AN: This will turn into a Dean Thomas/Harry Potter slash ship. May be a slow build for now. And this will include Ron and Dumbledore bashing as well.
~NicoDiAngeloLover7
Unlikely Love Affair – Chapter 1 (Resisting the Normal)
Harry was looking around in the Great Hall in confusion. There had been an announcement on the Notice Board in the Gryffindor Common room for several weeks. Something about attendance being mandatory in the Great Hall. He wasn't sure why it was necessary since the announcement would be at dinner. Unless there were some students that tended to skip dinner.
Harry took that moment to turn to Dean to ask, "do you know what this is all about?"
Dean looked shocked and flustered that Harry was speaking to him, "ummm… not sure. But when does anything that Dumbledore says, make sense?"
Harry snorted, not protesting the words. He gave Dean a weird look when the taller boy had appeared bothered and caught unaware. But passed it off as Dean just being distracted. It had been a very hectic week after all.
Harry walked with Dean and Ron to the Gryffindor table. Ron and Hermione took the sides on either side of him. While Dean sat several seats down away from him. Seamus took the left seat of Dean while Neville sat in front of Harry. The small raven didn't pay much attention to the seating arrangements. Since it really wasn't that odd for Dean and Seamus to choose seats together. They been best mates ever since first year. Just like Harry and Ron had become best mates in their first year. Though Harry did give Neville a half wave when he sat down.
"Hey Harry," was the shy comment.
"Hey, Neville," came Harry's cheerful reply. "Know what this is about?"
Neville slowly nodded.
Ron looked instantly interested, "What is it? Dad and Perce have been very tight lip about it all summer."
Neville slowly shook his head, "sorry, Ron. Not able to say, though we'll find out after dinner."
Ron looked put out.
Harry snickered, though he was curious. He didn't mind waiting a bit longer. Though he knew that patience was not a virtue of Ron's.
Hermione had even given Ron a disappointed glare.
"Really Ronald," she muttered under her breath.
"Don't tell me you're not curious either, 'Mione," Ron said with a mouth full of food.
Hermione looked away in disgust, "Of course I'm curious, but I at least know how to curb that. And know the virtue of patience that you sorely lack."
Ron just shrugged and stuffed another forkful of food into his mouth.
Even Harry had looked a little grossed out at seeing half eaten food in his friend's mouth. He didn't want to lose his appetite quite so soon. His eyes adverted and slowly chewed as his eyes kept flickering to the Head Table. Though he didn't miss out on the Treacle Tart they had for dessert. It was his favorite after all. And he refused to let Ron ruin that for him.
Harry felt his eyes shift back to the Head Table as the tables were cleared of food. Dumbledore used that moment to stand up.
Soon the entire hall had their attention on Dumbledore, itching to know what was going on. That was when Dumbledore let the disillusion charm on the golden pedestal fade. And the gold pedestal slowly melted away and revealed a stone goblet glowing with runes.
Harry looked on in interest. The stone goblet looked ancient enough. It made Harry curious on how old it really was.
"The Goblet of Fire," Hermione breathed.
Harry looked at Hermione in confusion. "The Goblet of Fire," he questioned.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "it's an ancient artifact that predates back to the founders. It's a tool for the Triwizard Tournament. They discontinued it centuries ago."
"Why?" Harry asked.
"The death toll," Neville said softly.
Harry became alarmed, "death toll?!"
Hermione nodded," it's an extremely dangerous event."
"Dangerous enough to kill you?!" was Harry's shocked tone.
Neville nodded, "Gran would talk about where it used to take place every five or ten years. But it got so high that the Ministry decided to discontinue it. But now they're bringing it back."
"Why?" Harry asked.
Neville shook his head, "Dumbledore will probably tell you in a minute."
"The Goblet of Fire," Dumbledore echoed in the hall. "As many of you well know the Triwizard Tournament was brought back into tradition this year. And with due consideration it has been decided to raise the age to maturity. If a student feels they have the strength and will to enter, do so lightly! Once you have entered your name, there is no turning back. You will be placed under a binding contract. If you try to turn back, you may lose your magic just as well as your respect. An age line will be placed for your protection. In this tournament you will face three extremely dangerous tasks. A task that you may be lucky to pass with your life. These tasks are not for the faint of heart. You have been warned."
