Chapter 491
"He will likely have someone else designated as an alternative for the ritual;
one of the other contestants perhaps or the Headmaster or Black." Severus
stated matter-of-factly. "But there are two possibilities for him making the task
more difficult for Potter: firstly, that he wishes to demonstrate why Potter was
able to defeat him as a child in order to underline his anticipated final victory
over Potter."
"Strategically that would make sense." Moody agreed grumpily. "It'd scare off
any pretenders. Look, see how powerful this lad is, he can defeat dragons but
he can't defeat me…so why would anyone else think they can?"
"Well, that's horrifyingly logical." Remus muttered as they left the tent.
"Secondly, this could be a mis-step on the part of Crouch Junior or whichever
of his retinue he sent to interfere." Severus said. "Perhaps the order was to
make the task more difficult for Potter and the extent was misjudged."
"And that's horrifying in an entirely different way." Remus noted with a sigh.
What was worse that Voldemort had set out to make the task truly lifethreatening or that his minion had made it so accidentally?
They all paused at the front steps where Hagrid was weeping into a large
handkerchief.
"I have to report to Dumbledore." Moody said swiftly and departed much
quicker than Remus had considered possible with Moody's bad leg.
"And I should check on the Blood Revelation potion I am brewing." Severus
followed after Moody leaving Remus alone with Hagrid.
Cowards, thought Remus with some amusement.
"You alright there, Hagrid?" Remus asked gently, moving to sit beside the halfgiant.
Hagrid blew his nose into his handkerchief and shook his head, his bushy
beard quivering. "She was a wonderful dragon."
Ah, Hagrid was mourning the loss of the creature. Remus didn't remonstrate
him for focusing on the dragon and not the dragon handler who'd lost his life.
He knew Hagrid probably mourned both but creatures had been Hagrid's
friends and companions long before any wizards were kind to him.
"She was my fav'rite when I went to look in on 'em in the Forest." More tears
threatened. "Such beautiful green scales and yellow spikes!"
Remus frowned. "The dragon handlers let you visit?"
"Me an' most of the other professors who knew." Hagrid sniffled.
"Hagrid," Remus asked urgently, "who else visited the dragons that you know
about?"
"Well, now," Hagrid frowned in concentration, "there was Olympe, uh,
Madame Maxime…" he blushed a violent red, "we might 'ave been walking in
the same direction like."
"And?" prompted Remus, deciding to ignore the hint about Hagrid's love life
which was more than he had ever wanted to know about Hagrid's love life.
"Um, Pomona and Poppy," Hagrid hummed, "Minnie, Aurora and
Septima…oh, and I think I caught sight of a couple of the Durmstrang lads
takin' a look. They scarpered pretty quick when they caught sight o' me."
Remus's brow furrowed in thought. It was unlikely that any of the teachers
were suspect but a couple of students…no, teenage boys were not capable of
such sabotage; banishing with a timing element was advanced magic – and
he should know the amount of times the Marauders had tried it on the chairs
of various Professors. But if Crouch Junior and Peter or Travers had
polyjuiced as a couple of teenage lads and put on Durmstrang uniforms would
anyone know they weren't from the school…? That was a possibility.
Hagrid suddenly focused on Remus. "'ow's 'arry?"
"Tired but fine." Remus patted the large man's shoulder. "I should get back to
him and Sirius." He headed briskly up the steps and into the castle.
Remus passed by the Fat Lady's portrait and the sounds of a party drifted out.
The Gryffindors were clearly celebrating the win. Hopefully Harry was there
with them. He bounded into the House of Black's temporary quarters and
frowned at the absence of anyone in the main living area before striding
across to the study.
Sirius was exactly where Remus expected him to be; sat at his desk. He was
also staring at the blank piece of parchment in front of him as though it held
the answers to the universe.
"Padfoot?" Remus cleared his throat, knocking loudly on the open door.
Sirius's head jerked up and he waved Remus in.
Remus closed the door behind him. "Harry at the Gryffindor party?"
"Bed." Sirius said. "He started yawning half-way through his cup of chocolate
and made the decision himself to go. Hermione, Ron and Neville said they'd
represent him at the party." He gesticulated impatiently. "Well?"
Remus slumped into a nearby chair and filled Sirius in on the various
evidence and theories.
Sirius collapsed back in his chair and glared at the ceiling once Remus was
done. "Never mind Harry, I'm not sure I'm going to survive this tournament,
Moony."
There wasn't anything Remus could say to comfort his friend.
"I thought it was bad enough seeing his memories." Sirius continued.
"Because seeing them reminded me that because I was stupid and in
Azkaban I hadn't been there for him when he was faced with Voldemort again
and a bloody basilisk and I had failed Harry and failed James…"
"Padfoot." Remus said softly, his heart tearing because he felt for Sirius but
also felt the same guilt only he had no excuse. He should have been at King's
Cross waiting for Harry on the first day of his first year…he should have
tracked down Harry's primary school and checked on him personally…
"And now," Sirius said as though he hadn't heard Remus, "now I am in his life
and how much use was I today? None. I still couldn't bloody help him!" He
raised a hand and massaged his brow.
"Sirius," Remus sighed, "you have helped him." He caught Sirius's eye to
prevent him replying. "Can you imagine what this tournament would have
been like if you hadn't done everything in your power to adopt Harry this
Summer? If you'd still been on the run?"
Sirius was quiet.
"He would have had none of the political alliances supporting him; none of the
emotional comfort of having you, someone who loves him, present – because
while I know you would have done what you could to be close by, you couldn't
have been here in the school with him. There wouldn't have been the security
around the tournament that there is now and he would have been more at
risk." Remus felt his own stomach churn at the image he was drawing. "And
Harry himself…his power would have been restricted, he would still be taking
a half-hearted approach to studying and he certainly wouldn't have had the
spell knowledge he needed to face a dragon."
Sirius lurched out of his chair and paced over to the window at the far side of
the room.
"Just because a magical barrier stood between you jumping in front of a
dragon for him," Remus said, his throat tight with emotion as he got to his feet
and followed after Sirius, "do not ever say you are useless or haven't helped
him. Do. Not."
It was enough to break the last of Sirius's defences; his head bowed and his
shoulders shook. Remus gathered up his friend and hugged him tightly. Sirius
needed the release of tension a good crying jag would give him; he'd almost
seen his son trampled to death by a dragon, had watched his son face off
against another in a task that had sent one of the Champions out of the arena
on a stretcher. It was no wonder Sirius was a mess. Remus was half-tempted
to join in; his tears scoured the back of his throat and pushed at the back of
his eyes but Sirius needed him to be the strong one.
"Sorry," mumbled Sirius eventually, "I know I shouldn't let it all get to me
but…"
"You're allowed to let it get to you occasionally, Padfoot." Remus chided him
gently, letting Sirius pull away to blow his nose and mop at his face.
"Just not in public where Crouch Junior will see me though." Sirius grimaced,
wafting his handkerchief in the direction of the outside. "Otherwise he'd know
his plan to make my life hell was working."
"Focus on the positive, Sirius." Remus advised. "Harry is doing what he set
out to do. He completely owned the actual task. He was totally brilliant and
he's in the lead. He's on course to win it."
Sirius nodded briskly. "You're right." He took a deep breath and banished the
handkerchief. "I think I might turn in early myself."
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Chapter 492
"Probably a good thing." Remus said mildly.
Sirius gestured back towards the door. "You should go and tell Moody and
Albus about the visitors in the Forbidden Forest and the possibility of Crouch
and accomplice moonlighting as Durmstrang kids. We should check the map
daily; make sure everyone is who they're supposed to be."
Remus nodded. "You'll be alright?"
"I'll be alright." Sirius confirmed. "Thanks, Moony."
"Any time, Padfoot." Remus made for the door and glanced back only to find
Sirius in his Grim form huddled up to the window and staring out into the
twilight. He hesitated, wondering if he should stay anyway, but in the end the
knowledge that he had vital intelligence to impart to others made him leave.
