In the Goblet Room, older students are placing their names into the flame and others are applauding, Cedric is one of them.

Karina claps with a light smile as Cedric tosses his name into the fire. He turns around and smiles at her then pulls her into a hug.

"Eternal glory, be brilliant wouldn't it? In three years from now we'll be old enough to be choosen." Ron says watching longingly at the flame.

Harry looks at him in disbelief, "Yeah well rather you than me."

The twins come up cheering as everyone else stands around them.

George smirks holding his hands up in the air, "Thank you thank you, well lads we've done it."

Fred smiles, "Cooked it up just this morning."

Karina sits back down beside Hermione as they both shake their heads at the two.

"Bloody idiots..."

Hermione nods, "It's not going to work."

Fred frowns, "Oh yeah? And why's that Granger."

"You see this? This is an age line. Dumbledore drew it himself."

"So?"

"So a genius like Dumbledore couldn't possibly be fooled by something pathetically dimwitted such as an age potion."

George wears a crazy smile, "That's why it's so brilliant."

Karina shakes her head chuckling, "Oh just let them be Granger. The idiot are just gonna hurt themselves, but it'll make my day. Go ahead boys."

Hermione smiles and shrugs before looking back at her book.

George turns to Fred, "Ready Fred?"

"Ready George."

They jump inside the age line, and everyone cheers. They put their names in the flame and do a high-five. Suddenly, the flame fires up and they're flung across the room onto the floor. When they get up they have
full heads of grey hair and beards.

Karina bursts out laughing as she looks at the two.

George's eyes widen as he stares at the beard on Fred, "You said.."

Fred glares, "You said.."

They roll around fighting on the floor and the crowd cheers. The room suddenly becomes silent as Viktor Krum walks in and puts his name in the flame. He looks at Hermione and she smiles. Karina chuckles inwardly then catches Krum's glance. He motions towards for her to follow him.

"See you guys later." Karina says to the golden trio.

Karina leaves out the Goblet Room with Krum on her heels. Girls sigh as they watch, Hermione frowns then looks back down. Malfoy glares watching the two but turns back to Goblet trying to take his mind off of Krum. Cedric watches Malfoy from across the room and smirks.

Two days later, everyone is gathered into the mess hall. The Goblet fire sits in the middle of the room as everyone crowds around.

"Sit down please. And now the moment you've all been waiting for, the champions selection!"

Dumbledore approaches the blue flame and it glows red. A name comes out. Everyone looks on anxiously.

"The Durmstrang champion is... Viktor Krum!"

The Durmstrang crowd cheer. Another name comes out.

"The champion from Beauxbatons... Fleur Delacour."

The Beauxbatons girls cheer as Fleur walks up. Another name comes out.

"The Hogwarts champion... Cedric Diggory."

Hogwarts pupils cheer as Cedric takes the stage. Karina smiles and cheers along but on the inside her stomach is in knots. Nightmares were her everyday life now. And it was getting closer and closer to the time when she believed something terrible may take place.

"Excellent! we now have our three champions!
But in the end only one will go down in history. Only one will hoist this chalice of champions, this vessel of victory the tri-wizard cup!"

People cheer, but the goblet glows red once more and another name flies out. Silence fills the room as everyone looks at the Goblet paper mysteriously. Dumbledore takes it and reads the name in shock.

"Harry Potter. Harry Potter?"

Hagrid shakes his head in disbelief, "No... No."

Karina glances behind her at Harry's shocked expression, "Harry what the hell?"

Harry shakes his head slowly, "I didn't..."

"Harry Potter!" Dumbledore screams out trying to push through the crowd to find Harry.

Hermione frowns, "Go on Harry. Harry for goodness sake."

Harry slowly walks up. Dumbledore gives him the paper. Voices in the crowd shout out.

"He's a cheat! He's not even seventeen yet."

Harry is pulled in a room with the other champions. Dumbledore bursts in and grabs Harry.

"Harry! Did you put your name in the goblet of fire?"

"No sir."

"Did you ask one of the older students to do it for you?"

"No sir." Harry shakes his head in slight fear.

