As soon as Harry Apparated directly to Andromeda's house, she was already waiting for him, her wand gripped tightly in her hand and her face set in a mask of worry. Without waiting for him to speak, she began casting a series of diagnostic spells, her eyes scanning him with sharp precision.
"Are you hurt? Any curses, hexes, dark magic traces?" she demanded, her voice both commanding and tinged with anxiety.
"I'm fine," Harry answered quickly, though the way he winced as he shifted told a different story.
Andromeda wasn't convinced. Her spells danced around him, flickering faintly as they scanned for deeper injuries. "Fine? Harry James Potter, you're clutching your side like you've been hit with a Bludger. Stay still."
Harry sighed but obeyed, knowing better than to argue with Andromeda when she was in her healer mode.
As one of her spells sparked faintly over his shoulder, she narrowed her eyes. "A simple bruise, you said? That's more than a bruise—it's a magical contusion. What happened?"
He hesitated for a moment before answering, his jaw tight. "It was Professor Moody—or at least, we thought it was him. Turns out, he wasn't Moody at all."
Andromeda's wand lowered slightly, her sharp gaze narrowing. "Not Moody? Then who was it?"
Harry took a steadying breath. "Barty Crouch Jr. A Death Eater. I think He was using Polyjuice Potion to pose as Moody all year. None of us realized until..." His voice faltered momentarily, anger flickering in his eyes.
"Until what?" Andromeda pressed, her voice softer now but no less insistent.
Harry's fists clenched at his sides as he recounted the events to Andromeda in her quiet sitting room. The memory of that night was still raw, his voice sharp with tension.
"It started with a letter," he began, his green eyes flashing with anger. "It was delivered to me right before the third task. No name, no signature—just a threat and a drawing of a snake, with the word Asha underneath. I was with Theo and Hermione at the time, and we thought it was some sort of prank from another student, maybe someone trying to throw me off before the task."
Andromeda nodded slowly, her face pale. "But it wasn't, was it?"
Harry shook his head, his grip tightening around the edge of his chair. "No. We decided to investigate. Theo thought it was too strange to ignore, so we followed the directions in the letter to a part of the castle we thought was deserted. But when we got there, Moody was already waiting for us."
"Alastor Moody?" Andromeda interrupted, her tone disbelieving.
Harry hesitated before nodding grimly. "Or at least, that's who we thought he was. He started acting strange immediately, telling Theo and Hermione to leave so he could 'tell me where asha is . But Theo didn't trust him—he wouldn't leave my side. And Hermione kept asking questions, kept trying to poke holes in his story. That's when it all unraveled."
Harry paused, his breath hitching as he tried to steady himself. "Moody—no, Barty Crouch Jr.—snapped. His face changed, his whole demeanor shifted. Theo recognized him for who he was. He whispered his name to me—Barty Crouch Jr., an escaped Death Eater."
Andromeda inhaled sharply. "And Hermione? What happened to her?"
Harry's voice cracked, his guilt overwhelming him. "He saw her as a threat. She was asking too many questions, pointing out too many inconsistencies. He turned on her so fast. He threatened her, told her she'd pay if she kept interfering. I tried to shield her, but in the confusion, Barty try to hit her with a curse that knocked ."
He swallowed hard, his throat tight. "While I was panicking over Hermione, he... he took her. He grabbed her so So I tried to save her, but he let her go and grabbed me instead, then Apparated us to some sort of graveyard and cast a spell that knocked me unconscious."
Andromeda reached out, placing a comforting hand on Harry's trembling one. "what after ?"
"My snake, Kavi, helped me wake up, and then I was able to use the bracelet Sirius gave me to Apparate to your place."
Andromeda's expression softened, though her jaw was tight with anger. "you are strong, The fact that you're here now is what matters."
Harry nodded weakly, "You were brave, Harry," Andromeda said firmly. .
Her words gave him a sliver of comfort, though the scars of that night would remain etched in his memory.
Andromeda muttered. She placed a firm hand on his shoulder, meeting his gaze with a fierce protectiveness. "Listen to me. This is not your fault. Death Eaters will stop at nothing to harm you because you're a threat to Voldemort. But you're not alone in this, Harry. You have people who care about you, and you need to let them help you."
Harry nodded, his voice softer now. "Thank you. For always being there."
