The next day after breakfast, Professor Nezu excused all students fifth year and down to go to their classes, while sixth year and seventh stayed. After the hall was empty of all the younger students, Momo and Iida were two of the remaining five people in their year still seated at the Ravenclaw table, while there were 8 seventh years left. The Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Gryffindor tables were also empty of all but a handful of people, and all the Beauxbaton and Durmstrang students remained.
Bakugou was sitting as far away from the handsome Durmstrang student, who was looking uninterested down at his plate, as possible. The frequent glares Bakugou was sending towards him was about as many as he sends towards Midoriya when they're in a room together. Which, for the record, was a lot.
Professor Nezu finally started talking, bringing everyone's attention to him.
"Hello and good morning to our guests from Beauxbaton and Durmstrang, as well as my own students! I'm sure you're all eager to head off to classes and spend the day getting your heads crammed with knowledge, but I'm afraid you'll have to wait a couple minutes as I have some important matters to discuss about the Triwizard Tournament!" There was some exciting murmuring amongst the students, and Momo herself sat up straighter, Iida did as well.
Midoriya was drumming his fingers anxiously on the table, and Bakugou took his leg off the bench where he had placed it, a sign Professor Nezu had his full attention. The handsome Durmstrang student didn't even look around when a sixth year Slytherin girl who was sitting next to him kept trying to scoot closer and closer discreetly, he was too busy giving Nezu his rapt attention.
"As you know, the qualifying age to participate in the tournament is 16, which you all are either currently or older. Meaning, you can all choose to enter the tournament if you so wish." He raised his wand, and with a wave of his hand he summoned a large, golden goblet. Momo stared at the goblet curiously, not sure what its purpose was. Gesturing to it, Nezu explained, "This, is the Goblet of Fire. If you wish to enter the Tournament, you will write your name and school on a piece of parchment, fold it, and then throw it into the goblet. Then, in one day on October 1, the goblet will pick three champions. You have until four pm tomorrow night to put in your name, because at dinner, we will choose the champions." Professor Nezu waited for a dramatic moment, before continuing.
"The Goblet will be placed in the Entrance Hall, so put your name in at your own leisure. But! I do warn you to think hard before you do, this decision could change your life after all. The three tasks will be perilous, and will need you to think quick on your feet. It will not be easy in any way, and once your name is called, you will stand alone. You will become the champion that represents your school, and the moment you step foot into a task- You are alone. No help will come unless you are in grave danger, no teacher will correct you if you make a mistake, and most importantly- No headmaster or judge is going to favor you. You may represent your school, but that does not mean your school will represent you." His words reverberated around the hall, the weight of it all made the air in the room feel heavy. Momo felt anxious, and she chewed her bottom lip as she glanced around at her friends. The Gryffindor's all looked determined, except for Midoriya, who looked serious and thoughtful.
The Hufflepuffs and other Ravenclaws had serious considering faces, while the Slytherin's were split between looking sure of themselves or unsure. Bakugou, fell in the first one. He had a wicked gleam in his eye and a challenging grin on his face.
The Durmstrang students were almost impossible to read, their faces set in either neutral expressions or scowls. Handsome however, had his hand on the table clenched in a tight fist, and his jaw was set in determination. But other than that, his actual facial expression was set in something akin to a scowl.
Momo frowned as she heard a Beauxbaton, a boy with his blonde hair combed and coiffed, say rather loudly "I feel sorry for whoever becomes the Hogwarts champion, they're representing such a lousy and unstylish school after all, that must be the pinnacle of disappointing.". He was shushed by a girl with her orange hair in a side pony, who looked over at him annoyed. Momo closed her eyes and put her hands together, under the table, praying that Bakugou- who was practically sitting right behind her- didn't hear the boy's words. It was to no avail however, as not only did Bakugou hear, but he jumped up and yelled furiously at the Beauxbaton student.
"WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN YOU BEAUXBATON BASTARD?!" All eyes were on the seething Bakugou, who had his hand shoved inside his robe. The Beauxbaton student shrugged smugly.
"What's what supposed to mean? You heard me, didn't you? My words were rather clear I thought."
Bakugou took a step forward, his hand starting to withdraw, but he stopped when he remembered all the teachers watching. Violently shoving his wand back into his pocket, Bakugou sneered at the boy threateningly.
"You call Hogwarts lousy, yet Beauxbatfucks allows people like you-"
"That's enough Bakugou. Sit down." Professor Aizawa's voice cut across whatever offensive thing was about to be said. Bakugou started, glaring up at Aizawa and opening his mouth, but then he clamped it shut and shot one last venomous glare towards the Beauxbaton before stomping back to his seat. Across from her, Iida sagged down in his seat a little in shame.
Madam Uwabami, seated between Professor Midnight and Professor Aizawa, sent a disapproving look to the Beauxbaton boy who made a defensive gesture back at her, and her look narrowed slightly.
Professor Nezu started talking again like he hadn't been interrupted at all.
"But, if you think you're up for the challenge, then by all means write your name and school on that little piece of parchment and throw it in the Goblet! Remember, if you want to put your name in you must do it by tomorrow night by four pm sharp. To give you a moment to consider this option before heading to class, your first lessons of the day are cancelled, so you have an hour till your next one to think seriously on whether you will participate. That is all I have to say, so enjoy the rest of your day!" Professor Nezu waved his wand, and he and the Goblet of fire disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Silence enveloped the room for a moment, everyone lost in thought of whether they should enter. It was a tough decision, for your life could change forever depending on what you chose.
The silence was broken by Bakugou laughing. He stood up loudly, crashing his hands on the table and bringing attention over to him. His gaze swept over everyone, a challenging smirk on his face.
