Through the years

[HARRY]

The next day went by quickly. Harry guessed it was due to it being a fairly amusing day after all. First, there was the excitement about who was going to enter their name into the tournament. Harry, Hermione and Ron had spent some time watching contestants put their names into the cup. Secondly, there was the matter of Fred and George who had managed to get cursed by the age line and turned their hair permanently white, with a matching beard to boot. And before Harry knew it the Halloween feast had arrived.

On the contrary, the Halloween feast seemed to take much longer than usual. Perhaps because it was their second feast in two days, Harry didn’t seem to fancy the extravagantly prepared food as much as he would have normally. It felt like ages before their half-eaten desserts finally disappeared and Dumbledore spoke up. 

“Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision,” said Dumbledore,  “I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions’ names are called, I would ask them please to come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber” — he indicated the door behind the staff table — “where they will be receiving their first instructions.”

He took out his wand and gave a great sweeping wave with it; at once, all the candles except those inside the carved pumpkins were extinguished, plunging them into a state of semidarkness. The Goblet of Fire now shone more brightly than anything in the whole Hall, the sparkling bright, bluey-whiteness of the flames almost painful on the eyes. Everyone watched, waiting. . . . A few people kept checking their watches. . . .

Suddenly Dumbledore’s voice broke the silence, Harry saw multiple people, including himself jump up. “However, before we start I would like to introduce you to someone”.

“W’atch im indroduce another ministiry ashhole” Percy spit out while he was simultaneously taking a bite of a turkey leg. Harry wondered how he could still be hungry but more so where he had hidden the leg? Ron was nodding his head agreeingly.

Click-, clack-.

Harry turned his head back towards the front of the hall, where the veiled cave woman from earlier seemed to emerge from the shadows.

“Since we are celebrating the return of the tournament, we decided to make it even more exciting this year. That is why we have one additional school joining us this year” Dumbledore announced happily.

A silent awe rolled over the students.

“Maybe Illvermorny…” Hermione whispered.

The woman dressed in black was now standing next to Dumbledore. “Thank you, Albus” She spoke while slowly lifting her veil from her face. “What an honour that my school can participate this year” she spoke. Her voice seemed to carry a false sweetness,

Harry heard a soft cling next to him. He turned his gaze to see that Percy had dropped the remains of his turkey leg on the table.

“Oh gods” Percy said stunned.

“You know her Perc?” Ron whispered.

“Ehm…no?” Percy responded while still directly looking at the woman on the stage.

Harry turned his gaze back to her as well. She was in full view now. Her face was pale, almost as white as a sheet surrounded by deep black hair. Her dress was the same colour as her hair except white spots seemed to be dancing on it, almost like stars. Even though she was not conventionally pretty, Harry was still mesmerized by her appearance.

She turned to address the crowd. “Thank you all for having me and my student here tonight” she said with gleaming eyes “I am Kate, director of Triviantus, a private wizarding institute in Greece.”

Harry turned to Hermione to get an explanation about this school, however, her eyebrows were knitted together in a confused manner. Apparently, she also didn’t seem to have heard of it.

The woman continued as if she had seen the confusion in their eyes. “our school only takes in certain bloodlines, the best of the best” she said with a smirk “In turn this means our student pool is small, and the ones we do have tend to die”. The students looked around in shock.

Was this woman for real? You would have thought she was joking if it wasn’t for the annoyed look on her face when she talked about dying children.

“Anyway” she continued “It is because of our small student body that we haven’t been able to join this tournament before. Well until now that is because we have sent the perfect candidate this year” The smirk was back on her face now.

“What does she mean sent? I haven’t seen anyone besides the Beauxbatons and Durmstrangs. ” Ron whispered. Before Hermione or Harry could answer the woman scrapped her throat.

“So without further ado, Albus could you please” she smiled towards Dumbledore.

“Of course” He responded and waved his wand towards the goblet.

The flames inside the goblet turned red again. Sparks began to fly from it. Next moment, a tongue of flame shot into the air, a charred piece of parchment fluttered out of it — the whole room gasped. Dumbledore caught the piece of parchment and held it at arm’s length, so that he could read it by the light of the flames, which had turned back to blue-white.

“The champion for Triviantus,” he read, in a strong, clear voice, “will be Perseus Jackson.”

There was some applause, mostly from Durmstrang, Beauxbaton and first-years who didn’t know Percy yet. The rest of the students all turned their heads towards the Gryffindor table.

As the shock settled down Harry also turned his eyes to where Percy was sitting, but he found the seat empty.  He looked around bewildered for a second and finally found Percy standing in front of the doors to and from the Great Hall. He was looking like a deer in the headlights. 

“Perseus my boy, please come forward” Dumbledore encouraged.

Percy raised his hand if to ask a question. “Can I refuse?”

Dumbledore looked somewhat sympathetic towards Percy. “Once a champion has been selected by the Goblet of Fire, he or she is obliged to see the tournament through to the end” Dumbledore repeated.

Percy sighed as he accepted his fate. He started to make his way to the front.

In the meantime Ron leaned forward and whispered; “Percy’s real name is Perseus…..? Also, I don’t understand. Percy is a Hogwarts student”

“Well clearly he also goes to this school, Ron” Hermione countered, ignoring his first question “You saw how he reacted, he knew the headmistress”

“You’re right Hermione, but that still doesn’t explain how he could have attended two schools at once?” Harry questioned.

As Percy was almost at the podium, Hermione straightened up again. “Let’s just ask him later,” she said.

Harry wished he could say the rest of the evening went smoothly, but when his name also appeared out of the Globet of Fire, he knew he wouldn’t be able to use the term ‘smoothly’ anymore until the year was over.

As Harry went through the door out of the Great Hall he found himself in a smaller room, lined with paintings of witches and wizards. A handsome fire was roaring in the fireplace opposite him.

Viktor Krum, Cedric Diggory, Fleur Delacour and Percy were grouped around the fire. They looked strangely impressive, silhouetted against the flames. Krum, hunched-up and brooding, was leaning against the mantelpiece, slightly apart from the other two. Cedric was standing with his hands behind his back, staring into the fire. Fleur Delacour looked around when Harry walked in and threw back her sheet of long, silvery hair.

But he was most surprised by Percy, who almost looked like a Roman statue you would find in a museum. He hadn’t really processed it yet but over the years that Harry had known Percy, he had grown tall. He had thrown his cloak over a chair in the corner, and you could clearly see he wasn’t the scrawny kid from 4 years ago. He looked more like an Olympian athlete.

Percy suddenly turned around as if he felt Harry staring at him, which in turn broke Harry out of his spell.

“Oh hey Harry what are you doing here?” Percy asked curiously.

“Do zey want us back in ze Hall?” Fleur asked.

There was a sound of scurrying feet behind him, and Ludo Bagman entered the room. He took Harry by the arm and led him forward.

“Extraordinary!” he muttered, squeezing Harry’s arm. “Absolutely extraordinary! Gentlemen . . . lady,” he added, approaching the fireside and addressing the other three. “May I introduce — incredible though it may seem — the fourth Triwizard champion?”

Viktor Krum straightened up. His surly face darkened as he surveyed Harry. Cedric looked nonplussed. He looked from Bagman to Harry and back again as though sure he must have misheard what Bagman had said. Percy on the other hand looked downright furious, did he also think Harry put his own name in the goblet?

Fleur Delacour, however, tossed her hair, smiling, and said, “Oh, vairy funny joke, Meester Bagman.”

“Joke?” Bagman repeated, bewildered. “No, no, not at all! Harry’s name just came out of the Goblet of Fire!”

“You can’t let him compete, Bagman, Harry is too young” Percy almost growled.

“Must I remind you that you are technically also under the age limit Mr. Jackson?” Bagman threatened. If the situation wasn’t this dire Harry would have laughed. Did Bagman forget Percy refused not even ten minutes ago? “But alas It’s down in the rules, you’re obliged . . . Harry will just have to do the best he —”

The door behind them opened again, and a large group of people came in: Professor Dumbledore, followed closely by Mr. Crouch, Professor Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Snape. Harry heard the buzzing of the hundreds of students on the other side of the wall, before Professor McGonagall closed the door.

“Madame Maxime!” said Fleur at once, striding over to her headmistress. “Zey are saying zat zis little boy is to compete also!”

Somewhere under Harry’s numb disbelief, he felt a ripple of anger. Little boy?

“Yes, what is the meaning of this Dumbledore,” said Professor Karkaroff. He was wearing a steely smile, and his blue eyes were like chips of ice. “Two Hogwarts champions? I don’t remember anyone telling me the host school is allowed two champions — or have I not read the rules carefully enough?”

“And ze other boy” said Madame Maxime while pointing at Percy, “Zat boy is also a Ogwarts student. You cannot ’ave zhree champions. It is most injust.”

