I appreciate your click to see the second chapter. The first one has been revised, so please go back to Chapter 1 and read it before proceeding to Chapter 2.
I hope Harry's change from the canon seems reasonable to you.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Harry Potter.
Chapter 2
The next day, on Sunday morning, Harry woke up late and went down to the Great Hall. However, he was greatly disappointed by the looks and expressions of the Gryffindor students who had already eaten breakfast and saw him. Most of them looked at Harry dissatisfied or disrespectfully. At that moment, Hermione came out of the Hall and took Harry outside.
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When they arrived at the lakeside, the raven-haired boy complained about the Gryffindors' expressions and Ron's distrust. The bush-haired girl soothed the grumping boy.
"Harry, they are dissatisfied that you, their Champion, didn't seem to focus on the tournament and instead supported Cedric Diggory."
"Ha, they don't think I'm in great danger by participating in that stupid tournament against my will. Do they think it's easy to confuse the Goblet of Fire and make me the fourth Champion? Izzy asked whether the headmasters found the culprit when she saw me."
"Yes, Izzy… I wanted to ask you about her. Neville told me what you declared last night was taking the Wizard's Oath. He was surprised that you vowed your innocence like Pure-Blooded Wizards. Did Izzy teach it to you last night? Didn't you say she's a Muggle-born like me?"
Hermione seemed genuinely curious, which calmed Harry's frustration a little.
"Yes, Izzy taught me that and the Sonorus Charm too. She already knew that the whole school believed me as the Heir of Slytherin two years ago. She even said my inaction worsened the situation. That's why she strongly advised me to prove my innocence this time."
"Yes, she's right. I think some students from the old magical families believed in your innocence after hearing your oath last night. She's so smart," Hermione said, nodding her head before continuing cautiously. "Don't worry about Ron. He just feels jealous that you are the Champion. When he overcomes his jealousy, he will see the reality you are facing."
"What? Why would he be jealous of the great danger of death?"
Harry could feel his anger toward Ron rising again. However, Hermione remained calm and explained Ron's perspective.
"Listen, Harry. Ron's been overshadowed by brilliant brothers at home and considered the friend of the Boy Who Lived at school. Plus, he always suffers from the lack of money and hates his poverty. The Triwizard Tournament winner will receive enormous glory and a thousand Galleons, which is a much greater achievement than what his brothers have accomplished. Then you suddenly have the chance to win that fame and big money when he couldn't dare to try. I think Ron feels you can get everything he wants."
On one hand, Harry could understand Ron's yearning for money and attention. Before Hogwarts, he had been mistreated by the Dursleys and looked down upon by his primary school peers and neighbors. On the other hand, he still couldn't understand why Ron didn't believe in his innocence.
"Fine, I won't say anything to him until he grows up and understands the situation," said the raven-haired boy.
Hermione looked at him with a perplexed expression and sighed. She then advised him to write to Sirius about being the fourth Champion. At first, Harry didn't want to make his godfather worry. However, he agreed with Hermione that it was only a matter of time before Sirius would hear the news anyway.
Accordingly, they returned to the castle and went to the Owlery. Harry briefly wrote that he had become the fourth Champion of the Triwizard Tournament and had no idea about the culprit. Hedwig felt dissatisfied at her owner using the other school owl and avoided his attempts to pat her. It was another blow for Harry.
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After lunch, Harry and Hermione met Izzy in front of the gate of the Great Hall. They moved to the unused classroom two cousins had used the previous day.
Izzy asked what happened in the Gryffindor common room the night before, and Harry told her everything, including Ron's distrust. Hermione supported him by adding her perspectives.
The French girl shook her head with a heavy sigh and said, "OK, I see that your housemates are too naive. Let's talk about it later."
The two Hogwarts students exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of what the Beaubatons girl wanted to discuss. Meanwhile, Izzy took thick books from her backpack and handed them to Harry.
"Harry, these are the documents about the previous Triwizard Tournaments. Of course, they are quite old since the last Tournament was held more than two hundred years ago. But I believe this information would still be helpful to grasp what this Tournament will be like," said the red-blond girl with a smile.
Both Gryffindors' eyes widened as big as saucers as they stared at the books, which were as thick as encyclopedias. Hermione first snatched up a book and began to look through it, while Harry followed his academic friend. A few minutes later, both of them gazed at the smiling French student with admiration.
"Where did you get these books? I searched the library before lunch but all the books about the Triwizard Tournaments were checked out," Hermione asked.
Izzy burst into laughter and replied, "I bought them as soon as the school mentioned the tournament at the beginning of this year. I even owl-ordered British books, but, I couldn't get in touch with Bulgarian bookstores."
"How could we read them? I think most books are written in French," Harry said, looking puzzled.
"Because I put the translation charm on French books. I can use French and English so it was easy," Izzy answered with a pride grin.
"Thank you so much, Izzy. These books will help me to survive." Harry said, hugging his cousin. Izzy's eyes widened for a moment, then she embraced him back and said, "My pleasure."
After they released each other, Hermione asked Izzy about translation charms. However, the red-blond girl firmly declined the bush-haired girl's request, insisting that they should study the books to prepare for the first task immediately. So, two girls and a boy sat in the old chairs next to the old desks and began to scan the previous records.
It took several hours to check the records about the first tasks held for hundreds of years. They found out that most first tasks used very dangerous creatures. For instance, the last Tournament used cockatrices, which killed several people.
"No wonder this mad tournament was canceled for two hundred years," Hermione shook her head.
"I can't agree more. They were crazy enough to use those hazardous creatures for just mere school competitions," Izzy agreed.
"How could you decide to participate in this mad tournament? It's as good as suicide!" Harry barely suppressed shouting.
"Oh, I told you I want to be a military officer like my grandfather. I wanted to check my ability through this tournament," the red-blond girl's tone was so light, making the raven-haired boy's jaw drop.
All of them decided to finish their research for that day. Izzy asked Harry to talk more and Hermione to leave. The smart Gryffindor girl noticed the determined look of the French girl, then she left the classroom with documents.
As soon as the classroom door was closed, Izzy said, "Did you go to your head of House? I heard that she's also Deputy Headmistress."
Harry was embarrassed at the unexpected question and said no.
"Why? She can help you find the culprit and resolve the misunderstanding of your Housemates. You are her charge at school."
The Gryffindor boy had to explain McGonagall's rejection of his request in his first year. The older girl noticed there were more stories, and demanded him to spit them out. He didn't have any other choice so briefly told her about the incidents related to the Heir of Slytherin in his second year, and the dementors and Sirius Black last year. (He didn't mention that his godfather was innocent because it was a long story.) It was quite awkward to tell his newly met cousin that many troubles found him against his will in Hogwarts. The expression on Izzy's face changed so fast to guess what she thought about him. For a while, or much longer, Izzy released a long sigh and opened her mouth.
"Harry, I don't think it's wise not to ask teachers for help this time. Making you the fourth Champion in the Triwizard Tournament is not a prank but a life-threatening danger like Sirius Black."
Harry wanted to say something about Sirius, but Izzy stopped him and continued her words.
"Moreover, you should not let others make you disgraced unfairly. My grandpa always says one's honor is as important as life. The magical society is a tiny world like a military. So losing your honor means losing your social standing. Then, you can't get any help when you need it desperately. "
Her words reminded Harry of Sirius Black. Everyone who had known Sirius for a long time, even Dumbledore and Professor Lupin, abandoned him at once. The reason was his family, infamous for being Pure-blood supremacists and staunch supporters of Voldemort. He might not have been rotten in Azkaban if he had asked to help to track down Peter Pettigrew. Harry finally understood what Izzy was worried about.
"Tell me, Izzy. What should I do to protect my life and honor?" The younger boy asked determinedly. The older girl smiled broadly and nodded.
They discussed how to catch the culprit and whom to seek for help for a long time. It was not easy work. First, the two school systems were quite different. Second, Harry was unfamiliar with the British magical world, particularly its legal system, unlike Izzy who knew the French one thoroughly. Additionally, Izzy discovered that Harry was unaware of important details about his own family, the Potters, such as the location of his family house and his parents' graves, as well as the legal advisors and close family friends, aside from the Marauders. The French cousin scolded the British cousin for his lack of initiative in learning his world, such as the British Magical Ministry, customs and etiquettes, and his own family. Harry couldn't deny he had been too narrow-minded and passive to confront obstacles or unfair situations. Perhaps the reason lay in his past experience: he had only received threats from the Dursley family when he dared to ask them questions, and teachers in the primary school and Hogwarts had rarely helped him—except for Dumbledore's phoenix and Professor Lupin's the patronus lessons. However, he realised he needed to change that negative mindset and attitude to overcome his ignorance and this crisis. After a long discussion, they could outline a plan.
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That evening, the students and staff from three schools gathered in the Great Hall. Harry checked that the three school headmasters and three Champions took their seats. After sharing a look with Izzy, the raven-haired boy sat up and marched in front of the Head Tables. Many teachers and students noticed his sudden action and looked at him with puzzled looks. Harry breathed in and out deeply and put the Soronus Charm on his neck. It was time to vow his innocence in front of the three schools.
"I solemnly swear on my life and magic that I did not put my name in the Goblet of Fire! I also haven't asked anyone else to do it! I had no intention of participating in the Triwizard Tournament, which is only open to adults! I consider whoever confused the Goblet of Fire and made me the Fourth Champion as my enemy, plotting to kill me during the tournament task. I vow vengeance on my enemy and will find him or her by all means! Additionally, I regard anyone who undermines or denounces me about my being the champion against my will as a follower of the culprit, and I shall never show mercy to them!"
All teachers and students looked thunderstruck by Harry's sudden vow. Even Gryffindors glared at their Champion's harsher words than the previous night. Dumbledore sat up to ask Harry something, however, it was too late.
"I will do everything in my power to survive in the tournament. But, I declare Cedric Diggory to be the true Hogwarts Champion, and I will support him!"
Everyone in the Great Hall fell silent and glared at the fourth Champion. Most students, excluding Gryffindors, needed time to process his words, which contradicted their beliefs. Meanwhile, teachers were unsure of what to do. His vow in front of the whole school was quite different from their experiences. Harry Potter kept silent, no matter what happened. Only Hermione and Izzy seemed calm.
Cedric Diggory stood up slowly as students began to murmur. The Hufflepuff Prefect turned to Harry and started clapping with a wide smile on his face.
"Thank you for supporting me, Harry Potter! I also believe you didn't put your name in the Goblet of Fire!" Cedric shouted.
One by one, Hufflepuff students stood up and clapped after Cedric. Soon, Gryffindors and Ravenclaws joined in. Beauxbatons and Durmstrangs followed as well. Only Slytherins remained seated. Teachers at the High Table also clapped with Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout standing and smiling warmly. The Great Hall was now filled with cheering and clapping.
Harry couldn't hide the pink cheeks and grin. He bowed gracefully and returned to his seat, where Hermione and Neville welcomed him enthusiastically. Other Gryffindors applauded him as well though Ron looked at Harry uncomfortably. Harry tried hard not to express his disappointment at his best mate's lukewarm response, and he thanked his friends and housemates. He also laughed at Izzy's wink and two thumbs up. Harry could feel that his first move had been successful.