Classes had been canceled for the 31st of October, to allow students to have a chance to socialize with the newcomers to the school, as well as make final decisions on whether or not they would participate in the Tri-Wizard tournament. The Goblet of Fire, in all its glory stood in the main hall waiting for students to place their names in.
While Harry had no intentions of entering, he had attempted to examine the age line that surrounded the goblet. To the eye, it was a wavy circle of wispy smoke, that held a consistent shape and seemed to wobble ever so slightly as it orbited the goblet. On trying to pass through the line, Harry felt as though he was walking into some kind of wall. It didn't hurt him, and it gave ever so slightly, but did not let him pass. Harry imagined if he had tried harder it might have forced him out, but his exploratory attempts inside the ring seemed to just tell him he wasn't allowed.
""Attempting to enter regardless, 'Arry? You are aware that you are too young, non?" A french voice came from behind him, and Harry turned to see his good friend Fleur making her way towards him and the goblet.
"More interested in the Age Line actually, although the Goblet is also interesting. No tournament for me though, even if I could enter, I think I'd prefer being a spectator for once. I take it you're trying to enter?" Harry asked, noticing the piece of parchment in her hand.
"Oui, I am. I believe I would make a splendid champion for Beauxbatons." Fleur said, confidence apparent in her voice.
"Of that I have no doubt. You'll forgive me if I root against you though. School loyalties and all that." Harry said, a joking smile on his face.
"You wound me, 'Arry. I was 'oping for your support throughout this." Fleur said, a look of faux despair on her face.
"Alright, I'll root for you… to come second." Harry stuck out his tongue and the pair of them laughed.
"I am quite excited to spend the year with you 'ere 'Arry. I always enjoyed our talks at the tournaments, it will be nice to spend a year together where we can be friends." Fleur said, as she put her name into the Goblet. "Well, that is done. I suppose all there is left to do is see if I am selected."
"I'm sure you will be babe, although you'll unfortunately be coming second to me though." Another voice said, causing Harry and Fleur to turn around to see who it was that would talk to Fleur like that.
Roger Davies walked with what he likely thought was swagger down the hall, where he tossed a piece of parchment into the Goblet. "There's no shame in it though, we can share the glory if you want. How about we go to Hogsmeade this weekend and I'll show you a good time?"
Harry could immediately tell that Fleur was not comfortable with Roger's advances, and was about to speak up. "I'm afraid I cannot. You see, I have a date planned with my boyfriend 'Arry 'ere. 'E I believe is going to show me around the castle." Fleur said, as she grabbed onto Harry's arm.
"Yeah, that's what we had planned, I know Hagrid was excited to show you the Thestrals." Harry said, playing along. If Fleur needed an out he was happy to give her one.
"Ooh, you 'adn't told me that part yet. 'Ow fun darling." Fleur said, continuing their ruse. She lowered her head onto Harry's shoulder. "If there is nothing else sir, I believe you should be moving on. 'Arry and I have more to speak about."
"Ugh.. yeah. I guess." Roger said, moving on, a noticeable grumble in his voice.
"Thank you for zat 'Arry. I appreciate it." Fleur said, as she squeezed his arm tightly for a second before letting go. "'Opefully your girls will not be too upset at me."
"I wouldn't worry too much about it. They've never really acted like the jealous types." Harry said, thinking about it. "Although… I guess every other girl I spend any time with is one of their best friends already… maybe that's it."
"You are not filling me with 'ope 'Arry." Fleur said, moving to one of the nearby benches and motioning for Harry to join her.
"I'm sure it'll be fine." Harry said.
"What'll be fine?" Came the voice of Daphne as she came down the hallway.
"Fleur pretended to be my girlfriend for a second to have Davies stop bugging her for a date. She was worried one of you might get upset at her. I told her you all weren't really the jealous type like that." Harry said, as he gave Daphne a kiss on the cheek. "I guess you two haven't officially met. Daphne, this is Fleur Delacour, we became friends at my first dueling tournament, since her dad used to train under one of Professor Flitwick's good friends. Fleur, this is Daphne Greengrass, one of my girlfriends."
