The Quad-Wizard Tournament
Verse: Potter
Disclaimer: If I owned Naruto, you'd know what sharing TenTen was (meaning she'd have some screen time other than a few minutes/one panel). If I owned HP, Harry wouldn't have become a zombie and the Lupins wouldn't have died.
Reviewers (who are made of epic win):
Kuro-Ookami4: Lol, that'd be so funny if he did do that… but it'd also give away that he fought like muggles, which all wizards/witches find odd and stupid.
DemonKittyAngel: I've been explaining magic from the beginning, though. Yes, Fleur does seem more water than fire to me, too. I had to explain it some how, though. I never said Bagman was Naruto, either. All I sad was he was childish/boyish and had quite a bit of energy, just like Naruto; I see nothing wrong with that.
Ranger Mitsuki: I know, TenTen doesn't get the spotlight much. She does use jutsus, too, though – jutsus with weapons, granted, but she still uses chakra and the likes.
Sleepyreader: Great. I am, too, lol… ;
Necoco-chi: Why, thank you for reviewing. :D My reasons behind picking TenTen were everyone would think of using Neji or Lee, never TenTen (and she's pretty awesome to me). Lol, I hope Naruto never gets introduced to Halloween, either. You'll find out as this story continues.
SiriusBallisticPretzels: Thanks. You'll just have to find out by reading. ;P
Panda123: I'm glad.
Adissappointedrandomreviewer: Yeah, Lee could totally crush the dragon easy-peasy. I'm sorry to disappoint you. Sorry, not into Halo. xD
SilverLunaMoon: Neji is pretty obvious… I personally think he'd best be suited for keeping an eye out for anything suspicious instead of doing the tasks.
Desk Jet: Thanks! :) Thanks so cool that you're from England (sorry if this is offensive, but do people actually say, "'Ello, mate!"? I'd totally understand if you're offended and don't want to answer since as soon as anyone finds out where I live, they're like, "Lol, do u rid a hors 2 skool or sumtin?" and that just pisses me off.) Really? Thanks, I'll change that… guess the site I found was wrong-ish.
Nibelkind: Same. TenTen needs more screen time! Thanks. I personally think she's the glue that holds Team Gai together, like a family.
Carlmuz: Thank you.
THEBOSS: Aye, aye, Boss. :D I'll be expecting that sugar and lollipop in the mail, lol.
Hazeljv: Thanks. I don't see how Lee can really work for the last two tasks since he'd need advanced spells for those, and with my explaining of magic, it wouldn't work out too well.
- Interview Taking and Wand Weighing -
"So… how am I going to go about the tournament? Openly show my support slash liking of Harry or not? Help him, or not?" TenTen asked, dodging a kick aimed at her skull from Neji. Neji flipped away, avoiding Lee's punch, panting slightly. They'd been fighting all at once, all against each other (it was a bit difficult at times when two got locked together, but then the left out one always knocked someone upside the head to say, "Hey! I'm still here!") for a few hours. It was Sunday, after all, so they had no classes to worry about. They'd still leave at eleven, however, not to arouse suspicion about where they'd been all day; Dumbledore had given them a watch to tell the time.
"I'd say only help him during the tasks." Neji grunted, throwing a few shuriken at both his teammates to bide his time. Not using chakra was a challenge for him since he used it so much during battle. Spotting an opening in Lee's side when the said boy dodged, Neji lunged it, managing to graze his ribs with a punch but also getting hit in his own ribs by a sloppy kick.
"What about the support? And why only during the tasks?" TenTen complained, frowning as Lee, happy he'd gotten Neji, moved onto her with fists ablaze. Neji smirked, swinging out his legs when they came close to him, efficiently separating both TenTen and Lee since they jumped up and away to avoid tripping.
"It's nearly eleven – I'd say we stop now." He said, evading TenTen's question, dusting off his training pants. Both made a noise of complaint, pouting comically.
"I hate training here! Just as soon as we really get into it, we have to stop! It's so infuriating…" TenTen grumbled, scooping up the weapons littered around the small clearing that hadn't been there last year (Dumbledore didn't seem to notice or want to ask how they'd cleared away a good few trees… they weren't planning on telling him, anyways). Neji joined her as Lee stretched, having also thrown weapons; Lee hadn't thrown too many so they didn't mind picking up his.
"I agree! It is not very youthful to have these short stop-and-go training sessions. It is almost of no use at all." Lee said, reaching down to touch the ground, stretching his hamstrings and such.
"After that diversion – answer me, Neji, and you, too, Lee. Neji's all mean and stuff – your opinion I might agree with." TenTen said after she and Neji had gathered all the kunais and shuriken. She stuck her tongue out at Neji when he glared mildly at her, sulking over the fact she hadn't been distracted quite enough.
"Well, I agree… I think. You should help Harry when he needs it, but you should also keep your distance to not arouse any unyouthful suspicions. Hermione is a very bright girl that catches onto things quite quickly. As for support… I am not sure." Lee said, moving on from stretching his legs to his arms. After pocketing the weapons, Neji and TenTen joined in the stretching.
"See? What's your opinion, then?" Neji asked, smirking triumphantly at TenTen after Lee had more or less agreed 100% with him. TenTen rolled her eyes at him, making a noncommittal sound.
