Here's 12.
Warnings: It's slash, shonen ai, gay.
(X) Is pov change and or time jump
Ch, 12: Champions Called
Harry was excited to wake up the next morning. The events from the night before were hopefully over with and he wanted to enjoy the holiday with his friends. Even more so, he wanted to find out who had put their names in the goblet. He ignored the thoughts he was having of possibly being murdered when he walked down the stairs by Aderes and got dressed quickly. Ron joined him in the common room shortly and then Hermione and they were off.
Despite it being a Saturday it seemed like everyone in the tower was awake early and heading for the Great Hall. He wasn't surprised to see most of the school lingering between the entrance hall that now held the goblet and the Great Hall for breakfast. It was standing proudly on a pedestal where the sorting hat often sat. It was in the middle of a ten foot golden circle, the age line Harry was sure.
Ron walked pass Harry to a third year girl asking her if anyone had put their name into the goblet yet. It seemed all the Durmstrang students had, but she'd yet to see a single Hogwarts student.
Harry only managed to study the goblet for a moment before he heard three people from behind laughing.
"We did it," he heard Fred shout as he turned and the twins came into view along with their friend Lee Jordan. "We worked all night and finished." He held up a small potion bottle for everyone to see, Harry was sure for dramatics.
"Aging potion," George explained.
"If any of you get in, Professor Dumbledore will be livid," Hermione said hotly.
"Like anyone is going to get pass that line. Dumbledore may be a fool, but he's strong." Harry glanced to his side. Aderes had managed to come up beside him looking bored as ever, a bat shaped pastry of some sort in his hand. "Hold this." Before Harry could protest, Aderes shoved the pastry into his hand and started going through his bag.
Harry stared down at the baked good, his eyes boring into it. An overwhelming desire to destroy the bat pastry gripped him. Aderes wasn't looking and it would piss the teen off without fail. It was all the fuel he needed. He broke the pastry in half wondering if subconsciously he really did have a death wish.
At this point Aderes was looking at him, the book in his hand hanging at his side. He did not seem to know how to process, let alone react to the situation.
"I would have given you some if you'd simply asked," he finally said.
"I don't want it," Harry said holding both pieces out to the Slytherin.
Aderes went silent again and merely stared.
"So…you just decided you wanted to…break my muffin in half," he asked slowly.
"….yes," Harry admitted unsure himself anymore. He was about to release the pieces to Aderes when he heard a loud bang. The teens both jerked around and saw Fred and George sitting on the floor feet away from the goblet, long beards sprouted from their chins.
"I did warn you," came an amused voice. "And while those are most splendid beards, much fuller than Miss Fawcett and Mr. Summers. I would recommend heading to the nurse's wing to reverse that aging process."
Despite their failure, the twins seemed to be in good humor. They had both burst into laughter along with all those watching. Dumbledore came over to the group of students that had been watching. Any humor he had shown seconds before seemed to have drain out of him when he spotted Aderes.
"Tell me you are not doing what I explicitly told you not to do."
"You always assume the worst," Aderes sighed dramatically. "Have you no faith in me at all?"
"You make that hard," the headmaster said looking tired.
"For someone who claims understanding—"
"Even that, I'm afraid has its limits." Harry noticed a flash of sadness on the headmaster's face before he walked into the Great Hall.
"Just, because…" Aderes had started shaking and Harry knew nothing good was coming. He looked to Hermione hoping she would grab the Slytherin's arm like she had the day before, but instead he found her hiding behind Ron.
Cursing his own luck, he shoved the two pieces of the pastry into Aderes' free hand, grabbed the book, and then dropped his hand onto Aderes' forearm as Hermione had the night before.
"How did you like the book?" Aderes again seemed to have gone into shock, his eyes blazing now. Harry swore there was really fire burning there, hence the red tint. He knew backing down wasn't the answer though. "You said it sounded interesting last night, so was it?"
"Don't protect him," Aderes hissed in the snake language.
"I'm not trying to protect him," Harry said. The words surprised him, but he realized it was true. He didn't understand why Dumbledore was treating Aderes like some kind of outcast. Yes, the teen was a git. He was a Slytherin and a manipulator, but that didn't make him a horrible person.
