Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (PART 4)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the fourth book in the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling, published in 2000. A film version of this book was released in November 2005. This book is seen by many fans as the beginning of darker times in the wizarding world, as it shows the return of Voldemort.

Dedication

Cover of the US edition, by Mary Grandpré

"To Peter Rowling, in memory of Mr Ridley and to Susan Sladden, who helped Harry out of his cupboard"

Peter Rowling is JK Rowling's father. Mr Ridley refers to Ronald Ridley, an old family friend of the Rowlings. This man's name was the inspiration for Ron Weasley's name. It is not certain who exactly Susan Sladden is, but she could be the Susan Jo once referred to in an interview as the woman who used to look after Jessica (Jo's daughter) while Jo worked on the Harry Potter books.

Book description

Harry Potter is in his fourth year at Hogwarts. Harry wants to get away from the pernicious Dursleys and go to the Quidditch World Cup with Hermione, Ron, and the Weasleys. He wants to find out about the mysterious event to take place at Hogwarts this year, an event involving two other rival schools of magic, and a competition that hasn't happened for hundreds of years. He wants to be a normal, fourteen-year-old wizard. But unfortunately for Harry Potter, he's not normal - not even by Wizarding standards. And in his case, different can be deadly.

Plot

Chapter 1: The Riddle House

I will allow you to perform an essential task for me, one that many of my followers would give their right hands to perform...Voldemort to Wormtail

Nagini in The Riddle House

Thomas and Mary Riddle, with their grown-up son Tom Riddle Senior, have been considered the most unpopular people occupying the Riddle House, located on a hill overlooking the YorkshireCounty village of Little Hangleton, many decades ago. Thomas was a snobbish squire who had the worst attitude that nobody wanted in a village leader, while Mary did retailing for Lady Margaret Nurseries branch of the British Association of Garden Centres. Referred to as "white trash" by most of the village, the Riddle family have looked down on the most poverty-stricken families in the village for generations and sneered at anything disturbing for their peace, for they didn't hold such nonsense in their daily lives. The story begins in August of 1943, where an absurd tragedy happened inside the house that nobody is able to find out how it happened. When the Riddles' maidgoes to work that day, she discovers all three Riddles dead in the drawing room, "still in their dinner things". The police find no evidence of any kind of murder or suicide, claiming to be in perfect health condition except for the fact that they were dead. They arrest the Riddles' gardener Frank Bryce for questioning, since the door and windows was never forced open or shattered on the night of their murder, and the Riddles' cooktestified that he was the only one with a key to the house. Frank, however, said the only person he saw that night was a mysterious dark-haired boy, and was released due to lack of evidence, but many still believed he committed the murders.

Half a century later on the night of 16 August, 1994, an elderly Frank is still working as the groundskeeper at the Riddle house. He sees a fire flickering in one of the rooms and goes over to investigate, thinking it is a couple boys who regularly disturb him. Inside, he overhears the same boy he saw on the night of the Riddles' murder, now grown up as Lord Voldemort (who, still unknown to him, was Tom Snr's unwanted son), and his servant Peter Pettigrew planning to capture Harry Potter with the aid of a reliable servant. Voldemort, Frank learns, also plans to reward Pettigrew for his help in capturing Bertha Jorkins, a Ministry of Magic employee who Voldemort extracted information from before killing. Frank is then discovered by Voldemort's snake Nagini, who reports his presence to her master via Parseltongue. When Pettigrew beckons him in as a guest, Frank stands up to Voldemort, who is unpleased that Muggles like the elderly gardener would be spying on him. Frank doesn't know what a Muggle is, and despite being offended that Voldemort called him one when it is explained that term means he's not a wizard, he is still determined to inform the police about the intruders' plot but horrified upon seeing Voldemort's weak form. Voldemort then casts the Avada Kedavra curse, ending Frank's life before the book can describe what Voldemort looks like. Simultaneously, about 200 miles away in the Surrey County town of Little Whinging, Harry wakes up from a nightmare at the Dursleys' house on Privet Drive.

Chapter 2: The Scar

A weird thing happened this morning, though. My scar hurt again. Last time that happened it was because Voldemort was at Hogwarts.Harry writing to Sirius

Harry feeling his scar hurting

The experience is shown to be a dream that Harry had and he wakes up with his scar hurting. Harry considers writing to his best friends Ron Weasleyand Hermione Granger, as well as the Hogwarts Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, but eventually decides to write a letter to his godfather Sirius Black, an escaped convict. Sirius was actually framed for his crimes by Peter Pettigrew, but, as the entire wizarding world except for Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Dumbledore believes him to be guilty, Sirius is in hiding. Harry does not mention the dream, only his scar hurting, and plans to send the letter once Hedwig gets back.

Chapter 3: The Invitation

P.S. I do hope we've put enough stamps on.Molly Weasley, in the letter to the Dursleys

The invitation with too many stamps

The next day, It is revealed that Aunt Petunia has put the entire family on a diet, which Harry's not following. Suddenly a letter from Molly Weasley addressed to the Dursleys arrives, She asks if Harry can join Hermione and the Weasley family to go to the Quidditch World Cup final between Ireland and Bulgaria. Unfortunately, the letter upsets Vernon Dursley because there are so many stamps on the envelope that the postman actually rang the doorbell to laugh about it. However, one mention of Sirius Black is enough to convince Vernon Dursley to let Harry go. Harry writes back to Ron (after a letter from Ron was delivered by Ron's owl Pigwidgeon) confirming that they can come pick him up. Harry writes an extra sentence or two to Sirius's letter explaining that he will be heading to The Burrow before sending the letter via Hedwig.

Chapter 4: Back to The Burrow

They'll take the boy and go, there'll be no hanging around. That's if they're coming at all. Probably mistake the day. I dare say their kind don't set much store by punctuality. Either that or they drive some tinpot car that's broken d- AAAAAAAARRRRRGH!Vernon Dursley, about the Weasley's visit

Mr Weasley destroying the Dursley's sitting room

On Sunday afternoon, the Weasleys attempt to use Floo Powder to access the Dursley household, unaware that they have an electric fireplace. The Dursleys are shocked after Mr Weasley destroys half the sitting room. Mr Weasley sends the boys back, but not before Fred purposely drops a Ton-Tongue Toffee on the floor. Dudley Dursley, unable to resist due to the diet the family has been following and his fondness for sweets of all sorts, attempts to eat it and experiences the magical effects of a bigger tongue. Harry exits for the Burrow as Uncle Vernon starts throwing china figurines at Mr Weasley.

Chapter 5: Weasley's Wizard Wheezes

We've been hearing explosions out of their room for ages, but we never thought they were actually making things, we thought they just liked the noise.Ginny Weasley about Fred and George's experiments

Bill and Charlie enchanting tables outside the Burrow

Upon arriving at the Burrow, Harry meets Ron's older brothers Bill and Charlie. Before they have a chance to talk, Mr Weasley arrives back home and angrily explains that Dudley's tongue grew to be four feet long and turned purple before he was allowed to fix it. He points out that this incident could undermine the muggle-wizard relations he has been working so hard to improve even after the twins tell him they did it because Dudley bullies Harry. Mrs Weasley learns what happened and joins in the scolding of the twins.

Meanwhile, Harry leaves the room and learns that Molly is upset about Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, a business enterprise Ron's brothers Fred and George set up to sell their self-invented sweets and prank objects. Mrs Weasley forced them to stop, since she wanted them to have a more reputable career in the Ministry after graduation.

After the spat, the Weasleys, Harry, and Hermioneenjoy a lovely dinner in the garden. At the table a lot of topics are discussed: the upcoming Quidditch World Cup, Bill's personal appearance, Sirius Black's whereabouts (a private conversation by Harry, Ron, and Hermione), a missing Ministry Witch named Bertha Jorkins. Percy (who has joined the Ministry following his recent graduation) mentions a top-secret event that he is up to in the Ministry, which will take place after the Quidditch World Cup.

Chapter 6: The Portkey

Harry and Mr Weasley talking about PortkeysWell, they can be anything. Unobtrusive things, obviously, so Muggles won't go picking them up and playing with them...

The boot Portkey used for the Cup

Harry, Hermione and the Weasleys (excluding Bill, Charlie, and Percy Weasley, who would apparatelater, and Mrs Weasley, who would not be attending) travelled early the next morning to the site of the Quidditch World Cup Final via a Portkey, an enchanted object that can transport large groups of people across large distances in a short time. Mr Weasley explains that two hundred Portkeys have been placed around Britain to transport thousand of wizards and that they will be using the one at Stoatshead Hill. There they meet Cedric Diggory, captain of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team, and his father, Amos Diggory. Fred and George are not too keen to see Cedric due to his team beating Gryffindor last year, and Mr Diggory makes a big deal of it despite Cedric himself stating it was a fluke. They then gather around and use Portkey on Mr Weasley's signal, transporting to the Quidditch World Cup Final.

Chapter 7: Bagman and Crouch

Mr Roberts talking about the wizards on the campShoudn't he?