"Well, I don't agree with you, Neji, since you're a jerk. I agree with Lee." She teased, wanting to pick at the prodigy's nerves, making Lee laugh. Neji just scoffed, turning his back childishly to her.
"Be that way, see if I care." Neji said, smirking over his shoulder at her. TenTen just raised her eyebrows.
"No, you can't do childish, sorry. It's too… unnatural. Unyouthful, even!" She chided, grinning brightly.
"Yosh! I agree with our youthful blossom!" Lee joined in, poking Neji in the ribs as he was done stretching. Neji just shrugged, finishing his stretching in silence. He was glad they said he couldn't pull off childish since he rarely thought about doing something childish… and it was even rarer that he acted on those thoughts.
"You two can go stuff it. Now, let's go…" Neji sighed, once he was done, grabbing the small pack of supplies they always brought with them into the Forbidden Forest, shouldering it. He paused to put on the transformation jutsu before leading TenTen and Lee to the edge of the forest near Hagrid's house. All three ran quickly into the house and break-neck speed to not be seen; there were a few floorboard creaking steps before Hagrid appeared, pink umbrella pointed in their general direction.
"Oh, it's yeh three. Been trainin'?" Hagrid said, lowering his umbrella.
"Yes. Thank you for letting us use your house and yourself, Hagrid." Lee said, grinning at Hagrid. He just shrugged, cheeks donning a light pink dusting, shuffling his feet slightly.
"It's nothin', jus' what Dumbledore would'a told me ter do, anyways. Besides, I like tha company." Hagrid said, walking with the ex-Team Gai to the front of his door, waving to them as they left (two waving back).
"He's nice." TenTen commented quietly as they walked up to the castle. Neji shrugged and Lee nodded enthusiastically, spouting a speech of Hagrid's youth. When they got to the Great Hall, it surprised them somewhat to see Harry with Hermione, Ron missing completely.
"Where is Ron?" Lee asked, dropping down at the Gryffindor table across from Hermione, looking concerned. TenTen sat down next to him with Neji after her, all three piling breakfast items onto their plates.
"He's jealous, that freaking git! He thinks I purposely put my name into the Goblet!" Harry fumed, glaring up at the Ibarubushi kids.
"Ron thinks Harry gets all the attention or something and this was just the breaking point for… why are you looking at Neji…?" Hermione said, sounding much calmer but still distressed, staring at TenTen. Said girl was glaring, not looking, at Neji who was pointedly ignoring her.
"This little scenario, minus Ron freaking out and whatnot, sounds very familiar." TenTen said, moving her glare onto Lee. He cringed, turning pink slightly.
"I am so sorry, TenTen! I do not mean to—"
"Lee, shut up." Neji sighed, continuing with his eating. He knew TenTen felt underestimated and whatnot since no one seemed to know her name. From Team Gai, she was the only nameless one. Well, he and Lee had been making sure lately she was no longer nameless… it'd be a treat to both boys when people said her name and not something along the lines of, "… that girl over there…"
"Eh, sorry, being stupid. Like Ron. So, all we need to do is find him and knock some sense into him, right?" TenTen said, grabbing her plate as she stood.
"Uuuuuhh… yes?" Harry said, not quite catching on. He didn't know what to say other than Ron was being a stupid git. Harry doubted they'd actually hurt Ron (which he somewhat wanted), and just continued to stare openly at TenTen as she pestered Lee and Neji until they rose from their seats, holding plates, and followed her grumbling slightly.
"… Do you think they'll hurt him?" Hermione asked in a small voice, slightly pink. She didn't want Ron to be hurt! He was… her good friend… a pain in the butt good friend, but a good friend nonetheless. Or so she continued to tell herself, that is.
"No?" Harry said, dumbfounded. He didn't think they were the type to actually hurt things – namely, people – on purpose… but TenTen did act quite violet towards Neji and Lee. And both boys were well muscled… and Harry then found himself starting to doubt the foreign kids. He didn't know why, but he had a sinking feeling that something bad was about to happen. Abruptly, Harry got to his feet and ran out of the Hall, following the forms of the ex-Team Gai up the stairs, Hermione hot on his heels. As it turned out, Ron had hidden himself in the library and was actually doing his homework when the ex-Team Gai approached him (now foodless since Madame Pince had confiscated their plates with a hard glare). Harry and Hermione watched with a bookcase between them and Ron and the Ibarubushi, hoping they wouldn't be caught… or talked to by someone wondering why on earth were they hiding behind a bookshelf.
"Hey, Ron. Why are you mad at Harry?" TenTen whispered, pulling out a chair across from Ron.
"'M busy, go away." Ron grunted, resolve to do his homework falling when Neji and Lee sat down at each of his sides, watching him closely. It was unnerving when kids stronger than you (spell-wise and muscle-wise) watched you that closely.
"He always gets to be the center of attention. I bet he got someone to put his name in the Goblet for him! This is just another publicity stunt!" Ron hissed, shoving his books away and glaring at TenTen. He whimpered slightly when Lee, who noticed his glare, cracked his knuckles. Ron knew it was just his luck… the Ibarubushi were on Harry's side, too!
