"Excuse me sir?" Harry asked standing up from his seat at the Gryffindor table, using occlumency to calm his mind. He had gotten a good idea of what had happened as soon as Dumbledore called his name.
"Your name has come out from the Goblet of Fire, Mr. Potter." Dumbledore replied, while casting detection charms on the parchment with his wand.
"How is that possible, Headmaster? I never entered my name in the Goblet and I am underage. I reckon that there is some kind of mistake." Whispers filled the hall. Speculations of what had happened started amongst the student body. Some of them were saying how Harry was obviously a liar and a glory hog. Harry resisted the urge to insult them or even hex them right there.
"Your name is written on this parchment that came out of the Goblet of Fire, Mr. Potter. We shall resolve this in the ante-chamber with the authorities. Please come with us."
Harry nodded and stepped out before walking towards Dumbledore, a plan to prove his innocence already formed in his mind. As soon as he reached the headmaster, Dumbledore gave him a reassuring squeeze on his shoulder and lead him towards the ante-chamber. Just as they had taken a couple of steps in the direction of the antechamber and thus, were at the exact center of the hall, Harry said, "Wait a moment please Professor Dumbledore. I wish to say something."
Dumbledore blinked and released the hold on his shoulder before giving him a nod. Harry turned to the student body, which was still speculating amongst itself. The theory of Harry being a glory hog and cheating his way in was spreading rapidly. It seemed that most of Hufflepuff had already bought the theory. The same with the Slytherins. Susan and Daphne were wearing worried expressions on their face, and so was Hermione. Ron's face was neutral, but Harry could see the anger and jealousy shining in his eyes. Time to make that theory fall on its face.
"I, Harry James Potter," gasps filled the hall as several students realized what he was about to do. "hereby swear on my life and magic that I did not intentionally or knowingly put my name in the Goblet of fire." The ones who were spreading the theory, were looking wide eyed at him by now and the entire hall was silent. "Neither did I ask anyone else to put my name in the Goblet of fire. So, mote be it. Ut Magica Iudex Juramento (may magic judge my oath)."
Harry glowed an ethereal gold, showing that he was being judged. A couple of flashes went off from the media cameras. The golden glow faded out after a couple of moments. Everyone was staring wide-eyed at Harry by now in stunned silence while some muggleborns wore confused looks. Oaths judged by magic were a serious thing. One word wrong, and one would end up loosing their magic or their life, or both in some cases.
"Expecto Patronum." Harry's Dragon Patronus burst forth from his wand and started flying around the hall. The foreign students and the first year students were looking at the Patronus with awe. The photographers took some more pictures as the reporters scribbled furiously on their note-pads.
Harry turned back to Dumbledore. "I hope that the situation is resolved now headmaster as I have proved that I didn't enter my name in the Goblet of Fire?"
Dumbledore sighed before replying, "I never doubted your word in the first place, Mr. Potter. But, unfortunately, innocent or not, regardless of the oath, your name has come out of the Goblet of fire, which is an ancient and powerful artifact that is around ten times older than I am. We need to consult the rule book and the goblet documents from the department of mysteries before we can surely say if you have a way to get out of the tournament or not. We would not want you to loose your magic due to the fact that we thought, that since you didn't enter your name in the goblet, you won't have to compete in the tournament." Dumbledore said looking at Harry with sympathy. Harry could see the worry written on his face clearly. It was unnerving to see the wizened headmaster troubled.
"And the rules, as far as I remember, clearly state that one can not back down after their name comes out of the Goblet of Fire. One must compete in the tournament. Though, we will still check it out once again if there is some way to get out of the tournament Mr. Potter. But, for now please proceed to the side-chamber. We will discuss this matter in there." Dumbledore said, pointing to the side chamber. Harry nodded and proceeded to the ante-chamber where the rest of the champions had went. As he left the hall, he could hear Dumbledore telling the rest of the students to return to their respective areas while they resolved the matter and gave instructions to the rest of the champions.
Viktor Krum, Cedric Diggory, and Fleur Delacour were grouped around the fire as Harry strode into the chamber, irritation clearly visible on his face. Why must he compete when he hadn't even entered his name in the goblet? He had even sworn an oath judged by magic to prove that he never entered! He had gauged from Dumbledore's words and his look that he held little hope for Harry to get out of the tournament without competing in it.
