Chapter 20
The Triwizard Tournament
Harry
Today was a really good day, Harry thought. He had just signed the betrothal contract with Susan, which meant he was almost definitely going to be marrying both Daphne and now Susan, they were pretty much engaged by this point.
Having now two very attractive wives to be certainly was a very good thought.
"You thinking about marrying me and Susan?" Daphne asked, seeming amused by him.
He sighed as he realized that their strengthening connection and bond was causing each of them to pick up on more and more from each other.
It was mostly toward him from each of the girls or from him towards each of them, but it seemed the girls were picking up a bit from each other as well.
For the most part they only picked up particularly strong emotions or thoughts, but he found if he concentrated really hard, he could actively pick up on things as well.
"I don't mind you thinking about marrying us Harry," Daphne answered before grinning and asking, "maybe you should think what it will be like on our wedding night?"
Unbidden an image came to his mind of a very naked Susan and Daphne.
"I don't look like that you know," Daphne pointed out.
Harry groaned as he asked, "you picked up on that?"
Evidently this bond thing was causing problems.
Daphne however smiled and said, "no, I just figured I would mess with you is all."
"Hey!" Harry complained.
"Of course if you wanted to see what I look like naked, all you have to do is ask," Daphne teased him.
Harry's heart stopped momentarily at such a suggestion, but then realized that she was still messing with him.
"You're seriously killing me Daphne," He complained.
"I know," Daphne said with a grin, "can't a girl have some fun?"
A thought struck him as he wondered if he concentrated hard enough if he could see what Daphne looked like naked from her memories or something.
Yet such an act he would never do without her permission and instead he settled on the image of Daphne wearing her bikini in front of him when they went swimming yesterday.
"Let me guess me in my bikini?" Daphne guessed.
He groaned but she laughed and said, "sorry Harry I know you too well. Not that I mind of course."
They both then came together and began making out as they grasped each other's bums.
Mmm, Daphne had such a nice bum, he thought.
He swore he could feel her think that he had a nice bum in return.
After they finished their long make out session however his mind went back to the strengthening of their bond. He was enjoying the effects of feelings so close to each of the girls and wanted to only make it stronger.
However he was also worried about privacy and he knew that they also needed to learn how to control it.
He brought up his thoughts to Daphne, who seemed to agree.
"I will admit I do like having such a connection with you Harry," Daphne answered, "but I will also confess that there is plenty that I would prefer to keep to myself. I also have thought or done things that I'm not proud of you should probably know."
"There isn't anything that you could do though that would make me stop loving you though," Harry told her.
Daphne smiled and said, "The same goes for me. It will certainly be interesting figuring this all out, our connection, but I think it could potentially be beneficial if we manage to master and use it right."
"We'll have to bring it up with Hermione, Padma, and Susan," Harry suggested.
….
When the school year started, Harry got on the train with his girlfriends, 2 of which he was now betrothed to, sitting between Daphne and Susan.
The thought struck him however that perhaps he ought to call Daphne and Susan something else now that he was betrothed to both of them.
"I don't know, I've wondered about that too," Susan admitted when he asked them, "I mean we are pretty much engaged by this point but I also wouldn't want to lessen any of the relationship that you have with both Padma and Hermione."
Hermione however scoffed and said, "just call him what you want, how we want to define our relationships with Harry should be done individually like everything else. I'm happy calling Harry my boyfriend and if you want to call him your fiance or betrothed or still boyfriend or whatever you can work it out between you."
Susan smiled gratefully and said, "thanks Hermione, I mean I decided I wanted to get betrothed to Harry and I do think that warrants a notable change in our relationship status, but you know me I worry about hurting anyone's feelings."
"We're fine Susan," Padma answered, "we're all at different levels in our relationship and you just happen to be a bit further along then me or Hermione. It's really to be expected, especially since you're the one who actually lives with him and was already considering him to be family as it is."
Harry nodded, that actually was a really good point.
Daphne and he had gotten betrothed out of her parent's expectations and to make it easier for them and their relationship, with Susan on the other hand, she had made that decision herself because she knew she loved him and that's what she wanted to do.
He'd wondered quite a bit at just where his relationship was at with each of the girls. All of them loved him, that much was certain, but that didn't mean they were all ready to say get married and try and have a bunch of babies right now. Even getting betrothed to them was only an intention of what would happen in the future.
