Disclaimer: I do not, in anyway own the wonderful world of Harry Potter, or Charmed. I am just dabbling in the world they left for us.

This chapter is dedicated to my girlfriend whose birthday is today. Happy Birthday!!

Chapter 31

Harry Potter

"Ginny, you can't really be thinking about putting on that bracelet. You still have no idea who this person is". Hermione exclaimed as she and Ginny walked down to lunch the next afternoon. They had decided to sleep in and skip breakfast because they had stayed up late into the night talking.

"I'm not that naïve Hermione. I had to play it the way I did last night or else who knows what might have happened". Ginny had told Hermione about what had happened after she had left the Great Hall last night. Hermione had listened with rapt attention taking in every word.

"I'm not saying you are Ginny, you just need to be careful. We don't know if it is a student or someone else entirely, you have to approach this with caution" Hermione replied.

"As I told you last night, I have no intention of putting that bracelet on until I am completely sure…" Ginny paused to look at Hermione before she continued "Plus I do think this person's a student. I did not see him use his wand once; otherwise he would have gotten a warning from the Ministry".

Hermione was silent as the reached the Great Hall and she did not speak until they sat down at the Gryffindor table. "Did you see his wand?" she asked.

Ginny was about to respond but stopped to recall the night before. While she did not see him use a wand, she had been sure that she had seen it at some point. Hadn't she? "No" she answered dejectedly.

"Then how can you think that he is a student; he may not have wanted to use his wand. To lull you into thinking he was a student".

"Well one thing I did learn is that he does know somebody here, because they had to be able to 'mark' the fifth year girls room as a portkey spot". Ginny said put in.

"It's not that I don't trust you, but are you listening to yourself?" Hermione said quietly not wishing to draw any attention to their conversation.

The room was filled to the brim with students already eating. As she and Hermione started to fill their plates with food, Ginny noticed her brother and Harry walk into the Hall. "Look, you're right. The more I talk about it the more I start to find holes and heck, maybe I 'm just wanting this to be a good thing because of all the bad that is happening around us. But you cannot deny that had it been you getting these letters, that you would not be saying the same thing as I am".

"You are right, I would, but I would also be extra careful" Hermione said as she took a drink of her pumpkin juice.

"I am Hermione; after that whole Tom Riddle thing…lets just say I am a bit more careful about things like this now". Ginny said in a rushed whisper as she did not want her brother or Harry to hear what she had just said. If she was going to be honest with herself, she had hoped that last night the stranger would pull back his hood and she would see Harry's smiling face under it. Even though when she had received the first letter Harry had been adamant that it was not him.

As Ron and Harry sat down they started to load their plates full of food. The girls just looked at each other and shook their heads. "Got enough food Ron, Harry?" Ginny asked.

"We just got done flying, and we worked up quite the appetite" Ron answered in between bites.

"And a smell" Hermione put in just before she pinched her nose shut briefly as to make her point.

"Ha ha, very funny, I'll have you know that without Quidditch we have to find some way to stay in top form, and that is through flying" Harry said mimicking Ron and stuffed a spoonful of soup into his mouth.

"Whatever you say" Hermione replied.

"So Gin, how'd the meeting go last night?" Harry asked as he turned his gaze to the young red-head.

"Well" she started to say but was interrupted by her brother.

"Nothing, bad, happened did it?" Ron asked.

"No, in fact he was quite nice" Ginny said as she looked over to Hermione but found that her "friend" had her nose buried in a book, giving her the message 'you are on your own'.

"So what did he look like?" Harry asked taking another bite of his soup.

"Well, I never saw his face" Ginny said off-handedly as though this was a normal occurrence "he never took his hood off".

"Maybe he's ugly and did not want you to see him properly, get grossed out and want to leave" Ron said with a smile.

"Ron, you are such a boy" Ginny said and was going to say more but was cut off by the flapping of many wings as the owls bringing the morning post flew in. Not expecting anything she turned her attention back to her meal and continued to eat. Though imagine her surprise when a tawny owl landed in front of her with scroll attached to its claw. Putting her surprise aside she undid the ribbon holding the letter in place and took it from the owl; who had 'hooted' happily and took a small piece of bacon and flew off.

"Who's it from Gin" Ron asked.

"Do you really need to ask that Ron" Hermione said "It is from him, I mean what kind of guy asks you to meet him fro a date and then never calls?"

