Treachery is Contagious
All of Hogwarts, students and staff, stood waiting beneath the setting
sun. Today was the thirtieth of October and in a few short minutes,
the schools of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang would be arriving. They
had already been waiting for five minutes and peoples attention was
beginning to wane.
"Look, in the sky. What is it." Someone called out and all eyes shifted
to the stars slowly appearing in the darkening night sky.
"Is it a bird." One person called.
"Is it a plane." A muggleborn followed with.
"No It's superman." multiple muggle borns shouted causing most the
muggleborns and half bloods to burst into laughter. Even some
purebloods seemed to understand the phrase and chuckled.
"It looks like santa's sleigh to be honest." Another called. As the
object got closer they could see a large carriage being pulled by
flying animals. The carriage landed on the grass in front of them and
a small boy in thin blue robes hopped out. He pulled some stairs out
from beneath the carriage and set them out. The boy stood to the
side and opened the door again to allow the largest woman Harry
had ever seen to exit the carriage. She was even taller than Hagrid
and he was like a giant.
"Madam Maxime, I welcome you and your students to Hogwarts."
Dumbledore greeted the woman with a bow.
"Thank you for accepting us to your school Headmaster
Dumbledore." She replied with a thick french accent but otherwise
very good english.
"If your students would like to make their way inside Professor
Flitwick will show them the way. That is of course unless they want to
join us in waiting for the Durmstrang students." Dumbledore offered.
"We will follow this Flitwick inside, the weather is much colder than
France here. However my abraxan horses need a firm hand to
handle them and only drink single malt whiskey." She said, signalling
for her students and walking inside.
"Bloody hell, did you see all those french witches." Ron whispered to
Harry. "They sure don't bread them like that at Hogwarts." Harry just
laughed in response and continued to look for Durmstrangs arrival.
"In the lake." Someone yelled. It was hard to see in the dark but
there were a large patch of bubbles.
"It's probably just the squid." Another said aloud. However soon a
small crows nest popped out of the lake. It was soon followed by a
mast and then an entire ship was floating towards the shore. There
was a loud splash as the anchor was dropped and a thud when a
wide wooden plank hit the grass on the lake shore. Around twenty
students all in thick, red, woollen cloaks walked down the plank in
single file. They were headed by a short man with curly black hair
and a short curly goatee on his chin.
"Headmaster Karkaroff, I hope your trip went smoothly." Dumbledore
bowed to the man.
"Your squid gave us a bit of trouble on the way up but it was well."
Karkaroff bowed back.
"If you would follow Professor Mcgonagall she will show you the
way." Dumbledore gestured to the stern deputy head.
"Oh my god, It's Viktor Krum." Ron shouted when the boy next to
Karkaroff came into the light. Whispers of excitement and murmurs
of confusion spread through the assembled students.
"I would have thought he had at least finished school." Hermione
said.
The Durmstrang delegation made their way inside as the Hogwarts
students waited outside respectfully. Dumbledore signalled for
everyone to make their way to the great hall and everyone gladly left
the now very cold lawn and followed the crowds inside.
Harry, Ron and Hermione sat at the Gryffindor table and like most,
looked around to see where the other schools were. Unfortunately,
neither school were in the great hall. Dumbledore from his seat at
the staff table where four extra seats had been made, two on his left
and two on his right.
"Ladies, gentlemen and ghosts of Hogwarts, let us stand to welcome
the wonderful students of the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and
their Headmistress, Madame Olympe Maxime." Dumbledore
announced.
The great hall doors burst open to show the French students
standing in wait. They began to walk up the centre aisle between
Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables. After every five or so steps the girls
would break to the sides and sing a single note as the boys conjured
small butterflies that fluttered across the hall before dissolving into
glitter and falling to the ground. When they reached the front they all
moved across to the right.
"Beauxbatons Academy of Magic." Dumbledore presented to the
hall. "And now to introduce the students of Durmstrang Institution
and their Headmaster, Igor Karkaroff."
