Third Task - June 24, 2005
By the time the third task arrived Hadrian was nearly in a constant state of panic. He was barely sleeping or eating. Fleur had taken to practically force feeding him at meals.
The only thing that was really serving to distract him was studying for both the task and the exams in his self study classes. Since it was some of the only time he was able to relax even slightly, Hadrian threw himself into studying. There was no doubt that he was going to do amazing on the few exams he had.
And he wasn't the only one. All of the other champions joined him in using studying to relax.
But, now it was the day. All four of them were nervous as they went to breakfast. They weren't even going to pretend that they weren't allies like many wanted, so they all sat together at Ravenclaw table.
Over the past few weeks Hadrian had had to deal with Dumbledore and his pawns all telling him he needed to win for the glory of Hogwarts. They all kept cornering him every chance they got to tell him he needed to start treating this as a competition and stop being so friendly with the others. He had even been lectured about how they were a danger to him. Hadrian had just ignored them since he knew the truth.
After breakfast, all four of the champions were guided to the side room where they met their families. Hadrian smiled as he saw his dad and Uncle Remus along with his little sisters. Both his papa and Sirius had exam review classes.
The day ended up being a lot of fun as everyone got to know each other. Both of Fleur's parents, and Gabrielle, were happy to see him. Gabrielle ended up being instantly accepted by his sisters. Hadrian grinned as he saw the shock on the older Delacour's faces as they saw how quickly the girls drew Gabrielle out of her shell. If anyone could make someone feel comfortable and talkative, it was his sisters.
Viktor's mother was actually an activist for the rights of those with creature blood, so she was thrilled when she learned that Remus was a werewolf. She peppered him with all sorts of questions about his views on the treatment of those like him from a British perspective. Britain had been one of the most regressive countries when it came to protections for creatures so she wanted to get a first hand account.
Amos bonded quickly with Viktor's dad. Both men had a similar personality and were soon enough talking like they were old friends. A similar friendship was forming between Fleur's mum and Cedrics. That left James with Marius Delacour, much to his joy. By now everyone knew that it had been Marius who had had Dumbledore stripped of his position on the ICW and James loved the opportunity to get a first hand account of the look on the mans face.
But, all good things must come to an end. Soon enough it was time to head down to the quidditch pitch. The third task was about to begin.
Since Cedric and Hadrian would be going in together, they decided to just stay together and wait for the others around the first corner. But it didn't seem things were going to be that easy.
As soon as both boys walked into the maze, the entrance they had just walked through closed up behind them. As they were trying to figure out where the others were going to come in from, a hedge shot out between them, separating them. It would seem they would just have to meet in the middle.
Hadrian set off. This time his trip through the maze wasn't as easy as he remembered. Over the hour he walked, he didn't just meet up with a sphinx, a boggart, and a mist that turned the world upside down, but also an occamy, quicksand, tangle vine, and almost had flubberworm mucus dumped on his head, thankfully his quick reflexes saved him.
Eventually, he saw a light ahead and walked out into the centre of the maze. The cup was on a pedestal in the centre of the clearing. Looking around, Hadrian saw that no one else was there so he just sat down to wait. Making sure he wasn't near the hedges since he didn't trust them not to attack.
About five minutes after he sat down Fleur made her way into the clearing. She looked a little worse for the wear, but in much better condition than she had been after the first two tasks.
Hadrian waved her over and she joined him on the ground. They had just started to discuss what each of them had faced when Viktor skidded into the area, glancing over his shoulder. He had had an unfortunate run in with a very persistent ghoul that apparently wanted a friend to hug, or strangle, Viktor hadn't waited to figure out which.
Shortly after that, Cedric walked in, his eyes slightly glazed. At first Hadrian had started to panic thinking that it was the imperious, but then Cedric started talking about beautiful women that wanted him to come swimming with them but he had had to tell them no for some reason. Fleur laughed before she called up her veela side to break the sirens spell. "Are we all ready?" Fleur asked in excitement.
"Just remember to be on guard, this just doesn't feel right." Hadrian reminded the others.
"I agree with Hadrian, something is off." Cedric said as he glanced over his shoulder. He had been having cold chills running down his spine almost constantly since he first walked into the maze. He felt like something really bad was about to happen.
"Wands out. And, be ready for anything." Viktor told the others.
Once they were all ready, they counted down from three. Viktor and Fleur grabbed the left handle at the same time Hadrian and Cedric took the right.
They all felt the hooking feeling in their stomachs as they were portkeyed away.
Up in the stands, all the parents nervously watched the maze. The hedges were so high, and it was already so dark out that the path was completely covered in shadow. They could only see the vague outline of the maze and the glowing cup in the middle.
Albus clearly hadn't been thinking about the view the spectators would have when these tasks were designed. Severus thought this was just as much fun as watching the surface of the lake during the last task.
James, Severus, Remus, and Sirius were all wound as tight as was possible, but they were trying to play it off. The girls were noticing how nervous they were and that was putting them on edge. Sometimes it sucked to have observant children.
There was a collective gasp in the stadium as Hadrian made his way into the clearing in the centre of the maze. Everyone started to cheer as Hadrian made his way towards the cup, but then he sat down. Then there were all manner of sounds. Some remained excited, others were confused, and some were angrily demanding he take the cup.
