Harry Potter: Don't touch

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On the twenty-third of June at eleven o'clock in the evening, Harry Potter went to bed. On the twenty-fourth of June at three o'clock in the morning he was awakened by Finch-Fletchley.

- Harry, Harry! - Justin roused Potter in the middle of the night. - We've got a test tomorrow... Well, I mean today! I can't remember what the test is, but it's hard. I've learnt a spell! I'd like to share it. Apierto! Hoba!

A cork flew out of what was obviously a bottle of vodka and rolled away behind the bed.

- Here! Anton showed it to me! You'll need it tomorrow.

Finch-Fletchley stopped talking and fell to the floor, dropping the bottle. Harry cast a sleeping spell on him and went to bed.

At eleven o'clock in the morning Potter woke up, levitated Finch-Fletchley onto the bed, sucked up the spilt vodka with a spell and headed for the kitchen; he had slept through breakfast, and he wasn't really looking forward to it, he often resorted to this practice, Naudi always managed to get him food. At eleven thirty Potter went to the Wishing Room - before the test he had to repeat once more the vast array of spells he had learnt over the last three months.

At one o'clock there was a gathering of all the champions in the room adjoining the Great Hall. The families of the fifteen champions were already waiting there, Harry spotted Molly Weasley, Fred and George's mother, she was clearly not happy about the twins' antics; he wondered if she knew that the idea was not theirs but his. Standing next to her was an unknown red-haired man, probably the twins' older brother. Nana's parents were quite ordinary and decent people - a man dressed in a brown coat and a very young-looking woman wearing an ushanka hat. Kram's black-haired parents, Delacourt's mother and sister, Cédric's father, Roux's brother and sister's grandfather, Juliette Laurent's older brother, Otto's creepy-looking grandfather, and François's rather obese grandmother. Only three people were not related. George Hypotenuse was an orphan; the Finch-Fletchley parents couldn't come, they had some important meeting with some aristocratic family, and their grandparents had long since died; the reasons for the absence of Lundren's relatives weren't voiced, but Harry assumed that he just had a very bad relationship with them. The elder Tonks were also among those present. As was Sirius Black.

- Hello, Harry. So, ready to conquer the audience? - Sirius held out his hand, and Harry shook it uncertainly.

Potter wasn't wearing gloves, but there was none of the usual discomfort that followed a handshake.

- Have you two made up? - Harry asked Ted.

- We didn't fight," he replied. - Just a little misunderstanding. We just talked, and it worked itself out. It was just a matter of making the first move. Thank Andromeda, she did her best.

- It's nothing," she waved her hand. - Why didn't you reply to the last letter?

- The Pest stole it, it's a long story.

- Yes, Harry wrote to me, but I didn't think to tell you. It's not important. What was it? There's a lot you didn't mention in your last letter. How's the final test coming along? How's Lightning? Have you tested it yet?

- Lightning's great, much faster than both Nimbus and Cleaner. I've ridden it round the field. Not just me, my, er, girlfriend.

- Girlfriend. Yeah!" Sirius laughed out loud. - And who is this friend?

Otto Senior gave Sirius a menacing look. He returned the same look. When the grandfather saw who was in front of him, he faltered and began to whisper something in his grandson's ear.

- That's what the reputation of Death Eaters gets you! Harry, eliminate this one first," Sirius pointed at Johan. - By the way, you still haven't told me how your preparation for the labyrinth went? Better than the lake, I hope. I was sitting in the stands, and you were the first to be eliminated, so who was I supposed to root for? The Weasley twins did well, they did well together, they came first, like your father and me.

- Yeah, that's great! - Harry was glad that Sirius had forgotten about his previous question. - I'm prepared for any surprises and obstacles. And I have a couple of extra perks that will help me even out the three-plus hour gap.

- A map of the labyrinth? - Black suggested.

Harry choked up. Sirius's guess had hit right on target. How did he know?

- The true son of the Marauder! And with all these security measures! - Sirius let out a barking laugh. - Where did he get that from? No, don't tell me. I know a couple of spells that will allow you to see people on this map, and they don't cast quickly, but we've got six hours before the trial starts, plus another three hours of jet lag. That's plenty of time.

- You know what, go for it! Just don't tell anyone!

- Whatever!

- Nymphadora's not coming, I take it? - Harry asked Ted.

