AN: If you were thinking I wasn't going to get this out for my normal day of posting, then rest assured, we were thinking the same thing. Just barely pulled this one off in time. That's what I get for changing so much from what I originally wrote and intended to post, like adding the extra tasks and things in between. Makes for more fun and a better story, but it also means that all of Year 4 isn't written. Still, once I get past Year 4, I do have a lot of Year 5 written, which should take some pressure off.
IronDuck - Yeah, Neville's going to have his dream come true . . . kind of.
stars90 - Ah, time and place. Off screen she definitely ribbed him a bit. Yep, thought that would be a fun twist/outcome.
GreengrassRebel - Yeah, I put the ritual with the Task since I figured it was a good way to balance out what hadn't really changed much and what was unique to this story. I'm glad you enjoyed the twist and my way of showcasing just how brilliant Dumbledore is. He makes mistakes, but he's still scary brilliant and powerful. I figured Fleur deserved to finish, and Harry is still stupid at times. Not a bad idea on the Remus interacting with Chiara thing. I'll have to think on that.
mwinter1 - I already gave Neville his own wand, but maybe you'll get a scene of Frank scolding his mum for making Neville use his dad's wand.
scrappy8 - Thanks! Yeah, Harry still has his stupidly noble moments. Neville deserves his parents back.
Mando-Vet - Oh yeah.
Nightwing2013 - Thanks for noticing those typos! Yes, my fun little twist on reverting spell damage. I guess you will just have to wait and see!
Bellalphine Black - Yeah, I don't intend to have anyone who was used go unused in this story if I can help it. I'm just going to make sure the characters that should have gotten more love get what they deserve. I think the screens is needed. The Triwizard would be so boring for the spectators without screens. The First Task, sure, fun and exciting. Next two, boring.
Arctic Wolf Fury - Only mildly unexpected? Am I becoming too predictable? Oh the horror. I'll have to try and fix that.
Chapter 37
Harry opened his eyes, finding himself in a new chamber, but with two familiar beings who seemed to be in the middle of their own discussion, but he couldn't understand what they were saying. Regardless, he knew to be patient. When his patrons were ready for him, they would address him.
He glanced around the chamber, really taking note of it for the first time, seeing various statues, portraits, and banners on the walls. He noticed three statues, one in the lead with two others flanking it on the left and right, realizing it was one of the people that he often saw in his dreams, and the other two were also familiar from his dreams. The man stood proud, his wand at the ready, and everything in the statue conveyed conviction in the face of terrible odds. Flanking him were two pretty women, faces set with resignation, but the same conviction. He glanced around, now looking closer and saw one of the banners had two others he saw quite often. The reddish-brown haired man and blonde woman, standing back to back, their wands glowing while all around them seemed to be hundreds of faceless enemies. He continued glancing at the various depictions, recognizing some, but not all, even if he had no idea who any of the people actually are. It was at least interesting to see which of the people in his dreams seemed to be from the same time in history, or obviously even were allies for each other.
"Greetings, Harry Potter," Hades said, and Harry glanced back at his patrons, seeing that they were now looking at him, and he bowed respectfully.
"Lord Hades, Lady Athena, you honor me once again," Harry said, trying to keep his lingering feelings of anger out of his voice.
The god and goddess gave him amused looks
"You show your maturity by controlling your temper," Athena said, "but you should remember that as long as we are shown the proper respect and you maintain your oaths and fealty to us, we care not for whether you like or dislike us nor how you feel about us."
"I understand, my lady," Harry said, nodding his head slowly. "I - I am still a little angry that neither of you could keep me out of the Tournament, but I also am still thankful for the gifts you have both provided and continue to provide."
"You must trust that we know more and understand more than you, little hero," Hades said, eyeing him. "This Tournament was needed to get you what you need for the future."
"What I need?" Harry asked, confused. "I get something from the Tournament?"
