Ninja Wizard IV: Goblet of Fire

by David4

In which all is revealed and Dumbledore falls...

4. Company's Coming

Ninja Wizard IV: Goblet of Fire 04

By David

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. JK Rowling has that honor.

Ninja Wizard IV: Goblet of Fire 04

'Company's Coming'

The delegations from both schools arrived around two in the afternoon. First to arrive was the Beauxbatons in their horse drawn carriage, the flying horses pulling the big carriage through the skies, having dived through the cloud cover as it had been a dismal looking day. Everyone was standing outside in the main courtyard as the carriage touched down and came to a halt. Hagrid, enthralled with the horses, stepped forward and touched the lead horse and smiled.

"Never fails," Harry chuckled, "show Hagrid an unusual creature and he thinks it's the greatest thing he's ever seen."

Hermione had to smile at that. The door to the carriage opened and the tallest woman Harry had ever seen stepped out. She turned to Hagrid and he beamed at her and bowed. She walked up to him.

"Are you the man Dumbledore says is the gameskeeper?" she asked.

Hagrid immediately bowed. "Rubeus Hagrid, at your service my lady."

"I am the Lady Olympe Maxime, headmistress of Beauxbatons. My horses have special requirements," she told him.

"Headmaster Dumbledore has informed me what they are. I have special places in the barn for them. You are welcome to come and inspect their accommodations if you wish," Hagrid told her.

"I shall do so after I have seen to my students," she said as a troop of girls came out of the carriage.

"I will see to them and then come up to the castle and escort you down to see them," Hagrid said. "They are fine horses my lady."

"Thank you," she said and turned to Dumbledore.

"Hagrid has my full confidence. I believe he will treat your horses very well. I welcome you to Hogwarts, my lady, and I sincerely hope that you will find everything to your liking," Dumbledore took her hand and kissed the knuckles as he bowed.

Maxime smiled. "Thank you for your welcome."

Dumbledore then led her into the castle with the troop of girls behind her. Harry turned to watch Hagrid start to lead the horses down to the barn.

"Check out the lake!" Colin Creevey called out.

People turned to look and all they could see was the crow's nest, the very top of a tall ship where a watch would be posted to search for land. Everybody watched it move through the water a few feet and then suddenly it rose up into the air as the ship came out of the water. It looked magnificent. The sails opened up and immediately filled with wind, revealing the Durmstrang mascot on the main sail. Harry was immediately captivated by the ship and wondered what it would be like to sail on her. They watched as the ship came in and moved around the point. The crowd moved to the stairs that the Durmstrang contingent would have to come up. Dumbledore must have known of their arrival because he suddenly popped up out of nowhere, surprising people.

Harry shook his head as Dumbledore headed down the stairs to meet the man that Harry knew to be Igor Karkaroff, the headmaster of Durmstrang, thanks to his research from first year. He still had that picture on the wall of his war room down in his trunk. Perhaps now it would be a good time to update the picture. Harry watched as Dumbledore greeted Karkaroff. He looked at the troop of boys and young men Karkaroff had brought with him and was surprised to see Viktor Krum with them. He stood tall and proud and Harry could feel the confidence coming off of him. Harry instantly knew that Krum would be a very intense opponent should they ever meet on the Quidditch pitch. Harry watched as Dumbledore and Karkaroff moved up the stairs talking to each other followed by the troop of students Karkaroff had brought with him. Harry inclined his head in respect as both men passed. Karkaroff nodded back and Viktor didn't even look as they passed. Hermione joined Harry for the walk back to the castle.

"Harry?" Hermione prodded.

Harry turned to her. "Karkaroff is a very intense man. I could see it in his eyes."

"So is Viktor," Hermione said. "Something in his eyes made me nervous."

Harry sighed as he paused at the castle doors. "I wonder if Karkaroff taught him that or he is naturally that way."

Harry and Hermione moved on as the crowd in front of them started to move once more.

"I say we watch them for a few days if we can," Harry said. "We might learn something about them."

Hermione nodded. "My thinking exactly."

