51. Enter the Labyrinth

It was time to put the finishing touches on Lord Valdemar's return. I enchanted my holster to have a hidden pocket, and in there, I placed a small vial of polyjuice potion.

Then I got to the most important part of what I had in mind, talking to Harry. We talked at the edge of the lake, where I explained each step of my plan, and I saw him having different expressions every time.

In the end he just threw up a little and recovered, but I saw in his eyes the determination and courage to do it. As we had little time, I decided to prepare it a little more and with more intensity.

I finally got him into the Room of Requirement.

Every day, we spent at least 2 hours fighting while I explained how and when to use simple and complex magic. Simple magic was related to the basic ones, which could disrupt the opponent's rhythm.

Lumus to blind him, Difindo to get in the way, Leviosa to lift stones and throw or, if you can, hit your opponent and then knock him down. Very basic stuff, but if used creatively, it would help a lot.

For the complex ones, Expelliarmus, Bombarda, Reducto, and whatever else he wanted to learn and he explained the same things, how and when to use them. Even things I invented, Protego Patronus, which has the ability to generate a shield and defend against the killing curse. In layman's translation, it meant Guardian Shield.

I took the opportunity to look for and seal the diadem. I asked Nana to leave the new box with the others with the same design. So now, it was just a matter of relaxing and waiting for things to happen in her own time.

When the third task was a month away, we were taken to see the planting and growth of the labyrinth. There, they explained to us how the task was, and the dangers we would face.

Harry proceeded to enjoy this time with his friends, and he dragged me along. I noticed how tense he was about the plan, so giving him that quality time would do him good.

So much so that he even started dating little Gina. Nev, the still introverted but loyal and brave, was getting special attention from Anna Abbott. It wouldn't take long for these two to get together.

I was apart, as my plan was risky, and potentially suicidal. So I chose not to bond beyond the ones I already had. My time in this world was running out, and I could feel it.

I needed to change the ritual that Valdemar did. He used his father's bones as a physical anchor, while I used blood. And because of that, my lifespan was much shorter, as blood alone could not maintain my body.

I took advantage of the time in the Hufflepuff common room to write some things. I wrote little, but it was all I needed. Now it was just waiting for the final of the tournament.

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Finally we were here, the 4 champions in front of the entrance to the great labyrinth. Harry and I would go in first, as we were tied for first overall.

When the sound of the cannon came, Harry and I entered, from different directions. So I started my hunt. I first needed to eliminate the 3 competitors, and get the cup. The whole conversation I had with Harry was just that. Conversation.

I was dying, and there was no method, magical or scientific, that would save me, or at least buy me some more time. The pain I felt did not come from my body, but from my soul. Like something was trying to kick me out of this plane.

I spent a lot of time looking for my opponents, so I changed tactics, went after the cup, and there, I could ambush each one of them. No sooner said than done.

The first to appear was Krum, who had unfocused eyes and a frightening appearance. I quickly put it out, and let the next one come. To my surprise, it was Harry.

So I wave at him, and as he launches "Periculum," I hit him with a stun. I walk over to him and pull a few strands of his hair, put it in the potion that was in his hidden pocket and drink it. Soon after, I touch the cup.

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POV HARRY

I had a headache. I just remember casting Periculum and then everything went blank. I kept my eyes closed because I seemed to be seeing somewhere else.

It feels like I was dropped into something wet, and it started to boil. Then I felt all the liquid start to rise up over my body and stick to me. It was an ominous feeling at the same time that I felt happy like never before.

I could feel my new body, it was much better than before, stronger, more agile. My slender hands and long nails caress my new body and my eyes flutter open.

The cemetery, morbid, was my birthplace. Where others were dead, this place has given me new life, a new chance to pursue my ambition, eternal life. And then I, who got further from that goal than anyone.

But first, I needed to settle scores with this damned child. The one who was under the protection of magic so ancient, that I had forgotten, and for that, I paid a heavy price.

No more.

Now, his blood also runs in my veins, so protection no longer prevents me from disposing of the child. But something is not right. The boy is smiling, his body is relaxed. Why?

"Wormtail, my wand." I extend my hand, to my slave, who now had one of his hands gone. He gives me back my lifelong companion, one who only failed me once, against this very boy.

"His arm." I say once more to the worm. And he has the audacity to reach out to me without a hand. "The other arm. Now." he still has to suffer a little longer, until I give him his prize.

As soon as I touch my wand to his black mark. A sharp twinge, excruciating pain, and all I can hear is a happy, happy laugh, which pisses me off so much. Before the image cracked, I could see myself, laughing.

My forehead aches as the image shatters, but the pain, sharp and sharp, is gone the instant it came. I open my eyes, and find myself lying down, next to the bleachers, and next to me, Fleur and Krum.

A little further away are Dumbledore, Moody, Snape, McGonagall, Hagrid, Sirius, Amelia Bones, Uncle Arthur and Aunt Molly, Aunt Narcissa was also there. Then I remembered the plan Evans had told me. The worry that something has gone wrong hits me, so I'm going to try to fix it.

I take out my wand, and without blinking or flinching, I throw with all my might a Stupefy at Moody's back. Taking everyone by surprise, I run to the ex-Auror's sprawled body as those around me try to make sense of what's going on.

Just in time, I found your drink flask.

"Harry, what was that?" Dumbledore asks worriedly, as I am grabbed by Hagrid, who lifts me effortlessly.

"He's not Moody, I can taste it, smell his canteen." I say desperately, and hand the canteen to Dumbledore, as Hagrid puts me down but keeps me pinned down.

Dumbledore sniffs it, and passes it to Snape. As soon as he smells it, his eyes widen. "Polyjuice Potion".

"Harry, explain what's going on, please." Dumbledore now looks at me very worriedly, while Amelia Bones conjures strings over the fake Moody.