"Did Harry say he wanted to enter the tournament?" TenTen asked sagely, remembering Harry mumbling to himself when they'd gone to the Gryffindor tower after being told when the first task was. He'd been preoccupied with who might've put his name in and had come to the conclusion of Voldemort. TenTen herself had been a bit (meaning way more than she should've) guilt ridden and hadn't really been paying much attention to him until the final flight of stairs. The poor kid seemed to think Voldemort was at Hogwarts… but, he wasn't since he was dead. That had to mean Sirius Black was around.
"No, but—"
"But nothing. If he said he didn't want to enter, why would he get someone to put his name in? And how?" TenTen interrupted Ron, raising an eyebrow. Ron's ears turned red and he stumbled for words, mouth opening and closing like a fish.
"He… he… a fifth school! And… I don't know… he was lying?" Ron said glumly, not meeting her eyes. Even he himself didn't believe Harry would've lied to his face.
"The fifth school bit is probably what happened, but you don't think Harry would lie to your face. It's written in you expression. Why would Harry ask someone to put his name in if he said he didn't want to enter?" TenTen asked, noticing Ron's adverted eyes. Ron's blush spread to his face as he stood up, Neji just milliseconds behind him.
"You'll sit down and face the facts, Weasley. Put your jealous blame elsewhere." Neji said, grabbing the shoulder closest to him. Lee stood up and did the same, both boys shoving Ron roughly back into his seat, said boy glowing with red. It was almost like Hinata… but she'd be able to put him to shame when Naruto came around.
"Yosh! It is not right for you to blame Harry when you yourself don't believe your excuses! Now, go around the youthful bookshelf and apologize!" Lee whisper-yelled (Madame Pince glared at him), pointing at the peep holes Harry and Hermione had made by removing books from the shelf. Both kids jumped, wondering how Lee had noticed them.
"They've been here the whole time… and before you ask, no, we were not put up to this." TenTen said, not looking at Hermione and Harry when she waved at them over her shoulder. Ron's face turned a darker red as he found a pair of brown eyes and a pair of green eyes staring at him through little peepholes in the bookshelf.
"I'm... sorry… Harry, Hermione… I just… I dunno. I'm the stupidest git alive, right?" He mumbled, not meeting their eyes. Harry and Hermione came around from the bookshelf, both nodding.
"Almost, mate. Malfoy would have to take that spot." Harry whispered, smiling slightly. Ron grinned, nodding; Hermione just sighed, nodding slightly as well. At least Ron had clamed down now…
"What is so bad about Draco?" Lee asked, walking out of the library with the others behind him. Ron and Harry's jaws dropped, watching him with wonder.
"He might seem full of himself, but, really, I don't see any problems with him." TenTen shrugged, looping her arm through Lee's as they skipped down the staircase, Neji following them slowly. It reminded the golden trio of the first day of school at the feast.
"He's a git! That guy won't leave us alone! He calls Hermione a mudblood, too!" Hermione winced at Ron's outraged hiss, turning back to face the library. She could work on some SPEW things… she really, honestly, truly didn't want to hear the Malfoy bash party that was about to start. Especially if Ron and Harry would bring up the mudblood bit.
"I'm going back to the library. Later." Hermione said, going back up the few stairs she'd descended, disappearing into the library.
"So, he calls you names? That is not very nice, but I do not see why you hate him." Lee said, glancing at Harry and Ron over his shoulder. He'd been called names plenty of times, but he didn't hate the bullies. He saw their ignorance and forgave them after Gai had shown him the light. Heck, he was sure TenTen felt the same after seeing what revenge had driven Sasuke to… and Neji, probably, would empathize with Malfoy since he'd been a bully, once.
"You don't get it, do you? He picks so much on us! Mudblood is the worst insult to call witches or wizards with muggle parents! Malfoy is so full of himself, too, always running to his father." Harry said, glaring at their backs. How could the Ibarubushi not sympathize with them? Couldn't they see how much of a git Malfoy was?
"You don't get it, I guess. You don't know what it's like to have him make fun of you day in and day out. Hell, not just you, your whole family, dead or not! Just… ack!" Ron stopped, mid-rant, glaring up at Neji. The boy had taken a hold of Ron's collar and hoisted him up an inch or so, glaring into his eyes.
"If you say another word about your pity party, I'll personally deal with you." Ron gulped at Neji's words, seeing the hard resolve in his silvery blue eyes. Though Ron was now made taller than Neji because he was lifted in the air, he was no less intimidating. Hearing a quiet intake of breath from Harry, Ron looked over to Lee and TenTen. Both kids, who'd proven themselves to be friendly, happy people, looked downright scary. TenTen was glaring just as hard as Neji at them, but Lee looked so saddened… so…
"Do not bother us with your pity parties, please. It is you who does not know." Lee said quietly, subconsciously tightening his hold on TenTen's arm and pulling her closer to him. Their rants had stuck a chord with all of them… Lee and TenTen for being bullied, Neji for being the bully. But, how could Harry and Ron not realize they were being "gits", too? Lee had seen the very kids who'd picked on him struggle to stay alive in one mission gone terribly wrong… and he wondered, when or if the time came, would Harry and Ron help Draco? Would they be sad or happy if he died?
