Beta: None, because I wanted to get a chapter release ASAP.
Original Release Date: 8/7/17
Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the canon Harry Potter universe or any other universe. AU. Please know that any album names, song names, lyrics, etc, are property of the respective entities and/or owners, and do not belong to me (I'm adding some references and possible easter eggs to the story).
Chapter Sixty – Rising Moon Confession {Confrontation}
Entering the portrait hole, the small group of Gryffindor students are greeted with a deafening roar of cheers.
"Way to go Harry! You got passed Dumbledore's age line! You'd best beat Malfoy" shouts Lee Jordan gleefully over the din of the party in the common room.
"Everyone, listen!" exclaims Harry loud enough to get people to slowly quiet down.
"I didn't put my name in the Goblet of Fire, and I didn't ask anyone else to. Someone either thought it a joke and didn't think I'd be selected or someone is trying to kill me! Now Draco admitted he put his own name in, but he too could be killed! While we don't always see eye to eye with the Slytherins, we shouldn't wish death to them or anyone! Now, if you'd like to resume having your party, go for it. Knock yourselves out if you want. Now if there are any more Butterbeers left, I wouldn't mind one" states Harry seriously until the last bit.
Grabbing an offered Butterbeer, Harry offers thanks before taking a seat on the floor in a corner of the room. "This tournament…it's going to be something" mutters Harry to himself before taking a long draught of Butterbeer.
"Chin up Harry, you'll make it through the tournament in one piece. And I believe that you'll win it too, with your work ethic and drive to do anything you put your mind to" remarks Angelina kindly taking a seat beside Harry.
Pausing, Harry answers quietly, "I'll at least make it through the tournament. At least I don't have to deal with end of year exams as a champion. That'll be beneficial with the tournament and a lot of Quidditch practices and matches thrown together."
"Just don't forget to study seeing as you've got OWLs next year" reminds Angelina with a hint of concern.
"I won't forget. But thanks, I appreciate it" answers Harry gratefully.
Sipping on his Butterbeer, Harry makes brief conversation with everyone stopping by and congratulating him.
"What is your plan to handle the tournament?" inquires Hermione coming over to Harry.
"Since we are given only hints of what each task is contain a few days beforehand, I'm not quite certain. Reviewing and studying up on spells and trying to have a well rounded education of spells, especially of spells we haven't covered in class yet. I'm guessing that the tournament was meant for students with a higher level of magical education for a reason, and that's the general idea/plan" answers Harry.
"What kind of magic are you referring to? Any spell in particular?" inquiries Hermione.
Shaking his head, Harry answers, "I'm not certain. I'll ask Sirius, Remus, and even Amelia. Amelia could give me some dueling pointers and spells she might use in the field. Perhaps her advice on what to study alongside with Remus and Sirius's advice will have some overlapping spells."
"Good idea. I know you can do it" remarks Hermione before getting up and walking away.
Finishing his Butterbeer, Harry looks around for a rubbish bin and not seeing one, leaves his bottle in the corner before heading upstairs to his dormitory.
The next morning as the Gryffindors meet up with the Hufflepuffs outside of the greenhouse for Herbology that day, most of the Hufflepuffs turn away and stop talking as Harry nears.
"I wonder what's gotten into them" remarks Ron noticing the sudden change in mood from the Hufflepuffs.
"It's because Harry, you always seem to break some rule or two and never get in trouble, not at least that non-Gryffindors can tell" answers Susan coming up to Harry.
Sighing, Harry answers, "I can't stop what professors do about assigning detentions or taking away house points."
"…And it might have something to do with Gryffindor getting so much more attention. Think of it like this, when was the last time Hufflepuff really get any glory? It's almost always Gryffindor getting so much glory, so when we get a chance to eek out some glory for Hufflepuff and you turn up and get the glory instead, it kinda hurts" answers Hannah joining Susan.
Reflecting on Hannah's statement, Harry nods his head briefly before speaking, "You have a point. I'm not certain what I can do to remedy the situation, as I'd rather have someone far more experienced than myself and Draco Malfoy as Hogwarts champions. If you don't mind me asking, who was Hufflepuff hoping for for a champion?"
