Bab 24: Ch. 24: The Tasks of the Triwizard Cup
In the wake of the departure of the students and faculty from the rival schools, the Hogwarts staff, Jon included, lingered in Dumbledore's office, ensnared in a tense discussion.
"This cannot continue, Albus! First, the Dark Mark's ominous appearance in the sky, and now this," Professor McGonagall voiced her concerns to Dumbledore, her tone laced with urgency.
The Dark Mark she referred to had previously materialized at the Quidditch World Cup, inciting widespread panic.
At that juncture, Jon had been engaged in a deadly battle with Death Eaters in Azkaban!
Currently, Dumbledore was hunched over a gleaming basin, cradling it with both hands. This was a Pensieve, a basin for storing significant memories. Should one forget a crucial detail, the Pensieve could serve as a tool for recollection.
"And what course of action do you propose, Minerva?" Dumbledore inquired, his visage mirrored in the luminescence of the Pensieve.
"Terminate it!" Professor McGonagall retorted without hesitation, "Exclude Potter from the competition."
"Barty's words were unambiguous. The rules are set in stone," Dumbledore responded, his tone icy.
"To hell with Barty and his rules!" McGonagall retorted, her anger palpable, "Since when have you been so compliant with the Ministry's whims?!"
Before McGonagall could complete her thought, Snape interjected, "Headmaster, I too find it challenging to dismiss these occurrences as mere coincidence. However, if we are to decipher the true implications of these events, perhaps we should allow them to transpire, at least for now." Professor Snape's inscrutability remained intact. His sentiments aligned with Jon's, albeit Snape's apparent target was Harry, he was, in reality, safeguarding him behind the scenes.
However, this situation could potentially endanger Harry. Snape's suggestion seemed to imply using Harry as bait to draw out the true perpetrator. Jon was puzzled by Snape's rationale.
"What? Stand idle? Use him as bait?!" McGonagall challenged, "Potter is a child, not a sacrificial lamb!"
"I concur... with Severus. Alastor, could you keep a vigilant eye on Harry?" Dumbledore requested, his gaze fixed on the Pensieve.
"I can manage that," Jon assented without a moment's hesitation, eager to undertake the task.
"Ensure he remains oblivious, though," Dumbledore instructed, pointing his wand at his temple, and added, "He must already be fraught with anxiety... anticipating what lies ahead. Then again, aren't we all?" Dumbledore extracted a memory from his mind with his wand and deposited it into the Pensieve.
Jon recognized the memory. It was a recollection of the real Mad-Eye Moody incarcerating Barty Crouch Jr. in Azkaban, under the watchful eye of his father, Barty Crouch.
.....
Days later, as the inaugural challenge of the Triwizard Tournament loomed, the Hogwarts campus buzzed with an unprecedented vibrancy.
During this time, Jon dedicated his efforts to the task of exploring Hogwarts. After venturing into the Room of Requirement and the headmaster's office, he discovered that his progress was only at 54 out of 100.
Subsequently, due to a shortage of ingredients for the Polyjuice Potion, he pilfered some from Professor Snape's office. A visit to the restricted section of the library saw his progress surge to 91 out of 100.
Just as he was pondering over the unexplored areas, he remembered a clandestine chamber that could only be accessed through Parseltongue. In the entire wizarding world, only Voldemort and Harry Potter were known to speak Parseltongue. Fortunately, after destroying several of Voldemort's Horcruxes, Jon had absorbed some of Voldemort's magic, including the ability to speak Parseltongue. He used this newfound skill to unlock the secret chamber.
Ultimately, he completed the side quest, albeit with 500 penalty points.
...
Post Potions class, Harry exited the classroom, his heart heavy. His unexpected selection as the Triwizard Champion had led to whispers of deceit, creating a rift between him and his close friend, Ron.
"Harry."
A voice halted him in his tracks.
"Professor Moody?" Harry turned to see Jon.
