J K Rowling owns all the rights to the books and the amazing characters she created. I write only to satisfy my imagination and use my creativity and make no money from my writings.

Chapter 6 – The Tournament

The Triwizard Tournament was being resurrected and would be held at Hogwarts. The reason the Tournament had been stopped was due to the deaths and scandals surrounding it. However, for some unknown reason it was being brought back to promote international cooperation via sports.

Yeah, right! To Tom it reeked of a set up and that somehow, despite being underage Harry Potter, would be forced to compete. Well Tom would have none of it.

He had his suspicions that Dumbledore was involved in some way which were confirmed when he managed to find out that originally it was to be held at Beauxbatons until Fudge moved heaven and earth (with Dumbledore's assistance) to have it held at Hogwarts. It reeked of another one of Dumble's tests.

Tom did as much research as possible considering he was still in Sirius' clutches. He contacted the Goblins and paid them an outrageous fee to find out as much as possible concerning the Tournament going back to the start. Tom wanted to know all rules connected with the Tournament especially in modern times and if there had been some amendments made recently.

Naturally there had been "amendments" made such as once a student's name came out of the Goblet of Fire they were forced to compete or lose their magic and their life. There was an age limit which Dumbledore swore that he personally would spell to keep the Tournament honest and no underage student could possibly enter themselves. Translating "Dumblespeak" it meant that no underage student could enter their name but someone else could enter it for them and then they would be forced to compete.

Until this recent "amendment" there were several safe-guards concerning the entry in the Tournament. In the past, many times people entered the name of a person they wanted to die, thus rules had been added that if you were underage, didn't enter your name or had someone else to do it for you, were too sickly or weak, etc., all you had to do was to swear on your magic that you didn't. Then even a parent or guardian couldn't make you participate. In fact, there was a committee who gave physical exams and magical tests to see if you were even capable of entering before you put your name in the Goblet of Fire.

"Why?" He knew that Harry Potter's name would be called and he wouldn't be allowed to defend himself either by demanding to be administered Veritaserum or swear on his life and magic that he didn't enter. Therefore the entire school as well as the foreign press would believe he had cheated his way into competing. Can we say "pariah" as that is what Potter would end up being called and treated as such and worse than ever by his usual nemeses and the Prophet – they would go insane.

The school and news media would turn against him and he'd make some international enemies. Also Sirius Black would be over the moon with joy and would demand he participate even if there was a way to get out of it. There was only one thing left to do and Tom began researching how to do it.

Ron Weasley was still trying to get back into Harry's good graces by any and all means possible. In the first two weeks of school there had already been three attempts at spell casting done on him to persuade him to take Ron back as well as seven potions added to his morning pumpkin juice. They didn't work but Ron kept looking at Harry with eager, hopeful eyes especially at meals as Harry drank his juice.

Little did anyone know but Dobby had been monitoring Harry's food and drink and negating the potion effects. He informed Harry that he might have to stop because he noticed he was now being watched by the Head House Elf who reported back to Dumbledore.

Tom thought about it for a second before telling Dobby to just switch the goblet meant for him with say…Crabbe or Goyle's cups. As an afterthought he asked Dobby to switch Hermione's goblet with Malfoy's or Nott's as yesterday Harry noticed that Hermione's pumpkin juice was being spiked with a lust potion directed to Ron. That should be interesting to watch.

And it was!

He was aware that Dumbledore was always watching him. He tried to ignore him and definitely didn't look into his eyes. He wondered how long it would be until the old coot called him into his office for a "chat" or two. But he had other things to worry about now.

He had tried to switch from Divination to Ancient Runes last year but McGonagall had refused him permission. He knew that as long as the request was made no later than the first two weeks of term it was possible to change courses. She had lied to him saying it wasn't possible. He had retaliated with a copy of the school rules pointing out that it was indeed possible but he had then been told that he "didn't have the intelligence or dedication to take Ancient Runes" and he knew then that Dumbles didn't want him to take any serious, helpful courses.

