✧THE ELEMENT OF FIRE✧

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Lestrange Manor

Aurora Lestrange was stationed dutifully at her home study, her head throbbing with the intent of something going wrong. The quill tapped therapeutically against her chin as she was starting to grow a perminate statin to mark her newly grown tik.

But damnit her theories were coming out all wrong!

"If you keep going like this, you're not going to have enough time for—"

"Quiet father, I'm trying to concentrate, it doesn't make any sense," Aurora said, trying to keep the painting hushed. But of course, Orion wasn't so easily silenced. "Your brother worries about you." He reminded, and it earned him a very tired gaze.

"Oh? What is it this time?... That I work too much? That I don't respond to his owls? Or the fact that I'm still living with Rabastan, which is it?" It is true, and Rory knew quite well that staying loyal to her husband was starting to waine further on her heart.

Especially when it involved her children.

"The ladder, but you've yet to respond to his current owl. And I believe it is rather urgent. Nobody has been at the manor for a short while and I'm worried, my light. You know how I get when I worry." She knew exactly what he was speaking about, her father liked to be actively involved now that he's passed—But that didn't make it easy when he was only allowed to move freely between two spaces.

Three if they counted the smaller portrait in the Black family manor, but that hardly counted.

"After I'm through with this, it'll only take—" Her excuse was interrupted by Rabastan, whose face was more than drained at the prospect of everything that was held in his children's parcels for the week.

"I know you said you were working on something important, but you've got to read these. It's getting worse by the minute!" He claimed, clutching the letters in his fist and wrinkling their children's words.

Aurora's frown didn't manage to hide her distaste for her husband when she specifically said she couldn't afford any distractions.

But the children were certainly the marker.

After her eyes scanned the first page, she realized that Romulus spent the day in the infirmary for a migraine—Anton Halliwell is one of the champions for the tournament, Harry Potter somehow managed to find himself in—And Lori was shadowing Rita Skeeter!

"What in goddess names happened?!" She yelled, her eyes scanning her room before settling on another piece of parchment—Only to look at her brother's unanswered parcel.

She tore it open and realized one heartache could have been avoided all at once if she read the fact that Regulus attempted to tell her about Anton and Harry.

But the addition of Lori and Romulus was pushing her to the extreme.

"What is Lorelei thinking—Interacting with that-that vermin?!" Rabastan spoke, and Rory nearly choked at the idea of her husband getting angry with their youngest. He was usually so soft and sweet, boiling down to spoiled at times. But this, this is pure madness!

Aurora had a shortlist of who she hated in this lifetime, and while some were dead—Most were actively alive but not actively being arseholes—Though she didn't doubt that those in Azkaban were giving it their all.

"Anton really entered the tournament...He's—He's just a boy!" Rabastan frowned, but he knew full well that the tournament isn't something to joke about. That it tested every ability known to wizard, and there was no bloody telling what could possibly happen within the three tasks.

"Call our insight, I want the early editions of the Daily Prophet—It's been banned in the States, and I know Elizabeth wants first-hand news on her son. Oh goddess—" Rabastan came forward to hold his shaking wife, the very woman he would gladly put down his life for. But selfish enough to put in danger, his morals still swirling around, but here and now he thought of the best idea.

"When the tasks are near, she is more than welcome to stay here, the news will be easier to gather if she's close." His idea had sparked a thankful gaze, and Aurora hadn't wasted time in owling the Halliwell family, as well as the Blackwells as their own son was stationed here with a good portion of the Ilvernmonry bunch.

"Is Professor Blackwell making an appearance, I would've thought for sure Dumbledore would've taken the opportunity to take his brilliant mind." Aurora shook his head, no, and she didn't have the heart to remind her husband that Alastar Moody is teaching their children.

"I would have asked Romulus to overlook helping Anton, but he's already stressed enough as is. I think it broke him..." Aurora claimed with a sniffle, not reciting the fact that the combination of Potter and Halliwell probably did him in.

"Imara is rather gifted with charms, said so on her OWLs examination sheet—And Cara is a well-crafted witch, not to mention the American spike in them. They'll be alright, love. We'll just have to trust things'll sort themselves out." Rabastan whispered, his hand stroking through her hair and trying to promote a calming breath for her to copy.

"Thank goddess that none of ours entered into the tournament, thank goddess." She mumbled, her mind no longer focusing on her looming deadline and instead needing a firm glass of firewhiskey to try and battle the first night in knowing that things at Hogwarts were not getting better at all.

