Disclaimer: As I sit on the precipice looking out over all of the Potterverse, I remember the mantra that must begin every new chapter, I do not own any of the characters, settings, or plot devices, and JKR owns it all.

Sitting in his small cabin near Cambridge Remus Lupin was puzzling over the letter he had just received from the boy that for all intents and purposes was the closest thing to a nephew he would ever have. He had been amazed by everything that had taken place on the fateful night four and a half months ago. But, perhaps the greatest surprise was the miraculous feats of magic Harry had managed to perform to save Sirius, Hermione, and himself from the dementors.

Remus knew how important it was for anyone to have friends that could be trusted, and he was quite happy that Harry had finally begun to listen to one Hermione Granger. It hadn't been difficult to see that the previous year Harry had sided with his other friend Ron Weasley, a bit more than the extremely bright Ms. Granger. Unlike everyone else, Remus had seen Hermione's boggart during her final exam, and had created a cover story to protect the young witch's buried feelings for Harry.

From the few letters he had received from Sirius over the summer and fall, Remus had an inkling that Harry had finally awoken to the reality of the young witch's feelings. In fact, Sirius had gushed in a recent letter when Harry's had asked for advice as to how he could make the first move in a relationship. Banishing his own fond memories of young love, Remus finally began to ponder the best way to go about completing this rare task from Harry.

It was for that reason and that reason alone that he fully believed Harry's claim of learning Occlumency with Hermione, and that it didn't fall upon deaf ears. One of the benefits of being a known intellectual in small wizarding circles was that he had gathered several favors to various people of influence. Most people worth knowing understood that lycanthropy was an affliction and no one ever actually chosen to be as such. Therefore, the petty bigoted attitudes of several affluent but stupid purebloods were often ignored and the worth of the individual was what mattered.

One of those favors he had accumulated in the past happened to be with a wizard who was extremely well versed in the arts of Occlumency and legilimency, William Hardison, the head obliviator in the MLE for the ministry of magic.

After apparating to the approved apparition point just outside of the ministry of magic's underground entrance, Remus walked inside and a guard asked, "Name and reason for business today guvnah."

Remus smiled as he straightened his vest before he replied, "Remus Lupin here to visit William Hardison."

The guard nodded as he took Remus' wand and swiped his own wand over it, before he returned the wand and said, "Next check point you will be given the appropriate security pass to see Mr. Hardison. According to the manifesto today he is working with the auror academy cadets for about twenty more minutes. His secretary should let you into his office and you can wait for him there."

Remus pocketed his wand and smiled his thanks, and ten minutes and another check point later he found himself sitting in his friend's office waiting to ask for a major favor. Eight minutes later, as Remus had finally tired of watching the magical metronome on his friend's desk, the door swing open and a short slim man with bright blue eyes that simply reeked of intelligence strode into the room with a lithe witch who had bright pink hair that was spiked up in a most peculiar way.

Remus stood from his seat and greeted his friend warmly, "Ah Will my good man it has been far too long."

William Hardison looked startled for a moment before he smiled and said, "Remy?"

Remus nodded as they shook hands and patted each other on the back heartily for a long moment, before the pink haired witch cleared her throat and the moment was broken. Will shook his head but the grin on his face didn't slip at all as he said, "Ah right sorry about that Ms. Tonks. This is my old friend Remus Lupin. We went to Hogwarts together. Remus, Lily Potter, and I spent many an hour inside the library doing one thing or the other."

The young witch Will had just called Ms. Tonks looked thoughtful for a moment before she was startled as Remus asked, "Ms. Tonks, you wouldn't happen to know Andy Tonks, would you?"

The bubble gum haired witch blinked and then replied, "That's my mum, erm Mr. Lupin." Tonks couldn't help but scrutinize the older man in front of her, and ultimately she found that she liked what she was looking at.

She blinked as Will handed her a paper and said, "Now this is the proper protocol for an obliviation Ms. Tonks. I do so hope that this time you can keep track of it." Tonks nodded and gave a polite wave to the two men before stumbling out of the office clumsily.

