Eaters were laughing again.
"VILE! Evil cretins!" Mrs Weasley said angrily. "Laughing as he ridicules a child."
"Some of it would have been forced," Rookwood said. "It doesn't excuse it, but they were scared for their own lives and the lives of their families. Some of them, that is. Others were just sadistic bastards."
Voldemort's lipless mouth was smiling.
Young Susan Bones moved over to sit with her aunt. She didn't want to listen to these books anymore. Her older self was not fairing much better as she cuddled up with Hannah Abbott, clearly crying.
Harry did not bow.
The lions all cheered. Even the adults looked pleased. Why should Harry keep dueling etiquette in this mockery of a wizard's duel?
He was not going ... before killing him...
More cheers, no longer just from the lions. They were all amazed by Harry's stubborn bravery.
he was not going to give him that satisfaction...
"Go Harry!" Oliver Wood called out over the cheers.
"I said, bow," ... Death Eaters laughed harder than ever.
Sirius snarled. He was feeling especially blood thirsty right now.
"Very good," ... the way your father died...
Amber eyes focused on Tom, Remus was really struggling to keep his temper in check.
"And now - we duel."
The Slytherins booed. This wouldn't be an honourable duel. It was offensive to all their traditions, as much as it was just plain cruel.
Voldemort raised his wand ... Cruciatus Curse.
"Two times?" Sirius muttered. People were supposed to go their entire life without even witnessing the cruciatus curse but to actually experience that pain twice, and not just in a lifetime but in one night. He couldn't put into words how proud he was of his son but also how utterly horrified he was that this was his life. His son's life. His precious Harry.
Vernon grinned. Finally someone was putting the freak in his place!
Tom noticed the grin and glared at him. "Wipe that grin off your face or I'll show you just how painful my cruciatus is."
Everyone turned to him in horror before they saw who he was glaring at. Then they frowned, having to reassess their opinions. Because for many of them, this was the first time in their lives that they actually wanted the Dark Lord to attack a muggle.
The pain was so intense, ... he'd ever screamed in his life -
There was crying in the chamber. They children stared at the book in horror. While the adults looked on with rage in their eyes. A lone tear rolled down Albus's cheek. He wished that things had been different. That he'd done better. That his older self wasn't such a fool. That he wasn't such a fool.
And then it stopped.
Most people in the chamber sighed in relief. It was short lived however as the book continued.
Harry rolled over ... hand had been cut off;
"You would be," Poppy said. "Wormtail was likely on the verge of going into shock and you... well, the cruciatus curse sends your nervous system into a shock like state. Firing all your nerves up at the same time. Every single last one. There is no pain on earth like it. And the long term damage..."
he staggered sideways ... do that again, do you?"
"This is sick," Blaise said. "Twisted."
Harry didn't answer ... nothing he could do about it...
Seamus blinked rapidly as he tried to hold back tears. The children around the chamber were sobbing. Sirius grabbed young Harry and pulled him into his lap, partly to prevent himself from moving. He was very close to attacking Vold... Tom. He certainly wanted to. But he also needed to comfort the small child in his lap. His son needed him.
but he wasn't going to play along.
"That's our Harry!" George cried out, his own eyes shining.
He wasn't going to ... going to beg...
Everyone in the chamber looked towards the prince. Harry couldn't quite make out the expressions they were all wearing. It wasn't pity, at least. But he still didn't like it. It was a little too close to the hero worship he often saw.
"I asked you ... Imperio!"
"That won't work on Harry!" Dean shouted.
And Harry felt ... just answer no...
Alastor leaned forward. It was one thing to fight the imperius in a classroom setting, but would he manage it after being tortured. He wasn't even sure if such a thing was actually possible.
I will not, ... I won't say it...
There was more cheering, quieter than before but still there.
Just answer ... "I WON'T!"
The chamber erupted. "YES HARRY!"
And these words ... Perhaps another little dose of pain?"
"I'll kill him," Sirius muttered.
Petunia moved to grip her son in fear but Dudley pushed her off. His eyes were focused on his cousin. He couldn't believe how he'd laughed and jeered his cousin over this. THIS. This horror. It was worse than the horror movies he liked to watch. It was worse than anything he'd ever... Even worse than that demendy thing.
Voldemort raised his wand, ... curse missed him.
"Thank fuck," Ron said.
Young Ron looked on in shock when his mother didn't chastise his older self.
"We are not playing ... tired of our duel?
"This isn't a duel," Amelia said crossly as she held both her crying nieces.
Does this mean ... come out and play, then...
Lucius looked green as his mind went back to that night. He had been terrified as he watched a child younger than his own son tortured by that monster. And he'd done nothing. Too scared. Too selfish. Too... hopeless.
it will be quick. . . it might even be painless. . . I would not know. . . I have never died. . . . "
Harry crouched ... end had come.
"No. Don't you dare give up, Harry," Hermione cried.
Hagrid was crying buckets, a large yellow handkerchief covering his face.
There was no hope ... no help to be had.
Lucius grimaced at hearing his own thoughts returned to him.
And as he heard Voldemort ... kneeling at Voldemort's feet...
Everyone in the chamber, order members, ministry workers, death eaters alike, stared at Harry in utter amazement. The bravery. The tenacity. The strength. How was such a small boy capable of so much? Mother Magic had chosen well. He would be an outstanding prince. As much as they wished they didn't need to listen to these books, as much as they wished the war and the destruction was nothing more than nightmares and horror stories, they knew why they were here. Deep in their bones, they knew. This had to be witnessed. It had to be known. So it wouldn't happen again. But also to guarantee that Harry, Prince Myrrddin would be seen for what he was. A child. A war hero. A victor. Mother Magic's chosen.
he was going to die ... no defense was possible...
Sirius nodded. That was exactly what both Lily and James would do. Fight until their last breath. For their son. For what they believed was right.
Before Voldemort ... facing Voldemort.
Harry's friends cheered for him again. The sound echoed around the almost silent chamber. Harry was no longer hearing them though. He was stuck in his mind. Back in that graveyard. Back with Voldemort. Facing death yet again. He knew what was coming and he wasn't prepared to feel that loss again. Seeing his parents. Hearing their voices.
Voldemort was ready.
No one spoke. No one dared.
As Harry shouted, "Expelliarmus!" Voldemort cried, "Avada Kedavra!"
Mrs Weasley cried loudly, folding in on herself. How was Harry still here? How had he survived this?
Chapter End Notes
Hope you all enjoyed this one. Sorry about the delay. Busy weekend. We had a party for Eurovision... xo
Priori Incantatem Part 2
Chapter Summary
Harry and co finish the chapter...
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
The food that the elves had brought into the chamber remained practically untouched. No one able to think of anything except the book.
A jet of green light ... they met in midair -
The aurors all looked at the book in surprise. They'd never heard of such a thing.
and suddenly ... surging through it;
"What's happening?" Theo asked.
The Raveclaws all looked towards their head of house for an explanation but he was just as confused as they were.
"The twin wands," Ollivander mused. "It must be the twin wands."
That was the only explanation he could imagine for what could cause such a thing to happen. It was good. For Harry, it might give him the chance he needed to escape. But it was also terrifying because Garrick couldn't determine what would happen next. He knew the wands wouldn't fight one another, but he had no idea what that would actually mean for this particular duel. He'd heard stories of twin cores but never had two brother wands been forced to fight. Not that he knew of at least.
His older self nodded his agreement."They will not fight one another."
his hand seized up ... deep gold.
Everyone leaned forward to hear more of this strange phenomenon.
Harry, following the beam ... lift from the ground.
"What?" Sirius demanded. "What's happening?"
He and Voldemort were both being raised ... free of graves...
"Did you-know-who do that?" Daphne asked.
"I don't think so," Moody replied. "He sounds like he's having to focus on his wand, just as much as Harry is."
"Then how?" Astoria pressed. "Harry?"
"Not likely," Filius said. "Unless it was accidental magic. But I doubt it."
"The death eaters?" young Ron asked.
"It wasn't us," Lucius said.
"People don't just lift up into the air and move several metres over," young Hermione said.
"They do when Mother Magic is with them," Luna said softly.
The Death Eaters were shouting; ... drawing their wands -
"They were scared," Lucius said. "This was like nothing we'd ever seen before. The magic... it was... It was awe inspiring. We were struggling to stand under the weight of it."
The golden thread ... a cage of light,
"Mother Magic," Luna said again. "You weren't alone, Harry."
beyond which the Death Eaters ... shrieked to the Death Eaters,
"He was scared," Lucius said.
and Harry saw his red eyes ... golden thread remained unbroken.
Everyone stayed still, staring at the book in utter awe.
"Do nothing ... beautiful sound filled the air...
"What is it?" Terence Higgs asked as the same sound filled the chamber.
It was coming ... phoenix song.
"Huh?" Eloise Midgen asked.
"Their wands have phoenix cores," young Ronsaid.
It was the sound of hope ... just around him...
"It didn't sound like that to us," Lucius said. "It sounded other worldly for sure. But darker. The screeching of some nefarious beast. Like death."
"More than one celestial was there that night," Luna whispered.
It was the sound he connected with Dumbledore,
Albus smiled sadly. He didn't deserve that level of trust.
and it was almost ... Don't break the connection.
"A friend?" Hermione asked in bewilderment.
"That's how it felt," Harry said. He was struggling to hold himself together, shaking slightly at what was about to happen.
I know. ... more powerfully than ever...
"You can do it, Harry!" Seamus called out.
and now the beam ... he felt his wand shudder angrily...
Sirius tightened his grip on his sons.
As the closest bead ... burst into flame.
Everyone stared at the book in horror.
"What happens if the beads enter his wand?" Amelia asked.
"I'm not sure," Ollivander said. "It could destroy the wand. Harry could be cursed. Or something else, anything really. I don't know what to expect."
The closer that bead moved ... shatter under his fingers -
"Destroy the wand then," Moody muttered. That was not good. It would leave the prince unable to defend himself.
He concentrated ... move the other way...
"Amazing," Ollivander whispered, awe evident in his tone. He had heard about this before. When you-know-who was looking for information about the death-stick. But to hear it in such detail... He'd never witnessed anything like it. And imagined, he never would.
and it was Voldemort's wand ... almost fearful...
"He was definitely scared," Lucius said. "He tried to hide it but he didn't understand what was happening anymore than you did."
One of the beads of light ... and then it connected...
Everyone breathed in, eager to know what happened next. Harry closed his eyes. He wasn't ready to share this with a chamber full of strangers. It was too personal. Too raw.
At once, Voldemort's wand ... screams of pain...
Ollivander tilted his head in thought. Was that because of what that wand had done or was it actually feeling pain? This had the potential to change everything he knew about wandlore.
then - Voldemort's red eyes widened ... he had made Wormtail...
"Prior Incantatem," Garrick murmured.
"The reverse spell effect?" Amelia asked.
"Indeed," Garrick's older self answered.
"Then..." Amelia's eyes darted to Harry in horror. That wand had barely been used in a decade. Would he see..? That thought was too horrible to imagine.
more shouts of pain ... the torso of Cedric Diggory.
Mrs Diggory screamed before babbling incoherently about Cedric not being a ghost. "He's at peace- He's... Amos, he's..."
"It's not a ghost, love," Amos said softly. "Just a..."
But words deserted him.
"A manifestation of the last spells cast," Ollivander explained. "It's not actually your son. Just a spell that mimics him. It won't do anything. Just dissipate like the hand did."
Harry looked up then. That was wrong. They didn't just disappear. They-Cedric, Frank, his parents-they stayed with him. But he didn't say anything because Mrs Diggory seemed to be taking comfort from the wandmaker's words.
If ever Harry might have released ... golden thread of light, and spoke.
"He spoke?" Garrick said in utter bewilderment.
Harry nodded.
"Hold on. Harry," ... edges of the golden dome.
"We had no idea what was going on by that point," Lucius said. "But the weight of magic was almost suffocating."
More screams of pain ... You fight him, boy..."
"Frank? The muggle from the dream?" Cedricasked.
Harry nodded. Words were no longer possible.
Sirius's arms tightened around the two Harrys. He had a really bad feeling about this. He suspected that he might know what was coming but he didn't want to even imagine it.
But already, yet another head ... don't let go!"
"Bertha Jorkins?" Percy whispered.
