Open Your Eyes: The Goblet of Fire

Perhaps equally important to Remus was that he had met and gotten to know young Harry. Harry reminded Remus so much of his father in his intense moments, but unlike James he had a kind heart much more like Lily. This year had continued that fledgling peer mentor relationship, as Remus settled into what could be considered the role of a favorite uncle with Harry. Sirius on the other hand was an odd combination of friend, confidant, and father figure, but so far it seemed to be working quite nicely.

Remus looked around the small dining room, which was originally for the help, long before wizards owned house elves. Sirius had made a few requests to make his familial house more habitable, and one included using the family dining room as a meeting and planning room. It was early, much earlier than Sirius ever rolled out of bed, and Remus had an appointment with Will Hardison to make the final arrangements for Harry and Hermione’s Occlumency and Legilimency training.

Finishing of his breakfast tea, Remus deposited the dishes in the kitchen sink before he walked over to the FLOO place and with a pinch from the large FLOO powder pot he said, “Ministry of Magic.”

A matter of fifteen minutes later and Remus found himself in Will’s office, but unlike the previous time Remus had made an official appointment with some lame academic reason for the meeting.

Will was poring over a file as Remus had entered, which he immediately set aside, “Ah Remy, how are you doing old chap?”

Remus smiled as he settled into his seat, “I’m good Will. How is work?”

Will leaned back in his chair, “Actually it’s been very quiet for the obliviators since the world cup. Good thing too, the department worked so much overtime that weekend that Fudge has ordered skeleton crews at night to recoup some of the budget shortfall that occurred as a result. Thank Merlin there hasn’t been a stray dragon down from Sweden or anything.”

Remus grinned, “Have you ever wondered what the muggles would think do if they knew that all of those alien abductions were obliviations following time at St. Mungo’s from a magical mishap?”

Will merely shrugged, “I think an alien abduction is easier to swallow than being told that there is a hidden world amongst them where magic is real.”

Remus nodded thoughtfully, “Yes well be that as it may, I’m afraid this isn’t entirely a trip of leisure.”

Will didn’t appear to concerned with this as he asked, “That’s quite alright Remy, in fact I have a small booklet you can give to my two pupils at the soonest possible time to make the most of our time this summer.” Furrowing his brow he continued, “How is Mr. Potter dealing with the stresses of the tournament? The news has definitely dried up since Rita Skeeter stopped on her warpath.”

Remus smiled ruefully, “Well if I had my druthers Harry wouldn’t have to worry about preparing for the tournament. I have a sneaking suspicion the years of reasonably carefree adolescence are coming to an end. But for a fourteen-year-old boy I’d say he is handling the stresses of the tournament remarkably.”

Will nodded, “So then when do we want to start?”

Remus pulled out small day planner and replied, “Well, Harry will be at some other relatives the first week of summer. I imagine the second week in July would work quite nicely as a starting date.”

Will pulled out a small planner and with a mark he nodded, “Yes, that should work just fine. I quite look forward to the challenge Remus.”

Remus smiled as he glanced at his watch, “Well, since we have another hour to talk. What do you say to a couple of glasses of Scotch while I tell you a story about Harry when he was a baby?”

It was nearly noon and a couple of rescheduled appointments later when Remus finally walked out of Will’s office only by the grace of a very strong sobering charm. Feeling rather happy with the events of the day Remus remembered that it had been very seasonable the last few weeks in London and decided to walk for a bit before returning to Grimmauld.

As he neared the lifts someone ran into him from the side, apparently not looking where they were going. Remus turned to say something when the familiar face of Tonks was beaming back at him, “Wotcher there Mr. Lupin.”

Remus smiled, his anger forgotten, “That’s quite alright Ms. Tonks, and it’s Remus.”

Tonks blushed as her hair shifted from Pink to blonde in connection to her embarrassment before she nodded, “I was just getting ready to grab some lunch. Fancy joining me?”

Remus opened his mouth in shock a few times as no sound escaped. Remus was well versed in the art of flirting, but his condition had always kept him from taking a chance with the few opportunities at relationships he might have had. But, this time a combination of factors as mundane as getting the last scone at Grimmauld, and as important as the meeting with Will, gave him the last little boost in confidence he had always needed in taking such a chance.

