Harry raised his hands in preparation. A ten pound kite shield in his left hand and a blunted steel sword in his right. He blocked a strike from Tanis and attempted to strike her back, only to meet air as he aimed for her chest. Tanis rolled under his guard and came up behind him before placing her blunted knife to the back of his neck. "And point," she said. Harry grunted in exhaustion as he collapsed to the ground. Tanis had started teaching him how to wield a sword and shield in combat as the celebration was still underway. Hermione was off talking with her uncle in another corner as the older Knights cheered on Harry. "Not bad for a first try."

"Thank… you…" panted Harry. "Why… am I physically exhausted?"

"Because as you're training as your shadow," said Captain Arnolds. "Your shadow reflects your physical self and your inner self. Shadow Training is an effective tool in our arsenal. It isn't like physical conditioning where you're moving your muscles as is. Instead, it allows your muscles to retain the feeling of training to build up stamina. But it's not enough to build up stamina alone for a duelist."

"That's why you're training with a sword and shield," said Tanis. She smirked and placed her dagger in its holster on her hip. "Getting used to the weight before actually physically holding one will ensure you can properly maneuver with one. Though you'll rarely use a kite shield. Us duelists do better with bucklers. Lighter in weight and still a good defensive tool. I'd give you one to train with, but someone used the last of them as a frisbee for the Shadow Hounds!"

"Wasn't me," shouted Ashley. Tanis glared at her before turning to Harry.

"But using a kite shield is beneficial as well. If you ever decide you want to train as a normal knight in the future, you'll find a kite shield is more beneficial than most others. It offers protection for most of the body in a fight and it allows you to get used to other shields like a tower."

"Won't I be using my wand for the most part," asked Harry.

"You will," said Arnolds. "Especially in the Tournament. But knowing proper form can be useful when Shade turns into your weapon. How to grip a sword, how to properly block and evade. How to outmaneuver and defeat your foe. You have a few short weeks in order to prepare for whatever the First Task will be. And we're going to help you survive this Tournament."

"Thank you, Captain."

"Think nothing of it. Now. I understand you need to figure out what the task is. Lucky for you, information gathering is a Court specialty and because you can easily do so because it's your magic, you've got the upper hand over the other competitors."

"Though, I should still tell them what to expect. I'm looking to survive, not win."

"The best way to survive is to win! But I can respect your honor and candor. The noble qualities of a knight in any age. Do what you will, Knight Potter." Harry looked at where Hermione and Gaz were sitting and smiled. Hermione looked over to him and smiled back. Arnolds looked at him and grinned.

"You're going to have a great life with her."

"I know."

"Harry," said Megan as she walked over. "We should head back. Moody's presence near the Hufflepuff dorms is making me a bit nervous. I need to monitor his movements and map them out soon so I can avoid him when I need to go on missions."

"I'll let you borrow my map. That should make things easier."

"Thank you." Hermione walked over and smiled at him.

"Uncle Gaz said he'd be happy to come help you train alongside professor Lupin for the Tournament, Harry," she said. Harry turned to the man and smiled.

"Thank you, Sergeant Gerick."

"Think nothing of it," said the soldier. "Hermione would break down if something were to happen to you, and I know it. Been seeing her grow up for the past fifteen years, I know my niece."

"Uncle Gaz," exclaimed Hermione with a blush. Harry chuckled slightly and kissed her cheek.

"I'll hop by Hogwarts in two days. Should give me time to contact this Remus Lupin and set up some proper lesson plans for you. Just know, I'm going to treat this like boot camp for the RAF, Knight Potter."

"Yes, sir," said Harry.

"Now," said Tanis. "Just place your gear back on the racks and you can head out of here. Oh! Before I forget." Tanis sent out her shadow and it returned to them carrying two daggers with black blades. "These are Onyx Steel daggers."

"'Onyx Steel'," asked Hermione.

"Onyx is the name of the Shadow Dragon. Oldest dragon in the world. Every thousand years or so, he sheds his scales which we use to craft our weapons and armor." Tanis handed him the dagger and Harry found it was as light as his wand. "Like it, yeah? Light as air, stronger than titanium. Every member of the Court has one just in case and I just finished making these this morning. Take them. Their yours." Hermione took the other dagger and blinked as she held it, surprised by its weight. Harry grinned before having Shade take the dagger and turning to his instructor in the Knights. "Thing about daggers, doesn't take much to learn how to use them. Just be careful. Shadow steel can do nasty things to you when you're cut with it. Weaker souls have been known to dissipate into nothing."

