Tournament Hilarity

'NO! NO! NO! NO! I WON'T DO IT!'

'Harry please calm down. We'll figure something out' Hermione soothed.

Harry collapsed onto his bed and sighed.

'Again Hermione, they're doing it again! Why can't I ever have a normal school year?!'

She sympathised with her friend, she really did. This tournament just reeked of stupidity. Why bring it back when people had died competing in it?!

'I know Harry. I promise, I'll look up everything I can. Surely they aren't expecting you to compete when you aren't even the right age!'

He chuckled softly. He knew he could trust Hermione to help. His smile faded when he realised he had no such help from Ron. Bloody prat had gone off on another jealous rage when that goblet spat out Harry's name.

'Thanks Hermione, I really appreciate it'.

She smiled and held out her hand, dragging him up from the bed. Together they headed out the common room, bypassing the crowd of cheering Gryffindors, and went to the library. They noticed the school assistant Julian at one of the tables flicking through a large book and headed over.

'Hello Sir'.

The young man looked up from his book and smiled.

'Miss Granger, Mr Potter' he greeted.

As Hermione went off to search for any helpful books, Harry sat beside the assistant and thudded his head on the table. He cringed when the librarian shushed him.

'That can't be doing your head any favours' Julian remarked.

Harry looked up and gave the man a grim smile.

'That's what I was hoping for. Maybe I could knock myself out for the rest of the year'.

Julian nodded, giving him a look of sympathy.

'Not looking forward to this tournament?'

Harry snorted.

'I was, until my name came out the goblet. Everyone thinks I put it in there but I didn't!'

Julian leaned forward.

'I believe you didn't, Mr Potter. Your face alone showed that'.

Harry sat up in surprise.

'You believe me?!'

The man nodded, and pushed his book over.

'Why do you think I'm reading this?'

Harry looked down, to find a book on Tri-Wizard Tournament rules and regulations. He looked back up with wide eyes.

'You're helping me?'

Julian nodded again with a smile, looking over as Hermione came back with a small bundle of books.

'I found what I could Harry. There should be a book on the rules but I couldn't find it anywhere' she said as she sat down.

Harry gave a quiet laugh.

'Professor Heartright got to it first' he grinned.

She started and looked at Julian who tutted at Harry.

'I'm an assistant Mr Potter. I keep telling you to call me Julian. And no more Sir either. Makes me feel old'.

Hermione blinked, then smiled.

'So you're really going to help us? I don't want Harry getting hurt. Are you even allowed to help?'

'Another reason why I was looking up the rules. It says here that professors and judges can't help the contestants. I don't qualify for either' Julian replied with a grin.

He pushed the book over to Hermione, who snatched it and delved inside. Chuckling Julian turned to Harry.

'I'd say you don't need my help. Miss Granger here achieves whatever she puts her mind to'.

Harry grinned back. Together the trio read through the books, looking for anything that would help Harry get out of the tournament, or at least get through it alive.

'Oh Harry I've found something!' Hermione exclaimed.

Good thing Julian had silently placed a privacy spell around the area the moment she had sat down.

'There's a forty eight hour period where a contestant can choose to back out the tournament. But he or she has to nominate someone to take his or her place. It's a rule that was put in if something came up like an emergency but the wording means there doesn't need to be an actual emergency for it to be in effect. And even if it wasn't worded that way you still qualify since you're under the legal age. You still have that time to back out'.

Harry grinned and reached over to hug her.

'Hermione you are brilliant! Now I just need to find someone who wants to compete. That shouldn't be too hard'.

Hermione, blushing slightly from the hug, shook her head.

'It can't be a pupil from Hogwarts. Cedric is Hogwarts champion. And it can't be from the other two schools because they have their champions. You would need to choose someone from a different school entirely'.

Harry slumped back down. So much for that plan.

'May I see that book Miss Granger?' Julian asked.

She handed it over and he spent some time going through the pages.

'What Miss Granger says is correct. You would need to choose a student from another school…'

Harry groaned. Hermione sighed. Julian grinned.

'Or…you could choose someone who was out of school, therefore rendering the school requirement useless. However it can't be a professor or judge, and it can't be anyone from the ministry like an auror since that would be far to much of an advantage over the other students' he continued.

Hermione took the book back and looked over it again.

'He's right!' she said with a grin.

