After the meeting the three of them returned to Albus' office where they found Lily, Sirius and Remus waiting for them. James told them what the meeting had been about before he turned it over to Albus.
"Harry will have to stay at the school and attend classes." He informed them, "All the champions have this same rule."
"We will be able to stay with him won't we?" Lily asked.
"Yes of course. All the other champions have their headmasters/mistresses and a few professors so I see no reason Harry can't have the same." For the first time all evening Albus seemed to be pulling out of his depression.
"Does he have to attend classes in Hogwarts rooms or can we continue as we always have?" James asked.
"He must attend a few classes." Albus answered, "The other schools are required to do the same."
"Do we stay in the castle or what?" Sirius asked
"I'm sorry but I just don't have room for all of you to stay." Albus frowned, "Durmstrang stays on their ship and Beauxbatons stays in their carriage."
"Tell me whose crazy idea it was to have this tournament?" Lily huffed.
"The minister asked Barty Crouch to come up with something to raise spirits after the World Cup disaster." Albus sighed, "He is the head of the Department for International Magical Cooperation now. They moved him away from the Aurors when they lost faith in his ability to fight death eaters."
"Who was that man with him?" Harry asked speaking at last.
"His son, why?" Albus asked.
"I've seen him before at the Manor." He offered quietly.
"What?" James yelled.
"I've seen him at Lestrange Manor." Harry said with more force, "He is a death eater."
"He was picked as a guard for the cup." Albus sighed, "He probably was the one that put your name in. Did he know you recognized him?"
"No, I pretended he didn't exist." Harry said, "I also noticed he was hiding slightly behind his father."
"We'll need to keep a close eye on him. Is he marked?" Albus asked.
"He should be but I never saw it." Harry frowned, unsure of himself.
"What are your thoughts on why Harry?" Remus asked.
"Any number of reasons." Albus offered, "They want him back or dead is the most probable choice."
"I doubt he'll leave it up to others." Harry said, "They already failed to keep hold of me. If they take me back I'm sure it will be straight to Voldemort to get killed."
"We have only three of his items." Sirius pointed out, "We need to find the others."
"There is the possibility that he hasn't finished them too." Remus reminded them, "We won't know for sure until he is dead."
As they began to leave Albus reminded them, "You need to arrive in style tomorrow and have a place to live on grounds."
"Don't even think about it." Lily scowled at Sirius' evil grin.
"But Lily-flower, it's a stupendous idea." Sirius laughed.
"Stupid idea." She grumbled, "We are not flying in on your motorbike, deathtrap thing."
"That does sound fun." Harry grinned at his father, "Can we?"
"No I'm sorry I want to live to see you win the tournament." James quelled under his wife's glare.
Remus and James had spent the evening revitalizing the shrieking shack and improving the secret passage to it. They also came up closer to Hagrids house rather than at the whomping willow. Much to Lily's horror Harry did arrive at Hogwarts on the back on Sirius' motor bike. All three schools were in attendance when they landed and pulled to a stop right beside Dumbledore, Madam Maxine and Rangovich, the last two he had been introduced to at the meeting the night before. Harry greeted each of them and then moved on to the three other champions and shook each of their hands before joining them in facing the rest of the schools. Harry noticed several scowls on faces most notable Severus Snape and all the Slytherins he stood in front of. Dumbledore's speech didn't stop the glares even as they all marched in to have dinner.
Four new chairs were at the professors table and Harry was directed to take a spot anywhere. He chose to set between Neville Longbottom and Ginny Weasley. The rest of the Weasleys arranged themselves around them and they all began to chat. Many tried to get close and ask questions but the Weasley barrier was enough to keep them at arm's length. It wasn't until after dinner that the barrier was breached and it was from behind.
"Potter you'd do well to remember some wizards are better than others." Draco Malfoy approached from behind.
"Well I couldn't possibly forget that." Harry turned to him, "So I made sure to set with the best."
"Snappy comeback, you do remember me don't you? The one person who always beat you at everything." Draco sneered.
