Chapter Sixteen
Harry's face fell. Everyone was staring at him, he must have imagined it, there was no way his name could be on that bit of paper; it was a mistake.
There was no applause, just everyone staring at him. A buzzing like angry bees filled the hall, several of the Hufflepuffs were glaring at him like they were trying to set him on fire.
Professor Snape had stood up and was looking frantically between Harry and Dumbledore.
"Harry Potter, up here please." Dumbledore repeated. There was no glint in his eye, no happiness, no sign of emotion at all.
"I didn't put my name in." Harry whispered to his friends, his face white a sheet.
"I know." Pansy nodded, "But you have to go."
Harry shook his head, Daphne put a hand on Harry's arm and gave him a shove. Harry felt his feet moving slowly towards the head table. Still no one was clapping; it felt like the walk would never end.
"Well Harry, through the door, Harry." Dumbledore instructed him.
Harry looked to Severus, he was desperately hoping that Severus could jump in and wake him up from this nightmare that was happening.
Harry moved into the smaller room with the other three champions, the door banging shut behind him.
Viktor Krum, Cedric Diggory and Fleur Delacour were grouped around the large, roaring fire. Fleur turned around to him at the noise of the door shutting.
"What is it?" she asked, "do zey want us bank in ze Hall?"
Harry opened him mouth, he didn't know what to say, how to explain what had just happened to them; she thought he was just there to give them a message. It suddenly struck him how tall they were, and how short he was.
There was a sound of scurrying feet behind him and Harry moved out of the way of the door. Ludo Bagman burst in and grabbed Harry excitedly by the arm, leading him towards the other champions.
"Extraordinary!" he muttered, holding tightly to Harry's arm, "Extraordinary! Gentlemen… lady," he added smiling to Fleur and moving next to them all, "May I introduce… incredible though it may seem… the fourth Triwizard champion!"
Krum straightened up and looked Harry up and down, he looked almost betrayed by Harry's presence there. Cedric looked at a loss for words, he looked between Bagman and Harry in confusion.
Fleur however, let out a small laugh, "Oh, vairy funny joke, Meester Bagman."
Bagman shook his head, "No, no not at all! No joke! Harry's name just came out of the Goblet of Fire!"
Krum frowned, his thick eyebrows knotting together. Cedric was trying not to look annoyed and Fleur looked like she was going to scream at someone.
"But evidently zair 'as been a mistake." she said, " 'E cannot compete. 'E is too young!"
Ludo rubbed the back of his head and grinned, "Well… it is amazing." he said, moving his hand to rub his smooth chin, "But, as you know, the age restriction was only imposed this year as an extra safety measure. And as his name's come out of the Goblet… I mean, I don't think there can be any ducking out at this stage… it's down in the rules, you're obliged… Harry will just have to do the best he..."
The door behind them burst open and Severus rushed to his side, pulling him tightly to his side. Harry was grateful for the hug but also felt even smaller now in front of the other champions.
He was followed by Professor Dumbledore, Mr Crouch, Madam Maxime and Professor Karkaroff, before the door was closed Harry could loudly hear the students in the hall talking to one another.
Fleur pushed past them, striding over to Madam Maxime.
"Madam Maxime! Zey are saying zat zis little boy is to compete also!"
Harry glared at her, he might be younger than them but he was hardly a 'little boy'.
Madam Maxime looked furiously at him, drawing herself up to her full height. She was so tall in the small room that the top of her head brushed the chandelier.
"What is ze meaning of zis Dumbly-dorr?" she demanded.
Karkaroff sneered at Harry and Dumbledore, "I'd rather like to know that myself Dumbledore, Two Hogwarts champions? I don't remember anyone telling me that the host school is allowed two champions, or have I not read the rules carefully enough?" he said with a nasty laugh.
"C'est impossible." Spat Madam Maxine, her large hands resting carefully on Fleur's shoulders. Harry couldn't blame them for being angry at him, he would have been angry if it was another student from Durmstrang or Beauxbatons that had been chosen.