Harry sat up and thought. Someone out of school. His first choice would be Sirius, but the man was a wanted criminal. Remus might work, but then people would protest he had an unfair advantage by being a Werewolf. That is if they even allowed a Werewolf to compete in the first place, which was highly unlikely. He glanced over to see the two giving him identical grins. What was he missing?

'Don't you see Harry?!' Hermione exclaimed.

He shook his head and she sighed.

'Someone out of school, who's not a professor or a judge or an auror. Someone who fits the age requirement but isn't old enough to be considered an unfair advantage'.

He gave her a blank look and she slapped a hand to her face.

'Professor Heartright Harry! I mean Julian!' she said with a frustrated sigh.

Harry blinked and looked at the older man, who gave him an innocent smile.

'Hermione…you're a genius! You're both geniuses! Pro…Julian would you go in my place?'

The older man pondered for a moment, then grinned.

'That I can Mr Potter. It'll be fun!'

OOO

Harry waited until everyone was inside the great hall for breakfast before standing and making his way to the professor's table. He'd practiced his little speech until he could do it in his sleep.

'Headmaster can I speak with you?'

Albus gave a grandfatherly smile.

'Of course Harry my boy. Shall we meet in my office?'

'No Sir, here is fine. I just wanted to say that under chapter four paragraph six of the Tri-Wizard Tournament rule book, I request to back out and have someone else compete in my place'.

Albus froze. Where had the boy learned of that rule?! He glanced at Miss Granger and sighed. Of course.

'Harry that rule was put in place for emergencies. I think that…'

'Sir with all due respect, the wording of the rule means that I'm allowed as champion to back out before the two day period and name someone else in my place. It's within my right. And I'd say being underage is classed as an emergency anyway' Harry interrupted.

Albus scrambled to find a way of keeping the boy in the tournament. Unfortunately Minerva had overheard.

'Albus Mr Potter has every right to call upon that rule. You didn't pull him out even though he's not of age to compete, you won't be denying his request now'.

She smirked when he deflated and Harry couldn't help but feel grateful towards his head of house.

'Very well Harry. We shall bring the goblet out and you can name your champion at dinner' Albus sighed.

He watched as Harry nodded and went back to his seat, conversing with Miss Granger. Those professors who heard were also discussing it. Severus was grumbling about selfish arrogant brats, until Julian elbowed him in the ribs with a glare. This set of a chain of chuckles down the table and they decided to leave Harry's announcement until dinner.

'Well did it work?' Hermione asked.

Harry grinned and nodded. She grinned back.

'I wonder how they'll react to my choice' he mused.

She giggled and he suddenly found himself thinking how cute it was. He blinked, and thought about that in more detail. Did he have a crush on Hermione? The more he thought about it, the more he realised that yes, yes he did. He looked at her and she smiled. Blushing slightly Harry wondered what to do.

'You ok Harry?' Hermione asked in concern.

Harry chewed his lip and made his decision, pulling the girl up and almost dragging her out the hall.

'Harry what…?!'

'HermioneIthinkIlikeyouandIwaswonderingifmaybeyouwouldgooutwithme?!' he rushed out.

She blinked, took a moment to pull apart his words, then blushed.

'You want me as your girlfriend?' she asked softly.

'Since second year. I almost fell apart when you were petrified' Harry admitted truthfully, relieved that he didn't have to repeat himself.

He then continued shyly.

'So…um…will you?'

She looked at him for a moment, then smiled and pushed her hair behind her ear.

'Yes. Yes I'd like that Harry'.

He blinked, unsure if he even heard her right. Then when he realised his hearing was working, gave a grinning whoop and spun her round before hugging her. Giggling she hugged him back.

'Thanks Mione' he whispered against her ear.

Smiling and blushing the two headed back inside to finish breakfast. Their speedy exit caught the attention of pretty much everyone in the hall and they all stared as the two came back in. Whispers started and many girls looked upset when they saw Harry take Hermione's hand. Ron looked about ready to launch a rant but his twin brothers prevented him by cramming a pancake in his mouth. Minerva smiled at two of her favourite students. They made a cute couple.

OOO

Dinner time seemed to drag in. Harry and Hermione took one look at Ron as they finished breakfast and agreed to keep out of his way until the announcement. The red head kept giving them the evil eye. Finally the time had come and the Headmaster stood.

