Chapter Three

Heading to the Great Hall, Harry and Remus entered to the applause of three of the houses and even a few Slytherins. Seeing several students greeting Lupin, Harry went to sit with Hermione and Ron who were both grinning as they watched the werewolf walk to the Head table.

"Harry! Why didn't you tell us?" Hermione was asking with a smile on her face as she moved over a bit so that Harry could sit next to her.

"I just found out and have been in the Defense Against Dark Arts classroom with Moony. I have so much to tell you. The dementors are no longer chasing my godfather. He hasn't been cleared of all the charges but he isn't wanted for murder any longer." Harry said with a smile on his face which faded when he added: "He is still considered a criminal, though until they catch Pettigrew."

"Harry!" Harry saw Neville join them and hand him a package. "Your owl brought that to our dorm room and dropped it on my bed. She wouldn't let me leave it in the room."

Taking the book, Harry handed it over to Hermione who saw it was the book on house elfin magic and once again thanked Harry with a hug before opening it right at the table. Looking at Ron who had gone back to drooling over Krum, Harry said. "Ron, why don't you just say hello to him? He is no different than any of us."

"No different? Are you serious, that is VICTOR KRUM the best seeker in the world, Harry!" Ron said with an awestruck expression on his face.

Feeling a bit weird about how Ron was overreacting to the Bulgarian seeker's fame, Harry shrugged and began to watch Neville who was reading a thick book about water plants. "Neville, what is so interesting?"

Closing his own book, Neville said "Madam Sprout told me about this great book on water plants. She said that Professor Moody told her about it for me. I was just curious as to why the man who hurt my parents wanted me to read this book, so I am doing exactly that."

"Oh, okay." Harry said awkwardly then wishing to change the subject asked, "Has anyone from Gryffindor put their name in the cup?"

Hearing the answer of who had done so for not only Gryffindor but for all of the houses and schools, Harry saw the Headmaster stand and give the entire school the short version of the news about Barty Crouch and the real Alastor Moody.

"Now, let's concentrate on our wonderful tournament, shall we." He said before moving to stand in front of the Goblet. It shot out a piece of paper and the Headmaster announced as expected Victor, then another for Fleur and finally Cedric.

Harry held his breath but thankfully his name didn't come out of the cup. With a huge grin on his face, Harry turned to speak to Hermione just as there was a large explosion in the front of the room. Turning with an alarmed expression on his face, Harry saw a piece of paper come out of the goblet and was sure he knew EXACTLY what it said.

At least that was what he thought, instead, the headmaster read the paper, frowned then in a gloomy tone stated "Neville Longbottom."

There was absolute silence in the room as the Headmaster requested that Neville Longbottom join them in the front of the Great Hall. Harry saw the fearful expression on Neville's face and had a sinking feeling in his stomach as the other boy staggered to the front of the room. Had Pettigrew made a mistake and put in Neville's name or had this been deliberate?

There were whispers all around the Great Hall as Neville began loudly denying entering the tournament the moment he had joined the Headmaster. Harry saw the appalled expression on his Head of House's face and the black expression on Snape's face, meanwhile Ron could be heard muttering about how Neville should have told the rest of them how he got past the age line.

The students were dismissed and most left with the exception of Harry, Hermione who was now pale as a ghost and the twins who were now silently sitting next to the two younger students.

The three older champions exited the small ante chamber and Cedric saw the quartet and sat down to join them.

Harry looked at Cedric and quickly said: "You do know that Neville didn't do this, right?"

Nodding, Cedric said "No one believes he did. Not even Professor Snape who is suspicious of everyone. They are trying to figure out what to do. It's an unbreakable contract so he has to participate."

"Why?" Hermione asked biting her lip, clearly scared for Neville. "Surely it should be the person who put his name into the Goblet, not Neville."

Cedric frowned and said, "But it was his name."

Hermione muttered about wizards having no understanding of logic and Harry watched as Cedric looked a bit offended at first but then seemed to be arguing with himself over something before he said "Speaking of logic, Granger. Have you ever actually talked to a house elf before you decided to save them? Those living in glass cottages shouldn't be throwing stones at others."

With that, he looked at Harry and said: "Let Longbottom know that I am supporting him if he needs someone to talk to."

When he had left, Harry saw that Hermione was glaring at the older student and with a sigh said "Hermione, let's look up how to help Neville. I doubt that he will be allowed to compete but just in case they can't find a way out for him."

