"𝙸'𝚍 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚍, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝙸'𝚖 𝚊𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚖𝚎𝚍. 𝚂𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚝 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚋𝚊𝚋𝚢 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍 𝚏𝚞𝚕𝚕 𝚘𝚏 𝚙𝚊𝚒𝚗. 𝙸 𝚐𝚘𝚝𝚝𝚊 𝚋𝚎 𝚑𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚝, 𝙸 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚒𝚏 𝙸 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚒𝚝."

ℝ𝕀ℙ 𝟚 𝕄𝕪 𝕐𝕠𝕦𝕥𝕙 - 𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℕ𝕖𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕓𝕠𝕣𝕙𝕠𝕠𝕕

"You make that same face when you see Harry, so don't talk."

─── ∙ ~☾~ ∙ ───

"Anyone put their name in yet?" Y/N asked, taking a seat next to Hermione late morning outside where the goblet had been placed. 

"A couple of people," Hermione said with her book on her lap. "I haven't really been paying attention."

"Your not interested in who will be the next Hogwarts champion?" Y/N asked dramatically. 

"Not not really," Hermione said not looking up. "I am interested in which of your three boyfriends will be entering though," she smirked, her eyes glued to her book. 

"Three? Excuse me?" Y/N said dramatically. 

Before Hermione could say anything back, a loud amount of claps and cheers came from the door. 

Cedric, and a group of students, mostly Hufflepuff, were pushing him into the Great Hall cheering him on. 

His friends waited outside the age line surrounding the goblet in a circle. Everyone went quiet as he looked at the goblet with determination in his eyes and then dropped his name in the cup.

He broke into a smile once he had done it and sent a smile Y/N's way before turning back to his friends and engulfing them in a huge hug. 

Ron and Harry were standing on the other side with other crowds of students watching Cedric and other potential champions put their names in.

Ron waved his hand to say hi with an awkward smile but Cedric didn't see him, making Harry snicker. 

"Eternal glory," Ron said to Harry. "It'd be brilliant, wouldn't it. Three years before we're old enough to be chosen."

"Yeah rather you than me," Harry laughed walking around the cup.

Suddenly cheers again came from the door and this time Lee, Fred, and George rushed into the Hall clapping the hands of students who were eager to see what they were doing. 

"Done it," Fred said happily to the crowd of students. "Just taken it."

"What?" Ron asked. 

"The Aging Potion, dung brains," Fred said like Ron should've known. 

"One drop each," George said excitedly. "We only need to be a few months older."

"We're going to split the thousand Galleons between the three of us if one of us wins," Lee said grinning. 

"Do you really think this is going to work?" Y/N asked Hermione doubtfully. 

"No way," Hermione scoffed. 

Fred and George smirked at each other before taking seats on both sides of the girls. Fred beside Hermione, while George sat beside Y/N. 

"Oh yeah?" Fred asked. 

"And why is that girls?" George said with a smirk. 

"You see this?" Hermione said pointing at the white hazy circle around the goblet. "This is an age line. Dumbledore drew it himself."

"So?" Fred asked. 

Y/N and Hermione both scoffed. 

"Sooo," Y/N said. "A genius like Dumbledore couldn't possibly be fooled by you two nitwits and you're pathetically dimwitted aging potion."

"Ahhh but that's why it's so brilliant," Fred said with a grin. 

"Because he's so pathetically dimwitted," George chuckled. 

Y/N pressed her tongue to the inside of her cheek and rolled her eyes with a sarcastic smile. 

"Five galleons this is going to work," Harry whispered from behind her.

"Your on," she said smirking and leaning back in her seat.

Fred and George stood up on the stands and shook the potion in the test tube-shaped container they had it in.

"Ready Fred?"

"Ready George."

"Bottoms up," they said together. They crossed arms and took a swig of the potion. 

"I'll go first," Fred said.

He looked at the age line with determination and then jumped from where he was standing and landed right across the line Dumbledore drew. 

Everyone's eyes were glued to the twins as George then jumped in after him thinking it worked. 

"Ha!" Harry said happily clapping along with the rest of the students. "Five galleons please."

"Wait for it..." Y/N said casually looking at her nails. 

All of a sudden, there was a sizzling sound and the twins were sent hurtling out of the age circle, ten feet away on the stone floor. To add to their failure, the two were now sporting great big gray beards and hair. 

"There it is," Y/N said laughing.

The Great Hall erupted in laughter as the two groaned and sat up. 

She placed her hand out and Harry rolled his eyes going into his pocket and handing Y/N her money. 

She counted the money in the palm of her hand before smiling up at Harry. 

"Nice doing business with you Harold."

Harry playfully scowled while Y/N smirked at the chaos in front of her. 

The twins looked at each other and felt their faces noticing the two beards in disaster. 

