The day after they placed their names in the goblet, the new members of the Court learnt what a hard workout entailed for the others, and they were not amused. Viktor was lying on the floor, his chest still heaving. Cedric and Fleur had almost collapsed during their training, so Terrence and Neville had moved the pair to the closest couch, on which they were still sitting, looking utterly exhausted. Justin was out of breath, but he had fared far better than many of the oldest members.

"How can you look so well after that?" a panting Theo accused the young Hufflepuff.

"I told you already, I enjoyed sports in the Muggle world and was never truly able to leave them behind," the boy shrugged, taking a swig of his water bottle.

"I might hate you," Hestia muttered, stealing the boy's bottle and drinking as if she had never drunk water before.

"That was pure torture," Viktor gasped, not moving from his spot on the floor.

"I agree. Why are we doing this again?" Fleur asked to no one in particular.

"Because if we went through the torture, you will too," Draco stated, sagging on the closest chair.

"While that's true, it also has to do with being ready for any eventuality," Daphne added, somehow managing to still look regal while sporting pink cheeks and messy hair.

"I thought that I would need to train in case I'm chosen as a champion. Doing this every day will be more than enough. I'm sure that no obstacle they plan will be worse," Cedric managed to say between breaths.

"Drink this," Fred ordered, giving each member a vial of Navitas potion with the help of Flora.

"This is what we consider real magic," Neville sighed after drinking his potion.

"True, be thankful that you have this. When we began training the only thing we had to help with the soreness was sleeping it off and hoping it didn't hurt so much later," Adrian grumbled.

"Stop being babies," Luna chided the complaining boys.

"I don't know about you, but I'm taking a bath before dinner," George exclaimed, leaving for the showers in the Quidditch room.

"I think they will need help," Blaise commented, signalling the three members that looked on the edge of passing out.

Harry and Luna led the Court towards the great hall for dinner, talking with each other. George, Adrian, and Neville were helping their tired members to walk at a steady pace. Seeing how exhausted they were, Fred had given them a second dose and, although they still looked drowsy, at least their steps did not emulate an inebriated person with poor balance. Flora had taken that as a personal insult to their creation and was writing in a notebook all her ideas to increase the effectiveness of the potion, something that Fred got dragged into. Justin was paying close attention to the pair's conversation with interest shining in his eyes.

When they entered the hall, they ignored all the stares and settled into their usual places. Harry watched with amusement as Cedric filled his plate as fast as possible, only to be glared at by Daphne before he could even begin eating. It seemed that the prefect had learnt that the girl was not someone who you should trifle with, which was for the best. With an exaggerated sigh, the eldest Hufflepuff began eating at a moderate pace. Fleur did not have such a problem because the girl was graceful even while eating like a famished creature and Viktor was too tired to devour.

Their dinner ended with no conversation, no one having the energy to talk. Now that they were full, Luna was leaning on Viktor. She was about to fall asleep but no one had the heart to wake her, especially when half of the group looked ready to follow her example. The sudden darkness jerked the girl out of her sleepy state, but she was not the only one to be surprised. All the students were paying attention to the Hogwarts headmaster, who was walking towards the Goblet of Fire. The object and the candles were the only illuminations in the hall, adding a dramatic effect.

"Good evening, students. Yesterday, the Goblet of Fire was activated at last and now it is time to know its verdict!" the man announced. The gestures Dumbledore was making while speaking added to all the theatrics, something Harry was sure the headmaster enjoyed. "The time for the Goblet to choose our champions has arrived at last! The three champions will be bathed in glory and the next months will be filled with trials, which I hope they are able to overcome. Don't forget that this is not only a great honour, but also a great responsibility because the tasks will be perilous."

"He should have said that yesterday," Cedric grumbled, scowling at the old man.

"Any moment now, our impartial judge will choose the first champion!" the headmaster announced and as if on cue, the Goblet spat out a flaming piece of parchment that the man caught with unexpected agility. Harry wondered how long the man had practiced in order to achieve such perfect synchronization with the artefact. "The first champion belongs to Durmstrang. Let's give a round of applause to Viktor Krum!" The hall erupted in applause while Viktor looked surprised to have been chosen.

"Follow me, Mister Krum," the Durmstrang headmaster ordered, walking towards a door near the staff table, a door Harry could have sworn was not there yesterday. Viktor nodded at the members of the Court and followed his headmaster.

