Notes: (1) Thanks to MuscularNerd for being a beta reader for this chapter.

(2) This chapter has been cut into two parts

The world of Harry Potter and its characters belong to JKR. I do not support JKR. Trans women are women. Trans men are men. Trans people are people.

TW: Slicing Injury

Chapter 5: The Training I

Ron walked to the side of Godric Gryffindor, or maybe he had Apparated to his side, he wasn't entirely sure. The bloody flaming ruby had flown right at him, when it had flown close to Harry he had been mentally preparing himself for another year of Harry getting the spotlight. He pushed down the feeling of jealousy and envy in his head.

'It's fine,' Ron thought. 'Harry is the best choice for Gryffindor, it's fine. I'm fine,'

He wasn't prepared when the gemstone had stopped right in front of him, almost as if it had eyes of its own. Ron felt as if it was staring right back into his own blue eyes. There was nothing he could do at the time, his mind for the first time had gone blank. He had always prided himself in his ability to keep calm, and not break under pressure, but at that moment he was truly paralized. Not a giant chess set, not a forest full of Acromantulas, or an accused mass murdering Death Eater that broke his leg. No, what had made Ron Weasley panic was being the choice of Gryffindor.

He took the ruby in his grasp and flames burst from it. He thought he would've felt scared, but nonetheless he felt strangely at home with the flames of the gemstone. As he managed to walk to his founder and give the gemstone back to the wizard with the red mane. He could hear the cheering and clapping coming from the Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables. Fred and George were cheering him on. And apparently all Ron could do was stand there with a stupid look on his face.

"-the Champions of Hogwarts!" Ron heard Rowena Ravenclaw say. The founders and their Champions, Ron would have to remember that it meant him as well, walked through the tables of the Great Hall and out of the hall. He looked at Godric Gryffindor, he was wearing a face full of pride underneath his beard, his smile was full of glee and joy. Ron felt a sort of pity for Gryffindor, not only the wizard but his house, they were all probably expecting someone like Harry or Hermione, yet all they got was… him.

The four walked together for a short time before they all dispersed in separate directions. They walked for a while before they stopped at the first floor with a blank portrait. Ron looked curiously at Gryffindor who smirked at him. A lion with a scar on his right eye coming from his mane appeared in the blank portrait and looked at Gryffindor. It walked from side to side and a stone statue of a lion head appeared on the right side of the portrait. It opened its jaw and a fire seemed to appear from its throat. To Ron's surprise Gryffindor stuck his hand in, he took a deep breath and looked at Ron.

"You better remember this," said Gryffindor. "You'll be using it for the rest of the year," there was a loud click coming from the stone as Gryffindor pulled his arm slightly out. He looked at the portrait lion right in the eyes and proceeded to recite a poem of all things.

"We are the fighters in every war,
All we need is courage nothing more,
Darkness shall tremble with our roar,
The brave wizards of Gryffindor."

The portrait lion roared and settled down on its paws, the portrait swung open and Gryffindor pulled his arm completely out of the stone head. He entered the newly created entrance and Ron thought it best to follow him. They made their way inside a room that resembled the Gryffindor Common Room, it had a long couch, along with several comfy looking chairs and a fireplace. However, it also had a large four poster bed, it was far more spacious with a training mat and training dummies. There was also a stone door that was closed at the other side of the room.

Above the four poster bed there was a red and gold crest, it had a sword and a wand that formed a cross, a lion and a griffin made of gold in a fight, and the words 'Rugitus fortes sperate'. There were weapons along some of the walls, mainly swords, shields and some axes. The colour inside the room was a rich crimson red that reminded Ron of home because of its intensity. There were portraits of witches and wizards with red hair similar to Gryffindor's and his own, every single one of them had an elegant nature that told him that they were warriors. And on a large desk there was also a chessboard with golden and red chess pieces.

