𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫
DEAR aunt Y/N, uncle Remus, and uncle Snuffles,
I know that you all probably heard about what happened at the cup. I just wanted to let you know that I am safe. By the time you get this, I’ll probably be at Hogwarts already. Stay safe and don’t forget about me while I’m at school
Best wishes,
Harry Potter
Dear aunt Y/N, uncle Remus, and uncle Snuffles,
Hogwarts is hosting the Triwizard Tournament again and people are going crazy. You have to be at least 17 years old to be eligible for the tournament though so I think this year I’ll be safe from any danger. Ron’s a bit upset about the age restriction but I really don’t care. I’m just happy that the attention is off of me for once. I am a bit ticked that there won’t be any quidditch this year.
I just hope this year goes well. How’s everything back home? Is Sirius still going on about his glory days at Hogwarts? How are Remus’s transformations coming along? Is my auntie still the best cook ever? (Don’t tell Mrs.Weasley I said that). I hope all is well.
Best wishes,
Harry Potter
Dear aunt Y/N, uncle Remus, and uncle Snuffles,
No matter what I do, nothing ever goes my way. The champions for the Triwizard Tournament were announced today and guess who’s a champion? Harry Bloody Potter. It’s like trouble always finds me. The best part about all of this is that I didn’t even put my name in the goblet of fire! Now, Ron won’t talk to me and everyone thinks I cheated or paid someone to put my name in the stupid bloody goblet.
Why did it have to be me? Why couldn’t it have been anyone else but me? I hate the way people expect me to never make a mistake. There’s so much pressure on me to perform all the time and I’m tired of it. I don’t want to be here anymore. I’d rather stay with the Dursleys than stay at this place any longer. At least Hermione and Neville are still talking to me. They could be useful in helping me prepare for the tasks.
Anyways, I hope all is well at home. Anywhere must be better than here.
Best wishes,
Harry Bloody Potter
Dear aunt Y/N, uncle Remus, and uncle Snuffles,
Do you want to know what the first task is? It has something to do with dragons. To be honest, I’m not surprised. Magic people love to put their students in danger. Anyways, Ron’s still not talking to me, and to make matters worse, we’ve been learning about the unforgivable curses in Defense Against the Dark Arts for Mad-Eye Moody. I much prefer uncle Remus teaching us last year.
This year has been crazier than the last. The Yule Ball is on Christmas day and I still don’t have a date. There’s this one girl i’d like to ask but I think she’s already spoken for. She is a Ravenclaw. She’s really pretty too and smart and creative and a great quidditch player. She’s the whole package really. Anyways, enough about my life. How’s yours? Anything new happen? Let me know if something interesting happens!
Best wishes,
Harry Potter
Dear aunt Y/N, uncle Remus, and uncle Snuffles,
I’M IN FIRST PLACE. Well, I’m really tied with Vicktor Krum for first place. That’s right, I am tied for first place with a world-class quidditch player. If that isn’t an ego boost then I don’t know what it is. Battling a dragon wasn’t exactly how I wanted to spend my day but at least I’m still alive.
The second task will be on February 24. I don’t know what it’ll be all I know is that it has something to do with the golden egg I nicked from the mother dragon during the first task. On the bright side, Ron’s talking to me again. I can’t believe I’d ever say this but I did miss our friendship. I’m glad everything’s okay now.
We did dance classes with McGonnagle and she’s a better dancer than people give her credit. Also, I finally mustered up the courage to ask Cho, the Ravenclaw, to the dance but she said she was already going with Cedric, another champion. I don’t blame her, every girl would die to have the chance to go to the yule ball with Cedric Diggory. I’ll find someone to go with me. I am Harry Bloody Potter after all.
Best wishes,
Harry Bloody Potter
Dear aunt Y/N, uncle Remus, and uncle Snuffles,
The Yule Ball was okay. Ron and I spent most of our time sulking at a table while our dates ran off to dance with other people. Maybe it was because we weren’t dancing with them. Anyways, now I know what the second task will be. I need to save something that’s valuable to me from the merpeople that live in the Black Lake.
This tournament is taking a toll on me. Can I ever have a normal year?
Best wishes,
Harry Potter
Dear aunt Y/N, uncle Remus, and uncle Snuffles,
Ron was the thing that I valued the most! It was Ron. They were holding students under the water for Melin knows how long. This has to be illegal somewhere. Cedric and I are tied for first. Anyways, with the second task over and done that means that the third task is coming up. After that, I am done with this stupid tournament.
