Chapter one

When Harry Potter left the other champions he didn't head straight to Gryffindor tower, he found a deserted and dark corner. He had planned to head to his secret hiding place, the room that seemed to supply him with anything he wants. He often headed to the room when he wanted to be alone, sometimes it was just to get some privacy. This time though he knew he wouldn't be staying that long, he just needed to get away from everyone.

Harry remembered when he first found the large room not long after receiving the map from the twins. It had a bookshelf filled with books on all subjects, things he wanted to learn about, he had a beautiful antique desk and matching chair, a bed that was huge, it had intricate carvings all over the posts. There was also a large bathroom attached and a bath that you could almost swim in. Harry had no idea why this room was here, he was just glad it was. At first he thought it was the room of requirement but the twins told him that was located on the seventh floor, this room was on the fifth floor, Harry figured there could be lots of these types of rooms, all hidden. He didn't always use the room, mainly when he planned to spend a lot of time by himself. If he just wanted some time away from Hermione, Ginny and a few others then he would use his cloak and just sit in a deserted corridor.

He first started to escape into this room to avoid Hermione, she had been annoying him since they became friends, but it was getting worse. Since he had found the room he would escape to it just to get away from her. Harry knew the reason why he ended up friends with Hermione and even though he never told anyone, not even Ron, but he really didn't like her at all, it was her arrogant attitude, how she believed she was superior and smarter than everyone else.

He knew Ron was pissed at him right now but Harry knew why, the attention this tournament would give him. Ron had always been jealous, now he was furious. Harry wanted to believe he was just immature and childish, but he'd always had a nagging suspicion about Ron. He started to think over every time they were together, but apart from the one instance, which was to do with the day they met, there was nothing suspicious about Ron's behaviour, so Harry just put it down to the fact he was wary of everyone.

The only thing that concerned Harry was the day he asked Mrs. Weasley how to get onto the platform. After reading more about Hogwarts, Hogsmeade and platform nine and three quarters, Harry found out that it was the only platform where the students took the train to Hogwarts. Mrs. Weasley had asked what the platform number was, yet she had already been there since her eldest son started at Hogwarts. But she was also a student when she was younger, so again, she knew the platform number. The other thing that worried Harry about Ron's mother was how she said muggles while muggles walked around Kings Cross station, yet all magical people knew to be careful what they said or did in front of muggles. Finally Harry worked it out, Mrs. Weasley meant for Harry to hear her so he would ask for help, it was set up for Harry to meet the Weasley family. He still didn't know if Ron was involved or not.

He still didn't think anything was suspicious about Ron, they had too many fights and arguments for it not to be a normal friendship, since he heard that friends would fight and often. But he decided he would keep things to himself, just in case he was wrong about Ron.

Ginny was another person that annoyed Harry, she always stared at him, follow him, unless he could sneak away, but she always tried to be wherever he was. He knew he had people that wanted to know him because he was the-boy-who-lived, Harry called them fans, and Ginny Weasley was the biggest fan girl there was, Colin Creevy was the biggest fan boy. Harry used his cloak more just to get away from her, but it was using his cloak and the map that he finally found out what was going on with the youngest red head as well as Hermione.

The corridor that Harry was sitting in now was the same one he used all the time, he was able to stay under his cloak and right in the corner where no one would bump into him. Harry had seen couples snogging a few times, it seems to be a good place for couples when they wanted some privacy.

This was the same place Harry first sat at the end of his third year. Three days before the end of the previous school year, Harry was sitting under his cloak in the same dark corner. After seeing Sirius escape on Buckbeak Harry had become depressed, he thought he would get to leave the Dursley's, then Sirius was on the run. Harry asked Dumbledore about staying with Sirius even though he was in hiding, the headmaster said it was too dangerous.

That's what got Harry suspicious of the headmaster, it was dangerous to stay with his godfather when he'd almost died half a dozen times at Hogwarts, yet he had to stay there for most of the year.

Now he was sitting in that dark corner again when two people walked quietly towards him, they stopped not far from him, looked around to make sure no one was close, then they started talking.

'Mum owled today, she told me that Dumbledore agreed.'

'That's wonderful Ginny, so you'll get to marry Harry after all. When will Professor Dumbledore tell him about the betrothal contract?'

'He's going to as soon as Harry turns fifteen, then we have a yearlong engagement before we marry just after my birthday.'

'Alright, then leave Harry alone, not always Ginny, just back off a little. I've noticed he's been getting annoyed at you because you always stare at him and he hates people staring at him. Since you know it's going to happen you don't need to get him to notice you.'

'But what if he notices another girl while I'm not paying him attention?'

'It won't matter, the contract will be signed. Professor Dumbledore is Harry's magical guardian, since it's a magical matter the Dursley's can't sign, not that they would.'

'But what about Black, you helped him escape and he was named Harry's godfather by Harry's parents, that makes him Harry's legal guardian.'

'True, but he's a convicted criminal so he can't do his duty as Harry's guardian, that's why Dumbledore is now his guardian. I didn't want to help Harry with Sirius but if I didn't then Harry would not have spoken to me again.'

'But he forgives you, eventually, he did after you told McGonagall about his Firebolt.'

'That was a broom, it's not as important to Harry as family. No, I couldn't take the chance besides it was Dumbledore's suggestion which meant he wanted us to help Sirius. I think it was to keep Harry compliant and happy, as long as it looks like he gives Harry some freedom then he listens to Dumbledore. Sirius doesn't matter Ginny, Harry is only allowed to stay with your family which gives you and your mother time to work on him, then me when I turn up.'

'What if Sirius is found innocent?'

'Dumbledore is going to delay that for as long as he can, which means it will be after the contract is signed, probably after your married. Once you and Harry marry then it's for life, magically binding like the unbreakable vow or a wizard's oath. If he tries to break it he will lose his magic.'

'Okay, which all sounds good, but now what about this blasted tournament, Harry could get killed before we sign the contract. Who would put his name into the goblet of fire and why isn't Dumbledore trying to get him out of it, he's only fourteen and the rules state they had to be seventeen.'

'I think Dumbledore will fix that as well, as Harry's magical guardian then he can refuse to allow Harry to compete. All previous competitions that had champions who were under age had to have parental consent, this is no different. We better go or it might look suspicious, then we need to get your dim-witted brother to listen. If Harry and Ron keep fighting then Harry will not want to spend time at the Burrow. Dumbledore may force him but Harry will end up angry with that so he will become that quiet brooding idiot that refuses to talk to anyone.'

'But we can't tell Ron about this, he'll tell Harry. He might be angry at him now but he's still Harry's friend.'

'We don't need to, we just have to make him see how much of an idiot he is for believing Harry would enter. Ron's just jealous, he doesn't really believe it, he just sees that Harry is going to get more attention.'

'I really don't get why that would annoy Ron, if Harry receives attention then Ron as his best friend would as well. I know I'm going to love all the attention when we're married, it will give me my dream of playing professional quidditch, then all the parties and balls, they'll be great to attend.'

'Yes, being married to the-boy-who-lived will have you both invited too many every year. Now let's go and hope we can get through to Ron.'

The two girls walked off before Harry allowed himself to breath. He stood up and hurried away, he needed to find a way to protect himself, he just wasn't sure how. Then it hit him but he wasn't sure if his room could help or not, it has before, but this is different. He needed advice from someone trustworthy but also someone like family, which meant Sirius Black.