THE VEELA AND HER LION (Patreon)

Chapter 6- Goblet of Trouble

Harry sat down on the ground in front of the four gravestones that he had come to see. He crouched his legs closer to his chest as he stared blankly at the spot.

He was in Godric's Hollow. He was here to see his parents and grandparents. Samhain seemed to be a fitting day to see them. He really wanted to be here today.

His family was buried here, right next to each other. The white marble structures that were their resting places.

This place felt peaceful to Harry. It was almost like they were assuring him that they were with him. They would always be with him. He had put this off for some time now, but today felt like it was the best time to be here. He didn’t speak a word. He had no need to speak anything. Him being here was more than enough for him.

He sat this way for some more time before he felt his pocket vibrate. He retrieved the enchanted book that he used for communication.

Harry,

Your name came out of the Goblet.

G

Harry’s mood dimmed considerably as soon as he read this. He was feeling down the entire day. This day was not easy for him. The ghosts of his past took this day to haunt him and now, this day just got worse. For once, he kept his head down, stayed quiet and just went about his business. He could swear that none of them had seen him at all in Hogwarts apart from the classes.

He stood up and sighed. “I seem to have been considered as a plaything for fate. It is like a damn tennis match. I get whacked from left to right.”

He closed his eyes trying to reign in his temper. He failed. He failed spectacularly. The old Harry would have shrunk into himself and would have been scared, but not angry. This Harry was a whole different man.

“I won’t stand this anymore.”

He disappeared with a pop after one last glance at the four tombstones.

—-&&&--------

Fleur Delacour, Viktor Krum and Cedric Diggory lay in wait for the next set of procedures or instructions or whatever they were supposed to be given.

“What is taking so long?” Diggory muttered as he paced around the room. Fleur found herself sharing the irritation with the boy. They were taking too long. What were they doing?

Before she could ponder any further, they heard noises coming from upstairs. Loud noises.

“What is happening?” Krum stood up and began to climb the stairs back to the Great Hall.

The Hall was in chaos. Something seemed to have happened here.

Fleur walked up to her Headmistress. The tall woman turned to her, her expression one of anger. “What is the matter, Professor?”

Madam Maxine glared at Dumbledore. “They have cheated. They have drawn another name from Goblet. They have two champions.” She accused the aged Headmaster of Hogwarts.

“Madam Maxine. I can assure you that the age line is working perfectly well.” Dumbledore assured. “There seems to be something else at play.”

Karkaroff scoffed.” Don’t take us for fools, Albus. This is a ploy. A clear plan to get two bites of the apple.”

“The Potter boy. Where is he? What does he have to say?” Fleur’s headmistress questioned.

It was then that Fleur understood who the other competition was. Harry Potter. Harry had entered the tournament?

He had been absolutely against entering. He had made it clear that it was not his intention, even if the tournament had been open to him.

She didn't think he was the cheating type.

Harry was not like that. But he surpassed the age line set by Albus Dumbledore himself. She chalked it off as impossible. Either Harry had been in this plot with his headmaster or he somehow managed to cheat his way in.

She had not seen the boy for the entire day. She wondered where the Potter heir was? She needed answers. She needed to know what he had to say for this.

“Mr.Potter is not responsible for this.” Dumbledore defended his student. “In fact, Mr.Potter has been away from Hogwarts for the entire day.” He explained.

“I heard from Severus that the boy is special in doing things like these. This does seem like his penchant for attention, doesn't it? He is quite an attention seeker from what I have heard.” Karkaroff pointed out.

“Severus..” Dumbledore stared at the man who stared back.

“You as well as I know he is responsible for this, Headmaster. You have defended that boy enough.” Snape whispered. “Every year, he gets away with it. Every year, you will let him get away with it. Just like you used to favor his bastard father and his friends.” Snape spat.

“Your blatant favoritism is astounding, Albus.” This time it was Pomona Sprout. Dumbledore never expected the kind herbology professor to speak so.

“I have heard rumors too, Albus. I never enquired about it before." Her voice was crisp and cold.

