Dumbledore liked the change in Evan.
There was a noticeable change to the young man. He still had a look of irreverent cheer on his face at moments, and a narrow focus at other times, one that was a touch grim and less caring. However it felt less of a façade, more genuine in a way. It had been a day or so since the unburdening of his soul with the aid of the Resurrection Stone and Evan seemed to be more at ease. More comfortable.
Dumbledore was very grateful that his risky ploy had borne fresh fruit and he was gladdened to see the change.
At the moment the two men were in his office, ruminating on their current dilemma. Amelia had been able to share what she could from the active investigations that the Aurors were doing to try and find Riddle, but it was not much to be fair. Lucius and Snape had gone over much of their memories and recollections together and while more assets had been seized and more people captured, Riddle and his closest evaded capture.
The Headmaster sipped his tea and smiled at the sight before him. Evan was leaning back in his chair, his feet up on Dumbledore's desk. Fawkes was sitting comfortably on Evan's lap and Hedwig sat on his chest with Wisteria completing the set, sitting on his forehead, plump and comfortable. Evan had his arms up, hands linked behind his head, and also looked quite comfortable in that position with the birds roosting on him.
"I'm not sleeping," Evan said, smiling a little at Dumbledore's chuckle.
"I would not blame you if you were," Dumbledore said warmly. "In fact, I get many a good idea while sleeping or napping. The trouble is remembering when you wake."
"That's true," Evan sighed. "I hate this. No not this this," he amended, waving to himself and the three companions fluffed up once more. "I know I sound like a broken record, but reacting to Riddle is getting tiring."
"I agree," Dumbledore nodded. "It would be better for us to go on the offensive, but we lack the information to do so right now. We would be wasting time and effort for no gain." He picked up a sheaf of parchment. "Amelia, Alastor, and the other Aurors are working hard, but they are also stretched thin."
"Good to know for sure that he's trying to drum up international support," Evan said. "He's desperate for manpower."
Dumbledore nodded. Moody had sent them a message saying that they had captured someone from the Pucey family who bore the Dark Mark. He had tried to leave the country and was detained over other matters before finding the Mark. Investigating him further showed that he had been in contact with mercenary groups from around the world and trying to entice them to come to Britain to fight for Voldemort. Further interrogation had cemented that and the Ministry was on alert for that now.
"I guess I shouldn't complain too much," Evan said reasonably. "We're in a much better place compared to this time…"
Dumbledore looked up, noticing Evan's words fading into silence. "Have you fallen asleep now?" he teased. "Compared to this time in your plane and history?"
"Yeah, that too." Evan sat up and Fawkes, Wisteria, and Hedwig shifted so they did not fall off. Evan looked at Dumbledore and his eyes were bright. "I think I have an idea."
"Oh good. Wait." Dumbledore frowned at him. "I have the sneaking suspicion that I will find this idea to be not very good for several reasons."
"Not unreasonable to suspect so," Evan said, making Dumbledore groan. "We should get some of the others here to mull over it."
"The usual ones?"
Evan nodded. "And Professor Flitwick, Rita, Lucius, Narcissa If she wants, and Snape."
"Oh, good," Dumbledore sighed.
"And Aberforth."
Dumbledore blinked. "Why?"
"You'll understand later."
"Oh. Good."
-0-
In a short time, the office had more people within it. Sirius came with Andromeda, Ted, Rita, Narcissa, and Lucius from Grimmauld. Amelia came from the Ministry with Moody, Saltina, and Dora along with her. Remus, Flitwick, McGonagall, and Snape joined them with Aberforth coming as the last. After food brought up from the kitchens by Dobby was delivered, Evan and Dumbledore cast several privacy charms to further secure the room.
"Right, let's get on with it," Evan said without preamble but after taking a sandwich to munch on. "Just so we're all on the same page here: this is what we know and the state of things. Riddle made Horcruxes. We destroyed the majority of them so there's potentially one more and then himself. The majority of his power base is either dead or still under Ministry control with him having a few others as well as any new followers he's made since making his new body. He's also been trying to get mercenary groups from outside the UK to come and fight for him to shore up his numbers."