But, it would seem Hadrian couldn't see or hear them as he just sat and waited. They all watched as each champion made their way into the clearing, but none took the cup.
It was only after all four were there that they got up and surrounded the cup. When it became clear that they intended to take the cup together the crowd once again got both angry and excited. Some thought it was nice that they were sharing, but others were furious and said that it was cheating, not that they said how it was cheating.
James felt his heart stop as he watched the four champions take the cup and disappear.
Albus was annoyed as he saw the stupid Potter boy sit down in the centre of the maze. What was that fool doing? He was supposed to take the cup and be sent to Voldemort.
He knew that there was a good chance that he would die in this encounter, but Albus didn't care. If the brat survived then many would look to him to save them, and that wasn't what he needed. Albus needed the public to look to him, not the brat.
This might actually help him to regain his power. With the Potter brat dead, and Voldemort back, everyone would look to him to save them. He could easily use that to force the Wizengamot to declare him Chief Warlock for life.
Maybe, with a few well placed compulsions, Albus could get Voldemort to take his rein of destruction global. That would teach those fools on the ICW to question him. If he played this right, Albus knew he could regain all the power he had lost in the past years.
All he needed now was for the brat to take the cup. Honestly, what was he waiting for?
Finally, after all the others arrived, they took the cup together. Albus didn't like the friendships that had been forming between the champions, but now that problem was solved. They would all die together now.
It might even help get attention from the international community as two of the soon to be dead students were from other countries. Plus, this was going to make Marius suffer for what he had done to him.
So, all in all, this had worked out pretty well for him.
Graveyard, Little Hangleton
The four champions arrived in the graveyard in a crouched defensive position. Cedric had the strongest shields, so as soon as his feet hit the ground he threw up his strongest shield.
It was lucky he did as less than a second later a series of stunners hit the shield. The shield held.
Hadrian quickly looked around to figure out how things had changed. It would seem that Barty hadn't kept Voldemort's return to himself. There were five people in Death Eater robes in the graveyard with them. Then he looked for the cup, it seemed to have been thrown away from them and Hadrian couldn't see where it was.
"We need to get somewhere with cover." Hadrian whispered to the others as he threw a blasting hex to the ground in front of the death eaters causing large chunks of dirt to block their view. That was the problem with wearing masks into battle, it severely limited their field of vision.
With Hadrians distraction the others all quickly moved to hide behind some of the head stones. Hadrian and Cedric stayed together and went left, while Fleur and Viktor went right. Crouching down they looked to each other.
Hadrian was a little frustrated, he had wanted them to be hidden, but closer together. Viktor and Fleur were at least 4 feet away and that was too far. Cora and Ragnock had given him an emergency portkey at the beginning of the year and he was wearing it. He needed them all together before he activated it.
But that was driven momentarily from his mind as the Death Eaters refocused and started firing spells. Hadrian and the others might all be amongst the strongest in their schools, but they still weren't a match for full grown wizards that had previously fought in a war and also been skilled enough to escape getting caught.
They all kept shooting spells from behind their shelter, and it was slowing the Death Eaters down, but they were still advancing. Hadrian was starting to panic as they got nearer.
"Bring me the boy, kill the rest." A voice hissed.
Hadrian felt the fear as he heard that voice. He couldn't let the others die for him. Not again. Never again. No one would ever die for him again.
Then he felt a tugging in his chest and Nemesis popped up in front of him with a flash of light. Hadrian had left her with his sisters to protect them.
Nem quickly looked around and summed up the situation. 'Well you've gotten your self in quite the mess haven't you." Nem huffed in his mind.
Nem walked out in between the head stones. She was furious. Not only were they attacking her human, these were full grown adults attacking students. She was not going to let them get away with this.
Drawing on the well of magic within her. Nem walked forward as she summoned her lightning.
Hadrian could feel Nem calling on her power and then watched the flashes of lightning. He waved the others over to him.
"Hadrian?" Fleur whispered once she was next to him.
"I have an emergency portkey. Grab on." Hadrian slid the pendent and chain over his head and held it out.
Each grabbed on. Hadrian called Nem back and once he had her in his free arm he triggered the portkey.
Gringotts
Hadrian and the others all arrived huddled together in the bank. Both Ragnock and Cora were there waiting for them.
"Are you all well?" Ragnock questioned.
"It doesn't matter. They are not leaving here without a full check up anyways." Cora huffed at her husband as she bustled forward.
"I think we're all fine." Hadrian smiled. "There is no need to get worked up Cora."
"Don't you tell me what to do youngling. You know very well that charming smile of yours won't work on any healer worth their licence. Besides, I'm just fine." Cora ran her hand over her growing stomach, she was almost half way through her 18 month pregnancy. "Give Ragnock your portkey and he will take some of our warriors to go and deal with those foolish trouble makers that thought they could attack one of ours."
Hadrian only smiled at the over protective goblin as he handed over his portkey. "Come on guys, we aren't getting out of a full check up."
The others all just grinned. Goblins were always such a gruff race, it was amusing to see them fuss over Hadrian like he was a disobedient child.
