After Limbo
Chapter Four
It was time for Defense against the Dark Arts. It was all Harry could do not to pounce on the thing that pretended to be Moody.
"Ministry malcontent. And your new defence against the dark arts teacher. I'm here because Dumbledore asked me, end of story, goodbye, the end. Any questions?
When it comes to the dark arts, I believe in a practical approach. But first, which of you can tell me how many unforgivable curses there are?" Moody began.
"Three sir" Hermione said quietly.
"And they are so named?" Moody asked.
"Because they are unforgivable. Use of any one of them will..." Hermione trailed off.
"Will earn you a one way ticket to Azkaban. Correct. Now the ministry says you're too young to see what these curses do. I say different! You need to know what
you're up against, you need to be prepared, you need to find somewhere else to put your chewing gum other than the underside of your desk Mr Finnigan!" Harry rolled his eyes. It was tough, learning things he'd already learned. He tuned out Seamus and Mad-Eye until Hermione shook him. He jolted to see everyone staring at him. He rolled his eyes again. Class was over.
"Let's go" He muttered to Hermione. Ron was shooting dark glances at them as they left, but they paid him no mind.
"I can't believe he performed those curses in class" Hermione fumed. Harry sighed.
"He's not really Moody" Harry whispered. Hermione turned to stare at him.
"Are you sure?" She asked. He nodded. She grabbed him by the arm. "Why haven't you told anyone?"
"Because I need to get into that tournament" Harry hissed. "I need to finish Voldemort off once and for all"
"I thought you said you couldn't do that until all the horcurxes are destroyed" Hermione said frowning.
"Exactly" Harry said. Hermione studied his face.
"You're up to something" She said finally. Harry nodded.
"I intend to destroy the horcruxes" He said. Hermione cocked her head.
"Do you even know where they are?" She asked.
"Hermione, do you trust me?" Harry asked.
"Of course I do, Harry" She said automatically.
"Then don't worry" He said kissing her cheek. She watched him walk away and sighed. That was easier said than done.
Students sat and watched as the older students put their names in the goblet.
"Eternal glory, be brilliant wouldn't it? In three years from now we'll be old enough to be chosen" Ron muttered to Seamus Finnigan. Harry and Hermione over heard him and Harry smirked slightly.
"I don't know if I'd want to" Seamus replied.
Just then the twins arrived and some of the Gryffindors cheered.
"Thank you thank you, well lads we've done it" George said bositerously.
"Cooked it up just this morning" Fred announced uncorking a vial. Hermione smirked.
"It's not going to work" She said in a sing song voice. Fred and George sat on either side of her.
"Oh yeah? And why's that Granger" Fred asked draping an arm over her shoulder.
"You see this?" Hermione said, pointing to the floor. "This is an age line. Dumbledore drew it himself" George raised an eyebrow.
"So?" He quriked.
"So a genius like Dumbledore couldn't possibly be fooled by something pathetically dimwitted such as an age potion" Hermione scoffed. Harry rolled his eyes when she said genius.
"That's why it's so brilliant" George said. He turned to his brother. "Ready Gred?" He asked.
"Ready Forge?" Fred replied back. they drank the potion and jumped inside the age line, and cheered. They put their names in the flame and did a high-five. The flame fired up and they were flung across the room onto the floor. When they got up they have full heads of grey hair and beards. The crowd roared with laughter, but everyone grew silent as Viktor Krum walked in and placed his name in the flames. He looked at Hermione and she smiled slightly.
A week later it was time to see just who the champions were.
"Sit down please. And now the moment you've all been waiting for, the champions selection!" Dumbledore approached the blue flame and it glowed red. A name came out. Everyone looked on anxiously.
"The Durmstrang champion is ... Viktor Krum!" Dumbledore announced. The Durmstrang crowd cheered. Another name came out. "The champion from Beauxbatons... Fleur Delacour" The Beauxbatons girls cheered as Fleur walked up. Another name came out. "The Hogwarts champion... Cedric Diggory" The Hogwarts pupils cheered as Cedric took the stage. "Excellent! we now have our three champions! But in the end only one will go down in history. Only one will hoist this chalice of champions, this vessel of victory the tri-wizard cup!" People cheered, but the goblet glowed red once more and another name flew out. Dumbledore took it and read...
"Harry Potter" He sounded confused.
"This is it" Harry whispered to Hermione. "Wish me luck" Hermione nodded and pecked him on the cheek.
Harry slowly walked up to the stage. Dumbledore gave him the paper. Voices in the crowd shouted out.
"He's a cheat! He's not even seventeen yet" It sounded like Malfoy, but Harry didn't care. He walked into the room where the other champions were and waited for Dumbledore.
Dumbledore burst in and grabbed Harry.
"Harry! Did you put your name in the goblet of fire?" He shouted. Harry glared at Dumbledore and pulled away.
"No sir" He snapped. Dumbledore looked surprised at the coldness in Harry's voice.
"Did you ask one of the older students to do it for you?" He asked.
"No sir" Harry replied.
"You're absolutely sure?" Dumbledore questioned, studying Harry's face.
"Yes sir" Harry replied.
"Well of course he is lying" Madame Maxime said grumpily. Harry pulled out his wand.
"I swear on my life and my magic that I did not enter the tournament" He said. A flash of gold surrounded him and Madame Maxime looked sheepish. "There is your answer" Harry said. "I know that I am under age, but I can compete in this tournament and rest assured I will figure out who entered me and why" His narrowed eyes locked with Moody's, who took a quick swig of pumpkin juice. "Will that be all?"
The adults were shocked. Mcgonagall turned to Barty.
"The rules are absolute, the goblet of fire constitutes a binding magical contract. Mr Potter has no choice, he is as of tonight... a tri-wizards champion" Barty replied. "You are all free to go" Harry nodded and left the room. He needed some time to think.