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Chapter Thirteen The Tri Wizard Tournament

The thing flying over the Forbidden Forest turned out to be a flying carriage belonging to Beauxbatons. Everyone gasped when the biggest woman Harry had ever seen stepped out of the carriage after it had landed. Well she was the tallest woman he had ever seen, Marge Dursley was still the biggest. She was followed into the castle by a group of girls and boys in blue silk school uniforms. They all seemed to be freezing and Harry had to laugh internally at the awed expressions on their faces at seeing the castle.

Durmstrang arrived about ten minutes later. Their mode of travel turned out to be ancient ship that appeared out of a whirlpool in the Black Lake. The Durmstrang student all wore heavy cloaks and were led by a silver haired man who had what looked like a permanent sneer on his face. The surprise came when Harry heard Ron shout like a fan girl. "It's Krum! Look, look Harry! That's Viktor Krum the seeker!"

It was indeed Viktor Krum. ' I didn't know he was still in school. Rons practically wetting himself. Get a grip.' Harry thought. After the Durmstrang students entered the castle, McGonagall called for everyone to go to the Great Hall to begin the welcoming feast.

Beauxbatons sat at the Ravenclaw table and Durmstrang sat with the Slytherins. Ron, and quite a few others, had a disappointed look on their faces at this last one. "Look at Malfoy trying to cozy up to Krum" Harry saw Malfoy was trying to talk to Krum but Krum was ignoring him. Ron continued. "Git! Krums too good for him."

Hermione asked. "Did you know that Krum was still in school?"

"I knew that he was the youngest seeker in professional Quidditch, but I didn't know he was still in school." Ron answered, not taking his eyes off of Krum. "I bet he will be a champion." Harry had to agree.

At that moment Dumbledore stood up. Harry noticed that there four extra seats at the teachers table. Two were taken by the Headmaster and Headmistress of the other schools. Harry learned that their names were Maxime and Karkaroff. The other two seats were filled by Barty Crouch and Ludo Bagman. Harry noticed that Hagrid couldn't take his eye off of Maxime and that Crouch, Moody and Snape kept sending filthy glances at Karkaroff. Moody also sent the same types of looks at Crouch. Harry wondered what that was about. 'They spend so much time together. I wonder if they had a fight?' Harry thought to himself.

The Headmaster had started to speak. "…to welcome the beautiful boys and girls of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic!" The whole hall applauded politely. "And the proud sons and daughters of the Durmstrang Institute!" The applause was a little louder for Durmstrang, probably because of Krum. "We welcome their Headmaster and Headmistress, Madame Maxine and Igor Karkaroff." The applause died down quickly. "We are also honored to have two distinguished gentlemen from the Ministry of Magic joining us tonight. Allow me to introduce Barty Crouch from the Department of Magical Cooperation." There was polite applause. "And Ludo Bagman from Magical Games and Sports!" The applause was more frantic for Bagman. "We are honored by their presence for… THE TRI WIZARD TOURNAMENT!" Dumbledore shouted at the end. The applause was deafening at that proclamation

Harry couldn't help but get excited along with everyone else in the Great Hall. 'I wonder who the Hogwarts champion will be? Hope it's a Gryffindor.' He thought. Ron and Hermione had excited expressions on their faces too.

"I have some very important announcements about the tournament to still make… but they can wait. Tuck in!" Dumbledore swept his arm across the hall and food appeared on the tables.

There was a greater variety of food then Harry had ever seen before. 'Must be from the other countries. The house elves outdid themselves. It sure looks good.' Harry decided to try a little of everything, Hermione seemed to do the same. Rons plate was already piled high with food, but none of the new dishes were on it. Harry was surprised that there was any food that Ron would turn down. 'No sense of adventure.' Harry thought.

Harry spent the feast enjoying the food and avoiding looking at Ron and his atrocious eating habits. After the deserts had disappeared, Dumbledore stood back up. "Now that we have all been fed and watered… The Goblet of Fire!" at this Filch entered the hall carrying a bejeweled wooden chest and set it down in front of Dumbledore. Dumbledore tapped his wand on the chest which seemed to melt away to nothing, and in its place was a wooden cup the size of a standard cauldron on a pedestal. The surprising thing about this cup was that it was filled with blue flames. There were Ooh's and Aahs heard all over the hall at its appearance.

