The next few days at Hogwarts were some of the hardest Harry had ever faced. The shock of his name coming out of the Goblet of Fire hadn't faded—in fact, it had only gotten worse. It seemed like every corner he turned, whispers followed him. The entire school had an opinion about him now, and very few of those opinions were positive.
By Monday, it wasn't just whispers anymore. Slytherin students had taken the lead in mocking him, starting with Draco Malfoy and his usual gang of cronies. It began with Malfoy pinning up enchanted badges that read"Support Cedric Diggory, the REAL Hogwarts Champion", only for them to flash with a harsh, green"Potter Stinks"after a few seconds. Soon, half the school seemed to be wearing them, Slytherins sneering as they passed Harry in the corridors.
Every time Harry saw one of those badges, he felt the sting of humiliation sink deeper into his chest.
In the Gryffindor common room, things weren't much better. Ron had barely spoken to him since the night Harry's name had come out of the Goblet, and when they did interact, it was short, cold, and full of tension. The easy friendship they'd once had felt like a distant memory, and the gap between them only seemed to grow wider with each passing day.
Even at meals, Ron made a point of sitting further down the table from Harry, often pretending to be deep in conversation with Seamus or Dean. It was clear he was avoiding Harry entirely.
"He's being ridiculous," Hermione said with a huff as she sat down next to Harry in the Great Hall one morning, slamming her book bag onto the table. "I've told him to talk to you at least a dozen times, but he's too stubborn to listen."
Harry poked listlessly at his breakfast, not feeling particularly hungry. "Yeah, well, he's made up his mind. I can't force him to believe me."
"You shouldn't have to," Hermione replied, her voice full of frustration. "He's supposed to be your best friend. He knows you didn't put your name in the Goblet."
Harry shrugged, his appetite completely gone now. "I don't know if he does anymore. He's angry. He thinks I wanted this attention or something."
Hermione looked ready to argue, but just then, a group of Hufflepuffs walked by the Gryffindor table, their"Potter Stinks"badges flashing in bright green. One of the boys, Zacharias Smith, gave Harry a mocking grin as he passed.
Harry clenched his jaw and stared down at his plate, the familiar weight of the school's judgment pressing down on him. No matter what he did, it seemed like everyone had turned against him. Everyone except Hermione—and Ginny, who always seemed to have a smile or a kind word whenever he saw her.
Speaking of Ginny, she approached the table just as the Hufflepuffs passed, rolling her eyes as she dropped into the seat across from Harry. "Ignore them," she said, nodding at the badges. "They're idiots."
"Yeah, well, seems like half the school's wearing them," Harry muttered, tossing a glance at Malfoy, who was laughing at the Slytherin table. "I didn't ask for any of this, but no one seems to believe me."
Ginny frowned sympathetically. "It'll pass. People will get bored soon enough."
Harry wasn't so sure. He sighed, leaning back in his seat. "I wish Ron would get bored with it."
Ginny's expression darkened slightly. "Ron's being a git. Don't worry about him."
Hermione nodded in agreement, glancing down the table toward where Ron sat, laughing at something Seamus had just said. "He'll come around eventually," she said quietly, though it sounded like she was trying to convince herself as much as Harry.
Ginny hesitated for a moment, then leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Actually… I've got some news that might distract you from all this nonsense."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"I got a letter from Charlie last night," Ginny said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "He's here. He's helping with the first task."
Harry blinked, surprised. "Charlie's here? At Hogwarts?"
Ginny nodded, smiling. But her voice got even lower and she leaned in even closer "Yeah, he's been sent with the other dragon handlers. The first task—it's dragons, Harry. That's what the champions are going to face."
Harry's stomach lurched. "Dragons?" He repeated, lowering his voice as he glanced around to make sure no one was listening. "That's what the task is?"
Ginny nodded. "Charlie said they've brought four of them over, all different breeds. He couldn't tell me much, but he wants to see us tonight. Thought you might want to hear it from him."
Harry sat back, still processing the information. Dragons. Of course it was dragons. Just when he thought the tournament couldn't get any worse.
"Thanks for telling me, Ginny," Harry said, his voice tight. "I'll need all the help I can get."
Ginny gave him a small smile. "We'll go see Charlie after dinner tonight. He doesn't want us to be seen."
Just then, a flash of movement caught Harry's eye, and he looked up to see Cedric Diggory walking past the Gryffindor table. The Hufflepuff champion caught Harry's eye and gave him a friendly nod, which Harry returned. But as Cedric moved away, Harry noticed someone else walking beside him—Cho Chang.
Cho glanced at Harry for a brief moment, but her attention quickly returned to Cedric, who smiled down at her as they made their way out of the Great Hall. It didn't take a genius to figure out what was going on between them.