The great hall doors opened again to reveal the Durmstrang
students with their red cloaks. They all held staffs except Karkaroff
and Krum who lead the group at the front. Similarly to Beauxbatons,
every five steps the students turned to the side. However instead of
sweet singing and butterflies, they stamped their staffs and gave a
mighty "Ha." When they had reached the front, the students parted
ways to either side of the path as two more students came
cartwheeling and flipping down the centre. The two reached the front
after an impressive flip and spat fire above the staff table.
"Durmstrang Institution." Dumbledore said once more over the loud
applause. Much to all of Gryffindor and Hufflepuffs disappointment,
Durmstrang sat with Slytherin and Beauxbatons with Ravenclaw.
"Welcome Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to the ancient halls of
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Now before we eat we
have two more people to introduce. Ludo Bagman, head of the
Department of Magical Games and Sports and Bartimus Crouch,
head of the Department of International Cooperation. They have
been assisting in organising the tournament and will act as the fourth
and fifth judge. Now without further ado, let the feast begin."
As usual the golden plates filled with food and the hall with the
echoes of chatter and laughter. Harry thought the elves had out
down themselves with all the foreign dishes to suit the visiting
students.
"Well you're the travel expert Hermione." Harry said. "What on earth
is all of this." Harry pointed to the foreign food he didn't recognise.
"Er… I don't know about the german dishes but I recognise these
French ones, that is bouillabaisse, it's like a spicy seafood soup sort
of thing. That's some cassoulet, it's like a casserole and very nice."
Hermione said.
"Him, seafood it is." Harry decided, taking a scoop of the dish. He
ate a few mouthfuls and quickly topped his bowl up, it was rather
delicious.
"Are you done wiz zee bouillabaisse." A soft voice said behind Harry
with a very heavy french accent.
"Just a second." Harry replied as he filled his bowl again. "So what
do you think of the ancient castle that is Hogwarts." Harry asked in
perfect french as he handed the dish to the girl. She was very
beautiful with silky silver hair and sapphire blue eyes in a perfect
face.
"It is very cold, the ceiling is very beautiful though. Beauxbatons
does not have the night sky in theirs." She answered also in french
with a hint of surprise.
"I suppose it is cold," Harry laughed "and a bit gloomy with the
torches and suits of armour. The ceiling is rather pretty and so is the
lake at the right time of day. A lot like your eyes, you have very
beautiful eyes Mademoiselle-" Harry said, leaving the sentence open
as a question.
"Delacour, Fleur Delacour, and you are." She asked out of niceties
rather than any real interest.
"Harry Potter, enjoy your bouillabaisse, it was nice to meet you
Fleur." Harry replied, finally handing the dish over.
"Likewise" She said and quickly returned to her spot at the
Ravenclaw table. When Harry turned back to continue his dinner he
noticed everyone looking at him funny.
"What." He asked.
"That was a veela Harry, didn't you notice." Ron said.
"She was very pretty but I don't think she was a veela. I would have
felt it if she was a veela." Harry replied.
"Well I don't know how you didn't but every other dude sure as hell
did." Seamus said. "Not a single guy didn't have their eyes on her, I
bet if they could form words they would be asking for her hand. Me
included."
"I am sure you are overreacting, we all know you have a thing for
blondes." Harry shrugged. Back over on the Ravenclaw table Fleur
was also in a discussion about the opposite sex with her friend.
"English boys giving you problems, seemed to take a while to get
your dinner over there." Emile Durand asked Fleur in French.
"Yes, first he wanted to know what I thought about this icebox of a
school. Although he did speak french which was helpful. I was trying
to be polite, I said it was cold but the ceiling was nice. Then he goes
and laughs at me before trying to woo me like all the others. He said
my eyes were very pretty, like the lake at the right time of day. He
asked for my name and gave me his." Fleur huffed.
"He really said that, usually it's something more direct like, you have
very nice boobs or something. I don't think anyone ever said about
your eyes and if he was talking that much he must not have been a
stuttering idiot. What was his name anyway. Not many french
speaking boys in this place other than the rich snobs over there from
Beauxbatons." Emile said.
"I wasn't paying attention, it was like Harry something. I think it
started with a P." Fleur answered.
"My god, Harry Potter. What did he look like, was he cute, did he
look single." Emile giggled.
