Title: Truth behind the name and the lies pt.4
Pairing: DracoxHarry, OliverxPercy, twincest, growing RemusxSeverus,
Fandom : HP
Notes: An abused boy finds out he's a wizard and a hero; his tormented mind rebels. One person sees through the misconceptions to the real Harry and treats him the way he deserves. How does this change them both and those around them
Pairings: DracoxHarry, twincest, OliverxPercy, RemusxSeverus, BlaisexCharlie, future BillxFleur, Stalker Ginny! implied Seamus and Colin *hides* new pairing coming in in chapter 17?

Chapter 13- Hermione's first date, Quidditch and the Triwizard Cup

Draco woke at six and immediately called for Dippy and sent her to wake Hermione. Her kissed his lover, "Sleep Adder." he entered their parlor and knocked on his godfather's door.

A sleepy Remus opened it, "What do you need so bloody early?"

"I want to send Hermione to the Manor to get ready for her date with Viktor Krum. Any objection as her Head of House?"

Remus yawned, "No. is that all?"

"Yes, thank you."

Remus muttered, "Too blood early for questions." as he shut his and Severus' door firmly.

Draco chuckled his dressing gown appearing on his shoulders, he tied it securely around himself as he heard a knock on their rooms' door. He went to open the portrait.

Hermione yawned, "What is so important?"

"I figured you would want some advice on how to dress for a date with a rich pure-blood wizard. I didn't think you wanted us boys, bent wizards or no to rip through your wardrobe. Mother kindly offered to give you advice. Trust me." he held up his hand, "Rules of Courting don't change. She can tell you how to entice and flirt if you are as serious about Viktor as Blaise is about Charlie.'

Hermione blushed, "I'm not planning on jumping into bed with him. I think I'm too young for that."

"According to Wizarding Law it's perfectly Legal to marry him at your age. You're fifteen 'Mione, plenty old enough. That is neither here nor there. Mother wants to see you and she'll give you plenty of advice. After raising two sons, I think she'd like to have ago with a daughter." he tossed floo powder into the fire, "Malfoy Manor, Conservatory." he turned to his friend, "In you go. Remember you're meeting Viktor at the Entrance Hall at ten. Don't be late and keep him waiting. I would make sure his snitch in plain sight though. He should be aware that you treasure it as his first gift and as a memory of your first meeting."

Hermione entered the floor to find herself swept up in Narcissa's arms.

"Let me see you." Narcissa gave Hermione a critical eye, "First we'll need a flattering hairstyle, make-up that highlights your high cheekbones, lovely eyes and rose petal lips." she clapped her hands, "Totty.'

A slight familiar house elf appeared, "Yes Mistress."

"Go see if Andre is awake, if he can come at once I'll pay triple his normal fee. Dear me, we'll have to start planning a coming out party my dear. Muggle-born or no you are under the protection of the House of Malfoy and that comes with expectations. You must be launched into society, you wouldn't want anyone to think you were lower class then Pansy, Daphne or Astoria would you? Dear me of course you wouldn't, we want your Mr. Krum to think you are a well-bred lady."

Hermione was overwhelmed.

Before Narcissa could speak another word, the floo lit once more and a dapper young French man exited.

"Narcissa my dear, lovely to see you. 'ow might I 'elp you?"

Narcissa giggled conspiratorially, "Can you keep a secret?"

"You wound me." Andre had a hand over his heart. "An 'airdresser is like an bartender. We are keepers of many secrets."

Narcissa chuckled, "My young friend here, a companion of my Dragon has caught the eye of a talented Professional Quidditch player. They have a date today and we wish to make sure he notices no other."

Andre lifted Hermione's chin, looking at her face from different angles, "a beautiful and well proportioned face. Thiz 'air is atrocious. She needs layers, zee right 'air potion, ah and an 'int of darker color to 'er 'air." he transfigured an armchair into chair from a hair salon. "Trust me mademoiselle, your prince will see no one but you."

Hermione was ushered into a chair, a robe set over her clothes and she heard the snip of scissors meeting hair. She winced slightly.

The combing and cutting lasted a while, finally it stopped.

"Mmm…better."

A basin appeared beneath Hermione's head as the chair was tilted backwards, her hair was washed with a strawberry and vanilla shampoo.

"Zhis potion removes za friz and adds shine; I call it Angel. Mon petite lapin I shall turn yoo into a cygne."

Narcissa watched excitedly as Hermione's hair was styled.

Andre looked the teen over, "Magnifique. 'e vill be floored." he tugged out a box of make-up, "Vat colours did yoo plan on dressing this doll in? I vas thinking, a butterscotch eyeshadow, mascara, blue eyeliner and a touch of ice blue so mademoiselle's eyes vich are 'er best feature are breath-taking. Though the knockers she is starting to be blessed with might be her second best, if I remember by training when searching for a wife breasts fit for nursing was a requirement."

Hermione blushed, "I'm too young to be a mother. I'm not like Blaisé who sexually matures early."

"It would be perfectly legal to Bond at your age. Why I was Bonded to my beloved Lucius when I was 16."

Hermione stammered, "My mother and father would never let me never marry at my age. I think my father would have a heart attack."

"Muggles, they just don't understand anything. Just because a witch is fertile into her fifties doesn't mean they shouldn't start early. The sooner you find out whether or not you can carry a child to term the sooner one can use magic to fix it if there is a problem."

"Wait what? Fertile into their fifties?"

Narcissa nodded, "What? Aren't Muggles?"

Hermione shook her head, "It's dangerous to have children before sixteen and after thirty; the children are more likely to be born with health problems and both mother and child are more likely to die."

"Muggles are a strange lot. Never understand them." Narcissa tilted her head in thought, "Should she be dressed traditionally or fashionably?"

"A young Professional Quidditch player?" Andre asked giving Hermione another long searching look.

"Foreign Quidditch Player."

"How young?"

Hermione toyed with her snitch pendant, "18...he is still a student…"

"Not for long though, he'll need to start thinking about a family. If he is taken with you, we'll have to make sure he never looks anywhere else." Andre said patting her hand, "Got to get them while they're interested before someone else snatches them up."

"Perhaps something a little shocking and yet tasteful, a blue pencil skirt with patterned wool tights and a curve hugging floral blouse topped with a cloak and paired with kitten heels?"

Andre clapped his hand, "Lady Malfoy, how utterly charming. You do have something like that around?"

"Oh course. I hardly wear such things anymore out of the house anymore.' she blushed, "Though Lucius seems to like it when I do."

Andre nodded, "Perfect. Why don't yoo see to Mademoiselle's wardrobe? I should be heading back across the channel. It was nice seeing you again Lady Malfoy."

Narcissa chuckled after he disappeared into the floo, "He's a good man for a bent wizard. He had excellent taste.'

Hermione coughed, "Is it truly that common to be bent?"

Narcissa chuckled, "Except for radical families like the Blacks or Muggle-borns it isn't' a problem to be bent. As long as heirs are provided why would it matter what gender the person you Bond with is?"

"I suppose that makes sense, so you really don't mind that Blaise, Draco and Severus are in relationships with men?"

Narcissa laughed, "As long as they are happy, why does it matter? Severus has been lonely long enough," her voice turned sad, "of course my Aunt Walburgha and my sister Bella would have me blasted off the Family tree for thinking such things. Bella never liked Severus, then again Bella never liked anyone."

"You must not have had a happy family life."

Narcissa shook her head, "I tried to be a good daughter, Annie was the headstrong one, she could have been a Gryffindor- she had the courage for it. Bella was born rotten to the core and it got worse as she got older. There is no way to help her, letting a friend of the family Bond with a Werewolf who make her insane, so would letting her nephew Bond with the enemy of the Dark Lord, not to mention raising a half-breed as our son and letting him marry the son of Blood-traitors."

"She wouldn't like me either, she'd call me a Mud-blood.' Hermione said sadly.

"I told you, Bella was born troubled. I always like Annie best and Lucius brought us back together. He really always was a good man, he just got lost along the way." Narcissa placed a hand on her stomach, "I hoped he would wake up and be the man I fell in love with. Now lets get you dressed, we only have so much time. It's off to raid my wardrobe." she clapped her hands, "Tippy."

