True Reflections: Scars Saga 3

Prologue

Prologue:

Year at a Glance

31 October, 1994

"This is madness, Dumbledore. You're not really going along with this, are you?" I asked.

I was in the Headmaster's office along with McGonagall, Snape, and Mad-Eye. The champions for the Triwizard Tournament had been selected, and Harry was among them. Bagman and Crouch had insisted that the Goblet of Fire constituted a magical contract, despite the fact that Harry was underage. After Bagman had finally trotted off to bed, I stuck around to try and convince Dumbledore to not let Harry compete.

"You heard Barty, Katherine," McGonagall said.

"Yes, but this is Harry we're talking about. He's fourteen; he hasn't even taken his OWLs yet. He's not ready for something like this."

"Then Potter should have considered the consequences more carefully before entering his name," Snape drawled.

"If Harry said he didn't do it, then he didn't do it," I replied through my teeth.

Snape snorted. "He is his father's son."

"You know his mother had something to do with it. You do realize how it works don't you?" I spat, my eyes darting downward with purpose before flashing up to meet his steely gaze once more.

"Katherine!" McGonagall scolded in a tone that said she would have deducted points from my house if possible.

"Sorry, Professor," I mumbled in her direction.

"What's it to you?" Mad-Eye asked from his corner. "Why are you so concerned with the boy?"

"Why am I so concerned...?"

I hadn't informed Moody of my true relation with Harry; there didn't seem to be a need to. I was never particularly close with Mad-Eye. I'm not sure that anyone apart from Dumbledore was, but I did respect him. And I think he held some respect for Kate as well. However, Sirius seemed to think it best to limit how many people I told. After all, the illusion kept me hidden from Peter all these years.

"Because, Professor Moody, I've known the boy his whole life. I've watched him grow like a mother would. He's spent weekends and summer holidays at my place. I think of him like family."

Snape gave an indignant huff before addressing Dumbledore. "Despite her...familiar objections, Ms. Porter has failed to realize that if Harry did not put his name in the Goblet..."

"...Which he didn't."

"..then the only way to figure out who is behind it is to let the events unfold...for the time."

"What?" McGonagall gasped. "And do nothing?"

"Yeah, and if Harry happens to find himself in mortal danger you won't break your back to save him, will you?" I snapped in Snape's direction. For a second I thought I saw the twitch of a smirk.

"I agree," Dumbledore began slowly and I turned my attention back to him. "...with Severus, Ms. Porter. I can assure you, however, that we will work diligently to find the culprit and to protect Harry."

I saw the firm resolution in the Headmaster's eyes, and I knew I would only be wasting my breath to try and reason with him.