The Fourth Wizard

DISCLAIMER: I don't own the Potterverse!

Author's Note: Many thanks to Buggycas

Chapter 3

At lunch, a few students from the other schools sat near them at the Gryffindor table. "Hello," said Harry. "Are you enjoying your visit so far?"

"Actually we are hearing tell of many disturbing things going on here in the past," said a girl in the Durmstrang uniform. "Quite amazing things that I would not believe for an instant except so many people speak of them so matter of factly. As if trolls and basilisks attacks are nothing special."

"Hold on," Ron said. "It was only the one basilisk, and Harry killed it, so there's no need to be carrying on."

"Is this the famous British stiff upper lip?" she replied. "You realize that neither of our school has had any attacks from life-threatening animals?"

"What?" Ron said. "Really?"

She nodded, "Oh yes. Oh, students in the upper two years occasionally go on an outing for Defense or Creatures class and so come across a dangerous animal that way. But never inside the school and never yet a basilisk!"

One of the French students nodded, "And when we ask what the staff have done to rectify these situations most just shrug and say they trust the headmaster!" She looked incredulous, "They don't know what he might be doing to fix things, and none of the other staff even bother to try it seems!"

"So you came to us to ask?" Harry said.

"We can certainly tell you exactly what has happened," Hermione said.

"That's the other thing I find worrying," a boy from Durmstrang said. "Apparently the only people that do anything about any emergency are the three of you. If the adults here are useless and the students must protect themselves then surely at least it will be the oldest students taking the lead? But no, everyone agrees it is you three, and you're only halfway through your education here!"

"It's because we're awesome!" Ron said. He grinned at the French girl, "Why don't I show you how awesome somewhere private?" Then he yelped and turned to glare at Hermione, "Why'd you kick me?"

"No reason," Hermione said. Then she added, "Except to save the girl from your inept pawing."

Harry interrupted before they got really rolling, "Mostly I think it's a matter of no one but us wanting to get involved."

Hermione sighed, smiled an apology at Ron who was pouting, and said, "Well that and power. Even at your age, you have more power than most of the staff. Statistically, only 10% of wizards can cast a corporeal patronus, and you cast one at thirteen. The students know you're ridiculously powerful and also that you feel compelled to save everyone you can, so they just shrug and let you handle things with our help."

All of the visitors stared at Harry, and he groaned, "Gee thanks, Hermione! Now I'm being stared at by even more people."

"My apologies M. Potter," the French girl said. "It is just shocking to meet a legend in person."

"Three legends," Ron added.

Harry nodded and smiled, "Yes, Ron is the real hero. You should stare at him instead."

Hermione giggled at that but stopped when Ron started pouting again.

"Whoever did it, you three defeated a troll, a basilisk, Dementors, and a werewolf?" asked the boy from Durmstrang.

"No," said Ron. "The werewolf was our Defense Professor that year."

"That reminds me," the French girl said. "What about the rumor that your new Defense teacher has been found to be an impostor using Polyjuice?"

Harry blinked, "I haven't even heard that one yet. It would explain why we haven't seen him at the staff table."

"If it's true Dumbledore will make an announcement at dinner," Hermione said. "I'm glad we have our study group to fall back on."

"That's it?" the girl asked. "No greater reaction to the news?"

"No," Ron said. "We can never keep a Defense teacher. Of course, they usually last longer than this but the only one I remember ending the year alive and sane was the werewolf, Lupin."

"It's only our fourth year though," Harry said. "Maybe next year's teacher will do better."

"According to Hogwarts, a History, it's been the same for the last twenty years," Hermione said.

"Do you have a copy of this book perhaps?" the boy asked.

Hermione nodded and pulled a copy out of her purse, "I want it back in the same shape you got it in or else!"

He held up both hands, "I don't need to borrow it. I can copy it." He pulled his wand and cast a long spell. Suddenly a second book appeared, "It will only last a week or so, but it's an accurate copy."

Hermione looked impressed and showed him where to look up the part about the cursed Defense position. He thanked her, and the three got up and left the room.

"I think this year may be more of an adventure than they thought," Harry said.

"Probably," agreed Ron.

After lunch was Transfiguration. Minerva McGonagall was qualified to teach to the international standard, so the other two were just observers.

Professor McGonagall started off by saying, "I had planned for you to turn hedgehogs into pincushions, but since we are teaching to the ICW standard we are instead going to learn to turn rocks into ink pots." She then showed them the spell and Hermione won another five points for Gryffindor when she was the first to get it right.

That night at dinner Dumbledore made an announcement, "Unfortunately it seems that our Defence teacher was actually a polyjuiced death eater long thought dead. The real Professor Moody decided to leave the school once rescued. He said this is a clear sign he should retire. His classes will be taught by the Durmstrang professor. Professor der Tod, please stand so the students know who you are."

