Disclaimer: I do not own anything that can be identified as not being an original idea and I am not making any money as a result of my writing.

The Forth Champion

Everyone at the Hufflepuff table was cheering loudly; Cedric Diggory had just been announced as the Hogwarts Champion in the Triwizard Tournament. The noise continued long after Cedric had entered the antechamber to wait with the other two champions. Suddenly the noise stopped as the goblet flared a fourth time, ejecting another piece of parchment. Everyone watched as the parchment floated down, all wondering what was going on. Dumbledore reached out and snatched the parchment from its descent; every eye in the hall was trained on Dumbledore in anticipation. Slowly turning the parchment over and clearing his throat Dumbledore read out –

"Harry Potter"

Everything stopped, or so it seemed to Harry anyway. This couldn't be happening; his dreams of a normal school year without some sort of life treating adventure came shattering down around him. Harry became aware that Hermione was saying something and trying to get him to stand. He couldn't make out what she was saying or that most of the hall was shouting in outrage, all he could hear was white noise. Slowly he made his way to the antechamber the other champions had entered, letting his feet carry him automatically, his mind racing trying to understand how his name could possibly have come out of the goblet.

Harry stood waiting, oblivious to the world around him as Ludo Bagman was prattling on; grinning like all his Christmases had come at once. The door behind him opened with a bang withdrawing Harry from his daze allowing him to notice a large group of people entering: Professor Dumbledore closely followed by Professor Karkaroff, Madam Maxime, Mr Crouch, Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall. All of a sudden Harry found himself being hounded by Dumbledore. "Harry, did you put your name in the goblet of fire?" asked Dumbledore grabbing Harry's shoulder.

"No Sir" replied Harry leaning away trying to create some distance between himself and Dumbledore.

"Did you ask an older student to do it for you?" Dumbledore pressed.

"No Sir"

"Are you absolutely sure?"

"Yes Sir" Harry replied, relieved that Dumbledore had let go of him. Harry tuned everyone out again as they argued over something Harry knew was pointless, he had to compete, there was no way out of it, he knew that, so why bother wasting the energy arguing about it?

The next thing Harry was aware of was that he was being ushered out into the Great Hall; evidently the students had all gone to their dormitories as the Hall was empty. Exiting into the Entrance Hall Harry spotted Cedric Diggory up ahead. "Cedric wait up!" called Harry quickening his pace to catch up to the older boy. Pausing Cedric turned to Harry with a questioning look on his face.

"Yes?" said Cedric clearly wondering what Harry wanted.

"I just want you to know that I really didn't put my name in the goblet. I never waned any of this. You deserve to be the Hogwarts Champion, not me. Just please say you understand." Harry said nervously, hoping Cedric wasn't angry.

"I believe you Harry" replied Cedric after a long pause.

Harry beamed, "Thank you, for believing me. Well, good luck I suppose."

"You too." said Cedric and with that they both headed off to their own dormitories.

AN: I hope you enjoyed. Please review.