Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Harry Potter is copyright to J.K. Rowling, so please don't sue.
A/N: Hello to all of you glorious people... Er- I just wanted to thank all those who have reviewed. It means a lot. I am especially most grateful to WynterRavenheart for her critique review, as well as, Ater Phasma for her lengthy review. All in all I hope you enjoy this chapter. Furthermore, though, I would like to apologies, I know this story seems to be taking a slow start, but I promise to make sure that the next chapter will be more exciting. Please though, review, it encourages me a lot!
+Keys+
"Talk"
'Thoughts'
Flashback or Dream or Vision
"Parselmouth"
Sanguine
Chapter II
"The Beginning Divide"
Harry glared heatedly at the wall above Ron's head. The tension in the room was beginning to suffocate him, and it seemed he wasn't the only suffering. In the corner, on Ron's right, sat Neville. He had no clue what had happen between Ron and Harry, but kept to his self nonetheless.
On Harry's right was Hermione, who was trying to read a book, but the fact that Ron did not stop glaring at her was getting on her nerves. Harry pursed his lips as he looked out the train's window.
"This is ridiculous." Hermione fussed as she slammed her book close, and rose to stand. "I don't understand why the two of you are so…. Merlin's beard, what is wrong with you two?"
Harry hunched shoulders, but said nothing. Ron, on the other hand, looked at Hermione appalled by the outburst. "You should be asking yourself that question." Ron snarled while crossing his arms, and glaring pointedly at Harry.
Hermione huffed, "I am going to ignore that, but I want you two to stop fighting. You two are best mates, for crying out loud!"
Harry snorted as he looked to see Ron's expression change from disgust, to mortification. "Bloody hell, I wouldn't be his best mate if my life counted on it." Ron yelled. Harry gritted his teeth as he snapped his jaw.
Hermione was about to protest, but Harry intervened. "Just drop it, Hermione. You heard him; he wants nothing to do with a bloody fag. He likes to hang it straight."
Neville's eyes bulged out of their sockets as he held tightly to Trevor the bull frog. Hermione frowned and shook her head.
"Is that all? Ron, you're being really immature about this." She hissed, but Ron looked at her as if she had grown two heads.
"Immature? How can you just stand there when he admitted he is gay? "Hermione's brows knitted together, "He confided in me about this a long time ago, and I am perfectly fine with it. I can't understand why you aren't!"
Ron ears turned red. "It's you who doesn't understand, 'Mione. You need to get your facts straight. His gay, and I never hang around that sort of lot, and I am not about to start either."
Harry had enough and got up to leave. Hermione growled in frustration while flinging her hands in the air.
"I can't believe you! You just going to throw everything away, after all we've been through together?" That was the last thing Harry heard as he shut the compartment door.
The Boy Who Lived walked down the hall of the train. He watched friends chatter away with each other, and people smile in his direction. He hated this, he hated everything. Harry felt something inside him twist. He swore to himself that Ron's behavior would not affect him, but he was wrong. Every word hit him like a sharp needle; puncturing his heart. To think, a person he thought of as his best friend, didn't want to accept who he really was.
Suddenly, though it was ironic, Harry was yanked into a compartment. He gasped a little when he was flung into the couch (or whatever they call the seats in a train).
"You idiot, I can't believe you just walked right out." A voice drawled. Harry looked up to see grey eyes glower at him.
"What?" Harry said dumbly. Draco rolled his eyes and sat in front of Harry. "During the Quidditch Cup, you spoke with Crouch, and then he totally let you go? I highly doubt that."
Harry's eyebrows furrowed before he registered what Draco was ranting about. "Oh, you mean that. Well, it wasn't hard really; I think I gave him the shock of his life." Harry said while deciding to make himself comfortable on his seat.
"Well because of you, we had to cancel plans." Draco sneered, he glared menacingly at Harry. Harry just stared at him blankly, "sorry, I guess, didn't mean to ruin your- return the Dark Lord plans." He laughed to himself at that, as if it were an inside joke he only knew.
Draco sneered at him again, and crossed his arms. "For someone who's suppose to be the Dark Lord's enemy… You seem oddly comfortable, and not bit scared. Your going to tell Dumbledore about it, aren't you?"
Harry scolded himself, was it that easy to read him? "No, besides I already spoke about it to Hermione, she said it was just my fever. So I highly doubt he would believe me." Draco was taken aback by Harry's answer. He seemed stumped to say anything else.
Harry leaned his head back while looking out the window; he found himself doing that often. "I still don't-"Draco began, but Harry waved his hand dismissively.
