"Isn't that the Bulgarian Quidditch player we saw this summer?" Hermione asked, giving Ron a small push as they at down at the Gryffindor table in the Great hall.
"Mm, Victor Krum." Ron said calmly pulling out a thin booklet from his pocket.
"How to stay friends with a know-it-all seer." Hermione read from the cover. She snorted at Ron when he glanced at Harry.
"Harry told me all about Krum coming and other stuff. I just thought it might be good to read up on how to behave around him." Ron explained quietly to Hermione who looked very doubtful. She turned to eye Harry and found him winking his eyes at some Beuxbatons girls, who still hadn't decided where to sit.
"Harry! Stop that. Can't you see that you're flustering them?" She said in a scandalised voice, eyeing the blushing girls in disgust.
"What? I was only winking at Fleur." He answered calmly rolling his eyes at her. Hermione's brows rose.
"Who's Fleur?" She whispered to Ron, who shrugged.
"You can borrow the book when I'm finished." Hermione nodded absentmindly before catching herself.
"Ron, Lee told me that Harry told you that Krum was coming." Fred called to Ron from the other side of the table.
"What did I tell who?" Harry asked confused, tearing his eyes away from a very cute Beauxbatons brunette.
"That Krum was coming to Hogwarts, well you just mentioned him really." Ron said, in a bored voice paging through the small book. Harry frowned, since when did Ron listen so carefully to everything he said? He'd have to watch his tongue in the future if it continued.
"I don't think I'll ever get used to our little Harry having seer abilities." George gushed, laughing at Harry's face.
"Oh shut it George." Harry muttered.
"Honestly Harry, I'm Fred." George said in a mock hurt voice.
"You tell yourself that George." Harry said, knowing full well that George was the one with a twitchy eye when ever he lied. George scowled and turned to Lee who sat next to him trying to hold in the laughter.
"Excuse me, is zis seat taken?" Ron looked behind Harry and got a very glossy eyed look on his face at the sight of Fleur and another Beauxbatons girl.
"No not at all, please have a seat." Harry said with a wide smile scooting closer to Ron to make room.
"How was your journey? Not to tiring I hope?" He asked as they sat down. The girl next to Fleur blushed slightly and slowly shook her head.
"You…you are ze Arry Potter?" She asked, making Harry sigh.
"Mm, that's me alright. But please, tell me what did the parents of a girl as lovely as you name you?" Harry flirted making her blush bright red and making all of the Gryffindors nearby turn and stare in shock. Harry just didn't flirt.
"Nicole. And zis is my friend Fleur." The girl said still with a red face. She looked quite happy for Fleur to have all of his attention.
"Ah, Fleur, how lovely it is to meet you." Harry said tilting his head slightly and winking his eye at her. She smiled delighted at his antics.
"This is my friend Ron and his lovely girlfriend Hermione. His two twin brothers George and Fred and their little sister Ginny down there." Harry introduced, ignoring the twin gasps of horror from Ron and Hermione. Fleur seemed taken aback at the glare she received from Ginny.
"They have three older brothers out of school as well." Harry continued, making her stare at Ron in pity.
"There's Percy, Charlie and then Bill. Bill works for Gringotts in London. I think you would like him." Harry finished making her eye him in confusion.
"Zat is nice, Arry." She said politely.
"So, what is Beauxbatons like?" Hermione asked, leaning over Ron once she'd gotten over her shock introduction. Harry was pleased to note that neither she nor Ron bothered to correct him.
"Oh, it is ze best school in ze world. Very beautiful and much warmer zan ere." She answered with a smile. Harry noticed that her friend had started up a conversation with Neville, both of them blushing furiously.
A silence soon fell over the hall as Dumbledore got ready to make his announcements.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Ghosts and most particularly guests." Dumbledore said beaming down at them all.
"I have great pleasure in welcoming you all to Hogwarts. I hope and trust that your stay here will be both comfortable and enjoyable." Fleur turned and eyed Harry with a bright smile, making him worried.
"The Tournament will be officially opened at the end of the feast." Said Dumbledore. "I now invite you all to eat, drink and make yourselves at home." Harry noticed that Moody was eyeing Karkaroff with a glare, before giving Dumbledore a short wave and leaving the hall.
"What is that?" Ron asked in disgust, pointing at the table.
"Bouillabaisse." Hermione, Harry and Fleur said together making Ron stare at them in surprise.
