Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and don't plan to make money from my writing.
The lull before the Storm
Dumbledore summoned them to his office the day after the second task. He hadn't called them often and they had begun to wonder whether he was done training them.
"Come in." Dumbledore said, "Lemon drop?"
"No, thank you." Both declined.
"Excellent job on the second task! I was actually surprised. I would have thought portkey creation beyond even you, Mr. Potter. It's the kind of complicated, almost ritual magic that I've come to expect from Miss Granger, but when we examined it, we could see it was your work. I assume she taught you how to enchant it?"
Harry felt a little irritated that Professor Dumbledore didn't think he could have done it himself, but as he thought back, he realized it wasn't the kind of thing he normally did. It seemed very normal to him now and when he thought of Hermione, he less and less thought of her kind of magic and his kind of magic, now it was just their kind of magic. Since they'd both brought different strengths into the bond, he realized that now they covered just about everything. She had been better at ritual, planned magic. Runes and enchantments, complicated transfigurations, those had started to become her specialty, while instant magic, like often used in defense against dark arts, had been becoming his. Now, though, he realized she was as fast as he was and he was as meticulous as she. She could fly a broom as well as he could, which had surprised her when she'd done it. It was like she'd had a phobia that had disappeared by surprise. He tried to think of how to explain this all to Professor Dumbledore, but decided he didn't want to even try. Maybe it was a secret weapon they should keep to themselves, at least a little bit.
"She did help me learn the spell, yes." Harry said, simply, "The hardest part was worrying about whether the anti-apparation wards would interfere, whether it could be done underwater, and where to pick for an arrival location. We thought the timing modification might be difficult, but it turned out to be easy to link a chronos charm and set a time, like a muggle timer."
"Very impressive. Your grades have really improved, too. You're at the top of the class, with Miss Granger in everything, even runes and arithmancy. We thought you might have difficulty catching up there."
Harry thought about it. He had worried about that, too, but hadn't even thought about it in such a long time that he'd forgotten.
"I haven't called you to my office, much, because you're doing everything I could ask. You're learning at a prodigious rate. I feel like everything has changed this year and for the better. Even Mr. Weasley is becoming a respectable student. Professor Snape says that occulomency is coming along well… perhaps he tends to use the words 'adequate' and 'not totally hopeless' but from him this is high praise indeed. Now, what I want to call you for was to check more closely on the progress from the bond. I told you that auramancy, if used often enough, could be used without wand or incantation?"
"Yes, Professor, you did." Hermione said, "Can you teach us to do that? Is there perhaps a book to read?"
"Another book?" Professor Dumbledore said, with raised eyebrow, "The librarian already told me you checked out every book in the library that even mentioned auramancy."
Hermione blushed.
"No, I think practical application would be helpful. Let's start with something you know. Look at each other, try to see each other's auras, look at the bond."
That was something always on the edge of their consciousness, so to go from feeling it to seeing it just took a slight change of perspective. Their occulomency training helped focus the mind and quickly, they could see each other's auras. They were shocked to see that while Harry's was still predominantly green and Hermione's was still mostly golden, they were so mixed as to be almost indistinguishable. The bond, from a ribbon of light, was more like a simple transition in the flow of a single aura. When the two glanced at Professor Dumbledore, they noticed they could still see his golden aura. Fawkes had a flaming red-gold aura. Many of the devices around the room had small auras of their own.
"Oh, my." Hermione said, "I can see how this could be useful. I can sense certain magic by the aura. I think I see the wards, locking charms, and such you have around the room."
"Exactly! 10 points to Gryffindor! This is one reason that most aurors pursue auramancy to a certain extent. They use it differently than healers, but it is still very useful." Professor Dumbledore said, "Do you appreciate how far along your auras and the bond have come?"
The two teens nodded.
"I also noticed the promise ring, Miss Granger. I don't usually involve myself in the personal business of my students, but this is one time that I must make an exception. I am essentially Harry's wizarding guardian. Lord Black is his official guardian, but we're still trying to decide how to proceed with clearing his name so he can take a more active role in Harry's care, so I offered to continue in my informal role.
