hpml251-260

Chapter 251

"Sure. What's up, kid?" Shiva stretched, leaning back in her chair and cracking her neck.

Harry laid two drawings out on the table in front of her and pulled up a chair.

"I wanted to get your opinions on these two designs. This," he said pointing to the first one,

"is the Tracekey first draft. It obviously has major grounding issues which I haven't quite

managed to work around yet, but the thing I need a bit of help on is the targeting section

of the cluster."

Shiva leaned in and squinted down at the exploded view of the runic array Harry had been

working on since the World Cup incident. "This part's the problem right? Any reason why

you need it to link to both the origin and destination of the last portkey?"

"Well, I want it to be an 'either/or' thing not a 'both' thing," Harry said shrugging. "If it

targets either the origin or the destination then you can track the bad guys whether you

nab them while the crime is in progress or after they've made their getaway."

"Makes sense," she agreed nodding. After staring at it a few moments she crossed out one

of the runes he was using and switched it for a Transient rune. "This should probably get

that result, kid. Make sure you test that though because it might make some other aspects

unstable."

Harry studied her change and broke out into a huge smile. He hugged her and nodded

enthusiastically. "Thanks, Shiva! That does make the grounding section unstable, but it

should actually make it easier to start bleeding off the magical backlash from the ward

tunneler which is the main sticking point I've had. Thanks!"

"Always glad to be of use," she said smirking. "What's the other one?"

"Uh," Harry grimaced. "It's…the Lava Bomb. I know how to make it but…well just take a

look and tell me what you think."

Shiva's eyes narrowed at his evasion, but she turned to the diagram instead of pressing

him. About a minute later after mumbling to herself and making a few notes she sucked in

a sharp gasp.

"Yeah. That was my reaction as well," Harry muttered.

"This is a chimera rune! Harry, what the hell is a chimera rune in a channeling

configuration doing in this cluster?"

He shrugged. "I remembered the basic design of the main cluster from when I saw

Overlord Harry use it, but I couldn't remember the subarray formed in the middle where

the two halves met. I drew it up and realized the only thing that fit was a channeled

chimera rune. I…don't think anyone else but me could use this, Shiva. I think he designed it

specifically for himself."

She scowled. "Using another side effect of the ritual?"

"That's my guess," Harry nodded grimacing. "I don't know whether it's related to a slight

fire resistance or a breathing fire thing, but it's got to play into it somehow. I…just really

hope I don't end up accidentally breathing fire on someone…I'm actually hoping that this

rune would diminish any potential negative effect that we haven't seen yet."

"Goddess," Shiva leaned back and blew out a breath. She fixed Harry with a piercing stare.

"You're sure that this is a good idea?"

He nodded. "The implications are worrying, but the cluster is sound. It'll work. On me at

least."

"Still extremely unstable, kid."

"That's why it's in two halves," he pointed out. "I have to seriously kink my arms to get

them to meet up correctly to complete the cluster."

Shiva frowned and stared at the runes a bit longer before eventually nodding. "I'd be

happier asking you to wait until the summer for this one, but I know that's not exactly

practical. Especially if it's going to be something that might prevent any accidents before

they can happen. Harry, will you at least promise me to try not to use this one during the

Tournament? If people start seeing you using a lava generating rune so soon after your evil

twin did…All I'm saying, kid, is that we don't want to piss away all the good will we've

managed to swing our way."

"I'll be careful, Shiva. I'd just feel safer knowing I have a nuclear option if I need it." Harry

smiled reassuringly.

"Okay. Okay, kid, you have my permission for this one then. How did that Windrunner

thing work out by the way?" Shiva said passing him back the diagrams.

"Pretty good. Without activating them, Midnight can jump about 6 meters forwards and

with them I can get to almost 9 meters," Harry said giving her a thumbs up. "It feels a bit

weird since I'm basically being pushed for part of it instead of actually jumping, but it

works great."

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Chapter 252

"Well that's good," Shiva nodded. "How about that Ministry guy – the one with the

daughter? He didn't want you to come in and show off for the extra paperwork right?"

Harry shook his head. "Nope. His name was Donovan by the way. Hedwig just got back this

morning with the revised copies of the forms and certification that they're entered into the

Hall of Records as well as Gringotts. He…also sent a thank you note from his daughter,

Marie," Harry said blushing a running a hand through his hair. "It was actually really sweet.

When I open a physical location I may end up hiring her."

Shiva chuckled. "Careful, Harry. Last thing you need is another girl crushing on you!"

"Ugh," Harry groaned theatrically, "don't I know it!"

XXX

Harry fidgeted in place as he and the rest of the Champions waited for Bagman to finally

get around to explaining what their goal for this Task was going to be. He couldn't help

flinching at the constant buzzing sound coming from over their heads outside the tent.

"Mate, you gotta relax a bit," Fred said raising his eyebrows at his fellow student.

"I'll relax when I know what that sound is," Harry said shaking his head.

Fleur and Viktor nodded along also glancing uneasily at the ceiling above them. Fred just

shrugged. "No point worrying about it since we're going to be facing off against it in a

minute anyway."

Bagman chose that moment to walk into the tent with his characteristic bright smile firmly

in place. "Good morning, Champions! Exciting Task on the schedule for today!"

"Will zis one try to set the entire audience against me again?" Fleur asked scowling.

"Ah, no," Bagman said deflating slightly. "We did apologize for that. Unfortunate incident

there. Won't happen again. We've learned our lesson. This Task has been appropriately

toned down you should know. We were originally going to get some far more unusual

critters in. There was talk of a Lamassu at first…" Bagman said trailing off.

"You mean the vinged ox that lives to protect its chosen location? Didn't one of those

slaughter two dozen vizards in Iraq a few years ago?" Viktor asked narrowing his eyes.

"Yes, that's right," Bagman said smiling, glad that someone knew about the creature. He

obviously missed the death glares he was receiving. "With the complaints about the

previous two Tasks though we felt it better to tone this one down a bit." Four collective

sighs were heard at that. "All you have to do is solve the puzzle box floating in the air! Each

of you has your own box and you'll all be given your brooms to fly with once you step

outside. Inside the box is another key which will unlock your…unlock something over the

course of the next Task. I advise you not to get too distracted during this one though! If you

don't retrieve the key in time – a half hour time limit – the box will collapse and the key

will be destroyed.