Remus shook his head at the witch as the door closed, before he turned back to his friend and said, "Will, I'm afraid my visit isn't completely about pleasure."

Will motioned him to a seat before taking his own and with a smile asked, "Come to trade in on one of those favors I owe you?"

Remus nodded and said, "Yes, Will this is for someone you might know of as well." Will looked expectantly at him before Remus said, "It's for Lily's sprog Will."

Will's eyes widened as Remus continued, "Harry and one of his friends have been learning Occlumency, and after some thought I figured you might help them learn legilimency as well."

Will sighed and nodded before he asked, "Young Harry and his friends have become quite famous here at the ministry Remus. Perhaps you can tell me which of his friends?"

Remus nodded as he steepled his fingers and said, "I have reason to believe she might be the next brilliant witch to join the Potter family."

Will's eyes widened as a fond smiled crossed his lips and he said, "Ms. Granger then. I have to admit that it is an uncanny thing, Potter males and their attraction to the brightest witches of their age. Of course some would say that it can be traced back to Rowena Ravenclaw, but that's neither here nor there."

Remus nodded and said, "I was thinking we could arrange something over the coming summer to get Harry away from his muggle relatives. According to a friend of mine Harry visited the Grangers for a week. I'm sure we can arrange something a little lengthier to give you the necessary time to teach them."

Will nodded before he opened a desk drawer to pull a tumbler of brandy from his desk as he pushed a button on his desk and said, "Maggie, cancel my meetings for the rest of the day, I have some catching up to do with an old friend."

At Hogwarts an announcement had been posted indicating that the other schools would be arriving the night before Halloween, and that all students were required to meet outside of the school to greet their guests. One of the new developments as a result of Harry's new academic approach was that he had become more doted upon by Professor McGonagall in the same way that the typically stern professor had always doted upon Hermione in the past.

Harry, Hermione, and Ron were standing next to Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall as they awaited the other school's arrivals outside of Hogwarts near the great lake. Ron had been growing more and more excited about Viktor Krum's arrival to Hogwarts since it had been announced. The day of the arrival he was impossible to talk to as he babbled on about Viktor Krum and his phenomenal Quidditch skills.

As they stood patiently he blurted, "Oh man Harry, Krum he's going to be here in a few minutes. I wonder if I can get his autograph?"

Harry and Hermione shared a smile before Harry said, "I'm sure if you ask him nicely mate, he'd be happy to give you an autograph."

Ron's attention had been lost however; as he entered one of his various Quidditch wet dreams involving Krum and the rest of the world had been put on hold. After waiting a moment for a response Harry turned to Hermione and asked, "Do you think Ron could manage to think about something aside from Quidditch, or is his brain overloaded at this point?"

Hermione giggled and replied, "Well, for the time being I would say that when Quidditch enters the equation, Ron becomes pretty much of a single mind. We just have to wait until this episode passes and then we can get him distracted from Quidditch."

Harry chuckled and with a disarming grin said, "Yeah, we need to get some real shiny objects for that." Hermione rolled her eyes but grinned in response.

Finally, Professor McGonagall turned to the headmaster and said, "Albus, it appears as though the Beauxbaton's contingency is off in the horizon. Dumbledore looked in the late dusk sky before he replied, "Yes, it appears as though Maxime has decided to arrive by air."

Harry, Hermione, and several other students watched as a large flying object slowly came into view. As it drew nearer one could make out several large flying horses and an enormous carriage behind it. The Carriage began to slow as it neared the castle and it veered off towards the area behind the castle where Hagrid could be made out waving the horses to the ground and land. A few minutes later the horses, now walking, galloped up to the Hogwarts students before halting as the door to the huge carriage swing open and a set of stairs magically folded out to the ground.

