Chapter 4- So much for a peaceful year

The Hogwarts express clicked and clacked on the long circuit of tracks ahead, every now and then a jolt would happen causing the occupants of the train to be thrown around in each compartment. At the end of the train a group of three sat and conversed

"Now Lupins gone, who do you think the new defence teacher is?" Hermione asked

"No clue, but I don't think anyone can really top professor lupin." replied Harry

"Well if their anything like our past professors then i wouldn't get our hopes up" Ron added

"Yeah well considering one had Voldemort on the back of his head and the other was a complete phoney the competition is looking strong, but i remain unbiased. Besides who knows this one might have Voldermort on his ass and be a complete phoney which in my opinion takes the cake" Said Harry. Ron chuckled and Hermione scowled. She really needed to brighten up. It wasn't long before the trolly witch came past their compartment, Harry stood up and bought what he wanted, while Hermione outwardly refused, it seemed her parents' dental practice had started to rub off on their daughter. Ron seemed to be a little short on money so Harry stepped forward offering to pay the difference but Ron's face and ears turned red, he scowled and bought what he could afford and sat back down the scowl still on his face. Harry stepped forwards to buy a chocolate frog and licorice wands, while purchasing, he heard a giggle and saw a beautiful black haired asian girl. Cho Chang smiled at Harry when he returned, he knew that Cedric and her were corresponding over the summer which helped him finally get over his crush.

"Hey Cho, how was your summer?" Harry asked politely

"It was fantastic and yours" Cho returned

"Same old same old just waiting for the next term to start." Said Harry

"Excuse me miss, is this little boy bothering you?" Said a familiar voice. Harry turned and saw Cedric standing behind him flashing flashing his perfect teeth

"No problem i was just asking this beautiful lady if she was willing to attend hogsmeade with me, I felt bad about the prat she has been corresponding with, and offered an alternative solution," Harry wittley replied winking at Cho and wiggling his eyebrows at Cedric causing the former to giggle and the latter to snort and ruffle his hair, Which Harry continued to bat away.

"I don't think she would want to go to hogsmeade with a scrawny git like you Potter." Cedric remarked

"You seem to be forgetting i'm not just any scrawny git" Harry grinned back

"And you seem to be forgetting I'm not just any prat, now off you trot back to your compartment with your little friends." Said Cedric

"If you get bored of him you know where to find me." Harry grinned and quickly scampered to his compartment before any acts of retaliation could take place. On his way back he realised how easy it was to talk to a girl when he just relaxed and stopped overthinking it. Usually he would stutter and his palms would sweat causing him to have to rub it on his shirt or he would start to play with his hair but he no longer had those urges around Cho anymore and it didn't happen with the girls in his class or the girls on the quidditch team. So that sparked the question why did it happen with Ginny…

"Potter!" The drawl voice echoed through the corridor

"Malfoy" Harry responded calmly, turning around spotting Draco, his two gorilla guards and his pug-faced girlfriend; it was almost as if there was a zoo on the train. All they were missing was his whale of a cousin

"I thought what happened at the world cup would have snuffed you out. I guess not all wishes come true I suppose but then again another scar would have made me just as happy, another one for your collection eh?" Malfoy drawled and his group of zoo animals cackled as if it was the funniest thing they had ever heard

"Really funny Malfoy, tell me were you running lines with Daddy on the way here hoping to get under my skin because that's really pathetic if you did." Harry retorted

"How dare y"

"Or were those the lines you recited to people in your black cloak at the world cup. It's a bit early for Halloween Draco but I find dressing up as your father really really sweet. It brings a tear to my eye." Harry said mockingly as wiped an imaginary tear from his eye. His henchman chuckled although Harry wasn't completely certain that they understood what he said. All the same they stopped when their owner glared at them.

" you dare disrespect me and my fath "

"Yes I dare. Do something about it. I've been looking forward to using my wand since the world cup and beside it would make my record be 2-0 against death eaters. well that's if we include wannabes ."

