Chapter 19

A small panic had occurred with the disappearance of a member of staff. No one could find him, and his office was empty.

The great historian Bathilda Bagshot showing up on Hogwarts doorstep for classes the next day was certainly not expected except by the Headmaster himself.

The deputy headmaster sneered at her, but said nothing as he led her to the staff room. There was an emergency meeting over a core class' professor gone missing.

"Bathilda! How are you?" Dumbledore rose to greet the woman far more warmly that he had Minerva, Filius noted.

"Albus. I received an anonymous note asking me to fill in as a history teacher for a while. It looks like your handwriting?"

"Well, yes, you see, we have a situation here."

"Fine, fine. Yes. I'll do it. On one condition, non-negotiable. I'll have a magical oath from you."

"Professor Bagshot!" Snape snapped.

"No, it's quite alright, Severus. What is this condition?"

"I assign my own book as history book. It's not that expensive. The newest edition. The school can afford it since you offered me the same salary Binns is getting. Which I presume is nothing?"

Albus had the decency to blush a little. "Well, with tuition down, fewer muggleborns attending..."

"Albus Dumbledore! I watched you grow up, need I remind you! Hummpf. Well? I didn't demand a salary. Just the book."

The Headmaster quickly gave his oath, and the newest Hogwarts professor made her way down to the history office.

"Poor, poor Albus. He really should have looked into the publishing of my newest book before he took that oath."

'The True History of the Britons' was set out on each desk. The sponsor of the books was nearby. And currently dealing with a teenage, love-sick veela.

**OO**

The Order of Merlin flight trials were astride hippogriffs. Lance, bow and spell shooting. All at minimum speed, or even if the target was hit, it would be marked zero.

The boffins were constantly trying to improve equipment, and the newest saddles triple checked.

Harry was nervous only due to the fact that this was the last trial of being a full knight. Special permission to have it at Hogwarts had been given. Sir Hector was far too smug, and Sir Rodney looked like he was ready to crow. Both felt that this test in and of itself would be a great recruiting drive.

In order to make sure than no one complained about 'special treatment', clinics were offered to any and all that wanted to try the scaled down course, riding brooms of course instead of beasts. The three days of classes were well attended from all of the schools

Then the courses were closed so that the champions could practice for the task. All except Harry of course. He had offered to help the other champions at first, but then the judge from the Ministry came and banned the young knight from doing so. He was barely allowed to watch the others from a distance. After all, he was from the school sponsoring the event, and the pink toad would not condone cheating!

**OO**

"Next on the agenda is an appeal regarding the Triwizard Tournament. We are met in secret conclave, and remind the members not to reveal the task in advance. Charles Author Weasley, Xenophillus Lovegood, you may approach!"

Charlie was nervous, but his brothers were at Hogwarts, so nodded to the members and began speaking. "I work at the Romanian Dragon Preserve. I have been sent here as a representative to appeal the use of nesting mothers in a tournament. Especially as transporting their eggs could damage the embryos, and we could lose them all."

Charlie floated copies of the request to each person on the panel who read it in horror.

"What!" "NO!" "Who authorized this?" exploded from the member's table that they faced.

"Xenophillus Lovegood, we know that you a Magizoologist, and you are a known associate of Newt Scamander's. You are recognized as an expert in the field. Can you confirm this idiotic request?"

"Yes, I was asked to aid in the transfer of these dragons. Provide the necessary parchment and whatnot for the ministry. It's beyond cruel to use a nesting dragon. I appeal the use of these magnificent beasts at all."

"We will discuss this. Unfortunately, ancient rules do allow for dragons to be used. However, I think limiting it to older drakes, perhaps dragons ready to cull? Well. Your request is granted with a vote of thanks for your service. It will be noted."

Xeno bowed regally, Charlie attempting a good copy, and they were dismissed.

Neither were happy that dragons would be used at all, but at least they wouldn't risk losing precious, endangered baby dragons!

**OO**

Harry was feeling twitchy as Fleur got ready to ride her broom through the longer and more dangerous course. Their practice had gained attention. Many students sat in the stands, snacking and cheering. Now the veela was going to try the more difficult course. At least her parents were here to reason with her.

"Fleur, please!" Alain Delacour begged. "Please! Take the safer course. Just to practice this one is dangerous."

Sir Harry took his responsibilities seriously and had sent the man a patronus when the girl showed up for this.

