…And the Goblet of Fire turned red once more; sparks showered out of it; the tongue of flame shot high into the air, and from its tip Dumbledore pulled the third piece of parchment.

"The Hogwarts Champion," Dumbledore announced, his eyes widening slightly, "is Harry Potter!"

Silence reigned supreme for only a few seconds before several loud shouts of protest echoed through the hall. The rest clapped, as they had clapped for the other champions.

Most of the protest was over the fact that Harry was too young. Others complained that Dumbledore had promised them that he could keep the students safe. And of course there were a few shouts that he was nothing but an attention seeking brat.

None of them were wrong.

With a simple motion of his hand, Dumbledore quieted the whole hall. He looked at Harry with a neutral expression at his face.

"Did you enter your name into Goblet of Fire, Harry?"

The whole hall waited with baited breath, but the answer the question would work against him either way.

"I did."

Dumbledore seemed momentarily surprised by his answer, but regained his composure right away, and had to silence the hall once more. "Quiet, please. Why did you enter your name in after I explained how dangerous this tournament can be?"

Mr. Crouch took this moment to interrupt before Harry could answer. "With all due respect, it does not matter why. The fact of the matter is that the Goblet of Fire is a magically binding contract, and he is forced to compete regardless. Nothing any of us can say or do will change the fact that the boy must compete."

"Then pardon me, and forgive an old man for his curiosity. Harry?"

"Well sir, it is like this. The whole time I have been in the wizarding world, I have been known for something that happened to me that was beyond my control. The only thing I remember of that night is the flash of the killing curse and my mother dying… that is the memory I relieve when dementors are near. So you see, I want to be remembered for something that I personally did. I want to be remembered as a Hogwarts Champion rather than the Boy-Who-Lived, and hopefully this is the start of me trying to make a name for myself."

"So you simply wish to be known for something that you actually worked for... I can understand that." Dumbledore spent a few seconds strumming his fingers on the podium. "Very well. You have proven that you can get around my protections surrounding the goblet. That is enough to convince me that you have the determination required for the tasks ahead. Now, please go join the other champions."

Harry nodded his head and left for the side door. He looked over at Ron and Hermione. He was not on the best terms with them, but now it was even worse. Ron's mouth was still hanging open in disbelief, and Hermione had a look of disappointment on her face.

The emotions of the hall were varied. Some were angry that Harry was the champion, somehow believing that he wasn't worthy. Harry laughed at that idea. He was a hero to the people, yet they seemed to be upset that he was now representing their country in an international tournament. Talk about double standards.

There were also quite a few disappointed faces as well. Some, like McGonagall, disapproved of him cheating the cup.

The look on Malfoy's face with quite comical. It looked like he just smelled something rank and his face was scrunched up with extreme disgust.

Not everyone seemed to be against Harry though. Neville shot him a thumbs up when he made eye contact. Several other students gave him nods of encouragement, or simply didn't care. Even a few Slytherins seemed to somewhat impressed to have him as champion. They didn't outwardly show it, but Harry had been a student with them long enough to notice the subtle changes in demeanor.

Harry walked through the side door with the many of the adults following as well. That walk had never seemed so long.

Inside was a decently lit roam with a fire roaring in a grate in one corner. The international Quidditch star was staring at it intently, only to turn his attention on Harry when he walked in.

Fleur seemed surprised at his appearance and tried to say something before she was cut off "Whatees this? Surely this –"

"May I introduce you to the third Triwizard champion, Harry Potter?"

"Him? 'Eees nuzzing but a leetle boy!" Fleur disagreed with a heavy French accent.

"I assure you, his name just came out of the Goblet, and -"

Karkaroff wanted to give a piece of his mind as well. "What is the meaning of this! He is underage! If I had known that an underage student could enter his name in, I would have brought a wider selection!"

"Be that as it may –" Dumbledore tried to speak up again, but once more got cut off. Moody stomped up from behind them all.

"How did you get your name in the cup? Was it dark magic?"

Dumbledore was about to respond but McGonagall cut him off.

"Surely you are joking! Harry Potter use dark magic? The son of James and Lily!"

Moody seemed unphased by her outburst. "The cup must have been hoodwinked, perhaps a – "

Moody was interrupted by Ludo Bagman. "How about we just ask Harry?"

All heads swiveled to him and Harry subconsciously gulped. "Uh, well, I simply used a switching spell. I had my own piece of parchment with my name on it, and when another person went to put theirs in, I switched it with mine."

Dumbledore started to stroke his beard. "Ah! Simple, yet, ingenious. I applaud you for your cunning."

"That still does not change a fact that he is a boy. It will be dangerous!"

"Let's not forget that Harry Potter is more than a just a boy." Dumbledore said, his tone becoming serious. "He has thwarted Voldemort three times, twice within these very halls, and slain a basilisk. Also remember that Harry's name was in the cup with many other students, all older than him and with more schooling. Yet the Goblet still decided that Harry was the most worthy champion of them all."

"I hadn't thought of it like that." Bagman muttered. A small census of agreement trickled through the crowd and Krum was giving Harry an appraising look. Fleur was talking rapidly with her headmistress in French.

Mr. Crouch then spoke up. "Now that we got the… semantics out of the way, I want to congratulate you three for being chosen as your schools representative champion. There are five tasks ahead of you, each representing an ancient force of the world. Air, Earth, Water, Fire, and Spirit, and each requiring you to act and think in different ways."

