Chapter Two
Harry couldn't help but feel like something terrible was about to happen. He knew that he was probably being illogical, but he still felt it anyways. It's just that he's started to notice that bad things tend to happen only to him and so he just knew that something would go wrong with the Tournament.
That night at dinner, the trio sat at Gryffindor Table and waited for Dumbledore to start. For the past week, people have been going up to put their name in the Goblet of Fire. Harry couldn't have been happier when Dumbledore had announced that only witches or wizards who were of age could put their name in the Goblet and that there was an age circle that had been spelled around it. Harry slept much easier at night, knowing that the Goblet would not accept it if someone put Harry's name in. Even still, however, he felt an inkling of doubt.
Finally, Dumbledore stood and the whole Hall became silent, everyone wanting to know who would be called. The Headmaster made his speech and then, one-by-one caught the pieces of paper that flew out of the multi-coloured flames. By the end, the three Champions were chosen: Cedric Diggory, Fleur Delacour and Victor Krum.
Harry breathed a sigh of relief that he hadn't been called up, glad that for once his instincts had not been correct. He turned to speak with Hermione and Ron about who had been chosen for Hogwarts, but had to turn back to look at Dumbledore when he heard his name called. He looked toward the Professor's table to see the looks of horror and anger that were shown on their faces.
"Harry Potter!" Dumbledore said once again, which is when Harry noticed something important that he had obviously missed before.
Dumbledore was holding a piece of charred parchment in his hand. The exact same that had held the other Champions' names.
"Go, Harry," Hermione said, forcing him to stand up and pushing him forwards slightly.
Harry couldn't believe this was happening to him. He didn't understand how this could have happened since three champions had already been chosen! There shouldn't be a fourth! There must be a mistake! And even though he knew this and surely everyone else knew this as well, he was still being forced to walk up to Dumbledore.
Once in front of the Head Master, Dumbledore showed him the piece of charred parchment which did, in fact, read 'Harry Potter, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry'.
He felt himself freeze where he was, unable to take his eyes off of the parchment bearing his name. How? He wondered, still not having fully processed what was going on. He looked up at Dumbledore and saw that the older man looked just as surprised as him, which was not a comforting thought for Harry.
Eventually, he managed to move again. He turned around to face the students and saw that most everyone seemed angry, obviously believing that Harry had done this on purpose and had found out a way to cheat the system. He found two things to be the most surprising, however. One being that Malfoy seemed not to be outraged, but to be contemplating something, instead. It almost seems like he doesn't believe that I put my name in the Goblet...he thought, but quickly decided to think about it later instead, as he had gotten a good look at Ron; the redhead seemed to be the angriest out of everyone in the whole castle. He glared menacingly up at Harry, obviously thinking that Harry had gotten past the age line and had not told him about it.
Not wanting to have to see Ron's looks anymore, he turned and headed towards the door at the back of the room which the other Champions had gone through.
Once he was back there, he was bombarded with questions from the other Champions and from the teachers who had trailed in behind him. He briefly noticed Rita Skeeter in the back of the room with a green feathered quill in her hand and a devious grin on her face, before he was forced to look at Dumbledore.
"Did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?" Dumbledore questioned intently.
"No! Of course not!" Harry exclaimed.
After that, the other professors argued over whether or not Harry had been telling the truth. Harry tuned most of it out until they started speaking about Harry simply being taken out of the Tournament.
"I'm afraid that's not possible..." Dumbledore said gravely, turning back to look at Harry.
Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. "So... I'm going to have to compete?" he asked, absolutely terrified of the answer he knew he would get.
"Yes, Harry... you will have to compete... You have no other choice."
He suddenly felt extremely faint and had to sit down in a chair that someone had moved closer to him. "I... No, please..." All he had wanted was a normal year at Hogwarts, yet here he was, entered in a Tournament he had no business being a part of.
"I think, perhaps, that young Harry here should get some sleep," Dumbledore said, effectively dismissing everyone from the room. Once everyone had left, Dumbledore placed his hand on Harry's shoulder, saying, "I'm so sorry..." before he too left the room.
Harry somehow managed to get up and stumble to the Gryffindor Common Room, wanting nothing more than to get some sleep before he had to deal with the day to come. However, he was all but tackled when he entered by Hermione, who had been waiting for him.
Happy that at least one of his friends believed him, he hugged her tightly as she said, "I'm so sorry! I can't believe this is happening! Do you know how dangerous these tasks are? People have died in this Tournament, Harry!"
"Hermione, I really didn't need to know that..." Harry murmured as what she had said actually sank in.
"Oh, right... Sorry." She said.
"Look, I just want to go to bed, okay?" Harry said around a yawn, proving his point.
"Yeah, okay... I'll see you tomorrow, Harry..." She gave his arm one last squeeze before she disappeared up the stairs.
Harry sank into his bed, grateful that everyone else was already asleep. He really didn't want to deal with all of the angry Gryffindors just yet. That can wait until tomorrow...