"It is a pleasure to meet you Ms. Greengrass. I 'ope we may become good friends this year." Fleur said, reaching out to shake Daphne's hand.
"It's nice to meet you as well Fleur. As for the whole pretending to be his girlfriend thing, Harry's right that you don't need to worry about it. Lavender and Parvati use him as a scapegoat boyfriend all the time." Daphne says, shaking Fleur's hand and then sitting on the opposite side of Harry.
"Wait they do?" Harry asked, he didn't know about this.
"Yeah, any time a boy they aren't interested in, which is pretty much all of them, asks them out. They just say they're waiting for you to ask them out instead. Apparently it works out well for them." Daphne said.
"Is that why I don't have any guy friends other than Neville?" Harry asked.
"You have your roommates, but it's probably one of the reasons. Don't act like it bothers you too much. We're much nicer to look at." Daphne said flipping her hair back.
"I guess I can't fault you there." Harry said, causing Fleur to chuckle a bit. "So, what brings you up here Daphne?"
"I figured you'd be watching to see who enters, and I wanted to spend time with you. I didn't get cuddle sessions at the World Cup like Hermione and Susan did." Daphne said, scooting further into Harry's side and laying her head on his shoulder.
"You could have come you know. We would have found you a ticket." Harry said, giving her a quick kiss.
"I know, but I wanted you to have some time alone with Susan, I also know better than to tell Hermione she can't be with you at anything, she'd go mad." Daphne said.
"I'm afraid I don't know as much as I'd like about Harry's girlfriends, care to enlighten me on them?" Fleur asked, leaning over to see Daphne.
"Oh sure. Well, Harry and Hermione were each other's first friends, and both being Muggle raised gives them a lot more in common. As such they're mostly inseparable, while we all do love Harry, Hermione probably has it the worst for him. Harry mentioned you were at the World Cup, so you would have met Susan and Luna as well. Susan's the redhead with the big chest. She's a sweetie, with some confidence problems. Harry dear is working through those with her though. Luna's the youngest of our little group. She's unique, there's no describing her so you'll just have to experience her for yourself. Then there's Padma. She's from India, and she's in Ravenclaw like Harry, Hermione, and Luna." Daphne said. "I'm sure you'll meet them all soon, if Harry hasn't already invited you to join the Sphinx Club while you're here, I'll extend the welcome anyway."
"The Sphinx Club?" Fleur asked, puzzled.
"It's our little study group club. We started it in our first year since there wasn't any other way to hang out since we were in different houses. We eventually started getting really far ahead of everyone else in our year because we just kind of enjoyed studying, and each of us were really good at one of the subjects, and were able to spread the load around." Daphne said.
"Oh, very interesting. Makes me wish we 'ad something like that at Beauxbatons." Fleur said.
"It's been great really. The professors mentioned that we could probably pass our OWLs right now if we took them." Harry said, a little pride in his voice.
Conversation continued for a bit as the trio watched a few students enter their name into the Goblet. This included an attempt by Fred and George Weasley, who had developed a temporary aging potion to get them past the age line. While that had worked initially, it shunted them away a few moments later, rapidly aging them into old men. Harry had a good laugh at that, but knew they'd be fine.
Shortly after that display, Viktor Krum came by and placed his name in the Goblet, Harry stopped him on his way back.
"Sorry, I vill not do autographs." Viktor said, attempting to move past him.
"Oh, I didn't want an autograph, I was just asking if your brother Ivan was here with you. We're friends, but I hadn't seen him." Harry said. He imagined Krum might have some issues with his fame. Harry could relate.
"You know Ivan?" Viktor asked, seemingly shocked.
"Yeah, you are his brother right? You have the same last name, and Fleur said you were. Is he here? I wanted to introduce him to my other friends. It seems like he could use some more." Harry said.
"Yes, Ivan is my younger brother. He could use some more friends. Vat is your name?" Viktor asked, looking somewhat shocked.
"Oh, sorry. I'm Harry Potter. Your brother and I are kind of dueling rivals." Harry said.
"Oh! I am sorry for not recognizing you. Yes, Ivan speaks of your duels often. He is somewhat sore about losing to you. Strives to be better." Viktor said. "He is here. I vill let him know you vish to see him."