"You said!"

"You said!"

The two then began to start wrestling each other while Lee was in tears laughing and the rest of the great hall including Harry and Ron got up from their seats to crowd around them. Most kids chanting, 'Fight! Fight! Fight!'.

Hermione just rolled her eyes and opened up her book again while Y/N was laughing to herself beside her.

"I did warn you," an amused voice said. Professor Dumbledore came into the Great hall breaking apart George and Fred. "I suggest you both go up to Madam Pomfrey. She is already tending to Miss Fawcett, of Ravenclaw, and Mr. Summers, of Hufflepuff, both of whom decided to age themselves up a little too. Though I must say, neither of their beards is anything as fine as yours."

Fred and George both got up angrily and made their way to the hospital wing and Lee followed after them, howling with laughter. 

All the amusement immediately ceased when everyone turned to see the Durmstrang boys enter the hall. 

Viktor accompanied by Adrian and Professor Karkaroff walked in. Their jaws were set and face serious around their Professor. 

Harry watched Adrian closely as he gave a small smirk to Y/N while he waited outside the Age Line with Professor Karkaroff while Viktor went in. 

Hermione had finally looked up from her book and was watching Viktor as he submitted his name. He then looked to Hermione with a sly smile which she returned. 

Adrian then put his name in and raised his eyebrows at Y/N with a smirk before exiting the age line. He then sent a smirk towards Harry making his fists clench as he left the Hall with Viktor. 

As soon as the Durmstrang boys left Y/N immediately started shaking Hermione's arm aggressively making her look at Y/N with annoyance. 

"What was that?" Y/N asked. Her smile was huge and her mouth was open astounded. 

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Hermione said going back to her book. 

"Don't play that game Hermy," Y/N said. She then did a dramatic gasp. "Oh my god. You stole Ron's boyfriend! Does he know?"

"I did not steal Ron's boyfriend!" Hermione exclaimed. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Fine, keep playing dumb," Y/N shrugged. "Let's act like he didn't just give you those flirty eyes. I'm still Team Romione so–"

"There are no teams!" Hermione hissed. "Besides your the one who's got someone flirting with you—"

"Who's flirting?" Harry asked suddenly, taking a seat next to Y/N while Ron took one next to Hermione. Both of them with slightly confused looks on their faces. 

"No one," Hermione and Y/N both said quickly. 

Ron and Harry looked at each other coming to the conclusion that whatever they were doing was a 'girl thing'.

"There's a rumor going around that Warrington got up early and put his name in," Dean said from behind the group.

"And all the Hufflepuffs are talking about Diggory," Seamus said. "But I wouldn't have thought he'd have wanted to risk his good looks."

Hermione and Y/N rolled their eyes. 

More cheers came from the goblet and they all looked over to see Angelina Johnson smiling sheepishly after stepping out of the age line. 

"Well, I've done it! Just put my name in!" she said happily. 

"You're kidding!" Ron said impressed. 

"That's amazing!" Y/N said, happy that a girl was going for the tournament. 

"Are you seventeen, then?" Harry asked. 

"No," Ron said sarcastically. "'Course she is, can't see a beard, can you?"

"I had my birthday last week," Angelina explained. 

"Well, I'm glad someone from Gryffindor's entering," Hermione said. 

"I really hope you get it, Angelina," Y/N smiled. 

"Thanks, Y/N, thanks Hermione," Angelina said gratefully. 

"Yeah, better you than Pretty-Boy Diggory," Seamus scoffed. 

Harry and Ron nodded in agreement while Y/N and Hermione gave each other a look before looking off with annoyance at how stupid the boys were being. 

"What're we going to do today, then?" Ron said getting up. 

"We haven't been down to visit Hagrid yet," Harry suggested. 

"I've just realized," Hermione said turning to Y/N and gripping onto her arm. "We haven't asked Hagrid to join S.P.E.W. yet! Wait for me, will you, while I nip upstairs and get the badges?"

Y/N nodded just to get Hermione to stop holding on to her so tight, and Hermione ran out of the hall up the marble staircases. 

"What is it with her?" Ron said, his eyes following Hermione up the stairs.

"Oh shut up Ron, we all know you love her," Y/N taunted making Harry start laughing. 

"You shouldn't be laughing Harry," Ron scowled. "I know all about your little crush–"

"Hey, Ron isn't that your Veela friend," Harry said sharply while Y/N raised an eyebrow at the two. 

Ron completely forgot what he was talking about and snapped his head in the direction Harry had pointed to. 

Beauxbatons students were walking through the front doors of the castle and headed towards the Goblet of Fire. Those gathered around the cup stepped back for them to come through. Madame Maxime was walking behind them and one by one they placed their slip of papers into the fire. 