Ron looked simply awestruck, as he took a good look at the room that he was apparently going to use for the rest of the year. As he turned he saw Gryffindor looking at him with an amused smile, Ron felt his ears go red under his gaze. The founder was sitting by the chessboard glancing between the pieces and Ron. The young redheaded wizard gulped before sitting down. He was red while Gryffindor was golden.

"So," said Gryffindor as he started the game. "I heard you like chess, I thought it would be a nice addition to the room. What do you think?" Ron was simply shocked at everything that was happening at that moment.

"P-pretty wicked, I guess," said Ron, moving his own chess piece.

"No need to be nervous with me Ron," said Gryffindor. "I'm not going to hurt you or anything."

"Well, it's not everyday that I'm chosen by a thousand-year old to play chess with him. Next, you're going to say Merlin wants to play gobstones with me." Ron turned quickly in an exaggerated manner at the door and looked at it for five seconds. "Guess not." Gryffindor stared at Ron with a wide smile before howling in laughter and hitting the table making the chess pieces jump in their place.

"That's- Ha, ha! Tha-" he continued laughing, until he had to wipe tears off his eyes. "Very funny, Mr. Weasley," they continued playing, they talked mostly about normal and mundane things such as their favorite foods, and pastimes, like they were two people meeting for the first time and not a legendary ancient wizard and a teenager who was trying very hard not to panic. At the end it resulted in Ron winning and then playing another game, where Gryffindor managed to stand his ground for a bit longer before Ron eventually checkmated him.

"How the bloody-?!" said Gryffindor. He looked at Ron in awe. "Blimey! Not that unexpected considering you beat Professor McGonagall's chess set at 12." Ron could feel his cheeks and ears redden.

"Honestly," said Ron. "That's still one of the hardest chess games I've ever played." Gryffindor nodded.

"Especially considering you were playing handicapped," said Gryffindor. Ron looked at him as if questioning what he said, when Gryffindor simply arched an eyebrow. "Well, you not only had to protect your king, but also Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger. I would also include you, but considering how that evening ended…" he trailed off and Ron almost winced at the memory of the marble hitting him over the head.

"Yes," Gryffindor said, as he looked at the flames in the fireplace. "One of the many reasons why I chose you as my Champion." Ron perked up at that looking at him and expecting a longer explanation. Because for the first time he had been inside this room half of his thoughts had been occupied by chess moves and half filled with reasons for Gryffindor's choice.

Why him? Why had Godric Gryffindor, a legendary wizard known as one of the bravest wizards to ever live, choose him? Was it pity? Was it all a big joke? Was he going to say that he got the wrong person? Perhaps, he did and he was just too embarrassed to admit he had been wrong.

"I am not wrong Mr. Weasley," said Gryffindor. Ron's eyes widened. Of course he would be able to read his mind, he had done so for the last three lessons he'd had with Ron. "Nor do I pity you, I don't think this is all a big joke either."

"Then why?" Ron spoke all fear and hesitation gone. "Harry is a much better wizard than I am, he's gone through far worse than I've ever had to deal with. Or Hermione, she's brilliant that one, smartest of the year, she could solve every problem you throw at her during the Tournament. Or any of my brothers, Bill is a curse breaker who deals with Dark Magic daily; Charlie is a brilliant flyer and deals with bloody dragons; Percy's a prat, but he's smart enough; the bloody twins have a better chance than me; Ginny's young, but she's a great flyer, better than the rest of us. So if this isn't some sort of joke, then… why… Why me?"

Gryffindor looked at Ron with what looked like pity, Ron didn't like it one bit. He sat down on the couch facing the fireplace and put his arms on his knees. He guessed he won, because Gryffindor was not saying anything.

"Because of your heart Mr. Weasley," said Gryffindor as he sat down beside Ron and put a hand on your shoulder. "Your heart doesn't compare to any of them." Ron scoffed at that. This only seemed to further determine Gryffindor. "Your heart led you to a lonely boy in a compartment in your first visit at Hogwarts. Your heart made you go and save a girl you barely tolerated from a troll. Your heart told you that sacrifice was necessary for the protection of the Philosopher's Stone. Your heart knew that the lack of communication with your best friend meant something was wrong. Your heart overcame its greatest fear when your friend became petrified and needed help. Your heart protected your best friend's safety when a serial killer threatened him."

