Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts.
"Let me again offer you my warmest thanks. And please, if there is anything I can do to assist, anything at all, let me know"
"Of course, Headmaster" the Healer replied smoothly.
"I must apologize for my rudeness, but I am meant to be having a meeting in the next few minutes. Let me at least walk you out"
"Don't worry about it, not on my account. And no apologies necessary, honest. You must be under an enormous amount of pressure, what with the tournament and everything"
Albus chuckled. "Oh, that's putting it lightly. The logistics behind this are monstrous. But it's all worth it"
"I'm sure it will be. I'll keep you informed of Harry's progress. But I'll say it again. At this point, I don't believe him to be a danger to anyone, whether himself or others"
"Thank you," Albus said quietly, as the other man stood and made his way to the door.
A few minutes later, there came a knock at his door. It was strange, the way this next person knocked on doors. Most people, when knocking on a door, fell into a rhythm of some form, or simply didn't repeat their hits for long enough to do so. This person did not.
Albus sighed.
He knocked on his own table, three resounding hits, leaving precisely the same amount of time in between each one.
The door opened, and an old friend walked in.
"Alastor. Glad to see the leg didn't hold you up on the stairs"
"This thing? Na. It'll take a lot more than that to keep me down"
Moody sat down opposite Dumbledore, letting out a content sigh as he stretched his remaining leg out on another chair.
"So what's the damage, Albus?"
"Gregorovitch. He was taken. Kidnapped, it seems. Before the escape"
Moody's eyes flew open, the cogs in his mind whirring.
"Before the escape?"
"So it would seem"
"So they definitely had outside help. This was planned, Albus. Two Healers and a Wandmaker disappearing, just before ten people come into need of those particular skills? Big group it must be, too. Gregorovitch had tons of protections in place"
He pulled out his hip-flask and took a sip, wiping his mouth afterward.
"Tell me I'm seeing things, Alastor" Albus whispered. "Tell me I'm jumping at shadows"
Moody stares at Dumbledore incredulously and burst out laughing.
"You-you want me to-to tell you that you're being paranoid?" His peals of laughter rocked his whole body.
' He looks so whole when he laughs. At least he still can'
"Sorry, it's just-whew" the grizzled ex-auror wiped at his eyes. "I don't think I've heard anything that funny for years. Let's be realistic Albus. You didn't bring me here so I could try to disprove you. You just wanted someone else who wasn't too much of a coward to accept what you have to say"
"I'm still worried. How sure can I be? If I need to make plans based on my knowledge, how can I do so at this point?"
"Well, let's see. First, Quirrell goes traveling all around Europe on sabbatical, including spending time in Albania. After his time in Albania, which just so happens to be where Voldemort was known to be hiding, he goes to France, and someone tries to steal the Stone from Flamel. Flamel sends the Stone to Gringotts to wait before moving it here. Quirrell takes the Defence position, and someone tries to steal the Stone from Gringotts. Throughout his year at Hogwarts, someone kills Unicorns. End of the year, Quirrell ups, and to be found"
Albus nodded grimly.
"The next year, the Chamber of Secrets opens. Same Chamber that was probably opened by Voldemort when he was in school. An Auror disappears"
He raised a third finger.
"Last year, Dung tells you how he's been seeing particular people meeting. All Death Eaters. He tries to spy on them, and then he disappears. And then we have the break-out, which was clearly planned from the outside. Honestly, Albus. How could anyone not think there's something bigger going on? Voldemort's back. The only question is if he's got a body yet"
"I tend to think he does. He would not reveal himself to his followers from a position of weakness"
"What does your pet Death Eater have to say?"
"Alastor, please-"
"Fine. What does your wonderful, innocent of all crimes potions master have to say?"
"He hasn't been summoned. He hasn't heard anything. Some of his ex-companions have been avoiding him. Voldemort knows Severus betrayed him"
Moody snorted. "Right. Or he's lying to you"
"Alastor" a note of warning entered Dumbledore's tone. "I have plenty of reasons to trust Severus"
"And I've got plenty of reasons not to" Moody retorted. "Fought against him too many times to just make nice"
"At least trust me when I tell you that he is firmly on our side"
"Meh"
"At this point, I can do nothing without further information. I don't know where Voldemort is hiding, I don't know who is supporting him. I can guess, but I don't know, not for sure. Do you the think the current Aurors up to the task?"
Moody growled, shaking his head. "No. They're good for peacetime, but most of them aren't ready for war. Not ready to face Death Eaters in battle"
"So we're in the same position as we were at the beginning of the last war?"
"Basically. But we've got more experience. You really think this will work? The Triwizard thing?"
"Yes. We can definitely use it to foster relations with other European countries. We'll need them, once he comes back into the open"
Silence stretched between the pair.
