Secrets of the Fourth Champion

by DZ2

Years ago, Harry Potter discovered a secret. One that he thought would help make things better. But then, fear and doubt forced him to hide his secret, even from his friends. Now, Death's sick game has forced him to decide it's time to stop hiding. Grey OP Harry/Harem

1. A Twist In The Tale

Secrets of the Fourth Champion: A Harry Potter Fanfiction

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its associated characters: all rights belong to JK Rowling. I do not own any crossover references used in the story: all rights belong to their original creators. I do own any OC spells explained at the end of a chapter.

Plot: Years ago, Harry Potter discovered a secret. One that he thought would help make things better. But then, fear and doubt forced him to hide his secret, even from his friends. Now, Death's sick game has forced him to decide it's time to stop hiding.

Author's Note: So, yes, in case you're wondering, this is one of those kinds of stories; but what can I say?

I chose to write it, end of.

However, one thing I will say now is that this idea is also inspired by some of my favourite fics of this theme and involves an angle that I've only read on very rare occasions, though none come to mind right now. Anyway, enjoy…if you can…

Recommended Reads: Apex and Silver King by JustBored21, Do Not Meddle In The Affairs Of Wizards by Corwalch, Rise of the Dark Angel by mykkila09, The Rise of the Last Potter by HPfanfictioner66, Harry Potter The Protector of Magic and The Protector and the Four Guardians by TigerSwarm9122, Aspirations by megamatt09, Monochrome by The BlackStaff and NightMarE, Ascension by PerseusPeverell092, Magical Blocks and Bonds by raspberry dreams and Harry Potter and the Daft Morons and Angry Harry and the Seven by Sinyk

Key Pairing: Harry/Luna/Fleur/Gabrielle/Parvati/Padma

Other Pairings: To be determined

Normal Speech

'Thoughts'

'Mental Speech'

/Parseltongue/

Chapter 1: A Twist in the Tale

Angry…

Even thinking the word did not do Harry's emotions justice, not this time.

In a year where he should have been able to just kick back, relax, focus on his studies, and his rapidly-developing feelings of change in his mind, his body and his thoughts and dreams, instead, he was being forced to risk life and limb, yet again, for something he had no control over.

Worse-still, nobody seemed to believe that he had wanted absolutely nothing to do with being in the bloody Triwizard Tournament to begin with.

Secrets

First, Dumbledore had borderline-attacked Harry when pinning him against the trophy case, then, the overgrown she-devil of a Frog, Madame Maxime, had insisted that he had to be lying, though she didn't say how or why. On top of that, the same Hitler-lookalike who'd already put himself on Harry's shit list for what had happened at the World Cup, Bartimaeus Crouch Senior, had found and given Harry yet another reason to put him on that list and keep him there when he argued that Harry had no choice, but to compete.

Even though Harry was fourteen, not seventeen.

Even though Hogwarts did have a Champion, and one whom was of age at that, in Cedric Diggory.

Even though Harry himself had argued, quite loudly, to Dumbledore himself that he not only hadn't put his name into the Goblet, but that he also hadn't asked or hinted at anyone else to do it for him.

Even though the Tournament was called the Tri-Wizard Tournament for a pretty damn good reason.

Despite all this, Harry had to compete, and the only thing he got for his troubles and denials?

Suspicion.

Doubt.

Speculation.

And, once again, then being left to go and be thrown to the wolves, while the adults went off to make themselves cosy in their offices and chambers, without so much as a hint as to any possible aid that Harry might be able to call on now that Fate had decided to be a bitch once again.

No, Harry was alone.

Alone…and angry!

Secrets

Then, when he'd reached Gryffindor Tower, he had found his anger spiking, first with the mocking words of the Fat Lady when even she insisted that he was making Gryffindor proud. Then, after that, Harry found himself facing a sea of glares, suspicious looks, doubtful, and even hateful looks and, worst of all, not so much as a flicker of support from any member of the House that was meant to be like his family.

Then, as if the icing on the cake wasn't high enough already, it grew to a stratospheric level when none other than Hermione Granger decided that she had to be the one to say what was on everyone's mind.

Spoiler Alert: it wasn't supportive!

