“The Four Champions,” Cedric read, wasting no time in getting started on the chapter.
Harry sat there, aware that every head in the Great Hall had turned to look at him. He was stunned. He felt numb. He was surely dreaming. He had not heard correctly.
“Unfortunately, you have,” Cedric said.
There was no applause.
“Most people are either just as shocked as you are, or they're pissed because your name has been called,” Hermione said.
A buzzing, as though of angry bees, was starting to fill the Hall; some students were standing up to get a better look at Harry as he sat, frozen, in his seat.
“You know, I think I should have found some way of getting injured,” Harry said. “After all, if I wasn't in there, then I wouldn't have to deal with this.”
“You should make sure you get injured the day the schools arrived, therefore others can't accuse you of even being able to put your name in the Goblet,” Hermione said. “After all, you'd have the best alibi every if you did that: Madam Pomfrey herself would be your alibi.”
“That is true,” Cedric said. “And I'm sure that it wouldn't take much for you to convince her that you need to be kept in the hospital wing up until the feast, at the very least.”
Up at the top table, Professor McGonagall had got to her feet and swept past Ludo Bagman and Professor Karkaroff to whisper urgently to Professor Dumbledore, who bent his ear towards her, frowning slightly.
“I wonder what she's saying,” Harry said.
Harry turned to Ron and Hermione; beyond them, he saw the long Gryffindor table all watching him, open mouthed.
“I didn’t put my name in,” Harry said blankly. “You know I didn’t.”
“I believe you, though I doubt that'll keep me from being shocked,” Hermione said. “I mean, not only do I know you, but your face probably states that you didn't do it as well.”
Both of them stared just as blankly back.
At the top table, Professor Dumbledore had straightened up, nodding to Professor McGonagall.
“Well, whatever they were speaking about has at least been finished,” Hermione said.
“I wonder if they were looking over the parchment or not,” Cedric said. “I mean, as a teacher who has most likely seen your writing, it would make sense that she might have asked to see it to find out if it is your writing or not.”
“Oh, no. If it was in my writing, it would seem like I managed to get myself into the tournament of my own free will,” Harry said.
“You're right,” Cedric said, frowning.
“Couldn't anyone have stolen it, like, torn it from a piece of parchment that he had put his name on, and then thrown away? Or, maybe, they could have torn it from one of his homework assignments?” Hermione said.
“That would mean that someone had to have been watching him if they torn it from a discarded parchment, though that's unlikely since the ones who would – AKA, the Slytherins, would never stoop to digging through trash, and you most likely would have noticed that a Slytherin was near you. Of course, this makes the idea that one of the teacher's put you into the tournament, since they're the only ones who ever touch the parchment of homework once it's turned in,” Cedric said. “But which one would do it.”
“Moody,” Hermione said, after thinking for a bit.. “It had to be him, if it was taken from a homework assignment.”
“No, he wouldn't do it,” Cedric said.
“But wasn't he attacked the night before he was to come to the school?” Harry asked, remembering that little bit. “Just because it didn't seem like anything happened doesn't mean that nothing did. I mean, we already know of a potion that can change a person's appearance.”
“You think it might be an impostor,” Harry said.
“It makes sense,” Luna said. “Of course, there's only the attack that gives away any hint that there might be something off about him.”
“I wish I could say something else, but I don't know enough about him and his personality to say for sure that there's something strange with him. I mean, so far, all the clues given about him have been on par with what I've heard about him,” Cedric said. “Although...”
“He'd need access Moody, for the potion,” Luna pointed out.
“Which would also mean that he'd be able to learn enough about him to be able to pass off as him, as well,” Hermione said. “Although, I do have to say that, went I said that it was him who did it, I was mostly saying that because of the fact that, so far, the Defence teachers has almost done something to Harry that could have hurt him. I mean, Quirrell tried to kill him, Lockhart tried to erase his memory, and Lupin almost attacked him. Out of all of them, Lupin is the only one who didn't want to hurt Harry in any way.”
“When it's put like that, I can see why Moody is the one you automatically put blame on,” Luna said.
“So, we've figured that Moody, or whoever it is that is impersonating him, has something to do with you being in the tournament,” Cedric said. “Now we just have to figure out...” He suddenly stopped, remembering something. “Oh, no,” he muttered.
“What is it?” Harry asked
“Remember the first chapter, with Riddle?” he said. Harry thought for a moment, thinking about it, before what Cedric was pointing out came to him.
“Oh,” he said, paling lightly.
“This imposter is most likely whoever this loyal servant Riddle was talking about, isn't it?” Hermione said.
“Most likely,” Cedric said. “Which means that he's going to be trying to get Harry to Riddle,.”
“But how does having Harry in the tournament do that?” Luna asked. “I mean, having him in the tournament actually causes the chances of Harry dying before Riddle could get his hands on him. The only way having him in the tournament could be helpful is if they mean to have him win it for some reason.”
“I guess we'll just have to think about what the purpose of it is,” Hermione said. “The only good thing is that Riddle most likely wants Harry alive because it's clear that he does want his hands on him for something.”
“Which guarantees that whoever this impostor is wants me to survive,” Harry said. Cedric turned back to the book before anything else could be said.
“Harry Potter!” he called again. “Harry! Up here, if you please!”
“Go on,” Hermione whispered, giving Harry a slight push.
Harry got to his feet, trod on the hem of his robes and stumbled slightly. He set off up the gap between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables. It felt like an immensely long walk;
“I don't think you can be blamed for thinking that,” Hermione said.
the top table didn’t seem to be getting any nearer at all, and he could feel hundreds and hundreds of eyes upon him, as though each was a searchlight. The buzzing grew louder and louder.
“I wonder if it really is a buzzing, or if it's just your imagination,” Cedric said.
After what seemed like an hour, he was right in front of Dumbledore, feeling the stares of all the teachers upon him.
“Well ... through the door, Harry,” said Dumbledore. He wasn’t smiling.
“Do you think that he thinks that I entered of my own free will?” Harry asked.
“He could just be worried, and he might think that you may have something to do with it, especially if we're right about why Professor McGonagall wanted to talk to him,” Hermione said.
Harry moved off along the teachers’ table. Hagrid was sat right at the end. He did not wink at Harry, or wave, or give any of his usual signs of greeting. He looked completely astonished, and stared at Harry as he passed, like everyone else. Harry went through the door out of the Great Hall, and found himself in a smaller room, lined with paintings of witches and wizards. A handsome fire was roaring in the fireplace opposite him.
The faces in the portraits turned to look at him as he entered. He saw a wizened witch flit out of the frame of her picture and into the one next to it, which contained a wizard with a walrus moustache. The wizened witch started whispering in his ear.