Harry's ears listened to the Headmaster's every word. He felt a shiver go down his back at the fact that the goblet had a bind of your magic and if you tried to back out, it would snap it out of you. But he was still curious about something.
"What does he mean by maturity?" Harry asked out loud.
"Harry, he means when you turn 17. That's when you officially became an adult in the wizarding world," Neville replied before Hermione got a chance to.
"Harry! You're seriously not going to try to enter?" Hermione's tone was sharp.
Harry shook his head no, "of course not. I don't have a death wish!"
Hermione frowned, but she accepted Harry's words. She knew better than most that her friend wouldn't want anything to do with it. She felt it was more of him making sure he actually wouldn't be in anything life threatening for once.
"Would be nice, wouldn't it?" Ron asked while walking back to the dorm.
Harry shook his head, "I rather have my neck attached to me."
"But eternal glory!" Ron reminded.
"It's not like I would need it," Harry replied.
Ron shrugged, he was aware that he was still too young to think about entering.
Harry peaked around the corner, curious on what was going on. He noticed Dean sitting nearby in the chamber for the goblet.
"Hey Dean," Harry greeted, taking a seat by him.
Dean almost jumped, grabbing his sketchbook before it could fall.
"Sorry," Harry mumbled, realizing that Dean was probably caught off guard.
Dean gave a small smile but brushed off Harry's apology. He was trying to draw the Goblet of Fire instead of doing homework. "What's up, Harry?"
"Was wondering if you knew anything about what Fred and George were cooking up lately. They seemed excited about something," Harry said with small grin.
Dean actually snorted at that, "oh, those two think that an Aging Potion will allow them to enter."
Harry paled slightly at that, he still didn't like the sound of a death related tournament. But he did find it interesting enough that he would be watching it. "And they think that'll work?"
Dean shrugged, "Hermione doesn't think it will."
Harry grinned, "she hasn't been wrong yet."
That was when Ron joined at Harry's side and clasped a hand to his shoulder. "Was looking for you mate, disappeared out of the Great Hall."
Harry smiled, "well some people do think about stuff other than their stomach."
Hermione snorted, but didn't say a word.
Ron just pouted at the comment, but he didn't disagree.
Harry jumped into the conversation with his two best friends, so he never saw the disappointed look on Dean's face. Who went back to his sketchbook and continued sketching the goblet. Even though his movements were a bit jerky at best.
Hermione noticed and had a thoughtful look on her face. 'Boys,' she thought. She did feel slightly sorry for her classmate. Even she noticed that Ron did tend to take most of Harry's attention, but he was his best mate. She honestly thought it was more of a jealousy thing. Though she did promise herself that she'd try to include Dean into their conversations more. She just hoped that Ron wouldn't see Dean as competition for Harry's friendship.
"Be nice if Fred and George shared some with me," Ron grumbled.
"Ronald!" Hermione scolded.
"What!?"
Hermione sighed, "you are not 17 and neither are your prankster brothers! And you are forgetting the most important detail. An age potion will not fool an age line, it runs off your physical and mental age. Just because you change the appearance of someone older will not fool it!"
Ron looked sheepish at that.
Harry snorted, though had to hide a laugh as Hermione lectured their friend.
"I swear… it's like you've never picked up a book," the bookworm muttered.
"Well… you know Ron never has. But it's not like I know the amount of knowledge that you do, 'Mione," Harry commented.
Hermione blushed under the compliment. Though she ignored Ron's indignant 'Hey!'
"You know its true," Hermione pointed out.
Ron did finally concede at the point, it was hard to argue against Hermione and win.
"I wonder who the champions will be?" Harry wondered out loud.
"It's hard to say," Hermione commented.
"Better not be a Slytherin," Ron muttered.
