Hidden Truths

Chapter 13

The moment Harry saw the other two champions; he knew what was happening. This wasn't a 1 on 1 like the first task. It was essential a fight to the death, minus the death part. There hadn't been any rules explained to him like the first task so he assumed anything could be used apart from actually murdering another champion. He didn't have long to ponder on this however as a streak of purple flashed past his eyes and hit small puddle of water behind him and turned into steam. Not wanting to be on the receiving end of any of those he quickly got his bearings and ran for cover. His section of the arena seemed to be mostly made of water, not quite a swamp but not far off either. He had some large mossy rocks he could hide behind or he supposed he could actually jump into the bodies of water scattered around. Last resort he thought.

He found a large rock and leaned up again it. It was slimy and actually smelled a little funny but this wasn't a time to be picky. Leaning out he saw the other two must have done the same. Pulling his head back into cover he look up to the crowed. They all seemed to be cheering, he didn't know who, but he couldn't hear them anyway. The sound proof barrier used in the first task firmly in place.

Ok, remember what Sirius and Remus taught you. Keep a clear head, think about what spell they're going to use in advance and counter it. These were the thoughts running through his mind. The one major problem with what they had both said to him was that he simply knew less magic than them. Granted, he could perhaps overpower them but that was dangerous and he had been warned not to let his emotions get the better of him.

Harry moved from his cover and made a run for a smaller, but more tactical spot. He stopped half way however when he felt a rumbling at his feet. Almost falling over as it suddenly became intense shaking he looked around. The water around him was rising, or perhaps the ground was sinking. He couldn't tell. Someone must have hit one of the targets and it had effects the area he was in. A quick scan of the arena walls confirmed that. One of the targets, which looked like a ring made of smoke hung in the air on sides of the arena wall was now red smoke, which he guessed meant it now couldn't be used for the 3 minutes McGonagall had told him about.

Not wanting to be the only one having a hard time, he waded through the now knee height water and took aim at a target he could see on the other end of the arena. He raised his wand and shouted "Stupefy!", the bright red spell shot out of his wand and flew straight towards the target. Seeing the smoky ring turn red confirmed he'd hit it and a few second later he could feel the ground rumble again, although not nearly as bad as what is was earlier. The other side of the area seemed to be filling with either smoke or mist, he couldn't tell.

It seemed to die down after that and he strained his ears to pick up as many sounds as he could. Ruling out what was basically nature and what were the sounds of the other two champions. He must not have been doing a few good job as a bright blue spell landing just in front of him. It didn't have an effect right away it seemed and he couldn't see where it came from. The water, which was still at knee height was slowly turning to ice. Panicking, he scrambled for the nearest mossy boulder, thanking his luck when there was one right to his left. He'd only just managed to climb onto the rock when the ice, which wasn't spreading out like it naturally did, had followed his path. His shoes squelching on the rock he looked around. He was right in the open now and all around him was cover, be it other large rocks, the water itself or even from a longer distance. If anyone is going to target me its now, they basically forced me into this position he though, and he didn't like the idea that he had essential fallen into a trap; weather the ice had gotten him or not, he was now in the open.

He tried to push his senses out from him, listening harder than ever and scanning everything he could as quickly as he could manage it. It seemed to pay off as another bright purple spell came hurtling towards him. "Protego!" He shouted. He had only just gotten the shield up in time and it was a little clumsily produced. The spell hit the shield hard and Harry slid back on the moss a few inches. He made a note to thank Sirius for that weird teaching technique in his basement after this was over. Knowing he couldn't be on defensive forever he waited for the next spell, which he knew should come soon. As he predicted, another spell shot out from the distance, where what could only be described as a maze like ruin had been placed. It hit his shield again but Harry was ready for it that time and held strong. He was impressed with the power that the other two champions were dishing out.

Seeing where the spell now came from Harry quickly dropped his shield and thrust his wand forwards and bellowed a blasting spell. "Confringo!" Harry put as much power into the curse as he dared. It has the result he wanted though as Fleur Delacour ran from her cover behind a piece of ruined wall as it exploded in a cloud of dust, debris flying in every direction. Harry sent two stunners at the running figure but didn't expect them to hit, he was a little too far away for trying to anyone. "So I've got a tag on Fleur, now to find Krum.." Harry said out loud to himself as he jumped down from the rock, with a splash he landed and hid around the side of it, peaking he saw Fleur hiding behind a new wall, a few frays of her uniform showing. He'd have to get closed if he was going to stun her but if he came out of his cover he would be the one in a disadvantage.

