Chapter 29 – The Hogwarts Champion
"What?" whispered Harry to Hermione. "How?"
"Harry Potter!" repeated Dumbledore.
"You have to go," whispered Hermione.
"But I didn't enter," argued Harry.
"I know but…" whispered Hermione.
"HARRY POTTER!" shouted Dumbledore.
Harry stood up and walked toward Dumbledore. He felt every eye on him. He heard about half of the Gryffindors cheer. He heard Malfoy shout, "He's a cheat!" just before falling backwards on the floor. He noted he'd have to thank Hermione for that.
Dumbledore handed him the slip of paper with his name on it. It didn't even look like his handwriting, yet was somehow familiar. The headmaster then motioned for Harry to go where the other two champions were, without shaking his hand.
He found himself in a smaller room filled with portraits of witches and wizards. The only other occupants were Fleur and Viktor. Viktor glared at him while Fleur declared, "What! You cannot be ze Ogwarts' champion. You are much too young! Eet iz an inzult!"
Harry held back a retort as Dumbledore, Karkaroff, Maxime, Crouch, Bagman, Black, Lupin, and McGonagall all came bursting into the room. Dumbledore grabbed Harry by the shoulders and asked, "Did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?"
"No,"
"Did you ask someone else to put it in for you?"
"No."
"But of course 'e iz lying," said Madam Maxime.
"I am not!" shouted Harry. "I did not enter this tournament, and I am NOT going to participate!"
"But of courze you did, little boy," shouted Fleur Delacour. "You wizh to be famous!"
Harry looked at her for a second in shock, and then moved his hair to reveal his scar. "In case you didn't know, I'm already famous! I'm Harry Bloody Potter, and I already can't go anywhere without people gawking at my bloody scar!"
"'Arry Potter," replied Fleur, taking a step back, obviously deflated. "I 'ad no idea."
"Well, now you know, and I refuse to play this game of yours, so I'm going back to Gryffindor Common Room so you can plan your stupid tournament!"
"You can't leave now," argued Crouch. "The Goblet of Fire constitutes a binding magical contract."
"Not if I didn't sign my name!" shouted Harry. "Goodbye!" Harry turned and started walking toward the door. Harry didn't notice the look of admiration that was forming on Fleur's face. Krum did, as he stood there silently, and glared even more fiercely at Harry, who wasn't paying him the slightest bit of attention. Sirius and Remus were proudly watching Harry stand up for himself.
"Harry," pleaded Dumbledore, causing Harry to pause, "I truly hate to ask this of you, but I feel I must. I believe that you didn't enter and I can understand how you feel, but if you won't compete, then Hogwarts has no champion, and we forfeit this contest before it has begun, thus humiliating our school, especially since we're hosting the tournament. So please, if Hogwarts means anything to you, compete."
"Wait," said Sirius, "I'm his guardian and I forbid it."
"If Mr. Potter agrees to compete," explained Mr. Crouch, "then even his parents couldn't stop him from competing, if they came back from the dead." Sirius glared at Crouch.
"Well, Harry," asked Mr. Bagman, "What is your decision?"
Harry took a deep breath. "Well, I guess for Hogwarts' sake, I'll do it. But I'm not happy about it!"
"Damn," muttered Karkaroff, who was obviously hoping to eliminate one of Krum's competitors.
"Harry," asked Dumbledore, "I would like a moment alone before it begins."
"No talking him out of it now," commented Bagman.
"No cheating," shouted Karkaroff.
"All right," agreed Harry, and Dumbledore led him through another door that was in the room.
As soon as they were through the door, Dumbledore shot a spell at it to insure privacy. "Harry," he explained, "I wouldn't have asked you to enter if I didn't have full confidence in your abilities."
"Thank you, sir," replied Harry, unsurely.
"I just want you to make sure that you don't reveal the extent of your powers in this tournament, unless your life is in danger. Specifically, at least make sure you use your wand while you're facing the challenges."
Harry chuckled, "All right, sir. I won't beat them too badly."
"Good," responded Dumbledore with a twinkle in his eye, then let's get back so they can announce the date of the first task.
As Harry got back to the Gryffindor common room, he was greeted by a party that Fred and George had thrown for him. He noticed Ron sitting in one corner of the room glaring daggers at him, while Hermione was sitting on the other side of the room, glaring daggers at Ron. Neville and Ginny were nowhere to be seen, so Harry suspected they were in a broom closet somewhere. Harry ignored the celebrations and marched straight toward Hermione.
He sat near her and asked quietly, "Hey, Mine, what's wrong?"
She sighed and answered, "Oh, it's just Ron. When we got back here, he declared that you're some kind of 'Glory Seeker' and you can't resist the temptation to get your name in the paper. He actually reminded me of Draco when Lockhart made you pose for that photo in Flourish and Blotts." Then she looked more seriously at her boyfriend. "They're not making you compete, are they? If they say it's a binding contract or something, you can say you didn't sign it."
Harry took a deep breath. "They're not making me compete, but I am." He put up his hand to stop Hermione's protests. "Dumbledore told me that if I don't compete, Hogwarts will have to forfeit. He asked me to compete for Hogwarts' sake. He asked me in private to try to hide some of my powers, specifically my wandless magic, unless my life's in danger. He doesn't seem to think I'll have any trouble in the tournament. I hope he's right. I just can't help being nervous about it. I hope Sirius isn't mad at me. He didn't want me to compete."
"You should have obeyed him, Harry," scolded Hermione. "He's your legal guardian. That means he's your parent, now! I understand your disobeying the Dursleys, but Sirius has tried to be a good father to you, and you've just disregarded his first big parental decision."
"You're right," agreed Harry. "I should apologize to him." He walked up the stairs to his dorm, and a few minutes later Hermione distinctly heard his voice whisper, "Goodnight, Mine," out of thin air.
Not long after that, Harry, under his invisibility cloak, knocked on the door of Sirius' room. When the door opened, Sirius looked around for a few seconds until Harry's voice asked, "Can I come in."
"Fine," allowed Sirius, sounding a bit unhappy.
Once Harry was inside and had removed the cloak, he began, "Sirius, I owe you an apology for disobeying you tonight. You're my guardian and I should have listened to you." Harry sighed. "I guess I've gotten so used to ignoring the Dursleys that it comes natural to me. I shouldn't have agreed to compete once you said you were against it."
Sirius smiled, "I'm glad you said that, Harry. I was wondering whether you took me seriously as a parent. Well, what's done is done, but I'd appreciate it if you don't do it again." Harry nodded. "So, what did Dumbledore say when you two were alone?"
"Only to not show off my wandless magic. He seems to feel that I have nothing to worry about with the tournament."
"I'll admit that you're a hell of a lot more prepared for it than that 'fairy princess' Fleur or 'sawdust for brains' Krum, but everybody, even you, can have bad luck. I'll be keeping an ear open for any news I can find out about the first task, and if I think the other schools are cheating, I'll cheat, too." Sirius smiled at Harry, and Harry grinned back. "You'd better get back to bed."
"Yes, sir," replied Harry, pulling his map out and slipping on his cloak. "Goodnight."