"Ever wondered that I might want to switch sides?" Harry said offhandedly, as if it were something he spoke of often. Draco was a bit rattled by that, "really?"
Harry chuckled, "yeah, I mean right now my best friend, so I thought, hates my guts because I'm gay." Draco's elegant brows shot up.
"You're gay?" he said sounding like a two year old who was just offered a big bag of cookies. Harry scowled at him, "yeah, got a problem with that?" Draco shook his head lightly, "not really." Although, Harry would never say it, but he was appreciative that Draco was fine with him. In fact, he may even have been grateful.
"So the Weasel got a problem with you. Now that is something I could never understand, the idiot is a muggle lover. I'd have a real problem with that." Harry laughed. To Draco loving a muggle was lower then scum then being gay.
"I agree." Harry said, surprising Draco and even himself. "You do?" the aristocrat blonde asked, he blinked dumbly at Harry. The Boy Who Lived shrugged his shoulders. "I've lived with muggles Draco, and till this day I haven't told anyone what they do to me…" Harry's voice was distant as he spoke the last words.
Draco's expression softened while he scouted down his seat, so he was cress crossed from Harry. He then placed his feet next to Harry, and Harry did the same.
"Oh… Why don't you though?" The Malfoy heir was looking down at his hands. Harry shrugged his shoulders, and turned his attention to Draco.
"Because… I don't really know, I have a feeling that Dumbledore isn't going to believe me. I'm positive he would be skeptic of what I say. He is a muggle lover after all, I think he is at least." Harry simply stated as he watched Draco's expression change. It went from blank to confusion to what astonishingly seemed like regret.
"Don't pity me Malfoy… It's not necessary. Besides, I prefer our little repartee's we have." Draco laughed at that and looked incredulously at Harry.
"Well, I think we have deterred very far from that. If anyone saw us, they'd probably drop dead." Draco drawled while staring at the wall beside Harry.
"You think?"
They laughed again. Harry oddly felt comfortable with Draco, and it was unusual. He felt as if he could really be himself around the blonde, not like when he is with his 'friends'.
"So… Voldemort is coming back?" Harry asked timidly. Draco winced while his brows knitted together, "I really don't know. My father doesn't like me to ask questions, and he doesn't really detail on things." Harry frowned as he turned his head to look out the window.
Was his vision really just a dream made by his fever? But that couldn't be it since he had the dream repeatedly over the summer. Harry scowled at himself for his doubt, thanks to Hermione, he started to think he was delusional.
"If he is coming back… What will you do?" Draco asked, breaking the silence. Harry pursed his lips. "I honestly don't know." He said and it was the truth. He really didn't know what to do. Maybe it all depended on if Dumbledore would believe him. And that was another road blocker. Would the old meddlesome fool even acknowledge what he says as truth?
"Dray Dray, I have been look-"Pansy Parkinson's burst through the compartment door, snapped Harry from his revere. She had paused mid way through her sentence as she looked at him.
"What is he doing here, with you?" she said, emphasizing that she really didn't like him. Draco groaned in exasperation. "Didn't I tell you to leave me alone? Can't I have a bit of privacy for once? Or do you stalk me wherever I go?" Draco snarled.
Parkinson's bottom lip quivered while she pouted. "I only was looking out for you! I was worried about you; you don't how much you hurt me sometimes." She sniffled to add some effect.
Draco cursed under his breath. Harry found the scene ludicrous, and couldn't help but add to the fun. "She's right, Dray Dray. Parkinson is clearly worried about you, don't be such a git." Draco glared at him heatedly, which only made Harry more amused to the blonde's despair.
"Well, Dray Dray, I must get going, but it was lovely chatting with you." Harry stood up and stepped over Draco's legs. "Hope you take good care of him Parkinson." Harry winked while laughing inwardly. He could feel Draco drilling holes in his back as he left the compartment.
"All students, we have arrived at Hogwarts. Please leave your luggage on board as it will be transported separately." Harry sighed with relief. He couldn't wait to see what this year had in store for him.
oOoOoOo
"Welcome back new, and old students of Hogwarts! I am pleased to see all of your smiling faces, and I hope that all of you had a wonderful summer." Dumbledore stood, like every year, in front of the long table filled with teachers and began the welcoming speech. Harry glanced once more at the new occupants of Hogwarts. Students from both Durmstrang, and Beauxbatons were there, and it was a something fascinating to behold. Harry then looked questioningly at the empty seat in which the DADA teacher would normally sit in.
