Chapter 17

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter; I don't make any money off this. The only thing I gain from these is happiness from positive reviews, and arguably some skill.

"Talk"

'Thought'

"Phoenix telepathy"

~ quotes from the book ~

~~ letters or notes ~~

Harry and his Gryffindor friends listened as their housemates talked about who was old enough to enter and those that were sixteen schemed how to get past the age line that Professor Dumbledore had let them all know he would be casting around the Goblet, preventing anyone under seventeen to enter. When Fred and George Weasley mentioned trying to use an Aging Potion to age themselves a few months, Hermione tried to advise against it, stating that Professor Dumbledore's spell wouldn't be fooled so easily. The twins scoffed at that and ignored her warnings, but those around them took note and decided to see what would happen the next morning.

They heard Katie Bell pressuring Alicia and Angelina to enter, Angelina's birthday having just passed while Alicia celebrated her majority birthday at the end of August. The other seventh years looked to be considering it, thoughts of victory and wealth on their faces. Those that couldn't enter and could see beyond their house loyalty discussed the other houses' seventh years like Warrington from Slytherin and most favorably Cedric Diggory of Hufflepuff.

Cedric Diggory was gossiped about a lot, especially after he dumped Cho Chang for continuing to attempt to bully Luna; Professor Flitwick caught most of it, now aware of his house's behavior towards Luna, and what he didn't catch, Harry did. Between his looks, skills on a broom, and personality, nearly all the girls above fourth year were interested in him.

After nearly an hour, everyone headed to their beds. Half an hour after that, the rest of the fourth years were asleep, allowing the group to slip away to the Room like every night since Harry shared it with his friends. When they made it, they found Luna already there and, much to their concern, she was quite irritated. They entered the Room, closed the door behind them, and sat on the couches while they waited for Luna to calm down and notice them. When she stopped pacing long enough to notice them, she headed straight to Harry for a hug.

With Harry helping Luna calm down, the rest got out their assignments they had gotten from their morning classes. The longest being a foot on poisons and anti-poisons for Potions, Snape had been irate that his class had been cut in half by the half day, so he couldn't poison any of the students or their familiars. They all decided they would practice that potion over the weekend so they would be ready for Professor Snape, Hermione refusing to let them drop the title, to have them make the antidote potion; if he was having a particularly bad day it would be without instructions on the board.

When Ron tried to bring the tournament back up, Luna glared at him, causing him to clam up. The glare she leveled on him wasn't just one of irritation, he got enough of those from Hermione, but of almost hatred. The rarely used critical thinking portion of his mind pushed him to realize she might have Seen him doing something incredibly stupid and he vowed to himself he would watch himself carefully for the foreseeable future. 'She scares the bloody phoenix; I don't want to think about angering her enough to find out why.' Ron thought.

The night continued like that, with the friends quickly getting their assignments done and practicing the anti-poison potion; each of them pocketing a vial of the potion in case of emergency. Luna continued to be rather clingy with Harry while they worked on getting further ahead of their classmates. As morning approached outside, they decided to leave earlier than usual, anticipating their housemates to wake early to watch people enter their names in the Goblet. With another hug and kiss from Harry as the others left, Luna watched as Harry turned himself invisible and left, not seeing the nervous frown Luna wore.

She met back up with them an hour later in the Entry Hall as another seventh year approached the Goblet. She watched as he raised his arms to the cheering of those watching, not noticing a bit of his magic being sampled by the Goblet. The rest of the group joined her as Fred, George, and Lee all walked up with grins on their faces and boasted about their attempt to use an Aging Potion they had just finished and taken a few drops each.

With a great deal of theatrics, the twins and Lee swaggered up to the age line, not bothering to examine the floating runes that would have told them their efforts were for not. With the poise of divers, the boys jumped into the circle holding the Goblet. Just as they were about to put their names in, the runes flashed and the two were ejected from the circle, both sporting long white beards. After bickering for a few moments, the two joined the laughter of the others until they were shocked when the headmaster walked up chuckling.

