"And yet there it was." Replied Snape in a silky tone.
"Indeed it was. And, seeing as how I didn't put it in there myself, it must mean that someone else did it." Harry said.
"And you expect us to believe that?!" Cried Igor Karkaroff, headmaster for Durmstrang.
"I don't care if you believe it or not!" Harry snapped, glaring at the older man. "I didn't throw my damned name into that Goblet!"
"Language, Harry." Said Dumbledore, stepping up behind the teen and putting a hand on his shoulder. And then, looking up at the assembled group, he continued, "I believe what Mr. Potter has said. The Age Line around the Goblet does not allow anyone under legal age to approach. I believe we have all seen the effects that has had."
"And let us be thankful no WEASLEYS have been made Champion." Snape growled quietly.
Ignoring the Potions Master, Dumbledore continued, "Unfortunately, what I said of the Goblet is true - this is a binding contract that cannot be broken until the end of the Tournament." He glanced down. "I am sorry, Harry."
"Not as much as I am." Harry grumbled darkly. "I've had enough excitement at Hogwarts. I don't need to be in some dangerous Tournament."
"And yet that is exactly the position you are in." Said the headmaster. "You can do nothing but roll with the punches, as they say."
"Lovely. Can I go now?" Harry asked, bringing a hand up to rub at the bridge of his nose.
"If no one has any further questions or accusations." Dumbledore said, glancing back up to scan the group.
Harry had been pulled into a room at the back of the Great Hall after his name had flown from the Goblet of Fire. Shortly after, the Champions and the leaders of their schools entered. Then Snape came, all but chewing Harry out directly. He wasn't having a very good night.
"Very well. Yes, Harry, you may go." Dumbledore said, patting his shoulder.
And go he did. Storming from the room, he went swiftly back across the still-packed Great Hall, sending a venomous glance towards the Slytherin table as though daring them to try and hex him. He also had to send a glare towards the Hufflepuff table, as they felt their House had been screwed over.
As he passed by his friends at the Ravenclaw table, Harry growled, "Pit. Now."
Tonks and Solieyu were quick to follow after him. They acted as lookouts to ensure that they weren't being followed, as Harry certainly wasn't doing a very good job of it. When they had made their way into the Snake Pit, Harry started yelling.
"I didn't put my damn name into the Goblet! You two know I didn't put my name into the Goblet! Damn it all, I don't want to be in the Tournament! I do a good job staying alive just being at Hogwarts! I don't need added dangers! I knew something was going to happen! I knew my name would end up in there somehow! And now I'm going to hunt down whoever did put my name in there, pin them to the wall with Bolts, and blow their bits off with the Eximo!"
"Impressive for one breath." Tonks said, her voice quiet. She approached the now-panting Harry and pulled him into a hug. "Deep breaths, mate."
"We know you're innocent." Solieyu said, walking over. "But I'm afraid this will end up being like the Heir of Slytherin nonsense again."
"Wonderful." Harry growled. "If you two don't mind, I'm going to go drown myself in the tub."
"No drowning." Tonks said, still attached to Harry, despite his attempts to break out of her hug.
"I think," Solieyu said, gazing towards the fireplace. "That a meeting is in order. The more of us searching, the better, right? I'll go collect Luna and the twins."
"Fine." Harry said. But then, before Solieyu could make it out of the Main Hall, he called, "And bring Parkinson!"
"Pansy Parkinson?" Solieyu asked, looking over his shoulder. "Why? She's a Slytherin."
"Exactly why I want her here. She's a confused bint but she's trustworthy. I want to cover all the bases I can here." Harry said. "I want someone on the inside."
"How do you know she won't tell the rest of her House about the Pit?" Tonks asked, finally releasing her grip on her friend.
"She won't." Harry stated. "Trust me."
"Your call." Solieyu said. "But I'm not begging her."
"Fair enough." Harry said.
As Solieyu left, Harry walked over to the couch and flung himself back on it, sighing. "Damn it all, why do I have to have all the crappy luck?"
"You're the hero." Tonks said, sitting next to him.
"So I am." Harry said, eyes slipping shut. "Are you sure I can't go drown myself?"
"No drowning." Tonks said, swatting him on the arm.