"Papa! You worry too much! I am very good on a broom." Fleur declared.

She was no fairy princess, and wanted to show the world her talent!

Madam Delacour had come out as well. She looked extremely pale, but what mother wouldn't be worried about her child. Soon, a concerned Madam Maxine joined her in the stands. Dumbledore himself trailed after her, along with not a few of the staff as it was the weekend.

Fleur started well; the girl could fly.

The course had moving and static targets. Hitting the transfigured lions or wolves gained points. A crup or kneazle cost points. The animals were scattered throughout the foliage in first part of the run, and then came the swinging booms trying to knock you off. They also had to be hit.

Sometimes it was best to go over, sometimes under, and both had targets. If you missed, you could circle back, but time mattered as well.

None of the other contestants used bows or ranged weapons of any kind, but her spells were hitting the mark.

Then came the gauntlet of the steeplechase. Some targets near the ground, obstacles to go over and under, all combined with spell fire coming out you. This is where live spell casters would be joining the training dummies for the knight's trial. Harry's stomach dropped. There were live casters out there now, and they weren't from Ecole Merlin!

Harry immediately summoned help. Sir Jerome and Sir Hector had been sitting with Harry, and were able to disable two of the attackers immediately. Then a barricade went up between spectators and the course. Dumbledore didn't look happy that two knights had fired on citizens unknown, even if they weren't supposed to be there.

The warded barricade didn't stop physical objects, so the two knights unshrunk emergency brooms and went hunting live casters very quickly. They didn't interfere with the course, or Miss Delacour's progress, though they did use a physical shield on the last caster's curse.

"Avada Kedavra!"

Stone split everywhere, but the caster was caught. Sir Jerome clearly wanted to kill the one casting such curses at a student, but captured the person instead.

All of the people casting had been caught. Five wizards and one witch. The suspects were brought to the aurors providing security at Hogwarts.

"How dare you interfere with the preparation for the task!" Ambassador Umbridge shouted. "It's bad enough we had to put up with that, that, that thing being allowed to enter. Well, I for one won't put up with it. I will petition that she be banned."

"What?" Madam Maxine demanded. "Were you watching what I was watching? She was not supposed to have spells shot at her! And who in the world would authorize the killing curse!"

"I'm sure it was just an illusion. Green sparks."

"Green sparks don't disintegrate stone like that." Sir Hector stated calmly.

"Oh, why don't you go back to your jungle, or island or something!" The racist woman called out. Sir Hector looked at his former squire who just laughed.

"It was an accident, I'm sure" the woman continued, sneering. "Likely practicing for when we have the Great Wizard Harry Potter coming through!"

"So, your people on planning on changing the Boy-Who-Lived title to Boy-Who-Was-Killed in a school tournament?" An adult yelled that Harry didn't know.

"Please summon those in charge of the Tournament, now! I would like to appeal your unfair attitude of the girl. And I also want to file an auror's report on the attempted murder of a student." Sir Hector stated with some heat.

"Sir Hector! Mind your tone. This lady is clearly distraught over the attempted murder of a student just as much as you. Clearly, something nefarious is going on. And I am sure that she just wants to help. Please? You do want to help? Yes?" Sir Jerome directed that last directly to the judge in bright pink.

The woman started to insult this knight as well, but had never seen such a handsome man. And he was smiling at her.

"Of course, of course." The woman patted her head to make sure that the wig was straight. She'd get whoever had spiked her juice! "Maybe I was a bit hasty. Yes, let's turn these people over to the aurors. Likely under the imperious, waving wands at children like that."

"There. You see? We're all friends here after all." The knight purred gently. All of the knights had been warned to tread gently. But it was hard when people turned a blind eye to that sort of attack.

The knights had all heard of such things. After all, look at the way that Sister Gisele's death had been swept under the carpet.

But to see an actual murder attempt, and watch the pureblood elite say it didn't happen?

The High Council would have to be contacted immediately. Sir Harry made his way over to Madam Delacour to beg the woman to remove Fleur from that course, or get the French aurors involved or something.

Harry Potter seethed. The feelings of powerlessness were not ones that he enjoyed in the least, and he knew he was under the most scrutiny of any of them there. He dared not get kicked out before he finished his tasks.

**OO**

"Narcissa! Are you mad?! Do you realize who that witch is? Who her parents are?"

