Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.

September 19th, 1994

Hermione sat down at the library table and set down a white box, capturing the attention of her friends who were doing their homework.

"What's in the box?" Draco asked as he looked up from the essay he was writing.

Hermione proudly took off the lid and showed everyone the contents. Inside the box was filled with different colors badges, all showing the same letters. S.P.E.W.

"Spew?" Harry picked up a badge and looked at it. "What does this mean?"

"No, it's not spew." Hermione rolled her eyes. "It is S-P-E-W." She looked quite pleased with herself. "It stands for Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare."

Ron looked confused. "I've never heard of it."

"Me either," Daphne said as she picked up a badge to study it.

"Well, of course you haven't." Hermione smiled. "I just started it."

"Really? How many members do you have?" Theo asked curiously.

Hermione cleared her throat. "Um, if you guys join me…seven."

"Do you really think we are going to walk around wearing a badge that says spew?" Ron asked incredulously.

"S-P-E-W!" Hermione said heatedly. "I was going to name it something else but it wouldn't fit on the badge." She set down a piece of parchment. "Elf enslavement goes back for centuries. It is time someone did something about it."

"Oh Merlin," Ron rolled his eyes. "Not this again. Hermione, they like it. Accept it and move on." He should have known. At the start of term feast she had found out about the Hogwarts house-elves and had refused to finish her dinner that night.

"What I want to do first is get them wages and fair working conditions." Hermione ignored Ron. "Eventually I hope to get them represented at the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures as well. And if they have a cruel master, they should be allowed to defend themselves!"

"And how are we to do this exactly?" Harry asked.

"First we get more members," Hermione said happily. "I think two Sickles for joining is fair, it will cover the badge and our leaflet campaign. I'll need one of you to be treasurer and secretary."

"Um," Theo scratched his head.

"Well," Daphne hedged.

"No way!" Ron scoffed, going back to his homework.

"Why not? Don't you guys care?" Hermione turned to Harry. "I know you do. You helped free Dobby!"

"Yes, I know but-"

"And now Dobby works for him," Ron pointed out.

"He's still a free elf," Harry said. "He insisted on working for us actually." He grinned fondly. "And he still works here during the year. He likes to work." He shrugged.

"He also likes being free and getting paid," Hermione pointed out.

"Yes," Harry agreed.

"Hermione, Dobby is not exactly the norm when it comes to house elves." Draco said. "They don't want to be free and get paid, they want to work and belong to a family."

"Even a family that treats them cruelly?" Hermione huffed. "How do you treat your house elves?" She asked accusingly.

Draco narrowed his silver eyes. "I have never hurt a house elf," He said curtly. "My mother never has either. Actually, even my father usually does not. With Dobby, well, he was always a bit odd and that year my father was under stress with the ministry raiding homes and yes, he did lose his temper with Dobby. It doesn't excuse it but I can assure you, he does not spend his free time kicking around the house elves."

Hermione's shoulders slumped. "So none of you will join," She sighed.

Harry felt bad for his friend, she obviously felt very strongly about the issue. "Uh, I'll join." He said finally. "I'll give you the sickles later."

"I'll join too," Tracey offered.

"You can put my name down as well," Daphne added.

Theo and Draco looked pained but both agreed to join. "I'm not wearing the badge," Draco said firmly.

"You have to. That way people will see it and ask you about it and then they will want to join too!" Hermione insisted.

Harry didn't know whether to be exasperated with Hermione or amused at the look on his friends faces. "How about this?" He took a badge and pinned it to his book bag.

Hermione frowned but nodded. "Thanks," She said as she picked up her box of badges. "I'll see you guys later. Don't forget you each owe me two sickles!"

"Harry, it's just like I said during our first year. Mental that one, I'm telling you," Ron muttered, making everyone at the table laugh.

