Chapter Fifty Five - Second Task
Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe belongs to the proverbial Duchess of Magic, JK Rowling, Scholastic, Bloomsbury, Warner Bros and some other high falutin' companies. No matter how much I whine about not owning anything related to the HP universe, other than a few fanfic plots, I do not profess to own - and would never dream of making any money off - JKR's wonderful world... Damn it!
A/N: And with this chapter this story has become the longest I've written to date.
Chapter Fifty Five - Second Task
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
With Dumbledore now 'properly' hidden within the Department of Mysteries, with even the knowledge he was there by those who knew protected from being discovered and with the Aurors now unable to locate him, together with classes back up and running at Hogwarts and things moving apace, events of note began to taper off.
The Unspeakables were slowly dragging out of Dumbledore all the information the man had previously locked away in his mind by using the Truth Chair, small doses of Veritaserum in his food and the occasional Legilimency attack; just to ensure he knew that avoiding answering a question would lead to a massive headache and the truth coming out anyway. Their other method was also deceiving him into believing he was now with them for weeks, when it was days; then months, when it was weeks.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
At Hogwarts, the rest of the Heirs had been brought in to 'help' Harry train for the Second Task and were just as enthusiastic about it. They even made a mad game out of it. Two on one, became three on one, became three on two, four on two, five on two.
Of course, it started with Harry doing almost all of the dodging until Tracey was brought in. Then he dragged in Neville to help him, which brought in both Susan and Hannah.
It helped that the obstacles were there the first time Neville was brought in, or the poor boy would have ended up looking like a polka-dot clown from all the coloured dots. They'd promised not to use stinging hexes on him until he managed to get used to it, but once he did there were as many yelps of sudden pain from the sandy-haired boy as there was from Harry.
Once the others discovered why Harry had first started this form of 'training' the others wanted to see him summon the broom, too.
While they were still in their training clothes and working in the gym, they stepped out, waited for Harry to change it and stepped back in again.
When he demonstrated the summoning charm on a broom that was just there and waiting, Harry was easily able to avoid getting skewered. He thought it was travelling as slow as a turtle and couldn't figure out why he was almost skewered with it the first time he tried this.
Wanting to summon something a second time, he simply cast, "Accio!" before he realised there was nothing there, thought of Hermione finding another broom and accidentally summoned her from the other end and into the pool about twenty feet in from where she was standing.
When she popped up she was spluttering and bellowed, "Harrison James Potter!"
As he was standing there part horrified, part amazed and part amused he'd accidentally yanked his betrothed into the pool, he suddenly felt himself yanked a good ten feet forward into the pool, too.
He had no idea she had her wand in her hand, but neither did she until she silently cast the same charm right back at him.
It was less than thirty seconds before all seven of them were in the pool either laughing or yelling at one another.
What none of them knew was, when the Abbott girl was making a dash for the door to escape and got tagged by a summoning charm from Susan into the pool, both the charm and the girl just missed the stationed and disillusioned auror who was watching them, self-silenced and laughing her head off.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Unknown to the seven students, Harry's auror detail had never gone away. Since he'd returned to the school it had dropped to only one following him everywhere except within the Lords' Quarters. However, they were always there and always disillusioned and silenced at all other times.
They had also taken to following the seven into the Room of Requirement and were both stunned and gleeful the seven of them were working hard to get fit. They thought the colourball 'battles' were brilliant and had already sent off reports of it to the 'higher ups'. However, it took quite a bit of concentration on their part not to get hit by a wayward cast at those times.
The only time since Harry had re-entered the school a specifically tailing auror had made themselves known was during the confrontation with the Malfoy boy. However, that particular auror was not on the PPD - the Potter Protection Detail. He was one assigned to the castle and was later told that, when disillusioned in future, not cause himself to be seen. They did not want Lord Potter to know there were disillusioned aurors about more than he suspected.
When Nott had made his play on the aborted Hogsmeade weekend, the following auror was about to step in when Potter made his charge and made the point moot.
He was also the one who provided a pensieve memory of the event, which meant no one else's was asked for or required.
On that same day, a few hours later and when the Lord Nott had stormed into her office and demanded 'the Potter brat' be arrested and thrown in Azkaban, Madam Bones calmly told him she had only the hour earlier reviewed a certified pensieve memory of the event and would do no such thing.
"Lord Potter will not be charged, Lord Nott," she calmly stated. "However, your Heir most certainly will be. He and his two friends set up and laid in wait an ambush. It was clearly premeditated and Lord Potter only injured your precious Heir after he and his two friends injured Miss Granger and Miss Greengrass."
Before Nott could arc up again, she gave him a firm and very direct look and said, "Your Heir attacked and injured the magical ward of Lord Sirius Black of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, who also happens to be the Lady Presumptive, through betrothal, of the Lord of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter; and, further, also injured the Heiress Presumptive of the Noble and Ancient House of Greengrass, who happens to be the concubine of Lord Potter. I have asked Lords Potter, Black and Greengrass to let me handle dealing with your grandson. However, if you interfere in both my handling of the situation and the rightful charging of the boy, I will inform them all that you have decided to interfere.
