Harry was tired of it. All of it.

Ever since he entered the wizarding world he had been scrutinized by his classmates, and the community at large. Praised for things he couldn't even remember, and now scorned for something he wanted no part of.

Harry Potter, age 14, was unwillingly placed in the Twi-Wizard tournament. Everyone except for his best friend didn't believe him. He didn't expect anything less, they all believed he was the Heir of Slytherin in 2nd year too didn't they? Hermione Granger was the only person who understood that Harry wanted nothing to do with the fame. He wanted to be left alone, he wanted to be 'Just Harry'. And other than his best friend, he thought the entire world could sod off. Even Ron, if he hadn't figured it out by now, then Harry didn't think he ever would, and frankly didn't care.

It was the morning of the 1st event of the Tri-Wizard tournament, Harry was just entering the Great Hall for breakfast after a walk around the lake. As he walked through the hall to his seat at the Gryffindor table, he noticed all the stares and whispers increased, the further he walked. He wish he could ignore it all, but he never was any good at that.

Taking a seat next to Hermione, she grabbed a piece of toast and handed it to him.

"Thanks Hermione, but I don't think I can eat anything, my stomach is in knots" Started Harry.

"Harry, you'll need your strength," then moving closer and lowering her voice to a whisper, "Dragons Harry, you and I both know you'll need to be as sharp as ever."

Ron looked down the table at them scowling, then turning back to Seamus and Dean. Next, Neville approached the table and sat across the two for breakfast.

"Alright there Harry?" asked Neville

"I've definitely been better Neville, thanks" Harry said as he forced himself to nibble on the piece of toast. Then her turned back to Hermione, "Listen before the event, I need to talk to you alone. Please, meet me outside the Champion's tent, and don't forget." Harry then got up and left the table, he decided to visit Hedwig in the owlery for some calm before the storm. Maybe he'd send a message to off to Sirius.

Xx

Harry was the last champion to enter the tent before the tournament. He avoided Rita Skeeter and her devious quill, and went to find a seat with a view of the front of the tent. He watched the room around him, Fleur was muttering spells to herself under her breath, Krum was slowly pacing the width of the tent, and Cedric was sitting with his wand in his hand, shaking and looked pale upon further inspection too. Then, in his peripheral vision he saw a glimpse of wild, curly brown hair pass the door of the tent. He couldn't help but smile, he'd recognize that hair anywhere. Harry got up and made his way to the front of the tent to greet her.

As soon as he came through the doors of the tent Hermione jumped into his arms, knocking the breath out of him. He put his hands around her waist and held her close as he whispered in her ear.

"Listen to me closely, you won't see me after the event. Please, know that I'd take you with me but I have to go before they can stop me. I also don't want to tell you too much because you're the first they'll ask questions after I'm gone. I'll write to you soon. Know that you're my best friend Hermione Granger, and I wouldn't be alive today if it wasn't for you. Thank you, for everything."

As Harry pulled away, he paused and put a kiss on Hermione's cheek. She had so many questions, but she didn't know where or how to start. She was nervous, scared, and flooded with so many emotions she couldn't put any into words. Did he just kiss her? Just as she finally got her thoughts together Harry completely let go of her waist as Dumbledore and the other judges approached. With one last glance at her, he led the officials into the tent.

During the tournament, Harry was the last to go, against a Hungarian Horntail no less. Known to be one of the most lethal species of dragons. His only goal was to survive though, he didn't care about winning.

Harry entered the arena and immediately hid behind a boulder, he took a glance around the rock to see the Horntail just waiting for him. As soon as he popped his head out, a blast of flames came looking for him. He pulled back, raised his wand and called for his broom.

"Accio Firebolt!" Harry screamed, as he crouched behind the rock. Whoever set him up was definitely looking to get him killed. Suddenly he heard a whoosh and looked to see his beloved broom flying at him. As it came around the boulder, Harry lunged and jumped on it and out of the way of another flame from the dragon. He flew up and away from the flames before turning and looking behind him at the dragon. He then dove, and made one attempt at the egg, flying between the dragons legs before pulling up again.