"I'll be sure to remember that for Voldemort," said Harry. He placed the sword and shield back on the racks and turned to Hermione and Megan. "Ready," he asked.

"Yeah," said Megan. "I was getting bored anyway."

"Ready," said Hermione. Harry smiled and took her hand again before the three left the training hall.

"And stay out of the armory, Knight Potter," shouted Arnolds.

"I wasn't going in," retorted Harry with a shake of his head.

"He's telling the truth," said Shade. They returned to the great hall of the Fortress and Harry looked around.

"Interior is the same as Hogwarts right?"

"Yeah," said Megan. "Why?"

"Does that include the Chamber?" Megan paused as she turned to him.

"I actually don't know. Hogwarts was inspired by Dun Scathe."

"Harry," cautioned Hermione. "Don't…"

"Let's check it out," said Harry as he moved for where the dungeons would be located.

"Harry!"

"It's just going to be a quick look. Then we'll head back to school. You can't say you're not curious."

"Do you really think going down to the dungeons now would be a good idea?"

"Well, what would you suggest?"

"We wait for another time. Preferably when either Dahlia or Bella can escort us. We may know the layout, but we don't know what they have down in the dungeons. It could be booby trapped."

"Hermione, Court members are the only ones who can find the Fortress," said Megan. "We wouldn't harm or trick our own. We physically can't remember?"

"Well… I still think we should wait. We don't know where we can and can't go in here." Harry thought for a moment before nodding.

"Ok," he said. "We'll wait to explore."

"Thank you, Harry. I know it sounds a bit paranoid but…"

"I understand. After everything we've been through since starting Hogwarts, I really should start thinking before acting. Let's go." Hermione smiled slightly before the three left.

The next day, Harry went to the Ilvermorny tents looking for Amalia and found her with her mother as they looked out at the lake as the giant squid waded across the top. "Enjoying the view," he asked. Amalia turned to him and smiled.

"It's beautiful," she said.

"It's better with you in front of it."

"Ah," exclaimed Isabel with a wide grin. "He's a charmer! Keep him!"

"Mom," shouted Amalia with a blush. Harry grinned before turning to the dhampir woman.

"Mrs. Daniels-Crowe," he said. "There was something I wanted to speak with your family about."

"And what would that be," asked Isabel. "You already have my daughter's hand."

"Well… it's regarding that. We, myself, Hermione and Daphne, have registered to live in an apartment in Hogsmeade. It was offered to us when one of the teachers was made aware of our Betrothal Contracts. We were supposed to move in during our seventh year, but given I was made 'of age' by the goblet, we are moving in early. And… well…" Amalia blushed brighter as his words caught up with them.

"You're asking her to move in?"

"Just… Just for as long as the school year goes!" Harry cleared his throat as he stumbled over his words. "It's a… a trial run… see how well we'd…"

"Get along and if your relationship could survive marriage. As old traditions go, that's probably a smart one." She turned to Amalia who fidgeted in place as she nervously considered her options. "I for one think it's a great idea. Amalia's had trouble with boys in the past." She smirked as Amalia growled.

"Mom," exclaimed the now agitated blonde.

"So if she keeps you, it'll be a good thing!"

"She's lying I've…" Harry smirked slightly. Amalia turned away, blushing at the sight.

"Of course, we know one person who won't agree with that question."

"You're talking about your husband," stated Harry.

"Yeah. Eli's not exactly happy with this situation. But I can get him to calm down about this subject."

"Grand. Always wanted a soldier angry at my very existence."

"Marine," said Amalia. "Not soldier. Traditionally you refer to members of the Army as soldiers, members of the Marine Corps are called Marines."

"I liked it better when it was just soldier. A lot less frightening." Amalia smirked before looking at her mother.

"I'm gonna go talk with Dad. Try and speak with him about this," she said.

"Good luck," said Isabel with a grin. Amalia gave Harry a kiss on the cheek before going to find her father. Shade moved to try and gleam information from Isabel's shadow, as he did, Harry turned to her.