Madam Maxine shook her head, " 'Ogwarts cannot 'ave two champions. It is most unjust."
Karkaroff sat down and stroked his small goatee, "We were under the impression that your Age Line would keep out younger students, Dumbledore. Otherwise we would, of course, have brought along a wider selection of candidates from our own schools."
"It's not Dumbledore's fault." Severus said coolly, "Whoever put Harry's name in the Goblet of Fire is to blame."
"So you admit that Harry is to blame?" Karkaroff said, rather triumphantly.
Severus gave him a rather snake like smile back, "Strange, I don't remember saying that."
Dumbledore took Harry's hand and pulled him, gently but forcefully away from Severus.
"Harry did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?" Dumbledore asked, calmly.
Harry shook his head, "No, no I swear."
"Did you ask one of the older students, or teachers, to put in your name?" Dumbledore asked, again in the same calm voice.
"No!" Harry said, "It wasn't me!"
Dumbledore gave a small nod.
" 'E is lying! Of course 'e is lying!" Madam Maxime cried.
"Well he couldn't have crossed the age line, we all saw what happened to several students that tried that." Severus pointed out.
Madam Maxime just seemed to be getting more and more angry at the situation, "Dumbly-dorr, you must 'ave made a mistake wiz ze line."
Dumbledore shrugged, "It is possible, of course it is possible."
Severus sighed loudly, "Albus you know you know you didn't make a mistake with the Age Line, as I pointed out it, worked perfectly with the other students. Harry could not have crossed the Age Line himself."
Karkaroff gave out a nasty snap of laughter, "No, not by himself. But his oh, so kind, father at Hogwarts? Well you could have gotten over the Age Line couldn't you?"
Severus's nostrils flared, "Yes Igor, because raising the child of my arch enemy has come with many challenges; and yet after thirteen years I have yet to be able to get him seriously injured or kill him off! Thought I'd step up my game this year!" he hissed, "Please think before you speak Igor!"
Karkaroff at least had the grace to look slightly shame faced, "Well it had to be someone. I still believe it could have been Potter."
"It wasn't me! You believe me right Dad?" Harry said, looking over to Severus.
Severus nodded without hesitation, "Of course."
Karkaroff stood up and cleared his throat loudly, "Mr Crouch, Mr Bagman you are our, er, objective judges are you not? Surely you will agree this is most… irregular."
Harry felt himself grow angry at how much Bagman seemed to be enjoying the whole situation. He was wiping his face, a boyish grin never leaving his face, turning to Mr Crouch who was sitting calmly in a seat by the fire.
"We must follow the rules, and the rules state clearly that those people whose names come out of the Goblet of Fire are bound to compete in the Tournament." Mr Crouch said.
Bagman snapped his fingers and grinned, "Well there you go. Barty here knows the rule book back to front." he looked to Madam Maxime and Professor Karkaroff like the matter was now closed.
Karkaroff clearly thought that the matter was not closed though, he stormed toward Dumbledore staring at him angrily, "I insist on resubmitting all my students! You will set up the Goblet of Fire again and we will keep adding names until each school has two champions. It's only fair Dumbledore."
Bagman shook his head, "It doesn't work like that Karkaroff." He said earnestly, "The Goblet of Fire has just gone out, it won't reignite until the start of the next Tournament."
Karkaroff threw his hands up in the air and slammed them down to his sides, "Which, I can assure you of, Durmstrang will have no part! After all our meetings and negotiations and compromises, I hardly expected something of this nature to occur! I have half a mind to leave right now!"
"An empty threat Karkaroff." growled Professor Moody, he'd just entered the room followed by a very worried and angry looking Lily.
She swept over to Harry and wrapped her arms around him an a hug. Harry let himself stop worrying for a second to feel her arms around him before pulling away. He was very aware that all eyes were on him.
