Chapter 37: The Tournament Begins

Albus led the way into the antechamber where Harry, Ludo, and the other champions were waiting. As soon as they entered, Fleur Delacour strode over to her headmistress and said hotly, "Madame Maxime! Zey are saying zat zis little boy is to compete also!"

Harry shot her a dark look but didn't say anything—in truth, he looked as if he was about to be sick. Before Albus could say anything, Madame Maxime filled with air and turned directly to him. She then commanded, "What is ze meaning of zis, Dumbly-dorr?"

"I'd rather like to know that myself, Dumbledore," Karkaroff said coldly.

'That makes three of us, Igor,' Albus thought to himself, still filled with worry.

"Two Hogwarts champions?" Karkaroff continued and he spat out the name of the school as if it was a filthy word. "I don't remember anyone telling me the host school is allowed two champions – or have I not read the rules carefully enough?"

He gave a short and nasty laugh and Madame Maxime went on, "C'est impossible. 'Ogwarts cannot 'ave two champions. It is most injust."

"We were under the impression that your Age Line would keep out younger contestants, Dumbledore. Otherwise, we would, of course, have brought along a wider selection of candidates from our own schools."

Albus hardly heard that last part. He was focused on trying to figure that out as well. He had drawn that Age Line himself, and he knew that he didn't make a mistake. There was no way that Harry could've made it over the line on his own.

Just then, Severus stepped forward. Albus fought a sigh. He had a feeling that this wasn't going to help matters and sure enough… "It's no one's fault but Potter's, Karkaroff. Don't go blaming Dumbledore for Potter's determination to break rules. He has been crossing lines ever since he arrived here -"

Albus had enough to worry about with Severus making it worse. He then said firmly, "Thank you, Severus." Even though Severus stopped talking, he sent a nasty smirk in Harry's direction. Albus wasn't so sure if the boy had seen it, but he had more pressing matters to deal with at the moment.

Albus turned to Harry and asked in as calm a voice he could muster, "Did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire, Harry?"

"No," Harry said and Albus believed him. He didn't need to look into the boys mind to see that—the scared, desperate look in his eyes said it all. He ignored Snape who snorted quietly, and asked for the other's benefit, "Did you ask an older student to put it into the Goblet of Fire for you?"

"No," said Harry strongly. And while Albus knew this was true as well, the others on the other hand…

"Ah, but of course 'e is lying!" cried Madame Maxime at once, refusing to believe it. Severus was now also shaking his head with his lip curling as if he could believe that there could be any other explanation.

To his relief, Minerva came to his defense and said in a sharp voice that addressed them all. "He could not have crossed the Age Line. I am sure we are all agreed on that -"

Madame Maxime came up with another idea, "Dumbly-dorr must 'ave made a mistake wiz ze line."

This he highly doubted but said coolly, "It is possible, of course." But he knew better than anyone that this couldn't have been the issue here. Harry wasn't anywhere near the Great Hall after he went up to bed last night… his portraits would've told him this first thing in the morning.

Minerva looked aghast that he could even say that. "Dumbledore, you know perfectly well you did not make a mistake!" she then glared at Severus for his lack of help and finished by saying, "Really, what nonsense! Harry could not have crossed the line himself, and as Professor Dumbledore believes that he did not persuade an older student to do it for him, I'm sure that should be good enough for everybody else!"

He was glad that she thought so as well. At least he had one person on his side. But it became clear to him that Karakaroff wasn't going to see it that way, "Mr. Crouch… Mr. Bagman, you are our - er - objective judges. Surely you will agree that this is most irregular?"

Ludo looked nervous and looked over at Barty for help. But Barty seemed almost… out of it. His face half hidden in shadows as he stood in the background—this wasn't like the Barty Crouch he knew. He was surprised, and also slightly disturbed by this.

The Barty Crouch he knew would've been demanding the truth and asking all the questions, but he hardly said a word all evening. This wasn't like him at all… and now that he looked more closely, he thought that Barty looked a little… ill. Albus knew that he had been working overtime at the office since the World Cup… but he always had taken very good care of himself. But before Albus could ask, he said in his usual curt voice as if nothing was wrong.

"We must follow the rules, and the rules state clearly that those people whose names come out of the Goblet of Fire are bound to compete in the tournament."

Now that sounded more like the Crouch he knew, but he was still worried about him. But no one else seemed to have noticed anything and Ludo looked said brightly, "Well, Barty knows the rule book back to front."

