Chapter 36
Soon it was time for the Beauxbaxton and Durmstrang delegations to arrive at Hogwarts. It was the 30th October and the school currently sat in the Great Hall waiting for them. Harry's classes over the past few weeks had gone particularly well, especially Defense. Moody had first trained them in dodging curses and hex, and it was safe to say some were more competent than others. It was at times like those when Harry was glad he was in good shape. However, last week he'd moved onto protective charms and shield charms, and though Harry had already known quite a few of them, there were still a few he hadn't seen.
Suddenly, the doors of Hogwarts burst open and in walked a humongous woman whose size rivaled even Hagrid's followed by several students in light-blue clothing, namely girls. As Harry gazed around the room, he noticed several boys' eyes going glassy and several girls wearing scowls. He put his arm around Daphne's waist and gently kissed just to show her where his attention was, and she seemed to be happy as she smiled brightly and somewhat smugly. The Beauxbaxtons students took seats at several different tables, mainly Ravenclaw.
"Madame Maxine," said Dumbledore loudly and happily. "A pleasure to see you!"
"As with you Dumblydorrr," she said, extending her hand so Dumbledore could kiss it. "Karkaroff is still running late?" she asked, looking around the hall.
"I do believe he'll be coming in but a moment," explained Dumbledore and the doors of Hogwarts that had been closed after the Beauxbaxton students had entered burst open again at his words.
In came a middle aged man with a wispy beard and a weak chin wearing a fur coat followed by the Durmstrang delegations, mainly boys, wearing similar clothing to their headmaster but in a brown colour. Directly behind the headmaster was a slouching figure that Harry instantly recognised from the World Cup Quidditch game.
"Merlin's beard," Rigel breathed, nudging Draco. "That's Krum!"
"Holy mother of Merlin," said Draco once his eyes travelled over to where Rigel was pointing. "It actually is! Do you have a quill on you? I want an autograph."
"Here you go," said Harry, taking out a quill from his pocket. "But you might want to wait until Dumbledore finished with his introductions because as funny as it would be, I don't think he'll give an autograph to a blond 4th year that basically harasses him as soon as he steps a foot inside Hogwarts."
"Yeah," agreed Draco. "What if he sits with us?" he asked desperately hoping Krum would come over to the Slytherin table, but to his surprise most of the Durmstrang students chose to sit with the Hufflepuffs of all people, and Draco slumped sadly.
"Can you believe him?" Daphne asked Harry. "It's only a Quidditch player!"
"Did you just call Krum just a Quidditch player?" asked Harry disbelieveingly. "As your boyfriend I'm going to need to teach you why Krum is not just a Quidditch player, and possibly the best seeker of all time."
"Come on Tracey," Daphne complained. "Help me out here."
"Nuh uh Greengrass," said Tracey. "You just insulted Krum, and be thankful we're here and not in our bedrooms otherwise you'd be getting a pillow to the face."
"I can't believe it," said Daphne. "I'm surrounded by insane Quidditch fanatics."
"Yeah, well that's what happens when the only other sports available are chess and gobstones," shrugged Tracey, going back to watching Dumbledore.
"Now that we've given a warm welcome to our guests, I would suggest that you all dig into the food!" announced Dumbledore sitting back down. Harry had missed most of his speech, not that he cared of course, and was looking curiously at the staff table. There were 2 extra seats, so there must have been a few more people coming. But who?
"Who do you think is coming?" Harry asked Daphne.
"Probably some Ministry officials," she answered. "Most likely Bagman, since he'd be Head of Magical Games and whatnot and maybe Fudge. I doubt he'd want to miss getting some good publicity for the press."
Her predictions were somewhat correct, as Bagman did appear taking his seat but the other one was not filled by Fudge but instead by Bartemius Crouch Sr.