Harry's luck seemed to be high for this task as 2 spells in quick succession exploded around where Fleur was hiding. She screamed in surprise and Harry winced as he watched her fly about a foot backwards. Well there's Krum. Harry took the advantage of the distraction and ran as fast as he could through the water towards the backside of the ruins, thankfully the water seemed to be slowly draining making it a lot easier to run through then before. He hoped they hadn't noticed him otherwise his plan to flank them would be ruined.

He could hear blasts and small explosions echoing through the ruins but ignored it all as he kept up his pace. He should have been watching where he was going however. As he placed his foot down on what he thought was solid ground, it disappeared and he started to fall. Instincts taking over his hand reached out and only just managed to grab the edge of what he could now see was a large pit. Thankfully, no spikes at the bottom but it would have proved a hefty fall.

"Daphne you're breaking my hand.." She said nonchalantly. Daphne didn't seem to care as she continued to squeeze her best friends hand. She seemed more worried than in the first task, possibly because she had seen how violent it was. "Sure, carry on.. I don't need it anyway.." She grumbled.

"Phew, that was a close one. Good thing he's got good reflexes, eh Greengrass?" Andy said from beside her. Not getting a response her looked beside him and looked at her in confusion.

He turned to Tracey. "She always like this?" He asked.

"Only when he's doing dangerous things." She replied with a smirk.

Andy turned back to watch as Harry pulled himself up and out of the hole and continued through the ruins. The other two champions were still duelling, sparks flying in the centre of the arena. He hadn't known Harry long and this was the first time he'd seen him do any real magic. He seemed pretty lacklustre in classes, although he was pretty good with the written work. When he had been finally released from St. Mungo's he had come back to all sorts of rumours flying around, the most important of all; was that Harry Potter had come to Hogswarts. He knew who Harry was, who didn't; he'd grown up hearing the rumours and stories just as much as any other kid. The image he had in his mind didn't fit the real Harry however.

He was distracted from his thoughts though as he thought he saw a soft green glow coming from the end of Daphne's sleeve. Reaching out her touched what he now saw was a bracelet but instantly recoiled if burned. "What the.." He whispered. Daphne hadn't even flinched but he noticed Tracey was watching him. She shook her head at him and he let it drop, confused as to what it was. Turning to his right he saw Hermione was in a similar state, simply staring at Harry.

"Lucky bastard.." He mumbled.

Harry was standing up with his back again a wall, listening. The sounds of the other two duelling had died down and he wondered if one of them had beaten the other. Edging slowly against the wall to where he had last seen Fleur, wand tightly in hand and ready to raise a shield at a moment's notice.

As he moved along the wall he hit a lose part of the brickwork, causing some of them to fall. It was a miracle any of it was standing, it all seemed about ready to crumble. Magic probably had a lot to do with it. The noise he had caused alerted the others to where he was.

"Bombarda!" He heard just before diving out of the way from the wall he was against. The next second a large hole appeared and he saw Victor Krum walk through the dust with confidence and power.

"Stupefy!" Harry shouted in response, he was what he could only describe as a corridor, 2 walls flanking either side of him. The spell smashed again Krum's shield but the Bulgarian continues on towards him, lazily throwing spells at him. Either he didn't consider Harry a threat or he was over confident in this task. Harry imagined it was probably the first.

Harry raised a strong shield as Krum repeatedly sent spell after powerful spell at his shield. He was slowing being forced back. During their practise with Sirius he had managed to last a fair amount of time but he was eventually forced against the wall. Not wanting to simply roll over and take it Harry tried to think of a counter. He didn't know as many offensive spells at Krum, that was for sure but what could he do with the spells he already knew? Well it's exactly what they told me not to do, but hey it worked in the first task he thought.

Lowering his shield, which caused Krum to raise an eyebrow in confusion he raised his wand and let his magic lose as much as he dared. He didn't need to take on a dragon and exhaust himself, even if he did beat Krum he would still have Fleur to deal with. He thrust it forward and cried "Stupefy!". The bright red spell spell launched from his wand with the sound of a cannon blast, and harry was thrown back several feet backwards from the force of his spell.

Victor thinking it was just another spell that Harry had sent his way before instead raised a simple shield. Harry's spell slammed into his shield, causing the Bulgarian to grunt as he tried to keep his shield up. The spell didn't seem to just hit it and that was it, it seemed to be trying to drill into the shield to get to Krum. Grunting from the effort his shield eventually failed and he was hit with the spell. Unfortunately, it only had enough power left to knock Krum off his feet and daze him slightly.