HPHPHPHP

Snape was busy grading essays when a knock on the door interrupted him. Normally he wouldn't mind being distracted from grading as most of the students essays gave him a headache with all the mistakes they made. However, seeing who his unexpected guest was changed his mind. He would rather tutor Longbottom for the rest of his life than talk to this particular person.

"What do you want?" Snape asked impatiently.

Moody snorted as he limped into the office. "Never one for pleasantries, are you Snape?"

"No," Snape said glaring at him.

"Albus spoke to me about your concerns with my teaching methods," Moody said, his magical eye roving around Snape's office. "Honestly, I'm surprised that a Death Eater would care that I showed students the Unforgivables."

Snape gritted his teeth. He knew Moody had never completely trusted him, despite Albus's support. "I am no Death Eater, as you well know." He snapped. "And what does it say about you that you show no regret in traumatizing those children, while that is something I would never do even if I had permission."

"They need to be prepared," Moody said defensively. "Especially Potter."

"Harry is a smart, strong and capable wizard. I am training him myself; we already started before term began." Severus said stiffly. "He also needs to be given the chance to experience as much of a normal childhood as he can." He added.

"I disagree," Moody argued loudly. "Potter should be focusing on training and nothing but training. If it were up to me, I would remove the boy from Hogwarts and take him where there is nothing to distract him. I have told Albus that I am willing to do this for the boy."

"It is not up to you and it is not up to Albus," Severus stood up and glowered at the ex-auror. "Harry is my son, and I will do what I believe is best for him. I will protect him and teach him to defend himself. Harry does not need you or your crazy idea to isolate him from everyone."

"I've spoken to Sirius," Moody said casually. "He thinks me training his godson is a good idea."

Snape rolled his eyes. "That simply strengthens my decision. I do not care for your opinion or that dog's opinion; it is not your decision and it is certainly not his decision!"

"Fine Snape," Moody turned and began moving towards the door. "By the way, does Potter know of your past? Or did you adopt him without him knowing who you really were?" His tone made it sound like he was already sure of the answer.

Snape resisted every urge to hex the older man. "It is none of your business but yes, I told him everything before the adoption." He said curtly.

Moody looked surprised for a moment. "Huh," He said almost to himself. He shrugged. "The offer stands if you change your mind." He left.

Snape glowered at the closed door. At the moment he couldn't decide who he disliked more, the mutt or the insane auror.

October 30th, 1994

The feast to welcome the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons was filled with excitement and anticipation. The Beauxbatons had arrived in a large carriage pulled by Abraxan horses and their Headmistress was even taller than Hagrid. The Durmstrangs had surprised everyone by arriving in a ship that traveled underwater.

Ron had been overjoyed when he had seen Viktor Krum was one of the Durmstrang students and then disappointed when Krum and the rest of Durmstrang had sat at the Slytherin table.

"Harry, go sit at the Slytherin table and get me Krum's autograph!" Ron hissed.

"No way!" Harry said.

"Oh, come on," Ron pleaded.

"Don't worry; it looks like Draco and Theo are collecting autographs," Hermione said with amusement in her voice.

Harry looked and saw that Theo and Draco were talking with the Quidditch star and handing him napkins to write on. Krum didn't look too pleased.

Ron's attention was diverted, however, by one of the dishes in front of him on the table. "What is that?" He asked as he pointed at it.

"It's Bouillabaisse."

"Huh?" Ron said. "Did you sneeze?"

"No," Hermione said with a laugh. "It's French. I had it when I went to France before third year. It's very good."

"Pass," Ron said as he dished himself up some shepherd's pie. In between eating, Ron talked about Krum and different ways he could go about asking for his autograph without sounding like a berk.

"Excuse me, but are you going zu want ze Bouillabaisse?" A voice asked.

Ron turned in his seat and his mouth dropped open, which was unfortunate as a large piece of bread roll fell out of his mouth. "Uhh…"

"No, you can have it." Harry said, pushing the dish towards her. She picked it up, offered a smile and went back to her seat at the Ravenclaw table. She was one of the Beauxbatons students.

