"Harry Potter."
Harry heard his name ring out from where Dumbledore stood at the front of the hall. How was this happening? Why couldn't he just have a normal year at school for once? Sure, entering the tournament had been a good laugh with Ron in the Gryffindor common rooms, but he hadn't been serious. Perhaps Dumbledore had made a mistake?
"Harry Potter!" Dumbledore yelled again, his eyes searching the crowd for Harry's face. Every eye in the hall seemed to lock on him as he was forced to stand by Hermione.
"I didn't enter," Harry said numbly.
"I know Harry." She said, giving him a tiny shove in the back, "Go up to where Dumbledore is."
"No," Harry said louder now, "I never entered." His voice rang clear around the hall. Needless to say, the crowd of students all burst into protest at his words.
"Come here, Harry," Dumbledore said, beaconing him over.
"No," Harry said, his voice rising above that of all the students. "I refuse to take part in this! I object! I am done with all of this! Three years at this castle, and I have had an adventure in which I almost kill myself every single year. Well, not this year. I'm done. I refuse to have any more adventures. I will not compete in the Triwizard Tournament."
Dumbledore looked up at the teacher's table, and Barty Crouch rose to his seat. "Unfortunately, Mr. Potter, the cup is binding. You must compete."
"No," Harry said, "I will not accept that. Are you really expecting me to have a chance at winning?"
"Not winning, no," Crouch said curtly.
"Then what?" Harry practically yelled, "If you make me compete, I will probably die. Is that what you want?"
"No, of course not!"
"Then what?"
"I- well- I, Dumbledore!" Crouch looked back at Dumbledore, who was now looking at Harry with a curious expression on his face.
"I think," Dumbledore said, "That Harry would have a good chance of surviving these tasks if it is necessary that we put him in."
"A good chance?" Harry asked with his eyebrows raised. "Oh well then, if you think I have A GOOD CHANCE at surviving, I will compete!" Harry's voice dripped with sarcasm.
"Harry, I do not think this is the right place to have this discussion," Dumbledore said, trying to calm the room, which was still filled with disbelieving and angry protests. "Go to where the other champions are, and we can talk in a moment."
"No," Harry said firmly, and the hall quieted at once. Everyone was looking at him, shocked that he would dare challenge the Headmaster like this.
"No," Harry repeated, now that he was sure he had their attention. "I will not risk my life for 1000 gallons and a title. I will not compete, and short of using the Imperious Curse, you can not make me."
"When you entered your name into the Tournament," Crouch said, continuing to talk over Harry's protest against this allegation, "You entered into a magical contract. Those are legally binding. You have no choice but to compete or lose your magic for good."
This stunned Harry into silence for a moment. Then, to his surprise, someone stood up next to him.
"Mr. Crouch, sir," Hermione said. "I thought that magical contracts were only legally binding to those of age?"
"Well, yes— er— they are," Crouch said.
"Harry is still only fourteen," Hermione said, a note of triumph in her voice. "Because of that, he can not be held to the terms of that contract. I believe you are mistaken to think that Harry would suffer any repercussions for not participating in the Tournament."
Harry could have hugged Hermione, but instead, he opted to hold his breath while he waited to see what the adults would say. Dumbledore looked to Crouch and then to his students.
Only a few could see the twinkle in his eye as he said, "Barty, Mrs. Granger is correct. Harry will not have to compete, nor will he be forced to. The decision will be entirely up to him." Harry smiled in relief, and the rest of the staff at the table seemed to echo the sentiment.
"As I already said, Professor." Harry said, "I will not risk my life for some gold and fame. We all know I already have too much of both."
Dumbledore chuckled as Harry sat back down, and the hall slowly started to fill with noise once more.
Harry couldn't help but be glad that he was not going to have to compete in the Tournament. Maybe, for once, he could just have a normal year. He laughed out loud at this thought, knowing it was too good to be true. After all, he was Harry Potter, and trouble always seemed to find him, even if he didn't go looking for it.