Ginny stormed out of the Great Hall and out of the castle. So far, the Year of Ginny Weasley totally sucked. Dumbledore had just announced that there would be not Quidditch this year, that their school would be hosting two other schools in the Tri-Wizard Tournament. There went her chance to try out for the Slytherin team. It was the one thing she had really been looking forward to.

The next day she had come across Draco and his goons Crabbe and Goyle baiting Ron about a mention of their father in the Daily Prophet. Ginny had listened, her fury building until Malfoy had insulted her mother. Both Harry and Ron had defended her parents, but Ginny had heard enough. She whipped out her wand and incinerated the paper. Then Moody entered, and transfigured Malfoy into a ferret. After Professor Mcgonagall made Moody return him to his original form, Draco shot her a dirty look as Moody grabbed him by the shoulders and took him off to see Professor Snape.

A couple of days later she got a short message from Sirius, saying he was heading north immediately, and to keep an eye on Harry. She scoffed to herself at that. She'd barely seen Ron, Hermione and Harry since they'd returned, except when she'd seen Hermione in the library. She was surprised that he was coming back, and worried that he might be spotted. She made her mind up to ask Harry why he was returning.

Most of the week was taken up with news of the visitors from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang arriving. Ginny caught up with Fred and George one night at the Gryffindor table.

"So, are you going to do it? Enter the tournament?" she asked them.

"Ask us no questions and we'll tell you no lies, Ginners," grinned Fred, winking at her.

"So that's a yes, then," surmised Ginny. "Any ideas who else might put their name in?"

"I think your boyfriend Cedric might," grinned George.

"He's not my boyfriend," said Ginny, slapping George lightly.

"Glad to hear it," said Ron, sitting down next to Fred; Harry and Hermione with him. Fred, George, Ron and Hermione then got into a discussion about house elves.

Ginny took the opportunity to ask Harry about Sirius. "I hear Snuffles may be returning? Any particular reason?"

"I stupidly wrote him about something that happened to me over the summer, and now he's worried about me," grumbled Harry, rubbing his scar.

"He cares about you, Harry," said Ginny.

"I know, I just don't want him to do anything that will land him back in Azkaban," said Harry.

"Hey Ginny, we're going to get a start on that Arithmancy homework, you coming?" called Astoria from the Slytherin table.

"Yeah, I'm coming. Guess I'll see you lot tomorrow," said Ginny, getting up.

XXXX

Ginny scowled as someone shoved a badge under her nose. It showed a picture of Cedric Diggory with the words-'Support Cedric Diggory-the REAL Hogwarts Champion'. Then the image changed to one of Harry, with the words- 'Potter Stinks', flashing in red.

"Sod off," she said angrily.

"Now now Weaslette, there's no need to be rude. Just thought you'd like to support our true Hogwarts champion," drawled Goyle.

"It's all a load of crap," snapped Ginny. "Get them out of my face." She waved her wand and made the badge melt in his hand.

"Ow, ow," he complained, tossing it down on the Slytherin table. "You little...you'll pay for that."

He drew out his wand, but Ginny was faster.

"Fernunculus," she cried. A yet of light hit Goyle in the face, and ugly boils were springing up all over it.

"What's going on here, Mr Goyle?" asked Professor Snape. "What's that?" The badge lay in a molten mess on the table.

"It was a badge supporting Diggory, sir. I offered it to Ginny, but she refused and spelled me," whimpered Goyle. Snape surveyed his face.

"Hospital wing, now," he said. "Miss Weasley, you better have a good explanation for the meaning of this." he gestured to the melted badge.

Ginny was ready to burst. "This-" she indicated the badge,-"is all bullshit! Isn't this tournament supposed to be about strengthening and uniting ties between the schools? Well, so far, all I've seen is how it's tearing ours apart. Anyone with half a brain can see that Harry doesn't want to compete, and he shouldn't have to."

You could have heard a pin drop in the Great Hall. From the Gryffindor table, Harry was happy that someone was finally on his side. Ron had been acting weird, thinking that Harry had somehow managed to overcome the age line near the Cup and he was jealous when Harry's name had come out of the cup. Hermione was trying to run between the two, to keep the peace, but finally, here was someone who was standing up for him.

"That is enough, Miss Weasley," snapped Snape. "Headmaster's office, after you've finished your meal."