- No, she'll be there, just as a spectator. She seems to have taken offence at something, but don't worry, it happens to her all the time," Ted said and began to tell him about Nymphadora. - When she first went to Hogwarts, we had a little conflict, and she didn't answer her letters all year. And then, on the fourth... Hmmm... Or fifth... Or maybe sixth, it's hard to keep track of your ages, like you were eleven a while ago, and now one of you is an auror, and the other is one of Hogwarts' biggest troublemakers and a participant in the Tri-Wizard Tournament. So what's up? Oh yes, I don't even remember the reason for the conflict, it was something to do with her appearance, and Tonks went to her friends' house for the summer holidays and didn't tell us. Oh, she was a lot of trouble. Now we don't bother her too much and she's having a go at you. What was she offended about? Some bullshit, I bet?

- Well, there was a reason. I think it was the right thing to do, but I understand why. It wasn't bullshit.

- Well, it's always like that, we think we did the right thing, and then....

- Champions are offered to spend the whole day with their relatives, - Andromeda didn't let Ted finish and changed the topic of conversation. - But I suppose you'd rather be better prepared, wouldn't you?

- Of course not! - Ted disagreed. - I thought we were coming here to spend time together.

- Well, actually, I wasn't sure you were coming, so I planned a slightly different routine," Harry made a guilty expression and bowed his head slightly. He felt no shame, however.

- That's what I thought. Then you can go about your business, and Ted and I can walk around Hogwarts and see what's changed.

- Right, I'll be off then, see you before the test.

* * *

At two in the afternoon Harry made a copy of the map of the labyrinth and gave the original to Black. If he accidentally destroyed the map, at least he would still have a duplicate. Between two in the afternoon and three, Harry read a book teaching how to apparate. Between three and four he called up birds and used them as targets to practice marksmanship. From four to four fifteen Potter tested the workings of a spell against a hedge. At four fifteen, a ghostly chameleon flew into the Room-A-Wish and Moody's voice asked Potter to go to the Defense Against the Dark Arts room.

At four twenty Potter was already at the study door.

- Where have you been? I've been looking all over Hogwarts for you," Alastor growled instead of greeting him.

- I was preparing for my third trial. I'd be out soon enough as it is. What's the emergency?

- No eavesdropping, speak freely. The third and final trial is less than three hours away. I suggest you don't take part in it," Alastor didn't waste time on foreplay, but came straight to the point.

- Not participate? Why not? I've been preparing so much! - Potter was surprised and tried to restrain himself from becoming indignant.

- You should understand it yourself. This whole Tournament thing was just to test your strength. You did well. You did well in the first test, but you failed the second, which was much easier. The third task would have been a nice finishing touch, but a third force intervened.

- The unknown Death Eaters.

- Exactly. Someone favoured you to participate in the Tournament of Three Wizards, but that someone obviously didn't take into account that your interference would increase the number of participants to fifteen. That's how I see the reason why nothing suspicious happened in the first two trials. And when I say nothing suspicious, I mean nothing at all. No interference, no assassination attempts, no conspiracies, no hexes, no rabies was put on your dragon, no water was enchanted, no protection spells worked properly. Ni. Che. Go. I got the feeling that this ill-wisher just dropped your name and left Hogwarts.

- But that can't be true!

- No, it can't. It can't be. I don't understand the logic of the mysterious intruder. He just wanted you to participate.

- In that case, maybe the malcontent isn't a malcontent at all. He's quite the well-wisher. He wanted to make me feel good about entering the Tournament, put my name in the Goblet of Fire. Done.

- No. If that were true, I could find this man. But the trouble is, there's simply no trace of the person who threw the name. I even tested your theory as to whether the Goblet of Fire could have created the second piece of paper itself. No, it couldn't. We are dealing with the most professional spy in our ranks, he leaves no trace and has some sort of purpose. I've checked every teacher three times this year and students once. Nothing.

- And how can we figure out the purpose of the mysterious malevolent?

- Not at the moment, and it's even possible that it's already been realised. However, there is a high probability that his goal, whatever it may be, will be realised during the third test. So, I suggest that you take the precaution of not participating in the third trial.

- And the Goblet of Fire? Will it allow me not to participate?

- No, but all the artefacts can be cheated. You go into the labyrinth. Send out red sparks, and that's it. There's a very good chance you'll disrupt the Eater's plans by doing so. But the choice is yours.

- My choice?

- Of course it is. I don't think you should participate, but you've already proven that you're not a stupid teenager, but an adult who has earned the right to choose his own destiny.

- Hmmm...

Harry thought for a moment. He was faced with yet another choice. Too many difficult decisions he was forced to make, and this was only his second choice. Last time he had chosen correctly. Not participating in the Tournament seemed the more rational option, but so did supporting Tonks and Justin. Taking part in the third trial, however, might not cause anything bad to happen. If he was careful enough, he wouldn't let himself be captured, and he could also form an alliance with someone and reach the Goblet of Fire without too much trouble.