"You're absolutely sure?"

" Yes sir."

Madame Maxime frowns, "Well of course he is lying."

Mad eye shakes his head firmly, "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."

Igor watches Mad eye with unease, "You seem to have given this a fair bit of thought Mad-Eye."

"It was once my job to think as dark wizards do Karkaroff perhaps you remember?"

Dumbledore sighs, "That doesn't help Alastor. Leave this to you Barty."

"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-wizards champion."

...

Dumbledore sits in his office staring straight as he tries to figure out what in the world happened with the fire.

McGonagall shakes her head, "This can't go on Albus. First the dark mark, now this?"

"What do you suggest Minerva?"

"Put an end to it. Don't let Potter compete."

He shakes his head, "You heard Barty the rules are clear."

"Well the devil with Barty and his rules. And since when did you accomodate them..."

Severus stands nearby wearing a frown, "Master 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."

McGonagall stares between the two in disbelief, "Do nothing?? Offer him up as bait? Potter is a boy not a piece of meat."

"I agree with Severus. Alastor, keep an eye on Harry will you?"

Mad eye nods firmly, "I can do that."

"Don't let him know though, he must be anxious enough as it is... knowing what lies ahead. Then again, we all are."

...

"How did you do it?"

Harry is silent.

Ron scoffs, "Never mind. Doesn't matter. You could
have let your best friend know though."

"Let you know what?" Harry's head snaps over to look at Ron.

"You know bloody well what."

"I didn't ask for this to happen Ron. Okay? You're being stupid."

"Yeah that's me, Ron Weasley... Harry Potter's stupid friend."

"I didn't put my name in that cup. I don't WANT eternal glory I just wanna be... Look, I don't know what happened tonight and I don't know why, it just
did ok."

"Piss off."

Ron rolls over on his side with his back to Harry. Harry huffs in frustration and rolls on his side as well. The room silent and in comfy.

...

Harry walks throughout the breezeway and stares at all the badges many students wear. It depicts Cedric on a bright yellow background. Then the badge spins and shows Harry on a green background with the words "Potter Stinks" on it.

As Harry walks along other pupils aim insults at him saying he stinks. A young boy runs past.

"Cedric rules!"

"Thanks." Harry replies sarcastically.

Harry gets to a doorway, two pupils stand in his way.

"Like the badge?"

Harry frowns, "Excuse me.."

They laugh but don't move. Both boys freeze with fear in their eyes as a whistle sounds from behind Harry.

"Aw you silly boys think that's funny do you? I can show you two something quite hilarious... my foot up your arse. Now move!"

The boys quickly steps aside letting Harry walk through the space. Harry quickly turns around as he walks past the boys to see Karina behind him.

"Thanks Rina."

"Of course Harry... now I know you wouldn't put your name in the Goblet of Fire... just prove me right by telling me that you had nothing to do with it."

Harry sighs relieved. He believed Karina was one person that would take him seriously but he feared she wouldn't believe him after seeing how Ron reacted.

"Karina I promise you I had nothing to do with that. I have no idea what's going on."

Karina nods, "Well that's bullocks. Not saying you're lying just that sucks. Why would someone do this?"

Harry frowns and shrugs, "No idea. But I have to tell Cedric something important. Have you seen him?"

"Mhmm follow me."

Harry follows Karina through the courtyard. They approach Cedric who is standing around with his friends. Cedric's friends hurl off insults until Karina glares at them. Cedric slaps one friend on the back with a frown when Karina gives him a look.

Harry looks at Cedric, "Can I have a word?"

"Alright."

The three walk away some distance.

"Dragons. That's the first task. They've got one for each of us."

Karina stares with wide eyes, "I'm sorry did you just say dragons? Like fire breathing."

Cedric holds Karina slightly shaking hand, "Are you serious? And Fleur and Krum, do they...?"

"Yes."

"Right. Hey listen, about the badges. I've asked them not to wear them."

Harry shakes his head waving his hand in disregard, "Don't worry about it."

Ron and Seamus are walking along. Harry approaches them.