Hogwarts

Harry had been scowering the hallways looking for one particular person, Cara Lestrange. He had used the map only once, assuming that she would remain in the Library until he could get there—But he was left standing in the very corner he was so sure she was stationed at.

The parcel in his hand began to burn with intent and he needed to find her to plan. Otherwise he would be at risk of upsetting his Godfather.

But thankfully he caught sight of Ronan, and even more of a blessing was that he was alone. "Lestrange," He called out, and Ronan frowned at the sound of his name so suddenly.

To say he was surprised to see Potter was an understatement.

"Oh. Hello there, can I help you?"

"Have you seen your sister?"

"Well, I do have a few...So if you could be more specifi—"

"Cara."
"Ah, have you tried the library?"

"Not there."

"Hm, the infirmary? She's interning there this term, you know." No, Harry did not know. And he wasn't sure if she had mentioned it prior when he wasn't paying attention or otherwise. But this entire argument between him and his best mate was starting to drain him quicker than he would like.

"No. I haven't tried there yet, anywhere else?"

"The kitchens, the grand hall...Potions? Loads of places, at least if you asked for Imara, sure bet is either kitchens or outside with Hagrid." Harry nodded and said a quick thank you before heading down the hall in a hurry.

But the politeness from a Gryffindor to a Slytherin like himself had nearly caused him to topple over.

"Hope you find her! And tell her she needs to eat dinner!" Ronan called out, and Potter gave a swift nod before disappearing around the corner.

On the opposite side of the castle, Fred was holding Imara's sight hostage with his twin just a step behind him. Egging him on and throwing wild suggestions to what could possibly be in the forest for her to surprise her with.

"Fredrick Weasley, you best enjoy a burning arse for the rest of the night—Let me see, damnit! I nearly twisted my ankle back there!" George laughed, and it only enacted Imara's hair to shiver from red to gold, and that certainly made Fred join in with his brother.

"Alright, fine...I'll carry your sorry arse." That had elected a shriek, making the birds resting in the trees above them scatter at the unrolling sound of yelling and screaming.

"Merlin, you're going to scare everything in the bloody forest, Lestrange!" George laughed, and Imara had no issue in slapping her boyfriend's arse in retaliation.

"Mind out of the gutter, Lestrange! I'm trying to do something nice here!" Fred said, though it was a tease just like the rest of them. "Nice?!"

Her shouts were met with a warning call, and by the way her head peeked up—Fred knew that his surprise had been dismantled.

"Damn, he told us to come quietly," George uttered, and they hurried along the path before finally stopping to set Imara back to her feet.

Two sets of hands had helped her steady herself and she finally had the chance to throw off Fred's tie from her eyes. "What's all this about?" She said, crossing her arms, only to spin around once she heard the sound of another person coming their way.

"Fred! George! There's mum's lil trouble makers!" The twins circled around Imara and went ahead to go and tackle their elder brother, offering loads of congratulations and whatnot.

It was then that Imara had taken in the familiar red hair as a sign of another Weasley.

"And you must be Imara Lestrange?...This one talks about you all the bloody time." Charlie tattles, only for Fred's ears to blend in with the redness of his hair. "Do not!"
"I've heard it in combination with mum's! Don't think you're off the hook yet, Fredrick—Shite, where are my manners. Charles Weasley, though most just call me Charlie." Imara was stumped at the sight of the second eldest brother of the Weasly family.

"You...You're supposed to be in Romania, studying Dragons." She whispered out, and Fred grinned up to his older brother with immense glee. "Doesn't have to do that when the Dragons are here, do you, Charlie?" Imara's jaw dropped and George threw his fist in the air in excitement, only for Charlie to come forward and wrap his arm around the young Ms.Lestrange.

"Fredrick tells me you fancy creatures?"

"Y-yes. I adore them. I worked at the Scamander Sanctuary just this summer..." She spoke, nearly out of breath. Of course, she sent a few parcels his way, explaining her interest in anything related to creatures.

And while she didn't have a knack for Dragons, she would adore any type of creature she could meet. And with Charlie here, who wasn't anything like she assumed he'd look like—But he was all too willing and prepared to babble on about the beauty that Dragons hold.

Which left both Fred and George in the dust. "She'll fit right in with us, won't she?" George asked, stepping over the given roots as he looked towards his twin, and that smile indicated everything and more.