The Hat of the Leprechauns

After arriving and setting up their tents at a wizard campsite, Harry, Ron, and Hermione witness international members of the wizarding community while getting water. As the older Weasley children arrive and the group makes lunch, they meet Ludo Bagman, the match commentator and head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports and the man who got them their tickets. During their talk, against their father's wishes, Fred and George make a bet with Ludo: their entire life savings and a fake wand that Ireland will win, but the Bulgarian Seeker Viktor Krum will catch the Golden Snitch. Arthur also asks Bagman if they found Bertha Jorkins yet.

Percy's boss, Barty Crouch, head of the Department of International Magical Cooperationthen arrives looking for Bagman, though he has to shush Bagman when he starts to talk about a big event coming up at Hogwarts. Later that night, after getting some souvenirs, the group heads to the match.

Chapter 8: The Quidditch World Cup

They'll be talking about this one for years, a really unexpected twist, that... Shame it couldn't have lasted longer... Ah yes.. yes, I owe you... How much?Ludo Bagman to Fred and George

Viktor Krum chasing the gold snitch at the World Cup

While at the Top Box in the World Cup stadium, Harry meets Winky the house-elf, a friend of Dobby's, who is saving a seat for Mr Crouch (who never shows up). The Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, as well as Lucius Malfoy with his wife and Draco (though both the Weasleys and Malfoys have to restrain themselves out of respect for Fudge), are also in the box. After Bagman introduces both teams' mascots, the match is intense and exciting, with amazing skill displayed on both sides, particularly from Krum. A fight breaks out between the two team's mascots after Ireland is awarded many penalty shots, which angers the Veela.

Ireland quickly gains a massive lead and wins the match, despite Krum catching the Golden Snitch. After the match, both teams head to the Top Box and Fudge awards Ireland the Quidditch World Cup, while Fred and George rejoice about winning their bet with Bagman.

Chapter 9: The Dark Mark

Draco Malfoy during the riotHave it your own way, Potter... If you think they can't spot a Mudblood, stay where you are.

Riot at the Quidditch World Cup

After the wizards around the campsite celebrate before going to sleep, that night, a group of masked wizards attack the camp and torment some local Muggles. While Mr Weasley heads out with his older children to face them, the rest of the group hides in the woods. When Ron trips on a tree branch, he, Harry, and Hermione, lose Fred, George, and Ginny. They run into Draco Malfoy, who goads them about the riot and tells them to keep Hermione, the "mudblood", safe. Shortly afterwards, Harry realises his wand is missing, and they find Winky behaving strangely, as if she were to trying to restrain something. After finding a place to hide, they hear someone nearby incant "Morsmordre", and they watch the Dark Mark float into the sky.

The Ministry is quickly at the scene, stunning anything that moves. After determining that Harry, Ron, and Hermione had nothing to do with the Dark Mark, they search nearby to find Winky holding Harry's wand. A quick spell proves that Harry's wand conjured the Dark Mark. Even though no one thinks Winky did it, Barty Crouch publicly fires her, leaving Hermione incensed. Mr Weasley is forced to take the group back to their tents where the others are.

After the attack, Mr Weasley mentions that the Dark Mark is the sign that Voldemort's supporters leave whenever they murder someone. The group also learns that the hooded wizards were Death Eaters, followers of Voldemort. Bill mentions that the ones from tonight strangely fled the scene when the Dark Mark was cast in the sky, likely because they were afraid Voldemort would punish them for failing to stay loyal to him after his downfall. Mr Weasley then insists they go back to bed, since they would be leaving by Portkey in a few hours. Harry can't sleep due to taking this as a sign that Voldemort's making another plan to get his powers back.

Chapter 10: Mayhem at the Ministry

What if You-Know-Who had got you, and the last thing I ever said to you was that you didn't get enough O.W.L.s? Oh, Fred...George...Molly Weasley on her children

Ron's dress robes

The next morning, the group quickly departs the campsite and arrives at the Burrow, where a worried Mrs Weasley greets them. Mrs Weasley shows them the Daily Prophet article covering last night's attack, which is filled with some inaccurate details penned by Rita Skeeter, a journalist well known for her heavily negative stories. This forces Mr Weasley to head to the Ministry with Percy to straighten things out, as he is indirectly mentioned in the article.

Heading into Ron's room, Harry tells Ron and Hermione about his scar hurting and his letter to Sirius, as well as the dream. The three remark on how strange it is that Harry's scar hurt so soon before the Dark Mark appeared for the first time in thirteen years. 

On the final day before they are to return to Hogwarts, Harry hears that the Ministry of Magic has come under heavy fire for failing to stop the riot at the Quidditch World Cup or arrest any of the culprits because of Rita Skeeter's article. Mr Weasley mentions that Rita is also attacking the Ministry because of the disappearance of Bertha Jorkins. Meanwhile, Ron is dismayed by his hideous hand-me-down dress robes, which he will need to wear at Hogwarts for a formal occasion later in the year.

Chapter 11: Aboard the Hogwarts Express

Don't tell me you don't know? You've got a father and brother at the Ministry and you don't even know? My God, my father told me about it ages ago... heard it from Cornelius Fudge. But then, Father's always associated with the top people at the Ministry... Maybe your father's too junior to know about it, Weasley... yes.. they probably don't talk about important stuff in front of him...Draco Malfoy mocking Ron for the his lack of inside information from the Ministry of Magic

The rain-washed Hogwarts trunks and owl cages

The next morning, Harry overhears a conversation between Mr Weasley and Amos Diggory (who is communicating through the Floo Network) about an ex-Auror named Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody, who was attacked in his home the previous night. Amos needs Mr Weasley's help in clearing things up before the situation gets worse. Charlieinforms Harry that an Auror is basically an evil wizard catcher.

After Mr Weasley leaves, Percy, who needs to get back to work, departs. This leaves the rest of the adults to take the children to King's Cross Stationby muggle taxi. At the station, the kids say good-bye to Mrs Weasley, Bill, and Charlie, and the adults suggest that the year ahead would be an exciting one for all of the Hogwarts students, as well as other wizards and witches.

In the Hogwarts Express, after chatting about other wizarding schools across Europe and the Quidditch World Cup, Draco Malfoy also speaks about the mysterious upcoming event, that Mrs Weasley, Charlie and Bill were talking about earlier and says that there's glory and money involved.

Chapter 12: The Triwizard Tournament

As I was saying, we are to have the honour of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, an event that has not been held for over a century. It is my very great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year.Dumbledore presenting the Triwizard Tournament

The announcement of the Triwizard Tournament

After arriving at the castle and dealing with one of Peeves' pranks, the trio heads to the Gryffindor Table for the Sorting ceremony, the first in three years for Harry. Here they meet Colin Creevey, who reveals his younger brother Dennis is one of the new students. During the ceremony, Dennis is placed in Gryffindor. The Start-of-Term Feast then begins. After Nearly Headless Nick brings up the subject of Peeves causing problems in the kitchen, Hermione learns that house-elves work there. This makes her even more angry about the way house-elves are treated, especially since house-elves do not get any benefits (which the house-elves themselves do not want). She then refuses to eat any more food in protest.

After making a few start-of-term notices, Professor Dumbledore announces that instead of having Quidditch this year (which created lots of mayhem, especially from the Weasley twins), a very special event is going to take place at Hogwarts. Before he goes on, a mysterious man with a bizarre appearance appears in the Great Hall. Dumbledore identifies him as Mad-Eye Moody, the new Defence Against the Dark Artsteacher. Afterwards, Dumbledore states this event is the Triwizard Tournament, which will start at the end of October on Hallowe'en. The Tournament calls for a single champion from each of the three largest wizarding schools in Europe to compete in a series of three trials for the prize of one thousand Galleons. Though it wasn't in play in the past due to the vast number of student deaths, Dumbledore reveals that both Crouch (Department of International Co-operation) and Bagman's (Department of Games and Sports) departments at the British Ministry of Magic have decided to reinstate the tournament under the condition that new safety rules are used, including that no student under the age of seventeen will submit their name for consideration. The students are then sent to bed, though Fred and George plot to find a way to bypass Dumbledore's safety measures so they can enter the tournament, to get fame and glory, as well as money. 

Chapter 13: Mad-Eye Moody

Minerva asking Moody about the bouncing ferretTeaching.

Mad-Eye Moody

On the morning of their first day back, Harry, Ron, and Hermione prepare to begin the classes in their school schedule, though Harry is concerned about why Hedwig had not returned with a reply from Sirius. Hermione has also ended her hunger strike, deciding to stand up for house-elf rights in a different manner. First the Gryffindor Fourth-Years has lessons for Herbology, then Care of Magical Creatures, where Hagrid teaches about monstrous creatures known as Blast-Ended Skrewts. Lastly, Harry and Ron have Divination, where Sybill Trelawney assigns the class extra homework after Ron makes a rude comment to Lavender Brown.