He finished his sandwich and picked up another one. "Aside from all that, he's hiding like a coward and we don't know where he is or what his other plans are. Not to diminish what the Auror Corps are doing of course." He bowed to Amelia, Moody, and Dora. Amelia rolled her eyes at him, Moody snorted and gave him the salute, and Dora smiled prettily and curtseyed back. "But that's the current state of things."
"A good synopsis," Saltina nodded.
"So we're here to try and figure out what to do next?" Rita asked. "Or figure out what he's going to do next?"
"Something like that," Evan said. "At first, he had some direct objectives. For example, for the longest time, he tried to get into the Department of Mysteries to get at the prophecy there that involved him and me."
Saltina frowned at that. "And was he successful?"
Evan winced. "Yes and no. He ended up tricking me to go there because he made me think he was threatening Sirius through the connection we had. He wasn't but while he never got a hold of the prophecy…" He looked at Sirius. "My Sirius died because of it."
Sirius blinked and shuddered for a moment before hugging Evan with one arm. "If that happened here, and I knew you were in danger, I'd run in without a second thought. I'm sure he knew too and he wouldn't regret the outcome as long as you were safe."
"Thanks, Old Dog," Evan whispered. He coughed and continued. "After that, it was a mess. He would hide, rebuild after losing a bit, then strike back. Usually at innocents or other targets and cause a lot of pain and death. Even when the Ministry was briefly taken over by him, before they destroyed it all, he would still strike out at random. I really don't want that to repeat here. So, we figure it's our turn to go on the offense and provoke a reaction out of him first this time."
"Makes sense," Flitwick nodded.
"Oh that's why you had Lucy and Snapey here," Sirius said. He grinned at the looks from Lucius and Snape and at Narcissa's sigh. "At least I didn't use the other nickname," he said to a glowering Snape.
"Because they can offer insight, yes," Evan said seriously. "That said, I think I have a general grasp and I also have the bones of an idea. Sorry, is that rude?" he asked Amelia who looked at him flatly before she glowered at a snickering Sirius.
"Get on with it," Amelia said wryly.
"Yes Ma'am," Evan saluted, making her sigh and while Moody, Dora, and Sirius chuckled. "Okay, well, here's the root of it. What is No-nose most afraid of? Besides strong smells."
"No-nose?" McGonagall asked.
"His latest form and the picture we've managed to get from interrogating captured Eaters has him looking very snake-like," Amelia said, showing the rest a picture of a pale man with no hair, elongated serpentine eyes, and narrow slits where the nose would be.
"He made his own body and chose that?" Sirius shook his head.
"Death?" Ted offered. "It's why he made the Horcruxes after all."
"True," Evan nodded. "But I think it goes beyond death actually."
"What's beyond death?" Dora asked, leaning forward. "You mean the hot place or any other terrible place for bad souls?"
"Well that, but I meant, that death is related to his greatest fear," Evan said. "I think his greatest fear is inadequacy."
"Him and every other bloke I ever dated," Dora snorted, making Ted laugh and Andromeda smile but shake her head.
"I think Evan is right about that," Dumbledore said and the others looked at him. "As a student, on the surface, he seemed a model one. Always asking questions, curious, ever-learning. But there was always an undercurrent to it. Something hungry beyond wanting knowledge."
"He liked to prove superiority through academic achievement," Flitwick nodded. "He was always so…upset when he was not at the top for something, and took it rather personally when that was the case. He would always outdo others not because he could, but because he desired to."
"He hated being compared to others," McGonagall mused.
"Exactly! He hates being compared to others because he thinks he is the best, that he's superior to everyone. He is strong, everyone else is weak. And only the weak die," Evan said. "Hence the Horcruxes."
"You are not wrong about that assessment," Snape said quietly and Lucius nodded in agreement.
