CHAPTER EIGHT

Standing at the front of the great hall with headmaster Dumbledore, Harry looked at the piece of parchment the headmaster was holding out for him to take. A smile formed on his lips. He looked back at the headmaster without touching the parchment. "I did not enter my name headmaster, I have no intention of competing in this tournament and that" He said, pointing to the parchment that the headmaster was still holding out. "Is not my hand writing."

Whispering broke out across the hall. Mr Crouch, Mr Bagman, Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape and the headmaster and headmistress from the other two schools made their way to where Harry and Dumbledore was standing. "What is going on?" Mr Crouch asked.

"I was just telling the headmaster here, that I did not enter the tournament. That is not my hand writing and I am not competing in this tournament." Said Harry.

"Of course it is your hand writing. It must be. No-one else could have entered your name." Said Mr Bagman.

"Professors, could you please take a look at the parchment the headmaster is holding and tell me if that is my writing?" Asked Harry.

Both McGonagall and Snape looked at the parchment, then looked at each other. "That is not Mr Potter's hand writing." Said Professor Snape as Professor McGonagall shook her head.

Harry looked at Bagman and Crouch. "So as I said, I did not enter and I will not be competing. I suggest you have the goblet choose someone else."

"I'm afraid that is not possible." Said Mr Crouch. "The goblet will not re-light until the next Triwizard Tournament."

"Then call this one off and restart it." Said Harry.

"That can not be done either. The rules are that the tasks must be completed. We are unable to change or cancel the tasks. I'm afraid you will have to compete." Said Crouch.

"I will not complete." Harry replied angrily.

"Mr Potter, with your name coming out of the goblet you are bound by a magical contract against your magic. If you do not compete your magic will be bound." Said Mr Crouch.

"But I didn't enter my name! That is not my hand writing. How can I be bound to a magical contract?" Asked Harry.

"Because Mr Potter it was I who entered your name." Said Dumbledore, who hadn't spoken a word until now.

The whole hall fell silent as Harry along with everyone standing with him turned to look at the headmaster. "What did you just say?" Asked Harry barley controlling his temper. Sure that he had heard wrong.

"I said it was I who entered your name." Dumbledore replied.

Harry nodded slowly and held out his arm. There was a flash of flame and Pura landed on the offered perch. "Pura get Sirius for me. I don't care where he is or what he is doing. Just bring him here please." Harry told the phoenix. Pura bobbed her head in understanding before gently springing off Harry's arm and disappearing.

"Now Mr Potter is that really necessary?" Dumbledore asked.

Ignoring Dumbledore, Harry turned to look at Ginny waving her to come over. Ginny stood from where she had been sitting, wrapped Sal around her lower arm and walked towards Harry.

"Miss Black, what are you doing up here?" The headmaster asked as Ginny reached Harry's side.

"Sirius will be here soon and then we will be going to your office to discuss this. Ginny is here because she will be coming with us. I will not leave her on her own." Said Harry.

"Now Mr Potter..." Started Dumbledore, as there was a flash and Pura with Sirius appeared in the Hall in front of Harry.

"Harry, What on earth..." Sirius paused as he looked around the hall. "What's going on?" He asked.

"The champions of the Triwizard Tournament were announced tonight." Said Harry.

"OK?" Said Sirius looking around the hall again.

"Well my name came out." Harry stated.

"WHAT!" Sirius shouted, turning his full attention to Harry. "You promised me you wouldn't enter your name." He accused.

"And I kept that promise. I did not enter my name. The headmaster did it for me." Said Harry.

Sirius turned to Dumbledore. "You did what?" Sirius practically growled.

"Maybe we should take this to my office." Said Dumbledore.

"Or maybe you should tell us what you think you was playing at." Said Sirius.

"I don't understand Albus. How could you of entered the boy's name?" Asked Mr Crouch.

"I'd like to know the answer to that as well." Said Harry. Sirius nodded as he glared at the headmaster.

"Well I don't see what the problem is." Harry heard one of the students say. He turned to look around the hall. Everyone was looking at Hermione, who was seated at the Griffindor house table. Harry assumed it had been her who had spoken.

"What do you mean you don't see what the problem is?" Harry asked.

"Well I mean, does it matter who entered your name? I told you the other day you were the best person for the tournament. The goblet obviously thought so to. If it didn't think that you were the best person for the tournament it would have chosen someone else." Said Hermione.

"But it should have never had the chance to pick my name, as I never wanted to be involved in the tournament!" Shouted Harry.

"Yes well, It doesn't matter now does it? You have been chosen. You will have to compete." She declared.