But Karakaroff wasn't going to be given in without a fight. "I insist upon resubmitting the names of the rest of my students." He looked furious as he glared at them all. "You will set up the Goblet of Fire once more, and we will continue adding names until each school has two champions. It's only fair, Dumbledore."

Ludo quickly explained, "But Karkaroff, it doesn't work like that. The Goblet of Fire's just gone out - it won't reignite until the start of the next tournament -"

"- in which Durmstrang will most certainly not be competing!" Igor suddenly yelled, looking ready to walk out here and now. "After all our meetings and negotiations and compromises, I little expected something of this nature to occur! I have half a mind to leave now!"

Albus had no idea how to explain how he couldn't explain what was going on. But he knew that this was an empty threat as well…

"Empty threat, Karkaroff," growled a familiar low voice from near the door. Albus looked up to see Alastor Moody limping in the room. Good, if anyone could tell Igor what to do it would be him. "You can't leave your champion now. He's got to compete. They've all got to compete. Binding magical contract, like Dumbledore said. Convenient, eh?"

Albus nodded to him—having been worried for the Durmstrang champion as well. Karkaroff wouldn't put one of his students in harm's way like this.

"Convenient?" Karkaroff repeated. "I'm afraid I don't understand you, Moody."

While he talked tough, Albus could see that he was shaking. Even after all these years, it looked as if he still harbored a fear of Alastor Moody.

"Don't you?" Alastor asked as he turned his magical eye onto him. "It's very simple, Karkaroff. Someone put Potter's name in that goblet knowing he'd have to compete if it came out."

Madame Maxime scoffed and said coldly, "Evidently, someone 'oo wished to give 'Ogwarts two bites at ze apple!"

Karkaroff bowed low to her in agreement, "I quite agree, Madame Maxime. I shall be lodging complaints with the Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards -"

Alastor looked annoyed and growled, "If anyone's got reason to complain, it's Potter but… funny thing… I don't hear him saying a word…"

At that, Albus turned back to Harry to see still standing stock still, as if he was afraid to say what he was thinking.

"Why should 'e complain?" burst out Fleur, stamping her foot like a child. "E 'as ze chance to compete, 'asn't 'e? We 'ave all been 'oping to be chosen for weeks and weeks! Ze honor for our schools! A thousand Galleons in prize money - zis is a chance many would die for!"

"Maybe someone's hoping Potter is going to die for it," Alastor suggested coolly.

This was a thought that Albus knew was quite possible, but still—to hear it said out loud caused him to feel as if a strong hand had gripped his heart tightly. Ludo on the other hand said nervously to Alastor, "Moody, old man… what a thing to say!"

"We all know Professor Moody considers the morning wasted if he hasn't discovered six plots to murder him before lunchtime," said Karkaroff loudly, turning his distain back onto his old enemy. "Apparently he is now teaching his students to fear assassination too. An odd quality in a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Dumbledore, but no doubt you had your reasons."

Albus could see that Alastor was angry, but he hid it well. He said in a calm, but threatening voice, "Imagining things, am I? Seeing things, eh? It was a skilled witch or wizard who put the boy's name in that goblet…"

Exasperated Madame Maxime flung her hands up, "Ah, what evidence is zere of zat?"

Alastor then began to speak as if he thought he was talking to a toddler. "Because they hoodwinked a very powerful magical object! It would have needed an exceptionally strong Confundus Charm to bamboozle that goblet into forgetting that only three schools compete in the tournament… I'm guessing they submitted Potter's name under a fourth school, to make sure he was the only one in his category…"

Albus had already thought that over and agreed that had to be the best explanation. Only an incredibly powerful wizard could've done it… but who? If Voldemort was behind this, then the most reasonable guess is that he had sent one of his Death Eater's to do this… but he could only think of a few who would be powerful enough to do that… most of which are still in Azkaban.

Karkaroff jeered and said, "You seem to have given this a great deal of thought, Moody and a very ingenious theory it is - though of course, I heard you recently got it into your head that one of your birthday presents contained a cunningly disguised basilisk egg, and smashed it to pieces before realizing it was a carriage clock."

