Harry Potter

Courage

By xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx


Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related concepts do not belong to me! I am merely borrowing them for my own personal enjoyment. All OC's and anything you dont recognize is copyrighted by me: xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx

Rating: K

Pairing: Marcus/OC

Genre: Adventure/Friendship

Warnings: Please do not flame me for anything.

Summary: This year, their greatest test will become their darkest hour; as Charlie and Harry realize that 'Courage is not the towering oak that sees storms come and go; it is the fragile blossom that opens in the Snow'

Author's Note: Chapter dedicated too: Mysterygirl123, Itzkevin97, Forever Dreaming Grace, Alieen Autarkeia, Razmend and DJScales.


Do Your Worst


It was late. Charlie, Harry and Cedric had been returned to their dormitories where most of the professors were sure the only house that was celebrating was the Hufflepuffs; Gryffindor and Slytherin were probably in a state of stunned shock, each of their fourth years had somehow been magically entered into a 17 or older competition, one of which had the history of a high death toll.

"This can't go on, Professor" Jennifer Carmichael mumured, she was standing alongside Severus Snape, Professor McGonagall and Alastor Moody in Headmaster Dumbledore's office, the events of the past couple of hours still fresh in her mind. Charlie's name coming out of the goblet. Harry's following her seconds later. The rules being absolute and the two having no choice but to particpate in 3 dangerous tasks. Not that they hadnt been through worse than this; but she didnt want to even think of Charlie anywhere near the Triwizard Tournament, let alone participating in it.

"Jenn provides a good point," McGonagall agreed "First the Dark Mark. Now this?"

Dumbledore, who was leaning over his basin didnt even seem to acknowledge the two professors "What do you suggest?" he questioned

"Put an end to it!" McGonagall suggested "Don't let them compete"

"You heard Barty," Dumbledore responded "The rules are clear"

Jenn shook her head "To hell with Crouch and his rules!" she stated "in all due respect Professor, but when did you accommodate the Ministry?"

"Headmaster, I, too, find it difficult to believe this mere coincidence" Snape stepped forward "However, if we are to truly dicover the meaning of these events...perhaps we should, for the time being, let them unfold"

Jenn rounded on Severus "What?" she asked "Do nothing? Offer them up as bait?" she shook her head "Last time I checked both Charlie and Harry were children, not pieces of meat"

"I agree," Dumbledore spoke "With Severus. Alastor, keep an eye on Harry, will you?"

Alastor nodded "I can do that"

"Jennifer, it will be your responsibility to keep an eye on Charlie" Dumbledore added "Don't let them know, though. Their anxious enough as it is..." he pressed the tip of his wand to his forehead and withdrew a thin sliverly substance. A memory. "...knowing what lies ahead" he paused "then again, we all are"

Jenn closed her eyes for a brief moment, this was not something she had expected this year. Although she had been apphrensive when Dumbledore had mentioned the Triwizard Tournament to her over the summer holidays; she mind had instantly diverted to Charlie and the fear and panic of something going wrong this year set in almost instantaneously. With a tired sigh, the Care of Magical Creatures professor turned away and left the Headmaster's office; she had to return home. William would be waiting for her to put him to bed and tell him what happened tonight, but who was she to worry a 10-year-old with the possibility that one of his best friends could be hurt in the up-coming months?

xXxHarryPotterxXx

"...They are, as of tonight...Triwizard Champions!"

"No!" Charlie cried, stepping out from behind Cedric "We can't compete! Headmaster!" she turned to Dumbledore

Karkaroff glared in her direction "Oh stop your crying, you stupid little girl!" he snapped "If you die, then you die! It's the way of life!"

Charlie felt Cedric stiffen beside her; she glanced up to see that his usual demeanour that made him a Hufflepuff had changed and his eyes had hardened as he glared at the Durmstrang Headmaster. A glare that would have made any Slytherin proud.

"I suggest you watch how you speak to Hogwarts students, Igor" Snape growled, rounding on the foreign Headmaster also "Especially a student in my care! You may not know who you are dealing with!"