"Yeah, mum wants to meet her."

"I've heard that a million times this summer, think mum wonders if there's anything wrong with her—Been our friend for how long now?" Fred smiled in memory of meeting both the Lestrange twins, wondering why on earth they were so reclusive and witty. But it all made sense, their house for one thing, and their family.

Sure the name had frightened them in the past, but the combination of both Romulus—The geek too interested in what's brewing in his cauldron was just as frightening as Imara—Who seemed to be too concerned about the latest endangered creature that neither showed many Slytherin qualities.

If any.

The group had followed the path deeper into the forest only to be introduced to an occupied field of Dragon cages. "Oh, that's brilliant!" Imara said, hurrying forward to greet one of the many enclosed beasts. Even as they were showing signs of aggravation and anger, she still went closer and huffed—A universal sign with most creatures to form some type of greeting.

To attract the Welsh Green dragon, she flashed her hair into an array of colors. Which was enough to supply an offered hand, the beast sniffing her gently to secure her scent and chudded a greeting.

As it wasn't every day that a young female would come up with such confidence.

"Not suppose to have any of the other students see us, but I couldn't pass up seeing these two. Is Ronald coming?" Charlie asked, though he only spoke over his shoulder, not wanting to take his attention away from one of his beasts.

"Yeah, should be coming up soon. Bloke's been going on about Harry entering in the tournament and not telling anyone about it." And that caused Imara to chuckle. "I really doubt Harry even looked at the Goblet that long, besides, you two dumbarses made it into the circle and your entries were void. He's a fourth year, I don't give him that much credit." It had been a rather harsh spot between the couple, as Imara knew quite well that Harry didn't enter in.

While Fred wasn't too sure, though even now he was wondering why his younger brother seems so pissed over it.

"Think Ronald wanted to enter for himself is what, Harry didn't let him in on his plans." George offered, and Imara shook her head. "Does he look like a boy who wanted to be put into the tournament? I'm only saying that because my cousin is representing America. Next time you see Potter, don't ignore the stress in his face." The twins shot one another a look, one that Imara knew very well.

"What's your mum saying?"

"Oh, she sent Romulus an actual essay of what's happening. Saying that it's hardly thanksgiving and everything's shite. Also my Aunt is livid, pretty sure she's coming over—Which is exciting, you'll love Auntie Liz, Freddy!" George whined, wondering if the witch in question resembled their Great Aunt Tessi at all.

Among the excitement of learning about the given drawings, Imara was forced to promise that she couldn't voice her knowledge about the dragons. Even then, she didn't know what the actual task would be. Though when the trio had decided to return back to the Grand Hall, they ran into Cara who was smiling up a storm with Neville beside her.

"Ah, lil Lestrange. Harry's looking for you." Fred mentioned, and Cara proceeded to frown. "Uh...What for?"

"Not sure. Bet he's in the Grand hall, can sit with us—Keep talking about your love of plants." Neville smiled, hoping that he could continue their debate, and Cara nodded eagerly.

With that, George had found himself feeling like fifth wheeling—Or had until Angelia came forth and shoved in the side. "Pouting still? We'll just have to play better next year."

"Hmm?"

"Quidditch. Gryffindor can take the cup one last time before we graduate, promise." While the single twin didn't get the hints that Angelia was pushing, Imara knew.

Imara knew very well.

However, what she did catch, was just how happy her younger sister was in speaking with Neville. Ever since he had caught her speaking about a potion ingredient, the bloke had been eager to help her secure the rest for her experiment.

And the eldest Lestrange daughter knew damn well that their mother would have something to say about a potion mistress being with a herbologist.

The only issue being that their father might have a well-deserved heart attack after learning his sweet little Cara is befriending and growing closer to Neville Longbottom.

Sure the two birds had received a few glances here and there, but Romulus didn't seem too misplaced when Anton and Alex were crowding around him—In addition to Luna Lovegood.

"Oi, anything new over in that birds nest?" Imara looked up from her plate and took in the sight of her brother and his fanceyment looking to be in a fast debate, almost mirroring the one happening just beside her.

"Yeah, something about catching her watching the rain—Rather sweet, he joined her and they fell asleep on the windowsill together. Though I had to dock some points...Kidding! I want him to get a move on as much as you both do." She spoke, and Cara caught the very end of the conversation before catching where the others were looking.

