When Dudley went to the dorm, the curtains around Neville's bed were shut.

"Do you think I should see if he's awake?" he whispered to Dean.

"Nah, leave it until the morning."

The next morning however, Neville's bed was empty. Nor was he in the common room.

"I hope he's not too upset," Hermione said, anxiously.

"Yeah, I wish I hadn't have said it now," Dudley said, feeling guilty. "I expect he's at breakfast."

Neville was, sat alone and eating his porridge. He glared when they approached.

"Listen, Nev ..." Dudley began. "I'm sorry, last night I ..."

"Save it, Dudley!" Neville interrupted. "I know you think I'm useless. You're no different than Malfoy."

That stung. Dudley opened his mouth to respond, but Neville continued.

"You and your mates, talking about me behind my back like that. I know what you and everyone else thinks of me, so you can shove your apology!" he pushed his half-finished bowl of porridge aside and stood up.

"Mate, listen ..." Ron began.

"No, you listen," Neville snapped. "You lot are meant to be my mates, and then I hear you laughing at me behind my back—saying I'm going to have no chance at winning. I've been hearing that I'm useless for the past few years from Malfoy. I know everybody thinks it, well, I'm going to show you. I'm going to win the Triwizard tournament—then you'll see."

He stormed off without another word.

"Mate, you've really upset him," Dean said, sitting down.

"I know—I feel bad about it. It was stupid of me to say that."

"It was," Hermione said. "I don't think any of you realise how hard things are for Neville."

She took a look over her shoulder to make sure Neville was gone.

"He struggles with some of his classes—then he's under a lot of pressure from his Gran, he told me in our second year, she expects him to be as good as his father was. Then there's Snape bullying him and Malfoy bullying him in his first year."

"Hey, I helped stop that," Dudley said.

"I know you did, Dud," Hermione said patiently. "Which I think is why he's so upset with you. He didn't expect to hear that sort of thing from his mates."

"I'll try and apologise again," Dudley promised, starting on his toast.

Neville's outburst wasn't the only event of breakfast. A beautiful long-eared owl, instantly recognisable as Lockhart's flew to the table and dropped an envelope in front of Dudley.

Dudley tore it home

Dudley! Dudley Dudley!

Ingenious! I could hardly have thought of better myself—heard all about it straight away of course! Hogwarts Champion AND bypassing Dumbledore's age line! Excellent work—Rita says that's going to be front page material. This is another step on your ladder to fame, Dudley. I blame myself, of course, for your getting in these incidents! I gave you a small taste of it in Flourish & Blotts, and now you can't stop tasting the spotlight! Not that there's anything wrong with that!

I am on my way to Hogwarts this morning! I have an offer that I believe you will enjoy!

Your friend

Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin 2nd Class, Order of Merlin 2nd Class, Former Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defence League, Host of The Lockhart Hour on the Wizarding Wireless Network and Seven-Time Winner of Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award.

PS

I forgot to mention in our last correspondence! I won Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award.

PPS

I hope you enjoy my radio show!

"What does that prat want?" asked Ron.

"He's not a prat," Hermione scolded. "He's just a bit ..."

"Of a prat," supplied Dean and Ron laughed.

"I dunno, he said he's coming here," Dudley answered.

"Hope he's not going to teach again," Ron muttered, darkly.

It was during Dudley's free period when a first year came with a note telling him to go to McGonagall's office. Feeling sure this would be about Lockhart and not a punishment, Dudley wasn't too worried.

He knocked on the door and entered. Sure enough, there was Lockhart, wearing silver robes today and a long-eared furrry hat. Also with him was Professor Moody, Barty Crouch, Ludo Bagman and Albus Dumbledore.

"Ah, Dudley, take a seat," Dumbledore said kindly.

Feeling a little unsure, Dudley sat down.

"Gilderoy here came with an offer that we were just discussing, he insisted you be present. Very well, Gilderoy?" Dumbledore said.

"I wish to mentor Dudley for the Triwizard Tournament," Lockhart said.

McGonagall's eyes narrowed.

"I believe under by guidance, Dudley can easily bring the Triwizard Cup home for Hogwarts! With me in his corner, it's a sure thing!"

"It's against the rules," McGonagall said, flatly.

"Actually, it isn't. I had my publicist, Avery II take a look," Lockhart said with a smile. "The rules state that participants can't ask for assistance ... from teachers, correct, Barty?"

Barty Crouch gave a small nod.

"So, it is entirely within the rules for myself to mentor young Dudley."

"Gilderoy, none of the other participants are being mentored ..." Dumbledore said.

"None of the other participants are under age," Bagman said. "I say let Gilderoy mentor him."

"Dudley is behind in his magic compared to the others," Lockhart said. "He is at a severe disadvantage, though no fault of his own. If what Mr. Moody says is true ..."

"It is," Moody grunted.

"And Dudley didn't enter himself, and this is a plot to kill him, then I think he needs all the help he can get."

"Here, here," said Bagman. "Let us hear from Dudley, Dudley?"

"First of all, Professor Moody is correct, I didn't enter myself," Dudley said firmly. "And, Professor Lockhart is right. I am behind the others—they're, what, 17? I'm 14. No way have I learned as much as they have."

McGonagall nodded and Lockhart beamed at him.

"Albus, if this is a plot to kill Dudley and Neville, then we need to protect them," Bagman said. "I say we give them all the help we can get."

"Does your offer extend to Neville, Gilderoy?" McGonagall said, shrewdly.

"I ... well, of course," Lockhart replied.

Dumbledore looked thoughtful. "Barty—you know the rules of the tournament, what are your thoughts?"

Barty Crouch cleared his throat. "It is unprecedented—I don't believe any student has been mentored before, but there is nothing in the rules strictly prohibiting outside help. Many contestents, unofficially of course, have had outside help from friends and family. Plus, these are very different circumstances. We have never had four contestents. Nor have we had contestents entered against their will. I believe Alastor's theory is correct. This is a plot to kill one or both students. We have a duty to provide all the help we can—within the rules. That means, while myself and Ludo are prohibitied—being judges, and all Hogwarts staff are prohibited, there is nothing stopping Gilderoy from assisting Dudley and Neville."

"Well, that clears that up," Gilderoy said, brightly. "What say you, Dudley? Will you let me guide you to greatness."

"Definitely," Dudley replied.

"Olympe and Igor won't be pleased," McGonagall said.

"Barty and I will go and see them," Bagman said, excitedly. "We'll smoothe things over—make them see reason. Dudley, can you let Neville know? Well, I suppose that clears that up, excellent!"