"Do zey want us back in ze hall?" Fleur asked with heavy French accent.
"No..." That was when Harry heard scurrying of feet behind him and Ludo Bagman entered the room.
"Extraordinary! Extraordinary! A fourth Champion, that too Harry Potter at that!" Bagman said beaming at them all as if a joyous occasion had happened. "It is... It is so amazing... an incredible event of the Fourth champion competing in the Triwizard tournament."
"Oh, vairy funny..." Fleur stopped in mid sentence as Harry had closed the distance between Ludo and himself and grabbed the man by his collar, lifting him a few inches off the ground using a bit of wandless magic.
"Pray tell, what do you find as amazing or incredible in this situation, Bagman? I have been entered in a death trap of a tournament against my wishes and if I do not compete, I take the risk of loosing my MAGIC!" Harry shouted the last word, as his eyes glowed with power and his magic filled the room.
"Mr. Potter, I request you to put poor Ludovic down. He has understood his mistake. Please release him and we can discuss what will happen." Dumbledore's calm voice rang out as he, Madame Maxime, Karkaroff, Fudge, McGonagall, Flitwick and Snape walked into the chamber at a brisk walk. Harry released Bagman's collar and Bagman fell on his ass before he picked himself up and distanced himself from Harry, breathing heavily.
"Sir, how can Harry's name come out of the Goblet of Fire? He's a fourteen years old. How can he have entered?" Cedric asked.
"I did not enter my name in the Goblet." Harry said sharply.
"It is true. Mr. Potter swore an oath judged by magic in front of the great hall swearing that he didn't enter his name in the Goblet, neither did he ask anyone to do so for him." Professor Flitwick confirmed before anyone could say anything. Fleur let out a soft gasp while Cedric's eyes widened and Krum raised his eyebrows so high that they almost disappeared into his hairline.
"And that being said, I would ask you to avoid swearing an oath judged by magic unless absolutely necessary, Mr. Potter. One word wrong, and you could have lost your life Harry. I would strongly advise you to not do such things in the future." Dumbledore added
Harry nodded before saying, "I felt that it was the fastest, most convenient and the only way to prove my innocence. So I did it. Now, can we start searching for a way to get me out of this death trap of a tournament?"
"Yes, find a way to get him out of the tournament Dumbledore. Hogwarts can not have two champions!" Karkaroff exclaimed.
"Yes 'Ogwarts can not 'ave two champions." The French headmistress supported Karkaroff.
Harry's eye twitched. Here he was illegally entered in a death trap of a tournament and these two were protesting about Hogwarts having two champions?
"And while we are at it, let us also investigate who put my name in. Someone clearly wishes me to die and they entered my name in the tournament." Harry said coming back to the concerning topic. "Perhaps, we should start by questioning the resident death eaters in the castle, who may have been taking revenge from me for putting their buddies in Azkaban a couple of months ago." Harry suggested as his gaze shifted from Karkaroff to Snape and Bagman.
"I rather suspect that someone 'oo wished to give 'Ogwarts two bites at ze apple entered the boyz name in zee Goblet." Madame Maxime said, before either of the three death eaters could react and changed the topic.
"I quite agree, Madame Maxime," said Karkaroff, bowing to her. "I shall be lodging complaints with the Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards -"
"If anyone's got reason to complain, it's only Potter. He is the one who has been entered against his wishes in the tournament." A gruff voice said from the doorway. Moody limped into the room with his magical eye scanning the surroundings, checking for threats. "What are you lot complaining for, eh?"
"But why is 'e complaining?" burst out Fleur Delacour, stamping her foot. "He has the chance to compete, 'asn't he? We 'ave all been 'oping to be chosen for weeks and weeks! Ze honor for our schools! Eternal Glory! A ten thousand Galleons in prize money - zis is a chance many would die for! So-"
She was cut off with a bark of laughter from Harry. She gave him a shocked look as Harry chuckled and turned to her. "Eternal Glory? Tell me miss Delacour the name, of the first person to win the Triwizard Tournament?" She remained silent. "Or perhaps the last one?" Harry added at her silence.
