Exhibition is a Right: Chapter 30 Early Release (Patreon)

"The Ripples Become Waves"

All individuals depicted are over the age of 18. Mild mentions of non-consent in the context of the use of the Imperious Curse. No graphic non-consent occurs.

By the time Harry and Isabelle were finally sated, it was well into the afternoon. Both were sweaty and covered in the evidence of their matchmaking, more so than simple cleaning charms could suffice. So after getting dressed, Harry introduced Isabelle to the wonder that was the Prefect’s Bathroom.

Thankfully, he didn't need to get the password from Cedric this time. As he was a Quidditch team captain, he was allowed access to here too. Isabelle was impressed as she looked around the large tub with many taps.

“A bath zis size should be used far more often. Do you zink I could come ‘ere with ze rest of the girls?” Isabelle started turning several taps to start filling the basin with warm water and bubbles.

Harry shrugged. “I don't see why not. Though, the password changes every month. Just ask if you want it in future.”

Isabelle had smirked, sauntering forwards and wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “Arry…if you zink ve vould not come ‘ere with you, you are sorely mistaken.” 

She then kissed him firmly and started pulling him towards the filling bath while pulling her corset off, freeing her impressive chest once more.

It was well into dinner time by the time the pair finally emerged. As they walked into the hall, Harry ignored the curious gazes that passed over them, most wondering how he had gotten to know the Veela contingent so quickly. “Let them guess, it's far less annoying than some of the other times I've drawn stares.”

 Harry noted that Hermione, Fleur and Gabrielle had taken seats at the Gryffindor table, along with Elena. Ginny, Ron and Faye were also there, with Ron making a valiant effort to focus on his food rather than the beautiful Veela opposite him.

With no sign of Josephine, he scanned the hall to find her and Krum back with the majority of the Durmstrang students at the Slytherin table.

Josephine was watching them like a hawk as they made their way towards the Gryffindor table. She took in the slight limp that Isabelle had, as well as her large smile she was displaying despite her discomfort.  

When she made eye contact with him, she simply raised an eyebrow. Harry scratched the back of his head and shrugged. Josephine then rolled her eyes, before raising her glass to him in a slight toast. “Huh…I reckon that's the nearest thing to respect I'm likely to get from her. I'll take it.”

Isabelle was seemingly purposefully not looking Josephine's way, choosing instead to sit down with a slight wince opposite Elena.

Said girl looked up with a sulky expression. “You look like you ‘ad a good time. I still can't believe I vas dragged away. I vanted ‘im to fuck me too!” She sulked, eyeing Harry as he sat between Isabelle and Ginny while giving her an apologetic smile.

Ginny immediately snuggled close. “Mmm, you do look like you put her through her paces, Harry. Tell me, was your “tour” good?” 

Isabelle just smiled, while starting to gather food onto her plate. “it vas amazing. I especially liked ze bath at ze end. It really ‘elped me recover from all ze strenous…activity.”

Elena looked up from where she was pushing her food around her plate. “Bath? ‘Arry didn't show us zat.”

Isabelle smirked before leaning in. “It was after. And it was beautiful. Let me tell you about it…” As the girls leaned closer and started talking in far too much detail about their time in the Prefect's bathroom, Harry turned his attention to the rest of the group.

“So, does anyone know who else has put their name in the cup?”

Gabrielle smiled and nudged her sister. “Fleur did so zis afternoon. As did most of ze Beauxbaton students.” Here she leaned forwards and interrupted Isabelle and Elena's whispered conversation. “You should do so too,Isabelle. Madam Maxine was wondering vere you were.”

Isabelle sighed, rubbing her face with her hand. “I vill. Tomorrow. It's not being picked till ze evening, yes?”

Hermione nodded. “Yes, but most people interested in it have already put their names in. Cedric, Angelina, the Weasley Twins, to name just a few.”

Ron groaned from the other side. “God help the school if one of them is chosen. I'm not sure if the tournament is ready for them.” This earned a chuckle from most of them that knew the twins.

Harry, meanwhile, leant his head closer to Ginny’s ear. “You ok? Given that me and Isabelle…”

Ginny snorted. “With her limping like that? You better have caused that by fucking her and not by, I don't know, running up and down the central staircase.” 

Harry chuckled. “Yeah, no worries there. Though, I still want to spend time with you soon, yeah?”

Ginny smiled, leaning her head on his shoulder. “You bet. Maybe after the Goblet chooses tomorrow?”

Harry pauses, briefly. He was sure that it may be difficult, given what he expected to happen. Still, he wasn't quite ready to tell Ginny that. “Yeah, sounds good,” he replied.

