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Potter's peaceful slumber was suddenly interrupted at half past five in the morning by the unmistakable voice of Mad-Eye.
- Harry, get up at once! I'm on the trail!
Even through his sleep Potter could hear the rush in Moody's voice, so he instantly woke up and asked the void from which Mad-Eye's voice had come:
- What is it? What's going on?
- I've discovered the Death Eaters' mistake. Polyjuice potion, just as I thought! It doesn't give a name, though, but if you ask for an alibi or compare DNA...
- Okay," Harry wasn't thinking straight after his recent dream. - I don't get it. How did you even get in here? There's an anti-intrusion system. And the entrance to the living room, it's a combination of actions.
- There's no time! If the Lord's henchman looks into the enemy manifest, he'll realise he's been discovered. Take Finch-Fletchley, I'll wake Tonks, we need to act now; I know where he'll be in ten minutes. Don't tell anyone else, especially the teachers. I still don't know his identity. It could be absolutely anyone; Dumbledore, McGonagall, even your sleeping neighbour. Don't tell anyone anything! Meet me at the lounge exit, bring a spare wand and robe.
The door opened and the voice withdrew. Harry woke Finch-Fletchley, put Aveik on him and tried to explain the situation as briefly as possible. Two minutes later they were already standing at the exit of the faculty lounge. Moody was gone.
- If it turns out that he's the one who made that joke before the first of April, I'm transferring to Beauxbaton. Away from this shit," Finch-Fletchley was clearly unhappy with the event.
After two minutes of waiting, Potter himself was getting worried. Before he could voice his concerns, however, Tonks and Moody finally appeared. Mad-Eye was now visible.
- Harry! - Tonks exclaimed as she spotted them. - He threatened you too!
- Nah, it's voluntary," Finch-Fletchley answered in Potter's place. - I've always dreamed of getting up in the middle of the night and going out to catch Death Eaters!
- Shut up, both of you! - Moody had no intention of joking. - All questions, outrages, complaints later. I need every wand, and at the moment, you are the only ones I can be sure of at Hogwarts.
- Only us? What about Dumbledore? Flitwick? The other teachers? Or are they all Eaters? - The sarcasm completely permeated Tonks' voice.
- Okay, I said, all questions later! The identity of the Death Eaters is unknown! All we know is that it's fake, and that's all I can briefly tell you for now. Let's go to the Potions Room. If we're lucky, he hasn't had a chance to look into the enemy's manifester, and we'll catch him unawares. I'll cast a disillusionment spell on you that will work against intruders. We'll move in a single stream. Stealth is the priority. And, well, you can ask some questions along the way. But when approaching the dungeon, no noises of any kind are allowed. Let's go.
After Moody had cast his cloaking spells on them, they set off in the direction of the dungeon. On the way, Harry cast Aweik on Tonks, and she cheered up and asked her question, the answer to which had caused her to fight with Moody again. The next question was asked by Harry himself.
- What did that Death Eaters do anyway? How did he get it wrong? What was the enemy manifester? And how could he be so sure of the Polyjuice potion? I realise it's a long explanation, but I'd like to hear a rough picture, at least in general terms. And I also wondered, was there even a mysterious malefactor? Maybe it was Confundus that triggered it. I cast a spell on the Cup, so he forgot my name and threw it away. And the fact that it wasn't in my handwriting, it could have been some effect of the Cup. That the unknown Death Eaters also used Confundus is just a theory, and we can't be one hundred per cent sure.
- I noticed traces of the Polyjuice potion, and then my defence against the enemies' manifester worked, after that....
- Wait a minute," Tonks suddenly interrupted Moody and stopped. - In the same way? What are you talking about?
The others stopped as well.
- 'This isn't the time to find out the details,' Moody instantly tensed up. - 'Everything can wait until we've dealt with the bastard.