“I wonder if she's inventing a reason as to why you're there. I mean, there really isn't a need for her to go to another portrait other than that,” Cedric said. “It's not like she could have seen what happened, since the Great Hall doesn't have any portraits in it.”
Viktor Krum, Cedric Diggory and Fleur Delacour were grouped around the fire. They looked strangely impressive, silhouetted against the flames. Krum, hunched up and brooding, was leaning against the mantelpiece, slightly apart from the other two. Cedric was standing with his hands behind his back, staring into the fire. Fleur Delacour looked around when Harry walked in, and threw back her sheet of long, silvery hair.
“I wonder what she's about to say,” Luna muttered.
“What is it?” she said. “Do zey want us back in ze Hall?”
“She thinks that I'm bringing a message,” Harry said. “Does she really think that they'd have a fourth year give them a message.”
“No, but she might think that they might send the Boy-Who-Lived there with one,” Hermione said.
She thought he had come to deliver a message. Harry didn’t know how to explain what had just happened. He just stood there, looking at the three champions. It struck him how very tall all of them were.
“Well, that's a random thought,” Luna said.
There was a sound of scurrying feet behind him, and Ludo Bagman entered the room. He took Harry by the arm, and led him forwards.
“Extraordinary!” he muttered, squeezing Harry’s arm.
“Is he...excited?” Hermione asked, disgusted.
“I think he is,” Cedric said.
“Absolutely extraordinary! Gentlemen ... lady,” he added, approaching the fireside and addressing the other three. “May I introduce – incredible though it may seem – the fourth Triwizard champion?”
“I wonder what their reaction will be,” Luna said.
“I have the feeling that I'll be very confused,” Cedric said.
Viktor Krum straightened up. His surly face darkened as he surveyed Harry.
“He doesn't seem to like the idea of another competitor,” Luna said.
Cedric looked nonplussed. He looked from Bagman to Harry and back again as though sure he must have misheard what Bagman had said.
“Definitely wasn't expecting it, particularly since you're under age,” Cedric said.
Fleur Delacour, however, tossed her hair, smiling, and said, “Oh, vairy funny joke, Meester Bagman.”
“Does she really think someone would make a joke like that?” Hermione asked.
“Apparently,” Luna said. “Of course, it could be because of the fact that she just doesn't like the idea of someone else to compete against, and, if she knows who he is exactly, also figures that, because of who he is, he'll probably just be the winner straight up.”
“Joke?” Bagman repeated, bewildered. “No, no, not at all! Harry’s name just came out of the Goblet of Fire!”
Krum’s thick eyebrows contracted slightly. Cedric was still looking politely bewildered.
“I don't think I was really expecting it to be true,” Cedric said.
Fleur frowned. “But evidently zair ’as been a mistake,” she said contemptuously to Bagman. “ ’E cannot compete. ’E is too young.”
“And yet he has done things that I doubt any witch or wizard of age as done,” Luna said.
“Well ... it is amazing,” said Bagman, rubbing his smooth chin and smiling down at Harry. “But, as you know, the age restriction was only imposed this year as an extra safety measure.”
“Which means anyone of any age can actually be chosen for this,” Hermione said, frowning.
“And as his name’s come out of the Goblet ... I mean, I don’t think there can be any ducking out at this stage ... it’s down in the rules, you’re obliged ... Harry will just have to do the best he –“
“Which, strangely, will probably be really good, good enough to show that you do belong in the tournament, even if you don't want to be in it,” Cedric said. “At least, I believe that you'll do good.”
The door behind them opened again, and a large group of people came in: Professor Dumbledore, followed closely by Mr Crouch, Professor Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape.
“The only one I don't understand being there is Snape,” Harry said. “I mean, other than saying that I probably cheated somehow, there's no reason for him to be there.”
“It sounds like, with the teachers, the same thing that happened back in the second book, where Snape came to the meeting when Mrs. Norris as found petrified,” Luna said. “Where Snape, though not needed, followed you guys into the office.”
“True,” Hermione said. “Which suggests that, for some reason, Snape is someone that Dumbledore wants in the room, which means that he trusts him.”
“Which makes me think that Dumbledore is an idiot,” Harry said.
“Do you think that there might be another reason for it?” Luna asked. “I mean, other than just trusting him. After all, I doubt it's a secret on how Snape dislikes Harry. If Dumbledore is willing to have him there knowing that, then I wonder if there's another reason for it.”
“What, do you think Dumbledore wants him there in order to cast doubt on whatever the truth is, since Snape will most likely believe that Harry did manage to get his name into the goblet, even if it's untrue?” Hermione said.
“Well, yes,” Luna said. “I mean, this way, whether Dumbledore believes Harry or not, whatever Snape says will stick in the minds of everyone in the room, and they'll most likely judge Harry with his words in their minds, especially if Dumbledore doesn't actually say anything about believing that Harry didn't to any of them. Of, he can say it in private, or to someone other than them, of course, but that won't stop the others from thinking that he doesn't believe that Harry didn't do it. In fact, he could easily make it worse by saying something along the lines of possibly making a mistake with the age line. Even if one of the other two teachers in the room say something along the lines of him not doing that, the fact that he himself says that he could have will just vilify Harry as somehow cheating his way into the tournament. After all, if he admits to possibly making a mistake, then he most likely did, no matter what someone else might say.”
“I have to admit, the thought of that happening is...disturbing,” Cedric said. “Especially since that's exactly what'll most likely happen if he does do that.”
“And, with Snape there, saying bad things about Harry, it'll just make sure that no one even doubts what they're being told,” Hermione said, shaking her head.
Harry heard the buzzing of the hundreds of students on the other side of the wall, before Professor McGonagall closed the door.
“Madame Maxime!” said Fleur at once, striding over to her Headmistress.
“Because she can do something about it, despite that her only part in the tournament – besides bringing students to try and become champion and to cheer on whoever does become champion – is to judge whoever it is that the champions have to do,” Luna said, shaking her head.
“Zey are saying zat zis little boy is to compete also!”
“Hey,” Harry said, sounding offended. “No need to say it like that.” He wasn't going to argue about being small, knowing that he most likely was, even if he may have grown a few inches by the time this was taking place.
Somewhere under Harry’s numb disbelief, he felt a ripple of anger. Little boy?
Madame Maxime had drawn herself up to her full, and considerable, height. The top of her handsome head brushed the candle-filled chandelier, and her gigantic black satin bosom swelled.
“I don't think she's really all that happy about what's going on,” Hermione said. “I don't either, but my dislike has more to do with the fact that someone has entered Harry into a dangerous contest than the fact that he dare to be there in general.”
“What is ze meaning of zis, Dumbly-dorr?” she said imperiously.