Ron couldn't stop looking at her and a goofy smile was on his face.

"Honestly, Ronald." Hermione grumbled as she added more salad to her plate.

"What?" Ron asked absently.

"Stop staring at her!" Hermione chided.

Harry couldn't blame Ron; the girl was certainly beautiful with her silvery blonde hair and blue eyes. He returned to eating and saw that Ron was ignoring his still full plate. He grinned to himself. "Hey Ron, aren't you going to eat?"

"Huh?" Ron blinked and looked at his plate.

"You know…food? Your most favorite thing ever?" Harry said with a smirk. "You're usually starting your second plate by now."

"Right," Ron shook his head and went back to eating. He noticed Hermione glaring at him. "I can't help it! She must be a Veela or something." He defended himself.

"She does resemble the Veela's we saw at the World Cup," Harry remarked.

"Ze castle iz too cold," The girl could be heard complaining loudly.

"Does she not own a cloak?" Hermione said in an irritated voice.

Dumbledore stood just then and got everyone's attention. His eyes twinkled brightly. "The Goblet of Fire! For those who wish to enter themselves to the tournament, you only need to write your name on a piece of parchment and throw it into the flame before this time tomorrow night. As of this moment, The Triwizard Tournament has officially begun."

Ron rolled his eyes. "What's it to us if we can't enter?" He grumbled.

Harry was watching Fred and George whisper excitedly to each other. "Why do they look so happy?" He wondered out loud.

Hermione eyed them curiously. "I don't know. It can't be about the Tournament, they aren't old enough to enter."

"They're probably inventing a new joke product or something," Ron said dismissively.

Draco and Theo approached the table, looking very pleased with themselves. "You should have sat at the better table Harry. Did you see? We got to sit with Viktor Krum!"

"The better table," Ron scoffed. He tried to appear disinterested. "So, what was he like?" He asked causally.

"You mean our new best friend Viktor?" Draco asked smugly.

Harry and Hermione laughed when they saw Ron's eyes widen. "So he was nice?" Harry asked.

Theo chuckled. "Actually, he didn't talk much. Of course how could he with Draco prattling on and on," Theo shook his head.

"I did not!" Draco exclaimed.

"Of course you did," Harry said as he stood up.

"You weren't even there," Draco protested.

Harry shrugged. "It sounds like something you would do." He grinned.

"Anyway, Krum didn't appear to like the attention but we did manage to get autographs!" Theo said. "Of course, we had to promise we wouldn't bother him anymore." He admitted.

"Great, now Hogwarts will get the reputation for being a school of pushy, annoying students." Hermione said as she made to leave.

"Oi!" Draco said, looking offended.

"So do you know who in Slytherin is going to enter the Tournament?" Harry asked as they began walking out of the Great Hall.

"There aren't that many students who are seventeen already. I believe only C. Warrington is entering." Draco answered. "I would enter if I could!"

"Me too! How about you Harry?" Theo said.

"I definitely would," Ron cut in.

"Maybe. I wonder if I would have what it takes," Harry said thoughtfully.

"Of course you would. A quest for danger, injury and destruction is in most teenagers DNA." A snarky voice said. "Thankfully, the age line will prevent most of you from following that quest."

Snape smirked as the teenagers walked by. He raised his eyebrow when Harry stopped in front of him. "Yes?"

"Don't you want the champion to be a Slytherin?" Harry asked.

"I would be very proud if the student chosen comes from Slytherin," Snape said automatically.

"You'd be concerned too," Harry said with a grin.

Snape gave him a dark look. "What have I told you about saying things about me that would be considered nice?" He looked around. "Anyone could have heard you!" He hissed.

"I was quiet!" Harry said in amusement. "If you'd like I can start gossip about what a mean bat of a father you are," He offered innocently.