"You are incograble, nobody wants a fan girl or boy gushing over
them, I thought you would know that from me. It's always been my
rule to ignore the beggars and droolers. I believe it was Harry Potter
and if you want to know, go and ask him." Fleur said.
"I can't just ask him, I need a cover, are there any other french
desserts over there to take. Maybe I can start a conversation." Emily
giggled again.
"Shut up, the old Headmaster is going to speak." Fleur hissed.
"Well now that we are all fed up, we can begin the tournament. Mr
Filch if you would," Dumbledore signaled the caretaker who carried
out a pedestal with a cloak covering something on top of it.
"Now before we reveal our judge I believe a bit of an explanation is
required. As you all know the triwizard tournament involves three
champions, one from each of the three schools. Starting in about five
minutes you will all have twenty four hours to enter your name for
your school. However, do not do this lightly, entering your name
contributed to a magically binding contract that states you will see it
through to the end. Each task will be highly dangerous and test the
champions magical power and skill, their courage, daring and most
importantly, their ability to act in a dangerous situation. Now for our
impartial judge, the goblet of fire." Dumbledore flicked his wand and
the cloak fell to the ground revealing a large goblet full of blue
flames.
"To ensure that nobody under the age of seventeen enters their
name I will place an age line around the hoblet along with several
other wards to prevent levitating or throwing your name in, removing
the goblet from the confines of the wards and other such tricks. Now
those entering may do so from now until tomorrow evening. The rest
of you off to bed.
"Well that's just too easy, an aging potion will beat the age line and
we are away. A goblet can't tell how old you are." Fred said as they
walked back to the common room.
"Who will join us on our quest to enter the tournament. Ronniekins,
Harry." George asked.
"Definitely, Count me in." Ron said.
"Didn't you here Dumbledore, the tasks will be incredibly dangerous."
Hermione said.
"And if I couldn't handle them I won't get picked. Besides,
Dumbledore would never let anyone die. How about it Harry." Ron
asked.
"Nope, I'm not going within one hundred feet of that thing until it's put
out. I'm going to enjoy a risk free year while some other bloke gets
death stares from a giant snake. There is no way I am ever going to
try and enter that tournament." Harry said confidently.
"At least someone agrees with me. This tournament is not meant for
people under seventeen so why bother." Hermione huffed.
"For a bit of excitement of course." Fred said.
"We better brew this aging potion quickly though. We still need to
finish up our response to the Marauders Heir. Man I wish I knew who
they were." George said.
"Well you guys have fun. I'm having an early night, don't need any of
your drama about the tournament." Harry said and left to his dorm.
He spent the next hour changing his legs to a white tigers from
between the knees and hips behind his bed curtains.
Harry wasn't in a good mood when he woke up. today was never a
good day for Harry and he just realised what it clashed with. Harry
did not have a good feeling about today.
Fortunately they all had the day off to do as they pleased.
Dumbledore had decided that nobody would focus in class with the
suspense of who the champions would be champion and cancelled
classes.
"Come on Harry, let's go see who puts their name in." Ron said when
he joined them in the common room.
"No thanks, you guys go watch if you want though. I won't stop you."
Harry replied. He had woken up really early this morning, around
four o'clock. He rang Sirius and they talked but he had to go. He was
across the date line and wouldn't be the thirty first until tomorrow.
"Why not Harry, it'll be fun, I here Fred and George are taking bets
on who will get selected. Don't you want to cheer me on when I put
my name in." Ron asked
"I would Ron, I really would but I don't think an age line will be fooled
by a simple potion and I didn't sleep well. I think I might just go back
to bed." Harry said and left to his dorm. He spent most of the day
looking through his photo album. At five o'clock Harry decided he
didn't want to go to the feast tonight and set off to find Mcgonagall.
"Mr Potter, what are you doing here." Professor Mcgonagall asked
when he knocked on her door.
"I've come to ask permission to skip the feast tonight, I know it is
compulsory but I really don't want to go. Todays already a bad day
and every year something happens at that feast." Harry said.
"It is a hard day isn't it. Thirteen years since you lost your parents,
thirteen years since I lost my godson." Mcgonagall replied.