She and the other two shadowy figures ... whispered words of encouragement to Harry,
Sirius smiled at that. Harry was not alone.
"That is very unexpected," Garrick said thoughtfully. In all his years as a wandmaker, he'd never heard of such magic.
"Mother Magic's doing, I'd imagine," Rookwood said.
"Or Lord Death's," Luna piped up.
Rookwood considered that. "It's possible. Especially after using that ritual. If he did it without seeking Lord Death's approval first, then yes. Lord Death would certainly be there and none too pleased, I imagine."
and hissed words Harry couldn't hear to Voldemort.
That got a cheer from several of the lions, all feeling grateful that Harry was no longer alone.
And now another head ... who it would be...
"WHO?" the children all asked but the adults remained silent, their mouths gaping in horror as realisation hit them. Harry's parents.
"No. No. This is too much," Mrs Weasley cried, wailing at the top of her lungs. "He was just a boy. A child. This is too much."
he knew, as though ... more than any other tonight...
"Oh, Harry," Hermione cried. Ron wrapped an arm around her.
"Sh. Sh." He murmured. "It's okay. Harry is okay."
Harry wasn't sure that he was okay. But he nodded his head all the same.
The smoky shadow ... ghostly face of his mother.
"I don't understand," Garrick Ollivandermuttered to himself. For all the life of him, he'd believe those were real ghosts. Definitely spirits of some kind. Not just an imprint of a spell. They spoke. They showed emotion. And free thought. This was death magic, he was certain of it and it had very little to do with wandlore.
Harry shielded his face from view, crying freely now into Sirius's side.
"Your father's coming... " ... hold on..."
No one spoke. They couldn't possibly speak. There was no comfort they could offer. They couldn't even begin to comprehend how painful this was for the prince. Severus looked slightly green, every muscle in his body taut with stress. What he wouldn't give to speak to his dearest friend once more. To apologise for everything he'd done. All the pain he'd caused her. But even so... Not like that. This was not how a child should meet their parents either.
Petunia's expression darkened. She didn't know how to feel about this. She hated her sister. Hated her for dying and leaving the freak with them. But to hear about her sister as a ghost... It tugged at some lost part of her heart and it actually hurt. She pushed the feeling aside. She hated her freak of a sister. Perfect Lily. With her freakish magic. And perfect grades. Head Girl Lily. Dead Lily.
And he came ... shadowy form of James Potter
Sirius whimpered at the mention of the man he considered another brother.
blossomed from the end ... could not hear...
Many in the chamber leaned forward, wanting to hear what ghost James had to say.
"When the connection is broken, ... do you understand, Harry?"
"The portkey?" young Ginny asked, having long since forgotten about the cup.
"The cup," Charlie explained softly.
"Yes," Harry gasped, ... Take my body back to my parents..."
Mrs Diggory was crying heavily now as she clutched to the younger version of her son.
"I will," ... holding the wand.
"Thank you," Mrs Diggory managed to say between bouts of tears.
"Do it now," ... do it now..."
Everyone held their breath.
"NOW!" ... shielding Harry from his gaze -
"RUN!" the children all shouted.
And Harry ran ... feeling their curses following him,
"It was just luck," Harry said.
"Not luck, Harry," Luna said. "Mother Magic was protecting you."
hearing them hit the headstones - ... "Stun him!" he heard Voldemort scream.
"He's not going to be happy," Fred muttered.
Ten feet from Cedric, ... "Impedimenta!" he bellowed,
"Good boy," Sirius whispered. He couldn't believe how brave his son was being. He was only fourteen. Injured. Tortured. Emotionally vulnerable. And yet, he hadn't given up.
pointing his wand wildly ... stopped at least one of them,
"Good," Moody growled, "but don't look back. No time to waste."
but there was no time ... grab Cedric's arm...
Amelia was shocked into silence and she wasn't used to such things happening to her. But this was beyond reason. She just couldn't wrap her head around what she was hearing.
"Stand aside! I will kill him! He is mine!" shrieked Voldemort.
Remus growled loudly.
Harry's hand had closed on Cedric's wrist; ... cup was out of reach -
"OH NO!" Astoria cried.
"You can do it, Harry," Theo muttered under his breath. "Come on, Harry. You can do it."
Voldemort's red eyes flamed ... raise his wand.
Arcturus closed his eyes. He didn't want to have to witness those screams again, even if it was just through the book.
"Accio!" ... Harry caught it by the handle -
"Thank Merlin," Mrs Weasley said, slumping in her seat.
He heard Voldemort's scream ... They were going back.
"That's the end of the chapter," Filius said. "I think we should take a few minutes. Eat, if you can."
No one argued. They were already moving, resembling zombies as some left the chamber without a word, others reached for the sandwiches on the various coffee tables scattered throughout the chamber. But Harry just sat there. Relieved that it was over.
"Do you want to eat something?" someone asked but he couldn't quite process who.
He shook his head. He couldn't eat. He knew that much. He would be guaranteed to bring it all back up again.
"What about a quick walk?" Sirius asked.
Another head shake.
"Calming draught?" Severus suggested.
He shook his head once more. He wanted something stronger than a calming draught. Dreamless Sleep sounded good round about now. He wasn't sure when he started hyperventilating, only that his breathing was becoming harder. He wasn't sure if his eyes were closed or if he just couldn't see. He felt glass against his lips, liquid in his mouth but he couldn't swallow it. A hand massaged his throat and the liquid trickled down, cooling it. Gradually, his breathing settled but he still didn't feel... well, much of anything.
"Dramatic, attention seeking freak," Vernon shouted.
"CLEAR THE ROOM!" Severus bellowed.
"Lie him down," one of the mind healers said as Madam Pomfrey whispered reassuring nonsense in his ear.
"It's alright, Mr Potter," she murmured. "Just a panic attack. Perfectly understandable."
"Does he need to be awake for the rest of the book?" Severus asked. "I could give him some dreamless sleep."
"It should be his decision," Claudius said. "We're invading his privacy with these books. He should be the one to decide. He might feel like he needs to know exactly what we're hearing."
"We could pause for the rest of the day," his brother suggested.
"No," Harry said quietly. "I want to get this book over and done with."
"Harry, are you sure?" Arcturus asked. "We won't think less of you for needing a break."
"Honestly, I think a lot of people might be grateful," Sirius said soothingly.
"No. It needs to end," Harry insisted, trying to sit up.
Sirius helped him up, until he was sitting upright on the sofa.
"Have some water," Arcturus insisted, holding out a glass.
Harry's hands were shaking as he sipped at the glass. Young Harry was watching him closely, clearly worried.
"I'm okay," Harry told him, reaching out for him. "I'm all right."
The adults did not look convinced but young Harry smiled and that was enough for Harry.
"The next book isn't going to get better, is it?" young Harry asked.
"No. It will be worse."
Sirius balked at that. How could it possibly get worse? He didn't ask however. He wasn't sure he wanted to know.
"Okay," young Harry took a deep breath.
Chapter End Notes
Thank you so much for all the love and support. I'm so glad you're all enjoying this series so much.
Veritaserum
Chapter Summary
Harry and co get closer to the end of the book, listening to yet another highly stressful chapter.
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
It wasn't long before everyone was back together and waiting to start the next chapter. Harry wasn't sure that he was ready for this. The last chapter had been awful and this one wasn't exactly great either. Honestly, he'd be grateful when this book was over. At least then he'd be able to request a break. He definitely didn't want to read book five.
Harry felt himself slam ... knocked out of him;
"He's most likely in shock," Claudius said. "Massive emotional trauma, not to mention the physical torture..."
Everyone was nodding in agreement. They couldn't believe what the prince had been through. How had he survived all this? He'd been just a child.
his head was swimming ... his scar burned dully on his forehead...
"A reminder you couldn't escape him," Siriusgrowled. He didn't like this at all.
A torrent of sound deafened ... screams...
"We thought you were dead," Ginny cried.
"Yeah, everyone thought..." Theo couldn't bring himself to say it. He'd sat there in the stands, terrified, feeling like the world was ending and somehow the impossible had happened. Harry Potter was dead.
He remained where he was, ... nightmare that would pass...
Hermione leaned into her father, crying loudly now.
Then a pair of hands seized him ... Dumbledore was crouched over him.
Several people let out sighs of relief. Everything would be okay now. He was back at Hogwarts. He was finally safe.
The aurors looked less convinced. There was a death eater masquerading as a teacher.
The dark shadows ... the stars above.
Draco was pale as he remembered just how scared he'd been. Even then. When he'd hated his cousin.
Harry let go of the cup, ... "He's back. Voldemort. "
A couple of the younger ones screamed at the use of that name. Most of the older ones were getting used to it. Especially those that had spent any time at all with Harry.
"What's going on? ... "Dumbledore - he's dead!"
Moody huffed. That man had no sense. He should have known better to say that before it was confirmed by a healer. And better yet, not in front of a crowd before his parents were informed.
The words were repeated, ... "Cedric Diggory! Dead!"
Amelia rolled her eyes. The minister was an idiot.
Mrs Diggory was holding her son tightly as she continued to sob.
"Harry, let go of him," ... It's over. Let go."
Almost everyone in the chamber had tears in there eyes. Even Dudley, who finally understood why his cousin had had such terrible nightmares that summer.
"He wanted me to bring him back," ... back to his parents..."
Amos nodded. The boy had done well. Even risking his own life to bring Cedric home to them.
"That's right. Harry ... "He's ill, he's injured - Dumbledore,
"First sensible thing the man ever said," Kingsley said. The minister was right, the Prince needed to visit the hospital wing. He should probably be transferred to St Mungos. Poisoned by an acromantula, used in a necromantic ritual, tortured with an unforgivable... That was likely more than Madam Pomfrey could handle.
Diggory's parents, ... "No, I would prefer-"
"I imagine my older self didn't want to let Harry out of my sight," Albus said. "I would have been suspicious."
"Dumbledore, Amos Diggory's running ... "Harry, stay here -"
Sirius growled. How could Dumbledore just leave Harry?
Girls were screaming, ... hospital wing..."
They all stared at the book in horror. Moodyseemed to think his older self was an impostor. And that sounded a lot like Moody.
"Dumbledore said stay," ... Come on now..."
"Not good," Blaise muttered. "This is so not good."
Someone larger and stronger ... helping him walk.
Hermione and Ron grimaced. They should have been there with him. But they'd struggled to get through the crowd.
"What happened ... Mad-Eye Moody.
Several people gasped. Their fears confirmed. It was Moody and that meant that it might be the impostor.
"Cup was a Portkey," ... "The Dark Lord was there?
That seemed to be all the confirmation some in the chamber needed. It was usually the death eaters that called him the Dark Lord.
What happened then?" ... "And then?"
"He doesn't care about that," Neville growled. "All he cares about is his precious master."
Seamus jumped at the venom in Neville's tone. He was normally so calm and mild. He really hoped the other man never learned that he was related to the Lestranges. Finding out his mother was a Lestrange had really disturbed him. He loved his mother and he'd loved his grandparents when they were alive. And to think that his grandfather, the one that never spoke of his family... Was related to... Those monsters. It made him feel tainted. Dirty. Somehow and he really didn't like it.
Clunk. Clunk. ... He's returned?"
Moody was watching Barty closely. He had a feeling he knew who the impostor was and he was worried how it would affect the young man.
"And the Death Eaters ... they came out of his wand..."
Sirius was glaring at the book. He wanted nothing more than to rip that death eater apart.
"In here, Harry ... drink this..."
"Do not drink it!" Mrs Weasley cried.
Harry heard a key ... what happened..."
Remus was growling now.
Moody helped tip the stuff ... Harry's face.
"Pepper up," Severus said mindlessly.
"Voldemort's back, Harry? ... a long, low hiss.
Barty looked a little sick.
"Where is Dumbledore?" Sirius demanded. "The other teachers?"
"We were still at the pitch," Flitwick said. "Trying to get the students back to the castle."
"I was searching for Harry," Minerva said.
"And the Death Eaters? ... "Did he forgive them?"
Barty looked towards Harry. Was it really him? Had he put Harry's name in the cup? He could easily imagine himself doing it. But... Why would the prince allow him to stay here if that was the case?
But Harry had suddenly ... I got through to the end -"
Moody groaned. He'd just told the death eater that his cover was blown. Although in fairness, he doubted Fake Moody would let the kid live either way.
