Disclaimer- This is a work of fanfiction based on the book series by J K Rowling, paraphrasing and direct quotes may occur.

Chapter 1 - Champions

The goblet of fire had just turned red again and sparks were flying out of it. A long flame shot suddenly into the air and borne upon it was another piece of parchment. Automatically it seemed, Dumbledore reached out with a long hand and seized it as it fluttered down under everyone's intense gaze.

He held it out and stared at the names written upon it. There was a long pause, during which Dumbledore stared at the slip in his hands and everyone stared at Dumbledore. It was a good minute of confusion until Dumbledore cleared his throat and read out –

"Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy."

Silence, death glares and looks of shock switched from Harry to Draco. Mutters of disbelief rose and fell around the hall. Harry sat there very aware that everyone had their attention on him and Malfoy. He was stunned, he felt numb, he was sure he must dreaming. He hadn't entered his name into the Goblet.

Harry turned to Ron and Hermione, "I didn't put my name in, you know I didn't." they just stared at him blankly. Ron's jaw moved but no words of comfort came out. He just stared accusingly at him.

"Harry you need to go." Hermione whispered pleadingly. But Harry didn't want to get up; he wanted nothing to do with that cup. He stared blankly at his rival.

Draco's initial shock quickly fell into disbelief and then alarm. The eyes of Slytherin were upon him. Those that were not stunned quickly possessed looks of disgust and sneered at him. Even his peers, Crabbe and Goyle did not know what to think at the best of times when uncertainty grew too great for the two it broke down into a turmoil of sullen anger. With scrunched up faces and folded arms that anger was being directed at him now. He glanced up and saw Blaise's unsettling gaze, Theodore was unreadable and Pansy looked like she was going to vomit.

Dumbledore called again. "Harry, Draco! Up here, if you please."

Harry was pushed up by one of the twins who nodded at him reassuringly. Seeing Harry stand Draco followed suit. They both felt like it was the longest walk of their lives. Longer than it had been to the sorting hat, it took seemingly forever for them to reach Dumbledore, the back of their heads burning with the intense gaze of the school's indignation.

"Well… through the door, both of you." Dumbledore wasn't smiling.

Harry and Draco looked at each other with loathing; they walked towards the door at the back of the hall glaring at each other every few seconds.

When they got through, still keeping their distance from one another, they found Cedric, Viktor and Fleur around a large fireplace very silent. Fleur was the first to notice them approaching the other champions, "What is eet?" she asked, recognising the boy from somewhere. "Do zey want us back in ze 'all?"

Again Harry and Draco looked at each other despairingly, neither of them knowing what to say or explain to the others what had just happened.

They all stood there estranged for a long time before Ludo Bagman burst into the room loudly, "Extraordinary!" he announced, coming between the Gryffindor and Slytherin students, gripping them both. "Absolutely extraordinary! Gentlemen and Lady. May I introduce – incredible as it really is – the fourth and fifth Triwizard champions."

"Oh vairy funny joke, Mister Bagman." Fleur said, her voice scornful.

"Joke? No, no. Not at all! Harry and Draco's names just came out of the Goblet of fire!" Ludo replied.

"Zey cannot compete. Zey are too young and zere are already three of us." The witch dismissed.

Harry stalked to the back of the room, escaping the light from the fireplace. Not wanting to listen to what they were saying, he just stared at the flames, waiting for someone to side with Fleur and drag him out of that room. There had to be a mistake, he couldn't be entered and he certainly couldn't be paired with Draco Malfoy of all people.

"But the age restriction was only imposed this year as an extra safety measure. Their names came out of the Goblet. I mean, I don't think there can be any ducking-out at this stage. It's down to the rules." He looked over at Harry and Draco. Harry's ears pricked up at this and dreaded what everyone will say. "You're obliged boys. You'll just have to do the best you can do."

The doors behind them opened again and a large group came through quickly into the room, Dumbledore in front with Mr Crouch followed closely by Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, McGonagall and Snape. Fleur quickly strode over to her tall headmistress, "Zey are saying zat zees little boys are to compete also!"

Her voice was filled with the conviction that there was a serious injustice. Harry found it difficult to argue with her. But still he felt a ripple of annoyance when he heard the French witch call him 'little' but it was nothing more than a slight irritation. They began to question whether they were cheated out of odds because of Dumbledore.

"Dis outrage Dumbledore - is your fault! I vill not allow it."

"It is not a question as to whether you allow it, Karkaroff... If anyone here was at fault, we would have noticed any…suspicious behaviour." Snape said his mouth twitching with disgust emphasising his last two words, his eyes scrutinising the Durmstrang Headmaster.

