Chapter 441
"Yes," Lucius said dryly, "it's caused quite a commotion among the parents
who had chosen to keep the information quiet." He smiled. "They've found
their offspring are unwilling to be fodder for the Dark Lord."
"I believe it would be beneficial to deliver your praise directly to Draco."
Narcissa shifted beside her husband. "I should not need to tell you how
precarious his position is within Slytherin."
Sirius swallowed the retort he wanted to make and nodded instead, because
truthfully Draco was in a precarious position and that he had apparently held
fast to supporting Harry and the House of Black deserved recognition. "I'll see
what I can do." He gestured at Lucius. "What reactions have you observed?"
"Those that carry the Mark are even more concerned." Lucius conceded,
fidgeting with the cane. "We understand that this was done at the Dark Lord's
behest if not at his hand. He is gaining in strength to challenge Potter so
openly." He paused, gathering his thoughts. "The majority are unwilling to
allow him to come to power again but are unclear how to remain out of the
imminent war. My position can be explained with the primacy, and those who
have established détentes have some cover, but there are many who have
none."
And wanted cover because they had no backbone to stand up to Voldemort
on their own, Sirius mused.
"Wenlock may find some traction as the minor Houses look to him for that
cover." Lucius murmured. "Whether Wenlock will understand why they are
seeking his protection is another matter. He is focused on the political
landscape and he has no Mark."
"So he may find himself caught in the crossfire when Voldemort realises
Wenlock is taking his supporters?" Sirius was torn between glee and the
nagging voice of conscience that said he should warn Wenlock.
"It's a possibility." Lucius allowed.
And one that Lucius would pursue whatever concerns Sirius or anyone else
might have, Sirius realised. Did he want Lucius to back off putting Wenlock in
that position? Sirius knew that if he did he should say something. He wrestled
for a long moment with his ruthless urge to let Wenlock make his own bed on
one hand, and with the knowledge that he should do the right thing on the
other. Thinking of Harry and the example he wanted to set for his son decided
Sirius.
Sirius sighed. "Try to give Wenlock a subtle heads-up. If he worries about why
some are seeking his protection, it may make him hesitant to make alliances
which will cock things up for him politically and help us that way. He'll probably
ignore you but we'll have the higher ground knowing we warned him."
Lucius inclined his head.
"Have you heard anything about Junior and the rat?" Sirius asked bluntly.
"Nothing, except the obvious exclamations of surprise at Junior's resurrection
and competence as a lieutenant of the Dark Lord." Lucius replied. "The
general consensus is that Junior only took the Mark for Rabastan." His cool
eyes met Sirius's. "Junior will want to avenge his death. I'm certain he'll
believe taking Harry from you will suffice but your death would probably be a
bonus."
Which Sirius had already worked out for himself.
"OK, so the final thing you should know is that Harry is likely to return to
Hogwarts by the beginning of next week, certainly by the Weighing of the
Wands ceremony." Sirius confirmed. "I'll be discussing the matter with Albus
later." He checked the clock and stood. "I have to get to the Potter alliance
meeting at the Longbottoms. Are there any questions?"
"Will you or Harry be talking to the press?" asked Narcissa.
"Tomorrow." Sirius said. "I want everyone allied briefed today."
"A sensible plan." Lucius rose and held a hand out for Narcissa to hold while
she got to her feet. "With your permission, I'll do the same?"
Sirius agreed swiftly. He let the Malfoys leave before him but Andromeda
stopped him before he could follow them through the floo.
"I hope you realise that our comments are…"
"Are because you care about Harry." Sirius smiled warmly at his cousin.
Andromeda sighed and pushed her hair away from her face. "Harry must be
scared, Sirius, no matter what brave front he's putting on for you."
"I know, Andy." He knew because he was scared too.
Andromeda let him go and Sirius flooed to the Longbottoms.
He was greeted by Augusta personally, vibrant in a green robe with the crest
of the House of Longbottom. She looked regal; her eyes alight with fire, her
stride determined and purposeful. She accepted his kiss on her hand,
squeezing his gently before letting go.
"How are you, Sirius? And Harry?" Augusta asked as they made their way to
the large formal drawing room.
"I'm better now Harry's woken up." Sirius admitted honestly. "I hate it when
he's hurt."
"It's a particular kind of ache, isn't it?" Augusta said with a pained smile. "I
remember the first time Frank got sick. I almost drove Gerald round the bend
with my panicking."
They entered the room and Sirius wasn't surprised when the babble of chatter
came to a sudden halt. He took the seat that Augusta pointed to, arranged
himself comfortably and accepted the cup of coffee she pressed on him.
"Thank you all for coming," Sirius began and went through his briefing once
again; Harry's status, the proposed strategy, the news from Lucius. He wished
for a moment that Remus was with him so he could have another pair of eyes
checking out who was completely with them and who was doubtful.
Daniel Greengrass cleared his throat first. "I think I speak for us all, Sirius, in
saying that we said we stand with you and we meant it; we're not going
anywhere."
Mutters of agreement swept the room.
Sirius allowed himself a small sigh of relief. "You'll need to protect yourselves.
The strategy…"
"Means Voldemort and his cronies may try to take his anger out on Harry's
supporters since he cannot touch Harry himself." Richard Bones nodded.
"Frankly, though, I'm glad Harry wants to go back to Hogwarts. We can protect
all the kids better if he's there; consolidate our efforts."
"And they all look to him – even the kids outside of the formal alliance." Daniel
added.
"I agree and, for what it's worth, I think it's a good strategy." Augusta said
firmly. "It's high time we started to fight back and made it clear that they won't
have it their own way."
Albert Goldstein frowned. "Can Harry win it?"
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Chapter 442
"I believe he has the potential." Sirius replied. "He's smart, fast on his feet in a
crisis, and has tons of raw power at his disposal." He took a sip of his drink to
ease his dry throat. "What he lacks is spell knowledge and experience."
"Amos believes Cedric will win for that reason." Leonard Abbott spoke up.
"He's pretty upset that Harry has taken the lion's share of the publicity to
date."
"So I've heard." Sirius regarded Leonard carefully. "I understand you're in a
difficult position with Amos being a personal friend but I'd appreciate your view
of his possible response."
Leonard squirmed in his seat but sighed in acquiescence. "Amos is already
set against the alliance in his political views on magical creatures. He's
responsible in part for many of the extreme magical creature laws, for
understandable reasons since he lost his younger brother to a werewolf
attack. The fact that Harry is now set in direct competition to Cedric will
compound that sense of Amos against the Potter alliance to an unfortunate
degree." He paused. "I went to visit Amos at the Ministry last week and saw
Wenlock coming out of his office."
"They share an agenda where magical creatures are concerned." Albert
commented. "It's not too surprising that Wenlock would look to Diggory as an
inside source on the issue."
"Drill him for numbers of attacks, the nature of them – all the sordid details
that you need if you're going to be fear-mongering." Sirius commented dryly.
Daniel shrugged unconcerned. "We can counter that with our own spiel. But if
Leonard is right, Amos is going to be going after Harry in public beyond the
pot shots already taken."
Sirius nodded. "We need a press strategy on his approach to the competition
and throughout."
"Exactly." Carl Branstone said. "I can help with that. I'm good with the media."