"Follow me," Jon instructed, leading Harry to his office.
Once in the office, Jon settled into his chair, "Tell me, Harry! How would you tackle a dragon?" Jon cut to the chase.
Harry, who had come to trust Jon, appreciated the direct approach.
The first challenge of the Triwizard Tournament had been revealed - a test against a dragon. Harry was tasked with retrieving a golden egg from a nest guarded by a lethal dragon.
"I..." Harry faltered, "I think I should..."
Clearly, Harry was unprepared.
Creak!
Jon kicked a chair towards Harry.
"Sit," Jon commanded.
Harry complied.
"Listen, Potter," Jon began, "Your friend Diggory? At your age, he could transfigure a whistle into a watch that sang the time. Miss Delacour? She's as much a fairy princess as I am. As for Krum, his head might be filled with sawdust, but Karkaroff's certainly isn't."
Harry absorbed Jon's words, understanding the intent behind them - to make him aware of his formidable opponents.
"Consider this, Potter, what are your strengths?" Jon probed.
Harry pondered, then admitted, "...I don't know!"
"Okay, I can fly! And I can fly well, but..." Harry hesitated.
Jon nodded, then praised, "Better than well, from what I've heard!"
Indeed, Harry had a natural aptitude for broom-riding, becoming a Quidditch player in his first year, an unprecedented feat.
"But I am not allowed to use a broom!" Harry protested.
Jon smiled, "That's correct, but you can use a magic wand!"
***
Two days later, the first challenge of the Triwizard Tournament arrived as planned, and Jon stood in the auditorium, awaiting Harry's entrance.
The crowd was abuzz with excitement, enthusiastically cheering for their favored champions.
A cannon fired, signaling the entrance of Diggory, Hogwarts' representative. Amidst the roaring applause, he skillfully evaded the fire dragon's assault and secured the golden egg.
Krum and Fleur followed suit, successfully completing their tasks.
Finally, it was Harry's turn, pitted against the most formidable of the four dragons, the Hungarian Horntail.
Initially flustered, he gradually regained his composure. Using the device Jon had given him, his magic wand smoothly slid from his sleeve into his hand. With a wave of his wand, a broom from outside the arena flew in.
"What's happening?! How did he retrieve his wand?!" The audience murmured in confusion.
After a seemingly endless struggle, Harry, astride his broom, successfully outmaneuvered the dragon and claimed the golden egg.
Amidst the audience's cheers, Jon nodded in satisfaction and exited the auditorium.
***
The following day.
Harry sat on a stone bench in one of Hogwarts' corridors, contemplating the golden egg in his hand.
This golden egg held the clue to the second task. Unlocking this clue would provide him with an advantage in the next challenge. However, the egg emitted such a grating noise upon opening that he couldn't discern anything.
"Harry!" Jon appeared behind Harry.
"Professor Moody," Harry greeted respectfully.
"Have you deciphered the clues within?" Jon inquired.
"No, nothing, sir!" Harry shook his head.
"Don't lose heart!" Jon patted him on the shoulder, then suggested, "Could you open it for me to examine? Perhaps I can provide some insight."
Harry was slightly puzzled: "Professor Moody, I don't think that's a good idea, as soon as this thing is opened..."
Before he could finish, Jon interjected: "I'm aware of it, I've heard from others. Open it, let me see!"
"Alright then!" Unable to resist Jon, Harry complied.
Upon opening the golden egg, it bloomed like a flower, releasing a piercing noise that made Jon's ears ring.
"Alright, close it quickly!" Jon instructed.
After Harry closed the golden egg, Jon pondered, then said: "This sounds like sonar!"
"What?" Harry was confused, unfamiliar with the term.
"Never mind!" Jon dismissed, then suggested: "How about this! Go back and submerge it in water. Generally, such sounds can't propagate in water. See what you discover!"
Upon hearing Jon's advice, Harry nodded, "Okay, thank you, Professor Moody!"