"You boys know nothing of the real world. You're just pampered into a belief of what it is. Excuse us." Neji said, dropping Ron, going to his teammates. He, no matter how much he'd never admit it, didn't like to see them saddened or angered by Harry and Ron's trivial words. Even Lee, he didn't like seeing sad. It made him want to lash out and destroy whatever was making his teammates sad…
"Perhaps I now realize what you felt…" Neji murmured to himself, remembering how determined Naruto had been to beat him. Maybe his cousin had a chance after all. Taking TenTen's free arm and Lee's shoulder roughly, he got them both to start walking back down to the Great Hall for lunch (hey, they were still hungry since Madame Pince had taken their breakfast plates), ignoring Harry and Ron completely. Ron and Harry, set on staying far away from the Ibarubushi until they'd cooled down, went to the Owlery so Harry could write a letter to Sirius. Harry wrote his letter while Ron coached Pig down from his perch and tried to calm the excited bird. He wrote how he'd been chosen as a champion (and that Cedric had also been chosen) before going onto the Ibarubushi. Harry told Sirius about how they'd come, where they were from, and their strange attitudes towards the fight they'd just had.
"Hopefully Sirius might know…" Harry said, after reading his letter to Ron. Ron shrugged, holding Pig still while Harry tied the letter to his tiny leg.
"Find Sirius… Sirius Black." Ron instructed, going over to the window and throwing Pig out of it. The tiny owl sank under gravity's weight for a good few feet before his little wings started pumping, the little bird soon disappearing from sight. When Harry and Ron turned around, the same owl that'd scratched Harry before was right behind them, flapping angrily. It seemed to know who Harry was and hooted angrily at him. Ron raised an eyebrow silently, slowly ushering Harry out of the Owlery, taking a few scratches to his back for it.
"Damn bird… has it in for me… sorry about that." Harry said as they walked down to the Great Hall for lunch.
"Eh, 's nothing. I wonder who owns it? Malfoy, probably. New bird for him or something." Ron said, shrugging it off. He could deal with a few scratches on his back.
"Yeah…" Harry sighed, frowning. Mentioning Malfoy made him remember the fight from earlier, his curiosity coming back. Why had the Ibarubushi, who he remembered lasing out at Malfoy on the Hogwarts Express, defended him and said Harry and Ron were trying to throw pity parties?
The rest of Sunday passed with out too much happening, and Monday dawned before Harry knew it. Herbology passed unpleasantly with the Hufflepuffs since they, Sprout included since she was their Head, seemed distant to Harry. Neji seemed intent on keeping TenTen and Lee away from him as well. When they got to Care of Magical creatures, the Slytherins talked and bet on how long Harry would last in the first task and the Quad-Wizard Tournament in a whole. The only upside to Care of Magical creatures was that Hagrid believed Harry – and Dumbledore, or so Hagrid said – didn't put his name in the Goblet or ask anyone to do it for him. The next few days passed miserably for Harry as everyone… or mostly everyone seemed to want nothing of him and gave him a cold shoulder. Harry couldn't blame the Hufflepuffs for their anger (and the Slytherin's was expected), but the Ravenclaws had taken him for a spin. Apparently, they thought he was just desperate to make the headlines again. However, the only Ravenclaw Harry was concerned about was Cho… did she hate him, too?
The bigger problem was that Cedric looked much more like a champion than Harry. It was hard for anyone to say who had more admirers… Cedric, or Krum… and then Neji was thrown into the mix, too, since his recent emotional stiltedness turned to anger… apparently, he looked quite good brooding. Harry was sure Lee and TenTen hadn't approached him, even though the former looked like he really wanted to, because of Neji. He wasn't sure, however, why Neji was keeping his friends from Harry for so long over something so trivial… well, not really trivial, but something small. There had been no reply from Sirius, either, and Hedwig seemed annoyed at the fact he'd used Pig instead of her and was avoiding Harry as well. Trelawney was having a blast in Divination, too, predicting Harry's death even more often than usual and trying to predict things for TenTen and Neji (who shot them down immediately). When Charms passed, Harry was the only one aside form Neville to receive extra homework on the summoning charms since he'd done so badly with them. Double potions passed with the Slytherins laughing and wearing charmed badges that read, "Support Cedric Diggory – the REAL Hogwarts Champion!" then flipping to, "Potter stinks!"
Harry got a detention from Snape for fighting with Malfoy while Ron got one for arguing with Snape when he said he saw no difference in Hermione's rapidly growing teeth. In the middle of class, however, right after Snape asked for their antidotes, Colin Creevey came in.
"Yes, Creevey?" Snape asked, looking mad. Harry was just glad his poisoning was pushed back a bit.
"I'm supposed to take Harry Potter and the Ibarubushi upstairs, please, sir." Colin squeaked, his ever-present smile fading at the look he received from Snape.
"I have an hour left of class, you can take them then." Snape replied, turning away from Colin.
"No, sir! I mean, Mr. Bagman wants them. All the champions have to go, and then the Ibarubushi since this is their first time… I think its for interviews and photographs…" Colin said quietly, not meeting Snape's eyes, looking scared.
"Potter, Hyuuga, Rock, TenTen, leave your things here, I want to see your antidotes." Snape snapped, glaring at the four mentioned kids. Only one shifted uncomfortably.
