Disclaimer: I still do not own Harry Potter.

I'm so, so happy you think I'm doing so well with the story! I hope to continue to keep everyone satisfied!

Chapter 22: Life Continues

When Harry arrived at Gryffindor Tower the next day, he was not looking forward to what would happen. He had avoided the Great Hall, and had instead eaten breakfast with Sirius and Remus. They, of course, had been nothing but supportive towards him, but he knew it was now time to go back and "face the music", as it were.

When he gave the password to the Fat Lady and opened the portrait door, the first people he bumped into were Fred, George, and Lee.

"How did you do it, mate?" said Fred immediately.

"Wish you'd let us in on it," said George, vigorously shaking Harry's hand. "Didn't think you had it in you."

"You're one amazing kid, Potter," said Lee, beaming with pride.

"I didn't," said Harry desperately. "I didn't put my name in!"

"Aw, come on, bro," said Fred. "We're not angry with you for doing it, we're proud. You can tell us how you managed it, we promise we won't tell ickle Ronniekins."

"I'm telling you, I didn't do it!" Harry almost yelled, pushing past them and running up to his dormitory. "Wait, Harry!" they called, but Harry paid absolutely no attention.

Unfortunately, Ron was in the dorm, sitting on his bed when Harry came in. "So," he said, scowling when he saw the green-eyed boy. "Too busy reveling in your victory to even come to the dorm last night?"

"Shut the hell up, Weasley," Harry ground out. "I didn't put my name in that cup! I don't know how it happened!"

"Don't you tell me to shut up, Potter," Ron snarled, standing up. "You were the one who said when school started that you didn't want to be champion. Now I find that you want to be after all! I would've been fine with it if you'd only have told me your trick!"

"You know what, Ron?" Harry shouted. He couldn't be bothered to deal with this right now. "If you don't believe me, then that's your problem. But I'm happy to know that I have people who do."

"Who, like Pretty Boy Diggory?"

"Don't you dare insult Cedric! He's a much better friend than you're being right now!" Harry got his invisibility cloak out of his trunk and put it on, getting ready to go back to the common room. He knew Fred, George, and Lee would still be down there, and the last thing he wanted to do was deal with them again.

"Go hang out with Diggory, then," Ron scoffed. "And stop pretending you don't like the fame."

"Do you really want to be me, Ron? You can be me any time you want, I'd gladly give you the position! Just don't come complaining to me when Voldemort's out for your blood!" Harry roared, slamming his way out of the dorm. All the feelings of uncertainty and inadequacy came rushing back to him. How could Ron think that of him? After all they'd been through together, after all he had seen Harry go through, how could the red-haired boy think he liked the fame? Furious, Harry threw open the portrait hole, causing the Fat Lady to yelp, "Hey! Who's there?" But he didn't answer, and just kept running.

He ran out to the lake, and sat down by the big beech tree the Marauders had so often occupied. Sighing, he became lost in his thoughts. Sirius and Remus had told him not to worry about what everyone else thought; they had said just to be comfortable with who he himself was. He hadn't put his name in the Goblet, and they said that whoever didn't believe him wasn't a true friend. He'd never felt so hurt, though. Ron had been his first friend, the first person who had come up to him and really talked to him on the train. He thought of all their games of wizard's chess, of the way Ron had sacrificed himself for Harry at the end of first year, how he had accompanied Harry and Lockhart to the Chamber of Secrets second year, and he especially thought of what he'd said at the end of last year when they'd still thought Sirius was out to kill Harry: "If you want to kill Harry, you'll have to kill all three of us!"

He knew Ron had low self-esteem, because he didn't think he could measure up to his brothers. The fact that he was friends with the famous Harry Potter was another weight on him. Harry could definitely understand all that; he'd felt horrible about himself at the Dursleys. But why couldn't Ron see that he was telling the truth?

He was still brooding when he saw Ginny come to the area where he was sitting. She sat down next to him, but she didn't know it, since Harry still had the cloak on. Harry honestly didn't know whether he wanted to talk to her or not. He was dying for someone to understand him, someone in his own house to believe him. After battling with himself for awhile, he hesitantly took the cloak off.