"Bless you. What are the odds of three people sneezing at once?" He asked making Hermione roll her eyes. She took it upon herself to educate him in on the subject of foreign foods.
"Zey ave been together for a long time?" Fleur asked, eying them banter.
"Yeah, it feels like for years." Harry answered handing her some pumpkin juice.
"I ave made plans to work in ze English Gringotts bank zis summer. To learn better English." Harry nodded whilst loading up some potatoes on his plate.
"I'll introduce you to Bill when I see him next time. I'm sure he'd love to answer any questions you might have." Harry said, hoping that Bill would arrive later on in the year. He'd pretty much resigned himself when it came to competing in the tournament. He'd try a last time to talk to Dumbledore but if that didn't work he'd just have to live with it. He spent a very enjoyable dinner chatting with Fleur, with comments and questions from Hermione every now and then.
"The moment has come." Said Dumbledore calling for their attention.
"The triwizard tournament is about to start." Harry tuned out the whole introduction and the disappointment with the age-line and spent the time watching Karkaroff and Snape glare at each other.
"You'll try and get in wont you Harry?" George asked, breaking Harry's stare.
"What? Er, no not really. Far too dangerous, besides I'm sure Voldemort will try his usual stunt this year as well." Fleur gasped at the mentioning of Voldemort.
"Don't worry Fleur, he doesn't really care for anyone else but me at the moment. You'll be safe." Fleur eyed the hand patting her own. George looked at Harry with a funny look on his face and opened his mouth several times to speak. But after seeing Ron shake his head, he settled for Fred, whispering in a hushed voice.
"Oh, come on Harry. Let's go to the common room." Hermione finally said as students lowly started to trickle out of the hall.
"I will see you later 'arry." Fleur said kissing him on the cheek.
"Yeah, don't hesitate to come over and chat." Harry said with a smile.
"You are soo gay, mate." Seamus whispered as they made it to the door.
"Nah, just like red heads better." Harry answered not noticing Ginny sulking behind them. At his words she stopped and eyed his disappearing back with a look of wonder.
The next morning dawned bright and early. Hermione had woken all the fourth yea boys up wanting to see if anyone from the higher years were going to put their names in.
Harry suddenly remembered that he'd planned to talk to Dumbledore the night before and was one of the first to leave the dorm much to Hermione's pleasure.
"Done it." Fred said, marching in with George and Lee in close pursuit.
"What?" Ron asked from behind them having entered the hall after them.
"Taken some ageing potion." Fred said with a superior grin.
"One drop each." George said smirking. Harry laughed with delight, he could spare a moment before going on his Dumbledore hunt, he wouldn't miss this for anything in the world.
George's smirk faltered at the sight of Harry''s scary grin, but Fred marched over to the goblet and crossed the line. George thinking it was safe dove after him with a cry of triumph. And then with a sizzling sound they flew out of the circle and landed ten feet away. Harry burst into laughter at the sight, the look on their faces was just to much. And with long beards growing it was just perfect. Fred looked at George who looked at a teary eyed Harry who sat clutching his stomach trying to stifle the laughter. George pulled his wand out with narrowed eyes.
"I did warn you boys." Dumbledore said in an amused voice, saving Harry from a terrible future.
The twins got sent to the infirmary and calm soon settled in the hall. Harry allowed Dumbledore enough time to pour a cup of tea before making his move.
"Not now Mr Potter." Professor McGonagall said at the sight of him.
"Could I have a word sir?" He asked daring McGonagall to send him back.
"Certainly my boy, why don't you finish your breakfast first though?" Harry eyed the headmaster in suspicion, that had gone much too smoothly.
"You heard the headmaster Potter." Harry gave McGonagall a half hearted glare before returning to his seat.
"Something wrong mate?" Ron asked as he got seated.
"Just wanted a word with Dumbledore about Moody." Hermione nodded looking around the hall.
"Where is he anyway? He's usually glued to Dumbledore." Harry sighed, please let him be gone, he prayed silently.
"Don't know, don't care." He muttered taking an angry bite of his toast.
"Arry, I ave put my name in ze goblet." Harry brightened up at the sight of Fleur. Ron seemed to have gone into trans at the sight of fleur running towards them. Her long blond hair floating behind her.
"That's great Fleur, I hope you get in. would you like to join us?" He asked motioning for the empty seat next to him.
"Oh, non. We are aving ze breakfast wiz Madam Maxime today. Maybe in ze afternoon?" Harry nodded and she left to join the group of Beauxbatons students leaving the hall.