Secrets

"Well? What do you have to say for yourself?"

He didn't say it aloud, but Hermione's bossy, overcompensating nature was a side to her that Harry had honestly thought she'd given up on after the whole Basilisk debacle. True, she'd been more-distracted last year because of her time travel episode, as well as trying – and failing – to find a way to save Buckbeak and help Hagrid out, but still, Harry had thought she'd finally managed to find her head stuck up her own ass and yank it out with the force of a cannon.

Apparently, he was mistaken.

As he stopped near the bottom of the stairs leading to the dormitory, Harry turned to Hermione, who, not to his surprise, was already surrounded by so many books and scrolls, her eyes filled with suspicion and disbelief as he looked at her and she back at him.

"Well?" asked Hermione haughtily, slamming her latest book closed as she asked, "What do you have to say for yourself, Harry James Potter?"

"How about goodnight, I'm tired, it's late and, oh yes, I didn't do it."

"Don't think you can Bart Simpson your way out of this one, Harry James Potter!" insisted Hermione, earning a dumbfounded look from Harry.

Not because of how she compared him to someone whom he knew was one of Dudley's favourite cartoon characters, but because of how, in just two sentences, she'd used his full name twice, as though she thought he needed to be reminded who he was, or, more-disgracefully, as though she believed he was going to listen to her because she was speaking to him like she was his Mother.

You'd think a Muggle-born like her, who desired to be the next Lily, in terms of accomplishments, would notice the bleeding obvious!

As Harry looked at her, he scoffed as he shook his head, "Whatever, you asked, I answered, and now I'm off to bed: goodnight, Hermione Jean Granger! Oh, and if you want me to say something else, how about put the bloody books down and get some sleep yourself? Then maybe, when you've had a chance to clear your own head, you'll see the bleeding obvious without needing to swallow Encyclopaedia Hogwartsica while you're trying to do it!"

Again, he turned away from her.

And, again, Hermione didn't take the hint. "It's bad enough you cheated Dumbledore's magic, but the fact you won't admit to doing it?"

"Maybe because, gee, I don't know, I didn't!" argued Harry firmly, stopping on the bottom step as he turned back to Hermione, "You were there, Hermione; right there in the Great Hall, about as close to me as you are now, when me and Ron were both talking about the Tournament. And, when we did, what did I say? Better you than me! Ergo, I wanted nothing to do with it, even if I could have entered…duh!"

While Hermione started to turn a red shade of anger at how logical and smart Harry sounded, the emerald-eyed scion pointed to the stairs as he added, "Now, for the third time, Hermione. Good. Night."

He got two steps further, before someone grabbed his arm; of course, out of instinct more than anything else, Harry went to defend himself, shoving whoever was holding his arm away, before he turned to face them.

And, of course, it was Hermione, who looked at him in alarm, as well as outrage, as she asked, "What…what do you think you're doing? You…you can't attack me; I'm a girl! What sort of man are you?"

"The kind who doesn't like to be touched, not that you'd know, trying to crush my ribs and mimic Molly Weasley every chance you get," argued Harry, a note of rising ire lacing his voice as he added, "I'm also the kind who knows his own mind and knows that when he says he didn't want to be involved with the Tournament, it is the honest-to-Magic truth! And, quite frankly, Hermione; the idea that you need someone to spell out the bleeding obvious when even Crabbe, Goyle or Dudley could see it clearly is, honestly, pathetic."

"You're the pathetic one!" argued Hermione, earning a surprised look from Harry, "I mean, it's bad enough you use Dark Magic to throw off the Imperius Curse when Professor Moody demonstrated it; don't you realise you could have seriously hurt him with your silly little showing off? Then, you won't support my attempts to free the House Elves from slavery…"

"Uh, maybe because they want to serve the school…hell, they need it!"

"No, you're lying!"

"How do you know? Because you read about it?"