"You have already gotten much from the Tournament, even if you haven't realized it yet. Someday you will understand," Athena said with a slight smile.
"The Tournament sets up a chain of events that cannot be undone, but it is a chain of events that could not be stopped, lest great evil be released upon the world in the future," Hades said gravely.
Harry frowned thoughtfully, thinking on Hades and Athena's words carefully. As Mad-Eye had said, he had to hope that they had his best interest in mind . . . or at least he had to assume they had the best interest of the world in mind, and he had to trust that they would help him when they could. Favor from the gods required faith. He had to have faith.
"I may not fully understand yet, my lord, but I will trust in your wisdom," Harry said slowly.
"As you should," Hades said firmly.
"You have done well in the Tournament so far, hero," Athena said, "but your greatest trials are still before you."
"Both in the Tournament . . . and beyond," Hades said gravely.
"You must keep your allies, friends, and family close, and watch everyone outside of your circle closely," Athena advised. "However, do not keep others at arm's length. You will find other allies and you will need more allies."
"They will often not appear from where you would expect, just as those you would expect to be allies will often fail you," Hades said.
"How will I recognize friends from foes?" Harry asked.
"When you watch closely, and see clearly," Athena said quietly. "It takes time. A person's actions betray them more than their words do, but their words can reveal their hidden objectives if you listen well. Hear well the advice and opinions of those you trust most, for they may see something that you do not."
"Thank you for the guidance, Lord Hades, Lady Athena," Harry said, bowing his head in respect. "Do you have any other guidance that you feel I need?"
"Continue your training," Hades said. "From what I can tell, you soon shall have learned all of my element, as I have required of you, but true mastery of use comes with practice. There is still much for you to learn before you become a mage."
"Look to the future," Athena said. "You have done well, but there are still four more tasks to go, and you must win this Tournament."
"What, win?" Harry gasped out. "Forgive me, my lady, but win? I mean, I'm doing well, but my goal has always just been to survive. I mean, my competitors are all older, more experienced, and while I know I'm advanced, so are they!"
"As Hades has said, events have now been set in motion that cannot be undone," Athena warned. "You must win or your world will fall into darkness sooner, and your task will be all the more harder."
"But I don't understand!" Harry protested. "How does winning affect darkness in this world or anything with Voldemort?"
"Faith, hero," Hades said softly. "Faith is what we need from you. Not only must you win, but you must not let the event destroy you. Stand strong in the face of evil. Be true and you will prevail."
"Take note of the dreams that myself and Athena send your way. We have gifted you visions of our greatest champions, ones whose legacy will be remembered for the rest of time by the gods who honor them."
"You honor them," Harry said incredulously, eyes widening slightly.
"They are the greatest of those that have served the gods," Athena said seriously. "The greatest of those that have served us specifically. We honor the great deeds they completed in our names, and for many, the great sacrifices they made in protecting the world, and in some cases, worlds."
"We ask much of the heroes who serve us, and often there are those who are called upon by the Fates to accomplish tremendous tasks," Hades said. "For those who succeed and understand true sacrifice, but make the best of what they are given, we honor them."
"Perhaps one day you too will be immortalized among our champions, with your greatest allies by your side," Athena said. "Or perhaps the Fates will be kinder to you than they were to many of these heroes and heroines."
"Faith, Harry Potter," Hades said. "What we need is faith."
"Believe in yourself, your friends, your family, and believe in us," Athena said, and Harry's vision started fading, her voice ringing in his head.
"Good luck, Harry Potter," Hades's voice rang out. "We will be watching . . . and we will see if our faith has been well placed."
**HP**
Dora stumbled as the portkey dropped her into her destination, and she felt the warmth and the humidity. Sure, it wasn't warm by any stretch of the word, but compared to what it had been back in England, it was positively steaming.
She glanced around, noting that she was in some field that was surrounded by tall trees. By all accounts, she looked like she was in the middle of a nice spot in a swamp. It seemed she wasn't the only one arriving at this time, for all around her were dozens of other beings who had arrived by portkey.
