This is a work of fan fiction using characters from the Harry Potter universe, which are trademarked by J.K. Rowling. I do not claim ownership of these characters nor the locations such as Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, etc. that are Rowling's creations. This work also includes Pokemon, which belong to the Pokemon Company, and I again claim no ownership of these characters.

I thank both Rowling and the Pokemon Company for the universes they have created that allows me to do something like this for my own entertainment and, hopefully, the entertainment of the readers.

There was a long silence as Harry's story ended. The weight of what had happened settled over those surrounding his hospital bed. Harry, however, felt slightly better. He felt lighter now he'd told his story, and even more tired, such that he felt like he could nod off right this moment.

"Minister," Mad-Eye Moody's voice called from his post guarding the Hospital Wing. "What's got you in such a hurry?" Dumbledore's eyes immediately sharpened.

"Sirius quick, you must not be seen," he instructed. Sirius stood up quickly, Gallade appearing right behind him, and together they disappeared.

"Dumbledore," Minister for Pokémon, Cornelius Fudge, bustled into the Hospital Wing, looking harried. "Holy Arceus, Dumbledore, what in the blazes has happened? I've just left the Diggorys, they're hysterical. How could something like this happen? The boy, he's dead. Neck snapped."

"I would kindly ask that you calm yourself, Cornelius," Dumbledore said shortly. "These are very difficult circumstances and if you have not noticed we are not alone." Fudge coloured as he took in the Weasleys, all crowded around Harry's bed. "Harry has been through an incredible ordeal tonight, and he is to be given peace to rest."

"Eh, yes," Fudge said awkwardly. His bowler hat quickly found itself in his hands and he twirled it nervously. "My apologies." He turned to Dumbledore. "But what happened? Whatever happened to that poor boy? Where did they go?"

"A long way away," Dumbledore told him. "Far from Hogwarts grounds. It appears the localised anti-teleportation field Professor Karkaroff argued for to restrict Ms Delacour's Gardevoir had a disruptive effect on the one covering the school grounds, allowing Abra to teleport out freely. Most likely on Karkaroff's instruction."

"And the boy?"

"He was murdered, Cornelius," Dumbledore said simply. "You have seen the wounds. Fang marks in the neck. There is no doubt about it."

"Dear," Fudge said, looking horrified. "Attacked by a wild Pokémon. What sort of luck is that?"

"I don't believe it was luck at all, Cornelius," Dumbledore said simply. "I believe the attack was ordered. In fact I can say with certainty that Harry and Cedric were abducted from right under our noses and that the one responsible is responsible too for Cedric's death."

"Who?" Fudge asked. "Karkaroff?"

"Not Karkaroff," Dumbledore said. "He was merely a pawn in the plan."

"Who then?" Dumbledore paused.

"Lord Voldemort," he said simply. A shudder went around the room, Fudge included. He pulled himself together.

"Now now Dumbledore, you can't be serious," Fudge asserted. "You-know-who is dead. He died fourteen years ago."

"As you know I have long since denied the prevailing opinion that Voldemort had been destroyed once and for all," Dumbledore told him. "And in the past few years I have seen evidence of this myself, which has been reported to you."

"Good heavens Dumbledore, you can't be suggesting what I think you are," Fudge said. "I knew I should've said when you told me about Quirrel and that chamber that I did not believe it. You-know-who is not back. He could not be back. He died, fourteen years ago."

"He almost did," Dumbledore corrected. "But enough of him was left to live on, even as little more than a shadow. And tonight he regained his full power." But Fudge was shaking his head.

"You've served the Pokémon community for a long time, Dumbledore, but I'm afraid that your time has come," Fudge told him. "You've lost it. I was fine pretending when it was just Quirrel - the man's greed caused his injuries - but a student has died, Dumbledore. An innocent boy."

"Killed by Lord Voldemort," Dumbledore finished. "And unless you accept that fact there will be many more young, innocent boys that will share the same fate." But Fudge was still shaking his head.

"I think it's about time you stepped down from Hogwarts," Fudge said in a kindly voice. "The pressures are perhaps a bit too much for your advanced age."

Harry's eyes widened at that. Dumbledore leave Hogwarts? That was the very last thing they needed now.

"You can't do that," Harry blurted out. Every eye in the room turned to him.

"Eh, no, but I'm sure the Board of Governors will agree that it is about time," Fudge admitted.

"But then you are just going to leave everyone at Hogwarts at risk," Harry complained. "And when Voldemort comes he'll be able to take it over."

"You too," Fudge barked in shock. "You are following this story also?"

