From previous chapter:

The Headmaster was commencing the selection of the Champions.

Harry didn't really pay much attention to the man announcing the names of the Champions for each school, focusing instead, on summoning mice discretely to feed Parisinus who was threatening to slither off and catch her own.

Bending down to pick up the stunned rat, Harry nearly jumped in surprise when he heard his name being called.

"Harrison James Potter!" the headmaster bellowed.

And with that, colour started to fill the dull canvas of Harrison James Potter's life.

Chapter One

Draco gaped in astonishment as Harry's name was read out. His mouth was opened so wide that he wouldn't have been surprised if it had dislodged, like Parisinus's did right next to him.

He didn't see any trace of anxiety, surprise or befuddlement in Harry's face; instead Harry looked amused.

He knew Harry wouldn't have placed his name in the Goblet. Many entered the tournament in pursue of fame and glory; two things that Harry already had. Some, like Weasely, entered in hopes of getting their hands on the prize money, a fine sum of a thousand galleons; but Harry didn't need it either. The Potters were an old pureblood family and it was no doubt that they had left behind enough money for Harry to have lived the rest of his life in luxury, without even having to lift a single finger.

The Triwizard Tournament was dangerous. There was a reason as to why it had been abolished many years back, and why the age line had been drawn this time. People had died from in this tournament! All those who put their names in were well aware of the risks involved. They had decided to forgo their own safety in hopes to gain eternal glory. Blatantly put, they themselves decided to put their necks on the line; to take a gamble by joining the tournament.

No doubt would Harry not have any problems getting across the age line, why would he waste his efforts doing so when he didn't even have a reason to?!

Someone had placed Harry's name in the goblet.

Someone was trying to get Harry killed, and there the boy was, amused by the situation, and composed enough not only to walk to the front without falter, but to also feed his bloody snake before doing so.

Merlin, his father was so going to hear about this.

Harry quickly fed Parisinus her rat before swiping his hands on his robes. He really hated having to touch those filthy pests. Normally, he'd let Parisinus hunt for her own prey in the Forbidden Forest. In his first year, Parisinus would bring him rats or small birds whenever she came back from her hunts, regurgitating them onto the foot of his bed. Apparently, she deemed him too skinny and decided to take upon the task of feeding him. Even now, she'd do so from time to time, but it wasn't to feed him; it was to annoy him. The first time Parisinus brought him the carcasses, he nearly gagged and instantly banished it, much to Parisinus's displeasure. He then explained to her how humans and snakes consumed different foods, which resulted in Parisinus slithering off, ranting about weird man-childs and how ungrateful they were. Since then, Parisinus would still bring him dead carcasses from time to time, solely to annoy him.

He had however, denied her hunt tonight, by bringing her here. The least he could do to make it up to her was to get her a rat or two.

After she was done with her meal, Harry draped her across his shoulders and made his way to the front of the hall. Whispers spread about the hall like an epidemic as he strolled down the aisle.

Harry was thrilled when he heard his name called. It took him a few moments to register what happened, but when it did, he grinned inwardly. No, he did not put his name in; neither had he asked anyone to. Which simply meant that someone out there was thrusting him into harm's way. It was a challenge and threat; one that Harry warmly welcomed. With every step he took, adrenaline rushed through his body.

Someone wanted him dead; and Harry was anticipating it.

"Do zey vant us back in ze hall, boy?" asked the French girl in a strong accent as she flipped her hair and looked at him with haughtiness.

Ah, a Veela.

Harry was about to reply the Veela as a hoard of enraged adults stormed into the room while exchanging words of rage.

"Vat is the meaning of this? I never heard of ze host school being allowed two champions!"

"Foul play!"

"He must have asked an older student to put his name in the cup!"

"Silence!" Dumbledore yelled, putting a stop to the arguing adults.

"Harry, my boy, did you put your name in the Goblet?" Dumbledore asked as he grabbed Harry's shoulders, shaking him slightly.

"My dear headmaster, I am honoured to have you think so highly of me. However, I would just like to remind you that you had personally drawn an age line around the goblet; you who is a highly accomplished wizard. As a mere fourteen year old, it shocks me to know you think of me able to not only surpass your line, but also hoodwink an ancient object," Harry replied politely as he took a step back and removed Dumbledore's hands from his shoulders.

Mad-Eye roared in laughter as Dumbledore frown in disapproval.

"My bo-"

"The boy is right Albus," the Headmaster of Drumstrang sneered, "how could he have done it alone? I'm sure you had a part to play in ensuring Hogwarts would have two champions."

