A pillar of flames burst to life, whirling in heatless blue. It only lasted a few moments before fading away, revealing…
A figure dressed neck to toe in cloth of black that was tight at the wrist and ankles, but otherwise loose. Their lower face was hidden in the same cloth, with another band of cloth and a metal plate tied across his forehead. Green eyes widened for a moment before the person appeared to throw something at the ground.
Smoke erupted, nearly filling the Great Hall. By the time the teachers could get their wands out to clear the air, there was no sign of the visitor. The chatter in the room grew more excited as speculation ran rampant.
Albus Dumbledore looked at the empty spot where there had once been a pillar of flames and a young man. A young man who he had only briefly seen but had seemed strangely familiar. It was as if two people had been mixed into one. Could that have been… he trailed off as he saw Severus stalking over, robes billowing behind him.
“Albus. Why do I feel that you know something about this intruder?”
The Headmaster looked into the eyes of his Potions Master, easily pushing aside the mental probe. His own efforts were equally rebuffed. “I’m not sure what to say, Severus. I am not familiar with the young man that just appeared and I certainly don’t know where he might have gone.”
Severus sneered before turning in a whirl of his robes to stalk away. Albus watched him go with a gentle smile before turning to organize the rest of the faculty. There was an intruder to track down after all.
***
Luna Lovegood paused beside a shadowed alcove on her way back to Ravenclaw Tower from the Great Hall. “You cannot hide forever, you know. Especially not with as many wrackspurts as you’ve got. But I think you’ve got some time still. They never really have been able to find any of the things hiding in the castle. Not in all the years I’ve been here.”
Turning to the alcove, she offered a small smile. “I hope we get to see each other soon. Have a good night.” With that said, she turned and skipped away.
A black clad young man seemed to step out of the shadows, green eyes following the willowy blond for a moment before crinkling in an eye smile. Stepping back, he disappeared.
***
Hermione Granger sighed as she left the library for the evening. While she had plenty of time before curfew, she was also not in any hurry to return to the dorms. Her years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry had only served to reinforce her reluctance to interact with her peers. Not that any of them actually acted like peers. They were no different from the other kids from primary. They taunted and bullied her before of her looks, her drive to learn, and her desire to fit in.
Magic was supposed to have changed all that.
Before she could travel down the well worn path of self pity, she felt something cool and sharp settle against her neck even as a strong, calloused hand covered her mouth.
The voice of the one she could only assume was holding her hostage sounded behind her. “One scream and it will be the last that you make. Nod slowly if you understand.”
Her hands clenched in her robes and she cursed herself for not getting that wrist holster over the summer break. With the number of times she’d been cursed in the corridors one would think she’d have learned her lesson. Instead, she slowly nodded.
The hand over her mouth was removed. “Good to see you can follow instructions. Let’s go somewhere and have a little discussion, you and I. Answer my questions and you’ll remain unharmed. Lie to me…” The voice trailed off and Hermione had to fight to not let her mind run wild with speculation.
She’d read about hostage situations like this, of course. Not that she’d ever expected to be in one, but those far off fantasies had joined others inspired by her insatiable reading habit.
Far more quickly than she would have expected, she found herself in an abandoned classroom. She barely suppressed a shudder as the door closed, sealing her in with her captor.
“Where do you keep your weapons? I’m sure we would both rather I didn’t have to search you for them.”
A blush blossomed on her cheeks as her mind raced ahead of her, though she was quick to stammer out that her wand was in her right pocket. She felt a hand brush past her waist and delve into her pocket, removing an assortment of books, writing materials, then finally her wand. There was a slight grunt of amusement behind her and she once again felt her cheeks heat. So what if she liked to keep so many things on her person. She’d done the expansion charm on her pockets herself.
“A wand, huh? An interesting choice of weapon.” There was a pause before he continued. “I’m going to release you to sit at one of the desks. Then we can have a nice chat, face to face.”
The blade was removed from her neck. Hermione resisted the urge to reach up and check for blood. Instead, she moved to the closest desk, turning to slide into the chair and get her first look at her abductor.
As she’d expected, it appeared to be the young man who had briefly appeared in a pillar of flames in the Great Hall when the Champions. How had he managed to stay undetected for an entire week? There were so many questions and she had to resist the urge to raise her hand to ask.