The students close to the carriage all took several steps backwards as they warily waited for the Beauxbaton's students exit the carriage. First out of the carriage was an enormous woman that Harry would have swore was related to Hagrid if not for her extremely refined exterior. She was followed by a very attractive blonde witch and then the rest of the students, mostly female, all dressed in powder blue dress uniforms of varying types.

The large woman walked up to Dumbledore who bowed before taking her hand and kissing it in a very gentlemanly manner before he said, "Ah Maxime, how wonderful to see you once again. I dare say you must all be very tired. Hagrid will set up your quarters and take care of your graceful valets.

The large woman nodded and said, "Zank you Albus, that vould be most welcome." Professor Flitwick led the group into the castle as the remainder waited for Durmstrang to arrive.

Harry turned to Ron, who appeared to be back amongst the living before he said, "Ron, Durmstrang should be here any minute now. Maybe you can get Krum's autograph now?"

Ron's eyes lit up for a moment before he sulked and said, "I don't have anything to write on or anything to write with."

Harry shrugged before he turned to Hermione and asked, "How do you think Durmstrang will arrive?"

Hermione bit her lip in thought before she answered, "Well Beauxbatons arrived by the air, and we arrived by land. So, I guess they'll have to arrive by water."

Harry nodded and glanced out at the far end of the great lake where it extended out into the sea, waiting for sign of a ship. Hermione shook her head and smiled as she glanced at where Harry was looking, but she had read enough to understand that most magical ships were like muggle submarines in that they traveled long distances underwater. As she glanced out in the great lake a massive ship, roughly a quarter of the size of Hogwarts, surfaced and she idly wondered, amidst the gasps of various students, how it could fit into the small alcove that was the great lake. Jerking on Harry's arm to get his attention she pointed out the ship and his eyes widened at its immense size. Within minutes several smaller boats, much like the ones they floated in their first year, were floating towards the shore.

A few minutes later the first boat emptied as two young men and one older man with a goatee walked up to Dumbledore. The older man grasped Dumbledore's hand before he said, "Ah Albus it has veen too long. Perhaps we can move inside soon, Viktor here has come down with a bit of a cold, and we don't want him ill for the tournament."

Harry finally turned and locked gazes with Krum whose eyes also lit up with recognition as he glanced up at Harry's scar before he nodded and the entire group began to migrate back to the castle. As they walked back to the castle Harry sighed and said to no one in particular, "Why do I have the feeling this is the beginning of something very bad?"

Hermione rolled her eyes before she said, "Remember what I said Harry, no death defying stunts for you this year." Harry chuckled as he playfully punched Hermione in the shoulder before wrapping his arm around her shoulder and pulling her close for the rest of the walk. Neither caught the frown on Viktor Krum's face as Hermione leaned her head on Harry's shoulder, and she began to discuss the ways that champions had been selected for the tournament in the past.

The great hall had been magically enlarged to accommodate to more large tables even though a sign posted on the doors to the great hall indicated that seating at any table during the tournament was acceptable. Harry watched with amusement as Ron began drifting towards Krum until the seeker was surrounded by a posse of Durmstrang students who nearly carried him to a seat near the front.

As Harry's eyes tracked to the front he noticed a largo object covered with a sheet next to the headmaster's lectern. Taking their typical seats at the Gryffindor table, Ron sat down dejectedly across from them making a bit of a scene to those around him as he groaned about not being able to get Krum's autograph.

After the large feast was finished the hall continued to buzz with excitement over what the object covered in the sheet was. Hermione was at a loss because in the past the selection of champions was done in a completely arbitrary manner ranging from a vote of their peers, to hog tossing, although the hog tossing bit had gone out of style nearly six hundred years ago.

Finally Dumbledore and the man Harry recognized from the Quidditch World Cup, Barty Crouch Sr., stood next to the large object before Dumbledore flicked his wand and the sheet vanished revealing a large cup that appeared to be enclosed at the moment. Crouch pulled his wand and did a few intricate movements before the cup slowly opened revealing a blue flame, much like the ones Hermione was so adept at making, flickered out of the top of the cup.