"I gotta go see Toby, Riley, Kathy, and Tad. We have some last minute details to cover. I had anticipated playing for just our friends at some point but never thought we would be doing this in front of an international crowd including people from the ministry. This should be fun."

"Good luck Harry," Hermione said as they parted ways.

Harry continued on up to the sixth floor where the room of requirement decided to move to as it was much more convenient to get to and Harry didn't mind. He walked in and found the others there. Harry nodded to them and they got to work.

The great hall was starting to fill up as the bells rang out the five o' clock hour. Harry entered the great hall with Hermione on his arm. They sat down at the end of Ravenclaw table and watched people go past them until the great hall was filled up. Harry noted a second table had been added up front alongside the head table and Harry noted the number of officials sitting there talking amongst themselves.

"And the show begins," Harry said.

Hermione nodded as she saw the second table up there. "I wonder just how many of them invited themselves."

"Got to be seen," Harry sighed.

"That bothers you," Roger Davies said sitting down next to Harry.

Harry turned to him and nodded. "Sure it does. They strut about acting oh so importantly wanting to be seen so people can talk about them. Idiots, the lot of them."

"Don't have much use for politicians, do you?" Roger asked.

"Busybodies, trying to dictate to people how they should live, taking too much tax money from them, and they don't do anything when asked for help," Harry growled.

Dumbledore rising from his seat stopped further conversation as the hall grew quiet. He walked around the table and approached the podium in front of him.

"Ladies and lords," he indicated the table to his right, "our friends from Beauxbatons, our friends from Durmstrang, honored guests, and students of Hogwarts, welcome. We are here because of a great tradition that has been started ages ago has finally reached us and now we are to observe it and hopefully those of us that were here tonight can say to others in later years, 'yes, I was there' and tell our stories of what we witnessed. It is one of the oldest Wizarding traditions ever. However, there is more to the TriWizard's Tournament than just competition. It is an opportunity for all of us to come together, to stretch forth the hand of friendship to others, to our honored guests from other places, to forge friendships. I believe this was the true intention of the Triwizard Founders. Tonight, we have the great opportunity to carry out those intentions. Tonight we have the opportunity to greet those who would become friends. Let us use this opportunity well. We shall never get this chance again."

People applauded as Dumbledore nodded to the crowd. The hall went quiet once more.

"Alas, I did not come before you all to bore you with a long speech, as there will be plenty of opportunities for speechmaking later," he smiled as people laughed, cheered, and applauded.

"So having said that, I now invite you all to enjoy the efforts of the Hogwarts elves having prepared a fine feast," he said and waved his hands.

People cheered and applauded once more as the food appeared on the tables.

"I believe the French say it best, Bon Appetite," Dumbledore said and people laughed once more.

The feasting began.

The dinner lasted close to an hour. As people were enjoying the dessert course and drinks, Harry was moving down a small access corridor that ran along one of the walls next to the great hall. Kathy, Tad, Toby, and Riley were behind him and all of them were discussing last minute details. They entered the stage area that would move forward splitting the two head tables in half, one going in one direction and the other one in another direction. Then they heard Dumbledore's voice once the hall went quiet.

"Tonight is a celebration of our coming together to participate in the oldest Wizarding tradition there is. Tonight is about having fun. Tonight is about forgetting for one night who you are and where you came from. Tonight is about forgetting the differences that exist between all of us. Tonight is a celebration of being alive. So I have taken the liberty of hiring a band for a little dance to close out the evening. The band I had hired was unable to join us, however, I had discovered a few days ago that a number of Hogwarts students have organized a little band of their own and they have kindly consented to play for us tonight. So please welcome to the Hogwarts stage in their grand debut, Four Wizards and a Witch," Dumbledore called out as the head tables began to move out of the way.

All of them had taken their positions as the candles in the great hall dimmed. The curtains moved aside to reveal the band and the opening sequence got started. They used Van Halen's '1984' as their opening sequence. As the music swelled up, a bright light shone down on each band member revealing who they were. Riley was the first, followed by Kathy, and then Tad, and followed by Toby, and then Harry last. The crowd applauded as they cheered. The lights went down and then Harry spoke out.