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
Tonks left a few minutes before Solieyu returned to get the spare chairs set up around the dining table, as well as to ask Dobby about dinner options. Harry had his arms sprawled out along the back of the couch and was staring up at the ceiling when Solieyu re-entered.
"Welcome back." Harry said. "How many did you bring?"
"All four." Solieyu stated.
"And you weren't followed?"
"It took awhile to get out of the Great Hall, as Malfoy didn't seem keen on letting Parkinson go off with a pair of Ravenclaws and Gryffindors, but we've had no problems since."
"Good." Harry said, getting to his feet and turning. "I'll tell you four this once and once alone - you tell no one of this location. You tell no one of the door's password. As far as the rest of this school - staff and students - is concerned, the Snake Pit does not exist. Understand?"
"What a perfectly horrible name." Fred stated.
"Very roomy, though." George added, glancing around.
"Hey, Harry, everything's all set! Oh, they're back. Good!" Tonks said, coming from the Dining Hall. "We can get started anytime."
"Good. Everyone, if you'd be so kind as to follow us." Harry said, turning to head into the Dining Hall with Tonks. The others, led by Solieyu, followed after them.
"Oh, how cozy." Luna cooed as soon as she entered the small room. "You've got your own place to eat."
One chair sat at either end of the table, with three on either side. Harry took the lone seat at the far end. Tonks and the twins sat to his right, and Luna, Solieyu, and Pansy took up the other side.
"Tap your plate and goblet and state what you want. The house elves will make it for you. But I'd prefer we get down to business first." Harry said, arms crossed.
"Oh, you're joking! This is just like the Great Hall but customizable?" Fred asked, grinning.
"Can't wait to see what's in the other rooms." George said, nodding solemnly.
"You'd better have a good reason for dragging me here, Potter." Pansy muttered.
"I didn't put my name into the Goblet." Harry stated. "I was busy fixing this place up all week. In addition, I seem to be fighting some kind of horrible monster every year - I've got all the excitement in life that I need . I certainly didn't want to be a part of this. Unfortunately, as Dumbledore said, I have no choice in the matter. Now that I'm in, I'm in. I can't back out."
"And you want to know who did put your name in." Luna said.
"Exactly."
"Any leads?" Asked George.
"Not a one. For my money, I'll go ahead and blame Mad-Eye Moody. If you lot haven't noticed, the Defense position seems to be cursed." Harry said.
"You think the old bastard would do something like that?" Solieyu asked. "Why? Barring that he's completely off his nut, of course."
"Who else would do it?" Harry asked. "Pansy - have any of the Slytherins talked about doing something like this?"
Pansy shrugged. "Not that I've heard. And I'm sure Draco would have gloated about it by now if they had."
"Then it's settled." Harry said. "Who else would have done it?"
"There are unkind people in other Houses, you know." Pansy said, glaring down the table at Harry.
"Well aware of that." Harry said. "But unless you have a lead on who might have done it, I'm sticking with my guess."
There was silence after that. Harry seemed to be running over a million things mentally, as his eyes unfocused for awhile. When he looked back up, he said, "I want you all to help keep an eye out for anything that seems out of place. I have a sinking feeling I'll need to watch my back more than usual this year. If I'm going to be stuck dealing with that damned Tournament, I'm going to beat the hell out of the other three in whatever we get stuck doing. If I'm in it, I'm in it to win."
"What makes you think you can trust me?" Pansy asked.
Harry smirked. "Because, for whatever reason, you have this weird fixation with me. I'll take the risk. Something tells me I can trust you, Parkinson. The same thing that tells me Moody is completely crazy and that damn near everyone from Durmstrang is evil."
"Even Krum?" Tonks asked.
"Even Krum." Harry said.
"So now what?" Solieyu asked.
"Now? ...Now, we go about our business as normal. We let no one on to the fact that we suspect any foul play. Let alone by a staff member. We wait until Moody slips up somewhere. By letting you four in here, I'm putting my trust in you that you'll have my back when I need you to. But I won't try and force anyone. If any of you feel, for whatever reasons, that you won't be there if anything should happen, you're free to leave."
Harry's eyes darted to Pansy as he finished speaking. But she didn't stand. Nor did any of the other three. Nodding slowly as he glanced around, Harry finally broke a smile, albeit a faint one. "Thank you. All of you."