Dumbledore turned to the crowd and said, "Welcome, welcome everyone to the opening ceremony of the tri-wizard tournament. As all of you can see the mode of champion selection shall be a very old and very powerful magical artifact known as the goblet of fire. I shall allow Mr. Crouch to explain further."

Barty Crouch was a rather jittery man, but Harry wondered how much of that had to do with the business of his son being caught. Shaking those thoughts aside Harry listened as Crouch spoke, "To those of you that enter your name into the goblet of fire I warn you this, upon entering your name you enter into magical contract and the only ways out of it are having your magic stripped or death. The eventual winner of the tournament will receive 1000 galleons and the eternal glory of their name on the cup."

Crouch apparently having finished his short speech settled back a few feet and gave Dumbledore the floor once again. Dumbledore nodded to Crouch before he said, "After much deliberation a more strict age requirement than in the past has been adopted for entrants in the tournament." Several in the crowd groaned and with a glance over at Ron Harry realized that his best mate was amongst them. Dumbledore waited for the various groans to stop before he continued, "Therefore the age limit has been raised from fifteen, as it was in the past, to seventeen for this year's incarnation of the tournament."

Harry turned to Hermione and with a slight grin asked, "I thought you told me it had been sixteen every time before?"

Hermione actually look distressed before she managed to squeak out, "There must have been a misprint in my edition of Hogwarts a History."

Harry smiled fondly and reached out for her hand giving it a quick squeeze before he turned his attention back to Dumbledore who was now waiting for the next round of boos to subside, this time from the Weasley Twins more so than their younger brother. Finally, the boos stopped and Dumbledore glanced at the pair of trouble makers he suspected would most likely attempt to beat the rule as he added, "I will be personally placing an age line around the cup preventing anyone younger than the required age from entering. If any of you does attempt to cross the age line, you will find the punishment most apt for the crime."

Dumbledore's telltale twinkle returned as he continued, "Any of you that wish to enter must enter your names in the goblet before this time tomorrow. At which time the champions from each of the schools will be selected. Students of Hogwarts please feel free to welcome our guests and to treat them in a most hospitable manner. They will be walking the halls and using the library as necessary to complete their own school work for the year. Good night and good luck to all of you that enter."

As they exited the great hall Ron was positively gushing as he spoke to Harry, "Harry mate, think about it, all of those galleons and eternal glory."

Harry shook his head as Hermione had scampered ahead and was discussing something with Ginny as they occasionally giggled about something. Harry's attention snapped back to Ron who was looking at him expectantly and Harry replied, "Ron, from what Hermione told me the tournament is very dangerous. People have died in it in the past. Take it from me, having money and fame isn't all they're cracked up to be."

Ron scowled and said, "Well unlike you I'm afraid I don't have the luxury of having new clothes and a broom that isn't rubbish." Ron's face became defiant as he said, "I heard the twins say something about an aging potion. I'm going to knick some from them and enter the goblet tomorrow. We'll see who's laughing when I win the tournament."

Harry rolled his eyes in frustration as he grasped his friend's tense shoulder and said, "Ron listen, if Dumbledore is putting up an age line then there is no way a simple aging potion will work. Let it go and maybe the tournament will come back for our seventh year and you can enter then." Ron merely shrugged his shoulder from Harry's hand and with a angry look stomped through the portrait opening and up to their dorm.

Harry pinched the bridge of his nose to stave off a headache as he walked more slowly up the stairs, trying to think of a way to keep Ron from embarrassing himself tomorrow. When Harry reached the room Neville and Seamus were playing some gobstones on Neville's bed and after they asked him to play and Harry turned them down, he glanced over at Ron's four-poster and frowned as the draped had already been pulled around it. All Harry knew was that there was no talking sense into Ron when he got like this.

