13

Contracts and conditions

Silence filled the hall as every eye turned to stare at Harry. Hermione's were the only ones that offered support, everyone else was a mixture of accusation and confusion. Sighing heavily, he rose and started towards the headmaster, acknowledging Hermione's hand squeeze with one of his own before he left. He felt every eye on him as he approached the dais, but he only had eyes for the headmaster.

Dumbledore nodded sadly as Harry approached, admitting his failure despite the reassurances he'd offered. McGonagall joined Harry in front of the staff table, laying a supporting hand on his shoulder and adding her look to Harry's as she led him to the antechamber. As the door closed to the chamber, the murmurs of speculation could be heard building, and Harry sighed. It was just his luck.

"Do they want us back in ze great hall?" a melodious voice asked. Looking up out of his funk, Harry say the Beauxbatons champion looking up at him.

"No," Harry said softly, "My name came out too."

The cries of disbelief and outrage filled the small room as Harry made his was off to the side with Minerva.

"This is outrageous!"

"He is just a boy!"

"Hogwarts cannot have two champions!"

When Dumbledore, Moody, Bagman, Crouch, and Snape entered a minute later, the accusations and disbelief raged. It took a moment for order to be restored, at which point Dumbledore turned to Harry.

"Harry," The aged wizard began, "I know the answers already, but for everyone else's benefit: Did you place your name in the Goblet of Fire?"

"No"

"Did you ask someone older to do it for you?"

"No"

"Do you have any desire to compete in any way?"

"Hell no"

"Of course he says this now," Karkaroff railed, "Now that Hogwarts has two champions."

"I'm not a Hogwarts Champion." Harry denied, "That would be Cedric there. My name coming out of the Goblet is probably an assassination attempt."

The shock that statement rocked his accusers back on their heels. He turned to the other champions and saw contemplation on Cedrics' face, curiosity on Fleurs', and a distant look on Victors.

"I'm sorry this happened." He said to the champions, "But as I was told last night when I pointed out a rather glaring flaw in the protections around the cup, once entered, there is no getting out."

"Vhat flaw?" Victor asked.

"Two actually." Harry admitted, "The first was a method of entering a name into the Goblet from beyond Professor Dumbledore's age line. The second was pointing out that anyone who was of age could enter any name, not just their own, into the Goblet. I was assured my worries were unfounded." Harry glared at Dumbledore at the last.

"I'll admit," Dumbledore responded, "That both points were valid. The first was addressed by repulsion charm around the flame, preventing anything thrown or levitated from entering the fire. The second was, or should I say, should have been prevented by an intent ward."

"What's an intent ward?" Harry inquired.

"It's a ward that reacts to one's intent Harry." McGonagall explained, "Usually used to expel those with hostile intent or intent to harm. It's a very advanced magic, and rather time consuming to cast as I recall." She looked at her boss, "What was the trip?"

"It was keyed to prevent anyone for entering on the behest of another." Dumbledore provided, "I placed the charm immediately after our conversation last night, then gathered the needed supplies and the intent ward was up by nine o'clock."

"So either they got around your ward or entered before it was up." Karkaroff sneered, "Or he was the one to enter his name."

"That's a load of codswallop," Moody snarled, "The only way a fourth name could have come out of the Goblet is with an extremely powerful confundus charm, certainly beyond the work of a fourth year."

"You've put a lot of thought into it, perhaps you entered his name in the cup." Accused Igor.

"I'm trained to think how dark wizards think, remember?" Moody retorted, stomping closer to the man. "Or do you need a reminder?"

"ENOUGH" barked Dumbledore. "What matters more now is that his name came out, not how it got here. Crouch, is there any way to get Harry out of the tournament?"

"No," The old wizard sighed. "The Goblet constitutes a magically binding contract. As of tonight, Mr. Potter is a triwizard champion."

Harry snuck out after being told that the first task would test his daring, so there'd be no information given about it before it arrived on the 25th of November. He slunk his way back to the Gryffindor common room, trying to figure out why him. He'd never had such odd luck before, but since entering the magical world, he seemed to attract trouble, be surrounded by danger, and have an uncanny knack for surviving where he should die.