The twins saw the door opening and Neville was exiting looking shell-shocked as Madam Pomfrey led him away towards the infirmary. Harry saw this and couldn't help comparing it to how he had been treated the year before.

McGonagall joined them and said "It's good that he will have your support. We have contacted his grandmother but he must compete."

"Hermione and I will help him, Professor," Harry vowed to do whatever he could as this was all his fault. Somehow when he had escaped competing it had landed on Neville to be the sacrificial lamb.

Returning to the towers, Harry was astounded at how quiet it was as unlike when he had been entered it was clear to all that Neville would never have entered the tournament. Part of him was bitter at how different they were reacting to Neville being a champion than they had to his name coming out of the cup, but that faded when he looked at his friend and classmate and realized just how bad things had become.

"How's Longbottom?" Looking at the fifth year student, struggling for his name at first, Harry finally just shrugged. "Are they going to make him compete?"

"I guess so," Harry answered and walked up to his dorm room where he heard Seamus and Ron arguing. Listening to them, he looked at Ron as his friend complained that Neville would be an embarrassment to Gryffindor and asked: "Do you really think you could do any better?"

When Ron began to answer, Harry just interrupted him and said "You really are being a jealous git, Ron. Just think things through and realize that someone out there is trying to kill our friend. We have to help him."

"You help him, I'm not going to. I wouldn't want to be laughed at by the entire world when Neville makes a fool of himself." With that, Ron went to bed and pulled his curtains closed.

Early the next morning, Harry joined Hermione as they went to breakfast. It was once again a quiet meal as even the Slytherins seemed to realize that it wasn't a good time to prank their rivals or to taunt Neville.

"Hey, guess what-" Fred started.

"-we heard?" George finished. "Apparently, a few Slytherins started to create these buttons saying to support Diggory when old Snape himself gave them detention."

Fred continued "Parkinson and Nott along with Malfoy's bodyguards were dragged off by him as they entered the Hall. You just missed it."

"I got pictures," Colin announced as he joined them. Promising to show them after developing the film, he grabbed some toast and rushed off to his darkroom.

The mail arrived and with it came the Daily Prophet. Harry saw the front cover and groaned as he saw the terrible photo of Neville and realized he needed to neutralize Rita Skeeter before she ran an article on Neville's family.

"Let's go find Neville," Hermione said when they had eaten their fill. Seeing Ron entering, she glared at him and told Harry that she wanted to have a word with their friend.

Seeing her stubborn expression, Harry told her he would take Neville some toast and went to meet him in the infirmary where Madam Pomfrey had kept him overnight. Seeing the still slightly pudgy boy reading the paper, Harry said: "Why are you reading that rubbish?"

Neville looked at Harry and then at the paper and said: "She called me a little boy and said that I am an attention seeking squib."

"Rita Skeeter is a bottom feeder who should be ignored, Neville," Harry said as he asked the other boy to join Hermione and him by the Black Lake. "We have decided to be your helpers if you want us."

"I am going to make a fool of myself." Neville said miserably as he walked with Harry through the corridor and down the stairs to the front hall. Harry saw Lupin smiling his way when he saw them but the man didn't stop them seeming to understand that all Neville needed right now was a chance to speak.

The rest of the weekend was spent by Hermione and Harry doing research. Harry had begun to realize that Neville would have to face the dragon and they would need a way for him to do so since he couldn't exactly copy Harry's from the last year.

Neville was clearly hurt by Ron's rather derogatory attitude and Harry was growing resentful on Neville's behalf as it was clear that the majority of those at Hogwarts had the same attitude. That Neville's competing would be an embarrassment to Hogwarts.

A return to classes on Monday had Neville feeling ill at ease and Hermione going suddenly quiet. Harry was torn between shaking Ron until his brain rattled, supporting Neville, and confronting Hermione about her sudden habit of disappearing in the evenings when they arrived at the Potions classroom and Snape wasn't there.

Resting his head on the cool stone wall, he tuned everyone out until he felt the heat of a spell passing his head. Looking around, he saw Ron throwing a curse at Malfoy and Malfoy retaliating and hitting Hermione by accident.

There was suddenly silence just as Harry was about to shout at all of them as he recalled the incident from the first go-round, but this time, all Snape reacted differently. "Weasley, Malfoy detention with me after class. Potter, take Granger to the infirmary and then return. Longbottom, get inside now."