"Looks like they're together," Ginny said quietly, watching Cedric and Cho leave the hall.
Harry smiled, "Yeah… looks like it."
Ginny's gaze lingered curiously on Harry for a moment before she stood up and stretched. "Come on, Harry. Let's go see Charlie."
After most of the Gryffindor's had retired for the evening, Harry and Ginny made their way out of the portrait hole, listening carefully for any sign of Filch or Mrs. Norris.
"We should be fine as long as we're quiet. We'll use this," Harry whispered, pulling the Invisibility Cloak from under his robes.
Ginny's eyes gleamed with excitement in the dim light. "Is that an Invisibility Cloak! Blimey Harry, is this how you get up to so much mischief! You really think we can sneak all the way to the forest?"
Harry just smiled at her, draping the cloak over his arm. "I've made it all the way to Hogsmeade under this thing. We'll be fine."
Ginny raised an eyebrow. "I trust you, but if Filch catches us, I'm blaming you."
With a small chuckle, Harry threw the cloak over both of them. They vanished as the shimmering fabric enveloped them, and suddenly they were pressed close together, hidden from sight. The hallway felt narrower now, their shoulders brushing as they walked. Harry could feel the warmth of Ginny's arm against his, and it was oddly comforting—yet strangely distracting.
They moved slowly through the castle, keeping their footsteps light, listening for any sound of approaching staff or prefects. Harry kept his eyes focused ahead, but he was hyper-aware of Ginny at his side. They had to stay close, almost too close, under the cloak, and he could feel the soft rustle of her robes brushing against him as they walked.
The cloak was snug—designed for one person, not two—and the further they went, the more acutely Harry felt Ginny's presence. He could feel the heat of her body as their arms pressed together, the faint scent of her hair filling the small space under the cloak. His heart seemed to beat a little faster with every step.
"I never realized how tight this thing was," Ginny whispered, her breath warm against his ear, sending a shiver down his spine.
"Yeah," Harry murmured, his voice quieter than usual. "It's… cozy." He had never felt this way when it was Ron or Hermione under here with him.
They turned a corner, pausing as they heard the faint clink of keys. Filch, no doubt. Harry's heart raced, but Ginny leaned in even closer, her shoulder brushing his chest as they huddled together, waiting for the sound to fade. He could feel her breathing, the warmth radiating from her body. The tiny space beneath the cloak seemed even smaller now, and Harry had to focus hard on not making any noise.
When the sound of Filch's keys finally disappeared down the hall, Ginny let out a soft breath of relief. "Close one," she whispered, her voice barely audible but still so close to his ear that Harry felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.
They continued walking, closer than ever now, their steps synchronized. Harry's mind was buzzing—half of it focused on the task at hand, but the other half distracted by the warmth of Ginny's presence, the occasional brush of her hand against his, the heat of her skin seeping through the layers of their robes.
When they finally reached the front doors of the castle, Harry carefully pushed one of them open, just wide enough for them to slip through. The cool night air hit them immediately, but even that did little to calm the strange flutter in Harry's chest.
Outside, the grounds were quiet, bathed in the soft light of the crescent moon. The stars twinkled overhead, and the Forbidden Forest loomed in the distance, dark and shadowy. They made their way across the lawn, moving quickly but carefully toward the edge of the forest where Charlie had told them to meet him.
As they approached the camp, they spotted Charlie Weasley standing by a large wooden pen.
They slipped off the cloak and walked over. Harry was a bit flushed and he realised, also a bit disappointed to have to remove the cloak.
"There you two are," Charlie said, clapping Harry on the shoulder. "Good job getting out here without getting caught."
"Charlie!" Ginny squealed, smiling as she gave her brother a huge hug.
"Shhhh!" Charlie hushed her with a warm smile, "I'm not supposed to be seen with you guys either."
He led them a little further into the trees, away from the open grounds, before stopping and turning to face them. "Right. We don't have long, so let's make this quick. The first task is going to be tough, Harry."
"I've heard," Harry said, feeling the weight of the task settle on his shoulders. "Ginny told me about the dragons."
Charlie nodded, his expression serious now. "Four of them. Each champion is going to have to face one. The good news is, we're keeping a close watch on them. They'll be aggressive, sure, but we've done everything we can to make sure no one gets seriously hurt. Still… it's going to be dangerous."
Harry swallowed hard, feeling the familiar twinge of anxiety in his stomach. Dragons. He'd faced dangerous creatures before, but this was on a different level entirely.
"I can't tell you exactly what the task will be, even I don't know that, but I can give you some advice," Charlie continued, his voice low. "Stay calm. Don't panic, no matter what happens. Dragons can sense fear, and the last thing you want is to look like prey."
Harry nodded, his heart pounding in his chest.