Susan, who he had spent the most time with having lived at her house over the summers, was far enough along in her feelings and relationship to him that she felt ready to pretty much get engaged to him.
Daphne he was also betrothed to, but she also didn't have quite as strong of feelings for him as Susan did from what he could tell. She was however much more open and ready for a more physical relationship. So far that had just meant making out and feeling up each other's bums, but he suspected that it wouldn't be long before she would be wanting to go even further, which he felt like he was about ready for himself, maybe not all the way, but definitely more.
He was however also totally okay with waiting and being patient with the other girls as well. After making her betrothal decision, he suspected that Susan would at some point during the upcoming school year decide to go much further physically as well and whenever that time came was fine with him.
Padma and Hermione however were more conservative and reserved. Padma was naturally rather shy, but her feelings for him were also very strong, which he had felt through their bond on more than one occasion.
He felt like in her case she would likely decide what she wanted long before actually getting up the courage to actually act on it.
Hermione on the other hand,as a Muggleborn coming from more modern parents, getting betrothed wasn't something that would match her background and upbringing, nor was having sexual relations so young, but she at least seemed to understand and accept that the other girls might think differently.
She also knew that he knew and understood that about her which helped quite a bit.
During this whole time he had been thinking about his individual relationships with the girls, Susan and Daphne seemed to also be thinking about how to define their relationships with him.
Susan finally then decided to ask him, "I would like to be called your fiancee and to be able to call you my fiance in return if that is alright with you Harry?"
"Of course," He answered immediately, smiling at her and saying, "fiancee then."
Susan smiled back, clearly liking this.
"Well I've decided you now have to call me your sexy beast," Daphne answered.
"Maybe I might be willing to call you that when we are alone," Harry said, "but definitely not in public."
"Why not?" Daphne teased, "aren't I sexy?"
"Yes, you are," Harry agreed, "but I'm so not say introducing you to a new teacher or something and calling you a sexy beast."
"For the first time I don't think we actually have a new teacher," Hermione said, "Professor Lupin is returning as the Defense against the Dark Arts teacher so we don't even need a new teacher for that."
"Nice to see that teaching job curse was broken," Susan observed.
It hadn't taken them long last year to figure out that Professor Lupin was in fact a werewolf, but he'd managed to keep it in check, just using the wolfsbane potion that Professor Slughorn made for him each month. It had gone well enough that Professor Lupin had been offered and accepted teaching as the Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor permanently.
Whether there was actually a curse on the job or not, it was nice to see Professor Lupin would be returning.
"Well I suppose if you aren't willing to call me your sexy beast then you can call me your fiancee too if you want Harry," Daphne offered.
"Sounds good to me," Harry told her, deciding to give her a quick kiss to seal it.
Apparently he now had 2 girlfriends and 2 fiancees now.
After then kissing Susan, he then went and got up to go and sit between Hermione and Padma so they wouldn't feel too left out and show that he appreciated what he had with them as well.
"You can still just call me your girlfriend," Hermione told him.
He nodded and then Padma after thinking for a moment said, "just call me your girlfriend for now Harry."
He caught the for now part and he sensed that Padma was thinking about getting betrothed to him as well but rather than say something, he decided it ought to be a decision that she made for herself.
If she wanted to, that was great, if not, that was fine too.
The conversation then changed to a different subject.
"So do you all know about what is going to be happening at Hogwarts this year?" Daphne asked, a wide grin on her face at knowing some secret the rest of them didn't.
Hermione however scolded her and said, "let me guess you won't tell us unless you can either get something from us or until we beg and plead for you to tell us."
"Slytherin!" Daphne said raising her hand as if she was testifying that she was guilty of some sort of crime, which contrary to some Gryffindors' opinions, being a Slytherin was in fact not an actual crime that automatically somehow made you evil.
"Me and Harry already know all about it," Susan said, "my Aunt Amelia's been involved with it."
"Guess better luck next time with trying to mess with us," Hermione told her.
"What makes you think we're going to tell you either?" Harry teased her.
Hermione looked unsure of herself, her natural curiosity wanting to find out about absolutely everything while also not wanting to give in too easily.