-MITAB-
Harry got back to the common room to find it was deserted, except for a lone figure with bushy brown hair sitting in the same chair she'd been in when he'd left. He removed his cloak and said, "Hermione, love, you shouldn't have stayed up for me. We've got to get up for practice."
"I'm not tired," she argued, shaking her head, revealing a silver necklace Harry had almost forgotten about. It had a silver stag on it.
"My mother's necklace," Harry remarked, admiring it. "Hold on! If you're still wearing this, how come Malfoy's hex got you?"
She put her head down as her ears turned pink. "Er, after we'd gotten the basilisk armor, I'd stopped wearing it, but after I got hexed, I realized how stupid that was, so I started wearing it again."
Harry sighed, "Well at least the hex you got didn't do any damage. In fact, I think you rather like the results."
"Don't you," asked Hermione. "I'm sure you prefer not having a buck-toothed girlfriend."
"Honestly, Hermione, I never thought of you as my buck-toothed girlfriend. You were my beautiful, intelligent, compassionate, wonderful girlfriend before that happened, and you still are. I suppose you have an even prettier smile now, but all I cared about was making you smile."
Hermione smiled brightly at him. "Are you trying to get a midnight snog out of me?"
Harry winked at her and grinned, "Is it working?"
"Definitely," she agreed as she leaned toward Harry.
-MITAB-
The next day at training, Ginny proudly proclaimed, "I managed to do some nonverbal magic yesterday!"
"Really," asked Lupin. "That's great! What spell did you use?"
Her ears turned pink, "Er, I was mad at someone. He said Harry cheated and wanted glory. He also said Harry wouldn't stand a chance in the tournament." Hermione covered her face and was apparently trying her best not to laugh.
Harry smirked, "You really don't have to defend me, Ginny, but who was it and what'd you do to him. It looks like Hermione already knows."
Ginny smirked and bragged, "It was Ron and I nonverbally bat-bogey hexed him. Neville and I had just gotten to the common room when Ron started shouting. Neville went straight up to his dorm, leaving Hermione, Ron, and I alone in the common room. Ron ran up the stairs after I hexed him, with both me and Hermione laughing at him."
Harry chuckled. "I wish I'd seen that. Hermione, why didn't you tell me about that?"
"Er," answered Hermione blushing, "I was preoccupied."
"I'm sure you were," taunted Ginny with a wink.
-MITAB-
By the end of practice, Ginny had only been able to duplicate the nonverbal hex once when she was getting increasingly irritated at Harry for dodging her every spell and herself for not hitting him. Fortunately for Harry, he managed to raise a shield in time to block the hex. Ginny was still happy that she'd sent the silent hex anyway, and vowed to practice day and night until she could do every spell without saying a word. Neville looked discouraged.
Hermione walked up to him and asked, "What's the matter, Neville?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "Nothing. It's just that I'm practically a squib. I'm never gonna be able to do this."
"Nonsense!" replied Hermione. "You're doing just as well as Ginny in occlumency. As far as quiet spells go, you just need to concentrate more. Try and get yourself to imagine Snape's face on whatever you're targeting. That might help."
"I'll try," promised Neville, with his head hung down. "See you later."
-MITAB-
When Harry and Hermione went down to supper that night, Malfoy walked up to them and showed off a badge that said, 'Support Viktor Krum!' When he touched it, the display changed to, 'Potter Stinks!'
Hermione pointed her wand at the badge Malfoy was wearing, and said a made up Latin phrase while she changed the badge with a thought. She then declared, "Now, the badge is even better."
He looked down to see the badge now read, 'Kick Me!' He grabbed it and tried to unhook it, but it wouldn't come off his robe. However, when Malfoy touched it, the display changed to, 'I Stink!'
Both Harry and Hermione laughed as Draco ran in frustration to his dormitory for a new robe.
"Zat ez very funny," complimented Fleur Delacour, walking up from behind her. "I am not familiar with zat spell."
"Hello, Fleur," greeted Harry. "I never heard of it, either. This is my girlfriend, Hermione Granger."
"'ello, eet iz zo nize to meet you," said Fleur, shaking Hermione's hand with an obviously fake smile.
"Arry, I'd juzt like to zay zat I admire ze way you ztood up to ze ministry yesterday, and 'ow you dezided zat you would compete for ze honor of your zkool," she explained in a soft, seductive voice while Hermione glared at her.
"Er, thanks, Fleur," replied Harry. "Hermione and I have got to go now."
Fleur appeared frustrated, "Wouldn't you rather ztay 'ere with me and let zis, Air-mow-knee go by herzelf?"
Harry looked confused. "Er, no. I'll, er, see you in the tournament." He then grabbed Hermione's arm and walked off. He whispered, "What was that girl's problem?"
Hermione kissed Harry on the cheek and smiled. "You don't really know, do you?"
"No," answered Harry, looking more confused than ever.
"Harry, that girl obviously fancies you, and she was turning on all her charms, but they didn't work one bit on you. She seemed to expect you to drop me at once. That seemed a bit weird. But she really got frustrated when you didn't. I'm surprised she'd go for someone your age, anyway."
"It's the fame," declared Harry. "She didn't like me at all until she found out who I was!"
-MITAB-
The next day, Hermione was in the library alone. She was supposed to meet Harry there after her Ancient Runes class, but it got out a bit early and Harry wasn't there yet. She pulled out her laptop and started studying.
"Is ziz seat taken," asked a male voice Hermione wasn't familiar with.
She looked up to see Viktor Krum. "Actually, my boyfriend will be here in a few minutes. I'm saving the seat for him."
"Oh vyes. The famous Harry Potter. I believe he ez famous vor something he vould have no memory ov. I, on the other hand, know vat I'm famous for. I vill only be a minute," he promised, sitting in the forbidden chair.
Hermione didn't hear the click that happened when he sat down. "You are a very pretty girl. I am sure that I can make you much happier than Mr. Potter. I'm sure he's a nice guy, but I don't have trouble following me everywhere. I can make you much happier…"
"I'm very happy with Harry!" shouted Hermione, forgetting she was in a library. "I believe I told you I was saving that seat for him, Mr. Krum!"
"Very vell," replied Krum, getting up, "Have it vour way, but before this year is over, you vill be asking me to date you."
"You wish!" shouted Hermione.
As Krum left the library, he ran into Harry. After glaring at him for a second, Viktor continued walking. When Harry reached Hermione, she asked angrily, "Did you see Mr. Krum on the way out of the library?"
"Yeah," answered Harry. "He glared at me. What happened?"
"That arrogant prat tried to get me to dump you for him! Can you believe it? After I refused, he said by the end of the year I'd be asking him out!"
"I think you made him mad," commented Harry, smiling.
-MITAB-
Not long after that, Harry found himself summoned out of Sirius' class for what was termed, 'The weighing of the wands.' Before the actual ceremony, the Daily Prophet reporter, Rita Skeeter, tried to pull Harry into a broom cupboard for an interview before she tripped and fell on her supplies, causing all her ink to splash onto her dress as she fell onto her quick quotes quill, which broke under her weight. Harry smiled at this, pleased with the accident he'd caused.
