Chapter 16: A Champion Once Again
October thirtieth rolled around which rolled in the arrival of the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students. Harry was less than impressed with the whole arrival ceremony, he stood next to Hermione and Neville neither of which were all that excited. Draco however was jumping up and down like an excited little kid at the thought of seeing Victor Krum in person. "Black relax!" Harry grumbled to the blonde, "Look, as a fellow famous person I can guarantee he probably doesn't like it when people overly faun over him. Just give him kind praise and then treat him like a normal guy or you'll annoy him."
"Seriously?" Draco looked to Harry with a slight confused expression, "I figured all famous people liked to be fawned over, you know like Lockhart."
"Drake," Harry said using the new nickname he started calling him by, "Lockhart was a talentless hack who wanted praise. Anyone with real talent more than likely hates being treated more special than they actually are."
"Oh…well I guess I'll try my best…" Draco said the group then joined their respected houses at the table for the feast. Just as before the Beauxbatons students sat with the Ravenclaw's while Durmstrang sat with the Slytherin's, however this go around Draco did not pester Krum this time. Harry watched and the pair of them seemed to be having a pleasant chat rather than one side conversation Harry witnessed in his last life.
Harry then rolled his eyes and groaned when Dumbledore began his big speech before revealing the Goblet of Fire. Harry looked at Severus once the reveal was done. They had a plan. They knew Crouch Jr. would be getting Harry's name in the Goblet. Whether he did it himself or Imperius Crouch Sr. to do it they weren't sure, Severus would be using Harry's cloak tonight to watch the goblet. Harry was fairly certain that magical eye and Dumbledore's glasses could see through his cloak in his last life, this had been curious to him. It made no sense for a gift from THE Death could be seen through by mere magical eye or magical glasses.
Over the summer Harry summoned the resurrection stone, and as Death promised the moment Harry touched it the soul piece shattered into dust. Sirius, Hermione, Remus, and Severus watched in astonishment when this happened. The stone turned from obsidian black to a crystal clear diamond. Then right in front of everyone's eyes he summoned his parents. The spectral forms of Lily and James Potter stood in front of them. Sirius and Remus both hit the floor and sobbed at their feet. James and Lily's ghosts tried to calm them down but they weren't able to touch them. Severus just stood before Lily and cried blubbering how sorry he was.
After what felt like forever the trio calmed enough to have a proper conversation. Harry asked his father about the cloak and why it seemed Dumbledore and Moody were able to see through Death's cloak. James scoffed and told him Dumbledore tampered with the cloak. James showed them a single thread that did not match the slivery silky material. It was a red thread, James explained that the thread was soaked in Dumbledore's blood and it caused the magic of the cloak to be hindered. Severus, having the most steady hand, slowly removed the thread. James assured them with that thread gone NO ONE not even Death would be able to see the wearer.
With the cloak returned to its natural state it was once again the ultimate way to hide oneself so Severus would be able to stand right next to the Goblet without being seen by anyone. Harry wanted definitive proof via a memory that he was forced into this tournament. He wasn't going to have anyone try claiming he cheated his way into the tournament this time. He also planned to have witnesses. He, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville would be in the common room for the entire night under the guise of studying. There people would be able to see them as the other students come and go from submitting their own names. McGonagall would also be making periodical visits throughout the night.
The following day they intended to remain in the library in clear view of Madam Pince and everyone who came in. No one would be able to say Harry or his friends went anywhere near the Goblet. These measures would in turn block anyone from claiming Harry had himself entered. When the Champion Ceremony came Harry sat at the far end of the Great Hall closest to the door. Hermione and Draco sat beside him, whilst Ginny, Luna, and Neville were seated behind them on the stadium like seats. Harry hadn't let Ginny, Neville and, Draco in on the fact his name was going to come out of the Goblet.
In his last life he remembered after his name was called he simply walked up in a daze this time though he was prepared he wasn't about to make it easy for this to all be pinned on him. The Ceremony began and just like before Victor was the first Champion chosen, followed by Fleur, then lastly Cedric. The entire hall was applauding believing that was the end of it when the Goblet began acting strange. Harry looked on as well giving his best shocked expression as the Goblet shot out a fourth parchment. Harry knew what was coming next, Dumbledore reached up and plucked the parchment out of the air. After opening it up he called out, "Harry Potter…"
Harry didn't move, he began whispering around to his friends when Dumbledore called his name again only more firmly. Harry then stood, "What this about?" he called loudly.