"This has nothing to do with you," he hissed trying to pull his arm away from Harry. Somehow, the Gryffindor held on.
"Did you ever think he's holding you to a higher standard than everyone else, because you're his son?"
Aderes' eyes narrowed and this time he did get his arm back.
"You do not understand a thing. Do not try."
He turned on his heel heading for the doors that would take him outside. Harry waited to make sure the Slytherin was safely outside before heading into the Great Hall. He felt like he'd done his duty for the day of stopping the destruction of the school. Next would be Hermione's turn. It was her boyfriend.
"You know, if you're that scared of him, your relationship isn't going to get far," Harry said once he'd taken a seat. Hermione gave him a funny look.
"What makes you think I'm in a relationship with Aderes," Hermione asked.
"Well it's obvious, isn't it? You two are always together and you're both smart."
"That has nothing to do with a relationship," Hermione snapped. "He's very smart, but there's something off about him."
"Like how he just tried to kill Dumbledore," Ron suggested getting a dark look from Hermione.
Harry took a few eggs onto his plate.
"Has he ever mentioned why Dumbledore gives him such a hard time? He has top marks and he puts on a great act so everyone seems to love him." He poked at his eggs with his fork. Dumbledore, who defended Draco Malfoy, who defended everyone it seemed, was openly distrustful and tired of his own son. He could see why Aderes was so frustrated. Here he was trying hard to be a good Hogwarts student and Dumbledore acted as if he was a death eater.
"He won't talk about it," Hermione said. "I've noticed it too, but…I don't think Professor Dumbledore would have asked us to be his friend if he really disliked him. Perhaps he's just stressed?"
Harry didn't answer. What he really wanted was to corner the headmaster and ask him what was going on. Aderes was constantly walking on a thin wire. To purposely push him over the edge didn't seem sensible. He almost felt compelled to find the Slytherin and talk to him as well. He might be willing to explain things more openly if they were alone.
He did tell me it was none of business, Harry thought stabbing his egg this time. The fork scratched loudly against the plate getting his friends' attention. None of it made any sense to him. Had Aderes done anything disappointingly lately? Perhaps for casting the unforgivable? While technically Aderes had not broken the law casting the spell on a jar, the fact that he could cast it was unnerving. If he'd managed to learn it without Dumbledore's knowledge, and with Aderes' mental state, perhaps the headmaster was simply on edge himself awaiting the worst.
"So has anyone from Hogwarts actually managed to put their name in the goblet," Ron asked.
"There's a rumor that Warrington did this morning. And of course Diggory," Seamus said. "Really didn't think he'd want to risk his good looks."
A tall black girl from the Gryffindor Quidditch team, Angelina Johnson, came walking in the room proudly.
"Well, I've done it. I put my name in the goblet," she told the Gryffindor table. There was a round of cheers.
"We can't have a Slytherin champion," Ron said.
"I hope you're chosen," Hermione added.
"Thanks Hermione," Angelina said smiling at her.
Harry was going to say something to congratulate her too, but his mind was still wondering and by the time he went to open his mouth, she was gone. He decided it was the last thing to worry about and absently finished his breakfast.
"You okay," Ron asked. "You haven't said much."
"Just thinking," Harry said trying to decide whether to push the subject. Neither of them seemed worried that Aderes and Dumbledore were bickering. He wished he could feel that way.
"So, what should we do today," Ron asked then. He didn't seem to care that Harry was thinking.
"Should we go visit Hagrid," Harry suggested hoping seeing the half-giant might get his mind off Aderes and the Slytherin's entire family situation.
They all agreed and finished their breakfasts' quickly. Once finished they went to the entrance hall only for Hermione to stop suddenly.
"I haven't asked Hagrid to join S.P.E.W.! Wait here while I go grab the badges!" Hermione was up the stairs and gone before they could say a word.
"Mad that one," Ron said shaking his head.
"Hey, your friend is here," Harry, grinned pointing to the door. All the Beauxbatons students had walked into the entrance hall in a line along with their headmistress, Madame Maxime. They each walked up to the goblet with pieces of parchment in their hands and one by one, dropped them into the goblet. The blueish white flames seemed to take each one and then they left just as quietly as they'd come.