Now, I have rarely talked to you about your family, Harry. I wanted you to concentrate on your studies and staying safe. However, there are some issues that it has become essential to discuss. Seeing you wearing the Potter crest and seeing the ring made me realize we have no choice.
Now, what century would you two say wizarding Britain is in, relative to the Muggle world?"
"Mmmm…servants, sharp class distinctions, boarding schools. I suppose it seems very Victorian to me, sir." Hermione offered.
"Yes with many traditions even older. In Victorian England, they would have used fountain pens, but we're still using quills. Our government and culture are very behind. We still emphasize class distinctions, as you've noticed. Well, Harry is a Potter, just as Neville is a Longbottom, and that means something. Part of the reason Sirius and James were such good friends at school is that while they were from wildly different families, they were from the same class. In fact, the Blacks and the Potters are related many times if you go back far enough.
Through deaths in the family, Sirius is the head of his house, Lord Black. In the same manner, when he comes of age, Harry will be head of his house, Lord Potter."
"What?" Harry exclaimed.
"Yes, Harry. That's part of why your parents were living in that modest house. Nobody would have expected Lord and Lady Potter to be living in a cottage. We did everything we could to hide them, but that was not where they would normally have lived.
Now, as you two become closer, it's important you begin to assume your role. As you bond, you will be drawn together. Emotionally, intellectually, and, not to be crude, physically. Because of our culture, it's important that certain steps be taken before you get too far down that path. Otherwise, you'll hurt your standing and make it more difficult for Miss Granger to be accepted later. Miss Granger, I've asked Miss McGonagall to meet with you to discuss some of these issues, as it's not my place to speak to a young woman. I will send you to her office via floo in a moment, but first, a broad overview of my plan:
I want to begin proceedings to have Harry declared 'of age'. If we have Lord Black cleared quickly enough, he can stand as guardian, but otherwise I think we should strive to have him emancipated and fully vested as Head of House Potter and Lord Potter. Then, he will be able to access his full inheritance, not just the trust vault he has access to now. He will be able to make alliances and bonds as needed.
Now, Hermione, I will ask you to go speak with Minerva."
Hermione took floo powder, said, "Professor McGonagall's office" and passed through.
"Harry, those who are well trained in auramancy and closely attuned to the magic flowing through this castle can 'feel' your bond progressing. You two have become the two most powerful students. To be honest, in raw magical power and potential, you're among the most powerful inhabitants of this castle, which means you influence the gestalt magical aura of the castle. That's even truer now that you've spent months feeding your magical power into the wards. The castle recognizes you in a way, as you are part of its lifeforce.
Because you are good, that influence is good. Despite the Tri-Wizard tournament, this has been one of the calmest terms I can recall here. Our students are flourishing.
However, being sensitive to your power, I can tell that you and Hermione are being drawn to a full bond. Because of your station and because of certain quirks of magical power, I think you should be married before you completely bond.
Marriage in the magical community can be a ritual bonding of two people to lead a house. It is an assumption of power. Your bond and your magical power will come to greatest fruition with the guidance of that ritual. Also, by meeting cultural expectations as one of the lords of our society, you'll ease certain fears that will arise due to Miss Granger's status and your heritage from your mother and from your raising.
Now, before you get angry, realize I do not fully agree with those fears, but I realize you will make more headway fighting from within the system rather from the outside.
So, I propose for now that I, as your proxy, as Sirius' agent, and as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, will begin to make the motion to have you assume your role as Lord Potter with all rights and responsibilities. I will try to gain you access to your full inheritance, including the Potter wedding regalia. I would suggest that an engagement might be to her benefit. It will give her a certain status even within the pureblood community and give you recourse to protect her within that culture. Meanwhile, I will ask you to exercise restraint with Miss Granger. Certain powers will be most fully yours if you come into your marriage innocent of certain physical acts. You do not need to marry her before you're ready, but realize it is not expected in the Wizarding world to wait as long as it is in the Muggle. Your father married by 18 and had you by the time he was 20. Due to your being the last of the Potters and bonded to your future wife, it would not be unseemly to be married at your will."
Harry just looked on stunned.
"No reason to be frightened! I know you haven't had anyone to really teach you about these things, so I felt it was essential it be done. Now, I'll send you to your common room. I expect Miss Granger will meet you there."
