Chapter 47: The aftermath P1

A plethora of colours invaded his eyes bending and twisting in odd angles. He felt himself getting squeezed through a thin tube for a moment before the 'tube' began to gradually expand. Harry felt there was some room for him to breathe and gradually some motor functions returned to his body. His feet suddenly touched solid ground and the portal that brought him back to Hogwarts grounds collapsed in on itself in a swish behind him. He stumbled forward a few feet but managed to hold onto the cup and stay on his legs.

"Harry!"

He distantly heard someone call him but he paid it no mind. He coughed a few times to get some air into his lungs.

"Harry. Are you alright?"

His vision was a bit blurry but it settled after a few seconds. Immediately, he began to regulate his breathing and clamped down his mind behind Occlumency barriers.

"Yeah. I'm fine. Just a bit disoriented." said Harry, feeling his legs were a bit wobbly.

Harry didn't necessarily get a chance to rest as he was immediately accosted by a crowd. His senses have somehow gone haywire probably because of the Triwizard cup. It could be that the Cup was not supposed to be accommodating on its return journey. Most likely Crouch was expecting Harry to come back as a dead body. Either way, it was one more reason to put Crouch down for good.

Harry shook his head as he was helped to a hastily conjured chair.

"Potter, what happened out there?"

Harry could hear Moody's gruff voice in the background.

The proximity of Moody's voice jolted him awake and his senses settled down. When the fog in his vision cleared Dumbledore was the first person he saw.

"Harry. Can you hear me?" Dumbledore asked in concern.

"The boy is tired Dumbledore. Take him to the hospital wing." said Fudge, but the Minister of Magical Britain was not in his line of sight.

But, Dumbledore paid Fudge'a advice no heed.

"What happened Harry? Where did the Cup take you?" Dumbledore asked earnestly.

"Dumbledore, the boy is clearly in shock. Take him to the hospital wing." Fudge again interjected.

Harry could also see Sirius, Andromeda and many Aurors in the mix. He felt like this was the perfect time to start the second phase of the plan rolling. He could now see Fudge and other people crowding around him, mostly the aurors guarding the Minsiter and some professors of Hogwarts.

"It was a graveyard in Little Hangleton. There was a guy named Tom Riddle discussing a rebellion against the wizarding world. He said, he was going to spread fear and fight the system. He also had muggle weapons and destroyed the graveyard like a madman." said Harry, his Occlumency proving to be a godsend in keeping a straight face.

Fudge was gaping like a fish while Dumbledore was looking at Harry as if he had grown another head.

"Wait… what? What do you mean?" Fudge asked, looking a bit flustered.

"This Tom guy claimed he was friends with Crouch and they were going to bring down the Ministry." Harry said innocently.

"Crouch…?" Fudge gasped. "Of course! The man has never liked me. He was always jealous of me."

"I heard people screaming as the guns were fired. I don't know how but I somehow managed to take the Triwizard cup which brought me back here from the graveyard."

Harry sneaked a look at Sirius who subtly nodded.

Sirius covertly aimed his wand at Moody who was totally stunned by the whole incident unravelling. Moody who was totally focused on Harry didn't even see the spell coming. But, Moody understood something was wrong when his body jerked upright followed by forcibly shrinking down in size.

"No!" Moody whispered in horror as he felt the Polyjuice potion lose its effects.

"What's happening to Professor Moody?" Harry asked innocently, faking a gasp of surprise for good effect pointing at the twitching DADA professor.

Everyone turned to look at the resident DADA professor who let out a painful scream as his skin bubbled and his bones shrunk down. Everyone quieted down as Moody struggled to move under the body-bind curse to make a run for it. But, the spell held true long enough for the transformation to be visible before hundreds of witnesses.

The Aurors were now pushing the people away and surrounding Moody. Sirius chose that moment to release Moody from the body-bind curse and let his spell to cancel the effects of Polyjuice take full effect.

Regaining some of his mobility Moody began to tear out his fake leg and artificial eye as his body lost all semblance of physical characteristics unique to the real Moody. Before the eyes of hundreds of witches and wizards, Mad-eye Moody became Barty Crouch Jr.

"Barty Crouch Jr!" Fudge gasped in horror. "What? How…? What is going on here Dumbledore?"

"I am afraid I am at a loss as you are Cornelius." Dumbledore said quietly, eying the newly revealed Death Eater intently as if trying hard to make sense of a puzzle.

