Hey how is everyone out there? Thank you so much for the reviews! You guys keep this story alive so thank you!! Okay well we are but one chapter away from the first task of the tri wizard tournament so I hope yall will enjoy it!!
A few weeks later Harry found himself amidst all the commotion. On Saturday he along with the other contestants would be faced with the first task of the tri-wizard tournament. Sirius was on duty with Tonks and Kingsley until lunchtime. James would then take his place. As Harry was coming back from herbology with Ron and Hermione, Sirius who was standing in the doorway of the castle stopped him from entering. He beckoned the others to go in. They all just eyed him puzzled by his actions. When everyone had gone in Sirius then turned to Harry and asked...
"When was the last time you spoke to Snivelus?"
Harry raised an eyebrow as he said...
"Why do you ask Sirius?"
"Just answer the question Harry." He said hurriedly
"Well...we had potions yesterday..."
"And..." Sirius said beckoning him to carry on
"And nothing Sirius. Snape isn't trying to kill me. Why can't you let it go?"
"Because Harry this is Snape we are talking about!"
"People can change you know..."
"Not when their name is slippery Severus Snape!"
"Ok...look...I appreciate your concern Sirius but..."
"Has he done anything "nice" for you lately?"
"Ummm...no. Not since the incident with Karkaroff."
"Yes and he is another one that can't be trusted!"
"Sirius..."
"I want you to have next to nothing to do with either one of them." Sirius said gravely looking Harry firmly in the eye and making sure nobody was around to over hear them.
"Sirius..."
"Clearly there is some sort of conspiracy here at Hogwarts this year."
"Sirius..."
"I think that I should talk to Minerva..." Sirius said as he looked down in the direction of her office. Harry now had enough of Sirius not listening to him so he shouted his name to get attention.
"SIRIUS! Would you please just listen to me for a minute? I don't trust Snape 100 yet. I still am at a loss as to why he is being this civil towards me but if it gets Draco rattled then Im game."
Both Harry and Sirius smirked at that last remark before Harry continued.
"If you think that I would choose to turn to Snape before you, dad or Remus then you have a screw lose Padfoot! You guys are still my family and Snape is still my teacher so stop worrying ok? If there is something that I feel you need to know then I will tell you otherwise I ask that you let me deal with this my way alrght?"
"Yeah alright Prongslet. Come here." He hugs him lightly.
"Are you coming in for some lunch?" Harry asks.
"No you go on ahead Harry. I am coming off duty here and going on duty over in Zonkos at one so...I'll get something when I get home. I will see you on Saturday though kid. Take care Harry." Sirius said with a wink for his godson. Harry smiled before saying...
"Yeah, you too Sirius."
As Harry headed into the great hall he saw Viktor Krum standing behind Hermione who was seated at the Gryffindor table with a few of her other friends. Viktor placed a hand on her back as he whispered something in her ear which had her beaming. He then left with all the female students staring after him. Harry smirked a little at him as he passed by which Viktor returned. Harry then walked down the great hall and took a seat in between Ron and Dean. Hermione was talking to Ginny and Arielle. Harry began picking at the crisps that were on the table as he asked...
"So what did Viktor want Hermione?"
Hermione looked at him incredulously as she dropped the prawn cracker she was holding and blushed. Harry continued to stare at her along with the rest of their group of friends. Hermione then pushed a stray piece of hair behind her ear as she bashfully said...
"Oh he just wanted us to go maybe for a walk sometime...so we can talk." She continued to stare down at the table as Harry said casually...
"I see." He then threw the crisp he was holding into his mouth and smiled meekly at her.
"You don't mind do you?" Hermione asked anxiously.
Harry eyed her perplexed but with a small smirk before saying...
No Of course not. As a matter of fact I was thinking of asking Luna out."
"Loony Lovegood?" Ginny and Hermione cried together. They both turned and smirked at each other as Harry exclaimed...
"Gins...Hermione...I...She is a very sweet girl and I happen to think that she is rather pretty actually. I am sick of people calling her that!"
