November 1994
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
The Great Hall was in complete silence for the first few minutes while the students were busy in reading the article of the newspaper.
The moment the students finished the article a wave of chaos erupted. Loud chattering erupted in the Great Hall and almost every pair of eyes travelled between Harry and Dumbledore.
They could now make an easy guess what was in the letter that had caused the change in Dumbledore's expression.
Even the other professors especially Minerva had expression of confusion on their faces. While everyone was busy trying to make sense of what they had read and what was happen, Harry could not help but think of the events which had finally led to this.
(FLASHBACK)
It was after the incident in the Great Hall during which Dumbledore had very intricately portrayed Harry as the culprit.
It was at this point that Harry who had remained completely passive decided to turn active in his onslaught.
He concluded that if he continued to remain passive, he will never be able to live the quiet life he wanted. He would need to take a more active approach and be aggressive.
He needed to sort all the problems and obstructions in his life to live without worry and care freely.
Harry was walking in Hogwarts corridor, thinking all these things while formulating an outline of his next plans when he saw two girls walking, one blonde and one black haired.
He quickly caught up to them, "Miss. Greengrass and Miss. Davis."
The two girls turned while Daphne greeted, "Mr. Potter."
Harry smiled, "I believe both of you are doing well."
Daphne smiled, "We are doing well enough, Mr. Potter, but I also believe that you are not here to ask silly questions like these."
Before Harry could answer, Daphne added with a sarcastic tone, "And please don't start to again hate us just because my fellow Slytherins decide to do something stupid to you."
Harry was taken aback slightly and he questioned with a slight intrigue, "It seems you believe that, I am not the one responsible for my name coming out of the Goblet."
Daphne and Tracey smirked, "We are not that foolish, Mr. Potter. We could clearly tell that you were not one responsible for it."
She added further, "And I am very well versed in these games that headmaster Dumbledore just played now."
Harry nodded and Daphne continued, "And while the whole Gryffindor is a house full of idiots and would have easily fallen for Dumbledore's games and Hufflepuff hate you because of Cedric Diggory. A lot of Slytherins understand the truth but since they hate you, they would never acknowledge you as innocent. And Ravenclaws care for nothing. They would act as the sheep following the whole crowd."
Harry had a slight pondering over his face, "It seems you have been thinking a lot about this."
Daphne grinned heavily, "Tell me Mr. Potter, what did you wanted from me just now?"
Harry said, "Can you contact your father? I want to meet him and Madam Bones immediately."
Daphne stared at him curiously, "Why would want an immediate meeting?"
"You will hear later. Can you, do it?" Said Harry.
Daphne nodded, "I will contact him. I believe he will be able to contact Madam Bones or I will contact to Susan."
Harry acknowledged with a nod, "Ok. Inform me after dinner."
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November 1994
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
It was dinner time and as expected, the hatred shown by the entire Hogwarts had doubled down. Harry had spent the entire day reading books in the Chamber of Secrets.
Harry was having his dinner without any care in the world at one end of the Gryffindor table when he felt a presence near him. He turned to find Hermione taking seat next to him.
After his name had come out from the Goblet of Fire this was the first time, he had seen her.
"Harry, where were you for the entire day?" Asked Hermione with a frown on her face.
She took a plate and started to serve her some food.
He did not answer the question directly, "What happened?"
Seeing Harry dodging the question she sighed, "You will have to compete in the tournament?"
Harry nodded in response. Though Harry did not feel any hostility from her, he wanted to see what her reaction would be.
"Do you have any idea who put your name in the Goblet?" Asked Hermione with narrowed eyes.
This question took Harry by slight surprise. Though he knew that Hermione would believe him but after the little stunt that Dumbledore pulled and given the worship and respect of authority Hermione had, doubts had begun to form in his mind.
"You believe that I did not put my name in the Goblet?" Asked Harry back.
The black haired witch stared at him as if looking at an idiot and said, "Of course. By your first reaction when your name was called out by headmaster, I knew very well that you had no idea that such a thing is going to happen."
"Answer my question," said Hermione further.
"I don't know," said Harry. "Without a proper investigation it is difficult to ascertain who put my name in it."
He sighed in disappointment, "And I don't see anyone caring a bit about finding about the truth."
Not wanting to talk too much about it, Harry asked what he had in his mind. In the past month other than classes, Harry had rarely seen Hermione. It was like she would disappear after the classes.
"Where are you keeping busy?" Asked Harry.
Hermione grinned and an expression of genuine delight rarely seen on her face appeared on her face, "Oh! Harry, it is a surprise. I want so much to tell you."
The happiness on her face faded and worry etched on her face, "Once you get out of this mess of a tournament, I will tell you."
Deciding not push further he simply nodded in agreement and indulged himself in the food.
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