He hadn't made much headway when he arrived at the portrait of the fat lady. He mumbled the password, entering the lion's den so to speak. As he pulled the portrait closed, he looked up and realized maybe it wasn't a metaphor. Every Gryffindor seemed packed into the common room and was looking at him. He didn't get much chance to see how they were looking at him as his view was obscured by a bushy-haired missile that latched on to him like her life depended on it. Harry sighed knowing he wasn't alone, and hugged his girlfriend back.

"I'm ok Hermione," He whispered to her, "I'm right here."

"I'm so scared Harry," Hermione murmured into his neck, refusing to loosen her embrace. In fact, her tail joined her arms in wrapping around him.

"So glory hound," Ron's voice cut across the silent common room, "How'd you cheat your way into the Tournament?"

Somehow, the silent room became even quieter, even as everyone between the couple and Ron parted, clearing a path for the confrontation. The twins looked like they were about to intervene to save their brother, then turned to each other before shaking their heads and backing away as well.

"So I cheated to get in now?" Harry asked, "Why would I try to enter a tournament I want nothing to do with?"

"Of course you claim you don't want to be in the tournament," Ron sneered, "Makes for more publicity doesn't it? More glory for you. What? Wasn't being the Boy-who-lived enough for you?"

"Ron," Hermione said very quietly, feeling the hurt the last shot had done Harry, "You know he hates that name."

"But he loves the fame doesn't he," Ron attacked, sensing he'd wounded them, "He's famous, everyone loves him, and it's all about Harry Bloody Potter. He's got everything, Money, fame, never has to worry about anything."

"You really think so Ron? Are you really that dense?" Hermione snapped, magic rolling off of her. She continued as everyone took another step back. "Yes, everyone knows him as the Boy-who-lived, but did you ever consider what that name means to him? Yes, he lived, but his parents didn't. He's famous because his parents died Ron. Everyone celebrates today as the end of the war, but to him, it's the anniversary of his parents' murder. Do you think for one minute he wouldn't trade all that fame, all his money, to have his parents back?"

"Of course he wouldn't," Ron said confidently, "If he did that he'd have nothing, this way he gets everything."

"Everything huh?" Hermione's eyes were glowing now, her magic flaring and shielding Harry. "Where's his Family? Where are they Ron? What about his friends? Who other than me can truly claim to be his friend?"

"We can," The twins chimed in, then looked sheepish at Hermione's cocked eyebrow. "Well, we try at least, but no one can be as good a friend to him as you."

"I am as well." Neville declared, stepping up to Hermione's side, joining the twins against Ron. "I may not be the best at anything, but I try to be as good as I can be."

"Thanks guys," Harry joined Hermione, nodding to the twins and Neville in turn, "And if it was a choice between all the gold in my vaults, or their friendship; well, I'd have some really great friends."

"Yeah, right." Ron snorted in disbelief.

"You really don't get it do you Ron?" Harry asked, "Are you so blinded by jealousy that you never realized that while you wanted my fame and money, that all I ever wanted was a family? Were you so greedy for what I had you never saw that you already had what I wanted most?"

"Don't give me that drivel," Ron snarled, "you have it so good, you couldn't want for more. Always showing off and all. You want everything. The fame. The money. Your Mudblood slag…"

Ron's tirade was cut off as Harry's magic flared so hard it was visible. Hermione gasped as her magic joined his and wrapped around each other, their eyes glowed green and brown as a corona of power engulfed them. The magic flared and burst forth, slamming Ron into the wall four meters above the common room floor. The impact stunned Ron, who shook his head dazedly before starting to scream as the stone wall around him seeped over him, immobilizing him inside the wall, just his face remained uncovered.

"Get me down from here you…" Ron tried to demand his release.

"Silence," the pair spoke as one, and another wave of power from them and Ron was silenced. He obviously had more to say as his mouth continued to move, but no sound came out. Hermione took his hand, then moved to look straight into his eyes and the tension throughout his body eased. Harry looked at her, saw the love and support in her eyes, then visibly took deep, calming breaths, and their aura subsided and faded.

"Does anyone have anything else to say?" Harry asked in a calmer voice after he had settled down, "I promise to try to remain calm and tell you what I can if you are respectful."