"If I have to do that then you can expect those three to come after you. And, need I remind you, two of them are of the Seven. You'd best ensure your affairs are in order and your Will properly filed and ready before you do."
She gave that a moment to sink in as the man turned almost pasty white before she asked, "Now, Lord Nott, are you interfering with my investigation?"
Nott stood there for a moment, before he spun about and fled. He'd call it, 'tactically retreated' or similar, but Amelia knew the man was wanting out of her office and away as quickly as he could; so, he fled.
As she heard him bark at one of her aurors to get out of his way as he practically ran out through the auror bullpen, she gave a snort of amusement and thought to herself, 'Potter might cause me some heartburn with making us look like idiots; but, his getting Fudge and his pet toad out of my hair so I can get on with my job, more than made up for it.'
Once Theodore Nott was revived from getting his testicles 'fixed', as was the Cowley boy's also damaged testicles, but not to the same amount, she was in the hospital informing them both they were being charged. Both were also moved, at that time, down to the DMLE-secure ward on her direct orders. McGruder was currently cooling his heels in one of her holding cells.
Nott had blustered and said, "My Lord will have me free in no time; you'll see!" he smugly said.
"He's already been in to see me," she smirked right back. "As far as he's concerned, you're mine. You went up against one of the Seven; one who is of and the person who reactivated and heads the Potter-Longbottom Alliance. But, not only that, you injured the magical ward of another of the Seven and the Heir Presumptive of a third Noble House. I might consider your Lord to be an idiot, at times; but, he's not that big an idiot.
"So, young Mister Nott; you should think yourself very lucky. If it wasn't for my aurors, who were very quick to be on the scene, Lord Potter would have killed you right where you lay. It took the quick words of one of my aurors, begging for your life, that stayed Lord Potter's hand."
As Nott blanched, she thought, 'That's two Notts I've made do that today.'
"So, Mister Nott," she said. "You are going to be a good little boy. You are going to answer the questions my aurors are going to put to you truthfully and in detail. If you do not, I shall be informing Lord Potter you did not wish to comply. Then I'll step out of his way. Got me?"
Nott was quick to nod back.
Parents or guardians of the other two boys had also demanded the release of their precious children. However, once she explained what the three had done and against whom, all of them shut up and immediately switched to politely asking her to personally handle the matter, begged her to talk Lords Potter, Black and Greengrass out of more physical action and asked to be let know when they could collect their boys to take them home.
With no 'bought' Minister or dumpy, sneering Senior Undersecretary to harass her, her job was both much easier and a lot less stressful and aggravating.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
It wasn't long before Harry was contacted by Sirius via mirror and informed Black Manor, now (temporarily) renamed the Kennel, was complete right on schedule and right on budget. And he'd moved in, practically ordering Moony to move in with him.
"I told him it was much too big a place for me to be there on my own, so he agreed," explained Sirius. "So, I now need to tell you the floo address and password."
"Let me guess," said Harry. "The address is 'The Kennel' and the password is "Woof Woof'?"
Sirius pouted and said, "The first part's right but the password is, 'Hey, sex god'."
Harry broke up laughing, before he calmed down and said, "I can just see it now. Hermione activates the floo in the Doghouse and yells into the fireplace, 'Hey, sex god' right in front of her father." And cracked up laughing again.
"Oh!" said a sheepish Sirius. "Oops! I'd better change it."
That had Harry rolling about on the sofa in the apartment, laughing himself to tears.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
At Black Manor, Sirius walked into the library cum sitting room with a grin on his face and holding the mirror in his off hand.
Moony, who was sitting and reading a book, looked up and saw the expression on his friend's face. "No! He fell for it?"
Sirius chuckled and said, "Yep."
That had Moony laugh. "What was his reaction?"
"The same as yours," replied Sirius. "But, he also said, 'I can imagine the reaction on her father's face when he sees his daughter activating the floo and yelling "Hey, sex god" into the fireplace'."
That had Moony lose it to laughter. Which then had Sirius also collapse into a chair and laugh his head off.
"He's right, you know!" laughed Moony. "If you're lucky, Wendell would only pull out his surgical knives and come after you. If not, he'd come wielding a shotgun."
"Oww!" laughed Sirius. "Don't say that first one, ever again. My boys have already crawled up back inside!"
Finally getting himself under control, Moony asked, "When are you going to tell him the real password?"
"Tomorrow," replied Sirius, wiping his eyes clear of laugh tears. "I don't want it to be too much longer than that."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
On the Saturday before the upcoming Wizengamot session, the Alliance met. With Lady Marchbanks as Headmistress, she had no hesitation in allowing the Heirs to attend under 'family business' provisions.
She even mentioned that a couple of other Alliances were also, apparently, meeting either that day or the next, Sunday. And their Heirs and/or family members were attending those meetings under the auspices of 'family business'. So, the Heirs had no reason to find counter arguments to how they were receiving special privileges due to Marchbanks being a member of the Potter-Longbottom Alliance.
The main item of business was the discussion and determination of who the Alliance would support as Minister. Ogden immediately opted out, claiming his Chief Warlock position was a conflict of interest. No one gainsaid him, as each member was entitled to their opinion without rancour.