"Form a circle trainees!" a voice yelled, and Dora glanced over as did many others seeing a formidable looking group of witches and wizards. "Form a circle around us, trainees!"
Dora moved with the rest of the group and formed around the instructors, noting five of them, three wizards and two witches. One of the wizards and one of the witches looked like they would have been Mad-Eye's best friends: grizzled and angry looking. The other witch was rather young looking; Dora figured she could only be a few years older than herself, but there was a confidence about her and her entire bearing told Dora that she wasn't someone to mess with. One of the wizards looked to be in the same age range as the younger witch, with a rather attractive face, a full beard, and a friendly smile. The last man was middle aged, rather plain looking, but had a look of cold indifference that was impossible to forget.
"Good," the grizzled older man said. "Welcome to the Small Unit Tactics Course. I am Carson Dallows, and I will be your lead instructor while you are with us for the next two months. With me are Tyler Sloan, Carrie Matthews, Jessica Andrews, and Parker Largos."
He indicated the bearded man, the older woman, the younger woman, and the plain looking man all respectively as he said the names.
"This is Wraith Platoon," he said, gesturing at all of them. "There are three other platoons that are a part of this course with you: Sphinx, Basilisk, and Dragon."
Dora couldn't help but think it was good luck that she was in the platoon named after a creature associated with her brother's element.
Carrie spoke up. "Many of you are fierce opponents in your own rights. You've won your local, national, or even participated and ranked well, if not won, your continental dueling competitions. Some of you have competed internationally. This is not the place for your ego. We don't care how good you are individually, only how you can add to or take from a team. In this school, we are going to teach you to fight as a team and to fight through any type of environment. We are going to teach you to take down the best duelists that exist by using teamwork, regardless of your own ability."
"This school was established in the wake of the first capture of Gellert Grindelwald," Tyler continued. "Newt Scamander managed to surprise Grindelwald and use a creature to subdue him, but the Aurors that were attempting to subdue him were nearly powerless, despite having superior odds. This course was developed to help take down powerful dark witches and wizards by using strategy combined with powerful magic, and we have already seen great success over the past fifty years. Teams that were developed in this course, or teams created from people who graduated from this course and took the lessons learned here back to their own Ministries have successfully taken down nearly twenty Dark Lords and Ladies world wide, not including a large number of other dark witches and wizards who served those self-proclaimed lords and ladies."
"We will teach you advanced defensive magic, and hone your abilities with transfiguration and charms in combat, but beyond that you will learn to work in two man teams, four man teams, squads of nine, and finally in full platoons, fighting against each other and against the other platoons," Jessica said.
"We will break you down and then build you back up," Parker said, almost chillingly. "We're going to find what you are made of in this course, and some of you will fall out, but for those of you with the will to succeed, we will turn you into warriors capable of beating the dark arts however they may rise."
"Today you will only be getting situated and getting familiar with your fellow platoon mates," Carson took back over. "Your teammates will be a large part of your life over the next two months. You will get to know each other well while you are here. You will get on each other's nerves, but you need to have each other's backs. I don't give a fuck whether you leave here as best friends, family, or mortal enemies, but you will work together. You will know that your teammates have your back, and you will have your teammates backs. Any sabotage I see will result in automatic expulsion, and I will personally obliviate all knowledge you learn from this course from your worthless head in that event."
Dora heard some shocked murmurs around, but she wasn't too surprised. The American's took things like this seriously. They opened it up to their allies as a courtesy, and there were things that she was encouraged to take back to her Ministry and pass on, but there were things that she had made a magical oath to protect.
"Now, each of you will have one of my associates as your specific squad's cadre," Carson continued. "They will be your mentor for the duration of your time here and handle all of your administrative issues. Now, listen for your names and report to your assigned instructor. They will escort you to your lodging for the night. We begin tomorrow at 0500."