Scrambling to his feet Harry felt a pain on the back of his head. Putting his hand to it, he pulled it back and saw he was bleeding. Krum was getting up slowly but Harry was starting to feel dizzy so he made a run for it through one of the hole Krum had created. As he went through the hole he noticed a target on the arena wall. Firing a spell towards it resulted in it turning red. Instantly the walls around him started to rumble into life as they shifted and moved. His thought on the entire thing being held up by magic now confirmed.

Harry turned around as a wall behind him was moving and made to go that way, as the wall fully opened up however he skidded to a halt, raising his wand as he was almost face to face with Fleur Delacour. "Protego!" They both shouted in unison. Harry, being caught off guard and being so close wasn't able to put any control back into his spells. The large shield that appeared before him slammed into Fleurs sending them both backwards and onto their backs. His head hit the cold cobbled rock for a second time, his vision going blurry for a moment. This wasn't going how he had planned it. He had hoped Fleur or Krum would finish off the other and Harry would be able to step in and surprise the one standing.

Harry dragged himself to his feet, clutching the wall for support as his eyes couldn't seem to focus right. Lifting his head, he saw the blurry outline of Fleur only just getting up as she was blasted backwards further than he was. He raised his wand, his arm shaking. Lot's of thoughts ran through Harry's head as he tried to steady his wand. Fleur would recover any moment now and he knew she was quick with a wand. Leaving him no choice he decided he at least didn't want to come last.

Putting all his weight into his stance he let go of his control and let his magic flood into his wand. It always felt like it was burning as he gripped it tightly, fearing he would drop it from his still shaky arm. The last time he had don't this was against the dragon and he felt a similar feeling as he did them. It didn't feel like it was just his magic that he was pushing into his wand but that of another. It felt foreign, as if it didn't belong. It seemed to compete with his own magic before giving up and merging.

The few seconds this was happening Harry's wand tip glowed a bright red, so bright everyone in the stands could see it. Large electrical like tendrils arced from the wand and gouged thin marks into the rock around him. Finally feeling like he was about to pass out he, more so from the blood loss and constant blows to the head, he released the spell. It didn't sound like a canon blast however this time, the noise could only be described as raw energy. It shot towards Fleur who really was quick with her wand. She had brought up a shield just in time but it almost immediately failed and she was hit, square in the chest with his stunner and she dropped to the ground instantly.

Wobbling on his feet now, he focused his vision enough to see her chest rise and fall slowly before dropping to his knees and in the next moment, passed out.

People in the stands didn't know whether to cheer or gasp as they watched Harry fire his spell at Fleur. Bagman announced that Krum was the only one standing, making him the winner but everyone was whispering or standing up to get a better look into the arena.

Tracey listened in on the whispers and asked the others what they thought. "You don't really think that was dark magic right?" She asked, worried. "It started off looking like a standard stunning spell, I mean he even shouted the word but then it sort of.. Went a bit strange.."

"I didn't think he had it in him to use darker spells, from what I've seen I had him pegged as a goody to shoes." Andy said. Daphne stomped on his foot and gave him a glare before turning back to watch the medi-wizards that had rushed in as soon as Bagman announced it was over. Fleur was on her feet, although she had her arm around the shoulder of one of them as they walked towards the exit. Krum had given a brief bow and then walked out as soon as it finished as if nothing weird had happened.

"I'm sure he's fine Daphne. This is nothing compared to the first task right?" Tracey said, trying to instil confidence in her friend; and to also perhaps make her elevate the pressure on her hand. It didn't work.

"That doesn't make it any better." She said simply.

Two medi-wizards were pulling Harry up to his feet now, his head hanging limply. They placed him on a summoned stretcher. One of the medi-wizards then positioned himself behind it and pointed his wand at the stretcher, it immediately rose a few feet off the ground and floated along in front of him.

"I'm going to see him." Daphne said suddenly, jumping up and releasing Tracey's hand that now had red marks where her fingers had been grasping. Tracey held her hand in her other and sighed in relief, as if she'd just stepped into a warm bath. "See you later." She shouted as she pushed herself through the crowed as everyone was getting ready to head back to the school.

She eventually squeezed her way through and made it to the entrance of the arena stands and bolted for where she assumed the medical tent would be. He didn't like he was terribly hurt but the bracelet on her wrist wasn't as warm and she had told him to be careful and not lose his head. She kept running until she saw the small white tent with a red plus sign on the front and stopped outside of it. She wasn't really sure if she was allowed him but just before she was going to storm in anyway Professor. McGonagall stepped out. "Oh, Miss. Greengrass." She said in surprise.