“If you can’t recall, Percy is my student” the ice voice of Miss Kate interjected. Strangely, Harry hadn’t seen her come into the room. “He might go to Hogwarts but the boy knows who he’s loyal to”

Percy looked angry towards Kate. Harry wondered what their relationship was. The others however nodded, they probably didn’t want to start a fight with the strange woman.

“It’s no one’s fault but Potter’s, Karkaroff,” added Snape softly. His black eyes were alight with malice. “Don’t go blaming Dumbledore for Potter’s determination to break rules. He has been crossing lines ever since he arrived here —”

“Thank you, Severus,” said Dumbledore firmly, and Snape went quiet, though his eyes still glinted malevolently through his curtain of greasy black hair. Professor Dumbledore was now looking down at Harry, who looked right back at him, trying to discern the expression of the eyes behind the half-moon spectacles.

“Did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire, Harry?” he asked calmly.

“No,” said Harry.

Harry had hoped this would get him out of the game, unfortunately after a lengthy discussion between the adults, it was decided that Harry had to participate. As everyone started to leave the dimly lit room Dumbledore turned towards them.

“Harry, Cedric, Percy I suggest you go up to bed,” said Dumbledore, smiling at both of them. “I am sure Gryffindor and Hufflepuff are waiting to celebrate with you, and it would be a shame to deprive them of this excellent excuse to make a great deal of mess and noise.”

Then he leaned forward a bit and whispered. “Percy I know you don’t play for Hogwarts but… make us proud” He smiled. “I think Gryffindor is excited to have not only one but two champions gracing their common rooms” he finished as he winked towards Percy.

In return, Percy gave a cheeky smile. “Don’t worry about me, I can definitely use the practice”.

Dumbledore gave a chiming laugh and walked out of the office.

Percy threw his arm around Harry and Cedric, which made him very uneven as Harry was about a foot shorter than Cedric, and directed them towards the exit.

“So,” said Cedric, with a slight smile. “We’re playing against each other again!”

“I s’pose,” said Harry.

“Pfff, you’re just happy you don’t have to go against Marcus” Percy joked.

“Well, you can say that Perc, but don’t think I am glad going against you either. I’ve seen you fighting that roque Nogtail in the dungeon, you remember” Cedric laughed.

Percy scratched his head “Yeah not one of my brightest moments” he said. Harry had no idea what the two were talking about.

Cedric turned to him. “So . . . tell me . . .” said Cedric “How did you get your name in?”

“I didn’t,” said Harry, staring up at him. “I didn’t put it in. I was telling the truth.”

“Ah . . . okay,” said Cedric. Harry could tell Cedric didn’t believe him. “Well . . . see you, then. Bye, Percy” He waved as he made his way around the corner.

Percy apparently shared the same thought as Harry, he laid his hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry Harry, I know you didn’t put your name in the goblet”

Harry felt as if something heavy was lifted off his chest. Finally, someone who just said it. “Thank you Percy,” Harry said gladly. Harry wanted to ask Percy about his participation. This strange school he seemed to go to and most of all his scary principal Kate.

“Hey, Percy-” Harry started but Percy suddenly stopped him with an arm on the chest. Harry looked up into the hallway and was surprised to find Kate, Percy’s principal there.

“Kate” Percy spat out.

She smiled at them. “A Percy, just the boy I was looking for”.

There hung an eerie silence in the hall. Everything seemed to move slowly and it almost felt like Harry could taste the magic in the air.

“Harry you move along to the common room, I will join you in a bit” Percy said still looking towards Kate.

Harry didn’t want to leave Percy here alone but he was also sure he no longer wanted to hang around Kate. “Alright, Percy see you later” Harry said silently and he continued walking down the hall. But just as he rounded the corner he pressed himself against the wall, hopefully still within earshot of the conversation.

It was silent for a long while, Harry almost wanted to look to see if they had moved somewhere else, but then Percy’s voice suddenly spoke up; “So what are you doing here?”

“Percy how rude! Your favorite aunt just wanted to visit you” Kate said in a scandalous voice.

“My favourite aunt is Hestia, so what are you really doing here?” Percy deadpanned.

“That hurts my feelings, Percy, just because I am here to kill you doesn’t mean I don’t like you” Kate said.

“Didn’t your last letter say ‘hope you don’t die´” Percy mimicked in Kate’s voice.

“Don’t pull old cows out of the ditch Percy” Kate sighed “Anyway I am being nice to you! Gramps wants you dead but instead I just enter you in a death tournament. Just win and well both be happy you see”.

“And that bit about Harry? What does he have to do with it” Percy questioned. Suddenly a bit of the anger seemed back in his voice.

“Oh that wasn’t me… but I think we both know who that was” she suddenly said seriously.

It was silent for a bit. After a minute or something Percy’s voice broke the silence “Okay I’ll do it, but ONLY because I don’t want to leave Harry alone in this” he spoke angrily.

“That’s the spirit, Percy Jackson! Well see you at the first task” Hecate said cheerily.

That sounded like Harry’s clue to leave. He had to be in the common room before Percy. However his mind was spinning, Kate was Percy’s aunt? She wants to kill him? Or better said his grandpa wanted him dead?

He took a deep breath and sprinted towards the Gryffindor common room.

That evening went in a blur. As soon as he made it into the common room Harry had been questioned. While Percy entered not much later than he promised, he had sneaked straight to bed as everyone still seemed to be distracted with Harry.

The next day he found Hermione, Percy and Ron sitting at the breakfast table. As soon as Harry ploffed down he noticed Ron was considering leaving, but he probably also wanted to know their conversations.

“Rough night Harry?” Percy laughed.

Harry just groaned in response. “Don’t start, I got questioned all night” He said.

Percy just laughed. Hermione gave him a sympathetic look. And Ron was staring at his plate angrily.

“Well, it was worse because they were also asking me about YOU Percy!” Harry complained.

Percy looked up at Harry. He was unable to read his expression.

“Yeah Percy” Hermione began carefully “Care to explain?”

Now it was Percy’s turn to look tired. “Honestly, I don’t even know where to start” he sighed.

Harry and Hermione were looking at him curiously now. Even Ron had turned his gaze towards Percy.

“First of all, Kate’s school is not really a school” he explained “it's more… tutoring? I don’t even know what to call it. I’ve only met up with her a couple of times. Most of the ‘tutoring’ is her trying to ruin my life”

“She said she was your aunt” Harry blurted out.

There was a second of silence, and Harry was afraid of Percy’s response. “mmm you heard that didn’t you?” Percy questioned. Harry looked up, his tone didn’t sound angry.

“She is my aunt yeah…. That’s why she talked about ‘special bloodlines’ and stuff” Percy said. “And honestly I never knew the training my family did was actually under the name of an official institute” he said 'officially' between air quotes.

“So you didn’t secretly go to another school” Ron questioned

Percy laughed. “I have never even been to Greece”

“Your aunt is quite scary looking though” Ron responded.

“Oh don’t get me started” he sighed “She’s not even the worst” 

“Well either way you have to take care in the competition, Percy!” Hermione insisted.

“Yeah but don’t win cus you know I want Hogwarts to win” Ron added. He didn’t look Harry in the eye. Did this mean Ron wanted Cedric to win?

“Sure I will try to lose” Percy said mischievously “Now anyway enough talk about that stupid death tournament. And let’s discuss how we are going to rub this under Fred and George’s noses”

Hermione just sighed

The next few days were some of Harry’s worst at Hogwarts. The closest he had ever come to feeling like this had been during those months, in his second year, when a large part of the school had suspected him of attacking his fellow students. Moreover, Ron wasn’t talking to him, Snape gave him detention and Rita Skeeter wrote him off as some disfigured crybaby for the whole wizarding world to see. Great way to start the tournament.

However, what was great was that Hagrid showed him what the first task was going to be, Dragons. He had immediately rushed to tell Percy.

“Dragons?” Percy asked, he didn’t seem too shocked by the news. “How big are we talking? Lizard size or a tree?

“Euhh, closer to a tree” Harry answered.

Percy was nodding as if he was sizing up the dragon. “Only one head?” he asked.

Was he serious? “yes...” Harry said slowly “Yes only one head”. Well, at least the four Harry had seen, but he couldn’t imagine the last dragon suddenly having multiple heads.

“Great!” Percy exclaimed. “Well not great but you know… better than multiple heads?”

“I guess” Harry had responded. He suddenly remembered that he hadn’t asked Percy about that conversation with Kate… but he couldn’t really. He had to admit to Percy that he had been snooping around the corner and after losing Ron... He didn’t want to risk it. Harry decided to bring it up with Hermione some later time, maybe she knew what to do.

