Everyone was crowded into the Great Hall and eagerness filled the air, everyone wanted to know who this year's Triwizard champions would be. Students were whispering and gossiping and a few were even making bets. As Dumbledore stepped into view, the room immediately became quiet.

"The time has come. The Goblet is almost ready to announce the wizards who will participate in the Triwizard Tournament. When the champion names are stated, I would ask them to please come forward and then go to the neighboring chamber where they will receive instructions."

Dumbledore took out his wand and made a grand sweeping motion with it. The room went pitch black except for the Goblet, which started spewing red and blue flames.

"It is time," said Dumbledore.

The blue flames turned completely red and leapt into the air as a piece of paper flew out of it and landed in Dumbledore's hand.

"The champion representing Beaubaxton School is Fleur Delacour!"

Fleur stood up happily. She beamed, and as she walked by, everyone clapped and whistled; Ron stared at her speechless.

The Goblet's flames turned red again and everyone was quiet once more. Another paper flew out and landed in Dumbledore's palm.

"The champion for Durmstrang is Viktor Krum!"

A storm of applause filled the hall; most of the noise came from the Durmstrang boys who cheered Krum. Even Karkaroff, who seemed like a quiet man, yelled encouragement.

The flames turned red once more and silence fell again; everyone wanted to know who would be the Hogwarts champion.

"The champion who will represent Hogwarts is Cedric Diggory!"

All of the Hufflepuffs jumped to their feet in joy and exploded with cheers as Diggory as he made his way toward Dumbledore. Only Ron seemed to be unhappy.

"Congratulations to our three champions. I hope I can trust all of you to support and encourage your fellow students, even if you may be disappointed."

Suddenly, the flames turned red again and grew toward the ceiling. Flames exploded out of the Goblet and flew around Dumbledore until another piece of paper floated down into Dumbledore's hand. Dumbledore unfolded it and stared at the name written on it. He scanned the students in the Great Hall, all the while looking confused and somewhat scared.

"Hermione Granger," he whispered.

A few students who had heard Dumbledore turned to look at Hermione with puzzled expressions.

"Hermione Granger!" Yelled professor Dumbledore, "Hermione, please come forward!"

Hermione was stunned and suddenly felt cold. Everyone was staring at her in disbelief. She knew she had not put her name in the cup; she had never even been interested in participating.

"You really should go up there, Hermione," whispered Harry in her ear, but she was too dazed to move.

A hand seemed to grab her shoulder and shove her forward. After that, her feet automatically started walking in the right direction. Hundreds of eyes followed her as she crossed the Great Hall and went through the doors that lead to the chamber. The other contestants stared at her in perplexity as she went down the steps and toward a large fireplace. A scuffle of feet and loud angry voices followed closely behind her. Dumbledore, his face full of fear, grabbed Hermione's arm and started to fire questions at her.

"Did you put your name in that cup, Hermione?"

"No, sir" she sputtered.

"Did you ask one of the older students to do so?"

"No…No, sir."

"Are you absolutely sure of this?"

"Positive, sir."

"She is lying! Look at her, I bet she is extremely pleased with herself. We will never know how she managed to put her name in that cup and she knows it!" yells Madame Maxime.

"This is not possible," whispered Professor McGonagall, "Hermione could not have crossed the age line and the cup would not have accepted her name even if an older student had put it in for her. Powerful magic is at play here, one way beyond the capacities of a 4th year."

"She is very bright for her age," said Professor Snape, "maybe she managed to find a way around Dumbledore's age line."

"That is just a ridiculous accusation, Professor Snape, and you know it!" cried out Professor McGonagall.

Dumbledore, who had been quietly thinking while everyone was arguing, finally spoke much to Hermione's relief.

"Mr. Crouch and Mr. Bagman, what do you think of this situation? Ultimately it is up to you to decide whether Miss Granger should participate or not."

"That is not even a question; she is underage," said McGonagall, "of course she will not participate."

"Unfortunately we must follow the rules," said Mr. Crouch, "the rules clearly state that whoever's name comes out of the Goblet of Fire must participate in the Tournament."

"Ever thought that someone is hoping Miss Granger will die competing in this Tournament?" asked Moody.

The room fell silent at this suggestion and Hermione's heart started to pound at the thought that someone might want her dead.

"Such a statement, Moody," said Karkaroff "one that needs a little more proof to be believable. Who would want to kill a simple schoolgirl?"

The room broke into argument, everyone talking louder and louder to be sure his or her point was heard.

"Silence!" yelled Crouch, "The rules are absolute; the Goblet of Fire forms a binding magical contract in which Miss. Granger has no choice or say. She is, as of tonight, a TriWizard champion."