McGonagall turned to her students and noticed that Charlie was once again staring at the parchment with her name on it; she could clearly see that the young Slytherin was in distress about what had happened "Severus, I suggest you take Charlie back to her dormitory; she looks a little shaken"

Snape nodded in agreement and moved forward; he placed a hand on Charlie's shoulder and attempted to steer her from the room. All a while glaring at Karkaroff.

"Miss Hunter, cannot leave at this moment," Crouch interrupted "I just have a few things I need to tell the champions before they go. The first task, is designed to test your daring, so we are not going to be telling you what it is you will be doing. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard." he explained "Very important."

Charlie gulped at the prospect of running into the first task blind. She was 14! She didnt know that much magic, how on earth was she going to get past the unthinkable and unknown if she didnt even know what she was up against?

"The first task will take place 24th November, in front of the other students and a panel of judges." Crouch continued "The champions are not permitted to ask for or accept help of any kind from their teachers to complete the tasks in the tournament, this is very important!" he warned them "The champions will face the first challenge armed with only their wands"

Again...that didnt sound really inviting to Charlie. Her mind kept jumping back to her lack of magic, how was she supposed to defeat the unknown with only her wand when she didnt know magic to the extent like Krum, Fleur and Cedric did. And to make things worse she couldnt ask her professors for help...Jenn would have given help, she was sure of it.

"What about the second task?" she asked

"All champions will recieve information about the second task when the first one has been complete" Crouch answered her "Also, note this; all champions will be exempt from taking end of year exams, due to the demanding and time consuming nature of the tournament"

Charlie blinked "I'd much rather sit my exams," she mumured

Snape tightened his grip on Charlie's shoulder "Is that all Mr. Crouch?" he questioned "I would like to take my student back to her dormitory now!"

"That is all," Crouch nodded

Dumbledore nodded "Harry and Cedric; I suggest you go back to your common rooms too. I am sure Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Slytherin are all 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"

And with that Snape escorted his Slytherin out of the trophy room, and down into the dungeons.

With a sigh Charlie blinked as last night's events replayed over and over in her mind; she could remember them clear as day, but that didnt still the beating of her heart as she remembered that somehow she had been entered into one of the most terrifying tournaments in the Wizarding world and to make matters worse it seemed one of her best friends within Slytherin wasnt talking to her. When Snape had returned her to the common room last night, most of the house were not pleased with her and demanded to know what had happend or what she had done to make the Goblet throw out five nams instead of three; and clearly Adrian did not believe her when she said that she didnt put her name in the goblet; despite him knowing full well that she had wanted either him or Marcus to be chosen for the tournament.

"Why would I want to take part in the Tournament?" the Muggleborn demanded to know as she stood opposite Adrian and glaring up at him with a look of betrayal. She had hoped that at least her friends would believe her, when she said she didnt put her name forward "I just..." she sighed "...Look, I knew how much either you or Marcus wanted this shot, so why would I try and take that from you? Adrian, if I could swap places right now I would!"

The conversation between her and Adrian last night iin the common room flashed across her mind; it had resulted in her leaving the common room angry, and slightly heart broken that he wasnt going to believe her.

"We've all said that you'd be the perfect candidate for this tournament!" Adrian snapped "Everyone knows of what you've done in this school in the past three years! You've faced things that could possibly be used in this tournament; im not stupid, Charlie!"

Charlie gritted her teeth "Really? 'Cause your doing a real good impression of it!" she snapped

Adrian glared. Both where aware by now that the whole common room had stopped whatever it was they were doing and were staring at them. "Just go to bed Charlie!" the older Slytherin snapped "I except you want to be awake for your interview tomorrow!" and with that he stormed upstairs to his own dorm room.

With a low groan; the Muggleborn Slytherin pushed all thoughts from her mind and rolled over onto her stomach. Today was a friday and she had to get up to go to classes, not that it really mattered now because she didnt have exams at the end of the year to prepare for, but this years experience would help her in the long run for next year. At least that's what McGonagall had told her. Finally sitting up, Charlie pulled back the curtains around her four poster bed and rolled out, the dormitory, she found was empty which meant that her friends were most likely down in the common room or already up in the Great Hall eating breakfast.