"What d'you reckon'll happen to the ones who aren't chosen?" Ron asked to Harry and Y/N not taking his eyes off the goblet as the girl who had come up to the Gryffindor table the previous day submitted her name. "Reckon they'll go back to school, or hang around to watch the tournament?"

"Merlin I hope not," Harry blurted out. He wouldn't be upset at all if Adrian left right after the champions were chosen so he wouldn't have to deal with him hanging around for a year. 

"Well I hope so," Ron said watching the Veela girl exit the hall after putting her name in. 

"I hope they do too," Y/N said which made Harry slightly scowl. "Madame Maxime's staying to judge, isn't she?"

"Where are they sleeping, then?" Ron said following the Beauxbatons class as they made their way elegantly back outside the castle.

"Got them," Hermione said appearing suddenly next to Y/N holding a box of her S.P.E.W pins. 

"Oh good," Ron said sarcastically, not even bothering to avert his gaze from the Beauxbatons girls who were now halfway across the lawn. "Let's hurry up."

Once they reached Hagrid's Hut and he had made them all a cup of tea, they began excitingly talking about the Triwizard Tournament. 

"You wait," he said grinning. "You jus' wait. Yer going ter see some stuff yeh've never seen before. Firs' task... ah, but I'm not supposed ter say."

"Go on," Harry, Y/N, Ron, and Hermione urged. 

"I don' want ter spoil it fer yeh," Hagrid said. "But it's gonna be spectacular, I'll tell yeh that. Them champions're going ter have their work cut out. Never thought I'd live ter see the Triwizard Tournament played again!"

They ended up staying in Hagrid's hut for lunch, however, they didn't eat very much due to the fact that what Hagrid called beef casserole didn't look very appetizing.

It had started to rain in the mid-afternoon and Y/N, Ron, and Harry sat watching Hermione and Hagrid get into a debate about Houselves. Like most people, he told Hermione that they like working and it would be unfair to them but Hermione was persistent in defending why they were owed fair wages. 

It began to grow dark at around five-thirty and the four students decided it was best to head back to the castle for the Halloween feast. 

"I'll come with yeh," Hagrid said. "Jus' give me a sec."

They weren't paying too much attention to Hagrid who was going through his drawers by his bed. 

Then suddenly a horrid smell hit their noise causing them all to snap their heads around to locate the source of it. 

"Hagrid, what is that?" Ron asked coughing. 

"Eh?" Hagrid asked turning around towards the four students whose noses were scrunched up trying to block out the nauseating smell. "Don' yeh like it?"

"Is that aftershave?" Hermione choked out. 

"Er – eau de cologne," muttered Hagrid. Y/N could see color in his cheeks as he started heading for the cabin door. "Maybe it's a bit much, I'll go take it off, hang on..."

He stepped out of the cabin, and out the window, they could see him heading for the water barrel.  

"Eau de cologne?" Y/N asked, thinking to herself. 

"And what's with the hair and the suit?" Harry observed. 

"Look!" Ron said nodding towards the window. 

The three turned to see what Ron was pointing at and noticed the Beauxbatons students exiting their carriage that was parked not too far from Hagrid's hut. 

If Hagrid had been blushing before, it was in no comparison to the color that was in his cheeks now. They all made their way to the window slightly ducking so Hagrid wouldn't see them and watched as Madame Maxime was emerging out of the carriage with her students. 

They couldn't make out what Hagrid was saying, but they knew he was talking to Madame Maxime by the glistening in his eyes. 

"He's going up to the castle with her!" Hermione exclaimed. "I thought he was waiting for us!"

Hagrid didn't even glance back at the hut as he followed Madame Maxime across the lawn. 

"I know that look," Y/N said. "It's the same look Ron has when he sees food and Krum. He fancies her."

"Oh shut up Y/N," Ron scowled. 

"She's right," Harry smirked. "Hagrid's only had that look with Baby Norbert back in the first year."

"Well, if they end up having children, they'll be setting a world record – bet any baby of theirs would weigh about a ton," Ron observed.

"Can we not talk about making babies right now please?" Hermione scolded making Ron, Y/N, and Harry giggle like little children. 

She rolled her eyes and they all began to exit the cabin. Y/N cuddled herself closer to her cloaks as the chilly air hit her. 

"Ooh, it's them, look!" Hermione said pointing to the opposite side of the lawn.

Walking to the castle was Karkaroff leading a group of Durmstrang boys. Adrian and Viktor in the front while the other followed behind. 

"See Hagrid had that same look," Y/N laughed, noticing Ron's excited face as Krum passed. 

"Yeah okay, today's make fun of Ron day I guess," he said annoyed. He then lowered his voice so only Y/N could hear. "You make that same face when you see Harry, so don't talk."

