A/N: Harry Potter and his world belongs to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights. I am grateful she gives us the privilege of playing in her world.

Premise: Harry is launched into the Tri-wizard Tournament. Abandoned by every one, he gets a little upset and tries to get expelled so he doesn't have to compete. To help him along, the Great Harry is helped by a friend, finds a new one along the way and takes down some of his largest pains in his arse as he goes along...

This is my take on 'Harry gets pissed he's in the tournament' troupe. I hope it is entertaining.

Some Ron and Hermione bashing. He definitely pisses off some people.

Lastly, this is a three part story. One part for each Task. It is written and will have a part posted every two weeks. First post 08 March 2022.

-oOo-

Part 1: The First Task

-oOo-

November 26, 1994

Hogwarts, Scotland

After transfiguring his robes and two loose rocks in the passageway, Harry stepped towards the arena. There was cheering all around as a dragon roared its displeasure at the noise. As he expected, the dragon was in the center and chained.

As he stepped out, he banged the Roman gladius on his transfigured shield. His wand was in a groove on the handle of the gladius-style short sword. He was in a full Roman uniform and armor. If they wanted a spectacle, Harry was going to give them one. The cheering softened as he banged the sword. The dragon stooped down, a disturbing rumbling coming from its throat and eyeing him, apparently very agitated. Seeing a rock nearby that would raise him pretty high up, he climbed up, keeping an eye on the Hungarian Horntail as he faced the judges' stand.

Dumbledore's lips were already pursed, obviously expecting something that was going to embarrass Hogwarts again. Harry smirked to think what he accomplished in the last month. He took the sword and pointed the wand to his throat. "Sonorous," he whispered.

"Hail, Emperor! Those about to die salute you!" he yelled out.

The dragon roared at the shout and moved a little towards him, its wings protecting its nest.

There was some cheering, some laughter and some concerned looks. Harry then gave the judges a two finger salute. Not caring that some boos were starting to come, he spun his sword around. "ACCIO CENTRIES!"

He stood there, defiant of the dragon and the judges, waiting for the first of the animated dummies. It had taken him and Luna a week to make the eighty he wanted. Little had McGonagall known she had given them the clue on the animation spell he needed.

Many seemed very confused until the first one flew over the heads of the people in the top of the stands. The five foot tall wooden statues zoomed in. The dragon roared defiantly and spat flames. Three of them caught fire. Harry watched in fascination as a few blocked the flames with their shields. The three on fire landed with the others, and within second the fire resistant runes had extinguished the fire. One of them was pretty charred and the shield arm fell off. It's spear was still good.

There were reactions of surprise, cheers and screams.

Harry gave the judges a mischievous smirk as he gave them one more two finger salute. Seventy-nine animated training dummies started to bang their pilums, a long spear with a wooden bottom, on their shields. If the other had survived, he would have a full century of eighty Roman soldiers. The sound was almost deafening. Harry smirked as the dragon backed up, moving over its eggs. Harry didn't want to hurt the beast that had been unwillingly put here, like him. He did want that golden egg though.

"Deinceps," he ordered his troops forward. They started to make their way across the uneven ground.

The dragon, sensing the danger, roared and charged forward. "Arcam formare. Pilum usque." The soldiers formed a box, the front troops with shields out, the back troops with shields on the top, making a box out of the shields.

Harry was glad Luna had drilled these basic commands into his head. He had six he could use. Jumping down, he just had time to jump into the box, shields out and spears up as the horntail sent a jet of fire at them. The fire slipped off the shields like water. "Luna, you are brilliant," he said. She hadn't done all this, but she had thought up much of it. Harry was her general and she his mad scientist and animal handler. He had just enough time to think how insane the last twenty-five days had been... then the fire stopped. Harry looked between a gap and saw the dragon, its neck moving as it made a gravely purr.

"Deinceps!"

They started to move again. The horntail took a step back and to the side. "Ius," he barked, and they turned right, moving the horntail back, still in the defensive box. When they were within a hundred feet of the dragon, it sent another long spout of fire. It was getting a little warm inside his box, and when it stopped, two of his sparing dummies had fallen. Ones from the back row had filled in the gaps.

"Left group, spread out. Use pilum," he ordered. "Front phylum, deinceps. Use pilum."

The twenty to his left rushed out and started to flank the dragon while the ones directly before him marched forward. Forty of the enchanted training dummies advanced on the dragon. Yellow bolts of energy started to flash from the pilum. The dragon roared in challenge before roaring in pain. The yellow flashes were a high power stinging hex Harry had found. A single, or even ten wizards probably wouldn't have harmed the dragon. Forty pilum firing in rapid succession was another thing.

Once the dragon backed up, Harry took his chance. "Right and rear, wall before me." As the other thirty-seven lined up, he dashed for the egg. The dragon must have seen him. The roar of rage it gave was heard over the cheering crowd. He made the nest by the time the dragon flew up a dozen feet and came down on four of the dummies. They raised their shields but splintered under the weight of the dragon. The others turned and it was a melee of claws, tails, yellow flashes, shields and wood splinters.

"Use pilums!" Harry yelled out as he ran behind the wall of his rear guard. By now, only fourteen of the front line were still standing. The roar of the crowd was almost louder than the terrifying mother dragon. His rear guard were hitting the dragon and it stumbled, almost like it was drunk. Harry had a feeling the numbing effect as the stings wore off were starting to affect the dragon.

He was well beyond the length of the dragon chains and fire when he stopped just outside the exit door. He stood, panting a little, and observed the troops fighting the dragon. It was a good five minutes before the horntail fell, her chest heaving with exertion and whimpering as the remaining twenty-five troops continued to sting her. "Areste!"

The dummies stopped. "Formation."

They all straightened and marched over to him. The dragon gave a pitiful roar. The rest of the eggs were safe.

When his guard came up, Harry looked up at the judges defiantly. Putting the egg down, he took his sword and stabbed it through the top. A god awful screeching resounded around the stadium. Even Harry had to cover his ears at first. When it didn't stop, he pointed his wand. "Bombarda!"

The blasting hex hit the egg and exploded. Shrapnel flew everywhere. When it stopped clattering around, only the labored breathes of the dragon could be heard. Harry turned back to the judges' stand and gave a two finger salute. "Hail Emperor! We who are about to die salute you!"

He turned before the stadium erupted in noise. Harry had his guard follow him out.

-oOo-

Twenty-five days earlier...

November 1, 1994

Hogwarts, Scotland

Harry sat on a stair, leaning against the wall, in a small tower off the east wing. He was positive it was an area that almost no one ever wandered too. A fact he was grateful for as he had used it for his hide-out for the day. After finding the kitchens this morning when he asked Fred and George, Harry had come up here.

He was trying to get over the sting of being thrown into another school year that was trying to kill him. The worst part was that no one believed him. Oh, the Gryffindors were very pleased to see him be picked. The party in his favour looked rather nice. That all soured when both Ron and Hermione didn't back him.

Sighing, he tried to force himself to figure out what to do. He had twenty-four days to prepare and no clue what he was preparing for.

Opening the rule book that Crouch had shoved in his hands last night, he started to read it again. Maybe on the third time he could find some way out of this. His stomach was starting to grumble when a squeaky voice said, "The Great Harry Potter, sir?"

Harry looked down to see Dobby. The elf had been so pleased to see him this morning in the kitchen.

"What is it, Dobby?"

"Many are looking for the Great Harry Potter. Professor Flitwick is getting close, sir. Does the Great Harry want to be found?" Dobby asked.

Harry blinked at Dobby. "Ah, not really," he said. Harry wasn't really ready to face anyone yet.

Dobby nodded. "Dobby didn't think so. If the Great Harry wants, Dobby can take him away."

"Ah, sure," Harry said.

Dobby nodded and then took his hand. The elf pulled him down the stairs and up a floor. "Where are we going?"

"Dobby knows of rooms. Rooms used in years past. All the elvses knows the rooms," Dobby told him. Harry realized they were on the sixth floor. Dobby stopped at a tapestry, looked left and right, then slipped around the side of the tapestry.

Harry followed.

"The Great Harry can be using these rooms," Dobby told him, opening a door.

"Dobby, if anyone can open it, they will find me quickly," Harry said.

Dobby got a little smile on his face. "Oh, no. No. No. The professors and headmaster is not being able to enter these rooms."

Harry looked at the elf curiously. "What do you mean?"

"These rooms are elvses rooms. Meant for elvses. Elvses used rooms by kitchen now. There is not being as many of us now. Dobby ask the elvses agree Harry Potter can use them if he needs," said Dobby. "As long as the Great Harry doesn't damage or abuse them."