"I'LL SEE YOU ALL SITTING IN THE STANDS YA WORTHLESS FUCKS!"
And then he strode out with his hands shoved in his pockets.
When the door slammed shut behind him, the Great Hall started moving again.
Iida hide his face and let a deep, pained sigh escape. Momo reached across the table and patted his shoulder in a sign of comfort.
"That was very Bakugou, wasn't it?" Momo said, letting out a small sigh herself, looking at were Bakugou was leaving.
"He could represent the entire school if he becomes champion. And THAT'S the type of impression people might get of our school. "ya worthless…" I can't believe he said that to fellow classmates and foreign ones!" Iida exclaimed through his hands, and Momo nodded solemnly.
"It is a possibility."
Iida let out another sigh, before sitting up straight again and looking up to the opposite wall, his face deep in concentration.
Removing her hand, Momo glanced around the Great Hall at everyone.
Her Gryffindor friends were all huddled together, Kirishima looked determined and was pumping his arm into the air enthusiastically. Jirou, Ochako, and Tokoyami looked unsure, and Midoriya wasn't paying attention, he was still looking through the door were Bakugou disappeared through with trouble in his eyes.
Mina, Kaminari, and Sero looked rather stoked, and they were patting Shouji on the shoulder for something he said. Kouda huddled next to Kaminari looking nervous.
The sound of a chair's legs scrapping the floor came from the High table, and Madame Uwabami stood up elegantly, her face passive.
"Monoma, walk with me to the carriage please."
The blonde Beauxbaton nodded, now looking a little nervous as he stood up and followed his headmistress out of the Hall. Down the table, the rest of the Beauxbaton students were talking seriously amongst themselves.
"I'm going to put my name in." Iida declared to Momo, and she smiled encouragingly as she returned her eyes to him.
"If anyone would be a good representation of the school, it would be you Iida! With your high grades and prefect status you would be great at it!" He blushed at her words of praise, and his hands moved in their odd way as he thanked her.
"Th-thank you Yaoyorozu! Coming from you, whose top grades in our entire year, that is a gigantic complement!"
Momo waved her hand, smiling kindly at him. From the corner of her eye, she saw him, Handsome Durmstrang, walking down the center aisle, soon he would be passing right behind were she was sitting.
"It's not that big of a deal to be top grades, really it's all just reading and remembering. Anyone could do it." Momo said sheepishly, setting her hands down on top of the table delicately lacing them together.
Iida laughed, pushing up his glasses.
"Not a big deal you say! being top grades across all four houses is incredibly impressive! And certainly, not everyone can do it!" He sent a rather disapproving look over his shoulder at Kaminari, who was currently trying to see how many spoons he could balance on his face without them falling off. Looking back at Momo, Iida asked her the question she was expecting.
"What about you Yaoyorozu? Will you be entering the Tournament?"
Momo took a deep breath, her fingers clenching together tighter as she became self-conscious of Handsome slowly starting to walk directly behind her. Great, he'll hear her answer to.
"No. I'm not going to." Momo said simply, not bringing her eyes up from her fingers. "I don't think I'd be good at it, so I just won't enter. Leaves more chance for other, more deserving people to get chosen to represent Hogwarts."
A loud gasp made Momo jump and look up. Kaminari kneeled on the seat next to Iida while Mina hopped over the table to sit next to her, flashing a rather wide smile at Handsome as she did so.
"What do you mean you're not entering?! With all the stuff you know you'd be like, one of the best choices for Hogwarts!" Kaminari exclaimed loudly. Mina nodded in agreement.
"Exactly! If one of the tasks has anything that requires smarts, you'd be perfect at completing them!"
Momo bit her lip.
"I don't know guys, thank you for the kind encouraging words, but I just don't think I will be a good champion." Momo stated, opening the book bag on her lap and checking to make sure she had all the books for the day. "I simply don't see myself being good at it."
"It's your choice of course Yaoyorozu, but I have to agree with Kaminari and Ashido. Your intelligence would be excellent for any of the tasks and preparing for them."
Momo blushed at all their kind words, it was embarrassing to have people say what they thought were your strong points so loudly.
Looking up, Momo saw the red robes of Durmstrang leave through a door out of the corner of her eye.
"Thanks guys, your words really do mean a lot! But, I still don't think I'm going to enter. I feel like I'll be much more useful on the sidelines then actually in the action."
Mina sighed dramatically.
"If you say so Yaomomo! Less competition for me I guess." Momo looked back down at her bag as Iida spoke.
"So, you're going to put your name in?" Mina nodded, grabbing an apple off a fruit bowl and taking a bite.
"Sho iz Kamenaree and Shero." Swallowing, Mina continued. "And Shouji as well. And from the looks of it Eijirou, Ojiro, and Tsuyu are going to too!"
Momo only vaguely heard this, she was frowning while shuffling books and reading and rereading covers.
"I forgot my potions book." Momo said, her voice offended at her own forgetfulness.
"So? You can borrow mine during class if you'd like, we sit together anyway so it's not that big of a deal." Mina said, taking another bite of apple.
Momo shook her head. "Thank you for the offer Mina, but it has my parchment with Hospital Wing hours tucked in it somewhere and I need that today." Standing up, Momo slid her bag onto her shoulder.
"Ah, that does start this week, doesn't it?" Iida asked, and Momo nodded. Kaminari yawned, asking as he did so,
"So like, what starts this week?"
"My apprenticeship with Madame Recovery. Since I'm considering being a healer, she's letting me be her apprentice for a year to help decide if it's really the career I want." Kaminari nodded, but he still looked confused, so Momo elaborated. "I will help Madame Recovery with things like making simple potions, but mostly I will help whoever's in there as a patient be comfortable. So, for example, if Kyouka had to stay overnight yesterday because of her cold, I would have brought her a book to read, or sit and talk to her for a while to make the waiting around less boring. I'm allowed to visit the kitchens-" Kaminari's eyes lit up like a firework, so Momo quickly added, "-but only for things Madame Recovery approves me getting for patients." Kaminari slumped against the table dejectedly.