"I suppose we're doing this out of the goodness of our hearts." Pansy said, smirking at Harry.
"That and use of the Pit if you need it." Harry said.
"And why, exactly, would I want to purposely hang around here?" Asked the Slytherin.
"Front-left door upon entering from outside. Go look." Harry said in a monotone.
Pansy narrowed her eyes, but got up. A moment later an odd noise filled the air. When she returned, she was staring with her mouth open. "Good LORD, Potter. What are you planning with a bathtub that enoromous?! Communal bathing?"
Harry choked. "What? No!"
"Then why is it so big?" Pansy asked, flailing her arms slightly.
"Why not?" Harry replied. "Haven't you heard stories of the Prefect's bathroom?"
"Well yeah, but still!"
"Parkinson, this is a safe haven away from the rest of the school. There's one bedroom, a training hall, this dining room, that bathroom, and then the Main Hall. The house elves can serve food directly - anything you want at any time you want. If you ever need to escape from reality for awhile, you're not going to find a better place on the grounds." Harry said.
There was a pause, and Harry could see Pansy cycling through things in her mind. Finally, she let out a sigh and reclaimed her spot at the table. "You're all out of your mind. I'd like that to be perfectly clear."
"We love you too." Fred said, making a kissy face at the Slytherin, who recoiled in horror at the sight.
"Right. I dunno about the rest of you, but my appetite is back. I couldn't eat tonight because I bloody knew my name was going to somehow wind up coming out of the stupid Goblet. And it's caught up with me." Harry said. And, tapping his plate and goblet, he started ordering up. His food arrived in almost no time at all, which caused him to finally smile properly.
"Dig in, kids." Harry said, raising his goblet of butterbeer up. "Here's to another interesting year at Hogwarts, whatever it may bring."
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
Solieyu escorted the guests out of the Pit not long after their little meal had ended. Harry had a short conversation with Leviathan about who the newcomers were and that they were probably likely to come and go at all hours. The little snake seemed to be happy that the quarters it guarded was becoming so popular.
Before he left, Solieyu had whispered to Harry that he was planning to head up to the hospital wing that night and that he likely wouldn't return. Harry nodded and wished his friend well.
When everyone was gone, Harry and Tonks went back inside. Harry groaned and stretched as he headed towards the bedroom. "I think I'm going to write to Sirius."
"How come?" Tonks asked, trailing after him.
Moving to sit at one of the desks, Harry pulled out a quill and some parchment. "Just because I need some advice on this whole mess. That and I'd just honestly like to have some comforting words from a family member."
Tonks sat on the edge of the bed and watched as Harry quickly scribbled out what he was thinking. "Aren't you worried he might try coming back?"
Harry paused. "Crap, you're right. Okay, so I'll add a PS for him not to return and that I just needed to get some stuff off my chest."
"And you think that'll stop him?" Tonks asked, grinning now.
"...Damn, you're right. ...Hey, I wonder if we can ask Dumbledore to connect our fireplace to his. If Sirius DID come, he could stay down here. He might have to stay in dog form, but I don't think he'd mind, so long as he got a good bath in and something nice to eat." Harry said.
"Our very own guard dog, huh?"
"Something like that!"
Tonks giggled. "Well... I wouldn't mind seeing him again. You said he looked loads better, right?"
"Yeah. He had gotten himself a proper shave and some decent robes. Looked less scruffy. Anyway, I'm gonna head up to the Owlery and send Hedwig off with this. What've you got planned?"
"I think I'll use the time to break in that bathtub." Tonks said, eyes gleaming.
"You'd better wait on that." Harry said, smiling. "We haven't transferred the stuff in our trunks down here. There are bathrobes, but I doubt you'd want to sleep in one."
"Ah, crap. Okay, well, I'll go and transfer my clothes and stuff down here then take a bath!" Tonks said, getting to her feet.
"Fair enough. I'll probably transfer my stuff down tomorrow. I feel right exhausted, despite having not done much today." Harry said, making a face.
"Gonna sleep in your robes tonight?" Asked Tonks, following Harry as he went back into the Main Hall.