However, before Harry knew it the Sunday of the first task had arrived. He had trouble getting dressed and his nerves didn’t let him eat a single bite. While next to him Percy devoured a whole 18inch Pizza for breakfast. Harry almost became nauseous looking at it. As McGonagall came to pick them up Harry could barely stand from his knees shaking too hard.

As they made their way into the tent Percy nudged him in his side. “It will be ok Harry, just… think outside the box”

Harry almost laughed. “Really that is all you have to say? Think outside the box? A bit cliché Percy”

Percy laughed in return. “Trust me it has worked for me this far”

“Harry! Good-o!” Bagman interrupted happily, looking around at him. “Oh and Perseus as well! Come in, come in, make yourself at home!”

Bagman looked somehow like a slightly overblown cartoon figure, standing amid all the pale-faced champions. He was wearing his old Wasp robes again.

“Well, now we’re all here — time to fill you in!” said Bagman brightly. “When the audience has assembled, I’m going to be offering each of you this bag” — he held up a small sack of purple silk and shook it at them — “from which you will each select a small model of the thing you are about to face! There are different — er — varieties, you see. And I have to tell you something else too . . . ah, yes . . . your task is to collect the golden egg!”

Harry glanced around. Cedric had nodded once, to show that he understood Bagman’s words, and then started pacing around the tent again; he looked slightly green. Fleur Delacour and Krum hadn’t reacted at all. Perhaps they thought they might be sick if they opened their mouths; that was certainly how Harry felt. But they, at least, had volunteered for this. . . .

Percy on the other seemed completely zoned out. He was looking into an unseeable distance while softly humming… was that ‘Hey Jude’? He must have been very nervous to space out that much.

Suddenly and all too soon Bagman held out a small purple sack.  “Ladies first,” he said, offering it to Fleur Delacour; a Welsh Green. After that, Krum pulled out the scarlet Chinese Fireball. Cedric put his hand into the bag, and out came the blueish-grey Swedish Short-Snout.

So either Percy or Harry had to face the Hungarian Horntail.

Percy put his hand into the bag and slowly pulled up, but before he even had the dragon out of the bag he clicked his tongue. “Oh you have to be kidding!” He exclaimed.

As he pulled out Harry saw it. The dragon had more than one head.

“A Hydra!” Percy said angrily “This barely counts as a dragon! Who is stupid enough to include a Hydra in a high school tournament”

“Ah” Bagman said “We are working with donations, four came from Hungary and this one.. well I actually don’t know who donated… euh- this creature. Anyway, no takebacks! Harry next”

Harry looked over to Percy, was he going to fight this? While he did adorn an angry scowl he kept his mouth shut. While Harry was happy with not getting the multi-headed dragon he certainly did enjoy the alternative. Harry put his hand into the silk bag and pulled out the Hungarian Horntail. It stretched its wings as he looked down at it, and bared its minuscule fangs.

Cedric, Fleur, and Krum all managed to get their egg within 15 minutes…which didn’t help too well with Harry’s nerves. While it meant there was a way to win from the dragon, if you have the body of an athlete, are above the age of 17, oh and actually volunteered to enter so probably were top of your school. Harry, on the other hand, was none of that.

Percy, being the only one left in the room, seemed to practically smell Harry’s fear.

“Harry just remember” He spoke “You just have to get the egg, not fight the dragon.”

Harry just nodded stiffly. Percy looked sympathetic towards him before giving a cheeky smile.

“See you on the other side” He beamed. And he made his way out of the tent.

The whistle sounded again. “And now we have Mr. Jackson entering. Hogwarts folks you might know him- but today he’s playing for none other than Triviantus!” Bagman yelled over the speakers.

A second later Harry heard the crowd starting to roar again and not more than two minutes later Bagman's voice could be heard over the speaker; “And Mr. Jackson proceeds to… ehm.. cut off one of the heads?” Bagman sounded tense “Hopefully he knows how Hydra’s work- Oh wait-  yes-  he seems to, a very beautiful use of Incendio”

The crowd went wild as Bagman continued. “Oh- wait he got another head and – there goes the other two. He has only one head left-  and no that one is gone too!” He screamed into his microphone.

A loud applause could be heard from the audience. “Very well done-” Bagman began but got broken up by violent coughs “Perseus-Has -Cough-  made the dragon -cough- EXPLODE!?” He shrilled.

The crowd was silent for a second before a very loud roar went over it. “And that all under 10 minutes!” Bagman Explained, seeming to have recovered from his stupor. “Oh and look at that! Beautiful points from the Jury!- Well done Mr. Jackson”.

Percy had… cut off the dragon's head and made it explode? Harry shook his head, so much for thinking outside the box. He got the sudden realization that it was now his turn. He stood up, noticing dimly that his legs seemed to be made of marshmallow. He waited. And then he heard the whistle blow. He walked out through the entrance of the tent.

The rest of the day went by as a whirlwind. Harry blamed it on the adrenaline still pumping through his body. He had managed to get past the dragon! He still couldn’t believe it. Harry only started to feel like himself again once he entered the Gryffindor common room.

Sure enough, when they entered the Gryffindor common room it exploded with cheers and yells again. There were mountains of cakes and flagons of pumpkin juice and butterbeer on every surface; Lee Jordan had let off some Filibuster’s Fireworks so that the air was thick with stars and sparks;

Harry helped himself to food. As he was filling his plate with around ten treacle cakes a hand dropped down on his shoulder. Harry turned around to see it was Percy. His hair was full of what seemed to be confetti and glitters and he had a mischievous smile on his face.

“Very crazy plan Harry… I loved it.” Percy grinned “Very out of the box”

“As crazy as making a dragon explode” Harry jibbed back. He felt a big grin on his face.

Percy scratched his head and chuckled “What can I say, things usually end up exploding around me”

“Let’s sit down” Harry suggested.

“You sure you don’t want more cake” Percy joked as he was looking down at Harry’s plate.

Harry punched Percy in the arm as they walked to the table and sat down with Ron and Hermione. He couldn’t believe how happy he felt; he had Ron back on his side, he’d gotten through the first task, and he wouldn’t have to face the second one for three months.

“Blimey, this is heavy,” said Lee Jordan, picking up one of the golden eggs, which were placed on a table next to them, and weighing it in his hands. “Open it, guys, go on! Let’s just see what’s inside it!”

Harry turned to Percy. “You didn’t open it yet?” he asked

“Of course not! I was waiting until you were back as well!” Percy exclaimed.

“You guys are supposed to work out the clue on your own,” Hermione said swiftly. “It’s in the tournament rules. . . .”

“I was supposed to work out how to get past the dragon on my own too,” Harry muttered, so only Hermione could hear him, and she grinned rather guiltily.

“Yeah, go on, Harry, Percy, open it!” several people echoed.

Lee passed Harry the egg, he gave a look to Percy, who just nodded and smiled in approval. Harry dug his fingernails into the groove that ran all the way around it and pried it open.

It was hollow and completely empty — but the moment Harry opened it, the most horrible noise, a loud and screechy wailing, filled the room. The nearest thing to it Harry had ever heard was the ghost orchestra at Nearly Headless Nick’s deathday party, who had all been playing the musical saw.

“Shut it!” Fred bellowed his hands over his ears.

“What was that?” said Seamus Finnigan, staring at the egg as Harry slammed it shut again. “Sounded like a banshee. . . . Maybe you all got to get past one of those next!”

Percy looked around confused. “What do you mean a banshee?... It was clearly a woman… singing?” He said.

“Singing? Maybe if Trelawney started her own acoustic band, but otherwise that was definitely not singing Perc” Fred remarked. Still rubbing his hands over his ears.

“Well Fred, I thought it sounded a bit like Percy singing . . . maybe you’ve got to attack him while he’s in the shower, Harry,” George smirked.

“If I was able to sing like that, I have to have a serious conversation with my mom about who my dad is” Percy grinned, probably about some inside joke. Then he looked around “Literally? No one?”

“Sorry Percy” Neville said. Percy threw up his hands.

“What did she sing, Percy?” Hermione wandered.

“Oh… I think it was a clue about the next task” Percy spoke “She said; ‘Wumpeltump”

Everyone looked at Percy weirdly, who in turn was showing a confused face. “That’s not what she said, she said ‘Flaberjat’

Percy grumbled “Ok clearly I can’t tell you the hint Harry, just know it’s in there” he said while pointing at the egg.

Fred threw his arm around Percy’s neck. “Great! Now we know at least one of you won’t die on the next task”.

George appeared next to him as well “To celebrate who wants a Jam tart…”

It was nearly one in the morning when Harry finally went up to the dormitory.

On Thursday Harry got broken out of his happy victory daze.

“I can’t believe McGonagall is forcing me to dance at the Yule ball!” Harry said angrily. “How do I even find a partner”

“Lasso one?” Ron suggested, Percy snickered loudly at that. “Got any idea who you’re going to try?” Ron continued

Harry’s mind immediately went towards Cho Chang. Ron seemed to know what was going on inside Harry’s head.