"You're staying here tonight," she said firmly. "No arguments. You need rest, and I'll be damned if I let you return to Hogwarts without being absolutely sure you're safe."
Harry opened his mouth to protest, but one look at her and he closed it again. "Yes, ma'am," he muttered, a faint smile tugging at his lips despite himself.
As Andromeda turned to brew a potion for his injuries, Harry sat down and let himself exhale. The weight of the encounter with Crouch still loomed over him, but Andromeda's fierce protectiveness reminded him of something he rarely allowed himself to feel: safe.
For a moment, he thought of Hermione and Théo, and the risks they had taken for him. He silently vowed to protect them in return, no matter what it took.
A few minutes later, Sirius and Remus burst into Andromeda's house, their faces pale and their movements frantic. Sirius immediately scanned the room, his eyes landing on Harry sitting at the dining table with Andromeda. Relief flooded his face, but it was quickly replaced by anger and worry.
"Harry!" Sirius strode over, gripping his godson's shoulders firmly. "Are you alright? Are you hurt?" His voice was sharp, but the fear underlying it was evident.
Remus, standing just behind him, looked equally shaken, his usually calm demeanor replaced with a rare tension. "We've been searching for you everywhere. What happened? Andromeda sent us a message, but we need to hear it from you."
Harry, feeling both guilty and frustrated, tried to reassure them. "I'm fine, really. I wasn't hurt or anything. I... I I'm fine now. I was taken against my will by Barty, but I managed to get out of it thanks to Kavi."He glanced at Andromeda for support before launching into the story he had already told her.
As he explained about the strange man he had encountered, the blood ritual, and the eerie mention of Voldemort, Sirius's grip on his shoulders tightened. His grey eyes darkened with fury. "A blood ritual? They were after your blood? For Voldemort?" His voice cracked slightly at the end, and he released Harry abruptly, pacing the room like a caged animal.
Remus sat down heavily in the chair across from Harry, rubbing a hand over his face. His voice was softer, but no less filled with worry. "Harry, do you realize how dangerous that was? If Andromeda hadn't sent her Patronus... What if they had succeeded in taking your blood?"
"I know," Harry said quietly, his guilt growing. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I didn't ask to be kidnapped, Remus, and I know it's dangerous."
"You could have told us," Sirius snapped, turning to face him. "You could have waited and let us handle it and not just go to search asha !"
Andromeda stepped in then, her tone calm but firm. "Sirius, enough. Harry did what he thought was right, and he's safe now. That's what matters."
"Safe?" Sirius's voice rose. "How can he be safe when Death Eaters are out there trying to resurrect Voldemort with his blood?"
"Sirius," Remus said softly, placing a hand on his friend's arm. "He's here now. Let's focus on what we need to do next."
Sirius sighed, running a hand through his hair, but didn't argue further. Instead, he crouched down in front of Harry, his expression softer now but still filled with worry. "Promise me, Harry. Promise me you won't run off like that again. You're not alone in this. Let us help you."
Harry nodded. "I promise."
Remus gave him a small, reassuring smile. "We're proud of you, Harry. You're brave , but next time, trust us to be there for you. You're not just fighting for yourself—you've got people who care about you."
Sirius pulled Harry into a tight hug then, muttering, "You scared the hell out of us, kid." The embrace was warm, grounding, and Harry felt the tension in his chest ease slightly.
Andromeda, watching the scene, spoke up. "For now, the best thing we can do is prepare. If they're after Harry's blood, we need to make sure he's protected at all times. I'll help ward the house even more."
"Good idea," Remus agreed, standing. "And we'll need to figure out exactly what kind of ritual this was. If Voldemort's involved, there might be more to it than we know."
Harry, still held tightly by Sirius, felt a mix of relief and unease. He was safe for now, surrounded by people who cared deeply for him. But the shadow of Voldemort's return loomed larger than ever.
Remus paused for a moment, his brow furrowed in thought. 'If Barty Crouch Jr. could use a potion to transform into Moody, then he must have hidden the real man somewhere and used him to create the potion. We need to consider looking for him,' he said thoughtfully.
Andromeda, who had been quietly listening, shook her head slightly. 'We can't mention Voldemort in front of the Minister, Remus. You know how he reacts. He'll call Harry a lunatic and say he's imagining things. It's just not worth it. We need to approach this carefully, or they'll think we're all mad,' she added.
