I was stunned by the responses for last chapter…you guys are awesome! Pretty sure I've said this before but my day was made (three days in a row actually), Thank you!

Gotta say this though. If I was nervous about the last chapter, I am beyond that for this one. After reading through the responses I realized that so many of you have high expectations for this chapter…so yeah…just hope this doesn't disappoint.

Enjoy :)

CHAPTER 12

Yesterday had been unnaturally short. The day was over within a few blinks of an eye. Fleur had been gone for the whole morning. Aurélie and the others informed him that she had been in her room with her parents. She had later come back looking simply ecstatic about something and had clung onto him from then for the remainder of the day, refusing to tell him what she was so happy about.

The sight of the two of them at dinner earned them a lot more envious and longing gazes which went unnoticed by the couple. They were simply put, in a world of their own, oblivious to everything else much to the Delacour's amusement when they were informed by Fleur's friends that this was a common occurrence. Neither Fleur nor Harry even batted an eye at anyone else, although both were mercilessly teased by all parties afterwards.

Mrs. Weasley glowered at the pair from her place down at the Gryffindor table with Ron, Ginny and Hermione. Things had not been well for her since her confrontation with Harry. She had never dreamed that Harry would ever talk back to her. She had tried to speak to him again only to find him smile mechanically at her before excusing himself and walking off rendering her speechless. That was only the beginning of her worries.

Lupin, an old acquaintance and the one she suspected was Harry's guardian was refusing to listen to her advice. That the best thing for Harry was to forbid him from associating with that silver haired scarlet woman. Why couldn't he see that she wasn't right for Harry? He should have someone that knew how to properly look after him, someone who was around his age, someone who was not a Veela.

She didn't like the things she heard from Ron and Ginny. From what she heard, it seems that Harry had drifted far away from them. Even from Hermione. She was slightly guilty about this, but she had been extremely happy when she first found out that Ron had befriended Harry Potter of all people. The position he holds in the wizarding world made him an invaluable friend to their family. Now it seems that has slipped out from under their grasp.

She'd thought Harry would have stopped fooling around with the French girl after reading the letter she sent him. This had been her way of opening the path for Ginny but it seemed that plan had gone down in flames too. She knew of her daughter's affections for him, from the way she had been pining for him all summer. It had all been going so perfectly and one night at the National Quidditch stadium had changed everything. She had heard about Harry meeting the French girl at the match from an annoyed Ginny but had dismissed it seeing there was no way that the two would meet again. How wrong she was.

She was extremely disappointed and furious with her eldest sons. Both Bill and Charlie had refused to talk to Harry about the French girl. Charlie was actually happy for him and Bill…Bill had a slightly dazed look when he gazed at her. They were both sitting farther up at the table with the twins, Delacours, Lupin, the annoying black dog, Harry and the girl. She was going to be having words with them once they got back to the Burrow. This summer was not going to be a pleasant one for her older sons.

Harry did not have a pleasant night. He had been a fool thinking that he could have gotten even a wink of sleep.

He was prepared. How could he not be? He had spent the last few months preparing for it. Gone over every possibility. The third task…all he had to do was navigate through it to the center and get past whatever obstacles were thrown at him. Considering the last two tasks this seemed almost tame. He didn't care if he won or lost, after today it would all be over.

Why then was the old uneasiness settling in? Why did he feel that today was going to raise a storm? A storm that had been biding its time, slowly building itself up. Why did he feel that today was the beginning of the end?

These were the thoughts playing over and over again in Harry's mind as he lay on his bed for hours, trying his hardest to get some sleep. It must have been hours since he had been as still as possible on his bed, staring up at the blank canvas. Glancing at his watch he saw that it was still 3 in the morning. Deciding to take a walk to calm his nerves he got up as quietly as possible so as to not wake the others up. Pulling on the robes he'd gotten from Aurélie for Christmas he headed out after securely strapping his wand holster to his arm and slinging his bag with the Invisibility cloak stuffed inside on his shoulder.

They had gotten instructions that they will be using their usual school robes for the final task. Seeing as he wasn't the champion for any of them, might as well wear something different and make Aurélie happy at the same time. She had been rather put out that he hadn't worn them even once since he got them. The Fat Lady didn't question what he was doing out of bed when he climbed out of the portrait hole, instead choosing to wish him luck. Outside he threw on the cloak and barely ten minutes later he was out of the castle, breathing in the fresh air. The crisp, yet gentle breeze clearing his mind and soothing him.

The remaining hours until it was time for breakfast slipped by in the blink of an eye much to his amusement. He had been lying in bed, tossing and turning with the thoughts that plagued his mind a few hours ago wishing for time to speed up and it had been creeping along at a snail's pace. Now that he was relaxed, time just sped up.

The Hogwarts students were already up and having breakfast when he entered the Great Hall at 7 in the morning, causing him to stare in surprise for a few moments before he realized that the rest of the school had been having exams since two days ago. He had barely even noticed it with his preparations for the third task.

The third task was going to take place in the evening, sharp at 5pm. By that time all students' exams would be over. Most of them gaped at him since he wasn't wearing the usual school robes but he ignored them and took his place at the Gryffindor table, taking care to distance himself as much as possible from Mrs. Weasley who was once again glowering at him.

Grinning inwardly he glanced around, noticing that almost all of the student's had their books open and were trying to get some last minute revision in while eating. Even the twins who usually greeted him loudly and in extravagant poses, ranging from bowing to kneeling only managed a quick greeting before turning distractedly back to their work causing Harry and Basile (who was the only one present from their usual crowd) to exchange smirks seeing as neither had exams. The Beauxbatons students had already finished their exams a week before the third task.

Fleur arrived with Aurélie who was delighted when she saw what Harry was wearing. Shortly afterwards the Hogwarts students filed out since it was time for their second to last exam leaving the Harry and the French students alone. Cedric and Krum also took off after greeting him and Fleur, no doubt to use the remaining time to get some practicing in. Fleur was more or less as prepared as Harry, so they opted to spend the remaining time with the others in the grounds.

After a quick lunch at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade with the Delacours, Sirius (in dog form again much to the amusement of Gabrielle and Rosmerta who couldn't get enough of its antics) and Lupin, who had become good friends with Dominique, they headed back to the castle to wait out the remaining few hours.

Harry's feeling of uneasiness kept increasing in intensity as the sky darkened with 5pm fast approaching. It didn't help that Sirius looked more worried than he had ever seen him when he led Harry away to the Room of Requirement an hour before the task to speak to him.

"I want you to use everything you have learned to get this over with as fast as you can." Sirius said sternly as soon as he changed back to human form when they were safely inside the Room of Requirement. "I don't care if you blast your way through the maze, the sooner you're out of that place the better."

"Got it." Harry muttered, trying and failing to grin. Sirius then pulled him into a tight hug before ruffling his hair. Try as he might, even Sirius couldn't keep the worry off his face. Since time was slowly running out he transformed back and they hurried back downstairs.

The Great Hall was buzzing with activity when they got down. The students were happily celebrating the end of their exams and were excited for the upcoming task. In no time at all Dumbledore stood up and asked the champions to start making their way to the Quidditch pitch and Harry shakily got up with Fleur, Cedric and Krum and exited to deafening cheers from the students. They were directed to a tent just outside the Quidditch pitch where Bagman was waiting for them.

"First, allow me to congratulate each and every one of you for making it this far. All of you showed talent the likes of which only a few can hope to display." He smiled at them, receiving grimaces in return.

"Now, as I have explained before, Mr. Potter will enter at the sound of the whistle at precisely 5pm. After two minutes it will be Miss Delacour, followed by Mr. Krum and Mr. Diggory. You have to navigate your way to the center of the maze where the cup stands, the first to grab it, wins. I trust there are no questions at this point?" The four of them shook their heads and he nodded in approval.

"Should you at any point find yourself unable to continue, you need only send up red sparks with your wands. There are already people stationed within the maze to ensure your safety, one of them will come get you. Remember that if you are removed from the maze, you are effectively forfeiting the task." He stayed silent for a moment, after ensuring that there were no more questions he broke into his boyish grin. "It's almost time, better assume your starting positions outside the maze. May the best man or woman win!"

