Chapter 16
Dumbledore's Bad Day, Day 1
Author's Note: Lame title, I know. But I couldn't figure out what else to call it.
Warning: Dumbledore and Viktor Krum Bashing
(Monday, December 14th, 1994)
Rita Skeeter's forthcoming article, and the end-of-term exams were on the minds of Harry and Hermione as they stepped into the Great Hall on Monday morning for breakfast. Headmaster Dumbledore was already sitting at the Head Table, dining on breakfast, as was several members of the staff, including Professor McGonagall, who tipped her head in Harry and Hermione's direction when they entered. A good majority of the student population were already seated in the Great Hall, though not everyone had arrived yet.
Harry and Hermione walked over to the Ravenclaw table and sat across from Padma Patil and Luna Lovegood. They had not sat at the Ravenclaw Table at all yesterday – due to the fact they had a very early breakfast, before they had gotten ready for their Diagon Alley trip, and they had eaten dinner at the Gryffindor Table with Harry's fellow members of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team. So Padma and Luna were happy to see them as the couple sat down.
"Good morning, girls," Hermione said, as she and Harry prepared their breakfast plates.
"Good morning," Padma said, "Luna and I were just wondering whether or not you two would eat with us today. We wanted to know if you had any luck with that Egg, Harry?"
"I did," Harry said, smiling. "You girls were right. It was a Mermaid's Voice, and I was able to hear what the clue was. Now I just have to figure out how to swim underwater for about an hour while holding my breath."
"You know, I think there is a type of plant that might be able to help with that," Padma said, "But I can't think of the name of it. Luna?"
"Herbology isn't my specialty, unfortunately," Luna said, "Plants just aren't as interesting as Magical Creatures. Perhaps Neville might have an idea? He's amazing at Herbology."
"I'll ask him later," Harry said, "Thank you, girls."
Just then, a familiar sound of a great rush of wings was heard as dozens and dozens of owls entered through the rafters of the Great Hall. Two owls dropped new editions of the Daily Prophet in front of Harry and Hermione, who caught the newspapers before they could land on the plates. As Harry unrolled his newspaper, he chanced a glance toward the Head Table, where owls dropped editions of the newspapers in front of Dumbledore, McGonagall, and a few other members of the staff.
Harry smirked as he glanced at the front page of the Daily Prophet. A large photo of the Hogwarts lake, with the school in the background, was seen. The large bold title above the article read:
SECOND TASK SHOCKER: ARE TRIWIZARD TOURNAMENT
OFFICIALS PLANNING TO KIDNAP INNOCENT STUDENTS TO
USE AS HOSTAGES FOR CHAMPIONS TO RESCUE?
Knowing others were probably watching for his reaction, Harry took on a shocked, angry expression on his face as he began reading the article. Inside, however, he was laughing his arse off.
Written by Rita Skeeter, Daily Prophet Star Reporter
"Come seek us where our voices sound,
We cannot sing above the ground,
And while you're searching ponder this:
We've taken what you'll sorely miss,
An hour long you'll have to look,
And to recover what we took,
But past an hour — the prospect's black,
Too late, it's gone, it won't come back."
That, readers, is the clue inside the Golden Egg that that four Triwizard
Tournament Champions had to retrieve during the First Task in late
November. An anonymous fan of mine, who overheard one of the
Champions talking about the clue's message, was kind enough to send
me the details of said clue. They also informed me that the clue was sung
by a choir of Mermaids!
According to the clue, the four Champions will have to brave the cold waters
of the Hogwarts Lake, in late February, and make their way into a Mermaid
Village in order to recover "what they'll sorely miss."
But does the clue really mean that? Does it say "what" when it really should
be saying "who you'll sorely miss"? After all, if the Champions had to rescue
simple objects, such as a stuffed animal, or a photograph, that wouldn't exactly
be very exciting, now would it? But what if the Champions had to rescue actual
living victims? Not just any ordinary victims, but someone they would sorely
miss? Such as a significant other, a best friend or a family member?
Last weekend, this journalist gave you the exclusive story that the Boy-Who-Lived
has a new girlfriend, Hermione Granger – this journalist apologizes to the young
witch for misnaming them in the previous article – who is also his date to the
upcoming Yule Ball on Christmas Day. Is Miss Granger going to be a hostage
victim for Harry Potter to rescue?
