Hogwarts had certainly become more interesting ever since two new schools had been integrated for the Tri-Wizard Tournament which would take place over the later part of the year. Hermione Granger as well as most other witches, had been quite taken by the blokes from Durmstrang. And then the wizards had taken a liking to the flowers from Beauxbatons. So now the halls of Hogwarts were even more crowded with witches and wizards mingling from other schools. It was educational as well as eye opening. She was only slightly interested in the Tri-Wizard Tournament because of its history. But when it came to its violence and harsh reputation, Hermione found herself more repulsed than anything else. She didn't have any friends who were able to participate so she wasn't very worried about the outcome.

Ron's brothers on the other hand wanted to put their name in but of course it backfired on them just as she warned them. No one ever listened to her. She, Harry and Ron were heading toward the Great Hall since the ceremony for the drawing was about to start. Even though none of them would be in the fray, they still felt the need to support their school with whoever had been selected. Just as the bushy haired girl was about to give another fascinating lecture on the history of the tournament, Ron stopped her and pointed out that she had already told them about the first ever recorded Tri-Wizard Tournament. Blushing slightly, she closed her mouth and quietly apologized. It wasn't her fault if she got carried away sometimes and felt the need to bring more enrichment to their friendship since chess was dull as was Quidditch, in her mind.

Despite her lack of interest in the boys' sports, she tried to show support and in turn, she wished they'd do the same for her academic pursuits. But Ron ran ahead to get a seat for them, leaving Hermione and Harry alone. "I never thought I'd be able to witness such a tradition, sorry it's all I've been talking about lately." She threw Harry a small smile. "I'm just glad this will be a quiet year for us, just studying, nothing to do with danger or anything of that sort." She smiled as they entered the Great Hall and found their red haired friend in the front. "Sorry." She pushed her way to where Ronald was and she took her seat as the last stragglers pushed their way to find someplace to see the glowing trophy in all its glory.

- - -

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Great Hall, the blond Slytherin was with his usual goons, making small remarks about the batch of losers they were stuck with. Draco had been flying under the radar more then usual but his home life was leaving him pretty busy. His father was preparing for something big and yet whenever Draco asked about, he would get some tight lipped remark. Draco loathed the fact that his own father didn't trust him with information. Draco was spending his time learning new spells and potions in hopes of somehow being seen as worthy in his father's eyes. But it seemed that lately his father was always off doing something and Draco was even more determined to make his name since his father didn't show interest in sharing in the Malfoy legacy.

He relied on his friends, though in his mind, they weren't really friends, to keep him occupied. The blond haired blue eyed boy was tired of Potter and his stupid friends. He was tired to seeing them laugh and joke around while he had to study or deal with family matters. Draco had hoped his time at Hogwarts would be grand, that he'd be the center of everything. Everyone would love and adore him and yet Potter was stealing the spotlight and it made Draco absolutely sick. His own legacy was slowly fading away and he was determined to make himself stand out, not just in the eyes of his father but also in the stupid people he went to school with. He lamented that he couldn't participate in the damned Tri-Wizard Tournament because he was positive that he would be one on top, the one holding the trophy and mocking those had dared to mock him.

So Draco was trying to come up with a plan to make himself get noticed, to prove to his father that he was a man who could take control and command. As the last of the students wandered in, trying to peek at the front, he let out a snort. "That's what you get for being late." He smirked and sat where he was, sitting on top of the edge of the long table, ensuring his view wasn't at all blocked by anyone. From his view, he could stop Potter and his group of morons. Draco spotted the redhead, Ginny, she was rather dull like anyone else from her pathetic family but after knowing how easy she had been to fool two years ago, he wondered if she could somehow be used a pawn. It was possible. Very possible.

Harry had never minded that Hermione talked about the things she had read only once in a while did it get on his nerves. "Well I wouldn't have known anything about it if it wasn't for you." He smiled and tried to catch her arm as she moved through the crowd to tell her she had nothing to apologize for. He sighed and followed her to where Ron was. Harry took a seat beside his best friend and as they talked he would glance at Hermione, if she caught him looking he would offer her a smile.

It wasn't long before the ceremony began. The first name out of the Goblet of fire was from Beauxbatons, Fleur DeleCour. The next from Drumstrang, Victor Krum, and lastly from Hogwarts was Cedric Diggory. When everyone was starting to congratulate the champions the Goblet flame turned purple once more and produced another name. Dumbledore seized the piece of paper reading out Harry's name.

Harry was shocked and didn't make a move to get up. He didn't know how his name got into the Goblet for he hadn't put it in. Ron looked at him with hateful eyes asking him how he did it. Harry was thinking maybe this isn't going to be a quiet year after all.