He had done a lot of studying with Remus over the summer usually when Sirius was out "getting to know" one of his conquests better. He then asked Remus if he thought he could take Runes in his fourth year since Remus said he had done so very well. Remus said yes and that he would write a letter to McGonagall on Sirius' behalf and ask that Harry be allowed to change.

Sirius had actually signed it to pacify Harry and Remus had gone so far as to buy the Runes text book. However, as he was being given his course schedule Divination was still on it and when he had asked McGonagall why he was she informed him – in public no less – that courses could not be changed.

That was when he earned his first detention for the year, but it had been worth it to see the expression on McGonagall's face when he announced very loudly so that half the Great Hall could hear when he called her a liar and began to explain why.

He never got to finish as she had yelled "Detention with Mr. Filch" before storming off.

Naturally Hermione lit into him for showing disrespect to a teacher but he ignored her. It would be a bit difficult but he could and would "drop her" if she kept up with her usual behavior. Then the silly bint would be forced to go back to being Ron's only friend and that would "teach" her. Well actually knowing her type it wouldn't as Ron would only use her to get back in Harry's good graces and then dump her as soon as he had succeeded.

Except none of that would be happening as he would never take Ron back and Hermione was expendable. He had Neville as a friend now and had cultivated Angela Johnston and Katie Bell and was making slow but sure strides with some of the Puffs and a Ravenclaw or two. Granger had her uses but if she didn't change….

The only problem he envisioned was Dumbledore pouncing if he dumped Granger as she did keep him informed about Harry's life. Since he was forcing Ron at Harry if Granger was abandoned, then Dumbledore would take steps which would be bad for Harry's wellbeing.

So Tom would have to ease Granger out of his life without too many people noticing. He would probably have to spell her to behave since she wouldn't do it voluntarily.

Harry still had Sirius as a guardian, but his own cousin Andromeda (or "Andy" as she asked to be called), who the Goblins said was an honorable woman, was still representing him and was trying to get full custody of Harry with only limited visitation rights for Sirius.

Sirius had been informed about this, but he just shrugged it off as he had the Ministry on his side due to his illegal incarceration as well as being the current Lord Black. But Andy had some tricks up her sleeve – besides her wand – which would legally nullify Sirius' claims on Harry and the Lordship.

Tom hoped that the "Sirius Problem" would be taken care of before the Tournament began. Since "the incident in Paris" Sirius had been very cool towards Harry and Remus. Since everybody knew about the "incident" Sirius found himself being ignored by the "old duffers" what he called the magicals way past their time without a sense of humor.

Even old reprobates were giving him downcast looks, or as one of the more famous degenerates said to him "You can, especially as a Pure-blood lord, do anything you want no matter how…disgusting…some people might find it. BUT, YOU DON'T GET CAUGHT! The fact that your godson and ward whose voice hasn't changed yet was involved in this scandal…well just try to BEHAVE YOURSELF FOR ONCE…or at least until it all dies down."

But Sirius didn't like being embarrassed and felt that he was not at fault for anything – except trying to make a man out of James' son. Harry, and Remus for siding with the boy, would have to apologize to him. In the meantime, he didn't take them to the Cup Finals as punishment, but that turned out to be a good thing as Death Eaters had disrupted it, causing chaos and fear.

Sirius didn't take Harry to the Hogwarts Express having Remus do it instead. He also had no intention of writing to the kid unless he first sent Sirius an apologetic, groveling letter pleading for mercy. That should teach him!

However, on September 2nd Sirius received a very official owl from Gringotts. He just thought it was his (or Harry's) bank statements, so he ignored it. The next day, he received another one, which he also ignored, as well as one from the Minister of Magic himself. He ignored that one too as no doubt the old fuddy duddy probably wanted advice from Lord Black and/or a "contribution" of some sort. He ignored that one also, as well as the letters he received from both entities for the next three days.