Harry didn't even know exactly when his hand had found Fleur's, but he was immensely glad for the comfort her touch offered. When they walked out they found the Delacours, Lupin, Sirius, Aurélie, Caroline, Amy, Krum and Cedric's parents waiting for them. The stands were already fit to burst with the students and the applause which had been muffled, no doubt by magic when inside the tent, was extremely loud, reminding him of the Quidditch World cup.

They took their places beside the entrance to the maze, one narrow pathway obscured by a thick fog. Harry had never noticed it before, really noticed it, but the Quidditch pitch was massive. Easily the length and width of a muggle football field, maybe even larger. From the air it had never seemed as it did now. Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Madame Maxime and Karkaroff were all waiting just outside the entrance.

Fleur was pulled into a hug by her parents and afterwards by the French witches, not wanting to intrude on them Harry moved to the side to find himself engulfed in a hug by Lupin who, just like Sirius, looked extremely worried except he also had a hint of pride in his eyes as he surveyed him. He was then highly embarrassed when each of the three girls hugged him in turn, kissing his cheeks causing those watching to chuckle when his face took on a red glow. He was also surprised, yet pleased when Apolline hugged him, followed by Gabrielle.

After wishing Krum and Cedric good luck, the latter who immediately grabbed him in a headlock making him struggle trying to break free while the others watched in amusement, he turned to Fleur who was watching expectantly.

"See you at the cup?" He asked lightly with a grin, drawing closer to her while she smirked.

"Not if I get zere first." She replied making him grin wider. "Promise me you won't do anyzing foolish." She said softly, her smirk vanishing. His grin vanished too as he stared at her eyes. She saw the worry etched in them, she had noticed all the smiles he had worn all day were fake. There was something troubling him.

"Only if you promise that you'll be safe." He murmured. Her eyes widened in surprise when she felt his lips gently caress hers before she closed them and wrapped her arms around him, deepening the kiss, completely oblivious to the fact that everyone were watching along with her parents. They pulled away a few moments later and after one final hug, Harry took his place in front of the entrance to the maze and drew his wand. Bagman was yelling something that was lost in the roar of the crowd.

Then, a sharp whistle pierced the air, carrying over the noise from the crowd and after glancing back at Fleur one more time, he walked swiftly into the fog which immediately cleared almost as soon as he stepped into it and the way ahead of him was clear, albeit with a darkened atmosphere. The noise from the crowds was nonexistent and it was eerily silent. Behind him the thick fog covered the entrance from view. Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, he cautiously moved forward.

Reaching his first fork, leading left and right, he decided to take the left one. Walking on he felt a slight chill down his spine and glanced back feeling his pulse quicken. The feeling of uneasiness was slowly coming back at full force and he slowed his pace so that the noise his footsteps were making were muffled. Just then he heard a faint, high pitched noise that startled him before he realized it was the whistle. Fleur had now entered the maze too. Resisting the temptation to go back to her he trudged onward.

The path ahead again split to the sides and acting on instinct, he took the one on the right. They were supposed to navigate to the center of the maze after all. A few steps later he found another path leading to the right while his current one led onward. Taking the right he walked on as another faint whistle sounded, announcing Krum was in too. After walking about a dozen steps onward he found that it was a dead end and immediately backtracked.

He was beginning to feel slightly apprehensive now. Shouldn't he have met some obstacle by now? There was a muffled bang and a dim flash of purple in the sky which announced one of the champions had used a spell meaning they had already encountered something. Hearing a faint whistle again which announced Cedric was finally in too he quickened his pace.

It seemed that luck was not with him today as his choices at forks led him to dead ends more often than he found a clear way forward. The four pointer spell wasn't helping much and he was now beginning to feel like he should just blast the hedges down and forge a clear path to the center.

Hitting another dead end he backtracked and took the path to the right at the next fork and this time came to a clearing and almost immediately an unnatural fog covered the entire area. Cautiously he edged forward and saw a bright light swinging to the sides in front of him. He had almost followed it when he froze, remembering something he was taught last year. Fighting the impulse to follow the light he whispered "Forma petram" and a rock materialized in front of him before falling to the ground with a dull thud.

"Wingardium Leviosa" He whispered again. The rock rose to the air a few inches and he guided it in front of him, just enough distance in front of him so that it was barely visible and stopped the spell allowing the rock to fall. The wet squelch confirmed his suspicions and he waited as the light drew closer. A small, thin hand appeared out of the fog, holding onto a lantern from which was emitting the light and without wasting another second he shouted "Stupefy!" pointing his wand at it. A wet squelch announced something dropping to the ground and he allowed himself a moment of triumph.

"Glacius" He murmured, directing his wand at the ground in front of him as and a column of frigid air burst out of the end of his wand which he kept up for a few seconds. Then, breaking the spell he gingerly stepped forward. The ground had hardened and he slowly made his way towards the lantern.

His suspicions had indeed been correct as he came upon an unconscious creature that resembled garden gnomes back at the Burrow. It was a Hinkypunk. They were creatures that lured unsuspecting travelers into swamps with the light from their lanterns. Feeling grateful for Lupin's lessons on them last year he proceeded onward as the dense fog steadily cleared. At the edge he found another fork and took the one leading forward and trudged on.

Suddenly, a faint wind started blowing which steadily grew stronger and the hedges started rustling. Glancing behind in panic he realized the hedges were closing in from both sides and small vines were coming out from under them. One entangled itself around his leg and he quickly wrenched his foot free before breaking into a run. He almost tripped when another vine shot out and wrapped around his legs again but he took care of them with a quick severing charm.

Coming onto fork he dashed to the one on the right. The wind stopped abruptly and he glanced behind. The path from where he had come from was blocked and he was now staring at a dead end. After taking a moment to steady his nerves he continued onward. A few seconds later he heard Bagman's voice, faint but he could hear the words clearly. "The Durmstrang champion has been ejected from the maze." Looks like Krum got trapped by the hedges? Now it was only him, Fleur and Cedric in the maze. Quickening his pace he walked swiftly onward, his wand at the ready.

He kept glancing over his shoulder repeatedly. He felt like he was being watched and unless he was imagining it, he kept hearing a faint growl. Reaching another fork in front of him he took the one leading to left this time. Rounding a corner he found himself found himself looking at a fine golden mist that was hanging a few feet in front of him. He could clearly see his path in front of him and he cautiously edged closer to it. Coming as close as he deemed safe he tilted his head sideways, surveying it. It looked like an enchantment of some kind.

Cycling through the various enchantments he read about he frowned, he had a few suspicions what this was but he'd never tried to dispel an enchantment before. Each enchantment had a unique spell to dispel it and right now he could think of two enchantments that carried this color. Deciding to test his theory he conjured a rounded pebble this time and like before, guided it into the mist. It rotated slightly and remained suspended in mid-air even though he stopped the levitating it.

Frowning slightly he conjured another pebble, but this time he shaped it in the form of a triangle. Guiding it towards them mist as before he watched in fascination as it immediately rotated, now suspended upside down. Grinning slightly he stepped forward and into the mist and immediately the world turned upside down and he felt the blood rush to his head. Then he took another step forward and the world righted itself again.

Shaking his head slightly he moved onward. He had recognized the enchantment and knew the spell to dispel it but seeing as he'd never tried it and that it was harmless, this way was better. It was probably meant to make the champions panic and lose valuable time.

Rounding a corner he sighed exasperatedly when he reached another fork. Using the four pointer spell he chose the one on the left and walked onward. The way ahead of him was clear and he sighed in relief seeing that it wasn't a dead end. Walking on he reached rounded another corner and he walked straight into a dark shape that stumbled out in front of him and he immediately jumped back, stunning spell ready in his lips as his wand tip started glowing red when he realized he was pointing his wand at a wide eyed Cedric who also had his wand pointed at him.

"It's only you." Cedric murmured, lowering his wand as Harry did the same. Harry peered down the path where Cedric had stumbled out of.

"Dead end?" He asked, jerking his head down the path.

"Yeah. So…shall we go on?" He asked with a nervous smile. Harry noticed that Cedric's hand was shaking slightly, he was…afraid? Come to think of it, maybe he was too. He still had the feeling that he was being watched from time to time.

"Yeah, lets go." The two started walking along the narrow path side by side. "Krum got taken out?" He asked. Cedric winced slightly and nodded.