Dumbledore continued. "The Goblet of Fire will select the three champions. Just write your name and school on a piece of parchment and put it in the Goblet. Be sure before you enter. The Goblet of Fire creates a binding magical contract, so if you're chosen you are required to compete." The hall broke out in conversation at this. "Because of safety concerns, it has been decided by the Ministry that only of age wizards and witches will be allowed to compete this year. For this reason I will draw an age line around the goblet which will be placed in the entrance hall for easy access. Eternal glory and 1000 galleons prize money will belong to the champion. The Tri Wizard Tournament begins… NOW!"

Tremendous applause and excited chatter enveloped the hall. The twins were in a furious discussion with Lee Jordan. Harry knew they would try something and it would be entertaining. He didn't think they would succeed though. Ron was talking to Seamus and Dean. It looked like he was also plotting a way for himself to enter the tournament. Harry ignored all the noise around him and watched Beauxbatons and Durmstrang leave the hall following Maxime and Karkaroff. Hermione asked. "I wonder where they are going to sleep?"

Ron joined the conversation at this. "We should ask Krum if he wants to bunk with us. I would give up my bed for him if he stayed with us."

Harry thought. 'You would probably join him in your bed with the way you fawn over him.'

Hermione said. "Don't be stupid Ron. They must have made arrangements before arriving. I just wondered what they are."

Ron snapped. "I know that! I just meant that it would be cool if Krum could join us."

Hermione just huffed and walked off to Gryffindor tower. Harry was sure that Ron never thought about the other schools sleeping arrangements and he really did hope that Krum would be sleeping with him. Ron and Harry started to also head to Gryffindor tower and Ron asked. "So Harry, you gonna try and enter? Seamus and Dean are going to try and throw their names into the goblet from behind the age line. Do you think it will work?"

"I don't know Ron, and I don't really care. And no, I'm not going to try and enter. Good luck to you though." Replied Harry.

"Come on mate." Ron answered back. "It would be so cool to be in the tournament."

"Maybe to you it would be cool, but I just want an easy year for once." Harry said. They were quiet the rest of the way to the tower before thy split up. Ron went to Seamus and Dean while Harry went to bed. He was going to take the night and next day off of his extra training. "Too much activity with the cup and the other schools to make sneaking around easy or safe."

Harry slept in the next morning before he joined what looked like most of the school in the entrance hall to watch people enter the tournament, and a few people fail. It turned out that tossing your name from behind the age line didn't work. The parchment burst into flame as it crossed the line. The most spectacular example of a fail that Harry witnessed was when the Weasley twins brewed an aging potion and crossed the line. They were thrown back and when they stood up they each had long white beards similar to Dumbledores'. Hermione commented. "I told you it wouldn't work." In her normal, smug tone of voice.

Durmstrang entered the hall at that moment and formed a line to enter their names. Harry asked Hermione." Has Beauxbatons entered yet?"

"They were here earlier." She answered. Harry and Hermione spent most of the day hanging around the entrance hall cheering any Hogwarts student that entered their name, especially the Gryffindors. Ron was also hanging around but spent more time with Seamus and Dean.

Another feast was held that night, this one with more of the standard Halloween decorations. There were floating Jack-O-Lanterns above all the tables and a swarm of bats zoomed around the ceiling of the Great Hall. Most people weren't paying attention to the decoration, too excited about the tournament. The meal seemed to pass slower than usual for most and when the deserts vanished nobody could sit still.

When Dumbledore stood, all of the hall quieted down. "Another excellent feast is done and it is now almost time for the champions to be selected. I estimate the Goblet needs another two minutes. If your name is selected, please come forth and enter the chamber behind the teachers table to my right. The champions will get their instructions when everyone is assembled. My thanks to Beauxbatons and Durmstrang for joining us in making this tournament a reality. I believe it is now... Time!" After his last word the Goblet of Fire changed colors. Instead of a bright blue flame, there was an even brighter orange and red flame that seemed to grow out of the cup. All of a sudden. sparks erupted and a smoking piece of parchment floated down to Dumbledore's hand. Snatching it out of the air, he read. "The champion for the Durmstrang Institute will be… Viktor Krum!" tremendous applause followed.