"Oh, I remember. Sometimes I had a harder time trying to lose to you than I would have ever had winning." He smiled many chuckles came from the Gryffindor table behind him.
"You don't remember then." Draco drawled, "How about a snitch battle to help you remember."
"Oh you are so on." Harry grinned, "When and where?"
"Well the quidditch pitch obviously." He sneered, "How about now?"
"Is that permissible Professor?" Harry addressed the person over Draco's shoulder.
The blond spun around to find his own head of house standing behind him. Draco turned back with a ready nasty remark until he heard Professor McGonagall's voice answer, "I don't see why not. You will need the permission of your Headmaster."
Harry looked to his father who nodded, "Go ahead and have fun."
"I'll just get my broom." Draco smiled viciously, "I hope you can match a Nimbus 2001."
"I'll do my best." Harry replied, "First one to the snitch or best two out of three?"
"I'll give you a good sporting chance." Draco turned away, "Best two out of three."
Many Hogwarts students and a few teachers gathered on the pitch to watch the hilariously outmatched seeker battle. Draco tried to keep up with Harry on his Nimbus 2000 but he was left behind in the dust as Harry caught both snitches within a few minutes of them being let go.
"You cheated." Draco accused after the second one was caught.
"I did not." Harry grinned, "I told you I was better, I didn't even use my good broom."
Draco pulled his wand and shot a hex at Harry but his shield was there and waiting.
"Mr. Malfoy, that will be a month's worth of detentions with me." McGonagall yelled as she approached.
Draco was livid as he was forcefully drug off the pitch by his head of house and followed by McGonagall. The rest of the school seemed to want to congratulate him in one way or another. He managed to avoid being kissed at least three times. Finally Ginny made her way through the crowd and he pulled her into a hug and kept her there. Before long the rest of the students left Harry and the Weasleys on the pitch.
"Ginny, mum says they always have a ball at Christmas for this thing, will you go with me?" he asked.
"Of course." She replied, " I have to save you from those horrid witches somehow."
"Well done Harry." Lily approached.
"Still think you would have had fun with my advice." Sirius added.
"Even James told him not to listen to you." Remus threw his arm over Sirius' shoulder, "Waiting to see who was desperate enough to go with him was not a good idea."
"Nice flying." James helped him change the subject.
"Thanks, I've been waiting to do that for years." Harry grinned, "I even warned him properly."
"You'll need to watch your back really good now." Sirius informed him.
"Like I didn't have to watch it before?" Harry asked sarcastically, "I'm sure as soon as my name came out all those DE wanna bes got their orders. It is at least watch and report. Worst case scenario is kill on sight."
"Don't say that." Ginny and Lily stated in the same tone of voice.
"Sorry." Harry cringed, "Sirius have you had any word?"
"I have." He grinned.
"On what?" James and Lily asked together.
"Well Harry had a thought after the world cup." Sirius began, "He thought that if Lucius was given the book to protect and deliver at the right time then maybe Bellatrix had one too."
"She keeps everything of value in her vault. She wants to be seen waltzing in and out of the bank. It shows how much better she is to everyone else." Harry replied, "If she has one, it's in the vault."
"What have you planned?" Remus asked dubiously.
"Just a little thing." Sirius grinned madly, "We're suing Bellatrix for abduction and torture."
"Why?" Ginny asked the others had forgotten the Weasleys were present.
"Isn't she already wanted for that crime?" Fred and George asked together.
"But she hasn't paid for her crime yet." Sirius said, "We're suing for her vault. It's already been frozen so she can't remove anything via post. She has to show up to keep us out."
"You are a genius Padfoot." James yelled jumping on his friend.
"I know." He replied with a laugh.
"Padfoot?" Fred gasped.
"As in Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs?" George added.
"In the flesh." Sirius stood straighter, "Do you have it on you?"
"We don't go anywhere with it." Fred huffed as if insulted.
"Can I see it?" Harry asked, "I've heard about it for years."