"Ahh!" Ginny yelled, suddenly seeing him. "Don't do that to me, Harry!"

"Sorry, Gin," Harry sighed.

"Why did you have the cloak on anyway?" Ginny asked, her face becoming concerned. "I knew you owned one, because Ron told me. But why were you wearing it? Was it because ..." Her face grew red with anger. "Did my idiot brother say something to you? Don't worry, I believe you didn't put your name in the Goblet. The look on your face said it all."

Harry gave a relieved sigh. He should have known better than to doubt Ginny, plus, Sirius and Remus had told him they were sure the redhead was sensible. "Thank Merlin someone from Gryffindor believes me," he said.

"Don't mind my brother. He's just really stupid sometimes," said Ginny. "Hermione and I gave him a good yelling-at last night. He's probably still angry with us for it."

"So Hermione believes me too?"

"Of course she does, Harry. Come give me a hug, I think you need it."

Harry was touched at her compassion. Hugs were definitely not something he was used to, and Ginny saw the hesitant look in his eyes. "Come on, Potter," she said teasingly. "You're not going to get away with denying me." A mischievous smile lit her face, and Harry couldn't help but laugh a little. She held out her arms, and Harry finally obeyed her wishes. Her arms were warm and inviting, and she smelled wonderful. "It's going to be all right, you know," she said softly, stroking his messy, raven-colored hair. "My stupid brother will come around. I'm surprised it's the first time you've seen him like this. As for you being champion, I've noticed Cedric's really taken a liking to you. I'm sure he'll help you out."

Harry looked gratefully at her. "Thanks, Gin," he said. "It really helps to know that you also believe me."

"Of course I do," Ginny smiled.

The two sat in silence for a while, simply relishing the other's presence. Harry felt happy to have someone there with him, someone who had faith in him and trusted him wholly. After a while, Harry said, "My dad and his friends used to hang out by this tree all the time. I saw a memory of it in my Pensieve."

"Really?" Ginny asked, interested. "What were they like when they were young?"

"They were real pranksters, as you know," Harry replied. "It's funny, because Sirius and Remus told me Mum hated Dad at first. Dad always loved Mum, though, but she couldn't be bothered to deal with him."

"How come?"

"She thought he could never be serious, and also thought he was way too arrogant."

"Well, some people are like that when they're young," said Ginny. "It's a phase they go through, but usually they grow out of it."

"Yeah, that's what Remus said," said Harry. "Dad grew out of it, and Mum finally came to like him."

Ginny and Harry spent the rest of the morning talking about their parents' antics. Ginny told him stories about what kind of things her own parents had done when they were young.

Later in the day, Harry met with Neville and Hermione, who thankfully both believed him. Cedric and Cho also bumped into him, expressing their luck and faith in him also. He hated the glares from the other students, but the fact that he did have people who took him at his word lightened his heart considerably.

Lessons the following week were horrible, though. Even Professor Sprout, who wasn't supposed to play favorites, seemed distant towards him. Care of Magical Creatures had Draco Malfoy in it, so of course that wasn't good. He made spiteful comments about Harry becoming champion, and what hurt the most was that Ron's usual "Shut up, Malfoy!" wasn't present. It was now left to Hermione and Neville to tell the blond to stuff a sock in it. Hagrid was a comfort, though, because he too believed that Harry was innocent of putting his own name in the Goblet.

It all came to a head on Friday at Double Potions. When he arrived at the classroom, Snape wasn't present yet, so everyone lined up. Ron stood next to him, scowling, with Hermione on his other side. All week, Ron and she had had forced conversation, but didn't seem to be looking at each other much. Harry felt guilty for again causing conflict between the two of them. Last year, it had been his Firebolt which had done it.

Malfoy and the Slytherins came strolling towards them, and every one of them was wearing a badge. How could Hermione have gotten them into S.P.E.W? Harry wondered, but then realised they weren't S.P.E.W badges at all, but were instead badges which said in glowing red letters: SUPPORT CEDRIC DIGGORY, THE TRUE HOGWARTS CHAMPION!