She cleaned her dress with her wand, but by then Dumbledore and Ollivander had shown up and the wand-testing began. Harry was surprised to find that Fleur was part Veela, and was disturbed at the way she winked at him when she revealed that fact. When the photographer was about to start taking pictures, he, too, suffered an accident, falling onto the camera, breaking it. Harry and the others quickly left before he had a chance to repair it.
-MITAB-
As the weeks flew by, Harry and Hermione worked harder and harder at everything, including their transformations, so that Harry would be prepared for anything. Neville had finally managed his first nonverbal spell – levitation. One week before the first task, Harry and Hermione both managed a full transformation to their forms, the golden eagle and eagle owl respectively. They transformed and then flew around the grounds over the forest for a few minutes, until they noticed a sight they'd never seen before. They didn't even know that you could see this anywhere within a hundred miles of Hogwarts. Dangerous beasts, with several wizards trying to control them. What they saw were three fully grown fire-breathing dragons.
Chapter 30 – Challenges
"Dragons?" exclaimed Sirius and Remus together at the next training session.
"Are you sure?" demanded Remus.
"Hermione," asked Harry sarcastically, "Were those dragons or gerbils that we saw yesterday?"
"Hm," answered Hermione with a smirk. "They are hard to distinguish. Perhaps we should use a pensieve to review the memory."
"All right," replied Sirius. "I can't believe Dumbledore wouldn't tell us!"
"He thinks we'd help Harry," suggested Lupin.
"As if the other headmasters aren't helping their champions!" shouted Sirius.
"D-Dragons?" asked Ginny, while Neville was just silent and pale.
"Yes, dragons," yelled Harry, getting annoyed.
Hermione reminded them that, "All we need is a strategy."
"Why doesn't Harry just summon his firebolt and outfly the thing?" suggested Ginny.
"That might work," responded Sirius, "but it would be dangerous."
"I lost my Nimbus last year!" protested Harry. "I don't want my firebolt getting burned! I'm sure I can do something else! What has all this training been for?"
"You've been training to fight wizards, not dragons," explained Lupin. "Most spells won't go through a dragon's scales."
"…and if you managed it," added Hermione, "that would be showing your powers."
"Of course," proposed Sirius, "if you aim your wand at its eyes, you could probably defeat it without getting people suspicious."
Harry smiled at this. "As long as I'm pointing my wand, nobody will suspect I'm not using it. The question is; what should I do to the dragon that will be the most fun?"
-MITAB-
After they'd come up with a strategy, the normal training began. A few hours after it was over (it was a Sunday, so there were no classes), Harry and Hermione were in the library doing their homework. They'd just finished a history essay for Professor Brooks, when Hermione got up from their table, explaining, "I've got to use the loo. I'll be right back."
"Have fun," Harry replied sarcastically. He then decided to call up one of the books Dumbledore had let them copy on his laptop to do a bit of reading while Hermione was gone, when none other than Fleur Delacour sat in Hermione's recently vacated seat.
"'Ello 'Arry, 'ow good too see you again!" she greeted cheerfully.
At that moment Harry heard a click and asked, "Did you hear that?"
"I only 'eard my 'eart beating faster for you!"
Harry was getting annoyed. "Er, Fleur, you're in Hermione's chair…"
"Why would you be interested in zat little girl when you can 'ave me. I'm not only a much more beautiful woman than zat little bookworm, but I am part Veela," she explained as seductively as possible, although she appeared to be getting frustrated.
Harry noticed her frustration and pointed out, "You may not have noticed, but I am immune to your Veela charms. I found that out at the world cup."
"Even if that magic doesn't vork on the brave, handsome, powerful 'Man Who Lived,' I do have other charms as well."
"Maybe you do, but I AM NOT INTERESTED! Maybe you should try your charms on Krum instead! His team had Veelas for their mascots at the game. LEAVE ME ALONE!"
"Fine," responded Fleur proudly while getting up, "Iv you want to play, 'ard to get,' I'll go along, although I don't see why you waste time vith that plain girl. I know you want me!" She finally walked off. She didn't notice the evil gleam in Harry's eye.
Harry then turned his attention back to his laptop until about ten minutes later when Hermione came back, looking furious.
"What happened?" asked Harry.
"Krum!" hissed Hermione, trying to keep her voice down. "When I left the loo, he was waiting for me and tried to 'charm' me into dumping you! He cornered me against a wall…"
Harry got up and declared, "I'll kill him!"
"No, no," insisted Hermione. "It's all right. I kneed him in the crotch and then he had an unexplained bout of nausea." Hermione then winked at him.
"Fleur tried to pick me up while you were gone. What? There's that click again."
"I heard that before, too," responded Hermione. "I just can't remember where. Anyway, what did Fleur do?"
"Oh, she went on with some rubbish about her being so much more beautiful than you." He then leaned closer to her and whispered, "She doesn't know it yet, but before she left, I gave her the worst case of acne the world has ever seen. It'll last until New Years Day and there's nothing Madam Pomfrey can do about it."
Hermione laughed heartily with Harry for a full two minutes before saying, "ha that's ha mean ha ha ha…It's ha wrong ha" and she burst into more uncontrolled laughter. In between giggles, Harry could distinguish a few phrases like, "abuse of power," and, "her dragon will die laughing." Harry couldn't understand why she had to pretend to disapprove.
-MITAB-
On Monday morning, when Harry, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville were eating breakfast; an owl brought a copy of the Daily Prophet to Neville. After he'd looked at the headline, he slammed it on the table, obviously trying to hide it.
"Neville," asked Ginny, "why are you hiding the paper?" He carefully showed her the headline, and she paled and glanced at Harry and Hermione.
"Er, guys, you should probably read this article before you go to classes." Ginny then handed the paper to them. The first thing they noticed were three pictures - one of Harry and Hermione, one of Viktor and Hermione, and one of Fleur and Harry - all at the same table in the library. The picture of Harry and Hermione had them holding hands, winking, and kissing, while the other photos weren't moving. The newspaper said,
Harry Potter's Assorted Love Affairs
By Rita Skeeter
I'm sure that many people at Hogwarts are concerned that Harry Potter, Hogwarts Champion for the Triwizard Tournament, as well as the famous 'Boy-Who-Lived,' who has never had a proper family, having been raised by muggles after his parents died, is having a very unhealthy love-life. He has an official girlfriend, Hermione Granger, a plain but ambitious girl, whom several people believe started using a love potion on Mr. Potter during the last Christmas break. 'They weren't dating at all, and then suddenly they were snogging everywhere,' said Seamus Finnegan, fellow Gryffindor. 'She's always been good at potions, so I'm sure she could brew a love potion,' said Pansy Parkinson of Slytherin.'
However, it seems Mr. Potter has not been faithful, and indeed has been able to fight it off to an extent. He has been seen flirting with Fleur Delacour, Beauxbatons Champion, who explained, 'The boy can't keep his hands off of me, not that I want him to,' while blushing. Dean Thomas also stated that, 'Harry got Ginny Weasley to wear a skimpy bathing suit last summer at his birthday party so he could look at her while they were flirting.