"But why is Crouch here? Doesn't he have better things to do, like fire his house-elfs ?" Rigel asked
"He's the one that set up the tournament, so he probably wanted to see it start," Daphne shrugged. Their conversation continued for a while until everyone had finished eating, and the golden plates disappeared.
Dumbledore stood up from his throne to address everyone. "The moment has come," said Dumbledore, smiling around at the sea of upturned faces. "The Triwizard Tournament is about to start. I would like to say a few words of explanation before we bring in the casket. But before that, let me explain the procedure for the tournament."
Dumbledore continued explaining about the tournament and later the Goblet of Fire before he sent a thoroughly impressed student body off to their common rooms.
Soon came time for the goblet of fire to select the champions, all three schools were in the great hall. Everyone sat in anticipation, waiting for the results. The goblet of fire flared.
Dumbledore gazed upon the happy and expectant students the next day, after everyone that wished to enter had placed their name into the Goblet. He'd found out who Crouch Jr. was pretending to be a long time ago- really it wasn't that difficult- though he hadn't revealed him since he needed a scapegoat.
He wanted Thomas in the tournament for a few reasons, the main being he would need to check how well he'd developed magically, especially since the sudden surge in Thomas's school work quality and of course to check what he had trained under his great Grandfather ahh how he wished Chalus Potter to die, it would be easy for him to take control of James Potter and then what all he could do with the mighty Potters army and their money would be under his control. Also, it would be a good challenge for Thomas- he would be able to overcome the difficult tasks in store for him and win the adoration from his fellow Hogwarts students, after a bit of suffering of course but suffering always led to a good hero.
"The goblet of fire is about to make a decision" Dumbledore said to the hall "in a moment I will call on the champions and they will please enter the next chamber through the great hall for their briefing. Good luck!"
The flames of the goblet turned red and a piece of parchment shot out of it, it flew to Dumbledore's hand. He read it out loud "The Drumstrang champion is...Victor Krum!" They all cheered as Krum made his way out of the chamber when another paper flew into Dumbledore's hand "The Beauxbatons champion is...Fleur Delacour!" Fleur stood up to cheering as well, and made her way out of the hall. Then a third name flew out of the goblet and landed in Dumbledore's hand. "The Hogwarts champion is H...Hadrian Potter" Dumbledore whispered "Hadrian Potter!" He shouted. This was not part of his plan. The whole hall turned to Harry.
"Hey now" Harry stood up "I've done a lot of crazy shit in my time, but I didn't enter my name in that Goblet"
"Liar!" Ron Weasley shouted. The goblet of fire turned red again, and a fourth piece of parchment flew out. It landed in Dumbledore's hand
Dumbledore read it out loud "Thomas Potter!" At least something was going to plan
"What?!" Thomas stood up "I didn't even enter!"
"Mr Potter, will you and your brother please make your way to the champions chamber?" Dumbledore said.
Harry quickly gave Daphne a kiss on the head, while Thomas looked towards Hermione and Ron, his heart sank when he saw both of them glaring at him. He and Harry slowly made their way to the front to take their parchment, a few people in the hall booed and shouted at them, calling them cheaters. When they got to the front, Harry grabbed Thomas by the shoulder, stopping him in his tracks. Harry leaned closer and whispered something into his brother's ear.
"Will you both please make your way to the champions chamber?" Dumbledore repeated, Harry had just finished whispering. Thomas nodded at him, both brothers pulled out their wands.
"I, Hadrian James Potter" Harry shouted
"I, Thomas Charlus Potter" Thomas shouted, Dumbledore's eyes widened as he realized what was happening, as did many in the hall
"swear on my life and magic" Harry said with Thomas repeating each word that Harry said "that I did not knowingly, nor willingly enter my name into the goblet of fire nor did I ask another student to do it for me, so mote it be!" A bright light flashed around the two brothers, signifying the magical vow taking place.