Albus would've smiled if the situation wasn't so grave; he heard about that little incident. "So you'll understand if we don't take you entirely seriously…"

Alastor looked at Igor with such hatred and spoke in a menacing voice that the temperature in the chamber seemed to have drop. "There are those who'll turn innocent occasions to their advantage. It's my job to think the way Dark wizards do, Karkaroff - as you ought to remember…"

Worried that he might say something about Karkaroff's past and make things worse, Albus said in warning, "Alastor!" And while Alastor fell silent, he gave Karakaroff a look of satisfaction as if the battle had been won.

Albus than spoke to the whole room and put an end to it. "How this situation arose, we do not know," though he wish he did. And feeling as if these words were being wretched from his soul said, "It seems to me, however, that we have no choice but to accept it. Both Cedric and Harry have been chosen to compete in the Tournament. This, therefore, they will do…"

It was the last thing he wanted, but what other choice did he have?

"Ah, but Dumbly-dorr -"

Tired of the constant arguing, he said wearily, "My dear Madame Maxime, if you have an alternative, I would be delighted to hear it."

He hoped against hope that she did know of a way to get around it, but the only thing she did was glare. She wasn't the only one either… Severus and Karkaroff both looked ready to kill. Ludo however, looked rather excited. And for some reason, Albus felt the need to hit him.

He then said in a winning voice that didn't help his mood, "Well, shall we crack on, then?" he said, rubbing his hands together and smiling around the room. "Got to give our champions their instructions, haven't we? Barty, want to do the honors?"

Barty seemed to come out of thought and said in his usual tone, "Yes, instructions. Yes… the first task…"

Albus watched miserably as Barty moved closer to the fire before he blinked in surprise to see the dark shadows beneath his eyes and his pale face that made him look older than he was. "The first task is designed to test your daring," Barty went on normally, "so we are not going to be telling you what it is. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard… very important."

Well, Harry should have an advance in that category then. After all he is very good at getting out of tight situations and showing courage and strength in times of danger. However the thought did little to cheer him up.

"The first task will take place on November the twenty-fourth, in front of the other students and the panel of judges. The champions are not permitted to ask for or accept help of any kind from their teachers to complete the tasks in the tournament."

Albus bit his lower lip in worry, knowing full well what was about to come.

"The champions will face the first challenge armed only with their wands," Barty went on. "And they will receive information about the second task when the first is over. Owing to the demanding and time-consuming nature of the tournament, the champions are exempted from end-of-year tests."

He turned back towards Albus and asked rather vaguely, "I think that's all, is it, Albus?"

Albus was mildly surprise at that. Barty never forgot anything. "I think so," he said slowly. "Are you sure you wouldn't like to stay at Hogwarts tonight, Barty?"

Predictably, Barty shook his head. "No, Dumbledore, I must get back to the Ministry. It is a very busy, very difficult time at the moment… I've left young Weatherby in charge… Very enthusiastic… a little overenthusiastic, if truth be told…"

Albus privately agreed. But said instead, just to make sure that he'll be alright, "You'll come and have a drink before you go, at least?"

Ludo walked forward and said brightly, "Come on, Barty, I'm staying! It's all happening at Hogwarts now, you know, much more exciting here than at the office!"

Once again, Albus had an image of throttling Ludo for his joyful attitude in light of everything that has happened. He himself, was far from feeling happy…

"I think not, Ludo," Barty said impatiently, sounding much more like himself.

Albus turned back to the other two heads of schools and, attempting to make peace, said, "Professor Karkaroff - Madame Maxime - a nightcap?"

Not too surprising, Madame Maxime had already put her arm around Fleur's shoulders and was leading her swiftly out of the room—Albus could hear them both talking angrily in French through the now empty Hall. Karkaroff beckoned to Krum, and they left without a word.

Trying to say something, he said to the two remaining champions with a forced smile, "Harry, Cedric, I suggest you go up to bed. I am sure Gryffindor and Hufflepuff are waiting to celebrate with you, and it would be a shame to deprive them of this excellent excuse to make a great deal of mess and noise."

Harry looked at Cedric and they left—but Albus could see from anxious look on his face that Harry wasn't in the mood to celebrate… well, that made two of them.

*Later that night*

Albus was sitting up in his darkened office long after everyone else had gone to bed he was sure. He was pouring over his pensieve, watching his thoughts and memories swirl around in front of him. What he wanted more than anything right now was to be alone in an empty office so that he could try and think, however his office was anything but empty.