Harry frowns at Ron, "You're a right foul git you know that?"

"You think so?"

"I know so."

Ron shrugs, "Anything else?"

"Yeah. Stay away from me."

"Fine."

Ron walks away with Seamus on his heels. Karina frowns at him as he passes her.

"Ronald you bloody idiot. You should know your best friend by now. You should know he wouldn't do this."

Ron doesn't say anything but keeps walking with his head down. Harry sighs as he watches his best friend disappear.

"Why so tense Potter? My father and I have a bet you see. I don't think you're gonna last ten minutes in this tournament. He disagrees. He thinks you won't last FIVE." Draco calls out from the tree he sits in.

"Stop it Draco." Karina frowns.

Cedric holds her arm making her stay where she was as Harry goes over to the tree to argue with Malfoy.

"I don't give a damn what you or your father thinks Malfoy. He's vile and cruel, and you're just pathetic."

Harry stomps away leaving Malfoy to roll his eyes.

Karina groans, "Why are all guys bloody idiots?"

Cedric chuckles as she stomps away the opposite path that Harry was going. He looks up at the tree and watches Malfoy stare at Karina.

"Hey monkey boy. Come down from there for a second."

Malfoy frowns rolling his eyes then jumps down from the tree, "What now?"

"You do know that you keep messing with Potter and you're going to keep pushing Karina away. For some reason those Gryffindors mean something to her. Maybe she sees them like a little dysfunctional family but maybe it's because it's something she doesn't have. You mess with her family, you mess with her. But the problem with that is... for some reason you're also her family. No matter how idiotic you can be. So figure out whether you want Karina in your life or want to keep following your fathers footsteps. Either way you keep hurting her and you're going to have to deal with me. I'll protect her until the day I die. Understood?"

Malfoy sighs and nods.

...

Harry is looking at Cho from across the mess hall. When she looks back he spills drink from his mouth. The girls surrounding Cho laugh at him.

Hermione scoffs as she reads a newspaper, "Look at this! I can't believe it she's done it again. Miss Granger a plain but ambitious girl seems to be developing a taste for famous wizards. Her latest prey sources report is none other than the Bulgarian bon-bon Viktor Krum. No word yet on how Harry
Potter's taking this latest emotional blow."

Karina smirks as she stares at her nails but keeps her mouth closed.

A young boy walks up holding a package.

"Parcel for you Mr Weasley."

Ron nods, "Thank you Nigel."

Nigel stands gazing at Harry.

"Not now Nigel. Later. Go on."

Nigel leaves.

"I told him I'd get him Harry's autograph. Oh look mum's sent me something. Mum sent me a dress??"

Karina glances at the box and chuckles.

Hardy shrugs, "Well it does match your eyes. Is there
a bonnet?"

Ron shakes his head and looks down the table at his younger sister, "Ginny these must be for you."

"I'm not wearing that it's ghastly."

Hermione laughs.

Ron frowns, "What are you on about?"

"They're not for Ginny they're for you! They're dress robes."

"Dress robes? for what?"

...

Many students gather around in the Assembly room as McGonagall walks around the middle of the empty room. The girls had been split from the boys. Both sexes on separate sides of the room. The Slytherin house and Gryfinndor had been placed in the same room together while Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw were also together.

"The yule ball has been a tradition of the tri-wizard tournament since its inception. On Christmas eve night we and our guests gather in the great hall
for well mannered frivolity. As representitives of the host school I expect each and every one of you to put your best foot forward, and I mean this literally because the yule ball is first and foremost... a dance."

Groans emerge from the boys who are listening on. The girls seem a lot more excited, well except for Karina.

"You've got to be bloody kidding me."

She glances across the room to where her Slytherin friends had been. She looks at Draco who had not surprisingly already been looking at her.

The two were still as weird as ever. They were friends but didn't act like how they did before when they were best friends. They both knew one another had feelings for the other but said nothing. Sadly there had been no progress even with Krum making Draco jealous.

"Silence. The house of Godrick Griffindore has commanded the respect of the wizard world for nearly ten centuries. I will not have you in the course of a single evening besmirching that name by behaving like a babbling, bumbling band of baboons."