It was quiet for a moment before Neville spoke up.

"Do you know how your name got in the Goblet?" his hesitant voice asked, "Or how it was made to come out?"

"Do I know?" Harry repeated, "No, I don't. We suspect however, that someone is trying to use the tournament to kill me. If an 'of age' wizard or witch placed my name in under a fourth school, and then Confounded the goblet into thinking there were four schools competing, my name would be automatically chosen as I would be the only entrant. That's the current theory."

"Do you have to compete?" Katie Bell asked.

"They debated a bit but the verdict was yes, I'd have to compete." Harry sighed.

"Harry," Hermione ventured, "The rules state that no one from your school can help you. If you were entered under a fourth school, does that mean we can help you?"

"That is a very good question Miss Granger," Dumbledore's voice came from the entrance to the common room. Everyone turned to look and saw the Headmaster and their head of house standing just inside the portrait hole. "Unfortunately because we really don't know how Harry's name was entered, I would say that overt help would be ill advised at this time. However, if Harry were to ask general hypothetical questions, purely out of curiosity, I don't think any issue could be found."

"Now that you have the necessary information," McGonagall continued, "I expect each of you to consider it and base your support or opposition on fact, not supposition or rumor. Now off to bed, all of you."

"Harry, Miss Granger," Dumbledore called after the teens, causing both Harry and Hermione to turn back, "Would you mind releasing Mr. Weasley?"

"Uh… I'm not sure how, sir." Harry stammered and blushed, "We didn't really do it on purpose. Everything just happened by instinct, I didn't really think about what we were doing, just what we wanted done."

"I see," the headmaster pondered, "And I saw it was wandless, did you mean to not use your wand?"

"Didn't think, sir, just did."

"Incredible. Minerva, would you work with these two on gaining more control of their wandless abilities as you progress on your 'Project', whatever it is?"

"Of course headmaster."

"As for Mr. Weasley," The headmaster returned to the original subject, "I suppose we will find a way to release him... eventually." And the old wizard grinned through his long white beard.

It was the next morning before the castle released its hold on Ron. Fortunately it was after Harry and Hermione had gone to breakfast. The next few days were tense, but eventually they settled back into their habit of ignoring the others and going about their day. It was harder for Harry, who still shared a room with him, but their other roommates made it clear to Ron they wouldn't stop Harry from retaliating if he did something there.

Potions a week later was interrupted by Colin Creevey retrieving him for the wand Weighing Ceremony. It was an unmitigated disaster for Harry. First Snape seemed to use his removal to go off on the other Gryffindor's. Then that reprehensible Rita Skeeter person calling herself a reporter dragged him into a broom cupboard for an 'interview'. Harry supposed blasting her through the doorway was a bad thing to do, but when her quill started making stuff up, he'd started to get angry. When she'd made a disparaging comment about Hermione, it just wouldn't do. It was satisfying to walk up to her and inform her if she wrote one word about him, outside of provable fact, he'd inform everyone he met about her and her deplorable tactics. And if she wrote anything bad at all about Hermione, he'd simply kill her.

"You can say anything you can prove about me," he'd said, "But you don't say anything bad about Hermione."

The looks on the other champions faces was pretty amusing though. Apparently he was glowing again when he did this.

After the actual weighing, which seemed more for show than anything else, the other champions asked for a word.

"Harry," Cedric called as he left the room.

Turning, Harry saw all three of the other champions moving to him. His wand still in hand, he turned so it would be hard for them to surround him.

"We just want to talk Harry, see?" Cedric continued, making a show of putting his wand away. Seeing the other two follow suit, he relented.

"Fine, what's up?" He sighed.

"First, Ve are sorry," Victor began, "Ve made assumptions the first night that vere not fair."

"We are unsure when you snuck off," Fleur continued, taking care to enunciate, "But by the time we had agreed to talk avay from ze headmasters, you were gone."

"I took the opportunity when we met a few days ago to fill them in on your history," Cedric Explained, "And why you think it's an attempt to murder you."

"And now?" Harry asked cautiously. This was not the discussion he'd been expecting.

"Und now, ve help." Victor said simply.

"I'm sorry?" Harry asked, clearly confused.