"It doesn't help that everyone in this place is so dumb. Nobody
understands what this day represents. They think I should be
celebrating the day I defeated Tom and the day I became famous.
They all forget it's the day I lost my entire family. My parents
murdered in front of my eyes, Sirius carted off to azkaban, Peter
fleeing after his betrayal, Remus forced into poverty. And I was
ditched on the Dursleys doorstep." Harry said.
"It was a terrible day for all those close to James and Lily. At least
you wouldn't remember any of it."
"I remembered it Professor, it's the first memory I have. I spent
months when I was eight trying to find the meaning of Avada
Kedavra and green lights that could kill people. Professor, do you
have any stories about them." Harry asked.
"Maybe a few from before James started school but not many of Lily.
Like James first accidental magic. He was four years old and I was
over for tea…" The next hour Professor Mcgonagall told Harry about
his father's life before Hogwarts. At six o'clock she had an elf bring
some dinner for Harry and gave him a photo album to look at while
she went to the feast.
"Welcome ladies and gentlemen, ghosts and most importantly
guests, to the Halloween feast. The house elves have worked
tirelessly to prepare our fest tonight so we best not ignore their work
any longer. Let the feast begin." Dumbledore called across the great
hall. The hall was once again full of cobwebs and pumpkins, spiders
and skeletons to celebrate Halloween.
The plates filled with an incredible variety of halloween themed foods
and loud chatter from all three schools. Halloween seemed to be a
common holiday across muggle and magical worlds. Although some
of the Beauxbatons students didn't appreciate the spider illusions
that scuttled around the place. When all the plates were clean of the
delicious food Dumbledore stood up again.
"Now that we are all fed and watered we can begin. We still have a
few more moments before the champions selection so let us
introduce the prize for our winner. Not only will the one champion
who comes out on top receive a thousand galleons and eternal glory,
the champion will have the right to hoist above their head, this
chalice of champions, this vesile of victory, The Triwizard Cup."
Dumbledore flicked his wand and revealed a huge glass cup with six
sides. It had three silver handles shaped like dragons and Tri Wiz
Cup, etched on the front.
"Any second now we will have our first champion." Dumbledore said.
Two seconds later the goblets blue flames turned red and a small
piece of parchment burst out the top. Dumbledore snatched it from
the air easily and read the parchment.
"The Durmstrang champion is, Victor Krum." Dumbledore
announced. The Durmstrang students cheered and patted Krum on
the back, congratulating him as he approached the stage. The rest of
the students clapped politely. Krum shook Dumbledore's hand and
was directed into the antechamber to the left.
The goblet flared red for a second time and spat a blue, flower
shaped piece of parchment out the top. "The champion for
Beauxbatons is, Fleur Delacour." The hall clapped politely for the girl
but only one Beauxbatons student congratulated her. The rest
looked angry at her and some were even in tears.
For the third time that evening the cup flared red, Dumbledore swiftly
snatched the parchment from the air and read it aloud. "And the
Hogwarts champion, from Hufflepuff house, Cedric Diggory." There
were many groans of disappointment at people's lack of selection
before manners caught up and they cheered for the Hogwarts
champion. Cedric, like the other two champions, was congratulated
by Dumbledore before directed through to the antechamber.
"Now that our three champions have been selected we can put our
full support behind them and help them bring victory to their schools.
The first task will be held on the twenty fourth of november, the
location will be given closer to the ev-" The goblet flared red once
more, interrupting Dumbledore's speech. To everyone's surprise, a
fourth parchment was spat out the top. It fluttered to the ground
before Dumbledore could catch it. He picked it up and read it,
blinked in surprise and read it again before announcing what it said.
"Harry Potter." The hall gasped and whispers broke out across the
hall. "Harry Potter please come to the front." Dumbledore said even
louder.
"He is not present Headmaster." Professor Mcgonagall said from her
place at the staff table.
"What do you mean he is not here, the feast was announced to be
compulsory." Dumbledore said.
"Potter came to my office before dinner requesting to skip the feast, I
thought his reasoning sound and he is there now eating his own
dinner." Mcgonagall answered.