"I did try to warn you," Headmaster Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling. "I advise you to make your way up to Madam Pomfrey, she's currently fixing up a girl from Ravenclaw and a boy from Hufflepuff who thought they'd 'age themselves up' a little. Though their beards aren't nearly as brilliant as yours." Stroking his own beard as he talked.

The twins made their way towards Madam Pomfrey, their heads held high though blushing madly, as Lee escorted them howling with laughter. He laughed harder when he saw Collen quickly hiding his camera and grinning. He hoped the boy knew what the boy was getting himself into. He'd sit back and laugh regardless.

The friends made their way into the Great Hall for breakfast, enjoying the decorations. Clouds of live bats flying around the ceiling while carved pumpkins were positioned all along the tables. They joined Seamus and Dean at the Gryffindor table, talking about who'd entered. Seamus was rather closed minded and jeered about those that entered from the other houses, much to the irritation of the badgers and claws that walked by.

Shortly after they sat down, cheers came from the Entry Hall, following the entry of the Gryffindor chasers. Angelina and Alicia had just put their names in the Goblet and everyone at Gryffindor table wished them luck. They all enjoyed their breakfast, trying some of the crepes from France and popara from Durmstrang. As they were finishing up, they decided to visit Hagrid. It had been a while since they'd seen him out of class and they had been working hard.

As they were leaving the Great Hall, they watched as Madam Maxime led the Beauxbaton students up to the Goblet before having them line up to submit their names for the selection. Headmaster Karkaroff had his students enter their names after the feast. Harry and Luna could see when the Goblet made its decision on the Beauxbaton student; the beautiful blonde that had asked for the bouillabaisse the night before. Harry and Luna put it out of mind as they followed the Beauxbaton students out the door and down to Hagrid's.

They followed the Beauxbaton students towards the lake, where their giant carriage was placed for the duration of their time at Hogwarts. Nearby the carriage, a temporary stable was set up for their Abraxan, much to the amazement of the Hogwarts Care of Magical Creatures students and hippophiles among the three schools. After watching the Beauxbaton students enter their carriage, they stopped by to examine the Abraxan before continuing to Hagrid's hut.

FG

When they made it to Hagrid's cabin, Harry knocked on the door several times before the booming barks of Fang came from within. Moments later, Hagrid opened the door, allowing the massive boar hound to leap up on Harry and start slobbering all over him. With a beaming smile, Hagrid invited them all in and his friends all walked past the now drenched Harry and chuckling Hagrid.

As Harry made his way inside, he couldn't help but note it seemed a lot smaller than the last time he'd visited Hagrid's hut. But then Harry and his friends had all grown over last year and his group of friends had grown, much to the once lonely boy's pleasure. As Hagrid closed the door behind Harry, the teens could smell something odd; when they finally tracked the smell down, it was coming from Hagrid. This led them to notice he was dressed in his best clothes, though it was more than likely self-made; it was a brown fur suit with a checkered orange and yellow tie. Hagrid then had attempted to spruce himself up more by greasing his hair with what appeared to be motor oil, and was of two minds of how he wanted to style his hair. The hair grease made Hagrid smell like he worked in a car shop.

"Well then, find a seat you lot, not exactly use to this much company. Barely anyone visited me before I started teaching Care of Magical Creatures, and usually it's just the odd Ravenclaw that visits since I took the post; them kids looking for extra credit, and the rare one like Luna there that really cares about them," Hagrid said, making his way over to his kitchenette. He casually joked with the kids while he made tea and prepared snacks and the mid-day meal. Once the tea kettle was up to heat, he carefully carried it over to the table with the snacks. Everyone carefully fixed their tea and took a snack, though none of them ate them given Harry, Ron, and Hermione warned the group about Hagrid's cooking on the way down.

