Harry Potter-Black's Misguided Adventure

(This story is in a separate universe from my Child Prodigy stories although both have similarities. I received a request to do a short story about Harry during his fourth year. In this story, Dumbledore makes the announcement concerning the Tri Wizard Tournament in the middle of the first term, Sirius is Harry's adoptive Dad who lives in Black Manor while working for Magical Law Enforcement. Draco Malfoy is a friend and cousin of Harry's in this version of events) This one is for you Ann Marie. Thank you for the request and the prompts.

Part 1:

Chapter 1: The Announcement

After the announcement to the students concerning the upcoming Tri Wizard Tournament, Harry listens to the chatter around him as the students begin their meal.

"I think it would be so wicked to participate in something such as this! Imagine competing against two rival schools. I would want to compete if I were seventeen!" he hears one student say to another. While listening to the conversation around him, Harry hears more support for the tournament and wishes for being allowed to enter.

"What about you mate? Would you want to enter if you were old enough?" Ron asks as he spears another slice of cake from the platter.

"I wouldn't! I would rather not have all these strangers come to our school. They're coming to class with us and be on our campus for months. I don't like the idea at all. I don't think it should be allowed." Draco replies having listened to the question.

"Malfoy, I was asking Harry. You weren't asked your opinion."

"I am a student and Harry's friend, Weasley. I can express my opinion as well."

"Ron, Draco, don't argue. Please, try to get along. Ron, Draco is my friend and also my cousin by adoption. I've told you this many times in the last three years. I've known Draco since I was five. Remember, I told you how we met not long after Dad adopted me from the Dursleys. He came back from an Auror training session in France and found out my Mum and Dad were dead. I'd been with the Dursleys six months before he was told. Since he was listed as my guardian on their will, I went to him. Soon after I found out Draco's mother and my Dad are cousins which makes the two of us cousins as well."

"i know the story, Harry. I just don't think it makes a difference. You may think of him as family if you wish." Ron answers snidely.

Ignoring Ron's attitude, Harry continues "Now, to answer your original question, NO. I would not like to participate in the tournament! I have enough to worry about already with exams and homework. Dad told me last weekend when he called me home that I had better spend more time on my schoolwork than Quidditch. My last three exams were scored low and I nearly got grounded for it!"

"You can't be grounded if you aren't at home." Ron replies.

"You are wrong about that Ron but I won't get into the details. Just trust me on this one. My Dad has a long reach." Harry answers grinning at his friends.

"Back to the tournament, the history of it was so interesting, don't you agree?" Hermione asks from the opposite side of the table. Not waiting for agreement she continues, "The fact that the tournament used to be held as far back as seven hundred years ago but was discontinued due to a high death toll was interesting. Morbid but interesting. Well at least we can be reassured no one will be killed this time. Headmaster Dumbledore said the heads of all three schools, Durmstrang, Beauxbatons, and Hogwarts along with the Department of Magical Games and Sports have worked together to find safe tasks for the competition."

"I would love to compete just for that prize money. I could use a thousand Galleons for my very own. I'd even give some to my family." Ron speaks up longingly.

"Generous of you, Ron. 'I'd even give some to my family.' What a considerate boy you are." Draco sneers from beside Harry.

"Stuff it, Draconis. No one wants to hear you."

"Watch it Weasel! Remember first year? Do you want to sick up slugs again?" Draco asks pulling his wand from his sleeve.

"Draco! Ron! Stop! Professor Snape is looking this way! You are going to wind up getting detention and losing points. Can't you two just try to get along? Besides none of you are even near the age limit so this is all a useless argument. You're only fourteen and you have to be at least seventeen to enter your name in the goblet." Harry asks tiredly.

"I bet the twins could help us with that. They can come up with a way around the age limit. I'll talk to them if you want, Harry. You have the best chance of the Gryffindors. You have all of those Quidditch skills plus your extra defense training with your Dad. You must know many ways to handle the tasks that the rest of us wouldn't know."