There was a silence as Ron's eyes had somehow been filled with tears, when had that happened?

"None of your friends' hearts are filled with as much love as yours, Mr. Potter was not chosen for a single reason." Ron once again perked up in their conversation. Gryffindor cleared his throat and handed Ron a handkerchief, he wiped his eyes and thanked him before Gryffindor continued. "Mr. Weasley… Would you do anything for your friends?"

"Yes," said Ron, no hesitation in his answer.

"Would you kill for your friends?" asked Gryffindor. Ron's eyes widened before he pretended to think of the answer, as if he needed any time to think. The answer was yes, if it came between one of his friends' lives or a bloody Death eater he wouldn't hesitate to kill or let the Death Eater die.

"Yes," his voice had dropped to barely a whisper. "Yes, I would,"

"And therein lies the difference Mr. Weasley," Ron looked at Gryffindor in confusion. "Mr. Potter has a noble soul, but even he has limits. He has morals that formed the person he is today, no matter how bad it gets he could never renounce those morals. But you could, you care and love others so much that even you would defend them to the point of killing someone else, not out of anger, cowardice or a lack of will, but out of love and preoccupation. Your ability to love Mr. Weasley is amongst the most powerful I've ever seen."

"Powerful?" asked Ron. Gryffindor smiled at this.

"You'll see."

As if on cue, the stone door opened and a bright light came from inside. Gryffindor stood up and nudged his head as if to tell Ron to follow him, and Ron complied.

As they separated from the other three founders, Helga and Cedric made their way towards the kitchens. As they passed the common room, they stopped by a portrait where a sleeping bear laid on its belly, its snores reminding them of a melody or a tune. Hufflepuff let out a whistling tune that seemed to complete the bear's snoring, and a badger came from underneath the sleeping bear and looked right at Cedric and Helga. She cleared her throat and recited a poem.

"We are the workers whose job is tough,
We keep on digging it's not enough,
We need no deceit or even bluff,
The loyal wizards of Hufflepuff."

The badger jumped around and the portrait swung open. Helga and Cedric made their way inside a room that, Cedric noticed, looked similar to the Hufflepuff Common Room. It had windows which allowed him to look at the grounds of the school, there were vines that enveloped the walls, but in a way that looked to be intentional. There was a glow from several torches that illuminated the room. On top of the wooden mantelpiece, instead of a portrait of Helga Hufflepuff there was a portrait of a woman who looked quite similar to her, except her eyes were blue instead of brown.

There were several couches that looked extremely comfortable, a fridge the size of Professor Hagrid, a large round table with chairs all around it, and a large four poster bed. Above the bed was a black and yellow crest with a badger sleeping on top of a bear, a knife and a wand forming a cross, and the words 'Familia formae virtus'. Sitting on top of the round table was Cedric's pet dragon that he had kept from the First Task.

"I thought you'd like a bit of company while you use this room," said Helga. "I know he has been of great help during the summer." Helga was right of course, the miniature dragon Cedric had decided to name Arthur was great company when Cedric couldn't talk to anyone else. He really hoped Helga didn't ask why he named it that, he didn't want to go through the whole Pendragon joke all over again like he had with his dormmates.

"Yes," said Helga. "It's not a very good joke Cedric," Cedric's eyes widened as he turned around and looked at Helga, who shrugged and Cedric sighed, he really thought it was a good joke. "Well, if you want we can wait around here until one of the others is ready, or if you're ready we can go now."

"Go where?" asked Cedric.

"To the next chamber," said Helga. "There we'll meet the other founders and their Champions, we'll explain everything to you there, about this chamber and the tournament ." Cedric looked around the room, he went to the fridge and found pastries as well as meals for dinner. There was meat, vegetables, fruits, desserts, everything Cedric could think of. He took a hard-boiled egg that, although had been inside a fridge, felt hot and ready to eat, he put a bit of salt and pepper and bit into it, he immediately hummed and closed his eyes, it was the best hard-boiled egg he had ever eaten. He finished the egg and poured himself fresh orange juice.