"Cedric Diggory" answers Ernie Macmillan coldly before turning back around.
"He would be a very respectable champion. Far better than Draco or I could be honestly" admits Harry.
Minutes later Professor Sprout appears and quietly unlocks the door, allowing the students to enter into the greenhouse.
"Break into groups of four. You will be repotting Bouncing Bulbs for the lesson, now start" instructs Professor Sprout with a hint of ice in her voice.
Breaking into groups of four, Susan and Hannah quickly join Harry before grabbing Ron as well.
"While most in Hufflepuff aren't the happiest with Gryffindor, they are more unhappy with you, Harry. I thought it best to pair up with you before…well, to make certain you have a good group to work with" Susan interrupts as Harry opens his mouth.
"Thank you. I appreciate your concern and desire to help me. I hope that soon we can all get along once again" replies Harry gratefully.
"Agreed" answers Hannah.
An hour of repotting Bouncing Bulbs later, the bell tolls, and the students file out of the greenhouse and go their separate ways.
/*days later on Friday*/
"This week has been interesting. Slytherin boos us any time we pass by, and Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff have kept their distances. At least we've still got each other, right Harry?" remarks Neville as he, Ron, Hermione, and Harry gather outside of the classroom door to the Potions room.
"Hopefully this won't become an all year thing" adds Harry exhaling loudly.
"Not liking the attention, Potter?" drawls a familiar voice growing near.
Turning around, the gathered Gryffindor students see the fourth year Slytherins coming down the hallway.
"Personally I'm very happy with being a Hogwarts Champion, and so is my father" continues Draco smugly.
"While it is an honor to represent Gryffindor, we both know that we won't be as nearly prepared as seventh years or even sixth years with a few more years education than us" answers Harry firmly.
"Whatever. We've been selected so we've got to compete, whether or not we want to" answers Draco flippantly.
"Is…is Goyle carrying your bag, Draco?" asks Hermione confused at Draco's lack of a bag.
"Of course. Can't have Slytherin's champion hurt or in pain" answers Draco sounding bored, as if watching paint dry was more entertaining.
"What a vulgar display of power" remarks Hermione disgustedly.
"It's a good thing someone like you wasn't chosen to be a champion then, Granger" sneers Draco smugly.
"What is that supposed to mean?!" exclaims Hermione angrily at Draco.
"Is there a…problem here?" drawls Snape coolly, arriving with cloak fluttering briefly.
"No sir" answers Hermione quietly.
Staring over his hooked nose at the students, Snape pauses silently before unlocking and opening the door to the classroom. Filing in and taking their seats, the students pay rapt attention to Snape writing on the blackboard and setting up their cauldrons when the classroom door opens and a short and young student swimming in his Gryffindor robes shuffles in.
"Yes?" speaks Snape with barely hid contempt.
"Sir, Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy are to attend a meeting for all champions" comes the interloping student.
Furrowing his eyebrows, Snape answers sharply, "Malfoy, Potter, leave your things here, you will be back."
"Um, sir, I was told that they would need to bring all of their things" speaks up the unnamed Gryffindor student.
"Malfoy, Potter, take your things and get out of my sight" utters Snape in a most dangerous tone.
Not wanting to incur Snape's wrath, Harry and Draco gather their belongings in record time before quickly exiting the classroom without running.
"Imagine being led by a Gryffindor student to a meeting of champions. What nonsense is this?" complains Draco following the unnamed student with Harry following behind.
Striding ahead of Draco and coming alongside the student, Harry remarks, "Don't mind Draco. What is your name?"
"Dennis Creevey. Colin has told me so much about you Harry. That you're the youngest seeker for Gryffindor in decades, that you're amazing at flying, and that your family owns its own magical business! And the fact that Colin got a magical camera from your family is amazing!" remarks Colin as the three traverse up a flight of stairs before coming to an unremarkable wooden door and adding cheerily, "Thanks Harry, Draco!" before leaving the way they had just come.
Entering the room, a boisterous voice rings out, "Our two youngest champions have arrived."