Fleur Delacour said nothing, clearly showing that she didn't know the answer. "You don't know? Very well, now tell me the name of the only person to survive the killing curse."
"You... 'arry Potter."
"Now, tell me the name of the youngest winner of the U-18 WDL."
Fleur's eye twitched. "You." She said with greeted teeth. Harry smirked. Of course he needed to add that point.
"Excellent miss Delacour. Now, do I look like I am in the need of Eternal Glory? That too from a competition whose winners no one remembers?" Harry scoffed. "Don't make me laugh! And... as for the money," Harry let out a scoff. "I make more than ten thousand Galleons in a month from investments of Potter and Black families. I don't need to participate in what clearly is a deadly tournament to earn 10,000 galleons, I assure you that much, Ms. Delacour. And by the number of attempts on my life in the past three years, I won't be shocked if this is also one of them, as I said earlier."
Fleur remained quite but gulped as Harry's eyes were swirling vortexes of power. Harry turned back to the officials who were standing there in stunned silence, watching Harry. Harry was about to raise an eyebrow at them but, a gruff voice spoke up. "I completely agree with Potter. Someone's hoping Potter is going to die in the tournament. So, he has been entered against his wishes."
No one said anything for a few moments. Harry resisted an urge to bang his head on something. These people were wasting time by arguing needlessly and standing about! Maxime and Karkaroff were concerned about Hogwarts having an extra champion while Bagman was excited by the whole thing! Those three were causing the delays. They should be finding a way to get him out of the death trap.
'And where the hell did Dumbledore go?' Harry questioned himself as Dumbledore wasn't at his previous position.
That was when, out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw that Dumbledore was already going through a booklet at an amazing speed along with Fudge, who was looking over Dumbledore's shoulder. Harry had completely forgotten that the minister was there. The minister was being uncharacteristically non hyper-verbal. But, atleast he was doing something unlike Maxime and Karkaroff.
"It would have taken a skilled wizard to put Potter's name in the Goblet of fire." Moody continued when no one spoke
"And why ees that?" Madame Maxime asked.
"Because they hoodwinked a very powerful and ancient magical object!" said Moody. "It would have needed an exceptionally strong and specific Confundus Charm to bamboozle that goblet into believing that there were four schools instead of three in the Triwizard Tournament. Then, they would have put Potter's name under that school's name to ensure that he is the only participant from the particular school so his name was sure to come out. And once it came out, he would have been forced to compete in the tournament and would probably die during one of the tasks. And this is perhaps the revenge for what Potter did at the World cup finals. He caught a dozen dark wizards, didn't he?"
"We all know Moody's morning isn't complete till he discovers a dozen assassination plots till Lunch." Karkaroff mused aloud. "You seem to have given it a lot of thought Moody."
"It's my job to think the way Dark wizards do, Karkaroff - as you ought to remember..."
"Alastor. That's enough." Dumbledore firmly told Moody as he walked back towards them again with the minister in tow. "I have just gone through the rule book. Unfortunately there is no way for Harry to get out of the tournament. A participant must compete if his of her name comes out of the Goblet of Fire. The Goblet of fire forms binds them to participate in the tournament of risk loosing their magic."
"WHAT!? There must be some way professor!" Harry exclaimed.
"No, unfortunately there isn't. I looked through the rules, Harry. There isn't a way. You are welcome to suggest one if you have any. In the meanwhile, Alastor, can you investigate this case? Find out who put Mr. Potter's name as the fourth contestant if you can and the tampering on the goblet."
"Aye. I will get to the bottom of this." Moddy said nodding his head
"You said that the goblet binds us to participate, headmaster. What if I destroy the goblet?" Harry asked.
"It doesn't work that way. You have been already bound by the Goblet and regardless of its destruction, you will have to compete." Dumbledore said after pondering over the question.
"What of name inconsistency?"
"Has your name been changed by magic in your birth certificate or the records at Gringotts? If your name officially is Harry Potter-Black or anything except Harry Potter, middle names not considered, then we can explore that avenue and find if we can do something to break the magical contract of the goblet."
"No..."
"So, your name is Harry Potter in official records?" Harry nodded. "Then there is nothing in there to exploit and get you out."