A house elf appeared, "Yes Mistress?"

"Ms. Granger would like a picnic lunch for two prepared. She's leaving at 9:30 so it must be ready. Blanket as well."

"Yes Mistress." the elf disapparated.

Hermione blushed, "you don't have to go to so much trouble."

"Oh hush dear, consider yourself training me to mother a girl."

Hermione nodded, "Alright."

They went to Narcissa's boudoir, she found the perfect ensemble that complimented the girl's makeup.

Narcissa grinned, "Perfect. He'll be smitten." she toyed the snitch lengthening the chain so it nestled between Hermione's breasts.

Hermione looked two years older and she didn't recognize herself. "Lady Malfoy…goodness. Mum wouldn't know me. How will Viktor?"

"If he is meant to be he'll not only know you, he'll know you and like you better. A pure-blood wants a wise partner. Someone who will standby them publicly even if they don't agree with them because they are their spouse. Viktor is a profession Quidditch player, what can you offer him? You have affiliations with us and Harry, that is good for a start. You are close to Severus who holds the Prince seat, Lucius has the Malfoy seat, Harry is heir to both the Black and the Potter seats. Percy has the potential to go far in politics, Bill will probably inherit the Prewett seat. You maybe a Muggle-born but you have connections. The Minister for Magic Madam Bones is already saying she expects great things from you. Through Oliver you have a connection to a British Quidditch Team in case Viktor decides to move to Britain and fly for a team here. You don't have more then yourself and your future career if you wish to have one."

Hermione bit her lip, "I was considering becoming a solicitor."

Narcissa chuckled, "So is Draco, perhaps you can study together."

"I hope I can handle motherhood and a career."

"Careful, you may find you find yourself like Blaisé, handling parenthood and school."

XoooooX

"The moment has come," McGonagall said, smiling around at the sea of upturned faces. "The Triwizard Tournament is about to start. I would like to say a few words of explanation before we bring in the casket —"

Draco said briskly to his annoying repentant shadows Crabbe and Goyle, "If you shut up, you'll be able to see who's just arrived."

He was pointing up at the staff table, the five remaining empty seats had just been filled. Ludo Bagman was now sitting on Professor Karkaroff's other side, while Barty Crouch- a highly rude individual in Draco's opinion was seated next to Madame Maxime. Lucius and Percy were sitting off to the side with Severus and Remus, the head table had been extended to include the six extra guests.

"What are they doing here?" Harry asked softly in surprise.

"They organized the Triwizard Tournament, didn't they?" Draco chuckled, "I suppose they wanted to be here to see it start." Hermione was going to miss the start of the tournament but she would be better served meeting with his mother.

Once the golden plates had been wiped clean, McGonagall stood up again. A pleasant sort of tension seemed to fill the Hall now. Harry felt a slight thrill of excitement, wondering what was coming. Across the Great Hall, Fred and George were leaning forward, staring at McGonagall with great concentration.

"The moment has come," McGonagall said, smiling around at the sea of upturned faces. "The Triwizard Tournament is about to start. I would like to say a few words of explanation before we bring in the casket,"

"The what?" Harry murmured.

Draco leaned over to whisper, "It's a wooden box, some times carried on polls. A larger version might be used to carry a dead Muggle to be buried."

Harry nodded, "Thank you."

"- just to clarify the procedure that we will be following this year. But first, let me introduce, for those who do not know them, Mr. Bartemius Crouch, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation" - there was a smattering of polite applause - "and Mr. Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports. Lord Lucius Malfoy, the current President of our Board of Governors who has helped tremendously as well as his assistant, most of your remember our Head Boy last year and former prefect."

There was a much louder round of applause for Bagman than for Crouch, perhaps because of his fame as a Beater, or simply because he looked so much more likable. He acknowledged it with a jovial wave of his hand. Bartemius Crouch did not smile or wave when his name was announced. Remembering him in his neat suit at the Quidditch World Cup, Harry thought he looked strange in wizard's robes. His toothbrush mustache and severe parting looked very odd compared to Draco's father prim yet stylish. Lucius stood and bowed, smiling, there was a lot more clapping for Percy though which was understandable considering the students knew Percy better.

"Mr. Bagman, Mr. Crouch, Lord Malfoy and young Mr. Weasley have worked tirelessly over the last few months on the arrangements for the Triwizard Tournament," McGonagall continued, "Mr. Bagman and Mr. Crouch will be joining myself, Professor Karkaroff, and Madame Maxime on the panel that will judge the champions' efforts. Lord Malfoy has generously offered to be an alternate judge if any judge is called away."

At the mention of the word "champions," the attentiveness of the listening students seemed to sharpen. Perhaps McGonagall had noticed their sudden stillness, for she smiled, "The casket, then, if you please, Mr. Filch."

Filch, who had been lurking unnoticed in a far corner of the Hall, now approached the Headmistress carrying a great wooden chest encrusted with jewels. It looked extremely old. A murmur of excited interest rose from the watching students; Dennis Creevey was helped onto Seamus' shoulders to see it properly, while his older brother Colin was standing on the bench, his hand resting lightly on the Irish boy's arm.

"The instructions for the tasks the champions will face this year have already been examined by Mr. Crouch and Mr. Bagman," McGonagall continued as Filch placed the chest carefully on the a small table before her, "and they have made the necessary arrangements for each challenge. There will be three tasks, spaced throughout the school year, and they will test the champions in many different ways… their magical prowess - their daring - their powers of deduction - and, of course, their ability to cope with danger."

At this last word, the Hall was filled with a silence so absolute that nobody seemed to be breathing.

"As you know, three champions compete in the tournament," McGonagall went on calmly, "one from each of the participating schools. They will be marked on how well they perform each of the Tournament tasks and the champion with the highest total after task three will win the Triwizard Cup. The champions will be chosen by an impartial selector: the Goblet of Fire."

McGonagall now took out his wand and tapped three times upon the top of the casket. The lid creaked slowly open. McGonagall reached inside it and pulled out a large, roughly hewn wooden cup. It would have been entirely unremarkable had it not been full to the brim with dancing blue-white flames. McGonagall closed the casket and placed the goblet carefully on top of it, where it would be clearly visible to everyone in the Hall.

"Anybody wishing to submit themselves as champion must write their name and school clearly upon a slip of parchment and drop it into the goblet," McGonagall said. "Aspiring champions have twenty-four hours in which to put their names forward. Tomorrow night, Halloween, the goblet will return the names of the three it has judged most worthy to represent their schools. The goblet will be placed in the entrance hall tonight, where it will be freely accessible to all those wishing to compete.

"To ensure that no underage student yields to temptation," Severus said as he joined the Headmistress, "I will be drawing an Age Line around the Goblet of Fire once it has been placed in the entrance hall. Nobody under the age of seventeen will be able to cross this line.

"Finally, I wish to impress upon any of you wishing to compete that this tournament is not to be entered into lightly. Once a champion has been selected by the Goblet of Fire, he or she is obliged to see the tournament through to the end. The placing of your name in the goblet constitutes a binding, magical contract. There can be no change of heart once you have become a champion. Please be very sure, therefore, that you are wholeheartedly prepared to play before you drop your name into the goblet. Now, I think is all I wish to say at this point." Severus said trying to impress upon them the seriousness of entering.

"An Age Line!" Fred Weasley said, his eyes glinting, as they all made their way across the Hall to the doors into the entrance hall. "Well, that should be fooled by an Aging Potion, shouldn't it? And once your name's in that goblet, you're laughing - it can't tell whether you're seventeen or not!"

Draco heard them and chuckled, if Uncle Sev drew the age line based on ability then Fred and George would pass and so would they. Of course his godfather would draw a line that magically read when you were born, if you weren't at least seventeen now it wouldn't allow you to cross. "But I don't think anyone under seventeen will stand a chance, not is Uncle Sev draws that line. Most students, just haven't learned enough." they had, but he didn't want to enter. It would be nice to have a peaceful year without danger hovering over his boyfriend's head.