Dumbledore sighed. What more can he do? How can he prove that the boy was innocent? Are they forgetting just what today meant for him? And knowing Harry as well as he did, he would never stoop so low as to ask someone to enter him for the tournament.

Down at the tables, the heated whispers and mutterings had taken priority and he was sure that many of them were not in favor of the poor boy.

One voice was standing out among the others. One particular voice.

"He went behind my back!" Ron Weasley exclaimed. "The bastard told me that he had no interest in entering when we were excited and he went ahead and did just that!?” He pointed out.

“I never thought he was a cheat. He was not like this before. He has changed.” Ron pointed out to all those who were listening to him.

“Shut up Ron!” Ginny hissed angrily.

“He is your friend, isn’t he? And when has Harry lied? He never lies.” She defended Harry.

How could he say those things? Harry is anything but that.

“Shut up Ginny. Stay out of this.” Ron warned, his face and ears red with anger.

“But…”

“Don’t let your attraction for him speak, Ginny. Harry has changed.” Hermione broke in cutting her speech in the middle. Ginny’s head snapped back to Hermione, her temper flaring.

"You are an unloyal bitch!" Ginny spat with so much venom that had Ron and Hermione recoil in shock.

"You stay out of this. I don't need to hear things from you, of all people." Ginny growled.

“You claim to be his friend and after everything you have been through, you accuse him of lying?” She questioned heatedly.

She sat down quietly after that. She felt no need to speak when she had nobody who would defend him. They were all wrong. They were idiots. She understood what Harry had told her. They were sheeps. They would turn on each other if it benefited them.

She closed her eyes and remembered what Harry had pointed out.

'These people just don't get it Ginny. They see me and think that my life is peachy, but that is far from the truth. One day, they will hail me. When they need me, they would bend backwards to kiss my arse so that I could do their job for them. They slander me when they want, spout their abuses on me, call me arrogant and evil if it suits their needs.' He had said and Ginny realized the truth of his statement now.

She never understood why Harry asked her to keep an eye on the others for her and now, she knew why. She hoped that he would get here quickly. She felt bad for him.

She looked around the hall and all she could see were the angry mutterings. The Hufflepuffs were furious. She could see it in their eyes. The head of Hufflepuff was one of the kindest women in the castle and she was furious. The Slytherins never held any love for Harry and certainly not now as well.

Her house was furious with Harry, save Fred and George along with the Quidditch team. She was relieved that there was someone for him. She hoped that everything would work out well for him.

—&&&---

Dumbledore felt all the hundred and thirteen years of his life at this new problem that had fallen into his lap. He knew for a fact that Harry would be less than pleased.

He would be too, if he was in the same place. Every year, his life being put into risk had become a norm and he never once complained. Parasitic dark lords, Basilisks, Dementors and Werewolves. If it was him, he would have gone crazy.

He was not the same young man anymore. He is not innocent anymore. He has learned the hard ways of the world and has changed more than he could imagine. He could see the changes in the young man and till now, that was impressive. Just in the span of a few months.

He hoped that boy would forgive him. As the Headmaster, this was his shortcoming. He would gladly accept that.

This was a mess. A huge mess and one that would certainly cause an uproar. He noticed a group of people entering the Great Hall. He recognised Fudge and his entourage. He removed his spectacles and cleaned them as he recognised the signs of a headache.

"Dumbledore." Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic stood in front of the Headmaster.

"Cornelius." Dumbledore greeted.

"What is this I hear about a fourth champion, Dumbledore? What is going on here?" He asked

Dumbledore sighed. "Somebody entered young Mr. Potter into the competition."

Lucius Malfoy, the Minister's closest advisor, scoffed. "Don't insult our intelligence, Headmaster. Didn't you place an age line across the Goblet in the first place?"

Dumbledore nodded. "Of course I did. But you as well as I know that such things are easy to fight." He continued. "But let me assure you that Mr. Potter is not responsible for this fiasco. He is as much of a victim as a first year would be." He assured.

"That is not what I have heard, Headmaster. The boy loves attention, doesn't he?" Lucius smirked.

Dumbledore made to defend Harry when the young man in question walked into the Great Hall.

