Pheonix

Debate

"He could not have crossed the Age Line," said Professor McGonagall sharply. "I am sure we are all agreed on that -"

"Dumbly-dorr must 'ave made a mistake wiz ze line," said Madame Maxime, shrugging.

"It is possible, of course," said Dumbledore politely.

"Dumbledore, you know perfectly well you did not make a mistake!" said Professor McGonagall angrily. "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!"

"I think you should listen to Minnie, " Asura expressed.

"Mr Crouch. . . Mr Bagman," said Karkaroff, his voice unctuous, "you are our - er - objective judges. Surely you will agree that this is most irregular?"

"We must follow the rules, and the rules state clearly that those people whose names come out of the Goblet of Fire are bound to compete in the tournament. "

"Well, Barty knows the rule book back to front," said Bagman.

The discussion was over and Harry was to compete.

"Well, shall we crack on, then?" he said, rubbing his hands together and smiling around the room. "Got to give our champions their instructions, haven't we? Barty, want to do the honours?"

"Yes," he said, "instructions. Yes. . . the first task. . . "

Asura tuned back into the conversation.

"The first task is designed to test your daring," he told Asura, Harry, Fleur, and Viktor, "so we are not going to be telling you what it is. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard. . . very important. . . .

"The first task will take place on November the twenty-fourth, in front of the other students and the panel of judges.

"The champions are not permitted to ask for or accept the help of any kind from their teachers to complete the tasks in the tournament. The champions will face the first challenge armed only with their wands. They will receive information about the second task when the first is over. Owing to the demanding and time-consuming nature of the tournament, the champions are exempted from end-of-year tests. "

"Can I still do my newts?"

"I beg your pardon Asura, " dumbledore said with concern.

"You heard me."

"But you will be so busy with the tournament."

"Does it look like I care."

"Well I'm sure you should be able to, I'll have to check, " Mr Crouch added, clearly perplexed.

"Okay."

"Harry, Asura, I suggest you go up to bed," said Dumbledore, smiling at both of them. "I am sure Gryffindor and Slytherin are waiting to celebrate with you, and it would be a shame to deprive them of this excellent excuse to make a great deal of mess and noise. "

Asura glanced at Harry, who nodded, and they left together.

The Great Hall was deserted now; the candles had burned low, giving the jagged smiles of the pumpkins an eerie, flickering quality.

"I guess we're against each other then, " Asura stated.

"I guess so, " Harry muttered, "do you believe me?"

"Of course I do H, you're practically my brother you know I will always take your side, even if I thought you were wrong. Which this time, you're not."

"Thank you."

"You are aware no one is going to believe you though, right?"

Harry sighed, "yeah."

Asura patted him in the shoulder as they came to a stop in front of the marble staircase.

"Everything will be fine."

"You promise?"

Asura ignored that.

"But I want you to know that if something were to happen to me on the last task, it was for a reason and really need you to understand."

"Okay, " Harry responded with uncertainty clear in his voice.

"I love you haz."

"I love you to 'sure."

They both smiled tightly as they hugged and asura lovingly kissed his cheek.

"Get a good nights rest okay, don't stress."

Harry just nodded and the two went their opposite ways.