He paused in the living room and Dobby popped immediately.
"Dobby takes care of Harry Potter and Harry Potter's Paddy." Dobby
reassured him. "You bes not worrying."
Easier said than done but Remus appreciated the sentiment. He left his loved
ones in Dobby's capable hands and went in search of Moody.
o-O-o
25th November 1994
HARRY POTTER, DRAGON LORD! By Rita Skeeter
In a remarkable display of power, Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived,
demonstrated how to tame a dragon. The last Champion to face the first task
of the tournament, Harry found himself up against a Chinese Fireball – one of
the most dangerous species of dragon, famed for their intelligence and agility.
Harry's athleticism saw him climb across the cliffy rocks used in the arena
before dropping down behind the Fireball to take it by surprise with a magical
ice-cold wind. With the dragon down, Harry was able to carry away the four
eggs with aplomb, securing himself first place in the tournament!
But that was not the end of Harry's dragon-taming escapade. The Hungarian
Horntail which had put paid to French contestant, Fleur Delacour's hopes of
completing the task, went feral. Having escaped from its dragon pen, it
stampeded into the arena just as Harry was leaving and attacked! In an
impressive display Harry teamed up with his former opponent of the Fireball to
protect the dragon eggs and overcome the Horntail!
It was a riveting and breath-taking to see our young hero fight so heroically!
Mister Bagman, the tournament's official Ministry representative, confirmed
that investigations by the Department of Mysteries and the DMLE were
underway to find out how the Horntail got loose. This lapse in security may be
down to the Romanian Reserve dragon team who had responsibility for the
upkeep of the dragons during the tournament.
Amos Diggory, father of third placed Champion, Cedric Diggory, commented
that the tasks and events with the Horntail demonstrated the need for strong
magical creature controls and questioned once again the Wizengamot's
review of the Magical Creature Laws.
"Well, well, well," the Dark Lord murmured softly, tapping the newspaper and
sending the dragon in the picture on the front page cowering in terror behind
the pictorial form of Potter who glared out at the Dark Lord, "it seems Harry
avoided your trap, Bartemius." There was a tense note in the Dark Lord's
voice that noted his dissatisfaction.
Peter hid his smile as Barty bowed his head in dejected submission and
slumped to kneel beside the chair where the infant Dark Lord sat boosted up
with a cushion at the dining table.
"I have failed you, Father." Barty said miserably.
Peter tried not to look pleased as he placed the Dark Lord's potion in front of
him next to the paper and eased himself down into the seat opposite, his
shoulder aching from where Sirius had cut him. The Dark Lord hadn't offered
to heal him and Peter had had to make do himself.
"You have done well." The Dark Lord's young hand reached out and stroked
Barty's hair. "It was most unfortunate he did not face the Horntail in the task
itself but his escape from its rampage has proven he is worthy to be my
chosen enemy."
"Why didn't he face the Horntail?" asked Peter carefully. If the Dark Lord was
not displeased with Barty then Peter would have to watch his tone.
"According to Karkaroff, Dumbledore created the tokens on the morning of the
tournament and kept them with him until he gave them to Bagman for the
draw." Barty explained tersely. "There was no opportunity to manipulate
them."
"Hmmm," the Dark Lord chuckled, "perhaps the old fool is finally gaining some
sense." He turned back to the paper. "And what of your host? Is Igor causing
you and Dennis any trouble?"
"He's too scared of you to cause trouble, Father." Barty smirked. "He does our
bidding like the snivelling yellow-bellied coward is he."
Peter felt a momentary pang of sympathy for Karkaroff for having to put up
with Barty's and Dennis's bullying. Still, he'd never liked the guy and he'd sold
out the Dark Lord. Karkaroff had to believe that helping them was his only way
of having a chance to live. Of course, what Karkaroff didn't know was that the
Dark Lord had already promised Dennis would have the honour of killing
Karkaroff after the end of the tournament, when they no longer needed him
and the Durmstrang ship to hide within and thus have revenge for Karkaroff
sending his father to jail.
He did think it was an ingenious way for the two of them to hide-out at
Hogwarts without anyone being any the wiser. The ship was considered
Bulgarian territory and none of their enemies could risk going onto the ship
without causing a diplomatic incident. Barty had thought of it, of course. It had
been relatively easy for the Dark Lord to task a newly freed Dennis Travers
with the task of going to Durmstrang in a polyjuiced disguise and threatening
Karkaroff into obedience. They had been lucky that the checks for identity
were all done within Hogwarts castle and no-one questioned whether there
was anybody left on the ship. Dumbledore trusted that his peers had only
brought those they had admitted to bringing.
Fool.
It was a small crack in Moody's security net but it was a crack Barty had been
quick to take advantage of and take advantage of it they had.
Barty and Dennis had been able to access the dragon pens in relative
anonymity pretending to be two of the Durmstrang students. They had
successfully sabotaged the feed and the Horntail's chain. It was just the final
part for Harry to get the Horntail in the draw that hadn't gone to plan.
Not that the failure seemed to matter to the Dark Lord, Peter thought sourly,
careful to keep his eyes lowered to the table so his Master couldn't read his
mind.
"Excellent." The Dark Lord drank down his potion. "We have made a
successful start to our campaign." He tapped the newspaper again. "But
perhaps we shall call this a draw as Potter survived without major injury."
Barty lowered his head again.
"Do not worry, Bartemius." The Dark Lord soothed him like a small child.
"Potter will be defeated in good time." He smiled evilly – an incongruous sight
on the features of the toddler he inhabited. "And in the meantime we can have
some more fun with him. The second task will come soon enough and
perhaps…" he gestured at the small sentence announcing a Yule Ball was to
be held at Hogwarts as part of the tournament's events. "We should think of
something for Yule…a Christmas present."
Barty's face brightened with malevolent glee.
Peter kept his expression as impassive as he could. He was rapidly coming to
the conclusion that Barty wasn't altogether sane. But then how could he be,
reasoned Peter. Barty had been locked up in a basement by his own father for
over ten years. Peter felt his own existence as the family rat of the Weasleys
was infinitely preferable in comparison.
"May I…" Barty began eagerly.
"Yes, you may think of something." The Dark Lord acquiesced. "But do not
use Fenrir. I have given him another mission."
Barty frowned heavily. "I would have been happy to have assisted you,
Father."
"You must always choose the right tool for the right job, Bartemius." The Dark
Lord said firmly. "Fenrir is imminently suited for the task of menacing Potter's
supporters such as the Weasleys and undermining his political base and
agenda, especially as Potter is so focused on being kind to the werewolves.
Fenrir is a blunt instrument but he will be effective."
"I understand, Father." Barty said quickly. "And you are right; I will learn to
choose the right tool for the right task."
Tools, Peter thought derisively. That was how they were all seen, even Barty
himself.
"So, Potter," the Dark Lord murmured down to the picture of Harry, "our war
continues and we have won some battles and lost some on either side."
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Chapter 493
"Father?" Barty asked tentatively.
The Dark Lord's eyes slid to Barty and gazed at him sternly. "Why don't you
list our battles so far, Bartemius?"
"The first task was one battle and you declared a draw there." Barty
immediately replied, his elegant fingers wriggling in the air. "The second…was
getting Harry into the tournament which we won although they tried to claim a
victory in defeat."
"Excellent." The Dark Lord said.
Barty regained some confidence with the praise. "We liberated Travers but
they foiled our attempt to grab Potter at the World Cup."
"And they have also recently found your elf and the Summers woman." The
Dark Lord said quietly.
Barty's face was priceless.
Peter hid his own glee at the shock that radiated through Barty's handsome
features. The Dark Lord had been furious when Peter had arrived back from
the crypt with the news that he had barely escaped since the location had
been found by the Aurors. Peter had kept his head filled with his battle with
Sirius and subsequent panicked run from Sirius's Grim form to hide his
remarks to his old friend.
