Harry sat there, James still in his arms, shocked.
"Harry Potter!" the Headmaster repeated. Hermione nudged him and urged him to get up. He got up and looked around; few were gazing in awe, wondering as to how exactly he successfully put his name in the goblet. While the others, were looking at him with the utmost loathing.
Slowly, he made his way to the front of the Great Hall. He felt like Dumbledore was suddenly miles away, when only he was but a few yards away. He looked down at the, now wide awake, James. Harry gave him a small smile.
"Harry, take this and proceed to the Champions' room," Dumbledore instructed. Harry nodded and went to the room.
Once entering, Fleur suddenly ran up to him. "Izz there a problem?" she asked.
"Err…" Harry was suddenly unable to speak.
"Vhy is it that Harry Potter is here. Is he not supposed to be vith his family and friends?" Victor Krum asked. Harry looked at him, but said nothing.
"Yeah, why are you here? Does Dumbledore—" Cedric Diggory was unable to speak anymore, because he was cut off by the talk of adults. In the room, were, the Potions master, Severus Snape. The Transfiguration teacher, Minerva McGonagall, the D.A.D.A teacher, Moody, and the Headmaster himself (who was looking quiet frustrated), Dumbledore.
"Harry," McGonagall said softly, remembering the baby in his arms, "did you, or did you not put your name in the Goblet of Fire?" All of a sudden, five gasps were shared.
"Vhat! This is an outrage!" Victor Krum said.
"Zeet iz not possible, he is but a mere child," Madam Maxime and Fleur exclaimed at the same time.
"Harry," McGonagall said again, "did you do it?"
"No," Harry said shaking his head, "I didn't."
"Are you sure?" Dumbledore asked, eyes twinkling. Harry let their eyes meet and replied honestly, "yes, I'm sure I didn't do it."
Dumbledore considered this more a moment, and then seemed satisfied with the answer.
"Ee is lying, 'ere no way a mere child could enter!" Maxime answered.
"He's just vants the money." Victor Krum commented. "Not that he needs it anyway," he added, mumbling.
"Of course, perhaps, Potter here just wanted some recognition. He's already got so much, why not he have all of it?" Snape commented.
"Severus, this is not the time for your comments," McGonagall said sternly. Snape scowled a bit, but then let it slide.
"Perhaps someone enchanted the Goblet to make it think that there were four schools, instead of three. And in doing that, someone entered Potter, knowing that he was sure to be chosen," Moody said speaking for the first time.
Harry, who had given up on it, had sat down and started playing with his son. He was playing with his son when suddenly something caught his attention.
"It is of no use, he will have to participate. The magic contract says so, he has no choice," Dumbledore said.
"But," McGonagall started but was cut off by a furious Harry.
"What do you mean I have to participate?" He practically shouted.
"I'm sorry Harry," Dumbledore started. Snape snorted. "But, you've no choice. You will participate. That's final."
McGonagall took a few deep breaths, and then said "Ok, we'll talk about this later. Potter, Krum, Delacour, Diggory, go on up to your dorms. We'll talk about this later," she said, clearly exhausted.
They nodded and headed on up, "Harry, will you stay for a minute? I wish to speak to you in private," Dumbledore said suddenly.
"Yeah, sure," Harry said. He had a feeling this wasn't going to go well.
After everyone had left, Dumbledore got straight to the point. "You're hiding something from me aren't you?"
Harry looked startled by the sudden question. Of course he didn't have anything to hide, besides the fact that he had left the Dursley's and most likely never going back to that hell hole ever again.
"No," Harry said calmly.
"Are you positive? Because, if I'm correct, I've heard that you've been staying with Sirius Black for the last few weeks, before term started. Am I correct?"
"Err… yes, yes I have been staying with Sirius. But he's my godfather, why can't I stay there?" Harry asked confused.
"Because, Harry," Dumbledore started, "it is not safe to stay with a convicted murderer."
"But he hasn't even murdered anyone!" Harry shouted, clearly not paying attention to his son's whimpering.
"Watch your son, Harry." Harry looked down at his son and quieted down. After that, Dumbledore said "yes Harry, I am very aware of that fact. But to the wizarding, and also muggle worlds, he is still known as a murderer."
