The Prince-Who-Lived

Chapter Fifteen

Geoffrey cocked his eyebrow at James and gave him a small smile. "And what might you be requesting help with, Mr. Potter?" The tone was a dangerous one, but Harry wasn't surprised his dad persisted. He was a Gryffindor.

"I have my suspicions that Mr. Crouch was hiding something he found in the woods. Would you be willing to help us look?"

"Auror Potter." Crouch snarled. "You didn't notice anything the first time around, and I didn't see anything when I looked. Surely you don't suppose you will find something this time either?"

Harry really wished he could see his father's expression; the angry stance he bore promised that it would be oh so nice.

"Mr. Crouch, you are not an auror. We are trained to check, and double-check. I felt asking our American equivalent for aid would not be out of order. Please don't get in my way, or I will have even more suspicions about your intent."

"I would be more than happy to assist, Auror Potter." Geoffrey drawled. There was a smile in his voice. "Green, Amaranth; check left with the scruffy blonde if he's one to go." He indicated Remus negligently. "Ginger, Freyr, find someone to follow if Mr. Potter doesn't order you out. I'll stick with the man of the hour, hm?"

James turned back and returned with equal humour. "Well, your lovely lady and brother can follow Frank, and Sirius will join me. Geoffrey, if you'll follow us, we'll go straight back."

Harry watched them leave and moved to stand by Ron and Hermione. Neville was watching his parents and them with curiosity before he finally asked, "What on earth were they holding?"

"I think they were muggle weapons, called guns," Harry offered, "but they don't look anything like what I'm familiar with. I've tried taking a gander at a few." Harry looked after the retreating forms with curiosity, and then put one eye carefully on Mr. Crouch. He was impotently clenching and unclenching his fists, clearly furious. Harry fought a smug smirk; apparently his dad really had something on him. Harry was always proud of his father's work as an auror; being a Gryffindor was an advantage for him there.

It wasn't long before a call went up from the woods, and they converged again. Shortly thereafter, someone apparated away and Remus and the Americans came back out to give Crouch a bright smile.

"Your presence has been requested by Aurors Potter and Longbottom at Auror headquarters." Geoffrey cheerily announced. "They have several questions for you. Children, you're all going to be following Remus back to your mothers, or Arthur, whoever you came with. Crouch, it was simply smashing being over here. Hope to see you around, if you can talk your way out of this one. Now, if you'll just get out of their way …"

Ron was the first to speak up. Harry was glad for his brashness; he wasn't willing to stick his neck out but he was dead curious.

"What did you find?"

"Ronald!" Arthur yelped.

Geoffrey laughed and waved him down. "Find? Why, we found nothing of importance. That's classified. But it might just cause a bit of trouble, because we really shouldn't have found it."

Ron was clearly confused, and Hermione was thinking. Harry felt a certain suspicion about what it might mean, so he filed the it away for possible future dissection and smiled at Geoffrey. Deciding his curiosity was unlikely to kill him at the moment, Harry spoke up.

"Sir, what is that?" Harry pointed to the weapon hanging off his shoulder, feeling mildly nervous.

Geoffrey glanced where Harry pointed, and smirked. "A Heckler & Koch MP5K sub-machine gun."

Harry looked back at him and blinked. A glance to each side proved everyone else was about as confused as he was. Hermione looked very unnerved, but Ron and Neville were completely clueless. Geoffrey apparently noticed their confusion, and, still grinning infuriatingly, he elaborated.

"It's a firearm. A muggle device for the … removal of obstacles."

Harry couldn't help it. He snorted. Beside him, Hermione murmured "Removal of obstacles. Right."

Geoffrey shooed Mr. Crouch off to the side and then apparated out. Remus quietly pulled Harry and Neville to his own side and the both of them followed without question. None of their inquiries got Remus to elaborate, and they finally subsided as they were reunited with their mothers and siblings. Apparently the tight look Remus shot them was more than enough for them to understand, and Alice got them to the portkey areas. Some short, curt words later, they had a portkey to Godric's Hollow, a small summer cottage of the Potter's, and the evening, or, more likely, morning came to an end.

