As the Court enjoyed the rest of their free Saturday in Hogsmeade, Harry was unable to shake off the feeling of something being out of place. Perhaps it had to do with how unusually sunny the day was or with how overly affectionate Luna was today. Though it maybe had to do with how unusual the Court's companions were for the evening. Luna's dad came to watch the task and was spending his evening with the group, just like Hagrid and Viktor's mother.

Viktor's mum was a strangely calm individual, soft-spoken with soft features and gentle demeanour. Honestly, Harry could totally see she was the woman that raised Viktor in their shared mannerisms and laidback attitude.

Contrasting totally with the gentle woman, there was Hagrid. Tall, robust, and smiling Hagrid. Though the man looked different, better groomed and comfortable in his skin – he was the same man Harry remembers from the first time they met, sensitive, kind, and strangely naive. That and his extreme affinity with creatures.

"...an' I was trying' ter convince the aurors ter lemme help until Shacklebolt saw me. I helped him when he was jus' a small lad in Hogwarts so he wanted ter return the favour I think. So they took me ter the arena an' I gave the Keiju the bag of chocolate biscuits I baked for you, Harry." It was obvious the man was disappointed and Harry was too but tried to hide it. Now he would have to use regular rocks, what a shame. "...the poor thing was tremblin' so it tried to munch one of my fingers," Hagrid finished telling his story with a merry chuckle and Viktor's mum looked elated by it. Harry was glad to notice he was not the only one perturbed by that turn of events.

"Right," George said, stretching the word. "So why were the lizards wearing dresses."

"They looked funny, but why?" asked Fred.

"Ah, they usually wear the clothes of their old victims and the organizers thought it was better to dress them with something appropriate," Marcus told the others.

"You are the organizer," Daphne deadpanned, receiving a smile as response from the man.

"Yeh did great, Harry," Hagrid congratulated him, "y'all did... Well, not that Valerie gal but everyone else did."

"Thank you, Hagrid. I'm really sorry we couldn't meet last time."

"Yeh were in the hospital lad and I had much to do."

"Your friend gave me a tour," Viktor's mum told Harry, smiling gently.

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"Yeah, an' with everythin' that happened next there was just no time, I tell yeh. At least I talked a bit with Poppy."

"You're friends with Madam Pomfrey?" asked a genuinely curious Draco.

"We go way back," Hagrid confirmed and began telling another of his stories as a dragon handler in the reserves and all the strange creatures he was raising.

Harry heard absently as Luna, her dad, and Hagrid began engaging in an intense conversation about different magical species. Little by little, his friends left in small groups to meet their respective friends and only he, Luna, Viktor, and Fleur remained.

Luna was leaning on Fleur's shoulder while the older girl stroked her hair. Uncle Xenophilius, as Luna's dad insisted to be called, was chatting with the other adults while Fleur and Viktor talked quietly as Harry sipped on his tea.

For some reason, the feeling of something being wrong did not disappear.

----------------------------------------

A deep grunt resounded in the room and Bellatrix sighed, this wasn't what she expected when she agreed to break the filthy half-blood.

"I guess our session ends for now," Bellatrix sighed, pouting prettily and receiving a bloody smile in return.

"Got tired already, child?"

Bellatrix clenched her teeth, knowing she couldn't physically break the half-blood the way she wanted to or all their plans would be in vain. This one was a particularly tough nut to crack, even harder than Longbottom. Such a shame, she could have so much fun...

The clatter of high heels resounded on the empty corridor and the room was opened. Barty entered while wiping his face furiously with a handkerchief.

"Oh, dear, you look hideous," the half-blood said and Barty scowled.

"You actually do," Bellatrix was forced to agree.

"Not my fault woman. I'm the one risking his skin, not you."

"Not that you are risking much..." the half-blood drawled. Bella nodded.

Barty sighed and threw off the handkerchief. "Come with me," he said, all humour was gone from his features.

They walked in silence until they reached the gardens, where Barty apparated them to some part of the woods.

"Things are moving along," he began saying, taking a seat on a nearby rock. "Soon everything will be in place."

"The only reason I'm allowing you to do this, Barty, is because of our cause." There was no expression in the woman's face.

"We both know you planned most of this... You also noticed, didn't you, Bella? This time things will be different and our Lord changed."

"We are taking the matters in our own hands," Bellatrix agreed, regaining her usual smile. "Remember that, if we're wrong, I'm killing you and then myself."

"It couldn't be any other way, we always did everything together," Barty agreed, placing a hand on her shoulder. "We will die together."

"We promised that so long ago," Bellatrix sighed, "you still were a snotty brat."

"The snotty brat that helped you kill Druella."

"You just watched."

"Details," Barty said with a shrug and then sighed. "I have to go back... All our people are in place, but we still need more time."

"He will act before we do, it will be the final test. We have some time."

"I know, but I'm worried. There are whispers, Bella. Creatures already chose a side and there is still that person-"

"It doesn't matter, we still have time," Bellatrix interrupted the agitated man.

She watched as Barty regained his composure, the man left after squeezing her shoulder and Bellatrix took a deep breath.

They still had time because they were now doing things their way.