Fred smirks and turns whispering to George, "Try saying that five times faster."

Ron and Harry chuckle listening to the two twins fail at repeating the statement.

"Now to dance is to let the body breathe, inside every girl a secret swan slumbers longing to burst forth and take flight."

Ron faces Seamus whispering, "Something's about
to burst out of Hilary but I don't think it's a swan."

"Inside every boy a lordly lion prepared to prance. Mr Weasly, will you join me."

She grabs Ron and pulls him up to dance, "Now, place your right hand on my waist."

Ron looks at her with wide eyes, "Where?"

"My waist."

He does so and a wolf whistle comes from the crowd.

"Now bend your arm. Mr Filch..."

The music starts.

"One two three, one two three, one two three."

Karina grins, "Amazing Ronald."

The girls all giggle as they watch Ron wear an embarrassed face.

Harry looks at the Weasly twins who are smirking watching their tortured brother, "Oi! Never gonna let him forget this are you?"

"Never."

"Everybody come together."

The girls instantly stand and walk forward, the boys are all still seated, as well as Karina.

"Boys, on your feet."

Neville is the first boy to stand. He bravely walks over to one of the girls and asks her to dance.

Snape slowly makes his way behind the Slytherin group of boys and slaps Malfoy on the head with a notebook.

Malfoy groans and stands up. He slowly walks over to the side of the Slytherin girls and everyone moves to the side as he stands in front of Karina Grey.

Karina lifts her head up and stares at Malfoy with confusion.

"Would you care to dance Karina?"

Karina shrugs, "Why not..."

But on the inside we all know she was ecstatic.

Karina, Malfoy, Neville, Luna, Ron, and McGonagall all waltz in the middle of the room. One by one the boys finally start going up to the girls and asking them to dance.

...

"Why do they always have to travel in packs?"

Karina smirks as she listens to Harry from two bleachers down.

"It makes us feel safer... plus it's easier for your friends to be there instead of telling them the gossip about what guys asked you to the ball and who you rejected."

Hermione smiles lightly as she listens but doesn't lift her head up from her book, "That sounds pretty accurate."

Harry groans, "How are you supposed to get one alone to ask them..."

"Blimey Harry, you slayed dragons. If you can't get a date who can?"

"I think I'd take the dragon right now."

The two boys frown trying to figure out what girl they would ask to the ball. A large group of girls give them icy looks and turn their backs as the boys glance at them.

The two groan and leave the bleachers to go down to the field and make a game plan. Viktor Krum is training nearby with a group of girls following him around.

He glances up at the bleachers and sees Karina. He waves then glances at Hermione smiling slightly. Hermione smiles and pushes a strand of hair behind her ear. Karina looks at Hermione with a knowing look.

"See you later Granger."

Karina skips down the bleachers, making her way to Viktor. Hermione watches the two with a huge frown before looking back at her book.

"Ask her out now or I'll hex you."

"Karina Grey zit is much harder zan you think."

"What's so hard about this.. Hey Hermione the Yule ball is just around the corner and I just wanted to ask you if you would do me the honor of attending the ball as my date."

Viktor shrugs, "Vell than it is zat easy."

Karina smiles shaking her head, "Uh oh your fan girls are catching up."

"Da... valk vit me."

Karina nods then follows Krum around the track. The group of girls all keep a safe distance not wanting Karina to put a spell on them.

"So..."

"Oh no... here we go."

Viktor laughs, "Vhat am I zat predictable?"

"Um yes... yes you are. You and Cedric and Pansy and Blaise. I'm done with all of you. Draco is not going to ask me to the ball. You guys can forget it."

"Oh come on. Vhat makes you zhink that he von't."

"Easy... we're just friends. Hell we're more like weird acquaintances that have feelings for each other but are too scared to say a word to one another."

"And vho's fault is zat?"

Karina stops and rolls her eyes at him before crossing her arms, "I'm going to ball alone and you all are going to leave me be. Got it?"

Viktor holds his hands up in surrender, "Vhatever you say Grey..."

...

