Champion Again

Halloween 1994

Harry heard his name being called and he just looked at Ron and Hermione, their mouths open as they stared at him. It honestly wasn't much different than the first time around, they were just shocked for a different reason this time. Harry stood up and headed to the back room. The other three champions looked at him.

"What is it? Do zey want us back in ze hall?" Fleur asked looking at Harry. Harry just sighed and shook his head. He knew what was coming next. And he heard the screaming as the adults entered the room. Huh, just a day ago Harry was an "adult" and now he's back to being a child, great.

"Harry?" Harry looked up at Dumbledore. He must have zoned out again. Hard to pay attention when you know what will happen. "Harry, did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?" Dumbledore asked calmly.

"No sir, I did not. I would never. I did not ask an older student to do it for more or any other ideas you're thinking. In fact I want a normal year. Mr. Crouch, is there anyway to get out of this? I really don't want to participate" Harry asked looking at Crouch.

"This is ridiculous!" Karkaroff said. Harry knew what would come next.

"Zey can not let zis little boy compete!" Madame Maxime roared.

"No … it's a binding contract. Whose ever name comes out of the Goblet means they're in a binding magical contract. If you refuse to participate the Goblet will make you. You don't show up, you'll be magically transported to each event. There is nothing we can do.."

"Hogverts haz twooo champions? Zat is not fair" Fluer said out ragged

Cedric chimed in next, "We can't have two champions when the other schools only have one? And Harry isn't even of age!"

"Unfortunately age is only a new problem. In the past it was any students, this year we added the age limit for the first time to be safe. That being said, as far as the Goblet is concerned, the contract stands" Dumbledore said.

Harry sighed and knew there was no way out of this.

"If they have two we should have two! I insist upon resubmitting the names of the rest of my students," Karkaroff screamed next, Harry could almost quote the response Bagman gave.

"Karkaroff, it doesn't work like that, the Goblet of Fire's just gone out - it won't reignite until the start of the next tournament."

Harry forgot Moody was in the room until he spoke up next. " He's has to compete just like Dumbledore said isn't that … convenient?" At that sentence Harrys blood began to boil.

"Convenient?! How is that convenient?!" Karakaroff grumbled.

"Simple, someone put Potters name in the Goblet of fire knowing he'd have to compete in a very dangerous tournament" Moody replied and Harry clenched his fist. He had almost forgot that it was "Moody" that had done it. He had almost forgotten how good of an actor Crouch Jr. was until that moment. Harry watched as the people in the room, adults and champions alike, fought over why his name was in it, for the gold or so he would die. As they fought he got angrier and angrier. Angry that it had happened not once but twice. Angry that Dumbledore was once again standing on the side lines as it happened and angry that Crouch didn't recognize his own son.

Harry almost forgot where and when he was until he heard Dumbledore say "Harry, Cedric, I suggest you go up to bed, I'm sure Gryffindor and Hufflepuff are waiting to celebrate." The fighting was over. There were four champions. The adults were gone and Harry was a Tri-Wizard Champion… again. And he had done nothing to stop it even though he knew. Why was he sent back if he couldn't even stop this from happening. He needed to find out what sent him back here.

"So," Cedric said snapping Harry out of his thoughts as they walked. " We're playing against each other again!"

" I s'pose," Harry said. He didn't know what else to say and his mind wouldn't stop reeling.

They continued their walk to the entrance hall and as Harry was about to head up the stair and Cedric down when Cedric asked "How'd you get your name in the Goblet, Harry?"

"I didn't, I was telling the truth" Harry replied without even looking back. He knew no one would believe him. He just hoped this time around Ron believed him.

As Harry entered the portrait hole the common room exploded with excitement. It was as loud as a quidditch party after and Gryffindor win, he hated it the first time around and he hated it more this time knowing how the tournament ended. Harry was quickly surround by his housemates "How'd you do it Harry" "why didn't you share your secret" "You'll get Cedric back for sure after that last quidditch game" "We have food to celebrate" "At least we got one Gryffindor in the running" He couldn't tell who was asking what and he was passed through the crowd with no end in sight. After half an hour he was able to push everyone off and head up to bed. If he remember correctly Ron would be up there pouting he didn't include him in his "brilliant plan to foul the circle" and he would lose his best friend when he needed him the most.

Once he opened the door of the dormitory instead of seeing Ron on his bed brooding he found Hermione and Ron sitting quietly. It was obvious they were talking and when he walked in they stood up as if propelled. "I .." Harry started but was cut off when Hermione attacked him in a hug. He couldn't help himself but smile. He had always loved her hugs because she hugged with her whole body. She was the first person he could remember ever hugging him.

"Oh Harry, I believe you!" Hermione said. Harry gave her a sad smile and hugged her back burying his head in her curls. He loved how nice she was able to do her hair at 17 and how it had lost its frizz but he had missed this hair too. It was the hair on innocent Hermione and he loved it. After what would never be long enough she let go of him and he looked up at Ron who was standing by awkwardly.

"How'd you'd do it?" Ron ask

"Ronald Weasley! We were with him all day, you know he didn't do it!" Hermione scolded him

"But he could have! … He could have snuck out last night. He has the cloak!" Harry rolled his eyes, I guess some things will repeat themselves.

"Ron I don't have time for this. Hate me if you want. I didn't put my name in that Goblet. I wanted a bloody normal year for once. I'm 14, I don't want to fight dragons and monsters and mermaids. And that's the stuff they know we're going to fight I sure as hell do NOT want to relieve the last task. Either Fuck off or move on. Either way I'm going to bed" Harry said. What was happening? Is this what he normally felt towards Ron or was he's 14 hormones messing with him. He was 14 again, ugh he would have to do everything all over again. He sighed and headed to his bed reaching for the curtain.

"Harry.. wait" Hermione was the one to speak up first. "We need to talk, if… everything you said this morning is true then… we have a lot of work to do."

Harry sighed and said "You have no idea. I'm going to bed we can talk tomorrow. I'll take anyone who believes me back to the Room of Requirements and we'll start there" He closed the curtain on the both of them and lay down to think. He had a lot to do and he really, really didn't want to do any of it again.