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Chapter Fourteen Consequences

Instead of going back to his common room right away Harry made his way to the Chamber of Secrets. Entering the main chamber, he grabbed the time turner and set it back its full 24 hours. He was glad that he decided not to turn back time earlier that day. Getting out the Marauders Map, Harry sat down and watched the entrance hall and the Goblet of Fire to see who approached it overnight. This was the only time that someone could've put his name into the Goblet of Fire because he and most of the rest of the school had watched it during the day.

Harry knew that with the Time Turner he couldn't change anything in the past that had already affected him personally, and his name coming out of the goblet meant that he couldn't prevent it from happening, since it already had. Time travel gave him a headache sometimes. He spent most of the night watching the map as people approached the goblet. He wrote all of their names down on a piece of parchment over the whole night. What truly surprised him was when he's spotted Barty Crouch approach the goblet, then leave and join Moody in his room. He thought, ' If that bastard had anything to do with putting my name in the Goblet of Fire, I'll cut his balls off. If so that means that Moody is probably involved too. Dammit! I'm gonna have to keep a watch on Moody, and that magicaI eye is not going to make it easy.'

When morning finally approached, Harry fell asleep figuring that there would be witnesses from this point on. When he awoke he remembered why he was in the chamber and set up and destroyed several training dummies over the next few hours to get out his anger.

He wrote to Barkaxe, asking him if the Goblins could find a way for him to get out of the tournament. He knew that the goblins were especially knowledgeable when it came to contracts. Next he mirror called Sirius and told him everything that happened in the room after his name came out of the goblet. Sirius of course was shocked, angry, scared and a little proud of Harry for how he handled himself. He reassured Harry that he believed him and he would be there for him to help him through any challenges that lay ahead. He also asked when the next Hogsmeade weekend was, and when Harry asked why, he said. "I want to see you face-to-face. There is a cave up in the hills that I will lead you to. Meet me on the outskirts of the village at 11 and I will be in my animagus form."

Harry didn't want Sirius to risk himself, but he did want to see him. He needed an adult he could trust and it felt like Sirius and maybe Remus were the only ones he had. The Hogsmeade weekend was going to be in two weeks and they agreed to meet up then. It was now only a few minutes before Harrys younger self would come down to the chamber to turn back time, so Harry headed to one of the secret rooms until he was sure his younger self had gone back in time. It was time to face his fellow Gryffindors, and Harry wasn't looking forward to it.

Harry was right, when he got to Gryffindor tower there was a party going on. People yelled "Our new champion!" or "Gryffindors champion!" when he entered the room. Try as he might, Harry couldn't get anyone to believe that he did not enter his name in the tournament and that he didn't want to participate. People kept congratulating him and patting him on the back. Lee Jordan had hung a Gryffindor flag over his back as a cape and Dean Thomas had made a sign saying 'Harry Potter Hogwarts champion.' He was able to escape the crowd after about 30 minutes and made his way up to his dorm room. He did not spot Ron or Hermione in the crowd and hoped that Ron was waiting in their dorm room so he could talk to him about what happened.

When Harry entered the dorm room and saw Ron lying on his bed. He approached but before he could say anything, Ron asked. "So, how did you do it?"

"What?" Harry responded, confused.

"How do you enter your name in the tournament?" said Ron.

"I didn't." said a surprised Harry.

"Yeah right." said Ron. "Sure you didn't. Not that I'm angry or anything, but why didn't you tell me you were entering? We could've done it together."

Harry could tell that Ron was angry, even though we couldn't figure out why, and said. "I told you Ron, I didn't. Like I said before I didn't want to have anything to do with this tournament."

"Don't lie to me Harry." said Ron. "What did you use your invisibility cloak to get past line? Did it never occur to you that I might've wanted to enter also? You're just being selfish!"

Harry was getting angry at this point. "I'm being selfish? You stupid prick! I told you I didn't enter but it doesn't seem like you believe me!"

"Why should I believe you? You lie to me all the time!" shouted Ron.

"What are you talking about?" Harry had a confused expression at that.

