DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters in this story. All rights go to the queen herself J.K. Rowling.

Albus Dumbledore sat quietly at his desk staring around at the various spinning and whirling instruments scattered about on different shelves in his office. Fawkes, his phoenix, was perched on his stand emitting an almost unseen aura of serenity. Earlier in the day he had received a short missive from an old friend. He hadn't heard from this particular friend in years, but he hadn't worried, his friend had been known to go silent at times.

A green hue instantly took over the room as his fireplace emitted his guest, and just as quickly turned back to the calming warm light it had been before.

"Ah, Nicholas, how have you been my friend?" Dumbledore inquired, standing up and gesturing for him to take a seat. "Would you like some tea? A lemon drop perhaps?"

"Some tea would be nice actually," Nicholas said taking a seat. "I've been well. Pernelle and I have been enjoying these last few years down in Greece. And you?"

"As of late not too well," Albus admitted. "You've heard the news I take it?"

Nicholas' eyebrows rose slightly, settling before Albus could even notice the twitch had even occurred. "Yes, Harry Potter's name has been chosen by the Goblet."

Albus nodding, not masking the confusion and worry on his face. "I don't understand it. He and his parents both perished many years ago."

"That's what everyone believes," Nicholas replied, "Do you know who put his name in?"

Dumbledore slowly shook his head side to side quite a few times. "That's just it, why would anyone put his name in when everyone knows he died while vanquishing Voldemort."

"Perhaps someone doesn't believe it, perhaps Voldemort isn't as gone as everyone believes?" Nicholas prompted, finally taking a sip of the tea that had appeared. A small quirk of his lips bloomed on his face, the house elves always got his tea just perfect.

Dumbledore sat quietly for several minutes before he truly looked at his friend. After a few more minutes a twinkle appeared in his blue eyes. "You know something."

Bringing his own eyes to meet Dumbledore's, Nicholas just smiled. "I did what I thought best."

At almost a whisper Dumbledore asked, "How is he?"

"He's smart, like his mother, and he's fast like his father. He's well beyond his years, he's strong, he's everything you would hope he would be and more," Nicholas spoke, pride shining bright through his smile. "He wanted to come and meet with you now, but I thought it'd be best for me to come through first."

"You know he is going to have to compete," Dumbledore said, the smile that had overtaken his face falling right off.

Nicholas nodded, "Yes, but he'll be ready. He already has a few OWL's, and is working towards his NEWT's."

The news took Dumbledore for a loop, and Fawkes flew over to him and landed on his shoulder, twittering quietly.

"Would you like to meet him?"

Unable to gather any words Dumbledore nodded and watched silently as his old friend went to the fireplace and made a floo call. Not even a minute later he watched as the fire flared green once again and a young man stepped out.

He looked just like his father, if not more filled out with well toned muscles and tamed hair, and of course his mother's eyes. He stood tall and confident wearing a pair of light tan pants and a fit forming long sleeved navy blue shirt.

"Harry?" Albus asked.

Harry nodded, walking over to the seat beside his guardian with an unpracticed grace in his step. "It's nice to finally meet you sir, Nicholas has told me many tales and of your own studies under his tutelage."

"It's nice to meet you as well my boy," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling madly. "How are you?"

The small smile on Harry's face shook slightly. "As well as can be," he answered.

"Yes. Nicholas said you already have a few OWL's?"

Harry nodded. "Yes sir, I got Outstanding in Potions, Herbology, History, Astronomy, and Care of Magical Creatures. I'm studying for my NEWT's this year for Potions and History."

Dumbledore sat in awe as he smiled brightly at the boy. "Well done, your parents would be proud of you."

"Thank you sir," Harry replied, bowing his head. "If you don't mind, could we talk more about the competition? If I'm going to be competing I'd like to know the rules, as well as set some ground work for arrangements to be made for me."

"Of course, of course," Dumbledore said. "As I'm sure you know the competition consists of three tasks, and at the end of each task you will be marked for how well you did. The first task will take place at the end of November and it will test your courage and determination. On the morning of the task you will find out just what you will be doing. At the end there is one winner who will claim the title of Tri-Wizard Champion. You will be competing along with Cedric Diggory, Viktor Krum, and Fleur Delacour."

Harry nodded, filing away all the information in different places in his mind. "Will I be expected to stay in the castle? I don't want my studies to suffer because of this."