Or maybe the bad guy is one of the participants. And his goal is to kill. Bagman tells us that battles between participants are allowed, and some parts of the maze are left unattended for long periods of time. Then this champion would just need to unleash Avada Kedavra and the deed would be done. We need more information. At least about those he can trust.

- Is there anyone who's above suspicion?

- I'm not even sure I don't have a split personality, and it's not my other personality doing all this. Whoever he is - he used Polyjuice potion before, now he doesn't. Right now, I suspect everyone but you. Though, if you're the traitor, then one of your friends could also be the target, in which case....

- Okay, I get it, I get it.

Harry remembered what Mr Bagman said. He'd bet his entire fortune on him winning. But it's dangerous to take part in the challenge. But he's worked so hard to prepare. Hogwarts' honour could be defended by George Weasley, he could win first place. And Cedric isn't that far away.

- Well? Have you decided? Are you sure about your decision?

- No, how can I be sure of a decision in a situation like this... I need to think. Give me fifteen minutes.

- Okay, think about it. I'll wait for you here. Just don't be late, if you're not going to participate, I'm going to see how the entire faculty reacts to this news. I need time to put up the tracking charms.

At four forty-five, Potter sat on his bed and typed a message to Riddle into his diary.

"Need your advice. There is a possibility that there will be a trap for you in the final trial of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. What would you do in such a situation?"

"Of course I wouldn't participate in it. That's a silly question. Life is the most precious thing I have. I'm obviously not going to sacrifice it for a foolish ego."

"You think so too? What if you prepare well for this trap and because of that, turn the trap against its maker. If I refuse to participate. That person will remain at Hogwarts as a spy. He will be undetectable. On the third trial, I can reveal the identity of Voldemort's henchman. That's the only opportunity I'll have. Is it worth the risk?"

"Do you think this is a trap by the Dark Lord?

"I'm sure it is. I'll either fall for it or I won't. If I fall for it, Voldemort's plan will be put into action, whatever it is. And if I stay alert, I can detect the traitor and defeat him."

"The trap can be remote, I know many ways. But in general you're right, the gamble is worth it. If this is the only opportunity to catch a spy, it must be taken. There won't be another."

"So you think it's still worth participating?"

"Exactly."

"I guess that's what I'll do then. Thank you for helping me make the right choice."

"You're welcome."

Harry felt triumphant. Why was that?

At five o'clock that evening, Harry was standing in the DADA office once again.

- You were late. What have you decided?

- I'm going in.

- Your choice. I don't agree with it, but it makes sense. So, listen to me, you get in trouble, fire blue sparks. Not red. The red ones are for normal trouble. Anything weird or suspicious or whatever, call me for anything weird. I, like most teachers, patrol the labyrinth. If nothing serious happens, I won't interfere, so don't worry about your results, blue sparks won't be a reason for you to be suspended. If I find a trap, I'll intervene. You got it?

- Yes? Isn't there any way to give me an emergency escape route?

- The entrance to the labyrinth is enchanted, all enchanted items lose their properties for a week. I thought about a portal, but within or even outside the rules, you can't pass it to me. The invisibility cloak is the same. I'm sure there's no security breach. I know the creators of the labyrinth, they're powerful mages, they've worked hard, and all the defences are in place. The only foreign object that will get into the labyrinth is the Goblet of Fire, you could try to turn it into a portal, but you still need to get to it. By the way, purely theoretically, the Goblet thing could be done by any of the patrollers. In that case, the first person who touches the cup will be the winner of the Tournament and will also try out the spells potentially cast on him. So, if you ever get the chance, transfigurate someone before you touch it and reassure yourself.

- Got it. Is that it?

- No, that's not all. You can be attacked by any champion and any checker with the intent to kill, red sparks in the first case and blue sparks in the second. Although it's better to release both types of sparks at once in both cases. Pay attention to the spells used. A champion who uses stun and disarm is unlikely to want you dead, and one who throws Avada is probably connected to our spy. Watch the air. The maze is poorly defended from above. Better to just walk around with an air shield, you'll live better. If I find out anything else, I'll let you know. I'll keep you posted. You got any questions?

- Yeah, one question. Who's going to hide the Goblet of Fire in the centre of the maze?

- Professor Flitwick. Dumbledore insisted on Professor Lupin, but I was able to persuade him. Polyjuice potion doesn't work on half-goblins, so it's the safest option.

- So you trust him?

- I don't trust anyone.