•This story takes scenes from the Harry Potter series. I want to make it clear that I don't own those scenes. That's owned by
J.K. Rowling. Thank you•

~Claire~

"I'm so nervous," Scarlett breathed out as we found seats in the stands. I was sat in between George and Scarlett, Fred of course being on Scarlett's other side.

"Don't be," I smiled. "He's gonna do great."

The Quidditch Pitch was unrecognizable with the twenty-foot-high hedge running along the edge of it. You could see where the Champions were with their Head Masters and judges, but the rest of the maze was covered in mist to the point where you couldn't see a thing.

The stars were starting to peep through the deepening blue sky, and I knew Sirius wouldn't be to happy when I got back.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" A voice boomed throughout the stands. "The third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament is about to begin! Let me remind you how the points currently stand! Tied in first place, on eighty-five points each — Mr. Cedric Diggory and Mr. Harry Potter, both of Hogwarts School!" We all cheered loudly, Scarlett letting out a big 'Whoop!'

"In second place, on eighty points — Mr. Viktor Krum, of Durmstrang Institute!" More applause. "And in third place — Miss Fleur Delacour, of Beauxbatons Academy!"

At the blow of a whistle, Harry and Cedric ran into the maze. A second blow and Viktor went. At the last blow of his whistle Fleur was gone.

For what felt like hours we sat there waiting. We made light conversation as the time passed, but I'd be lying if I said my nerves weren't growing at every second that passed.

When the first red sparks flew into the air, I held my breath in anticipation.

Not Harry.

An hour later, and no sign of anything.

Another hour passed and then, bam!

Out of nowhere Harry and Cedric appeared where they started, clutching the cup with them. I stood up to get a better look at him. Albus was bent over talking to him, blocking him from my view.

And then all of a sudden a voice called out something none of us expected. "He's dead!"

And then again. "He's dead! Cedric Diggory! Dead!"

A gasp left my mouth and I immediately looked over at Amos and his wife, both who were left dumbstruck.

All at once everyone moved forward. The Diggorys' had a space cleared for them to get through but I had to fight through the crowd.

By the time I got down there Dumbledore had led Harry away to what I assumed to be the Hospital Wing. Amos and his wife were sobbing over Cedric's body and I felt an immediate pang in my heart. I couldn't even begin to imagine how I'd feel had that been Harry.

"Clairesse," a voice said behind me. I turned around to see Minerva, her eyes darting around the crowd. "Get Sirius up here. Dumbledore's requested you both meet him in his office."

I just nodded, still in shock of everything that was happening. I hurried up to the castle, sending a patronus to Sirius once I knew nobody could see or hear me. I ran up to Dumbledore's office, making it there right when Sirius stumbled out of the fireplace.

"Claire what's wrong?! What happened?!"

"Ced–Cedric he's–he's dead."

"What?!"

"I don't kn–I don't know," I cried out. "But Harry looked so shak–so shaken up. And Miner–Minerva said to meet Al–Albus up here."

"Hey, Hey, breathe," Sirius said, putting his hands on my shoulders so that I was looking at him. "It's going to be okay."

The door burst open and Albus appeared with Harry. In one swift moment Sirius and I were by Harry, checking over his injuries and asking him if he was okay.

"Harry, are you alright? I knew it–I knew something like this–what happened?" Sirius fussed. I noticed his hands shook as he helped Harry into a chair. We took the chairs on either side of him and Albus took his own on the other side.

"What happened?" I asked Albus, realizing Harry wasn't going to be telling us. I took Harry's hand and held it tightly as Albus started explaining everything.

Harry's head hung low as Albus told us about Barty Crouch and how he had been leading Harry up to this the whole time.

"I need to know what happened after you touched the Portkey in the maze, Harry," Albus said.

"We can leave that till morning, can't we, Albus?" Sirius said harshly. He had put a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Let him have a sleep. Let him rest."

Albus leaned towards Harry, who looked up very reluctantly.

"If I thought I could help you," Albus said gently, "by putting you into an enchanted sleep and allowing you to postpone the moment when you would have to think about what has happened tonight, I would do it. But I know better. Numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it. You have shown bravery beyond anything I could have expected of you. I ask you to demonstrate your courage one more time. I ask you to tell us what happened."