"Think they'll be stayin here the whole year," Ron asked his gazed fixed on all the students.
"Well, Madame Maxime is a judge, so I suppose she'd be staying…"
"Where do you think they're staying?"
Hermione came moments later holding a box full of badges. To Ron's seemingly delight they were out the door and crossing the grounds seconds later. They noticed the Beaxubaton students were heading in the same direction as they were. They understood why soon enough, as the giant carriage that had brought the students to Hogwarts had been parked a few hundred yards from Hagrid's hut, the giant horses not far from it.
"Well, that explains that," Ron said.
The other two merely shrugged. The carriage had to be parked somewhere after all.
Harry went over to Hagrid's door and knocked.
" 'Bout time!" The door flew open and Harry had to stop himself from turning around and walking away. Hagrid was wearing what had to be the furriest suit Harry had ever seen, not to mention a horrible yellow and orange-checkered tie. His hair had been drenched in something, Harry could only guess, perhaps grease. It looked like he'd attempted to put it into a pony tail only to find the act futile. "Startin' to think yeh had forgottin 'bout me."
No one seemed to have the heart to tell him how odd he looked, but Ron didn't seem to be able to pull his eyes away. Hermione on the other hand took advantage of this situation to pull out her box of badges and start explaining S.P.E.W. to Hagrid. Hagrid looked dumbstruck at Hermione's proposal.
Ron seemed to gather himself then. He walked past Hermione and Hagrid and took a seat with Harry on the couch. Fang came rushing over and sat down on the floor waiting for the attention he thought he so rightly deserved. Harry happily obliged.
Ron's shoulders dropped as he looked down at Fang. "How can Hogwarts get a decent champion if no one puts their name in?"
"Well Angelina would make a decent champion," Harry pointed out. "She's really smart and I think she can handle herself."
" 'ermione, I'm not doin it," they heard Hagrid say. It seemed like the conversation had ended, Hermione looked quite annoyed.
"So…'bout teh tournament. Never thought I'd be around fer a triwizard tournament!" This of course got everyone's attention. "Yer all goin teh love it! Every one oh those champions got their work cut out fer 'em. I don't want to give anything up, but yer going to enjoy it," he said cheerfully.
To their delight Hagrid seemed to know details about previous tournaments, which he was willing to talk about in detail. Harry knew if their tournament was anything like any of the previous ones, they would definitely be in for a show. He was glad he wouldn't be participating and glad that Fred and George hadn't gotten in. He would have felt horrible for Mrs. Weasley, who would have no doubt killed her two sons long before the tournament could for joining in.
The conversation kept their interest for the entire day. Harry was surprised to see that it was already five and they all decided to head back to the castle.
"Do you think anyone worth while put their names in while we were gone," Ron asked excitedly.
"We already have worth while names in," Hermione said coldly. She didn't seem to ready to forgive them for their refusal of S.P.E.W. just yet.
Harry hoped this wasn't going to be an ongoing fight throughout the year. He didn't want Hermione and Ron fighting. It wasn't good for friend's to fight.
"What do you think, Cedric or Angelina," Harry asked trying to get them to forget their anger. "It might be, because I'm on the Quidditch team, but I hope it's Angelina."
"I think both of them are completely capable," Hermione said evenly.
"You're mad! Angelina could take Cedric any day. That—"
"Just, because you don't like pretty boys doesn't mean they are worthless! What about Aderes? Do you think he's capable," she demanded angrily.
"I think he'd kill everyone, the others attending, the events, other champions …everything," Harry muttered. The other two did not seem to hear him and went on with their bickering. Harry gave up at that point. He decided it would be much easier just let them get the fighting out of their system. After dinner, they would know who the champion would be and if that wasn't enough, after the school year was over, whatever champion won will have won and there would be nothing left to fight about.
When they were back in the hall, Harry's gaze instantly went to the Slytherin's table. Aderes had separated himself from the other Slytherin's. He was at the very end of the table reading a book. Harry thought he looked tensed.
With any luck he was just nervous about who the champion would be. On the other hand, it seemed more likely that Dumbledore had cornered him and explained in very clear terms that the Slytherin was to behave or risk being sent home.