"Not picking favourites are we Minerva, we all know your bias with
Potter." Snape sneered. "I think we all ought to judge his reasoning."
"His reasonings are personal and not to be announced across the
hall Severus, would you like me to fetch him Headmaster."
Mcgonogal offered.
"No no, I will do it Minerva. Fawkes." The beautiful red phoenix
flashed into the hall getting a few gasps from the foreign students.
"Please retrieve Harry Potter and bring him here. We can see if he is
in fact doing what he says."
The bird disappeared in a burst of flame, reappearing a few
moments later with Harry Potter. Harry landed standing up but
immediately fell to the ground. The entire hall was quiet and only
broken by the soft snore of a sleeping Harry, curled up with a black
leather book as a pillow.
"Mr Potter." Dumbledore said. Harry slept on. "Mr Potter."
Dumbledore said slightly louder. Harry shivered slightly. He drew his
wand with his eyes still closed and transfigured his robe into a thick
woolen blanket before resuming his sleep. "Five points to Gryffindor
for a perfect transfiguration Mr Potter, but SLEEPING IN THE
GREAT HALL IS NOT PERMITTED MR POTTER." Dumbledore
yelled right next to Harry.
Harry jumped up with a start, he quickly sat up and looked around. A
deep blush rose up on his cheeks bit he quickly forced it down.
"Good morning headmaster, can I help you." Harry said smoothly. He
at least got a snicker from the Weasley twins.
"Yes you can, you can explain to me how your name came out of the
goblet of fire." Dumbledore asked.
"Hmmm, I'm afraid I cannot Professor, you see I didn't go within a
hundred feet of it so I couldn't possibly explain how it came out. But I
would imagine it involves a banishing charm of some sorts to force it
out." Harry replied, keeping his calm face. Inwardly he was
panicking, how had bis name come out of the goblet.
"Please make your way to the antechamber Mr Potter." Dumbledore
asked.
"Okay professor." Harry responded and quickly walked to the door.
He was treated to an abundance of verbal abuse from the crowd on
his walk. There were multiple shouts of "Cheat" along with some less
than favourable language. All of which was conveniently ignored by
the staff except Mcgonagall who took five points from Gryffindor for
bad language.
"What is it Harry, do they want us back." Cedric Diggory asked when
Harry entered the room.
Harry just ignored him and sat down in a corner to think. Despite his
calm and collected exterior might have shown, Harry was freaking
out. Hundreds of scenarios and consequences were running through
his mind, searching for the best way to proceed.
Suddenly Dumbledore burst through the door followed by the other
judges, Mcgonagall, Snape and Moody.
"Well Harry, I think you have a bit of explaining to do. Tell us why you
were not at the feast and how your name found its way into the
goblet of fire." Dumbledore demanded, letting some of his magical
power escape from his body. Harry was not intimidated though.
"This day had some bad memories, I didn't want to be amongst the
festivities. I didn't put my name in and I'm not competing. Never
wanted to and never will." Harry replied calmly.
"Actually you don't have a choice. The goblet creates a magical
binding contract. Potter must compete or he will lose his magic."
Barty Crouch said from the back of the room.
"Well isn't that convenient. Why don't we just chuck Grindelwalds
name in and he can lose his magic too. Apparently this one doesn't
care about if you actually agree to the damn thing." Harry joked.
"Now is not the time for humor Mr Potter." Mcgonagall scolded him.
"Hogwarts can't have two champions, I didn't sign up for this. Lets go
Viktor, we are leaving." Karkaroff said.
"Empty threat Karkaroff, Magical binding contract and all that.
Convenient isn't it." Moody countered Karkaroff.
"Hogwarts won't have two champions. It will have Cedric as its only
champion and me representing myself." Harry pointed out.
"Actually Harry the official wording on the parchment entered was
'Harry Potter, The light.' You would represent the light I suppose
instead of Hogwarts." Dumbledore corrected.
"Perfect, a champion each for Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, Hogwarts
and the light. Now I need to ask you Mr Crouch, this magical binding
contract. Was the term used that only an of age wizard could enter or
was the age seventeen specifically used." Harry asked.
"I believe the wording was any of age wizard, I fail to see how this is
relevant." Crouch answered.