"Pardon me sir, but in case my words couldn't penetrate through the thickness of your skull, do let me remind you that I am fourteen. You are treating a fourteen year old as a threat, to your champion, who may I say seems more than capable of defeating a small boy such as I?" Harry drawled as he gestured over to the Bulgarian boy.

"Viktor. Viktor Krum," the boy said, nodding at Harry.

The man's face flushed in a mixture of anger and embarrassment and looked like he was about to pounce onto Harry when his student said, "I agree with the boy, Headmaster Karkaroff. Rather than talk of cheating, should we not discuss about the boy? He is too young. It is too dangerous for him."

"We have no choice," Barty Couch said, "He is bound to the goblet."

The Bulgarian boy made a weird sort of grumble while the Veela just looked at him in disdain. The other Hogwart's champion, Ferick or something, kept silent the whole time, opting to look at him in a sort of curiosity instead.

"Well, I guess that's it then. Good night." Harry said as he left to find his familiar who had slithered off somewhere as per usual.

Harry sat by the lake with his toes dipped into the water. The school grounds were completely silent; a stark difference from the usually bustling grounds. Students were all in their classes which left the hallways and school grounds completely empty. He was excused for the day due to the Wand Weighing Ceremony compulsory for all champions to attend. He was supposed to return to classes once he was done with the ceremony, especially since he would be taking his OWLs this year, but he didn't care; classes weren't much of a challenge anyway.

Harry hated the amount of attention he was receiving from this. He imagined the tournament to be a bit more...action rather than the ridiculous amounts of waiting time between each task and the pointless media coverage involved. Just minutes before, he had a shrewd journalist who nearly pulled him into a broom cupboard for an interview. And she would have succeed, having caught Harry off guard, if not for Parisinus who snapped at her. She had lunged forward at the fowl woman, sinking her fangs into her striking, red glasses. Harry took the chance and ran off, laughing his ass off on the way. It was a miracle he didn't roll down the stairs, considering how hard he was laughing. Parisinus keep ranting about the woman, complaining about everything, from her clothes to her scent. She even went as far as to compare the woman with Dumbledore!

Harry let Parisinus slither off into the forest to hunt for prey as he sat by the lake. She hissed to herself about red glasses clashing with purple robes, causing Harry to let out a giggle again. It was hilarious when Parisinus was mad.

The past week had been horrible. He couldn't find peace anywhere; not even the corner in the library. People were constantly whispering around him, sending him not-so-subtle glances which were starting to get on his nerves. For Merlin's sake they were wizards! Could they not use a silencing charm if they were gossiping? He wasn't bothered by whatever they were saying, rather he was peeved by the constant chattering. One bunch, in particular, were the swooning fangirls of Viktor Krum. He seemed to have the 'fourtune' of running into him whenever he was in the library.

Ah speak of the devil. Harry thought as someone asked, "May I sit here?"

He turned around and didn't see the usual bunch of hormonal teenage girls trailing behind, so he just nodded.

"I never caught your name," Krum said, leaning forward, towards him.

"Harrison Potter," Harry replied curtly.

The two fell into a comfortable silence as they both soaked in the serenity of the castle grounds.

Moments later, Parisinus came slithering back hastily.

:What's with the hurry?: Harry asked, picking his snake up.

:Dragons.:

Ever since the night a week before, Viktor was captured by the green-eyed beauty. The boy's elegance, composure and wit had him enthralled. Not to mention that the boy was only fourteen. Such maturity at a young age...

Viktor still felt outraged by the whole situation. The fact that the adults were squabbling over petty things such as inter-school rivalries rather than investigating the happenings made him lose all respect he held for the headmasters in the room. The boy was only fourteen! They were allowing a fourteen year old to compete in such a dangerous tournament! The Wizarding population was falling and every single magical child should be protected from such outrageous occurrences! He could tell that the boy was powerful, and would no doubt be able to cope well; but the attitude of the adults was simply intolerable.

Viktor was resolute to get to know the boy. He spent the whole week trying to track him down, only to have him running away every time. Most often, Viktor would find the boy huddled in a dark corner of the library, reading a book or doing his assignments. The moment Viktor entered the library however, the boy would flash a look of annoyance and immediately pack his things up and leave.

Today however, he promised himself not to let the boy slip away.