The first smile since last night came over his face. "Brilliant, Dobby. I'm going to get you all the socks you want. If the other elves want anything, just let me know," Harry said happily as he followed Dobby in. He secretly feared that the rooms would be small, but he was surprised to find a circular room a good fifteen or sixteen feet across. There was a fireplace with a cozy fire in it. Several chairs, all normal size, were before it. There were several desks with chairs around the room, looking ready to study. Four doors led off from the room.

"There is a bedroom through that door. Elvses quarters through there. A bath in there. The last door is another bedroom the Great Harry should not use," Dobby said.

"Dobby, if the elves aren't using this place, who is?" Harry asked. It had a feel like it has been used recently.

"Other elf friend, the Great Harry."

"Who?"

"Dobby is not knowing, but only those given access by an elf will be allowed in," Dobby assured him.

"Brilliant," he said again. His stomach growled. He knew it was after dinner now.

"Does the Great Harry need dinner, sir?"

Harry sighed. "I have my invisibility cloak. I can sneak down to the kitchens."

Dobby shook his head. "Dobby is getting the Great Harry some dinner. Just sit and Dobby gets."

"Dobby," he started, but the excitable elf snapped his fingers and was gone. With a sigh, Harry took a seat in one of the chairs and looked at the fire. He barely had time to settle in when a steaming plate of beef, potatoes, parsnips, green beans and thick dark bread with a generous slather of butter was on the table next to him. He went for the goblet of water before realizing there was a butterbeer. "Thank you, Dobby."

"Yous is welcome, sir. If the Great Harry needs anything, call for Dobby."

"Thanks, Dobby." Harry took up the butterbeer and saluted the elf. He was hungry and ate the whole plate, using the bread to wipe the plate clean.

Once done, he leaned back in the chair, feeling just spent from the last twenty-four hours. After a few, he took out the rules book again. "Maybe I can figure a way out of this," he said to himself, starting to read again.

-oOo-

November 2, 1994

Hogwarts, Scotland

"Is he still alive?" someone asked.

Harry groaned. He was still tired, and it still felt early.

"Missy should leave mister alone," a squeaky female voice said.

"Ten mo'," Harry muttered. He didn't usually sleep in, but he was tired. He had not slept the night before. He had stayed up late making sure he had read the rules correctly and was trying to make up a plan to get out of it when he must have finally fallen asleep.

Something lightly poked his forehead.

"Gert off, Won."

A girl giggled. "I think he is waking."

"Dobby said master should sleep, miss," the elf said, sounding concerned.

He lazily opened his eyes when he was poked in the forehead again. "What? Can't I sleep?"

The blurry boy he had expected to see was instead sky-blue eyes with a few wisps of blonde hair. Harry started, shooting up and crawling up the chair. A second later, he fell in a heap on the floor. Groaning at the pain in his arm, the little house elf next to the girl ran to hide behind her legs. "What was that for?" Harry asked, looking up.

A blonde girl he didn't recognize was looking down at him, her head cocked and looking curiously at him. "I wasn't sure if you were still alive when I came in. I mean, you were breathing, but you could still breathe if a dementor had taken your soul, or you let a wormpuffle borrow your body. You didn't let a wormpuffle borrow your body, did you?" The girl sounded concerned.

"A what?" he asked, sitting up and rubbing the arm that had cushioned his fall. "Who are you?"

"That is a good question. Winky, who am I today?" The girl turned to the small female elf as though honestly curious. Harry looked to the small elf. He couldn't see her properly, but he had only met one elf so far by that name and she had been sacked by Crouch a few months ago.

"You is being Missy Luna, Missy Luna," the elf replied.

"Oh, right. Some mornings I wake up and I am different, but I am always Luna by breakfast," the barmy girl answered.

"Ah, sure. You see my glasses?"

"I have them. I didn't want you to break them if you fell," she said. "That is a real possibility if a wormpuffle tried to move you about while it's in you."

Harry gave a nervous laugh. "Ah, sure. What time is it?"

"Close to eleven," she said.

"And you don't know who you are yet?"

"Well, I did miss breakfast. I couldn't find the high laced boots I like to wear on days I have Professor Hagrid. He is one of my favorite teachers," she told him, moving her head to the other side.

"Why do you keep looking at me like that?" Harry questioned, standing up.

"You usually have a bad wrackspurt infestation, but I don't see many today. You feel rather resolute in a major decision, don't you?" she put to him.

He chuckled nervously. "You don't think I cheated my way in?"

"Hardly. You doubt yourself to much at times. You never would have put your name in," she informed him. "When you are resolute, though, magic swirls around you. It's rather pleasant."

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh, nothing important. Are you hungry? Winky was going to bring me an early lunch and I was going to work on my transfiguration. I don't have any more classes today," she told him.

He blinked a few times. "What for lunch?"

"Corn beef sandwiches and puddings," she said cheerfully.

"Winky can get master Potter something else," Winky offered.

"Ah, corn beef sandwiches are fine."

"Extra mustard on mine, please," Luna said, turning and doing a single hop before jumping into the other chair.

Harry wasn't sure what to think of her yet. "So, I'm Harry Potter," he introduced himself.

"Luna Lovegood. It is a pleasure to meet you again," she told him, taking a satchel and opening it. Her arms disappeared almost to her shoulders, and she stuck her face into it. Harry's eyebrows rose. He hadn't seen magic like that yet. After three years, Harry was still surprised by magic most days.

"What do you mean again?"

"Oh, I ran into you at a zoo the year before you started. I don't think you recognized me though. You were busy talking to a snake at the time. Here it if," her muffled voice came to him.

Harry remembered that day. "You were there? You didn't see me get my cousin trapped in the glass, did you?" he asked her a little apprehensively. He still remembered the beating after that.

"I felt bad for the zoo. No one would want to see that," she told him. She had a quill, a notebook and two leather bound books.

Harry chuckled, the fear of that day lessening. "What were you doing there?"

"Daddy heard they may have had captured an amaru by accident. He wanted to get it out. Amaru really don't belong around non-magicals," she said as though it was the most obvious thing.

Harry had no clue what an amaru was, so only said, "Makes sense."

Luna looked up. Her sky-blue eyes were piercing. "It makes you look more intelligent if you ask what something is instead of just pretending."

"What is an amaru?" Harry asked, starting to like this girl.

"A snake that lives in the Andes in South America. It's got a fringe of feathers and wings. Non-magicals mistake them for a fuzzy boa constrictor. They are usually only visible to those with the sight, but when they are ready to mate, non-magicals can see them. It can be very dangerous for the amaru," she informed him. She took a stick out of her hair. Harry hadn't realized her hair had been holding up her messy bun. She pointed it at the carpet, muttered something, and a small table appeared before them.

His eyes widened. "Woah. We haven't learned that in class yet."

"I would think not. I found this in a library book last year. It's been very useful, though the house elves keep offering to get me a small table. I don't like using them like that."

As she put her school stuff on the table, two plates appeared on the table between the chairs with water and orange juice. "They have orange juice here?" Harry questioned, looking at it. He thought he would have to wait until the summer to sneak some.

"I ask Winky if she would. I prefer it freshly squeezed and lots of pulp. You should sit down and eat," she told him, taking the plate with a corn beef sandwich. The one next to Harry was piled with freshly made crisps that were still hot.

They sat in silence as they ate. Luna was working on her transfiguration revision. When he was done, he sat back into his chair. He couldn't hide forever, but he didn't really want to go out either. After a moment, he asked, "How long have the house elves considered you a friend?"

"They were very kind to me first year and I have always been kind to them," she replied.

With a full stomach, he was starting to think clearer. "Do people seem upset with me?"

"I think many are jealous or confused. What do you plan to do?"

Harry had been thinking about that. He didn't know this girl, but she had done nothing yet to show she judged him, hated him, loved him or anything in-between. "I'm not totally sure," he replied.

"That is not true," she simply said, scratching away on the thick pages in the book.

He snorted. "If you are so smart, then what is it I am going to do?"

"I am unsure, but I told you earlier that you had made a decision. Tell me if you want, but I don't see you changing your mind." Luna still concentrated on her work.

"Who are you," he asked curiously.

"Luna Lovegood. Do I need to be someone else?" she honestly queried, turning her head to look at him.

Harry laughed for some reason. "No. Fine. I plan to get myself thrown out of Hogwarts."

She regarded him for a moment, then nodded. "Alright."

Luna then turned back to her work.

Harry was a little surprised. "Just 'alright'? You aren't going to convince me to stay or anything?"

"I think it silly of me to fight against one that has made up their mind. May I make a suggestion?" she put to him.

"What is that?"

"You should have a plan if the headmaster decides not to expel you," she told him.

Harry scrunched his face. "Oh."

