A Little Moody

They were thrown together after the third task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Both were in the hospital wing for an extended stay and while one complained about that fact, the other was grateful because it meant he wouldn't be subjected to the stares or even worse, the questions.

Harry Potter gained a lot of respect that night. Cedric Diggory owed him his life. Harry reacted quickly and threw himself at Cedric when the dreaded green curse was heading his way. The body check managed to push Cedric out of its path and into a headstone which knocked him out. It happened so fast that the curse was thought to have hit its mark. It was that act which probably saved Cedric's life at least twice. Once from the curse and again when the Death Eaters thought he was dead instead of knocked out and left him alone from that point on that evening.

Things didn't go so well for Harry though. He was tortured, bound, and used in a dark ritual which brought Voldemort back to a body and that was when the night of horrors really began. Forced into a duel with the Dark Lord, Harry only managed to stay alive. The tortures and curses inflicted on him were enough to kill a lesser person. He fought through the pain in a moment of distraction of his captors and made his way back to Cedric's unconscious form. With the last of his strength, he lay across the body of his friend and summoned the cup. It was fortunate they vanished when they did because as soon as they were gone, the tombstone they were against was hit and destroyed by a flash of green.

As soon as they arrived, Harry passed out from exhaustion. He had taken a lot of abuse that night and his magical core was running dangerously low. The headmaster and staff did the only thing they could do and took the two boys to the infirmary. Cedric got out the next day by lunch after informing the headmaster that they were portkeyed away and then attacked but not much else and by whom. Cedric arrived in the Great Hall to a hero's welcome. He went along with it thankful that he survived the night but since he was unconscious, he didn't know the whole story and just how lucky he was. He never gave Harry a second thought and no one bothered to ask about Harry. It was almost as if Harry ceased to exist in the school. If Harry had been awake, he would probably relish the lack of attention after being subjected to so much scorn and hate all year.

The only person who gave any thought to Harry was his once best friend but the thought quickly left her mind just as it had all year. She knew something was wrong but for the life of her, she couldn't figure out what it was. Little did she know that Dumbledore and Snape wore small smiles as no one ever brought Harry's name up. Their plan to completely isolate the boy was working perfectly. Unfortunately for them, a large wrench was about to be thrown into their plans. A bond would soon reform between four people that would be the catalyst to change the magical world.

Cedric's reappearance brought the excitement back up in the school after the pall that was cast on the population as each champion had been taken to the hospital ward for unexplained reasons the previous night and no one except Harry knew the entire story of the night. Cedric had a vague recollection of the events but at the moment, things were still a bit fuzzy which Madam Pomphrey said would improve over the next few days. As the excitement grew once again around the champions, they were swept up in the adoration and Harry Potter lay forgotten in as close to a magical coma as possible.

**ALM**

In a staff meeting that afternoon, Albus suggested the presentation ceremony happen the next night with Mr. Diggory being awarded the trophy. Everyone agreed although Minerva voiced her dissent with this decision.

"What of Potter?"

Albus sat there for a minute looking at his senior staff and the heads of the other schools. "Mr. Potter will more than likely not awaken before the planned departure of the other two schools. I don't feel it is fair to them to be forced to wait while Mr. Potter recovers from whatever put him in that condition."

Severus smirked. "Yes, we pander to his ego enough as it is. I for one feel that leaving him out of the ceremony may start to bring some humility back to the boy." The other two heads of houses reluctantly agreed with the plan while Minerva scowled at how her lion was being treated.

Albus nodded. "Yes, you have a point." He glanced around at the others in the room and saw they all felt the same way. "We wouldn't want the boy to become too headstrong from his successes. We will hold the ceremony tomorrow night which will allow our guests to return home."

As Minerva sat there listening to the plans for the awards ceremony, a plan of her own began to form in her mind.