"I don't care, I'm never going back to the Dursley's again," Harry said stubbornly. He felt like a little child asking if he really had to eat the vegetables. Why wouldn't Dumbledore just listen?
"Harry, I'm sorry, but you've no choice. I know it is still early in the year, but until you are 17, you must stay at the Dursley's."
"No," Harry said simply. Then he decided to baffle the old man, "what about James and Lily? Huh, what are you going to do to them? You surly can't keep them with Hermione or me for the whole summer on end. The Dursley's hate me enough, they don't need my kids. And Hermione's parents don't even like us anymore." He said hoping to stop him. No such use.
"Well… then I've an option for you, though, you and Miss Granger would have to decide for yourselves." He said calmly. Harry eyed him for a moment, and then checked his watch. He didn't know he had been talking to Dumbledore for such a long time. Hermione would be so worried.
"I have to go, talk to me and Hermione later." With that said, he got up, careful as to not wake up his son, and walked away.
Dumbledore sighed, I shall talk to them tomorrow, before classes. Let us hope that we don't have a repeat of the last meeting, though. Dumbledore thought. He got up, sighed, and walked out of the Champions' room. This is going to be a long year…
-0—0—
"Prem," Harry said to the portrait. He nodded and swung open.
"C'mon little guy, I bet you want to get to bed." Harry walked up to the nursery and placed his son in the crib, near his sleeping sister. He then proceeded to walk up to their room, where he saw a very angry Hermione.
"What happened? Everyone came back a little while ago. Where were you? Why aren't you answering me?" Hermione asked.
Harry blinked and then answered, "I was talking to Dumbledore," he said simply. Hermione huffed and went into the bathroom to put on her pajamas. Once returning she sat on the bed and patiently waiting for Harry to change. When he returned he sat on the bed and looked at her straight in the eye. "Okay, I'm in the Triwizard Tournament, officially." Hermione gasped, but said nothing. He sighed and returned to his story. "I-I don't know what I'm going to do… it's so complicated. I mean… I bet the whole school thinks that I somehow outsmarted Dumbledore and entered. Which, I didn't. You believe me right?" Harry asked.
She smiled and nodded, "of course I believe you Harry."
Harry nodded. "Okay, so I don't know what to do… what if… what if I die?" Harry asked quietly. Hermione's eyes widened and she put her hand on his shoulder.
"Harry, you are not going to die. This Tournament is to test you, so we'll have to teach you new things. Something, anything," Hermione said. He sighed slowly, clearly exhausted from the days events, and lay back on the comfy bed. Hermione decided not to press the issue any further, so she just lay down next to him, and head off to sleep.
"Night, Harry," Hermione said kissing his cheek. Harry mumbled something and snuggled closer to the sheets, where a well deserved sleep awaited him.
-0-0—
Hermione woke up early the next morning (she hadn't got much sleep because of the twins) and headed off to take a shower. Once she got out, she noted that breakfast wouldn't start for a few hours. She went over to the bookshelf and started reading Useful spells for the training wizard- by: Melfora Jain and lookup anything that might help Harry. It was nearly 7:30 when Harry finally started to stir, she groaned and sleepily got up.
"Morning," Harry said yawning.
"Good morning," Hermione said. He took his school clothes and went into the bathroom to take a shower. Nearly 15 minutes later he emerged from the bathroom.
"Are we going to take the twins and go to breakfast, or are we going to stay here?" Harry asked.
"Let's stay here. Merlin knows we don't need people hounding you with questions as to how the great Harry Potter got his name in the Goblet of Fire. Plus, I think the babies are still too young," Hermione said. Harry nodded and went over to the nursery where he saw his children were sleeping peacefully.
"Okay, I'll—" Harry started, but was cut off by a 'pop'. Harry yelped and turned around quickly, where he saw Dobby.
"Dobby here to help little Harry's babies, sir!" the house elf said, eyes open wide with cheer.
"Okay, hey I've got a favor to ask."
"Anything Harry Potter sir!" the elf said eagerly.
"Do you think you could bring us some breakfast?" He asked.
"Yes Mister Potter, sir. Dobby be back in a jiffy!" He left with a 'pop'.