“I’d rather like to know that myself, Dumbledore,” said Professor Karkaroff. He was wearing a steely smile, and his blue eyes were like chips of ice. “Two Hogwarts champions? I don’t remember anyone telling me the host school is allowed two champions – or have I not read the rules carefully enough?”
“No, you've read them,” Cedric said. “Someone just has it out for Harry.”
“Unfortunately,” Harry said.
He gave a short and nasty laugh.
“C’est impossible,” said Madame Maxime, whose enormous hand with its many superb opals was resting upon Fleur’s shoulder.
“It seems like she read them carefully,” Hermione said.
“ ’Ogwarts cannot ’ave two champions. It is most injust.”
“We were under the impression that your Age Line would keep out younger contestants, Dumbledore,”
“Well, technically, because the line only keep the bodies of the younger students out, it doesn't stop someone else from entering a younger student into the contest,” Cedric pointed out. “So, the line, while useful in stopping the students themselves from going over is essentially useless in that it doesn't stop those of age from doing favours for the younger students.”
said Karkaroff, his steely smile still in place, though his eyes were colder than ever.
“It sounds as though he's at least keeping his temper, though I doubt it'll last that long,” Luna said.
“Otherwise, we would, of course, have brought along a wider selection of candidates from our own schools.”
“It’s no one’s fault but Potter’s, Karkaroff,” said Snape softly.
“Of course, blame the one who had nothing to do with it,” Harry said, rolling his eyes.
“Well, while we were right about the fact that he'd probably lie and say that it was your fault, we don't know if that's why Dumbledore wants him in the room or not,” Luna said.
His black eyes were alight with malice. “Don’t go blaming Dumbledore for Potter’s determination to break rules. He has been crossing lines ever since he arrived here –“
“That's not true,” Hermione said. “While he has broken a few rules, most of the ones broken were in order to help someone. In fact, first year – so far – has been the one where he's broken rules without it being to help someone; the midnight duel that he was supposed to have with Draco being it.”
“Though, if you think about it, there really was no need for him to go down the trapdoor either, so that could also count as one of the 'breaking rules without helping anyone' sort of deal,” Cedric pointed out.
“Which we only know because of what we read,” Hermione mentioned. “Thinking it in the terms that our book selves have the belief of, then the midnight duel is really the only thing...well, that and the polyjuice potion deal, but that was a part of trying to help people, so...”
“Doesn't quite count against you guys,” Luna said.
“Thank you, Severus,” said Dumbledore firmly,
“He should have told him not to speak at all, not stopped him there, after the damage has been done,” Cedric said, shaking his head.
and Snape went quiet, though his eyes still glinted malevolently through his curtain of greasy black hair.
Professor Dumbledore was now looking down at Harry, who looked right back at him, trying to discern the expression of the eyes behind the half-moon spectacles.
“Did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire, Harry?” Dumbledore asked calmly.
“No,” Harry said. “Though I doubt anyone will believe me.”
“I will,” Hermione said.
“I can't say if my book self will or not,” Cedric admitted.
“I'll believe as well,” Luna said.
“No,” said Harry. He was very aware of everybody watching him closely. Snape made a soft noise of impatient disbelief in the shadows.
“Not surprising,” Luna said.
“Did you ask an older student to put it into the Goblet of Fire for you?” said Professor Dumbledore, ignoring Snape.
“No,” Harry said.
“Though, just because you didn't ask doesn't mean that someone wouldn't have done it, simply hoping that you'd be chosen and have something happen to you,” Cedric said, his mind thinking of the Slytherins. He knew that a good portion of them – at least, those in his year and above – would happily do that, if they thought about it. None of them were all too smart, after all, so they most likely wouldn't think about doing it.
“No,” said Harry vehemently.
“Ah, but of course ’e is lying!” cried Madame Maxime.
“Just because it's not what you want to hear doesn't make it a lie,” Hermione said sharply, forgetting that the person couldn't hear her. “Just because you're so insecure of your champion winning the tournament doesn't mean that you have to blame Harry for someone being out to get him.”
“Yeah,” Luna said.
Snape was now shaking his head, his lip curling.
“He could not have crossed the Age Line,” said Professor McGonagall sharply. “I am sure we are all agreed on that –“
“No, I do not think that they do,” Hermione said.
“Dumbly-dorr must ’ave made a mistake wiz ze line,” said Madame Maxime, shrugging.
“It is possible, of course,” said Dumbledore politely.
“And that part right there will stick in everyone's mind, with nothing that'll be able to change it,” Luna said, shaking her head.
“Dumbledore, you know perfectly well you did not make a mistake!” said Professor McGonagall angrily. “Really, what nonsense! Harry could not have crossed the line himself, and as Professor Dumbledore believes that he did not persuade an older student to do it for him, I’m sure that should be good enough for everybody else!”
“It won't be,” Harry said, just knowing that it would be true, especially since Dumbledore made mention of the idea that he could have made a mistake with the line, and despite what McGonagall said – being one of his supporters would have the others suspecting that she wouldn't believe that he could do any wrong.
She shot a very angry look at Professor Snape.
“Mr. Crouch ... Mr. Bagman,” said Karkaroff, his voice unctuous once more, “you are our – er – objective judges. Surely you will agree that this is most irregular?”
“Irregular, yes, but that doesn't mean that it's something that can be stopped,” Cedric said. “Especially since Dumbledore made it clear that, if your name came from the goblet, then you had to compete, no matter what.”
Bagman wiped his round, boyish face with his handkerchief and looked at Mr. Crouch,
“Meaning that he has no idea what to do,” Luna said.
“Well, Crouch is bound to know the rulebook back to front,” Cedric said. “So it does make sense that Bagman would turn to him.”
who was standing outside the circle of the firelight, his face half hidden in shadow. He looked slightly eerie, the half darkness making him look much older, giving him an almost skull-like appearance.
“Creepy,” Harry said.
When he spoke, however, it was in his usual curt voice. “We must follow the rules, and the rules state clearly that those people whose names come out of the Goblet of Fire are bound to compete in the Tournament.”
“Well, Barty knows the rulebook back to front,” said Bagman, beaming and turning back to Karkaroff and Madame Maxime, as though the matter was now closed.
“It won't be,” Hermione said. “It's obvious that they have a problem with it, and won't like the idea of Hogwarts having more than one champion.”
“I insist upon resubmitting the names of the rest of my students,” said Karkaroff.
“If it's possible, then you have to admit that it is a pretty good idea to have done,” Harry said. “It'll allow for a more even selection, having two champions for the other schools over just having the one.”
He had dropped his unctuous tone and his smile now. His face wore a very ugly look indeed. “You will set up the Goblet of Fire once more, and we will continue adding names until each school has two champions. It’s only fair, Dumbledore.”
“Unfortunately, I doubt that the Goblet works like that,” Luna said.