Hermione was now as red as Gryffindor's banner, while Harry scoffed as he asked, "You know, I have to wonder whether jumping through time last year scrambled your brains, Hermione Granger? I mean, it was bad enough you used that to help me just when your precious Dumbledore, who, FYI, attacked me tonight…"

"Now you're lying about the Headmaster? Harry James Potter, you have no line you won't cross, would you? Your parents…"

Suddenly, a flash of magic narrowly missed Hermione's head, leaving a smoking circle next to her, while Harry's eyes burned like fire as he shook his head warningly.

"NEVER use my parents against me, Granger!" snarled Harry, actually snarling, borderline-roaring, out the first word as he growled darkly, "I am sick of people like you and Mrs Weasley and even Snivellus thinking that they can just bitch and moan and then use my parents' names like that! In your case, it's even worse because, quite frankly, I'd have thought my friend would remember that not only are my parents, two people she has never, and will never meet, but, reminder, Granger: they're DEAD!"

Hermione didn't even try to look sorry, much less accepting of what Harry had said; Harry, meanwhile, scoffed again as he shook his head.

"Now, for the last time, you loud, overbearing, insufferable know-it-all, Good…Night! And, be warned, if you disturb me or try to stop me again, you'll see exactly who the fuck I am, and, just so you know, it isn't someone who kowtows to the whims and desires of copycat hypocrites who think that they read one book and, suddenly, they're as wise and all-knowing as Rowena-fucking-Ravenclaw!"

Another flash of magic flew from Harry's wand, this time unintentionally, but it also left a larger burn next to Hermione, who went white as a sheet as Harry looked down at his wand, a small part of him not actually sure when he'd drawn it – unless he'd done it in anger and not noticed, as he guessed was the best possible explanation – while another part of him was also amused.

Who knew he could even have such an episode again?

The last time…well, the last time was when Large Marge had become an ugly Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon.

But before then…

And that was when Harry made a choice.

One that, even as he turned his back on Granger, leaving her stewing in her juices, looking up at the retreating Harry with one-sided rage and fear, Harry knew was going to change everything.

And not just for him.

'Yes, Harry,' a small voice whispered in the back of his mind.

A voice that sounded eerily like his own, a voice that he hadn't heard whispering in his mind since…well…since the time before Marge…

'It's time to stop hiding.'

Secrets

BANG!

"Waa! Bloody hell, Harry!" exclaimed Ron, though when he looked up from getting himself ready for bed, his eyes widened when he saw Harry storming into the fourth-year dormitory – which, apart from Ron and, now, Harry, was empty – his emerald-green eyes shining with rage and a sense of determination that the redhead had never seen in his best mate before.

As the doors slammed shut behind Harry, rather-audibly, Ron thought, the young Gryffindor glared at his best friend before he sneered.

"Go on, then! Might as well make it a complete set!"

Secrets

Now, many people would argue that Ron Weasley, as the youngest male of the brood, was the butt of many jokes by his elder siblings, save for his brother, Bill, who'd always been protective of Ron until he'd gone off to Egypt.

Ginny, on the other hand, did treat him with respect, but also kept her distance, most-likely because of how she'd been trying to get over her 'crush' on Harry, leaving Ron to face the scorn alone.

At the same time, there were those who'd call him dense, talentless, unworthy of time or attention and someone who wouldn't rise to much.

However, what they didn't know was that Ronald Bilius Weasley did have a talent: one that he'd honed from years of playing chess against his brothers and friends, as well as being forced to stand in the background while his Mum lorded over the house, barking orders at everyone and doting on dear, sweet Ginny.

He'd learned to read people, seeing problems like he was assessing a chess move.

And, right now, he was seeing a King about to put himself into Check.

Unless his Knight came to his aid…

Secrets

"What do you mean?" asked Ron calmly, a part of him dreading that, should he say the wrong thing, the fire within the sleeping dragon that he'd often sensed lurked inside of Harry would be tickled and ignited.

And then, he would be in trouble.

"Don't play stupid!" argued Harry fiercely, nodding back to the doors as he added, "I've just had an earful off of that ungrateful bitch, Granger, and we all know you want to end up in her knickers, so, go on, Ronald: tell me I'm lying. Tell me I should have said something to someone, possibly even my best mate, about how I did it. Argue that I'm lying when I said…"

Suddenly, Harry gasped when, despite his fears and his dread, Ron didn't argue against him.