Charlie dressed, and descended the spiral staircase into the Slytherin common room; her school bag thrown over her shoulder and she rolled her wand between her fingers before depositing of it in her Slytherin robes. The common room was empty, except for a few first years who were collecting their school things after they had breakfast and were heading back out of the common room as they hurried off to their first lesson. A few of them steered clear of her, remembering the arguement last night between her and Adrian, whereas others congratualted her on becoming a champion in the tournament. "Thanks," she mumured, brushing off their praise. She didnt want it. Finally she reached the Entrance Hall and were met by the rest of the fourth years who were leaving Breakfast and ready for their first lesson of the day.

"Hey," Daphne smiled spotting the Muggleborn "Sleep well?"

"Define: well," Charlie responded, brushing her fringe from her face "If you mean nightmare free, then yes," she nodded "I did"

Daphne smiled

"Adrian's mad at you," Draco pointed out

Charlie turned in his direction "Really?" she asked "I had no idea!"

"I meant -" the platnium blonde started again "He's still mad at you...but he'll come around, we know you didnt put your name in the Goblet. And even if you did, three champions had already been chosen before your name came out anyway" he shrugged "I just can't believe their allowing you to take part, its called TRIwizard Tournament for a reason. It means -"

"Only three wizards or witches allowed," interrupted a familiar voice from behind the fourth years, "So that raises the question: Why did the Goblet give five names instead of the selected three?"

At the voice Charlie groaned and tightened her eyes as she turned around, standing behind her stood none other than Nikki O'Donald. And to say she looked pleased...would have been an understatment. Her gaze surveyed the whole group, before settling the Muggleborn's "We need to talk," she stated

"Can't," Charlie answered "Class"

"Cleared it with Snape," Nikki responded "who cleared it with Dumbledore; you've got today free of classes, we're gonna spend the day together and your gonna tell me everything that has happened leading up to this moment"

Charlie sighed and glanced back at her friends "Fine," she answered "Let me grab some breakfast; and we can go to the Common room or something"

"Actually," Nikki interrupted, catching Charlie's hand as the Muggleborn turned and moved to enter the Great Hall "I was hoping we could talk outside of the castle; like Hogsmeade, perhaps?"

The Muggleborn paused "Fine!" she nodded "Im just gonna drop this off in my dorm room," she held up her backpack and re-crossed the Entrance Hall, disappearing into the dungeons just as Marcus and Adrian exited the Great Hall and stopped to talk with Nikki as the fourth year's hurried off to their first lesson of the day.

xXxHarryPotterxXx

Hogsmeade; a small town on the northern outskirts of the Hogwarts castle; wasnt very bustling giving the time of morning. Charlie Hunter and Nikki O'Donald walked side-by-side through the quiet streets towards the Three Broomsticks, Nikki had promised the Muggleborn breakfast while they talked about the Tournament and everything that had happened at Hogwarts since Charlie had started that year, the former Slytherin had recieved a letter from Marcus a few weeks ago that had told her that Moody and Charlie had already hit a bad turning and it had started after he performed the Cruciatus curse in class and Charlie was affected by flashbacks of her first year, automatically Nikki had gone on the defence and started to defend her Muggleborn friend against the Defence teacher. Of course Marcus had agreed with everything his friend had said, but Nikki wasnt sure if he was agreeing because he didnt trust Moody around Charlie or because of the obvious feelings he held for the Muggleborn in question.

After Charlie had finished telling her side of the story, Nikki nodded "Well, im sure you didnt put your name forward," she told her friend "Given the description I had from Daphne and the others, of your face when your name was read out last night. But like I said back at the castle, it still raises questions. Like: How did the Goblet throw out five names instead of three, and who did put your name and Potter's into the Goblet?"

"Have you see Adrian?" Charlie asked suddenly

Nikki hesitated "Yes," she nodded "I saw him when he was leaving the Great Hall after breakfast; I tried to get him to see straight, but..."

