Chapter Text
“Be smart.” George said quietly as he joined them in the tent before the task, while the other students were still getting to their seats. “We’re getting into the trunk as soon as you are off in the maze, but don’t be reckless.”
“I won’t.” Harry rolled his eyes. “Get him out, get him taken care of, and see if you can get this called off before we get far. If the task is tampered with, it can cause the intervention of the combined schools and stop anything from happening. Then they have to have another task. But at least we’d know it wasn’t messed with by a Death Eater.”
“Stay safe.” Cho said, squeezing Harry’s shoulder when she was done talking to Cedric.
“Yeah.” Harry nodded. “Go. I’ll be fine. And we’ll get to see each other this summer.”
“Alright.” George nodded, kissing Harry’s head before leaving with Cho, Gabrielle, and Gregor.
Sirius was sitting, looking like a nervous wreck, with Remus holding him in place between him and the Diggory’s. Harry nodded at Bill, who was standing with Fred, George, and Charlie, ready to go to the castle as soon as they were all in the maze. Harry shivered when Moody turned his attention to him, staring at him intently. Dumbledore was watching Moody watch Harry. Harry and Cedric shook hands and Harry huffed a small laugh when Cedric pressed their foreheads together briefly. He really wanted Triss and Cador with him, but they were with Fred and George because familiars weren’t allowed in the tasks.
Harry faced the skrewts Hagrid had created, his clothes slightly singed and torn as he’d gotten away from them, he had a small scratch from the Sphinx catching him on his shoulder, but he hadn’t seen or heard anything from the others. It felt like hours later when he spotted the cup and ran for it, ducking and jumping as the hedges reached out with branches and roots to stop him, scratching him several times. He crashed into Cedric and Fleur as soon as he neared the cup, breathing heavily, before Viktor arrived as well, looking rougher than the rest of them.
“Together.” Harry gasped.
“It’s a portkey.” Cedric said breathlessly. “Dunno where we’ll end up.”
“One.” Harry said.
“Two.” Viktor said, stepping forward as well.
“Sree.” Fleur said, and all four of them grabbed the two handles, two on each side, holding on as they spun through space before landing roughly on the ground.
“Hide!” Harry hissed, recognizing the graveyard he’d seen in his dream. “Go, please!”
They growled when Wormtail came out carrying something vaguely baby shaped toward the massive cauldron set up in a ritual circle. There were a few pops that signaled others had apparated nearby, and Harry turned in time to see his friends fighting them off. They got a few good shots in before they were able to duck farther away behind some headstones. Wormtail ignored them and waved his wand, trapping Harry in chains that wrapped all the way around a headstone, making him drop his wand where he had been standing. He grunted at the force of the spell, groaning when the back of his head hit the stone harshly. He was terrified, and had to force himself not to look back for his friends to see if they were alright. He bit his cheek as Wormtail carelessly cut his arm and spilled his blood before adding it to the cauldron where he’d dropped the thing he’d been carrying along with one of his own hands.. The cut was ragged, bleeding profusely. He heard the others whispering a few spells trying to get the chains off of Harry, but they didn’t budge.
Harry gasped as he felt like fire was rushing through his body, trying not to scream, but unable to stop it when Voldemort took form in front of him. It felt like his blood was boiling. The protection his mother’s sacrifice had given him was gone. Voldemort did not look as Harry expected. As if all the soul pieces he’d made had been released rather than destroyed and he was able to have most of his soul back, and thus most of his original body. He was a middle aged version of the Tom Harry had seen in the diary. He sneered at Wormtail before using the mark to summon the other Death Eaters, pressing his wand into it without care of how much he was probably hurting the other man. As soon as the Death Eaters were present, he looked at Wormtail and cast the killing curse.
“Avada Kedavra!” He snarled, watching as Wormtail fell dead at his feet. “Useless excuse for a servant.” Harry retched over to the side, unable to keep it down. “I’ll get to you in a moment, Harry Potter. As for now, I must express my … disappointment. You all allowed my relics to be discovered by a child! And you, Lucius,” Voldemort stood before Lucius who was still on his knees like the others, “you practically handed it over eagerly. Crucio!”