"Fine- sir," said Ginny, angrily. She put her head down and continued eating. Astoria whispered in her ear, but Ginny seemed to be ignoring her.

Conversations resumed, although most of them were about Ginny's outburst. Fred and George seemed proud of their little sister. "She's a firecracker, that one," they chortled. Ron just rolled his eyes.

Ginny got up to go. Astoria told her she'd meet her back in the common room. Ginny nodded and went to leave.

Harry, having watched for her to leave, jumped up and met her as she was about to leave the Great Hall. "Ginny, I, er, just wanted to say thanks. You know, for what you said."

Ginny smiled wanly. "Harry, anyone who saw the look on your face when your name was announced would have known you didn't do it. I just can't believe Dumbledore is making you compete. Why did the bloody thing spit out another name, anyway. It's called a TRI-Wizard Cup for a reason. Tri means three. So why did it recognise a fourth name?"

Harry shrugged. "I don't know. Dumbledore said it's a binding contract, or something."

Ginny clutched his arm. "Harry, the other champions and their head master and headmistress don't want you in there, so why can't Dumbledore get you out of it. It's bullshit!"

Harry smiled at his feisty friend. "Anyway, thanks for saying what you did. I appreciate it, especially since Ron..." he looked over to see Ron scowling at him again. Hermione was whispering in his ear, looking apologetically at Harry.

"He's an idiot. Listen Harry, I think you should let Snuffles know what's going on. I've got a really bad feeling about this, and he'd want to know," said Ginny.

Harry nodded. "Yeah, I will. In fact, think I'll go to the Owlery now. I'd ask you to come, but I guess you've got somewhere else to be."

Ginny grimaced, just as Professor Snape loomed over them both. "Headmaster's office - now!"

"Yes sir," said Ginny. She rolled her eyes at Harry, who winked at her before she left. Snape stayed behind to talk to Harry.

"You love the attention, don't you, Potter. Well, let me tell you this. I don't know you did it, but I won't let you drag Miss Weasley into this mess, understand?"

"What do you mean, Professor?" asked Harry, angrily. He was tired of everyone thinking he wanted to compete.

"Stay away from her," said Snape, turning around and leaving Harry standing there. As he looked back to the Gryffindor table, he could see Hermione and Ron had gone already. Fred and George were still there.

"Reckon Gin's in for it," muttered George.

"Mum'll send another howler. Looks like Gin will set the record," grinned Fred.

"What do you mean?" asked Harry, sitting with them. He was glad that, while they joked about his status, they remained the same as they always had toward him.

"Well now, Bill got a howler when he and a Hufflepuff got caught in the Astronomy tower when he was a sixth year. Charlie got two, or was it three?-"mused Fred

"Three," said George.

"Thank you George. "Three howlers, two in his seventh year. Percy, of course, got none. Ron got one last year, right?" asked Fred.

Harry nodded. It was in the Great Hall, about taking Mr Weasley's car to get to Hogwarts when they missed the Hogwarts Express.

"We have got five, which we were pretty proud of. Gin's already had three, and we'd expect another one after this, so she's well on track to break the record," said Fred, looking satisfied.

"I'm not sure she'll look on it as a good thing,"said Harry. He didn't like all the shouting that Mrs Weasley did.

"Yeah, Mum's been a bit tough on Gin, that's for sure. Only girl and all," shrugged George.

While Harry didn't think that should matter, he wanted to send his letter to Sirius. "Well, I'm off to the Owlery. See you later."

"Hey Harry, don't mind Ron. He's being a prat, but he'll come round," said Fred. Harry just shrugged and continued to the Owlery.

He wrote Sirius a quick note, telling him that, despite not putting his name in, he had been chosen as a second Hogwarts Champion. He sent it off with a school owl, as Hedwig was too noticeable. Hedwig wasn't happy about that, and she pecked his shoulder before flying off in a huff.

Trudging back to the school in a mood, Harry decided to go and wait for Ginny to come out of Dumbledore's office. He'd walk her back to her common room, just to thank her again for her support.

As he rounded a corner, he heard Ron's voice. "Do I have to?" he whined.

"Hush Ronald," said Hermione. "Sorry, Professor."

"Quite all right, my dear. Mr Weasley, Mr Potter was placed in Gryffindor precisely so you could befriend him. Now that Sirius Black is in the picture, it is now more imperative that you maintain his friendship. We need to know everything between Harry and Sirius. Miss Granger, I'm sure I can rely on you. As I have promised, your efforts will be rewarded," said Dumbledore.