"What exactly did she go through at Ilvermorny?"

"Oh, you don't want to hear about that…"

"Was it that? It sounds interesting."

"Well ask her then. I'm sure she wouldn't mind explaining her life-threatening experiences."

"That bad?"

"Yeah… She's been through a lot."

"Hopefully, my luck doesn't stack with hers."

"I'm sure you'll both be fine. Must of the luck comes from people trying to kill her."

"So, we have that in common, at least."

"Look, despite this whole Tournament thing, you're both smart and tough. You're going to get through this year, and you're going to be happy with each other and your other girls, as weird as that is to say that in this day and age."

"Sorry. Guess you would've preferred a more traditional way of doing things."

"Kid, fuck tradition. A lot of them were made by old white guys trying to keep their power."

"Lot of good it did a lot of them. Dead. Dead. Imprisoned…"

"Dead, and dead!" Isabel grinned as Harry chuckled. "You're gonna fit right in, Kid."

"Why do you call me kid?"

"Just about everyone I meet gets a nickname. As long as I like them. You're not exempt from that just because you're dating my daughter. Don't like it, tough." Harry noticed Shade coming back after slinking to the tent for a moment.

"Angry shout in 3,2,1," said the shadow before a man could be heard from the tents.

"No way in hell," shouted Elijah. Harry winced as he heard it and shook his head.

"I'd hate to hear his voice magically enhanced," said Harry.

"Yes," said Isabel with a chuckle. "You really would. Wouldn't like mine either. Eli can attest I can reach superhuman octaves on a very good day."

"I did not need to know that. Your suggestive smirk says enough." Isabel grinned before heading to the tent.

"I'll calm him down. No one can handle a mother-daughter tag team!"

"Could you not have made that an inappropriate innuendo?!"

"Not really!" Harry shook his head as he chuckled. He sent Shade to Hermione to let her know they were still working it out as he made his way to the lake. He knelt by the edge as he went over the information Shade took from Isabel's shadow in his head.

'Let's see. Five Magical Beasts, ranging from X to XXXXX. Luck of the draw. Well fuck me. I'll get the XXXXX for sure!' He looked at the still surface of the lake before skimming a stone across it and watching the ripples spread out and distort the reflections of the water. He stared at the ripples before thinking on how the Mirror World might work and how one might get into it. He looked at his reflection and frowned as he tried to get his mind off of the Tournament and to the situation with Crouch. The man was a Lumomancer, at least he thought so. Distorted reflections and mysteriously disappearing would make sense with that or Umbramancy. 'Since shadows are our inner selves, would that mean the reflection is our opposite? Would make sense, given the parallels between the two branches of magic. How would one go about learning more advanced Lumomancy spells? Would it be just as simple as figuring out how to manipulate light?'

Harry stared at the reflection again before pulling out his wand and casting a Lumos spell over his reflection, ignoring the blinding light for a moment before. He thought about how best to perform such a feat when three pairs of footsteps were heard behind him. "What are you doing, Potter," asked Malfoy behind him.

"Trying to come up with ideas to survive, Malfoy," said Harry. "Now, fuck off. I'm thinking."

"What could you possibly be thinking about with a Lumos spell," asked Goyle.

"Blinding, for one. But I'm trying to think of something else to do with it. Kindly fuck off."

"You just couldn't resist being in the spotlight, could you, Potter," exclaimed Draco.

"Shows how much you pay attention. I made a public display of my innocence in my being in the Tournament. I didn't want to be in a life threatening situation, again, for the fourth year in a row." Harry turned to them and grinned as Shade returned to him and enlarged slightly while giving him an eerie appearance. "And this situation has gotten me completely pissed off. Care to see how much, Malfoy?" The three Slytherin boys blanched before starting to walk away, Malfoy not even bothering to make a comment to get the last word. Harry rolled his eyes before Shade turned to him.

"They'll catch on soon," he whispered.

"Not worried. It's not like they can counter it." Harry looked to the reflection again and sighed, drawing a blank. "Damn. Looks like I'll have to try and see if Daphne's grandmother did leave some stuff behind."

"Trying to distract yourself?"

"Yes. And doing a horrible job of it. I just need something to do. That won't draw attention to me, thank you."