Here's the questions that must be asked in light of this news. Will Miss Granger
and the other hostages be given a choice whether or not to participate in the
Second Task? Or will they be kidnapped in the middle of the night, only to
end up unconscious in the middle of a Mermaid Village? Will their parents be
given the option to accept or deny their son or daughter's part in the Task? How
safe would these hostages be, especially when it appears that none of them will
have voluntarily signed up for such an event.
Let's not forget the most important question: is any of this legal at all? Will the
officials behind the Triwizard Tournament be found culpable of kidnapping and
other crimes if they were to go through with this? Is this legally, and morally,
right?
In this journalist's opinion – and I am sure many of you agree, dear readers -
Albus Dumbledore, Bartemius Crouch, and Ludo Bagman should be found
guilty of kidnapping of innocent, suspecting students, if they continue to go
through with these plans. Perhaps they should already have charges brought
forward, just for thinking of such an idea! Especially when they could simply
go through with what the true message of the clue says and use 'what' not
'who' our Champions would sorely miss, such as items like photographs.
Will Albus Dumbledore, Bartemius Crouch, Ludo Bagman and the other officials
behind the Triwizard Tournament do what is right? Or will they risk the lives of
innocent students simply because of entertainment? What will Minister of Magic
Cornelius Fudge's response to this article be? How about Head of the Department
of Magical Law Enforcement, Amelia Bones?
Time will tell, and I, Rita Skeeter, Star Reporter of the Daily Prophet, will be here
to give you all the juicy news!
Who Are The Triwizard Tournament Champions? Page 2
Dumbledore, Crouch and Bagman, the Voices of the Tournament! Page 3
Will the Audience Be Able To Watch The Entire Second Task? Page 4
Harry was surprised – and a bit relieved – that there was no "preview" line about – as Rita Skeeter called it – the "Emancipation Speculation" article. He didn't need Dumbledore getting a hint that another damning article for him was to come tomorrow.
Harry chanced another glance at the Head Table, and could barely hold back laughter at the look on the Headmaster's face.
The expression 'egg on his face' didn't do Albus Dumbledore justice.
(Meanwhile…)
If someone had cracked an egg on Albus Dumbledore's face, there was a good chance it could have fried just from the heat on his face. But the Headmaster of Hogwarts wasn't blushing. He was steaming mad!
Albus didn't know what question to ask first. How did Rita Skeeter get this information? Who was this 'anonymous fan' that had given Skeeter the clue? How dare Skeeter publish such an article like this that not only spoiled the Golden Egg's clue for those Champions who might not have gotten the clue solved yet, but also revealed the true message behind the clue that nobody but the Triwizard Tournament officials was supposed to know about!
The article was quite damning. His name had been mentioned more than once, and Skeeter was already questioning whether or not he and the other officials should be brought up on charges for considering placing innocent students as hostages in the Merpeople Village. He didn't care if Crouch or Bagman were affected after this, but how dare it even be implied that he should be seen as a criminal for something like this?!
Who gave Skeeter this information?! Albus looked toward the Hufflepuff Table, and found Cedric Diggory looking pale and shocked as he read the headlining article. Albus then glanced over to the Gryffindor Table, but didn't see Harry Potter. He soon found the boy sitting at the Ravenclaw Table. The boy looked shocked, of course, but also very angry. Obviously he wasn't very happy about this news, or the fact that his girlfriend had been named as a possible hostage of the Task. As soon as Harry caught him staring, the boy's eyebrows narrowed in a glare at him.
Albus knew he needed to get out of, not only the Great Hall, but the castle, before the entire student body read the article and started yelling at him. He needed to get to the Ministry of Magic to figure out some damage control due to the article. He cleared his throat and stood up.
"I am going to be away from the castle for a few hours, Minerva," he said to his Deputy. "You're in charge until I return."
"Of course, Headmaster," Minerva said. "Perhaps we can discuss Miss Skeeter's article when you return?"
Albus grimaced. "If I am not exhausted from my travels, I will invite you for a discussion. If I can talk about it, that is, of course. I am going to go to the Ministry to see what the response about the article should be."
Before Minerva or any of the other Professors could speak up, Albus walked around the table, then started off toward the large doors. Suddenly there was chaos from the students, as they saw him leaving.
"Is this article true, Headmaster?!"
"We're not in danger of becoming hostages, are we?"
"You're not putting Cho at the bottom of the lake, Dumbledore!" Cedric Diggory's voice said.
Harry Potter stood up as Albus neared where he was sitting.