"Do not doubt yourself. The wrackspurts will return," she stated.

"Uhm, sure." Harry just watched her work for a while.

"If you are just going to watch me, I think your time better spent on focusing on your two plans and taking action. Unless you like watching me? I don't turn fourteen until February and daddy said I should be at least fourteen before I date," she said, flipping a page in her book.

Harry had to admit the slight blonde was rather cute, but almost nine-months younger. On the other hand, he had never felt so at ease with anyone this quickly. "Yeah. I guess I need my books... and some new clothes."

"A shower would be nice too. I am sorry to say, but you do have an odor to you," she commented.

Harry wasn't sure what to say. "Uhm. Yeah."

He got up and looked around the room. He really didn't want to go up to Gryffindor tower. There was nothing for it though and he knew he would have too.

"You can ask your elf to bring stuff here. Sometimes Winky helps me when I sleep here," Luna said in a small voice.

Harry turned to her. "Why do you sleep here?"

Luna didn't say anything for a moment. When she spoke, her voice was soft. "I know my belongings don't just wander away. Sometimes I need a place where I feel safe. That was why the house elves showed me this place."

Harry's mouth pursed. "Luna, are you being bullied?"

"Others think I am not right. I just... my mum used to say I see the world differently. It has been nice to talk with someone that doesn't look at me like I am Loony Lovegood," she admitted.

At that moment, Harry decided he had just made a new friend. One that didn't look at him as this larger than life hero for things he never did or couldn't remember. The events he could claim were mostly unknown. "I don't think that, Luna. Let me call Dobby and then I need to figure out how I am going to get things done."

Luna turned to him, a dreamy smile on her face. "The wrackspurts are all running from you."

-oOo-

November 3, 1994

Hogwarts, Scotland

Harry was trying to sneak back to Gryffindor Tower. He wanted a few more of his books, all charms and DADA related. After talking with Luna, she suggested he play to his strengths. To him, that meant the magic he was best at: charms and DADA.

He had just made it down the steps towards the second floor when he heard voices. Harry stopped, afraid he had scuffed his feet or something else.

"Thank you, Mr. Diggory. If you see him, please let me know," he heard Professor McGonagall.

"I will, professor."

Harry watched as the sandy-hair head boy walked out of the hall and down the stairs.

"Filius, what are we going to do? Albus says the wards can't locate him," he heard his professor.

"I don't know, Minerva. Is it possible that Potter has finally cracked and left? I wouldn't blame the boy with all he had been through. I know I heard some in my house talking about how deadly this tournament was in the past. I don't think a single Ravenclaw put in their name," the diminutive charms professor replied.

He heard the clack of McGonagall's boots and saw them come to the edge of the stairwell. McGonagall had pursed lips. "I am unsure. I figured him braver than this."

"Is it not brave at times to retreat and live to fight another day?"

There was a pause. "Perhaps. He cannot skip anymore classes though. The poor boy has to face a dragon at the end of the month. Not to mention having to swim to the merpeople village or the maze at the end of the year. As skilled and lucky Potter is, I fear this is all going to be too much."

Harry stood frozen on the stairs as though he had been hit with a body bind. He dared not move as his heart pounded in his chest. A bloody dragon! was his first thought.

"Minerva, I didn't think we knew all the challenges yet?" Flitwick asked, looking around as though to check they were not being listened in on.

"I have been told as Deputy Headmistress since I need to approve the import of certain creatures. They have to retrieve something from a dragon at the first task. On the second task, they have to swim to the merpeople to get something they hold dear. Albus won't tell me what yet. The worst is the maze. It will be full of creatures and tests that would task even a fully qualified wizard," she commented.

"Perhaps it would be better to offer Potter private lessons in the evenings then. He is three years behind in studies compared to the other champions," Flitwick suggested.

"I suggested that as well, but Albus said the rules would not allow it," McGonagall stated.

"Have you read the rules?" the small professor asked.

"I have not had time too," she replied.

Flitwick frowned. "Minerva, we are allowed to teach the champions anything they ask for, as long as we don't help them with the task directly. I was also surprised that the judges agreed to let Potter participate."

She looked to the man. "What do you mean?"

"Simple. The headmaster and judges had ways to let Potter off. Surely you knew that?"

"Why didn't you say anything?" she questioned the man with a hard tone.

"It wasn't my place. I thought you would all resolve that when you chased after him," Flitwick responded.

"What ways can we get him out of this?"

"Only two ways now: either he is expelled or dies. A champion is to play for a school. If the school disowns him, he is not a champion anymore. If you or the headmaster had refused to acknowledge him as your school champion three times before the Goblet of Fire or the judges ruled him unfit, then he would have been released from the contract as well. All of that had to be done by sunset of the next day though."

The fear at facing a dragon was replaced with a cold fury. Harry had thought he misunderstood that part of the rules and that was why no one tried to get him out of this stupid tournament.

McGonagall just stood there. "Albus and Barty said there was no way to get him out of it."

"Either Albus or Barty lied, or they are both losing it as they age. Personally, I have been starting to question Albus' sanity in the last few years. He has made some questionable decisions that have put our students at great danger," Flitwick stated.

McGonagall pursed her lips. "Albus is a great man... but, yes. I have not agreed with some of his decisions in the last year. That is not the important part though. We need to find Potter and do all we can to help him."

"Then I suggest we offer private lessons," Flitwick reiterated.

McGonagall pursed her lips. "I shall talk with Albus again."

"You don't need permission from him for everything. Good night, Minerva. I must get to bed now," Flitwick said, moving to come up the stairs.

Harry shuffled to make sure he was on the side. He knew Flitwick's offices, and probably his quarters, were on the third floor. As the man passed, Harry held his breath. He let it out once the professor left the stairs. McGonagall was still standing where she had been left, looking as though she was thinking.

"When I get me hands on him..." she muttered before going down the stairs, probably heading towards Gryffindor tower in the main keep.

"Bloody hell, dragons," Harry muttered, sinking down onto the stairs, trying to figure out where he should go. He had nothing in his trunk that really talked about dragons. After a moment, he got up, determined to survive and make as big of fools as he could of those that had gotten him stuck in this mess.

-oOo-

November 6, 1994

Hogwarts, Scotland

"Mr. Potter!" an angry Scots woman descended on her.

For almost six days he had successfully avoided everyone. Today he found he had to leave his new sanctuary without wearing his invisibility cloak so he could go into the library and then find the Weasley twins.

"Professor," he said in a calm voice as he continued to look up the charms books he wanted.

"Don't 'professor' me young man. Where have you been for the last week? You have not been to any classes, have not been in your dorm and not eaten in the Great Hall. The sheer number of rules violations..." she just about spat.

Harry sighed. "Professor, I am trying to look up some information for the tournament. Can we do this later?"

The woman looked shocked, and then livider than he had ever seen her. When she raised her voice, everyone in the library that wasn't paying attention to him was now. "I will not take this blatant disrespect. You will have detention for the next week, and we are going to see the headmaster."

"No," he said simply, opening one of the books he had wanted and leafed through it. Two of the spells he had heard of from Luna were in here. He put the book under his arm as the Head of Gryffindor House and the Deputy-Headmistress just glared at him.

"Now, Potter," she snapped.

"No," he repeated. He wasn't done yet.

She grabbed the books out of his arm, put them on a table and grabbed his arm. Harry ripped his arm out of her grasp. "I said no! I am working on the tournament, and you can't stop me."

Her lips pursed. She seemed to notice that all the students in the library were looking at them and Madam Pince was walking towards the disturbance. "Can I help you, Minerva?" Madam Pince asked.

"I need Potter to come with me," McGonagall stated.

"I really need to look through these books," Harry retorted.

"You are making a scene," Madam Pince hissed.

Harry huffed. "I was being quiet."

McGonagall looked ready to bite nails. "The headmaster needs to see you."

"He can go fudder himself," Harry retorted, taking the books. Knowing the man had twice been able to get him out of this and had seemed to be too senile to do so, had really started to rankle him over the last few days.

Both woman gasped.

"That is enough, Potter," she said, grabbing the books out of his hand again.

"I need those," he yelled.

"I need both of you out of here now," Madam Pince demanded.

Harry huffed. "I will be back in a little bit. Please hold those for me, Madam Pince."

"I think you have caused enough disturbance for the day," she told him.

Harry screwed up his face and then tried to calm himself. "Are you pleased now? There maybe information I need on for the first task and now I can't get it," he snapped at McGonagall.

Before she could say anything, he pushed past them and was on his way out of the library. He knew this was coming, he just wanted a few more days to make sure his plan would work before he started to go 'mental' on everyone. Luna was right. He needed a backup plan if he couldn't get himself expelled. Well, plan A was going into effect sooner than expected.