"The first task will be held ten days from now. It is a test of daring, courage and bravery. You will start the first task with nothing but your wits and your wands. Courage in the face of unknown danger is very important to a wizard… very important. Information for the second task will be given at the completion of the first task. Good luck."

Dumbledore had something to add. "I suppose it is worth mentioning that due to the nature of the tasks, all champions will be exempt from their end of year examinations."

"I think that covers everything, Albus?"

"I believe so. Are you sure you don't wish to stay at Hogwarts tonight, Barty?"

"No, no. I need to get back to the Ministry. The World Cup incident has been a fiasco… I don't want to leave my assistant Weatherby alone for too long. A little bit too enthusiastic, if you ask me, but well meaning."

Dumbledore then started offing drinks to the others, but Karkaroff had already escorted Krum out of the door, and Fleur was in the process of leaving with Maxime.

Bagman had no such qualms. "A shame. This is the place to be in the moment. Much more exciting than the office!"

"I dare hope so." Dumbledore responded merrily. "Minerva, if you could please escort Mr. Potter up to the dorms, I would be most grateful. I am sure his friends have a lot to say to him."

"As you wish, Albus. Come, Potter."

Harry followed his strict head of house into the hallway. The feast was already over. He was not expecting a pleasant conversation with her.

They walked in silence for a few minutes before McGonagall finally spoke. "I must admit I am surprised."

"How so?" Harry asked.

"I did not think you of all people would be foolish enough to enter into this dangerous event. People have died."

"I know of the risks, but I think the reward is worth it."

Minerva sighed before speaking up. "James would be proud. This would be exactly something that he would do. Lily… Lily would be angry at first, but she would be just as proud as well."

Harry wasn't sure how to respond to her partial compliment, but they had just arrived at the portrait of the Fat Lazy.

"Do our school proud, Potter. You have come too far now than to do any less than your absolute best." She hesitated for a moment before reaching down and giving Harry a brief hug. "My office is always open if you need guidance, or just an open ear."

"Thank you professor."

"Good Night."

He entered through the portrait and immediately saw a party going on. Many students, both younger and older, gathered around him, cheering incoherently. Harry just went with the flow, giving high-fives and receiving many pats in the back.

He couldn't hear much of the noise, but he did hear one question stick out. "What is the first task?"

"They didn't tell us. It is supposed to be a surprise. It is only ten days away though…"

"Wow." Seamus Finnigan spoke up. "You got some balls Harry. Big ones too."

"Uh, thanks?" Harry said in response to Seamus making a cupping motion with his hand.

Harry continued to move through the crowd, but out of nowhere a drink appeared in his hand. He thought it was butterbeer at first, but he was wrong.

Firewhiskey.

He nearly coughed from the taste, but held himself when he saw Fred and George approaching.

"What do we have here?"

"It looks like ickle Harrikins is no longer a baby."

"I am so proud, George." Fred? said before wiping a fake tear.

"He has grown up in front of our very own eyes. What's next?"

"A girlfriend?"

"Anyone special in your life?"

"You can have Ginny if you want."

"She has a crush on you, you know?"

"Still?" Harry asked.

"Yup."

"As much as I appreciate the offer, no thanks."

"Shame."

"Ooooh is that Firewhiskey?"

"Indeed, twin of mine. He is so grown up."

Harry had just about lost track of their back and forth talk, but it seemed they were no stranger to Firewhiskey as one just belched out a fireball. It was probably them who provided the case in the first place.

"So how did –"

" - you enter your name in?"

"Switching spell on Diggory's parchment." Harry replied.

"Oooh, that is evil."

"But ingenious. Why didn't we think of that?"

"Because dear bother, that is not nearly flashy enough."

"True. Sometimes simple is best, but explosions and bright lights are better."

"Indeed."

"Here is some friendly advice before we go join the lovely chasers over there…"

"Ron is not too happy. He is convinced that you should have told him."

"Not like it matters though, as if he would get chosen over you." They both laughed. "If he gives you grief, just tell him off. He'll get over it."

Harry was now grinning wildly. "I'll keep that in mind."

They parted ways and Harry chucked his finished bottle into a bin after mingling for awhile more, before heading up the stairs. It was quite strong stuff, and he did not like it much. It probably wasn't even actual whiskey.

The lights were off in the room. He could see the sleeping forms of Dean, Neville and Ron in their beds.

He quickly got changed and lay down in his bed, ready to attempt to get some sleep. It did not take long before Ron's voice permeated the room.

"What's the deal Harry? Why didn't you tell me? I thought we were friends! A thousand galleons, blimey. Man, I thought I knew you."

"Hey Ron? " Harry called out. "Shut the fuck up."

Harry slammed his curtains closed and forcefully cast a silencing spell upon them. "Bloody prick, I don't need his shit right now, I have enough to worry about."

Unfortunately for Harry, the silencing spell he used only blocked sound from coming in, and not his sound from going out. Neville and Dean had to hide their laughter while Ron fumed to himself.

And also unfortunately for Harry, he had an unknown task ahead of him in only ten days. He had bravery (or perhaps stupidity) by the bucket load, but that did not make up for his lack of knowledge. He only had three completed years of schooling, and it was obvious that he was going to have to gain some good survival knowledge and quick.

His thoughts immediately turned to who he could ask for help. The obvious answer was Moody. He seemed eager enough to help students, even if he did seem crazy and quite comfortable with questionable magics. As long as he didn't ask for help directly with the tournament, he should be fine.

What he really needed to do was figure out exactly what he was facing. If he could do that, then everything else should fall into place. In actuality, if he could just survive the task, than that would be a win in his book.