Helping Hermione as she cried about her still growing teeth, Harry turned her over to Madam Pomfrey and reluctantly went back to Potions. He was close to the dungeons when he recalled that today was the wand weighing and that Rita was in the castle.

Taking a detour and intercepting Colin, Harry tells the eager third year that he will pass the message on. Arriving in class, he raises his hand to avoid getting into trouble and announces to Snape. "Sir, they need Neville for the Weighing of the Wands."

Snape ordered Neville to leave and then ordered Potter to set up his cauldron. "Since you were so delayed instead of the Poison the rest of the class are creating, you will be brewing this potion."

Snape handed him a piece of paper and Harry saw the handwritten notes on the edges and felt his eyes widen. Getting to work brewing the potion, he saw it had two ingredients. Belladonna root which he knew from Herbology grew along the edge of where they held the first task the year before and water. It was heated to a temperature of 350 degrees and then diluted. What was tricky was that you couldn't touch the belladonna as it ruined the potion.

When he was finished, he was hiding his grin as Snape made a point of asking the class for fives uses of Potter's potion written on three feet of scroll by their next class. Harry exited the classroom, gleeful as he realized that Snape had just given them a way for Neville to defeat the dragon and that it was something in the other boy's skill set.

All they needed to do was teach him the summoning and possibly the banishing charm.

The next morning, Harry read the article in the Prophet and gave a slight wince. It wasn't too bad but it did take liberty with the facts. Neville grimaced when he saw his grandmother arriving then an hour later Rita was seen entering the castle as well.

Harry went off to class while Neville joined the reporter and his grandmother in the Headmaster's office. He followed the rest of his classmates to Charms that afternoon and quickly told the Gryffindors what was going on. "My grams was furious with Skeeter and her article about my wand. The Headmaster, my grams and the reporter went to see Ollivander and after the tournament my grams is going to get me a new wand. So it appears that I owe her a thanks in spite of that horrid article."

"I can't believe she got away with all those lies." Hermione fumed on Neville's behalf as Dean brought up muggle slander laws.

"You are in the magical world now. It's not how they do things here." Anthony Goldstein, a fourth year Ravenclaw said. Looking at Neville he said, "All you can do is request they do a retraction."

"Grams said to let it be," Neville said with a wince. Looking at his father's wand he said: "It feels weird using this wand after my visit to Ollivander's today."

"What is the core of your new wand, Neville?" Lavender asked.

"It's manticore in an English oak. Fourteen inches." Neville answered. "It felt really different than my dad's wand."

"When I went to get my wand, Ollivander told me that the wand picks the wizard not the other way around after I had such a hard time finding a wand that didn't blow up half his shop." Harry said. When Professor Flitwick gently admonished for them to pay attention, Harry and the others returned to doing the tickling charm.

Later that night, Harry received a note from Sirius telling him that he was on his way to Hogwarts now that it wasn't as dangerous but for him to be careful and if he was in danger to go to Moony.

Harry and Hermione walked to Hogsmeade after watching Neville leave to visit his parents with his grandmother. Entering in and out of the various stores, they saw Ron was walking around with Ginny. Waving at them, Hermione held her breath hoping they would just keep going but no, Ron came to join them after speaking quietly to his sister.

"So, are you now willing to admit that Neville competing in this tournament is embarrassing?" He said in a breathless tone after he had rushed to join Harry and Hermione. "Where is the Hogwart's champion? Hiding under his bed, hoping that the Headmaster can save his hide."

"Ron, why are you so down on Neville?" Hermione asked her eyes searching his face for answers. "Why can't you just support him?"

Scoffing, Ron said "Neville is incapable of winning this tournament. He can barely perform the most basic charms. Anyone would be better."

"Anyone like who?" Harry asked in a terse tone as he stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and turning to look at Ron. "Like maybe you? Is that it, Ron. Are you jealous that Neville was chosen as champion and not you."

Flushing, Ron said, "Yes, even I would have been a better choice than Neville."

"Ron, whoever did this, it was meant to harm Neville. Why can't you see that?" Harry asked. "More than likely it was Barty Crouch on behest of Lord Voldemort. Or Pettigrew."

Scoffing, Ron said, "If it was You-Know-Who why wouldn't he come after you? Why bother with Neville Longbottom of all people?"