"So, we provoke him by comparing him to people," Evan said. "Unfavorably, obviously."
"He was always terrified of you," Lucius said softly, looking at Dumbledore. "He refused any plan that would actively pit him against you without the odds significantly in his favor."
Dumbledore sighed heavily at that, not looking very happy at the revelation.
"Which is why we won't be comparing you two," Evan said, looking sympathetic. "He already knows that you outclass him, so you're not even worth, to him I mean, him being compared to. He doesn't care because he is aware of it. Now if he had already managed to kill you or best you, then it might be worth doing, but thankfully that's not the case."
"Then who are we holding him up against to provoke such a reaction?" Snape asked, looking genuinely interested.
"Well, what does he call himself?" Evan asked.
"Lord Voldemort," Andromeda said with a moue of distaste.
"Right, Dark Lord even," Evan nodded. "Since he has his followers call him that. Even his closest, he demands for them to call him lord because he will never see them as equals, that he will always be above them. That they are forever beneath him." He looked at Snape and Lucius who nodded, agreeing with him.
Evan sipped a bottle of butterbeer. "Now we all know that dark lords and lordesses, wait, that doesn't sound right. Ladies, that's it. Dark lord and ladies are a dime a dozen. Hell, I bet there were others who thought of themselves as such in Britain with many others around the world. Most barely make it past their local areas in terms of notoriety. They have to be especially effective or heinous to be learned about elsewhere."
A rough laugh cut through the air. Heads turned and mouths fell open as people saw and listened, and for many of them it was a first, to Aberforth laughing. It started off as a single sound, then it repeated, growing in volume and it became a laugh of genuine amusement and mirth. Aberforth laughed, head thrown back and arms crossed.
Flitwick picked up Aberforth's cup and sniffed experimentally before shaking his head at a confused McGonagall.
Dumbledore looked at his laughing brother with open shock and he looked back at Evan. He thought for a moment before his eyes popped open and he stared at an innocent looking Evan with astonishment. "NO!" he shouted, alarming the others.
"Hear me out-" Evan said.
"That is an incredibly terrible idea!" Dumbledore said loudly, cutting him off. "I cannot believe that you even thought of it!"
"I can," Aberforth said, still laughing. "It makes sense."
"It absolutely does not!" Dumbledore said angrily. "And just thinking it invites sheer danger into just about everything!"
"I can handle it," Evan said, waving a hand.
"You think you do and in doing so, have already failed," Dumbledore said heatedly. "I know you think highly of your abilities and I have seen first-hand your will and skill but you have no idea what it will be like. The two cannot be idly compared!"
"I'm not trying to idly compare them and honestly, your reaction is sort of proving me right," Evan said, standing up to the furious Dumbledore.
"It is," Aberforth agreed, filling a beaker with liquid and giving it to Evan.
"Shut up," Dumbledore hissed, shocking the others further and he glowered at the cup Aberforth put before him.
"Uh, question." Dora held her hand up. "Can someone explain to the rest of us? I'm really lost here."
"Oh." Saltina's eyes opened wide and she looked at Evan with consideration. "Really."
Evan nodded. "Really." He smiled at Dora's glower. "Who's the first Dark Lord or Lady you can think of after Voldemort?"
"Grindelwald," Narcissa breathed.
"That's right," Evan said, sipping from his beaker and giving Aberforth an appreciative nod. "And his name is known all around the world for what he did. Whereas a lot know about Voldemort, but the thing is, Grindelwald nearly conquered a continent after conquering countries. Riddle…came close to one but never succeeded."
"I hate to point this out, but Grindelwald is currently in Nurmengard, under the watch of the local government and parts of the ICW," Remus said. "And for fairness' sake, Riddle is not incarcerated."
"No that's fair," Evan said. "But Grindelwald accomplished a lot more before being arrested and kept in jail. Where Riddle…died sort of. Not even Grindelwald did that. And again the whole multiple countries versus almost one sort of thing. Not to mention he had an actual army behind him and Riddle doesn't and didn't. At least, not on the same scale."