Snape patted him on the shoulder. "Just tell everyone I assigned you five hundred lines for being cheeky and my reputation will remain intact." He began to walk away.

Harry started to laugh and then paused. "Wait, I don't really have to do lines do I?" He called after him.

October 31st, 1994

"Angelina, are you entering?" Harry asked as his Quidditch teammate walked up to the Goblet of Fire with determination.

"Yup! I had my seventeenth birthday last week!" Angelina Johnson beamed as she threw her name into the fire.

"Brilliant, I hope you're picked!" Harry said excitedly.

C. Warrington also walked up to the Goblet and also threw his name in.

"I hope you get it!" Harry cheered. He and his friends were sitting on the steps by the Entrance Hall, watching to see who entered the Tournament. The Goblet of Fire had been placed on a stool and thin golden line surrounded it.

Draco looked at Harry in exasperation. "They can't both get it, broomhead."

"I know that, I'm trying to be supportive to both of my houses!" Harry huffed. "It's not that easy, you know."

Before Draco could reply, a voice cheered. "Yay Cedric!"

"A puff, like that's going to happen," Draco rolled his eyes.

"Geez Draco, be nice," Daphne said as she politely clapped for the Hufflepuff.

"There's no way a Gryffindor or Hufflepuff could handle the Tournament," Blaise said loudly from across the room where he, Pansy, Crabbe and Goyle were leaning against the wall. "Everyone knows they are too weak." He stared at Harry as he said this.

"Shut up Zabini!" Harry said in an irritated voice. Blaise merely sneered in response.

"It's too bad you can't enter Blaise." Pansy said in a simpering voice. "You would be the best Champion."

Blaise looked pleased. "True."

"Oh please, don't make us all sick!" Ron said, shooting the Slytherin a dirty look.

"Look, practically all the students in Durmstrang and Beauxbatons are entering," Daphne as the foreign students began entering their names.

"Hey Ron, it's your girlfriend," Hermione smirked as the blonde Ron had been ogling entered her name.

"Her name is Fleur Delacour," Cho Chang offered from where she stood near them. "She's quite vocal about everything that is wrong with our school." She rolled her eyes.

"That's rather rude of her," Hermione frowned.

Suddenly there was a cheer and the Weasley twins sauntered towards the Goblet, followed by their best friend Lee Gordon. "We did it!" Fred grinned.

"Triwizard Tournament, here we come!" George held up a vial of green liquid.

"It's not going to work!" Hermione sang out.

Fred and George looked at each other and then at Hermione. "Why not?"

"Because Professor Dumbledore placed an age line around it, and I think he would have thought about someone trying an aging potion." Hermione said patiently.

"That's the thing; he may not have because it is too obvious!" Fred said cheerfully. "Cheers George!" He downed his vial.

"Cheers Fred!"

"Ah, I feel more mature already," George quipped as he and Fred stepped over the age line. They grinned at each other and everyone cheered. A moment later both teenagers were thrown backwards and each sported a long white beard. They looked at each other and began laughing. "You're old!" They both exclaimed to each other.

"Well, you were warned," A deep chuckle rang out and everyone turned to see Dumbledore watching with an amused expression. "You best go to Madam Pomfrey so she can tend to you. She is already treating a couple of other students who had the same idea, although, neither of their beards were anywhere near as nice as yours."

Fred and George began walking to the infirmary, with their friend Lee Jordan following and laughing the whole way.

November 2nd, 1994

"I'm shocked, I'm just shocked," Draco said sadly.

"Draco, it will be okay," Harry said sympathetically.

"I can't get past it," Draco sighed and stared down at his potions book.

"Just try to put it out of your mind," Hermione encouraged from the where she was sitting with Ron. The students were waiting for Potions to start.

"I can't," Draco moaned. "I keep replaying it over and over in my mind. I even have nightmares about it."

"You will come out of this stronger Draco," Daphne said soothingly.