"Yeah, he was with me at the time...did you have the maze closing in on you too at some point?" Cedric asked. Harry nodded. "That happened. We started running and he fell. The vines got him and I couldn't cut him free…I couldn't do anything. I had to leave him."

"It's alright." Harry said quietly. It was clear that Cedric was troubled by having to leave Krum behind. "He's outside and I don't think he'd blame you."

"I wish I was out too." Cedric muttered. "Something feels…off. I could have sworn I heard growling and I thought I saw…" He trailed off, mumbling incoherently. Harry was instantly alert.

"I heard that too. What did you see?" He asked sharply. Cedric grimaced.

"I thought I saw someone…something I don't know." His voice trembled slightly. "It was standing at the edge of the path I was taking...a few minutes before I ran into you. It didn't feel right and I thought it'd be better to avoid it."

"Did you see Fleur anywhere?" he asked, his voice shook slightly. What Cedric just told him drove his worry into new levels.

"No…no I didn't. I'm sure she's fine Harry." Cedric said softly. "I think I heard her at some point…her voice before I ran into that thing I saw. I think she was on the path beside mine." He nodded slowly and they walked on. Soon they reached another fork and they stopped, looking at each other.

"Let's finish this as soon as possible." Cedric said. Harry nodded, if they split up at least one of them had the chance to get the cup. The sooner someone took the cup, the sooner they were out of here.

"Good luck." Harry murmured, choosing the path on the right while Cedric nodded. After walking a few steps Harry started walking swiftly, he knew they were closing in on their goal. He could almost feel it. He wanted to make sure Fleur was alright. He kept listening intently, hoping to catch Bagman's announcements in case Fleur was taken outside too. He found himself wishing that she was taken out of the maze. Just like Cedric said, something didn't feel right about this place. If she was outside he'd be sure that she was safe from harm.

He didn't know if it was just his imagination wild, but he felt the growling was getting louder. It was now accompanied by a faint footsteps and he kept glancing back over his shoulder more frequently now. At times he felt as if whatever was growling was right next to him, separated from him by the hedge. He reached another fork and took the one leading to the left and walked a few steps before a terrible scream pierced the air that threw his mind into blind panic. He knew that voice.

"Fleur!" He yelled and he broke into a run, throwing caution to the winds. The scream came from the left and he ran forward, rounding a corner and growled when he found it was a dead end. Panic still clouding his thoughts he bellowed "Reducto!", pouring a large amount of energy into the spell, pointing his wand at the hedge. A brilliant bolt of light erupted from the end of his wand and slammed into the hedge disintegrating a section of it. It was incredibly thick. Pointing his wand at it again he yelled "Confringo!" and the hole grew wider, showing the other side. He scrambled through it, paying no heed to the twigs that ripped at his skin.

He emerged in a clearing and a burst of flame slammed into the ground in front of him. Looking at the side he noticed it was one of Hagrid's blast-ended skrewts. It was enormous and its shell was gleaming, it's end smoking with sparks flying out it. Fleur wasn't here, her scream came from further away. I don't have time for this.

He dashed to the other side to find that there were no paths leading away from the clearing, the only way away was backwards, away from the skrewt and away from where Fleur's scream came. Glancing at the skrewt he noticed it was blocking the path leading onward. It was advancing on him now and he raised his wand, yelling "Stupefy!" only to find the spell rebound off the shell. The dam shell, how could he forget? He'd prepared for himself to the side as the skrewt rushed at him he aimed at it again and roared "Exercitatio!"

A thin, violet beam erupted from his wand. When it reached the skrewt he heard a sickening crunch as the shell was starting to crack. Mere seconds later the skrewt made a funny clicking noise as the shell cracked, the beam penetrating its skin and it slumped forward. Edging around it he fired an Impediment hex at it for good measure as it was slowly getting back up. As he reached the open pathway he turned around and dashed through it, not looking back. A familiar wind started blowing and he looked behind him as the hedges started closing in around him as before and he ran flat out as the vines started coming out again.

Rounding another corner he dashed to the path on the left, hoping that this was where Fleur last was just as the wind stopped abruptly again and the way behind him was sealed off, silence settling in again.

"Fleur?" He called, walking on with his wand at the ready. His heart was hammering in his chest. Did something happen to her? What if she…Stop thinking like that!

The way ahead of him was clear, there was another path that joined the one he was on coming from the right but he trudged onward. A few feet in front of him he could just make out something lying on the ground. Drawing closer his mind was slowly starting to shut down. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. No…no no no.

He could recognize the silvery white hair splayed out on the ground. Her eyes glassy and lifeless, staring at the sky above her. "No…" He whispered. "Fleur…" She wasn't moving. His wand slipped from his hand, falling to the floor beside him as his eyes widened, refusing to believe what he was seeing. His legs gave way from under him and he fell to his knees as he stared at the lifeless body of the woman he loved. Staring blankly at her he felt as if he was slipping away into a void. Pain the likes of which he'd never imagined took over him and he couldn't stop the anguished yell the escaped his lips.

(A few minutes ago)

Fleur screamed as she struggled hard against the monstrous spider that lifted her off the floor. None of her spells worked against it, everything she tried just bounced off it. How could she have been so careless to allow herself to be caught?

"Stupefy!" She shouted, aiming straight at the spider's head. The spell did nothing more than annoy it as it clicked angrily. "No! Impedimenta! Incendio!" Neither of the spells did anything. The spider lifted her higher, in a last ditch attempt she aimed her wand again, "Expelliarmus!" A blinding red light erupted from her wand and slammed into it. Without warning it dropped her and she fell hard on the floor, whimpering as she felt a sharp pain shoot up her right leg. Not wasting any more time she aimed at its underside at yelled "Impedimenta!" Miraculously, the spell had an effect as it immediately froze.

Scrambling out from under it she willed herself to get up, doing her best to ignore the pain in her leg and limped towards the open pathway behind it. She could already hear the spider moving behind her. Ignoring the pain she moved on, clutching the hedge for support and rounded a corner. She looked at her leg and grimaced. She didn't know how much longer she could keep walking.

The maze had been full of surprises, she faced red caps, fire crabs and now, if it was what she suspected it was, an acromantula. What were these people playing at? The enchantments in addition to the creatures weren't too challenging to break but to put a danger level 5 magical beast in the maze was a little too over the top. She didn't even have time to send up red sparks.

There was also something lurking in the maze that gave her a very bad feeling. She kept wondering how the others were doing, Harry in particular. She knew he could handle anything the maze threw at him but she couldn't help but worry.

She had been slowly walking along the path and rounded another corner when a faint wind started blowing. Looking back she saw that the hedges were closing in and she quickened her pace, trying to go as fast as she could with her injured leg. She could feel vines grabbing at her legs and she kept firing severing charms at them. She gave a muffled cry of pain when a vine wrapped around her injured leg and she instinctively jerked it away, causing another sharp pain to flare up again. She barely managed to get away as she rounded another corner and the wind stopped, the way behind her sealing itself.

The path ahead of her was empty and she slowly moved onward. A few steps later she stumbled again as her injured leg gave way from under her. She couldn't continue like this. After trying and failing a few times to move, tears stinging her eyes at the pain she finally conceded and raised her wand to send red sparks up when a yell tore through the silence. Her eyes widened, it was filled with pain and despair and she recognized the voice.

"'Arry!" She called loudly. There was no response and her fear grew. His voice sounded close by and she pushed herself to her feet, ignoring the pain as panic began to take over. She had to get to Harry. Something happened to him.

She made her way as quickly as she could down the path, clutching the hedges for support. His voice came from the right. Rounding a corner she found a fork and quickly made her way towards it and took the path leading to the right. She could hear sobs and a voice moaning something incomprehensible as she limped further down the path.

Finally she came in sight of him, he was kneeling on the ground a few feet in front of her, his shoulders shaking slightly."'Arry?" She said softly, trudging closer to him. He didn't respond and she could just make out something lying on the ground in front of him. Her blood went cold when she realized it was a body.

Her eyes widened in shock when she got closer. There, lying on the ground in front of him was her unmistakably dead body. He was saying her name over and over again, his voice wracked with pain.