At dinner, Draco Malfoy insults Ron by showing Ron a Daily Prophet article that casts Ron's father Arthur Weasley (identified in the article as Arnold Weasley) in a bad light by Rita Skeeter, who somehow found out about the attack on Alastor Moody's home, even after the Ministry of Magic tried to keep it secret. While Harry and Hermione restrain an angry Ron, Draco makes some rude comments about Mrs Weasley. After Harry counters this by making a rude comment about Draco's mother and starts walking away, an angry Draco attempts to curse Harry from behind. Moody quickly intervenes, transfiguring Draco into a white ferret and bouncing him around until Professor McGonagall appears. After seeing what he's doing and putting two and two together, McGonagall undoes the spell. She then proceeds to tell Moody off by stating they never punish the students by hexing them. Moody defends his actions by explaining he thought a good sharp shock would be sufficient. Professor McGonagall tells him they punish the students by giving them detentions or speaking with the offender's Head of House. With that, Moody takes Draco Malfoy to see Professor Snape. 

After Hermione leaves to do some extracurricular work (even with no homework given out to her), Fred, George, and their friend Lee Jordan show up and tell Harry and Ron how cool Moody's (Defence Against the Dark Arts) class is. Ron finds out it will be a few days before Ron and Harry will have their first lesson with Moody.

Chapter 14: The Unforgivable Curses

Now, according to the Ministry of Magic, I'm supposed to teach you countercurses and leave it at that. I'm not supposed to show you what illegal Dark curses look like until you're in the sixth year...How are you supposed to defend yourself against something you've never seen? ...You need to be prepared. You need to be alert and watchful.Moody presenting the Unforgivable Curses to the class

A spider receiving an Unforgivable curse

In their first lesson with Moody on Thursday, Moody, after revealing he will only be staying for the year, decides to show the fourth-year Gryffindors the Unforgivable Curses. Despite some fear amongst the students (especially Neville, who needs comfort from both the trio and Moody after the lesson; Moody later lends Neville a Herbology book to cheer him up), Moody shows the entire class the three curses using spiders as his test subjects: The Imperius Curse, a mind control spell, The Cruciatus Curse, a pain inflicting spell, and The Killing Curse, a spell that causes instant death to any living thing it hits. He also reveals the the use of these spells gain the user a one way ticket to Azkaban

Later that night after dinner in their Common Room, Harry and Ron fake their Divinationhomework after finding it too difficult. Harry notices Fred and George plotting something, though he is unable to figure out what. Later on, Hermione shows up and reveals that she has started SPEW, a club for fighting for house-elf rights and has just spent time in the library researching house-elf history. She wants Harry and Ron to join, but before the conversation is carried out further, Hedwig returns with a letter from Sirius.

Sirius says there are rumours about Harry's scar hurting and he is returning to Britain. Harry feels worried about Sirius coming back and possibly getting caught by the Ministry, all because he hastily sent the letter. He goes to bed unsettled.

Chapter 15: Beauxbatons and Durmstrang

Longbottom, kindly do not reveal that you can't even perform a simple Switching Spell in front of anyone from Durmstrang!McGonagall about the upcoming visitors

Durmstrang's Submarine Ship

Early the next day, a concerned Harry sends a letter to Sirius claiming he is fine and that Sirius won't have to return to Britain. Over the next couple of weeks, Harry fights off his concerns for Sirius while waiting for Hedwig to get back. In Defence Against the Dark Arts, Moody has his students practise resisting the Imperius Curse. Only Harry is able to resist it, despite slightly bruising his knees in the process; it takes him a couple more tries before he can completely resist it. During Transfiguration, Professor McGonagallexplains to her fourth-year students, as she assigns them extra homework, that this is the time for them to start preparing for the O.W.L.examinations, which will occur at the end of their next year.

Following Care of Magical Creatures, the group returns to the castle and sees a crowd of students looking at a sign posted to the wall. The sign reveals that in about a week, on 30 October, lessons will end early due to the delegations from the two other schools, the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and the Durmstrang Institute, arriving that evening. The lesson cut off, for Gryffindors was Potions, and the Trio felt lucky, especially when Snape hinted of a poisoning, to find out if their antidotes work or not. Over the next week, Hogwarts Castle undergoes a major refit: the castle is redecorated and the nervous staff members prepare for the delegates to arrive.

On 30 October, Harry again hears Fred and George Weasley talking: this time, he hears that they are talking about sending a letter to a certain person. The trio talk with the twins about the Triwizard Tournament, and Hermione brings up house-elves. Fred and George suggest she should visit the Hogwarts Kitchen just to see for herself how happy they are, despite Hermione's insistence that they are being brainwashed.

The owls then arrive, including Hedwig. Sirius mentions that he has seen through Harry's ruse and asks Harry not to worry about him, but rather to watch out for himself and keep him posted on the recent events at Hogwarts. Sirius also asks that Harry use a different owl next time when sending him a message, as Hedwig, a snowy owl, would attract too much attention.

That night, each of the houses are assembled in a line in the Great Hall while waiting for the delegates to arrive. The first comes by flying carriage, the second shortly afterwards via submerged ship, with their respective heads: Madame Maxime (Headmistress of Beauxbatons), a woman as big as Hagrid, and Igor Karkaroff (Headmaster of Drumstrang). Viktor Krum is revealed to be among the Durmstrang students, which makes Ron, a little excited.

Chapter 16: The Goblet of Fire

The fire in the goblet had just turned red again. Sparks were flying out of it. A long flame shot suddenly into the air, and borne upon it was another piece of parchment... And then Dumbledore cleared his throat and read out - Harry Potter.The Goblet of Fire chooses Harry Potter

The Goblet of Fire

The students sit down at their tables (with the Beauxbatons students at the Ravenclaw table and Durmstrang at Slytherin), and the Welcoming Feast begins. Hagrid, Ludo Bagman, and Barty Crouch all arrive late. After the feast, Dumbledore announces that Crouch and Bagman, who helped organise the tournament, will also serve as judges alongside the three headmasters to evaluate the Champions' performances. Dumbledore then announces that the three champions will be chosen by the Goblet of Fire, an enchanted artefact. Students must drop their names into the Goblet, and the Goblet chooses the most worthy entrants to compete in three dangerous tasks. Dumbledore finishes by stating the champions will be selected the following night during Hallowe'en. On the way out, the Durmstrang headmaster Karkaroff gives Harry a look of displeasure before Moody forces him to move along. The Goblet is placed in the Great Hall and an Age Line is drawn around the Goblet to prevent underage students from submitting their names.

The next day, predictably, Fred and George attempt to cross the line through the use of an Ageing Potion, but they are repelled by the line. The pair has to be sent to the Hospital Wing to have their long grey beards removed, much to everyone's amusement, including Dumbledore's. That afternoon, Harry, Ron, and Hermione visit Hagrid at his cabin and find that he has gotten dressed up for Madame Maxime. He refuses Hermione's offer to join S.P.E.W., pointing out that the house-elves enjoy their work.

That night, during the Hallowe'en feast, the champions are announced: Viktor Krum, the Seeker for the Bulgarian Quidditch World Cupteam, representing Durmstrang; Fleur Delacour, a beautiful girl Harry and Ron met the night before, representing Beauxbatons; and Cedric Diggory of Hufflepuff representing Hogwarts. Unexpectedly, a fourth name is thrown from the Goblet of Fire: Harry Potter, much to the dismay of some. 

Chapter 17: The Four Champions

Dumbledore, you know perfectly well you did not make a mistake! Really, what nonsense! Harry could not have crossed the line himself, and as Professor Dumbledore believes that he did not persuade an older student to do it for him, I'm sure that should be good enough for everybody else!Professor McGonagall angrily defending Dumbledore

Harry – the Fourth Champion

Since Harry neither submitted his name nor asked an older student to do so, the assembly is dumbfounded. Harry himself is feeling very confused as he heads into the room where the champions are waiting. Although protests issue from the heads of the other schools, it is decided that the Goblet of Fire has spoken and that changes must be made accordingly. While many think Harry has somehow circumvented Dumbledore's age-restricting barrier, Moody suggests that perhaps someone entered Harry's name under a fourth school to ensure he would be included in the competition, hoping he might not survive the perilous tasks.

Crouch reveals that the First Task is on 24 November and the champions have until then to figure out what it is and to prepare for it. The champions are forbidden to receive any help from anyone else. They are told that they will learn the details of the Second Task after completing the First Task. They will also be exempt from the end of year exams due to the tournament.

The group disbands and Cedric talks with Harry briefly as they are heading back to their respective dormitories, Harry tries to tell him that he did not put his name nor ask for it, but his efforts are wasted. At the Gryffindor Common Room, most of the other Gryffindor students throw a party to celebrate, despite Harry's displeasure. Afterwards he returns to his dormitory, where Ron refuses to believe Harry's story about not entering the tournament.

Chapter 18: The Weighing of the Wands

He was very fond of his wand, and as far as he was concerned its relationship to Voldemort's wand was something it couldn't help - rather as he couldn't help being related to Aunt Petunia.Harry on his wand

Rita Skeeter

Hermione explains to Harry the next morning that his entry into the competition strained his relationship with Ron, who feels once again left in the shadow of his friend. Harry reluctantly accepts Hermione's advice to send a letter to Sirius to update him on what happened. He send a letter with a school barn owl, much to Hedwig's chagrin.