"And you would be OK if your name had been entered against your will would you?" Harry demanded. "Do you know what happens in these tournaments? PEOPLE DIE! I didn't want to be in it. Yet without consulting me and against my will I have been entered into this bloody thing. Don't you think it should have been my choice whether or not I wanted to take part in an event that could get me killed?"

"Now your just being dramatic. The headmaster and the rest of the judges are not about to let a student die. The judges know the ages of the champions were going to be between sixteen and eighteen. I'm sure the tasks are appropriate for that age range." Hermione said as if she was talking to a five-year old.

Harry just glowered at her. He was not going to get into an argument with the girl. He wanted to get to the bottom of this and find a way out of competing.

"Yes but Hermione," Ron spoke up with an amused voice. "Like I said when the tournament was announced. He has a reputation for being the boy who lived. You said yourself, there are all those books and newspaper articles written about him. They all say how wonderful and talented he is. He doesn't want the wizarding world to see how untalented he really is. Like I said before, how talented can he be if he couldn't even join the school in the correct year?" Ron finished a nasty smirk on his face, as the rest of the hall broke into a new round of whispering.

Harry was about ready to march up to the red-headed boy and wipe that smirk of his face. "Harry?" Sirius said. When Harry turned to look at him, he continued. "I think the best thing to do is go to the headmaster's office and get this mess sorted out." Harry nodded in reply. Maybe it was best for them to leave the hall before Harry did something that he might regret.

"I suggest the lot of you" Sirius said looking around the hall. "keep your opinions to yourself. This tournament was banned because of the high death rate. Maybe you should look up what sort of tasks this tournament involves. Then ask yourself who has the right to commit someone to a magical contract to take part against their will."

"I'm sure you are capable of sorting all this out Albus." Said Crouch looking at Dumbledore. At the headmaster's nod he continued. "Right well me and Mr Bagman will go and see the other champions. We will have to let them know what is going on. Please let us know the outcome of your meeting."

"Of course Cornelius, Minerva could you make sure our students make their way to their common rooms. Severus if you could help her." Dumbledore said nodding to each person in turn.

McGonagall and Snape did not look happy about being dismissed without finding out what was going to happen. But they nodded in reply. "Thank you." Said Dumbledore. "Now if you would follow me Sirius, Mr Potter. Miss Black I suggest you make your way back to your common room along with the rest of your house mates."

"I told you she will be coming with us headmaster." Said Harry.

"Mr Potter, this discussion does not involve Miss Black. She will be returning to her common room along with the rest of the students." Dumbledore said, speaking with authority.

Harry however was not about to back down. "Headmaster..." Before he could get any further Sirius interrupted. "She will be joining us Albus. Don't push this."

Looking angry that his instructions had been ignored, Dumbledore turned and started walking out of the great hall. Harry gave a curt nod to Sirius which was returned before following the headmaster with Rama at his side. Sirius winked at Ginny putting his arm around her shoulder. Together they also left the hall.

"So pup, hows school going?" Sirius asked Ginny as they made their way to the headmaster's office.

"Not to bad. I can't believe how much homework we are getting." Ginny replied.

Sirius nodded. "It's not the best of situations for my being here, but it's nice to see you." He said.

"It's nice to see you to dad." Ginny replied, leaning into Sirius more as he tightened his hold on her giving her a hug.

Once they reached the headmaster's office everyone took a seat, Rama sitting at Ginny's feet. For a couple of minuets an uncomfortable silence filled the room, until Harry broke it. "Is this why you practically begged me to come to your school? Was this your plan all along?" He demanded standing up and pacing in front of the headmaster's desk.

"Mr Potter, my reasons for wanting you at school had nothing to do with this tournament. I simply wanted you to have the chance to further your education, have the chance to make friends and be safe." The headmaster replied.

Harry stopped pacing and stared at the headmaster in disbelief. "You are joking right?" He asked.

"No Harry I am not joking." Dumbledore answered.

"You don't honestly expect me to believe that?" Harry said.

"It is the truth"

"Don't lie to me headmaster, it is insulting." Harry spat.

"I am not lying Mr..." Dumbledore began.

"I am an aura reader Headmaster! I know you are lying." Harry interrupted glaring at the headmaster.

Dumbledore looked shocked but not one bit sorry. "I think it would be best Albus, if you tell us exactly why you wanted Harry here this year and why you thought, you had the right to enter his name into this tournament without his consent." Said Sirius.

Dumbledore sighed. "I entered his name because I felt that he would be the best contestant for the school. If the goblet had thought someone else was better suited for the tournament it would have chosen them."

"But I didn't want to be in the tournament!" Harry shouted. Taking a deep breath he continued a little more calmly. "What gave you the right to enter my name. Why didn't you ask me if it was OK?"