The meeting was much shorter than the previous due to there only being a month since the last. And the Heirs, after spending time with family, returned to the castle well before dinner.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After three weeks the Unspeakables believed they had convinced Dumbledore he'd been with them for almost five months.
For the Second Task of the 'Tri-Wiz' they gave him a bunch of made-up results, claiming they gave him the information as a reward for being co-operative. Harry had 'rescued' his beloved Firebolt from the bottom of the lake and come in third, but placed last due to his demand to only be awarded a single point by each judge.
However, it was as the 'made-up' time neared the Third Task, Dumbledore was pushing for more and more information regarding that particular Task above anything else.
Croaker had asked, "Why is the result of the Third Task so important to you, Albus? It is, after all, only a competition."
The old man had immediately closed up and went into this huge monologue - for that was all it really was - about how the Tri-Wizard Tournament was a great opportunity for the three leading European schools of magic to come together in fellowship. In other words, the old man had realised the Truth Chair would only cause him to glow red if he lied; not if he avoided the question.
He'd figured that out in their real third session, not the sixth session he thought it was. Croaker let him get away with it as, by the old man not directly answering, he was informing them the Third Task was, in fact, important.
That led Croaker to approaching the subject most carefully. With the aid of psychologists and mind-healers they formulated a plan on how to deal with it, as the Third Task was clearly of major interest to the old man.
At least, that was what Croaker thought was going on. He would soon discover just how effectively Dumbledore had misled him.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
While, truthfully, the Second Task was fast approaching, so too was the February Wizengamot session.
At Hermione's request, Sirius contacted her father and told him of the session and that there would be an earlier sitting of the Wizengamot in judicial review. They would be sitting to hear the cases of Algernon Rosier and Augusta Longbottom.
At the same time he told both Granger parents that the attackers of Hermione on the Hogsmeade weekend - Nott, Cowley and McGruber - had all chosen to quit Hogwarts and finish their schooling elsewhere. That was Durmstrang.
"Isn't that one of the schools that is taking part in that infernal Tournament?" asked Monica.
"Yes, but the three are not permitted to attend," replied Sirius. "Their Highmaster, Karkaroff, forbid it. No one had to lean on him about it, either."
So, on the morning of the sessions, Sirius flooed to the Granger residence, picked up Wendell and flooed them to the Ministry atrium. Not to 'offend' wizarding sensibilities, Wendell wore a robe and carried a spare wand - though he could not use it - for the wand-weighing security station.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
At Hogwarts, permission for Harry to attend was given well in advance. Though, it would be fairer to say, that it was officially recognised he'd be attending as part of his duties as an invested Lord, than he was permitted. He did not actually need permission.
The girls, however, were not permitted to go watch as they had classes to attend. Though, again, if Lord Greengrass had demanded the presence of his daughter as Heiress Presumptive to watch in order for her to learn how the Wizengamot worked, she would be allowed. He did not ask, though; and Harry wouldn't push it, because he didn't feel it was his place to do so.
"But, Daddy's going to be there," Hermione grumped.
"Yep," said Harry. "But, do you want everyone to know that your father, who everyone knows is supposed to be a muggle because of your known heritage, is also in the chamber?"
Hermione immediately sighed and said, "You're right. Sorry."
"Don't apologise for it," he said. "You've done nothing wrong and it's completely understandable."
Harry headed for the Ministry atrium by way of Lady Marchbanks's Headmistress's office and flooing over from there with her.
After arriving via floo, first, he was quick to save her the effort of vanishing the soot off herself by doing it first. Then immediately offered his left elbow for her, knowing she used her cane in her left hand.
She gave a little chuckle and immediately accepted the elbow by laying her right hand on his horizontally held left forearm. "Such a gentleman," she said, as the two slowly made their way down the length of the atrium towards the security gate.
Many they passed hesitated and gave them both a slight nod of acknowledgement.
They'd only managed to go about twenty feet before Harry noticed a team of aurors had subtly formed a box around them as they walked. And he only noticed that because they'd also slowed their pace down to match that of the unusual couple.
He gave a little sigh of annoyance about it, which had Lady Marchbanks give a little chuckle back and gently pat his forearm with her fingers in a 'There-there' kind of way. She clearly knew why he'd sighed.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After passing through the checkpoint without having their wands weighed - the aurors were exempt and both Harry and Lady Marchbanks were recognised Wizengamot members - the now six made their way to a lift. When one arrived, the aurors immediately commandeered it and the six rode down to Level Nine, where the Wizengamot chamber was located.
Passing through to the chamber, Harry stayed with Marchbanks until her saw her safely within. Then, noticing Wendell in the visitors tiers with only a couple of journalists for company, he made his way up the stairs to sit alongside him for a moment.
"Wendell," he smiled. Quietly, he asked, "Have you been told, yet, about what happened to those idiots who dared attack Hermione?"
"Yes," the man smiled. "They... willingly... left Hogwarts and are seeking an education elsewhere."
"Mmm," smirked Harry. "Word was made clear to them that going back to Hogwarts would very likely see them immediately expelled again, if they were lucky. If they were unlucky, they would consider their lives forfeit."
Wendell smiled and asked, "You threatened them?"
