Chapter 1: Unlucky Selection

Harry and the others watched as the newcomers arrived. He rolled his eyes a bit at the Veela girls, not at all pleased at the display while many of the males and some females looked dumbstruck. Oh please, Harry thought. He blinked when he noticed that Draco had the same expression! Oh my…what….does, it mean….? He shook his head clear as the competitors from Dumstrang arrived. He had to giggle when he heard Hermione sigh dreamily. Ron groaned but he had to hide the fact that he was going all goose-girl over Victor Krum as well.

As they all listened to the announcements and what was required for the tournament everyone gathered around the Goblet. After the three were chosen, everyone jumped up when a fourth name popped up. Dumbledore blinked and grabbed the parchment, read the name, and slowly became angry.

"HARRY POTTER!" He called out. All eyes were on Harry but only one person's eyes mattered! A pair of stormy blue grays bore into his, reminding Harry of a storm at sea. Wow, he is PISSED! "HARRY POTTER, FRONT AND CENTER!" Dumbledore ordered. Harry slowly made his way up to the others and everyone clapped for the champions. Some were forced and Harry just wanted to melt into the shadows and stay there.

"HOW DID POTTER GET PICKED?!"

"HE RIGGED IT!"

"HE'S A WAIF!"

"HE'S A GLORY HOG!" Another student cried. Harry bowed his head and sobbed silently. Unbeknownst to him, this pushed the Malfoy Heir, and he punched the student out and silenced their cry with a spell. He wasn't stupid. He was livid that once again, Harry was put into the fire. His father told him about the Tri-Wizard Tournament, and he knew that it could be deadly. Yea, he was a complete ass to Harry, but Draco wanted to change that. He wanted the raventte safe. Yes, he gave him hell, but he believed that Harry was given everything and anything. When he found the glasses, his mindset changed. The glasses were close to falling apart, as if they were the only pair Harry had. This upset the Malfoy Heir. He also took note of how malnourished he was and the state of Harry's clothes. What the hell is going on here? He thought. Something isn't right…. When he saw the way, the Headmaster gripped Harry's wrist, Draco's eyebrows shot up. The old coot is hurting him! Harry bit back a whimper but followed the Headmaster and the other adults. Even Snape saw something was amiss and followed as well, leaving Flitwick and Sprout to settle the room after settling his snakes. Draco wished he could follow but decided to consult the one person he was able to: his father.

"Harry, did you put your name into the Goblet?" Dumbledore asked grimly. Harry looked up at the Headmaster, scandalized.

"Why would I do such a thing?" He asked. "I didn't do it; I don't want it!"

"Headmaster, when would Potter have the time to do that?" Snape asked smoothly. "He was nowhere near the Goblet."

"Severus, I appreciate the concern, but he is not your problem." Dumbledore said dismissively. Snape was about to retort when the Headmaster's fireplace flared green, startling everyone, scattering quickly. Despite himself Harry giggled softly as the intimidating figure of Lucius Malfoy came through.

"So, seems like you're up to your tricks again you barmy lunatic." The aristocrat said with a hiss. Snape and Harry both bit back laughs. "It astounds me to no end that you're still Headmaster."

"Lucius, what brings you here my boy?" Dumbledore said pleasantly. The aristocrat rolled his eyes. He was clearly annoyed.

"I am here to ensure the welfare of the students in this school." He said sternly. "There is no way that Mr. Potter placed his own name into the Goblet of Fire. You know that is impossible to do."

"This is true Headmaster," McGonagall said. "Unfortunately, it can't be reversed, can it Lord Malfoy?"

"An unfortunate truth." The Malfoy Lord said. "Therefore, I will be here observing the events to ensure what the Headmaster has failed to do."

"But it is not necess…."

"Shut up Old Man!" The Malfoy Lord ordered. "If it were up to me solely, I've have your barmy ass out of here so fast it'd make your head swim!" Harry clapped a hand over his mouth and Snape counted to ten. Even McGonagall had to look elsewhere. "Therefore, I will be staying in the Slytherin dungeons for the duration of the Tournament. Mr. Potter, you are dismissed."

"Come Potter," Snape barked. "I'll escort you. I have to return to Slytherin afterwards." Harry nodded rapidly and followed the Potions Master out. Lucius quirked a bemused eyebrow before glaring at the Headmaster again.

"I swear to everything Dumbledore, you best fly straight. One breath more of your lunacy and I will NOT hesitate to have you sacked!" With that, the Malfoy Lord followed the two that left.

"Well, Lucius you certainly know how to put on a show." Snape said as the blond came into view. The Malfoy Lord grinned.

"I always had a flair for showmanship Severus." He replied smoothly. "So, all that Dragon said was true."

"He was accurate as always." Snape said. Lucius nodded before looking at the boy next to the Potions Master.

"Mr. Potter, I know we don't have the best history, but what happened to you was unfair as well as unlucky. As School Governor I will do what I can to make sure all students are safe. That includes you."

"I appreciate that Mr. Malfoy." Harry said sincerely. "I don't know why this happened to me…."

"Bad luck follows you like a magnet." Snape said. Harry sighed.

"This is true Professor, but I have a feeling, this was a plan for something…. sinister."

"What do you mean Mr. Potter?" Snape asked. Harry looked at the waiting adults and shook his head.

"I can't place it…but I can feel it."

"Well, we will cross that bridge when we get to it." The Malfoy Lord said as the three of them walked Harry to Gryffindor Tower. Harry thanked them both, bidding goodnight and went inside. The men waited until they were out of earshot to speak. Lucius was the first to break the silence.

"Severus, what's going with that child?"

"I don't know Lucius. But I have a feeling that Dumbledore knows more than he lets on."

"Of course, he does. The real question: what is it?

"Why the concern now Lucius?" Severus asked as he crossed his arms. "You never showed an interest before."

"May seem that way, but a certain Dragon is very interested." This got Snape's eyebrow to raise. Hmm Draco is showing interest….this can get interesting….