Harry noticed that there was something stuck to the door, so he walked over to it, where he saw another note from the headmaster.
Harry, Hermione,
I would like to see you after you are finished with your breakfast. This is concerning the Triwizard Tournaments, your housing arrangements and other things.
-Dumbledore
PS: I happen to be quiet fond of pumpkin pie
Harry ran to their room and showed Hermione the letter. She gasped and crumpled the letter. "What? How?" was all Hermione could say at the moment, she was that mad.
"I don't know Hermione. I don't know." He sighed, and then remembered that Dobby should be back with their breakfast. As if on cue, Dobby arrived with two silver trays behind him.
"Dobby sorry for wait Harry Potter, sir. Dobby had to help other house elves, sir." He said tearing up.
"Don't worry about it Dobby," Harry said reassuringly. The house elf nodded tearfully and went down to the nursery.
"C'mon, we've got a 'meeting' with Dumbledore," Harry said before digging into his breakfast. Hermione sighed, still not keen on letting Dobby take care of her children without getting paid, and started eating.
-0—0—
"I wonder how he did it," asked a Gryffindor.
"I dunno, I heard that he tricked the Goblet into letting him put his in there," said another.
"Really? I've heard that he single handedly fought all of the teachers into putting his name in there."
"Potter just wants more money," Ron spat sitting down.
"What's with the last names?" Ginny asked 'shocked'. Ron rolled his eyes and proceeded to grab everything within arms reach.
Meanwhile… over at the Slytherin table…
"Potter just wants to gain resignation," a Slytherin said.
"Of course, that stupid Gryffindor with his mudblood girlfriend, plus those two brats," Pansy Parkinson said. "Isn't that right Draco sweetie?" She asked laying her head on his shoulder. He quickly nudged her off and got up. "What's up with him?" She muttered.
He couldn't have done it. He just couldn't. He's already got so much fame, Merlin knows he doesn't want anymore. Draco was so confused; part of him believed that he had done it. While the other 90 of his brain concluded that he hadn't done anything, that he could've perhaps been framed.
-0—0—
"Pumpkin pie," Harry said to the gargoyle. It swiftly moved aside where the door to Dumbledore's office was. Harry was about to knock, when he heard Dumbledore's voice.
"Come in Mister Potter, Miss Granger." Harry and Hermione looked at each other, and opened the door.
"Please take a seat," he said pointing to two chairs. They sat in them and looked at Dumbledore.
"Last night, Miss Granger, I was talking to young Harry here. I have told him that he, along with you, must go back to your relatives' homes this summer, along with every summer until you turn 17." He looked at them and saw that Hermione had taken Harry's hand, and her knuckles were nearly white. Harry was glaring at him; he then sighed, and answered for the both of them.
"I'm sorry, but as I've told you last night; we will not be going back to our homes. Ever."
Dumbledore expected that, though, he had a plan. "I'm sorry, but you must. We all know that Sirius is an accused murder, though we know he did no such thing, he is still accused of murder."
"So what?" Harry said shouting. This was too much for him, so he got up and started pacing around the office. Hermione on the other hand, just stayed silent, unable to say anything. "So what if he's accused, we all know, especially you, that he did no such thing. And the Dursley's won't take me in, neither will Hermione's parents," Harry shouted. His temper was getting the better of him again, because his hair started blowing in a non existent wind.
"Mr. Potter, calm down, sit, and listen to me." Dumbledore spoke sternly, letting Harry know that he meant business. Harry mumbled something, raked his hands through his hair, and sat with a 'thud'.
"Headmaster, I think that you should just let us stay at Sirius' home," Hermione said for the first time. Then, the question that Dumbledore had been waiting for was asked. "What about our children? Where will they stay? Neither Harry nor I can stay without seeing them the whole summer."
"Well, I've an option. It is not a small decision, however. As you know, it will be very difficult raising two children, while keeping up with your studies. So, I've an option; you could give them up to adoption," Dumbledore spoke slowly, as if he was really affected by what he had just said.
Then, what he had expected came; Harry and Hermione stood up and started shouting at him. "What? How can you think that we're going to give up our children! We are not going to do that, no matter what," shouted Harry.