Branstone had been a journalist until he'd taken over from the family estates,
Sirius remembered. He gave an appreciative smile.
"Thank you." Sirius said.
"Augusta and I will take point on the politics like we did last session." Daniel
suggested. "We can give you the time to focus on Harry."
More suggestions flooded out and by the time Sirius left the Longbottom
mansion, he was spinning from the level of unconditional support the alliance
was giving him and Harry. Maybe guilt was a factor in their wish to be helpful
or maybe they had developed a sense of responsibility – especially the
Ancient and Noble Houses, Sirius thought, as he dropped by Griffin House to
check on his son. Whatever the reason, he wasn't going to baulk at the help.
Harry was fast asleep on the sofa in the living room. Hedwig was keeping
watch, perched on the back of a chair nearby. There was a stack of letters
written, folded and named on the coffee table. Sirius pulled over the tartan
throw Minnie had added to the décor and tucked it gently around Harry.
Voldemort was one step closer to getting Harry's blood and that boiled Sirius's
own. He had a feeling Harry's instinct that in the end it would be Harry and
Voldemort was right and that burned even more. He wanted to step between
them; wanted desperately to keep Harry safe and protected. Had James felt
the same, Sirius wondered, and knew if it came down to it, he would do the
same as his best friend; he'd give his own life for Harry's. He dropped a kiss
on Harry's forehead and picked up the letters.
Hedwig's feathers flared in outrage.
"I'm playing delivery owl today, Hedwig." Sirius murmured, saluting her with
the letters. "You stay and watch over Harry."
Hedwig cocked her head and settled back onto the chair.
It was rather creepy just how intelligent that owl was at times, Sirius thought
as he left again, tucking the letters into the inner pocket of his robes.
He was right on time for his trip to Hogwarts. He stepped out of the floo into
Albus's office, pleased to see that everyone was already present.
Minerva sat in one visitor's chair; Moody in another; Snape stood by the wall
behind Albus who was at his desk. Sirius waved them back into their chairs
and took the remaining empty chair between Minerva and Moody, facing
Albus directly.
"How's…"
"Harry is doing much better. Still tired." Sirius said cutting Minerva's enquiry
short. "He was sleeping when I left him."
"The lad used up some energy at Halloween." Moody grumbled, adjusting the
position of his peg leg while his magical eye whirled. "Never seen anything
like it."
"Nor I." Snape added quietly.
Albus ignored the comments in favour of focusing on the topic they were there
to discuss. "We're here to discuss the matter of young Harry's schooling."
"Harry has expressed a desire to return," Sirius confirmed again, "and the
Potter alliance has expressed a belief that it will be easier to protect the kids
as a group if they're at Hogwarts rather than separated into their own homes.
Cornelius made a point of telling me before I used his floo that Harry
withdrawing from Hogwarts would add salt on the international wound we're
sporting thanks to being hoodwinked by Crouch Junior."
"But you have concerns." Albus stated simply, his expression grave.
"I have three main concerns." He sat back and held Albus's gaze. "The first is
leaving his security in someone else's hands at this time. Hogwarts hasn't
been the safest place for Harry since he started schooling here," he signalled
for Albus to wait until he had finished his point, "and while many of my issues
have been resolved with Alastor's security measures, I can't help feeling that
the bad guys seem adept at slipping through the smallest of cracks."
Moody snorted. "I can't argue with that. They're good. Junior used the one
moment he had alone with the Goblet and ran with it." He grimaced, his
scarred face twisting. "I can't guarantee that he won't slip through again. The
tournament brings strangers onto the grounds for preparation and during the
events. The ticket system is good but overall, this tournament is a bloody
nightmare security wise."
"I know we can't cancel the tournament but can we cancel the public nature of
the competition?" Minerva asked.
"I fear not without revealing the real perpetrator behind Harry's inclusion and
why he was included." Albus sighed. He lifted one hand from his desk in a
vague gesture of negation. "I don't believe any of us want to give Tom that
amount of publicity and acknowledgement at this stage."
"No," Sirius agreed, "and internationally we'd take another hit which as I
mentioned Cornelius is keen to avoid." He motioned out towards the windows
and the accommodations of the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons delegations
beyond them. "Moreover, the other Champions could challenge it. They put
themselves forward in part for the public recognition. I know Amos Diggory will
probably make a fuss since all I've heard all day is how unhappy he is at the
amount of publicity directed at Harry and not at Cedric this last week."
"That is true." Minerva sniffed. "According to Pomona, Cedric has tried to
distance himself from his father's comments."
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Chapter 443
"Despite his desire to come back to Hogwarts, Harry admits he feels safer at
Griffin House." Sirius said, returning them to his initial point. "However, I'll
concede that the tournament events are the most risky in terms of Harry's
safety and that would be true even if he stayed at Griffin House between the
tasks."
"You said you had three concerns." Moody said to Sirius. "We've heard the
first and can hardly argue with it."
"The second concern is one I raised before Harry was entered into the
tournament." Sirius said, lifting his hand. "He's not being challenged
educationally in the core wand subjects especially on the practical elements."
Minerva nodded briskly. "Filius, Alastor and I are all in agreement with you."
"Lad's a natural at DADA and with his power…" Moody grimaced. "It's difficult
giving him something he finds challenging without going outside of his year
group."
"Same in Transfiguration and in Charms." Minerva opened up a piece of
parchment and tapped it with her wand. "His theoretical work is excellent in
these subjects too. If it weren't for the tournament, I would be suggesting we
focus on getting him through his OWLs and into the NEWT level classes."
"OWLs are out." Sirius said firmly. "Harry's going to have enough on his plate
without sitting exams."
"What of the other subjects?" Albus asked.
"On a par with his classmates in History of Magic," Minerva read from the
parchment, "same with Potions although arguably he is under-marked," she
cast a look toward Snape who looked impassively back at her, "and he is
maintaining a top three position in each of his electives including Runes
where he is a year ahead."
"He's way ahead with Duelling according to young Tobias which isn't
surprising since he has a natural aptitude, and you and Remus have been
tutoring him all Summer." Moody commented.
"Regardless of the tournament, I would have suggested an individualised and
accelerated lesson plan for Harry." Minerva said with a sigh.
"We're all agreed then that he needs a different schooling plan to his
contemporaries." Sirius said, ignoring Snape's expression of discomfort.
"Your final concern, Sirius?" Albus prompted.
Sirius took a moment to gather his thoughts. He smoothed the front of his
robes. "Harry will be under tremendous pressure if he comes back to
Hogwarts. He'll be the focus of all eyes and he'll be expected to be strong as
a leader of the political alliance the House of Potter has formed. He'll also be
waging a war on Voldemort through the tournament as he attempts to win it.
There'll be press and publicity. It's a lot for a fourteen year old to handle on his
own."
Albus's gaze had sharpened and Sirius mused whether the Headmaster had
guessed where Sirius was heading.
"The staff will support him, Sirius." Minerva said fervently.
"But the staff can only do so much with the strictures of the tournament."
Sirius countered. "He needs emotional support more than anything else, and
while he has good friends, they're also young and laying that burden on their
shoulders isn't fair. He's already said to me that the main reason why he
wouldn't want to come back is because he can't be just Harry here."
Moody's eye swivelled until it was focused on Sirius. "You have a point."