"This is mad. At this rate we'll be the only ones in our year without dates."

Severus Snape walks past and slaps Ron over the head.

"Well, us and Neville!"

Harry shrugs, "But then again-"

Snape walks by slapping Harry on the head this time. Everyone stays quiet until Snape moves further down the table.

Harry continues, "But then again he can always take himself."

Hermione rolls her eyes, "It might interest you to know that Neville's already got someone."

Ron gasps, "Now I'm really depressed."

Fred hands Ron a note, it reads "GET A MOVE ON OR ALL THE GOOD ONES WILL HAVE GONE!".

Ron groans and glances over at Hermione, "Well Hermione, you're a girl."

"Oh well spotted."

Karina smiles, "Oh shit it's happening."

"Come on. It's one thing for a bloke to show up alone. For a girl it's just sad."

"And he did it..."

Hermione slaps Karina's wrist before glaring at Ron, "I won't be going alone because believe it or not someone's asked me. And I said yes."

"Bloody hell." Ron frowns as Hermione storms off.

"Well that was entertaining to watch."

Ron glances at Karina with a blank stare, "Oh whatever. Why are you still here? Don't you have Slytherin friends to bother?"

Karina giggles and shrugs, "Yeah well sometimes it's fun to mess with the Gryfinndorks too."

Harry grimaces and opens his mouth to say something but freezes instantly as Karina holds up her finger to stop him.

"We don't want a repeat of last year Potter. Don't even think about it."

Harry groans as he watches Karina walk away and sit back at her table.

"Look. We've just got to grit our teeth and do it."

Snape walks again and frowns before pulling up his sleeves to his elbow.

"Tonight when we get back to the common room, we'll both have partners. Agreed?" Ron says to Harry.

"Agreed." Harry replies.

Both boys groan as Snape pushes their head down into their books.

...

Harry is walking up some steps to the mail room. He reaches the top and bumps into Cho who has come around the corner.

"Harry!"

"Cho!"

Cho smiles, "Watch yourself on the stairs, it's a bit icey at the top."

"Ok thanks. Cho?"

"Yes?"

"Um," Harry mumbles, "I just wondered if maybe you wanted to go to the ball with me?"

"Sorry? I didn't catch that."

Harry takes a deep breath, "Um. I was just wondering if maybe you wanted to go to the ball with me."

"Oh. Um. Harry I'm sorry but someone's already asked me. And well I've said I'll go with him... it's my boyfriend actually."

Harry stares at her shocked. He never once saw her with a boy of any kind, who the heck was her boyfriend.

"Ok. Great. Fine. No problem. Good."

"Harry I really am sorry."

Cho watches as he stumbles away up the stairs. She sighs then continues down her path.

...

Ron is being helped into the room, he looks shaky.

Harry looks at him confused, "What happened to you?"

"He just asked Fleur Delacour out."

Hermione frowns, "What?"

"What did she say?" Harry asks interested.

Hermione scoffs, "No of course."

Ron shakes his head.

Hermione stares in disbelief, "She said yes??"

Harry laughs, "Don't be silly."

"There she was walking by. You know I like it when they walk. I couldn't help it, it just sort of slipped out." Ron says as Seamus helps him sit down.

"Actually he sort of screamed at her, it was a bit frightening."

"What did you do then?"

Ron glances at Harry, "What else? I ran for it. I'm not cut out for this Harry. I don't know what got into me."

The Patil twins walk past.

"Hi Harry."

Harry nods at them as they disappear out the room. Harry freezes and looks at Ron before glancing behind him. He stands up quickly as a plan forms.

"Hey!"

𝐴𝑛𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑠 𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑡!!! 𝐻𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑔𝑢𝑦𝑠 𝑒𝑛𝑗𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑑!!

𝑊ℎ𝑜 𝑖𝑠 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑓𝑎𝑣𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑟?

𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑑𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝐾𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐾𝑟𝑢𝑚 𝑏𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑢𝑑𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑠?

𝐴𝑟𝑒 𝑤𝑒 𝑒𝑥𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑌𝑢𝑙𝑒 𝐵𝑎𝑙𝑙?