A/N: And here's the next chapter! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Godzilla. i only own my original ideas.
Chapter 52: The Quadwizard Tournament
The days rolled on, and the students of Hogwarts continued their routine, albeit with the students of Beaxbatons and Durstrang present. They learned what the penalty for attempting to sneak past the Age Line around the Goblet of Fire when Fred and George Weasley showed up laughing and sporting long beards. Eventually, Halloween night came, and it was time for the champions to be selected. The students of all three schools sat in the Great Hall, awaiting the verdict. The flames in the Goblet flared red, and a slip of paper shot out.
"The Champion for Hogwarts is: Cedric Diggory!" called Dumbledore.
Said Hufflepuff stood from his table, and headed for the back room amid cheers. The Goblet flared again.
"The Champion for Beaxbatons is: Fleur Delecor!" called Dumbledore.
The young woman from France followed Cedric, receiving the same cheers. The Goblet flared a third time.
"The Champion for Durmstrang is: Victor Krum!" called Dumbledore.
The star seeker from Bulgaria joined his fellow champions, and reveled in the cheers of all three schools. The eyes of all the students and faculty were on the Goblet: it was flaring again, sputtering before shooting out a fourth slip of paper. Dumbledore caught it and smirked… it was going just as planned.
"Harry Potter!" called Dumbledore.
He knew it. He knew this was going to happen. He knew he'd somehow end up in the tournament. However, there was one thing he could do. He stood from his seat, and raised his wand, casting the same spell McGonagall used to quiet a rowdy class, before making an oath.
"I, Harry James Potter, swear on my Life and Magic that I did not put my name in the Goblet of Fire, nor did I ask another to enter my name. So mote it be!" He stated.
One Lumos later, his words were proved true. The hall erupted into chaos at his oath. McGonagall raised her wand, and used the same spell Harry had before to make a large booming sound, quieting the hall again.
"Mr. Potter, please come with me," said McGonagall, "we'll get this sorted out".
Harry sighed, and followed his Head of House. Around him the students looked conflicted. As they walked Snape joined them as well. Once Harry entered the back room, the Champions and their headmasters looked confused.
"What is zis?" asked Fleur, "do they need us back out there?"
"No, it seems Mr. Potter has been entered into the tournament," said McGonagall.
"This leetle boy?" said Madam Maxine, "Impossible, he is too young".
"I am well aware, Headmistress, which is why I didn't do it," said Harry.
A moment later, Dumbledore entered, his robes sweeping behind him.
"Harry, how did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?" accused Dumbledore.
"Headmaster, you heard my oath, as did the rest of the schools," said Harry, "I didn't do it, nor did I ask anyone else to do it for me".
"Now then Mr. Potter, you really must confess!" said Dumbledore, "unless you want to spend the rest of the year serving nightly detentions with Argus".
"There is nothing to confess to," said Harry firmly, "I… did not… put… my name… in the Goblet".
"Really Albus, you're being ridiculous," said McGonagall, "Mr. Potter has taken a Wizard's Oath confirming his words".
"So, Hogwarts is to have two Champions?" said Karkaroff, "Seems rigged to me".
"Seeing as this tournament is known for being extremely deadly," said Snape, "it seems likely someone forced the Goblet to select Mr. Potter as a fourth Champion in an effort to get him seriously hurt or even killed".
Harry was surprised by Snape suddenly backing him up. Maybe he could improve his status with the man.
"Is there any way to get me out of this tournament, seeing as I don't want any part of it?" asked Harry, not holding out much hope.
"No, you must compete, or you will lose your magic," said Dumbledore.
Harry's core started heating up, and he glared around the room.
"So what, you're saying is I have to compete no matter what?" said Harry firmly, "you're telling me there is no precedent for a person to be entered into this tournament against their will, likely by someone with foul intentions? You're saying that in all this history of the tournament, this has never happened before? I need more proof than just your words, Headmaster".
Snape blinked at that carefully controlled anger… He'd been on the receiving end of Lily's temper before, and it looked like Potter had inherited that. Perhaps Mr. Potter was more like Lily than he realized.
Fleur on the other hand could feel something else. Her Veela heritage meant she could sense certain types of magical creatures, especially those with a tie to fire. She could feel the fire within Potter, one that burned like the sun. She took a closer look, trying to look beyond the magic disguising him. Within her mind she saw Potter as a dragon of truly titanic proportions.
"It matters not," said Dumbledore, "Mr. Potter has been entered into the Tournament, and now must compete!"
With a swish of his robes, he strode out of the room, leaving the rest of them alone. Harry massaged his brow, and took a few calming breaths. For a moment, no one spoke, then Snape broke the silence.
"Potter!" said Snape, "10 points to Gryffindor for having the bravery to tell the truth despite adversity".
"So, is anyone going to answer my question?" asked Harry, "is there really no precedent for this sort of thing?"
"Not that we are aware, Mr. Potter," said Ludo Bagman.
"…fine, I'll go along with this," said Harry, "what do I need to do?"
"Prepare for the first task!" said Bagman, "it will be held late in November!"
McGonagall led him back to Gryffindor tower. As soon as he entered, he felt the accusing glares from those around him.
"You!" shouted Ron, "how dare you show your face around here Potter, especially after that stunt you pulled!"
"I have no idea what you're talking about," said Harry, "you all heard my Oath".
"You think we'd believe anything you say?" shouted one of the older students, "we know all about your lies! How you used dark magic to hex the Goblet of Fire into picking you so you could steal all the glory!"
"Yeah!" Shouted another student, "always the glory-hound, Potter! We don't want you here! Get out! We don't want a liar like you around!"
McGonagall raised her wand, and used her favored spell for quieting a rowdy class again, making a loud bang.
"Enough!" shouted McGonagall, now actually angry at her Lions, "I cannot believe how foul all of you are acting! Mr. Potter made a Wizard's Oath, if he had lied, he wouldn't be standing here! It is likely someone entered Mr. Potter's name against his will. If you continue these baseless accusations, then I shall have no choice but to issue detentions to all of you!"
The anger on the other students' faces didn't vanish, and in fact only seemed to intensify. Harry knew that remaining here was a bad idea.
"Professor McGonagall," said Harry, "I think it would be for the best if I were to retrieve by belongings and not be in the tower for now. I don't feel safe remaining here".
McGonagall looked around the room, and saw that with a few exceptions, all her Lions were enraged, ready to attack Harry the moment she turned her back.
"I believe you're right, Mr. Potter," said McGonagall, "Come along, I'll have one of the House Elves retrieve your belongings. We have quarters available for students who are feeling unsafe".
Harry was led back out of the tower, and on to McGonagall's office, being joined by Hermione along the way. As they made their way back into the heart of the castle, they encountered Cedric and Neville being led along by Professor Sprout.
"Harry," said Neville, "you won't believe it but..."
"Everyone believes I'm a liar, a cheat, and some sort of dark wizard capable of not only hexing the Goblet of Fire, but also falsifying a Wizard's Oath?" replied Harry.
"The Gryffindors are acting the same, huh?" asked Cedric, "don't worry, I believe you. I don't know what's going on here".
"Neither do I, Mr. Diggory," said McGonagall, "but I intend to find out".
A/N: Yeah, no dodging the tournament this time. At least Harry will have some advantages in the tasks. In any case, next time: The Weighing of the Wands. See you then!