The noise in the Great Hall died down instantly as they took in the appearance of the young man.

Jet black robes adorned his body instead of the standard uniform and in his mouth, he held a cigar. Charlus Potter's cigar. The young man was the spitting image of the deceased wizard.

He looked so much like the legendary Potter lord that many assumed that he was not dead at all and standing in front of them right now. His eyes were glowing green. His face was impassive and showed no emotion at all.

The students went silent. Harry looked around the hall, his eyes scanning every table. Draco Malfoy sneered at him, but wisely kept quiet. Harry walked towards the Headmaster and other Professors. He blew out the smoke without removing his cigar, all the while, his hands behind his back.

“Liar!” Ron roared and that started the jeers and angry mutterings. Harry noticed Ron and the other Gryffindors baying for his blood. The twins tried desperately to control Ron, but he had already given into his temper.

Harry didn't show it, but he was hurt by that. He and Ron were almost like brothers. All the adventures they had shared over the years and he just let it all go.

Even more painful was Hermione sitting there as if there was nothing happening around her. He knew that they were not on speaking terms with the girl after the incident at the end of his last year, but it still didn't help pacify his thoughts. He cleared his mind as the last of the connection that he shared with the girl broke down irreparably .

In spite of all of this, Harry's eyes found Fleur. He hoped, begged and prayed in his heart that she wouldn't misunderstand him. His heart plummeted when he saw the look in her eyes. Harry shook his head ruefully before turning back to his headmaster.

The shouts were now reverberating around the Great Hall, but for some reason, he was not bothered by that.

“Mr Potter…” Dumbledore began, but Harry stepped around the aged Headmaster and walked towards the other Professors.

“Couldn’t stay out of trouble could you, Potter?” Snape sneered. “As arrogant as ever.” He added. Harry didn’t respond and that for some reason irked Snape.

“Potter!?” He roared and before he could say another word, Harry had made his way towards Moody.

Nobody witnessed what happened or how it happened, but the very next moment, Harry’s hand held a butcher’s knife that he slashed through the stunned Defense Professors neck. The force of his strike was so powerful that the man’s head cleaved and separated from his head.

The Great Hall and every single person inside was stunned into silence.

Harry turned around, blowing a puff of smoke once more and regarded the reactions. The professors were frozen in place and watching with wide eyes, especially Dumbledore, Lucius and Fudge.

The students who were busy jeering at him were now scared. The fear in their eyes was visible for Harry to see. He couldn’t believe the irony of this. He began laughing.

Any other day he would have been considered a madman for doing this, but Harry couldn't hold the laughter. He laughed and not a small one either. A full-blown belly laugh.

The Hall thought that he had gone crazy. It was frighteningly disturbing. He held a knife in his hand, that was dripping blood and he had driven that through a Professor's neck. He had killed a man and he was laughing. None said a word. Nobody wanted to draw his attention.

Harry walked towards Snape, the knife held loosely in his hand. Snape was paler than usual as he saw him approach.

Harry stood in front of him and placed the blade on his shoulder, touching his neck. He wiped the blood on the now sweating man's robes.

He started into the man's eyes, daring him to speak a word.

He noticed the man take a look at his finger. Snape's eyes widened considerably. Harry heard sharp intake of breaths all over the hall when people saw the Lord's ring clearly for the first time.

"What did you call me?" He questioned, his voice low, but carrying to the entire hall.

"Po…Potter." Snape stuttered.

Harry hummed. "What will you call me?" He asked and Snape's eyes went back to his ring.

Harry blew a puff of smoke into the man's face. He had not removed that cigar all the while.

"L..lord Potter." He answered.

"Hmm?" Harry cocked his eyebrow questioningly prompting the man to answer loudly.

"Lord Potter!" Snape replied strongly.

"Sir!” He snapped and Snape flinched.

“Add sir.” He whispered. “Yes sir?” Harry questioned, rhetorical apparently. “Okay sir.”

Snape nodded, watching the knife all the way. “Yes sir.” He nodded.

"You better keep it up, Snape. I don't want you to mess up. For some reason, I really don't like you. Can you believe that?" Harry snorted.