Miss Granger, while not having as much luck with the opposite sex as Mr. Potter, has been seen with Viktor Krum, world famous Seeker and Durmstrang Champion. Perhaps she is bewitching him in revenge for Mr. Potter's unfaithfulness. Or else, perhaps she is through with Harry Potter and is moving on to another victim. Neither Mr. Potter nor Miss Granger were available for comment, and we suspect that one or both of them tampered with our photographs.
"That's the biggest load of rubbish I've ever read!" exclaimed Harry. While he was speaking, several owls bearing several packages came to them. Harry ordered, "Don't touch any of them!" A howler was dropped right in front of Harry that screamed, "Harry Potter, YOUR PARENTS WOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOU!..." and such nonsense. Hermione luckily took Harry's advice about not touching the packages, because Remus, who'd rushed to the table with Sirius and Hagrid, found a substance that burns the hands in one of the envelopes when he'd examined it with his wand.
"Crazy, the lot of em!" shouted Hagrid, "How can anyone think that of yer in the first place? And sendin' yer dem things!"
-MITAB-
The day before the first task started normally, with morning exercise and a few howlers from whackos at breakfast. However, while Harry and Hermione were walking hand-in-hand toward Hagrid's hut for Care of Magical Creatures class, Harry heard some unusual noise in the nearby forest. He turned to Hermione, who was just turning toward him. They both drew their wands, although neither planned to actually use it. When Ginny and Neville, who'd been right behind them, saw their friends stop and draw their wands, they did the same.
Suddenly, a barrage of spells came out from between the trees from at least three different people. The students were shooting spells out of their wands without a sound (while avoiding getting hit – although they all had armor) while the enemies did the same, and no progress was being made. Hermione decided to try something different. Four wands came floating at them from their hidden assailants. The teens ran into the forest as fast as they could, only to find four people disappearing while holding an old boot that was obviously a portkey. Snape was the only one whose ugly face they could see.
Harry, who pointed at the wands Hermione was still holding, commented, "I wonder if the ministry can identify who the owners of these wands are?"
"Only if they're registered," she answered, "which is doubtful."
"Maybe we should just keep the wands and not mention that we have them," suggested Ginny.
Harry smiled at that. "I'm keeping Snape's wand! Even if I don't need it!"
After they'd distributed the extra wands and hidden them, they walked the rest of the way to Hagrid's and told him what had happened. He naturally had them tell Dumbledore about the attack. "This is very disturbing news," remarked the headmaster. "Hogwarts is no longer safe. There will be new security measures taken. However, there will be insufficient time to implement them before tomorrow's first task. Therefore, I'm asking all of you, especially Harry, to be extremely careful.
Chapter 31 – The First Task
The next morning came all too quickly for Harry. Even though he had a strategy for defeating the dragon, he was nervous. After their morning classes, he started walking to lunch with Hermione, Neville, and Ginny. Before they got to the Great Hall, Hermione told the other couple, "You go on ahead; we'll see you at the table."
Ginny winked and replied, "If you get there in time for breakfast."
Neville added, "Make sure Harry can still think when you're done with him. He does have to battle a dragon today."
After they left, Harry asked, "What's wrong? I know they just think you want to snog, but I can tell something's bothering you."
She looked uneasy. "I was just thinking that that Skeeter woman will probably be here today."
Harry looked concerned at his girlfriend. "I guess I should've realized that this would bother you. All of my life, people have been saying bad things about me, whether it was the Dursleys calling me a freak or half the school calling me the heir of Slytherin. I guess I've gotten used to it. As long as you think well of me, I don't care what anybody else says. I'm sorry that she dragged you into this, and I'm sorry for being so insensitive to you. You felt you'd been publicly humiliated and all I had to say is not to touch the letters."
"I'm not mad at you, Harry. I'm mad at Rita Skeeter for all the lies she prints about people."
"Maybe we can sue her or the Daily Prophet for libel," suggested Harry.
"No you can't," countered Hermione. "Some wizarding laws are barbaric! All you can do is challenge her to a duel, and I don't want you to do that."
Harry smiled. "A duel. That might be fun. It'd be good practice to fight a new opponent."
"Promise me you won't do that!" Hermione demanded.
"Mine, I love you, but I'm not going to promise that I won't defend your honor."
"But, Hero…"
"Listen, Hermione, if I'm willing to battle a dragon for Hogwarts' honor, what do you think I would be willing to battle for your honor?"
She turned pink and did her best not to smile at that statement. "Fine, let's not talk about dueling for a few minutes. I'd rather wish you good luck!"
With that said, she dragged Harry into the nearest broom closet and made him forget all about the dragon and Rita for a few minutes.
-MITAB-
Harry and Hermione walked hand in hand into the Great Hall and to the Gryffindor table, where Neville and Ginny had saved them seats. He had barely started eating when Professor McGonagall walked up to him and scolded, "You're late to lunch, Potter. Where have you been?" When both Harry and Hermione started blushing at that question, McGonagall continued, "Never mind. You have five minutes to eat, and then I have to take you to the first task."
Harry shoveled food in his mouth as fast as he could without choking, while Hermione put more food on his plate to save time. Before he knew it, McGonagall was back, so he swallowed what was in his mouth and took one last drink of pumpkin juice, and left with his head of house. He noticed that McGonagall seemed beside herself with worry, saying things like, "Don't panic."
"Professor," Harry said, "Don't worry. I'll be fine."
"Yes, of course you will, Potter," she responded, sounding a bit more relaxed.
Harry nervously went into the tent to be alone with the two people that wanted to break up his relationship with Hermione. Krum immediately started glaring at him. When he saw Fleur, she was facing the wall of the tent, hiding her face. Harry bit his lip to stop himself from laughing at her. When he finally did see her face, it was so covered in makeup that he hardly recognized her. He fought back the urge to suggest she wear a mask instead, because the makeup wasn't working. After a very uncomfortable silence, they were joined by Ludo Bagman, who told them they need to retrieve a golden egg. He had them pick a dragon model out of an egg. Fleur went first and got a Swedish Short-Snout with a '2' on it. Krum got a Chinese Fireball with a '1' on it. That left Harry to get the Hungarian Horntail with a '3' on it.
Viktor went first, leaving Harry alone with Fleur. This time, however, she seemed far too nervous to flirt. She was pacing back and forth, until finally she was called, leaving Harry all alone. Harry put on his basilisk gloves once he was alone, and pulled out the hood of his basilisk shirt. He didn't want to take any chances. Now, his only unprotected place was his face. He waited until he was called, and pulled out his wand.
He walked out into the enclosure, and ignored the crowd, instead looking at the horntail guarding its eggs along with the golden one. He decided to try summoning the golden egg, but to no avail. Obviously, they'd charmed it not to respond to that, but Harry thought it was worth a shot. He decided to go through with his strategy.
He walked out loudly, getting the dragon's attention. The thing took one step away from the eggs toward Harry, who pointed his wand at the dragon's eyes and said the incantation for giving it the flu. The dragon then threw up, causing laughter and sounds of disgust from the crowd. He then gave the dragon a horrid stomach ache on top of the flu. It fell over, looking horrible, crying, and puking again. He then made it faint. He then walked around the dragon, making sure to avoid the mess, and grabbed the egg, earning tremendous applause from the crowd. He heard Bagman's voice announcing, "Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, has done it in two minutes flat! The other champions took at least ten minutes each!"