The third task is on June 24. Also, Rita Skeeter wrote an article about Hermione ‘toying with Vicktor Krum and I’s feelings.’ Poor Hermoine’s been receiving hate mail for no reason.
Also, I had a dream - no it was more like a vision - where I saw you-know-who was torturing Wormtail for some reason. I must be going crazy but my scar hurts like hell. I’m scared.
Best wishes,
Harry Potter
Dear aunt Y/N, uncle Remus, and uncle Snuffles,
The third task is soon and I have this feeling in my stomach that something going to go wrong. Something always has to go wrong when I’m around. Anyways, I’ve been practicing as much as I could. I hope everything's going well. I know that I say that a lot but I truly mean it.
Best wishes,
Harry Potter
Dear Ms. Y/N Evans,
As you may know, Hogwarts is hosting the Triwizard Tournament this year. After a long hiatus from the tournament, we are pleased to be hosting the event this year and would like to invite you and however many guests to watch your nephew, Harry Potter, compete in the third and final tournament. Please send a letter stating whether you will attend or not. We anxiously await your response.
Yours Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
●・○・●・○・●
“We’ve got to hurry if we want to get there on time,” Remus shouted from the bottom of the stairs. Remus and Sirius have been cooped up in the cottage most of the time while you were out working. You started working at a muggle library in London. They paid you a generous amount of money which helped you provide for your tiny family. Remus always felt bad about not being able to provide for you and Sirius due to him having to take so many days off around the full moon. You would just tell him that you didn’t care about money, you just cared about him. Sirius had more than enough money to provide for ten people but you were perfectly capable of working for your own money. The job also allowed you to get out of the cottage once in a while. No matter how much you loved your boys, they got on your nerves sometimes.
“I’m almost done. Sirius on the other hand…” you trailed off as you looked at Sirius who has been looking around the room frantically for at least ten minutes.
“I can’t find my hairbrush. I can’t leave with my hair looking like this,” Sirius points to his full head of hair which, by the way, looks perfect always.
“Sirius, you’ll be in your animagus form,”
“Exactly! I’ll be covered in hair. I have to look my best when my godson wins!” Sirius whined as he began to look for his hairbrush once again. You rolled your eyes and grabbed your wand.
“Accio Sirius’s hairbrush,” you held out your left hand, and within seconds the brown hairbrush was in your hands.
Sirius looked up from his spot on the floor. He had been on his hands and knees while looking for his hairbrush. The poor man was really desperate. He walked over to you and pulled you into a hug. He kissed your entire face, not leaving a stop unkissed. “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” he said. He grabbed the brush from your hands and went back into the bathroom.
You walked down the stairs and into the living room. Remus was sitting on the couch, tapping his fingers on his knee. You could tell that he was getting impatient from the way that he was chewing his lip and how he kept glancing at his wristwatch. He was wearing one of the brown tweed jumpers that you knitted him two years ago and some blue jeans. He had the sleeves of his jumper rolled up which showed off his arms. His legs were slightly parted and he was rubbing one of his hands up and down his thigh. He also does this when he gets impatient. His rubbing his hand up and down his thigh caused you to train your eyes down to look at his lap. His lap was your favorite seat in the entire cottage and right now, it looked very comfortable.
“Come here,” Remus had noticed you staring at his lap and took the hint. He patted his thighs, signaling for you to sit on his lap. Truth be told, he loved it when you sat on his lap. Remus loved feeling your weight atop his whenever you’d sit on his lap. At first, you would protest by saying that ‘you were too heavy’ or that you would ‘crush him.’ Remus would rather die by being crushed by you than any other way.
You obeyed Remus and sat on his lap. You rested your head between the space of his shoulder and his neck. Remus snaked his arms around your waist and held onto you tight. Remus smelled like the bark from trees and a warm fire with a dash of honey. His scent was comforting. It made him smell like home.
Moments later, Sirius walked down the stairs with a little pep in his step. His hair looked exactly the same but if you told him that he would have hexed you right then and there.
“Well hey there, Sirius. You're looking better than ever,” Remus winked at the black-haired man.
“Why thank you, Remus,” Sirius bowed and sat next to where you and Remus were on the couch. Sirius leaned over and kissed Remus on the cheek.
You looked up at Sirius and put your hand over your heart, faking offense, “And I don’t get one?” Sirius smirked and shook his head. You rolled your eyes at him and crossed your arms.