While Harry did not find it fair, he did understand. Aderes was if nothing else, a ticking time bomb. The Slytherin did not seem mentally stable in the least and he did go out of his way to figure out ways to annoy others.
Dumbledore had vouched for him.
There was something about that that just stuck in Harry's mind. Hermione had been the first to bring it up, but she was right, as usual. Dumbledore may not agree with the way his son acts, but he did love him.
Harry glanced over at the Slytherin table again, Aderes was still alone. Even Draco seemed to be keeping a very good distance from him.
The Gryffindor decided that was enough. He stood up only for all the food to appear on the table. Confused for a moment he sat back down, everyone at his table was looking at him.
"Sorry, was just going to, never mind."
"Everything alright," Ron asked quietly.
"Yeah," Harry said quickly earning a look from Ron. "Don't worry about it. I'll tell you after dinner." His friends seemed satisfied with his answer and went to their food. Somehow, Harry had almost forgotten that it was Halloween. The tables were covered with pastries and candies along with the usual dishes and some foreign ones.
He noticed the bat pastry that Aderes had, had that morning and took one. It was amazing. Light and fluffy, the inside filled with a chocolate cream. He could understand why Aderes had gotten ahold of one early on.
"Don't just eat sweets," Hermione warned him.
"Just wanted to try," he said, but realized the warning had mostly been directed at Ron who'd filled his plate with nothing, but sweets.
"It's one day a year," Ron, moaned. "Let us have some fun."
"If I remember correctly, you had a large amount of sweets this summer thanks to Aderes," she said and this time Harry groaned.
"If you guys don't stop, I'm going to go sit with Aderes," Harry warned. This got both of them to go quiet. They managed to have a normal meal after that to Harry's relief. The feast seemed to drag on, but since his friend's weren't fighting, he enjoyed it.
It seemed like all the students had finished before the staff and were starting to fidget. Harry noticed that the goblet had been brought into the hall and was sitting where Dumbledore usually gave his speeches. He took another look at Aderes; the teen seemed to have calmed down. Harry couldn't help snickering when he saw that the teen had more sweets in his plate that Ron had, had. He was also shoving some into his bag since he was sitting alone and had plates to himself.
Whispers started and the plates were finally cleared.
"Well, the goblet Is almost ready to make its decision. I estimate that it requires one more minute." He took a quick look around the room. "Now when the champions' names are 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." He motioned to the door behind the staff table. "Where they will be receiving instructions their first instructions."
With a flick of his wand the candles throughout the hall went out, expect for those within the pumpkins. The goblet was now the brightest thing in the room, everyone's' gazes glued to it. There were more hushed whispers and fidgeting and then when eternity seemed to end, the white blue flames suddenly flashed red.
A piece of parchment shot out and Dumbledore grabbed it. Everyone within the room gasped.
The headmaster held the parchment near the white blue flames of the goblet and read the name.
"The champion for Durmstrange," he read loudly, "will be Viktor Krum."
"No surprise there," Ron yelled.
He was not the only one. Most of the hall had erupted into cheers and applause. Harry turned to watch Viktor stand up and head for the staff table. The Slytherin's and Durmstrange students were cheering and yelling at Krum even louder as he walked pass them. Aderes did not seem to care.
Viktor slouched toward the table and then vanished through the door leading into the next chamber.
"Bravo, Viktor," Karkaroff screamed. "Knew you had it in you!" He managed to be louder than anyone else in the room.
The clapping eventually gave way and the attention went back to the goblet. They were not disappointed as seconds later the flames turned red again, another piece of paper shooting out.
"The champion for Beauxbatons, is Fleur Delaxour,"Dumbledore said in his loud formal voice again. Harry prepared himself for another loud round of applause, but it did not seem to happen. While some of the Beauxbatons were clapping, others were glaring, and some were actually crying.
"It's her, from yesterday," Harry said nudging Ron. "The one who looks like a Veela," he added in case Ron didn't remember.
"Yeah," he agreed. Most of the boys seemed to be in too much awe to really clap.
