I do not own Harry Potter, only the OC
Hello guys Badger here. I hope you guys are well. I am glad to see people enjoyed the previous chapter. People seemed to enjoy the twist of James being entered into the Tournament. At least, I hope they did.
Today, I have a longer chapter for you. The chapter was originally a lot longer, but I decided to cut it down and shorten it down, otherwise it would have been way to packed, not to mention I was tired and was finding it difficult to write so it seemed like the right thing to do.
That is all for now, read on and enjoy.
Chapter 46
Binding Contracts and a Wand Ceremony
There were whispers across the Great Hall, as James and Harry continued to look at one another, both shocked at what just happened.
"Mr Badger, Mr Potter, your names have been called out" Dumbledore spoke up "Please go through the door to the side room"
Harry looked around the Great Hall, to see everyone looking at them, a few glaring in suspicion and rage. Looking down, Harry got up from his seat and started making his way down. More whispers and murmurs of conversation echoed across the Great Hall, with some believing that they cheated their way into the Tournament. He stopped however, when he felt someone grab onto his arm, with a tight grip. He looked to see it was James, giving him a serious look. Everyone watched, in confusion, as James whispered something into Harry's ear.
"Mr Badger, Mr Potter, please go through to the side room" Dumbledore repeated
James and Harry just glared at the aged Headmaster, before Harry gave James a questioning look. When James nodded, the two removed their wands.
"I, James Ashley Badger" James said
"I, Harry James Potter" Harry repeated, with many realising what they were doing
"Swear on my life, and my magic, that I did not knowingly, nor willingly enter my name into the Goblet of Fire, nor did I ask another student to do it for me, so mote it be" The two said in unison
A bright light glowed around the two boys, showing that the vow was taking place. When nothing happened, and the glow faded, everyone looked on in surprise, seeing that the two were telling the truth.
"Oh look, still alive" James said, sarcastically, before flicking his wand, a small ball of light appearing on the tip "Still have magic too, which means I didn't enter either of us…did you Harry?"
"No" Harry replied, flicking his own wand, producing a few sparks "Do we still have to enter the side room"
"Yes…" Dumbledore said, when he found his voice "You must, we'll talk about this in private"
James narrowed his eyes, before he nudged Harry forward where the two of them entered the side room. Harry looked at James, to see he had a calculative look on his face.
"Knut for your thoughts?" He asked
"Something doesn't feel right" James replied "I don't think this is an accident…or a coincidence"
"What do you think it is?" Harry asked
James was silent for a moment, before shaking his head, not saying a word. It was clear that he didn't know…or just didn't want to say, but Harry, himself, felt like some unseen force was pulling the strings which got them into this situation. When they entered the side room, the other three Champions turned to them, looking confused at their arrival.
"Harry, James…" Cedric Diggory spoke "Why are you here? Do they need us or something?"
No one had a chance to say anything, as Dumbledore burst in, shortly followed by Snape, McGonagall, Barty Crouch Sr, Maxime, Igor and Mad-Eye Moody. Dumbledore immediatley rushed over, placing his hands on Harrys shoulders.
"Harry, did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?" He demanded
"No, you senile idiot" Harry snapped, pushing Dumbledore off of him
"10 points from Slytherin for disrespecting the Headmaster" McGonagall spoke up
"Whatever" Harry said, dismissively "You clearly saw me and James preform a Magical Vow and we are still standing here, I didn't enter my name into the Tournament…neither of us did?"
"Even if that is true, it is unacceptable!" Igor sneered "not two, but THREE, Hogwarts Champions, I find it unfair"
"Potter and Badger can't be Hogwarts Champions" Moody spoke up, magical eye spinning wildly "Diggory here was named Hogwarts Champion before their names came out…if they were selected, they were obviously labelled as students from other schools…my guess is, someone wants to see these boys injured…or killed"
"You have given this lots of thought" Igor replied, eyes narrowed in suspicion
"I may be retired, but I was an Auror" Moody said "If you remember, it was my job to think as Dark Wizards do, hmm?"
