Hey guys! Sorry this took so long! I have three words: he said calmly. That is all. Oh, but I came up with this mini series about Dumbledore writing letters to people before he dies. Let me know if you think I should do it! Thanks again for the support! Love you guys!

Chapter 7

As soon as Dumbledore opened the door, the four were inside. They immediately saw Harry sitting in a chair, head in his hands. The other three champions were standing close by, whispering to each other.
"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed as she ran over to him. The others followed suit. "Oh, Harry, we'll get you out of this!"
Dumbledore walked up to the group. "Harry," he said calmly. "I have to ask. Did you put your name in the goblet of fire?" Harry shook his head.
"The only time I was near it was when we were watching other people." He ran a hand through his already messy, dark hair. Dumbledore nodded and put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "I'll do the best I can to get you out of this."
Just then, Madame Maxine and Karkaroff came bursting into the room, and stormed straight over to Dumbledore.
"Dumblydore, what is the meaning of this?" Madame Maxine demanded. Karkaroff shook his head.
"I did not agree to this competition to be fooled!" he snarled. Dumbledore raised his hands.
"I promise you I have absolutely no idea how any of this happened. I will figure all of this out—"
"Shut your yappin', all of ya!" Moody had just come into the room. "Potter couldn't have put his name in the goblet. Only a very powerful wizard could have gotten past those security measures!"
After a few minutes of more arguing, Bartimus Crouch came in. Dumbledore and Crouch talked in a corner for another few minutes and finally came back. Dumbledore looked grim. He looked over at Harry somberly.
"Harry, I'm afraid there's no getting out of it. The rules are obsolete. You must compete in the Triwizard Tournament." Harry ran both hands through his hair.
"How is this even possible?!"

"I'm sorry, Harry. I will figure this out. Until then, I'm afraid you will have to compete."

Leo shook his head, and noticed Ron wasn't paying much attention. His arms were folded and he was staring off into the space, with a strange look in his eye. He almost looked a bit angry. Leo stared for another minute, then turned his attention back to Dumbledore and Harry.

"Harry, why don't you and your friends go back to your common room and rest? You've had a long day." Dumbledore said, looking at Harry kindly.

Harry sighed and got up. He moved to walk past Ron, but Ron didn't move. Harry bumped right into him. "Sorry," he mumbled, and looked at Ron a bit weird as if to say 'what's wrong,' but didn't say anything else. Calypso noticed Ron was glaring at Harry. When he looked at her, she frowned. The group all said bye to Dumbledore and the others, and headed back to the Gryffindor common room.

Everyone is the common room seemed quieter than usually. Leo was sure it got even quieter when they walked in. Every eye was on them, especially Harry, some with shock, pride, rage, and some with worry. There were several whispers as Harry walked past. Even Fred and George weren't smiling, and they always were. Usually they reminded Leo of the twins at Camp Half-Blood, but not now.

Harry didn't look up as he walked straight to his dorm. Hermione and Calypso went to their dorm. Leo followed Harry, and was trailed by Ron. When they were all inside, Ron slammed the door.

"Think you're gonna be a hero, eh?" he said, coldly. "What the bloody hell were you thinking?!" He shook his head. "Though you were gonna be the hero again? Thought you'd save the day again? I mean, of course you're Harry Potter! Why couldn't you do it? You're bloody amazing, aren't you! Just can't let other people have the glory for once, can you?!"

Harry shook his head, vigorously. "Ron, no! No, that's not what happened! I didn't put my name in the goblet!"

"Oh, I'm bloody sure you didn't!" Ron shouted. Leo knew people must be hearing them by now downstairs.

"What's up with you?!" Harry shouted back. "You're just jealous! Just because you don't have much, doesn't mean you have to rain on everyone's parade!"

"Stop it!" Leo shouted. "Stop it, both of you!" He stepped inbetween Harry and Ron. "You're both acting like two-year-olds. That's my job. You both need to chill.

"I'll chill if he does," Harry grumbled. Ron simply glared back.

"No, you're both going to at the same time," Leo said slowly like he was explained something to a child. "Listen, I've had friends die or go missing and it's not fun, trust me. Don't be like this. One of you could die any minute." Ron and Harry looked down ashamed. Ron looked up and still glared at Harry.

"Don't think this changes anything," he snarled and left to go downstairs. Leo sighed and got ready for bed.

"Harry, maybe you should rest. You've had an interesting day." Harry nodded and started getting ready for bed as well. "Hey, you know, tomorrow's Saturday. If you aren't doing anything, maybe you'd want to come with Calypso and I to work on Festus?" Leo suggested, trying to cheer Harry up. Harry nodded again and smiled.

"Yeah, I'd love to. What about Hermione?" he said, pointedly not mentioning Ron. Leo nodded.

"Calypso would die if she were the only girl. She rarely sees guys. Well, she used to like a millennia or so ago, but you know . . ." Leo laughed at Harry's blank stare. "Don't tell me I forgot to tell you she's immortal?!" He laughed again as Harry shook his head in shock. "Yeah, she's, uh, she's a titan!" Harry shook his head again.