"Nor are you putting Hermione down there!" Harry growled, "She was personally mentioned by Skeeter! I believe we discussed this yesterday, Headmaster! I did not accuse you yesterday of doing this, but I am accusing you today! Tell me Skeeter's wrong about this!"
Before Albus could say anything, fireworks were heard from the Head Table as Minerva stood.
Thank you, Minerva, Albus sighed in relief, as he hurried past Mr. Potter and the rest of the students, many of which were still glaring at him. Growling inwardly at the disrespect these childish students were giving him – him! Their Headmaster! The Leader of the Light! How dare they disrespect him?! – and damning Rita Skeeter for putting himself in this position, Albus pushed the large doors open and stepped into the Entrance Hall. Instead of heading out of the castle, he headed in the direction of his Office. As Headmaster, he was able to use the Floo in his Office to travel outside of Hogwarts. It would be the quickest way he could get to the Ministry of Magic.
(Moments before...)
I am so glad Severus decided not to show up for breakfast this morning, Minerva mused as she watched Harry Potter questioning Albus. He would certainly be making a bigger mess of this than it already is, especially with Harry ranting. Oh, Merlin. I need to stop this before Albus decides to attack the boy with Legilimency and finds his Natural Occlumency abilities have been unbound.
Minerva McGonagall raised her wand and sent loud, bright fireworks shooting toward the ceiling above her. That made Harry and the rest of the students quiet down. As Albus used the distraction to escape the Hall, Minerva stood up. It took two more minutes before things calmed down and the students were once again sitting back at the tables.
"I know many of you have questions thanks to Rita Skeeter's new article," Minerva said, "I have many questions of my own. I do not have many answers for you at the moment. I can, however, give you this promise. Champions Diggory and Potter, I am going to give you my guarantee that no person – be they Miss Chang, Miss Granger, or anyone else – will be used as hostages for the Second Task. If I am wrong, I will personally hand in my resignation as Deputy, Head of Gryffindor and Transfiguration Professor an hour after the Second Task."
Several students, and even some staff gasped in shock at this declaration.
"That is how serious I am about making sure none of this comes to pass," Minerva said, firmly. "If I have to, I will personally swim down to the Mermaid Village myself on the day of the Second Task to make sure the 'hostages' are objects, not people."
"As will I!" Pomona Sprout said, standing up.
"As will I!" Filius Flitwick said, as he stood too.
Minerva smiled Harry, Hermione and Cedric Diggory began a round of applause that soon echoed around the Great Hall. The Lioness of Gryffindor sat back down, inwardly cursing Albus Dumbledore and the other Triwizard Tournament officials for putting her in this position.
I sincerely hope you have a very bad day today, Albus Dumbledore, Minerva mused, Maybe we'll be lucky and you won't be returning to the castle today.
Somehow, Minerva McGonagall knew she was definitely not that lucky.
(Twenty minutes later…)
Albus Dumbledore stepped out of the Floo, and into the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic. He walked over to the Security Desk, where Eric, the Welcome Wizard, smiled at him.
"Welcome, Headmaster," Eric said, "I have a message from Minister Fudge for you."
"If he wishes to see me," Albus said, "He will have to wait until after I meet with Bartemius Crouch and Ludo Bagman."
"He told me you might say that," Eric said, "Which is why he wishes to meet all three of you in Meeting Room 2 on Level 1."
Albus sighed. "Very well. Thank you for informing me."
Eric ran Albus' wand through the usual steps, and handed the Elder Wand back to Albus with a smile.
"The VIP Lifts are under maintenance today," Eric said, "I'm afraid you'll have to use the public lifts."
Albus sighed, hiding his frustration and thanked the Welcome Wizard. He then made his way through the crowds of Ministry workers who were bustling around the Atrium. Soon enough, Albus was in one of the lifts. He frowned as he noticed that a three of the workers in the lift with him were reading the Skeeter article that was the reason he was here in the first place. Luckily, nobody looked at him with disapproving or curious looks, and he didn't have to wait long before the lift reached the first floor. He followed two other wizards out of the lift, and headed down the corridor. Soon, he reached a door with a sign above it reading: "Meeting Room 2".
He opened the door and stepped inside to find that the room was filled with more people than he expected. Bartemius Crouch and Ludo Bagman were there, as was Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge. But there were three others which Albus was not expecting: Dolores Umbridge, the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic; Rufus Scrimgeour, the Head of the Auror Department; and Amelia Bones; Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
"Ah, Albus!" Cornelius greeted him, "Good morning! I see you got my message!"