Give her a charming smile he replied, “I’d like that very much Ms. Tonks.”

Tonks grinned as her hair returned to its prior state and she said, “Call me Tonks please. All of this Ms. stuff is making me uncomfortable.”

By the time they had found a small magical restaurant down the road, big with the muggleborn ministry workers, and settled into a small table outside.

Tonks arched her eyebrow at Remus, who had suddenly forgotten how to speak, “You know Remus, usually when I go out on a lunch date it involves at least some talking from both of us.”

Remus sighed as he nervously replied, “Right, sorry about that erm Tonks. You see I’ve never been a big date kind of man in the past.” After a moment of awkward silence, “So, what’s working as an auror like?”

Tonks sighed, “Well, as you already might have guessed being a metamorph was too big of a tool for the auror department to pass up.”

Remus nodded, “What about the rest of your academy class?”

Tonks took a sip of her water, “The present minister seems to be of the belief that the auror squad numbers should be kept low.”

Remus was about to reply when a waiter handed them a pair of menus and took their drink orders of a diet coke for Tonks and lemonade for Remus. Tonks took the opportunity to ask something she had been wondering about for awhile, “Remus, you mentioned when we first met that you knew my mother. How exactly did you know her?”

Remus sighed, unsure of what he could safely tell her, before he settled on, “You’ve heard of Sirius Black I presume?”

Tonks blinked but nodded as Remus continued, “Sirius was one of my best friends going through Hogwarts. What you might not now however, is that you are Sirius’ second cousin.”

With a look of shock on her face, Remus continued with a rueful grin, “Anyways, we visited with your mother quite frequently during the summers. Especially considering that she was the only one of Sirius’ relatives that could be considered anything other than Pro-Voldemort.”

Tonks nodded sadly, her mother had informed her of her two aunts, “Ok, so you knew my mum back when you went to Hogwarts. So, since you were such good friends with the traitor maybe you could explain why he did it.”

Remus sighed, “I’ve come across some very persuasive evidence that suggests Sirius was wrongfully placed in Azkaban. In fact, even Albus Dumbledore supports my belief. But, without proof we can’t make such claims public knowledge.”

Tonks looked rather shocked by Remus’ forthcoming nature and she jokingly asked, “Is there anything else you’d like to share?”

Remus caught the teasing nature of her voice and decided to get the air completely clear, “Only one thing actually.”

Tonks grinned coyly, “Oh?”

Remus frowned, “I’ve been infected with lycanthropy since I was seven years old.”

This caught Tonks completely by surprise as she muttered a startled, “No!”

Remus sighed and cast his eyes down at the table as he muttered, “This is usually when you go running for the hills. At least that has been my experience in the past anyways.”

Tonks was able to gather her emotions to say, “No, you just startled me is all. Give me a second to take this all in.”

As Remus selected a roast beef sandwich for his lunch as he sipped from his lemonade nervously waiting for Tonks to comment on his statements. After Tonks ordered a chicken salad sandwich she said, “Ok let me handle each of those statements in turn.”

Taking a sip of her soft drink she began, “There aren’t many in the auror department that haven’t heard of the lack of a trial Mr. Black endured before being thrown into Azkaban. In fact, I believe that he was the only suspected deatheater not given a proper trial. So, I can definitely believe that he is innocent. But, that is a story and explanation for a different time.”

Remus nodded and took another sip of his lemonade waiting for Tonks to continue, “Now about the werewolf thing. I personally don’t have any of the discriminating beliefs that most do about werewolves. So, if you are responsible and cage yourself during the full moons then there is little else you can do aside from taking the Wolfsbane potion.”

Remus smiled slightly, “Well I like to think of it as an illness I just so happen to get most months that makes me very unpleasant to be around.”

Tonks laughed softly, “You and me both honey.”

Remus blushed, “Yes well, at any rate I do everything I can to not let it limit my life. The one exception to that being obviously my love life.”

Tonks was extremely flattered that Remus was being so open with her, and she softly said, “Well, we’ll just have to see what we can do about that now won’t we?”

