The next morning Harry received a letter during breakfast from an owl he did not recognize. Seeing that the letter was signed 'Padfoot' he quickly hid it and shooed the owl away. Harry looked around, trying to determine if anyone had noticed his letter, but most of them were busy receiving their own mail. Excusing himself, Harry left the Great Hall to go back to his room and read the letter.
Harry,
Be in the Gryffindor common room tonight at 11 PM.
Make sure you're alone.
-Padfoot
Harry grinned happily; he was excited to talk to his godfather again and wondered what kind of advice he might have. He spent the rest of the day impatiently watching the clock, wishing he could make time move a little faster. After dinner he trained as hard as ever, for the moment forgetting his promise to Daphne, hoping it would help him pass the time. Eventually Harry was exhausted and it was almost 11, so he made his way back to the common room which was thankfully empty. He wasn't quite sure what he was supposed to do if someone had been there. As the clock chimed, Harry wondered what exactly he was waiting for. His question was answered when the fireplace began to spark and a head came out of the fire.
"Sirius!"
"Hey kid. Sorry it took so long. I've wanted to talk to you for weeks, but I have to keep on the move."
"Don't worry about it, I understand."
"Harry, I have to know. Did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?"
"No, I don't know how it happened."
"In that case you need to be very careful. Someone is trying to manipulate you or get you hurt. You need to be on the look out for anyone acting suspiciously. Get your friends to help."
Harry snorted at his godfather's comment. "If you mean Ron and Hermione, then I'm out of luck. They didn't believe me when I told them I didn't put my name in the cup."
"Fools! And Hermione had seemed so smart when we met."
"I still have a few friends, like Neville Longbottom, but most of the students think I am an attention seeking cheater."
"Longbottom? I knew his parents, good people. Now, about the tournament, what do you know?"
"I'm not supposed to know this, but the first task is dragons. I'm working on a plan."
"Good. Listen Harry, I have to go. The place I'm talking to you from isn't secure. Keep your friends close. Forgive Ron and Hermione if they deserve it, but be careful. I learned the hard way that a friend can betray you. Good night, Harry. I will stay in touch when possible.
"Good night, Sirius." With that the face in the fire disappeared, leaving Harry alone to think about the things his godfather had told him. Sirius was right; he needed to place more importance on finding out who entered him into the tournament. Who knows what else they might have planned for him. Harry yawned, decided to wait until tomorrow to start worrying, and went to bed.
...
"Potter, stay behind." Professor Moody commanded as the class let out. Harry sighed, wondering what was going on. When the last student had left, Moody sat down at his desk and motioned for Harry to take a nearby seat.
"So, what are you going to do about the first task?"
"What do you mean, sir?"
"The dragon, boy! Hagrid showed you the dragons last night, did he not?"
"Professor, I really have no idea what you are talking about. I haven't talked to Hagrid in a few days."
"Hmm, he told me he got that Weasley boy to give you a note telling you to meet him last night. You didn't get the note, did you?"
"No. I'm not really surprised; Ron and I aren't exactly friendly right now." Harry explained.
"I see. Well, let me explain to you what you should have seen. You're going to have to get by a dragon and take something from it. So lad, what are you going to do?"
"I don't know sir." Harry answered, pretending that he had not spent weeks thinking about the problem.
"You have to play to your strengths. Like Quidditch, I hear you are good on a broom."
"That's true. But will I be allowed to bring my broom?"
"Of course not, but there is nothing in the rules that says you can't summon it. You know the Accio charm, don't you?"
Harry nodded and answered "Yes sir. I could do that." Privately, Harry was thinking that it was a great idea. On his broom he could move much faster, allowing him to get the egg easier. "Thank you, Professor. I'll keep thinking about it."
Professor Moody smiled oddly at him, before taking a flask out of his coat and gulping down its contents. Harry got his things and left, wondering why his professor was so interested in his plans for the tournament.