"The distractions to keep you multitasking a bit include some varieties of flying magical

creatures. There are a few hippogriffs, several coatls, a roving swarm of Cornish pixies and

a thunderbird!" Bagman smiled widely still oblivious to the growing looks of worry on the

Champions' faces. "Well I think that's it. Good luck to everyone! Scores will be out of the

time it takes to complete the Task as well as the measures used to ensure your safety from

the flying critters. Have fun!"

As he strode out, Harry turned to give Fred a look. "So should I relax now, mate?"

"Well, at least you know what the buzzing is now!" Fred said attempting to crack a smile,

though it fell somewhat flat. "Merlin," he muttered, "swarms of pixies are bad enough but

they brought in a bloody thunderbird?"

Viktor sighed. "If I get done quickly enough I vill try to keep it distracted. I encountered

one during a game in the United States last year. Their shocks are quite strong, but they are

slow to fire their bolts and rarely leave vhatever perch they are using."

"Zank you, Viktor. Zat is most generous of you," Fleur murmured.

The Durmstrang student shrugged. "Might as vell make use of my Quidditch skill."

The gong rang before anyone could respond properly to that and the Champions trooped

out onto the field. In front of them were four brooms lined up side by side with four

identical small boxes about 30cm to a side floating in the air nearly 100 meters up. Harry

spied a beautiful, majestic yellow bird sitting on the edge of one of the boxes in the center.

Its plumage seemed to crackle with static electricity and it gazed lazily around the arena.

There were a half-dozen hippogriffs flying around the boxes clacking their beaks at

anything that came too close. One or two managed to grab a Cornish pixie that left the

swarm. The swarm of pixies mostly moved as one, weaving between the different boxes

and blacking out the sky to a significant degree as they changed locations. Those had been

the source of the buzzing that had so unnerved him earlier. Finally, Harry counted over a

dozen flying, multicolored snakes all seemingly clustered around the box to the left of the

thunderbird. Those had to be the coatls. They were strangely captivating with their

shimmering rainbow of colors.

Harry considered the situation for only a moment before moving to take the spot next to

Viktor. "I'll take the serpents," he said quietly as the older man nodded staring at the large

yellow bird above.

Fleur took up the spot on the other side of Viktor and narrowed her eyes at the swarm

coalescing into rude shapes in the air above her box. "We will see how many shapes you

take after I send some passionfyre your way little monsters," Harry heard her growl.

The gong rang again and Viktor and Fleur took off while Harry and Fred summoned their

items from the crowd. Harry strapped on his harness ensuring it was extra snug and the

additional Superman frame had been put into the correct positioning before summoning

the broom to his hand. The Superman wouldn't let him actually fly, but it would be a nice

emergency save if he had to abandon the broom. It was a runic array combining

Feather-Light charms, cushioning charms and a wind generating charm which should

hopefully let him drift gently to the ground. It was something he had worked on at

Hermione's insistence to provide some protection during a Quidditch match. Her insistence

about having no interest in acting as a Lois Lane to his Clark Kent had been both strenuous

and curiously specific…

Fred beside him gave a thumbs up and hopped on his broom heading into the air with a

potion in hand. Harry did a few quick maneuvers on the broom to get the feel of the thing

and how it differed from the Firebolt Sirius had gotten him. This broom wasn't necessarily

awful, but it definitely didn't seem to have anything close to the maneuverability,

acceleration or top speed that he was used to. Frowning slightly Harry turned towards the

coatls and hoped his half thought out idea would work.

Harry reached his box as he heard a shout from Fred's direction echo out. "All eligible

hippogriffs look alive! Lusty Liquid for Lucky Lad coming up!" A shattering sound rang

through the air and Harry's eyes widened as he saw one particular pixie that had ventured

into the area near Fred get coated with a pinkish substance. Every hippogriff in the vicinity

turned their heads and sighted onto the pixie which chattered and immediately began to

fly evasive patterns as quickly as its wings would allow. The hippogriffs began following it

around leaving Fred clear to approach his puzzle box.

To Harry's far right, Fleur was tangling with a great many more pixies. The entire swarm

alternately closed on her and flew away shrieking in fear as she lobbed more fireballs into

their midst. She was working on the puzzle box in the lulls while the creatures tried to

regroup after they were scattered. Her angry scowl clearly indicated what she thought of

the beasts' attempts.

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Chapter 253

Harry drifted close enough to the coatls that he could hear their hissing. He stopped held

up his hands to show he was unarmed – as far as the creatures knew at least – and started

to hiss in parseltongue. ~Peace, magnificent sky serpents. I only wish to get at the box

behind you.~

One coatl fluttered to the front of the group and regarded Harry critically. ~We are not

supposed to let you at it. We are supposed to try to injure or kill you. We did not know you

would be a Speaker…The last speaker passed many generations ago…~

~I don't want to fight you,~ Harry said gently but with steel still present in his tone. ~I will

if I have to, but I don't want to.~

~Speakers are precious and few.~ The coatl continued to regard Harry for several more

moments before it turned to its fellows and hissed too quickly for Harry to follow.

Eventually, all the snakes' heads nodded in agreement and they beat their wings as one.

The lead coatl turned back to Harry. ~We will not harm you Speaker. You have free access.

Be warned. We have no wish to serve and we will not obey any order you give. Should

another human approach we will attack them. Free access is yours and yours alone.~

Harry nodded restraining his grin. ~My thanks to you and yours.~ The coatls flew aside

opening up a corridor for him to access the puzzle box. As Harry pulled out his wand to

start moving the shapes and etchings, he couldn't help the little chuckle that escaped.

Diplomacy actually managed to work for once!

Viktor had completed 5 out of the six sides on the puzzle box with almost no difficulty

even if he had moved slowly. As long as he didn't startle it, the thunderbird had barely

even spared him a glance. It idly tossed a lightning bolt at one of the hippogriffs that got

tired with chasing the perfumed pixie around, but even that display had appeared to

simply be one of boredom and apathy.