Harry nodded, feeling the weight of the situation settle on his shoulders. He knew that this was something he couldn't openly share with anyone. If word got out, especially to the Minister, it would be twisted against him. People would start to believe he was delusional, and that's exactly what Dumbledore wanted. He could already picture the Headmaster's manipulative smile, turning the whole situation in his favor. Harry wasn't about to let that happen. He had to keep quiet, at least for now, and figure out what to do next. But deep down, he felt the nagging doubt. Could he trust anyone anymore? Would revealing the truth only lead to more trouble?
Andromeda, Sirius, Remus, and Harry decided that they would only share the strictest information, and they wouldn't go to the Minister, but to Madam Bones. They agreed to tell her that a man pretending to be Moody, who by his dialogue seemed to be a Death Eater, was the one who kidnapped Harry. They would explain that he must have used a potion to impersonate Moody, so it was likely that the man was hiding somewhere, and they would need the Aurors, along with Madam Bones, to search for him.
Sirius, who had already spoken to Madam Bones to inform her that Harry had been taken by someone, was the one who decided to speak to her directly. He quickly took a pinch of Floo powder and called for Madam Bones. As the flames flared up, he explained the situation to her in urgent tones.
"Madam Bones, I have important news," Sirius said, his voice serious. "Harry is safe and well, but the situation is more complicated than we initially thought. The real issue is what happened before. We need to look for someone else—Alastor Moody."
Madam Bones, who had been listening intently, paused for a moment, surprised by the turn of events. "Moody? But why would we need to search for him? What's going on, Sirius?" Her voice showed a touch of skepticism, but there was also a sense of urgency.
Sirius explained further, detailing the events that had led to Harry's disappearance and the mysterious circumstances surrounding it. "We believe the Death Eater who disguised himself as Moody must have hidden the real Moody somewhere," he said, his voice tense and urgent. "It's crucial we find him before anyone else does." His eyes narrowed, a mix of worry and determination in them as he spoke.
Madam Bones frowned, clearly taken aback. "This is... unexpected. But I'll trust your judgment. I'll start looking into it immediately," she replied. "However, you need to get Harry back to the school as soon as possible. Many people are searching for him, and I'm sure they won't stop until they find him."
Sirius nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Understood. We'll do that," he said. "But Moody comes first."
With that, Sirius quickly disconnected from the Floo connection and made his way to find Harry, determined to track down both the missing Auror and the truth.
After their conversation with Madam Bones, the tension in the room was palpable. Sirius paced back and forth, running his fingers through his hair in frustration. "We can't just sit here doing nothing!" he finally exclaimed, his voice rising slightly. "Harry, you said Moody's been acting strangely, and now we know why. Barty Crouch Jr. has him locked up somewhere. We need to figure out where."
Harry, seated on the edge of the couch, clenched his fists. "But where could he have hidden him? Hogwarts isn't exactly small, and there are so many places no one ever goes."
Andromeda, who had been leaning against the wall observing quietly, finally spoke up. "If we assume Crouch used Polyjuice Potion to impersonate Moody, then the real Moody has to be nearby. Polyjuice requires constant replenishment, meaning he'd need easy access to keep up the disguise."
Remus nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense. And if Crouch Jr. is as clever as they say, he'd hide Moody somewhere where no one would think to look—yet somewhere he could check on him regularly."
Sirius suddenly stopped pacing, his eyes widening. "Harry, the Marauder's Map. Do you have it with you?"
Harry looked up, startled by the sudden shift in tone. "Yeah, it's in my trunk. Why?"
"Because," Sirius said, his voice eager, "we can use it to search the castle. If the real Moody is anywhere in Hogwarts, he'll show up on the map. Even if Crouch has him hidden under enchantments, the map should still reveal him."
As Harry disappeared into the hallway, Andromeda crossed her arms, giving Sirius a knowing look.
"I hope this brilliant plan of yours involves actually thinking for once," she said, her voice sharp but not unkind.
Sirius smirked, leaning casually against the doorframe. "Thinking is overrated, Andromeda. Improvisation is my specialty."
Remus, seated by the fireplace, raised an eyebrow. "Right, because every time you improvise, it goes perfectly to plan. Like that time with the dragon in Albania."
Sirius turned to him with mock offense. "That dragon incident was not my fault. I maintain it had a grudge against me."