Those green eyes seemed to crinkle in amusement at her. The young man stood against the door of the classroom, dagger in one hand and her wand in the other. “Now that we’re all comfortable, why don’t we start some obvious questions. While I’ve been able to gather some information, I’d like some clarifications. First off, where are we? I’ve heard people call it the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and I’ve watch some displays of what you people have been calling magic. It’s different from the skills I’ve learned but there are some similarities as well.”
Hermione nodded slowly. “Hogwarts is the premier school for learning magic in all of Europe. There are seven years of learning here, where witches and wizards have been taught their craft for a thousand years.” She bit her bottom lip for a moment before adding, “There is so much to say about Hogwarts, but I think you might want to move onto your other questions.”
That same eye smile seemed to tug at her senses for a moment before he nodded. She couldn’t quite tell if he was smiling beneath that mask, but she imagined that he was.
“You have a very good point. A very good point.” He tapped the dagger against his cheek before continuing. “How bout this then? What is the Tri-Wizard Tournament and how am I involved?”
Shaking her head, Hermione frowned. “I’m not 100% sure on how you’re involved… but if I may?” Once he nodded, she motioned to her wand. “Could you give it a quick wave?”
The young man narrowed those green eyes at her for a moment before they returned to their carefree look. However, she felt her own eyes grow wide when he waved the wand and a few spark shot out.
“Well, isn’t that something?”
Hermione resisted bouncing in her chair but she couldn’t help blurting, “You’re a wizard!”
The newly labeled wizard merely nodded. “So it would seem. Might explain some things, considering how some of my skills work…” He trailed off with a shake of his head. “Okay, it looks like you and I have a lot more to talk about than I thought. And while we might not have come together in the most hospitable of circumstances, I would like to try and make friends. So how bout it?” The dagger disappeared and he seemed to be offering her the wand.
Looking from the wand to the young man then back again, she decided to trust her heart for once instead of her mind. Reaching out, she took her wand, then replaced it back into her pocket. Offering a smile, she stuck out her hand. “Hello there. My name is Hermione Granger.”
The young man clasped her around the forearm. “And I’m Harry Potter.”
Hermione gasped. “Are you really?” Her eyes darted up to where his forehead was covered up. Before she could speak, she felt the grip on her arm tighten.
“You seem to recognize that name.”
She quickly nodded. “If you are who I think you are, you’ll have a lightning bolt shaped scar above your eye.” Those eyes seemed to narrow before he slowly nodded. “People have been speculating on your whereabouts for years! Just where have you been?”
Releasing the grip on her arm, the newly identified Harry Potter sighed before reaching up to remove the cloth covering his forehead. The scar stood out beneath the wild nest that was his hair. “It seems like things have become even more complicated.” Those eyes crinkled into a smile again. “And it looks like we’ve got a lot more to talk about, Hermione Granger.”
***
“Excuse me, Professor, could we talk for a moment?”
Minerva looked up from desk to see one of her favorite students looking in from the door. She hadn’t even heard it opening. A quick tempus spell told her the time.
“Miss Granger, it is far past curfew. This is most irregular. I trust that this is so important that it couldn’t wait til morning?”
The girl fidgeted for a moment and Minerva was half tempted to relent. The poor thing had had a hard time in Hogwarts and she’d been mostly powerless to help. Perhaps with the other schools here she would make more friends, though there hadn’t been much evidence of that, considering that she spent nearly all her free time in the library.
When Hermione further entered the office, the Professor leaned back in her chair to fully regard the girl.
“Yes Professor. I don’t think this is something that can keep until morning.” Hermione closed the door behind her and hurried to take a seat. For a brief moment she just looked down at her hands in her lap before hurriedly blurting out. “I’ve found Harry Potter.”
For just a moment, the Transfiguration Professor allowed herself a feeling of hope. Then reality came crashing down on her. Lips pursed into a grimace, she glared at her former favorite student. “I do not appreciate gossip in my office, Miss Granger.”
“I know, Professor, and I don’t engage in gossip.” The girl had a fierce look in her eye as she continued, “And this is too important to try and take on my own. So I ask, as my Head of House, that you trust me and give me the chance to explain.”