“Listen, you’re not going to have any trouble. You’re a champion. You’ve just beaten a Hungarian Horntail. I bet they’ll be queuing up to go with you…. Just like for Percy over here” Ron pointed his thumb in Percy’s direction. “Got asked a dozen million times since this morning”

“It was not a dozen, Ron” Percy sighed. “only like eight”

Ron mimicked Percy’s voice “Only eight’ Percy that’s eight babes! You could have chosen. You’re so picky you know.”

“I just don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up” Percy said “I don’t feel like dating. Period.”

“Then who are you going to the ball with?  It’s mandatory you know” Harry responded, a sour taste coming back in his mouth.

“Oh I probably ask Annabeth, my friend from New York” Percy grinned “I promised to show her around Hogwarts sometime anyway”

Ron looked suspiciously at Percy. “Your friend,” he said while holding up his index fingers.

Percy’s ears seemed to turn red. “Yes- friend!. I mean- no- yes- my best friend”.

Now Harry started to get his doubts as well. He squinted at Ron and then they turned their heads towards Percy at the same time.

“Oeehwho” They spoke at the same time, to promptly break out in laughter as Percy’s got even redder.

“Shut it you too!” He exclaimed, but he also couldn’t contain his grin anymore.

Their laughter echoed through the hallways

Ron, Padma, Harry and Parvati stood awkwardly in front of the entrance to the dance hall.

“Euh- nice decorations, they- euh have here,” Harry said, trying to change the atmosphere.

“Yes, sure,” Parvati said, she was looking at the crowd behind the entrance, probably trying to spot Lavender.

The awkward silence seemed to be starting again, until Harry’s rescue angel, Percy, broke it.

“Who died?” he grinned, having appeared behind them.

“Have you seen Hermione?” Ron immediately asked Percy.

“Not after lunch, she took Annabeth up to get changed” Percy answered while shrugging his shoulders.

“Oh, where is she?” Harry wondered. He was curious to see what she looked like. When Ron and Harry had asked Percy he had described her as; ‘just like Hermione but very angry eyes’.

“I think she’s coming down in a bit, we agreed to meet here at six” Percy responded.

Suddenly Harry heard Ron whisper “Veela….” He turned his gaze towards where Ron was looking.

Walking down the stairs was one of the prettiest Beauxbatons students Harry had seen until now. She was around 175cm tall with an athletic body. Hanging from her shoulders was a sleek silver dress, that seemed to ripple like a lake. She seemed a bit more tanned than her classmates. Her honey blonde hair was in an updo but some pieces fell loose, framing her face.

“Oh hey” Percy said, breaking Harry out of his spell. “You look nice. Did Silena get her hands on you or something”

The girl, seemingly knowing Percy sighted “Present from her mom. Just… don’t ask”. Percy snickered at that.

She turned her stormy grey eyes towards Ron and Harry, both still standing there with their mouth hanging open. “You must be Harry and Ron” she said and held out her hand “I’m Annabeth Chase”.

Harry shook her hand while nodding silently. So not a Beauxbatons student… but Percy’s American friend. How could he have compared her with Hermione? They looked absolutely nothing alike.

“You- You’re Annabeth” Ron asked shocked.

“Well normally she doesn’t look like this” Percy helped “Usually she’s covered in sweat, mud and blood”

That got Percy a hard punch on his arm. “Yeah and you're usually covered in seaweed” She chided.

Percy turned towards her to throw back a counter but luckily the voice of McGonagall broke up the two; “Champions over here, please!”

Percy waved his hand towards McGonagall, to signal they were coming. “That’s our cue Wisegirl. Time to break some toes” Suddenly Percy’s eyes widened like he had remembered something “Oh Harry! By the way Annabeth and I figured it out… take a bath with the egg, that should work!”

Before Harry had registered Percy’s words he had already turned around. They waved bye as they walked up to McGonagall, just to catch Annabeth saying. “If you so even step on my toes, I will hunt you down, Seaweed brain-”

Harry, Ron, Parvati and Padma stayed silent for a minute. “That was- that was- wow” Ron just responded. Padma gave him an angry scowl.

“She seems nice” was all Harry could say, in fear of getting Parvati angry. The reaction seemed to be approved as Parvati readjusted her bangles, beaming; she and Harry said “See you in a minute” to Ron and Padma and walked forward, the chattering crowd parting to let them through.

Percy and Annabeth seemed to have been correct, opening the egg underwater gave Harry a clue to the next task. Harry had tried to figure out with it meant, but the weird conversation he had with Moody about Snape and Crouch occupied most of his thoughts.

He also hadn’t been able to ask Percy about the clue, since he had gone back to the States for a bit to celebrate Christmas. It wasn’t until two days before the next task that they found Percy sitting at the Gryffindor table, surprisingly Annabeth was right next to him. Percy was right about her, while she was still super pretty she didn’t seem like... a goddess anymore. Better if either Harry or Ron wanted to ever hold a conversation with her.

Percy and Annabeth seemed in too deep of a conversation to hear Harry and Hermione approaching.

“What I am saying Annabeth, is that I don’t like this!” Percy said heatedly “I refuse to participate in these stupid games”

Annabeth looked at him intensely. “Percy even if you refuse, it is still going to happen. And isn’t it better being me than someone else?” she asked.

“Yes but-” Percy sighed “I know you can handle yourself but- what if this is all Hecate’s plan? They want you death too you know. And what worse way to kill you than to drown you”

Annabeth smiled a bit. “Well you can always come and save me”

Percy smiled back, even though his eyes seemed filled willed worries. “Isn’t it usually you who saves me”.

At the same time, Hermione nudged Harry, ‘We have eavesdropped enough’ it seemed to say. They made themselves louder as they approached the table.

“Hey Annabeth, Percy” Hermione greeted them.

Percy looked up. “Hey, Hermione! Harry! Long time no see” he smiled.

Hermione and Harry sat down opposite to them. “You’re still here, Annabeth?” Hermione asked, her tone sounded rather…. Exiting?

“Yes” Annabeth nodded happily “You don’t think one day was enough for me to explore Hogwarts. Dumbledore allowed me to stay as long as I liked”

“You want me to show you to the library later?” Hermione asked excitingly.

Annabeth’s eyes seemed to light up. “Yeah that would be great!” she beamed.

Now Harry understood what Percy meant when he said Annabeth looked like Hermione. Physically they couldn’t be further apart but they seemed to share the same interests. Besides Hermione, Harry had never seen someone get excited to go to the library before.

“Can we do it later though? Percy was going to show me around outside” Annabeth asked. She brushed her hands above her plate and stood up. Percy followed her.

“Yeah sure, just find me when you guys are done” Hermione smiled.

“Oh no two bookworms going crazy in the library” Percy joked “Imagine what might happen”

“Shut up, Percy,” Annabeth said lightly. “Let’s go”

They waved their goodbyes as they made it out of the Great Hall. As they were out of earshot Hermione turned towards Harry.

“What do you think they were talking about?” She wondered

Harry thought for a moment. “I believe the second task but I don’t get the person wanting them dead?” Harry questioned.

“Hecate…sounds familiar,” Hermione said.

Harry suddenly shot up on the bench. How could he have forgotten! “Percy had a similar sort of conversation with his headmistress at the beginning of the year!” Harry interjected.

“His headmistress Kate?” Hermione wondered, Harry nodded “… KATE!” Hermione shot up into the air.

“Bye Harry got to go to the library” She said as she already jumped off the bench

“But Hermione wait!” Harry yelled. But she had already disappeared out of the great hall.

Harry was planning on skipping the second task until Dobby told him they had taken Ron. He had taken off in a sprint towards the lake.

“I’m . . . here . . .” Harry panted, skidding to a halt in the mud and accidentally splattering Fleur’s robes.

Harry bent over, hands on his knees, gasping for breath; he had a stitch in his side that felt as though he had a knife between his ribs, but there was no time to get rid of it; Ludo Bagman was now moving among the champions, spacing them along the bank at intervals of ten feet. Harry was on the very end of the line, next to Percy, who was wearing jeans and a faded orange T-shirt.

“All right, Harry?” Percy asked him concerned. 

“Yeah,” Harry panted, massaging his ribs. “they- they got Ron” Harry said.

Percy looked pained “Yeah, Annabeth as well… what are you going to do about the – “ he motioned with his head towards the lake.

“Oh I got something” Suddenly Harry felt guilty for not helping Percy out as well “Sorry I don’t have enough”

Percy gave him a bright smile. “Don’t worry about it! I have my own water thing” he beamed.

Suddenly a voice boomed out across the dark water toward the stands; “Well, all our champions are ready for the second task, which will start on my whistle. They have precisely an hour to recover what has been taken from them. On the count of three, then. One . . . two . . . three!”