"Well maybe don't talk to me out loud. And also don't antagonize Malfoy and the others."

"They start it. I just drive them away." He sighed and aimed his wand at the light. "Nox." He looked up as Amalia walked over with a smile on her face, her parents behind her. "Hey."

"He's said yes," she said.

"How did you convince him?"

"That's between Mom and Dad. And I heard her little 'mother-daughter' comment. God, she's so embarrassing."

"She's not wrong about…"

"Finish that sentence and I'll punch you."

"Shutting up." Amalia grinned before wrapping her arms around him.

"Good boy."

"We're gonna talk about that dog thing."

"Nope."

"Oh, yes we are." Isabel snickered slightly as the two playfully bickered

"It's like looking into the past," she said.

"You were never blonde, Snow White," said Elijah as he walked away.

"Oh, you just had to bring that name back into the mix!"

"It's what you get for getting me to agree to this!"

"Oh, come on! You're just worried she'll be happy with him and leave you!"

"She's my daughter, I have a right to be worried!" Isabel rolled her eyes before pulling out a vial with a wide mischievous grin.

"Oh, Eli!"

Harry and Amalia walked to the castle and he turned to her. "Where's your trunk," he asked.

"Briefcase. And it's in my pocket. Shrinking runes. Mom puts them on almost everything we have for ease of carry. Course, most of what she carries is tools and equipment."

"I'd have expected beauty products. And saying that, I just remembered who we were talking about."

"Ah yes, the Unattainable Beauty, as the masses call her in the Mundane World. And all natural too. That pisses a lot of people off."

"Considering it takes me for ever just to get ready for the day," said Daphne behind them. "I can attest to that." Amalia jumped and turned around, Harry calmly doing the same. "Pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Daniels-Crowe."

"You're Daphne, right?"

"Daphne Greengrass. Heiress Apparent of House Greengrass."

"Oh, right. Dad said your country still has lords and ladies."

"It's more a formality than anything. Lords of Houses are to maintain family magics and old practices only certain families are still aware of. And please, until we get to know each other a little better…"

"Refer to you as Miss Greengrass and Heiress Greengrass, right? Dad's got an unclaimed title here. Told me about it and the traditions of this Magical Nation when I was… I don't know, 8? I know about the formal ways of speaking."

"A pleasant surprise, then." Daphne placed her hand on Harry's shoulder with a smile. "This one and our better third were completely clueless about such things and would've continued to have no clue had I not come along."

"And we're grateful for that," said Harry, giving her a light kiss on the lips before they exchanged a smile. Amalia cleared her throat slightly with a blush.

"That's going to take some getting used to," she said.

"Sorry," said Harry.

"Don't be! I just… it's different seeing that now that we're… well engaged."

"Well," said Daphne. "Me and Hermione will be sure to get you… adjusted to such things." Both Amalia and Harry blushed at the suggestive tone in her voice and Harry swallowed.

"I don't think I'll survive this… the Tournament will be the least of my worries."

"That just means your smart. Happy wife… happy life."

"Er…" said Amalia. "Wives, in his case."

"Hopefully with room for more," said Tracey behind Harry. The Knight sighed and turned around to tell her otherwise when he was met with the sight of Tracey walking to them on her hands, skirt fallen to her stomach and flashing her knickers to him.

"Bloody…" muttered Harry before turning away with a blush. Tracey smirked and flipped upright before exclaiming in pain as Daphne pulled on the girl's ear.

"Could you go one day without being you," she asked through grit teeth.

"But then I wouldn't be me," groaned Tracey as she rubbed her ear. "I'd be Hermione!"

"Should I be offended," asked Hermione as she followed behind Tracey with Astoria and Luna in tow.

"No," said Daphne before giving her a kiss. "It's the highest of compliments." Hermione blushed with a smile and Harry turned to the younger girls.

"Hi, Luna," he said.

"Hello, Harry," said Luna with a far off smile.

"Why are you here?"

"I thought there would be Nargles in your new apartment and wanted to tag along. We'll be back in time for classes with your Shadow Travel." Tracey shuddered.

"Please not that," exclaimed the girl in question. "It's creepy!"

"Agreed," said Astoria with a slight gulp. "And if we do need to do that, I'm just going to close my eyes."