"You might be our Headmaster, but in no circumstances are you to tell us what we can and cannot do," Hermione shouted. She was very mad, how dare he say that they give up their children?
Dumbledore sighed, "I'm sorry, but you must."
"No," shouted the two. Things had been shattering, and since Harry and Hermione were both mad, things started breaking rapidly.
"Mister Potter, Miss Granger, I order you to stop at this instance," Dumbledore said sternly, standing up and taking out his wand. "Or else you leave me no choice," he said pointing his wand at Harry.
Their eyes went wide. They were really in for it now. Never had Dumbledore raised his wand at the two. Then again, they had never been that mad at him.
"Now, calm down, and sit," he said in a calm voice. This is going to be a challenge,thought Dumbledore.
"No," Harry said stubbornly, while Hermione had just sat, not wanting to get on the bad side of Dumbledore.
"Harry, sit."
"No," Harry said again, "I'm sick of you. I know what you did to Hermione, we both know. It's a wonder that the whole—"
"Stupefy," Dumbledore said, pointing at the spot where Harry was moments ago. Now, Harry lay on the floor.
"Headmaster," Hermione shouted. She took out her wand and woke him up. Bad move. Harry took out his wand and hexed him.
Before he could register what was happening, Harry had been shot with an unknown curse. He instantly fell on the floor, gasping for breath.
Dumbledore calmly sat down while Hermione helped Harry. He started to slowly drop his eyes, and before long, he was unconscious.
Dumbledore called for Madam Pomfrey, and she was there within seconds. She looked at Hermione, who had been crying hysterically, and then and Harry, who was lying on the floor looking deathly pale.
"Oh Merlin," she said. She conjured a stretcher, and Harry disappeared. Madam Pomfrey was out of there within moments and then went to went to the Hospital Wing.
"What happened Miss Granger?" She asked Hermione. Before she could say a word, Dumbledore came up behind her and answered.
"She hit Mister Potter with a curse."
Hermione's eyes went wide and she started to violently shake her head. Madam Pomfrey said that he needed to be treated soon, if not, he'd surely die. Hermione couldn't bring herself to say that the Headmaster hit Harry with the curse, whatever it was.
"Oh no," Madam Pomfrey said, checking his pulse, "it's slowing." Before Hermione could ask, the nurse walked quickly into her office. She arrived less than a minute later; holding a vial of what seemed to be, air. She quickly went up to him, opened his mouth slightly, opened the vial, and put the 'air' in his mouth. She then checked his pulse again, "oh no," she said again, this time running to her office. This time when she returned, she seemed to have a muggle devise with her. She quickly put it over Harry's mouth and with a flick of her wand; it seemed to be doing something to Harry. She went back to her office, this time walking in a normal pace, and came back with a shot. She put it by his bedside table, "this is for Harry when he wakes up," she told Hermione. She then added whispering, "If he does."
She didn't know what curse Harry had been hit with, but whatever it was, it was killing him. Dumbledore conjured a chair a while back and sat silently there. Hermione sat by Harry's side, shaking her head, while at the same time crying.
Slowly, Harry's chest started to move, though very slowly. The three that were conscience looked at him with wide eyes. Madam Pomfrey quickly checked his pulse, it was very slow, but it was still there. She then checked to see his air levels in his lungs; there was barely any air there. She sighed, and then went to her office to retrieve more of her 'air.' Once she came back, she took off the mask over Harry's mouth, and gave him the potion. She then put it back on so he could have more oxygen.
"What curse was Mister Potter hit with?" Madam Pomfrey said glaring at Hermione. Hermione didn't know what to say. She hadn't done it, there was nothing more to say.
"I-I didn't hit Harry with anything," Hermione whispered, barely audible. Dumbledore slightly chuckled. He then spoke up.
"I believe that Miss Granger hit Harry with an ancient curse that takes all of the oxygen out of one's body," he said. The two women gasped.
"That is a Dark Arts curse Miss Granger, you should be ashamed. If Mister Potter here didn't make it out alive, you could very well spend 5-10 years in Azkaban." She stated. Her eyes went wide, and then she started crying again. She didn't do it, why was Dumbledore saying that she did. She didn't even know that they had made a curse like that.