Padma however decided to just ask him, "I'd like to know if you could tell me please Harry."
"Okay," Harry instantly agreed.
"That's not how this works," Daphne scolded him, "you're supposed to get Padma or Hermione to do something for you before you tell them."
"What about this?" Padma asked as she then leaned forward and kissed him for a bit.
"That sounds good enough to me," Harry replied with a grin as he then admitted, "so this year we're going to have the Triwizard Tournament."
"It's coming back!" Hermione exclaimed in surprise, "I've read all about it in Hogwarts: A History, apparently it got discontinued ages ago from too many contestants getting seriously injured or even dying."
"Sounds like a lot of fun!" Daphne answered, seeming unbothered by the danger, "I overheard my uncle talking about it with my parents, it's supposed to be dangerous, but you also get 1,000 galleons as prize money, the whole school will be watching you, and it seems like every winner of it has gone on to be wildly successful in their career. It sounds awesome!"
"Maybe watching it, it might be awesome," Hermione said.
"I think it would be scary even watching it," Padma argued.
Susan then said, "anyway Aunty has been making sure that it is going to be a lot safer in bringing it back."
"Lame," Daphne complained.
"No, it will still be a real challenge," Susan reassured her, "with plenty of dangers to it, but there will be plenty of security measures, such as people on hand nearby just in case things get too out of control. Injuries are to be expected and inevitable, but they don't want anything happening that can't be easily fixed with magic by a healer."
"Well that doesn't sound too bad then," Hermione answered, seeming to think it over, "I don't think that I would want to compete though."
"Me neither," Padma immediately answered.
He'd thought about trying to enter himself when he had first heard from Amelia about it but ultimately decided against it, he had more than enough money and fame, but he would be happy to support any of the girls if they wanted to enter.
"Well I'm definitely entering!" Daphne said eagerly.
"I'm not sure if you will be able to or not," Harry admitted, not really sure on this part, "Amelia said something about there being an age limit."
"Yeah, but we're better than most of even the older students," Daphne claimed, "I bet we can get them to give me an exception."
"You would have to ask Dumbledore I'm sure," Hermione suggested.
"Well Dumbledore did have us go through that obstacle course challenge even as merely first years," Padma pointed out, "he might consider us more capable than the average fourth year student and consider us potentially capable of something that would really test us."
"Of course we would still be behind, say the 6th or 7th year students," Hermione also pointed out, "even if we were allowed to submit our names, it would be a very low chance that we would actually be selected."
"I was thinking about that too," Susan said, "I've been thinking about whether I want to try and compete or not."
All of them were actually quite surprised by that admission.
"You want to compete?" Padma asked her.
It didn't seem all that characteristic of Susan at first glance, but then he realized Susan did still have that desire to be her very best self, he doubted it was because of the money or the fame of being a Triwizard Champion, although living up to her proud family name might play a role, but instead he guessed it was proving to herself just what she was capable of.
Susan blushed and admitted, "well yes, I don't think I will actually be selected, it seems rather unlikely I would but I think I would like to at least try."
They all had to agree to that as even if all 5 of them decided to try and at least submit their names it was unlikely they would actually be selected.
Personally though, he couldn't help but feel very biased and think that his girlfriends and fiancees were the best witches ever and why wouldn't whatever judge or selection committee choose them?
Of course he also couldn't say he particularly wanted any of them willingly going into danger either, but he felt he could at least support them (with some understandable fears) if they were indeed selected.
….
Susan
When they got to school, they were forced to sit at their own individual house tables, which unfortunately for the beginning and ending of the school year feasts they had to sit with just their own houses.
This Susan understood, although she missed Harry and the other girls with her whenever they had to do this. She was however pleased to see that they were having a positive influence on other students as otherwise it seemed more and more students were following their example in sitting at different house tables as it became more of a mix of a students being friends with students from other houses.. She had even seen a couple of Gryffindors at the Slytherin table towards the end of last year which was really great to see that the rivalry barriers seemed to be breaking down so much.
Dumbledore however stood up and announced the Triwizard Tournament, including mentioning that the age limit would be set at 17.