"Off you go, boy!" Jon patted him on the shoulder, adding, "By the way, I recommend the Prefect's bathroom on the fifth floor. It's quite a luxurious spot for a bath, and it's conducive to thinking!"
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A/N: I know this work is still very new, but your opinions matter a lot to my progress, please write a review 🙏.
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Bab 25: Ch. 25: The Final Endeavor
The strategy had unfolded seamlessly thus far. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Harry was poised to glean the details of the impending challenge from the golden egg. Upon deciphering the riddle, he discovered that the song held the key to the next task. It hinted at a precious object hidden in the lake's depths, guarded by merpeople. This revelation was pivotal for Harry's triumph in the tournament. Following this, Harry would face the ultimate task: locating the Triwizard Cup within the labyrinthine maze.
Jon's plan hinged on Harry's victory in this competition. However, this final task was one Harry had to conquer alone, without Jon's assistance.
The second task was imminent. In this round, the contestants were required to plunge into the water, where their loved ones were held captive, guarded by mermaids from the sea's abyss. They had a mere five minutes.
Yet, the true test was not the rescue mission within the five-minute window, but the ability to hold their breath underwater for the same duration.
To overcome this, Harry utilized a magical plant known as gillyweed, which allowed him to sprout gills and navigate the water like a fish.
Harry not only accomplished his task but also saved Fleur's sister, an act that was beyond his assigned duty. Despite being the last to emerge, he tied for first places with Diggory in this round.
***
Days later, the third task commenced as planned. The maze's entrance was teeming with spectators, and Jon, appointed by Dumbledore to oversee Harry, was required to accompany him into the arena.
At the maze's entrance, a small platform was surrounded by the champions and their mentors, with Dumbledore at the center. He gestured for silence, but his voice was drowned out by the crowd, rendering his words inaudible to the audience.
"Silence!" He bellowed, casting an Amplification Charm on himself.
Once the crowd quieted, Dumbledore announced, "Earlier today, Professor Moody placed the Triwizard Cup deep within the maze, its exact location known only to him!"
Jon nodded in agreement. Alastor Moody, a man Dumbledore deeply trusted, had confidently entrusted the Triwizard Cup to Jon.
Jon had subsequently tampered with the Cup, casting a teleportation spell on it. Originally, the first champion to touch the Cup would be teleported to the podium. However, after Jon's interference, the champion would instead be transported to the Riddle family's cemetery.
Barring any mishaps, Harry would emerge as the final victor, and he would be teleported to the designated location, where Wormtail would use him to resurrect Voldemort.
"Due to Mr. Diggory tying for first place with Mr. Potter in the previous task,"
Before Dumbledore could finish, the Hogwarts students erupted in eager cheers.
"They will enter the maze first, followed by Mr. Krum, and Miss Delacour!"
Students from the other two schools joined in the cheering.
"The first to touch the trophy is the champion! Faculty and staff are patrolling the surrounding area. If any player wishes to withdraw from the competition, they need only to fire a red spark."
Dumbledore turned around, descended from the stage, and beckoned, "Champions, gather here, quickly!"
Once the four contestants approached, Dumbledore whispered, "The maze may not house of dragons or water monsters, but it presents a greater challenge. It can alter one's perception. Strive to find the trophy! But beware, do not lose yourself in the process."
After his speech, Dumbledore took two steps back and commanded, "Prepare yourselves!"
Amidst the crowd's cheers, the contestants approached their respective entrances. Jon stood beside Harry, ready to guide him into the maze.
"I'll count to three!" Dumbledore announced loudly, "One,"
Boom~!
Before Dumbledore could finish counting, the clumsy Filch accidentally set off the salute. Dumbledore merely shook his head and signaled the start of the competition.
Jon patted Harry on the shoulder, encouraging, "Go on, boy!"
Harry nodded, slowly venturing into the dark maze. After a moment, he glanced back at Jon, who gestured in a specific direction, indicating the path to take.