He still felt a thrill about what he'd done. He suspected Sirius already knew
about the ritual and therefore he didn't believe that he'd betrayed the Dark
Lord at all. And he was still committed to being the Dark Lord's servant;
believed that in the final showdown the Dark Lord with his years of
experience, and guarded against the ancient magic Lily had invoked, would
prevail against Harry. But maybe there was the possibility that Harry would
pull another rabbit out of his hat and Peter hoped he had done enough to
make Sirius hesitate about killing him next time their paths crossed.
"When…" Barty began.
"Last week." The Dark Lord said mildly. "I am surprised that you didn't feel the
breach in your blood wards." There was a question in the statement of why
Barty hadn't felt it. They'd only been alerted because of the trip alarms that the
Dark Lord had insisted be placed around the crypt.
"The spell did call for the blood of a Head of House and as I've had some
problems with the inheritance ritual," Barty hurried out as an excuse, "perhaps
the wards did not work as they were meant to as I am not the recognised
Head of House yet."
"Learn from your mistake, Bartemius." The Dark Lord said. "Your
inattentiveness has caused us to lose our spare amniotic fluid for the ritual
potion, my willing servant as Peter was almost caught, and our enemy now
has your elf in their grasp."
"Winky will not betray me." Barty said firmly. "She loves her bond too much."
"The Blacks were purported to have a spell that would override the ownership
of an elf for a short time." The Dark Lord informed him mildly. "I once heard
Bella speak of it. I do not doubt the new Lord Black will know of it."
Barty bowed his head again.
"Do not fret, Bartemius." The Dark Lord reached out and stroked Barty's hair.
The gesture turned Peter's stomach. "Your Draught of the Sleeping Beauty
was perfect and there is no antidote." His young twisted features turned
contemplative. "Although Severus might find one at Albus's behest, of
course."
That was a possibility. Snape had been a pain back at Hogwarts but he had
been a pain with a rare talent. If anyone could find an antidote it was probably
Snape, Peter thought with faint alarm.
"Maybe it's time for us to bring Severus into our confidence." The Dark Lord
mused out loud. "It would be good to have an actual Potions Master complete
the ritual potion."
Barty frowned, clearly unhappy at the idea of anyone else finding favour with
the Dark Lord. "Father?"
"Tools, Bartemius," the Dark Lord reminded him, "and Severus is a
wonderfully sharp implement when he's used correctly."
"He betrayed you!" Barty spluttered.
"No," the Dark Lord's red eyes glittered, "Severus has always been mine. It
was I who placed him within Albus Dumbledore's circle and he who first
informed me of the threat posed by Potter. I do not doubt that he continues to
serve me, remaining close to the Potter boy and Dumbledore to ensure I have
the best of intelligence. I saw for myself how much he despises the boy when
I occupied Quirrell. I do not believe he realised that I was behind Quirrell's
machinations."
Peter rather doubted that the Dark Lord was right about Snape's loyalty.
Snape had loved Lily once and he wasn't completely certain that Snape hadn't
known that the Dark Lord occupied Quirrell when he'd kept getting in between
the Dark Lord and the Philosopher's Stone. He kept his thoughts to himself
though.
"Yes," the Dark Lord mused again, "it is perhaps time to bring Severus into the
circle."
"How will I approach him?" Barty asked somewhat sulkily.
"Knowing Severus, he will approach you through Karkaroff soon enough." The
Dark Lord said, amused. "I look forward to your Yule present, Barty. I have
forgiven you your mistakes to date but another failure may not go unpunished,
my Heir."
"Yes, Father." Barty replied straight away.
The Dark Lord waved a tiny hand at Peter. "I am ready to retire."
Peter hurried to see to his Master, keeping his own mind busy with the details
of ensuring the bed was turned down and the pillows comfortably positioned
before he left the Dark Lord in the care of the snake. Peter reluctantly
returned to the small living room.
Barty had gotten up off the floor and was sprawled on the sofa.
Peter ignored him and slid into his seat at the dining table, pulling the paper
toward him to reread it once more.
"Do you believe him about Snape?" asked Barty into the stretching silence.
"If the Dark Lord says he is to be trusted, he is to be trusted." Peter replied
evenly. "I don't question the Dark Lord." It made him the perfect choice as the
willing servant, Peter thought to himself. The right tool for the right job; the
Dark Lord had chosen correctly after all.
"What about if it protects him?" quibbled Barty, lurching to his feet and pacing
back and forth.
Peter flipped the page. "Even then."
"I don't trust Snape." Barty growled. "He's in too deep with Dumbledore."
"That was his mission." Peter pointed out dryly. "He was meant to get in deep
with Dumbledore so he could report to the Dark Lord with confidence." He
lifted a shoulder. "I would say he was certainly more committed to the cause
than you back in the day. After all, you only took the Mark because Rabastan
asked you to, didn't you?"
Barty waved away Peter's remarks about his own loyalty. "And now?" He
zeroed in on the opening Peter had left. "Do you say he's as committed as me
now?"
"I doubt any of us are as committed as you now." Peter said dryly. Or needed
committing, he mused silently, as Barty began laughing, bending double in his
hysteria.
"You're funny, Pettigrew." He straightened eventually and wiped his eyes.
"And about Snape?"
"If the Dark Lord believes he belongs to the Dark Lord then I'm certain that he
has his reasons." Peter prevaricated.
"But?" pressed Barty, his eyes narrowing on Peter expectantly.
"But I know Snape loved Lily Potter at one point." Peter said succinctly.
"Whether the fact that the Dark Lord killed her has changed anything for
Snape…well, only he knows for certain." He raised a hand. "On the other
hand, Snape hated James and Sirius with a vengeance. He hates Harry now;
that much I know. The boys used to complain enough about his unfair
treatment of him when I was living as the Weasleys' pet rat. Can I see him
truly on the side which is now being led by Sirius Black and a Potter who
looks like James?" He shrugged again.
Barty considered Peter's words and frowned heavily. "Thanks, Peter." He
sighed and dropped back onto the sofa. "I need a good idea for Yule."
"Don't look at me." Peter said dismissively. "I'm crap at coming up with
Christmas presents."
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Chapter 494
"I'd like another go at the Weasleys but if Fenrir has been given them…" Barty
sighed. "Perhaps Potter's brand new girl friend? She's a muggleborn, isn't
she? And it would be such a heartbreaking blow for our young hero." He
pouted. "But that seems so cliché."
Peter kept his own counsel and tried not to think about anything but lunch.
.....
Sirius settled into the comfy armchair Albus had conjured and relaxed a little
in the safety of Albus's office. He took a sip of his coffee and gazed around at
the War Council. It seemed like years had passed since their first meeting.
Cornelius was chatting away with Amelia and Bertie across from Sirius and
Albus had left the power position behind his desk to sit with them as peers.
They all had come a long way in a short space of time; had forged a good
working relationship to band against the return of Voldemort. It was no wonder
that two of their invited guests of Moody and Snape were viewing them with
open suspicion, and even Remus viewed them with an air of bewilderment. It
gave Sirius a surprising amount of satisfaction.
"Perhaps we should begin." Sirius said, cutting through the chatter with quiet
forcefulness. He motioned with his cup. "First on the agenda is the
tournament."
Albus perked up immediately, obviously pleased that after having no clear role
on the council, he had something that was mostly his to represent.
"I think we're all aware of the results of the first task," Albus began, adjusting
his orange and yellow striped robes, "Harry was successful in completing the
task and leads the tournament." He heaved what was for Albus a heavy sigh.
"Unfortunately there was an attempt to sabotage the tournament." He
motioned at Moody.
"After investigation," Moody nodded toward Bertie and Amelia, "we've
established that the Horntail was drugged with a stimulant to increase its
aggression, probably over a couple of days. The chain securing the Horntail
was charmed to banish during Potter's task. Which leads to a number of
questions." His magical eye swivelled. "Firstly, what was the goal?"