When Fleur was gone, the room went back to silence. The tension was growing horribly. Everyone knew the next champion would be for Hogwarts and everyone wanted it to be someone they could cheer for. Harry hoped it at the very least, was not a Slytherin.
The moment of truth came, the flames turned red and everyone held their breaths. The final piece of paper shot out from the flames and Dumbledore slowly unwrapped the parchment.
"The Hogwarts champion is Cedric Diggory," he announced.
"No," Ron shouted. Harry was glad he was the only one who could hear him, because the Hufflepuff table was screaming so loudly. They were all cheering, packing him on the back, ruffing his hair, anything they could to show their approval. The other Hogwart students were of course cheering, but not nearly as much as the Hufflepuff table.
Cedric finally managed to pull himself away from his fans and made it to the staff table. He grinned at everyone before making it to the next chamber. The Hogwarts students were still cheering though and it took a while before Dumbledore got everyone back under control.
"Excellent," Dumbledore cried out loudly and Harry swore he saw a huge lift removed from the headmaster. He looked so happy now, truly happy, not the forced emotions he seemed to be throwing at everyone lately. He noticed the headmaster was looking at Aderes and the Slytherin was mouthing something to him. Dumbledore mouthed back in return, Harry really wanted to know what it was.
"We now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrange, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real—"
The headmaster went silent and so too did the rest of the hall and it was obvious why. The white blue flames of the goblet had turned red again. The parchment shot out and the room erupted in whispers. Dumbledore wasted no time; he opened the parchment paper and stared. Harry saw the weight reappear on the headmaster and knew something had to be wrong.
Finally, the headmaster cleared his voice and said slowly, but just as loudly as the others before.
"Harry Potter!"
Harry sat there in stunned silence as he felt the blood drain from his face. He felt every pair of eyes fall onto him. He refused to budge and decided this must be some kind of sick joke. The three champions had already been chosen. Was a fourth one even allowed? He was underage. He'd never put his name in the goblet. Surely, it was a joke! Ha ha, the great Harry Potter was being forced to take part in the Triwziard tournament. That would surely get everyone talking.
He knew that must be the answer and started to smile.
"Harry," Ron asked quietly.
"It's just a joke," he said confidently. "They already have the three champions."
"Harry Potter!"
"… A really sick joke by Aderes," he said looking at his friends trying to convince himself.
"Harry, go," Hermione, whispered giving him a push. He managed to get to his feet and start towards the staff table. It HAD to be a joke. He was going to get up there and Dumbledore was going to tell everyone it was just something they decided to do for this tournament. A prank to add to the fun. Or maybe Aderes had been a git and convinced Dumbledore to pull his name. He was going to stand up at the staff table like a fool and then everyone would have a big laugh.
Everyone watched what to Harry felt like a death march. He stopped in front of Dumbledore who looked just as confused and frustrated as he felt and his heart sank a little more.
"Sir, I – "
"Just follow the other champions," he said quietly. Harry had other things he wanted to say, but his words failed him and he turned towards the door and slowly made his way to the chamber. He caught a glimpse of Aderes running through the back of the tables. He looked panicked.
Harry knew who'd done it then. Aderes was the reason all of this was happening. Aderes had told him he could get his name into the goblet a he'd put it in there, even though Harry had told him not to. He wanted to kill the Slytherin now, but with the whole school watching, well, it still might be worth it.
When he entered the room, the three champions were standing around a fire, all of them looking quite impressive. Harry knew he didn't belong there.
The champions turned to see who'd entered the room.
"What is it? Do zey want us back in ze Hall," Fleur asked and all Harry could do was stare. She'd mistaken him as a messenger. Of course, she had, the three champions were chosen. Why else would anyone be walking into the room?
"Harry."
The Gryffindor jerked around and despite all the anger and hatred, he thought he'd feel towards the Slytherin, he was actually relieved glad to have someone to talk to who wasn't a champion. Even so, the Slytherin was probably the cause of all this.
"Did you put my name in," he demanded closing in on Aderes. "I told you not to. I…that's what Dumbledore was so mad about this morning," he screamed as everything seemed to fall into place. "He knew you could get over that age line that you were going to do something like this!"