"Ah phooey, I was hoping you'd get unlimited visits." Momo rolled her eyes and stepped over the bench, straightening her gray skirt as she did so.
"Even if I could get "unlimited visits", I wouldn't use it to get you food. That would be abusing the power given to me, which would make me ineligible to hold it."
Kaminari stuck out his tongue at her, and she waved at all of them as she walked away.
"I'll see you all in potions." She called, and she heard their acknowledgments behind her.
She sped past the Slytherin table when she saw a certain purple haired… person, leering at her and opening his mouth as if he wanted to talk to her.
Reaching the door outside in record time, Momo pushed it open and walked into the Entrance Hall. To her surprise, Handsome Durmstrang was standing in the open doorway, listening with a scowl to Professor Endeavor murmur urgently to him. Not wanting to disturb them, Momo quietly walked towards the staircase and up it, waiting patiently at the top for it to start moving and take her to the upper floors.
While she waited, Momo thought she felt eyes on her. As the staircase started moving, her heart leapt as she looked over her shoulder to identify the eyes, and her eye meet Handsome's gorgeous ones that were both peering at her from around his father as she was lifted out of sight.
Her heart didn't stop pounding till she was safely in her room, and, with potion book in hand, she collapsed onto her bed and covered her face with the book, her long haired cat Tomohiro jumping from his perch on the windowsill to climb on top of her.
Momo accompanied everyone else when they went to put their names in.
Just like Professor Nezu had said, the Goblet of Fire was placed in the middle of the Entrance Hall surrounded by complex runes. It was lunch time, and a lot of people were hanging around the goblet with interest, wanting to see who puts their names in.
Momo watched from the sidelines as Bakugou, Ochako, Kirishima, Mina, Tsuyu, Ojiro, Kaminari, Sero, Shouji, Sato, Jirou, and Tokoyami all stepped forward one by one and put in their names. The little pieces of parchment became enveloped by the flames in an instant, disappearing into the fiery depths of the Goblet.
To Momo's surprise, Midoriya joined her and Kouda on the sidelines, his eyes downcast to the floor, humiliation pooling in them till they threatened to run down his cheeks. Momo discreetly transfigured a bookmark into a handkerchief inside her bag, before pulling it out and nudging Midoriya to take it. He took it with a watery smile, and he turned away from everyone to dry at his eyes.
Momo gave him some privacy as she looked around the room, fifth years and below where all hovering about, inquiring of older students about just what the Goblet was. Many made their way over to Momo when they saw her, as she had established herself among them as someone they could talk to and ask questions. Ochako claimed Momo had a motherly quality about her that made homesick first years latch onto her and work worn fifth years ask for homework help. Momo was rather proud of herself for being seen as such a helpful figure.
She explained what was going on simply, and then they found their way back to their friends to spread the news of the Goblet.
Tokoyami was the last of their friends to put his name in, and as he slipped his parchment into the fire, a whispered message filled with giggling made its way from the entrance door to the Great Hall.
Durmstrang was coming.
Groups of first to third years scampered off to the staircases, half to get out of the way of the intimidating students, and half because they would have a good view to observe him as he placed his name in the fire.
He strode in first, his white hair standing out against the red that made up the rest of his outfit. He wasted no time in dropping his parchment into the fire, and then he didn't even wait for his fellow students to put their names in before he walked into the Great Hall for lunch. Momo's attention had all been on him, so when a girl's voice spoke out from between Momo and Midoriya, it gave Momo quite a startle.
"Have you put your name in yet?"
Turning, Midoriya stared at the tall girl standing behind them slightly, he had to turn completely away from the Goblet to face her, and he gave her an unsure smile.
"I-I'm sorry, are you talking to me?" He asked, pointing at himself. The girl nodded, smiling weirdly at him.
"Yes. I asked if you are putting your name in." She repeated herself, her eyes never leaving Midoriya. He scratched the back of his head in embarrassment, his voice quiet as he informed her that no, he wasn't going to put his name in.
The girl's eyes widened, and she took a half step towards him. Her uniform was from Beauxbaton, but Momo couldn't remember seeing her before. Though, she must have, this girl couldn't have just appeared out of nowhere.
"Why not? Why aren't you entering? From what I've heard people think you'll be really good at it." Midoriya shifted uncomfortably under her intense stare.
"O-oh, well… I guess I just don't think I'm good enough for the competition. And they say nobody knows your worth more than you so… I just think it's the right thing to not enter."
The girls frown deepened, but before she could say anything else, the orange side pony girl from Beuxbaton called out to her.
"Camie we are leaving, come on!"
She turned towards the voice and her brow furrowed in anger, but it didn't show as she turned to Midoriya and gave him a smile.
"Well, it's a real shame you aren't entering, I know a couple people who'd like to see you win!" And then she skipped away. Momo and Midoriya both stared after her, before turning and looking at each other in confusion.
"That… that happened for you too, right?'' Midoriya asked. Momo nodded. "Oh, ok. Just wanted to make sure my sleep schedule wasn't catching up to me." Midoriya said dazedly. And then he and Momo went into the Great Hall for lunch with everyone else.
The next day flew by, and at four o'clock sharp, the Goblet had disappeared in a cloud of smoke. And when they walked into the great hall for dinner, it was standing on a pedestal in front of the High Table.
The air all throughout dinner was brimming with excitement. Iida was incredibly nervous, his fork shaking with every bite he brought to his mouth.