"We've concluded the likely aim was to increase the difficulty level of Harry's
task." Bertie chimed in. "I believe that the ritual is at the root of it. Riddle has
to ensure that Harry is in genuine fear of his life and not immured to the
danger because it is a task within the tournament. The other possible
motivation that has been suggested is that Riddle wants Harry to be shown as
powerful so when he defeats him, no-one else will dare stand against him.
Both may have played a part here."
"Either suits Tom's agenda, I fear." Albus sighed. "If Harry dies attempting a
task, Voldemort could claim he defeated him that way. If he survives he is
primed for the ritual, and, yes; if Harry were to die at Tom's hand after his
impressive displays in the tournament, it would crush any opposition Tom
might face."
"I believe that too." Cornelius piped up.
"I think we all know it." Amelia said brusquely. "He's the banner we're fighting
behind. If he falls..."
"Perhaps," Sirius said mildly, "for the sake of what remains of my sanity we
could all stop talking about what might happen if Harry..." his throat closed up
on the word as though his body would not physically declare the possibility of
Harry dying. He made a vague wave instead.
"Apologies, Sirius," said Albus kindly.
Sirius pointed at Moody. "Right, we've covered the why, but personally I'm
more interested in the how."
Moody looked at him approvingly. "Trained you well, Black." He jerked his
thumb in the direction of Remus. "From Remus's chat with Hagrid we know
security was compromised during the period the dragons were hidden in the
Forest ahead of the tournament."
Amelia shifted in her seat, looking uncomfortable. "I'm sorry to say that the
Aurors on duty assisting the team from the dragon reserve were lax in their
attention by allowing visitors." Her lips formed a grim line. "They have been
reprimanded." She gestured. "Upon pressing them for information they were
able to provide a complete list of all the visitors to the dragons in the Forest."
"Now here's where it gets interesting," Moody said with worrying enthusiasm,
"apart from a host of teachers who should have known better, the Aurors
noted a couple of boys from Durmstrang hanging about which corroborates
Hagrid's information."
"We're also certain that the boys were the culprits as all the teachers when
questioned confessed their foray to see the dragons and agreed to an identity
check there and then." Amelia slid in.
Moody huffed. "Thing is we don't think these boys are boys."
"The Aurors have failed to identify them from the immigration passports of the
students we have here." Amelia said.
"It's brilliant in its simplicity." Albus noted seriously. "We see the uniform,
recognise that the individual is a student and we rarely think any more about
them."
"Especially students you don't teach yourself." Moody made an unhappy
noise. "Have to confess I'd have a hard time identifying the foreign lot beyond
the two Champions."
"The question is," Remus said, "do we think Crouch Junior and company have
used Durmstrang uniforms because it's expedient, or because of another
reason."
"Such as getting help from their former cohort, Karkaroff." Moody growled. "I
know what I think."
"I think we all know what you think, Alastor." Amelia said, some amusement
creeping back into her voice. "The problem is that we don't have proof of their
point of entry."
Remus frowned. "Surely we can eliminate the Forest itself. The dragons were
hidden between the Centaurs and the Acromantulas. It would be madness to
apparate into either territory."
"That's my view," Moody said, "however Amelia is right that we don't know for
certain that's not what happened."
"Which means we don't have grounds to request a search of the Durmstrang
ship or to take Karkaroff in for formal questioning." Amelia stressed.
"And not that we could demand such actions without going through proper
diplomatic channels." Cornelius hastened to add.
Sirius was prepared to accept that since the Durmstrang ship was officially
Bulgarian territory. Any presumptive arrogance on the part of the British
government and it could take until the end of the tournament before they were
allowed near it.
"I approached Igor myself," Albus said, "using the pretext of suggesting it was
one of the actual Durmstrang students visiting the dragons." He shook his
head, his long beard trailing. "Alas, he gave nothing away if he is involved."
Sirius glanced at Snape.
"Karkaroff and I have avoided each other." Snape bit out tersely.
Which was to be expected. They were both former Death Eaters, disgraced.
Normally they would do their best to ignore the association.
Sirius turned it over in his head. Would Karkaroff be suspicious if Snape did
approach him? He looked at Snape who sneered at him. Sirius ignored him.
"Wouldn't it make sense for you as a spy to try and find out if Karkaroff has
heard from Voldemort?" Sirius asked pointedly. "You are supposed to be
playing for his side as far as he's concerned."
Snape stiffened. "If you are inferring for one second that my loyalty is in
question..."
Sirius cut him off with an impatient gesture. "Don't be stupid, Snape. I know
where your loyalty lies and I know it isn't with Voldemort since you want to kill
him as much as I do."
There was a fleeting look of surprise on Snape's face before it smoothed into
a thoughtful expression. "I could try," he eventually said.
"If Igor is involved in some way," Albus said, with a disapproving look in
Sirius's direction, "you may draw Tom's attention."
Snape bowed his head in acknowledgement. "I am certain I could convince
him of my continued value as his spy within your ranks, Headmaster."
Albus raised his eyebrows. "And within Sirius's ranks? Do you honestly think
that he will believe you have managed to ingratiate yourself with Sirius, with
the known animosity between the two of you?"
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Chapter 495
"He will believe that I am attempting to place myself usefully for him at great
expense to my own pride, and that Black continues to distrust me," Snape
said dryly, "but that I look forward to the day when he might reward me with
the honour of killing Black to make up for my having to have anything to do
with Black at all."
Sirius laughed because he knew it would work. Not to mention that on some
level Snape probably did want to kill him.
"And all this presupposes Karkaroff is helping Riddle." Amelia pointed out.
Bertie chuckled at Moody's grumpy expression. "I wouldn't bet against Alastor
in this instance."
Moody harrumphed. "I'll be increasing the patrols by the ship in any case." He
sighed. "We've also had an unknown animagus register on the wards but…the
first sign of them was the day of the task so could have been anyone including
someone authorised to attend."
"Is it possible that Crouch Junior is an unregistered animagus?" Amelia asked.
"He did not have such a skill when he was at Hogwarts." Albus said.
Remus frowned. "But he could have learned to become an animagus between
leaving Hogwarts and being imprisoned in Azkaban."
"If he did, then why didn't he use his form to escape his father?" Sirius asked
pointedly. "Fair enough he might have been confused all of the time but…as
an animagus I have to say that it's unlikely it would never have entered his
head to change form even if it was to escape the immediate horror of his
captivity."
From the varying expressions of pity to horror on the faces around him, Sirius
realised he might have given his own past away with his words.
"It's all speculation." Moody snorted, yanking everyone's attention back on
track. "We'll keep an eye on the wards for any other instances."
Sirius noticed Remus had his 'I have a thought but need to think about it more'
face. He left him alone. "So that's what we're left with: tightening security and
maintaining vigilance."
"Our next task is February." Albus said. "It gives us plenty of time to prepare."
"But there is the Yule Ball." Amelia said. "If I were Riddle I would be tempted
to do something."
Albus sighed. "Yes, Tom always did have a flare for dramatics."
"Moving on then," Sirius nodded toward Cornelius.
Cornelius puffed up proudly. "Harry's outstanding performance against the
dragon has led to some of those we are seeking alliances with on the neutral
side to reconsider their reluctance to ally with us." He squirmed with glee.
"Sirius and I have received a number of invitations since the first task which
we will follow up." He made a small gesture with his cup. "Possibly we will be
unable to convert them into reality before the December Wizengamot, but it
may still benefit us in validating the report from the Committee looking into the
magical creature laws."
"Lucius reports a similar state of reconsideration among the pureblood
houses." Sirius said. "Even if nothing comes of it immediately, it may hamper
Wenlock's opposition."
"Excellent news." Albus beamed at them and Cornelius soaked up the
approval like a sponge.
"We've got some good news too since we found the missing pregnant
woman." Amelia said. "However she is in the same state as the Crouch elf
and so we're waiting on a revival potion."
Sirius glanced at Snape.