"I guess I'd like to wait," Cedric said as he set the glass down on the table. "You know, I want to see more of the room." Helga nodded, and opened the fridge and took out a box of chocolate biscuits, as she sat down, she offered some to Cedric who in return took a couple. As they continued eating the biscuits Cedric briefly wondered if continuing to let Helga feed him sweets was a good idea.

'Thank Merlin for Quidditch,' Cedric thought. The two of them kept enjoying the chocolate sweets for some time before they settled onto a comfortable silence.

"How are things with Cho?" Cedric almost choked on the pumpkin juice he was drinking, he spat the juice into a glass and started a coughing fit. Things with Cho were… confusing to say the least, she looked at him as though he might break at any moment and it infuriated him, but then she gave him the space he needed, and it was confusing.

Cedric only knew certain things, when Cho was around things seemed better, the graveyard, Voldemort, the nightmares they were all gone. He knew that her kisses, although soft and warm, sometimes felt like she was preparing to kiss him for the last time. Sometimes when they spent time alone neither of them would say a thing and Cedric would just be grateful for her presence. But then her presence could sometimes be suffocating, her touches and her care reminded him of last year, as if he needed someone to constantly tell him that everything was fine when in fact everything was less than fine. He wanted to be as close to her as possible and as far away as well and it wasn't fair to her.

When Harry of all people seemed to blush under one of Cho's compliments during one of the DA's meetings he felt like his blood was about to boil, the moment they were out of the Room of Requirement he had pulled Cho by her hand into an empty classroom and snogged the daylights out of her. The constant anger he was feeling from his fellow classmates, from the public, the Daily Prophet, he would unload it on her. He grabbed her waist a little rougher than he used to, he bit on her lip harder, he sucked on that spot behind her ear that he knew drove her crazy and made sure to leave a mark. Then, they would finish, their foreheads would meet in the middle as they felt the other's breath on their face, she would look dazed or dizzy almost like she had drunk a bottle of Firewhisky, but he would only feel guilt and disgust with himself.

At first, she wore this dazed smile after their snogging session and would ask him what had gotten into him. He gave a simple excuse that he wanted to try and be a bit rougher, she said she liked it and would like him to try and be more rough. However, there was an issue, snogging her like that when he didn't feel angry was hard, his brain would go into "protective-Ced" mode as Ernie had dubbed it and he would purposefully restrain himself. He decided to solve the issue with a problem, he would find ways to get angry, any look that a boy would give Cho made him go into "sexy angry-Cedric" mode as Cho had dubbed it. Every time Harry would look at her for a second more than a platonic friend would, he made a show of grabbing her hand and kissing the back of it tenderly, before taking her away to a more private place.

According to Cho there wasn't a problem, the gentle caresses and touches were not entirely gone, they were still a big part of their relationship, but it was the roughness that he had gotten addicted to. The knowledge that he was the one that got to snog this brilliant, beautiful witch. He was scared of that part, he was scared of himself when he was around her. He would've continued to feel disgusted in himself, but the voice of his founder brought him back to the present.

"There are parts of us," said Helga in that same motherly tone he could always recognize. "Parts of us we are proud of, parts that make us happy, sad, angry… and there are dark parts of us… Parts that we are scared of, and feel we should keep locked inside ourselves." Cedric looked at the now empty glass in his hand, making sure to maintain his gaze away from Hufflepuff. "It is outstanding how much you continue to impress me." Cedric's head shot up. "You hat- No, you are disgusted with this rougher, more brute side of you, yet because you feel that both you and Ms. Chang need it, you continue to show it to the world again and again."