"Great! You're welcome to come as well if you like. Fleur said you two used to be dueling rivals as well." Harry said. "She's over there if you'd like to speak with her, although she is a little sore about it."
"You're right I am." Fleur said, coming over to join. "I didn't train as 'ard as I did for my greatest rival to simply decide dueling wasn't enough for 'im."
"Miss Delacour, it is good to see you. I apologize that I gave up dueling, but I was forced to choose between it and Quidditch, and I simply love the other more. If you vould like to duel while we are both here, though, I am happy to oblige." Viktor said, smiling at Fleur. He seemed much more relaxed now Harry thought.
"If that offer extends to me I would like to take you up on it as well. I could use some good practice in case I get to go to the European championships again." Harry said.
"Oui, I will assist in preparing you for those as well 'Arry. I will be competing in the Tri-Wizard though, so I must forgo the tournament for this year." Fleur said. "I will be winning as well."
"Confident are we Miss Delacour? I believe that I vill be the one to win the Tri-Wizard tournament." Viktor said, a teasing smile on his face.
"Oh, I think you'll find that Hogwarts will be beating you both." Harry said, getting in on the action.
"Then may the best school win." Fleur said, smiling.
Later that night, the three student bodies were gathered in the Great Hall for the Halloween feast. Since Beauxbatons was sitting at the Ravenclaw table, Fleur had elected to sit with Harry's group, currently being sat beside Luna, as Hermione and Padma had taken their usual positions on either side of Harry. Conversation had been light, largely Harry introducing Padma, and the basic story of how they got together, which Fleur found dreadfully amusing.
Conversation in the hall though, stopped as the Goblet of Fire appeared next to Dumbledore's Podium, as the Headmaster cleared his throat. "Students of Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang, I do hope you have all had sufficient time to put your names in the Goblet, as it is now time for us to draw names. A reminder for you all, if your name is called, you are duty bound to compete in the tournament. There is no backing out and pulling for a new champion. Now, let us begin."
A flash of flames came from the goblet, as a small piece of parchment floated into Dumbledore's hand. He held it beneath his glasses as he spoke. "Representing Durmstrang, Viktor Krum!" Applause was given to the champion, as he made his way to the front, waving at everyone. "Please make your way to the room beneath the Head table, through that door. The other champions shall join you shortly."
Harry was happy for Viktor, he'd spoken with him a bit today, and it was quite obvious he enjoyed competition. His dueling and Quidditch careers had been dominated by his desire to perform his best, and to give it everything he had. Viktor would make for a powerful and impressive champion, and Harry hoped whoever Hogwarts picked would be capable of standing up to him.
Another flash, and another piece of parchment made its way to Dumbledore. "From Beauxbatons, Fleur Delacour!" Dumbledore said, and Fleur jumped up, shooting a smile to Harry as she made her way to the head table, where she waved at everyone and made her way to the Champion's waiting room.
Harry was exceptionally happy for Fleur, and he hoped that she would win, even against his own school. While Harry's school pride was great, his pride in his friend was certainly greater, even if he wouldn't tell her that directly.
With a final flash, the last piece of parchment manifested itself, floating into Dumbledore's awaiting grip. "And finally from dear old Hogwarts… Cedric Diggory!"
A roar of thunderous applause came from the Hufflepuff table, as their golden boy got up and made his way to the Champion's room, shaking Dumbledore's hand on the way. Harry admittedly didn't know Cedric that well, Susan and Hannah had always spoken highly of him, which gave Harry reason to believe he was a good bloke if nothing else. He'd be a fine Hogwarts champion.
"With this, our three champions have been chosen! We look forward to seeing how they perform during their first task at the end of next month. Now, if you will excuse us, we Headmasters must…" Dumbledore started, before he was interrupted by another flash from the Goblet. The page fluttered, as Dumbledore willed it into his hand…. "Harry Potter."
What? He must have heard incorrectly.
"Harry Potter!" Dumbledore said again. Harry knew he hadn't misheard. Harry got up and made his way to the front of the Great Hall, terribly confused.