Ron is not alone in shunning Harry; a great many of the students from all three schools assume he somehow cheated his way into the tournament. This makes Harry's life miserable, even though his fellow Gryffindors (excluding Ron) are proud that Harry will be in the tournament. The stress makes it difficult for Harry to concentrate on his lessons over the next week.

In Potions, the Slytherin students wear insulting badges that cause an angry Harry to attempt to curse Malfoy. Goyle and Hermione end up cursed instead, and both head to the hospital wing. Though Harry and Ron reconnect when Snape takes 50 points away from Gryffindor and gives them detention, Ron refuses to reconcile with Harry.

During a Potions lesson with Snape, Colin Creevey arrives to pick up Harry, as Mr Bagman requires him for a photo session. Rita Skeeter interviews Harry in a closet for a piece she is writing on the Triwizard Tournament, before the much important Wand weighing ceremony begins. Harry tells her he doesn't know how he entered the tournament, but she manages to twist his words before Dumbledore interrupts, stating the ceremony is about to begin.

Here Harry sees the Wand Creator Mr Ollivanderagain. After examining the other champion's wands, he examines Harry's and deems it in perfect condition. After the champions and judges go through a long photoshoot, Harry goes to dinner and then returns to Gryffindor Tower. Ron tells Harry that he has an owl and that their detention starts later. Going to where the school barn owl is with Sirius's letter, Harry reads that Sirius thinks it is too risky to communicate by letter and that he will contact Harry on 22 November at 1:00 a.m. Harry must be alone at the fireplace in the Gryffindor common room at that time. 

Chapter 19: The Hungarian Horntail

Harry was finding it difficult to think about the future at all, he felt as if his whole life had been leading up to, and would finish with, the first task...Harry, fearing the first task

The Dragons of the First Task

Harry's impending talk with Sirius helps him through his embarrassment about Rita Skeeter's news article, which told a highly inaccurate version of his life story. This further deepens the rift with Ron, who thinks Harry is trying to get attention. Ravenclaw Cho Chang is the only person outside of Gryffindor who wishes Harry good luck with the first task that is coming up on that Tuesday. Harry finds himself infatuated with her.

On the Saturday prior to the first task, the students visit Hogsmeade village. Harry goes with Hermione under his Invisibility Cloak so he can relax and avoid dealing with anymore criticism. While he is at the Three Broomsticks Inn drinking Butterbeer, Moody sees Harry under his cloak and Hagrid asks Harry to meet him at midnight, one hour before his meeting with Sirius.

The Gamekeeper sneaks Harry into a meeting with Maxime; she does not know Harry is there. Hagrid leads Maxime and Harry to a spot in the woods where dragons are being kept for the first task. Charlie Weasley and other dragon keepers are working to get the dragons ready for the First Task and keep them under control. Charlie talks with Hagrid and identifies the species of each of the four dragon breeds. He reveals that one is for each champion and that each must get past their assigned beast, though he and the other keepers are also there to keep things under control. Harry leaves for the castle, bumping into Karkaroff but managing to keep hidden. He realises that if Karkaroff followed Hagrid and Maxine, it was likely that Cedric will be the only champion not aware of what he would be facing.

Just as Harry returns to his common room, Sirius contacts Harry via the Floo Network. Harry starts by filling him in on what has happened. Sirius then speaks and warns him that Karkaroff was once a Death Eater; he was released only after identifying other Death Eaters, and could have put Harry's name in the Goblet of Fire. Sirius then mentions Rita Skeeter's article from last month regarding the attack on Moody; he suspects it was no accident and that someone may have tried to keep Moody from going to Hogwarts. Sirius also brings up the Death Eater disturbance at the Quidditch World Cup, as well as Bertha Jorkins. Jorkins, he says, disappeared in Albania, where Voldemort was last reported to be. Sirius reveals he knew Jorkins personally while they were in school and mentions that she wasn't very bright and could have easily fallen into a trap. She also would have known about the Triwizard Tournament beforehand.

Sirius finishes by stating that Karkaroff betrayed the Death Eaters long ago and might not be the guilty party, especially since whoever put Harry's name in the Goblet had a reason for doing so. Before he can give Harry any advice on getting past his dragon, he is interrupted by Ron and disappears from the fire. Ron demands to know who he was talking to but Harry tells him it's none of his business and goes to bed.

Chapter 20: The First Task

He stared hopelessly down at the index of Basic Hexes for the Busy and Vexed... instant scalping... but dragons had no hair... pepper breath... that would probably increase a dragon's firepower... horn tongue... just what he needed, to give it an extra weapon....Harry ways to defeat a dragon

Harry mastering the Summoning Charm

After Harry tells Hermione everything he learned recently, they try to research ways to get past a dragon in the library without success. On Monday, realising the other schools' champions know about the dragons, Harry tips off Cedric to make sure the contest is fair. Moody then appears and gives Harry some general advice on how to beat his Dragon: play to his strengths and use a simple spell to get what he needs. With Hermione's help, Harry manages to master the Summoning Charmafter working on it until 2 a.m. On Tuesday, the day of the task, Mr Bagman reveals that their task is to get the Golden egg each dragon is guarding. The model dragons each champion would draw out of a small bag would determine the order they'll be going in and which dragon they'll face.

Harry finds himself slated to go last. He gets the most violent of the four dragons, the Hungarian Horntail, though he declines Mr Bagman's offer for advice. Once his turn comes up, Harry manages to summon his Firebolt and fly. He uses the flying strategies he learned as a Quidditch player to lure the dragon off the eggs long enough for him to zoom in and snatch the golden egg, despite taking a minor shoulder injury during the task. Ron, realising the true danger of the Tournament, tries to apologise to Harry, who forgives him, with most of Hogwarts (excluding Slytherin) backing him as well.

After seeing his score, Harry learns from Charlie Weasley that he is currently tied with Viktor Krum for first place and that Mr Bagman needs to see him. Mr Bagman reveals to the champions that the Second Task will take place on 24 February at 9:30am and that their Golden Eggs contain a clue as to what it will be. On his way back to the castle with Ron, Rita Skeeter shows up for an interview, but Harry brushes her off.

Chapter 21: The House-Elf Liberation Front

Winky is a disgraced elf, but Winky is not yet getting paid!Winky about her situation

After Ron is brought up to speed on what

Hermione, Harry, and Ron visiting the kitchen

Harry has learned, he allows Harry to borrow Pigwidgeon to send Sirius a new letter updating him on the completion of the first task. Gryffindor celebrates Harry's success that night, but when Harry opens up his golden egg during the party, a horrible screech comes out. Meanwhile, Hermione learns from Fred Weasley how to get into the kitchen where the house-elves are.

In December, Rita Skeeter arrives at Hagrid'sduring a Care of Magical Creatures lesson with the fourth years to try to get an interview with Hagrid. Hagrid is surprised to see her there, as Dumbledore had banned her from Hogwarts Castle.

That night, Hermione does not show up to dinner. She surprises Harry and Ron as they are about to enter Gryffindor Tower and takes them to the kitchens. There they see a lot of domestic elves, and Harry is reunited with Dobby and learns that Winky is there too. Dobby reveals that it is difficult for a free house-elf to find actual work. After he spent two years failing to find work and found Winky, Dobby came to Hogwarts and had been there for a week so far; Dumbledore even agreed to pay Dobby a small wage. Winky is very sad and ashamed about being fired by her old master. Hermione tries to cheer her up, with no luck, though Winky does become slightly happier when she learns that Mr Crouch has been at Hogwarts.

Chapter 22: The Unexpected Task

A week ago, Harry would have said finding a partner for a dance would be a cinch compared to taking on a Hungarian Horntail. But now that he had done the latter, and was facing the prospect of asking a girl to the ball, he thought he'd rather have another round with the Horntail.Harry thinking about the Yule Ball invitation

Ron "enchanted" by Fleur Delacour

After a Transfiguration class, McGonagall tells her students about the Yule Ball, a formal event that is scheduled for 25 December and is open to fourth years and above (though a younger student can still attend if invited by an older student as their date). They gather in a spare classroom to practise for the ball and Ron is forced to practise dancing with McGonagall. She tells Harry privately that he and his dance partner will start off the event alongside the other champions and their dates as a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament.

Over the next few weeks, both Ron and Harry unsuccessfully attempt to find dates as they get through the final classes of the term. Fred and George are also acting suspiciously again; they want to borrow Pigwidgeon to deliver a letter to someone, but Pigwidgeon is not back yet (from delivering Sirius' letter). Harry later works up his courage and asks Cho to go to the dance with him, but learns that she had already agreed to go with Cedric. This information sours Harry's relationship with Cedric.

After Harry returns to the Gryffindor common room, he sees Ginny comforting Ron and learns that Ron foolishly tried to ask Fleur out. Ron then tactlessly asks Hermione out, but she is going with someone else. Harry can't ask Ginny out either, since she is going with Neville. Finally, Harry manages to secure dates for both himself and Ron.