“But Karkaroff, it doesn’t work like that,” said Bagman. “The Goblet of Fire’s just gone out – it won’t re-ignite until the start of the next Tournament –“
“– in which Durmstrang will most certainly not be competing!”
“He can't make that call,” Hermione said.
“Yeah, Krum has to compete – he doesn't have a choice about it,” Luna said.
exploded Karkaroff. “After all our meetings and negotiations and compromises, I little expected something of this nature to occur!”
“So, he believed that nothing that could be considered cheating would happen,” Cedric said.
“I have half a mind to leave now!”
“Empty threat,” Luna said. “Especially since he'd probably be murdered if he did and caused Krum to suffer the effects of breaking a contract.”
“Empty threat, Karkaroff,” growled a voice from near the door. “You can’t leave your champion now. He’s got to compete. They’ve all got to compete. Binding magical contract, like Dumbledore said. Convenient, eh?”
“Very,” Hermione growled, having a feeling that it was the imposter Moody talking, most likely about to brag in some sort of way – assuming that they were right about him being the one who put Harry into the tournament and that he was an imposter.
Moody had just entered the room. He limped towards the fire, and with every right step he took, there was a loud clunk.
“Convenient?” said Karkaroff. “I’m afraid I don’t understand you, Moody.”
“He can't really be that obtuse, can he?” Hermione said. “I mean, it's obvious that he knows who Harry is and all, and I wouldn't be surprised if he knows that not every Death Eater or supporter of Voldemort wound up in jail, so he shouldn't be surprised that someone might try to use this as a change to off Harry.”
Harry could tell he was trying to sound disdainful, as though what Moody was saying was barely worth his notice, but his hands gave him away; they had balled themselves into fists.
“Don’t you?” said Moody quietly. “It’s very simple, Karkaroff. Someone put Potter’s name in that Goblet knowing he’d have to compete if it came out.”
“Please, please let people realize the reason why Moody is actually saying that, over thinking that someone was just trying to up the chances of Hogwarts winning,” Hermione said, though she had the feeling that saying that was in vein.
“Evidently, someone ’oo wished to give ’Ogwarts two bites at ze apple!” said Madame Maxime.
“I quite agree, Madame Maxime,” said Karkaroff, bowing to her. “I shall be lodging complaints with the Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards –“
“I doubt that they'd really care,” Luna said.
“If anyone’s got reason to complain, it’s Potter,” growled Moody,
“I would be complaining, but I'm probably confused for one, and I haven't really been able to get a word in otherwise, with all of the accusations going back and forth,” Harry said.
“Don't forget that you most likely still haven't completely processed the fact that your name came from the Goblet as well,” Luna said.
“but ... funny thing ... I don’t hear him saying a word ...”
“Why should ’e complain?” burst out Fleur Delacour, stamping her foot.
“Beauxbatons must not have a good selection if it chose her as the champion,” Hermione said.
“ ’E ’as ze chance to compete, ’asn’t ’e? We ’ave all been ’oping to be chosen for weeks and weeks! Ze honour for our schools! A thousand Galleons in prize money – zis is a chance many would die for!”
“And that right there is something that some may actually be hoping to happen,” Hermione said.
“Yeah, I think the only person not hoping for it is Riddle – and, by extension, the impostor, since he'd most likely want what his boss wants,” Harry said.
“That's kind of a turn around from what he usually wants, isn't it?” Luna said.
“Well, I get the feeling that he mostly wants to kill me himself over having someone or something else do it,” Harry said. “After all, he was the one who gave the order for my to die in the two encounters I had with him: first with Quirrell, and then with the Basilisk. He'd probably hate it if someone else managed to kill me before he had a chance to.”
“Maybe someone’s hoping Potter is going to die for it,” said Moody, with the merest trace of a growl.
“You know, do you think he might be saying that in order to help throw off the tacks on what he's actually there for,” Hermione said. “The impostor, I mean.”
“Well, it could be that, or he could have simply said it because it's something that people would expect Moody to say,” Cedric said. “And the impostor does have to act like Moody if he wants to remain undetected for whatever it is that he's there for. Since the tournament does have a death toll, it's entirely possible for that conclusion to be drawn.”
An extremely tense silence followed these words.
“I don't think anyone wants to think that might be true,” Hermione said.
“I know that I wouldn't,” Cedric said. “No offence, but I have the feeling that I'd most likely want to believe that you somehow cheated over someone putting you into the tournament I hopes that you'd die.”
Ludo Bagman, who was looking very anxious indeed, bounced nervously up and down on his feet and said, “Moody, old man ... what a thing to say!”
“Not surprising coming from him, though,” Cedric said.
“We all know Professor Moody considers the morning wasted if he hasn’t discovered six plots to murder him before lunchtime,” said Karkaroff loudly. “Apparently he is now teaching his students to fear assassination, too. An odd quality in a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Dumbledore, but no doubt you had your reasons.”
“Considering the fact that there seems to be a history between the two, it wouldn't surprise me if that's true,” Hermione said.
“Imagining things, am I?” growled Moody. “Seeing things, eh? It was a skilled witch or wizard who put the boy’s name in that Goblet ...”
“Ah, what evidence is zere of zat?” said Madame Maxime, throwing up her huge hands.
“The fact that you're fighting about it to begin with, especially since, now that I realize, since there's only supposed to be three Champions, one of the ones there wouldn't be there to begin with unless the goblet was somehow hoodwinked,” Cedric said.
“Because they hoodwinked a very powerful magical object!” said Moody. “It would have needed an exceptionally strong Confundus Charm to bamboozle that Goblet into forgetting that only three schools compete in the Tournament ... I’m guessing they submitted Potter’s name under a fourth school, to make sure he was the only one in his category ...”
“Oh, how nice of him to pretty much tell everyone what he did,” Hermione said, disgusted. Just as she had figured, he'd bragged about what he did, and, what she considered to be the saddest thing, was the fact that no one would realize the fact that he was bragging.
“You seem to have given this a great deal of thought, Moody,”
“While I know that he's probably just bragging about what he did due to being an impostor, as an Auror – ex or not – it is not surprising that he would have given some thought to what may or may not have happened,” Cedric said. “It was his job to think the way Dark wizards would do, otherwise he wouldn't have caught as many as he did.”
said Karkaroff coldly, “and a very ingenious theory it is – though, of course, I heard you recently got it into your head that one of your birthday presents contained a cunningly disguised basilisk egg, and smashed it to pieces before realising it was a carriage clock. So you’ll understand if we don’t take you entirely seriously ...”
“Well, I think I can see why someone wouldn't realize that it's actually an impostor there instead of the actual Moody,” Hermione said.
“We already knew that he was paranoid,” Harry reminded her.
“I know,” she said. “I guess that just pushes the fact more into your face, though.”
