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Things had been peaceful in their family for so long, they had started to believe things would always be that way. They mustn't forget that darkness shadows them, waiting for its chance to pounce.
On Halloween, during what would have been Harry's and Draco's fourth year at Hogwarts, that reminder came harshly to the house of Black.
"What do you mean my son's name was entered in the triwizard tournament as a fourth champion. Tri-wizard literally means three wizards!" Narcissa shouted at Albus.
He tried to calm her down. "I understand, Mrs. Malfoy…."
"It's Mrs. Snape or Lady Black for the last damn time!" Narcissa snarled.
He held his hands up placatingly from his place in the fire.
"I meant no harm, Mrs. Snape. Unfortunately, young Harry must compete. The Goblet of Fire is a magical object that creates an ironclad magical contract with the participants that are chosen. If Harry does not compete, he will lose his magic, if not his life. I am very sorry."
"Let me see the slip of paper that came out," Narcissa demanded. Surely enough, it was Harry's true, full name written in his own hand. "How could this have happened? Harry hasn't been anywhere near Hogwarts. How did someone get this paper?"
It was ripped off of what appeared to be cardstock. Had someone kept one of Harry's birthday invitations for this nefarious purpose? From now on, the house elves would sign all their correspondence and they would never use their full names again.
She tore the paper to shreds in her rage.
"I am sorry. Could you please send Harry through with a representative from your school as soon as possible. We must get on with the ceremony."
Narcissa hung up the floo on the man. She called Gringotts and asked for one of the curse breakers she had been working with over the last several years. They said the same thing Dumbledore had said, Harry was bound by the cup to compete.
Rather than cry, she decided to take control of the situation. She didn't like it but Harry was a gifted wizard. He could take his OWLs right now and pass them. In Defense, he might be able to swing his NEWTs, as well. He could do this. He would put on a good showing for his homeschool pod.
She marched with Harry to the school. Severus and Charity were already there. Remus stayed behind to watch the other children while Narcissa and Sirius stormed the castle. They stomped right into the Great Hall and gave everyone there a cold stare.
"Where is Headmaster Dumbledore?" She asked in a glacial voice.
McGonagall hurried over and led the four adult wizards and one child wizard into the back room.
No one spoke when they entered.
"This is a travesty of justice. My son did not enter his name into the Goblet," she turned on Dumbledore. "You will go out there and announce to everyone that Harry's name was entered against his will or I will hire every curse breaker in this country to come in here and destroy that goblet."
"Now, Mrs. Malfoy…" She gave Dumbledore the look of death. "Er, I meant, Mrs. Snape, everyone knows Harry didn't enter his name in the goblet." No one else in the room looked so sure.
"Now, Dumbledore, or I will take this straight to the press. In fact, I will be doing that no matter what you do. You can either appear like a competent headmaster and leader of government and investigate this issue or you can look like a buffoon who can't control what happens inside his own school." She glared at Albus. He capitulated.
He stepped out onto the podium and made the announcement about the folly with the Triwizard cup. Everyone was shocked. Whispers broke out all over the school.
Albus reentered the back room. Narcissa huffed at the man.
"Now that we have all of our champions," the idiot Ludo Bagman began, "we can give the important information about the competition. There will be three tasks. The first will be held at the end of November. The second task will be held at the end of February and the third task will be held at the end of June. You will also be expected to attend the traditional Yule Ball, where you will perform the opening dance with your dates. There will also be a weighing of the wands ceremony held on November 13. All participants will need to be present for each of these events. Any questions?"
No one had any questions for Ludo Bagman. They all prepared to leave when Albus stopped Narcissa.
"When can we expect Harry to move into the castle? I was thinking we'd have him sorted and he could stay in the dorms with his yearmates, yes?" Albus said with a twinkle in his eye. Finally, something was going his way. Harry would be back in the school and under his control before the end of the week. Albus was sure Harry would love Hogwarts so much that he would insist on coming back next year as well.
"No." Narcissa said firmly.
"No?" Albus asked, baffled.
"You heard the lady," Sirius said, getting his hackles up. "Or can't you hear her? You never seem to hear her when she tells you her proper name."