"Yes, and a very valid one." Albus agreed. "What is your proposal?" he smiled
fondly at Sirius. "I suspect you have one."
"Harry comes back to Hogwarts but, as Hogwarts has a Champion and Harry
is competing against him, to keep things clear from a tournament perspective,
he will not be considered a Hogwarts' student. Hogwarts' professors who are
assigned to him under the new lesson plan Minnie will create will also be
considered de facto faculty of 'The Light,' the banner under which Harry is
competing. He will be given his own suite of rooms where he will live with me
as his guardian." Sirius said firmly. "Harry gets the best of both worlds –
Hogwarts and somewhere he can be just Harry. Everyone else has Harry
back at Hogwarts as they wanted and I get to be here for my son when he
needs someone to lean on and to provide additional security for him."
They all stared at him.
Snape frowned heavily. "You want to live here?"
"Well," Albus said brightly, "I think this will be a most interesting discussion."
.....
Severus darted a look toward Black as they made their way through the
corridors of Hogwarts towards the Slytherin dungeons.
He didn't want to admit it but Black had been masterful in his negotiations with
the Headmaster. Black had gotten a suite of rooms designated for himself and
Potter within the walls of Hogwarts as a competing group within the
tournament. Black had conceded that Lupin would stay in the Black residence
in Hogsmeade rather than at Hogwarts but it was hardly a large concession.
Albus had also been inveigled into allowing Black's own house elves to see to
their needs rather than imposing on Hogwarts' elves thus ensuring their
privacy and security.
The deal had Potter taking breakfast and dinner usually with Black but lunch
with the school. Quidditch practice was allowed although Potter would no
longer play on the Gryffindor team as he would ostensibly not be a Hogwarts'
student, and was banned because of the tournament anyway. Black had
wrangled for Potter's friends and allies to be allowed to occasionally dine with
in the suite of rooms with prior notification to their relevant Hogwarts' House
Head.
The individualised lesson plan for Potter had also been successfully
negotiated; Potter's new schedule had him taking private tuition from Moody,
Minerva and Filius three evenings a week with the curriculum to be agreed.
Potter would attend the rest of the fourth year lessons and his fifth year Runes
elective as previously scheduled. It left a good swathe of time free for Potter
to prepare for the tournament.
Black would also be notified and have input into the security plans for the
tournament events. That had been a tricky discussion because it was clear
that some of the plans might give away what the tasks would be. But Black
had agreed that he would abide by Moody's word on what he could and
couldn't know. As Moody had trained Black, Severus guessed at an
established trust and a past of accepting Moody's decisions.
But in essence, Black had gotten everything he wanted.
Masterful.
And Slytherin.
His request for Severus to accompany him so he could deliver a letter from
Potter to Draco also hinted at a Slytherin agenda; Severus wasn't unaware of
how it would look to the students if the Slytherin Head of House, a known
double spy, was seen accompanying Lord Black. Nor had it escaped
Severus's notice that the act of visiting Draco would increase the young
Malfoy's political standing with his pureblood peers.
It had been so easy to forget in the haze of memory that the Gryffindor
nemesis who had so tormented Severus at school had been raised to be the
quintessential Slytherin just as Severus himself had. The similarity of their
upbringing jarred because the only difference was that Black had rebelled and
fallen in with Potter…
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Chapter 444
Had it ever occurred to Severus to rebel and follow after Lily?
Severus considered the question as he silently led Sirius to the portrait
guarding the Slytherin Common Room.
He had once or twice before Hogwarts considered that Lily would not end up
in Slytherin herself – she was too open in her reactions, too fearless in her
defence of what was important to her – but he had never considered following
her so much as trying to convince her of the virtues of Slytherin despite his
knowing she wouldn't be Slytherin. Perhaps, Severus mused wistfully, if she
had gone to Ravenclaw…maybe then he would have argued with the
confounded Hat and attempted his own rebellion. But she hadn't gone to
Ravenclaw and, at eleven, Severus would have given up his wand arm rather
than willingly enter Gryffindor.
Would Lily still be alive he had made that choice? He would never know.
The Common Room fell into silence as Severus entered with Black beside
him. He noted how Black's gaze swept the room almost contemptuously
before settling on Draco who was attempting to swiftly erase surprise from his
young pointed features.
Draco stood and walked over hurriedly, a small bow of his head giving
deference to Sirius as the Head of the House of Black. "Cousin."
"Cousin." Black replied with the same neutral tone. "Your mother and father
send their greetings." He reached into his robe and pulled out a letter. "Harry
gave me this to give to you."
And with a few simple statements, Black had put the Common Room on
notice that he acknowledged Draco's place in his family line; that the Malfoys
were part of Black's circle and knew of his movements; that Draco and Harry
were building their own relationship and Black approved.
Severus glanced carefully around the room, noting the various reactions and
what they told him about each student and their family affiliations.
"Professor Snape," Black recaptured Severus's attention, "is there somewhere
more private where I can brief Draco and the other Slytherins allied to the
Houses of Potter and Black?"
Immediately, the small group gathered; Nott, Zabini, Greengrass and Marsha
Rickett, a first year.
"Of course," Severus's dark eyes flickered back over the Common Room, "if
you and the students would follow me to my quarters, Lord Black?"
And there was his own declaration of support, Severus thought with
satisfaction as some of the students paled at the implications of Severus
falling in with the House of Black. The advantage of a spy was always to know
which side was actually winning. He wasn't too worried about his defection
getting back to the Dark Lord; he could claim he was cultivating a relationship
to use in his spying for the Dark Lord if he was ever questioned about the
matter. He didn't expect to be; the Dark Lord had surrounded himself with a
few trusted followers and Severus rather doubted he was trusted enough to
be brought into that fold before the Dark Lord regained his full strength.
They trooped out of the Common Room and down a set of corridors to
Severus's quarters. He showed them into the living area. Most of the group
squashed themselves into the large sofa but Draco and Nott remained
standing – it looked more dignified, Severus thought with approval.
"Harry is fine," Black began, "he'll be returning to Hogwarts before the
Weighing of the Wands ceremony and will continue to take schooling from
professors here but he will not ostensibly be a Hogwarts' student." He clasped
his hands behind his back. "The Houses of Potter and Black are taking a suite
of rooms here. Harry will reside with me there outside of the school day."
Severus noted the satisfied look on Nott's face; he'd evidently guessed at that
particular scenario.
"Draco," Black said, drawing the attention of his cousin, "as a member of the
House of Black, you are invited to join us. However, I believe there is benefit
to the House of Black if you remain within Slytherin."
"I agree." Draco said hastily.
Black nodded before turning to Nott. "The same offer applies to you, Theo, as
a member of the House of Potter."
Nott inclined his dark head. "Thank you, Lord Black, but I believe my
remaining within Slytherin will be of greater service to the House of Potter."
Black nodded again, apparently unsurprised at the reply. He gestured towards
the others. "Harry sends his regards to you all and his thanks for your support
on the night of the Champions' draw." He regarded them all seriously. "I will
add my thanks to his. To stand up and ally yourself with Harry at this time
shows great fortitude and loyalty." He met each of their eyes for a brief
moment, connecting with them individually. "It will not be forgotten."
"May I ask what the strategy will be for the tournament?" Nott asked politely.
Black smirked. "Harry has decided he wants to win it."
