Chapter 4: The Champions are Chosen

Harry Potter was reading his potions book with more dedication than ever. "Harry, I know you don't have Quidditch this year but do you really need to use the extra time studying?" Ron asked.

"It's a good way to spend the extra time, Ronald." Hermione intervened. "You could do that as well."

"But why potions, Harry?" Ron whined.

"Professor Snape is the one most likely to use the lack of Quidditch to demand more." Harry explained. "Also, assuming things haven't changed from back when Professor Slughorn was Hogwarts' Potions Master, antidotes will be covered this year. What if we become test subjects?"

"Professor Snape would never do that to a student, Harry." Hermione stubbornly said.

"Don't be so sure, Mione." Ron replied.

Eventually, it became time to pick the champions. "Who do you think will become Hogwarts' champion?" Harry asked his friends.

"I don't care for as long as it's not a Slytherin." Ron answered without hesitation. "Those slimy snakes don't deserve eternal glory."

"I have no idea." Hermione said with no interest on the tournament.

"Maybe it's Cedric Diggory." Neville suggested.

"Diggory?" Ron moaned.

"I thought you'd be okay with any non-Slytherin." Neville argued.

"I know but Hufflepuff is a leftover house." Ron replied. "I'd expect a Gryffindor or at least a Ravenclaw."

"I'm fine with anyone for as long as I don't have to compete." Harry commented.

"You don't want to?" Ron was shocked. "I thought you'd like to be famous for something you could remember doing."

"Not at this risk, Ron." Harry explained. "If someone puts my name in the goblet, it'll probably be some Death Eater hoping I'll get killed."

"Snape!" Ron guessed.

"Professor Snape, Ron." Hermione corrected. "And he's no longer a Death Eater. Headmaster Dumbledore wouldn't have trusted him otherwise."

"He was so sure of my Godfather's supposed guilt he wouldn't allow Sirius to say otherwise until I pressed the issue." Harry argued.

"Your parents should have told Headmaster Dumbledore about the Secret-Keeper switch." Hermione counter-argued.

"No matter how sure Dumbledore was of Sirius' supposed guilt, he should have allowed Sirius a chance to plead innocent." Harry counter-counter-argued.

The time to pick the champions finally arrived. As the Goblet of Fire spat parchment pieces, Dumbledore read the names. "The Durmstrang Champion is Viktor Krum." The Durmstrang students applauded as Krum was instructed to join another room for further instructions. "The Beauxbatons Champion is Fleur Delacour." The other Beauxbatons students were upset about not being chosen. "The Hogwarts Champion is Cedric Diggory." Three fourths of the student body applauded. "At least it wasn't a slimy snake." Ron said as he found comfort at this fact. After all Champions were sent to a separate room for further instructions, the other students were dismissed. "For a while, I thought a Death Eater would really put my name into the Goblet." Harry commented.

"Harry, I don't think Snape (Hermione gave up trying to make them add 'Professor' at that point) would have done anything with Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor Moody watching." Ron said.

"There's also Death Eater Karkaroff and possibly some Death Eater who kept their status hidden from the Wizarding World." Harry suggested.

What they were really looking forward to was their first Defense lesson with Alastor Moody. However, they would soon regret it since Professor Moody decided to teach them about the Unforgivable Curses despite, by his own admission, not being supposed to do so. Neville Longbottom seemed to be particularly scared by the Cruciatus Curse. After class, Professor Moody asked Harry to stay behind while the other students left. "Yes, Sir?"

"Potter, I understand you're concerned Karkaroff might be trying to harm you." Moody bluntly stated.

"Not necessarily him, Professor." Harry replied. "Somebody here might be a Death Eater who has never been identified as such. I'm not even sure if being alone with you is a good idea."

"Good thinking, Potter." Moody smiled the best way his much scarred face would allow him. "You never know where the enemy will come from. You may leave now but keep your wand ready just in case."

As Harry walked towards his next class, he spotted Karkaroff and decided to take a detour just in case, making him a little late for Potions. "Potter, you're late!" Snape admonished.

"I had to take a detour to avoid Karkaroff, Sir." Harry explained.

"Was he pursuing you?" Snape asked out of genuine concern. He had to protect his students no matter how much he hated them.

"He didn't see me, Sir." Harry explained. "I've just decided to play it safe."

Snape sneered at this one. "And why wouldn't you play it safe by coming with your year-mates, Potter?"

"Professor Moody wanted me to stay behind so he could give me some safety tips, Sir." Harry said.

"Normally, I'd dock points for this lateness." Snape said. "However, knowing Alastor Moody as I do, I'll let it pass. This time. Just take your seat, Potter."

"Thank you, Sir." Harry said and then sat down. After classes went down with no further troubles, Harry was surprised at seeing his Godfather. "Sirius, what are you doing here?"

"I'm offering extra safety, Prongslet." Sirius answered with a smile. "There are too many Death Eaters in this school."

"You're worried about Karkaroff, right?" Harry asked.

"Not only him but also Snivellus." Sirius explained. "The two of them might be together despite the bad blood."

"Bad blood?"

"Do you remember when I told you Karkaroff got out of Azkaban because he revealed names of other Death Eaters?" Sirius asked and Harry nodded. "Karkaroff tried to denounce Snivellus but it didn't help him because Dumbledore intervened on behalf of the Potions Master. Anyway, be careful or I might have you transferred for your safety."

"Isn't it up to my parents?"

"If it were, they'd have already done so as soon as they learned Karkaroff would come." Sirius argued and Harry accepted the point.

Please review. The Tournament itself will probably be glossed over since Harry isn't in it.