======

Ginny was watching the trio. They had started to exclude her and she had watched as Harry's affections turned from her to Hermione. She had started to become a loner especially after her relationship with Dean. She grew tired of the joviality of this and stood without being noticed by the other houses or schools. She made her way out of the Great Hall. She glanced over at the Slytherin table looking at a particular blonde that was looking at her. She didn't sneer nor smile at him until she turned her head then she smiled slightly.

Even if he was rude and nasty to her and her family she had always found him attractive. She opened the door out into the corridor and slipped out. She went up the many stairs to the Astronomy tower where she found solitude and could think. Once up there she laid down on the stone floor looking up at the stars through the open windows. She sighed sadly as she thought about her life now and how she was shunned after the mishap with the Chamber of Secrets and Tom Riddle's diary. Her small pale body was now clothed in blacks and dark blues, reds, and violets.

It was hard to keep track of people in the massive crowd but thankfully Harry didn't fall far behind and was soon reunited with her, as well as Ron. As the three people were selected, Hermione and the others clapped and wished the wished the competitors good luck on the challenges that were ahead of them. But before everyone could get ready to go back to their common rooms and get some rest, the blue gleaming trophy pushed out yet another name. Hermione wasn't sure what was going on. She had never read about an event happening and her concern turned to dread when it was Harry's name that was called. That had to be a mistake! She looked to the boys and saw Ron looking rather upset but she couldn't imagine Ron could be jealous.

Her own heart was racing as she leaned over and nudged Harry. Whatever was going on, he couldn't just sit around. Maybe Dumbledore had some answers. "Harry, Harry move!" She urged him and pulled him to his feet. Everyone was now looking at them and she could feel the room fill with tension and confusion. In her stomach, she felt sick. She couldn't believe Harry would have to endure such an ordeal. She knew this was a final decision but it wasn't fair. He moved to where the others were and she got up to follow but she wasn't allowed. Hermione glanced back to Ron who just headed off with everyone else as ordered by the Professors and Prefects. The witch lingered and decided to wait until Harry came back out. There was no way she'd be able to sleep until she talked to Harry again.

- - -

The ceremony was a joke, a total waste of his time. The blond boy paid little attention to what was going on. He didn't bother to clap or pretend like he was paying attention. It was boring and didn't concern him. When it was over, he found himself even more disgusted with Potter than usual. Of course Potter got to do anything and everything he wanted. He didn't understand how that kid's name got in but he hoped the tasks ended up killing him so maybe the world would stop going on and on about Harry Bloody Potter. As everyone was pushed out of the Great Hall, he spotted the redhead go somewhere else entirely. Draco wondered what she was up, where she needed to be. So he followed her.

Draco had recalled seeing her smile at him during the stupid ceremony but he wasn't sure what was on her dimwitted mind. If he could use Ginny and somehow get some information on Harry, he was more than willing to stomach being her friend. It could be fun, in some twisted way. As he trailed after the girl, he noticed she was on her way to the Astronomy Tower, a nice place with a great view of the school and surrounding area, even he could enjoy such a thing. He stayed back and watched her lay down and look up at the sky. He dusted his robes off and walked over to her, having quietly climbed the stairs. "I didn't think this was where all the high and mighty Gryffindors slept, it makes sense." He sneered and walked over to her head and stood by her, looking down at her, a hand on his thin hips.

Harry slowly stood with a nudge from Hermione he walked pass the headmaster as he made his way to the trophy room, where the other champions were. Once behind the closed door, the other champions had wondered if he was sent to get them when the headmaster, Professor McGonagall, Mr Crouch, and the two headmasters from the other schools. They demanded how his name got into the Goblet of Fire, but they never gave him a chance to answer. Finally, Mr. Crouch told them all that Harry would have to compete, for the Goblet of Fire is a binding contract and when the first task was. The two headmasters hated this and stalked off while Professor McGonagall looked worried for Harry as they were dismissed.