Momo felt bad for him, but wasn't sure how to comfort him, and decided silence was the best option.
Dinner passed in a blur, and finally an hour later, Professor Nezu stood up and waved his wand so the goblet floated to him.
"This, is the moment you've all been long waiting for I'm sure. The moment, where the champions for the schools are chosen by our impartial Goblet of Fire." His face grinned, and he rubbed his hands together good naturedly. "I won't keep you waiting any longer, let's begin, shall we? Future champions, when your name is chosen please come up the front where you and your headmaster will go into a room to await the others to be chosen." The headmasters got up then, moving to stand to the front of the High Table. Madame Uwabami gave everyone a pleasant smile, while Professor Endeavor had his face set in a heavy frown.
Professor Nezu then pulled out his wand again, and tapped the lip of the Goblet with it, and its orange flames shifted blue and it danced crazily as if a strong wind was daring to blow it out. It then went in on itself, like a volcano about to erupt in those muggle shows Ochako showed Momo one summer where everything was exaggerated.
The flames then sprang up high, flooding the great hall with purple and blue light, a single parchment shooting out of the top and drifting down into Nezu's hand.
He read it aloud, he's voice ringing through the silent hall.
"The Beauxbaton champion selected by the Goblet is: one Neito Monoma!" The hall applauded, though Momo had to admit that she clapped a little less enthusiastic when the blonde Beauxbaton who had called Hogwarts lousy the day before stood up. He moved up to join Madame Uwabami, and she draped her arm over his shoulder and directed him to a side room behind the High Table.
After the door closed behind them, Professor Nezu tapped the Goblet, and the flames turned blue, and the process of choosing started again.
Nezu caught the floating piece of parchment deftly, and with a dramatic essence to his voice, he read the next name.
"The Durmstrang champion is…" he paused, and there was a wave of movement as the hall turned to look towards the Slytherin table where everyone from Durmstrang sat. Momo's eyes immediately was drawn towards a white section of hair amongst a sea of red. "Shouto Todoroki!" Nezu finished, giving a large sweeping gesture towards the Slytherin table, were none other than the handsome boy himself stood up amongst the applause. The applause got louder when people saw it was him. As Momo applauded, she relished in the fact that she had his name now and could finally stop calling him Handsome Durmstrang as an identification.
Todoroki strode forward with a neutral expression, his face not showing any hint of excitement or enthusiasm as he walked past Endeavor, who grinned smugly and clapped Todoroki on the back as he followed him to the back room.
Momo's eyes lingered on the doorway for a moment as the flames in the Goblet shifted from orange to blue, her heart beating in a weird way that Momo couldn't identify in Todoroki's absences.
She refocused her attention to the Goblet with a mental shake, she had no reason to feel so attached to him, she had only just learned his name after all and the most connection she had with him was the eye contact they had shared a couple times, which he could do with anyone. It simply wasn't logical to be drawn to him so much, handsome or not she couldn't let it make her lose her focus.
The parchment shot out, and tension filled the hall.
This was it. That paper held the name of the Hogwarts champion. Whoever it was, was going to represent Hogwarts and carry them to potential victory the entire Tournament. It had to be someone able to carry the whole school on their own, and be able to face whatever tasks lay ahead with a calm mind and quick thinking.
Next to her, Iida's fists were clenched tightly on the table, and he was shaking slightly, his eyes glued to the parchment in Professor Nezu's hand. Everyone Momo knew looked tense. Ochako especially, she had her hands clasped together and pressed to her forehead, while her eyes were closed tightly.
Bakugou was straddling the bench with his legs, hands clenched on his knees and a concentrating scowl on his face.
Momo held her breath as Nezu unfolded the parchment slowly, saying as he did so,
"And finally, the Hogwarts champion, the final champion of the night, is…" he flipped the parchment open, "Katsuki Bakugou?!"
Silence followed his words. Iida slumped, his eyes disappearing behind his glasses and his fists clenching atop the table. Momo's mouth fell open, she looked around the room and saw that most people had a similar reaction to her. Then Bakugou screamed in triumph. Slamming his fist on the table as he jumped up, his eyes blazing in victory.
"HELL YEAH!" He jogged up to the High table, where Professor Aizawa got up to accompany him to the back room. Bakugou turned and faced the Great Hall at large with a stomp, his eyes narrowing as they settle into the Beauxbaton's and Durmstrang students.
"You opponent fucks better have had your best chosen, I'd hate to win easily."
Aizawa rolled his eyes, and wrapped his arm around Bakugou's neck and mouth to prevent him from saying anything else. Professor Aizawa knew how to handle Bakugou the best out of the teachers, being his head of house made him and Bakugou interact a lot.
"That's enough of that, come along before you run your mouth to much."
Bakugou grabbed at Aizawa's arm, grunts and muffled swear words pouring out of his mouth as he struggled to no avail at freeing himself, and then Aizawa started dragging him towards the back room. Professor Nezu chuckled as he turned back to face everyone in the Great Hall, and some people laughed along with him. Ochako could be seen giggling from both relief and amusement at the Gryffindor table, her hand grasping Tsuyu's arm in relief.
"Now that all the champions have been chosen-" Professor Nezu started, but stopped as a collective gasp went through the Hall. Momo's hand jumped to cover her mouth in shock, a loud gasp escaping her as the flames in the Goblet turned blue again. Alighting the Great Hall in the unexpected light.
Nezu turned and looked at the Goblet wide eyed, and Bakugou stopped thrashing to stare as Aizawa stopped and turned to look in surprise as well.
Muttering filled the hall, as people started wondering what was happening.
Momo herself leaned over to Iida and asked quietly, her voice filled with shock.