Dora wanted to groan at that. She suspected by the time they were able to go to bed it would be almost midnight. She had heard the rumors. Low sleep and food were one of the ways the Americans stressed out their students. She suspected that she was going to find out.
She listened as the names were rattled off until finally she heard her name and headed over to her instructor: Parker Lagos. She wasn't sure she was happy with her instructor when she gathered with the other eight members of her team and he glanced at them almost uncaringly.
"We'll see how many of you survive these two months," Parker said, sounding almost certain they'd all fail.
"Cheery bastard, ain't he?" one girl murmured next to Dora, and she chuckled slightly as Parker led them to a bay that would serve as their barracks, with beds that were partitioned off with drapes, but nothing more. Very Spartan.
"Yeah, I don't think the blighter thinks much of any of us," Dora agreed.
"Stephanie Ortiz," the girl greeted, and Dora took a proper look at the blonde girl who was a bit stocky, but had a cheery look about her. "Call me Steph."
"Nymphadora Tonks," Dora introduced, shaking her hand. "Call me Tonks unless you want to get hexed."
Steph grinned and nodded.
"We threatening hexes already?" a voice said, and Dora glanced at two guys approaching, one of whom looked like he could be in a movie, long blonde hair, pretty face, and toned arms. The other was asian, and had kind of an edgy, but dorky vibe. It was the movie star who spoke. "I thought it would have taken a week or two."
"Nah, we're all Aurors, hitwizards, hitwitches, or gods knows what else, man," the Asian guy responded with a chuckle. "Bound to happen right off the bat."
"Si, we need to see who the best duelist is," another voice said, sounding amused, and Dora saw a rather striking woman approach, with brownish skin. "Clearly our egos demand this."
"Ooh, we've gotten to the brawl already!" an excited voice rang out, and Dora looked at the next newcomer, seeing a rather short, stocky guy with a short, trimmed beard, and he was standing with a sighing, average looking guy wearing glasses.
"No matter where we go, you're battle crazy," the guy murmured, sounding a mixture of exasperated and fond.
Dora looked to the last two of their squadmates, who had yet to say anything. One of them looked like a real bookworm . . . being that he was literally reading a book, his back against a wall, a slight smile on his face. The other . . . had already fallen asleep. He was literally already in a bed, a cowboy hat tucked over his head and was dead asleep.
"Well, I'll be damned," the movie star said, seeing the sleeping guy. "The bugger is really already asleep. I bet he's either the most loveable son of a bitch you've ever met or he's going to be the most conceited asshole you've ever met."
"That will be a hard ceiling to beat," Dora said. "I've met some real arseholes."
"Same," every other person in the room, including the bookworm, echoed.
They all glanced at each other and grinned.
"Looks like we're going to have some team," Steph said, clapping her hands together and rubbing them together.
"Alright, let's do some introductions," the stocky, short bearded guy said. "My name is Branson al'Thor."
"Tristan Carr." The movie star.
"Stephanie Ortiz."
"Dora Tonks."
"Eichi Kirigaya." The Asian man.
"Cole Stewart." The glasses guy with Brandson.
"Illeana Silva." The striking woman, who was apparently Brazilian.
"Barry Ashmore." The bookworm.
"Well, I guess we'll have to figure out who Sleeping Beauty is in the morning," Tristan said, glancing at the sleeping man with amusement. "For now, let's share some basic info, and then hit the head. We've got an early morning."
**HP**
"Bloody hell, what the fuck did we get into?" Dora muttered in abject misery, and all around her, her squad mates groaned in agreement.
Sleeping Beauty's name was Tom Stevens, and as Hollywood (Tristan) had predicted, the bastard was damn near the most lovable bastard she'd ever met. He was a Texan, from a small town, honestly rather simple at times, but quite loyal and was a fucking work horse. That man would go until he was told he was allowed to rest and then would happily nod off with his blasted hat over his eyes. She was pretty sure he was a labrador retriever turned human. He hadn't even complained about being referred to as Sleeping Beauty, and the name stuck. In fact, he honestly thought it was funny and seemed to like it. Still, like all those that got into the course, he was a skilled warrior, and had talent with wards.