Harry tried to get up, ... Is he locked up?"
"Not Karkaroff," Harry muttered. It was so frustrating that he always suspected the wrong person... well, usually. First, Snape, then Draco, then Sirius, then Karkaroff... Fifth year had been different. Six year too for that matter. He'd been right about his cousin then.
"Karkaroff?" said Moody ... tracking his enemies."
Several people flinched.
"Karkaroff's gone? ... It was I who did that."
No one reacted. They weren't all that surprised. Moody and the other aurors certainly suspected him and that was good enough for most of the people in the chamber.
Harry heard, ... pointed it at Harry.
Arcturus gripped the arm of the sofa. He would keep his temper and not murder the person that put his grandson in danger, or at least that was what he was trying to tell himself.
"He forgave them, then?" ... This was a bad joke, it had to be.
Everyone eyed the book suspiciously.
"Who is it?" young Hermione asked.
"I don't know," Ron replied.
The others were nodding in agreement. None of them had any idea. Although they thought the adults knew.
"I asked you," ... I fired it into the sky."
That was the confirmation Moody needed. He reached out for Barty's hand, holding it reassuringly.
"You fired ... he wanted above all... you. "
Barty whimpered under his breath. He just knew everyone in the chamber was about to turn on him. And he actually thought he might deserve it. This was all so confusing. His lord was a half blood and apparently crazy. And he was surrounded by enemies and yet they were all treating him... well, nicely. Even the Longbottoms had been polite. It was strained but they hadn't been hateful. Not the way he would have expected them to be.
"You didn't ... beat the dragon? I did."
The kids were glaring at Moody now, ready to demand that he tell them who the impostor was.
Moody's magical eye ... open it underwater? I did.
Amos was shaking with rage. To think this death eater was responsible for his son's death. This one and that Wormtail guy. He was more than tempted to break Mother Magic's no violence edict and exact his revenge.
I trusted that he would pass ... and so he did.
Mrs Diggory cried louder than ever. It was horrible having someone twisting her son's best qualities like that.
But even then, Potter, ... might have ruined all.
"Pride and independence?" Severus smirked. He personally quite liked those personality traits. He didn't think Potter had too much pride, that was for sure.
"So what could I do? ... then hurried to find you..."
"Why haven't the teachers found them yet?" Draco demanded. "They are in his bloody office. It should be obvious where they are."
Theo nodded his head in agreement.
"If you will recall, Mr Malfoy, half the school refused to return to their dorms," Flitwick said sternly.
Moody's wand was still pointing ... I breathed again.
Sirius was shaking now and Severus did a few mental sums, trying to determine if it was safe to give him another dose of calming draught.
"You had an easier time ... Fleur Delacour as she passed.
Fleur shivered. She had been lucky.
I put the Imperius Curse ... path to the cup clear."
Harry grinned. He hadn't made that easy for him.
Harry stared at Moody ... no sense at all...
Moody wondered how long it would take the prince to piece it together. It was an incredibly stressful situation but the boy had good instincts. If anyone could work it out, he could.
The foggy shapes ... magical eye was upon Harry.
"Good," Bill said. "Keep him distracted. The longer he talks, the more chance someone comes to your rescue."
"The Dark Lord didn't manage ... closer than a son..."
Barty actually retched. His fears confirmed. That was him... Pretending to be Mad-Eye Moody of all people.
Moody's normal eye ... own wand in time...
"It's okay," Susan Bones said. "Help will come, right?"
"Yeah, just keep him talking," Justin said.
"What books have you been reading?" Ron complained. "Harry can't rely on people coming to his rescue. That rarely ever happens. He always has to fight his way out."
"The Dark Lord and I," ... rise of the Dark Order!"
"That's me, isn't it?" Barty asked quietly, his eyes focused on Harry.
Harry nodded, while grabbing his dad's wrist. This had the potential to be a blood bath.
"You're mad," ... the door of Moody's office was blasted apart -
Mrs Weasley had hidden her head in her hands. She couldn't bear to hear anymore. This was truly terrible. And to think, Harry had never told them... Sure, they'd heard bits from the headmaster... but never... No. This was too much.
Moody was thrown backward ... his wand outstretched.
"Took you long enough," Sirius grouched.
At that moment, ... giving off burning heat.
Albus wrinkled his nose. It was a compliment but with his own personal history with power and pride, he didn't want people seeing him like that. He wasn't worthy of such praise.
He stepped into the office, ... Professor McGonagall went straight to Harry.
Sirius nodded. At least one of the teachers was thinking about Harry.
"Come along, Potter," ... hospital wing..."
"Good idea!" Poppy said bitterly. She had not been happy with how long it had taken them to get the poor boy to her ward.
"No," ... through enough tonight -"
Sirius and Arcturus both glared at the headmaster. The old man sighed. He wasn't sure what he would have done... Would he have insisted Harry stay? He thought he probably would. But he should have checked him over first. Made sure he was well enough. He had the right to know the truth. The right to know who his attacker was but not at the expense of his own wellbeing.
"He will stay, Minerva, ... he has suffered tonight, and why."
The mind healers frowned. They strangely found themselves agreeing with the headmaster. Although, they wondered if this was really the time. The same thing could be achieved by letting Harry view memories of whatever was about to occur.
"Moody," ... and I followed."
"Not quick enough," Remus growled.
Dumbledore bent down ... Truth Potion you possess,
Severus nodded. They were going to question him then.
and then go down ... house-elf called Winky.
"You knew?" Barty asked in disbelief. "You knew who was in the castle? But you did nothing?"
Albus blinked in surprise. The young man was right. His older self must have known. Or at the very least suspected. But then why hadn't he acted... "I... I can only assume that I did not know who your older self was masquerading as."
Minerva, kindly go down ... then come back here."
Sirius's ears picked up. That must be him.
If either Snape or McGonagall found these instructions peculiar, they hid their confusion.
"Hazard of the job," Severus said.
"Albus likes to keep us guessing," Minerva agreed.
Both turned at once ... Harry let out a cry of amazement.
Everyone leaned forward in anticipation.
"Can I just point out that no one has yet to check that Potter is okay," Poppy huffed. "Not a single diagnostic spell."
He was looking down ... Moody lying on the floor of the office.
"Polyjuice, as we suspected," Amelia said quietly.
Dumbledore climbed into the trunk, ... keep him alive.
"Why?" Young Seamus asked.
"The polyjuice potion," Harry said, causing Severus to smile at him with what appeared to be pride.
Harry, throw down ... no immediate danger."
Moody nodded. At least his older self wasn't dead yet.
Harry did as he was told; ... "Polyjuice Potion, Harry," said Dumbledore.
Albus laughed lightly. His older self had no idea what the young Prince had gotten up to with Polyjuice in his second year.
"You see the simplicity of it, ... We shall see."
Everyone waited. Not quite patiently.
Dumbledore pulled out ... Minutes passed in silence...
"And still no diagnostic spells?" Poppycomplained.
Then, before Harry's very eyes, ... looked much older...
Everyone seemed to move on mass, as they turned to look at Barty Crouch Junior. Some of the younger ones were gaping in surprise. Others less surprised and more angry. Still more seemed simply resigned.
There were hurried footsteps ... "Barty Crouch!"
Severus laughed at his older self. It wasn't every day he was caught surprised.
"Good heavens," ... what is you doing here?"
Hermione grimaced. Poor Winky.
She flung herself ... You is killed Master's son!"
"That poor elf," Lucius said sadly.
"He is simply Stunned ... "Ennervate."
Sirius was frowning again. "I don't really understand why Harry needs to be here for this. He knows who did it. He's already heard from Crouch what he did. He should be in the hospital wing."
Crouch's son opened his eyes ... How did you escape from Azkaban?"
The aurors sat forward. They would like to hear this story.
Crouch took a deep, ... We took on each other's appearance."
"And that right there is why we need human guards," Tonks said. "Well, that and dementors are inhumane."
Winky was shaking her head ... father into trouble!"
Barty laughed at that. He didn't give a flying cauldron about getting his father in trouble. The man could rot for all he cared.
But Crouch took another deep breath ... got you home?" said Dumbledore quietly.
Barty shivered. He didn't want everyone knowing about the years he had spent under the imperius curse.
"Staged my mother's death ... of returning to his service."
The parents in the chamber were appalled that anyone could treat their own child in such a way.
"How did your father subdue you?" ... Rewards for my good behavior."
"Your father will go to azkaban for that," Amelia said. "I'll make sure of it."
Barty looked at the head of the DMLE and he wanted to believe her. But he couldn't help but think that she had no reason to help him. She owed him nothing. And his father was an upstanding citizen. No one would believe it.
"Master Barty, Master Barty," ... Bertha Jorkins.
Kingsley nodded. So that was how you-know-who knew about him.
She came to the house ... her memory permanently."
Amelia was scribbling notes down. She would have Crouch for this. Finally she'd found something that had happened in their own time and could be dealt with. This wasn't some future crime that they hoped to prevent. This was something she could get her teeth into and ensure justice was served.
"Why is she coming to nose ... He agreed in the end.
The children in the chamber were horrified. They couldn't imagine their parents doing that to them.
"It was carefully planned ... Nobody would ever know.
Everyone was very tense. They couldn't help but feel sorry for Crouch. He had spent his entire adult life under the imperius curse. Even Augusta was eyeing him with pity.
"But Winky didn't know ... "and what did you do with it?"
No one spoke as they listened to Crouch's tale.
"We went back to the tent," ... their disloyalty to my master.
Lucius grimaced. His son had been in that wood. What might have happened if Crouch had come across him? The man in the chamber was broken, how much more so would his older self had been? Clearly, he was not mentally all there. He could have hurt Draco or anyone... The prince.
My father had left the tent; ... We were both Stunned.
"So he was there?" Ginny asked quietly. "Under an invisibility cloak?"
"There should have been a proper investigation," Amelia groaned.
Amos's eyes widened in horror. If he'd found the death eater in that wood, his son's life might have been spared.
"When Winky was discovered, ... Winky let out a wail of despair.
Quite a few people were crying. Imagining their own children in Barty's position. Imprisoned by his own father.
"Now it was just Father and I, ... "My master came for me.
Tom frowned. He felt bad. Guilt. He supposed. It wasn't a feeling he was accustomed to but it was becoming his constant companion in this chamber.
"He arrived at our house late ... Now my father was the one imprisoned, controlled.
Barty smirked at that idea.
"No less than he deserved," Augusta muttered harshly.
My master forced him to go ... his voice remained calm.
Moody leaned closer to Barty, trying to show his silent support. The young man really didn't stand a chance with a father like his.
"Wormtail and I did it ... I said I was under orders to search it."
"Sowing discord," Albus sighed. Would Severushave come to him and demanded to know the truth of that? He suspected he would not have. He didn't trust Albus to trust him.
"And what became of Wormtail ... "But your father escaped," said Dumbledore.
The children in the chamber were less interested in the details than the adults. They wanted to know if Harry was okay. They didn't care about Wormtail. Or what happened to Crouch Senior for that matter.
"Yes. After a while he began ... "What map is this?"
Fred sighed. It was crappy to hear that the headmaster had learned about the map. Even if his own headmaster already knew about the map. How would they ever get away with mischief again?
"Potter's map of Hogwarts ... Potter believed my father was after Snape.
Severus frowned. Reminded that if his older self had been a little kinder to Harry, this whole thing might have been avoided. If only Potter had been able to confide in him about the map.
"For a week I waited ... I killed my father."
Barty began to shake. He couldn't blame his older self for doing that. He wanted nothing more than to end that man. But still it hurt to know that his older self had done so.
"Noooo!" wailed Winky. ... Snape had told me where to come.
"So many loose ends," Tonks said. "If people had talked more, this plot would have been discovered sooner."
"With a proper investigation, we would have been able to get to the bottom of things," Kingsley agreed.
"Dumbledore told me to go ... front of Hagrid's cabin."
Hagrid looked a little sick at that. Even if the body was transfigured... The spell would have worn off when Crouch Junior died. There was a body buried in his pumpkin patch.
There was complete silence ... sobbed at his side.