"But he still doesnt believe me," the Muggleborn sighed, as Nikki pushed open the door to the Three Broomsticks and motioned for Charlie to go first "Great. What about Marcus?" she asked "After last night's arguement with Adrian, I didnt really stick around for anyone else to talk to me. And I pretended to be asleep when the girls came up to bed"

Nikki smiled "Marcus believes you," she nodded "He said you were terrified last night; that Daphne had to physically force you out of your seat, to get you to move?"

"Yeah," Charlie nodded "At least someone believes me" she sighed

"Well, all of Slytherin believes you," Nikki assured her "Adrian, he just needs time to calm down. Im pretty sure he knows your innocent, but he cant just brush aside the fact that it's always you and Potter that gets all the attention. Now, im not saying you ask for it," she added quickly "but Charlie, even I have to admit that it gets annoying after a while. Also im not saying Adrian is jealous because he's not, it's just...well...he accused you last night, Slytherins are not the type to change their minds quickly or show that they care"

Charlie nodded, she knew that

"Well, its gonna take a while for Adrian to apologize for accusing you," Nikki smiled "But don't worry; im sure he'll still support you throughout the tournament. And he's gonna be worried if you get into trouble, he's still a human being after all"

The Muggleborn smiled and ordered breakfast, as the patron approached the table she and Nikki and occupied. Nikki ordered her breakfast, and as the parton walked away the conversation switched from the Tournament to that of the DADA lessons and Charlie's disagreement with Moody.

xXxHarryPotterxXx

When Charlie returned to the castle that evening, she made it back to the Common room just before curfew. Her day with Nikki had been spent in Hogsmeade, shopping, talking, and doing other various things. They visited the shrieking shack and Charlie relived the time when she found Snuffles upstairs in one of the rooms after he had scared her and Marcus into thinking there was a monster in the house. They frequently re-visited the Three Broomsticks to warm up and have lunch, before Charlie ducked into Honeydukes and bought an asortment of toffees and other sweets and then it was time to return to the castle. Nikki disapparated just outside the gates and Charlie made her way up to the castle alone, past the Durmstrang ship and the Beauxbatons carriage; past Hagrid's house and into the Entrance Hall. She gave the password to Salazar Slytherin and entered the common room, as all conversations grounded to a halt at her appearance, ignoring everyone else Charlie crossed the common room and dropped down onto the leather sofa beside Daphne, with a smile. "What I miss?" she asked

"Not much," Daphne answered "Moody asked where you were, he didnt seem pleased you had been given clearance"

Charlie shrugged "He should be used to it by now," she answered "What with my refusal to attend his lessons"

Daphne smirked as she took the toffee Charlie offered her, before the Muggleborn emptied her sweets onto the coffee table and told her friends to help themselves. Which they did. It was then that she noticed something glittering on a table near the fireplace "What's that?" she asked, reaching for it.

Marcus beat her too it "Nothing!" he answered quickly, snatching it away and hiding it from sight

"Its obviously something," Charlie answered "Or you'd let me see it, so come on..."

But Marcus wouldnt hand over what he had taken "Honestly, its nothing"

Charlie narrowed her eyes "It's about me, isnt it?" she asked. Marcus didnt answer. Charlie scoffed "Marcus, give it to me! If its about me; I have a right to know!"

Maya, who was sitting alongside Marcus rolled her eyes; as she removed something from the inside pocket of her robes and tossed it across the coffee table at Charlie "Like 'em?" she asked

Charlie frowned, as she caught the object. It was a pin, but it wasnt any ordinary pin, this one was obviously enchanted. As the front screen flashed several different pictures each with a different slogan on the top and bottom. The first picture was one of Cedric and on the top and bottom in read 'Three cheers for Cedric Diggory! The real Hogwarts Champion!" the picture then changed as did the captions and a picture of Harry appeared, with a massive red 'X' across his face and the words "Potter sucks!" flashed across the bottom, before the picture changed once more and her face gazed back at her, just like before a giant 'X' appeared over her face and the words "Slytherin Mudblood!" Charlie stared at the words under her picture, once they had disappeared and a picture of Cedric reappeared she lifted her gaze and connected it with Maya who was smirking triumphantly.

