Chapter 1: The Unlikely Entry

The whispering crowd of students parted like a dark, restless sea as Draco Malfoy strode through the corridors of Hogwarts, his Slytherin robes billowing behind him. His eyes scanned the throngs of faces, searching for the one person who had been the bane of his existence for far too long. The boy who had consistently thwarted him, outshone him, and humiliated him at every turn. Harry Potter. As he turned a corner, Draco spotted his quarry standing near the entrance of the Great Hall, surrounded by a cluster of admiring students. Potter's messy black hair and untidy features seemed to glow with an aura of innocence, but Draco knew better. He was a constant reminder that the Chosen One, the boy who had defeated the Dark Lord, was still very much a part of their lives. Draco's eyes narrowed as he approached the group. What was Potter doing here, anyway? The Triwizard Tournament was about to begin, and the students who would be competing had already been selected. The Goblet of Fire, a ancient and mysterious artifact, had been the deciding factor in choosing the champions. Three schools, Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, and Hogwarts, would each have one representative, and the names had been announced just hours ago. As he drew closer, Draco overheard snatches of conversation. "Can you believe it? Cedric and Victor Krum, and Fleur Delacour... and then, out of nowhere, Harry Potter's name comes out of the Goblet!" "I know, it's crazy! He's underage, isn't he?" "But the Goblet chose him, so he must be in it now!" Draco's face burned with indignation. How could this have happened? Potter was a nobody, a mere boy from the Dursleys, who had stumbled into fame and fortune by virtue of being "The Boy Who Lived." He didn't deserve to be a part of this prestigious tournament, not when there were far more qualified students at Hogwarts. As he pushed his way through the crowd, Draco's eyes locked onto Potter's, and for a moment, they simply stared at each other. Potter, seemingly oblivious to the danger that was approaching, smiled cheerfully and waved at him. Draco's face twisted in a sneer, and he turned to one of his fellow Slytherins, who was hovering nearby. "What is the meaning of this?" Draco demanded, his voice low and menacing. "Potter can't be a champion. It's a travesty!" His friend, Crabbe, nodded in agreement. "I know, Malfoy. It's not right. I'll bet he's got some sort of cheat up his sleeve." Draco's eyes flashed with anger. He would get to the bottom of this, and he would make sure that Potter paid for his undeserved good fortune. This was far from over. As the crowd began to disperse, Draco turned back to Potter, his eyes blazing with a fierce determination. The game was on, and he would stop at nothing to ensure that Potter's participation in the tournament was short-lived. The Dark Lord's legacy would not be threatened by a mere boy like Potter. Not on his watch.