Im sorry Harry." Hermione said at once looking ashamed.
"It's fine Hermi...so you have no objections then?" He asked leaning across the table a little.
She looked up and shook her head before saying...
"No Harry. If you really like her then you should go for it." She smiled warmly at him.
He reciprocated as he said..."Right." and coolly rose from the table and strode down to Luna, looking back every so often at Hermione who watched him bemused.
"Hey there Luna." Harry said amiably. Luna turned around in her seat and smiled at him before turning her back on him again and saying...
"Hello Harry. How are you today?"
Yeah I am good thanks. Luna do you mind if I join you?"
She turned around again to face him, smiled sweetly and shook her head.
"Please go right ahead Harry." He smiled at her before muttering "Thanks" and sitting on the bench next to her.
"I am just finishing my potions essay for Professor Snape. He didn't take too kindly to my last one being late but when I explained to Professor Dumbledore that people were borrowing and not returning my books and quills he understood. Professor Dumbledore is such a nice man. Don't you agree Harry?" She asked as she continued writing. What she didn't realise was that Harry was smirking and winking at any Hogwarts or Beauxbatons girls that passed by the table.
"Oh yes Luna. He is very nice. Luna...I was just wondering if maybe you and I could go for a walk. Obviously now is not the right time for you..."
"Hmmmm well perhaps we could this evening after dinner. I hear that they are bringing over the dragons from Romania tonight. I should dearly love to see them." She exclaimed now facing him.
Harry stared at her horrified, not believing he heard what she really said.
"Dragons? Why are they bringing over dragons Luna?"
"Oh it's for the first task. Did you not know? I hope I have not frightened you Harry."
No...not at all. I...eh...Ill meet you for that walk later so Luna. Is seven ok with you?"
"Oh yes seven is perfect Harry."
Cool. Ill talk to you later Luna."
Harry stood up from the bench, rubbed his forehead a little as he breathed in deeply. He began pacing a few inches up and down by Lunas bench. He then took a long glance down to his friends,
smiled weakly at them and ran out of the great hall. They stared after him with concern etched on their faces and in their eyes.
Outside the great hall Harry found Sirius talking to Kingsley and Tonks. He ran over to them to see if they would back up Lunas story about dragons being the first task.
"Wotcher Harry." Tonks cried jovially as he reached them.
"Yeah hey Tonks, Kingsley..."
"Hey Harry my little man. Give a brother some love man." Kingsley held out his palm and Harry slapped it and smirked at him. Kingsley ruffled his hair as he winked at him.
"What is the matter Prongslet?" Sirius asked anxiously.
"Uhhh...I was just talking to Luna Lovegood there and she tells me that dragons are the first task. Please tell me she is joking." Harry looked from one to the other with a pleading look in his eyes.
All three adults looked from one to the other. Harry who had been following their body language intervened with a sigh and exclamation of fear.
"Oh no...are ye serious? The first task is battling a dragon?" Harry exclaimed horrified.
"Harry it may sound scary but man I promise you it will be fine." Kinsley said gently as he placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled warmly at him.
"Have you ever battled a dragon Kinsley?" Harry asked sharply.
"No..."
"Well then you know nothing."
Harry stepped away from all three looking at them in fear and disgust. How could they be so calm? This was a dragon he was facing in three days.
"Have you spoken to Remus or Moody yet Harry?" Tonks asked anxiously.
"No but what can they do Tonks?"
"Well they are teaching dada this year so..." She stopped mid sentence as she saw Harry starring at Sirius with venom. Sirius had fear and guilt written all over his face
"You knew? Sirius...I stood here beside you ten minutes ago and you said nothing?"
"Harry I..."
"Let me guess. You didn't how to tell me? Or maybe you thought I would be fine. The best one I'd say is maybe you thought I would never find out before Saturday and you could rush in and be this big hero and promise me that everything would be hunky dory is that right Sirius?"