"Wh-what's happening? Everything I've read says the Goblet should turn itself off after choosing the champions, and the three have already been chosen so… what's going on?" Iida shook his head, lost for words and with no answer to Momo's question.
Another gasp went through the crowd, and Momo jumped as, amongst sparks of purple, another parchment shot out of the turning flames.
Professor Nezu barely caught the parchment, and he opened it quickly and stared down at whatever was written with wide eyes. He looked up, and his eyes scanned the Gryffindor table before settling, on Midoriya.
"Izuku Midoriya, please come forward and accompany Professor Aizawa and young Bakugou to the champions room please. I would like to have a word with you in a moment."
Everyone who knew who Midoriya was, whipped round to stare at him with open mouths.
He was stark white, and shaking terribly as he fumbled to stand up, bringing everyone who didn't know who he was attentions to him. Murmurs and whispers echoed around the room as Midoriya scurried to go join Aizawa and Bakugou, who looked as if he was going to explode.
Aizawa shoved the door open and beckoned Midoriya through, which he did with weak knees, and then he let Bakugou go through before going in himself and slamming the door shut.
And the Hall erupted with voices.
Protests came from all sides, accompanied by shouts of questions and demands for answers.
"WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT?!" Shouted Kaminari, raising himself off his seat with contempt on his face.
"WAS DEKU'S NAME ON THE PARCHMENT?!" Ochako asked, standing up anxiously, her hands wringing together.
"PROFESSOR NEZU! I THOUGHT ONLY THREE PEOPLE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE CHOSEN! WHY WAS MIDORIYA CALLED INTO THE ROOM AS WELL?!" Iida shot up, his arms straight in the air and his face scrunched in confusion.
Professor Nezu raised his hands and made a calming motion, his face set in a look of concentration.
"I know you're all confused, I am as well and I assure you, we will find out what's going on and we will tell you when the time is right. I ask of you that, until then, to either wait here or head to your dorms. Thank you." He finished, and then turned and entered the back room.
Izuku Midoriya wrung his hands together and swallowed, as everyone in the room turned to look at him as the door behind Professor Aizawa swung shut.
The room was small, the stone walls felt compact and tiny, made even more so with the plush furniture that was crammed into most of the room.
The headmaster of Durmstrang, Endeavor, stepped forward from the corner of the room where he had been talking with his son, Shouto Todoroki. Endeavor had a frown on his face as he observed the two Hogwarts students. Looking at Aizawa, Endeavors brows furrowed.
"Why are there two of your students here Aizawa?" He asked in his gruff, intimidating voice. Aizawa sighed, and shrugged looking at Izuku pointedly as he spoke.
"I'm not sure myself. After the Goblet chose your son, it then chose Bakugou-" Aizawa clapped Bakugou on the shoulder, and Bakugou instinctively jerked his shoulder away. His hands in his pockets and a death glare on permanent lock on Izuku. "as Hogwarts champion."
Everyone's gaze shifted to Izuku then, and Uwabami spoke up this time.
"Then, if he is the champion for Hogwarts, who is this young man?" She gestured, open palm and elegantly towards Izuku, whose cheeks warmed despite of the situation he was in, he then decided that keeping his eyes on the floor would be the best thing to do at the moment, as everyone's else's eyes bore into him.
Izuku's feet shuffled, and he shrugged. He didn't know why he was in here. Everything that had happened pointed to his name being written on the fourth piece of parchment, but that would be impossible, he hadn't even put his name in.
"We don't know what happened, but the Goblet lit up again and his name came out on a parchment." Professor Nezu walked into the room, answering the question with his eyes also on Izuku, looking him over critically. Endeavor scoffed.
"That couldn't have happened. The Goblet is magicked to know there are only 3 school, and only a powerful confundus charm could have tricked the Goblet."
Professor Nezu nodded at his words, and behind him, Professor All Might squeezed through the door way into the room, nodding as well to what Endeavor said.
"We know that, and I doubt Midoriya could have cast such a powerful charm to trick the Goblet, but just to be sure…" Nezu turned and looked at Aizawa. "As potions master, I assume you have veritaserum in your office Aizawa."
Aizawa nodded, and reaching into his robes he pulled out a small vile. "Of course I do."
Uwabami's and All Might's mouth dropped open, and they gapped at the vial filled with liquid. Endeavors eyebrows rose, while Monoma blanched. Bakugou and Izuku both looked at the vial with side eyed suspicion. They both had seen it before, it was Aizawa's favorite persuasion tool to get students to tell the truth without actually giving it to them. It works especially well on firsts years, though the older they got the more convinced they were that it wasn't actually veritaserum, and Uraraka swore she saw him drop some of it in his eyes once.
"Y-you keep veritaserum on you?!" Monoma exclaimed, stepping back a little with a bewildered look on his face. Aizawa looked at the vial in his hand with almost surprise.
"Oh, no. This isn't veritaserum. This is my eye drops."
"Then why did you take it out?" All Might asked, squinting at the vial, while Bakugou was glaring at the vial almost as hard as he had been at Izuku, his mouth forming words that looked like "Fucking knew Uraraka was right."
Aizawa shook the liquid around the vial before tucking it back into his robes. "Habit." Turning, he walked and opened the black door leading out of the room, leaving everyone but his two students and Nezu confused.
Shaking his head, All Might placed his hands on his hips and strode to stand next to Izuku, talking to Nezu as he did so.
"I presume that Aizawa is fetching veritaserum to use on young Midoriya, correct?" All Might asked, and Nezu nodded, facing Izuku with his arms folded casually.
