Harry was as miserable as he was wet when he Ron, Hermione and James slipped their way through the Entrance Hall. On top of the torrential rain outside, Peeves had decided to bomb them with water balloons. As they approached the doors Professor McGonagall called out to them, "Mr. Potter? Mr. Tonks? A word please."
Harry turned to see Ron shrugging and entering the Great Hall, he gave Hermione a pleading expression and she smiled at him, luckily he was flushed from the cold so she couldn't see him blush. "Ron and I will save you a seat Harry."
He smiled gratefully and followed James over to their head of House. She gave the pair one of her more stern expressions then said, "Listen very carefully you two. Twenty years ago, James Potter and Sirius Black along with Remus Lupin spent their days playing pranks on students and faculty alike. I know very well that you two, in particular Mr. Tonks, would like nothing better than to relive their 'glory.'" She frowned when she said "Glory" then continued. "I'm asking you both to refrain from following too closely in their footsteps. After all, Mr. Black and the Senior Mr. Potter were responsible for much of my gray hair." She finished with a ghost of a smile.
James grinned widely, "Oh but Professor McGonagall, had they known you would look so lovely with it, Cousin Sirius and James would have worked that much harder."
It seemed Professor McGonagall was torn for just a moment between smiling gently and hardening her face suspiciously, she settled for the latter. "Mr. Tonks, flattery will only get you," She grinned, "The benefit of a doubt." She waved them towards the Great Hall and said, "Scoot."
They entered and crossed the Hall to the Gryffindor table, as they did Harry noticed Daphne Greengrass look their way from the Slytherin table. Unlike so many others, she was both perfectly dry and perfectly groomed. The blonde-haired fourth year girl was generally considered to be the Slytherin ice queen. She was widely considered beautiful but she was separated from the affairs of those around her. She locked eyes with James and gave him an appraising look. He noticed from the corner of his eye that his friend smirked slightly at her and she raised an eyebrow at him.
Harry nudged his friend, "What was that about?"
James smirked, "She heard my exchange with Hermione on the Platform. She's interested in seeing my 'wand' so I offered to escort her on the first Hogsmeade weekend."
They found two open spots at the table and sat down. Ron grinned, "Heads up Harry."
Harry looked up and found an out of breath third-year standing in front of him. Colin Creevy was short with blonde hair and an ever-present camera, he also looked at Harry like some sort of conquering hero. "Hiya Harry! James!"
James nodded in a friendly manner while Harry helped his friend, "Hi, Colin."
He smiled widely as he did anytime Harry actually talked to him, "Hey, guess what Harry! My brother starts this year! My brother Dennis!"
Harry smiled slightly while Ron was biting his tongue and Hermione rolled her eyes. James then said, "Hey, that's great Colin."
The excitable third-year barely registered what James had said, "He's really excited!"
Harry wasn't sure, but he thought he heard Seamus Finnigan mumble, "'He's' excited?"
Colin must not have heard him as he plowed on. "I just hope he ends up in Gryffindor! Keep your fingers crossed, eh, Harry!"
Harry smiled, "I will, Colin." He turned to his friends with a shrug, "Why is he worried? I always thought that siblings were sorted into the same house."
Hermione smiled, "There is the Patil Twins, Parvati's a Gryffindor and Padma's a Ravenclaw."
As he absorbed the information, Harry looked towards the staff table. He noticed quickly that in addition to the absences of McGonagall and Hagrid he didn't see the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Hermione gave voice to his thoughts, "Where's the new Defense teacher?" She turned to them with a worried expression, "What if they couldn't find anyone?"
Ron frowned as his stomach loudly grumbled. "I wish they'd hurry up, I'm starving!"
It was almost on cue that McGonagall ushered in a long line of first years. This year's group looked almost miserable as drenched as they were and it was a toss-up whether they were shivering from nerves or from being cold. Towards the back of the group was a curious sight. One of the smallest of the group was trailing behind wrapped up in a coat so large it had to be Hagrid's. Despite being soaked to the bone, he looked positively thrilled to be there. His eyes found the Gryffindor table and Colin in specific. He waved as enthusiastically as possible while swimming in Hagrid's coat at Colin and mouthed, "Fell in the lake."