"Well that stops us postponing it then, Professor Dumbledore what is
required for an underage wizard to be declared a legal adult." Harry
asked.
"Oh I see, Well there would need to be a reason warranting the
emancipation and a signed document by a Wizengamot member, a
Ministry department head, the underage wizard and their guardians.
I believe we can do it right here, Professor Mcgonagall acts as your
magical guardian while at school. It then needs to be filed and
approved by the child affairs office in the ministry and gringotts which
only takes a week at most." Dumbledore answered.
"Why does zee boy need zis special treatment." Madame Maxime
asked, her anger bringing out her accent.
"Because Madame, if I am not of age when I begin the first task I will
break the terms of the contract and lose my magic. If I don't compete
the same happens. Emancipation I believe Dumbledore called it is
the only way around that." Harry explained.
"Yes that is correct Harry, I am disappointed that I missed that.
Clearly you identifying that it would be a problem shows you wouldn't
enter." Dumbledore said.
"Why on earth would I bother entering the tournament anyway."
Harry asked the group.
"To satisfy your need for attention and to break the rules." Snape
offered.
"Eternal fame, glory and a thousand galleons." Krum champion
added.
"To prove you are more than a fortunate baby and to win your fame
from your own merit." The french champion said.
"I get too much attention as it is, all the glares and stares are just
annoying. My need to break the rules can be satisfied in ways other
than entering a highly dangerous tournament. Eternal fame and
glory, unfortunately I already have too much of that and have more
than enough gold in my trust vault to buy a house already. I suppose
the last could be a valid point but I have already made
accomplishments that could show that and have decided to keep
them hidden. The stares really are annoying, Merlin knows I don't
need any more." Harry rebutted each point.
"And what accomplishments would those be." Madame Maxime
asked, regaining her calmness and reducing her accent.
"Now we wouldn't want to give away all my secrets to the
competition. That would ruin all the fun wouldn't it." Harry said.
"So you admit you entered for the last reason." Maxime percisted.
"I suppose a simple demonstration of a spell useless to the
tournament won't hurt anyone." Harry mumbled to himself. "Expecto
Patronum." He whispered, the stagg burst from his wand and land it
gracefully in front of him.
"Oh my, a patronus at fourteen." Bagman said.
"Hello prongs, a message to Madam Maxime if you would." Harry
said to the stagg. Prongs trotted over to Madam Maxime and stood
proudly up to her waist.
"Is this a sufficient demonstration, I could prove myself the best far
easier than a suicide attempt at this tournament." Harry's voice
projected through the stagg.
"So the boy didn't enter himself, how can we expect him to deal with
the tasks. They are not suited to a fourteen year old." Maxime said.
"Perhaps a safety escape, all champions where a ring to portkey
them directly to the hospital wing in the event the are mortally injured
or unconscious. That way in the event I am going to be viciously
eaten by a three headed dog that doesn't fall asleep to music, I won't
and it will not be shown for the entire world. It is not an escape to just
quit a task but a fall back in the event one of us could be killed. If we
were to be in such a state we would not finish the task and get a
zero anyway." Harry suggested.
"That is an excellent idea, the portkey would only be used in the
event that the champion is unconscious or wounded to the point
where completion of the task is impossible." Dumbledore said.
"Well all that's left is the rules and the first task. Barty if you would."
Bagman said.
"Well here we have a problem, I don't know what rules have been
set. The original rules we agreed would only allow three champions,
because there are four something has changed." Barty Crouch
informed them.
"And how can we find the new set of rules." Cedric asked.
"Well that part is easy, anybody can request a copy of the
tournament rules." Crouch taps his wand to the cup and speaks. "I
request a copy of the rules submitted for the 1994-1995
tournament." The goblet flared green and a file of parchment shot
out the top.
"Are there any changes Bartimius." Dumbledore asked.
"Well lets see, changed to four schools and includes the light as the
fourth school. Age restriction still remains. Oh no, the task layout has
changed. Everything else seems the same." Crouch said.
"How have the tasks changed." Maxime asked.