Fred ignored Draco, and turned to Harry, "Have you changed your mind about entering Harry?"

Harry thought briefly of papa's insistence that nobody under seventeen should or could submit their name, he wondered how disappointed and upset pap would be if someone younger than seventeen did find a way to get over the Age Line. He shook his head, "Papa wouldn't let me and neither would Draco. I don't want to have anything other then a peaceful year and watch someone else deal with danger.

Draco smiled, "I wouldn't let him try or ask anyone to submit his name."

Pouting slightly, the twins disappeared off to Merlin knows where. Either to work on their Aging potion or to go steal a few precious moments alone since many of the older students were heading to Hogsmeade.

Draco turned to Viktor, "Excited?"

Viktor nodded, "For entering the Tournament or my date with Ahren?"

Draco laughed, "Both."

"I am excited for bozh, I am more in shock zhat she agreed." Viktor said embarrassed.

"Viktor."

Viktor snapped to attention, "Headmaster."

Karkaroff strode towards him, "Have you put your name in the goblet yet?"

Viktor shook his head, "I vas just about to. Draco and I vere talking."

Karkaroff looked Draco up and down, "Lord Malfoy's boy? He mentioned having a son once or twice." a slight sneer in his eyes.

Draco nodded, "Lucius Malfoy is my father, I am heir to both his title and our seat in the Wizengamot."

Karkaroff froze, he turned his head back to Harry and stared at him as though he couldn't believe his eyes. Behind their headmaster, the students from Durmstrang seemed to follow his gaze. Karkaroff's eyes moved slowly up Harry's face and fixed upon his scar.

The Durmstrang students were staring curiously at Harry too, out of the corner of his eye Draco silently chuckled, as he saw comprehension dawn on a few of their faces. They must not have noticed last night..

"Yeah, that's Harry Potter," said a growling voice from behind them.

Professor Karkaroff spun around.

Mad-Eye Moody was standing there, leaning heavily on his staff, his magical eye glaring unblinkingly at the Durmstrang headmaster.

The color drained from Karkaroff's face as Harry and Draco watched. A terrible look of mingled fury and fear came over him. "You!" he said, staring at Moody as though unsure he was really seeing him.

"Me," Moody grimly said. "And unless you've got anything to say to Potter, Karkaroff, you might want to move. You're blocking the doorway."

It was true; half the students in the Hall were now waiting behind them, looking over one another's shoulders to see what was causing the holdup.

Without another word, Professor Karkaroff swept his students off to the side with him, waiting for a lull to get back into the Great Hall.

Moody watched him, his magical eye fixed upon his back, a look of intense dislike upon his mutilated face.

When the way was clear, Karkaroff attempted to usher his students off to place their name in the Goblet of Fire.

Viktor sighed, 'Be right back." he wasn't going to irritate his headmaster with him in this strange mood.

Draco held Harry's hand and followed Viktor in, they watched as each Durmstrang student placed his or her name in the cup.

Someone laughed behind Draco, turning, he saw Fred, George, and Lee Jordan their partner ins Mischeif hurrying down the staircase, all three of them looking extremely excited.

"Done it," Fred said in a triumphant whisper to Harry, and Draco. "Just taken it."

"What?" Harry asked.

"The Aging Potion, dung brains," said Fred.

"One drop each," George said, rubbing his hands together with glee, he was only going along with this because Fred wanted to and a thousand Galleons would help them set up Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. "We only need to be a few months older." he hoped it worked if only to get their shop so they could have a place to be together.

"We're going to split the thousand Galleons between the three of us if one of us wins," said Lee, grinning broadly.

"I'm not sure this is going to work, you know," Draco sighed warningly. "I'm sure Uncle Sev thought of this."

Fred, George, and Lee ignored him.

"Ready?" Fred said to the other two, quivering with excitement. "C'mon, then - I'll go first -"

Harry watched, fascinated, as Fred pulled a slip of parchment out of his pocket bearing the words Fred Weasley - Hogwarts. Fred walked right up to the edge of the line and stood there, rocking on his toes like a diver preparing for a fifty-foot drop. Then, with the eyes of every person in the entrance hall upon him, he took a great breath and stepped over the line.

For a split second Harry thought it had worked.

George and Lee certainly thought so, for they both let out a yell of triumph and leapt after Fred. Within the next heartbeat, there was a loud sizzling sound, both twins and Lee Jordan were hurled out of the golden circle as though they had been thrown knocked back with a jinx. They landed painfully, ten feet away on the cold stone floor, to add insult to injury or perhaps, Uncle Sev's idea of a joke or would that be Remus' influence? There was a loud popping noise, and three of them sprouted identical long white beards.

The entrance hall rang with laughter. Even Fred and George joined in, once they had gotten to their feet and taken a good look at each other's beards.

"I did warn you," said an amused voice, everyone turned to see Professor Severus Snape coming into the Great Hall.

Remus was standing with his hand on Severus' shoulder and surveyed Fred and George, his eyes twinkling. "I told you Severus that using that charm to see who tried to get around your age line would be comical."

Severus chuckled at his son's older friends, "I suggest you both go with Professor Lupin."

"Yes, I already tended to Miss Fawcett, of Ravenclaw, and Mr. Summers, of Hufflepuff, both of whom decided to age themselves up a little too. Though I must say, neither of their beards is anything like as fine as yours. I remember when Lily Even created that spell back when I was a student, even James Potter and Sirius Black didn't have the beards you did."

Harry blinked, his mother made the bearding spell? She must have been very talented to create spells.

Fred, Lee and George set off, accompanied by Remus, who was howling with laughter.

Viktor, Draco and Harry were also chortling, as they went to sit at the Slytherin table to talk while the rest of the Durmstrang boys left with their still uncomfortable Headmaster..

The decorations in the Great Hall had changed this morning, since it was Halloween, a cloud of live bats was fluttering around the enchanted ceiling, while hundreds of carved pumpkins leered from every corner.

Dean, Colin and Seamus made their way over to Harry.

"Can we sit here?" Seamus asked Draco, "We miss Harry in the Tower."

Draco gestured his acquiesce.

"Did you see Warrington go up early and put his name in?" Dean asked Harry.

Harry shook his head, "Which one is Warrington?" he asked Draco.

"He is that big bloke in Slytherin who looks like a sloth." Seamus said answering for him.

"I hope someone else enters. We have more promising possibilities in our house then that."

Harry recognized Adrian Pucey, a chaser on Slytherin's Quidditch team walking up. He tugged on Draco's sleeve, "Is he old enough?"

Draco shrugged, "I expect so, he has a sense of honor that one. He always ignored Flint's encouragement to cheat."

Adrian walked into the golden circle, there was no reaction. It was the same as when Viktor put his name in.

Draco called out, "Good luck Adrian."

Adrian grinned, "Thanks Malfoy."

"We'd be proud to support you." Harry piped up.

Adrian nodded, "Too bad we don't get to play this year, we'd win the cup with you on the team. I was hoping for Quidditch captain."

Severus walked up, "You're only a Sixth Year. You still have next year. We didn't assign Quidditch captains this year to Gryffindor or Slytherin because we didn't want to disappoint you when we announced the season was cancelled." He pulled something out of his robes, "Though, you were my choice." he held out the Quidditch captain badge, "Not that you need any of its perks already being a Prefect. Keep up the high marks, you are still being considered for Head Boy next year. Our choices for Quidditch captains, I'm sure you'll all be discrete." of course they wouldn't, that was the point, "Mr. Pucey for Slytherin and Mr. George Weasley for Gryffindor. While Mr. Davies continued to serve Ravenclaw and Mr. Diggory stayed on for Hufflepuff."

Harry bounced on the bench, "George would be so happy and Fred would be ever so proud."

Severus chuckled ruffling his hair, "I know."

Dean sighed, "If a Slytherin becomes Champion I do hope it's Pucey. You're a decent bloke."

"All the Hufflepuffs are talking about is Diggory," Seamus said contemptuously, some Gryffindors hadn't forgiven him for catching the snitch and stealing a victory when Harry fell in that storm.