Chapter 23: The Yule Ball

Ron and Hermione bellowing at each otherNext time there's a ball, ask me before someone else does, and not as a last resort!

The silvery fountain

As the holidays begin, Hermione refuses to tell Ron who her date for the Yule Ball is, stating he'll make fun of her. She also reveals that after Malfoy put the curse on her that made her already large front teeth grow to a huge size, she let Madam Pomfrey shrink them to a more normal size when she healed her. Draco Malfoy tries to taunt Hermione, saying no one in their right mind would take her to the ball, but the mere mention of Mad-Eye Moody is enough to drive him back. Pigwidgeon returns with Sirius' reply. Sirius congratulates Harry for completing the first task and reminds him to stay on guard.

On Christmas Day, Dobby wakes Harry up and gives Harry his present: a pair of mismatched socks he made himself from wool he purchased with his wages. Harry then opens the presents he got from his other friends for Christmas, which include a hand-knit sweater with the image of a dragon from Mrs Weasley and a magical penknifefrom Sirius. After spending the day relaxing, Harry and his dorm mates get ready for the ball, then head to the Great Hall, where the event is to take place. At the start of the ball, it is revealed that Hermione is going with none other than Viktor Krum.

When the champions reach the judges table, Crouch is nowhere to be seen. Percy Weasley, who was promoted to Crouch's assistant, says Crouch is ill. After the entire room has their meal, the Weird Sisters start their performance for the dance. Neither Harry nor Ron have any interest in dancing (though Harry does participate in the opening dance) and their dates, the Patil sisters, soon abandon them, Ron also gets into an embarrassing argument with Hermione; he claims that Viktor Krum is the enemy and that going to the ball with him is treason.

Percy sees Fred and George bothering Ludo Bagman and tries to intervene, and Mr Bagman comes over to have a chat with Harry. Harry and Ron then decide to go for a walk on the grounds to get away from the ruckus. They encounter Karkaroff having a worried discussion with Snape, and Hagrid and Maxime enjoying a tender moment. The moment is ruined when Hagrid insinuates Maxime is a Half-giant, like him. Ron naturally has to inform Harry about how serious this information is, given the nasty reputation giants have in the wizarding world. Shortly after the ball, Cedric gives Harry a hint about the egg: take a bath with it. He gives Harry the password to enter the Prefects' bathroom and thanks him for warning him about the dragons.

Chapter 24: Rita Skeeter's Scoop

Hagrid, look what I've got for relatives! Look at the Dursleys!Harry trying to cheer Hagrid up

 

Young Hagrid with his little father

Ron and Hermione decide to put last night's argument behind them. Hermione isn't too surprised when she learns that Hagrid is a half-giant, as she suspected this all along. Meanwhile, Harry is reluctant to take Cedric's advice due to his jealousy about Cho.

A substitute teacher, Professor Grubbly-Plank, teaches the first Care of Magical Creatures of the year. Draco Malfoy shows Harry that Rita Skeeter had published a nasty story about Hagrid and his giant heritage (which also used a quote from Draco); this has apparently driven Hagrid into hiding. This raises some questions between the trio, as nobody else heard Hagrid talking privately with Madam Maxime that night and Rita is supposed to be banned from Hogwarts.

Several weeks pass and during another Hogsmeade visit, while hoping to find Hagrid at the Three Broomsticks Inn, the trio instead finds Ludo Bagman meeting with some goblins. During a private conversation with Mr Bagman, Harry learns that Barty Crouch has stopped coming to work and is sending Percy instructions by owl. Also, after a search, they still haven't found Bertha Jorkins. Bagman then again offers his help for the tournament, which Harry immediately declines. Fred and George's sudden appearance forces Mr Bagman to leave. Hermione then questions why Mr Bagman is trying to help Harry cheat, along with why he was meeting with goblins. Rita Skeeter, who also encountered Bagman and the goblins, then shows up to investigate. Harry and Hermione start an argument with her about her article on Hagrid.

The trio go to Hagrid's cabin and, along with Dumbledore, try to persuade him to return. They point out that not everyone has abandoned Hagrid, and that everyone has secrets in their pasts. After Dumbledore leaves, Hagrid remembers his late father telling him never to be ashamed of what he is and gets over his depression. He gives his support to Harry in the Tournament, believing that if Harry wins, he could show everyone they do not have to be ashamed of what they are. This is enough to convince Harry to put aside his pride and take Cedric's advice.

Chapter 25: The Egg and the Eye

I'd try putting it in the water, if I were you.Myrtle on the Egg

The opened Dragon's Egg

Harry sneaks into the Prefect's bathroom at night so he could have all the time he will need to figure out the clue, taking only the golden egg, his Invisibility Cloak, and the Marauder's Map with him. Harry initially has trouble figuring out how to open the egg properly, but with a little help from Moaning Myrtle, who had been spying on him, Harry opens the egg under water. This time, Harry hears voices singing and can understand them when he puts his head underwater. Harry realises that he must save something he cares about from merpeople who live in the depths of the Black Lake.

On the way back to Gryffindor tower, Harry sees Barty Crouch in Snape's office on the Marauder's Map and goes to investigate. When he falls through a trick stair and traps his leg, he accidentally drops the egg and map, attracting the attention of Filch. Filch finds the egg, and Snape soon arrives and demands Filch's help in catching someone who broke into his office. Moody then shows up, angering Snape by suggesting Snape had something to hide in his office. Snape points out that Moody searched his office after his arrival at Hogwarts. Moody then saves Harry from detection by claiming that the Marauder's Map is his own (after an invisible Harry warns him not to give it to Snape). However, Snape suspects Harry's involvement because he recognises the Marauder's Map before Moody confiscates the egg from Filch and forces the pair away.

As Moody frees Harry's leg, Harry tells Moody about how the map works and said he saw Mr Crouch on it. After Moody spends time looking over the Marauder's Map, Harry asks what Crouch was doing in Snape's office, and Moody suggests that Crouch was trying to find evidence of Snape being a dark wizard. Moody then asks to borrow the map, and after learning what Harry was up to that night, says that Harry might consider becoming an Auror for a career.

Chapter 26: The Second Task

Most of the judges, feel that this shows moral fibre and merits full marks. However... Mr Potter's score is forty-five points.Ludo Bagman on Harry's performance on the Second Task

Gillyweed used by Harry for the Second Task

Harry explains what happened the previous night to Ron and Hermione. Even though Harry and Ron suspect Snape might have put Harry's name in the Goblet of Fire, Hermione doubts this. Harry also sends a school owl to Sirius to update him on what happened.

Over the coming weeks, even with help from Hermione and Ron as well as the library's resources (including getting McGonagall's permission for the Restricted Section), Harry struggles to think of a way to breathe underwater for an hour. Two days before the second task is to start, Sirius's response comes in. Sirius wants to know when their next trip to Hogsmeade is.

On the last night before the task, the trio are continuing their research in the school library when Fred and George appear to inform them that Professor McGonagall has summoned Ron and Hermione. Harry later sneaks back into the library after hours with his Invisibility Cloak, but can't find anything else.

The next morning, with a little help from Dobby, Harry discovers gillyweed, a plant that, when eaten, gives him fish-like qualities such as gills and fins. He quickly makes his way to the lake just as the task is about start and finds that, once again, Percy is taking Mr Crouch's place. While swimming through the lake and fighting off a swarm of Grindylows, Moaning Myrtle points Harry in the right direction and Harry discovers a town of Merpeople, where Ron (the thing Harry would miss the most) is being held, along with Hermione (for Krum), Cho (for Cedric), and Fleur's sister.

Harry frees Ron, but refuses to leave the others, despite the insistence of the Merpeople. Cedric and Krum appear and rescue their loved ones, but Fleur never arrives. With little other choice, Harry drags her sister to the surface as well, narrowly avoiding drowning as the gillyweed wears off. Although he was wrong to think the other hostages would be left to die (they would have simply returned to the surface unharmed), his bravery and valour earn him extra points from the judges, who state that he showed great "moral fibre." This puts both Harry and Cedric in first place in the overall points. Ludo Bagman then reveals the third and final task is on 24 June and the champions will learn more about it a month beforehand.

Chapter 27: Padfoot Returns

And don't forget, if you're talking about me among yourselves, call me Snuffles, okay?Sirius to the trio

Snuffles

In March, Sirius' reply states that the trio is to meet up with him during their next Hogsmeade trip and asks them to bring food. Before Potions, Slytherin Pansy Parkinson gleefully gives Hermione a copy of Witch Weekly; Rita had published an article on Hermione Granger saying that she is toying with both Harry and Krum's feelings. Pansy who is quoted in the article, suggested Hermione was making illegal Love Potions. Hermione realises that Skeeter must have eavesdropped on her and Krum's conversation on the shores of the lake, and begins wondering how Rita is getting her information. After Snape gets a hold of the article, he reads it aloud, creating further laughter from the Slytherins. He then breaks the trio up and sends them to different tables. Snape also confronts Harry over the recent theft of boomslang skin and gillyweed from his office, who has no idea what he's talking about. He threatens Harry with Veritaserum, a potion that will cause Harry to tell the truth when consumed. Karkaroff then shows up to talk to Snape and sticks around until after class. Snape blows him off, but not before Harry, who purposely stayed behind, noticed that Karkaroff had tried to show Snape something on his arm.