There were plenty of audible groans at that, including Susan knew to be Daphne's, although he was sure that she would try to still ask to get an exception. That however could go either way, it would be hard to get permission but Daphne could be very persuasive when she wanted to be and Dumbledore had been known in the past to make exceptions for them and set up challenges for them to really test them.
She had decided that if Daphne was indeed able to get permission for both of them to try and enter, then she would definitely submit her name at the very least. She again didn't expect to be selected, but she at least wanted to try.
They got their answer during their next study session as Hermione was currently going over the plans for the upcoming year, her study planners for each of them looking even more full of stuff than last year if that was possible.
As usual Susan was probably going to have to get her to tone it down a bit to keep her from burning them out or not allowing enough date time with Harry.
Daphne however came in late, with a big, smug grin on her face.
"I did it! I got permission!" Daphne said excitedly, "Dumbledore said each of us at least could enter if we wanted to."
"Count me out, I'm still not doing it," Padma immediately replied.
"I'll be happy to watch any of you girls if you want to compete and are selected," Harry said, "but I'll be more happy just to watch you or whoever is selected."
Hermione seemed to think about it for a moment but also nodded her head in agreement as she also didn't seem inclined to enter.
Susan however couldn't help but still want to do it, she didn't particularly care about the fame and glory, that just wasn't her, nor did she really need the money as her family was quite rich, but it would be nice to be able to either pay her mother and Aunt back a bit for all the years of relying on them to buy her clothes or food or school supplies. If she planned it out right, she could even pay for her own school supplies and other things for the rest of her Hogwarts education. Then of course there was the fact that she was a Hufflepuff, and Hufflepuff had unfortunately always been looked down upon as the weakest of the Hogwarts Houses, she wanted to prove everybody wrong and that Hufflepuff really did have some amazing witches and wizards in it. Then of course she also wanted to prove just how great the Bones Family was."
"I'm going to enter," Susan said finally.
The other members of the study group seemed still a bit surprised but still encouraged her to do it if she wanted.
"If you want to, then you should totally go for it," Hermione encouraged her.
"Yeah, I'm sure you or Daphne will both do great," Harry agreed, "I'll cheer super loud for either of you if you are selected."
"That depends on if either of us are selected though," Susan reminded him, "there are a lot of great students that are much older and more experienced than us that will be entering."
"None as good as us though," Daphne insisted confidently.
"I think Daphne is right, none are as great as either of you," Harry agreed.
Susan couldn't help but blush a little at the compliment. Well she would at least enter and see how it went.
…..
When the other 2 schools Beauxbatons and Durmstrang finally arrived, she gathered with the rest of Hogwarts to greet them.
First of all, Beauxbatons got there and Susan noticed that it appeared to be an all female school, a fact of which was of great interest to a lot of the males at Hogwarts. In particular though she noticed one particularly attractive girl who was obviously a veela and had attracted the attention of nearly every male there.
She was tall, with large, perfect breasts and with perfect silvery blonde hair that swished against her perfect bum, and wearing a short skirt that allowed her to show off her perfect legs.
She was in a word perfect, probably any wizard's dream and she couldn't help but feel rather intimidated. It wasn't like she was ugly herself, quite the contrary, as she got plenty of attention, mostly for her chest, but also for her gorgeous dark red hair, her pretty eyes, and...yet it was definitely her heart and caring for others that she felt was her best feature.
This veela girl on the other hand...
She noticed the girl acting very stuck up and snobbish, seeming well aware of the attention that she was getting and she noticed her insult and look down on one of the other Beauxbatons girls for something she had done...she didn't exactly catch the whole conversation herself.
However it was enough to make Susan find the veela girl much less attractive all of a sudden.
That did not however seem to matter to most of the unfortunately superficial, randy Hogwarts students as she noticed every male and even some of the females seemed captivated by her and unable to look away.
Susan however couldn't help but turn to look at Harry.
Well almost any wizard she noted with a great deal of satisfaction.
Harry instead was looking at his male classmates, seeming to be quite amused by their reactions to the veela girl.
Mmm, she loved Harry she thought once again. It wouldn't have entirely bothered her if he had been staring, he was a teenage boy and the girl was incredibly beautiful after all.
Besides she was well used to seeing Harry stare at Daphne, Padma, and Hermione.