The teens sipped their tea and pretended to eat the overcooked rock cakes while Hagrid exclaimed how excited he was for the tournament. He walked the line between teasing and revealing what the tasks would be, but Hagrid just chuckled and shook his head, claiming they'd be in for a treat. Hagrid never noticed the pinched or irritated looks that Luna gave him. After an hour teasing them about the coming tournament and talking about his Skrewts, which were growing rapidly but started killing their siblings till he separated them, Hagrid got up from the table and pulled out the casserole he had started cooking when the teens had come to visit.

Hagrid cut them each a portion and served them before retaking a seat at the table. They all enjoyed the casserole until Hermione found a talon in what was supposed to be a beef casserole, killing everyone but Ron's appetite. Hagrid didn't seem to notice and the friends continued chatting and drinking tea with Hagrid as it started to lightly rain outside. At half past 5, they noticed it getting darker despite the drizzle.

"Well, best get you lot up to the castle. Give me just a sec," Hagrid said, before getting up and moving to his chest. As he reached into the chest, Luna's eyes widened and she called out to him. "Hagrid, I think we better get a move on. You might even meet up with the Beauxbaton group if we leave now."

They saw Hagrid halt, a bottle half raised from the chest before he put it back and stood up stiffly. When Hagrid caught the look in Luna's eye and the knowing smile on her face, he blushed and coughed, before motioning the teens toward the door. As they walked out the door into the light rain, they showed how advanced they were by silently casting an Impervious charm on themselves, causing the rain to slide off them leaving them dry. Hagrid saw this and blinked before shaking his head in wonder.

They started walking and as they passed the Beauxbaton carriage they saw that Luna was right, was there any doubt? Hagrid blushed and stuttered before finally asking if they wouldn't mind the company up to the castle. With an indulgent smile, Madam Maxime nodded her head before taking Hagrid's extended arm and motioned them all forward. It had been a long time since anyone had tried to flirt with Madam Maxime and she welcomed his shy approach, she just hoped he wouldn't bring up her height; it always irritated her when the few men willing to flirt with her brought that up, the nerve of them all accusing her of being half giant.

When they all made it to the Great Hall for the feast, Luna gave Harry a quick hug and kiss on the cheek before joining the Beauxbaton students at the Ravenclaw table. Professor Dumbledore rose from his seat as the last students joined their tables, before announcing the champions would be selected after the meal and for them all to enjoy. All around the Hall, the students from all three schools were excited for the feast and the choosing of the champions that would follow it; except for Harry and his friends, who could feel the tension rise as the meal progressed. As the last of the dessert vanished from the tables, the headmaster rose from his seat once more and motioned with his hands to reduce the light from the floating candles and jack-o-lanterns, leaving the brightest light in the hall the Goblet of Fire and the center of everyone's attention.

"I hope you all enjoyed this delicious feast. Any moment now the Goblet's flame will turn blue and launch the selected champions entry parchment from within, binding them to the magical contract of the Tournament. They will then come up here and make their way through the door behind the head table to await their fellow champions and the judges for the Tournament, where we will inform them about the first task and other events. I trust you will all support them, no matter your house." Professor Dumbledore said, before being cut off by the Goblet's flames turning blue.

The first parchment flew out of the flames, slightly smoking, and Professor Dumbledore deftly caught it as it fell. "The champion for Durmstrang is Victor Krum!" The Durmstrang students congratulated him as he rose to walk up, slightly unsteadily. High Master Karkaroff joyfully clapped as he joined them before making his way through the door. As Krum made his way through the door the Goblet's fire flared again.

The second parchment flew out of the flames and floated down for Professor Dumbledore to catch. "The champion for Beauxbaton will be Fleur Delacour!" The Beauxbaton girls didn't take losing to Fleur very well and started crying while she rose from her seat, she too moved sluggishly but with forced poise. The rest of the students clapped, especially more than a few glassy eyed boys, much to their girlfriend's ire. Madam Maxime was thrilled for her champion and eagerly applauded. The heads of school congratulated her and motioned her through the same door they sent Krum. As she made her way through the door, the Goblet flared its flames for the third time.