"Oh, look brother, we're still alive" Harry smiled
"It seems so brother" Thomas replied "Lumos" Thomas's light lit up "Ah look, we still have magic too. Nox"
"How strange brother, that must mean we didn't enter" Harry tilted his head slightly
"I concur" Thomas concurred "do we still have to go to the champions chamber?" Thomas asked Dumbledore
"Uh...yes, yes you must" Dumbledore said, regaining his composure
"Very well" Harry said loudly "I don't suppose it matters, we've sworn we didn't want to be in this tournament, but we may as well brother"
"Fine, let's go Harry" Thomas said as both brothers took their parchment from the headmaster and made their way into the champions chamber.
"What's wrong?" asked Krum when Harry and Thomas entered the chamber. "Are they calling us there?"
"No I don't know how but goblet of fire has thrown parchment with mine and my brothers name with it and eventually we are Third and Fourth champion"
"You're kidding, right?" asked Fleur, eyebrows raised suspiciously.
"I assure you we're not- both our names came out of the cup," said Harry taking a seat.
"What? How?"Krum's brow furrowed at this while Fleur looked scandalized.
"I suspect foul play" Harry replied as Dumbledore rushed in with Barty Crouch Sr, the Drumstrang headmaster, the Beuaxbaton headmistress, McGonagall, Snape and Mad-eye Moody.
"Thomas!" He rushed over to Thomas and put his hands on Thomas's shoulders "Did you put your name in the goblet of fire?!"
"Are you senile?!" Harry pushed Dumbledore's arms off of Thomas "We both swore on our lives and magic that we didn't enter, now as brilliant as I am, I haven't yet worked out how to trick magic"
"Yeah, it's true" Thomas nodded "we never entered"
"And put your hand on my brother again and I will press charges" Harry threatened Dumbledore
"Madame Maxime," said Fleur worriedly when her headteacher came in. "Surely these little boys are not to compete in the ze tournament?"
"I'm afraid they have to," nodded Maxime, while Harry and Thomas frowned at being called 'little.' "What is ze meaning of zis, Dumbly-dorr?" asked Madame Maxime angrily. Harry and Thomas were watching the adults debate over them, while the 2 other champions looked on very confused.
"I'd rather like to know that myself, Dumbledore," said Karkaroff. He was wearing a steely smile, and his blue eyes were like chips of ice. "Two Hogwarts champions? I don't remember anyone telling me the host school is allowed two champions — or have I not read the rules carefully enough?" He gave a short and nasty laugh.
"C'est impossible," said Madame Maxime, whose enormous hand with its many superb opals was resting upon Fleur's shoulder. " 'Ogwarts cannot 'have two champions. It is most unjust."
"We were under the impression that your Age Line would keep out younger contestants, Dumbledore," said Karkaroff, his steely smile still in place, though his eyes were colder than ever.
"They might have tricked zhe cup for zhe prize amount" Fleur told and Karkaroff and Madam Maxime were nodding at this
"I think you are the daughter of Sebastian Delacour, Head of French DMLE and if the rumours are true then your father will be the next Minister of France?" Harry asked Fleur
"Yes I am" Fleur told him
"Then go and ask your father about Potter family and we are not insane to participate in this tournament for fucking 5000 galleons its not even half of the money which our house elves receive monthly and we get double of this amount monthly as our pocket money so keep your thoughts for yourself" Harry told Fleur seething. Fleur went white in embarrassment.
"we would, of course, have brought along a wider selection of candidates from our own schools. And what were these two thinking?" Karkaroff asked, pointing at Harry and Thomas.
"I'd rather you not accuse them of anything Igor," warned Moody looking bored.
"I am not here to be accused by a death eater" Harry retorted
"Mind your words boy" Karkaroff told Harry in a cold tone
"It's Heir Potter for you Death eater" Harry told him glaring at him and he could see karkaroff shrink down and turn pale upon hearing that the kid in front of him was Heir Potter.