Harry was beyond curious to see who would be the next person to come, and then leave right after the year was over. Harry chuckled inwardly, and wondered how the Ministry did not worry about it. Seriously though, Hogwarts has had a different DADA teacher nearly every year. Furthermore, this obviously showed signs of an unstable education system within Hogwarts.
"As I am sure the rumors have spread, what has been leaked is all true-" Dumbledore paused as the crowd of students rumbled with excitment, "-Hogwarts will be hosting the Tri-Wizard tournament." A loud proclamation of 'whoots', 'whistles', and 'yeahs' could be made out.
Dumbledore smiled brilliantly before continuing. "Furthermore, in order for one to enter the tournament, you must place your name in this-" With a flick of his wrist, Dumbledore caused the cloak which covered an object next to him, fall off. A Goblet almost as tall as Dumbledore stood, with green blue flames flickering from its mouth.
"This is the Goblet of Fire. Once your name is put in, the Goblet will spit it out. Those whose names are called forth shall be entered into the tournament, only three will be called though, one from each school. However," the headmaster look to Fudge who was actually present in the room. Harry was a bit surprised since he did not notice the Minister, "after a long talk with the Minister, we have decided that those who are under seventeen-" 'boos' ensued as students began to protest to the age limiting.
"Please children, you must understand that it is for your own safety. These tasks one must go through in the Tri-Wizard tournament are so dangerous. You can't even possibly imagine the hardship one would go through." Fudge said diplomatically as he eyed each and every student in the Great Hall. Harry sipped calmly from his drink, but stopped mid way when he and Fudge made eye contact. Something wasn't right.
"Yes, so do think twice before you place your name in the Goblet, for if it is called you will not be able to decline. I do suggest not to waste your time on tricks and spells that would get your name in the Goblet. There will be an age barrier around the Goblet that will prevent, those of you, who are younger then seventeen to put forth your name."
Another wail of protest came from the crowd. Dumbledore quickly hushed them though. "Now without further ado-" The weather cloud up on the ceiling began to act up. A swirl in the midst of it was about to send out a jet of lightening, when someone from the corner of the room zapped it with a spell from their wand.
Dumbledore smiled softly at the man in the corner. Harry strained his neck to look at the man, who he could only guess, was to be the new DADA teacher.
"As I was saying, I'd like to introduce your new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Alastor Moody." The man grunted as he made his way, the crowd of students no longer bristled in protest, but were perturbed by the new guest. He had scars littered along his face, a magical right eye that whirred to life, and all about him just screamed nasty.
Harry narrowed his eyes as he watched the man take a swig of his container. What was in it? Who knows, but for some reason the man gave him a strange vibe. Moody's magical eye, whirled with life. It surveyed the room entirely, ever so often though, stopping to look at Harry.
"Now, I know you all must be hungry, so let us feast." With that the noise in the room returned as the students bustled, bantered, and raved about the new year.
"That man gives me the c-creeps." Neville said as he made for one of the turkey legs. Harry's lip twitched before he took another sip out of his cup. "Your not the only one perturbed by him." Harry said before piling food onto his plate.
"I bet my wand he's probably a convict that the headmaster took sympathy on. Just look at the way his magic eye whirs, and what's up with the hobo cloths?" Seamus Finnigan said. Neville, and Dean Thomas nodded in agreement.
Hermione frowned, "you boys haven't even had a class with him, and you're already assuming the worst! Haven't you-" Harry rolled his eyes, "give it a rest Hermione, they're just curious." Hermione looked flabbergasted as she stared at Harry. He ignored her though.
"Yeah, Granger, lay off once in a while. And please, I am sure you just as curious as we are! Besides, look at the way he dresses, don't tell me you can't possibly think the worst?" Seamus said while taking a big swig from his cup. Hermione narrowed her eyes.
"Fortunately, I am reasonable enough to know that Dumbledore doesn't take convicts under his wings. And furthermore, I have decency in not to pry, or make up unintelligible things about people!" Seamus cocked an eyebrow at that.
"So your saying then that Snape got a free hand? Cause if I recall, he was a Death Eater once…" Dean smoothly retorted. Hermione's face glowed with embarrassment, before she mumbled something about idiots in Gryffindor. Harry chuckled lightly to himself.
Mid way through their meal though, Harry became increasingly annoyed by Ron's steel glares. Harry was so fid up with Ron, to the point he wanted to pull his hair out. "Do you have a staring problem? Because if you do, try to maintain it. I know I'm hot stuff, but it gets annoying." Harry snapped in Ron's direction.
