Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter 3

The Hogwart's Champions

Minerva stood "I hope you all ate well" with that she wave her wand and the Goblet of Fire floated into the room and up to the high table.

"Mr. Harry Potter if you would do the honors"

With that Harry rose and stepped to the side of the Headmistress.

"Before the Hogwart's Champion is chosen I think it's very important to remember two people who are not with us today."

Harry reached into his pocket and pulled a small sheet of paper out of his robe, simply holding it firmly in his hand, at his side. He looked out across the room full of students and continued.

"The first would be hard for any of you to forget as his statue sits in the Entrance Hall for all to see. The second however was also a Hogwarts champion. He lost his life and won the Tri-Wizarding Tournament, Cedric Diggory. In honor of them both I have here a copy of Albus Dumbeldore's words after Cedric's death at the hands of Voldemort."

Without looking down at the paper, Harry continued.

"… I must acknowledge the loss of a very fine person, who should be sitting here, enjoying our feast with us. I would like you all, please, to stand, and raise you glasses, to Cedric Diggory. Cedric was a person who exemplified many of the qualities that distinguish Huffelpuff house. He was a good and loyal friend, a hard worker, he valued fair play."

Harry continued on his own, "Please remember" he looked up and down the High Table, "Each time you refer to the Tri-Wizarding Tournament of 17 years ago and you speak of the Champion you should be speaking of, remembering and honoring the loss of Cedric Diggory who was the Hogwarts Champion and who won the Tournament."

The room was again overtaken by volumes of applause; Harry raised both his hands to silence the crowds. As he did so the Goblet of fire shook and spit up a piece of parchment from its blue flames. Harry caught the paper in the air and read the name to himself. Mentally trying not to have any reservation or emotion show on his face he read the name.

"Titus Ogden"

A long and lean brown haired boy proudly stood up at the Ravenclaw table to solid applause from the room. Harry noticed that he had been sitting next to his niece, who was surrounded by the Beauxbatons students.

"Congratulations Mr. Ogden" Harry managed as he sat down. The Headmistress stood up, and first whispered to Harry "Albus couldn't have done that any better Harry." She turned to the room; "If the Champions, Madame Maxine, Mister Vulchanov, Mr. Potter and the Ministers would join me in this private room" Mcgonagall said pointing to a small door off from the High table. "The rest of you are dismissed."

Harry led the way remembering the room from his time competing in the Tri-Wizard tournament. Scrimgeour followed close behind and turn to the other Ministers and said,

"Pleasantly surprised that nothing hinkey happened with Potter pulling the name, his history 4th Champion and all."

No one looked at the minister they continued into the room.

Professor McGonagall spoke

"Please find a comfortable seat everyone."

The room was walled in by towering book cases covering from floor to ceiling there were six identical large soft dark brown leather couches a roaring fire place and numerous small end tables. An additional dark teak cabinet was left opened containing numerous wines, and meads. Scrimgeour helped himself to and large crystal decanter and poured drinks for all the adults, Harry declined his.

"I guess taste comes with age?" the Minister retorted to Harry's snub.

McGonagall stepped to the front of the room glass in hand,

"Congratulations to all the chosen champions. I'm quite sure each of you will represent your school admirably, with dignity and a strong sense of fair play. With that said, some simple rules. By signing the Tri Wizard Document on the table you are agreeing to the following. You will not knowing receive any help preparing for or executing any of the tasks. You will not willfully try to hinder or injure your competitors in their attempts to prepare or complete any of the tasks. You are also obliged to come immediately forward with any information that you have, that pertains to any rules being violated."

"The same rules apply to all the judges, no headmaster will be judging their own student so only 3 scores we count on each task. The first task is to take place in 3 week's time, November 17th, here at the school. This task will require your knowledge of numerous basic school subjects, including History of Magic, Care of Magical Creatures, Charms and Spells, Defense, Herbology, and possibly Transfiguration and Potions. No more information will be given to you concerning the task. I wish you all the best of luck."

The three Champions gave each other a once over before their respective Heads of Schools began to walk them around the room making introductions. Madame Olympe Maxime, Gabrielle Hinault, and Madame Jewel Gamey were the first to approach Harry.

"Messier 'Arry Potter, you have some explaining to do, no?" Madame Maxime said looking dubiously looking down, standing tall over Harry. Harry smiled broadly at the formidable lady. She continued, "Not once 'ave you come back to visit us since zee wedding. Some best man you are, eh? Hagrid send hees love, and says to at least write more often." Harry promised he would but before he could apologies for his absence Olympe introduced, "'Arry Potter this is Madam Gamey, I believe you both met a zee wedding no? and of course this is our champion Gabrielle Hinault."

Harry was surprised as both ladies took turns politely kissing each cheek of his face and shook his hand.

"Very nice to see you again Messier Potter." Said the Minister of France. "I 'ave noticed you continued, shall we say indifference, to local politics and politicians. I hope this does not reflect a greater prejudice to all Government Officials? "

"It is a pleasure to see you again Madame Gamey, the three of you are look wonderful, and I take each politician one at a time. Congratulations Miss Hinault. "Harry said turning towards the young girl.

"Thank you Messier Potter it is an Honor to meet you, would you please sign this for me", she said thrusting a blank piece of parchment towards Harry. Madame Maxime looking embarrassed at this, frowned down at the girl.

