Harriet boarded the train and her, Ron and Hermione took their usual compartment at the back. Neville had joined them with Ginny and the twins. It was packed, but she knew the twins would be in and out for the day.

Ron was doing a lot to try and keep Harriet's spirits raised, so he started a lively game of exploding snaps.

Harriets mind, however, was still thinking over the end of year feast last night and the subsequent morning.

The end of year feast had been awkward and had also brought her close to tears.

She went to the feast a bit late with Hermione and Ron. Madam Pomfrey had been absolutely horrified by what happened in her hospital wing with Crouch Junior and had taken doting nurse duty to the extreme. It had been a nightmare to get out of the Hospital wing, but honestly, Harriet didn't mind too much.

The great hall had once again stopped the moment she walked in, and whispers exploded throughout the room. People were craning their necks and standing on the benches to get a look at her.

She found herself ducking slightly as she made her way towards the Gryffindor table.

As she approached, she saw all the Gryffindor fourth years in the usual spot on the table and she made her way towards them.

Lavender and Parvati had wide eyes as they approached and soon Lavender couldn't contain herself.

Lavender jumped up, ran up to them, and then threw her arms around Harriet. She proceeded to ball her eyes out, and soon Parvati had also joined in and she was buried under two weeping girls.

While Hermione was her best friend, she was still good friends with Parvati and Lavender. Harriet understood that she had probably scared the shit out of them two nights ago and the girls would have missed her terribly if she didn't make it back. She rubbed their backs and felt her own eyes get a little misty.

Soon they released her, but she was pulled in for another hug by Neville. The shy boy usually wasn't much for hugs, but she figured this was a special circumstance.

Finally, she was pulled in for a hug by Fleur who had jumped up from the Ravenclaw table to hug her when she had entered.

They continued to their seating and the Gryffindors, Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs waved or nodded on either side of her. Some Gryffindors squeezed her arms as they went by. The Quidditch team girls all gave her hugs as she walked by too, wiping under their eyes as she passed. She passed Cedric who stood up and pulled her into a hug.

"Harriet, I'm sorry we didn't believe you when you said you didn't put your name in the cup. You really were amazing, you know. None of us could have survived what you did," Cedric said after he pulled away. Cedric's friends all looked absolutely miserable and apologized to her.

She was embarrassed by all the attention. But she figured that this was just going to get worse. Soon she had sat down, but only after Dean and Seamus had given her hugs as well.

Ginny and Colin waved, and the younger Gryffindor's stared wide-eyed.

When everyone was settled, Dumbledore stood up. The hall went silent, and Dumbledore took a long moment to gather his thoughts.

"I have lived a long life and seen many students pass through these halls. The most important gift that Hogwarts will teach you, is the value of friendship and the importance of coexisting peacefully. We separate into houses not for the sake of competition, but for the sake of learning that different values are equally important, but only together can Hogwarts thrive. We live near the forest and the lake, so that students can learn that magical beast should be appreciated and protected. We live near tribes of centaurs and the mermaids, so that if students are lucky enough, they can learn respect and tolerance for different cultures and peoples. We invite student here with the sole exception that they want to explore and learn magic. Hogwarts does not care where they come from, Hogwarts does not care what they have, Hogwarts has always been a home for anyone that can see that magic is beautiful and wishes to use it."

"This tournament was a way to broaden all student's horizon's, to experience a different culture, but mostly to see that no matter the language or heritage, we are human. This tournament is about strengthening our bonds in the magical community and making friends."

There was a very pregnant pause.

"Someone thought to twist and defile this purpose…. Voldemort has risen." The room shuddered and a few people squeaked in fear.

"Voldemort tried to make this tournament about pain and death. To use the Videus Charm to spread his message of hate and fear…."

He paused again and everyone was hanging on his words with bated breath.

"But in the darkest hour and with no hope, Harriet Potter said 'Never.'" Harriet felt her face flush and many faces turn to her.

"There are many dark hours ahead, and the road will be difficult. Voldemort seeks to divide and conquer this world, and that is why this tournament is now more important than ever. Unity and friendship are the greatest weapons against Voldemort, and the bonds that we have created this year are another stone in our defense. To unite as a school, as a community, is to say Never to hate and fear."

"Now I invite you to raise your glass and toast to Harriet Potter, for showing us that there is a choice. That there is hope. That even in the darkest and most terrifying of moments you can do what is right and not what is easy…. To Harriet."