"I don't get it. She must be a vela or something. Hermione looks just as good but I don't become a slobbering mass of hormones when ever she's around." Ron muttered, overlooking the fact that Hermione was seated next to him, eyeing him with big eyes.
"Mm, she must be part vela, I'm sure she doesn't mean to make you dribble." Harry said eying Hermione's undecided face. She didn't seem able to decide whether to give him a kiss or a slap.
"Ah, finished Mr Potter?" Harry stood quickly and followed Dumbledore out of the hall.
"We'll be at Hagrids!" Hermione called after them.
"So, how can I be of assistance Harry?" Harry took a deep breath.
"Er, Moody…that is…the thing…you see I." this wasn't going to plans.
"I think Voldemort wants me in the tournament and that a deatheater is going to put my name in the goblet." There he'd said it.
"And how does Alastor come into the picture?" Harry thought for a moment.
"I told you of Potters mad claims, Headmaster." Harry glared at Snape who'd sneaked up on them.
"Stay out of it." Harry muttered angrily.
"Now, now boys. Let's not argue." Dumbledore chided.
"He's taking Polyjuice potion." Harry insisted.
"I have investigated your claims and found nothing out of the ordinary." Harry eyed him surprised.
"You mean he didn't have any Polyjuice?" He asked shocked.
"That would be the case my boy. Now I will do my best to keep an eye on the goblet and any unusual happenings. Is that to your satisfaction?" Harry nodded miserably. Something was not right here.
"On another note, I have successfully found and destroyed one of the objects we mentioned at the end of last term." Harry eyed Dumbledore confused, what?
"Sir?" Harry asked, but Karkaroff interrupted looking flustered calling for the Headmasters attention.
"Tell me of this object." Snape demanded as soon as they had left. Harry ignored him and started walking down the hall towards the door leading out to the grounds.
"It's nothing." He said when Snape wouldn't leave.
"I have a right to know! I who have sacrificed more…" Snape trailed of in horror.
"You tricked me! You good for nothing boy, trying to get me into revealing my deepest…" Harry rolled his eyes.
"Look, Voldemort created Horcruxe's and now Dumbledore is looking for them." Harry said in a bored tone.
"Horcrux?" Snape echoed, looking enraged at not knowing what Harry was talking about.
"Mm, split his soul into bits to stop him from dying." Snape looked horrified.
"How did you come by this information?" he demanded.
"The book last year." Harry said, making Snape nod thoughtfully.
"What are you still doing in my presence? Get out of my sight!" Snape yelled after a short silence, glaring down at Harry.
Harry just shrugged and slowly started walking towards Hagrids hut.
"Annoying poor uncle Sev are you?" Harry smirked at the name.
"Uncle Sev is it?" He asked looking at Draco Malfoy who blushed.
"You can't tell him I said that." He begged looking scared.
"What's in it for me?" Harry asked leading the way down to the hut.
"I, eh…" Harry smirked as Malfoy tried to come up with something Harry could need.
"Tell you what. You get me a potion when I need one and we'll forget all about uncle Sev. Deal?" Draco nodded glumly shaking Harry's hand. The door opened revealing Hermione.
"Oo you look like you just struck a deal with he devil." She said eyeing Draco.
"Feels like it to." He answered walking inside.
"How are the Skrewts doing Hagrid?" He asked nodding at Ron.
"Oh they're getting' massive." Hagrid said giving the blond a hard slap on the back in greeting. He missed Ron's and Draco's disgruntled faces.
"Hagrid you look very dashing." Harry said eyeing the hairy brown suit the half giant was wearing.
"Thanks 'arry." Hagrid beamed at him, not noticing the looks the others were giving Harry. They ended up staying for lunch much to Draco's horror.
"Oh, blimey…look at the time. Jus give us a sec." Harry jumped up quickly.
"Better leave it Hagrid. Don't want to appear too desperate." Hagrid blushed.
"Don' know wha' yer talkin' abou' arry." He said making his way to the door. Harry was happy to see that he left the cologne alone as he shooed them outside.
"Arry!" Harry turned at Fleur's delighted cry.
"Allow me to escort you up to the castle my fair Lady." He said holding out his arm for her to hold on.
"You ave very good manners. Very nice." Madam Maxime commented giving Harry a once over.
"Thank you madam. I see that Hagrid did you justice. He was just telling me of your beauty." Harry said making the Headmistress and Hagrid blush. She turned to Hagrid with a smile and hooked her arm with his.