"Albus Dumbledore was right when he said tonight is a celebration. So let's celebrate," Harry called out and they kicked off the dance with Kool and the Gang's 'Celebration' that certainly got people going.

It didn't take long for people to get out on the dance floor and dance once they saw how much fun it was. They did a lot of dance, pop, and light rock for people to dance to. Harry even did some slow Eric Clapton blues that the crowd liked. They even took a few requests, ones that they knew. It turned into a great evening that would be long remembered by everybody that was there.

Breakfast the next morning was another matter entirely. As people entered the great hall they saw a tall colorful pyramid up at the front of the hall just in front of the head table. The officials and Dumbledore were looking very serious and Harry knew this was it. This morning would see the start of the tournament. Harry sat down at his usual spot and his friends joined him. Hermione had her copy of the Daily Prophet with her as one of the mail owls dropped a copy in front of Harry. He opened it up to see the front page had been devoted to last night. Harry read the entire front page. Most of it carried Dumbledore's speech, an interview with Fudge, Crouch, Karkaroff, and Maxime, with pictures of them. To the right side of the front page below the main picture were smaller pictures of Harry onstage and the caption over that article announced 'Harry Potter Rocks Hogwarts!' and the little article that accompanied the pictures was very kind in it's praise of the band. Harry had to smile as he read the article.

"A very nice write up," Flitwick said as he paused by Harry on his way up front.

Harry turned to Flitwick. "If I had known about the article I would have made sure you got credit for the special effects."

Flitwick smiled. "Thank you Mr. Potter. You're too kind."

Flitwick continued on his way to the head table. Harry turned back to his breakfast.

"That was nice of you Harry," Hermione said.

"He did a great job with the special effects we needed," Harry said.

"The paper gave you guys a great review," Roger said as he sat down next to Harry. "You guys were awesome. Think you could do a performance some weekend?"

Harry laughed at that. "Funny you should mention that, Roger. We had planned on taking over an unused classroom just for that purpose and calling it 'Club Hogwarts'. A few simple rules. All kinds of rivalry are to be left outside. In that room everybody is equal. Robes are not allowed. Casual dress only. Dance and have a good time. That's the rules. Real simple."

"I like those rules," Roger said.

Food appeared on the table and Harry turned to fill his plate as Roger went off to his usual place. More people entered the hall and took their places for breakfast. Dumbledore and the other people had gone to their places to have breakfast. The noise level dropped for a bit as people ate. It was getting cold as it was now the last few days of October. Harry glanced up at the ceiling and it showed the clouds gathering in the sky outside. Harry had changed to a warmer cloak as he planned on going out on the grounds after breakfast to get a closer look at the Durmstrang ship as he hadn't gotten a chance to. Then breakfast was done and people turned their attention to Dumbledore as he had gone to the podium in front of the high table.

"Good morning to all of you. I trust all had a good night last night," he began. "This morning we shall reveal to all the Goblet of Fire. It will be placed in a side room where all those who wish to enter the tournament can place their names into it. To do so is simple. Write your name and school on a piece of parchment and drop it in. It is that simple," Dumbledore said as Crouch joined Dumbledore up front.

"It was decided by the ministries and the schools involved that this tournament is open to those aged seventeen and up due to the dangerous nature of the tournament," he said and held up his hands to ward off the protests. "We are aware that there are those who disagree with this decision. Perhaps in the future something can be arranged for the younger witches and wizards to have a competition of some kind in which they can compete in safely."

That seemed to mollify everybody in the room as Crouch nodded to Dumbledore as he stepped back. Dumbledore nodded and turned back to the audience.

"To that effect, an Age Line shall be placed around the Goblet of Fire to prevent those under the age of seventeen from entering. Now then, it is time to reveal the Goblet of Fire," and with that, Dumbledore turned to the colorful pyramid in front of it and tapped the point of it with his wand as he whispered a spell and stood back.