"I insist that we be allowed to pick one more champions" Karkaroff said trying to change the topic
"I'm afraid it doesn't work like that" Dumbledore sighed "the goblet has gone out, it cannot be relit until the next tournament"
"Yeah, well I don't give a damn for that tournament or this one" Harry interrupted "me and my brother will not be competing"
"I'm sorry" Barty Crouch said "but the goblet of fire is a magically binding contract, you two must compete"
"But we didn't enter!" Thomas objected
"You must still complete"
"We really didn't enter!" Thomas said to the Hogwarts teachers
"I'm sorry Thomas" Dumbledore replied "but you must compete"
"Oh, for Merlin's sake" Harry shouted, drawing his wand. "Enough of this"
He quickly fired a spell off at Moody, Moody just blocked the first spell when Harry fired a second one which destroyed his fake leg. Moody fell to the floor when he was hit with a body bind and a stunner, by this point all the adults had their wands pointed at Harry while Thomas and the champions looked at him in shock.
"Mr Potter!" Dumbledore shouted "Lower your wand!"
"Accio hip flask" Harry said and Moody's hip flask flew into Harry's hand, he tossed it to Snape "would you mind telling me what that is Professor?" Snape brought the flask up to his nose and sniffed it.
"Hmm, it's Polyjuice" Snape said "that Moody is an imposter"
"Yeah, and you don't need to be a Ravenclaw to work out who put our names in" Harry said "call the aurors and call our parents and Grandparents this meeting is over. Come on Thomas" Harry grabbed Thomas and pulled him out of the room
"Harry, that was awesome!" Thomas exclaimed
"Thanks" Harry grinned "but I should warn you, be prepared for hard days"
"What? Why?"
"Because we're still in that bloody tournament, and knowing this place we'll probably have to compete. Plus there's Weasley and Granger"
"But we swore on our life and magic that we didn't enter"
"Let's see if those two possess enough brain cells to remember that" Harry responded "personally, I doubt they will. As of the moment, we only have one thing we can do"
"What's that?"
"Wait till Grandma comes and demolishes Dumbledore"
Harry and Thomas were sitting in Dumbledore's office, opposite Dumbledore, Snape and McGonagall. They were all waiting on the arrival of Lily Potter and Dorea Potter, McGonagall and Snape were about the only two adults in the room that had any idea of the impending doom that was coming towards Dumbledore.
"Dumbledore!" Dorea Potter and Lily Potter screamed as they entered the headmaster's office, they were followed by their husbands, Sirius and Remus. McGonagall and Snape wisely backed off, once they entered
"OH! My boy's! Are you two okay?!" Dorea asked
"We're fine Grandma" Harry said once she let go
"Debatable" Charlus says "Dumbledore crouch says my grandsons have to compete in that bloody tournament even though they never put their names in"
"Dumbledore!" Lily turned to the headmaster, her anger had returned tenfold "What is this nonsense about my children having to compete in this bloody tournament?!"
"Now Lily, please calm down" Dumbledore said
"Calm?!" Dorea shouted, the adults took a step back. "My Grandchildren are being forced into a tournament that was cancelled because too many people died and you want their mother to be calm?!"
"I'm afraid that the matter is out of my hands Lady Potter" Dumbledore said apologetically "the boys names have come out and institute a legally binding contract, they must compete"
"But they're not of age!" Lily argued
"Lily, the goblet of fire is an ancient magical artifact" Dumbledore spoke, hoping to make her see sense "we cannot simply tell it that the participants don't have permission from their parents to enter"
"So what are you saying?!" Lily demanded
" So do you mean my Grandsons have to compete in this tournament?!" Dorea asked calmly
"Yeah Dumbledore! Is that what you're saying?!" Harry added, enjoying the show a bit too much
"Unfortunately, yes" Dumbledore nodded
"Hey Grandma, why don't you ask him why a death eater was pretending to be Moody?" Harry asked
"Why was a death eater pretending to be Moody?!" Dorea shouted coming out of her calm state
"Also, why didn't you work it out?" Harry asked "Someone as paranoid as Moody probably had some way or form of squeezing out imposters"
"He did when I was training to become an Aurror" James nodded "he gave us each a question to ask him when we saw him"
"And did you ask the question?" Harry said to Dumbledore
"Sadly I did not" Dumbledore replied "but I..."