Friday morning, incidentally Halloween morning, Harry awoke trying not to dwell on the date that always led him back to thinking about his parent's murder and what might have been. Harry glanced over at Ron's bed not at all surprised to see Ron already gone for the day. Harry shook his head and sighed as he rolled out of bed thinking about all of the ways this was going to blow up in his friend's face.

After a rousing nap in Binn's class Harry found himself in Charms with Flitwick as he glanced around for Ron who was now absent from his first two classes of the day. Harry turned to Hermione as Flitwick took roll and asked, "Do you know where Ron is?"

Hermione sighed as she twirled her quill between her fingers before she replied, "Ginny told me this morning that Ron and the twins were going to use an aging potion to beat the age line. My guess is that they're in the hospital wing following their spectacularly horrific failure"

Harry chuckled before he asked, "Hospital wing after a quick lunch then?" Hermione patted Harry on the hand sweetly before she turned her attention to Flitwick as the tiny professor began to teach the group switching spells.

After a quick lunch Harry and Hermione jogged to the hospital wing, and anything they had been preparing for paled in comparison to the three miniature versions of Albus Dumbledore sitting in the first three beds of the hospital wing.

Hermione was covering her mouth in an attempt to prevent the giggles from escaping her and Harry wasn't making any effort to cover his barks of laughter before he managed to sputter out, "I s-see the aging potion didn't work. Or did it work too well?" Harry managed a sheepish grin to the three glaring Dumbledores before Ron answered.

"Don't make an effort to refrain from laughing at our expense. It's not like we haven't visited you in the hospital wing in the past." Ron/Dumbledore growled at Harry.

Harry's laughs slowly subsided as Hermione was no closer to winning her own battle before he said, "I don't understand Ron. I warned you not to try and enter, and now you're taking it out on me?"

Ron crossed his arms and his glare grew even colder before Harry turned to Fred and George and said, "Well, I just wanted to see if you three were doing alright. I know where I'm not wanted." Harry slowly left the hospital wing never sparing a glance back at the Weasleys.

Hermione was seething as she laid into Ron, "I can't believe how stupid you're being Ronald. Harry was concerned about you, and despite his disagreement with you over the aging potion, he talked me into coming with him to see how you and Heckle and Jeckle were doing. What does he get when he visits? A pathetic immature prat that isn't worth the dirt on his trainers when you act like you have today. Think about that." Hermione left with all of the speed that Harry didn't as she furiously stomped out of the hospital wing.

Fred turned to Ron and said, "You know little brother-"

"You've really stepped in it this time." George finished. Ron could only manage a pathetic groan as he buried his hands in his beard in response.

Hermione finally caught up with Harry in the dungeons as he entered the potions classroom for another fun filled day with Snape and the Slytherins. Harry took his seat with a blank expression on his face although inside he furious, sad, and confused trying to deal with his current feelings towards one Ronald Weasley. Hermione sat down, her anger spent and overwhelmed by her concern for Harry softly asked, "Are you ok Harry?"

Harry blinked as his internal musings were interrupted and he replied, "I don't know really. I might have overreacted some with Ron, but he was really acting like a git."

Hermione shook her head vehemently and said, "No Harry, this is Ron's mess and he needs to clean it up."

Harry smiled weakly and nodded before he said, "No death defying stunts right."

Hermione rolled her eyes as she pushed her shoulder into Harry's just as Snape walked into the room much like he was akin to, cloak billowing and greasy hair remaining in place. If the year had been good for one thing, it was the leash Snape and by proxy Malfoy had been placed under by Dumbledore. Without Snape's favoritism Harry had become a solid potions student getting mostly E's and a few O's on all of his assignments and potions.

Today Snape began his lecture looking rather agitated about something as he said, "Today we are going to be working on counter agents to aging potions. Three idiotic Gryffindors attempted to cross the age line and enter the tournament and Madam Pomfrey has no stores for such an unusual potion. It is not difficult to make and the directions for brewing are on the board behind me. The first 3 correct potions brewed will receive ten points for their house each. Get to work!"