"One who is uninterested" Ron replied in a whisper so only Harry could hear him. Harry snorted into his glass that he had been drinking out of causing the girls to look at the pair of them.

"Sorry" Harry said as he wiped the juice off his chin "So what does the letter say?"

"Not here" Ginny replied as she stood up and made her way out of the Great Hall. Harry, Ron and Hermione were caught off guard with her sudden movement but soon followed. "Wait for us" Ron yelled after his sister. Soon the quartet found themselves outside and sitting under a large oak tree by the lake; surprisingly close to where the figure had taken Ginny from the previous night. Ginny, having already unrolled the scroll started to read aloud.

Dear Ginny,

I must first off say thank you for such a wonderful night. It was refreshing to just be able to sit and relax and not think about anything but your questions. I know you did not get to ask as many as you had hoped but I was hoping that we may continue to meet every so often and just get to know each other a bit more.

Also I wanted to thank you for trusting me the way you did last night; I know that it must not have been easy. At any point last night you could have just left, but you decided to stay. Thank you.

As I said above, I realize that I did not give you many answers and as I have the wish for you to keep trusting me. I am going to tell you who it is that helped me set part of the transport up.

Ginny's heart was pounding in her chest. This was huge; maybe by knowing who had helped him she may find out just who this hooded stranger was. She looked over at Hermione; who it appeared was having the same thought. Heart still pounding she continued.

Now you must not be upset with this person for not telling you. I had given them explicit instructions to not tell you unless you were so unsure about meeting me that you were going to do something drastic. Only after promising upon pain of death to not harm you did this person agree to help me. This person I speak of is none other than Harry Potter.

Ginny gasped along with Hermione and both of their heads shot to where he was sitting; staring out at the lake. "You know who the stranger is?" Ginny asked feeling somewhat betrayed.

Nodding Harry turned his attention back to the three people looking at him. "Yes, and he contacted me right after your 'date' to tell me he was going to be telling you about me. Which I am glad he did".

Ginny could not believe what she was hearing. He had known and had not told her. Then there was her brother who had not said a word, nor reacted to the news that his best friend knew who it was. "Are you just going to sit there Ron? Harry just said that he knows who this person is and your not even bothering him about it" she exclaimed. She was not trying to start anything between the two friends, but her brother's lack of action had thrown her for a loop.

"Ginny; He told me he knew who it was the night you received the first letter. Harry knew that I would raise heck about it and so he told the man he would not let him go through with his plan if he could not tell me" He paused to let all this sink in. When he continued he said "Also I know that Harry would never let anything happen to you. And if Harry trusts this…person, then I trust him".

"Believe me when I say that we will continue this discussion later. But right now I am going to finish this letter" Ginny said looking between her brother and Harry.

Yes, Harry knows who I am and believe me; it took a lot to get him to agree to play this role. But as I said before, I had to prove myself to him. Also, Harry is bound by his word; not to reveal anything about me to you; so please do not ask him.

I must now say that I am sorry, as I am getting close to ending this letter so that I may send it to you. But before I do I needed to tell you something I forgot to mention last night. Once you have decided to put the bracelet on and come back to the Sanctuary all you have to say is 'Sanctum', and you will be transported directly to the hall we appeared in last night. If you get there and I am not then you are more than welcome to sit and make yourself at home. The Sanctuary is not my home; just a get-away I have, that not even the ministry can find.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to another great night of just being in your company. I hope you have a great rest of your weekend.

Alas, parting is such sweet sorrow;

Flynn

p.s. They need water.

"So, his name's Flynn. That's good to know" Ron said.

"Flynn is just the name he signed the letter with Ron, surely that is not his real name" Hermione said matter of factly "But what I want to know is what he means by 'They need water". But as just as she voiced her question there was a flash and there sitting in the center of the four friends was the most brilliant looking Phoenix they had ever seen. It was pure White and had specks of Black in random places; as though the bird had been subjected to splatter paint. The Phoenix thrilled at the attention it was getting and it began to flap its wings and fly up into the sir.

"He got you a Phoenix?" Ron exclaimed as he continued to take in the magnificent bird that was now flying low around them.

