The creature was tall enough to brush the ceiling of the third-floor hallway where it lurked, just outside one particular classroom which just a few short years ago had housed a certain sleepy mutt, dutifully guarding its post. Thankfully unlike the dog (which had since been lovingly rehomed) the monster had only one head, not three, although within that head it did have two mouths. The first a vicious angry looking thing, perpetually grinning at the front of a long exoskeletal skull, the second smaller and longer, hidden from sight inside those outer jaws ready to spring out and surprise any unsuspecting victim unfortunate enough to believe they were out of reach.

The rest of the creature was reptilian in appearance, much like the dromaeosaurid raptors whose fossilized remains had inspired interest in both muggle and wizarding archaeologists alike, with strong legs built for both speed and agility and a sleek dexterous tail for balance and additional strike power.

Since the hallway was no longer out of bounds as it once had been back when the aforementioned triplicate canine was in residence, several unwitting students had been unfortunate enough to stumble upon the creature in the past few hours.

Reactions had been varied.

With over a year since the boggart chaos began most of the students from Hogwarts and some from the other visiting schools, had accepted that if they saw something horrifically confusing and frightening lurking in the castle it was nothing to really be afraid of. Many students still ran scared from the more gruesome figures of course, instincts guiding them in spite of logic, but at this point it wasn't uncommon for a student to stumble on some strange creature and react with nothing but a shrug then carry on as normal.

With his boggart's latest form, Ajith had seen several students run screaming and a few others merely shrug and walk past. A few curious wizarding students had stopped to ask about the creature and several muggle-born's had offered their compliments on the impressive recreation.

Even so, the fifth year Ravenclaw was a little surprised when just after lunch none other than Harry Potter himself appeared on the third floor, walked directly up to the creature with arms spread wide and not a hint of fear on his face and declared "Oh, good a Xenomorph. Not exactly how I would have chosen to die, but at this point I don't care anymore. I'll take anything to get me out of this tournament drama."

The lack of fear was not a surprise. It was obviously a boggart. And the Gryffindor's were known for bravery anyway. The thing that raised Ajith's eyebrows up into his hairline was the recognition.

"You know what that is?!

The youngest Hogwarts Champion frowned in confusion. "Yeah, of course. It's the alien from Alien"

"You've seen Alien?"

"Yeah. Seen the whole franchise."

Ajith was even more confused now "Hu. I haven't seen you at film club," he wondered how he could have failed to notice the most famous student at school at one of their gatherings. Wait, had they even played Alien at film club?

Harry laughed, grinning widely. "I didn't see it at film club I saw it on TV."

Ajith gawked again. "You know what a TV is?"

"Yes, I know what a TV is." The younger boy snorted looking bemused. "I was raised in a muggle household you know?"

"You were?" Ajith scratched his head confused. "I thought you were like pureblood royalty or something?"

"No. Well, my dad's side of the family is pureblood. My mum was muggle born though. And I was raised by my muggle aunt and uncle after my parents died. I didn't even know I was a wizard until my letter came. Same as you I guess?"

The Ravenclaw nodded remembering the arrival of his own rather world-changing letter. "Hu. Well, you learn something new every day."

Harry grinned looking excited "This is nice. Ever since I got here it has felt like everyone knows everything about me. Even stuff I don't know myself. It's cool to meet someone who doesn't know my life story."

"I'm gonna be honest," Ajith snorted "As a muggle born I caught on that you were famous and I've heard people calling you various things like the 'boy who lived' and 'the chosen one' or similar but no one has ever actually explained to me what your deal is. I think they just expect everyone to already know."

"To be fair, I think most of them were literally taught about me from infancy so they probably do think that."

"Damn, so…what's your deal?"

"Oh, It's not that impressive really. I accidently killed a guy when I was One and saved the world."

The surprised laugh Ajith let out sounded strangled "You did what?"

"You know Voldemort?" Harry checked, looking a little more serious now. Ajith gave a nod of agreement, he'd heard that much at least. "When I was a baby Voldemort tried to kill me with a spell and it ricocheted off, hit him instead."

Ajith let out a low whistle "Wow."

"I don't even remember it really. Just a flash of light. But everyone has made a huge deal out of it since I got here, like I did something special."

The Ravenclaw just nodded in understanding before something occurred to him "Fucking wizard's man."

Harry tilted his head in question at the outburst.

Ajith looked a little embarrassed. "Sorry I just thought…well…Voldemort was super powerful right? And you say he was defeated because his spell bounced off of you?"

"Yeah?"

"No offense intended but, you were a baby. Why did he need a spell? The dude could totally have just, picked you up and thrown you at the wall or something. Or put a pillow over your head. I don't mean to sound horrible but…who the hell can't kill a baby? That's so easy to do some people do it by accident."

"Oh my God, I never even thought of that." Harry cackled.

They were both laughing together now "Fucking wizarding-born's." Ajith bemoaned "They think they're so superior but if magic disappeared tomorrow, they would all be helpless."

"They really would."

For the rest of the afternoon the two teens talked; compared childhoods, discussed favourite films and books, marvelled at the wizarding world, its good and bad parts, played fetch with the xenomorph and tested out a few other movie monsters when the boggart got bored of that shape.

After a little coaxing they even talked about Harry's thoughts on being the second Hogwarts tournament champion.

To put it simply; he wasn't thrilled about it.

"So, you really didn't put your name in?"

"Hell no!"

"What are you gonna do?"

Harry shrugged. "They say I need to compete. I'm bound by a magical contract that will take away my magic if I don't follow through with it."

"Seriously? You're 14 and someone else signed your name without you knowing! That cannot be binding."

"Dumbledore says it is."

"Fucking wizard's man."

"I know right?"

The boggart, now in the shape of a flying monkey snuggled its way under Harry's arm and he smiled down at it. This was far more enjoyable than his first boggart experience. Which Ajith helpfully informed him was this one's mother.

…

From a hidden vantage point nearby a figure watched and took note before slinking away.

…

Back in the now reinforced Durmstrang ship, where guards were on look out at every entrance, the boys from the Northern European institute gathered.

"It is as we suspected. Whatever the Hogwarts students are plotting, Harry Potter is involved in it."

Please help; if Harry refused to compete what was the consequence? Was it to lose his powers or would he die? I can't remember, I can't find my book to check and the Wiki page just says there would be a magical consequence but doesn't say what. I just guessed.

I was at school with someone famous and couldn't have picked them out of a line up if asked. I stand by the belief that not all the muggleborns were told about Harry or cared enough to find out.

What the heck am I doing? Is this even a story? Is there a plan here? Does anyone know?