"What is it that has Mr. Malfoy looking like he has been transferred into Gryffindor?" Snape demanded as he stalked into the room and stood by his desk.

"Hey!" Harry protested with a glare.

Draco moaned. "At least that hasn't happened." He muttered.

"Poor Malfoy here is having trouble accepting that the Hogwarts champion is a –" Ron started.

"Don't say it!" Draco begged.

"Hufflepuff," Ron finished with relish.

"Yes, Cedric Diggory." Snape said thoughtfully. "It is not something I would have expected, however the Goblet wouldn't have chosen him if he was not worthy of the Tournament." He wrapped his robe around himself more tightly and stared at his class. "Unfortunately for me, I have something much worse ahead of me than contemplating a Hufflepuff being chosen. I get the tedious and usually discouraging task of grading the essays you are about to turn in." He glared at his class. "In other words, turn in your essays!"

"Merlin, your dad is a pain in the –," Ron started to grumble to Harry as he pulled out his essay.

"What was that Mr. Weasley?" Snape asked silkily as he swooped in on their table.

"Uh, nothing sir. Here is my essay!" Ron practically shoved his essay at Snape, his eyes wide with panic.

Snape eyed the essay distastefully. "I can see you wrote large enough to fill the length requirement." He said dryly. He spun on his heel. "Five points from Gryffindor for rudeness Mr. Weasley."

Ron groaned and Harry looked at him sympathetically. "It's okay mate. He has the hearing of a bat." He whispered.

"And how are those lines coming along Mr. Potter?" Snape asked loudly as he continued to collect essays.

"Um," Harry remembered his dad jokingly threatening him with lines the other night. At least, he had thought his dad had been joking. "I'm…working on them?"

Snape snorted and didn't respond.

Hearing Draco and Theo snicker, Harry threw them a glare. Looking across the table he saw Daphne biting her lip really hard. "Oh, go ahead," He sighed. He shook his head as she began laughing. He grinned to himself; she really did have a great laugh.

Snape put the essays he had collected on his desk. "I believe many of you will benefit from today's assignment: Wit-Sharpening Potion. I expect you'll want to begin immediately. Instructions are on the board."

Daphne turned on the heat under the cauldron while Harry began to ground the scarab beetles. Once Daphne had added the correct amount of water to the cauldron, she began to cut up the ginger root. "So how are things going in Gryffindor?" Daphne asked. "You aren't still being hassled, are you?"

Harry gave a shrug and then began to add the ground beetles to the cauldron. "Occasionally. It's mostly McLaggen and Williams stirring things up, but there are some who seem to agree that I don't belong in Gryffindor anymore. Even Dean and Seamus sometimes look at me funny, like they aren't sure of me or something. It's frustrating."

Daphne frowned as she finished cutting the ginger root. "It's ridiculous. Honestly, the ignorance some people show is amazing. And McLaggen and Williams probably, on some level at least, know that. They probably just like to bully you to get attention or because they are jealous of you."

"Maybe, although I have no idea of what they could be jealous of," Harry considered. "Whatever the reason though, it's getting old." He began adding the ginger root to their potion.

"I bet," Daphne said softly. "I'm sorry Harry."

"It's one of the reason I treasure my friends so much." Harry said. "Hermione and Ron, and now you, Draco, Theo, and Tracey, well, you guys stand by me. No matter what. It means everything."

Daphne smiled brightly, her blue eyes sparkling. "And vice versa," She said. "You're a loyal friend too."

HPHPHPHP

In his and Snape's quarters, Harry wandered into his own bedroom. He was grateful to have a place to come to where he could get away and have some quiet time to think. "Hey Nova," Harry said, automatically slipping into parseltongue. He took out his snake and slumped into his desk chair.

"Isss sssomething wrong?" Nava asked, slithering up Harry's arm.

Harry sighed. "Remember last year how some of the kids were upset that I am also in Slytherin? And that I got adopted by Professor Snape?"