Nearly an hour and a half later Harry, Hermione, and Draco each received ten points and for once even Harry had to admit that Malfoy was a decent potions brewer. As they exited the classroom Harry and Hermione overheard Malfoy speaking to Crabbe and Goyle, "I heard that Krum entered earlier today. Too bad there isn't a good contestant from Hogwarts. Zabini told me that the best upperclassman to enter was Diggory from Hufflepuff. At least if he's selected we'll have a pureblood representing the school. Father tried to pull some strings so that I could enter but they wouldn't allow it. If they let in anyone younger than a sixth year I'm sure Potter would enter. I've never seen such a glory hound before."

Harry shook his head as he tuned out Malfoy before he turned to Hermione and said, "I heard Angelina was thinking about entering. She has a birthday like you so she could enter unlike Fred and George. I wouldn't mind if Cedric got in though, he's a good guy."

Hermione nodded and the hesitantly asked, "Harry, what are you going to do about Ron?"

Harry frowned and Hermione thought his eyes teared up a little whether from sadness or frustration before he replied, "He has to make the first move this time Hermione. I understand his life isn't perfect, but whose is? I'd trade anything to have a family of my own. But, it's not going to happen anytime soon. The closest thing to family I have are two thirty something men that knew my parents. That's hardly what I'd call an extended family."

Hermione grasped his hand and said, "Someday you can start your own family with some lucky witch, and then you'll have your family."

Harry flushed and muttered, "If I survive, that's one thing I look forward to very much." Hermione heard his mutterings but decided to let them pass because she really couldn't think of anything to add without making herself too obvious.

The great hall was buzzing as dinner wound down and the various ministry personnel closely connected to the tournament had taken residence up at an enlarge staff table as they awaited the drawing of the three champions. Ron and the twins had been administered the potions and were sitting at the far end of the Gryffindor table. Harry tried to make eye contact with Ron but he seemed to be avoiding the temptation to even look in Harry and Hermione's direction.

After an anxious meal Dumbledore stood and walked over to the goblet of fire. After some intricate wand movements he turned to the assembled group and said, "The goblet of fire will now release the three champions."

The large cup began to spew blue flames randomly as the flames flickered a piece of parchment was ejected into the air before it fell into Dumbledore's hand and he said, "The Beauxbatons champions is Ms. Fleur Delacoer." The same blonde girl that had been second out of the carriage behind Madam Maxime smiled and waved as she was led out of the great hall and into a side chamber out of sight.

The flames of the goblet flickered once again before second piece of parchment was ejected from the goblet and into the headmaster's hand before he said, "The Durmstrang champion is Mr. Viktor Krum." A low roar of "Krum" came from the Durmstrang table as the stout champion nodded stiffly and was accompanied into the same chamber that Fleur had entered a moment earlier.

The Hogwarts champion was ejected a moment later before Dumbledore said, "The Hogwarts champion is Mr. Cedric Diggory." All of the houses aside from Slytherin cheered wildly for the popular student before he like the other two champions was led from the great hall into the adjoining chamber.

Dumbledore smiled and said, "Now that our three champions have been drawn, I can announce that the first task will be held November 24th. More details will be given at the appropriate ti-." However Dumbledore never finished his statement as he gaped with everyone else as the goblet of fire ejected another piece of parchment.

The old wizard paled as he read the name aloud, "The fourth champion is Mr. Harry Potter. Mr. Potter please come forward so that you may join the rest of the champions."

Harry had gripped the table so hard at the announcement that he had gotten splinters under his fingernails. Hermione roused him from his shock and appeared near tears herself as she said, "Harry, you need to go up there." Harry nodded dumbly as he stood and spared a glance over at Ron who was looking at him with such venom that Harry flinched involuntarily. Drunkenly he walked to the ministry official who opened the door to the chamber. He was too shocked to even react to the taunts and boos that rained down on him from nearly every table as he walked into the door and staggered forward until he reached the other champions.

Madam Maxime looked confused as she asked, "Do zey need us for something else young man?"

