Dumbledore marches into the room, his eyes sparkling with a quiet rage.

"Harry...Aline," Dumbledore asks calmly, "did you put your names into the goblet of fire?"

Harry and Aline shake their heads. "No sir."

"Then why, may I ask, are there two underage students? Might I add gryffindors entering the tournament that could very well put them in mortal danger? There is clearly a reason for the age restriction." This was Professor McGonagall, who was head of the Gryffindor House and also the transfiguration professor. Her eyes sparkle like those of a cat when she speaks. "I am tempted to expel you simply so that you might finally learn your lesson, Potter. To stay out of trouble. As for you, Miss Lupin, I am thoroughly disappointed you are beginning your school year as such."

"Professor McGonagall, might I agree with your valid assessment?" Professor Snape quietly strides into the dark room as though emerging from the shadows. He is dressed all in black, and his arms are crossed over his furrowing brows.

"And you, Miss Lupin. I simply have not a single idea how, in the course of a week at Hogwarts, you and your sister were medaled for toying with a dark artifact that is ancient and powerful."

"Professors," Dumbledore says calmly. "There must be some explanation. For now, we must focus our energies on assisting our young candidates in their preparation for the tournament."

"Headmaster, we cannot proceed. And risk the reputation of our schools?"

"We risk our reputation by going against tradition."

Both professor McGonagall and professor Snape were not at their heads but exchanged very knowing glances. Aline knows what this means, but she swallows down the words. She's learned not to talk over adults.

So they sit and wait while Professor Dumbledore and the others go into a separate room to discuss.

Harry has been quiet all along. Now that all the adults are gone, he turns to her and whispers.

"What you did back there for your sister was very brave."

"Not brave," Aline says. "I just couldn't let her go there alone." She looks at Harry's big green eyes. "You would have done the same for Ron or Hermione."

" Yes." Harry grins.

She knows he would have because he values his friends above all else. It's the one thing she likes the most about Harry Potter.

"I wish we had something to listen to."

That's when Harry pulls out a pair of magic ears. If you listen to one end, you will hear the conversation from the other. Aline doesn't like tricks, but she's willing to take a risk.

She hears Dumbledore talking with someone. To her horror, she realizes that it's Remus. She's never heard Remus say words like that before. Those were the kinds of words the werewolves used when they got angry. And Remus was always calm and very collected.

"You were supposed to keep her safe." She hears Remus say these words. Snape lets out a grunt and says something contrary.

The two don't hear the end of it because the other contestants of the triwizard tournament enter. It is Fleur and Victor, the headmaster and headmistress of their respective schools.

All four of the students exchange very awkward glances. Aline is secretly happy she is here with Harry because it's very clear to her that both Victor and Fleur are not happy to see two underage wizards competing alongside them, who are both almost adult wizards.

"Bonjour," Fleur says shyly and smiles. Harry blushes and says hello back. Aline forces an equal smile at Krum, but he's too stern and upright to even look her way.

"Zdravo." He finally says the words and bows to Aline. He is handsome as well. Harry frowns out of the corner of his eye.

"We will be competing together. Zis is exciting, yes?" Fleur says, trying to lighten the tone of the room. All the others nod, putting on a fake face.

When Dumbledore and the others come out, there's only one verdict. Harry and Aline are part of the tournament, and preparation will begin immediately.

Remus' face is dark and upset through the flames.

"When I said make friends, this is not what I meant!" He growled.

"I'm sorry, okay?" Aline threw her hands down. "It was either me or Ellie."

"I'm coming to pick you girls up tonight."

"You can't! It's against the rules."

"So is entering the triwizard tournament! Do you have any idea what will happen to you two there!?" Remus all but yells. "You and Harry are barely fifteen. And these sorts of tournaments are filled with spells, curses, and creatures that could kill you. You've only started to learn magic."

"Fine. What am I supposed to do? Just not go?"

"I don't know." Remus rubs his head. "Just try and stay out of trouble for now, and I'll figure it out."

Aline shuts the Floo angrily before he finishes and curls up on the couch in the Gryffindor common room. She did what she had to do. It's not like she chose to be part of the triwizard tournament in general. Her goal this year was to stay out of everyone's way and not be the center of attention, and that is exactly what happened. And if the goblet had not chosen Ellie, she would have never stepped her foot over the age restriction line.

Ellie comes into the room. Aline extends her arms in an apology hug. "Sorry, we were yelling."

"Its okay."

"I promise I'll do everything I can to stay safe. And keep you safe."

"I love you."

"I love you too." Aline squeezed her sister close and buried her nose in her hair. It was Auburn, the same as their mother's. Aline had it too, but she had her father's dark green eyes. She missed them. She missed them every single day.

Fred and George's voices filled the common room. They made a beeline towards her and Ellie, standing on either side of the couch, looking peeved.

"So, how did you do it?"

"I could be asking you the same thing," Aline snarled. "You guys were talking at breakfast about how you were going to sneak your names into the goblet of fire?"

"Yes, but clearly it didn't work."

Fred eyed her suspiciously. "Who are you? Our brilliant and mysterious new students."

Aline's veins boiled, and her cheeks reddened. She felt the wolf come up inside of her. "Leave. Me. Alone."

"Come on, we were just joking."

"It's not funny."

Aline felt the fur raise on her back through her skin. She felt her sharp teeth poking out.

"Hey, just leave her alone." A warm hand slides up her shoulder. That's when she swipes at it—blood between the claws. A boy winces.

She turns to see Harry with hurt-looking eyes.

"I'm sorry," he mumbles and runs out of the room, as far away as possible from everyone. What is wrong with her? This is Harry, her friend! She runs to the dungeons, looking for the one professor who can help her.