"So simply just compare Voldemort to Grindelwald?" Flitwick asked.
"That would generate a reaction out of him," Lucius said with Snape nodding. "Lord Potter is correct. The Dark Lord does not like being seen as inferior to anyone. Simply making the comparison would be enough to irritate him."
"Should we start calling you Lord?" Sirius asked, looking at Evan.
"No," Evan said shortly, taking Sirius' sandwich and biting into it before giving it back. "And yes, comparing them in all sorts of ways. I'm sure a series of articles comparing the rise and fall of them, their tactics, how much more effective one was than the other, would do more than irritate him."
"I can do better than just irritate," Rita nodded.
"Whip him into a frothing reckless mess," Evan amended, snorting at Rita's happy nod and smug smile.
"I thought we didn't want him to be reckless though," Sirius said. "Reckless people do stupid and dangerous things and I should know about that."
"We focus his reaction," Evan said. "We already know he's trying to rebuild his forces, get an army. So we keep a watch over the mercs and maybe even talk some into turning on him."
"That might work," Amelia said, nodding. "And would be a nice turn of events."
"We can do all that as it is, the comparisons." Andromeda looked at Evan questioningly before turning to Dumbledore. "Why did you react so?"
"Because Evan is thinking of doing more than simply using Gellert's...Grindelwald's name," Dumbledore said, giving Evan a sour look.
"You want to involve him too?!" Dora asked. "Didn't it take like a huge force to take Grindelwald down the first time?"
"Not as much, but a lot of work and considerable danger," Dumbledore said quietly. "Involving him would put everything at risk."
"Hold on, he's in jail right now," Moody said. "What makes you think he'll even want to help us? Bad idea or not?"
"Well I'm thinking that most Dark Lords have the same problem," Evan said. "The desire to stay relevant and being a bit miffed when they are being compared to another so-called dark lord either favorably or not."
"You are not wrong," Dumbledore and Lucius said at the same time and they gave each other identical shocked looks.
"I'm glad that just happened," Evan grinned, making the men groan while the others snorted and chuckled. "But that's why I wanted everyone here to talk about it. See, I've grown some and am asking for critiques before doing said action."
"Directly involving him would be a mistake," Dumbledore said seriously. "And I do not know if he would directly aid us in any way."
"I have to agree with him," Aberforth said just as seriously. "He's dangerous, Kid. I know you are and we all know Riddle is, but he's on a whole different level."
"There are personal accounts and records of individuals that have dealt with him directly," Saltina said. "And all agree how terribly charismatic he is, and how dangerous he is."
"Right then, don't include him on the plans," Evan said, sitting back.
"You capitulated on that rather easily," Flitwick observed.
"Again, why I brought you all here," Evan shrugged. "You all know things and have experiences I don't. I want this to succeed. I want to win with the least amount of death on my side. I'd be even more moronic if I didn't take your words into account."
He took a deep breath. "I guess…I'm now seeing a future after all of this, and well, not much of a future if it's built on ashes or if I'm too fucked up to enjoy it." He smiled when Dora hugged him tightly, hugging her back.
Dumbledore let out a huge sigh of relief. "Thank you," he said, draining his cup of whiskey dry and nodding when Aberforth refilled it.
"For the record, I think I can take him," Evan said, making Sirius and Remus snort and Dumbledore to look at him flatly.
"The Powers help us if that ever comes to being," Dumbledore said dryly. He rubbed his eyes. "Seeing how you are not wanting to directly involve him and only use his name and history, I think I can support that."
"What if he does not approve?" Narcissa asked.
"He's in jail, what's he going to do?" Evan asked, prompting more snickering. "If he decides to send us a cease-and-desist letter then we can deal with that when, and if it happens, but just in case, no defamation or libel. Check your sources."
"Fine," Rita said, rolling her eyes slightly.
"But be as ruthless as you want with Riddle," he added.
"Already doing that," she said and was in fact already writing in a notebook with a quill.