Ginny kissed his jaw, before returning to the conversation between Hermione and Fleur. 

When he was sure that she was distracted by her conversation, Harry cast a worried glance towards the podium that still held the Goblet of Fire in the centre of the room.

Never had such a basic looking cup seemed so daunting.

Later that evening found Harry lying awake in his bed staring up at the awning.

All around him, the soft snoring of his roommates echoed, showing he was the only one currently struggling to drift off.

“Shit…I can't stop thinking about what might happen tomorrow. I wonder if Crouch has already put my name in or not.”

Sighing, he got up and quietly retrieved the Marauder's map from his trunk. With a silent “Lumos” and a muttered passphrase, he watched as the sprawling walls of Hogwarts came to life across the page.

Folding it up, he looked towards the Great Hall. He couldn't see a single name, Crouch’s or otherwise, anywhere near the hall.

He watched the hall for the best part of half an hour, before growing bored and looking further afield. 

He noted with interest, that the names of the delegations were all bunched up on top of each other in the two locations he knew the carriage and ship to be.

The map couldn't show the outlines, new as they were to the grounds and not actually linked in any way to the wards. But it knew there were people there, just…far more than it could show in one spot. The names were illegible, as a result.

He sighed, before returning the map to the hall. If he couldn't sleep, he might as well keep watch from afar.

The first class of the next day was a challenge for Harry. He had barely slept a wink last night, and he had nothing but bags under his eyes to show for it..

Crouch hadn't made an appearance all night. There was every chance he had already made his move of course. Likely when he had been giving the tour to the girls and Krum.

And now, he had to spend a whole lesson with the source of his annoyance, as “Moody” stomped his way into the classroom. Interestingly, he wasn't alone.

Following behind Moody was a middle aged man, with a scruffy beard and short hair. Notably, he was wearing an Auror uniform, his badge on display upon his chest. Harry vaguely recognised the guy, but he couldn't think where from…

When Moody reached the front of the class, he turned and surveyed them all. The Auror took up a position beside him.

“Today, we'll be continuing our lessons on the unforgivable curses. This time…a practical demonstration.”

Harry winced as he saw the majority of the class pale. Some even expressed their concern audibly, but Moody swiftly shut them down with a barked “Quiet!”

“Of course I'm not going to start casting killing curses. But there is one curse that can be harmless…until it isn't. This is what you will be taught to resist! To recognise the signs of a friend or family member who are under the influence…of the imperious.”

This did not help reassure most of the class. They glanced nervously at each other.

Moody looked at each of them, before reaching beneath his desk and dropping a stack of parchment upon his desk.

“Obviously, casting such curses is very illegal. Except, in certain circumstances. High level Aurors are taught to resist the curse. And I was one of the instructors. Took some ass kissing and pulling favors, but I finally got old Bones to agree.”

Moody gestured to his side. “That's why Auror Dawlish is with us today. As a witness, as well as another who can cast the curse so we are able to give everyone a fair try.”

Harry frowned. “I'm sure last time, he simply did it without caring about the consequences. Why go to such lengths and risk being outed?”

He looked at the Auror, who had a small smile that failed to put him at ease. “Dawlish…wasn't he a Voldemort sympathiser? Great, is he working with Crouch this time?”

“What if we don't want to?” A soft voice came from the Slytherin side. Glancing, Harry saw Daphne looking at Moody with her best blank expression, though her jaw seemed slightly tight.

Moody swung his magical eye to look at her. “Then don't. I won't force you. But anyone who doesn't take this opportunity is a fool. If your first experience of the curse is an enemy…good luck.”

He then gestured to the stack of parchment in his desk. “Volunteers, step forwards. Sign the waiver, and we can begin”

The class was silent for a short while. Then, surprising nearly everyone in the room, Neville stood up. With slightly trembling steps, he walked to the front of the class, picking up a sheet and reading it. After a moment of hesitation, he signed it and returned to his seat.

This opened the flood gates, with many not wanting to appear more scared than Neville. All the Gryffindors signed, with the only students that remained seated being Daphne, Goyle and Draco.

Harry glanced their way in interest. Goyle simply appeared bored, while Draco had his arms crossed and was refusing to look at the front of the class, choosing instead to look out the window.

Daphne was staring at the front, a brief flicker of worry on her face as Tracy signed her name on a sheet. Feeling eyes on her, she turned and locked eyes with him. 

For a brief moment, they simply looked at each other. Eventually, Harry tilted his head in askance, to which she simply blinked before looking away as Tracy returned to her seat beside her and started talking.