That however didn't bother her in the slightest, in fact she had come to actually enjoy with amusement Harry's reactions to how attractive he found them all.
She however couldn't resist going and kissing Harry full on the lips.
He grinned and asked, "what was that for?"
"Oh, just felt like doing that is all," She replied.
"Well please feel free any time," Harry told her.
…..
As the Goblet of Fire seemed to be finalizing making its decisions Susan couldn't help but feel nervous. What had she done choosing to enter such a dangerous tournament? Well it was already done and she was obliged to compete so if she was selected she would just do her best and try not to let anybody down. Besides there seemed a rather low chance that it would be her anyway.
Yet just as she thought this the Goblet of Fire popped out its first name which Dumbledore snatched out of the air.
"The Champion for Beauxbatons is Fleur Delacour!" Dumbledore declared.
Immediately there was plenty of applause from all the different schools, particularly from boys and a lot of jealous and angry looks from the girls.
Fleur Delacour however just smiled and waved as if she was a contestant at a beauty pageant, which she honestly could easily fit right in with, and then went into the room at the side of the Great Hall.
Personally Susan couldn't help but wish that the Goblet of Fire had chosen someone else, perhaps someone who was a better and nicer person, but judging from the applause, mostly from all the boys, they didn't seem to share her opinion.
The next name then popped out of the Goblet of Fire and Dumbledore once again snatched it out of the air.
"The Champion for Durmstrang is Victor Krum!" Dumbledore declared.
At once there was just as loud of applause for Victor Krum, being a mix of both girls as he was rather handsome to a lot of girls as well as plenty of applause from lots of Quidditch fans as everyone knew of Victor Krum by now after the Quidditch World Cup.
Krum merely bowed slightly, a surly and uncaring look on his face as he also then went to go join Fleur.
That then left the Hogwarts Champion and everyone waited with baited breath for that.
A moment later and the final name popped out of the goblet.
Dumbledore held up the name and read aloud, "the Champion for Hogwarts is Susan Bones!"
Susan felt her heart stop at hearing her name being read.
It barely registered as the applause hit her or the many whispers of her name or the many words of congratulations from everyone around her.
"Go on up," Hermione urged her, seeming excited yet also now worried for her.
Still unable to comprehend this was really happening, she went over to Dumbledore who then pointed towards the side room.
So she was the Triwizard Champion for Hogwarts she thought as she took in a deep breath just to let it all sink in.
As she walked into the side room, Fleur Delacour seemed surprised to see her.
"Is there some sort of mistake?" Fleur asked with disgust, "what is this little girl doing here?"
A scowl of annoyance hit her face, she was certainly not little. Maybe a little bit short and younger than Fleur, but not that short even though Fleur in her high heels and her naturally being tall might have made her seem little in comparison.
In just the brief time that Fleur had been at Hogwarts she'd seen enough of her to see that she was quite a bully, either getting what she wanted because of how pretty she was, or acted like she was better than everybody else.
Susan couldn't stand people like that, no matter how attractive they were and just made them look ugly instead.
As she looked Fleur over, while Fleur was busty she noted with a bit of satisfaction that she was actually even more busty than she was.
Hah, not so little there am I? Susan thought with some satisfaction as she thrust out her larger chest.
Fleur seemed to somehow understand the gesture for what it was and didn't seem to appreciate the competition.
"Dumbledore decided to allow just a few younger students who had proven themselves more than capable of competing in the Tournament," Ludo Bagman, one of the Judges for the tournament informed them all.
Krum grunted as if he didn't care either way.
The other 2 headmasters however seemed to like it as if it meant that it just gave their schools a better chance of winning, seeming to already count her out.
Appearances wise that would seem to be the case as she would be going up against a veela and an internationally famous quidditch star, but appearances could be deceiving she thought.
"Very well then," Karkaroff, the Headmaster of Durmstrang said, "if this is really the best that Hogwarts can get, then we shall be happy to go against her."
Susan couldn't help but feel a good deal of resentment at that comment. She normally tended to like and get along with most people, but she definitely didn't appreciate being underestimated.
She would show them just how good a Hogwarts student, a Hufflepuff, and a Bones woman really was.
She also decided to add a couple additional titles of what she was to that: how good a member of The Study Group and a fiancee of Harry Potter really was.
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