"We need to come up with a new task I am afraid. This now says
champions must compete in four tasks on the twenty fourth of
November, January, March and June. Also the judges panel
changed, the four heads of each school and one ministry
representative. We need to assign the school of light a headmaster
or mistress." Crouch explained.
"I chose Remus Lupin as the headmaster of the school of light."
Harry said.
"Sadly Harry, Remus cannot be your headmaster, british law forbids
werewolves holding any authority over a child. The law was only
passed two months ago after last years incident. I think we should
elect a suitable head between the five original judges." Dumbledore
said.
"Well actually Albus, the school of light is naturally based on the
largest source of light, that being the sun. Due to the sun having no
government presently, it has no such law. It is also stated in the
school of light's rules, that the headmaster is elected every four
years by the student body. As I am the only student I nominate
Remus Lupin to fill the role of Headmaster of the school of light and
give him my vote. On the condition he accepts my nomination he is
the new headmaster of the school of light." Harry explains.
"Is that so Harry, Do you have proof of this." Dumbledore asked.
"Of course, the rule book is in the schools archives back on the sun.
Unfortunately we cannot visit as the only transportation also resides
on the grounds. Unless of course you know of another way to safely
reach the surface of the sun and enter our heat resisting wards."
Harry replies.
"Could you be kind enough to inform me where exactly on the sun
your school is Harry." Dumbledore asked.
"Alas I cannot, you see the surface of the sun is not solid, our school
floats in a bubble across the surface. It is constantly shifting and
invisible to all as the heat is absorbed by ward stones and powers
very powerful wards." Harry explained.
"How unfortunate, you will need to contact your headmaster and
request he come to Hogwarts for the tournament. Now who will be
our ministry judge." Dumbledore asks the two department heads.
"We have decided to alternate the role, I will be judging the first and
third task whilst Ludo judges the second and fourth." Crouch said.
"Brilliant, Ludo if you could explain the first task, at least that is
unchanged." Dumbledore asked.
"Right, the first task." Bagman took over. "Will be held on the twenty
fourth of November and is designed to test your courage and ability
to cope in a dangerous and unknown environment. For this reason
you will only learn of the tasks challenge just before the task begins.
The task will be held within a small stadium in the forbidden forest.
The wand weighing ceremony will be held at two pm on the fifteenth
of October in the trophy room. It includes a press conference so be
prepared for reporters and photographers. I think that's all so you
can all return to the celebrations I am sure your schools will be
holding for you."
"Harry, Minerva, Barty, if you could please follow me to my office."
Dumbledore said, to Harry's surprise he did not head for the door but
instead a blank wall. He waved his wand at it and it shimmered to
reveal a fireplace. "The address, headmasters office. Minerva if you
would go first." Dumbledore handed her some floo powder.
Mcgonagall was followed by Crouch and then Harry and Dumbledore
coming through last. Dumbledore conjured an oval table with four
chairs for the group and they all sat down.
"Well this is about the emancipation as I assume you all know. It is a
rather simple procedure, I will right the legal document that
announces Harry James Potter as a legal adult with all that it entails.
It will need to be signed by the four of us and then I will have it sent
to the Ministry and Gringotts. It may take a few days but Harry will be
a legal adult by the wand weighing." Dumbledore explained.
"Does that mean I can take the apparition test." Harry asked.
"No, the law is seventeen not of age so you cannot take the test until
you are seventeen. Now just sign here and you can return to your
common room." Dumbledore answered, Harry signed the form
H.J.Potter and was soon on his way back to Gryffindor tower.
However when he returned his welcome party was very different to
that of Cedric's.
"He returns." Fred yelled when Harry entered.
"Our hero, conqueror of rules and restrictions." George yelled.
"Our very own champion." Fred continued.
"Harry James Potter." They both yelled together. Harry smiled at the
twins antics. However he seemed to be the only one amused. The
rest of Gryffindor were sending him some serious death glares.
"Cheater." One seventh year yelled at him.
"I did not enter my name, it has already been established by the
judges and other champions. I am not competing for Hogwarts in the
tournament. Unfortunately the cup is stupid and for some bull shit
reason has placed me in a binding magical contract because
someone entered my name without me knowing. I have to compete
or I lose my magic. Why would I enter anyway, I have nothing to gain
from being in the tournament." Harry explained. Some people
seemed to accept that like the chaser trio who knew Harry. He still
hadn't caught sight of his friends get but he hoped they would accept
it too.