"Threatened?" smirked Harry, while also trying to act innocent. "I would never do such a thing. I merely asked Mister Nott, the ringleader on their side of that little fracas, which curse he would prefer to be executed with; and explained why such a thing would happen."
Looking more fully at his future father-in-bond, he asked, "You don't think he took that to mean I was actually going to kill him, do you?"
Wendell chuckled and said, "You're a good boy, Harry. Now, I think you better go join your peers before the trials are called."
Harry gave a nod and descended from the visitors' gallery before crossing the floor and exiting through the door to the Wizengamot antechamber.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After going into the antechamber and meeting up with Sirius, Frank, Samuel and some of the others - stopping for a quick chat with each - the Wizengamot were called to take their seats. Harry sat between Sirius and Frank.
As they sat, he leaned to Frank and asked, "I didn't ask him, but why did you not want Neville here?"
"He is here," replied Frank. "He was escorted by aurors and is in the witness's isolation rooms with Alice."
"Ah!" said a surprised Harry. "I should have thought and come with him."
"That would not have been proper, Lord Potter," he said right back. "It could have been perceived as you interfering with a witness."
Harry nodded, understanding.
When the session came to order, Miles Ogden banged his gavel and called for the accused. They were starting with Algernon Rosier.
Frank immediately stood, stated he would be a witness and was recusing himself and headed for the witness isolation rooms.
As they were all settling down, Rosier was brought in.
As Madam Bones had already informed those who needed to know, Rosier immediately admitted guilt to the charges he claimed he would, but not the charges he claimed he wouldn't due to 'extenuating circumstances'.
Though he was pureblood he asked to take Veritaserum, just as Sirius did for his own trial, with it being allowed. That the charges were in relation to actions against a then Heir Apparent of one of the Seven is what got it through.
Of course, the court case was a foregone conclusion; guilty where he pleaded guilty and not guilty where he pleaded not guilty. However, the sentencing was not.
After the silencing wards went up to block sound from the tiers being heard outside them, Ogden said, "Right. What do we do with him?"
"He is clearly remorseful of his actions," said one of the Neutrals. "He pleaded and admitted guilt where it was warranted and accepts he placed the young Heir Apparent of the House in jeopardy. I urge leniency."
As the discussion went on, Harry asked for and got the call. "The Heir Apparent you're referring to has a name; Neville Longbottom. Mister Rosier deliberately placed his life at great risk on both occasions. I also remind you that, at the time, he was also considered the last of the line of a Noble and Most Ancient House. Should anything have happened to young Neville, we may have lost one of the Seven. That is a travesty that cannot ever be allowed, or excused.
"His actions demand jail time, even if he has later admitted guilt and shown remorse. He did not do such until he was called on it. If he was truly remorseful, he would have come forward on his own long before now.
"I suggest five years minimum security at a minimum. I, for one, will countenance no less. This body must show it takes its responsibility to the security of the realm, most gravely."
Harry received a fair bit of approbation for that call.
"Five is insufficient," stated another. "I would consider five would be the minimum for only once exercising such poor judgement. I call for ten, but acknowledge the call for minimum security."
In the end, Rosier was sentenced to seven years minimum security incarceration in Azkaban. When the sentence was 'read' it was obvious he expected such. He just nodded and waited to be taken away.
Because the case did not take long, Augusta Longbottom was brought in almost as soon as Rosier was led out.
As soon as Harry saw her, he was pissed. The bitch was not just wearing expensive and well-tailored witches' robes, she had the audacity to wear robes that reflected she was the Regent of Longbottom. A position for which she knew she'd been stripped.
Ogden saw it and snarled. Quite a few others were unhappy seeing it, too.
As soon as she was sat in the defendant's chair and the chains bound her, he said, "Aurors. Missus Longbottom wears the crest of Longbottom, signifying her being the Regent of Longbottom. We all know it not to be true. Remove it, at once!"
When 'Rosier' - Harry still refused to acknowledge her by her married name - tried to protest, the auror ignored her and tried to vanish it. When it couldn't be vanished, he cut it out. It left a large hole in the breast of her outer robes, but no one cared.
Once it was gone, the auror stepped away again, but only as far as two paces behind her and with his wand drawn.
When the charges were read, Harry thought she might have already 'gauged' the members' reactions and decided to plead guilty. However, she stuck to her wand and, in an arrogant manner, pleaded not guilty. Harry was both pleased she didn't - as it meant the punishment would be harsher - and annoyed she still didn't acknowledge she'd done something wrong.
The case proceeded apace and, finally, they were done.
Again, up went the privacy ward. There were quite a few Lords and Ladies, the dark families, who wanted to toss her into Azkaban and throw away the key. However, there was a significantly large block who believed she could not be held accountable for the actions of her brother.
The final result was six months - three for each count - in Azkaban minimum security for failing to alert the DMLE to the deliberate endangerment of the Heir Apparent of a Noble and Most Ancient House by her brother, two counts.
She was firmly told it was not her decision to make or take. And that, just because she was regent of the House at the time, was irrelevant.
She was led out stunned silent in shock, clearly in disbelief they'd actually imprison her for it.