"Eet is zimple "Arry," Fleur's accent returned, "Since you are not from our schools, as each must have only one, we can help you. And each ozer."

"Wait, you're saying that since we're not from each other's schools, we can help each other. But if we were from the same we couldn't?"

"Exactly." Victor confirmed.

"At this point, we three have agreed to pass on any information or clues we discover about the tasks. Prep is individual, but we all agree if someone needs help, we will do what we can."

"That's for us," Cedric explained, "For you, we shall endeavor to keep everyone off your back, which means our respective schools, minus the snakes who probably would require serious damage to stop harassing you. Sorry." Harry gave a slight nod of acknowledgement at the sentiment. "Also, if you get stuck or need help learning a spell, if we know it we'll help you."

"I…" Harry stammered, shocked at the offer, "Thank you, but why?"

"Because we agree," Fleur explained, "It eez likely zey are trying to keell you. And we don't want zhat."

It was the Friday before the first task, and the full moon. Their last class was Care of Magical Creatures, and both Harry and Hermione were uneasy. Something was different today. Most of the creatures in the class till shied away from them, but that was near constant. Only the more intelligent creatures seemed to like them, even going as far as being far easier for them to handle. No, there was something new.

"Do you feel that?" Harry asked her as they returned to the castle.

"Yeah, but I don't know what it is." Hermione replied, "I've felt this kind of thing before, kind of an instinct level warning, but never this strong."

"I know, it's like Moody's doorway, but a lot stronger, sharper." Harry confirmed, "But I can tell it's in the forest, and I think there's more than one."

"Me too."

"McGonagall?"

"Yeah, I think so." Hermione agreed, casting one last glance at the forest before entering the entry hall.

McGonagall listened to the vague yet vivid warning the two passed on as she led them to their quarters for the night. They also described the feeling to Madam Pomfrey when she arrived. A quick consultation had the Deputy Headmistress agreeing to have Hagrid check the forest the next day for anything out of the ordinary.

The Moon rose and for the first time, something new happened. Harry and Hermione shared the pain of the transformation.

As Hermione began her change, Harry realized that he felt the changes too, like they were happening to him as well. Sensing that it was easier for her now, he tried everything he could think of to pull all the pain he could onto himself, taking her pain any way he could. Hermione of course realized what he was trying to do, but couldn't blame him for she'd do the same if she could.

The second change was that Hermione progressed further in her transformation. Whereas before she had human features with a lot of fur and a tail and ears, she now had more distinct feline features. Her jaw reformed, elongating into a short muzzle of tawny fur. Her nose morphed into the triangular nose of a cat. Her eyes spaced further apart, but still forward facing. Her ears were more prominent, and her tail smoother. Her Fingers shortened, and small leathery pads appeared on her hands. They were still human shaped, just stubby. Her feet elongated, pads grew on her soles, and her pelvis shifted. To stand upright she now had to bend her knees, which felt oddly natural to her.

"Oh my," McGonagall gasped as the transformation finished.

After waving her wand over Hermione, whose attention seemed to be on something outside, Pomfrey reported that she seemed to be fine, no unseen complications. Hermione nodded absently, then meowed loudly.

Everyone startled. Harry was instantly by her side as Hermione's dismay showed, to reassure her. She looked deep into his eyes, and a guttural yet melodious speech came from the girl.

"Aooutsiiide," She half purred, "My Sennsssesss Arrrrrre grrrrrreaterrrr. I can feeeel the crrrreaturrres."

"I can too," Harry assured her, then turned to McGonagall, "We have an opportunity here. If both of us can sense whatever was triggering our senses earlier, we can find it."

"That is unwise Mr. Potter," McGonagall stated, "Neither of you can defend…" She cut herself off as Hermione flexed her hands and 5cm long, scimitar-shaped claws extended from her fingertips. "Or maybe you can."

"We have an hour before curfew, I don't think the creatures are that far," Harry pleaded, "Let us go out for half an hour. If we can't find anything, we'll come back."

"And why exactly should I let you go alone into the Forbidden Forest, at night?" McGonagall asked archly.

"Well, if there is something out there," Harry explained, "We're the best ones to find it. And it has to be tonight because our senses are amped, who knows how well we'd be able to sense whatever it is tomorrow." He paused, looked at Hermione, then back at McGonagall. "Besides, you could always come with us."