Harry hoped that the man did say something, and he actually was disappointed for the first time in his life when the man chose to remain silent.

"Sad." Harry muttered before lowering that knife.

He turned around to face the entire hall.

Dumbledore spoke, though he appeared to be shaken. His face was pale and his trademark twinkle had dimmed.

"Lord Potter." Harry nodded.

"Why?" He questioned.

Harry shrugged.

"I killed a man who tried to take away my life. He put my name in the Goblet. It would be a shame if I didn't respond kindly. Not forgetting my position now." He replied, hanging out his fingers for the man to see the ring.

"Lord Potter. Alastor Moody didn't…"

"Ahh…there lies the issue." Harry chuckled as he shook his finger. He pointed to the decapitated head.

"If that is Moody, then who is that?" Harry pointed to the door and a second Mad Eye Moody injured badly, limping into the hall.

Dumbledore had raised his wand in defense, not wanting to make a mistake. Two Moodys?

"Put down that wand and get some help, Albus." The grizzled auror growled.

"That bastard got the jump on me when I was getting ready to arrive here. I was locked in my own trunk." He explained.

"W..who is that?" Mcgonagall questioned, her voice cracking slightly as she raised her wand along with the staff.

"Ah…now this, I can tell you." Harry muttered as he clicked his fingers and his wand was in his hand. He twirled his wand at the fallen body. “Revelio.”

He watched in satisfaction as the gnarled face of Alastor Moody changed into a gaunt pale face.

“Barty fucking Crouch Jr.” Harry introduced and smiled back at the judges and the professors.

“Barty?” Dumbledore and Mcgonagall’s eyes couldn’t bug out anymore without popping out.

The others were immediately on the Crouch lord that was in the room. Questions were asked from all sides with all of them making a sound.

Harry had enough. He fired a bang from his wand and once again gained the attention of the hall. He twirled the knife in his hand.

"Sad, Headmaster. It seems that old age is actually catching up with you and at the wrong time too." Harry snarked. He was displeased and he wanted the old man to know about it.

“You can talk about all this shit after we are done here.” He spoke. “I need clarity. What should I do? I don’t want to be anywhere near this stupid tournament.” He said.

Karkaroff appeared to be outraged. “Stupid tournament?” He scoffed.

“You just got lucky to be in a prestigious tournament, boy!” Karkaroff’s eyes widened when Harry threw the knife at the bottom of the man’s feet.

“Boy!?” He questioned. “My name is Harry Potter. And if you address me as ‘boy’ once more, that knife won't be on the floor, but ” He warned the man.

“As for this stupid tournament, I could care less for it. Glory, and prestige. I am Harry fucking Potter, Highmaster Karkaroff. Every person in the Wizarding World knows my name, for that stupid incident.” He grumbled.

“I am sorry, Mr.Potter.” Dumbledore seemed to be struggling to say something.

“You must participate. There is no way out.”

Harry stared icily at the man before nodding. “Very well.” His voice was low and bland. He noticed Lucius Malfoy whispering something in the Minister's ear. He snorted audibly, catching the attention of the two men.

"You have anything to say, Mr.Malfoy?" Lucius's eyes held a fire in them as he met Harry's. Their staring match was interrupted by Fudge.

"Mr Potter!" Harry turned to the man.

"You killed a person." Fudge blurted out.

"That is a crime, Mr.Potter. Who granted you any rights to kill?" He questioned.

"It was self defense." Harry shrugged and turned around and left the Great Hall, leaving a red faced Fudge in his wake.

—-&&&------

Fleur Delacour was stopped by her headmistress as she was about to go back to her room.

“What do you think of all of this, Fleur?”

"You know about him don't you?" She questioned. "I understand that the two of you spent a lot of time together." Fleur couldn’t be outright clear with an answer.

The past two months, she had seen a very different side of Harry. A soft spoken and an intelligent young man who was fun to be around.

Today, she discovered a whole different face of Harry that she had never imagined.