"I am very well aware of who her parents are. I am also aware of Draco's interest in a completely unsuitable match!"

"Why? Because she is Veela?"

"Do you want grandchildren that go 'peep, peep'?" The angry witch demanded, suddenly looking more like Bellatrix than she ever had before.

"If you remember, Draco is Head of House Black, and is heir to House Malfoy. Let him have his veela if he wishes. Especially if it gives the Dark Lord what he wants, what we all want." Lucius tried calmly.

"No! I forbid it!" Narcissa stamped her foot. "Absolutely NOT!"

"You have no choice. Accept it. Plans are in motion already. And stop trying to kill the girl!"

Her defiant eyes said that she would obey him on the second of Never. And he had no clue how to stop his homicidal spouse.

"Narcissa! Think! Allowing her to live after what we obtain will be no sacrifice! She won't ever live with us here; you'll never see her. She can be put anywhere in the world. Think of the gains of such a match."

Her glare would have melted titanium, if she knew what that was.

"Now, I have a folder of witches from age eleven through twenty-five that have no contracts. Please. Why don't you pick a suitable bride for your house? Please?" The folder was extended to her by magic. No reason to risk anything.

"You have no idea what you are playing with Lucius. But yes, I will pick a witch for House Black. But mark my words, you'll never get a match with Fleur Delacour. Never."

**OO**

After seeing a student shot at with live fire, Cedric decided on the short course. While a solid and decent quidditch player, Hogwarts did not have a history of great Defense courses, and he had never practiced shooting while flying until the course had been set up for practice.

Diggory got in a couple of lucky shots, and one of those was on a static crup.

No one knew that his uncle's crup always tried to bite the boy, and he counted it as a fair target!

But he stayed on the broom, and Hogwarts cheered him loudly.

Fleur, red and embarrassed also chose the short course, but it looked like her mother might have had something to do with that decision.

Parvati was overhead telling Lavender that she heard that Lisa Turpin had said that Fleur complained about not being allowed to get new robes for the New Year's French Ministry Ball and would have to re-wear her current robes.

The girls all gasped at such retched tactics to force someone to do something, while the knights in earshot rolled their eyes. Harry could see this becoming a thing at the dinner table. 'I have to re-wear this same tunic. Oh, woe is me!'

The Ambassador was overheard saying that she planned to deduct points for her earlier cheating in the practice rounds. In other words, since Miss Delacour survived the killing curse, she should be penalized!

Fleur mounted her broom. The short course was far easier than the long one, and it had been triple checked for hidden wizards. Aurors, mounted on brooms, were flying on a higher level to keep an eye on things.

Harry saw Tonks, and was amazed. The girl might have awkward moments on the ground, but was quite graceful in the air. She could fly!

The veela, with a strong cheering section of admirers that included Draco Malfoy, took to the course, her hair streaming like a banner behind her.

She hit every target! And didn't hit a single negative one.

At she did it far faster that Diggory had.

A very decent run, well done, not that Harry admired anything but the performance.

The teenage boys in the stands would have totally disagreed with him on that.

**OO**

Harry didn't get to watch Krum's run on the more difficult course. Again, it was checked for live fire, and was protected.

The professional player had flown well, hit everything that moved so racked up a lot of negative points, but wasn't knocked off his broom when he was hit by a quintain.

The boy rolled with the blow, and remounted. That earned him a lot of cheers there, and he finished in a decent time.

Harry did the fast course as well. He had to for the trial. He didn't hit anything he shouldn't, ducked the homicidal quintain, and took out the last surprise lion.

Harry shuddered a minute worried about what Flitwick would do to their training seeing the improvement that Professor McG had had for them.

The first trial was over. He had time to grab some water and a quick snack, and meditate for a bit.

It was the waiting that was worse on nerves than the actual event.

Harry didn't like to wait one bit.

**OO**

Spectators from all three schools had come, bringing their friends and family. For Ecole Merlin, the students and staff were their friends and family.

Harry was a full knight. He didn't have to pass the flight trial today, or even five years from now.

Fleur approached him in advance of the third event, a long white scarf in her hand. She must have gone to the library.

The dust hadn't had long to settle over her run in the practice games when labeled the incident as an accident. An accident! Fleur had done quite well in her practice run especially considering that she was being targeted. She was clearly upset at being forced to run the short course for the First Task of the tournament.