Minerva suppressed the urge to sigh. When it was put that way, she really had no choice but to at least listen to the girl. She waved vaguely to continue.
“Thank you, Professor. Do you remember the young man who appeared in the pillar of flames at the selection ceremony? Well, he found me outside the library tonight and took me hostage. It’s fine! I’m okay! He didn’t hurt me! But he did have questions and together we’ve learned a lot. He told me that his name is Harry Potter and he even showed me the scar.”
Hermione appeared to grow excited. “Oh Professor, you wouldn’t believe some of the things he had to tell me! It’s all so fantastical. Which I realize may seem strange, as we live in a castle practicing magic… but still…” She blushed before continuing. “He wants to meet you. He says he’ll take my word that you wouldn’t try to capture or torture him.”
Minerva frowned, one hand raised as if to defend herself. “Well I never… to think that someone would think that I would torture someone.”
Granger quickly raised her hands. “I don’t think he meant you, specifically, Professor. Just a generalized condition.” She paused, worrying her lower lip before asking, “So will you meet with him?”
The frown softened into a gentle smile. “I would be delighted to meet Mr. Potter.”
A section of the wall near the door shimmered to reveal the young man in question. “Then it’s a delight to meet you, Professor. I’m Harry Potter.”
***
“So you really think I’ll need to compete in this tournament?”
Harry leaned back in his chair, arms folded across his chest. His forehead protector was currently pushed up, making his spiky hair stand up even more than usual. He mentally chuckled at the realization that he resembled his mentor even more right now.
The Professor seemed to regard him over her glasses. “I’m afraid so, Mr. Potter. From the discussions the staff and judges have had while we looked for you, it came out that the Goblet formed a magical contract that would cost you your magic if you failed to compete. The other schools were unhappy to learn this and protested most vigorously.”
“So that agreement was made without their consent? Sounds like some of the work I encountered back home.” Harry reached up to tap his cloth covered cheek. “Still, this won’t be my first tournament. What can you tell me about it though? Are they expecting a good showing or do they just want me to kill my opponents as fast as possible?”
McGonnagal gasped. “Mr. Potter! This is not some blood sport. This is meant to be a friendly competition!”
Harry leaned forward. “Then why did Hermione tell me that the tournament was canceled because too many people had been killed? Seems like a blood sport to me.”
The Transfiguration Teacher pursed her lips as if she’d bitten a lemon. “Be that as it may, you will not be competing against the other champions directly. Rather you will all be in the same type of events and will be scored on your performances.”
Harry leaned back. “Well now, that is something different.” His eyes crinkled into a smile. “Now I think the thing that we need to discuss is… how do we go about revealing who I am and what do we say about where I’ve been? It doesn’t sound like your people are ready for the concept of another world.”
“Indeed, Mr. Potter. Indeed.” She looked over at Hermione and her expression softened. “I’m sure Miss Granger would be happy to help you get settled in. I’ll see about assigning you some guest quarters.”
Harry grinned beneath his mask. “That does sound delightful.”
***
Albus Dumbledore looked down the staff table at his Transfiguration Professor. She appeared as though a cat who had gotten into the cream and for the life of him he couldn’t imagine why. There had been no reports from the portraits, prefects, or ghosts. Nothing that could have given her such a look.
“Minerva, my dear. Is there something you would like to share?”
“Nothing I care to share at the table, Albus. Though perhaps we can meet in your office after the meal?”
The Headmaster steepled his fingers together over his belly. Slowly, he nodded. This should prove interesting. Maybe she knew something about the intruder that had evaded them for over a week. Except why wouldn’t she want to share with the group?
Looking around the Great Hall, he examined the students and faculty from the other schools. Was it their presence that held her tongue? Oh well. He would find out soon enough.
***
Albus Dumbledore sat back in his chair, considering the woman sitting across his desk from him. “Are you telling me that Harry Potter was the young man summoned by the Goblet and that he’s been running around unescorted and unknown since then? And that you’ve known about it for a couple of days now? Oh Minerva, I’m so disappointed in you.”
