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Convenient was one way to put it, Severus thought, his mind coming up with a million scenarios of how Adrian's name wounded up in the goblet. He already could tell it was nothing good; Albus seemed to be thinking the same. His questions to Adrian had been asked just for the sake of being asked; he already knew Adrian hadn't competed himself, no matter how much he might have wanted it. And now, Moody put what they were thinking to words; Adrian would have to compete now, no matter what happened. He was bound by an unbreakable magical contract. There was no way out, not from this one. Whomever had planned it, knew what they were doing and with Pettigrew on the loose, the possibility that a certain Dark Lord had started moving once more was clear in the horizon.
"Convenient?" said Karkaroff. "I'm afraid I don't understand you, Moody."
Harry could tell he was trying to sound disdainful, as though what Moody was saying was barely worth his notice, but his hands gave him away; they had balled themselves into fists.
"Don't you?" said Moody quietly. "It's very simple, Karkaroff. Someone put Adrian Potter's name in that goblet knowing he'd have to compete if it came out." And the pandemonium commenced. There was talk of how Adrian should be removed from his place as a champion and the need to give the other two schools a chance to even out the odds, how Adrian would have to compete and, finally, McGonagall -ever the practical mind- thought that maybe, just maybe, James and Lily should be informed.
"Well, this should be fun." Harry muttered, his eyes locking with Severus' as Albus walked towards the fireplace. Lily was the one to answer; she left to call James the very second she managed to comprehend what Albus was trying to tell her. Both her sons had managed to land themselves the position of Hogwarts' champion in the most dangerous tournament they could have possibly stumbled upon. As a result, it was only two minutes later when both Potters walked through the flames and into the chamber where the four champions and the assorted crowd were waiting.
"What do you mean both my sons are to compete in the Triwizard Tournament?" James seethed, his eyes landing first on the Headmaster and then on said sons. Adrian was looking at him, his almost identical hazel eyes pleading. Harry, on his part, simply rolled his eyes and shook his head. Fun indeed.
"What zey mean," Madame Maxime said, looking down at the two newcomers, "is zat, somehow, your son Adrian has been 'ailed the fourth champion!"
"What?" Lily asked, her eyes zeroing on her oldest son.
"I have no idea how my name ended up in the goblet, I swear!" Adrian exclaimed, his eyes pleading.
"I believe him, Lily." Albus offered, placing a hand over Adrian's shoulder.
"Then how did he compete?" It's not like I'm here too, Harry thought amused as James voiced his question.
"We still don't know." Dumbledore admitted, his gaze solemn. James fumed.
"You said it would be safe!" He exclaimed, his face turning red. "That there was no possible way Adrian could be affected by the tournament! You said he would be safe!"
"He should have been!" McGonagall stated, her tone strict. "Somebody else must have submitted his name on purpose!"
"From what I have heard so far," Albus said, his voice commanding attention. "Someone must have entered Adrian as the sole contestant of a fourth, imaginary school, making his selection certain."
"Do you believe a word you just said?" Karkaroff barked, his eyes not leaving James; the two men had history, Harry recalled and Prongs had been there when Karkaroff had been arrested.
"I would not interrupt again, if I were you." Severus offered, his voice cold; his dark gaze met Karkaroff's and Durmstrang's headmaster took a step back at its ferocity. Go Dad, Harry cheered inwardly, a soft smile in his face despite everything that had just happened.
He couldn't believe it really; Adrian would have to compete, it seemed. And as worried as he was for his twin's wellbeing and the reasons why he had been tricked into competing -trying not to think too hard on who the mastermind behind this bold move had been- a small part of him was stuck at the unfairness of it all. He had been chosen as the champion of Hogwarts; was it too much to ask for one year to be himself, without having to take care of his twin, before the war started? The Fates seemed to think so.
"And you!" James exclaimed suddenly, pointing at the potions master. "Do you have any idea how Harry, who's even younger than Adrian, managed to compete?" Severus chuckled once, humourlessly, his gaze now trained on James.
"Harry is an adult, did you forget already?" Severus said, his tone caustic as he drew himself to his full height. Assuming an almost regal posture and keeping his head high, he made for an imposing and borderline scary figure. It was just what he wanted to achieve, he thought, as he spoke again, driving his words home. "Harry competed on his own free will, placed his name in the goblet while at the Headmaster's presence and got selected to represent Hogwarts; from all the students that were willing, he was chosen by the Goblet of Fire as the rightful champion." The eyes of everybody in the room were wide and never left him as he spoke; he didn't care. He was proud of his son and he wanted everybody to remember that Harry was the one that was chosen to represent Hogwarts. He had earned the right after years of hard work and the potions master would be damned if he let anyone forget.
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