The next few days passed in a blur of research, studying and practising spells, it was full on and heavy and Harry couldn't wait for the day to be over. It had been the main memory since he'd found the dragons and now he wanted the first task over, it was after he reunited with Neville and Daphne for dinner that he remembered to speak to Daphne abut Sirius.

He had asked her to join him for an evening walk, although she grumbled a bit Harry was happy to see her waiting at the entrance doors after her final class of the day.

Flashback

"Did you want to talk or walk?" Daphne had asked as they set off at a stroll around the lake.

"I do have something I need to tell you about, I just need to gather my thoughts."

Daphne waited patiently, allowing him to gather his thoughts. He looked agitated and the way his hands kept twisting over themselves had her slightly worried, she placed her hand over his and let them fall to their sides as they walked.

"Daph, you know I trust you."

"Yes…"

"Well I… the thing is. Daph, what I'm about to tell you you have to swear not to tell anyone. I mean no one, I can't have anything happening, I need to know you won't say or do anything."

"Harry I can assure you I would never reveal any of your secrets. I can even take a vow if you would like."

Looking into the bright blue eyes that revealed nothing but sincerity Harry decided to trust once more.

"No that's okay. What do you know of Sirius Black?"

Daphne's brow furrowed and she took a moment to consider her answer knowing it wasn't as straight forward and simple as 'he's a mass-murderer.'

"I know he was at Hogwarts with your parents, I know that on the night of Halloween he was pursued by Peter Pettigrew for what happened and Black killed him and 13 other muggles. He went to Azkaban and remained there for 12 years until he managed to escape and came to Hogwarts to…well kill you…but he fled and no one has heard anything since."

Harry nodded slowly and thought about his words before he spoke.

"Sirius Black is my Godfather, he and my dad were best friends, he was even best man at their wedding. When my parents went into hiding they made him secret keeper but he thought he was too obvious a choice and so they switched him for Peter Pettigrew who was another friend of theirs. When…when Voldemort came for my family it was because it was Pettigrew who sold them out to him. It was Pettigrew who spilled the secret to him and then ran when Sirius realised what had happened and Pettigrew who killed all those muggles." He paused to let it sink in and saw the way she went over his words.

"Harry, how do you know this? Are you sure?" She asked her tone coloured with disbelief and horror.

"Yes, the rest is a bit confusing."

"Please tell me everything, maybe it'll help." She encouraged.

"Last year he escaped Azkaban not because he wanted to try and kill me but because he was trying to protect me from Pettigrew. You see, Pettigrew was an Animagus and well Sirius realised he was at Hogwarts and-"

"Woah woah how did he realise Pettigrew was there?"

"It sounds bizarre to say. But Pettigrews form was a rat, a rat missing a finger as that was the bit he cut off before he disappeared in the sewers. And well he found refuge with the Weasleys."

"The Weasleys?! You mean Scabbers was really…"

"Yes."

"That's…well..thats just incredible Harry."

"You, you do believe me don't you?" He asked worriedly as he watched his walking companion chew her lips as her pace quickened.

"What? Oh yes actually I do. As mind boggling as it is. I'm guessing you're about to tell me how you know all this."

Harry smiled at the full trust she placed in him and continued with the story.

"Sirius escaped Azkaban and actually came to find me at Privet Drive, of course I didn't recognise him but he wanted to check up on me." Daphne giggled but also felt her heart ache at the perplexed face of her friend as he said that. "Anyway he then travelled up to Hogwarts to wait up there, he tried to get in but obviously the wards restricted him until about Halloweedn which was when he-"

"When he was found over Weasleys bed! He was trying to get the rat! Oh he was so close."