"He's scary." Harry heard Ron mutter from behind.
"He's in love." Harry snapped before leading Fleur up to the castle after the others.
"I wasn't talking about Hagrid." Ron muttered, grabbing Hermione's hand.
They spent the feast chatting and laughing. Ginny had approached them at the beginning of the meal and was now laughing with Fleur about something or other, having suddenly gotten over her dislike for the blond.
"Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision." Said Dumbledore calling for silence.
"Now when the champions name is called I would ask them please to come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber where they will receive their first instructions." The hall quietened down completely when Dumbledore dimmed the lights in the hall making the Goblet shine brightly in the semi-darkness.
Suddenly the flames from the Goblet turned red and sparks flew out of it. A long flame shot out and a charred peace of paper fluttered down into Dumbledore's waiting hand.
"The champion for Durmstrang…" Here he paused for added tension. "…is Victor Krum." The hall erupted in cheers and applauds. Karkaroff looked ecstatic.
The Goblet soon turned red again spitting out a second peace of paper.
"The champion for Beauxbatons…" Harry's hand was squeezed hard by a nervous Fleur.
"…Is Fleur Delacour." Fleur spun around in her seat and gave Harry a hard hug before gracefully making her way out of the hall and into the other chamber.
"Lucky boy." Fred muttered when she'd disappeared from sight.
Again the Goblet turned red and everyone grew silent waiting for the last champion.
"The Hogwarts champion…" Dumbledore looked very relived after reading the name. "…Is Cedric Diggory." The Hufflepuff table erupted in sounds. Still cheering after Cedric had disappeared.
"Excellent." Dumbledore said happily when the hall finally went quiet. Harry tensed, this was it this is when he'd find out. He turned his attention back to Dumbledore.
"…will contribute in a very real…" Dumbledore stopped speaking, looking surprised.
"No." Harry moaned banging his head on the table making Ron eye him in pity. "You don't mean…"
A long flame shot out of the Goblet and landed at Dumbledore's feet as he was busy eyeing the Gryffindor table.
"Harry Potter." He said after bending down and reading the name. Nobody uttered a sound. Harry stood angrily.
"I knew it! I knew this would happen. I tried to warn you, but did you listen?" Harry snapped looking at Snape, McGonagall and Dumbledore.
"Now just because some little Deatheater put my name in the Goblet I have to compete in this stupid game. Thanks! Really, thank you very MUCH!" Harry screamed slamming the door after himself as he exited the stunned hall.
Harry sulked as he made it over to where the other three were waiting, illuminated by a fire. He'd known that this would happen, but he had still held some hope. And besides he was not going through the whole Harry is a jerk campaign again.
"Arry, What is it?" Fleur had spotted him as he approached.
"Just some stupid deatheater putting my name in the Goblet." Harry muttered, making Cedric and Krum both gasp.
"Oh, my poor, poor arry. Zat is terrible. Can zey not elp you?" Fleur gushed, fretting over him.
"It's ok Fleur, don't worry I'll be fine." Harry said, not liking the worried look on her face.
"Extraordinary!" Harry pulled his arm out of Ludo Bagman's sudden grip.
"What? That a deatheater signed me in to your very dangerous little game? Yes, what extraordinary luck:" Harry spat out angrily, making Bagman step back in surprise.
"Now, now Harry, no need for that." Dumbledore said eyeing him in pity.
"I did my best, truly how anyone could…" Harry waved Dumbledore's excuses away.
"It's fine. It's happened. Do you think you could let Sirius know? Preferably before the rest of the wizardry world." Harry asked, enjoying the cringe Dumbledore made at the mentioning of his very protective Godfather.
"Ah, yes. Of course. I will see to it as soon as possible." Harry nodded satisfied, knowing that Sirius would no doubt give the headmaster a telling.
"What is ze meaning of zis, Dumbly-dorr?" Madam Maxime demanded to know.
"Why is zis lovely boy in ze competition? Why did you not stop zis from appening?" She scolded, eyeing a surprised Dumbledore.
"My dear Madam Maxime I truly…" Dumbledore was interrupted by a steely eyed Karkaroff.
"Two champions? All for the boy who lived eh? I don't remember anyone telling me…" Madam Maxime slapped Karkaroff on the shoulder, making him almost lose his balance.
"You are not implying zat ze boy is in anyway responsible for zis? E is to modest and well be'aved. No ze boy did nothing." She patted Harry softly on the head glaring daggers at Karkaroff, who walked over to a corner to sulk.