"Cho doesn't exactly need it though,"

"Ahh, but you see how she looks after your… sessions." Cedric didn't need to look at Helga to know she was blushing as much as he was. "You see her looking at you like she did before the Third Task. Calm, looking as if she didn't have a care in the world." Cedric said nothing, instead he stood up and wiped his eyes before extending his hand towards Helga.

"I think I'm ready to go," said Cedric. Helga smiled.

"Good," she said. Helga stood up and took Cedric's hand, she walked towards the stone door and waved her wand, opening the stone entrance they made their way in.

Luna and Lady Ravenclaw made their way towards the Ravenclaw Tower, curiously though Lady Ravenclaw decided to deviate from the normal path and they found themselves at the ground floor of the Ravenclaw Tower in front of a portrait of the clear sky. Lady Ravenclaw stood in front of the clear sky and decided to recite a lovely poem.

"We are the smart that change the law,
All our knowledge leaves no flaw,
All shall learn from our call,
From the wise wizards of Ravenclaw."

An eagle suddenly appeared flapping its wings in front of Ravenclaw, who looked at the witch in front of it and its eyes glowed blue.

"I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with wind. What am I?" said the eagle.

"An echo," said both Ravenclaw and Luna at the same time. Lady Ravenclaw looked down at the younger witch and gave her an appreciative smile. As the portrait swung open and they made their way in, Luna appreciated the soft glow of the moon that came from several windows in the new mysterious room. It reminded her of the Ravenclaw Tower, yet it was different from it. It had a giant bookcase as well as portraits of famous Ravenclaw wizards like her own common room, but unlike her common room there were art supplies and the chairs that looked quite comfortable and would occasionally float.

A stone door across the room seemed completely closed. A four poster bed was inside the room as well, it was big, maybe as big as one of the library tables. Above the bookshelves was a crest of blue and bronze colours, it depicted an eagle in front of a book, a wand that acted as the arrow of a bow and the phrase 'Scientia sit potentia'. There were copies and numbers of the Quibbler on some of the couches and desks. She grabbed a copy of one of her favorite numbers talking about the flesh-eating pineapples in India and settled down on one of the floating chairs.

"How did the farmer react to that fruit?" asked Ravenclaw as she peered down once the floating chair had momentarily settled down on the carpeted floor.

"Well," said Luna in her usual dreamy voice. "Apparently, her tongue is still recovering from the attack. But, she regained the ability to speak two weeks after this article was published." As they waited silently making little comments and having a pleasant conversation, they must've spent about half an hour discussing possible hideouts for Nargles out of winter time. It was the most Luna had talked about her interests to anyone outside her father.

"I remember your mother," she said unexpectedly. "You look just like her, the same dreamy look and grey wide eyes, that curiosity for the unknown and what's left to be discovered." Luna wasn't sure why she was saying this, or what brought up the subject. "A wise woman… I'm proud to have called her one of my Ravenclaws…"

Luna felt a knot in the back of her throat as she continued to praise her mother while continuously comparing her to Luna. She didn't know when, but silent tears started streaming down her cheeks. Without a word between the two of them Rowena sat closer to Luna and held her while she silently sobbed. There was so much that Luna wanted to ask about her mother's time at Hogwarts, so many questions that were left unanswered by her father and his grief.

There was something warm and familiar about Lady Ravenclaw's touch, a familiar sensation to the way she let her own tears wet her dress while her arm caressed her arm and back in a comforting manner, the whispers that entered Luna's ear and came out the other but were obviously trying to make her feel better. There wasn't any type of teasing like with the other Ravenclaws nor was there the constant annoyance when she started talking about what interested her.

It was like talking to her father, but there wasn't that longing and melancholic look that he often had when the two talked. There wasn't the very rare coldness he would display during random times or around her mother's death's anniversary, those times where her father would grieve silently in his room and when he would make an appearance for dinner or breakfast there was this dead look on his face and his smile was so fake it felt like it was jabbing a knife into Luna's heart and twisting around. Every lie, every 'I'm fine my Luna', 'Everything's well Luna', 'Do not worry my Luna'. It was so awfully lonely, and Luna learned quickly that being around people meant she still could be alone.