IIII

The next week before school was complete bedlam, not the least of which was because of exactly what or more so who his father had had over Mr. Crouch. The headlines the day after were priceless:

Meddlesome Americans Kill Muggle-Baiters at Quidditch Cup – Who is more worrisome, the Americans, or the possible Death Eaters?

The picture they had was one of Geoffrey Alfaerus, with his gun braced on his shoulder, flipping off the cameraman and making several different faces. Harry could only imagine the mess they had. Further along in the article, the names of the apprehended muggle-baiters were listed: several were prominent purebloods. Harry felt it a crying shame that Lucius Malfoy wasn't on there, but he supposed he'd just have to be happy about what they had. The headline after that was one was almost ten times better: His father had apprehended Barty Crouch Jr., a Death Eater who had been reported as dead in Azkaban. Harry only wished he wasn't living through the mess caused by that. His dad hadn't been home all week.

Sirius had dropped by exactly once to talk to his mother about how things were going, and from the short letter he'd gotten from Neville, Frank and Alice had dropped him and his siblings off at their grandmother's. Currently, Harry was sitting in the living room, his mother napping in her room, and Nanna pouting in her own room as well. He stood up quickly when the fire burned green, startled. They weren't expecting anyone, although Harry had a strong suspicion about who it might be. His suspicion was borne out when Neville stumbled out, looking both ways around the living room and bearing a large bag stuffed with clothes and the like. He looked around nervously again, but Harry rolled his eyes and laughed.

"My mum's sleeping at the moment. Really."

Neville heaved a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Harry. If my grandmother dotes on me one more time, I'm going to try to apparate before I should. I can't stand that." Madame Longbottom had been ecstatic to have a grandson, but she spent every waking moment in his presence telling him he either was like his father or needed to be. It got old very quickly; even Frank hated it.

"Well, you have that standing invitation." Harry drawled lightly. Neville hefted his bag with a raised eyebrow and Harry laughed lightly. "Well, yes, I see that. So, what are we going to do in the meantime? Mother doesn't like me flying without her knowing we're out there and after you managed to break your collarbone running into that tree …"

Neville took a swipe at Harry's head and growled. "Rub my face in it, why don't'cha. Honestly, we could throw gnomes, play chess, exploding snap, do our homework …"

Harry snickered. "Homework sounds good. I need a spot of advice about this Potion's assignment. I can't seem to keep it straight for some reason …"

Homework occupied the next few hours, both of them seated in the living room. However, Neville nearly jumped out of his skin when the floo flared up once more and he dove behind the couch. It was definitely a good decision, because shortly thereafter, Alice's head showed up.

"Harry? Can you get your mother for me? I'm going to have to pull her out of there for a short time; we've got to make a few definitive decisions here and we need her input."

"Certainly ma'am." Harry answered. "Would you be willing to wait?"

"Harry, go."

The curt tone sent Harry running, and he slipped into his mother's room, knocking loudly on the door. Yelling the request, he turned and scooted downstairs in time to hear Alice start talking in a far too polite tone,

"Neville Tiernan Longbottom, step out from behind the couch and talk to me."

Harry came into the living room to see Neville step out and fold into sitting in front of the fireplace. His mother merely raised her eyebrow and he coughed lightly. Apparently it had only taken her a few minutes to figure out he was there. Harry suspected the schoolwork had been a dead giveaway.

"I couldn't stand having Grandma all over me, mum. I needed out, and I came here. You know it's good and safe here."

"I would've preferred it if you'd left a message. Augusta was very worried."

Neville's chin rose. "I told Melanie where I was going. I didn't want to leave a note and have it found too soon or lost."

Alice shook her head slowly. "Neville, just don't do that again. It was obvious where you were, but your grandmother didn't know that and Melanie wasn't forthcoming about it." She looked up at him for a long moment and then sighed. "Go take Harry and get your trunk over to his place if Lily will allow it. Merlin knows you won't stay there any longer. Now shoo, I need Lily to come through."