**ALM**

The next night, everyone gathered in excitement at the event in the Great Hall as Harry Potter still lay asleep in the hospital ward. At this point, even his once best friends were lost in the excitement of the night and no thoughts of Harry were considered by the majority of the school's population. Harry and Mad-Eye were the only people left in the hospital wing and were both still kept asleep under the influence of the dreamless sleep potion. The treatment wasn't influenced by any outside interference. The decision clearly resided with Madam Pomphrey who felt it was the best thing for her patients. The only person to come and check on the patients in the last few days was Minerva and it confused her as it seemed the rest of the school seemed to have forgotten all about Harry. Madam Pomphrey knew something was off as Harry had never spent any time in her care without Miss Granger hovering nearby.

It had been the same when Miss Granger was petrified. Harry was never far away and even then, she could see the bond that was forming between the two of them. She hadn't heard of any problems between the two of them but she also tended to stay in her ward and not join in on the gossip her colleagues were known to engage in. But she was getting worried now. The bond shared between Harry and Hermione was strong and saw them through so much and she had used it on several occasions to aid in their healing. She really needed that bond now to speed up Harry's recovery but the girl hadn't made one single trip to her ward since Harry got there. Her curiosity and aggravation were getting the better of her and it was time for some answers. Sadly, she couldn't get those answers right now as she maintained a policy to always be in the ward when she had patients. She would have to wait for Minerva to come check on her charges before she could ask the questions that were troubling her.

Later that afternoon, Minerva came by the ward to check on Harry and Poppy was waiting for her. "Minerva, is Miss Granger alright? You know as well as I do that neither has ever taken being separated from the other too well and I haven't seen her yet."

Minerva sighed and motioned towards Poppy's office. Once they sat down, Minerva took a deep breath. "Something is not quite right Poppy. The trophy was awarded last night and no mention was made whatsoever about Mr. Potter. Not even from his closest friends."

Poppy stared at the wall for a second. "Is Albus up to his games again?"

"I…I think so. Of course Severus is fully behind anything to cause Harry pain but…for everyone to have forgotten about him?"

"Ward, potion, or spell?"

"I don't really know. I've also noticed that Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley the youngest are much closer than ever before. I fear for the bond Miss Granger and Mr. Potter share."

"When did you first notice any changes?"

"They were gradual but began to grow as soon as Potter's name came out of the cup. Of course Weasley's jealousy flared causing a rift…one that I don't think was ever repaired. Miss Granger stayed beside Potter at the beginning but there was something off between them. I would catch Potter looking at Miss Granger strangely at times as if he was confused at her actions. I do know that Potter had no little to no help preparing after the first task."

Poppy scowled. "Then Albus is playing his games again! Minerva…I won't stand back and watch this time. The last time cost that young man way too much."

Minerva sat back and thought about Sirius being kissed last year and Snape's gleeful expression once the deed was done. She never saw it in person but had heard of Snape using the event to inflict emotional pain on Harry. She wasn't sure who would kill the bastard first, her or Harry. "I agree…what do you suggest?"

"What I suggest is reuniting two or three family members! It's time Harry had someone there for him."

Minerva paled. "You ask a lot. You know of his enemies and why things were done that way."

Poppy scowled. "And yet…you would leave your grandson all alone when he has the two best possible people right here to help him."

"Alastor will never agree. He says he has too many enemies to subject a family to that. It's why we sent Lily away."

"Harry has plenty of enemies as well. I can see it in your eyes that you know it's what needs to be done."

"I know…but convincing Alastor will be difficult."

"Just admit you're scared."

"Your damn right I'm scared! I terrified of what Harry will think of us when he finds out."

"I can understand that but Harry is pretty level headed. He'll understand…eventually."

"Yes…I realize that."

"Then what has you so afraid?"

"Alastor. He'll be furious with me for not figuring it out."

Poppy chuckled. "Yes…I wondered how the two of you could be in the castle together and not…you know."

"I thought he'd finally tired of me."

Poppy snorted. "That's a good one. Alastor and Minerva not disappearing and then going at it like rabbits. James and Lily were the same."

"I know…I should have seen it but…there was just so much going on and Harry…he was in trouble and no one was helping and I couldn't. I was so scared for him."

Poppy nodded. "I can understand that but its time to make things right for Harry. He needs you both more than anything now. He's got power in abundance…but he just needs the skills to go along with it. I can't think of anyone better to give that to him."