"Ron. Listen! I Do Not Want To Enter! Even if I did want to, my Dad would never allow me to participate. You know how strict he is about me keeping myself safe. I had to work hard just to convince him to let me participate in Quidditch! He's a bit of a worrier. I think it's from all the horrors he's seen working as an Auror all these years."

"Yeah, well I'll see you. I want to go find Fred and George to see what plans they might have for getting around the age limit. I know they'll come up with something good. I'll be back by curfew, Hermione. Don't say it." Ron says cutting off the girl as she says "Be sure to be .."

"I just don't want you to have any more detentions with Professor Snape. You've already had three and we've only been back five weeks! Are you trying to get a school record for the most detentions in one term?"

"Ha. Ha. Funny Hermione. I'm going now. Sometimes I really wish Dumbledore hadn't relaxed the rules about sitting at house tables. I have problems eating with a Slytherin present!" Ron replies stalking away from the table.

"Honestly, Ronald! You are so rude!" Hermione sends after the redhead.

"Ron has a mind and a Mum, Hermione. You don't have to be either one." Draco tells the scowling girl.

"I'm his friend! I have to keep him from outlandish schemes!" Hermione huffs.

"Outlandish schemes? Have you been hanging around Professor Snape lately? He sure uses that phrase often. I hear it a lot when I stay with him. 'Be sure not to engage in any outlandish schemes while in my home." Draco mimics the professor causing his friends to burst into nearly uncontrollable giggles.

"Watch yourself cousin. You let Professor Snape hear you and you'll be scrubbing cauldrons for a week!"

"Yes, I know Harry. My bum would suffer also. Disrespect isn't tolerated. You're lucky you don't have a relative at Hogwarts. With him being my Godfather, he feels it gives him a free pass to bash my backside when he decides I need it."

"You are fourteen not four. That punishment shouldn't be used now." Hermione adds to the conversation.

"Would you please go tell Uncle Sev. that for me, Hermione? He isn't aware of the age limit."

"My Dad isn't aware of the age limit either, Hermione. While you are explaining the rules to Professor Snape, how about floo calling my Dad and explaining it to him also?" Harry tells his blushing friend.

"Oh, you two! I would never do such a thing. Where's Neville?" Hermione asks changing the subject.

"He had a special project for Herbology he wanted to work on. He's down in one of the greenhouses. He said he's going to get something to eat later tonight. Let's go take a walk out by the Black Lake until curfew. I need some outside time tonight. Who's with me?"

"You go, Harry. I want to go to the library tonight. I just have to look up more about this Tri Wizard Tournament. I'll tell you all about what I find out."

"You do that, Hermione. I'll go with you Harry." Draco says as he finishes his second helping of Treacle Tart.

Chapter 2: The Hateful Goblet

A few weeks after discovering Hogwarts will be hosting the Tri Wizard Tournament, the students learn the goblet has been brought into the Great Hall for the collection of names. Headmaster Dumbledore has called the students to the Hall for another announcement. Glancing around, Harry sees the visiting students are gathered together by school instead of mingling together with Hogwarts students. Briefly he wonders if they feel threatened in some way. As far as he knows, all Hogwarts students have been accommodating to the visitors, including them in study groups, attempting to be friendly just as the Professors requested of them.

"Good afternoon students. As you see we have the Tri Wizard Tournament Goblet on this pedestal. We have placed magical restrictions on the goblet and the area around it. There is no way around the age limit but you are welcome to try if you wish to suffer the consequences for breaking the magical rules. All students of age who wish to be considered for participation in the Tri Wizard Tournament are encouraged to write their name on the ballots provided and place them in the goblet. The Goblet of Fire will select the contestants, one from each school. The contestants will be announced during the Halloween feast at the end of this week. We will have more news of the tournament at that time. Enjoy the rest of your day."

Watching several of the seventh year students proudly walk up to the pedestal, sign their names and house with a flourish before dropping the parchment into the goblet, Harry turns to Ron.

"Did the twins find a way to enter?"