Harry jumped into the ice-cold water. It was so cold he felt the skin on his legs searing as though this were fire, not icy water. Then, quite suddenly, Harry felt as though an invisible pillow had been pressed over his mouth and nose. He tried to draw breath, but it made his head spin; his lungs were empty, and he suddenly felt a piercing pain on either side of his neck — as he trashed in the water his eyes became blurry, he could have sworn he saw Percy’s concerned face hovering close by.

Harry clapped his hands around his throat and felt two large slits just below his ears, flapping in the cold air. . . . He had gills. He opened his eyes, but Percy was nowhere to be seen. It must have been his imagination.  Without pausing to think, he did the only thing that made sense — he flung himself forward into the water.

It took Harry a short while before he found what he was supposed to be looking for. A group of merpeople floating around tied up students.

Ron was tied between Hermione and Cho Chang. There was also a girl who looked no older than eight, whose clouds of silvery hair made Harry feel sure that she was Fleur Delacour’s sister. All four of them appeared to be in a very deep sleep. Their heads were lolling onto their shoulders, and fine streams of bubbles kept issuing from their mouths. Harry looked around searching for Annabeth, but once he looked up he saw Percy swimming there with her in his arms.

Suddenly Percy stopped swimming and turned around. He seemed to have spotted Harry but focused his attention on the Merperson who seemed to be in charge. It seemed like Percy was saying something towards the Merman, his face was looking serious.

The conversation seemed the go back and forth for a bit, and all Harry could do was just stare uselessly. It ended abruptly when the Merman bowed towards Percy. Percy just looked annoyed by the gesture.

His attention now shifted towards Harry, and to his surprise, Percy’s annoyance was replaced with a smile. With the hand that wasn’t holding Annabeth, he gave a thumbs up, then waved and sped off with the speed of a canon towards the surface.

It took a while before Harry, got out of his daze, but it got broken as Cedric swam past him. He had friends to safe

As Harry had calmed down from his recent stunt, at had gotten at least a bit warmer and drier, Percy came walking up to him. He was still in the same jeans and orange T-shirt, but seemingly completely dry. Next to him stood Annabeth with a towel around her shoulders.

“Harry, why did you take up both Ron and Gabrielle?” Percy asked him.

“Because Fleur wasn’t showing up? I didn’t want to leave her down there” Harry responded.

Percy looked a bit confused. “but I told you it was OK, the merpeople were chill dudes” he said

Now it was Harry’s turn to look confused “You told me…? When?” he asked. Both Hermione and Ron also send Percy a questioning expression.

Percy just held up his thumb towards Harry. “then”

Luckily Annabeth seemed to be in the same understanding as Harry. She hit Percy hard on his arm again. “How is Harry supposed to know what this-“ she held up her thumb as well “means? Sometimes I swear you really have seaweed for brains”.

“But it was clear-” Percy was cut off by Bagman suddenly appearing over the speakers.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached our decision. Merchieftainess Murcus has told us exactly what happened at the bottom of the lake, and we have therefore decided to award marks out of fifty for each of the champions, as follows. . . .”

“First we have Perseus Jackson, who managed to return back to the surface with his hostage in under thirty minutes, with an untraceable water spell making him able to breathe under the water. We award full marks! fifty points!”

A roar went through the audience. “Great job Perc!” Ron and Harry said while Hermione gave him a quick hug.

Percy pumped his fist in the air and in turn, Annabeth gave him a quick jab in his side.

“A bit petty to go celebrate this don’t you think?” she asked teasingly.

“Just training for my Olympic career” He joked back. Annabeth just rolled her eyes with a smile.

“Next up; Fleur Delacour, though she demonstrated excellent use of the Bubble-Head Charm, was attacked by grindylows as she approached her goal, and failed to retrieve her hostage. We award her twenty-five points.”

Applause from the stands.

“I deserved zero,” said Fleur throatily, shaking her magnificent head.

“Cedric Diggory, who also used the Bubble-Head Charm, was second to return with his hostage, though he returned one minute outside the time limit of an hour.” Enormous cheers from the Hufflepuffs in the crowd; Harry saw Cho give Cedric a glowing look. “We therefore award him forty-seven points.”

Harry’s heart sank. If Cedric had been outside the time limit, he most certainly had been.

“Viktor Krum used an incomplete form of Transfiguration, which was nevertheless effective, and was third to return with his hostage. We award him forty points.”

Karkaroff clapped particularly hard, looking very superior.

“Harry Potter used gillyweed to great effect,” Bagman continued. “He returned last, and well outside the time limit of an hour. However, the Merchieftainess informs us that Mr. Potter was the second to reach the hostages, and that the delay in his return was due to his determination to return all hostages to safety, not merely his own.”

Ron and Hermione both gave Harry half-exasperated, half-commiserating looks.

“Most of the judges,” and here, Bagman gave Karkaroff a very nasty look, “feel that this shows moral fibre and merits full marks. However . . . Mr. Potter’s score is forty-five points.”

Harry’s stomach leapt, he wasn’t last. Ron and Hermione, caught by surprise, stared at Harry, then laughed and started applauding hard with the rest of the crowd. Percy gave him a hard slap on the back. “Great work, Harry!”.

This meant one last task to go…

After the lake task, the weeks passed quickly. Annabeth returned home shortly after, leaving both Percy and Hermione in some weird depression for a bit, and everything returned somewhat back to normal. Harry had asked Hermione if her study trip about ‘Kate’ in the library had helped but she had shaken her head, apparently, nothing had come up. Before they knew it, it was already May.

The start of the summer term would normally have meant that Harry was training hard for the last Quidditch match of the season. This year, however, it was the third and final task in the Triwizard Tournament for which he needed to prepare, but he still didn’t know what he would have to do. Finally, in the last week of May, Professor McGonagall held him and Percy back in Transfiguration

“You are to go down to the Quidditch field tonight at nine o’clock, Potter, Jackson,” she told them. “Mr Bagman will be there to tell the champions about the third task.”

So at half past eight that night, Harry left the Gryffindor common room and walked downstairs with Percy downstairs. As they crossed the entrance hall, Cedric came up from the Hufflepuff common room.

“What d’you reckon it’s going to be?” he asked them as they went together down the stone steps, out into the cloudy night. “Fleur keeps going on about underground tunnels; she reckons we’ve got to find treasure.”

“That wouldn’t be too bad,” said Harry, thinking that he would simply ask Hagrid for a niffler to do the job for him.

Percy shuddered. “I hope not, I don’t like underground tunnels. Walked in one once and ended up in Alcatraz”. Harry didn’t know if Percy was joking or not.

They walked down the dark lawn to the Quidditch stadium, turned through a gap in the stands, and walked out onto the field.

“What’ve they done to it?” Cedric said indignantly, stopping dead.

“Finally decided that Quidditch is stupid” Percy shrugged. Cedric gave him a scowl.

The Quidditch field was no longer smooth and flat. It looked as though somebody had been building long, low walls all over it that twisted and crisscrossed in every direction.

“They’re hedges!” said Harry, bending to examine the nearest one.

“Hello there!” called a cheery voice.

Ludo Bagman was standing in the middle of the field with Krum and Fleur. Harry, Percy and Cedric made their way toward them, climbing over the hedges. Fleur

“Well, what d’you think?” said Bagman happily as Harry and Cedric climbed over the last hedge. Growing nicely, aren’t they? Give them a month and Hagrid’ll have them twenty feet high. Don’t worry,” he added, grinning, spotting the less-than-happy expressions on Harry’s and Cedric’s faces, “you’ll have your Quidditch field back to normal once the task is over! Now, I imagine you can guess what we’re making here?”

No one spoke for a moment. Then — “Maze,” grunted Krum.

“That’s right!” said Bagman. “A maze. The third task is really very straightforward. The Triwizard Cup will be placed in the centre of the maze. The first champion to touch it will receive full marks.”

“We seemply ’ave to get through the maze?” said Fleur.

“There will be obstacles,” said Bagman happily, bouncing on the balls of his feet. “Hagrid is providing a number of creatures . . . then there will be spells that must be broken . . . all that sort of thing, you know. Now, the champions who are leading on points will get a head start into the maze.” Bagman grinned at Harry and Cedric. “Then Mr Krum will enter . . . then Miss Delacour. But you’ll all be in with a fighting chance, depending on how well you get past the obstacles. Should be fun, eh?”

“When has this thing ever turned out to be fun?” Percy grumbled.

Harry couldn’t help but agree

It was the day of the last task. While they wouldn’t be entering the maze yet Harry just received the amazing news that it was family visiting hour, with his only family being the Dursleys (who hoped hadn’t shown up, and Sirius, he wasn’t too happy about.