“Don’t worry, love. I’ve got you,” Remus leaned down and pressed his lips onto yours. Remus’s mustache ticked your top lip a bit but it was okay. You like facial hair on your men. You thought it made them look sexy. Remus pulled back and the two of you looked at Sirius who had his arms crossed. Now, it was his turn to roll his eyes while you just stuck your tongue out at him.
“We need to pick out a collar for Sirius. Can’t have people thinking he’s just some stray dog we picked up,” Remus sighed. There was a sparkly pink collar, a blue spiked collar, and a red plain collar all laid out neatly on the table a few feet away from you.
“The pink one!” you jumped up from your place on Remus’s lap and ran over to the table where you kept the collars. Sirius always wore dark and muttered colors and considering that his fur was black, you thought that the pink would stand out.
“It’s going on my neck so I think I should have a say,” Sirius crossed his arms. “I want the blue one,” he turned up his nose up kind of like the way children do when they don’t want to eat something. Remus looked between the two of you and sighed. Even though all three of you were in your mid-thirties you still acted like children sometimes.
“Since everyone’s making such a big fuss about this,” Remus got up from the couch and went over to the table that held the dog collars, “We’ll use the red one. It’s simple and It’s Gryffindor colors.” That caused the two of you to groan. Remus shook his head and grabbed the leash that was also on the table. The two of you knew not to argue with Remus once he had his heart set on something unless you wanted to be punished.
“We better get going before we're late,” Remus glances down at his wristwatch. Remus really did love his watch.
“Sirius, you’re gonna have to apparate somewhere secure before you can meet up with us. We’ll be outside of the Three Broomsticks,” you said as you put your red coat on. Your coat matched the red trousers you were wearing. They were flowy and allowed for the cool summer breeze to travel through.
●・○・●・○・●
Some people say that apparition made them sick or dizzy but you quite liked the feel of it. Maybe it’s because you’ve had many falls to the head when you were younger or maybe it’s just because you had a high pain tolerance. Hogsmeade without the students looked quite like a ghost town. Granted, witches and wizards did live here but it just looked so empty without the older students running in and out of shops with their lovers or friends.
You and Remus stood outside the Three Broomstick for five minutes. You two were simply chatting about if you were to go on a holiday, where would you go? You chose a tropical place like Bora Bora or the Maldives and Remus chose a busy city like Los Angeles or New York City. Remus grew up and a rural area and currently lives nowhere near civilization so he would like to visit somewhere where he can walk a minute or two to get groceries rather than thirty minutes, but he was a wizard and didn’t really need to walk anywhere.
“There he is,” Remus whispered. You looked behind you to see a silly-looking black dog trotting up to the two of you. Sirius sat in front of Remus’s feet and barked at him. Remus leaned down and ruffled the fur on his head. Remus clipped the red collar around Sirius’s neck and connected the leash to it.
“Now listen to me,” Remus held up his index finger, “you better behave. If you’re a good boy you can get a treat later. Okay?” Sirius’s ears perked up at his favorite words, ‘good boy’ and ‘treat.’ Sirius could be a brat in his human form but when he was in his animagus form, he was as sweet as can be.
“If I’m a good girl can I get a treat?” your bottom lip stuck out a bit as you made the best puppy dog eyes at Remus who only laughed. He knew you were only teasing him. Remus put his arm over your shoulder and the three of you began your walk to the carriages that would transport you to the castle.
●・○・●・○・●
Hogwarts was busing at the seams with how many people were in the castle. Parents and champions were in the great hall with their parents and family. You were glad that the castle was finally getting the recognition it deserved. Its beautiful architecture was glowing with excitement for the final task of the Triwizard Tournament.
“I don’t want to see them,” Harry huffed. He learned that the family of the various champions were here to visit them before the final task. Harry had thought that the Dursleys were here to see him as they were his guardians but as he pushed through the heavy doors of the great hall, he didn’t see the people he was expecting. His favorite aunt, his uncle, and his other uncle met his gaze instead.
“I wasn’t expecting you guys,” Harry said as he looked between the three of you. Harry was relieved that he didn’t have to face the Dursleys just yet.
“Are you crazy? Once I got the letter from McGonagall I just knew I had to come,” you brought Harry into a big hug. He had grown since the last time you’d seen him. His hair also had grown quite long. You were tempted to cut it right then and there but then you considered that maybe it was a fashion choice.
You let go of Harry who smoothed out his shirt and pushed up his glasses. “How are you feeling?” Remus asked the young boy.