"You can't be meaning that Harry is going to have to compete?" Severus asked, staring at Bagman.
"WHAT?!" Lily snapped, "Are you joking?"
Bagman looked rather less pleased now he had Lily staring him down, "Well the rules say..."
"I don't care about the rules." Lily said frankly, holding onto Harry's shoulders so tightly it hurt, "Harry is not going to compete."
"That's it. I'm leaving." Karkaroff said, he looked very uncomfortably at Lily.
"Sit down Igor." Moody growled, "You're not leavin'. Bidding magical contract, bit convenient really."
Karkaroff took a step back, "Convenient? I'm not sure I understand you Moody."
"Well whoever put Potter's name in the cup knew he had to compete." Professor Moody snarled.
"Evidently, someone 'oo wished to give 'Ogwarts two bites at ze apple!" Madam Maxime said, crossing her arms.
"I quite agree, Madam Maxime." Karkaroff said, bowing slightly to her, "I shall be lodging complaints with the Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards..."
Moody made a loud huffing noise, "If anyone's got a reason to complain it's Potter, funny thing is I don't hear him saying a word."
"Why should 'e complain?" Fleur burst out, storming forward to the crowd of adults and stomping her foot, " 'E 'as ze chance to compete, 'asn't 'e? We 'ave all been 'oping to be chosen for weeks and weeks! Ze honour for our schools! A thousand Galleons in prize money! Somezing many would die for!"
Lily clutched Harry closer, "Maybe someone is hoping he will die! You silly, little girl! It doesn't matter, Harry is not competing."
Bagman sighed, "Lily, it's a binding contract."
"No." Severus said, as calmly as he could, "Harry is too young..."
Mr Crouch coughed, "There will be consequences if he will not compete."
"Yes," Ludo laughed, "The world could burn!" He said jokingly.
Lily rounded on him, her bright green eyes burning with anger, "Then. Let. It. Burn."
Dumbledore stood up and moved between Lily and Ludo, "Lily, Severus, you both know the only one who will suffer, if he doesn't compete, is Harry."
Lily rubbed her temple, she was getting a headache. She took a deep breath and tried not to cry, turning to Harry.
She pulled him to the side and sat down so they were closer to eye level, "Harry, a wizards contract, like what's written into the rules, if you don't compete… you'll loose your magic."
Harry looked at her blankly, trying to let the words sink in, "I… I'll become a Squib?"
Lily nodded, "I don't care."
"We wouldn't care." Severus said, putting his hand on Harry's shoulder.
"I know, I know you guys will always be there for me, but I can't give up my magic." Harry said, he looked around to the others in the room, they were at least pretending not to listen, "I'll just have to do my best."
Lily let a tear roll down her cheek, "You're so brave." she stroked his hair down and nodded, "Right. If you're sure. You're to take no extra risks."
Harry nodded gave her a hug. Lily coughed to let them know they were finished talking.
"Harry has decided he has to compete." Severus said, "But this isn't his choice, he never asked for this."
"Now we just need to find out who's trying to kill Potter." Moody growled.
There was an awkward silence that filled the room,
Ludo gave an awkward laugh, "Moody old man, what a thing to say!"
"Well Lily pointed it out, and she's right. This competition is dangerous!" Moody snarled.
Karkaroff let out a loud and nasty laugh, "We all know Professor Moody considers the morning wasted if he hasn't discovered six plots to murder him before lunchtime, apparently he's now teaching his students to fear the same. An odd quality in a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Dumbledore, but no doubt you had your reasons."
Moody glared at him, "Oh, just imagining things am I?" he growled, "Lets looks at the facts shall we. It was a skilled witch or wizard who put the boy's name in that Goblet-"
"And what evidence is zere of zat?" Madam Maxime demanded.
