Chapter 5- I swear i didn't do it

The silence that followed was deafening. Then at once harsh whispers broke out, people stared and pointed, some even shouted insults. He turned to look at Ron and Hermione hoping to gather what they were thinking from their facial expressions. They both had scowls on their faces although Rons was one of anger and Hermiones was one of confusion.

"Ron i didn't-"

"HARRY POTTER" the headmaster shouted again

Harry stood and began to walk towards the headmaster. The closer he got the more insults were hurled at him.

"Headmaster i didn't-"

"We will discuss this later make your way-"

"No, I want to discuss this now, if I am forced to compete then I want answers as to why my name came out of the goblet!" Harry replied

"We will talk about this behind closed doors, away from the student body" Dumbledore replied irritable

Harry looked around him, everyone was either scowling or sneering, Draco looked particularly gleeful. He looked over at the gryffindor table and the majority shared similar expressions. Ron's face particularly hurt. The school had turned on him for something that wasn't even his fault once again, this was just like second year when everyone thought he was the heir of slytherin, at least he had Ron back then to help him through it.

—-

Flashback:

Harry's lungs burned as he sprinted. He turned the corner and ran as fast as his 9 year old legs could carry him. A tall lanky figure blocked his path and he turned and made his way back towards the classrooms hoping to seek refuge. A Fat tallish kid who happened to be his cousin stood in front of the door with an evil grin that adorned his piggy face causing Harry to skid to a halt. Dudley's friends surrounded him, there was nowhere left to run, his speed, his greatest advantage, was now lost. A force from behind him made him tumble forwards onto the gravel, scraping the skin off his hands and knees. He tried to get up but before he even had a chance, kicks rained down onto his beaten body, the other students cheered as the beating continued until a teacher broke it up and sent the students back to class. Harry looked at the faces of the other students but was met with scowls and sneers acting as if their lunch being cut short was somehow his fault. He knew Dudley would whip up a tale to Uncle Vernon and then that's when his eyes watered this beating was nothing compared to what was to come….

—-

Harry shook his head from the memory, he looked into Dumbledore's face and saw a worried and grave expression on his face as if he watched the exact same memory as he had or maybe it was because of the events that had just taken place. Before anyone could utter a word, Harry turned around and stormed off from the great hall. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. He came to Hogwarts to escape the chaos in the Dursleys' household and now he was dealing with it inside Hogwarts and it always seemed to be centred around him. Dumbledore wasn't telling him the full truth; he could see it in the man's face every time his eyes were laid upon Harry, the guilt and shame shone through as if it were a lighthouse. Harry made his way out into the grounds kicking rocks and twigs wherever he went, it was bad enough that he was put at the centre of danger again but he had always had Ron. He sat down against the tree on the grounds and looked towards the lake where the giant Squid was splashing around. It was soon to turn dark and curfew wasn't far behind but he needed to clear his mind.

"Room for me." A soft yet familiar voice said from behind him. He turned to find Ginny standing there with her arms crossed and a sympathetic look crossing her face

"That depends if your here to berate me" Harry replied "I didn't put my name in the goblet so if you came to find out how i did, you're out of luck." he felt bad talking to Ginny like this but he had more important things to worry about

"Oh please, I thought Ron had a big head but I guess you take the cake."

"What?"

"Do you really expect me to believe that you had any part in this when year after year something always happens and it revolves around you, not anyone else, you Harry. Not to mention a 14 year old student managing to get past Dumbledorea age line would be an extraordinary feat something of which im not even quite sure you could manage." Ginny said as she sat down next to Harry

"You believe me?" Harry asked astonished

"Of course i do Harry" the way she said his name made a shiver go up his spine

"Thank you. I wish the rest of the school had come to that conclusion instead automatically assuming I'm in the wrong."

"Screw them, who needs them. Besides you got me." Ginny smiled at him and took his hand giving it a quick squeeze causing another shiver and a tint of redness. After a few minutes he began to stand up looking directly at the lake as the giant squid waved to him

"Back before Hogwarts, I was a nobody, people treated me awfully everywhere I went because old pieces of elephant skin my cousin called clothes were forced on me, making me look like some kind of tramp, the cuts and bruises my uncle gave me didn't help." He turned around to Ginny and found a blank look adorned her face. "But now it's like I'm back there all over again and I'm sick of it! I'm done being thrown around and kicked when I'm down. I'm done being the world's chew toy. No, that changes right now. I…I…I" Harry turned towards the castle. He sighed and put his face in his hands. He turned back to Ginny and said in more reserved voice

"I thought that magic would be my escape from the horrors of my past. I guess I was wrong. It's time to show the world who Harry Potter really is… are you with me?" a tense silence followed before a grin broke out on Ginny's face

"Like you wouldn't believe"

—-

Harry and Ginny entered through the portrait hole and into the Gryffindor common room. All conversations stopped and heads turned towards Harry. He took a step forward and said

"I know you all think i'm a cheater, an attention hog and many other colourful names but just to clarify that i did not put my name into the goblet. Now I'm sure all of you would love to hex me from now to next month which is why I'm offering you a once in a lifetime chance to do so. I must warn you though I won't hold back." Said Harry more confident than anyone had ever seen him. A large wiry haired boy stepped forward. Cormac Mclaggen Harry believed his name was an arrogant athletic 5th year.

