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Chapter 4

It was early in the morning on Saturday. Ara always hated Halloween. For whatever reason, it had always been a daunting day. Lucius always said that was because it was the day the dark arts fell, but she knew that wasn't it.

She watched as her friends and classmates put their names into the goblet one by one. She waited until everyone had finished before brushing off her friends and encouraging them to go on without her.

"I'll catch up with you later," she said as Anna and Connor hesitated. They gave her one last glance before leaving.

She stared down at the small scrap of paper clutched tightly in her hand. She took a deep breath as she stared back at the fire. She wasn't nervous, not in the sense of being frightened or anxious. She wasn't nervous about the dangers of the tournament or what it would mean if she was chosen. She wasn't anxious that she wouldn't be chosen. As she stared at that parchment she knew it was going to change her life and it was that thought that made her nervous.

"You don't have to put your name in you know."

Ara glanced up quickly only to see Sirius Black striding towards her. She stood up and took a couple of steps backward.

Sirius shook his head "do I scare you?" he asked astonished and Ara knew that out of all the Black's, Sirius was not someone who most people were afraid of.

Ara rolled her eyes and shook her head "Of course not," she said.

"So why do you keep running at the sight of me?"

Ara looked towards the blue flame, considering her words only briefly. "You were burned off the family tree," she said bluntly.

Sirius shrugged "I'm still a Black," he said nonchalantly "the last of the Blacks as a matter of fact."

Ara shook her head a took a couple of more steps towards the fire.

"you're not like them… The rest of your family," he said softly.

Ara glared at him "of course I am."

Sirius shook his head "You saved those muggles."

"Hush," Ara said quickly.

Sirius raised his hands in surrender "look, I won't tell your secrets, but if they ever hurt you, or you feel the need to get away… Well we are family," he said and Ara could hear the seriousness in his voice.

Ara walked up to the fire and threw her name into the Goblet. "I can take care of myself," she said and she stalked past him, out of the Entrance Hall.

She entered the corridor only to walk in on a conversation that was probably personal.

"Not today James," Harry's mother had said "It's Halloween and I can't think about the changes and about Death Eaters," she said and Ara could hear the tears in her voice.

They stopped when they saw her approaching.

"Sorry," Ara said quietly, making her way to pass them in the hall. She stopped as she got closer to them and hesitated briefly. "I'm sorry about your loss… Truly," she said quietly with all the sincerity that she could muster.

Harry's mother wiped a few stray tears from her eyes while James smiled at her.

"Thank you," he said softly. "I don't believe you've met my wife, Lily," he said gesturing towards the redhead.

Ara smiled at put out her hand, remembering the incident with Moody the night before. She was relieved when Lily grasped it firmly and said, "it's a pleasure."

"Good luck tonight," James said, glancing at the Entrance Hall behind her.

"Thank you, I hope your day gets better," she said before nodding to the two of them and walking back towards the ship.

It was already a quarter until six when Ara and her friends made their way down to the Halloween feast. Viktor was walking beside Karkaroff, who was speaking in a hushed tone, ensuring no one else could hear.

As they neared the castle, Viktor hung back and walked next to Ara.

"vhat do you think he vill say if I do not get chosen?" he asked, Ara could hear the laugh in his voice.

"I think he will be more upset that I was chosen than that you weren't chosen," she said with a short laugh.

Viktor smiled and nudged her in the side "ve stand together no matter vhat?" he asked.

Ara nodded "no matter what."

The feast seemed to take forever and Ara found that many of the older students had difficulty eating. When the plates were spotless, Dumbledore got to his feet and the chatter in the hall died down immediately.

"Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision," said Dumbledore. "I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions' names are called, I would ask them to come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber" - he indicated the door behind the staff table - "where they will be receiving their first instructions. "

He took out his wand and gave a great sweeping wave with it; at once, all the candles except those inside the carved pumpkins were extinguished, plunging them into a state of semi-darkness. The Goblet of Fire now shone more brightly than anything in the whole Hall, the sparkling bright, bluey-whiteness of the flames almost painful on the eyes. Everyone watched, waiting. . . . A few people kept checking their watches. . .