"Whatever the case, I agree with Igor" Maxime spoke up "It only seems fair to me if we are given two extra champions"
"It doesn't work like that" Barty Crouch replied "Once the Champions have been selected, the Goblet can not be relit until the next Tournament"
"Well you don't have to worry about any unfair play" James said "Me and Harry won't be competing, as Harry is Lord Potter and I am emancipated, we can drop out, if we so wish"
"Usually, you would right Mr Badger, but I'm afraid you have to compete" Barty replied "The Goblet of Fire constitutes a Binding Magical Contract, if you do not compete, you will lose your magic"
That stopped whatever argument James had. Harry watched as a look of defeat came across its face. It was a surprise to see James in such a way. Usually he was confident and proud. Then again, Harry could understand why. He wouldn't want to lose his magic either. He quite liked being a wizard, thank you very much. When Dumbledore decided that everyone should rest, Harry followed after James, who heading to the Slytherin Common Room in silence.
…
Inside the Headmasters office, Dumbledore rubbed his temple, as he spoke with McGonagall and Snape.
"This can't go on Albus" McGonagall ranted "First the Dark Mark at the Quidditch World Cup and now this!"
"What do you suggest Minerva?" Dumbledore asked
"Put an end to it!" McGonagall exclaimed "Potter and Badger are merely boys, their only fourteen, we have to do something about this"
"I know Sirius would not be happy about this" Snape added, a small look of pain on his face "No doubt Harry will send him a letter about what's happened…if Lily was still alive, she would move heaven and earth to her son out of the Tournament, no doubt Stephanie Badger would do the same…however, I do not believe this to be a coincidence"
"Explain Severus" Dumbledore said
"I'm sure you heard what Alastor said" Snape drawled "He thinks someone wants to see Harry and James either injured or killed…I believe he may be right, especially with it happening so soon after a Death Eater attack"
"So what, we do nothing?" McGonagall asked
"You heard what Barty said Minerva" Dumbledore replied "It is a binding Magical Contract…in any case, I ask that we keep and eye on the boys, give them any help we can…I'll make sure Alastor does the same…they must be anxious about what lies ahead"
…
He smiled to himself, as he leant back in his chair. The boys were in the Tournament now. His master will be proud. Of course, he would need to make sure the two survived the Tournament, where his master will be waiting for them, at the end of the Third Task. In all honesty, he was confused as to why the Badger boy was required to be there, but he never questioned his master. He closed his eyes, thinking about the future, once his master returned. The future looked glorious, with Purebloods reigning supreme. All in good time.
…
It was a few days later and Harry and James sat with Daphne in the Great Hall, in an uncomfortable silence, as everyone looked their way. Even though everyone knew they didn't enter themselves into the Tournament, many still looked on, in suspicion, wondering why they were in, in the first. Thankfully, a large majority believed they had nothing to do with it. The other Champions, however, were of mixed thought. Cedric fully believed their innocence, Krum seemed to believe them though was conflicted, whilst Fleur believed the two were involved somehow. For James, everything regarding their placing in the Tournament,
made no sense. It was understandable for someone entering Harry into the Tournament, an former Death Eater perhaps, in revenge for killing Voldemort, but why would he, himself be entered? James looked up, when he saw the Twins and Susan make their way over.