“A bit nervous but after this it’s all over isn’t it? Maybe next year I can finally have a normal year,” the corners of Harry's lips lifted to show a brief smile. Your heart squeezed at the boy's words. You never wanted Harry to feel hurt or threatened by anything.
“You got this Harry. You’re the strongest person I know,” you said as you looked into his green eyes. Sirius began to claw at Harry's legs. Harry looked down and patted Sirius on the head. Sirius tried to lick Harry's hand but at the awkward angle, it was almost impossible.
“No way. Is that you, Y/N” an all too familiar voice said. His voice was deeper considering that you all have aged since your time at Hogwarts but it still sounded the same. Amos Diggory was standing with his wife. You remember her, she was the Hufflepuff that broke you and Amos up in third year. You were heartbroken at first considering that you’d just found out that your boyfriend was cheating on you but you were comforted by your brother and soon-to-be partners. Needless to say, you’d forgotten about him after two weeks.
“Hello, Amos. You look…,” you forced a fake smile, “well.” He was still tall but not as tall as Remus, he had gained a few pounds since the last time you’d seen him which was fine since you’d done the same thing, and his face was a bit flushed. His wife was still as beautiful as ever. Her blonde hair was fixed into a tight bun and her blue eyes looked dull. You couldn’t blame her. Amos almost always talks about himself or boasts about an achievement that he’s just made.
“Meet my son, Cedric,” a boy a bit older than Harry's age stepped out of the shadows of his parents and held out his hand. He had gotten his height from his father while he had gotten most of his looks from his mother. “Cedric, meet the woman who could have been your mother,” Amos claps Cedric on the back and laughs out loud. His wife looks extremely uncomfortable. You feel bad for her. She’d practically saved you from her very future.
“Amos, I don’t think that’s really appropriate to say in front of your wife and son,” you laugh uncomfortably. Remus can sense your uncomfortableness and gets up to stand behind you. Sirius is in a predatory stance next to Remus while Harry stands a bit behind them, just watching the exchange.
“He says stuff like that all the time,” Cedric whispered. You felt bad for the boy. His face was red and he looked down at his shoes, no doubt upset and embarrassed by his father's words.
“Anyways, we best get going. Good luck, Harry. You’ll need it,” Amos winked and walked away with his wife. Cedric stayed back though. He looked up at you with the most apologetic face and apologized for his father's actions.
“He’s just a very proud person,” Cedric said. It was sad that a grown man had to have his own son apologize for his actions.
“Cedric!” Amos yelled across the great hall causing a few people to look at him. “Stop fraternizing with the enemy!”
Cedric rolled his eyes and bid farewell before walking over to his parents.
“I dislike Amos Diggory very much,” Remus hated using the word ‘hate’ so instead he would use the phrase ‘dislike very much.’
“Cedric seems nice. Must get that from his mum though,” you chewed on your lip.
“Champions,” McGonagall's voice rang through the great hall, “it’s time to go.”
You ran over to Harry and gave him a tight hug.
“Auntie,” he rasped, “can’t breathe.”
“Let the poor boy go before you suffocate him,” Remus pulled you off of Harry.
Remus gave Harry a pat on the back. Harry leaned down on one knee and petted the fur on Sirius’s head. Sirius barked at the boy and wagged his tail, wishing him luck. Harry chuckled and then got back up onto his feet.
“Thank you all for coming,” he smiled before he disappeared.
●・○・●・○・●
The students and parents alike were all cheering from the stands. The sound was deafening as some students shouted at the champions. Some yelled profanities while others shouted out words of encouragement. You sat next to Remus and Sirius in the front row where the parents were sitting. You had the perfect view of the maze and all the people that were down there. The task had started nearly twenty minutes ago.
Your heart was pumping fast with adrenalin and somehow you couldn’t make it slow down. Your leg was shaking, your hand was fiddling with the other, and your bottom lip was becoming raw and red from how much you’d chewed on it. You were nervous and anyone could see it.
“Calm down, love. He’ll be fine,” Remus whispered into your ear. Harry probably would be fine but you had a responsibility to keep Harry safe and the fact that he was in a dark maze all alone made your head spin. What would Lily do? What would Lily do? You found yourself wondering. She would have poked your side until you were laughing which made you stop worrying altogether. You took a deep breath in and out, trying your best to calm yourself.