Shaking her head, Hermione said "Ron have you listened to a word that Harry said this week. He told you that Neville was almost attacked by You-Know-Who instead of him. It's why his parents are in the hospital like that article said."

When Ron just shrugged, Harry walked off muttering that he was going to be Neville's friend and if Ron couldn't support their friend, he could just stay away. Hermione looked at Ron and shaking her head hurried to join Harry.

Arriving at the pub, Harry and Hermione found a table and had ordered two butter beers just as Victor Krum and his entourage arrived. "First, the library, now here. Why can't he stay out of my way?"

Looking at Hermione, Harry said, "Maybe he likes you."

"Seriously, Harry. You have got to be kidding." Hermione scoffed. "As if my head would be turned by a quidditch star. If he is interested in someone like that, he should like one of his hanger oners or Ron, not me. I only go to the games to support you."

With that, she flushed deep red and pulled a book out of her backpack as Harry found himself gulping at the truth he could hear in her words. Still, he knew that at some point this year, Hermione would change her mind about Victor and decided to just stay quiet for now.

Harry looked around the room, finding the way Hermione was so wrapped up in her book awkward and missing Ron because he normally kept Harry company when this happened. Seeing Remus Lupin and Hagrid entering the bar and placing their order with Madam Rosmerta, he couldn't help being happy to see his father's friend back at Hogwarts.

The two professors joined the two students at their table just as Malfoy entered the pub with his father who was looking around with a disdainful expression on his face. Harry saw Karkaroff at another table and the man quickly exited when the dark wizard sat at a private table with his son.

Harry tried to remember if that had happened the first time around, but he had to admit that he wasn't sure one way or the other because at the time he had been completely wrapped up in his own problems.

Hagrid leaned in and attempted to whisper to Harry, luckily he already knew what the half-giant was trying to tell him. Nodding that he understood, Harry looked over to see Hermione closing her book and speaking softly to Moony.

Standing when he recalled he had to go pick up some more quills, Harry told Hermione he would be right back and rushed out to pick up his school supplies. On his way back to the pub, he found it hard to move past the gaggle of admirers surrounding Victor Krum so he edged towards the outer wall and worked his way around the pub.

Passing the Malfoys, he heard Lucius talking to Draco and blinked in surprise at the father-son moment. Finally arriving back at his table, he sat there quietly thinking while the others continued speaking to each other.

"Harry is everything okay?" Hermione asked when she noticed how quiet Harry was. "Did something happen when you went to get your supplies?"

"No, not really." He said before suggesting that they start to head back to Hogwarts. Once on their way she asked him again, he softly told her. "I promise there is nothing wrong, I just overheard Draco and his dad talking."

"What were they saying?" She asked expecting something foul or evil only to see something strange in Harry's expression. "What was it?"

"Draco was asking about his mom, she has been sick or something. His dad was reassuring him that she was doing better and then told him that he was proud of him for not being in the middle of the mess created by those buttons that Parkinson made. He then told Draco he loved him. It's just...I guess, it just was...I just never really thought about the Malfoys and that they must love their son."

"Of course, they do, Harry. They are his parents." Hermione said and stopping near the Shrieking Shack, reached over and stopped Harry from moving forward. "Just like your parents love you. Like mine love me. Even Draco has someone who loves him. I am sure that there is someone out there who loves everyone. Even You-Know-Who must have someone who loved him."

Harry looked at Hermione and realized just how many different types of love there were in this world. The love your family felt for you and that you felt for your family. The romantic love that had people acting funny and even the love that he knew he felt for his friends. He might be mad at Ron but he still loved him. He was exasperated with Hermione and her SPEW but he still loved her even if it felt different than the caring he had for Ron.

Finding the need to tell her, he was about to open his mouth when he saw Draco and his friends returning to Hogwarts. Not wanting them to overhear him, he just suggested to Hermione that they hurry back to see if Neville had returned.

As they drew closer to the school, Harry reached out and stopped Hermione and hugged her. "Thank you, for being you."

"O-okay." She said blushing a bit and feeling flustered as she felt Harry's warmth through the layers of clothing separating them. Reaching the front doors, they quickly rushed to the common room and found Neville talking to their Head of House.

She left the trio alone and Neville told them the news. "That awful Skeeter woman was at the hospital. She had a photographer who was taking pictures of my parents. My grams went ballistic and had her thrown out."