Harry blinked rapidly and was about to reply when Dumbledore and Barty Crouch stormed into the room before they stopped and Dumbledore urgently asked, "Harry how did you enter your name into the goblet?"

Harry finally took in his surroundings and said, "I swear professor I didn't enter the tournament and I have no desire to compete."

Fleur finally cottoned on to the situation and protested, "Ze is just a boy ze can not compete."

Harry nodded his agreement at the French girl who scowled in response before she turned her attention to Crouch who said, "I'm sorry Mr. Potter but your name was drawn from the goblet. It does not matter if you entered your name or not. The goblet has drawn a magical contract based upon your name, not your signature."

Harry frowned and asked, "But sir, anyone could be entered that way then."

Crouch shook his head and with a frown replied, "There were safeguards on the goblet that should have prevented this. I don't understand."

Moody stomped forward and offered, "Perhaps a powerful confundus charm could have accomplished the task."

Karkaroff, the Durmstrang headmaster, snarled as he said, "I do not care. Ve can not allow this."

Crouch sighed before he said, "We can not redraw because the contracts have already been made, willingly or not. The ministry will announce that Mr. Potter was forced into the competition and did not wish to be entered. He will be counted officially as an unwilling participant; so that the proper compensation can be made to Mr. Potter's estate should the worst happen."

McGonagall was aghast as she said, "Albus, there must be something we can do."

Dumbledore looked very worn as he said, "Alas there is nothing more that can be done. But, I believe Mr. Potter's entry is an indirect attempt on his life, so I shall appoint a faculty liaison to aid him in his preparations for the tasks."

Dumbledore shook his head before he turned his attention to a pale Harry and said, "I am sorry my boy, but this unfortunate happenstance must be overcome, and I have every confidence that you can do so. I will appoint Professor Moody as your liaison, so you can talk to him outside of class and work on a training schedule of some sort." Moody nodded encouragingly as Harry.

A ministry employee exclaimed, "Merlin's beard Harry Potter is in the tri-wizard tournament."

Harry glanced over at the man as Moody stomped over to Harry and muttered, "Don't worry lad, that blowhard is Ludo Bagman. He's always been a little slow on the uptake."

Cedric walked up to Harry and said, "Hey Harry, I'll make sure to tell everyone I know that you didn't enter your name. I can't imagine it looked good your name coming out so late and all."

Harry smiled weakly and said, "Um thanks Cedric." Cedric gave him a pat on the shoulder as the group separated into four distinct groups; Beauxbatons with Maxime and Fleur, Durmstrang with Krum and Karkaroff, Hogwarts with Dumbledore and Cedric, and the Unwilling participant with Harry and Moody.

Crouch finally having taken control of the situation said, "The first task is to remain a secret until it is unveiled in the champion's tent just prior to the task itself. It will be held November 24th after lunch, although I imagine none of you will be able to eat so soon before the task. Train hard and prepare for the worst."

Moody grunted as the room emptied making sure Harry stayed behind before he said, "You've got more ability and potential than anyone else in this tournament lad. I promise ya, you'll make it out of this thing alive if you pay attention and listen closely to me."

Harry nodded and he exited the room before he sullenly walked back to the Gryffindor common room, intent on trying to sleep, and unable to shake the curse of bad things happening on Halloween once again.

A/N: Ok, Ok as you all can see things are going a bit differently between Ron and Harry. Things were already strained before his name was pulled from the goblet. Also, Harry has official aid coming from Moody this time around, although last time that didn't work out so well for him (shrugs). I hope you liked the scene with Remus and his introduction to the endearing Ms. Tonks.

Next chapter we have preparations for the first task, and a very cold period between friends is yet to come. This time Hermione won't be neutral in the war, but I'm sure you could've figured that one out already!

Thanks to all of the great reviewers, keep up the good work and with any luck and perseverance one last chapter should be out before Thanksgiving. Reviews and some love from the political science paper gods would help.

Thanks for reading!