To her surprise she allowed Daphne to enter. She pushed the tent flap to the side and walked in. Immediately spotting Harry, who was now on a thin bed in the corner with a medi-wizard hovering next to him as he waved his wand in intricate patterns. Daphne stood to the side and watched in annoyance, not at the wizard but her dumb boyfriend who never listens. He had told her that his godfather had specifically told him not to do what he had just done. At first she didn't think it was a huge problem. Sure, he would be tired and bed ridden for a day or so but he could have won if he'd used powerful spells from the get go. That was all thrown out of the window when she remembered her conversation with Dumbledore. If he kept using so much magic, that he had too much off; it could really hurt him.

Finally she thought as the medi-wizard moved away, giving her a nod. She immediately darted to the side of the bed and was surprised when she saw Harry awake. His eyes were as green as ever but he didn't seem to be focusing on anything. Instead he stared blankly up at the tent's ceiling.

Daphne punched him in the arm.

"Ow!" He shouted, rubbing the spot she had hit with his other hand. "What was that for?" He grumbled.

"That, was for ignoring what others say. Are you okay?"

"Fine I guess, I can't stand up just yet or I feel dizzy. That and I got just punched in the arm. Haven't you ever heard not to punch an injured person?"

Daphne let out the breath she didn't realise she had held in and sat on the edge of the thin bed. The fact he was already awake and talking showed nothing serious happened, although she did want to know what did actually happen. She held his hand loosely in hers and blushed a little. "I'm glad you're okay." She said softly, her frustration now gone.

Harry however wasn't looking at her like she was him and following his gaze she arrived at their interlocked fingers. She began to wonder why he was looking at then until she noticed something else. "That look's like mine.." He said with a confused look on his face.

"A-ah.. Well.. It, is.. Kind of." She stuttered. "Mines.. Sort of like the master one."

"So I'm like a slave or something?!" He asked indignantly.

Daphne glared at him. "You're not a slave you idiot. It just means mine reflects what's happening to yours."

"OK.. So if mine glows or becomes warm so does yours?"

"Basically, yeah.." Daphne was blushing more now, she wanted to have this conversation another time. Perhaps when they had been dating longer. Having this kind of connection with him made her feel like they were almost married, and frankly that scared the crap out of her. Harry opened his mouth to respond but thankfully luck was on Daphne's side and the flap of the tent entrance opened.

Madam Pomfrey stood up tall after coming through and looked at Harry. "They said a champion was in need of an examination, how did I know it was going to be you Mr. Potter." She said sternly and walked over to him.

Daphne stood up, releasing Harry's hand and moving over to the foot of the bed. Harry was still looking at the bracelet on her wrist even as he spoke. "It's not my fault Madam Promfrey, the worlds got it out for me."

"Yes of course dear." She said sarcastically and started waving her wand and muttering spells above him.

"Will he be here long?" Daphne asked the matron.

"I suspect not, he should wait until the blood replenishing potion has finished and then he should be good to leave. Although I'd like you to pop in to see me tomorrow at some point Mr. Potter." The matron said. Harry groaned.

"W-well I'll see you back up at the castle Harry.." She said, he was looking at her in a weird way and it was frankly a little weird. He didn't reply so she walked out of the tent and made her way back to the castle, joining the last few stragglers that were leaving the stands.

"What was that about?" She mumbled to herself.

"Where's Daphne?" Hermione asked from her seat in the Library.

"She went to go and find Harry I think." Tracey replied.

Tracey, Hermione and Andy were all sitting in a corner of the library, waiting until it closed. Everyone was talking about the task in the corridors and their common rooms which left the library nice and deserted.

"He's not hurt or anything is he?" Andy asked as he tried to balance his chair on 2 legs.

Again Tracey replied. "Daphne said he's fine, although he acted a bit funny towards the end but that's probably from the beating his head took. At least I can keep saying how hard headed he is without remorse."

"Maybe I should ask him when we're back in the common room." Andy frowned.

"Good luck with that, since I've known him he's not been one to come forth with information. I usually get Daphne to drag it out of him."

Hermione looked towards the entrance of the library. "I hope they're okay." She said.

"Do you?" Tracey said, suddenly very serious. She knew how Hermione felt. She felt bad for the girl but she was and is, rooting for Daphne.

"O-Of course!" Hermione said promptly.