At first nothing happened. Then the point of the pyramid disappeared as the pyramid began collapsing in on it's self. A moment later the Goblet was revealed to the audience watching. It looked to be a plain looking kind of Goblet as it wasn't adorned with anything. Dumbledore waved his wand over the Goblet and suddenly blue flames popped up out of the cup and the audience reacted by exclaiming at the magic. The applause began and went for a few minutes before Dumbledore called for silence.

"I am honored to declare the TriWizard Tournament now open!" Dumbledore declared and the applause began once more.

The applause went for a few moments as people chattered excitedly to each other. Dumbledore waved his hands once more and the hall went quiet.

"The Goblet of Fire is now lit. It will be moved into the side room and it will be open to all after lunch today. Then on Halloween night, after the Halloween Feast, to which all is invited to, will give us the names of the three champions it has chosen. Good luck to all who enter," Dumbledore said. "Enjoy your day."

The noise level in the great hall jumped as people began talking to their friends and housemates as they left the great hall. Harry pulled his cloak around him and closed it up prior to leaving the castle. He walked out into the grey cold morning.

Harry made his way down the stairs towards the Durmstrang ship moored at the docks next to the castle. Colin Creevey followed him down as the younger boy wanted pictures of it. Harry stood there for a time admiring the tall ship as Colin began taking pictures of it. Harry had seen pictures of tall ship similar to this one but never really got to see one this close.

"I see you like my ship," a voice said from behind Harry.

Harry turned around to see Karkaroff standing there. Harry inclined his head to the man out of respect.

"I do sir," Harry said. "I've seen pictures of tall ships like this one and as a little boy I used to dream of being a captain of one and sailing it to distant lands and having great adventures."

Karkaroff laughed heartily. "As all little boys do!" He moved closer to Harry. "I did too, when I was just a young lad. Battling pirates, rescuing the damsel in distress, and discovering great treasures to be taken. Great dreams."

Harry smiled and turned back to the ship. He stood there for a moment and then Karkaroff turned back to him.

"I would be honored to show you around my ship," he said.

"I would be honored to be a guest on board your ship sir," Harry said.

Karkaroff turned to Viktor Krum who was standing with him. "Would you show our guest around, Viktor?"

"I would," Viktor replied. "I have wanted to meet Harry Potter. The both of us have something in common."

"Oh?" Karkaroff asked.

"We both play Quidditch, and Potter is the youngest seeker in a century," Viktor stated. "He started playing when he was eleven."

"Is that so?" Karkaroff said. "Do you play well?"

Harry grinned. "I try to. I enjoy the game."

"Good. Keep at it then," Karkaroff said and he turned to the ship and walked off.

Viktor turned to Harry. "I am pleased to meet you, Harry Potter."

"I'm pleased to meet you, Viktor Krum. I was impressed by your performance at the World Cup," Harry told him.

"Thank you. It should have ended better but it did not. I shall try harder next time," he said.

For the next hour Viktor Krum showed Harry around the Durmstrang ship and they talked about Quidditch and other things. A friendship had formed between them.

Harry paid attention to his classes in the week up to Halloween. One of the things he did do was to go down into his trunk and update the picture he had for Karkaroff. The picture he had for Karkaroff was dated nearly fifteen years back and he was a lot younger then. Harry created more pictures of the various officials involved in the tournament and added them to his files as he wasn't sure if they were involved in anything. Harry pushed himself harder in his morning workouts as he was getting the feeling that something was going to happen to him. He didn't know what it would be but he wanted to be ready for whatever it was. He did plan on going to see his parents on his yearly visit to their resting place and pay his respects to them. He planned on going earlier in the day as attendance at the Halloween Feast was mandatory. Besides, he was really curious as to who was going to be chosen to compete. Harry had been in the side room the afternoon Fred and George announced their attempt to enter the tournament. Harry knew they were a few weeks shy of their seventeenth birthday and he wondered just how they would succeed in their attempt to enter. He took a book along that he was currently reading for charms as he had a book report due on it at the end of the week. Hermione joined him as she had heard about the twins wanting to enter. Harry arrived to find a lot of people there to watch. He found a spot to sit at and started reading the book he brought with him. Hermione had something else she was reading. Light reading, she called it. Harry knew there was no such thing as 'light reading' with Hermione.