"Well, that was disturbing," Blaise said, breaking the silence that had taken over with the end of the chapter. No one had moved to restart the spell so the next chapter could begin. No one had spoken. Instead, they had just sat there horrified. Barty was crying silently into Moody'sshoulder and Mrs Weasley was turning purple with rage. Sirius was shaking violently and Severus was trying to force a calming draught down his throat. This was a right shit show of epic proportion. And if Harry was to believed, it would only get worse with the next book.
"That man is a disgrace," Mrs Weasley said eventually, surprising everyone when she didn't screech. "To use an unforgivable on his own son!"
The Dursleys were eyeing the wix with distaste. This sort of thing didn't happen in the normal world. These freaks were barbarians!
Chapter End Notes
Hope you enjoyed it! xo
The Parting of the Ways Part 1
Chapter Summary
Our characters start another chapter...
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Dumbledore stood up ... I take Harry upstairs?"
"To the hospital wing, I should hope," young Poppy said.
"Of course," ... half an hour's time if he needs me."
"I get the feeling they're not going to the hospital wing," young Mrs Weasley muttered.
Snape nodded silently ... swayed again;
Sirius growled. His son should have been in the hospital wing.
the pain in his leg ... full measure.
"It's the adrenaline," Madam Pomfrey said. "It will keep the pain at bay while you're in fight or flight mode."
"Fight or flight?" Ron asked.
"Your body's response to danger."
He also realized that he was shaking.
"Most likely from the shock," Madam Pomfrey said. "Now that you're no longer in danger, the adrenaline rush will end and leave you quite weak. It's most likely that or... Well, it could also be the cruciatius curse. Perhaps a combination of both."
Dumbledore gripped his arm ... "Sirius is waiting for us there."
Sirius frowned. Surely, he could have met them in the hospital wing.
Harry nodded ... flashing across his mind.
No one said anything. They couldn't blame him. They had no idea how they would react in his place.
Mad-Eye Moody, inside the trunk.
Alastor grimaced.
Wormtail, slumped on the ground ... returned to his parents...
Mrs Diggory whimpered.
"Professor," ... knew him best."
Professor Sprout smiled sadly. That single conversation had been the hardest thing she ever did as a teacher at Hogwarts.
They had reached ... what happened?"
Sirius frowned. He promised himself that it would be different this time. He would be healthy. A good parent. He mentally berated himself that the first thing out of his mouth hadn't been to demand if his son was injured.
His hands shook ... think or feel anymore.
The mind healers looked torn. It would do Harry good to talk about his experience. But his physical injuries should most likely be prioritised. It wasn't something they said often.
There was a soft rush ... landed on Harry's knee.
Madam Pomfrey smiled. At least Fawkes would provide some level of treatment for Harry's injuries. It was startlingly worrying that the phoenix thought more for Harry's well being than the adults in his life.
"'Lo, Fawkes," ... his warm weight.
Albus smiled softly. Fawkes was exceptional. He always seemed to know what was needed most.
Dumbledore stopped talking ... Harry relive everything.
Mrs Weasley was glaring at Albus. "He should be in a bed in the hospital wing."
Albus merely nodded.
"I need to know ... Let him rest."
Sirius was nodding in agreement with his older self.
Harry felt a rush of gratitude ... worse when you finally feel it.
The mind healers looked frustrated. On one side, the man was not wrong. But rest could provide healing too. Sleep - preferably with dreams, even bad dreams - was needed to process the information their brains took in during the day. Rest was needed more than ever after a traumatic event.
You have shown bravery ... tell us what happened."
"Manipulating old goat," Abe muttered from beside his brother.
The phoenix let out one soft ... strengthening him.
Charlie considered that. "Phoenix Lament."
Everyone looked at him in bewilderment.
"A phoenix's song is said to be able to touch your soul. Increasing your courage, soothing your grief, striking fear in the hearts of the unworthy."
Young Charlie frowned. "Damn creature luck."
He took a deep breath ... ground beside the cup.
More than one person was crying now.
Once or twice, Sirius made a noise ... poisonous were being extracted from him.
Madam Pomfrey huffed. While that might well have been a description of his emotional state, it was also true of his physical state. And Acromantula venom while not lethal, was incredibly incapacitating. It didn't sound like Mr Potter had been bitten by the giant spider, its fangs grazing him more than biting down. That had been fortunate. With enough venom in his blood, the young Prince would have been paralyzed, unable to defend himself. Although, that would have prevented him from going to the graveyard.
It was costing him ... Harry started.
Sirius leaned forward. This was the first mention of Harry being hurt in the graveyard. Would his older self and Albus finally send him to the hospital wing?
Dumbledore walked around ... he touched my face."
No one spoke. They wanted to get this book over and done with. It had proven to be quite a traumatic experience.
For a fleeting instant, ... weary as Harry had ever seen him.
Several people shot a look at Albus. But he didn't say anything. This had already been discussed. He couldn't blame his older self for taking joy in the one thing he suspected might save Harry.
"Very well," ... his mother...
Everyone was quiet. Not wanting to disturb the book.
He was glad ... "Why?"
Harry hated this. It had been hard enough reliving this whole thing but to hear himself talking about it, that was almost too much. Now that the book had returned to the wand connection, he wasn't sure he wanted to be in the chamber, surrounded by people. But... He couldn't leave. He needed to know what would be said. He didn't trust them to tell him everything. Not yet.
Harry looked up ... an arrested look.
"How did you know?" Ron asked.
"Obsession," Albus said. "In my youth, I wasted away countless hours researching a particular wand."
Harry, Ron and Hermione automatically looked towards the headmaster's wand. The Elder Wand.
"During that research I came across a few sets of brother wands," Albus continued. "One pair was held by lovers, another a pair of twins. I found no evidence of them being held by enemies. Not that I was looking for it. It was just an intriguing distraction from the frustration of my true search. I did hear rumour of a duel between two brothers where their wands refused to fight. Something similar happened then too. Similar but not the same. Not quite."
"Priori Incantatem," ... perching peacefully on Harry's knee.
"That's incredible!" Charlie said loudly. "To actually meet the phoenix that gave you your wand. Has that ever happened before?"
"Not that I know of," Garrick said. "Except where a custom wand has been crafted and the wand barer provided their own core."
"My wand's feather ... his shop four years ago."
Charlie was shaking his head in disbelief.
"So what happens ... Cedric must have reappeared."
Cedric swallowed.
Harry nodded ... victims of Voldemort's wand..."
Harry's eyes closed as he tried to block out the words.
"An old man," ... "Your parents?" said Dumbledore quietly.
Mrs Weasley was crying again.
"Yes," ... "In reverse order.
"Not just murders," Hermione said. "The hand appeared too."
Ollivander nodded his agreement. It was so similar to how so many wix believe that wands can only transfer loyalties with death. The wands have more personality than that.
More would have appeared ... his face in his hands.
Sirius grimaced. He'd be better this time around. His grip tightened on Harry's hand, trying to show his son that he would support him.
Harry suddenly became aware ... His leg was repaired.
Madam Pomfrey gaped. She was horrified to realise that he hadn't been healed until the end of that god awful conversation.
"I will say it again," ... A Sleeping Potion, and some peace...
Madam Pomfrey huffed. A sleeping potion, some peace and some healing!
Sirius, would you like to stay with him?"
Sirius rolled his eyes. Obviously he would be staying.
Sirius nodded ... the hospital wing.
"Finally," Poppy muttered.
When Dumbledore pushed open ... a kind of muffled scream.
Mrs Weasley jumped slightly. That sounded like Harry found them overwhelming. And she hadn't even noticed.
"Harry! Oh Harry!" ... certainly not this evening."
Several people sighed in relief. They didn't think they'd survive a third rendition of the graveyard.
Mrs. Weasley nodded ... "Did you hear? He needs quiet!"
The Weasleys all rolled their eyes.
"Headmaster," ... he is extremely well trained.
Sirius and Remus both laughed.
Harry - I will wait ... lying on the bedside table.
Moody shuddered slightly.
"Is he okay?" ... either side of him.
Sirius smiled, pleased with just how thoughtful Harry was of others. Even in his worst moments, he still thought of others.
Ron and Hermione ... scared of him.
"That wasn't it," Hermione said. "We were scared that we might..."
"Say the wrong thing," Ron finished when Hermione couldn't. "We didn't know what had happened, but..."
"We thought you were dead," Hermione cried.
Ron nodded. "Yeah, we saw you in front of the maze and we thought you were gone."
"I'm all right," ... "It's a potion for dreamless sleep."
"No diagnostic spells?" Poppy asked.
"I cast them once he was asleep," her older self said. "Mr Potter has never been the most willing of patient."
Harry took the goblet and drank a few mouthfuls.
Severus frowned. "You should have taken the whole thing."
He felt himself ... carried him off to sleep.
Several people sighed in relief. Nothing bad could happen now. Harry was safe. Asleep. In the hospital wing.
Chapter End Notes
Hope you enjoyed it. xo
The Parting of the Ways Part 2
Chapter Summary
Harry and everyone in the chamber finishes their penultimate chapter!
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Harry woke up, ... been asleep very long.
"Should have downed the entire potion," Severus muttered.
Seamus sighed. They should have known better than to think that everything would calm down now Harry was in the hospital wing.
Then he heard whispering ... Nothing else can have happened, can it?"
"Of course it could!" Ron said. "This is Harry we're talking about."
Harry opened his eyes ... what are they arguing about?"
Minerva frowned, remembering just why she had been shouting. She still hadn't forgiven Fudge for bringing that thing into the castle. Witnessing the kiss was one thing she had hoped never to experience. She couldn't say that anymore, thanks to him.
Now Harry could hear ... brought it inside the castle!" yelled Professor McGonagall.
"Brought what into the castle?" Lucius asked, growing concerned.
"A dementor!" Minerva huffed.
Amelia blinked rapidly. "WHAT?"
"When Dumbledore finds out -" ... don't you think you'd do better to -"
"He's quite rude, isn't he?" Luna sighed. "Full of wrackspurts."
But the door opened, and Dumbledore came sweeping up the ward.
They all stared at the book, waiting to hear what the headmaster would think of what the minister had done.
"What has happened?" ... stand guard over Barty Crouch -"
Barty frowned. He had a bad feeling about this dementor. If Professor McGonagall was no longer guarding him, he was most likely no longer among the living.
"There is no need to stand guard ... "The Minister has seen to that!"
Amelia was flabbergasted. Surely, the minister hadn't authorised the dementor to kiss Crouch without so much as interviewing him? Where were her aurors? Things were much worse than she had thought if the minister thought he could get away with this. She'd known for some time that the minister was corrupt. She'd been building a case against him for the past year. But this was beyond the pale. She needed to take a closer look at that investigation. It needed to be a priority or they wouldn't be able to make half the changes they wanted to make.
Harry had never seen Professor McGonagall lose control like this.
"I wasn't proud of it," Minerva said softly. "But I never wanted to see that... And it wasn't right. He didn't get interviewed or a trial or anything."
There were angry blotches ... office where Barty Crouch -"
Barty shuddered. To think that had been his fate... The Dementor's Kiss.
"I told him you ... interviewing a possibly dangerous -"
"Why was he interviewing Crouch in the first place?" Amelia demanded. "Where were the aurors?"
"He refused to call them," Minerva grumbled.
"He does not have the authority for that," Amelia replied coolly. This couldn't be allowed. What was the point in having laws, if even the minister for magic ignored them?
But Professor ... down on Crouch and - and -"
Moody wrapped his arm tighter around Barty. The poor lad clearly needed someone in his corner.
Harry felt a chill in his stomach ... He was worse than dead.
No one spoke. They were stunned into silence. While they knew Crouch was supposed to be imprisoned in Azkaban, it didn't really excuse what Fudge had done. To just have him kissed like that without following due process. Not to mention the fact that the kiss itself was abhorrent. Besides, they'd heard Crouch's story and they couldn't help but pity him.
"By all accounts, ... why he killed those people."
Amelia found herself nodding in agreement with Dumbledore. Something she rarely ever did.
"Why he killed them? ... You-Know-Who's instructions!"
Amelia sighed. The minister wasn't likely to believe them. And she could just imagine how he would make things difficult for Harry. Isabeau Lemaire was muttering to herself in French, her frustration evident to those around her.
"Lord Voldemort was giving ... restored to his body."
Moody rolled his eye - the none magical one. He wasn't sure why Albus was bothering to try and get the minister on side. Fudge was short sighted at best.
