Harry came back to our compartment about five minutes after I came back. I told him about Malfoy and what I did to him. He seemed to be proud of me for standing up for myself. Of course, I was proud, too.

Once we arrived at Hogwarts, I had a feeling that something about the place was different. Not as in the castle got a whole new look, but as in Dumbledore had a surprise for us. I was kind of nervous about it, especially if Dumbledore was behind all of it. Who knew what was going to happen to us this year. That was when the answer flew by Hogwarts. Literally.

"Look, Harry!" I pointed up at the sky.

There was a carriage up in the air, making its way down to the castle. They came right by us and I pushed my way up to the front to see the magnificent creatures flying by us. Everyone looked at them in awe and amazement.

"Well, there's something you don't see every day," George said.

"You don't see that either," I added, pointing at the ship that just emerged from the water. "Who do you think they are?"

"No idea. Looks like Dumbledore does have a surprise for us," Ron said.

We walked in the castle and inside the Great Hall, where it didn't look any different once we got in there. In fact, everything seemed normal. We sat down, waiting for the first years to come in and get Sorted into their Houses. I sat beside Harry and the other two sat across from us.

"I wonder who those people were," Hermione stated. "You think Dumbledore has something to do with this?"

"Of course he does, Hermione," Ron replied. "Who else would plan this whole 'surprise' for us?"

"Snape," I said, trying not to laugh.

But the four of us started snickering. During our conversation about the mystery visitors, Dumbledore began to speak.

"Well, now that we're all settled in and sorted, I'd like to make an announcement." Looked like the first years were being Sorted while we were talking. "This castle will not only be your home this year, but home to some very special guests as well."

Around that time, Filch came in, running towards Dumbledore. It was a funny-looking run and I couldn't help but snicker. He whispered something to him and ran back out.

"You see, Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event," he continued, "the Triwizard Tournament."

Everyone around us started whispering. The twins both placed a grin on their faces. "Brilliant," was all they said.

Nevertheless, Dumbledore kept on talking. "For those of you who do not know, the Triwizard Tournament brings together three schools for a series of magical contests. From each school, a single student is selected to compete.

"Now, let me be clear. If chosen, you stand alone. And trust me when I say these contests are not for the faint-hearted. But more of that later. For now, please join me in welcoming the lovely ladies of the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, and their headmistress, Madame Maxime!"

The doors flew open and the Beauxbatons girls came out with blue dresses and blue funny looking hats. However, they were very pretty. They came strutting, acting like they owned the place. Ron was too busy looking at their bums to even say anything. Harry didn't seem to take any interest in them. I still thought he was still into that girl he saw on the train.

"Blimey, that's one big woman," Seamus told Ron.

"I don't disagree," Ron replied.

I clapped with everyone else once the girls went to their seats. "And now our friends from the North. Please greet the proud sons of Durmstrang, and their high master, Igor Karkaroff!"

The doors flew open again, but a group of boys came in this time. They had sticks in their hands and started flipping them around and all that.

Two more men came in. One of those people was Viktor Krum, the Seeker for the Bulgarians. I caught Cedric's eye from the Hufflepuff table and he winked at me. I blushed and shook my head. I turned back to see the other person that came in and realized that I had seen him before. That was when it finally hit me. I had seen the Dark Mark more than once. I gasped at this realization.

Harry heard me and turned around again, looking confused. "What is it?"

"I've seen that guy before, Harry. He came over to Malfoy's place a lot. He's one of them. I've seen the mark on him," I whispered.

Suddenly, my scar started hurting again.

Oh, I didn't think I explained about my scar a lot. Well, everyone already knew about Voldemort killing our parents as a baby and both of us got the scars when our mother was protecting us. Well, Harry's scar faced the left, while mine faced the right. Usually, our scars began to hurt at the same time. However, there were rare occasions where his scar would hurt and mine didn't and vice versa. Neither of us knew why that happened, but we thought it had something to do with me living with the Malfoys, since Lucius probably was a Death Eater.

It started raining as we began to eat. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and I talked amongst ourselves. "You fancy any of those girls, Ron?" Harry asked him.

"Of course I do. But I can't believe that Viktor Krum is at Hogwarts!"