"They won't tell me but they are determined to try. They say they will be seventeen by the time the first task occurs so they should be allowed to enter. The prats won't listen to anyone. They asked Professor McGonagall for advice and she told them there was no getting around the age limit. I know they've been working late at night in the secret space we know of, trying to come up with a plan." Ron replies not giving away the location of their meeting place to anyone listening.

"Here they come. Just look over there by the grand entrance. I saw them leave soon after the goblet was brought in." Neville whispers to the group.

Turning to see what has the students tittering behind them, Harry and Ron see the twins walking their way.

"I don't know what they've done but look at their faces! They have aged ten years at least! They look old, like thirty!" Harry whispers to Ron.

As the boys watch, Fred and George stroll jauntily up to the goblet, fill out a ballot and drop it in. Smiling to each other, they turn to leave just as the goblet begins to shake and increase in size. Before either boy can move, they are bound by ropes that have suddenly shot out the sides of the goblet. Writhing on the floor, the teens see their ballots shoot up into the air before bursting into flames.

"I guess our ballots weren't acceptable, Gred." George says.

"Must not have been, Forge." Fred replies sorrowfully as the Headmaster approaches.

"Well boys, I told you there was no way around the age limit. You just had to try it though didn't you. Well, don't be alarmed, the spots will fade eventually."

"SPOTS?" The twins ask in unison before rolling over to face each other.

"George! You're covered in multi colored polka dots! What about me?" Fred asks anxiously.

"You, my brother, have the same problem. Plus your hair is now green, gold and red striped. You look like a Christmas ornament."

"Brilliant! I can't stand, however. Will someone help me up?"

"Come along boys, I'll see what I can do to reverse the spell. Personally, I think staying in this look should be a requirement for disobedience." Professor Snape tells the two as he and the Headmaster help the boys stand.

"Professor Snape will need to know what spell or potion you used boys. He can't reverse everything without that knowledge. You will tell him." Dumbledore instructs as he waves his wand banishing the ropes.

"Yes sir." The twins reply sadly. They realize the explanation of where certain potion ingredients came from is going to land them in multiple detentions at the best or a floo call home at the worst.

"Well, they sure know how to entertain, I'll say that for them." Draco tells his friends as they watch the twins follow Professor Snape out of the Hall.

"Yes, but I'm glad I'm not involved. They tried to get me to go in with them on this idea but I said I didn't want to do it. My Dad would seriously go mental on me if I tried to get around the age restriction. Besides, I don't want to be in the tournament at all." Harry replies as they head back to their dorm rooms.

"If you knew what they were up to, why did you ask if they'd found a way to enter?" Ron asks peevishly after Draco leaves them to go to his dorm.

"All I knew was they were going to come up with a plan and wanted me to do it with them. I said 'No' and never heard anymore about it. I may take risks sometimes when it comes to helping friends but I'm not mental, Ron. I know what my Dad would do to me if I even attempted to break the rules on this one."

"I still think you would be the best choice. You've had extra defense lessons with Professor Lupin and your Dad during the summer. You told me how they set up an obstacle course of magical objects for you to use to practice defensive spells or charms. What is it they are training you for if not this tournament?"

"Everyday life I suppose. Do you have your Charms essay ready for tomorrow? I'm done and if you are also we'll have time for a couple of rounds of Exploding Snap or a game of chess."

"I have to do two more feet on it and I'll be done. Hey, how 'bout I see yours and that'll help me finish fast?"

"No Ron, you can't cheat off of me. I'll wait for you to finish down here in the common room." Harry answers as they go through the portrait hole.

"Ronald Weasley, your Mother would be ashamed to hear you suggest cheating on schoolwork!" The two boys hear before the portrait swings shut.

"Better watch it, Ron. The Fat Lady might tell your Mum next time she visits Hogwarts." Harry whispers collapsing on the sofa in laughter at Ron's reply.

"A tattling portrait! That's all I need to go with three brothers who set out to make my school years more difficult!"

Chapter 3: Unexpected Halloween Surprise

Once again finding himself in the Great Hall for a Halloween Feast, Harry smiles at seeing the tables loaded with treats. The floating jack-o-lanterns, orange and black tablecloths, decorations of cauldrons, the stereotype witches and ghosts from books or films, bats and the many costumed students make for a festive atmosphere.