- Come on, I'll be quick," Potter didn't understand the meaning of Nymphadora's question, but decided to answer it quickly so that everyone in their group wouldn't fight. - Moody advised me to use Confundus on the Goblet of Fire, I told you, well I took the advice, but my spell wasn't powerful enough, so my name wouldn't have come out if it wasn't for the same actions of an unknown malevolent. Or rather, we think those actions were, there's no proof, though Moody is sure that's what happened.
Tonks was somehow not satisfied with the answer. A serious and thoughtful expression appeared on her face. She began to ponder something.
- An unknown Death Eaters had tricked the Goblet of Fire using a method Moody had devised. That's a bit odd, don't you think?
Harry didn't think it was weird, but Nymphadora certainly did.
- And you told Dumbledore about it, didn't you? You told him everything you knew about the Goblet of Fire and the actions of the unknown?
- I told Dumbledore everything. Although I didn't say exactly that. Nor that it was Moody's idea to participate, but I told the Headmaster everything else, you can be sure of that. Don't tell me you think Dumbledore was the John Doe?
- And why did you choose to remain silent on that fact? - Tonks ignored Potter's question, she was as tense as a string ready to break at any moment. What was she so worried about?
- I was asked by Moody not to tell anyone about it. So I didn't tell anyone. But I don't understand where you're going- Oh, oh, oh, oh!
Tonks suddenly pointed her wand at Mad-Eye.
- Oops!" Finch-Fletchley reacted, pointing his wand at Tonks. - What the hell is that?
- That's not Moody! - Tonks' hair colour began to change rapidly. After grey, blue, and beige, Nymphadora's hair finally turned black. - The Moody I know would never hide anything from Dumbledore!
- What is this nonsense, Tonks!!! - Harry joined Justin and pointed his wand at Nymphadora. - Do you seriously think it was Moody who threw my name in the Goblet of Fire!
- It's not Mad-Eye, don't you get it yet!!!
Tonks stared at an idle Moody. And Moody?
- We don't have time for this nonsense," Mad-Eye seemed to be using all his stamina to keep his wand out. - Are you trying to impersonate me or something? I suspect everyone reasonably, not the way you try to do, Nymphadora!
Nymphadora didn't even pay attention to this reference, which clearly indicated the seriousness of the situation.
- You're the one trying to play Moody, and quite successfully at that, since I've only just discovered you now! Who are you? Malfoy? McNair?
- I'm pretending to be Moody? Are you on your period or something? I've heard these days, they're really messing with your head. - Mad-Eye was furious. - Cut the bullshit and put your wand down before I knock it out of your hand!
It was the first time Harry had ever seen the retired auror so angry. He had a half-crazed expression of pure rage on his face. Surprisingly, he hadn't even tried to get his wand out yet, but was trying to negotiate.
- Who asked you to participate in the Tournament? - Tonks, keeping her eyes on Moody, turned to Potter. - Who told you exactly how to cheat the Goblet of Fire? Who happened to be at school the very day someone threw your name into the Goblet of Fire? Who offered you the same way to cheat the Goblet of Fire that the intruder used? Who asked you not to tell Dumbledore about anything? Who makes a bunch of surprise visits to the offices every day and gets to steal the ingredients for the Polyjuice potion? Who is the only one who can drink this potion in front of everyone, using his own personal flask? Who led the search for this Death Eaters but was unsuccessful? Who...
A red beam flew out of Tonks' wand. A wand flew out of Moody's sleeve.
- Who keeps talking about constant vigilance, but failed to predict or at least understand my suspicions? And finally, who pulls out their wand so obviously that even I notice it?
- And you know what? - Justin thought about it for a moment, and turned his wand over to Moody. - There's a logic to it.
- No, it doesn't! There's no logic to it at all! - Harry shouted and pointed his wand at Finch-Fletchley. The tension was rising. - It was all just coincidences that had been voiced as arguments! Mad-Eye wasn't at school when I threw my name into the Goblet of Fire, what do you say to that, eh?
- Are you sure about that? - Justin shifted his wand from Moody to Potter. In a short time he had managed to point it at everyone involved in the conflict. - How can you be so sure?