A tall, gaunt man with a bald head stood and made a stiff bow before sitting back down.

"I'm sure we'll all learn a lot from him," Dumbledore said and smiled.

"Well, he can't be worse than Lockhart right?" Harry said.

"Don't jinx it, Harry!" Ron said.

The next morning after breakfast the Beauxbatons students all added their names to the goblet. Harry expected the Durmstrang students to follow suit, but only a few did.

"I guess they're doing it individually," Hermione said. "Let's get to class."

At dinner, however, it became apparent that the headmaster was trying to urge Krum into adding his name and failing. The rest of the students were quiet and listening as Harry came into the great hall.

"I already have fame and money," Krum shouted. "I refuse to risk it just to bring you accolades. I am not required to enter and I will not."

"Maybe I should make it a requirement for graduation?" Karkarov replied.

Krum laughed, "You can't make that stick!" He pointed, "If you even try to expel me over it the press will crucify you even before my lawyers get started. It would be illegal, and you know it. You can make me come on this trip, but you can't make me take part in such a dangerous and completely optional activity!"

Karakarov turned away from Krum and saw everyone listening, he snarled, "Fine! No one has to submit their name! Do whatever the hell you like!" Then he stomped out of the hall.

"Well that was interesting," Harry said.

Ron said, "I can see his point. Why should he risk his health and future career in a tournament? It's not as important as playing Quidditch after all."

Harry grinned at that and nodded.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Quidditch isn't everything, but I am glad he's able to refuse if he doesn't want to do it."

The month passed. They went to class, ate meals, studied, and chatted. Neville managed to cast a patronus but burnt out his wand doing it. Fortunately for him, it happened the night before a Hogsmeade weekend.

Harry told him, "We have a Hogsmeade weekend tomorrow. I think they are adding extras because of our visitors or because they canceled Quidditch but either way it means I think we can get you a new wand before Monday classes."

"What am I going to tell Gran?" Neville said.

Harry said, "Well, once we have your new wand, and I will pay for it since I am partly responsible and can afford it, we will tell your great uncle." Harry smiled, "He should be happy you managed a patronus at 14, and he can tell your gran for you."

"If he refuses?" Neville asked.

"Then I will send her a letter myself," Harry said.

Neville smiled, "Thanks, Harry!"

The next day was Saturday, and the two of them went into Hogsmeade with Ron and Hermione.

Neville followed Harry to a part of the town that had no obvious shops in it, "What's here Harry?"

"A wand shop," Harry said. "You know that Ollivander can't be the only one."

Neville suddenly smiled, "Yeah, that makes sense. And it being in the largest all magical town in Britain also makes sense. I can't be the first student to need a new wand during the school year."

Harry smiled, "Exactly! The man we're going to see is retired mostly but he likes a bit of extra coin now and then, and he says he likes keeping his skills from rusting." Harry pointed, "It's this house here."

The old man who opened the door said, "New wands for both of ye?"

"No," Harry said. He pointed, "Just him."

The man nodded and stepped back from the door, "Come back to my workroom. Since you're new, I will elucidate the rules. I will make you a new wand without asking what happened and you pay in gold without asking me any questions either. Deal?"

Neville nodded, "Deal."

Harry said, "I'll be the one paying though."

The man nodded and led them into a large workroom. He made several measurements of Neville and wrote them down. Then he took a length of redwood and turned it on a lathe until he was happy with the size and shape. Then he grabbed a tuft of unicorn mane and put it on the wood. A quick spell and the hair vanished. The old man nodded and picked up the wand, "Come here lad and give this a wave."

Neville took it and waved it then smiled as sparks appeared, "Wow! It's even better than my old one."

The old man just grunted at that and turned to Harry, "Fifteen."

Harry nodded and paid him while Neville gaped. The man smiled, "Good doing business with ye. Now bugger off, I'm late for a pint."

Harry nodded and lead Neville off. Once they were outside Harry said, "Yeah it's a lot, but he won't say a word to anyone."

Neville nodded, "Thanks, Harry. I won't forget it."

"What are friends for?" Harry said. "But if you're feeling extra grateful then when you tell your Uncle about your new spell you can ask him for another good one to trade."

Neville smiled, "Sure! I can do that."

The new wand did work better for Neville, and his practical spell work rose to be as good as his theoretical work.

Neville did tell his uncle about trading the invisibility spell for the patronus and asked for another to share. The reply he got was his uncle was coming to visit.

"He bumped the guy who was supposed to be here on Samhain when the Goblet chooses the champions," Neville explained to their little study group. "He wants to meet the people I shared his spell with before he shares any more."

"That sounds reasonable," Hermione said. "I'll have to find a good spell to contribute."

"Oh, I wouldn't ask," Neville said.

"I know, but you showed us a spell and Harry showed us a spell, so it's my turn," she replied.

"Well if you want to then I look forward to whatever you find," Harry said.