He flooed to the common room. Some minutes later, Hermione came through from McGonagall's office.
"Harry?" she asked, seeming worried.
"Hermione." Harry said, distracted.
"Are you… you don't have to…" Hermione started.
"What? Oh, no. You don't have to, either." Harry said, as he picked up from the bond what she was thinking.
"I don't want you to feel pressured. I think my parents are going to be surprised by how fast this is going, if we let it happen like Dumbledore is proposing, but… I don't object. I want it."
"Really?" Harry said, surprised and relieved.
"Are you kidding? You're a catch!" she said, laughing, "Besides, with the bond, we're closer than most couples are already. The main objections would be that we're too young to take care of ourselves, but we're more mature than anyone else our age and with your inheritance, it's not like we'd have to have jobs right away.
Professor McGonagall also told me of magical reasons to let it proceed more quickly. If…if we wait until we're married to be together sexually. If I'm intact on our wedding night," Hermione said, assuming the clinical detachment she often did when she was saying something embarrassing, "Then guided by the ritual of marriage, the actual act will be something of a sacrifice. So much ancient magic is represented by love, by blood, and by lifeforce. These forces, combined with our bond, have the potential to bring us to our greatest magical power. Not waiting could sacrifice some small portion of what we could be. Plus, an engagement would put me under your protection as Head of the Potter house. I despise the sentiment that I might need to be protected, but understand how it might help with the pureblood fanatics."
"I don't mind waiting for the physical act." Harry said, "I'm glad they told us now. They might have been too late if they'd waited any longer."
"After Yule ball, they might have been much too late." Hermione said with a naughty grin.
They kissed, bonded, and went to sleep.
The next day, Harry sent Hedwig with a long letter to Sirius, asking what he thought.
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Professor Dumbledore was true to his word. He began to press for a trial for Sirius. It would have been better to have Peter Pettigrew captured, but with veritaserum and pensieves, it wouldn't be essential. He laid the foundation to ensure Sirius wouldn't be kissed by Dementors if he turned himself in and the trial started. It didn't take long, with Professor Dumbledore's support, Sirius' money and Black family solicitors, to achieve what they wanted. Sirius had the support of the purebloods, given his place in society. He had the support of the more progressive elements, given his allies. He had Harry, Hermione, and Ron's memories of the confrontation with Pettigrew. Peter Pettigrew had nothing and if he presented himself to testify, would have been captured. With little opposition except a half-hearted effort by Minister Fudge, embarrassed that he'd locked away an innocent man for so long, Sirius was soon exonerated.
Once Sirius was no longer wanted, they had the reading of the Potter will at the Ministry. Goblin representatives were present. Sirius was declared Harry's guardian, both physical and magical. He decreed that Harry would assume his status as Lord Potter, with Lord Black's guidance. Harry gained access and control over the entire Potter inheritance, with Sirius' supervision required for large purchases, sales, or house treaties.
Sirius and Harry went to Diagon Alley and Gringott's. Sirius accompanied Harry through the main Potter vaults, which made the rich appearing trust vault look like pocket change. Cabinets against the walls held many heirlooms and an entire rack was filled with jewelry. Harry looked at every ring until he found what he wanted. A golden wedding set, with an engagement ring with a single large round diamond flanked by two indeterminate stones. As Harry touched it, those stones changed to emerald and sapphire. Harry considered why those two stones, but realized the sapphire represented Hermione. Blue was her favorite color for herself, sapphire was her birthstone and represented clear thinking. Emerald represented his eyes and his aura. He was a little surprised it was not July's birthstone of ruby, but he did feel like the emerald represented him more. He pocketed the engagement ring, the wedding band that matched, and a plain men's band before leaving the vault. Sirius watched him, smiling, thinking of a similar trip he and James had made to the same vault.
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Harry invited Hermione to Hogsmeade. She laughed at him, since they always went together when he was allowed to go. He had taken Ron aside and told him they had lunch plans together that needed to be private. He half expected Ron to be jealous, but Ron said he was taking Luna, so that was ok.