"'Arry! Zat's not me!" She shouted. He didn't even look around. Gazing once again at her body in front of her she realized what it was and quickly pointed her wand at it just as it started to change. She didn't want to see what it was going to change to and yelled "Riddikulus!" It vanished in a puff of smoke and he looked up, staring at the spot, tears running down his cheeks.

"'Arry. Eet's alright." She murmured softly. She bent down, stumbling and falling to the ground as her leg gave way again. She pulled herself up to find him staring at her, his eyes had a haunted look in them. He wasn't believing what he was seeing. "I'm 'ere." She said soothingly to him and edged closer, taking his limp hand. He flinched at the contact but didn't look away. "I'm still 'ere." She whispered. "Eet was only a stupid boggart 'Arry."

"Fleur?" He croaked. She could see his eyes widening in realization along with new tears forming in them. "Fleur…is that really you?" He whispered, reaching out with his hand and gently touching her cheek. She smiled at him and leaned into his hand, fighting back her own tears as she saw how much it was affecting him. "I thought…I thought I lost…" She pulled him into a tight hug.

"Shh…" She crooned. "I 'aven't gone anywhere." He slowly relaxed into her embrace as she hummed softly.

"Boggart…" He mumbled. She tightened her arms around him.

"Eet was only a boggart 'Arry…eet's gone now."

"You're hurt." He murmured, his face still buried in her chest. Her leg was bleeding now and almost as soon as he said it the pain seemed to return. A sound behind them made both of them look around in alarm, her wand was already on her hand again, while the other was wrapped firmly around Harry. She relaxed slowly when she realized it was Cedric, panting slightly and gazing at the two of them.

"Heard a scream…thought you were in trouble." He gasped. "What happened to him?" He asked, staring at Harry who still hadn't looked up. He looked at her questioningly and she slowly shook her head and he nodded, deciding to let it go. She held him for a few minutes longer while Cedric waited, torn between a mixture of embarrassment and curiosity until he finally cleared his throat. "Umm…we should probably get going. I think it's better if we stick together."

"Non…I can't go on." She murmured.

"Why?" Cedric asked, then he spotted her leg and shook his head sympathetically. "Ouch. Shall I call for help?"

"Oui…s'il vous plait" She said softly, not looking away from Harry's gaze as he slowly pulled himself out of her arms. There were tear streaks on his cheeks but he seemed to have finally calmed himself down. Cedric nodded and directed his wand upwards as a red light flew into the air before it burst into a multitude of sparks with a terrific bang.

"'Arry, go with 'im. You two can still continue." She said quietly. "I'll be waiting outside."

"But…" He began. She shook her head.

"Non. I can't go. I don't zink I can walk. You two can still go, if you try to bring me I will only be a 'indrance to you." He slowly nodded before looking around, finding his wand he sheathed it in its holster before turning back to her.

"I'm staying until they come for you." He said firmly. "Cedric, you can go on…"

"No. I'll wait. I could use some company." Cedric said with a small smile although he still kept glancing around nervously. They waited in silence until footsteps were heard and Professor Sprout suddenly came from their side, through a hedge that just seemed to fade out of existence allowing her through and startling them.

"What happened? Oh…it will be alright dear." She said softly, catching sight of Fleur's leg. "She'll be alright. If neither of you have any injuries you two better go on." She added to Harry and Cedric. Harry nodded and slowly started pull himself to his feet before Fleur pulled him closer and kissed him tenderly ignoring Cedric and Professor Sprout who looked away pointedly.

"Finish zis soon." Harry nodded and managed a small smile before standing up. After exchanging one final look between them he nodded at Cedric and two started down the path. She watched them go before he finally disappeared from view, hidden in a veil of mist.

Harry and Cedric continued onward. Cedric still kept shooting curious glances at him and he knew he was probably wondering what had happened back there but he was nevertheless grateful that he didn't pry. They had been walking on in silence, reaching a fork Cedric stopped and turned to Harry, wondering what he would do.

"Let's keep going together." Cedric smiled at this and opened his mouth before Harry interrupted him. "You're going to take the cup."

"What?! If anyone should take the cup its you." He argued. Harry shook his head firmly.

"I don't want it. Besides, it'll be a Hogwarts victory. There's nothing in it for me…I was forced into this in the first place."

"No Harry, I won't take it. You did the first two tasks far better than I did. You deserve it."

"I. Don't. Want. It." He growled exasperatedly, punctuating every word forcefully. When Cedric looked like he was going to argue he silenced him with a glare. "There is nothing in this for me. I'm not even in this for a school. If I do take it then it will be for me and me alone. I don't want it. I just want to get out of here…please…I just want to get out of here and get back to her." His voice shook slightly at the end and Cedric stared at him intently.

Finally after about a minute he nodded. "Fine. But if you think I'm going to keep what you did quiet you're dead wrong." His face was set, leaving no room to argue and Harry sighed before nodding. Hufflepuffs…

Just then Bagman's voice echoed. "The Beauxbatons champion has withdrawn from the task." Harry sighed in relief, visibly relaxing.

"So which way then?" He asked, looking at the fork. Cedric looked at the two pathways with a frown.

"How about the right one?" He asked, and Harry nodded. They set off again. Soon they caught sight of something in front of them, edging closer cautiously, both wands at the ready.

It was a Sphinx. Both of them glanced nervously at each other before edging closer to it. The only way forward was through it and it hadn't made any move to attack. It's body was that of a lion, only difference was that for in place of its head was one of a woman's. She was smiling serenely at them and as soon as they were near enough she spoke, her voice coming out in a deep, rumbling purr.

"You are close to your goal. The quickest way to it is past me" She got up, causing both Harry and Cedric to back away. She chuckled softly but stayed still.

"Would you move…please?" Harry asked uncertainly. She smiled at him.

"No. I will only let you through if you answer my riddle correctly. You both have one chance to answer correctly. Should you answer wrongly, I attack and allow the other person through. Answer on your first guess, and I will allow you two in, or if you choose, only the person who answers in." Harry glanced at Cedric, this wasn't a bad deal. He didn't want to win and it was still a win-win situation. Although he will have to be ready with sparks should he need to answer wrongly to allow Cedric through. He had no idea how to go against a sphinx and he had no desire to try.

"Could we have the riddle then?" He asked, ignoring Cedric's startled look. She smiled again and crouched down. Then recited;

First think of the person who lives in disguise,

Who deals in secrets and tells naught but lies.

Next, tell me what's always the last thing to mend,

The middle of middle and end of the end?

And finally give me the sound often heard

During the search for a hard-to-find word.

Now string them together, and answer me this,

Which creature would you be unwilling to kiss? (Taken from the original book 4)

Harry's mind worked furiously and he could see Cedric's brow furrowed, deep in thought.

"Could we have it again? More slowly?" Cedric asked. She smiled at him and repeated, slower this time.

"All the clues add up to a creature we wouldn't want to kiss." Harry murmured softly. Cedric grinned at him.

"Speak for yourself Potter, we have different tastes." Harry grinned back before he sobered again.

"A person who lives in disguise…an imposter? No…no…a-a spy maybe?" Cedric asked him uncertainly. He shrugged and returned to his thoughts. He turned back to the sphinx. "Could I hear the entire thing again please?" She nodded and repeated from the beginning. Cedric grimaced.

"The middle of middle and end of the end…I have no clue what that means." Harry nodded, still thinking furiously.

"Person in disguise…spy…how many creatures are out there that I wouldn't want to kiss? Er…can I have the last four lines again?" Harry asked. She obliged. "Sound often heard when searching for a hard to find word…er…wait a second! That's the sound!" Cedric looked at him blankly before his eyes widened in realization.

"A creature I wouldn't be willing to kiss…a spy…er…spy…a spider!" The sphinx smiled broadly at him before getting up and moving aside. "Thanks. And can you let us both through?" He asked. She nodded and he went through, followed by Cedric who looked dazed.

"Blimey Harry, why aren't you in Ravenclaw?" He asked, gazing at Harry as if he'd grown two heads.

"No idea…" He muttered, shrugging. They walked on, Harry could feel that they were getting extremely close now. He did the four pointer spell and his wand spun around in his palm, pointing to the right again. They kept walking when suddenly Harry's scar twinged in pain.