"I know! If only Ron hadn't woken up he would have got him." The dark haired boy breathed deeply as he felt his temper flare before carrying on with his story. "But he didn't and that doesn't matter its in the past. The next chance we got was the night of Buckbeaks execution. Ron, Hermione and I had gone down to be with Hagrid and as we were walking back up Scabbers managed to escape Rons grasp, as we ran after him, this massive black dog came shooting out of the bushes, it grabbed Ron who had caught Scabbers and was dragging him backwards towards the whomping willow. It pulled him in this opening in the tree – we found later that there was a knot on the tree that when pressed would freeze the tree – we followed and was led through this tunnel; ended up in this creepy building."

"Where? What building?"

"Well its actually the shrieking shack."

"But its haunted? No one has ever been in there." Daphne spoke in surprise, while the story was sounding practically impossible to her she never thought it would take that angle.

"Its not, you see the shack, tunnel and whomping willow was all built and planted the same year as Remus Lupin attended…" He could see the wheels turning and the confusion cleared quickly from her face.

"Who is a werewolf and for whom it provided a safe getaway during the full moon and the sounds made were actually him not ghosts."

"Exactly, anyway we climbed the stairs where Black revealed himself and told us the story of that night. Then Professor Lupin arrived and sided with Black who he was friends with at school, Remus said he would cast a spell that would force Pettigrew to turn back. Then Snape arrived –"

"How did these people find you?" Daphne asked suspiciously stopping suddenly and jerking him to a stop by their joined hands.

"Ah erm well…can I explain that at the end?"

Daphne narrowed her eyes at him but nodded and continued walking.

"So erm yes Snape arrived but he didn't believe us. In the end we used a disarming charm but we all used it and powered it too much so it knocked him out. Then Pettigrew changed back and he confirmed Sirius' story. In the end we left but Remus was turning into his werewolf side, we lost Wormtail while Sirius transformed into his animagus form to protect us. Eventually we were overpowered by dementors who had come into the school grounds I tried to fight them off-"

"You what?"

"Well I'd been learning the patronus charm with Remus and well I thought maybe I could do it. I got a few but in the end I remember waking up in the hospital wing. Fudge came with Snape and they seemed convinced that we were confounded and Sirius was guilty etc, that night we snuck out and used Buckbeak to get him away –"

"You snuck out? I thought Buckbeaks execution was that afternoon?" At the guilty look on Harry's face she left her stomach flipped. "Harry…what did you do."

"Do you remember last year when I told you that Hermione was acting strangely? Turning up at lessons and not remembering others? But not missing any?"

Daphne frowned as she tried to recall the last year.

"Yes you said it seemed like she was in two places at once."

"Turns out she was actually managing that."

Daphne stopped walking for the second time and Harry once again felt his arm jolt back as he patiently waited and watched as she worked it out - Bloody brilliant – was his only thought.

"They gave a thirteen year old a time turner?" She asked incredulously.

"Yep, apparently she had proved herself. And so we went back and saved Buckbeak as well as Sirius and, erm, that's really the end of it."

They completed the lap of the lake and had set around it again before Daphne regained her voice.

"So the mass-murderer is the innocent and vice versa…Incredible, and of course Fudge would never listen to you, it would damage the Ministry's reputation. And Snape would love the fame it gave him for capturing Black. But you saved him so he's fled?"

"Yes, last I heard he was in a safe place and getting help."

"Okay, well as much as I am glad you told me why have you?"

"I may have said something to the press about not be a Gryffindor or Hogwarts Champion and instead representing Potter and Black." Harry watched as she nodded and squeezed his hand reassuringly.

"Don't worry we'll think of something if anything is said, but first I think we need to focus on the first task. If Sirius is safe then we don't really need to worry. It will only be if the Ministry thinks you're hiding a fugitive or something."

"Oh good, I suddenly wandered if they could douse me with truth serum or something."

"I think you're good. But now tell me how you were all found?"

"Oh with this." Harry said. Pulling a plain bit of old parchment out of his pocket and handing it to the girl without another thought.

She took it carefully and glanced over it before looking up at him in confusion, he smiled and quietly asked.

"Can you keep a secret?"