Hollywood groaned at his nickname in contrast. He was rather good natured with it, but resigned. Apparently he had dealt with that name for most of his teenage and young adult life. It probably didn't help that he was quite good with charms, which had already started up the jokes with appearance and beauty charms. Still, very laid back, and from Washington. He flirted with damn near everything, but with no real interest anywhere. He just seemed to like the byplay.
Branson al'Thor, from Alabama, really was battle happy, but had a good sense of humor and could spend hours debating various styles of dueling and techniques. She'd honestly never encountered someone so punch happy. He was very friendly though and boy he could eat. Half of the Americans had dubbed him Goku, and those who didn't know, like Dora, just rolled with it. The yin to his yang was Cole, also from Alabama. Friendly enough, but more like an old man who just humors the younger people because he's done it and he's amused by their interest or fascination. He was relaxed, calm, and had a very methodical and analytical mind. Considering he really wasn't old at all, it was a bit amusing that everyone called him Old Timer.
Barry, the bookworm, was a major introvert, but damn did he know freaking everything. Super sweet when you talked to him, and he had a wife and child on the way back home in New York where he was from. He loved to talk about his family. It seemed his wife was an extrovert that simply adopted him, earning his eternal adoration. Of the entire team, Barry had probably mastered or had some skill with the greatest number of magical disciplines. He had resigned himself to Schoolboy for his nickname.
Eichi was more reserved than Dora had originally thought. From Colorado, but his grandparents were from Japan. Very skilled with physical weapons, particularly the sword. Was engaged to his best friend that he'd met at an arcade, even though she hadn't been much of a gamer. It was one of those meet-cute stories. His love of swords and his heritage had not helped him with the Americans. They all called him Samurai, which had Eichi shaking his head in exasperation.
Steph, from Minnesota, was a water and ice elemental. She was one hundred percent the mom of the group, and had taken it over like no other. She actually did have three kids back at home with her husband, and she was glad she would be home before the summer break started and her kids were home more often. She was scarily efficient though when it came to planning things out. Dora couldn't figure out if she had always been like that or if managing kids had just made her that way . . . she also wasn't sure she wanted to know the answer to that question.
That left Illeana. Sarcastic, fierce, and holy shit she was fast. Both physically and with a wand, and she was also a fire elemental. She was very artistic, enjoying painting landscapes and sketching their squad in various debacles . . . . quite a few of which her squadmates all wished hadn't been immortalized on paper. Her nickname was Jalapeno . . . one that got Hollywood, Branson, Eichi, and Dora herself running after calling her that the first time . . . but it stuck.
"Parker is a fucking sadist, Cam," Tristan said.
Cam . . . short for chameleon. Her squadmates were really clever . . . not.
"I thought our Auror Corps kept us in shape, but it's five days of him just smoking us after every training event," Dora huffed. "Even Mad-Eye wasn't this insane!"
"He never even looks winded either," Eichi said with a shake of his head. "He does it all with us, so it's hard to complain, but he never seems to struggle as much as any of us."
"He sold his soul to o diabo," Illeana muttered.
"I'm pretty sure the devil pays him to stay away," Barry responded, and Illeana chuckled at that.
The first week had been mostly fitness conditioning . . . or perhaps physically wearing them down. There had been classes in between all of the fitness, mostly on navigating the swamps, forests, and fields they would be training in or other survival skills and spells, some of which Dora hadn't known and did find helpful, but others that were mostly just refresher.
"The devil does pay me to stay away," a voice said dryly and they all jumped up to see Parker eyeing them with disinterest. "Came to an arrangement with him years ago. I torture students. He leaves me alone. Seemed like a great deal."