Fudge looked ... Come now, Dumbledore..."
"He doesn't believe them?" young Hermioneasked.
"Of course not," Moody growled. "The minister cares more for himself and his political ambitions than whether or not you-know-who is alive or dead. The return of you-know-who during his tenure as minister, it would destroy him."
"He'd be waving goodbye to that noble house he's aiming for upon retirement," Amelia piped in.
"As Minerva and Severus ... word of a lunatic like that, Dumbledore..."
Barty glared at the book, imagining it was Fudge's face. He'd like nothing better than to hex him.
"When Harry touched ... question Harry tonight."
"So thoughtful," Sirius muttered, annoyed. "Didn't stop him from interrogating Harry himself."
Fudge's curious smile ... baring his teeth at Fudge.
Severus rolled his eyes indulgently. "Good puppy."
"Certainly, I believe Harry," ... and a boy who... well..."
"What does he mean by that?" Fred asked at the exact same time George asked, "What's he got against Harry?"
Fudge shot Harry ... Rita Skeeter, Mr. Fudge," he said quietly.
Rita smirked at being mentioned again. Her younger self was beginning to see a horrible trend. Her older self had made it impossible for the Prince to be taken seriously. Something that was necessary with war hanging over them all. She might not care for most people. But she didn't particularly want to live through a second war. And she definitely didn't want to be responsible for you-know-who winning. Her self preservation wouldn't allow it.
Ron, Hermione, Mrs. Weasley ... funny turns all over the place -"
Remus glared angrily at the book, growling lowly.
"I think we're all in agreement that the minister needs to go," Sirius said softly, although there was steel hidden under his words.
"I assume that you ... Possibly - hallucinations?"
Harry rolled his eyes.
"Listen to me, Cornelius," ... as an alarm bell before..."
"There are many things you've not heard of before Minister," Rookwood said snidely.
"Look, I saw Voldemort come back!" ... Lucius Malfoy -"
Lucius sighed. "He won't believe you. He's been taking money from death eaters since before he became minister."
"Are you admitting to bribing the minister?" Amelia asked.
"I did what I had to. I needed to be free to protect my family." Lucius took his wife's hand, kissing the back of it.
Snape made a sudden ... donations to excellent causes -"
"Including his pockets," Lucius said.
"Macnair!" ... Death Eaters thirteen years ago!" said Fudge angrily.
"He's not even going to consider that they might have not deserved to be acquitted?" Susan Bones asked, horrified.
"You could have found ... random work of a lunatic!"
"Utter insanity," Fortescue said, shaking his head.
"I see no evidence to the contrary!" ... Voldemort could have risen.
"People don't like to believe that their worst fears are coming true," Luna murmured. "And Fudge is not a brave man. He's too riddled with wrackspurts."
"Voldemort has returned," ... control of the dementors -"
"They should never have been used as prison guards in the first place," Claudius said crossly.
"Preposterous!" ... thirteen years ago!"
Several people were nodding their agreement, mostly those that had seen how the dementors were used during the wars.
Fudge was opening ... envoys to the giants."
"He'll never agree to that," Amelia said with a sigh.
"Envoys to the giants?" ... their rights and their freedom!"
Albus sighed. Wixen kind could be so very short sighted.
"You - you cannot be serious!" ... end of my career -"
"Nice to see where his priorities lie," Tonks said.
"You are blinded," ... destroy the world we have tried to rebuild!"
"HEAR HEAR!" Fred and George shouted.
"Insane," ... I shall act as I see fit."
Lucius sighed. "He'll take that as a threat."
Dumbledore's voice carried ... we remain, Cornelius, on the same side."
Amelia sighed. She wished her older self wasn't dead. She'd love to know what she knew about all this.
It seemed Fudge ... he just can't be..."
Augusta sighed. She had to admit she couldn't quite bring herself to blame the minister for being scared. She could blame him for many things but not his fear.
Snape strode forward ... welcome back into the fold."
Several of the younger children gasped at the mention of the dark mark. They'd never even heard of it before this book and yet the mark terrified them.
Fudge stepped back ... but under the circumstances..."
"I really don't like the minister," Ron muttered.
He crammed his bowler hat ... I can count on you and Arthur?"
"This is the start of the war," Croaker said. "Things will only get worse from here."
"Of course you can," ... lacks proper wizarding pride."
"Fudge is a fool," Tonks muttered mutinously.
"Then I need to send a message ... I am interfering at the Ministry -"
Amelia laughed. It wouldn't matter if he interfered or not at the ministry, Fudge would be paranoid regardless.
"Leave it to me," ... Madame Maxime."
Hagrid grinned. "She came with me alright."
Professor McGonagall nodded ... I think Dobby will look after her for us."
Barty smiled weakly to hear that Winky would be looked after.
"Very - very well," ... turned back into a man.
Sirius sighed, wondering what the headmaster would ask of him. He had a horrible feeling his older self was about to leave Harry alone. Regardless of the trauma he'd just suffered.
Mrs. Weasley screamed ... "It's okay!"
"Ronald! Did you just tell me to shut up?" Mrs Weasley's eyes were wide in surprise. She hadn't heard him. She'd completely missed that.
Snape had not yelled ... "What is he doing here?"
Severus grimaced. Their relationship was still new but the idea of hating Sirius... Well, it just didn't seem possible anymore.
"He is here at my invitation," ... trust each other."
"Who knew all that was needed for those two to get along was a little..." Ron whispered to Hermione.
"RONALD!" She hissed angrily.
Harry thought Dumbledore ... there is no hope for any us.
Albus sighed. That was true now as much as it was then.
Very slowly ... They let go extremely quickly.
No one said anything but the Weasley twins certainly looked like they were struggling not to laugh.
"That will do to be going on with," ... Sirius, I need you to set off at once.
"Absolutely not!" Sirius said crossly.
You are to alert Remus Lupin, Arabella Figg, Mundungus Fletcher - the old crowd.
"Mundungus Fletcher?" Amelia asked in disgust.
No one bothered to defend Mundungus.
Lie low at Lupin's ... "I promise you.
Harry tried not to resent that promise. He hadn't kept it. He'd been locked up along at Privet Drive almost all summer.
But I must do ... Then he was gone.
Sirius was so disappointed in his older self. He understood that the other man hadn't received treatment for his time in Azkaban. But still... How could he just leave like that?
"Severus,"... if you are prepared..."
Severus paled. He had known it would happen. But he wasn't prepared to hear about his future self's part in a second war.
"I am," ... Snape swept wordlessly after Sirius.
The two men glanced at each other. They were relieved that none of this was necessary now. But they could help fearing this new unchartered future. They had no idea what was to come.
It was several minutes ... None of them spoke for a very long time.
"What now?" Astoria asked. "Does Harry just go back to class the next morning? Not having parents sucks."
"Astoria!" Daphne chided her.
"What? It does? If that happened to either of us, we'd have been allowed to go home," Astoria said, speaking up to defend her younger self.
"You've got to take ... buy with your winnings!"
Harry grinned at the mention of his winnings. He hadn't wanted them. But he was happy with what the twins had achieved with that money.
"I don't want that gold," ... It should've been Cedric's."
Several people looked at Harry like he was crazy.
The thing against ... "It wasn't your fault. Harry," Mrs. Weasley whispered.
"She's right, you know," Cedric said.
"I told him ... He wished Ron would look away.
Ron grimaced. "Sorry, mate."
Mrs. Weasley set the potion down ... as though by a mother.
Mrs Weasley smiled sadly at him.
The full weight of everything ... howl of misery fighting to get out of him.
"Oh, Harry," Hermione sighed.
There was a loud slamming noise ... tight in her hand.
Several people glanced at Hermione in confusion. What was she up to? Rita glared angrily at her.
"Sorry," ... thought no more.
"Just one more chapter," Charlie said.
"And three more books," Bill said.
"And that," Charlie sighed.
Chapter End Notes
Thank you so much for all the support so far guys! This book is very nearly finished!
The Beginning
Chapter Summary
Harry and co finish the fourth book!
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
When he looked back ... next few days.
"Wait! What?" Blaise said. "A whole month has passed?"
It was as though ... the following morning.
"Our brains do that to protect us," Claudius said.
They did not blame him ... beyond tears.
Mrs Diggory smiled sadly at Harry.
"He suffered very little then," ... He must have been happy."
Cedric grimaced. He didn't want to hear this. It felt like a physical pain in his chest to hear his parents' grief.
When they got ... you take it -"
Again, Harry received several disbelieving looks.
But she backed away ... you keep it."
Galenius grimaced. The boy clearly needed a mind healer. He shouldn't have been left to deal with all this alone.
Harry returned to Gryffindor Tower ... what had happened in the maze.
"What are the chances anyone actually obeyed that?" Tonks asked.
Most people, he noticed ... possibly dangerous he was.
The teachers all exchanged looks, trying to remember how the other students had treated Harry.
Perhaps they were formulating ... they played chess.
Claudius grimaced. While he certainly needed peace, he needed to talk to someone too.
He felt as though all three ... Dursleys, at least at first."
Sirius glared at Albus.
"Why?" ... we've got to trust him, haven't we?"
That earned some quiet laughter from the golden trio.
The only person apart ... "Harry!"
"Oh good," Galenius said. "Perhaps he'll talk to Hagrid."
He strode out ... "You two made up, have you?" said Ron.
Hagrid blushed.
"Dunno what yeh're talkin' about," ... "Course yeh're not. But yeh will be."
Harry frowned. It felt like his life was just made up of traumas. And there was never enough time between them for him to recover.
Harry said nothing ... 'S long as we've got him, I'm not too worried."
Albus sighed at the display of loyalty. People really put far too much faith in him.
Hagrid raised his bushy eyebrows ... no higher praise than that."
Sirius patted Harry on the back.
Harry smiled back ... Think I got her persuaded."
"Isn't it obvious?" Blaise asked. "He's the envoy to the giants."
"Is it to do with Voldemort?" ... looks on their faces.
"Some of the skrewts were still alive?" Augusta asked, horrified.
It was with a heavy heart ... his return to Privet Drive.
The two Vernons glared.
"He shouldn't be going back there," Amelia said crossly.
He was dreading ... a mark of respect to Cedric.
The hufflepuffs all had tears in their eyes.
The real Mad-Eye Moody ... Voldemort had caught up with him.
"He won't last long," Dolohov said. Karkaroff was a dead man walking.
Madame Maxime was still there ... His expression was difficult to read.
"Probably concern," Severus said. "As much as my older self seemed to hate you, he was duty bound to protect you."
He looked as sour ... Voldemort himself, biding his time?
"I imagine I went immediately," Severus said. "Better to get it over and done with."
Harry's musings ... to Cedric Diggory."
Mrs Diggory was crying once more.
They did it, all of them; ... knew him well or not.
Cedric was honoured by the words, bowing his head slightly in modesty.
I think that you have the right, therefore, to know exactly how it came about."
"Albus!" Mrs Weasley said. "Surely not!"
"It does them no good to hide the truth from them," Albus said gently. He might not agree with much that his older self had done, but he couldn't deny that he would never send out the entire student body of Hogwarts into the world unprepared for the evil waiting for them. No. Not even for a summer.
Harry raised his head ... murdered by Lord Voldemort."
Several people were crying now.
A panicked whisper ... "does not wish me to tell you this.
"Like that would ever stop him," Alastor said.
It is possible that some of your parents will be horrified that I have done so -
"They need to know," Augusta said sharply.
either because they will not believe ... young as you are.
"They are too young!" Mrs Weasley cried.
It is my belief, however, ... an insult to his memory."
Amos nodded his head in agreement.
Stunned and frightened ... anger in his stomach.
Draco grimaced. He wanted his cousin to like him.
He forced himself ... flicking back to face Dumbledore.
Harry sighed. He had hated that. Having everyone stare at him like that. Even if it was fleeting.
"Harry Potter managed ... I honor him."
"Damn right!" George said.
Dumbledore turned gravely ... their goblets untouched.
Narcissa sighed. She couldn't blame Draco for his actions. He had a part to play. Just like they all did.
Dumbledore ... more important than ever before."
Xenophilius Lovegood smiled. That was certainly true. But the international community was unlikely to help them. Not with this. Not when they knew just how unbalanced the British wizarding world had become.
Dumbledore looked from Madame Maxime ... expected Dumbledore to say something harsh.