He smirked at Y/N while she narrowed her eyes at him and joined Harry's side ahead of Ron to avoid him seeing the embarrassment in her face when he said that.  

They entered the candle-lit Great Hall which was breathing in anticipation. 

"Good luck," Y/N wished to Cedric as she passed the Hufflepuff table. Cedric gave her a warm smile and then she took a seat at the Slytherin table.

"Good to see you again Sinclair," Adrian said as Y/N took the seat across from him. 

She gave him a smile in return but her main focus was the Hogwarts champion. A small part of her didn't want Cedric to get chosen because she hated the idea of one of her friends risking their lives, but the other part of her just wished he got exactly what he wanted. 

The Goblet of Fire had been moved directly in front of the staff table for everyone to see. This was everyone's second feast in two days but it seemed to be way longer than the other one. Everyone just wanted to finish eating and everyone kept looking up at the staff table to see if Dumbledore had finished eating yet. 

Finally, all the golden plates were wiped clean and the noise in the Hall ceased as soon as Dumbledore got to his feet. Professor Karkaroff and Madame Maxime looked just as tense as the students, while Ludo Bagman was beaming and giving fun smiles to students in the crowd. Mr. Crouch, however, looked bored with the whole scene. 

"Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision," announced Dumbledore. "I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions' names are called, I would ask them please to come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber"—he pointed to the door behind the staff table—"where they will be receiving their first instructions."

He waved his wand and the once beautiful lit hall was plunged into semi-darkness. The only shining was the Goblet of Fire. The dancing blue and white flames almost blinding to look at. 

Tracey was gripping onto Y/N's shoulders excitedly as the goblet's flames started to turn red. Sparks started to fly out as everyone's gaze didn't leave the front of the hall. 

Then, a tongue of flame shot into the air, and a piece of parchment that was charred flew out of it, lightly fluttering like a butterfly. 

Dumbledore caught it and held it by the light of the flames so he could see what it said. 

"The champion for Durmstrang," he read in a strong voice, "will be Viktor Krum."

Viktor rose from a couple of seats down Y/N and walked towards Dumbledore. His face didn't show excitement or not even that much happiness. Just a weird type of brooding seriousness. He walked along the staff table before going through the door into the next chamber. 

"Bravo, Viktor!" Karkaroff yelled. His voice was so loud it hadn't even been drowned out by the booming applause. "Knew you had it in you!"

The clapping and chatting started to descend as the flames began to turn red again. Another piece of parchment shouts out of the flames. 

"The champion for Beauxbatons," Dumbledore said, "is Fleur Delacour!"

Y/N began to clap as she noticed the girl Ron had been obsessed with for the past twenty-four hours, get to her feet elegantly and gracefully tuck her blonde hair over her shoulder. 

"Well someone's disappointed," Tracey muttered looking at the Beauxbatons party. Two of the girls were sobbing with their heads in their arms because they hadn't been selected. 

Silence came over the hall again once Fleur Delacour vanished inside the chamber. It was if she couldn't look away, Y/N had her eyes glued to the goblet as the fire began to turn red for the last time. 

The third piece of parchment shot high into the air, and Dumbledore caught it. 

"The Hogwarts champion," he announced, "is Cedric Diggory!"

"No!" Ron yelled, but only Harry heard him. 

Every single Hufflepuff had gotten on their feet and was screaming and cheering for Cedric. He grinned broadly as he made his way down the aisle. 

Almost the entire hall was cheering for him and he got up excitedly smiling at his friends as he passed the house tables and headed into the chamber. 

The applause for Cedric lasted so long that Dumbledore waited a good amount of time before being able to speak again. 

"Excellent!" Dumbledore said happily once the cheering had died down. "Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real–"

Suddenly Dumbledore stopped speaking, and it was quite obvious no one was paying attention to him. Everyone's seemed to have suddenly got distracted. 

The fire had started to turn red again even though all three champions had been selected. 

Sparks were flying from it and then another long flame expelled another piece of parchment into the air. 

Dumbledore caught it, but he didn't announce it. He just stared at the name written upon it. 

Everyone looked at Dumbledore in disbelief, and then he cleared his throat and read aloud– 

"Harry Potter."

Harry went numb. He wasn't completely aware if he was dreaming or not. Or if he had heard what was just announced to the entire Great Hall correctly. 

Everyone's head turned towards the Gryffindor table. No applause. Only the feeling of anger radiating off of the students in the hall. It was like the angry buzzing of a bee. No words being spoken but when you hear it, you flinch.

At the staff table, Professor McGonagall started whispering to Professor Karkaroff, Professor Dumbledore, Ludo Bagman, and Dumbledore who was definitely not smiling. 