Draco hand shot for his wand but before he could pull it out two huge booger bats flew out his nose and started attacking his face as he tumbled backwards protecting his face from the oncoming onslaught. Crabbe and Goyle tried to rush him but Harry was far too quick and stunned them both before they could move their behemoth bodies. Pansy screamed and tried to help Draco but ended up falling over Crabbe and goyle. A hand pulled Harry into a compartment and he spun round ready to face his attacker, his arm dropped instantly and his face became a familiar red, His stomach was like a hamster on an exercise wheel. The familiar brown eyes, bright freckles and pink lips of Ginny came into view. Why was he thinking of her like this? What changed… perhaps the confidence she now showed or how this was the second time she came to his defence

"Told you i've always got your back" She whispered

"Yeah I guess you do," He said while chuckling nervously. She was less than a metre away. He could feel her breath on his face and smell that same flowery scent that he had been obsessing over for days. It seemed she quite liked the way he analysed her as she stepped closer

"Hello Harry potter!" Said a dreamy voice. It was like a switch went off in Harry's mind causing him to jump 2 feet in the hair. Ginny looked just as flustered but had a proud smile nonetheless.

"Oh hi sorry i didn't think anyone else was in here." Harry said desperately trying to rub his sweaty palms on his trousers

"That's quite alright i usually go unnoticed" Said the girl with the dream voice

" Come on Luna, can you blame him, he was quite distracted after all." Said Ginny

"Hmmm that is true. His pupils were dilated when he looked at you. Did you know that is a sign of sexual attrac."

"So you must be Luna, Ginny has told me so much about you." Harry quickly intervened glancing over to Ginny whos cheeks were just as red as his

"Really like what?" asked Luna causing Harry to blanch and for the third time Ginny came to his rescue

"Oh just casual stuff like how your dad writes the quibbler." Ginny lied smoothly

"Oh it truly is fascinating perhaps you can give an interview about the world cup" Luna asked Harry

"Yeah uh maybe at some point" Harry replied

"That is very thoughtful Harry thank you. I will write to him soon telling him the good news" Luna said and then she went back to reading her magazine upside down as if the conversation never took place. He looked over at Ginny hoping she too would share his baffled expression but instead she had an amused smile and was trying not to laugh. Luckily he was saved by the whistle of the train indicating their arrival. Harry politely excused himself and made his way back to Hermione and Ron, and filled them in with what happened while he was away.

They exited the train and got on one of the many carriages. Nevillie, Luna and Ginny joined them and they all began discussing their summer. Nevillie seemed to have grown more confident and he couldn't help but notice Luna looking up over her magazine and glancing at Neville every now and then.

"Luna, your pupils are dilating. Did you know that's a sign of sexual attraction." Chuckled Harry as he looked between Neville and Luna, the former imitated a tomato and the latter nodded thoughtfully

"Yes, you are quite right Harry." Replied Luna as if they were talking about the weather. Harry decided not to press as Neville looked in dire need of oxygen and he had his revenge. They eventually arrived at the castle and stepped out of the carriages and made their way inside the great hall and took their seats at the gryffindor table. Harry started chatting to his house mates, eventually mcgonagall entered the hall with a bunch of first years who were split between looking amazed at the magical ceiling or half terrified from the rumours they heard about the sorting (In Harry's case having to fight a troll courtesy to Fred and George.) Once the first years had been sorted to each designated house and everyone's bellies were full. the headmaster stepped forward and the great hall's noise dropped completely.

"So" said Dumbledore, smiling around at them all, "now that we are fed and watered, I must ask once more for your attention while I give out a few notices. Mr Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to tell you that the list of forbidden objects forbidden inside the castle this year has been extended to include screaming yo-yos, fanged frisbees and ever bashing boomerangs. The full list comprises some four hundred and thirty-seven items, I believe, and can be viewed in Mr Filch's office if anybody would like to check it."

