Derek spent the next couple of months thinking about all that was going on throughout that year with the Triwizard Tournament. It was clear that he and Harry were in greater danger. He was now all the more concerned about what the Third Task had in store.

But Barty Crouch constantly being absent was something that was concerning him even more right now. His mind was on him while walking off to Charms class.

'Where is he? Surely someone would've seen him by now.' He thought.

'Even the Daily Prophet is rubbish. Claiming that he's ill? Nonsense. Crouch seems way too clever to have a sickness hit him this hard.' Plutonia said.

'Maybe Winston could help. If I remember, Crouch has a house-elf, right?' He asked.

'Used to. He fired his house-elf, Winky. But she could be a start.' She said.

He went off to Charms class where he took part in their next lesson.

"Welcome to another day of Charms. Today, we are learning about the Skurge Charm." Flitwick said while going over to a wall that was slimed up with green ooze. "Can anyone take a guess as to what this is?" He asked the class.

"That's ectoplasm." A Ravenclaw answered.

"Well done. Now can anyone tell me where this ectoplasm comes from?" He asked.

"They come from ghosts, poltergeists, and other forms of spirits. They spawn as waste from them when they glide. It usually forms over time if not treated properly." Derek answered.

"Very good, although ectoplasm can form quicker depending on the environment and typically moisture on the walls. Now, historically, ectoplasm has been shoveled off, which led to many strains and issues that have only gotten worse. Luckily, the Skurge Charm gets rid of it." Flitwick explained more.

They watched as Flitwick demonstrated how to use the incantation. After the swish and flick, he cast the spell, and the ectoplasm evaporated. They spent the class learning how to get rid of the ectoplasm that was laid out for everyone to get rid of.

Just then, a Slytherin attempted to try to get rid of it but ended up saying the incantation a bit off.

"Skorge!" He yelled. The spell caused the ectoplasm to explode and send it all over the place. "Uh…whoops." He said while being covered in ectoplasm.

"Please remain with me after class. For the rest of you, I'd like an essay on the history of the removal of the ectoplasm before the discovery of the Skurge Charm. Dismissed." Flitwick said while he rushed over to the Slytherin student.

After class, they all left and Derek made sure no ectoplasm was on his robes. He was heading off towards the Common Room where he could work on his homework because he had a free period before potions later that day.

Just as he did, Winston Apparated right next to him.

"YIKES! Oh, hey Winston. Everything okay?" Derek asked while calming down.

"Winston has come to tell Master Derek that Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, and Hermione Granger were kicked out of the kitchen for putting wages in other House-Elves heads. That S.P.E.W is really getting annoying for Winston." He said.

"Just that?" Derek asked.

"Well, there is more, Master. Winston overheard Winky saying that Winky was keeping something her master ordered her to do. Winky knowing that Bartimus Crough Sr. is sick is new to her, and everything." Winston continued.

Derek blinked a few times hearing this.

"She's not taking this well, is she?" He asked.

"No." Winston said.

"Best try to see if you can find out more about it. If we can learn what's going on with Mr. Crouch, the better. Good luck." He said. Winston bowed before disappearing. "I got a bad feeling about this." He whispered while getting back to his homework.

As May finally rolled in, Derek was beginning to prep for the summer term. He also knew that the Third Task was coming up, but he knew nothing about it yet. That was until one day…

"Mr. Night." Flitwick called him before everyone was leaving. "Mr. Bagman wants me to pass on a message to you. You are to join everyone and the champions at the Quidditch field tonight at nine. It has something to do with the final task." He said.

"Thank you, Professor Flitwick. I'll depart after dinner." Derek said.

While at dinner, he began to think about what the final task would be. Something tells me that this will be worse than the last two for him that want to try to kill him.

"Hey, Derek!" Someone called out nearby. He looked over and saw Cedric coming to him. "You been okay? What with all the dangers that seem to be targeting you throughout the task, I had to check up on you." He said.

"Oh yeah…can't wait to find out what's gonna try to kill me this time." Derek said sarcastically.

"Luckily, you're with selected ones that Dumbledore trusts the strongest. He is suspicious about Moody though, so he'll be elsewhere. Anyway, after you eat, we can head down to the Quidditch field." He said.