"On one condition." George said, "Who are the rest?"
"Remus is Moony, Dad is Prongs and a stupid cowardly rat was Wormtail but his nickname and Marauder status has been revoked since he is a slimy traitor." Harry explained.
"Good enough." Fred said and fell to his knees, "Tell us everything you know."
"Please!" George added as he fell to his knees.
"Don't encourage them boys." Lily grumbled.
"We have to encourage mischief." Sirius said in shock.
"I didn't mean that." She snickered, "I meant the twins shouldn't encourage you."
"Oh I'm going to revoke your Marauderette status." He threatened.
"I never wanted it." She claimed, "Besides, James gave it to me so only James can take it away."
Ginny had been very quiet during this exchange. Harry looked at her and his laughter at the twins died in his throat, "What's wrong?"
"There is something else like that book?" she whispered.
"There is but we're finding them all and destroying them so no one else can get hurt by them." Harry replied before pulling her away a little, "Do you know of any hidden rooms or places to hide important things in Hogwarts?"
"I can't think of any place off hand." She replied thoughtfully, "Why, do you think there is another one here?"
"I do, but they don't agree." Harry indicated his parents, "They don't think he could have gotten past Dumbledore to leave anything here."
"Well I can understand their logic." She pointed out.
"Yes but he did go to school here did he not?" Harry smirked, "He could have done it when he was a student."
"Good point." She conceded, "I'll ask Hermione."
"Who is that?" he asked, "That's from Shakespeare."
"You read muggle stuff?" she asked.
"Only because Bellatrix would hate it." He waved her off.
"Ok, anyway Hermione is a friend that is in Ron's year." She explained, "Top of every class. Even beats Draco on potions tests. Snape hates her."
"Sounds like the perfect person to ask." Harry laughed.
"Want to come with me?" she asked.
"Mum can I go with Ginny for a while?" he called over.
"Fine, meet us at Hagrids in an hour." She called back.
The two teens left at a run and at the doors turned opposite ways. The both stopped and looked at each other with raised eyebrows, "Top of every class, isn't she in Ravenclaw?"
"No Gryffindor but she'll be in the library." Ginny laughed at his surprise.
"A smart Gryffindor, what is the world coming to?" he walked beside her to the library where they found the bushy haired girl that had been beside Ginny at dinner.
"Hey." Ginny sat down first.
"Who won?" Hermione hadn't looked up.
"I did of course." Harry huffed, "Like I could lose to that idiot."
Hermione looked up and smiled, "I'm Hermione Granger, I sat…"
"Beside Ginny at dinner, I remember." He finished for her, "Nice to meet you."
"So why aren't you two still on the pitch?" She grinned at her friend, "The sun is still up."
"Hush you." Ginny blushed slightly, "I need to ask you a question."
"Alright." Hermione shut her book and gave them her full attention.
"Is there a secret room in Hogwarts?" she asked
"There is one legend called the Room of Requirement or the Come and Go Room." She answered, "They talk about it in Hogwarts: A History. It's rumored to be able to become anything you need. But no one knows where it is."
"Of course not otherwise it wouldn't be a secret legendary room." Harry chuckled lightly, "I'm curious that you didn't mention the Chamber of Secrets."
"It isn't a secret room." Hermione shrugged, "It was opened last year. Supposedly people from the Ministry have been studying it. If you don't mind me asking, why do you need that room?"
"Something was hidden there more than a decade ago and I want to get it." Harry explained then amended, "At least I think it's there."
"What are you going to do with it if you find it?" she asked looking accusingly at him.
"Give it to Dumbledore." He replied with as much truth as he could give, "I just want to be the one that finds it."
"I would like to know what it is." She stated, "If I'm going to help you I'd like to know what I'm looking for."
Thinking quickly Harry explained, "Each founder had an item that is now famous. I don't know which one it might be but I have every reason to think that either the founder or one of the heirs placed it there."
"And you'll give it to Dumbledore if you find it?" she asked skeptically.
