Life Debt

Harry loved living with his godfather, Sirius, and being able to see Remus whenever because the man was always coming over to visit. Harry and Sirius mostly spent their time talking; Sirius would tell Harry all kinds of stories about James Potter from when they had met at Hogwarts, and then also there would be tales of Lily Evans too. Harry loved everything about being away from the Dursley's because he wasn't treated like a slave; Sirius actually forbade Harry from doing any kind of house work.

The only work Harry did was his school assignments, a little bit each day to keep their lessons from the previous year fresh and somewhat prepare them for the next year, which started tomorrow. It was Wednesday, August 31st, 1994. Tomorrow, Sirius and Remus were taking Harry to King's Cross Station for 10:15 am so he could return to Hogwarts and begin his fourth year. Harry did love his godfather, but began to notice small things about the man that seemed odd, like the random times Sirius would call Harry as James.

Harry let it go over his head, of course; he knew he looked just like his father. The resemblance was uncanny. Sirius just missed James a lot, that's all it was; the man would always laugh after and apologize to Harry, claim that when he was younger he had actually run away from Grimmauld and lived with the Potter's during his last year of school because he got sick of his family and their pure-blood mania. Harry figured he could understand that, so it was all good.

Harry, of course, was now fourteen years old as his birthday passed on the 31st of July and he had a fun party with the Weasley's present. Harry couldn't believe he was about to start his fourth year at Hogwarts; it felt like it was going to be a great year. Harry, Sirius, and Remus had already gone to Diagon Alley a couple weeks back when Harry's letter arrived with the list of required books and items for his fourth year.

It was a fun trip, and they had met up with Harry's friends too. So Harry was ready to begin his next year. Another fun event had been invited to join the Weasley's to the Quidditch World Cup, Hermione came along too. Of course, Lucius and Draco Malfoy were there, but nothing they said got the group of friends down. Harry also met Amos and Cedric Diggory, who they all stood together to watch the game. Though, as usual, nothing was easy.

Death Eaters were there and raided the camp people were staying in for the world cup, someone had summoned the Dark Mark in the sky and of course; it didn't ring anything good to Harry. The dark mark was the symbol Voldemort had created and branded his followers with. Harry dreaded to think of why these people were grouping up again; they'd been quiet since the night Voldemort was beaten when Harry was a baby. It didn't sit well with Harry at all. Right now, Harry was sitting at his desk near the window and working on the last of his assignments.

"Harry!" Called Remus as Harry looked over to see his godfather and unofficial uncle walk into the sitting room of his first-floor lounge.

"Hey, guys," Harry greeted from the desk, while working on something.

"What are you up to, pup?" Sirius inquired.

"Finishing the last of my summer homework so I can put it all away in the trunk." Harry replied.

"Good boy," Remus chuckled. "I recall last year you hadn't done whatever got assigned."

"That's because when you came aboard in third year, Lockhart, who had been our second year Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher was a certified idiot. And he obliviated himself down in the Chamber of Secrets using Ron's broken wand while trying to actually obliviate us so he could take the credit of slaying the monster down there." Harry informed. "And the rest of the reason my work never got done, or a good portion of it because I'd work on the train ride; is because my aunt and uncle would lock my trunk up in the cupboard under the stairs for the summer I was with them." He explained.

"Well, you don't have to worry about that anymore since you're here." Sirius said. "So almost done?"

"Yeah. Finishing the last of this potions work." Harry nodded. "Making sure it's perfect for Snape, attempting to stay off his hating Harry radar this year." He muttered.

"Professor Snape doesn't hate you, Harry," Remus informed.

"Could have fooled me," Harry remarked. "He's been a right git since I started there. The only times I've seen him not want me gone was first year when he tried to counter Quirrell's broom jinx during my first quidditch match and last year when you went werewolf, so he put himself between me, my friends, and you." He stated. "I think he does hate my ineptitude of not being good at potions. If it weren't for Hermione, Ron and I would have both failed the last couple of years."

"It's not you, Harry," Sirius sighed. "Snape hates me and your father because we bullied him back in our Hogwarts days. And you, godson, are the spitting image of James Potter. Except the eyes, of course."

"Either way, I don't want him to give me trouble…So I'm just doing my work and hoping that we stay clear of each other aside from when I have his class." Harry said.

"Have you considered asking your professor to help you understand things better?" Remus offered.

"I try to avoid him as much as possible, so no." Harry mentioned.