Dora gaped. Was Parker making a joke? She really did not understand this guy.
"I've posted the packing list for the next week. Tomorrow we start buddy-team training. I'll assign the teams. We'll be at this for two weeks, and how well you do here directly feeds into four man teams the following two weeks. We'll be in the field for 10 of the next fourteen days. I suggest you pack accordingly."
With that, the creature from hell walked out.
"Well, at least we get to start hexing each other tomorrow."
"Shut up, Schoolboy."
"I'm going to hex you first."
**HP**
Harry was in a rare instance where he was walking alone through the halls. All three chasers were in classes, as was Ginny. Ron was in Divination, and Hermione had rushed off to the library to continue her crusade in figuring out how Rita Skeeter was getting the information that she was using to write her articles. It probably didn't help that Hermione had gotten several letters that were soaked in undiluted bobtuber pus or others that had threats of curses being sent.
So far, nothing written was all that damaging. All of it had been printed with clear labels of it being nothing more than gossip, but all of the gossip generally had to do with Harry and his friends and none of it was all that complimentary. Ginny was a gold digger or a girl that was just trying to do right by the boy that saved her and was possibly being taken advantage of. Angelina, Alicia, and Katie were apparently corrupting him or he was corrupting them. It was hard to tell. He'd only gone to the ball with Alicia because Hermione broke up with him, supposedly, or Alicia had snatched him away and Hermione had found herself a better suitor in the form of Krum. Regardless, the nastier Slytherins were always the ones in the articles and were quite enjoying whispering them while passing in the halls. Sometimes though, they weren't whispered.
"Hey Potter, have you gotten over your breakup with Granger yet?" Malfoy called out snidely. "Honestly, why Krum would associate with a mudblood like her is beyond me."
"Excuse me," a voice said icily, and Harry's retort was stopped as he turned to smash Malfoy's face in.
Standing behind Malfoy was none other than Viktor Krum, who was looking at Malfoy like he was a bug to be smashed.
"Vhat did you say about Hermy-own-ninny," Viktor asked, his voice frigid.
"I didn't say anything that wasn't true," Malfoy said, looking a little worried with only Crabbe and Goyle flanking him.
"Then you are not vorth associating with," Krum said, eyes narrowed. "If it vould not be an insult to Headmaster Dumbledore, I vould duel you right here and now."
"He's not worth dueling," Harry said heatedly. "He's a useless slug who just keeps trying to get himself salted."
"Then maybe he should be a slug," Krum said, and his wand was out and before Harry's eyes, Malfoy got with a spell, and like with Mad-Eye earlier in the year, Malfoy was transfigured, but this time it was into a slimy snail on the ground.
Crabbed scooped up Malfoy and started running with Goyle, while Harry laughed, and Krum grinned viciously.
"That vill teach him," Krum said, before he narrowed his eyes at Harry. "Vhat is there between you and Hermy-own-ninny?
Harry froze, rather shocked at the question and the glowering seventh year.
"Nothing," Harry said, but Krum glowered further, and Harry couldn't help but think that Krum seemed rather tall. "Really. We're just friends. Have been for years. There's nothing going on between us. Never has been. Bloody Skeeter woman is just making things up."
"Hermy-own-ninny talks about you very often," said Krum, looking suspiciously at Harry.
"Well, she's one of my best friends," Harry pointed out. "We've been friends since our First Year, but there has never been, nor do I think there will be anything more than that."
He was a bit flattered to be thought of as a rival by the international Quidditch player.
"Vell, then," Krum looked happier. "Perhaps ve can talk more. I like Hermy-own-ninny, and if you are her friend, then ve should know each other better."
Harry grinned.
"Fine, but I get to threaten you first."
**HP**
"HARRY JAMES POTTER! YOU DID WHAT?!" Hermione demanded
"I told Krum that he needed to treat you right or that he'd answer to me," Harry said simply, turning back to his game of exploding snap with Katie, who was desperately trying not to burst out with laughter.