"Otherwise, how had the first week of teaching treated you?"
"Fine. Once you give the brats a bit of a scare, they pay attention"
"Alastor. What did you do?"
"Nothing major, don't get your knickers in a twist. Just disillusioned myself, and shot a spell at them" At Albus' pointed look, he hastily added, "a harmless one. Made it turn into fireworks. Actually wanted to speak to you about that"
"Go on"
"That Potter kid. He's dangerous"
A chill filled Albus at those words.
"He's learning to control his temper, and I was just assured-"
"I don't mean that. Although, that should tell you something. No, he's dangerous, Albus. When I shot the spell at them, he instinctively threw up a shield. Not even any of the seventh year's did that. He's trained, Albus. You can see it, how he carries himself. Somethings going on with him"
"I know that he's been practicing dueling with young Mr.
Malfoy for the last few years, and-"
"And James is spinning in his grave. Malfoy reacted too, but not as quickly. No, Albus. No fourth year teaches themselves that. It's battle awareness. Not fully developed, but that's what it is"
"I was going to say when I discovered them dueling in their first year I asked Severus to keep an eye on them. Perhaps he's assisted in their learning"
Moody shrugged. "Maybe"
"Nevertheless. Keep an eye on him, will you?"
' What are you hiding from me, Harry?"
Moody chuckled, his glass eye rolling around madly. "Don't you know by now? I keep an eye on everyone"
Gryffindor Common Room
"How can you do that! Just accept it? He doesn't mean it!"
"Ginny, please. I think he does. He really feels bad about it"
"So that makes everything all right? He nearly killed you! He hurt all of us, badly! But he feels bad about it, so everything's fine! Why, Ron? Why didn't you tell him to bugger off?"
Ginny breathed hard, close to tears. Her brother stood right in front of her, thinking before he spoke. He'd definitely changed since his near-death experience. Matured.
"I just-feel bad for him. You saw that article. I don't think he's ever learned how to live like a normal person. And I think Malfoy's been a really bad influence on him"
"So you just roll over for him," she said, scathingly. Ron winced.
"No. I told him the same thing as Hermione. If he carries on acting like a dick, then I don't forgive him"
"You think he really cares? C'mon Ron, don't be an idiot! He's only making nice cause Dumbledore told him to!"
"Do you really think that? You don't think people can change?"
Ginny didn't respond. She couldn't explain why Harry so unnerved her. She didn't understand it herself, not consciously at least.
She had no idea why the dark-haired, orphanage raised Slytherin creeped her out so much. Couldn't explain why her instincts screamed at her to run when she was near him. She couldn't remember another boy, who had seemed caring and normal before revealing his cruelty and hatred. Ginny never remember her dreams, where ink rose from a page and covered her, sucking her into a book. All she knew, was that something deep within her warned her to beware Harry Potter.
"Ginny, what you gonna do? You heard what Dumbledore told Fred and George. If you take revenge, it's just gonna keep it going forever. I'm choosing to be the bigger man here and to just let it go. I hope you can also"
Ravenclaw Common Room
"What you got there, Luna?"
Luna raised the medallion, letting the light reflect off of the oddly twisted wires.
"I asked daddy for a medallion to expel zygonauts"
The other girl paused, biting her lip. No-one teased Luna anymore, not really. Word had spread the previous year that Harry Potter didn't like it. And after what had happened on the train… No, no-one bullied Luna.
"What's a zygonaut?" She said, trying to sound interested.
"A monstrosity," Luna said, startling the other girl with the coldness in her tone. "They take people over, you see. Make them do evil, evil things. And the person is still alive inside their body, screaming for help, and no-one can hear them because the zygonaut doesn't let the sounds escape their lips"
"Oh," the girl said weakly, backing away slightly. "I'm glad you got that medallion then"
"So am I" Luna muttered, opening her father's letter again.
She couldn't help but to take a sniff of it. He always mixed a bit of gurdyroot paste in with his ink, to make the words calmer. It gave off such a delightful smell, reminding her of home.
' My dearest Luna. I must apologize for taking so long to reply, but there was a Quirt infestation in the attic that I had to take care of. Fret not, I have introduced them to the wonders of the joyous Plimsies, and they have left our home in peace.
I have enclosed the medallion. If in the presence of one infected with a zygonaut, it will glow, giving off a lovely violet color. As you know, violet entrances the zygonauts and will allow you to press the medallion to the forehead of the unfortunate one infected. When pressing it against their forehead, gently say 'expulso zygonaut', and the zygonaut will be forced out of their unwilling host. Apply ground petals of a singing rose to the area where the medallion touched, and the zygonaut will not re-enter that person.
Please, my darling daughter, be careful. Do not attempt the exorcism on a ministry worker, particularly one from the Department of Mysteries. They are willing hosts to the zygonauts and may become enraged if you attempt to save them.