Her hand clutching around the pin Charlie felt it shake in anger, when suddenly she jumped to her feet and threw the pin into the fire "That's pathetic!" she snapped "But then again, I didnt except much less from you, Maya!"

The Slytherins all over the common room stopped and turned in the direction of the fire. Maya's eyes narrowed "What do you expect, Hunter?" she sneered "I only speak the truth!"

"So you admit that you view me as a 'Mudblood'?" Charlie asked. Her friends gasped and turned in Maya's direction.

Maya didnt answer.

"You know their a complete waste of time," Charlie continued "I guess its a good thing that I don't care what people think of me! Because that would have hurt, especially coming from an housemate! But out of the five champions, Harry and I are more than likely not gonna make it to the end of the year -"

Daphne glared "Don't say that Charlie!" she snapped

"Its the truth," Charlie retorted "We don't know as much Magic as Cedric, Krum and Fleur! Their prepared for this, they have 17 years worth of magic backing them up. What do me and Harry have? That's right...nothing. Nothing but a couple of adventures we've been on since we started Hogwarts, and even then most of it was luck and we nearly always had outside help! Do you seriously think we would have proved Sirius Black innocent last year, had it not been for Hermione and her insane idea of taking 30 subjects at once? Do you honestly think we would have made it out of Aragog's den alive, if we hadnt found that Memory of Tom Riddle and him using that spell on a mini Aragog?" she asked "No; yeah Harry and I have been in some pretty dangerous situations, but none of that is gonna help us with whatever the first task brings. We don't have the Magic behind us to prepare us for the unknown"

The Slytherins stared in a stunned silence, out of everything they expected Charlie to say they most certainly didnt expect this. "'Cause I'll be honest with you," Charlie added "Im terrified! Im terrified of not knowing what's gonna happen, I hate thinking that im being thrown into this tournament blind mostly because I don't know what's waiting for me on the other side. I don't know if I'll be able to fight whatever tasks we're given; there's a reason that Dumbledore drew that age line, and half of you accuse me that I put my own name into the Goblet and not even the likes of the Weasley twins could get past the age line! So what makes you think I would be able too?"

She had a point.

"So you know what?" the Muggleborn asked "Call me what you like, Mudblood Slytherin, whatever! I really don't care!" she glared at Maya "But don't you dare accuse me of something that you know very well, that I didnt do!" and with that she turned and stormed out of the common room, and upstairs to her dormitory.

Her friends were silent as they exchanged looks and smirks, now there was the Charlie they all knew and loved.

Maya, meanwhile, was being subjected to glares and whispers from the majority of the Slytherins around the room. Most of which supported Charlie when she said she didnt put her name in the Goblet of Fire. Even Marcus seemed to be giving her the cold shoulder.

xXxHarryPotterxXx

After setting a few offending Slytherins and other students in their place, Charlie felt that her life at Hogwarts was returning to normal. Months passed since Halloween and the selecting of the Champions and the first effect of Charlie and Harry being drawn as Champion's were starting to wear off finally. People were starting to talk to them again, it was a slow process but it was working although it seemed it wasnt working for everyone seeing as Ron still wasnt talking to Harry and still refused to believe that he was telling the truth about the Goblet. To make things worse it seemed Ron wasnt talking to Charlie for the same reason; but the Muggleborn Slytherin didnt seem as upset at the prospect like Harry was; but she figured that was because Ron was Harry's best friend and her best friend believed her. Riley, would always say that Charlie only wanted a quiet year at Hogwarts and this tournament kinda took that away from her.

So one afternoon about 2 weeks away from the first task, Slytherin and Gryffindor sat together in the dungeons during one of the Potions lessons. Snape had just set them to work on their first potion when there came a knock at the dungeon door. It was Kaela and Colin Creevey. The two siblings edged into the room and approached Snape's desk.