Minerva bristled. “Don’t you take that tone with me, Albus Dumbledore. As Deputy Headmistress of this school, I did my duty to determine that Harry is not a threat to the students. Additionally, I took the time to learn about the boy’s circumstances, as well as gotten to know him as a person. His life is like nothing we have ever known and to have brought him to your attention before I had that information would have been a gross dereliction of my duties.”
It wasn’t often that that stern gaze was directed his way. He wasn’t fond of the feeling. “Oh Minerva, I’m sorry. You’re absolutely right. The important thing is to make sure that Harry is comfortable and understands that he’s safe now that he’s been brought back to us.”
Why did that seem to cause his Transfiguration Professor to bristle even more?
“Albus, I don’t think you understand just how significant all of this is. Harry was in another world and some powerful force was used to drag him back to ours. Both of those events require great magics, ones that we don’t understand. There is no way for the Goblet to have summoned Harry on its own. Not to mention whatever it was that dragged a baby off a muggle doorstep and whisked him off to whatever world he ended up on.”
Her stern demeanor finally broke. “Oh Albus. He’s been trained as a soldier. A killer. Since he was a little boy. While his eyes and determination might be all Lily, I don’t see his carefree father in him at all. Why did all of this have to happen to him? And what new tragedy will he have to endure in this tournament?”
The Headmaster looked at Minerva over the top of his glasses. “We will do all we can to take care of young Harry. We’ll show him the love and care he would have had had he not been abducted. When can I meet him?”
***
“Are you sure I can’t convince you to be sorted into a House, Harry?”
Harry shook his head. “I’m quite happy with the tutor I’ve found. While it might still leave me at a disadvantage against the other competitors, given that they’ve had more time to study magic and are slightly older, I do believe my other training will help make up for the difference.”
Headmaster Dumbledore seemed to consider Harry for a moment before sighing. “Of course, my boy. I meant no disrespect to Miss Granger. She is indeed a credit to her house and one of the best students in her year. I just feel that you would benefit from interacting more with your peers.”
Once again, Harry shook his head. “I don’t believe that would be best, Headmaster. While I don’t understand the forces that led to my being here, I do plan on returning home.” He held up a hand to prevent interruption. “Yes, I understand that this is my world of origin. However, I am quite comfortable in the world I grew up in, not to mention having responsibilities to my people and nation. You may not approve of my choices in life, but they are my choices and I will honor my vows.”
“I do hope you will reconsider, Harry. There is much you need to learn about your responsibilities here. Ones that are valuable to the Wizarding World.”
“Then perhaps we can discuss those responsibilities and how I can discharge them during my time here. Given the way you’ve explained the tournament to me, there seems to be a great deal of down time between events. Between learning with Hermione and my own training, I don’t believe that all of my time will be taken away.” His eyes crinkled into a smile. “In fact, I figure I’ll have plenty of time. So let’s figure out how to make the best use of that time, shall we?”
***
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“Harry, what is that orange book you’re always reading?”
Hermione looked up at her friend, who for some reason was lounging on the wall, looking for all the world as if he was just relaxing on his back, rather than somehow clinging to the side of the wall.
Harry offered her his crinkled eye smile and whipped the book out of his pocket, which now had much the same enchantment as her own. “This? It’s something my mentor gave me. One of his favorite books, actually.” He looked from it to her before making the book disappear. “I’m not sure it’s exactly your thing.”
Hermione frowned and crossed her arms beneath her breasts. “Oh really? And why would you say that? You know how much I love reading. I’m sure it’s nothing I haven’t read before.”
That eye smile seemed to brighten somehow, though Hermione still wasn’t sure how someone who never removed their mask could be so expressive. “Oh ho? This is something you’ve read before? Well that changes the way I think of you, Miss Granger. And leaves so many more questions.”
She wasn’t sure why his gaze caused her to blush, but she suddenly couldn’t meet his gaze. Suddenly, something seemed to click in her mind. “Wait a second. You’re reading smut!”
“Tut tut, Hermione. This isn’t smut. This is specially crafted adult literature of the highest quality. One of the most critically acclaimed books of my world.”
Hermione was sure her cheeks couldn’t have grown any hotter. “That’s still not something appropriate for you to have out in public!”
“Which is why it has a generic orange cover.” He chuckled. “Only those who know will know. Though now that you know…” He trailed off for a moment before adding, “we could add this topic to our discussions.”