“There are those who’ll turn innocent occasions to their advantage,” Moody retorted in a menacing voice. “It’s my job to think the way Dark wizards do, Karkaroff – as you ought to remember ...”
“Which means that Karkaroff is not someone who should be walking around free,” Luna said, frowning.
“Alastor!” said Dumbledore warningly. Harry wondered for a moment whom he was speaking to, but then realised ‘Mad-Eye’ could hardly be Moody’s real first name.
“It's just what he tends to be called,” Cedric said.
Moody fell silent, though still surveying Karkaroff with satisfaction – Karkaroff’s face was burning.
“He must've gotten the reaction that he wanted,” Luna said.
“How this situation arose, we do not know,” said Dumbledore,
“Which is why you have it investigated,” Hermione said, rolling her eyes since she had the feeling that wouldn't actually happen.
speaking to everyone gathered in the room. “It seems to me, however, that we have no choice but to accept it.”
“Wait,” Hermione said. “Wouldn't the fact that Harry is under age in general mean that he can't be accepted by a contract – magical or not – without his guardian's okay.”
“It doesn't work that way,” Cedric said. “A magical contract is binding, no matter what.”
“That's just stupid,” Hermione said, shaking her head.
“Both Cedric and Harry have been chosen to compete in the Tournament. This, therefore, they will do ...”
“Unfortunately,” Harry said, having the feeling that the next few days were going to be bad for him, since most of the school would probably believe that he cheated, and treat him as they did in the first and second books.
“Don't worry, Harry,” Luna said, having the feeling that she knew where his thoughts had gone.
“Yeah,” Hermione said. “It'll most likely only last until the first task of this tournament, especially if you do good. After all, no one would want to appear not on your side if you do well on it.” This last bit was said a bit sarcastically.
“She's right,” Cedric said.
“Ah, but Dumbly-dorr –“
“My dear Madame Maxime, if you have an alternative, I would be delighted to hear it.”
“I doubt that she does. She most likely just wants to complain,” Hermione said.
Dumbledore waited, but Madame Maxime did not speak, she merely glared. She wasn’t the only one, either. Snape looked furious;
“Why?” Harry said. “What, exactly, is so wrong with me being in the tournament that would have him so angry?”
“I don't know,” Luna said. “The only thing I can say is that he might be worried about Harry dying, but with the way he dislikes him, I just can't see that as being true.”
Karkaroff livid. Bagman, however, looked rather excited.
“Bastard,” Cedric muttered.
“Well, shall we crack on, then?” he said, rubbing his hands together and smiling around the room. “Got to give our champions their instructions, haven’t we? Barty, want to do the honours?”
“I would think that Bagman would want to be the one to tell the champions what they need to know,” Luna said.
Mr. Crouch seemed to come out of a deep reverie.
“I wonder what's up with him,” Harry said. “I mean, it seems that he's only paying attention if he's being spoken to. Other than that, he's just ignoring everything.”
“I don't know,” Cedric said.
“Yes,” he said, “instructions. Yes ... the first task ...”
He moved forwards into the firelight. Close to, Harry thought he looked ill. There were dark shadows beneath his eyes, and a thin, papery look about his wrinkled skin that had not been there at the Quidditch World Cup.
“Getting his comeuppance for doing what he did to Winky, is he?” Hermione said viciously. While not as bad as the Hermione in the book, she was thinking about how to help the elves out so they, at the very least, weren't abused like Dobby was, nor treated as a disposable pawn as Winky was.
“The first task is designed to test your daring,” he told Harry, Cedric, Fleur and Krum, “so we are not going to be telling you what it is. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard ... very important ...”
“I doubt that it'll stay unknown,” Cedric said. “Cheating is a bit of a dirty little secret of the Tournaments in the past. I sincerely doubt that the headmasters for the other two schools will play fairly, especially in like of this twist.”
“The first task will take place on November the twenty-fourth, in front of the other students and the panel of judges.
“The champions are not permitted to ask for or accept help of any kind from their teachers to complete the tasks in the Tournament. The champions will face the first challenge armed only with their wands. They will receive information about the second task when the first is over. Owing to the demanding and time-consuming nature of the Tournament, the champions are exempted from end-of-year tests.”
“Well, at least there's one less thing for you to worry about,” Cedric said.
Mr. Crouch turned to look at Dumbledore. “I think that’s all, is it, Albus?”
“That's probably true,” Luna said. “I mean, with what's been said about him, I can't see him having forgotten something.”
“I think so,” said Dumbledore, who was looking at Mr. Crouch with mild concern.
“I guess I'm not the only one whose things that something wrong,” Harry said.
“Are you sure you wouldn’t like to stay at Hogwarts tonight, Barty?”
“No, Dumbledore, I must get back to the Ministry,” said Mr. Crouch. “It is a very busy, very difficult time at the moment ... I’ve left young Weatherby in charge ... very enthusiastic ... a little over-enthusiastic, if truth be told ...”
“I think that just sounds as though he's looking for an excuse not to be there,” Hermione said.
“You’ll come and have a drink before you go, at least?” said Dumbledore.
“Doubt it,” Luna said.
“Come on, Barty, I’m staying!” said Bagman brightly.
“Does that mean he'll be around Hogwarts?” Hermione asked.
“No, it probably means that he'll be staying at an inn in Hogsmeade,” Cedric said.
“Isn't he the head of a Ministry department, though,” Harry said.
“Yeah, but, as seen so far, he's not exactly the most responsible head,” Cedric pointed out.
“True,” Harry said.
“It’s all happening at Hogwarts now, you know, much more exciting here than at the office!”
“Not to someone like him,” Luna said.
“I think not, Ludo,” said Crouch, with a touch of his old impatience.
“Professor Karkaroff – Madame Maxime – a nightcap?” said Dumbledore.
“They'll probably ignore him,” Hermione said.
But Madame Maxime had already put her arm around Fleur’s shoulders, and was leading her swiftly out of the room. Harry could hear them both talking very fast in French as they went off into the Great Hall.
“Probably saying something about how unfair it is that you were allowed to participate, despite the fact that you've pretty much have no choice but to,” Cedric said.
Karkaroff beckoned to Krum, and they, too, exited, though in silence.
“Harry, Cedric, I suggest you go up to bed,” said Dumbledore, smiling at both of them.
“That makes it sound as though the fact that Harry is in the tournament isn't something that's worrying him all that much,” Hermione said.
“He could just be hiding it from us,” Cedric said. “He's probably good at that.”
“I am sure Gryffindor and Hufflepuff are waiting to celebrate with you, and it would be a shame to deprive them of this excellent excuse to make a great deal of mess and noise.”
“How nice of him to pretty much give you a free pass to make noise,” Hermione said, rolling her eyes.