Now though…now Viktor was afraid. The creature was perched right on top of the last

segment he needed to shift. He'd have to disturb it in order to finish. Flying right next to

the bird left very little room for dodging. He'd have to exercise every reflex he'd honed in

the next minute in order to get out of this with minimal injuries. Taking a deep breath,

Viktor started to slowly shift the remaining panel into the open position.

He had solved almost the entire segment before the thunderbird ruffled its feathers and

turned to stare at him. Viktor froze and the bird extended its wingspan wide letting out a

piercing caw. Viktor looked down at the last part. One more shift and he could have it

done.

Well you didn't win a game without taking a risk. Narrowing his eyes at the magical bird,

Viktor snapped the last puzzle box segment into position. The side panel flipped up as the

electricity running between the feathers of the bird snapped into a coherent pattern and

flew towards him. Viktor ducked, grabbed the revealed key and flew up. The thunderbird

shrieked its annoyance and immediately took wing to follow him. He eyed the tent below

but took a quick stock of the other three Champions instead of heading for safety.

Rolling to avoid a second lightning bolt, he saw Fleur and Fred nearly complete with their

puzzles, Harry only a few moments behind. He dropped into a switch-back loop and

smirked as the thunderbird overshot him and circled to glare at him before trying to hit

him again. This Task was actually…almost fun.

That was, of course, was when a pained scream rang out below him.

Fleur snarled and felt feathery down sprout from both arms. One hand tightly gripped her

wand and kept manipulating the box in front of her while the other tossed a new fireball

into the maddening swarm. The frustrating menaces simply refused to learn!

She'd initially tried avoiding killing the creatures and aimed to simply frighten them. They

had grown bolder and moved to start biting her while she was working on the puzzle. She

had ramped up her attacks casting freezing charms and stunners in between throwing her

fireballs. They had responded by trying to claw and bite her eyes.

Fleur had stopped being nice then. Tiny burnt bodies tumbled out of the air around her

and still the swarm came back for more. She cast several larger area spells before deciding

to instead hurry along with her box and maintain a fireball in her left hand occasionally

tossing it into the swarm when they tried to mass. The deterrent strategy mostly ended up

working and she received very few additional scratches or bites.

Finally, Fleur finished the last segment and the puzzle box popped open. Fleur had just

grabbed her key as a pained scream sounded from behind.

Fred worked on his puzzle box in relative freedom. The pheromone potion had worked a

lot better than he had ever expected. For a stock of something they were planning to

destroy, it was a decent final usage indeed. It was based off a love potion that George and

he – at the urgings of Alicia and Angelina – decided not to carry in stock. A quick scouting

run to snag a feather as he got to the group of animals let him key the pheromones to

hippogriffs and a careful toss hit an errant pixie.

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Chapter 254

The little creature had panicked and started to fly around in every which way. Fred couldn't

have planned it better if he'd tried. Unfortunately he was a little slow with solving the

actual puzzle configuration. He had never been the type to enjoy these little games as a kid

and he didn't have the visualization ability to see how they all fit.

Thankfully, without distractions around it went a bit faster than it could have otherwise.

After a few minutes Fred had moved onto the very last section. He just managed to finish it

up and grab the key when a frenzied chattering sounded just behind him.

Fred whipped around and his eyes widened as the pixie he had tagged came barreling

towards him with six annoyed hippogriffs trailing behind. The creature was too close and

there wasn't time to dodge or twist away. All Fred could do was throw his hands up to try

and protect his face from the manic flying devil.

The pixie slammed into his forehead at high speed and knocked Fred off balance. He tried

to lock his thighs around the broom but he'd gotten too used to his normal broom's

handling and response speeds. His knees missed their grab as the broom bucked too slowly

to be trapped between his legs and it tipped up with his weight thrown back. Fred

desperately reached forward to latch onto his broom but a hippogriff slammed into him

just before he could get a handhold.

The broom bucked from the impact of the mass of the impact and Fred flew off it. The

pixie latched onto his hair and rode him down through the sky while the hippogriffs

twisted to follow his descent to the ground.

Fred tried to twist and cast a cushioning charm but drew in a sharp breath as he saw his

wand above him falling just out of reach.

He couldn't help it. Fred screamed.

Harry got more and more annoyed as he worked on his puzzle box. The thing shouldn't be

this complicated! The problem was the etching and designs made it look too much like

runes. Every time he shifted a segment he tried to make it match up to the appropriate

rune or cluster that it would be only to realize just before he started to move the piece that

it wasn't supposed to be a rune. It was just more decorative etchings with only the barest

hint of a pattern to help with placement.

He wished he could just disillusion the stupid box and do it by touch instead of looking at it.

He'd risked a quick glance at the others once he hit his final segment – finally – only to see

Viktor already done, Fleur starting to grin in triumph and Fred just about to reach into his

box.

Harry's eyes widened as he saw the hippogriffs barreling towards Fred full tilt and his

friend none the wiser. Harry was about to call out a warning as Fred twisted then cried out

in surprise and rocked back on his broom. Harry sucked in a breath and started to angle

towards Fred. He shot through the coatls as the lead hippogriff hit the red-head. Harry

watched Fred get thrown off the broom and start to plummet letting out a scream of pain

and fear.

The broom Harry was on was too slow; he could barely outpace the hippogriff let alone

catch Fred before he hit the ground. The large animals were also positioned such that he

could get a clear enough shot to hit his friend with a charm. He'd try to leap to him if he

could but the same distance problem was present preventing that from working as well.

The Superman wouldn't work to support someone Fred's size as a passenger anyway.

Grimacing, Harry saw a single option to save the twin from an impact with the rapidly

approaching ground. Angling correctly and pushing off, Harry changed to Midnight in

midair and used the Windrunner against the broom for a quick push. It wasn't substantial

but it was enough. He fell below the closest hippogriff and focused on the shadow that the

line of creatures cast onto the back of the one directly above Fred.

Midnight wrapped his magic around him and fell into the shadow below him. He flew out

the other side onto the top of the hippogriff above Fred. They were barely 10 meters

above the ground now. Without taking time to do anything beyond angle himself correctly,

Harry leapt off the hippogriff, again powering his jump with a burst from the Windrunner.