Harry took Hermione on their usual shopping trips, but when it came time for lunch, she wanted to go to the Three Broomsticks like they usually did, but he pulled her aside to a small white tablecloth set off the road in some trees. He had cast multiple spells and the area had a warming charm and was screened by thick flowering rose bushes, blooming. Dobby appeared with a full lunch of all Hermione's favorite food. They ate together, sometimes feeding themselves and sometimes each other.
"So what's all this?" She asked.
"What, can't I do anything romantic for you?" Harry asked. He was startled when she hiccupped and seemed about to cry.
"Nobody has before. No, this is perfect. I'm sorry, I'm not like that, it's just been that this last year has been so perfect. Ever since you kissed me, things have still been crazy, like they always are around you, but so perfect."
"Good. Perfect is what I want for you. It's what I always want for you. Forever." And going to one knee, he held out a small wooden box. "Will you let me try to do that, forever?"
She made an inarticulate noise as he opened the box. She flapped her arms as she saw the ring. For once, Hermione was speechless. When she recovered, she only had one word to say.
"Yes. Yes. Yes."
They kissed and just let the happiness of the moment infuse them. The golden glow surrounding them was easily visible, but nobody bothered them, protected as surely as if the most powerful wards were cast.
After they finished, Hermione spent the rest of the Hogsmeade trip showing her classmates her ring. They had made an effort to find Ron first. He had shaken his head and then pulled them both into a powerful hug. The trio had changed their dynamic, but was still the trio. After a long embrace between the three of them, Luna leaned in close and they pulled her in, too.
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Arriving back at the castle, they attended dinner in the great hall. Harry walked to the head table and asked if he could meet with the Headmaster that evening. Dumbledore had smiled and said to come to his office at his convenience.
After he'd walked Hermione back to the common room, Harry went to Dumbledore's office. The gargoyle opened at his approach, without waiting for a password. Harry continued to be amazed at the unprecedented availability of the Headmaster when it came to him. He was somewhat embarrassed by his "favorite student" status, but would take advantage of it in certain circumstances, which he felt this was.
"Harry, what can I do for you?"
"Professor, I've been thinking about what you told me. Sirius has begun to instruct me in wizarding protocol and government to prepare me to take my place in society. It's all a bit overwhelming for a boy from the cupboard."
Dumbledore winced at that reminder of Harry's childhood. He'd thought he was justified in leaving Harry with the Dursley's for Harry's own safety, but realized he had done a completely inadequate job of keeping track of how well they'd taken care of him. He was simply stretched too thin and like many geniuses, he was perhaps somewhat scatter brained when it came to more practical roles, particularly raising children. He'd never found out the extent of how poorly treated Harry had been. He had learned about the cupboard and had ensured that had been corrected. He'd thought about asking for more detail, but realized that his waiver to the underage magic laws had protected Harry last summer from threats from inside the house, just as the blood protections protected him from threats from outside. With Sirius freedom, the Dursleys were not going to be involved in any way in the future. While that meant the end of the blood protections, the Headmaster realized Harry was beginning to finally progress to the point where his childhood, passive protections were no longer as sorely needed. He even wondered whether marriage to Hermione made her a relative and living with her might maintain the wards. It normally required a blood relative and Hermione was not that, but with the bond and eventually with marriage, she might be indistinguishable from Harry in a legal/magical sense and might meet the requirement to maintain the blood ward. He shook himself away from his thoughts and refocused on Harry.
"Can you allow me to floo to Sirius from time to time or for him to floo here, to teach me what I need to know to really act as a Lord?"
"That won't be a problem, Harry."
They completed their brief discussion of plans and Harry returned to Hermione, where she was busily studying for Arithmancy. He picked up his books and notes and joined her.
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The prophet published an article revealing Harry's assumption of the Potter lordship and his engagement to Hermione. Over the next days, Hermione began receiving many owls, some of them congratulating her, but many disapproving, suggesting she had used love potions to influence his affections. They arranged for Dobby and Winky to process their mail as part of their daily duties and it simplified life.
