Author's Note: Still based on the Tumblr post and still JK Rowling's world. I'm just messing with it. There will be some familiar and some similar but alter dialogue in this chapter. But also yay for a chapter that is actually a normal length for me. Each chapter from here on out should be around this length.

Every eye was on him. Harry could literally feel the stares of all his peers and the visiting schools turn on him the moment the word 'Harry' had come from Dumbledore's mouth. There was no sound. Not even Gryffindor called out for him with happy cheers for their Champion. McGonagall had stood from the professor's table and made her way to Dumbledore's side. Harry didn't care what she was whispering, he just cared that every Gryffindor was staring at him as though he had cost them something.

"I didn't put my name in. You know I didn't." Harry said to Hermione and Ron who both could only stare at him blankly.

Dumbledore called out for him again and it was Hermione who urged Harry to go to the Headmaster. As Harry stood it felt like weights had been placed on every inch of his body. Not only was he struggling to take a step but his arms felt like they might very well melt into the floor. It was the longest walk he had ever taken. If he had ever felt he'd gotten too much attention before he was wrong, that was nothing compared to what he was experiencing as he made his way to Dumbledore.

"Well… through the door, Harry." Dumbledore said to him with no smile or twinkle in his eye.

McGonagall looked concerned as he made his way past her, Snape stared at him suspiciously from his seat. It was like every head had to physically turn to follow his move. Even Hagrid watched him shocked, with no sign of being happy or excited.

Behind the door was a room Harry had never seen before. Large and ornately decorated everything in it fit the idea that Champions belonged in the room. Viktor and Fleur were standing together by the fire, Warrington sat in the large armchair only a few feet away from them, listening to what they had to say but remaining distances form them.

"What is it?" Fleur questioned when Harry did nothing but stare at them, "Do zey want us back in ze Hall?"

Harry looked from Krum to Fleur. They looked like they belonged there. Strong and assured, they were Champions. As his eyes scanned over to Warrington he couldn't help but feel even more nervous in the presence of the Slytherin sixth year.

"Unlikely." Warrington said under his breath.

Harry couldn't help but wonder if the boy knew, after all Harry got himself into trouble every single year. Why should this one be any different?

"Extraordinary!" Bagman called out as he made his way to Harry and grasped his arm, "Absolutely extraordinary! Gentlemen… lady, may I introduce –incredible though it may seem- the fourth Triwizard champion?"

Harry wanted to disappear. To melt into the floor and vanish from sight. Krum had straightened up and was staring at him as if he was a threat. Fleur seemed amused but offended by the idea. Warrington though, he just looked as though he would have guessed it all along. As if he assumed Harry would find some way to involve himself in the glory for the year.

"Oh, vairy funny joke, Meester Bagman."

"Joke? No, no not at all. Harry's name just came out of the Goblet of Fire."

"Of course it bloody well did." Warrington huffed sinking farther into his armchair.

"Language." Krum warned gesturing towards Fleur.

"Oh shut it, there's an age restriction but that doesn't matter to Harry bloody Potter. He has to be in on the action."

"I didn't…" Harry started to defend himself but he quickly shut his mouth as the door opened once again and more people entered the room.

McGonagall led the way followed by Dumbledore, Crouch, Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, and Snape trailed behind them all. McGonagall quickly rushed to Harry's side, as if she was standing between him and the others. Snape joined Warrington by the fire, standing over him as if they were about to have a family portrait drawn. The noise from the Hall was clear, his name had started an uproar but Crouch closed the door and the noise vanished.

"Professor, will they allow this?" Warrington asked Snape.

"Well… it is amazing, but I don't think there can be any ducking out at this stage." Bagman said cheerfully to the room.

"Madame Maxime! Zis little boy is to compete also?" Fleur questioned walking to her Headmistress.

Harry couldn't help but feel a little insulted. He wasn't some child, he was fourteen. Sure he had been underdeveloped because of his childhood, but he was no little boy. McGonagall placed her hand on his shoulder as if she could sense he was agitated.

"What is ze meaning of zis, Dumbly-dorr?" Maxime cried out, following McGonagall's lead and placing her large hands on Fleur's shoulders protectively.

"I'd rather like to know that myself, Dumbledore. Two Hogwarts champions? I don't remember anyone telling me the host school is allowed two champions –or have I not read the rules carefully enough?"

Karkaroff was cold and distanced. Harry imagined he was a more charming version of Snape. He seemed cruel and harsh, unforgiving, but a smile remained on his face. It was fake and forced but Harry assumed it was an act to keep the other adults from figuring out how he truly felt about things.