"But, sir, they're supposed to take their things, all the—"
"Very well! Your four, take your things and get out of might sight!" Snape retorted, interrupting Colin. Colin lead the four up to the room where the interviewing would take place, chatting excitedly to Harry at how amazing it was Harry was a champion.
"Ah, Harry m'boy!" Bagman shouted jovially when Harry and the Ibarubushi entered, taking his hand and shaking it happily. Harry tried not to pull a face when he saw the other champions were there as well as a man with a camera.
"Ah, miss TenTen, over here please. No, no, Lee, Neji, you two aren't champions. You two will be interviewed while the wands get weighed. Miss Skeeter, over here, please." Bagman held Lee and Neji back as he led Harry and TenTen over to where Cedric, Fleur, and Krum were stationed in the small room. A blond woman wearing gaudy clothing came over, licking her lips in a predatory fashion, eyes on Neji and Lee.
"Rita Skeeter, nice to meet you two handsome boys." She introduced herself, sticking a well-manicured hand out. Lee noticed how her eyes were on Neji when she said handsome, deflating a bit inside. When neither boy took her hand, Rita shrugged, reaching both hands out and grabbing both boys by their biceps, dragging them into a broom cupboard next to the classroom.
"So, boys, what are your names?" Rita asked, pulling her quill out of her crocodile skin handbag and some parchment. It immediately sprang to life over the parchment in midair, waiting for them to speak.
"I am Lee Rock, and this is Neji Hyuuga." Lee introduced, smiling widely. The quill wrote on its own, never stopping.
"And how old are you two?" Rita asked, receiving answers. She couldn't wait to separate the boys to ask more than just the mediocre questions (like names and ages). Soon enough, all the boring questions were answered and she told Lee to wait outside.
"Now, Neji, how did you take it to that girl being the champion instead of you? Certainly, you must have felt at least disappointed?" Rita asked, smiling widely. Neji remained impassive, just blinking at her.
"Hardly." He said, inwardly fuming that she'd called TenTen 'that girl' instead of her name. Couldn't people learn to respect her? Rita's smile slipped at his one-word answer.
"What did you feel, then?" She asked, confused. Didn't the kids sent want to become champions? And, besides, one-word answers were hard to manipulate! Well, at least her quill had to do all the manipulating work and not her.
"Glad." Rita's smile fell even further. By the time she sent Neji out and got Lee in, the longest reply she'd gotten was the last… "I'm done here now, excuse me." All the other replies had been one or two worded replies – Rita had been lucky to get three words a few times. Most of his replies were either, "Hn," (whatever that was… and if it counted as a word or reply) or, "No comment."
"So, Lee, how did you feel when that girl was chosen as your school's champion?" Rita asked, hoping Lee would actually answer her questions.
"Oh, I felt the flames out youth rekindle in myself to try harder next time! I was vey happy our blossom of youth was chosen, but I do admit to feel disappointed, too, since I had hoped to become the champion. Then I felt bad for being jealous and decided to practice all my spells in repentance for such ugly, unyouthful emotions and…" Rita's smile fell as Lee went on and on, mentally smacking herself. She'd have to wait for the girl (TanTan or something?) to get a normal interview… or so she hoped. Neji smirked when Lee and Rita exited, one looking very, very discouraged. Lee winked at Neji when the trio went back into the classroom, grinning widely. Their plan had worked quite well. They had all figured, sooner or later, they'd be interviewed and had planned on Neji going first with one-worded answers, Lee next with his three, youth-filled paragraph answers, and finally TenTen with a mix of the two minus the youth. It was quite amusing to all three of them when they thought of what the reporter, whomever they may be, would look like when he or she was done with them.
"Oh, is the wand weighing already done?" Rita asked, going over to a quill and parchment similar to the one she'd had in the broom cupboard, reviewing the text written on it.
"Yes, now you can take your photographs and interview the champions." Bagman said, smiling at her. Rita nodded, positioning the champions in the ways she wanted them (she wanted Harry up front but the photographer wanted Fleur… Rita won the silent fight in the end) around Madame Maxime. Then she took pictures of the Ibarubushi (Harry noticed she had Neji in the middle and smirked to himself) before dragging TenTen into the broom closet she'd had Neji and Lee in first.
"So, TanTan, wasn't it?" Rita asked, magical quill already scurrying to and fro.
"TenTen." TenTen corrected, sighing mentally. Of course Rita wouldn't remember her name but already knew "how Neji looked best in the light". Gosh, some girls were so… shallow.
"Yes, sorry. How did you react to being chosen as the Ibarubushi champion?" Rita asked, waving her off. She could hardly wait to interview Harry. TenTen noted that Rita wasn't sorry at all.
"Excited." Rita blanched. She did not want another one-worded interviewee, not even if she didn't care about this one!
"And your friends…?" Rita asked, wanting a bit more of what Neji did and something sane of what Lee did.
"They were happy for me." TenTen said, shrugging. Rita scowled, mentally screaming. Of course she wouldn't give away anything! The rest of TenTen's interview went by, TenTen noted, trying to get something on Lee or Neji. They hadn't anticipated that, but she didn't have a loose tongue. When TenTen was sent away and Harry replaced her, she went over to Lee and Neji, who'd been waiting for her.