They sat there reading for nearly an hour when Fred and George showed up to thundering applause. Harry and Hermione closed up their books to watch. Colin Creevey popped up with his ever present camera to record the event.

"We have done it!" Fred crowed to the watchers as George laughed.

"Oh yes indeedy, brother mine!" George chortled.

"And how did you two guys accomplish this great miracle?" someone called out.

The twins laughed. "Easy!" Fred said.

"We created the Aging potion!" George said, pulling out a small vial and holding it aloft for all to see.

Fred pulled his. "It will age us the few weeks we need to be seventeen!"

Both of them laughed and clinked the vials together. They popped the corks off and toasted each other and then drank them down. They tossed the aside and turned to each other and bowed in an exaggerated manner. Then they turned to the Goblet of Fire and jumped inside the Age Line as everybody cheered. They pulled the bit of parchment out of their pockets and turned to the goblet.

"One, two, and three!" they chanted at the same time and tossed in the bits of parchment to the accompanying cheers of the watchers.

Fred and George beamed as they strutted round the goblet. Suddenly there was a flash of light and the sound of thunder as something grabbed both of them and flung them outside the Age Line. They hit the wall and crashed to the floor. Fred was the first to sit up after a few minutes and the laughter began. Fred's hair had turned white and he was now sporting a long beard. George managed to get to his feet and his hair had turned white and he had a long beard as well. The laughter grew as they turned to each other and pointed to the other.

"Nice try gentlemen," Dumbledore said as he had stepped in to see what the commotion was about.

Karkaroff walked in right then with Viktor behind him. Both of them paused for a moment and looked at the twins.

"It seems the Age Line works very well," Viktor said as he smiled, clearly amused at what happened to Fred and George.

Karkaroff and Viktor joined in the laughter as the twins took a bow.

"Ten points to each for a good try," Dumbledore said as his eyes twinkled.

Then the attention shifted to Viktor as he stepped inside the Age Line and dropped in his name. He smiled as the goblet accepted his name. Karkaroff nodded and clapped Viktor on the back. Harry stepped up and offered his hand and Viktor took it.

"Good luck in the tournament," Harry said.

"Thank you Harry," Viktor replied.

He left with Karkaroff behind him. Dumbledore turned to Harry.

"A word with you Harry?" he asked.

Harry nodded and both of them left the room. They walked to the stairs in silence for a moment and Harry wondered what was up.

"I have heard that you were invited onto the Durmstrang ship earlier this week. Did you enjoy the tour?" Dumbledore asked.

Harry smiled. "I did. I enjoyed meeting Viktor, too. He was the one who showed me around. I had gone out there with the intention of just looking at it as I have an interest in tall ships like that one. I didn't think I would actually get to board her. Found out that Viktor wanted to meet me because of the fact that both of us play Quidditch. I found him to be a very pleasant fellow to talk to."

Dumbledore beamed at that. "Well done, Harry. I believe you have made a lifelong friend in Mr. Krum."

Harry nodded. "I think so too. I hope it continues."

"Well done, Harry. Good friends are hard to find these days. Now I must go up to my office as I have things to do," Dumbledore said.

Harry watched him go and then headed for the Ravenclaw common room. He had a book report to write.