"I know Harry likes someone," I said.

Harry gave me a confused look. "I do?"

"That girl you were drooling over on the train. Don't think I didn't notice, Harry. I know you like her."

"I do not like her!" he protested, his face turning red.

"I read your mind, bro. It was obvious."

The other two started laughing at him.

"Shut up," Harry said as he started blushing again.

"Your attention, please!" Dumbledore shouted. Everyone looked at him and stopped talking. "I'd like to say a few words." He paused, then spoke again. "Eternal glory. That is what awaits the student who wins the Triwizard Tournament. But to do this, that student must survive three dangerous tasks."

"Wicked," the twins said.

"Oh, please. You two would die in a heartbeat," I said, making Ron laugh.

"For this reason, the Ministry has seen fit to impose a new rule. To explain all this, we have the head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, Mr. Bartemius Crouch." A man started walking behind the tables, looking at everyone.

"That man was there that night after the attack," Hermione said.

Suddenly, it started thundering and lightning. Rain came down on us, getting everyone wet. In a matter of seconds, it stopped. A man who looked like he had gone mad was standing in the corner.

"Bloody hell. It's Mad-Eye Moody," Ron whispered.

"Alastor Moody? The Auror?" Hermione asked him.

"Auror?" Dean cut in.

"Dark-wizard catcher. Half the cells in Azkaban are filled thanks to him," Ron explained to us. "He's supposed to be mad as a hatter, though, these days."

"He sure looks like one," I muttered.

Moody shook hands with Dumbledore and walked away from him. He was looking right at me and Harry. Then, he took out a little bottle and started drinking it.

"What's that he's drinking, do you suppose?" Seamus asked.

"I don't know, but I don't think it's pumpkin juice," Harry replied.

Mr. Crouch then came up to the stand and started talking. "After due consideration, the Ministry has concluded that for their own safety no student under the age of seventeen shall be allowed to put forth their name for the Triwizard Tournament. This decision is final!"

Everyone started yelling. However, I thought it was a good rule. Even if I was seventeen, I wouldn't put my name in there. I'd never survive, anyway.

"SILENCE!" Dumbledore shouted.

"I guess no one's too happy about that," I told Harry, which he nodded in agreement.

Dumbledore made something appear on the stand. Then fire started floating just a few inches from the inside.

"The Goblet of Fire," he started. "Anyone wishing to submit themselves to the tournament need only write their name upon a piece of parchment and throw it in the flame before this hour on Thursday night. Do not do so lightly. If chosen, there's no turning back. As from this moment, the Triwizard Tournament has begun."

After that, he bid us goodnight and we all left for our dorms. Tonight, I was going to sneak out to meet Cedric. I would have to be extra careful, though. With this tournament going on, there was going to be more Prefects on patrol. But I had the Invisibility Cloak, so I was all good.

The Gryffindor Common Room looked the same. The furniture didn't move an inch, the walls still looked old, and the Fat Lady was still annoying. Our trunks were already in our dorms, so we went up and changed into our pajamas. I got the Marauder's map out and placed it in my pocket. I also had the cloak as well and hid it under my shirt. None of the girls were curious about what I was doing. I walked out the door and down the stairs. Just as I was about to walk out of the portal, Harry stopped me.

"And where do you think you're going?" Harry asked me, blocking my way.

"Uh...I was going to get some fresh air," I lied.

"With the cloak and the map?" Harry questioned.

"Damn! How did you know?"

"We're twins, Max," he replied. "So, where are you really going?"

I sighed, then spoke, "I'm going to meet Cedric."

"Okay, then why are you taking the cloak?"

"So no one catches me."

"And the map?"

"To see if anyone's coming. Anything else, dear brother?" I was starting to get irritated. He was supposed to be my brother, not a detective.

"Yeah, what's the deal with the headmaster from Durmstrang? Are you going to tell me about that?"

"After I see my boyfriend. Now, please, get out of my way." I shoved him aside and started walking out the portal. He grabbed my arm, spinning me around so that I was facing him. "Look, I'll tell you later! I have to go now."

"I'm not letting you leave until you tell me about him."

"You're hard to deal with."