Clapping maniacally and saying "I knew it, I knew it, told you didn't I!" Ron said while slapping Harry on the back.

Sparks flew out of the goblet again and another piece of parchment was released. Grabbing it Dumbledore read, "The champion from Beauxbatons Academy of Magic is… Fleur Delacour." A very pretty blonde girl got up from the Ravenclaw table and started to head toward Dumbledore. There was polite clapping for her selection, but nowhere near as loud as for Krum. It seemed like some of her fellow students were upset with her selection. She had an indifferent look on her face as she entered the chamber behind the teachers table.

There was a nervous hush over the hall now. The Hogwarts champion would be next and the rest of the students were looking around trying to guess who would be chosen. There were quite a few pale faces in the upper years, Harry thought. 'Must be having second thoughts about being chosen.'

Sparks once again flew from the goblet and Dumbledore announced the champion for Hogwarts was, "Cedric Diggory!". The hall broke out in riotous applause, no more so than in the Hufflepuff table. Harry was a little disappointed in the champion not being a Gryffindor but at least Cedric was a fellow seeker. Watching Cedric enter the chamber, Harry let out a relived sigh. 'At least that's over and I won't be involved in anything this year. Thank Merlin!'

He had spoken too soon. As soon as he had finished thinking that thought, the goblet once again shot out sparks and another piece of parchment was ejected. Again Dumbledore snatched the parchment and looked at it with a surprised expression on his face, and all of a sudden said. "Harry Potter." Everyone was surprised when the fourth parchment left the goblet, now all eyes turned to Harry who was frozen in shock. All he could think was. "What the fuck!"

Again Dumbledore called "Harry Potter" a little louder. This time Hermione gave Harry a little push towards the front of the hall, like everyone else she had a shocked look on her face. Harry wasn't able to say anything; he got up slowly and walked toward Dumbledore who pointed him to the chamber.

Walking into the chamber he saw Cedric, Fleur and Krum all sitting around the fireplace that was merrily crackling away. They all looked like Champions to Harry, even Fleur who he didn't know but had a confident expression on her face that led one to believe she could face anything she experienced. He walked in with a confused expression on the face and Fleur asked. "Do they want us back in the hall? I thought we were supposed to wait for instructions here."

Harry couldn't respond verbally so he just shook his head. All of a sudden there was a large commotion coming from behind him and Dumbledore followed by Maxine, Karkaroff, McGonagall, Snape, Bagman and Crouch entered the room. Dumbledore immediately went to Harry and grabbing his shoulder, pushed him into the wall and asked in his commanding voice. "Did you enter your name in the goblet Harry?"

Harry was too shocked to properly answer right away, and then he felt his magic detection ring and Legilamancy protection necklace heat up and felt a pressure on his Oclumancy shields. Dumbledore was trying to read his mind. At this Harry got angry and kneed Dumbledore in his special tender place. Dumbledore slumped the ground and everyone was frozen in shock at this reaction. The first to recover was Snape who yelled. "Detention Potter and 1000 points deduction for assaulting the headmaster unprovoked!"

Harry just yelled, "No!"

Snape yelled back, "You insufferable brat! What do you mean no? We all saw you so assault the headmaster. Don't think that your fame will get you out of this! If it wasn't for your cheating your way into the tournament, I would see you expelled and I will see you in detention for the rest of the year for your actions!"

McGonagall had gone to check on Dumbledore who was still on the ground moaning. Harry said, "No! I didn't enter this stupid tournament and I won't be serving any detention with you!"

Snape shot back. "Your arrogance knows no bounds, does it Potter?"

"Shut up you greasy git!" Harry yelled back "This bastard," he said pointing at Dumbledore, "Tried to read my mind! Just like you do in potions class all the time!"

This shut up Snape. McGonagall had to say. "That is a serious accusation Mr. Potter and even if it is true your actions were extreme."

Harry was shocked but not too surprised at McGonagall reaction and answered her back. "The headmaster came in here and assaulted me both physically and mentally. I think my reaction was quite understandable in the situation."