"What if I change my name now?"
"You have been bound by the goblet Harry. I checked it as soon as you stepped out of your seat in the great hall with a spell." Dumbledore said. Harry felt that Dumbledore wasn't being entirely truthful as he never felt a spell impact him before he realized that Dumbledore must have used mage sight to check it. Damn. He would have to compete now.
Harry sighed out loud. "So, there is no way... I would still like to see the rule book sir, if you will give it to me."
"Yes. Here you go. Inform me if you find a way please." Dumbledore said as he duplicated the book with a spell and handed it to Harry. Harry nodded at the wizened headmaster.
"But Dumbly-door this is most unjust. Hogwarts can not have two champions!"
"My dear Madame Maxime, if you have an alternative, I would be delighted to hear it." Dumbledore said with steel in his voice. Harry suspected that even Dumbledore was loosing his patience with the 'Hogwarts having two champions' topic when there was a possible murder plot going on.
"I do have an alternative for Madame Maxime's worry about Hogwarts having two champions." Harry piped up. "I won't be representing Hogwarts. Cedric is the Hogwarts champion. I will represent House Potter-Black and compete under the banner of House Potter-Black instead of Hogwarts. So, it won't be a Hogwarts victory if I win. And Hogwarts won't have two champions either. Happy?"
"That ees acceptable." Madame Maxime said with a nod.
"It is." Karkaroff added.
"Wonderful. I will nominate Lord Black as a judge from House Potter-Black."
"What are you talking about boy?" Karkaroff immediately sneered.
"The judges rule, Headmaster Karkaroff. Each participating institution must have a representative as a judge on the panel. It is the first rule written in the judging panel section." Fudge spoke up for the first time since the selection of Champions had begun.
"Which is, coincidently the first section in this rule book." Harry added, showing him the first relevant page in the book, the preface and the index aside. It was thankfully the first thing he had read as soon as he started inspecting the rule book after Dumbledore handed it to him. "I thought you would have atleast bothered to open the rule book before bringing your school students here to complete, Headmaster Karkaroff."
Karkaroff just glared at Harry but the Beauxbatons headmistress spoke up, "That ees acceptable, Monsieur Potter. It ees fair for 'im to 'ave his own judge on ze panel as he ees not representing Hogwarts."
"I too agree with Madame Maxime. But, we need to replace someone from the panel and then make Lord Black sign the secrecy contract." Dumbledore said.
"I will gladly step down, Headmaster Dumbledore. I was anyways the replacement for Barty Crouch after he had resigned from his duties a couple of months ago. I am very busy with running the ministry and all. Stepping down will free up a bit of my time too." Fudge said nodding in agreement.
It was very wise of Fudge to pull such a move. He won't be blamed directly if anything went wrong in the tournament and it got him on Harry's good side... Atleast that's what he must have thought. Harry knew that Fudge was a political animal and cared nothing of what happened to Harry, beyond how it affected his reputation.
"Well, should we give the champions the instructions then?" Bagman asked hesitantly clearly subduing his enthusiasm about the tournament. "Minister, would you do the honors?"
"Yes... The first task is designed to test your daring," he told 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 consisting of Madame Maxime, Professor Dumbledore, Karkaroff, Ludo, and now, as it was decided, Lord Black. 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 task armed only with their wands. They will receive information about the second task when the first is over... Or shall I say you will be collecting the clues yourself. Did I leave something out?" Fudge said.
"Also, owing to the demanding and time-consuming nature of the tournament, the champions are exempted from end-of-year tests. Also, the wand weighting ceremony would be held on the 21st of November." Dumbledore added as Fudge nodded his head.
"The wand weighting ceremony?" Harry asked.
"A wand expert will come and check if your wands are in perfect working condition for the tournament." McGonagall said.
"Now, I suggest that you all go to bed champions. Madame Maxime, Igor will you join me for a nightcap?" The two shook their heads at Dumbledore's question before they lead their respective champions out of the chamber. The rest of the professors and the minister followed them. Only Harry, Cedric and Dumbledore remained in the room.