"Perhaps you would like to hear Harry's version of events," said Dumbledore calmly. "He was, after all, an eyewitness."

"It was Voldemort," Harry said immediately and everyone flinched. "I saw him. He was there and he had his Death Eaters and Malfoy was there…"

"Lucius Malfoy?" Fudge said incredulously. "Lucius Malfoy is a fine, upstanding citizen who was cleared of being a Death Eater fourteen years ago."

"And yet where was he tonight?" Dumbledore asked smoothly. "This is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. Surely Mr Malfoy would not dare to miss it."

"He was there," Harry insisted. "I would recognise him anywhere." But Fudge would not be convinced. He was shaking his head, even stepping backwards away from them.

"This is insanity," he announced. "I don't know what's been going on at this school but I have never been more convinced that it is time for you to step down, Dumbledore. I will be in touch." Fudge turned to leave.

From behind him Mr Crouch came into view, having slipped in silently without anyone noticing, and Harry saw a chance to convince Fudge after all.

"Mr Crouch, your son," he said, stopping Fudge short. "He died." Mr Crouch showed no emotion but Fudge was not happy.

"Yes, many years ago," he said. "And I think it is very poor taste to bring this up now."

"He died tonight," Harry said, interrupting Fudge and looking straight at Crouch. "Voldemort killed him. He spoke out of turn, said his mum wasn't weak for doing what she did." Something flickered in Crouch's expression. Harry felt hope that he may be able to get through to him.

"Now really, enough of this," Fudge said angrily. "This has gone too far. I'll be having stern words with the Board of Governors, Dumbledore, mark my words." Harry ignored him. Crouch still wasn't saying anything.

"I don't blame you for what you did," Harry said earnestly, and he didn't. "I understand. I might have done the same thing if I were in your situation. But you made a mistake and the only way to make up for it is to tell the truth."

"No! No! That's enough!" Fudge intervened angrily. He'd reached his tipping point. "I will not listen to this nonsense any longer. It is clear to me that this school has fallen far below the standards I had expected. There will be changes next year. Big changes." He stormed out, passing Moody in the doorway, and disappeared from sight, the sound of his footsteps echoing down the corridor.

"It's not too late," Dumbledore said softly. He was looking at Crouch. "The truth can set you free. This has been a terrible tragedy but the first step is to be honest with ourselves. Only then can we prevail against our enemies."

Crouch didn't say anything. His features remained stiff and unemotional. He turned to leave without even an indication that he'd heard Dumbledore's words but stopped short.

"Your winnings," he said stiffly, holding up a bag that clinked with the sound of moving coins. "Five hundred galleons, half the total prize fund to each champion."

"I don't want it," Harry said simply. The money would always be tainted with Cedric's death. "Give it to the Diggorys."

Crouch nodded, putting the sack back into the confines of his suit pocket, and then left the room.

"Professor," Percy said hesitantly. He had half risen from his seat. "Perhaps I should…" Dumbledore favoured him with a look, seeming to understand what he was trying to say. He nodded.

Percy scurried from the room at Dumbledore's direction, disappearing quickly as he hurried after the Minister and Mr Crouch.

"It seems like the Minister won't be taking much advice from myself in the future," Dumbledore explained. "It will be useful to have someone on the inside Fudge considers loyal to him."

A sudden shifting in the air drew Harry's attention and he turned to see Sirius re-materialise by his side.

"I was in Pomfrey's office," Sirius explained. Trust him not to do the sensible thing and get out of there. Though Harry was grateful that he had chosen to stay behind.

"Then I suppose that means you are aware we'll be receiving no help from the Ministry in our fight against Voldemort," Dumbledore said. "We must regroup. Round up the old crowd. Dedalus Diggle, Mundungus Fletcher, Emmeline Vance. Start with Remus Lupin, he should help give you credibility." Sirius nodded.

"I should go too," Mr Weasley said as Sirius made to leave, standing up. "There are many in the Ministry I am sure can be convinced of the truth, provided they hear it from me first." Dumbledore nodded his approval. "If Mr Black would not mind giving me a lift home?" Mrs Weasley looked worried.

"Arthur," she whispered fervently. "Are you sure about this?" Mr Weasley nodded.

"I've got a lot of calls to make," Mr Weasley said. "And then I'll have to give my condolences to Amos and Felicity, when they are ready."

"But Arthur, with him?" Mrs Weasley pressed, lowering her voice still further but it was still easy to pick up her words.

"Sirius is completely innocent of the crimes he has been accused of," Dumbledore assured her without hesitation. "He is no more a danger to Arthur than I am."