"To Harriet!" the school toasted back. Harriet kept her face forward.

She had spent the rest of the night packing and then spent some time in the boy's dorms with all the girls.

They were having a little last hoorah, the boys brought out the gobstones and they were having a tournament.

Harriet was quieter and ended up sitting with Neville on his bed watching the chaos that was the gobstones tournament. She focused on Neville when she felt him shift beside her.

"Harriet," Neville said. "I have your back, alright." Neville was looking down at his lap and fiddling with his hem.

"Pardon?" Harriet questioned.

Neville looked at her then, "I-I'm pretty useless, but I am going to get better. And when the time comes, if you need me, I'll be there."

Harriet stared wide-eyed at Neville.

"W-what are you saying?"

Neville shrugged, "there is going to be a war you know. I know what side I'm on."

Then he was called over because it was his turn and Harriet was left to mull over those words. She was confused, scared, and yet inexplicably relieved beyond measure. She had allies.

The morning was hectic like it always was when everyone was rushing to the train.

But there was time for McGonagall to pull her over.

"I went recently to the Dursleys, Harriet," she stated and instantly got Harriet's attention.

"I have informed them, in no uncertain terms, of what we think of their behavior towards you, and only you not filing charges resulted in them not ending up in wizarding prison. I also told them about the article. I have modified your room so that it only locks from the inside. I have put up a charm to alert Dumbledore if you are not being fed three meals a day and if the Dursleys touch you in a violent way. You are to send a letter to Dumbledore every three days, and the Dursleys know that if you don't there will be an en mass movement of wizards into Privet Drive to check on you. I also told them that they are not to restrict your movement, interrupt your studying, or assign chores. I told them, if you haven't finished your homework at the end of summer in a satisfactory manner, then I will be coming myself again in September, they seemed very upset at the prospect. Any bad reports from you will get us there in a moments notice, Harriet, and I said if they stayed out of your way then you would stay out of theirs. Does that seem reasonable?"

Harriet stared at McGonagall shocked, "er… yes."

"Good, now I know it isn't the greatest part of your year, but I still hope you have a pleasant summer, Harriet," said McGonagall with a small smile. Harriet smiled back.

Harriet was next approached by Krum and Fleur.

Fleur gave her a long hug and then a kiss on the cheek. Krum shook her hand. In that time Cedric had come over as well.

"Well, eet haz been an interesting year, non?" said Fleur with a smile. "But I am very 'appy to 'ave met you all."

"Myself as vell. Hogvarts is a good place." Krum said with an appreciative glance at the castle.

"How will you get back? I heard Karkaroff disappeared." Cedric asked. Apparently, Karkaroff ran in the middle of her battle with Voldemort.

"Ve vill be fine. The coward did nothing to steer the ship, it vas up to us," Krum told them, with a disgusted look at the mention of Karkaroff.

"Um… excuse me," a voice interrupted, they all turned to see Colin Creevey standing just off the side.

"Hi Colin," Harriet said.

"Heya Harry, I was just wondering if I could get a picture of all the champions. The background is good right there," Colin said with a flush to his cheeks.

"Why zat iz an excellent idea!" Fleur said, clapping her hands.

Krum shrugged and Cedric smiled. Harriet was fine with it.

Fleur placed her hand on Harriet's shoulder, and Krum settled a large hand on the other. Cedric came up beside Fleur and did the same.

"Zis iz not a smiling photo. Zis iz to show ze world zat we are not competitors, we are comrades!" Fleur said lifting her head like a queen and giving Colin her most regal and fierce look. Cedric looked at the camera and fixed it with a determined gaze. Krum straightened his back from its usual hunched position and lifted his chin in pride.

Harriet felt herself straighten as well. She looked at the camera and for the first time in her life did not feel awkward behind the lens.

The camera flashed and she blinked.

"Mr. Creevey," they all turned to see Professor McGonagall approaching. Colin kind of shrunk down. "You will send me a copy of that photo so I may put it in the trophy room. Understood?"

Colin lit up like a Christmas tree.

"Harry do you want a turn?"

Harriet was awoken from her musing by Ron asking her if she wanted to play exploding snaps.

She shook her head. "No, thanks, Ron."

Ron sighed and packed up his game. "Whatcha thinking about?"

"Just…" Harriet struggled to articulate her answer. "Is everything going to be different now? I wanted to survive the tournament and get back to the regular life, but it feels more like I have just taken the first step in a long hike."

