DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter, or any of its affiliates. Nor will I own Harry Potter in any chapters published preceding or succeeding this one. I am not J.K Rowling, and I never will be. If I was, I would buy enough AlmondJoys to build a house out of.

Utter silence. No sounds were being made, save for the quiet breathing of many students.

It was deafening.

Harry couldn't bring himself to react. He knew he should do something, should stand up and tell everybody that he didn't enter, but he couldn't. His legs were dead, and his throat was tight, suffocating him. So he just sat there, mind not thinking, not comprehending what was happening.

At the staff table, every single professor was looking at him. There were varying emotions among them, from suspicion to shock to pity. The only one standing was Dumbledore, and that's who Harry looked at, hoping the man could help him, get him out of this nightmare.

But just from looking at Dumbledore's face, Harry knew there was no help coming. The customary twinkle in the man's eye wasn't present. There was just a blank mask, nothing of the usual kindness that was associated with him.

"Harry Potter!" The name rang throughout the hall again, and piercing blue eyes met green. Harry stood up, and tried to ignore the glares, the accusing looks. Beside him, Adrienne gave his hand a quick squeeze, subtly shown her support for him.

Ah, yes. His friends. Ron and Hermione. How would they react? They would know that he did not enter, right? Harry tried to find them, but his eyes seemed to be having a hard time focusing. All he saw was a sea of faces.

Harry began trudging up, towards the staff table, feeling like a condemned man. Silence still permeated everything. Only once he had entered through the door the other champions had gone through did the whispering start.

Once he was in the room, his mind registered that Fleur was sitting in a corner by herself. The other two champions, Krum and Cedric, were lounging on two armchairs, quietly chatting. When the French witch saw him, she immediately stood up. "What's wrong?"

Harry still couldn't find it in himself to open his mouth. He feared that the minute he did so, he'd lose the contents of his stomach.

Krum also stood up, but was apparently following a different train of thought. "What is it? Do they want us back in the hall?"

Ah. Harry thought distractedly. Krum thinks I'm here to deliver a message. Harry was finding it difficult to make any noise, to tell Krum and Fleur what was happening, but his throat seemed to be constricting him.

"'Arry, you look like you are about zo' fall over. Here, sit." Fleur ushered him into a chair, which Harry collapsed into, sinking into it exhaustedly. Fleur gripped his hand hard, and stared into his eyes, looking hard. "Please, 'Arry, tell me what is wrong. What 'appened?"

Fleur looked at him in concern, and seated him down in a chair, all the while rubbing his back. Harry tried to smile at her, to reassure her, but it ended up more of a grimace. This just alarmed Fleur even more.

The door slammed open, and a rather ecstatic looking Ludo Bagman barged in, grinning in delight.

"This is extraordinary! Never before, in the history of the tournament..." The man strode to Harry, grasping his arm, before turning to the other three. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I present... The fourth Triwizard champion?"

The looks on the champions faces might have made him laugh if Harry had not been so out of it. Cedric looked confused, his face scrunching up. Krum looked gruffer than usual, his eyebrows coming together to create a hard line. And Fleur looked nothing but horrified.

"That is not a funny joke, Mr. Bagman." Krum said, eyeing the enthusiastic Ministry official with distaste. Bagman, bewildered, shook his head.

"What? Oh, no, Mr. Krum, there has been no mistake. Mr. Potter's name just up and popped out of the Goblet!" The man grinned. "This is a once in a lifetime occurrence!"

Fleur cut in, sounding slightly panicked. "But 'e cannot compete, 'e is too young! Zere is a reason that zere is an age requirement! What if something happens to him?" She broke off, and began babbling in French, clearly panicking. Harry regained some semblance of control of his muscles and gripped her hand. She quieted, but still looked a little distraught.

Bagman seemed surprised at the less than enthusiastic reaction that his news received. His smile dimmed a bit, but he said jovially, "Well, the age restriction was only added this year, you know, for extra safety precautions... I dare say that it didn't actually work." The man laughed at his own joke. No one else did. "But in any regard, I do not think that there will be any issue…"

"It would not be an issue? 'Ow could it not be an issue? 'E is not yet seventeen, Monsieur Bagman!"