"Yes sir, don't worry," said Hermione. "Harry already relies on me for help with his homework. I'll get him to tell me all about where Sirius is, and what he's up to, don't worry. Harry won't suspect anything by telling me, er, us."

"Good, good. Well now, best be getting back to your common room. Good night, Miss Granger, Mr Weasley," said Dumbledore.

"Good night, sir," they said together. They started to walk towards Harry, so he ducked and hid in a broom closet. He heard them talking as they went past.

"-try and make up with him, Ronald, for Dumbledore's needs that information," scolded Hermione.

Harry didn't hear Ron's response, as they walked further away. Tears sprang to his eyes at the thought that his so called best friends were actually being manipulated by Dumbledore. It was like a dagger to his heart, that all they had been through the last couple of years had all been a lie. He banged his fist on the wall.

Anger burst through him. He'd show them! He didn't need Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger anymore. He decided not to rely on Hermione when it came to his school work. He'd always held back a bit, used to being scolded or punished by the Dursleys if he had done better than Dudley at primary school. He hadn't wanted to lose his friendship with Ron by coming across as smarter than him, yet he knew he was more up to Hermione's speed, but coasting along. Well, no more. Besides, if he was going to be forced to compete in this bullshit tournament, then he needed to be prepared.

He smiled as he said 'bullshit'. It made him think of Ginny. He hoped she got on all right with Dumbledore, although she was probably going to have detention. At least she was honest with him.

He made a mental note to catch up with her tomorrow.

XXXX

Ginny groaned as the clock ticked over to ten o'clock, and she still had half a dozen more bed pans to clean.

"Psst. Hey Gin, nearly done?" whispered Harry.

"Harry? Where are you?" asked Ginny, looking around.

"Oh, sorry, I forgot," grinned Harry, taking off his Invisibility cloak. "So, how's it going?"

"Just got this lot to do, then I'm done," sighed Ginny. She picked up one and began scrubbing.

"Hold on." Harry got his wand out and pointed it at the bedpans. "Tergeo." The bed pans all looked like new.

"Harry, Madame Pomfrey told me not to use magic," said Ginny.

"You didn't, I did," grinned Harry. They both grinned at each other, then heard the sound of approaching footsteps.

"She's coming," hissed Ginny. Harry ducked back under the cloak as Madame Pomfrey came into the infirmary.

"Those Beaxbatons girls," she said, shaking her head. "Ah, Miss Weasley, all done. Why, these look like new. You didn't use magic, did you?"

"No, Madame Pomfrey. You can check my wand if you don't believe me," said Ginny, holding it out.

"That won't be necessary. Now, off to your common room with you, it's already quite late. Here's a pass, in case you meet a professor or prefect patrolling. Good night, Miss Weasley."

"Good night, Madame Pomfrey," said Ginny. She hurried out, holding the door for Harry after making sure Madame Pomfrey wasn't looking.

"Thanks, you probably saved me at least another half an hour of scrubbing," said Ginny.

"No worries. I really wanted to talk to you. Snuffles is back. He's in Hogsmeade," said Harry.

"I'm not surprised. The first event is only two weeks away. How is your research going?" asked Ginny.

"Lousy. It's hard doing it by myself. I haven't got a clue what spells I'll need for the task," sighed Harry.

Ginny thought about it. "I'll help you. What about asking Neville. It may help him too. I'm sure Her-"

"No! I won't ask her or Ron. You're right, I'll ask Neville," said Harry. "So, I heard you got a howler from your Mum."

Ginny sighed. "Nothing surprising about that."

"What did she say?" asked Harry.

"Oh, the usual. I'm a disgrace to the Weasley name, she and Dad are so disappointed in me, blah, blah, blah." said Ginny. "So what did Snuffles say?"

"Just said he'd see me soon. There's a Hogsmeade visit coming up on the weekend," said Harry.

"It will be good for you to to see him, although I hope he won't get into trouble. The Ministry will probably use any excuse to cause trouble for him, even though he was pardoned."

"I know," said Harry. They had reached the ground floor.

"I can take it from here, thanks Harry. So, meet you about an hour before before dinner? How about that empty classroom on the second floor?"

"Sounds good. I'll speak to Neville and see if he wants to help. Goodnight Gin," he said.

