The next morning Harry went downstairs to find McGonagall waiting in the common room.
"Come along, Mister Potter." She left, not waiting to see if he would follow.
She led him down a few corridors that were only used as shortcuts. A moment later he found her waiting at the doorway to a classroom that hadn't been used in years. Harry stepped in to find Sirius, Moody, and Professor Flitwick.
Oddly enough, she didn't follow him in.
"Something to tell me, pup?" Sirius sighed.
"I meant to let you know last night." Harry gave him a shy smile. "I fell asleep before I could."
"Someone is trying to kill you." Moody cut in.
"That happens a lot." Harry sighed.
"Enough cheek." Moody snapped. "We don't have much time to get you trained. I'll handle the defensive bit, Filius will be teaching you advanced dueling, and Sirius…" The old auror looked at the man. "I don't know what he's going to be doing."
"I've got my own bag of tricks." Sirius wiggled his eyebrows at the old man.
"Thank you." Harry looked from each one. "I'm not supposed to get help."
"You're not allowed help from your school." Professor Flitwick corrected. "You were not listed with a school; therefore, we are not breaking the contract to train you. Technically, in that sense, you're not a student of Hogwarts during this tournament."
"I appreciate it, thank you." Harry gave a firm smile. "What about Professor McGonagall?"
"She can't." Moody growled. "As Deputy Headmistress she is contractually bound to support and enforce the orders laid out by the Headmaster."
"That explains a lot." Harry said slowly.
"We will get a schedule arranged for you in the coming days." Moody continued. "You're free to skip your classes. I'd suggest spending time in the library. I'll be teaching you more advanced techniques than the ones in class."
"As will I." Flitwick added. "Though I would prefer you attend my class as well. Charms are much more than just for dueling."
He turned to look at Sirius.
"I bought a flat in Hogsmeade." His godfather explained. "Can't miss it, black and white brick building in the newer side of town. Come visit when you'd like."
Harry nodded. Hogsmeade was split into a few different districts, even though it was a small town. There was the founding area with older buildings that were made from thick cut stone and aged wooden supports. The roofs were tightly packed thatch that had been enchanted many times over the years. A half-circle around that was an area of housing mostly made of wood and stone. The magic that went into constructing the houses meant that updating them wasn't that big of an issue. They didn't have to worry about adjusting for electricity or new utility lines either. It wasn't until the commercial park of town that the buildings were a bit more modern. Tightly packed brick buildings, almost like they had been cut out from a city and plopped down in Hogsmeade, marked newer apartments, housing, and businesses. Zonko's had a nice corner store that was a smaller version of the shop in Diagon Alley. In the future, the future that was, Fred and George had bought out the space for their shop.
"I'm sure having a contingent of gorgeous French witches nearby had nothing to do with it." Harry shook his head.
"Harry." Sirius gasped dramatically. "Why would you think so little of me?"
Harry shot him a flat look.
"Durmstrang has quite a few ladies with them as well." Sirius chuckled.
"Enough of that." Moody snapped, but his tone lacked any real bite. "Let's get to breakfast and we can work out this schedule."
"Sounds good to me." Sirius clapped his hands. "Sneaking out of the castle to get to Hogsmeade. Brings back memories."
He shifted seamlessly into Padfoot before sauntering over to the door. Harry scratched the top of his head as the dog passed by. Padfoot gave him a goofy doggy grin. Harry opened the door. McGonagall was nowhere in sight. It was yet another thing that made him despise Dumbledore. Overlooking the multitude of injustices through the years would have been torture for her.
Harry was going to enjoy taking the old bastard down. He just needed to figure out how.
The noise in the Great Hall dropped noticeably when he entered. Harry sighed. At least they were glaring at him this time.
"Harry!" Cedric called out to him.
His eyes snapped to the young man.
"Come join us!" Cedric waved him over.
It wasn't until he got closer that he realized Cedric had gathered the two champions with him. They sat toward the front of the Hufflepuff table with just a bit of space between them and the rest of the students. Krum served as a barrier between Fleur and the rest of the students.
"Thank you." Harry gave Cedric a genuine smile. "How did you sleep?"
"I was too excited." Cedric beamed. "I think I passed out around three in the morning."
Krum nodded. "My English not so good. Hear no speak good."
"Got it." Harry gave him a friendly smile. "What about you, Fleur?"
The young woman studied him for a moment. He could feel the constant allure that she exuded. It was something she had to continuously keep in check, like keeping something tightly in her grip through every waking moment.
Harry looked at Cedric. The Hufflepuff was slightly dazed around her but seemed to get himself under control. Still, it looked like a struggle. Krum didn't seem to have any problem being around her. Fleur seemed to sense this, but not in a way that she did with Harry. The urge to ask her about how Veela interacted with gay men was a hard one to deny.
"I wrote a letter to my sister." Fleur admitted after a moment.
"You have a sister?" Harry asked. "Older or younger?"
Fleur seemed shocked that he was talking instead of drooling over her.
"Younger." She replied.
"Do you mind if I practice my French with you?" Harry asked slipping into the language.
"No." She smiled at him. "Are you still learning? Your accent isn't bad at all."
"Thank you." Harry replied returning the smile. "I had a good teacher."
"You didn't enter your name." Fleur said it as fact.
"No." Harry shook his head. "Someone is trying to kill me. It happens."
"It happens?" Fleur asked.
Harry thought for a moment. No one had tried to kill him last year, aside from the dementors, which he handled.
"Twice since I've been in school. Once when I was a baby." He counted them off on his fingers.
Fleur stared at him. "The world knows of The Boy Who Lived. I did not realize it was a title that had been tested further."
Harry chuckled.
"What do you think the tasks will be?" Cedric asked. "No fair cutting out the champions who don't speak French."
"My French is better than my English." Krum gave them a rare smile.
Cedric sighed before the four of them began to laugh.
"Did you have an idea?" Harry asked Cedric.
"Courage, cunning, and resourcefulness." He repeated. "Cunning sounds like a puzzle. Courage could be anything. Same with resourcefulness."
"They could drop us in the wilderness, and we have to make it back to safety." Harry offered. "For resourcefulness."
"The people watch that 'ow?" Fleur countered.
"No clue." Harry shrugged.
"Face down angry mother for courage." Krum added. "Enough broom! Do homework!"
The group burst into laughter.
"I got to see you play in the World Cup." Cedric said.
Krum titled his head to the side. "Play Quidditch?"
"Seeker." Cedric replied. "Harry too. I'm not too shabby, but Potter here is a terror on a broom."
Krum looked between the two. He turned his attention to Fleur.
"Non." She shook her head. "I am a duelist."
"One of the best in her bracket." Harry added.
The other three turned to look at him.
"What?" Harry blushed. "I can follow Quidditch and dueling. Victor is the youngest professional Seeker in years. Professional duelists clubs are frothing at the mouth to get Fleur's attention. Last but not least, Cedric here is an enchanting prodigy."
"Wow." Cedric sat back.
"Da." Krum nodded.
Fleur gave him an appraising look.
"Have you spoken with Professor Flitwick?" Harry asked her. "He's a former world champion."
"Merci, Monsieur Potter." Fleur replied.
"I'm sorry." Harry blushed. "That was forward of me. I apologize, Miss Delacour."