Dumbledore turned to his two students. "Harry, Cedric, I suggest you go up to bed," said Dumbledore, smiling at both of them. "I am sure Gryffindor and Hufflepuff are waiting 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. And Harry, do not worry. I am sure you will get through the tournament just fine. And I promise to find the one who put your name in the Goblet."
They both nodded and left the room, Harry heading to the Gryffindor tower while Cedric to the Hufflepuff dorms after they bid each other good night.
Harry entered the Gryffindor Common room and saw that people were already prepared to celebrate and party.
"What happened?" Lee Jordan asked.
"I have to compete regardless of not putting my name in the Goblet of Fire." Harry declared and a cheer went up from the people in the common room and the music started. His eyes sought Ron and Hermione in the common room. Ron was waiting for him in a corner of the room and tried to tell him something with sign language but Harry didn't understand it. Hermione was nowhere to be seen in the common room.
People lifted him on their shoulders and placed a Gryffindor banner on his shoulders before he was being paraded around. "Guys, put me down! I want to say something." They dutifully placed him on a table and Harry stood up.
"Speech, Speech!" The crowd cheered.
"Yes, yes... Thank you everyone. I get it that you all are very happy. But I have to say a few things. First and foremost I am not the Hogwarts champion, Cedric Diggory is." Harry said
"But you said you are participating!" a person shouted and protests followed. Harry immediately let out a bang from his wand silencing the protests.
"Yes, I am participating but not as the Hogwarts champion, but instead under the banner of House Potter-Black. Cedric is the only Hogwarts champion. The heads of the foreign schools were rather insistent that Hogwarts can not have two champions. I request you all to show support to Cedric as well as me in the name of school spirit and house spirit respectively. Thank you."
"Well, but a Gryffindor is still competing! Harry may not be representing Hogwarts but he is one of us. So, there is no reason to stop the celebration!" One of the Weasley twins said and people cheered before the party resumed. Harry shook his head before he moved away from the crowd towards Ron.
"What happened in there?" was Ron's question as soon as Harry reached him.
"The Goblet constitutes of a magically binding contract of sorts which compels me to participate in the tournament. If I don't, I run the risk of losing my magic. Moody and I even think that someone did it hoping that I would die in the tournament. Someone's hoping to kill me."
"Kill... you? That... that is absurd but yet... it makes sense mate. Hermione has been going on about how many people have died during the tournament since it was announced. But, Dumbledore said it is going to be safer this year mate."
"Hogwarts is said to be the safest place in the whole of Europe but still, a troll got in on Halloween, there was a basilisk in school, a dark artifact, Dementors, Pettigrew that we faced in the past three years. I guess they all qualify as unsafe. And god knows what is going to happen this year with the tournament and my name coming out of the Goblet. That all aside, where's Hermione?"
"Take a guess."
"... Library?"
"Correct. She left bout ten minutes before you arrived. Said that she will be checking if we can do something. Researching things to see if we can get you out."
On cue the portrait door opened and Hermione stormed in before she saw Harry and Ron and immediately walked towards them. "The library is closed till Monday morning! Can you believe it? Madame Pince didn't even let me in! Oh, Harry. What are we going to do now? Don't worry, I am sure we will find a way to get you out of this tournament. By the way, what happened in the ante-chamber? Did the Professors find a way to get you out?" She ranted.
"Calm down Hermione. Now,..." Harry narrated everything that had taken place in the side-chamber.
"I am going to send a letter to Sirius and Andromeda along with copies of the rule book right now with Hedwig. Andromeda has studied Law. She may find something but I don't think there is a lot of hope. Professor Dumbledore made that much clear. He literally read the whole rule book while standing there... well, atleast the relevant parts that could have had something. Meanwhile, Mad-eye is on the case. We couldn't have hoped for anyone better to investigate. He is the best there is."
"I agree. So, what should we do? Hermione and I? We are with you mate. If someone's hoping for you to die, let us ensure that their plan fails"
"For now? Research the history of the tournament. I want to know all about the types of tasks possible. That is for you to do Hermione. Ron, can you start research about XXXX and XXXXX creatures and specifically their weaknesses? That is when the library opens though. Let us wait to see if Andromeda or Sirius come up with something till tomorrow. Or by Monday, we will begin preparations." Both of them nodded.