You tried to find something else to occupy your time. As your eyes wandered the Quidditch pitch, you saw the headmaster engaged in a conversation with a very tall woman.
“You reckon I could talk to the headmaster about letting Harry stay with us?” you asked Remus, your eyes not leaving the old man.
“I-,” Remus started but you were gone before he could finish, “okay then.”
You raced down the stairs of the stands and made your way over to the gate that separated the maze from everyone else. You were stopped by someone who was guarding the gate. You haggled with the person claiming that you had something really important to say to the headmaster but the guard just told you to go. You retreated and began to walk back, your shoulders sagging with defeat.
“Let her in,” the familiar voice of the Hogwarts headmaster said. Your head perked up at that and you whipped your head around. Headmaster Dumbledore waved you over and you ran toward him.
“Thank you, headmaster,” you sighed.
“I do believe you have something to ask me. Am I right?” the Headmaster asked. The wise old man knew of your request but he wanted to hear the words come out of your mouth.
“Yes actually. I was wondering if Harry could stay with Remus and me from now on. I have a job now so I can provide for him if need be and he’ll be in a safe and loving environment,” you smiled at the professor. You were hopeful that the headmaster would accept your offer. Surely he wouldn’t allow Harry to stay in a household such as the Dursleys.
“Ms. Evans, I’m afraid I cannot let Harry stay with you. It’s for his own safety that he stays in the muggle world when he can. The wizarding world right now is in danger. I can sense it,” Dumbledore shakes his head, his crescent-shaped glasses fogging up a bit.
“But he’s- he can’t stay there!” you shouted. People looked at you which caused you to begin to whisper-yell, “Do you know what they do to him over there? That’s no way for a child to grow up.”
“I’m sorry Ms.Evans. There’s nothing I can do.”
“Headmaster, please,” you pleaded, “I promised my sister that I would keep Harry safe. What Vernon’s doing to that poor boy is making him weak. He needs to be in a loving environment to stay strong. That’s what Remus and I can give him.”
“You’re sure about this?” Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. That was the first time you’ve seen the man do that.
You nodded your head as fast as you could. “I’m so sure about this.”
“Fine Ms.Evans, Harry may stay with you, but promise me one thing. Protect that boy with your life.”
You broke out into a smile and jumped up and down. From the parent's box Remus could see your ecstatic reaction which meant one thing, Harry Potter was now under their care.
You skipped out of the gate and all the way back to your seat next to Remus and the shaggy black dog. You told the two of them everything. Remus was happy that Harry was finally going to live with people that actually cared for him. Sirius’s tail beat against the floor with how much it was wagging.
Then, the first champion, Fleur Delacour came out of the maze empty-handed. Next to follow was Viktor Krum who also came out empty-handed and looking very upset. Now that the two champions were out of the maze people were now alert and awake. They were all leaning forward in their seat trying to catch a glimpse of the action.
Hours had passed and still no sign of Harry or Cedric. You had gone back to worrying. This time, your hand was clinging tightly onto Remus’s while Remus’s other hand held tightly onto Sirius’s leash. Remus would be a hypocrite if he told you not to be nervous. He was nervous himself.
Then you heard it the cheers, the screams, and the shouting of excitement as Harry emerged from the threshold of the maze. It took two seconds for you to notice that something was wrong. Your eyesight wasn’t very good from up high but you could make out that Harry was carrying something - better yet someone.
“He’s back! He’s back,” Harry was sobbing over Cedric Diggory's body, “Voldemort, he’s back!”
There’s ringing in your ears. You can’t hear anything except the sound of static and the thump of your heart. Voldemort can’t be back.
Your breathing began to grow more rapidly as you stood up. Your feet carried you all the way down to the Quidditch pitch where people were crowding around Cedric and Harry. You tried to push past the people but they weren’t allowing you to go through. Poor Amos Diggory’s son just died. The sweet boy you’d met just a few hours earlier now laid completely lifeless on the floor of the Quidditch pitch. Professor McGonagall was escorting people out, yourself included, while they try to solve this mess. In the corner of your eye, you see Harry and Mad-Eye Moody walk into the castle. You thought nothing of it seeing as Mad-Eye was a professor who probably wanted to make sure that Harry was okay.
That night you couldn’t sleep. Neither of you could. Those three words haunted your brain. Voldemort is back, Voldemort is back, Voldemort is back! That phrase replayed in your head like your favorite song. Except there was nothing sweet or melodic about this. No, no, no. This was sour and harsh. This was the beginning of the end.