Looking to the far side of the room to where Ludo Bagman is standing chatting with the other champions, the two Hogwarts champions walk towards a table with four chairs on one side before stopping.
"And here he is, the savior of us all; Harry Potter" comes a female voice as a tall, lean, and bespectacled woman saunters over with a green crocodile handbag in tow.
"You don't mind if I have a short chat with Harry before we get started do You? Thanks Ludo" chimes the same individual, grasping Harry's left forearm in a vicelike grip and forcefully steering him towards a nearby door, different than the originally used one.
Closing the door quickly, the blonde digs out a few floating candles, lights them, before withdrawing a sickly green quill and sucking on the magnificent tail before setting it down on a roll of parchment.
"Young and attractive Rita Skeeter interviewing Harry Potter, the savior of the wizarding world" announces Rita Skeeter to no one in particular.
Turning to face Harry, Rita asks, "The burning question on everyone's mind is Harry, how did you enter your name into the Goblet of Fire?"
"I didn't, although you'd fare better asking Draco on how HE managed to get his name into the Goblet of Fire" answers Harry firmly.
Studying Harry's face as if it was an artistic masterpiece for several seconds, Rita continues, "We all know that your parents sadly died over a decade ago. But how do you think that they would feel knowing that you're in the Triwizard Tournament?"
Blinking at the unexpected question, Harry ums for a few moments before answering, "I'm not certain. What I do know is that my current family, while unhappy that I am part of the tournament, is here for me and wants me to do my best, since I am unable to be released from this magical contract."
"Are you going to treat the tournament like it's a game?" inquires Rita pushing for more.
Dumbfounded, Harry answers, "Treat a tournament in which my life is in limbo, as if it is a…game? Are you mad?!"
"What is your strategy to winning the tournament then Harry?" asks Rita ignoring Harry.
"My strategy is to survive with my life, not to win a tournament that I didn't enter" answers Harry firmly.
"But surely you're joking, right? You don't want to go for the fame, the riches, the once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in the tournament and win?" chastises Rita looking down at Harry through her glasses.
Feeling disgusted, Harry stands up from his position and opens the door angrily before saying, "Interview concluded, Miss Skeeter", followed by exiting the room.
Looking at the still standing champions, Harry walks over to Fleur standing by her lonesome and strikes up conversation, "Hey Fleur, I like your social contact system, Social Share. Being able to contact and connect with people without having to send an owl and hope that they have received your letter and wait for delay of owl post and instead get a more immediate answer is awesome. And also being able to share photos and general updates about ones life is wonderful."
"Oh, eet es 'onderful 'ow you like eet. I vasn't sold on the name, but eet vorks" answers Fleur cracking a small smile.
"That it does. And you've got quite the amount of friends too, probably a few from simply wanting to claim that they know you because you fostered the system" remarks Harry.
"Vell, you too 'ave a lot of 'friends'. Ending Lord Voldemort vas no small feat I 'ear" remarks Fleur with a smirk.
Nodding his head, Harry answers, "That is true. I'm somewhat surprised that you've heard of him; Voldemort really wasn't too much of a menace outside of Great Britain, or so I'm told. I'm not certain how I actually stopped him, but he's gone and hopefully for good. Since we've become champions of the Triwizard Tournament, I've seen a small increase in requests to be someone's friend, although I have no clue who they are."
"Lord Voldemort vas naught but a trivial lesson. I 'alf to say, not everyone at Beauxbaton likes Marauders Emporium. Many purebloods find themselves…leering at 'alfbloods disrupting the status quo."
Chuckling, Harry responds, "Sirius is actually a pureblood, if anyone would bother to do any research. However, Remus was infected by a werewolf and has tried to raise awareness and support in Britain's Ministry of Magic to make others like him have less of stigma in society, but no avail. So I suppose by working together purebloods might see the business in such a light. But does it really matter what one's heritage is as long as they aren't trying to hurt you?"
"I agree" answers Fleur before being interrupted by a familiar voice, "Let's adjourn and begin the Weighing of the Wand ceremony".
