Harry Potter had such high hopes at the beginning of his fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The announcement of the Tri Wizard Tournament and the age restriction being enforced for it had Harry entertaining visions of a 'normal' year where he wouldn't be drawn into some plot to save the school and the wizarding world.
Maybe, just maybe, he could remain outside of the spotlight and just have some fun for the first time since starting his education here.
While the news of Quidditch being cancelled for the year upset quite a few people, it didn't faze him as he was looking forward to hanging out with his two best friends and just enjoying the competitions and other events that were sure to accompany to tournament.
For the first two months of school, things went pretty well and Harry sat back and enjoyed himself. In the final week leading up to Halloween, Harry began to get nervous. It had never been a good day for him since it was the date that his parents were murdered which left him an orphan and sentencing him to life with the Dursleys.
During his earlier years, he didn't notice the reality that October 31st was a cursed day for him because with the Dursleys, every day was a cursed day. It wasn't until his first year at Hogwarts that he discovered that he was cursed to have a horrible day and which was repeated every year since.
As he started getting nervous the closer it got to Halloween, he had a realization which was that the champions names were being drawn on that night.
As he stepped into the Great Hall for the selection feast and ceremony, he was resigned to the fact that his name would come out of the Goblet of Fire.
He knew this in his heart as nothing else bad had happened to him all day. He sat quietly during the feast waiting for the anvil to drop on his head.
Sure enough, he wouldn't be disappointed as his name came out of the Goblet and all his plans crashed and burned. The look on Ron's face as he stood and stumbled in a daze towards the front of the Great Hall was the first indication that things were going sour.
He sighed as a second glance to his other best friend showed Hermione to be concerned but not angry.
With the rescue of his Godfather the previous year, his feelings for her began to change and he was hoping for a chance to explore this during what he had hoped to be a 'normal' year. As he walked forward, it was the only comfort he could grasp on to.
.....
An hour later, Harry was making his way back to the Gryffindor Tower when Cedric stepped out of the shadows and approached him.
As Harry went for his wand, Cedric held up his hands showing he was unarmed and said "You really didn't want this did you Harry?"
Harry sighed in exasperation "Cedric, as I've already said it a million times tonight, I didn't enter or get anyone else too."
"Relax Harry, I was just curious. You know everyone is going to think you cheated your way in?"
Harry whined "Great, all I need is more attention. Why can't I just have a normal year?"
Cedric laughed "Now Mr. Potter, it does not befit a champion to whine."
That caused a small smile to appear on Harry's face.
"Um…Cedric, could I like….make a magical oath to you proving I didn't do it? I mean, I shouldn't even be in the tournament and you are the true Hogwarts' champion."
"I believe you Harry so you don't need to give me an oath. Tell you what, let's how things play out over the next few days and decide what to do from there."
"Thanks for believing me. I just hope everyone else does."
....
As soon as he stepped into the Gryffindor common room, the room went completely quiet. He could tell by the redness of Ron's face that he had been arguing with the others and held a little hope that his friend was arguing in support of him. It took all of a minute for that idea to be completely washed away when he heard the next few words.
Ron snapped out "Always got to be the one in the spotlight don't you Harry. You sat there and lied to me and everyone else saying you weren't going to enter but then you did it anyway. Never mind telling your best mate how to pull it off."
Harry sighed "I didn't enter myself or have anyone else enter me. Why would I want to Ron? I'm already stared at enough to need any more attention. Besides that, I was looking forward to hanging out with you and Hermione this year without the usual drama."
Ron growled "I'll bet you didn't give anyone else the chance because you knew we are better than you anyway and you wouldn't stand a chance with some real Gryffindors competing against you."
Harry growled "Ron, Cedric is the real Hogwarts champion; I'm just being forced to compete on a technicality. I WANT NO PART OF THIS WHOLE THING!"
Ron shouted back "SOME FRIEND YOU ARE! UNTIL YOU QUIT LYING TO US, YOU'RE NOT WELCOME HERE AND YOU ARE NO FRIEND OF MINE!"
Harry looked around and saw the majority of the house nodding in agreement. In a manner that they had never witnessed in Harry before, he set his shoulders and stood with his head held high as he walked to the stairs and up to his dorm.
He held it together as he got ready for bed but once he drew his curtains around his bed, he cast a few silencing charms and lay in bed and cried for the loss of a friendship and the little piece of him that died with it.
The next morning, he awoke but stayed behind his curtains until his roommates left for the Great Hall. Once they left, he slowly got up and went about getting ready for the day. By the time he came down the stairs, the only person in the common room was Hermione Granger, his other best friend.
She looked up from her book and approached him handing him a stack of toast. "I thought you might want to avoid breakfast this morning so I brought you this."
All he said was "Thanks Hermione. So, how bad is it?" He was pretty sure of what the rest of the school's reaction would be to him if Ron was any indication.
He saw her wince before asking "Hermione, do you believe me?"
She glanced nervously at the floor before saying "It doesn't matter Harry. You're my friend and I'll stand beside you no matter what. I mean, after first year, I kind of owe you."
Harry sat back as he munched on his toast as he replayed her words over in his head. He then thought 'Oh great, she only here out of some sense of duty. She doesn't believe me either.'
He nodded his head and then finally stood. "I guess we should get to class then."
The whole way to the class, they never shared a word or spared a glance towards each other. After the previous night, it hurt him to think that even Hermione thought he entered himself.
As he thought about it, his idea of trying to pursue something more with her died along with the rest of his plans since it was obvious that she didn't trust him as much as he trusted her.
It was probably good that he was so lost in thought that he didn't see the harsh glares that were being cast his way. But while he wasn't paying attention, Hermione was and it was making her very uncomfortable.