The four champions followed the clearly annoyed goblin healer to the medical ward. Once they were there, Cora gave Hadrian one of the contact mirrors so that he could let his family know that he was safe.
"Dad." Hadrian said as he activated the mirror and saw his dad's face.
"Hadrian, are you ok? Are you safe? Have you been hurt? What about the others? What's happening?" His dad started.
"Give me that." The mirror shook and Hadrian saw his papa's face. "Are you safely at the bank? Is Nemesis with you? She just disappeared from your sisters arms."
"We're at the bank. We're all doing fine." Hadrian smiled at his papa. "I have Nem. Ragnock took some of their warriors to the graveyard and Cora has trapped us all in the healing ward. You might have to come save us, I think she's gone crazy." Hadrian stage whispered the last bit and got a cloth thrown at his head for it.
"Can you tell our parents we're ok?" Fleur called out.
"I'll let them know and we will all come to the bank to meet you." Severus said before he ended the call. He was in a hurry, talking to his son was fine, but he wanted to have him in his arms and the only way that was going to happen was getting to the bank.
Hadrian and the others had convinced Cora to let them push a few of the beds together so they could sit together and talk. Cora had forbidden them from getting out of the beds, so this was their compromise. They didn't really need to be in the beds, there had only been a few minor injuries from the maze and other than that they were in perfect health, but Cora was being over protective.
They were just eating the last of the biscuits Cora had given them when the door opened and their families were led in by a guard. Hadrian's sisters, and Fleur's little sister all ran in and joined them on the beds, attacking them with tears and hugs. Their parents quickly followed, all expressing both fear and relief.
There were so many questions coming from all different directions. Seeing her patients getting overwhelmed trying to answer all the different questions, Cora stopped them and forced them to all sit and start asking their questions in an orderly fashion.
Each of the adults took turns asking their questions under the watchful eye of the goblin. The children all worked together to explain everything they knew.
When they explained why they had waited and took the cup together all the other parents just stared. It was amazing to them. If even one of the four had gotten greedy then the rest could have lost everything. That level of trust in each other was astounding. It also once again infuriated them about what Dumbledore had done to their children.
They were going to make that man suffer for everything he had done. They were also going to be demanding answers on just how the Triwizard Cup was turned into a portkey. That shouldn't have been possible.
Amos was glad that they were forcing the old fool to fix the wards. He knew that there was supposedly a ward that would stop any portkeyes from working on the grounds.
Hogwarts
Fred and George watched everyone as they tried to figure out what was going on. James had stopped by to let them know that Hadrian was safely at the bank and that they were going to get him. They would have wanted to go with them, but Severus had requested that they keep an eye on how everyone reacted. They still didn't know who it was that added Hadrian's name.
Most of the student body was panicking. While they had heard that everything that happened may have been an attempt on Hadrian's life, it just hadn't seemed real to them.
Right now, the ones they were watching the closest was Headmaster Dumbledore and Headmaster Karkaroff. If anything, Dumbledore looked… Smug. Karkaroff kept shooting the man odd looks. It was like he couldn't decide if he was proud, afraid, or suspicious.
If they were betting men, which they were, they would say Karkaroff was the one who put Hadrian's name in the goblet and had spelled it to be a portkey, but he hadn't done it alone. Dumbledore had to be involved some how.
He had been the one to pass the law forcing anyone who's name came out of the goblet to compete. He was the one who drew the age line. He was the one that planned the challenges. And the Triwizard Cup had been stored in his office.
Everything connected back to the old man.
Glancing at each other they grinned. These fools were going to regret conspiring against their soul mate.
Albus was pleased as he surveyed his panicking students. Finally, a plan was working. Soon, the brat would be dead and Voldemort would be back. The public would be bowing at his feet again in no time.
As he was looking around he saw the looks Igor was shooting him. That man was going to have to go. He knew too much. It looked like it was time for an accident. He did consider letting Voldemort kill the man for his betrayal, but he just couldn't trust that Igor wouldn't be able to worm his way out of it. Given that he was the one that put the Potter boys name in the goblet Voldemort might actually believe the man.
Albus started looking around, wanting to see the look on Marius's face with the loss of his eldest daughter. Now all he had left was the little one he had yelled at him for 'endangering'.
But Marius wasn't there. Starting to turn in circles he noticed the parents of all the champions appeared to be missing. Where had they gone? There was no way they could know where their kids were, it hadn't even been ten minutes since the task ended.
He really should have guessed something was wrong. The fact that Amos and Marius weren't there crying their fool heads off was proof enough of that. How could they have just disappeared? Weren't they concerned about where their children were?
Surely if they needed help they would turn to him.
Gryffindor Common Room
Hermione and Ginny were angrily sitting in the common room. Because of Professor Black they were barred from attending the task. They had tried to convince Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall to let them go, but had been denied.
Hermione hadn't really wanted to go, she really didn't care about any of this stupid competition, but she had wanted the option. She thought that studying was more important right now. Right now she was more concerned with maintaining her position in her grade than attending some stupid competition. Ginny, however, had really wanted to attend. She had wanted to see Harry win. She was sure he would, the others just weren't as great.