Harry walked out of the trophy room and made his way back to the common room through the empty corridors, thinking to himself about how this had happened. He really wanted to talk to Hermione plus she would be the one to help him through this since Ron seemed angry. When Harry entered the Common Room, he was greeted by the rest of Gryffindor, whom had thrown him a surprise party. While unexpected, it did little to take his mind off of the situation with Ron, he had to explain to him that he didn’t do anything to cause this. As the party started to die down, Harry still saw no sign of his best friend. Deciding to head to the dorms, he climbed the stairs and found Ron already there. Harry sat down on his bed and remained silent, unsure of where to start. Ron stopped in the middle of what he was doing and looked at him, “How’d you do it?” he suddenly asked. Before Harry was able to answer, Ron spoke again, “Forget it. Would’ve been nice to know, though.” he said, moving away. Harry turned his head, “Know what?” he asked. Ron glanced at him, “Don’t play innocent.” he replied sharply. “You think I wanted this to happen, Ron?” he asked, looking at him. “In some way, I think you did.” he replied, not looking at him. “You seem to have everyone believing you’re innocent, after all.” he added, climbing into bed. Harry frowned and moved closer, finding their argument was starting to bother those already in the dormitory, “I don’t want any of this. I don’t want to risk my life for glory, that’s never been what I’ve wanted. You know that. All I know is that I didn’t put my name in that cup.” he said. Ron rolled his eyes before rolling over, “Whatever you say, Harry.” It was clear that Ron wasn’t going to be over this so easily, and anything Harry said was likely just going to be ignored now. With a sigh, Harry climbed into his own bed, the argument going through his head once more.

=====
Ginny was a bit startled when she heard Malfoy’s voice, when he reached her head she just rolled her eyes at him. “Why would someone from Slytherin be up here as well?” she shot back, containing a smirk. She rolled over and stood up, “I didn’t think someone like you bothered with Astrology, so you must be here for another reason.” she added, walking around the room casually. She glanced at him again, giving him another smile, “It couldn’t possibly be because you’re following me, is it?” she asked, coming to a stop on the other side of the room. She was now looking at him, a smirk clearly showing itself on her face. Yes, he would do nicely for what she had in mind, he was perfect. Leaning forward a little, she gave him an innocent look, “Well? Are you going to answer me or not? It’s rude to keep a lady waiting, you know.” she told him.

After a few moments, she began to giggle, the serious look on his face getting to her, “Oh come on, why are you so serious all the time? Lighten up!” she told him, shaking her head as she continued to giggle a little. “Not like I was being serious or anything.” she added, looking up again. She stared at the stars in thought, reaching a hand up and acting as if she were grabbing them, “In all seriousness now. I come up here to think, to escape into my own little world, a type of sanctuary if you would. I often find I like to pretend I’m plucking the stars from the sky, like this, even though I know I can’t. I know, it’s stupid and childish of me. But hey, a girl can dream, can’t she?” she said, lowering her arm slowly. She sighed to herself, why were the things she wanted most always out of her grasp? Happiness, the stars...even Harry was too far out of her reach. Childish dreams, that’s all they were. Things would never change, no matter what she did, and she knew it. All because of the diary she found.

When Harry didn’t show up, she was told to head back to the Common Room. She was worried about what Harry’s fate would be. She was more surprised to see that everyone had planned a huge celebration for Harry, in Hermione’s mind that was pretty foolish and may only make him even more stressed, if he had to compete with the others who were older and knew more spells. Hermione didn’t get a chance to speak to Harry during the party though and just went up to the girl’s dormitory and spent most of the night worried and trying to distract herself with reading. Though she had done all of her homework, she looked it over four more times to try and distract herself from the dangers Harry may have to face.

Morning soon came and she was getting dressed for the day ahead. It was Friday and she hoped, for once, that classes didn’t linger. She just had a feeling that everyone would be talking about the events from last night. Since she hadn’t gotten a chance to see or talk to him, she had just assumed the worst and could only hope people were being alright about the whole thing. Had she known how insane Ron was acting, she would have been rather cross and told him he was just being mental and a bad friend. Instead, she ignored the gossip and hurried down to the Common Room and waited to see if Harry or Ron wanted to walk with her to breakfast, thinking it might be good to pretend that things were still normal.

x

The moment she opened her stupid mouth, he regretted following her. He had much better things to do than put up with the stupid redhead. Ginny got to her feet and he stayed where he was but now folded his arms over his chest, taking a defensive stance for the time being. “You’re not a lady by any means.” He spat at her as she continued to talk. Draco was getting very annoyed very quickly. As he kept his mouth shut, she began to giggle and he questioned her sanity. Of course if he was related to Ron or Percy, Draco knew he’d be losing his mind too.

Just when he was about to leave and deem this whole thing a waste of time and chide himself for being so stupid, she started to speak again, telling him to lighten up, that she was only kidding. Draco didn’t understand her humor but allowed his lips to smirk slightly, not really amused but just slightly intrigued. “You can’t touch stars, they’re not tangible you know.” He told her. Draco sighed, trying to calm down and do something a little less ‘himself’ if his plan was going to work, he had to be a little more like her. That made him shudder and he shrugged. “I guess if someone could touch a star...it could be interesting I guess.” He said and heard someone lurking around. “Night.” He said and then quickly headed down to get some rest, a headache brewing