The next evening every single student was packed into the Great Hall. Harry had tried to keep his spirits up, or at least make it look like it, but his mind kept wandering to Fleur and Krum. Well, now that he knew Ron was into guys and so was Krum, he had toyed with the idea of trying to set the two up. He wasn't sure if that was a good idea though. Ron did seem to be better now that he was free from Molly, but he was still a huge fan. That created a power imbalance in any relationship from the start.
Harry had made an effort to sit facing away from the other tables during meals. Luckily, the visiting students attended classes in their respective transportation. In truth, the tournament wasn't doing all that well for getting the students to mingle. Granted it had only been a day. His memory of the last time through didn't help, he had been too focused on staying alive to pay attention.
The crowd came to a hush as Dumbledore stepped up to his podium.
"The Goblet has chosen the champions!" He called.
The room erupted in cheers. A slip of paper lifted from the goblet. Dumbledore plucked it from the air.
"For Beauxbatons, Fleur Delacour." Dumbledore announced.
Everyone cheered, Harry did notice that some of the French students didn't appear so happy. A couple were even crying in disappointment. Fleur stood, with her head held high she leisurely strolled to the chamber off the Great Hall. Harry had to smile at that, she appeared to be calm, cool, and collected but he could see the little skip in her step.
Another slip of paper floated up out of the goblet.
"For Durmstrang, Victor Krum." Dumbledore called.
The Bulgarian students erupted in cheers. A number of Hogwarts students did so too, just as loud. Harry smiled over at Ron who was clapping.
"For Hogwarts." Dumbledore caught the paper. He paused for dramatic effect. "Cedric Diggory."
The Hufflepuff table went nuts. Harry clapped along too. Happy to see the young man alive.
"Now that the champions have been selected there will be a weighing of the wands in one weeks…" Dumbledore paused as another slip of paper drifted up before him.
Harry felt a led weight settle in his chest.
"Harry Potter." Dumbledore read.
The hall was silent. Harry stood, he looked up at Dumbledore.
"Are you sure?" He asked.
"The goblet doesn't lie, Harry." Dumbledore shook his head sadly.
"For what school?" He asked.
"There is no school listed." Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Please join the other champions in the chambers."
Harry looked back at the Gryffindor table. Utter confusion played across his face.
"I didn't enter." He blinked a couple of times. "How is this possible?"
Everyone at the table stared at him, a blanket of dread covered them.
"We'll get your through this." Katie spoke up.
"Something is very wrong." Ron added.
Harry nodded. "This shouldn't happen."
He walked to the other room in a daze.
"Do we need to go back?" Cedric asked as he entered.
"My name came out." Harry replied flatly.
"What?" Cedric rushed over to him. "How?"
Harry shrugged. "I don't know. I didn't go anywhere near the goblet."
Fleur studied him. Victor didn't seem to mind. Madam Maxine and Karkaroff were with Dumbledore. Both were yelling. Harry had heard the argument before. The only difference being that Snape wasn't there to add his oh-so-helpful commentary.
"Harry." Moody snapped his fingers in front of his face to get his attention.
Harry looked up. "Hm?"
"Did you put your name in the goblet?" The grizzled man asked.
"No." Harry shook his head. "I have no idea how this happened."
This didn't make sense. Barty was dead, so Moody hadn't been replaced. Voldermort was dead, so he wasn't pulling the strings. Most of the Death Eaters in the country were dead as well. At least this time it seemed like people believed him. At least some of his house was willing to trust him without the layers of aura's that had been placed on him.
"You have to compete." Dumbledore sighed. "The goblet has formed a magical contract that has bound your magic. You must complete the tournament, or it will strip our magic from you."
Harry looked up at the Headmaster. The usual twinkle in his eyes flashed when their gaze met. Dumbledore hit a brick wall, but it was a two-way street. Harry glimpsed into the old man's mind for a brief moment.
Dumbledore.
Harry shouldn't have been surprised. He had made too many waves to go unnoticed. Claiming his lordship and freeing Sirius were big enough. Losing control of Lupin and the Weasleys was too much. The old bastard was going to catch on sooner or later.
"Don't worry, Headmaster." Harry spoke through gritted teeth. "No one blames you. The goblet was under your care, but whoever did this was too clever."
The twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes dimmed for a moment. Moody turned his glare to Dumbledore, as did Madam Maxine and Karkaroff. That would get them thinking.
"Right." Crouch cleared his throat. "Unusual as it is. His name came out of the goblet, he has to compete. There will be a weighing of the wands in one week. Once that is completed the champions will be excused from classes to prepare for the upcoming tasks. There will be three. One to test your courage, one to test your cunning, and one to test your resourcefulness. The Daily Prophet will be there to cover the event. Good luck champions."
Harry stood up from his spot. He wandered back to the common room in a daze. A crowd waited for him. As opposed to last time, they had pressed the tables together, and almost looked to be holding court. The quidditch team, aside from a couple, were waiting for him. Harry slumped into a chair facing the group.
"I watched every single person put their name in the goblet." Angelina said firmly. "I was even there with these two tried to sneak by with an aging potion."
The twins smiled proudly.
"You didn't enter." She stated.
"Thank you." Harry found a tightness in his throat. "You don't know how much that means to me."
"Harry." Angelina leaned across the table, taking his hand. "We've been teammates for three years now."
"It would be four if they hadn't canceled this season." Alicia snarked.
"Last year you spend time with the other teams to coach their seekers." Angelina didn't comment on the interruption. "That doesn't sound like something a cheater would do."
"She was right ticked off at first." Katie chimed in. "Changed her tune when Alyn got recruited."
Angelina glared at her. Katie smiled at her.
"We're with you Harry." Angelina turned back to look at him.
Harry cleared his throat. He slipped off his glasses and wiped his eyes.
"Speaking of quidditch." Harry smiled at them. "Sirius is putting together a summer tournament to make up for missing this season."
The entire team perked up at the news.
"Only you, Harry. Only you." Angelina chuckled.
"I'm going to bed." Harry trudged up to his dorm.
He flopped onto the bed. After a couple of minutes, he realized he was still dressed. Grumbling, he stripped down to his boxers. He didn't care enough to put on his night clothes. A storm of emotions raged inside of him.
Dumbledore had entered him into the tournament. Why? Was he trying to kill him? Test him? Did the old bastard know that Riddle was dead? Harry wouldn't put it passed him to have some way to track Voldermort.
Another part of him, one much larger than he'd ever admit, was excited. Not only would he get to do the trials again, but he had a reason to talk to Fleur and Victor. There was a chance he wouldn't lose his friends. Cedric was going to survive this time. He would make sure of that.
"Shit." He muttered. "I need to tell Sirius."
Harry was asleep before the thought had taken root in his mind.