"You're always disappearing and not telling me where you're going! And you're always with Hermione in the library without me!" Ron spat.

Harry realized he was in a way lying by not telling Ron where he was going, but really it was none of his business. He replied. "Like I told you before Ron, I need to improve myself and I found a place to train. I've asked you before if you want to help me improve and to improve yourself but you always said no."

Ron sputtered for a second and said. "Whatever! You're still a liar!"

Harry was furious at this point. "I did not enter the stupid tournament! if you can't believe it, then I guess you won't believe anything I say from now on! Do the world a favor and go jump in a lake and don't talk to me again!"

Ron left the dormitory at that statement, his face and ears as red as his hair. He knocked into Harry as he pushed past him, Harry heard him say under his breath. "Fucking prat." As he left.

A few minutes later Neville entered the dorm and saw Harry sitting on the edge of his bed with his eyes closed, breathing slowly trying to calm down. "What's up with Ron?" Neville asked.

"Stupid git wouldn't believe me when I said I didn't enter the tournament. Called me a liar." replied Harry.

"Yeah, well, you know how he is. I believe you Harry. I know you didn't want anything to do with this stuff." said Neville.

"Thanks, Nev. I'm glad you believe me. Seems like you might be the only one." Said a despondent Harry.

"I'm sure other people believe you didn't enter. Their just glad that there's a Gryffindor champion, even if they don't really think you entered it on your own." replied Neville.

"I'm going to go to bed now Nev. Good night." Harry said and he closed the curtains around his four poster bed and activated his silence stone. He knew that tomorrow was going to be a tough day. He seemed to have Gryffindor support but knew that the school would probably turn against him just like in second year. Slytherin would do it on principle and Hufflepuff would probably do it because he took the spotlight off their champion. He didn't really know what Ravenclaw would do but did not have high hopes

The next morning he was proven correct. On his way down to breakfast he was getting stares and heard mutterings from a variety of students as he passed them in the hall. When he entered the Great Hall all eyes turned to him and the noise level dropped significantly. He made his way to the table and sat down next to Neville. So far Neville was the only one who admitted that he believed Harry didn't enter his name in the tournament so he felt OK sitting with him. He hasn't heard anything from Hermione yet and was dreading what her reaction might be. Would she be like Ron and not believe him or would she believe him but go with the rest of the school, or would she start to boss him around? No matter what, he knew the last was probably a guarantee. He would have to sit her down and explain a few things to her, hopefully she would understand and they would still be friends. It seems like his friendship with Ron was over. Surprisingly this didn't upset him too much. 'Must've grown apart. I've heard that happens sometimes.' He did feel sad at losing his first friend but had a greater sense of relief at not having to deal with his attitude any longer.

All of a sudden there was voice from the Slytherin table that Harry immediately recognized as belonging to Draco Malfoy. "Hey Scarhead, who did you pay to get yourself into the tournament?"

'You're just upset your Daddy didn't buy it for you.' Harry thought. He looked to the teachers table and saw that, as usual, they did nothing.

He tried his best to ignore him but Draco kept talking. "Goyle and I have a bet Potty! Goyle bet that you wouldn't last through the first ten minutes of the first task. I bet you wouldn't last five." there was snickering coming from the Slytherin table at this, and quite a bit from the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw table too.

"Just ignore him Harry." said Neville. Most of Gryffindor was giving the Slytherin table dirty looks

Draco continued. "I'm sure you'll be joining mommy and daddy soon, eh Potter."

This was more than Harry he could take and he stood up on the bench and fired a banisher over every one's head that hit Draco square in the chest. All his practice had greatly improved his accuracy. Draco flipped over the Slytherin table, crashing into Crabbe and Goyle who we're on the other side. There were outraged cries coming from the Slytherin table and people all over the hall either drew wands or started to hide under their house tables. Snape yelled. "Detention Potter, and five hundred points from Gryffindor!" Malfoy was still on the floor, he hadn't gotten up yet and it looked like he probably wouldn't on his own. Hurry just looked to the head table, and Snape in particular, and gave him the 2 finger salute and just walked out of the Great Hall.