A flash of red flashed. Another wand flew out from Moody.
- Mm-hm..." Harry thought for a moment. What made him think Mad-Eye had only come to Hogwarts on the day of the Tournament? Someone had said something, hadn't they? Or did they? - Well, then what is the motive of the person you think is hiding under the guise of Moody. I wasn't attacked by anyone other than the dragon on the first or second trial. Everything was exactly the same as the other champions. Maybe there was no traitor!
- Harry, two notes! Not one, two! Even if your Confundus did something weird, there's no way the Goblet of Fire could have created a piece of paper with your name on it. I'm no expert on artefacts, but I'm pretty sure they don't have the ability to create things out of nothing. What the Death Eaters motive is is irrelevant! Maybe he needs to let you win the Tournament. For some ceremony, I don't know!
- Well, then how could Moody know the details of our lives? If he's an imposter, how could he have knowledge? Why is he acting like Moody and not a strange man? Is someone so good at impersonating Mad-Eye that even Dumbledore and I couldn't spot anything?
- Polyjuice potion requires the hair of a living person," Finch-Fletchley pointed out. - Even though I hate Snape, I sometimes get involved in the process in class. And this man can be interrogated and learn all the information he needs to pretend. All that's left is acting skills, that's all. So if it's not Moody, then the real Mad-Eye is still alive somewhere.
- But that's rubbish! You think I've spent the last three years with Mad-Eye and I don't recognise him? It's definitely the real Moody, no-one can pretend that well!
- Maybe he's deceived us somehow, I didn't notice much difference either. But you can't argue with an argument.
- Make up your mind, Harry," Tonks said. - 'If you don't want to believe it's not Moody, don't believe it, let's check his identity together. We'll go to Dumbledore and he'll find out.
Harry instantly switched his wand back to her. Nymphadora didn't react in any way. Potter looked around. There was no one in the corridor but them. That was normal, after all, normal people were asleep at this hour, and if there was anyone, you could try to lure them to your side....
- Stop it, Tonks, Justin, I'm sure Moody is real, and we have an emergency, we can't go to Dumbledore, we don't have time, and even if we did, we can't trust the headmaster, in case he's the intruder who threw my name in the cup! Why don't we just put the whole thing off for a couple of hours? Then we can make all the necessary checks! If you can't believe him, believe me! Moody is Moody, not someone else, I'd have noticed something if he wasn't!
- I'm sorry Harry, I trust you, I really do," Tonks spoke sincerely, Potter realised this even though her eyes were watching Mad-Eye's every action intently. - But common sense should stand above mere trust. And you are clearly biased in this situation, just like Moody, your vigilance stands above common sense arguments, why would you decide that Dumbledore can't be trusted? No, you can trust the man who's impersonating Moody, but Justin and I will deliver him to Dumbledore. With or without your consent. So decide which side you're on!
- Two idiots," Moody looked at Potter, "You're going to make us lose him. Harry, silence them both and go together, we can still make it if we run. Start with Tonks, you can't take her in a fair fight yet.
- Incarcero! - Nymphadora exclaimed. Moody's hands tightened around the ropes. - I don't know how many spare wands there are, but he won't be able to get them tied up anyway. Justin, use the levitation spell, let's go to Dumbledore. Harry, you can stay here if you want.
- Look, what if I really stun you, right here! - Harry put his wand to Tonks' forehead. She still showed no sign of fear, as if she didn't believe Potter could try to do anything bad to her. - 'Moody said it right, if I stun you, I'll only have Finch-Fletchley to beat. What do you say to that?
- Tonks, should I stun him? - Justin scrutinised Harry's every move.
- Don't you dare! - Nymphadora turned away from Moody for a moment. - He won't attack, I'm sure of it.
- Attack, Potter! Bloody hell, you're the only sensible person here! I've trained her for so many years and she's never been able to learn to think properly! Despite all the achievement and Auror work, she's never learnt the meaning of the word 'vigilance', you're another matter! You know which side to take, don't you? You've always been...