Remus could only grin in response as Tonks reached her hand across the table and gave his hand a gentle squeeze before they lapsed into conversation about their times at Hogwarts.

At Hogwarts Harry awoke early Friday morning, intent on cramming one last time before the History of Magic exam. His discussion with Dumbledore the previous night was ended because he had wanted to study, but almost as importantly he was helping Hermione make her mum a necklace with muggle craft supplies. In fact as they sent Hedwig in flight with the finished present Hermione had softly said, “I told mum it was from both of us.”

It was strange how such a simple statement affected Harry as strongly as it did, perhaps it was some inner longing for the mother he would never really know, but he did know that it was a discomfort he hadn’t felt in a very long time.

As Harry entered the great hall he spotted Hermione sitting in her usual spot, face buried in her potions text. It was a routine that before every Potions class Hermione would review the potion they were scheduled to make for the class, to have that added level of security.

After sitting in his usual seat next to Hermione he poured himself a hearty glass of pumpkin juice before taking one big swig and releasing a quenched sigh. Turning to Hermione he asked, “What’s the potion for today?”

Hermione lowered the book enough to make eye contact, “A strengthening draught.”

Harry nodded, he could remember most of the potion’s instructions so it figured to be a rather easy class as long as Malfoy was kept in check. After quickly devouring two pieces of toast he washed down the remnants with the rest of his pumpkin juice before he glanced at his watch and flowed to his feet.

Helping Hermione to her feet he chuckled as Ron came stumbling into the hall hopeful to get some breakfast before the exam. Watching Ron’s face fall as everyone had begun to leave to their first classes, Harry reached down and plucked a muffin from the table and tossed it to him just as he caught up to his friends.

Taking a big bite from the muffin Ron tried to speak, “mmff medy mr me meam.”

Harry understood enough to follow Ron’s muffled words, but he merely smiled as Hermione said, “Honestly Ronald, when are you going to learn that speaking is done best without food in your mouth?”

Harry chortled as Ron swallowed deliberately and replied, “I said or rather asked, are you ready for the exam?”

Harry decided to defuse any tension, “You remember how scared everyone was of me when I spoke to that snake?” Ron nodded with a confused look on his face, “Well, it’s bloody terrifying listen to you talk with your mouth full of food.”

Hermione grinned and even Ron couldn’t help but flash a quick grin in response. Much as it had always been, in basic chemical terms Hermione was the acid, Ron had always been the basic part of the trio, and Harry acted as the buffer and by default he was also the catalyst for the balance of their adventures. It was what worked, even if they all had begun to mellow into slightly less volatile mixes as the years had progressed.

Nearly two hours later Harry, Hermione, and Ron walked out of the History classroom with expressions ranging from relief and quiet confidence (Harry), anxiety over one potential spelling error (Hermione), and finally dread over getting the exam back to coming week (Ron).

Harry looked at Hermione and laughed softly as he wrapped an arm around her waist before he said, “Oh come off it Hermione, I’m sure you got an O.”

Hermione smiled slightly before she quizzed, “What did you get on number 15?”

Harry arched an eyebrow as she clarified, “It was the question about ministry doctrine and its changes after the reformation of the goblin nation.”

Harry smiled, “I thought it was C but I guess I won’t know for sure until we get them back.” Seeing the relieved expression Hermione’s face he continued, “You know, it really doesn’t do anything but waste energy to worry about an exam after you hand it in Hermione.”

Hermione frowned but nodded as Ron piped up, “You know, there are other people here, dreadfully depressed about the exam.”

Harry rolled his eyes and with more than a hint of humor in his voice, “Yes, but you’re worrying for a good reason and Hermione wasn’t.”

Hermione managed a small giggle at Ron’s mock glare as they entered the great hall for lunch before heading down to the dungeons for potions with Snape and the Slytherins. As they sat at the Gryffindor table Harry and Hermione smiled as Neville and Ginny entered, Neville having went straight from the History classroom to pick up Ginny from Charms.

For some odd reason Ron had yet to put the obvious signs together to realize that his only sister was nearing her first relationship. Managing to swallow most of the food in his mouth before talking, “Hey I wonder why Neville is carrying Ginny’s bag?”

