A gust of red hot flames came his way but Harry remained steady and raised his wand. A bubble of energy shield converged around him protectively and the flames went around the bubble. When the outpouring of flames stopped his clothes were a bit ruffled but otherwise untouched. He quickly dismissed his shield in favour of rolling out of the way as a gigantic tail smashed into the floor where he was standing a second ago.
Harry conjured up slabs of granite in front of him and dug a sizeable cavity in the ground with an excavation spell. He jumped into the trench he hastily created and put up another shield around his body. The stone tail smashed through all the impediments he created and the resulting debris fried up, impinging against his shield.
'Looks like the shield is working as I hoped.'
With that happy thought, he gave his command to the room and the room shifted.
He was lying on the floor but no longer was he threatened by a stone golem. The Room of Requirement shifted as he commanded and not three feet away from him was the pool he requested.
After slipping out of his sweat filled clothes, he jumped into the pool to take a swim. After a few laps, he was freshened up and ready to seek out Hermione. He had, after all, promised to be with her during their Hogsmeade visit. He stuffed his training clothes into a bag while he dressed in a new set of clothes Dobby bought him from Muggle London.
After taking a routine look on the Marauders Map he made his way down from the seventh floor. He found Hermione by the side of a fountain dressed in thick black jeans and a blue jacket over a yellow jumper. Unsurprisingly she was scribbling down on a small pocket diary.
Harry carefully went around her back and looked over her shoulder.
"Hey."
"Harry!"
Hermione let out a startled cry and punched him on his shoulder as she tucked away her little diary.
"Keeping time, are we? And was that a schedule for SPEW, I just saw?" he asked as they walked towards the small line that formed up at the gates where Filch was looking over the pass of each student.
"Are you interested in helping me out with SPEW?" she asked as she showed her pass to Filch who looked it over many times.
"I don't think I have the time. Even this little visit is on your insistence. This is valuable time that I get to train, remember." he grumbled before he too showed his pass. Filch took his sweet time to look it over before Harry was allowed to go.
"You have been doing a lot of training and studying for this Harry. Trust me you'll need some breath of fresh air."
"I'm genuinely starting to think you are someone impersonating Hermione using Polyjuice. The Hermione I know won't ever utter such blasphemy."
"Shut up." Hermione hissed with her cheeks red as she elbowed him on his side.
They both wandered around Hogsmeade for a while. Harry was more than quite taken with all the medieval themes running around with the village. Obviously, he was not much of a fan of the cold and general dampness of the place and a quick warming charm saw to ward off any unpleasantness.
The rest of their trek went without much fuss. Somehow they wandered into Honeydukes. Harry was burning sugar a lot these days going through a strict training regimen. Replenishing his chocolate stocks sounded like a good idea at the time.
Hermione was not much of a fan of chocolates as she was the daughter of two dentists. He had no such concern. Why would he? The chocolate in the Wizarding world was far more healthy than in the Muggle world. Not that the difference in quality was a criterion in the first place.
Honeydukes offered a wide variety of chocolates. There were shelves upon shelves of honey-coloured toffee, coconut ice flavour that would make one's mouth water and so on. He took care to stay away from Every Flavour Beans as he found no reason to consume ear wax or other nonsensical flavours. Although, he did purchase a few Pepper Imps as who hadn't fantasised about breathing out fire through their mouths.
After refilling his stock and securing all the chocolates in a bottomless-pouch, they were back on the move.
The few memories that Harry held of Hogsmeade was marred by the faulty revelation of Sirius Balck and all that drama of Third Year. So, this time, he decided to take a good look at what Hogsmeade has to offer. Those memories were sketchy, to begin with.
To this end, his next destination was Dervish and Banges where magical items could be repaired. The owner, Mr Fabian Hornet, was very enthusiastic to have Harry in the shop. A good thing about avoiding Rita Skeeter's bad press was that he could stick his head out in the open and not get too much distress.
The shop was filled with interesting trinkets. There was a whole section of invisibility cloaks, self-knitting needles and some other interesting gadgets. But what he found interesting was the section that hosted glasses at the deep end of the shop. He picked up a pair of glasses with runic inscriptions on its frame. There were only a few of the like in his peripheral vision.
"What does this do?" he asked curiously to Mr Hornet who was explaining the functioning of a sensory bowtie that was supposed to heighten the senses of a Kneazle to Hermione.
"That, Mr Potter, is what I call the glasses of Horus. Wear it in the darkest night and you will see the world as clear as day."
Mr Hornet's explanation took him back and he looked at the glasses in a new light. A pair of glasses that can see in the darkness was damn useful especially when the Second Task is supposed to be in the Black Lake.
"I have impediments in my eyesight. So, will it work for me?"