Sirius meets Harry, Ron, and Hermione secretly in Hogsmeade and directs them to a mountain cave where Buckbeak and some old Daily Prophetarticles are waiting (Sirius had been stealing discarded newspapers to keep up on current events). They first discuss Winky and what happened at the World Cup. Sirius suggests that whoever stole Harry's wand must have done so while they were watching the game in the Top Box and is suspicious that Barty Crouch was looking around for something before he sacked Winky. He then finds it odd that not only did Crouch not show up during the game, but also that he is suddenly indisposed.

Sirius explains that Crouch was the one who sent him to Azkaban without a trial, as Crouch used to head the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and was once poised to become the next Minister for Magic. During Voldemort's previous reign, Crouch took extreme measures against the Death Eaters, including allowing the Aurors to use the Unforgivable Curses against them. While this greatly boosted Crouch's popularity and ensured that Crouch would become the next Minister, Crouch's son had been caught with a group of Death Eaters just after Voldemort's downfall. The Death eaters in question were trying to find Voldemort and help him get his strength back. The youth was given a show trial by his father before being locked up in Azkaban; he died a year later. Shortly after Barty Crouch Jr died, Crouch's wife died as well. Crouch's popularity dropped heavily after that, as people suspected that Crouch was a bad father. As a result, with Crouch's reputation in the Ministry destroyed, Cornelius Fudge became the Minister instead and reassigned Barty Crouch Snr to the Department of International Magical Cooperation.

Ron brings up Crouch's appearance in Snape's office. Sirius states that doesn't make sense since Crouch would have kept an eye on Snape as a tournament judge. When Ron and Hermione bicker about whether Snape can be trusted, Sirius partly agrees with Ron, as it is questionable why Dumbledore would trust Snape. Snape was interested in the Dark Arts as a child and hung out with some Slytherin students that became Death Eaters, though he also knows Snape is smart enough to not get caught by the Ministry. Harry then remembers Karkaroff's sudden appearance in their class, though Sirius can't figure out what that was about.

Sirius then brings all the questions of these mysterious circumstances together, including why Moody was also searching Snape's office. He asks Ron to send a letter to Percy to find out if there is any news about Crouch. Before they leave, Sirius reminds them not to wander outside of Hogwarts at all for safety reasons. On the way back, the trio conclude that the scandal involving his son is the reason Crouch overreacted to seeing Winky being accused of conjuring the Dark Mark. Ron voices how he and Percy are similar. Hermione states Percy would never do what his boss did but Ron is unconvinced.

Chapter 28: The Madness of Mr Crouch

Winky - hic - is not only - hic - doing housework for Mr Crouch!" Winky squeaked indignantly, swaying worse than ever and slopping butterbeer down her already heavily stained blouse. "Master is - hic - trusting Winky with - hic - the most important - hic - the most secret...Winky to Hermione

A crying Winky

After sending Hedwig with the letter to Percy, the trio heads to the kitchen to give Dobby the socks Harry bought for him. They find that Winky has become intoxicated from consuming a large amount of butterbeer (which works like alcohol on house-elves). It doesn't help when Harry mentions that Mr Crouch has disappeared.

Hate mail soon starts popping up for Hermione in regards to Rita Skeeter's article. She has to go to the Hospital Wing due to a curse and doesn't turn up until a Care of Magical Creatures lesson, where Hagrid is having them use Nifflers to find gold coins (which is actually Leprechaun gold) he buried. Hagrid encourages Hermione to ignore the hate mail, citing the hate mail he received after Skeeter released the article about him. Hermione decides to discover how Skeeter has been getting her information when she is already banned from school grounds.

It is around Easter that Percy's response comes, along with Easter eggs from Mrs Weasley (Hermione's is smaller than Harry and Ron's because Mrs Weasley read Skeeter's article). His irradiated response doesn't help. On the night of 24 May, Harry and the other champions are called to the Quidditch pitch by Ludo Bagman and informed that a magical maze will be grown there and filled with magical obstacles. Their job is to head to the centre of the maze and touch the Triwizard Cup. Before Mr Bagman can offer Harry advice again, Krum takes Harry aside to the Forbidden Forest and questions him about his relationship with Hermione. Harry assures Krum that he and Hermione are just friends.

Moments later, a rather crazy-looking Barty Crouch emerges from the forest asking for Dumbledore. He mentions that Voldemort is getting stronger and that he himself was responsible for something bad. He also mentions his son, as well as Bertha Jorkins, who is now dead. Harry goes to retrieve Dumbledore, but when he returns, they find that Krum has been stunned and Crouch has disappeared. Karkaroff accuses Mr Crouch's apparent attack on his student as a secret conspiracy by Dumbledore. Hagrid angrily demands that he apologise but Dumbledore restrains him. Dumbledore has Hagrid take Harry back to Gryffindor Tower to rest. He hints in his message not to contact Sirius until the next morning. On the way back, Hagrid scolds Harry for being out alone with Viktor Krum. 

Chapter 29: The Dream

You were clutching your scar! You were rolling on the floor, clutching your scar! Come now. Potter, I have experience in these matters!Professor Trelawney to Harry

Harry riding an owl in his "dream"

The trio debates last night's events the following morning. Harry thinks the strange things Mr Crouch said were important, especially if Voldemort is getting stronger. The group goes to the owlery to send a letter to Sirius Black and overhears Fred and George, who are talking about blackmailing someone that they've tried to reason with. Ron asks who they are blackmailing, but they make it look like they are joking. After they leave, Ron points out that it is obvious Fred and George are serious about starting a Joke Shop. They are close to graduating, with only one full year left, and they have to make enough money on their own to start one. Hermione suggests telling Percy but Ron refuses both because of what Sirius said about Barty Crouch Snr and Percy's similarities to him. Later, they meet up with Moody. Moody reveals that he couldn't find him. He also tells them that there's nothing they can do about Couch and that the Ministry is investigating the matter and urges Harry to instead prepare for the final task.

Sirius's response arrives the following day: He scolds Harry for being out with Krum alone and late at night and says he is lucky he wasn't attacked, since it is clear to him that someone did not want Barty Crouch to reach Dumbledore and he was probably feet away from them in the dark. He instructs Harry to stay safe and practise defensive spells for the Third Task, and demands that Harry give him his word that he won't go out of bounds again, especially not after hours. At Hermione's urging, he sends an owl back doing so.

Not long later, during Divination, Harry passes out and has a vision. He sees Voldemort being informed of someone's death and torturing Wormtail for failing to prevent that person from escaping. Harry awakens with his scar hurting badly and pretends he has to go to the hospital wing. Harry actually goes to see Dumbledore. After spending time trying to get the password to Dumbledore's office right, Harry overhears an argument between Dumbledore, Moody, and Cornelius Fudge regarding the Barty Crouch situation. Fudge refuses to believe the words that Crouch said about Bertha Jorkins being dead, and while debating what happened to Crouch, Fudge suggests that Madame Maxime is the likely culprit given her half-giant physiology. Dumbledore accuses Fudge of acting on personal prejudice, which Fudge ignores due to Dumbledore's friendship with Hagrid. Moody interrupts the debate to explain that Harry Potter has arrived.

Chapter 30: The Pensieve

I sometimes find, and I am sure you know the feeling, that I simply have too many thoughts and memories crammed into my mind.Dumbledore to Harry

Harry looking at Dumbledore's Pensieve

Dumbledore, Fudge, and Moody leave to examine the school grounds, and Harry is alone in Dumbledore's office. While looking around, notices Dumbledore's Pensieve, a device that stores memories. Through curiosity, Harry peers in and ends up looking into three of Dumbledore's memories. The first is the trial of Igor Karkaroff, in which he renounces his support of the Death Eaters and gives the names of existing Death Eaters, including Snape. Dumbledore (in the memory) states that Snape is a spy against Voldemort and is no longer a threat. The second memory shows the trial of Ludo Bagman, who was accused of passing information to Voldemort, even though he wasn't aware the person he gave the information to was a Death Eater; his popularity quickly clears him. The third is a trial for the Lestrange family, a group of three, and Crouch's son, Barty Crouch Jr, for the use of the Cruciatus Curse on Alice and Frank Longbottom. Crouch sentences them all to a lifetime in Azkaban. By then Dumbledore (from the present) arrives and brings Harry back.

After Dumbledore explains what happened and shows Harry another of his memories regarding a teenage Bertha Jorkins during her Hogwarts years, Harry explains what happened in Divination. Dumbledore finds Harry's scar pains to be an odd concept and brings up that this is the second time it has hurt, the first being during the summer. This shows Harry that Dumbledore has been talking to Sirius Black, and Dumbledore reveals that it was his idea for Black to hide in the cave outside Hogsmeade.