The third parchment was shot out of the Goblet and was quickly caught by Professor Dumbledore with excitement, eager to find out who the Goblet chose for his champion. "The champion for Hogwarts will be Cedric Diggory!" Hufflepuff's table erupted with calls of congratulations and jostling Cedric as he got up. He stumbled slightly before smiling and making his way up to the head table, where Dumbledore shook his hand before motioning him to the door.

As Cedric moved towards the door, Professor Dumbledore returned his attention to the rest of the students. "There we have it; our three champions have been selected. The first task will be held on the 24th of November, I hope…" Professor Dumbledore was cut off as the flames in the Goblet flared and shifted, as if fighting the commands of magic upon it. After several seconds, the flames reached up near the ceiling before returning to the Goblet, another parchment floating down. A stunned Professor Dumbledore caught the parchment as it floated down to him. He looked at the name on it in shock before the whispers of the students rose. "Harry Potter. Harry Potter!"

Every eye in the Hall turned to Harry as he sat stunned. Not only was he confused and scared about what had happened; Harry could see and feel chains of flame wrap around him. Luna's words came smashing down on Harry like the weight of the castle. "When an old flame attempts to shackle you, it will break the bindings on your House, allowing you all that is yours to claim." While almost all the eyes in the Hall looked at him with confusion and anger, his friends looked worried, and Luna looked worried and resigned.

"Mr. Potter. Please join the others in the adjoining room," Professor Dumbledore said, his tone was absent of his usual grandfatherly softness, laced with concern and irritation. With supportive hands from Gryffindor friends and a look of support from his girlfriend, Harry rose shakily to his feet to move to the required door. As Harry made his way through the door, he noted that all but two of them looked concerned. Professor Sprout looked like he'd burnt down her greenhouses, while Harry caught a half-hid smirk from Professor Moody.

FG

After the meeting of the champions Harry was forced to join and a surprise party in the Gryffindor common room, Harry and his Gryffindor friends joined a pacing Luna in the Room of Requirements. As soon as Harry entered the Room, Luna nearly sent them both tumbling out of it with a Hermione worthy tackle hug. After Harry calmed Luna down and they all took their usual seats, Harry told his friends what happened with the champions.

"The champions thought Mr. Bagman was joking until the heads of school confirmed it. Ms. Delacour was rather irate, and Mr. Krum was scowled. Their reactions paled compared to their heads of school. Madame Maxime and High Master Karkaroff were enraged, calling the headmaster a cheater, and threatening to leave now and never compete in the tournament again. Professor Moody pulled them up short on their first threat; apparently their students are as stuck here in this tournament as I am and would lose their magic if they don't compete. And though I'm against it as much as everyone else in that room was, I'm stuck in this tournament till its end," Harry said.

"They said they would let you know what to expect for the first task. What is it? They just told us it would be on the 24th of November," Ron asked. This caused Luna to glare and give a mirthless laugh, causing the others to look at her warily.

"Well, apparently Luna knows but they only told us 'Courage in the face of the unknown is an important trait in a wizard. Therefore, you shall face the unknown, we will tell you what you will be facing the morning of the task.' After that the headmaster offered the adults a drink, which only Bagman took. Mr. Crouch took off with a sour expression on his face, Mr. Karkaroff rushed Krum out and down to the boat, while Madam Maxime started talking quietly in rapid French as she led Ms. Delacour back to the carriage. Headmaster Dumbledore sent us off after that, correctly guessing at least Gryffindor's reaction to a party. Cedric asked how I entered my name in, and I told him I didn't, but I don't think he believed me," answered Harry.

"Luna, do you want to share what the first task is so we can be prepared? If not, I understand. No pressure," Harry asked, shutting Ron up with a glare when he was about to balk at her not sharing.

"Thank you for not pushing to know Harry, and no I don't want to share what it will be; you'll find out in time to prepare anyway. Though I will say this: you need to leave the castle tomorrow and get to Gringotts. Those fools have no idea what they allowed to happen by allowing your forced participation in this cursed tournament." While none of them were comfortable with what Luna had said, especially Hermione at the notion of Harry leaving the castle, the boys didn't miss the look of mischief in the blondes' sharp eyes.