The quirk of her lips told him all he needed to know and he quickly raised his wand.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

Daphne gasped in amazement as the lines started to form and come together on the paper. Harry took it back and unfolded it to reveal the secrets of the Marauders Map.

"Merlin…This is incredible!"

"My dad and his friends made it when they were at school, somehow the Weasley twins found it but gave it to me last year so I could get into Hogsmeade."

"Why couldn't you walk out with the rest of us?"

"The Dursleys wouldn't sign my form." He said shortly before pointing down at the map quickly. "Anyway, it shows everyone in the castle and different passages as well as stuff like the kitchens and passwords to get into them."

"Brilliant." Daphne breathed, eyes roving over the map before they reluctantly folded it up and Daphne asked him to tell her more about Sirius.

Flashback ended

Harry was still shocked at the amount of empathy and understanding the blonde had shown, her complete trust and faith in him had made him happier than he had been for a long time and the fact that she spoke of her intention to help Sirius as much as they could just gave him another reason to admire her.

It had helped given that a new article had been published by one Rita Skeeter the very next morning.

Potter Renounces Hogwarts!

Boy-Who-Lived Rejects Those Who Supported Him!

The Weighing of the Wands Ceremony is a key part of the Triwizard Tournament, it highlights to the champions the necessity of having prepared items. This tournament will already go down in history as it has four champions instead of the usual three, however in a startling turn of events the youngest of the Champions has declared his neutrality from his school. The school that has taught him so much and that has given him such a wonderful education as well as a great many friends.

Harry Potter has declared himself not as a Gryffindor or even a Hogwarts Champion but instead a representative of Houses Potter and Black! He publicly and clearly stated his disinterest in representing his school in any way! To be a Champion of the House of Potter could be considered a worthy cause, to stand in pride before his family crest; a family that gave up so much in order for his survival could be considered noble.

However, the statement that confused this reporter was his intent to represent the House of Black. For those that are unaware the House of Black is one of the oldest wizarding families in Britain and further, the Head of House title belonged to the mass-murderer Sirius Black who was isolated in Azkaban until his escape last summer. The House of Black is exactly as it name describes, while many of the family have been prominent members of politics and other endeavours, they are all known for the darkness that has surrounded them. Now most of society expects the title to pass to Heir Draco Malfoy once he comes of age, this is what makes all so perplexed.

Mr Potter refusal to comment but this reporter wishes to note that their sources have indicated his less than normal attitude in school and his rejection of his friends in recent weeks.

What connection does the Boy-Who-Lived have to the man considered You-Know-Who's right hand man?

What has occurred in Hogwarts for him to make such a change?

The article has caused a fury on publicity for Harry which Dobby had wonderfully taken care of. Dumbledore had even tried calling him to his office but Harry's continuous disappearing act had the headmaster puzzled. Neville had been confused but hadn't asked any questions and carried on as normal; a fact that made Harry all the more-glad to have accepted his apology. Students had taken to talking about him even more and while he had been worried what his ex-friends might say he was relieved when it was clear they were keeping their mouths shut about this, Daphne had immediately got out several books on law and had checked them over in case the news was taken badly by the ministry but thankfully no summons had appeared.

After breakfast, they had sent a letter to the Hebrides where supervisors took care of the Hebridian Black species that roamed that area, they had answered by the next day and the three had spent time making contingency plans as well as separate notes on each dragon. Harry had thought Hermione had everyone beaten in terms of book obsession but Daphne had been quick and precise in skimming over books for the vital information required before returning them and re-entering the stacks; Neville had watched open mouth as the Slytherin had spoken with the Librarian about permission for the restricted section and it had been granted leaving the two boys outside while she had smugly entered.

"How come we're not allowed." Complained Harry as Daphne once more returned with Book of Spells.

"Probably because Madam Pince considers me intelligent enough not do anything stupid with the knowledge found there." She had replied dryly but with a twinkle in her blue eyes that caused Harrys stomach to lurch as he watched the grin spread over her face. Just a friend – he had told himself sternly.