Ginny just stared into the fire in her anger. Why didn't Harry love her? Healer Savoy kept telling her that she needed to step back and look at what was going on. She had told Ginny so many times that maybe Ginny should turn her attention on someone who would give her the attention and love she desired. But, Harry would do that, eventually. She just needed to make him see that she was perfect for him.
The two girls could hear all the noise from the task, but didn't know what was going on. One thing they could figure was that what ever it was, people weren't happy. There was the roar of the crowd, but it didn't sound positive.
Then they heard screams of shock. Both went over to the windows to see if they could see anything, but they couldn't.
Both of the girls were getting annoyed for not knowing what was going on when the portrait hole opened and the other students started streaming in.
"What happened?" Ginny demanded as soon as Ron sat down.
"I don't really know." Ron was confused by everything. "The task was a maze. The Triwizard Cup was in the center and the first to the cup won."
"So… Who got to the cup first?" Ginny pushed.
"Harry."
"Yay." Ginny cheered with a huge grin.
"What happened? You don't look like that's all." Hermione had looked up from her law book to see the confused look on Ron's face.
"He didn't take the cup. He just sat there and waited for all the others to get there." Ron really didn't understand. Harry had been so close to the glory of winning, and he hadn't taken it. "When all four of them were there they took the cup together and disappeared. No one knows where they are. I heard some of the others saying that they thought Harry had been kidnapped by Death Eaters."
"WHAT?" Ginny shrieked. Her Harry had been kidnapped by Death Eaters. "What is the headmaster doing?"
"I don't know, we were all just sent back to our dorms. He said that they would figure out what was going on and let us know in the morning." Ron shrugged.
"Well what are we supposed to do?" Ginny questioned, annoyed at her brothers disregard for her fiancee's safety.
"We study." Hermione said as she put books into the two Weasley's hands. "Ron, you and I have our runes and alchemy exams tomorrow, plus I have my law exam, and Ginny, you have arithmancy and charms. You've both been putting it off, but I have had enough. The exams are tomorrow, you need to study, unless you want to do summer school, again."
"And what about Harry?" Ginny whined to the other girl. "He could be in danger."
"The headmaster is dealing with it. If anyone can figure out what is going on and save Harry it's him." Hermione said in a superior voice before she forced them to study.
Gringotts
Amelia Bones made her way into Gringotts. She and her aurors had been at the school trying to figure out what had happened when she had received a message from Sirius telling her to come to the bank to get the answers.
It seemed a little odd, but she trusted that Sirius wouldn't waste her time when it came to the safety of his godson. With that in mind she had left Kingsley in charge and made her way to the bank.
Amelia was slightly startled when she walked into the healing ward of the bank to see all four of their missing champions.
"I think I am going to need some explanations." She went to sit down and pulled out a notebook so she could get it all done.
"The cup was a portkey." Hadrian said.
"We had expected something was going to happen since nothing out of the ordinary had happened yet and there had to have been some reason Hadrian was entered." Viktor supplied.
"Where did you end up?" Amelia stopped writing and just spelled her quill to record everything for her.
"We ended up in a graveyard. There were five people in Death Eater robes waiting." Cedric told her.
"How did you get away?" Amelia was shocked that all four had gotten away.
"Cedric threw up a really strong shield as soon as we landed." Fleur, along with all the others in the room sent Cedric a grateful look. Amos puffed up proudly as he laid a hand on his sons shoulder. "Hadrian summoned Nemesis and she did something and then we used Hadrian's emergency portkey to bring us here."
"Nemesis?"
"Nemesis is my familiar, she is a lightning kitsune." Hadrian held up the sleeping fox. She had worn herself out forcing the Death Eaters away from the champions. "She summoned her lightning as a distraction so we could gather together for me to activate my portkey."
"And why did you have a porkey?"
"Young Hadrian was declared a goblin friend." Cora answered for them. "From the moment he was forced into that farce he has worn an emergency portkey that would bring him to us.
There was an activation phrase, but we also added a few key features. If at any time our Hadrian was unconscious or spelled immovable for more than 10 minutes it would automatically activate. We will not have the life of an honorary member of our clan endangered by the foolishness of wizards."
Amelia was a little stunned. It had been generations since a goblin friend was named. She didn't even know what being a goblin friend entailed.
"Can I see this portkey to see if I can track it back to where they were taken? We need to see if we can figure out who was behind this kidnapping."
"There is no need for that." Ragnok strode into the ward, a few injured goblins following, none with more than a few scratches. The only reason they even went to the ward was because Ragnock knew that if Cora ever learned he hadn't brought them his life would be over. The only thing scarier than a goblin female, was a pregnant goblin female.
Cora moved to heal the warriors as they came in. It only took a few quick spells and a blood replenisher and they were all good as new. They all quickly excused themselves to go and join in the victory festivities. The goblin warriors of the goblin nation had gotten to draw the blood of their enemies for the first time in a very long time. This was something to celebrate.
"Why is there no need?" Amelia asked hesitantly. She knew just how dangerous goblins could be and wondered what had happened to have goblins coming to be healed before leaving happily. It had sent a shiver down her spine when she saw that the goblins had been practically… grinning.
