HEATHER BLACK AGREED TO DO THE THING THAT NOBODY ELSE COULD TO DO.
Use her animagus form, and protect Harry Potter for fifteen years.
As an owl.
As Hedwig.
***
Travis McKinnon wanted nothing more than to do something useful.
So he used his animagus...
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HEDWIG HOOTED AND MADE ANGRY NOISES of protest as Dumbledore stood facing away from her, just as worried as she was.
"I know he didn't enter his own name in, Miss Black," The old man finally said, "I am not foolish. Harry gains no benefits from entering his own name in—and he wouldn't do such a thing. I know he's not much of an attention-seeker, the attention just swarms towards him. But how am I to explain it? All of the students believe that he cheated and I have no explanation."
Hedwig hooted some more until Dumbledore finally turned around and cut her off.
"It's going to cause him nothing but misery," the Headmaster said, "But he will have to enter the Tri-Wizard Tournament. It is a rule."
"It's also a rule, Albus," Another voice interjected, "That nobody under seventeen enter."
In strode Minerva McGonagall, her expression firm and her lips set in a thin line. "Albus, he is in enough danger already! He doesn't need the money, or the fame—,"
"I understand, Minerva," Dumbledore sighed, "But he has to enter. There is no other choice. His name has come out of the goblet."
Hedwig chirped her own thoughts, even though she knew that even Professor Dumbledore could barely understand her.
He'd somewhat, over the years, learnt to communicate with her, but she knew it was still really difficult to understand the more complex thoughts she wished to convey, even for an extremely powerful man like Professor Dumbledore.
"Heather," Professor McGonagall gave her a nod of acknowledgement, "You are expressing your protest as well?"
Hedwig nodded vigorously.
Professor McGonagall, having been in the Order of the Phoenix, knew of Travis and Heather's condition and mission, though every other Order member simply believed them to be dead.
Everybody except Augusta Longbottom, Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Pomona Sprout, Filius Flitwick and the owner of Eeylops Owl Emporium, Elizabeth, believed that on the 19th of December,1980, Travis McKinnon and Heather Black were murdered by Death Eaters.
"I have no solution other than to allow him to compete, Minerva, Miss Black," Dumbledore said, his tone even and calm, "Unless the two of you have a better idea, there is nothing I can do."
Neither Heather nor Minerva wanted to argue with him anymore. And they were wise not to, because Albus Dumbledore was set on his decision, and that was final.
***
HARRY WAS HAVING A NIGHTMARE.
Hedwig watched in silence, unable to do anything, as the boy writhed in his bed, his face contorting into silent screams of horror.