"What about one of the other students who are good at things? Like Hermione? Surely she'd tutor you?" Sirius tried.

"She always has a full class load, I expect she's too busy." Harry informed. "It's fine."

"Well, if all else fails; you can call in the life debt he owes your dad, which transferred to you when your father died." Remus chuckled.

"Life debt?" Harry questioned.

"It's a form of magical debt owed when a wizard's life is saved by another wizard. Or witch, of course." Sirius informed. "It forms an unseen and impenetrable bond between the two, and remains so until the debt is paid."

"And why does Snape owe my dad such a debt?" Harry inquired.

"Back in our own fifth year; I pulled a prank on Snivellus. I knew he'd been trying to find out where me, James, Pettigrew, and Remus were disappearing to every full moon…So I told Snape where we'd all meet. I just wanted to scare Severus, my own foolishness almost got him killed. It was your father who realized what I'd done and went after Snape to stop him. Snape found Remus transformed and Remus tried to attack him, but your father showed up and pushed Snape out of the way and pulled him through that passage under the whomping willow to safety. Your dad saved his life, so he owes your dad." Sirius explained.

"But since the debt was never paid back before your father's death; it's been transferred to you as James's only son. Technically now, Professor Snape owes you that debt." Remus remarked. "The debt is only paid when the one owing saves the other person who saved them."

"Or it remains what it was; a life debt, meaning in debt for life to the person who saved you." Sirius added. "In some cases, the debt isn't paid until the person who is owed brings it up and makes it known they're calling in on the debt owed to them."

"But Snape saved me in first year, and last year. Doesn't that wipe it out?" Harry asked.

"It would be on file at Gringotts if the debt was still in effect." Remus said. "Just like Sirius said, those instances of Snape saving you may not have counted if you didn't invoke the debt to be paid. It would be a case of owing a favor, where you ask someone for something and tell them that you owe them. Later on, the person who gave you a favor may approach and say they're calling in the favor you owe them and you have to pay it back. Same can go for a life debt. If you're not making it known you're invoking it then it doesn't apply as paying off the debt." He explained.

"I guess I'll contact the bank then. I'm sure Snape would just hate me more if he knew he owed me one and if he does…I wouldn't use it on potions help." Harry said.

"Wise choice." Sirius laughed. "Save it for when you're absolutely desperate."

"Noted." Harry nodded. "Now, off with you two so I can finish my work. I'll see you for dinner." He smiled.

"We just wanted to make sure you were ready for tomorrow." Sirius told him.

"I think so. The last things to pack are Hedwig, and my homework I'm doing now." Harry replied.

"Alright then. We'll leave you to it." Remus yanked Sirius from the room.

Harry shook his head and went back to work, committing the information to memory to contact the bank and ask about the life debt. If it was still in effect, Harry would save it for exactly what Sirius suggested; something desperate he needed help with. Harry refocused on his assignment so he could put it all away and relax before tomorrow when he would start back at Hogwarts for his fourth year.

. . .

"Have a great start to the year, Harry," Sirius told his godson.

"And we'll see you at Christmas." Remus added.

"See you in December," Harry hugged them both. "I'll write once settled."

"Look forward to it." Sirius smiled.

"Me too." Remus said.

"Harry!" Hermione called. "Come on, it's time to board and find a compartment before we have to buddy up with others."

"Coming." Harry replied to Hermione, who stood with Ron, Ginny, Fred and George.

"Go on," Sirius urged Harry, lightly shoving him towards his friends.

Harry hugged Sirius and Remus again, then he dashed to meet up with his friends. Harry boarded the train and found a compartment that faced the platform; at 11 am, Harry was waving to Remus and Sirius as the Hogwarts Express pulled away from the station.

"Excited to be returning, Harry?" Ron asked.

"Of course," Harry replied. "Let's just hope it's a calm year like last year."

"I don't think last year was all that calm." Ron remarked.

"Yeah, Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban to come after you, mate." Fred said.

"Even though we know now that he's good and cleared." George added.

"You learned that another old friend of your father's is who betrayed him and your mum." Hermione added.

"I meant that Voldemort never made an appearance." Harry rolled his eyes. "I'm hoping we have another year like that. First and second were dreadfully exhausting with him trying to kill me."

"Oh, well yes. In that sense, it was a quiet year." The group of friends agreed.

"Got all your work done, Harry?" Hermione inquired.

"Yeah." Harry nodded. "Finished last night."

"I see you haven't, Ronald." Hermione stated.

