Chapter Text
Harry headed into the side chamber of the Great Hall. His mind saw images of different lives, different places, different faces of people he recognized but not by looks—something he just recognized about certain people. When he was fully in the room, his senses kicked into high gear. He scanned the room and his eyes landed on Snape. Snape's eyes widened as Harry felt a spark flow into his brain, sending his senses into high overdrive. He slammed his senses down as he turned to face Dumbledore as the man grabbed him. "Harry! Did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?"
Harry looked at the old fool as his memories reviewed the last decade of events. "No." He didn't add sir. He glanced at Snape, giving him a slight nod. Snape gave a slight nod.
"Did you ask one of the older students to do it for you?" Dumbledore didn't release him.
Harry moved away from the old fool. "No." Harry's eyes scanned the rest of the people in the room. His eyes stopped on Mad-Eye. He could see the darkness on the man's left arm. He found who entered him into this joke of a contest. He knew the other two Death Eaters didn't enter his name.
"You're absolutely sure?"
Harry could hear the fake concern, and Dumbledore's words made him sick. He was very aware the old fool wouldn't stop this yearly event. Dumbledore never did anything to protect the students in Hogwarts. "Yes."
"Well, of course he is lying."
Harry would have rolled his eyes at the giantess' words but refrained. He needed to get his mind straight and a plan in place before he destroyed Dumbledore and his cronies. He didn't need to earn Dumbledore's unwanted negative attention. He glanced at the Death Eater posing as an Auror. He wasn't surprised when the man decided to defend him.
"The hell he is. The Goblet of Fire is an exceptionally powerful magical object; only an exceptionally powerful conjurer could have hoodwinked it. Magic way beyond the talents of a fourth year." Harry kept looking at Mad-Eye. He was trying to figure out who was using Mad-Eye's looks. His eyes lit up.
"You seem to have given this a fair bit of thought, Mad-Eye." Igor Karkaroff was a bit defensive and smug at the same time. As if he thought he had discovered the solution to getting Harry removed from the tournament. Harry would have laughed if it wasn't so funny watching two Death Eaters face off. He glanced over his shoulder and smirked at Snape. Snape's expression didn't change, but Harry watched as the man's eyes changed to reflect his amusement as well.
"It was once my job to think as dark wizards do, Karkaroff, perhaps you remember?"
Harry wondered if he needed to summon a ruler. However, before things got too far out of hand, Dumbledore jumped into the conversation as usual. Harry resisted the urge to laugh.
"That doesn't help Alastor. Leave this to you, Barty."
Harry turned to the idiot from the Ministry. He knew he wasn't going to get removed from this. He briefly wondered how much Dumbledore paid the fool. "The rules are absolute; the goblet of fire constitutes a binding magical contract. Mr Potter has no choice; he is as of tonight... a tri-wizard champion." Harry resisted the urge to snap at the fools, but inwardly, he smiled at the same. He was free. He wouldn't have to remain at Hogwarts or the Dursleys any longer.
Harry didn't listen any longer to what was going on as he focused on recovering his old memories and merging them with the current ones. He needed to remain calm and steadfast as he worked on his memories. He wasn't aware that most of the people had left the room until he heard McGonagall speak. It was just him, Snape, Dumbledore, Mad-Eye, and McGonagall.
"This can't go on, Albus. First the dark mark, now this?" Harry wasn't surprised by McGonagall's words, but he knew they were worthless. The woman would defer to Dumbledore. She never listened to the students and certainly never listened to him.
"What do you suggest, Minerva?" Dumbledore attempted to look as if he didn't have any options. Harry was aware the man could get him out of this tournament, but he wouldn't. He wanted Harry to have another yearly test, and Harry wasn't going to permit the man to win this year.
"Put an end to it. Don't let Potter compete."
Harry wanted to laugh. As if the old fool would listen to anyone. Harry felt a bit of rage rise in himself but refused to give heed to it. He could feel it caress his skin as his magic attempted to snuff it out. "You heard Barty, the rules are clear." Harry ignored his inner voice muttering about different ways to kill the old fool painfully.
"Well, the devil with Barty and his rules. And since when did you accommodate them?" McGonagall looked put upon. As if it was her life in danger. Harry turned his head a bit toward Snape. He gave a quick nod. He watched Snape move toward Dumbledore.
"I too find it difficult to believe this mere coincidence; if we are to truly discover the meaning of these events, perhaps we should, for the time being, let them unfold." Snape's voice sounded as if he was pacifying a child.
Harry was aware that Snape took his cue from him. He needed to remain in this tournament if he wanted to remain free of the old fool. "Do nothing?? Offer him up as bait? Potter is a boy, not a piece of meat." McGonagall finally stood up to the old fool, but it was too late. Harry was very aware Dumbledore would get his way.
"I agree with Severus. Alastor, keep an eye on Harry, will you?" Dumbledore handing him over to the rogue Death Eater didn't surprise Harry. Harry briefly wondered why Dumbledore hadn't recognized a fraud, but his mind flashed back to Lockhart.
"I can do that."