He remembered the moment clearly and sighed, it had been going on like that for a while now. Where he'd had to forcibly reprimand himself into not watching her too much, now though was not the time to think of that! Not today…maybe tomorrow if I don't die, he mused considering what could happen as he slouched further in his armchair.

Reluctant to leave the warmth of the common room, he took a couple of deep breaths to centre himself and prepare for lunch as well as the rest of the day that promised to be very difficult. It was one of the tricks that Daphne had told him about it, the first step of occlumency could be learnt relatively easily by simply steadying yourself for a few minutes and just allowing yourself to breathe. He'd been doing it every day and he knew it had made a change in his temper control already, so far he could find his core and started to categorise his memories making it easier for him to understand things and recall things. Neville suddenly burst into the common room and grinned at his friend, who looked at him with raised eyebrows.

"Just let me drop my stuff in the dorm and then we'll go lunch."

Neville had proven himself to both Harry and Daphne, he had stuck around since that day two weeks ago, helping them research into the first task and coming up with many ideas that Harry would never have considered and even standing up for Harry when he wasn't even around, something that had cost him as the twins started to prank him mercilessly. He also had shown he was a calming presence, like Daphne he knew when to push and when to hold back; he knew when Harry needed to take a break and when they could keep going, best of all in Harry's opinion he knew when to listen and when to fill the silence with distracting conversations that didn't contribute to headaches.

"No hurry mate."

"I know you didn't want a lot of people to be around you today so went as quick as I could."

"Potions okay?"

"Fine, got another T because mine melted out the bottom and Seamus blew his up. All in all a pretty average lesson. Any last minute changes?"

"Nope I'm happy with what we've decided…I'm feeling good before you start worrying, kind of like before a match but a match against Ravenclaw instead of Slytherin you know." Harry joked as they neared the hall and quietened down.

"Good, you should be! We've done tons of work and I bet the others aren't nearly as prepared as you, besides how dangerous is one measly little dragon anyway compared to the great Harry Potter? You simply have to do better than them all, I doubt Cedric would even know if it wasn't for your sense of fair play which I still don't understand given his lack of help towards you."

Harry nodded remembering how he had cornered the 6th year as he was leaving charms one day and despite the extremely vocal protests from friends, the Hufflepuff had followed him about 3 metres away and had stood in disbelief as Harry had simply said "the first task is dragons, I found out by accident I'm pretty sure the others know I wanted you to have the same chance as all of us." And then walked away. Daphne had rolled her eyes at him but squeezed his arm and smiled knowingly at Neville who simply shook his head in exasperation.

"I know I know but it was the right thing to do, anyway now that we're down this early shall we sit at our normal table or mix it up a bit?" They had caused Daphne to have a mini heart attack, when they had strolled over and had breakfast with her about week ago, and even though she kept her mask on you could see the panic, suspicion and disbelief in her eyes as they shot from one to the other, round the hall, her house mates faces and finally back to her plate as though nothing had happened. She had yelled at them for half an hour for that stunt and left in a whirl of rage before sitting with them at dinner at the Gryffindor table, since then it had become a regular thing to sit with each other and although many had looked at them in amazement no one had dared say anything and as Daphne had said, there was nothing in the rules about sitting at one's house table unless it was for a major event/ feast, they'd also enjoyed Tracey's company in the library but so far she hadn't been resistant enough to go against her school mates glares; Harry didn't blame her after Daphne told him of the amount of abuse she received until she had managed to quiet them.

"If you don't mind I think we should sit at the house of brave. I know you don't like any of them but you are a Gryffindor and we have to eat somewhere and this is definitely a brave thing to do and its one last chance to see how they will react, especially today." Another thing that had improved in Neville was his confidence, where as he rarely put his opinion forward now, he was not afraid to state it completely and totally. Harry found it amazing how much his friend had changed in the space of a week but he knew he himself had and thought it was a good thing for the both of them.

"You're right Nev, to the brave!"