"An attack on a goblin friend is an attack on the goblin nation. According to our treaties the goblins have the right to respond with force in the event of an attack on the goblin nation.
Earlier our warriors used the portkey to find the attackers. One had already fled, but four others were apprehended." Ragnock was furious that one had gotten away, but glad they had caught the others. "You may view their sentencing if you wish, it will be starting in ten minutes. As you four are amongst their victims you are invited to ensure that justice is done."
"They need to be tried in the Wizangamot." Amelia said at that.
"No. They don't. In accordance with the 1589 treaty if both wizards and goblins are attacked those who capture the criminal get to punish them first. As they were apprehended by goblin forces they are our prisoners. You may put in claims to have them charged in your courts but you will only be able to get them once they have served their punishment here." Ragnock gave a toothy grin.
Everyone decided they wanted to see this, it wasn't often wizards were able to witness a goblin trial.
Arriving in an amphitheater like room, the champions and their families took seats. All of them were surprised when Tamsan Dove came and sat with them.
She explained that Luna had sent her and told her to tell one of the goblin guards that she was sent there in regards to goblin friend Hadrian. They just trusted that Luna had a reason to send her, even if they didn't see it yet.
"Wait, did you say sentencing? Don't they need a trial first?" Cedric questioned Ragnock when he suddenly realized what had been said.
"Yes. Goblins do not run things the way your people do. They were caught in the act and as such are already shown to be guilty. Now, since one got away they will be given truth serum and ordered to provide all the information they have on this plot. Once that is done they will be given their sentence." Ragnock explained to the humans just as the goblin judge came in and the four Death Eaters were brought in.
"I call to order the sentencing of Alecto Carrow, Amycus Carrow, Thorfinn Rowle, and Walden Mcnair. They are guilty of the attack of Hadrian Potter-Black, a friend of the goblin nation and as such are guilty of attacking the goblin nation.
As goblin Friend, Hadrian Potter-Black and others have reported five attackers and there were only four when our noble warriors arrived, they will be questioned about this discrepancy. Each has been given goblin truth serum, questioning will be carried out by law goblin Grimfang." The judge announced in a formal voice.
"Alecto Carrow, how many others were with you when you attacked goblin friend Hadrian Potter-Black and his allies?"
"Four."
"Alecto Carrow, what were there full names?"
"Amycus Carrow, Thorfinn Rowle, Walden Mcnair, and Bartemius Crouch Jr."
"Alecto Carrow, what happened to Bartemius Crouch Jr.?"
"After Potter-Black and the others escaped he fled."
"Alecto Carrow, do you know where he is now?"
"No."
"Alecto Carrow, do you know where he would have gone?"
"He may have gone to Riddle Manor."
"Alecto Carrow, where is Riddle Manor?"
"Atop the hill overlooking Little Hangleton, England."
The Judge looked to the warriors that were standing at the side of the hall and gave them a nod. Swiftly and silently they made their way out. Everyone knew where they were going.
"Alecto Carrow, how did you get goblin friend, Hadrian Potter-Black, into the Triwizard Tournament?"
"Igor Karkaroff put his name into the cup."
All those in the stands were shocked. Viktor hadn't thought that his headmaster would do something like that. Hadrian and his family were all surprised because they hadn't thought Karkaroff would have worked for the man. According to the journals, Karkaroff had fled and been killed by Death Eater's last time. It had never occurred to them that he would help them.
"Alecto Carrow, how did the Triwizard cup become a portkey?"
"Igor Karkaroff spelled it when he volunteered to place it in the maze."
"Alecto Carrow, where is Igor Karkaroff now?"
"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"Alecto Carrow, why did you kidnap goblin friend, Hadrian Potter-Black, and his allies?"
"He was to be used in a ritual to bring back my Lord. We were going to sacrifice him for our Lords resurrection."
"Alecto Carrow, did you plan to kill goblin friend, Hadrian Potter-Black?"
"Yes."
"Alecto Carrow, did you plan to kill goblin friend Hadrian Potter-Black's allies, Cedric Diggory, Fleur Delacour, and Viktor Krum, and if so, why?"
"Yes. We were to kill anyone that got between us and Hadrian Potter-Black."
"Alecto Carrow, are you admitting to the planned attack and attempted murder of goblin friend Hadrian Potter-Black and his allies Cedric Diggory, Fleur Delacour, and Viktor Krum?"
"Yes."
Grimfang then went through and asked all the others the same questions. All gave the same answers. Once it was all done, the judge called attention back to himself.
"Alecto Carrow, Amycus Carrow, Thorfinn Rowle, and Walden Mcnair, all of you have been found guilty for attacking the goblin nation and the attempted murder of an honorary member of the goblin nation. As such you are each sentenced to 200 years in the goblin mines, your magic shall be bound, and your assets shall be seized and divided amongst the goblin nation and those to whom you intended harm.
This ends the sentencing of Alecto Carrow, Amycus Carrow, Thorfinn Rowle, and Walden Mcnair. This case is closed. No considerations shall be aloud, and there will be no chance of reduction of sentence. Guards, take them to the mines."
Everyone watched as the four were removed from the court room. Ragnock invited them all back to his office so that he could explain a few things to them.