"Ron!" Hermione outburst. "Not every Slytherin you meet is bad!"
Ron looked at Hermione in disbelief, but not even he was brave enough to face her wrath. After all, he knew if he did, he would never hear the end of it. And Hermione could be scary when she wanted to be.
Harry didn't dare to breath a word, in risk of incurring Hermione's wrath on himself. Though he wasn't exactly sure if he would be thrilled if Hogwarts had a Slytherin champion. He wouldn't care what house the champion was in, as long as it wasn't Slytherin. And he was positive that Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw shared the same sentiment.
"If we have Slytherin Champion and I learn that either have you have a bad word to say. I will curse you until you're blue," Hermione threatened.
Harry and Ron gulped at the threat and nodded their heads.
Hermione then grinned, "great! I'm glad we have an understanding." That's when she strode off, most likely to the library.
"Scary, that girl," Ron shivered.
Harry nodded in agreement. He took a glance back at Dean, it suddenly hit him that he pretty much dropped the dark-skinned Gryffindor like he was nothing. Harry felt his stomach drop when he noticed that Dean was absorbed back into his sketchpad. He realized what they may have looked to Gryffindor and felt an enormous amount of guilt. He knew that he would have hated if someone did that to him. Almost like if he tossed away Dean like he was nothing. And that wasn't his intention at all. He was about to walk back to him and apologize, when Ron grabbed his wrist.
Harry was taken back when he realized that Ron must have said something. "What?"
"Kitchens," Ron replied as if that was the answer for everything.
Harry's lips twitched in humor, he should have guessed that Ron would be thinking of food. And it was still several hours until dinner. Though he was a bit disappointed that he couldn't talk to Dean again, he just hoped that he could speak to him later. And maybe he could apologize to him. But for now, he just let Ron led him towards the kitchens.
Like Harry, most of the other Gryffindors were already seated at the Gryffindor table. All the tables had been pushed to the side to make room for more walk space back to the center of the Great Hall. The Goblet of Fire had been moved to the center of the room, in front of the Head Table. Another path had been cleared to the left where a set of double doors were waiting. That was most likely the room for the chosen champions to go to after the selection.
Harry was currently seated with Ron on one side of him and Hermione on the other side. Fred and George were sitting on the bench above him, no grey hair though. Harry's lips twitched at that.
Dean, Seamus, and Neville were seated together to the right with the rest of Gryffindor house. There were some Gryffindors that Harry knew because of Quidditch and some he didn't. It looked like the other houses were arranged in the same fashion. And just like Gryffindor house, they were awaiting for the start of the selection. Though Dumbledore hadn't stood up yet, so they assumed it would still be a few more minutes.
Harry's leg twitched nervously as he shot a quick look at Hermione. She was currently fidgeting, looking like she wanted this to be over. Harry wondered if this was interrupting her studying and getting homework done. She had always been the first to get it done while constantly lecturing Ron about his procrastination. Usually she didn't have to worry about Harry as much as Ron.
Harry didn't procrastinate as bad as Ron, he still got his work done in timely manner. Maybe not as fast as Hermione thought he should. But he didn't see the use in getting it all done as soon as it was assigned. But usually he had it some of it done before Quidditch practice. It wasn't exactly ideal, but it worked for him. And none of his professors had complained about it, unless you were Snape.
Harry's eyes wandered over to the Head Table. Professor McGonagall looked stern as ever, though there was a hint of smile on her lips. Professor Moody looked like he didn't want to be there, but he hovered by Dumbledore's side. Snape looked like he was about to assign detention if you dared to smile, but Harry thought he looked like that all the time. There were some professors that Harry didn't recognize but figured that was because they probably taught other subjects. Professor Flitwick looked as excited as ever. Professor Sprout had a kind smile as she looked over the students. Hagrid was just sitting there, looking over at the Beauxbatons' Headmistress. The Headmistress from Beauxbatons reminded Harry of Professor McGonagall with her no-nonsense rule. Harry imagined it would be different concerning her students. After all, she was standing in a foreign school. And the Headmaster from Durmstrang just stood there looking stoic.