"You guys are really weird, but I won't judge." Leo laughed, and the boys hopped into bed.

Leo was barely aware of Ron coming in a couple hours later, not bothering to be quiet. Neville, Seamus, and Dean came in a few minutes later. Leo hadn't really gotten to know the other boys very well, but he did know that Neville was bullied and forgot a lot, and Seamus and Dean were basically brothers. He had also heard the Seamus had a particularly good talent for having his spells literally blow up in his face. The boys skirted around Harry's bed as if he would blow up if they got too near. Leo couldn't see their faces, but he was pretty sure they were giving him skeptical looks.

Leo woke the next morning to all the boys talking in hushed voices. Harry wasn't among them, and he wasn't in his bed. He got up to look around and see if he was in the room. He wanted to stick by Harry as much as possible. The poor guy was gonna face some real hate for being in the tournament. He looked around. Harry wasn't anywhere in the room. The boys all looked up at Leo. They all smiled kindly, except for Ron. He briefly looked up, saw Leo, and looked straight back down. Leo half-heartedly smiled at the boys, but they weren't paying much attention. Ron was saying something, and all the boys were looking at him, completely wrapped up in what he was saying. Leo rolled his eyes, thinking Ron was telling them about yelling at Harry, and left the room in pursuit of Harry. Calypso and Hermione sat downstairs, looking concerned.

"Leo!" Calypso stood up. "What's up with Harry?" Leo looked at her, confused. "He came down here and walked straight past us. He looked upset." Hermione nodded.

"Oh, well, uh, I don't know about this morning, but last night he and Ron kind of, well, they kind of got in a bit of a fight." he said.

Hermione nodded again. "That's what we thought. Everyone heard the shouting, but we didn't exactly know it was them. I knew, and Fred and George, and Ginny, and a few others that know their voices really well, but everyone just kind of figured . . ."

"Figured it was them?"

"No . . ." she paused. "they . . . they think Harry explained to Ron about how he got his name in the goblet, and Ron got mad."

Leo shook his head. "That's not what happened at all. Ron . . ." His eyes widened. "Oh, no." Without another word to the girls, he turned and ran back the way he had come, back to the dorm room.

"Leo, where are you going?" Calypso called after him, but he wasn't listening. He stopped right at the door to the dorm. He put his ear to the door to try and hear what the boys were talking about.

"—and so he said 'why do you want in so bad?' and I said 'Harry I don't want in. What you did was wrong—'"

Ron cut off abruptly as Leo burst angrily into the room. "That's not what happened, and you know it, Weasley." He snarled. "Tell them the truth."

Ron shook his head and glared at Leo. "I don't understand why you're defending him. You've only known him, what, a month?" He snorted. "Bet he wouldn't do the same for you. He's nothing but a liar."

Leo balled his fists. "Why would Harry lie about that? Don't you think that if he were to enter, he would itwant to tell everyone that he had done it?"

Neville, who had been looking nervously between Ron and Leo, suddenly stood. "Leo's right," he said timidly. "I believe in Harry, and if he says he didn't do it, then he didn't do it." Dean shrugged.

"You know, when you think about it, it really doesn't make much sense. If it were me, I would go flaunting it around everywhere. I would even go flaunting if I didn't enter." He stood, and so did Seamus.

"Sorry, Ron, but Harry's not like that." He shrugged. "I guess what I'm trying to say is, well, you're full of crap." Ron was steaming.

"Fine. Fine, if you want to believe the lunatic who crashed here on a bloody dragon, that's fine with me." He headed for the door, but almost ran over Harry as he came walking into the room. Ron didn't bother to apologize as he bumped straight into him. Harry stared after him, and then turned his attention back to the boys in the room. He put his hands up.

"I'll be outta your hair in a couple seconds. Sorry to bother you." He seemed so put out. Neville walked over to him.

"Harry, don't leave again. We believe you. Ron's just jealous." He smiled. "Let's go do something to get his mind off of stuff," he said looking at the others. Leo grinned.

"I know just the thing," he said. "Follow me."

The boys headed out to the forest, grabbing Calypso and Hermione on the way. Leo and Calypso lead them out to Festus, who was pretty much in pieces. They had left his head alone so he could stay conscious as much as possible. He couldn't move, but he was looking around everywhere and grunting excitedly as the others met him. Everyone sat around and talked and laughed for a while, and then Leo and Calypso continued to work. They stayed out until lunchtime, and headed inside. Festus was completely apart, and Leo was planning on contacting Dumbledore that night. The group walked into the Great Hall to be greeted by a sudden hush. All eyes were on Harry, especially the Hufflepuffs, who were especially upset for Harry stealing their glory. Harry turned around and left, but not before he saw Ron sitting with Fred, George, and Lee Jordan, glaring at him. Leo turned around as well and ran after Harry. He looked around to see Harry half running up the stairs, back to the Gryffindor common room.

"Harry!" Leo yelled after him as he ran. "Harry, don't let them get to you!" Harry pretended he didn't hear. Leo heard panting behind him to see Hermione and Calypso desperately trying to catch up.