“I have the feeling that, while we might celebrate in Hufflepuff, there's probably be a lot of muttering and problems over the fact that you're in the tournament,” Cedric said.
“Sorry you won't have a good time celebrating,” Harry said. “Of course, I probably will not be looking forward to whatever welcome I'll have in Gryffindor.”
“Oh, based on what's been said about most of them, they're probably just be glad that someone from the house was chosen, no matter how it happened,” Cedric said. “After all, none of them seem to particularly like the idea that someone outside of the house was chosen to be the actual Hogwarts champion.”
“Not exactly the most gracious house, is it?” Hermione said.
“No, it really isn't,” Cedric said.
Harry glanced at Cedric, who nodded, and they left together.
The Great Hall was deserted now; the candles had burnt low, giving the jagged smiles of the pumpkins an eerie, flickering quality.
“So,” said Cedric, with a slight smile. “We’re playing against each other again!”
“I wonder how much of what was said actually got through me,” Cedric said. “I mean, did I follow everything said, or not?”
“I s’pose,” said Harry. He really couldn’t think of anything to say. The inside of his head seemed to be in complete disarray, as though his brain had been ransacked.
“Yeah, it is shocking to have to deal with something like that,” Harry said.
“So ... tell me ...” said Cedric, as they reached the Entrance Hall, which was now lit only by torches in the absence of the Goblet of Fire.
Cedric frowned, having a feeling that he knew exactly what he was about to ask, and wishing that his book self wouldn't.
“How did you get your name in?”
“I didn’t,” said Harry, staring up at him. “I didn’t put it in. I was telling the truth.”
Please, please let me believe him Cedric thought, though he didn't have much hope of that happening. He wondered of his book self wouldn't believe him because he was in denial about the idea that someone had done it to kill Harry. He had no doubt that Harry would be showing signs that would indicate that he was being truthful after all.
“Ah ... OK,” said Cedric. Harry could tell Cedric didn’t believe him.
“Sorry,” Cedric said.
“It's okay,” Harry said, sighing. “I have the feeling that only Hermione and Ron will actually believe me.”
“You know,” Hermione said, thinking, “more people might actually believe you if they knew you. I mean, no offence, but, outside of Ron and I, everyone else is just an acquaintance of yours. You really don't have any friends outside of Gryffindor, and not many in Gryffindor either.”
Harry thought about it, realizing that she was right. It did help make sense as to why he was so easily blamed in the second book – none of them knew him outside of class and the lies that had been formed about him. If he wanted people to know him, then he really needed to have some more friends. This, of course, made him wonder why, in the four years he'd been there already, his book self didn't have any other than Ron and Hermione. He couldn't help but think that, for someone who had no friends growing up, it would make sense that he'd remedy that when he was in a place where he was allowed to without Dudley threatening everyone from being nice to him.
So why didn't haven't I done that he thought to himself.
“Well ... see you, then.”
“Well, at least your being admirable about it,” Hermione said.
“Now,” Cedric said. “We'll have to wait and see how I am after it's sunk in, and after listening to what my house mates think.”
“I really doubt that you'd be mean to Harry,” both Hermione and Luna said.
“Yeah, but that wouldn't stop me from ignoring it when my house mates are being mean, and doing nothing to stop it,” Cedric said. “And doing nothing to stop it is just as bad as participating in it.”
“You'd probably do nothing, not because you do think Harry did purposely enter – I have no doubt that, once you begin to get used to the idea, you'll realize that as being the truth, and not a lie – but because it's what would be expected of you,” Luna said. “After all, as the true champion, it makes sense that you'd be incense and let them do that
Instead of going up the marble staircase, Cedric headed for a door to its right.
“The Hufflepuff dorms are nearer to the dungeons and Great Hall than yours,” Cedric said.
Harry stood listening to him going down the stone steps beyond it, then, slowly, started to climb the marble ones.
“Trying to prolong the inevitable,” Hermione said, just knowing that Dumbledore would be right about the house most likely planning on a party.
Was anyone except Ron and Hermione going to believe him, or would they all think he’d put himself in for the Tournament?
“It'll be the latter,” Harry said, frowning.
Yet how could anyone think that, when he was facing competitors who’d had three years’ more magical education than he had
“Only a fool would do something like that,” Hermione said. “That, or someone at least closer to having a full education.”
“Technically, I only have two years more than you do,” Cedric said.
– when he was now facing tasks which not only sounded very dangerous, but which were to be performed in front of hundreds of people?
“Which is something that you've never done, other than Quidditch,” Luna said.
“And I really doubt that one of the tasks is Quidditch based,” Hermione said.
Yes, he’d thought about it ... he’d fantasised about it ...
“But that was just it, a fantasy that most of the school probably had,” Harry said. “It wasn't something that was serious.”
but it had been a joke, really, an idle sort of dream ... he’d never really, seriously considered entering …
“Someone did, though,” Hermione said.
But someone else had considered it ... someone else had wanted him in the Tournament, and had made sure he was entered. Why? To give him a treat?
“I doubt it,” Cedric said.
He didn’t think so, somehow ...
To see him make a fool of himself?
“That's likely to happen,” Harry said.
Well, they were likely to get their wish …
But to get him killed? Was Moody just being his usual paranoid self?
“Just because he's the paranoid type doesn't mean that you should just ignore his words,” Hermione said.
Couldn’t someone have put Harry’s name in the Goblet as a trick, a practical joke? Did anyone really want him dead?
“Yes,” Harry said, thinking of Riddle.
Harry was able to answer that at once. Yes, someone wanted him dead, someone had wanted him dead ever since he had been a year old ... Lord Voldemort. But how could Voldemort have ensured that Harry’s name got into the Goblet of Fire? Voldemort was supposed to be far away, in some distant country, in hiding, alone ... feeble and powerless …
“But he's not alone, not any more,” Luna pointed out. “After all, you not only have the prophecy saying that Pettigrew would return to him, but also
Yet in that dream he had had, just before he had awoken with his scar hurting, Voldemort had not been alone ... he had been talking to Wormtail ... plotting Harry’s murder …
“I wonder if I forgot about him having that Jorkins woman at some point or not,” Harry said. “I mean, since she was a part of Bagman's department, she'd most likely know about the Tournament, wouldn't she?”
“That's probably what useful information that Riddle said that she had,” Cedric noted.
Harry got a shock to find himself facing the Fat Lady already. He had barely noticed where his feet were carrying him.
“Wow, you were so preoccupied that you got there by sheer motion memory,” Cedric said, sounding impressed.
It was also a surprise to see that she was not alone in her frame. The wizened witch who had flitted into her neighbour’s painting when he had joined the champions downstairs was now sitting smugly beside the Fat Lady.