"The champion for Beauxbatons is the lovely Miss Delacour!" the old man announced a few moments later and, once again, the hall was filled with applause. Harry raised his eyebrows in surprise; he was not expecting two members of the Court to be chosen. However, it made sense. They were the best candidates from their schools... The boy wondered if the same rule would be applied once again and Cedric would be chosen, something he didn't believe to be possible because it would be far too much of a coincidence.

"Miss Delacour," Madam Maxime called the girl, who smiled at her friends before walking towards the strange door.

"Finally, our third champion and the representative of Hogwarts, let's give a round of applause for Cedric Diggory!" at the man's announcement the whole hall erupted in an ovation that was far louder than the other champions had received.

Harry ignored that entire situation in favour of his own thoughts. He observed how the students watched with wide eyes as Cedric walked towards the door. It was curious that the three champions belonged to his Court. He had considered the possibility of the three of them being chosen but he never believed it would become a reality... It seemed he had been wrong. However, he was unable to hide his pride and slight worry. The champions would be the only ones who were not going to be protected by the wards during the tasks, something he would find a solution for. Now, though, he would allow himself to share in Slytherin's celebration because, even though none of the champions was an official snake, the three of them belonged to the House.

"Excellent! We now have our three champions! The first challenge that they will have to confront-" the man's excited speech was interrupted by the Goblet spitting out another parchment. Harry wondered what was all that about because, unless the headmaster was addicted to drama and had bewitched the cup, the boy doubted that the legendary artefact would comply with his whims. "Harry Potter," the man stated with no inflexion, looking the boy's way.

Harry raised an eyebrow at the old man who was watching him intently, the same way the whole hall was doing, he noted with a slight scowl. 'Is this a joke?' That was the first thought that came to his mind. However, the man did not stop looking at him and the tension increased.

"Harry Potter, please join the other champions," Dumbledore ordered.

That simple sentence was enough to wake the ire of the young man. He ignored the applause that filled the Slytherin table, which the other Houses followed with less enthusiasm. He ignored all the looks and the whispers; he even ignored the worry that was flooding from his friends. He walked with all the grace he could muster, his vivid green eyes promising retribution. Harry did not even spare the headmaster with a look, thinking about what he should do with this annoying occurrence.

His first thought was cancelling the competition and ensuring that whoever had dared to go against him was punished. The boy took a deep breath, trying to control his increasing anger. He knew that if he lost control now, all his efforts to earn the reputation as the golden boy would be in vain. When he entered the room, his three friends looked at him in surprise, but he paid them no mind. What benefits could the stupid thing bring? That was the question that he was musing over...

"Harry, does your headmaster need something?" asked Viktor, eyeing him with obvious worry.

"Please, call Professor Flitwick and McGonagall," he ordered to no one in particular, yet the three champions heeded his order without question. The boy did not notice the surprised looks he received from the other Headmasters.

It would be a shame if he publically denounced the Wizengamot and the Headmaster for endangering his life by not placing more security measures around the Goblet. Even worse if Rita caught a whiff of what was happening. Perhaps this could be his opportunity to finally get Dumbledore dismissed as headmaster and to beat the useless members of the Wizengamot into submission... Yes, that was it. If he was dragged into this competition, he would make sure to use it to his advantage. Miss Blair would need to sue the Wizengamot for approving the blasted thing; if he dropped the demand out of the goodness of his heart, he would have leverage over that vermin. Yes, this was an opportunity in disguise. However, before he could think on any other plan, he needed to contact Sirius and Miss Blair. He would also need Madam Bones.

"Harry, what happened?" asked Flitwick, rushing into the room.

"I have no idea, but I need Sirius here. Could you please contact him for me? I would be thankful if you also told him to bring Madam Bones and Miss Blair," he requested with a polite smile.

"Ah, my boy, I don't think that will be necessary!" Dumbledore announced, entering the room. "But we need to know how you entered your name into the Goblet? Did you ask an older student to put it or-"

"Of course he didn´t!" announced a scowling Fleur. "We were with him for the whole day and he did not do such a thing," the girl puffed glaring at the old man.

"Ah, Miss Delacour, such a loyal friend you are. However, I doubt you were with him the whole time," the man commented genially.

"Actually, we were," Viktor told the man.

"Besides, your age line was supposed to avoid anything like this happening Professor Dumbledore," Cedric said in a fake cheerful tone. His statement was enough to rekindle the anger of the Deputy Headmistress, who was glaring at the old man.

"I did not put my name in. However, someone did and I wish to speak with my legal guardian," Harry stated, his polite facade in place, interrupting the woman's undoubtedly amusing yet time-consuming scolding.