Instead, he crossed the floor and, even though he knew it was dangerous – especially since Harry's wand kept spitting out sparks as the emerald-eyed scion ranted and raved – Ron wrapped his arms tightly around Harry, doing the only thing he could: namely, holding his best friend, his surrogate brother and his closest companion close to him.

This also allowed him to feel Harry's trembling breaths, as well as the shakes in his body, telling Ron just how angry and scared, as well as sad, Harry felt about this whole thing.

As he held him, Ron let out a soft laugh as he explained, "Now, don't go thinking I'm gay or nothing, mate, but…you looked like you needed a hug; sorry if it hurts. I know you don't like to be touched, but…this was the only thing I could think of doing to calm you down…at least, long enough to tell you that I believe you, Harry."

"You…you…you do?" asked Harry.

"Duh!" insisted Ron, releasing Harry from his grip, before he looked into his friend's eyes as he explained, "Only a real idiot would believe that you put your name in that Cup, let alone asked someone else to do it. And, besides, we have a Champion: Cedric, remember?"

"Exactly!" exclaimed Harry, earning a nod from Ron.

"Then how, if not why would you be so crazy as to try it; I mean, you're not even seventeen, for Merlin's sake!"

"Right?" asked Harry, a weak smile now crossing his face as he added, "Thanks, Ron: I'm glad somebody sees it. I mean, Granger actually thinks of me as a Dark Wizard because I can throw off the Imperius Curse…"

"You know, I told Bill about that in my last letter; he said it's actually quite common for people with strong minds and stronger souls and, honestly, Harry: when it comes to strong souls, they don't come much stronger than you, mate," said Ron honestly, earning a scoff of amused disbelief from Harry as he saw his best friend not only taking his side, but showing a much-better side to the usually-dense redhead than even Harry could remember seeing in him.

"Thanks, pal," said Harry, before he waved his hand dismissively as he added, "But that's not the worst: she…she then brought up…Mum and Dad."

"Okay, now she's gone too far!" agreed Ron, shaking his head firmly as he added, "Don't you dare listen to her bullshit, Harry: whatever opinions she might claim to have about your family, don't you dare listen. I know I don't know them and never will, but, even if you'd wanted to be in this nutsy thing, you can bet every Galleon you own that your Mum and your Dad would stand by you…Snuffles, too!"

Harry nodded again.

"As for Hermione, let her have her delusions; it's nothing compared to the crap you've had to deal with since you started here, is it? It just means you'll be able to hold your head even higher than normal when you not only beat this madness, but, Merlin-be-kind, you maybe even win!"

"Oh, trust me, I intend to, mate," laughed Harry, straightening himself up as he explained, "You see, I've come to a decision: since this is the ultimate match against whatever Death servant wants me to bite the bullet, I've decided that I'm done hiding who I am and what I'm capable of."

"What do you mean by that?" asked Ron, earning a faint smile from Harry as he looked into his best friend's eyes.

"Let's just say, compared to all you've heard about me in all previous moments of magical madness, you have no idea who I truly am and what I can do, Ron. But, for what it's worth, I'm thankful that at least one friend knows what it means to give me the benefit of the doubt and stand by me; I just hope, when you next see what I can do…you're still my friend."

"I am and always will be your friend, Harry," said Ron, earning a surprised look from Harry, before Ron shrugged, "Sorry; I heard that on one of those Muggle tape things that Dad had once and…well, it kind of stuck. Seemed appropriate, though."

Harry laughed in response, before he looked around the dorm, even though he knew they were alone.

Looking back to Ron, Harry indicated his bed as he told him, "You might want to take a seat, Ron; this is going to be a bit freaky…and coming from me, that's saying something."

As Ron obliged his friend, Harry lifted his hands up, placing them close together, like he was praying, before he linked his fingers and thumbs together for several moments; while he did so, Harry also closed his eyes, breathing deeply before, to Ron's surprise, his best friend's body started emitting what could only be described as a pulse of magical energy, which made the torches in the dormitories, as well as the curtains around all the beds, waver and flicker about in their sockets and on the rails.