The Slytherins exchanged satisfied glances.
"You should know that such a strategy is likely to irritate his enemies." Black
told them bluntly. "Things may become difficult for you in Slytherin so you
should keep in mind that should you need it, you all have the protection of my
House and the House of Potter."
Severus cleared his throat. "You may also come to me with any difficulties that
you may encounter."
He found himself the focus of their attention and stiffened uncomfortably
under Black's assessing gaze.
"You may trust Professor Snape in this," Black stated calmly, his eyes never
leaving Severus's, "as I trust him with your safety. He will provide you with
protection if I am not immediately available."
It took every ounce of Slytherin guile Severus had not to react to Black's
fulsome support. The young Slytherins nodded and Severus knew that his
endorsement by Black would be relayed to their parents in short order.
"That's all for the time being." Black ended the meeting briskly. "I'll send word
when Harry and I will be moving into Hogwarts through Draco."
There was a flurry of goodbyes and in short order Severus found himself
alone with Black.
"Don't expect me to thank you for the character reference." Severus sneered,
trying to cover his chagrin.
Black raised an eyebrow. "Perish the thought. If you did, I'd have to thank you
for giving the Aurors the tip about Rabastan's and Junior's seaside cottage
plans."
Severus hummed at that. "I should have gone straight to the healer as soon
as I recognised the memories could reveal the identity of the person
threatening Potter." He said stiffly. "My information may be too little too late."
"Let's hope not." Black said bluntly. He gestured at the door. "I should get over
to Gryffindor and deliver the rest of Harry's letters."
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Chapter 445
"I trust you know the way there." Severus replied dryly.
Black's lips quirked upwards in something that might have been a brief smile
and he made for the door.
Severus watched him leave and wondered at the civil exchange.
Something had shifted between them, he realised. He turned it over in his
head. Perhaps their new détente was because the night of Halloween had
been the first time Severus had offered his help because he had wanted to
protect Potter, not because of a promise made under duress and in guilty
haste to Albus Dumbledore, but because for the first time Severus accepted
that Harry Potter was as much Lily's as he was James Potter's son, and
nothing was more important to her spirit than protecting her son. Perhaps
because Black had accepted Severus's help because clearly Black would do
anything to protect the boy entrusted by James and Lily to his care, and
Severus had seen that they were right to impart that trust to Black – the
memory of Black tending to Potter surfaced briefly.
Or, Severus thought with sombre regret, perhaps their détente existed
because Severus had finally faced the truth of his own culpability for Lily's
death instead of simply blaming her child.
Whatever the reason, Severus was glad of it. He doubted Black and he would
ever be friends but it eased something to know that he would be part of the
Dark Lord's defeat, and that he would be allowed to in some small way
perhaps find redemption.
Redemption; to finally apologise to Lily for choosing to go to Slytherin rather
than follow her; for choosing the Dark Lord and his lies over her friendship; for
telling the Dark Lord of the prophecy which led to her death; for projecting his
own guilt, self-hatred and blame onto her son, the child she had died
protecting.
"I am attempting to do better, Lily." Severus whispered into the stillness of the
room.
A faint scent filled the air and had him whirling around in shock.
Lilies. He could smell…
His heart beat loudly as he breathed in the faint scent until he couldn't sense it
anymore, half-convinced it was his imagination...half-enthralled that it was
real. It was real and he was not forgotten...he had finally earned her approval.
Severus sat down abruptly. He placed a hand over his stampeding heart. He
closed his eyes against the storm of emotion that rolled through him. "I won't
let you down again, my friend." He promised quietly. He would protect her son
in her stead and he would do it with a willing heart.
o-O-o
5th November 1994
"Dear Hermione,
Thank you for the letters and the training plan. It looks great. Everyone agrees
that I need more spell knowledge. We should talk it through as Remus gave
me a plan too (Sirius says he's the Marauders' version of you) so it would be
good to look at both and come up with a joint one. I want to win the
tournament if I can, or at least give it my best effort.
I'm feeling much better but I still get tired quickly. Doctor Jordan thinks I used
up a lot of magical energy because I resisted the binding for so long. She's
said that I can get up and do small things though so I can get started on all
the homework Professor McGonagall brought me.
I am coming back to Hogwarts. Well, Sirius is talking about it with the
Headmaster and hopefully I'll be back soon.
I hope you, Ron and Neville are OK. From all your letters, it sounds like the
last week has been weird at Hogwarts. Can you make sure Cedric knows I
think it's brilliant he's the Hogwarts' Champion? The press has been saying
some absolute rubbish.
Ron told me he told you what I wanted to ask you, and he told me what you
said which made my day. But I kind of had a whole plan to do it properly and
I'd like to see it through if that's OK with you? I hope it is.
See you soon (hopefully)!
Love, Harry."
Sat cross-legged on her bed with the early morning sun just beginning to
brighten the room, Hermione reread the letter again and carefully folded it up
before tucking it between the pages of her book on meditation. Her heart was
almost giddy from the final paragraph. He wanted to ask her out properly.
Which meant it was real. He liked her. She sighed happily.
It was almost enough to make her forget the rest; Harry's magical exhaustion,
the imminent tournament that he had to compete in where his life would be in
danger. But the delight of knowing Harry was going to ask her out when he
returned to Hogwarts was offset by the very real worry that gnawed at her
belly.
Her teeth sank into her lip as she anxiously considered everything she had
read about the tournament and its tasks. She knew that Voldemort had
changed the planned less dangerous tasks to be more dangerous from what
they had been told by Sirius, but the basic structure of the tournament had
been left intact along with elements of the original tasks.
So, the first task traditionally involved magical creatures somehow. In some
ways that was a good thing because Harry was brilliant with magical
creatures. He seemed to have some kind of affinity with them. But she
doubted that the task would be as easy as getting a ride on a hippogriff –
which had been one of the tasks in an early tournament. There had been
several tasks associated with getting past a Sphinx to treasure which would
give a clue to the next task. There had been one task involving a unicorn, one
involving dragons, and several involving handling dangerous magical snakes.
Of all the magical creatures Voldemort could use, Hermione figured snakes
were the most obvious but, perhaps because it was obvious, it wouldn't be
magical snakes.
She touched the edge of her letter again and wondered what Harry thought.
Did he know the first task would be magical creatures? She couldn't wait until
he got back to Hogwarts and she could talk to him.
"A letter from Harry?" Lavender's teasing voice broke into Hermione's
contemplation. Somehow her dorm mate had woken and wandered over to
Hermione's bed without Hermione noticing.
She felt the blush rise on her cheeks but she nodded. "Sirius brought it last
night when he came to talk with us."
"It's great news that Harry's coming back." Lavender said, plopping down onto
the bed next to Hermione.
Ron had announced it as soon as the portrait to the Common Room had
swung closed. The cheer had nearly taken the roof off. Everyone was a little
disappointed though when they had explained Harry wouldn't be back in the
dorms, but living with his guardian in his own suite of rooms since he wouldn't
be a Hogwarts student officially any longer for their fourth year because of the
tournament. Hermione had been invited to live with them as a sponsored
daughter of the House of Black and she had declined. She believed Sirius had
requested the rooms to give Harry somewhere away from other students,
somewhere Sirius and Harry could spend time together, and she wouldn't
intrude on that. Plus, if she and Harry did start to date, it would create a lot of
gossip if they lived in the same set of rooms.