They sat at their table and ignored everyone around the, the indifferent looks on their faces kept most people from coming near to them and as Harry was still considered person non grata it wasn't as though they had lots of people wanting to be near them. Unbeknownst to them, several of their peers noticed the calmness Harry had and couldn't help but compare it to the pale, slightly sweating or ice-cold masks that the other champions had. Whilst most thought it was merely a façade, others couldn't help but wonder what he knew.

The Boy-Who-Lived had always been an enigma to people, during the eleven years he was missing from the wizarding world books had come out about him but no one had seen him. For the older years and even some in his own year, his arrival at Hogwarts had been shocking as most had expected to see the saviour of the wizarding world. This small, shy, dark haired boy was not what they wanted and they hadn't known how to react to it. Although he'd been Housed in red and gold, students were amazed at the unassuming nature, the fact he only seemed to have a few close friends and hadn't even attempted to mix with those of his class but rather the Weasley boy and a muggleborn. Most were surprised that he seemed average in magical level but others knew the Potter family always had strong magic flowing through their blood and that they shouldn't judge a wand on its length; James Potter had been an extraordinary auror and before that Halloween night had already started to make waves in the Wizengamont, Lily Potter was also respected and known for her expertise in Charms and Potions.

Daphne strode in after about 10 minutes and immediately settled by Harry's side, she sent a small smile to both boys before helping herself to some bacon rolls and orange juice (Harry had asked Dobby for some after missing it too much and as soon as Daphne tried it she had declared she would never return to pumpkin juice) she observed the hall as she ate and noted the people watching them with curiosity and slightly mocking faces.

"You have everything?" her voice was soft in Harry's ear and he barely managed a nod as goosebumps suddenly spread over him.

"Snuffles sent me the robes, I have them on under these and I'm actually confident for once with my plan!" He whispered back, they still hadn't told Neville about Sirius but Harry was getting to the point he felt he could trust him.

Sirius had got Dobby to go to Gringotts and retrieved his old robes, as former heir and now head of House Black they had specific charms placed on them made from dragon hide and were practically skin tight though they allowed movement, he'd also had Dobby place the Potter and Black crests on the shoulders. Sirius had taken up the responsibility of being Harry's godfather and really only adult figure with relish, letters had been arriving three times a week and were filled with stories of his parents, books that could help him out and plain questions about Harry himself. So far Sirius had asked him, his favourite food, colour, worst experience and best, favourite dog and what did he think about trying to reproduce dinosaurs because apparently Jurassic Park hadn't taught him anything. When Harry had explained to him that he no longer truly considered himself a Gryffindor Sirius's reply was 'don't then, consider yourself a Potter.'

The three ate breakfast quietly until Harry noticed the absence of the promising death glares that had been trained on him from the Slytherin table since the first time they'd moved around the hall.

"Hey Daph, what's with your housemates' silences?"

"I had a chat with them, they'll leave us alone." Was her vague response and neither boy decided they were brave enough to enquire further.

Flashback

"Greengrass what was the meaning of that class!" Malfoys furious tone had Daphne raising an elegant eyebrow in his direction.

"I beg your pardon." The ice-cold tone had many males wincing for Malfoy and everyone could see him reigning in his temper as his eyes closed and he took a few breaths. He certainly didn't want to anger the Ice Queen, especially considering how their last conversation had gone and the fact his father was not happy as he was barely received by the Head of Greengrass with any form of courtesy now in the Wizengamont, a move that had been noticed by everyone.

"You sat with Potter in todays Potions class, you looked rather chummy with him. I am simply asking why in concern for your reputation."

Daphne glanced around the rest of the snake put with Tracey at her side, while some looked unconcerned, others were nodding along with Malfoy. She used her training to keep the blank mask up and was satisfied to see more than a few people turn away, taking a quick glance to Tracey she was happy to see her standing firm next to her.

"I will say what I am about to say once. As inconceivable as it is to many of you, I stand with Potter now."