Call it instinct, maybe Harry had gained it from his countless duels with Sirius, but a strange prickle on his back warned him something was coming. "Cedric! MOVE!" He bellowed, pushing him roughly against the hedge as a jet of green light narrowly missed them.

"Wh..what? Was that a?" Cedric murmured shakily, glancing around in fear as Harry looked around frantically, trying to find who cast the spell. Suddenly a sound broke the silence and faint clapping could be heard.

"Well done Potter. I am impressed. As Alastor Moody would say, you have mastered constant vigilance!" A high pitched cackle broke the silence. The voice was familiar. There was no one to be seen and they started backing away.

"Who are you?" Harry yelled.

"It matters not Potter. I am coming for you. You kept slipping through my fingers long enough. Tonight, you will die. A pity for the other boy though…" The voice trailed off and another bolt of green light hurtled at them seemingly from nowhere and Harry instinctively dodged again just as Cedric threw himself out of the way too.

"Harry! Let's get out of here, this place is too narrow." Cedric yelled. Both of them broke into a run, ducking as another jet of green light sailed above their heads. Whoever it was, they were playing with them.

"You can't get away Potter. Not this time. Everyone tried to trick me, they said you were needed to bring my lord back but I know better! Only by killing you my master can return to power!" Another cackle followed as they ran down the path and rounded a corner. They momentarily faltered, there, gleaming brightly straight ahead of them was the Triwizard cup, standing on a pedestal. Another bolt of green light slammed into the hedge just behind them and they started running towards it.

A wind suddenly started blowing again as the hedges started closing in on them, vines danced out from them, entangling themselves around Harry and Cedric pulled him out of their grasp as they ran as fast as they could. Just before they came to a large clearing, Cedric tripped and fell. He slowly started getting pulled, getting dragged under the hedges which were slowly sealing the path they came from and Harry turned around to help him.

"Finally you're here Potter." The voice was closer and momentarily distracted Harry looked around. It was Moody and he had a mad grin on his face. He was standing right beside the cup, a few feet away from them and started limping slowly towards them, his wand pointing straight at Harry.

"Harry! Cut me loose!" Cedric yelled. "Harry!" He yelled again. Harry looked momentarily back at Cedric again, making a split second decision as he moved away from him.

"Get help." He murmured, turning back to Moody and aiming his wand at him while Moody started chuckling maniacally.

"Dammit Harry you…" Cedric's voice drowned out as he was lost under the hedges.

"Your nobility will be the end of you." Moody said, staring intently at him before his lips moved and another jet of green light hurtled at him. Harry dodged and thought "Reducto", aiming straight at Moody's chest. His eyes widened and sidestepped away from the curse, cocking his head at him and gazing at him with a curious expression. "Full of surprises aren't you?"

Harry didn't answer as he began his assault. He quickly sent two stunners at Moody who threw up a shield before responding with another killing curse which hit a large boulder Harry conjured, blasting it to pieces. Harry fired another stunner and Moody sidestepped it and paused as the spell came to a stop right beside him before bursting into smaller sparks. Moody only got away by casting a quick shield, protecting his side.

Harry sent a stream of purple flames at Moody who conjured another shield and moved again before sending a binding curse at Harry who complied by aiming straight at it and firing a stunner. The two spells collided with a noise like a gunshot and a blinding flash of yellow.

"You…how much have you been hiding Potter." Moody called and Harry instinctively thought "Protego!" and a blue-white shield expanded in front of him. Moody's curses slammed into and sizzled before disappearing.

Just then, too many things happened in the blink of an eye. Moody suddenly jumped backwards and screamed something, aiming his wand at Harry's side. A jet of orange light flew past him and he heard a grunt and something falling to the floor with a thud. Two jets of green light flew past Harry from behind and one of them hit Moody who looked surprised for a moment before crumpling to the floor.

Harry barely had time to react when something huge jumped on him, knocking him to the ground. He caught a brief glimpse of fangs and felt something claw at his chest. Pain clouded his senses and he smelled something foul, the stench of blood before he felt something hit his head hard, and forced his wand out of his hand . The last thing he remembered was a man with dirty hair, his yellow teeth visible and pain spreading through him as his eyes closed slowly.

Cedric couldn't believe it. That fool, he could have helped him. He struggled hard as he lost sight of Harry and the man standing beside the cup. He could breathe but he could see only darkness. He felt a strange sensation, as if he was being moved and yet he couldn't move his arms or legs at all.

He didn't know how long he laid there in the darkness, feeling the strange sensation. Thoughts ran wildly in his head as he remembered the last couple of minutes. Who was it that kept firing the killing curses at them? Harry had asked him to get help. How was he supposed to get help when he was trapped here?

Almost as soon as he thought that, he was staring up at the darkened night sky and he could hear loud cheers and groans. Scrambling to his feet he looked around. He was back outside at the starting point of the maze. Momentarily surprised he saw his parents running towards him before his mother engulfed him in a hug. Bagman was yelling something which was again lost in the applause from the crowd. Seeing Fleur, Krum, Professor Lupin and Dumbledore approaching quickly and he pulled himself away from his mother's embrace and ran up to Dumbledore.

"Sir, Harry needs help." Cedric shouted. "There was someone…" His voice kept getting drowned out from the crowd and Dumbledore held up his hand before drawing his wand and placing the tip on his throat.

"Quiet!" Dumbledore's magically magnified voice carried over the roar of the crowd and silence gradually settled in.

"Sir, Harry needs help." He repeated. "There was someone in the maze. We were attacked. We reached the cup but there was someone standing beside it. I got trapped by that…those hedges."

"He was at the cup?" Dumbledore asked and he nodded. "Fawkes!" A phoenix appeared in a flash of fire in front of them and without a word Dumbledore grasped its tail and disappeared in another flash of fire along with the phoenix. They waited, seconds slowly slipping by. He gazed at Fleur who was looking at the maze, her face etched in worry. He felt guilty as he watched her and felt anger flaring up in him. Why didn't Harry just help him up?!

By now the rest of the teachers had come down. He noted that Professor Sprout and Professor McGonagall were notably absent. They were all staring at the maze, waiting for what he didn't know. The students in the stands were muttering among themselves. Finally, after a few minutes Dumbledore reappeared holding someone unconscious roughly by the collar in another flash of fire eliciting gasps from all around. It was a man, wearing dark, hooded robes and a mask, similar to the one the people who attacked at the World cup wore.

"Severus, take this one into the castle. Administer Veritaserum to him and keep him ready for questioning. I will be with you shortly." Professor Snape nodded and conjured a stretcher, levitating the man onto it and immediately set off into the castle.

"Where's Harry?" Professor Lupin asked anxiously.

"He's not there Remus. The cup's gone too." The man paled and a large black dog that appeared at his side growled menacingly while Fleur sobbed quietly. "Minerva, Pomona and Rubeus are unconscious. Kingsley, Amos…please get them to safety. When you're done get back to the center of the maze. There will be a body there. Recover it and bring it into the castle." A bald man strode up from the crowd, dressed in Auror's robes and his father nodded grimly and the two of them set off into the maze.

Dumbledore then glanced around at them, his eyes coming to rest on Fleur momentarily who was being hugged by her mother. "Please stay here." He said to them and set off towards the castle, followed by Lupin and the dog.

Harry slowly opened his eyes. He faintly became aware that he was tied to something hard and that someone was slapping his cheeks roughly. His vision swam before coming into focus just as someone jammed his glasses to his face none too gently. He felt weak, dizzy and he looked down noticing the blood that was on his chest and felt a sharp pain spread through his body as he hissed in pain. He felt as though his whole body was on fire. Then he slowly recognized the man who was standing in front of him.

"You." He growled. Peter Pettigrew didn't answer, although he flinched as a high cold voice broke the eerie silence.

"Hurry!" His scar flared up again and momentarily he was blinded by the pain. Gasping slightly he looked around, taking in the surroundings.

There, in front of him was a large cauldron, bubbling slightly with a clear, colorless liquid. They were in what was unmistakably a graveyard. There was one tall figure standing at the side and Harry thought he could see fangs as the man grinned a feral grin. He noticed that his hands were clawed and he remembered something tearing at him, mauling him just moments before he passed out and felt a chill run down his spine.