Harry moved aside as his mother stepped quickly past. She looked down at Alice, who smiled thinly.

"We need you to come through. Also, can Neville stay at your place for the rest of the summer? I don't think I can keep him with his grandmother."

"Certainly," Lily chirped. "Now pull out and I'll come through. You all owe me an explanation."

Alice nodded and addressed Neville again, "Your siblings stay there. Melanie can have Nanna over to visit, but I want her to stay there." She pulled her head out, and Lily nodded to both of them before flooing away without another word. Harry sighed, and gave Neville a short smile.

"Well, congrats on getting out of that in one piece. Shall we go get your trunk?"

"You should tell Nanna where we're going." Neville pointed out, closing his books slowly and stacking the papers aside. Harry rolled his eyes and hollered up the stairs.

"Nanna, mum's at the ministry and me and Neville are fetching his trunk. We'll be back quick, so no funny stuff."

Instead, they heard small feet run helter-skelter down the stairs. Harry was glowering when she met them at the bottom, but it didn't seem to affect her in the least. "I'm coming with! I want to see Melanie!"

Harry rolled his eyes, but Neville shook his head slowly. A glance between them showed no quarter, so Harry threw his hands into the air. "Fine, I give. You first, pup."

IIII

Getting back was easy, although Nanna remained to hang out with Melanie. Neville's trunk moved into Harry's room, where Harry pulled down the extra bed. There were only a few more days of the holidays for them, and the evening before they had to get back to Hogwarts, the parents were all freed from the ministry to spend time with their children. Alice and Sirius sent their regrets, but Frank and James came to the Potter manor, and Augusta Longbottom sent Melanie and Connor over for the evening meal. Conversation remained upon the ministry, something Harry and Neville listened to with interest.

"Reorganization certainly has been a mess. Crouch got booted out immediately upon the discovery of his son. His loss sent practically everything into limbo; it's a good thing he had a good second in command; Kenner should work everything out cleanly."

"Kenner?" Harry asked.

"Kenner Templar." James elaborated. "A pleasant man, quiet but fair, honest, and diligent. Hufflepuff, really. I think he'll do really well. He's got Percy running circles for him already on making sure everything is in order for …" James looked over at Harry and Neville and both of them perked. There had been subtle hints of something big going on, but both had learned that bothering their parents about ministry business got them nowhere a long time ago. Finally, James leaned on his elbow and looked them over carefully.

"Well, I suppose this won't be anything too soon. It'll give you something to throw at Malfoy on the train, that's for sure. Harry, Neville … and Melanie and Nanna of course," James glanced down at them and smiled faintly, "Currently we're finally sure that we are definitely going to be hosting the Triwizard Tournament at Hogwarts this year."

"No bloody way!" Neville jumped. Harry stared in surprise, and then pointed carefully.

"You didn't anticipate this, did you?" Harry asked carefully. James shook his head slowly with a small smile.

"It's been floating about. But you're not to shove this in anyone's face. You're not supposed to know quite yet." Harry and Neville both pantomimed zipping their lips, and James laughed. "Good kids. That's the good hype at the ministry at least. Can't believe Malfoy got away before we could catch him, but apparently Geoffrey's testimony to seeing him with a mask didn't hold quite enough water that his money couldn't pierce. At least he had that suspicion thrown at him. Better than nothing."

Harry and Neville both frowned and sighed deeply; Neville poking irritably at his food.

"And they're jumping on us about old stuff like Bertha Jorkins' disappearance, and someone leaked about Mr. Crouch's house elf … the whole mess is going to take a long time to clean up, even discounting the trials we'll have to hold about the apprehended Death Eaters. The amount of hubbub we had about having to contact Salem and theirs for their part in that. Honestly, you'd think they bite or something for how they're all avoiding them …"

Harry and Neville caught each other's eye and quietly asked to leave the table, Harry fighting down a smile at the ministry's reluctance. They went, heading up to Harry's room in order to look through their stuff and make sure it was packed. Alice had had her day off the day before and she, Lily and Molly had gone shopping for their things. Harry had needed new robes once more, as had Neville and all their books had been acquired, along with the girl's. Since neither had been interested in going, they'd stayed home. They wouldn't have been much help picking dress robes anyways. Looking through their bundles, Neville pulled out his well-tailored set of dress robes in a deep burgundy. The lines were fine and detailed and set in gold thread. On his shoulder rested a stylized cat wrapped in a circle, its tail held in its mouth. Neville fingered it with a small smile, but apparently remembered Harry's presence. He quickly, but with infinite care settled the robes in the bottom of his trunk.