As soon as she was gone from the chamber, Ogden called for a thirty minute recess and reminded everyone they'd be electing a new Minister as the first order of business once they met in general session.
Harry immediately scarpered towards the visitors' gallery in order not to be waylaid by those who 'wanted to know his views on certain matters' or wanted to 'congratulate him for his rhetoric in the first case'; he never spoke one way or the other for the second.
Sirius followed him over, after blocking those who immediately tried to chase after him.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Up in the gallery, Harry plonked himself down on the seat next to Wendell and said, "Phew! I'm glad that's over."
He thought he might have seen Frank there, but he'd obviously chosen to go directly into the antechamber to speak with members. Harry also should have gone to the antechamber, but chose to spend a bit of time with Wendell.
With the election of the new Minister coming up as the first order of business, Harry didn't want anyone trying to either plead for his vote or get a sense of which way he would vote. Plus, he'd rather use the time to speak with one of the two men who had become his 'father figures'; and the other had chosen to sit on his other side, anyway. Sirius had also decided not to get involved in the last-minute vote pleading.
"That was... interesting," said Wendell. "Thank you for recommending I come and watch it."
Harry nodded and said, "If it wasn't because of the major divide between light and dark Houses, I'd call it too many chefs in the kitchen. However, it surprisingly works.
"Besides, the cases, while relating to the same matter, also dealt with matters pertaining to a Noble and Most Ancient House. No one was going to be missing that. Especially, when the second case was relating to a woman who was once Lady of the House and, lately, the Regent. She also held the post of Chief Adjudicator right up until the last session, right before Christmas; and was slated to become either the Next Chief Witch or Minister.
"There are many who take great delight in cutting down one of the 'tall poppies'; and Augusta Longbottom was one of the tallest. A real political powerhouse."
Wendell nodded and said, "What's next?"
"The boring part," sighed Harry. "First up, we're all called back to sit in general legislative session. The first order of business is the election of the new Minister. After that, we'll see."
"Any ideas on who that might be?" he asked.
"My money's on either our man, Tyler Stebbins, or Lord Gabriel Brunt," replied Harry. "At first we were going to support Lady Jacinta Cauldwell, but we changed our mind at the last minute when we realised she'd not get the votes. Brunt's a Neutral and doesn't belong to any alliance. All the formal Alliances, including ours, have courted him; but he's refused every one. He has a lot of respect among the members, just for that."
Sirius said, "My money's on Brunt, too. I don't think Stebbins has a chance, because many see him as a Ministry flunky and in your and Frank's pocket, Harry."
Harry gave a grunt of annoyed amusement. "He is and he isn't. Yes, he's a member of the Alliance, but he's always been true in putting his responsibilities above the Alliance, every time. And, neither Frank nor I can be annoyed at him about that, as we both know we'd be the same."
When the members were again called to session, both Harry and Sirius quickly excused themselves and returned to the tiers and their seats.
As soon as the session was called to order, Ogden banged his gavel to start and, as promised, called for the vote of Minister. None were allowed to speak as the time for that was past. If there was no clear winner, only then would they be allowed to speak.
However, it was not required. Lord Gabriel Brunt of the Noble and Elder House of Brunt won on the first round. The Elder House of Brunt was one of those who's nobility came from the muggle world when a son of a Marquessate turned out to be a wizard. It was the same path Harry was investigating to see if Finch-Fletchley could become a new Noble House.
Amelia immediately swore him in and Ogden asked him to take his seat in the Minister's chair. As he approached it, the members all stood and applauded him in congratulations.
As soon as he sat, the members followed suit. Then Ogden, as per tradition, asked him to give a few remarks.
Of course, Brunt stood and did just that, after withdrawing a small set of slips of parchment from an inner robe pocket.
'He was prepared for this,' thought Harry, as soon as he saw the man pull out the slips. 'Good. We might not have elected another daft moron, after all.'
Then followed about two hours of matters so riveting in Harry's interest he could have found more pleasure in watching grass grow or paint dry.
As soon as the 'normal' work of the Wizengamot commenced, Sirius pulled a book out of a pocket, sat back and began to read it.
The mongrel, in Harry's opinion, just smirked at Harry on and off for the next ten minutes before he pulled a second book out of the same pocket and handed it to his godson.
The look on Harry's face made Sirius have to smother a chuckle.
When Harry looked over to a reseated Frank Longbottom, he could see the man had a copy of the Daily Prophet out and folded so it was easier to handle while he was reading articles.
Harry sat back and started to read the book. However, as soon as he opened it and began to read, he realised it was a book titled, 'How to Woo your Witch (In Ten Easy Steps)'.
When he, shocked, turned to look at his godfather, he realised the man had up a localised silencing bubble and was laughing at him.
'Laugh it up, chuckles,' he venomously thought. 'Payback is a female boarhound'.
Then, as he had nothing else to do bar read the book Sirius had given him, began to plot his revenge while pretending to read and pay attention to some idiot prattle on about ensuring quality in potion ingredients.
'Really,' he mentally scoffed. 'There's been a decent set of laws in place about that for more than three hundred years, dutifully updated when and where necessary. Why, the hell, did this idiot want to revisit it?'