'Your attention please. I have an announcement to make. As we all know, Mr Potter has been named Hogwarts second champion under a twist of events…'

He waited for the cheering and booing to die down.

'However, he had decided, and it is within his right, to back out of the competition and name another champion to take his place'.

The hall went quiet. Then suddenly there was a chorus of whispering and many people were looking hopefully in Harry's direction. Ron was one of these people.

'Mr Potter if you will come up here please' Albus requested.

Harry gave a wink to the grinning Hermione and stood, walking up to stand by the professors table.

'I have read over the rules after you spoke to me Harry. You realise you cannot chose someone from this or the other competing schools? And it cannot be a professor, judge or someone from the ministry?' Albus asked, hoping the boy didn't know that information and would be forced to remain in the tournament.

'I'm aware of that Sir. I know exactly who I want to compete in my place' Harry replied with a smile.

Albus grumbled to himself and tried another tactic. He thought about who the boy would pick.

'Harry your godfather or his friend will not be able to compete'.

'I know that Sir. Although you just reminded me to send them a letter' Harry replied, the last part mostly to himself.

Albus sighed and waved his wand. The goblet came floating out and landed on a conjured table.

'Write the name of the person you have chosen and place it into the goblet' he instructed, hoping for a miracle to make the boy change his mind.

It was a hopeless thought but he needed the boy to compete. He watched as Harry brought out an already folded piece of parchment out his pocket and dropped it into the goblet. The entire school waited eagerly for the goblet to spit it back out. A streak of fire shot out and carried the parchment with it. Albus waited for it to lower to his level before grabbing and unfolding it. He gave Harry a look of disbelief and made to protest, then realised that the boy's choice was eligible to compete. With a strained smile he called out.

'Julian Heartright!'

Julian looked up as his name was called. He tilted his head at the staring, looked behind him, looked back and pointed to himself. When he got confirmation he nodded slowly, shrugged then went back to his meal. Harry stifled a laugh at his actions, noticing Hermione doing the same.

'Yes well… Mr Heartright will be the new fourth champion. As he is out of school he will be representing the…'

Albus drew a blank. If he said the teachers the man would still be representing Hogwarts. He should have thought of this before having Harry put the name in the goblet. He looked to Julian for answers.

'The Demon's Establishment of Annihilation and Darkness' the young man replied without looking up.

'I beg your pardon?!' Albus exclaimed.

Julian looked to the Headmaster.

'I've had the pleasure of visiting it a few years back. It's actually not as bad as you think. They're really more into politics and whatnot' he replied with a smile.

Albus opened his mouth to protest, then decided against it and cleared his throat. The one thing he knew about Julian Heartright was you could never win an argument against him.

'Right… Mr Heartright will be representing the…D.E.A.D'.

You could hear a pin drop in the hall.

The sound of Fred and George falling off their seats in laughter seemed to break everyone out of their silence. Albus waved Harry back to his seat and levitated the goblet away. Harry collapsed back down and leaned his head on Hermione's shoulder, trying desperately not to laugh. She wasn't doing much better herself.

'I can't believe you!' Ron hissed.

They glanced in his direction.

'I can't believe you wouldn't pick me! I'm your best friend! Why did you have to pick that slimy Slytherin over me?!'

Harry pulled himself together and addressed his "best friend".

'You've not been much of a friend Ron. You wouldn't believe me when I said I didn't put my name into the goblet. You've been giving me dark looks since this morning because I asked Hermione out. And now you're fussing because I backed out and didn't choose you. Even if I wanted to choose you the rules wouldn't let me. It can't be another student from Hogwarts, and it can't be someone under the legal age. And as for that slimy Slytherin, he is one of the only people to help me get out of this thing, something you certainly haven't bothered with'.

The red head just huffed and went back to stuffing his face. Harry sensed someone behind him and glanced up to see a pair of grinning red heads.

'Who came up with the name Harry?' George sniggered.

'Yeah that was brilliant!' Fred laughed.

Harry grinned.

'Wasn't me, you'll just have to ask Julian'.

OOO

Julian was also being barrelled with questions. Severus got in first.

'The Demon's Establishment of Annihilation and Darkness? Where did you come up with that?'

The younger man smiled at him.

'It's a real place Severus. Remember when I took that year out when I was nineteen'.

Severus blinked and opened his mouth to speak, then closed it and gave a nod. He left Julian to answer the other professors as he went back to his meal. Ask a silly question.