Harry turned to Ron and Hermione who were just staring at him appalled. 

"I didn't put my name in," Harry said shocked. "You know I didn't." 

Neither of them did anything but stare at him. 

He turned to the Slytherin table to see Y/N's reaction, but she seemed just as shocked as Hermione and Ron. 

She looked at him with a questioning look until she read the complete panic that was on his face. 

"Harry Potter!" Professor Dumbledore called again. "Harry! Up here, if you please."

"Go on," Hermione whispered pushing Harry slightly. 

Harry got to his feet, tripping on the hem of his robes and stumbling slightly. 

He walked the gap between the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables. When he passed Y/N and gave her a look of immense fear,  she tried to give him an encouraging smile but she felt just as sick as Harry did. 

The walk felt like a million years to reach the top table and Harry hated the idea of every single eye in the room on him. 

Once he reached the door Dumbledore just looked at him not smiling at all. He handed him the slip of paper with his name and said, "Well...through the door, Harry."

He looked down at the paper in disbelief and looked at Dumbledore's face but he was far from an encouraging smile or words of 'wisdom'.

Harry moved along the teacher's table. He passed Hagrid at the end who didn't wave or wink or any of his usual pleasantries. 

He walked through the side chamber door and found himself in a room with a roaring fire opposite him. The walls were lined with pictures of witches and wizards and many of them were whispering to each other. 

Viktor Krum, Cedric Diggory, and Fleur Delacour were by the fire. Krum was brooding intensely, Fleur throwing her hair behind her back, and Cedric was standing with his hands behind his back. 

"What is it?" Fleur asked looking at Harry. "Do zee want us back in ze Hall?"

The three champions had assumed Harry was there to deliver a message but Harry didn't know how to exactly explain his situation. He stood there awkwardly as the three tall champions started at him in confusion. 

Suddenly the sound of scurrying footsteps came from behind him and Harry was taken by the arm and led forward by Ludo Bagman. 

"Extraordinary!" he muttered. "Absolutely extraordinary! Gentlemen...lady," he added approaching the other champions. "May I introduce—incredible though it may seem—the fourth Triwizard champion?"

Viktor Krum straightened up and Harry suddenly felt a very strong fear of getting beat up as the Durmstrang boy surveyed him with a hard expression. 

Cedric looked heavily confused and surprised, sure he must have misheard what came out of Bagman's mouth. 

Fleur, however, was smiling. "Oh, vairy funny joke, Meester Bagman."

"Joke?" Bagman repeated. "No, no, not at all! Harry's name just came out of the Goblet of Fire!"

Fleur's face fell while Cedric was trying to look as politely upset as he could. 

"But evidently zair 'as been a mistake," Fleur said. "'E cannot compete. 'E is too young."

"Well...it is amazing," Bagman said smiling down at Harry who was wishing he was anywhere else. "But, as you know, the age restriction was only imposed this year as an extra safety measure. And as his name's come out of the goblet...I mean, I don't think there can be any ducking out at this stage...It's down in the rules, you're obliged...Harry will just have to do the best he –"

Suddenly, the door behind them opened again and a large number of teachers came in: Professor Dumbledore, followed closely by Mr. Crouch, Professor Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Snape.

Harry could hear the loud conversations from the hall until Professor McGonagall shut the door again. 

"Madame Maxime!" Fleur said running over to her headmistress. "Zey are saying zat zis little boy is to compete also!"

Little boy? Harry thought. Though he was feeling numb to what was happening around him, he felt a ripple of anger at Fleur for being seen as a little child again.  

"What is ze meaning of zis, Dumbly-dorr?" Madame Maxime asked. 

"I'd rather like to know that myself, Dumbledore," Professor Karkaroff said. "Two Hogwarts champions? I don't remember anyone telling me the host school is allowed two champions – or have I not read the rules carefully enough?"

He gave a short hideous laugh. 

"C'est impossible," Madame Maxime said, resting a large hand on Fleur's shoulder. "'Ogwarts cannot 'ave two champions. It is most unjust."

"We were under the impression that your Age Line would keep out younger contestants, Dumbledore," Karakaroff said, his eyes as cold as ice. "Otherwise, we would, of course, have brought along a wider selection of candidates from our own schools."

"It's no one's fault but Potter's, Karkaroff," Snape said softly. "Don't go blaming Dumbledore for Potter's determination to break rules. He has been crossing lines ever since he arrived here–"

"Thank you, Severus," Dumbledore said firmly. Snape went silent but his eyes were full of hatred as he looked through his greasy black hair to Harry. 

Professor Dumbledore looked down at Harry. He couldn't read his expression through his half-moon spectacles. 

"Did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire, Harry?" Dumbledore asked cAlmLy. 

"No," Harry said, completely aware that every eye in that room was watching him closely. 

