I have to say, it's exciting to see so many people reading this story. It's motivating to me as well with about 1500 views on this story so far! It's invigorating. Now don't get too used to these updates because I only really have the time when I'm off and my wife is at work. But again, I appreciate your patience and hope that you enjoy the forthcoming chapter!

Chapter 5

Man this was a fun year. Ginny sat in an armchair with Harry. Her second year had just ended and she was ecstatic. She had a short summer a head of her with Harry and Draco, and then she'd go off to her third year and get to see the Triwizard Tournament! There would be two other schools staying at Hogwarts and participating. There would be three champions, one from each school, and the best part, anyone could enter. She wanted to enter but she wasn't sure that she'd get chosen. "Hey Harry, are you going to enter the Triwizard Tournament?" Harry grinned. "Of course I am." That sealed it, if she didn't get chosen, then she knew that Harry would! "Draco says he'll just watch." Ginny snorted. She liked Draco well enough, but he was a bit of a coward sometimes. "You know Gin, we're getting a little big for this armchair." Ginny arched an eyebrow at him. "What are you implying Mr. Potter?" Harry kept a straight face. "Well, it might be more comfortable if you sat on my lap." Ginny cocked her head at him before shrugging and getting up, only to get back on Harry's lap. "How's this Harry?" Harry's eyes went wide. He had not expected her to do that. "M-much better." Ginny just grinned as she wiggled on his lap. "Ginny!" She just giggled at his discomfort, she liked to tease him.

Grimmauld Place….

The meeting hall was filled with members of the Order of The Phoenix. As everyone talked they didn't notice the door open and an old beggar walk into the meeting hall. He cleared his throat loudly, silencing the hall. After a few waves of his wand, Albus Dumbledore stood in place of the beggar. His expression was unreadable. "What news do we have on the Triwizard Tournament?" Severus stepped forward. "Durmstrang and Beauxbaton are on their way now. Karkaroff is anticipating the tournament but Mrs. Maxime is apprehensive about the lack of an age limit." Albus nodded. "Indeed anyone of any age could enter." Snape nodded. "I know for a fact that both harry and Ginny plan to put their names into the Goblet of Fire." Molly bit back a sob. Sirius flashed her a sympathetic look. "So what do we do?" Albus smiled. "We have a plan and it all depends on Severus here." Snape nodded. "Everything will be in place by the third event." Albus smiled. "Excellent, now all we have to do is hope that everything goes as planned."

September 1st…..

As Harry and Ginny impatiently waited for the other two schools to make their entrance, Ginny was busy glaring at a second year girl who had tried to make a pass at Harry on the way to the castle. Harry had ignored her but he couldn't help but smirk at Ginny's reaction. While the two weren't officially a couple, Harry wasn't interested in any other girl and from what he had witnessed, Ginny wasn't interested in any other boys. Harry's thought process was interrupted as the doors burst open and the Durmstrang students entered the hall. While every girl (and some guys) were gawking at the Durmstrang boys, Ginny snorted. "Showboats." Harry nearly burst out laughing which earned a glare from one of the students they recognized to be Viktor Krum, seeker for the Bulgarian quidditch team. "He's a real riot that one." Draco smirked at the silent exchange. Harry's eyes had clouded over. He was returning Krum's glare with equal force. After the introductions were made the Beauxbatons made their entrance dancing which earned a sneer from Bellatrix. "I take it your mum doesn't like the show either." Ginny giggled. After the introductions were done and everyone seated, Bellatrix stood. "Welcome to Hogwarts! As you all know, this year Hogwarts is hosting the Triwizard Tournament! Each school will have one champion for a total of three. The champions will have to face three dangerous tasks! The winner will receive the Triwizard Cup and 5000 Galleons!" Everyone's jaws dropped at the amount although Harry and Ginny just snorted. They had plenty of money in their own vaults. Harry got his from his inheritance from his parents. Ginny got hers from the Lestranges. She was the heiress along with Amy. So the amount didn't bother her or Harry. She looked over to Amy and saw her roll her eyes. "You have exactly one week to enter your name into the Goblet. So if you think you're brave enough, then step forward and enter your name this week and we'll see how tough you are."

The silent chatter that broke out clearly showed the excitement, and slight fear of everyone there. Harry simply snorted while Ginny rolled her eyes. "I could care less about the money but the challenge would be fun." Ginny nodded in agreement. "I wonder what the three challenges will constitute." Harry shrugged. "I guess we'll find out."