"But I wouldn't have thought he'd have wanted to risk his good looks." Draco said, waspishly.

Earning a glare from Severus

"Listen!" Dean said suddenly.

People were cheering out in the entrance hall. They all swiveled around in their seats and saw Angelina Johnson coming into the Hall, grinning in an embarrassed sort of way. She was a tall black girl who played Chaser on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, Angelina came over to them after putting her name in the Goblet of Fire, she stood next to the Slytherin table looked at Harry and smiled as she said, "Well, I've done it! Just put my name in!"

"You're kidding!" Dean said, looking impressed.

"Are you seventeen, then?" asked Harry.

"Course she is, can't see a beard, can you?" Draco teased tickling him.

Harry writhered, "Draco…" laughing but enjoying the attention.

Draco stopped after about two minutes, he looked up at Adrian, a thought occurring to him, "Viktor you don't have plans for next Saturday do you?"

Viktor shook his head, "Not yet."

Draco grinned, "Good, met Adrian Pucey. A very talented Chaser, better in my opinion then any of the Irish Chasers at the World cup. He is an honorable man."

Adrian coloured slightly, "Malfoy! I'm not that good." he held out his hand nervously, "Pleasure to make your acquaintance. I was lucky enough to attend the World Cup and see you fly."

"Nice to meet you."

Draco chuckled, "I think that we should play that Quidditch match I mentioned last night next Saturday. "I think Adrian would serve you well. What do you say, Adrian, would you like a chance to practice captaining a team? Viktor Krum versus Harry Potter? I think I'll play but I would like to play as a Chaser since I'm giving up my place as Seeker to Viktor. George can captain the other team, Harry can fly as Seeker" he glanced at Angelina, "You my dear are very talented, fancy joining us?"

Angelina blushed, "An invitation to share the same sky as a professional Quidditch player? I'd be honored."

Draco grinned, "Since we don't have time to audition for a replacement keeper for you, I'll have to ask Oliver to come fly with us. I'm sure he'll agree, besides, he'd faint if I told him Viktor would be playing with us. I think with the exception of George's captaincy that Gryffindor can play with the same team as last year. I'll give Adrian some recommendations for who to have on our team. I'm replacing Flint, Viktor is flying in my position." he patted the bench, "Sit down and we can talk strategy, I mean players."

Adrian sat, excitement and nervousness had his face glowing with excitement, "I want a fair game, with as little cheating and fouls as possible. I would like it to be skill versus skill."

Angelina grinned, "A fair match between Slytherin and Gryffindor? I'd love to see that."

Severus was enjoying watching Draco mingle and try to make new acquaintances.

Remus returned with Fred and George.

Draco called out, "Remus, come here. We need the Head of Gryffindor."

Remus chuckled, "I go fix up three sneaky Lions and come back to see Slytherins and Gryffindors at the same table?"

Severus pulled Remus beside him, "I think you better give George the Quidditch captain badge. Draco is arranging an exhibition game, Gryffindor versus whatever team Draco and Adrian decide on. Viktor has apparently agreed to fly as their Seeker."

Remus whistled, "Our pup versus the Raven? I give my full support."

Draco turned to Adrian, "Well, Miles is a decent bloke I guess and an okay Keeper but he tends to cheat too much. Maybe we should give Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff a chance to fly."

Adrian nodded, "I suppose. You think they would agree to fly under my leadership?

Severus chuckled, "You are a prefect, you can give their Houses points for flying well."

Adrian grinned, "That might work. Who would be decent?"

"Grant Page of Ravenclaw was decent, he was almost as hard for you to score against as Oliver."

Adrian nodded, "He was a decent player, better then Miles."

"We still need a third Chaser, I tried out for both Chaser and Seeker back in 1992." Draco added.

"What about Davies from Ravenclaw?"

"Too much ego. Stretton?" Draco offered.

Adrian shrugged, "I don't mind. What about Beaters? It'll be difficult to come up with people equal to the Weasleys."

Fred chuckled, "I know this is your team but what about Maxine O'Flaherty? She maybe a Hufflepuff but she has decent aim and she's fast too."

George nodded, "Rickett isn't bad either, they make a decent pair of Beaters."

Adrian chuckled, "Helping the opposition, honorable."

George shrugged, "I already have a team, I know our strength and weaknesses. Though we need a Keeper and you already took the second best."

Draco chuckled, "I thought I'd ask Oliver if he wanted to come play a game against Viktor Krum."

George grinned, "That would be awesome, one last splash. Last year's Quidditch Cup winners versus Viktor Krum and the top flyer out of the other three Houses."

Fred punched Lee in the shoulder, "You'll be our commentator right?"

Severus chuckled, "Can I be the special referee?"

Remus laughed, 'I want to help."

Lee smirked, "Want to announce with me?"

Severus snickered, "I remember you used to commentate yourself, rather pro-Gryffindor weren't you?"

Remus chuckled, "Well, I would have played. I was a bit of a klutz on the ground but I was a decent beater. I just tried not to show off my strength, I usually ended up doing Peter's duties as Manager anyway, the position ended up being honorary."

Lee held out a hand, "It would be an honor to announce with you Professor."

Draco counted out players and positions, "Viktor as Seeker, you, Stratton and myself as Chasers, Page as Keeper, O'Flaherty and Rickett as Beaters. Sounds like a decent team to me."

Adrian grinned, "It would be an honor to fly with Viktor. We might have to have a run around the pitch to get a feel for it as a team. We don't have Firebolts but we all have Nimbus 2001s., you're welcome to use on of Slytherins."

Krum laughed, "Well I may have snuck my Firebolt on to the ship, I shrunk it to fit in my trunk."

Draco grinned, "Oliver has a Firebolt but he's George's Keeper."

They continued to talk Quidditch and how to announce the exhibition game. Each team would have one Professional player, winner would be determined on which Seeker caught the snitch first. Draco assured Viktor that he would be playing with decent Chasers that their team would have a fair shot. Harry was excited to fly and understood that this was an opportunity he couldn't pass up, he didn't complain about having to play against his lover.

They didn't pay any attention when the students from Beauxbatons returned to the Great Hall. The other stiudents gathered around the Goblet of Fire stood back to let them pass, watching eagerly.

Madame Maxime entered the hall behind her students and organized them into a line. One by one, the Beauxbatons students stepped across the Age Line and dropped their slips of parchment into the blue-white flames. As each name entered the fire, it turned briefly red and emitted sparks. When all the Beauxbatons students had submitted their names, Madame Maxime led them back out of the hall and out onto the grounds again.

XoooooX

Draco wrapped the scarf around Harry's neck more snuggly, his lover was often cold. Not like Uncle Sev who was always freezing because he couldn't bear the weight of heavier clothes, teasing his temple with his lips before standing behind his lover and wrapping his arms around Harry's waist.

They were waiting with Viktor for Hermione…

Fred came down from the tower with his arm around George's shoulder, trying to appear less intimate then they really were.

Draco chuckled, "Fred come here."

Fred's eyebrows rose, and he joined them, he held out his hand to Viktor, "Fred Weasley."

Viktor smiled nervously, "Viktor Krum. Nice to meet you."

Fred nodded, "Excellent game at the Quidditch World Cup. We would have loved to play for Ireland. This is George, he and I are Beaters for our House. We're Gryffindors."

Viktor shook both their hands, "You know Ahren then."

"Ahren?" George asked confused.

Harry giggled, "It's his name for Hermione, like Draco called me Adder.'

"Oh, Fred calls me Forge…"

Viktor's eyes narrowed a bit in confusion and then his face softened, "I see." he chuckled at the closeness between the boys. "Don't vorry. I don't care. I vas raised by my papa and otec. I am very close to voth of vhem."

Draco raised an eyebrow, "Pure-blood?" he knew that otec was Serbian and Croatian for father.

Viktor shook his head, "Papa is, otec is half-blood. He vas raised Muggle. He is better now, papa said it took avhile for heem to accept them."

Draco chuckled, "Then I am sure your otec can talk to Hermione's parents if Bonding is on your mind."