Taking a seat, the four champions wait as a gentleman with pale eyes walks to the clearing in the middle of the room and stands.
"I would like to introduce Mr. Ollivander, prestigious wandmaker. He will be checking all champion's wands to make certain that they are in perfect working order" states Dumbledore looking at the four champions.
Stepping forward one by one, the four champions hand over their wands and twenty minutes later with all wands passing the mark, the champions head for the door.
"Wait! Photos, we need photos of the champions, the judges, everything and everyone!" shouts Rita Skeeter.
An hour later with everything finally done, the room occupants file out, eager to get back to what they were doing before. Heading back towards the Potions classroom, the bell rings indicating the end of classes for the day.
Changing direction to the Great Hall, Draco speaks suddenly, "You know Potter, I hope the best wizard wins, and I think I'll be the winner of both the Triwizard Tournament and the Interhouse Quidditch Cup."
"And I think Fleur will be better than you" remarks Harry coolly, chuckling.
"You're just mad that I have my real father and you don't" argues Draco angrily.
"You keep telling yourself that and I'll keep enjoying time with my family" answers Harry indifferently.
Fuming mad, Draco stops in the middle of the hallway as Harry walks away. "Father, I don't see why you won't let me have anything from the Marauders Emporium. You claim it's because they aren't purebloods, but others have them, and I don't" mutters Draco quietly to himself.
Sitting down at the Gryffindor table, Harry adds food to his plate as a blonde haired individual sits down beside him.
"Harry, the system for compiling information on magical creatures, I want to call it 'Magizoologist's Mate'" remarks Luna looking at Harry.
Taken aback at such a sudden declaration, Harry blinks in rapid succession a few times before answering, "Oh, okay. I'll let Sirius and Remus know, so they can do an update and push it out to everyone. I appreciate your help in designing and now naming the system."
"And now we can track the Crumple-Horned Snorkack. And have irrevocable proof that they exist" states Luna dreamily, staring at Harry.
"Exactly" answers Harry, uncertain what else to say.
A few minutes later Ron, Neville, and Hermione sit down around and across from Harry when Harry leans in and says quietly, "Ron, you remember how you wondered if Fleur is part Veela? Well, when having our wands inspected just a bit ago, I found out that her grandmother is part Veela."
"So that's all that they were doing with the champions was inspecting wands? Seemed to take an awfully long time for just that" remarks Hermione.
"Oh no, Rita Skeeter had a photographer with her to take photos of all of the judges and champions. And she started interviewing me, but I don't think she got enough material before being interrupted by Dumbledore" explains Harry before asking, "So what did I miss in Potions? I'd hate to ask Professor Snape or even show up without having bothered to read up on or prepare whatever is needed on Tuesday."
Opening her mouth to explain, Hermione is interrupted by Dumbledore's voice ringing out over the hall, "Enjoy the meal that you have in front of you, however I have a few announcements to make before everyone disappears back to their respective dormitories. First, the first of two Hogsmeade trips will occur next weekend, and our esteemed guests from Durmstrang and Beauxbaton are very much welcome to partake in the visit and to cultivate friendships with the students from each school. Second of all, the Saturday before the first task is discovered and participated in, Hogwarts will have the first of the Inter-House Quidditch matches between Gryffindor and Slytherin and Beauxbaton and Durmstrang are welcome to attend and watch the match. As a surprise, Ludo Bagman has offered to provide his commentary alongside Lee Jordan's during the match of which I have humbly decided to accept such a legendary player's commentary. That is all."
As soon as Dumbledore takes his seat, the hall erupts into a buzz of voices talking, excited about the upcoming events. Finishing up his meal, Harry gets up from his seat just to run into Daphne Greengrass.
"Potter, I'd like to speak with you alone, since you're finished with your meal" states Daphne looking at Harry intensely.
Looking at Daphne and her lack of a school bag, Harry removes his school bag and hands it to Ron, "Will you take this back to the dormitory for me, please?"
"Sure" answers Ron, accepting the offered bag.
Walking mostly beside but partially behind Daphne, Harry asks, "What would you like to talk about?"
