Harry's name comes out of the Goblet. The Hufflepuffs are outraged. Does he have any support within the castle? Harry/Hannah

This will be a Hannah-centric Fic. Jump inside the head of one confused student trying to understand her own feelings surrounding the Tri-Wizard Tournament as well as it's 4th champion.

Chapter 1: The Gaze of Hundreds

Hannah Abbott was currently making her way down towards the Great Hall with her best friend Susan Bones for dinner and the selection of the three schools' champions. Hannah didn't consider herself to be beautiful, but she was proud of her nice dirty blond hair and light brown eyes. She wasn't vain or worried about other people's opinions too much. She valued her friends and house, Hufflepuff, like her family away from home. For this reason, she was attending the Halloween feast with every intention of supporting the selection one of their own, possibly Cedric Diggory. He was Hufflepuff's best and brightest option for the "glory" of the Tri-Wizard Tournament.

As Hannah and Susan finally made their way into the Great Hall and towards the Hufflepuff table, they could feel the excitement in the air created by the Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang students. They sat down next to some of their classmates: Ernie Macmillan, Zacharias Smith and Justin Finch-Fletchy. The boys were already deep into discussion and barely gave a welcoming nod towards the ladies. Food was already being served and it seemed as if people ate faster, then the selection would take place sooner.

"It's got to be Cedric guys! There is no one else of age that can compare to him at Hogwarts," boasted Zacharias. Both Justin and Ernie nodded their heads in agreement. "He's top of his class and a great prefect!"

"And now Hufflepuff can finally get some of the spotlight for once," added Ernie. "Wanna hear some rubbish? I overheard some of the Gryffindors talking about the champions. Once they heard Ced was entering, they laughed at the idea. Called him a 'pretty boy', not worthy of the title Champion."

"Of course," scoffed Zacharias, "Those bloody Gryffindors believe anyone outside their house is beneath them. They're only a fraction above Slytherin in my books."

Understanding where the conversation could end up, Justin questioned, "Who said that? I'm sure all Gryffindors aren't like that."

This comment caught the full attention of both Hannah and Susan. Most of their interaction with the Lions had been civil, if not friendly.

"Ron Weasley and Seamus Finnegan," spat Enie. It was clear that he didn't exactly value their opinions, but irritated him nonetheless. Hannah had to agree partially with Ernie, those two Gryffindors seemed prone to irrational behavior.

The group of Hufflepuffs all turned their heads over to the Gryffindor table to spot Seamus and Ron. Seamus was blathering on to a listening Dean Thomas, most likely on the upcoming picks. Ron was stuffing his face with all of the delicious food supplied by the feast. Although they all snorted in disgust at the eating of Weasley, Hannah's eyes had wondered over to the boy sitting to the right of Ron: Harry Potter.

Harry Potter was a slightly scrawny boy with jet black hair and emerald eyes. His hair always seemed wind-swept like he'd just gotten done flying. With the skill he shows on a broom playing quidditch, Hannah just assumed that flying was so ingrained within his blood that his hair was like that from birth. Hannah herself loved to fly, but Harry took it to a new level. The funny thing about Harry was that there seemed to always be rumors surrounding him at the end of each term. The rumors stretched from killing professor Quirrel to killing a fifty foot basilisk. With the close relationship that he had with Ron and Hermione, everyone assumed that they were somehow involved with the rumors. The trio were rarely seen without each other's company.

Hannah continued to think about Harry until he turned his gaze and met her eyes. She immediately blushed and looked away after being caught staring. Hannah would never have admitted it, but she had a small crush on Harry since the end of 3rd year. Originally, it was Susan that had a crush on the Boy-Who-Lived a few years ago and it was through her constant comments that caused Hannah to see the boy who really was Harry Potter. She hoped one day they could become friends. Who knew, maybe they could go flying together one day.

A hushed silence fell over the Hall as the food on the tables disappeared from in front of them. The student body watched expectantly as Professor Dumbledore got up from his seat at the head table. The other headmasters, along with Crouch and Bagman, all seemed tense for the ceremony.