All my love.
Your father'
Luna tapped the medallion to her fingernail, stroking its chain. It was such a work of art, with its strange, interlocking wires and odd little diagram in the center.
"Hey, Luna. What's that?"
She looked up again, showing Terry Boot the medallion, and began explaining its purpose.
It didn't glow.
Slytherin Common Room
"Daphne, could I talk to you for a minute?"
Daphne put down her quill and massaged her fingers.
"Is it important, Tori? I really need this essay done, and it's getting late.."
She looked at her sister's blush.
' Oh dear'
"It is important"
Daphne scooted over, patting the cushioned seat she had just moved off of.
"How do I get a boy to notice me?"
"He already has," she said with a sigh. "He just doesn't know if you like him or not"
Blush deepening, Astoria asked. "How do you know?"
"It's obvious. The way you look at him. You're always so awkward around him"
"You said he-"
"He looks at you a lot. I think he'd like to get to know you"
' And if Draco knows what's good for him, he won't get to know her too well. Merlin, she's barely thirteen'
"What do I do, Daphne?"
"Just talk to him. Be yourself. Don't fawn all over him, that's what all the girls do and he hates it. Have normal conversations with him. Be your annoying self"
Astoria punched her in the arm lightly.
"This is what I get for helping my sister," Daphne said, raising her hands toward the sky.
"Thanks," Astoria said. "I'll let you finish your essay now"
Daphne rolled her eyes as her sister walked away.
' Now, if only I could figure out how to get Harry to see me as a girl. I'm not going Pansy's route. Stupid bint. She deserved whatever he did to her, acting like a slag'
Grimacing, she leaned back over her parchment. Boys would have to wait until McGonagall got her homework.
Headmaster's Office, Durmstrang
"We will be going to Hogwarts soon. All of you here will be coming"
"Not only us, Krum, and-"
"Shut up, you idiot boy"
Poliakoff fell silent, as around him the other students smirked.
"You are all here because you have sworn to serve the Dark Lord. Within Hogwarts, there are enemies. Dumbledore, Moody. The other Aurors protecting the tournament. You are not to reveal anything about your allegiance. Is that understood?"
They all nodded, Olga, being the only one to speak.
"Of course, Highmaster"
"Within Hogwarts, there are some who have sworn the same oaths as you. They will be watching, to ensure you do not speak stupidly. No hints, no taunts, nothing. As far as the world knows, the Dark Lord is Dead, and the Death Eaters does with him. They are not to have the truth revealed to them. You are all regular Durmstrang students. Understood?"
Again they all nodded.
"One of the students has been commanded by our Lord to punish you for any infractions in this. Obviously, I will not tell you who, so hold your tongue around everyone. And I assure you all, you do not want to face this student's wand"
Igor had been horrified when the Dark Lord informed him that Potter, Potter! Would be in charge of punishments. If there was anyone in Hogwarts his students would not hold back from attempting to intimidate, it would be Potter. And Potter was vicious. That smile of his at his initiation still haunted Igor.
"All of you, except Poliakoff, get out"
The students left, laughing as they closed the door behind them.
Poliakoff stayed sitting.
"Highmaster, I must-"
"Crucio!"
He didn't hold the spell long. Less than ten seconds, in fact. But it was enough to leave the boy a shaking heap on the floor.
"The Dark Lord does not tolerate idiocy, and neither do I. You were born with a brain, we're you not? Use it. Now get out of my sight"
The Dark Lord's Manor
"What news?"
Lucius straightened his back.
"My Lord, one of our operatives in France say that they will be in a position of power within Beauxbatons. When the Headmistress goes to Hogwarts, they will be one of those running the place!"
"Good. How many students are ours?"
"So far, very few. I believe only two. However, he claims that with Maxime gone, he will be able to recruit many more for us. He says he has his eye on three others, and only Maxine's presence has kept him from approaching them already"
"Tell him I want at least five by the end of the year. And I want every piece of information he can give me about that school"
"It will be done"
"How are our men in France?"
"They are learning, my lord. They are in a position to cause a distraction when you reveal yourself, but I do not believe any of them capable of fighting well at the moment"
"Barty will accompany you on your next trip. He will train them"
"As you say, my Lord"
"Has Draco anything to say of the year so far?"
"No, my Lord"
"Write to him. Inquire about Harry"
"I will"
"Leave me. Send Barty in"
' He must improve! If he gets himself killed, he will ruin everything! He will destroy a shard of my soul with his foolishness!'
Barty entered, and bowed respectfully before his Lord's throne, ignoring the smoke rising from where pale hands gripped the armrest.
As the Dark Lord gave Barty his orders, the man nodded with a grin.
And inside his mind, the Dark Lord raged and made plans to ensure his Horcrux's safety.