Harry smiled, then proceeded in the indicated direction.
However, this subtle exchange did not escape Dumbledore's notice. He said nothing, merely shooting Jon a stern look before departing.
Once Harry was inside, Jon began to survey the surroundings. He planned to slip away at the opportune moment, after Voldemort's resurrection and the summoning of all the Death Eaters, but before their departure. This was the ideal window to apprehend them all.
Jon seized the moment when everyone's attention was on the contestants yet to enter the arena, and discreetly slipped away.
He found himself in a deserted area, preparing to apparate.
"Halt, Mr. Moody!"
A stern voice echoed behind Jon. He turned to see two figures slowly approaching, wands at the ready, seemingly prepared to confront Jon.
"Dumbledore, and...Professor Snape?" Jon queried, "Shouldn't you be maintaining order in the field?"
Jon looked at the two men, a sigh escaping his lips, "So, my cover has been blown, after all?"
"We have faculty members on duty, we need not concern ourselves with that! Mr. Moody..." Dumbledore began slowly, "I asked for your assistance in looking after Harry, not to aid him in cheating. The real Moody would never stoop to such actions! And you suspiciously leaving the field after the test began, the real Professor Moody would never abandon his post at such a critical juncture!"
"So, where is the real Professor Moody?" Dumbledore's gaze bore into Jon.
Jon sighed, then replied, "The real Professor Moody is alive and well. In fact, I assumed his identity to infiltrate Hogwarts, with his consent, of course."
"You're lying!" Dumbledore's voice was stern, "The real Professor Moody would never operate behind our backs, let alone trust an individual of unknown origin like you. Tell me, who are you truly? What is your objective? Does it involve Voldemort?"
"Yes, it indeed involves Voldemort, but I am not his ally. On the contrary, I aim to eliminate him!" Jon stated calmly.
Dumbledore and Snape furrowed their brows, clearly skeptical of Jon's claims.
"You must have heard about the individual who escaped from Azkaban recently!" Jon continued.
"You are him?" Dumbledore questioned.
"Indeed, and you should also be aware that I eliminated over a dozen Death Eaters within!" Jon declared.
"Even so, we cannot trust you. Why would Professor Moody trust you, a man of unknown origin?"
"Because I demonstrated my power!" Jon's voice was firm, "My strength is sufficient for him to believe that I have no need to deceive him with such falsehoods, and the same applies to you. You don't stand a chance against me!"
"Enough!" Professor Snape interjected coldly, clearly irked by Jon's arrogant tone.
"I have a method to verify your claims!" Snape produced a potion bottle, stating, "This is Veritaserum. If you're willing to consume it and repeat your previous statements, we will trust you. What do you say?"
Jon shook his head, replying, "I don't have time for your games!"
With that, Jon turned to leave.
"Stop, Petrificus Totalus!"
Seeing Jon about to depart, Snape swiftly cast a Full Body-Bind Curse at him.
Jon spun around, his wand appearing from a device on his arm, which he used to deflect Snape's spell.
"Petrificus Totalus!"
Neither of them had seen how Jon's wand materialized in his hand, nor were they quick enough to react.
Jon uttered the spell, and the blue light struck Snape and Dumbledore. They instantly stiffened, falling to the ground like statues.
"My apologies, gentlemen, it's nothing personal!"
After uttering these words, Jon turned to leave, but then seemed to remember something. He turned back around.
"Carpe Retractum!"
As the words left his lips, Dumbledore's wand lying on the ground flew into Jon's hand.
Examining the new wand in his possession, Jon smiled slightly, "I've helped you avert the Voldemort crisis, so I suppose borrowing this as my reward isn't too much to ask!"
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A/N: I know this work is still very new, but your opinions matter a lot to my progress, please write a review 🙏.
--------------------
(A/N: If you want to see more chapters, go to my Patreon to see more chapters ahead.
patreon.com/TheMightyZeus
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