"That's what I meant to tell you!... Luna's absolutely smitten." It was wonderful to hear, of course, and considering that Imara had awful news to tell him about Potter's first task. The bloke could deal with some happiness, at least for a little while.

"You've missed it Cara, they've got Dragon's for the first task." Imara whispered down to her sister, and the twins grinned ear to ear in seeing the young Lestrange's reaction! "Dragons? As in plural?"

"Not sure how the task will play out, but they've got a few." She explained, before Fred dwelled into their afternoon and how he's worried that Imara is going to fancy Charlie instead for his love of those god-awful fiery beasts.

"I happen to like all creatures big and small." She argued, and Fred simply grinned ear to ear to make such an inappropriate joke, though Cara was easily distracted once Harry arrived at the table. Though he was a bit hesitant in joining them, considering Ron and Hermione were just a few persons away.

"Hia Harry." The boy's attention jumped, and even the soft smile couldn't reign in his bad mood. Though it did help him at the fact that he finally ran into Cara, and not even noticing it either.

"I—Er, I have something for you—To read." It didn't make much sense, but after passing said parcel and Cara reading it under the table, she gasped and nodded. "Oh of course I'll help you study for the potion's practical, Harry. You don't even need to ask." She said with an award-winning grin.

It had taken Harry a moment too long to realize what she was doing, as he was more concerned for the glares he was receiving at the other end of the table. "B-brilliant." He didn't seem too excited as Cara's voice emphasized, but it didn't matter.

She was going to see her Uncle for a few minutes and spend time with Harry!

What could possibly go wrong?

The next few hours, Cara had been anxious—Wondering if she should contact her Uncle Regulus to warn him and ask if there was anything that Sirius should know for future reference...But alas, her nerves were getting the better of her at the idea of spending time with Harry.

She couldn't be too disappointed in sitting in the Gryffindor Common room in near silence, it was nice company and very warm. Warmer than she thought it would be.

Cara Lestrange never stepped foot into the Lion's lair, and she honestly didn't know how to feel about it. This was home for the Marauders, where her mother would come to see Sirius and the rest of their gang.

A gang that is now either dead or running from an infliction that isn't their fault at all. That they've been labeled by another.

"You okay, Harry?" She asked, her voice low in worry at being spoken to the Prefect again, for being in the wrong common room. The last thing she needed was to get carded for being loud.

"Not really, no."
"Oh, that was rather inconsiderate of me to say. Course you're feeling stressed...But you know, my 'cousin' is a champion as well. Perhaps you could form an alliance? He's rather kind, and he brings an edge from America that the rest won't have." He nodded, still rather glum. Even with the offered friendship.

And Cara assumed he was hoping that it was going to come from the other Hogwarts champion, but alas, it wasn't a guaranteed.

Just as Cara was about to say another uplifting comment, his eyes caught sight of a Daily Prophet laying on the table—Having once gone ignored was now the center of his attention.

The title of 'Teenage Tragedy: Harry Potter and the Triwizard Cup.' Held the biggest portion of it all, not to mention that his photo was blown up in comparison to the others.

The scowl was imminent, and of course Rita Skeeter's face was flickering demonically in the fireplace. But he couldn't manage to do anything out of anger as he crumbled up the damn parchment into the fire. It easily began to sizzle and flicker with the new spark of a flame.

"Ah!" Cara gasped, not prepared to see the outlining of a face to appear underneath the fragment of what once was a loose Daily Prophet. But as she hurried closer to the pit, she smiled in realizing that's what her Uncle had meant by 'meeting in the Common Room.'

"Sirius...Whoa—? How?"

"We're wizards, Harry, remember? We do this kind of thing." Cara held her hands up to her mouth to withhold her laughter as she shined ever so brightly to Sirius. Only to pull away and wave down to the ashey likeness of the bloke she saw just before the Summer.

Sirius returned the grin, his face shifting eerily, his skin crumbling like ash, only to reform in the next moment. "So. Triwizard Champion. Congratulations..." He deemed, though Harry sighed with a polite return of the phrase. Making Sirius mimic the expression.

"Didn't fox your way in, did you?"

"No!"

"Relax. It is the kind of thing your father would've done..." Sirius honestly admired, and Cara rolled her eyes. "As if mum would've let that slip by her. Come on, Uncle. Really?"

"Yes, I suppose she'd be a step or two ahead of us both. Or Remus at the very least..."