At that moment, five dragon tamers came to get the dragon cleared out of there, and Harry noticed Rita Skeeter in the crowd with a new quick quotes quill taking notes. He then decided what he needed to do. He pointed his wand at his through and cast, "Sonorus," which he'd heard others do at the World Cup. "If you don't mind," he announced loud enough for everyone to hear, "I'd like to take this opportunity to say something."
The crowd got quiet, and Rita Skeeter looked excited. "Recently, Rita Skeeter put an article about me in the Daily Prophet that is entirely false." Rita frowned at this moment. He noticed Hermione looking at him with a worried expression on her face. "The only truth in the article is that I am dating Hermione Granger. It's not because of love potions or enchantments; it's for the same reason everyone should date someone, because we're in love." Hermione blushed at Harry's public declaration and many women in the crowd 'awwed until Harry put his hand up and continued.
"Neither of us has been unfaithful in our relationship. The pictures in the article of us with other champions only showed us sitting with them, not snogging them. In the muggle world, what she has done to ruin the reputations of both myself and Miss Granger is a crime called libel. In that world, the solution would be for the Daily Prophet to print a retraction and award the victims, both myself and Miss Granger, a substantial amount of money for our trouble. I would be happy with that arrangement. Unfortunately, in the wizarding world, when one's honor has been as blatantly attacked as ours has been, the only option is a wizard's duel. Therefore, in accordance with wizarding laws, I hereby challenge Rita Skeeter, who has insulted both my honor and the honor of someone I care about, to a duel in front of all of you as my witnesses."
At that moment, everyone who knew Rita Skeeter from her own picture in the Prophet was staring at her. She was completely pale at the thought that someone who had just bested a dragon in world record time had challenged her to a duel. If it weren't for all the people looking at her, she'd have probably attempted escape. Quickly thinking, she magically enhanced her throat and shakily replied, "Er, I'm, er, sorry if my sources, er exaggerated things. What did you say the muggles do when this kind of, er, mistake occurs. I might be able to get the Daily Prophet to print a retraction."
Harry smiled and remarked (his voice still enhanced), "You really sound confident. I certainly trust your lies. I don't know why anybody reads the rubbish you write. I've never seen any article that I had other knowledge of where you told the whole truth. Yet the public, probably some of you people here today, have sent howlers, curses, and poisons to both myself and my beloved girlfriend because of what this liar writes. Hermione Granger, would you be my second?" Harry saw her nod and start making her way down from the stands. "We're waiting for you, Rita."
At this point Minister Fudge (who'd been watching the event even though he had no official duty here - he simply wanted to watch) stood up from the crowd. "Mr. Potter, you're too young to duel…"
Harry looked at the minister of magic in disbelief. "You just let me duel a dragon, sir, and now you're claiming I'm too young to duel a reporter." At this point, most of the crowd laughed, causing Fudge to frown as his ears turned red. "I'm curious why the minister of magic would want to get involved in this simple dispute. If you were really against duels, you'd have worked on making laws like the muggles have for this sort of situation." At that moment Hermione walked up to Harry and took his hand.
At that point, Rita and Fudge exchanged a look that made Harry suspicious of what their relationship was. However, Harry wasn't about to challenge Fudge's honor at this time. Cornelius, with a red face and neck, finally spoke. "The reason is that as Minister, it is my hope to see peaceful resolutions to disputes instead of violence. What will it take to get you to drop this challenge? Those muggle laws? What if I were to guarantee a retraction to appear in the Daily Prophet?"
"On the front page?" asked Harry.
"Er, I guess, yes, on the front page."
"And how much will myself and Miss Granger be awarded for our trouble?"
"Er, a hundred Galleons?"
"Five hundred Galleons, each!" demanded Harry.
"All right, all right!" agreed Fudge.
"Before Rita leaves, she'll show us her retraction, and keep working on it until we're satisfied with it. It will appear in bold letters on the front page of tomorrow's Daily Prophet. We'll expect those Galleons within seven days. If these terms are not met, then Minister, it will be you who has broken your word."
"Is that a threat?" asked Fudge.
"No, Minister, just a statement of fact. If you don't keep your word, then that would mean you lied in front of everybody here. You may assume that I'll respond to that the same way I responded to Rita's lies."
"Fine!" spat a now purple-faced Fudge.
The crowd then applauded even more loudly than they had when Harry handled the dragon.
-MITAB-
A few hours later, after Hermione and Harry had pretty much written Rita Skeeter's retraction, they came into the common room to find a party already started, celebrating Harry's earning first place, with a ten from Dumbledore, Bagman, Crouch, and Madam Maxime. He got a two from Karkaroff, who complained that Harry had made the 'poor dragon' ill.
The next day, Harry and Hermione were happy to see that the Prophet did indeed print the retraction on the front page exactly as they had worded it. They were alone in the Room of Requirement relaxing when Hermione commented happily, "Now we'll wait for Fudge to send the money. What are you going to do with yours?"
Harry smiled, "Give it to you."
"No, you can't!" she argued. "I'm getting my share. Both of us were insulted in the article!"
"Hermione," asked Harry, "What do I need the money for?"
"That doesn't mean it should go to me!"
"Maybe I can pay Krum to leave you alone," Harry joked.
"I can handle that thug on my own, thank you very much," chuckled Hermione. "There is something else I wanted to talk to you about."
"Really?" responded Harry, moving closer to her, expecting a snog, "and what is that?"
"Your eyes," she answered.
Harry chuckled. "You like my eyes?" he asked, winking. "Ginny said they're as green as a fresh-pickled toad."
"Yes, Harry, I do like your eyes. But that's not what I mean. How far have you gotten in that first book from Professor Dumbledore?"
"The one that told how to make people sick," asked Harry. "About three-fourths through it. Why?"
"Because," explained Hermione, grinning, "One of the last spells in it talks about eyes. I think I can heal your vision so you won't need glasses."
"What?" asked Harry. "Let me see it!"
Hermione pulled the page up in her laptop, and Harry read it. "This looks complicated. Are you sure you can do it right?"
"Well, yes, I think so," she answered. "I've been practicing it for about a week. I didn't tell you about it because you had enough to worry about with your dragon. I've been able to repeat the incantation perfectly several times now. According to the book, if no mistake is made, the patient will be blind for one hour, and then will have perfect vision. If the caster makes a mistake, the patient will be blind for one week, and then their sight will be worse than it was. After that, the spell can be attempted once more. If that attempt doesn't go perfectly, the patient will be blind. It's completely up to you, Harry."
Harry thought for a minute. "We'll try it once. If something goes wrong, I'll get new glasses after spending a week skipping class. But I have confidence in you, Mine. If you've been studying the spell, then I know you'll get it right."
Hermione blushed a bit. "I hope you're right. We'd better make sure no one can disturb us." She magically sealed the room even more than its own enchantments did. Then she said, "Let me have your glasses." He took them off hesitantly and handed them to her. She pointed her wand at his right eye and recited a long Latin incantation, and then pointed her wand at his left eye and did the same. When she was finished, she asked, "How do you feel, Hero?"