"Harry, what happened in the ante-chamber? Will you have to compete?" Daphne questioned as soon as Harry entered the Room of requirements, where the three of them practiced dueling and other important activities. Susan was already standing beside Daphne in the room today tapping her foot impatiently.
Harry had only been able to go to the Chamber of Secrets in the morning and had instantly received a lecture from Helga on how should he have visited immediately after the goblet incident last evening. After that, they began discussing what the tasks could be and who could have possibly put Harry's name in the Goblet. Both agreed that someone was hoping that Harry would die during one of the tasks in the tournament. Salazar told him that the first task had creatures. Most likely XXXX or XXXXX creatures to be specific. Salazar assured him that the details will be definitely known a week before the actual task though. For now, they were only sure that the task had creatures, either to be subdued, passed after stealing something or killed. And doing any of this in presence of XXXXX creature was no easy task and for most wizards and witches, practically suicide.
Harry had also asked if one of their spy- portraits or elves- had witnessed anyone tampering with the Goblet of Fire. They said that there were no portraits in the Great Hall neither the elves had reported anything. The preparator was likely an adult, experienced wizard with an invisibility cloak or some other artefact to hide his or her presence. Of course, no artefact was as efficient as Harry's fabled cloak of invisibility but some were sufficient enough to do the task of tampering with the Goblet which, admittedly had next to no wards for safety if one was an adult wizard or witch i.e. of 17 years of age or older.
But despite all this, they had not changed Harry's training, citing that Harry was sufficiently knowledgeable, prepared and powerful enough to go through the tournament and win without resorting to a rigorous training schedule for the tournament. They would continue training as they were doing before, regardless of the Triwizard participation. Only near the task date, they would concentrate on the task at hand, just to make sure that Harry was prepared enough to face the task.
Harry already was at the level of a senior hit-wizard in terms of skills and power, both of which already outclassed most adult Wizards and witches, bar a few. And those few were the epitome of magical powerhouses and extremely qualified witches and wizards. Harry, according to the founders was probably among the top 15 most powerful and skilled witches and wizards in whole of magical Europe. And by the time Christmas rolled around, he would probably be in top 10. And he was fourteen-years-old while the rest were well into their adult life.
As his mother had said, 'you will surpass them all.'
The only concerning thing for Harry, that the founders had told him regarding his training was that this month, Harry would be learning to cast some of the most dangerous spells around - like fiendfyre, the killing curse, the cruciatus, the imperious and some other spells which were highly fatal or destructive in nature. He was also expected to master the fourth stage of Legilimency by November end and the sixth stage of occlumency by mid-January at the latest.
After his trip to the chamber and his subsequent regular training for the day, he went back in time, slept for some time in his dorms and had a second-breakfast in the Great Hall, before he went to meet his two worried girlfriends in the Room of requirement. He was immediately questioned on what had exactly happened after he had disappeared into the side-chamber. Harry patiently retold the story and answered their questions.
"There must be some way though! I will contact auntie. She may know something." Susan said. Harry gave a half-hearted nod. Even Salazar and Helga had read the whole rulebook while he exercised and much to his dismay, they hadn't found a loophole to get him out. Harry was competent enough to win the damn tournament but, why waste time and put your life at risk needlessly especially if you had a way out? But unfortunately, there wasn't one. And if Helga, Salazar and Dumbledore couldn't find a loophole, Harry seriously doubted that Amelia Bones would be successful.
"How are you going to prepare Harry?" Daphne asked.
"The usual. Learning spells that will come handy during the tournament and reading up on what could come in the tasks. I have already enlisted Hermione's help to research what type of tasks have previously been done while Ron would research on creatures and their weaknesses."
"I can understand that you put Granger on research... But, Weasley? That boy is literally at the bottom of the class and hates to study as far as I know." Daphne stated
"He wanted to help too. So, I gave him what I felt appropriate. Plus, his elder brother works in a dragon reserve... so he may know something." Harry said with a shrug. Ron wasn't the best person when it concerned academics or anything apart from quidditch really but he was still Harry's first friend.
"What do you think of the other competitors? Knowing your competition is important to win." Daphne remarked.