"Headmaster, what is happening?" Harry asked, looking to the old wizard.
"I know not at this moment. Go wait with the other champions. I must finish my speech." Dumbledore said.
Harry nodded, before solemnly making his way to where the other Champions were waiting. As he opened the door and stepped in, Cedric spoke up.
"Harry? What are you doing back here, did they want us for something?" He asked, confused.
"No… my name came out of the Goblet." Harry said, confused and depressed.
"What do you mean 'Arry? You didn't enter, you couldn't you are too young." Fleur said, coming over and looking at him.
"I know, but… it came out. Professor Dumbledore should be coming in here soon, maybe he'll know what's going on." Harry said.
A few moments later, Dumbledore, as well as Maxine and Karkaroff did come into the champions' room. Dumbledore immediately walked over to Harry. "Harry, did you put your name in the Goblet?" He asked calmly.
"No sir, I didn't. You can ask Fleur and Daphne, while I was watching the Goblet all day, I never put my name in." Harry said, still processing what was happening.
"You didn't have one of the older students put your name in?" Dumbledore asked.
"No sir. I didn't even want to participate, not really." Harry said.
"I see. I am unsure how this has happened, but it appears that there will be four Tri-Wizard competitors this year." Dumbledore said, a solemn look on his face.
"This is ridiculous. Is this your doing Dumbledore? Trying to give your school two chances of winning?" Karkaroff asked angrily.
"Not at all Professor Karkaroff, I value fairness of competition just as much as you do. Even if that were the case, I believe I would choose a competitor who is much more prepared than Mr. Potter here." Dumbledore said.
"Professor Karkaroff, it is obvious that neither Professor Dumbldore or Harry here had any intention of him being an additional candidate. Do we have any idea how this may have happened?" Viktor asked, sticking up for Harry.
"It is quite obvious that someone must have tampered with the Goblet, though the question remains who would have done it?" Olympe Maxine said, looking down. "And why would they make it so this boy would be entered?"
"Harry unfortunately has many who would wish him great harm due to his history, although I know none who could have had access to the goblet at this time. A puzzle indeed." Dumbledore said, thinking heavily.
"Well, can't I just forfeit? I don't really want to be a part of this, I was happy to just root on everyone from the sidelines!" Harry said. "I'm just a fourth year, I'm not ready for this!"
"Unfortunately Mr. Potter, I don't believe that to be an option." Came the voice of Bartemous Crouch, the head of the Department International Magical Cooperation at the Ministry of Magic. "The verbiage of the contract states that you must 'compete' in the tournament, not merely 'participate', while that is unclear, it is incredibly likely that you must perform as well as you reasonably can in the tasks, otherwise risk being in violation of the contract. Being in violation could… remove your magic entirely."
That put some weight on Harry's shoulders. He had to compete or lose his magic? That… that was a terrifying thought. He loved his magic, it was something special about him, something that gave him a connection to his parents, a gift they had given him before they passed on. He didn't want to lose it over some… competition.
"Vorry not Harry, I vill help you prepare. If I have read the rules correctly, only tournament staff are prohibited from assisting the Champions, am I correct?" Viktor said.
"What are you doing Viktor? Why would you assist your competition? You should be in this to win everything!" Karkaroff gasped.
"I intend to win, but it will be because I am a greater wizard, not because my opponents did not have a chance to succeed. My time playing Quidditch has taught me that good sportsmanship is a key skill in competition. Vhile, I hef not known Harry for very long, I have little doubt he would be doing the same for me if the situation vere reversed." Viktor said, placing his hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Of course 'Arry, I'll be 'elping too. You already said you would practice with me before all of zis, it zeems we will be 'elping each other now." Fleur said, pulling Harry into a hug.
"Thanks guys, it really means a lot." Harry said, reciprocating Fleur's hug.
"For now, I believe the four of you should get some rest. We will investigate the Goblet and see what may have happened." Dumbledore said. "Classes are canceled for tomorrow while we investigate, I believe it would be beneficial for you four to take the time and prepare accordingly."
"Yes sir." The four champions said, as they made their way out of the room. After they had left the Great Hall though, Harry paused.
What on earth was he going to do?