The room exploded into yells, raised voices and horrified gasps. Threats were thrown and before it could develop into a full-scale attack Daphne drew her wand and let out a loud bang. The place quietened, no one wanted to draw her ire to them and she took a few steps closer to her dorm, keeping those who she felt most threatened by well in her sights.

"My reasons are none of your concern, if you truly wish to know instead of to simply mock me then you may ask. Potter is someone I consider a friend and I will stand with him. I do not care for your threats, I do not care for your promises of retribution, I do not expect any of you to be happy but you will respect my decision and keep all other opinions to yourselves."

"But Potter?" Whined Malfoy. "He's so…so…"

"So powerful? So strong? Some of you may wish not to see it, but there is a reason to the rumours about him. And not just him, we all know of his family. The Potters have never had a squib to their name, they continuously produce high levels of magic, they also have vast holdings, knowledge and connections all over the world. He has great expertise on a broom, and none of you can say you're better at him in DADA. And as Moody pointed out, he is the only person to survive the killing curse."

"He is nothing compared to me, he is arrogant, mannerless troll. He has done nothing of great importance, the Dark Lord cannot be defeated by an infant from a mudblood mother. He is pathetic and small and its just rumours that he loves to build up instead of actually doing something. He is nothing and you shame the name of Pureblood." Malfoy sneered; his pale complexion flushed.

Daphne took a step forward, taking note of the people that straightened or merely raised an eyebrow.

"I have chosen my side; my family and I have never been and never will be on the dark side. If you make one wrong move against my family, we will show you why the previous three dark lords failed to get to us. Do not presume to think you have any influence over me. Those whose parents are on the wizengamot you know my father's position you have all seen what he has taught me, do not think to argue with me."

"You have chosen the wrong side, Greengrass. You and that half-blood." The idiot said with a snarl. At once the ice blue turned to a darker turquoise and the temperature dropped another 10 degrees.

"Heir Malfoy, I put up with you for one reason and that is the good manners that my parents installed in me. However, you have not only insulted me but also my best friend. So now let me make one thing quite clear, I simply do not care for your opinion. I have no interest in an alliance with you of any form and I will ensure that my father is well aware of that fact. Miss Davis will not be abused in such a way and if you should ever do so again you will find yourself in the hospital wing for a much longer space of time than before." The girl practically hissed and a few people shifted uneasily.

The promise rung with truth and Malfoy once again reigned in his temper.

Flashback ends

Nothing else was said and they finished their lunch with only some asinine comments about the weather, all of them trying to think of every positive outcome of the day and ignoring any of the negatives. When Professor McGonagall came to retrieve Harry for the first task, she was surprised as Neville and Daphne stood with him and started to follow.

"Only Mister Potter has to come with me, you may finish and come later."

"Thank you, Professor but we will be accompanying Harry." The quiet determination in Daphne's voice surprised the professor and she wondered how they had become friends as well as sitting together but led them away from the Great Hall amid jeers and calls of "You're gonna die Potter!" Harry once again took note of the fact that neither McGonagall nor any of the other Professors tried to stop the verbal abuse. The trio were led towards the white tent that was to the left of the arena, after holding up the flap open and the three of them not moving inside, Professor McGonagall huffed and looked at them in expectation which had no effect on any of them.

"Mister Potter if you would enter Miss Greengrass and Mister Longbottom can go and find seats."

"Thank you Ma'am but we'll wait here until we have to leave." This time it was Neville who spoke and they could see how shocked the Scottish witch was.

"Mr Longbottom that is enough it is time for you to leave." Injecting a note of steel into her voice she was surprised once more as the timid lion shook his head in resolute.

"No ma'am, we won't leave until we have to, the task doesn't start for another 10 minutes and we stand by Harry, need to let him know there are some people who support him and believe him."

Seeing the pointlessness of arguing, and feeling like she'd just been dealt a blow she nodded quickly and walked into the tent leaving the trio with shaking shoulders and mirthful grins.

"Oh Merlin, she did not like that!" Daphne giggled as Harry thumped Neville on the back.