"I forgot," said Amalia before turning to Harry. "You know Umbramancy!"

"As do I," said Hermione with a smile.

"I remember you shooting your shadow out at Crouch at the World Cup," said Amalia. "And then you restrained me yesterday. By the way…" She punched Harry's shoulder again and Harry groaned slightly.

"Ow," he said.

"As the Patil twins would say," said Hermione. "Deserved."

"Can we get going before I'm one giant bruise?"

"Ok," said Luna.

"Good." He extended his arms to Daphne and Amalia. "Shall we?" Hermione smiled before standing beside the other three. Luna placed her hand on Hermione's shoulder as she grabbed Tracey's and Astoria's hands.

"Bollocks," said Tracey as she clutched her trunk with white knuckles. Astoria gulped and closed her eyes.

"Hold on tight, Miss Crowe," said Daphne. "This is the fun part." Amalia looked at them before looking around as they sunk into the ground. She stared at the now grey-shaded area around them and noticed a slight chill as they took off, her mind racing as she noticed just how fast they were moving, the students around them seeming to be moving at a snail's pace. She smiled brightly as she realized what was happening just as they arrived at the apartment. She turned to Harry and squealed in excitement.

"Were we moving at lightspeed," she exclaimed.

"Almost," said Hermione with a smile. "You'll notice that they were still moving as we passed them. If we were moving at actual lightspeed…"

"They'd be at a complete standstill! Of course! Oh my god! That was so fucking cool!"

"Where did you lot come from," muttered a woman beside them. They jumped and turned to the woman. She was thin, dressed in formal business robes and seemed to be in her mid-fifties. "Never mind. I'm Margaret Fine, I'm the mayor's assistant. He sent me here in order to hand you your keys to the apartment, the restrictions for students living in the apartments, and informing you of the grocery shops around the area should you feel that you do not want to partake in the meals at Hogwarts. The shops are on this street and two buildings down from you and a second one closer to the station, should you feel up for more of a walk." She handed Harry a single gold key. "Two turns right, four to the left and then a single turn back to the right to unlock your door. This is the basic combination at this time. The gold key I've just handed you can be used to change the combination to something you would prefer, and its connecting charm will reflect it to all of the key holders for the brass keys inside. One per person as stated in the apartment contract. Do not lose your keys as it is your only means of entering the apartment on your own. Otherwise, you will need to wait for someone else to come along.

"A carriage takes the students back up to the castle for classes at 7:45 on weekdays and at your request on weekends. I do suggest you take the carriage to the school as it has a monitoring charm to ensure you make it to the school on time for classes, Professor McGonagall's suggestion, of course. You are allowed to walk about the town, but please note, the normal shops are closed to students living in the apartments on regular days and only open on Hogsmeade weekends. Wouldn't want you to bring along guests and make regular trips, after all. Wouldn't be fair to the other students." She bid them farewell and left them to the apartment.

"Well," said Tracey. "What are you waiting for?! Open the door!"

"Alright, alright," muttered Harry. "I'm going." Harry turned the key in the same combination they'd been told before seeing a panel on the door turn, revealing an image that looked like a rising sun over a field. He gave one glance to the girls before opening the door and showing them the inside of the apartment. The immediate room showed a quaint sitting room with two couches each capable of seating three people comfortably, a coffee table sat in front of the two couches allowing one to set down their mugs if they were sitting in this particular area. Off to the left immediately after entering was a staircase leading up to the second level of the apartment with a door underneath leading to a set of stairs heading down. Harry set his trunk down by one of the couches and immediately headed through the living room to the small hallway behind it leading to two bedrooms a restroom and a study with a few empty bookshelves and a cauldron for potion work beside a window. "Thought the kitchen would be here."

"Maybe it's upstairs," said Amalia as she looked around. "Seems like the second most likely choice. Plus you sort of get a view of the street while you're cooking."

"Maybe." Harry moved to the stairs and went up to find he was instantly in the kitchen which was, much to his surprise, electrical. "Electrical?"

"Lightning runes," said Amalia behind him. "Better option than normal stoves and ovens. Less chance of something catching on fire. I'd heard a friend of my mom's been helping with modern age appliances being added into some Wizarding homes. Apparently he's worked on this place." She looked around. "Now all we need is a tv and we're in business…"

"You Americans and your television."