"I did," Albus said, "However, I was not told there would be so many people here."
"Yes, well, I am afraid Madam Bones and Auror Scrimgeour insisted on being here when they heard what the meeting would be about," Cornelius said, "And Madam Umbridge accompanied me. Please, sit, so that we may begin!"
Albus sat at one end of a long meeting table, while Cornelius sat at the other end. Scrimgeour and Bones sat on one side, while Crouch, Bagman and Umbridge sat on the other side. Albus noticed that Bartemius Crouch was looking rather poor in health. He had bags under his eyes and his face looked pale.
"Bartemius, old friend," Albus said, "Perhaps I might suggest you take some time off for your health?"
"I was just telling Minister Fudge this very thing," Bartemius said, "I informed my assistant Weatherbee, before I came here that he is going to be in charge of my usual duties for a couple of weeks. This is my last meeting before I leave until the New Year. Unfortunately that means I will not make it to the Yule Ball. Weatherbee will be there in my stead."
"Well, I think I speak for everyone here that I hope you feel better, my friend," Cornelius said, with a smile. "Moving on. Has everyone seen Rita Skeeter's article in the Daily Prophet this morning?"
Everyone acknowledged that they had. Umbridge cleared her throat.
"Yes, Dolores?" Cornelius asked, with a smile.
"I have a question for Albus," Umbridge said, in her honey-sweet voice, as she looked from the Minister to Albus, "Miss Skeeter said in her article that she got the information from an anonymous source, a fan of hers. I can only assume that this source is a student of yours, as the article stated this source heard one of the Champions speaking of the clue."
"I believe I would agree with your assumption, Madam Umbridge," Albus said.
"Do you have any idea who it might have been?" Umbridge asked, "Perhaps it was one of the Champions themselves. Maybe they were upset about what they discovered, and wrote to Miss Skeeter? Harry Potter, perhaps? His and his – ahem – Muggleborn girlfriend's names were mentioned exclusively in the article. I am sure the young man is already rather angry about being in the Tournament itself. Perhaps this crossed the line for the young Champion?"
"Trust me, Madam Umbridge," Albus said, "The thought crossed my mind. However, I do not believe the source was Mr. Potter or Mr. Diggory. You see, during breakfast today in the Great Hall at Hogwarts, when the articles arrived, both Mr. Diggory and Mr. Potter looked shocked at the news. Mr. Potter looked particularly angry with what the article implied."
"Excuse me," Amelia Bones said, "Did you say 'implied'? Does this mean Miss Skeeter was completely wrong with what she said? You're not actually going to use human hostages for the Second Task, are you?"
Unfortunately, before Albus could speak up, Ludo Bagman decided he needed to be heard.
"That was the idea, Madam Bones," Bagman said, smiling, "We figured we could see who the Champions brought as dates to the Yule Ball, then use their dates as human hostages for the Second Task."
"With their permission, I assume?" Amelia asked, "And the permission of their parents?"
"Well, no," Bagman said, nervously, "The hostages wouldn't be notified about their part in the Task, until moments before we placed them under stasis. We didn't want them to get word back to the Champions, you see. The Champions weren't supposed to know they were going to have to rescue human hostages."
"Why not?" Amelia asked.
"Because it was believed it would be more dramatic," Bagman said, smiling. "Which is why we had the clue say 'what you'll sorely miss', instead of 'who'."
"So you weren't going to get permission from the hostages' parents or guardians?" Amelia asked.
Albus decided to come in for the rescue. "It was assumed that the hostages in question would be seventeen, therefore of age, and therefore it wouldn't be necessary to get permission from their parents."
"But what about Mr. Potter's girlfriend?" Amelia asked, "She's not seventeen, is she?"
"No," Albus said, "She is not."
"Mr. Bagman, you said the hostages wouldn't be told until moments before they would be put under stasis. Would they get a choice then? What if they said 'no'?"
"We – ahem – hadn't discussed that yet," Bagman said.
"You haven't discussed it," Amelia said, "Because you had no plans to ask their permission. I happen to think Miss Skeeter's article is a lot more truthful than her usual articles are. Here's what I think. I think you were going to kidnap these hostages and put them immediately under stasis, so you could avoid the trouble of the possibility that they would be against being a hostage for the Task. After the Task was said and done, I am sure you would pay them a generous amount of Galleons to keep quiet about the fact that they had no choice in volunteering for the task."
"That… is quite the accusation, Madam Bones," Albus said, sternly.