"You scum!" Sirius snarled, surging forward and delivering a punch straight to Crouch's nose.

The Death Eater fell flat on his back screaming in pain with a shower of blood erupting from his nose. The Aurors took this moment to disarm and bind Crouch Jr.

"You cannot bind me. Nothing can bind me for long because he will come for me. The Dark Lord has risen!" Crouch Jr shouted gleefully to all those who were gathered to witness the Third Task.

"Dear Merlin! The man has gone mad!" Fudge declared, sweating bullets as the situation was going out of control.

The students and guests gathered at the Quidditch ground chattered away about the drama unfolding before their eyes. They couldn't make heads or heels about what was going on. Rumours began to spread with some flavour as everyone twisted and reshaped certain events to their liking.

Harry paid it no mind as his part was finished in the plan. The rest, he left in the safe hands of Sirius. So, he made himself comfortable keeping his eye on Dumbledore who was now caught between a rock and a hard place.

"Come now, Potter. I suppose I should be thankful I had the presence of mind to reserve a bed in the hospital wing just for you." said Madam Pomfrey steering him out of the Quidditch pitch.

As he was led out of the Quidditch grounds, he was greeted with a slew of congratulations. But, Madam Pomfrey as well as Professor McGonagall didn't allow anyone to come near him citing his need for rest. When they finally reached the hospital wing the infirmary was not empty as he suspected. The other three Champions were also present in their respective beds.

"Arry! You won!" Fleur said, smiling at him from her bed.

"I did. Are you alright?" he asked, looking for any injuries but Fleur looked perfectly alright.

"I'm fine 'Arry."

"You are most certainly not fine young lady. You'll lie back in your bed and let the healing salve run its course." Madam Pomfrey said sharply making Fleur pause but she sat up in her bed.

"Are they alright?" Harry asked, looking at the strangely silent Cedric and Viktor.

"They are perfectly alright Mr Potter. They are under the effects of a sleeping potion. I highly recommend that you follow suit." said Madam Pomfrey.

Harry wanted nothing but to sleep. He could trust Dobby, Winky and Sirius to handle the rest. A good night's sleep would be just the best thing for him given the circumstances. However, the company of Fleur was not something that he was easily willing to give up.

"I'm fine. I can sleep on my own. I do not need the potion." said Harry.

Madam Pomfrey didn't press the issue but she did a thorough check-up on him. She found nothing amiss with him but she suggested that he take an early nap before taking her leave.

"What happened to you and why are these two in potion-induced sleep?" Harry asked, once he knew for certain Madam Pomfrey was not nearby.

As Fleur narrated her side of the story Harry lay there on the bed listening to her melodic voice. He didn't know when but he fell asleep relieved to know that Fleur didn't suffer any serious injuries. She merely got roughed up by some Blast-ended Skrewts. Cedric and Krum however were in some trouble. Krum was accused of using the Cruciatus curse on Cedric. Exactly how that'd get resolved remains to be seen but Harry was not going to focus on that issue. He had enough on his plate to worry about.

So, when sleep came knocking he didn't resist the call. Closing his eyes, he fell asleep in the hospital wing.

XXXXXXX

Damien winced as another series of screams ripped through his home. Shaking his head he poured the last drops of wine into his glass.

"Snipsy."

With a customary pop, his house-elf appeared beside him.

"Master called Snipsy."

"Fetch me another bottle. This one is empty." said Damien, handing the empty bottle to his trusted servant.

The elf disappeared with the empty bottle and teleported in with a new one.

"Thank you Snipsy. Tell my wife to use silencing wards or even a pain-numbing potion on our guest." he ordered.

"As master wishes."

Just as Snipsy teleported away the fireplace in the room lit up. Damien was immediately on his feet as Lady Flamel stepped out of the floo network.

"My lady! Welcome to Greengrass manor. We weren't expecting you till tomorrow."

"I've had word from Hogwarts. Something unexpected has happened and I'd like to get to the bottom of it before the night is out." said Pernelle. "Where is Malfoy?"

"This way please my lady."

Damien led Lady Flamel to the room where his wife was working on Lucius Malfoy. As the door opened, the scent of blood crept into his nostrils making him twitch. If the smell was bad what greeted his eyes was far worse. Lucius Malfoy lay atop a table with his body covered with bullet holes. The man's left hand was severed at the elbow. Both hands were missing some fingers and most importantly Lucius was barely conscious.