"I didn't ask you because I didn't have to. The rules state that the headmaster or headmistress of a competing school, will be able to enter students of their choice as long as said student meets the age requirement." The headmaster said.

"But the rules don't state that said student should have a choice about whether, or not they are willing to be put into a life or death situation? Who the bloody hell came up with these rules?" Said Harry resuming his pacing.

"Myself, Mr Bagman and Mr Crouch came up with them. All three of us signed them off agreeing to the stated rules." Dumbledore said.

"But Mr Crouch and Mr Bagman said they didn't understand how you had put my name in the goblet." Said Harry as he paused in his pacing again, looking confused.

"I am not responsible if they did not take the time to read the rules thoroughly." Said Dumbledore.

"What the hell did you think you was playing at Albus?" Sirius demanded. "You know how dangerous this tournament is. You know there is a chance that the students involved could die. In my eye's you are knowingly sending my godson into danger. Are you trying to get the boy killed? Is that what you're hoping for?"

"Don't be ridiculous Sirius. I will not allow any of the students to be killed!" Dumbledore snapped.

"Forgive me Albus, but after the things that have happened in your school and under your nose over the last few years, I have very little faith in anything you say." Sirius deadpanned.

"So your plan along was to enter my name? Why else would you have put that rule in?" Interrupted Harry.

"Like I said Mr Potter, I entered your name because I thought that you was the best student to be chosen. The rules state that I was in my right to do so, and by choosing your name the goblet thought so to." The headmaster stated. "Now, I think it would be best if you and Miss Black returned to your common room it is getting late."

"Now wait a minuet..." Harry started. He couldn't believe Dumbledore thought the conversation was over.

"Albus we are not done here." Sirius said. "Harry didn't enter his name, he wasn't asked and he doesn't want to take part. There must be a way that he can be pulled out."

"No Sirius there is not. Harry's name coming out of the goblet created a magical contract. He must compete otherwise his magic will be bound. He would be no more than a squib." Dumbledore stated.

Sirius stood up his fists clenched. "But it was you that entered his name. It was you that put his name on that parchment, so surly the contract is bound to your magic not his." He growled.

"No Sirius, the contract is still with Harry." Said Dumbledore.

Harry looked at Sirius and then the headmaster. "Then I guess I will be collecting my things."

"What do you mean you will be collecting your things?" Asked the headmaster.

"Exactly what I said Sir. I will not be competing, and if that means that I will have my magic bound then I cannot stay here. For one the school rules state that they are unable to accept squibs and secondly I cannot stay here if I am unable to protect myself." Said Harry.

"Harry..." Said the headmaster. But Harry cut him off. "No Sir, I have made my choice. I will be leaving this school, so that when the contract takes effect I will at home where I will be safe."

"Mr Potter you cannot do that." Said the headmaster, he looked worried at the idea of Harry leaving the school and having his magic bound.

"Why not headmaster?" Asked Harry.

"Because Mr Potter it is very important that you keep your magic. For you to become a squib would mean that you, along with your family will become targets. You will not be able to survive in the wizarding world if your magic is bound." Said Dumbledore, he looked pleadingly towards Sirius for help convincing Harry not to do this. But Sirius was looking at Harry a blank expression on his face.

"Me and my family are already targets Sir, and I am very much aware that we would not be able to stay in the wizarding world. But we could move to a different country and live in the muggle world." Replied Harry.

"It would not be that simple Harry." Said the headmaster.

"Why not Sir?" Harry asked.

"I am afraid that I cannot answer that question at this time." Said Dumbledore.

Harry could feel his control on his temper slipping, Rama was keeping up a steady growl from where he sat at Ginny's feet. He was probably picking up on Harry's agitated state. Ginny who hadn't said a word was looking between the three men in the room, her eyes full of worry. Sirius looked like he was working out the best way to remove Dumbledore's head from his shoulders.

"Well," said Harry. "How about I make an educated guess about why you are so against me not taking part, and why the idea of my magic being bound seems to scare you. Hmm?"

"Mr potter..." The headmaster tried to interrupt.

But Harry continued as if he hadn't spoken. "Could it have anything to do with a prophecy that was made just before I was born? Could it be that said prophecy states that I am the only one that can defeat Voldemort when he returns? Because you know as well as I do that he will return. Could it be that if my magic was to be bound the only hope for the wizarding world would be lost? That without me every witch and wizard would be left to the hands of Voldemort. Could that be the reason headmaster?" Harry asked. His voice had risen so the last sentence was shouted.

"I am not sure where you got your information Mr Potter, and I must say I'm not happy that you know about the prophecy, or that you have just spoken about it in front of Miss Black. This is delicate information and we do not want the wrong people to find out about it. But you are correct, the prophecy is the reason why you cannot simply have your magic bound and leave the wizarding world." Dumbledore said.