"I'll convince Alastor if he forgives me."

Poppy chuckled. "Yes…you have that something that always makes Alastor see your way on things."

Minerva pinked a little at the innuendo. "Except that one time. So what's your plan?"

Poppy smirked. "I'll keep them sedated during the day and let them work together at night while everyone is in bed. That'll give them a chance to come to terms with everything and hopefully make plans to do what needs to be done."

"Let me know when and I'll be here to help."

Poppy nodded. "Tomorrow night at eleven. We can start then as they should be recovered enough by then to be woken and everyone else will be asleep."

Minerva nodded. "Mind the portraits."

Poppy chuckled. "Why do you think I only have portraits of matrons and healers in here? Despite the advice they can offer, our healer's oaths are still enforced even in death."

**ALM**

It was a good thing that there were silencing wards on the hospital ward as there was a lot of yelling and screaming to be hidden. At that point, Poppy was glad she held all the wands as this could have gotten bad. Once the secret was revealed, Harry let out his anger. Most of his anger was directed at his grandparents for leaving him at the Dursleys and never stepping in to help. He was also angry at the way things had played out this year at school and it scared Minerva and Poppy a little to think that they had more to tell him.

It was the first time that anyone at Hogwarts knew the true story of Harry's life at the Dursleys and while they had been at Hogwarts for most of his adventures, they didn't know all the details and it left both Minerva and Poppy in tears.

Alastor was just angry. He was angry at Albus and Minerva for leaving Harry there. He was angry at himself for hiding behind his job to protect his family. He was angry at himself and Minerva for sending Lily off so many years ago. And he was angry at Minerva for not figuring out that it wasn't him this whole year.

Minerva had her own anger issues and they exploded along with the rest. The emotional storm lasted several hours as they exhausted their pent up rage and frustration on each other until it left the three of them laughing. None of them knew what they were laughing about but they were laughing all the same. When they stopped, Harry said. "Sirius said I had a temper like Mum…now I know where she got it from."

Alastor looked at him for a minute before bursting out in laughter again. "I guess you do at that but Lily had nothing on Minerva. I remember one time…"

His crazy eye spun and saw the scowling face of Minerva and added. "But enough about that." He mouthed 'later' to Harry and winked at him and it became quiet.

Harry broke the silence. "So what do we do now?"

Minerva spoke. "I have some suggestions but there's more we need to talk about. Harry…I think your friends have been compromised. I don't think it best to trust them at least for now. I know you've seen the changes in Hermione."

Harry nodded.

Poppy finally spoke. "I think Albus has been interfering again. While you were asleep, I did a full workup on you and I found so many charms and blocks that I'm amazed you can even function. Minerva and I have worked up a tentative plan if you'll both agree to it. We felt that you need to be trained by your grandparents this summer. Once we remove all the blocks and other controls, we think you'll progress quickly and be in better condition before the new term starts."

"I'm not going to even ask about what was done to me if you can get rid of it. I'm assuming Dumbledore and Snape?"

She nodded. "They're the only ones who've had that kind of access to you."

Minerva joined in. "I've already overheard that they plan on isolating you this summer so we won't have that to worry about."

Harry looked at Moody with a smirk. "So what do you think…grandpa?"

"Aye…I'll train you but first I want to see what you're capable of. Minnie….can you get my pensieve from my trunk and bring it? I think its time we saw what happened that night for ourselves."

Harry spoke up. "I can take care of that. Dobby?"

POP

"Master Harry calls Dobby?"

"Hey buddy…can you go to Moody's trunk and get his pensieve? With his permission of course."

Moody nodded as Dobby popped away.

Minerva asked. "You have your own elf?"

Harry smirked. "More or less. We've got an agreement. He uses my magic for an anchor and he keeps watch on things for me."

Dobby popped back in with the pensieve and then whispered in Harry's ear. A frown formed on Harry's face and he didn't say anything but a tear ran down his cheek. He closed his eyes for a second and the adults saw a glow of light on his chest before it reduced and vanished.