"Most definitely." He stated, "I'll give you a wizard's vow on my magic if you want."
"No, not necessary." She waved him off, "I don't need that much. Your word will do."
Harry's watch beeped and he looked at it, "I have to go now but I'll probably start looking tomorrow or the next day. Ginny you want to meet me somewhere after breakfast and we can start?"
"Sure." She smiled at him.
"Can I come too?" Hermione asked, "I would love to see that room."
"Sure the more the merrier and hopefully that will make it easier to find." Harry stood and Ginny followed him.
"I'll talk to you later." She waved at Hermione as they left. Hermione waved back.
Harry didn't mention the conversation or the reason he spent so much time at the castle over the next months. His family thought he was just spending time with Ginny and while he was they were doing something important. He didn't see much of Ron and the twins since they were busy with their own friends. None of them knew they were looking for the room. Hermione spent a good bit of time with them and made them promise that if they found it while she wasn't there that they would show her the room later.
Things were progressing well for Harry. The lawsuit had been approved and they had an appointment to look into the vault on the weekend. His schooling was doing well, the only down side was attending fourth year Runes and Arithmancy. He was so far ahead on those subjects that he was bored stiff in classes. Finally he was getting to know Ginny better and getting to spend time with her along with his new friend Hermione.
The day they visited Gringots to see the vault James was carrying the basilisk venom in the diamond vial. After they had looked over the vault for a while Sirius took it and stepped to the back of the room where Harry was standing.
"Sirius." James tried to stop him without being noticed.
Sirius ignored him and went towards Harry who looked rather grey in the face. Before James could move towards him they heard a horrendous screech and for a few seconds there were billows of smoke that surrounded Sirius and Harry. James tried to fight his way through but stopped when Sirius and Harry stumbled out of the smoke coughing.
"Sirius, be more careful." Harry chided and moved to look over another section.
"What happened?" the Goblin that was keeping an eye on them asked.
"I just knocked over something and it didn't like it." Sirius waved a hand in front of his face. When the goblin stepped back Sirius slipped the vial back into James' pocket and whispered, "Cup is done."
"Good." He replied in a whisper then louder continued, "Have you found any of the Black family things you want to take?"
"No most of that is dark anyway. I'd say just pull out all the galleons and leave the rest." He shrugged.
"Sounds like a good plan." James agreed, "Harry what do you think?"
"Anything is good, I just want to get out of here." He shivered and stepped closer to his father.
"Right, step outside with your mother and we'll handle this part." James patted his back.
Harry nodded and left. Upon reaching his mother he hugged her and whispered, "Cup."
The group returned to Hogwarts after dark. As they were walking back to the door that led to the shack Sirius turned and smiled, "I think I'm going to see Hagrid."
"Can I come?" Harry asked.
"Sure." Sirius rubbed the hair on his head, "Anyone else?"
"Be back by eight please." Lily admonished them as the other three headed in.
"So what did you see?" Harry asked as they waved the others off.
"Rangovich was just sneaking into the forest from by their ship and Madam Maxine was setting off for a walk through the forest with Hagrid." Sirius stated, "If they're going to know and tell their champion then we should be able to do the same."
Harry agreed with his logic and turned himself invisible but held on to Sirius' shirt so the man would know where he was. They didn't walk for long before Harry felt a chill run over his skin and identified it as a ward of some kind. Once past it he could hear roars and see flashes of light. Another few moments and he found himself staring at four huge dragons.
"Merlin." Sirius muttered.
A jet of fire got a little to close and Harry pulled Sirius back away from the animals. Once far enough away he tried to talk to Sirius, "I've got to go tell Cedric Diggory. Sirius, listen to me." The man finally looked down, "I'm headed to the castle to tell Cedric. Stay at the pitch until I get back and then we'll head in for the night."
Sirius nodded numbly and headed in the direction Harry told him to go. Meanwhile Harry headed in and found Cedric just leaving the Great Hall after dinner.