As she finished sobbing and sniffing, she wiped her tears and looked up at Lady Ravenclaw. She smiled at her, and for the first time outside the DA and her father she didn't feel as alone as she usually was. The stone door across the room suddenly opened with a light coming from the next room, the two stood up and made their way inside, but a second before exiting the room Luna stopped and hugged Lady Ravenclaw around her waist.

"Thank you," she simply said.

Daphne had never been as nervous and frightened as she was at that moment, the second Lord Slytherin had called out her name and confirmed her as Slytherin's Champion she had felt the fear set in. She was following him mindlessly, not even noticing as the other three founders and their Champions had separated themselves from the wizard in front of her and herself.

She noticed the absence of the other founders once they found themselves near the Dungeons by the Slytherin Common Room. They deviated from the normal path and stopped in front of what the Slytherin students called the Lone Lady, a statue of a woman holding a door and a snake surrounding her arms. Lord Slytherin pressed the right eye of the snake and it made a clicking sound. The eyes of the snake suddenly glowed green and it hissed as if it was a real reptile.

"All our rivals we'll be outrunning,
None will remain for we are cunning,
Our sorcery of course is stunning,
Beware the proud wizards of Slytherin."

The renowned wizard had just recited a strange poem that the snake seemed to respond to, its eyes stopped glowing green before they glowed a shiny silver, the snake slithered away from the Lone Lady's arms and rested at her feet. The Lone Lady then moved her arms and opened the door that had remained closed for as long as she had been at Hogwarts.

They entered a room illuminated by a fancy silver and golden chandelier hanging from the ceiling as well as torches with blue flames. Across the room was a stone door that remained closed. Like her own common room there were fancy and comfortable couches and chairs, on top of which were potion books, her favorite subject, along with blank parchment paper, quills and vials of ink. There was what Daphne had thought was a fish tank, but instead was a thick glass panel that showed the bottom of the black lake.

There was a large four poster bed similar to the one she had at home. A crest adorned the silk covers of the bed, as well as the spine of every potion book and a banner that hung on top of the fireplace. It was green and silver, it had a wand being surrounded by a snake, and the phrase 'Ambitio ex puro'. Which if her latin was correct, and it was, meant Ambition of the Pure. As she took in the room her eyes landed on her founder who had a neutral expression as he watched her.

She felt herself shrink down under his gaze, how was she supposed to compose herself and act like the proper Pure-blood witch when the embodiment of her house which she had worked so hard to make proud of was staring at her with a lack of expression. She took a deep breath, and straightened her back as she stared right back at him.

Lord Slytherin arched his eyebrow, but Daphne didn't back down, she put her arms behind her back adopting a stance similar to his. A hint of a smile seemed to graze his features before his neutral expression returned.

"It was Lord Gryffindor's idea," said Lord Slytherin unexpectedly. "Making a rhyming poem the password to these rooms. Had I not drunk that much wine and mead that night I would've never accepted his request. Please forgive the silliness Ms. Greengrass." Daphne simply nodded her head in response.

"Now," continued Lord Slytherin. "A few pointers, you will stand up straight, you shall ask any question that comes to your mind at this very moment because I will not feel as charitable later. You are my Champion... The Champion of Slytherin, and as such you will act accordingly. Is that clear?" Daphne gulped and nodded.

"Why did you choose me, sir?" she asked her first question.

"You are fit as the best Slytherin in quite a long time," said Lord Slytherin. "If you must know, another three students were considered before you. One of them is your seventh-year prefect, Mr. Warrington. However, I advise you to not disclose this information to him." Daphne nodded, she wasn't going to even if Slytherin hadn't warned her. The idea of Warrington being mad at her wasn't exactly great now that she had been chosen as Champion.