Minerva was pacing the room anxiously—she was wringing her hands with a restless look on her face, Severus was standing in a corner watching her calmly as he hadn't a care in the world, and then there was Alastor standing closest to the door, his eye swirling around and keeping everyone in sight.

For the last half an hour no one said a word… as if afraid that one of them would snap at each other. Minerva finally stopped pacing and looked back at him, "Albus," she said in such a tone that he knew that she couldn't take this silence any longer. "You know as well as I do that this can't just be some fluke. First the Dark Mark at the World Cup… and now this? You can't just sit by and let this happen!"

Albus sighed and finally looked up at her, sadness in his face. "What do you suggest we do, Minerva?" Desperate for any ideas for a way out of this as he was, he knew that there wasn't one except for Harry to compete.

She glared at him as if he had planned all this to happen. "Put an end to it! Don't let Potter compete! There must be something that you can do! You know as well as I do what he'll be up against this year! Dragons for the first task, surviving in the lake for an hour in the second, and a maze filled with who knows what! There has to be a way out of this…"

Albus sighed again and shook his head grimly. "I wish I could, Minerva. The reason I insisted on the Age Line in the first place was to prevent something like this from happening. If only I had someone stand guard over the goblet last night…" he trailed off. Cursing his own carelessness he then said, "But you heard what Barty said, they have to compete. I have no choice but to allow them to."

"Well, the devil with the Ministry and their rules!" Minerva snapped back as if she couldn't care less what anyone from the Ministry said anymore. "And since when do you put up the Ministry?"

Severus chose that moment to walk up and interrupt. "I must confess that I too find it difficult to find it a mere coincidence," he said silkily. "However, if we are to truly discover the truth behind these events… I think that we should… for the time being… let them unfold."

Minerva looked horrified and gave him a hard look. "What?" she demanded. "Do nothing? Offer him up as bait? Potter is a boy, not a piece of meat. I know that he had pulled off many impressive things since he arrived here, however he's now only fourteen. He'll be eaten alive if we just leave him on his own!"

Feeling sickened with himself, Albus said resentfully, "I agree… with Severus."

Minerva turned back to stare at him as if she was seeing him for the first time. "Albus… you can't truly…?"

"Minerva," he said tiredly. "You know that the Ministry isn't the problem. It's the fact that Harry's name came out of the Goblet of Fire. I know for a fact that he never left the dormitory after he went up with everyone. My portraits have been keeping a close watch on the hallways last night, and they have informed me of the few students who have put their names in last night. But they never saw Harry leave the Gryffindor common room. Which means that someone else is doing this."

"Albus," Minerva said quietly. "You don't think… that he's behind this do you?"

Albus didn't need to ask her who he was. He took his time in answering before he finally said, not looking up from the pensieve, "The moment I read Harry's name, I've been running through countless possibilities in my mind. Even if Harry did put his name in—which he didn't," he added to Severus who merely raised his eyebrows.

"There isn't a way that his name would've come out as a fourth champion," he finished. "Not without some powerful advance magic. Harry's name couldn't have been entered under Hogwarts, as a champion had already been called for. And so, whoever did enter Harry's name would have to have used a pretty strong spell to get the Goblet to recognize a fourth school."

"But Albus, who?" Minerva asked fearfully.

"If we knew that, we would have a great deal of questions answered for us, Minerva," Albus sighed. "I've checked with Harry to make sure, but it's obvious that Harry had nothing to do with this. And if Harry didn't put his name in, then why was his name in there at all? There's nothing else for it. Voldemort is behind it. And somebody at Hogwarts is working for him."

Silence filled the room. Minerva looked horrified, and the smirk on Severus's face faded. Alastor of course didn't look surprised at all—obviously suspecting all this already."

"Of course," Albus went on. "The questions are who and why. I've thought about it, but I just can't think up too many other possibilities. There are lots of students around, but Voldemort isn't strong enough to be recruiting new followers. His Death Eaters clearly don't know that he is still out there. And there's almost no way a student could be responsible – and besides, precious few could have managed to Confund the Goblet anyway."

He sighed again before he finally looked at them all. "I don't know how," he told them. "But Voldemort is pulling the strings. Please, I want all of you to be extra vigilant. Report to me anything at all that is out of the ordinary, anything that looks suspicious, or anyone acting strangely. And… all of you keep an eye on Harry for me. But don't let him know…" he added in a softer voice, "he must be anxious enough as it is without knowing that he's being closely watched… then again, all of us are."