"Hey guys, how are things looking on your ends?" James asked
"Mostly okay" The Twins replied in unison
"Angelina wasn't happy however" George said "I don't think she believes you had anything to do with it, but she isn't glad she was not chosen"
"And Ron was just a prat as always" Fred added "It kept ranting about the two of you hogging the spotlight, wouldn't shut up…it took Ginny, hitting him with a bat-bogey hex to get him to stop…she and Neville are currently looking to see if there was a way out of the Tournament"
"Tell them to stop" James sighed "It's a binding Magical Contract, we couldn't get out, even if we wanted to…what about you Susan, how are things with the Hufflepuffs"
"Not great" Susan winced "Quite a lot of the Puffs are mad at you two"
"Why is that?" Harry asked
"Well, I'm sure you can tell but, Hufflepuff House is often looked down on" Susan said "When Cedric was chosen for Hogwarts Champion, everyone was happy that we would have the chance to prove our House is just as good as the other Houses and not where 'the leftovers go', but now, you two have been entered and they believe you are taking the spotlight from them"
"Bitterness can do a lot to a person" James commented
"Agreed" Susan said "However, Ernie Macmillan believes that your 'Magical Vow' was just an illusion, just to throw suspicion off of you…both he and Justin think you two entered yourselves into the Tournament"
"Not surprised about Justin, the bastard has been bitter towards me ever since the snake incident in Second Year" Harry scoffed
"Can't deny it" Susan shrugged "What about Slytherin House, anything happening there?"
"You could say that" Daphne spoke up, snorting slightly "Malfoy and Nott seemed to bet on how long these two will last in the Tournament…they seem to be hoping for Harry and James to get themselves killed"
"Do you know anything at all about the First Task?" Susan asked, looking concerned
"Not a thing" Harry replied "Malfoy apparently knows from his father, but I doubt anything the blonde ponce says is true"
Everyone nodded in agreement, though chose to not say anything. It was then, a shadow loomed over them. They looked to see Snape standing behind Harry and James, making the two wonder if he heard Harry's comment.
"Mr Badger, Mr Potter, I must ask that you follow me" He said
There were no room for questions, or goodbyes, as Snape picked them up by the arms and walked them outside the Great Hall. It was then, when James was able to speak up.
"Sir, where are we going?" He asked
"You, and the other Champions have been summoned to the Wand Weighing Ceremony" Snape replied
"Why would people care about the weight of our wands?" Harry asked
"They aren't going to actually weigh your wands" Snape said "Ollivander will be looking at each of your wands, to see if they are in working order for the Tournament"
Harry and James shared a look, before they entered a room, that had long since been abandoned. The other Champions were already there, along with the three Headmasters, Ollivander, Barty Crouch and Ludo Bagman.
"Ah, the other two champions are here!" Bagman said cheerfully "Now we can begin, as you may have been told, your wands will be checked over by Ollivander, Britain's famous Wandmaker, to see if they are in proper working order"
"Thank you Bagman" Ollivander sighed, before he smiled "Lets have ladies first shall we?"
Fleur walked up to Ollivander, holding out her wand. The aged wandmaker held it carefully in his hands, as he looked it over, running a delicate finger across the wood.
"9 ½ inches" He said "Inflexible, made from Rosewood, with a Veela Hair Core, correct?"
"Yes, the hair was from my great grandmother" Fleur nodded, with pride
"I see, I don't use Veela hair for my wands, I find them to be too temperamental, but to each their own" Ollivander said, as the wand, where a bouquet of roses shot out, where he handed her wand and the flowers back to Fleur "Seems to be in working order…lets have Krum next, shall we?"
As Fleur went back to her seat, Krum made his way up to the wandmaker, holding his wand out for him to take.
"Now, this is a Gregorvitch creation, is it not?" He asked, as he looked it over
"Yes, one of his last ones" Krum nodded
"I see" Ollivander said, as he continued to examine the wand "10 ¼ inches, more wider then most wands and quite rigid…made from Hornbeam wood with a Dragon Heartstring core"
Ollivander flicked the wand, causing a few items to float in the air, happy with the result, Ollivander handed Krum his wand, where Cedric was called up next. The Hufflepuff champion made his way up, holding out a wand that was clearly well taken care of.
"Ah yes, I remember this one" Ollivander smiled "I trust you have been keeping it well polished?"
"Every day, just like you said to" Cedric smiled
"Now, lets see" Ollivander said "12 ¼ inches, pleasantly springy, made from Ash Wood, with a Unicorn Tail Hair Core…I remember the Unicorn well, didn't like me removing the hair for the wands core"
Giving the wand a small flick, a small jet of water splashed on the floor. Like the others, the wand was in good condition.