"Then," Lord Slytherin continued. "There is your housemate, Mr. Malfoy. He's certainly a special case, he holds an aptitude with the Dark Arts and is shown to be proficient at Potions, but outside of that I would be surprised if Mr. Malfoy achieved more than three O.W.L.s. He shows a vanity and pride that goes beyond his head, if he were to be chosen I would fear that his head would grow so big it would snap his neck." Daphne couldn't help the snort that came out of her, she quickly wiped the smile off her face and looked at Lord Slytherin who was smirking down at her.

There was a silence where Daphne waited for Lord Slytherin to talk about the third choice, but she got no answer and she made out that perhaps she could only get the two answers he had given. She moved on to her next question.

"What is this place, sir?"

"That shall be explained inside that room," Lord Slytherin pointed at the stone door across the room. "As well as many other things. Anything else, Ms. Greengrass?" Daphne spent a long time looking inside her head, there were still a million questions that were unanswered, but she figured now was not the time to be acting like a certain know-it-all Gryffindor.

"No, sir," Lord Slytherin looked her over, as if he didn't believe her, and instead sat down on one of the many chairs and closed his eyes. The rings on his hand transfigured into a snake and circled his neck as if they were a sentient scarf.

"Very, well," said Lord Slytherin, his eyes remaining closed. "We shall rest here until one of the others decides to open that door." Daphne nodded once more before she herself sat down on the main couch and opened up a potions book. She passed through the pages, making sure to gain any type of new information. They waited about half an hour or more before the stone entrance opened up.

Daphne stood up quickly, Lord Slytherin hissed something and his serpents returned to his hands becoming rings once again. "Let us go."

Daphne nodded, she guessed she would be doing a lot of that from now on.

Ron entered a large circular room, there were terraces and steps along the borders of the room and He quickly realized this was a stadium of some sort. There were four other entrances where the other founders and their Champions were coming the eight people met in a close circle, Ron felt himself feeling extremely out of place.

"Congratulations," said Rowena Ravenclaw. "You four have been chosen as the Champions of Hogwarts, students who shall carry the will of their house in the Hogwarts Tournament."

"We are standing in the stadium," said Salazar Slytherin. "A crucial part for you during this year, and the final part of the Tournament. This is a place where the four of you shall train outside of your classes."

"You may have also noticed," continued Godric Gryffindor. "That you entered this place through a very specific room, those rooms shall be your quarters as long as you are the Champion of your house. You can use your quarters instead of your dormitory as a place for studying and practicing." Ron's eyes bulged at that, he was going to get his own bloody room.

"Now," Helga Hufflepuff said. "If any of you would wish to renounce their title, there is no shame in that. Know that any new choice could use your aid if you were to quit the tournament." There was a silent moment where Ron guessed was the time to quit, his hand was shaking as if tempting him to raise it, he had to slap his other hand on it so as to not do anything stupid, like quit before even starting.

"Each founder," said Gryffindor. "Shall train you, aid you, and help you during this new term. As experts in most fields of magic you can rest assured that your education will not be endangered by your training, this is a school after all, first and foremost."

"Now," said Ravenclaw in a firm loud voice. "If you wish to renounce your title, now is the time…" There was another moment of silence where no one dared to make a noise or a move, Ron made sure to keep his mouth shut and his arms by his sides. "Good, now lets move on to the next part… The Ritual."

"Wait what?!" came from basically everyone except Luna, who instead looked curiously at her founder.

"What ritual?" asked Cedric.

"As you know, the winner of this tournament shall gain a djinni's wish… Djinni's however, are very tricky creatures who tend to mess around with humans and not stick to a person's wish. A ritual was made to make sure a djinni grants its master's wishes, as such the four of you shall perform the same ritual, if you lose during the tournament you shall lose right to the djinni, if you cheat, kill or curse any of your opponents severely during this competition you will lose your right to the djinni, if you complete the challenges set by us and win the tournament then the djinni shall listen to your every command."

Helga Hufflepuff then took out a small sharp kitchen knife, she placed her palm upwards while looking at Cedric, the Head Boy looked cautiously at her before giving his palm to his founder. She made a cut across his palm, Cedric winced but fortunately didn't flinch. She went through Luna and Daphne Greengrass before it was Ron's turn, who gave his palm to Hufflepuff, and it looked more painful than it actually was. Sirius's bite two years ago had been way more painful.