"Do you have proof that none of this is true?" Amelia asked. "Gentlemen, I'm going to need the memories of you discussing the Second Task. Since it sounds like you're not allowing the hostages to decide whether or not they want to be a hostage, none of you get to decide whether or not you get to give up a copy of those memories."
"Cornelius, surely you don't approve of this?" Albus asked.
"I'm afraid I do, Albus," Cornelius said, "I would like to get to the bottom of this, after all. Today, before it gets out of hand."
Bagman stammered and cleared his throat. "Surely there is something we could do to avoid all of this, Madam Bones?"
Madam Bones smirked then whispered something to Auror Scrimgeour. He looked at her for a moment, then nodded. Amelia grinned and looked back at Bagman, then at Crouch and Dumbledore.
"If all three of you promise not to use human hostages for the Second Task," Amelia said, "Perhaps if you were to, say, use some type of object that the Champions would sorely miss, then I'll stop any idea of a formal investigation toward all three of you for conspiracy to commit kidnapping and attempted murder."
"Attempted murder?!" Albus asked, in disbelief.
"The hostages could die in the task, Albus," Amelia said, "Just the possibility of them dying is attempted murder, because you would have put them down there against their choice. If they did die, then it would be raised to murder."
"They would be perfectly safe, I assure you, Madam Bones," Albus said, "The stasis spells would hold until they broke the surface."
"You don't know that, Albus!" Amelia growled, "Anything could go wrong in the Merpeople village. For Merlin's sake, one of the Champions is a Veela! The Veela and the Merpeople already have a bad history. It could escalate into chaos down there, and not only would Champion Delacour be in danger, but so would the other Champions and the hostages! The least I can do – the least you can do is eliminate the threat to the hostages. By making sure there aren't any hostages down there in the first place!"
"So, Albus, Bartemius, Ludo? Raise your hand if you agree to forego any ideas of using hostages for the Second Task. If you do not raise your hand, I will put you in chains right now for conspiracy to commit kidnapping and attempted murder!"
Albus was about to complain to Cornelius that Amelia was committing something similar to extortion. But Cornelius looked like he wasn't going to agree. Bagman instantly raised his hand. Bartemius coughed and raised his hand next. Albus grumbled under his breath as he raised his hand. He would agree – for now. He still had over two months to figure out how to get around this.
"Very good, gentlemen," Amelia said, "Auror Scrimgeour, what do you say to keeping these men honest? You could have a group of Aurors in the lake to make sure no human hostages are used anyway?"
"I was already considering this idea, Madam Bones," Scrimgeour said, "I would say that is a fine idea."
Albus frowned. That just made things worse!
"Then it would seem my job is finished here," Madam Bones said. "If you want my advice, Cornelius, you better get word out to the Daily Prophet and Miss Skeeter herself before your office, and these gentlemen are swamped with Howlers complaining about the accusations Miss Skeeter voiced."
Umbridge looked most put out that someone else was giving the Minister advice. Cornelius, however, was simply smiling and nodding in agreement.
"That is a wonderful suggestion, Madam Bones," Cornelius said, "Thank you! Dolores, please schedule a press conference for the next hour or two?"
"Of course, Minister," Umbridge said, with a false smile.
"Then go… make haste, Dolores!" Cornelius said.
Umbridge and Madam Bones left, but Scrimgeour remained seated at the table.
"Was Madam Bones truly going to go through with her… threat to arrest us, Rufus?" Bagman asked.
"If you didn't believe her, you don't know her all that well then, Ludo," Scrimgeour said. "She takes her job seriously. As do I. I will find a good group of Aurors to keep watch during the Second Task to make sure everything goes smoothly. I will keep each of you up to date with how that goes."
"Thank you, Auror Scrimgeour," Cornelius said, "Any help you can give us would go a very long away. This I assure you."
"I'll do all I can to make sure this Tournament goes off smoothly," Scrimgeour said, "It is already hell in a handbasket with Potter being an unexpected champion. Any leads on that, Albus?"
"Nothing concrete, Rufus," Albus said, "But I assure you, I am doing everything to find out who placed Mr. Potter in the Tournament."
"As much as I do not want to pressure you, Albus," Scrimgeour said, "As much as I respect you and your various positions, and everything you have done for Magical Britain, I find it necessary. I want to see some progress before the Second Task, or I will order a couple of Aurors to go to Hogwarts to assist you in your investigation."