"I will do that at once," Filius announced. The Headmaster watched the short man leave with a sigh; this was not going to end well.

"You may have not put your name in, but you will need to participate," the old man stated.

"I am afraid that's true. Magical contracts are not able to be broken and your life and magic would be in danger if you didn't participate," one of the Ministry delegates stated in a bored tone.

"Are you sure, Leonard? He's only fourteen," McGonagall told the man. "I'm sure there is a rule that can protect Mister Potter. This foolish thing is meant to be for adults!"

"I agree, the boy should not compete. It would be unfair if Hogwarts had two champions!" Madam Maxime announced, her heavy accent making her words hard to understand.

"Madam, he's under a magical contract so he will need to," a bulbous man told the woman. Harry blinked at the ridiculous male; he was wearing a bright yellow sweater with black stripes, reminding the boy of an annoying and particularly revolting bee.

Harry ignored their bickering and looked at his three friends. He gave them a slight smirk but decided to remain silent. Plans needed to be made. Sirius would make a scandal and Amelia was someone to reckon with because the woman would not be afraid of gutting people in order to find who had been responsible. Nevertheless, the one he was expecting the most was Miss Blair. The woman would ensure that the ones who were trying to force him to compete were punished and humiliated. Yet, he did not really care about the Tournament. Whether he was a champion or not held no importance to him because he knew he possessed enough ability to surpass any challenge they could think of.

His main goal from this entire thing was the leverage he would have over the Wizengamot, which would give his people an extra advantage at the moment of making any decisions. Though this would be his opportunity to act as a victim of the incompetence of the headmaster, he hoped that would be enough to have the man out of the school. His thoughts were interrupted by a furious Sirius, who kicked the door open in the most literal way.

"What happened?!" his godfather demanded. His eyes were narrowed and his displeased sneer was enough to end the bickering between the adults.

"Ah, Sirius, this is a hard situation to explain. Harry was chosen as a champion and he-"

"I know that already, but I want explanations. Weren't you supposed to take care of any eventuality?" he asked, interrupting the old man.

"We want to know how this happened. Mister Potter is still underage and the tasks you designed are not meant for kids," Amelia said, glaring at the whole room. "Bagman! Fawley! What are the rules that can exempt him from being a champion?" the woman barked and the disfigured bee blanched.

"I am afraid there are none," the other man answered, looking unaffected.

"I would like to take a look at the rules. I'm the legal representative of the Potter family," the woman stated. That was enough to earn a reaction from the bored-looking man, whose eyes widened for a brief moment.

"I don't have the rules here."

"That's no problem. I'm sure they must be in the public domain so I'll send an elf to retrieve a copy from the public archive," the woman said, a polite smile plastered on her face.

"Miss Blair, you are an accomplished attorney, but do you think this will be necessary?" Dumbledore asked, trying to hide his slight grimace.

"Magical contracts are dangerous and tricky. We need to know all the rules of the Tournament so we can prevent any damage to the only Heir of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter," the woman told the headmaster.

"The thing that worries me is that the Goblet was meant to choose three champions. Why did it choose a fourth one?" Cedric asked, interrupting the adult's conversation.

"That's an excellent question that didn't cross my mind... Moody will examine the Goblet," the Minister stated, nodding at the vivacious young man.

"The problem of Hogwarts having two champions still remains!" Madam Maxime interrupted.

"May I have the parchment that contains Mister Potter's name?" Amelia requested, ignoring the tall woman. The look on her eyes was enough to make clear that it was not much of a request as it was an order. With a sigh, Dumbledore handed the Minister a charred parchment. "It only has the name, there is no school."

"According to the rules, if the person does not put the school then he is not eligible," Minerva announced, a grin spreading on her face.

"The problem is that the champion has already been chosen," Fawley said.

"If you don't mind, I'm tired and I'm sure that my friends feel the same way," Harry told the adults, interrupting the argument that had begun boring him. "Miss Blair, I wish to sue whoever put my name in the Goblet. However, if it was a student I will be satisfied with an apology."

"I've already summoned the head of the DMLE, Moody will be launching an investigation in the school. I'm sure that you don't mind as long as Professor McGonagall is there to supervise the procedure," Amelia said.

“I don’t think that-”

"I don't mind in the least," the woman agreed, interrupting whatever Dumbledore was about to say.

"Excellent, they're waiting at the outer gates."

"I'm sure that none of the professors will mind accompanying me while Amelia keeps you company," Minerva commented in a saccharine tone.