Viktor blushed, shifting nervously, "Vell, I vould like to Bond if Ahren is not objecting. Otec's English iz no good, much vorse vhen mine."

Draco patted him on the back, "Can he speak Russian?"

Viktor nodded, "He was raised Muggle."

"Then mother or I can translate for him. Father can speak and understand Russian but he is usually busy with the Wizengamot or the Hogwarts' Board of Governors."

"Vhat vould ve helpful. Vank you." Viktor bowed slightly,

"You be good to our 'Mione. She is like a sister.' Fred said.

"All I vish for is her smiles. I care for her very much." Viktor said shifting nervously.

Hermione showed up, looking both beautiful and nervous at the same time, "Am I late?"

Viktor blinked, shocked, "Ahren?" satisfied it was his girl he shook his head, "Early." h took her hand and kissed it, "You're beautiful."

"Thank you.' Hermione said shyly, "Lady Malfoy helped me."

Harry grinned, "Mione, is pretty. She looks older too."

Draco nodded, mother did well.

"I know papa and otec will love you…" Viktor said shyly.

"Otec?" Hermione asked, she didn't know that word.

'Papa's husband. Zhey promised zo come vatch zhe zournament if I vas selected as Durmstrang's champion. Zhey are proud I vas selected as one of zhe candidates. Otec vas ill and zhey didn't come to zhe Quidditch Vorld Cup or I vould have introduced you zhen."

Hermione was overwhelmed, they hadn't even had a first date yet and he already wanted to introduce her to his parents? "Are you sure they'll approve of me? I am so much younger…"

Viktor blinked, "You are hov old?"

"Fifteen." Hermione said softly, nervously.

"Zhat is not zhat much younger. I zurned eighzeen lasz May. You are smart, beautiful and even zhe British Minister for Magic zhinks highly of you. I vorry zhat your parents might zhink me zoo old."

Hermione gulped, "I don't know. They probably will."

Viktor kissed her hand, "Zhen I shall have to prove I care for you very much. I vant you to be happy. I vould like a chance to Bond vith you someday, perhaps, children vhen you are ready of course."

Hermione was overwhelmed, Narcissa had been right. He was very serious in his attentions. "I am a little young to think of Bonding, I like you a lot and would not object being asked later."

Viktor pumped the air with his fist, "Zhen I have your permission to courz you zhen?"

Hermione blushed, "Court me? I suppose you'd have to ask my father."

Viktor nodded, kissing her hand, "Anyzing you ask Ahren. I vant to do zhis right. So where would you like to take me on our date?"

Hermione said quietly, aware of the jealous eyes, "Hogsmeade for a while and then maybe lunch at the lake." she pulled the shrunken picnic basket out of her purse to show him.

Viktor kissed her hand once more before holding out his arm, "Sound wonderful. Shall ve go zhen?"

Hermione took it nervously, "Yes, we can go."

XoooooX

Draco had tracked down the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students for Adrian and talked them into discussing an exhibition game. He'd sent Harry off with Fred and George, he hadn't wanted to cause a problem by keeping his boyfriend around.

Adrian held out a hand, "Adrian Pucey, Chaser and Slytherin Captain."

Maxine O'Flaherty took it first, "Maxine but you can call me Max."

Adrian grinned, "Nice to meet you Max. You came recommended by Fred Weasley."

Max blushed, "Really? He is the best Beater in School."

Draco nodded, "George said that you and Rickett were almost as good as him and Fred."

Anthony Rickett chuckled, "They really said that? Cedric still complains they are too good."

Jeremy Stretten was sitting to Rickett's left, "Why do you want to fly with us?"

Adrian shrugged, "One I don't have time to hold trials for my own House. I can't use Gryffindors since they playing with the same team that one the Quidditch Cup last year. They get to play with Oliver who flies as Puddlemere United's Reserve Keeper. We,' he paused for drama, "get Viktor Krum."

Grant Page's jaw dropped, "You're joking."

Draco shook his head, "Serious as Dragon Pox. He's out on a date with a Gryffindor Fourth Year, otherwise he would be here to confirm. He'll show up at our first practice, he's taking my position as Seeker. I'll be flying in Marcus' place, we picked Stretten over Caden Warrington. Stretten is a better player and we thought it would be better to share the opportunity to play on a team with Krum. It's only an exhibition game which Professors Snape and Lupin agreed to. Snape will be our special referee and Lupin will commentate with Lee Jordan. George is Captaining Gryffindor and Adrian will Captain Slytherin."

Page grinned, "It would be an honor to fly with Krum."

The Hufflepuff Beaters nodded, "You sure we're good enough?"

Draco chuckled, "You came recommended by the best Beaters in Hogwarts."

Sirius walked up, "Slytherins, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws at one table? I've never seen anything like it. The Weasleys twins are the best Beaters since myself and Fabian Prewett. With the exception of Last year's Gryffindor Quidditch Team, the best team I saw play was when I was student. Longbottom was our Keeper and Captain, James Potter, Rick King and Arthur Weasley were our Chasers with Gideon Prewett as our Seeker."

Draco rolled his eyes, "We aren't up to anything terrible, just a student planned exhibition game. We thought we'd make up a team of some of the better players in Hogwarts and see how we far against Gryffindor."

Sirius nodded, "I see."

"Snape is going to referee and Lupin is commentating."

Sirius stiffened, "I see. Lupin used to commentate when we were in school. My brother Regulus was one of Slytherin's better Seekers." he reluctantly added, "But my cousin Draco is better."

Draco chuckled, "Thank you."

"Don't mention it…ever…" Sirius muttered. "When is the game?"

"Saturday." Adrian grinned, "It doesn't give us much time but we've played against each other, so we know our strengths and weaknesses. We just need to learn to mesh those skills together."

"Aren't you missing a player? I see only six."

Draco shook his head, "I'm playing Chaser with Adrian and Stretton."

"Who is playing Seeker then?"

Adrian looked at Draco, questioning him with his eye.

Draco shrugged.

Adrian nodded, "Viktor Krum. He agreed, we were talking earlier but he had to leave so as Captain I thought we would see if the rest of us could get along."

Sirius' eyes bulged, "Merlin, you're pulling my leg. I know he's here and he's been sitting at the Slytherin table."

Draco chuckled, "We had a common interest. I helped him get what he wanted. I was going for a friendly bout of Quidditch and got this brill inspiration for an exhibition match. He agreed, then Adrian and I sat down and thought up the best players out of Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Hence, our mixed team. We have the best Seeker in Europe, the two best Chasers in Hogwarts besides Gryffindor's Golden Trio; Bell, Johnson and Spinnet, I'm playing Chaser because it's the only other position I know, we have the second best pair of Beaters in Hogwarts. Can't take the Weasley twins because George is captaining Gryffindor."

XoooooX

The majority of the Students entered the candlelit Great Hall around six, and it was almost full. The Goblet of Fire had been moved when they weren't paying attention; it was now standing in front of Howats' Headmistress's empty chair at the teachers' table. Fred and George who were still clean-shaven, seemed to have taken their disappointment fairly well with the prospect of playing with Oliver again and George was going to play his first match as Gryffindor's Captain.

Draco was going to announce the match later that evening, and then he'd invite a reporter for the Daily Prophet and one from Quidditch World to the game Saturday. International relations indeed, if he knew any decent Beauxbatons' players he would have included them but he would stick with Viktor. Beside; two Slytherins, two Hufflepuffs and two Ravenclaws plus a Durmstrang student was an epic team. How often did Students get to fly with a rookie Professional and the best Seeker in the world?

"I hope it's Angelina," Harry said as he sat down. "She's nice."

"Adrian is a is a decent bloke, he'd represent us well." Draco nodded. "I want to see Viktor chosen as Durmstrang's Champion. Hermione would be proud."

The Halloween feast seemed to take much longer than usual. Perhaps because it was their second feast in two days, Harry didn't seem to fancy the extravagantly prepared food as much as he would have normally. Like everyone else in the Hall, judging by the constantly craning necks, the impatient expressions on every face, the fidgeting, and the standing up to see whether McGonagall had finished eating yet, Harry simply wanted the plates to clear, and to hear who had been selected as champions.

