Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns all rights to Harry Potter
Chapter Thirty Two:
Harry reached the bottom of the stairs and stare around at the room beyond the iron gates. He'd never been in here before and usually the sight of all the glass cases containing trophies, plaques and other items would have interested him greatly but right now he was only dully aware of his surroundings.
He looked over to a large fireplace in which a fire was crackling merrily and he observed that around the fireplace stood the three...or perhaps that should be other three Champions. They were facing away from him and didn't seem to know anyone was there.
As he walked towards them the blonde haired girl, Fleur, turned around and said in heavily accented voice "yes, what is it? do they want us back upstairs?". She had evidently taken him for a messenger. The thought would normally have annoyed Harry but he could see why she wouldn't take him seriously. 'I'm far too young and I shouldn't be here!' he thought desperately.
His only hope was that when the Professors and Mr Bagman arrived they would realise there had been a terrible mistake. Realise that Harry should not be a Champion, should not be competing in the tournament and should be allowed to re-join his friends and cousin back at the Gryffindor table.
Some people would have called this a vain hope but Harry clung to it like a drowning man clinging to a piece of flotsam.
Before Harry could say anything in response to Fleur's query there was the sound of many pairs of footsteps echoing off the stone stairs and the foursome were very shortly joined by a large group of people including Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Ludo Bagman, Professor Snape, Professor Sprout, Professor Flitwick and Percy Weasley. Just behind them were Madame Maxime and Professor Karkaroff.
Harry could see that Professor Sprout, Karkaroff and Madame Maxime all looked furious while Professor Snape sneered at him. The remaining people looked sympathetic except for Percy who looked down his nose at Harry with the same disapproving expression he'd worn in the hall.
Professor Dumbledore strode over to Harry and grasped his shoulders gently "Harry" he said in a calm voice "did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?".
Despite the shock that Harry was feeling at the situation he replied confidently "no Sir".
"Did you ask another student to do it for you?" the Headmaster asked calmly.
"No Sir I did not" Harry answered confidently.
Dumbledore nodded "I thought as much" he said as though he had feared something and it had been confirmed for him. Harry had no chance to ask what however for Madame Maxime burst out "but of course he did!".
"Yes look here Dumbledore!" Karkaroff snapped angrily "you cannot expect us to believe that Potter did not put his name in the Goblet. It is clear he is after more glory!".
Harry saw Professor Sprout nodding even as Professor McGonagall glared at her.
"It may have been simple chance". Harry blinked. Had Professor Snape really just defended him?.
"But I highly doubt it given the size of Potters ego".
'Of course' Harry thought bitterly 'its too much to ask Snape to behave like a reasonable human being for once'.
Harry saw Professor Moody enter the room behind the visiting Heads.
"It is clear to me that someone else placed Harry's name in the Goblet. For what reason I do not know, but I do not think it good" Dumbledore stated.
"I don't know why you're lying!" Karkaroff snapped "I'm sure I speak for myself and Madame Maxime when I say that had we known you'd pull this trick and have TWO Triwizard Champions, then we'd have brought a much larger selection of students with us!".
Madame Maxime nodded in agreement and was just about to say so when Fleur Delacour cut in "him? a Triwizard Champion?" he tone was disdainful and Harry took an immediate dislike to her "he is far too young!" she said dismissively.
Harry looked at Cedric and Krum and saw that both looked confused rather than angry.
"I suppose I could have made a mistake with the age line" Dumbledore conceded.
"You know very well you did not Albus!" Professor McGonagall snapped.
"I checked the circle myself" Moody told them "only a person of age or a very experienced and powerful wizard could have fooled the Goblet into naming Potter a Triwizard Champion. It couldn't have been him".
Harry felt grateful for the support from Moody and began to revise his previous opinion of the man.
"Mr Weasley" Dumbledore said as he approached Percy "as you are deputising for Mr Crouch in his absence I believe you are up to speed with the conditions of the tournament".
Percy nodded. He seemed solemn now rather than disapproving as he gazed a Harry "I'm afraid the terms of the tournament are quite clear. Ones name being in the Goblet constitutes a binding magical contract and as such Harry is now a Triwizard Champion...he has no choice but to compete".
Percy seemed to look into Harry's eyes as he said "I'm sorry Harry" in a moment of uncharacteristic kindness for Percy.
Harry gulped and tasted bile in his throat. His last hope was gone. In his minds eye he saw himself slipping off the piece of flotsam into the murky waters. He still couldn't believe this was happening.
"Well...how exciting!" Ludo Bagman burst out.