"Probably. I may sit up and talk to Boris for awhile if I can wake him up." Harry said, turning to glare towards the fireplace. "He's turned into a part of the scenary, it seems."
"Shove off." Muttered the taipan, who was still lazily coiled up.
"Shove off yourself, you cheeky bastard." Harry said back. "Anyway, I'm gonna head off. See you in a bit!"
"Have fun with the climb." Tonks called after him.
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
Harry was muttering darkly under his breath when he finally got back to the Pit an hour later. Things had been going perfectly fine - he had mad his way up to the Owlery without running into any problems. But then Peeves had crossed his path en route back to the Pit. It had, possibly, been the most epic dodging match in Hogwarts' history. Knowing full well that, at some point, he would end up drenched via water balloons, Harry took off at top speed towards Ravenclaw Tower. His plan to not bring his trunk down had been derailed.
He had made it into the Tower, with Walter's portrait quickly opening for him once he realized what was happening.
Panting, he leisurely made his way to the fourth year boys' dorm, and collected his trunk. As it had a couple of important things to him, he needed to bring the whole thing down rather than to just transfer his clothes. Shrinking the trunk down, he stuck it in his pants pocket and headed back into the common room.
"Fair warning - no one should go out for awhile. Peeves chased me here. It should be okay in a few minutes. I have a feeling he'll continue after me once I leave." Harry said, loud enough for everyone to hear.
And then, before anyone could question him on anything, he had gone. Sure enough, he had to duck quickly back in to avoid the obvious first shot Peeves had thrown at him. But years of being chased had left Harry quick on his feet and prone to instinctively dodging anything that was thrown at him.
Sadly, Peeves had taken a shortcut and Harry hadn't been anticipating that. Just as he got to the first floor, Peeves appeared out of nowhere and pegged him dead in the face with a larger-than-normal water balloon. On the up side, it had seemed to satisfy the poltergeist enough to get him to seek out other targets.
Tonks, who had long since collected her trunk, bathed, and changed into her pajamas, came walking out of the bedroom. "Oh jeez, what happened to you?"
"Peeves!" Harry cried, stomping towards the bedroom. "He chased me from the Owlery to Ravenclaw Tower and then damn near the whole way back here. Think I'm gonna have a bath after all."
"That tub is amazing." Tonks said, eyes twinkling. "The water is full of scented bubbles, it's awesome!"
"Lovely. I'll come out smelling of roses and spring air." Harry said, voice dull. Stepping into the bedroom, he pulled his shrunk trunk out of his pocket and returned it to normal size, floating it to sit at the end of the bed.
"Thought you weren't transferring stuff." Tonks said.
"Once Peeves was onto me, I knew I'd end up getting wet. Figured I might as well. Besides, I haven't felt right leaving my cloak and the shard of the Stone unchecked in the dorm." Harry explained.
"Oh yeah... Forgot you had that in there." Tonks said, blinking.
Rummaging around for a spare set of clothes, Harry made his way back across the Pit and into the bathroom. He emerged some twenty minutes later, feeling much less snarky. "You were right." He said to Tonks, who was on the couch. "That tub was very nice."
"Toldja so." Tonks said, grinning. "So what now?"
"Now... I think I'm gonna turn in." Harry said. "I was tired before I left for the Owlery. I'm barely standing now."
"Awww, poor Harry." Tonks said, standing and bounding over to him. "Come on, then."
Rolling his eyes, Harry allowed himself to be steered into the bedroom by the shoulders. He had only been on the bed once that week - to test it after fixing it back up. It had felt nice then, but now it was downright heavenly. He groaned as he stretched out on his back. "Urg... you may have trouble dragging me out of this tomorrow morning."
Crawling in next to him and laying on her side, Tonks replied, "I'll tickle you to death if you try skipping a day."
"Gah! No tickling! Evil wench."
"Who's a wench?" Tonks asked, bopping Harry on the arm.
"You are!" Harry declared.
"You know, I can think of worse ways to wake you up than merely tickling you." Tonks said, a threatening tone to her voice.
Harry eyed the girl for a second. She had come up with some of the more devious things on The List. Did he really want to push his luck? "Yes, yes, very well" He finally said. "Let's just get some rest, huh?"
