Chapter Twenty
A Longbottom by Your Side.
Harry felt as though he had just been punched in the gut. A cold weight settled in his stomach and seemed to radiate throughout his body. The girls in his group gasped. Daphne seemed to be on the verge of tears, and Neville looked like he was going to be sick.
"Harry Potter!" shouted the headmaster.
"Go on Harry!" Hermione said in a fierce whisper while giving a small pull to urge him out of his seat and toward Dumbledore.
He left his seat reluctantly, and slowly made his way to the headmaster. Harry as pale and almost shaking, a range of emotions racing through his mind. Racing in a kind way of putting it, if one can say a fully loaded mile long American freight train can race as fast as the French TGV.
Neville sat there, pale and shaking as well. He was looking down at the table, and seemed to be thinking about something very hard. His face then turned to one of determination, and he suddenly stood up, and quickly caught up with Harry, who had just made it to the front of the hall where the professors were standing in shock, falling in step by his side.
Harry looked over at Neville with a questioning, but Neville didn't say anything, he just gave Harry a grim look, and a nod of his head. Harry found himself oddly comforted by his friend's actions.
"Mr. Longbottom." Said Professor McGonagall, "You must return to your seat. You are not a champion, and only Mr. Potter may.."
"Professor," Neville cut her off. "Harry has clearly been entered in this tournament against his will. A-As future head of the House of Longbottom, I-I am giving Harry Potter my allegiance. I'm s-sorry Professor. As my ally and friend, I refuse to leave Harry's side. Where he goes, a Longbottom goes. I will not let him go in there friendless."
Neville was clearly scared, but was determined to not leave Harry alone in this. McGonagall was trying to be stern, but she was clearly upset at Harry's name being drawn from the Goblet. There was also a great sense of pride in her eyes as she looked at the Longbottom heir. She simply nodded her head and allowed the pair through.
When the pair entered the antechamber, which appeared to be another trophy room. Standing in front of the fire were the three champions. Cedric was standing with his hands behind his back, staring into the fire, lost in thought. Krum was motionless, looking surly as ever. Flue Delacour broke the silence though. She took one look at the two Gryffindors, threw her silvery hair over her shoulder and said, "What eez thees? Do zey want us back in zee 'all?"
Harry and Neville stood there, not knowing how to explain the cock up he know found himself in. Turns out he didn't have to, as he heard several very angry voices approaching the room.
He saw several of his professors, as well as the headmasters of the three school enter the room.
"I demand we each be allowed two champions!" said Karkaroff "otherwise we are withdrawing from the tournament!"
"Empty threats Karkaroff!" Moody growled. "You know you cannot withdraw Krum without serious consequences. You're stuck. If anyone should be angry about this it's Potter."
"Harry" said Dumbledore. "Did you put your name in the goblet?"
"No sir!" Harry answered without hesitation.
"Did you ask one of the older students to do it for you?"
"No sir." he answered again.
"But of course 'h is lying!" shouted Madam Maxime.
"The hell I am!" cried Harry. "I take great offence at being called a liar!" to which the tall woman scoffed.
'Fucking French' Harry thought viciously.
Drawing his wand he held it in front of him before saying, "I Harry James Potter swear on my magic that I did not willingly enter my name into the Goblet of Fire, nor did I have anyone else do it for me!"
The glow that emanated from his wand was nearly blinding, but it confirmed his innocence. Harry put his wand away and scowled at the very large French bint.
Cedric's eyes bulged at the thought that Harry had been entered against his will. Fleur merely sniffed and turned her nose up at him, "But 'e is just a leetle boy!"
"I'll show you little," Harry mumbled under his breath.
"I leave this to you Barty." Dumbledore said, turning to Hitler… erm.. Crouch.
After a moment of thought, Crouch turned back to Dumbledore and said. "The rules are absolute. The Goblet of Fire constitutes a binding magical contract. He has no choice." he looked at Harry. "As of this moment, Mr. Potter is…." 'Our new Führer!'*
"….a triwizard champion."
X x x x x x
Harry, Neville, Cedric and Professor McGonagall walked through the now empty great hall toward the exit. As they reached the entrance hall, the Professor turned to Harry and Neville. "Mr. Longbottom." she said. "Twenty points for your courageous show of support for Mr. Potter."
Neville's eyes widened. 'T-Thank you Professor." he stammered.
With that the old Scotswoman made her way quickly to the headmaster's office.
Diggory turned to Harry. "Why do things like this always seem to happen to you Harry?"
"Believe me." Harry said. "I wish I knew myself."
"I'll make sure everyone knows you gave a magical oath that proved you didn't enter willingly." Cedric said.
"Thanks." said Harry. "Have a sparkly evening."
Diggory gave Harry a queer look before he walked away toward the Hufflepuff's common room.