"It's true," Harry insisted, looking at Mrs Weasley. "Peter Pettigrew was the one to kill all those people. You can trust Sirius."

Mrs Weasley still looked unsure but she relented, watching worriedly as Mr Weasley walked round the end of the bed and joined Sirius and Gallade.

"How are you going to get out of here?" Charlie asked curiously. "You can't Teleport out of Hogwarts." Sirius grinned.

"There are other ways in and out of Hogwarts," he said, and a moment later he, Mr Weasley and Gallade were gone.

"Wicked," Fred and George muttered together.

Dumbledore turned to Bill.

"I know this is asking a lot of you," he said. "You were not a part of the resistance last time and you are perfectly entitled to decline."

"What is it you need?" Bill asked. Clearly he was never going to refuse him.

"I need someone to talk with the Kadabra at Gringotts," Dumbledore instructed. "It is highly unlikely they'll agree to limiting access to Death Eaters' vaults but just informing them of the change in circumstances may be enough to secure some goodwill. At the very least we will look for the Kadabra to stay neutral going forward."

Bill nodded. "I'll speak to my line manager," he said. "The Kadabra will appreciate me going through the proper channels." Dumbledore nodded his agreement.

"Take Alakazam," Dumbledore said and the powerful psychic type suddenly reappeared in the room. "He may help give you credibility with the Kadabra."

Bill nodded and a moment later he too was gone, Alakazam teleporting them a long way away from Hogwarts.

"Alastor," Dumbledore said at last, turning to the door. Mad-Eye Moody was standing there, waiting for instruction. "If you could please fetch Professor Snape and send him to my office. His relationship with the free Death Eaters may never be as important."

Moody grunted in response, turning and limping out the doors. The sound of his wooden leg on the stone floor faded away.

Dumbledore sighed.

"I am afraid we're facing a difficult time in the years and months ahead," he said tiredly. "I wish I could leave you with some words of comfort but alas, I would be doing a disservice by lying to you. We can only hope that with will and dedication we will see this through. For that I pray."

There was little atmosphere around Hogwarts in the day or so that followed. The occupants of the castle were silent. The huge crowds that had gathered for the final task had all left, and soon enough the crews employed to remove the maze in the Quidditch pitch were gone too, leaving Hogwarts still and quiet.

The death of Cedric Diggory had rocked the school. In some parallel universe the whole of Hogwarts would be celebrating, their two champions having beaten away the competition of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, but the results of the Tri-Pokémon Tournament were not important to anyone anymore.

The Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students were taking the loss almost as bad, and in the case of the Durmstrang contingent there was an awful amount of guilt too. The exact nature of Karkaroff's treachery had not reached the wider populous but everyone knew that he had had something to do with Cedric's death and he had not been seen since his pitched battle with Moody on the castle lawn and his getaway on the back of his Staraptor.

Mrs Weasley and Charlie remained for a while at Hogwarts, some of the few that did that weren't teachers and students, providing some support to their younger family members while waiting for Bill and Mr Weasley to return. They did the very next day, transported back to the castle grounds by Dumbledore's Alakazam, and they picked up the two vehicles they'd used to get there the night before and drove Mrs Weasley and Charlie back home.

There wasn't long left to the Hogwarts term, the third task having taken place on the last day of exams, and on the day before the Hogwarts students were due to take the Hogwarts Express back to London the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students said their goodbyes.

But Harry wasn't there to see them off. He would be, his absence would be highly noticeable and would send a bad signal to their foreign friends, but he had something he needed to do first. Something difficult, but he knew it was the right thing to do.

The harbour under the school was very different during the day. Harry had only ever experienced it at night, on his first arrival to the school and then again when he'd caught Lapras, and he marvelled at the way the light shone through the opening in the rock face and glistened off the water as he carefully descended the stone steps to the bottom.

The Lapras there looked at him questioningly, though they did seem to recognise him and did not seem bothered by his presence. Harry left them alone. They weren't the reason he was down here.

He walked over to a secluded section of the lower platform, kneeling down by the water's edge, and he pulled out Lapras's Pokéball. The water and ice type Pokémon appeared before him with a soft cry. He didn't know what was about to happen. Harry hadn't seen him since before the third task.

"I'm sorry about this," Harry said first off and Lapras tilted his head in confusion before looking around at his surroundings. He seemed to slowly put the pieces together.

"It's been great, having you with me," Harry told him as Lapras looked back to him with sad eyes. "I'll always remember our time together. I can't thank you enough for all the help you gave me with the second task. But this is the right thing to do."