"I can't believe you Harry." Hermione said from the other side of the
common room.
"You believe my don't you." Harry asked. "Hermione I swear I didn't
put my name in."
"You just can't help yourself can you, you can't stop lying and
cheating." Hermione yelled.
"What are you talking about." Harry asked, genuinely worried about
what she would do.
"You cheated on your exams just to beat me, we all know you
couldn't have any other way. And now you cheat your way into this
tournament because you can't help but ignore what people in
authority say and break the rules. Then, then you have the nerve to
come here and lie that you didn't do what we all know you did." She
screamed at him, tears ran down her cheeks.
"Hermione please, you know I wouldn't enter myself, your smarter
than this, think about it logically. Why would I ever want to enter this
stupid tournament. I told you I wasn't going within a hundred feet of
that cup. Please don't do this." Harry said shakily, his voice straining
in his emotions.
"More lies, I thought you were my friend. Clearly I was wrong
because friends don't lie to each other." Hermione screamed at him,
then she did something no one thought her capable of. She slapped
him hard across the cheek leaving behind a bright red hand print.
She sobbed and ran to the girls dorms.
"I told you I wanted to enter, but you had to have the glory to yourself
didn't you." Ron said from the boys dorm stairs.
"Not you too Ron, I swear I didn't enter." Harry said, he was truly
afraid he would lose all his friends in one day. All because of the
stupid tournament.
"I told you I wanted to enter, and you said you wouldn't help me. All
because you wanted the glory and attention to yourself. Don't you
have enough already, or do you enjoy seeing others be less than
you." Ron said quietly.
"Ron, I didn't enter, I never wanted to and I still don't want to be in
this tournament." Harry replied. Hoping against hope that Ron, his
best friend would not leave him to.
"Then don't compete, if you don't want to be in the tournament then
don't compete." Ron said.
"I don't have a choice, if I don't then I lose my magic and I die." Harry
said.
"Better to die an honest man than live a cheat." Ron replied.
"What, you have to be joking. You would prefer that I die just
because of your jealousy over something I don't want to do." Harry
said shocked, how could Ron say something like that.
"After everything me and my family did for you, you still turn your
back on me for a bit of attention and more fame. You're worse than
lockhart"
"At least I'm not a jealous prick who prefers his friends to die
because they got something you wanted. I guess treachery is
contagious because all that time with the rat has turned you traitor
too." Harry yelled back at Ron.
Ron didn't yell back, instead he swung a right hook and punched
Harry in the face as hard as he could. A single tear fell from Harry's
eyes. Harry would kill who ever entered his name in this tournament
and he would have no regrets and feel no remorse. Whoever
entered his name had not only ruined his year, but ruined his family.
Another tear feel from Harry's eyes.
"Gryffindor is for the brave, not cowards and cheats like you. You're
not welcome in gryffindor tower anymore." Ron said.
"Accio." Harry cast, slipping his wand from its holster. His trunk and
all his belongings came flying down the stairs and stopped at his
feet. A second flick of his wand had it all packed together neatly. He
picked up his trunk and left without a word or even a look back.
"Potter is going to get slaughtered in the first task, he can't even take
a hit without crying. What a baby." a fifth year boy said.
"Harry must be really upset about this then." Katie Bell said to
Angelina and Alicia, both still slightly annoyed that Harry got the
champion position.
"What makes you say that Katie, he seemed fine to lie to them."
Angelina asked.
"Well he was crying and I don't think it was from the punch. Harry
has had his arm shattered and then vanished amd he still didn't cry
or sob. I think he was upset or sad." Katie reasoned.
"Harry does have a high pain tolerance. Maybe we should give him a
chance, he really does hate attention and it makes sense that he has
no reason to enter." Alecia said.
"Exactly, Harry's going to need people to help if he's going to survive
and we need Harry to win the quidditch cup next year." Katie said.
So now Harry had five friends still. The twins and the chasers,
maybe he would survive this.