"Thank you, Severus." Dumbledore finally spoke. The room fell into silence.

"Harry, Draco," He began again urgently and calmly, "did either of you put your names into the Goblet of fire?" he asked with steady composure, his eyes bore deep into them both.

"No." They said simultaneously.

"Did you ask an older student to put it in the Goblet of Fire for you?"

"No." They repeated.

Their headmaster looked long and hard at them both, deep in thought he shook his head and muttering something inaudible and nodded.

"Well," Dumbledore began again looking at the others, "Their answers are genuine, I believe neither of these boys had any hand in tonight's unexpected and inexplicable events. They, it seems, are the victims of a bad joke or something far more sinister." their attention turned to Dumbledore with angered and disapproving looks.

Harry was sure if Karkaroff gritted his teeth anymore tonight he would have to re-grow them by morning.

As quickly as the quiet fell among them, the accusations rose up. Only Dumbledore kept his voice calm. Karkaroff was getting to shouting point saying he had a half a mind to leave.

"Empty threat, Karkaroff." Growled a low voice from the door. Moody had now entered the room. Or perhaps he had been there for a while, just watching with his electric blue eye. "You can't leave your champion now, He's got to compete. They've all got to compete. Binding magical contract. Convenient, eh?"

"Convenient? I am afraid I do not understand you, Moody." Karkaroff said with the fold of his arm.

"Or maybe you are just - afraid? It's very simple, Karkaroff. Someone put Harry and Malfoy's names into that Goblet knowing they'd have to compete if they came out."

"Evidently someone 'oo wanted to give 'Ogwarts three bites of ze apple," said Madame Maxime. "I shall be complaining to your minister of mageek and ze Confederation of Wizards"

"If anyone has reason to complain it's Harry and Malfoy, funny thing is I don't hear them saying a word." Mad-Eye snapped. Harry and Draco looked from each other to their Defence Against the Dark Arts professor.

"Why should zey complain?" Fleur butted in, she had been the only champion vocal about her displeasure, "Both 'im and zis 'Arry can compete. We 'ave all been 'oping to be chosen for weeks! 'Onour, prize money, zis ees a chance zo many would die for." there was a fire in her eyes as she spoke, not fearing Moody's grizzled appearance in the slightest. Krum just sat staring by the fireplace while Cedric watched with a sad expression on his face.

"Well maybe someone is hoping Malfoy and Harry are going to die for it." Fleur looked at Harry and Draco tried to compose her face so it was unreadable. She was more than a little angry, she had wanted so badly the chance to prove to herself that she was not just the best of the students in her school but those of Hogwarts and Durmstrang. That she wasn't just beauty.

However now she was actually chosen, she has to compete against two additional students, who had no doubt cheated their way into competing. This was including a Malfoy of all people, like cockroaches they were everywhere it seemed. She was unable to grasp why anyone would want two teenage boys dead, it seemed a ludicrous thought.

Everyone once more fell silent at Moody's suspicion - so Moody continued, "It was a skilled witch or wizard who put the boys' name in the goblet. We know this because they hoodwinked a very old and very powerful magical artefact, which would have required an extremely powerful confundus charm to confuse that Goblet into forgetting that only three schools have only one champion. My guess is they submitted Harry and Malfoy's name into an unspecified fourth school. Seeing as their names came out on the same piece of parchment which means they are champions together."

Moody looked around with a glare at everyone, his magical blue eye spinning everywhere.

"You seem to have given dis a lot of thought in such a short amount of time Professor Moody." Karkaroff spat.

"If you recall it was once my job to thank as dark wizards do, or have you forgotten Karkaroff?" Mad Eye leered at him.

No one questioned Moody now, the tension in the room had grown thick and uncomfortable.

There was a long pause before Bagman broke the silence. "W-Well, let's crack on then, Barty if you would." Ludo started, he clapped his hands once and smiled, trying to break the hostility and failing spectacularly.

"So, the first task is designed carefully to test your daring. So we will not be telling you what it is you will be facing. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard, very important. The task will take place on November the twenty-fourth, in front of the students of the three schools and the panel of judges. The champions are to not to ask for or accept the help of any kind from their teachers to complete the tasks in the tournament. Champions will only be permitted their wands. They will receive information about the second task when the first is over. Champions are exempted from the end of year tests."

Harry thought that could be the only good thing to come out of this tournament, providing he didn't die halfway through.

The Professors began to talk among themselves; Cedric quietly went over to Mr Crouch and shook his hand. Krum was escorted out by his even surlier headmaster. While Fleur stalked out as fast as she could, Madame Maxime stiffly apologised to the staff faculty and bade them all goodnight.