Then, Harry lifted his hands to his chest, crossing his arms over one another so that his right hand was now resting on his heart while his left hand was directly opposite; he still kept his eyes closed and breathed deeply before, to Ron's amazement, Harry let out a final, dramatic-sounding gasp as he slashed his hands down again.

And a second magical pulse erupted out of Harry's body, which not only extinguished every torch in the room, but also sent the beds, covers, curtains and all, into a mess as they were flung back against the walls.

Ron, meanwhile, felt tears spring forth, unbidden, as he felt raw magic now flowing out of Harry's body, before his best friend opened his eyes and, lifting one hand, he threw off his glasses before he smiled softly at the dumbfounded look on Ron's face.

"So, mate," said Harry, his voice soft, but now empowered by something that almost seemed to make Ron take notice as Harry spoke to him.

"What do you think about the real Harry James Potter?"

What could Ron think?

Well…apart from just two words…

"Bloody hell!"

Harry smiled at his friend's typical remark as he took a step forwards…

And then, to Ron's alarm, Harry's whole body exploded with magical energy, which tore clean through the dorm, sending Ron flying into his, thankfully, dishevelled pile of bedcovers, while the windows rattled, as did the doors to the dorm.

And, all the while, Harry only did something that, even before this strange new feeling, Ron knew his friend could do, especially when hurt.

He screamed…

Secrets

In the Beauxbatons Carriage, Fleur and Gabrielle Delacour stopped in writing their respective letters to their parents, as well as those who could help the Beauxbatons Champion honour her school, as both of them felt a wave of almighty magical energy flooding their minds and bodies.

To Gabrielle's shock, the pulse was so powerful that it sent her elder sister into the air, where only Fleur's Veela side saved her as she unfurled her wings, fire now burning around her as she let out several loud, French exclamations, some of which Gabrielle identified as my God, as well as what is this power? It feels so strong; so powerful; so pure…

Before Fleur could continue her rants, however, her attention turned to her kid-sister as Gabrielle started screaming, her own body now enveloped in a veil of fire, similar to the flash of a phoenix.

Flying down to the bed, Fleur did the only thing she could think of.

She screamed for help.

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In Ravenclaw Tower, a certain lovable eccentric didn't even stir as she felt the pulse hit her.

Instead, Luna Lovegood smiled before she looked down, clasping her Butterbeer-cork necklace in one hand as she smiled at it with fond reminisce.

"It's finally happening, Mummy…if only you were here to help His Grace with this path…but don't worry; I'll make us both proud that we chose this."

Then, leaving her bed, Luna went to her trunk, scoffing as she saw it had been opened and raided again, not that it mattered anymore.

Magic help those responsible when her beloved got his hands on them…

Secrets

Many miles away from Hogwarts, a certain black dog suddenly pricked his ears up, before he transformed into his human visage of Sirius Black, who now had tears in his eyes as he stared off towards the darkened distance.

"That's odd…" he whispered to no-one in particular, "I could have just sworn I heard Harry screaming!"

As unusual as it was, Sirius made a choice there and then.

If his pup was hurt, there was only one place he wanted to be.

And the Ministry, and Snivellus, and every fucking opposition to his innocence be damned!

He would not fail Harry again…

Wow, talk about eerie and a definite twist in the tale: Ron is loyal, Hermione's a hypocritical, insufferable know-nothing, Fleur, Gabrielle and Luna seem to sense a change in our hero and now, on top of that, Sirius Black is coming back: what does all this have to do with our boy, the unwilling Champion?

Also, if Fleur, Gabrielle and Luna sensed it, given the romantic interests of this adventure, you have to wonder: did the Patils feel anything or is their role strictly love and interest taking its course?

More to the point, what is causing Harry to scream and where did all that power come from in the first place?

Keep Reading to Find Out

Next Chapter: Harry awakens and it's safe to say feeling changed doesn't do him justice; nor does it do justice for a certain young soul whom, along with her sibling, Harry's rival, now feels a strong sense of attraction and desire to aid him, even at the cost of alienating their schoolmates, Headmistress and all others;

Please Read and Review

AN: Portrayal

Gabrielle Delacour: Cara Delevingne

Albus Dumbledore: Michael Gambon