Chapter Text
Lady Magic is watching over her children. She wishes she could interfere, but she cannot unless one of her children asks her for aid or judgment. She closes her eyes and sighs; if events unfold as she fears, many lives will be lost in a war that could have been avoided. She watches over Harry Potter; she wishes he had listened to the sorting hat and gone to Slytherin. He would have avoided what will come to pass this year. There is still hope that it won’t be as bad as it can be. She just has to hope.
-
Voldemort is looking at Wormtail; something is off about him. Something has been bothering him about the rat ever since he came to find him. Why didn’t he seek him out when he was possessing Quirrel? Since he became this wraith that he is now, he has had a lot of time to think. Why did he make so many Horcruxes? Why did he make them to begin with? There are easier ways to achieve immortality. Why did he go after a baby? Why did he believe a prophecy without hearing the full one first? When did his mission to better their world and close themselves off further from muggles turn into killing someone because of their blood status? He himself is a halfblood, and yes, he hates his father, but not because he was a Muggle. No, he hates him because of the way he treated his mother. He knows that not all Muggles are bad. No, there is something wrong, and he thinks the rat has something to do with it.
He needs Lucius and Severus; they can help him figure out what happened, but he needs a body first, a real body. He tasked Barty to talk to Severus and set up a meeting. He told him to leave Potter alone. He won’t make a move on him until he has the facts straight. But he saw Barty and Pettigrew talking a few times now, and he has a feeling his orders will be ignored, again. And why is Peter insisting on using a rebirth potion when a ritual using the four elements would be easier and quicker? He wishes he had a grown body, but for now, he has to rely on the stinky rat. At least he has Nagini to count on. He will try to send a message to Potter; hopefully, he doesn’t discard it as a nightmare or dream.
-
Harry is dreaming, and he looks at a big snake. He hears a voice, “Hello, Mr Potter.”
Harry looks at where the voice is coming from, and he walks closer. He takes a step back, “Voldemort?”
The creature nods, “Tom, if you please. I know you have no reason to trust me, but I think my servant will enter your name into the goblet of fire against my orders. I told him to leave you alone. I also suspect he hasn’t approached Severus to set up a meeting. Some things have been leading me to question the past.” Tom hears some shuffling, “I don’t have much time. The rat is getting closer. I don’t trust him, but I digress. If your name is drawn from the cup, talk to Severus and tell him about this dream.”
Nagini hisses, “Master, the rat killed the caretaker.”
Tom curses, “I told him to erase his memory.”
Nagini hisses again, “He will make up a lie. I can smell it on him. Rat smells nasty.”
Harry looks at the snake, “You are beautiful.”
Tom looks at Harry in surprise, “You are a speaker?”
Harry nods, “I am.”
Tom looks at him thoughtfully. He hears the door open, “I have to go. Be careful. Talk to Severus. One more thing, I never wanted the mark to be displayed at the World Cup. It draws attention that I don’t want. Tell Severus to use the mark to talk to me. He will be able to figure it out.”
Harry wakes up he runs a hand over his face. That was a weird dream, but it felt so real. But Voldemort would never be this..nice. He gets up and soon forgets about his dream. Today, the other schools will arrive. He is looking forward to meeting new people.
-
Severus is walking towards the Great Hall. He has a feeling that tonight something will happen that might change their world. He had the same feeling in the past, and each time something minor or major happened. The first time he had this gut feeling was the night The Dark Lord attacked The Potters. Last year, he had the same gut feeling and the whole Black/Lupin and saving Potter and his friends happened. In fact, his feelings have led him to save Potter more than once since he started school. He has a feeling that someone will make sure Potter competes in this blasted tournament. Why bring it back now? It all seems too coincidental for his liking. He hopes he is wrong, but since the Dark Mark was cast at the World Cup and the fact that his mark is alive again, it makes him extra cautious.
Karkaroff steps in his way, “The mark, you know what this means?”
Severus nods, “I do.”
Karkaroff rubs his arm, “I hope we are wrong.” Severus never liked the man; to be fair, he doesn’t like many people. Lucius is his only friend; he tolerates the others. He also knows Karkaroff is a dead man walking should their Lord return. He says nothing and continues to walk towards the Great Hall.
-
The students are cheering, the three champions have been selected: Krum for Durmstrang, Delacour for Beauxbatons and Diggory for Hogwarts. But the goblet of fire glows red once more, and another name flies out. Severus has a sinking feeling. Dumbledore catches the piece of paper and reads, “Harry Potter.” He calls out, “Harry Potter?” Everyone is silent. Dumbledore calls again, louder, “Harry Potter.”
Harry is frozen. What is happening? He didn’t enter his name.
Hermione slaps his arm and hisses, “Go on, Harry, for goodness' sake.”
Harry stands up and walks towards Dumbledore, his mind is racing. Harry can hear people call him a cheat. He looks past Dumbledore, and his eyes land on Snape. He doesn’t know why, but he swears he can see in his eyes that he knows Harry didn’t put his name in the goblet. He can see Snape mouth, “Lady Magic.” Dumbledore hands him the piece of paper with his name on it. It’s not even his handwriting. Great! Someone did this to him. He looks at Dumbledore, then back to Snape. He takes a deep breath; he hopes this is what Snape wants him to do. He hopes he remembers it right, “I, Harry James Potter, swear on my magic that I did not put my name into the goblet of fire to enter the Triwizard Tournament. I ask Lady Magic to judge me and strike me down if I am untruthful. So mote it be.”
