To all those who are following, liking, and sending me encouraging comments, thank you so much! It really gives me a lot of motivation to keep going.
Finally everyone was gathered in the Great Hall with the students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. Harry found himself next to Viktor Krum, who took a quick glance at him before returning to conversation with his fellow students. Dinner began and Harry heard Ronald going on about one of the Beauxbaton girls being a Veela. He followed the red-head's gaze to a beautiful girl and felt his cheeks heat up as he realized once again that whatever was "Veela" about her didn't affect him at all. Theodore nudged him slightly and gave him what Harry assumed was a reassuring look and Harry smiled back before returning to his meal.
Then the Goblet of Fire was introduced and Harry had to laugh a little as he had heard earlier of Draco planning to convince the judge with some galleons. It seemed the boy's plan wouldn't be working now.
"Smart." Theodore snorted as they started out of the hall. "Using that goblet."
"Yeah, it is." Harry grinned. "Bet the twins will still try though."
"Definitely."
Sleep came difficult and Harry and Theodore ended up sneaking out onto the grounds to enjoy the moonlight night.
"I hope this year is better than the last three." Harry sighed as he sat down on a rock. "I mean, it'd be nice to have a NORMAL year here at Hogwarts."
"Not normal this year either really." Theo continued to stand, staring out over the lake. "Hey, reckon it's bright enough for you?"
"Bright enough?" Harry asked, confused.
"To fly." Theodore turned and winked at him. "As a falcon."
"Oh." Harry jumped up and grinned. "I reckon it is, actually."
Smiling deviously, Theodore knelt down and transformed into the small fanged deer known as a Chinese Water Deer, which was his Animagus form. Harry, a Peregrin falcon, was distinct from other falcons in both the lightning bolt scar on his forehead and white markings around his eyes reminiscent of his glasses. Theo, on the other hand, didn't seem to have any distinguishing qualities besides the brilliant blue of his eyes.
Harry also turned and spreading his wings to get the feel of it he gazed out into the gloom of the night. Even with the bright silver of the moon outlining everything, he still couldn't see particularly well as a falcon. Falcon eyes were incredibly sensitive to details and used sunlight to see several more colors than human eyes. Moonlight simply wasn't strong enough and caused shadows to be darker and highlights to be brighter. It was like staring at a fading black and white picture where the shapes were reduced to their basic forms.
He gave a short cry and then took off into the air, hoping his poorer sight wouldn't cause him problems tonight. Keeping low to the ground, he flew a short distance ahead of Theo and landed on a branch to wait for the bounding deer. Standing beside Harry again, Theo gave a snort and nuzzled the falcon's side.
This was their typical night outing (not that they'd had many) where Harry would stay close to his much larger companion mostly because he couldn't see in this terrible dark. Theo, with his greater night vision and other high senses, was more prepared for the night than Harry and Harry found himself relying on him.
That night was the easiest Harry had felt since his nightmare back on Privet Drive.
The next day was full of excitement as people submitted their names to the Goblet of Fire, some, such as the twins, sprouting beards after their attempts. Rumors were soaring around about who was entering and constant bickering abounded over who people thought was the best of the candidates. Naturally, the Durmstrang and Beauxbaton students didn't participate in this squabble.
Finally, the time came for the selection of the competitors.
"The champion for Durmstrang will be Viktor Krum. The champion for Beauxbatons is Fleur Delacour! The Hogwarts champion is Cedric Diggory!"
The excitement in the hall over the selection was deafening and Harry covered his ears despite grinning like a fool. A Hufflepuff was going to be Hogwarts' champion. Things couldn't get more amusing.
"Excellent! 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..."
Dumbledore stopped talking, eyes fixated on the fire in the goblet which had just turned red. Another piece of paper shot out of the goblet and Dumbledore caught it, cleared his throat and read, "Harry Potter."
Short and sweet this time. Hope you don't mind. We all saw this coming of course. :P