"Thanks mate, but you guys are free to go."

"Harry, we're here for ourselves just as much as we are here for you."

Feeling the sudden pressure of a small, slim hand sliding into his own Harry caught a gleam of worry in the sky-blue eyes that so often had him captured and he smiled softly at his two best friends, grateful that they stuck with him. Quickly casting privacy wards they went over the plan until Harry's name was called by Bagman and with a final nod from Neville and a kiss on the cheek from Daphne he entered the tent. Ludo Bagman and Barty Crouch Senior stood side by side in the middle, the other three champions and their heads – Professor Sprout for Cedric stood next to them.

"Ah Harry there you are, we are about to reveal the task. So if you could come here that would be wonderful. Excellent, now gentleman and lady the aim of today is to get past a level 5 mythical animal to retrieve a golden egg. This egg will reveal a clue for the next task. You will be scored between 1-10 and have points for magic used, speed of recovery and points deducted for injury. Any questions, good. Now in this bag are the creatures you will fight against, my dear if you will go first?"

Holding the purple bag up to Fleur, she hesitantly reached in and withdrew a small figurine of the Welsh Green the horror on her face also had resignation and lacked surprise making Harry all the happier to have told Cedric. The bag was held out to Krum next who withdrew the Chinese Fireball, Cedric followed with the Swedish Short-Snout and Harry cursed his bad luck knowing that his was considered the most dangerous out of the four.

"Ah wonderful, I wish you all luck and when you hear your name called, simply leave through this way and you'll be in the arena."

And with that the judges left leaving the champions alone together. They each turned and went towards each corner that housed a bed, chair and even a desk with parchment, quill and ink.

Harry let the figurine down onto the desk and watched as it started to move, wondering at the mechanics of such a creation. He listened to the introduction of the task, and the dull roar of the crowd that followed.

Cedric winced at the sound of his name and glanced towards his school mate, for what he didn't know but Harry's attention was firmly fixed on the Hungarian Horntail that was scampering over his arm and round his desk while puffs of smoke issued from his mouth.

"And here comes Mister Diggory! Yes yes we're all excited to see what he has for us too…now ladies and gentleman the aim is to retrieve that golden egg in the nest of the mother dragon! Ah Diggory has achieved his aim of distraction, that dog has certainly drawn the ire of the mother…look at him run unfortunately dragons are known to have limited patience and yes it is as I thought she has incinerated it…And now she turns her sighs to Diggory himself! Oh that is going to hurt! But Mister Diggory missed those teeth by an inch! Oh she's coming back, she's drawing breath! Phew I can feel that flame and Diggory certainly does get the medic ready! But he has the egg as he crawls back to the tent, well done Mister Diggory and excellent attempt." Loud cheers met with Bagman's end words and Harry watched with interest as the Hufflepuff was bought back in barely conscious with burnt robes and decided he didn't care enough about the others to hear what they did and simply zoned out whilst letting the dragon clamber over his should and curl over his neck. What seemed a moment later but was actually half an hour Harry heard his name and quickly ensuring the dragon figurine was still curled around his neck (it was actually quite cute and had fallen asleep on him) he left to face his foe, pulling off his school robes and revealing the present from Sirius he was unaware that he presented quite a sight.

The yells of the crowds was what first hit him, the words were indiscriminate but he could see the hate and sadistic pleasure they had at the thought of him burning alive. The dragon was curled in the corner around her eggs, her yellow orbs snapped onto Harry's position as soon as he left and she roared in anger. Immediately he muttered a spell that would reveal any wards or runes, the instinct runes were still in full force and he set to work removing them just as Daphne had taught him. He took down the spells that would force her to view him as a major threat and gradually the growling quietened as the Horntail lay down and curled herself around her eggs, a low rumble filling the area but she no longer looked quite so…bloodthirsty? Taking a breath and muttering a short prayer he lifter his wand and with several memories through his mind spoke.