Ginny reached out and squeezed his arm, her touch warm and reassuring. "You'll be alright, Harry. You're good at thinking on your feet."
Charlie smiled slightly at that. "Yeah, and don't forget—you're a Seeker. Use that. You've got an advantage when it comes to flying, and trust me, you'll want to make use of it."
Harry felt a flicker of hope at that. Flying. Of course. He hadn't thought about that, but maybe he could use his skills as a Seeker to help him get through the task.
Charlie clapped him on the shoulder again. "Just keep your head, and you'll get through it. We'll be nearby if anything goes wrong, but let's hope it doesn't come to that. By the way, where's Ron, I thought he'd come too?"
Harry and Ginny exchanged a small glance. It was Ginny who replied " He's been a complete prat to Harry ever since his name came out of the Goblet. He thinks Harry put himself in the tournament for attention, or something ridiculous like that."
Charlie frowned, stopping in his tracks. "What? Ron really thinks that?"
Ginny nodded and Harry looked down at his feet. "He's been avoiding Harry, barely talking to him, and when he does, it's all cold and bitter. I've tried telling him he's being stupid, but he won't listen. Harry's been feeling awful about it."
Charlie rubbed the back of his neck, his expression thoughtful. "I didn't realize it had gotten that bad. I'll have a word with Ron."
Ginny looked relieved. "Good. He'll listen to you. You need to knock some sense into him—he's being completely unfair. Everyone back home knows Harry didn't put his name in the Goblet. They all understand he's been put in danger because of someone else's doing."
Charlie nodded firmly. "Of course. Mum and Dad were furious when they heard what had happened. They know Harry wouldn't do something like that to himself. Trust me, guys, I'll talk to Ron and sort it out. He just needs to be reminded of what's really going on."
They both smiled, grateful. "Thanks, Charlie."
"I'll take care of it," Charlie promised, placing a reassuring hand on Harry's shoulder. "Ron's got a thick skull sometimes, but he's got a good heart. He'll come around."
Harry and Ginny slipped back under the Invisibility Cloak, the world outside the forest faded into shadows. The night had grown colder, and they huddled close to stay warm beneath the limited cover of the cloak.
Harry led the way as they made their journey back toward the castle, the cloak just barely large enough to hide them both. Their arms brushed constantly, their steps synchronized as they moved quickly and quietly across the moonlit grounds. Every now and then, the cloak shifted, causing Harry to adjust its position, bringing them even closer together.
"That went better than expected," Ginny whispered, her breath warm against his ear as she leaned in. "At least Charlie's going to talk to Ron."
Harry nodded, though it was hard to focus on anything but how close Ginny was. They were pressed tightly together, their bodies moving in unison under the snug fabric of the cloak. The soft sound of her voice, mixed with the quiet rustle of their robes, sent a strange warmth through him despite the chill in the air.
As they neared the castle, Harry suddenly froze, his hand shooting out to stop Ginny in her tracks. She looked up at him, confused, until she heard it too—the faint, mischievous humming of Peeves, the poltergeist, floating somewhere nearby.
Harry's heart leapt into his throat. Peeves had a habit of causing trouble, and if he sensed they were sneaking about, even under the cloak, he'd have no problem creating chaos.
"Peeves," Harry whispered, his voice barely audible. "We need to stay still."
Before Ginny could respond, the faint jingling of Peeves' and some clearly stolen bells grew louder, and Harry's instincts kicked in. He grabbed Ginny quickly by the waist, pulling her flush against him as they ducked into a shadowy alcove. Her body pressed firmly against his, the cloak draping over them both as they held their breath, waiting for Peeves to pass.
Harry's arms tightened around her waist, feeling the warmth of her through the layers of her robes. Ginny's breath hitched slightly as she was pulled closer, her chest pressing against his. Their faces were inches apart, her lips so close that Harry could feel the faint warmth of her breath on his skin.
For a moment, neither of them moved, the air between them charged with a tension that Harry hadn't expected. His heart raced, not just from the danger of being caught but from the sudden awareness of how close Ginny was—how their bodies fit together under the cloak, her waist beneath his hands, the soft curve of her body pressed against him.
Ginny's eyes flicked up to meet his, and in the dim light, Harry could see the faint flush of pink on her cheeks. Her breathing was quick, shallow, and Harry could feel his own breath catching in his throat as the space between them seemed to shrink even more.
"Harry…" Ginny whispered, her voice barely a breath. There was something in the way she said his name—something that made his pulse quicken.
Before he could respond, the sound of Peeves' jingling bells began to fade as the poltergeist floated away, apparently unaware of their presence. But neither Harry nor Ginny moved. They were still pressed together, hidden in the shadows, the cloak barely covering them.