Okay, she was wrong. Her cheeks could get hotter. “Harry! I think not! Let’s just get back to magic. We were talking about transfiguration and how it relates to your elemental manipulation on a more advanced scale.”
She dutifully ignored the continued chuckles from her friend.
***
Hermione frowned at her friend. “I still can’t believe you haven’t met any of the other champions. Or much of the student body, for that matter.”
Harry chuckled at her. “And how much of the student body and the fellow champions have you met, Hermione? I get all the interaction I need from you and Luna. The rest of my time is devoted to training. I want to master as many of these techniques to take back home with me as I can.”
Her frown deepened at the thought of losing her best friend. Just that fact, that she had a best friend, was something new and frightening and she firmly ignored the many other factors that went into that statement. “The point of the competition is to foster relations between the three schools.”
Closing the book in his hands, Harry looked at her. “And just how much relations is there between the schools? Other than a couple of the Beuxbaton girls and Krum, how many of the visiting students do you interact with? What about your fellow students? I know you’ve noticed how your school isn’t exactly warm and inviting to others. Save for certain ones which shall remain unnamed… especially since you won’t let me do anything about them.”
Hermione huffed. “You can’t just kill any student that offends you.”
“Wrong! I most certainly can kill any student here.”
Blushing, she shook her head. “I meant you mustn’t. It’s wrong to kill people just because they annoy you.”
Harry rolled his eyes. “I’m a little more discreet than that, thank you very much. Though if they try to curse you behind your back again, I’m stabbing them. I warned them already and now I’m warning you.”
“Fine.” She’d never admit it, but it was nice that he was so protective of her.
***
“Harry! Harry! It’s dragons! The first task is going to be dragons!”
Hermione came skidding to a halt at their table in the library, panting and hunched over. She studiously ignored the shushing she was receiving from Madam Pince, though her cheeks heated at the thought of breaking such an important rule as keeping quiet in the library. However, this was too important to have been left to decorum.
Harry looked at his friend, his eyes narrowing for a moment before he pulled out a chair and guided her into it. “Breathe, Hermione. Calmly now. Once you’ve got yourself settled, we’ll discuss this.”
It took a moment, but she eventually got her breathing under control, then was able to relay the information she had learned from Luna, of all people, about the dragons in the forest.
“You know what this means don’t you?” When she gave him a terrified look he just eye smiled at her. “Now we know what to study! Time to learn about dragons!”
***
Fleur was getting her first glimpse at the reported fourth champion. Very few people had encountered the young man since his appearance at the Choosing Ceremony. As she’d already been chosen and out of the room, she hadn’t had a chance to meet him. Neither of the other champions had met him either, though Victor had apparently caught glimpses of the young man in the library, which was a strange thought, considering how much of a physical creature the Durmstrand student seemed to be.
Turning her thoughts back to the enigmatic young man, she considered his strange attire. Clad nearly head to toe in black cloth, he was nothing like any other wizard she had ever encountered. He also apparently never took over the cloth covering his lower face, nor the band covering his forehead.
While she was watching hm, he turned to cast her an eye smile before going back to watching everyone in the room. She wasn’t sure how she felt about being so summarily dismissed like that. Not that she wanted the attention, but she had grown used to having a certain effect on young men and it was interesting to find someone who appeared to be so unaffected by it.
When they picked their dragons and the young man got the Hungarian Horntail, she felt sick, until she saw his eyes. There was an excitement in those emerald orbs. Suddenly, she wished she could witness his time in the arena.
***
Harry stepped into the arena with a lazy swagger. He ignored the excited chatter of the crowd, the announcer, and everything else, save for the dragon that crouched at the other side of the rock strewn arena. There was nothing like it back home. The only monsters there all looked human, having been long ago hunted to extinction.
For a moment he contemplated going for the new wand strapped to the inside of his forearm, but he had a much more interesting plan. Time to see how much his own skills compared to a dragon!
Working his way through some quick hand signs, he belched a fireball at the beast. He had to dive out of the way of the return fire though.
Note to self. Fire vs dragon bad.