Saturday morning came, and with it, Halloween. Harry spent the morning in reflection, thinking about his parents as he looked through the photo albums he had been given by people as they knew he didn't have any pictures of his parents. They ranged from their school days to their wedding, to pictures of Harry as a baby with his parents. Those pictures were his golden treasure, and he went to a bit of effort to keep them safe. He put them up early afternoon and then went to get dressed for his trip to the graveyard where his parents were. He wrapped his black trench coat around the black three piece suit he wore and left the Ravenclaw tower. He cast the disillusion spell on himself as he didn't want anyone to know he was leaving the castle. He made it out the doors and removed the spell as he entered one of the greenhouses. He heard voices and he peeked around one of the many rose bushes in that particular greenhouse to find Hagrid talking to Olympe Maxime. Harry smiled and hoped that they would be close friends. Harry retreated and went to work putting together two bouquets of roses to leave on their gravesites. Harry left the greenhouse by another door and headed down the path to the front gates. Harry apparated the moment he stepped outside the Hogwarts wards. He appeared in the alley just across the street from the graveyard where his parents were. He slipped into Getsumi no Michi (a ninja discipline) and reached out with his senses to make sure it was safe to enter. It was and Harry moved across the street to enter the graveyard. He began walking through the graveyard towards his parent's final resting place. A few minute's walk and he found them. He laid the roses on the tombstones and then sat down on the small bench before them and gazed at the tombstones for a bit. Then he started talking to them.

Harry felt a lot better when he was done telling them everything. He sat there for a time and gazed on the tombstones and what had been written there. Then something intruded on his senses and Harry started looking around. He stood up and began to move towards the gate to the graveyard. He had been there for nearly an hour talking to them and he hoped it hadn't been too long. His wand dropped into his right hand as a pair of shirikins dropped into his left hand. Harry was ready to go to war. He made it to the center of the graveyard when four figures materialized in front of him. Death Eaters. Harry immediately changed direction as he didn't want to fight them in here. They started a game of cats and mouse, the DE's the cats and Harry the mouse. Except that this particular mouse was well armed and much better skilled at the art of war than the cats. Harry moved quickly through the graveyard, using every bit of available cover he possibly could to keep his distance from them. He made it to the gate and out into the street. Harry looked both ways and there in front of him was a boarded up building. It was perfect for his needs. Harry went across the street and around the building, looking for a way inside. He gained entry through a broken board that had been covering a broken window. He discovered the ground floor of the building was a wide open space. Looking up he noted there was no ceiling. The building was just a shell. Harry turned to face the DE's and they quickly surrounded him.

"Hello, Harry Potter," the apparent leader said with an evil chuckle. "We have been waiting for you."

"Really? How nice," Harry said as he slid his wand back into the holster strapped to his right forearm.

Harry didn't want to use magic as he thought that Dumbledore or the ministry would pick up on it. Dumbledore would certainly know and would cause all kinds of problems for him and there was no way Harry would allow Dumbledore to gain control over him. So this would have to be done another way.

"Time to die!" the apparent leader snarled as he lunged at Harry.

Harry reacted, and the fight was on. The fight didn't last very long as the four DE's were not very good fighters, as the four of them had expected things to go their way thinking that Harry was just a kid with only a fourth year education in the use of magic. They certainly had not expected Harry to react in the way that he did, and all four of them lost very quickly, each one of them having gotten off just a few curses that struck each other as Harry had deftly maneuvered them in such a way that they would curse each other. The cutting curses were so effective. The only weapon Harry had to use was his short swords as he opened them up deep and wide, adding to their magically inflicted injuries. Once Harry knew they were dead, he put away his short swords and quickly left after doing a quick search for ID and any possible intelligence he could use. There was nothing except for a darkening of their DE tattoos on their right forearms. Harry frowned at that as the other DE's he had taken out had very faint DE tattoos. Harry tucked that bit of information away in his mental library for later consideration.