Later that night while the two lie awake in Harry's bed they couldn't help but wonder why this year felt so different. Harry was desperately trying not to think about how Ginny felt lying next to him. It felt good, too good as he felt a certain part of his body warm up to the idea. He quickly reasserted his self-control and eventually, he drifted off to sleep. Ginny just smiled at the effect she had on him before she too fell asleep.

The next week went by quickly. Harry and Ginny both put their names in at the same time and hoped that the Goblet would push out one of their names for the tournament. All of their classes went well. They excelled in Dark Arts and Potions. It helped of course that Severus Snape tutored them over the summers and had since they were young. Transfiguration also proved to be no problem since both children had mastered their animagus forms years back. One of Harry's favorite torture methods was to turn someone into a rodent and hold them over Gini, threatening to feed them to her. Pettigrew were among his favorites to torment. Ginny enjoyed watching.

The evening before the Choosing Ceremony, Harry and Ginny sat in the Common Room in front of the fire. "Dark Arts was extremely boring except that Amycus keeps glaring in my direction. I'm getting quite fed up with it." Ginny snorted. "He just ignores me. But Harry, you do remember what we did to him don't you?" Harry grinned. "How could I forget?"

Two months before Ginny's first year began…..

Harry was storming the halls of Malfoy Manor in a foul mood. Ginny had gone to the loo and had been gone much too long. He wouldn't normally worry if they were at the Lestrange Manor or where he resided with the Dark Lord. But considering the number of deatheaters that frequented Malfoy Manor, most of which he didn't trust as far as he could throw them, he worried about Ginny being gone too long. Not that she couldn't take care of herself, he just didn't like the idea of her having to defend herself against any of the foul beasts that sometimes roamed these halls. As he came to where the loo was he heard a shout. He broke into a run until he stopped at the sight in front of him and fell down to the floor laughing. There stood an enraged Ginny, clothing slightly ruffled, and on the floor in front of her was Amycus Carrow, holding the spot where his bits used to be while blood oozed from between his fingers. On the floor next to him were his bits. "That's what you get for trying to shove your wanker in my face!" Ginny was furious.

"Y-you bitch! I-I'll get you for this!" Harry stopped laughing as his rage from earlier came back full force. His wand shot to his hand. "You won't be getting anyone you stupid pervert. Crucio!" Amycus howled in pain as Harry tormented him for several long minutes. Afterwards, the Carrowbrother lay twitching on the floor while Harry stood over him. "All of this happened because you were tempted by what your eyes saw. Why don't we rectify that?" Amycus' eyes widened in fear as, with a flick of his wand, Harry yanked Amycus' right eyeball right out of its socket. Amycus screamed in pain while Harry and Ginny just laughed and Harry set the eyeball on fire along with his severed bits.

Present day….

The duo laughed at the memory. "That was a well-aimed cutting curse wasn't it?" Harry just nodded as he howled in laughter. "I've never seen a man scream so loud in all my life Gin!" Ginny grinned. "Well he shouldn't have tried to have his way with me!" Harry stopped laughing and nodded. "I'll kill the first one that tries it." Ginny put her hand on his shoulder. "That is if I don't get them first." Harry grinned.

The day of the Choosing Ceremony went by far too slowly for Harry's taste. He was ready to see if the Goblet would spit his name out. Dark Arts was a bore and he simply glared at Amycus because he wouldn't stop glaring at Harry. After class, Harry decided to set the record straight. "What do you want brat?" Amycus practically spat. Harry merely arched his brow, trying to keep his temper in check. "I'd appreciate it if you stop glaring at me, or maybe I should take your other eye as well." Amycus shuddered at the thought and suddenly looked scared. "Very good then. Stop glaring at me, in fact, just do like you've done Ginny and don't look at me at all, or you'll end up walking around with a walking stick for the rest of your life, however short it may be." Amycus nodded weakly.