"Now, now Poppy, I'll give the proper punishment," Dumbledore said. Hermione couldn't even say anything, because if she did, no one would believe her.
"Miss Granger, consider yourself a very lucky girl. If Dumbledore had not summoned me when he did, Mister Potter could very well be dead. Now, I think it is time you leave, if anything happens, I'll tell Albus to tell you immediately," Madam Pomfrey said. Hermione shook her head.
"I'm not leaving him," Hermione said holding on to Harry's ice-cold hand. He might've been breathing (extremely slowly), but he was still breathing; alive. She was going to make Dumbledore pay, she didn't care what it took, she was going to make him pay. He had nearly killed Harry, and he hadn't done it on accident.
"Miss Granger, go. I'll inform you on anything that happens to Harry," Dumbledore said. He stood up and then left the Hospital wing, humming a tune to the Weird Sisters. Hermione sniffed once more, then stood up.
She walked slowly to the exit, not wanting to leave. She looked back once more before leaving the wing.
She kept her eyes down the whole time until she reached her classes. This was going to be a long year.
0—0—0—0
It was dinner time, and still no word on how Harry's condition was. By this time, the whole school knew about how Hermione hit Harry with a curse, and he was now on the verge of death. Some were saying that she just wanted his money; others were saying that she just wanted his kids and then kill him. But only one believed that Hermione had nothing to do with Harry's current condition, and that person was Draco Malfoy.
Currently, Hermione and Draco were on either side of Harry; Hermione holding his hand, and Draco looking intently at him. Harry had still been deathly pale, but better than before. If you touched him, he was ice cold. It was not a nice sight; Harry had changed from his school robes, to the Hospital clothes. All in all, Harry was very close to death.
0—0—0—0
All Harry could remember was hexing the Headmaster, and then falling on the floor gasping for oxygen. Then black, lots of black.
Am I dead? Harry thought. Still, all he could see was black. Every time he breathed in oxygen, he felt the oxygen leave him immediately. He tried to open his eyes, but no avail. After a while he quit, and let sleep overcome him. Breathing was still very painful, so he had a tough time sleeping.
Harry's dream…
"Mommy, where's daddy?" A 7yr old James Potter asked. All of a sudden, Hermione started crying, running into her room. Lily then hit her brother.
"Stupid! Daddy died! You know mommy is still sad over that," she said, hitting him in between every word.
"Oh… yeah…" He said tearing up. Then he started sniffing, and then he started to cry. Lily joined him not long after, crying. Missing their beloved father, who had died when they were just barely a week old.
Then the dreadful dream changed into something worse…
"Wormtail, we've a guest. Invite him in," something hissed. Wormtail hesitantly nodded, he got up and opened the door. There was another person, sitting by the 'thing', he had brown hair, was quiet lanky, and had a very evil grin plastered on his face.
"Master, may I?" The man asked. The 'thing' nodded. Wormtail let the man in, he seemed to be very elderly.
"My good old man, sit, dine—I'm sorry, I mean die." The 'thing' hissed. The old man looked at him; he saw a snake around the chair he was sitting on. There was a man by him, and then there was the man that let him in.
The man with the brown hair stood up, he seemed to be carrying a stick. He pointed it at the man, and said the two worst words, still with a grin. "Avada Kedavra." A green spark shot out of the stick and hit the old man. Instantly, he fell lifelessly on the ground.
They grinned. Then, the 'thing' spoke, "Good job," it hissed. He nodded, grin still in tact, and sat next to the snake.
All of a sudden, Harry awoke with a start. He was sweating heavily, there was something covering his mouth, and everything was dark. Breathing was still hard, and the thing that was covering his mouth gave him oxygen, so he looked around the room, not moving one ounce.
The room was dark, he had no idea where he was, but the bed felt familiar, like he had been there before. Am I in my room? No, it's much more comfortable. Perhaps I'm in the Hospital Wing. He looked around again, no use, it was still dark. What if I really am dead? Oh no… no… this can't be happening. Okay, stop. You aren't dead, just… somewhere.
After a while, he decided to stop arguing with himself wheatear or not he was alive or not and just let the blackness envelope once more.