A/N. Wow, three updates in a week, I think I just set a personal record! Anyway, here is another chapter for you. Enjoy!

The Impartial Judge

30th October 1994,

Dear Diary,

Our visitors from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons arrived this afternoon. They are interesting, to say the least. What I found really interesting is how the champions are being chosen…

As soon as the delegation from Durmstrang arrived, we were ushered back into the Great Hall for a feast in their honour. Ron was especially excited about Krum being there. Honestly, you'd have thought Ron was a silly fan girl, or that Krum had done something much more important than play Quidditch. Or both. At least the arrival of Krum took away any and all attention from Harry, which I could tell he was relieved about.

I really wasn't all that surprised to see the Durmstrang kids sitting with the Slytherins, I mean they are meant to put a lot of emphasis on the Dark Arts, and that fit with Slytherin's reputation. I was interested to see the Beauxbatons students with the Ravenclaws, but I wasn't that surprised. It made sense that anyone thinking of entering would value thinking and learning. It didn't really bother me where they sat anyway. They'd be there all year, and it wasn't as if I'd have all that much to do with the Champions, unless Angelina was chosen. Man, was I wrong!

When Dumbledore pulled out the Goblet, I was seriously confused. How was a cup going to choose the Champions? The process really intrigued me. For all that I'm a Gryffindor, I still possess certain Ravenclaw qualities, and that Goblet really brought them out. To think it could pick three Champions based on a bit of paper with only their name and school. It was truly incredible.

Watching the twins try to fool the Goblet was highly amusing. I knew there was no way they could get past Dumbledore, it took a much wiser wizard to do that, if it was possible at all. But it was very funny to see them with beards, especially when they were caught by Dumbledore himself.

It was a very good thing it was a Saturday, I don't think anyone would have been able to concentrate on classes that day, not even the most studious Ravenclaws, or the sternest Professors.

That night the atmosphere in the Great Hall was electric. I don't think any of us really paid much attention to what we were eating, we just wanted to get through dinner as quick as possible so we could find out who the Champions were.

I don't think anyone was all that surprised that Krum was a Champion. I mean, he's a Quidditch player, so he has to be fit, relatively smart, and have a certain level of bravery just to do his job. To me, Fleur seemed a little prissy and superficial, but obviously the Goblet could see that she had what it would take to get through the competition.

When it came to the Hogwarts Champion, I must admit that I was a little disappointed that Angelina wasn't chosen. I knew that she could have done well, but I also knew that Cedric would do just as well, and it was high time that Hufflepuff got some recognition.

What came next left me literally in shock. Long after Harry had disappeared into the side chamber I could only sit there, completely numb. I barely registered Ron's red face an clenched fists, or the tears running down Ginny's cheeks. I could only think "not Harry, not Harry, not Harry." My best friend, who I saw as my little brother, was now an unwilling participant in a deadly Tournament, and he was only fourteen.

When Dumbledore dismissed us, I somehow made my way to Gryffindor Tower, where people were already celebrating the fact Gryffindor had a Champion. This I couldn't understand. Couldn't they see something was wrong, that Harry had somehow gotten entered into the Tournament against his won will? I saw Ron disappear into his dorm without giving it a second thought. Surely he was just as upset as I was, and needed time to register the fact that is best friend could be in mortal danger.

I'm sure poor Harry hated the attention he got, and I wished I could've been there to help him, but I just couldn't face the happy crowd. I barely slept that night. When the party finally finished and the other girls came to bed, I crept down and spent the night trying to read, but I only succeeded in crying until I could cry no more, and then pacing backwards and forwards on the rug in front of the fire.

That night I came to a conclusion. I knew Harry didn't put his name in the Goblet. I also knew someone wanted Harry dead. Soon. That night I decided that no matter what happened, I would do whatever it took to help Harry, both this year and in the future. Harry would survive, Voldemort would die, and nothing was going to stop us getting there.

A/N. So, there you have it. It's about to get interesting! So, about Hermione in this chapter. I know she seems a little devoted to Harry, but here's my thinking. I've always thought Hermione would think of Harry as a little brother, and I believe that family always comes before anyone or anything else. At this time, I think Hermione is starting to have a bit of a crush on Ron, but she is also a driven, devoted friend, and so while she wants to stay friends, or a little more than friends, but she also feels like she has to protect Harry. Anyway, sorry for the ridiculously long author's note. Thanks for reading, and as always, let me know what you think. NG