What If? Part 4

What if? Part 4

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"You haff never...you haff not..."

"No," said Harry very firmly.

Krum looked slightly happier. He stared at Harry for a few seconds, then said, "You fly very vell. I vos vatching at the first task."

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Hello, it's good of you to come back and see me. Today, we will be traveling back to Harry's fourth year. When he and Krum had their conversation about Hermione in our reality, Krum believed that Harry was no more than a friend to her. What would have happened if he hadn't? What if he continued to think otherwise? Sometimes when you win, you lose.

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Viktor was torn. He wanted to believe what Harry had told him, but his heart was telling him not to. Ordinarily, Viktor was a completely analytical person, but in this case he could not overlook what his emotions were telling him. Harry always seemed to be with Hermione. He remembered the countless times he had meant to approach her in the library, and that Harry was constantly there with her. He had originally thought that Ron may have been the problem, but they seemed to have a falling out shortly after Harry got picked for the tournament. This didn't make Viktor feel any better, since at least when there were three of them; he knew that she couldn't be that attached to either on of them. But what if the falling out had been about her? Had she picked Harry over Ron? Ron did appear to be very sulky afterwards. And from what he had heard from the other students, the two of them have been together since they got to the school. He decided he needed to ask someone about them that wasn't a part of their circle of friends. If they were their friends, they might cover for them. He needed someone that knew them well, but that would tell him the truth about them. Suddenly, he realized who he could ask: Draco Malfoy.

"Draco, could I haff a vord?"

Draco turned from threatening a first year to look at Viktor. "Sure. What's wrong? Not enough beets in your borscht?" he sneered.

"Tell them to go avay," Viktor said casting a dark look at Carbbe and Goyle. Draco quickly dropped his attitude and waved his two cronies away. Once alone, Viktor came straight to his point. "You will tell me the truth, I think. Vat is there between Potter and Hermy-own-ninny? I haff heard his story, but I am not sure I believe him. If he is lying, I vold be quite upset."

Draco felt like Christmas had come early. He could get someone else to loathe Potter as much as he did. The idea of Potty and the Mudblood was laughable, but there was no reason to tell Krum that.

"Well, Viktor, have you seen the article in the Prophet? That should tell you everything you need to know. I mean, it's a Ministry ran newspaper, so it has to be true. Those two have been joined at the hip since they arrived at Hogwarts. You should ask Professor Snape about him. Harry's been an arrogant bastard since he saved that stupid trinket back in our first year. And as for Hermione, well, I know you might fancy her, but it's public knowledge that she's a slut. I mean, Harry's one of the most famous wizards in the world, how do you think a Mudblood like her could keep him? Yeah, I bet they have a right laugh about you when they're together."

Viktor's anger flashed when Draco had used to term Mudblood, but that was quickly replaced by his realization that what he was saying confirmed what his heart had been telling him. Were they laughing at him? Was this some kind of joke to them, watching him trying to win Hermione's affection? He had thought Harry was a decent person, but how could he have lied right to his face like he did? He would have to get back at him. Harry Potter would not get away with this!

Harry had walked right past the stone gargoyle guarding the entrance to Dumbledore's office without noticing. He blinked, looked around, realized what he had done, and retraced his steps, stopping in front of it. Then he remembered that he didn't know the password. All of a sudden, he heard a voice cry out "Stupefy!" and he sank to the floor.

When he woke up, Harry did now know where he was. He appeared to be in a wooden beamed room, with the sounds of water coming in through an open porthole. He surmised that he must be on some kind of boat, but how did he get there? Had one of Voldemort's Death Eaters succeeded in kidnapping him? What about Hermione and Ron? Were they here as well? The opening of a door snapped Harry back into reality.

Krum's wand was pointed directly at Harry's heart. "You are a liar, Harry. I came to talk to you man to man, and you lied to me. I do not know what value is placed on honor in this country, but in Bulgaria, it still holds a great importance. You haff shown me that you have no honor, and in the process haff done me an injustice. For this, I demand satisfaction."

Krum stepped forward and handed Harry his wand back. Once done, he stepped back a few paces and adopted the stance of one who is about to duel. His eyes never left Harry, who stood dumbly looking at his wand in his hand. What was Krum talking about, and what kind of satisfaction was he looking for?

"Viktor, what are you talking about? What am I supposed to have lied to you about? I've never lied to you, I wouldn't do that. Wait, this isn't about Hermione still, is it?" Harry could no hide his feeling of disbelief in his voice. Viktor, however, remained in his stance.

"I am talking about your deceit, Harry. You knew that I cared about Hermy-own-ninny, and you played me false. I have no ill vill towards her, she is a voman, but you vill be held responsible. Ve vill duel and the vinner shall haff Hermy-own-ninny for himself. Draw you vand and face me like a man, Harry."