After a further ten minutes of the man's waffle he realised why. He sold commercial quantity potions ingredients and had quite a few shipments determined to be of too low a grade to be allowed to sell. Now he wanted the law changed to put the onus on the Apothecary to make that determination, rather than the Ministry's inspectors; and was claiming it would be an excellent way to save money.
As the Bill was only the first reading, Harry would hold off commenting on it. He'd do his research and 'out' the fool in the Prophet in the week leading up to when the Bill would be read for the second time and voted upon.
That meant he didn't have to listen to any more of the dribble until the next item of business was raised.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
When the session was called to conclusion just before lunch, Harry was glad to get away.
He went and saw Wendell, told him that if he ever needed to speak directly to Hermione he could by asking Sirius if he could borrow Sirius's communication mirror and returned to the tiers to escort Lady Marchbanks back to Hogwarts.
As they were walking from the elevator lobby on the atrium level back to the floos he asked her of her thoughts on the meeting.
"Actually, Lord Potter," she began. "For a lot of it I was watching the interplay between you and your reprobate of a godfather. It was most amusing."
Harry just cocked an eyebrow at her and grinned.
"What was so funny about that book our Lord Black gave you?" she asked.
Harry sighed and drew the book from his pocket. Sirius had told him to keep it.
When he showed it to her, she hesitated only a moment before letting forth a great cackle of glee. When she calmed down again, she said, "Now I understand." And handed it back to him.
Accepting it back, he firmly stated, "Revenge, shall be mine!"
Again, she cackled as she again took his arm as he escorted her to the floos.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After returning to the school via Marchbanks's office, Harry returned to the Lords' Quarters to shuck his Wizengamot robes and change into school robes.
Checking the time he realised Hermione had not yet returned from Herbology to clean up before lunch and had no idea where Daphne would be, but suspected she'd be along soon.
Right as he was thinking that, Hermione entered. As she crossed the room heading for her door, she quickly said, "Give me a few minutes, I stink of dragon dung." And was gone within.
"Well, hello to you, too," he quietly said, standing in the middle of the room and looking to her door.
"Talking to yourself, Potter?" asked Daphne's voice from behind.
Spinning around he saw his concubine bonded standing in the doorway and smirking at him.
So, with no other comeback available to him right at that moment, he just blew her a raspberry.
As she laughed and walked in he said, "Hermione hurried past, complaining of the smell of dragon dung and didn't even stop to say hello."
"I gathered," she replied. "Shall we wait for her, then?"
"Of course," he nodded.
As Daphne asked Betsy to change out her books for the afternoon class, Harry did the same with Dobby. Then Daphne asked Betsy to do the same for Hermione, just as she came back out.
"Ready," she declared, retrieving her satchel where Betsy had just returned it. "Thank you, Betsy," she called out as she was checking through it.
Harry and Hermione only had to worry about Potions, while Daphne had to add her Charms text for the final class, which neither of the other two had to worry about as they had Astronomy that night.
Harry already knew it was going to be a long day for him. He'd try and catch a nap that evening and have Dobby wake him in plenty of time.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
As the three Potters headed for the Great Hall, Hermione asked, "So, how did it go?"
He knew what she meant - the trials.
He replied, "Algernon Rosier got seven years, minimum security; Augusta Longbottom got six months, minimum security. Even once the verdict was read out, it was apparent she didn't believe it."
"She will have, by now," said Daphne. "The DMLE would not have mucked about getting her to Azkaban."
"Mmm..." he muttered. "That's why I'm kind of avoiding Neville, at the moment."
Daphne asked, "Do you believe Heir Longbottom will blame you for what has befallen his grandmother?"
Harry was a long moment replying before he said, "Somewhat; yes."
"He does not," she immediately and firmly said.
"Oh, Harry," said an understanding Hermione. "Neville doesn't blame you for any of this. He knows what his 'Uncle Algie' and 'Gran' did, or didn't do, is what's led to this. He knows they're responsible for their own actions."
As it turned out, Frank had immediately informed his son of the results of the trial between the judiciary and legislative sessions; and Neville in no way held Harry responsible for any of it.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After an interrupted sleep, where he managed to get a longer sleep before heading to Astronomy, Harry was up early as was his usual habit on a Wednesday morning.
Today marked one week before the Second Task and Hermione was determined they would ramp up their training for it.
So, immediately after breakfast, she, Harry and Neville - who'd offered to come and help - headed for the Room of Requirement to do some light training and practicing of the Summoning and other charms Harry might have to use in the Task.
Since he'd received his own wand, Neville had worked hard to rein back on his excessive use of magical power when casting. With the help of his father and mother he'd managed it in time to rejoin his classmates at the beginning of January at Hogwarts.
However, that did not mean he was no longer able to apply that prodigious amount of power when he wanted to. He used that just that morning during training, when he had a go at summoning the broom from off the bottom of the pool.
Like Harry, he was more than capable of the feat. But, unlike Harry, he had to quickly dive out of the way when the broom shot out of the water and directly at him. He might have had Harry's power, but not his reflexes.
"Damn!" he exclaimed, picking himself up off the pool edge while the broom clattered to the floor after hitting the wall well behind him.
