IN WHICH the Tri-Wizard Tournament begins.

It's finally Thursday Night, in the Goblet Room, as the students file in carefully, all anticipating the champions chosen. 

"Sit down please. And now the moment you've all been waiting for, the champions selection!" Dumbledore approaches the blue flame and it glows red. A name comes out. Everyone looks on anxiously. "The Durmstrang champion is ... Viktor Krum!"

The Durmstrang crowd cheer. Another name comes out from the red fire. 

"The champion from Beauxbatons... Fleur Delacour."

Apparently, the Beauxbatons crowd disliked that Fleur's name was chosen instead of them. They started crying, and some just started clapping somberly.

"Ooo, what a loss." Hermione hisses.

Another name comes out. "The Hogwarts champion... Cedric Diggory."

Hogwarts pupils cheer as Cedric takes the stage, and disappears in the other room.

"Excellent! we now have our three champions! But in the end only one will go down in history. Only one will hoist this chalice of champions, this vessel of victory the tri-wizard cup!" Dumbledore smiles.

People cheer, but the goblet glows red once more and another name flies out. Dumbledore takes it and reads... "Harry Potter. Harry Potter?"

The entire room is completely silent.

"Harry Potter!"

"I didn't put my name in." Harry mutters, staring at his best friends and cousin's dumbfounded looks. "I didn't."

Hermione seemed to have snapped out of her state. "Go on Harry. Harry for goodness sake."

Harry slowly walks up. Dumbledore gives him the paper. Voices in the crowd shout out.

"He's a cheat! He's not even seventeen yet."

In the Owlery, Harry and Aubery wait as an owl flies in with a letter for them. Harry takes it and begins to read.

"Harry. I couldn't risk sending Hedwig. It was since the world cup and the Ministry's been intercepting more and more owls and she's too easily recognized. We need to talk Harry. Face to face. Meet me in the Gryffindor common room at one o clock this Saturday night and make sure you're alone. Aubery can come P.S."

The owl nips Harry's finger.

"AGH!" Harry groans. 

"The bird bites."

The next few classes were awkward indeed, as the Gryffindor's didn't know whether to celebrate Harry or be angry at him.

"Aubery! Aubs! Bree!" Eliza's melodic voice stopped Aubery from moving forward.

"Hey, Lizzie." Aubery smiles goodnaturedly. "What's up?"

"Hey, I just wanted to ask you something. Did you know that Harry was planning to be a champion?" Lizzie's voice drops to a whisper.

"He didn't put his name in the Goblet. He told me himself." Aubery replies.

"Yes, but you know Harry. Some people are saying that he wants the fame." Eliza answers.

"He doesn't. He doesn't want the fame, Lizzie." Aubery says.

"Yeah, but seriously, some people think you trusting Harry so much is going to get you, er." Eliza stops for a moment.

"What." Aubery sighs.

"Uh, 6ft under." Eliza answers. "We're all worried about you alright?" 

"Just stop Lizzie." Aubery huffs. "If you were really worried about me, you'd be trying to help Harry."

"Aubs," Eliza whispers.

"Just stop." Aubery walked the opposite way.

"Trouble?" The same Beauxbatons boy asks.

"Fine." Aubery answers.

The Gryffindor Common Room was quite empty at nighttime, which was perfect for Aubery and Harry to meet up with their godfather.

"Sirius?"  Harry picks up a newspaper, the headline reads "THE CHAMPIONS ARE SELECTED" and reads. "Harry Potter aged 12, suspect entrant in the tri-wizard tournament. His eyes swimming with the ghosts of his..."

Harry crumples up the newspaper and puts it on the fire. The fire flares up a little, a face appears in it.

"Sirius?! How..." Aubery questions, her face illuminated by the flames. 

"I don't have much time so let me get straight to it. Did you or did you not put your name into the Goblet of Fire Harry?" Sirius hisses.

"No!" Harry says.

"Shh... I had to ask. Now, tell me about this dream of yours. You mentioned Wormtail and Voldemort." Sirius says.

"I dunno. I don't exactly remember." Harry says.

"You didn't hear anything?" Sirius asks.

"No. Umm... Voldemort was talking about a job to do. Something important." Harry starts.

"What was that?" Sirius questions.

"He wanted... me. I dunno why. I mean it was only a dream, right?" Harry questions. 

"Yes. It's just a dream. Look Harry, the Death Eaters at the world cup, your name rising from that Goblet these are not just coincidences. Hogwarts isn't safe anymore." Sirius answers

"What are you saying?" Aubery questions.

"I'm saying the devils are inside the walls. Igor Karkaroff, he was a Death Eater. And no one, no one stops being a Death Eater. Then there's Barty Crouch, heart of stone, sent his own son to Azkaban." Sirius explains.

"Do you think one of them put my name in the Goblet?" Harry asks.