"My personal relationship is none of your business, Harry Potter! None! You don't get to threaten the people I date!"
"But Fred and George already did it," Harry said. "So why do they get to play big brother to you but I don't? I've known you longer!"
"Fred and George! Fred and George did what?! Big . . . big brother?"
Harry grinned while Katie mouthed, 'Smooth,' at him.
"Yep, you should really go direct your anger at Fred and George," Harry said with a nod. "It was very presumptuous of them. Me though, I always figured we had more of a sibling bond, Hermione, but if you don't think so," Harry finished somewhat mournfully.
"What? No, I mean of course! I mean," Hermione blabbgered, and Harry grinned, and she scowled. "Damn you Harry Potter. Damn you. Damn that infernal sister of yours that made this cheeky. I blame Dora. I miss when you were a quite little blighter First Year."
"Hermione, language!" Angelina scolded, making Hermione jump and spin around to see Angelina and Alicia grinning with glee. "
"Arghgh!" Hermione groaned in frustration. "You!" she pointed her finger at Harry. "We're not done with this! First though, I'm going to go tear Fred and George up and yell at Krum for thinking he can threaten you."
"Oh, what did Fred and George do to you that deserved you ratting them out like that?" Katie asked.
"Well, they never actually did it in the first place, so I didn't actually rat them out," Harry said with a grin. "And they were the ones that charmed that stupid crown to follow me around for half the day, so this is payback."
"Brutal," Angelina said, sounding impressed. "Now, what do we have on our wonderful clues?"
"I still don't really understand the first part," Harry admitted, thinking of his clue which was two riddles with a sentence in between them.
'Providing us a guiding light
Help us through the dark of night
Though they're never seen by day
They never really went away.'
Follow the guiding light and find
'Eight pallbearers carry,
death across the floor.
He weaves his shroud for those that move,
to make sure they move no more.'
Honestly, he was struggling with it. His next hint was much more straightforward.
(Flashback)
"Hey, Harry, got a minute?" Cedric asked, intercepting Harry in the Entrance Hall after dinner and while everyone was heading back to their dormitories and common rooms.
"Sure, Cedric," Harry said, waving on Angelina, Alicia, and Katie who were eyeing Cedric's friends with distrust, since half of Cedric's friends were doing the same to Harry.
Harry followed Cedric down a corridor and then into a deserted classroom.
"Listen, I want us to be even, okay," Cedric said. "You saved my ass with the dragon and told me everything you knew, for nothing. So, now I'm going to do the same."
Harry's eyes widened.
"Your clue?"
"Yeah," Cedric said. "I don't know what we're doing, but the next task is in the Forbidden Forest."
"You're sure?" Harry asked, part of him suspicious.
"Yes, I'm sure," Cedric said with a nod. "The hint wasn't too hard to figure out, but that's probably because knowing it's the Forbidden Forest doesn't help all that much. There's so many things that could be in there."
"True," Harry admitted. "I haven't really figured out my clue yet."
"Doesn't matter," Cedric said with a shake of his head. "We're even now. I don't want to hear it even if you do figure it out."
"Cedric," Harry started to protest, but Cedric smiled and shook his head. "No, this clears my conscience and the slate. We're good. Good luck, Harry. You're going to need it because I've got the next task in the bag."
(End Flashback)
The hint from Cedric was helpful to some degree, but like he'd said. Not terribly helpful. Granted, Harry had a much better understanding of what lay in the Forest compared to most students, and thus could prepare more thoroughly, but even he didn't really know what was in there, especially when you considered other magical creatures, plants, and possible spells.
There was a real rush to figure it out too, both for his own sake, but also for Fleur's. She'd already approached Harry about a trade of information.