Andromeda rolled her eyes. "If you two are finished reliving your questionable adventures, can we focus? Harry needs the map, and we're running out of time."
Just then, Harry returned, holding his wand but shaking his head. "It's not here," he said apologetically. "The map is in my trunk at Hogwarts."
Sirius groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Brilliant. Because sneaking into Hogwarts isn't risky or anything."
Remus spoke up, his voice calm and thoughtful. "I still have access to Hogwarts. As a former professor, I can apparate to my old quarters in the castle—it's not far from the Ravenclaw dorms. I can slip in quietly and retrieve the map."
Sirius raised an eyebrow. "And here I thought you were losing your touch, Moony. Planning an actual sneaky move? Who are you, and what have you done with Remus?"
Remus smiled faintly. "If I've learned anything from you, Sirius, it's that recklessness has its uses—when paired with a brain."
Sirius clapped a hand over his heart, mock-offended. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Andromeda sighed loudly. "If you two are quite finished with your comedy routine, we have a map to retrieve. Harry, do you have the dormitory password memorized?"
Harry nodded. "Yes, but it changes every week. I can give you the current one, just in case someone stops you."
"Perfect," Remus said. "I'll head there, grab the map, and be back before anyone notices I'm there. Sirius, you're staying here. The last thing we need is you triggering an alarm because you decided to 'improvise.'"
Andromeda shot him a sharp look. "You're not going alone, remus. We'll go together. We're all going."
Remus looked surprised. "Andromeda—"
"No arguments," she cut in. "I won't leave Harry behind neither you , especially if barty is here. We'll retrieve the map together, and if anything happens, we'll deal with it as a team."
Sirius grinned. "Now this is the kind of plan I can get behind. A family field trip."
The group apparated outside remus's old quarters, the air heavy with the faint smell of parchment and stone.
"Are you sure about this?" Harry asked, glancing nervously at the corner.
"We've done worse," Sirius said with a wink.
Remus sighed. "That's not reassuring, Sirius."
Andromeda led the way, her wand at the ready. "Focus. The quicker we get in and out, the better."
The group entered slipped into the dimly lit halls, navigating the castle with the ease of someone who knew its every secret. Reaching the entrance to the Ravenclaw dorms, harry whispered the password then.
The bronze eagle knocker asked its riddle: "What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in a thousand years?"
Harry smiled faintly, answering smoothly, "The letter M."
Reaching the entrance to the Ravenclaw common room, Harry stepped forward.
The bronze eagle knocker posed its riddle:
The door creaked open, and he stepped inside the common room.
It was silent, most of the students in the Great Hall for dinner certainly to celebrate the Triwizard Tournament.
Quickly, Harry goes to trunk, opens it with , and retrieves the Marauder's Map.
As they made their way back through the castle, footsteps echoed from an adjacent corridor.
"Someone's coming," Remus whispered.
Andromeda immediately extinguished the light from her wand. "This way," she said, pulling them into an alcove.
In a secluded corner of the bustling Hogwarts grounds, away from the prying eyes of students and staff, Sirius carefully unfolded the worn parchment of the Marauder's Map. The faint glow of the enchanted ink illuminated the intricate layout of the castle. Standing close to him were Harry, Andromeda, and Remus, all watching intently as Sirius murmured the activation words:
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
The map sprang to life, its delicate lines tracing the rooms, hallways, and secret passages of Hogwarts. Tiny dots representing people flitted across the map, each labeled with a name. Sirius' sharp eyes scanned the map with precision.
"There," he said, pointing to a dot in one of the professors' quarters. The name hovering over it read Moody Alastor.
Harry leaned closer, frowning slightly. "So, he's actually here?"
Remus, standing with his arms crossed in the dimly lit corridor of Hogwarts, let out a heavy sigh. "I can't believe Dumbledore didn't notice. How could he not realize that Mad-Eye Moody wasn't actually Moody? That it was a Death Eater disguised as him?" His voice carried a mix of disbelief and frustration.
Andromeda, who stood nearby with Sirius, shook her head slightly, her expression grim. "I think Dumbledore knew. He just didn't care. He understood that bringing Voldemort back would be inevitable eventually. It was a risk he was willing to take, as twisted as that sounds."
Sirius, who had been quietly listening, glanced over at Andromeda, his brow furrowed. "Are you suggesting he was willing to let everything spiral just to get rid of Voldemort once and for all?"