Another set of hand signs sent a collection of rock bullets rocking at the dragon, which only seemed to piss the thing off more. Dancing around the arena, Harry kept on the move, sending waves of projectiles at the beast. Water, mud, air, ice. Not all of them were powerful, as his elemental affinity was still something they hadn’t figured out. The earth based attacks seemed to work the best though.
Blunt trauma it is.
Ducking behind one of the larger boulders in the arena, he ran through a longer series of signs before slamming his hand into the ground.
A long stone dragon dragged itself out of the ground, flying through the ground to slam into the horntail, knocking the thing on its back before capturing it in its coils. Snarls and fire filled the air, though Harry ignored it all as he stole nearer to the nest and stole the golden egg.
He was almost to the entrance of the tent when he paused, turned to the audience, and held the egg aloft. At that moment both dragons had stopped fighting, one turning back into rubble, the other laying on its back in a daze.
The audience erupted into cheers as they all finally noticed Harry.
***
“I’m sorry. Could you run that by me again?”
Hermione sighed. “The Professors say that there is going to be a Yule Ball and that the Champions are required to attend. They’re also required to bring a date. They would have told you directly but you seem to be avoiding them.” She frowned at him.
Harry tapped his cloth covered cheek with a finger, the other arm folded over his chest. “Hmm… a ball you say? And I’m needing a date? Do you know if I’ll be required to dance?”
“I would imagine so.”
Stepping back, Harry made a flourish with his hands before dropped down to one knee and presenting her with a rose. “Hermione Granger, would you do me the honor and privilege of being my date to the Yule Ball?”
Blushing, Hermione reached out to take the rose. Silent conjuration or sleight of hand, it didn’t matter. It still smelled delightful. “Yes, Harry, I’ll go with you to the dance.”
Jumping to his feet, he offered her an eye smile. “Great! Only one more thing. Do you know someone who can teach me to dance?”
***
“Mr. Potter. Thank you for joining these lessons. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to get to know your peers here at Hogwarts. Your parents were friends with many of their friends.”
“Professor, I thank you for the lessons, but I don’t plan on interacting with the students beyond what needs to be done to learn to dance. I would have preferred private lessons with you, but understand that your time is precious and must needs be focused on your own students.”
Minerva hmphed before nodding. “Be that as it may, I do hope you plan on taking advantage of this opportunity.”
“Of course, Professor.”
***
Hermione descended the steps of the dorm with a gentle smile on her lips. This was not what she had expected for her first date. Somehow she was companion to a champion, the Boy-Who-Lived, and a traveler from another world. It all seemed so surreal.
She spotted Nevile standing next to a young man she didn’t recognize. He was dressed in a muggle tuxedo, one that seemed to emphasize his lithe physique. Long raven hair was pulled back into a ponytail, secured with a silver and periwinkle band. Emerald eyes smiled at her.
“Harry? Is that you? You aren’t wearing a mask! I mean, I knew you weren’t going to, because it wouldn’t match the dress code, but even so, I still expected you to be wearing the same clothes I’ve seen you in every day. How did you do that with your hair? I thought it couldn’t be tamed?”
The vision of Harry before her stepped closer, taking her hand with a smile. “Breathe, Hermione, breathe.”
Taking a moment to regain her composure, she offered him a smile and complimented her outfit, which was so different from the wizards around her.
“This is what formal wear looks like back home, so I thought to wear it here. Several of the house elves were able to help me with it. As for the hair, it’s a technique that lets me lengthen it. I found some cosmetic charms that let me smooth it out as well.”
“Well, I think you love dashing.”
Harry offered her his arm and the two proceeded to the Yule Ball.
***
“Dumbledore. I want you to know that if Hermione comes to harm because of this event, I’m going to hold you responsible. If she loses her life, so do you.”
“Harry, my boy. I assure you, she is in no true danger. However, you need to make sure that you get her before the hour is up.”
“We will be having words about this when I return.”
When the cannon sounded, Harry vanished from view. No one could tell if he even entered the water, only that he disappeared from the docks.
For several minutes there was nothing to see. Several of the audience members fidgeted in the stands. There wasn’t any type of broadcast, nor even announcements. Someone obviously missed the ball when it came to keeping the audience entertained on this one.