"So provoke him into reacting, drawing him out, and then dealing with him?" Amelia rubbed her eyes. "I typically like my plans with more…plan to them, but we've been working for months and while we've accomplished a lot, we still haven't gotten him yet. So I'm open to this idea."
"Unfortunately that's what we have to do," Evan said, shrugging. "He's good at hiding and normally good at biding his time. But I'm hoping with the losses of his Horcruxes, even if he isn't aware of that exactly, he's going to become even more erratic. With Rita being able to piss off the calmest and sanest of people normally, that will be what pushes him over the edge and we can catch him out and then put him down, once and for all."
"I won't hold back," Rita said cheerily, making everyone there shudder at the tone and implication.
"And we'll still work on things and see if we can make it happen better and sooner," Evan continued.
"Perhaps include the prophecy as well?" Flitwick asked. "If the Riddle in your plane wanted it so badly, perhaps this one will too."
"We'll keep that as a distant back-up plan," Evan said, smiling at Saltina's frown.
"I think this will be a good place to stop for today," Dumbledore said. "Let us break off and continue on our tasks and meet again in a few days to exchange information and to plan more."
"Hey Rita, wait up." As the others left Dumbledore's office, Evan caught up to Rita. "Uh, you're going to find out a few things about Grindelwald in your source checking."
"Oh?" Rita looked at Evan and then looked up to where Evan looked, back up the staircase to Dumbledore's office. "Oh! Ohhhhhhh." Rita looked giddy and sympathetic in equal measure. "You know, that makes a lot of sense actually. Most people have that sort of reaction to exes."
"Apparently," Evan said.
"You're telling me that you've never had an ex?" Rita asked brightly.
Evan looked away. "I…I don't know if those count," he said at last.
Rita regretted her question and the way she asked it. "I'm sorry," she said sincerely.
Evan smiled sadly at her. "Thanks." He coughed. "But yeah, if you could, you know, not include those bits, I'd appreciate it. So would he."
"I can do that," Rita said honestly. "And I will do that."
"Thanks." Evan grinned again. "Also, idea. I know you're already going to do a blow-by-blow comparison of each way Grindelwald succeeded and Riddle failed."
"Naturally," Rita nodded.
"And Wizarding Britain also puts a huge emphasis on the company you keep, right?"
"Right." She blinked. "Ah, so continue the series on laying out all the dirty laundry of the bad families, but now show how all of them were tied to Riddle as being former followers and current Death Eaters, further shredding his already thin credibility by even suggesting he condoned said behavior, encouraged even because he liked being with those of similar moral fiber."
"You took the words right out of my mouth," Evan said.
"Done and done. I like that. Has anyone ever said you're good at this sort of thing?"
"I think that with you saying it, it's more of a compliment," Evan smiled.
Rita laughed. "It is! We should work more together after all this is over."
"Did you feel that? I think multiple people just shuddered in horror and don't know why," Evan chuckled.
"What if I get a cease-and-desist from Riddle?" Rita giggled.
"Thank him for it after I trace it back to where he is and crush his skull and neck beneath my heel," Evan said with a hefty amount of seriousness.
"Fair enough," Rita said, unbothered and unsurprised by his sudden shift in energy.
"See if you can get Lucius and Narcissa to give you more info on the families, the private stuff. That'll bring more credibility to your articles."
"My articles are plenty credible!"
"That's why I said more," Evan said, smiling sweetly at her.
She huffed but smiled as well. "It's so easy to get mad at you but hard to stay that way."
"Just wait until you really get to know me," Evan snorted.
-0-
"Hello Champions," Dumbledore greeted as the four of them walked up to him. He gestured to the Quidditch pitch behind him. "I have brought you all here to show you this."
"What are they doing to the pitch?!" Cedric cried, looking offended.
Much like for the First Task, the space was being changed to fit the Third Task. The usual seats and stands have been moved out to make a larger space and the hoops had been removed. The normal neat grass of the field was decidedly messy now with odd shapes and forms growing lumpily. At the far end of the pitch, there was an open space with large stone blocks being laid out as a foundation.
