Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 4

Harry forwent the heavier gear of his uniform, noticing that the others had done the same as they gathered to return to the castle the next morning. The school was huge, he honestly didn't understand why they were remaining on the ship when it could obviously house both visiting schools as well as its own students. Wouldn't that do more to foster international cooperation and the like? Instead it seemed they were to remain relatively segregated, only mixing at meals and on the grounds, what a waste.

The students who were of age were at the front of the group as they entered the castle and made their way to the room where the Goblet was waiting. Harry watched as Viktor was the first to place his name within it, the others following suite. Viktor nodded at him as he caught his eye, he had offered Harry training tips over the years on how to be a better Seeker and had been disappointed when Harry had told him he would not be going professional himself. The school competition was fun but there wasn't Quidditch on any other Worlds…maybe he could introduce the game to other magical beings? That could be amusing and would probably drive Mother crazy, so maybe not the best idea.

He watched as the Hogwarts students whispered amongst themselves, most watching Viktor since he was famous. He spotted a group who looked about his own age and with that girl once again on the fringes, despite being in the same House going by the patch on her robes. What had she done to be almost ostracised by them? He hadn't gone out of his way to make friends, not when he planned to leave and never return once the Prophecy was dealt with and he knew enough to ensure he wouldn't accidentally kill himself with his own magic, but he was still far more accepted than she seemed to be. He was curious, not because he was concerned or anything like that, but because he wanted to know what kind of things would make the lions turn on their own, or at least push them to the edges. It was a kind of wildlife assessment in a way, though he would have thought their House animal would be a Griffin given the name, rather than a lion.

"Done it," a redhead hissed quietly to the other Gryffindors, and Harry listened in, curious. "Just taken it."

"What?" asked a younger redhead. Looked like twins and a younger brother?

"The Aging Potion, dung brains," the other twin answered.

"One drop each," the other grinned, rubbing his hands together with glee. "We only need to be a few months older."

"We're going to split the thousand Galleons between the three of us if one of us wins," said the other boy with them, grinning broadly.

"I'm not sure this is going to work, you know," the girl he'd been observing spoke up in warning. "I'm sure Dumbledore will have thought of this."

"Ready?" the twins were quivering with excitement. "C'mon, then - I'll go first -"

Harry watched, fascinated, as the redhead pulled a slip of parchment out of his pocket bearing the words…Fred Weasley - Hogwarts. Fred walked right up to the edge of the line and stood there, rocking on his toes like a diver preparing for a fifty-foot drop. Then, with the eyes of every person in the entrance hall upon him, he took a great breath and stepped over the line. Harry was surprised he managed to cross it, surely the famous Albus Dumbledore wouldn't be fooled by a simple potion? He didn't have a high opinion of the man himself, not after researching everything, but he couldn't be that incompetent.

For a split-second Harry really thought it had worked, the other twin…George certainly thought so, as he let out a yell of triumph and leapt after Fred, but next moment, there was a loud sizzling sound, and both twins were hurled out of the golden circle as though they had been thrown by an invisible shot-putter. They landed painfully, ten feet away on the cold stone floor, and to add insult to injury, there was a loud popping noise, and both of them sprouted identical long white beards.

The entrance hall rang with laughter. Even the twins joined in, once they had gotten to their feet and taken a good look at each other's beards.

"I did warn you," said a deep, amused voice, and everyone turned to see Headmaster Dumbledore walking out of the Great Hall. He surveyed Fred and George, his eyes twinkling, and Harry drifted back in the crowds, not wanting the man to pay him any attention. "I suggest you both go up to Madam Pomfrey. She is already tending to Miss Fawcett, of Ravenclaw, and Mr. Summers, of Hufflepuff, both of whom decided to age themselves up a little too. Though I must say, neither of their beards is anything like as fine as yours."

Harry watched the group disperse, listening to his schoolmates as they commented on the Hogwarts' students showing so much disrespect to their own Headmaster by attempting to enter when too young. He honestly didn't see why they would wish to enter a potentially deadly competition, especially those closer to his own age who would be at a massive disadvantage.

The Hogwarts contingent moved into the Great Hall even as the Beauxbatons students entered the castle to add their names to the Cup.

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Sora flopped down on his bed, bored. School was as horrible as always, made worse by half the school being out sick, including Riku and Kairi. He…he was really worried about them but he wasn't allowed to visit in case he caught it as well. There was talk of shutting the school until the trouble had passed to keep it from spreading faster. No one had gotten sick enough to die but it was still scary.

No one had even known Riku was sick until he'd collapsed in the middle of the schoolyard, Sora just managing to keep him from cracking his head on the pavement. He'd been stuck at home for three days after that before being sent back to school, to make sure he wasn't sick as well, but he hadn't been. Kairi apparently only had a mild version but she'd still been off school for over a week now. Wakka and Tidus weren't even on the main Island, they'd gone with Tidus' Dad to one of the nearby islands and weren't being allowed back. It meant he was left with just Selphie and she was nice and stuff…but they weren't really close or anything. She was more Kairi's friend than anything.