She eyed the white scarf already on his arm that Hermione had given him and frowned. But she continued forward.

"I offer my favor as a gift. I too wait for the right time to bond, and with a worthy man. This is a token of friendship. You do treat me as a queen, and I am honored."

"My lady, I cannot accept this token, even as a friend. I have a girl at home whose scarf is on my arm, whose thoughts fill my mind, whose magic is my armor, whose love fills my heart. I can offer you nothing that you want, and will not lead you false."

She pouted, clearly wanting a kiss, and made her way back to the sidelines. He made sure that Hermione's scarf would not get in the way of any of the upcoming challenges.

Harry didn't know what Alain and Fleur Delacour were playing at, but for now, he would assume it was politics, and practice in public now for court at home. He did not need this right now; he needed to concentrate.

'I ride in your honor this day, my love.' Harry thought to himself, picturing Hermione cheering for him. George had offered to let her watch from his mirror, but Harry wasn't sure she was or not.

"Good luck, Potter! Hope you get scorched out there!" The blond ponce called.

"Draco Malfoy, I thought I smelled your foul stench coming into this place. You still haven't been completely potty-trained. Pity. Mind your manners or be tossed from here. Ecole Merlin is sponsoring this event. And providing the mounts. Stay away from the hippogriffs, they are dangerous. I won't put up with the likes of you. Not today. Too bad you aren't old enough to challenge to a real duel."

Harry thought he saw a flash of red eyes, just for a moment. Must have been the September sun.

The Potter heir was boy no longer and looked to the judge. He knew his rights.

"I request that Pettigrew, Snape, any Malfoy, and anyone else here to jeer be expelled from this place. We were asked to come."

The judge was a man from Kenya, honored to be chosen in the draw. A retired knight who had served faithfully and then returned to his homeland to marry, raise his family, and serve in politics.

"I judge your request fair. Any Malfoy is requested to leave before the wards expel you. Pettigrew, please leave this place. As for the others, the wards are based on intent. If you hope to see Sir Harry hurt, please leave. If you are here to see him victorious, please stay and feel free to cheer."

The transfiguration teacher nodded his head and looked sad. "I came to cheer you, Sir Harry, but will honor your wishes."

Harry bowed his head. He felt Peter's sorrow. What was he thinking? Hadn't he been asked to forgive the repentant?

It was rather a Commandment.

"My apologies, Mr. Pettigrew. Please forgive me. I have not yet forgiven you, and that is on me. Please, stay if you wish. I promise to work on my temper. You are welcome to watch."

The judge nodded, and Peter, also know once as Wormtail, sat back down.

The Malfoy boy stayed, as did the bookends. This was not wise, as when the wards were activated, they were flung across a space of about five meters, and landed painfully on their...they landed painfully.

Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle were joined by a couple of girls from Ravenclaw, and one other teacher. Snape had not even tried to attend, but the Headmaster of Durmstrang wanted to watch the boy die.

Karkaroff had wisely moved passed the marked ward boundaries. He could judge and give the boy a zero from here just as well as from the stands, not realizing that his judgment of the third event of this task would be worth just as much as he gave.

Nothing.

**OO**

In the previous two events, the targets were moving and hard to hit, but Harry had done well with both wand and bow, missing only twice, exceptionally good for this type of trial. And he had gotten no negative points.

Only Harry did the second and third events, as these were the actual flight trials of being a Knight of the Order.

It was down to the last event. He knew that the target had to be hit with the lance, no quarter for this trial, and no argument heard. Harry had been told it would be an animated non-living target, so chose Buckbeak for his mount as he was the fastest hippogriff they had.

Harry was bearing down, but before he could get near it, he saw it was alive. His mount was terrified, as they had not had that much time to train together. There was a wyvern down there, two legged, and it was injured!

How could the testers do this?

Harry had to be true to himself. His mount had shied away. The hippogriff surely knew that wyverns ate his kind, and was very cranky about getting so close. It was only due to many hours of training that Harry got as close as he did.

The knight was dropped off, the hippogriff flying up, and Harry quickly grabbed the emergency kit at his side. He gulped fire-proofing, and pulled out a full raw roast in stasis, dosing it with a strong healing potion.

The uncooked meat was levitated to the injured animal, bawling in pain and hunger. It snapped up the beef without smelling it, or it might have rejected it.