Tonks scooted closer so she could curl up against Harry, draping an arm across his chest and making him light up like a Christmas tree. "Sounds good to me!"
'Erk. Not exactly what I was planning...' Harry thought. 'Still...'
His eyes slipped shut and he smiled. And, somewhere in the depths of his mind, a plan began to formulate. Slowly at first, but as he thought of more and more parts, they seemed to slide into place without a problem. The only problem was that it ended up begin a very intricate plan. Intricate plans tended to screw up more often than not. And it just wouldn't do to have something like his end up badly.
He was going to need to talk to Hermione.
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
Tonks groaned quietly as she woke up. Why did sleep have to end? Sleep was ever-so-nice and she was not a morning person unless she was feeling hungry. Having eaten so close to bedtime the previous night, she just wasn't feeling it yet. And without hunger driving her to become active, she would have been perfectly happy with going back to sleep. And Harry certainly wasn't helping matters, what with him stroking her hair and all.
"Morning, Nymmy." He whispered.
"Morning..." Tonks replied, voice quiet. "...Stop that. I'll end up going back to sleep."
"You've slept almost half the morning already." Harry said, grinning. "I was wondering if you were ever planning to wake up. You sure you want me to stop?"
"No. But if you don't, I'll never want to drag myself out of bed." Tonks mumbled.
"Fair enough." Harry said, his hand flopping back down. "We've got classes in an hour."
"Snape can jump into the lake." Tonks said, pouting as she forced herself to sit up.
"I would pay good money to see the giant squid lob Snape clean to the Whomping Willow." Harry said in a wistful tone. "But we can't always have what we want. I'll go change in the other room if you'd like."
"'Kay." Came Tonks' sleepy reply.
Harry chuckled, rolling out of bed and grabbing a handful of school clothes from his trunk. He would need to get those all into the dresser at some point. He had just been too out of it the previous night. "Don't fall back asleep!"
"I won't, I won't!" Tonks cried, glaring at Harry. "Go 'way."
"Yes, ma'am!" Harry said, chuckling as he entered the Main Hall. Casting a spell on the front door to keep it locked while he was changing, Harry quickly switched clothes. He was unlocking the door again when Tonks made her way out.
"Want to eat down here or head up to the Great Hall?" Harry asked.
"Here." Tonks said, rubbing at her eyes. "I need... coffee."
Ten minutes later, with Tonks finally good and awake, the two left the Pit. They had a bit of time before the Potions class started, so they figured they'd hunt Solieyu down. He wasn't hard to find, as he and the Gryffindor girl he had been worried about seemed to be locked in battle in the Entrance Hall.
Harry barely ducked a wayward spell was they entered the area. "Whoa! Holy crap, what's going on?!"
"Demetra opened fire on him!" Said Ron Weasley, running up to the two. "No idea why, either!"
"What?! Dammit, I knew she was gonna be a problem." Harry said, scowling. "Why isn't anyone jumping in?"
"Well Percy tried, but he got blasted in the backside for his trouble." Ron said, looking as if he didn't mind this fact in the slightest.
"Hell. And I was having such a good morning, too." Harry muttered. "Lesse if this clears the road - EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
The giant, silver basilisk shot from the tip of his wand, scattering students left and right. It slammed itself down between the two combatants and, in effect, brought the whole area to a halt.
"Now that I have your attention..." Harry began, not sounded very amused. "Perhaps we'd like to break this little battle up. You okay over there, Leon?"
"Never been better." Solieyu growled. But Harry knew that tone. He had heard it once before, and it wasn't a good sign.
"Tonks, I'll distract the Gryffindor. Get Leon up to Madam Pomfrey, quick." Harry hissed.
"Right." Said the girl, taking off towards the vampire.
The Gryffindor girl turned towards Harry, glaring openly at him. "You have no right to stop this fight!"
"I have every right to stop it!" Harry growled. "Leon's my friend! I'm not going to stand by while people try to blow him up!"
"Your friend, is he? Are you sure of that?" Asked Demetra, a feral grin on her face.
"Positive." Harry stated, his eyes boring into Demetra's, whose grin faltered for the briefest of moments.
"Then you know." Stated the girl, narrowing her eyes.
"I know. And I don't care." Harry replied.