(Flashback)
"'Arry," Fleur said in greeting, hugging him tightly, and then she pulled away, looped her arm through his and started pulling him along with her down the corridor. Her friends and Harry's were all providing cover from anyone trying to snoop in on their meeting, which Harry thought was taking it a bit overboard, but Fleur had insisted.
"What's up, Fleur?" Harry asked, when finally they had finally entered another deserted classroom.
"I 'ave figured out my clue," Fleur said, and Harry tilted in his head in confusion, smiling slightly.
"And you've come to brag?" Harry said with a chuckle.
"No, I've come to offer it to you," Fleur said, and Harry's eyes widened.
"What? Why?" Harry asked.
"Because you saved me and my sister," Fleur said. "Zat is a debt I can never forget."
"Well, then let's call it even just as friends," Harry said, shaking his head. "No need to give me an upper hand in the Tournament. I didn't have to help you. I just chose to. You'd have done the same."
"I'd like to zhink so," Fleur said seriously, "but I am not so confident. At least, not back zhen. Now, in a heartbeat."
"Well, then we're closer friends," Harry said, shrugging. "That's worth more to me anyway."
Fleur sighed. "You are too infuriatingly noble, mon ami. Will you be open to a trade?"
"A trade?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Fleur said with a nod. "I weel give you my clue if you give me yours. Plus, I weel give you Viktor's if I can find it out, since I zhink zhat your clue is worth more zhan mine."
"Yeah, I guess I'd be willing to trade you," Harry said with a nod and a smile. "That seems fair. So, I guess I'll figure mine out and then we can do an exchange."
"Oui," Fleur said, beaming. "Zhis weel work out for zhe both of us."
(End Flashback)
"Well, let's think on it tonight," Angelina said, with a bracing smile. "The quicker we figure yours out, the quicker we can really start preparing."
"Yeah, I think Ginny's right with the spider thing for part two," Harry mused. "It certainly fits, but the only spiders I know of in the Forest worth mentioning are the Acromantulas, and I doubt they'd make us go there for the Tournament. No way the Acromantulas would let us live."
Angelina and Alicia shuddered. Katie grimaced.
"Well, I hope not either," Katie said, but sighed. "Still, it does sound right, but that means you need some sort of guiding light to find the spider? Is it a specific spider? Or are we off our marks?"
"I don't know," Harry said. "But, I'm sure we can figure it out. We've still got some time.
**HP**
Sirius smiled at the rather touching scene. Neville Longbottom was wrapped in the arms of his parents, and all three had tears streaming from their faces, their arms locked onto each other.
Neither Frank or Alice had been released from St. Mungo's yet, and they wouldn't be for a while. The hospital wanted to keep running tests, to make sure everything was truly fine, that no residual issues could occur. They wanted to confirm that the Longbottoms were not only permanently healed, but permanently mind wiped, and permanently deaged.
Still, Sirius and Augusta had both agreed, especially with Alice and Frank's wish, that it was high time that Neville got to interact with his parents. If Frank and Alice weren't permanently cured, then at least they'd have this time together, which was more than Neville had ever really had.
Sirius figured he'd have to talk to Harry though. Neville's joy would be unmistakable, and it would lead to Harry learning about Sirius's involvement. Sirius hadn't wanted to tell Harry about Bellatrix yet, not wanting to get his hopes up for more family, especially when Sirius wasn't sure Bellatrix would be cured or that she would be family, even if she was cured. Asking the twenty year old Bellatrix Black to just work with her losing so much life and being so much younger than everyone she knew, and then becoming a friend or familiar figure to the kid of a girl who used to be your friend, but whom is now dead might be asking too much.
Still, it was time for Harry to know everything. He'd ask Neville to hold off saying much to Harry about what little he knew for the rest of the Tournament. Sirius figured Harry would and could wait until the end of the Tournament, at which time, he might even know if Bellatrix was being freed or not.
Looking at the joyous faces reflected on the three Longbottoms, it was hard to not to feel hopeful for a better future.