But just as he was getting up, thinking that he might as well go up to the library and do a spot more hex research, the door of the side chamber opened, and Cedric stuck his head out.

“Harry, come on, they’re waiting for you!”

Utterly perplexed, Harry got up. The Dursleys couldn’t possibly be here, could they? He walked across the Hall and opened the door to the chamber.

Cedric and his parents were just inside the door. Viktor Krum was over in a corner, conversing with his dark-haired mother and father in rapid Bulgarian. He had inherited his father’s hooked nose. On the other side of the room, Fleur was jabbering away in French to her mother. Fleur’s little sister, Gabrielle, was holding her mother’s hand. She waved at Harry, who waved back, grinning. And in the middle stood Percy, happily conversing with his mother and stepfather Paul. Next to him stood Annabeth and a boy Harry hadn’t seen before.

Harry almost started to feel sad but then he saw Mrs. Weasley and Bill standing in front of the fireplace, beaming at him. It might have not been that bad of a morning after all.

They decided to roam among the castle most of the day. Halfway through their stroll, they came across Percy and his family again. Mrs. Weasley and Mrs. Jackson immediately embraced each other. After their short encounter at the train station, they kept in touch. They fell into a comfortable conversation. Paul, Percy’s stepdad, started to interview Bill and grilled him with questions about the Hogwarts school system.

That left Harry, with Percy, Annabeth and the other kid. Percy introduced him as Grover, another childhood friend of his. The tree of them must have been very close Harry imagined, since they travelled all the way to Scotland to come and watch Percy.

They spent the rest of the afternoon walking around Hogwarts with the combined families. And just before dinner started Harry and Percy waved their visitors goodbye. They made their way back towards the common room together to get changed.

“You’re friend Grover ‘s nice,” Harry remarked.

Percy smiled. “Grover’s the best” he agreed “But don’t ask him to play any Britney songs on his flute, you will start to hate….” Percy had fallen silent looking up. Harry followed his gaze and in front of them stood a tall man. He had black hair and a neatly trimmed beard. His outfit surprised Harry however, he seemed like a tourist on a holiday, dressed in a flowery shirt, khaki shorts and Birkenstocks?

“Percy,” the man said almost carefully.

“Dad?” Percy questioned. Now Harry looked at it he could indeed see the close resemblance between the two.

“What are you doing here?” Percy continued.

“I wanted to wish you good luck with…” Percy’s dad hesitated on the answer.

“The tournament?” Percy finished for him

“Yeah that” he said “I just wanted to say this is probably the last time I will be able to visit in a while. Things are not going great back home. I know your birthday is coming up….”

Percy gave a small smile. “It’s fine Dad. Really it’s going to be ok”

Percy’s dad looked uncertain. “I know about the proposal that Di Angelo kid has made,” He said suddenly a bit stern, but at Percy’s surprised face, he deflated. “Just be careful ok? I don’t trust him. And swimming in the Styx is not like the ocean, you have to be prepared”

Percy seemed unsure about what to answer. “I am still deciding but I think there is no other way. Just… don’t tell Mom, yet. She will freak” Percy said sheepishly.

His dad let out a loud laugh. “Consider me warned,” he said lightheartedly. “Do you still have the present I gave you for your birthday?”

“Yeah, well not here it’s back home,” Percy said.

“Great” His dad smiled softly. “It was good seeing you, son. Hopefully, we have a chance to catch up before your birthday and otherwise… I will see you after it”

“Yeah see you around, Dad” Percy said softly. His das waved as he walked to the end of the hallway.

Percy and Harry silently watched him leave.

“So” Harry began once he was gone “That was your dad?”

“Yeah,” Percy let out a breath that he had been holding in. “I didn't expect him to show up here”

“He seems nice” Harry said “I guess you weren’t lying when you said he liked boating.”

Percy laughed at that.

Harry took some seconds to formulate his next question. “Is that place where you are going to swim dangerous?”

Percy turned his gaze towards him and looked him in the eye. “yes” he said seriously “but don’t worry Harry, like I told my dad it is going to be fine. I have trust in my friends”.

Harry looked at him doubtfully. “Oke… just be safe, don’t go do stupid stuff”

Percy laughed again at that and threw his arm around Harry’s. “You wouldn’t know all the stupid stuff I have been doing during my summers”

Harry sighed. “Yeah why am I not doubting that” He joked. “Now let’s go quickly. We should be on time for the dinner ceremony”

“Lead the way” Percy smiled

There were more courses than usual, but Harry, who was starting to feel really nervous now, didn’t eat much. As the enchanted ceiling overhead began to fade from blue to a dusky purple, Dumbledore rose to his feet at the staff table, and silence fell.

“Ladies and gentlemen, in five minutes’ time, I will be asking you to make your way down to the Quidditch field for the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament. Will the champions please follow Mr Bagman down to the stadium now.”

Harry and Percy got up. The Gryffindors all along the table were applauding them.

They walked onto the Quidditch field, which was now completely unrecognizable. A twenty-foot-high hedge ran all the way around the edge of it. There was a gap right in front of them: the entrance to the vast maze. The passage beyond it looked dark and creepy.

Five minutes later, the stands had begun to fill; the air was full of excited voices and the rumbling of feet as the hundreds of students filed into their seats. The sky was a deep, clear blue now, and the first stars were starting to appear. Hagrid, Professor Moody, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Flitwick came walking into the stadium and approached Bagman and the champions. They were wearing large, red, luminous stars on their hats, all except Hagrid, who had his on the back of his moleskin vest.

Behind them walked Kate, in her unmistakable dark gown. Harry suddenly realized that Percy’s headmistress hadn’t been there since he was selected to join. Thinking back his memory was a bit fuzzy but he was sure she hadn’t been there at the dragon arena nor at the lake.

“We are going to be patrolling the outside of the maze,” said Professor McGonagall to the champions. “If you get into difficulty, and wish to be rescued, send red sparks into the air, and one of us will come and get you, do you understand?”

The champions nodded.

“Off you go, then!” said Bagman brightly to the four patrollers.

“Good luck, Harry,” Hagrid whispered.

“Percy,” Kate said. The air was tense “Your birthday is getting closer”

Percy’s face was unreadable “I know, I guess I see you then” he responded. He turned around and walked closer towards the maze. Giving a wave with the back of hand in Kate’s direction. Again someone was mentioning Percy’s birthday. First his dad and now Kate. Was turning 16^th really such a big thing?  

The others, including Harry, also made their way in different directions, to station themselves around the maze. Bagman now pointed his wand at his throat, muttered, “Sonorus,” and his magically magnified voice echoed into the stands.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament is about to begin! Let me remind you how the points currently stand! In first place, we have Triviantus’s Perseus Jackson with ninety-two points! Tied in second place, with eighty-five points each — Mr. Cedric Diggory and Mr. Harry Potter, both of Hogwarts School!” The cheers and applause sent birds from the Forbidden Forest fluttering into the darkening sky. “In third place, with eighty points — Mr. Viktor Krum, of Durmstrang Institute!” More applause. “And in fourth place — Miss Fleur Delacour, of Beauxbatons Academy!”

Harry could just make out Mrs. Weasley, Bill, Ron, and Hermione applauding Fleur politely, halfway up the stands. He waved up at them, and they waved back, beaming at him.

“So the first to enter will be Mr. Jackson! On my signal” shouted Bagman “Three — two — one —” his ear-piercing whistle broke through the crowd.

Percy took off with a sprint, disappearing into the maze in seconds.

Harry felt his heart beating in his chest. The time seemed to move at double speed as for Harry it only felt one minute later when Bagman started speaking again.

“So . . . on my whistle, Harry and Cedric, your turn!” said Bagman. “Three — two — one —”

He gave a short blast on his whistle, and Harry and Cedric hurried forward into the maze.

Going through the maze was not as difficult as Harry had imagined. Actually compared to the first and the second task this almost seemed to go like a breeze. Before he knew it he had found the cup and Cedric as well.

Then came the discussion of who should win. Harry was adamant Cedric should take the cup, while Cedric thought the same about Harry. They had been discussing for a bit when Harry looked from Cedric to the cup. For one shining moment, he saw himself emerging from the maze, holding it. He saw himself holding the Triwizard Cup aloft, heard the roar of the crowd, saw Cho’s face shining with admiration, more clearly than he had ever seen it before . . . and then the picture faded, and he found himself staring at Cedric’s shadowy, stubborn face.

“Both of us,” Harry said.

“What?”

“We’ll take it at the same time. It’s still a Hogwarts victory. We’ll tie for it.”

Cedric stared at Harry. He unfolded his arms.

“You — you sure?”

“Yeah,” said Harry. “Yeah . . . we’ve helped each other out, haven’t we? We both got here. Let’s just take it together.”

For a moment, Cedric looked as though he couldn’t believe his ears; then his face split in a grin.