"Ginny is Sirius' daughter, who is my godfather. She is a target because of her relationship to Sirius and her friendship with me. She has the right to know what she is involved with. I should have told her earlier." Turning to look at Ginny, who had gone quiet pale he said, "I'm sorry Gin I should have told you before now."

"We'll talk about it later Harry." Ginny replied quietly.

Harry nodded then turned back to the headmaster. "Where I get my information from is none of your business, and I really couldn't care if your happy or not that I know about the prophecy. You are nothing more than my headmaster. As the prophecy is about me I have a right to know about it, and I will decide who I tell about it. As for your comment about the prophecy being the reason I cannot have my magic bound and leave the wizarding world that is not true. It is the reason that you don't want me to be a squib or leave."

"You would be condemning the wizarding world to the hands of Voldemort!" Dumbledore said angrily.

"Then you should have thought about that, before you decided to enter my name in a tournament I didn't want to be a part of!" Harry shouted back. He was shaking with anger but had so far managed to keep his magic in check.

Ginny stood from where she was sitting, she slowly made her way over to Harry and wrapped her arms around his waist. Harry automatically put his arms around her shoulders and pulled her into a tight hug, burying his face in her hair and taking deep breaths as he tried to calm himself down. Rama came to stand next to them leaning his head against Harry's leg.

"Here is what is going to happen." Said Sirius. "Harry will compete in the tournament." He held his hand up as Harry's head snapped up to look at him betrayal written across his face.

"But he will do the bare minimum required. He will not be putting himself in danger and he will not complete the tasks. You Albus," Sirius turned to look at the headmaster after seeing Harry relax.

"You will make an announcement at breakfast tomorrow. You will tell your students, teachers and guests that you made the rule that gave you the ability to enter Harry's name without his consent. You will also tell them that after some thought, what you did was wrong. You tell them you have decided that although Harry is magically bound to compete, he will be doing the bare minimum and that the Hogwarts students should not expect to come anywhere but last in the tournament. You will tell them that this was your decision and that anybody who has a problem with it are to come to you. And you will tell all the students that anybody that gives Harry a hard time about it will receive punishment, I would suggest detentions until the end of term. I do not want my godson having a hard time because of your actions."

"You ask a lot of me Sirius. Suppose I say no. What will you do then? You have no authority to demand this of me." Said Dumbledore.

"If you do not agree to this, then Harry and Ginny will go and pack their things and I will take them out of school. And I promise you, you will not find us." Answered Sirius.

"That is blackmail Sirius!" Dumbledore hissed.

"Yes, but it is no more than what you tried to use on Harry. Now you know what it feels like to have someone use the future of the wizarding world against you. At least you're not a sixteen year old lad. What will you choose?" Said Sirius.

Dumbledore Sighed, taking off his glasses and rubbing his hands across his face. "I will do as you have asked. I will make an announcement at breakfast tomorrow."

"Good. I will be here in the morning to make sure I am happy with it. Because if I am not Harry and Ginny leave with me after breakfast." Said Sirius. "Does this arrangement sound acceptable to you Harry?"

Ginny let go of Harry walking back to her chair and sitting down. Rama stayed at Harry's side leaning against his leg. Harry looked at Sirius. "I suppose it is the best we can do without me loosing my magic. But I warn you headmaster, from now on you will not interfere with my life. I am not your puppet nor am I your weapon. I suggest you remember that."

The headmaster didn't respond, he didn't even acknowledge that he had heard what had been said. But Harry knew he had been heard.

"Right well, I think that we are done here. I think pups you should head back to your room. I am going to go home I need to let my guests know what is going on. We were in the middle of dinner when Pura kidnapped me." Said Sirius.

He walked over to Harry and pulled him into a hug. silently telling him he was on his side and together they would get through this. After letting Harry go he turned to Ginny giving her a hug and kissing the top of her head. "Look after him." He whispered in her ear. He felt Ginny nod against his chest.

Stepping back Ginny gave Sirius a kiss on the cheek and saying goodbye, before she walked over to Harry taking hold of his arm and gently pulled him out of the office.

Harry didn't say anything for the rest of the evening. As soon as he got back to their room he got into bed after quickly getting changed. Ginny sat on the edge of his bed gently stocking his hair until he fell asleep.

The next morning as promised Dumbledore made his announcement. The Hogwarts students made angry remarks and shouted in protest. The guests from the other schools looked happy after the speech. Everyone kept shooting looks at Harry, who kept his head down and ate his breakfast. With Ginny's hand resting on his knee in silent support.