"I did," Krum said.
"Every guest in this Hall," ... aims are identical and our hearts are open.
"You got to give it to Dumbledore," Kingsleysaid. "The man has style."
"It is my belief ... Remember Cedric Diggory."
They were all quiet. More than a few people had tears in their eyes.
Harry's trunk was packed ... The thought gave him no pleasure at all.
"Ungrateful brat," Vernon huffed, causing Siriusto glower at him.
"'Arry!" ... to improve my Eenglish."
Fleur and Bill exchanged smiles.
"It's very good already," ... Hermione scowled.
Hermione blushed at how obviously jealous she had been.
"Good-bye, 'Arry," ... let us do the vork."
"He's not the best headmaster," young Krumsaid.
Krum had come to say good-bye ... "The carriages'll be here in a minute!"
Harry rolled his eyes. Merlin, the next book was going to be awful with all their drama.
He let Harry keep a watch ... with Karkaroff," he added, scowling.
Cedric smiled. From what he'd seen in the book, he quite liked Krum too. He hoped that even without the triwizard tournament they might still become friends.
"Have you got a new headmaster ... "Can I have your autograph?"
Almost all the lions laughed loudly.
Hermione turned away ... Fudge is forcing them to keep quiet."
Alastor nodded. That was exactly the sort of thing the minister would do.
"He'll never keep Rita quiet," ... Not unless she wants me to spill the beans on her."
Amelia leaned forward intrigued against her better judgement.
"What are you talking about?" ... "How was she doing it?" said Harry at once.
Rita folded her arms across her chest.
"How did you find out?" ... "Bugging," said Hermione happily.
"Huh? What does she mean bugging?" Astoriawhispered to her older self, who merely shrugged in equal confusion.
"But you said they didn't work -" ... an unregistered Animagus. She can turn -"
Tonks gave Hermione a wide smile. That was quite clever of her.
Hermione pulled a small sealed glass jar out other bag.
"Why does she have a jar?" Daphne asked.
"Please do not tell me that you have Rita Skeeter in that jar, Miss Granger," Amelia said with a sigh. "Criminals the lot of them," she muttered to herself.
Hermione grimaced, not meeting Madam Bones's eye.
"- into a beetle." ... brandishing the jar at them.
"Hermione!" Mrs Granger looked at her daughter in horror.
"You can't trap people in jars," Mr Granger said with a small groan.
Inside were a few twigs and leaves and one large, fat beetle.
"I feel obliged to point out that this is illegal," Amelia said. Although she wasn't sure why she was bothering.
Mrs Weasley was staring at Hermione in disbelief.
"That's kind of Slytherin of you, Granger," Blaise Zabini said, finding himself entertained by the idea of the perfect golden girl breaking the law quite so blatantly.
"That's never ... foul glasses she wears."
"My glasses are very stylish, I'll have you know," Rita said snidely.
Harry looked ... horrible stuff about us and Hagrid."
Draco shrugged. It was true enough.
Hermione took the glass jar back ... habit of writing horrible lies about people."
"I want her arrested!" Rita said, pointing at Hermione.
"It hasn't happened yet," Amelia said.
"But she did it!" Rita cried. "I demand..."
"Oh, shut up, Rita," Tonks muttered. "We've not imprisoned you for your illegal Animagus status so what makes you think we'll arrest Hermione?"
Smiling serenely ... "Very clever. Granger," said Draco Malfoy.
Narcissa sighed. Why was Draco always drawing Potter into confrontations?
Crabbe and Goyle were standing ... Big deal."
Lucius shook his head. He hated how his position as a death eater affected Draco. While he didn't doubt that Draco enjoyed these confrontations, he also knew that at least some of it was a result of his son's need to keep up appearances.
His smirk widened ... "Trying to pretend it hasn't happened?"
The adults in the chamber shook their heads at the childish argument. They really needed to do something about the interhouse issues.
"Get out," ... "You've picked the losing side, Potter!
"I was a right idiot." Draco gave an apologetic shrug.
I warned you! ... Mudbloods and Muggle-lovers first!
Narcissa sighed in disapproval.
Well - second - Diggory was the f-"
"YOU!" Amos stood abruptly.
"Apologise, Draco," Lucius said sharply.
Draco was on his feet before his father finished demanding an apology. "I sincerely apologise, Lord and Lady Diggory."
Amos nodded his chin minutely but his expression remained cold.
It was as though someone ... he followed Fred inside.
"You deserved that," Narcissa said softly.
Draco simply nodded.
"Interesting effect," ... rolled the door shut.
The Gryffindors struggled not to laugh at the description of the three Slytherins injuries.
"Exploding Snap, anyone?" ... "Who you were blackmailing?"
Mrs Weasley leaned forward eagerly.
"Oh," ... "We've given up," said George, shrugging.
Fred and George were looking at older George in surprise. That wasn't like them.
But Harry, Ron, and Hermione ... it was Ludo Bagman."
"WHAT?" Mrs Weasley demanded.
"Bagman?" ... He wouldn't have the brains."
"Not wrong there," Alastor smirked.
"Well, what, then?" ... the Irish mascots."
"He did?" Amelia asked in surprise. She couldn't believe it. She knew Ludo had a gambling problem. But to think he'd steal from children!
"So?" ... George laughed very bitterly.
"Don't be so gullible," Blaise laughed.
"Yeah, that's what we thought ... he wasn't giving us anything."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Arthur asked.
George shrugged.
"So we asked for our money back," ... "But that was all your savings!" said Ron.
"That despicable double crossing...!" Mrs Weasley began to rant.
"Tell me about it," ... Bet against the goblins."
"Moron," Filius muttered. "You should never make a bet with a goblin."
"So that's why he kept trying to help ... right after the third task."
That got a round of laughter from practically everyone in the chamber. The idea of Ludo Bagman being chased off by a hoard of Goblins had them all in peels of laughter.
George sighed deeply ... "Fred - George - wait a moment."
Ron eyed the book suspiciously. Was this when Harry gave them his winnings?
The twins turned ... he thrust the sack into George's hands.
"You really weren't keen to keep those winnings," Charlie said softly.
"What?" ... trying to push it back at Harry.
"Mental," Fred said.
"Definitely mental," George agreed.
"He can't be serious, Georgie," Fred said.
"I think he just might, Freddie."
"No, I'm not," ... It's for the joke shop."
Mrs Weasley smiled softly. Harry really believed in her boys.
"He is mental," Fred said in an almost awed voice.
A couple people laughed to hear the book repeat the twins words and their own thoughts.
"Listen," ... more than usual before long."
"He's not wrong," Lee said.
"And we are hilariously good," George started.
"At providing laughter," Fred said.
"The kings of pranks," George said.
"The punning princes," Fred added.
"The..."
"That's enough, boys," Arthur said with a chuckle.
"Harry," said George weakly ... "Just don't tell your mum where you got it...
Mrs Weasley shook her head in mock chagrin.
although she might not be ... come to think of it..."
Molly nodded weakly. He wasn't wrong.
"Harry," Fred began ... I know some good ones now.
"It's rude to refuse a gift," Theo said gently.
Just do me one favor, ... say they're from you."
Ron blushed. He hadn't realised that Harry had been the one to arrange for his dress robes.
He left the compartment ... Keep in touch, Harry."
Sirius was glaring at the Dursleys. But he was not the only one.
"See you, Harry," ... he would have to meet it when it did.
"That's very brave of you," Luna said with a sad smile.
Chapter End Notes
Well we are very nearly finished...
There are almost 180,000 words in this book, 77 chapters, almost 7K comments, and more than 2K kudos! Thank you so much for all the support and encouragement.
Resolutions, Regrets and Revolutions
Chapter Summary
Having finally finished the fourth book, our characters take a few moments to consider everything they've learned.
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
They all sat in silence. Not quite able to articulate their thoughts on this book. It had been worse than the others. But they were beginning to suspect that it would only get worse. Much worse.
"I suppose I should get started on dinner," Mrs Weasley said eventually, getting to her feet. "It's getting late."
There was some murmurs of agreement from the other mothers in the chamber and they all headed out of the chamber together. Even the two Narcissas went with them. Admittedly, cooking wasn't something they'd ever learned but Molly had been more than willing to give them a little instruction and they had proved themselves most willing to learn.
Sirius got to his feet, pulling Harry and Severuswith him. Remus, young Harry and Arcturusfollowed them out of the chamber. They made their way down several corridors until they found their quarters. They all settled down in front of the fireplace as Sirius poured them all a firewhisky, while handing young Harry a butterbeer.
"Well, that was a bit of a shit show," Sirius said eventually, coming to sit next to Severus.
The potion master placed his arm around his partner's shoulder. Harry grinned. He would never have pictured Snape as someone who showed any form of affection in front of people. He was incredibly private.
"How are you doing, Harry?" Severus asked, an eyebrow raised. His expression was not mocking though. It was was laced with concern.
Harry shrugged. He couldn't put it into words. These books were just plain awful. And the next one... the next...
"Dad dies in the next one," Harry said, his voice breaking.
Severus's arm around Sirius tightened fractionally.
"It's okay," Sirius said. "It won't happen this time."
"Even so," Severus said smoothly, "it will be difficult to read about."
Arcturus nodded. "I imagine this will only get worse from here on out. We should brace ourselves for that."
He pulled young Harry into his side. He didn't like to think how scary this must all be for the young man. He was not yet eleven. Far too young to be hearing all this. But there wasn't anything they could do about that. They could only support both Harrys through it.
Arcturus sighed. "You know Harry, what happened to Cedric, it wasn't your fault."
Harry grimaced. "It felt like it. I... I know better now. I think. But back then, I definitely thought it was my fault."
"But Harry, you couldn't have..." Sirius began.
"I know. I couldn't have known that the cup was a portkey. I couldn't have saved him from the killing curse. Logically, sure, I know that." Harry groaned. "It doesn't make it any easier. It doesn't make any of the deaths easier. Not Cedric's. Or Sirius's. Or Dumbledore's. Remus's. Tonks's. Fred's. Moody's." He looked directly at Severus. "It doesn't make your death any easier to live with."
"I might not know how we all died," Severussaid slowly, "but I do know that we made our own choices. Cedric took the cup. You didn't force him. We decided to fight in the war. Remember what the Goblin king said. Do not deminish the sacrifices of those who died, by taking on responsibility that is not yours to bear. We made our choices. There is honour in dying for your beliefs. For your loved ones. For the world you believe is possible."
Harry had tears in his eyes as Severus got to his feet and bent down in front of Harry.
"You are not responsible," Severus said, roughly pulling Harry into his chest. "The only life you are responsible for is your own."
Harry nodded, tears falling now as he clung to Severus.
"And even that... Quite frankly, we're more responsible for that than you are," Severus said gently. "I know we all let you down in your timeline, but we're going to do better."
The Hogwarts teachers were sitting together in the dining hall. They all wore matching serious expressions.
"Things need to change," Albus said. "I've... Somewhere something went wrong. I went wrong. I have done you all a disservice and our students too. I do not know if I will remain headmaster when we return..."
"I'm not sure any of us will have jobs waiting for us, Albus," Minerva said bluntly, rubbing her face.
"I'm so sorry," Albus said, taking her hand. "We may all be undeserving but I take solace in the fact that Mother Magic included us in her plans. That has to count for something. We're not completely irredeemable."
"I wouldn't be so sure," Filius said. "Rita Skeeter and Peter Pettigrew are here too."
"But they weren't supposed to be," Poppy cut in.
"What about the Dursleys. There's no redemption for them," Filius pointed out.
Albus sighed. He couldn't disagree with that. "Only time will tell."
Several chambers away in their makeshift office, the DMLE employees sat together discussing the fourth book.
"We'll need to arrest Crouch as soon as we return," Amelia was saying, "and rescue Barty."
Moody was quick to nod his agreement. "I personally hope the bastard gets the kiss for what he did to his son."
This surprised them all. It wasn't like Mad-Eyeto advocate for that particular punishment.
"What are we going to do about Fudge?" Tonksasked.
"I've been investigating him since he became minister last year," Amelia admitted. "I don't have enough to arrest him yet. But..."
"If the treaty goes through," Kingsley said, "death eaters like Malfoy might be able to give evidence against him."
"Exactly my thought," Amelia said with a grin. "Either way, he can't stay in office."