Harry snickered in amusement. "Without all that dodging training we've been doing," he said, "It just might have got you."
Back on his feet and 'dusting' himself off, Neville said, "Yeah, it was close."
Walking back towards them from around the other end of the pool, Hermione said, "Well, I think you've got and practiced everything you need for the Second Task. And we've got about an hour before Daphne, Hannah and Susan are out of their classes before morning tea. Do you want to make a start on preparing for the Third Task?"
Harry grinned and said, "I think that one's going to be even easier than the first two Tasks."
Joining the two boys, she asked, "Oh? What is it?"
"It's a hedge maze, believe it or not," he replied. "The winner of the Tournament will be the first person to find the Tri-Wizard Cup, located somewhere in it. As such, even if you have the lowest number of points, you can still win by finding it first."
Neville frowned and asked, "Then what's the reason for the points?"
"The first to enter the maze will be the competitor with the highest points. After the first person enters, the next to enter will be the person in second place," he explained. "How long after the leader they get to enter depends on how many points behind that person they are. Then third and then fourth."
Neville thought about it and asked, "If you only earned... what... five points for the First Task, won't that put you so far back you'll have little chance of winning?"
Harry smirked even more and said, "You forget, Neville. It is not my intent to win the damned thing."
"Language," muttered Hermione.
Harry thought it was a vast improvement, as she both didn't stridently exclaim it, or tell him off even further for it. So, he let her get away with it.
"I don't know why they marked you so low, anyway," said Neville. "You completed the First Task as per the rules. As you said, there was no time limit or any other limit, when it comes to that, other than completing the Task by collecting that gold egg. You did that."
"Because I told them to only award me one point each," he replied. "I wanted it perfectly clear I had no intention of winning and I really didn't want to even be there."
"So, the Third Task is a hedge maze," said Hermione, trying to get the discussion back on track.
"Yes," said Harry. "They'll be putting in a whole range of dangerous creatures, as well; which are there to test the ingenuity and skills of the champions while they try to find the Cup."
"So, you need to practice combat casting," she said. "Which you've been doing with the Colourball charms and Stinging hexes training we've been doing."
He grinned at her with that 'I know something you don't know' expression she'd come to know.
With a sigh, she asked, "What am I missing?"
"The only rules for the Third Task are that I must enter the maze and then find the Cup. That's it," he replied. "Now, think about it."
Both other teens couldn't figure it out. And weren't happy when he wouldn't tell them what he'd already figured out for himself.
He said, "If, by then, you haven't already figured it out for yourselves, I'll tell you what you're missing before the Third Task starts."
"Can you at least give us a hint?" begged Neville.
Harry thought about it for few moments before he said, "The rules state I must enter the maze. They do not state I must stay in the maze until one of us finds the Cup."
"You intend to walk in and walk back out again?" asked Hermione.
Harry chuckled and replied, "No. But, you have your clue."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The day of the Second Task dawned with slightly overcast skies. Harry had no problem with that, as it meant there'd be minimal glare off the water as he was summoning his broom.
The previous late afternoon, both 'visiting' schools representatives returned to Hogwarts in readiness of the event. However, instead of the approximate two dozen students from each school, they only returned with seven each. Plus, instead of arriving in a flying horse carriage and a recovered sunken tri-masted galleon, they arrived by way of portkey via the Ministry of Magic International Portkey Station; and then appeared in the middle of the entrance hall of the castle in each group five minutes apart.
Again, both schools sat in their own groups, together at Ravenclaw for the Beauxbatons and at Slytherin for the Durmstrangs; for both the evening meal the night before and breakfast that morning.
Harry was not surprised when, that same evening, Professor Babbling came to him and asked him to hand over his Firebolt. Then informed him it would be that 'which he'd miss the most' for the Task the next day.
'As if I didn't already know,' he thought.
At 9.00am the four champions were escorted out of the Great Hall by Karkaroff, Maxime, Deputy Headmaster Goodstone and Marchbanks. Again, Harry offered his arm to the good Lady Headmistress, which she again gladly accepted.
Yet again, Harry was surrounded by aurors; but, this time, they also encompassed the whole party.
As they slowly made their way down to the edge of the lake - where had been set up a large set of tribune seating, plus a judges table sitting on a small stage that extended out into the water - Harry quietly asked Marchbanks, "Why decide to take the walk? As Headmistress you could always either apparate or create your own portkey to take you there."
She smiled back and said, "Perhaps I enjoy the walk, Lord Potter."
With his own smile he said, "Perhaps you forgot you could do that, Headmistress."
That got a laugh out of her.
"No, dear boy," she said. "At my age, any chance I get to take a walk on a nice, clear day... especially in the company of one so charming... I'm going to take."
"Flatterer," he quietly accused.
That earned him another laugh. But, also with one of those light taps on his arm that he now recognised as showing she was pleased with him.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
As the four waited on the stage that also acted as a jetty of sorts and the judges took their seats at the table, the students and other guests, streaming in through the gates, were walking down to take seats in the tribunes.
As the time of the start of the Task approached, 9.30am, Bagman walked over to them and had them gather around.
"All set, are you, Champions?" he asked, also looking at Harry.