"Well... Krum is a powerful wizard and as far as I can tell, he will rely on advanced curses and the power spells that are taught at Durmstrang. So, essentially brute force but with Karkaroff aiding him... He will be a tough opponent. Cedric on the other hand, as much as I hate to say it, is perhaps the person I am least worried about as he doesn't pose a lot of competition."
"And why is that?" Susan asked in an offended tone.
"Because he isn't a duelist, nor does he have knowledge of the so-called 'darker' variety of spells that Krum has." Harry replied.
Harry, Daphne and Susan had briefly discussed about the so called dark-spells after they had begun dating. Daphne did not have a lot of qualms about using them due to being from a traditionally grey family. Her father had even taught her a few border-line spells to defend herself in case it was needed. Also, a huge factor was that the ministry defined nearly every spell that a standard auror shield couldn't stop as a dark spell. The only saving grace for the ministry was that beyond a few specific spells, none carried a punishment even though ministry actively worked to erase the existence of the unpunishable-dark-spells from the hands of the normal public. Susan initially was hesitant but when Harry explained in the same way Helga explained him, she had written a letter to her aunt asking about dark-spells and what they were.
Amelia Bones had written back saying the same thing that Harry had told Susan. One could use a simple diffindo or the killing curse to kill a person. The dark spell classification was only to deter general public, specifically Half-blood and Muggleborns(and their descendants), along with the blind followers of the schemes of ministry from becoming too powerful or dangerous. If they ever led a coup, aurors could withstand the attacks without too much problems. If they used the so called dark-spells, it would become much more difficult to control any uprising that took place from the general public not to mention much more dangerous.
"I agree Cedric is a good bloke, hard working, intelligent and all of that... and perhaps the best Hogwarts has to offer from above 17 category but, he doesn't pose a lot of challenge to what the rest three of us can do. Fleur Delacour is extremely competent with a wand and an extremely good duelist, the runner-up of WDL to boot. Krum has knowledge of spells that would never be taught at Hogwarts and has crazy seeker instincts being an international quidditch star and all. I myself am the World dueling champion. Cedric as compared to us... is just a hardworking-kind-humble type student. A quintessential Hufflepuff if I have ever seen one. I am not saying that he isn't worthy of being a champion... just that he is the weakest amongst us four." Harry finished his explanation and Susan nodded.
"I get your point... But still I will be supporting you both."
"But, I am your boyfriend." Harry did not whine.
"So? I am supporting you, ain't I?"
"You can't support both of us! Come on... if you support only me, my morale would get boosted by like... a lot!" Harry gave her puppy dog eyes. Susan looked away blushing.
"Harry, don't put poor Susie in a quandary. She can't choose between her godbrother and boyfriend. But, I am sure she can make it up to you... Even I will help. Won't we Susan?" Daphne asked pulling the girl closer. Both girls grinned wickedly.
"And I am sure that Harry is incredibly stressed due to his name coming out of the Goblet of Fire too. We will help reduce it." Susan added.
Harry just grinned goofily in response remembering what the girls could do and the rewards he had received in the past two months from the two.
The following two weeks were spent normally for Harry. A lot of people had expressed their concern for Harry's safety due to the inclusion of Harry in the Triwizard tournament. This was likely due to the article that the Daily Prophet printed for the selection of Champions.
MURDER PLOT FOR THE BOY-WHO-LIVED IN THE TRIWIZARD TOURNAMENT ?
by Barnabas Cuffe
As we have reported dear readers, that the famous Triwizard tournament has been held at Hogwarts again this year after nearly a century of being discontinued due to its heavy death toll. The tournament, famous for its danger factor is being held at Hogwarts and will continue for the better part of the academic year. The tournament consists of three dangerous trials that each contestant has to go through. The winner's name will go down in history and he or she will receive 10,000G price money and the Triwizard trophy to take home. Winning the tournament is indeed an achievement one could boast about throughout their life. But, this year the reestablished tournament took a rather ugly turn during the first ceremony itself.
On Halloween, the first ceremony of the Triwizard- Selection of Champions took place in the Hogwarts Great Hall. The ceremony is considered as the official beginning of the Triwizard tournament. An artefact, known as the Goblet of fire, is the impartial which chooses which champions would compete in the tournament. It also binds the person whose name came out, to compulsorily compete in the tournament and prevent them from backing away as the penalty of doing so would result in the loss of magic for the individual.