"Not a problem at all Mr Potter. The runes are keyed in to adjust to the eyesight of the wearer."
"That's handy. It will work in daylight as well right?"
"Of course. Please try it on."
On Mr Hornet's urging, Harry removed his glasses and put on the Horus glasses. He watched in wonder as he noticed a ripple pass through the glasses. His whole world lit up and it was as if he was now realizing the world looked so well-defined and colourful. Harry even tried it out in the darkness as Mr Hornet was gracious enough to set up a room of darkness in his shop.
Confirming the validity of the Horus glasses he wondered why no one else thought of buying these glasses.
"How much does it cost?" he asked after setting down the glasses on the shelf.
"400 Galleons. And it won't work for anyone else as it can be keyed to your magical signature." explained Mr Hornet with a pleasant smile.
'Now I know why these are not popular.' he thought before eyeing the glasses. It was expensive as hell but this thing was going to be damn useful in the Tournament as well as the coming years.
"Do these come out with rectangular glass frames?"
The smile that spread over Mr Hornet's face was his answer.
Five minutes later, he walked out of Dervish and Banges with a brand new pair of glasses adorning his face. It also has to be noted that he was 400 Galleons short which was a considerable dent but he considered this a good spending. The best part is that the charms and the magic cast on the glasses won't disappear so long as the runes are properly furnished and charged occasionally.
"I don't think that was a good idea, Harry. You just spent 400 Galleons on a pair of glasses." commented Hermione as they looked through different sets of quills, parchments and ink bottles in Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop.
"Maybe it'd come useful in the Tasks. You suggested the tasks may involve dark caves."
"Labyrinth. I said Labyrinth, not dark caves." Hermione was quick to correct.
"I don't think it makes much difference Hermione."
"It does for me." said his bushy-haired friend.
Harry was about to pick up an eagle feather quill when he bumped into Tracy Davis.
"Potter" Davis growled and he noticed the icy glare her friend Greengrass was throwing in his way.
"Why the hostility? We are all friends here." he said amusedly
"Friends! You…you...humiliated us!" Greengrass accused as Davis held her friend back while tugging at her arm.
"It's not my fault if Slytherins manage to slip on the floor and spill pumpkin juice all over themselves. It's also not my fault if you misplace your wands or textbooks in random places in the castle. It's also not my fault when you accidentally break your wands." he listed off the latest 'misfortunes' that struck Slytherin House as a whole after which he adopted an exaggerated thinking pose. "Perhaps your dungeons have been cursed by the ghost of Salazar himself. The man had standards in what he expected from Slytherins. Draco Malfoy and his oafish lackeys are not exactly beacons of cunning and ambition."
"You are playing with fire, Potter." warned Greengrass
"Only because I know how to wield water." he quipped
"Can I have that quill please?" asked Tracy Davis incensed with the conversation.
"Who am I to stand in the way of a noble Lady?" he gave a shallow bow before he let go of the quill. "Please do convey my condolence to Draco for his destroyed wand. I hope the floors are not too slippery for him in the days to come."
He grinned as the two Slytherins ran out of the shop after paying for their purchases as if their life depended on it. When he turned back his attention he was greeted by Hermione's knowing look.
"You enjoy tormenting them don't you?"
"Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies." he jested as they went back to their shopping.
For a few more minutes, they wandered around different shops before finally going to the Three Broomsticks. It was the favourite local pub of Hogwarts students and much of the Wizarding world in parts because of the lovely Madam Rosmerta who ran the pub. It was smoky and a bit crowded but the pub had that mystical air to it that attracted wizards/witches anyway.
Harry's eyes immediately zeroed in on a small closed cabin with a yellow coat hanging by its side. He shelved that detail to a corner of his mind before making his way towards the Weasely twins and the rest of the Gryffindor Quidditch team.
"Harrykins…"
"…we've been waiting for you."
"Cut that out you two." Angelina Johnson admonished the Weasley twins.
"Yes ma'am." the twins chorused together.
"Look, all of you have been immensely helpful since my name came out of that Goblet of Doom." started Harry only to be interrupted by the Wesley twins.
"Nice one there Harry." said George
"Right so brother of mine. It is one old miserable goblet." said Fred clapping his twin's shoulder
"Shut up you two. That Goblet sure has a sense of humour in dealing with you two hooligans." said Alicia Spinnet making the Twins pout while Katie descends into laughter probably at the reminder of old bearded Wesley twins.
"I don't think that was the Goblet but Dumbledore's ward. Anyway, the point I was making is that you guys have been a great help. Alicia and Angelina helped me with a lot of transfiguration and Katie helped me with the charms. The twins helped me with dealing with those Slytherins." said Harry after which he addressed the three others who were not part of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. "Hermione and Neville helped me in researching all the spells and magical creatures. Lee Jordan here has been my moral support not to mention instrumental in alibies. So, thank you all for helping me."