Hogwarts
Filius Flitwick was not happy. Normally he could make the best of any situation, but right now he was furious.
One of his students had been forced to compete in an extremely dangerous tournament for the entertainment of others. Now, that same student, as well as all the others, had been kidnapped. And there was nothing he could do.
He had just managed to get all of his students, minus one, into his house to request that they stay calm and stay safe. No one yet knew just how the others were kidnapped and he wasn't going to risk any of his other students. Once all the students were safely inside the entrance was sealed. It was one of the schools defences in the event of something like this. All students were sealed in their dorms that only a head of house or the headmaster could bypass until it was determined the rest of the students were safe.
He knew that his students were worried, but he didn't know what to tell them. One of their own was in danger and he didn't know how to help. The aurors had sent everyone away so he couldn't even track the portkey residue.
Filius was going to see if there was anything he could do to help when a house elf popped up next to him and told him that there were goblins at the front gate demanding to speak with him. Filius made his way down to the gate as fast as he could.
"How may I help you?" Filius asked after he bowed and formally greeted each of the goblins.
"We are here to arrest Igor Karkaroff for the kidnapping and assisting in the attempted murder of goblin friend Hadrian Potter-Black." The lead warrior informed him as Filius lead them to the Durmstrang boat.
"Attempted? Hadrian is ok? The others?" Filius was desperate for information.
"Yes, all are well and attending the sentencing of the other kidnappers. After they are subjected to one last scan by Healer Cora they will be released."
"Do their families know? They disappeared from the school rather quickly."
"Yes, their families are with them and will most likely be returning with them."
Filius and the warriors went onto the boat to find the headmaster, but he wasn't there. The students told them that he never came back from the third task. Even with that the goblins still searched the boat, but found no evidence of where he may have gone.
Filius calmed the Durmstrang students by telling them that their classmate was fine and would be back soon before he followed the goblins off the boat. The goblins all stared up at the school and looked around the ground, there weren't enough of them to properly search and they told Filius so.
"Otis." Filius called.
The aged head house elf popped into view right next to him. "Duel Master Flitwick calls for Otis?"
"Otis, we have an enemy that has endangered the students. Can you have the house elves check the school and grounds for any trace of Igor Karkaroff?"
You wouldn't think that a house elf could look vicious, but Otis did upon hearing that there was a danger to the students. "It shall be done."
"Come, join me in my office while they search." Filius guided the goblins to his office.
All knew that if the man was on school grounds the elves would find him. Goblins understood the loyalty of house elves. They might not understand their life style, but they understood their fierce devotion to what they considered theirs.
It took only about 20 minutes before Otis popped into Filius's office.
"Duel Master Flitwick I is sorry to report that Igor Karkaroff is not on school grounds. We elves's found traces of his magic leading from the quidditch stadium to the front gate and out into Hogsmeade. The traces were faint and we's believe he left as soon as the students's was taken." Otis hung his head.
"Thank you for your information and work head elf Otis. It has helped our hunt greatly." The lead goblin bowed to the house elf. He was not willing to disrespect one who saved them time and gave them a new lead at the same time. "We shall continue to track our enemy."
"Allow me to show you out." Filius added his thanks for the elves work before escorting the goblins out.
Gringotts
"Ragnock, is there any word on Barty Crouch Jr.?" James asked as soon as they were in the office.
"Unfortunately no. The manor is abandoned. The same for Igor Karkaroff. Our warriors went to Hogwarts and searched. Traces of his magic were found leading away from Hogwarts. The man seemed to have fled. Have no fear, we shall hunt them until they are retrieved, one way or another.
Now, something else to worry about. Cora has insisted on giving all of you a health scan before she will let any of you leave, and I am not brave enough to tell her no."
Apolline chuckled as she saw the goblin admit he feared his pregnant wife. She had always known goblins, although obsessed with fighting, were a wise race. "I think that will be fine."
"Chief Ragnock, I was wondering, what did the judge mean about their assets being seized?" Cedric questioned.
"In the goblin nation any crime results in the loss of all monetary assets that are then given to the victims." Ragnock took the legal file on his desk while his wife started her scans. "Between the four of them they had… 3.82 million galleons. As such, each of the four of you, and the bank, shall be receiving… 764,046 galleons each. I will need to get your vault numbers to have the money transferred in." Ragnock announced.
Everyone just stared at him for a moment.
"Are you serious?" Viktor questioned in shock.
Although he was doing just fine financially now, he hadn't grown up wealthy. Even now, that was still a lot of money. Even the highest paid quidditch players only made a maximum of about 200,000 galleons per year.
"No, I'm Sirius." Sirius said on instinct.
Everyone chuckled softly when Remus cuffed the man upside the head.
"You're really giving us that much money?" Cedric questioned.
Like Viktor, Cedric had never had that kind of money. Although his family lived comfortably on the profit from the little antiques shop his dad's family owned, that was more than they got in 5 years.
"Yes, it is rightfully yours as one of the intended victims." Ragnok told him patiently. He understood that it was a lot of money to some.