Hermione gave Ron a horribly pitying look as Harry merely shook his head with amusement at Ron before both returned to their meals leaving a confused looking redhead in their wake. By the time Ron had turned to talk to Seamus and Dean, Lavender and Parvati had conspicuously sidled into the two seats directly across from Harry and Hermione.

Parvati and Lavender were giggling in such a way that infuriated Hermione to no end that she tersely said, “Could you two please stop giggling or at least move away so that the rest of us can eat in peace.”

Lavender smirked, “We’ll stop giggling if you two tell us what’s going on between you two.”

Hermione opened her mouth to fire back a scathing reply but was beat to the figurative punch by Harry, “How about this instead? You two go over there and leave us alone and you won’t make either of us very unhappy.”

Lavender and Parvati looked at Harry with something akin to shock, but the look in his eyes was no longer the playful young man that played Quidditch, but something darker and definitely more dangerous. As the girls walked away Hermione concernedly asked, “Harry, what’s wrong?”

Harry merely shrugged, he had a vague inkling of what was upsetting him at the moment, but he certainly didn’t want to start thinking about it at the moment. Hermione had a few years of reading Harry’s emotions and despite popular opinion he never got upset for no reason like another one of her friends. In fact, if Harry was openly upset he typically had a very good reason for it. The problem was that Hermione found herself at a complete loss as to the why.

In typical fashion she began to catalog everything Harry had done the past few days, from studying for the History of Magic exam, no that wasn’t it. Then he had helped her make the necklace for her mum’s mother’s day present...Oh dear. How could she have been so callous as to flaunt the fact that she had a mother in front of Harry?

As they entered the far side of the dungeon Hermione’s rational mind kicked in, ok Harry has never had a problem with mother’s day in the past so it has to be something more specific, and more personal. Perhaps it was simply the making of the mother’s day gift for her mother. No, Harry had enjoyed that throughout and she would have noticed otherwise. In fact, the only hint of anything but pleasure had come at the end of the night when she had said something silly before sending it off. But, what had she said? She could still remember the faint glimmer of a grimace

The pungent odors of the potions classroom wafted into their nostrils as Hermione frantically began to search for the exact phrase that had sent Harry into this minor, well whatever it was. Just as they walked into the potions classroom it had come back to her. “I told mum it was from both of us.” What about that statement could have sent Harry into the moping fit she was certain he was doing his best to conceal at the moment. Hermione sighed as she took her seat, as long as they could get through potions in one piece she could talk to Harry about it later.

Snape strode into the classroom with his robes billowing behind him before he merely flicked his wand and said, “Today you have simple strengthening draught. We have already reviewed the various properties of this potion so when you finish brewing you may leave after handing in a sample of your finished product.”

Class seemed to be dragging as the strengthening draught was completed with plenty of time to spare by the vast majority of the class, save Crabbe and Goyle who after four years of potions making still were having problems creating the necessary magical fire.

As the three Gryffindors handed their final potions in Malfoy walked up from behind them with a telltale sneer on his face. Hermione took all of her will power to suppress a groan, they had almost made it. With a sudden flash of inspiration she grabbed Harry’s arm and dragged him into the hallway to at least limit the potential damage any confrontation might result in.

Malfoy followed closely behind as an oblivious Ron stayed behind to wait for Lavender and Parvati about their divination homework due the next week. Upon reaching the relative safety of the hallway Malfoy drawled, “So Potter, big weekend coming up eh?”

Harry tensed as Hermione pulled the equivalent of a mental moan of No! before she said, “Shove off Malfoy.”

Malfoy continued apparently not heeding the sage advice of the bushy haired book witch, “I sent my mother a gift last night, how about you?”

Harry’s jaw tightened and Hermione tried one last frantic attempt to stop Harry’s rage storm, she wrapped her arms tightly around Harry and murmured into his ear, “Don’t pay attention to him Harry. He’s a flaming prat and he’s just trying to get you into trouble.”

Hermione felt the tension drain from Harry’s body and she was about to sigh from sheer relief when Malfoy added, “You know Potter, hugging one mudblood doesn’t mean you are hugging your mudblood mother. But, I guess you couldn’t even if you wanted to.”