Harry could not believe what was happening. Krum could no be serious, and yet he had never seen anyone look more so. "Viktor, you don't understand. I didn't lie to you about the two of us. Hermione is my friend, that's all. Please, you have to trust me."

Krum did not waver in his resolve. "You cannot be trusted! If you vill not face me like a man, then you vill die like a dog. Cruc-"

But before Viktor could complete the curse, the door swung open again. For a brief moment, Harry hoped it would be someone from the school that had come to save him, but the person who appeared seemed to have his own problems.

"Professor, vat are you doing here?" Viktor lowered his wand and stared at Karkaroff, who looked as if he was in a hurry to do something.

"Viktor! Vat are you doing here? Vy is the Potter boy here? You should both be in the castle. I haff urgent business to attend to and need to get avay from here," Karkaroff was throwing things pell mell into a bag; he certainly seemed to be very anxious to get going.

"Professor, vere are you going? Ve haff not done the last task, you cannot leave yet." Viktor had now forgotten about Harry, who was trying to decide if he should try making a break for it.

"This is nothing of your concern, Viktor. There are matters more important than a stupid tournament. Now, get away from the door so I can get away from his accursed place."

Krum continued to stand in front of the exit. "Not until you haff explained yourself. You haff been acting strangely since ve arrived here. I demand that you tell me vat is going on!" Karkaroff's eyes darted between the door and Viktor. He also took a look at Harry, who had been steadily inching closer to the pair of them.

"All right, Viktor. I vill tell you everything. You see I...Stupefy!" Karkaroff swept his wand up so fast that Viktor never had a chance to defend himself. He then rounded on Harry, who could now see the manic look in Karkaroff's eyes. "And you, Potter, you vill be of a great use to me. The Dark Mark has been getting clearer and clearer ever since I arrived here. That means the arrival of the Dark Lord vill not be far off. My original plan vas to flee for my life, but my plans haff changed now. Only one thing can forgive me my transgressions, and that vill be my presenting you to him. Your death will assure me my life. I vill make it seem that I arrived here too late to save you from Viktor. I will tell them you dueled over the Mudblood, and that he killed you. He vill be hauled away to Azkaban, and I will be reunited with the Dark Lord. So, Potter, prepare to be with your parents again. Avada Ke-"

But before Karkaroff had the chance to complete the killing curse, Professor Moody suddenly appeared in the doorway and managed a stunning spell to stop him. Harry, who had now narrowly escaped two unforgivable curses, ran to the professor who was looking venomously at Karkaroff's prone form on the floor.

"Professor! Thank god you came! Viktor stunned me and brought me down here, and then Karkaroff turned up and was in a hurry to get away. Viktor asked him where he was going, and he stunned him! Then he turned on me and said something about a Dark Mark, and that killing me would forgive him for something, and then..."

"Quiet boy," Moody growled. "I saw the two of you leaving the castle on the map and followed. Good thing for you I did. I never guessed Krum for attacking someone from Behind, but Karkaroff's plan would have been futile. There can be no forgiving desertion. It is a lifetime of service or death. Now, we need to get you safely back to the castle. I'll deal with Karkaroff later. He won't be bothering you anymore, Harry. I can promise you that."

Harry wasn't entirely clear on everything Moody was saying, but he really didn't care, all he wanted was to get back to the castle. Following Moody's lit wand, Harry ran up the grand staircase two at a time in his haste to get back to the Gryffindor common room. Once there, he was greatly relieved to see Ron and Hermione pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace.

"Harry! Oh, thank goodness! What happened to you? Where have you been?" Hermione had run straight at Harry and threw her arms around him. Still being a little shaky on his feet from the events of the last few hours, she had succeeded in sending the both of them onto the sofa behind them. Ron also made his way over and took a seat across from them. He concern was as great as Hermione, but he decided that one of them attacking him was enough. He was also concerned about Harry's pale look. When Hermione had allowed Harry up for air, Ron spoke.

"Mate, what happened? We've been worried sick. We looked everywhere for you. On our way back from Hagrid's, we saw Moody stumping off towards the lake, but he told us to come back and wait here. What happened to you?"

Once Harry had caught his breath and allowed Harry to check him over for injuries, he told them the events that had transpired since he had left Ron in Trelawney's class. Hermione gasped several times, while Ron's mouth seemed to reach the floor by the end of the account. Hermione could not believe that Viktor would act in such a way, while Ron stated that he always suspected there was something funny about him. Harry reminded them both of what Karkaroff and Moody had said, and they then tried to understand what it all could mean.