"You have an important job here," Harry told him and Lapras looked out over his fellow Pokémon. "Hagrid's going to need you to help get the students across the lake when the school year starts again. Those kids will need you to help them see just how wonderful the Pokémon world is. Now more than ever."

Lapras still looked sad but he nodded. He understood what Harry was saying. What Harry wasn't saying was the real reason he was leaving Lapras behind.

Lapras was too nice. He did not like violence. He was not scrappy or determined even though he was powerful and always gave his best effort. Harry had survived his encounter with Voldemort due to Charizard's power, but also his pure strength of will. Lapras would not have managed to do the same thing. He did not have that stubborn streak, the willingness to play dirty and take advantage of any weakness he sees. Talonflame had that ability, he'd proved it in Quidditch, and Pikachu had shown he had the fight in him, despite his young age.

But Lapras never would. It was clear as the water beneath him that Lapras was not suited for war. And that's what Harry was heading to.

So he said goodbye, leaving the water and ice type Pokémon behind, and shut off the part of him that begged him to reconsider. He was stronger than that, he had to be. Even as he turned at the door and caught sight of Lapras's sad eyes staring up at him he had the strength to turn away. After all, this was what was best for both of them.

He rejoined Ron and Hermione in the Entrance Hall, quiet and unresponsive. Ron and Hermione had already expected that but still they looked worried.

"You alright, mate?" Ron asked. Harry nodded. He couldn't dwell on it. He had to move on.

He walked out into the sunlight without a word, Ron and Hermione following behind him, and looked out over the vista.

The grounds were littered with students. In just an hour both the carriages of Beauxbatons and the ship of Durmstrang, so long now a staple of the Hogwarts grounds, would be gone, and the students were saying their last goodbyes.

Even with the cold encasing Harry's heart, held there specifically to see him through his farewell to Lapras, he could feel it melt slightly as he watched the scene before him. Throughout the year students from each of the three schools had come together, forging friendships almost unnoticed as time had past. Now they were saying goodbye but the sadness and melancholy was real. They would honestly miss their friends, no matter how short a time they had known them.

"It iz beautiful, iz it not," the heavily accented voice drew Harry's attention away and he found himself facing Fleur Delacour. They had seen each other since the task, though only in passing, and yet there was still an ease he felt in her presence. Perhaps it was the tournament that had brought them all together. It only made the loss of Cedric that much more painful.

"Yeah," Harry admitted, shutting off his thoughts about Cedric. He could drown himself in those thoughts in his own time but for now he needed to be strong. "Yeah, it's good to see."

"Zey are really friends, non," Fleur continued. "I hadn't noticed until now. C'est magnifique." She turned to face him.

"And you, 'Arry," she said. "I hope we will see each other again." Harry nodded.

"Me too," he told her. "You've been a worthy champion." Fleur laughed.

"I think zat I should say zat to you?" she laughed. "You are ze 'little boy', non?" Harry blushed. He had not realised she knew how much that comment had got to him.

"What are you going to do?" Harry asked. "Once you get back, I mean. This is your last year at Beauxbatons, isn't it." Fleur nodded.

"I 'ave a job offer from Gringotts," Fleur told him. "Zey 'ave a branch in Paris but maybe I will be sent to London sometime."

"Let me know if you do," Harry told her. "I'll come visit you." Fleur smiled.

"I would like zat," she said. She took a step forward and planted a kiss softly on his lips. "Goodbye, 'Arry." And she walked away.

"Blimey," Ron muttered, eyes wide. "Wow. Good one, mate." Harry blushed slightly. He had to admit he'd quite liked the kiss but at the same time he knew it didn't mean what Ron thought it did. It was Fleur's way of saying goodbye, and good luck. She knew what had happened, she understood what lay ahead, and what lay ahead for him. And even if she didn't return to Britain Harry would have her support.

"I don't think I vill be matching that farewell." Krum had appeared while Harry was lost in thought, some of his Durmstrang friends hovering a distance behind him nervously. Harry let out a short, genuine laugh. He had never heard Krum make a joke before.

"Maybe not to me," he said. "But I'm sure Hermione wouldn't mind." Krum blushed, again a first, and Harry could only imagine Hermione was doing the same. For some reason it made him feel warm inside.

"I vish to express my sympathies," Viktor said, his expression becoming serious once more. "Cedric vas a fine man. He did not deserve vot has happened." Harry nodded. He completely agreed.

"I know the history of Durmstrang vill not help convince you but I assure you ve stand behind you," Viktor told him. "Vith Karkaroff gone the last influence of the Dark Lord goes too. Professor Stefanov will take over. He is a good man. He vill not allow the Dark Lord to return to our school."