Bagman swallowed nervously. "You're right, of course... but either way, there really is no choice, you know...Magically binding contract, , so unless Mr. Potter here would like to suffer the consequences of breaking said contract, there really is nothing to do…"

The door opened again, and Dumbledore smoothly walked in, followed by Mr. Crouch, Professor Karkaroff, Madame Maxine, Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, and Moody rounding off the group, his magical eye whizzing around, categorizing everything. Eventually, the eye settled on Harry, its gaze unwavering. They all gathered around the champions, but their attention was focused on Harry.

Beside him, Fleur stood, still clutching his hand, and said to her headmaster, "Madame Maxine! Zey are saying that 'Arry must compete!"

The giant lady turned to Dumbledore, accusation clearly in her eyes. "Oui, what is ze meaning of zis, Dumblydore?"

Karkaroff chimed in, a fake smile plastered on his face. "I'd actually like to know that myself." His blue eyes were like ice. "Two Hogwarts champions? I didn't know that the host school was allowed more than one champion... Maybe I just didn't read the rules carefully enough!" He gave a short, nasty laugh.

Madame Maxine nodded. "It is most unfair. Hogwarts cannot have two champions, while the other schools go without."

Karkaroff turned to Dumbledore, still smiling. "I was under the impression that you had taken precautions to stop just this sort of thing from happening, headmaster. An age line, correct? Should I have brought in a larger selection of students?"

Snape, who had been residing in the shadows, spoke up, his dark, glittering eyes now focused on Harry. "This is undoubtedly Potter fault, Karkaroff. Do not blame Dumbledore for the boy's penchant for breaking the rules. He has been crossing the line for as long-"

Dumbledore raised a hand. "That is enough, Severus." Snape fell silent, shrinking back into the shadows. The old man gazed at Harry over his half moon spectacles, and Harry got the distinct feeling that Dumbledore could read his mind.

"Did you put your name in the Goblet, Harry?" Dumbledore asked gently, but firmly.

"No." Harry said tightly. He spared a glance over to Fleur, who still had his hand in her grasp. She squeezed, once, and nodded to him, and Harry turned back to Dumbledore, feeling slightly better.

"Did you convince anybody else to put your name in the Goblet instead?"

"No." Said Harry vehemently.

Karkaroff scoffed. "But of course he's lying! Don't let the boy fool you, Dumbledore." He eyed Harry distastefully.

McGonagall, who had been observing the scene, spoke up for the first time. "There is no way Mr. Potter could have passed the age line."

The Durmstrang headmaster shrugged. "Your old man probably messed it up." Karkaroff then idly added, "No offense, Dumbledore."

Dumbledore smiled politely. "It is possible, of course."

"Albus, you know perfectly well you did not make a mistake!" said Professor McGonagall angrily.
"It's obvious that Potter didn't enter himself, and as Albus doesn't believe that he didn't convince anybody else to enter for him, that should be good enough for everyone!" She glared at Karkaroff.

Karkaroff ignored her tirade. "Mr. Bagman, Mr. Crouch. You understand that this is highly irregular, yes? Can you not do something about this?"

Bagman cleared his throat nervously. "Well, you see, I was telling the kids earlier. Once your names emitted from the Goblet, you're obligated to complete. Magically binding contract, and all that."

None of the fake geniality was remaining on Karkaroff's face. He now wore an ugly grimace. "Then I demand that I resubmit the rest my students into the Goblet until I get a second champion. It's only fair, Dumbledore."

"But it doesn't work that way, Igor." Bagman said. "The Goblet's gone out, and it'll only ignite again once the next tournament starts."

"Which you should not expect Durmstrang to attend!" Karkaroff exploded. "After all this talk of reopening the Triwizard Tournament, you people would pull something like this?" He glared at everyone in the room. "I have half a mind to leave now!"

"Empty t

"Whatever complaints that you may have, there is nothing I, or anyone else can do." Said Dumbledore, speaking to the room at large. "We have no choice to accept that Harry will be joining Cedric as a Hogwarts champion."

"But Dumblydore-"

"My dear Madame, if you have a better alternative, I would be very interested in hearing it."

There was a pause, but Madame Maxine did not speak further, instead presenting Dumbledore with a glare.