He was still hungry so we went to the kitchen to finish breakfast. He barely made it to class on time and sat in the back of Transfiguration. McGonagall didn't ask him any questions that day, but she did send annoyed glances at him all during class. He sat in the back of all his classes that day and most of the teachers left him alone, except for Flitwick who acted as if nothing out of the ordinary was going on and treated him normally. Harry was thankful for this attitude. Hermione seemed to be avoiding him in all the classes but kept sending concerned looks in his direction.

He decided to skip dinner in the Great Hall, so he went to the Chamber of Secrets and had dinner in his trunks third compartment. He mirror called Sirius and they discussed the events of the past two days. Sirius commiserated with Harry about the loss of friendship with Ron and told him that Hermione would come around. Sirius still owed Hermione for helping to rescue him from the Dementors the previous year. Harry hoped he was right; he didn't want to lose any more friends and knew he needed support if he was going to make it through the tournament. Sirius couldn't be there for him in person because he was still a wanted man and on the run.

Harry told him he saw Crouch's name on the Marauders Map that night and how Crouch spent most of his time in Moody's office .Sirius told him how Crouch was the person most responsible for sending him to prison without a trial, and that Crouch was responsible for sending his own son to prison, even if you did give him the benefit of a farce of a trial. He said he was surprised that Moody and Crouch spent so much time together as he didn't think they got along too well back when he was an Auror. Sirius told Harry to be careful that if Crouch and Moody were responsible for putting his name in the goblet, then there's no telling who else might be involved. Harry agreed to be careful and ended the conversation.

Harry talked with Sssloker, Sssslisssser and Ssssliter, did some dueling practice and looked through his books for any mention of the Tri Wizard Tournament. He found a few mentions but no real information. So far Dumbledore hadn't provided him with the tournament rules, so he couldn't check for himself to see if he could get out of it. He hoped the goblins would be able to find something, but with how sure Dumbledore and Crouch were he didn't have high hopes.

Turning back time, he made it to his common room before curfew. A note was waiting for him that said Dumbledore wanted to see him in his office at 7 AM the next morning and that the password was jelly belly.

Harry made his way up to his empty dorm room and found that his school trunk had been messed with. He only kept his school books and a couple changes of clothes in the school trunk, the rest of his valuables he kept in his new trunk which he kept shrunk and on his person at all times. The only person that he thought could have done this was Ron. He probably was searching for Harry invisibility cloak or the Marauders Map. Harry figured that Ron thought that if he was able to take something from Harry it would make himself feel better. The last vestiges of hope he had for their continuing friendship was now gone. Harry figured he would have to ward his school trunk and his bed from now on while he shared a dorm with Ronald. He checked his bed and clothes for any jinxes that might be on them. Thankfully he found none so he went to bed. He did cast a few security spells on his curtains to be on the safe side.

The next morning on his way to Dumbledores office he spotted Hermione waiting for him in the common room. She got up and headed toward him when she saw him coming down the stairs and started to say. "Harry I..."

Harry cut her off, he did want to speak to her but knew that it would be a long conversation and he had to be in the Headmasters office soon. "Hermione we need to talk but I have to be in Dumbledores office in 10 minutes, so we don't have time right now. I don't know how long it will take so how about we meet by the Black Lake for lunch? I will bring food and we can talk the whole lunch hour since we both don't have any classes till later that afternoon. We will have time to talk then. OK?"

Harry could tell that she wanted to talk right then, but she nodded her head in agreement. "OK Harry, but you promise we'll talk at lunch?"

"I promise. I have to go, I'll see you soon." replied Harry, and then he left through the portrait hole towards Dumbledore's office.

When he got to the gargoyle guarding Dumbledores office he said that the password 'jelly belly' and the gargoyle slid aside. Making his way up the moving staircase he activated special features on his glasses and saw several intruder and identifying wards all along the staircase. He thought, 'So that's how Dumbledore knows who's at the door before they knock.' To prove his point he heard a "Come in Harry" before he had a chance to knock on the door. 'Sneaky bastard.'