"What do your robes look like Harry?" Neville asked. Harry stepped over to his shelf and pulled down the ones he'd gotten for Christmas second year. They'd fit him now; he'd grown right into them and stopped; he was certain he'd be stuck very short. It just didn't seem likely he'd grow much more, maybe a few inches if he was very lucky. However, it meant the robes would still fit him and he really liked them. Apparently short wasn't all bad.

The robes were black with dark brown patterning across the back, dark brown trim and faint green embroidery around the neck and wrists. The cut and cloth were both very expensive, and Neville whistled appreciatively. The robes were nicer than his.

Harry flushed much as Neville had and quickly folded them back up and packed them. He hesitated at his shelf, and decided quickly to include the small necklace box that he hadn't taken with him last year. Inside was the pendant he'd gotten with the robes, a gift from his father that meant more than Harry would ever admit. Once that was tucked inside, the rest of the packing continued quietly between them.

IIII

Harry had never been more grateful for his mother's Charms skills until he had to go to Kings Cross without the help of the Marauders proper or Alice. With Lily along, she decided to shrink their trunks and then floo them all to the Leaky Cauldron. From there, she caught a muggle cab for them and they made quick work of the trip to King's Cross. The rain was falling in buckets, and they were soaked even making just the mad run across to the station. Along the way they ran into Hermione and the Weasleys, all of them just as wet with an irate Crookshanks, Hermione's familiar bought the year before. Harry laughed lightly and he and Neville quickly helped them keep everything together and get onto Platform nine and three-quarters.

Once on there, it was a quick bustle to move all their stuff into a compartment. Fred and George went off on their own, while Harry, Ron and Neville made a point of putting Melanie, Ginny and Nanna in a compartment near their own before setting up their own stuff with Hermione's. Once finished, they stepped onto the platform to say goodbye. Charlie and Bill both were smiling happily and Harry and Neville had a slight inkling about what they might be on about as Charlie hugged Ginny goodbye and added a comment,

"I might be seeing you all sooner than you think."

Neville's mouth dropped open slightly, and he looked incredulously at Harry. Harry returned the look until Neville whispered, "Dragons!" Harry looked back at Charlie who was now grinning wickedly.

"Well, looks like somebody's parents decided not to keep silent on the matter." His eyes were dancing, and Harry and Neville quickly glanced at Lily and zipped their mouths again. Lily laughed and pretended to undo them.

"Feel free to bring it up once you're on the train, boys. Goodness knows Malfoy's son will be flaunting it every which way, since his father won't have kept silent."

Molly wiped at her face and Bill grinned. The whistle sounded and they were shooed back on, but after a moment waving goodbye, Fred and George dragged Neville and Harry into their own compartment. Once there, they were rocked back into their seats, and Neville gave Harry a wry grin. Harry stuck his tongue out at him in turn, and then turned to the twins.

"Yes, good sirs? What questions have ye this time around?" He tried for an innocent look but he strongly suspected it wasn't working as well as he would like it to. The twins kept grinning at him, and Ron was watching eagerly from the side. Finally, Harry sighed and ran his hands through his hair. "Neville, when did this last happen?"

"Probably last year when they lost track of the Marauder's map." Neville drawled, looking at his fingernails. Harry turned to give him a firmer glare and Neville managed a near perfect innocent look except that Harry knew perfectly well he was completely faking it.

"Neville …" Harry trailed off. Neville brought up his hands and gave another innocent look.