"All she did was ask me about you two." TenTen sighed. Lee smiled sympathetically, throwing his arm around her shoulders.
"We did not mean—"
"I know, I know. I helped plan this, did I not?" TenTen interrupted, poking Lee in the ribs once before turning to Neji.
"And, stop keeping us from Harry. It's a nice gesture, but it's been long enough. I'm surprised you cared that much." She said, giving him a stern look. Neither she nor Lee noticed his ears tinge pink.
"Fine, but their ignorance is quite… unnerving." Neji sighed, knowing how Lee and TenTen both wanted to talk to Harry again (or, well, Lee wanted to talk to Hermione). He also knew their arguments were solid… it was easier to keep tabs on him if they were his "friends". Though Lee and TenTen probably had made friends, Neji didn't know if he was truly Harry, Ron, and Hermione's friends or not. TenTen laughed at his choice of words, ruffling his hair as they went down to dinner.
"Unnerving? More like infuriating." She teased, looping her arm through his. It had been a while since all three of them had walked together connected like this (as in, Lee still had his arm around TenTen and she had Neji's arm interlocked with hers).
Harry walked down to dinner a good hour or so later, mentally exhausted. Stupid Rita Skeeter… that quill of hers wrote things that he didn't say or do or have… He would not like seeing that article printed. Yawning, Harry was mad to find out dinner had already ended and the Great Hall was closed. Grumbling to himself, he walked all the way back up the staircases, going to the Gryffindor common room. Harry ignored people and went to his room and immediately brightened when he saw a plate of food on his bed along with a goblet of pumpkin juice.
"I thought you'd miss dinner, so I brought you a plate. Also, you've a letter from Sirius." Ron said, smiling. Harry nodded in his thanks, dropping onto his bed and stuffing his face. Only after he'd eaten did Harry accept Sirius's letter from Ron's outstretched hand. He read the letter over, nodding.
"What's it say?" Ron asked, going back to his own bed and sitting down, already clad in his pajamas.
"Meet him in the common room on the 22nd. Basically. And to tell him my reply as soon as possible. And that Dumbledore and Moody will never let anyone hurt me." Harry said, shrugging.
"Anything about the Ibarubushi?" Ron asked, leaning forward slightly. He was just as hopeful as Harry was that Sirius, being an adult and having a good few years over them, might be able to understand their reactions to his and Harry's Malfoy bash. Harry shook his head, yawning.
"I'm going to sleep, mate. Long day." Harry said, nodding to Ron and hiding his letter from Sirius before going to sleep. What kept Harry going for the next few days was the prospect of seeing Sirius again and finally being able to talk to Lee and TenTen again (Neji kept a distance between himself and the others, as per usual, but Harry noticed even his conversations with Hermione – the one who talked to him the most - had shortened). But, when the day that brought Rita Skeeter's article on the Quad-Wizard Tournament, Harry felt like he was back in hell. He wasn't the only one, either. The article had said he and Neji both cried at night (Harry over his parents, Neji over not being champion) and Lee was mentally unstable. TenTen, Fleur, Krum, and Cedric were barely mentioned (and all of their names had been misspelled). TenTen found a bright side to the article by poking fun at Neji all day long with Lee jumping in sometimes. The same thing happened to Harry… only it wasn't from friend to friend, it was basically everyone to Harry. The teasing on the article was relentless, especially form the Slytherins. Harry's suspicions had been right when he thought Rita would write crap about him since the article featured way more things that he supposedly said than Harry remembered saying in the broom cupboard or his life (he was also positive Neji's and Lee's bits had been manipulated since youth was never once mentioned and there were long paragraph answers from Neji).
The days seemed to slip and meld into one for Harry as the 24th approached. Each day was the same, essentially, from getting up to going to bed… the teasing had even slowed a bit since no one had anything new or thought of anything new. Harry was surprised when a fan base for Lee started after his interview had been posted; he was even further surprised when, even after the article had been proven wrong, most of the fan base stayed. Neji's had grown larger after his article (which had annoyed him), since they girls thought he was sensitive and needed comforting. TenTen, however, only had one fan… Harry. Not that he'd admit it, though.
"You'd think one of you were the champions." TenTen sighed on the Saturday before the first task, looking at Neji and Lee. There was always a gaggle of girls following them, much like the groups following Krum and Cedric. Neji just shrugged, putting a piece of kipper in his mouth as an excuse not to say anything.
"I am sorry, TenTen. I can assure you, after your youth has been exposed in the first task, you shall have a group of fan boys following you everywhere you go!" Lee aid, giving her a thumbs up and his signature pinging grin. There was a collective sigh from a group of girls down the table.
"Okay, stop freaking sighing over everything they do! I admit my boys are good-looking, but come on, girls! Where's your sense of pride?" TenTen yelled, finally breaking, looking down the table at the admirers. They just glared at her before turning and going back to their eating.
"Hmph. You'd think girls would have a sense of pride here…" TenTen huffed, digging into her food angrily. Neji flicked her forehead, smirking slightly.
"Stop being jealous." He said, expecting a hard jab to the ribs for his comment. What he got instead, however, was a flustered glare.
