Chapter Fifteen: The Triwizard Champions

"What can we do about this?" Sirius asked placing his hands upon the wooden desk as he leaned across to look at the Headmaster who was seated opposite him. "What do you propose to do about this threat?"

Dumbledore looked thoughtful. He tugged at his beard, frowning slightly. "There are two possible ways we could deal with this: one of which I know you will not favour at all." He leaned forward clasping his hands together. "Please, sit down."

Sirius sighed heavily, preparing himself for the worst as he seated himself on the chair that sat in front of the desk. "What are the options?"

"The first is rather simple: we allow this event to occur - please hear me out." For Sirius had risen, but at Dumbledore's nod sat him back down and allowed him to continue: "We allow Harry to be entered into the Tournament, allowing us to track Pettigrew to Voldemort's current location, thereby giving us the chance we need to break this plot before it has hardly begun. The second option is to capture Pettigrew when he appears preventing Harry's name being put in, though the likely-hood of Harry being chosen as a champion is unlikely."

"I'd vote second any day," Sirius muttered.

Dumbledore nodded. "There is a third option as well which I have only just begun to consider."

"Is it any better than the other two?" Sirius asked hopefully.

"You'll have to hear it first to decide," answered the Headmaster.

Leaning back in his chair Sirius sighed, frustrated. "What is it?"

"It is inevitable that at some point during Harry's life Voldemort will return. Until Voldemort can be completely destroyed Harry will never have a proper life. They are linked together by the cursed scar Harry bears. He can never lead a normal life until the moment when Lord Voldemort is vanquished."

"He's just a child!" Sirius cried out. "He shouldn't have to do this!"

"I know," Dumbledore spoke quietly, "but because of Lily's sacrifice, Harry's fate is forever linked to Voldemort's demise. No matter how much you want to protect him, Sirius, at some point Harry will have to fight and destroy him. It cannot be avoided."

"So, basically," Sirius folded his arms, raising his eyebrows, "you're saying that it would be better for Harry to face Voldemort at this age now rather than later on?"

"Technically I'm not," replied Dumbledore. "However Voldemort is making the steps to ensure that he can destroy Harry before he comes into his own. Before he leaves Hogwarts, Harry will have to face him. Voldemort is looking for opportunities to kill Harry: better for him to try at this stage in Harry's life before he is able to use magic outside school, then wait for him to be a fully qualified wizard."

"But it's worse for Harry because he's the one who has this burden when he should be able to be a normal carefree teenager," argued Sirius.

"If Voldemort fails in his plan to get Harry then he will only keep trying. We know that Voldemort is currently not human - only spirit and that he wants to regain his body."

Sirius frowned. "Then where does Harry come into this? Why does he want him?"

"For a very simple reason, Sirius: Harry's blood."

Sirius looked puzzled, slightly confused as to how the blood of his godson could hold any importance. Fortunately Dumbledore answered his unasked question.

"Voldemort cannot touch Harry. If he does he would experience intense pain, however if he uses Harry's blood in a process in which he can regain his body, that would enable him to touch Harry and not cause himself any pain. I am only guessing this, but if Harry was picked as a champion and managed to get to the cup - I cannot guess how Voldemort intends to get hold of Harry by putting him in the Tournament -, then after that process was complete Voldemort would force Harry to duel him for a final time and to kill him. These are just educated guesses, Sirius," said Dumbledore quietly, sighing slightly, "however I am fairly certain that this is what Voldemort is aiming for."

"You're saying we should let Voldemort regain his body, at the expense of my Godson's life?" He was outraged. No way would Sirius allow his Godson to become part of the Tournament.

Dumbledore raised a wrinkled old hand. "Please let me finish. If we allowed Voldemort a chance to get his hands on Harry we can place a tracking charm on him. I can also cast a simple bonding spell upon you and Harry, therefore where he goes you would know where he went, allowing us the chance to save him before death claims him and before Voldemort is restored to his body. A highly complicated charm and rarely used but it is the perfect one to use in this situation."

"You really think we should play by that bastard's rules after what he did to James and Lily?" growled Sirius, his anger bubbling just above the surface.

"I think it is necessary to help Harry defeat Voldemort now rather than wait for him to come of age. Remember, Sirius, Harry faced Voldemort when he was eleven years old and again at twelve - we cannot delay fate. It would be impossible to attempt it otherwise."

Sirius sighed, running a hand through his hair, cursing under his breath. "Damn you Dumbledore," he snarled. "I came here to see what we could do about this threat and you ramble on about how it would be best for fate to decide Harry's future! Allow a stinking murderer to get his hands on Harry!"

"I understand your anger Sirius, but Harry cannot stop his destiny - only delay it."

"You'll prevent me from doing what I want anyway," mumbled Sirius, crossing his arms.

"I'm sorry Sirius."

"Just promise me one thing."

Dumbledore asked: "And what's that?"

"You tell Harry the prophecy about him and Voldemort if this plot to get hold of my Godson comes to fruition and we get him back."

Dumbledore held Sirius' gaze firmly before replying: "I promise."

"Good." Sirius could only hope - that if Harry was forced to compete in the tournament and he survived - that Dumbledore would keep his promise. If not he would be very angry, indeed.

He did not tell Harry about what had been decided - he did not want to worry his Godson though he did believe that Harry was smart enough to read the signs that everything had not gone the way it should have done. Sirius hated the fact that he was potentially putting Harry's life in danger for the sake of his fate. If he could change it he would. But he couldn't. No matter how angry he was at the headmaster for even playing along with Voldemort's plan he could not deny the logic of it. If Harry was brought to Voldemort through his participation of the Tournament then at least Sirius would be able to lead the others to Harry's location due to the charm the headmaster had spoke about. They did have a chance to stop Voldemort before his plan was sprung in motion.

Sirius could only hope that Harry's dream was just that - an ordinary one. But he knew in his heart that it was not.

Saturday 31st October

Sirius sat at the Professor's table waiting impatiently for the names of the champions to be announced from the Goblet of Fire. It had only been yesterday morning that he had been seated in Dumbledore's office discussing the content of Harry's dream. That afternoon the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students had arrived, though Sirius had not been present at the time since he had been talking to Remus, who had returned from his little joint in the werewolf community. He had come to Hogwarts to deliver news to Dumbledore though he hadn't been able to inform Sirius of what he had discovered. However, Remus had departed again that night to continue his mission. And had once again, gone into the darkness.

Now was the time to unveil the Triwizard Tournament Champions. Sirius barely paid any attention to what was happening in the Great Hall until Dumbledore stepped forward to await the Goblet of Fire's decision on the champions. Flicking his eyes over the Gryffindor Table, Sirius met his Godson's face who was looking nervous.

As the first champion was called forward (Fleur Delacour of Beauxbatons), followed by Victor Krum of Durmstrang and finally the Hogwarts's champion, Cedric Diggory, Sirius let out a sigh of relief. Harry had not been chosen. He could see from his seat that his godson was visibly relieved at the outcome.

Dumbledore turned to face the students in the Great Hall as the champions filed out. Before he began to speak a crackling noise was heard over the dwindling voices of the students. Glancing at the Goblet of Fire, Sirius could only stare in horror as another piece of parchment was ejected from the flames and landed in the headmaster's outstretched hand.

This cannot be happening! Sirius mind was whirling. There was only meant to be three champions... Dumbledore turned to face Sirius and he knew without doubt what was written on that piece of paper.

The silence in the hall was great and Dumbledore, his voice shaking, only a little spoke the name aloud.

"Harry Potter."

To be continued...