The three champions were standing around talking as the door opened for Charles to enter. "What do they want? Have you come to get us?" Fleur asked even though she had a sinking feeling that it was not the case.
"Ha, this is my competition!" Charles shouted, "A French whore, a brute that can't speak proper English, and my good for nothing brother. This tournament might as well be handed to me."
The three champions all inched to their wands when the door opened once more and the three headmasters and the ministry officials entered the room. "Did you put your name in the cup Charles?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
"No, but obviously the cup recognized a true champion and chose me anyways."
"Well there you have it Maxine, Kakaroff, he said he did not do it."
"Obviously he is lying," Maxine stated.
"Indeed, this is obviously a ploy from Hogwarts to trump the other two schools."
"Hold up now," Harry said, "If this is a plot, then it is from a few individuals in this building, not the entire school. Seriously, just give him veritaserum or make him swear a wizard's oath that he did not put his name in the goblet or have someone else do it. After all, Dumbledore seems to take a keen interest in Charles' magical schooling and he was over at the Potter house quite a bit. Perhaps it was Dumbledore's plan." All of the room's occupants turned to look at Dumbledore, who had anger in his eyes instead of the warm grandfatherly feel to it that was usually there.
"That is not necessary my boy," Dumbledore twinkled, "Come now, it's a magically binding contract so Ludo, I believe you have instructions for the champions."
"Indeed, well the first task is November 24th and designed to test your courage and quick thinking, so that is all you will be given until the day of the task. Good luck champions!" Bagman said jovially.
The great hall was empty by the time the champions were released. When Harry made his way to Ravenclaw tower, the tower was louder than ever before. This was the first time that Ravenclaw could hold their heads up for more than just class standings and they had their best chance in Harry as he was the unofficial leader in the tower. The party was long that night as the Ravens celebrated one of their own and Flitwick had to come break up the party at two in the morning. After all, they were still the Claws and still had classes in the morning.
The great hall cheered when Harry walked through the doors to celebrate their champion. Even though every house wanted one of their own to represent them in the tournament, they were going to fully support whoever was chosen. Many of those in the hall were wearing buttons on their uniform that said "Support Harry Potter the real Hogwarts champion." Although it was a good thought, Harry knew that being in a school full of teenagers and the fact that no one really liked Charles, there was sure to be something hidden that would be derogatory. As long as it was only against Charles, Harry wouldn't say anything. It was when the Malfoy heir walked up to Charles that Harry discovered the hidden message in the buttons and Harry was so disappointed. "Charles Stinks," was probably the worst insult Draco could have thought of, and yet Charles drew his wand in response. Those two idiots being the most vocal of the two houses were probably causing Godric and Salazar to roll in their graves in response. The older students of the two houses had subtly humiliated each other whether by pranks or class work and those two were squabbling like young school children.
Harry often wondered how correct the history books were when dealing with Salazar and the other three founders. He was sure that the big fight that led to the splitting of the founders was just a spat of who had the biggest sword between Godric and Salazar or something similar to that. It never really did go into detail about what the fight was about and the only disagreement that was ever listed was the acceptance of muggle-born students.
Even though Dumbledore had defended him last night, when Charles dove for his wand and Snape swooped in to berate him, Dumbledore didn't lift a finger to help him and Hogwarts fell further in the eyes of the foreigners. No other teacher was going to try to stop the obvious bullying as they had been reprimanded multiple times for stopping kids being kids, or simple arguments between a student and teacher, according to the Headmaster. Professor Aurora had been most displeased when she couldn't stop Harry being berated by Snape a few years ago since she was his surrogate mother. None of the teachers were really wanting to jump in for Charles' defense except for McGonagall, but these things happened.
A few days late, Harry was in Ancient Runes discussing some of the examples of advance wards that Bill had sent him with Professor Babling when a young second year interrupted class to drag Harry to the weighing of the wands. Reluctantly Harry packed his bags and followed the excitable younger year as she rattled off the list of amazing things that were said about him over the last few days. Reaching the designated classroom and leaving the still jabbering girl behind, he said a brief hello to both Fleur and Krum and then suppressed a groan at the sight of the reporter. Rita Skeeter had a reputation and it certainly was a well-deserved one. Her stories were filled with half-truths and opinions that painted whoever her subject was in the worst light possible. Harry had avoided her so far, but now it seemed like the crosshairs had finally landed on him.
Rita's buggy eyes landed on him and Harry had to suppress a shudder of dread. Just as she was about to approach him, the door opened with Charles strutting through and Rita's eyes lit up. Harry wanted to feel sympathy, he really wanted to for his little brother when he was dragged into a broom closet with Skeeter, but Harry just couldn't draw up any emotion except relief. Finally, the last of the judges arrived with Mr. Ollivander and Charles was drug out of the broom closet to begin the ceremony.
"Welcome, to the weighing of the wands, I believe ladies should go first yes?" Mr. Ollivander started. Fleur walked up to the elderly man and hander her wand over. (Fleur and Victor's will remain the same, as I seem to have misplaced my GoF.) "Now, the elder Mr. Potter." Harry walked up to Mr. Ollivander and placed his wand into the out stretched hand. "Ah yes, one of my own, 12 ½ inches, heartstring of a long forgotten dragon, great for charms and long casting. I assume it has worked well for you?"
"No one has yet to complain about my wand work yet Mr. Ollivander," Harry replied with a smirk. Fleur seemed to be the only one to get the innuendo as she snorted in amusement and it was too hard to tell with the wandsmith.
"Yes. Yes, Afivorus," Ollivander cast, turning the quill on the desk into a bird. "Excellent condition then. And now the last Mr. Potter." Charles strutted up and almost took Mr. Ollivander's eye out when he thrust the wand to him. "Yes, another one of mine Holly, (I forget the measurement), with a phoenix feather."
"It's the brother of You-Know-Who's wand," Charles proclaimed and Rita's eyes lit up like a child's on Christmas. Harry shook his head at his brother's stupidity.
"Yes, well," Ollivander said, looking a little flustered. Whether it was because he didn't expect Charles to claim that part of his wand's history or he knew that the magical world would now be reminded that he sold all the witches and wizards wands, even dark lords, Harry couldn't tell. "Anyhow, it seems to be in fine working condition, so I do believe that my work here is done."
"Very good," Bagman said. "Now remember, the first task is November 24th so until then you are all dismissed."
"Wait just a moment, we must have pictures!" Rita cried, leading to another hour torturous session where they could never seem to be fitted right and Charles kept jumping in the front of everybody. It was a trying experience for Harry and Fleur, Krum was impossible to tell as he seemed to have a scowl on his face for most of the time.
Later in the day a mail owl flew in to the dorms and dropped a letter off to Harry.
Dear Little Harry,
I heard you were selected as a champion, congratulations. I will be in England with my work for the first task, so I should be able to see your performance.
Best of luck,
Charlie
"Huh," Harry muttered, "There be dragons in the tournament."
A/N: Well another chapter to be read and reviewed. It wasn't a lot I know, but it needed to connect. These last three chapters haven't been long and I apologize, but hey, what can you do?
I think I will be able to publish two more chapters before I move into the dorms, and then you'll have to wait until September third for the next update. College does come first, and I must prepare!
Until next time, PEACE!