The five then got to work on their nightly training and studies. When Fawkes came for Harry's specialized training, Luna asked him for a word. Fawkes reluctantly agreed and the two walked to the other side of the room for a private word. When they finished, Fawkes gave a nod and flew back to Harry, leaving Luna smiling. When Luna rejoined them, she told them that Fawkes agreed to give Harry a lift to Gringotts the next day. Hermione's grumble behind one of her books that at least it would be a Sunday was largely ignored.

As morning neared, Harry gave Luna a kiss and wished her a safe walk back, before Luna returned to the Ravenclaw dorms and the Gryffindors returned to theirs. She watched them leave before starting the short walk for her with a smirk. 'It will certainly be an interesting day.' Luna thought as she walked.

FG

The morning after the champion selection, Fawkes watched as Dumbledore frustratedly worked through his morning mail. Fawkes wasn't happy about Harry being forced into the Tri-Wizard tournament, but seeing Dumbledore's frustrations with it and imagining how much trouble the old wizard would have with his mail after the news of Harry's involvement broke to the masses made him quietly laugh in his mind. While Harry and his friends frequently heard Fawkes, he wouldn't give Dumbledore the privilege. It was well over an hour before Dumbledore sighed and sent a note with an elf to Minerva about him heading to the Ministry.

Fawkes eyed Dumbledore warily as he got up, but relaxed when Dumbledore made his way to the fire instead of to him. With the use of more Floo powder than was necessary, Dumbledore was off to the Ministry. Once the flames returned to their natural color, Fawkes launched from his perch and flamed away to the Room. The Sorting Hat watched this and began to chuckle. When the portraits of former headmasters asked why it was chuckling, it merely shook itself and continued chuckling, though it gave a couple of them meaningful looks. It wouldn't be long before they got what was so funny.

In the Room, Fawkes arrived and excitedly flew around the teens, though he gave Luna a wide bank. "The headmaster just left for the Ministry. Now would be the best time to leave the school. Harry, if you would grab on, there is a special arrival point in Gringotts for Phoenix travel." Harry grabbed one of Fawkes tail feathers and the next moment they were gone. Hermione, Neville, and Ron looked at where they had just been in surprise while Luna pouted lightly, none of them noticed the small smirk she hid. Luna went to her private area to paint several paintings for the Room to hide till they were needed.

Moments later, Harry and Fawkes arrived at Gringotts. The room they arrived in was polished white marble, aside from the arrival point which was blackened from repeated exposure to phoenix fire. Across from the arrival point waited an elderly goblin, observing the arrivals and waiting to be noticed. Fawkes addressed the goblin, "Honored goblin elder, may your gold grow as your enemies lay forgotten." The goblin bowed and responded, "And may your days be eternal, Honored Phoenix. How may Gringotts help you today?"

"We need to see the Account Manager Goldclaw. The Ministry has made a grave error, and we wish to capitalize on it before they realize. Dumbledore just left for the Ministry, so times of the essence." Fawkes said. The goblin had a wicked grin on its face before it bowed and motioned them to follow. Fawkes perched on Harry's shoulder and the two hurried to follow.

The goblin, who didn't care to share his name when asked, quickly led them down several hallways that looked identical except for several landscapes. They quickly made it to Goldclaw's office, where the goblin knocked on the door and Goldclaw quickly bid them entry. Goldclaw grinned when he saw the pair and motioned them in and invited them to sit.

Once Harry was sat and Fawkes perched on the back of the second chair, Goldclaw spoke. "Welcome Mr. Potter, Fawkes. I had a feeling I'd be seeing either you or Dumbledore today, personally I'm glad it's you, when I found this on my table this morning." On the table sat emancipation parchment work. "Care to explain?"

Harry told Goldclaw about the tournament at Hogwarts, about his name coming out as a fourth champion, and the meeting that took place in the small room behind the head table of the Great Hall. As Harry finished, Goldclaw's expression was positively predatory. "To clarify, Mr. Potter. You are being forced to compete by Ministry officials in a Ministry sanctioned event for witches and wizards who are 'of age.' If you don't compete, you forfeit your magic to the Goblet. You cannot compete unless you're of age, so magic is making that happen. If you will look at this document, Mr. Potter."