Harry vowed to deal with the unregistered animagus as soon as possible before suggesting that they go down to dinner. When Neville hesitated, Harry said "You have nothing to be ashamed off, Neville. Nothing. Don't let t-that witch convince you otherwise."

Later that night after curfew, Harry snuck out and sure enough, there were four dragons and Charlie Weasley telling Hagrid that they were nesting mothers and that he knew exactly how many eggs each one had.

Leaving Hagrid with Madame Maxine, he rushed back to the tower common room just in time. Folding his invisibility cloak and placing it in his robe pocket, Harry knelt in front of the fireplace and watched as eventually, Sirius appeared. "Hello, pup."

"Padfoot." Harry quietly answered after turning to look towards the stairs. "Where are you?"

"I found an empty wizard residence and am using their floo connection. How are you? Has anything else happened?" Harry thought that Sirius looked much better than the last time he had seen him but was worried about his still being in danger.

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me, okay, Padfoot. No, nothing has happened except that tonight I found out that Neville has to face a dragon. I have no idea what to do to help him." He said. "If it was me, I would use my Firebolt to escape the dragon but Neville hates flying."

"Do you have any ideas? Or Ron or Hermione? What about Neville himself?" Sirius asked.

"One but it might be too hard for Neville. Ron thinks that Neville ending up in the competition is an embarrassment to Hogwarts and especially to Gryffindor and is jealous that it wasn't him. As far as Hermione, she doesn't know about the dragon. Hagrid only showed me this evening." He replied. "I can't get up the girl's staircase. Do you know how to get past the charm?"

Sirius chuckled and said "No, we never did figure out how to bypass the wards. Trust me it wasn't for lack of trying either. Your father even tried to fly his broom up them and ended up spending a week in the infirmary and serving a month's detentions with a very, very irate McGonagall when it failed."

Harry chuckled and said "I am glad I didn't try that. I did consider it. Did you read in the Prophet what is going on with your case?"

"I did. I know that we have to capture Peter and get him to tell the truth. I also know that he was seen in Hogwarts when Crouch was polyjuiced as Moody. Be careful Harry. When someone like Peter has nothing to lose and everything to gain, he is at his most dangerous."

"I will. The mapmaker has borrowed my map to keep watch for him." Harry replied. "I promise, we will catch him."

"Just help your friend, let Moony deal with Peter," Sirius said then pulled his head out of the fire before returning. "I have to go. I will be close and soon."

With that the flames went back to their normal color and Harry stood and went up to bed knowing he would not be able to sleep. When dawn came, he gathered Neville and Hermione and told them the news. "Hagrid showed me what the first task is, Neville. It's a nesting dragon and you will have to get something away from it."

"D-dra...dragon?" Neville asked as he fell backward into the chair behind him. Gulping air so as to not pass out, he said: "I have to get something away from a dragon."

"Harry, why are you so calm?" Hermione asked, her eyes narrowed as she looked at Harry. She knew him and that he was this calm told her he either already had a plan or knew something they didn't.

"I spent most of the night trying to figure something out to help you, Neville." He said with a grimace. "I was thinking at first we could work on your flying skill on a broom..."

"No, I would rather face the dragon without a wand then get on a broom." The other boy said in a strong voice.

"Neville, what sort of effect would any form of belladonna have on a dragon?" Harry asked and he saw the other two staring at him.

"Why would you think of a poison?" Hermione asked. "It would kill the dragon."

Neville frowned and then began to speak before going quiet again. He knew that the school fields had belladonna growing naturally in abundance. He had done research on it but maybe Hermione knew more about it than he did. No, he was sure he was right.

"Neville?" Harry looked at the boy and asked: "What is it?"

"It's just... belladonna is only lethal to humans. Not dragons. If diluted it could be used as a sedative of sorts." He slowly replied. When Hermione began to speak, he said "I know the potions textbook warns about even touching it, except when it is mixed with water. The thing is, to be non-lethal it would have to be heated."

Harry smirked and said, "Then I have an idea."

The other two were in shock when Harry had finished but Hermione squealed yes and hugged Harry while Neville stood there grinning as he figured he just might not embarrass himself. "So, how do we get the dragon to breath fire on the cauldron?"

"Leave that part to me," Hermione said as she rushed off to find the right book.

TBC