"Alright, fine, last time we had this hubbub was … you know, I've never run across it. Suffice to say it's been at least a hundred or so years. Are you going to tell them, or just dither about for the next few hours?" He raised his eyebrow and Harry stuck his tongue out in turn, looking back to the others with a wide grin.

"Hogwarts is hosting the Triwizard Tournament this year."

The three Weasleys present all stared in shock. When they all started asking questions, Harry quickly reassured them of otherwise, and, after several rounds of 'I don't know', sent them on their way. Ron was sitting with a wide grin, and laughing.

"I can't wait to see what will come of that! Imagine getting in and winning? You'd be pampered by everyone! So much fame … and I think there's a monetary prize too!"

Neville nodded lightly and Harry thought about the kind of recognition that would get. The contests would be so much fun, too. Challenging, difficult, and inspiring. He nodded slowly to Ron's talking, until finally Hermione rolled her eyes and caught Neville's. He pulled out an Exploding Snap deck and snapped it under Harry's nose. The sound was followed by a hollow thunk as Harry rapped his head against the wall and swore. Neville snickered, and Harry finally gave in to let him begin the game.

The trolley came back and left with a few less snacks than before, Harry picking and choosing as Neville laughed faintly and chose with even more precision, which Harry took his own turn to poke fun at. However, about an hour away from Hogsmeade, Harry needed to step out of the compartment. On the way back, he paused when he overheard Alan's voice from the compartment just past his own. Neville had seen him hovering outside the door, but stopped when Harry waved his back to his seat, listening intently.

"Draco, you're being stubborn again." The voice was bitterly cold. "My father already told yours what priorities he has; you're not going to get at him through me. I'm just warning you that if I see you cornering a younger student again, I will put something unpleasant between your sheets and you know exactly what my potions' skills are."

"It was just Potter's little sister. She's not a concern of yours, Snape."

Harry heard Alan's voice drop several tones. "The name is Prince, Malfoy unless you desire to lose the only thing about you that matters to your father."

"Out of my compartment, Prince." Draco's voice shook, and Harry knew it was with rage. "I'll leave your precious mudbloods be if you take the initiative and don't bloody talk to me ever again."

Harry quickly moved into his own compartment, knowing he needed to appear to have not overheard the conversation. It would obvious he'd been listening in to Alan, but Alan could pretend to not have noticed if Harry made an effort to get out of the way. Opening and closing the door silently, Harry was glad that none of the others had overheard that. Alan stalked past, and only then did Harry latch the door. He sat back silently, and tried to find what of that conversation he could turn to his use, and what he could tell to the others.

"I just overheard Prince talking to Malfoy." Harry rolled the words in his mouth. "I never knew those two hated each other that much." That was the truth; he'd never have thought Alan would say something like that. That it was to Draco didn't lessen the vitriol any. "Prince just told him off for bullying a younger student. Malfoy apparently didn't like it."

Neville snorted. "I could hear the tone they were using. If it had dropped any colder, something would've froze."

Harry looked sidelong at Neville, but he appeared to have only overheard what he'd mentioned, and nothing more. Harry nodded along with him, and shook his head. "Indeed. They really weren't being nice to each other. But that doesn't concern us. I'm gonna go check on my sister, alright?" The others nodded, and although Neville watched him leave, he didn't follow.

It only took a short look to see that whatever altercation Nanna had had with Malfoy hadn't affected her any, and considering how Alan had ripped into him, Harry didn't have any heart left to try and take him any further to task.

The ride ended shortly, and Harry looked bleakly out into the rain with a heavy sigh before looking between Neville, Ron, and Hermione and racing over to wait for the carriages to pull them to the school. As Harry had noticed before, Neville looked over the carriages with a far more considering eye than Harry did, likely once again contemplating just what might pull them before they crowded inside and made their way towards the school and it's feast.

The storm was sending lightning across the sky, with thunder booming dully as they made their way up to the grand castle. Harry scurried out and made it into the hall just after Ron, who was shooting into his own growth like a weed and now had very long legs. Unfortunately for Ron, this meant he walked straight into Peeves and his trouble making. Harry darted out of the way of the excess water, and smirked at Ron. He then had to skip back to avoid getting his feet wetted by the next water balloon.