"No, look" Hermione answered pointing at the spot the Phoenix had just left. Right there in the center was a bouquet of Whitest Roses that Ginny had ever seen before. Smiling, she leaned forward, took the roses into her arms and let the floral scent overtake her senses. "Thank you" Ginny murmured to herself and then to Hermione she said "He has a Phoenix Hermione; the purest of Magical Animals, you can't tell me now that he means me harm".

"No, I guess not, but still, you need to be careful" Hermione replied as she looked at the flowers "Do you mind if I smell them?"

"Go ahead" Ginny said as she passed them to her. She smiled when she saw Hermione smell the Roses and also lose herself to their wonderful scent. She then turned her gaze upon Ron, and Harry; who were wearing identical smirks. When asked why they both shook their heads and at the same time said "Girls".

Shaking her head at them she looked back at the letter. Making up her mind Ginny took out her wand and said "Accio". After saying the summoning spell she looked back at her friends; who were all staring at her in confusion. Hermione was about to ask why she had done that, but was interrupted when a red, velvet jewelry case landed in front of the red headed female.

"Ginny you can't be serious" Hermione said as she watched Ginny open the case.

"I am, Hermione" Ginny answered as she lifted the silver bracelet from its resting spot and placed it onto her left wrist. It took a moment, but once she got the clasp to close, she held out her arm letting it shine in the morning light. Above the four of them the Phoenix gave a thrill, and in a ball of white flame it vanished from sight.

They sat there looking at where the bird had left for several minutes. "Guys, we had better head back in and get ready for this evening". Harry said as he broke the silence that had settled over them. "Oh yeah, the Tournament starts tonight" Ron said stretching as he stood.

The four of them had been looking forward to it; even Harry, despite how the last one had turned out. All the students were expected to show up tonight before dinner in their best robes. Hermione was especially looking forward to seeing Professor Bixby at last. Harry had met the man once, however brief, and was eager to see what the man knew. There were also rumors going around of a surprise end to the Tournament, all of which seemed more unlikely than the next. As the Tournament fell under the direction of Professor Bixby, no one really knew what was going to happen. Not even some of the other Professors.

After Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny had retreated back into the castle to get ready had seemed to have flown by. Ron and Harry had both taken showers and changed, while the two girls had retreated to Hermione's room to get ready. When all were finished they met back in the common room which had begun to fill up; and fast. It seemed that the entirety of Gryffindor House was here.

Having gotten tired of the constant noise in the room Harry nodded to his friends and stood up and walked out of the Portrait hole and began to make his way down to the many stair cases leading to the Great Hall. They were just about there when he noticed that there was more noise than there should have been with just four pairs of feet. He turned around and saw not only Ron, Hermione and Ginny; but the rest of the house. He was surprised that he had not noticed them before. He looked at his friends, who just shrugged. Hermione was giving him a knowing look but did not say anything until they were seated at their table.

"Why did they all leave when I did?" Harry asked as he watched the rest of Gryffindor house find seats of their own at the table.

"I think it's because they see you as their leader Harry" Hermione said with a smile.

"But I'm…"but Harry was cut off, this time though it was not Hermione, it was Ron.

"Look mate, I know you did not ask for it, but they are looking to you for strength. They remember the last Tournament, and the lies that the Ministry had been spreading. Then there's last year when you taught all of us when that hag Umbridge wouldn't."

"Language Ron" chided Hermione.

Looking a little apologetic he said "Sorry" and continued. "You just have this air about you Harry that make people want to follow you; and I don't mean like You-Know-Who, but like…" Ron paused trying to find the right words to express what he was trying to say so that Harry would understand "Like that of a Gryffindor".

"Ron's right Harry, you are the epitome of what it means to a true Gryffindor and that is why they see you as their House leader" Hermione said as she gave her 'two cents'.

Harry nodded in understanding at what his friends said and he may have still been a little uncomfortable with it, but he could respect it. And if he was going to be seen as their leader, he was going to do all he could to not let them down. He glanced up and down the table and saw that everyone was carrying on their own conversations, though some would sometimes glance his way. Not too long after the Gryffindor's arrival did the other Houses show up. The next ones there were the Ravenclaws and Harry was surprised to see some of its students give him knowing looks. This action seemed to be a running trend, because after them came Hufflepuff House; who had also had some eyes that had sought him out. The only House this did not happen with was the Slytherins; not that it mattered to Harry one bit.