Dumbledore suspects that the reason why Harry's scar hurts is due to the connection that Voldemort's failed curse had created with him. He believes the scar would only hurt when Voldemort were close or was feeling a strong emotion. Dumbledore also explains to Harry that, unlike the Ministry, he believes that the disappearances of Bertha Jorkins, Barty Crouch, and a Muggle by the name of Frank Bryce may be connected to Voldemort.

Dumbledore also explains that Frank and Alice Longbottom are Neville's parents and they went insane due to the Lestranges' attack and that this is the reason why Neville was brought up by his grandmother and why he has such an aversion to the Cruciatus Curse. Dumbledore doesn't know if Crouch Jr was involved, but he personally requests that Harry does not disclose this information to anyone, saying that Neville himself will share it when he is ready.

Chapter 31: The Third Task

Yeah...we've helped each other out, haven't we? We both got here. Let's just take it together.Harry to Cedric

The sphinx at the maze

Harry passes off the information he learned from the Pensieve to Ron and Hermione, excluding the details about Neville's parents. Hermione realises this is what Rita Skeeter and Winky meant about Ludo Bagman being a dark wizard. That same night, Harry's hatred of Voldemort reaches a new high because of what he learned from the Pensieve, except what he learned about Neville's parents. As the task approaches, Ron and Hermione find time when they are not studying for their final exams to help Harry. Even McGonagall helps by allowing him to practise in her empty classroom during lunch time. During one practise session, Ron notices Malfoy outside the castle sitting by a tree and doing something odd. Harry and Hermione also see him before they return to practise. Sirius sends Harry messages by owl each day, reminding Harry to focus on what is ahead.

On the day of the third task, Rita Skeeter releases an article claiming Harry is demented and dangerous. She uses a quote from Draco Malfoy in the article. This raises some questions between the trio, since the article mentions Harry's scar hurting during Divination. The class takes place in the North Tower and Skeeter is not allowed inside Hogwarts, so she shouldn't have had that information. Hermione finally figures out how Skeeter may be getting her information and leaves to put her theory to the test.

McGonagall tells the champions that their families have come to watch them complete. Harry doesn't want to meet them, expecting the Dursleys, but instead finds Molly and Bill Weasley. While they give Harry a tour of their knowledge of Hogwarts, Mrs Weasley gets into an argument with Amos Diggory regarding Harry's popularity in the tournament before Mrs Diggory asks him to stop. They then mention to Harry that Percy will not be coming this time. After the Barty Crouch incident, which is being kept secret, Percy was hauled in for questioning regarding that the instructions he was receiving, which may not have actually been sent by Barty Crouch. Instead, Cornelius Fudge will be serving as the fifth Triwizard judge in his place.

After the rest of the Weasley children and Hermione show up, Harry tells Mrs Weasley that everything Skeeter wrote on Hermione was a lie. After dinner, Mr Bagman takes the champions to the maze and Harry and Cedric, who are tied for first place, are sent in first.

Harry successfully navigates the maze with the aid of the Four-Point Spell. He gets past both a Blast-Ended-Skrewt and a Boggart disguised as a Dementor. Along the way, he hears Fleur scream. Harry rescues Cedric, who has been attacked by a cursed Krum; Harry manages to stun Krum and sends out a signal for Krum to be rescued before he and Cedric move on. Harry manages to pass a sphinx and, as he approaches the Cup, is attacked by an Acromantula. Aided by Cedric, he defeats it, though one of Harry's legs is injured in the process. After taking the monster out, they decide to grab the Cup simultaneously. Unbeknownst to them, the Cup is actually a Portkey that transports them to an old cemetery in the village of Little Hangleton.

Chapter 32: Flesh, Blood and Bone

Kill the spare.Voldemort to Wormtail

Peter Pettigrew making the potion for Lord Voldemort

Just as Harry and Cedric are trying to figure out what happened, a stranger appears and Harry's scar begins hurting again. A second voice orders the stranger to kill Cedric, which he does, leaving Harry frozen with shock and horror. Harry is then dragged to a large marble tombstone with the name Tom Riddle engraved upon it. The stranger then tightly bound Harry tightly with thick black cords from arm, wrists, legs, neck to ankle to it and has him gagged. 

Unable to escape, Harry recognises the stranger as Peter Pettigrew due to the missing finger on his right hand. He also notes that Pettigrew is carrying what appears to be a deformed infant. Pettigrew takes some of Harry's blood, bone dust from Tom Riddle Snr's grave, and puts them in a cauldron. He then cuts off his own right hand, at the orders of the strange creature, and places it in a cauldron. The creature is revealed to be none other than Lord Voldemort himself, and the potion made by Pettigrew returns him his powers stronger than before.

Chapter 33: The Death Eaters

How many will be brave enough to return when they feel it? And how many will be foolish enough to stay away?Voldemort about the Death Eaters

Little Hangleton's old cemetery

Voldemort forces Wormtail to take out his bleeding arm to activate the Dark Mark and summon the Death Eaters. While in wait, Voldemort tells Harry that after his father abandoned him and his mother upon finding out that his mother was a witch, Voldemort's mother died giving birth to him and he was raised in a Muggle orphanage. He later sought revenge by murdering his father.

After his Death Eaters arrive, Voldemort spends time criticising them for failing to seek him out during these last thirteen years, even though they knew that he had found a way to escape mortal death. He believes they feared a power greater than his, like that of Albus Dumbledore, which is why they slipped back into normal wizarding society and claimed they were never loyal to Voldemort. Voldemort then rewards Wormtail for aiding with his rebirth by creating a new silver hand for him.

Voldemort identifies more Death Eaters, including Lucius Malfoy, and announces his plans for rebuilding his army and punish the Death Eaters that have deserted him. Voldemort answers Lucius's question about how he had returned by explaining the protection spell that Lily Potter provided Harry when she died. That is what originally caused his downfall and provided Harry with protection from him, but now that they share the same blood, Voldemort is free to touch Harry. Voldemort then reveals that he fled deep into an Albanian forest, barely alive and without a proper body, surviving by possessing animals until Quirinus Quirrell showed up and let Voldemort share his body. Following his failure to obtain the Philosopher's Stone, Voldemort returned to Albania with little hope of getting a corporeal body again.

After fleeing the country following the events of Harry's third year, Wormtail learned of Voldemort's continued existence from other rats. Wormtail went to seek Voldemort, and during his journey, he ran into Bertha Jorkins. He delivered her to Voldemort and, through torturing her, Voldemort found out about the Triwizard Tournament. He also discovered that a faithful Death Eater servant was still alive after breaking a memory charm that had been placed on Jorkins.

With Wormtail's help, Voldemort was able to regain a body of his own and some of his powers and return to Britain. There, he plotted Harry's abduction and kidnapping, knowing that Harry's blood would remove his own mother's protection. Voldemort reveals that this servant who is at Hogwarts has ensured that Harry would win the tournament and be brought to the graveyard. Voldemort then frees the injured and weakened Harry and orders him to face him in a duel, wishing to prove who among the two is stronger in front of his minions now that there is no one around to protect Harry.

Chapter 34: Priori Incantatem

...he was going to die upright like his father, and he was going to die trying to defend himself, even if no defence was possible...Harry thinking about his confrontation with Voldemort

Lord Voldemort's snake-like eyes

Voldemort challenges Harry to a duel. After Harry refuses to bow to the Dark Lord, Voldemort uses the Imperius Curse on Harry to force him to. Though Harry gives in the first time, the second time he manages to shake the curse off, much to the astonishment of the Death Eaters present.

When the duel begins, something miraculous happens. Voldemort and Harry's wands are "brothers", due to the fact that their wand's cores are both feathers from the same Phoenix. As the wands spells meet in the air and interlock, a Priori Incantatem effect occurs. This causes the spirit echoes of Voldemort's victims, including Harry's parents, to spill out from his wand. The echoes momentarily protect Harry, allowing him to grab the portkey and escape to Hogwarts with Cedric's body.

Chapter 35: Veritaserum

The faithless, worthless bits of filth who were brave enough to cavort in masks at the Quidditch World Cup, but fled at the sight of the Dark Mark when I fired it into the sky.Bartemius Crouch Junior, unveiling his true identity

The trunk where Moody was locked up

When he arrives back at the school, many of the students begin to scream when they see Cedric's body. During the confusion, where an exhausted Harry tries to tell Dumbledore what happened, Harry is ushered away by Moody while Dumbledore and Fudge are busy with Cedric's parents. Moody takes Harry to his office, where Harry sits in shock and Moody gives him a potionto bring him around. As Moody probes Harry for information, Harry says he believes that Karkaroff is the faithful servant that Voldemort mentioned. Moody reveals that when the Dark Mark was activated, Karkaroff fled Hogwarts, since he had betrayed the Death Eaters and could never go back to them.