Hermione sagged slightly, she quickly released Harry no longer fighting the battle to keep him from hexing Malfoy three ways to Sunday. Harry took two purposeful strides and in a manner suggesting magic would have been a woeful substitute he landed one fist into Malfoy’s stomach and quickly followed it with an uppercut straight to the nose of the now doubled over Slytherin malcontent. It was eerily reminiscent of the slap Hermione had planted on Malfoy the previous year, although what this lacked in surprise it definitely made up for in impact.

Hermione gave Malfoy a quick glance to see if Harry had managed any permanent damage, but smiled when all she could see was a rather bloody and crooked nose on the shocked Slytherin’s face. However, the smile evaporated when she realized that her moment to check Malfoy had been all the more Harry needed to evade her sight.

Sighing heavily she took off at a sprint hopeful to find Harry before he could get himself into any more trouble. Fortunately, she caught Harry just as he exited the dungeons and panting slightly she leaned against him, “Harry, would you like to talk about it?”

Harry stopped and leaned against a wall just outside of the great hall and in a flat tone he spoke “I reckon there isn’t a lot to say. I’m an orphan, I always have been and I always will be. But hey it’s ok they died so you can live, no guilt there.”

Hermione was taken aback by the underlying bitterness in Harry’s words, and she said, “I know that I can’t really say anything to help Harry. But you know that if you ever need to talk to someone I can listen.”

Harry sighed but he began to relax visibly. After a moment he was about to speak when Snape came barreling into sight as he screamed, “Potter, I want an explanation as to why Mr. Malfoy’s nose has been broken.”

Hermione decided once again to protect Harry as she answered, “Professor Snape, Malfoy was making fun of Harry because he couldn’t send his mother anything for mother’s day. Harry really showed a lot of restraint all things considered.”

Snape’s fury wasn’t to be easily quenched however, as he said, “While I do in no way condone Mr. Malfoy’s behavior, resorting to violence on Mr. Potter’s part is no less acceptable. Regardless of the fact that he was provoked. However, I will leave the final punishments up to the headmaster in this case.”

Even Hermione had to admit that Snape’s solution was an equitable one as a moment later Malfoy holding a bloody rag on his face walked into the room. Snape shook his head and said, “Mr. Potter, I suggest you go to the headmaster’s office right now. I will escort Mr. Malfoy to the headmaster’s office after we make a short visit to the hospital wing.”

Harry nodded before he turned to Hermione, “I’ll be back in a bit, save my spot in the common room for me, ok?”

Hermione frowned but nodded, as much as she wanted to forever protect Harry from such things it was inevitable that Harry would have to confront his own problems alone from time to time. In fact, their friendship had always had a certain dichotomy when it came to risking lives. In the end it always seemed to be Harry, and his friend’s role had been to help him reach it.

Harry walked up the stairs to Dumbledore’s office, prepared to face any punishment he would be given. It was rather simple really, one simply doesn’t stand and listen as someone else makes snide comments about your dead mother and not get a face full of fist in return.

The door to Dumbledore’s office was opened and the headmaster was sitting in his office with Professor McGonagall off to his side with a very stern look decorating her face. Harry sighed as he entered the room and he managed to mutter, “Hello.”

If he had planned to say more no one would ever know as McGonagall burred, “Of all of the stupid and bone-headed stunts to pull Potter.”

Dumbledore merely arched an eyebrow at his deputy headmistress who purpled but remained silent as he said in a much calmer tone, “We have received word from Professor Snape that you were involved in an altercation with Mr. Malfoy outside of the Potions classroom a few moments ago. Would you care to give us your explanation of the events?”

Harry frowned and after quickly recounting the comments of Malfoy that had driven him over the edge, both Dumbledore and McGonagall were only looking mildly disappointed in him and more than a touch angry about something else.

McGonagall simply said, “One week of detention that will be served with me Mr. Potter. Please do try to ignore Mr. Malfoy’s ramblings in the future.”