"Correct. If Midoriya didn't put his name in and charm the Goblet himself, then that means someone else did. And you know what that might mean." Nezu looked pointedly at All Might, who nodded grimly. Continuing, Nezu talked directly to Izuku. "So, Midoriya, did you put your name in the Goblet?" He asked, leaning against one of the plush chairs in the room.
Izuku shook his head frantically.
"N-no! I didn't I swear!" Endeavor harrumphed, folding his arms and staring menacingly at Izuku. Shouto Todoroki sat behind him, and he was watching everyone in the room- his father included- with weariness.
"What's the point of asking him now if you're going to veritaserum him?"
Nezu gave Endeavor a side glance.
"To gain a trust level, and to give him a chance to tell the truth freely without the influence of magic."
No one seemed to see a reason to argue against that, so the room fell into silence. Endeavor continued looking menacing, Uwabami was whispering to her champion Monoma who was looking… smugly at Bakugou. The Durmstrang Champion Todoroki was still sitting with his arms folded, he was staring at an empty portrait on the wall, which Izuku could have sworn he heard faint giggling coming from it despite it being empty.
Izuku was trying not to look at Bakugou, who was being uncharacteristically quiet, and that was scaring Izuku more than it would have if Bakugou was screaming and yelling. Taking the chance, Izuku peeked out of the corner of his eye towards Bakugou. He had his hands shoved into his pockets and was glaring at the floor, his mouth set in his permanent scowl. Izuku guessed that he was withholding his anger because of all the teachers present.
Professor Aizawa finally swept in, holding an even smaller vial of veritaserum.
"I've got the veritaserum, just like you asked Nezu. Shall I give it to Midoriya?" Nezu nodded, and Izuku gulped as Aizawa handed him the vial.
"Don't drink all of it, or else you'll be telling anyone who talks to you the truth for an hour. We just need five minutes, so drink a drop."
Nervous, Izuku carefully drank a drop of veritaserum. He waited, expecting the usual strange feelings felt after drinking a potion, but strangely there were none. He anxiously looked at the bottle, fearing it hadn't been veritaserum and was terrified for a moment he had drank Aizawa's eye drops.
"Midoriya, did you put your name in the Goblet of fire?" Nezu asked again, and this time everyone was looking at Midoriya. He fidgeted, but to his shock his mouth opened before he was ready.
"No, I didn't. I didn't even put my name in to be Gryffindor champion because I didn't think me using my magic in front of a large crowd would have been good. Too much attention." Izuku's face was shocked and his eyes wide, one hand flying to his now stopped mouth in utter confusion. His reaction seemed to be enough evidence that the veritaserum was working.
Tapping his chin carefully, Nezu started asking more questions.
"Alright, and why would that be bad to have too much attention?" He already knew the correct answer, but he was interested to see if Midoriya's reasoning lined up with it.
"Because I would have to use my spells in front of everyone, and with so many people there they might notice the oddities in my magic and start investigating into it… which could lead them to my connection with All Might."
Izuku immediately clapped his hands over his mouth, his eyes wide with disbelief that he just said that aloud. He turned quickly to start apologizing to All Might, but All Might put a hand on his shoulder and shook his head, a reassuring smile on his heroic face.
"It's alright Midoriya my boy, we can trust the people in this room I'm sure." He then turned and faced the room, where everyone from a different school was looking confused.
"What connection?!" Endeavor demanded, looking taken aback but still angry. Uwabami nodded, folding her arms and studying Izuku with interest.
"Yes, what connection? I thought you didn't have any children All Might?"
The veritaserum didn't respond since it wasn't asked directly to Izuku, and All Might seemed prepared to answer their questions.
"Well, you are right Madame Uwabami, I do not have any kids. To start at the beginning, Midoriya was born a squib." Izuku ducked his head down, his eyes burning as he felt everyone's gaze burning into the top of his head. He heard Bakugou snort angrily, and he inched further away from his angry classmate out of nerves.
"Or so everyone thought. He didn't show any signs of magic, but it wasn't because of a lack of magic, he actually had an excessive amount that had somehow been blocked." He squeezed Izuku's shoulder comfortingly, and Izuku took a couple steadying deep breaths, preparing to look up again. "I ran into him by complete chance, it was back when I was still an Auror and I had gotten sent out to investigate traces of explosive accidental magic, to make sure the child in question wasn't in harms way."
All Might gestured towards Bakugou, whose lip curled and he glared at the offending hand with venom.
"Young Bakugou here was the source of that magic, he and Midoriya had grown up in the same neighborhood and are something of childhood friends-" Izuku and Bakugou both grimaced at that, it was more like their mothers were friends and they were expected to be as well, so a lot of forced "play dates" happened. "Err, maybe friends isn't the right word, but they knew each other as children. Anyhow, these two had the bad luck of running into newly escaped criminal Stain, and as they were running away from him young Bakugou's magic went wild, sending magic that would make me arrive at the scene. When I got there, Stain had already left, but I did find these two and brought them home. And it was then I heard what had happened. Stain as you might know, uses an unknown curse that cuts off someone's magic and makes it unusable, and since young Bakugou's magic was going crazy, he tried casting it on him. But Midoriya jumped in front of it, as neither boy knew what the spell did and Midoriya jumped to protect Bakugou. The curse shouldn't have even harmed young Midoriya, but it was causing him to feel like he was being shocked, especially in his wand arm.
Seeing that it did have some effect on him, I got his mother's permission to take him to a healer, Hogwarts' own Madame Recovery in fact! She checked him, and that's when we found magic in him. It turns out Stain's curse counteracted the sealing magic and broke it, allowing Midoriya to use magic. Midoriya's situation stuck with me, and I ended up taking him under my wing as an apprentice. Which he still is to this day!"
He paused then, looking around the room, he scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"Err, I think I got carried away."