"Aside from the fact that I can't see, I feel fine. But it is scary being blind. Is there any way to know whether it's going to work?"
"No, I'm sorry," she replied. "But I believe I can take away your anxiety for an hour," she suggested, and leaned into him and started snogging him passionately.
They continued snogging for a full hour until finally Harry pulled away and exclaimed, "Hermione, I can see you! You look even more beautiful than ever before! I think I needed new glasses before we did this!"
Hermione beamed. "With both eyes?" she asked.
Harry winked one of his emerald eyes, and then the other at her, grinning broadly. "Yes, I can see perfectly with both eyes!" and he grabbed her and began a new snogging session.
Chapter 32 – Security Measures
After their rather extensive snogging session, Hermione remarked, "Harry, I've been thinking."
"That makes one of us," replied Harry pouting, "I guess you snog better than me."
Hermione blushed, "Er, I, er, didn't mean just now. Believe me, I was properly distracted by your wonderful, er, snogging skills. I meant for the past week while I was working on that spell. I think we should keep your restored sight secret. It'll be another secret from V-Voldemort."
Harry looked thoughtful for a few moments. "Er, I suppose so, but I'm not gonna wear them while dueling, so a few people will know."
Hermione smiled. "That's fine. Let me make your lenses into plain glass so that you can still see while you're wearing them. Remember to squint when you're not wearing them."
Hermione winked at Harry's glasses in her hand, and then handed them to Harry, who put them on. "At least you made them impervious last year. They don't even get dirty anymore."
-MITAB-
The next day, Harry and Hermione decided to surprise their dueling partners with Harry's restored vision.
Harry announced, "I'm going to try dueling without my glasses."
Sirius replied, "Er, well, I suppose it would help if you could duel without them, but you might have a hard time. If you're sure you want to try…"
"Positive!" declared Harry, taking off his glasses and squinting at them. I'm ready."
It soon became clear that Harry was not in the least bit handicapped without his glasses.
After he'd done extremely well, Lupin asked, "How did you do that? Have you been practicing blindfolded or something?"
Harry smiled, "No, although it may be a good idea to do that some time. Last night, Hermione corrected my vision. I can now see perfectly! Now my glasses are fakes! I want to keep it secret from the general public."
Sirius, Remus, Ginny, and Neville stared at Harry while he and Hermione beamed. "H-How is that possible?" asked Sirius.
After they'd explained the spell and Ginny had tried on Harry's glasses to confirm that they were simple glass, she said happily, "Congratulations, Harry!"
"Yeah," added Neville, "I'm really happy for you!"
"That's terrific," declared Sirius.
"Incredible," is more like it," countered Lupin.
Once Neville and Ginny were gone (probably off to snog), Sirius commented, "James always hated wearing glasses! He'd have done anything to heal his eyes. You say Dumbledore had a book with that spell in it the whole time?"
"It's a very risky spell," explained Hermione. "It shouldn't be commonly practiced. You could blind someone with that spell."
"Not on the first try," corrected Moony. "I think it wouldn't be bad for a professional eye healer at St. Mungo's to offer to perform that spell once and only once for a person. If it doesn't work, the healer provides the patient with a new pair of glasses."
"Hm," replied Hermione, "Maybe, but not right now. Harry's restored vision is a tactical advantage against his enemies."
"That reminds me," responded Harry, "What new security measures is Dumbledore taking?"
Lupin spoke, "He thought about a ward to keep anyone with a dark mark out, but it would expel Karkaroff, the killer who betrayed his buddies so he could go free. Dumbledore decided against that because of the tournament. He instead put up a ward that would notify him if anyone with a dark mark entered the castle. Dumbledore would also like to put a similar ward on both of you so that you'll know if you come within twenty feet of a Death Eater.
"Sirius and I put up a small ward that would stop anyone with a dark mark from using the one-eyed witch secret passage. They can't get in either side of the tunnel. That way, we didn't have to tell Dumbledore about it and ruin Fred and George's fun. We know you two have 'other ways' to get to Hogsmeade, so it wouldn't bother you as much. Dumbledore requested Fudge to post aurors around the castle, but Fudge wouldn't do it. He claimed that the Galleons being spent to compensate you two has taken away the resources necessary."
"Sirius," asked Hermione, "would those wards be able to detect a death eater in animagus form, like Wormtail for example. I know for a fact that Scabbers didn't appear to have a dark mark."
"I'm not sure," answered Sirius with a worried look on his face, "but if another death eater who has a form could sneak in here and get close enough…"
"Maybe those wards should also detect Animagi," suggested Lupin. "Maybe they could be allowed to let in specific ones like the three of you and McGonagall. I'll talk to Dumbledore about that. We should do something about that in our wards as well."
"Er," inquired Harry, "Do you think the Marauder's map could be modified to show people with the dark mark, er, perhaps display them in a different color?"
Sirius and Remus looked at each other for about thirty seconds. Sirius began, "What if we…"
"But we'd have to…" countered Remus.
"Yes, but we could…" argued Sirius.
Remus sighed, "I guess it would be worth the effort."
Sirius asked, "Give us the map, and we'll have it modified within a week."
"Why don't we take Wormtail off of it while we're at it?" suggested Lupin in disgust.
"And add the new Marauders to it," added Padfoot with a smile.
"We'll have to come up with names for Harry and Hermione," remarked Remus.
"True," agreed Sirius. "We'll have to think about that. It's very important to come up with the right name."
Harry was excited about the idea of having his own alias on the Marauder's map, while Hermione was happy to be included.
-MITAB-
A few days later, Harry and Hermione were flying above the forbidden forest (in their Animagus forms) when Fawkes appeared in front of them in a burst of flame, singing merrily. Fawkes seemed to be signaling them to follow him, so they did. When Fawkes led them into Professor Dumbledore's office, they weren't surprised to find him there, along with Sirius and Remus. They were a bit surprised to see Professor Brooks sitting next to Sirius. Fawkes silently went to his perch.
Dumbledore looked at the golden eagle and eagle owl with a twinkle in his eyes, and greeted happily, "Well, it's good to see you, Mr. Potter and Miss Granger. I must say you've lost some weight since our last encounter. You both appear to be light as a feather."
Sirius, Adriana, and Remus chuckled at Dumbledore's little joke while Harry and Hermione changed back to their human forms. "Magnificent," Dumbledore complimented.
"You wanted to see us, sir," asked Hermione.
"Yes, indeed," replied Dumbledore. "Sit down."
"I hope you don't mind that I've decided to include Professor Brooks in this discussion. She wishes to help with your training. Professor Black didn't seem to mind. With your permission, I'd like to include her in our little group and inform her of your skills. She already knows occlumency."
Harry and Hermione looked at one another. Harry answered, "Er, Okay. But no more unless you've discussed it with us before revealing any of our secrets, such as our forms, to them."
"Very well. I've been informed, Harry, that you no longer require those glasses," remarked Dumbledore.
"Er, yes, sir," responded Harry, removing them from his face.
"I must compliment you, Miss Granger, on excellent spellwork, and on making good use of the book with that spell."
"Thank you," replied Hermione shyly.