The moment stretched on, charged with a quiet intensity that neither of them seemed willing to break. Harry's hands stayed at her waist, and he could feel the slight tremble in Ginny's body as she leaned just a little closer, her eyes locked on his.
For a brief second, Harry's mind raced. He could feel the heat of her skin through her robes, her warmth radiating into him, and the temptation to close the gap between them, to lean in just a little more, was overwhelming. His heart pounded in his chest, and the tension between them felt almost unbearable.
But then, Ginny smiled softly, her voice breaking the spell between them. "Looks like Peeves is gone," she whispered, though the flush on her cheeks remained, her voice still carrying that charged energy.
Harry blinked, pulling himself back to reality, though his hands remained at her waist for a moment longer before he slowly let go, stepping back just enough to break the tension.
"Yeah… we should get moving," Harry whispered, his voice a little unsteady. He cleared his throat and adjusted the cloak, making sure they were both covered again.
Ginny nodded, her smile lingering as they carefully stepped out of the alcove, still close under the cloak but with a new awareness between them. As they made their way back toward the castle, the closeness under the Invisibility Cloak no longer felt simply practical—it felt charged, like the air between them was humming with something unspoken.
Neither of them mentioned the moment they had shared, but Harry's heart continued to race long after Peeves had disappeared into the night.
As Harry and Ginny approached the portrait of the Fat Lady, the castle was eerily quiet, the only sound being the faint shuffle of their footsteps as they crept through the final corridor. The Invisibility Cloak swayed as they moved, their steps careful and quiet, but the charged air between them from earlier still lingered. Every once in a while, their arms brushed, and Harry's mind kept replaying the moment when he'd pulled Ginny against him in the alcove. He could still feel the warmth of her skin under his hands, the tension between them thick as they stood pressed together under the cloak.
But as they neared the portrait hole, a sudden movement in the shadows made them both stop in their tracks.
Someone was sitting on the floor just in front of the portrait entrance, knees drawn up and head down, his red hair unmistakable even in the dim light.
"Ron?" Ginny whispered, pulling off the Invisibility Cloak as they stepped into view.
Ron's head snapped up, his eyes blinking in the low light. He looked tired, guilt etched into his features as he quickly scrambled to his feet. "Ginny? Harry? Where have you two been?"
Harry exchanged a quick glance with Ginny, but before he could respond, Ron's gaze settled on his sister, and his expression darkened.
"You went down to see Charlie without me?" Ron asked, his voice tight with frustration and guilt. "Alone? With Harry?"
Ginny folded her arms, her eyebrow raised in challenge. "We needed to tell Harry about the first task, Ron. You weren't exactly in the right mood for a late-night visit, were you?"
Ron's shoulders sagged, and the tension in his face shifted into something softer—guilt, mostly, and a bit of frustration directed at himself. "I know… I should've gone. I've been a complete git."
Harry could see the internal struggle on Ron's face, the way he was trying to find the words, but before Ron could continue, Ginny shook her head, stepping forward.
"You've more than been a git, Ron," she said, her voice firm. "You've been treating Harry like garbage since the tournament started. It's not his fault. You know he didn't put his name in the Goblet, so stop acting like he did."
Ron winced at his sister's bluntness, but he didn't argue. Instead, he looked at Harry, his face full of regret. "I'm sorry, Harry. I really am. I don't know what came over me. I guess I was just—" He broke off, running a hand through his hair and sighing. "I guess I was jealous. I thought maybe… maybe you wanted the attention or something. And then when your name came out of the Goblet, I didn't know how to deal with it."
Harry stared at Ron for a moment, the words sinking in. He had known that Ron's anger came from a place of insecurity, but hearing him say it out loud made the knot in Harry's chest loosen a little.
"I didn't want this," Harry said quietly, stepping forward. "I never wanted any of it. I've been trying to figure out who put my name in the Goblet, just like you. But I promise you, Ron, I would've told you if I'd done it."
Ron nodded, his face a mixture of shame and relief. "I know that now." He glanced awkwardly at Ginny before looking back at Harry. "I should've gone with you to see Charlie. You're my best friend, and I just—I let you down."
There was a long pause, and Harry could see the genuine remorse in Ron's face. For a moment, the weight of their argument hung between them, but Harry knew they couldn't let it fester any longer.
"It's alright," Harry said finally, his voice soft but firm. "You were upset. But… I'm glad you're back. I missed having you around."
Ron looked up, his expression softening with a small, guilty smile. "Yeah. I missed you too, mate. I've been a right idiot."
Harry smiled, feeling the tension between them finally start to melt away. "Yeah, you have."
Ron let out a short laugh, and the mood lightened even more. "Well, now that's settled… what did Charlie tell you?"
They trip returned through the portrait hole, retelling all the night's event. Wellalmost all of them.