Before Harry could think more about this, it was his turn at the desk. Looking at the sheet of parchment, it did indeed seem to be a basic waiver, stating that the participant is willing to be put under the curse, and that the caster will not bring harm to the trainee.

“This could well be where he gets my signature for the cup…not that that changes anything.” Harry signed the sheet, returning to his seat next to Hermione.

“Good. Those that signed will be called up in pairs. First, Longbottom and Nott” Moody called, calling them up in the order to which they signed.

Both did, with Neville standing in front of Moody and Theodore in front of Dawlish.

“We will cast on the count of three. Try to resist any and all commands that we give. One…two…Imperio.”

The effect was immediate. Both students relaxed, their eyes glazed over and they looked forward blankly.

“There we go. Note their eyes, they seem dull, right? Now, If we gave a command, they would likely follow it unless they manage to fight it. Let's find out. Longbottom, bark!”

Neville barely paused before he barked several times like a dog. Several students chuckled, but some were quiet as they were a bit disturbed at the ease at which he was made to do something embarrassing.

Nott was made to meow like a cat, something he also did almost immediately.

“Yeah, funny. Until you have them do something worse. Longbottom, go to a friend and invite them to meet you later tonight.”

Neville turned, looking around the room. He then walked up to Seamus. “Hey Seamus. I was wondering, could you help me with my latest project? I'm trying to grow more mimbulus, and need an extra set of hands.”

Harry looked his friend over. He seemed…normal. It was very hard to tell that Neville wasn't doing this of his own choice. His slightly nervous disposition, his smile, all were as Neville was. Only his eyes were different…slightly blank and dull. But would he have seen this if he wasn't looking for it?

Seamus glanced at Moody, who gestured for him to answer. Shrugging, he looked back. “Er…sure thing Neville.” 

Neville nodded. “Great! Can you meet me at greenhouse 5 tonight? Say 7?” Seamus nodded, and Neville waved goodbye before returning to the front of the class and standing still once more.

“And there you have it. Now, you may be asking “what's the harm in a meeting?” Well, now you can lure people where you want. Set an ambush. And the victim will be none the wiser, thinking they are meeting a friend.”

Moody let that sink in, before releasing Neville from the spell. He blinked, before frowning and looking down at the floor in disappointment.

“None of that. You know what it feels like now at least. Try to resist it better next time. Next pair!”

As they sat down and the next pair took their place, Neville gave Seamus a sheepish grin. “Sorry” he mouthed, but he just shrugged and threw him a thumbs up. Neville nodded, before looking back at the front as Dean and Ron were made to dance with each other.

The next pair was Tracy and Crabbe…and was the first pair where things got weird. Moody still had Crabbe doing something embarrassing, notably trying to sing a Christmas song.

But Dawlish, controlling Tracy, had her…dance. Far more suggestively than when Dean and Seamus were doing a standard waltz.

Tracy was moving and gyrating, throwing the class smoldering looks as she put her arms above her head, making her shirt rise and showing off her belly button. Her short skirt flared as she spun, flashing the class her lacy underwear.

Dawlish still kept his same smiling expression, which when directed at the dancing girl seemed very unnerving. 

Daphne looked ready to step in, if she was made to go any further.

Moody glanced at the dancing girl, before frowning at Dawlish. Before he said anything, Dawlish ended the spell. Tracy gained an atomic blush, but simply readjusted her shirt and walked back towards her seat with her head held high.

Then, it was Harry's and Hermione’s turn. Which left Harry with a conundrum. “I don't want that creep to get Hermione to do anything…but I also don't want her to face Crouch…”

The choice was ultimately taken from him when Moody stomped up in front of him. “Potter. You beat one unforgivable before. Shall we see if you can make it two?”

Before Harry could respond, the Imperio was cast and the semi familiar feeling of walking on air and not being fully in control of his body surrounded him. 

“Hop around the room like a frog” came the voice of Moody in his head. Just like last time, he felt himself resist, aware that the command was not his own decision.

Still…he wasn't sure he wanted to resist. Doing so would mean letting Crouch know he could. And he wanted to keep that to himself for now.

So, with an internal sigh, when Moody repeated the request more insistently he simply went with it. Allowing himself to hop around the class while ribbiting, much to the amusement of the class.

The entire time, Harry felt the influence of the spell like molasses to his senses…but he was still able to focus. Glancing towards Hermione. He saw that she, too, was now under the spell.

Interestingly, she was still standing there. Dawlish had changed his facial expression for the first time since entering the class. He was frowning, seemingly in concentration. After several more moments, he grit his teeth a little, and then finally Hermione began to move.