"I've been thinking about him. What dad would do in my place...I don't know as much magic as the others, Sirius. I'm only fourth year. I'm—" The negative had nearly been on its way to be relayed again, and Sirius had caught sight of his nieces' crescent fallen face that he needed to put a stop to it.

"...As a courageous a young wizard as there's ever been according to Dumbledore and that's no small praise. Even so, any wizard must know his limitations." That had done wonders for Harry as he seemed to digest the small bit of advice, his thick brows narrowing in an oversight.

"Did my father?"

"No. Seen much of Karkaroff?" Sirius' voice had come in with a rather obnoxious snort, especially when it had been in talk with James Potter. But the Karkaroff aspect had caused Cara to tilt her head.

"Not really...Have you?"

"No. Most of the Durmstring students keep to themselves, Uncle."

"There's something you should know about him. He was a Death Eater." Cara's body instantly stilled as her mind had reverted back to the night of the Quidditch World Cup, and she shivered at the thought of her father's involvement.

There was no hiding it from his own family, no. But the Auror's were too daft to think much more than the same words both he and mother have been spewing for the last few years.

"Does anyone ever really stop being a Death Eater?"

"Whose answer do you want? The Ministry's or mine?" That was a rather brash thing to say with his niece right before him, but it was much too late for him to learn his manners or human interaction since his escape.

"Do you think he—"

"Dunno. But whoever did put your name in that Goblet didn't do it thinking you'll win. I think they'll be quite contend if you simply die trying. They are no friends of yours." The harsh words continued, and Harry nearly broke as he ushered his next whine.

"I'm not ready for this, Sirius—"

"Then get ready. These things aren't happening by chance." The sudden bit of movement caused Cara to twist her body towards the dormitories staircase, and she tried her best to twist her body across the ways and block Sirius. Even in this form, someone might know better and catch his depiction.

One with the intent of putting them both.

"You're the boy who lived. When you have a dream, it's not just a dream. When your scar hurts, it's not just a twinge. Your past is everyone's past. As is your future. Don't you see...?" The question was left open-ended, and Cara frowned at the dots starting to form.

But absolutely hated not being able to follow the absolute plot.

"He's out there somewhere. Waiting. You have to get stronger because he's getting stronger!" Cara gasped as Harry just stared, absolutely chilled to the bone at the idea that the man who marked him for death all those years ago could possibly be back. However, a floorboard squealed above and Harry shot back towards the dormitories staircase.

"Goddess, is that what father was doing at the world cup? Sirius, tell me he isn't mad enough to keep doing this?"
"I'm not sure what your father's end goal is, Cara. But whatever it is, it isn't good. Someone's coming...Dumbledore can't always protect you anymore, Harry. Keep your friends close..." Cara had nearly screamed still seeing her uncle there, but his eyes locked onto her with pure intent to say something.

"Go, we'll talk another day." She hissed, before coming closer towards Harry and beginning up another conversation and pretending to get aggravated about how he's not getting the formula.

However, she had stopped midsentence and frowned at the shadow figure, only to realize it was Ron in a mixed pajama set. "Shoot, sorry Ron, did we wake you up?" She questioned, but Ron's aggravation was directed towards the one and only Harry Potter.

"Who else were you talking to?" He questioned, and Harry scoffed.

"Cara, she's helping me with potions."

"I heard another voice—"

"Maybe you're imagining things. Wouldn't be the first time." Ron's jaw stiffened as he began to turn away, and Cara swapped Harry upside the head. Most of the time that had become a loving tap between her own siblings, but Harry turned to whine towards Cara with a look of distaste.

"Rude git, make things better." The Ravenclaw whispered out, gritting her teeth as she motioned down towards the fireplace. Trying to make Sirius' words anymore clear.

Yet just as Harry was about to make the first strides of patching things up, Ron turned over his shoulder with a face full of bitter anger. "Practicing for your next interview, I expect." He huffed, and that is all that passed through the Gryffindor before he left—Leaving Harry just as awful as the night he was chosen as a champion.

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Date Posted: 02/12/2022

Time: 9:34

Words: 4449

Author's Note:
Hey everyone! Very long chapter, and hoping that it'll pass okay on the off chance I won't be able to post next week. If you've missed my announcement, I will be starting my internship on Monday and won't have much time to write.

Though I'm sure everyone would be okay if I just skimmed through the better part of Goblet of Fire to get into the real story.

Alrighty, I hope you all have an amazing weekend!