They all nodded—Minerva especially—and he was glad to see that they all left after that. He looked up at Dexter and asked for news.

"Diggory made it back to his common room safely," he said. "Though they were saying some fairly unpleasant things about Potter."

Albus frowned, knowing full well that this was bound to happen.

"Speaking of Potter, he's in bed now," Dexter went on. "I admit that I was a little suspicious that he might've done something… but after seeing him in the common room, I know now that he didn't do it."

"What makes you so sure?" Phineas asked snidely.

"Because if he did," Dexter snapped back, "Then he would at least want to tell his friends how he did it… enjoy himself a little… but he sure didn't look happy. He kept saying over and over that he didn't do anything, but no one wanted to listen. He just wanted to go up to bed… felt real bad for him by the time he finally was able to get away."

"People can be remarkably thoughtless when they choose to be. I believe that they wanted a hero so they created one whether or not Harry wanted to or not," said Albus sadly.

He fell silent and became lost in his thoughts… staring into the depths of his pensieve. He was so lost here… usually he had some idea to what was going on, but this time he had none. Albus is missing something. And it's clearly something big. He has a list of possibilities… but of course this list, too, is surprisingly short.

Almost all of Voldemort's Death Eaters are either dead, in Azkaban, or – like Lucius Malfoy – out in the wizarding world, continuing to live their lives. Given the size of the wizarding world, not to mention his connections, it wouldn't be hard for him to confirm that they are in fact still leading their lives. Lucius Malfoy, Macnair, Avery, Yaxley, Nott, Crabbe, Goyle… none of them are hanging around Hogwarts… besides, most of them aren't that powerful to confuse the Goblet anyway…

There's one exception, of course: Wormtail. He's able be near his master full time because he's presumed dead. But Albus also knew that Voldemort would need Wormtail close by; it wouldn't make much sense for him to be spending his days at Hogwarts, either.

So through a process of elimination… he had three candidates… Barty Crouch, Igor Karkaroff, and Ludo Bagman… Barty Crouch is hanging around, but he's spent his life fighting Death Eaters so he can't in good coincidence believe that he had something to do with this. Igor seemed furious when Harry's name came out but then again he had always been a talented actor… and Ludo really doesn't seem to be the kind to do this…

None of them seem to any motive to do so… but one is a former Death Eater, and another was at least accused once of working for Voldemort as well…

But there is a chance that someone here is under the Imperius Curse or maybe even Polyjuice Potion here inside Hogwarts.

But that's a challenge there, too because only a handful of people will be able to impersonate or control someone for a long period of time. Even Karkaroff and Maxime have to know their students, and even the first years (who might not know anyone at Hogwarts) still have to be able to write home. So the only real possibilities for this would seem to be Barty Crouch and, again, Ludo Bagman.

Albus remembered how ill that Barty seemed to look these days and vowed to keep a close watch on all three of them, until this case is settled.

Albus didn't go to bed that night… he merely sat there in his seat, ignoring his portraits as he continued to pour over every possible idea… anything that might prevent anyone else from getting hurt before it's too late.

*The next day*

The sun was shining into the windows before Albus had been able to drag himself from his thoughts at long last. He was exhausted to say the least, and felt the need to sleep… but his mind was still working.

He forced himself to leave his desk, change into clean robes and go downstairs to speak with the other two Heads of the schools and his staff. He wasn't at all surprised to see that Harry hadn't come down at all for breakfast. He looked up at the Gryffindor table to see Ronald sitting with his brothers and looking angry. Hermione sat a few seats away before she gathered up a stack of toast and left.

He heard later on from his portraits that she and Harry went for a walk around the lake—most likely talking about what happened last night. He spent most of breakfast trying to talk to Karkaroff and Madame Maxime… but he might've been talking to his fork and knife for all the good that it did.

He went wearily up the stairs and planned to go straight to bed and get a few hours sleep. But when he got back up to his office, he learned some more sad news.

"Weasley doesn't believe him," Everard told him. "I can't believe it. He really thinks that Harry put his name into the Goblet and that he wanted all the attention. After all they went through together, he actually turns on him like this…?"

Albus sighed. He could understand this… he knew that from when Ronald Weasley looked into the Mirror of Erised nearly three years ago. With all those brothers to compete with at home, he must've had a great deal of trouble getting the upper hand. To stand out… and his best friend is one of the most famous people in the wizarding world.