"I'm working on it now. Harry, be a mate and help me?" Ron asked.

"No, do it yourself, Ron. I worked all summer to get mine done…And that was with the move and hanging with you and Hermione, plus fun with my two unofficial uncles." Harry smiled. "If you start now, you might finish by the time we get there."

Ron grumbled and pulled his things out to start working. The others just laughed some and went back to talking, in about nine hours, they would arrive back at Hogwarts to begin their fourth year.

. . .

Arriving at the Hogsmeade Station, the students loaded into carriages and were taken to Hogwarts. Everyone went to the great hall and went through the motions of the first year's sorting ceremony, then introduction of the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Alastor Moody, or Mad-Eye. Albus Dumbledore informed about the forbidden forest and normal warnings for that year.

"Now, we come to one final announcement before we have our feast. This year, Hogwarts will be hosting the Tri-Wizard Tournament. An event that takes place every five years and brings three magical schools together." Albus informed. "One champion from each of the schools will be selected by the Goblet of Fire, and that student will represent their school."

"The two schools Hogwarts is competing with are Durmstrang Institute, and Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. They will be arriving at the end of October, and on Halloween night, the champions will be chosen." He continued. "Now, for those unaware; the Tri-Wizard Tournament is a series of three, dangerous tasks for the champions to compete in."

"Due to the seriousness, it has been decided that no student under the age of seventeen may submit their name into the Goblet. Measures will be taken to ensure there is no attempts to submit themselves if under the age limit." He paused. "With that in mind, please…Enjoy the feast."

"Wow, the tournament is being hosted here. This is going to be awesome." Ron said.

"Who would wanna risk themselves in such a way," Hermione shook her head. "Seems silly to me."

"I agree with Hermione. Cool to those who want to compete, but I'd rather just watch and support whoever is chosen to represent." Harry remarked. "Honestly, my life is exciting enough with a murderous dark wizard trying to kill me every year, except last."

"True." Ron laughed.

The rest of the feast went calmly and soon students were taken back to their dorms to get settled in and relaxed. School wouldn't actually start until Monday morning, so they got the next few days to catch up with friends and refamiliarize themselves with the castle. Harry was looking forward to a calm year, hopefully, but at the same time; he knew better than to hope when there was a dark wizard using every chance he got to kill Harry. Still, Harry would try to have a good year.

. . .

The first two months of school were alright. Harry still didn't like Professor Snape, but the man had seemingly appeared impressed at Harry's summer work, like all the other teachers had. Harry was actually doing okay in all his classes so far. The talk of the school was the Tri-Wizard Tournament, and just yesterday; the students from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons had arrived. Albus announced that starting yesterday, people could start entering their names, if only of age to do so. The goblet was magnificent, fired up with blue flames. Now, it was the 31st, Halloween night as the names for the champions would be picked to represent their schools. Harry sat with his fellow house members and had a great view to see the action.

"And now…Let us see our champions for this year's tournament!" Albus called out, bringing the room to silence. The goblet raged and spat out a piece of paper. "For Beauxbatons…Fleur Delacour." There was clapping as the woman stepped forward and bowed to make herself known. The goblet gave another paper as Albus looked at it. "For Durmstrang's champion, Viktor Krum!" The man came forward, standing firm at the acknowledgement. "And for Hogwarts…" Another paper floated into Dumbledore's hand. "Cedric Diggory!"

More cheering, but mostly from Hogwarts this time. However, as Albus was about to start again when the goblet's fire turned red and shot out another slip of parchment. Albus caught it and stared at the parchment for a moment. "Harry Potter…" The hall was silent. "Harry Potter." He said again, looking around. "Harry Potter!"

Harry's eyes widened. What? What? Why him?! He never even went near the thing, how did his name get pulled? There was already a Hogwarts champion! Gulping, Harry got off his seat and walked forward towards his Headmaster, every eye in the room was on him; it was unnerving. Harry caught his head of house's worried look, and then surprising, his potions professor who seemed confused and maybe the slightest bit of concern.

"S-Sir?" Harry approached Albus.

"Until we sort this out, you are considered a Hogwarts champion and competitor. Stand with the rest, Harry," Albus informed him. Harry didn't speak, he just stood with Viktor, Fleur, and Cedric. The goblet's fire went out as the teachers looked at one another.

"So much for a calm year…" Harry muttered with a sigh.

"I suppose…Let the feast begin," Albus said calmly.