"Night Harry, and thanks again. See you tomorrow," said Ginny. She wondered why he didn't want Hermione's help.

XXXX

Harry was happy to see Sirius when he went to Hogsmeade. He was staying in a private room at the Three Broomsticks, so Harry met him there. He saw Hermione watching him, so he had to be careful. He pretended he was going to the loo, then ducked upstairs.

Sirius was angry when Harry told him about the Tri-Wizard tournament, and what he'd overheard Dumbledore telling Ron and Hermione. Again, Harry was glad to have someone solely on his side.

Rosmerta brought them up some lunch and butterbeers. Sirius told him that he and Remus were moving in to his old family home. Sirius had recently re-connected with his cousin Andromeda and her family.

"Her daughter is an Auror. Nymphadora, but if you call her that, she'll curse you. She goes by her surname, Tonks. She's a hoot," chuckled Sirius.

"Sounds like things are going well for you. You've got your home and your best friend back," said Harry, happy for Sirius.

"Yeah, well, we want to get the house tidied up. You know, for when you're on holidays," said Sirius.

Harry looked confused. "Oh, so I can visit?"

Sirius nudged him. "No, so you can live with me. If you want, I mean. I am your godfather, and your parents named me your guardian."

"No more Dursleys?" asked Harry, hopefully.

"No more Dursleys," smiled Sirius.

Harry leapt into Sirius's arms. "That's brilliant. That's, wow, made my day. Thanks!"

They spent the next hour with Sirius sharing memories of Harry's parents with him. Harry forgot all his worries as he enjoyed himself.

Soon enough it was time to go. Harry hugged him goodbye. "Tell Ginny I said hello. Pity she couldn't make it today," said Sirius.

"I know. It was her last detention," said Harry.

"Well, it sounds like you've got a good friend in young Ginny," smiled Sirius.

"Yeah, she's been great. You should have heard her sticking up for me. Pity my other so-called friends couldn't do that. Gin went nuts when I told her what I overheard," said Harry snappily.

"Don't let them get you down, Cub. Stick with your loyal friends. James and Lily were good friends with Frank and Alice Longbottom, you know," said Sirius.

"Really? I've got to say, it's been good getting to know Nev more this last week. He and Ginny have been helping me learn new spells. I just wish I knew what we were facing for the first task," sighed Harry.

"I'm sure you'll do fine. I'll be sticking around. Just send me a message if you want to talk again," said Sirius.

Harry hugged him. "Thanks, Sirius, that means a lot."

Harry happily made his way back to Hogwarts. He caught up with Neville on his way back. He slapped him on his back. "Good day, Nev?"

"Yeah, you? You look...happy!" said Neville. He hadn't seen Harry look this happy-ever!

"Yeah, I am," said Harry, realising it was true. "Some of that is thanks to you, Nev. I really appreciate your help this last week."

"I've enjoyed it. It's really helped me too, I've done loads better in DADA," smiled Neville. "It's been fun getting together with you and Ginny. Look, I got her a sugar quill from Honeydukes."

"Damn, I meant to pick her up something too," said Harry, kicking himself.

"I'll tell her it's from both of us," said Neville, generously.

Ginny was actually waiting for them as they came through the gates. "Hi Nev. Harry, got a minute, I need to talk to you."

"Hi Ginny. Harry, I'll see you in the common room," said Neville, waving as he walked away.

"What's up?" asked Harry.

"First, how was Sirius?" asked Ginny as they began to follow Neville back to the castle, although a lot slower.

"Good. He's living with Remus in his old family home. He said that I can live with him in the holidays," said Harry, smiling happily.

"So you won't have to go back to those horrible Muggles? Harry, that's great," cried Ginny.

"I know, right," grinned Harry, caught up in Ginny's enthusiasm.

"Well, why you were away, I can tell you I think I know what you'll be facing in the first task," said Ginny.

"Oh?" said Harry.

"Meet me tonight after tea. We'll have to go down to Hagrid's cabin," said Ginny.

Harry groaned. "Can't you tell me now?"

Ginny smiled and threaded her arm through Harry's. "I think it's about time you met my brother Charlie."

"The one that works in Romania?" asked Harry. "The dragon trainer?"

"Yep. The dragon trainer," said Ginny. "He's here, at Hogwarts."

"Oh, shit!" said Harry, as it just hit him what he'd be facing.

"Yep," said Ginny, sympathetically.

"I'm screwed," groaned Harry.