"With the blood from the woman I have narrowed it to two possible potions
that were used." Snape informed them briskly. "I am now waiting on a Blood
Revelation potion to brew for the next set of tests."
"You should come work for me when this is all over." Bertie said, sipping his
drink, "we could use someone with your skills in potions."
Sirius noticed how stunned and hopeful Snape looked in the brief second
before he controlled his reaction. He wondered if it had once been a dream of
Snape's to work for the DOM before he'd succumbed to the lure of the Death
Eaters. He had never really considered that Snape would have had dreams,
wants, hopes when they had both been school boys at odds with one another.
He had been too immersed in his own troubles to view Snape as anything
other than a nemesis rather than a boy like himself. Was it a sign of maturity
that he finally saw Snape as a human being with all of the flaws and dreams
being human entailed?
That was a scary thought.
Sirius mentally shook away his entire train of thought as Amelia continued
confirming that they believed Voldemort and Peter at least to be in London.
"Do we think Pettigrew's sudden decision to provide information sincere?"
Amelia asked bluntly.
Sirius frowned as he and Remus glanced toward each other, confirming their
shared thought of 'not bloody likely.'
"Peter's probably hedging his bets." Remus said diplomatically.
"Trying to cover his arse." Sirius muttered with disgust.
"Perhaps he is truly regretful." Albus's tone was softly chiding.
"He is trying to ensure that I won't just kill him." Sirius corrected sharply. "I
don't doubt any information he provides may be useful but let's not kid
ourselves that he's doing it for any other reason than because he wants to
save himself."
"So we can't count on him fully changing sides and telling us where he is."
Amelia cut in before Albus could wax lyrical about redemption and second
chances.
"Not until it's beyond question which side will win." Remus confirmed.
Sirius motioned at Bertie who grimaced around a mouthful of tea.
He swallowed hastily. "My news isn't so good. The Treasure Hunt is on-going.
We haven't had any luck locating the remaining item so far." He sighed. "Our
search continues." He gestured at Remus. "Bill mentioned that you'd
suggested talking to the ghosts and portraits?"
Remus nodded. "It was just a thought. They might have seen Riddle hide it."
Albus made a sudden noise of exclamation. "Of course! We should talk to the
Ravenclaw ghost!"
They all looked at him with varying expressions of quizzical bewilderment.
"The Ravenclaw ghost is the daughter of Rowena Ravenclaw." Albus
explained, as though they all should have known.
"You couldn't have mentioned this earlier?" Bertie sighed.
Albus appeared suitably recalcitrant. "Alas, it did not occur to me."
"Don't the ghosts have to answer any questions you ask?" Remus asked.
"Not exactly. The ghosts know they are allowed to remain at Hogwarts at the
Headmaster's pleasure, therefore they are honour bound to answer any
questions." Albus explained.
"But they can choose not to." Bertie said, nodding understandingly. "Still it
might be wise to have you with us when we question her."
Albus agreed readily and the War Council was done for another day.
Sirius wandered back to his rooms, a quiet and contemplative Remus beside
him. They entered to find Harry immersed in homework at the dining table.
They slid into seats, Sirius taking the chair next to Harry while Remus sat
opposite.
Harry raised his head briefly. "How did it go?"
"Pretty much confirmed what we already knew." Sirius said and went over the
main points for his son.
"If it's official that the Horntail was sabotaged," Harry said with a deep frown,
"that means Fleur was unfairly challenged during the task."
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Chapter 496
"I'm not sure it changed the outcome by much." Remus said. "Her sleep spell
just wasn't strong enough."
"But she might have been able to save one of the eggs," Harry argued, "or
avoided getting hurt."
Sirius felt a rush of pride. Harry had such a good heart. "I'll raise it with Albus."
He promised.
Harry smiled at him.
Sirius turned to Remus. "And you," he wagged a finger at him, "what have you
been thinking about?"
Remus gave a sheepish sigh. "I was wondering whether it would be
appropriate to make some discreet personal enquiries to see if Minister
Oblansk would give us permission to search the Durmstrang ship."
"You mean avoid the official channels and request it as a favour?" Sirius
asked marvelling at Remus's lateral thinking. It might work. "You and Bogdan
did get on well at the World Cup."
"We'd still have to be cautious about how we asked and probably bring
Cornelius in to give us cover if it went pear-shaped." Remus cautioned.
"It's a good idea." Sirius said.
"It's a brilliant idea!" Harry added enthusiastically. "I can also ask Viktor to
watch for anything suspicious on the ship. I mean," he said swiftly seeing the
objection Sirius was going to make, "not to go looking but just if anything looks
odd to let us know."
Sirius hummed as he considered the idea. Viktor seemed on the level but it
was risky trusting him. However it was a good suggestion.
"Maybe you should bring all the Champions in on the news of the sabotage."
Sirius began. "Ask them all to keep a look out. We honestly don't know for
certain that Junior is working with Karkaroff and is hiding on the ship. They
might wear different uniforms next time."
Harry nodded. "I'll talk with them at Quidditch practice."
"And I'll send word to speak with Bogdan via Tomas when I'm next in France."
Remus said.
"Is that before or after your date with Tonks?" asked Harry slyly.
"It is not a date!" Remus immediately denied. "We're going for a friendly drink
so I can inform Tonks my interest is elsewhere."
"Really?" Harry's eyebrows shot skyward as though in surprise although Sirius
knew he was well aware of Remus's interest in a female werewolf back at the
chateau since Sirius had informed Harry himself.
Remus hurriedly got to his feet. "I should go. Lots to do." He was barely out of
the door before both Harry and Sirius dissolved into laughter.
o-O-o
26th November 1994
Remus tapped his foot impatiently as he waited for Tonks to arrive. He really
wasn't looking forward to the next hour. He liked Tonks and he didn't want to
make things awkward with her. But he couldn't allow her to continue to send
him suggestive messages when he wasn't interested in her romantically;
when he was looking forward to returning to France and seeing Clara again.
The floo chimed and Tonks walked out with her usual sassy confidence. She
was wearing muggle clothing; blue jeans, a t-shirt proclaiming her love for an
obscure muggle rock band, boots and a thick leather jacket. Her hair was a
bright pink matching the colour of her top.
"You're looking good, Remus." Tonks winked.
Remus raised an eyebrow. He had also dressed in muggle wear of black
jeans, an old flannel shirt in a washed out green, boots and a short woollen
black jacket.
"Shall we?" Remus motioned at the floo.
They made their way to The Leaky Cauldron. Remus found them a quiet
corner and bought them two pints of ale.
"Tonks," he began, "these notes that you've been sending me..."
"Got your attention, didn't it?" Tonks said, grinning. "You're a hard man to pin
down."
"Then, you're serious?" Remus questioned, a tad stunned that she hadn't
immediately laughed it off and admitted it was all a joke.
Tonks lowered her drink and regarded him with a slight frown. "You thought I
was making fun of you?"
"The thought had crossed my mind." Remus said mildly. It had happened
once before with a witch at school.
"Then let me assure you," Tonks said, "I'm very serious. I was made up when
Sirius mentioned at dinner that you were looking for a relationship." Her grey
eyes shone with nothing but sincerity which made Remus's heart sink as he
considered what he had to tell her.
Remus shifted in his seat. "The thing is that when Sirius used me as a way of
diverting attention from his own lack of a love life, he wasn't aware that I was
already interested in someone." He fidgeted with his glass as comprehension
filled Tonks' face.
"Ah," she winced in a dramatic fashion, "and I'm guessing it isn't me that's
caught your eye?"
"I'm afraid not, Tonks." Remus agreed gently.
"Bugger." Tonks said, slumping back in her chair, amusement beginning to
overtake the embarrassment of the moment. "And I thought I was so clever
getting in before anyone else."
Remus blushed.
She sipped her ale and eyed him speculatively. "Well, I guess I shall have to
settle for being your best girl buddy."
Remus almost spit out his mouthful of ale. "Sorry?"