Hermione had continued her research from early in the year. While there was some variation in the early tasks, the final task had always been a maze, which then allowed multiple challenges to be thrown at all three, or in this case four, wizards competing. The wizarding world was so bound by tradition that she doubted this task would change. The maze or labyrinth was a magical tradition dating back to the Aegean island of Crete, also called Minoa. Given the antiquity of mazes and their connection to the wizarding world, there were many spells which might be helpful. The use of some of these was documented in descriptions of prior Tri-Wizard tournaments. Hermione culled the best of these and wrote them in her training list to learn with Harry. Some seemed less useful and she wrote them down to learn if there was sufficient time.
The story of the original labyrinth kept coming back to her attention. She'd learned more about tapping into her subconscious mind since bonding with Harry and she had learned to trust her instincts much more. When she couldn't immediately pinpoint what about the story had her attention, she reread it a few times to commit it to memory and then stopped thinking about it, knowing her mind would continue to work on the problem in the background, so long as she didn't let her conscious mind interfere.
One afternoon as she, Ron, and Harry flew their brooms for exercise, she made the connection. Flying… Daedalus… escape from the labyrinth…
Harry looked at her as the pieces fell into place. He could sense her thought process go into overdrive as she slipped into the incredible processing speed that was one part her genius and one part a legacy from Harry's ability to piece things together in an instant.
"I've got to go the library! See you in the hall." She said, swooping her broom around instantly and flying at top speed to the door of the castle.
"That girl's mental!" Ron boggled, amazed at her flying. "When did she learn to fly like that?"
"About the time I figured out how to study, Ron."
In the library, she went to her notes and books about prior Tri-Wizard tournaments, looking for descriptions of wards or domes around the final task. There were notes of complicated barriers sometimes used as obstacles within the maze, but no mention of obstacles used around the maze. Her idea might work!
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Harry had a sense of events accelerating towards some momentous conclusion. It seemed to be the normal pace of his Hogwart's years. Things were relatively calm and then as the end of the academic year approached, there would be a dangerous climax. He almost expected it, so the feeling was not surprising. This year, though, there were enough scheduled events to explain the feeling, especially the third task in the tournament scheduled in late June.
Between studying, preparing for the third task, extra dueling practice, and occulomency practice, there was almost no time to think. Harry was spending a lot of time with Hermione, but not much of it was as private as he'd like. Her mother, Jane Granger, had initially been owling daily, but eventually Professor Dumbledore had arranged for the Granger home to be connected to the floo network, so they could travel back and forth. Harry knew he was lucky that Hermione had kept her parents well informed with her frequent owls home. Since the events that led to their first kiss and ensuing bond, Hermione had even accelerated the pace of her correspondence home, caught in the flush of her first relationship and needing the advice of her mother. So while Hermione's parents were somewhat shocked at the pace of the relationship, they knew that it was influenced by the magical connection and by Harry's status in the wizarding world. Given that her early letters had portrayed him as an orphan and likely destitute, finding out he was an heir came as a surprise, but they quickly recovered.
Another stress to Harry were male bonding rituals with Oberon Granger. He had been surprised to learn that Shakespearean names were something of a strange tradition in the Granger family, explaining Hermione's name. With special permission, he'd spent one Saturday with Mr. Granger and his godfather, Sirius Black. When Harry first met Mr. Granger, he'd gotten a sense of menace from him, but having faced a Hungarian Horntail, he had faced the crucible of unbelievable menace before and while a dragon was not as frightening as his future bride's father, it was good practice. He strengthened his occulomentic shields to govern his emotions and was otherwise just himself. It had apparently worked. Once Oberon realized Harry was genuine and not looking to take advantage of his daughter, he'd become very welcoming. It didn't hurt that Hermione seemed happier and healthier than she had ever been before. Harry obviously had the support of the school and was, with Hermione, one of the top students. Sirius had left them alone to talk.
"Harry, my main question for you, is why so early?" Oberon asked. "If you love one another now, which I believe you that you do, you'll still love each other in a few years. Why not wait to formalize the relationship with an engagement? You're fourteen and she's fifteen, that's very young."