Harry groaned and fought to look away as Lucius screamed while he was tortured, before the wand was turned on the others. Soon, every Death Eater present was panting and groaning on the ground. He swiped his wand at Harry, releasing the chains. Harry fell forward, retching again, but clutching his wand when he landed on it.
“You destroyed my largest soul piece, Harry Potter.” He growled, holding his wand out and forcing Harry to stand. “Crucio!” Harry screamed as he fell back to the ground, lightning scorching him from the inside. He gasped when he was finally released. It could have been minutes or hours later, he couldn’t tell. “Now. Get up and duel me, impertinent child.”
“Why?” Harry argued weakly, groaning when Voldemort waved his wand and picked him up again.
“Duel me!” He shouted, but growled in frustration. “Crucio!” Harry screamed again as he fell to his knees, but it was thankfully a shorter duration. “Duel me!” Harry acted without thinking, casting at the same time as Voldemort shouted, “Avada Kedavra!”
“Expelliarmus!” Harry yelled, holding his wand steady with both of his hands as the spells collided in the middle of them. He felt someone clench a hand in his shirt behind him, and knew the others were lining up like they’d practiced a few times. Viktor at his back, then Fleur, then Cedric. Cedric had the fastest summoning charms, Viktor and Fleur had the stronger shields aside from Harry and would offer the best protection from outside threats. A golden shield shimmered into existence around them, leaving the Death Eaters out.
“We can distract him, sweetheart, but only for a moment, do you understand?” A shade of his mother asked, appearing beside him.
“Get back to the school, it will protect you.” His dad added.
“Let go when we tell you.” His mother said, gathering the other spirits that appeared after being spit out of Voldemort’s wand.
“Darling boy.” His dad whispered longingly, and Harry fought not to whimper. Wanting so badly to hug his parents who somehow were able to speak with him and see him. “We love you so, so very much. Go, Harry!”
“Go!” His mother agreed, before the spirits rushed Voldemort to block him from Harry and Cedric summoned the cup, grabbing it and dragging them all through space once more before they landed at the beginning of the maze. Harry fell to his knees and threw up again as soon as they were on solid ground once more. Fleur wasn’t far behind him. Cedric and Viktor looked like they were barely keeping it in, but stood defensively in front of them, as if they were still ready for a fight. Harry was grabbed and pulled away from them before they could blink, though. His shirt ripped where Viktor had been holding onto him.
“Let me go!” Harry yelled, struggling to get free, but the arm around him tightened and slid to his neck.
“Was it successful?” He growled against Harry’s head, holding a wand out and shielding them so he couldn’t be stopped. “Speak, Potter!” He yelled, before letting go of his neck and gripping his arm that was still bleeding and pressing against it harshly, making Harry feel sick again. “It’s done.” He laughed, sounding manic. “He’s back.”
“Let go!” Harry shouted again, and his magic burst out, blasting fake-Moody off his feet and sending Harry flying back against Viktor. “Don’t let him touch me.” Harry croaked, holding onto Viktor tightly. “Please, don’t make me. Don’t make me.”
“Shh, Harry. Ve have you.” Viktor said gently.
“There can’t be four winners!” Fudge shouted, and Harry flinched hard, nearly knocking both him and Viktor over.
“Be QUIET!” Fleur shouted back, startling the crowd enough that the cheering and noise dwindled down. “We won togezer. ‘Arry needs medical care, as do we all. Make your decision.”
“Now see here!” Fudge spluttered, but Cedric actually growled at him.
“No. You see here; that man made the cup a portkey and took us to a graveyard! Harry was tortured, for Merlin’s sake and we were chased and hexed by Death Eaters! People were killed and tortured in front of us! You want to pick a winner, fine. Pick your winner. But you will not keep us from getting treated nor getting Harry taken care of.”
Harry couldn’t focus anymore and his head ached as his vision swam. He lost his grip on Viktor and fell, shaking as he landed on the soft grass of the pitch. Vasiliy appeared above him, but Harry saw two or three of him and wasn’t sure which one was trying to talk to him. Then Snape was there, too, before Harry passed out.
“No!” Harry screamed, sitting up in bed frantically as someone tried to hold him down. “NO!”