Andy was silently watching the exchange curiously. Leaning back and forth in his chair.

"So you're fine with Harry dating Daphne and not you?" Tracey asked. She'd never brought it up so plainly before but she thought now was as good a time as any seeing as Daphne wasn't here.

The question was sudden and Hermione didn't have an answer straight away like she usually did. "Sure.. I mean. I kind of l-like Harry in that way but he chose Daphne." The brunette said timidly.

"Good, because I'm on Daphne's side. We're all friends here but I just want to make that clear."

Hermione nodded and Tracey smiled. Andy just looked confused.

"I thought Harry wasn't supposed to be using magic like that Albus?" Lily Potter asked, sitting in the usual quest seat in front of Dumbledore's desk.

"He isn't, and I've warned him before but you know how he is. I think the combination of hitting his head a few too many times and his drive to win caused him not to think logically."

Lily crossed her arms. She was glad her son wasn't more hurt, the second task being a lot tamer than the first, although the potential danger was still there. It wasn't against the rules to use more powerful spells but all three champions seemed to not want too.

"Any new on the Greengrass'?" She asked, not wanting to think about her idiot son anymore today. She'll give him an earful another time, and a hug for doing as well as he did.

Dumbledore smiled at the surface thoughts of the woman in front of her. Her love for her son was incredibly strong. "Unfortunately no. I've found a few who were willing, to watch the house but so far nothing. I've also tried speaking up to Fudge but he is refusing to listen of course. I cannot say much as to not let Voldemort catch wind that we're aware of him."

Grumbling in frustration Lily stood up to leave. "Thanks. You've spoken to Sirius?" She asked.

"He'll be coming in a few days I suspect."

Lily nodded and moved towards the fireplace. A moment later she was gone.

Dumbledore continued to sit there, a million thoughts and ideas whizzing around his head. He wanted to tell her about the effects Harry's magic was really having on him, the danger he was in but he wanted Harry to have a life before he mentioned anything. Lily's relationship with her son was better than ever. Harry was dating and couldn't be happier. The old man didn't want to spoil it all, to be the one to create a rift between them all. One day, he'd have too and he feared that would be sooner rather than later.

"Harry.. Harry! Harry!" Daphne said, finally having to shout his name.

Harry turned around and gave her a smile, although it didn't quite look genuine which worried her.

Daphne walked up and stopped in front of him. They were in corridor on the second floor. "Where were you?" She asked. The only reason she knew where to find him was by asking random students.

"Oh, I just got back from the medical tent so I was having a walk.."

"Not that. I've been calling your name.. You just kept on walking."

She watched as Harry seemed to be thinking of what to say before smiling again. "Sorry, guess I wasn't paying attention." This annoyed her.

"Don't lie Harry." She said sternly. "You knew I was calling your name. You were acting funny back in the tent ever since you noticed my bracelet and not you're basically ignoring me? What's with that?"

"I wasn't ignoring.." He began to say.

"Don't lie! You know I hate it when people lie. Just be honest, what's the problem?" She was always shouting now and she didn't know why. She wasn't even that mad, it wasn't that big of a deal.

"How long have you had it?" He asked her, pointing at her wrist where the bracelet was visible.

She frowned and looked at it. "Since I got yours. Why? I'm sorry I never said, but it was embarrassing.." She trailed off, not really wanting to talk about it.

"So it's your magic I can feel.." He whispered. Daphne just about caught what he said.

Confused now she stepped closer to him but he took a step back. "Harry, what-"

"Your magic.. It's, not right. I felt it in the arena.. It was the same in the first task too, I felt horrible for days.. Like it was, evil." He had a horrible expression on his face and that alone scared Daphne.

"I don't under-" She was cut off as he forced her against a wall.

"Don't lie!" He shouted, his face a few inches from hers.

"Harry.." She said, tears beginning to fall on her face. "You're scaring me.."

"Then tell me! Why is your magic like that! Why does it make me want to throw up when I feel it!" He yelled. She couldn't get any words out, she didn't know what to say. She was confused, hurt and for the first time since she'd known him; scared. Scared of what he could do, what she had watched him handle in the tasks. No one was around and she'd lost her voice.

The next moment however Harry's expression changed and he blinked a few times before stepping back as if in shock. He opened and closed his mouth but no words came out. Instead he turned and ran down the corridor and away from her. The large windows cracking as he passed.

When he was out of sight, Daphne slid down the wall and collapsed on the floor. Her face still in shock with tears running down her face, her bracelet cold against her skin.

A/N: Short but needed. I need a beta.