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Albus watched as 'Alastor' watched over the Cup. Did Crouch really think he could fool him when Alastor was one of his oldest friends? It hadn't taken him long to work out the basics of how the young man could still be alive, which was why he was allowing things to play out. All of his own attempts to find the missing Potter boy had failed, surely the magics of the Goblet would have better luck.

He had known for years that Tom still existed, it was why he had made the plans he had, it was just that the boy had been gone when Hagrid arrived to retrieve him. There had been signs for those who knew what to watch for, like the attempt on the Philosopher's stone back in what should have been Harry's first year, thankfully Gringotts security was as good as it was. He had thought to lure Tom to Hogwarts with the stone but without the boy he had decided not to.

Then there had been the appearance of Tom's old diary the year after amongst young Ginny Weasley's possessions. He knew that was Lucius' doing but there had been no way to prove it. the wards had picked up on its presence and he had removed it without the girl being aware, it would not do to allow any form of Tom within the castle, not without the only person able to defeat him. At least the diary had confirmed his fears on how Tom had survived that night.

Now, it appeared Tom was moving to return in full and to neutralise the child of prophecy as well.

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Viktor kept an eye on the other students as they enjoyed the warmer weather outside. The Headmaster had improved in his attitude since Viktor's first years at the school, but he could still get caught up in favouring certain students. It was strange, the way the man watched Harry at the school and yet now…it seemed the man was almost trying to hide him, why?

He thought he knew the younger Seeker relatively well; it had been disappointing to learn he'd never face him in a professional match as he planned to go into the family business after school. The boy flew better than he had at the same age and had a lighter build which would only help. At least he didn't get labelled a neanderthal like Viktor did due to his looks; everyone assumed he was all brawn and no brain, which was not true.

He sighed as Stefan was rebuffed by a group of Hogwarts girls, he would never learn. Andrew and Damien laughed at him but the three wandered away and back to the ship. They would need to head to the castle soon for the Halloween Feat and Choosing. The Tournament was his chance to prove he had more to offer than flying skills and he was determined to win…but to hopefully make international contacts as well.

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"You know, I like this plan as much as the next guy, but aren't we missing something…kind of key, if you get my drift?" Hades looked over at where she was observing her son.

"Indeed, to unlock the final Keyhole a Keyblade is needed. However, all seven Princesses must be found first, and we still have four to find."

"Hmph. And I suppose a Keyblade's just going to magically appear…you don't think the kid?" he asked, and she shook her head.

"No, I do not believe Harry will wield a Keyblade, not when they seek out Hearts of Light. Although I sense he has an important role to play once the Keyblade Master is revealed."

Hades nodded; the kid was becoming important to more than just his birth World. Had he remained on Earth, he would have just lived his life however he wished and faded from importance. As Maleficent's son though, the Fates were watching him closely and he was becoming tightly tied to the fates of many.

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'Alastor Moody' watched the students of all three schools as they took their seats for the Halloween Feat and choosing of the Champions. He hated being at the school, having to teach the brats when a lot of them could do with a good Cruciatus or three to keep them in line, but his Master insisted.

There had been no sign of the Potter heir since his Master had attacked the family and vanished and yet he insisted the brat was alive. There was no way his Master could be mistaken which meant the boy could be of some minimal risk, perhaps as a rallying point for their enemies. The Dark Lord insisted it had to be the boy's blood used to create his new body, to ensure that whatever had protected him that night would be negated and the prophecy fulfilled with the boys' death.

Either Potter would come to Hogwarts when his name was called by the Goblet, or he would be stripped of his magic and likely die in the process. And if he came…then his fate was sealed anyway.

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Riku groaned, opening his eyes slowly, he'd thought…there it was, something tapping against his window. He slowly rolled over only to see a small stone impact the glass. He grimaced but pushed himself up and staggered to the window, looking out into the dim light to see a familiar figure perched in the tree. He shoved the window open, exhausted just from that, and stared at his best friend, kind of hating how healthy and energetic he looked.

"Riku," Sora whispered, and Riku couldn't be mad when he heard the relief in his voice. Hadn't anyone told him how he was doing?

"You fall and your Mum will kill you," he whispered, before turning aside to cough, chest aching.

"Are…are you okay?" Sora asked, and Riku looked back to see him shifting on the branch nervously.

"I'll be fine," he felt better than he had the day he collapsed anyway. The rash was gone but the fever came and went. "Doctor said the kids who got sick first are almost better so it shouldn't be too much longer," he promised.

He knew Sora worried when there was nothing he could do to help and being kept away from them had to suck. "How's Kairi?"

Sora shrugged slightly, "sick too. Just me and Selphie of our group since Tidus and Wakka aren't here."

"Well don't you dare get sick now, okay? You better be at school when we get back," he told him firmly, and Sora nodded. Riku smothered another cough, the evening air not good for his chest, and Sora grimaced. "I'll see you soon."

"Promise?"

"Promise. Now get home before your Mum panics."