"Sounds good." He said.

After they ate, he and Cedric made their way down to the pitch. They got outside the stadium to wait for Harry, but they sat and talked about Quidditch and how Derek was thinking of becoming a Chaser courtesy of Cho's suggestion.

"Cedric, Derek!" Harry called out while joining them.

"Shall we?" Derek asked.

The three of them entered the field, but as they got there, they froze.

"WHAT THE!?" Derek shouted in fright.

"What happened to the field!?" Cedric yelled.

"They look like hedges!" Harry yelled as they all looked up and saw large walls of hedges all around them.

"There you are!" Judo called out as he and the other champions were waiting for them on top of the hedges.

"What in the world?" Derek asked.

"Relax, for you'll have your pitch back to normal soon enough. Hagrid will have them done within a month and they'll be tall enough for the final task. Can any of you guess what we're making here?" Ludo asked.

"Maze." Krum grunted.

"Correct! The Third Task will have you champions go through the maze. Your objective is to retrieve the Triwizard Cup that will be hidden deep within the maze. The first champion that touches the cup will receive full points. Talk about a game changer, eh?" Bagman asked them.

'Wow! A sudden win for the Triwizard tournament?' Derek thought.

'Good one.' Plutonia asked.

"However!" Ludo began, everyone, knowing there was a catch. "Obstacles, creatures, and spells will be shown all around the maze to make this more interesting. In terms of standings, Mr. Diggory and Mr. Potter will enter first as they are tied for first position. Mr. Krum will follow third, and Miss. Delacour will follow last." He finished.

"What will my task be?" Derek asked.

"You will be eyeing the champions from above with your broomstick. The champion's safety is going to be your number one concern, but you cannot intervene unless it is necessary. The champions can be withdrawn from the task by sending red sparks with their wands. You will circle around the pitch close to the staff that will be around in case another incident should happen again. Understood?" Bagman asked him.

Derek smiled greatly.

"Now you're talking my game." He said with confidence.

"If anyone else hasn't any questions, let us be off." Ludo said before he strolled off.

Just as everyone was about to leave, Fleur took Derek's shoulder.

"Derek…can we walk and talk?" She asked.

"Oh, sure." He said.

They left together to head for the carriages. They constantly looked around to see if they were being followed.

"You must've had it bad. But why would those monsters attack you?" Fleur asked.

"Been asking myself that question for months. From what I know is that someone is commanding them to attack me. First the dragon, then the giant squid, what's next? A Blast-Ended Skrewt that'll sneak up from behind and shoot flames out of its arse?" He asked in annoyance.

"Derek…please don't 'urt yourself." She said while holding his arm.

"It's not that I'm trying to hurt myself. It's just…huh?" Derek stopped himself when he saw something out of the ordinary.

"Derek? What iz it?" Fleur asked.

"Stay close." He said while his eyes began to glow so he could see the aura around, It didn't take long for him to see someone nearby. "There!" He yelled while pointing at the carriages.

They saw a man who looked like he had gone insane with torn and bloodied-up clothing. He looked paler and his hair and mustache looked like they needed to be cleaned. What really stood out was that he looked like he was talking to someone.

"Is zat Crouch? One of ze judges?" Fleur asked.

"It is! Come on!" Derek yelled before they rushed to him. "Mr. Crouch!? Are you okay!?" He asked him while they held him.

"…and make sure that all of her horses drink single malt whiskey, Weatherby. They are very picky about those." Crouch looked like he was still talking to someone.

"Zey already 'ave. Mr. Crouch? Vat ez it?" Fleur tried to ask, but he's constantly going on about complete nonsense.

"We need to get him inside. I know just where to take him. Can I trust you to help?" Derek asked her.

"Yes." She said before they got him up and began to take him inside.

"Derek!" Harry's voice called out as he and Viktor were on their way over.

"It's Crouch! He's not well! His mind must be turned to mush!" Derek said while they tried to get him inside.

"We need to get to Dumbledore!" Harry said.

"You go get him. We'll get him to the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey will tend to him." Derek said before Harry nodded and ran off. Suddenly, he stopped and looked back. "Hmm?" He asked.