At breakfast the next morning, the three of them were dead on their feet. They had stayed up until the wee hours trying to figure out what all had occurred, and what connection Karkaroff had with the Dark Lord. Did this mean that he was the one that had put Harry's name in the Gauntlet? And what about the things Moody had said? Their reverie was interrupted by Viktor slumping into the great hall. Hermione leapt up at once.

"How dare he show his face in here? I'm going to go talk to him. He won't get away with this so easy."

Harry grabbed her arm. "Hermione, no, don't. He won't try anything with all these people here. Besides, he's a Champion; I've got to face him again in the last task."

Hermione jerked her arm out of Harry's grasp. "No, Harry, this isn't just about you. This has to do with both of us, and I won't sit back and let him hurt you." Hermione's eyes were ablaze with fury now, and Harry knew that his best course of action would be to let her go.

Harry and Ron both watched as Hermione marched over to where Viktor was sitting with Malfoy and his cronies. They could hear a few of them laugh as they saw Hermione approach, but the laughter quickly dissolved when they saw Hermione throw a wicked right jab directly at Viktor's right eye. The blow caused him to flop over backwards onto the stone floor. Professor McGonagall, who had walked past just as Hermione had thrown the punch, stopped.

"Miss Granger! What has gotten into you? You shouldn't have hit him in the face; it leaves too noticeable a mark. I knee to the nether regions would have been far more suitable."

It seemed that the events of the previous day had spread quickly. It reminded Harry of how quickly the story of his standoff with Voldemort at the end of his first year had spread. Hermione's hand bothered her for the rest of the day, but she couldn't suppress the smile she gained from getting her revenge on Viktor for threatening her best friend. Harry gained a great admiration for her sticking up for him, and once again counted his blessings that she was on his side.

Viktor picked himself off the ground and put his hand up to his rapidly swelling eye. He pride was now gone completely. Harry had lied to him, and he had been struck by a girl in front of everyone. His first instinct was to confront the both of them, but there were too many others that would assist them. He would have to wait until he got Harry on his own again. He would get his chance in the maze, and there would be nobody to save him this time, Viktor would make sure of that.

The fake Moody placed Viktor under the Imperio curse before he entered the maze. His purpose was to make sure that Cedric and Fleur were taken out of the contest, but Viktor's hatred towards Harry threatened to throw off the hold Moody had on him. After taking out Fleur, he next encountered Harry. The fake Moody had commanded Viktor to leave Harry alone and go after Cedric, but the hatred Viktor felt finally did manage to throw off the curse. Viktor managed to surprise Harry once again, and also managed to take out Cedric, who had come to Harry's aid. With all three other Champions out of the running, Viktor was able to take the cup himself, and was quickly transported by the portkey that had set up to capture Harry.

At first, Voldemort intended to kill Viktor on the spot for ruining his plan. In fact, Peter had drawn out his wand in preparation to deliver the killing curse on him. Sensing his life was in danger, Viktor quickly explained to them how he had come to be there, and how his hatred towards Harry had been the reason he had been able to throw off the fake Moody's Imperio curse. Voldemort's mind changed. Any enemy of Harry's was a friend to him. After explaining to Viktor that he could have the revenge he sought, Voldemort took possession of him in the same way he had done with Quirrell a few years prior. After taking possession of him, Voldemort then grabbed the cup again and was transported back to Hogwarts.

Once returned, Viktor strode up to the judges table to claim his prize as winner of the TriWizard tournament. Despite complaints from the three other Champions, he was indeed declared the winner. With Karkaroff no longer around, Viktor quickly assembled his fellow Durmstrang students and told them they would be leaving immediately. Before leaving he managed to find Harry, who is now accompanied by a very much alive Cedric, Ron, and Hermione.

"Potter, hear what I say. We will meet again, and next time there will be nobody to save you."

Hermione stepped in front of Harry, raising her wand to Viktor's face. "You'll be the one who will need saving, you coward. The only way you can stun Harry is by doing it behind his back. Well, next time you might be the one that gets the surprise. If we ever do meet up with you again, you'll regret it."

Viktor stared at Hermione. Before his possession, he still had deep feelings for her, but now his thoughts and emotions were only those of hate and loathing. "Then you shall all die together! All of you! The blood traitor, the slut, and the liar, all of you shall die! I shall bathe in your blood soon enough," and, without a backwards glance, Viktor made his way back to the Durmstrang ship. In a matter of minutes, the mast disappeared below the water and he was gone. The heaviness of his threat, however, still stayed in the minds of those that he had spoken to. Harry did not ponder these words at the moment, though. He was more concerned with the searing pain in his scar that had started to burn as soon as Viktor had walked up to them. He also never considered the fact that Krum's accent had seemed to have disappeared.