"I'm gonna wipe the floor with you potter." Mclaggen replied arrogantly

"Show me" Harry drew his wand. Several students ran out to watch for Mcgonagall. The duel began

They circled each other, each looking for a weakness in each other's stance. The tension ran high as people stared and whispered, it seemed to get to Cormac as he shot multiple stunners at Harry. Harry easily sidestepped them and discovered that Cormac leaned too much forward on his front leg when he casted leaving him off balance.

"Really Mclaggen is that all you got, pretty sure i was a baby when i was doing magic more impressive than that." Harry snidely remarked trying to get under his skin. It worked. Cormac casted a depulso at Harry who ducked underneath and swiftly sweeped Cormacs leg causing him to fall on his side.

"Expelliarmus" Cormacs wand flew from his hand into Harrys

"All that for a simple disarming charm to beat you, for a fifth year you really are pathetic… anyone else wants to try."

Harry was greeted with silence as people looked down not wanting to make eye contact. Harry scanned the crowd looking for Ron who was in the corner scowling, they made eye contact and Ron stood up and walked up to Harry trying to stare him down. Harry stared back defiantly and was ready to block a punch if need be, after a couple seconds, Ron turned making his way up the gryffindor dorms. Hermione approached him and threw her arms around him.

"I believe you, Harry but it's just Ron sees one way through and damns what everyone else thinks and without us two who else does he have." said Hermione

"So he's the one who's in the wrong and yet you're still somehow managing to take his side."

"I'm not taking anyone's side. i just don't want to lose both my best friends" Hermione replied with tears in her eyes

"Your not gonna lose me Hermione just don't forget me you know"

"Never" Hermione replied giving him one last hug and then making her way to her dorms

Harry sat down on the sofa next to the fire and put his head in his hands. Ginny sat next to him.

"You did really well Harry. I know that was really hard for you but it's over now. All we have to do is make sure you survive the tournament. Easy peasy right." Ginny said sarcastically

"That's one way of putting it." Harry rolled his eyes

"Oh stop moping around, you will be fine. Besides, anything is possible if you've got enough nerve." She quickly turned to him and kissed his cheek

"Case and point." She stood up smiling when she saw the red that tinted his cheeks "we will talk in the morning, night Harry." She said and made her way towards the girl dormitories.

Harry fell into a puddle onto the sofa with a dreamy smile on his face. Maybe this year wouldn't turn out so bad, he thought.

—-

The next morning when Harry woke up, he pulled back his curtains. Maybe he and Ron could go down to breakfast together. Then he remembered the events that had unfolded and frowned, he didn't need Ron anymore if he was gonna act like a child then he could bugger off for all Harry cared. He got up, went to the toilet, showered and brushed his teeth and without looking at Ron's bed made his way out of the boys dormitories. Harry casted a tempus spell and discovered that it was still quite early, maybe he could get something to eat before anyone could see him. He made his way down the stairs and into the common room and saw Nevillie attending to one of his plants with a Herbology book next to him as he glanced at the book and then studied the plant.

"Hey Nev," Harry said cautiously. He wasn't sure how the blonde boy would react to him but it couldn't be much worse than the rest of the house

"Hey Harry, sleep alright?" Nevilie replied politely

Surprised Harry replied "Could have been better, you?"

"Decent…" the silence stretched on untilI "believe you by the way."

"Really?"

"Well yeah, you said you didn't do it and we'll both know you don't need the galleons or fame, so what's the point of risking your life."

"Thank you Nevillie, I appreciate it." Harry replied smiling and Neville just smiled back and continued with his plant

"Hey i'm kinda hungry, do you maybe want to get something to eat." Harry asked tentatively. Neville looked up confused for a second until a small grin broke out on his face and he replied

"I would love to" He stood up, took his plant and Herbology book and made his way back up to the dorms. He returned 2 minutes later and the two made casual conversation as they made their way to the great hall.

"I saw you and Ginny come in together. Are you two a thing or am I reading too much into that?"

Harry's eyes opened as wide as saucers and he choked on his spit

"No No definitely not a thing."