"I am not jealous! You… you… you're unyouthful!" TenTen retorted back, pointing dramatically at the boy beside her. She had only come up with one word for Neji in her haste, and that one word got Lee laughing and Neji's smirk to widen.
"I've been told. Now, we've a Hogsmeade visit today…" After Neji shrugged off TenTen's unyouthful comment, Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat down across form them, having just woken and gotten down. The golden trio was surprised to see the Ibarubushi kids eating breakfast before eleven on a Saturday, but at Neji's comment they understood.
"Hogsmeade is really cool. We can show you around." Ron said, grinning brightly, piling his plate full of food. Lee nodded enthusiastically, too busy chewing to say something.
"We'll go to the Three Broomsticks first. I want a butterbeer." Harry said, piling food on his plate, though not quite as high as Ron did.
"Don't even think about it, Lee." TenTen said immediately after Lee had swallowed and opened his mouth. Lee pouted, closing his mouth and going back to his eating.
"What?" Hermione asked, not liking to see Lee so put out. It looked downright unnatural for him to look sad.
"It's got alcohol in it, I take. Lee can't have a drop." Neji explained, as TenTen's mouth was full. The golden trio exchanged odd looks before shrugging, finishing their breakfasts quickly. Afterwards, the golden trio led the Ibarubushi to Hogsmeade, "Potter stinks!" flashing at the group occasionally. The group had to wait around the corner of the Three Broomsticks, under Harry's pleas, until Rita Skeeter and her cameraman had left it and were a good distance away. Once they were inside, Harry, Hermione, Ron, and TenTen got butterbeers; Lee wasn't allowed near one and Neji said he had a low tolerance for alcohol. TenTen's eyes seemed to light up when he mentioned it, teasing him mercilessly about the Curry of Life incident. However, since she was sworn into secrecy the golden trio and Lee never got to understand the insider.
Hagrid came into the Three Broomsticks with Moody and told Harry, and TenTen, to meet him wearing The Cloak at midnight. Harry nodded, being the only one who understood his request.
"The cloak?" Ron asked in a whisper, giving Harry a strange look. Harry nodded, grinning widely.
"You know, the one I got for Christmas…" Realization dawned on both Ron and Hermione's faces after he said that; however, the Ibarubushi were still left in the dark.
"I've an invisibility cloak." Harry whispered quietly, casting a glance around the table. This sentence was met with raised eyebrows and incredulous looks.
"Really, I do. You'll see tonight." Harry said, shrugging their looks off. Until three the golden trio showed the Ibarubushi around (they had the most comments about Zonko's – they were debating on how much fun Naruto would have in the shop and how much "fun" the rest of "Ibarubushi" would after he'd visited). That's when Hermione reminded Harry and Ron of their homework and they went back to the castle to do it, leaving the Ibarubushi at Hogsmeade so they could explore more. At half past eleven after dinner and many homework complaints, Harry took the Ibarubushi into his room and locked the door, sliding the light invisibility cloak out of his trunk.
"Here, get under." Harry said, waving TenTen over. Neji and Lee both stiffened, the former glaring at Harry while TenTen joined him beneath the cloak. Harry grinned at her, waiting for the exclamations of disbelief.
"What a youthful item. It must be very useful." Lee said, nodding appreciatively. He'd seen someone use the camouflage technique before (that bastard had been very hard to beat), so it was nothing new to him. The cloak was probably the same, in a sense. Neji just shrugged, mentally giving himself a memo to watch Harry and TenTen when they met Hagrid.
"It is." Harry said, pulling the cloak off of himself and TenTen. The cloak had helped him out plenty of times before, and he was sure it'd continue to help him in the years to come.
"We'd better be going soon." Harry said, ducking back beneath the cloak and pulling TenTen back under. Since they both were around the same height, they didn't have to bend down much to cover their feet. Neji and Lee let the both out of he boy's dorms and then the Gryffindor common room since there were still kids in it. Harry was biting his lip the whole way down to Hagrid's, wondering if they'd get caught and if he should start a conversation. The latter was struck out since he remembered, before he tried, that invisible kids weren't supposed to talk. Harry knocked on Hagrid's front door when they arrived, waiting patiently until the half-giant opened it.
"Yeh there, Harry? TenTen?" Hagrid whispered, looking around the empty grounds suspiciously. He could feel eyes on him, but from where, he didn't know.
"Yeah, we are... What'd you want, Hagrid? I have to be… I've got to get back to the Gryffindor common room soon." Harry whispered back, attempting to get into Hagrid's hut around the large man. He was dressed up nice, which Harry found amusing, and was wearing an odd cologne scent.
"Want ter show yeh summat. Come with me." Hagrid said, closing his door (almost on Harry's arm) waiting until he heard Harry and TenTen intentionally walk loudly on the grass to move forward. Hagrid started walking to the Beauxbatons carriage, where the students and Maxime slept, causing Harry and TenTen to exchange confused looks. Harry was about to ask Hagrid what they were doing when he knocked on the door to the carriage.