Dumbledore spoke up, "If any of you are selected by the Goblet, please walk along the staff table and go into the back chamber behind me." As he finished speaking, the Hall dimmed it's candles until the Goblet of Fire was the main source of light with it's bright blue flame.

The flame changes into a deep red before spewing forth a piece of parchment, drawing an intake of breath from everyone present. Dumbledore caught the cindered paper and read off the contents clearly for everyone to hear, "The Durmstrang Champion is Victor Krum!" There was loud applause for the international quidditch star. Krum seemed to walk sullenly over to shake Dumbledore's hand and exit into the chamber.

As the goblet flamed up once more, everyone quieted down to hear the next champion. "The champion for Beauxbatons will be Fleur Delacour!" The hall applauded for her selection, especially the male population. Zacharias was one inch from falling out of his seat watching the backside of Fleur, Hannah had chuckle at her friend's self control. To Hannah's astonishment, Harry didn't seem to be drooling at the French girl like everyone else. He was merely clapping politely while looking amused at the state of Ron drooling.

Finally, the time for the Hogwarts champion had arrived and the Hufflepuffs in particular were buzzing with anticipation. Hannah's quick glace down the table showed that Cedric was waiting calmly for Goblet to choose. She could hear Zacharias, Ernie, and Justin chanting "Cedric" under their breath as the goblet flared for the third time.

Dumbledore cleared his throat as he caught the paper and called out, "The Champion of Hogwarts is Cedric Diggory!" A loud 'No!' could be heard from Ron, but it was drowned out quickly as the entire Hufflepuff table stood up to clap and stomp their feet in excitement for their housemate's selection. Cedric was grinning broadly as he stood up from the table. Hannah and Susan were hugging and jumping up and down in happiness. From over Susan's shoulder, Hannah could see Harry clapping and cheering for Cedric as he approached to shake Dumbledore's hand.

Only after a minute or so of nonstop cheering was the hall finally quiet enough for Dumbledore to continue speaking. "Excellent, we now have our three champions! Now it is up to all of you to show your support and..." but he was cut off as the Goblet once again blazed red. A collective gasp was heard as everyone's eyes followed a fourth smoldering piece of parchment that landed in Dumbledore's hand.

A look of disbelief fluttered across his face as he whispered, "Harry Potter."

To say that the Hall was deathly quiet would be an insult to graveyards everywhere. Every being, human and ghost alike, were now staring at Harry Potter. Harry's eyes were as wide as saucers and he seemed to be petrified looking into space. Hannah cast a furtive glance around the room to see similar shocked, confused, and angry gazes. Hufflepuff in particular seemed to be giving Slytherin a run for it's money with the feeling of absolute loathing radiating from the table. Her personal group of friends seemed to be seeing red and Hannah couldn't help but feel angry with them.

Professor McGonagall moved over to speak in whispers to Dumbledore as the Hall continued to formulate answers for why Harry's name came out of the Goblet. Harry seemed to have finally broken his lifeless gaze and was looking longingly towards his two best friends. The emotionless stares in return caused him to whisper pleadingly to them, "I didn't put my name in. You know I didn't." Although it was meant to be private, his pleading could be heard by everyone in attendance. He was getting no sympathy from this crowd.

Hannah momentarily felt a pang of sorrow for the boy, but it was quickly replaced with irritation as she once again saw how he had stolen her house's "moment". Her thought were interrupted by Professor Dumbledore once again calling for Harry to come up to the front. Hundreds of pairs of eyes watched as Hermione practically pushed Harry into the aisle between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. Hannah was somewhat glad that Harry wasn't near the Hufflepuff table because he would likely be attacked on his way to the front. Scattered people finally began to yell out "He's a cheat!" and "He's not old enough". Harry only walked past Dumbledore with a resigned look before disappearing behind the Staff's table.