"What're you looking at me for?" he asked, right back. "I'm the unwilling entrant, remember? Ask them." And gestured to the other three.
Bagman allowed his expression to show slight irritation before he decided to ignore Harry and asked the others, "All set, are we? Have your plans on how you're going to undertake the challenge, prepared?"
As the other three acknowledged him and replied they did, Harry just backed off a little.
Again, Bagman appeared annoyed by the attitude Harry was displaying.
"Alright," he said, a little louder. "Good luck, Cha- err... all." Then turned away and practically stomped back to the judges table.
From what Harry could observe before he stomped off, he'd asked them similar.
Meanwhile, Diggory asked him, "And what's your plan, Harry?"
When Harry turned back it was to see the other three all removing their outer robes and showing clothing made for swimming underneath.
He gave a little snort of amusement.
"Well, I'm not getting in the water, that's for sure," he replied.
Confused, Diggory asked, "Then how do you plan on completing the Task?"
"I'm a wizard, Cedric," he replied. "I think I'll complete it by being a wizard. Whoever came up with the idea―"
Just then he was cut off by Bagman casting a Sonorus and making the introductory announcements. While he did so, Diggory sighed and returned to the other two.
Once everyone was ready and the Task and rules for it made public, Bagman let off a Cannonblast charm signifying the start of the event.
Everyone was watching Harry by then, as he did not disrobe like the others.
Once the other three dived in, after casting initial charms upon themselves, Harry just shook his head as all three disappeared under water.
He gave it a moment before he turned about and looked back at the stands. Of course, by then all eyes were focussed on him.
Drawing his wand he cast his own Sonorus and said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, once again I find myself witnessing just how quickly witches and wizards can demonstrate how daft and moronic they can be.
"What you have come to witness; or, rather, what the organisers of this event planned for you to come and witness; was for three Champions to dive into the lake and go and rescue hostages. That is, rescue people from an enchanted sleep being guarded over by an underwater village of merfolk.
"Now, because the organisers of this event didn't think it through, they did not arrange for viewing screens or similar to be erected so you can see what was happening underwater. Instead, their whole plan was for you to sit in those seats, watch three people enter the water and then... nothing. Nothing, that is, until almost an hour later, where you got to stare at nothing much more than the lake, until those same three people popped their heads up from under the water and bring three others back to the shore.
"Wow! How absolutely riveting entertainment that would have been for you... Not!
"So, to make up for that... let's say... less than entertaining spectacle, let's do something where you can actually see it happen.
"You see, I consider myself a wizard. So, instead of being like a muggle and going and getting my broom - my 'what I'll miss the most' - I'll think like a wizard, instead.
"It's February, for Merlin's sake! If I can get out of going into the water, just to appease some idiot who couldn't think things through, I'm going to take it.
Cancelling the Sonorus, Harry could hear laughter coming from the stands. However, Bagman was looking at him as if he'd just kicked his pet crup to death.
Turning to face the water, he cast, "Accio my Firebolt!"
The immediate attempt by his wand to shot forward out of his hand was all he needed to know the charm was working.
With his left foot braced forward and now having to hold onto his wand with both hands, Harry pulled back... hard... while also pumping a lot of magic into the continued charm. Summoning the broom from the pool in the Come and Go Room wasn't this hard. However, he had nowhere near the distance or depth to overcome, either. (1)
After a good five seconds, people were starting to snicker. By the ten second mark, there were even a few catcalls.
However, when the broom suddenly shot out of the water about thirty feet away and shot straight at him, there were gasps. Because of the pull, when the broom cleared the water the resistance to the charm dramatically tapered right off. It almost caused him to fall back onto his arse.
However, his reflexes were also even faster than they were before. He was able to both stop himself from falling over and catch the broom as it was about to pass over his head.
Staggering from the transferred energy of the impetus of the broom into his arm, Harry was still able to hold onto it without allowing it to slip through his fingers or pull him off his feet.
That's when he heard the exclamations and gasps of surprise and shock from the audience.
Once he was centred and balanced on both feet and not in danger of falling over, he stripped the remains of a thin but snapped rope off the foot pegs - clearly, whatever was stopping it from simply floating to the surface was tied to the broom by the rope. Then he gave it a quick once-over by eye before walking over to the judges' table with it.
The expressions on the faces of the judges almost had him laughing right in their faces.
Bagman, sitting on the end was blushing in embarrassment; as was the new Director of International Magical Cooperation, Hamilton Snodway. But where Bagman was looking at him in embarrassed irritation, Snodway was trying everything to not look at him. Marchbanks was cackling away in clear amusement. Karkaroff was scowling and also not looking at him. And Maxime just gave him a wry look and a small sad smile.
Quietly, but firmly, he said to them all, "The Task was that I recover my 'what I'd miss the most' from the bottom of the lake; not that I enter the water. I believe I have completed my Task. Please remember to award me no more than one point each."
"Of course, Lord Potter!" laughed Marchbanks.
Without another word but a slight head bob and smile to Marchbanks, he turned around and walked back out onto the stage.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
(1) - In canon, the distance Harry had to summon his broom from his room for the First Task was a significantly greater distance that where he summoned it from, this time; for those who doubted it could be done and still remain 'canon'.