"Derek?" Viktor asked.

He said nothing at first as he was seeing a dark presence nearby. He knew this was bad news.

"Move! Crouch is in greater danger!" He said in a panic as he rejoined them, and they ran inside.

They went through the castle and used a few secret passageways that allowed them to take some shortcuts. Crouch just gotten worse as he began to yell and panic.

"Dumbledore! Must…warn…Dumbledore!" Crouch yelled.

"You will. Let's just get you in here to the Hospital Wing and we'll get you fixed up." Derek said just as they entered. "Madam Pomfrey!? We got a problem!" He called out.

Madam Pomfrey came rushing out and saw Crouch.

"I thought he was ill at home. Put him here." She said as the three of them got him to a sickbed.

"We saw 'im by ze carriages. Eez gone mad." Fleur said.

"Vot is with him?" Viktor asked while Pomfrey began to subdue him.

"Looks like his mind has been messed with. I can think of a few spells that could do this. Maybe the Imperius Curse?" She wondered.

"Well, whoever did it really wants him out of the picture." Derek said.

After a bit, Crouch was finally sedated, and he was out cold. While they were watching over him, Harry, Dumbledore, Karkaroff, and Maxine arrived.

"There!" Harry said while pointing.

"What is the meaning of this?" Karkaroff asked.

"Someone obviously was messing with his mind." Derek said.

"I'll go tell Winky that her former master is here. Maybe she can help." Harry said.

"That won't be necessary, Harry. We will take him from here." Dumbledore said.

"But why would Crouch be attacked? It makes no zense." Maxine said.

"All of you, out! This is a Hospital Wing, not a meeting room. Out!" Madam Pomfrey demanded as she kicked everyone out, including Derek.

"Zis iz terrible. Who could do zis?" Fleur asked.

"We'll know more later. For now, how about you all return to their resting quarters for the night. Mr. Night, I think things are now getting too out of hand. Best stay within the walls until the task." Dumbledore said to him.

"No need to tell me twice. As much as it pains me to admit it, I think whoever is attacking me might've attacked Crouch. Someone is obviously trying to kill me and Harry." Derek said.

The champions and Derek left while the staff and the other heads discussed about the issue. Derek began to think about everything himself. Just before they went their separate ways, Fleur gently embraced him.

"Goon night, Derek. See you at ze final task." She said before she left.

"See you then. Take care." He said.

'She seems very loyal to her friends. You really have made a great ally.' Plutonia said.

'What can I say? I can tell by seeing it in them.' He thought while making his way back to the Common Room.

By the next morning, the news spread of Barty Crouch Sr. being found and seems to be crazy brought a lot of tension around. Because of his condition, he was later set off to St. Mungo's Hospital for better treatment, and Percy was brought in for questioning.

As Derek was leaving Herbology, a loud screech came nearby and an owl came zooming in with a letter in its beak.

"Hello. Whatcha got there?" He asked when it landed on his arm and he took the letter. He saw it was from Cornelius Fudge himself. "Oh boy…" He said before giving the owl a Knut and opened it.

Mr. Night,

The Ministry of Magic is very grateful that you, Mr. Krum, and Mr. Delacour safely helped with the help of Barty Crouch Sr. Head of the Department of Magical Cooperation. Given the situation, in case you are not aware, I will be stepping in as the judge for the final task.

As for the reason why I am sending you this letter before the task is because, like Mr. Potter, you are in greater danger than ever. Given what Mr. Ludo Bagman informed me, I will be having multiple eyes on you to make sure that nothing goes wrong like the previous two tasks. I know that there must be some dark activity that seems to be affecting the Triwizard Tournament. If you have any questions or concerns, send me a letter and I'll do my best to answer them.

Yours sincerely,

Cornelius Fudge

Minister of Magic

'Well, at least the ministry is taking some extra steps this time.' Plutonia said.

'Yeah. I guess we see how things play out now that the minister himself is getting his hands dirty.' Derek thought while the owl flew off.

Derek knew what was to come next. The Third Task was merely weeks away, and now things are going to get all the more concerning for him. What new dangers lie for him? Will he get away from said dangers unscathed? Find out more as the Third Task commences next time as the story continues.