"You know," Tonks grinned, "the girl buddy you talk to when you need advice
about girls and fashion and," she made a circular gesture with one hand,
"things you don't want to talk about with a bloke."
"Oh, you mean a girl buddy." Remus said teasingly. "Yeah, it's been a while
since I've had one of those." Sadness coloured the last of his words despite
his intention to keep it light.
"Lily?" Tonks inquired gently.
Remus nodded. "She kind of adopted all of the Marauders when she married
James."
"I think I met her?" Tonks said. "Sirius brought her by with James when I was
little. I remember thinking she was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. I
insisted on my hair being her colour for days after."
"You met her quite a few times I think." Remus said. "You'd be too young to
remember. Sirius tried to stay in touch as much as he could with your mother,
and, of course, it was rare to find Sirius without James even after James's
marriage."
"Did you mind?" Tonks asked with genuine interest.
"Sometimes," Remus admitted, "mostly when James would take Sirius's side
in something, not because it was right but because it was Sirius." He frowned.
"I never realised back then how much Sirius did the same for James. They
were closer than brothers but then they were friends from the first whereas it
took a little time for the four of us as a group to properly gel."
Tonks took a gulp of her drink. "It's weird. Whenever I think about you guys at
school, I always just assume that you came fully formed as Marauders. Sirius
used to tell me stories when he visited when I was a kid." She peeked at him
over her glass. "That's partially why I had such a crush on you. He made you
all sound so cool."
Remus chuckled. "Our being friends didn't happen overnight." He shrugged. "I
think Peter and I assumed Sirius and James had been friends for years; they
just had that vibe from the get-go despite only meeting on the train." He
sipped his ale. "Neither of us wanted to intrude so we ended up hanging
around each other by default. It wasn't until…Peter and I got cornered by a
group of older Slytherins near the library. We were outnumbered but suddenly
James and Sirius were there, and the four of us made short work of the six of
them. That was when we all started to hang around together."
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Chapter 497
"That sounds like Sirius." Tonks said. "Taking on Slytherins and fighting."
"He has a surprisingly good heart." Remus said defensively although her tone
was fond and teasing rather than critical. He raised his half empty glass.
"Most people miss that."
"I don't think anyone can deny it with everything he's done for Harry." Tonks
said, motioning with her glass.
Remus shrugged. "You'd be surprised. There are still some who focus on his
name and the reputation of his family. I've heard people say he took Harry to
gain power, to increase his political base; not because he truly loves him."
Tonks nodded slowly. "I can relate on the family front." She tipped her glass in
Remus's direction. "I get comments occasionally, and I'm not even a Black by
name."
Remus tilted his head in her direction. "You did inherit the eyes."
Tonks grimaced. "I look like my Aunt Bella naturally. So you can understand
why I morph into looking more like the Tonks side."
"Your mother doesn't mind?" Remus asked.
"I think she understands." Tonks said. "She's always been supportive. I had a
pretty tough time at school until I settled on a base form."
Remus could guess at what kind of issues Tonks had faced especially with
teenage boys and girls; the boys would be crude and the girls jealous.
Tonks smiled suddenly. "You don't have to look so fierce on my behalf,
Remus. Any hurt was long healed and I did have a few good friends."
Remus huffed out an amused sigh. He set his glass down, slightly surprised
to find it empty.
Tonks nodded at it, draining her own. "My round. You can tell me all about the
lady who beat me to you."
Remus didn't have time to protest; she was gone with the empty glasses. He
relaxed in his chair, relieved the discussion had gone so well, and credited
Tonks for her graciousness in the face of his rejection.
A sudden movement yanked his attention from his thoughts as Sian slid into
the chair Tonks had vacated. She looked grim.
"Sian, what's wrong?" Remus asked urgently, knowing it had to be bad for her
to approach him so publicly.
"Fenrir came back to the pack yesterday." Sian said. "He asked for volunteers
to complete a mission for the Dark Lord."
Remus glanced around anxiously. "We need to find somewhere more private."
He stood up and herded her in front of him to the bar where Tonks was
waiting to be served. He tapped Tonks on the shoulder. She raised an
eyebrow at the sight of Sian.
"I leave you alone for a minute and you find another girl?" She teased.
Remus flushed but focused on the immediate issue. "Tonks, Sian's an old
friend. Would you be OK if we got the next round at your place?" He hoped
his pleading expression was enough to make her comply without any other
kind of explanation.
Her grey eyes so like Sirius's narrowed but she pushed away from the bar
with a shrug. "Sure. Shall we use the floo?"
It took little more than a few minutes for them to travel to Tonks' small flat. She
locked down the floo and smiled ruefully as she picked up some scattered
clothing.
"Sorry for the mess," Tonks grinned suddenly, "I wasn't expecting to get this
lucky on a first date."
Remus rolled his eyes at her.
"Remus..." Sian started to protest, bristling at the implication that Remus had
revealed her to nothing more than a casual romantic interest.
"Introductions," he declared quickly, "Tonks, this is Sian, a member of Fenrir's
pack. She has information."
He was relieved to see Tonks sobered, assuming a demeanour more in
keeping with her job as an Auror.
"And Sian, this is Tonks, otherwise known as Sirius's cousin, and she's also
an Auror."
Sian subsided, perching on a chair, her dark hair falling over her face.
Tonks sat down opposite her, a pile of clothing in her arms. "What can you tell
us?"
"Fenrir called a pack meeting yesterday." Sian said tersely. "He said the Dark
Lord had given the pack a mission and asked for volunteers."
Remus frowned. "What was the mission?"
"The usual; frightening the Dark Lord's enemies, harassment, that kind of
thing." Sian raised a hand to her brow and rubbed it. Remus was suddenly
aware of how weary she looked. "He mentioned the Potter alliance and
someone called Dirk Cresswell?"
"Isn't Cresswell heading up the Committee reviewing the magical creature
laws?" Tonks asked Remus.
He nodded, leaning back against the breakfast bar that separated Tonks' tiny
living area from an equally tiny kitchenette. "Doesn't Fenrir understand that
attacking the people supporting positive laws for werewolves is
counterproductive?"
"You know Fenrir," Sian said bluntly, "all he wants is the blood and the fight.
He doesn't actually care that he might be undermining any chance of
werewolves getting fair treatment. Someone did question him during the
meeting and he blustered how under the Dark Lord we wouldn't have any kind
of restrictions – which is a load of bullshit because some of us remember that
all Voldemort wants to do is put a leash on us until he wants someone bitten
or intimidated."
"But?" asked Tonks.
"But some of the younger ones fell for it." Sian grimaced. "They're sore about
the laws and think the whole review is a front for coming up with even worse
restrictions."
"Fabulous." Remus pinched the bridge of his nose. Fenrir had volunteers to
menace the Potter alliance and Cresswell; it was definitely bad news.
"Were you able to get any other details?" Tonks pressed, and Remus was
glad she was there and still thinking strategically because he was just a mass
of boiling emotions. "Timing? Sequence of targets?"
"The first target is just before the Wizengamot session on the seventh of
December." Sian said. "He didn't say about the others and he didn't say who
in particular would be targeted. I can't go back, Remus." She said, turning to
him. "Alan, the one who questioned him, was killed this morning and it was
probably for questioning him. Fenrir's suspicious about me as it is; he knows
I've never liked his leadership."
"We can floo to Auror headquarters," Tonks said soothingly, "you'll need to
make a formal report and we'll give you a safe house."
"What about the chateau?" asked Sian. "Why can't I go there like the others?"
Remus nodded at Tonks. "Surely she'll be safe there?"
Tonks frowned. "Honestly, I don't think Director Bones will let her leave until
the attacks are done and even then…she should officially be in protective
custody as an informant and witness."
Sian grimaced and shook her head. "I can't be in custody, Remus." She
glanced up at him. "Please."
He sighed. Sian had acted at great personal risk to bring them the
information. "If Amelia and Sirius agree, you can stay with me. Hopefully that
will be an acceptable compromise?"