Harry nodded. Stefanov had been questioned extensively after the final task, many suspicious after Karkaroff had shown his true colours. It seemed that Harry had wildly misjudged the man. He had been suspicious of Karkaroff from the start. Everything Harry saw as evidence that he was looking for a way to support the Death Eaters had been the opposite. He'd been looking for information to stop them.

Now Stefanov was standing aboard the Durmstrang ship and was calling his students to him. Viktor hesitated slightly, before jerking his head to his friends to go on ahead and turning back to Harry. He held out his hand.

"You are a brave and honourable man, Harry Potter," he said firmly. "It has been an honour to compete vith you. Know you will always have my support and trust anytime you have need of it." Harry looked down at the hand extended, contemplating it, before reciprocating.

"You have the same from me," Harry told him. "We are together in this war, and friends are always there for each other. Good luck back at Durmstrang. Hopefully we'll meet again."

Krum nodded curtly and they both let go. He turned to face all three of them and gave a short bow before he too left, walking up behind his fellow students and docking the ship. As he did so the walkway was removed and the Durmstrang ship started to drift from the water's edge.

"Do you think we'll ever see them again?" Hermione wondered, looking out across the grounds. Hagrid and Madame Maxime were working together to harness in the fearsome Salamence that carried the Beauxbatons carriage as the blue uniformed students said their final goodbyes.

"You know, I think we will," Ron said thoughtfully. "I think this is the beginning of something, you know. There's going to be some shit later on but this… this has done some good."

Hermione nodded, smiling slightly at Ron's words, before turning to Harry. "What do you think, Harry?"

It was a loaded question and all manner of thoughts crossed his mind. He thought about Voldemort, out there with all his power and support back again, and of the Minister, refusing to believe that he could have returned. He thought of Sirius, a part of Dumbledore's secret resistance, and of Amos Diggory and the grief he must be dealing with right now.

And he thought of the students, those standing on the grounds waving and those in the ship as it sailed off and in the carriage as the Salamence lifted into the air.

"Yeah, we'll see them again," he said, watching as the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students disappeared into the distance. "We'll see them soon."

A/N: And that's it for 'Harry Potter and the Trials of Champions'. I hope you've all enjoyed this instalment of the series and will continue to enjoy the next, which will be 'Harry Potter and the Legion of Ho-oh'.

As for the review wondering why Abra was willing to take Harry back to Hogwarts I hope this chapter clears it up. Abra wasn't Karkaroff's Pokemon, merely a Pokemon they decided to use to transport the winners of the task. And since Karkaroff was a judge and in a place of authority Abra had no reason question him when he told Abra to make an additional stop before taking the champions back. You can imagine how confused the poor Pokemon must be about everything that has happened, especially since it was undoubtedly asleep most of the time.

Anyway, that's enough for 'Trials of Champions'. As usual I will be taking a short break before uploading the next story (which is fortunate since I wouldn't be able to upload next week anyway). I hope you all enjoyed 'Trials of Champions' and are looking forward to 'Legion of Ho-oh'. Until then I'll leave you with a little preview of 'Legion of Ho-oh':

Chapter 1: Piers Polkiss

In the quiet little suburb of Little Whinging, Surrey, sat a house, Number 4 Privet Drive, in which everything was normal. There was nothing unusual, or even remotely interesting, and the people inside were really quite content with their lives.

Harry Potter was not in Number 4 Privet Drive. He was some way away in the local park, sitting on the one remaining swing that hadn't been ruined by vandals. He was mostly alone, the time getting late and all the young kids and their parents having already left, but he felt no desire to leave.

Life at the Dursleys had never been easy, but usually the reason for that had been the Dursleys themselves. Now Harry had problems much more worrisome than Dudley's bullying, Aunt Petunia's chores, and Uncle Vernon's disapprovals. His problems kept him up at night.

Just a couple of months ago Harry had found himself in a position more perilous than any he'd ever been in before, alone, tied to a headstone, with Lord Voldemort standing in front of him. The most evil trainer in living memory had been unwise to allow Harry the chance to defend himself, allowing Harry to return to the safety of Hogwarts with his fellow student's body, Cedric Diggory, to warn everyone that Voldemort had returned.

Since then Harry had been carted back to the Dursleys with the promise that he wouldn't be there for long and… nothing. Nothing had happened. Voldemort, wherever he was and whatever he was doing, was completely silent. There was not even a whisper of his doings. No unexplained deaths, no unnatural disasters, nothing. It worried Harry.