"Expecto Patronum." It was soft and lost in the jeers and cries of the crowd but they began to quieten as the silver light began to flow from his wand, bursting into form the stag pawed at the ground and threw back his head proudly. Harry looked until he saw Daphne's eyes on him, focused and sure they shone with worry but held his gaze with confidence. Slowly he began channelling his magic, Prongs started to grow, gasps and incredulous mutterings started to grow as the magnificent creature moved towards the dragon. Reaching the 30ft mark with his antlers, Prongs stopped about three metres from the dragon who merely huffed and then lay her head down though she kept her eyes on the glowing epitome of happiness and protection. Harry breathed out, phase two complete. Taking a step forward and watching as Prongs danced around, moving over to Harry before returning to the dragons side and casually strolling in front of it. Harry went on to part three as the dragon released a grumbling noise but otherwise remained calm.

"Calamitatis." This was the part that could go wrong, having not known about the egg he was unsure as to if it could be charmed or not. He watched as the golden egg disappeared and he could just make out a faint rippling in the air and felt relief seep from his soul as he figured he actually had a chance now to not only not die but also win. The mother had raised her head clearly feeling something different but after noting that all her eggs were still there she allowed Prongs' soothing, joyful aura to wash over her as she relaxed against the back wall, Harry felt a moment of anger at the fact real eggs were used and could be hurt and directed Prongs closer to her, he watched in amazement as the dragons eyes closed and she let out almost a purring sound. He had a feeling Hagrid was somewhere in the silent crowd thinking how adorable it all was.

"Wingardium Leviosa." Harry watched carefully as the rippling came closer and he finally felt the weight in his arms, with a wave of his wand, Prongs had disappeared with a bow and the egg was visible. He left the arena to absolute silence.

As soon as he stepped in to the tent Madam Pomfrey hurried over and began waving her wand over him, seemingly oblivious to the fact that there wasn't a scratch on him.

"Madam Pomfrey –"

"Honestly dragons what were they thinking…"

"Madam Pomfrey."

"Last year dementors, this year dragons-"

"Madam Pomfrey!"

"I mean honestly its like they want to start killing off my students, how dare they"

"Poppy!"

The witch jerked back and seemed to see him for the first time and he smiled at her.

"I'm fine, really."

"Mister Potter I don't know how you've done it but you are completely unharmed for perhaps the first time ever. And after facing a dragon too." Her tone was completely flabbergasted and Harry grinned happily at her.

"Figured you'd have enough going on with the others and didn't want to cause more trouble."

"Hmm well I will leave you to return to Mister Diggory's side. Well done Harry."

They shared another smile and with a pat on his cheek, the Matron bustled away. Harry simply stood there feeling exhausted until the hurrying of feet had him turning to catch the ecstatic blonde in his arms and spin her happily around.

"You did it!" Although passionately spoken, the words were quiet and whispered directly into his ear and Harry felt simple contentment as he held her close.

"We got through it, beautiful. Bring on the next one." He said as he let her down, though she wrapped her arms around him and squeezed tightly before they stepped away from each other and held hands. Daphne was so happy to see him unhurt she didn't care about her lack of decorum at her mad sprint here or the way she'd thrown herself at him, all she cared was seeing him. Neville had followed her in but had let the couple share a moment before he pounded Harry on his back proudly.

"Congratulations mate, you definitely beat the others! Come on your scores are up now."

The three of them stood together and watched the ribbons give the scores. Dumbledore – 10 Maxine – 9, Karakoff – 7, Bagman – 10 and Crouch Senior – 9. Apparently they deducted points of the first year spell, but Harry was just happy he was alive and left before even seeing how he rated against the others as the trio had headed up to the castle. Behind them they heard the crowd screaming his name, Dumbledore's was asking him to return and briefly they caught Ron and Hermione's shrieks for him not to ignore them but they didn't care, they wanted to rest and Harry wanted to send a letter to Sirius. Everyone and everything else could wait he thought as he and his friends headed down to the kitchen.