"I agree, Mr. Granger, but our situation really is unique. First, we've told you about the soul bond, but it's difficult to really understand. There really is no single rule for these bonds, as they're very rare and variable. However, ours has progressed to the point where we are constantly hearing each other's thoughts. Our talents and abilities have been passed on to the other, so I've become better at school, while she's become more athletic. Our magic has even merged, to where we're equally strong, stronger than either of us would have been before. Given how our bond has progressed, we're never going to be able to be with anyone else. To break this bond would likely kill us or drive us insane. With the bond, we can never hurt each other, not without feeling the pain as if we'd hurt ourselves. Do you see what that means? Our age would normally be problem, because with age comes wisdom, but your daughter was wise at a young age and I benefit from her wisdom. Not that it takes much wisdom, because to know how I make her feel only requires that I think about it and I know. No more time will let us decide if we're right for each other, because there are no other options. We're either right for each other or we'll have to be alone.
Second, I'm the last heir of one of the ancient wizarding families. It is not considered that odd for me to marry young, because there is clear reason.
Third, we don't have to rely on jobs, as I have a sizeable inheritance. We'll continue to study, because we value education and we'll need to be educated to face our responsibilities, but there's no reason to delay our marriage for that, as we'll both be pursuing education until we die, I'd expect.
So, while I agree that there are excellent reasons to wait, I think we have special circumstances that mean this relationship will progress faster than any of us would ordinarily choose, Mr. Granger."
"Given that you're going to be family, why don't you call me Obie or if you want, I don't mind if you call me dad. You've made some good points. However, those all seem to apply to you. What if you marry my daughter and then decide to leave her? Will she still have money from your inheritance?"
Harry had to stop and breathe. The suggestion that he would leave Hermione was truly offensive to him. She sent calming thoughts through the bond and reminded Harry that her father had a solely muggle viewpoint.
"Sir, that's what I'm trying to say about the bond. I couldn't leave Hermione if I tried. I'd die first. There's no reason I'd want to, but even if I somehow did, I couldn't. Although, if you want to, I'd be happy to write a marriage contract stating that if somehow we did manage this impossibility, she could have half my possessions if it would make you feel better."
"Ok, I believe you that you couldn't, but it would make me feel better if she had some sort of trust to help her regain her feet should something happen. What about children? If you have children, won't that disrupt her education? As a medical professional, I know that women's bodies aren't even fully mature for some years, yet. It would be a terrible strain on her to have a child at this age and how would you raise a child, as you're both still children? One of your reasons for marrying this young is due to being the orphan heir to a great family. That seems to imply you'd need children as soon as possible, which adds to my fears."
Harry nodded. This concern seemed to make a lot of sense.
"I see your concern. You're right, it would be better if I had an heir, but I'm not in a hurry. I'd planned on waiting for this. However, I think magical medicine is more advanced than muggle medicine. I know I've had all the bones in my arm regrown after an accident, which couldn't be done by muggle medicine. I think you and your wife could consult Madame Pomfrey, our healer at the school, and find out if there are magical means to make pregnancy easier on a young witch. Again, we don't plan on actually marrying and definitely not on having children for some time, yet."
"You're planning on waiting, but at 14 or even Hermione's 15, plans may go out the window when hormones take over. How do magical folks prevent pregnancy, anyway?"
Harry started to blush, but reinforced his mental shields and drew on Hermione's clinical detachment to try to stay mature. He didn't need to make his future father-in-law see him as even more of a boy.
"Maybe you should speak with Madame Pomfrey. I'm sure Hermione has already spoken to Mrs. Granger about it. I know that wizards are taught, I have been taught, to cast an anti-contraceptive charm on myself. I had to prove to Madame Pomfrey that I could cast it correctly before she'd release me from our special class."
"Well, Harry, you've managed to impress me. It's clear you've thought through the problems and at least have decent answers. I'm still shocked, but you seem to be a fine young man. I feel like we've known you for three years. So while I think Hermione's too young, I'm willing to give my blessings to your engagement.
By the way, do you golf?"
"I'm more of a quidditch player, but I wouldn't mind learning." Harry offered.
The three men had invited Remus Lupin and gone to a muggle golf course. Both Sirius and Remus had played before, although not often. Harry was just learning, but had a gift for athletics, particularly those where speed and precision were important. They had a pleasant time. Harry had noticed that Oberon had tried to give him as many beers as he would accept and seemed pleased when he stopped after one. He had a sense he'd made a good impression and he hoped it was enough to provide a foundation for their ongoing relationship.