Everyone watching the back and forth looked thoroughly confused by this exchange. And, after another minute's worth of staring each other down, Demetra put her wand away and turned to enter the Great Hall. As she left, Harry dispelled his Patronus and turned to head towards the hospital wing.
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
When he arrived, it was to a mostly-empty room. Tonks was standing outside Madam Pomfrey's office, looking bored. When she spotted Harry, her eyes lit up and she ran up to him.
"How did it go?" She asked.
"As well as it could. She knows, though. And she stated more than asked if I did, as well. I said I did and she left. No one worked out what the hell either of us meant, and that's fine by me. How's Leon doing?" Harry asked.
"Madam Pomfrey's got him holed up in there." Tonks said, jerking a thumb over her shoulder. "Probably pouring the potion down his throat and calming him down. Wonder what she did to get him that fired up."
"Dunno. But it's one more thing to worry about." Harry sighed, running a hand back through his hair. "I'm never gonna make it through this year. I'll either die or go crazy. Possibly one before the other."
"Maybe you'll become possessed by a Screaming Banderswitch and try eating toadstools." Came a voice from the doorway.
Harry and Tonks jumped, both spinning to see Luna Lovegood standing there.
"Is Solieyu okay?" She asked, the cloudiness in her eyes clearing for an instant.
"Uh... yeah. Madam Pomfrey's just making sure he didn't suffer any injuries." Tonks said quickly, plastering a fake smile on her face.
"Ohh, that's good." Luna said. "I'd rather have Solieyu come away with a few cuts and scrapes than for him to be exposed."
Harry cocked an eyebrow. "Uh... what do you mean?"
Luna tilted her head as she looked from Harry to Tonks and back again. "You said you knew."
"Uh..."
"It's alright." Came Solieyu's voice from behind them. He and Madam Pomfrey were stepping out of her office. "She knows too."
"She does? Since when?" Tonks asked.
"Oh, I've always known." Luna said, walking towards Solieyu. "He never ate and he seemed to disappear regularly."
"She trailed me." Solieyu said, shrugging.
"Wh... hey, I trailed you too! How'd she manage to succeed?!" Harry cried.
"She's obviously a better tracker." Tonks said, grinning.
As Harry sputtered indignantly, Luna put her hand on Solieyu's shoulder and asked, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." He replied. But he didn't look it. He was panting slightly and his eyes were badly bloodshot and sunken. It looked almost as if he had been awake for a week.
"Honestly, what was that girl thinking?" Griped Madam Pomfrey, who was watching Solieyu carefully.
"I'd prefer to know what Dumbledore's thinking, letting her stay here." Harry said. "I don't suppose it's possible to see if she is from Iscariot, huh?"
"Their agents are all but impossible to detect unless they want to be." Solieyu muttered.
"With the way she acted today, she must not be very worried about her identity being let out." Tonks said darkly.
"She didn't outright call him a vampire, though." Said Luna, who was still gazing at Solieyu. "That has to count for something."
"Yeah. That was strange." Harry agreed. "...Ugh. This is no good. There's enough madness in this school this year."
"Finally we agree on something, Mr. Potter." Said Madam Pomfrey. "I recommend getting Mr. Reinhardt back to his bed. He needs to sleep. And I do mean SLEEP."
"I'll be FINE." Solieyu argued through gritted teeth, lowering his head.
"Yes, you will - after you sleep." Madam Pomfrey said.
"I'll make sure he sleeps." Luna said, smiling pleasantly.
"You'll miss your classes." Tonks pointed out.
"All I have today is Transfiguration." Luna replied. "And I can catch up on that."
"You don't need to watch over me." Solieyu muttered.
"I know I don't need to." Luna said, latching onto Solieyu's right arm.
"We'll make sure he gets what he needs." Harry said, nodding to Madam Pomfrey.
"See that you do. He seems not to want to listen very well these days." Replied the matron, who turned and headed back to her office, muttering under her breath about kids these days.
"Go ahead and take him to the Pit, Luna." Harry said. "Me and Tonks need to get down to the dungeons. I don't feel like being chewed out by that greasy-haired git this early in the day."
And that was the end of that. Luna led Solieyu back towards the Snake Pit and Harry and Tonks split from the group to continue on down to the dungeons for their Potions class.