Harry and several others in the room glared at the rotund man who appeared not to have noticed "four Triwizard Champions instead of three! fantastic!".
The argument broke out afresh and lasted for what seemed like forever before an angry Professor Karkaroff finally snapped "I will retire to my ship, I have lost my appetite! come Victor!". Victor Krum barely spared a glance for Harry as he followed his Headmaster from the room.
"This is an outrage!" Madame Maxime declared before she too left with Fleur Delacour who looked down her nose at Harry as she passed.
Eventually, Professors Sprout, Flitwick and Moody left the room as did Ludo Bagman leaving only Professor McGonagall, Professor Dumbledore, Harry, Percy and Cedric Diggory alone in the room.
Percy soon left and then Professor Dumbledore said gently "Professor McGonagall why don't you escort Harry back to the Gryffindor common room".
Professor McGonagall nodded "come on Potter" she said in a tight voice and guided him up the stairs back to the Great Hall.
When they entered the Great Hall Harry noticed that it was completely empty of people. The only sight was the house elves cleaning up under the watchful gaze of the sour faced Argus Filch.
As McGonagall escorted Harry from the Great Hall and up the various staircases to Gryffindor Tower Harry said "I swear I didn't put my name in the Goblet Professor!".
She looked at him with pity in her eyes as he declared again "and I didn't have anyone do it for me!. You know me Professor" he appealed "you know I hate all the attention I get for defeating Voldemort".
She nodded "why would I bring that upon myself? why I would I risk my friendships and people hating me? I have enough gold and enough fame and I know I'd have no chance in this tournament!".
The pair of them stopped in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady and Professor McGonagall smiled sadly at him "I believe you Potter".
She rested a hand on his shoulder "but I'm afraid there's nothing I or anyone else can do about it. You must compete". She patted his shoulder for a moment before departing.
Alone again, Harry sighed heavily and turned his attention to the portrait in front of him "ancient valour" he mumbled miserably. The portrait stirred and declared "correct" before swinging open to admit him into the common room.
As he stepped through the portrait hole he was hit by a blast of sound. Music was playing from somewhere and there was much chattering, laughing and cheering.
As he emerged into the common room proper he found that what seemed to be the whole of Gryffindor House was in the common room partying. Evidently they were thrilled that one of their own had been chosen as a Triwizard Champion.
Fred and George pulled him over into a crowd of people. Butter beer was thrust into his hand and people clapped him on the back, shook his hand or otherwise cheered.
"I didn't put my name in the Goblet please believe me!" Harry appealed but it seemed to make no difference. Everyone had made up their minds.
He tried again "I don't want to be in this tournament!" still they ignored him.
After a few more minutes Harry lost all patience "look I'm tired and I'm in shock!" he yelled "I want to go to bed!".
Harry pushed his way through the sea of people and managed to reach the stairs.
Before he could walk up them he heard his name being called softly "Harry". He turned to find his cousin standing there.
He didn't know what to say to her and so when she pulled him for a hug he acquiesced without complaint feeling glad that someone in Gryffindor House knew the real him.
Eventually he pulled away and asked "where're Ron and Neville?".
Lauren looked uncomfortable "it might be best to let Ron cool down Harry. He's very upset and Neville's trying to talk some sense into him".
"I can't just leave it!" Harry snapped before softening at the look on her face "sorry. I know you're trying to help Lauren but he's my best friend. I can't just leave it".
Lauren sighed and walked away as Harry hurried up the stairs two at a time to the fourth year boys dorm.
The first thing Harry saw when he opened the door to the dorm was Ron sat down on his bed staring towards the wall at the end of the room and Neville sat down on his bed. Neville shrugged helplessly and mouthed "sorry, I tried".
Neville looked very uncomfortable with the situation and got up to walk over to him.
When Neville reached him he patted Harry on the shoulder "thanks for trying Nev" Harry said gratefully and then added "you might want to go. This isn't going to be pleasant".
"Just...don't be too hard on the prat, he's a good guy really" Neville said with a feeble smile. Harry nodded and offered a weak smile in return.
Harry turned to look at Ron and soon heard the door slam shut.
Once he was sure he and his best friend were alone, Harry approached Ron and said cautiously "Ron?".
His best friend seemed to shake himself out of whatever stupor he was in and focused on Harry "oh...hi" he said with an odd smile on his face. The smile was not like Ron's usual grins and told Harry that something was seriously wrong.
"Everything alright?" Harry asked still erring on the side of caution.
"Oh...yeah. Everything's good" Ron said in the same distant voice "so...how'd you do it?".
Harry's face fell and he sighed. He had a feeling given Neville's expression just now, that Ron didn't believe he was innocent.