"Harry!" Hermione said, completely out of breath. "Harry, stop!" she screamed. Harry stopped. He slowly turned around. He knew Hermione was mad. "Harry Potter, you come back here right this instant!" Harry came. "It doesn't matter what they think, any of them. The point is that we know you didn't put your name in that goblet. A—And if Ron can't see that then . . ." Hermione trailed off. The four stood there in silence for a minute. They all missed Ron, but they would never admit it, especially Harry. The group seemed empty without him. Finally, Leo spoke.

"C'mon, let's get back in there. Just ignore them, and you'll be fine. You can't hide forever." Harry nodded, and they went back to the Great Hall. Harry stopped just outside the hall where no one could see him. He took a deep breath and smiled. He walked bravely into hall, purposely staring Ron down. He smirked when Ron caught his eye and looked away. They sat down in the middle of the table with Neville, Seamus, and Dean. The hall went back to its usual buzz, and Harry grinned. He was silent for another minute, and then joined the conversation. Hermione and Leo smiled at each other, and Leo winked. After the group finished their lunch, Seamus, Dean, and Neville headed back upstairs, while Leo, Calypso, Harry, and Hermione went back out to the forest. Calypso brought out the list of parts they needed, which had extended to three pages, and they finished writing down the last few parts.

Ron continued to ignore Harry and Leo, while the others seemed to get along better than ever. They listened around for the slightest clue to what the first task could be, but it seemed that all the teachers were being as secretive as possible. All they knew was that it was supposed to test their courage and daring. Harry and the other champions had been called one afternoon to a room to be told about the first task. They were supposed to be told about it the night they were called, but the matter with Harry being a fourth champion had messed that up. A couple of weeks after the drawing, Harry was called out of Potions to go make sure his wand was in good shape. Leo, who had persisted in coming to Potions, even after the yelling match, had just left with Harry. It was now his favorite thing to do because, even though he wasn't a student, it still set Snape's teeth on edge. Leo had even started calling Snape 'Snivilous' every once in a while. Usually he was kicked out, and he would skip out of the room, while Harry would snicker, and get elbowed in the ribs by Hermione. Even Ron had struggled to keep a straight face.

Leo and Harry walked down the hall to the room Harry had been told to go to. "You'd better stay here," Harry told Leo. Leo pretended to pout, but sat by the door. As soon as Harry had gone into the room and closed the door, Leo scrambled up and stuck his ear on the door. He heard bits and pieces of conversation, but not much. He thought he heard footsteps getting closer . . .

Leo jumped out of the way just in time as the door swung open, and a woman in bright robes half dragged Harry down the hall in the opposite direction. Luckily, she didn't see Leo as she turned her back to him. Harry looked at Leo with an expression that told him he was okay, but he didn't really want to be with this lady. The woman dragged Harry into a broom closet and locked the door. Leo quickly moved over to the door to the closet and put his ear to the door.

"—don't mind if I use a Quick-Quotes Quill do you, Harry?" the woman asked.

"I—uh—no, I don't mind," Harry stuttered. There was a rustling of papers, and the lady started asking Harry questions.

"So, Harry, tell me why you entered your name?"

"I didn't enter," Harry said flatly. There was a scribbling of a quill.

"Don't mind the quill, Harry," the lady said. "Now, do you think that your past experiences with death have contributed to you entering?"

"I didn't enter," Harry said again. Leo was getting annoyed. This lady was hounding Harry. He had to do something. An idea suddenly came to him. He quickly went back over to the door the other champions were supposed to be in. Leo peaked in through a little window at the top. He saw Dumbledore, and that was all he needed to see. He fumbled with the door handle, and burst into the room.

Madam Maxine and Kakaroff stood off to the side, looking annoyed. Even Dumbledore looked a bit worried. Leo gestured for Dumbledore to lean toward him.

"Professor, this lady is hounding Harry in the broom closet," Leo whispered in his ear. When Leo stepped back, Dumbledore wore a very pained expression.

"What is it, Dumblydorr?" Madam Maxine asked.

"Not now, Maxine," Dumbledore said roughly as he quickly moved toward the door. He flung the door open, and headed for the broom closet. Leo hurried after him.

"Pardon me, Ms. Skeeter, but I'm afraid we need Harry for the wand weighing." Dumbledore was standing with his wand out, holding open the door for Harry to come through. He looked relieved.

"Dumbledore, you know how important this is. My work is very important for the Daily Prophet, you know," Ms. Skeeter said, but she stepped out of the closet.

"Yes, yes, but I'm afraid it will have to wait." Dumbledore put his arm on Harry's shoulder and steered him toward the room the other champions were in. He smiled at Leo in thanks, and inclined his head toward the door, gesturing for Leo to come in. Leo promptly walked in the champion's room. As soon as he had walked in, Dumbledore shut the door with a bang, and locked it. Leo turned around to see the Skeeter woman standing on the other side.

"So sorry, Rita, but I'm afraid only champions and staff are allowed in." Dumbledore turned his back on the door and winked at Leo, who burst out laughing. Dumbledore chuckled. "Now then, shall we get this started?"