"A little bit yes, but it was needed." Aizawa answered, "you should finish explaining the main bit now."
All Might clapped his hands together loudly, and rubbed them together.
"Yes! Of course!"
They waited, and after a moment of him not speaking, Izuku peeked up at him. Aizawa sighed and brought a hand to his temples.
"You forgot what the main bit was, didn't you?"
"Err well not ALL of it! I remember now that I need to explain why it could be important to keep Midoriya's Magic hidden until necessary!"
"Yes, that is what we are all waiting for." Endeavor growled, a vein starting to show on his neck. Todoroki glanced at him with a frown, but didn't say anything and quickly looked back at the wall.
All Might laughed boldly, and continued his explanation.
"Yes right! Midoriya's magic is now unique, since It was withheld for so many years, and it has a certain… ah, look to it that makes it stand out. We've been training and have figured out a way to conceal it for a fair amount of time, but extended use or loss of concentration makes it revert to its original look."
Silence followed his explanation, and Midoriya fidgeted with his wand, nervously looking up at All Might. Professor Nezu spoke after a moment.
"Alright good, and now that that explanation is out of the way, we can get back to the current issue of what to do with Midoriya."
Endeavor cast him a confused look, as did Monoma, but Uwabami looked content to listen.
"What do you mean what do we do with him? He can't participate, he got cheated in and so he shouldn't be allowed." Nezu scratched his chin, and looked Midoriya over thoughtfully.
"That is what I first thought to, Endeavor. However, the more I think about it the more I think he should stay in-" he held up a hand, not only to stop Endeavor from speaking, but Midoriya and Bakugou as well. Izuku snapped his mouth shut, surprise coursing through him. Bakugou was starting to show signs of steaming anger again, his fists were clenched even tighter in his pockets and teeth were grinding together as he forced himself to let Nezu finish. "Let me explain my reasoning."
Nezu looked around to make sure everyone was willing to listen, and then he started.
"As we've already established, Midoriya's name was put in the Goblet against his will. Now, we could excuse Midoriya and give a public announcement shaming or telling off the person who did it, but that will only work if the culprit is a student… On the opposite hand, we have evidence, that we cannot disclose right now without proper permission from active Aurors, that someone infiltrating put in Midoriya's name. These people are professionals, and if they went through all this effort to get Midoriya into the Tournament, then maybe we shouldn't let their effort go to waste. We keep Midoriya in, we could flush the culprits out."
The room was silent, and it was broken by Uwabami's elegant voice.
"Wait a minute, if you do that what will happen to the one officially drawn for your school?"
Nezu turned and gave Bakugou a reassuring smile.
"He'd stay in, we'll just have two champions for Hogwarts!"
Bakugou was shaking with pent up rage, and Endeavor looked just as upset.
"Now hold on a moment-"
"Before you say it's cheating, I will remind you all that the people we have reason to believe put Midoriya's name in, are a danger to the students. And unless we find them and arrest them, we can't be assured of our students safety. If it will reassure you, I will make sure they do not work together nor cheat to win any of the Tasks."
Endeavor was furious, but he seemed at a loss for words, his mouth was moving but nothing was coming out. Saying that students would be in danger unless Midoriya was able to draw out the culprits, was a pretty solid argument.
"Oh!" Nezu exclaimed, realizing something. He turned and looked at Izuku again, crossing his legs pleasantly as he did so. "I forgot! I'm acting as if you've already agreed to participate, so Midoriya would you like to-"
"I'll participate." Midoriya said immediately, conviction in his eyes, Nezu's words that students would be in danger motivated Izuku just as it did the headmasters. His jaw was set and his hands clenched confidently. "I'll do it to make sure the others are safe."
Nezu smiled at him, and then looked around the room at all the headmasters.
"Are you alright with letting Midoriya participate?"
The headmasters nodded, Uwabami with a thoughtful expression and Endeavor with clenched teeth. Nezu clapped his hands together.
"Good! Alright then, now that that's settled we can all leave-
"LIKE HELL ITS ALL SETTLED!" Bakugou finally exploded. "ARE YOU TELLING ME I HAVE TO FUCKING BE SMASHED TOGETHER WITH FUCKING DEKU FOR HOGWARTS SHITTING CHAMPION?!" Nezu nodded, raising a hand to try and calm him down.
"Yes, you will have to share the title- but that's all it is, a blank title. It won't mean anything once you're actually in the tasks, don't worry."
"WORRY? IM NOT FUCKING WORRIED IM FURIOUS! I GOT TO BE HOGWARTS CHAMPION FAIR AND FUCKING SQAURE! IT CAN'T JUST BE HANDED TO FUCKING DEKU FOR CHEATING! WHO GIVES A DAMN WHETHER HE DIDN'T WANT TO BECOME A CHAMPION, THAT'S JUST EVEN MORE DAMN REASON FOR WHY HE FUCKING SHOULDN'T BE ONE!"
"Now now Bakugou, I understand why you are upset, but please understand that if students weren't in danger, then we wouldn't allow Midoriya to participate. However as of now this is what we have to do to ensure more people's safety. This isn't about being Hogwarts champion, this is about helping people."
Bakugou seemed to just get more angry at Nezu's words, his face was red and his hair seemed to be getting more spiky, veins were popping in his neck and forehead. And the suddenly, he seemed to calm down, he's breathing was still laboring and heavy, but he wasn't shaking anymore and his face was slowly going back to normal color.
"Thank-" professor Nezu started to thank Bakugou, but was interrupted by Bakugou letting out a laugh. It wasn't a happy laugh, no it was a laugh that felt as if it turned the room cold. Turning, Bakugou sent a look so chilling it would have made younger Midoriya freeze with fear. Instead of freezing, Izuku wrapped his hand tightly around his wand and steeled himself as Bakugou stomped over to him with a wide smirk on his face and a crazed look in his eyes. Placing a hand on Deku's shoulder, Bakugou spoke.