“Harry, you’re safe now!” someone said, but Harry was too scared to see who it was.
“ Calm, Harry!” Harry sagged when he heard Triss and felt her and Cador slide along his neck and face. He pressed his hands against them, keeping them as tight to him as he could while he tried to breathe again.
“ No fears here.” Cador added, and Harry sucked in a ragged breath, nodding. Cador only spoke once in a while, preferring to let Triss speak for them.
“Are you with us, Mr. Potter?” Madam Pomfrey’s voice called gently.
“Here.” Harry mumbled. He still felt shaky and his hands were twitching slightly.
“I have some medicines you need to take that should help with the shocks you’re still feeling.” She continued. Harry felt another weight settle on the bed at his stomach, since he was on his side. He reached out a hand and nearly sobbed again, feeling Padfoot’s soft fur and hearing his small whine.
“ Medicine, Harry.” Cador said, nudging his cheek with his snout. Harry sniffled a bit and took a deep breath before opening his eyes to accept the vials. His hand was still shaky when he took it, but steadied once he drank it. The other potion must have been a dreamless sleep, because he fell asleep with his familiars wrapped around him and his arms around Padfoot.
When Harry finally woke up again, he found the other Champions standing around his bed and glaring at someone approaching them. Triss got his glasses and placed them on his face while he sat up a little. Padfoot was facing the approaching Minister and Dumbledore, growling lightly. Harry wasn’t sure how he managed to get it approved for him to be there, but he wasn’t about to argue it, nor point him out to Fudge, who he knew was a colossal idiot. He had been cleared, but Harry doubted the man knew his godfather was an animagus.
“The points have been tallied. Mr. Diggory and Mr. Potter were tied when entering the maze, however Ms. Delacour and Mr. Krum earned enough points that all four of you tied when you exited.” Fudge stated, looking frustrated.
“So we share the title of Triwizard Champions.” Cedric stated certainly.
“It is unprecedented, but the bylaws do allow for a tie. Here are the winnings for you to split amongst yourselves.” He handed over the galleons, but none of them reached out to take them, forcing Fudge to place them on the small table. Fudge cleared his throat, “we must have Mr. Potter’s account of what occurred.”
“Why?” Harry asked in confusion, drawing their attention to the fact he was awake. “Cedric is able to share his memory of it, so is Viktor and Fleur. Why would you need me to tell you what you’ll ignore anyway?”
“Harry-” Dumbledore started saying, cutting off when Padfoot growled at him.
“He’s 14.” Cedric said more angrily. “And you are trying to force him to discuss a traumatic event without a Mind Healer, let alone without his guardian’s consent. Fleur and I were the first to the cup, Harry crashed into us. Which you can see from our memories. Memories that were certified by DMLE officials.”
“We took ze cup togezer, because we were expecting eizer trouble, or to win togezer.” Fleur agreed. “Viktor ran into us before we all grabbed it.”
“It shouldn’t matter what I saw or didn’t see.” Harry added. “What I say or don’t. Those who participated willingly provided their account, proving I was with them the whole time once we reached the cup. I’m not required to provide testimony. I’m going to go home, and I’m going to see a Mind Healer, and maybe I’ll be able to give my account later in the summer. But I’m not doing it right now.” Harry shook his head for emphasis. “I can’t. And you can’t make me relive that.”
“Who set up your appointments, if I might ask?” Madam Pomfrey asked, nearly shoving the two men bodily out of the way when she came to check on him.
“Vasiliy.” Harry replied. “He said it was his condition on giving me a book about my family magic.”
“Good.” She nodded approvingly. “Take him with you.” She indicated Padfoot. “He has a calming effect on you and I believe it would help you both. Like muggles and their service animals.”
“Ok.” Harry nodded, grinning when Padfoot’s tongue lolled out and he looked at Harry happily.
She eventually shooed the Minister and Headmaster out of the hospital and Harry was alone with his friends. It only lasted a moment before Snape came in with a few other Slytherins and Fred and George.
“You need to check on Mr. Malfoy.” Harry said quickly, trying not to look at Draco. “He got the worst of it, sir.”
“He’s been taken care of.” Snape said reassuringly. “As have those who came to me.”