"Let me say it has been my pleasure in delivering righteous retribution on those Slytherins, Harry." said Lee Jordan sharing a wicked grin with the Weasely Twins.
"As a thank you, Butterbeer's on me." said Harry which was enough to get bottles popping in numbers.
After spending a bit of quality time with the group Harry carefully sneaked out to the cabin with the yellow coat hanging outside. He slipped in and inside the cabin was Rita Skeeter.
"Harry. How've you been?" the excitable and friendly tone of the sharp-tongued Skeeter didn't fool him the least bit.
"I've been fine. Read those articles of yours and I have to say I'm impressed." he said as he took a seat opposite to the career-wrecking writer of the Daily Prophet.
"I won't be able to maintain writing about Black's innocence anymore. My editor has been getting quite some trouble from the Ministry." said Rita before she blanched as Harry directed a cold glare at her face.
"You will continue to write because you just found new evidence." said Harry as he took out a vial from his jacket pocket.
"I did?" asked Rita confusedly even as she took the vial from Harry. "What's this?"
"That's the memory and definite proof of Peter Pettigrew's continued existence. You can publish the memory in your paper and trust me it's going to shut up the Ministry once and for all."
"Harry dear, I don't think memories can be published…" Rita trailed off as she saw Harry pushing a piece of parchment towards her. "What's that?"
"Sominum Chartum. It's a spell designed to transfer memories into portraits. There is a slight modification to the spell and it can be used to transfer the memory into your paper."
"You came prepared." said Rita as she took the parchment and the vial of memory. She especially loved the pouch of Galleons as well. She hadn't dared to ask payment lest Potter decided to out her as an animagus but the boy was no freeloader. She has been paid for every bit of article that slandered Snape and the Ministry. In so far, she got nothing to complain about from her new employer except for the invisible sword hanging over her neck.
"I'm fighting a war with an enemy hiding in the darkness. Do you know how the enemy shrouded in darkness is won over?"
"How?"
"By shining a bit of light."
******
Harry made his way through the outskirts of the castle grounds towards Hagrid's hut. The friendly half-giant had asked his presence near midnight at the hut. He knew 'Moody' had a part to play in this little scheme and Harry was more than willing to play the puppet for the time being.
Under the safety of the Invisibility Cloak, he made his way towards Hagrid's hut and knocked on the door twice. The grounds were slumbering under the veil of the night but Harry could see all as clear as day thanks to the Horus glasses. Cost him a lot of gold to buy the glasses but it sure is damn useful.
"You there Harry?" whispered Hagrid, opening the door and looking around with a lantern.
"Hey, Hagrid." said Harry, slipping out of the Invisibility Cloak and carefully stepped into the hut at Hagrid's insistence. "So, why am I here?"
"Got sommat ter show ya." said Hagrid
Harry could see Hagrid was overflowing with excitement. He watched as Hagrid went around in the hut smoothing out his hair and coat as if preparing for a guest.
"Hagrid are you going out on a date?" he asked
"Wha? Yes..No…no… who told ya such things, Harry?" Hagrid shaking his head rapidly but the half-giant couldn't hide his rosy cheeks from Harry's eyes.
"Just guessing." he said with a shrug
"Nothin like that Harry. Come with me, keep quiet and keep yourself covered with that Cloak." said Hagrid
Harry followed behind Hagrid towards the Beauxbatons carriage while keeping an eye on his watch. He had a meeting with Sirius coming up and he can't be late for that.
Soon they reached the Beauxbatons carriage and Hagrid knocked on the carriage door three times.
Madame Maxime opened the door. She was wearing a blue simmering dress with a long white shawl wrapped around her massive shoulders.
"Ah, 'Agrid….it is time?"
Harry watched the two greet cordially and move away from the carriage's perimeter. Soon, it became difficult for Harry to keep up the long strides of the two half-giants as they walked farther and farther away from the carriage and even the Black Lake.
As they walked deeper and deeper into the forest Harry could hear the shouting of men and then…then came a defeating roar…the roar of a dragon.
He carefully stepped around a patch of grass and a column of trees to get a better view. In the distance, he could see four full-grown, enormous, vicious-looking dragons. They were sealed off inside a fence separated by charmed metallic bars. The dragons had to be at least fifty feet tall and seem to enjoy breathing fire all around them. Wizards and witches were running around the four creatures trying to handle creatures of destruction incarnate.
Hagrid and Madame Maxime went further in but Harry stayed back. He took a deep breath and looked at each dragon and smiled. He was prepared to take on these beasts. If anything, he only felt relief that he has been preparing to face the true enemy.