Six Months Later

Viktor and Peter are caring for Voldemort, who is still trying to find a way to return himself to his body. They also have managed to break open Azkaban, freeing over a dozen of Voldemort's most dangerous Death Eaters. Once they are all reunited at the Riddle estate, Voldemort, acting through Krum, tells them all about his plan to capture Harry. The method used is the same as the one we know of from the books, and is the same group of people that break into the Department of Mysteries on that fateful night. The only difference this time is that Harry and Krum come face to face for a duel to the death.

"So, Potter, are you ready to join your parents now? Are you prepared to feel the wrath of the Dark Lord?" Krum stared menacingly at Harry, who was repulsed by the sight before him. Instead of Voldemort's face being on the opposite side of his head, like it had been with Quirrell, his evil visage appeared in the center of Viktor's chest, his red eyes blazing with hatred towards Harry.

"It doesn't have to be like this," Harry said keeping his eyes towards them, prepared for anything that might be thrown at him. "You can fight him, Viktor, just like you fought off the Imperio curse in the third task. Barty Crouch told us all about it. He'll destroy you, Viktor. You have to fight him!"

"Again you lie! The Dark Lord is who I am now. When you are dead, you will provide what is needed to return him to his body and he will rain fire on his enemies. The world will once again tremble in fear at the name of Lord Voldemort! Now, prepare to die, Potter. Crucio!"

Harry dove behind one of the stone benches that lined the Death Room. A large chunk of the plaster flew over his head and smashed against the back wall. He stood up again, still trying to reach any part of Viktor that remained.

"Viktor, listen to me, you have to fight him! Remember when we dueled before, when you were convinced that Hermione and I were together? Remember how you thought we were laughing at you behind tour back? Well, we were. Hermione and I were lovers the entire time. She only went to the Yule Ball with you because she felt sorry for you. What do you think of that?"

Voldemort could not understand why Harry was antagonizing Viktor, but it didn't really matter to him. As he had in the past, Voldemort was underestimating Harry, and this time would be the last. Viktor was getting madder and madder, and with it he was becoming more and more lucid. Finally he was able to throw off Voldemort's hold on his mind, just as he had done with the fake Moody during the third task. He realized that Harry was telling him the truth about one thing, Voldemort would end up destroying him just as he had destroyed so many others. He could hear the sound of running footsteps coming toward them, along with the sound of voices he recognized from when he was at Hogwarts. The cavalry was coming, but he didn't have time to wait, Voldemort would soon be able to regain his hold upon him. Something must be done now. Stepping directly in front of the veiled archway, he raised his wand toward Harry.

"I am sorry, Harry. Tell Hermione that I am so sorry for vat I haff done. Stupefy!"

The spell raced towards Harry, who was unable to do anything but raise a quick shield charm to rebound the spell back at Viktor, hitting him dead in the center of his chest. Harry could only watch helplessly as Viktor was knocked back into the veil, vanishing behind it with a ripple of the back cloth. While Harry stood frozen, the sound of footsteps grew louder as Sirius came bursting into the room.

"Harry! What happened? Where's Voldemort?"

Harry continued to stare at the now still veil. "He's gone. Viktor was possessed by him, and I got him mad enough to throw off his mind control like he did back in the tournament. I just wanted to keep Viktor alive, and instead I ended up killing both of them. He knew what he was doing; he gave his up his life to take Voldemort along with him."

The other members of the Order were filing in now, looking around for any remaining Death Eaters. Dumbledore immediately asked Harry to recount what had happened with Voldemort, which caused the rest of those assembled to feel bad for Viktor, but at the same time greatly relieved that Voldemort was now gone for good. Harry had a hard time believing this, but Dumbledore assured him that it was true. Voldemort was gone where there was no return. It was agreed that there would be a memorial statue in Viktor's honor at the Ministry, along with changing the name of the TriWizard tournament to the Krum Tournament.

For those left behind, there were other repercussions from the final battle. Harry's scar gradually faded away. Dumbledore, now that Voldemort was gone, stepped down as Headmaster of Hogwarts, preferring to market his own line of large print chocolate frog cards. Professor McGonagall took over as Headmistress, and Hermione took over as Transfiguration teacher. Harry joined the staff the following year as Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, along with Ron, who replaced Madam Hooch as Broom trainer and Quidditch referee.

So, who hooked up? Was it Harry and Hermione, or Ron and Hermione? No, it was none of the above. As professors, their lives were dedicated to the education of their students. For the rest of their lives, students would write home excitedly and tell their parents that they were being taught by the most famous trio of magical people to ever live.

Well, I hope that you've enjoyed this look into an alternate reality. Join me again next time, as we look into a different reality for Harry's fifth year. Until then, this is The Sorting Hat saying, good night.