Harry didn't think he would want to ever cross the Durmstrang Headmaster, he looked to be just as bad as Snape. And Harry would never consider that a good thing.
"Why does Snape look like he swallowed one of Dumbledore's lemons," Harry whispered to Hermione.
Hermione's lips twitched but she didn't deny Harry's words. "You need to focus, Harry."
Ron snorted at that one.
Harry rolled his eyes, but his eyes went to Dumbledore. The old man finally stood up to take his place by the Goblet of Fire.
Dumbledore was accompanied by Professor McGonagall, Professor Moody, Professor Snape, and Barty Crouch, Sr.
"As all of you well know, Welcome to the Champion's Selection! Though there will be three champions selected. Only one can win the prize of the Triwizard Cup. And I know each one of you will do the pride and honor to your school. You will each go through three extremely dangerous tasks. I will ask each champion to enter to the door to the left after being chosen. You will face further instructions there," Dumbledore's voice boomed across the room.
Harry watched as Dumbledore went to the cup when the fire turned blood red. A burnt piece of parchment burst out of the cup that Dumbledore caught.
"Viktor Krum," Dumbledore announced.
Harry's eyes went to the Slytherin table where Durmstrang had resided in the hall. He recognized the famous Quidditch player from the World Cup.
The Bulgarian rose to his feet, shaking hands with several of his mates. He took strides towards Dumbledore and shook the man's hand. He gave a slight nod to Dumbledore before making his way to the double doors to the left.
The Goblet of Fire had faded back to the royal blue flame. Before turning back to the blood red, it was going to announce the next champion. Though there was something shining blue on the edges of the stone goblet.
"Fleur Delacour," Dumbledore declared the Beauxbaton's champion.
A highly attractive woman stood up, kissing the cheek of her younger sister before walking to Dumbledore. She shook his hand and acknowledged her Headmistress before walking to the same room.
The entire hall went silent, eagerly waiting for the announcement of the Hogwarts champion.
Dumbledore waited for the Goblet to turn red again because grabbing the falling parchment. "Marcus Flint!"
There was not a single clap, only silence. Before the entire Slytherin house erupted into cheers. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw didn't move. Then the hall started to echo in yells. A lot of them demanding for another Hogwarts champion to be selected.
"He's a Slytherin!"
"He's no Hogwarts Champion!"
"He bewitched the cup!"
"Silence!" Roared Dumbledore.
Harry was stunned into shock. They had a Slytherin champion? How? It couldn't be possible. But he still watched as the Slytherin didn't let the yells get to him. Then the yells had started to be about that Flint must have cheated to be champion. Then there was Dumbledore's thundering voice that silenced the entire hall once more. The Headmaster gave Flint an encouraging smile as he gestured him to the hall to the left.
"He can't be champion, can he?" was Ron's urgent voice.
"Ronald!" Hermione's voice was scandalous. "He is the Hogwarts' champion and you better like it!" she threatened.
Ron gulped at the threat.
Harry didn't say a word. He still couldn't understand how Hogwarts had a Slytherin champion. But yet, Flint walked through the hall to meet with the other champions. Harry didn't like the idea that to support Hogwarts, that he would have to support a Slytherin.
Then a yell silenced the hall once more. The Goblet of Fire had started to go haywire before shooting another parchment into the air.
"Harry Potter!"
Harry's face went pale white. He started shaking his head violently. He was only fourteen, he wasn't seventeen. This just wasn't possible. He felt himself shrinking down into himself, as if trying to hide.
Ron's face went red with anger and jealousy.
The yells were even more furious and angry than they had been with Flint. And they were all focused on Harry.
"He's a cheat!"
"He's not even 17!"
"Harry," Hermione hissed. "Get up!"
Harry just gave Hermione the most panicked and scared look.
Hermione felt sorry for her friend, but she knew that he needed to get up. She nudged her friend's shoulder hard and gestured to Dumbledore.