Lady Magic lets out a laugh and claps her hands. She can now change the future. She has to be quick. She has to send several messages to several people. She needs to use her time wisely.
Severus is relieved, Potter understood his message. Draco looks at his fellow Slytherins. “This should be interesting.”
Snape isn’t surprised when nothing happens to Potter. He is, however, surprised when a female voice booms across the hall, “Harry Potter is innocent. His name was entered against his will. The magical contract is, despite that, binding, and Mr Potter has to compete. However, since he is only 14 years of age, Master Snape will be Mr Potter’s mentor and guide throughout the Triwizard Tournament.”
Severus looks around. He sees that Lady Magic is using Miss Lovegood to speak. She has her head thrown back, the voice continues, “The culprit who put Mr Potter’s name into the goblet will be dealt with immediately.” Suddenly, Mad-Eye collapses, and he turns into Barty Crouch Jr. Everyone is shocked. Mme Pomefrey rushes to him and checks his pulse, “He’s dead.”
Lady Magic continues to speak, “He escaped Azkaban a long time ago. His mother is in the cell. He is the reason the dark mark was cast.” Murmurs are heard. She goes on, “The tournament will have four champions. Mr Potter will represent me. It would be unfair for Hogwarts to have two champions.” She chuckles, “I should remind you, cheating is a traditional part of this tournament. Good luck to all champions.”
Barty looks at his son; he will have a lot to answer for. He should have turned him in. But what is done is done. The real Mad-Eye arrives in the Great Hall, “Some elf called Dobby got me out.” He eyes his friend, the headmaster, how did he not know this was not him? He will think about this more later, after he deals with this mess. “I will take care of this. Already called Amelia.” He turns to the elder Barty Crouch, “You don’t seem surprised. You will have to answer some questions. We need to know why he cast the Dark Mark.”
Lady Magic answers, “He did it to cause panic.” She won’t reveal more. She knows everything will be revealed.
Dumbledore nods. First, he needs to deal with Harry, then they need to talk further about what just happened. “Follow me.” They enter a small chamber, and the other champions are looking at Harry with curiosity.
Igor looks at the boy, “We heard Lady Magic.”
Mme Maxime nods, “We did. So you are the fourth champion. Unheard of.” Harry fidgets with his ropes, “Is there nothing we can do? I really don’t want to compete.” Severus shakes his head, “You heard Lady Magic. It’s binding. I will help you as best as I can.”
Harry sighs, “Just great. Why me?” Dumbledore shakes his head, “I do not know my boy. But you heard Lady Magic, you must compete.”
Severus will have to talk to Miss Lovegood. Maybe Harry can do nothing and just sit them out. Or maybe he can do them in his stead. A voice whispers in his head, I am afraid you can’t take his place. He has to compete. But I have faith, you and your house will guide him to success.
Professor McGonagal enters the chamber, “Mme Bones is here. They removed Barty Crouch Jr, and Barty Crouch was arrested. Moody will be back later to talk to you, Albus.”
Dumbledore nods, “I will talk to him.” He strokes his beard, thinking about what comes next.
Krum clears his throat, “Did our Lady give us permission to cheat?”
Mr Bagman laughs, “Every participant has cheated in the past. Do you honestly believe no one ever did? She just reminded you that it is expected. Besides, Potter will have Snape’s help, and he knows more magic than all of us combined and that gives Mr Potter one big advantage.”
Snape approaches Potter, “Tomorrow is Saturday. You don’t have any classes. Come by my office at one. We have a lot to discuss.” He looks into those green eyes, “I will make sure you come out of this alive.”
Harry nods and murmurs, “I know you will. You saved my life in the past.”
Snape doesn’t know why this makes him feel so warm, “Go to bed, try and get some sleep.”
-
Severus is looking at his snakes, “Did you also get a message from Lady Magic?”
Some nod, Draco speaks up, “She told us to help him and teach him the ways of our world.”
Theo nods, “She also said nothing is as it seems.”
Severus nods, “Good. It seems as if Mr Potter will be seeking sanctuary from us soon, according to our Lady. When he does, show him the real you and not the mask you put up in front of the rest of the school.” He looks at Draco, “Contact your father, tell him what happened tonight.”
Draco nods, “How did an imposter get in? The wards should have prevented this.”
Pansy agrees, “Yes. According to the old book, they also should have kept out Fluffy since he was a danger to students.”
Severus is proud of his students, “Those are all valid questions. But for now, get some rest. I imagine this school year will be very interesting.”
-
Harry enters his bedroom, and Ron is sitting on his bed. “How did you do it?” Harry is silent, Ron fumes, “Never mind. Don’t tell your best friend.”
Harry sighs, “Tell you what?”
Ron snarls, “You know bloody well what.”
Harry huffs, “You are being stupid.”
Ron spits, “Yeah, that’s me, Ron Weasley, Harry Potter’s stupid friend.”
Harry growls, “I did not put my name in the cup. You watched me swear on my magic. You watched the fake Mad-Eye drop dead. You heard Lady Magic. How are you not getting that I didn’t do this? I don’t want eternal glory. Or do you think I did all that too? Made Luna speak like that and have somebody drop dead? You heard I was innocent. Do you honestly believe this was some trick I pulled off? Do you really think I have this much power to fool everyone?”
Ron turns his back to Harry, “Piss off.” Harry is right; he knows this, but Harry was yet again chosen and not him. He is yet again in the shadows. He wants glory and fame, and he envies Harry for it. He just can’t see past his jealousy.