"Explain to me what you two know." Pernelle ordered, taking some small steps towards the unconscious Malfoy.

"Lucius reached out to me tonight saying that the Dark Mark suddenly became stronger. Immediately after that, he was called by the Dark Lord. As I understand it, Lucius didn't waste a second and went to meet the Dark Lord. Barely half an hour passed before Lucius fell into the edges of our wards. If my house-elf hadn't been near the area we would have remained ignorant of the man." said Damien.

Now, wasn't that a rude awakening? He and his dear wife were sitting up all night discussing the possible ramifications of an early rise of the Dark Lord. But, Lucius came back barely clinging to his life riddled with bullet holes of all things. It took his wife the better part of her potion stock to keep Lucius alive.

"Bullets?" Pernelle frowned at the bloody bullets collected in a tray. "Muggles attacked him?"

"It'd appear so, my lady. Although, how muggles managed to attack Lucius while meeting the Dark Lord eludes me." said Evelyn Greengrass, wiping her brows with the back of her hand.

"It's not just Lucius. Quite a lot of Death Eaters died according to my spies in the Ministry. The Aurors are still taking stock of what transpired tonight at the location." said Pernelle, circling Lucius. "I suppose we will only get a clear picture from Lucius."

Damien and Evelyn watched as Lady Flamel fished out a vial of silver-coloured potion. They watched silently as the ancient witch poured the contents of the vial into Lucius' mouth. As the potion trickled down Lucius's throat the man woke up with a gasp. Some colour returned to Lucius' face and they even noticed the wounds were slowly stitching up.

"Look at me, Lucius." Pernelle ordered.

Just when Lucius's eyes connected with her eyes she pointed her wand at the downed wizard.

"Legilimens."

A few seconds later, Pernelle dismissed the charm and promptly laughed.

"My lady?" Evelyn asked tentatively.

"It was my grandson. He anticipated Voldemort's moves and laid a trap for the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters." said Pernelle, still laughing at the destruction and death her grandson brought upon the Death Eaters.

"By using muggle weapons?" Evelyn scrunched up her nose.

Damien looked at his wife silently imploring caution. His lady wife may enjoy a closer relationship with Lady Flamel than most but it'd only take a moment for Lady Flamel to become Lilith. And he was in no rush to face Lady Lilith, the Dark Witch who holds Eastern Europe in the palm of her hands, in his humble home no less.

"His methods are indeed detestable and not becoming of a wizard who has my blood. However, given the circumstances, it was a brilliant strategy. Voldemort and his Death Eaters are unfamiliar with the ways of engaging modern muggle weaponry. He exploited their weakness." said Pernelle.

"It doesn't matter what means Mr Potter used. He single-handedly dealt a blow to the Dark Lord that he could not recover so easily. It'll take years for the Dark Lord to build his army without his core supporters." Damien pointed out earning an approving nod from Lady Flamel. "Considering the age of Mr Potter I think he performed well beyond any expectations. At least, we can be quite sure that Mr Potter and Dumbledore will be at odds once the Headmaster finds out."

"I smell an opportunity here." said Pernelle, her eyes alight with excitement. "I think it's time for a family reunion."

XXXXXXXX

Harry stood comfortably beside Sirius' side as the ceremony was in full swing. Rita Skeeter and her photographer were prowling inside the Great Hall covering the final ceremony that'd spell the end of the Triwizard tournament. The ceremony was supposed to happen with the there Headmasters together. Unfortunately, they were short of one. Karkaroff fled Hogwarts once it was clear the Dark Lord had returned.

So, that left only two Headmasters to conduct the ceremony. Madam Maxime and Minister Fudge jointly handed over the Triwizard cup to Dumbledore to the applause of many. The nameplate on the Triwizard cup shimmered before the Hogwarts crest became visible signalling the school's victory in the tournament. Right below the crest, his name appeared in gold lettering.

"Come now, Harry. Take the cup. And don't you worry. The Aurors did a thorough check on the cup. It's quite safe." said Fudge, jovially bringing the cup into Harry's hands.

"Thank you for the consideration Minister. I appreciate your efforts, sir." Harry said, taking the cup into his hands and posing with the Minister for the photos. There were a few French and strangely enough Norwegian tabloids present in the Hall.

"Oh, that's not all Harry." Fudge said happily, taking a bag full of Galleons from one of the Aurors.

Harry let go of the cup as Professor McGonagall took it out of his hands.

"Here you go. Your winnings from the Tournament. A thousand Galleons!"