At long last, the golden plates returned to their original spotless state; there was a sharp upswing in the level of noise within the Hall, which died away almost instantly as McGonagall got to her feet. On either side of her, Professor Karkaroff and Madame Maxime looked as tense and expectant as anyone. Ludo Bagman was beaming and winking at various students. Mr. Crouch, however, looked quite uninterested, almost bored. Lucius and Percy had returned as well and both looked excited.

Draco made a note to speak with them after the Selection of the Champions.

"Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision," McGonagall said. "I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions' names are called, I would ask them please to come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber," she indicated the door behind the staff table, "where they will be receiving their first instructions." She took out his wand and gave a great sweeping wave with it; at once, all the candles except those inside the carved pumpkins were extinguished, plunging them into a state of semidarkness.

The Goblet of Fire now shone more brightly than anything in the whole Hall, the sparkling bright, bluey-whiteness of the flames almost painful on the eyes. Everyone watched, waiting… A few people kept checking their watches…

"Any second," Adrian whispered, two seats away from Harry, he was sitting on the other side of Draco.

The flames inside the goblet turned suddenly red again. Sparks began to fly from it. Next moment, a tongue of flame shot into the air, a charred piece of parchment fluttered out of it and the whole room gasped.

McGonagall caught the piece of parchment , adjusted her spectacles and held it at arm's length, so that she could read it by the light of the flames, which had turned back to blue-white.

"The champion for Durmstrang," she read, in a strong, clear voice, "will be Viktor Krum."

The Slytherin table roared, Durmstrang and Hogwarts students alike.

O'Flaherty, Page, Stretten and Rickett clapped.

Hermione bounced up and down, her boyfriend was a Triwizard Champion, she forgot momentarily about the possible dangers.

Viktor Krum rose from the Slytherin table, walked over to Hermione and kissed her cheek, "You have brought me good luck Ahren." and slouch up toward McGonagall; he turned right, walked along the staff table, and disappeared through the door into the next chamber.

"Bravo, Viktor!" Karkaroff boomed, so loudly that everyone could hear him, even over all the applause. "Knew you had it in you!"

The clapping and chatting died down. Now everyone's attention was focused again on the goblet,
which, seconds later, turned red once more. A second piece of parchment shot out of it, propelled by the flames.

"The champion for Beauxbatons," McGonagall said, "is Fleur Delacour!"

Remus' nose twitched, he leaned over to whisper to Severus, "Veela." she was more human then Blaise but still Veela.

The girl who stood resembled a Veela from the World Cup as she got gracefully to her feet, shook back her sheet of silvery blonde hair, and swept up between the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables. She walked with Blaisé's grace with hair that reminded Harry of Draco and Lucius'.

"Oh look, they're all disappointed," Harry said over the noise, nodding toward the remainder of the Beauxbatons party.

'Disappointed' was a bit of an understatement, Draco thought. Two of the girls who had not been selected had dissolved into tears and were sobbing with their heads on their arms.

When Fleur Delacour too had vanished into the side chamber, silence fell again, but this time it was a silence so stiff with excitement you could almost taste it. The Hogwarts champion next…

And the Goblet of Fire turned red once more; sparks showered out of it; the tongue of flame shot high into the air, and from its tip McGongall pulled the third piece of parchment.

"The Hogwarts champion," she called out, "is Cedric Diggory!"

"No!" Fred pouted loudly, but nobody heard him except George; the uproar from the next table was
too great. Every single Hufflepuff had jumped to his or her feet, screaming and stamping, as
Cedric made his way past them, grinning broadly, and headed off toward the chamber behind the
teachers' table. Indeed, the applause for Cedric went on so long that it was some time before McGonagall could make herself heard again.

Actually, Severus stood and held up his hands, fixing the hall with a slight glare and they were silent. He nodded to Minerva and sat down again.

"Thank you, Severus." McGonagall called out happily as at last the tumult died down. "Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real,"

But McGonagall suddenly stopped speaking, and it was apparent to everybody what had distracted her.

The fire in the goblet had just turned red again. Sparks were flying out of it. A long flame shot suddenly into the air, and borne upon it was another piece of parchment.

Automatically, it seemed, McGonagall reached out a slender hand and seized the parchment. She held it out and stared at the name written upon it. There was a long pause, during which she stared at the slip in her hands and glanced at Severus while everyone in the room stared at McGonagall in turn. Then she cleared her throat and read out in a shaking voice, "Harry Potter."

Severus stormed to his feet, "Absolutely not. I forbid it. It's too dangerous."

Draco shouted, a very unMalfoy thing to do by the way, "Adder never went anywhere near the cup. He was with me or Fred all day and Fred couldn't even successfully submit his name."

Harry sat there, aware that every head in the Great Hall had turned to look at him and he tried to hide in Draco's shadow. He was stunned, he felt numb, he didn't enter. Draco was right, he never went near the cup, he had to be dreaming. He could not have heard correctly.

There was no applause, a buzzing, as though of angry bees, was starting to fill the Hall; some students were standing up to get a better look at Harry as he tried to hide at the Slytherin table. Up at the top table, Severus, Lucius and Remus had got to their feet and swept past Ludo Bagman and Professor Karkaroff to whisper urgently to Professor McGonagall, who bent her ear toward them, frowning slightly.

"I didn't put my name in," Harry whispered staring blankly at Adrian and Draco. "You know I didn't."

Adrian was in shock, two Hogwarts students? Harry was both too young and like Draco said never want anywhere near the cup.

Draco was angry, someone submitted his Adder's name.

"I didn't put my name in," Harry said blankly. "You know I didn't."

At the Head Table, Professor McGonagall had straightened up, nodding to Severus, Remus and Lucius. "Harry Potter!" he called again. "Harry! Up here, if you please!"

"Go on," Draco whispered, giving Harry a slight push.

Harry tugged on Draco's sleeve, "Only if you come with me."

Draco sighed, "I can only go to the Head Table with you, I can't go into the other Chamber."

Harry got to his feet, trod on the hem of his robes, and stumbled slightly.

Only to be caught by Draco, who steadied him as he led his nervous boyfriend up to the Head Table.

They set off up the gap between the Slytherin and Ravenclaw tables. It felt like an immensely long walk; the top table didn't seem to be getting any nearer at all, and Harry could feel hundreds and hundreds of eyes upon him, as though each were a searchlight. He felt almost as scared as when Uncle Vernon was about the hit him and he was waiting for the first blow. The buzzing grew louder and louder., after what seemed like a long time, he was right in front of McGonagall, Papa, Remus and Lucius, feeling the stares of all the teachers as well as the visiting Heads and the students upon him.

"Well…through the door, Harry," McGonagall said, she wasn't smiling.

Harry looked at papa, begging him to tell him to stay.

Severus nodded slowly, and Draco gave Harry a gentle push.

Harry slowly walked around the Head Table.

Hagrid was seated right at the end, next to Sirius. They did not wink at Harry, or wave, or give any of their unwelcome but usual signs of greeting. Both men looked completely astonished and stared at Harry as he passed like everyone else.

Harry went through the side door out of the Great Hall and found himself in a smaller room, lined with paintings of witches and wizards. A handsome fire was roaring in the fireplace opposite him. The faces in the portraits turned to look at him as he entered. He saw a wizened witch flit out of the frame of her picture and into the one next to it, which contained a wizard with a walrus mustache. The wizened witch started whispering in his ear.

Viktor, Cedric, and Fleur Delacour were grouped around the fire. They looked
strangely impressive, silhouetted against the flames.

Viktor was hunched up and brooding, was leaning against the mantelpiece, slightly apart from the other two. He could be quite shy, he blinked up at Harry, stunned to see him.

Cedric was standing with his hands behind his back, staring into the fire.

Fleur Delacour looked around when Harry walked in and threw back her sheet of long, silvery
hair. "What is it?" she said. "Do zey want us back in ze Hall?" She thought he had come to deliver a message.