By this time Dumbledore had stood up with the help of McGonagall and said "Well I do not agree with your reaction but I must apologize to you Harry. I did in fact try to read your thoughts to confirm my suspicions that you did not enter yourself in this tournament, again I apologize"

Crouch spoke up at this point. "Be that as it may Dumbledore, using legilimancy see on a minor is a serious crime. I will have to report you to the Ministry."

Dumbledore responded. "That won't be necessary Barty, for I am Mr. Potters magical guardian and I'm authorized to use whatever means necessary to protect my ward, and finding out the truth of his involvement in the tournament falls under that." There was a mad twinkle in his eye again.

"You're my what!? That gives you the right to rape my mind? Are you kidding me?" screamed a shocked Harry Potter. He already knew that Dumbledore was his guardian but this was the first time that Dumbledore had admitted it to him.

Dumbledore turned back to Harry and said. "I am your magical guardian dear boy. It is my responsibility to ensure your magical safety and education. I don't make it a habit to pry into anothers thoughts but.."

"If it's your responsibility for my magical safety then get me out of this damn tournament. I didn't enter and I don't want to be in it. Besides Hogwarts already has a champion." Harry said, cutting off Dumbledores excuse and nodding his head towards Cedric. Everyone still had shocked silence expressions.

Dumbledore said, "I'm afraid that is not possible. The Goblet of Fire is a binding magical contract. Even if you didn't enter it yourself, your name did come out of it and you are obliged to compete or risk losing your magic.

"You can't be serious!" sputtered Harry.

I'm afraid so dear boy. Barty back me up on this." Replied Dumbledore.

"I'm afraid Dumbledore is completely correct Mr. Potter. The Goblet of Fire does signify a binding magical contract and your name, however unorthodox did come out of it. You're required to complete the three tasks of the tournament or lose your magic." Crouch said in an exasperated tone.

Harry thought, 'Why does this always happen to me?'

At that moment Moody entered the chamber and said. "It looks like someone Confunded the goblet into thinking there was a fourth champion. Looks like you're stuck Potter. Be careful, many champions have died in this tournament. This might be the reason you were entered."

Harry said "Great, just what I need! Another fucking year and people are trying to kill me."

McGonagall said, "Language Potter that will be 10 points from Gryffindor."

"Like I give a shit!" replied Harry, and practically everybody let out a shocked gasp. Moody just had a smile on his face and Dumbledore looked disappointed.

Maxime said "What is going on Dumbledore? It is not fair, you having two champions."

Karkaroff agreed with her. "Yes, if it was up to me I would leave right now!" he said.

"But it's not up to you is it?" said Moody.

Bagman interrupted at this point. "Yes well, notwithstanding the strange circumstances. It looks like we have four champions. The first task of the tournament will be on the 24 of November. You will be showing your courage by facing the unknown. So we won't tell you anything more about the task. Good luck." He winked at Harry.

Fleur turned to Maxime and asked. "Are they going to let this little boy compete with us? It is going to make the tournament a joke!"

Before Maxime could answer her, Harry said. "Oh shut it you stuck up princess! This little boy has done more than you could possibly dream of!"

Fleur gave an affronted snort at this and turned away from Harry. Maxime led her out of the chamber and back to the carriages. Before she left the room, Maxime said over shoulder. "We will be a lodging a formal complaint with your Ministry over this travesty Dumbledore."

Krum joined Karkaroff in leaving the room. Crouch and Bagman excused themselves, saying they had to get back to the Ministry and Moody left saying he would examine the goblet more closely to see if he could determine who might've put Harrys name in it. Dumbledore asked Snape and McGonagall to his office to discuss how this is going to affect the tournament and the school. Before they left the room Harry said. "I want a copy of the tournament rules Dumbledore!" who turned around and nodded to Harry and then left. Cedric and Harry were now alone in the room.

"You really didn't do your name into it, did you Harry?" asked Cedric.

"What made you figure that out? My yelling that I didn't do it, or me kneeing Dumbledore in the balls?" Harry said back sarcastically.

"Yeah, I can't believe you did that. Are you going to really skip detention with Snape?" asked Cedric

"Yeah, there's no way I'm going to be alone with that greasy git." Harry said back.

Harry and Cedric walked out to the entrance hall. "It appears that everyone has gone back to their common rooms. I'll see you later." said Cedric