The Wand Weighing Ceremony was a good opportunity for him to speak to the boy and he wasn't going to miss such a golden opportunity. The boy went first, handing Ollivander his wand. He quickly passed Ollivander his wand to inspect once the boy was done with his. The boy had pocketed his wand and was about to leave, much to his dismay, when a journalist he recognized to be Rita Skeeter, grabbed the boy's arm. The boy's familiar definitely wasn't very pleased by the woman's actions and lashed out at her. Angry hisses filled the room as Rita shrieked when the snake crunched her glasses. Viktor felt his lips curl up, feeling amused by the spectacle cause by the woman. He wasn't the only one either. The boy had let out a laugh so joyous and enchanting. It sounded like a siren's cry to Viktor and couldn't help but want more of it. Suddenly though, the boy had dashed out without warning with his hissing snake wrapped around him.

Luckily for Viktor though, Ollivander was done with his wand just at that moment. Viktor grabbed his wand rudely and chased after the sound of laughter ringing through the empty halls. Finally, he found the boy, sitting by the lake alone. He sat by the boy and asked for his name.

Harrison Potter.

A name as beautiful as the boy.

The two fell into a silence Viktor thoroughly enjoyed. It was something he rarely had the luxury of having; with all the fangirls trailing him around.

After half an hour or so though, the boys snake came slithering towards them, hissing to the boy who then hissed back.

And just like that, the boy got up and left.

Harry was utterly disappointed in the first task. It was a breeze for him to get by dragons. Many people weren't aware but dragons, like snakes were able to communicate in parseltongue. It didn't matter what dragon he got; they would all respect a parselmouth. Harry watched the other Hogwart's champion pace about nervously around the tent as he waited for his turn. Before he left, he turned to the three of them and said, "Good luck."

Harry smirked at his comment. He didn't need luck.

The Veela sashayed out of the tent with a false bravado without even a glance back at them. By the time she finished, Harry was about to doze off. He slept stayed up last night reading and hardly managed to sleep. It didn't help that he was the last amongst the four and had to wait for more than an hour waiting for his turn.

Finally, after Krum had accomplished the task, Harry's name was called.

He walked out to the tent, face to face with a raging dragon.

"Sonorous," he cast, pointing to his throat.

:Calm down, my lady,: Harry said as the crowd gasped.

:You speak?: the dragon replied in astonishment.

:No, this is but your imagination. Of course I speak,: Harry replied, rolling his eyes.

:I apologize, it has been long since my kind has met a speaker. What do you have to ask of me, my dear speaker?: she asked, bowing in submission.

:Amongst your eggs is an imposter. I am tasked to retrieve it,: Harry said as he walked towards the nest.

:How dare those humans! I thank you for help, speaker,: the dragon replied as she allowed Harry to pick the golden egg up.

Slytherin house cheered while the rest of the audience just stared in shock.

Harry grinned at the predictable reactions of the students and took a mocking bow before leaving the stadium.

As expected, the castle was filled with celebrations from the success of the first task.

Harry had tied with Krum at forty points. Dumbledore had awarded him with six points, no doubt due to his usage of parseltongue. The French Headmistress and Karkaroff has awarded him eight and seven points respectively while Ludo Bagman and Barty Couch gave him ten and nine points.

Harry laid by the Black Lake, away from the ongoing commotion. He fiddled with the golden egg, wondering what was in it. He got up and was about to open it when a voice interrupted him.

"I suggest you don't; it screeches like a banshee."

Viktor Krum sat down beside him and Harry lifted an eyebrow.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with the rest?" Harry asked as he laid back down on the grass, staring up at the night sky.

"The same reason as you," he said.

"Why do you avoid me?" Krum asked, staring intently at Harry's face.

Harry was puzzled. Since when was he avoiding the other boy? His eyebrows shot up as he replied bemused, "My dear Krum, what makes you think I've been avoiding you?"

"Viktor. Please call me Viktor," he replied, taking no offence in the blatant sarcasm. "You would leave the moment I entered the library and the last time we were here, you ran off abruptly."

Harry laughed at the misunderstandings of the Bulgarian champion and explained, "I leave because of the girls that follow you; there's not point staying in the library when I can't get my peace. As for the last time, my snake told me of the dragons, which is why I ran off to confirm that the dragons did speak in Parseltongue."

"I apologize. Would you like to join me in my rooms instead? As champion, I have a private room on the ship with a study. It is the least I can do," Viktor offered.

Harry accepted his offer, rather pleased. After all, who was was he to say no to a quiet, private place for him to relax at?

A/N: I'm sorry that this chapter is so short! I wanted to separate the three tasks so it wouldn't be so awkward/confusing. I have yet to edit this so it'll be great if anyone could point out any errors I made (:

Note that this will not be Viktor/Harry.

I'm still looking for a beta!

Evil genus asked about Sirius and I thought that some people would be wondering so I decided to reply here instead of PM-ing her. Sirius will appear in the next chapter or so, so don't worry!

-Lavi

2/07/13