Dumbledore stood there slightly surprised at Harry's outburst, he hadn't expected Harry to make a scene, "You've been chosen as a participant."
"Uh no!" Harry said firmly this caused everyone to gasp, "I'm fourteen! I'm not doing this crazy tournament!" he shouted.
Dumbledore blinked he could not believe the shy timid boy was openly causing a commotion in front of everyone, "Harry your name came out you have no choice."
Harry gawked, "What do you mean no choice!?" he barked, "I am fourteen years old the rules clearly stated the contestants must be seventeen. I'm not doing it!" Harry said flatly and openly defying Dumbledore in front of everyone. "I'm am the last remaining Heir of the Potter family I'll be damned if I put my family lineage on the line just to compete in some crazy tournament. So I wanna know who did this!"
"I beg your pardon?" Dumbledore asked confused he could not understand where the boys sudden confidence came from.
"I said I want to know who is responsible for my name coming out of that Goblet!" Harry demanded, "As Heir to the Potter family whoever put my name in that Goblet in an attempt to get me to compete in this tournament has committed a grave offense! Forcing me to compete in a tournament that could likely kill me is nearly the same as attempted murder and Line Theft. I want the culprit found immediately!"
Albus stood there practically dumbfounded, the next person to speak up was Igor Kakaroff, "And ow do we know you did not do it yourself?"
Harry turned his attention to the Durmstrang Headmaster, "Headmaster Kakaroff tell me what reason would I have to try an enter this tournament?" he asked him, "My family is already extremely wealthy, a mere 100,000 galleons wouldn't even put a dent into the Potter Family fortune. And as far as 'Eternal Glory'…I believe everyone here knows my story so what use would I have for that? I destroyed the most powerful Dark Wizard alive when I was still in diapers? I believe I have plenty of glory already."
The entire hall gasped, "Did he really just say that?" someone whispered.
"But he's got a point." Another said.
"Yea Harry Potter has no need to be in this tournament." Came another voice.
"Monsieur Potter…" Madam Maxime spoke up. The gargantuan woman stepped forward, "Can you confirm your whereabouts during the time names were being put in ze Goblet?" She asked in her French accent.
"Yes I can." Harry said, "Last night after the feast I was in the Gryffindor Common Room with my housemates until about three in the morning then I went to bed."
"Do you ave witnesses?" the woman asked.
"Many." Harry retorted, "Aside from Neville Longbottom, Ginevra Weasley, and Hermione Granger, Professor McGonagall can also confirm this."
All eyes turned to Minerva McGonagall, "Indeed, I walked numerous sixth and seventh years back to Gryffindor tower that night after they entered their own names. Mister Potter was in the Common Room each time I returned. Except the last time. The only ones remaining was Mister Longbottom and Miss Weasley. They were studying."
"That's right!" Neville shouted standing up, "Harry had gone to bed. Ginny and I stayed down in the Common Room until about six in the morning! Harry never came back down after he went to bed."
"Potter was still in bed when I woke up this morning." Fred stood up tall and spoke loudly in front of everyone.
"And after you woke?" The Beauxbaton's Headmistress asked.
"I spent my day in the library with Hermione, Luna, And Draco. Madam Pince can attest to that." Harry responded.
"He's right." The Hogwarts librarian said, "Mister Potter and his friends were in the library up until the ceremony the five of us came down together."
"As you can see I have had no oppritunity to be put my name in the Goblet so I again demand an investigation!" Harry bellowed.
"An' 'ow do we know you didn't ave someone else put your name in?" Kakaroff barked.
"Need I repeat myself?" Harry snapped, "What purpose would I have to enter this stupid tournament. Not only am I underage with only a fourth year education. I'm already plenty wealthy and famous I do don't need to be in this crazy tournament. If you don't have anything more useful to say kindly shut up."
Everyone gasped, Dumbledore seemed to finally regained his senses and stepped forward, "Harry that is no way to speak to a guest."