However, his desire for attention such as Harry gets is blinding him to the truth. And while he could understand, he still felt that this only made things worse.

"And now?" he asked softly as he put his pensieve away. "What are they doing now?"

"Weasley's sulking in the common room," he answered bitterly. "And last I saw them, Harry and Granger were heading up to the owlery to send a letter to Sirius."

Albus groaned. That's right… after everything that happened, he had forgotten about Sirius. He would have to send a warning to Sirius as well to prevent him from doing something stupid. Knowing how protective Sirius was of his godson, it wouldn't surprise him at all if Sirius did something like coming back to Hogwarts and… he shivered. He didn't want to think about that.

He decided to quickly write a letter to Sirius as well… to let him know everything that was going on and to stay where he was… if Sirius didn't snap already and kill him first.

*Couple days later*

As Albus thought, the rest of the school was, once again, giving Harry a hard time. The boy spent the rest of the weekend avoiding everyone except for Hermione, but now that he was back at in class, Albus was truly beginning to see just how cruel that children could be.

It was a case of déjà vu… very like how terrible it was during the Chamber of Secrets scare and everyone believed that he was the heir of Slytherin.

No matter what Harry said or did, everyone was convinced that he entered the tournament himself and he somehow hoodwinked the Goblet to except his name.

The Hufflepuffs, who were usually on excellent terms with the Gryffindors, seemed to have grown to hate every single one of them over night. And he heard from Hagrid how hard the Slytherins were giving Harry during their lessons.

Especially Draco Malfoy.

Albus shook his head, hating how helpless he was feeling—how he was unable to prevent this happening. He should've thought to have at least a couple teachers watching the Goblet that night… if invisibly.

He was silently grateful that Harry had friends like Hermione and Hagrid there for him… now if only Ron would realize he made a mistake. He knew that his jealously was clouding this thoughts and actions… he had hoped that maybe once he calmed down and thought over everything he knew about his friend then he would apologize…

He knew that being away from his best friend was hard for Ron as well as for Harry.

Hagrid had just left after a quick interview with him about his Skrewts. Albus had suggested several times that he let him deal with them, but Hagrid insisted that he could handle it. Albus had told Hagrid the morning after Halloween what he had thought and Hagrid had told him that it didn't seem fair how everything happened to Harry.

Albus sighed as he looked out the window at the bright sky. Yes… everything seemed to happen to that one boy. Everyone expected so much from him… but so easily turns against him. As if they could so easily forget what had happened the last three years already…

Things just seemed to have gotten worse. He silently cursed himself for thinking of the Triwizard Tournament. Instead of creating unity, it just seemed to be pulling them all apart. The Hufflepuffs were usually the most open and excepting… had not turned against everyone else. Then there were the Ravenclaws who decided to turn their support towards Cedric and shunning the Gryffindors as well. And of course Slytherin was acting as prejudice as it always did.

If only he never thought of hosting the tournament…

*Weighing of the Wands*

The day had come for the Weighing of the Wands ceremony to ensure that the champion's wands are in proper working order for the tournament. Albus had sent a request to Garrick Ollivander to come here personally and look them over—which he was only too happy to do.

He had sent a couple students to fetch Harry and Cedric from their class and he went down to the front entrance to meet Ollivander.

By the time that he got back up to one of the spare classrooms, he could see three of the champions there as well as Ludo, Karkaroff, and Madame Maxime. He courteously showed Ollivander into the room and asked Ludo where Harry was.

"Rita wanted a quick word," Ludo said happily as if it wasn't anything serious.

Rita Skeeter? Who invited her here? Now Albus knew how notorious that Rita was for causing unnecessary trouble for countless people and he knew that nothing good was going to come of it. Edgy, he went to go find them though that didn't take long because all too soon he heard Harry's voice yell from a closed broom cupboard, "I have NOT got tears in my eyes!"

Not liking this one bit he quickly opened door of the broom cupboard and looked in to see Harry blinking in the bright light.

"Dumbledore!" cried Rita looking delighted, but Albus could see that she was quickly stuffing her quill and parchment into her crocodile-skin bag. "How are you?" she asked as if nothing happened and held out one of her hands to him. "I hope you saw my piece over the summer about the International Confederation of Wizards' Conference?"