Harry didn't talk once during the meal and the hall itself was in whispers about Harry's name being called; he was only fourteen and surely he couldn't have crossed the age-line around the goblet that rejected anyone who was under seventeen. Harry kept his head down, pushing his food around and not even eating.

"Harry…You should eat," Cedric offered.

"I'm really not hungry, Cedric." Harry admitted.

Dinner went by and soon Harry found himself in the headmaster's office with Barty Crouch Senior, Albus, and his teachers. Shockingly, Sirius and Remus appeared via floo. Harry wasn't speaking still; he had too much on his mind. He didn't want to do this and he prayed that he didn't have to.

"Harry?" Albus got his attention. Harry barely looked at the man. "Did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?" The headmaster asked calmly.

"No, sir."

"Did you ask one of the older students to do it for you?" Albus pushed.

"No, sir."

"Well, someone had to have done it for him." Severus claimed.

"Obviously…The question is who." Minerva remarked.

"It matters not at this moment," Albus stated. "Barty, the age was set for a reason and Harry is three years too young to be part of this competition. And there is already a Hogwarts champion who is of age. Surely we can ignore this…Mistake, and let Harry out of the running."

"I'm afraid not, Albus." Barty said firmly. "When a name is submitted into the goblet, it automatically creates a binding contract that if they are chosen; they must compete…Regardless of the circumstances surrounding their entry." Barty informed next. "Harry Potter must take part in the tournament. I've run this by the ministry, and the board of governors. There is nothing we can do, Albus. I'm sorry…Harry has to take part in the tournament."

"Albus…Harry has only just turned fourteen. He hasn't the necessary skill to take part in this…" Remus stated. "All matter of contracts can be broken."

"If he desires to lose his magic by not competing, that is one other way out of it. The contract binds to their magic, if they refuse it; the contract breaks and takes their magic with it. Harry competes, or he loses his magic." Barty informed.

"Well we can't let that happen," Sirius spoke up. "Harry competes."

"Sirius!" Minerva gasped. "Potter is just a boy!"

"I'm aware, Minerva…But it's competing or losing his magic, the decision is not hard to make." Sirius stated. "Harry will be fine. A little beaten up, perhaps, but he's a survivor. He's beaten the dark lord, after all."

"That does not equate to putting his life on the line purposely when he didn't submit his name!" Minerva glared. "Yes, Potter is the boy who lived but it was his mother's sacrifice that caused the dark lord's spell to rebound and defeat himself."

Harry was getting worked up and stressed out. Why couldn't he have one, just one year where nothing major happened to him? Was it too much to ask?

"Potter, you don't look well." Severus finally spoke, having noticed Harry's heavy breathing and pale look on his face.

"Minerva, calm yourself. You're making Harry get worked up." Albus said.

"Harry, my boy…It will be alright." Remus reassured. "We'll be with you the entire time."

"For moral support as the competitors can have no outside help." Barty reminded.

"Yes, of course." Sirius nodded. "Don't worry, pup. You'll do great; it's in your blood as James's son."

"Then it's settled," Albus sighed. "Harry, you're a second Hogwarts champion and you will compete in the Tri-Wizard Tournament."

"Fine…" Harry remarked in what sounded like a cold tone as he stood up. "Can I go then?"

"You may. And Harry…I am sorry." Albus looked sympathetically at him, wishing he could do more.

"No disrespect, Headmaster…But please save your apologies. It doesn't change or fix what happened or will happen." Harry turned away and headed for the door. "It's not like it's anything new for something major to happen every year since I've come to Hogwarts that risks my life. For all we know, Voldemort found another way to get me alone to try and kill me. I don't know about any of you, but I sense deadly trap all over this situation. But it's all good because I'm Harry Bloody Potter and I'm always alright. Always okay. Right?" He paused a moment.

"My life has never been normal like everyone else. Why should I believe it ever will be? If Voldemort is behind this, and he tries to kill me…Maybe I should just let him. Save myself the headache of something happening next year. Or, if he's not…Maybe I can just get killed in the tournament, it would save Voldemort some work. It's whatever to me at this point. I gave up hoping things would get better a long time ago." He put his hands in his pockets and turned his back to them.

"Harry…" Remus said softly.

"Pup, don't talk that way." Sirius tried to hug him from behind.

"Leave me alone…" Harry jerked out of his arms and stepped away. "I don't care anymore."

And without another word, Harry walked past the door frame before he ran off and disappeared from sight.