Harry wanted to laugh. He was going to make the fake Auror pay for this night. He could feel Snape tensing as if sensing Harry's anger. Harry buried his anger. He was a bit thankful for the Death Eater entering him, as it wouldn't have awakened him, but it was also too early. He didn't have his full power. Harry ignored the rest of the conversation happening around him and decided he needed to leave soon. He didn't want to deal with the fallout in Gryffindor either. Weasley and Granger would be an issue. He would hide in the Chamber of Secrets tonight to figure out what he needed to do. He mentally sent a message to Snape to alert their third. It was taxing since he was still recovering and wasn't at his full power. He felt the acknowledgement. He left the room without saying a word. He wondered if the old fool would notice.
The next day:
Harry groaned as he woke. He was just fourteen. He hadn't awakened his full power as of yet. He was aware there were binds on him as well as compulsions. He needed them removed and soon. He made a list of things he needed to research, including the rules of this tournament. He needed to visit Gringotts and get his status cleared as well. He added a mental note to earn a detention with Snape. He didn't think it would be hard. Snape would be looking to give him one as well. His main problem would be avoiding the Weasleys and Granger.
Harry didn't trust Dobby. There had to be a reason that the elf located him and Dumbledore hired him. While he didn't believe Dobby had a lying bone in his body, the elf was too trusting of Dumbledore and believed anyone who treated him well was a good person. Dobby was an eager and willing elf, and Dumbledore would use that against Dobby and him.
Harry strained his magic as he tried to access his core. Damn binds were blocking him, and he couldn't break them. He felt his magic, body, and mind roar at the restriction. He could feel his body struggling to overpower the binds. He pulled back his magic and settled his mind. He would have to wait. He wasn't good at waiting.
Harry glanced down at his clothes. These would need to go. He wasn't going to dress like a pauper any longer. He wasn't Dumbledore's pet wizard. He wasn't even a wizard. He wasn't sure how he got tossed into this roll but he would play the part until this tournament was over and he was free.
Harry was aware he needed to face the students of Hogwarts, and he was aware there would be issues that none of the staff would prevent. Snape couldn't without endangering everything. The rest wouldn't care since Dumbledore would permit everything as he had the previous years.
Harry smirked. He would make sure students learned not to mess with him. He would start with Granger and that idiot Weasley. He was sure Weasley would turn against him again, making breaking their friendship easy. Granger would be harder, as the girl needed a brick upside her head to get a clear message.
Harry couldn't wait to let himself outshine that girl and show her up. He was very aware that Granger thought he was stupid. Weasley and his sister viewed him as a meal ticket. Their mother wasn't any better. He would decide on the rest of the family later. Dumbledore was sure to push his pet family and Granger on him.
Black and Lupin might be an issue, but he could and would deal with them if he needed to. He had ways to eliminate those who interfered with his plans. Dumbledore was on his list to eliminate, as well as a certain Dark Lord if he didn't remain dead.
Harry headed out of the Chamber. He walked leisurely, watching and listening to students. Yes, the lies were spreading about his entering the contest. He had a way to end those lies, and he would as soon as he entered the Great Hall. He grinned evilly. Dumbledore wouldn't expect him to fix one of the issues the old fool created by accepting his admission into the tournament.
Harry leaned against the wall just to the left of the Great Hall where Snape would see him. He remained there watching students enter the Great Hall. He didn't turn his head when he felt Snape. "He is aware?"
"Yes." Snape remained still. "He felt it last night."
"Excellent. We will have to play our parts this year. This is the last year. We will not remain separated after the end of the school year." Harry still didn't look at Snape. "Deal with the Death Eater playing Mad-Eye before the first event. I don't care how."
"I will." Snape glanced at Harry. "The real Mad-Eye?"
"Him as well. We do not need him." Harry looked at Snape. "Be ready in the Great Hall. I am going to end the lies. It won't get me out of this tournament. Dumbledore has no idea what he released and needs to remain that way. Add my name to the detention list for tonight. I don't care what reason you provide." He faced the door again.
"It has already been done."
Harry let a smirk appear on his face. "Deal with Draco. I won't put up with his attitude."
"I am aware. I prefer it if you don't kill him," Snape paused, "but.."
"I understand." Harry turned to look at Snape. "He isn't on my list. Make sure he doesn't get added."
"Thank you." Snape bowed his head in acceptance.
Harry turned and headed to the Great Hall. "Time for the show," Harry said as he walked. He didn't walk fast. He kept his pace steady. He laughed at himself. He was getting so dramatic. He stopped at the doors. He put on the expected timid act of Harry Potter and opened the doors. He made his way toward the Gryffindor table. He sat at the end of the table as the gossip rose at his arrival. He waited for Snape to take his seat before he slowly rose. The noise died down. He stepped away from the table and headed toward the professor's table in the front. He pulled out his wand. "I, Harrison James Potter, did not enter my name into the Goblet of Fire. I, Harrison James Potter, did not ask anyone to enter my name into the Goblet of Fire. I, Harrison James Potter, did not want nor desire to be entered into the Goblet of Fire. I, Harrison James Potter, hereby swear on my magic, my life, and my soul, that I had no desire, wish, or need to enter the Goblet of Fire Tri-Wizard Tournament. So mote it be." Harry waved his wand as sparks emitted from his wand. "I believe that settles the rumors of my entrance." Harry calmly walked back toward the doors of the Great Hall. He ignored his name being called as he left the room. Harry let out a low chuckle. "Let the games begin."