"Oh, and there was your pathetic defenses on the goblet" Charlus interrupted with clear irritation
"Pathetic?" Dumbledore repeated
"Yeah, an age line and that was it. A third or fourth year could think of tons of ways to get pass that" Charlus replied
"Like what?" McGonagall asked
"Paper airplanes, attaching a note to a long stick and dropping it in, throwing it from outside of the age line, getting another student to do it on my behalf, getting another teacher to do it on my behalf, getting a house elf to do it on my behalf, summoning the goblet to outside of the age line, getting rid of the age line, grappling down from the ceiling, getting a time turner and going back in time and putting my name in before you drew the age line, getting a badger and covering it honey then..." Harry started
"Mr Potter" Snape interrupted "you've made your point" Dumbledore looked a bit embarrassed by Harry's words, while also being a bit curious about where he was going with the badger.
"Yeah, and at that point the headmaster is an idiot," Lily growled.
"Tell me Dumbledore, what are you planning to do now?" Dorea asked him
"I'm sorry to say to Lady Potter that your Grandsons will have to compete" Dumbledore said "however, I do offer my sincerest apologies. I understand your anger towards me, but there is nothing I can do"
"Dumbledore if this shit of a tournament even brings scratch on my Grandsons body you will wish you were never born" Dorea told him venomously with her famous slytherin persona and left at which Dumbledore shivered but he had it coming
"Dumbledore i think you are testing my patience but no worries I give you a last chance at least look after the tournament safety or else your life will be miserable for sure" Charlus warned him and left
When they were about to leave his office when Dumbledore caught their attention.
"Lord, Lady Potter, James and Lily with your permission i would like to train Harry and Thomas for this tournament after all they both are Hogwarts champions" Dumbledore told smiling and with a thought victory in his head of taking control of Thomas and Harry by using this chance
"Who told you they are Hogwarts champions?" Charlus told smugly, he knew Dumbleldores intentions.
Everyone in the room were confused
"They both are Hogwarts champion as they are students of hogwarts Thomas will represent Gryffindor house of Hogwarts and Hadrian will represent Slytherin house of Hogwarts" Dumbledore told him
"No they will not, as Hogwarts never had a champion so my grandsons will be representing their families" Charlus told him
"Hogwarts champions are your grandson who study here" Dumbledore tried to argue with Charlus
"Hogwarts would have had a champion if the goblet had chosen the name of the student who had willingly entered his or her name but my grandsons here have given you a magical oath that they have not put their names in goblet so it's not applicable."
"Yes but both representing the same family is not possible" Dumbledore tried to argue
"No, Hadrian will represent the Potter family, Thomas will represent the Ashwood family which he is the heir of" Charlus told smiling everyone in the room except Potters leaving Thomas were in shock and confusion but they decided not to argue.
"And yes you will arrange seats for 2 new judges which will be representing Champions of Ashwood and Potter family which means for Lily who will be a judge from Ashwood family and Dorea from Potter family as Lady Potter and about training they will be trained that's none of your business . I think we are done here" Charlus told
"Yes Lord Potter" Dumbledore gritted his teeth he had to get rid of Charlus Potter as soon as possible
"Merlin I'm tired," Harry complained as he lounged in the Common Room, having finally got each one of his housemates to stop pestering him ab out how he'd gotten into the tournament.
"Yeah well that's what happens when you're the person that got into the most famous European tournament," laughed Daphne gently putting a blanket on top of him.
"Please don't remind me," groaned Harry. "Now that the adrenaline's worn off, I've realized I actually have to bloody compete in it."
"You're the best in our year at magic- you'll be fine," Daphne reassured him.