"I haven't a clue who put your name in that goblet Harry but whoever did it is no friend to you. People die in this tournament. Remus and Rosie beg you both to stay safe, but there's nothing they can currently do." Sirius sighs.

"I'm not ready for this Sirius," Harry says. 

"You don't have a choice." Sirius answers.

"Someone's coming!" Aubery says.

"Keep your friends close Harry and Aubery," Sirius says, before disappearing.

Ron enters the room. "Who you talking to?"

"Who says I was talking to anyone." Harry snaps.

"I heard voices," Ron replies. "And I know one wasn't Aubery."

"Maybe you're imagining things, wouldn't be the first time." Harry scoffs. 

"You're probably just practicing for your next interview I expect." Ron leaves. Harry goes to the fire again but Sirius is gone.

The newspaper in the fire has the headline "TEENAGE TRAGEDY".

Aubery and Harry have now taken to hanging out with Neville. 

"Amazing. Amazing."Neville smiles.

"Neville! You're doing it again!" Harry groans.

"Oh, right sorry." Neville apologizes.

Aubery crouches down to a book by Neville. "Magical water plants of the Highland Lochs?"

"Moody gave it to me. That day we had tea." Neville explains.

Neville waves. Hermione and Ron are walking up to them.

Hermione whispers to Ron. "We've already been through enough people why don't you just go and do it yourself? Ughh. What do you want me to say again?"

Ron whispers some words to Hermione. It's clear Ron and Harry are not on speaking terms.

Hermione walks up to Harry. "Ronald would like me to tell you that Seamus told him that Dean was told by Parvati that Hagrid was looking for you."

"Is that right? Well.... what?" Harry asks.

"Uhhh..." Hermoine walks back to Ron for more whispering and comes back.

"Dean was told by Parvati that... Please don't ask me say it again. Hagrid's looking for you." Hermione repeats.

"Well, you can tell Ronald..." Harry starts.

"I'm NOT an owl!" Hermione snaps.

The next day, a plethora of badges had sprung up in Hogwarts. They depict Cedric on a bright yellow background. Then the badge spins and shows Harry on a green background with the words "Potter Stinks" on it. As Harry walks along other pupils aim insults at him saying he stinks. A young boy runs past.

"Cedric rules!"

"Thanks." Harry sighs.

"Dragons. Are you serious?" Aubery mutters colorful curses under her breath as they approach a doorway, two pupils stand in his way.

"Like the badge?" They ask.

"Excuse me..." They laugh, and Harry pushes his way through. He approaches Cedric who is standing around with his friends. Cedric's friends hurl off more insults as Aubery stands, clutching her wand angrily.

"Can I have a word?" Harry asks.

"Alright." Cedric nods

They walk away some distance.

"Why don't you hang out with someone else, eh Lupin?" A friend asks.

"I'm perfectly fine you know," Aubery replies, walking to Harry as he parts with Cedric.

Ron and Seamus are walking along. Harry approaches them.

"You're a right foul git you know that?" Harry snaps.

"You think so?" Ron asks.

"I know so." Harry retorts.

Ron looks slightly hurt. "Anything else?" 

"Yeah. Stay away from me." Harry snarls.

"Fine." Ron answers. "Come on Seamus."

The two part, but not before Seamus shots Aubery a look.

They walk away. Draco calls out, up on a tree. "Why so tense Potter? My father and I have a bet you see. I don't think you're gonna last ten minutes in this tournament. He disagrees. He thinks you won't last five." 

He jumps down, approaching the two cousins.

"I don't give a damn what you or your father thinks Malfoy. He's vile and cruel, and you're just pathetic." Harry and Aubery walk away and Draco angrily tries casting a spell. 

Mad-Eye appears and quickly turns Malfoy into a ferret. "I'll teach you to cast when someone's back is turned."

"Professor Moody, what are you doing?" McGonagall quickly rushes over, as the bouncing ferret has gathered a small crowd.

"Teaching," Moody says.

"Is that a student?" McGonagall gasp.

"Technically it's a ferret." Mad-Eye is making the ferret hover around. He sends it up the trouser leg of one of Draco's friends. He squirms and looks uncomfortable. Everyone else is laughing. Mad-Eye winks to Harry and he laughs, as Aubery giggles turn into uncontrollable laughter. Eventually, it comes back out and McGonagall turns Draco back to normal.

"My father will hear about this!" 

"Is that a threat!" 

Draco runs away. Mad-Eye shouts after him. "I could tell you stories about your father that would curl even your greasy hair boy! It doesn't end here!"

"We never use transfiguration as a punishment, Alastor. Surely Dumbledore told you that." McGonagall snarls.

"He might've mentioned it," Moody answers sheepishly.

"Well, you will do well to remember it. Go on now." McGonagall leaves.

"Come with me." Mad-Eye answers, taking Harry away.

"Malfoy, the amazing, bouncing ferret." Aubery snickers.