The compartment contemplated the answer to that.

"Yeah," said Ron. "I reckon it will be, but not everything will be different. You still have us."

She smiled at him. Then she spotted the twins whispering.

"Guys why were you trying to get in contact with Bagman?" she asked, curious despite herself.

The twins shrugged.

"It doesn't really matter now," said Fred.

"Yeah, we were actually trying to get our money back," said George.

"Remember how we made a bet with him at the Quidditch world cup –"

"That Ireland would win—"

"But Krum would get the snitch?"

"Well we won, but he paid us in leprechaun gold."

"Therefore, it disappeared."

"So, we may have kinda been trying to blackmail him," said Fred sheepishly.

"WHAT!" everyone yelled.

"Well, we thought it was an honest mistake at first," said George.

"And we asked nicely," said Fred.

"But he just ignored us,"

"Turns out he was in deep with goblins and owed a lot of other people."

"He had a bet on you Harriet from the beginning. He used your low odds to win big,"

"But instead of paying people back—"

"He took the money and left the country,"

"There was a big thing in the Prophet yesterday,"

"We lost our savings, but honestly with everything that happened –" said George.

"Well we just feel it isn't worth it," said Fred.

"But… you guys want to start a joke shop," said Ginny sadly.

"And we will poppet!" said George.

"We just need some more time is all, it will come together," said Fred.

Harriet began musing and made a decision.

There was general chatter again then Fred and George left to find Lee, Ginny went to say goodbye to her friends, and Neville left to say goodbye to Seamus and Dean.

There was companionable silence between the three of them until Hermione broke it.

"Guys, I have something to tell you," Hermione said with an excited whisper. "I couldn't before because it was just so busy, but… I found out how Skeeter was getting her scoops,"

"Hermione," said Ron exasperated. "I warned you about getting into a fight with that woman. She is a nasty piece of work,"

"Well I have Ron, and I have her beaten," said Hermione proudly.

Harriet interrupted before another fight could break out, "What did you find?"

Hermione bit her lip and with a flourish, she pulled something from her book bag. It was a jar with holes punched in the top, and inside was a regular old beetle.

Ron and Harriet shared a look.

"Really you two," said Hermione. "Look at the markings on the head."

Harriet looked closer and saw that indeed there was a pattern on the beetle's face.

"Skeeter was using bugs to listen?" Ron asked.

"No Ron, Skeeter is the bug… she is an unregistered animagus, whose form… is a beetle," Hermione grinned evilly and stared at the beetle in the jar.

Ron and Harriet's jaw dropped, and they took a better look at the bug.

Then Harriet's eyes became misty, "the Yule ball, when I overheard Hagrid and Madam Maxine talking, there was a beetle on my dress. I thought it was weird cause it was so late in the year."

"And at the lake!" Ron exclaimed. "Krum pointed out there was a beetle in your hair," Ron said while pointing at Hermione.

"Exactly! That day we saw Pansy and thought she was talking in a walkie talkie? Well, that was just this old beetle. What you said about bugging gave me a clue Harriet, and then it was just fitting it together." Said Hermione smugly. "I caught her on the windowsill of the Hospital wing and put her in an unbreakable jar. I'll release her when I get out of the station. But I don't think that she will be writing any more exclusives about you, Harry. Unless she wants to end up in Azkaban."

Harriet and Ron both gave her impressed looks.

"You have outdone yourself this time Hermione. That was absolutely brilliant! Scary… but brilliant!" Ron said and Hermione flushed.

"Thanks, Hermione," said Harriet gratefully.

One less thing for her to worry about. She had the greatest friends.

They pulled into the station, and Harriet noticed it was more packed than usual. Parents and grandparents lined the station, their faces anxious.

And at the back, she could see many officially dressed wizards in matching robes.

"Those are Aurors," Ron said spotting where she was looking.

The train stopped and people began piling off and their parents were quick to grab their children and head to the exit.

Harriet, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and the twins made their way over to where Mrs. Weasely and Mr. Weasley were standing. Harriet could see farther back from the Weasleys the Dursleys were standing looking nervously around them.

She was distracted from walking by a sight to her right, a little way down the platform.

Platinum blonde hair shining in the light, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy stood as Draco walked over to them. The entire family was stiff, but Mr. Malfoy carried himself imperiously.