The flames inside the goblet turned suddenly red again. Sparks began to fly from it. Next moment, a tongue of flame shot into the air, a charred piece of parchment fluttered out of it - the whole room gasped.

Dumbledore caught the piece of parchment and held it at arm's length so that he could read it by the light of the flames, which had turned back to blue-white.

"The champion for Beauxbatons," Dumbledore began "Is Fleur Delacour!"

A girl in blue robes with shiny, long, blond hair rose to her feet. Ara glanced at Connor and mouthed the word "veela." He laughed in response.

She swept down the hall and entered the chamber on the side. The other students of Beauxbatons seemed disappointed, some of the girls were even crying with their heads on their arms.

The clapping and chatting died down. Now everyone's attention was focused again on the goblet, which, seconds later, turned red once more. A second piece of parchment shot out of it, propelled by the flames.

"the Champion for Durmstrang," he read in a strong, clear voice, "will be Ara Lestrange."

The applause at the Slytherin table was deafening, while many students at the other tables seemed to show surprise and concerned while whispering between themselves. Ara watched as many people looked shocked between her and Viktor, surprised that she had won

She made to stand up, before her arms was caught in a tight grip "Good luck," Viktor said, his smile blinding.

Ara leaned over and kissed him on the cheek before making her way up the hall, passed the fearful look of her headmaster and into the side chamber.

When she entered the chamber, Fleur looked back at her quickly. "hello," she said, her French accent thick. "I'm Fleur of Beauxbatons," she said quickly.

Ara shook her hand "Ara of Durmstrang," she said.

They stood there in silence for only moment before the doors opened again and a boy with blonde hair and a charming smile walked through the door.

He looked at the two women and smiled "I'm Cedric."

Ara and Fleur shook his hand and the three of them fell into a comfortable silence, all staring into the fire, thinking of the tournament.

The door opened once more, but rather than the judges entering, Harry Potter entered the chamber, a look of fear plastered onto his face. Ara briefly felt a strong feeling of dread settle into her stomach at the look on his face.

Fleur Delacour looked around when Harry walked in and threw back her sheet of long, silvery hair.

"What is it?" she said. "Do zey want us back in ze Hall?"

Fleur thought that Harry was there to deliver a message, but Ara had a sneaking suspicion that that wasn't the case. He stood there looking at them, gaping as though he wasn't sure what to say.

There was a sound of scurrying feet behind Harry, and Ludo Bagman entered the room. He took Harry by the arm and led him forward.

"Extraordinary!" he muttered, squeezing Harry's arm. "Absolutely extraordinary! Gentleman. . . ladies," he added, approaching the fireside and addressing the other three. "May I introduce - incredible though it may seem - the fourth Triwizard champion?"

Ara fear was confirmed and she couldn't help but grimace in sympathy, Cedric looked from Bagman to Harry and then back again, as though he must not have heard him properly.

Fleur Delacour tossed her hair, smiling, and said, "Oh, vairy funny joke, Meester Bagman."

"Joke?" Bagman repeated, bewildered. "No, no, not at all! Harry's name just came out of the Goblet of Fire!"

Cedric was still looking politely bewildered and Fleur frowned.

"But evidently zair 'as been a mistake," she said contemptuously to Bagman. "'E cannot compete. 'E is too young. "

"Well. . . it is amazing," said Bagman, rubbing his smooth chin and smiling down at Harry. "But, as you know, the age restriction was only imposed this year as an extra safety measure. And as his name's come out of the goblet. . . I mean, I don't think there can be any ducking out at this stage. . . . It's down in the rules, you're obliged. . . Harry will just have to do the best he -"

The door behind them opened again, and a large group of people came in: Professor Dumbledore, followed closely by Mr. Crouch, Professor Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, Severus Snape, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Harry's parents, the last four rushed to Harry's side. The buzzing of the hundreds of students was heard on the other side of the wall before Snape closed the door.