Andromeda nodded slowly, her eyes distant. "Yes we all know how Dumbledore is manipulative,if Voldemort will back ,then everyone will need Dumbledore and that what he want "
Harry's eyes were fixed on Sirius, Andromeda and Remus. He spoke in a hushed tone, but his words carried an undeniable urgency.
"Look, no matter what Dumbledore does or doesn't do, we need to reach out to Moody—or at least tell Madam Bones. She has to know what's happening, especially with the way he's been acting lately." Harry's voice was firm, his frustration growing. "We can't just stand by and hope things will get better."
Remus nodded, glancing toward Sirius, who was looking a bit more serious than usual. "You're right, Harry. But we have to be careful about how we approach this. Dumbledore's influence in this school is... well, it's powerful. We can't just throw accusations without proof."
Before Harry could respond, a sudden flash of silver light interrupted their conversation. A Patronus—formless and shimmering—appeared out of nowhere, darting through the air before it settled into the shape of a badger.
The badger, with a soft, familiar voice, began speaking. "'Andromeda, I'm currently in Dumbledore's office. Come see me at once, we need to discuss the situation about Auror Moody. It's important that we get to the bottom of this.'"
The Patronus flickered and vanished as quickly as it had appeared, leaving the four of them in stunned silence.
"Well," Andromeda muttered, trying to process the unexpected news. "I guess we won't need to reach out to her after all. She's already on it."
Sirius let out a long breath, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't expect this to happen so quickly. But I guess it's good news. At least Madam Bones is getting involved."
Remus, ever the calm one, gave a small nod. "We should still be careful. Dumbledore is a powerful man, and we don't know what he might do next."
Andromeda folded her arms, her expression grim. "It's good that Madam Bones is aware. Let's just hope she can get through to him before things get worse."
They all exchanged a look, silently agreeing that they had done all they could for now. The uncertainty was still thick in the air, but for the moment, they would have to trust in Madam Bones' judgment.
With a final look toward the corridor, they turned and made their down to the Dumbledore's office.
As Harry, Sirius, Remus, and Andromeda entered Dumbledore's office, the air was thick with tension. The room, always filled with a sense of calm and grandeur, seemed heavier today. Alongside Dumbledore, there were several other figures present—Madam Bones, the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and a few Aurors standing solemnly by her side.
Sirius, standing tall and with an air of quiet defiance, broke the silence. "I know where Moody is, Madam Bones," he said, his voice low but certain. " just follow me, and I'll show you."
Madam Bones raised an eyebrow but gave a curt nod, signaling to the Aurors that they were to follow. "Lead the way, Black. Let's get this over with."
With that, the group began to move. Harry followed closely behind Sirius.
As they made their way through the dimly lit corridors, Harry couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right. The flickering torches seemed to mock him, casting strange shadows on the walls as they walked in silence. Remus, walking beside him, kept his gaze fixed ahead, but Harry could tell that his old friend was just as uneasy about the whole situation.
"Do you think this is going to lead to anything?" Harry whispered, not wanting to draw attention to his questions. Remus, sensing his worry, gave him a small, reassuring smile, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"I don't know, Harry. But we have to be careful," Remus replied, his voice low. "Trust Sirius, though. He's been through a lot, and he's never been wrong when it comes to these things."
Harry nodded, but the tension in the air only grew as they approached the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. The group came to a stop in front of the door. Sirius hesitated for a moment before pushing it open, leading them inside.
"Nothing to find, I'm sure," Dumbledore's voice echoed from behind them. There was a certain tone to his words—one that Harry had come to recognize as disingenuous. "Perhaps you're all wasting your time."
But Sirius wasn't deterred. He looked Dumbledore directly in the eye before turning to Madam Bones, who nodded at him, signaling for the Aurors to fan out and search the room. Harry felt a chill run down his spine as he watched them move—he could sense something was amiss.
As the Aurors began their search, Harry exchanged a look with Remus and Andromeda. He could tell they all had the same thought. Something wasn't right here. But what? What were they all missing?
His mind wandered back to the day he had purchased his own trunk. The shopkeeper had mentioned something peculiar. He had said that some trunks were large enough for a person to live inside. Harry had brushed it off as an odd comment at the time, but now, standing in front of this chest, he couldn't shake the thought.
