Wicked Game~ HP WTM

Chapter 4

Harry stands nervously in the room with the other champions.

Adeline makes sure to grab Harry's hand and give it a reassuring squeeze.

Dumbledore suddenly bursts through the door followed by Professors McGonagall and Snape as well as the other school headmasters and Barty Crouch. Making a beeline towards Harry and grabbing the boy's shoulders he asks, "Harry! Did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?!"

Immediately, Harry shakes his head in denial and answers, "No sir."

"Did you ask one of the older students to do it for you?"

"No sir."

"You're absolutely sure?"

"Yes sir."

From the left side of the room, Madam Maxine makes sure to interject. "Well of course he is lying."

Adeline's jaw clenches and she has to consciously make sure she doesn't let her hands do the same.

Muttering, she says, "It's a wonder she's a headmaster of a school with those lacking observation skills."

Sirius snorts in amusement at her comment while Harry squeezes her hand.

Mad-Eye Moody, having been someone else to follow Dumbledore, stepped forward to disagree.

"The hell he is. The Goblet of Fire is an exceptionally powerful magical object, only an exceptionally powerful confundus charm could have hoodwinked it. Magic way beyond the talents of a fourth year."

Also entering the conversation, Igor Karkaroff says, "You seem to have given this a fair bit of thought, Mad-Eye." Scowling at the Durmstrang headmaster Mad-Eye rebuttals, "It was once my job to think as dark wizards do Karkaroff, perhaps you remember?"

Dumbledore snaps at the former Auror saying, "That doesn't help Alastor." Turning to Barty Crouch he adds, "I leave this to you, Barty."

With only a seconds hesitation, and with his faced turned away from everyone in the room, Crouch states, "The rules are absolute. The Goblet of Fire constitutes a binding magical contract. Mr. Potter has no choice. He is, as of tonight... A Triwizard Champion."

At once the great hall erupted with noise.

Most of the halls occupants were upset that an underage wizard was allowed into the tournament at all.

Those who were close to Harry, however, were worried for the young man.

Most of them.

The scene changed to a darkened tower in the castle.

McGonagall was worried as she said, "This can't go on, Albus. First the dark mark, now this?" Frustrated, the headmaster replies, "What do you suggest, Minerva?" "Put an end to it. Don't let Potter compete." Dumbledore let out a sigh. "You heard Barty. The rules are clear." With her face scrunching in angry McGonagall says, "Well the devil with Barty and his rules. And since when did you accomadate them..."

Snape stepped forward from his place against a dark wall. "Headmaster, I too, find it difficult to believe this mere coincidence. However, if we are to truly discover the meaning of these events... perhaps we should, for the time being... let them unfold."

Grumbling angrily to himself Sirius said, "Of course Snivellus would say something like that. Prick."

Adeline didn't react to the mans words. She tried to remain stoic because she couldn't help but see the potions professors point. She could see McGonagall's side of the argument too, but Snape's made sense as well.