"Master, its ready…" Pettigrew whispered, fright evident in his voice and Harry turned to see Pettigrew cowering in front of a bundle of robes on the ground. Instantly he felt apprehensive, he didn't want to see what was inside it.

"Now Wormtail…" The same cold voice whispered. Wormtail choked and with shaking hands he lifted the bundle. Harry's scar immediately flared in pain again and it was all he could do to stop himself from screaming when he saw what was inside the bundle.

It was thin, barely any meat on it and it was like a poor imitation of a baby. Glowing red eyes and a snake-like face, its skin pale and slimy. Wormtail staggered to the cauldron as the fanged man knelt reverently and he dropped the thing into the cauldron unceremoniously. The potion frothed and hissed and a dull thud echoed as the thing hit the bottom.

Wormtail started speaking, his voice shaking in fear. "B-bone of father, unknowingly given, you will renew your son!" The surface beneath Harry's feet cracked and dust rose from the ground as Wormtail guided it into the cauldron. As soon as the dust entered it, the potion hissed and turned a vivid blue.

Wormtail was sobbing now, he drew a dagger from his robes and placed it on his right hand. "F-flesh of the s-servant, willingly given, y-you will revive your master." Harry immediately shut his eyes as he saw the dagger move and Wormtail's scream pierced the air. He heard a sickening splash as something dropped into the cauldron and even through his closed eyelids, a red glow shined through them.

He heard a footsteps while and moans of pain and he opened his eyes slowly to find Wormtail shuffling towards him, his right arm now a bleeding stump while his left still held the bloodied dagger.

"Blood of the e-enemy…forcibly taken, y-you will resurrect your foe!" Harry, realizing what was coming stuggled hard but to no avail. Wormtail grabbed his right arm and slowly, agonizingly, pressed the sharp point on it and dragged it downward, creating a large cut. He then produced a glass vial in which he collected the blood and started back to the cauldron, whimpering.

"Purify it, we wouldn't want our master to get…contaminated" The tall man said lazily, his voice coming out in a growl. Wormtail tapped the vial and his blood glowed red before he tipped the contents into the cauldron. The effect was immediate, the potion turned a blinding white and Wormtail staggered backwards before crumpling to the floor, clutching his stump of an arm and weeping openly.

It started hissing and shaking violently, emitting sparks and a gleaming white mist rose into the air above it, covering the cauldron from view. The fanged man was kneeling again and Harry stared at the cauldron, hoping against hope that something, anything could have gone wrong. The only sound apart from the cauldron was that of Wormtail's moans of pain.

A tall figure was rising out of the cauldron, still hidden by the mist. His scar flared in pain again and he could only watch in horror as the thing that rose from the cauldron spoke.

"Robe me." Wormtail got to his feet, his left hand clutching the black robes and he staggered towards the cauldron and slowly pulled them one handed over the figure before moving back again and falling to his knees. The figure slowly stepped out of the cauldron. It's eyes glowing red, its snake-like face the same as he had a few years ago, it's thin lips curved in a hideous smile as it gazed at him. Lord Voldemort has risen again.

Voldemort slowly strode around the cauldron, staring at his body. Flexing his unnaturally long fingers he reached inside his robes and drew out a long, thin wand and caressed it almost lovingly. Ignoring the man kneeling on the other side of the cauldron and Harry he strode towards Wormtail who was still kneeling, clutching his bleeding arm and whimpering.

"My lord…please my lord…you promised…" He was begging, desperate, pain evident in his voice. Voldemort smiled cruelly at him.

"Hold out your arm then Wormtail."

"Thank you…thank you my lord" He extended his bleeding stump and Voldemort laughed.

"Your other arm Wormtail."

"Master…please…" Wormtail whispered. Voldemort bent and grabbed his left arm, pulling up the sleeve of his robe where a tattoo of a skull and a snake protruding from its mouth was clearly visible. The dark mark. Voldemort pressed his finger on it and Harry's scar flared in pain, more painful than ever and Harry gasped in pain.

"Now we shall see…how many will be brave…how many will be foolish. Who will return…" Voldemort said softly, drawing back and moving to the other side.

"My lord." The kneeling man growled.

"You have done well. I trust the other one is no more?" the man grinned, baring his fangs.

"He is no more my lord."

"And what of our…new recruit?" Voldemort asked. The man paled and whimpered like a dog.

"There was a small mistake my lord. H-he was hit by a curse. I had to leave him." Voldemort cocked his head sideways.

"Is he dead?" The man started shaking.

"N-no my lord…" Voldemort pointed his wand lazily at him. "Crucio!" He hissed. The man howled in pain and started writhing on the ground as Voldemort stared at him in disgust. Then, finally the man's screams subsided as Voldemort moved his wand.

"I do not tolerate mistakes. While you have done well in bringing what I asked you have failed me at the same time. No matter…He was not valuable, he is of no use to them or to me." The last part he muttered to himself. "See that you will not make any more mistakes Greyback."

"O-of course my lord. I won't fail you." Voldemort sneered, then he looked straight at Harry.

"Harry Potter…how nice of you to join me in my…rebirth." He laughed mirthlessly. "You have been a thorn in my side for far too long…no matter. After today you will not be." He stared at the hill before gazing at Harry with a cruel smile playing on his lips.

"Do you see that hillside? That is where the house of my late father stands. A muggle and a fool. Look below you Potter, you are standing on his remains." Harry stared defiantly back, not breaking his gaze. He wasn't going to give Voldemort the satisfaction of obeying even the slightest of his commands.

Then, the air was full of swirling cloaks as figure after figure materialized out of thin air. All of them wearing hooded dark robes. They each walked towards Voldemort who was standing in the middle, gazing at them as they approached, falling to their knees in front of him.

"Master…" They murmured as each of them shuffled forward and kissed the hem of his robes before walking back. Once they were all done they formed a circle around Voldemort and Harry. Greyback stood up and joined his place on the circle as did Wormtail. Harry noticed that there were some points on the circle with gaps and no one made an effort to fill them.

"Welcome back my friends." Voldemort murmured and the entire circle shuddered as one. His voice was dripping with malice. "Thirteen years it has been…thirteen long years it has been since we last stood together. And now all of you return. So we are still stand united then?" He started walking around the circle, gazing at each one of them in turn.

"If we are still united, then might I ask…why now? Why did none of you seek me out earlier?" Voldemort smiled coldly as the figures shuddered again. "I know who have remained faithful. They will all be rewarded handsomely. But what of the rest of you hmm? What am I to do with you?" Deafening silence followed his words until one of the figures broke away from the circle and fell to its knees in front of him.

"Forgive me master! Forgive us all!" He shrieked. Voldemort laughed and pointed his wand at him. The figure started screaming as everyone flinched. Harry could feel his scar burning. His body felt like it was on fire and his vision kept losing focus. Let someone come…please…let someone hear.

"Get up Avery." He said lazily and the figure got up hurriedly, stumbling as he went back and rejoined the circle. "Forgiveness? You want forgiveness? I want repayment. Thirteen long years of repayment. Do you understand?"

"Yes my lord." The figures murmured in unison. He inclined his head slightly before making his way to Wormtail who looked up hopefully, tears still evident on his face as he stretched out his arm hopefully.

"My lord…" Voldemort gazed intently at him.

"You did not seek me out of loyalty. You came to me out of cowardice, hiding from those who you betrayed. Yet your service has been invaluable to me and Lord Voldemort rewards those who carry out his orders." Then he twirled his wand and molten silver appeared out of thin air and formed slowly into the shape of a hand. It flew down and attached itself to Wormtail's bleeding stump and he stopped sobbing immediately, gazing at it with an expression of wonder, reverently he cradled it with his left hand and flexed the fingers before gazing up at Voldemort with new tears forming in his eyes.

"My lord…it is beautiful my lord…thank you." He murmured, kissing the hem of Voldemort's robes.

"May your loyalty never waver again Wormtail."

"No my lord, never." Then he got up and hurried back to the circle, taking his place among them. Voldemort walked towards the empty gaps and stared at them, as if seeing those who should be there.

"One of them has fled. He chose to run instead of responding to my summons. He will die, that is the price of defying lord Voldemort. Another of them has left me forever, no matter…he will come to the same end." Then he looked at the empty gap beside Greyback.