Minerva asked. "What's wrong Harry and what was that?"

"Dobby let me know that he found Ron and Hermione together. That glow was me severing our bond before her magic started harming her."

"What are you talking about?"

"Hermione found a book on oaths and promises when we weren't talking in third year after the broom thing. It was her way of showing me that I could always trust her and because she felt she owed me after the troll and my sitting with her while she was petrified. What we thought was purity, loyalty, and trust vows somehow changed into a betrothal. Sirius found out about it when he made me his heir at Gringotts before he came to Hogwarts."

Poppy asked. "Why would you even need a purity vow at that age?"

Harry shuffled in his seat. "The Weasleys were making us nervous. Ron was insisting that since we saved Hermione, it incurred a life debt. His demand was that she do things for us in payment. It didn't work because he caused her to be in that bathroom in the first place. If there was a life debt owed, it was to me and I would never ask something like that from her. We did it to protect her. With me refusing to allow it and Hermione always beside me, there wasn't a lot he could do."

Minerva asked. "Not that I don't approve but why would you swear such an oath?"

Harry looked at her and said. "Ginny"

"Why?"

"Even at that age, Hermione and I knew there was something different between us. We didn't really know what but we knew it was special and we wanted to protect it. We guessed that the Weasleys saw our connection and didn't like it. Ever since then, Mrs. Weasley kept referring to me and Ginny as James and Lily reincarnated and that we were perfect for each other. Since her first year, Ginny has climbed into bed with me many times trying to repay me and the only way I was protected was when my magic reacted because of the oath and forced her back out of my bed."

The adults chuckled and Minerva said. "It must be her Prewitt blood. Molly was much the same way. She served many detentions after being caught in a boy's bed."

Mad-Eye said. "That bond should have protected Granger the same way. How did Weasley get to her tonight?"

Harry looked out the window for a minute as sadness crossed his face. "Whatever was done, it weakened the oath's defenses. I've been able to feel the bond dying since Christmas as if someone was slicing off a little bit at a time. Evidently their being together tonight weakened it enough to where I could sever it without any real harm coming to me. Don't get me wrong, I felt it but it had nothing on the cruciatus. I can only assume that it was the Headmaster's plan to keep her away from me. It looks to have succeeded as has everything else he planned for my life.."

Poppy placed a hand on his shoulder. "For what it's worth Harry. I'm sorry. I know how much she means to you."

He sat there for a minute before taking a deep breath and steeling his resolve. It was just another loss in a long series and it all somehow began with Dumbledore. "It doesn't matter anymore Madam Pomphrey. What was broken cannot be repaired since it was tied to our virginity. Even if it wasn't her intention, my magic will never accept her again due to the broken oath and bond. We made that part of the oath."

Harry turned and his eyes locked on Mad-Eyes'. "Can you get me away from all this?"

Moody nodded. "Aye son….that I can promise you as we have several ways to go about it."

For the first time in his life, Harry saw a way out of his predicament. "Okay…I'm all in."

The two ladies took their leave and left the men to do what they needed to do. They agreed to meet again the next night to begin planning their way of getting Harry away from his relatives so that they could achieve what they needed to this summer. Harry and Alastor spent several hours extracting memories of Harry's adventures since coming to Hogwarts and ending with the graveyard. By the time they were done, Harry was wiped out and Moody told him to get some sleep as he began to view them one by one. He was still be at it when Poppy woke in the morning. After snacking on something, she gave him a dreamless sleep potion to make him sleep during the day. He would only take it because he knew Poppy would be there to watch after him and his grandson since she was one of the few people he actually trusted.

**ALM**

Harry sat straight up in bed mid-afternoon. He was disoriented and in somewhat of a panic because he didn't know where he was. As he started recognizing the smell of Madam Pomfrey's domain, he began to settle a little but his panic abated when he heard a familiar voice.

"Easy there Potter, you're in the infirmary. You're safe."

"Professor Moody?" He used the proper name in case anyone was around and listening to him.

The old Auror chuckled. "I don't think I've taught you anything…yet...and we're alone."