"Well, I already do have assistance from an Auror," Albus said, his eyes twinkling, as he hoped he could dissuade the Auror from this direction.
"Alastor Moody," Scrimgeour said, "Ex-Auror, Albus. He would not be included in assisting me with my investigation, apart from answering a few questions."
"He would be a suspect?" Albus asked, in shock.
"He was there when the Goblet was lit and when Mr. Potter's name came out of the Goblet," Scrimgeour said, "So he's a suspect. Believe me, Albus, knowing Mad-Eye as well as I do, he would curse me if I didn't include him in my list of suspects. He would tell me I shouldn't not include him on my list of suspects because I know him as a friend and former colleague. He'd probably place himself in a list of suspects if he was doing the investigation!"
Cornelius chuckled. "He would, indeed! I approve of this move, Auror Scrimgeour. If Albus hasn't progressed any further in getting answers about Mr. Potter's unfortunate inclusion in the Tournament, you have my permission and support to send an investigation team to Hogwarts. I am sure Madam Bones would say the same thing if she was still in this meeting."
"Thank you, Minister," Scrimgeour said. "I believe I am done with my reasons for being here. Good day."
Cornelius and Bagman gave their farewells to Scrimgeour, while Albus merely nodded. Crouch said nothing. Scrimgeour stood and left the room.
"Is there anything more on the agenda, gentlemen?" Cornelius asked.
"I have something," Bagman said, "Aside from Miss Skeeter's front-page article, there was another article from her about the Second Task. It regarded the – ahem – spectators part of the Task. The audience. She – ahem – implied that the audience wouldn't be able to see most of the Second Task, apart from when the Champions dove into the lake, then resurfaced later. They wouldn't see anything when it comes to the events under the surface of the lake.
"Miss Skeeter even suggested I, myself, would be bored out of my mind because I wouldn't be able to comment throughout the Task, like I did with the First Task! I didn't even consider this until I read her article! This is terrible, gentlemen! I firmly believe we need to do something about this!"
"Interestingly enough, Harry Potter's girlfriend, Hermione Granger, actually mentioned this very thing to me yesterday," Albus said, with a chuckle.
"She did?" Cornelius asked, impressed, his eyebrows raised, "And this is one of the young Muggleborn students?"
"It is," Albus agreed, "She's the top student in her year, actually. She's said to be the smartest witch of her age. A very logical thinker, Miss Granger is. I believe you actually met her this past June, when you visited Hogwarts. She was with Mr. Potter in the Hospital Wing."
Cornelius frowned as he considered this. "That bushy-haired young girl? One of the students along with Mr. Potter who were victims of a Confundus Curse?"
Albus smirked and nodded. He had to give it to Severus for coming up with that ingenious lie.
"Indeed, Cornelius," Albus said.
"Oh, yes, her," Cornelius said, chuckling. "She's quite the girl. And she had concerns about the spectator part of the Second Task?"
"She basically implied most of which Skeeter did in her article," Albus said.
"Logical thinker indeed!" Bagman exclaimed. "Perhaps I could speak to this young lady. Maybe she might have some ideas as to help us improve the spectator's views."
"I will ask Miss Granger if she would agree to meet with you – or I should say, us as the Tournament committee," Albus said, "So that she could bring forth any suggestions she might have."
"I would love to see what she comes up with!" Cornelius said, "She might impress us all! Yes, this spectator part of the Second Task is definitely something that should be discussed in the coming weeks before the Task takes place.
"I, myself, will be in attendance for the Task. Gentlemen, I do not want to be staring at the surface of the lake for an hour, not knowing what is happening in the depths below! I believe the Ministers of France and Bulgaria may also be there. As the Minister of Magic of the country hosting this tournament, I do not want to look like a fool in front of my peers! Do not make me look like one, gentlemen!
"Fix this! No human hostages and no forcing the spectators to stare at the surface of the lake for an hour. Fix it! I am about to reassure the press and the public that there won't be any human hostages at the bottom of the lake! Do not make me a liar, gentlemen!"
"Yes, Minister!" Bagman blustered, "We will certainly endeavor to do so!"
Cornelius cleared his throat and stood up. "I wish you the best of luck, gentlemen. I will leave you to discuss how to fix the Second Task."
Albus sighed in relief as he watched Cornelius walk out of the room. Now he could finally take charge of this disaster. Suddenly he heard Cornelius exclaim, and he turned around and watched the Minister backstepping back into the room. The very large and very imposing Madame Olympe Maxime, Headmistress of Beauxbatons, ducked under the door and stepped into the room. She was followed by Igor Karkaroff, Headmaster of Durmstrang.