"Durmstrang and Beauxbatons are staying in their own lodgings on the campus, as well as studying in them as well, I'm sure it would be alright for you to stay in your own accommodations if you wish it," Dumbledore answered. He had noticed how Harry stayed completely calm during his explanations. To Dumbledore it seemed that Harry was quite confident in his ability to take on this tournament. "I must say this tournament won't be easy, it has been set up for students that are of age and have gotten almost all of their magical education."

"Thank you, and I understand, but there isn't anything I can do at this point but put my best foot forward," Harry replied. His stomach growled and he couldn't help the blush that bloomed on his face. "Sorry, it's been quite a while since I had lunch."

Dumbledore forced a small smile and stood up. "Dinner is just about to start, if you wish you could join everyone and maybe make a few friends?"

Harry looked to Nicholas. "It's up to you Harry."

"I think I'd like that. Is there anywhere in particular I should sit?"

"Any of the student tables are fine. After dinner perhaps we can continue talking about your arrangements?"

Nicholas nodded for the both of them.

The three men slowly made their way to the Great Hall and before Dumbledore opened the door for them to go through he spoke up, "I won't make any announcements but as we're going through the staff entrance I'm sure you're going to garner a bit of attention."

Nicholas looked down at his young charge and could see he was getting himself ready. He'd never been in a school as large as Hogwarts, let alone around so many kids. Placing his hand on Harry's shoulder Nicholas gave it a slight squeeze.

"You ready my boy?" Dumbledore asked.

Harry simply nodded and walked in after the older man. As soon as he stepped through the door he paused. Hogwarts A History didn't do the Great Hall justice. It was fascinating.

"Go and get something to eat," Nicholas whispered behind him, "Maybe go sit with the Gryffindor's, that is your parent's house after all."

Harry nodded again, finally taking his eyes from the ceiling. Looking down at the student tables he noticed quite a few eyes on him and quickly made his way off the platform. As he got closer to the tables he started hearing the whispers questioning just who he was and why he had been with Dumbledore. Some of the older students who knew who Nicholas was also commented on that.

Shaking his head he finally stopped to take a seat when he heard someone call to Cedric, and just like that he changed his mind and wandered over to where his fellow competitor was sitting.

"Hey, are you Cedric?" he asked feeling uncertain.

Cedric looked up and nodded, "Yeah, can I help you?"

Harry smiled, "I was just wondering if I could sit with you and talk about the competition."

Cedric scratched the back of his neck and looked around at his friends.

"I'm sorry but who are you?" someone from the table asked.

Not knowing who said it Harry just looked at Cedric and answered the question, "I'm Harry Potter."

Laughter promptly met his remark and Cedric shook his head, "Seriously mate? That's just rude. Who are you?"

Harry sighed. He hadn't even thought that they wouldn't believe him. "I didn't die that night, I was taken away by Nicholas. I'm not going to stand here and beg to sit with you, I just thought it'd be nice to talk to someone I was going to be competing against. Sorry I bothered you."

With that Harry walked away and took a seat at the end of the Gryffindor table among some quite young looking kids.

He didn't even bother to listen to what type of conversation Cedric and his friends were having at their table, but simply said hello to the students he was sitting with and getting to know them.

When dinner was finally over Nicholas came and collected Harry and they both made their way silently up to Dumbledore's office.

"I was sorry to see that you weren't welcomed by Cedric. I'm sure when everything comes to light he'll apologize," Dumbledore said the minute they sat down. "Now how about we get to the finer details?"

Looking at Nicholas for affirmation Harry went into what he wanted, "This school is where my parents earned their education and for the last six years I've been getting mine through my mentor's. I think it's time that I experienced what a real school is like, but that depends on if you can accommodate for all my classes. Secondly, I would like to be able to stay in the castle with my mentor's, Nicholas has mentioned something about a guest wing. Can this be arranged?"

Nicholas looked so proud as he watched Harry lay out what he wanted, he himself would have adding a few other stipulations but Harry was young, he wouldn't have thought of those things even with how smart he was. If he had to, Nicholas decided, he would just negotiate the extra terms with his old friend at a later point in time.

Dumbledore sat quietly watching the young boy before him and smiled. "I'd have to see exactly what your classes are but I'm sure we can work something out. As for the living arrangements I'd be more than happy to have you and your mentor's as guests."

Harry nodded promptly and handed over a list of his classes that he had in his pocket.

"One last thing," Harry said pulling attention to him once more. "I get to wear my own clothes."

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled and he nodded to the young student, "I suppose we can work something out."