"Yes?" the Potions master asked

"Please, sir" Kaela spoke, her voice trembling "we've been sent to take Harry Potter and Charlie Hunter upstairs"

Snape glanced up at his students "They have another hour of Potions to complete" he sneered "they will come upstairs when this class has finished"

"Sir," Colin began "Mr. Bagman wants them. All the champions have got to go. I think they want to take photographs..."

Charlie groaned and buried her head in her arms "Colin, just shut up!" she grumbled

Kaela nudged her brother and glared.

"Very well, very well," Snape snapped "Potter, Charlie, leave your things here. Your partners will have to finish your antidotes"

Charlie glanced at Riley who nodded

"Sir, they have to take their things with them" Colin said quickly "All Champions -"

Snape, growing tiresome of Colin already sneered "Very well!" he snapped "Potter, Charlie take your things and go!"

Charlie nodded, packed up her things and quickly left the classroom along with Harry and the Creevey siblings. Once they had reached the Entrance Hall, Colin and Kaela wished the fourth year's luck, before leaving the all together. Knocking the on the door Kaela had pointed out, Charlie and Harry entered to find everyone else waiting for them on the otherside.

xXxHarryPotterxXx

"What's going on?" Charlie asked, as she crossed the room to stand beside Cedric.

The Hufflepuff looked down at her "It's the Weighing of the Wands," he told her "Ollivander is here," he pointed at the old wandmaker.

"Today we are weighing the wands," Dumbledore told everyone "This is Mr. Ollivander, he will be checking your wands to ensure that they are in good condition before the Tournament"

Ollivander smiled and turned the champions "Mademoiselle Delacour," he smiled "could we have you forward first?"

Fleur swept forward, and handed over her wand

"Hmm..." the little man noted, twirling the wand between his fingers and emitting a number of pink and gold sparks. "Nine and a half inches," he nodded "inflexible. Rosewood. Containing...oh dear me -"

"An 'air from ze 'ead of a Veela," Fleur said "One of my grandmuzzer's"

"Yes," Ollivander said "Yes, I've never used Veela hair myself, of course. I find it makes for rather temperamental wands...however, to each his own, and if this suits you..." he waved the wand and muttered 'Orchideous!' and a bunch of flowers burst from the wand tip. Mr Ollivander, scooped up the flowers and handed them to her along with her wand "Mr Diggory, your next"

Fleur stepped back and Cedric moved past her. "This one I remember. Twelve and a quarter inches," Ollivander noted "Ash. Pleasantly springy." he waved the wand and a stream of silver smoke rings crossed the room. "Mr Krum, if you please"

Viktor Krum got up and slouched, round-shoulded and duck-footed, towards Mr Ollivander. He thrust his wand out and stood scowling, with his hands in his pockets of his robes.

"Oh, this is a Gregorovitch creation; unless im mistaken?" Ollivander asked "Hornbeam and dragon heartstring. Rather thicker than usual. Quite rigid. Ten and a quarter inches." he waved the wand "Avis!" a stream of birds flew out of the tip, and disappeared through the window. "Mr Potter"

Harry turned to Charlie, before making his way towards Ollivander "Ah, another one of mine" the little man smiled "Holly with a Phoenix feather. Yes, I remember this one well" he twirled the wand as red sparks shout out of the end. "And lastly, Miss. Hunter"

Charlie passed Harry, and handed over her wand "Yes! You were a tricky customer; unusual combination your wand. Feather from a black Phoenix and a heartstring of a Dragon; a very powerful wand. Hard to control and very mysterious." he waved the wand and a small shower of green and silver stars erupted from the end. Once everyone was sorted Dumbledore spoke once more.

"Thank you all," the Headmaster of Hogwarts, stood "We will do the pictures and interviews now; and then we will go to Dinner" he turned to a blonde who had just entered the room, before flicking his wand as two chairs appeared in the middle of the room. Charlie and Fleur were ushered into the seats, as Cedric, Krum and Harry were arranged around the two girls for the picture. There was a snap and the picture was taken.