"Oh really?" Neville replied with a hopeful look on his face. A monster growled inside Harry and it wanted nothing more than to tear Neville to shreds

"But I heard she's talking to someone. Quite a big bloke, kind of scary if I'm honest." Nevilles look of hope changed to indifference

"Oh well, I probably never had a shot with her anyway." Harry's anger dissipated and he started to feel guilty

"Don't say that Nev I'm sure the right girl is right around the corner, you just need to know where to look." Harry replied, trying to soothe the boy. Neville smiled and agreed although a bit hesitantly

They arrived at the great hall and began to eat breakfast, it was early in the morning so not many students were around. Him and Nevillie were having a general chit chat before a cough caught both of their attention behind him stood Professor mcgonagall

"Potter, the headmaster would like to see you in his office." Mcgonagall said with a somewhat stern expression. Harry stood and began to follow her to the headmasters office. The silence stretched on until they arrived at the gargoyle

"Fizzing Frisbee" The Transfiguration teacher announced

The gargoyle moved and revealed a set on the stairs. Harry went to take a step forwards but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder

"Good luck Potter" She then turned around and marched off. The words left Harry on edge but he still went and made his way up the stairs and towards the office. He opened the door and was greeted by the tired face of the Headmaster.

"Good morning Harry. Please take a seat." Harry did as he was told

"Would you like a lemo-"

"Headmaster, can we just cut to the chase please."

"Very well, after much discussion between each of the judges we all agree that you must compete, the result of refusing will cost you your magic. When your name came out of the goblet you became a part of a magical contract, breaking the contract will result in dire consequences such as the one I previously mentioned." Dumbledore Said solemnly

"I thought as much. Whoever put me in this tournament I'm guessing wants me dead and whatever option I take I'm as good as. Besides, even if I died I don't think anyone would really care considering they are treating me like dragon dung." Harry replied

"Perhaps i can make an announcement at dinne-"

"There is no need Headmaster, this tournament, while having many drawbacks, does present an opportunity to show who will stand by me. No matter what rubbish fills their head."

"Harry, you must understand that the minds of children are persuaded easily, you may be destroying relationships and possible allies by holding a grudge."

"I understand Headmaster, I'm just saying while I may forgive. I won't forget."

"Not a choice I had hoped for, but a wise one at that. You may go enjoy the time that is left of breakfast." Dumbledore stood and wiped his glasses on his robes. Harry turned to leave and grasped the handle.

"Harry" he turned back towards the Headmaster

"If you ever need advice or are lost I'm always here for you." He said with a grandfatherly smile

"I've been lost for a while, Headmaster. I think it's about time I start looking for myself." and with that Harry exited the Headmasters office.

—-

The days leading to the 1st task passed in a blur. Harry's relationship with Ron was practically non-existent and his one with Hermione was hanging by a thread since she practically made the decision to stick with Ron ever since she saw him hanging around Ginny and Neville. He saw his Brother Charlie when Hagrid had taken him to the dragons leading Harry to believe that maybe Ron too had not told Harry about the dragons, which in itself was putting Harry's life in even more danger and giving Harry more reason to hex him silly. The champions apart from Cedric hated him though the boy only remained civil with Harry not taking any side, Harry wished he could say it hurt but it was only another log of wood in his already raging fire. Neville and Ginny were a god sent helping him learn new spells and coming up with plans on how to pass the first task, he honestly did not think he could do it without them, even Luna who joined them from time to time brought an exotic feeling to there group and while strange she had a way of thinking out of the box that the group needed. But everything good came to an end as he took the miniature Hungarian Horntail out of the bag that Barty Crouch offered him, his friends who had left moments ago each giving him a hug and in Ginny's case a kiss on the corner of his mouth which made his head go fuzz. That was another thing he and Ginny had been getting closer and closer, day by day their physical contact grew and things such as a simple kiss on the cheek became customary. She had told him earlier that they were gonna have a talk at the end of the task. He found that more scary than the task at hand. Each cannon blast signalled each champion's turn and pretty soon he was the only person left in the tent. He had crossed paths with Ron and Hermione on the way here. It was awkward at first until Hermione jumped and hugged him begging him to keep safe, even Ron had mumbled a hesitant good luck and stayed safe. Maybe there was some part of their relationship they could salvage. The commotion outside built tension in the pool of his stomach and he wanted nothing more than to run and throw up, but he couldn't because this was his time to prove himself.

The canon exploded

Harry's magic swirled around him drawing on his new power. It was time to show them. Show them not the scared little boy who cried in his cupboard or got beat up by his cousin, no. It was time to show them the boy who defeated Voldemort three times, Slew a Basilisk and fought off a hundred Dementors. It was time to show them not Harry Potter but…..

THE BOY WHO LIVED

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