Moody grinned. "That's positively revolutionary of you, Amelia."
"Do you think the Prince is all right?" Tonksasked.
"It's unlikely." Kingsley sat forward, resting his elbows on his knees so he could rest his chin in his hands. "But he's strong."
"When do you think we'll get the next book?" Alastor asked gruffly.
Amelia sighed. "Hopefully Mother Magic will give us a few days. We have a lot to do and quite frankly, I think we all need a break."
Alastor nodded.
"I wonder who she'll bring with her this time." Tonks grimaced. She wasn't sure she could handle more new arrivals.
"What makes you so sure she'll be adding more to our numbers?" Kingsley chuckled.
"Well, she always seems to bring someone with her." Tonks shrugged.
"The new arrivals have been slowing down though," Alastor said. "Who else would she bring? The minister?"
"Merlin, I hope not," Amelia grimaced.
"A couple extra aurors wouldn't go amiss," Kingsley said. "Our immediate priority list is growing and before long there will be more tasks that need completing than we can handle."
"We could ask for more aurors," Tonks said.
"Who would we ask for though?" Ameliapointed out.
"Robards," Moody growled. "Scrimgeour, for sure."
Amelia nodded. Scrimgeour was her head auror and had been since Moody stepped down the year before.
"Proudfoot," Kingsley suggested, "and Dawlish."
"I'm not sure about Dawlish," Kingsley said uncertainly. "He remained at the ministry when the aurors were disbanded."
"The aurors were disbanded?" the others all asked in horror.
"The ministry fell," Kingsley explained. "They disbanded the aurors and Dawlish remained working for the ministry. I don't know if he was enchanted or..."
"We've got death eaters in the chamber," Tonkssaid. "Does it really matter?"
Kingsley shrugged. "Maybe."
"There's also Savage and Williamson," Tonkssaid. "They're just out of training like me, but they're good."
Kingsley nodded his agreement. "We should definitely consider asking for more aurors. We're basically planning to instigate a insurgence against the sitting minister for magic. The more help we have on the inside the easier this will be."
Amelia barked a laugh. She could hardly believe it but the man was not wrong.
Chapter End Notes
Thank you so much for reading! xo
Do Not Turn Your Wand On Kin
Chapter Summary
More conversations and a very special reconciliation...
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Dinner was a quiet affair that night. The Dursleys sat as far away from the others as was humanly possible. Petunia looked down at her plate in disgust, unsure that they should trust the food these freaks cooked for them. But her husband and son clearly didn't share her concern as they were both busy scoffing their own dinners. She exchanged a look with her older self. Before glancing at the elder of her Dudleys.
He wasn't behaving quite like himself. He kept glancing up the table towards where his cousin was sitting with his family. That's what they were calling those people. Not that it made much sense. The freak didn't have any other relatives.
The others around the table were talking in hushed voices. She couldn't hear what they were saying but she didn't doubt they were plotting against her and her family. They weren't safe here.
As soon as her son and husband had finished eating she all but dragged them from the dining chamber. She wouldn't feel settled until they were safely back in their own quarters.
"This is ruddy ridiculous!" Vernon complained. "I have work to be doing. I don't have time to take a holiday."
"Weren't you listening to that magic lady," Dudley started.
"DON'T USE THAT WORD!" Vernon shouted.
"We're outside of time," Dudley continued.
"That's not possible," Vernon ground out, his face turning purple.
"Doppelgangers aren't real either," Petunia said harshly, pointing between the two Vernons, "but here we are."
Back in the dining hall, Oliver was caught off guard when Percy called him back as he was leaving.
"Ollie," he said.
Oliver flinched at the use of the nickname.
"Can we talk?"
"Er..." Oliver hesitated.
Their younger selves were watching them closely.
"Fine."
The four of them walked down the hall to the chamber where they had enjoyed playing quidditch.
"What's this about Percy?" Oliver asked, turning to face him.
"Penelope..."
Oliver sighed. "I don't want to hear about your girlfriend."
"She's not my girlfriend," Percy said crossly. "I..."
His ears were pink and he rubbed his hand across his temple. His palms were sweaty and he was surprised how nervous he felt. This was a thousand times worse than telling his family. This was Ollie. His Ollie. And he was terrified that he'd never forgive him.
"S-she used a love potion on me."
Oliver's mouth dropped.
"I didn't know," Percy continued. "Not until I started working for the minister. They insist on an annual full cleansing to work in that office. And well, I... Well, clearly I needed it. I never meant to hurt you. That kiss. It was important to me. I wanted to... I wanted to ask you out but I didn't get a chance before..."
Percy grimaced. He was rambling. And Ollie wasn't saying anything. Percy stopped speaking, hoping that Oliver might say something. Anything. Even if it was only to tell him to fuck off.
When Oliver still didn't speak, Percy considered walking away. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.
"Say something, Ollie," Percy said. "Please."
"That bloody bitch!" Oliver growled, taking Percy's hand in his. "I'm so sorry Perce."
"You're sorry?" Percy asked, bewildered. "Whatever for?"
"I should have known," he said gently, taking a step forward.
"How? My own family didn't notice. What chance did you have?"
"I've always known you best," Oliver said, pulling Percy against himself. "I'm so sorry."
There were tears in both their eyes as they stood there, gripping onto one another.
"It's okay," Percy whispered. "It won't happen this time."
"Damn right, it won't."
Young Oliver and Percy looked at each other awkwardly as their older selves suddenly found themselves caught up in a kiss.
"Well, I guess I should tell you I like you," Oliver said shyly. "Have done for ages."
Percy blushed. "Me too."
"Not sure we should have come along for this conversation though," Oliver admitted. "Watching us kiss is kind of weird."
"Weird?" Percy asked.
"Yeah, like kind of voyeuristic or something" Oliver shrugged.
"They're us," Percy said with a laugh. "I don't think it really counts."
"Can I kiss you, Percy?" Oliver asked.
Percy couldn't bring himself to speak. Instead, he nodded his head and stepped forward, closing the distance between them.
Harry and his new family made their way to their chambers, the Malfoys and Tonks family joining them. Remus poured them all something to drink as they settled down on the sofas.
"I wonder when the next book will arrive," young Draco said as he accepted a butterbeer.
"Not too soon, I hope," Harry muttered.
Lucius grimaced, failing miserably at hiding his emotions. "The next book will be..."
"Worse," Arcturus said sharply. "Harry has told us that Sirius will die."
Narcissa whimpered. "How?"
Lucius glanced at his wife. "Your sister, dearest. Bellatrix."
"Bellatrix?" Narcissa seemed to crumple in on herself.
"She will be disowned for that," Arcturus said harshly. "We are Blacks. We do not turn our wands upon our kin."
"She won't have actually done it though, Grandfather," Sirius said.
Arcturus actually shrugged, surprising all three of his grandchildren. "I don't particularly care."
"Personally, I wouldn't mind her being disowned," Draco said.
Lucius actually chuckled. He couldn't agree more.
The aurors - all but Tonks - had remained in the dining hall. Someone had poured a round of coffees. They weren't the only ones that had remained. Barty and the death eaters were sitting at one end of the table, talking to Tom. Moodywasn't sure how to feel about that. He felt responsible for Barty. Not that he knew why. All he knew was that that boy needed a father. Not a lord or even a prince. He needed a father. Someone to love him. He wasn't sure he was cut out for the task but he was going to give it his best shot. Still further down the table were a group of Gryffindors, laughing raucously.
Moody noticed one of the kids was watching him. The boy stood when he saw Moodywatching him and started walking towards them.
"Mr Jordan?" he asked. "Do you need something?"
"So... we did inheritance tests," he said.
"I remember," Moody gruffed.
"So, apparently we're related," Lee said, taking the older man by surprise.
"We're what?" Moody asked, barely believing his ears. "How?"
Lee pulled out a family tree to show him and Moody's magical eye made quick work of finding himself on it. They were indeed related. He was the boy's cousin, a couple of times removed.
"I'm not calling you cousin," Moody growled, making the young man laugh. "You can call me Uncle though."
"I'd like that," Lee said with a grin.
"So, I'm guessing that makes you my heir," Moody said.
"If you'll have me, sir," Lee said with a bob of his head.
"Your parents?" Moody asked.
"Died during the second war," Lee said. "Although, I guess they won't be dead when we go back."
"I'd like to meet them."
Lee nodded. "I think that can be arranged."
"You're friends with those Weasley twins, aren't you," Moody said shrewdly. "You're a trouble maker?"
"I prefer the title prankster but sure."
The other aurors tried to stifle their laughter, failing magnificently.
Moody grimaced. He now had two dependents. Well, dependent wasn't quite the right word. Two new responsibilities. His life just got a hell of a lot more complicated. And now, he had an heir to teach. When was he going to find the time for that? Even so, he couldn't bring himself to regret it. He was pleased to see his family of one expanding. His magical eye darted towards Barty. One went from one to two and to three, far too quickly.
Chapter End Notes
I think there will be just one more chapter before this book ends and I begin the next... YAY!
It's Not Fair
Chapter Summary
DAY THIRTY-SIX IN THE CHAMBER...
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
The next morning, no one rushed to breakfast. Lessons had been cancelled for the day and most of the young people were taking advantage of that fact to sleep in. The adults were another story. They too were in no rush to attend breakfast. Instead, they settled all throughout the various chambers in small groups discussing the issues that had arisen in the most recent book.
Alastor and Amelia were sitting together in the library, sequestered in a hidden corner, away from prying eyes and listening ears. Amelia had even gone so far as to put up a silencing ward around them.
"Never in all my life," Amelia was saying, "have I ever imagined that I might actually plan a coup."
"You always have been a stickler for the rules." Alastor gave a wry grin.
Amelia did not deny it. It was the truth after all.
"But that is what I'm doing." Amelia sighed. "Isn't it?"
"The current establishment needs a complete overthrow if the prince is to achieve his goals," Alastor said with a shrug. He didn't feel anywhere near as conflicted as Amelia did.
"While I do not doubt that, I cannot help but think that it goes against my vows as an auror..."
"Amelia, we vow to uphold the law," Alastorsaid, "to protect the citizens and to..."
"Protect magic," Amelia finished.
"The minister treats the law as if it is something that exists for those beneath him, not himself. Removing him, will give us the opportunity to uphold the law. Our citizens will only suffer under his government. And as for Magic. I believe that if Mother Magic thought Fudge capable of change, he'd be here in this chamber. He certainly has more than enough to be held accountable for in these books. Personally, I'd delight in him being here. I'd quite like to rub his nose in all his shortcomings."
"Wouldn't that be something." Amelia smirked. "I have a few choice words for him myself."
They were quiet for several moments. Neither feeling the need to break the silence as they pondered the magnitude of their decision.
Eventually though, Alastor said, "I think the prince needs an extended break before the next book. This one was harder for him than the others."
"For good reason." Amelia nodded thoughtfully. "You're right though. He needs to catch his breath before we steamroll all over his privacy yet again."
"It really doesn't seem particularly fair."
"But what can we do about that?"
"I don't know." Alastor shrugged.
The entire Weasley family were gathered around the dining room table. Other than their location, it was much like any other breakfast at the burrow, their family all together. And they weren't particularly quiet either. Talking over each other and laughing loudly at a prank that the twins had pulled the night before, involving the headmaster's beard and pink glitter.
"I guess you'll want another family meeting," Ron grumbled, eyeing his father uncertainly.
"I haven't really thought about it," Arthur said. "Do you have something you think we should discuss?"
Ron shrugged. "Not really."
"Any one else?"
"I told Oliver about the love potion," Percy said quietly.
"You did?" Molly asked, getting to her feet so she could wrap her arms around her son.
"Wow! Percy, that was really brave of you," George said.
Everyone stared at him in shock when they didn't hear even a shred of humour in his tone.
"What? I know how to be serious."
"Yeah, we know. You just rarely show it," Charlie said, patting his shoulder.
George just shrugged his shoulders. His brother wasn't wrong.
"I've been thinking," Ron said.
"Careful," Fred began.
"Your brain might explode," George finished before they both made firework sounds.
"Percy's situation is what made me think of it," Ron said. "We all have secrets. But all of Harry's secrets are being exposed. All his pain. Everything."
"Yes, Ron. But Mother Magic said," Arthur began.