"Harry are you alright? What is going on here?"
Harry and the others looked in the direction of Remuss voice. He was standing behind Harry looking quite worn out. Sirius still continued to look anxious but Harry took no notice.
"I suppose you knew too did you?" Harry asked in an accusatory tone.
"Knew what?" Remus asked cautiously.
"There are dragons coming over from Romania tonight. Kingsley just arrived here to tell us so that we could inform Dumbledore and in turn suggest that the contestants be made aware."
Harry looked down at the floor feeling ashamed of his actions now after hearing what Sirius just said.
"Yes well...the ministry will need me back so I better go. Harry you take care of yourself man and I will see you soon."
Harry smiled blandly as Kingsley patted him on the cheek, waved goodbye to the others and left.
Remus still sensing that something was wrong was about to ask when Tonks intervened.
"Remus do you fancy getting some lunch? I could really do with something myself."
"Yeah of course Tonks. Let's go." Sirius winked at Tonks as she smiled and went into the great hall with Remus.
Harry turned to face Sirius feeling remorse for the grief he gave him a short time ago. Sirius stared at him shakily not really knowing what to say.
"Sirius..."
"Come with me Harry for a minute. There is something that I want to tell you."
Harry followed Sirius down to Remus classroom. It was vacant so Sirius took a seat at Remus desk at the top of the room. Harry sat on a desk adjacent to him.
"Sirius..." Harry began but Sirius put up a hand to stop him. He looked over at his godson before saying...
"Harry I didn't know about the dragons until Kingsley showed up. I would have told you otherwise."
"Yeah I know. I am sorry for letting rip at you Sirius."
"Is there something on your mind other than this damn tournament?"
"Why do you ask?"
"I ask because I saw Viktor talking to Hermione Prongslet..." He replied with a smirk.
Harry just shrugged his shoulders as he stared at the floor and gripped either side of the desk.
"We are just friends Padfoot."
"Well just because you are only friends now does not mean that you have to remain that way forever." Harry nodded still starring at the floor so Sirius continued.
"Shari and I were friends at school too Harry. We were never as close as you and Hermione are partly because she was a friend of Lilys and we all the history there of Lily and the marauders."
Harry smirked still starring at the floor.
"However, I decided to take the plunge with Shars when we were in fourth year. I asked her to this ball that Hogwarts was hosting. Unfortunately it didn't last."
"Why what happened Sirius?" Harry asked anxiously looking up now.
"Well...this girl that I was kind of seeing got into a spot of bother with the guy she was with that night. I went to see if she was okay and Shari followed me and saw us kissing."
"Ah..." Harry said as he half laughed.
"Can I just say that she kissed me though? Oh well...it took a while before Shari would speak to me again. I realised that night though that I couldn't give her what she wanted. I wasn't mature enough then. I was having too much fun having girls chasing after me to settle down. It wasn't until we were in sixth year that the spark between us became mutual but then when the war started...I was too close to James as old Voldie knew so...I didn't want to risk Shari getting hurt. I distanced myself from girls for a while. I wasn't safe to be around. Thankfully things worked out in the end."
"Hermione is my best friend Sirius. I love her like a sister. I do feel this strong attraction to her but...I am not what she needs."
"How do you know what she needs Harry? Have you asked her?"
"No..."
"So how do you know?"
"You just said that you weren't safe to be around because Voldemort knew that you and dad were best friends. What if he knows about Hermione?"
"Oh Harry...Voldemort is not back mate."
"Yes but we both know it's only a matter of time Sirius."
"And when he does decide to show his distorted face we will be ready for him. Stop thinking so far into the future Prongslet. You got the right here and the right now. What will be will be. The order is far more organized this time around I promise you that Harry. So stop worrying about Voldie getting to Hermione to get at you. He won't. Hermione is a smart witch. If you think that you guys are worth the chance then you have to go for it. To hell and back with Krum! Let me give you your first proper lesson in love Harry. Take my advice on this because it's crucial.