"Enchantingly nasty," he informed her. He always found journal articles about him rather amusing; he was far too used to criticism and insults to let it bother him anymore. "I particularly enjoyed your description of me as an obsolete dingbat."

Rita Skeeter didn't look remotely embarrassed as she said causally, "I was just making the point that some of your ideas are a little old-fashioned, Dumbledore, and that many wizards in the street -"

"I will be delighted to hear the reasoning behind the rudeness, Rita," he cut her off with a bow and a smile, but wanting to get her away from Harry before she did something that would make things harder on them all. "But I'm afraid we will have to discuss the matter later. The Weighing of the Wands is about to start, and it cannot take place if one of our champions is hidden in a broom cupboard."

Harry hurried back into the room to join the others as Albus and Rita followed. The other champions were now sitting in chairs near the door—Viktor especially looking like he would like nothing to more than leave. Harry quickly took the empty seat next to Cedric, and near the table were the other judges were sitting there.

Out of the corner of his eyes, Rita was lurking in the corner with her Quick-Quotes Quill ready at hand. Once they were all there, he turned to the champions, and made introductions. "May I introduce Mr. Ollivander? He will be checking your wands to ensure that they are in good condition before the tournament."

They all looked to the window where Ollivander was standing and a few of them jumped in surprise. Albus smiled at his friend, knowing that Ollivander loved scaring people like that for a impressive first impression. He came closer and stepped into the empty space in the middle of the room. He cleared his throat and asked, "Mademoiselle Delacour, could we have you first, please?"

Fleur Delacour gracefully got to her feet and almost glided over to him and held her wand out.

He smiled at her brightly before turning his full attention to her wand. "Hmm…" he muttered as he began the usual procedure of checking the wand. He twirled the wand between his long fingers like a baton and it emitted a number of pink and gold sparks, looking satisfied. Finally, he held it chose to his eyes and examined it carefully.

"Yes," he said quietly, "nine and a half inches… inflexible… rosewood… and containing… dear me…"

Albus looked curiously at him, wondering what he found so fascinating when Fleur answered, "An 'air from ze 'ead of a veela. One of my grandmuzzer's."

Albus looked at her with new interest—to have a hair from one of your grandparents in your own wand? Now that is very special indeed. Ollivander looked impressed as well and said, "Yes, yes, I've never used veela hair myself, of course. I find it makes for rather temperamental wands… however, to each his own, and if this suits you…"

He then muttered, "Orchideous!" and handed over a bouquet of spring flowers to her. "Very well, very well, it's in fine working order. Mr. Diggory, you next."

He looked more eager as he took Cedric's wand. "Ah, now, this is one of mine, isn't it? Yes, I remember it well. Containing a single hair from the tail of a particularly fine male unicorn… must have been seventeen hands; nearly gored me with his horn after I plucked his tail."

That sounds like an exciting story that he had to hear; Albus made a mental note to ask him once this was over. "Twelve and a quarter inches… ash… pleasantly springy. It's in fine condition… You treat it regularly?"

"Polished it last night," said Cedric, grinning.

Albus wasn't paying much attention to what happened around him until saw several gold sparks shot out of the end of Harry's wand. And he briefly wondered if his wand was working correctly; however, Ollivander didn't seem to notice this as he sent a stream of silver smoke rings across the room from the tip of Cedric's wand and said that it was still in wonderful working order.

"Mr. Krum, if you please," he said as Cedric happily went back to his seat. Viktor then slouched, rather duck-footed and held his wand out with a scowl.

"Hmm," Ollivander said as Viktor continued to look grumpy—as if he rather be anywhere but here. "This is a Gregorovitch creation, unless I'm much mistaken?"

Albus looked up suddenly at the name, having remembered his own connection to him… having been one of the previous owners of the Elder wand which had been stolen by… he shook his head lightly. Trying not think about that as he heard Ollivander say, "A fine wand-maker, though the styling is never quite what I… however…"

Albus smiled lightly at his causal tone, knowing that Ollivander and Gregorovitch had been having a friendly rivalry for many years. He watched as Ollivander continued to exam it.

"Yes… hornbeam and dragon heartstring?" he asked and then went on. "Rather thicker than one usually sees… quite rigid… ten and a quarter inches… Avis!" With a bang, number of small, twittering birds flew out of the end and through the open window and through the clear, blue sky.

"Good," said Ollivander, giving it back happily. "Which leaves… Mr. Potter."