"I know that. I'm not saying we should stop. I'm just… I think we need to even the score."
"And how do you propose we do that?" Percy asked. "I'm not telling the entire chamber about the love potion. If that's what you're suggesting."
"No, Percy. I'd never ask that of you," Ron spluttered. "Just a secret. The more personal the better. Whatever you feel safe sharing."
"It's not a bad idea," Arthur murmured. "I'm guessing you want everyone to participate. I'm not sure it could be enforced."
"Everyone who is willing," Ron said.
Arthur nodded. "I'll talk to Madam Bones and see if we can arrange something."
Molly smiled brightly at her son. He was so thoughtful sometimes.
The Grangers were in the middle of a heated argument.
"I just don't understand!" Mr Granger said angrily. "Why would you do such a thing?"
"I let her out, dad," Hermione said with a sigh.
"This is just like what you did to us," her mother said. "You don't even realise you've done something wrong."
"She was writing lies," Hermione argued.
"So? That doesn't excuse kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment and blackmail, Hermione!" Mr Granger said before continuing to pace.
He wasn't looking at her now. His temper was definitely frayed. And he was struggling to maintain anything close to composure. This was his daughter and yet her decisions utter confounded him.
"I can't believe some of the things you've done in these books," he continued. "First year, you set your teacher alight. Second year, you drugged two classmates and stole from your teacher, third year you used magic…"
"I don't think Hermione can be blamed for using the time turner, dear," Mrs Granger said. "The headmaster told her to do it."
"And that man has a lot of explaining to do!" Mr Granger huffed. "If he wasn't dead, I'd…"
He paused momentarily. "Hermione, I understand that you believed you were doing the right thing but I just don't know if I can agree with you."
"I couldn't just let her…!"
"She wasn't your responsibility. And what's more, she's one reporter. A bad egg sure. But do you really think the others will be better?"
Hermione sighed. The others had been just as bad. He was right about that.
"I understand why you did it," he said, "but I need you to really think through your decisions before you make them. I know you have a strong moral code. But it feels like it's a little bit wonky to me."
"You can't force people to be better people," Hermione's mother said. "That's a choice only they can make."
"It all comes back to autonomy," the younger Mrs Granger said. "Rita Skeeter is a horrendous woman. But that's her choice. If you felt so strongly about what she did you should have reported her. Presuming you knew how?"
"It was in the muggleborn welcome pack," Mr Granger said. "She knows how."
"I get that you're disappointed. I get that you're angry. But you don't know what it was like."
"Then tell us," Mr Granger said.
"Harry keeps saving the world. Every year, I watched as he sacrificed just a little more of himself. It hurt to watch that and know that there wasn't anything I could do. And the things she was saying. Calling him mentally disturbed and… It wasn't right. He deserved better. He deserved to have parents to protect him. And he deserved to be safe at school. And he deserved to be treated with kindness and love. But he didn't get any of that."
Mr Granger sagged slightly as he listened. While he couldn't approve of her actions, he could certainly understand her motivation.
"All he had was me and Ron and honestly we weren't worth much. There was so much we couldn't do for him. But I could do this. I don't regret it, dad and I'm sorry if that displeases you."
Her father nodded his head but said nothing. He wasn't sure what he could say. He understood. He really did. But it didn't make her behaviour right. He tried to consider what he'd do in her situation, at her age. It was impossible to say. And perhaps that was the point. He couldn't understand because he'd never experienced anything close to what his daughter had. He couldn't empathise with a situation so outside the world of possibility. At least to him. And not for the first time in his life, he mentally berated himself for being a muggle. Perhaps if he'd been magical he'd have been in a better position to protect his daughter.
Sometime later everyone gathered in the main chamber. They needed to decide how long they would wait before starting the next book. Not that the book had been delivered yet. Perhaps, Mother Magic was making the decision for them.
"Perhaps a week?" Someone suggested.
Amelia nodded. "I think that might be wise. I think we all need time to process everything that's happened so far."
"And it will give us more time to plan," Harry said.
"We certainly need all the time we can get," Kingsley said. "There's a lot to do. But it also gives you time to rest."
Harry sighed, noting that the statement was directed at him. It would appear they'd all noticed that this book had affected him more than the others.
With a flash of light, the next book appeared on the coffee table near the fire. Standing around it, were several individuals. Harry recognised them all. They were aurors. He grit his teeth at the sight of Rufus Scrimgeour. He still hadn't quite forgiven him for trying to force him to dance to the ministry's tune.
"Things are going to get interesting," Ron muttered in his ear.
"That's Sirius Black!" Dawlish shouted.
All eleven of the new aurors raised their wands.
"Stand down aurors!" Amelia said sharply, getting to her feet.
"Amelia, but you're dead!" Robards said. "Where in Merlin's name are we and what is going on?"
Moody barked a laugh. "You'll never believe it, Robards."
"Come with us," Amelia said. "We'll explain everything."
And with that, she led them out of the chamber.
"Are we really just going to leave Black…" Dawlish asked.
"Forget about Black," Alastor said. "We've got bigger fish to fry."
"Just who could be worse than Sirius Black?"Proudfoot asked.
"The minister," Amelia said as she opened the door to their office.
"T-the minister?" Dawlish asked, looking between them all. "You've all gone barmy."
"Was that really the best place to start?" Kingsley asked with a heavy sigh. This was going to be a long day. And to think, he'd been planning on taking a quiet day to himself. It really wasn't fair. No rest for the wicked, he thought to himself, as he sat down in the DMLE office.
Chapter End Notes
Well that's the end of this book! The next one should be started very soon. And will pick up exactly where this one leaves off. Thank you so much for reading this far and all the awesome support.
Not a Chapter - Character List 2
Chapter Summary
Just a quick update of who is in the chamber at the end of this book...
Chapter Notes
BOLD = Bookquotes
ITALICS = Parsel
UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character
Character List
Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Characters coming from the Battle of Hogwarts:
Hogwarts Students:
•Harry Potter
•Ron Weasley
•Hermione Granger
•George Weasley *although he's technically no longer a student
•Ginny Weasley
•Draco Malfoy
•Luna Lovegood
•Percy Weasley *although he's technically no longer a student
•Susan Bones
•Neville Longbottom
•Blaise Zabini
•Oliver Wood *although he's technically no longer a student
•Seamus Finnigan
•Lee Jordan *although he's technically no longer a student
•Dean Thomas
•Angelina Johnson *although she's technically no longer a student
•Theodore Nott
•Daphne Greengrass
•Astoria Greengrass
•Hannah Abbott
•Justin Finch-Fletchley
•Ernie Macmillan
•Eloise Midgen
•Terry Boot
•Anthony Goldstein
•Michael Corner
•Mandy Brocklehurst
•Morag MacDougal
•Millicent Bullstrode
•Tracey Davis
•Marcus Flint *although he's technically no longer a student
•Terence Higgs *although he's technically no longer a student
•Cassius Warrington *although he's technically no longer a student
Foreign School Students:
•Viktor Krum *although he's technically no longer a student
•Fleur Delacour *although she's technically no longer a student
The Adults in Harry's Life:
•Molly Weasley
•Arthur Weasley
•Bill Weasley
•Charlie Weasley
Hogwarts Professors:
•Filius Flitwick
•Minerva McGonagall
•Pomona Sprout
•Poppy Pomfrey
•Rubeus Hagrid
•Sibyll Trelawney
Other Adults:
•Narcissa Malfoy
•Lucius Malfoy
•Andromeda Tonks
•Kingsley Shacklebolt
•Augusta Longbottom
•Xenophilius Lovegood
•Garrick Olllivander
•Antonin Dolohov
•Augustus Rockwood
•Rita Skeeter
•Amos Diggory
•Mrs Diggory
•Mr Granger *although he doesn't remember who he is.
•Mrs Granger *although she doesn't remember who she is.
•Saul Croaker
•Galenius Everleigh - OC
•Claudius Everleigh - OC
•Mrs Zabini - she's been in the chamber a while but I forgot to add her to the list (sorry).
•Abeforth Dumbledore
•Stan Shunpike
•Tom Riddle
•Petunia Dursley - she doesn't deserve to be in the "adults in Harry's life" category.
•Vernon Dursley - he doesn't deserve to be in the "adults in Harry's life" category.
•Gawain Robards
•Auror Proudfoot
•John Dawlish
•Auror Savage
•Auror Williamson
Other Children:
•Andromeda Narcissa Malfoy *although she's an adult by this point - OC
•Dudley Dursley
Characters coming from a few months before Harry starts Hogwarts:
Hogwarts Students:
•Harry Potter
•Ron Weasley
•Hermione Granger
•Fred Weasley
•George Weasley
•Ginny Weasley
•Draco Malfoy
•Luna Lovegood
•Percy Weasley
•Susan Bones
•Neville Longbottom
•Blaise Zabini
•Oliver Wood
•Seamus Finnigan
•Lee Jordan
•Dean Thomas
•Angelina Johnson
•Theodore Nott
•Cedric Diggory
•Daphne Greengrass
•Astoria Greengrass
•Hannah Abbott
•Justin Finch-Fletchley
•Ernie Macmillan
•Eloise Midgen
•Terry Boot
•Anthony Goldstein
•Michael Corner
•Mandy Brocklehurst
•Morag MacDougal
•Millicent Bullstrode
•Tracey Davis
•Marcus Flint
•Terence Higgs
•Cassius Warrington
Foreign School Students:
•Viktor Krum
•Fleur Delacour
The Adults in Harry's Life:
•Sirius Black
•Molly Weasley
•Remus Lupin
•Nymphadora Tonks *although she's not long out of Hogwarts herself
•Arthur Weasley
•Bill Weasley
•Charlie Weasley
Hogwarts Professors:
•Severus Snape
•Albus Dumbledore
•Filius Flitwick
•Minerva McGonagall
•Pomona Sprout
•Poppy Pomfrey
•Rubeus Hagrid
•Sybill Trelawney
Other Adults:
•Narcissa Malfoy
•Amelia Bones
•Mad-Eye Moody
•Lucius Malfoy
•Andromeda Tonks
•Emmeline Vance
•Kingsley Shacklebolt
•Augusta Longbottom
•Xenophilius Lovegood
•Garrick Ollivander
•Antonin Dolohov
•Augustus Rockwood
•Barty Crouch Junior
•Ted Tonks
•Peter Pettigrew
•Rita Skeeter
•Amos Diggory
•Mrs Diggory
•Mr Granger
•Mrs Granger
•Saul Croaker
•Broderick Bode
•Galenus Everleigh - OC
•Claudius Everleigh - OC
•Mrs Zabini
•Abeforth Dumbledore
•Arcturus Black
•Stan Shunpike
•Florean Fortescue
•Tom Riddle
•Petunia Dursley - she doesn't deserve to be in the "adults in Harry's life" category.
•Vernon Dursley - he doesn't deserve to be in the "adults in Harry's life" category.
•Gawain Robards
•Auror Proudfoot
•John Dawlish
•Auror Savage
•Auror Williamson
•Rufus Scrimgeour
Other Children:
•Andromeda Narcissa Malfoy (Meda) - OC
•Dudley Dursley
Creatures/ Beings that have visited:
These are mostly all OCs. For some, I've taken a name from cannon.
Celestial Beings:
•Mother Magic
•Lord Time
House elves:
•Dobby
•Kreacher (Older)
•Kreacher (Younger)
•Sanny
•Winky (Older)
•Winky (Younger)
•Mipsy
Goblins:
•Ragnok - Goblin King
•Ragnok - Goblin King's Heir
•Fasald - Head Goblin, London Branch of Gringotts
•Ricbert - Chief Bank Teller, London Branch of Gringotts
•Griphook - Bank Teller, London Branch of Gringotts
•Bogrod - Account Manager, London Branch of Gringotts
•Burgock - Account Manager, London Branch of Gringotts
•Odbert - Account Manager, London Branch of Gringotts
•Gornuk - Head Healer, London Branch of Gringotts
•Relde - Healer, London Branch of Gringotts
•Finkla - Healer, London Branch of Gringotts
•Thadnin - Healer, London Branch of Gringotts
•Folvi - Healer, London Branch of Gringotts
Werewolves:
•Marric - Alpha of the British Pack
Veela:
•Isabeau Lemaire - Head of the Veela Council
Vampires:
•Zeldan - British Clan Leader