He stepped closer, cautiously, eyeing the chest. There was nothing extraordinary about it—the wood was plain, with no visible markings or distinguishing features. But Harry had learned not to trust things that appeared too simple at Hogwarts.
"Madame Bones," Harry called, his voice low but urgent. The auror had been close by, overhearing his musing. She turned her head toward him, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, Mr. Potter?" she asked, her tone neutral but curious.
Harry hesitated for a moment, then spoke quickly. "I think... it might be a hiding spot for something—someone," he said, his eyes narrowing as he looked at the chest. "When I bought my own trunk, the shopkeeper mentioned that some trunks are big enough for a person to live inside. What if... what if a Death Eater has hidden something—or someone like the auror moody—inside?"
Madame Bones stepped forward, her expression serious now. She studied the chest for a moment, then gave Harry a sharp nod. "It's a possibility," she said, her voice steady. "Let me inspect it."
Madame Bones opened the trunk, and inside, she found the real Auror Moody, relieved. She carefully lifted him out with the help of the other Aurors she had brought along. The man was exhausted and completely unconscious.
Andromeda stepped closer to the unconscious Auror, her eyes scanning his battered form with trained precision. She turned to Madam Bones, a serious look on her face.
"Madam Bones, do you mind if I try a few spells on him? I want to assess how his condition ," Andromeda asked, her voice calm but urgent.
Madam Bones, a seasoned and pragmatic witch who had seen more than her fair share of battles, nodded. She was well aware of Andromeda's skill as a healer. "Go ahead, Andromeda. Just be careful. We'll need him in good shape for questioning."
Andromeda nodded in acknowledgment, kneeling beside the Auror. She began by waving her wand with a flourish, murmuring an incantation under her breath.
"Vulnera Sanentur," she whispered, her wand tip glowing softly. The healing charm worked to mend the superficial wounds on his body, but she could tell it wasn't enough. His breathing was shallow, and his magical core was dangerously unstable.
Next, she cast a spell to assess the state of his magical health. "Magico Revelare," she muttered, and a faint shimmer appeared around the Auror, revealing cracks in his magical aura. It was as if his magic was splintered, weakened by something deeply corrosive.
"He's been tortured," Andromeda said softly, her tone filled with concern. "I can feel the traces of Dark magic. This isn't just physical damage. They've broken him... and drained his magical reserves to the point of collapse."
Madam Bones stepped closer, looking down at the injured man. "Damn it," she muttered. "We need to get him to St. Mungo's immediately. Can you stabilize him enough to move him?"
Andromeda nodded, her brow furrowed in concentration. "I'll try. Enervate," she said, tapping his forehead gently with her wand, and the man's eyes fluttered open, though they were still glazed with pain.
"Cognosce Salvo," she continued, casting a spell that would protect his mind from any further strain. His eyes focused a little more, and his breathing steadied, but Andromeda could tell it wasn't enough.
"We need to get him out of here quickly," Andromeda said, her voice edged with urgency. "He's not going to last much longer if we don't stabilize him more effectively."
Madam Bones nodded sharply, already summoning assistance. "We'll get him to the hospital, but you're right, we need to keep him stable. Keep casting your healing spells, Andromeda. I'll arrange for transport."
Andromeda focused, once again murmuring a steady stream of incantations, including Vulnera Sanentur to heal the internal wounds and Lamina Stabilitate to ensure his magical energy would hold long enough for them to get him to safety.
"Just a bit longer," Andromeda muttered under her breath as she worked, feeling the weight of responsibility bearing down on her. This was no ordinary injury—this was the aftermath of dark magic, and there was only so much she could do. They needed a healer with more specialized knowledge, and they needed him fast.
As Madam Bones summoned the team of mediwizards, Andromeda sent one last, powerful healing charm to stabilize his body completely. She hoped it would be enough.
"I'm ready to go, Madam Bones," Andromeda said, finally standing and wiping sweat from her brow. "Let's get him to St. Mungo's before it's too late."
Madam Bones, along with the Aurors and Andromeda, promptly Disapparated to the magical hospital.
As the evening drew on, only Sirius and Harry remained in the room, the air thick with tension. Dumbledore had entered, his face a mixture of frustration and barely contained rage. Harry could tell that once again, his efforts to thwart Dumbledore's plans had been successful—despite all the older wizard's schemes.