X x x x x x x x x
As Harry and Neville walked through the portrait hole, they were met with the loud sounds of a party in full swing. He was met with many congratulations, and pats on the back, which annoyed him greatly. Neville was sending fierce glares at everyone.
Of course, Ron had to open his stupid mouth.
"You just had to do it didn't you!" he shouted, which brought the party to a halt.
His eyes were filled with pure hatred and loathing.
"You didn't have enough fame and fortune, so you decided to grab a little more glory and enter yourself in the tournament!" he shouted.
Neville clinched his fists, while Ginny and Astoria began to draw their wands, scowls on their faces evident. Hermione face palmed as she shook her head.
"It wasn't enough that you had to steal Hermione away from me, but you also had to fuck that stupid slut snake too! Who's next? Her little sister?" gasps came from everyone as Ron continued. "You get everything Pot.."
He was cut off as he found himself flat on his back after eating a knuckle sandwich courtesy of Neville.
"You stupid, fucking sod!' the normally shy boy shouted as he stood menacingly over Ron. "Harry didn't enter himself in the tournament! He even gave a magical oath that proved he didn't!"
Gasps were heard around the common room.
"The professors think some entered his name to kill him!" Neville continued. "But you're so blinded by your petty jealousy, that you can't even see the truth when it's right in front of you! You were a horrible friend, and are no better than that little shit Malfoy! Stay away from Harry!"
Neville looked up at the rest of the Gryffindors. "That goes for the rest of you who think Harry cheated his way in too!"
The entire common room was shocked stupid at Neville's unusual show of strength.
Hermione walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. Neville seemed to deflate on the spot as he calmed down.
Shaking himself from his stupor, Harry approached Ron and crouched down next to him.
"You listen to me Weasley." Harry said in a deadly voice. "I you ever say anything bad about Daphne again, you'll find yourself on the wrong end of my wand."
He looked up at Astoria who was trying to kill Ron with her eyes. "You've also just pissed off her little sister." Harry continued. "I almost feel sorry for you, but I'm not going to stop her. You're on your own now you cock stain."
Harry rose to his feet, keeping his eyes on the prone Ron. He shook his head, and walked quickly up the stairs to his dorm. The silence behind him was deafening.
As he entered his dorm room, he heard the distinct sounds of spell fire, and Ron's screams, coming from the common room. 'Good on them' he thought bitterly.
Just as he sat down on his bed, a 'pop' startled him. He found himself in a strong embrace from his faithful, yet weeping, house elf Dobby.
"Master Harry Potter sir!" the small elf cried. "Dobby has failed you!"
Harry looked at his elf with a confused look. "How exactly have you failed me Dobby?"
"Dobby failed to protect his master from bad things happening! From the bad people!" he continued to weep. "Dobby is a bad elf!"
He was just about to start punishing himself when Harry grabbed him by the shoulders.
"Dobby stop it!" ordered Harry. "You will NOT punish yourself. There was nothing you could have done. You haven't failed me in any way! You are a very good elf, and I am proud to have you as my friend!"
Dobby still sniffled. "Master Harry Potter is too kind to a lowly elf." he whipped his nose on a handkerchief he pulled form his tunic. He then produced a letter and handed it to Harry.
"This is from Mater Harry Potter's Greeny." the elf explained. "She is saying Master must read it immediately."
"Thank you Dobby." said Harry, taking the note from his elf.
With one last quick hug, Dobby stood back, and gave a very low bow, nose nearly touching the floor, before he popped away.
Opening the letter, he found a very short note.
Harry,
Room of Requirement, NOW!
D.
He loved it when she was commanding.
Quickly donning his invisibility cloak, he made his way through the much subdued common room, and out of the portrait hole before anyone noticed him. Ron was no where to be seen.
Making his way the short distance to the RoR, he stopped in front of a door that was already there. Grabbing the handle, he opened the door and stepped inside quickly. He was nearly bowled over by a sobbing blond missile as the door closed, and then vanished behind him.
Why, why is it always you!" she wept into his robes, as she clung to him as if she were afraid he'd vanish is she let go. "If it isn't one thing it's another!"
He lead her over to a couch in front of a warm fire that the room had provided, and sat them both down.
"It's okay my Daphne." he whispered into her hair. "I'm going to make it through this alright."
She choked back another sob.
"I promised you that you wouldn't lose me." he said softly, "I intend to keep that promise."
He simply held her close, rocking back and forth gently. Neither remembered falling asleep, only that they felt safe in each other's arms.
X x x x x x x
The next two weeks were somewhat bearable. While the Ravenclaws seemed to be using their heads after it became known that Harry'd given a magical oath, thanks to Luna, the Hufflepuffs still glared at him when they passed.