Only after all the Houses appeared to be seated and settled did the Headmaster stand and gain the attention of the entire student body and its Teachers. "Thank you to all of you for coming down to see the start of the Dueling Tournament" he paused for a moment to let those who had started to clap and whistle; he also joined in the clapping but stopped soon after and continued to speak "Yes, we are all very glad to see, what we hope to be something we can carry on with in future years. Now, as I am not the one heading it, I shall give the floor to your Tournament Master" Dumbledore started to clap as did many others who were looking at the man that had come to stand at the wing spread, eagle podium.

"Thank you Headmaster for that kind welcome" Professor Bixby said with a semi bow to the aged Headmaster; who had raised his goblet in response. "Now as the Headmaster said I am the Tournament Master, and as I have told some "he said as he glanced in Harry's direction "I have personally seen to it that no unwanted harm comes to any of those who participate. And on that note I wanted to let you know how the 'Duelers' are going to be chosen".

The entire Hall sat silence as they watched Professor Bixby reach out his hand grabbed at the air. But it was not just air, for when he drew back his hand he held in it an invisibility cloak that had apparently been there the entire time. "Now most of you will remember the 'Goblet of Fire'; that once the names were put in the Goblet would chose the Champion. Well this is different, all of your names; bar the first three years have been put into this basin" He gestured to the round bowl on the pedestal "and those names will be drawn by hand and not magic so as to give everyone a fair chance to be in it".

"I will also be the one drawing out the names, and while I wish that everyone was able to participate, only the first ten names that I draw will be in the actual Tournament." There was a groan at this, but Bixby either did not hear this or chose to ignore it. "Now it is my great pleasure to inform all of you that tonight marks the first night of the Tournament; an event that will go on into the New Year. But what is a Tournament without a Ball". It had taken a moment, but as soon as the student body had grasped what had been said, the reaction was deafening. People were pumping their arms, and hollering out in tumultuous joy.

The Trio; now Quartet's eyes went wide at the announcement. After getting over his initial shock Ron turned to face Hermione; who was still looking up at the Tournament Head. "Will you go with me to the ball Hermione?"

Hermione was jerked out of her thoughts and turned to look at Ron. "Wha…What did you just say?" She asked not sure she had heard him correctly.

"I asked if you would like to go to the ball with me" Ron repeated as he looked into her brown eyes.

"I would love to Ron, thank you for asking me".

Ron; Harry noticed, went all dreamy eyed after having received his answer. He tried to shake his best friend out of his reverie but that did not help at all. What did work was the loud canon that had gone off with a 'BANG'. The entire hall went silent and most had started to look around for the source of the noise. They did not have to look far because there standing with wand raised; was Professor Bixby. "Thank you" He said and pocketed his wand "As I was saying there will be a ball and it will be held the night before Christmas Eve. All years will be able to attend unlike the two years ago; as this is mainly to congratulate the final two Duelists. However third years and under will be leaving at 9:30 so that they may get ready to leave the following day to go home; well those that are going home at any rate". He paused for a moment and then continued "Now like I have already said, everyone who is allowed to participate, your name has already been put into the basin and the time has come for me to draw the ten names of those you will cheer for."

Professor Bixby reached his hand into the basin and drew out a small piece of parchment; which he looked at just long enough to read the name.

"Cho Chang" and with a flourish he threw his hand into the air and let go of the parchment and it just hung there. He repeated this eight more times and each time the small piece of paper hung there suspended by magic.

"Ernie McMillan"

"Ron Weasley"

"Draco Malfoy"

"Susan Bones"

"Ginny Weasley"

"Terry Boot"

"Neville Longbottom"

"Blaise Zabini"

Bixby stopped there for a moment to congratulate all those who had been chosen so far and wished everybody luck with this last pick. In an exaggerated movement he plunged his hand into the basin one last time. When he withdrew his hand; just like before a small piece of parchment could be seen between his forefinger and thumb. As he looked at the name he smiled; a smile which he did not bother to hide.

"Harry Potter."

A/N: Well here it is; finally the start of the tournament. And yes I did the cliché 'Harry's name is drawn from the basin last and is in the tournament' thing but hey, if you have one of these in a story called Harry potter, then you got to have him participate. Also you now know a little bit more of this 'flynn' character. And harry and ron knew about it…………let the drama begin.

As well as letting the REVIEWS begin as well.

Mudbloodpotter