The corners of Dumbledore's mouth twitched. He continued," as ever, i would like to remind you that the forest in the grounds is out of bounds to students as is hogsmeade to all below third year. It is also my painful duty to inform you that the inter house quidditch cup will not take place this year, this is due to an event that will be starting in October and continuing throughout the school year, taking up much of the teachers time." But at that moment there was a deafening rumble of thunder and the doors of the great hall banged open. A man stood in the doorway,leaning on a long staff and shrouded in a black travelling cloak. Every head in the great hall swivelled towards the stranger, suddenly illuminated by a fork of lightning that flashed across the ceiling, he lowered his hood, shook out his long mane of grey hair and made his way up to the teachers table. A dull clunk echoed through the hall with every step he made as he limped his way towards Dumbledore, he stretched out a hand to Dumbledore that was as scared as his face. Dumbledore took it and mumbled something, he then gestured to the seat next to him.

"May I introduce the new defence against the dark arts Teacher" Dumbledore said brightly "Professor Moody." Both Dumbledore and Hagrid began clapping though not a single person joined them. Everyone was too focused on the man's unusual appearance."

"As I was saying Hogwarts will be holding host to an event that has not happened in over a century, It is my greatest pleasure to announce that the Triwizard tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year. "

"YOUR JOKING" the voice of Fred Weasley echoed throughout the hall breaking the earlier tension that had been set my Professor Moody's arrival

"No i am not joking Mr Weasley" Dumbledoor chuckled "though i did hear an excellent one over the summer about a troll, hag and leprechaun who all go into a bar-"

Professor McGonagoll cleared her throat loudly.

"Uhh yes perhaps another time." Dumbledore continued " For those who don't know the Triwizard tournament is a friendly competition held between the three largest European schools of witchcraft and Wizardry. Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. A champion is selected to represent each school and said champions compete in three magical tasks. The schools took it in turns to hold the event until the death toll became too high that the tournament was ministry and I have worked hard over the coming months to ensure that each champion is in no mortal danger. The heads of beauxbatons and Durmstrang have already arrived and their students will follow shortly, an impartial judge will decide on the student who is to become the champion that represents their school. The ministry and the judges have all agreed on an age restriction for those who are below the age of seventeen will not be able to enter their names." The hall erupted in shouts of protests " This is for everyone's safety and I will be watching for any who tries to hoodwink our impartial judge " therefore i beg you not to waste your time trying."

"The students of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be staying with us for the majority of the year, and I know you will extend proper courtesy when you represent our school. It's late and you all need to be well rested and alert for the beginning of your lessons so chop chop off to bed."

The students began getting up and allowing the prefects to lead the first years to their common rooms.

"Can you imagine winning it?" Ron said dreamily. "Everyone would know my name and I wouldn't have to rely on my parents' money if what they say about the rewards is true."

"Yeah I mean i guess but being famous isn't all it's cracked up to be." Harry replied

"Well I wouldn't know, would i." Ron snidely said back

"I'm just saying your lifes not worth the fame, I know that better than anyone and if you just hear me out then may." Harry said

"I don't need to hear you out! My family has been looked down upon for too long and this will get the Weasley name out of the dirt. Im gonna do anything i can to submit my name with or without your help and that's the end of it" Ron stormed to his dorm and Harry sighed

"I wouldn't worry about it, I don't think anything Ron could come up with Dumbledore hasn't already thought of" Hermione sighed and she too made her way up to her dorms. Harry sat back down hoping to let Ron cool off but eventually he made his way up and went straight to his bed since Rons curtains were closed.

