Chapter 10
The rest of the school year passed in a blur of activity. From lessons to tests and finally the final exams came and went in a blur of activity. Harry’s days were filled with training and studying to the point that was all he knew. Still asconsed in the slytherin dorms, not that any of the Professor’s noticed. Or even cared. He kept up his weekly tea with Moody and kept his daily joys with his friends. His real friends. By this point noone outside of his group talked to him anymore except for Fleur and Krum. Both had come to him a week after the task and congratulated him. Fleur went as far as to call him her savior and refused to let him correct her. Saving her sister had meant more to her than winning the tournament and he found himself with two more people in his corner.
It felt like the end was coming upon all of them and soon they found themselves being summoned to the Quidditch pitch. He went by himself as was asked by the judges and when he arrived he looked on in horror at the pitch. The pristine grass had been grown and shaped into walls and twists and turns. A maze. The last task was a maze, “Our poor pitch.”
Krum nodded beside his, “It is horrible. Quidditch pitch deserves more respect than this.” His words heavy with his anger.
Harry glanced and saw Cedric wasn’t very happy about it either.
Crouch Sr. waved away their concerns, “Worry not, it will be returned to its former glory after the last task. I am here to tell you what that last task is. This maze is going to be filled with creatures, traps, and other things to stop you from reaching the center. You will enter in the order of your current placings. There is no time limit. The first to reach the center and grab the cup is the winner.”
Harry groaned, “So our current points till now mean nothing?”
“Precisely. The point system was to see who would have the advantage in the final task. Mister Krum will enter first followed by Mr. Diggory and you Mr. Potter. Miss Delacour will go in last. You may use any means necessary to get to the center. People have died in this Tournament so train well.”
They were dismissed and Harry went to head back to the castle. They would get a kick out of this for sure. It wasn’t everyday they were told they would face danger in a bleeding maze. He was not sure about all this. Something about this whole year had just seemed off. He felt like he should talk to someone about it. He casted a soft tempus and smiled. Moody would be on a free period right now. With that he changed direction till he got to the man’s office and knocked.
“Come in.” the gruff voice sounded.
Harry stepped into the office and smiled at the man, “Hey.”
“Ah Harry! Come in. What can I do for you today?”
He came into the office and shut the door behind him. Taking in the large room with no mirrors or portraits to be seen. Just the large desk, rows of bookcases and books. A large trunk off to the side and other knick knacks that he couldn’t even begin to guess at. He took a seat across from the man, “Just found out what the last task is.”
“Ah, the maze. Nasty bit of magic. Had me help build the thing. I can’t be telling you what's in it now but if I were you. I would be looking into some more exotic spells.”
Harry smiled and took a seat across from him, “Professor, I know I probably shouldn’t… but I wanted to talk to you about something.”
The man eased his wooden leg off and rested it against the desk as he got comfortable, “You can talk to me about anything Harry. We have become friends this past year.”
“I know, and I appreciate it. You and the others are about the only people I can rely on. It’s about well Vol.. he who must not be named.” He shifted in his seat, “I’ve heard things, learned things and I wanted to know more.”
“Where is this coming from?” Moody asked carefully, his tongue flicking rapidly.
“I’m thinking of declaring myself neutral. I don’t want to fight. I don’t want to be a part of any of it. I just want to live my life. Have a family.” He sighed and lifted one leg up onto the chair so he could wrap his arms around it. “All I have ever wanted was a place to belong, people who loved and accepted me for who I am.”
Moody gazed at the younger and leaned back in his chair, his finger tapping, “If you were to go neutral, he most likely would not truly pursue you but I can not say the same for his followers. Or supporters. Harry, you are a bright beacon to this world for the past, it is not an easy beacon to leave behind.”
“I didn’t even do anything. I am some hero for something I didn’t even do. They hold me up like I am some great person but I’m not. I am just a boy. A boy without a home. Without a family.”
“You’ve got a family. You go there every summer according to Albus.”
“They aren’t family. Not really. They don’t want me and they certainly don’t love me. I’m just a useless freak they can’t get rid of.”