The magic worked, and the wyvern rose up on his two legs. Harry could see the gash, but he didn't have time to make friends. Saying aloud he was going to cast, and then casting the healing spell, the beast started to breathe ice towards him, and Harry realized that his color, a deep, deep blue, meant that this creature was a creature of ice.

Harry had drunk the wrong potion! Unsure if they mixed well or not, he looked at the label of the protection from cold. No warnings. Hoping that his fellow knights would rescue him if he was poisoning himself, he drank that down, and prepared another three roasts in quick succession, getting closer and closer.

No judge had stopped him yet. Good. The wyvern had stopped bawling. It was small, and Harry guessed that it really wasn't much more than a baby.

He took out a pocket guide. Yep, that's where they came from. He tapped in the portkey. Was the thing healed well enough to survive the trip?

Did he have a choice?

Maybe there was time for a target run if he hurried.

The beast was allowing him close enough to finish the healing with a spell on the open cut. Good, that was better. He enlarged the portkey, turning it into a flying disk and flung it to the beast.

The minute it touched, Harry shouted the activation phrase, and the wyvern was gone.

Three judges popped away at the same time. Harry climbed up the hill and whistled for his mount. It came within a hundred meters, but wouldn't land.

"It's gone, you birdbrain. Look! Bad flying snake gone!"

Harry took out the last roast, cutting off several slices and lured the hippogriff closer with that.

He ran and jumped off the short ledge. Now Buckbeak was completely back into the game and flew under him, allowing him to mount. Harry quickly expanded the lance from the pocket, and looked around for a different target. There! Now that was a clearly animated target, a non-living target! Yeah! He swooped down like he had a million times, and got it, just barely off-center, but close enough that it would count.

He looked at his watch.

His heart fell.

He was five minutes over.

Well, there were some knights who took several times to make it, some never did.

Harry flew down. His friends were all cheering, but they didn't understand. It was hard, trying to keep smiling, but he did.

Sir Jerome stalked up to him and grasped him in a warriors embrace. "Well done, Sir Knight, well done!"

"But I messed up! I was over!"

"No! You don't understand! That wyvern wasn't supposed to be there! It must have smelled the food being prepared for the dinner. It was wounded and wandered in from that forest, the one they call forbidden! The judges noted the time, and watched. We were concerned you would kill it; I mean, it would be it out of its misery. You did that so fast! In an emergency situation, it would have been fast enough to save a lot of lives.

"The judges are deciding how to score this for the task, but in my eyes you won. You are amazing, young man."

The judge from Kenya came over and bowed to Sir Jerome.

"The results will have to be reviewed by the council. The judges here decree that Sir Harry has passed the trials with distinction as he was able to determine live from conjured targets, showed mercy, and not only determined where the healed animal should go, was able to transport it there on his own. We are recommending full honors. How they score this task in relationship to the tournament is separate. We go in Peace. Peace be with you, my friends."

And he bowed.

Harry fell to the ground. Success on his first attempt! It wasn't possible.

Fleur came over, and Sir Jerome hoisted him to his feet. She took advantage of his dazed state and kissed both cheeks. Cultural thing, celebration kisses but it made him uncomfortable. But then she leaned in for a kiss on his mouth, and he shied back. The girl just didn't accept no. Harry did not return the cheek kisses as would have been normal. And looked around for his friends.

Millicent scowled at the girl, but not at Harry. She had seen that he had pulled away and said no more.

He had done it! Harry had earned the wings he bore over his heart, and in his soul. There would be a celebration feast later back at the school with mentors and teachers. And Hermione.

Neville, Ron, Fred, and George all came over and thumped his back and shook his hand.

"Some flying, there, Harryikins." "That was amazing!" "Thought that Buckbeak was going to live up to his name and buck you into that monster's beak!"

They all laughed together at that, but there were other people to greet.

Harry never heard the crowd cheering at all, but took a moment with Sir Jerome, and lastly Sir Hector.

"Thank you. Thank you for everything."

"We best be getting back to the tents. You'll want a scrub and the healer will want to make sure you don't sprout tentacles or something from your unusual potions experiment.

Harry laughed, but Fred looked worried. "That's not a thing, is it. Wait, is it? That's actual an interesting idea…"

Later, it looked like Fleur was blushing on one side, but Harry wasn't sure. Harry really didn't pay attention

Millicent had somehow hurt her hand, so he was more intent on fixing that.