"So are you."

"No, I'm not."

"Then tell me about the headmaster from Durmstrang."

I sighed and threw my hands up in the air. "Fine! I'll tell you about him! Then can I go see Cedric?"

"Yes. That wasn't so hard, was it?" he said as we both sat on the couch.

"Shut up, Harry. Before I change my mind." I sat down on the couch and started talking. "Some people showed up at the house one night. Igor was one of them..."

*******

As I was reading my book in bed, I heard people from downstairs. The voices were unfamiliar to me. Curious, I crept to the top of the staircase, making sure no one saw or heard me. I saw Lucius and a few other people I didn't know. There was one man that had short brown hair and was very short as well. The other man was the exact opposite as the first one. He had long hair, not as long as Lucius' hair, and he was a little taller than the first guy. He also had a beard and a moustache.

"How do you think the Dark Lord is gonna take this, Lucius?! How can you be so careless?! You have one of his main targets in your own household and you're letting her slip away from you!" Igor yelled at Lucius. "If it were up to me, she'd be in the Dark Lord's hands right now!"

"Dumbledore told me to watch her until she turns seventeen," Lucius informed him. "I can't turn her in now!"

"Leave her with me, then," the younger man said. "I'll take care of her until she has to go back to Hogwarts."

"And why do you suggest that?" Lucius questioned him. "I'm pretty sure you don't have the mark." Him and Igor raised up their sleeves, exposing the mark. "You don't have what it takes to look after such an important person to him. What makes you think you can?"

"Well, obviously, you can't take care of her."

"What are you saying?" Lucius asked.

"I want her," he replied. "I can instill a few punishments."

Suddenly, a hand went over my mouth and I was pulled back by someone. I was put into a room as I was trying to get away. I looked to see who it was that grabbed me.

It was Malfoy. "What the hell are you doing?" he asked me as he shut the door.

"I was seeing who was here," I replied.

"Well, you shouldn't have been eavesdropping."

"Your father's not really going to let that man take me, is he?" I bit my lip to prevent myself from crying.

He looked at me and sighed. "No, but you'll have to leave soon, anyway, if you want to get back with your brother and friends. I'll cover for you."

I nodded. "Thank you, Draco."

He shrugged in response. "I guess I owe you for the last three years."

"You guess?"

He shook his head. "I know." Then he left the room, shutting the door behind him.

*******

"So, yeah, that's about it," I finished. "Now, can I go see Cedric?!"

"Fine."

"Yes!" I jumped off the couch and headed for the portal.

"But one more question!"

I groaned in frustration and looked back at him. "What?"

"Why would Malfoy help you? He hates you."

"He said he owed me for the last three years that we were here. Now, no more questions, I'm leaving now!" I ran out of the portal and draped the cloak over my head.

I was meeting Cedric near the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, so I started heading that way. Once I got to the classroom, he was nowhere to be found. I was a little early, so I decided to kill some time by roaming the castle. There were a few Prefects, but I slid past them easily. It was almost eight o'clock, so I headed back towards our spot until I saw Igor coming my way. He went past me and curious me decided to follow him. He was heading towards the Great Hall, where the Goblet of Fire was at. He looked around, seeing if anyone followed him, then shut the doors.

Now I wondered what the hell he was up to. Whatever it was, I had a feeling that it wasn't good.

~~~~~~~

A/N: HI!

So this is a long chapter. I didn't plan for it to be THIS long, but I did. I guess I owe you guys, huh? Wait, I know. Yes, I'm quoting from my own story.

Just know that Barty Crouch Jr. does NOT want Max in a sexual way. I know it doesn't seem that way, but I felt like making him want her in that way would make it weird and gross.

Okay well sorry for taking foreverrr! I've been up all night working on it. It's already 1 in the morning, so be grateful that I'm posting this now, and not waiting until later. So I think I can say that I might be able to finish this by the middle of September. Enough time right? I hope so.

And this is dedicated to my AMAZING friend on here Audrey, aka @arty_writes because she read Double Trouble in one night lol, and also she's an AMAZING WRITER! GO FOLLOW HER NOW!

So COMMENT, vote, and find Narnia. PEACE!

-A