"You Brits and your criticism." She smirked at him. "I can fire back all day, dude." She crossed her arms and smiled.

"Well I welcome the challenge." Harry stepped to her and smiled as he got close.

"Are you planning on cooking tonight, Harry," asked Hermione as she poked her head up the stairs to look at them.

"You can cook," asked Amalia.

"He can, and it's amazing!"

"It's not that good," said Harry.

"Well now I have to try it," said Amalia.

"Just give Harry a recipe and he'll make it," said Hermione behind her. She turned to Harry. "It looks like the other bedrooms are up here, you two. Tracey and Story have taken the two rooms below. That leaves the two up here." Harry cleared his throat and looked at the two of them. "And you're only now thinking of the number of rooms, aren't you?"

"I am, yes," said Harry.

"Well, let's see how big the beds are before we decide," said Amalia. A light blush creeped onto her cheeks as she thought about sharing a bed with Harry.

"We can move our stuff after classes," called Daphne from down the stairs. "We should make it to the carriages now." Amalia smiled before unshrinking her suitcase and setting it on the dining table.

"Let's get going then. I have to attend classes as well, even though I don't technically need them. Perks of being a genius."

"You're a genius," asked Harry. "And a klutz?"

"Don't say it…"

"So you're a typical nerd, then?"

"This 'nerd' can and will kick your ass!" She punched his shoulder for the comment. Hermione smiled before putting her hands on Amalia's shoulders.

"I'm sure it's said with love," she said.

"A little less now," joked Harry as he massaged his shoulder. The two girls gave him a look. "Only kidding. Don't rip my head off."

"It better be. Come on. We'll miss the carriage," said Amalia with a slight shove.

"Ok, ok."

As they reentered the castle, Harry blinked as he overheard a few students speaking. "I swear," said a girl from Hufflepuff. "Peeves has following me around. Last night, before we went back to the dorms, I could've sworn I saw a shimmer in the mirror just behind me." Harry paused before subtly turning to hear me.

"You're imagining things," said the girl's boyfriend. "Peeves may be an annoying prankster, but he's not a pervert. He always avoids the women's restrooms. Maybe you were just tired, and your mind was playing tricks on you."

"I know what I saw! And I swear there was someone else down there was well!" Harry turned to Shade who nodded and went to extract more information from the girl's shadow as Harry turned to Hermione as she hung back while the others went on ahead.

"I think we may have a lead," he muttered.

"A lead on what," asked Hermione.

"Crouch. If my hunch about his magical abilities is correct." Harry turned to Shade slightly.

"Well," said the shadow. "We're not the only ones looking for Crouch, it seems."

"Moody," commented Hermione.

"Let me guess," muttered Harry as they started walking again. "The hallway Megan kept seeing him in?"

"That's where she was at the time, yes," said Shade.

Harry looked around before spotting Moody leaving the Great Hall. "Hermione, I'll catch up. I need to speak with our new professor." Hermione nodded and gave him a soft kiss before catching up with Daphne. Harry went to the new DADA professor and paused as he didn't even turn to the boy.

"Potter, right," asked the Auror.

"Seer's eye, right?" With this, Moody turned to face him fully, the eye moving about in its place in his eye socket.

"And how would you know that?" Harry nodded to Luna who was exiting the Great Hall behind Moody. The Seer's eye zeroed in on her before going back to whirring about.

"Luna is a Seer as well." Moody nodded before started walking forward again, Harry glanced down at the man's shadow and saw it was also looking around before seeming to glare at him. "Professor."

"I'm not a member of the Court, if you're going to ask." Harry paused, making the aged Auror turn to him. "Don't be surprised. I've had a few run ins with your ruddy great aunt. She's the one who made me aware of the Court's existence, blasted she-devil."

"Yep. That sounds like her. Tried to recruit you?"

"Aye. Walk with me, lad." Harry walked beside Moody as they headed for the first class of the day, Defense Against the Dark Arts. "I turned her down after she informed me of the Court's existence. My life is dedicated to the Ministry. They're not perfect, you'll be hard pressed to find anything that is. But they're the law. I swore an oath to uphold the law and apprehend anyone who breaks it. Your blasted aunt has given me the slip numerous times. I almost caught Dahlia Evans in the act at Monte Carlo, a favor for a friend, but she's crafty."

