𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 | harry j. potter

ACT ONE ; CHAPTER TWO

"Sit down please. And now the moment you've all been waiting for, the champions selection!" Everyone cheers loudly. Dumbledore approaches the blue flame and it glows red. A name comes out. Everyone looks on anxiously. "The Durmstrang champion is...Viktor Krum!" The Durmstrang crowd cheer him on as another name comes out.

"The champion from Beauxbatons...Fleur Delacour!" The Beauxbatons girls cheer as Fleur walks up. Another name pops out of the goblet.

"The Hogwarts champion...Cedric Diggory!" Hogwarts pupils cheer as Cedric takes the stage. "Excellent! we now have our three champions! But in the end only one will go down in history. Only one will hoist this chalice of champions, this vessel of victory the tri-wizard cup!" People cheer, but the goblet glows red once more and another name flies out. Dumbledore takes it and reads aloud, "Harry Potter. Harry Potter?" Harry's eyes widen as Hagrid shakes his head.

"Harry Potter!" He calls out once again. "Go on Harry. Harry for goodness sake." Hermione says as he stands up, slowly walking up the aisle.

~~~

Dumbledore bursts in and grabs Harry. "Harry! Did you put your name in the goblet of fire?" Dumbledore asks calmly. "No sir."

"Did you ask one of the older students to do it for you?" He shakes his head. "No sir."

"You're absolutely sure?"

"Yes sir."

"Well of course his is lying?" Madame Maxime says, her thick accent slurring her words. "The hell he is. The goblet of fire is an exceptionally powerful magical object, only an exceptionally powerful conjurer could have hoodwinked it. Magic way beyond the talents of a fourth year."

"You seem to have given this a fair bit of thought Mad-Eye." Igor says. "It was once my job to think as dark wizards do Karkaroff perhaps you remember?"

"That doesn't help Alastor. Leave this to you Barty."

"The rules are absolute, the goblet of fire constitutes a binding magical contract. Mr. Potter has no choice, he is as of tonight...a tri-wizards champion."

~~~

"How did you do it?" Ron asks, from his bed. Harry just stares up at the ceiling silently. "Never mind. Doesn't matter. You could have let your best friend know though." Harry frowns in confusion as he glances over at Ron. "Let you know what?"

"You know bloody well what."

"I didn't ask for this to happen Ron. Okay? You're being stupid." He scoffs. "Yeah that's me, Ron Weasley...Harry Potter's stupid friend."

"I didn't put my name in that cup. I don't want eternal glory I just wanna be...Look, I don't know what happened tonight and I don't know why, it just did ok."

"Piss off."

~~~

One day, while walking through the dungeons of Hogwarts, Harry found himself in an unexpected encounter with Danyi Kim, a Slytherin girl known for her intelligence, resourcefulness, and, surprisingly, her sweetness and cuteness that defied the stereotypes of her house.

Danyi had always been intrigued by Harry Potter, not because of his fame but because of the mysteries surrounding him. When she saw the struggles he faced in the Triwizard Tournament, she couldn't help but empathize. Slytherins were known for their cunning and ambition, but Danyi had a soft spot for the underdog.

Approaching Harry with a friendly smile, Danyi said, "Hey, Harry. You look like you could use some help with those Triwizard tasks."

Harry, surprised by her offer, replied cautiously, "How do you know about that? And why would you want to help me?"

Danyi chuckled, "Let's just say I have my ways of knowing things. As for helping you, well, let's call it a mutually beneficial arrangement. I'll assist you with the tasks, and in return, you keep our little partnership a secret. Deal?"

Harry hesitated for a moment, considering the risks and benefits. He knew he couldn't face the challenges alone, and Danyi seemed genuine in her offer. Finally, he nodded and said, "Deal. But why are you doing this? What's in it for you?"

Danyi's smile widened, revealing a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh, Harry, let's just say I enjoy a good challenge, and helping you out adds a bit of spice to my Hogwarts experience. Plus, it's always fun to break Slytherin stereotypes." 

"Okay, deal. But if you're planning to sabotage me or something, remember that I can handle myself." Danyi chuckled. "No sabotage, Harry. I'm genuinely interested in seeing how far you can go. Just meet me here tomorrow night, and we'll start planning for the first task."

"Library tomorrow after dark?" He asks. "Mhm."

~~~

"Cedric rules!" A kid shouts. "Thanks." Harry mutters. He gets to a doorway, two pupils stand in his way. "Like the badge?" One says. "Excuse me." They laugh, Harry pushes his way through. He approaches Cedric who is standing around with his friends. Cedric's friends hurl off more insults.

"Can I have a word?" He asks. "Alright." Cedric responds.

"Dragons. That's the first task. They've got one for each of us." Harry says, as they get some ways away from the others. Are you serious? And Fleur, Sunoo and Krum, do they...?"

"Yes."

"Right. Hey listen, about the badges. I've asked them not to wear them."

"Don't worry about it." He turns, spotting Seamus and Ron. He walks up to them. "You're a right foul git you know that?"

"You think so?"

"I know so." He spits back. "Anything else?" 

"Yeah. Stay away from me."

"Fine."

"Why so tense Potter?" Draco calls out from atop a tree. "My father and I have a bet you see. I don't think you're gonna last ten minutes in this tournament. He disagrees. He thinks you won't last five."

"I don't give a damn what you or your father thinks Malfoy. He's vile and cruel, and you're just pathetic." Harry walks away and Draco angrily tries casting a spell. Mad-Eye appears and quickly turns Malfoy into a ferret. "I'll teach you to cast when someone's back is turned."

"Professor Moody what are you doing?" Professor McGonagall interrupts. "Teaching."

"Is that a student?"

"Technically it's a ferret." Mad-Eye is making the ferret hover around. He sends it up the trouser leg of Goyles trousers. He squirms and looks uncomfortable. Everyone else is laughing. Mad-Eye winks to Harry and he laughs. Eventually it comes back out and McGonagall turns Draco back to normal. "My father will hear about this!" Draco cries out. "Is that a threat?" Mad-Eye shouts after him as he runs away.

"I could tell you stories about your father that would curl even your greasy hair boy! It doesn't end here!"

"We never use transfiguration as a punishment, surely Dumbledore told you that."

"Might've mentioned it." Mad-Eye answers. "Well you will do well to remember it."

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