Moody’s body tensed, “Harry, is something going on at home?”
Harry gripped his leg tighter, “Doesn’t matter. You will just side with Dumbledore. All the adults do.”
Moody scoffed, “I will have you know I don’t side with anyone but myself. You don’t live as long as I do, relying on people, Harry. Talk to me.”
Harry glanced at the man and out it came. He told the other everything as he had with Marcus. Once done he couldn’t even look up at the man, “Marcus said.. Well he.” Harry cut off realizing he didn’t want to implement his boyfriend in a scheme.
“Oh I think I know what young master Flint is thinking. I am thinking much the same. You see, Harry, Children are very special in the magical world. Sacred even. They should be cherished and loved. No matter their blood. There are so very few of us, I did not have the best childhood either and I think we can both help each other.”
Harry flushed and nodded, “Marcus told me about that.”
“As he should. Look, if you wish to become neutral then you should but you must understand he may still come after you. Constant Vigilance.”
“So you think he is coming back too?”
“I do. A man like that, a power like that. It finds a way to resurface. No body was actually found and there have been rumors. Here and other places. His followers talk of his return. I would be a fool not to heed it.” He waved his hands and a hot cup of tea was floated to him.
“How do I declare neutrality?”
The man frowned, “When the war comes, and it will. I would do so publicly, maybe in the paper or in a public place where words can spread. Or… request a meeting.”
Harry froze, “With him?”
“Yes. There are laws, magical laws that would allow for a neutral discussion without harm to the other. They are rarely used. One place is the Wizengamot. Noone may use magic within the chamber while it is in session.”
Green eyes closed, “Oh, I didn’t know. There is so much I don’t know.”
“You will learn. You're a smart lad. Now, I do believe you have places to be and I have these last papers to grade. Unless you feel like helping?”
Harry laughed and set the empty mug down, “I don’t think I am qualified to grade papers. Thank you for listening Professor.”
“Anytime Harry. Run along now.”
Harry left quickly and made his way to the Slytherin dorms. He knew going to Moody would help him feel a bit better. Now though, he had to find a way to get through a maze. He didn’t care about winning but He did want to survive. He went through the portrait and noticed a lot of people were in the common room. Even Malfoy and a few others.
Marcus stood from his seat and stepped up to him, “Harry, what did they say?”
He frowned, here? Did the rest of Slytherin finally feel comfortable with him being here? He had noticed that they didn’t fully ignore him anymore. Someone had even passed him a platter at dinner the night before when Marcus wasn’t there. He flushed, “It’s a maze. They turned the entire Quidditch pitch into a maze we have to work our way through. Traps, magical creatures.”
Malfoy made a noise, “They destroyed the Quidditch Pitch!” He snarled with anger.
Harry grinned, “Diggory, Victor and I felt pretty much the same way. It’s disrespectful. But we have to make it through the maze and the first to grab the trophy wins the whole tournament. The point system was to determine who entered the maze.” He was led over to the couch and sat down between Marcus and Adrian. He leaned back and closed his eyes trying to think of what to do. Then looked at Malfoy and the others glanced around, “So… I’m going to address the current situation. Everyone is here because?”
Terrence spoke up from the fireplace, “Marcus had a house meeting while you were with the Judges. It has been decided to declare you an Honorary Slytherin. You will always be welcome within these dorms. You will be treated like a fellow Slytherin by everyone.”
Green eyes blinked and he looked at Malfoy, “You agreed to this?”
The blonde scoffed, “Look, I don’t like you but you're not as bad as I thought. If Flint says your fine then I will accept it. Don’t expect me to stick my neck out for you or anything. Your still a golden boy”
Harry laughed, “Maybe you aren’t a complete twit. Alright Malfoy.” He held out his hand, “Truce?”
Gray eyes widened and stared at the hand a moment before looking up at the owner of the hand, “Truce.” He took the hand and shook it firmly. Warmth spread up both their arms as their magic mixed and formed the truce bond.
The younger smiled, “Thanks Malfoy.” Then leaned back and sighed, “Now to survive a killer maze.”