He caught Fred's wand in his jaws and wrapped a paw around the boy's waist with the

ground directly below them. Midnight desperately extended his magic to wrap around

Fred while his eyes searched for a spot just in front of the medical tent. He focused on a

shadowed area just as he and Fred fell into their own shadow on the ground.

Pain and cold beyond almost anything he had ever before experienced gripped Midnight as

he flew through the world of darkness between shadows with Fred pulled tight against

him. The cold and ice seemed to seep into his very soul and the gentle breeze that he had

started to get used to became a raging hurricane buffeting him from all sides. The pain

surging through his body approached similar levels as what he had felt latching onto

Quirrellmort in his first year. It was all Midnight could do to remain conscious and keep his

magic continually wrapped around Fred – protecting the other boy from the maelstrom

surrounding them.

As suddenly as the torment began…it ended. Midnight and Fred burst from the shadow in

front of the medical tent and landed on the ground. Midnight yowled in pain and agony

and curled into a ball as he let Fred slip out from under him and the wand slid out from

between his teeth.

Fred groaned and rolled into a sitting position running his arms. "Wow. That was bloody

cold. Thanks, Harry. I seriously owe you one, mate."

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Chapter 255

Midnight could only yowl plaintively and curl around himself tighter. Dimly he heard

shouts and cries for help as he shut his eyes and slipped into unconsciousness.

The rustle of a page turning nearby was quiet though it might as well have been the roar of

a passing lorry. Harry groaned as he latched onto that sound and clawed his way back to

consciousness. His body still ached and he could still feel some of the numbing cold deep in

his bones, but it wasn't all-consuming as it had been when he'd passed out. It wasn't even

really that bad at all compared with how he'd felt after some of the training sessions with

Tonks and Flitwick. Harry's eyes fluttered open and he twisted to try to find his glasses on

their usual table before they were slipped onto his face by themselves.

Blinking the world into focus Harry saw Shiva lean back into a sitting position on the chair

next to his bed with a small smirk on her face. She put the parchment she had been going

over to the side and shook her head at him. "One day, kid, we're going to see about getting

you some contacts or something – or maybe that new Muggle surgery to fix those eyes."

Harry answered her smirk with a small grin of his own. "Eh, I like the glasses. They stop

mind attacks and basilisks. They can stay for the moment." His joviality faded and he

sighed. "So how bad was it? How long was I out?"

"Almost two days, kid. I finally convinced Dora and Hermione to get some sleep a few

hours ago," she shrugged. "Both of them only left you to take a shower before that. Most

of the others have been in and out too. Daphne and Luna both stayed almost as long as

your girlfriends and only left after the combined efforts of Tracey and Neville convinced

them it would be better for you to not have multiple people hanging overhead when you

woke up. I saw Fleur once at the beginning but she didn't stay long. I think she might be

blaming herself a bit even though it's stupid. You'll have to talk to her at some point soon

and beat some sense into that bird-brain head of hers.

"Krum was also annoyed with himself actually. The guy was busy dodging a darn

thunderbird to keep it busy and he still thinks he didn't do enough to help," Shiva said

frowning and shaking her head. "Oh and Fred and George both say they are naming their

firstborns after you. I think they want a boy and a girl between them so they can have a

Harry and Harriet. Please, whatever the hell you do, kid, disabuse them of the notion that

that is a remotely good idea!" Shiva looked rather torn between scowling and giggling. She

calmed down after a few moments and reached out to squeeze his shoulder. "How are you,

Harry?"

"A little sore and a little cold, but it's not that bad," Harry said shrugging. "What happened

exactly?"

She turned away to stare out the window for before replying, "You almost died, kid.

Pomfrey said that your magical core was bordering on empty when she got to you and that

your body was still trying to use your last reserves to fight off the effects of exposure

to…whatever that place you hop through is. We think that when you extended your magic

to shield Fred, his own magic fought back and created a reinforcing feedback loop or

something that completely drained you and left your own body exposed while in transit."

"That…sounds about right. I think," Harry commented thinking back. "It felt something like

that at least. So I guess I can't take anyone else through shadow travel huh?"

Shiva shook her head still staring out the window. "Please don't. Luna talked with her

father and both are convinced that this is why shadow panthers are mostly extinct now. It

might be easier for you if you try to take someone whose magic accepts yours and doesn't

fight back, but even then it'd be a big drain. So please don't try that again, kid."

"Fred would've died, Shiva," he said softly.

"I know. And that's why I'm not saying what you did was wrong, Harry. I'm just asking you

not to experiment by trying to take Dora or Hermione through the shadows."

"Okay. Excepting emergencies, I can promise that." Harry nodded and Shiva let out a

breath she had been holding.

"Thanks."

"So…I didn't get the key did I?" Harry said sighing heavily.

This time she wasn't able to hold back her scowl. "No, you didn't. The bloody box was

fucking open too which should've counted, but you flew after Fred before physically

touching the damned key. You passed out and the time limit expired before anyone

noticed. The Goddess-be-damned box shrunk and destroyed it and the judges are refusing

to make you another one saying you didn't technically complete the Task." She started

muttering under breath and Harry caught a few choice words he'd have to try and

remember later for truly curse-worthy situations. "Dumbledore and Umbridge argued that

because you didn't touch the key, you didn't complete the event satisfactorily. Karkaroff

abstained from judgment, Maxime argued for and Bagman hemmed and hawed long

enough that his opinion didn't end up counting before the official determination period

lapsed. Majority won." She turned back to him and peered calculatingly at him. "You want

the score distribution, kid?"

Harry shrugged. "Sure. Why not? Krum was first I'm betting right?"

She nodded. "Yeah. He got 46 points. They took a few off because he didn't immediately

leave after completing the Task. Fleur was after that with 40 points. They didn't like that

she got so many tiny scratches and bites – completely ignoring that against an agitated

swarm of Cornish pixies most are lucky to keep their eyes and their life. There's something

to be said about mass numbers of agile, fast and tiny targets." Shiva snorted in annoyance

but kept going. "Fred actually wasn't docked too much for losing focus at the very end. He

got 35 points. You…well considering you didn't technically complete it, you did pretty well.

25 total. The Umbitch gave you 0 of course but Karkaroff and Maxime were actually

somewhat fair with their assessments. The sum totals so far have Fleur in the lead with

121, Krum right behind her with 120, Fred and you following with 112 and 107

respectively."