Harry gave him a surprised look.

"Yeah son…yet. If you ever tell anyone I said this…well they'll never find your body but…you handled yourself well in the graveyard. I was proud that you recognized an unwinnable situation for what it was. You didn't lose it and got out of there. Sometimes that's all you can do. I watched the memory several times…I was impressed."

"I was scared shitless."

Moody chuckled again. "Tell you a little secret son…if you weren't…I'd think there was something wrong with you. Hell that snake faced bastard scares me. The thing is…you didn't let it cripple you. I see a lot of potential in you. You're better at some things than most of the new Aurors coming out of their training. Hell you're better than a lot of them who've been at it for a long time."

"Thanks Sir. That means a lot coming from you."

"Now…get some rest and get your head together. I'm sure the dungeon mistress won't let either of us out of here for several more days and I've got some things I want to work out before talking to you about it."

"Yes Sir"

He chuckled again. "Drop the Sir crap Potter. I don't deserve to be called grandpa after the way my decisions affected your life but you can call me Moody or Mad-Eye if you prefer. I think it will make things easier in the long run"

"Yes s…Moody"

"Good man…get some rest."

Moody sat there working on whatever it was he had planned. There were a few times he called for Poppy and she left him with several pieces of parchment one of which was Harry's diagnostic. Harry lay there quietly letting his grandfather work. It was strange and nice at the same time. Before long, Poppy came over and handed him a potion vial. "Dreamless sleep. It should help you sleep until tonight."

"Why?"

"If Albus is on his normal rounds…he should be coming by here in about a half an hour. He can't learn anything from you if you aren't awake."

Harry turned and looked at Mad-Eye. "Take it son. She's right."

"What about you?"

Moody chuckled. "The last time he tried to read my mind…well…lets just say it wasn't all that pleasant for the bastard."

"So he reads minds?"

"Yeah…Snape too…the filthy bastard. Its probably one of the ways they've been using to keep control of you. Don't worry…it's on my list for this summer."

Harry nodded and took the potion and by the time Albus came by, Harry was out cold. When he woke that night, Moody had a rough outline of what he wanted to do. With the approval of Minerva and Poppy, they hammered out the plan to get Harry away from his relatives and Albus. Moody's knowledge of dark magic was going to play a big role in the whole thing as it was decided that to keep their activities hidden, they would have to place a homunculus in Harry's place. To add to the difficulty, this one had to be fully functional and able to carry out Harry's chores as well as be seen by the Order members sent to check on Harry. With Mad-Eye and Minerva being senior members of Albus' Order, it would make it easier but they still had to cover the fact up that the real Harry wasn't there.

After the room got quiet for a few minutes, Harry finally spoke up. "I'm curious about something you didn't say last night. Professor McG...sorry Nana doesn't go by the last name Moody. How'd you keep it all a secret?"

Minerva frowned. "It's complicated."

Harry looked between Moody and Minerva. "So uncomplicate it for me."

Poppy just snorted. "He'll find out eventually so you might as well tell."

Minerva looked to Moody who just nodded. "Well, during the war with Grindelwald, Moody was already a well known and feared fighter. He was married to Celeste. A truly lovely woman and one on my best friends. At the time, I was part of Moody's team as was Poppy as the field medic and Amelia Bones who was just out of Auror training. As you have probably heard, Alastor basically got to pick who was on his team and liked what he saw in Amelia. Anyway...Grindlewald didn't like how our team was decimating his ranks so he tried to stop us anyway he could. He sent numerous teams against us who all failed. He then tried another approach. He went after our families. They came to England under the cover of night while we were in the field. James McGonagall, my husband, Celeste Moody, Darius Bones, and Kieth Pomfrey were all caught unaware and murdered in our own homes."

Harry muttered 'Oh shit'

Minerva heard him and nodded. "We were sent home to deal with the arrangements and our grief. When we went back, Amelia, Moody, and I remained on the team but Poppy just couldn't continue like normal so she quit the team and worked in a field hospital where she was kept so busy that she didn't have time to think."