"Because they hoodwinked a very powerful magical object!" Moody snapped, "It would have needed an exceptionally strong Confundus Charm to trick that Goblet into forgetting there are only three schools that compete." Moody paced awkwardly for a few moments, "I'm guessing they submitted Potter's name under a fourth school, to make sure he was the only one in his category and therefore had to get chosen."
Karkaroff glared at him coldly, "Well, you seem to have given this an awful lot of thought Moody. And it is a very ingenious theory it is though, of course I heard that you got it into your head that one of your Birthday presents was a Basilisk egg, or that time you thought you were under attack and sent your dustbins off after some Muggles? You'll excuse us if we don't take you completely seriously."
Moody glared back, "There are always going to be those who take innocent situations and turn them for his advantage." he said back, menacingly, "It's my job to think the way Dark wizards do, Karkaroff… as you ought to remember..."
"Alastor!" Dumbledore said warningly.
The room fell painfully quiet again, Moody was glaring at Karkaroff who's face was white with fear or anger, Harry couldn't tell which.
Cedric was still sitting in the corner, he hadn't said anything and Harry felt immensely guilty over stealing all the attention from him.
"How this situation arose, we do not know." Dumbledore said calmly, "It seems to me, however, that we have no choice but to accept it. Both Cedric and Harry have been chosen to compete in the Tournament. This therefore, they will do..."
"Ah, but Dumbly-dore…"
"My dear Madam Maxime, if you have an alternative, I would be delighted to hear it." Dumbledore said.
Madam Maxime remained silent, glaring at Dumbledore. Dumbledore let the minutes tick by but no one spoke. Lily was still clutching to Harry's shoulder, Severus was hovering close by. Madam Maxime and Professor Karkaroff simply looked a mixture of annoyed, livid and scared.
Ludo Bagman seemed to have found the fun in the whole situation again and was bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet.
"Shall we get on then?" He suggested excitedly, "Got to give our champions their instructions haven't we? Barty, want to do the honours?"
Mr Crouch, who had been sitting quietly for the most part, lifted his head up and nodded, it seemed that he had been off in his own little world.
"Yes." he said, standing up, "Instructions. Yes… the first task..."
Harry thought Mr Crouch looked ill, in the dim fire light, he was pale and almost skeletal. There were dark circles under his eyes and a thin papery crinkles around the edges of his face.
"The first challenge will be to test you daring," He told Harry, Cedric, Fleur and Viktor, "so we're not going to tell you what it is. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard...yes...very important… anyway, the first task will take place on November the 24th, in front of all the other students and of course the panel of judges. The champions are not permitted to ask for, or accept help, of any kind, from their teachers to complete the tasks in the Tournament. The champions will face the first challenge armed only with their wands. They will receive information about the second task when the first is over. Owing to the demanding and time-consuming nature of the Tournament, the champions are exempted from end-of-year tests." He turned to Dumbledore, "I think that's all, is it, Albus?"
Dumbledore nodded, "I think so." he was looking at Mr Crouch with mild concern, "Are you completely sure you wouldn't like to stay at Hogwarts tonight Barty?"
"No, Dumbledore, I must get back to the Ministry," Said Mr Crouch, "It is a very busy, very difficult time at the moment. I've er… I've left young Weatherby in charge… very enthusiastic… a little over-enthusiastic, if truth be told."
Dumbledore nodded, "You could come and have a drink, before you go?"
Bagman grinned broadly and clapped Crouch on the back, "Come on Barty, I'm staying!" he said brightly, "It's all happening here at the moment! Much more exciting than the office."
"I think not, Ludo." Said Mr Crouch, looking less than impressed.
Dumbledore turned his attention to Madam Maxime and Professor Karkaroff, "Will you two like to stay for a nightcap?"
Madam Maxime had already put her arm around Fleur's shoulders and was marching from the room. Harry could hear them both talking very quickly in French, Madam Maxime's head bent low.
Karkaroff gave one last glare to Dumbledore and beckoned Krum from the room, both of them leaving in silence.