"Potter, always does find a way to take the glory from his classmates." Snape spoke up from behind Warrington.

"Severus, Mister Potter has not been proven guilty of anything, yet." McGonagall stated.

The yet she had added didn't really make Harry feel any better about the situation.

"We were under the impression that your Age Line would keep out younger contestants, Dumbledore." Karkaroff still had the fake smile plastered across his face and his voice was oddly pleasant for his words, "Otherwise we would, of course, have brought along a wider selection of candidates from our own schools."

"As I said, it is surely Potter's fault. He has a determination to break any rule that is set in place. He has been crossing lines ever since he arrived here-"

"Thank you, Severus, but that is enough," Dumbledore turned to Harry, "Did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire, Harry?" he asked calmly.

"No," Warrington snorted out a laugh at the word, "I didn't do anything. I'm not snake, I don't-"

"Mister Potter." McGonagall said softly to calm him.

"Did you ask an older student to put it into the Goblet of Fire for you?" Dumbledore continued ignoring the Slytherins behind him.

"No." Harry said definitively.

"Obviously Potter is lying. His name didn't magically appear in the cup for no reason." Warrington called out.

"Dumbly-dorr must 'ave made a mistake wiz ze line." Maxime concluded.

"It is possible, of course." Dumbledore nodded at her words.

"What nonsense. There was no mistake with the line."

"Then what, Potter has found his way into the tournament. He must have done something." Snape jumped in.

Harry looked over at Snape and even though he hated him he couldn't help but feel bad. When was the last time Slytherin had something of their own? Warrington must have been chosen for a reason, but Harry's name coming out of that cup overshadowed anything he'd have done.

The adults kept speaking back and forth but Harry couldn't take his eyes off of the other Hogwarts champion, the real Hogwarts champion. However his own name had gotten in the cup he wished he could change it. Warrington certainly wasn't the champion he wanted but he'd rather it was him that got injured fighting in the tournament. Harry had been through enough.

"You can't leave your champion now. He's got to compete. They've all got to compete. Binding magical contract, like Dumbledore said. Convenient, eh?"

Harry's eyes swung over to the door where Moody must have just entered. He wasn't sure how long he'd been standing there not saying a thing to defend himself as the adults around him argued over his guilt in the situation. All he knew was that if what Moody said was true he was going to be forced to compete in the thing.

Karkaroff answered Moody but had tensed at his words. Moody had caught on and commented on the man's nature. Someone had to have put his name in the goblet, someone that knew he would be forced to compete in the tournament.

"…I don't hear him saying a word…" Moody said looking at Harry.

Harry still couldn't speak. None of this sounded fair. He didn't want to compete. People had died during the tournament before. He'd had enough almost dying for one lifetime. In fact he'd had enough almost dying for more than one lifetime, but it seemed his life was only just getting difficult. The adults around him continued arguing, getting louder and shouting directly at each other until Dumbledore had calmed the situation down.

"Couldn't leave Hogwarts with a rightful champion, could he." Warrington commented to Krum.

Had McGonagall not still had her hand on Harry's shoulder he would've jumped the other boy. He didn't choose this, no matter what any snake thought. Bagman seemed to take the lull in fighting as a sign to quickly move on from the subject.

"Right, well. Got to give our champions their instructions, haven't' we? Barty, want to do the honors?"

Crouch seemed to have only just woken up. He had said nothing during the fighting, only observed or waved off the others if they turned to him for an opinion.

"Yes, instructions. Yes… the first task."

Harry noticed Crouch looked ill in a way he hadn't before. The World Cup hadn't been too long before but Crouch looked as if the life had been drained out of him. It was worse as he stepped into the firelight. His skin was pale and thin, it seemed a strong wind could knock him down.

"The first task is designed to test your daring so we are not going to be telling you what it is. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard… very important… The first task will take place on November the twenty-fourth, in front of the other students and the panel of judges. The champions are not permitted to ask for or accept help of any kind from their teachers to complete the tasks in the tournament. The champions will face the first challenge armed only with their wands. They will receive information about the second task when the first is over. Due to the demanding and time-consuming nature of the tournament, the champions are exempted from end-of-year tests. I think that's all, is it, Albus?"

Dumbledore agreed and began to usher the other adults from the room. The other champions left with their Heads making their way out of the castle to where they were staying. Dumbledore looked between Warrington and Harry. Snape and McGonagall quietly made their way to the door but didn't leave.