I exchanged a worried glance with Sirius as Harry gulped, adjusting his position in his chair.

He took a deep breath and began to tell us. He spoke of the Death Eaters and Peter. The potion in which Voldemort had risen from. He described the graveyard they were in and how he was trapped against one of the graves where Peter cut his arm. Sirius and I proceeded to check his arm after that.

Once or twice Sirius and I would go to interrupt, but Albus would just hold a hand up.

For another hour we listened to Harry tell his story, Albus asking questions here and there. Finally Albus had heard what he wanted.

"You have shown bravery beyond anything I could have expected of you tonight, Harry. You have shown bravery equal to those who died fighting Voldemort at the height of his powers. You have shouldered a grown wizard's burden and found yourself equal to it — and you have now given us all we have a right to expect. You will come with me to the hospital wing. I do not want you returning to the dormitory tonight. A Sleeping Potion, and some peace...Claire and Sirius, would you like to stay with him?"

We both nodded, standing up with them. Sirius turned into his Animagus form and walked next to me on our way down. I still held Harry's hand, but now he was squeezing it back just as tight.

When Albus pushed the door to the Hospital Wing open we were met by Molly, Bill, Ron, Hermione, Fred, Scarlett, and a harassed-looking Madam Pomfrey. They appeared to be demanding to know where Harry was and what had happened to him. All of them whipped around as we entered, Molly letting out a kind of muffled scream.

"Harry! Oh Harry!"

She started to hurry toward him, but Albus moved between them.

"Molly," he said, holding up a hand, "please listen to me for a moment. Harry has been through a terrible ordeal tonight. He has just had to relive it for me. What he needs now is sleep, and peace, and quiet. If he would like you all to stay with him," he added, looking around at everyone, "you may do so. But I do not want you questioning him until he is ready to answer, and certainly not this evening."

Molly nodded. She was very white. She rounded on Ron, Hermione, Bill, Fred, and Scarlett as though they were being noisy, and hissed, "Did you hear? He needs quiet!"

"Headmaster," Madam Pomfrey piped, staring at Sirius, "may I ask what—?"

"This dog will be remaining with Harry for a while," Albus said simply. "I assure you, he is extremely well trained. Harry — I will wait while you get into bed."

Molly and I helped Madam Pomfrey as we got him situated in the bed.

"I will be back to see you as soon as I have met with Fudge, Harry," Albus stated. "I would like you to remain here tomorrow until I have spoken to the school."

Molly left briefly as Madam Pomfrey closed the curtains, allowing me to help her in changing Harry into pajamas. Once he was dressed and back in the bed we opened the curtains again. Sirius strolled over and jumped in the bed with him, cuddling into his side. But the kids all just stayed back staring.

"I'm all right," Harry sighed. "Just tired."

Madam Pomfrey came bustling back over with a small bottle of some purple potion. She instructed him to drink it and watched impatiently as he drank it reluctantly.

Within a few minutes the potion had kicked in and he was fast asleep.

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We had all been making light conversation around Harry's bed as no one could fall asleep, when we heard people talking outside the doors. We could just barely make out Minerva's voice and what sounded like Fudge's voice.

The doors were thrown open and Fudge came striding in with Minerva and, unexpectedly, Snivellus on his heels. Bill pulled back the curtains and we all leaned forward to see what was happening.

"Where's Dumbledore?" Fudge demanded of Molly.

"He's not here," Molly scowled. "This is a hospital wing. Minister, don't you think you do better to—"

But the door opened once more and Albus came sweeping up the ward.

"What has happened?" Albus asked sharply, looking from Fudge to Minerva. "Why are you disturbing these people? Minerva, I'm surprised at you–I asked you to stand guard over Barty Crouch—"

"There is no need to stand guard over him anymore, Dumbledore!" Minerva shrieked. "The Minister has seen to that!"

Minerva looked pissed. Her cheeks had angry red blotches and her hands were balled into fists; she was practically trembling in fury.