Harry couldn't deny the sharp pang in his stomach that he felt at this. Ron was second only to Lauren in those that he'd thought would believe him "I didn't put my name in" Harry said firmly.
"Only...I know you couldn't have used the cloak because that wouldn't fool the age line" Ron went on as if he hadn't heard him "but I guess you found another way eh?".
"I'm telling you Ron I didn't put my name in!" Harry said more forcefully.
"Only, the thing is, my best friend...the Harry I know, would have shared that way with me. He'd have told me so I could enter my name too".
"I didn't do it!" Harry shouted at last.
Ron leapt to his feet too "you really expect me to believe that?" he asked angrily.
"Well considering you've been my best friend for my whole life, yeah I did expect it!" Harry shouted "you're one of few people I trust. I thought you'd believe me".
"Well I don't" Ron said hotly "and why would I? anyone would love to be in that tournament! anyone would love to have the adulation of the people, to have the glory!".
"Well not me!" Harry fired back "you know me Ron and you know I hate being famous. I always have hated it".
Harry ran a hand through his hair "and besides which this tournament is highly dangerous hence the age limit. So ask yourself this, why would I risk my life for fame that I already have?".
"Oh that's right" Ron said "throw in the fact you're famous!. The famous Harry Potter! can't do any wrong! always has his little sidekick Weasley tailing along after him!".
Harry's eyes widened in disbelief "that's what this is all about?! seriously?!" he laughed humourlessly "you're jealous of me?...you're parents are alive!".
Ron looked almost ashamed of his last statement as Harry continued "that's the only reason I'm famous you know! because I survived the attack that killed me parents".
Harry felt the tears fall "I'd trade all this fame in if I could have just one day back with them".
"Okay" Ron conceded and Harry thought he'd finally got through to him "so maybe it's not about the fame...but I bet the money would be nice eh?".
"Oh for god sake Ron stop being such an idiot!" Harry roared unable to hold back any more.
"Oh, an idiot am I?" Ron said "well maybe if I'm such an idiot we shouldn't hang out any more!".
"Well if you aren't going to believe me then I don't see much point either!".
The pair of them flopped onto their beds and Harry said "if you're going to be like this then stay away from me Ron" to which Ron replied "piss off" before closing his hangings.
Harry closed his hangings and got under the covers without getting changed. The tears fell silently as he wept for the broken friendship. He just couldn't understand what had gotten into his best...no former best friend. Why was Ron being so hurtful and so stupid?.
It took a long time for Harry to fall asleep that night and when he finally did his dreams were filled with large snakes chasing him and a mysterious green light slaying him repeatedly.
The next day Harry woke up feeling absolutely miserable as he recalled the events of the previous night and the insane fact that he, a fourth year, was being made to compete in a dangerous tournament.
His disbelief gave way to anger at the fact that his best friend had refused to believe him and so had many others that he had thought would know he was telling the truth.
All through the morning he had to deal with the stares of his fellow students with only a few of them sticking up for him. Lauren, Daphne and Astoria had leapt to his defence unhesitatingly and while Hermione and Neville hadn't supported him he could tell they were willingly to think about it.
The first class of the morning had been the worst with Draco Malfoy and Professor Snape both making snide and sneering remarks about the whole incident and how Harry had put his name in to get more attention, comments which angered him and left him wanting to hit someone.
During the potions class he sat next to Daphne and worked alongside her while in the next few lessons of the day including a very dull history of magic lesson he sat on his own, speaking to no one and just listened to Binns droning on and on about some goblin rebellion or other.
At lunchtime the staring, pointing and whispers continued.
Harry had discovered that the Hufflepuff's seemed to be making a point of ignoring him. A fact which became clear not just during lunch but also during the final class of the day, herbology.
When the class divided up into work areas for the lesson Harry found himself working on the same row as Ron, Hermione, Neville and a Hufflepuff with whom he generally got on called Ernie MacMillan.
The silence was uncomfortable as Hermione and Neville nervously said hello to Harry while Ron remained frostily silent as did Ernie. And when Harry asked Ernie to pass some soil to him for his plant pot the other boy looked away from him and whistled while carrying on with his work.
Harry sighed and reached over to scoop some up himself earning a glare from the other boy.
The following day was even worse for Harry with his only relief being his spending time with Daphne.
The first lesson of the day gave Harry to be the most miserable for the students were out in the blustery grounds under an overcast sky for a care of magical creatures lesson. It was already horrible work due to having to try to feed the skrewts which, by now, had given several students bad burns or cuts as well nasty scares from all the loud bangs. Not to mention that they were overly aggressive to each other and kept fighting.