"Yesss…"

"It's happening again," Harry said glumly. "Some kids are saying I'm going to become a dark wizard."

"They are foolsss," Nova curled up on Harry's shoulder. "You are a kind human and full of heart."

Harry smiled. "Thanks Nova."

"Would you like Nova to ssscare foolisssh children?" Nova asked eagerly. "I can asssk other sssnakesss from the foressst to help."

Harry couldn't help but imagine the havoc that would have on Cormac and Alexander if they were being chased by a bunch of snakes. "Certainly tempting," Harry murmured, amused at the image.

Little hisses came out of Nova, which led Harry to believe his snake was laughing. "Jussst let me know if you need my help."

"Thanks Nova," Harry patted the little snake on its head.

"Would you like to go visit Astoria?" Harry asked.

Nova lifted its head and nodded. "Yesss. Assstoria is alssso a good human. She appreciatesss the beauty of sssnakesss."

Harry chuckled. "She thinks of you as hers, you know." He said as he stood up and Nova slithered back down his arm and curled around his wrist. If a snake could look smug, than Nova was the smuggest looking snake around.

November 22nd, 1994

"I know something you don't know," Ron smirked as he walked up to the bench his friends' were sitting on outside of the castle.

Hermione put down the book she was reading. "And what would that be?"

"I know what the champions are facing for their first task," Ron grinned.

"So what is it?" Harry asked eagerly. He'd been curious as to what the task would be. Speculation had been running through the school that the champions would be facing trolls, or would have to dodge life threatening hexes.

Ron looked around to make sure no one was overhearing. "I can do better than tell you. I can show you." He whispered. "But we have to be careful not to get caught. Harry, get your cloak so we can take turns using it."

Harry stood up. "All right, but where are we going?"

"The forbidden forest," Ron answered.

"What? No way, we'll get in trouble." Hermione protested.

"Only if we get caught," Draco said slyly.

"Can't you just tell us what it is?" Tracey asked.

"It will be better to see," Ron insisted.

Hermione bit her lip. "It's been nice not to have lost points for a change. I don't want to risk it." She said finally.

"I really don't want to go into the forest," Tracey admitted. "I had nightmares when I was a first year about what lives in there."

Harry didn't blame her, especially since first year Voldemort had been in the forbidden forest.

"Don't worry, we'll tell you when we get back." Theo said. He glanced at Daphne. "Are you going to go?"

Daphne hesitated, and then nodded. "Someone has to make sure you guys don't do anything stupid." She stated, smiling innocently at the boys.

"Since when do we do anything stupid?" Harry said.

Hermione snorted as she picked up her book bag. "I'll make you a list while Tracey and I wait for you to get back." She gave a wave as she and Tracey made their way back into the castle. "We'll be in the library!"

"She's always in the library," Ron muttered. "We should make a list of all the stupid things she has done."

Harry looked thoughtful. "What would we list?"

"Um," Ron looked blank. "Drat, I don't know."

Harry laughed. "I'm going to go get my cloak, be right back." One part of his brain was telling him that going into the forest was a bad idea as his dad would be really upset if he found out, but Harry decided to ignore it. They weren't going to do anything dangerous, just take a look. Besides, as much as Harry was enjoying having a normal year for once, he was excited at going on an adventure again.

"We won't all fit under the cloak so I'll take two of you, then come back and take the other two," Ron said once they stood at the entrance to the forest. "Harry? You want to go first?"

"Sure," Harry said. He looked at Daphne and saw she was already stepping under the cloak to join them.

"I guess we'll wait here," Draco grumbled as they left.

"We should just follow them," Theo said.

"How do you follow invisible people Theo?" Draco asked in an irritated voice.

Theo frowned for a second and then grinned. "Footprints," He said smugly as he pointed to the three sets of footprints that were leading into the forest.

Draco grinned. "Good idea." He and Theo began stealthy following.

"Ouch! Who stepped on my foot?" Daphne hissed.