Fleur was a little startled, but she had grown up in a wealthy family, so that much money was less surprising to her. Her mum had always insisted that she wasn't just a pretty face and had had her helping her with the businesses they owned since she was 14. She knew that her families income was close to 5 million galleons per year.
For Hadrian, it wasn't nearly as valuable. Since the goblins had gotten the idea of using something like credit cards from him, he got a portion of the profit. That profit easily totalled 2 million galleons per year. Added to that was the businesses he owned from his inheritance plus the investments he had the goblins make with his account. All in all, Hadrian made well over 10 million galleons per year.
"What about their families?" Cedric worried. He didn't know if any of them had families that would need the money.
"Only Alecto and Amycus Carrow had any remaining family. They had a younger brother, but he walked away from the family when he came of age. He has refused to have anything to do with his elder siblings since that day. Even if you offered him the money I doubt he would accept." Ragnock said.
"Yes, he would refuse. Aaron Carrow is a good man." Sirius said, he had known him when they were kids, though Aaron was a few years younger. "His wife is a muggleborn who's entire family was killed by the Death Eaters."
"Doesn't he have kids at the school?" Remus questioned.
"Yes, twin girls. Hestia and Flora. They're second year Slytherins." Severus answered. "I agree with Sirius. Aaron Carrow swore he would never accept anything from his family. I think the only reason he kept the last name was because of his grandfather who had always protected him."
The other three champions gave Ragnock their vault information, he didn't need Hadrian's as he already knew it, so that he could arrange for the money transfer. After that was all done it was time for the students to head back to Hogwarts. Cora had given them all a clean bill of health, other than Ariadne being in the beginning stages of a cold, for which she got a potion.
Hogwarts
Everyone tiredly made their way back to the school. Between the task, the graveyard, arriving at the bank, the healing ward, waiting for their families, the sentencing, and then the explanations in Ragnocks office it was late. It was almost 3 am.
They were all exhausted and breakfast started in 4 hours. Severus had told them they could all sleep in, but they wanted to be at breakfast in the morning. Amelia was going to be attending so she could tell the entire school what had happened. They all wanted to be there for that, also to let their friends know they were fine.
Since both Barty Crouch and Igor Karkaroff had escaped it was still classified as an open case they weren't aloud to talk about it. Amelia was going to tell the students and staff what they were legally aloud to know. She hoped that that would keep the students from harassing the four champions to tell them what happened.
Severus was going to arrange guest quarters for Amelia as well as the families of the other champions. He knew they would want to be close to their children, but all four wanted to be able to spend their last few days of school with their friends.
Since Viktor, Fleur, and Cedric were all seventh years they would officially be done with school in two days. Their families had all agreed to allow them to stay until the end of the school year. Both Viktor's and Fleur's families were planning on returning to their home countries with their school delegations. It had taken more than a little negotiation by Cedric and Hadrian to get their parents to agree to letting them ride the train home.
They all knew that it was going to be an interesting few months until they could convince their families they were safe.
Arriving at the school they were met at the gate by Filius. He had been waiting there since he heard that the students would be returning. Filius had wanted to make sure for himself that they were fine.
"Are you sure you're all ok?" Filius squeaked as he led them up the path to the school.
"Yes Filius." Severus smiled, he was grateful that Filius showed such care to his students, especially since his son was one of those students. "We were all given medical exams before we were aloud to leave. The only thing we learned was Ariadne is getting a cold, but we gave her the potion to stop it."
"Can you tell me anything? I know the goblin warriors were here but couldn't find Igor." The curiosity was killing Filius.
"I will be making a public announcement at breakfast tomorrow." Amelia said. "Due to the escapes it is still an open case so everyone has been requested not to speak of the specifics of the case."
Filius nodded. He knew that there were some things that just needed to stay private, especially when it came to investigation. He also knew that he was going to have to speak to his house. Sometimes their curiosity and drive to learn could be a curse.
"Here." Severus handed out potions. "These are double sleep potions that I picked up from Cora. Take them just as you go to bed and it will allow you to get twice the amount of rest, so the four hours we have left will seem like eight."
"Why don't we get these more. This would make studying so much easier." Cedric had wished he had something like this when he was prepping for his OWLs and NEWTs.
"Because if taken more than once a month it loses its effectiveness. It can also risk addiction if taken more than three times in a year." Severus informed him. He didn't want any of them getting any ideas about using potions like this.
The students all took their potions and, after being practically hugged to death by their families, headed for their beds. Severus, as deputy headmaster, guided the other families to the rooms he was having the castle and elves arrange for them while the students were escorted away by the others.
Durmstrang Ship
Viktor was escorted to the ship by the little professor. Once he was there safe he bid the others goodnight. Fleur had walked down with them and was now being escorted to the Beauxbatons carriage.
Making his way onto the ship, Viktor went to make his way to his small room as quietly as he could. But there was a light glowing in the communal living area.
"What are you still doing up?" Viktor questioned when he saw that every single Durmstrang student was sitting there talking.
"Goblins came to search for Headmaster Karkaroff." One said.
"What is going on? Was he involved?" Another questioned in their native language.
Viktor thought. He knew he couldn't give specifics, but he knew they wouldn't settle for nothing. He needed to say something, and he knew just what it was.