As he stormed out of the library, McGonagall called out, "Potter, get back here.

Harry put his hand over his shoulder and gave her a two finger salute as he headed towards the third floor. He didn't really want to get her upset, but she had started it and he wasn't going to put up with any flack.

He was already far down the hall before he heard the distinctive clack of McGonagall's boots. He walked at a brisk pace and was at the gargoyle before she could half the distance between them. "Open up. The old man wants to talk to me," he said irritably. He knew he wasn't quiet the Harry everyone expected at the moment, but his irritation was real, even if this was part of his plan.

"Potter," McGonagall snapped again.

Harry made a production of rolling his eyes as he turned to her. "Professor?"

Her lips just about disappeared. She just glared at him as she walked up to the statue. "Ice mice."

The statue opened and Harry stepped in, catching the moving stairs and leisurely riding up. He wanted to get back to the library and get those books, but instead he was here. When they got to the top, he just stood there. After a moment, she huffed and walked past him, knocking on the door.

"Come in," the calm voice of Dumbledore could be heard. She opened the door and indicated for him to go in first. Harry complied.

Inside, the office looked much like it always did, except a few of the spindly contractions that always whirled or spat out smoke looked to recently have melted. "Harry, by boy," the old man said. Harry looked and thought he saw relief on the man's face. "You have given us a small fright this past week. May I ask why you have run away for so long?"

"I didn't run," Harry replied.

The man looked at him. Harry defiantly met the man's eyes. "We certainly have not seen you. Either way, now that you are back, you can get back to your classes and friends. Before you do, I would like a conversation."

"Albus, he has been missing for a week! You certainly don't mean to just let this slide?" McGonagall said incredulously.

"I think Harry has had quite the shock," Dumbledore said.

"A shock you could have fixed," Harry muttered.

"What was that, my boy?" Dumbledore asked.

"A shock you could have fixed, old man," Harry said a little louder in a bitter tone.

McGonagall's eyes widened. "Potter, that is enough."

Dumbledore held up a hand. "I am sensing some anger towards me. May I ask why?"

Harry just snorted, taking the rulebook for the Tournament out of his pocket. He plopped it onto the headmaster's desk. He knew it almost by heart now. "Page 14 and 16. You had a chance to reject me as a Champion for Hogwarts or for the judges to declare they thought I wasn't capable."

McGonagall eyes narrowed at Harry's tone until she seemed to process what he just said, turning her ire to the headmaster. "I told you that was the way those clauses were to be interpreted."

Harry had been grateful to overhear her and Professor Flitwick.

Dumbledore steepled his hands. "Hindsight is always perfect, Minerva. I told you Barty and me were not sure how those rules would work since Hogwarts already had a champion and I would not risk Harry that way."

"But you did agree. The rules say only students from Hogwarts, Durmstrang or Beauxbatons could participate. Are you saying I am not a student here?" Harry said a little excitedly. He would do anything to save his friends, but he did not want to fight the dragon.

"You are correct, Harry, but there were many uncertain things going on that night," Dumbledore commented.

"Then why not have the judges declare him incapable?" McGonagall questioned.

Dumbledore sighed. Harry had the impression the two of them had been arguing about this for days. "We simply didn't think about it that night," Dumbledore said, his voice sounding tired. "As for your other question, you are not expelled, Harry."

He snapped his fingers. "Damn," he muttered.

"You want to be expelled?" McGonagall queried.

"That would get me out of the tournament. I sent off a letter to Ilvermorny about possibly transferring there," Harry told them.

Both looked at him slightly alarmed. "You can't do that without permission," Dumbledore said quickly.

"Why would you do that?" McGonagall asked.

"Could be that I am entered into a tournament known to kill and the ones that are supposed to be watching out for me never seen to do anything to protect me," Harry shot back.

Dumbledore steadied himself. "We are doing all we can to ensure your safety, Harry. Now, I think you need to not worry about it as much, put in your best effort and get back to normal."

Harry chuckled. "I don't feel safe here and I am not normal," Harry countered. "Now, if you excuse me, I need to get back to the library."

Harry turned to walk out.

"Harry, we are not done," Dumbledore declared behind him.

"I am. If you are not going to make sure I am safe and live through this, I am going to make sure I do," Harry commented, turning again.

"Potter, that is enough of this attitude. I expect to see you in classes tomorrow and to treat all the professors with respect," she imperiously told him.

"If they treat me with respect, I will treat them the same. I also don't plan to attend classes, at least until after the first task, maybe not then either," Harry told her.

"Harry, you need to attend classes," Dumbledore said, his calm voice fading a little.

"Not really. By the rules of the tournament, I am allowed to do anything I need to prepare. I am excused from all classes, tests and exams. Unless I am not a contestant?" Harry pressed.

Dumbledore pinched the bridge of his nose.

"If you are not in classes tomorrow, you will get detention for each class you miss," McGonagall warned.

"How many detentions do I need to gather to be expelled?" Harry questioned, not knowing the answer to that.

"You are not being expelled, Harry," Dumbledore stated.

"I won't be going to classes or detentions," he answered. "Hopefully Pince will excuse the disturbance earlier. I really need those books."

This time he was allowed to make it to the door. "Potter, you will start sleeping in your dorm room again," McGonagall demanded.

"Oh, about that, my trunk was moved out of there today. I am staying elsewhere in the castle," he told her.

"You can not do that without the headmaster's permission," Dumbledore said.

"Then expel me," Harry challenged.

Dumbledore gave him a level look. "I am not going to expel you."

"Then I am sleeping somewhere else. Have a good afternoon."

"You need to eat in the Great Hall," McGonagall said in a last ditch attempt.

Harry threw his hand over his shoulder, giving them a two finger salute.

"Mister Potter!" his Head of House yelled and Harry slammed the door.

He rushed down the stairs and got his invisibility cloak on. He was surprised that he wasn't chased. It did take him almost ten minutes to convince Madam Pince to give him the books. When he finally got back to the elf quarters, he was upset for losing out on almost forty minutes of study.

-oOo-

November 8, 1994

Hogwarts, Scotland

Harry and Dobby had looked everywhere for some training dummies in the castle. He needed them to practice. The only ones they found were broken in an old DADA room.

"How am I supposed to practice without the proper gear?" Harry huffed.

"Dobby is not knowing," Dobby said.

Harry, frustrated and tired, kicked the dummy they found. It toppled over into an old book case. The noise echoed in the room for a moment. "Bloody great," he groused.

After levitating the dummy up, he bent down to look at the old books. Maybe there was something here that he could use. Looking at them, he doubted they were newer than a few hundred years old. Even so, he opened the covers.

Basic Dueling and when to Strike by Henric Gustave. Flipping a few pages Harry quickly realized the dueling in it was very outdated and tossed it back on the floor.

Roman Military Tactics and Magical Battle translated by Salvatore Petrucci. Harry thought that sounded interesting and put it to the side.

To Sting or Cut: A practical guide to know when to hex and when to curse. He didn't see an author but thought that might be something worth looking through.

There was a half dozen other books, but none of them caught his interest.

"Right. Dobby, could you get this to the room, please? I promised Luna I would go to dinner tonight," he told the elf. Isolating himself for the last eight days had probably been enough by now.

"Yes, the Great Harry," Dobby said. The elf snapped his fingers and the old dummy vanished. After a second snap, Dobby followed it.

He put the two books into the pocket of his cloak. He had stopped wearing the school robes, but it was still chilly in the castle at times. Luna had taught him how to put an extension charm on his pockets. She wasn't skilled enough yet to do an undetectable extension charm, but she was determined to get it by next year.

As quirky as the girl was, she seemed brighter than Hermione. She was also a good teacher, and learner when she asked Harry to show her something. Harry chuckled to think how she laughed when she finally got the summoning charm and kept summoning little marbles she had. That was one Harry had thought useful when he was going through his fourth grade charms book. It had taken him three days to finally get it.

As he came down, the Great Hall was already full. He caught site of Luna at the end of the Ravenclaw table and went right for her, ignoring the few eyes that caught sight of him. Soon the entire hall was talking and pointing as he sat.

"Any luck?" Luna asked as she read a book in her lap.

"Not really," Harry replied, starting to put food on his plate.

By now, the hall was almost quiet as a man in black billowy robes was walking down between the Slytherin and Ravenclaw tables.

"I am sure we will find what we need," Luna assured him. "Now, if we could just get some dire wolves..."

Harry, getting used to this by now didn't even question her. She would let him know if it was something important.

"Potter," the angry voice of Snape said. "What are you doing here? I thought you ran away?"

Harry took a bite of his bread before answering, "Youss Wissss," he said with a full mouth.