As Fudge handed over his winnings, the Great Hall broke out into applause. Harry took the bag of Galleons and shook hands with the Minister. Once again he had to endure another round of photo ops. Harry happily obliged with Fudge's publicity stunts as Sirius had quite successfully wooed the Minister of Magic to his way of thinking.

The Ministry believed that Barty Crouch and his son were part of an elaborate scheme to overthrow the Ministry. Their third partner in crime was Tom Riddle, who executed the master plan, by assassinating some of the 'upstanding' citizens of magical Britain with the aid of a radical muggle group. According to Sirius, the Ministry was most likely to release more details about the matter in the coming days. The best thing however was Sirius managed to convince Fudge that it'd be a setback for the Ministry if Harry's kidnapping was known to the wider public.

In exchange for Harry's tactic silence on the matter, he'd be consequently excluded from the scope of the investigation. As far as the official records of the Ministry were concerned, the Triwizard cup malfunctioned which led to the 'delay' in Harry's reappearance. This essentially granted him immunity. Even if by some miracle an inquiry was launched regarding his involvement there would be little to no evidence linking him to the murder of those Death Eaters. Without connecting his wand or Dobby and Winky to those murders the Ministry could not hold him. Besides, there is that nifty little legislation that allows a minor immunity from prosecution unless without hard evidence to back it up.

So, yeah. He was essentially given a clean chit by Cornelius Fudge.

The only thorn in his side was Dumbledore. The sole disadvantage of his plan was Dumbledore would get alerted to the rapid shift that has been undertaken in Harry. No doubt, Dumbledore was now engaged in a countermeasure of some sort. The old man was as wily as they come and he suspected the Headmaster has more than enough tricks up his sleeve. That was why Harry suspected he'd have the unpleasant job of distracting Dumbledore by using Fudge.

'Dumbledore cannot be allowed to focus on what I'm doing or what I've done.' Harry thought.

At the moment, all of those plans took a backseat in his mind as he was cajoled by the Weasley twins towards the Gryffindor table for a proper celebration. It was safe to say, quite a loud and chaotic celebration was the general norm of House Gryffindor. The lack of Quidditch had sapped all the festive spirit from the Gryffindor House and this victory was the replacement for a proper party of lions.

While the celebrations were in full swing Harry was at one point cornered by Daphne and Tracey. While Tracey distracted the Wesley twins Daphne whisked him away from the crowd. Harry allowed himself to be dragged out of the celebrations inside the Great Hall mostly to escape falling into the clutches of Dumbledore. He got the feeling the Headmaster was planning to corner him and get him to cough up exactly what happened in the graveyard. So, Daphne dragging him out was a good excuse to push that conversation to some other time.

Once they were in a private space Daphne pulled him into a hug which was a surprising act from the prim and proper heiress of House Greengrass.

"I was worried about you after you disappeared from the maze. It was however a splendid show of magic by the way. You impressed a lot of people in the stands." said Daphne, her voice proving to be warm vibrations against his heart as her mouth was pressed against his heart.

"It seems I managed to impress not just the wizards and witches in the stands." Harry murmured against Daphne's ear making her blush.

"I admit I've had my reservations about you, Harry. But, these past few months have made me like you." said Daphne, pressing her warm lips against his neck making him shiver.

Harry immediately felt a twinge of guilt as he was essentially cheating on Daphne and at the same time, he was incredibly touched by her concern. Unlike previous times, he felt she was far more genuine with her emotions at the moment. Perhaps, he was even seeing the real Daphne who has come out of her shell right now. The urge to come clean about his relationship with Fleur grew in his mind. He felt that he'd only bring pain to Daphne in the future if he continued this duplicity.

"I've never felt like this with anyone else Harry and I know you might not necessarily feel the same way I feel. And that's alright." said Daphne, looking into his eyes. "But, can you make one promise to me?"

Harry was a bit stunned so he found himself looking curiously at Daphne who held out her palm asking for a promise.

"Will you promise me that you'll genuinely attempt to make our relationship work? Because all of a sudden everywhere I look, I see you."

Daphne stood on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss on his lips. She must have poured her heart into it because every other thought fled Harry's mind. There was a funny feeling in his gut and he knew for sure something had fundamentally changed. Daphne was no longer just a means to an end.

'I'm in serious trouble.' Harry thought, even as he took her hand in his sealing the vow knowing full well that it was a vow he'd most likely fail to keep.