"I must also compliment Mr. Potter's most effective use of some of those spells on the dragon. I'm glad to see that allowing you to copy those books wasn't a wasted effort."
"Thank you, sir," said Harry.
"I also agree wholeheartedly with your plan to keep your perfect vision secret."
"Thank you, sir."
"Professors Black and Lupin have made me aware of your suggestions for security measures. I thought you should be informed of my decisions. I have implemented wards to inform both myself and Deputy Headmistress McGonagall whenever either someone with the dark mark, or an Animagus in animal form enters or leaves the Hogwarts grounds. Because of this, I had to inform your head of house that you both are animagi, and she has agreed to keep this in the strictest confidence. However, that means that she will know if you have left the safety of Hogwarts, and you will be punished accordingly, should you violate those rules."
His eyes twinkled. "I only thought it fair to warn you before you take a romantic trip to Hogsmeade." The young couple blushed. "I believe you've been informed of my desire to place wards on you." Harry and Hermione nodded. "If you are agreeable, you'll have very similar wards on yourselves. Both of you, as well as Professors Brooks, Lupin and Black, will know if either a death eater or Animagus in animal form is within twenty feet of either of you. That way, hopefully, at least one of the other four will be able to aid the other in case of a surprise attack."
"That sounds like a good idea," replied Harry. Hermione nodded her agreement as well.
After Dumbledore had completed a complex spell on them, he explained, "The way that you'll know when the wards have been crossed is that you'll get a small discomfort. It should come suddenly enough to wake you should you be asleep. For a demonstration, Professor Black, would you transform."
After he'd turned into a dog, Brooks, Lupin, Hermione and Harry all said, "Ow," and touched their foreheads immediately.
With a slightly concerned look, Dumbledore told them, "I'm afraid that's the best I can do. You will have to get used to that feeling so that you don't alert any intruders of your wards. I suggest you practice that to get used to it. Death Eaters will feel differently. I suggest you walk near Professor Karkaroff to test that feeling, er, without his knowledge."
After Sirius changed back from the big black dog, he commented, "That was weird, I could detect myself. My own presence was giving me a headache."
"Now you know how you make everyone else feel," replied Adriana with a smirk, causing Lupin and Harry to laugh while Sirius scowled and the others remained indifferent.
"But the pain did lesson once we got over the initial shock," Hermione mentioned, changing the subject back.
"That it did," agreed Remus. "Maybe we should practice some more. This time Hermione, you change."
By the time Hermione, and then Harry had each had their turn at transforming, none of them were reacting to the discomfort. Harry remarked, "Now, we're each going to have to go near Professor Kill-em-all to get used to that feeling."
"Professor Karkaroff," corrected Dumbledore.
"But that's what he is," argued Sirius, "and you know it! He didn't feel any remorse over his crimes. He simply hated Azkaban so he betrayed his friends so that they'd take his place there. Now he's teaching the dark arts to Durmstrang students. He should not walk free!"
Albus sighed, "Be that as it may, the fact is that he is free and is the headmaster of a wizarding school. If you don't respect him, then at least respect the position. Now, on to other matters. Professor Black has informed me that the two of you wear rings that would allow each of you to apparate to the other in times of need, if only you knew how to apparate." Smiling, they both nodded. "For this reason, along with the danger you both are in, I think it only appropriate that you learn how to apparate. That way, should the need ever arise, you would be able to aid each other. Professor Brooks has already agreed to teach you this skill. I believe that the Room of Requirement can allow you to apparate within its confines. You, of course, will not be licensed, and therefore should only practice in that room if you do not wish to get in trouble with the ministry."
"Wow!" exclaimed Harry, "that's great. Since, as you know, magic can't be detected at Potter Manor, we can practice there, as well."
"Excellent. One other matter I wished to discuss is that I believe I've discovered the location of a Horcrux. I believe it is in the home where Tom's mother grew up. It will probably take me a few weeks to determine its exact location. I will keep you all informed. I was hoping that the professors might accompany me in case there is unforeseen peril in the mission."
"Of course," agreed Moony and Padfoot immediately.
"I already know the location of the house," responded Brooks. "I never searched it for a Horcrux, but I did visit the place once."
"Excellent," replied Dumbledore with a genuine smile. "In that case, I'll be arranging our visit to that house shortly. That's all I had to discuss, except for how enjoyable I found Mr. Potter's handling of Miss Skeeter."
Harry chuckled, "Thanks. Did you notice the look between her and Fudge?"
"Minister Fudge's affairs are not our concern," declared Dumbledore.
"Then they are having an affair," replied Sirius happily.
"I do not know that for certain," corrected Dumbledore, "and I do not waste my resources pursuing such matters. However, I have noticed how her articles about Cornelius have been more, shall we say, complimentary lately. In any case, although you've temporarily silenced her, I do not believe that she has finished her assignment, that I suspect came from Mr. Fudge himself, to ruin Mr. Potter's reputation. Which reminds me, you mentioned muggle laws against lying about people to ruin their reputations in your speech to Miss Skeeter. I am considering introducing a bill for similar laws into the Wizengamot. I would appreciate it if either yourself or Miss Granger knew of a book or books that described the different muggle laws from different countries relating to this matter, so that I can properly research it before writing the bill."
Hermione's face lit up at this pronouncement. "Of course, sir. One book you'll have to read is…"
After she'd mentioned about a dozen different texts, they finally left. As they were walking down the stairs, Harry whispered to Hermione, "You realize what the new castle wards mean, don't you? We'll have to figure out the boundaries and make sure to change back before we cross them."
"Either that or simply obey the rules," replied Hermione.
"We can't do that," countered Harry with mock fear. "What will people say?"
Chapter 33 – Jars
"I need a room where we can solve my egg," repeated Harry for the third time as he and Hermione summoned the Room of Requirement. Harry was holding his golden egg in one hand while he held Hermione's hand with the other. When Harry had tried opening his egg in the Gryffindor common room, it nearly deafened them all as an ear piercing sound echoed from the golden egg.
They'd gotten their money from Fudge that morning and Harry had sent his share to a magical orphanage. Then, Hermione suggested that they work on the clue he had received a week before, when he completed the first task. He knew he had to be missing something, so he hoped that this room would help him. A door appeared, and when he opened it, he was extremely surprised by what he saw. An indoor swimming pool, with two changing rooms, was in front of them. The wall had a huge painting of a family of merpeople. Harry looked at Hermione and suggested, "Well, let's go in. Apparently we need to take a swim."
"I guess so," agreed Hermione, unsurely.
They walked into the room holding hands and separated to go into the changing rooms. Harry found a huge beach towel, as well as a pair of swimming trunks. He quickly changed, leaving his fake glasses behind, and walked out of the room with his egg. He saw that the pool area was still empty, so he walked to the edge of the pool.
"Maybe you should try opening the egg under water," came Hermione's voice from the other side of the room. He looked up and his jaw dropped. He'd seen her in a bathing suit before, but he was sure he could never get used to the sight of her in a bikini. "My eyes are up here," she informed him, causing her boyfriend to move his gaze to her face. Her cheeks were pink and she was smirking.