The man sneered at him. "Manners, Potter! Well, since you haven't run away, detention for the next week. You will not miss my classes again."

Harry just shrugged, turning to the stew he had put in his bowl.

Snape looked ready to say something else when Flitwick asked, "Professor, is this the place to do this?"

Snape snarled. "You are right. Come with me, Potter," Snape said, grabbing his arm.

Harry took his wand out and yelled, "Depulso!"

Snape, caught totally off guard, went flying across the room and landed on his back, just before he would have slammed into a wall. "Do not touch me," Harry yelled.

There was a commotion at the Head table. The hall had fallen very quiet, as though holding its breath. Flitwick moved to cover Harry.

"That is enough, Mr. Potter," Flitwick said and Harry didn't feel like the man was yelling at him.

"I won't let him touch me again, Professor," Harry informed the man

Snape rolled over, pushing to his feet and his wand up. There was murder in the man's eyes. "You dare cast at me, you little..."

"Enough, Severus. Mr. Potter, to my office," Dumbledore commanded as he rushed down the table.

Harry put his wand into his sleeve and sat back down. "I am eating," Harry said, taking his bread and dipping it into the stew. Harry saw something out of the corner of his eye. He kicked out to throw Luna over as he pushed back. Two red spells crashed into the table. There were a few screams. By the time Harry scrambled up, his wand towards Snape, the man was in a full body bind and ropes were shooting out of Flitwick's wand. "You dare to harm a student!"

There was noise all over the place. Harry looked to Luna. She was sitting up, rubbing her arms. A chunk of the table was missing from where she had been sitting. A gouge was where his bowl had been.

Looking at the man, Dumbledore now had his own wand out. Harry felt his wand pull in his hand. "NO!" he shouted, holding onto it as the sting hit his hand. He pushed his magic out to hold onto his want. He was pulled up as he grabbed it with his other hand. Dumbledore's eyes widened as Harry was pulled towards him and they collided.

There was a cackling laugh from the front table as Harry bowled over the Head Master...

-oOo-

A little while later...

Hogwarts, Scotland

Harry sat in a chair in the headmaster's office. Dumbledore and Snape were going at it. McGonagall was looking worried for once. Harry was just bored. As Snape pointed at him and called him a name again, Harry asked, "Am I expelled or not? I would like to go pack my bags," Harry said. Neither of the men heard him.

Harry sighed. "HEY! OLD PEOPLE!" Harry yelled.

Snape looked ready to pop a vein. "He needs to be expelled," Snape spat back.

"Fine by me," Harry agreed, standing up.

"Sit down, Mr. Potter. You are not expelled," Dumbledore told him in that annoying calm voice.

"Then is Snape being fired for attacking me?"

"You little brat...!"

"Severus, that is enough. Please leave me to talk with Harry," Dumbledore told the man.

Severus gave the Headmaster and Harry a loathing look, and then stormed out of the room. Albus looked at Harry. "Harry, it has come to my attention that you missed two more days of classes."

"I said I am not going," Harry told the man.

"Potter, you have to go. Are you looking to fail this year?" Professor McGonagall questioned.

"I am looking to survive," he countered.

"Harry, going to class will be the best way to prepare for the tasks," Dumbledore told him.

"I shouldn't have to prepare for the task, or are you forgetting? Either expel me now or get out of my way," Harry told the old wind bag.

"You will not talk to us as such..."

"Then expel me!" Harry yelled at McGonagall. He really was done with them. For the second time this week he went to make for the door.

"Harry, please sit and we will talk about all this. I can see you are not taking this well," Dumbledore observed.

"I don't have time for you, old man." Harry reached the door, and it wouldn't open. "I can claim you are keeping a champion from preparing."

"I don't think talking about your future academic career is keeping you from preparing," Dumbledore replied.

"I don't care. According to the rules I don't need any tests or anything this year. I automatically get an Exceeds Expectations, and can earn Outstandings if I prove myself in the task," Harry explained. "Or are you not familiar with the rules? Oh, yeah." Harry laughed. "You don't understand the rules, otherwise I would not be in this mess. Let me out."

As though the castle had heard him, the lock on the door clicked. Harry swung it open and gave them the two finger salute as he walked out.

Storming out, Harry was ready to just walk away, but he didn't want to lose his magic. It was the only reason he wasn't running yet. He was down the hall and to the stairwell when someone called out to him.

"Harry!" someone called behind him.

Harry stopped. "Hermione, I am not in the mood tonight."

"Where are you going! I haven't seen you all week! Ron says you are not sleeping in the dorms," she said, breathing hard as she caught up to him.

"I moved out of the dorms. Now, if you excuse me, I am hungry. I have a few books to work through tonight and I don't have time for people that don't believe me," he told her. The pain of Ron and her rejecting him last week was still raw.

"We didn't know who to believe. I don't believe you did now, but it doesn't look good with you just disappearing. The Daily Prophet..." Hermione was saying.

"I really don't care, Hermione! I needed you to believe me that night. I needed anyone to believe me that night." He snorted. "Well, one person did. Good night, Hermione."

"But, Harry," she started.

Harry cut her off. "Hermione, you made it clear you stand with Ron and everyone else."

With that, he turned and made his way towards the East Wing. He was hungry. He was annoyed. He was sad and upset with himself for saying that to Hermione, but he needed her that night. She didn't believe him. He wasn't in the forgiving mood at the moment.

"Harry, it was just confusing that night," she called after him.

"There is no confusion in this," he told her, saluting her with the two fingers he had used just minutes before. The sob he heard hurt, but he just wanted to survive. He couldn't afford anyone that doubted him right now.

-oOo-

November 11, 1994

Hogwarts, Scotland

Luna bounced into the room. "Professor McGonagall is looking for you," she said in a sing song voice.

"That is nice. Look what I can do now," he said excitedly. He took one of the small transfigured dolls they had been working on. Harry had found some old battle tactics for fighting dragons and wanted to recreate them. He circled his wand, then did a slash before doing a squiggle. As he squiggled his wand, he said, "Animal militis."

The doll stood up and snapped to attention as though it was at parade attention.

Luna clapped as she put her satchel down. "Can it move?"

Still holding his wand, he just stuck it up. "Forward," he ordered. The doll started to move forward.

"Now, can you cast it on a giant?"

He blinked at her. "I thought we were going to make a few that were about five feet tall?"

"I just figured if you could change the ground to mud, then animate a thirty foot tall dummy, they could mud wrestle. I hear that is quite entertaining."

Harry laughed at her. "Luna, your brilliant, but I doubt I have that much power."

She shrugged her shoulders. "I think you can do more than you think. Now, I have a scroll due for Magical Creatures tomorrow and I would like to finish it before I have to go to lunch."

"Don't you have a class right now?"

"Professor Binns won't know I am not there. Getting this done is more important," she informed him.

"Why?"

"That is because this is for you," she told him, as though it was obvious.

"For me? Luna, I can skip classes, you can't," he reasoned with her.

"Most times people don't ever notice if I am around or not," she replied. "I still get Outstandings on most things. I just don't think we learn everything we need in a classroom. Now, be quiet and let me think," she chastised him.

He laughed. He didn't know what she was working on, but he was sure it would be good.

Harry smiled at the petite blonde. She really wasn't loony. Harry preferred eccentric when he thought of Luna. She was even more brilliant than Hermione at times.

When it was just about noon, she blew on the parchment. All that time he had practiced the new spell he had found. First, he had one walking around the elf room. Then two. He had fifteen of the transfigured dolls before Luna was ready. He was practicing using them in a formation. "Here," she told him, packing her bag.

"What is this?"

"It's about dragons. I promised you I would find a way to incapacitate them without really hurting them."

Harry looked at the paper, expecting a report, instead he was looking at a diagram of a dragon. A Welch Green, if he wasn't mistaken. It highlighted dangerous points and weak points. When he flipped to the next page, he found diagrams of what looked like Roman armor and weapons. "What is all this?"

"Romans would stun dragons to get their eggs and harvest scales. The scales would grow back, but they were extremely strong and resistant, making them very valuable for the scale armor the officers and elite corps would use. They found a way to enchant pilus spears with a stinging spell that would eventually put them to sleep. It hurts them a little, but in a day or so the dragon will be back to normal. I am still trying to find the spell, but you could use the dummies to stun the dragon and then get the golden egg," she told him, getting up. "Would you eat with me today?"

"Sure," Harry said, leafing through the other sheets. There were Legionnaire tactics and commands. Harry was convinced Luna was far brighter than Hermione.

They walked down in companionable silence to the Great Hall. As was their custom now, they sat at the end of the Ravenclaw table. "Potter," McGonagall snapped just after they sat.