"The Lestranges should stand here…they alone remained faithful. They went to Azkaban, preferring imprisonment than to renounce me. When the Dementors join me they will be freed. They will be honored and rewarded as they should be." He turned back to the watchful crowd. "We have much to do my friends, we need to regain our previous allies. We need to start ridding the world of the filth that continues to taint our blood. But for all of that, there is still one more thing that remains to be taken care of." He fixed his eyes on Harry who struggled to keep his eyes open. The fire in his body kept burning, it hadn't diminished at all.

"Harry Potter…the one who vanquished the dark lord. Or so they say…" He then turned back to the group. "You have no doubt heard the stories? Of how he defeated me? Let me assure you. It was only a slight miscalculation that allowed him to live. His filthy mudblood mother died to save him, invoking an ancient magic that caused my own curse to rebound at me. That is what makes him special, he had people who were willing to die for him."

"He thwarted my rise to power. All through sheer luck and a vast amount of aid. I admit…it was partly my fault for being careless. But no matter…he is here now and he will not leave here again." Voldemort sneered at him.

"You may wonder how he came to our little…reunion? You may have all heard of the stories of the disappearance of Bertha Jokins? We have to thank her, one of my most faithful Death Eaters, and Wormtail for making all of this possible. It was her information that made everything possible."

"I confess, for a moment I thought I failed again. I overestimated Wormtail here. He couldn't keep a madman in check and Harry Potter almost slipped through my grasp again. But his stubbornness to live brought him to me. And for that I honor you Mr. Potter." Voldemort smiled cruelly and walked closer to Harry.

"Your mother's protection was the beginning of my downfall Harry. I could not touch you, I could not do anything to you. You were protected, protected by a dead woman. However…" His raised his hand and brought it closer to Harry. His scar steadily increased in pain. "I do not think that you are under her protection anymore." With that, he pressed his finger on the scar.

Harry felt as though his head was being cleaved in two. The pain was unbearable and he couldn't help it, his scream pierced the air and Voldemort laughed before finally moving his finger as the Death Eaters laughed.

"There is nothing protecting you anymore." Voldemort grabbed his face and held it up, forcing him to look into his eyes. "I see her in you…your filthy mudblood mother. Many may think that you look like your father, I disagree. You are your mother through and through. Such a pity…you do have a pretty face. I can see why he wanted her alive."

"Shut up." Harry growled, fighting the pain and gazing at the snake-like face and radiating pure hatred. The Death Eaters had gone quiet and Voldemort's brow furrowed slightly before he moved back.

"Do you want to see something Harry? Do you want to see your mother's last moments? I still have the memories, I still cherish them. Do you want to see it?" Without warning he pointed his wand at Harry and immediately Harry felt new memories flooding into his mind. He was too weak, he couldn't draw up his mental barriers and suddenly he was seeing it.

He walked into a brightly lit living room. He pointed his wand at the man who was yelling something about trying to hold him off, barring the way. He felt the savage pleasure as he uttered the fatal words and he crumpled to the floor. It was amusing really, how this man thought he could stop him without a wand.

He walked up the stairs, the woman's screams ringing in his ears along with the sound of a baby crying. It was soothing to him, music to his ears. Today he would fulfill the prophecy, there will be no one who can oppose him after today. The door from which the screams were coming was locked. It was laughable how they think that a mere door can mean the difference between life and death. "Alohomora." Such a simple spell. They put too much faith in people, something that they should be punished for.

The door unlocked and he pushed it open. There, standing in front of a crib was a beautiful red haired woman, tears running down her cheeks. Yes…he could see that she was pleasing to the eye in spite of having the filthy blood coursing through her veins. He had to try, he did promise his servant.

"Move aside girl." The woman shook her head frantically.

"Not Harry…please not him. Take me, take me instead." She sobbed.

"Don't be silly girl, stand aside now." He loved hearing those cries, the way her voice was pleading.

"Not him…please…not him." He laughed, here she was, trying to defend her child without a wand. No matter…he had tried.

"Avada Kedavra!" He hissed and the woman immediately crumpled to the floor as soon as the blinding flash of light hit her. He wondered again, what is it like to die? To feel the life extinguished from you? Was it painful? No…he didn't have to wonder about that. After tonight, he was never going to die. Then he moved towards the baby that was standing up, holding onto the bars of the crib. Staring at his mother with huge green eyes which he had inherited from her. He raised his wand and pointed it at him. What fools thought that a creature like this could mean the end of him?

The memory slowly faded and Harry was staring at Voldemort who was watching him with a cruel smirk. He felt a slight wetness and he could feel the tears in his eyes. He felt contaminated, dirty, he was disgusted with himself. He had seen, no…he had felt it. The pleasure of hearing his mother's screams. He uttered the words the killed his parents. Those memories were now his…

"Did you enjoy that Harry? Do you want to see it again?" Voldemort laughed. "Tonight the Potter family name disappears from the world. A pity...your bloodline was one of the purest as can be…that is until your father pursued a mudblood. Your blood is now contaminated." He cocked his head sideways. "It seems you have inherited your father's odd tastes in partners Harry…and here I was thinking your family could drag itself no lower." Harry felt anger flaring up in him when he realized who he was talking about. The Death Eaters were laughing.

"Stop it." Voldemort suddenly snapped and everyone fell silent. "Those eyes…I don't want to see that look in your eyes. Crucio." Pain, that was all Harry knew. A scream left his lips before he could stop it. This was far worse than what he had faced back then. Then, suddenly the pain left him, leaving him panting and gasping for air. It was getting harder to breathe and his vision was fading. He suddenly found himself staring at the white tree from his visions momentarily before he was staring back at Voldemort.

"Don't look at me with those eyes Potter. I want to see the despair in your eyes. I want to see you beg. Crucio." He hissed again. Pain took over him again but this time Harry fought against it. He was not going to give him the satisfaction. He was not going to scream. Voldemort let up after a few moments and stared at him. He rose his head and held his gaze, staring defiantly back at him.

"I will give you an honorable death Potter. We shall see how helpless you are. I will give you a true wizard's death. Now untie him Wormtail...and give him back his wand." Wormtail started towards Harry but stopped dead when Harry chuckled.

"An honorable death?" He asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "You killed my parents when they were unarmed and you tried to kill me when I was a baby. Now you want to give me an honorable death? You're a coward. Nothing but a coward." Some of the Death Eaters hissed.

Voldemort seemed to be shaking in fury but seemingly composing himself he murmured dangerously, "Untie him and give him back his wand Wormtail." Wormtail squeaked and hastened to obey his master. He quickly cut the bindings and Harry fell to the floor, unable to support his weight. He heard his wand fall to the floor with a clatter.

"Get up Harry Potter, get up and I will end your suffering. I will send you to them. Do not worry, your half breed will be joining you later." Voldemort whispered. The memory of his mother dying flashed before his eyes. Another memory surfaced, this one of a silver haired woman lying on the ground and he felt a surge of anger coursing through him. He will pay. He will not get to her. He slowly picked up his wand and got shakily back to his feet. Perhaps it was because he was too tired, too weak, or maybe he just didn't care at this point that his vision was in black and white now. He stood up and gazed at Voldemort who looked surprised momentarily.

Those vivid emerald green eyes, they were now a stormy grey. They carried no hint of warmth in them. They were not the eyes of one who wanted to protect. They were the eyes of one who wanted to destroy, to cause pain. The Death Eaters were murmuring among themselves and Voldemort silenced them when he raised his wand.

"I assume you are familiar with the customs of a wizard's duel? We bow Harry. Now…bow." Harry neither moved nor spoke and Voldemort raised his wand. "I said bow…Imperio!" Harry still stayed up, staring at Voldemort with cold eyes as gasps of surprise rang out through the Death Eaters assembled. "Very well. Begin." No sooner had he said it Harry moved, slashing his wand through the air and Voldemort's eyes widened before he nimbly side stepped as a narrow jet of silver flew past him, striking one of the Death Eaters right behind him who failed to move away.

The Death Eater that got struck gazed down, there was a gaping hole on his chest with blood flowing freely out of it. He fell backward as his mask disappeared. His face was etched in surprise.