"Sit down Harry." said Dumbledore. "We have much to discuss."

Harry ignored Dumbledore's request to sit and made his way to Fawkes and started to pet the Phoenix, who let out a happy trill. "Hello Fawkes, how have you been?" said Harry. Fawkes just bumped his head against Harrys hand in response. "Good, good. I'm glad you're doing well." Harry liked the Phoenix and owed him/her his life. Turning back to Dumbledore he said. "Why did you want to see me Headmaster? Did you get me a copy of the tournament rules yet?"

"Yes I have a copy of the rules right here for you, which I will give to you at the end of this meeting. No, the reason I called you to my office is to discuss your recent attitude." said Dumbledore.

"What about my attitude Headmaster?" said Harry in a neutral tone of voice.

Your disrespect and choice of language in dealing with Professor Snape and Proffesor McGonagall, and your actions in the Great Hall yesterday morning during breakfast concerning Draco Malfoy." Answered Dumbledore.

"I may have been a bit rude to Professor McGonagall but I stand by my actions towards Snape." Said Harry.

"Professor Snape." interrupted Dumbledore.

"Calling that man a Professor is like calling Filch an amazingly powerful wizard. Snape doesn't teach at all, he just points to the instructions and belittles anyone who isn't a Slytherin." Spoke back Harry.

"L know you may not like Professor Snape, but that doesn't give you the right to disparage him." said Dumbledore.

"I loathe the man Headmaster. Have you ever been to one of his classes and watched how he," Harry made quotes with his fingers, "teaches?"

"I have full faith in the man." said Dumbledore.

"Bully for you." said Harry who took that moment to sit down.

"What is with all the hostility Harry?" asked Dumbledore.

Oh I don't know. What could possibly be going on that would cause me to be angry?" Harry replied back sarcastically.

"My dear boy I understand that you are upset with your name being entered, but you must get over it. It is not healthy to let you anger control you. That path leads to the dark. Malfoy had to spend the day yesterday in the hospital wing and I have received many floo calls from Lucius Malfoy and the Minister about this incident. I am afraid I have no choice but to assign you a week of detention with Mr. Filch for your actions." Said Dumbledore, with a disappointed look on his face.

"And what punishment is Draco getting for his actions?" asked Harry.

"What do you mean?" said a confused Dumbledore.

"You were there in the hall when he was shouting across at me how he bet I was going to die and be joining my mother and father soon. Are you telling me that that is acceptable headmaster?" said an angry Harry.

"Malfoys actions, however deplorable, were not to the level where I could interfere. He had not drawn his wand and not made a specific threat against you." said Dumbledore.

Harry was quiet and just stared at Dumbledore after this statement. He finally said. "I see. That's the way it is. Fine. I will serve one detention with Filch because I did fire first even though I was provoked."

"I'm afraid you have to serve a week. Mr. Malfoy and the Minister wanted a harsher punishment but I was able to convince them that this would be sufficient." said Dumbledore.

"I don't care what you told them. I'm only going to serve one detention. You can tell them I had to serve a month for all I care, but I'll only go to one." Spat back Harry.

"No Harry you must take responsibility for your actions." Replied back Dumbledore.

Harry intrepid him. "That's rich coming from you."

"What do you mean by that?" Dumbledore said with a confused expression on his face.

Harry was quiet and just stared at Fawkes. There was a tense silence in the room before Harry broke it by pointing to a stack of papers on the headmasters desk and asked "Are those the Tournament rules?"

Dumbledore took a minute and then answered, "Yes they are." Harry stood up and snatched the papers from atop the desk and turned around and left the office leaving a surprised to Dumbledore behind, deep in thought.

Harry made his way to the Chamber of Secrets from Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. Down in the chamber he spent the day going over the tournament rules but couldn't find anything that would allow him to quit. 'Damn, damn, damn, damn damn! I'm going to kill the person who put my name into this tournament. It looks like it might be Crouch, but I don't know why he would do this to me.' Harry took a nap and then turned back time so he would make it to his first class on time. He still had to meet Hermione for lunch, something he was dreading