Hermione turned before strutting up towards where Harry was just completing his latest hop. Harry looked up in confusion. As he wasn't able to hop again because she was standing in front of him, he felt he could get away with ignoring the instruction without drawing attention to himself.

He looked up at his friend as she stared down at him, a teasing smile on her face. She then reached to the edge of her shirt…before lifting it upwards!

There was a brief moment where her breasts were on full display, the piercings in her nipples glinting in the sunlight from the windows.

A wolf whistle was made by Theodore as the class were treated to Hermione's bare chest.

Harry snapped the control of the Imperius as he stood and took Hermione's hands away from her shirt, allowing it to drop back over her bare breasts and hiding them once more.

Moody barked out a “Dawlish!” at the same time, and even Harry wasn't sure whether the spell was ended by Moody before or after he stood up.

Hermione blinked, before realising what she had just done. Looking around the class, several of the males looked away embarrassedly, having been caught staring. “Enjoy the view, boys?” she asked sarcastically, huffing and moving to sit back in her seat.

Lavender immediately stood from her seat and joined her, leaning in and whispering to her comfortingly.

Harry meanwhile, was still staring heatedly at the two “teachers” at the front of the class, with Moody seemingly chewing out Dawlish for his actions.

“Hey, she resisted! I was just upping the ante to try to push her. That's what we are meant to do!” Dawlish responded as Moody stumped up towards him.

“You're meant to get them to do things they are more likely to resist after they prove they cannot resist basic commands. If they resist, repeat the command with more intent!” Moody snarled. “What, did you ask her to strip or something?!”

“No! I only told her to show frogboy something! I didn't think she would straight up flash him!”

Moody scowled, getting uncomfortably close to the Auror. “You better hope that's all that you did…” he then turned towards the group. “Class dismissed. Those who haven't had a go, we'll do so next lesson. After I source a better witness.”

Dawlish blustered, but by now the class were standing and any comments he made were drowned out by the sounds of moving chairs and hushed conversation.

Harry scowled, but relaxed his grip on his wand. “If Crouch and Dawlish are working together, they're very good at acting as if they aren't.”

Harry returned to his desk, just as Lavender stood up. She walked past while leaning in to him. “She'll be ok. Look after her though, yeah?”she said, and seeing his firm nod, she quickly pecked his cheek before returning to Parvati.

Harry approached Hermione as she was pulling her bag over her shoulder.

“You ok?” he asked. When she nodded, but stayed silent, he reached out and stopped her from leaving by gently holding her shoulder. As she turned back and looked up, Harry could see the frustration in her eyes.

“I'm ok, honest. Yes, I'm embarrassed, but everyone already knew I had piercings. They stick out of my shirt enough to be obvious, and I'm not shy about that after all.” When Harry continued to look at her in concern, she sighed, before turning and stepping closer to him, hugging him around the middle. A hug he was quick to reciprocate.

He saw Ron and Faye over her shoulder, wondering if they should also help comfort her. At his subtle shake of his head, they nodded and left ahead of them.

Harry then looked back down at Hermione. “I'm glad you're taking this well. But you're clearly still upset…” 

Hermione huffed into his chest, before looking up. “Here's the thing…I didn't resist. He spent the first few minutes just…staring. The first command I heard was to “show you something I keep hidden on my person”. My stupid self decided I wanted to show you my nipples…which is against the Act, after all. So they are normally hidden.”

Harry frowned, looking towards the Auror in question. Dawlish had now backed down somewhat, with Moody now having stumped back over to his desk. The same small smile now adorned his face, as if the entire telling off hadn't just happened.

“Something isn't right about that guy…” 

Hermione stepped away from the hug, before pulling him towards the exit of the classroom. “Come on, we have transfiguration next. The last thing we want is to be late for McGonagall!”

Harry knew they had plenty of time, especially with the class having ended early. Still he allowed himself to be pulled out, wanting to stay with Hermione until then.

He glanced back to see Dawlish watching them leave with his smile back in place.

The rest of the day went smoothly, with no further drama in class. Now, the group sat in the Great hall, awaiting the end of the Halloween feast.

The delegations had chosen to once more sit together, a sign of solidarity given the upcoming choosing of the champions. The Beauxbaton girls were seated at the Ravenclaw table, while Krum and Josephine were with the Slytherin's.

Harry was currently sitting with Hermione on his left, and Ginny on his right with Ron and Neville across from him.

A quick glance at the head table confirmed that all the expected individuals were gathered ready for the announcement at the feast's end. There was Ludo and Crouch Sr. sitting towards the end of the table. 