"Sorry," Ron said.

"Ouch!"

"Sorry," Harry said.

"We're here!" Ron whispered a moment later.

"Dragons!" Harry whispered in awe. "Ron, is that your brother?"

There in the forest, were three very large dragons sleeping peacefully. Charlie Weasley was watching over the dragons as he talked to Hagrid, who was standing with Madame Maxime.

"Why is he showing her the dragons?" Ron wondered. "She'll tell her Champion!"

"I think he is trying to impress her." Daphne said quietly. "He probably doesn't think she'll tell."

"Maybe she won't," Harry said.

"Please, of course she will. She will want Fleur to have the advantage." Ron said.

"Apparently so does Karkaroff, for his own champion," Daphne whispered as she pointed to where Igor Karkaroff was peeking out from behind a tree.

"So unfair! That means Cedric will be the only one who doesn't know," Harry said, upset at the injustice.

"Did you really think the other schools would play fair?"

Harry whirled around. "Draco! Theo! You were supposed to wait."

Draco shrugged. "I've never been good at waiting." He stepped to the side and whistled low. "Dragons! Brilliant!"

"Shh!" Ron said nervously as he saw his brother look in their direction.

Hagrid and Madame Maxime left and soon Karkaroff disappeared.

"I think we should let Cedric know about the dragons," Harry said. The others nodded in agreement.

The teenagers were about to also leave when one of the sleeping dragons snorted loudly and flames shot out.

"Ahh!" Harry quickly patted down his leg where the flame had hit him.

"Are you okay?" Daphne gasped.

Harry shut his eyes, trying to ignore the burning pain. "Yeah, it's fine." He lied.

"You need to see Madame Pomfrey." A deep voice said.

"Charlie!" Ron said somewhat nervously. "Uh, it's good to see you."

Charlie Weasley crossed his arms over his chest. "It's good to see you too little brother." He said slowly. "Although I wish it wasn't here, in the forbidden forest."

Ron shrugged sheepishly. "I saw you heading out here earlier with Dumbledore and Hagrid and figured it had something to do with the tournament."

"We just wanted a look, no big deal." Draco said. "We'll go now."

Charlie's eyes landed on the cloak Harry was holding and he shook his head ruefully. "You're just like the twins; you guys can't help but get into trouble." He chuckled.

"Sorry," Harry apologized.

"Don't worry about it; just get back to the castle. And do not enter the forbidden forest again all right?" Charlie looked at them sternly for a second before relaxing into his natural smile. "Keep quiet about what you saw okay?"

"Sure. Thanks Charlie." Ron said, relieved his brother wasn't mad at him.

"Get your leg checked out Harry." Charlie waved them off.

Not bothering with the cloak, the teenagers exited the forest. Harry was limping slightly, Daphne and Ron walked close to him to help him along. They were almost to the castle when they stopped in their tracks. Standing at the entrance of the castle was a certain potions professor and he didn't look happy.

"My eyes must be deceiving me," Snape said in a low voice. "I could not have possibly seen students exiting the forbidden forest."

"We weren't, we, uh…" Ron stammered nervously.

"The only thing worse than getting caught by Professor Snape, is trying to lie to him about it." Theo whispered.

Snape's eyes darkened when he saw the cloak Harry was holding. "So, you're flaunting the school rules once again. I suppose I should be impressed that it took this long, instead of during the first week of school." He said sarcastically.

Harry felt guilt swarm inside and he was about to apologize when his dad suddenly stood in front of him. "What happened to your leg?" He demanded, bending to get a closer look. "Who burned you?"

"A dragon," Harry said.

"You were in the forest playing with dragons?" Snape asked incredulously.

"No! We just wanted to look at them." Ron spoke up. "They're here for the first task and we just wanted to see them."

"They're sleeping but one breathed fire in its sleep and it hit Harry," Daphne said quietly.