Besides, she was content with living in the dorms. The past week had seen
her, Lavender and Parvati spend more time together and Hermione had
surprisingly enjoyed it. The other girls still gossiped more than Hermione was
comfortable with and maybe she was still too serious about studying for them
on occasion, but they were more tolerant of the differences. Maybe they were
all growing up, Hermione mused.
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Chapter 446
"You're up early." Lavender commented, yawning.
Hermione nodded and checked her watch. "There's an alliance meeting
before breakfast. We're using Robert and Natalie's office." She gazed at
Lavender thoughtfully. "Do you and Parvati want to come along?"
"We're not in the alliance." Lavender said, her eyes wide.
Hermione shrugged. "Luna's coming because she's Harry's friend even if her
family isn't in the alliance. So are the Weasleys. You're friends too. You'd be
welcome."
Lavender smiled prettily and reached out to take hold of one of Hermione's
hands. "Thank you." She glanced over at Parvati's bed and sighed. "I think I'm
going to have to say no though since Parvati will kill me if I wake her up now
and she'd kill me if I went without her." She turned back to Hermione. "You'll
tell me though later?"
"I will." Hermione promised. She put the book in her bag and slid off the bed,
making her way down the stairs to the Common Room where she'd promised
to meet Ron and Neville.
She had to wait for them but it gave her another chance to read her letter. She
made sure though it was all tucked away again when the boys arrived. She
wondered at what had been in their letters from Harry as she took in the sight
of them.
Neville was first down the stairs, his stride determined, his chin up. Hermione
had known in an abstract way that Neville had grown in confidence during the
Summer, that he'd shed some of the awkwardness that had characterised him
in the previous three years she'd known him; that much had been evident in
his improved magic, his easy friendship with Blaise, and his practice dating
with Hannah. But it hadn't been until the past week that Hermione believed
she'd glimpsed the man Neville was becoming; authoritative, one used to
leading, politically astute in a way Hermione could admit she wasn't. He had
set the tone for the Potter alliance in Hogwarts; absolute and unconditional
support for Harry, but respectful appreciation for the other Champions.
Ron was close on Neville's heels. He also walked with purpose, his freckled
face set into stern lines instead of its usual friendly affability. And just as she
had with Neville, Hermione glimpsed the man Ron was maturing into with the
events of the past week; a true and considerate friend. He had been
supportive of her, making sure she was OK – partly as he himself had joked
because Harry would go spare if Ron didn't, but there had been genuine
caring in his attentiveness to Hermione's state of mind. He had also supported
Neville, providing in Harry's absence the encouragement Neville needed to
embrace his leadership role. And Hermione believed that the ease in which
Ron accepted Neville would lead, that it wouldn't be Ron, was also a sign of
how much Ron had matured.
She stood up to join them and wondered whether they saw her differently too;
whether they had noticed her quieter confidence about her intelligence
instead of her previous brash displays of smarts, and how she accepted their
position when they explained that something she thought was a good idea
wasn't because of the cultural differences between the muggle and the
wizarding world. She wondered if they saw the woman she hoped she was
becoming; a confident smart woman who was at ease in both worlds – an
attractive woman who could capture the attention of someone like Harry.
They fell into step as they left the Common Room.
Ron nudged her. "Good letter?"
Hermione smiled and nodded. "You?"
Ron nodded back. "Yeah, it was good to hear from him."
"You can say that again," commented Neville, "it was really good to hear from
him." There was a note of relief in Neville's voice and Hermione guessed that
Harry had confirmed Neville had taken the right tone in respect to the
tournament.
The Head Boy and Head Girl's office wasn't that spacious and it was a bit of a
squash as they made their way into the room.
Hermione was surprised that so many of the Potter alliance students had
beaten them to the office given the early start, but then there had been a lot of
owls at dinner the night before, and she suspected some of them had
received directions from their parents.
Susan and Hannah waved the Gryffindor trio to the front of the fireplace
where they would take centre stage. Hermione nodded briskly at Draco sitting
in a corner with Zabini and Greengrass. Nott was over by Jeremy Branstone
and Michael Corner, their heads bent together as they discussed something in
quiet tones.
Neville cleared his throat and the room grew silent. "Robert, if you could…" he
waved a finger in a circle.
The Head Boy immediately got the message and erected a privacy bubble.
"Right, first things first: Harry sends his thanks and gratitude for our support.
He says it's helped him enormously to know that he has us standing with
him." Neville began.
Hermione noted the pleased faces and silently commended both Harry and
Neville for their opening gambit. It had made everyone feel important and
valued.
"Some of you may have already heard from your parents that Harry's decided
to take the bull by the horns and throw himself fully into the challenge of the
tournament." Neville looked around the room with quiet authority. "He believes
that it is the best way of fighting back against Voldemort's intent to terrorise
him. It'll send a strong message that Harry won't just cave in the face of
Voldemort's evil; that he'll continue to stand up against him."
"He can't expect to win it though, can he?" asked Michael sceptically.
"I think he can." Lydia spoke up.
Hermione tried not to grimace at the younger girl, and an abashed and
subdued Ginny stood beside her.
"So do I." Connor Sapworthy glared at Michael. "Harry's powerful and he's
smart."
Michael held up both hands in a gesture of surrender. "I'm just saying he's
going up against the likes of Krum and Diggory, and presumably the French
bird has some skills since she was chosen."
Natalie Warren cleared her throat. "Michael has a point."
"Harry was chosen by the Goblet." Luna stated dreamily. "He was considered
worthy or the Goblet would have declared no-one was to stand for the Light."
"So the Goblet thinks he has a chance to win it?" asked Heather Belby, a sixth
year Ravenclaw. "I guess that makes sense."
"Harry can win." Ron declared firmly. "Have any of the others gone up against
a basilisk or a Dark Lord and lived to tell of it? I don't think so."
"On that basis, I wouldn't bet against him." Blaise commented dryly.
There was a smattering of laughter.
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Chapter 447
"Ron's right," Hermione said, jumping in, "Harry's very good at these types of
situations, and he's had more practical experience than the others. Their main
advantage is going to be spell knowledge."
"Which he can gain in training." Neville added. "And where we can help – or at
least the upper years."
"That's true." Robert said thoughtfully. "We can help tutor him or be duelling
partners for him when he tests out some of the advanced spells."
"Agreed," Natalie said with a sharp nod, "my father suggested as much in the
letter he sent."
"Which brings up a good point; we need to coordinate with the adults." Robert
said firmly. "Presumably Lord Black already has a training plan worked out?"
"Harry indicated as much in his letter." Hermione admitted.
Theo gestured. "According to the tournament lore, Potter has to be the one to
determine his training and who he accepts advice from though. He may give
more weight to Lord Black's advice but I don't think he'll ignore anything we
come up with."
"Well, that makes sense since Harry also said he would look over everything
and come up with a joint plan." Hermione said.
"So if we come up with a different view from our parents and guardians, it's
good to know Potter won't just disregard it." Daphne commented.
"My Dad mentioned that we'll probably get some of their research funnelled
through us." Susan said.
"And research is probably where those without the spell knowledge to help
Harry with his training can help out instead." Neville confirmed. "It would be
good to have a research group form up that can coordinate with the adults'
information as they send it through."
"Granger should head that up." Theo said. "I'm betting you've done a ton of
research already and Potter's used to you taking that role."
Hermione felt her cheeks heat as she nodded. "I'll be happy to head up the
research group."
"Those of you wanting to assist should give your names to Hermione after
then." Neville said. "The rest of us should make ourselves available as
sounding boards and…"
"He'll need cheerleaders." Lydia interrupted, flicking her long hair back and
staring at the group defiantly.
"She's not altogether wrong." Jeremy said as the others looked at her with
irritation. "Harry's going to incur a lot of publicity – some good and some bad.
My Dad's going to help out with the media stuff outside school, but at the very
least he needs a cheering section during the tasks and maybe some visible
sign of support around the school."
"How about badges declaring support for Harry as the best Champion?"
suggested Draco.
"Maybe something a bit more subtle." Jeremy said with a frown. "We don't
want to alienate those supporting Diggory by being too boorish."
"A thread bracelet with red and gold beads worn as a bracelet might suffice."
Hannah offered. "We could also make up combined ones with yellow and
black for those who want to show support for both because of House loyalties
like me and Susan."
"That sounds great," Neville said with a smile for his practice girlfriend, "and
Harry is keen to make it known that he's pleased Cedric was chosen for
Hogwarts, and that he's got no issue with us supporting him too."
Zacharias Smith snorted. "He may not have an issue with Diggory but there's
a question mark over whether Diggory has a beef with him. The most fervent
of Diggory's supporters are saying a lot of stupid stuff in Hufflepuff, although
some of them are just repeating what Diggory's father is quoted as saying in
the press about Harry being an attention seeker and crazy."
Susan nodded. "Some of the comments are getting vicious and Diggory isn't
exactly denying them."
"So, two issues," Neville said sombrely, "first, one of us has to talk to Cedric."
"I'll take that one." Robert said. "As Hogwarts' Champion he's in a similar
position to the Head Boy and Girl; he's representing all of us, and allowing his
supporters to bad mouth Harry isn't acceptable."
Neville nodded. "Good. I guess the second issue is that possibly some of us
need to be actively defusing rumours and hearsay within each of our Houses
on a daily basis."
Draco gestured at him. "We're already doing that in Slytherin but someone
needs to be doing that for the other Houses."
Ron sighed. "Gryffindor is pretty much pro-Harry but we still have to deal with
misinformation and setting the record straight."
"So I can maybe take up that role in Ravenclaw," offered Jeremy.
"And I can do the same in Hufflepuff." Robert confirmed.
"I think having someone take the lead to do it is important," Susan said, "but
we can all do our part."
The group murmured their agreement.
"Right," Neville said briskly, "the final thing we should discuss is the possibility
that Harry's enemies get annoyed when Harry does well and try to take their
frustrations out on us."
"And safety here at Hogwarts is a relative thing." Daphne said dryly.
Ron folded his arms over his chest. "Let's face it; Sirius found ways around
security last year enough that he got into the dorm! Moody's good enough that
it's not probable that would happen again but Crouch Junior is smart and
sneaky and might find a way to slip through the cracks."
"So what are you suggesting, Weasley?" Draco prompted sharply.
"Buddy system." Ron said succinctly. "Pair up with someone else in the
alliance and make sure your buddy knows where you should be at all times.
Set up a code word with them to make sure they always know you are who
you say you are and vice versa."
"Constant vigilance." Daphne stated with a smirk.
"Exactly." Ron said, taking her seriously. "Junior almost killed my family. He's
mad and I doubt he'll think twice about killing a couple of kids if he thinks it'll
get to Harry."
They all sobered a little and Hermione gave Ron an approving nod.
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Chapter 448
Neville cleared his throat. "I think that's it for now. Anyone have anything
else?"
There was a flurry of offers to help with the research as the alliance drifted out
of the office. Luna skipped over to wait with Ron and Neville.
Robert sighed as he ushered the last of the others out. He and Natalie
exchanged a look and both of them turned regretfully to Neville.
"I know," Neville said before they could say anything, "we need to find a
different place to meet."
"Thanks." Robert said with relief.
"It's just…" Natalie began awkwardly.
"We understand," Hermione said immediately, "you're representing all of
Hogwarts and housing us gives the impression that you're completely on
Harry's side when you need to appear impartial to Cedric Diggory and his
supporters."
"For what it's worth, I don't think Cedric agrees with what his father's said in
the press." Robert sank into the chair by his desk and waved his hands
expressively. "I think he's embarrassed by it all."
"It can't be easy for him," Natalie commented, "he can hardly criticise his Dad
in public."
"But he could do more to stop his supporters from adding fuel to the fire."
Neville stated firmly. "Harry only agreed to participate in the tournament to
save the life and magic of the other Champions. In some quarters it might be
considered a life debt. If Diggory allows his supporters to heap abuse on
Harry, at the very least he's going to come off like an arrogant arse."
"And he's going to rack up some serious bad karma." Luna noted.
"I'll talk with Cedric today." Robert promised, sighing heavily again. "He stood
up on the night of Halloween, maybe he just needs a nudge to stand up
again."
"Let's hope so because if Cedric's supporters insult Harry the way they've
been doing the last few days anywhere near Sirius, he's likely to turn them all
into newts." Ron pointed out bluntly.
Hermione grimaced but nodded. It would probably be only the beginning of
what Sirius would do.
o-O-o
6th November 1994
If there was one thing Peter appreciated about their new accommodation, it
was the view. Diagon Alley stretched out below him like an endless river of
people; chatter bubbling up to murmur at the window. It made Peter feel like
he was part of it in a comforting way. It was a much better situation than the
isolation he'd felt at the Crouch house, locked in most of the time with only the
creepy house elf for company while his Master napped under his snake's
watchful eyes. Of course, Peter reminded himself ruefully, he was still locked
in with a napping Dark Lord and his snake but at least the sense of isolation
was gone as was the creepy house elf.
He shifted his gaze to look around the well-appointed flat above the
apothecary. There was a small kitchenette under the archway to his left.
Mostly it was used for potions which luckily the smells from the apothecary
masked. There was the Polyjuice Barty primarily used; the nutrient potion that
kept the body his Master occupied in good enough condition for him to
continue occupying it; the beginning of the potion required for the ritual that
would return his Master to a corporeal body of his own.
Peter glanced away from the kitchen, his gaze drifting over the small dining
table he sat at by the window, and over the comfortable sitting area. There
were two bedrooms; one was set aside for the Master and one was occupied
by Barty when he was in residence. Peter slept on the couch.
He didn't mind too much.
Barty had done a good job. He'd developed the alias of Rupert Patch as soon
as the first Polyjuice had been made. Patch was a wizard who worked from an
eccentric wizard who collected antiques, and whose job entailed being in
London enough to need a base. Patch had a wife and child (who would be
played by Peter and the Dark Lord if it ever came to that) who had eventually
joined him in London following the sale of their country property. Thankfully,
their landlord wasn't all that interested as long as Patch paid the rent, and
luckily Barty had embezzled most of his father's money into a new account for
Patch long before their escape from the Crouch residence had become a
necessity.
Barty was riding high on his success at getting Harry into the tournament and
Peter couldn't blame him for the celebratory smugness. Barty had done a
good job especially since the security had been very tight.
Still, resentment nibbled at him because the Dark Lord had been very pleased
at Barty's success.
Peter frowned as he looked out on the surging mass of people all bustling
about their daily lives. Since Barty had entered the picture, the Dark Lord had
turned more and more to him to do things of importance. In many ways it had
made sense back in the Summer when Peter was a wanted criminal and
Barty had been an unknown to their enemies, but it continued even with
Barty's existence being revealed publicly. And Barty was impressive;
incredibly powerful and smart.
Not like Peter.
Oh, Peter had his talents but he was prepared to admit that on pure magical
terms, Barty beat him hands down. Like James Potter had done. Like Sirius
did.
He shuddered delicately and reached for his abandoned cup of tea, wincing at
the cold bitter taste.
So, Peter had been relegated to second best again, Peter thought morosely;
he should be used to it.
And it wasn't quite true.
The Dark Lord had granted him a special place as a loyal and willing servant
within the ritual that would bring him back to full strength.
Servant.
A position which meant that he would serve the Dark Lord's needs for the next
nine months without question, and that rankled in the face of the praise
heaped on Barty who clearly occupied the position as favoured lieutenant.
Peter tapped his cup anxiously and darted a look over his shoulder. It was
dangerous thinking things around the Dark Lord or even the snake which
seemed to have a closer bond than simply familiar with her Master. He
shivered and fought the urge to turn into his animagus form because as
comforting as being a rat was, he wasn't unaware that a rat was natural prey
for the snake.
He dragged his mind back to his previous thoughts. Barty was away again,
helping Dennis Travers with his mission; Travers, who was proving just as
loyal as his father to the Dark Lord.
Peter had been recruited by Travers's father who had been his supervisor at
the Ministry back in the late Seventies; scared by the threat of being hurt and
lured by the promise of protection, Travers had brought him before the Dark
Lord, and the Dark Lord had taken one look at Peter and seen the rat and the
possibilities. Peter had been immediately hooked by the self-importance of
being the Dark Lord's hidden spy. Travers had been made to forget Peter and
Peter had turned his attention to pleasing the Dark Lord in return for knowing
he was protected from harm.
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Chapter 449
There had been days, of course, when he had questioned his decision, when
he had met up with James or Sirius or Remus or worse, Lily, and felt the pang
of horror that he was betraying them, betraying what they all stood for in terms
of principles and values. Because he did love them; remembered nights when
Remus had helped him study; Sirius's help through the final transfiguration
into his animagus form; James stepping in between Peter and a Slytherin
without thinking. But there had been distance between them since school with
James's marriage and Sirius's work and Remus drifting off to the packs so
there was also the knowledge that he was safe and that they would never
know of his betrayal; of a secret delight in tricking them, in spying on them
without getting caught. He had even used his position to save them. Once.
But then, of course, there had been Harry. Baby Harry who had gurgled at
Peter and pulled his tie; a strange fragile creature that captivated and
repulsed Peter all at the same time; power liming Harry's skin and crawling
over Peter's Dark Mark as though he knew and would tell at any moment.
And the Dark Lord had been strangely fascinated with the baby, demanding
reports on Harry's progress.
Peter hadn't thought twice about telling the secret of the Potters' hideaway,
knowing refusal would be his own death. He'd hoped in an abstract way that
James and Lily would survive; had been much more ambivalent about Harry.
It had been shocking on the night to witness James cut down fighting to save
his family; to hear Lily begging for Harry's life. But more shocking had been
the moment when the Dark Lord had tried to kill Harry and the curse had been
thrown back at him on the panicked wave of a child's pure power, slamming
the Dark Lord's spirit from his body and almost bringing the cottage down
around the cot.
Peter had never had any illusion that Harry wasn't a powerful wizard. But he'd
cast his lot that Halloween night and he'd known Sirius and Remus would
never forgive him his betrayal. He'd considered it a minor miracle that it had
taken them until Harry was almost fourteen before they'd tracked him down.
Of course, Sirius being in Azkaban, tricked there by Peter, had helped forestall
that confrontation as had his living as a rat for so many years.
He still couldn't believe Harry had saved his life that night at the Shrieking
Shack.
Guilt wormed its way through Peter again and he was grateful for the soft rap
on the window heralding the arrival of the newspaper delivery owl, distracting
him from his memories. At least he was grateful until he saw the headline.
"A TRUE CHAMPION: THE BOY WHO LIVED PROCLAIMS HE WILL
COMPETE TO WIN!"
"Bugger!" Peter stated under his breath. He quickly read through the rest of
the story and squashed it into his chest when he'd finished as though he could
hide it there.
In one way, he wasn't surprised.
He had lived as Scabbers long enough around Harry to know that his friend's
son had a lot of James's sense of duty and honour underneath the appalling
muggle upbringing he'd been subjected to living. Deciding not to destroy the
Goblet of Fire (and really Peter had known Harry was probably capable of
destroying the artefact – he had destroyed the Dark Lord when he was a
baby) to save the other Champions was exactly the self-sacrificing instinct
that had gotten James killed.
But in lots and lots of ways, the Harry Peter had known for the previous three
years at Hogwarts while he had been masquerading as Ron Weasley's pet,
had always reminded Peter mostly of Lily. Lily, who had pitted herself against
the Marauders from the beginning and who wouldn't be impressed or
intimidated by them; who dealt with their pranking her in second year by
pranking them back in a more evil way designed to scare them away from
ever pranking her again (it had worked). Lily, whose ultimate victory had been
making James grow up in many ways and stealing him away from the
Marauders. Lily, who had stood toe to toe with a Dark Lord and begged not for
her own life but her child's, and still had cast something that had stalled the
Killing curse enough for her son to shove it back at the Dark Lord.
Outside of the Dark Lord, Lily was the most dangerous person Peter had ever
met, and that included Sirius Black who was also in a league of his own when
compared to normal people.
Harry was his mother's son.
The bold and fearless statement that his enemies might mean for him to come
to harm in the tournament, but he would play as a Champion to win it, had
Lily's courage and bravery stamped all the way through it.
And perhaps a smidgeon of Sirius's 'Fuck You' reckless bravado.
The Dark Lord was not going to be pleased.
Peter snorted softly. That was an understatement. The Dark Lord was going to
be furious; raging and ranting kind of furious. He was going to be furious that
Harry eschewed being tricked into the tournament and instead insisted he had
chosen it to protect others and he was going to be furious that Harry wasn't
cowed by the danger he was facing.
Although maybe in hindsight they should have already known that. Harry had
followed a thief into the bowels of Hogwarts to protect a legendary
Philosopher's stone; he had battled a basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets; he
had thwarted the Dark Lord three times. Maybe, Peter mused, they should
have considered that Harry wouldn't be cowed.
Maybe, Peter continued to muse, he should have considered that before
running to Albania and allying himself with the Dark Lord again.
But what choice did he have?
Harry had granted him mercy in preventing his death only to insist that Peter
would face justice and be sent to Azkaban for his role in James's and Lily's
deaths…for the deaths of the muggles he'd caused setting up Sirius…for
framing Sirius…for being a Death Eater. In some respects he would have
preferred the quick and no doubt painful death Sirius and Remus would have
given him rather than face Azkaban and the Dementors…a cell and no respite
from his crimes.