Harry missed the egg, but succeeded at his goal, he tried. He had to 'try' in the tournament, and try he did. However his life was more important to him than a golden egg. So, just as he planned, Harry turned away from the dragon, and flew away. He flew out of the arena, past the stadium and didn't stop till he was on the far side of the lake.

When Harry landed he ran to the tree he was at this morning. Up on the 1st low branch, was his backpack, with all of his important valuables covered under his invisibility cloak. Harry put the pack on his back, draped the cloak over himself, and got back on his broom. He took one last look at Hogwarts, before he flew towards Hogsmeade. Harry didn't really know anything about the outside of Hogwarts, but he did know that the train arrived at the station every September 1st, and planned to follow the tracks all the way back to London.

Xxx

Meanwhile back in the stadium, everyone had gone silent when Harry fled the scene. The dragon was still chained, but since there was no threat, had laid down (the walls separating the audience were covered in notice me not charms and safety protections). Hermione was a bundle of nerves when her best friend had entered the arena. She screamed when the flames came close to burning Harry to a crisp. She sighed in relief when his broom came and he took flight. Then, when he flew away, she knew this is what he meant, and she wept tears of happiness for him. He was escaping, with his life, but also so much more. He was escaping the politics and the pressure this society put on him. Hermione would miss him, but was also so happy for him.

Albus Dumbledore immediately knew something was wrong as Harry flew away. He tried to get down the stairs and out of the stadium to stop the boy as fast as possible, however too many were trying to talk to him and ask him questions about what had occurred that when he finally made it, he was too late. He couldn't find Harry anywhere. He feared for losing the boy and all of his plans would be for naught. He also feared that whomever put him in this tournament, would find him first, and then things could be much worse.

Chaos ensued at Hogwarts, but one boy with a lightning bolt scar, was oblivious to all of it.

Xxxx

Harry finally arrived at Kings Cross a little past 9 pm at night. He stopped in a lavatory and changed into muggle clothes, before dawning a baseball cap and making his way out into London. He couldn't help the smile on his face. He stopped and grabbed a sandwich to go, and kept moving.

The walk took longer than he expected but Harry didn't care. He never was allowed to explore London before, thanks to his esteemed relatives, and loved taking all the sites in, even at night. Finally, Harry crossed Dover St. and saw his end destination, The Ritz London. Then there, in an alcove across the street looking as unimposing as possible, was a very familiar Grim.

Harry continued walking towards the hotel as the overly large dog fell in step next to him. With a quick sweep of his arm his cloak came out of his bag and thrown over the canine just as they rounded the corner to enter the lobby. Unless someone was looking directly at them, no one would have noticed that the dog that seemed to disappear. Harry walked inside, checked himself into a room, and made sure to pause when entering the elevator as if allowing time for someone (or something) to join as well.

As soon as Harry opened the door to his room, a tall (if a little dirty) of a man stood in front of him smiling widely.

"Oh Harry! Your father would be proud! What a Marauder you are!" Sirius said as he pulled his godson into a hug, "When I got your owl this morning I couldn't get to London fast enough! Tell me everything that happened at Hogwarts."

Harry recapped the day to his Godfather and stated as he finished, "I was tired of it Sirius, all the expectations and the scrutiny, all the judgement. I've been thinking about it for weeks, but I knew I had to compete before I could leave. Then when I found it was dragons, and the idea of the broom was thrown in, I knew it was plausible. I made my way to the arena, if I got the egg great, and I did give it effort, when I didn't, I just hightailed it out of there, grabbed my hidden things and left."

Sirius was proud of him, and knew they had a lot to discuss, but not tonight. He looked around the hotel room, "Well let's get some rest and we'll figure out our next steps tomorrow, together. Don't forget Harry, you always have me, and I'm glad you wrote to me today."