"Also sounds like my aunt. And your shadow isn't saying otherwise. How did you know I was with the Court?"

"Your Shadow Mark, Lad. My eye can see its true form. Knight, if I'm not mistaken."

"Yes, sir."

"So. What is it you wanted?"

"I know about Crouch." Moody paused and turned to him, both eyes focused on him. "I want to help."

"There's not much you can do, lad."

"I'm with the Court. I can do things you can't. I also have a theory about how he escaped."

"And what theory is that?"

"Lumomancy. Possibly a very advanced spell."

"Lumomancy hasn't been practiced in years, lad."

"To our knowledge. But if I'm right, and I might be, then Lumomancers perform their portion of the trinity."

"Seers can peer into the shadows. Shadows can hide from the light…"

"And the light can blind the Seers."

"Bloody… so instead of finding him with the Seer's Eye…"

"He can hide from the very thing you would use to find him."

"Damn." He turned forward. "Is it safe to be discussing this?"

"I don't know. But I'm assuming yes. It may be that true invisibility is too advanced for even Crouch to learn. The height of Lumomancy. As far as I can tell, Lumomancy has heights you can reach where Umbramancy doesn't."

"I remember. Umbramancers have been known to steal magic as well as items. Making you a versatile lot."

"But Lumomancers seem like they would do their damndest to try and keep their secrets especially from the Court who learns secrets. If you still have a contact with the DMLE, have them check for any reflective surfaces for something unusual. The Court will help put Crouch away for good."

"The Court at least has its own sense of honor. I'll give you that much." Harry paused briefly before speaking again, assessing his words.

"Moody. I'm not sure if I should tell you this. But it feels like I can trust you. War is coming soon. The Court's been monitoring the tracks of the Death Eaters. They've been gathering more frequently recently."

"And people call me crazy. I knew they've been up to no good. Malfoy's been particularly quiet. Unlike him." Moody started walking again and Harry watched him.

"How long have you been like this?"

"Years, lad. Long enough that it doesn't bother me. The next time you see your devil of an aunt, let her know I'll catch her sooner or later. Also tell her Mad-Eye will work with the Court. If your Matriarch will allow it. By the way, lad. If you know about Crouch, you probably are aware of Lestrange's escape as well. If you know of her whereabouts, let me know. Bloody bitch should be locked up in Azkaban for what she did to Frank."

"Neville's father?"

"Best damn Auror I ever taught. To be treated the way he was. I should've killed the lot of them when they were cornered. But my job was to apprehend them. Do me a favor lad. Bellatrix Lestrange's escape was kept secret. Do not tell the Longbottom lad about her. I don't think he'd react well to the knowledge that she is running around." Harry nodded, already feeling a tinge of guilt about approaching Moody. He glanced at the man's shadow and saw it shift slightly before looking at him.

"What's wrong with your shadow?"

"It's part of the Eye. Piece of the Seer I brought down some years back. Robert something. Mad lad, he was. Took his eye after he took my leg. And it's like he's been fighting me ever since. Part of him seems to be alive in the Eye. But I'm not about to let him take control. However he can. Now come on. Time to get to class Potter. Should keep my promise to Dumbledore, after all."

"Yes, sir. By the way, do you think Crouch got my name in the Goblet somehow?"

"Would make more sense than anything else. If he is lurking about the castle with Light Magic, he may have been able to slip your name into the Goblet by taking it from any number of classrooms where you signed your name with your Magical Signature. Even if he can't turn invisible just yet, if he has learned illusions, he could pose as any number of people in the school. If only I had a way to track him.

"I may have something. Give me some time to test it out."

"This a secret you took with your Shadow Magic, lad?"

"Not technically. It's a Marauder Secret." Moody grinned.

"Your father's group of pranksters. Trickiest bunch of troublemakers from what Bones tells me. Do what you will, Potter."

"Yes, sir."

"And try and get those grades up, lad. Even if you're a Knight with the Court, Amelia could use a few more good Aurors in the years to come."

"Me? An Auror?"

"Seems like it could fit, Sir Potter." Moody grinned slightly before moving ahead of Harry who gaped before smirking and following the scarred man.