Bagman, who seemed rather excited, clapped his hands together. "Well, then, shall we get this underway? Barty, want to tell them their instructions for the first task?"

Crouch cleared his throat and spoke in his deep, monotonous voice. "Ah, yes. The first task will take place on November the twenty-fourth. You all are not permitted to seek assistance from any professors, and..."

He continued talking about the rules, but Harry zoned him out. After the initial shock had worn away, he was now hyper aware of how warm Fleur's hand was in his. He fidgeted nervously.

"Now, are there any questions?" Crouch glanced around the room, and when nobody responded, he nodded and stood up.

"Are you sure you would not like to stay at Hogwarts tonight, Barty?" Dumbledore asked, looking at the man.

"No, thank you, Dumbledore, I must get back to the Ministry. It has been a ridiculously busy time there, and I don't have the time to be idle…" And with that, Crouch left the room, giving a terse nod to everybody else.

"Well, Professor Karkaroff, Madame Maxine, would you like to join me for a nightcap?" said Dumbledore.

Karkaroff just gave Dumbledore a look of disgust before striding out of the room, Krum trailing close behind him.

Madame Maxine stood also, and she said coldly but politely,"Zank you, but no. I am sure Fleur is exhausted, and is looking forward to getting back to ze carriage."

Fleur bit her lip, before asking her headmaster, "If you do not mind, Madame, if I speak with 'Arry for a few moments before leaving?"

Maxine looked at Fleur for a moment, and then turned her critical gaze to Harry. He fidgeted in his seat, trying not to break eye contact with her. Eventually reaching to some hidden conclusion, Madame Maxine nodded. "Very well. I will meet you back at ze carriage, Fleur."

And with that, she left, having to stoop a bit to get though the door. Dumbledore followed. "Cedric, I think it would be a good idea for you to return to your dormitories."

Cedric looked a little startled to be addressed, but he obediently left, but not without giving a puzzled glance at Harry and Fleur behind him.

The room was now completely empty, besides the two. They sat next to each other, neither speaking. It wasn't an awkward silence, but Harry was uncomfortable nonetheless. What did Fleur want to speak to him about? Was she angry? Sad?

"Um… Fleur?" he said tentatively.

She turned towards him, and Harry was horrified to see that she had tears in her eyes.

"Oh, no, Fleur, don't cry…" The words didn't seem to have an effect, and now the tears were flowing freely down her face, leaving streaks. Without warning, she flung herself at him, and he caught her, albeit awkwardly. She sobbed into his chest, and Harry stiffly patted her on the back, at a loss on what to say.

"Er… are you okay?" He asked. Immediately, he grimaced inwardly.

But Fleur seemed to think it was funny, as she gave a watery chuckle. And thankfully, she stopped crying; only giving an occasional sniffle here or there. There was a pause.

"Oh, 'Arry, why did it 'ave to be you?" Fleur said. The sound was muffled as she still had her face buried into Harry's chest.

"Just the luck of the draw, I guess." Harry replied. But the more Harry thought about it, the more it concerned him. Why him, indeed? This couldn't be just some random coincidence…

"'Arry?"

With a start, Harry realized that Fleur had been calling his name.

"Oh, um… yeah?"

Fleur giggled a bit, but it there didn't seem to be much mirth in the action.

"Can you promise me one zing?" she said.

"Anything."

"Promise me you'll be safe."

"Fleur…"

"Do it!"

Harry hesitated, but acquiesced.

"All right, Fleur, I promise… But only if you promise me that you'll be safe too."'

Fleur smiled, and she got off of Harry to shake his hand. "It is a deal."

Harry stood up as well, and the two left the room together. The Great Hall was completely empty as they walked through it. As they reached the entrance, Fleur bid Harry goodbye with a quick hug, and went on her way. Harry paused a bit, watching her leave, before slowly trudging his way too his room.

As Harry walked to the Gryffindor Common Room, there was a feeling of tension in him that was making it hard to focus. When he reached the Fat Lady, she gave him a roguish grin.

"Our very own champion!" She crowed proudly.

Harry gave her a noncommittal grunt in response before giving the password and walking through the entrance. He was momentarily deafened as screaming erupted around him. It seemed that after the feast, everybody in Gryffindor had stayed awake to catch a glimpse of him.