How could she? Everything that had happened today was not something she had expected. She had expected Krum to be a champion and at the same time, she had guessed about Diggory as well. Both were fantastic students and Fleur had heard that they were extremely talented.

The new entry though, had thrown her off the loop. A lot of people have various views regarding Harry Potter and none of them were the same as the other.

She was lost when it came to him. She had to learn more of him. The past months were just not enough. One thing was very clear though. He was merciless. She still felt chills all over her body when she saw a knife cleave through the man’s neck. He could be ruthless and till where did that extend?

“I didn’t expect this, Madame Maxine. I had a plan and it would have been enough, if not for the fourth champion.” She pointed out. “He is an enigma.” She continued. “There is nothing concrete that I have about him. I would not have been worried. He is still in his fourth year, is he not?” She asked. When the tall woman nodded, she continued.

“Yes. But there is something about him. Something unsettling.” She added, frowning as she did so. After a few moments, she shook her head.

“Anyway, I will do something. I am here to win this competition and I will win it.” She declared with a newfound conviction.

She bade goodbye to the Headmistress and entered her room. She slipped into the shower and sighed contentedly as the hot water hit her skin. Her thoughts didn’t leave Harry Potter. As she had pointed out, he was an enigma. But she doubted that he was anything like the other students made out to be. As much as he seemed to have changed, Harry was not a braggart and certainly not arrogant. People just can’t fake that.

His eyes from today told her a very different story. They were just as captivating as before, but there was another emotion in those eyes of his.  He was not a boy. Not by any stretch. His eyes told her that he was anything but a boy. She had known that. That was what attracted her to him in the first place. He was more mature than the others believed it. There was something dangerous lurking behind him. He was a Potter. And Potters were not someone who could just be pushed over.

—-&&&----

Harry had closed the blinds around his bed. He didn’t want to be disturbed. He knew that this tournament would be trouble. Every year. Every year, it has become a norm for Harry Potter to be in a life threatening situation. He had become accustomed to it. He had kind of accepted that.

Now though, he would need to prepare for the tournament. He would fucking win it. If he had to endure those taunts, he would fucking show these people what he really was.

No more holding back.

But this was not something to ignore. Many might have missed it, but he didn’t miss Lucius Malfoy’s face when he arrived. He knew that the man was responsible for this and he would find it out. For now, he had a lot of things to concentrate on.

He sighed softly. He should write to Narcissa and Sirius and let them know about this. She would not be pleased.

He got up. He couldn’t sleep. Not now. He sighed as he put on his Quidditch pull over and stepped out of his dorm. He didn’t encounter anybody as he made his way to the common room.

He sat down on the couch in front of the fireplace and stared into the flames. He didn’t know how long he was seated there.

“Harry?” He was surprised by a soft voice from the side of the common room.

“Ginny?” Harry asked. “It’s late, Ginny. What are you doing here?”

The red head shrugged and sat down next to him on the couch. “I couldn’t sleep.” She muttered.

She stared at Harry as he continued to stare at the fireplace.

“You don’t have to keep it yourself, you know?” She whispered. Harry turned to the girl with a raised eyebrow. “You can talk to me, Harry. You know that.”

Harry nodded. “I know, Gin.” He whispered. “I know.”

“Then talk, Harry. I am here to listen.” She sat waiting expectantly, but no answer came.

“It’s Ron and Hermione isn’t it?” She asked, knowing full well that she was touching a very sensitive subject, but she took a chance.

“Your eyes tell me the story. You don’t have to speak to me for me to understand.” She pointed out. Harry didn’t say anything, but Ginny saw a few drops of tears roll out his eyes. She felt bad for him.

“Oh Harry.” She whispered as she scooted closer to Harry and leaned on his shoulders, holding his arm. Harry sniffed as he wiped his eyes and he leant his head on Ginny’s. Ginny had become a very good friend to Harry since that day on the train. And Harry didn’t show it, but she knew that he welcomed her presence.