"Like them, Potter?" smirked Malfoy. "Look! See, this isn't all they do!" He pressed his badge, and another message began to glow. This one said: POTTER IS A CHEATER

The rest of the Slytherins roared with laughter. They all pressed their badges as well, and the message lit up the corridor. Harry felt a red flush rising on his cheeks. "We caught on to your game, Potter," Pansy Parkinson sniggered. "We know you cheated. Just because you've got people on your side doesn't make them right. They'll catch on eventually."

"Would all of you just shut up?" Neville said bravely.

"So," drawled Malfoy, "Little crybaby Longbottom's sticking up for Potter, is he?"

"He's not a crybaby, Malfoy," Harry snarled.

"No?" said Malfoy, another smirk appearing on his face. "I beg to differ. Hey, Weasel, want a badge? I notice you haven't been talking to Potter lately. How does it feel, Potter, to have one of your so-called friends not on your side? And how about you, Granger, you want one too? Ooh, but don't touch my hand now, I just washed it. I don't want a filthy little mudblood sliming it up."

Harry raised his wand, his temper near to breaking point. Malfoy raised his too. "Go on, Potter," he taunted. "Let's see what you can do, shall we?"

At exactly the same time, both boys acted. "Furnunculus!" shouted Harry, while Malfoy yelled, "Densaugio!"

Both jets of light hit each other in midair, and went spinning off at angles. Harry's hit Pansy Parkinson, and boils sprang up all over her nose. "Aarghargharghargh!" she shrieked. Malfoy's hit Hermione, and she grabbed her mouth in panic. "Hermione!" cried Ron, rushing over to her. "Are you all right?"

"My teeth!" she yelled, and the Slytherins howled with mirth. Hermione's teeth were growing so huge that her voice sounded extremely odd.

"What is going on here, boys and girls?" drawled a silky voice. Severus Snape came striding into the corridor, looking at the scene around him.

"Potter attacked me, sir!" Malfoy said at once.

"No, no, they attacked each other at the same time!" Neville argued.

"Ah," said Snape, smiling nastily. "Twenty points from Gryffindor for your conduct, Potter."

"But sir!" said Dean Thomas loudly. "Malfoy ..."

"Another ten points from Gryffindor for your cheek, Thomas," snarled Snape.

"Professor! Look at Hermione's teeth!" exclaimed Ron.

Snape looked at her mouth and sneered at her, "I see no difference."

Harry and Ron then started yelling things at Snape at the same time, only Ron's language was much more colorful. Hermione ran away from the scene in tears.

"Thirty points from Gryffindor and detention for you, Weasley," Snape drawled. "You do not use language like that towards a teacher. Now, get inside! The instructions for your potion will be on the board, and you will complete it quickly. No talking, and no funny business! Now go!"

Harry stomped angrily into the classroom, sitting with Dean on one side and Neville on the other. He made his potion, chopping his ingredients with a dangerous ferocity. Half an hour into the period, there was a knock at the door. Snape opened it, and Colin Creevy was standing there.

"Please, Professor," he said, "but Harry Potter has to come with me. The Weighing of the Wands ceremony for the champions is about to happen."

"Well," Snape said slowly, "Potter has a half an hour of Potions to complete. I'm afraid our little celebrity will just have to be late, won't he?"

"Professor, he has to. Everyone is waiting for him," Colin said, his face growing red.

"Very well," Snape snapped, his face full of fury. "Potter, you will come back later and finish your potion. Is that understood, or is your head so big that you believe rules are nonexistent for you?" Upon hearing this, Malfoy snickered. As usual, Snape paid him no attention.

"Yes, sir," Harry ground out, getting out of his chair and walking out of the classroom, following Colin.

"Isn't it terrific that you're one of the Hogwarts champions?" said Colin excitedly as they walked. "Should've known, really, since you're Harry Potter!"