Harry quickly read the document and nearly dropped it. Under witnesses were Bartimus Crouch, Ludo Bagman, and Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. "There are many forces at work that brought us here today. Somebody tried to use a magical artifact to force you into a tournament you couldn't enter, Magic balances the scales with this. Sign this, Mr. Potter, and you will be considered 'of age' in the magical world, and free to take your place as Head of House Potter," said Goldclaw, a blood quill in his hand.

With a nod from Fawkes, Harry took the quill from Goldclaw and signed his name where needed. By the time he was done, his hand was agitated, and he could faintly see his name cut into the top of his hand. Goldclaw waved his hand over the agitated skin, and it healed, he winked at Harry's look of amazement and relief. Goldclaw then placed the parchment into the Potter Portfolio and the portfolio flashed before a ring box appeared on top of it. Goldclaw carefully took the box and handed it to Harry, who reverently opened it. Inside was a gold ring with the Potter crest emblazoned on top.

Harry carefully took the ring out and examined it. Engraved on the inside of the ring was the Potter family motto: "Novissima autem inimical destruetur mors." Harry could feel the magic of the ring calling out for him to put it on. When he did, the ring flashed and resized to fit Harry. At the same time, the ring was filling his mind with the history of his family and bolstering his Occlumency shields. When Harry opened his eyes, they were blazing green for a moment before his magic settled. "Congratulations on your emancipation, Lord Potter." Goldclaw said.

"Harry, now that you are Lord Potter, may I ask a boon of you I was never able to ask your father for?" Fawkes asked.

"Of course, Fawkes. You have done so much for me; you brought me back from the brink of death in the Chamber of Secrets, brought me to my ancestral home where I can be safe and loved, you trained me to master my budding gifts in pyromancy. Whatever you need, you need but ask," Harry said, unshed tears in his eyes.

"Harry. Lord Potter. Thank you. All you need to do is say, "Henry, you are welcomed home. Let your true form be unbound"." Fawkes said as he glided from his chair to stand before Harry.

Harry said he would honor whatever he asked, so even though he was confused, he did as request. "Henry, you are welcomed home. Let your true form be unbound." As Harry said this, his magic surged, as did Fawkes. Goldclaw quickly used goblin magic to protect himself and his desk, his eyes wide in amazement at what he was witnessing, though that wouldn't stop him from giving them both a bollocking for initiating this magic in his office.

Harry's magic wrapped around Fawkes as he was surrounded by fire, throughout the fire were splotches of black flames. With the assistance of Harry's magic, Fawkes forced the black flames to the edges of his flames. With a simultaneous burst of magic from Harry and Fawkes, they forced the black flames out, where they quickly dissipated.

Harry fell to the floor, weak from the expenditure of so much magic; the chairs they sat on destroyed by the magical pressure. With half lidded eyes, Harry looked to Fawkes, to see his magic give one more pulse before Fawkes folded his wings and began to grow and change. In the span of a blink, where Fawkes once stood now stood a man of greying hair with maroon clothes embroidered with gold. His most striking feature though were his onyx black eyes. Then he spoke.

"Harry, thank you. My name is Henry Potter. Your Great Grandfather."

F_G

There we go. Fawkes secret is finally revealed, to those that hadn't worked it out. I planned for this back in chapter four, I can't tell you all how happy I am to finally share this scene with you all.

Harry Potter is now Lord Potter, Henry is now free, and the tournament has begun. Next chapter we see some of the results, along with an irate Goldclaw and Luna… Won't that be fun?!

Due to my New Years resolution, I plan to post a chapter per month and finish this story by the end of the year, baring another month-long writer's block and distractions. In other news, shout out to everyone else who has the Smithing with Style achievement on MC!

Feel free to guess what Luna is painting, though it's probably obvious.

See you all next time.