Dumbledore then ushered the three Hogwarts students together, "Cedric, Draco, Harry, I suggest you three go to bed, I am quite sure Hufflepuff, Slytherin and Gryffindor are waiting to celebrate with their champions, I think it would be a great shame to deprive them any longer to make a great deal of mess and noise."

As they left Draco turned to Harry and glared. He was going to say something but the dark look in Harry's eye cut him off completely. With Cedric, they walked into a now deserted great hall. Both Malfoy and Harry didn't even know what to say, so they just continued to walk with their dark looks dreading what was being said in the dormitories.

"So," Cedric broke the silence, "looks like we'll be competing again."

"S'pose." Harry didn't feel like talking, as much as he liked Cedric, his brain felt like it had been scrambled utterly.

Draco merely grunted and broke off, making his way towards the dungeons. Harry and Cedric left the entrance hall in quiet with a tired farewell.

On his way back to the dungeon, Draco's thoughts were consumed by what Moody had said about someone wanting him and Harry dead. He tried not to imagine what his father might say.

He could almost hear the exact tone of disgust and disappointment he'd have. Draco subconsciously raised his hand to his cheek and could only snarl at the thought of him, his father, the wizard who had seemed so great, so powerful and superior – was really just a coward hiding behind a mask.

Draco used to think it was because of him that people feared the name Malfoy, buying people didn't make him feared.

He realised he had been so very stupid, so utterly stupid and blind to think that he could say and do whatever he pleased without so much of a consequence. Now the consequences seemed to have finally caught up with him.

All he wanted now was go straight down to bed, to let sleep take him and wake up from this nightmare. After he muttered the password and walked past the wall of skulls he found all the older students sat down. Their pale faces illuminated only by the eerily dim firelight. The senior students often had talks about house matters that went late into the night.

They all stared at him with a mixture of disgust, confusion and hatred contorting their faces.

He knew he must look like a joke.

Slytherins were always the first to be mocked and Draco had just given them another reason to be held in contempt. It looked too much like he was a boy with more ambition than he could handle, too used to getting what he wants.

Draco knew he must've looked exactly how he saw Harry Potter. They must have thought the same about him. At that moment he knew had never once had their respect, only their courtesy.

"What are you all looking at?" He sneered at them, his anxiousness barely contained.

Never let them see your true face. Snape's words echo his head. The head of house said the same to every first year, a lesson every Slytherin must learn.

He remembered his smugness then, supposedly the pride of his house, or so his father would have had him believe. He had no mask, his face was painted by Lucius in his image and now it was fading away. Even Draco had no idea what was hidden under.

No one in the dorm room said anything when he entered. The muffled snores of Crabbe and Goyle sounded genuine but he knew full well Blaise and Theodore were only pretending to be asleep. Falling on his bed Draco tried to do the same.

When morning finally came Crabbe and Goyle were the only ones still asleep in bed. Upstairs he immediately spotted his other two roommates already awake in the common room, in a corner whispering to themselves. They saw Draco and he ignored the looks of odd curiosity. Undoubtedly they were silently judging him, just like everyone now.

Draco thought he and Nott could have been better friends once, but somehow he pushed the other boy away. It was a pity seeing as Theodore actually had a brain, Draco thought. Sitting at a desk he heard them start muttering again but was unable to make out their words with their low voices. Draco pushed down the urge to turn around and jinx them and left them to believe what they wanted. He tuned out and started to write.

He looked over his words carefully, at least he knew he had at least one parent he could count on. Finished, he decidedly made his way to the owlery. The felt letter heavy in his hand weighed down by a hundred fears within it. He wouldn't be running to his father with this, not this time, not after the failures of the past year.

He came out of his thoughts when the long staircase to the owlery finished and saw him there, sat on the upper floor petting his snowy owl.

"You took your time." Harry said grudgingly.

"You knew I'd come up here?" Draco gritted his teeth.

"Same reason as me."

We are far from the same. Draco rubbed his eyes warily.

"Couldn't sleep either then?" Harry asked, he noticed the dark bags under Draco's eyes and they both knew neither of them slept much that night.

All either of them could think about was who could be responsible.

"It wasn't anything to do with me you know. I never wanted any of this." Draco couldn't keep the bitterness out of his voice but didn't care. He just needed to say it out loud, at least once and have someone who knew the truth. Even if that someone was Harry Potter the boy he hated most in this world.

He recalled his anger when Harry spurned him in the entrance hall before they were about to be sorted perfectly. How he so wanted to be best friends with Harry Potter, to show him how he could have anything he wanted with a click of his fingers. A scion of wealth and power to rival his own, a dream he had of two heirs standing back to back against the world, making their enemies in every corner cower in fear. What a childish fantasy that had been.