After the Hat sang its song and McGonagall began sorting the students, Harry turned to the others. "That wasn't the song the Hat sang when we were sorted."
Fred and George leaned in their direction and Fred whispered, "He sings…"
George picked up mid-sentence and perhaps mid-thought, "…A different song every year."
Ron nodded while looking longingly at his still empty plate. "I imagine it's a terribly boring life being a hat. He spends the whole year thinking up his next song I'd bet."
"Creevy, Dennis."
Harry looked up to the front to watch the tiny, wet little boy hop up on the chair while still wrapped up in Hagrid's huge jacket. The hat barely had time to drop nearly all the way to Dennis' shoulders before shouting out, "GRYFFINDOR!"
Once the hat was off, Dennis leapt from the chair and nearly bounced over next to his brother with a huge grin, "I fell in the lake! It was brilliant! I fell in and right away something threw me out!"
George nodded, "It was probably the giant squid."
Usually it took the mere mention of the giant squid in the lake to frighten many a firstie. However Dennis seemed to be from different stock, he gave the twins an awestruck look and said "Really? Wow!"
The twins gave each other perplexed looks while Colin pointed in Harry's direction. "You see him Dennis? With the black hair and glasses? That's Harry Potter!"
Harry tried to smile, but faced with a pair of adoring Creevy brothers, it came out as more of a grimace, especially when Hermione stomped on his foot and motioned for him to say something. "Hi."
Harry watched Ron eagerly pick up his fork and knife as Kevin Whitby made his way to the Hufflepuff table and followed suit himself. After McGonagall cleared the chair and hat away, Dumbledore rose to his feet. "I have two words to say before we eat, 'Tuck in.'"
As the food appeared on their plates, Ron and Harry gave a shout of "Hear! Hear!"
Ron stuffed his mouth full of mashed potatoes, swallowed and said, "That's better!" He then began shoveling his food into his mouth, ignoring the semi-disgusted looks from his friends.
Sir Nick floated by them and paused, "Ah, it was a real shame what happened in the kitchens. It put the feast in danger."
Ron looked up from his chicken and said around a full mouth. "Whaf?" Hermione scowled when he sprayed food all over the table.
The ghost nodded carefully considering his head, "Yes, Peeves tried to attend the feast and when the Baron refused he had a bit of a tantrum. He gave the House elves an awful fright."
Hermione's goblet dropped from nerveless fingers and the table cloth began to turn orange with pumpkin juice. "H-house elves?" Ron slowly inched away from her while Harry tried to calm her, the brunette would have none of it. "Hogwarts uses House elves?" Her voice rose in pitch with each word until it reached a rather shrill tone.
The ghost nodded, "Oh yes, I believe has the largest number of house elves in Britain."
His friend shook her head, "But… I've never seen one."
Angelina Johnson leaned towards them, "Well of course, that's the mark of a good house elf. They spend most of the day in the kitchen and come out late at night to clean the common rooms."
Hermione looked baffled, "They get paid, don't they? Sick leave, vacations, pensions that sort of thing, correct?" She was almost pleading.
Ron laughed into his pudding, "Oh come on, Hermione! A house elf? Paid? They'd never accept it."
Hermione threw her utensils down with disgust, "I will not eat a meal made by slave labor!" Her tone made it clear she'd be furious with anyone who did. With a mournful sigh, Harry set his fork and knife aside and pushed his plate away. Ron pounced on Harry's plate and shoveled it onto his own.
James tapped him on the shoulder and smirked as he shoved a mouthful of cake into his mouth and made a very pleased noise. Harry's shoulders slumped and he looked at the food before him longingly. He did notice Hermione nod to him in a pleased fashion, he smiled tiredly and propped his chin on his right fist. Ron motioned to Hermione's plate and James nodded, they split up her food (ignoring her scowl) and polished it off as well.