“She probably ran all the way up there after getting a confirmation that you'd be allowed to participate in the tournament,” Hermione said.
She must have dashed through every picture lining seven staircases to reach here before him. Both she and the Fat Lady were looking down at him with the keenest interest.
“I think they've been gossiping about you,” Luna said.
“Well, well, well,” said the Fat Lady, “Violet’s just told me everything. Who’s just been chosen as school champion, then?”
“I wonder if she actually thought that Harry would want to talk about it,” Hermione said. “I mean, the look of his face would have most likely said otherwise.”
“She just might have thought that I would be celebrating, because I have the feeling that any other Gryffindor would have been doing so,” Cedric said.
“Balderdash,” said Harry dully.
“It most certainly isn’t!” said the pale witch indignantly.
“I guess she doesn't realize that it's the password,” Luna said.
“No, no, Vi, it’s the password,” said the Fat Lady soothingly, and she swung forwards on her hinges to let Harry into the common room.
“I have the feeling that you're going to end up wishing that you were anywhere but where you're at,” Luna said.
The blast of noise that met Harry’s ears when the portrait opened almost knocked him backwards.
“Wow, that must be loud,” Hermione said, wide-eyed.
“I wonder if you're there,” Luna said.
“Probably not,” Hermione said. “After all, as one if his best friends, I'd probably be hounded by the others, trying to see if I knew how Harry had managed to get into the tournament. It's probably the same way with Ron.”
Next thing he knew, he was being wrenched inside the common room by about a dozen pairs of hands, and was facing the whole of Gryffindor house, all of whom were screaming, applauding and whistling.
“So not what I want,” Harry said, shaking his head.
“You should’ve told us you’d entered!” bellowed Fred; he looked half annoyed, half deeply impressed.
Harry frowned. He had thought that the twins were among the very few he was kind of close to, though not as close as Ron and Hermione were. If they could think that he would do that, then it was clear that he was wrong in his thinking, as the two seemed to tend to . Which, of course, meant that he'd only have two allies on his side that wouldn't believe him to be a cheat.
“How did you do it without getting a beard? Brilliant!” roared George.
“I didn’t,” Harry said. “I don’t know how –“
“I have the feeling that your words are going to fall on deaf ears,” Luna said. “They're just going to be too excited to actually listen to you, and even realize that you're not at all happy about what's going on.”
But Angelina had now swooped down upon him. “Oh, if it couldn’t be me, at least it’s a Gryffindor –“
“Because supporting the actual champion chosen would be such a hardship,” Hermione said, scowling.
“You’ll be able to pay back Diggory for that last Quidditch match, Harry!” shrieked Katie Bell, another of the Gryffindor Chasers.
“Why doesn't that surprise me,” Cedric said, shaking his head. He should have known that a good bit of his unpopularity in Gryffindor had to do with the fact that he actually managed to win against Harry in Quidditch.
“We’ve got food, Harry, come and have some –“
“One, he most likely got enough at the feast, and two, I don't think he'd be able to eat anyway, with the fact that he's not happy to be in the Tournament at all,” Luna said.
“I’m not hungry, I had enough at the feast –“
But nobody wanted to hear that he wasn’t hungry; nobody wanted to hear that he hadn’t put his name in the Goblet; not one single person seemed to have noticed that he wasn’t at all in the mood to celebrate ...
“Signs of just how narrow minded they can be,” Cedric said.
Lee Jordan had unearthed a Gryffindor banner from somewhere, and he insisted on draping it around Harry like a cloak. Harry couldn’t get away; whenever he tried to sidle over to the staircase up to the dormitories, the crowd around him closed ranks, forcing another Butterbeer on him, stuffing crisps and peanuts into his hands ...
“You know, you probably should start cursing people. It'll most likely make them more willing to listen, then,” Hermione said, only half joking.
“Now there's an idea,” Harry said.
everyone wanted to know how he had done it, how he had tricked Dumbledore’s Age Line, and managed to get his name into the Goblet ...
“I didn't,” Harry said. “My name was put in without my knowledge.”
“I didn’t,” he said, over and over again, “I don’t know how it happened.”
But for all the notice anyone took, he might just as well not have answered at all.
“They most likely don't really care about the answer,” Luna said. “Just feel like it's expected of them to ask it.”
“I’m tired!” he bellowed finally, after nearly half an hour.
“At least it's not nearer to or over an hour,” Harry said, though he still wished that he had been able to get away even sooner.
“No, seriously, George – I’m going to bed –“
He wanted more than anything to find Ron and Hermione, to find a bit of sanity, but neither of them seemed to be in the common room.
“Probably because the both of us got tired of the others bugging us,” Hermione said.
Insisting that he needed to sleep, and almost flattening the little Creevey brothers as they attempted to waylay him at the foot of the stairs,
“You know, if I didn't know better, it would seem almost as if the house isn't so much trying to party and keep you there as a guest of honour, but is trying to keep you from leaving for a specific reason,” Cedric said. “And I only say that because they seem to just being trying to keep your attention more than anything.”
“That is a weird thing to say,” Hermione said, frowning lightly.
Harry managed to shake everyone off, and climbed up to the dormitory as fast as he could.
“Where you will, at the very least, find Ron,” Luna said. “I wonder if he'll have any theories on who may have put you into the tournament,”
To his great relief, he found Ron was lying on his bed in the otherwise empty dormitory, still fully dressed.
“He must've been waiting for you, then,” Hermione said. She did wonder, though, why he didn't got back down to the common room when it became clear that Harry was there, but then figured that it was probably for the same reason that she didn't – they wouldn't have been able to talk, anyway. She had to admit, she hated the fact that her book self would have to wait for the next day before finding out what was going on from Harry.
He looked up when Harry slammed the door behind him.
“Where’ve you been?” Harry said.
“Hiding where it was safe,” Luna said.
“Oh, hello,” said Ron.
“ 'Oh, hello'?” Hermione said, frowning. “What kind of greeting is that?”
“I don't know,” Luna said, also frowning.
He was grinning, but it looked a very odd, strained sort of grin.
The frowns became more pronounced on their faces as it started crossing Cedric's and Harry's faces as well. None of them could figure out why – though Cedric could if he looked through the book before reading what was coming up – but they didn't quite seem to like the sounds of that.
Harry suddenly became aware that he was still wearing the scarlet Gryffindor banner that Lee had tied around him. He hastened to take it off, but it was knotted very tightly. Ron lay on the bed without moving, watching Harry struggle to remove it.
“Why is he just laying there?” Harry asked, confused. “I mean, as one of my best friends, you'd think he'd at least try to help me.”
“I don't know,” Hermione said, looking at him. “Something seems wrong with him at he moment.”
Cedric, though, had sudden thought, and read ahead to see if he was right. He had to hold back a glare as he discovered that he was, and realized what it had been about the way it described Ron's grin that hadn't felt right to him.