Yes, Harry was his mother's son. Lily would no doubt have found Peter's fate
appropriate and fitting.
The hairs on the back of his neck prickled and Peter acknowledged the animal
instinct by freezing, scenting the air to confirm the presence of the snake as it
slithered into view, a deadly black slash against the Argyle carpet.
"He's awake." Peter acknowledged as the snake hissed. "I'll get his potion."
He moved slowly so not to alarm her. It only took a moment to pour the potion
into the required silver goblet. He snagged the newspaper on his way back
through the living room and walked quickly to the Dark Lord's room.
The small child of three that the Dark Lord inhabited had been healthy and
robust; dark haired and blue eyed. The latter had long changed to red and the
hair was slowly falling out as the body decayed under the weight of the
possession.
Peter set aside the goblet and newspaper on the dresser and hurried over to
attend the more basic bodily needs of the child. Neither he nor the Dark Lord
spoke during the trip to the bathroom, through the bath and change of clothes.
Peter clean-spelled the bed-linen, lit scented candles to light the room and
propped the Dark Lord up against a veritable mountain of pillows before
handing him the goblet. The potion was downed swiftly and the goblet handed
back to him without a word. The Dark Lord motioned impatiently at Peter and
he slowly laid the newspaper out on the bed, fearing the worst.
He wasn't expecting the low chuckle that emerged from the twisted smile on
the Dark Lord's infant face.
"Master?"
"I see our little boy is all grown up at last, Peter." The vocal intonation was not
a child's and Peter resolutely did not want to know what body modifications
the Dark Lord had made.
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Chapter 450
"He is arrogant to think he can win it, Master." Peter said obsequiously.
"Is he?" asked the Dark Lord mildly. "I have discovered it is best not to
underestimate the Potter boy, Peter." His fingers trailed over the picture of
Harry which glared at the Dark Lord and brandished its wand threateningly.
"And now…now he finally presents a real challenge."
Peter was speechless. Did the Dark Lord want a challenge?
Something must have shown on his face because the Dark Lord chucked
dryly again.
"When I face at him after the ritual," the Dark Lord said, "when I crush him and
send him to join his parents," his finger tapped the photo again, "no-one will
deny that he was my most formidable challenge nor that I prevailed and he
did not."
Ah. Well, Peter could understand that. The whole being beaten by a baby was
a tad humiliating and if the Dark Lord thought Harry winning the tournament
helped to correct that impression…Peter could understand that.
"Crushing his defiance will make my victory that much sweeter." The Dark
Lord continued as he read over the article again, irritation at last seeping
through his words and giving away how riled he really was that Harry had
chosen to be entered into the tournament in the final analysis and had openly
declared he was going to make an attempt to win it. "But defiance will
sweeten the blood of my enemy for the ritual and make me stronger."
"Yes, Master." Peter said obediently. He wanted to fidget but knew better than
to draw attention to himself.
"But we cannot allow Potter nor his cohorts like your old friend Black to
believe that his defiance has cowed us." The Dark Lord looked up finally.
"Have we heard from Fenrir?"
"He's waiting for instructions in a bolthole he has in the North." Peter
immediately reported.
"Send for him." The Dark Lord ordered imperiously.
Peter bowed his head and scurried out to do his bidding as the snake slid
back inside the room with the Dark Lord. He had some idea of what the Dark
Lord would ask of Fenrir; terrorising attacks probably on Harry's supporters.
He shivered, grateful that he wasn't one of Harry's supporters and feeling a
touch sorry for those that were including the Weasleys who had unwittingly
provided him with such a wonderful hiding place for so many years.
Perhaps, Peter considered brightly, he had made the right decision.
Harry might be a powerful wizard but the Dark Lord was the Dark Lord, and
not even death had stopped him. Harry would be crushed sooner or later.
Peter ignored the twinge of guilt and panic. When Harry died he would be
nothing but pleased, Peter thought determinedly; nothing but pleased, and
richly rewarded for his part in the boy's downfall.
o-O-o
6th November 1994
Harry stepped out of the floo and smiled back at the beaming Head of
Gryffindor even as Sirius surreptitiously brushed soot from Harry's hair.
"Welcome back to Hogwarts." Minerva said warmly. "Even if you're not
officially a Hogwarts student for the rest of this year, we are pleased to have
you return."
"Me too." Harry said simply.
He'd frowned a lot when Sirius had explained the grand plan that he was
going back to Hogwarts but not as an official student, but he'd seen the sense
in it. It made it very clear that Cedric was the Hogwarts Champion for one
thing, and for another, it meant he could stay in his own set of rooms with
Sirius.
He darted a quick look at his father and smiled brightly as love bubbled up
inside of him. Sirius had given him the best of both worlds that Harry had
wanted; he had made it happen so Harry would feel safe and secure within
Hogwarts; would have someone he could be just Harry with.
"Here is your new timetable." Minerva handed him the parchment.
Harry took it with a sigh and briefly glanced at it. It was everything Sirius had
said he had worked out but Harry passed it to Sirius to make sure.
Sirius nodded. "This looks good."
"All the staff teaching Harry have signed a document that confirms for the
duration of the tournament, they are also faculty of 'The Light.'" Minerva stated
briskly. She caught Harry's gaze. "That means we will treat you exactly the
same as we treat Mister Diggory in terms of the tournament. We'll be happy to
provide tutoring for spells and knowledge should you ask specifically but we
will not be able to direct you as far as the tournament strategy is concerned."
There was a regretful tone to her voice and Harry smiled to reassure her more
than anything.
"Sirius explained the rules." Harry said. "I'll ask for the tutoring if I need it."
"Good." Minerva said. "I understand that you've constructed a training plan?"
Harry nodded. The academic side was a combination of Hermione's and
Remus's plan after some advice from Sirius, but there was also a physical
training plan that Doctor Jordan had been happy to contribute, and a 'Keep
Harry Sane' plan that he had discussed with Sirius which included things like
his continued animagus training, Quidditch and what Sirius called goofing off
time.
"Let me show you to your rooms." Minerva said. "Dobby has been busy all
day and I'll think you'll be pleased."
Harry fell into step beside Sirius, glad of the weight of his father's hand on his
shoulder. He knew Sirius had overseen the whole room thing so he wasn't too
worried. They followed Minerva out of her office, down the stairs and along a
corridor. They went up another very long flight of stairs and along another
corridor until they came to a halt outside a floor to ceiling portrait of a lion.
"The password is currently set to Champion but you will want to change it."
Minerva said before turning and giving the password. The portrait swung open
and Minerva stepped inside, Harry and Sirius following her.
They were on the top of the tower, Harry realised immediately. The circular
nature of the space gave it away as did the slightly overcast sky outside of the
narrow windows. The room was a half circle; a den area to the left filled with
two comfortable tartan sofas in an 'L' formation in front of the roaring fire, with
a dining area to the right filled with a sturdy oak table and chairs. Two doors
were positioned at the back of the room and a staircase curved up the side of
the wall.
"Study," Minerva said pointing at one of the doors and then to the other, "and
a training room with a duelling area, small potions store and a condensed
library. There's a staircase leading down to a kitchenette although Dobby is
also welcome to use the main kitchens."
She ushered them up the stairs.