"Yeah, and you know I didn't either." Harry replied darkly.

"Oh, I don't know Scarhead." Draco gave him a cold smirk. "Now Viktor Krum is here, no one is falling for the famous Harry Potter. Tri-Wizard Cup is a perfect way to get it back isn't it?"

Draco knew he hates his fame, that he resents it, refusing to use his influence - a mistake in his opinion.

Fool.

He hoped Harry would reach for his wand, he was itching for a fight. He saw the amusement dancing in the other boy's eyes.

"I'm the boy who lived; I have enough eternal glory thanks." Harry pointed out as if it was obvious and suddenly Draco started to laugh.

Eternal glory, it was the punch line of the joke that was the tournament. To be renowned to a few wizards before being forgotten to all but the history books, providing you didn't die, that is when you received the eternal glory. Everyone had their own reasons for entering. In most cases, it was the money people enter for, but for Harry and Draco who both have enough wealth without the one thousand galleons, it was simply ironic.

"You alright?" Harry asked looking at Draco strangely who had just stopped laughing.

"Just seeing the only shred of humour in this situation. Why so bitter?" Draco asked.

"Other than the fact I'm in this tournament with you?"

"Yes, other than that small set back on your precious popularity."

"Being famous gave me little friends, becoming champion has left me with even less." Harry continued. "At least if I'm kicking the bucket you are too."

"I thought your Gryffindors would support their one and only Potter." Harry began to laugh at that. "What now?" Draco attached his letter to his owl Aries' leg.

"I would have said the same about the snakes and you." He mused.

They sat at the top of the stairs and for the first time since that day in Madame Malkins they were talking half civilly towards each other.

"So who were you sending your letter to Potter? I didn't think you had any family who cared about you enough." Draco asked noticing that his owl didn't have a letter attached to her leg.

He didn't really care or know much about Harry's family, he had always assumed he'd been pampered by his extended family, as the years passed he grew unsure of that though, or else he'd have assumed Harry would have a much different personality and why else would he choose to spend time with Weasleys?

Draco knew his own family tree, technically he was one of the closest wizarding blood relatives alive to Harry. As a child he often wondered when he learnt this why he hadn't been called to live with them, to which his mother had no answer and his father would only grow angry and cold towards Draco.

"I don't." Harry didn't go any further than this, and Draco didn't push him further. Of all people, he knew he wasn't going to open up to him, not after all he had done. "This is all fucked up." Harry muttered and Draco nodded, silently agreeing.

He decided not to mention how it was probably entirely Harry's fault, they'd both know he'd be right and he didn't want them on any more common ground as it was.

"So have you had any bright ideas any why anyone might want us both dead?" Draco asked.

The Slytherin boy was aware Harry had plenty of enemies out in the world and the name Malfoy has its own too, but none of whom are in the same league.

"Well I'm Harry Potter and you're a slimy git. That must be reason enough for someone."

"That's no help."

"Come on, I reckon people will be awake soon, I don't know about you but I'd like to eat breakfast without getting stared at." Harry resigned as he stood up.

They were both disheartened to find that the Hall had already begun to fill out with students. There was something odd about the great hall when Harry's eyes then fell on a sixth table in the centre just next to the Ravenclaw table, it was about half the size of the other house tables and had only five current occupants, among them Cedric Diggory, Viktor Krum and Fleur Delacour.

Before Harry could turn around and leave Cedric had already spotted them, he called out Harry and beckoned him over. Harry, not wanting to be impolite nodded at Cedric and walked over to them. Draco took a look at the Slytherin table, where those who had already come up to breakfast were already glaring at him decided he would be better off with the lesser of two evils.

"Draco, Harry." Cedric nodded as they took their seats.

"What's with the new table?" Harry asked, not wasting time he started to pile his plate up with bacon.

"Dumbledore's idea I think. Professor Sprout said we should get to know one another better. Mostly though I think it is because you're situations as had some unique consequences." Cedric informed them with a pleasant grin.

"They are isolating us to prevent any further difficulties within our houses." Draco summarised quickly and narrowed his gaze at the staff table.

Harry, deciding to look at the positives he could not say he had not imagined having breakfast with Viktor Krum. He felt there was something odd about the situation of being in the proximity of someone who was just as famous as himself. Realising a lot of people filing into the hall were not glaring at him and Malfoy but rather starstruck by Krum also worked to his advantage.

"They think fast I'll give them that." Harry commented, his anxiety easing a little. At least now he wouldn't have to deal with Ron's inevitable glaring.