—-

The month of September passed in a blur, the morning after Rons tantrum was awkward at first but it blew over quickly and no one spoke of it. Classes were going great, the studying over the summer really helped and he was always the first to get a new spell down even Hermione looked impressed if slightly jealous. Something he took great pride in. Their new DADA teacher was a strange man but he knew his stuff. that he was certain of, but he couldn't help but get a weird vibe from the man. One of their first lessons were on unforgivable curses something which truly disturbed the majority of the class but if Harry was being honest with himself if it was a life or death situation he would not hesitate to use them… maybe not the cruciatus curse that seem incredibly vile and he wouldn't use that even on malfoy. He also demonstrated the use of the imperius curse on each student. Lavender Brown jumped around the class like a bunny and Neville did some impressive gymnastics which if he wasn't under the curse Harry highly doubted he could do. When it was Harry's turn and the curse was cast he had an utterly wonderful sensation, he felt like he was flying through the clouds with not a single worry.

"Jump on the desk!" Said a gruff voice.

"Why?" Harry thought to himself

"Jump NOW!"

"NO! I WON'T!"

Harry broke out of the trance his magic send a mini shockwave knocking over some off the lighter students

"DID YOU SEE THAT! He broke free from it. Maybe there is some hope for you lot after all." An almost smile broke through his grizzly face.

—-

October was pretty much the same except the arrival of the new schools caused a bit of mayhem

When Beauxbatons arrived they were led in by their 8 foot tall headmaster who made Hagrid drop his fork on his lap and mouth come one of the most beautiful girls had ever seen entered the hall with the other students, he felt a carefree sensation not one unlike the one he felt from the imperious, thought not quite as strong. He turned to Ron to find him with wide eyes and drool coming out of his mouth on his plate, both Ginny and Hermione gave a withering glare which he didn't seem to notice. He looked around the hall noticing the majority of the male population were in a similar state, except the professors and him.

Next came the durmstrang with their hideous headmaster who flashed everyone with his yellow teeth. His students came marching and chanting something in their language.

"Krum! That's Victor Krum." Ron said in awe perhaps even more entranced than he was before the Durmstrang took a seat at the slytherin table which made Draco look over gleefully and the Beauxbatons took their spot at the ravenclaw table. The headmasters shared smiles and shook hands greeting each other like long lost friends. They hadn't had much interaction with the foreign students apart from when the beautiful French witch came over asking for a French dish that was on their table causing Ron to spill his dinner down his front. Hermione gave him an impressed smile when he didn't react to the witch and he had caught Ginny in the corner of his eyes watching the exchange but he didn't dare look over.

But finally October 31st arrived and the champion selection was here. Harry wasn't that bothered, this day was always a sombre affair for Harry, a constant reminder of the day his family was torn apart. Both Hermione and even Ginny tried to cheer him up but hearing Ron blabbering about not being able to enter didn't seem to help his mood. The hall was filled with students and teachers, excited whispers filled the great hall as Dumbledore finally stepped forward.

"Selection day is finally here after a long awaited wait in which we all thank you all for your patience" Said Dumbledore'' how about a round of applause." claps echoed through the hall but quickly diminished as Dumbledore stepped towards the cup, the flame began to change from blue to green then finally to a bright pink before a piece of parchment shout out landing directly in Dumbledore's hand

"The champion representing Beauxbatons is…Fleur Delacour ." Shouted Dumbledore. The beautiful french with stood and left with her headmaster, cheers followed her

The fire changed again

Another parchment shout out

"The Durmstrang champion is….. Victor krum." the Durmstrang cheered and patted him on the back as he too left with his headmaster

The fire changed

The last parchment shout out

Students were drum rolling and banging their goblets on the table

"The Hogwarts champion will be…. Cedric diggory." A mighty cheer from the hufflepuff table and Cedric too got up embarrassed and red cheeked following the others

"And there you have it, the three champions have been chosen. for those who entered their name and were not chosen i offer my sinc"

The fire let out an almighty crack and the fire seemed to change a multitude of colours before another parchment shot, out this one slightly burnt. It landed neatly in Dumbledore's hands, and he quickly scanned the parchment. His face paled. he looked up in shock. his mouth opened. He looked over at the gryffindor table. He looked directly at Harry. Harry instantly knew what that parchment said.

"HARRY POTTER!"

So much for a quiet year….