Snape took Harry's arm. "Let's go to the infirmary," He said. "Detention for all of you tomorrow night in my classroom. Unluckily for you, I have quite a bit of cauldrons that need a good scrubbing as well as some ingredients cut up." He and Harry began walking inside, the rest of the teenagers following. "Be there right after dinner." Snape said curtly as he continued to escort his son to the infirmary.

"I guess Hermione will add this to her list of stupid things we've done," Ron sighed.

"It's a good thing I have a lot of this on hand." Poppy said as she rubbed a thick, orange paste on Harry's leg. "I'm sure I will need it for after the first task." She sighed. "Honestly, if it isn't Quidditch, it's dragons!"

Harry winced slightly as Poppy finished rubbing the cream in. The burn he had received was really starting to hurt. Suddenly a vial was held out to him and he looked at his dad with grateful eyes as he downed the pain reliever. "Thank you," He said.

"In a few minutes the burn should be healed. Then you may go," Poppy said as she put the lid back on her jar of cream. "I'll be in my office if you need me."

"Thank you," Harry said. He looked at his dad. "I'm sorry." He said quietly.

Snape sighed and shook his head. "Perhaps you really can't help it. Either trouble finds you or you can't help but look for it."

"I didn't know that dragons would be there," Harry said.

"But you do know the forest is forbidden correct?"

"Yes," Harry said.

"And you do know that I do not approve of you using your cloak to break the rules?"

Harry looked away. "Yes. Are – are you going to take it away?"

Snape was quiet for a moment. He should confiscate that blasted cloak; it would put his mind at ease at least. But it had been Harry's father's cloak, and he didn't want Harry to wonder if he was taking it because he had not liked James.

"I'd understand if you do," Harry spoke up. "I shouldn't have used it to break school rules. And we shouldn't have gone into the forest."

"No you shouldn't have." Snape agreed.

"We went because we knew that whatever the champions were facing, it was being kept in the forest. We just were curious." Harry continued. "I got up in the excitement of it, I guess." He admitted sheepishly.

"Shocking," Snape said dryly. "I'm not happy with what you did, obviously. You could have been hurt much worse than you were, or one of the other students could have been. These tournament tasks are no laughing matter, each one will be difficult and dangerous for the champions. One thing I am grateful for is that you are not yet seventeen and could not enter yourself." He shook his head. "I won't take the cloak, although I will admit I wish you kept it in our quarters. You would have to think if using it for the wrong reason would be worth it more that way. However, the detention will be enough."

Somehow, Harry felt even guiltier. What had he been thinking? How could he have thought it would be a good idea to go into the forest like that? "I'm really sorry; I guess I do go looking for trouble." Harry said glumly.

"You're a teenager; of course you go looking for trouble." Snape replied. "It's what teenagers do as well as whine, think they know better than adults, and not cleaning up after themselves."

Harry smiled slightly. "Whatever possessed you to adopt one then?" He asked teasingly.

Snape's eyes showed amusement. "Perhaps I am a glutton for punishment." He wiped away the excess paste on Harry's leg, revealing the healed skin. "Or perhaps one managed to worm his into my almost non-existent heart and become my son."

Harry hopped off of the cot and grinned. "Non-existent heart," He scoffed.

"That is my reputation young man and I'll thank you not to ruin it," Snape scolded lightly. "Go let your friends know you are okay and don't forget about your detention tomorrow evening."

Harry picked up his cloak and hesitated. "Dad, would mind putting this in my room down in our quarters?" He asked finally, holding out the cloak.

Snape raised an eyebrow. "Of course," He said, taking it and tucking it under his arm. "Are you sure?"

Harry nodded. "Yes, I'm sure. Maybe it won't be as tempting to use." He had to admit it was true, plus the cloak would be safer there anyway.

"I am pleased I had the presence of mind to adopt one of the rarer, smarter teenagers," Snape said lightly as they walked out of the infirmary.

TBC: