Stark for President (rewrite)

by Pepperonyfan1982

Aunt Petunia's death brings to light a series of unfortunate events which changes everything that Harry Potter has known for 16 years. When Ronald and Ginevra do something awful at their mother's behest, Harry realises that they were never truly his friends. The goblins have a shock in store that is so massive, it sets Harry et al on a path toward the truth but at what cost?

3. Prologue

Prologue The triwizard tournament

Harry's point of view

It was 10:45 am on September 1, 1995, and my entire life had just changed, and not for the better. My legal guardian in the non-magical world had been murdered by her brutish husband.

"We will see you at school, Harry." said Sirius

"Try not to let Ronald bother you." said Remus

"There's Hermione now. Draco, look after your cousins, won't you?" Lucius asked

"Always, father." Draco replied

A pair of strong arms pulled me into a very tight embrace, which I eagerly reciprocated. Severus looked at his watch

"Be careful, remember what we discussed, about the food on the train." he said

"I will, I promise" I replied

Our lips met.

"If you need me, call me!" he added somewhat sternly

"I will." I replied.

Hermione, Draco, Neville, Luna, Fred, George, Susan, Hannah, Blaise, Pansy, Padma, Su, Millicent, Theo and I boarded the train. I sighed, this year was not going to be fun. The last two years at Hogwarts had not been fun… 4th year Dolores Umbridge, a ministry stooge, had been the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher and she was horrid. Last year was the Triwizard Tournament…

This year was not going to be easy either.

FLASHBACK

13 months earlier [beginning of 5th year]

The triwizard tournament was taking place at Hogwarts.

The three champions had just been announced, we all thought the ceremony was over, but the goblet of fire had other ideas…

"Harry Potter"

I was in the Triwizard Tournament.

The friendship I had once had with Ronald Weasley, which had been dangling by a thread for over a year, disintegrated in a handful of words.

"We are no longer friends" he spat, "You're nothing more than a stuck up glory hound."

"And you are nothing more than an obtuse, asinine, foolish, uncouth, jealous, ignorant, nasty, obtuse brat. Get it through your thick skull you idiot, this is our OWL year, School is supposed to be our only focus. Fine. You are obviously too immature to be my friend, Ronald, and therefore you and I are now sworn enemies." I retorted furiously

"Piss off Potter!" he yelled, getting in my face.

He dragged me outside by the hair and beat the shit out of me. Professor McGonagall came and split us up.

END FLASHBACK

I thought this year might be more… challenging… I had no idea though that it would actually be worse than 5th year.
Due to the tournament, our OWLs had been suspended for a year. This meant that we would sit OWLs in 6th year and then NEWTs in 7th. If this wasn't a disaster, The Ministry would make it permanent.