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Chapter 498
Sian's relief was so obviously evident that Remus didn't automatically regret
giving into her plea.
"You'll still have to make a formal report." Tonks said firmly. She stood up and
chucked her armful of clothing back on the sofa. "Why don't you go into the
kitchen and get something to drink? I'll floo call the Director and see whether
she wants us to come in or we can do it here."
Remus led Sian around the breakfast bar and into the small space. "What
would you like?"
"Water will do." Sian said. She thrust a hand toward the living area where
Tonks' quiet murmur could be heard. "Your girlfriend?"
"Not that it's any of your business but she's just a friend." Remus corrected
briskly.
Sian breathed out audibly. "Sorry, I was…I was just concerned that I might
have intruded on your date or caused problems by staying with you."
It was a thought, Remus considered with chagrin. Tonks was just a friend
regardless of her proclaimed interest but how was Clara going to react to his
suddenly getting a house-guest in the form of an attractive woman? He would
just have to cross that bridge when he came to it, Remus decided; it was still
very early days with Clara anyway – he hadn't even declared his interest in
her to Clara herself.
Tonks popped up in front of the breakfast bar. "The Director says I can take
the formal report here but she's sending Kingsley to support me. She's also
going to alert Sirius so I figure we'll wait until they arrive before we set-up."
Sian pulled at her top. "Do you have somewhere I can freshen up, please?"
"'Course." Tonks gestured at her. "Let me show you the bathroom."
Sian followed her out of the living area and Remus took the opportunity of a
moment alone to gather his composure. He didn't have long as Tonks
returned almost immediately.
"You look like you need something stronger than tea. There's some Scotch in
the cupboard." Tonks offered brightly. "I keep it for my Dad."
Remus sighed but opened up the door she was pointing at.
"So," Tonks said, resting a hip against the bar and gazing at him speculatively,
"is she…"
"No," Remus said hastily, "definitely; no." He brought down the scotch and
Tonks reached over to the sink to pass him a clean glass. He poured himself a
generous measure. "Sian and I were friends when I was spying back in
'eighty-'eighty-one. There's no interest on either side."
Tonks cast a look toward the bathroom. "I don't know, I think there might be
interest on her side, Remus." She smiled self-deprecatingly. "Maybe because
I'm interested myself, I can recognise it in her."
The floo chimed and Remus had the absent thought that he'd been saved by
the bell.
"I'd best get that." Tonks said cheerfully and departed.
Remus was left behind, speechless. Sian? There was no way and…it wasn't
worth thinking about! Tonks was wrong; she had to be! He felt a guilty twinge
again about Tonks herself but pushed it away forcefully. Tonks was young and
beautiful; she'd find someone for herself soon enough – someone better than
an old wolf like Remus. He was interested in Clara – Clara who didn't know he
was interested in her and who might not be interested in him.
He wondered again how his life had suddenly gotten so romantically
complicated just as Sian re-entered and smiled at him nervously, and Tonks
gestured over the breakfast bar for them to join her in the living area.
Maybe Padfoot had the right idea, Remus thought with dark humour; maybe it
was simpler to focus on Harry and forget all about other entanglements.
Remus downed his scotch; he had a feeling was going to need it.
o-O-o
Harry had timed his date with Hermione for when everyone else would be at
lunch. He entered the Gryffindor Common Room with a spring in his step and
was thrilled to find Hermione waiting for him on their usual sofa, dressed in
casual clothes of jeans and a warm-looking lavender jumper. She'd done
something to her hair again, leaving it pinned back behind her ears with two
silver clasps on either side. For the first time he could remember she was
wearing lip gloss; it made her lips shine and thoughts of what would hopefully
be their first kiss later that day zipped through Harry's thoughts.
"Hey." Harry smiled at her, set down the picnic basket he was carrying and
offered her another rose; a red one in full bloom with bright green leaves. "You
look great."
Hermione took the rose and smelled its fragrance. "Thank you, and so do
you." Her eyes swept over him and Harry was conscious of his own jeans and
green cable-knit jumper.
"When are you expected back?" Harry questioned.
"Before dinner. Ron said he'd sound an alarm if I was any later." Hermione
gave a rueful smile. "I think he enjoyed setting me a curfew far too much but I
guess it's better to be safe. You?"
"Sirius said he'd come looking for me around sixish if I hadn't surfaced by
then." Harry said happily. "So we have all afternoon." He brandished the
invisibility cloak. "We should go before someone comes back."
Hermione nodded and Harry tucked the cloak around the two of them. The
days when the cloak would have comfortably covered Harry, Hermione and
Ron were long gone. Even with just the two of them it was close quarters, but
Harry didn't mind and he didn't think Hermione did either. He hunched down to
grab the basket of food and straightened the cloak one last time. They walked
out of the portrait and Harry directed Hermione through the school to the
seventh floor.
"Where are we going?" hissed Hermione.
"It's a surprise," Harry said, "Dobby found this great room – and well, you'll
see." He grinned at her. They paused in front of a portrait of Barnabas the
Barmy and Harry checked the Marauders' map to ensure there was no-one
around before he carefully took off the cloak, motioning for Hermione to stand
to the side. He paced up and down three times in front of what looked like an
empty wall. On the completion of the third pacing, a door suddenly appeared.
Harry opened it and ushered Hermione through and closed the door behind
them.
It was the platform at King's Cross with the Hogwarts Express standing ready
for a journey.
"Oh my God!" Hermione stared back at the wall with the door, at the train, at
the door and shook her head. "What is this place?"
"Dobby said the elves call it the Room of Requirement." Harry said succinctly,
packing away the cloak. "You think up what you want outside the door, pace
back and forth with that in your mind, and…" he gestured around what looked
like the train platform, "and it creates it for you." He absently minded rubbed at
the thin line of his scar, a niggling itch teasing at him.
"This is just…" Hermione shook her head again. "How does it do it? Where
does it get all these things?"
"I think some of it is an illusion?" Harry pointed at the far distance and the
view down the tracks. "And you can't take things out that are created here; I
tried that and it doesn't work. Food doesn't just appear either although the
elves can bring some.
"So maybe a temporary conjuring charm of some kind?" Hermione said with
wonder.
Harry shrugged. He had less interest in knowing how the room worked; he
was just pleased it did. "Come on. I thought we'd have lunch on the train?" he
hesitated suddenly, "if that's OK with you?"
Hermione smiled at him, reassuringly. "More than OK." Her eyes met his with
understanding. "We first met on the train, didn't we? So it's kind of appropriate
we have our first date there."
He was thrilled she'd gotten his thinking on the venue and offered her his
hand to help her up the step and into the carriage. It was identical to the one
that he'd occupied on his first train journey except there was no Ron or
luggage cluttering the space.
Harry set the picnic basket on the floor and took out a blanket for the floor.
Hermione helped him spread it on the floor and then they began to unload the
food. He'd asked Dobby to pack Hermione's favourites and so he wasn't
surprised to find a healthy option of a chicken salad accompanied with fresh
warm bread rolls tucked within the spacious inside. There were slices of apple
pie for dessert and Dobby had included a sparkling grape juice that looked
like wine but wasn't. He poured them both a glass as Hermione served the
food. They finished and sat cross-legged next to each other, using the seats in
the carriage as back-rests.
Harry raised his glass. "To our first date." He said, a little nervous all over
again.
"To our first date." Hermione parroted, smiling.
They gently touched their glasses together and took a sip. They shifted to eat
and for a while sat in a companionable silence.
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Chapter 499
Hermione chuckled suddenly. He looked over at her questioningly.
"I was just thinking that I'm so nervous and how stupid that is since it's you
and me, and we know each other." Hermione explained with chagrin.
He grinned at her sheepishly. "I know; me too."
Hermione assumed a determined look that Harry knew all too well. "So we
should stop being nervous and just enjoy the time together."
Harry readily agreed. He hadn't been able to spend a great deal of time alone
with Hermione with his new living accommodations, and while he didn't regret
living with Sirius at Hogwarts, it did cut down on his time with his friends.
