章節 93: The Third Task
The next week went by slowly as everyone was still reeling over the Second Task. Art had shown his dominance again in the tournament and everyone was saying that the tournament was all but his.
Funny enough though, Art wasn't in the papers like he thought he would be. Rita Skeeter had written an article about Harry, Hermoine and Krum, talking about a love circle. Art laughed at the article and showed Fred and George who started to tease Harry. They tried to tease Hermoine but the look she gave them made them cringe in terror.
Sirius came and visited Hogwarts and Harry. It was clear that Harry's godfather was worried about him and was trying to protect Harry.
After a short visit, Sirius bid Harry farewell.
"Artland, may I speak to you for a moment?" Sirius asked, standing at the gates of Hogwarts.
Artland walked over as Harry looked at them strangely.
"How's working for the Ministry?" Art asked, his voice carrying with a bit of mocking.
Sirius gave him a rueful smile and shook his head. "Your accomplishments in the tournament are causing bigger waves than you realize. Ministries from all over the country are calling Fudge saying that you shouldn't be allowed to participate."
"Fucking babies." Art muttered.
"I need you to do something for me Art." Sirius said seriously. "I need yo-"
"Watch out for Harry?" Art said with an annoyed look.
Sirius nodded and glanced back at Harry who was still standing there. "There are too many things happening that can't be explained. The Dark Mark at the Quidditch World Cup, the disappearance of Bertha Jorkins and now Crouch not coming to work."
"Do you think Voldemort is making his move?" Art asked, his voice ice cold.
"Dumbledore thinks so…" Sirius muttered.
"Good. Let him come."
"Art… Voldemort isn't someone that you can take."
Art ignored his comment and placed a hand on Sirius' shoulder. "I will take care of Harry. Nothing will happen to him with me there."
Sirius thanked him but paused before leaving. "You once told me that I needed to be a better man and take care of Harry. That I was weak for choosing to hide in Azkaban instead of facing up to my mistake."
Art nodded his head, remembering the conversation after he caught Sirius.
"Now I am going to give you some advice. Throwing your life away to kill Voldemort won't bring your parents back but it will hurt the family you have now. Tim and Bella raised you as their own, giving you the family that you lost. Fred, George and Cedric are closer than real brothers. They are your family now… so please think about your actions." Sirius said before leaving.
Artland stood there and thought about what Sirius said for a few moments before shaking his head.
'I do have a family… but that doesn't mean I will forget what happened.' he thought, rubbing the scar on his chest.
"What did he want to talk about?" Harry asked, sneaking up on Art.
"To look out for you of course. That is half my job at Hogwarts, you know?" Art joked, giving Harry a wry smile.
Harry seemed upset about this and looked down at his feet.
"Am I that weak?" he muttered.
"You are." Art said harshly.
Harry looked up at him and saw that Art was smiling. "But that is only compared to me. People like us can't compare ourselves to our peers Harry. We have to hold ourselves to a higher standard."
"People like us?" Harry asked, a little confused.
"Survivors."
---
Artland thought about what Sirius had said, not about him not risking his life against Voldemort but about the undercurrents that he spoke of. He wrote a letter to Aunt Amelia about Crouch and Bertha Jorkins.
When sending the letter, he met Moody at the bottom of the steps with his magical eye whizzing around.
"Professor Moody?"
Moody didn't say anything and stared at Artland for a good minute. Feeling uncomfortable, Art nodded at him and went to pass him when his Thunderbird senses started to go off.
Grabbing his wand, he turned and faced Moody who was smiling at him with his scarred face.
"Quick as always Cason." he growled before limping away.
Artland was stunned and a deep scowl appeared on his face.
'Was he going to attack me? Why? For training?' Art wondered as he watched the man limp away.
Art kept to himself the next few weeks, only going out to eat or spend time with Fleur. He felt something big was coming and he couldn't figure out what it was. He spent the majority of his time training, honing the spells he already had and working on the words from Professor Chip.
He had mastered 8 words now, bringing his strength to another level. He looked around the Room of Requirements and saw the damage the last word had caused. The room was in disrepair with small fires scattered around the room.
Art was doubled over and breathing heavy but a large smile was on his face.
'I am ready for you… Voldemort.'
---
The year went by quickly and the Third Task was approaching quickly. Fleur was training harder than ever under the guidance of Madame Maxime. Krum was sulking around the castle, reading books and spending time with Hermione. Harry was busy training with the twins, coming back to the dorm late every night.
Art placed another tracking spell on Harry, making sure the dumbass didn't do anything stupid.
The third task was here and the castle was filled with excitement. People were waving banners with Art's name and face, making him embarrassed but happy that he had some fans. Teachers were being very kind to him, wishing him luck.
"You ready?" Newt asked before the task.
Art nodded his head but his senses told him that something bad was going to happen.
"Take care of Azura while I am gone, please." he said as he handed Newt the snake.
She looked at him and tried to slither back into his robes but he stopped her. "I will be gone for a short time. Behave, okay?"
She hissed at him but nodded her head. Newt chuckled and placed her inside his robes. "She will be fine. Be careful in there." he gestured towards the giant maze that was made up of large hedges.
He nodded and walked beside Dumbledore, worry on his face.
"Something is going to happen." he said quietly.
Dumbledore slowly nodded and looked at Artland. "I feel it too but I am unable to stop it."
"Whatever it is, I am ready." he said, gripping his wand which hummed in response.
"Come back alive Artland. That is all I ask." Dumbledore said, his pale blue eyes filled with hidden meaning.
Soon Bagman started announcing the third task, first to find the Triwizard Cup, wins. Artland was allowed to go out first into the maze because he was in first place. He drowned out the cheers and slowly entered the maze which seemed to absorb him in darkness.
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