Harry took out his wand and with out speaking or touching the piece of paper waved his wand around it, the parchment glowed green for a second then stopped. He then took Gabrielle's quill and signed his name.

"There you go Gabrielle, and good luck in the tournament."

"Messier Potter did you just scan that parchment for magic?" The French Minister asked.

Harry looked a bit embarrassed, "Old habit, constant vigilance and all that."

Harry mused. Though the ladies looked at him without understanding what he meant or why he distrusted a 16 year old student. Professor McGonagall interrupted almost on cue. Harry took this as a chance to pour himself a drink from his own flask in his robe. As he did, he noticed what had to be a slight headache start from under his old scar. As he turned back around it was Tzar Oblansk and the Romanian contingencies audience with Harry. Thank goodness for the flask he thought to himself.

"Mister Harry Potter, might you remember that we have met before, at the Quidditch World Cup in England before the last Tri-Wizard tournament?" The Minister said in a very heavy Slavic accent. "And of course I knew your brother in law Charlie, very sad lose."

The mendacity of the night had already taken its toll on Harry and he let this slip, by with out lecture or incident.

"This is Durmstrangs Headmaster Nikola Vulchanov, and of course our Champion young Tormes Melflua."

They both shook hands with Harry and exchanged pleasantries. Harry took another sip of his glass as his Headache flared, he thought to himself that politicians were much worse then the boys' loud music. Harry took a long hard look at Tormes, Headmaster Vulchanov seemed to notice.

"Some advice, words of wisdom, for Tormes, Mr. Potter? Just as long as they don't

Violate the spirit of the rules, of course."

Harry thought for a moment, hoping for some divine inspiration and he flashed on Albus, here to save him one more time.

"Well you were obviously chosen for your abilities Mr. Melflua (the name just stuck with him), but a very wise man once told me that It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

Tormes Melflua extended his hand once more, "thank you Mister Potter."

The group left Harry as Minerva and Titus were waiting to speak with him

"It looks as if the Minister is quite unhappy about playing second fiddle to you tonight Harry."

The Headmistress nodded in the direction of a very jealous and angry looking Rufus Scrimgeour.

"Tonight has had its high points, Professor." Harry smirked, "This must be the Hogwarts Champion, congratulations Mr. Ogden."

"Thank you Mister Potter I have heard a lot about you."

Minerva began to correct, "Heard or read Mr. Ogden?"

"Heard actually Professor, My Uncle Tiberius has told me some stories, I've never seen published, and Aunt Tofty has bragged about administering Mr. Potter's exams."

Professor McGonagall smiled and added, "I'm sure Miss. Josephine Weasley has spoken of her Uncle?"

Titus seemed to blush just a bit. Harry asked "Do you know my Niece, are you two close?"

The blush was a lot more pronounce when he replied, "We are good friends but she really doesn't speak about you much at all, actually. Not in a bad way, you know. Everyone knows the Weasley's just don't ever talk about you."

Harry smiled at the boy wanting to put him back at ease. "Well congratulations, again Titus, I'm sure your looking forward to quite a party in the Ravenclaw Dorms tonight, so I'll let you go. And please tell my Josephine hello for me and that she can tell you a couple of Tri-Wizarding story's if she wants too, considering it was her mother that I competed against."

Professor McGonagall gave Titus permission to go and turned back to Harry.

"Be wary of the rules Mr. Potter."

"I did nothing to aid the boy, and I doubt that the few stories my niece might know would not give anyone any advantages they wouldn't get from say a History book."

Harry smiled slyly, "Professor since we seem to have a minute, what do you know about Tormes, from Durmstrang?"

Minerva looked puzzled, "Nothing actually Harry, why do you ask?"

"Not sure really, would you mind seeing what you can find out." Harry went to his flask one more time.

The Headmistress looked very much taken back, as if the drinks served in her school, under her watch, were unsafe.

Harry quickly jumped in, "Old Habit Minerva nothing personal, think of it as a courtesy to all Mad Eye."

With her eyebrows raised high on her forehead, "Well Harry if you want the full background on any of the Champions, there will be a very good source in about a week, but I don't think you would be inclined to use it."

Harry shrugged and the Headmistress continued, "With some pressure and assurances from each of the Ministers of Magic, one reporter from each country is being allowed to interview all three students, Rita Skeeter has drawn the English assignment. Considering your relationship with the Daily Prophet, I doubt she would be very cooperative."

"Well Minerva would you send me an Owl with the day, time, and location of the interview I'll see what I can do."

Minerva looked even more puzzled then ever, "Why all the interest Harry?"

Harry shrugged, "I'm really not sure, I doubt I'll still want to know by next week." He laughed it off. "I'll leave you to the Ministers, thank you Minerva."

Before Harry could turn to leave the Headmistress stepped in front of him, "Actually thank you Harry. Your participation stopped all the inter school and inter government fighting that might have kept the tournament from happening. Your name carries a good deal of weight still. More importantly your remarks tonight reminded me of a dear old friend, and for that I'm truly grateful." With that she kissed him on the cheek and walked over to the rest of her guests.

Harry walked out through the Great Hall, past the statue of Dumbeldore and out through the front doors of the castle. He walked far enough to get past the protections of the castle and apparate home. He noticed with the change of scenery that his headache had left him.

Please feel free to review, criticize and correct as much as you want. This is a first for me and just some fun.