“Can you tell us anything?” Harry asked, clutching the fur in his fingers.
“I cannot.” Snape sighed. “We will be in touch over the summer, though. As I understand it, you are expecting something to happen?” He raised an eyebrow at Harry.
“I can’t say what.” Harry complained. “I just … they aren’t done meddling, I know it. Something is gonna happen this summer, but I don’t know when.”
“You’ll need to keep him safe when he comes to you.” Cedric said, looking at Snape sternly. “You take care of those in your house, and you will need to do the same for him.”
“We will.” Malfoy nodded. “If you feel the event drawing nearer, you will contact someone, Heir Potter.”
“I will.” Harry nodded. Malfoy lost some of the tension in his shoulders having gotten the answer he wanted.
“What of the others?” Snape asked, glancing quickly at Crabbe, Goyle, Nott, Warrington and Flint.
“I’m sorry, sir.” Harry shook his head, feeling anxious again. “I don’t- I don’t know.”
“Relax, Potter.” Snape said gently, leaning down to meet his eyes. “Do not think on it for the moment. You will trigger an episode and your brain does not need the added stress. You are still recovering. I will schedule times with your dogfather over the holiday to check in on your physical health. Whatever your Mind Healer prescribes you, I will verify with Healer Vasiliy.”
Harry nodded, unable to speak. Snape stood back up and ushered the Slytherin boys out, though Warrington and Flint looked conflicted about leaving him. Cedric, Viktor, Fleur, Fred, and George sat down around him and Cedric picked up the coins.
“We all decided, as Champions, that we wanted to do something productive with the money.” He said slowly, looking up at Fred and George who looked curious.
“Ve vould like to be your first investors.” Viktor nodded once sharply.
“It was a simple decision.” Fleur agreed, smiling at them. Fred and George were just looking between them all with wide eyes.
“Maybe I can help you pick out a spot, even.” Cedric said with a smirk, handing the money to Fred, who nearly dropped it.
“We want a contract.” George said, meeting Fred’s eyes and having a silent conversation. “When we get off the ground, we will have more than we need and if you are investing, you’ll be entitled to a percentage of our return.”
“We can do it zis summer.” Fleur said certainly. “As long as you introduce me to your brozer.”
“She means Bill.” Harry said, nudging George lightly with his heavily bandaged arm.
“Ah, that makes sense.” George chuckled. “The others aren’t really-”
“Charlie is too into his dragons, Percy’s a twat, and Ron’s too young. Yeah, we can introduce you. Long as he’s still around, that is. Don’t think he got called back out. Famous curse-breaker, you know?” Fred said.
“I’m aware.” Fleur smirked a little predatorily.
“Cheers.” Fred snickered, making the others grin.
Harry was glad that it was all over and that they were finally leaving school. He was too strung out to be around so many people staring at him and whispering behind his back. He lay down in the train with his head in George’s lap, but George stepped out with Fred and was replaced with Hermione. When they got off the train, Harry happily hugged Sirius and Remus as they took his trunk and bag from him. When they exited the platform, Harry was surprised to see his Aunt and Uncle waiting, along with his cousin who looked decidedly annoyed at being there.
“Let’s go.” His Uncle demanded, but Harry just raised an eyebrow at him.
“Vernon and Petunia Dursley,” A man in a red Auror uniform said, stepping up to them, “you are hereby under arrest for the abuse and neglect of a magical child, as well as misuse of trust funds.”
“What?” His Aunt screeched. “You can’t charge us! That rotten old man left the freak with us! Threatened us!”
“It will be taken into consideration upon your interviews.” The man nodded and other Aurors stepped forward and took the Dursley’s through apparition. The man turned and winked at Harry before apparating himself.
“Too bad I can’t see how they look once they land.” Harry said, grinning when Sirius started laughing and Remus sighed heavily. Triss and Cador made approving hisses.
“Let’s go home, cub.” Remus said, ruffling his hair.
“Home. Sounds good to me.” Harry hummed. Letting his godfather wrap an arm around him and apparate them out of the station. It was going to be a shorter summer than usual, but definitely a better one. Having some place that actually felt like home instead of just a house he was required to stay and be treated like a slave.
Home.
Yeah, he was ready for a home.