The blonde woman, was dressed in all green and grinning like a chester cat "Hello," she greeted the students in a sickly sweet voice "Im Rita Skeeter, I write for the Daily Prophet. But of course you know that, don't you?" she grinned "It's you we dont know. You're the jucy news" she brushed her hand against Fleur's cheek "What quirks lurk beneath those rosy cheeks?" she tapped Fleur's cheek and then moved onto the boys as Charlie glanced sideways at the French witch "What mysteries do the muscles mask?" Rita continued "Does courage lie beneath those curls? In short, what makes a champion tick?"

Glancing over her shoulder, Charlie caught Cedric and Harry's eye and rolled her eyes.

"'Me, Myself and I' want to know" Rita nodded "Not to mention my rabid readers" she chuckled "So who's feeling up to sharing?" no one moved to answer her "Should we start with the youngest? Lovely." she grabbed Charlie's arm and yanked the Slytherin to her feet.

Pulling her arm from the reporter's grasp Charlie spoke "Anything you want to ask me," she stated "You can say in front of them" and she nodded at the other Champions, "I've got nothing to hide!"

"Very well," Rita nodded, and pulled out a note pad and a green quill that swooped around while the reporter spoke "So tell me Charlie, here you sit, a mere girl of 12 -"

The Slytherin glared "Im 14!" she stated

"- about to compete against three students, not only vastly more emotionally mature than yourself," Rita continued "Now, it was everyone's understanding that Dumbledore drew an age line around the Goblet, was it not? So, tell me, how did you get passed the line to put your name into the flame?"

Charlie groaned "I didnt!" she snapped

"You have older friends, don't you?"

"Yes," Charlie nodded "and I know what you're getting at; they wouldn't put my name forward, even if I begged them! Besides, the Goblet had already chosen three Champions. It shouldnt have chosen myself or Harry!"

Rita cried, her quill scribbling furiously "Don't be modest Charlie," she chuckled "everyone loves a rebel. And you're obviously one...I mean, a Muggleborn in Slytherin? You can't get any more rebellious than that"

Charlie glared "My magical status and my house have nothing to do with this!" she stated "I stand by what I say; I did not enter the Triwizard Tournament. I want nothing more than a quite year. I do not know who put my name into the Goblet, and I don't know why Five champions were chosen instead of the designated three!"

Cedric, Harry, Fleur and Krum; who were listening in stood shell-shocked. Before exchanging smirks.

"Interview over!" Charlie finished, getting to her feet and walking away "I don't know about the rest of you, but im Hungry. Anyone care to join me for lunch?"

Harry and Cedric nodded and the three Hogwarts champion's exited the interview room together. Upon entry of the Great Hall, the three champions split up and headed towards their designated tables and sat down amongst their friends. "Where have you been?" Marcus asked

"The weighing of the wands, or something" Charlie answered "and then there was an interview with Rita Skeeter. Technically only I had an interview, but I even cut that short!"

Draco looked up "Rita Skeeter?" he asked

Charlie nodded

"No, this is bad" the blonde grimaced "She'll be sure to spin it nastily against you. What did you tell her?"

The Muggleborn shrugged "She said that me being a Muggleborn and in Slytherin was an act of a rebellious nature," she stated "and I just simply told her that my blood status had nothing to do with my sorting. And neither of them had anything to do with my name in the Goblet of Fire."

"So you pretty much put her straight?" Pansy asked

Charlie nodded

"You can garauntee that she'll find something nasty to say about you," Nathan said, coming into the conversation

Charlie shrugged

"Arent you gonna do anything?" Blaise asked

The Muggleborn smirked "If I can deal with people calling me a Mudblood Slytherin; I think I can deal with a pathetic reporter who gets kicks on writing gossip on other people" she responded "Let her do her worst!" she finished, clearly not upset with the turn of events that the article from Rita Skeeter could obviously bring to Hogwarts.


A/N: Sorry for the late update.

So Nikki makes an appearance. Charlie stands up to Maya and Rita Skeeter. Obviously goes to show that she doesnt care, what people say about her, doesnt it? Right...well im off to bed. Night (goodmorning) all.

Review (please)

~*Kara*~

All OCs and anything unrecognizable is copyrighted (c) and belongs to me xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx

Chapter updated 10/02/2011 at 04:12am