Author's note: This is mostly filler for I guess secretarial reasons, but there are a few important points in this chapter involving Elle, so it had to be written, but was too long to include elsewhere. Enjoy!
~zabeth
The next morning, the Great Hall hosted not only new guests, but also many emotions. Happiness abounded at the Hufflepuff table, excluding the half of SHA sitting quietly. Durmstrang was also hushed, but it was a smug sort of silence. The Slytherins sitting with them held unabashed contempt, glaring at any non-Slytherin (not that they did not glare at their own, or stop glaring ever anyways). The Ravenclaws were simply calm, discussing books and not taking any particular side, decidedly neutral. Beauxbatons sat with the Ravenclaws, a kaleidoscope of calm, happy, and angry. Gryffindor was undecided, happy to have a champion, but not happy that it was Harry, who was underage. The second half of SHA sat along with them as quiet as the first half.
Harry and Hermione had taken seats close to Elle and Sam as the meeting prior to breakfast had placed the two reluctant champions close together. Ron was still avoiding Harry and Hermione out of spite and jealousy and thus had chosen to sit on the clear opposite end of the table. Sam had his arm around Elle, telling her something in hushed tones that Harry could not make out. Her eyes were red and puffy and her breathing seemed uncomfortable. Harry glanced up at the Head Table and saw that Lucas was looking down at the girl with unconcealed worry. Sleepy Hollow's headmaster's look of disapproval seemed to be the only thing barring him from running down to the Gryffindor Table.
Glancing at the other professors, he saw each Headmaster discussing, intensely and quietly, about something, mostly likely the tournament. It was the first time ever he felt suffocated and claustrophobic in the Great Hall. It was then that Dumbledore stood, raising his hands for silence.
"Dear students and guests, as you surely remember last night and our champions; I would like to make a small announcement. All champions named at the ceremony are to be accepted and are final. The Goblet of Fire is a binding contract of Ancient Magic that cannot be taken lightly. Therefore, instead of four champions, we will have five. While I am on that topic, the Sleepy Hollow Academy Champion, Ms. Lucas, although only fifteen, is allowed to compete given that the school she attends starts teaching magic at a much earlier age. Consequently, she has the same amount of knowledge that a Hogwarts 7th Year should know. Please enjoy breakfast, and continue as you were." He sat and everyone returned to his or her activities (glaring, reading, or being merry or confused).
The weighing of the wands came all too soon, as Harry was dragged out of Potions class, much to Snape's displeasure. The room had an elliptical table where Fleur, Krum, Cedric and Elle sat, waiting. Each Headmaster was there, standing behind their respective candidate. Harry sat down in the seat next to Cedric and Dumbledore placed a hand on his shoulder in a brief moment, an attempt at comfort. Harry's eyes washed over the room as Ollivander began to explain what was to happen. Fleur simply sat and paid the wand maker her full attention, a slight smile gracing her beautiful face. Krum watched the proceedings stonily whilst Cedric sat, interested and attentive. Elle, however, had sunk back into her chair, seeming to pretend not to exist. Professor Lucas was not present.
Ollivander weighed each of their wands in turn, mentioning interesting tidbits and measurements. Elle's wand, however, caught Mr. Ollivander's, and Harry's, attention more so than even Fleur's vela hair wand. He twirled it experimentally in his hands.
"This wand… it isn't yours…" he murmured, captivated. Elle gazed at him with guarded gray-green eyes.
"It is mine. I promise you that." Her reply was cautious and she raised an eyebrow, challenging him to repeat his insinuation.
"Hm… Curious… What is its magical element?" Ollivander was positively intrigued by her retort.
"It has none, sir," she replied, biting her lip.
"A wand needs to have an element! Even one as unusual as Ms. Delacour's hair!"
"I'm sorry; sir, but I can't tell you what it is. I was given that wand and that's that." Her tone of finality jolted Ollivander back to the task at hand. He sighed and stifled his curiosity.
"Lucas… Your family makes wands, correct?"
"Yes, but only for our own."
"So I take it you cannot divulge the element because it would be a trade secret, so to speak?" He gave her an escape.
"…yes. I will admit to knowing the element, but it is a private matter."
"Private? Very well." He raised the wand and flicked it once, then twice, a little harder - a sparkling blue shower rained down on the table, shimmering away silver. "It passes."