"When we told Mr. Fudge that we had caught the Death Eater responsible for tonight's events," Snivellus drawled in his disturbingly low voice, "he insisted on summoning a dementor to accompany him into the castle. He brought it up to the office where Barty Crouch–"

"I told him you would not agree, Dumbledore!" Minerva fumed. "I told him you would never allow dementors to step foot inside the castle, but–"

"My dear woman!" Fudge roared, who looked even more angry than Minerva. "As Minister of Magic, it is my decision whether I wish to bring protection with me when interviewing a possibly dangerous–"

"The moment that-that thing entered the room," Minerva screamed, drowning out Fudge's voice, "it swooped down on Crouch and-and–"

The pieces clicked and we all realized what had happened. She didn't need to finish her sentence for us to realize that Barty Crouch has received the Dementor's Kiss.

"By all accounts, he is no loss!" Fudge exclaimed. "It seems he has been responsible for several deaths."

"But he cannot now give testimony, Cornelius," Albus stated. He was glaring at Fudge, who was pacing back and forth. "He cannot give evidence about why he killed those people."

The two went back and forth for what felt like hours. Fudge claiming the idea of You-Know-Who having come back as preposterous and dubbing Harry has bloody mad. Sirius growled at some points and it wasn't until Harry piped in did anyone stop arguing.

"Listen to me, Cornelius," Albus spoke so calmly it was scary. "Harry is as sane as you or I. That scar upon his forehead has not addled his brains. I believe it hurts him when Lord Voldemort is close by, or feeling particularly murderous."

Fudge took a step back, but he only looked more livid.

"You'll forgive me, Dumbledore, but I've never heard of a cursed scar acting as an alarm bell before...."

"Look, I saw Voldemort come back!" Harry shouted. He tried to get out of the bed but Molly and I quickly held him back. "I saw the Death Eaters! I can give you their names! Lucius Malfoy–"

"Malfoy was cleared!" Fudge shot. "A very old family — donations to excellent causes–"

"Macnair!" Harry continued.

"Also cleared! Now working for the Ministry!"

"Avery – Nott – Crabbe – Goyle–"

"You are merely repeating the names of those who were acquitted of being Death Eaters thirteen years ago!" Fudge stated angrily. "You could have found those names in old reports of the trials! For heavens sake, Dumbledore — the boy was full of some crackpot story at the end of last year too — the boy can talk to snakes, Dumbledore, and you still think he's trustworthy?"

"Of course he's bloody trustworthy! The boy's just fourteen what the hell do you think he's planning on doing?!" I cracked, clenching my fists in frustration. "You can talk to humans? Well fuck! Whatever do we do now?!"

"Clairesse," Molly hissed, "calm down!"

"No, Molly, it's quite alright," Fudge seethed. "It seems to me that you are all determined to start a panic that will destabilize everything we have worked for these last thirteen years!"

"Voldemort has returned," Albus repeated. "If you accept that fact straightaway, Fudge, and take the necessary measures, we may still be able to save the situation. The first and most essential step is to remove Azkaban from the control of the dementors–"

"Preposterous!" Fudge practically screamed. "Remove the dementors? I'd be kicked out of office for suggesting it! Half of us only feel safe in our beds at night because we know the dementors are standing guard at Azkaban!"

And again it was constant back and forth bickering. Dementors work for Voldemort, Dementors keep us safe. Invite the giants to join us, giants are meant to be feared. Fudge is blinded by his superiority, Albus is "working against him."

Finally Snivellus decided to intervene, shocking us all by pulling up his sleeve to reveal the Dark Mark.

"There," he said harshly. "There. The Dark Mark. It is not as clear as it was an hour or so ago, when it burned black, but you can still see it. Every Death Eater has the sign burned into him by the Dark Lord. It was a means of distinguishing one another, and his means of summoning us to him. When he touched the Mark of any Death Eater, we were to Disapparate, and Apparate, instantly, at his side. This Mark has been growing clearer all year. Karkaroff's too. Why do you think Karkaroff fled tonight? We both felt the Mark burn. We both knew he had returned. Karkaroff fears the Dark Lord's vengeance. He betrayed too many of his fellow Death Eaters to be sure of a welcome back into the fold."

Fudge stepped away from Snivellus, shaking his head. He stared at the Mark in disgust, muttering something to Albus before marching away. He had almost reached the door when he stopped, turning around and quickly making his way toward Harry.