Harry didn't know how to explain what had just happened, he wasn't even sure himself. He just stood there, looking at the three champions. It struck him how very tall all of them were.

There was a sound of scurrying feet behind him, and Ludo Bagman entered the room. He took Harry by the arm and led him forward.

"Extraordinary!" he muttered, squeezing Harry's arm. "Absolutely extraordinary! Gentlemen and lady," he added, approaching the fireside and addressing the other three. "May I introduce, incredible though it may seem the fourth Triwizard champion?"

Viktor straightened up, confused, "How did you enter? Your lover is too protective, he wouldn't have allowed it."

Cedric looked nonplussed, he looked from Bagman to Harry and back again as though sure he must have misheard what Bagman had said.

Fleur Delacour, however, tossed her hair, smiling, and said, "Oh, vairy funny joke, Meester Bagman."

"Joke?" Bagman repeated, bewildered. "No, no, not at all! Harry's name just came out of the Goblet of Fire!"

Viktor's thick eyebrows contracted slightly, that should be impossible. He had read about the Triwizard Cup before they came and there was always three Champions.

Cedric was still looking politely bewildered.

Fleur frowned. "But evidently zair 'as been a mistake," she said contemptuously to Bagman. "E cannot compete. 'E is too young. "E looks twelve."

Harry scowled, "I'm Fourteen, I'm just small for my age." it wasn't his fault he was starved and forced to living in a cupboard and was beaten for almost ten years.

"Well… it is amazing," Bagman said, rubbing his smooth chin and smiling down at Harry. "But, as you know, the age restriction was only imposed this year as an extra safety measure. Since his name came out of the goblet, I mean, I don't think there can be any ducking out at this stage. It's down in the rules, you're obliged. Harry will just have to do the best he can."

The door behind them opened again, and a large group of people came in: Professor McGonagall, followed closely by Mr. Crouch, Professor Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, Papa, Remus, Percy and Lucius.

Harry heard the buzzing of the hundreds of students on the other side of the wall, before Percy closed the door.

"Madame Maxime!" said Fleur at once, striding over to her headmistress. "Zey are saying zat zis little boy is to compete also!"

Harry growled, "Papa, tell them you forbid it. I don't want to compete. Papa please." he was both angry and terrified.

Madame Maxime had drawn herself up to her full and considerable, height. The top of her handsome head brushed the candle-filled chandelier, and her gigantic black-satin bosom swelled. "What is ze meaning of zis, Ma Gonagaul?" she said imperiously, now that they were away from the crowd.

"I'd rather like to know that myself, e," Professor Karkaroff said, he was wearing a steely smile, and his blue eyes were like chips of ice. "Two Hogwarts champions? I don't remember anyone telling me the host school is allowed two champions – or have I not read the rules carefully enough?" He gave a short and nasty laugh.

"C'est impossible," said Madame Maxime, whose enormous hand with its many superb opals was resting lightly upon Fleur's shoulder. "Ogwarts cannot 'ave two champions. It is most injust."

"We were under the impression that your Age Line would keep out younger contestants, Professor Snape," said Karkaroff, his steely smile still in place, though his eyes were colder than ever. "Otherwise, we would, of course, have brought along a wider selection of candidates from our own schools."

Severus spoke slowly, "It's not my son's fault, despite his adequate magical skill I specifically cast an Age Line that verified the contestant's age not their ability. Had I cast it to ability then Draco Malfoy, Hermione Granger, Blaise Zabini and Harry would have been capable of crossing the Age Line so would have Fred and George Weasley who did try and fail because their birthday is not until April. I utilized the list of eligible students. When a Magical child is born in Britain, their name is immediately magically recorded as a future student of Hogwarts. I programmed that line with the name and magical signature of every Seventh and Sixth Year Hogwarts student who was Seventeen as of today. My Age Line was unchallengeable."

"Thank you, Severus," McGonagall said firmly, and Severus went quiet, though his eyes still glinted malevolently at Karkaroff through his curtain of seemingly greasy black hair.

Professor McGonagall was now looking down at Harry, who looked right back at him,trying to discern the expression of the eyes behind their spectacles.

"Did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire, Harry?" she asked calmly.

"No," Harry said, "Papa said it would be impossible, I wouldn't have tried. Draco didn't want to try and I just wanted one year where I wasn't in danger from someone. My First Year Quirrell had it in for me, Second Year the Chamber was opened and Third Year, that was a misunderstanding." He was very aware of everybody watching him closely.

Karkaroff made a soft noise of impatient disbelief in the shadows.

"Did you ask an older student to put it into the Goblet of Fire for you?" McGonagall asked, ignoring the Durmstrang Headmaster.

"When would I have time to ask? I was with Draco or Fred and George, we were discussing Quidditch. Ask Papa and Remus, they were there part of the time. I spent most of the day in the Great Hall at the Slytherin Table or up in Gryffindor Tower. The only two people I know old enough would never have put my name it I barely spoke to them until after they entered. I didn't even realize they were old enough until after they entered. Papa, I don't want to be a Champion, for once I just want to be a normal Hogwarts student. I didn't ask to be the Boy Who Lived, I'm not a hero. Being the Boy Who Lived is ruining my life." Harry shouted.

Remus moved to pull his lover's son into his arms, "Hush Pup."

Percy interrupted, "Harry, "I know you don't want to hear this but when a name is placed in the cup it's a binding magical contract. Do you understand what that means?"

Harry scowled bitterly, "It means either someone is trying to kill me again in a far more creative way then jinxing my broomstick or cursing a Bludger to try to kill me."

Viktor blinked at that Bludger comment, a Seeker had a Bludger cursed to kill him?

"Ah, but of course 'e is lying!" Madame Maximecried.

Karkaroff was now shaking his head, his lip curling.

"He could not have crossed the Age Line," said Professor McGonagall sharply. "I am sure we are all agreed on that -"

"Snape must 'ave made a mistake wiz ze line," said Madame Maxime, shrugging.

"It is possible, of course," McGonagall politely.

"Headmistress, you know perfectly well Severus did not make a mistake!" Remus snapped angrily. "Really, what nonsense! Harry could not have crossed the line himself, I watched Prefect Weasley and Captain Weasley try and fail. Severus and I believe that he did not persuade an older student to do it for him, I'm sure that should be good enough for everybody else!" he shot a very angry look at Headmaster Karkaroff.

"Mr. Crouch… Mr. Bagman," said Karkaroff, his voice unctuous once more, "you are our - er - objective judges. Surely you will agree that this is most irregular?"

Bagman wiped his round, boyish face with his handkerchief and looked at Mr. Crouch, who was standing outside the circle of the firelight, his face half hidden in shadow. He looked slightly eerie, the half darkness making him look much older, giving him an almost skull-like appearance. When he spoke, however, it was in his usual curt voice.

"Like Perkins said we must follow the rules, and the rules state clearly that those people whose names come out of the Goblet of Fire are bound to compete in the tournament."

Harry whimpered and pouted in Remus' arms.

"Well, Barty knows the rule book back to front," Bagman said, beaming and turning back to Karkaroff and Madame Maxime, as though the matter was now closed.

"I insist upon resubmitting the names of the rest of my students," said Karkaroff. He had dropped his unctuous tone and his smile now. His face wore a very ugly look indeed. "You will set up the Goblet of Fire once more, and we will continue adding names until each school has two champions. It's only fair, Snape."

"But Karkaroff, it doesn't work like that," said Bagman. "The Goblet of Fire's just gone out - it won't reignite until the start of the next tournament -"

"- in which Durmstrang will most certainly not be competing!" exploded Karkaroff. "After all our meetings and negotiations and compromises, I little expected something of this nature to occur! I have half a mind to leave now!"

"Empty threat, Karkaroff," a voice growled from near the door. "You can't leave with your champion now. He's got to compete. They've all got to compete. Binding magical contract, like Crouch said. Convenient, eh?" Moody had just entered the room. He limped toward the fire, and with every right step he took, there was a loud clunk.