Harry got out on the street and looked both ways. In the distance he saw what was left of the house and something deep inside of him compelled him to want to go there. Harry apparated to the front yard of the house, what was left of it, and Harry moved inside the house, passing through the doorway of what was the front door. He paused for a moment as he felt the magic of the place wash over him. Memories began to come back, things he didn't know was possible to recall. Something tugged on his senses and he followed it into what had been the study. There were a few books on the shelves in there. He would have to come back for them at a later date. He followed the persistent tugging and found himself in front of a picture that was covered in grime and dirt. He touched the right bottom corner and suddenly it fell apart, the entire painting coming apart in pieces. Harry blinked as he saw a small shelf in the wall behind the painting. On that shelf was a single leather bound book. It looked like it was in fairly good shape. Harry took it and moved over to a window so he could see it better. In the light of the day he examined the book. There was nothing on the cover to indicate what it was. Harry opened the book to the first page, and there on the page, in very familiar fancy script, was the announcement that this was a journal started by James Potter, October 1981. Harry's hands shook as emotion raced through him that he had found the missing journal, the journal that was the key to everything. Harry suddenly felt the need to get out of there, to get back to Hogwarts, to the safety of his trunk and examine the book carefully. He needed to know what was contained in here. He glanced at the last page and it had been the very night his parents had died. Harry slipped the journal inside the pocket inside the trench coat he was wearing. He slipped out of the house and back onto the street. He moved across the road and into the dark shadows of another house and watched things for a moment. Then he apparated back to Hogwarts.

Harry sat in the easy chair next to the bed as he gazed at the journal in his lap. He picked it up and opened it to the first page and began to read. The first entry was dated the first of October 1981. It spoke about the situation as James Potter knew of it and the discussions that were going on in regards to it. The entry filled the page and by the end of it appeared that they weren't close to a decision. The clock in the dorm suddenly went off, sounding five bells. Harry looked up at the clock and knew he needed to get going or he would be late to the Halloween Feast. Harry went down into his trunk and locked the journal away. He left his trunk when the 'room clear' signal was given to him from the security system in the trunk. Harry came out of the trunk and grabbed his cloak and pulled it on as he headed downstairs to the great hall. Dumbledore was standing at the podium when Harry entered the great hall and took his usual spot at the end of the Ravenclaw table. Hermione turned to him but Dumbledore spoke up first.

"Welcome to all who have joined us for the Hogwart's annual Halloween Feast!" Dumbledore said. "Tonight will be a very special occasion, as not only do we celebrate Halloween, but we shall find out who the Goblet of Fire has chosen to represent their schools. So without any further ado, let the feasting begin!"

Dumbledore waved his hands and once more the tables were covered with food. Harry joined in on the applause as he turned to the food before him. Harry smiled as he saw the traditional Japanese food before him. He filled his plate with them and offered some to Hermione. She accepted gratefully and dug in. Harry took his time enjoying his food and he went for other things as well. He knew he'd be putting in an extra hard workout in the morning to recover from all of the fine food he was eating tonight.

Dumbledore had hired a small jazz band this time around and people were in a festive mood as they danced to the band. Harry got Hermione out on the floor a time or two and they had a good time. Ever Dumbledore took McGonagall for a turn round the floor and both of them seemed to enjoy it. There was nothing in the atmosphere to indicate that trouble was coming. The evening was off to a great start. Even all of the various officials appeared to be in a good mood. Harry did come face to face with Draco a few times when he was out on the floor dancing with Hermione but they didn't react to each other and kept on dancing with their ladies. The hall had been decorated even better than last year as Professor Flitwick apparently had gone all out to make the hall look great. Oddly enough Harry had the distinct feeling that this would be the last moment that things would be this good. Once the tournament got started there would be trouble. He wasn't sure what kind of trouble, but there was trouble coming, and it wasn't going to be nice. Harry decided to keep that thought to himself for the moment as he didn't want to worry Hermione as she would want him to tell Flitwick or Dumbledore about it and the last thing he wanted to do was to start a panic. So he let it be and enjoyed his time with Hermione and the evening went on.

The double doors at the back of the hall opening caught everyone's attention. Four men entered, carrying the Goblet of Fire on its pedestal into the great hall. Harry started to clap and soon everyone was clapping with him. The applause continued until the Goblet of Fire reached the front and was set down in front of the high table. The blue flames were present as it had been carried in. Dumbledore waved his hands and the room settled down, people finding places to sit at the tables. Harry reached behind him and took up a cup of tea and offered it to Hermione. She took it from him and then Harry reached for one of his own. The room grew quiet.