Snape made a noise of disbelief. 

"Did you ask an older student to put it into the Goblet of Fire for you?" Dumbledore asked, ignoring Professor Snape. 

"No," Harry said intensely. 

"Ah, but of course 'e is lying!" Madame Maxime cried. 

"He could not have crossed the Age Line," Professor McGonagall said sharply. "I am sure we all agreed on that—"

"Dumbly-dorr must 'ave made a mistake wiz ze line," Madame Maxime shrugged. 

"It is possible of course," Dumbledore said politely. 

"Dumbledore, you know perfectly well you did not make a mistake!" Professor McGonagall said angrily. "Really, what nonsense! Harry could not have crossed the line himself, and as Professor Dumbledore believes that he did not persuade an older student to die it for him, I'm sure that should be good enough for everyone else!"

She sent a glare at Professor Snape. 

"Mr. Crouch...Mr. Bagman," Karkaroff started. "you are our–er–objective judges. Surely you will agree that this is most irregular?"

Bagman wiped his face with a handkerchief and looked at Mr. Crouch. Crouch looked eerily creepy with half his face hidden in the shadows. 

"We must follow the rules, and the rules state clearly that those people whose names come out of the Goblet of Fire are bound to compete in the tournament." 

"Well, Barty knows the rule book back and front," Bagman said grinning towards the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons Professors. 

"I insist upon resubmitting the names of the rest of my students," Karkaroff said calmly. "You will set up the Goblet of Fire once more, and we will continue adding names until each school has two champions. It's only fair Dumbledore."

"But Karkaroff, it doesn't work like that," Bagman said. "The Goblet of Fire's just gone out–it won't reignite until the start of the next tournament—" 

"—in which Durmstrang will most certainly not be competing!" Karkaroff boomed. "After all our meetings and negations and compromises, I little expected something of this nature to occur! I have half a mind to leave now!" 

"Empty threat, Karkaroff," a voice growled from the door. "You can't leave your champion now. He's got to compete. They've all got to compete. Binding magical contract, like Dumbledore, said. Convenient eh?"

Moody had just entered the room and was limping towards the professors with every step. 

"Convenient?" Karkaroff repeated. "I'm afraid I don't understand you, Moody?"

Harry could tell that Karkaroff was trying to sound as if what Moody was saying didn't affect him at all but his hands were balled into fists giving him away. 

"Don't you?" Moody said quietly. "It's very simple, Karkaroff. Someone put Potter's name in that goblet knowing he'd compete if it came out."

"Evidently, someone 'oo wished to give 'Ogwarts two bites at ze apple!" Madame Maxime exclaimed. 

"I quite agree Madame Maxime," Karkaroff said, bowing to her. "I shall be lodging complaints with the Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards–"

"If anyone's got a reason to complain it's Potter," Moody growled. "but funny thing...I don't hear him saying a word."

"Why should 'e complain?" Fleur burst out angrily stamping her foot. Her angry French accent made Harry slightly jump. "E 'as ze chance to compete, 'asn't 'e? We 'ave all been 'oping to be chosen for weeks and weeks! Ze honor for our schools! A thousand Galleons in prize money—zis is a chance many would die for!"

"Maybe's someone's hoping Potter is going to die for it," Moody said. 

A tense silence filled the room. Ludo Bagman was bouncing on the balls of his feet nervously. "Moody, old man what a thing to say!"

"We all know Professor Moody considers the morning wasted if he hasn't discovered six plots to murder before lunchtime," Karkaroff said through gritted teeth. "Apparently he is now teaching his students to fear assassination too. An odd quality in a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Dumbledore, but no doubt you had your reasons."

"Imagining things am I?" Moody growled. "Seeing things, eh? It was a skilled witch or wizard who put the boy's name in that goblet."

"Ah, what evidence is zere for zat?" Madame Maxime exclaimed throwing up her large hands. 

"They hoodwinked a very powerful magical object!" Moody said. "It would have needed an exceptionally strong Confundus Charm to bamboozle that goblet into forgetting that only three schools compete in the tournament...I'm guessing they submitted Potter's name under a fourth school, to make sure he was the only one in his category."

"You seem to have given this a great deal of thought Moody," Karkaroff said coldly. "I heard you recently got it into your head that one of your birthday presents contained a cunningly disguised basilisk egg, and smashed it to pieces before realizing it was a carriage clock. So you'll understand if we don't take you entirely seriously..."

"There are those who'll turn innocent occasions to their advantage," Moody retorted. "It's my job to think the way Dark wizards do, Karkaroff– as you ought to remember..."

"Alastor!" Dumbledore said with a warning. 

At first, Harry was confused about who Dumbledore was addressing but then realized Moody's real first name wasn't actually "Mad-Eye" no matter how fitting it was. 