Harry slowly got to his feet and walked up to Ollivander.

"Aaaah, yes," he said smiling as he took the wand and seemed to become lost in memories as he said almost distantly, "Yes, yes, yes. How well I remember."

Albus remembered as well. The connection between the twin wands was something that had always fascinated him… several decades ago, Ollivander learned that he owned a phoenix and had asked for a couple feathers one day. Albus had been only too happy to oblige and Ollivander had been able to create two perfect wands.

He also remembered clearly so long ago when Ollivander wrote to him to inform him of how the first wand had been chosen by Tom Riddle.

And then he thought back to that day when he had been sitting in his office relaxing four summers ago, relaxing and enjoying his free time; when all of a sudden there was a large screech owl tapping at his window. Curious, he recalled how he had opened the window and took the small letter—he had opened it by the time he got back to his desk.

Dear Albus,

I know that it has been a long time since I've written, but I have some exciting news. Do you recall years ago when you so graciously gave me the two phoenix feathers? The first had been chosen by You-Know-Who when he had come to my shop so long ago. I was beginning to think that the second wand would never chose a wizard… but just this morning, the holly wand had finally chosen one… and you might find this interesting as it has just been bought by none other than the Boy Who Lived, Harry Potter.

I think that we can expect great things from this young man—and one of the trickiest customers I've ever had. I think we must've gone through almost every wand in my shop until I finally decided to give this a try. It is a very curious thing that this had happened though don't you agree? The wand has always chosen the wizard… but I can't help but feel a certain sense of… destiny don't you?

Hope you are doing well…

Respectfully yours,

Garrick Ollivander

When Ollivander contacted him about the yew wand, Albus had already met the young Tom Riddle. He remembered how surprised he had been to have heard that… though of course, at the time, how could he have known what that young boy would grow up to be?

By the time he had sent Hagrid to fetch Harry and to help him do his shopping, he had long since forgotten about the second wand until that letter. When he first learned about how two opposite people have chosen twin wands… he knew that only Ollivander and himself knew of the importance of this. However, he really hoped that his old friend wouldn't tell the room this little piece of information. Rita Skeeter's would no doubt have it in the front page by tomorrow and that they didn't need.

Ollivander spent a long time looking over Harry's wand, checking every inch of it until he finally conquered a fountain of wine from the end and gave it back.

Glad that it was over, Albus walked up and said, "Thank you all. You may go back to your lessons now - or perhaps it would be quicker just to go down to dinner, as they are about to end-"

But as they got up to leave, Ludo called out, "Photos, Dumbledore, photos! All the judges and champions, what do you think, Rita?"

"Er - yes, let's do those first," said Rita, looking at Harry in a way that Albus didn't like. "And then perhaps some individual shots."

After several hours of trying to figure out where everyone stood, Viktor was hiding in the background, twice the photographer tried to bring Fleur to the front only for Rita to run up and drag Harry out as well.

Once Albus declared that they were done, the champions practically ran out of the room in relief. He bid good day to the other judges as he accompanied Ollivander back to the front doors.

"I appreciate you coming here on such short notice," Albus said to him.

"Please," Ollivander replied with a wave of his hand. "It was my pleasure. Don't get as much business during the school year as I do during the summer, so it's not that I had much to do today."

Albus chuckled. When they were out on the grounds, he asked, "I noticed that you spent a great deal of time looking over Mr. Potter's wand?"

Ollivander smiled mysteriously. "I'm sorry. It's just that it's always a joy to see one of my wands again. Each one of them is like my children who have left home… impossible to forget them you know… and always glad to see them again. Especially, when you've held onto a wand as old as Mr. Potters. It had been in my shop for over fifty years… and when Mr. Potter came in that day… I knew that it couldn't have been coincidence."

"Yes," Albus nodded sagely. "I don't think that coincidences don't happen without a reason."

"As I told you before," Ollivander said thoughtfully, "I believe that we must expect great things from that boy…"

"Yes," Albus said more to himself than to Ollivander. "And he has certainly risen to the challenge." Ollivander looked politely puzzled, so rather than explain, Albus asked him the story about his fight with that male unicorn which his friend was only too happy to explain in great detail.

(Aww… how sweet don't you think? Sorry for such a long wait, but as I mentioned before, the further we go on in the books, the harder it is to write. Next chapter we get to the first task! Wonder how Dumbledore is going to react to this?)