"Well, that's not too bad I guess," Harry said nodding. His face fell into a pained grimace

after a moment though. "I'm a lot more worried that I'm not going to be able to unlock

whatever or whoever is under the Lake during the next Task…Shiva what if…"

"Don't even start thinking like that, Harry," Shiva said forcefully. "Your Lockpick tattoo

bypasses nearly every type of lock as long as it has some time to work. And even if that

doesn't do shite you can just destroy whatever bindings are holding your girl down there.

I'd like to see a chain that can stand up to a concentrated burst of one of your more

destructive items, kid."

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Chapter 256

Harry nodded. He knew it wouldn't be that easy, but he wasn't going to say that out loud.

Tempting fate was not a good idea and drawing the dice-rolling deity's attention by

agreeing that he could actually have a decent go at something was certainly playing with

fire. Playing with Fiendfyre.

"What were you working on, Shiva?" Harry asked trying to change the subject.

She held out her parchments for him to see and his eyes widened. With his mouth hanging

open, Harry looked up at her, eyes wide. "You finished it?!"

"I did," she smiled. "What were you going to call this one again? The Dementor Anchor

right?" He nodded enthusiastically and beamed at her. "Now, I had to modify a few things

to make it do what you wanted, kid, but the cluster shouldn't have any issues and should

still play nicely with your other tattoos."

"Modified it how?" Harry asked.

Shiva pointed out a few sections including the Soul rune in the center. "Well first and

foremost this isn't a defense against an AK. I still have no idea what your mother did to

make that work, but it wasn't this. The AK literally severs a soul's connection to the body;

Dementors on the other hand partially merge with them through the mouth and then

absorb the remainder through that tether. They're completely different principles. This

section here prevents that initial partial merge so anyone with this design on themselves

will be effectively immune to a Dementor Kiss since the process can't be completed if it

can't be started."

Harry nodded along and examined the cluster closer. "And it looks like it will still let the

soul pass on normally when the person dies. That's good."

"Yeah," Shiva snorted. "Possessing your own rotting corpse for eternity would not exactly

be my version of a fun life after death."

"No kidding." Harry's eyes took on a manic gleam and he grinned wide. "Everyone is

getting this tattoo."

Shiva raised her eyebrows. "Oh? And by 'everyone' you mean…"

"You, me, Nym, Mione, Nev, Susan, Hannah, Luna, Daph, Tracey, Fleur, Amelia, Sirius,

Remus, the twins, we can ask Viktor, McGonagall and Flitwick if they want it, Bill, probably

Ginny, Charlie if he's interested, Andi and Ted, Richard and Emma, any Auror who wants

one unless Nym or Amelia say no – "

"Okay, okay I get it!" Shiva started laughing and held up her hands in surrender. "When

you said 'everyone' you meant everyone! Jeez, Harry, you never think small!"

"Harry!" A loud voice screamed from the hospital wing's doors. Harry had just managed to

turn to the doors when he was pinned to the bed by a brown haired missile. "You're awake!

We were so worried! Are you alright?! Harry!" Hermione kept up a barrage until she

descended into relieved sobs into his chest as she clung to him.

"Wotcher, Harry. Good to see you conscious," Tonks said smiling at him and claiming a

chair next to the bed. "We couldn't really sleep so we came back down."

"Sorry to worry you guys," Harry said. He patted Hermione's head with one hand while

rubbing her back with the other. "I was just telling Shiva I'm fine."

"Good. You know it took almost a day before we could get you to revert to human," Tonks

frowned at the memory and glared at him. "That was bloody weird watching a panther

lying on a hospital bed, Wonder Boy." Hermione gripped him a little tighter and nodded

against his chest. Her sobs started to slow as he kept rubbing her back.

"I can imagine," Harry said grimacing a bit. "In my defense I didn't think I'd be that laid out.

Good learning experience though! Something to never ever do!"

"Not funny!" Hermione growled pulling back to glare at him. "Seriously, Harry, are you

alright?" she asked wiping her eyes.

"I am, Mione. I've had worse."

Shiva snorted and stood squeezing Harry's shoulder one more time before walking around

the bed. "I'll let Pomfrey know you're up, kid. See you three later."

"Fleur!" Harry called as he spied his retreating target walking around the grounds. Fleur's

eyes widened and she started to pick up her pace trying to look like she wasn't running. It

didn't work. Harry winced and grabbed her hand to twist her around as he caught up. "Will

you please stop running away from me, Fleur!"

"Zat is not what I was doing," she said glaring. Harry glared right back and crossed his arms

over his chest. Fleur scowled and looked down. "Fine. So maybe I was retreating for ze

moment. Zree Tasks, Harry and zree times you have nearly died. Zis time I was actually

right zere! And still I did nozing! I do not deserve to – "

"Don't you dare finish that sentence, Fleur," Harry growled. "No one could do anything the

First Task. You didn't even know what was going on with me in the Second and this time, it

was Fred that was in trouble and I just happened to be the closest one and looking in the

right direction to do something. Don't be like me and blame yourself for something stupid

that you can't control!"

Fleur opened her mouth to reply, but she snapped it shut before she could utter a word.

Frowning, she slowly crossed her arms and stared at him. "You have already saved my life

twice, 'arry. I seem to be letting you down."

"It's not your fault I have a really bad case of a saving-people-thing, Fleur. This was entirely

my own fault."

Fleur just sighed and nodded dejectedly. "Still, I am sorry you were hurt, 'arry."

"Don't worry about it," Harry said smiling. "So no more avoiding me right?" She chuckled

lightly and nodded. "Excellent. Now come on, it's dinner time and I need to talk with

everyone after the meal."

Daphne shivered as she felt Harry's wand lightly touch her bare right shoulder blade. "You

just couldn't wait to get my shirt off eh, Harry?"

"Well Tonks did say she wanted to do some research on other forms…" Harry teased back.

In the corner nearby Tonks doubled over laughed at his comment while Daphne joined in

shaking her head.

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Chapter 257

"You are getting better at those," Daphne said smirking. She shook her head lightly as she

grew more serious. "It's rather odd being on the other side of this you know."