"Good one," Severus snorted. Albus did a double take. Did Severus just compliment Sirius on a joke?
"I'm sorry. I don't understand. All the champions are staying at the school this year," Albus said, honestly confused.
"None of the other champions are being sorted into Hogwarts houses or being asked to stay in Hogwarts dorms. No. Harry will continue his regular school schedule at home. He will be here for the required events and no more. Good day, Headmaster," Narcissa said, putting her nose up in the air and sweeping from the room with Harry and the others in tow.
The weeks passed quickly. Before Narcissa knew it, she was escorting Harry to the weighing of the wands ceremony. Rita Skeeter met them at the door to the room.
"Narcissa! What a pleasure to see you again," the two women air-kissed each other's cheeks. Some of Rita's most popular articles had been about the Black family. They always seemed to know how to put on a show.
"Rita! Darling. It's been too long. How are you? How's business?" The two women linked arms and walked a little further into the hallway to get some privacy.
"Business is good. I'm as well as can be expected. It's all work, work, work in my industry," Rita laughed an annoying, high-pitched laugh.
"Tell me, how are things going with dear little Harry in the tournament?" Rita asked, removing her quill and parchment from the bag. She didn't bother with her quick-quotes quill. Narcissa was always entertaining enough on her own.
"Oh Rita, I have so much to tell you. Do you have a few moments? Harry and I would love to speak with you, if you have time?"
"For you, Narcissa, always." Rita grinned a predatory grin and motioned for her photographer to follow her.
Twenty minutes later, Albus finally found them in a broom closet a few doors down from the room in which the ceremony would take place. He flinched when he saw Rita Skeeter looking so happy. The cameraman snapped a photo of the Headmaster as he was flinching. That would be the perfect picture to go beside the one of Narcissa holding a scared looking Harry close to her chest. Perfection.
Narcissa hadn't held back on her opinion of the school, the headmaster, nor the violent tournament that was banned for a reason. Nevertheless, she also expressed her confidence that Harry would do well in the competition, even if he was three years behind the other champions with his education. Rita had lapped it up and so would her readers.
Narcissa promised their usual annual Yule expose despite the Yule Ball that very night. Narcissa had even winked and said Rita might be able to sneak a photo of Harry and his date before they leave for the ball. Rita beamed at the idea.
Before she could blink, the first task was upon them. They knew the first task would be some kind of creature but otherwise had no idea of what was in store for Harry. The current plan was for Harry to use his invisibility cloak, a scent masking charm, and a silencing charm to try to mask his location. Their hope was that he'd be able to sneak up on the beast and surprise it. The backup plan was for Harry to summon his brook from the stands and fly like hell to get away.
Narcissa was very worried for her second oldest child. She was ready to flee in fright, magic be damned, when she realized the task was to get an egg from a nesting mother dragon!
The other champions did fine with their attempts to get the egg but Narcissa couldn't really focus on that. Her baby was in danger! It was all she could think.
At last, it was Harry's turn. He stepped out of the tent and swept the invisibility cloak around him. Two brief flashes of light and the only way to tell where Harry was was by the footprints he left behind on the floor of the arena. Everything went according to plan until Harry grabbed the egg. When the dragon felt the egg move out from beneath her, she lost her mind. Harry started to run but knew he wouldn't make it. His cloak was making it harder to run, so he ripped it off and stuffed it in his pocket with one hand while summoning his broom with the other.
He caught it with an audible smack and took to the air. The next few minutes of hair-raising flying action was something amazing to see. Finally, Harry lost the dragon, just as she strained at the end of her chain. He flew back down and zoomed into the tent. He was a little singed but was otherwise no worse for wear. Narcissa, Sirius, Charity, Severus, Jazz, Lily, Chryssie, Neville, Julius, April, Lyra, and Corona all jumped up in the stands and started cheering as Harry zoomed to safety.
Rita Skeeter was waiting to get a quote from the youngest champion when he emerged from the tent.
"How does it feel to have done so well, Harry?"
"It feels almost as good as flying for England, which I hope to do someday!" The excited boy exclaimed, holding up his golden egg. The photographer snapped a few quick pictures.
Rita laughed and made it the headline for her article, "Almost as Good As Flying for England!"
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