"Let's try and be friends then alright?" Cedric suggested as upbeat and cheerful as always.

"Champions are competitors, not friends." Malfoy said disdainfully.

"What about us Draco?" Harry asked raising an eyebrow.

"Get stuffed, like I'd want to be friends with you Scarhead." Draco said throwing a slice toast at Harry.

Draco's aim was a little off, but Harry being fast managed to catch the toast before it landed in the Beauxbatons champion's hair. This did nothing to merit mercy for the glare that they both then received.

The French girl muttered something almost inaudible but Harry managed to catch the words.

"I'm afraid I don't speak french, can you repeat that?" Harry said calling her out.

"Eet doezzn't matter." She said quietly turning her head away from them.

"So, thoughts on the first task?" Harry asked idly turning back to Cedric.

"So long as it has nothing to do with Hagrid's baby skrewts it should be fine. What do you think?" Cedric said lightly.

"Preferably nothing that'll kill us but I suppose that defeats the whole point doesn't it?" Harry replied with a forced grin.

"What about you Draco?" Cedric asked.

"I really couldn't care less." The blonde wizard mumbled his indifference. Harry grimaced as Cedric shook his head while Fleur frowned in shock.

"'Ow can you not care? Eet iz important zat you and your friend care the most out of all of us, if you want to win or better yet survive." As Fleur said this she saw Harry's eyes darken. If it hadn't been for the insult he may have laughed at being called Draco's friend.

"One. Easily. And two, whoever said we wanted to win?" Draco said coldly.

"Knowing my luck we just might." Harry said not meaning to be serious making Draco snort.

"Vraiment? Zen I look forward to ze challenge of your capabilities" she said her delicate voiced laced with sarcasm.

"Sure it'd be embarrassing for you lose to a 'little boy' right?" Harry repeated her words and stuck out his tongue.

Fleur let out a short unconvinced laugh before regretting it. She saw the way his eyes darkened once more from their bright green. Before he could retort, a distraction came to Harry in the form of a very irate Hermione Granger who sat herself heavily next to Harry.

"Where have you been? I was looking for you this morning when Seamus said he found your bed empty. And Ron was of absolutely no help! I thought-"

"Thought what? Someone came and kidnapped me in my sleep?"

"This is not a joke." She said unimpressed, ignoring the amused looks the other champions gave.

"I know, but it wouldn't be a first. Sit down and have some cereal." said Harry feeling a little guilt and going slightly pink at the fuss. Malfoy sniggered to himself.

"So you saw Ron this morning." Harry muttered. The memory of their argument the previous night was more than unpleasant. Ron outright rejecting anything Harry had to say, even though he knew Harry had nothing to with the Goblet's selection.

"Yes, but he- well.."

"What is it?" Harry pressed on, not sure if he wanted to know.

"He was just being an arse. A very insufferable arse."

"So you've seen the light, I'm impressed Granger." Draco said amused.

"Shut it, Malfoy." Harry said, trying not to dwell on the matter. "I need to grab my bag before Herbology starts see you down at the greenhouses."

He stood up and saw Fleur giving him a cold look, which he returned before leaving the table.

Hermione slightly crestfallen, saw the exchange Harry gave to the Beauxbatons student and turned on the French girl. "What did you say to him?"

It was Draco who answered, before the silvery hair girl could say a word. "Said she didn't think we were capable of competing in the tournament, then went and laughed at him when he told her she had no idea." He said in a bored voice.

"Thank you. Malfoy." She said curtly, clearly not meaning it. "Understand this, Ma belle petite! Harry doesn't deserve snide comments from you; he has faced more horrors than you could imagine." with that Hermione marched out of the great hall.

"Might I introduce you all to Hermione Granger and Harry Potter." Cedric said comically.

Krum looked up surprised then shrugged, his eyes trailing the bushy brown hair out of the great hall. Fleur though, she looked like she had been slapped in the face.

The remainder of the week had been the worst Harry had experienced, worse even than when in his second year when everyone thought him to be the heir of Slytherin, at least then they had been too afraid to speak out.

He could easily evade the contempt of the students of all three schools who were of the same opinion he and Draco had cheated their way into the tournament, what truly hurt Harry was losing the support of his constant friend.

"Of course I know you didn't enter yourself, your face when Dumbledore read out your names was enough to tell." Hermione had told Harry trying to reassure him that the circumstances were unfair at best. But that did nothing to comfort him from the absence of Ron who was stubbornly refusing to see reason.

He understood that he cast a long shadow. Well aware Ron had enough to contend with at home and that at Hogwarts he shouldn't have to deal with the ever-growing infamy that was the boy-who-lived. Harry felt bitter at the fact he stood with most of the rest of his house in snubbing him.

