Chapter 1 - The Champion Selection

'Harry Potter!' Dumbledore yelled. Harry was speechless and with good reason. His name just came out of the Goblet of Fire. 'Harry Potter,' Dumbledore repeated. Hermione elbowed him in the ribs to get him on his feet. 'Just go,' she whispered, clearly upset about the outcome of the Champion Selection. Harry got up and walked over to end of the Great Hall. The aisle between the Hufflepuff table and the Gryffindor table seemed endless and time seemed to slow down. After what appeared to be an eternity he reached Dumbledore who gave him the piece of parchment and gestured him to go through the door leading to the antechamber.

'Do zey want us back in ze 'all?' asked the Beauxbatons champion known as Fleur Delacour. Harry just shook us head. 'What's wrong?' asked Cedric Diggory. Harry just stared ahead of him in the fire that was happily burning in the fireplace. The door opened and Ludo Bagman entered. 'Unbelieveable,' he said. 'Lady, gentlemen. Extraordinary. A fourth champion,'

'Vairy funny, monsieur Bagman,' said Fleur haughtily.

'I'm not joking, Harry's name just came out of the goblet of fire,'

The doors banged open and a furious flock of headmasters and teachers entered the room. 'Zis is outrageous!' the deep voice of Mme. Maxime boomed. 'A scandal,'

'I chave to agree, with Olympe,' said Kargaroff. 'Che is too young.'

'Harry did you enter your name in the Goblet of Fire? Did an older student do it for

you?' asked Dumbledore rather forcefully. 'No, sir,' said Harry barely audible.

'Mais enfin, 'e's lying,' said Mme. Maxime.

'Leave it to Potter to get caught in this mess,' said Snape sneering.

'Severus, behave yourself,' said McGonagall appalled that he would bash one of her cubs like that.

'It is unfair, why should Hogwarts chave two champions,' asked Kargaroff, 'Light the Goblet again,' Mme. Maxime nodded her agreement.

'That's not possible, the goblet will only light again for the next tournament,' said Moody.

'In which Drumstrang will not participate,' Kargaroff all but yelled.

'Empty threads Igor,' Moody interrupted. 'You can't leave your Champion here alone,'

'Crouch, you know the rules,' said Dumbledore, 'what can we do?'

'He has to compete. If he doesn't he'll lose his magic,' Crouch said staring into the fire.

Harry who hadn't said anything yet spoke up: 'But I didn't enter myself! There has to be a way out of it,' 'I'm afraid there isn't one, son,' said Crouch. Harry looked pissed.

'Ok, but I want the entire school to know that I DO NOT want this,' he stated angrily and he left the room. Harry needed time to think. He knew Ron probably wouldn't believe him and would be extremely jealous of him. He knew Hermione would see reason and he was extremely glad for it. She was the level-headed one of the trio.

Harry decided to face the music and headed straight to the Gryffindor Common room. He stated the password and entered as soon as he arrived at the entrance of Gryffindor Tower. The moment he entered the crowd went wild and started applauding. He decided to take a leaf out of Bagman's book and took out his wand and pointed it at his throat and said: 'Sonorus,' The crowd went silent. 'I'd like to say something,' Harry started. 'I did not enter myself nor asked an older student to do it for me. I don't want eternal glory or the money,' He took a deep breath. 'I'll participate but I won't go for the win. I just want to survive this bloody tournament. I guess that was all. Quietus,' he cancelled the spell and beckoned Hermione to follow him.

'That was good,' said Hermione while climbing out of the portrait hole, 'setting the record straight,' 'I just wanted to say what I'll have to say a thousand times tomorrow,' Harry explained and he took the lead to an abandoned alcove in the hallway of the seventh floor. 'Why don't you do the same tomorrow in the Great Hall when everyone is present,' asked Hermione, seating herself on a windowsill. 'That way everyone will hear it and if they don't want to believe you, that's their problem,' Harry smiled perching himself next to her. 'Do you think Ron will believe it?' 'Well, you know how he is,' Hermione said, 'and if he wants to throw away Three years of friendship on a whim, let him,' Hermione grabbed Harry's hand to support him.

'I believe you, Harry,' 'I know, I think you're like the only one that sees beyond the fame and the scar,' Harry said and placed his head on Hermione's shoulder. 'Harry,' she asked. 'Ssh, I think I found inner peace,' he said. Hermione blushed like mad. 'Harry, I think there's something I should tell you,' she started. 'I like you,' 'I know,' Harry said. 'But I think I like you more than a friend I guess,' Hermione continued. Harry smiled. 'Why didn't you tell me earlier,' he asked softly. 'I was scared I'd ruin our friendship,' she said. 'You wouldn't have,' said Harry softly and he placed an arm around Hermione's shoulders, 'because I like you exactly the same way,' 'Since when?' asked Hermione leaning into Harry's embrace. 'Since we used the time turner last year,' Harry whispered and placed a gentle kiss on Hermione's head. 'Let's get to bed,'