With the class already being horrible Harry hated having to put up with Malfoy and his goons laughing and joking and making nasty comments at his expense while his so-called best friend just stood silently by ignoring the whole thing.
It was halfway through the lesson as Harry and Daphne were trying to coax their skrewt to eat some tomato, and failing badly, that Hagrid strode on over to them and under the guise of checking how they were getting on he bent forwards and whispered to Harry "just so's you know Harry, I know you didn't put your name in the Goblet".
Harry stared at him in surprise and for a moment he said nothing in reply before his face broke into a wide smile and he whispered back "thanks Hagrid. That means a lot".
Hagrid smiled back "I know you've got more sense than to put your name in for something that dangerous".
Harry nodded.
"Why don't you all come and have some tea with me this weekend?" Hagrid suggested.
Harry grinned "I'll definitely be there. Daph?" he turned to his girlfriend.
Daphne smiled "thanks Hagrid, we'd love to come" she squeezed Harry's hand.
Hagrid beamed at them "you could ask Hermione, Neville, Ron and the others".
Harry's face fell "maybe Lauren and Tori".
Hagrid looked puzzled at the omission of the others but said nothing simply nodding and clapping Harry hard on the back causing him to nearly fall over.
"He's right you know" Daphne said quietly and they returned to feeding the skrewt.
"Right about what?" Harry asked, not looking up from his work.
"About inviting the others" she said sensibly.
Harry looked up at her and had the feeling he scowling as he hissed "I'll invite Tori and Lauren along because they've supported me like you have, but the others..." he shook his head "none of them believe I'm innocent".
"Well Neville and Hermione didn't say that" Daphne reasoned "they just said they need some time to think".
"Surely true friends believe each other" Harry argued back "all of them but especially Ron, Neville and Hermione know I hate my fame and would rather not be well known and yet they ignored that fact". He sighed "I don't know if I can forgive them love".
"Well don't think any more on it now love" she said softly as she touched his cheek and then kissed him "just know that I'll always back you".
Harry grinned "one of the few people I can really rely on".
That lunchtime Harry was sat at the Gryffindor table next to Daphne eating his lunch when a familiar brown owl descended towards the table and dropped a letter in front of him before taking off again. He recognised the bird as being his aunt and uncles owl Merlin and sighed.
As he plucked the letter off the table, finished his lunch and headed into the grounds with Daphne, Lauren and Astoria, he tore open the envelope and pulled out the letter feeling resigned to a telling off.
To his surprise and joy his aunt and uncle wrote about how they knew he'd never do something so reckless as put his name in the Goblet, how they were certain that he'd had his name entered by some nefarious unknown person and how they loved and would always support him.
He grinned as he read additional letters inside the envelope from Sirius and Remus who had also written in support of him and how each of them loved him like a son.
While the rest of the day would turn out to be largely miserable for Harry, these letters and the love and support of his girlfriend, cousin and friend managed to make things at least a little bit more tolerable.
All things considered, Harry was glad when the weekend rolled around at last. After working hard all morning and getting his homework out of the way alongside Daphne, he, his girlfriend, Astoria and Lauren all headed down to Hagrids Cabin as invited for tea and biscuits.
The usually happy Hagrid looked a cross between disappointed and sad when he answered the front door to Harry's knock and it was clear to Harry that his large friend had been expecting Ron, Hermione and Neville to be there with the foursome. Harry merely shrugged as he passed Hagrid into the cabin to be greeted by an excited Fang whom he scratched behind the ears.
"I was hoping you'd bring the others" Hagrid said gruffly as he pottered about the kitchen area sorting out the tea.
"I'm not apologising to Ron" Harry declared firmly as Hagrid walked over to the table carrying a tray with four cups and saucers and all other manner of tea things.
"I never said yeh did" Hagrid countered "but I'd have thought you'd at least want to get Hermione and Neville onside".
Before Harry could answer there was a rather soft knock on the door that Harry only heard thanks to his excellent hearing honed through Quidditch practice.
Hagrid went over to the door and opened it as Fang barked and greeted the person outside.
As the new arrival entered the cabin Harry turned and saw, to his astonishment, that it was Neville "err...hi guys" he said sheepishly.
"Hey Neville" Harry greeted cautiously while the girls were more friendly.
"Harry I wanted to apologise for not believing you straight away" Neville began. He rubbed the back of his neck as he was wont to do when nervous "see the fact is it wasn't that I didn't believe you were innocent it was more..." he sighed "it was more that I didn't know what to think. It was a massive shock".