Gryffindor snapped his fingers and the Sorting Hat appeared on his hand, he put his hand inside it and came out with the vase that had first made its appearance at the start of the term.

"Please put your palm on the vase," said Ravenclaw, everyone did as told. "We will ask you to vow not to do certain things, when we finish all you have to do is say 'I solemnly vow', is that understood?" They all nodded. As they put their bloodied palms on the vase the four founders pointed their wands at the vase and chanted in unison.

"The one who grants the wishes of men, and rejoices in malice and mischief. Those who follow the virtues given by us shall be your eternal master." the points of their wands lit up.

"Do you vow not to commit the crime of murder against any of your opponents?" said Gryffindor in a loud deep voice.

"I solemnly vow," they all said.

"Do you vow to adhere to the Hogwarts Tournament rules created by your founders?" said Ravenclaw.

"I solemnly vow," they all said.

"Do you vow to keep yourself honest, to make no use of trickery or falsehoods during the tournament?" said Hufflepuff.

"I solemnly vow."

"Do you vow to stay away from the one who grants wishes, to accept defeat or victory no matter the outcome?"

"I solemnly vow."

The four founders looked at one another and nodded. The vase glowed red and yellow as if set on fire, before a growling whispering voice screeched. The glowing stopped and there was an aura to the vase, like that of a Portkey, except instead of blue it was gold. Gryffindor put the vase back inside the hat and snapped his fingers making the old hat vanish in thin air.

"That is all," said Salazar Slytherin. "Tomorrow morning your training shall begin, but for now I advise you all to go back to your dorms and get some sleep." The four nodded, not sure if they should deny the ancient wizard for not being their own founder.

Ron made his way outside the stadium, and as he was about to leave his new quarters he was stopped by Gryffindor.

"Mr. Weasley," said the redheaded older wizard. He had a red piece of parchment in his hand, which he handed to Ron and written on golden letters was the poem Gryffindor had used to enter the Gryffindor Quarters. "You might need it, seeing as I'm sure you haven't memorised it yet."

Ron thanked him and made his way back to Gryffindor Tower, his feet were carrying him back at least, his mind was in another place entirely. He was Gryffindor's Champion, the best Gryffindor available for Godric sodding Gryffindor. He was supposed to apparently be the pinnacle of his house's values, the ultimate Gryffindor, brave, chivalrous, and courageous.

As the Fat Lady's portrait swung open Ron was bombarded with confetti and cheering. There was a banner with letters that seemed to be dripping in paint that said Weasley, our Gryffindor Champion. He was being pulled by his brothers who looked to have organized the whole thing, and had hoisted him up on their shoulders.

"Our little brother is Gryffindor's Champion!" shouted Fred.

"Gryffindor's ridiculously tall–" continued George.

"Lanky lazy–"

"And dirty-mouthed Champion!"

Harry and Hermione were looking at Ron with amused expressions, Neville was cheering and, as the twins lowered their little brother down, he gave Ron a glass of butterbeer, Seamus and Dean asking him all sorts of questions and joking around, Colin Creevey was taking picture of the whole celebration, and Angelina Johnson congratulated Ron, before telling him that being a Champion shouldn't interfere with his Quidditch practices and games. However, not everyone seemed happy, Cormac McLaggen was glaring daggers at Ron from the corner of the common room.

Ron made his way to bed quite early considering most people were still at his own party down in the common room. As he changed into his pyjamas Harry entered the dorm room looking cautiously at Ron.

"Everything alright, mate?" asked Harry.

"Yeah I," said Ron. "I guess it's just a lot to take in, I guess… Is this how you felt last year?" Harry looked surprised, but nonetheless answered Ron.

"More or less, except that three quarters of the school hated me. But, yeah this is how it felt I guess."

Ron nodded as he laid on his bed, he looked at the roof of his four poster bed before sleep overtook him.