After Moody reveals he knows that Harry was taken to the graveyard and that he is angry that Voldemort did not try to torture the Death Eaters that had abandoned him, he tells Harry that he was responsible for putting Harry's name in the Goblet of Fire under a different school. He purposely tipped off Hagrid about the dragons so Hagrid could show Harry and gave Harry a hint for beating the first task. He gave Cedric the clue to the egg for the second task, knowing that Cedric would tell Harry. Moody's original plan was to have Harry use Neville's herbology book to learn about the gillyweed, but since Harry would not ask for help, Moody purposely set up the conversation with McGonagall about gillyweed so Dobby would get it from Snape's office. Moody also reveals that he was responsible for helping Harry in the third task by dealing with the obstacles, stunning Fleur, and bewitching Krum to take out Cedric.

Moody attempts to kill Harry to please his master, but before he has the chance, Dumbledore, Snape, and McGonagall burst in and Dumbledore stuns him. Dumbledore tells Harry this man is not Alastor Moody, which Dumbledore realised when Moody took Harry from Dumbledore, something the real Moody would never do. Dumbledore sends Snape to get a potion and fetch Winky; he also sends McGonagall to tell a large black dog she would find at the pumpkin patch to go to his office. He then opens Moody's trunk and finds the real Alastor Moody inside the seventh compartment.

Dumbledore discovers that the impostor has been using the Polyjuice Potion to disguise himself as Alastor Moody all year, keeping the real Moody alive so he could use his hair as an ingredient, though he suspects in the excitement of tonight the imposter forgot to take his most recent dosage. They wait until the effects wear off, revealing that the imposter is Barty Crouch Jr. just as Snape, McGonagall, and Winky arrive.

Under the effects of Snape's Veritaserum, Crouch Jr is asked by Dumbledore how he escaped Azkaban. Crouch Jr confesses that his father, Barty Crouch Snr and his mother helped him escape Azkaban. His mother was dying, and it was his mother's wish that he could escape, so Barty Crouch Jr and his mother switched places using the Polyjuice Potion. Mrs Crouch died and was buried disguised as him, while Crouch Snr had a private funeral for her to conceal the truth.

Barty Crouch Snr put the Imperius Curse on his son to make sure he was controlled and out of sight. Bertha Jorkins found out when she came to their house on business while Crouch Snr was not home, forcing Crouch Snr to place a Memory Charm on her; this permanently damaged her memory. After Winky persuaded her master to let his son go to the Quidditch World Cup, they arranged to use an Invisibility cloak to hide Crouch Jr as he sat in the Top Box. During this event, Crouch Jr secretly fought the curse and stole Harry's wand when Winky wasn't looking. When the Death Eaters showed up and disrupted the tournament, Barty Crouch Jr was angry that they weren't loyal to Voldemort. After regaining control he used Harry's wand to summon the Dark Mark, which scared the Death Eaters away. His father fired Winky for failing to watch him and almost letting him escape. He then found him and took him home.

Eventually, thanks to Bertha's information, Voldemort and Wormtail were able to find Crouch Jr and release him from his father's imprisonment. Learning from Bertha about Alastor Moody becoming a teacher at Hogwarts, he and Wormtail captured Moody, allowing Crouch Jr to be planted at Hogwarts as Moody, with Wormtail keeping an eye on Crouch. He kept Moody alive not only to maintain his disguise, but also learned about his habits so he could fool Dumbledore.

It is revealed that Crouch Jr was the Barty Crouch Harry saw on the Marauder's Map, stealing potions ingredients from Snape's office to continue making the Polyjuice Potion. Eventually, Crouch started to fight off the Imperius curse placed upon him and was then kept under home imprisonment by Wormtail under the pretence of being unwell. He managed to escape and travel to Hogwarts to warn Dumbledore of his son's existence. However, using the Marauder's Map, Crouch Jr was able to intercept and kill him. He then transfigured his father's body into a bone and buried it in Hagrid's yard. Crouch Jr, as Moody, then offered to take the Triwizard Cup into the maze so he could turn it into a Portkey and complete his master's plan.

Chapter 36: The Parting of the Ways

Time is short, and unless the few of us who know the truth stand united, there is no hope for any of us.Dumbledore at the end of the term

The Dark Mark, the Death Eaters' symbol

Dumbledore takes Harry to his office to meet Sirius, but not before placing McGonagall in charge of Crouch Jr He also sends Snape to take Moody to the Hospital Wing and bring Cornelius Fudge up to Moody's office.

Once in Dumbledore's office, Harry tells Dumbledore and Sirius everything. Dumbledore explains the Priori Incantatem effect and says that the spirits that appeared were echoes of Voldemort's most recent victims. After Sirius transforms back into a dog they head to the Hospital Wing, where Harry is given a Sleeping Potion to help him relax.

Upon waking up, he, along with Molly and Bill Weasley, hear a large argument. Fudge summoned a Dementor as protection when he went to confront Crouch Jr, which sucked out Crouch Jr's soul before he, McGonagall, Snape, and Dumbledore entered the hospital wing. Dumbledore is upset that they lost a key piece of evidence on Voldemort's return, while Fudge believes the man was a lunatic and that his testimony would not have been useful.

Due to reading Rita Skeeter's last article about Harry being dangerous, Fudge cannot accept Harry's testimony, nor does he believe Dumbledore's information about Harry's scar. Harry gets up and tries to identify the Death Eaters whose names he heard earlier, but Fudge points out they were cleared long ago and he might have read this out of an old Daily Prophet article. Fudge is offended by Dumbledore's suggestions of removing the Dementors from Azkaban and sending an envoy to make an agreement with the giants. Even after Snape reveals his Dark Mark and explains that Voldemort had summoned him, Fudge thinks it is some kind of a ploy and makes it clear that he is going to have a serious talk with Dumbledore about his position before he leaves. He then exits the room, but not before he gives Harry his winnings from the Tournament.

Bill Weasley leaves at Dumbledore's request to inform his father of the situation and have him discreetly contact those within the Ministry that can be convinced of the truth. McGonagall is sent to retrieve Hagrid and Madame Maxime for a mission. After Madam Pomfrey is sent to look after Winky, Dumbledore has Sirius revert to his true form. Both Mrs Weasley and Snape are surprised by his presence, but are quickly convinced of his innocence. Dumbledore dispatches Sirius to reinstate the Order of the Phoenix by gathering known wizards and witches who would support their side. Harry then regrets asking Cedric to grab the Triwizard cup with him, and then uses the last of the potion to return to sleep.

Chapter 37: The Beginning

It had ter happen. Well, now it has, an' we'll jus' have ter get on with it.Hagrid about Voldemort's return

The beetle Rita Skeeter

After a few days of rest, Harry meets with Cedric's parents. They do not blame him for what happened and are thankful for to have his body, but decline Harry's offer of the winnings. Harry is able to have a relaxing time, due to Dumbledore having made a formal request for the students to not talk about what happened that night, though some students are still unsettled due to Rita Skeeter's article.

Hagrid gives the trio a good lecture on how Voldemort's return was inevitable and all they can do now is fight. Hagrid mentions that what Dumbledore has assigned for him is top secret and that Madam Maxime might be accompanying him.

During the End-of-Term Feast, a memorial feastfor Cedric is held, where Dumbledore tells the school what has happened in the graveyard despite the Ministry's wishes that he keep it secret. Afterwards, everyone is packed and ready to leave. Fleur and Krum both say good-bye to the trio before they head back to their schools, while the trio take their carriage to the Hogwarts Express.

As Harry, Ron, and Hermione ride to King's Cross Station, they learn that the Daily Prophet is not reporting Cedric Diggory's death, likely due to the Ministry's interference. Hermione reveals that she has discovered that Rita Skeeter is an unregistered animagus who can turn into a beetle. Hermione caught Skeeter in a jar in the hospital wing after the third task. As the three think back, they realise that there was a bug on the statue the night of the Yule Ball where Hagrid told Madame Maxime his secret, that Krum found a bug in Hermione's hair after the Second Task, and that there was a bug on the window that day in Divination when Harry's scar hurt. They also realise that the reason why Rita got those interviews from Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson undetected was that they knew she was an animagus; Harry recalled Draco sitting by a tree that day talking while holding a bug. Hermione assures Harry and Ron that her stories will trouble them no longer, since she told Rita that if the stories continued, she would tell the Ministry about her secret.

Just as Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle arrive and taunt Harry over Voldemort's return, they are rendered unconscious from hexes used by both the trio and Fred and George Weasley. Harry, Ron, and George then began kicking, rolling, and pushing the unconscious Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle into a spot where they will be out of the way. Soon another mystery is solved: The person that Fred and George were hinted to have been blackmailing was Ludo Bagman. When the twins won their bet, he paid them their winnings at the Quidditch World Cup in Leprechaun gold and wouldn't even return their original wager. This is also why he tried to avoid them in public when they confronted him.

The twins reveal that Bagman has a long-time problem with gambling and he was also in debt to the goblins, who took his money after the World Cup and followed him to Hogwarts. Bagman made a bet that Harry would win the tournament to get his money back, which is why he was trying to help Harry cheat. However, since Harry and Cedric actually "tied" for first place, Bagman has gone on the run. As they get off the train and step and leave the Malfoy and his gang, Harry gives the twins his Triwizard Winnings to help them with their dream of running a joke shop. Everyone then say their good-byes as Harry prepares to leave with Vernon Dursley.