On the opposite end, sat as far away from his father as possible, was “Moody”. He was noticeably watching the Goblet with his magical eye whilst he held a conversation with Madam Hooch of all people.

“The anticipation is killing me…who do you think will be chosen? I hope it's Angelina, she deserves to compete” Ginny asked the group at large as she spooned a mouthful from a bowl of profiteroles.

Harry and Ron exchanged an uncomfortable look across the table, which was thankfully missed by Ginny as Neville answered her. “We'll just have to see. Whoever it is, I almost pity them. It won't be easy…”

As soon as the desserts were finished, Dumbledore rose from the staff table, causing a lull in the conversation almost immediately.

He made his way around to the front of the table, standing near the podium to the still lit goblet of fire.

“A momentous occasion, I'm sure we can all agree. Soon, the champions for the tournament will be chosen, and this competition can start in earnest. Please, once your name is called, make your way to the antechamber at the back of the hall.”

A hushed ripple of excited conversation spread through the hall, which silenced again as the great bells in the tower struck the hour of 9pm.

Almost immediately, the flames of the Goblet changed from their soft blue hue to a brighter red, before a gout of flame emitted from the rim. A scrap of parchment flew up, before Dumbledore deftly caught it.

“The champion for Hogwarts is…Cedric Diggory!”

The Hufflepuff table erupted in cheers, as well as a very vocal Cho calling over from the Ravenclaws. 

Cedric smiled and laughed as his friends patted him on the back as he made his way down the table towards the room at the back. 

Harry felt a small amount of the tension he had been feeling alleviate. “At least that's one champion that's the same…and this time, I'll make damn sure he doesn't get to the cup first.”

Ginny visibly slumped in her seat. “Bugger…I'll have to give my condolences to Angelina later. I was sure she was in with a shot…” Harry simply reached over and gave her a quick one armed hug.

The Goblet flared once more, another parchment plucked from the air. “The champion for Durmstrang is…Victor Krum!”

The Durmstrangs all chanted and beat the table in unison in support of the choice. They had clearly suspected that he would be chosen. Josephine had a look of grim acceptance as she gave him a quick kiss as he stood. He returned a soft smile, before his familiar scowl was once more back in place as he walked away towards where Cedric disappeared.

As the hall quietened, Ron smirked towards him, flashing a quick “V” with his fingers and mouthing “2”.

The Goblet flared a third time. “The champion for Beauxbatons is…Fleur Delacour!” 

Fleur rose gracefully, trying to ignore the commotion her fellow cheerleaders were making as they celebrated her choosing. Though she did smile widely when Gabrielle hugged her round the middle before she could leave the table fully.

Harry finally released the breath he had been holding, only now realising he had been holding Hermione's hand beneath the table tightly. He released his grip, and gave her an apologetic smile.

She simply shrugged. She understood. The three champions remaining the same meant so many of their plans for the tournament were still valid. Proof that he hadn't changed the timeline too much…

Though, there was still one more name to go. A fact known only to them and Crouch Jr.

The trio watched the Goblet with baited breath. Conversation had started to bubble up around them, the other students oblivious to their concern and loudly discussing the champion choices.

Ginny and Neville had begun to gather their things, preparing to leave. Upon seeing the other three having not moved from their spot, they glanced at each other in confusion.

“Er, Harry? I think it's finished mate…” Neville said tentatively. Harry turned away from the Goblet, with a shrug. “Call it a hunch. It's Halloween, things are never that simple on Halloween…”

As if on cue, Dumbledore continued with his speech. “Yes, it's all very exciting. And come the morning, we will be able to divulge a little more about what will be happ…” his pause caused most in the hall to glance back.

The Goblet had flared to life once more…the red flame blooming one final time. As the piece of parchment flew up, the fire of the cup died down, before fully extinguishing, signalling that its work was done.

Dumbledore caught the slip, staring at it in confusion. After a few moments, he cast his gaze towards them at the Gryffindor table.

Harry sighed. “Well, we knew it was likely. Still, it's almost a shame…”

Harry prepared to stand. Prepared himself for the disappointed glares from his house mates, and the outright hostility from the Hufflepuff’s at stealing Cedric's thunder. 

“Ginny Weasley.” Came Dumbledore's soft voice.

Harry's mind ground to a halt, his body pausing midway through beginning to stand.

“What?”

Dumbledore then spoke more clearly while looking directly at the girl in question. “Ginny Weasley. Please make your way to the back of the hall.”

There was a beat of silence, where Harry, Ron and Hermione looked to each other in disbelief, before looking at the clearly shocked younger red head. Her response echoed Harry's thought.

“What!?”