"Madame Maxime!" said Fleur at once, striding over to her headmistress. "Zey are saying zat zis little boy is to compete also!"

Madame Maxime had drawn herself up to her full, and considerable, height. The top of her handsome head brushed the candle-filled chandelier, and her gigantic black-satin bosom swelled.

"What is ze meaning of zis, Dumbly-dorr?" she said imperiously.

"I'd rather like to know that myself, Dumbledore," said Professor Karkaroff. He was wearing a steely smile, and his blue eyes were like chips of ice. "Two Hogwarts champions? I don't remember anyone telling me the host school is allowed two champions - or have I not read the rules carefully enough?"

He gave a short and nasty laugh.

"C'est impossible," said Madame Maxime, whose enormous hand with its many superb opals was resting upon Fleur's shoulder. "'Ogwarts cannot 'ave two champions. It is most injust. "

"We were under the impression that your Age Line would keep out younger contestants, Dumbledore," said Karkaroff, his steely smile still in place, though his eyes were colder than ever. "Otherwise, we would, of course, have brought along a wider selection of candidates from our own schools. "

"It's no one's fault but Potter's, Karkaroff," said Snape softly. His black eyes were alight with malice. "Don't go blaming Dumbledore for Potter's determination to break rules. He has been crossing lines ever since he arrived here -"

"Thank you, Severus," said Dumbledore firmly before the Potters could respond, and Snape went quiet, though his eyes still glinted malevolently through his curtain of greasy black hair.

Professor Dumbledore was now looking down at Harry, who looked right back at him. Ara had to admire the confidence that he had when looking at his headmaster.

"Did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire, Harry?" he asked calmly.

"No," said Harry. Snape made a soft noise of impatient disbelief in the shadows.

"Watch it Snape," Sirius said threateningly, taking a step towards the dark-haired man.

"Did you ask an older student to put it into the Goblet of Fire for you?" said Professor Dumbledore, ignoring Sirius and Snape.

"No," said Harry vehemently.

"Ah, but of course 'e is lying!" cried Madame Maxime.

"He could not have crossed the Age Line," said Lily 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 Lily 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!" She sounded torn. She sounded as though she were fighting between standing up for her son's honesty and wanting him to be as far away from the tournament as possible.

Ara felt a pang of sympathy for Lily and James. They had already lost one child, now another would be entering a dangerous tournament.

"Forgive me," Ara said, causing the room to go quiet "it doesn't seem as though Harry wants anything to do with this tournament," she said, looking sadly at Harry. "I'm sure he'd much rather be with his friends cheering on Cedric than facing goodness knows what sort of stunts we'll be doing. Why on earth would a fourth year try to compete with two seventh years?" she asked as though it were obvious he didn't put in his own name.

Dumbledore gave her a slight smile "well put Miss Lestrange."

"Clearly he's just as arrogant as his father," Snape said from his corner of the room.

Ara snorted "honestly Severus, I've had two conversations with him and he doesn't seem to have an arrogant bone in his body," she said looking incredulously at a man who she used to consider an uncle.

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

Bagman wiped his round, boyish face with his handkerchief and looked at Mr. Crouch, who was standing outside the circle of the firelight, his face half hidden in shadow. He looked slightly eerie, the half darkness making him look much older, giving him an almost skull-like appearance. When he spoke, however, it was in his usual curt voice.

"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, beaming and turning back to Karkaroff and Madame Maxime, as though the matter was now closed.

"I insist upon resubmitting the names of the rest of my students," said Karkaroff. He had dropped his unctuous tone and his smile now. His face wore a very ugly look indeed. "You will set up the Goblet of Fire once more, and we will continue adding names until each school has two champions. It's only fair, Dumbledore. "

"But Karkaroff, it doesn't work like that," said Bagman. "The Goblet of Fire's just gone out - it won't reignite until the start of the next tournament -"

"- in which Durmstrang will most certainly not be competing!" exploded Karkaroff. "After all our meetings and negotiations and compromises, I little expected something of this nature to occur! I have half a mind to leave now!"