'Good,' thought Harry to himself, 'she's not mad.' He then said, "That might be a good idea." He then ran to the deep end, holding the egg in both his hands, and jumped in, splashing Hermione in the process.
While he was under, he realized how much he missed his pool at home. He opened the egg up, and heard,
Come seek us where our voices sound,
We cannot sing above the ground,
And while you're searching…
He went above the surface of the water at that point. He could hear that the egg was still saying something. He looked around for Hermione, to see she was near him. He called out, "Come here and listen to this." He closed the egg while he waited for her. When she was next to him, he explained, "We'll have to listen underwater." When he opened it again and they put their heads under the surface of the water, they heard and memorized,
Come seek us where our voices sound,
We cannot sing above the ground,
And while you're searching, ponder this:
We've taken what you'll sorely miss,
An hour long you'll have to look,
And to recover what we took,
But past an hour – the prospect's black,
Too late, it's gone, it won't come back.
"They're gonna take what I'll sorely miss!" complained Harry. "Why couldn't it just be another stupid egg?"
"The trick is to riddle the whole thing out," stated Hermione. "The voices sound underwater. Probably the lake. What is in the lake?"
"Merpeople?" guessed Harry, pointing at the picture. "That's the only reason I can think of that the room would give us that picture."
Hermione smiled at him. "I believe you're right. Now we need to find a way for you to survive underwater for an hour." At that moment, two open books appeared at the edge of the pool. They swam to the books, making sure not to splash them. One appeared to be a book on plants of the Mediterranean that was talking about something called gillyweed, and the other was an advanced charms book, talking about the bubblehead charm. Hermione speed read both of those options, and explained, "The bubblehead charm lets you breathe underwater indefinitely, but doesn't help you move around. Gillyweed lets you breathe underwater for only an hour, but lets you swim like a merman." Hermione then suggested, "I'd recommend using gillyweed, but keep enough with you for a second dose, just in case."
Harry smiled, "Sounds like a plan to me. Do you have any idea where we can get the stuff?"
"I don't know," answered Hermione. "There may be some at Potter Manor in the potions room."
"Dobby," called out Harry immediately.
The elf appeared on the surface of the water, and promptly sank below the surface. Harry grabbed him and put him on the edge of the pool. "Can't you swim?"
"Oh, no, sir, Dobby is not learning to swim. Dobby is busy serving his master, the great Harry Potter."
"I think you should learn how to swim, but first find out if there's any gillyweed at Potter Manor. If there is, bring it here."
Dobby beamed. "Dobby is proud to serve Harry Potter. Dobby is coming right back." He then disappeared.
Hermione commented, "I hope Dobby finds some. I do, however, think we should learn the Bubblehead charm, in case we have to fight in an area with bad air."
"All right," agreed Harry. They learned the incantation so they could do it with a wand, and then studied what actually happened so that they could duplicate it without one. Just when Harry had perfected his, Dobby appeared with a jar full of some ugly weed.
"Dobby is finding several jars of gillyweed. Dobby is hoping one is enough for Harry Potter."
"According to the book, one handful is all you need for an hour," explained Hermione, "so this is more than enough. Thank you, Dobby."
"You is welcome, Miss."
"Thanks a lot," said Harry. "You saved me from a lot of trouble."
"It is Dobby's greatest pleasure to help Harry Potter! If Harry Potter needs nothing else, Dobby is going back to Potter Manor."
"That's fine, Dobby," replied Harry, and Dobby immediately disappeared.
"Err," suggested Hermione, "Want to try out the gillyweed, so that you'll be used to it?"
-MITAB-
About an hour later, Moony and Padfoot entered the room, surprised to see a swimming pool, two books, an open jar of some kind of weed, and Harry's golden egg. They looked into the water and saw Harry and Hermione apparently snogging at the bottom of the pool. As they watched with mild amusement, a minute passed. Sirius shouted, "I'm going in there!" and jumped in, robes, shoes, and all. He grabbed them, and noticed they looked a little strange with slits on their necks, but pulled them above the surface, anyway.
When their heads were above the water, they finally started acting like they were drowning; only they were trying to get back under. Finally, Sirius realized that the jar must be gillyweed. He let them go and got himself out of the pool. He quickly did a thorough drying charm on himself while Moony laughed, and a chair appeared behind him. He sat down and waited, noticing that's what Remus was doing. They didn't have to wait long. Within ten minutes, both teenagers, now looking and breathing normally, came out of the pool and started drying themselves.
"What were you? Why were you? Where'd you get?" Sirius asked once they had their towels wrapped around them.
"I've been preparing for the second task," answered Harry.
"You were snogging on the bottom of a pool," countered Lupin with a smirk. "I don't think that's the second task."
Both teens blushed. Hermione explained, "We found out that for the second task, Harry will have one hour to find something at the bottom of the lake. He decided to use gillyweed for that, and we were trying it out."
"Wh-Where'd you get the gillyweed?" asked Sirius.
"I called Dobby and he said we had several jars of the stuff at home, so he brought us one."
"So you tried it out and decided to see what it's like to snog without even having to stop to breathe?" asked Sirius. He then smirked and remarked, "I'll have to try that some time with Professor Brooks."
Harry and Hermione looked at each other, and then at Padfoot. "Really?"
Sirius nodded, "We made it official yesterday. Anyway, we're leaving on that mission with Dumbledore in less than an hour, and we wanted to give you the map back before we go." He then produced the Marauder's Map, already active. He handed it to Harry, who opened it and looked at it. Sirius pointed out, "I'm sure you'll notice that Professor Karkaroff's name is in red. Now, watch my name." He then turned into a dog as his name on the map turned green.
Harry exclaimed, "Wicked!" and then Sirius changed back.
Remus instructed, "Now, look at the front introduction to see your names."
It now read, 'Messer's Moony, Padfoot, Prongs, Sharp-Eyes, and Miss Wide-Eyes present…'
"You just have to press your wand onto your names and say, 'I accept,' and it will copy a bit of your personality into it so that it will properly insult anyone who tries to read it without the password," explained Lupin.
"We hope you approve of your names," said Sirius.
Harry chuckled, "Sharp-Eyes, huh? Is that about my eagle vision or my new healed vision?"
"Yes," answered both Moony and Padfoot together.
"Wide-Eyes," read Hermione. "I know that an owl's eyes are bigger than human eyes, but really? Couldn't you have called me something else?"
"We wanted your name to be similar to Harry's," explained Sirius. "It's like you share the last name of 'Eyes.' Of course, if you absolutely refuse it, we'll change it."
Hermione took a deep breath. "I suppose I'll accept it."
They accepted the names and the older marauders left the map with the new marauders.
-MITAB-
A few hours later, Harry and Hermione were sitting in the Gryffindor common room studying together, when they both felt the familiar irritation that indicated that an Animagus was near. They looked at each other, and then discreetly looked around. The only living thing they could see was a beetle. The beetle fell to the ground, stunned, and then Harry conjured a jar and put the beetle in it. He then said, "I've made the jar imperturbable, and also put up an anti-apparition ward around it. Whoever this is won't escape. Let's find out who it is." Harry pulled out him map and pointed his wand at it declaring, "I solemnly swear I'm up to no good."