"What is zees about 'uman 'ostages, Minister Fudge!" Madame Maxime boomed, "I did not agree to using 'umans as victims! Am I being lied to, Minister Fudge?! Did I not 'ear of zees because I objected to ze idea of an underwater task in ze first place, because one of my students is a Veela, and could 'ave been a Champion? Well, she eez a Champion now, Minister Fudge! I already 'ave to warn 'er against the Merpeople! Do not make me tell 'er she 'as to rescue a 'uman!"
Albus sighed as he decided to save the blustering Minister. "It is currently in progress of being remedied, Madame Maxime. We were just discussing doing away with the human hostages. Why don't you, and Headmaster Karkaroff come in and we can discuss this? However, we must let Cornelius leave. He has some – ahem – duties as Minister to get done."
"I 'ope 'e does a better job at his ozzer duties than 'e 'as done as 'osting Minister of zis Tournament!" Maxime boomed.
Cornelius squeaked and ducked out of the room, before the large woman could threaten him anymore. Meanwhile Madame Maxime walked over to the chair at the opposite end of the table, and used several spells to make the chair larger, and more enforced for her. Then she sat down. Karkaroff snorted and sat down, but remained as silent as he had been since he entered.
Albus cleared his throat. "It seems we have been very remiss in our duties as the officials behind the Triwizard Tournament, especially when it comes to the Second Task. Miss Skeeter's – ahem – delightful article merely brought that to light which we should have already considered. Let us try to remedy the situation, gentlemen, Madame. And let us not hope we will be here all day. Questions? Suggestions?"
Albus sighed as he relaxed in his chair as more than one voice started speaking up, wanting to be heard first. Today's events had brought many complications to his plans for the Second Task. But he would simply press on. He simply needed to figure out a way to work around these unfortunate complications.
Albus Dumbledore really wished he had one of his lemon drops at the moment. The Calming Draughts in them would be a lovely remedy to the headaches and migraines he was getting as day progressed.
(That evening, an hour before dinner…)
Viktor Krum was currently making his way through the aisles of bookshelves, casually glancing at different books so he wouldn't look suspicious about his true quest.
He was looking for Her… me… own? Now that wasn't her name. Harmony? No, that wasn't it either, that was an invention of the Skeeter reporter. Her… mine? Perhaps not, but it sounded quite fine to Viktor Krum either way.
Because she should be mine, the stalker – ahem – Seeker mused, She will discover I am better than that spectacle-faced little wannabe. How can someone as pathetic as that little boy be the Boy-Who-Lived? British propaganda trying to make them better than everyone else! Of course they brag about a Boy-Who-Lived, who defeated the second greatest Dark Lord next to that bastard Grindelwald. They wanted pathetic sheep to believe their Dark Lord was dead, so they created a scapegoat and made him out to be such a little hero. And the boy they've chosen be the hero? He'd piss his pants at the first sight of their Dark Lord.
That Beauxbatons Veela Champion had said it perfectly didn't she? A little boy competing in a big man's tournament. Viktor, of course, believed the boy didn't enter his name into the Goblet. A coward like him wouldn't dare. Someone – likely from the British Ministry – wanted the world to discover their pride and joy, the Boy-Who-Lived, so they made him compete in the Tournament.
Poor Potter, Viktor mused, Pathetic boy probably doesn't realize they are using him like a back alley whore, before he is discarded like all scapegoats. He'll die by the time the tournament is over. Her-mine, you just simply dump him now, and save yourself the inevitable grief when he dies in a few months. That crackpot old Auror was wrong. The boy isn't going to die because of the Ministry's whims. He'll die because he's too stupid to survive this tournament. Come to me, Her-mine. I will cherish and love you long after that boy you believe loves you has left this world.
Viktor sighed, annoyed. Where was she? He had seen he come in to the library! But she didn't sit at her normal table.
"Oh, Hermione, that's so good," a voice moaned. Potter's voice!
Hermione, that's what her name is, Viktor mused, Potter, what are you doing to her?! You do not deserve her! I'm coming, my Her-mine!
Before he could even leave the aisle of bookshelves, he heard a crashing sound and turned toward the noise. Another crashing sound made him turn back around. His eyes widened. Every single book around him had fallen off the shelves.