She gestured at him with a fork. "How are you getting on with the clues in the
egg?"
Harry winced. "It was a poem written in Mermish. Thankfully, Remus knows
the language."
Hermione raised her eyebrows, waving her fork enthusiastically to encourage
him to continue as she had a mouthful of food.
"Water, water, everywhere; of your prized possession take great care; for
prisoners rarely work together; and time will not last forever." Harry recited
from memory.
Hermione grimaced. "That's the clues?"
"At least I have the whole thing." Harry pointed out. "Cedric only has the one
line and the judges just agreed that because of the Horntail being sabotaged,
Fleur will get that one too. Viktor has two lines." He swallowed some chicken.
"I think the task is going to either be on the top of the lake or under it."
"Water, water, everywhere…" Hermione nodded briskly. "That makes sense."
She scooped up some coleslaw. "It sounds like they're going to make you
rescue your prized possession. The second task is typically about retrieving
something."
"Which is weird," Harry said, "because I'd notice if any of my stuff went
missing – and I'm really not attached to very much." There was the photo
album of his parents, his invisibility cloak and his Firebolt. Everything else
was, in Harry's opinion, expendable.
"Maybe," Hermione began hesitantly, "maybe they mean a person? They've
used human hostages in three previous tournaments."
Harry felt his stutter in his chest. It was his worst nightmare; someone else in
danger because of him.
"It might not be!" Hermione hastened to comfort him. It's just the third line
about prisoners suggests that someone will be a prisoner and the options are
the Champions or someone else so…"
"No, you're probably right." Harry said somewhat sourly. "But how would they
choose someone?" He set his lunch aside and picked up his drink. "I mean, I
have a few people who I, uh, care about."
"When the tasks have called for a participant to be associated with the
Champion in the past," Hermione said, "the tournament judges enter a list of
possibilities into the Goblet and the Goblet chooses."
"Great," Harry sighed, "because that's completely fool-proof." He adjusted his
glasses. "I guess from the last line there'll be a time limit which you know
makes me think what happens to the someone or something if you don't
achieve rescuing it – them – in time?"
"Good question." Hermione said, putting her own plate aside and picking up
her drink. "If it was the tasks as they were previously designed I'm pretty sure
that it wouldn't be bad. I can't see Professor Dumbledore or Madame Maxime
allowing a lethal consequence."
"But all bets are off since Voldemort rewrote the tasks." Harry sighed and
drank some of his juice. He felt his mood darkening and shoved his impending
brooding away to focus on his date. "And I think we should stop talking about
the tournament."
"Probably that's a good idea." Hermione admitted. "So what would you like to
talk about?"
"Well, dating is supposed to be about getting to know each other better,
right?" Harry warmed to his suggestion immediately. "How about we ask each
other questions? I'm sure there's loads of stuff we don't know about each
other?"
Hermione nodded happily. "Shall we have dessert too?"
There were a few minutes of organising themselves and the plates of warm
apple pie, (Harry dolloped a lump of cream on top but Hermione kept hers
plain), before they resettled into their previous positions, slightly turned
towards one another.
"So you can go first?" Harry offered, licking his spoon.
Hermione pressed her lips together thoughtfully. "What's your happiest
memory before Hogwarts?"
Harry frowned. He didn't have a lot of happy memories before Hogwarts
because of the Dursleys. But he did have a couple and he picked the one he
liked best.
"Probably my first day at infants." Harry said. "I can remember the classroom
seemed huge and we had these round tables where we sat. I was so pleased
when Dudley went off to the purple table on the other side of the room, and I
was on the blue. And the whole day just was great. Dudley had temper
tantrums and kept getting hauled to sit in the corner to think about his actions
while I was able to colour and do my writing and…it was great that first day."
It had gone pear-shaped within a few weeks – as soon as Dudley found
friends and Harry in his shyness struggled; as Dudley found ways to torment
Harry at school; when Petunia hadn't been interested in anything Harry did at
school, any of his achievements or the pictures he drew.
"What about you?" asked Harry. "What's your happiest memory before
Hogwarts?"
"Well, my first day of school is probably up there too." Hermione said with a
rueful smile. She nudged his shoulder with hers. "You could act shocked."
"I am," teased Harry, "I'm very shocked."
"But," Hermione stressed, "I guess my happiest memories are of the
Summers we used to spend at Gran's in Dorset. We used to have afternoon
tea with scones and read books in the evening. It was great. She died when I
was nine."
Harry nudged her gently with his knee. "Do you have aunts and uncles?"
Hermione shook her head and pushed her plate away. "My Dad did have a
brother but he died in the Falklands War and, well, we don't really talk about
him. Mum was an only child. They were aiming for two children but I was a
difficult birth and so they settled for me." She bit her lip. "I kind of envy Ron
sometimes having so many siblings but then…I think it would drive me mad."
"Me too." Harry admitted with a laugh. "The Weasleys are great but I imagine
living in a house filled with more Dudleys and I cringe."
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Chapter 500
Hermione looked at him sympathetically. "Do you think you'll ever talk with
them, I mean the Dursleys, again?"
Harry scooped up the last of his pie and considered his answer. "I don't know."
He said eventually.
"You probably don't want to talk about it." Hermione said hurriedly. "I shouldn't
have asked…"
"You can ask me anything." Harry interrupted her, holding her gaze firmly,
"and it's not so much I don't want to talk about it as it's…difficult?"
"Things were pretty bad for you there, weren't they? More than you let on."
Hermione said softly.
Harry shrugged, wanting despite his words to stop talking about it. "I knew
that the way they treated me wasn't right but then…I guess I also didn't get
how wrong it was until Sirius and…and it's the difference, you know? Not just
the clothes and the rooms and the things but…Sirius always has time for me
and if I draw something and give it to him, he'll display it somewhere, or he'll
come and cheer me on at Quidditch. Little things." Little things that made it
clear that Sirius cared for him; that he was important to Sirius. He shifted,
deciding a change in subject was in order. "What about you and your
parents?"
"We're closer again now that they have a way of connecting with the wizarding
world." Hermione said, brightening. "The last few years, I've felt like I've been
drifting away from them. There's so much about the wizarding world that they
couldn't see or understand and I guess I stopped explaining things to them
because I didn't want to worry them."
"I'm glad. I like your parents." Harry said.
"They like you too." Hermione blushed a little. "They're pleased we're dating."
Harry felt his own cheeks heat. "Yeah, Sirius is chuffed too."
They smiled happily at each other.
It felt like a moment; the moment.
Harry set his glass aside with suddenly clumsy fingers. Hermione had left hers
on the floor so he didn't need to worry about upending a glass of juice on her.
He held her gaze for a second, the question of 'is it OK?' travelling silently
between them and Hermione gave an almost imperceptible nod, her cheeks
flaring red again.
He leaned in, tilted his head…
She shifted closer…
He closed his eyes at the last minute…
And their lips met, a soft press before they gently moved and…
They were kissing.
Kissing.
His heart raced as he eased away, elation stampeding through him. He held
out his hand and she tangled their fingers together in a way that had become
so familiar since he'd asked her out.
"Was that…" Harry began awkwardly, although he didn't think Hermione was
going to say it was awful because she looked the way he felt; giddy and
happy and…
"Perfect." Hermione stated firmly. Her eyes sparkled. "Especially since
Professor Dumbledore didn't walk in on us too."
Harry gave a huff of laughter.
Hermione squeezed his hand. "I wouldn't say no to a second."
He grinned at her with what was probably a very sappy expression. "Yeah?"
"Well, it's like you and Quidditch." Hermione said primly, although her face
was alight with humour and affection. "I mean, it was perfect but we wouldn't
want to let the quality of our performance slide through lack of practice."
"Definitely not." Harry happily agreed.
And as his lips met hers again, and his soul went flying without the help of any
kind of magic, he decided that he'd found something that was much, much
better than Quidditch.