Dumbledore's piercing eyes locked onto Harry, and with a voice that was almost a growl, he spoke, "I am deeply disappointed in you, Harry. Once again, you've managed to disrupt my plans, and I can't help but wonder what you're thinking."
Harry tilted his head slightly, his face displaying nothing but innocent curiosity as he responded with a soft, almost playful smile. "I'm sorry, Professor, but I'm not sure I know what you're talking about," he said, feigning innocence, his voice light, though his eyes betrayed a hint of mischief.
Sirius, watching the exchange, suppressed a smirk but stood back, knowing that Harry had a way of handling these situations—one that would undoubtedly irritate Dumbledore even more.
Dumbledore's lips thinned, clearly frustrated by Harry's response, but he didn't press the matter further. Instead, he let out a long sigh, his gaze never leaving Harry. "You may be clever, Harry, but remember—there are greater forces at work than your whims.you need to let me show you and not do plan without telling me everything"
Harry stood his ground, his smile never wavering. "I'll keep that in mind, Professor,
But am the only one who you tell this or all your students ?"" he replied, his tone with a subtle defiance and sassy.
"You 're More important then to other students harry,you can know rides on your reputation as theBoy-Who-Lived,"Dumbledore said, in a way that involved him barely parting his lips.
"Maybe I don't want to be the boy_who_lived ,or your soldiers,you and those people should be finding to another one to play and another person to save you , instead of relying on a teenager to do it?"
"No one could stand up against Voldemort. Only you."
"Not true!" Sirius tell fiercely.
Dumbledore glanced at Sirius , his disappointment clear, but there was nothing more to say. The conversation was over—for now. Harry knew that despite his innocent act, Dumbledore would continue to keep a close eye on him, but for now, he had won this round.
Harry, with a mischievous glint in his eyes and a playful smile on his face, spoke up with mock innocence. "I should probably head there, I want to know who wins the tournament after all,and not to talk with you about your little game of power" he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Sirius, standing beside him, couldn't help but smirk, a knowing expression crossing his face. "Oh, I think it's a good idea. After all, Harry might not be one of the champions, but there's still plenty of entertainment to be had," he added, giving Dumbledore a pointed look.
Remus, ever the calm and collected one, chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Yes, I agree. It's always interesting to see how these things turn out, especially when Harry's not the center of attention for once," he teased, a sly smile tugging at his lips.
Dumbledore, look for once tired, but didn't seem particularly phased by the comments. He simply nodded, though his eyes narrowed slightly, as if weighing something in his mind. "Very well," he said with a small sigh, as if resigning himself to the fact that Harry's wit would always get the better of him.
The three of them, Harry, Sirius, and Remus, shared a quiet laugh as they made their way out of Dumbledore's office. The door shut softly behind them, and Harry couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this tournament—and to Dumbledore—than met the eye. But for now, they were free to enjoy the chaos, knowing that whatever happened next, they'd face it together.
The three of them eventually made their way to the Great Hall. Harry said goodbye to Sirius and Remus, who both told him to take care of himself and be even more cautious of Dumbledore. Harry then joined Hermione at the Ravenclaw table.
As soon as Hermione saw Harry, she rushed towards him and gave him a tight hug. "I was so worried," she said, her voice filled with relief. "Théo and I, we were both so scared when we heard what happened. I called Sirius the moment Barty transferred with you. We didn't know what to think!" Her eyes searched his face, clearly still shaken by the events.
Harry smiled weakly, grateful for her concern but also trying to reassure her. "I'm fine, Hermione. Really, I am. Barty wasn't as much of a threat as it seemed. But I appreciate you and Théo looking out for me. I didn't mean to worry anyone."
At that moment, Harry made eye contact with Théo. The gaze between them said everything — a silent exchange of emotions, both of them feeling the weight of the past weeks. Théo's eyes softened with relief, silently conveying how worried he had been for Harry. Harry, too, could feel the same tension in the air — the long nights they'd spent apart, not knowing what the other was going through. In that moment, their connection was undeniable, and all the unspoken concerns and care were exchanged without a single word.
Théo's lips curled into a faint, relieved smile as he held Harry's gaze, his eyes speaking louder than anything he could say. Harry felt a warmth spread through him, the kind of reassurance that only someone who truly cared could give. It was a moment of pure understanding between them. The kind that no one else could see, but they both knew it meant everything.