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Harry didn't have to take the end of year tests, but Hermione did, so they spent more of their time revising as the end of term neared. Harry spent hours dueling with Ron, Hermione, or sometimes Professor Moody. Moody was good, but sometimes Harry was surprised at what he didn't know. With his interest in being an auror, Harry had done some research on the career field and Professor Moody was one of the legends. However, when dueling with Professor Moody, he seemed to have a limited repertoire and his casting was sloppy. He was ruthless, though, and Harry felt like he was learning and progressing rapidly.
Sometimes while he was dueling with Professor Moody, Ron and Hermione would meet in the library and continue to research the likely third task and plan strategy. Hermione was the primary researcher and she fed likely obstacles to Ron. Ron created strategy and gave Hermione more avenues to research, encouraging her to research spells that might accomplish what he felt Harry's best strategy might be. Sometimes Hermione had to come back to Ron and tell him what he wanted was impossible and they continued to plan for other options.
Meanwhile, their revision schedule was intense. Hermione was a task master, holding tightly to her study schedule. Sometimes Harry felt they didn't really need to study as hard as they did, but he better understood her drive for perfection now that he could feel her emotions and he felt like he might be helping her to relax about the outcome, paradoxically allowing her to study more efficiently since without anxiety she wasn't distracted by feelings of hopelessness.
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In late May, Harry was told to go to the Quidditch pitch at 9 p.m. to learn what the third task was. Hermione was very excited, which Harry could barely understand, even with their connection. He believed in her research and felt like they already knew what the task was. However, she had kept their final strategy secret until she was certain what the final task was. Given how hard it was to keep secrets from each other, Harry had just cooperated, knowing she would share when she was ready.
At half past 8 he began the walk to the pitch. He met up with Cedric at the entrance hall and they walked the rest of the way.
"What have they done to our Quidditch pitch?" Cedric said indignantly as they walked past the stands.
Instead of the flat field, there were low rises in complicated patterns. Many stakes held young plants supported with twine.
"They're hedges." Harry exclaimed.
"Can anyone guess what we're building?" Bagman asked the four champions.
Nobody answered for a long pause. Harry, of course, knew and had known since Hermione had found it in the library, but he felt like he shouldn't be the one to answer.
"A maze?" Krum grunted.
"Right! A maze!" Ludo Bagman said, "The final task is a maze! It's really quite straightforward. We build a maze and put the cup at the center. Whoever touches it first, wins!"
"We simple 'ave to get through a maze?" Fleur wondered.
"Well, there will be obstacles. Magical creatures, spells, and other obstacles, but essentially yes. Those with the most points going in get a time advantage, setting off into the maze first. Then each person enters based on the current point standings." Mr. Bagman said, looking at Harry, "First Mr. Potter, then Mr. Diggory, then Mr. Krum, then Miss Delacour."
The champions walked together away from the pitch and towards their respective houses. Harry split from the others as they approached the castle and walked towards Hagrid's hut, hoping to catch his friend and see if he could catch any hints in discussion, given how poorly the half-giant kept secrets. However, as he neared the hut, he heard something rustling in the woods. He swiftly pulled his wand as he considered whether he should back away.
Suddenly, a man staggered out of the woods. He was disheveled, with torn robes and with sticks in his hair. Even worse, he was conversing with someone next to him that was clearly not there. Harry recognized Mr. Crouch from the Quidditch world cup.
Hermione, recognizing the panic in his mind, called to him over the bond.
Harry, what's wrong?
Mr. Crouch, near Hagrid's hut, he may be injured, send a Professor! Harry thought hard, sending the message over their link.
He rushed to Mr. Crouch's side just in time to lower him to the ground as he collapsed. Harry didn't know any healing spells, so put his robe under Mr. Crouch's head and tried to talk to him.
"Mr. Crouch, what's wrong? Are you all right?"
"Weatherby, please send an owl to Dumbledore, confirming the number of Durmstrang students, Karkaroff has informed us there will be twelve."
"I've sent for Dumbledore." Harry said, "He should be here soon. Are you hurt?"
"Dumbledore!" gasped Mr. Crouch, seeming to understand at least that much, "I need to see Dumbledore! I've done… a stupid… thing. Need… see Dumbledore. Who are you?"