"For Merlin's sake! Can't I just be left alone," he complained. He handed the parchments to Luna, not wanting them to get away.

"Potter," she said, her clacking boots stopping just behind him.

"What is it this time," he asked, turning to her.

Her lips were pursed. "Come with me."

"I'd rather have lunch," he countered.

She looked livid. "You have already missed an important ceremony for the tournament. Mr. Ollivander has agreed to stay through lunch. Now come."

He stood up. "Bloody hell. I never entered this bloody thing and now I keep being pulled away from meals. How do you expect me to have the strength when the first task comes?"

Her lip twitched, but she didn't say anything. He followed her out of the hall and towards the headmaster's office. Well, that was where he thought they were heading. About half way there, she stopped. Harry stopped a few feet away. When she turned, she still wasn't looking pleased, but not as upset as earlier. "Listen, Potter. I get you are upset with this whole situation. You are not the only one, but you can't keep this up. You are embarrassing yourself, Gryffindor and Hogwarts. I will not have one of my students continue to do so. You will report to detention tonight. You will start going back to classes and you will move back into your dorm," she informed him.

"Is that all?" Harry asked.

"Your parents would be so disappointed in your behavior," she commented.

Harry glared at her. "I think my parents would be more upset with the shite I have had to go through, and disappointed in you and the other professors here for not stopping it, then me trying to ensure I survive, Professor."

Her anger came roaring back. She looked ready to say something when a door opened just down the hall. "Here you are," the fat ex-Quidditch player said. "Come now. You missed the other festivities, but you have to register your wand."

"If you excuse me," he said, walking past the woman. He was almost to the door when someone grabbed his arm with a vice-like grip. "Oh, Ludo, give me a few..."

Harry had his wand out. "Depulso!"

A woman in bright green robes, bright red nails and lips and gaudy gem encrusted glasses shot away from him. He took a step back.

"Mr. Potter!" McGonagall yelled.

"She assaulted me first," Harry said back angrily.

The woman looked stunned for a moment. "She wasn't assaulting you," Bagman said from next to him.

"She grabbed me and tried to pull me away. What about that isn't assault?"

By now, Dumbledore had come out, followed by Madam Maxime and Headmaster Karkaroff. "What is tee disturbance?" the giant Headmistress asked.

"I was assaulted," Harry yelled.

By now, the woman was getting up. "I will have you in jail for this, you brat."

"I don't think we need to get to any..."

"I demand Aurors." Harry was going to make as large a stink of this as he could. If they wanted to drag him around, then they could be as well.

The woman paled a little.

"Harry, I don't think that necessary," Dumbledore said.

Karkaroff looked like he was having a grand old time.

"I am already competing in a tournament you could have gotten me out of and now I have been assaulted by a professor and who ever that is. What is next? You'll put me in a ring with dragons?"

Harry laughed internally to see the wide eyes of Bagman and the paling of Dumbledore and McGonagall. Seeing this, he pointed to Bagman. "You are? Aren't you? You are going to put me into a pit with dragons!"

As incensed the woman was, she suddenly looked very interested. "Is this true? You are going to make a thirteen year old boy face off against a dragon?"

"I'm fourteen, thank you," Harry retorted. She didn't seem to be as interested.

"Ah, well, the Champions have to face an unknown task. I am sure they are all up to this," Bagman said.

"I think Mr. Potter should have his wand checked and then we can all go our own ways," Dumbledore suggested.

"But what about Potter's accusation that you could have withdrawn him?" The woman was like a shark to chum.

"Let us get his wand checked..." Dumbledore tried to steer the conversation away from the woman.

Harry yelled over Dumbledore. "All the judges could have chosen to reject me within the first twelve hours, but the headmaster and head Crouch weren't sure if they could do that. Also..." Harry was interrupted by Madam Maxime.

"You told us there was not'ing we could do, Dumbley-doree," she said.

"Are you saying the boy did not cheat? You are the cheat?" Karkaroff added, accusing Dumbledore.

"Now, now. Potter is a Champion and he has to compete now," Bagman said, looking nervous.

"I don't want to compete, and I could have been thrown out of the tournament," Harry shot bach.

"Harry, we should talk of this later," Dumbledore said, his normal calm starting to fall.

"No, I think the public needs to know. Mr. Potter, what else do you have to say on this?" the woman asked. She now had a parchment hovering next to her with an acid-green quill already running rampant on the page.

"I don't know who you are, and I still want Aurors," Harry demanded.

"Rita Skeeter, of the Daily Prophet. I apologize for earlier. Would you care to make a quote for the paper?" she asked.

Dumbledore moved in. "If you lay a hand on me, I will have the Aurors arrest you too," Harry said to Dumbledore. Dumbledore covered whatever he was about to do by making a gesture towards the doors. Harry turned back to Rita Skeeter. This woman had already written a few bad articles about him. "Miss Skeeter, if you promise to give my quote exactly as I give it to you, I will hold off on calling the Aurors for now."

She looked to be salivating. Bagman was still arguing with Maxime and Karkaroff in the back ground. Dumbledore was forced to choose between Harry and the argument.

Harry took advantage of the situation. "I did not enter this tournament. Someone has put me into this against my will. The judges refused to get me out of this when they could, so I can only assume they were ignorant in not reading the rules or malicious in their intent to keep me in. I for sure hope there are not dragons in the first task. I can't see anyone being happy to see the Boy-Who-Lived eaten by one, but again, I can only blame the person that put me in and the judges that refused to take me out of this. But, at fourteen, what do I know of these things?"

He hated to use his fame like that, but Luna had convinced him it was the best way to embarrass everyone, hopefully to the point he would be expelled. He had not heard back from Ilvermorny yet, but he was hoping too soon.

"What is all the commotion out here? I really should return to my shop soon, Albus," the old form of Ollivander said, coming out of the room into the chaos Harry's statement had just caused.

-oOo-

November 12, 1995

Daily Prophet

Triwizard Debacle

By Rita Skeeter

Your intrepid reporter, Rita Skeeter, went to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to observed the time honoured tradition of the Weighing of the Wands. A usually somber affair with a little wand waiving and bragging whose wand is better, but this time around, it was one of controversy.

At first, this reporter was disappointed when the Boy-Who-Lived, until now known to have cheated to enter the contest, did not appear for the ceremony. There was some consternation and quiet name calling. It was also discovered that Harry Potter has been skipping more than just the Wand Weighing Ceremony. Since his name has come out of the Goblet of Fire, the youngest champion has not been attending any classes.

Some might think this a childish move by a teen throwing a temper-tantrum, but it seems far from the truth. As a champion, Harry Potter is allowed to set his own course of study and is exempt from all tests for the year. Given what the first task is, the young boy may need all the practice and special training he can get. After talking with a few anonymous sources at the Ministry, it can be revealed that the four champions will have to face off against dragons.

Yes. You read right. Dragons!

The Daily Prophet can say that four dragons will be arriving from Romania in the next week or so. That order had to be increased from three after Harry Potter's name came out of the goblet, but the fact remains. Three seventeen year old champions and a fourteen year old champion will have to face off against them. It is unknown whether they just need to face the beasts or kill them, the reporter is sure to look at the organizers for such a spectacle when it was promised this would be a safer tournament than last time, when two hostages, a champion and twelve spectators died, including the Headmaster from Durmstrang. That single event led to the disbanding of the tournament. Will this time be as bloody?"

Of course, this is besides the fact that Harry Potter was entered against his will. Then there is the fact he could have been disqualified by the judges, but Head Bartemius Crouch and Headmaster Dumbledore did not inform the other judges of the possible route within the first day to take Harry Potter out of the tournament. Or the fact, the three other judges apparently didn't read the rules themselves or understand that their own magic could be at stake should they interfere or get involved in ways against the rules. An irate Headmistress of Beauxbatons, Olympe Maxime, was heard yelling at our esteemed Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore, "You lied to us!"

With these revelations, it is now apparent that Harry Potter most likely did not enter of his own accord and Albus Dumbledore and Bartemius Crouch are in league to keep Harry Potter in the tournament. These sentiments can be echoed in the quote from Mr. Potter himself...

-o-

Albus had not gone to breakfast today. He was still recovering from the way Harry had come in and thrown what should be a prestigious tournament into a total farce. Albus had thought the boy mature and ready to handle the weight of such an event, but apparently, he had seriously misjudged that. Harry needed training and to prove himself. When Harry's name had been slipped into the goblet by someone from Durmstrang using polyjuice potion, he thought this perfect.

Now, in less than two weeks, he seemed to have lost all control over the boy.

A knock at the door had him sigh. "Come in," he called.

"Albus, have you seen this," Minerva decried as she walked in.

"I have my own copy," he answered her.

