A/N: As always, I don't own Harry Potter. Text quoted directly from the books is noted, everything else is my words. This chapter breaks from theme a bit, as it is not truly "more common sense", but lauzag suggesting this specific part from the books allowed me to write a scene I've wanted to commit to paper for a while now. So, to those out there who are familiar with WWE programming, Harry's speech may bear vague similarities to CM Punk's pipebomb promo, airing his grievances with the company. Many thanks to lauzag for suggesting this, and I only hope I did justice to what you wanted to see.
From Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
When Harry woke up on Sunday morning, it took him a moment to remember why he felt so miserable and worried. Then the memory of the previous night rolled over him. He sat up and ripped back the curtains of his own four-poster, intending to talk to Ron, to force Ron to believe him - only to find that Ron's bed was empty; he had obviously gone down to breakfast.
Harry dressed and went down the spiral staircase into the common room. The moment he appeared, the people who had already finished breakfast broke into applause again. The prospect of going down into the Great Hall and facing the rest of the Gryffindors, all treating him like some sort of hero, was not inviting; it was that, however, or stay here and allow himself to be cornered by the Creevey brothers, who were both beckoning frantically to him to join them. He walked resolutely over to the portrait hole, pushed it open, climbed out of it, and found himself face-to-face with Hermione.
"Hello," she said, holding up a stack of toast, which she was carrying in a napkin. "I brought you this... Want to go for a walk?"
"Hermione, you know as well as I do, if I don't show up for breakfast, the rumor mill will get moving even faster. I don't like having to face everyone now, but if I don't, it will only get worse from here," said Harry. "I have to say something, just to get their attention if nothing else."
Hermione studied Harry for a moment, before sighing and nodding her acceptance. The pair headed back to the Great Hall, munching on toast as they walked. Finally, they reached the doors, and Harry motioned for Hermione to wait just outside. She frowned, but Harry's serious expression was enough to convince her that maybe Harry knew what he was doing. Harry took a deep breath, and entered the hall. As people noticed him walking towards the head of the room, they stopped their conversations, and the hall slowly quieted. Harry kept his eyes focused on Dumbledore, knowing that if he looked away he wouldn't be able to complete his plan due to sheer panic. As he reached the headmaster, he was met with a slightly quizzical look from Dumbledore.
"Headmaster, would you be so kind as to cast a Sonorus on me?" asked Harry. "I wish to speak to the entire hall, and I only want to have to say this once, with no misunderstandings for any reason."
Dumbledore continued looking a bit curiously at Harry, but complied with his request. Harry faced the rest of the hall, and gave a speech that would become a part of Hogwarts' legend.
"Before I explain why I needed to speak to you all today, I will ask you to kindly hold all cheers (Harry glanced at the Gryffindor table), boos (a glance at the Ravenclaws), and physical or magical threats against myself (a glance at the Hufflepuffs, then the Slytherins, and finally at Professor Snape, who sneered back at him) until I am finished speaking." Harry paused, looking around at everyone, meeting the eyes of everyone who dared to look back. "So, do I have everybody's attention now? Good."
Harry held up his wand. "This, right here, is my wand. It is the essential tool of any witch or wizard, other than their brains, of course. I ask that you keep both in mind for what I am about to say." Harry paused to glance around again. "I, Harry James Potter, swear on my life and magic that I did not enter myself or ask anyone else to enter myself in the TriWizard Tournament." Many people gasped, others looked at Harry warily, and some simply looked on, waiting to see where this was going. "Lumos." The tip of Harry's wand lit up, affirming his oath.
"I shouldn't need to offer any further proof that I am not a willing participant in this endeavor, and yet I expect that that display was not enough for some of you." Harry's eyes burned a hole through Ron Weasley's forehead, but the redhead did not look up at Harry. "So let me ask those who still doubt: why would I want to enter myself or have someone enter me in this tournament? We've been told the winner receives fame, money, and eternal glory. Anyone other than the distinguished professor sitting behind me want to explain to me why I need more of any of those?" The Hall fell silent, though many looks were exchanged in the intervening quiet.
"Let me let all of you in on a little secret: everything this world celebrates me for came to me because a madman MURDERED MY PARENTS!" Harry's anger finally broke through the relative calm. "He tried to kill me too, and somehow he failed, thus granting me what you all see as a boon: the fame of being 'the Boy-Who-Lived,' the money that represents the total wealth of the Potter family, and the eternal glory of having survived the Killing Curse when none before me have. You know what I see? I see a bunch of fools that don't appreciate the value of your families. Isn't that right, Ronnie boy?" All eyes briefly shifted to the redhead, who tried to glare daggers at Harry, but couldn't meet his eyes directly.
"As for me, I'd rather have my family back than any of these things you all seem to believe I take for granted. So, I want no part of being in this tournament, because I don't want or need any of what it brings. And yet, here I stand, forced to take part because there is no exit or any kind of escape clause from participation. As I am bound to compete, I shall do so. However, there is no requirement on me competing at my highest abilities, so while my pride should dictate that I try my damnedest to win in spite of all odds, I choose not to. I suggest all of you devote your full support to Cedric, because he earned the right to compete for Hogwarts. I know I support him. Enjoy your breakfast."
Harry turned and nodded to the Headmaster, who overcame his shock to cancel the enchantment on Harry. As he walked up the main aisle of the Great Hall, Harry looked around, noting that a few students had looks of shame, Cedric and many of the Hufflepuffs looked both thrilled and confused, most of Slytherin simply looked bored, and almost all of Gryffindor just looked on sadly, with the exception of Ron, who was simply staring at the food in front of him. Though, Harry noted with some surprise, he wasn't eating any of it. Harry met up with Hermione at the doors where he had left her.
"I'd like that walk now, if we still have time," said Harry quietly. Hermione nodded, and the pair walked towards the entrance hall, heading out to the lake.