“You’re on,” he said. “Come here.”

He grabbed Harry’s arm below the shoulder and helped Harry limp toward the plinth where the cup stood. When they had reached it, they both held a hand out over one of the cup’s gleaming handles.

“On three, right?” said Harry. “One — two — three —”

“Nooo!” A voice shouted from the left. It was Percy.

He and Cedric both grasped a handle.

Instantly, Harry felt a jerk somewhere behind his navel. His feet had left the ground. In a far distance, he could hear Percy’s distorted voice scream “Something is wrong with the cup”. But he could not unclench the hand holding the Triwizard Cup; it was pulling him onward in a howl of wind and swirling colour, Cedric at his side.

Harry felt his feet slam into the ground; his injured leg gave way, and he fell forward; his hand let go of the Triwizard Cup at last. He raised his head.

“Where are we?” he said.

Cedric shook his head. He got up and pulled Harry to his feet. Suddenly a loud groan echoed through the space. Harry and Cedric both jumped up.

“Arg- my head,” A voice said. Harry looked around and a few meters away lay Percy. He apparently had grasped the cup at the same time as Harry and Cedric.

“Percy you ok?” Harry asked while limping towards him.

“I will live” he groaned as he stood up. Percy looked around and Harry and Cedric followed suit.

“Something was wrong with the cup,” Percy said. “I tried to figure it out, but when I casted a spell at it some kind of force knocked me through several of the hedges” He was picking some leaves out of his hair.

“Was it not supposed to be a portkey?” Cedric asked.

“I don’t think so,” said Harry. He was looking around the graveyard. It was completely silent and slightly eerie. “At least I don’t believe this is supposed to be part of the task”

“I dunno, it could be. The maze seemed too simple” said Cedric. He sounded slightly nervous. “Wands out, d’you reckon?”

“Yeah,” said Harry, glad that Cedric had made the suggestion rather than him.

They pulled out their wands. Harry kept looking around him. Percy had his hand out with one hand and the other firmly in his pocket. He had, yet again, the strange feeling that they were being watched.

“Someone’s coming,” he said suddenly.

Squinting tensely through the darkness, they watched the figure drawing nearer, walking steadily toward them between the graves. Harry couldn’t make out a face, but from the way it was walking and holding its arms, he could tell that it was carrying something. Whoever it was, he was short, and wearing a hooded cloak pulled up over his head to obscure his face. And — several paces nearer, the gap between them closing all the time — Harry saw that the thing in the person’s arms looked like a baby . . . or was it merely a bundle of robes?

Harry lowered his wand slightly and glanced sideways at Cedric and Percy. Cedric shot him a quizzical look, but Percy, he seemed different. He was looking angry. determined?. Harry suddenly realized he had seen this look once before, that time the dementors attacked them on the train. Harry quickly shifted his focus to the approaching figure.

It stopped beside a towering marble headstone, only six feet from them. For a second, Harry and Cedric and the short figure simply looked at one another.

And then, without warning, Harry’s scar exploded with pain. It was agony such as he had never felt in all his life; his wand slipped from his fingers as he put his hands over his face; his knees buckled; he was on the ground and he could see nothing at all; his head was about to split open.

From far away, above his head, he heard a high, cold voice say,

“Kill the spares.”

A swishing noise and a second voice, which screeched the words to the night:

“Avada Kedavra!”

A blast of green light blazed through Harry’s eyelids, and he heard heavy thuds right beside him; the pain in his scar reached such a pitch that he retched, and then it diminished; terrified of what he was about to see, he opened his stinging eyes.

Percy and Cedric were lying spread-eagled on the ground beside him. They were dead.

For a second that contained an eternity, Harry stared into Cedric’s face, at his open grey eyes, blank and expressionless as the windows of a deserted house, at his half-open mouth, which looked slightly surprised. He focused on Percy, his face was turned away, and while Harry wished he could see his friend's face he was afraid of what he might find. He imagines Percy’s bright green eyes, all the mischievous gone with only emptiness left.  And then, before Harry’s mind had accepted what he was seeing before he could feel anything but numb disbelief, he felt himself being pulled to his feet.

The short man in the cloak had put down his bundle, lit his wand, and was dragging Harry toward the marble headstone. Harry saw the name upon it flickering in the wand light before he was forced around and slammed against it.

TOM RIDDLE

Harry could only watch in fear as Wormtail filled the cauldron. Sometimes he felt his eyes wander towards Percy or Cedric, but they hadn’t moved. Of course they didn’t, they were dead.

And before Harry could do anything about it, Lord Voldemort had risen again

“And now — we duel.” Voldemort said as he raised his wand, and before Harry could do anything to defend himself, before he could even move, he had been hit again by the Cruciatus Curse. The pain was so intense, so all-consuming, that he no longer knew where he was. . . . White-hot knives were piercing every inch of his skin, his head was surely going to burst with pain, he was screaming more loudly than he’d ever screamed in his life —

And then it stopped. Harry rolled over and scrambled to his feet; he was shaking as uncontrollably. He staggered sideways into the wall of watching Death Eaters, and they pushed him away, back toward Voldemort.

Voldemort raised his wand, but this time Harry was ready; with the reflexes born of his Quidditch training, he flung himself sideways onto the ground; he rolled behind the marble headstone of Voldemort’s father, and he heard it crack as the curse missed him.

“We are not playing hide-and-seek, Harry,” said Voldemort’s soft, cold voice, drawing nearer, as the Death Eaters laughed. “You cannot hide from me. Does this mean you are tired of our duel? Does this mean that you would prefer me to finish it now, Harry? Come out, Harry . . . come out and play, then . . . it will be quick . . . it might even be painless . . . I would not know . . . I have never died. . . .”

Harry crouched behind the headstone and knew the end had come. He could try to take on Voldemort but he knew that even if he came close to gaining an upper hand the death eaters. He had to come up with a plan to not get them involved while not losing his focus on Voldemort. His brain was working a graveyard shift when suddenly something shocked him out of it.

He looked down at his hand. A small trickle of water had made his way to where he had been resting his wand hand. Harry stared at the water for a second, it felt somehow familiar. He followed the small stream with his eyes and noticed it went in the same direction as where the death eaters were standing.

“Percy…” Harry whispered. But it couldn’t be, his friend was dead. No one, with the exception of Harry, had ever survived the killing curse. But somehow this water, even though Harry couldn’t explain it, was as if Percy laid a hand on his shoulder.

And suddenly Harry’s hope was fulfilled as he heard the unmistakable voice of Percy Jackson.

“Oh look at that Moldyshorts, you missed,” he said.

“What- How does some filthy excuse for a wizard survive MY killing curse” Voldemort’s voice hissed angrily.

“mmmm, you know, I get that question a lot” Percy joked. (Did Percy think he was already in the afterlife or something?) “It is always, Percy why are you not dead yet and never Percy how was your day in the graveyard”

“Stop talking you imbecile, how can you not be dead” Voldemort was asking downright murderous.

Suddenly the air was silent. “You really think your pissy little spell is going to kill me” It was Percy, but Harry had never heard him talk this way. A shudder ran down his spine. “I think you had me messed up with the wrong type of half-blood”

“A god spawn” Voldemort spoke after a few seconds. Something in his tone had changed. “Kronos will be-" he started but Percy interrupted him.

“Kronos will be dead next time this year,” Percy said cooly. The water surrounding Harry seemed to flow more rapidly. Harry suddenly understood what was happening. Not only would Percy help him with the death eaters, but he had also created some time for Harry to catch his breath. “now it was nice talking Moldyshorts but we have a tournament to win” Percy smirked.  “Harry, NOW!”

Harry listened and rushed up, pointing his wand towards Voldemort; “Expelliarmus!”

Voldemort cried, “Avada Kedavra!”

A jet of green light issued from Voldemort’s wand just as a jet of red light blasted from Harry’s — they met in midair — and a narrow beam of light connected the two wands, neither red nor green, but bright, deep gold.

The Death Eaters were shouting; something was preventing them from moving. The water Harry’s brain filled in.

The golden thread connecting Harry and Voldemort splintered; though the wands remained connected, a thousand more beams arced high over Harry and Voldemort, crisscrossing all around them, until they were enclosed in a golden, dome-shaped web, a cage of light, beyond which the Death Eaters where being held, their cries strangely muffled now. . . .

And then an unearthly and beautiful sound filled the air. . . . It was coming from every thread of the light-spun web vibrating around Harry and Voldemort. It was a sound Harry recognized, though he had heard it only once before in his life: phoenix song.

One of the beads of light was quivering, inches from the tip of Voldemort’s wand. Harry didn’t understand why he was doing it, didn’t know what it might achieve . . . but he now concentrated as he had never done in his life on forcing that bead of light right back into Voldemort’s wand . . . and slowly . . . very slowly . . . it moved along the golden thread . . . it trembled for a moment . . . and then it connected. . . .