"Tell me about it," Shiva agreed scratching at her Dementor Anchor a few inches above her

heart. "You know, Harry, I didn't quite believe you earlier in the year when you said they

feel like they itch."

"You get used to it. I think it's your magic adjusting to the modified flow in the area that

creates the sensation," Harry said while he eyed the location Daphne had chosen and

compared it again to his diagram. "Now all of you hush. I need to concentrate."

Luna was lying down on the couch in the Room with her head on Tracey's lap and Coco

held up above her. The little snorkack kept making extremely contented sounds as Luna

repeatedly moved him up and down giggling at the expressions on the critter. Tracey

looked at Hermione seated in the couch across the small table reading. "Hey, Hermione,"

she said softly so as not to disturb Harry who had started to apply Daphne's tattoo, "why

was Harry so insistent that we get this done immediately?"

"Hmm?" the brunette murmured. She looked up and blinked before realizing that Tracey

had spoken. "Oh, right. He's paranoid. Mostly I think he's just terrified of summoning the

Sword of Gryffindor around anyone not protected. He did me and Tonks last night."

"Oh he did you two? At the same time? Or did you take turns? Tell me, does he live up to

the legend?" Tracey's grin grew wider and wider as she continued her relentless teasing of

Hermione's unfortunate turn of phrase. "Tonks calls him Wonder Boy and I can't help but

be curious as to whether that's due to his equipment? Does the parseltongue come in

handy for you two?"

Hermione was gaping like a fish with her face redder than any of the Weasleys' hair. After

nearly a minute Hermione groaned and leaned back. "I can't believe I set you up for that so

perfectly…I'm not going to answer those taunts. Not yet at least. Maybe when I can fire

back without blushing." Hermione paused and grinned evilly. "Though I can say this; my

Dementor Anchor is on my upper inner thigh. Tonks has hers matching on her opposite

thigh. And the positions required for that placement involved quite a bit of flexibility on

our parts."

Tracey laughed and gave the older girl a thumbs up. "Kinky. I approve! I'm just getting mine

on my back I think. Should be covered by pretty much anything I wear that way. How

about you Luna?"

Luna tossed Coco up again and smiled as her pet came back down with a wide grin of her

own. "Well I considered going for the left forearm to show off where my allegiance lies.

Just like with Riddle's people!" Those close enough to hear could only stare at the little

blonde. Tracey had opened her mouth to start to say something but Luna continued,

blithely ignoring the incredulous expressions around her. "I do like the intimacy of the

upper thigh though. I think I might switch mine to the outer thigh instead however. I can

match with Susan if I do that!"

Tracey looked imploringly to Hermione who just sighed and leaned back in her chair and

pulled her book back out. Giving up on any assistance, Tracey turned back to Luna. "I think

that's probably a good idea, Luna." The girl beamed and Tracey breathed a small sigh at

the potential crisis averted.

Voldemort hissed in frustration. Potter had a magical animagus. Voldemort had never

cared to take the time to learn that art. It required far too much time invested for

relatively low gains. Yet Potter had managed to break the rules of magic yet again and

become something actually useful!

He scowled. He really had no reason to be annoyed with the boy. This merely served to

reinforce that Voldemort had made the right choice all those years ago when he went for

the fellow half-blood. Purebloods were so foolish and ignorant and set in their ways. They

were infinitely easier to manipulate and direct than those with Muggle experiences. Which

was ironic since, while it made backing the Pureblood cause easier, it also made running

things afterwards far more complicated. He may have to engineer a breeding program of

some sort to reintroduce new genes into the inbred fools after he was in power.

None of that was important at the current juncture though. No, what mattered now was

that Potter was making more work for him. There weren't true animagus wards that he

could use for when the boy was brought before him. If he couldn't keep the boy from

changing form than he would have to keep the shadows in the vicinity to a minimum: none

large enough for the panther to slip through would be allowed. It was easy enough…just

time consuming and annoying. He'd have to direct Wormtail through the entire thing step

by step.

Was it really so much to ask to have two competent servants instead of one?

Oh what he wouldn't give to have Bella back by his side. Ah…Bella…now, there was an

idea…he'd planned to wait a bit first…to gather his forces before striking at the prison. But

he needed at least one dogmatically loyal follower and it was looking increasingly likely

that he'd lose Barty before the term was out. Oh Barty had never outright said he was

under suspicion, but his lack of information in some reports was just as telling.

It took very little insight to understand that the shifter Auror was likely poking her head

into things. That the woman was still alive testified more to her intelligence than Barty's

failures. She must be keeping regular updates on her suspicions to multiple others. Barty

wouldn't risk his cover to tie off the loose end until at least after the Cup's portkey had

been redirected and layered. At least he was playing the part admirably in the meantime.

Voldemort sighed. He did hope that Barty survived the eventual confrontation. Good help

was just so hard to find.

Dumbledore looked over the Treaty of Athens one more time. How the war had ever

managed to start to begin with was mind boggling. When one race lived primarily in

oceans and lakes and one largely lived in mountain valleys a person could be forgiven

thinking that they would never encounter each other. One wrong word between two

guests of Atlantis though and suddenly a simple insult and physical altercation turned into

an interspecies war lasting centuries!

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Chapter 258

It was a sad state of affairs that the parties were still so at odds, yet…it suited his purposes.

Dumbledore sighed and reached for a lemon drop. Sucking the candy he nodded. "Yes.

Distasteful as it is, sacrifices must be made for the Greater Good. The older sister is far too

obviously a target. The Merpeople will not approach her until time has expired and they

are justified. The younger one though…they will never suffer two Veela in their territory at

the same time. And without his key, Harry is sure to still be there trying to free his hostage

until Fleur fails to arrive.

"They will go for the sister," Dumbledore scowled and took another lemon drop. "And

Harry will try to save her. With a little luck he may even manage it…I certainly hope he

does…More than likely both will perish though…"

Fawkes crooned sadly. Dumbledore sighed and stood to look at his familiar. "I know it is

sad, old friend. I simply cannot allow a third Dark Lord of my own creation to arise. It is

better this way. The Prophecy will still be fulfilled. And…even if Harry Potter is not the one,

then certainly Neville Longbottom has grown strong enough to pose a threat to Lord

Voldemort…Yes…if for some reason, Barty entering his name doesn't count as Voldemort's

hand…Fawkes?"