"She's good for him." Tonks said quietly as they walked.
"Yeah. I think he'll be alright as long as she keeps close." Harry said, nodding.
"...Bets on what'll be up when we get back there?"
"I'm saying he'll be out like a light on the couch with his head on her lap. You?"
"Same."
"Bonus points if she's putting little ribbons in his hair." Harry said.
It took a minute for the mental image to set in. But when it did, Tonks started laughing.
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
Unfortunately, Fate decided to be a jerk to Harry that morning. He and Tonks did make it to class in time and were spared a dressing down by Snape, but it wasn't to last long. Halfway through, there came a knock at the door.
Snape, irritated that someone would dare interrupt his class, barked, "Who is it?"
The door opened and in peeked the face of a frightened-looking first year. "I-I'm here for Harry Potter, sir."
"Here for Potter." Echoed Snape.
"Y-yes, sir. They... they need him for the Weighing of the Wands. For... for the--"
"I know what it's for!" Snape exclaimed. "Potter! You heard him. Get your things and go!"
"Yes, sir." Harry muttered. He knew he'd end up being chewed out for this later, despite it being out of his hands. Snape was just like that. Gathering up his supplies and whispering a goodbye to Tonks, he followed the first year out into the hall, closing the door gently behind them.
"He's scary." Said the first year as they walked.
"You have no idea. What's your name?" Harry asked.
"Locket. Locket Wolf..." Said the first year.
"Interesting name. I seem to meet lots of people with interesting names." Harry replied, smirking.
"I don't like it much. Locket sounds girly." Said Locket, scowling at the floor.
"Shorten it to Lock, then?" Harry suggested.
"Lock isn't much better."
"Gotta compromise somewhere." Harry said. "So where are we going?"
"It's happening in an empty classroom just off the second floor's east hallway." Said Locket.
"I should be able to find it, then. You get wrangled into this?"
"Yeah."
Harry chuckled. "Figures. Well, thanks for getting me away from Snape, in any case."
"Sure. Good luck."
Harry watched the first year rushing off in the direction of Hufflepuff's common room. "I think I'm the only person to like their first name." He said to no one, continuing on towards the second floor.
It didn't take long to find the classroom in question. Lots of noise was coming from inside. Harry was careful to open the door to ensure no random spells were flying his way before he walked in properly.
The other three Champions had already arrived. Krum was in a corner of the room, trying to blend in with the shadows. Fleur was over by a window, gazing out over the school ground. And Cedric was being fussed over by Mr. Ollivander, who seemed to be criticizing the Hufflepuff on the somewhat haggard-looking wand.
"Tsk tsk tsk. Already scuffed and nicked. What have you been using this for, boy?" Ollivander cried, shaking his head in dismay.
And in another corner of the room, near a broom closet, was a blonde-haired woman wearing spectacles. Harry's warning sirens immediately began going off when she turned to look at him. Her eyes lit up and her lips curled into an unpleasant smile. Next to her was a dumpy-looking photographer who looked for the life of him that he would rather be snogging a manticore.
"Ahh, the Fourth is here!" Cooed the woman, walking over to Harry. "Rita Skeeter, Daily Prophet."
"Uh... nice to meet you..." Harry replied, stepping back.
"Potter? Ahh, yes. Have you been taking care of your wand?" Asked Ollivander, handing Cedric's back to him and stepping closer.
"Best as I've been able, all things considered." Harry said. "It take it you need to see it?"
"Yes, yes. Must ensure the Champions' wands are in working condition before the First Task." Said Ollivander.
Harry drew his wand from his robes and handed it over to the energetic old man. After fawning over its details for a minute, he conjured a wine glass then filled it up, all using Harry's wand. He shook the glass of wine around before taking a sip of it. And, after smacking his lips, he smiled and held the wand back out. "In fine condition indeed. Good show, Potter."
"Thanks." Harry said, pocketing his wand again. "Uh, if that's all..."
Ollivander seemed like he was going to reply, but quickly got cut off by Skeeter, who smiled her unpleasant smile at Harry again. "If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to ask you some questions."
"What kind of questions?" Harry asked, only briefly noting that Ollivander glared at Skeeter before turning and heading for Fleur.