Fred and George Weasly were the first to greet him through the entrance, both sporting identical giant grins. "Merlin, Harry, we didn't think you had it in you!" George said, as he and his twin began pushing Harry along into the center of the mass.

"Well, yes, we thought you were more of the timid type, but this is a pleasant surprise," Fred nodded. "Didn't really think that you had the creative chops to pull this type of thing off, but we," He pointed to himself and George, "are both very proud." They eventually came to a stop, and the twins pushed Harry on top of the stairs leading to the dormitories. "But Harry, we're all dying to know… How'd you do it?"

At this, the rest of the Gryffindor students, who had formed a giant mob around him, ceased their excited chattering in favor of rapt attention.

Harry could see everyone in the room at his position, and they were all staring at him, awaiting his answer eagerly. He swallowed nervously.

"I didn't enter."

Fred held a cupped hand to his ear, saying, "Eh? Sorry, Harry, you're going to have to speak up."

And so louder, Harry said, "I didn't enter!"

There was a pause, before everybody started chuckling, which then developed into full blown laughter. Harry just watched on, aghast. The twins came up, and both placed a hand over Harry's shoulder. "Ever the modest one, eh, Harry?" Fred said, grinning.

"What? No, I mean it, I didn't-"

George laughed aloud, saying, "Come on, Harry, let's put some food in you. What kind of party hosts would we be if we left you starving, right?"

The two didn't leave Harry any time to agree or disagree, as they began guiding him through the Common Room. Harry was incapable of escaping, as both twins had death grips on him.

And that was how the night was spent. Being shuffled around, everyone wanting a moment with their champion. Nobody heeded his weak exclamations of innocence, instead piling upon him butterbeers and pastries, all basking in the glow of having their own Triwizard Champion.

Throughout it all, Harry continually kept an eye out for Ron and Hermione, as they were really the only people he wanted to talk to. Instead, he was passed around like some sort of knick knack, until he eventually couldn't handle it anymore, bellowing, "ENOUGH! No, Colin, you can't take any more pictures of me… I'm really tired, so I'm heading to bed, alright?"

And to Harry's great relief, he was reluctantly let go of, as the rest of the House continued on with their party. Harry stumbled up to his dormitory, thoroughly exhausted.

He was pleased to see that only Ron was in there, still fully dressed. He looked up when Harry slammed the door shut behind him.

"Where've you been?" Harry asked Ron, as he began getting ready for bed.

"Around."

There was something in Ron's tone that made Harry look up. Ron was wearing a rather strained smile that fit bizarrely on his face. Concerned, Harry asked, "Are you alright, Ron?"

"What? Oh, just peachy." He responded, his eyes averted from Harry's own. Looking up, Ron said, in a deceptively cheery voice, "So, Triwizard Champion! Congratulations!"

"Ron," Harry said slowly. "You know that I didn't enter myself in the tournament, right?"

"Sure, sure, Harry." said Ron.

"No, listen," said Harry, "I didn't put my name in that goblet. Someone else must've done it."

"You can tell me the truth, Harry. I get it, you didn't want anyone else to know, but I'm your mate, aren't I? So how'd you do it? How'd you get past the age line? The invisibility cloak?"

"I didn't enter, Ron!" said Harry, starting to get angry.

"Yeah, okay, Harry. Whatever you say," said Ron, in the same skeptical tone he had used earlier. "Just thought, seeming I'm your best mate and all, you'd tell me the truth, but that's fine." There was no fake grin on his face now. "You should get to bed, Harry. Wouldn't want to miss some photo shoot or something tomorrow."

And with that, Ron closed to curtains to his bed abruptly, leaving Harry alone, still in the middle of undressing.

A/N:

Sorry, guys, that this chapter took about two months to churn out. For some reason, this one was ridiculously frustrating to write, since I couldn't really find an adequate way to describe the situations happening.

Also, there's been a general consensus that people are against Harry having more than one love interest. Rest assured, my people, that is not going to happen. Romantic relationships that have more than two people are unrealistic, and more importantly, rather tacky.

Side note: I recently bought The Last of Us for PS3, and, damn, the feels. Recommended purchase for anyone who even enjoys video games in the slightest.