With Love, || N.B.

𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒚-𝒔𝒊𝒙

There was no applause. Only silence filled the Great Hall as Eleonora watched Harry's blank face, paling in complexion as he sat frozen in his seat. Beside her, Minerva stood from her seat and rushed quickly around the table, murmuring something in Dumbledore's ear.

"Harry Potter!" Dumbledore called. "Harry, come up, if you'd please."

Reluctantly, Harry climbed to his feet. As he walked down the aisle between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables a buzzing began. Like angry bees, students began whispering, mumbling under their breaths as they sent aggravating and accusatory glances toward Harry.

"He's not even seventeen yet," one boy hissed.

"I bet he got a seventh year to put it in for him!" a person said to their friend.

As if the Great Hall were encased in nothing but ice, Harry trembled as he climbed the steps. He paused briefly in front of Dumbledore before making his way to the door. With anxiety and worry radiating from her gaze, her eyes travelled along Harry's path and she stood from her seat.

She followed him quickly, pushing through the door before it closed completely. Loud voices sounded and heavy footsteps rushed down the stairs as she entered the damp and chilly room and laid her eyes upon the four champions.

"Dumbledore, this can't be allowed!" Karkaroff shouted.

Mcgonagall's worried voice rang out. "This can't be final, Albus! He's just a boy! Surely are there rules!"

As more and more protests filled the air, Dumbledore strolled down the winding steps. He stopped in front of the room, his hands folded in front of him as he looked at Harry through his half-moon spectacles. "Harry, did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire?" Dumbledore asked calmly.

As Harry shook his head, Mad-Eye came stomping through. "Of course he didn't!" he growled. "Only an exceptionally powerful confundus charm could've hoodwinked it! Way beyond the talents of a fourth year!"

"Seems like you've given this a fair bit of thought, Mad-Eye..." Karkaroff scoffed.

Mad-Eye scowled at him. "If you don't remember, Karkaroff, it was once my job to think like a dark wizard."

"Good Merin! Of course he didn't put it in!" Nora groaned. "What fourteen-year-old would want to put their name into the Goblet of Fire? They've hardly even lear-!"

"Well," Harry interjected. "I could think of a few stu-Not me, though!" he corrected as Eleonora glared at him. "Not me, Professor, I swear!"

Eleonora turned her attention to the others in the room. With her fingers pinching the bridge of her nose, she addressed Barty Crouch. "Are you sure Harry must compete? There has to be a rule! Some guideline?" When Crouch gave her a solemn look, her face fell. "The seventeen-year-old rule was only made for this tournament. In essence...his age doesn't matter. He will be the fourth Triwizard champion."

__________

A loud and urgent knocking sounded on the door of 12 Grimmauld Place. Narcissa, Remus, and Sirius, who were gathered around the kitchen table talking, suddenly stopped.

"Sirius, is there anyone else alive who has access to this house?" Narcissa muttered.

Sirius looked unphased. "I could think of a few."

"And do any of them want you dead?" Remus asked.

"Now that," Sirius chuckled, "is probably the first stupid question that has come out of your mouth. I dunno if you've heard, but the entire Ministry wants-"