**OO**

"Harry! I'm so proud of you!" Hermione gushed on their private mirror. Harry was in his room getting ready for the small feast being prepared.

Harry was bathed and half dressed, finishing as he talked with his best friend.

"Harry! You are so strong! Wow!"

A few wiry hairs were trying to burst forth on his naturally scrawny chest. But he was strong, and developing rapidly.

Harry saw her touch tip the tongue to her lips.

'Note to self: no more dressing in front of Hermione.' Harry thought as he rapidly donned his white shirt.

"It wasn't just me today, Hermione. You inspired me to be my best self. You always do. You are taking this threat seriously, and staying at school, aren't you?"

"Yes, Harry. I'm locked up tight in the cloister when not in classes. Persephone is doing a great job as administrator. I wonder if she'll replace Professor McG. That new boy is really annoying! Picture him as a dark-haired Draco with mummy issues."

"Instead of daddy ones? Right. We've not seen Malfoy Sr. here yet. Probably too afraid of what I'll do to him, now that I'm old enough to challenge him."

"I thought that the Knight Commander forbade it? Harry, don't go getting the Order kicked out of Hogwarts! Or Britain!"

"That, my love, is all that is keeping my mouth under control. And of course, being worried about disappointing you."

"My love? Harry! You've never called me that before."

"Well, I've been rather surrounded by cranky sisters and strict knights. They wouldn't approve."

"I love you too, my good sir knight. Now, go to dinner. I can hear your tummy from here."

"Yes, my lady! Your wish is my command."

"Prat! I'll talk to you tomorrow. Love you." Hermione signed off, missing her knight.

Harry signed off, missing his princess.

**OO**

Luna called on the mirror. "Congratulations, Harry!"

"Thanks Luna, but I didn't think you were going to watch today?"

Watching movement on the mirror gave his friend motion sickness.

"I didn't. And no, before you ask, no one called me."

"I get it. I miss you, my friend. I'll have to get some pictures made out of a pensieve. That wyvern was beautiful, I've never seen one like it until now. You'll like it, I bet."

"Listen Harry. The opportunity is coming on wings of an owl. Get thee ready, good sir knight!"

Harry promised he'd be ready. He then asked Luna to make sure that Hermione's chocolate stores were good. He had purchased some local Honeydukes, but only had a few silver coins as he had spent his allowance in Paris on children's toys.

"Luna, the worse part of the poverty vows isn't having gold for my needs. Those are pretty simple. It's not having gold to buy chocolate for Hermione every day, getting you your favorite black licorice snaps, or being able to treat the little ones now and then. I don't think I realized how much gold I spent in a month before."

"Your time as a knight is limited, and then you'll find or make enough treasure to treat the orphans often, and let your lady bathe in chocolate if that is what you wish."

Harry's eyes crossed, and he stuck out his tongue at his friend. "I'm on a nice soothing potion, Luna! Don't try to put bad thoughts back into my head that I don't need!"

"Sorry! Truly!" Luna winked mischievously. "So, what do the twins have planned for Ambassador Umbridge next?"

They talked pranks and such before signing off. Luna had been trying to distract the boy that was a dear friend, and the nearest thing that she had to a brother.

Luna knew that Harry was worried about Hermione's safety, and promised that as long as she stayed in the wards, she'd be safe.

Luna did not see the upcoming danger to herself. It wasn't part of the seer's gift, but if she could have foreseen the danger, she would have been very, very afraid.

**OO**

Despite the fact that Harry faced the toughest challenge, more targets, all moving where the others had static targets, the two pureblood boys were tied for first, Harry was next, and Fleur had managed a handful of points.

Madame Maxine was gone the following morning. She was going to see the head of Sports and Games at the ICW and lodge a formal complaint, complete with witness memories and lots of pictures.

Cedric was actually embarrassed, and owled his father. If it wasn't for the fact that he was in a magical contract, the boy was tempted to just quit.

Victor had said that he too was embarrassed over the clearly biased scores. Harry had never been interested in his placement in the tournament.

Harry was fined for creating an illegal port-key to move the injured animal back to where it came from. It was not a local beastie. A fine that Monseigneur Brown paid as soon as it was levied stating that their application for port-key creation must have gotten lost. Again.

Harry was here because Luna said he needed to be to 'kill the dead'. And to the young knight, that would be to put the rest of Voldemort away for good.