"It is not a matter up for discussion. The rules clearly state that the people who's names are pulled out of the Goblet must compete in the tournament." Crouch said loudly eyeing the people in the room.
"I am sorry my boy, but you will have to compete." Harry sighed, yes he knew that.
"Yes sir." He said eyeing the floor.
"I don't like this one bit." Karkaroff exclaimed with a dark look.
"Not ze boy either." Madam Maxime said angrily ending the conversation.
"Soo, where is Moody?" Harry asked lightly looking at Dumbledore.
"Alastor had to attend a meeting at the ministry yesterday, he has yet to come back." Dumbledore answered making Harry frown. What was going on? If it wasn't Moody then who? Karkaroff huffed loudly glaring at Madam Maxime. Karkaroff? Harry eyed him suspiciously.
"Well shall we crack on then?" Bagman asked smiling cheerfully.
"Barty, want to do the honours?" Crouch nodded slowly as if miles away in thoughts. He launched into explaining the instructions to them and Harry tuned him out already knowing what the task was.
"Arry, are you ok?" Harry jumped, he hadn't noticed that Crouch was finished.
"Yes I'm fine Fleur." She patted his hand and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.
"You are very brave 'arry." She said before walking out with her Headmistress.
"You alright there Potter? That must have been some shock." Harry nodded at Cedric's words and they walked out of the room.
"You'll be fine though. You always are." Harry nodded and they went their separate ways. Well at least they didn't think he'd put his name in.
"Well I say. You poor little boy, always in the midst of it all." The fat Lady said eyeing him in pity.
"Balderdash." He said, wanting to get away from the pity.
Dead silence meet him as he entered the common room. The whole house seemed to be present.
"I'm not dead yet you know." He muttered at their sorrowful looks.
"Harry!" Hermione burst into tears and soon Ginny and Angelina followed. All of them huddled close to him.
"Rrreally, I'll be fffine." He stammered, not at all comfortable with all the tears. Maybe he should have just taken the credit for it.
"You will be mate, because we'll help you learn and be ready." Ron said with a determined look on his face. The whole house let out a cheer at that.
"Yeah, we'll make sure you survive." Fred said seriously. The rest nodded.
"Ah, that's …really, thanks." Harry finally managed. He turned at a noise from behind.
"So proud. My little Gryffindors." Professor McGonagall had entered the room and was now eyeing them with a fond look. She gave Harry a look before letting a small sob escape. She hurried over and joined in the group hug.
"My poor little Harry, my good little Gryffindors." The whole house joined in on the hug leaving Harry crushed in the middle of lots of sobbing people.
"Where is he?" A voice suddenly called out, making Harry raise his hand out of the crowd.
"That's enough now, get of him." Sirius pulled a slightly ruffled Harry over to a corner of the room and then gave him a bone crushing hug.
"Why do you do this to me, what have I done to deserve it?" Sirius muttered into Harry's hair. Harry mumbled something into Sirius chest and was finally freed to get some air.
"I said, I had nothing to do with it." Harry said once he'd taken a gulp of air.
"Dumbledore told me your name came out of the Goblet." Harry nodded and pulled a hand through his hair, making it stand on end.
"I tried to tell him." Harry said eying Sirius in a pitiful I'm-so-little-and-innocent-how could-you-let-this-happen look.
"I might feel better if you stayed here at Hogwarts." Harry said hopefully, congratulating himself on the good idée.
"I'm sorry Mr Potter, but that is not possible. Mr Black will be allowed here later on in the competition." McGonagall said, noticing that Sirius was getting conned.
"I already tried." Sirius said quickly, when Harry turned on him.
"It's fine. Oh, could you get Bill to come as well. I want him to meet someone." Harry said planning ahead. Sirius nodded looking puzzled.
"Well I should be of, I need to have a word with your Headmaster about how this could happen." Sirius said trying to flatten down Harry's hair and giving him a last hug.
"Oh, could you write something to the houseelf? He went into panic mode and I had to put a body bind on him or he would have come here." Sirius said before sneaking out quickly. Harry frowned, not very nice of him. But then again he didn't really want the Blacks elf here at school. He'd do it before going to bed.
"Come on mate, let's go to bed." Ron said pulling Harry along.
"We have a busy day ahead of us in the library tomorrow." Harry groaned at the determined looks on Ron and Hermione's faces. This was bad, very bad. And to top it of, tomorrow was a Sunday.