"Harry, I suggest you go to bed," Dumbledore said his eyes ignoring the Slytherin all together, "I imagine Gryffindor will want to celebrate with you."

He left the room with nothing else to say ushering both McGonagall and Snape with him. Harry moved towards the door, no intention of speaking to Warrington.

"How'd you manage it, Potter?"

"Excuse me?"

"They may all act like they don't think you did this but I'm no idiot. I've gone to school with you for three years already. It's not like you could just let a Slytherin win."

Warrington moved to leave, as though he didn't want an answer to his own question.

"I'm not lying. I didn't do this. But you're right, Hogwarts shouldn't have a slimy Slytherin as a champion. It shouldn't be me, and I wish it wasn't. But it bloody well shouldn't be you."

"You won't even survive the first task." Warrington said sweeping out of the room and letting the door slam shut behind him.

Harry was fuming the entire way up to the tower. Not only had he been looking forward to a normal year but he had been excited to watch the tournament. Now he was competing in something that could kill him, and he had to deal with a snake. It was only Halloween and already this year sucked. As he reached the portrait his mind stood still. Halloween. God, he hated this day.

"You should've told us you entered!" Fred bellowed out as he walked through the portrait hole.

"How did you do it without getting a beard? Brilliant!" George called out.

They both looked slightly annoyed. Impressed, but annoyed that their own plan to boycott the Age Line had failed so miserably and so publicly while Harry had somehow managed to get his name chosen.

"I didn't-"

Angelina swooped down on his singing praises, believing he was the next best choice since she hadn't been picked. Harry wasn't sure what to say to her in response. But it seemed like everywhere he turned another peer was there to sing his praises. Katie Bell started everyone on a rant against Slytherin, excited there was a champion that could take down the snakes in something new. Everyone forced food on him, despite the fact that he told them he was stuffed from the feast. Lee Jordan was forcing Butterbeer on others and singing praises for Harry, Gryffindor, and Hogwarts in general.

Everyone was questioning Harry on how he had managed to fool the goblet, but no one seemed to believe or listen when he told them he hadn't done it. No one wanted to hear that he had no clue what had happened. George was determined to keep him up and socializing but finally Harry won and made his way up to his dorm. When the door to his room shut behind him he closed his eyes and took a breath, enjoying the silence.

Ron was lying on his own bed, still dressed in his robes.

"Where've you been?" Harry cried out to him.

He hadn't seen Hermione or Ron all night. It made sense for Hermione to avoid a party but he had expected Ron to be down with the others. He had needed someone by his side.

"Oh, hello."

The room was tense and awkward. Harry could tell Ron didn't really want to be speaking with him. Ron sat up and his bed, swinging his legs over to the side.

"So, congratulations."

"What d'you mean, congratulations?"

"I'm sure you're real thrilled with yourself. I mean no one wanted a Slytherin champion, but you really went above and beyond. Not even Fred and George could manage it. Fred and George! But you know it makes sense, you always have to stop the Slytherins."

"Ron what are you on about? It's not like you're all chummy with the snakes. But I didn't put my name in the goblet. Someone else must've done it."

"Yeah right. What would they do that for?"

"I don't know. To pit me against a sixth year Slytherin that I'm sure hates my guts. To prove that I don't know what I'm doing, to embarrass the hell out of me… To kill me."

"I would've thought you'd tell me the truth. It's not like I'm gonna run off and tell everyone the secret about how you managed it. I mean if you don't want to tell everyone fine, but it's not like you got in trouble for it right? The portraits are already talking, Dumbledore's letting you compete. A thousand galleons prize money, eh? And you don't have to do end-of-year tests either…"

"Ron, I didn't do this! Why would I want to go fight a Slytherin two years older than me? I get enough from Malfoy on a daily basis. I didn't put my name in that goblet!"

"Yeah right! Trying to make this about the Slytherins when you said this morning you would've done it late last night when no one could see you. I'm not stupid, you know!"

"Really? I wouldn't know, cause you tend to do a damn good impression of it." Harry snapped back at him.

It was ridiculous. Ron was his best friend and he didn't believe him over something so simple.

"Yeah?" Ron wasn't even pretending to be happy or neutral now he was just pissed, "You want to… know what. Go to hell."

And that was it. Something had broken between them and Harry wasn't sure if he'd be able to fix it. Ron had thrown himself back onto his bed and shut the curtains tight. The one person Harry had assumed he could count on had turned his back, had hid from him. Ron had been the one person Harry had been sure would believe him.