Why that little... he thought to himself as he started to read again.
“So,” he said, when Harry had finally removed the banner and thrown it into a corner. “Congratulations.”
“What does he mean, 'congratulations'?” Harry said, frowning.
“Oh, no,” Hermione said, realizing something. She looked at Cedric while ignoring the puzzled look that Luna and Harry sent her, seemingly to ask him with her eyes if she was wrong. The barely concealed glare told her otherwise as he continued to read.
“What d’you mean, congratulations?” said Harry, staring at Ron. There was definitely something wrong with the way Ron was smiling; it was more like a grimace.
“There is something definitely wrong with the way Ron's acting,” Luna said suspiciously, though she hadn't quite realized what exactly was going on like Cedric and Herimone had.
“Well ... no one else got across the Age Line,” said Ron. “Not even Fred and George. What did you use – the Invisibility Cloak?”
“He...he thinks I actually put my name into the Goblet on my own,” Harry said slowly, shocked to the core.
“It seems that way,” Hermione said, anger evident in her tone.
“But...but how?” he said. “I mean, how he could think that? He knows me, knows how I am. He knows that, no matter what I say, or if I may daydream about it, I wouldn't seriously put myself into the tournament.” By the end of his statement, his shock had flowed away, anger taking it's place.
“I don't know why,” Hermione said, the anger gone from her voice as she looked at her friend. “But I think it's safe to say that Ron is no friend of yours any more.”
“And he never will be,” Harry said coldly, deciding right then and there to avoid the backstabber. Cedric and Luna stayed out of the conversation, though they too were pissed off at the actions of the youngest male Weasley, and believed that Harry was right to decide not to be friends with Ron at all, instead of being on the fence about it as he had been.
“The Invisibility Cloak wouldn’t have got me over that line,” said Harry slowly.
Considering that Ron's an idiot, it makes sense that he'd have to say it like that Cedric thought.
“Oh, right,” said Ron. “I thought you might’ve told me if it was the Cloak ... because it would’ve covered both of us, wouldn’t it? But you found another way, did you?”
“No, I didn't,” Harry said, his anger intensifying over Ron's actions.
“He's jealous,” Luna said. “Mad that it's you who managed to become a fourth champion, and not himself.”
“He can have it for all I care,” Harry said. “I have no desire to make a fool of myself. If he wants to, he's welcome to do so.”
“Oh, that's not way I pointed it out,” Luna said, shrugging. “I simply said it because it give you a hint behind his motives for why he's acting this way. Not that it excuses him, because it doesn't.”
“Yeah,” Cedric said. “Jealous or not, if he was a real friend to you at all, he wouldn't let that get in the way of that friendship. He would push it aside instead of letting it have any say in any matters.”
He went back to the book after that, seeing that the chapter was almost done.
“Listen,” said Harry, “I didn’t put my name in that Goblet. Someone else must’ve done it.”
Ron raised his eyebrows. “What would they do that for?”
“Is he that stupid?” Hermione asked, incredulous. “Has he not been around Harry the last three years? I mean, the previous years alone – along with Riddle's original defeat by Harry – is a clear sign that there would be some who would want to get rid of Harry, and – strangely enough,they don't want to go to jail, so they'd need a way to do that without implicating themselves, and the tournament would be a good idea of doing that.”
“I dunno,” said Harry. He felt it would sound very melodramatic to say ‘to kill me’.
“Somehow, with the way he's acting, I don't think that Ron would even believe it if you did say that,” Luna said.
Ron’s eyebrows rose so high that they were in danger of disappearing into his hair.
“He's probably either realizing that you're hiding something, or just thinks that you're just saying that as an excuse,” Cedric said.
“I bet it's the latter reason,” Hermione muttered.
“It’s OK, you know, you can tell me the truth” he said.
“He is, you're just being an idiot who doesn't want to believe it because you weren't the one chosen as a champion,” Luna said.
“If you don’t want everyone else to know, fine, but I don’t know why you’re bothering to lie, you didn’t get into trouble for it, did you? That friend of the Fat Lady’s, that Violet, she’s already told us all, Dumbledore’s letting you enter.”
“He's not so much as letting me enter as having no choice but to let me do so,” Harry said, rolling his eyes as if Ron was actually there.
“A thousand Galleons prize money, eh?”
“Unlike you, I have no reason to be excited about having that,” Harry said. “Even if I could enter myself, I wouldn't be doing it for that – in fact, I can't think of any good reason to enter myself, other than having fun, and what fun can be had in a contest that has a death toll. I mean, unless you're some kind of person who gets a rush feeling something like that...”
“There really isn't any reason to enter the tournament, other than trying to get eternal glory for one's self, and, well, considering how many other champions are known, it
“And you don’t have to do end-of-year tests either ...”
“I don't care about that,” Harry said angrily. “I'd rather do the end-of-year tests over having to compete.”
“I didn’t put my name in that Goblet!” said Harry, starting to feel angry.
“Yeah, OK,” said Ron, in exactly the same sceptical tone as Cedric.
“A clear show that he's the biggest idiot ever,” Hermione said.
“Only you said this morning you’d have done it last night, and no one would’ve seen you ... I’m not stupid, you know.”
“Yeah, he is,” Luna said.
“Really? He's not? Because he's doing a really good impression of being stupid right now,” Harry said.
“You’re doing a really good impression of it,” Harry snapped.
“You don't seem to change your thinking about his idiocy,” Luna said.
“Yeah?” said Ron, and there was no trace of a grin, forced or otherwise, on his face now. “You want to get to bed, Harry, I expect you’ll need to be up early tomorrow for a photocall or something.”
“Hopefully not,” Harry said, scowling.
“I do think there will be something like that at some point, before the first task,” Cedric said. Harry frowned, not liking the sound of that.
“That's all I'll need to happen,” Harry said. “Then he'll definitely say that I did want to be in the tournament, because I was 'willing to have my picture taken' even though I absolutely hate that, as shown in the second book.”
“He's an bastard,” Cedric said. “I mean, we saw hints of it in the third book, but this really brings the fact to clarity.”
“Well, at least I have an overview of his personality before meeting him, so I can avoid making friends with him,” Harry said. Hermione nodded, though she did wonder what her book self would do when Harry and her talked – she was fairly sure that her book self knew what Ron was thinking like, even if it didn't mention it yet.
He wrenched the hangings shut around his four-poster, leaving Harry standing there by the door, staring at the dark red velvet curtains, now hiding one of the few people he had been sure would believe him.
“That's the end of that chapter,” Cedric said, handing the book over to Luna, who wondered just how bad this next chapter would be for Harry, as well as how long people being horrible to Harry would last, for she just knew that would happen.