"I know, but it's not me I'm worried about. It's Thomas."
"Your brother?" Daphne furrowed her brow in confusion. "Why?"
"He's just not as..." Harry stumbled at the end, searching for a better word.
"Magically gifted?" supplied Daphne.
Harry nodded, "Yeah let's go with that. He's not as magically gifted as me, and I'm worried he's not gonna do well in the tournament."
"You could always train together for the tournament," suggested Daphne. "I don't think anyone's gonna complain seeing as 1- you're brothers; 2- you're both in the same school and 3- you're both too young to be in the tournament in the first place. Plus you could see him now just to make sure he's alright."
"Yeah that's probably a good idea," said Harry, getting up from the couch and pecking Daphne on the forehead.
"So you just had to go and one up me, didn't you?" shouted Ron at Thomas angrily. Him, Thomas and Hermione were standing in the boys' bedroom, Thomas facing Hermione and an enraged Ron.
"Ron! I would never-"
"Never what?" asked Ron. "Because you're the boy-who-lived, and you just couldn't have someone else entering a tournament and getting all the attention for themselves. You couldn't even bear to tell me, your best mate!"
"I told you I didn't enter the bloody tournament! Why aren't you believing me?" spluttered Thomas, his hand curling into a fist.
"I...Why...Why should we?" asked Hermione unsurely, looking at him with disappointment. "Let's face it, you've been acting differently since the summer after spending time with your brother."
"Well that's because I actually like him, and he's shown me how to not be a git," said Thomas, not believing the fact that Hermione could say this to him.
"Is that really the case?" she asked. "Or has he been showing you dark magic?"
"Dark magic?" asked Thomas. "Are you insane? He's a Slytherin but that doesn't mean he chucks around unforgivables at the drop of a hat!"
"But then how did he know so much about them in the Defense lesson?" Ron said smugly.
"Because he reads Ron, he reads. He's read a book about magic, which is more than you probably have!" blurted out Thomas, instantly regretting the last part.
"What did you say?" asked Ron slowly. Before Thomas could respond, Ron stepped to him and raised back his fist, and Thomas who saw it coming could only turn his head. It ended up being enough in the end, as Ron's fist sailed past his ear and his momentum drove him forward, sending him sprawling across the floor.
"Know what? If you two aren't gonna believe me, I'm not staying here any more," said Thomas glaring at them.
"Good!" shouted Ron as Thomas ran out of the room, eyes brimming with tears.
"Whoa!" said Harry as Thomas pushed him out of the way, eyes cast down. "What are you doing?" he asked, grabbing Thomas by the shoulder and turning him around.
"Go away," said Thomas angrily, trying to get out of Harry's grip.
"Not until you tell me what's going on," said Harry.
"Me, Ron and Hermione had a fight," said Thomas nervously, shuffling his feet. "They think I entered my name into the cup, and they're mad at me," blurted out Thomas when Harry raised an eyebrow to get him to elaborate.
"Are they stupid?" Harry asked, more to himself than anything. "Even a dumb, blind and lame mule could see you didn't enter yourself into the tournament."
"Exactly!" agreed Thomas. "But they didn't believe me."
"Well that's their fault. You really don't need to care about what they say, you know."
"But...they're my friends," protested Thomas weakly.
"Are they though?" Harry asked.
"They are!" said Thomas.
Harry looked at him for a few moments, eventually deciding that it wasn't worth the effort in convincing him otherwise. "Well anyway, you're welcome to hang out with me whenever you want."
"Really?" asked Thomas disbelievingly. He and Harry may be on decent terms but he didn't think Harry would want him around that much.
"Yes of course," nodded Harry. "You're my brother, and I actually like you now. Just try not to mess up or anything."
"Sure, definitely!" agreed Thomas, grinning like an idiot. Him and Harry continued talking for a while until Thomas felt better before Harry sent him back into his common room having explained everything for the tournament that he knew.