Suddenly, several merfolk came flying out of the lake, followed by a veritable cloud of grindylows. They were chased by what appeared to be a long, flowing dragon made of water that snapped at the creatures, sending body parts flying.
Another dragon erupted from the waters, carrying Harry and several other people.
***
“You really shouldn’t let the girl get to you like that. It’s not healthy for her.”
Harry looked down from his book to the lithe little blond beneath him, offering her an eye smile. “She’s the one who made the offer. If she hadn’t made it a challenge, she wouldn’t be so exhausted right now.”
“Yes, Harry, that’s true. But you know the people here aren’t in the type of shape that you are. You must have noticed that by now.”
Sighing, Harry put away his book and flipped down to land beside the girl. “Yeah, yeah. I know. But who am I to say no to someone so enthusiastic?”
Luna sighed and patted Harry on the upper arm. “It’s a terrible burden you’ve been given, Harry. I’m glad that you’re able to gain some pleasure along the way. Speaking of which…” She trailed off as she gave him a shy smile.
Harry pocketed his book and gave her his entire attention.
“You still haven’t taught me to wall walk.”
***
“You’re leaving after the tournament, aren’t you?”
Harry looked across the table at his nervous friend. One he hadn’t expected to make in this world, even though they’d spent most of their free time together.
“Yes, Hermione, it feels like the end is near. I’m not sure what’s going to happen at the final task, but there is a sense of impending fate. Of powers converging to bring about a new reality, a new balance.”
Hermione looked at him with wide eyes.
“I’d take you with me if I could, but I don’t think you’d like my world. It’s a bloody, dangerous place. You don’t need to be exposed to that.”
Reaching across the table, she took hold of his hands. “This world was that way when You-Know-Who was around. Before you defeated him.”
Harry shook his head. “That wasn’t me. A toddler doesn’t defeat a monster, no matter what the stories may say.” He gave her hands a squeeze. “But don’t you worry, the monsters that remain, like that little blond, have been thoroughly defanged. And if he gives you trouble again, just introduce him to a thousand years of pain.”
That blush on her cheeks was really fetching.
***
“This is way too easy.” Harry walked through the maze, which almost seemed to guide him deeper in. The hedges moved around him and only a few times had he been forced to fight the creatures that had been seeded throughout.
All too soon he arrived at the center of the maze, where he spotted the Champion’s Cup. He circled the thing for a bit. “This has to be a trap.” He tossed a throwing knife at the thing, though there was no response. He spent several minutes using all the magical knowledge he had gained in this world, along with some tricks he’d learned back home dealing with mysterious artifacts, to examine the Cup but he couldn’t find any sign of the trap he knew was waiting for him.
Eventually he sensed one of the other champions nearing. Deciding he didn’t need to deal with other people alongside whatever else was going to be unleashed, he reached out and took hold of the cup.
***
When Harry arrived on the Champion’s Podium, it was several minutes after the maze had disappeared. The audience had been growing restless, while the judges and officials were growing more nervous. That Harry didn’t arrive alone was even more cause for alarm.
The fat man on the podium was missing his hands. He had also been bound in chains and knocked unconscious.
Harry was carrying some sort of cloth wrapped bundle. Walking over to Dumbledore, he handed the bundle over. “Try to keep better hold of your monsters.”
Turning away from the Headmaster, he was suddenly having to dodge a flurry of attacks from an insane Defense Professor. The man was screaming how everything was ruined while sending a blistering array of spells at Harry. Several slammed into the young man before he vanished in a puff of smoke, his body replaced by a shattered log.
Moody spasmed, his magical eye rolling backwards to latch into the boy who had appeared behind him faster than he could react. The daggers slammed into his kidneys didn’t help either, his entire body locking up. Moments later he was convulsing and his appearance changed.
Dumbledore looked from the former body of one of his closest friends to the body of one of his former students. Was that Peter and Barty? How could that be? The bundle in his arms was even more of a mystery, though it solved several others that he’d had over the years. Such as Tom’s ultimate fate.
“Harry, what is the meaning of all this?”
Harry crossed his arms over his chest. “It’s like I said. You need to keep better hold of your monsters.”
Suddenly a voice sounded in the air.
“Kamui.”
Harry suddenly vanished into a swirling vortex.