Harry looked at Poppy who just nodded. He reached out and took her hand and held it. Poppy then sadly said. "All of us were fairly young as you can imagine and none of us were married for long. With the war on, each couple decided to wait until it was over to have children. Sadly that was not to be. When the war was over, I went to Mungos for a while and then eventually took the post here. I was married for life and to me that meant my whole life even though Keith was gone. Here I could care for the children I always wanted to have."

Harry did a rare thing and hugged her. Minerva then started again. I stayed for a while in the Auror corps but my heart wasn't in it anymore. Amelia and Alastor were the only ones to stay long term. Anyway, we came together during the war in our grief and things just happened. We never married because he couldn't bear putting me in danger like Celeste so we've continued our relationship all these years."

Harry chuckled. "So mum was a side effect of a friends with benefits relationship?"

"Yes and no. I wanted children desperately. Alastor did as well but didn't want to put them at risk so..."

Moody grunted. "It was something we never agreed to and Minnie got pregnant, I'm not going to say by mistake because that would be wrong. It was magic that blessed us with Lily but she had to be kept a secret just like my relationship with Minnie. I knew my enemies would go after them for being with me. It was one of the worst arguments we ever had and it last most of the pregnancy. Minnie eventually gave in to me about it but...I doubt she ever forgave me for it. Hell...I couldn't forgive myself for it. Your mum...she was everything I could want in a daughter. Minnie too. We were so proud of her and I...I couldn't show her how much I loved her. (He turned away from them and stared out the window.) I've so many regrets...you, Lily, Minnie...but I'm the crazy assed Moody who doesn't care about anyone or anything except taking down dark wizards."

Harry stood and walked over to Moody and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Everyone has regrets Moody but I think I need that crazy assed former auror more than anything now. Let's do something that can make mum proud of us so that when she sees us again...well she won't try to kick our asses."

"Aye son...that we can do."

**ALM**

In order to keep the illusion of Harry Potter not even existing, while he and Severus were getting the charms and potions in place to help everyone 'forget' about Harry, he had the house elves pack all of Harry's belongings and put them in his office while Harry was still in his 'coma'. To further insure his control over the boy, he loaded Harry's things down with tracking charms so that he always knew where the boy was and if he ran away as he did in the past, he could be easily found.

In order to help facilitate Harry's isolation, Albus took Harry straight from Hogwarts to Privet Drive. Since Harry didn't ride the train, no one thought about him and it left Harry in the dark that he became a non-entity after the third task. Once at his summer prison, Harry was quickly locked in his room while he belongings were placed in his former bedroom, the cupboard under the stairs. Albus only smiled at the tatty old mattress that still remained in the cupboard as he liked it when his plans worked out.

**ALM**

It was the dead of the night as Mad-Eye and Minerva slipped into the house on Privet Drive. Once in Harry's room, both turned to go curse the Dursleys but Harry held them back. "We can deal with them later."

The ritual required Harry's blood and magic to work. The temporary wards Mad-Eye placed around his room allowed Harry to cast the spell without the Ministry knowing about it. No one asked where Mad-Eye got the body for the ritual but after carving some runes into the body's forehead and then the blood and magic added, the three of them left to go to Harry's training location. Harry was told to leave everything behind but couldn't risk losing his father's cloak and a few other personal items he felt were precious. The items he couldn't and wouldn't leave behind were scanned and the tracking charms moved to his bedroom furniture. Harry already knew he would have to leave his wand behind and was okay with it after understanding that his wand would never work properly against its brother. If he were to recover it in the future, he could use it as a tool to tie up Tom while he used his other wand. It was also one of the things that Albus tracked so it was no great loss in Harry's mind since Mad-Eye had already promised to get him another or two.

The homunculus was in Harry's bed as the three of them left. They way it was changing into a likeness of Harry reminded him of a movie he had caught a glimpse of where aliens took a human to fight a war for them and left behind a robot to take his place so no one would know he was gone. It was a gross scene to watch as it bubbled while it transformed. They all thought that with as little interaction as Harry had with anyone during the summer, it would be sufficient.