He would ensure that his son joined their side of the war, no matter what it takes. He would ensure Pettigrew checked for any information available on Dylan Lestrange. His stomach clenched every time he thought of the boy since he had found out about Dylan's existence - how was he? Did Dylan look like him? How was the boy raised? Was he already corrupted by Muggle-loving fools like Dumbledore?
Rabastan knew that his brother was actually pleased about it since Rodolphus and Bellatrix could not have a child through natural means and Azkaban had robbed them of the ability to have a child using other methods. It was disgusting that the boy was a half-blood and a bastard to boot, but Rabastan didn't find himself caring much about that. This was hisson .
One more year and Dylan would be back with his family where he should have been all along. The next generation of Lestranges would continue to serve the Dark Lord, just like his generation and the one before him.
Neither Rodolphus nor Rabastan noticed the anger in Bellatrix's eyes whenever Dylan was mentioned.
...
The first of September dawned bright and early and the house-elves at Potter Castle were busy preparing a heavy breakfast for the two occupants. Harry shrunk his trunk, with Hedwig flying to Hogwarts, as he came down the stairs. After breakfast, Harry and Dylan packed the lunch the elves had prepared for them and Flooed to the platform.
Once they entered the train, the two brothers headed in different directions towards their friends. Spotting Daphne in a compartment, Harry opened the door and pulled her into a deep kiss. They only parted when someone cleared their throat.
"That is not something you do when you have company," said Susan wryly.
Harry chuckled as he gracefully sat down next to Daphne and the compartment soon filled with several people from all four Houses. The train journey was smooth without any interruptions and after several hours, they reached Hogsmeade station. Once they entered the Great Hall, Harry sat down at the Ravenclaw table and observed those around him. After a few minutes, Dylan sat down next to him, looking a bit dazed, confused and perhaps slightly smug.
Putting up a privacy charm with just a wave of his hand, Harry asked, "What's up?"
"Draco Malfoy came to our compartment during the train ride," said Dylan, smiling slightly. "When he did, he greeted Astoria and ignored me as always. By the way, what did you do to him? He had been the most vocal of those who used to call me a bastard, but now he ignores that I even exist!"
"You don't want to know," smirked Harry. "Besides, Draco himself doesn't know that I was the one who spoke to him a year ago. You were saying?"
Chuckling, Dylan said, "Well, he asked Astoria to join him in his compartment. She politely declined and went back to speaking to me, right in front of him. When he tried to gain her attention, it didn't work so well. I was shocked when she took my hand in hers as we were talking. I swear I could see steam coming out of his ears by the time he left with his goons. The best part is that she never let go of my hand during the entire train ride!"
Harry smiled. Looks like Daphne's talk with Astoria had worked. Shaking his head in amusement, he concentrated on the sorting, memorising the new names and faces like he did every year. Everyone in the room was shocked when they noticed that Remus Lupin was still there as the Defence teacher. He was the first witch or wizard in a long time that had stayed as the Defence Professor for more than a year because there were rumours that it was cursed. Of course, Harry had verified that theory using Voldemort's memories. There was no curse; just a very powerful compulsion charm cast using Parseltongue and linked to the Defence classroom, making the teacher not stay for more than a year.
It went without saying that Harry had removed the charm at the end of the previous term.
Once the feast was over and the plates cleared away, Dumbledore stood up to make his usual start of term announcements. Once the usual speech was done with, he continued and said, "I have a great pleasure in announcing that we are to have the honour of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, an event that has not been held for over a century - the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year!"
"You're JOKING!" shouted Fred Weasley in awe.
Harry's face remained impassive, but the twinkle in his eyes showed that he was quite amused. Even Dumbledore's beard twitched as he smiled. "No, Mr Weasley, I'm not joking," he said, sounding deeply amused. "A lot of work has gone into this over the past three years, so trust me, I would hardly joke about it. Anyway, where was I? Ah yes, the Triwizard Tournament."
He went on to explain the history of the tournament and why it was discontinued and about the twenty-five thousand Galleons personal prize money.
"- only those who are of seventeen or older will be able to participate," said Dumbledore amidst protests. Once he explained the finer details and announced that the delegations of the foreign schools would arrive in October, he dismissed all the students.
Harry shook his head, amused as he observed several students who were grumbling under their breath. The tournament sounded like fun, sure, but if it were him, he would stay the hell away from it. He knew what the first task was and as he had said three years ago, if he ever saw a dragon in front of him, he would head in the other direction; the basilisk was bad enough. His sense of self-preservation would not allow him to even think of participating, even if he could talk Dumbledore into it. Technically, he could participate because he was a seventh-year student, but from what Sirius had told him, it was essential that the champion is an adult, meaning he or she is seventeen years old. The contract created by the I.C.W. and enforced by the Goblet of Fire demanded it, which was why he couldn't take part in the tournament.
Even without participating, he was sure that it would be fun to watch!
....
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