"Karkaroff is no longer one of us. He broke the code and attacked one of our own without honour."
Durmstrang had very strict rules. One of the most important was that when in someone else's territory you never attacked one of your own. Another was that if you were going to attack one of your own you never did it behind their back. It was fine to dishonour an enemy, but never one of your own.
By attacking him the way he had, risking his death, Karkaroff had betrayed the rules all those of Durmstrang knew from half way through their first year. Karkaroff was now the enemy. He would never find comfort or safety with any from Durmstrang again.
The other students just nodded their understanding before silently making their way to bed. There really wasn't anything to say. Their headmaster had shown he had no honour, and by fleeing, proven he was a coward.
Any respect they may have once had for the man was now gone. But for now, bed was more important.
Beauxbatons Carriage
Fleur slowly walked up the few steps into the carriage. She smiled when she saw many of the others passed out sleeping on the floor and couches in the main area. It would seem they had been waiting for her.
Going further back into the carriage she pressed a button next to the largest door. It was their headmistresses room. Madame Maxime had set it up so they could get her whenever they needed her. The button would set off an alarm in her room.
"Yes. What is wrong?" Madame Maxime yawned as she opened her door, then she spotted who it was. "Fleur my darling. Are you ok? What happened?"
"I'm Fine Madame Maxine. So are the others. I can't really tell you anything about what happened because it's still an open case. It will all be explained at breakfast in the morning. I just wanted to let you know that I was back." Fleur told her as she yawned.
"Thank you for letting me know, now, off to bed. You must be exhausted."
Fleur didn't even think to argue and just made her way to her room.
Hufflepuff Common Room
Professor Black escorted Cedric to his common room. It seemed none of the adults were going to take any chances with them.
Cedric made his way into his common room only to see a large number of his housemates cuddled up on the couches while Professor Sprout was trying to comfort them. None seemed to have noticed him coming in, to caught up in their fear.
"Shouldn't everyone be in bed? It is way past bedtime, and there are exams starting in a few hours." Cedric said, drawing everyones attention.
Everyone rushed forward to hug him. Cedric wondered if he had survived Death Eaters just to be smothered to death by Hufflepuff's.
"Everyone sit down. Let him breathe." Professor Sprout smiled. "Cedric, what happened? Are you ok? What about the others?"
"I'm fine. So are the others." Cedric smiled. "I actually can't tell you guys anything. I know, I know." Everyone had groaned. "It's an on going case so Madame Bones has requested that we not say anything. She will be announcing everything at breakfast tomorrow, so if you guys want to know whats going on we better get to bed."
Pomona was pleased as she saw her students make their way to their dorms without too much fuss. All making sure to let Cedric know they were happy he was safe. She had been trying to get everyone to bed for over an hour but understood why they were all so upset.
Once the common room was empty Cedric started to head for his room, before he looked back at his head of house. "Goodnight professor."
In his dorm Neville let out a sigh of relief. Hadrian was safe.
Ravenclaw Common Room
James walked Hadrian up to his dorm. Both were quiet as they thought about everything that had happened. Hadrian was glad that things had worked out so well given how bad it could have turned out. They all could have been killed, instead they were all safe and four Death Eaters were now being punished for their crimes, and Voldemort hadn't been able to return. James just kept going back to how his son could have been killed. He knew that Hadrian had always seemed older than he was given his past, but he was still only 14.
"I'm fine dad." Hadrian said as they reached the entrance.
"I know. It was just scary. I know you had plans, but you will never understand just how it felt to watch you disappear like that and know there was nothing I could do to stop it." James's voice held his fear. "It's just going to take some time until You're papa and I are ready to trust that you are safe."
They hugged goodnight and Hadrian went inside.
James turned slowly and headed back towards the exit. While the other families would be staying in guest quarters at the school James and the rest of their family would be going to their homes. They were just going to floo back in to Sev's office in the morning to be there for breakfast.
It had been decided that it was best to take the girls home and let them sleep in their own beds. There was no need to disrupt their routine any more than they had to.
There were more than a few ravens up studying. They all looked up when he walked in. Both Padma and Luna ran over to hug him.
"You guys do know it's after 3 am right?" Hadrian looked around.
"We couldn't sleep so we decided to study." Theo told him around a yawn.
Hadrian held up his hand before anyone could start asking questions. "Madame Bones is going to be explaining things tomorrow morning… So if you want to know you will have to go to bed so you can get up for breakfast." Hadrian smiled, he knew the drive to know would force them all to bed.
With a few grumbles everyone started to get up and go to bed. They were all exhausted anyway, they just hadn't been able to sleep out of worry. Now that they knew Hadrian and the others were safe they might be able to get a few hours of sleep.
Just as Hadrian was getting into bed he realized that, while Neville would know because of Cedric, none of his friends in Slytherin or Gryffindor knew that they were safe. He quickly wrote out a few notes and called a house elf.
He asked the elf to deliver the notes. If they were awake just hand them the note, and if they were asleep then just leave it on their bedside table.
Hadrian didn't know it, but the elf delivered each note in to the hands of its recipient. It was only after reading the notes that Draco, Lily, and Autumn were able to go to bed and actually fall asleep.