The phoenix shook his head and let out another sad trill. He leaned forward and gave an

affectionate beak tap to Dumbledore's forehead before taking flight. As Fawkes reached

the center of the room, he disappeared in a ball of flame.

"Hmm," Dumbledore mused rubbing his beard. "Fawkes has not left in a huff in quite a few

decades. Oh well, he'll be back soon enough. He always is." Dumbledore shrugged and

shifted back to his table. "I suppose it's always possible that Harry has grown callous

enough to completely ignore the girl…Well if he does that, then his reputation will be in

ruins and his powerful help will take several large steps back. No matter the boy's choice,

this is certainly the best way."

"Now to figure out just how to convince the girl to help."

XXX

"Back from trying to convince the world that you're richer than the goblins?" Narcissa

asked with a derisive snort as Lucius Malfoy walked into the sitting room. He scowled at

her comment and poured himself a drink.

"The Scandinavian representatives were easily dissuaded from causing problems. I didn't

even have to use a tenth of the bribes typical with Fudge. It was almost laughable. The

French though," Lucius' scowl deepened, "those cheese eater barbarians wouldn't know a

smart deal if it slapped them in their face. We're just lucky their Champion wasn't the one

injured. I may not have been able to save Fudge had that happened."

Narcissa laughed. "That idiot will destroy this country. He's already doing a bang up job at

it."

"That 'idiot' is the best, cheapest, most malleable and highest placed asset this family has

ever seen!" he retorted.

She snorted derisively showing just what she thought of that assertion. "And he will drag

us all into the dirt with his blind insistence on protecting that…woman. This foolish

Tournament doesn't even approach being subtle," Narcissa said glaring at Lucius.

"Damaging the reputation of Harry Potter is one thing, a simple matter really, but actively

attempting to end an ancient line is completely different. The Wizengamot will turn on him

and you will be caught in the crossfire."

Lucius gestured dismissively at that. "Neither the Wizengamot nor the public will do such a

thing. I may have lost Skeeter, the stupid careless woman…but I still control the Prophet.

They will never print anything that disparages Fudge too much. Besides…since when have

you cared about ending lines?"

Narcissa shook her head at both his arrogance and his ignorance. "I have always cared

about ending lines, dear," Narcissa snapped scowling, the venom practically dripping from

her tone. "Being a pureblood used to mean something in this country. We used to maintain

the family grimoires, uphold ancient traditions both personal and national, and we could

trace our ancestors back to the original settlers. Now all that 'Pureblood' means is

destruction and corruption. It is not enough that you poison my son with your hatred and

vitriol, but now you again poison the country."

Lucius' hand clenched around his glass as he sneered at Narcissa's arrogance. How dare she

insinuate having any right over his child. "Draco has never been your son. He is my Heir!"

Lucius growled. "I will continue to raise him in the proper beliefs, in the way I see fit and

you will continue to remain quiet if you wish to maintain your lifestyle. You believe the

same things I do surely? I fail to see why we keep having this argument."

Narcissa tossed her hands in the air. Had he been listening at all to anything she had just

said? "We keep having this conversation because your tiny brain fails to see the difference

between tradition and bigotry. I seek to honor the precepts upon which our society was

constructed, that is all. A society which will stagnate and die without new blood now and

then. You would understand that if you had ever bothered to study history."

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Chapter 259

Lucius glared at his wife for several moments. Slowly he put his cup down and said, "You

would do well to be careful what you say, woman. The Dark Mark grows stronger by the

day. It is only a matter of time before our old Master returns."

"He was never my master. I may have played the dutiful wife in public, but that madman

would see everything I have ever believed in run into the ground if the whim hit him. All he

ever cared for was power and you idiots follow him without a second thought as to how

you're all just his tools," she said narrowing her eyes at him. "You are quickly falling into

old patterns, Lucius, and the only thing that kept me silent all these years for has been torn

away from me thanks to you."

Lucius stood and laughed derisively. "Watch yourself, Narcissa. It is foolish to agitate me.

When the Dark Lord returns…I may not be able to protect you."

She laughed, as much to hide the shiver of dread that ran up her spine, as to spite him.

"Oh? And you would give me to his court to entertain them with Draco watching then

would you?"

"It would do him well to remember what happens to those who denounce the Master."

Lucius swept from the room his cloak billowing behind.

Narcissa was left alone staring into the fire and contemplating whether this frustrating

tightrope was worth walking anymore. Draco was all but lost to her – Lucius had seen to

that quite thoroughly. The boy may still care for her but he did not listen to her or believe

anything she said. And if the Dark Lord was truly about to return then yet more of the old

families and knowledge would be lost in the fires of war. A war that was looking to be far

more evenly matched than the first. She hadn't had any choice in sides the first time when

Orion had signed off on this marriage. Yet compared to back then...there was a new Lord

Black now. Perhaps one who just might be willing to help her if she took the first step?

Harry stared out at the Black Lake from his spot underneath his favorite tree. The giant

squid had taken to tossing several rocks into the air in a passable imitation of juggling. A

display which would have been far more entertaining and humorous had his mind not

been consumed with worry about the Fourth Task tomorrow.

They had done everything they could to prepare. He had purchased flippers, practiced the

aguamenti maxima charm, crafted an extra Breathkeeper, studied the map Myrtle

provided, gotten the alohomora to work silently, tested unlocking items with his Lockpick

tattoo, continually reapplied tracking charms to Hermione, Tonks and Shiva every two

hours…Harry sighed heavily.

He heard soft footsteps approaching and caught a faint trace of the rosemary perfume that

Daphne liked to wear. He'd noticed a bit better sense of smell since gaining control of

Midnight and it helped to pick up on some people. "Worried?" the Slytherin girl asked,

sitting down beside him and joining him in watching the giant squid.

Harry nodded glumly. "At least in the first three it was just me in danger. This one

though…if I screw up then one of them could die…"

Daphne snorted and shook her head. "While that may be technically true, we both know

it's not going to happen, Harry. You are far too stubborn to let one of the people you care

about drown like that. Your luck may be awful, but as Neville loves to say, it's the 'worst

good luck ever'. Something bad will almost certainly happen, but you will pull through the

other side just as your hostage will."