The fact that he had to call Draco his partner, the person they all shared a severe loathing toward, only added more salt to the youngest Weasley son's wounds. He wondered how different things would be if it was Ron's name beside his own on that parchment. Perhaps then he could still rely on the support of Gryffindor, that they would revel in having two champions of their own to face against Cedric, Durmstrang and Beauxbatons.

The week was long, the looks he received grew no easier to deal with and he often found himself sat alone save Hermione and - as odd as it was, no matter how much he detested it - Draco. A silent agreement between the two had formed and they understood that they had to tolerate each other when faced against the outrage of the other students.

Harry was almost thankful when the afternoon of double potions arrived. Snape's hatred for him had always been constant, but it meant he could disappear for the weekend. He could use his invisibility cloak and map more freely and avoid all the disdain that was now reigning down upon him.

He never thought he'd enjoy the steps down to the dungeons as much as he did that day.

Harry took a seat on an empty table when he entered the potions dungeon. He looked at Ron who had taken a seat next to Neville and like an echo, Draco abandoned his seat with Crabbe and Goyle by took a table to himself.

Knowing it would take very little for Snape to snap his temper he consciously decided to keep his mouth shut no matter what provocation came his way. Given all he had put up with that week, he was sure any further aggravation could end in him spending his weekend escape in detention.

He was thankful when a flustered Hermione came in took a seat next to him, his dark mood lightening a little with the comfort and presence of his truest friend. His tense composure relaxed.

"Don't sugar coat anything. What did Ron have to say this morning?" He asked silently hating the position he had forced her in, a relay, taking messages and between the two once close friends.

"Well, he's finally starting to believe you had no hand in entering. But he can't get his head around the fact you're 'standing with the enemy'. He thinks Draco has some sort of plot to twist you're head and turn you against everyone. When I told him he was being senseless he got all stubborn and thought I was buying into some Slytherin conspiracy and that I was only going to get hurt." She paused for a second as Harry nodded. "So, I told him to not to speak to us until he grew up and accepted the fact Draco is as much a victim as you in this case- which he really didn't like."

Hermione understood now the feeling of being in the middle like Harry had experienced earlier in the year. Unlike him though Hermione wasn't going to remain neutral, not when she was an advocate for logic and reason, two things Ron had difficulty wrestling with at times. That was not to even mention the only thing she actually had in common with Ron was their friendship with Harry. The knowledge that she was going to stand firmly beside him helped more than anything else could at that moment. He looked at Malfoy with sympathy because there wasn't even a friend like Hermione to support him.

"Thanks 'Mione, I know how hard this must be on you." Harry squeezed her hand under the table and smiled at her.

It wasn't long into the lesson that Colin Creevey knocked on the potions classroom door standing timidly in the doorway. Snape turned slowly and glared down at the boy down his nose.

"What is it?" he said gradually in his monotone sneer.

"Sir, Draco and Harry are needed in the trophy room as champions. F-for the wand weighing." The boy replied.

"Draco, Potter, I expect you to finish your antidote notes up to step fourteen on the board" Snape sneered.

"Yes Professor Snape." Harry said dully.

"Next lesson we will test how well your antidote has been brewed," Harry got up and made his way to the door, "and Potter, next time you feel like holding Miss Granger's hand I would suggest you do it out of class."

Everyone snickered. Harry felt his anger flare but swallowing his pride he followed Draco out of the classroom, letting Colin lead the way to the trophy room. In Snape's defence he had gotten off rather lightly with that one, most likely because he no longer had Ron distracting him Harry managed to brew without any errors. When Snape had walked past his usual smirk turned into a sneer as he noticed Harry's antidote wasn't as abysmal as he anticipated, but it looked almost on par with Hermione's.

They both came in quietly and uncomfortably. The usual walls of shields and cabinets of cups were obscured by a large group of people hovering around the present champions. Fleur stood next to Cedric in the cold draughty hall, while Krum stood by the window broodingly. Ludo was ecstatic as ever to see them.

"Well, now that you're all here the wand weighing will be under-'weigh' in a few moments, do make yourselves comfortable." Mr Bagman said happily ushering them in closer.

Harry and Draco ignored him and the curious looks they were getting off the ministry officials, opting to step to the side by the quidditch trophies. Harry spotted the medium size plaque for catching the snitch in record time with his name engraved upon it.

"I still can't believe there'll be no house cup this year." Harry finally said in a glum voice.

Draco paused, "I was really looking forward to knocking you off that obnoxious firebolt of yours."

"It's okay, it's only natural to be jealous of my broom."

"Fuck off Scarhead."