"Yeah, terrific," Harry muttered under his breath. "What's this Weighing of the Wands thing about?"

"I dunno," said Colin, "but I think people of the Daily Prophet are here."

"Great," said Harry. Colin beamed, not noticing the sarcasm.

When they arrived at the classroom, Colin piped, "Good luck!" and left. Harry entered the room, and saw that Cedric, Fleur, and Krum were already there. There was also a woman in the room, who was wearing magenta robes. Harry's spirits plummeted; Sirius and Remus had told him what Rita Skeeter looked like, and this was definitely her. Ludo Bagman was also there, along with, believe it or not, Mr. Ollivander.

"Hi, Harry," said Cedric as Harry sat next to him. "Are you okay?" He stared at Harry with a concerned gaze.

"Yeah, I'm fine, Cedric," said Harry, managing a weak smile.

"Hello, Potter," said Krum, and Fleur also smiled at him.

"I talked to them," Cedric whispered conspiratorially to Harry. "I convinced them you didn't put your name in the Goblet. I think they finally believe me."

"You didn't have to do that," Harry said, looking at the older student gratefully.

"Well, what are friends for?" said Cedric, patting Harry's shoulder in a kindly gesture.

Mr. Ollivander then began to talk. He explained about the Weighing of the Wands, and then checked that each student's wand was working. Harry grew very uncomfortable when he started muttering, "Yes, Harry Potter. Very curious indeed." Harry remembered very well the conversation in the wand shop right before his first year, about how the brother of his wand was the one belonging to none other than Lord Voldemort.

Then, Rita Skeeter marched up to Harry. "Now that the Weighing of the Wands is over," she said cheerfully, "I am wondering if you would be kind enough, Harry, to give me an interview."

Harry's spirits sank even further. "Uh, no thank you, Miss Skeeter," he said quietly.

"Oh, come on! It'll only take a minute!" she cried, putting on a pleading tone of voice. "Don't you want to be on the front page?"

"No, I don't," Harry said testily.

"Oh, quit lying to me, you little scamp!" said Skeeter, ruffling Harry's hair. "Everyone wants to be famous!"

Cedric looked at Harry's crestfallen face and glared at Skeeter. "Didn't you hear him, Miss Skeeter?" he said coldly. "He told you no, he doesn't want an interview. Don't you see you're making him uncomfortable?"

Harry was baffled at how much Cedric seemed to care. "It's okay, Cedric, I can handle it," he said softly.

"No, I'm not letting Skeeter take advantage of you like this," Cedric insisted. "Leave Harry alone, otherwise I'll tell Sirius Black and Remus Lupin on you. I've heard you're pretty scared of them."

Rita Skeeter's face immediately changed to one of terror. "Sirius Black and the werewolf!" she exclaimed. "You wouldn't, would you?"

"Yes, I would," said Cedric, and Skeeter immediately hurried away, looking like someone who had been cornered by an angry scorpion. Cedric stared after her, a look of satisfaction crossing his face. "There," he said to Harry. "I got rid of her for you."

Harry couldn't help but be impressed. Fleur and Viktor were also looking at the older boy, shock clearly written across their faces. Cedric was definitely not dumb. "There was no need to do that," he said, flushing. "But thanks."

"As I said, what are friends for?" replied Cedric. "I'm not against Sirius Black or werewolves, but I know Skeeter is. I figured I'd use that to our advantage. Come on, let's walk back together. What are you doing now?"

"I was thinking of going to dinner," Harry said. "I'm hungry."

"Me, too. I'm starved. Come sit with me at the Hufflepuff table," Cedric offered.

"But your mates don't like me," Harry said.

"Who cares? It doesn't matter what they think. I don't even know if they're my mates anymore. And don't you dare feel guilty," he said, noticing that Harry was about to open his mouth. "It's not your fault that they're being total idiots. Come on, let's go." Smiling, he led Harry out of the classroom and to the Great Hall. Harry followed him, not being able to help the swoop of lightheartedness that being with Cedric provided. With a friend like him, who needed Ron Weasley?