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For the Halloween banquet Nym had persuaded whoever to allow her and a number of the magical patrol to join in the festivities under the pretence that other members of the public and press were in attendance and some manner of security should be observed.

Harry noted Barnabas and Rita sitting in a corner along with other reporter's and dignitaries from the visiting schools.

The students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were all in full attendance seated at lower end of Ravenclaw and Slytherin house tables correspondingly.

Harry hadn't had much to do with them. He had been rather amazed when one of the Durmstrang turned out to Victor Krum.

Harry had spoken to him once in the library the week prior when the older boy had been looking for the evocation spell section. Hermione had been with Harry at the time and Harry had directed the question to her, as he himself, had no idea where every book was kept unlike she did.

Harry figured, and he said as much to Nym, that the Hungarian was multi-layered.


As dinner progressed Nym chatted with him while scoffing down plate after plate of marshmallow pies and strawberry teacakes.

"The work is rather dull" She commented "We have had a few drunks and a few petty thefts and shop lifters. The duty sergeants say that the work will pick up when the Hogsmeade weekends start."

"Have you settled in ok?" He queried sipping on a cup of herbal tea,

"So-so, I've got all the stuff I need but I still have to move all the things I want."


"Let us begin." Dumbledore announced.

The room dimmed and the Goblet flared high and released its first name.

"For Beauxbatons. Miss Fleur Delacour!"

A rather beautiful blonde stood and walked to the front of the hall.

Harry had seen her once or twice and each time she had a number of boys vying for her attention. Considering she looked like a supermodel it was understandable but Harry had also seen Blaise Zabini, a known homosexually inclined Slytherin among that number, leading Harry to believe there was more to it than just outstanding good looks.

Another name flew out from the goblet and fluttered down into the headmaster's hand "For Durmstrang, Victor Krum."

The Hungarian seeker stood to a rowdy cheer. He neither looked impressed or depressed at the announcement.

"And finally, for Hogwarts." A drumroll from the twins resounded from the Gryffindor table. "Thank you, Cedric Diggory!"

Harry was relieved. Cedric was a great guy. Smart and very skilled on and off the Quidditch pitch. he had been an inspiration to most of the second years of Hufflepuff teaching them how to handle a broom properly. He would undoubtedly make head boy next year.

Silence fell as another scrap of parchment rose out of the flame.

Dumbledore snatched it out of the air. Harry watched the headmaster read the parchment a half doze times be he looked at Harry.

"Fuck" Harry hissed causing Nym to look up from her meal.

"For Hogwarts… again… Harry Potter."

The room went into an uproar.

The headmaster and mistress of the visiting schools were on their feet and arguing with Dumbledore.

"I REFUSE!" Harry declared standing on his seat.

All eyes turned to him.

"I did not put my name it that Goblet, I made no contract with its magic therefore I refuse to accept it."

While everyone was discussing the matter Moody came to his side.

"So this was their ploy." Harry whispered.

"Aye, looks to be." Moody nodded.

"What you going to do?" Nym asked.

"I cannot do it, it would be too much of a risk. I would be a sitting target."

"Aye, but It would give us a chance to catch them in the act as they make a move on you."

Harry looked at Moody "Triwizard, Triwizard means three not four; it would totally fuck the comp."

"Not necessarily..." a voice said from behind them.

Cedric stood looking nervous.

"I didn't really want to enter, but I did because it was expected." The normally calm and stoic boy shuffled his feet "Look I am totally happy for you to be Hogwarts champion. You're a Puff too so it all good. I know you get a bad rep but I think whatever the challenges are you could win this for us; for Hogwarts."

Harry looked at Nym then back at Cedric "Cedric, what have you bet on for me to face this year?"

"A dragon."

Harry sighed "OK it's a deal."


Things went smoothly.

Cedric stood and announced his withdrawal the note in Dumbledore's hand containing his name instantly turned to ash.

Harry stood and gathering all the lofty abrasiveness he could muster and walked to the room where everyone else was waiting.

Victor nodded to him as he walked in. When the door closed it was Fleur who spoke first.

"I don't not know how you did it but I will not be shamed but beating a little boy."

Harry grew angry and moved fast. Drawing his wand in one hand and pinning her against the wall with his other.

Being about the same height he leaned in close and hissed into her ear.

"To think I sensed something in you that did not have anything to do with your Veela charm."

Fleur tried to rally but Harry pressed his fingers into her throat hard. "Not such a little boy now am I?"

He let go and she took a deep steadying breath, her face was flushed and Harry noted the look in her eyes changed from rage to something else. He turned away but not before her tongue flicked out to lick her lips.


"Well we have our three" Ludo Bagman stated eyeing Harry cautiously.

Nym had wormed her way into the room when the press came in.

Most of the international papers rushed to Victor while the Parisian Gazette and such moved to Fleur.

Barnabas looked at him for a moment and Harry shrugged then thumbed towards the other champions. Barnabas nodded and signalled the four British reporters to follow, they could get his statement any time.

That just left Rita to deal with.

"Ah Lord Potter, how do you think your participation will affect the tournament?"

Harry grinned and enjoyed watching her step back. He moved in close to her and deliberately sniffed the air.

"What no how do you do or how's life been treating you?" Harry asked caustically.

Rita shuffled sideways out of his immediate reach.

"Answer the question."

"Hmm, how about we have a polite off the record chat about those future dark lord articles?"

Rita smiled politely "OK"

"So mote it be!" He jeered.

"Bastard!" she hissed as her hand burnt, the invisible quill she had hidden under a notice me not charm burst into flames, falling to the ground.

"I said off the record."

"You and I both know you're a killer."

Harry grinned and twirled his wand in one hand "Of course I am but does that make me evil?"

"No" She replied thinly "but it sells papers. Your sadistic, controlling and will have the entire Wizengamot under your control come next summer."

Harry sighed "Interesting that, I will have more power, money and respect than old Voldemort ever had and I didn't need to start a war."

"What will you do with that power?"

"Repeal all those fucking stupid pure-blood laws and anti-muggle bullshit. Malfoy has his hands on Fudge but once I get the Wizengamot I can change all that."

Rita looked at him "I'm not scared of you!"

Harry reached out and placed his finger against her chest just above her heart. He felt her shake and tremble under the gentle touch.

"Of course you are scared of me…" He remarked offhandedly, removing his hand "You know I would have no qualms shredding every single piece of skin off your body if it means reaching my end goal."

Rita quivered again going pale, "You wouldn't?"

Harry grinned and took hold of the hand that she had burnt.

"So far my end goals have not required me to do so, but if it did I would slaughter every single person in wizarding or muggle Britain and deep down you know this. Dumbledore talks of for the greater good, I think along the lines of for what is best be done. Impero the person to prevent them committing suicide and all that."

He let go of her hand and walked away.

Rita let go of a breath she had been holding. Lifting her hand she looked at the freshly healed skin.