- Silenzio! - Tonks exclaimed, and Moody fell silent. - Justin, use levitation and let's go. Harry, you'd better come with us and see for yourself. It'll all make sense after the test.
- Look, are you sure? - Finch-Fletchley hesitated. - 'I'd stun Harry just in case... Potter, no offence, but you're really acting strange, I'd be reassured.
- Don't worry, he won't turn on his friends. You may be close, but I know him better," Tonks looked at Potter. Her hair had turned golden.
Harry hesitated...
This is a test. A choice. A test of vigilance. A test of trust. A test of friendship. In his entire life, he's never had a choice as difficult as this. The scales. On one side is Moody. Probably not the real one. Harry was the son of James and Lily Potter, after the tragic death of his real parents he went to live with relatives Vernon and Petunia Dursle, they became very bad 'parents' to Potter, Harry never thought to call Petunia mum and Vernon dad, he called them uncle and aunt, but they didn't even make it to uncle and aunt. His childhood had turned into a nightmare, that nightmare still echoed in Harry's mind, he had gloves on his hands and many spells to protect him from fire. And even the certainty that he would never see his former acquaintances again didn't help him forget those events.
After the Dursleys came the Tonks, they were kind, understanding, good people. They tried to be involved in Potter's life, but at the same time they didn't control his actions too much, they never scolded him for breaking the rule about not witching on holidays, probably understanding how important it was for Harry to be able to train in spells, and in some aspects they treated him like an adult. They allowed Justin to visit Harry, and at the same time allowed Potter himself to go to Finch-Fletchley Mansion. But Harry Potter's true parent was Mad-Eye Moody. It was his influence that had the strongest impact on Potter. Many children wanted to be like their parents, Harry became a scaled-down replica of the retired auror, only without the scars. A huge baggage of spells, the constant vigilance and quick reflexes that plagued Hogwarts students who thought it was a good idea to scare Potter, his own personal flask, a bezoar, a spare wand up his sleeve, an invisibility cloak. Harry had his own personal set of miscellaneous stuff that could help him against a surprise attack. Could he not recognise the imposter in Mad-Eye Moody's shoes?
On the other side of the scale were two people at once: Nymphadora Tonks and Justin Finch-Fletchley. Finch-Fletchley is Harry Potter's best friend. And in the definition of "best friend" was revealed the role Justin played for Harry. None of his friends were closer to Potter than Justin. Fred was always with George and George was always with Fred, the third in their company was superfluous; communication with Ron Weasley had died down just after they'd been moved to astronomy, there was no more reason to talk. Potter had become great friends with Colin Creevey, but the latter was a year younger and was constantly busy with his hobby of photography. Ginny Weasley herself was looking to meet Harry, however they didn't have many common topics of conversation. Zhou was more than just a friend to Potter, however they barely exchanged a couple of words a month before their relationship began. Riddle was a good candidate for best friend, but he's a diary, and because of that problem he couldn't participate in many activities with Potter. But any event that happened to Harry, any oddity, any problem, danger, Moody's attacks, the Goblet of Fire, Quidditch... Justin Finch-Fletchley was always there.
Nymphadora Tonks was like an older sister to Potter. Harry went to school and Tonks went to work, on holidays they chatted sweetly and exchanged experiences from their various leisure activities. As an older sister should, Tonks was in some aspects able to pressure Harry into doing things she needed to do herself. But Harry didn't really mind either, he was willing to help Nymphadora almost always. Yes, with the exception of this year, they hadn't spent much time together, but every encounter with Tonks was still a good memory for Potter.
Now one or two people would have to be betrayed. Which one? Was there a choice at all? Even if Harry decided to side with Moody, he could hardly defeat Tonks and Finch-Fletchley. There's not much of a choice, the outcome is likely to be one. However, the outcome is not important. Harry has to decide for himself which side he's on. Right now. I guess he'll side with...