"I hope so," he murmured.

Daphne turned to him in exasperation and glared. She reached out and lifted his chin in

one hand to force him to stare into her eyes. "Harry Potter, stop moping and being

despondent over something that hasn't even happened yet. You are a Gryffindor. You

idiots charge forward like fools and one way or another things work out. This conduct is

very unbecoming of a Slytherin Slayer."

Harry's mouth quirked up into a small smile. "I never liked that title you know?"

She shrugged philosophically. "Not my problem. We both earned it and you need to

continue to live up to it. You're ready for tomorrow." She let his chin go and looked back at

the giant squid. "Besides, you'll be in there with three other friends. Stop worrying, Harry.

The more you freak yourself out, the worse it's going to be. Use your Occlumency and

damp it down if you have to."

"You're right," he said nodding. "I need to be on my game tomorrow, but that won't

happen if I can't eat or sleep. Thanks, Daph."

"You're welcome, Harry." Daphne lapsed into silence and they both continued to silently

watch the large cephalopod play in the water nearby.

Later that night Harry was sitting on the couch in the Common Room with one arm around

Hermione's shoulder and the other running his thumb over her hand which rested in his

lap. "I don't want to leave this spot," he murmured.

Hermione chuckled and leaned up to peck his cheek. "Neither do I, Harry. I wish we had

been able to spend the night in the Room, but it's better to let them take one of us instead

of forcing them to use someone unknown by hiding in the Room."

"Doesn't make this any easier," he said with a sigh.

"I know, Harry." Hermione gently sat up straight and turned to face him. "Okay. It's late

enough and we both need some sleep. You've already applied the tracking charm to Nym

and Shiva earlier. Do mine now."

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Chapter 260

Sighing, Harry pulled out his wand and recast the tracking charm onto Hermione.

"Tomorrow is going to suck."

"You'll be fine, Harry. And so will the rest of us." Hermione smiled and leaned in to kiss

him. After a few moments she pulled back and smiled. "Get some sleep, Harry. I'll see you

in the morning."

"Love you, Hermione."

"I love you too, Harry." They hugged and headed off up the stairs to their respective beds

trying to avoid thinking of all the ways that the Task could go wrong.

Lavender and Parvati were still in the bathroom and Hermione had barely finished

changing into her nightgown when Professor McGonagall came into the dorm room. "Miss

Granger? I need to ask you to come with me."

Hermione drew her shoulders together and stood up straighter. "Very well, Professor. May

I get changed back into my normal attire?"

"Whatever for?" McGonagall asked frowning in confusion. "This should just be a quick

conversation with the Headmaster. I am not certain of the content, but surely considering

the hour he won't be keeping you long."

"I'm to be Harry's hostage for the Task tomorrow, Professor," Hermione said as she

shucked her gown and started to pull on her normal clothes again. "That seems fairly

obvious. I would rather not be on display in front of the entire audience in my night

things."

"Hostage?" McGonagall's frown deepened. "That's the first I've heard of this…"

Hermione laced up her shoes and stood. "Well, Professor, I guess you're not kept in the

loop either anymore. Welcome to our world." She walked out ahead of McGonagall trying

to hide her shaking hands. Her brusque tone and words didn't even register through the

worry that was springing up inside. "Hello, George. Guess it's you and not Alicia then," she

said as she stepped in the Common Room and saw the second red-headed twin. He

nodded in reply and fell into line with her.

McGonagall's lips thinned into a line as she followed her favorite student and most

annoying prankster out of the portrait hole. "If those fools endanger my lions when they

aren't even entered…" she murmured under her breath as her eyes narrowed into slits.

"You better know what you are doing, Albus."

When Harry made it down to breakfast he was on the verge of taking a calming potion.

Seeing Tonks at the table he growled and sat beside her. "Dammit, I was hoping she was

just late."

Tonks sighed and squeezed his knee. "Wotcher, Harry. So it's going to be Hermione then?"

"She never came down from the girls' dorm and Lavender said she hadn't seen her since

last night," Harry said shoveling a piece of toast into his mouth.

"Tracking charm still active?"

Harry scowled. "Tried it as soon as she didn't show. Nothing."

Tonks sighed and shifted from squeezing his knee to giving him a brief hug. "She'll be fine,

Harry. Our Wonder Boy doesn't fail. He may get beat up, but he hasn't failed us yet."

Harry shuddered and leaned into her embrace. "Please don't say stuff like that, Nym," he

whispered barely loud enough for her to hear. "Don't tempt Fate like that."

"Champions!" Dumbledore said standing and smiling at the room regally. "Please start

making your way down to the Black Lake. The Fourth Task will be beginning shortly." As he

sat back down, loud murmurs and excited conversations broke out throughout the Great

Hall. Everyone started to get their things together and begin to move down to the

audience seating.

"Come on, Wonder Boy. Let's go get our girl back," Tonks said tugging Harry to his feet and

marching him outside.

Fred and Viktor caught up as they passed out the doors. Fred frowned, none of usual levity

present. "George was missing this morning. They are taking hostages instead of things."

Viktor nodded. "Yes. Millie vas to meet me this morning. She vas not present either."

"Hermione was taken last night too," Harry commented softly. "Anyone seen, Fleur?"

Three head shakes met his question causing Harry's worry to start spiking again.

They were almost to the lake shore before the French Champion was sighted. Her hair was

flying wildly behind her as she ran up to the group breathing heavily. " 'arry! She is gone!

Zey have taken her! Ze enfoirés have taken her! Tonks, Fred, Viktor, have any of you seen

her?!" (1)

"Who, Fleur?" Harry asked grabbing her shoulders and trying to ease her hysterics. "Who

did they take for your hostage?"

"My sister!" Fleur cried. "Zey took my sister! Into ze lake with ze Mermen!"

Fred and Viktor frowned, but didn't seem to get the significance of Fleur's distress. Harry

and Tonks on the other hand swore loudly and immediately started sprinting to the lake

with Fleur shortly behind. They skidded to a stop in front of the dock where Bagman was

standing and grinning at them. "Love the enthusiasm, but we still have a few – " he started

to say before cutting of as a snarling half transformed Veela stood in front of him with two

partially formed fireballs in hand.

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