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Harry sat with the other's observing the festivities of the Halloween feast, it was far more extravagant than what he was used to, then again he tended to keep to himself on the day in remembrance of his birth parents who had died so he would live. It seemed to take much longer than the usual feasts at Durmstrang. Perhaps because it was their second feast in two days, but Harry didn't seem to fancy the extravagantly prepared food as much as he had the previous night. Like everyone else in the Hall, judging by the constantly craning necks, the impatient expressions on every face, the fidgeting, and the standing up to see whether Dumbledore had finished eating yet, Harry simply wanted the plates to clear, and to hear who had been selected as champions. Then he could return to his room where Diablo was waiting to spend the night in contemplation.

At long last, the golden plates returned to their original spotless state; there was a sharp upswing in the level of noise within the Hall, which died away almost instantly as Headmaster Dumbledore got to his feet. On either side of him, Karkaroff and Madame Maxime looked as tense and expectant as anyone. the Ministry man, Bagman, was beaming and winking at various students but his compatriot, Mr. Crouch, looked quite uninterested, almost bored.

"Well, the Goblet is almost ready to make its decision," Dumbledore announced grandly. "I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions' names are called, I would ask them please to come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber" - he indicated the door behind the staff table - "where they will be receiving their first instructions."

He took out his wand and gave a great sweeping wave with it; at once, all the candles except those inside the carved pumpkins were extinguished, plunging them into a state of semidarkness. The Goblet of Fire shone more brightly than anything in the whole Hall, the sparkling bright, bluey-whiteness of the flames almost painful on the eyes. Everyone watched, waiting… A few people kept checking their watches, an invention he had rather taken to and had bought several of to tinker with when at home. They were a much better way of telling time than the sundial.

"Any second," someone across at the Gryffindor table whispered rather loudly.

The flames inside the Goblet turned suddenly red again. Sparks began to fly from it and in the next moment, a tongue of flame shot into the air, a charred piece of parchment fluttered out of it - the whole room gasped.

Dumbledore caught the piece of parchment and held it at arm's length, so that he could read it by the light of the flames, which had turned back to blue/white. "The champion for Durmstrang," he read, in a strong, clear voice, "will be Viktor Krum."

"No surprises there!" someone yelled as a storm of applause and cheering swept the Hall.

Harry clapped as loudly as his schoolmates as Viktor stood up and left the table, walking towards their Headmaster and the others; he turned right, walked along the staff table, and disappeared through the door into the next chamber.

"Bravo, Viktor!" boomed Karkaroff, so loudly that everyone could hear him, even over all the applause. "Knew you had it in you!"

The clapping and chatting died down, everyone's attention was focused again on the Goblet, which, seconds later, turned red once more. A second piece of parchment shot out of it, propelled by the flames.

"The champion for Beauxbatons," Dumbledore called, "is Fleur Delacour!"

Harry watched, clapping politely, as the girl who so resembled a Veela got gracefully to her feet, shook back her sheet of silvery blonde hair, and swept up between the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables.

"Oh look, they're all disappointed," Moira, one of the seventh-year girls with them, said over the noise, nodding toward the remainder of the Beauxbatons party. "Disappointed" was a bit of an understatement, Harry thought. Two of the girls who had not been selected had dissolved into tears and were sobbing with their heads on their arms.

When Fleur Delacour too had vanished into the side chamber, silence fell again, but this time it was a silence so stiff with excitement you could almost taste it. The Hogwarts champion next... And the Goblet of Fire turned red once more; sparks showered out of it; the tongue of flame shot high into the air, and from its tip Dumbledore pulled the third piece of parchment.

"The Hogwarts champion," he called, "is Cedric Diggory!"

Every single Hufflepuff had jumped to his or her feet, screaming and stamping, as Diggory made his way past them, grinning broadly, and headed off toward the chamber behind the teachers' table. Indeed, the applause for him went on so long that it was some time before Dumbledore could make himself heard again. It was obvious he was a very well-liked student in the school.

"Excellent!" Dumbledore called happily as at last the tumult died down. "Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real -" But Dumbledore suddenly stopped speaking, and it was apparent to everybody what had distracted him.

The fire in the Goblet had just turned red again. Sparks were flying out of it. A long flame shot suddenly into the air and borne upon it was another piece of parchment. Harry bit back a sigh, so this was what the Fates had meant? Good thing he wasn't the average fourth year student!

Automatically, it seemed, Dumbledore reached out a long hand and seized the parchment. He held it out and stared at the name written upon it. There was a long pause, during which Dumbledore stared at the slip in his hands, and everyone in the room stared at Dumbledore. And then Dumbledore cleared his throat and read out - "Harry Potter."

The room was utterly silent, and then people began muttering, looking around in confusion. Harry stared at his Headmaster, seeing the man grimace, knowing he was terrified of having to tell his Mother. Harry knew what he had to do, that didn't mean he wanted to. He took. deep breath and then stood up, walking towards the head table.

"May I help you?" Headmaster Dumbledore frowned at him.

"My name is Harry James Potter," he stated firmly and pandemonium ensued.

TBC…

Seemed the perfect place to leave this chapter.

No clue what the kids had, some childhood illness that ripped through the school. Fever, rash, and cough covers a lot of things when it comes to kids and teens.