Finally, there was a knock on his door and he called for his new house elf Sunny to answer it. Within a minute, three Aurors and his Cousin Andy came into the room. He was asked why he had been ignoring the letters but he shrugged and replied "I didn't feel like reading them. I have better things to do with my time."

"Well I don't know what they are, but you have been ignoring summons from the Ministry and Gringotts. There is a hearing concerning your guardianship of Harry and…."

"I HAVE THE GUARDIANSHIP OF HARRY AND AS YOUR HEAD OF HOUSE I ORDER YOU TO…."

"You are not my Head of House, as I was disowned and never reinstated and have no desire to accept reinstatement."

"Well I am reinstating you and thus ORDER YOU to…."

"No you are not" she replied calmly. "These Aurors are here to escort you to the Ministry NOW."

Naturally, Sirius refused to go anywhere and kicked up a fuss, threatened dire consequences to Andy and the Aurors until he was stunned and taken to the Ministry. At least Andy had the decency to have the elf get Sirius' good robes so that he would not be an embarrassment to the House of Black by arriving in Muggle jeans and a T-shirt of the Weird Sisters.

The details of the hearing will not be listed here, but in the end, Sirius Black lost custody of his godson, but did have limited visitation rights – at Harry's convenience. He also lost access to a lot of money and prestige. He was in shock as it just couldn't be happening to him, but it was and there was no appeal.

Upon reaching his new apartment, he had the elf pack some clothes and such, ordered her to pack up all of his possessions and inform the landlord he was canceling his lease. He then left for a vacation – far, far away from Britain…and his so-called loved ones.

Tom was happy as the proverbial clam (although he never could figure out how clams were known for being happy). He had been emancipated. He was rid of Sirius, had access to money, houses, a large quantity of rare books and precious artifacts and with the exception of Andy checking up on him now and then, he was basically on his own, but owning a bunch of house elves from the Black and Potter estates.

Just so Dumbles wouldn't find out, at least for the moment, his new status wasn't officially announced. He had Andy find him a "personal assistant" (who would also be keeping an eye on him) as a lot of things had to be done concerning the renovations of his new houses and in his free time, he was plotting and planning.

He had hired Dobby as an elf to be his personal valet when he was "at home" but he also had Snarky, one of his new elves (from the House of Black), disillusion himself and lurk around the Goblet late at night to watch for anything interesting, such as someone not a student, putting a name in the Goblet. If the person did such a thing (and Mad Eye Moody had), then Snarky was to change the name on the entry form before it was placed in the Goblet. Snarky reported what had happened and asked if he should still keep watch. Harry said "Yes, just until the day the names are picked."

Now all Tom had to do was sit back and wait for the fun to begin.

Finally, Halloween arrived and after the sickening sweet feast, Dumbles called for silence and announced that the Goblet would be picking the names.

Victor Krum was to represent Darmstadt, Fleur Delacour would represent Beauxbatons and much to the joy of Hufflepuff, their own Cedric Diggory would be representing Hogwarts. After the thunderous applause was finished and the three champions had gone to the meeting room, Dumbledore still lingered, giving an unnecessary speech. It seemed to Tom that Dumbles was waiting for something and then IT HAPPENED.

Another name was spit out by the Goblet and a "surprised" Dumbledore caught the piece of parchment and a look of shock appeared on his face. "There is a…fourth champion. Ron Weasley, please come up to the dais and follow me to the meeting room.

It seemed like everybody in the great hall was stunned – and silenced. Even the fourth champion couldn't believe it until Hermione slapped his arm and hissed out "What did you do?"

He turned to the girl and with a smirk on his face replied "I'm a champion. A real champion and I am going to win!"

With that said he quickly left the table and followed Dumbledore to the meeting room. Once the door was closed, voices of disbelief and outrage filled the hall. It took all of Tom's control not to smile wickedly. The game was on, but not the one Dumbles and "Moody" wanted.