Chapter 225: "The Tournament Looms: Secrets and Strategies"

Once inside the classroom, Cedric closed the door and cast a quick silencing charm. "Alright," he said, turning to face the group. "I think we all know why we're here. The Triwizard Tournament... it's big news."

"Understatement of the century, Ced," Angexlina chimed in, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "A thousand Galleons prize money! Can you imagine?"

Harry leaned against a desk, his expression thoughtful. "The money's nice, sure, but let's not forget — this tournament is dangerous. People have died competing in it before."

A hush fell over the group at Harry's words. It was Reggy who broke the silence. "You're not wrong, mate. But still, the glory of being chosen as Hogwarts champion... it's tempting, isn't it?"

"Are any of you thinking of entering?" Alicia asked, looking around the group.

Cedric nodded slowly. "I'm considering it. I mean, I'll be seventeen by then, so I'm eligible."

"What about you, Harry?" Roger turned to his friend. "You're the European Dueling Champion. If anyone has a shot at this, it's you."

Harry replied, "I wasn't planning on participating, but last night I got some information which kind of forces me to enter."

"What?" Elvinia's eyes widened with curiosity.

Harry fabricated a story, "Well, I've known about the tournament for some time now and I've done some research on the kind of tasks. The first task usually involves magical creatures, so I had people on the lookout for information at various magical creature reserves. I got some troubling news last night. I am almost certain that the first task of the tournament deals with dragons."

"Dragons?" Angelina gasped.

"Fully grown dragons," Harry confirmed, "and some of the ones being used are the ferocious kind."

"So what does this mean?" Roger asked, his brow furrowed.

Harry took a deep breath. "I know I can't stop you from putting in your names for the Hogwarts champion selection since it involves a lot of things, but due to the danger involved, I would also be putting in my name. I'll be of age on October 12 and will be eligible to participate. If I'm selected, I'll have to worry about only my safety, but if any one of you gets selected, be ready for the cruelest training of your life. I won't have any of you injured or worse, dying in this tournament."

Harry had really not planned to participate in the tournament this year. The glory and the prize weren't attractive to him. Also, with his knowledge of the plot, he had confidence in altering things appropriately and ensuring everyone's safety. He had also thought of plans to ensure Cedric's survival. However, the absence of Barty Crouch Junior changed everything.

Now that things weren't going according to the plot, to ensure nothing went wrong, he would have to enter the tournament himself. He wasn't sure he would get selected, but if the goblet chose according to strength, his selection was almost certain.

Angelina sighed, "Well, now I really don't want to get selected, but I'll put my name in anyway. The Gryffs will want me to. There's no one else good enough in the Gryffindor house, and I don't want to disappoint them."

Cedric nodded, "Well, I know our chances are low with Harry entering, but I'm willing to try anyway. It would be cool to be the Hogwarts champion."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Cedric, I thought you wouldn't want to get selected."

"Why?" Cedric looked confused.

Harry smirked, "Well if you get selected, with my training, you won't have time to go out with a certain Asian Quidditch player in my house."

A chorus of "What?" was shrieked by the girls in the room.

Cedric spluttered, "What are you talking about, Harry?"

"Was this supposed to be a secret?" Harry asked innocently. "Well, the number of times you were looking at her during the feast just now, I was almost sure you wanted everyone to know."

With this, Cedric was surrounded by everyone eager to get the latest gossip. Harry was glad everyone's attention was off the tournament.

After some interrogations, Arabella decided to help be the matchmaker for an embarrassed Cedric. Cedric, really wanting to change subjects, asked, "Harry, do you have a bad feeling about this year as you've had every year before?"

Harry nodded grimly, "I have that feeling every year. With the Triwizard Tournament, the feeling is over the top. This year will be very dangerous, and dragons might be the least of our problems."

"Always the conspiracy theorist, aren't you, Potter?" Elvinia teased, but there was a note of seriousness in her voice.

"He's usually right, though," Roger pointed out. "His track record is there, and he is the star pupil of Professor Trelawney."

The group fell into a contemplative silence, each lost in their own thoughts about the upcoming tournament and Harry's warning.

Reggy tried to cheer everyone up. "No need to worry, guys. We have the Dueling Champion and Dumbledore in the school with us. Problems and Dangers will get solved without worries."

Harry added, "Also, Professor Trelawney will be disappointed this year. I'm not taking her Divination NEWT classes."

Arabella looked surprised, "Why? I believe you have the gift of sight."

"No time," Harry explained. "I'm planning on finishing my Charms apprenticeship with Professor Flitwick before graduating from Hogwarts. Planning on increasing my workload."

Roger shook his head in disbelief, "Where do you find all this time, Harry? I'm exhausted after the day's classes and have no energy to even pick up books after that."

Harry grinned, "How did you convince the hat to sort you into Ravenclaw, Roger? That's so unlike a Ravenclaw."

With the cheerful banter, everyone said goodnight and went their separate ways. Harry was glad no one was hurt or their friendships strained due to his decision to participate in the tournament. He was already quite famous, and Harry had worried that if his friends were like Ron, they would be jealous of him trying to get more fame and it would strain their friendship. Harry was glad no one had thoughts like that.

As Harry made his way to the Ravenclaw common room with Reggy and Roger, he met the Weasley twins as they turned a corner.

"Harry!" George exclaimed, his eyes lighting up.

"Our esteemed benefactor!" Fred added with a dramatic bow.

Reggy and Roger exchanged confused glances.

Harry smirked, "So, Bagman tried to cheat you?"

"Right in one, oh wise one," Fred nodded solemnly.

"Paid us in leprechaun gold, the scoundrel did," George added with a shake of his head.

"Thanks to your warning, our dear old dad checked and uncovered the dastardly deed," Fred continued.

Harry raised an eyebrow, "So you got your winnings?"

"Indeed we did," George grinned.

"Made such a fuss, Bagman had to cough up the real Galleons," Fred added with a wink.

"He was madder than a nest of pixies, that one," George chuckled.

Harry nodded, "Well, best of luck for the joke shop."

"How do you know about our entrepreneurial endeavors, O Knowledgeable One?" Fred asked, shocked.

"I just know," Harry replied mysteriously.

George leaned in conspiratorially, "So, any chance you know how two dashingly handsome, albeit underage, wizards might enter this illustrious tournament?"

Harry smirked, "I might. But why risk your lives? You have enough to rent out a joke shop, right?"

"Ah, but you see, dear Harry," Fred began.

"The more the merrier!" George finished.

"We need the funds for our experiments," Fred explained.

"So, how does one go about entering?" George pressed.

Harry considered for a moment, "I'll tell you at the time. It's a simple trick."

With Harry's promise secured, Fred and George dashed off, clearly not heading in the direction of Gryffindor Tower. Harry had to fill in the confused Roggy and Roger about what had happened at the Quidditch World Cup. They were shocked that Fred and Geroge won their huge bet.

Roger later turned to Harry, curiosity burning in his eyes, "Harry, you know how the champions are going to be selected?"

"Of course, I know," Harry replied with a mischievous grin. "But I won't tell you. There's more fun in keeping the secret."

The disappointed Roger and Reggy followed Harry to the Ravenclaw common room. They tried to get Harry to spill the beans along the way, but Harry remained tight-lipped. There was no fun in leaking this secret.

As they approached the Ravenclaw Tower, Harry's mind was already racing with plans and contingencies. The timeline was changing, and he knew he needed to be prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead. With the unexpected absence of Barty Crouch Jr., the game had changed, but Harry Potter was determined to stay one step ahead.