Glancing at Harry, Daphne answers, "You're an enigma to me. You don't seem to relish being a champion, despite it being such a coveted position. And yet you're not like Malfoy who makes others do his bidding as if it were an honor."
Chuckling, Harry answers, "I'm surprised that's what intrigues you. I don't relish the position of being a champion, because I've already got the title of 'The Boy Who Lived' for surviving an attack from Voldemort. So fame isn't what I need or want. Money? As long as I can enjoy what I have with whom I have as friends, and live comfortably, galleons aren't my goal either. And having my friends do things such as carry my bag, I'm perfectly capable of doing so myself. I only asked Ron to take my bag for me, as you didn't have one and I thought I might be out of place with one."
Exiting through the main castle door, Daphne continues to lead the way. "Draco takes pride in having befuddled the Goblet of Fire, but you seem to think that it was a mistake for him to do so. Why do you think that way, if you don't mind me asking?"
"There has to be a reason why there was an age line in place, and I figure it's because we simply don't know enough before reaching our last year at Hogwarts" answers Harry simply.
"Do you currently find yourself in the position of having several women throwing themselves at you, like Draco does?" inquiries Daphne looking at Harry before quickly looking away, long and blonde hair hiding her face.
"No I don't, I haven't had a single girl come up to me and profess her love for me. Are you telling me that Draco has a few girls who want to be his lover?" answers Harry confused.
"Pansy Parkinson has offered herself to Draco as a lover several times, and her display of affection is quite…disturbing. But it is a relief that you aren't being hounded by someone like Pansy" remarks Daphne coming to rest at the lake's edge, full moon starting to rise above the horizon.
A silence begins and grows between them before Harry asks, "I may not be the most observant person ever, but you seem to be dwelling more on romantic topics. Is there a slight chance you find me an attractive enigma that you would like to go out with?"
Looking towards the sky, Daphne answers quietly and coolly, "Correct."
Contemplating Daphne's answer, Harry asks, "Then why wouldn't you just come out and ask me or tell me how you feel?"
"Because I am regarded as the 'Ice Queen', someone who keeps their emotions cool as ice, and behind an impenetrable wall of ice. If you'd rather not disclose your feelings and string me along, I shall take my leave and regard you as an individual colder than myself" states Daphne coldly turning towards the castle.
"Daphne, wait! I didn't mean it like that. I was meaning why you would bring me out here just for that" calls out Harry reaching towards Daphne.
Narrowing her eyes dangerously, Daphne answers in a frozen tone, "You have much to learn about women, Harry Potter. I do recommend reversing course and inform me of how you feel with the revelation of my feelings, or you shall find me permanently removed from your presence."
Sighing, Harry pauses before replying, "Daphne, I respect your level of intellect and feelings, however, I'd rather get to know you first before committing to a relationship with you. If you'd honor me with a date in Hogsmeade next weekend, we can start there if you'd like."
"Nine thirty in the hall just before the doors to Hogsmeade. Don't be late" states Daphne turning on her heel and striding back towards the castle.
Looking at the receding form of Daphne until she disappears from sight, Harry exhales before remarking to himself, "This year has definitely been interesting so far, and it's…exciting."
Author note: Thanks for sticking with me for so long! And thank you all who read, review, favorite, and add either/both myself and this fanfic to your alerts list. And before I get too far along, I was thinking of having five Hogwarts champions, but obviously with three schools (Draco was going to make some junk school up and Harry be entered by someone else with a different school). However, I decided five champions would be too much and would be off putting. Then I thought about having the Marauders Emporium was going to take over the event and adding one more champion per school for two from each school (Draco was not going to be a champion, and it was going to be Harry and Cedric), but also finally decided against that as well. And this doesn't mean HarryxDaphne is the final pairing.
And my apologies for taking so long to write this; I've been busy earning my A+ and Security+ professional IT certifications (I have earned both and am onto my next one of Network+). Hopefully I'll get myself back on track and we all can get to the first task (or more) by year's end. :D
-RoseJustice – I didn't either and my cousin looked through the chapter and suggested the dogfather portion.