"Something has to be done, Albus. This article drags the name of Hogwarts through the mud, and you are just about accused of being a dark wizard out to kill Harry and the others," she said, taking a seat.

"I am well aware of the spin Ms. Skeeter has put on this. I am more concerned that this pressure has pushed Harry over the ledge," Albus put to her.

She gave him an angry look. "You only have yourself to blame. You could have gotten him out of this," she snapped. Minerva was clearly concerned for Harry, but she was showing her fiery Scots personality in hiding under her anger.

"We were uncertain..." he started.

"You didn't even converse with the other judges! You can't always assume you are right all the time, Albus. We have talked about this before. Is it true that all the judges put their magic up to maintain the integrity of the tournament?" she questioned hotly.

Albus sighed for the tenth time today. "I had assumed the other judges were familiar with the rules and none raised objections when Barty said it was absolute."

"Of course they didn't if they hadn't read the rule book. They are just as complacent as you in this," she accused.

"Alas, a point I cannot argue. Have you seen Harry this morning?"

"Ms. Lovegood and him were not in the Great Hall when I left, and I have not been able to determine where he is staying. It is obviously in the castle, but all tracking charms disappear from him soon after they are placed," she responded.

Yes. Albus was curious about that. Even his own were dispelled within minutes and the ones in his office were not working well here. It was too close, and Harry moved to much when he was out of his hiding spot. The only times he seemed to stay still was when he was eating in the Great Hall or when he went to the library. "And Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley do not know where he is?"

Her lips pursed. "Mr. Weasley has had the opinion that Potter cheated his way in and seems to be very upset with Potter. Ms. Granger, on the other hand, won't talk about it, but whatever is going on is affecting her. Albus, I don't think I have ever given her less than an Outstanding. The paper I graded last night was barely an acceptable and looked like it was marked by tear stains. After asking around, it sounds like she doubted Potter that first night."

Albus closed his eyes. Some things were starting to make more sense. "I thought Harry had found some rather good friends," he said a little sadly.

"I thought so as well," she commented. "Albus, the poor boy thinks everyone has abandoned him."

"It would appear so. Though, he has seemed to find a friend in Ms. Lovegood," he commented.

"Indeed," she commented. They sat for a moment. "What are we to do, Albus?"

"Harry has to compete. There is nothing we can do about that."

Her lips pursed. "We could expel him and have him come back next year."

Albus shook his head. To him, that would be worse. "Harry must remain here. It is imperative we train him and ensure he has the proper education."

"How can we do that if he will not go to class?"

Albus didn't have an answer. It was clear Harry wanted to be expelled. "Perhaps we can talk with Ms. Granger and see if she can mend whatever bridge she burned with him?"

"Perhaps."

The bell outside tolled eight.

"I must get to my classes for the day," Minerva said, standing up.

"Minerva, if you see Mr. Potter, please let him know I would like to talk with him."

She snorted. "Unless you want me to drag him up here again, I have a feeling he will not listen to me. You should also warn Severus. I saw the look he was giving Potter at dinner last night. If he hurts the boy and prevents him from competing, it won't be just the Goblet of Fire he will have to answer to."

Albus sighed again. The last thing he needed was his Staff fighting each other. Today was going to be another long day. He foresaw a meeting of the judges and organizers happening soon.

-oOo-

November 20, 1994

Hogwarts, Scotland

Harry had earned himself a few hours of rest this morning. He raced up the Quidditch pitch on his Firebolt. It took him a moment to realize he had been joined. Slowing down, her realized it was Victor Krum flying next to him. "You fly vell," Krum said.

"I like to fly," Harry replied.

"Is it true?"

"Is what true?" Harry asked, not wanting to get into a fight with someone that was to be a true champion.

Krum reached into a pocket and his hand came out holding a snitch in two fingers. "You is good Seeker?"

Harry shrugged. "Decent enough."

Krum eyed him for a moment. He let the snitch go. It fell for about ten feet before the wings came out and it took off. Krum gave him a small smirk. "I am better," Krum challenged. Harry let out an uncertain smile. He was about to go against the best Seeker in the world right now.

"Maybe," he said with a confidence he didn't feel. Krum returned an intense look before taking off. Harry followed at top speed. It was a game of cat and mouse, with Krum mostly being the tiger. Harry was hard pressed to keep up with the older boy, but within two hours, he had caught to snitch twice to Krum's four times. Harry thought that was good odds with how good the Bulgarian was.

After a hard fought catch, Harry still holding the snitch with a smile, and feeling like he was going to have some good bruises, Krum came over to him. "You play vell and honourable. I shall believe you did not enter. I will also not ask how you knew of dragons."

Harry smiled and handed the practice snitch back to Krum. "It was a lucky break. We are also going to have to swim in the Black Lake for the second task."

Krum's eyes widened. After a moment, he said, "I shall prepare. You have fans." Krum nodded towards the stands.

Harry looked over to see the blonde hair of Luna lazily blowing around in the breeze. She was wearing a cloak with Gryffindor colours that looked suspiciously like one of his. She was sketching something. Harry found he liked her wearing his cloak but was concerned that she was as well. He was going to have to talk to Dobby to see if more of her stuff was missing and have to do something about it.

As much as his heart warmed to see the blonde, it also gripped tight to see the worried expression of Hermione. Her hair kept blowing in her face as she looked up at them.

"One of them is my friend," Harry told him.

"And the other?" Krum questioned.

"I don't know anymore," Harry replied.

Krum nodded. "I am used to fans," he said.

"It is not like that. Thank you for showing me some tricks," Harry said, holding out his hand.

Krum shook it. "Next time I win more," Krum replied with a smile.

"Maybe," Harry replied before flying away to the stands. He landed next to Luna. Hermione was a good ten feet away.

"You were having fun. I don't see any wrackspurts," Luna said. Harry looked over her shoulder. It was a pencil drawing of him and Krum diving towards the ground.

"Can I have a copy of that?"

She didn't look up as she smudged a spot to get a dark shadow. "I am drawing this for Harry Potter. Unless you aren't him today?"

Harry laughed. "I would love it, Luna."

She smiled as she continued.

Hermione had gotten up and took a few tentative steps towards them. "Harry?"

He looked up. "Can I help you?"

Hermione looked a little worse for wear. Her hair was more unruly than usual. She had slight bags under her eyes as though she wasn't sleeping. She just looked drained of the life she usually had. Harry wasn't used to seeing her like this. "I was hoping to talk?"

He was about to say something snarky when Luna said, "True friends should not be discarded so lightly."

Harry pursed his lips and looked down to her. Instead of still working on her drawing, she was staring at Hermione.

"I... I am his friend. Harry, I'm so sorry. I do believe you," she said. Luna was still looking at the frizzy hair girl, dissatisfaction all over her face.

"Can I just ask why you didn't believe me?" he put to her.

Hermione chewed on her lower lip for a few seconds. "You were talking with the twins about what their plans were the night before. I heard you giving them a few ideas as though you have really thought about it or had found a way yourself."

He snorted. "We were just talking, Hermione. I told you I didn't want to enter. Have I ever lied to you?"

She chewed her lip some more. "You never tell us about your relatives. I wasn't sure you weren't just hiding something you didn't want us to know." She finally met his eyes. She looked so hurt.

Harry pinched the bridge of his nose under his glasses.

"If I had a friend and he told me he didn't do it, there would be no reason to doubt that. You have one of the worst wrackspurt infestations I have ever seen," Luna said towards Hermione.

"Luna, you are my friend," Harry assured her.

Luna gave a dreamy smile and looked at him. Her sky-blue eyes found his for a second. "That is nice," she said, and Harry liked the way her face and eyes had lit up.

"Harry, I am your friend. I should have trusted you," Hermione said.

"Yes, you should have." His voice was harsher than he meant, and she looked ready to cry. He let out a long breath. "Look, Hermione. I feel betrayed by almost everyone and I am right pissed about all this. I want to see you as my friend again, but I don't know if I can trust you again. This isn't the first time you have either not trusted me or gone around my back because you thought you knew better."

Tears were forming in her eyes. "I care about you, Harry. I was concerned you might have lied, and I know what this tournament has been in the past. It's nothing more than a gladiatorial contest. You don't belong in it. I never meant to hurt you. You're my best friend," she said.

He ran a hand over the back of his neck. Luna was still looking at him. "The first task is in six days. I have a lot of work to finish preparing for it and I can't afford any distractions right now. After the task we sit down and talk about this. Until then, just leave me alone."

A tear fell down Hermione's cheek and she wiped it away. "I can help."

"I don't want your help right now. I have a plan. Luna is already helping me. Just don't do anything to jeopardize us and I will give you one last chance after the first task," he told her.