"Fine, we can both be Hogwarts champions Deku, but only so I can fucking murder you in the tasks you cheating fuck." He then let go of Izuku's shoulders, and stomped back over to a seat and threw himself down, Aizawa, standing next to him, let out a long, pained sigh.
"Un, well now that we have that out of the way, I suppose we need to get onto the usual formalities, don't we?" Nezu asked, but Endeavor shook his head and start marching out of the room, Todoroki following shortly after.
"Don't bother. I'll tell Shouto the details myself, I can't stand listening to you Hogwarts people go on and on and justifying things." Endeavor growled, and he smashed the door open, the resounding crash making Izuku jump.
(Momo's Pov)
Almost an hour later, after most of the younger students had been ushered to bed by teachers, did the door finally open. Or rather, it slammed open.
The sudden smashing of the door against the stone wall made most people jump, and Momo almost hit the student next to her with her ponytail as she whipped to look towards the door.
Endeavor strode out, a snarl on his lips.
"Have your second little champion if you'd like! But if I catch even the slightest hint of cheating, then I demand one of your champions forfeits!" He hollered behind him, before stomping out of the room. "Come on Shouto, there's no need to listen to their prattle any longer."
Todoroki followed Endeavor at a slower pace, glancing back over his shoulder at the doorway as Madame Uwabami and Monoma stepped out, her arm placed on Monoma's shoulders as she led him out of the room, her lips pursed.
"I understand why you made your decision and I'll stand behind it Professor Nezu, but I agree with Endeavor. A single drop of cheating and one will have to forfeit."
"Of course, the things we discussed inside will be discarded if one cheats. And don't worry, knowing who these two boys are means there will be no collaboration to work together between them, they will both be acting as if they are representing different school, though still representing the same one. I assure you, no cheating will be happening."
Madame Uwabami nodded, and Nezu gestured behind him for someone to step forward, and Midoriya scampered out, followed by Bakugou who was seething more than a boiling kettle.
He stomped down toward where he left his book bag, Slytherin's badgering him for questions. As he walked past them, Momo and Iida both turned to look at him, and Iida spoke urgently.
"Bakugou, what happened?"
Bakugou, who had just picked up his bookbag by a strap, slammed it back down to his table in rage.
"Deku fucking cheated his way into the tournament is what happened you nosy fucks! Claims he didn't fucking do it either, the bastard. Probably is just trying to cover his ass so he can leech off me by being this stupid fucking "duo champions of Hogwarts" bullshit!"
Iida's eyes became hidden behind his glasses, while Momo shook her head in disbelief.
"No, Midoriya wouldn't do that! He genuinely didn't want to enter! I stood next to him while he tried not to cry because he felt to inadequate to compete!" Turning to stare at Iida, who's jaw had become set, Momo continued, her own voice becoming more sure. "There's no way Midoriya did that, someone had to have put his name in against his will!"
Iida, to Momo and Bakugou's surprise, shook his head slowly. "I would normally believe you, but… Hogwarts is impenetrable, it would have had to have been an inside job and I trust all of our professor's more than I trust… well, I trust our teachers." Bakugou, obviously not wanting to be part of the conversation anymore, snarled a few angry words and stomped away, cursing at everyone he came across. The short, rat faced purple haired Slytherin almost got smacked in the face by his wildly swinging book bag.
"All I'm trying to suggest is that we keep our minds open to possibilities, one of which may be that Midoryia cheated his way in."
Momo shook her head. "He was distraught Iida! He had that look on his face were his bottom lip starts trembling but he's refusing to cry even though his eyes are filled with tears."
Iida frowned, sitting back down at the table slowly. "He could have been acting Yaoyorozu. Trying to throw everyone off so he could seem more innocent when his name got pulled." Momo's mouth dropped open, disbelief covering her entire face as she stared at Iida.
"Yo-you don't actually believe Midoriya would do such a thing, do you?!"
Iida looked away.
Momo gasped in horror.
"I can't believe you! You are one of his closest friends, how can you just ignore what you know of your friends to believe what everyone else does just like that?!" she snapped her fingers to emphasize, and Iida flinched a little at the sound. "Just because you trust the teachers doesn't mean someone else from another school or maybe even another student from Hogwarts didn't put his name in! I trust the teachers more than I trust some relatives of mine, but that doesn't immediately dismiss the possibility that someone put Midoriya's name in. It wouldn't be the first time someone's singled out Midoriya because of his-" Momo lowered her voice, "apprenticeship under Professor All Might. Why can this not be one of those times? The frequency of them happening at least once every other year makes it a plausible solution."
"All I'm saying is, currently, it's more likely with the information we have that Midoriya put his name in himself. No other evidence is suggesting that someone put his name in against his will. Midoriya is a smart guy, he could have figured out a way to make the Goblet think he was from a fourth school and put his name in when none of us were looking."
"The other evidence is past occurrences! Those are just as substantial to this situation as everything else you said!"
Iida adjusted his glasses, his mouth in a line.
"Until evidence that connects the past events with this one, I am not going to exclude Midoriya cheating himself in as a possibility. In fact, right now it's the one with the strongest evidence to make it the number one possibility."
Momo made a noise of utter disbelief. She couldn't believe Iida was even considering what he was suggesting. Standing up, Momo slung her bag over her shoulder and set her own face into a neutral expression.
"Well, believe what you will I suppose. I will ask Midoriya about it tomorrow and get his point of view. But for now, I'm going to bed."
And Momo spun on her heels, her ponytail swinging violently behind her as she walked with determination in her step.