"Your winnings," he muttered, dropping a large bag of gold on his bedside table. "One thousand Galleons. There should have been a presentation ceremony, but under the circumstances..."

He shoved his bowler hat on and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Once he was for sure gone, Albus turned back to us.

"There is work to be done," he said. "Molly...am I right in thinking that I can count on you and Arthur?"

"Of course you can," Molly nodded.

"Claire?" Albus turned to me, raising an eyebrow.

"Absolutely," I agreed.

"Then I shall send some letters," Albus decided. "All those that we can persuade of the truth must be notified immediately."

"I'll go to Dad," Bill said, standing up. "I'll go now."

"Excellent," Albus said. "Tell him what has happened. Tell him I will be in direct contact with him shortly. He will need to be discreet, however. If Fudge thinks I am interfering at the Ministry–"

"Leave it to me," Bill assured.

"Minerva." Albus turned his attention to her. "I want to see Hagrid in my office as soon as possible. Also — if she will consent to come — Madam Maxime."

Minerva nodded and scurried out without a word.

"Poppy," Albus continued, "would you be very kind and go down to Professor Moody's office, where I think you will find a house-elf called Winky in considerable distress? Do what you can for her, and take her back to the kitchens. I think Dobby will look after her for us."

"Very–very well," Poppy agreed, looking startled as she left.

"And now," Albus sighed, "it is time for two of our number to recognize each other for what they are. Sirius...if you could resume your usual form."

My eyes widened at his words, looking over at an appalled Molly. After some hesitation, Sirius turned back, resulting in a scream from Molly.

"Sirius Black!" She shrieked, pointing at him.

"Mum, shut up!" Ron yelled. "It's okay!"

Snivellus held a look of anger and horror, sticking his nose up at Sirius and snarling, "Him! What is he doing here?"

"He is here at my invitation," Albus stated firmly, looking between Snivellus and Molly, "as are you, Severus. I trust you both. It is time for you to lay aside your old differences and trust each other."

"He got my family murdered!" Molly exclaimed, flailing her arms.

"Molly I can assure you I did no such thing," Sirius spoke calmly. "I was very close to Camellia and Fabian and Gideon were quite the entertainment. Much like Fred and George I hear."

"You have no right speaking their names! Especially my sons!" Molly spat.

"Molly, please, he wouldn't ever," I sighed exasperatedly. "If you'd allow us to, we can explain later."

"Thank you, Clairesse," Albus said, ignoring my frustration at the use of my full name. "You will shake hands. You are on the same side now. Time is short, and unless the few of us who know the truth stand united, there is no hope for any of us."

Sirius grimaced as Albus indicated over to Snivellus. I held back a snort as he very reluctantly shook his hand. I could tell he was just itching to wipe the grease off his hand.

He shook Molly's hand more sorrowfully, wincing at Molly's cold glare.

"Now I have work for all of you," Albus announced, stepping between them. "Fudge's attitude, though not unexpected, changes everything. Claire and Sirius, I need you to set off at once. You are to alert Remus Lupin, Arabella Figg, Mundungus Fletcher — the old crowd. Lie low at your safe place for a while with Scarlett; I will contact you there."

"But–" Harry started.

"You'll see us very soon, Harry," Sirius promised.

"We just have to do what we can to help," I explained. "You understand, don't you?"

"Yeah," Harry nodded. "Yeah...of course I do."

"Scarlett," I addressed her, turning to where she had her head rested on Fred's shoulder. "I'll be at the platform to pick you up, and feel free to invite Fred to come over sometime over the summer if Molly will allow it."

"I most certainly will no—!"

"Of course, Mum," Scarlett nodded. "Love you."

"Love you too, Baby," I smiled, Sirius and I blowing her a kiss.

Sirius turned back into his Animagus form and we left without another word.

Guess it's time to see some old friends again.
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This only took forever. For some reason editing this was a pain too.
Partly because I was trying to do it in the middle of health class and I was very distracted. I literally did nothing the whole class cause my friends and I realized we literally represent the Marauders.
Obviously I was Sirius.
I've gotten to the point where I update so often I don't have anything to put in my Author's Notes, so I'm just gonna day I love y'all and I hope you enjoyed! Have a fantabulous day! ¡Adios!
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