More tears fell down her cheeks and she looked devastated. "Al... alright. If you do need help, please just ask."

After Hermione walked away, Luna said, "She really is sorry, and you are hurting her."

He sighed. "I know, but we have a lot to get done in the next few days. I'm sorry I was flying for so long."

Luna gave him her dreamy smile again. "You needed the break and Victor Krum needed to know if you were competition. I like watching you fly. Your eyes almost burn with how you concentrate," she commented, taking her wand out of from behind her ear and swiping it over the pencil drawing. His eyes turned emerald green and there was a smoky flow from them to show how fast they were moving. It looked like his eyes were burning.

-oOo-

November 23, 1994

Hogwarts, Scotland

"Potter!"

"Bloody hell! Why can't I just be left alone?" he muttered to Luna. They were on their way towards the grounds. It was a cruddy day out with a cold mist and dark from clouds, but they had work to do.

"Potter! Bloody hell! Stop," the gruff voice of Professor Moody growled.

Harry didn't want to upset the ex-Auror, but he had to get out of the school. Stopping, he turned to the stumping professor. Luna cocked her head and moved to be half behind him. Harry didn't miss the movement, thinking it odd. Luna never acted that way. "Potter, what the bloody hell have you been doing not coming to class?"

"Preparing for the first task," Harry replied.

The man scowled at him. "Preparing? You daft? How can you prepare when you don't know what is going on and you don't show up to class?"

He didn't back down to the man's glare. Both his eyes were on him. "I know what to do."

The man regarded him. "So, you know what's in the forest?"

"Sure," Harry replied, thinking about what Luna and him were working on.

His good eye narrowed at him and his fake eye looked to Luna. For some reason, he felt a little uncomfortable and moved his hand towards his wand. Moody gave out a barking laugh. "Good instincts, Potter. If you haven't figured it fully out yet, play to your strengths."

"Ah, sure," Harry replied. With a disconcerting smile, the man turned and stumped away. Harry didn't relax, even after the man turned a corner.

"I think he's possessed by a rotboggart," Luna said. Harry looked to her. His instincts were pushing him to trust her.

"Perhaps we should be a little more secretive about this," Harry told her. He looked around before pulling her into an alcove behind a set of armour.

Luna giggled. "I didn't know you meant this type of secretive," she said, her voice having a slightly husky quality that had his blood running a little faster.

"Uhm, I meant this," he told her, trying to cover up his blush. He took the Marauder's map out of his pocket and looked around. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good." Opening up the giant folded parchment, he saw Moody heading towards Dumbledore's office. No one else was around, with most being in classes, the library or their common rooms this time of the day.

Once he was satisfied, he pulled his invisibility cloak out. "Oh, that is wonderful. Does it show everyone?"

"As far as I know."

"Where are we?" Luna asked, ducking under his arm and pressing her side into his. Having her this close had him realizing the girl was warm, smelled really good and felt nice like that...

He shook his head, turning a few folds. "We are here," he told her. In the small alcove it showed 'Luna Lovegood' right on top of 'Harry Potter'.

"Oh, it's like we are one," she said, a smile seeping onto her face.

"Uhm, yeah," he said, folding the map. As he did, writing appeared on the map. About time you found an alcove... Why aren't you snogging her? Prongs knows better spots if you want...

"Mischief managed," he replied quickly.

Luna moved to look at him. "Who is Prongs?"

"My father," he said, knowing his face was probably red as a beet.

"What other 'better spots' does he know?" She looked totally innocent as to the meaning the Marauder's had probably meant.

"It's nothing. You don't mind, ah, being this close for a bit?"

He liked the way her sky-blue eyes looked at him. "You are warm," she said in response.

He wanted to say 'So are you', but instead took his invisibility cloak out. He wrapped it around them, and she commented, "I like sneaking around with you like this."

He chuckled to hide the way his body was reacting to her being so close. "Come on, we can sneak around later. I need your help in transfiguring the dummies so I can charm them."

"I bet this cloak will hide us from all the pufwurmples. It might be a good idea for us to do this more," she told him.

Harry's face definitely took on some colour as she wrapped his hand around her waist and held it there. His body seemed to know how this should work and pulled her in as close as he could. Harry reasoned with himself it was to allow them to hide their feet better as they moved.

"Oh, I found some old Prophet articles you may like later," she told him.

The gooseflesh that grew on his arms at the breath across his neck when she turned to tell him was not from the chilly ground.

-oOo-

November 26, 1994

Hogwarts, Scotland

Harry stood in the Champion's tent. He was the first one here with Rita Skeeter looking over joyed that she had gotten in. "Harry, it is so nice to see you again," she said. For the last few weeks she had been lambasting the judges, Hogwarts and the Ministry.

He gave her a little smirk, happy that Luna and him had dug up some other information for her. "Ms. Skeeter, thank you for publishing my quote word for word."

She waved her hand at him, her photographer taking a picture. She opened her purse. A parchment and a green quill floated out. "It was my pleasure. Your entry into the tournament has not been taken well since the facts have come out and the Daily Prophet has received alot of sympathy for you. Almost every issue with you in it sells ten-percent more copies."

He tried not to laugh. He wasn't sure what he had to say would sell even more. It would be even better when Luna's father published the interview she had asked to do with Harry. "That is good to hear. Though, I am surprised you haven't dug up more on the last tournament," he prompted.

Her interest was immediately piqued. "What do you mean?"

"Well, with all the eternal glory that everyone says this tournament gives the winner, I thought everyone would have brought up Dumbledore and Grindelwald," he suggested.

Her eyes just about bulged out of her head. "You don't say? And what about Dumbledore and Grindelwald?"

"Well, they were in the second to last tournament. The death of two hostages and the third champion almost got the tournament canceled, and then there was that big incident in the last one, but that was at Durmstrang," he said.

"Two hostages and a champion? I had not read that. Bozo, make sure we get some information on those," she told the camera man.

"That makes me very concerned that no one remembers who those champions were. I mean, one dark wizard almost took over Europe and another in Britain while Dumbledore sat back. Of course, there was the scandalous rumors that Grindelwald and Dumbledore were lovers," he told her.

Rita was almost salivating. "What do you mean old lovers?"

"I mean the old rumors that Grindelwald and Dumbledore were involved. I found a few newspaper clipping from the time," he said, taking out the copies from his cloak pocket. He might have to give Luna a kiss later at the greed he saw in Skeeter's eyes. "It was quite a scandal. And then Dumbledore's sister died the following summer. There is probably no connection, but who knows?"

He thought she was going to wet herself in her joy at everything. They didn't get into Karkaroff before the tent flap opened. The tall Madam Maxime walked in with Fleur just behind her. "What are you doing here?" the French woman questioned, looking down her nose at the gaudily dressed reporter. "Only Champions and their guests are allowed in here."

Rita didn't look that perturbed. "Of course. Of course. Before I go, do you have any statement?" Rita put to the woman.

Madam Maxime just glared at the woman. Right now, Harry had most everyone in the tournament right pissed at him, and he was hoping today would push Dumbledore over the ledge on expelling him. He had received an application and a request for records from Ilvermorny and was going to fill it all out tomorrow, when he finally had a few days to relax before Luna and him figured out what he might do for the next task. Plan A was still to get out of Hogwarts, while Plan B was to make as much of a farce of the tournament as he could. He didn't want to consider plan C right now. He liked his magic too much.

When it was apparent that Rita was not going to get anything, she made a hasty retreat, probably wanting to get a start on the headlines for tomorrow...

Dumbledore gazed at him with his piercing eyes. The man rubbed his left arm. Harry had the distinct feeling the man was getting annoyed with him. He just gave an innocent smile back.

"Is everyone here?" Crouch asked coming in a moment after Diggory and Krum. Harry was returning the Headmaster of Durmstrang's glare. Harry was dying to talk to Skeeter again. Of course, Skeeter would probably be a little upset that she would miss the scoop Luna was getting.

Harry didn't miss that the other three Champions had their Headmasters or Head-of-House standing with them while he had no one. It was par for the course. He just hoped he could pull this off. The dragon would live, but it would be Merlin-be-awful soar for a while.

-oOo-

A/N: Roman battle groups were something I did a fair amount of research on. Some have commented that a Century of men is a troop of a hundred men. This is not true. Many sources state: In the Roman infantry, the centurions commanded a centuria or "century". During the Mid-Republic these centuries were grouped in pairs to make up a maniple, each century consisting of 30–60 men. After the Marian reforms a century typically composed of around 80 men, with six such centuries forming a legionary cohort.

Next, to me a two-meter long spear or javelin was long, but that may just be relative. I modeled the troops after the later Roman troops that often had one or two pila as their standard Legionaire weaponry.