"I'm certain that your headmaster won't object. After all, if it was a prank, the worst that will happen is that a student will need to apologize," Viktor announced and Amelia smirked at the boy.

"Mister Potter, what will happen if you need to participate?" Andra Blair asked him.

"I don't really care about the competition, but I agree with Madam Maxime. Hogwarts will not have two champions," the boy answered, his stoic demeanour making uncomfortable more than one adult.

"All the champions must represent a school," Dumbledore told him.

"And this Tournament is only meant to have three champions," he retorted, "if I need to represent something, then I represent the Court," the handsome boy said with a slight smirk, containing his amusement at the Potions teacher's pale face. "If you'll excuse us, we will get going."

"The new head of the DMLE will be in the Slytherin common room in an hour at most," Amelia told him.

"Very well, goodnight," he said and walked out of the room, his three friends following.

"Who do you think was responsible?" Cedric asked after a few minutes of walking.

"I have no idea, but maybe this has to do with what Luna told us," he commented.

"Why would they put your name in?" asked a bewildered Fleur.

"Maybe they're hoping to kill me this way. Voldemort is petty enough to somehow devise a plan that will end up in my imminent demise," Harry shrugged.

"But you said no one recognized you when, you know, the Cup," Cedric hissed.

"That's why I said petty. Perhaps he's so frustrated at his constant defeats that now he wants to kill the 'saviour of the Magical World'. Either way, it's nothing but a minor hindrance," he commented, his lackadaisical attitude somehow managed to both annoy and calm his friends.

"Don't you think he is a threat?" Viktor asked, looking incredulous.

"Not really, the man is nothing without followers. His followers are nothing without money. At the moment, most of the Death Eaters barely have enough gold to cover their expenses. They are used to living on old money and few of them hold real jobs. They were moronic enough to pay for Goblin wards and my dear friends almost left them destitute," he shrugged.

Once they arrived at their room, they were surrounded by many concerned people, shooting questions as fast as they were able to. Harry ignored them, taking a seat on the nearest couch. Without wasting invaluable time, he called Ella.

"Master calls," the little worker inquired, her face adorned with an impish smile.

"I did Ella; I need you to bring Rita Skeeter to this room. Tell her it's an order and she must be ready in less than a minute," he told his personal elf, who nodded and popped out.

"So what's the plan?" Daphne asked, sitting beside him.

"Ensure that our dear reporter has all the information, of course," the boy commented.

"It would be a shame if she happened to call for the heads of the ones who are endangering the precious Potter," Blaise sighed, a mock look of regret on his face.

"So you will end up participating?" Draco asked.

"I don't know and, if I'm honest, I don't really care. Marcus will know what all the tasks are so none of us is in danger, but I don't like to be ordered around," the boy said. His vivid eyes were almost blazing in anger so no one dared to continue questioning him. Much to their relief, Ella arrived a few seconds later, along with a confused journalist.

"Here is your reporter," the elf announced with a bright smile. "Is there something else that sir needs?"

"No, dear, you can leave, though I'm sure that a few would appreciate your exquisite chocolates," he told Ella, who brightened along with a few others. Harry left the sweet maniacs to their own means while he signalled Rita to take a seat.

"Good night Mister Potter. May I know what happened for you to summon me?" the woman asked, already taking out her quill and parchment.

"Thank you for coming," Harry began, almost smiling at the woman's eager eyes. "Somehow, my name was entered in the Goblet and I was chosen as the fourth champion. I still don't know if I will participate or not, but I want the ones who pushed for the competition to be reinstated publicly ashamed, along with the people who agreed with the idea. Drag Dumbledore's name through the mud and make the public disapprove of him so much that he's dismissed as headmaster, don't forget to add his scandalous demand. Later tonight I will tell you if I will become a champion or not, but that doesn't change the article. Do your worst, dear Rita," he encouraged the woman, whose eyes lighted at the idea.

"I will drag their names through the mud," she promised, already writing on her parchment.

"Prepare your memories."

Without hesitation, his Court followed his instruction, teaching their new members on the fly how to extract memories. In less than five minutes, six vials were handed to the reporter, who took them as if they were poison instead of silvery plasma.

"Tell me what interviews you need and I'll get them for you, but I want that article for tomorrow morning regardless of them," Harry told the woman. Before Ella took the woman away, he added, "Rita, do not disappoint me."

The journalist gave the boy a rather stiff nod and left with his elf. Harry walked towards their common room, ready to receive the Aurors in his humble abode.