"Empty threat, Karkaroff," growled a voice from near the door. "You can't leave your champion now. She's got to compete. They've all got to compete. Binding magical contract, like Dumbledore said. Convenient, eh?"

Moody had just entered the room. He limped toward the fire, and with every right step he took, there was a loud clunk.

"Convenient?" said Karkaroff. "I'm afraid I don't understand you, Moody. "

Ara could tell he was trying to sound disdainful, as though what Moody was saying was barely worth his notice, but his hands gave him away; they had balled themselves into fists.

"Don't you?" said Moody quietly. "It's very simple, Karkaroff. Someone put Potter's name in that goblet knowing he'd have to compete if it came out. "

"Evidently, someone 'oo wished to give 'Ogwarts two bites at ze apple!" said Madame Maxime.

"I quite agree, Madame Maxime," said Karkaroff, bowing to her. "I shall be lodging complaints with the Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards -"

"If anyone's got reason to complain, it's Potter," growled Moody, "but. . . funny thing. . . I don't hear him saying a word. . . "

"Why should 'e complain?" burst out Fleur Delacour, stamping her foot. "'E 'as ze chance to compete, 'asn't 'e? We 'ave all been 'oping to be chosen for weeks and weeks! Ze honor for our schools! A thousand Galleons in prize money - zis is a chance many would die for!"

"Maybe someone's hoping Potter is going to die for it," said Moody, with the merest trace of a growl.

An extremely tense silence followed these words. James' hand seemed to tighten on Harry's shoulder and Lily looked to be close to tears. Both Sirius and Remus looked as though they wanted to hit someone, but it was the look in Lupin's eyes that startled Ara. His amber eyes seemed to be glowing and Ara could practically hear the grumbling in his chest. Ludo Bagman, who was looking very anxious indeed, bounced nervously up and down on his feet and said, "Moody, old man. . . what a thing to say!"

Ludo Bagman, who was looking very anxious indeed, bounced nervously up and down on his feet and said, "Moody, old man. . . what a thing to say!"

"We all know Professor Moody considers the morning wasted if he hasn't discovered six plots to murder him before lunchtime," said Karkaroff loudly. "Apparently he is now teaching his students to fear assassination too. An odd quality in a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Dumbledore, but no doubt you had your reasons.

"Imagining things, am I?" growled Moody. "Seeing things, eh? It was a skilled witch or wizard who put the boy's name in that goblet. . . "

"Ah, what evidence is zere of zat?" said Madame Maxime, throwing up her huge hands.

"Because they hoodwinked a very powerful magical object!" said Moody. "It would have needed an exceptionally strong Confundus Charm to bamboozle that goblet into forgetting that only three schools compete in the tournament... I'm guessing they submitted Potter's name under a fourth school, to make sure he was the only one in his category... "

"You seem to have given this a great deal of thought, Moody," said Karkaroff coldly, "and a very ingenious theory it is - though of course, I heard you recently got it into your head that one of your birthday presents contained a cunningly disguised basilisk egg, and smashed it to pieces before realizing it was a carriage clock. So you'll understand if we don't take you entirely seriously. . . . "

"There are those who'll turn innocent occasions to their advantage," Moody retorted in a menacing voice. "It's my job to think the way Dark Wizards do, Karkaroff - as you ought to remember. . .

"Alastor!" said Dumbledore warningly. Moody fell silent, though still surveying Karkaroff with satisfaction - Karkaroff's face was burning.

"How this situation arose, we do not know," said Dumbledore, speaking to everyone gathered in the room. "It seems to me, however, that we have no choice but to accept it. Both Cedric and Harry have been chosen to compete in the Tournament. This, therefore, they will do. . . . "

"Ah, but Dumbly-dorr -"

"My dear Madame Maxime, if you have an alternative, I would be delighted to hear it. "

Dumbledore waited, but Madame Maxime did not speak, she merely glared. She wasn't the only one either. Snape looked furious; Karkaroff livid; James and Lily worried; Bagman, however, looked rather excited.