"You could be a brilliant player you know." Harry stated.

Draco growled.

"I'm just saying if you got your head in the game a bit and didn't get distracted by insulting us and playing dirty half the time that is." Harry admitted.

"Piss off. I enjoy the game as much as the opportunity to insult and injure you."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, you're that much of a dickhead Potter," Draco whispered. "seeker isn't even the position I'm best at you know. I only went for it because I thought I should be able to beat you."

Just then Ludo appeared behind them his boyish grin plastered on his face, "You two still have that house rivalry I see? That is unfortunate." He whispered to them.

"Mr Bagman sir?" Harry asked stepping back.

"Well Harry, let's just say I arranged a little something last night, needed to appease the delegations somehow! Don't worry you'll love it - I have a lot of friends very willing to help out and since I'm head of the department, I have no objections." He winked with a jolly laugh and before they could say anything he had already turned talking to a blond woman in yellow.

"What did that old has-been just say?" Draco asked.

"I haven't a clue." Although Harry had a small inkling as to what he had just alluded to.

"As usual." Draco muttered.

Everyone seemed to move around the panel of tables, so Draco and Harry neared them while still trying to remain as far away as possible.

"Our wand expert will be here any second with Dumbledore, so if you would all like to sit after there will be a photo shoot for a little exclusive piece for the Daily Prophet." Bagman said gesturing to the five unoccupied seats, by the velvet covered tables. Harry supposed that they were obviously meant for champions.

Harry placed himself between Cedric and Draco. They looked up at Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, Bagman and Crouch all sat in a row. The doors opened once more and everyone turned their attention to the headmaster, his eyes shone as he smiled kindly at the champions down his crooked nose.

"May I introduce Mr Olivander." Dumbledore said, taking his place at the end of the judges' table. "He will be ensuring your wands are all in good condition before the tournament."

Harry looked around in surprise to see the old wizard with pale eyes standing quietly by the window. He looked just as old as the day Harry had first gone into his store three years ago in Diagon Alley.

"Ladies first shall we?" Olivander said serenely. He still spoke as if he was somewhat detached form the world.

"Mademoiselle Delacour, if you would step forward please," Dumbledore announced. Fleur stood up with her head held high and swept over to Olivander and handed him her wand. His long pale fingers traced the ornately carved instrument from one end to the other with a very careful and intense gaze. His eyes seemed to focus as if all that serenity had vanished when he fixed his eyes on the wand.

"Hmm…" He said before twirling the wand between his fingers like a baton and shooting gold and pink sparks across the room. "Yes," he said quietly, "nine and a half inches … inflexible … rose wood … and containing… well, isn't that unusual?"

Everyone stared at Fleur, who just flipped her hair over one shoulder. She smiled weakly, but Harry could see it didn't quiet reach her eyes.

"An 'air from ze 'ead of a veela. Eet was my grandmother's" said Fleur with a faint air of nonchalance.

Harry did a double take, so Fleur was part veela, he thought. That explained why everyone around her had trouble tearing their eyes away from the witch.

"Yes," Said Mr Olivander, "personally I never used veela hair myself, of course. Due to the nature of veela, a strong emotional bond is needed for the most effective wands, but that is uncommon to come by and so they often just turn out temperamental. Still, this wand is very well suited for your charms work Miss Delacour." He ran his fingers across the length of the wand again checking for scratches and bumps, and then he murmured "Orchideous." And a bunch of pale yellow flowers erupted from the wand's tip.

"Very well, your wand is in perfect order." Olivander scooped up the flowers and handed them to Fleur with her wand.

"Mr Diggory, if you please." Dumbledore announced and Fleur glided back to her seat smiling at the flowers she now held.

"Ah, now here is one of my creations." Olivander said now with more enthusiasm as Cedric presented his wand, "Yes, I remember this particular fine unicorn giving me a lot of trouble. Twelve and a quarter inches, ash and pleasantly springy, it's in fine condition, polished once a week?"

Cedric nodded as both Harry and Draco snorted, an innuendo if ever they heard one.

"Most impressive. It will make a transfiguration master's wand yet I believe." Olivander smiled broadly whilst conjuring a series of silver smoke rings and handing Cedric his wand back.

"Mr Krum?" Krum stood from his slouch and scowled as he walked over to the wandmaker. "One of Gregorovitch's I assume, yes his signature is right there." Krum's eyes narrowed as Olivander pointed to a mark on the wand. Harry caught the subtle glance he sent at a thoughtful looking Dumbledore.

With a flick, Olivander produced a rabbit onto the table in front of the judges. "Yes, that'll do very nicely Mr Krum, Hornbeam, ten inches and three quarters, dragon heartstring, built for power, rather inflexible."