"What is going on here?!" the voice of the Hogwarts Librarian shrieked, "What happened to my books. You! I knew you were bad news! I don't care if you are a Champion in this blasted tournament. You come in here with your flocks of girls, making all kinds of noise, disrespecting my library! And now you've made a mess of my books! Out! You are banned from my library! Never return!"
"Um… ma'am, I… I didn't do this," Viktor said.
"Do you honestly think I can understand a word you are saying?" The librarian growled. "Out! Now! You are banned! Shoo!"
Before he could say another word, the librarian summoned a book. Viktor's eyes widened as he saw the Monster Book of Monsters scurrying right toward him. He turned and hurried toward the main area of the library, then ran out into the corridor, as the book continued to chase him. The book stopped at the doorway of the library, and Viktor looked back at it. Then he saw several teenagers, including very good-looking women all pointing and laughing at him!
I am ruined! Viktor thought, horrified, How am I supposed to research for the Second Task if I am no longer welcome in the library! Even worse, these… Englishmen are laughing at me. Her-mine will certainly discover what happened to me. She'll see me as a laughingstock! Especially if her Champion boyfriend does better than me now that I won't be able to research! I am ruined!
Viktor stalked off, down the corridor, grumbling as he could still hear the roaring laughter that was all directed toward him.
(Meanwhile…)
Harry Potter and Hermione Granger were laughing in the library too. However, they had not moved from the private table they had been sitting at. Fred and George Weasley were also there, grinning like loons.
"Honestly, Harry," Hermione said, "Did you have to make it sound like we were shagging when he got too close to finding us?"
"If he believes we're shagging," Harry said, "He'll realize it will be a lot harder than he assumed to break us up."
Hermione huffed. "You're lucky nobody else heard us."
"Not luck, my dear Cleopatra," Fred said.
"We made sure only Viktor heard you and Casanova," George said.
"So when he did hear you," Fred said, "He'd run right to the exact aisle we wanted him to be at."
"The aisle you sabotaged," Harry said. "Very nice, boys."
"Thank you, boys," Hermione said, smiling.
"Don't mention it," Fred said.
"We promised we would get rid of the Stalking Seeker," George said.
"And we did so," Fred said.
"And now he can't do any more research about the Triwizard Tournament," George said.
"An added bonus," Fred said, "And it gave you a better chance to win the whole thing."
"Not that we think that duck-footed idiot could beat you," George said.
"But we wanted to make sure you'd humiliate him since he even dared look at our Cleopatra," Fred said.
"Thank you, boys," Harry said, "I will never forget this."
"Did you have to harm so many books to pull off your plan?" Hermione asked.
"We placed protection charms on all the books before we made them tumble," Fred said.
"We knew you'd never forgive us if we hurt your precious books," George said.
"Thank you, boys," Hermione said, "You're so thoughtful."
Fred and George saluted then walked off.
"See?" Harry said, "I told you the plan would work. And now the Stalker Seeker will never bother you again."
"You really think this is the last we'll hear of him, Harry?" Hermione asked.
Harry sighed. "Knowing my luck? Damn it. Back to the drawing boards."
Hermione giggled and leaned toward Harry and kissed him. Harry kissed her back.
"My hero," Hermione said, as she backed away. "Far better than some Boy-Who-Lived."
"Only for you, Hermione," Harry said.
"You're really trying to take advantage of these snogging corners, aren't you?" Hermione asked.
Harry gasped dramatically. "I thought they were private reading corners! How naughty of you! Is this why you wanted me to go to the library with you all those times? Even when we were first years?"
"In your dreams, Potter," Hermione said.
"You bet!" Harry said, grinning.
"Mm, mine too," Hermione said with a smirk.
Harry cuddled closer to her. "And just what happens in these dreams? Can we reenact them?"
"Not unless you want to get us banned too!" Hermione said.
"Would it be so bad?" Harry asked.
"Consider who you are talking to, boyfriend," Hermione said, raising an eyebrow.
"Okay… then shall we reenact one of your tamer library dreams?" Harry asked.
Hermione blushed. "That would still get us banned."
"Oh, you are a naughty witch!" Harry said.
Hermione giggled, then squeaked as Harry pulled her in for another long kiss.
I'm not sure how I feel about this chapter. Let's just say it sounded better in my head. Oh well, hope you liked it anyway!
Next Chapter: Dumbledore has another bad day when another Rita Skeeter article appears as the headline of Tuesday's edition of the Daily Prophet! What kind of damage control will Dumbledore have to do with this one? It begins with a meeting between Dumbledore and our hero!