𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤. ʀ. ʟᴜᴘɪɴ

twenty-five

"This is going to be bloody legendary!" Sirius exclaimed as he walked to the stands of the Quidditch Pitch with Remus and Evangeline.

It was the day of the last task. Everyone was gathering into the stands cheering and talking excitedly amongst themselves.

"I have to patrol the perimeter, so I cannot sit with you." Evangeline said to the two.

"How boring," Sirius said.

Remus chuckled lightly, "I'll see you after?"

"To celebrate Harry's victory!"

"Of course," Evangeline said, kissing Remus' cheek, "have fun."

"We will more than you!" Sirius said, walking to the stands.

She made her way to the field to Dumbledore, "Evie!"

She turned to the man who griped out her name, a voice she could never forget.

Alastor Mad Eye Moody limped over to her, his staff digging into the grass with every step he took, "Mad Eye! It's been too long!"

"Wouldn't have been if you didn't do this."

She chuckled as she shook his hand, "how have things been?"

"Better with you, but good," Mad Eye replied. A younger woman with short bright pink hair emerged from behind Mad Eye, tripping as she came into sight, "this is Nymphador-"

"Tonks. Just Tonks."

Evangeline shook her hand, "lovely to meet you, Tonks. You're new?"

She nodded excitedly, "yes! Been a bit of a challenge..."

"Well, Mad Eye is a bit of a terrorist as a teacher–"

"I get shit done," Mad Eye cut in.

Evangeline raised her brows with a smirk, "that you do."

"I'm a huge fan," Tonks rushed out, "sorry, it's just crazy to think that I'm meeting the Evangeline Vandeleur."

She smiled, "don't put me on a pedestal, Tonks. We're one of the same."

"Is Sirius here? Did you know that we're cousins?"

"Oh, yes, he's just in the stands with Remus. Quite the day, this is."

"No time for family reunions, Tonks. We're here to work."

"That you are," Dumbledore said as he approached them, "you three will be patrolling the perimeter along with a few other staff members. Your job is to make sure our contestants stay safe and to be there should they signal if something goes south."

The last task was a maze. The contestants had to weave their way through the maze that had obstacles, creatures, and riddles. At the center, the Tri-Wizard Tournament Cup was there.

It kicked off with a bang, the crowd being so loud Evangeline could hardly hear anything.

She had no idea how to keep an eye on Igor since she had to patrol, but she knew Dumbledore thought things through.

She roamed the outskirts of the maze, the sounds coming from the crowds were barely audible now. Before she knew it, dusk fell and the field became dark.

As she carefully walked around the area, she heard a twig snap from behind her. She whipped around with her wand raised, finding Igor doing the same.

"Did you think I was oblivious to your eyes on me, Professor?" he snarled.

"I've put half your friends behind bars or six feet under, I'll do the same to you."

He let out a chuckle, "just because the Dark Lord is dead does not mean there aren't people left to pick up the pieces."

"And what is your goal here? To kill Potter?"

He smiled wickedly at her, and her face fell.

"I cannot get in there, I will not lie that my talents are not quite up to par with Dumbledore... but if I can pick you out of the puzzle–"

She cut off his words with a wave of her wand, throwing a curse towards him. He deflected it and shot one at her, and she quickly dodged it. The two threw curses and spells at one another, going back and forth for what felt like ages.

She managed to knocked Igor back a few feet, and he glared at her before raising his wand, uttering those two unforgivable words.

Green shot out from his wand, and she barely had enough time to throw herself to the ground. The curse shot right over her face, missing her by mere inches.

She scrambled to her feet and fought him with more fury, walking him back into the border of the pitch. She got within feet of him, and decided to forgo her wand. She punched him square in the face, sending him to the ground.

Blood ran from his nose as he tried to raise his wand, but she put her foot on his wrist.

She pointed her wand down at him, "who else?"

"Just me," he said, groaning in pain as she pressed harder on his wrist.

She laughed, "oh, you thought you could finish what that twat started all by yourself? By going after a boy? Merlin, I thought you'd be harder to battle."

"You're a disgrace to your family."

"That's all you've got so say?"

She heard loud cheering from the stands, and then an announcement that the Tri-Wizard Tournament had come to an end.

"So much for your little plan."

Mad Eye and Tonks emerged from around the corner of the maze, "what in Merlin's name is going on?!"

"Ask him," Evangeline replied, reaching down to pick up his wand. She tucked it in her back pocket, "take care of that idiot for me," she said, walking away.

She walked back to the crowds, finding Cedric Diggory with a bright smile holding up the cup.

Harry was just as cheerful, Sirius and Remus talking to him with a bright smile.

She pulled Dumbledore aside, "Igor tried to kill me."

"Oh dear."

"He failed, obviously."

"I can see that."

"Mad Eye and Tonks are handling him. He tried to pick back up what the Dark Lord started, said it was just him. Is everyone alright?"

He nodded, "yes, yes. Mister Diggory has won, Potter came in second. Thank you, Professor."

She reached into her pocket and gave Dumbledore Igor's wand, "are you going to tell Krum or should I?"

"I can handle that part. You've done more than enough."

She walked to Remus, who was looking around for her. He smiled brightly down at her, bringing her in for an embrace.

"What happened?" he asked, brushing a thumb over a cut on her forehead.

"I'll tell you later. Everything's alright."

Sirius clapped a hand on Remus' shoulder, "we are doing a grand celebration when Harry finishes school. You'll be there, Evangeline?"

"Wouldn't miss it."

a/n:
thank you all so much for the overwhelming support on this book. it truly means the world. Cedric is not Deadric in this book!!