'The terrifying roar, vicious-looking scales, red hot flames and incredible physical powers of the dragons pale in comparison to the magic I wield at my fingertips.'
Dragons come in varieties. There is the Hungarian Horntail, the most dangerous of dragons among its kind with jet black scales and spikey tail, standing at 50 feet. Then the Common Welsh Green standing 20 feet, the more docile of dragons. Then there is the Swedish short-snout with its blue scales, a dragon famed for its hellish fire standing at 22 feet. The fourth dragon he saw was the Chinese Fireball known for its cunning and agility, standing at 25 feet.
All these dragons were dangerous but he will triumph over them all. He didn't remain a second more in the forest and walked back to the castle. On the way, he watched Karkaroff walking towards the holding grounds for dragons. Harry paused and stoop behind a tree as Karkaroff marched past him without sparing a glance. He aimed his wand from underneath the cloak and sent out a silent stunner.
The Headmaster of Durmstrang fell over with a thud stunned.
'Well, that was easy.' he thought amusedly before walking closer to the downed former Death Eater.
"Always hated the Nazis but never got to kick them on their balls. I will settle for the Wizarding version of those fascist peacocks." Harry murmured before giving a clear cut foot straight to the balls of Karkaroff. He made sure to put the guy under two more stunners before creating some stag footsteps on the ground. He doubted Karkaroff will rattle off that he was assaulted in the woods but to be on the safe side he made it look like there were hoof marks. If someone bothered to look they would conclude it was a stag or a centaur.
After that, he rushed all the way towards Gryffindor tower dodging night patrols, portraits and ghosts.
"Balderdash!" he coughed out towards the Fat Lady, who was snoozing in her frame.
"If you say so." The Fat Lady mumbled sleepily before swinging open allowing him entry into the Tower.
The Common Room remained empty and thankfully he didn't need to set up Notice-me-Not wards near the fireplace. He immediately went near the sole light source in the Common Room and shed off his Invisibility Cloak.
There in the flames sat Sirius' head. The image was so comical and at the same time alien. Never in his life would he have imagined this was possible. To be fair, his very existence was an impossibility so there is that.
"Padfoot, how're you doing?"
This was a man who had spent twelve years in hell wallowing in misery, guilt and self-loathing for a crime he never committed. Even if Harry had little emotional attachment to the man he held a lot of respect and pity. The sheer will to continue living even as a hunted man was to be appreciated. This was why he will see Sirius walk a free man and live a long life. That will be his one good deed before he turns the Wizarding World on its head and rebuilds it from scratch to fit his needs.
But those plans were far in the future conditional on his survival and the destruction of Voldemort and Dumbledore.
"Never mind that, how are you?" asked Sirius, his flaming head arched forward with flaming eyebrows scrunched up in concern.
"Just wait a minute Padfoot."
Harry stood back and called for Dobby.
His elvish friend teleported in with a customary pop.
"Master Harry called for Dobby."
"Yes. Dobby, trace the floo and do as we planned earlier."
Dobby's green eyes zeroed in on the fireplace before popping away.
Harry looked into the flames and Sirius was nowhere to be found in the flames. A pop signalled Dobby's return.
"Did you do it Dobby?"
"Of course Master Harry Potter Sir. Dobby did as planned." said the excitable House Elf as he offered his hand to Harry.
Without hesitation, he took Dobby's hand and he felt a pull on his gut. A minute later he was standing inside the refurbished Chamber of Secrets. Salazar Slytherin's gigantic face was moved away in favour of a large lion head as he preferred. The snake statues were all gone as they were modified to lion statues. All the slime and grime on the floor were washed away. The floors gleamed in the candlelight of the chandeliers that he had Winky install in the former bleak chamber. Looking around at the splendour and colour, it seems to have worked splendidly.
But this was all secondary as he looked at the skeletal man looking around the chamber in awe. The red and gold banners of House Gryffindor seems to have taken Sirius by surprise and the giant lion statues seem to have brought the man to tears.
"Welcome back to Hogwarts, Sirius."
"How did you…?" Sirius trailed off, looking at himself and the surroundings incomprehensibly.
"All my plan to get you a stable shelter and safe space. So how about dinner or would you prefer to take a nap?"
Harry watched as the realization dawned on Sirius who's eyes watered all of a sudden.
Harry let out an 'oof' as Sirius plunged himself into a hug. Harry hesitantly hugged his godfather back and clapped the man on his back soothingly.
"You have run enough Sirius. Now, we stand and fight till we win your freedom at any cost." Harry's eyes darkened as he heard Sirius let out a sob. "At any cost."