"Convenient?" said Karkaroff. "I'm afraid I don't understand you, Moody." Harry could tell he was trying to sound disdainful, as though what Moody was saying was barely worth his notice, but his hands gave him away; they had balled themselves into fists.

"Don't you?" Moody quietly. "It's very simple, Karkaroff. Someone put Potter's name in that goblet knowing he'd have to compete if it came out."

"Evidently, someone 'oo wished to give 'Ogwarts two bites at ze apple!" said Madame Maxime.

"I quite agree, Madame Maxime," said Karkaroff, bowing to her. "I shall be lodging complaints with the Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards -"

"If anyone's got reason to complain, it's Potter," growled Moody, "but… funny thing… I don't hear him saying a word…"

Harry growled, "I've been saying I don't want to compete."

"Oh come now, honor, glory, fame, money."

Harry snorted, "Money? I've got more money then I know what to do with, ask papa. Fame? Being the Bloody Boy Who Lived is a big enough unwelcome pain in the arse. I hate that attention, why don I need glory? Honor? If I want attention, I'll play Quidditch, which thanks to the Ministry I can't really do this year because they decided to have this stupid tournament! Tell me who I have to hit or curse to get out of this and I'll do it." he hissed in Parseltongue knowing would making them all uncomfortable, "I'm a Slytherin damn it and I have a certain disregard for the rules, I say I don't wish to compete. I didn't enter I'm not competing. I'll flunk the First Task because I won't do a bloody thing." he was acting like Dudley and he didn't care, temper tantrums always got Dudley his way. Maybe it would work.

Percy sighed, walking up to put his hand on Harry's shoulder, "Sorry mate, I swear as a former Head Boy, you're stuck being a champion."

Harry stuck his tongue out, "Fine!" crossing his arms, "I'll keep flunking tasks until you disqualify me. It would be smart to do that sooner rather then later. I'll be your worst nightmare. If I find out who entered me in this farce, I swear Quirrell had it easy because I didn't fight back. Draco trained me and I'm a damn good duelist, I helped fight a basilisk and face the Dark Lord twice. Don't mess with me, I'm a Slytherin." he stormed out of the Chamber, calling back, "Viktor, I'll see you on the pitch. That's my idea of completion, not that I'm anywhere near your level."

The room was stunned.

Neither Severus or Remus expected Harry to throw a tantrum. Normally, he would have been too terrified to say much.

"Why should 'e complain?" Fleur Delacour burst out, stamping her foot. "E 'as ze chance to compete, 'asn't 'e? We 'ave all been 'oping to be chosen for weeks and weeks! Ze honor for our schools! A thousand Galleons in prize money, zis is a chance many would die for!"

"Maybe someone's hoping Potter is going to die for it," Moody said, with the merest trace of a growl.

An extremely tense silence followed these words.

Ludo Bagman, who was looking very anxious indeed, bounced nervously up and down on his feet and said, "Moody, old man… what a thing to say!"

"We all know Professor Moody considers the morning wasted if he hasn't discovered six assassination plots before lunchtime," Karkaroff loudly. "Apparently he is now teaching his students to fear assassination too. An odd quality in a Wards Expert, Snape but no doubt you had your reasons."

"Imagining things, am I?" Moody growled. "Seeing things, eh? It was a skilled witch or wizard who put the boy's name in that goblet…"

"Ah, what evidence is zere of zat?" Madame Maxime said, throwing up her huge hands.

"Because they hoodwinked a very powerful magical object!" Moody snapped. "It would have needed an exceptionally strong Confundus Charm to bamboozle that goblet into forgetting that only three schools compete in the tournament, I'm guessing they submitted Potter's name under a fourth school, to make sure he was the only one in his category."

"You seem to have given this a great deal of thought, Moody," Karkaroff said coldly, "and a very ingenious theory it is though of course, I heard you recently got it into your head that one of your birthday presents contained a cunningly disguised basilisk egg, and smashed it to pieces before realizing it was a carriage clock. So you'll understand if we don't take you entirely seriously…"

"There are those who'll turn innocent occasions to their advantage," Moody retorted in a menacing voice. "It's my job to think the way Dark wizards do, Karkaroff as you ought to remember…"

"Alastor!" McGonagall said warningly.

Severus wondered for a moment whom he was speaking to, but then realized "Mad-Eye" could hardly be Moody's real first name, he hadn't remembered. Everyone called him 'Mad-Eye' after all.

Moody fell silent, though still surveying Karkaroff with satisfaction.

Karkaroff's face was burning.

"How this situation arose, we do not know," McGonagall said, speaking to everyone gathered in the room, trying to call the situation after the Fourth Champion's premature departure. "It seems to me, however, that we have no choice but to accept it. Both Cedric and Harry have been chosen to compete in the Tournament. This, therefore, they will do…

"Ah, but ,"

"Madame Maxime, if you have an alternative, I would be delighted to hear it." McGonagall waited, but Madame Maxime did not speak, she merely glared.

She wasn't the only one either. Karkaroff looked like a vein was about to burst; Snape, Remus, Lucius and Percy looked worried.

Bagman, however, looked rather excited. "Well, shall we crack on, then?" he said, rubbing his hands together and smiling around the room. "Got to give our champions their instructions, haven't we? Barty, want to do the honors?"

Mr. Crouch seemed to come out of a deep reverie. "Yes," he said, "instructions. Yes… the first task…" He moved forward into the firelight.

Close up, Severus thought he looked ill. There were dark shadows beneath his eyes and a thin, papery look about his wrinkled skin that had not been there at the Quidditch World Cup.

"The first task is designed to test your daring," he told Cedric, Fleur, and Viktor- but not Harry who had stormed off in an apparent rage, "so we are not going to be telling you what it is. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard, very important. The first task will take place on November the twenty-fourth, in front of the other students and the panel of judges. The champions are not permitted to ask for or accept help of any kind from their teachers"

Remus and Severus looked at one another and frowned,

Crouch continued, "to complete the tasks in the tournament. The champions will face the first challenge armed only with their wands. They will receive information about the second task when the first is over. Owing to the demanding and time-consuming nature of the tournament, the champions are exempted from end-of-year tests." Mr. Crouch turned to look at McGonagall. "I think that's all, is it, Minerva?"

"I think so," McGonagall asked, she was looking at Mr. Crouch with mild, almost motherly concern. "Are you sure you wouldn't like to stay at Hogwarts tonight, Barty?"

"No Headmistress, I must get back to the Ministry," Mr. Crouch said. "It is a very busy, very difficult time at the moment…"

"You'll come and have a drink before you go, at least?" McGonagall said.

"Come on, Barty, I'm staying!" Bagman brightly. "It's all happening at Hogwarts now, you know, much more exciting here than at the office!"

"I think not, Ludo," said Crouch with a touch of his old impatience.

"Professor Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, a nightcap?" McGonagall asked, trying to smooth ruffled feathers..

But Madame Maxime had already put her arm around Fleur's shoulders and was leading her swiftly out of the room.

Lucius could hear them both talking very fast in French as they went off into the Great Hall.

Karkaroff beckoned to Viktor.

Viktor paused, "Tell Draco I will meet him on the pitch at one."

Then they too exited, though in silence.

"Cedric, I suggest you go up to bed," McGonagall said, smiling at him. "I am sure Hufflepuff is waiting to celebrate with you, and it would be a shame to deprive them of this excellent excuse to make a great deal of mess and noise."

Severus reached for Remus' hand.

Remus gave him a warily smile, gesturing for Lucius and Percy to join them.

They would have a lot to discuss.

It was looking more and more like Harry and Moody were right, someone else had to put their pup's name in the Goblet of Fire. But who?

Absolutely positively probably the best chapter I've written yet. I did say Harry would grow up this year right? Probably not what you expected.

Harry Does NOT WANT! Very angry Lion! Poor Fleur she pissed off Harry. Childish temper tantrum. Harry's strange childhood rears it's head, the wizarding World fawns over Harry like Petunia did over Dudley so Harry used a Dudley trick. Fail EPIC fail as only Harry can. No Draco to see either.

Questions? Comments? Love? Hate? Went too far? Please review. I can take it...