Harry nodded "for me too Nev".
"Yeah I know" Neville replied "it's pretty clear to me that you hate your fame so I just want to say...I believe you mate and I'm sorry for not saying so sooner. It was just awkward, you know, with Ron and all".
Harry nodded "thanks Nev. I appreciate the support. You're a good mate". While it wasn't the one person Harry had hoped to have on side above all others Neville was still a good friend and trustworthy.
Neville joined them for tea and biscuits, biscuits that had thankfully been shop bought and the group spent the time discussing Quidditch and other safe subjects, staying as far away from the subjects of Ron and the Triwizard Tournament as possible.
The following Monday Harry was introduced to a new irritancy for everywhere he went Hufflepuff's, Slytherins and many Ravenclaws were sporting a new badge that lit up when pressed and bore a picture of Harry's face along with the words "Potter stinks".
Harry knew who was behind the badges and wanted to hex Malfoy into next week for it but knew that it would be a stupid move and so, despite his anger, he tried his best to ignore it. He noticed that despite Ron's coldness towards him his former friend was not laughing at him when these badge incidents occurred.
Harry knew both from seeing Ron and from what Neville told him, that his former best friend was spending time with Seamus and Dean in between lessons as well as during all lessons those three boys shared.
That morning went by quite normally in Harry's opinion, but in the afternoon the Gryffindor's had defence against the dark arts with Professor Moody.
Harry was quite hesitant about the lesson given what Moody had demonstrated to them the previous class but he was glad to see when he entered the class, that there was no trace of the glass jar or the spider from last time and he hoped they would not be learning any more about the cruciatus or killing curses.
"Today we shall be learning more about the imperius curse" Moody stated after he had taken the register and the students were all seated.
"Please stand up" Moody ordered and the students did so.
"Very good. Now I'd like a volunteer to come on up here and stand by the desk" Moody declared. Hermione put her hand up and Moody selected her with a crooked smile.
"Now Miss Granger in a minute you will hear me say the word imperio and you shall feel as if you are floating away. I will give you series of commands. I don't want you to fight them yet, merely perform the tasks I set, understand?".
Hermione nodded acceptance of this and the class stood by to watch as Moody said calmly "imperio". Harry was amazed to see the change in Hermione's eyes even from such a distance. He could tell they were sort of glassy and she didn't seem to notice her surroundings as Moody commanded "stand on one leg".
She stood on one leg and Moody commanded "hop about". She hopped about. Next he commanded her to do cart wheels which she did and followed it up with a hand stand and then jumping jacks before he made her down a glass of water.
Eventually, Moody released the spell and Hermione blinked, staring about the room in confusion "well done Miss Granger, very well done. The entire class clapped and as Harry caught Ron's eye he swore he saw a grin for a moment directed at him before the redhead looked away.
After having had Hermione demonstrate the spells effects Moody explained that effect of the curse was to place the victim under the total control of the caster. He also explained that, unlike the killing or cruciatus curses, the imperius curse could be broken if the victim was strong enough.
To demonstrate the idea the curse could be broken Moody had them students line up in front of his desk and placed the curse on each one of them trying to get them to leap up on the desk even as he urged them to listen to their mind and ignore his voice.
Without fail, every single students before Harry leapt up onto the desk before Moody released the spell on them.
Harry was one of the last to walk up to the desk and he nodded to Moody as the teacher placed the spell upon him.
It felt to Harry as if he was floating above himself. The voice of reason and control within his mind seemed very far away right now and Harry was inclined to listen to the outside voice that demanded "jump on the desk Harry".
He bent his knees and prepared himself to jump "why though?" asked a voice seriously in his mind.
"Jump onto the desk" the outside voice insisted more firmly.
"What would be the point?" Harry's voice countered.
"Jump onto the desk" the other voice continued.
"Ye...no!. No I don't think I will thanks, it's stupid" Harry's voice finally decided. Harry faintly heard a crashing sound and then he felt the floating sensation lift.
As the sensation did lift he cried out in pain and looked down at his body. It seemed that he had both decided to jump and to not jump at the same time and as a consequence his knees had bashed into the desk and were right now throbbing in agony.
Harry felt Moody lift him up "good Potter, very good".
"But I didn't break the spell Professor" Harry protested.
Moody smiled "no but you tried and nearly did beat it". Harry saw Hermione and Neville smiling at him while Ron glanced at him looking sullen and then glanced away muttering something to Seamus.
They kept going with the imperius curse training and by the end of the lesson Harry had managed to throw the curse off completely several times while a number of others including Neville and Hermione had done so partially much to Professor Moody's relief.