"Hello Robin. How do you like my costume?"

"Hermione? You look fabulous! Where did you get such an elegant bejeweled dress?"

"You look great yourself, Robin Hood! I had my Mum send it to me. She sewed sequins all over the bodice and then made the skirt to puff out. Do you like the emerald color?"

"I do, but what or who are you supposed to be?"

"Wait until I put on the cape and headpiece. Now can you tell?"

"Umm, a princess?"

"No Harry! I'm Maid Marion! I dressed to go with you and the boys. If you are Robin Hood and his Merry Men, then you need a Maid Marion!" Hermione exclaims eyes beginning to tear up.

"Oh! Yes, of course, now I see it! You look smashing, Hermione!" Harry praises quickly before she can either sock him one or burst into tears depending on her mood.

"I know the character isn't really dressed so fancifully but I wanted to be different."

"You are definitely the best Maid Marion I know. Let's go join the Merry Men and have some of this feast! It won't be long before we find out who the contestants are for the tournament."

"Hi Robin and Marion, what do you think of my costume?" Neville asks as they join him at a table of sandwich fixings.

"I love it, Nev! You look just like a Mandrake plant. You won't scream like one will you?" Harry teases.

"No, you won't need earmuffs around me. I need a favor though. Would you make me a ham, salami with swiss and provolone cheeses and mustard sandwich? It's hard to move in this costume."

"I'll do it, Neville. Do you want fresh lettuce or tomato, maybe onions or something on it as well?" Hermione asks.

"Oh, yes. I would love to have tomato, lettuce, onions and pickles on it as well. Wait, not onions. I don't want to have onion breath."

"Hi mates, what are you doing with a sandwich, Nev? This is a Halloween feast not tea time with your Gran. You need to live it out and party heavy like the rest of us." Ron comments with a disgusted look at the sandwich his friend is eating.

"Ron, Nev can eat the sandwich and still have treats too. By the way those phrases are "live it UP and party HEARTY." My Dad told me those." Harry explains at the odd look he receives from Hermione and Ron.

"If you insist. I'm going to the desserts and load up a plate. Who's with me?" Ron asks.

"We'll go but I'm only eating one small dessert. I can't have too much sugar and get cavities. My parents would not like that one iota."

"It's HALLOWEEN! Did you not notice? You are allowed sweets on a night like this. Live it ou.. umm...up, Hermione. We're only fourteen not forty. Worry about too much sugar when you grow old.

"You go ahead and rot your teeth and ruin your health if you like, Ronald Weasley. I'm going to take care of myself." Hermione answers with a disdainful sniff.

Before the two combatants can continue their argument, the Headmaster walks in. Casting a sonorous charm he begins to speak.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, let us gather at the pedestal with the Goblet of Fire. It is time to reveal the contestants for the Tri Wizard Tournament! Join me in welcoming Madame Maxime and Professor Karkaroff to the ceremony."

As the applause dwindles, Dumbledore speaks again "There will be no squabbling or disrespect allowed for the Goblet's choices. When the name is called, that contestant will go into the adjoining room where we will discuss the first task and rules of the tournament. Everyone is required to participate if their name is chosen. Failure to do so will result in your magical ability becoming non existent."

Waving his wand, the Hall plunges into semi darkness with only the floating jack-o- lanterns shining. With Dumbledore's wand flourish over the goblet, it begins to glow increasing in size as it does so. Now shining brightly and the size of a large cauldron, blue white flames are appearing out the top.

As Harry, his friends and the other students watch, the flames suddenly turn red and a piece of parchment floats up out of the goblet. No one seems to breathe as Dumbledore reads the name before announcing the first contestant.

"The Goblet has chosen for Durmstrang first. The person representing this fine academic institution will be ... VICKTOR KRUM! Congratulations Mr. Krum. May you do your school proud. Please follow Professor Karkaroff to the room for further instructions."