"Even Fleur." He whispered. Ginny felt her temper flare at that. She had hoped the girl was different. Harry liked the girl a lot. If the girl was the same as every other person in the castle, she need not be near Harry. Ginny was not forgiving of Ron and he was her brother. If this girl thinks she can just ask forgiveness, she has another thing coming. Yes, she did not know Harry for too long, but anybody who spent time with him for just a few hours would talk about him in a positive light. The girl was very close to him all these days and Ginny had liked her too, so far. She was pretty sure that Harry had made an impression on the girl. Harry might try concealing it, but Ginny could fathom the fact that he liked her.

She would forgive the girl and in time, make sure that Harry forgave her too, if she came back and apologized. But she won’t forgive the girl easily. No.

“It hurts.” He whispered causing her heart to break.

“I know.” Ginny agreed, rubbing his back for comfort. “But I am there for you. Fred and George are there for you. The Quidditch team is with you. So you are not truly alone.” She soothed him.

“Don’t ever think that.”

Harry nodded. “I won’t.” He assured the girl. “Thanks Ginny. I needed that.” He smiled.

“Yes you did. People say that you are a git when you are brooding.” She replied cheekily.

Harry chuckled. “Didn’t you put your elbow in the butter just two years back just because I was there? Where did that innocent girl go?” He asked her with a mock hurt expression.

Ginny blushed as she shoved him with her shoulder.

“That was before I got some sense put into me. I can’t believe I was so embarrassed around you. You are no Prince charming. Just a specky little boy.” She teased.

Harry grinned. “Oh really?” She nodded defiantly. “Your family says otherwise. What was it? ‘She can’t stop talking about the boy who lived’, I think.”

Ginny couldn’t stop the blush that decorated her face. “Shut up.” She muttered, shoving him once again. The two shared another round of laughter between themselves.

Ginny was right though. If he had been left alone, he would have been brooding for sure. It was a good thing that she was here. She was a very good friend, Ginny.

One thing was bugging Harry out.

“I killed a man, Ginny.” He began. “Why are you even speaking to me?” He questioned.

“So?” Ginny voiced rhetorically. “If killing makes you a bad person Harry, then Moody would have been up there with Voldemort. And you killed a monster, Harry. You know what Crouch’s son did to others don’t you? He killed lots. He leaked information from within the Aurors. Being Barty Crouch's son, he had access to a lot of information and he was responsible for hundreds of deaths. He was one of the Death Eaters who tortured Neville’s parents into insanity.

Now, he has put your name in a death fair for all we know.” She explained.

“You think I would die?” He questioned with a mischievous grin.

“No. You are the Boy-who-lived, Harry. You will not die so easily. And that is a good thing.” Ginny explained.

“Glad to know I have your confidence.” Harry muttered blandly.

They remained silent for a while.

"What will you do about this tournament?"

Harry smirked confidently. "Win it, Ginny. Win it."

—---&&&-------

The Department for Care and Regulation of Magical Creatures was his destination.

He strutted through the Ministry of Magic and since it was so late at night, he didn't need to be worried about getting caught.

Part one of his plan had played out perfectly. The only flaw was they had suffered the loss of Barty Crouch Jr. Suffice to say, the Lord had not been pleased and had he not assured him that he would look into it and make sure that everything would go ahead as planned, he wouldn’t have been pardoned.

This was part two of his master plan, one that he had to show particular interest in. He will not let that filth of a boy get away with what he did.

He found his target in between a lot of paperwork and crouched over his desk. He approached the man as slowly as possible and stood behind him.

"Imperio." He whispered and he watched as the man slumped in his seat. He could feel the spell taking control of the man.

"Leave the seal of the department on the table and go home. You will have no recollection of this event and if asked, you will stand by the choice that has been made over here." He ordered and the man nodded.

He rummaged in his drawer and pulled out what looked like the seal of the Department and stood up and left, taking his cloak along with him.

The other man chuckled heartily. His master was right. Imperious was a very handy spell and it was funny.

"Let's see." He whispered as he ran his fingers through the list that sat on the man's desk.

He took a quill and he made a change he had arrived to do. He then used the Department seal and officialised the parchment before he sent the document away with a wave of his wand to those who needed to get this.

"Let's see you get out of this, Potter.” The man chuckled as he walked out of the Department.

TBC—---------