"Now, let's take a look at Mr Badger's wand next" Ollivander said
James approached the aged wand maker, pulling out his wand, holding it out for the wand maker to take. Harry had seen James' wand during classes and during the Quidditch World Cup, but this was the first time he got a proper look at it. His was a single piece of black wood which, unlike some of the other wands, wasn't as smooth with bumps and jagged edges, giving it more of a hand carved look. There were also a few runes engraved on the handle, though he didn't know what they meant. Ollivander carefully held the wand in his hand, looking it over.
"Ah yes" He said "this one I remember well, a beautiful creation, one custom made for you"
"What?" Dumbledore asked "'Custom made'?"
"Indeed" Ollivander nodded "I wouldn't dare give a member of the Badger Family a premade wand"
"Why is that?" Fleur Delacour spoke up
"The Badger Family are home to many warriors, its only right to give them their own unique wand" Ollivander explained "Now, let's see what we have here"
Everyone was silent for a moment, as Ollivander examined the wand further, turning it in his hands.
"11 ½ inches, quite rigid" He said "Made from Ebony Wood, and a Thestral Tail Hair Core, perfect for both Combative Magic and Transfiguration…has it proved useful for you?"
"So far yes" James smiled "I imagine it will do again in future"
"I believe it will" Ollivander nodded, before his eyes narrowed "It's not the first time I have dabbled with Ebony Wood…there is another I can recall…"
"Who?" James asked
"Your Uncle, Michael Badger" Ollivander answered "His wand was also made with ebony…if I remember correctly, the wood for both of your wands came from the same branch…"
James stood in thought, as Ollivander's voice trailed off, before he flicked the wand, where a dozen small birds appeared and flew around the room a few times, before he flicked the wand again, the birds disappearing. Happy with what he saw, he handed it back to James.
"It's definitely in brilliant condition" He smiled "Now lastly, Mr Potters wand"
Harry removed his wand, as he made his way up. A fond smile made its way onto Ollivander's face, as he examined the wand.
"Ah yes, the biggest troublemaker of them all" He said "Took almost every wand in the store, until we found the right one, 11 inches long, nice and supple, made from Holly Wood, with a Phoenix Feather Core, an unusual combination if I do say so myself"
Harry let out a small sigh of relief, happy that Ollivander didn't mention his and Voldemort's wands being brothers. Ollivander flicked the wand, producing small red sparks, before he nodded, happy with the result.
"All the wands are in working order" He said
"Good" Crouch said "The first task will start near the end of November, as it is a competition, you will not be able to seek any outside help, in each task you will be judged on your performance, skill, methods and time when you each make your way through each task…I look forward to see what you strategies you lot come up with…good luck Champions"
…
Chapter 46, done. What did you guys think?
James did a smart move about doing the Magical Vow, eh? Though, no doubt some people would still not believe it. Some people in the Magical World seem quite thick at times. Though there is still the question as to why James is in the Tournament. If you have any theories I would like to hear them.
We also have the wand ceremony. I always had mixed feelings about the scene not being in the movie. It is one of my favourite scenes in the Goblet of Fire, because I love anything to do with Wand Lore in Harry Potter, but at the same time, the scene doesn't really move the plot that much. I decided to include it here though, where we find out more about James. His family are known for their warriors. If you are curious as to the wands appearance, just think of Scabiors wand. As mentioned, Ebony Wood is perfect for combat magic and transfiguration, but the Thestral Tail Hair Core is an interesting thing, however. For those who are interested:
It has been regarded as being unstable, if not the most difficult substance to use in wand-making. It is a potent, but tricky core, where only a witch or wizard capable of facing death could master it.
What does this mean for his character?
Anyway, you may be a bit disappointed that Rita Skeeter didn't appear in this chapter. Don't worry, she will appear in the next. Remember, I cut the chapter down, as I felt it would be too long and didn't want it to be jam packed.
That is all for now. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I will see you in the next one.
Badger Out