It had taken another ten minutes to convince the venerable Scotswoman, but she finally agreed to at least look into their assertion that there was something dangerous in the Forest. When Harry produced his Invisibility cloak to sneak himself and Hermione out of the castle, she just shook her head, muttering about many things being explained now.

As soon as they reached Hagrid's hut, both Harry and Hermione could sense whatever was twanging their instincts. They both swerved to follow the lakeshore at a constant distance, making their way around the edge of the lake. Within about five minutes they could see light intermittently through the trees, flaring and waning. As they approached, the odd smell they'd been trying to identify got stronger, and everyone felt the hairs on the backs of their necks stand on end.

Coming around a very old, very large tree, a camp-like setting came into view. Four cages were present, each the size of a large house. The site was ringed with torches, with men running to and fro, trying to contain the creatures held in the cages. Each was different, but each had one thing in common; they were all dragons. The large, predatory reptiles were obviously upset. They railed against the cages, spat fire at anyone who came near, and generally displayed the most aggressive attitude possible.

"My word," McGonagall gasped, placing her hand over her heart. "Why on earth?"

"The tournament," Harry responded dejectedly, angrily. "The thrice cursed, never sufficiently damned, bloody Tournament."

"Laaaangguage, Harrrrry." Hermione scolded in her purring tone, "Buuttt yessss, the Tourrrrrnament."

"You mean…" McGonagall stammered, "Those are the first task? What on Earth could they need dragons for?"

"I don't know," sighed Harry, "And I wish I didn't have to find out."

"Sssoomeone'sss commming" Purred Hermione, pulling Harry back behind the tree.

"Professor," A mild mannered voice called, "What are you doing out here?"

"Ah, Charlie Weasley," McGonagall greeted the unseen man warmly, "I caught sight of the light and was investigating. Why are you and such creatures here?"

"Well," Charlie's voice sounded hesitant, "I really shouldn't say, but the school contacted us back about 2 months ago. Asked us to transport these beauties up here for the Tournament. Though why they need nesting mothers is beyond me."

"Two months ago?" McGonagall sounded shocked, "They asked you to transport four dragons two months ago?"

"No, just three," Charlie assured her, "The fourth was added just three weeks ago or so, the first of the month." A roar interrupted him, "Though the rush has definitely upset her, I pity whoever gets that Horntail."

"I pity them all." McGonagall muttered, only their sharpened hearing allowed Harry and Hermione to hear her. "May I ask why they are all different?"

"Different species," Charlie explained, "Had to be to get four nesting mothers. We have a Chinese Fireball, a Swedish Short -snout, a Welsh Green, and of course, the Hungarian Horntail."

"I really wish they weren't here." sighed McGonagall, "They have a lethal beauty to them, but I dearly wish they weren't here."

"I'm sure the champions will be alright." Reassured Charlie, "Do you know why they added a fourth though? No one has had time to do much other than work since the last dragon was added."

"You haven't heard?" Inquired Minerva, "Harry Potter's name came out of the Goblet after the other champions. He's being forced to compete as a fourth champion."

"Harry Potter, Ron's friend?" Charlie asked aghast, "But he's a fourth year."

"Not so friendly between them lately I'm afraid, but yes, that Harry Potter." McGonagall confirmed.

"They're not friends anymore? What happened?"

"I'm afraid Ron has shown a rather poor side of himself. Miss Granger, who is now Mr. Potter's Girlfriend, had a bit of a relapse from her potions mishap a few years ago. Ron couldn't stop laughing and making fun of her, driving a wedge between them. Then, when Harry's name came out of the Goblet, I'm afraid the unease between them came to a head. Ron ended up stuck in a wall for several hours before we were able to undo the effects holding him there."

"He was attacked?"

"No, Mr. Weasley," McGonagall's voice became stern, "He attacked them, and the other two defended themselves. Not for the first time I may add. In fact, they've been rather restrained in their dealings with your brother."

"Restrained? What do you mean?"

"Well, if your brother, or anyone mind you, had said to me what he said to Miss Granger, they likely wouldn't be breathing when I was done with them."