"Well…that answers my first question," Aderes said staring at the Gryffindor. He looked amused, which just angered the Gryffindor that much more. How could Aderes stand there so calmly with something like this happening? Of course, knowing Aderes, he probably thought the entire situation was hilarious.
"What is going on," Fleur demanded. Cedric and Viktor were looking at Harry and Aderes now too.
"This isn't funny," Harry groaned pretending not to hear Fleur. "I wanted nothing to do with this tournament!"
"I know you didn't. And for once, I respected your wishes," Aderes said started when they heard the door slam open.
"I expected this from you, but not you," Dumbledore started in immediately as he entered the chamber. Behind him the other judges, headmistress, and headmaster came bounding in, followed by Snape and McGonagall. "Aderes, you promised me, you swore to me—"
"I didn't put his name in," Aderes growled. "He asked me not to so I didn't. I won't lie. I did offer him, but he refused."
"Harry," Dumbledore demanded.
"He offered last night," Harry started explaining. "I told him no, I didn't want to be a part of this. I have enough people trying to kill me without adding the tournament to…" he didn't think his emotions could sink any farther, but reality seemed to coming into place and he wanted to scream. "Sir, are you sure this isn't a bad joke," Harry half asked, half begged.
"I'm afraid not Harry. Your name came out of the goblet…you are the fourth champion."
This had other champions looking interested now.
"Zat is not fair," Fleur screamed. "'E cannot compete. 'E is too young!"
Harry watched as the entire room broke out into arguments, justifiably so. No one wanted Harry in the tournament, including Harry himself. It seemed like everyone took turns asking him if he'd put his name into the goblet despite his repeated answer of "no". The only one who wasn't screaming was Aderes, who now looked as pale as Harry did.
"You're right," he said quietly when Harry was standing next to him. "I didn't think someone would use the tournament to target you, not with Dumbledore here, but…"
"But they did anyway," Harry finished for him letting out a long sigh. Cedric seemed to have given up the argument and snuck over to Harry and Aderes.
"He has to compete, it's a binding contract," Mr. Crouch explained.
"So Hogwarts just gets two champions and that's it," Karkaroff demanded.
The fighting continued until Mad-Eye Moody came into the room. He took one look at the group of bickering teachers and let out a loud laugh. The room went silent, their attention now on Mad-eye.
"Convenient, eh?" Moody asked before he started laughing again.
"How is any of this convenient," Karkaroff demanded. His ice-cold eyes bore into the Defense teacher.
"Well, no one can back out now. The names have been chosen."
"'ell, 'et must be convenient for 'ooever wished to give 'Ogwarts two bites at ze apple," Madame Maxime stormed.
"I agree," Karkaroff snapped. "We should just shut the whole thing down. What a waste! All the negotiations and compromises—"
"But they can't, can they," Moody asked grinning now. "Not with that magical binding contract in place."
"Then I shall be lodging complaints with the Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards –"
"Funny the only one who should be complaining is Potter, I don't hear him saying a word," Moody cut in. This had everyone yelling again, Fleur even stomping her foot.
"This is crazy," Harry whispered to Aderes. "The champions and their school heads are going to kill me before the tournament does."
Aderes looked at for a moment then took Harry's hand.
"No they won't," he said confidently.
"You need to leave," Dumbledore told Aderes when some of the fighting had died down.
"Your support is for Cedric. I'm here for Harry," the Slytherin said simply.
"This is not the time-"
"No, it's not," Aderse shot back. "You are tied to the champion of your school, which is Cedric. Harry does not have a backing."
For the first time ever, Harry thought he was going to see Dumbledore lose his composure. He couldn't blame the headmaster at all either. Aderes was one of the most difficult people he had ever met, and poor Dumbledore had been dealing with the boy for years. It wasn't too surprising then when the headmaster decided he was no longer going to deal with the boy and turned his attention to Harry.
"Why should 'e complain," Fleur burst in. "'E 'as ze chance to compete, 'asn't 'e? We 'ave all been 'oping to be chosen for weeks and weeks! Ze honor for our schools! A thousand Galleons in prize money – zis is a chance many would die for!"
"Maybe someone's hoping Potter is going to die for it," Moody said with a slight growl.
(TBC)