Never give up on someone when you can't go through a whole day without thinking about them.
We all search for our soul mate Harry. Someone to complete us, someone to make us feel a way that nobody else in the world can. Some people never find that. If there is the slightest chance that
Hermione could be the one for you then you have got to take that chance. Life is too short to worry about what other people think. Do not have regrets Harry. Life is not worth that kind of torture."
Harry listened intently to what Sirius said. Maybe he should take a chance with Hermione. Everyone says that falling in love is all about chance and you will never know what you could have had if you don't dive in the deep end once in a while.
"However, there is something else I feel you should know Harry."
Harry looked up at Sirius with a questioning look in his eyes so Sirius continued.
"This morning we got a letter from Rob..."
"Rob? What is wrong with him? Is he ok Sirius?" Harry asked anxiously.
"Yes he is fine. Dumbledore requested Dieters assistance within the Order but he was uncertain until Rob insisted they return. "
"Why would Rob want to come back here? He hates me Sirius."
"He doesn't hate you Harry. I think it was more a clash of personalities. Dieter wants to return with Rob. How do you feel?"
It is not up to me..."
"Are you willing to let bygones be bygones and start afresh with Rob?"
"I am if he is."
"Okay great. I will mail Dieter back today with the news. Thank you Harry."
"It's cool Sirius. It's cool." They both smiled a little at each other.
At seven o clock that evening Harry met Luna outside the great hall with Ron, Hermione, Ryan, Arielle, Dean, Seamus, Neville, Ginny, Cedric, Fleur and Krum. They all headed towards Hagrid where they would see the dragons for the first task of the tournament.
Harry and Luna walked together as did Hermione and Ginny. The rest of the group were scattered between them. Hagrid was waiting for them outside his cabin.
"Hey Hagrid" They chimed in unison.
"Alrigh you lo. Lets go. Come on." He nodded at Harry as he led the way into the forest.
"Why are we going into the forest?" Ron whispered to Harry from behind.
"I expect that is where the dragons are Ron."
"Yes but Harry...it's the dark forest."
Harry just smirked as he rolled his eyes. He smiled down at Luna who looked up at him and reciprocated his smile.
"I think dragons are rather fascinating, don't you agree Harry?"
"Oh yes...absolutely Luna." He mused looking around at his friends who smirked at him.
"Would you mind if I went and spoke to Hagrid for a minute?"
"No Luna. Go right ahead." They both shared a brief smile. As soon as she was out of earshot the boys turned to Harry saying...
"Harry man what are you doing with Luna?" Dean asked?
"Yeah I mean we all know its Hermione you fancy."
"Ron, Dean, I...Hermione is with Krum and I cannot and will not come between them."
"Oh my good gosh! Would ya look at the state of those yokes!" Arielle exclaimed pointing to the dragons.
After all the gasps and whispered exclamations had died down, Harry shouted over at Hagrid.
"Hagrid you can't be serious!"
"What is wrong Harry? Dragons are beautiful creatures..."
"Yeah of course. The best part is when they spit fire at you."
Hagrid scowled at Ron and said...
"Your brother works with them Ron so you should know all about them!"
"What do you think the chances are of us being able to choose our dragon?" Cedric asked.
"I have my doubts we could Cedric but Ill bet you anything Ill be getting that one over there."
Harry said as he pointed to a large green dragon who was spitting fire at anyone near him.
"I think thats a horntail Harry." Ron said sheepishly.
"Well at least now I know. You can have it posted in the prophet how I died."
Harry and his friends laughed a little not really sure what to say or how to react.
The one thing that was for certain was that everyone was concerned about this tournament and not just the contestants anymore. It was rumoured that someone died during a Triwizard Tournament some years ago. Was there going to be a repeat performance?
I am sooooooooooooooooooooo sorry you guys for the late update!! I sure hope that this makes up for it. The next chapter will be about the first task so hope ya will enjoy it. Let me know what you thought of this one. Talk to you later!!