Seamus, Dean, and Neville bursted into a fit of laughter while Hermione sighed in exsperation. Ron's face turned beet red and he turned his head, and began to chat with Lavender Brown.
"Harry you shouldn't do that." Hermione chastised quietly. Harry's raised a brow, and looked skeptically at Hermione. "I shouldn't do that. If I recall it was him who was being the jerk. Other than that, I don't appreciate being stared at like some scum stuck to a shoe!" Harry snarled, his voice raising with each syllable.
Hermione glared, "I am not picking sides, but Ron is having a hard time dealing with this." Harry was appallled, how dare Hermione! It wasn't his fault Ron found out in a way Harry hadn't planned on, and he surely wasn't going to tolerate Ron's prejudice towards him.
"Your not picking sides are you, well I think you already have, whether you meant to or not." with that Harry got off the bench and headed for the door. Hermione's expression changed to one of regret, however, she did not go after the Light's Savior.
oOoOoOo
Harry let out a frustrated scream once he landed on his bed. He was so fed up with people and their expectations of him. 'Damn bloody prats... Why can't they just leave me be?' Harry thought. He knew Hermione was probably regretting what she said, but Harry was so mad at her, if only Hermione knew how much her words hurt him.
"Harry?" it was Neville, how odd that he would be the one to check on him. Harry lifted his head to look at the timid boy. "Hey, Neville." he replied softly, he watched the boy walk over to his bed and sit on the edge of it.
"Sorry." Neville said hesitantly. Harry furrowed his brows, "what are you sorry for?" Neville sighed and looked at the mirror that was beside Seamus' bed.
"Well, for one I should stick up for you. I mean I am your friend, and you being gay is perfectly fine with me... I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm sorry Ron's being a git." Harry felt flattered oddly by the mini-speech Neville had just given him. He knew it probably took Neville a lot of courage to say that, courage only a Gryffindor had.
"It's not your fault Neville..." Harry murmured while burrowing his head back into his pillow. "Things just happen for a reason..." He said, his words being muffled by his pillow. However, Neville seemed to have understood what Harry was saying and smiled softly. "Well, if you ever feel like... Well you know, having a talk, just let me know." Neville said. Silence ensued between the two boys for what appeared like hours. "I guess I'll leave you be." Neville got up, and headed for the dorm's door.
"Wait, Neville." Harry said while lifting his head up. Neville stopped and looked at Harry. "Thanks." Both boys smiled, and then Neville left the room. Harry sighed again as he turned to lay on his back. He stared at the ceiling, tracing the popcorn patterns it had.
"Harry." The Golden boy sighed and propped himself on his elbows. He was about to complain, but shut his mouth when he saw it was the headmaster.
"Hello, Professor." Harry said quickly while swing his legs over his bed, and sitting up right. Dumbledore walked over and sat next to Harry. The sparkle that normally alit in the blue eyes of the headmaster wasn't there. Harry felt, for once, oddly uncomfortable with the headmaster so close.
"How are you Harry? Molly sent me an Owl some time during the near end of summer, explaining you had a flu." Harry pursed his lips and looked at the floor. "Yeah, but I'm fine now." Dumbledore smiled softly, "well that is very good to hear." They sat in silence for some time.
"I seem to realize that you, Miss Granger, and Mr. Weasley are having some troubles... Am I afraid to say I am correct in this assumption?" The headmaster asked as Harry kept his eyes focused on the floor. "Yes, Professor."
Dumbledore sighed next to Harry while collapsing his old hands together. "I am terribly sorry to hear that. But if I may know what happened between you three, maybe I can be of some use, no?" Dumbledore asked, the sparkling glint returning to his blue eyes.
Harry shuddered as he looked up to gaze into those eyes. At that moment, every fiber in his being hated the old man who sat next to him. Why? You ask. Because the old fool had such power over him, to be able to tug certain strings, and know defiantly that he would have Harry singing like a canary.
"I doubt it, sir, that you could do anything to patch this up. I believe this time the rift between me, Ron, and Hermione as grown to big." Harry said before looking back down. Dumbledore sighed again.
"Harry look at me. Whatever you and the others are going through is just a phase. You three have been inseparable since your first years, and I hardly can think whatever you three are fussing over can harm you're friendship. Remember Harry, love is a powerful thing." With that the Professor stood up and walked to the door. Harry watched through careful eyes as the headmaster turned to him.