As soon as he left the room, more student's began yelling about how unjust Harry's selection was. The judges of the tournament began to whisper angrily amongst each other before Dumbledore seemed to shut them all up before addressing the Hall, "All students, please leave in an orderly fashion towards your dormitories. Prefects, be sure to keep everyone together and under control." He immediately turned around and headed through the back doors, quickly followed by the remaining professors.

"Well that didn't seem to go as planned," commented Susan dryly as everyone finally got to their feet and began walking out of the Hall whispering amongst themselves. The only group that seemed anything but angry was the retreating Gryffindors. They seemed shocked but joyful at the newest revelation in the tournament; everyone except Ron Weasley though. He seemed to be seething in anger for some reason at his best friends actions.

While on their way towards the Hufflepuff common room near the kitchens, Hannah could hear her friends complaining to anyone that would listen.

"Who does Potter think he is? Does he think that just because he's the Boy-Who-Lived he is above all of the rules?" vented Ernie.

Zacharias only nodded before adding, "Like anyone will actually believe that performance in the Hall about him not entering his name. Bollocks!"

Justin tried to calm down his friends, "We should wait until Cedric comes back tonight. He might tell us that Harry isn't allowed in the competition."

"As if," snorted Ernie, "They could never turn down Potter in his quest to always be in the spotlight!"

Hannah decided to throw in her opinion, "You can't actually believe he's like that can you? You sound a bit like Malfoy."

Before Ernie could respond, Susan spoke up loud enough for them all to hear her, "He has to compete." At the incredulous looks around her, Susan elaborated, "The Goblet is a magically binding contract, my Auntie told me in a letter. If his name came out that means he is now apart of the tournament, whether we or anybody else likes it."

Susan's comment shut everyone up momentarily as they all began to file into the common room. The small group of friends found chairs next to the fireplace as they watched some of the older students set up for the party in celebration of Cedric. A few of them left for the kitchens as others began raising banners in the Hufflepuff colors.

After the refreshments came in, the wait was short before Cedric finally walked in to thunderous applause. Every single Hufflepuff was congratulating him and clapping him on the back as he made his way through the room. When everyone finally had refreshments and the volume in the room had dropped some, someone finally asked the question that was on everyone's mind, "So what are they going to do about Potter?"

Cedric seemed to sigh softly before speaking to his fellow Puffs, "Harry is now the fourth Tri-Wizard Champion." Cries of outrage were uttered by everyone in the room, including the Fat Friar, the Hufflepuff ghost. Cedric seemed to quiet everyone down by waving his hands. "Harry claims to not have entered the Tournament and he is being forced to compete by magical contract. There is nothing we can do about it." The only person in the room who seemed to have accepted the judges decision was Susan and Cedric.

A young muggleborn spoke up to ask a question, "What's a magical contract?"

"It's an agreement that if broken will cause you to lose your magic or possibly die," answered Hannah solemnly.

"Serves him right," muttered Zacharias, "He shouldn't be able to get away with this." There were mutterings of agreement amongst the house. Hannah may have been somewhat angry, but no one deserved that fate.

"Calm down guys, he's just a fourth year. I'm sure he'll be no competition. Who can stand up to the might of Hufflepuff!" shouted Cedric. There was a resounding cheer for their house and a round of "Hear, Hear"s around the room. Cedric was smiling a bit but it seemed forced.

The rest of the party went out without a hitch, except for the occasional muttering about "That-Bloody-Gryffindor".

After partying their fill, Hannah and Susan made their way past Ernie, Zacharias, and Justin towards their dormitory. The boys were having talks about making their mistrust known to Harry the next day. When the girls finally got under their covers to go to bed, Susan commented, "So much for school unity."

As sleep began to overtake Hannah, she pondered her best friends words. Did Susan take Harry's word for it or was she angry for him stealing Hufflepuffs chance at glory? Hannah could barely control her own emotions at that point, let alone someone else's. She went to sleep dreaming of those startled emerald eyes withering under the gaze of hundreds.

For all of you that decided to read this far, I would appreciate reviews from everyone that is willing. All comments will be taken into account for general improvement whether it's for grammar or plot-line.

-BB (makingabetterworld)