"I'm one of his students." Harry said, thinking it might be unwise to give his name if he wasn't recognized already.
"You're not… His? You're Dumbledore's?" Mr. Crouch hissed, his eyes focusing intently.
"Headmaster Dumbledore's student, that's right." Harry answered, confused.
Just then, Snape, in his billowing black robes walked up to them, looking like a giant bat. Trailing only slightly behind him was Professor Dumbledore in dark green robes with Hermione in her school robes.
"Mr. Potter, what is going on here?" Snape hissed, "What trouble are you getting into? Miss Granger had some ridiculous story… Mr. Crouch?"
The professor knelt by Mr. Crouch. He pulled a potion flask from his robes and started to tip it towards the man's mouth, when from the woods, a flash of sickening green light flew, impacting Mr. Crouch's chest, which went instantly still.
Professor Dumbledore waved his wand and the trees on the edge of the forest began waving their branches, much like the Whomping Willow. No further spells came from the forest.
"I think the assassin escaped." The headmaster said, "The trees can not see him."
Harry was shaking with the reaction of seeing a man killed directly in front of him.
"Mr. Potter, tell us what happened." Professor Snape said, catching Harry's eyes. Harry instantly threw up occulomentic shields, in reflex blocking his teacher. Surprisingly, it wasn't so much that he didn't trust him anymore, but here was the man who'd taught him to always block his thoughts, so it was ingrained.
"Sorry, Professor." Harry said, carefully lowering his shields slightly to let Snape skim the last few minutes' memories.
"His." Professor Snape said, quietly. "Headmaster, I think we should discuss this in your office."
All four walked back to the castle, Professor Dumbledore having transfigured a twig into a shroud, draped the body, and levitated it behind them.
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They discussed the events, decided that "His" clearly said with significance and capitol letters, must somehow refer to Voldemort. However, without a clearer threat, the Headmaster had expressed his preference to continue the championship as already planned.
Harry and Hermione returned to their common room shaken. They practiced their bond for comfort, love, and knowing they needed all the power they could get.
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Professor Dumbledore met with Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, Professor Flitwick.
"I am concerned. It is not clear what has happened to Mr. Crouch, but he's clearly terrified and it appears to be Lord Voldemort he is terrified of. His association with the Tri-Wizard tournament and Mr. Potter's selection are both abnormalities that should make us pay heed. What are your thoughts."
"I think we should cancel the tournament." Snape hissed in a low voice, "Mr. Potter should never have been allowed to compete. Our long term plans should not be risked in this asinine way."
"But the reason we allowed him to compete at all," Minerva McGonagall replied, "this is a magical contract, all the Champions are required to compete. They could lose their magic if they do not. What would that do to our 'long term plans'?"
"Very complicated questions arise when you consider ancient magic artifacts and their enchantments. When you layer additional charms, such as whatever was likely used to fool the Goblet, I think it becomes quite difficult to predict the result." Flitwick mused. "Although the contract would be met if we ended the tournament. You can recall I advocated we do just that at the beginning. A few days would have been wasted redrawing champions, but it could have prevented this kind of fear."
"It also would have left the wizard or witch who charmed the Goblet free and we might not know what they planned next time. Is it better to face the known danger rather than the unknown?" Dumbledore mused, looking over his glasses. His normal grandfatherly look was absent and this was clearly the General speaking with his officers.
"Albus!" Minerva exclaimed, "You're speaking as if to use the boy as bait!"
"What if he is?" Snape asked, sounding the perfect Slytherin, "Perhaps the Headmaster is right. After all, we will be watching the tournament."
Flitwick merely glared, which would not normally be frightening from a diminutive man who had to stand on stacks of books to be seen in classroom, but was terrifying if you understood his history as a dueling champion.
"We will continue. We will closely observe. The boy is developing new depths and I think we must encourage that. This final task is calculated to push the Champions to new heights of magic and I think we must hope this trend continues. " Dumbledore ruled, "Please continue to watch. If you have additional ideas how to more closely monitor, please tell me."
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A/N: Someone critiqued me that my chapters were too short. What is the perfect chapter length? This time I went for length at some cost to it being a single theme. I will continue to play around and don't anticipate consistency.