A short while later as the majority of students (save an annoyed Hermione and a famished Harry) finished their meals, Dumbledore rose to his feet and drew their attention. "Now that we are all fed and watered, I have some start of term announcements. Mr. Filch has asked me to inform you that the list of banned items is posted by his office and now numbers one-hundred thirty-seven. The forbidden forest is off limits to all students as is Hogsmeade to all first and second year students."
He looked the students over briefly then continued, "I also regretfully must inform you that this year's Inter-House Quidditch Cup will not take place-" Harry Fred and George nearly leapt to their feet in protest had the doors to the Great Hall not slammed open. The entire Hall turned to the doors to see a form darkening the entrance. A large man stood in a black traveling cloak and carrying a long staff stood before them. He removed his hood and revealed a mane of wild grey hair. He began to lumber towards the front of the hall, a flash of lightning illuminated his face and Harry noted the multitude of scars crisscrossing his face. His nose was so badly mangled that Harry wagered a portion of it to be missing. His right eye was narrowed suspiciously but his left eye was truly strange. It was lashed on like a pirate's eye patch; it was a bright electric blue and was spinning madly.
He walked strangely and Harry noticed an odd thumping sound as he did. As he passed him, Harry realized that one of his legs must have been artificial. As he reached the Head Table, he held out a hand to Dumbledore that only barely resembled a human hand. The Headmaster took it and then addressed the Students again, "I am pleased to present our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Alastor Moody."
James mumbled from next to him, "Bloody Hell, Ol' Mad-eye Moody." As the others turned to him, he grinned. "Mum told me about him, retired Auror; supposedly the best, but also as mad as a hatter."
Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued, "As I was saying before Professor Moody's dramatic entrance, we will not have a Quidditch Cup this year in favor of a very special event. Hogwarts is to play host to the Tri-Wizard Tournament." A gasp escaped nearly every student save the Muggle-borne and raised students.
"The Tri-Wizard Tournament was established seven centuries ago between the schools of Hogwarts, Durmstrang and Beauxbatons as a way to enhance international relations. Each school selected one champion and those three champions competed in uniquely challenging events until a winner was determined. It continued for centuries until the death toll became too high." He coughed and gave them something of a sheepish smile. "There have been a number of attempts to restart the Tournament and now thanks to the Office of International Magical Co-operation and the Office of Magical Games and Sports, Hogwarts was lucky enough to host this year's tournament.
"The three schools have agreed upon a new precaution. We are instituting an age-restriction. No student under the age of seventeen will be allowed to enter their name to our judge, and I personally will insure that no trickery takes place." His eyes briefly found Fred and George who had an outraged expression, his eyes twinkled for a moment then he spoke again. "The students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving in October and remaining with us for most of the remainder of the year, upon their arrival I expect all of you to be on your best behavior. Those of you who are of age and think you have the mettle to compete for the honor of Hogwarts, the Tri-Wizard Cup and the prize of One-thousand Galleons will be able to enter your names then."
He smiled, "Now, I know that it is late, so if the Prefects would be so kind as to escort our students to their houses for bed. Good night."
Fred and George grumbled as they got to their feet and turned to James, "I don't believe this!" Said George.
Fred nodded and continued, "We'll be seventeen in April, why can't we get the chance to compete?"
George nodded, "It's not right! It's even more of a travesty than Hermione's house elves."
Fred nodded again then said. "That's it, I'm entering and Dumbledore can't stop me. These Champions will get to do all sort of things you couldn't do otherwise."
George picked up once again on his brother's thoughts, "And the thousand Galleons."
Hermione folded her arms over her chest and gave the Twins an unimpressed humph before saying. "You two? You are going to fool Albus Dumbledore into letting you compete? I find this hard to believe."
The Twins puffed up and George said, "Well it is…"
"…The Marauder thing to do." Finished Fred with a smirk; then turned to James and said, "Right Tonks?"
The dark haired boy grinned and held up his hands, "Don't drag me into this. I've already angered Hermione twice today, I'm likely to be castrated if I get her upset again." Hermione nodded to the Weasley brothers before he said with a wink; "Though it is rather Marauderish to try and enter."