"Congratulations Viktor!" several students call out over the applause as he makes his way out of the Great Hall.

As the goblet is shooting red flames once more, everyone quiets down to wait for the next name chosen. As another parchment flies out of the glowing goblet, Dumbledore announces "We have another contestant. Please congratulate Miss. Fleur Delacour from the excellent school Beauxbatons. Madame Maxime, you may escort Miss. Delacour to join Mr. Krum. Now we have one final contestant. Let us find out who will represent our wonderful Hogwarts. Whomever is chosen will represent ALL houses. There will be no rivalry between houses. This contestant is representing all of us and it appears we will find out who that person may be right now."

With the students eyes on the final parchment in his hands, Dumbledore looks up smiling as he reads the name.

"Our Hogwarts representative will be Mr. Cedric Diggory! Congratulations Mr. Diggory, you will do us proud. Go to the adjoining room with Professor Sprout and I will join you momentarily. Now we have our three contestants for our Tri Wizard Tournament. Let us remember that we will cheer on all of these contestants and may the best prepared be the final champion who will ..." Dumbledore stops speaking as the goblet roars to life once more shooting out a parchment.

Caught unaware, Dumbledore has to wait for the parchment to float back down as it went too high to reach. As he reads the name on the final parchment, his eyebrows lift questioningly. With a brief glance at the other faculty members he announces "It seems we have one more contestant this tournament. The goblet has chosen Harry Potter."

Hearing his name called but feeling he was daydreaming, Harry stands still. Becoming aware of people staring at him he looks to Draco. "Did he call my name?"

"Yes. I heard it too. You are one of the contestants. Did you put your name in somehow?" Draco asks as Hermione, Ron, Neville and others nearby wait for his answer.

"NO. I never put anything into the goblet. I never wrote anything on one of the ballots. Someone else did this. It must be a prank on me." Harry answers.

"Harry Potter-Black. Come here please." he hears Professor McGonagall call sternly. Forcing himself to move, Harry walks forward to stand in front of the Headmaster and his Head of House.

"Yes Ma'am?"

"Harry, how did you put your name in? The age line was in place around this goblet and no one has ever succeeded in breaking it. How did you manage?" Harry hears the Headmaster ask quietly.

"Headmaster! That is not important! This child is only a fourth year, age of fourteen and small at that. He is in no way prepared to handle challenges designed for seventh year students! Something must be done to excuse him from this tournament!"

"Yes Minerva, I am fully aware of Harry's age and year. There is nothing we can do at this time. Harry, follow me and we'll join the other contestants." Dumbledore instructs as he places his hand on the flabbergasted and worried child.

Joining the other students in the selected room, Harry keeps his eyes on the floor after seeing the shock on their faces.

"Headmaster Dumbledore! What is the meaning of this? The host school is not allowed TWO contestants and this child looks twelve! He is too young! Did you or did you not have a 'magical age line and limit' around the Goblet of Fire?"

Glaring momentarily at the insult to his age, Harry relaxes as his Headmaster speaks.

"I did and yes, Harry is under the age limit but he is fourteen not twelve. At this time I have no other alternative but to include him. We will research to see if we can get him out of competing. Until then, let us discuss the tournament. Dumbledore answers Karkaroff's angry outburst.

After the meeting Harry leaves the room walking slowly. His mind is whirling trying to comprehend all that has happened in the last hour.

Just how did I go from enjoying the Halloween feast to being a contestant in the Tri Wizard Tournament? What is Dad going to say about all of this? What am I going to do to get out of this horrible competition where I must compete or lose my magic? How am I supposed to compete against students three years older and more advanced in skills than me? Even with Dad's and Uncle Remus' extra training, I just don't feel near ready to take on seventh year students. What am I to do now? I don't think anyone believes I didn't put my name in! If someone is pranking me it is NOT funny!

Thank you for reading Part 1 of this short story. Please review and Part 2, the conclusion will be up soon. What do you think Harry will do to solve this problem of his? What will Sirius' reaction be to the news his fourteen year old is now entered in the Tri Wizard Tournament?