"How this situation came to be, we do not know," Dumbledore said speaking to everyone in the room. "It seems to me, however, that we have no choice but to accept it. Both Cedric and Harry have been chosen to compete in the tournament. Therefore, they will do."

"Ah, but Dumbly-dorr–"

"My dear Madame Maxime, if you have an alternative, I would be delighted to hear it."

Dumbledore waited but there was no response from Madame Maxime. She only glared, along with Snape who looked absolutely furious, and Karkaroff who looked livid. 

Ludo Bagman however seemed excited for this twist of events. 

"Well, shall we crack on, then?" he said rubbing his hands together smiling. "Got to give our champions their instructions, haven't we? Barty, want to do the honors?"

Mr. Crouch seemed to have come out of a deep daydream. "Yes," he said. "instructions. Yes...the first task."

He moved into the firelight and Harry would have assumed he was ill. His eyes had deep sockets and his skin was wrinkled and papery. Completely different than how it had been at the Quidditch World Cup. 

"The first task is designed to test your daring," he announced to Harry, Cedric, Fleur, and Viktor, "so we are not going to be telling you what it is. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard very important...

"The first task will take place on November the twenty-fourth in front of the other students and the panel of judges. The champions are not permitted to ask for or accept help of any kind from their teachers to complete the tasks in the tournament. The champions will face the first challenge armed only with their wands. They will receive information about the second task when the first is over. Owing to the demanding and time-consuming nature of the tournament, the champions are exempted from end-of-year tests."

Mr. Crouch then turned to Dumbledore. "I think that's all, is it, Albus?"

"I think so," Dumbledore confirmed who was looking at Mr. Crouch with concern. "Are you sure you wouldn't like to stay at Hogwarts tonight, Barty?"

"No, Dumbledore, I must get back to the Ministry," Mr. Crouch said. "It is a very busy, very difficult time at the moment...I've left young Weatherby in charge....Very enthusiastic....a little overenthusiastic, if truth be told..."

"You'll come and have a drink before you go at least?" Dumbledore asked. 

"Come on Barty, I'm staying!" Bagman said cheerfully. "It's all happening at Hogwarts now, you know, much more exciting here than at the office!"

"I think not, Ludo," Crouch said with a hint of sudden impatience.  

"Professor Karkaroff – Madame Maxime – a nightcap?" Dumbledore asked but they were already beckoning their students out of the Great hall in angry silence. 

"Harry, Cedric, I suggest you go up to bed," Dumbledore said smiling. "I am sure Gryffindor and Hufflepuff are excited to celebrate with you, and it would be a shame to deprive them of this excellent excuse to make a great deal of mess and noise."

Harry glanced at Cedric, who nodded and the two left together. 

If Harry was being completely honest he didn't want to go back to Gryffindor Tower. He just wanted to rant to Y/N who would probably make him laugh by saying something insulting about the tournament and assure him that everything would work out.

The candles burnt low now as the two boys entered the Hall. It was deserted and the pumpkins that were decorated for Halloween were flickering with jagged smiles. 

"So," Cedric said with a light smile. "We're playing against each other again!"

"I s'pose," Harry said. He had no idea how to respond to these conversations. His brain was scrambled and the last thing he wanted to do this year put his life in danger.  

Again. 

"So....tell me..." Cedric said as they approached the entrance hall. "How did you get your name in?"

"I didn't," Harry said harshly. "I didn't put it in. I was telling the truth."

"Ah...okay," Cedric said, but Harry could tell he didn't really believe him. "Well see you then."

Instead of going up the marble staircase, he went for the right door that would take him down the stone steps where the Hufflepuff and Slytherin common rooms were located. 

Once he finished listening to Cedric's steps fade, he began to climb the marble staircase. 

Was anyone except Ron, Y/N, and Hermione going to believe him, or would they all think he entered himself in the tournament? The other champions had more experience and magical prowess than he had, and now he was facing tasks that sounded like they were going to kick his ass. 

Yes, he had fantasized about winning and being in the tournament. Y/N wrapping his arms around him once he had won, and kissing him on the cheek like she did before he played Hufflepuff last year, but it had been a joke. An idle sort of dream. He never really wanted to enter. 

Now someone else wanted him in the tournament and made sure he was. Why? To give him a treat? Make a huge fool of himself?

If it was just that, Harry would have jumped to conclusions and said Draco got someone to put his name in or jump to even bigger conclusions and think Adrian did it after knowing him for only a day. 

But to get him killed? Couldn't someone have put Harry's name in the goblet as a practical joke? 

Of course, but things in his life never seemed that easy to explain. 

Did anyone really want to see him dead?