Bile coated Harry's tongue as he stared at the body of the man who fell. He had killed him. Voldemort looked surprised and the Death Eaters were all silent, gazing at the body.

"You aimed to kill. And it's not even the most pleasant way to die." Voldemort murmured as he stared at Harry who looked transfixed at the body. A smirk formed in his face. "We are more alike than I thought." Harry barely had time to react as he turned just in time to see the lips move and a jet of green light was heading towards him. Throwing himself out of the way he sent a cutting curse at Voldemort who immediately conjured up a white shield. The spell struck it and disappeared with a hiss.

"Contego Talea!" Harry roared and Voldemort's eyes widened as his shield, his most strongest shield that had stood up to anything save unforgivables was shattered into pieces in a bright blue light and he disappeared with a swirl of his cloak just as a jet of silver light much like the one that brought the end of the fallen Death Eater sped through where he was a mere second ago. Some of the Death Eaters shrieked as they dived out of the way and he rematerialized on the side, watching Harry closely.

Harry could only see red, those glowing red eyes. Voldemort's wand was covered with a green glow. Those were the only two colors he could see. Everything else was colorless. He was momentarily stunned by the thought of taking a life but that though ceased to matter. He only wanted hurt the man in front of him. The man who killed his parents. The man who made his life a living hell. The man who could hurt the one he loved.

"I can see it in your eyes Harry Potter. I can see the hatred, I can see the anger. I will give you the same offer I made three years ago. Join me…join me and I will show you how misguided you are. Join me and I will promise never to hurt those who you hold dear. I can even bring your parents back."

"Never." Harry hissed. Voldemort smiled cruelly.

"Then die." They stared at each other, red gazing at grey and in one single motion, both of them moved.

"Avada Kedavra!"

"Reducto!" The jet of green light met the jet of silver light at the middle and suddenly, Harry's wand started vibrating violently. He almost allowed his wand arm to jerk upwards but fought against it, keeping it aimed at Voldemort. From the look of surprise on Voldemort's eyes and the way his wand his hand was shuddering he knew the same thing was happening to his wand too.

Harry watched as a narrow beam of golden light emerged from the tip of his wand just as one emerged from Voldemort's. The two met at the middle and Harry's wand was shaking so violently now that he had to hold onto it with both hands. His vision was slowly reverting to normal and suddenly, he felt himself get lifted into the air.

The Death Eaters yelled and drew their wands, closing in on Harry and Voldemort.

"Do nothing! He is mine!" Voldemort yelled despite the panic in his eyes as he watched the connection expand. The beam splintered and beams flew around them, encasing them in a dome. Voldemort's eyes were wide with panic now and Harry heard a beautiful melody, calming him and giving him strength. It sounded exactly like the phoenix song which he heard at the Chamber of Secrets.

Don't break the connection A melodious voice told him and Harry found himself unconsciously obeying it. Suddenly, Voldemort's wand started emitting screams of pain. Two more beams connected the two wands as Voldemort watched in panic. Something large, something that looked solid yet not so emerged. A smoky figure emerged from the wand. It was a man, an old man. He didn't recognize him.

"He was a wizard then? You..boy…fight him." His voice was echoing. It sounded as if it was coming from a great distance, as if through a veil. Harry concentrated on not breaking the connection. His wand kept trying to spin away from the beam. Voldemort's wand was now emitting more screams of pain.

Another smoky figure was emerging, Harry watched as a woman emerged. He didn't recognize her either. "Don't let go Harry! Whatever you do don't let go! They're coming." A few seconds later more screams came out and Harry felt a slight knot on his stomach. He knew…he knew who was coming. He watched as another woman slowly emerged, face first. She was smiling softly, as beautiful as she was from his photos and memories. "Wait for him Harry. Just a little longer, your father is coming." Harry numbly nodded, his eyes fixed on his mother.

The screams filled the air again and Harry turned his eyes back to Voldemort's wand as another figure slowly emerged. Voldemort's face expression was one of pure terror. He watched as the untidy hair emerged, sticking up in a way that was untamable. While his hair was no longer like that, he knew this was what he looked like just an year ago. This was his father. The smoky figures came towards Harry and he stared at his parents.

"Harry once the connection breaks we will still be here but only for a short time. You need to get to the cup. The cup is a portkey. It's lying right behind the tombstone. I can feel your anger Harry but now is not the time, promise me that you will get to the cup." Harry nodded swiftly and his father's face broke into a smile.

"We're so proud of you." His mother whispered and he turned back to her. She had tears clinging to her eyes. "Know that we will always be watching over you." Harry managed a small smile and nodded.

"Thank you." He said softly. Gazing at his parents before looking at the old man and woman who nodded at him.

"When you break the connection, we will linger for a few moments to distract snake face back here. And no, he can't hear us. He can only see." Harry nodded, more surely this time. His father then grinned, his grin was unnervingly similar to his own. "Look after her…you found someone special."

"Let go Harry…sweetheart you're ready. Let go." Harry glanced at his mother one final time and then jerked his hand up forcefully and he and Voldemort fell to the ground. Harry was prepared and stumbled but managed to remain upright despite the dizziness that came over him again. Even as he watched, his parents, the woman and the old man converged upon Voldemort who looked terrified at the sight of them.

"Get him! Don't let him get away!" Voldemort screamed. Harry was already edging around as fast as his feet would move. He couldn't move properly, the weight he was putting on his feet was causing him to stumble as his head kept spinning and nausea threatened to overwhelm him. He ducked as a Death Eater fired a jet of red light at him and he fired a stunner of his own, stopping it at the middle before thinking, "Dispergam" Muffled thumps told him that at least four of them were falling to the floor, unconscious.

He caught sight of the gleaming blue cup lying in a few feet in front of him. Knowing he probably wouldn't make it before the rest of the Death Eaters caught up to him he pointed his wand and shouted "Accio cup!" and it zoomed into his outstretched hand and almost immediately he felt a jerk beneath his navel and felt himself being pulled into a rush of swirling colors. The last thing he heard was Voldemort's scream of fury.

Another second later his feet slammed onto the ground and loud, deafening cheers tore through the air. Somehow he managed to remain upright and gazed around, he was back at the entrance of the maze and the crowd was cheering although they were slowly going quiet as they took in his bloodied appearance. He looked around, his vision blurry as he struggled to remain on his feet. He saw a familiar figure, running towards him but before he could register who it was, he fell forward, unable to feel anything anymore.

AN: Well…umm…how was it? Hope it came out alright…

Think this one is the longest chapter ever, excluding my notes of course. As you saw, I've kept some stuff the same as canon since it just didn't feel right to change 'em, taken elements from both the movie and the book although I did a few changes so as to keep it slightly different.

I'd seriously appreciate any thoughts you guys have on this (not like I don't appreciate all the earlier stuff, they were seriously awesome). I tried to make this one good so yeah…just let me know how it was. Thank you to everyone who reviewed and faved last chapter, glad to see that went well. I think I responded to everyone who had questions and stuff, but I might have missed some of you too so I apologize if I did :(

Oh yeah and I meant to change the rating to M before I put this chapter up, but I felt I needed to say this too before I did. I got a lot of PMs from concerned people who were a bit worried with what I meant by 'darker themes'. I will NOT be writing anything particularly graphic (definitely not a rape scene or anything like that…I can never write one). It will be the same story, same way of writing. You guys will see what I meant by 'dark themes' later as the story goes on. Think this way…these chapters and probably the next few ones are like the canon books 1-5. In my opinion, book 6 and 7 were meant for a slightly more mature audience. That's exactly the same thing I'm going to do here. The M rating is only because I can then freely use whatever strong language and imply certain things while keeping my paranoia in check. Like I said, I could still have this as a T rating and not worry about it. I guess I'll just hold out a little and change the rating when I feel like it…no hurry for now.

Aite, rant over. I felt this chapter was already too long (discounting the notes) so I didn't include the aftermath. All that coming up in the next chap :) Oh yeah, and in case some of you are confused, Harry's boggart has changed.

I know I have grammar mistakes here and there, please don't be too hard on me…Nah, on second thoughts, go ahead. I could use it to avoid mistakes later :D

Thanks again for reading. Hope again that this made for a good chapter.