That night, as everyone sat in anticipation, Bellatrix got up to the podium. "Now for what we have all been waiting for! I would like to remind the would be competitors that when this Goblet spouts your name, you are entered into a magical contract. The penalty for breaking this contract is death! Now then, let's get the show on the road!" Harry watched as the Dark Lord himself looked on in anticipation as the flames seemed to grow bright before releasing a piece of parchment. Bellatrix caught it and read it aloud. "For Durmstrang, Viktor Krum!" The Durmstrang students cheered and pound their feet as Krum was directed into a room off from the Great Hall. Then, as the flames grew bright once more, a piece of parchment was spat out. "For Beauxbatons, Fleur Delacour!" The Beauxbatons cheered as the smug girl got up and walked off the same way Krum went, with most of the eyes of the boys following her. Ginny scowled. She looked over at Harry who looked at everyone irritably. "The weak willed fools. If you get caught by the Veela charm then you are weak." Ginny looked shocked. "She's a Veela?" Harry shook his head. "She's only a half Veela but the pull is still strong." Harry silenced himself as the flames spat out one more piece of parchment. "For Hogwarts, Harry Potter!" She had a gleeful smile on her face as all of Slytherin house cheered in excess. Harry gave Ginny's hand a squeeze before going to join the other two champions.

"Vat is this!?" The question came from Krum as Harry walked through the doors followed by Bellatrix. "He iz a little boy!" Harry struggled to reclaim control of his rage. He couldn't believe that French twat had just called him a little boy! Bellatrix just sneered. "This little boy was trained by the Dark Lord himself and is his son so if I were you brats I'd be showing a little more RESPECT!" Indeed, Voldemort walked forward and regarded the other two champions coolly. "I expect you to respect each other when you're not competing. That includes everyone in each respective school. I will warn you though, Harry has a rather nasty temper. I'd try not to provoke him if I were you." The other champions nodded. "Very good. Now that you have all met, you may go back to your common rooms and prepare for the first task as it takes place in two months." Everyone nodded and began to file out. Harry felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see his father looking at him. "Make me proud Harry."

As the students all walked towards their common room, Ginny and Draco slowly walked along, waiting for Harry to catch up. "You do know Ginny, that there's the Yule Ball coming up during the Christmas time in honor of the Tournament." Ginny arched a brow. "Are you asking me to go with you?" Draco snorted. "Heavens no, Harry would castrate me. No, I'm going with Astoria Greengrass." Ginny grinned. "Isn't she in Amy's year?" Draco laughed. "Yes well, we're in a marriage contract she and I. We're to marry as soon as she comes of marrying age, which is 14." Ginny nodded in understanding. "How do you feel about that?" Draco shrugged. "I'm fine with it. The Greengrass family is prominent and Astoria and I get along quite well." Ginny nodded in understanding. "So, is Harry going to ask you?" Ginny shrugged. "I'm not sure. I'd like to think there's something between us. I certainly know how I feel about and I think he feels the same. I guess we'll just have to wait and see." Draco nodded. "Hey Weasley!" Ginny groaned as she caught sight of a blond haired boy running up to her. "Cormac McLaggen? What are you doing this far away from the Gryffindor Common Room?" Cormack grinned pompously. "Well, you see there is a Yule Ball being held around Christmas in honor of the Tournament and I'd like you to accompany me." He smiled pompously while he waited or Ginny to give her answer.

"Just what in the bloody blue hell do you want McLaggen?!" Cormack lost his grin and he paled considerably as Harry walked up, clearly irritated. "You know Cormack, I was in a good mood. I was walking up here thinking on how I was going to ask Ginny to go to the Ball with me, and I see your pompous arse trying to squeeze your way in. I know your reputation McLaggen and if you think for a moment that you're going to treat Ginny like some piece of equipment you've got another thing coming!" Ginny could barely contain her grin. "Why Harry I'd love to go with you!" Cormack looked like he'd been slapped with a bludger. "B-but I asked you first!" Ginny snorted. "McLaggen, I have a list of people whom I consider worthy to go to the Ball with me. Unfortunately for you, the only person on that list just asked me and it certainly isn't you." McLaggen was peeved. "Y-you little whore!" He never got to say anything else. His face was suddenly covered in large bat wings. He screamed and took off towards the hospital wing. Harry and Draco laughed. "Served that idiot right eh Harry?" Harry and Ginny wasn't really listening. They were grinning at each other. "Oh bollucks." Draco muttered to himself as Harry and Ginny linked arms and walked towards the Slytherin Common Room.

I know I introduced the Yule Ball kind of early but I really couldn't wait to write that confrontation. Originally it was going to be Michael Corner, Ginny's first boyfriend in the canon. But I really hated McLaggen so I figured this would be far more fun to write. And of course I couldn't leave out Ginny's infamous Bat Bogey Hex! That would have been a crime! Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. Don't forget to review or PM me if you have any questions, suggestions, or criticisms!