The only person Harry could think of was Voldemort. But how would he have done that? Voldemort was supposed to be hiding alone. Feeble and powerless. 

Although, there was that dream he had, and the fact that his scar was hurting. Not to mention Voldemort was not alone in his dream. He was with Wormtail...plotting Harry's murder. 

Harry hadn't even realized he had reached the Fat Lady when he finally came out of his thoughts. She was looking at him with interest. 

"Well, well, well," the Fat Lady said, "Violet's just told me everything. Who's just been chosen as school champion, then?"

"Balderdash," Harry said dully, hoping with every bone in his body that Y/N hung around the Gryffindor common room to wait for him. 

The Fat Lady swung forward and let Harry into the common room. 

There was a blast of noise as soon as the portrait opened and the next thing he knew he was pulled into the common room facing the entire Gryffindor House. 

They were all screaming, applauding, and whistling with glee. 

"You should've told us you'd entered!" Fred yelled, half annoyed, and half impressed. 

"How did you do it without getting a beard? Brilliant!" George roared. 

"I don't know-how. Have you seen—"

But Harry was cut off now being swarmed up to by Angelina and Katie. 

"Oh if it couldn't be me, at least it's a Gryffindor—" Angelina said kindly. 

"You'll be able to pay back Diggory for that last Quidditch match!" Katie Bell yelled. 

Harry didn't know if he particularly wanted to do that now. He always resented Cedric for the quidditch game and because of Y/N but now he knew that Cedric must have been brave to enter a competition like that. 

Mental. But brave nonetheless. 

"We've got food, Harry, come and have some—"

"I'm not hungry, I had enough at the feast. Is Y/N here—"

But nobody listened to a word he was saying. No one seemed to get the idea that he wasn't in the mood and no one wanted to hear that Harry hadn't put his name in the goblet. He felt more alone than ever, surrounded by countless amounts of excited Gryffindors. 

Harry kept looking around for his friends, just wanting to find someone who wouldn't force another butterbeer on him, or stuff crisps and peanuts into his hands. But he couldn't see one sane face. Everyone kept asking how he had done it and he kept giving the same answer that no one wanted to hear. 

"I didn't," Harry said over and over again, "I don't know how it happened."

He might as well have not answered because people still continued to not listen. 

"I'm tired!" Harry shouted angrily, after about a half an hour. "No, seriously George—I'm going to be—"

He just wanted more than anything to find a few sane people who would actually listen to him for once but neither Ron nor Hermione seemed to be around and Harry realized he wouldn't find Y/N at all up here. 

He managed to shake off the Creevey brothers by insisting he needed sleep and climb up to his dormitory as fast as he could. 

He let out a sigh of relief to see Ron sitting on his bed, now changed into pajamas. He looked up once Harry slammed the door behind him. 

"Where've you been?" Harry asked. 

"Oh hello," Ron said, his tone undetermined.

Harry realized he was not going to be met with the type of reaction he needed right now and took a seat on his bed. 

Ron moved over to folding the last of some clothes he had and putting them in his trunks on his bed. 

"Well have you seen Y/N?" Harry asked. 

"She tried to come here but a Prefect caught her," Ron said flatly. 

"Well did she say anything?" Harry asked. "Did she seem upset with me?"

"I don't know Harry," Ron said shortly. 

They both then fell into silence. 

"How'd you do it?" Ron suddenly asked, stopping what he was doing and looking back at him.

 Harry looked over to him but Ron had completely knocked off his previous question and closed his trunk aggressively, now placing it on the floor. "Never mind it doesn't matter, might have let your best friend know though."

"Let you know what?" Harry asked not being able to hide his sass. 

"You know bloody well what," Ron said before turning his back to Harry.

"I didn't ask for this to happen, Ron," Harry said. "Okay?" Ron just scowled at him. "You're being stupid."

"Yeah that's me," Ron said getting into bed. "Ron Weasley, Harry Potter's stupid friend."

Harry got up and leaned his hand on one of the posts of Ron's bed. 

"I didn't mean for this to happen, Ron," Harry said impatiently. "I didn't put my name in that cup. I don't want eternal glory. I just want to be–," he took a breath before continuing. "Look. I don't know what happened tonight and I don't know why. Okay?" 

"You want to get to bed, Harry. I expect you'll need to be up early tomorrow for a photo-call or something," Ron said coldly. He then shrugged over and laid down on his bed giving Harry his back once again. 

Harry scoffed before moving into his own bed and angrily shutting the hangings around his own four-poster. 

There went one out of the three people he thought would actually believe him. 

─── ∙ ~☾~ ∙ ───

𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝟒: 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟐

A/N: There weren't a lot of moments in this chapter because it was mostly about the tournament but there will be more Y/N and Harry next chapter I promise! Love you all! <3