This year the names were drawn out for the Champions of Durmstrang, Beauxbatons Academy and Hogwarts on the evening of 31st October. The first name that came out was for the Champion of Durmstrang who will be the famed Bulgarian Quidditch team's star seeker, Victor Krum.
Next name came out was of the Beauxbatons champion, who will be Fleur Delacour. Fleur Delacour recently made headlines in France when she became the Runner up of the World Dueling league. She was undefeated in the tournament till the final match when, she was defeated by Harry Potter himself. The Daily Prophet has found that Ms. Delacour is a model student who is consistently at the top of her classes at the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic.
The next name to come out was of the much awaited Hogwarts Champion. Cedric Diggory, Heir of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Diggory will be representing Hogwarts in this year's Triwizard tournament. He is the son of Amos Diggory, the Head of the Control and Regulation of Magical Creatures Department(CRMCD) at the British Ministry of Magic. Cedric Diggory too is one of the top students at Hogwarts in his sixth year and the Seeker and Captain for the Hufflepuff Quidditch team.
Everyone thought that Viktor Krum, Fleur Delacour and Cedric Diggory were the three champions who would compete for the title of the Triwizard champion. But, that was when the Goblet sparked again and a fourth name came out of the Goblet. The name was of Harry Potter, the boy-who-lived; Heir of the Most Noble and Most ancient houses of Potter and Black; World dueling Champion; and most recently, the winner of Order of Merlin First class for his capture of 11 death eaters at the Quidditch World cup earlier this year.
As soon as Harry Potter's name was called out, he swore an oath judged by magic stating that he did not enter his name in the Goblet of fire, neither did he ask an older student to do so on his behalf.
His words were, "I, Harry James Potter, hereby swear on my life and magic that I did not intentionally or knowingly put my name in the Goblet of fire. Neither did I ask anyone else to put my name in the Goblet of fire. So, mote be it. Ut Magica Iudex Juramento."
A golden glow surrounded him as soon as the words were uttered before he proceeded to produce a Patronus charm to prove that he still had magic and thus had not entered himself in the Tournament. Despite of all this, Mr. Potter would have to compete in the tournament due to the magic of the Goblet of Fire or loose his magic. We were later informed that to keep his friend, Cedric Diggory's position as the Hogwarts champion, Harry Potter himself gave up the Hogwarts Champion title and now, instead of Hogwarts he will be representing House Potter-Black during the tournament.
But the question is, Who put Harry Potter's name in the Goblet of fire? And why did they do so? Is this a revenge for Harry Potter's capture of 11 death eaters? Does someone wish to kill him?
We at the Daily Prophet are tirelessly working to find answers to these questions.
For more on Viktor Krum pg. 2
For more on Fleur Delacour pg. 2
For more on Cedric Diggory pg. 2
For more on Harry Potter and his achievements, pg.3
For more on the Triwizard Tournament pg. 4
For more on magical oaths pg. 9
Below the articles, there were coloured photos of Harry's oath and his Patronus along with a photo of a parchment coming out of the Goblet of Fire (and Dumbledore catching it). The photo of the other three champions were along with their articles on the second page in black and white instead of a colour photo.
Harry was sitting in the Library with Neville, Ron, Hermione, Susan and Hannah Abbott when Tilly, the house elf, popped into there with a note from Salazar and Helga. It read:
'Come urgently. We have found something important.'
Harry became worried. What would have happened so that Salazar and Helga would have called him so urgently?
"What is it Harry?" Neville asked.
"Professor McGonagall wants to meet me in her office urgently. She said to come to her as soon as I receive this note. Sorry, I have to go guys. Ron, can you pack up if I don't come back till Dinner?" Ron nodded at Harry's question.
Harry rushed out of the Library immediately. As soon as he went outside, he applied a perfect disillusionment charm even though there was no one around, and immediately apparated silently to the chamber of secrets.
He rushed into the main study as he removed the charm and entered. "What happened?"
"Oh good you are here. We have found something." Helga said.
"About what?"
"The first task of the Triwizard tournament." came Salazar's reply.
"Tell me everything."