"Peeves!" Professor McGonagall hollered as she strode into the room, slipping on the floor and nearly taking Ron down with her in a mad grab for balance. Ron set her back on her feet, and she turned her full glare on the cackling poltergeist. "Get down here at once and stop this mess!"

"Not doing nothing!" Peeves cackled. "They're already all wet, the little squirts!"

McGonagall huffed and glowered. "I shall call the headmaster, Peeves! Stop this right now!"

Peeves stuck out his tongue and tossed the balloons into the air. Someone vanished them before they could fall, and the procession moved along into the Great Hall, finding their ways to the tables set on either end of the hall. Harry and the others moved all the way along to the Gryffindor table at the far side, and sat, looking over the room with interest.

Alan was an easy person for Harry to pick out after the yearlong friendship they'd cultivated. He was getting tall, and there was very little question as to his parentage now that he far more strongly resembled his father. It really was the fault of his strong nose. He also sat at the Slytherin table with undeniable grace, talking, as always, with Blaise Zabini and an older, female student. He was also shooting nervous glances at the staff table, and Harry followed his gaze with curiosity until he settled upon the scarred visage of Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody. Harry's mouth quirked. He remembered his mother's exasperation when she'd heard of the decision Dumbledore had made to have him teach. However, after Remus had had to resign thanks to a combination of Professor Snape and Draco Malfoy's attitude, Harry supposed Moody would be alright, although almost certainly far more strict. There was a betting pool on whether or not Moody would randomly perform dorm searches. Harry certainly hoped he wouldn't.

They were all waiting for the Sorting of the new students, which Nanna would be among this year. They had taken a seat where Harry was beside Neville and across from Ron and Hermione, and on his other side sat Melanie, the seat next to her kept empty in hopes of having Nanna sit there. Across from her was Ginny and then Collin Creevey, the hero-worshipping student who had shadowed Harry and Neville ever since learning they were the children of the 'famous aurors'. Just because their parents were famous didn't make Harry or Neville keen on basking in that fame, unlike Draco Malfoy of Slytherin. However, they had yet to figure out how to deter the small, and very insistent boy.

"Oh, hurry up." Ron moaned. "I'm so hungry I could eat a hippogriff."

"Really, Ron." Neville drawled. "How would Buckbeak feel to hear you say that?"

"He'd commiserate!" Ron returned. Neville turned the tables and shortly applauded his retort with raised eyebrows. When Ron flushed, Ginny snickered and touched Hermione's shoulder.

"Oh Hermione! Did you see how Ron caught on so quickly? And to use 'commiserate'! I'm so proud of your good influence!"

Ron threw a betrayed look at Ginny who merely smiled lightly back. Harry glanced purposefully off to the side, and then jerked his chin towards the doors as the swung open to reveal McGonagall with the very wet first years. Harry winced slightly and looked for his sister, but looking for black hair amongst many other wet children was fruitless. However, soon they were lined up and the hat sang its song, leading into the sorting and the meal. Harry was delighted to have his sister in Gryffindor with him; he'd never really questioned that she would be. The whole thing concluded with Dumbledore telling them to tuck in, and the plates filled.

Nearly Headless Nick, sitting properly just nearby them looked at Ron's rampant indulgence and sighed. "You're lucky there's a feast to have at all this evening. There was trouble in the kitchens earlier."

"Lemme guess." Harry grinned. "Peeves?"

Nick nodded. "The very one. Wanted to attend the feast. Course, that's out of the question. He's utterly uncivilized; can't see a plate of food without throwing it. The Friar was all for giving him the chance, but the Bloody Baron firmly put his foot down, wouldn't hear of it and rightly so."