As Draco approached, Mrs. Malfoy reached out a hand and placed it on Draco's cheek. While she and Draco greeted each other, Mr. Malfoy's eyes scanned the platform. His eyes locked with her and held. His lips crawled up into a sinister sneer and she returned a hate-filled glare.

That man was vile.

She was woken from her glare off by a hand on her shoulder. It was Fred and George. They had obviously stopped and waited for her when she had stopped.

"Not the time –" said Fred.

"Nor the place," said George.

They sent their own glares toward the Malfoys.

She looked away and nodded, but stopped the twins before they could lead her other to the rest of the Family.

"Guys, I am going to give this to you." She said as she stooped down and opened her truck. She grabbed the bag that held the winnings for the Triwizard Tournament and handed it to them. She had already tried to foster off the winnings on Mrs. Weasley, Krum, Cedric and Fleur.

Fleur had been particularly incensed and went on a rant about taking money from an orphan who just fought a dark wizard. The rest was very colourful French.

The twins looked gobsmacked at the bag.

"Oh no, Harriet, I don't think so," Fred said.

"That's yours Poppet," Said George.

"Guys you have to," she said seriously.

"Uh uh,"

"No way,"

Harriet frowned at them.

"Fine, think of it this way. I want to make an investment in your shop. I will be your initial backer," she said seriously again, daring them to defy her. That gave the twins pause.

They looked at each other then looked back at Harriet.

"Your Joking?" Fred said.

"That's a lot of money, Harry," George added.

"I know, and I don't bloody want it. I didn't even win fair and square anyway. I think a lot of people are going to need laughs soon, and you guys are a smart investment." She nodded resolutely.

Fred and George gave her a long look. Then they turned back to each other and seemed to have an entire discussion silently.

"Are you sure?" George asked, looking back at her.

"Never been surer in my life," she said as she thrust the bag in their hands with a smile.

Fred held the bag, slightly wide-eyed and disbelieving. George just shook his head in awe.

"This means a lot to us, Harriet, we will pay you back one day," George said seriously.

"No need George. Just do me one favor, buy Ron a set of dress robes that don't look like they used to belong to his great aunt," she said with a grimace.

Fred and George laughed but agreed.

They turned and started to walk back over to their family and friends, but Harriet spared one last glance towards the Malfoys.

Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy were distracted, but Draco's eyes met her own. The mask was back in place, so his face was unreadable, but his eyes looked into her own with intensity.

She had not sought him out after the events in the Graveyard. He hadn't come to her either. She didn't know what to say to him. Didn't know how to approach.

His family was standing in direct opposition to her. His family was her enemy.

She wondered how it all ended up so complicated. Her first crush was in league with her nemesis. It seemed typical of her luck to put her in such a situation.

But she would need to have her wits about her. She couldn't afford to like Malfoy. She would have to let go of any feelings she had grown for the boy. She felt an uneasiness settle over her at the thought and the feeling of regret well up for a moment.

She shook off the feeling and broke eye contact with Draco. Then she walked over to the Weasleys.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley gave her a big hug when she got over to them. They held her for a moment then Mrs. Weasley kissed her cheek.

"We'll be in contact darling," Mrs. Weasley said and shot a look over her shoulder.

Standing off the side looking distinctly unimpressed was Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia. They had their noses in the air as if they smelled something foul and they were eyeing the Weasleys with displeasure.

Finally, Uncle Vernon was at the end of his patience.

"Well, come on girl!" he snapped.

As one, the Weasleys and many surrounding families looked over and glared at the Dursleys. By now everyone had read Skeeter's infamous article and they knew exactly how the Dursleys treated her.

Harriet saw Mrs. Weasley start to puff up in her fury, and she laid a calming hand on Mrs. Weasley's arm.

"Coming," she called. "It's alright, Mrs. Weasley. It's a necessary evil, and McGonagall scared them good."

Mrs. Weasley continued to glare. "You owl if you need anything dear, anything at all. We will be there in a jiffy if we don't hear from you, okay?"

She smiled, grabbed her things and made her way over to the now nervous looking Uncle Vernon.

As she walked away, she found herself feeling nostalgic. There were going to be a lot of changes and she was going to be at the center of a lot of the madness. But what happened had happened, and she would face the future as it came.

She would be ready, she would fight.

Final Chapter done. Thanks to everyone who followed, liked and reviewed. I hope to keep this going but don't have it in the works yet. Hopefully soon though. The next one is definitely going to have to be more creative to change one of the major plot points of book 5. Thanks again!