"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 honors?"

Mr. Crouch seemed to come out of a deep reverie.

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

"The first task is designed to test your daring," he told Harry, Cedric, Fleur, and Ara, "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 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. "

Mr. Crouch turned to look at Dumbledore.

"I think that's all, is it, Albus?"

"I think so," said Dumbledore, who was looking at Mr. Crouch with mild concern. "Are you sure you wouldn't like to stay at Hogwarts tonight, Barty?"

"No, Dumbledore, I must get back to the Ministry," said Mr. Crouch. "It is a very busy, very difficult time at the moment. . . . I've left young Weatherby in charge. . . . Very enthusiastic. . . a little overenthusiastic, if truth be told. . . "

"You'll come and have a drink before you go, at least?" said Dumbledore.

"Come on, Barry, I'm staying!" said Bagman brightly. "It's all happening at Hogwarts now, you know, much more exciting here than at the office!"

"I think not, Ludo," said Crouch with a touch of his old impatience.

"Professor Karkaroff - Madame Maxime - a nightcap?" said Dumbledore.

But Madame Maxime had already put her arm around Fleur's shoulders and was leading her swiftly out of the room. Ara could hear them both talking very fast in French as they went off into the Great Hall.

Karkaroff beckoned to Ara, and she followed reluctantly, patting Harry on the shoulder as she passed.

Karkaroff stopped and turned to face Ara as they exited the main dining area.

"you shouldn't be friends with the other contestants," he said plainly.

Ara glared at him "I didn't even know who the other contestants were until tonight," she said shortly. She knew she wasn't his first choice as Durmstrang champion, in fact, she may even have been his last choice.

Karkaroff shook his head "you seemed far too friendly to that young Potter boy, I expect you to win this since you were chosen."

Ara ground her teeth, keeping herself from retorting. "I intend to win, but I don't need to be a Bitch to come out on top," she said and she made to pass her headmaster.

He grabbed her tightly by the arm and stopped her from passing.

"You need to learn respect Lestrange," he said quietly. "I am your headmaster and I am here to support you."

Ara scoffed "we both know you are upset it wasn't Viktor who was chosen… and tell me, professor, Why do you have so much doubt in my abilities? Surely you remember my mother?" Ara's voice dropped at the end. She knew he was her professor, but she didn't respect him in the slightest and if rumors were true, he was a Death Eater. "I've heard many times that I am just like her... in terms of strength," she finished with a hard glare getting a slight wince from Karkaroff.

"Is everything alright here?"

Karkaroff seemed to jump in surprise, Ara could hardly blame him, she hadn't even heard the door open. Sirius Black was standing there, standing at his full height. He was intimidating. Ara wasn't surprised at the fear that crossed Karkaroff's face.

"Of course not," Karkaroff said quickly, but without releasing his grip.

Sirius raised his eyebrows. It was then that the door to the Great Hall opened once more and James, Lily, Remus, and Harry followed, stopping and looking at the situation with confusion.

"I'd suggest you let go of my dear cousin then Karkaroff," Sirius said quietly, stepping forward.

Karkaroff glanced down at his hand that was gripping tightly to Ara and let go as though he had been burned.

He turned without word, passed Ara, and continued out the entrance hall and towards the ship.

"Are you alright?" Harry asked, Ara was surprised by the concern in his eyes. She already cared for him, but she was surprised to discover that he also seemed to care somewhat for her.

"Of course," Ara reassured him with a shrug. "He's just upset I was chosen over Viktor. He finds that I can be a tad too… rebellious," she said with a smirk.

"If you ever need anything…" James started but trailed off. He was staring at Ara intently almost as though he didn't quite understand her.

"Thanks, Mister Potter, but I can take care of myself," she said with a shrug and a hard look at Sirius. "Have a good night."

She turned her back to the group and walked back towards the ship. She smiled to herself, she was in the Triwizard Tournament and as nerve-wracking as that could be, she was ecstatic. She sped up her pace, making her way quickly back to the ship, certain that her friends would still be up to celebrate with her.