"Though Harry, I am always here if you need anything. I hope you heed my advice, and that you and the others come over whatever you three seemed to be miffed about." Thus, the old man was gone, leaving a faint smell of sherbet lemon drops (to Harry's dismay).
However, Harry then suddenly realized that he missed the perfect opportunity to tell Dumbledore about his vision. Harry jumped off his bed and darted out the door.
In Harry's rush to catch up with the headmaster, Harry knocked Ron into the wall while zooming down the stairs. He could faintly hear Ron's cursing as he whizzed past the common room and out the door.
Harry gasped as he ran fruitlessly down the large corridor, he could vaguely see the headmaster's blue robes turn a corner. "Professor!" Harry shouted. He turned the corner sharply, and then smacked into another person.
Harry hissed out in pain as his buttocks landed roughly on the floor. He looked up at the person who he rammed into, having a mind to cuss he/or she out. However, having seen who it was, changed his mind. Alastor Moody was glaring menacingly at him.
"Er- Sorry Professor." Harry stated timidly while standing up, wincing as the pain shot up through his spine. Moody looked him over before walking off. "Watch were yeh going next time." Moody called over his shoulder. Harry glowered at the Professor's back before walking down the hall.
"Damn it!" Harry cursed as he stopped in front of the Gargoyle that lead to the headmaster's office. Harry was so close, and now he would have to wait till tomorrow to tell the headmaster about the dream. Harry didn't have the courage to bother the Professor when it was near curfew hour.
"I guess I should get back." Harry mumbled. He turned to head back in the direction he came from, although, he couldn't help but look back at the Gargoyle. He could of sworn the eyes blinked, but then again, as Hermione stated, fever's can do things to people.
Harry snorted at that.
oOoOoOo
"I dare you, no I double dog dare you... In fact, I triple dog dare you, even better I-" Harry growled in frustration. "Seamus, cut the crap and just dare him." he hissed through a tight jaw. Seamus looked at him incredulously before continuing. "I bet my wand, actually I bet-"
"Seamus!" Harry and Dean shouted in a unsion. "Alright, alright. I dare you to try and put your name in the Goblet." Seamus said. Harry glanced at the Goblet in the center of the room. The flames that flickered out of it's mouth, churned between a greenish blue color. The age barrier still tightly misted around the Goblet.
"I highly doubt anyone can get through that barrier." Harry said while leaning back on the bench, prompting his elbows on the bench behind him, which was higher up. "His right, seriously Seamus, think up a better dare." Dean agreed while looking cautiously at the Goblet.
Around this time, the Weasley twins walked in, a potion in each of their hands. "Merlin, they aren't..." Hermione whispered as she sat next to Dean. "Oh, yes they are." Ginny said as she watched her brothers stop in front of the Goblet. Harry chuckled quietly to himself, this would be something.
"Listen up you bratty kids."
"We've just figured out a way to surpass the age barrier."
"So watch us pros make it to the top."
The twins laughed at the same time before swallowing their potions. The group of students all watched eagerly as the twins jumped passed the age barrier, and threw in their names into the Goblet. It appeared as if they actually did it. But the calm flames of the Goblet flared to life and threw them right out of the ring.
"Merlin..." Neville breathed.
It seemed the Goblet also increased the effects of the potion as both twins now had white beards, and hair.
The room bursted into laughter as they witnessed the spectacle. Even Hermione couldn't help but laugh, it was hilarious after all.
Just then, Viktor Krum, along with Igor Karkaroff walked in. Krum threw his name into the Goblet which swallowed it whole. Karkaroff patted Krum's back supportively. However, Harry didn't really care about the Durmstrang champion, although, what caught his eye was the look Krum was giving Hermione. Something about it screamed 'I like you' all over it, and Hermione noticed it as well. Of course she did though, she was just to darn observant.
Another rouse of noise came from across the room, distracting Harry from his musings. It appeared that Huffelpuff's Cedric Diggory would be entering the tournament. Harry couldn't help, but feel his stomach twist at that.
As Cedric threw his name in the Goblet and began to retreat from the age barrier, he and Harry made eye contact. Oddly, Harry felt his stomach do somersaults when Cedric smiled and winked in his direction. Hopefully, no one noticed it. Although, the look Hermione was giving Harry told the Golden Boy, that not everyone missed it.
A/N: Please review, whether it is to flame, criticize, or just one worded, anything helps!
P.S. I do realize that not everything is exactly how the fourth book sequenced it, but it's been a while since I read the book... hehe. However, have know fear, the rest of it shall go smoothly.