Harry fought away a smirk. The Bloody Baron didn't like anyone but Slytherins, and Alan had shortly explained that he probably knew the castle better than anyone, which was why he could so easily keep Peeves in line. The poltergeist wasn't the most observant, and so the Bloody Baron was quite capable of frightening him into compliance with a few well-chosen words. Alan's description really endeared Harry towards the ghost, but he still refused to speak to anyone outside of the house, no matter what Alan's recommendations were.

"Peeves did seem hacked off about something." Ron mumbled through his food. "What'd he do?"

"The usual." Nick waved his hand irritably. "Wreaked mayhem. Pots and pans everywhere. The place swimming in soup. Terrified the poor house elves out of their wits, he did."

Hermione gave a slight gasp. Harry and the others turned, and Harry frowned lightly.

"There are house elves in Hogwarts?" She asked slowly. Harry nodded, and she gave him a longer, lingering glance. Harry strongly suspected she'd haul him off somewhere for a very long conversation soon that he wasn't sure he'd like, but he nodded slowly in place. She returned to eating with a melancholy air, and he went back to his own in a similar mood, for different reasons. Her display of attitude had reminded him of Alan's on the train, something he wasn't sure he was comfortable with. He'd have to talk to him.

The meal ended, and Dumbledore soon stepped forward to make the announcements about the coming year. Harry held his breath as most of the school gasped hearing that the Quidditch cup was cancelled; he broke into a broad grin when the Triwizard Tournament was confirmed in its stead. There was apparently a small hitch to be smoothed over, doubtless the difficulty with Crouch losing his job just before the beginning , but everything else was apparently moving smoothly. Harry glanced across the room as it was explained and the limits set; he happened to have the timing to see Alan suddenly lose a lot of tension from his shoulders all at once. He couldn't think why just then, but the houses were dismissed, and Harry stood with the rest, following carefully as they all went up the stairs, listening to the scheming between Fred and George. He slowed to walk with Ron and Neville.

"Either of you entertaining grand visions of winning the Triwizard cup?" Harry asked playfully. Neville shoved his nose into the air.

"Course not." Neville returned. "I wouldn't stand a chance against the might of the Weasleys."

Ron flushed, and forced a laugh. "I suppose my brothers are intimidating, aren't they?"

Neville gave him a curious glance that suggested he had no clue what he was talking about. "Your brothers? Ronald dear, I was worried about you." He sniffed. "I don't have nothing against your might, boy, and I haven't a reason to try and face it down. My lily white skin might be marred."

Harry couldn't help but to break into laughter as the ridiculous accent Neville faked, and the other two joined him in the amusement. Harry entertained the thought of winning and having his own legacy, but after a moment he shrugged it off instead. There wasn't much point in it. He couldn't get in, and if he could all the sixth and seventh years were likely better suited for it anyways. He didn't suppose anyone younger than seventeen would get chosen anyways; they simply didn't know enough. But … the thrill of having something to claim as his was a deeply drawing force and Dumbledore was certainly not infallible. Getting in to add his name …

Stepping into the common room, Harry sighed and bypassed Neville and Ron's invitation to join them by the fire. Neville would keep Ron out, and Harry gladly slipped into his trunk, pulling out the small box with the snake necklace. Lying back on his bed, the pendant in hand, Harry looked it over admiringly. The work was beautiful, a pewter-and-gold serpent in a complicated coil, large for a pendant and his for two years. He supposed it symbolized a part of himself he'd likely always be known for. The Potter parselmouth. The Gryffindor parselmouth, indeed. His father had sent it to him second year alongside the fine robes, and it was something he treasured because it meant his dad hadn't turned on him after finding out he was something of a Slytherin. It gave him hope that he might be able to accept the house Harry had refused.

Harry slipped the pendant back into its box and then into his trunk, and dressed for bed. This had been a long day, and the warm sheets called him after the cold storm. He could worry about school and Tournaments another day, namely the next one coming up.

A/N: Well, another chapter, and moving into the school year. Please Read and Review? Thank you very much to everyone who did so last chapter (I think there were a few, but so little ... sniffle I feel unappreciated.) Next chapter in two more weeks, Thursday, or, as demonstrated, Wednesday evening if I'm feeling generous!

Fire & Napalm