Krum snatched his wand and walked back to his seat rather rigidly. Harry thought his scowl had deepened considerably darker than usual.

"Mr Malfoy next," Olivander said with a sad smile. Draco walked up without so much as an acknowledgement and presented his wand forward. "This I remember crafting, one of my more unusual creations. Hawthorn soaked in dragon's blood, hair of a very handsome black unicorn, ten inches, reasonably springy, one of my finest." Draco gave a half smile and rose is head a little higher after this.

Harry began to grow a little anxious. Although he was very happy with his wand, Harry did not particularly want the knowledge that the phoenix wand's brother had belonged to Lord Voldemort, much like he didn't want people knowing about the Dursleys. Harry had found that you can't help who you are related to. Besides, it would only add fuel to the flames of false rumours about him, especially since his second year. Harry looked up to see everyone looking at him as Draco had just sat down.

"And finally, Mr Potter it is good to see you again." Olivander said.

"And you sir." Harry held out his wand to Olivander handle first.

"Ten inches, holly, phoenix feather." He murmured his silver eyes in awe. "Corvusavis." He whispered with a slash, a large raven flew out of the end of the wand with a flash. Harry sighed in relief as his wand was returned to him with the approval of the wandcrafter.

Only then were he and the other champions pulled in by reporters for a photoshoot. Harry was surprised to see that Krum still had had trademark scowl on, Harry thought that surely a professional quidditch player would be used to photographs by now. Then again, it was a very annoying and tedious affair. The cameramen could not decide if they wanted the enigmatic rule breakers Harry and Draco or the beautiful Fleur to be the focus in the front, so much so it became a battle of the photographers pushing the Triwizard champions to stand in different places.

When the ordeal of photographs was over Harry couldn't be more thankful, he attempted to shoot out of there as fast as it would have been socially acceptable, somehow he didn't quiet reach the door before Draco. Suddenly two hands shot out and grasped both Harry and Draco by the neck.

"Now, now boys, you wouldn't want to deny me an exclusive with the two youngest, strapping and interesting champions would you? I'm Rita Skeeta and I write for the Daily Prophet. But you must already know that it's you two we really want to know" Clutching them both stood a pretty blonde woman wearing heavy makeup, horn-rimmed glasses and a bright yellow dress. While she wore the nastiest smile Harry had ever seen.

Pushing them both into a broom closet Harry struggled to breathe as he was reminded of how much he hated enclosed spaces.

Rita proceeded to fire question after question at the two of them. Most of which made Harry extremely uncomfortable or unable to answer at all before she went onto the next. Unsurprisingly Draco appeared to be a natural with slick scathing answers that not only condemned the school, the ministry, and to Harry's surprise, even his father on the board of governors. Rita ate them all up with glee.

Finally, after Rita had gotten her fill they were released from that stuffy broom cupboard.

"Want to tell me what that was about?" Harry heard himself ask as he looked to see him raise his head with a blank face.

"Just making a statement against my father." He says with a touch of venom, a venom that had been noticeably absent lately. He screwed his face up in thought for a second before he spoke. "I wouldn't expect you to understand Potter."

"Obviously." Harry growled.

Draco sighed "He hasn't been pleased with me, not since he found out Granger hit me really. A girl of no blood status - wait, listen to me. Despite everything a-" He paused and winced. Harry knew what he stopped himself from saying. "-a muggleborn could draw first blood with no fear of retribution. When he found out he wanted to send a message, I wanted to get my revenge in my own way but he didn't care. My father made it about himself rather than myself and my actions, which resulted in a few arguments. It was the first time I've found myself on his bad side. That's why at the world cup-" Draco stopped, he realised he had nearly said too much and his scowl deepened.

"What at the world cup?" Harry asked unsure if he even wanted to know or whether he should press further.

The world really is turning upside down. It was enough to give Harry a headache.

"Never mind you wouldn't believe me anyway." Draco scowled.

"Whatever, I can't forgive you, you know. You were a real git last year. This tournament doesn't make us friends, alright?" Harry said very seriously.

The very word 'friends' felt wrong on Harry's tongue.

It went against the fibres of his being to so easily come to terms with the person who gleefully hoped Hermione would get dragged down to the chamber of secrets. Harry could take anything when it was aimed at him, but he couldn't forgive the grievances against his friends so easily, even if he wasn't the same Draco.

"I don't want your forgiveness. But like it or not we're allies in this, for now. But only because we have to get through this shit storm together." Draco said offering out his hand to the raven-haired wizard for the second time in his life, and albeit reluctantly this time Harry shook it.