At once, Voldemort’s wand began to emit echoing screams of pain . . . then — Voldemort’s red eyes widened with shock —something large began to blossom from Voldemort’s wand-tip, a great, grayish something, that looked as though it were made of the solidest, densest smoke. . . . It was a head . . . now a chest and arms . . . the torso of Cedric Diggory.

If ever Harry might have released his wand from shock, it would have been then, but instinct kept him clutching his wand tightly, so that the thread of golden light remained unbroken, even though the thick grey ghost of Cedric Diggory emerged in its entirety from the end of Voldemort’s wand, as though it were squeezing itself out of a very narrow tunnel . . . and this shade of Cedric stood up, and looked up and down the golden thread of light, and spoke.

“Hold on, Harry,” it said.

More people emerged, encouraging Harry to keep going. The smoky shadow of a young woman with long hair fell to the ground as Cedric had done, straightened up, and looked at him . . . and Harry, his arms shaking madly now, looked back into the ghostly face of his mother.

“Your father’s coming. . . .” she said quietly. “Hold on for your father. . . . It will be all right. . . . Hold on. . . .”

And he came . . . first his head, then his body . . . tall and untidy-haired like Harry, the smoky, shadowy form of James Potter blossomed from the end of Voldemort’s wand, fell to the ground, and straightened like his wife. He walked close to Harry, looking down at him, and he spoke in the same distant, echoing voice as the others, but quietly, so that Voldemort, his face now livid with fear as his victims prowled around him, could not hear. . . .

“When the connection is broken, we will linger for only moments . . . but we will give you time . . . you must get to the Portkey, it will return you to Hogwarts . . . do you understand, Harry?”

“Yes,” Harry gasped, fighting now to keep a hold of his wand, which was slipping and sliding beneath his fingers.

“Percy” Harry croaked.

“I’m here” a voice sounded. He turned around to see Percy standing only a few meters from him.

“Harry . . .” whispered the figure of Cedric, “take my body back, will you? Take my body back to my parents. . . .”

“I will,” said Harry, his face screwed up with the effort of holding the wand.

“Do it now,” whispered his father’s voice, “be ready to run . . . do it now. . . .”

“NOW!” Harry yelled; he didn’t think he could have held on for another moment anyway — he pulled his wand upward with an almighty wrench, and the golden thread broke; the cage of light vanished, the phoenix song died —

He made a dash for Cedric.

“Stun him!” he heard Voldemort scream. But nothing happened, Percy was running behind Harry with his hand outstretched. He was still holding the water tendrils in place, effectively immobilizing the cursing Death Eaters.

Harry’s hand had closed on Cedric’s wrist; one tombstone stood between him and Voldemort, but Cedric was too heavy to carry, and the Cup was out of reach — Voldemort’s red eyes flamed in the darkness. Harry saw his mouth curl into a smile, and saw him raise his wand.

“Percy, hold on!” He screamed. He immediately felt Percy’s hand grabbing his shoulder. “Accio!”

 Harry yelled, pointing his wand at the Triwizard Cup.

It flew into the air and soared toward him. Harry caught it by the handle —. . . . They were going back.

Harry felt himself slam flat into the ground; his face was pressed into the grass; the smell of it filled his nostrils. He had closed his eyes while the Portkey transported him, and he kept them closed now. He did not move. All the breath seemed to have been knocked out of him; his head was swimming so badly that he felt as though the ground beneath him was swaying like the deck of a ship. To hold himself steady, he tightened his hold on the two things he was still clutching: the smooth, cold handle of the Triwizard Cup and Cedric’s body.

Suddenly he felt a squeeze in his shoulder. It was Percy who was still holding on to it after their fall.

“Harry you ok?” he rasped.  Unwillingly Harry opened his eyes. He was staring at Percy who was now hovering over him. In the graveyard, he hadn’t noticed due to the darkness but Percy was looking he had literally risen from the death. His skin was pale and his veins protruding, almost looking like a feint green colour. He had a bag under his eyes and was breathing heavenly.

Percy shook Harry’s shoulder lightly. “Harry?”

“I am fine,” Harry said. He didn’t recognize his own voice. “You?”

“I had worse” Percy tried to say reassuringly, but Harry wasn’t too sure about his answer.

Percy diverted his gaze from Harry towards Cedric. Harry didn’t want to look into their comrade's soulless eyes again so instead he kept his focus on Percy. Harry had personally never been this close to death as his memory served him, but something in Percy’s eyes told him this wasn’t his first time.

While still looking towards Cedric Percy padded his pockets. He proceeded to take out a gold coin, which closely resembled a Galleon. He moved forward and crawled somewhat over Harry so he could reach Cedric. Harry was staring at the torn fabric of Percy’s vest.  

A few seconds later he moved back. The coin no longer in his hand. Percy’s face was now streaked with a few tears and as Harry was looking at him he felt his own tears starting up again. Percy turned his gaze towards Harry and gave him a small sad smile. Then he promptly let himself fall backwards on his back and let out a deep sigh.

Harry suddenly felt the ground beneath his head reverberating with their footsteps. Dumbledore suddenly appeared at his side, kneeling down.

When Harry woke up in the hospital wing he was surprised to not find Percy nearby. For a small instant, Harry felt his heartbeat stutter. Had Percy’s injuries been too much? But as Dumbledore had passed by he had reassured Harry.

“Young Perseus is fine Harry. He is being taken care of” Dumbledore said softly. Something in his tone of voice made Harry really believe he was telling the truth.

However, as the days passed Harry still hadn’t seen a sign of Percy. He had asked Ron and Hermione but they also hadn’t seen him yet. McGonagall had also told them that Percy was doing alright. It wasn’t until Harry’s first day back to class that they got to know more.’

As they sad down at the breakfast table McGonagall approached them.

“Potter, Granger, Weasley, Professor Dumbledore would like to see you three in his office before class,” she said,

They had looked at each other quizzingly but made their way up to the office. As they walked through the door Dumbledore had been waiting for them.

“Good morning, professor” they greeted in sync.

“Good morning to you as well” Dumbledore smiled. “now the reason I called you three here is to tell you about your friend Perseus.” He said.

Harry caught his breath, was this going to be bad news?

“Now I want to start by saying that Perseus has made a great recovery”

Harry let out a big gulp of air. He quickly looked over the Ron and Hermione, smiling.

“But professor… I saw Percy get hit by a killing curse” Harry said questioning.

“What!?” Ron exclaimed. Hermione let out a big gasp

“Yes, Harry… Perseus told me so as well” Dumbledore confirmed.

“But professor that should be impossible!” Hermione interjected.

Dumbledore let out a small chuckle. “For sure it should be Miss Granger, but as you might have noticed Perseus is not your average student”. He gave Hermione a pointed look, something was twinkling in his eyes. A sudden blush appeared on Hermione’s face. She nodded her head.  

“There are certain people that can withstand spells like these” Dumbledore continued “I can’t explain why Perseus of one of these people but- hopefully this letter will give you some more information”

Dumbledore held out his hand, in it a not-so-neatly folded letter was placed. Harry took it out of his hands.

“Perseus wrote it while he was getting treated for his injuries. While he can withstand a hit by a killing curse it sure wasn’t a pleasant experience” Dumbledore paused for a second “He said this letter explains why he won’t be returning to Hogwarts for the rest of the year”

“WHAT!” Ron, Hermoine and Harry shouted in unison.

“I know you care for your friend” Dumbledore smiled “Read the letter.”

Harry looked at the letter in his hand for a second before unfolding it. He held it out a bit in front of him so that Hermione and Ron could also read it properly.

Hey guys,

Disclaimer im horible at writing letters. Just so you’ve been warned.

The thing is; i have to leave hogwarts for a while. I know you know that some strange stuff happens in my live, and i mean not the wizard strange stuff but other stuff.

It has to do with my dads side of the family. i said long ago that my dad was a muggle but that is not entirely true. For now i have to go and help him my family but i will try to explain it ones im back. That being said i dont know when or if i will be able to return. so if i dont come back please do not go looking for me. Its dangeraus.

Harry i wished i could help you more after everything thats happened. i know how hard it is to lose a commerade and a friend.

im going now since annabeth is telling me to hurry up. Just know in case i dont return; i loved my time at hogwarts and especially spending it with you guys. i never went to a school before were I belongt belang belonged.

Please ask fred and george to take care of my candy store.

cheers, percy

Harry shook his head. Percy was really gone? After that night in the graveyard, there was so much Harry wanted to talk about with Percy, and now they might never see their friend again. After everything that happened Harry almost felt like crying again, but no he had done that enough in the last weeks.

Harry held up his head and looked over to Ron and Hermione.

“Percy will come back,” he said “I know it”