Even though it wasn't Harry's fault,, they still felt that Harry was stealing their glory.
Idiots.
On the morning of Friday the thirteenth, badges appeared with the words 'Potter Stinks!'. They would then change to say "Support Cedric Diggory, The Real Hogwarts Champion!"
Most of the Slytherins, minus Daphne, Tracy, and Blaise, wore them. Even a few Hufflepuffs donned the offending badges of idiocy. The Ravenclaws appeared to be neutral in the entire thing. Except or a few of Cho Chang's friends for some reason. They would make the occasional snide remark when he passed them in the hallways.
Harry, Daphne, Hermione and Neville stood together outside of the potions classroom waiting for the arrival of their lovable professor. Tracy and Blaise stood near them, but separate, speaking in low tones.
"Hey Potter!" came the nasally voice of the ferret. "Do you like the badges I've come up with?" he said as he tapped his badge to switch sayings.
"Yes Draco." Harry said, deadpanned, "Very clever for a seven year old."
The Gryffindors laughed as Malfoy began to turn red in anger.
'So I stink eh?" Harry asked in amusement. "Well, at least I can take a bath. There is no cure for your homosexuality though is there?"
This sent Draco over the edge, as the Gryffindors laughed even harder. He drew his wand and Harry responded in kind. The spells they fired met in midair and were deflected off each other. Harry's spell hit Crabbe, blasting him into Pansy Parkinson. He lay on top of her, between her legs, unconscious. Draco's spell had hit Hermione square in the mouth, causing her teeth to begin growing at an alarming rate.
"What's going on here?" shouted Snape as he approached the group.
"Potter attacked me with out provocation Professor." Malfoy said.
"Bullshit" all the Gryffindors coughed.
"Ten points from Gryffindor for attacking another student Potter." Snape sneered greasily. "And a detention as well. Mr Goyle, help Mr. Crabbe off Ms. Parkinson, and take him to the hospital wing. The rest of you, inside now!"
"Sir!" Neville said. "What about Hermione? She got hit with a spell too."
Snape looked at Hermione, who's teeth were now level with her chin. "I see no difference."
Hermione whimpered, as Neville tried to lunge at the professor, only to be held back by Harry.
"Attacking a teacher Longbottom?" another sneer. "Twenty points from Gryffindor. You can also join Mr. Potter in detention."
Harry was lucky enough not to sit through Snape's class as Collin Creevy entered shortly after they began to inform Snape that Harry was needed for the Weighing of the Wands.
He spent a very uncomfortable time being interviewed by a woman named Rita Skeeter. He kept leering at him. He didn't know if it was because she had the chance t interview him, or if she was actually lusting after him. Either way, he didn't like it.
He liked the article she wrote even less. She called him a 'Tragic Hero' who's eyes were "Glistening with the tears of his past." Yes, he hated Rita Skeeter. The Slytherins wouldn't let him live it down.
X x x x x x x
Daphne was by herself in the Astronomy Tower a week after Rita's article had been published in the Daily Prophet. She was thinking of ways to bring the stupid bint down, and trying to figure out ways to help Harry through this tournament. She was so lost in her thoughts, that she failed to notice the lone figure behind her.
"A beautiful night, wouldn't you say Ms. Greengrass?" the voice of the headmaster startled her out of her thoughts.
She quickly turned to face him. 'Sir. I was just thinking. I know I'm out after.."
"It's quite alright Ms. Greengrass." interrupted Dumbledore. "No harm done. We've all got many things on our minds.' he finished as he came to stand beside her at the railing over looking the grounds.
"Might I inquire as to what you were thinking about?" he asked.
"I was thinking about the article that idiot Skeeter wrote." she said in a heated voice. "Also, I was worried about the first task. Harry has no idea what it's going to be, and he is scared." she looked down at her feet. "I'm scared."
Dumbledore studied her for a moment. She had given him the perfect opportunity to do what he came up here to do.
Turning to face her he said. "If you are worried about the first task." he paused, pretending to think as she looked up at him. "I cannot give Harry any help, but I think it would be wise to think on our School's motto." his eyes twinkled madly. "Goodnight." he said in a jaunty voice as he waved goodbye to her, and left.
She stood there for a moment, confused at to what the headmaster meant. She thought about the motto, and suddenly paled. It was all she could do not to faint. She was almost hyperventilating as she rushed down the stairs. Calling for Dobby, she told him that she had to wake Harry up and have him meet her in the Room of Requirement. It was an emergency, and could not wait until morning.
'Dragons!' she thought in a panic. 'Of all the bloody things!'
X x x x x x x
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Note: There you have it. Things are picking up now. Next Chapter will be their first task. *Dunn dunn DUNNNNNNNN!* (dramatic musical score)