"Looks like it needs a haircut or a shave," Evan said, making Viktor snort and Fleur shake her head at him.
"I thought it looked familiar," Viktor said, rubbing his chin and jaw.
"Nah, yours is way neater, unless you meant when it was growing in," Evan remarked.
"Yes, that, it took a long time for me to get this right," he said, rubbing his jaw proudly.
"I had the same problem in my younger years," Dumbledore said to their delight and amusement. "Partially why I never touched it again after it grew into the beard it is today. I shudder to think how long it would take for it to look proper." He stroked his beard fondly.
"But yes, this is what your final Task will be. And no, not shaving or cutting the grass," he said, chuckling when Evan closed his mouth and looked miffed. "We are in the early stages of growing a hedge maze. Your Task will be to enter the maze from that end," he pointed to the closest side, "and make it to the other where there will be a platform holding the TriWizard Cup." He gestured to the foundation of stones.
"There will be many magical creatures and beasts as well as magical challenges awaiting you within the maze," he continued. "You will enter in staggered order based on points, and the first to reach the Cup, wins. You will have to navigate the maze, fight the creatures within, overcome the obstacles, and potentially directly combat each other for the title of overall Champion and the prize."
The four Champions looked at each other soberly.
"Any questions?" Dumbledore asked. He smiled when they shook their heads. "There you have it then. If at any point you do, feel free to ask any of the Heads of the Schools and Ministry officials." He waved at them genially before returning to the castle, whistling sprightly.
"Pretty much what he said," Evan confirmed when the other three looked at him. "Big maze, full of gribblies and monsters, lots of magic stuff." He looked away at the end, remembering the end of the Task and while he knew it should not come to pass again, he could not help but fight the apprehension and latent fear deep within at the idea that it could happen once more.
He shook his head and coughed, feeling better when Fleur took his hand and the other two looked at him with concern and sympathy. "But yeah. Kinda refreshingly simple in a way. I remember a sphynx, skrewts," he and Cedric shuddered while Fleur and Viktor looked at them quizzically, "acromantulas, and weird spell situations."
"So we fight our way through and try to defeat each other, as in the other Tasks." Viktor smiled. "Good. Simple, like you say."
"Gotta prepare for everything and anything," Cedric nodded. "Thanks for the tip." He and Viktor took their leave, leaving Fleur and Evan behind.
"It does seem straightforward and simple for a change," Fleur said. "No hidden meanings or anything to decipher."
"Just really hard to do and prepare for," Evan nodded.
"Would you like to train together?" she asked. "Share spells, practice dueling one another?"
"And show all my secrets for you to best me in the maze?" Evan gasped, holding his hand to his mouth, his face a picture of abject shock.
Fleur laughed merrily. "I was already going to best you." She giggled at his look. "In fact, I should be wary of you discovering my secrets."
"Oh Fleur, you're just like a book to me that's written in an incomprehensible language," Evan said. "French. Because you're French." He grinned at her flat look. "That's bound in very pretty binding and cannot be judged solely on said pretty cover though."
"Is that supposed to be a compliment?" she asked, eyebrow raised.
"I meant it to be one," Evan said, making her snort. "Sure, I'd like that."
She smiled at him, her expression as bright and warm as the sun. "You have been more honest about spending time together as of late. I am not complaining of course. I like it very much. Just, pleasantly surprised as you might say."
"I think I got over my reservations somewhat," Evan said quietly but sincerely. "And well, am looking forward to what comes after. Whatever comes after." She melted at the shy look he gave her.
"Me too," she said huskily.
"No hard feelings after I beat you in the tournament though, right?" he asked, grinning once more.
She snorted again before she pulled him in for a kiss. It was long and slow and warm, taking all of him in while giving herself as well. She pulled away and practically purred at the dazed look he wore. "What was that about 'hard feelings'?" she asked before laughing brightly once more.