"The moment has come in which we shall find out who is to represent the schools that are here tonight. In a moment the fire will change color and release to us the slips of parchment that was entered. All of you are to remember this evening for the rest of your lives. The stories you will tell to the next generation I expect will be interesting," Dumbledore said. "And now, we begin."

Dumbledore turned to the Goblet of Fire and tapped the side of it and stepped back. For a few minutes nothing happened. Suddenly the flames turned red and shot up to the ceiling and out of the column of the deep red flames came a slip of scorched parchment. Dumbledore reached out for it and read it. Then he looked at the crowd before him.

"Representing Durmstrang… is Mr. Viktor Krum," Dumbledore announced as the Durmstrang contingent rose up in a loud cheer as they turned to congratulate Viktor.

The crowd watching cheered as they applauded. Viktor stood up and approached Dumbledore and they shook hands. Dumbledore leaned forward and said something to Viktor as he waved his hand in the direction of the smaller door that Harry and his band had used a few weeks before to go onstage for the dance at the welcoming feast for Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. Viktor headed for it and went through the door. Dumbledore turned back to the Goblet of Fire once more. He drew his wand and tapped the side once more and wisely backed away from it as he had nearly been singed by the erupting flame the first time. Everyone waited anxiously, and then a few minutes later the goblet erupted again, sending another bit of scorched parchment flying. It fluttered in every possible direction before Dumbledore snatched it out of the air. He inspected it for a moment and then smiled as his eyes twinkled merrily.

"Representing Beauxbatons, is the lovely Miss Fleur Delacour," Dumbledore announced grandly and the reaction was immediate.

The Beauxbatons group immediately turned to Fleur and congratulated her as she reacted to the announcement. Olypme Maxime congratulated her and urged her to stand and go up front. Dumbledore looked very pleased as he took her hand and inclined his head to her. He whispered something to her and motioned to the door that Viktor had gone through just a few minutes before. Fleur went through it and the door closed behind her. The room settled down and everyone turned to Dumbledore. He nodded and turned his attention back to the goblet. Once more he tapped the side of it and stepped back. Everyone waited for something to happen and once more the goblet erupted, shooting the dark red flames nearly to the ceiling. As with the other two, the third bit of singed parchment came out of the flames and began to flutter downward as the dark red flames settled back do to its blue color. Dumbledore caught the bit of parchment and looked at it. A smile crossed his face as he turned to face the crowd.

"Representing Hogwarts," Dumbledore began as the students of Hogwarts began to react," from the great house of Hufflepuff," gasps were heard, "is Mr. Cedric Diggory!" Dumbledore announced, and the Hogwarts students went nuts.

Everyone was patting him on the shoulders as Hufflepuff house did a kind of victory dance as Cedric stood up. Dumbledore had a big smile on his face as did all of the Hogwarts teachers. The applause continued as Cedric went up front to where Dumbledore was standing. Dumbledore leaned forward and said something to Cedric as he shook his hand. Cedric smiled as he waved to the crowd before going through the door into the small room. Dumbledore turned back to the crowd.

"And there, ladies and gentlemen, are the three champions who are to represent their school in the TriWizard's Tournament. In a moment the officials are to go and talk to the champions and give them information as to when the first task will be. We will inform all of you as well later in the week…" Dumbledore was interrupted as the goblet suddenly erupted a forth time. Harry suddenly had the intense feeling that shit was about to happen, and it would drag him right into the middle of it. He wondered if getting out now and going back to Japan was an option. People stared as the dark red flames shot up to the ceiling like it had three times before. All eyes were on the slip of singed parchment as it fluttered downward. Harry whimpered as the bit of parchment reached Dumbledore's outstretched hand. Dumbledore's face changed several colors finally ending at a nearly white pale color. He looked up and Harry clearly saw the shock in his eyes. Dumbledore looked back down at the bit of parchment and then looked up. Everyone was holding their breath as Harry desperately wished for escape. He just knew that somebody had tossed his ass into the fire once more.

"HARRY POTTER!"

To Be Continued