"Ah, 'Agrid… is eet time?" Maxime opened the door, smiling at Hagrid. He smiled up at her, horribly butchering the French word for 'Hello'. Maxime gave him a tight-lipped smile, probably offended at the accidental mispronunciation, taking the arm Hagrid offered her once she closed the carriage door. Hagrid led Maxime, Harry, and TenTen towards to paddock where the giant winged horses that pulled the Beauxbatons carriage were kept, again causing TenTen and Harry to exchange confused looks. Maxime suddenly asked where Hagrid was taking her, also lost on what they were doing, receiving a smile and a, "Yeh'll see," in return. He made her promise not to tell anyone that he was showing her this, and TenTen had to hold back laughter when Hagrid was convinced Maxime wouldn't tell. That woman was lying through her teeth! Hagrid led Maxime on a moonlit walk around the edge of the forest, far beyond the lake. Harry was about to tell TenTen he had to go back where an ear-splitting roar came from the forest. TenTen took in an excited breath, already having a hunch – it was a magical creature they were facing in the first task. Hagrid led the group into the trees a bit and stopped.
"D-dragons?" Harry whispered quietly to himself, glad the roaring beasts drowned out any chance of Maxime hearing him. TenTen was visibly bouncing on the balls of her feet next to Harry, eyes shining with appreciation.
"Gorgeous! They're gorgeous!" TenTen whispered, at a lower level than Harry, watching the dragons with great interest. There were five dragons in an enclosed pasture, all spitting and snorting fire. Many dragon handlers were around each, maybe thirty or so, trying to calm the beasts. TenTen watched in wonder as a giant black one unfurled her wings, roaring in protest at her handlers. Harry raised an eyebrow at her zeal, not commenting, taking in the sight of the dragons. A dragon handler came up to them from the pasture, teeth looking much whiter against his sooty face than normal. Harry would know, he'd met the handler before: Charlie Weasley. Charlie began naming all the breeds for Hagrid, pointing out the respective dragons, TenTen squealing quietly in delight. After explaining all the breeds (and warning Hagrid he knew exactly how many dragons they had, if by chance on went missing), Charlie moved their topic onto Harry. Feeling a bit self-conscious (especially when Mrs. Weasley believed he cried at night), Harry poked TenTen, pointing back at the castle. She shrugged, pouting slightly, watching the dragons longingly until they were out of sight.
"So, dragon lover?" Harry asked quietly, grinning lopsidedly at her. TenTen nodded enthusiastically, eyes brightening at the thought of dragons.
"They're… it's been my dream to actually meet one. Now, shush, before we're caught." TenTen chided, even quieter than Harry, as they walked across the grounds towards the school, slipping inside effortlessly. No words were passed between the two until they reached the portrait hole to the Gryffindor common room, both saying, "Balderdash," at the same time.
"If you think so." The Fat Lady giggled sleepily, swinging open for them. As soon as she was inside, TenTen slipped out from inside the invisibility cloak, popping her back.
"Thanks for that, Harry. I'll be thanking Hagrid later. Good night." TenTen waved, going up the stairs to her dorm. She was sure the whole walk, from beginning to end, had been watched by Neji. Hagrid had looked around after finding out they were there suspiciously, and she herself had felt watched. When TenTen entered the dorm and locked it, she was met with white, pupil-less eyes and large dark brown ones.
"Neji said there are dragons!" Lee whisper-yelled, grinning brightly at her. He was bouncing with excitement, much like she had when seeing the great beasts, on his bed.
"Uh-huh. They're gorgeous. Absolutely magnificent." TenTen said quietly back, grinning right back at him. She couldn't wait until Tuesday, the 24th, to meet her dragon and do whatever the first task was.
"Seeing as Hagrid and Maxime are still out there, plus Karkaroff now, we shouldn't train tonight." Neji spoke up suddenly, leaning against the headboard of his bed. TenTen nodded, knowing if the two on a date and their date-crasher returned to Hogwarts and beyond, they'd hear something and want to investigate. It would be a good tactic to practice battling in complete silence, but she doubted Lee could go for very long with out making a noise.
"So, tomorrow, then?" Lee asked, zeal about the dragons fading. Neji nodded, knowing he meant morning training, eyebrows quirking together. TenTen and Lee, seeing that movement, quieted down, wondering what he was confused about. Then, they heard it: voices.
"Sirius, how are you?"
Nodding at them for silence, Neji activated his Byakugan once more, knowing he'd pay for it later in the day, looking down at Harry talking into the fireplace where Sirius Black's head floated.
"It's Black." Neji confirmed lowly as Harry started his rant on how horrible his Hogwarts year had been going so far. Taking off his Byakugan, TenTen and Lee catching on when he did so, Neji quietly led them to a portion of the stairs where they'd be hidden. There, Lee and TenTen saw it with their own eyes.
Who they were supposed to be protecting in specific, Harry Potter, was talking to the man they were supposed to be protecting him from, Sirius Black!
A/N: Lol, cliffy. xD Not really, but, y'know. This chapter got a bit long since I wanted to fit the awesome-tastical dragons in. Wow, I'm getting a lot of reviewers/favoriters/watchers – thank y'all so much! All of y'all are freaking awesome, made of epic win, you name it. ! :DDD
Oh, first task next chapter, with the lovely dragons. ;P And the updating on Wednesdays bit? Yeah, I lied, lol. I'll have them as my deadline, but I probably won't be updating on Wednesdays that often. I would, but I think keeping finished chapter from you lovely readers until Wednesday is just wrong.
~ Tobi