"Excuse me," Harry growled back, "but this guest keeps insinuating I wanted to be in this ridiculous tournament. I've had enough of this farce! I'll will personally be holding you responsible for this! Your ridiculous Age Line was ineffective someone clearly found away around it so I blame you for this!"
The entire hall gasped at that statement as Dumbledore stared down at Harry with a shocked looked as Harry looked at him sternly. Dumbledore clenched his fist he couldn't make a scene in front of all these people. "You're right…" the old man bowed slightly, "I'm truly sorry this was my error. I assure you I will find out who did this, but unfortunately Harry you have no choice but to compete. The Goblet of Fire creates a magically binding contract with whomever has their name come out of it."
Harry scoffed when Bagman motioned for Harry to come join the other competitors. Harry begrudgingly went with him. Harry stood in the corner of the room with the most annoyed expression on his face. He barely paid attention as the officials gave them their brief and vague explanation of what the first task would entail. When they finished Harry stormed out of the room thoroughly confusing the other competitors. As he walked by his Headmaster Harry shot him a glare before stomping past him.
When he returned to the now empty Great Hall he found Draco, Hermione, Neville, and Luna waiting for him. "Thanks for waiting guys."
"Are you okay Harry?" Hermione asked walking up to him.
"Yea I'm alright." He smiled and pet her head gently.
"Seems someone is trying to killing you Potter." Draco said as he stood at the door his arms crossed, "While your plan was well thought out, please clue me in next time." He said, "The Black family is aligned with the Potter family now. Your problems are my problems same goes for your enemies."
"Thanks," Harry said smiling, "We'll have a detailed discussion later." He smiled.
"Fine…" Draco sighed, "I'm headed to bed." He said as he turned and headed for the dungeons.
As Draco walked down Severus came up, they gave each other polite greetings before Draco continued on, "Potter." Snape called from the entrance to the Dungeon, "My office now."
"You guys head to bed." He said to the other three, "I'll see you soon." Then followed Severus down into the dungeons.
Once they arrived in the Potion master's office Severus sealed the door and cast numerous privacy charms then walked over to the fire throwing some floo powder in. Moments later Sirius stepped through. "Geeze so dusty." The Black Head dusted himself off. He looked up at Harry, "There's my Godson." He smiled and pulled Harry into a hug, "Are you ok?"
"Yea, I just hope everyone believes it wasn't me this time." Harry said quietly.
"I'm sure they do Harry, but that's not the reason I came tonight." Sirius said as he pulled Harry away. "I received this letter about thirty minutes ago. It's from Gringotts." He held it out to Harry.
Harry took the letter and began reading it:
Lord Black,
I am hereby writing to inform you that as of ten thirty this evening your ward Harry James Potter is hereby legally emancipated. After a creation of a magically binding contract through the Goblet of Fire, Harry James Potter in now considered legally of age in the magical community. This means Heir Potter can now take up his Lordships to the Potter and Peverell houses. This also will removed the Trace from Heir Potter as he for all intents and purposes a legal adult.
Regards,
Ragnok VII
Head Account Manager of Gringotts
Potter Family Account Manager
"What on earth is this about?" Harry said looking at the two adults.
"Its as it says Harry you are now legally an adult." Sirius said.
"But this didn't happen last time?" Harry said confused, "My name came out of the goblet and I still got in trouble the following summer when I used the Patronus charm to fend off some Dementors that attacked me.
"Hmmm." Severus seemed to be thinking, "That was probably Dumbledore's meddling again. He was your guardian in your last life. He more than likely secretly disputed your emancipation and pulled strings to get it revoked. However this time Sirius is your guardian so he received the letter."
"So then…I can now use magic outside school without getting in trouble?" Harry asked to confirm.
"That's correct Prongslet. Your legally a grown up." Sirius rubbed his head.
"Holy shit!" Harry said as he sat down in Severus chair, "I need to go claim my Lordships now…oh no, that means I'll be a Lord now."
Sirius laughed heartily, "Yup you're in the same boat as me now!"
"Shut up dog!" Harry barked, then group of them laughed together.
"You'll do fine Potter," Severus said, "You have Lily's brain and James's cunning you'll be able to handle it."
Harry sighed, "Thanks Professor."
Up Next: Harry goes to Gringotts to claim his Lordships but later learns he hs yet another powerful ally on his side.