"Oh, just simple things, really." Skeeter said. "Things relating to your place in the Tournament, that kind of thing. People are dying to know how you got in."
"Word spreads quickly, I see." Harry said, eyes narrowing. "Well, it doesn't matter. I didn't put my name in the Goblet. And I've no idea who did. Wouldn't make for a very good story."
"Hmm." Skeeter said, lips pursed. Then she grinned and tried to pull Harry aside, heading towards the broom closet. "But the readers would just love knowing your thoughts on other things as well, Harry."
"I'd let go if I were you. You're making him mad." Harry suddenly said, digging his shoe into the stone floor to halt his forced momentum.
"Making who mad, dear?" Asked Skeeter.
"Me, you galling tart." Came an irritated hiss from around Harry's left shoulder. The noise caused Skeeter to jump back and stare at Harry.
"What was that...?" She asked.
"My snake." Harry replied. "You were all but crushing him."
Boris peeked his head out through the collar on Harry's shirt, tongue flicking around as he looked about the room. "She stinks of perfume."
"Yeah." Harry replied, switching to Parseltongue. "And she's sending off the ol' warning signs in my head. Think I'm gonna try getting outta this."
"I'd be more than pleased if you would. I WAS enjoying a nice nap." Boris hissed.
When Harry looked up, everyone in the room, Ollivander included, was staring at him through wide eyes. He raised an eyebrow and asked, "What?"
"You... were you speaking to that snake, Potter?" Asked Ollivander.
"Not the first time it's happened." Cedric muttered.
"Yeah. So what?" Harry said, frowning. "Boris is my friend. And he didn't appreciate being smashed."
"That's very... interesting, Harry." Said Rita Skeeter, trying to recover quickly. "Now, on to those questions..."
"Not sure I'd want to answer anything you might ask." Harry stated. "Not with that quill."
He had seen Quick Quotes Quills before, mostly while browsing a quill-related catelogue. He was trying to hunt down a place that he could easily get Sugar Quills from. Sneaking into Hogsmeade all the time was getting annoying.
"I have others." Said Skeeter.
"I'll pass." Harry said. And then, switching back to Parseltongue, he glanced down at Boris and added, "Want to go down to the Pit?"
"Waaaarmth." Boris purred, causing Harry to laugh.
"Harry, wait!" Skeeter called after him as he turned to leave. But her cries went unanswered. Harry had already walked out the door and closed it behind him.
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
Author's Notes: Another decent-lengthed chapter that's COMPLETELY against what I had in my chapter guide. With the decorating scene being skipped over more or less in 10, and with half of this chapter's notes describing Harry and company (with Luna) decorating the pit, I had a lot to fill. The only other bit was the weighing of the wands scene. I'm totally gonna need to sit down and rewrite the chapter guide before long.
So yes. This chapter's stuff! As one reader pointed out, the Map read that Moody was Moody. Now what could THAT mean? Well I'm certainly not explaining. Also, the plans for others to learn of the Pit wasn't written down for a long while. But Harry was feeling jumpy and I felt the need to oblige his paranoia. And it also helps set up a few other plot points I'm going to be setting up... which, as of now, will ALSO need to be rewritten and rearranged. Oi, I'm doing a number on myself here.
For anyone wondering, the First Task is currently slated for Chapter 14. The next chapter doesn't seem to have any conflictions with what I've done so far, so it should be out sooner than later. Chapter 13 I'm going to have to pad out a bit, just because it's one of those transitional chapters again.
Here's the plan, kids - I'm hoping to get 12 out before the 24th (It is December 19, 2006 as I write this. Dating my work? You BET I am!) and then stop working until after the year ends. Partly because I really do need to rewrite the chapter guide to mesh again, partly because I'll be getting like four new video games for Xmas and I'm gonna be PLAYING THEM. XD
Post-Edit Edit: I am ticked off, as I had to edit this twice. The first time FFN claimed I wasn't logged in. Yeah, I'd love to know the physics behind THAT. These things take anywhere between 10 to 25 minutes, depending on length, errors found, etc. Ugh. I went through rather quickly the second time, being highly annoyed and not WANTING to redo what just took half an hour. So pardon any grammatical errors or line breaks where there clearly shouldn't be.