Harry simply nodded leaving the two professors to silently ponder Harry’s actions in fuller detail before discussing it amongst each other finally Dumbledore spoke, “While Harry’s actions required punishment, I admit that I would have acted accordingly if placed in his position.”

McGonagall snapped back, “I feel the same way Albus, I mean the nerve of that little brat to demean Lily’s memory and then make fun of Harry’s lack of a mother. Why I have half a mind to punch the pompous little twit myself.”

Dumbledore merely chuckled and replied, “I do believe that Harry got the point across very nicely in his own unique way Minerva.” McGonagall could only sigh and nod as they awaited Snape and Malfoy from their side trip to the hospital wing.

Word of Harry’s pummeling of Malfoy swept through the school, and the rumors were quashed just as quickly as Dumbledore made a small announcement at dinner one night. The detentions were served and the days of May continued to melt away. Harry could feel the impending weight of the third task settle firmly around his neck.

The final Thursday of May had come and during dinner Barty Crouch Sr. and Ludo Bagman requested the presence of the four champions just outside of the great hall at eight. Harry and Cedric met first outside of the great hall, having the least distance to travel.

Cedric sighed and asked, “So how has the training for the third task gone Harry?”

With a shrug Harry replied, “Actually I’ve had less training for this task than the other two. Everything has been mostly review aside from some strange sessions with the headmaster.”

Cedric furrowed his brow, “Strange sessions?”

Harry merely shrugged, “It’s not important really. He has shown me memories of the first deatheater trials and we‘ve discussed them.”

Cedric merely nodded, understanding there were simply some things that were left better undiscovered, and he simply said, “I reckon that would be useful for some people.”

Harry laughed in a way that said that it was an understatement, but before he could form a verbal response the other two champions came into view along with Crouch and Bagman.

Crouch led the way as Bagman followed at a safe distance, apparently the little tiff from during the second task having had some lasting repercussions. Crouch’s upper lip curled slightly upwards in a sad attempt at a smile before he said in a strained tone, “Follow Mr. Bagman and I out to the Quidditch pitch if you will.”

As the older champions walked out ahead and appeared deep in discussion about plans and careers after graduation, Harry was left behind and it opened up a very awkward situation. Unfortunately this meant that Harry and Bagman were left in the rear as Crouch was in front of everyone.

“Listen Harry, I wanted to apologize for trying to force you to cheat for my own selfish gain. I’ve been forced to take a long hard look at myself and I’ve joined a muggle group for people with gambling problems. Anyways, I just wanted to say good luck with the task and I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around.” Bagman said in what appeared to be an earnest tone.

Harry sighed, he really had no inclination to be having such a conversation, and decided appeasement was the best course of action, “Thanks Mr. Bagman.” Bagman appeared in fact appeased as he took off at a jog to catch up to Crouch and complete his ministry duties.

Harry absently played with his wand as he began to think about a rough game plan for how he would approach the task. It had come as a very welcome surprise when Harry had been informed by Ron nearly a week after the second task that every point he was in the lead meant a five second edge to begin. With over a minute head start.

As Harry neared the pitch he sped up his pace slightly to catch the others, and as he approached he heard a shout from Crouch. “I’m on to you Bagman, I know you’re up to some kind of a scheme and when I find it out you’ll be out of the ministry faster than you can say.”

The other champions looked very uncomfortable and looked relieved to see Harry and the distraction he would provide. Crouch noticed this as well and leveled one last glare at Bagman that clearly indicated that it wasn’t the last of their conversation.

Crouch motioned over to the hedges covering the Quidditch pitch and the grounds in the surrounding area before he spoke, “What you see before you is some idea of the scale of the third task. We have had ministry employees working on the various challenges of the maze you see before you for over a year. Yes, you’ve all heard me correctly; beyond the hedges in front of you lie a maze, which only ends when one of you finds the tri-wizard cup in its core. Now Mr. Potter has I believe just over a ninety-second advantage to begin the maze. Mr. Diggory and Mr. Krum and finally Ms. Delacoer will follow him. We will be holding the third task at dusk on June the 24th, good luck with your preparations and may Merlin be with you.”

As Harry walked back to the castle in the failing light he sighed and muttered to himself, “Well, this causes some problems.”