"All right, let's call it an evening for now. You have class tomorrow." The group looked up to see Cedric Diggory, the Hufflepuff sixth year prefect and Quidditch Captain.
Fred and George nodded silently. They still hadn't really gotten over Cedric beating them last year, despite Gryffindor winning the Quidditch Cup anyway. James asked "Hey Cedric, are you going to enter?"
Cedric smiled and shrugged, Harry had met the older boy a few times before the World Cup, mostly through Quidditch and knew him to be modest. "I don't know, I hadn't really thought about it." He folded his arms over his chest then and assumed a kind but stern expression. "But that's beside the point, get to bed, all of you." They started towards Gryffindor Tower when Cedric reached out and grabbed Harry's shoulder. "Harry?"
Harry stopped and noticed the others stop a discrete distance away, "I just wanted to apologize for my father the other day, all that 'better man' stuff. He wasn't there, I saw that dementor attack you and I tried to offer up a rematch. You're a hell of a flyer and next year we'll see who's better when we don't have dementors breathing down our necks."
Harry grinned and shook Cedric's extended hand. "I'll see you later Cedric, g'night."
The older boy nodded and made his way towards the Hufflepuff common room. The one incident of note on their trip to the Tower was finding Neville caught by one of the trick steps. Most of the older students knew which steps to avoid, however Neville's absent mindedness caused him to forget about the steps. Ron and George helped the boy out and continued on their way. The whole trip, Fred George and Ron continued to plan ways to get around the age restriction and then win the Tri-Wizard Cup. On more then one occasion, he caught Hermione rolling her eyes and grinning at him.
He smiled each time she did; he loved it when she would actually get into the spirit and allowed them to be boys. When they finally entered the tower and Hermione noticed the fire, she scowled again and he heard her mumble, "Slave labor."
In a moment of courage, Harry reached out and squeezed her hand gently. Hermione turned to him with a surprised expression, which quickly became a thankful one before she disappeared up the girls' staircase.
He noticed as Neville and the Twins disappeared up the Boy's stairs that James was caught up in a moment of nostalgia. He walked over to the chess in the corner and ran his fingers over the chairs. He turned to Harry and grinned, "Ron, Lil' Prongs, come here." He waved Harry and Ron over and they sat down, "Do you know how many times your father and I sat at this table with Moony and Wormtail, plotting our next prank? How many discussions we had about girls and dating and sex were had over this chessboard?" Harry shook his head and Sirius smiled, "Did you know your father proposed to your mother right here?"
Harry smiled, "Right here? Tell me?"
His Godfather grinned, "Another time. I am knackered, besides Lily always said 'always leave them wanting more.'"
Harry frowned, "Sometimes I hate you Padfoot." James got to his feet and made his way to the staircase, Ron was only a step or two behind already yawning a pulling his tie loose. Meanwhile Harry tried to feel the presence of his parents in the chair he sat in, he hoped to find some hint of them, when he received none he frowned and followed them up the steps.
"If I had a knut every time Prongsie said that to me…" He trailed off as he pushed the door to the Fourth Year's dorm open. Harry found the dorm much the same as it was last year with the notable exception of a sixth bed. He didn't think the room felt any more cramped, so he had to wonder if the castle had expanded their dorm.
They quickly got changed for bed, Seamus and Dean had turned in and Neville was already drifting off. Ron turned to Harry as he got under his covers. "Would you enter Harry? If the twins got around the restriction, that is?" He shrugged and got into his own bed. Ron smiled sleepily, "I might, think of the fame, not to mention a thousand galleons." He yawned and mumbled good night then rolled onto his side and soon Ron's snoring was shaking the windows.
Harry turned to James to say good night but his other friend was snoring as well, only marginally less loudly. Harry sighed and cast a silencing charm then removed his glasses before nestling into his warm sheets. As he drifted off to sleep he had an image of himself. He had found a way around the restriction and he'd been selected as Hogwart's Champion. He'd won the Tournament, and it was a very pleased Hermione who handed him the trophy, even going so far as to kiss him on the cheek. The smile he had as he fell asleep was almost painfully wide.
&&&&&&&&&End Part 3&&&&&&&&&