Harry didn't want to get up, he felt like his legs were going to give out on him. It felt agonizing to walk slowly towards Dumbledore and into the chamber to the left. His legs felt like lead and he still wanted to crawl into a ball.
Once in the room, Harry was met with three intensive stares.
Krum and Delacour seemed to look at him with suspicion. Flint's stare was more of a studying type.
"You are not 17," the Slytherin noted.
Harry gave a shaky nod.
Flint didn't have time for another response because the room flooded with adults. And Harry found his back slammed against the wall. A gasp was forced out of his throat.
Harry didn't really understand what exactly was going on except for the interrogation from Dumbledore. It kind of made him a bit scared and wary of the man. But he still answered his questions. Apparently, even Dumbledore thought he cheated to get into some death-defying tournament. And Harry just wanted to curl up into his bed and pretend this wasn't happening. But he knew that wouldn't be possible.
Harry felt his heart sink when Barty Crouch Senior announced that he would have no choice. He was to be the 4th Triwizard Champion. Not caring for the fact that he was being forced into the tournament and the goblet had his magic bound by oath. There was no way out.
"You are being forced into the tournament?" Flint's voice came out gruff.
Harry nodded, walking beside the Slytherin. They were already out of the room and the entire Great Hall was empty. And he had a long trek back to the 7th floor to Gryffindor Tower.
"Why are you talking to me?" Harry suddenly asked, on guard. "Last I knew, Slytherins hated Gryffindors."
"Do you see me cursing you?" Flint asked, his voice was steel.
Harry shook his head no.
"It may actually surprise you, Potter. But not every Slytherin hates your guts," Flint snarked.
Harry's jaw dropped. It was definitely not something he was expecting to hear from a Slytherin.
"So, unless you plan to be gapping all day, I suggest you close your mouth. And I for one, would not like to hang around gawking Gryffindors all day," Flint scowled at him.
Harry quickly closed his mouth, still slightly in shock. But not knowing what to say. But Flint apparently knew what to do, he just left him there. And Harry was still uncertain if that meant that one person believed he didn't enter his name into the Goblet of Fire. Even though he was a Slytherin.
With that, Harry made his way slowly up the Grand Staircase. With heavy steps, he made his way to the seventh floor and to the portrait of the Fat Lady. He almost felt scared to enter the dormitory. He could vividly recall all the hateful and scornful yells in the Great Hall. Did he really want to encounter that where he lived and slept?
Harry gave a heavy sigh before giving the Fat Lady the password. He watched with bated breath as the portrait swung open.
"Harry!" Hermione screamed.
Harry hadn't even taken a few steps into the Common Room when Hermione dived at him. Crushing him into a fierce hug.
"Let the man breathe, Hermione," Fred chipped in.
Hermione pulled away with a heavy blush on her face.
"I was so worried, Harry. You looked so scared," Hermione admitted.
Fred and George nodded at that. Though Ron wasn't anywhere to be seen.
Harry didn't want to think about why Ron wasn't there, standing beside Hermione and the rest of his friends.
"You actually believe me? That I didn't enter?" Harry asked, flabbergasted.
"Of course," Fred commented with a small smile.
"What fools do you take us for?" George finished his twin's sentence.
"Where's Seamus and Ron?" Harry finally had the nerve to ask.
Hermione just gestured to Harry's dorm. She had a sad smile on her face.
"I'm sorry, Harry," she apologized.
Harry's face fell at the revelation. Did that meant that Ron didn't actually believe him? There was some part in him that really hoped that he was just overthinking.
"What about Dean?" Harry asked, just realizing that the dark-skinned Gryffindor wasn't there.
Hermione frowned, "Dean and Seamus argued earlier. I think he's trying to just get away from his friend at the moment."
Harry looked sad at that. He wondered if the argument had been about him. He didn't want to be the reason why their friendship broke apart. Dean and Seamus had become best mates since their first year. And now it seemed like he was the center of it.
"Harry," Hermione's voice was soft. "You should sleep, you look like you're about to collapse."
The small Gryffindor nodded to his friend's words. Maybe some sleep would do him good.