Chapter Eight

The Slytherins walked to the Great Hall with the rest of the houses. Jack could see some of his housemates excited even though they hid it well. He'd give them that. Theo and Draco were talking excitedly about Victor Krum, the famous Quidditch player. Jack had to admit, he did admire and idolized him.

"Do you suppose he'd notice me?" Daphne whispered to one of her roommates.

Theo and Jack shared a look and rolled their eyes at the same time. Jack could already see the girls admiring Krum, who was with his schoolmates. They slowly watched as Beauxbaton entered the Great Hall with a…graceful performance.

"Who is she?" Theo had a gleeful look as he eyed at someone.

Jack followed his gaze and saw a beautiful girl. Judging by her uniform, she's from Beauxbaton. She was sitting at the Ravenclaw table with her schoolmates. He took a look at her appearance. She was tall and willowy. A blonde silvery hair that was almost like Draco's hair. Fair skin and deep blue eyes.

Taking a look around the room, Jack snorted when he realized almost all the male population were eyeing at her with interest and maybe…desire?

A Veela, huh, Jack thought. Then he took another look at the students, and concluded, Or maybe part-Veela.

"I don't know, Theo," Jack chuckled when he noticed Daphne's annoyed look on her face.

"Whoah! Look at her!" Theo said. Jack followed where his finger was pointed and was a little surprised to see the tallest woman he had ever seen. She's even taller than Hagrid. Probably a foot or two. "Who's she?"

"Madame Maxime." Daphne answered. "She's the Headmistress of Beauxbaton."

"Ugh." Pansy made a face. "Look at her. I bet she's perfect for that stupid oaf." She pointed at Hagrid.

Jack narrowed his eyes and was about to protest but Draco said, "I'm glad my father didn't plan for me to study there. Look at their uniforms." Draco grimaced as Crabbe and Goyle nodded in agreement.

"You'd look horrible in blue," Jack grinned. "What about pink?"

Draco glared at him. "I bet it looks much better with you."

"I look amazing in any colours," Jack grinned cheekily as he laid both his hands behind his head. He winked at the girls who were listening to him as Theo laughed.

Daphne, who was sitting between Jack and Theo, slapped both of their shoulders. The boys winced as Daphne said, "Stop it you two!"

"Ouch! Daphs, knock it off." Theo said.

"Until you behave. We're not supposed to act immature." Daphne said.

"Immature is my middle name." Jack said. Daphne glared at him. "OK, okay, sheesh Daphne. Where's your sense of humor?"

"Since when does she have one?" Pansy snorted. Daphne scowled.

"Look, here they come!" Crabbe said enthusiastically. The students watched as the Durmstrang entered the Great Hall with a great performance. Jack was impressed as Krum entered with his headmaster, Karkaroff. He could hear the girls whispering and the boys talking excitedly.

"It's Viktor Krum!" Jack could hear his housemates saying something like that. He could also see Daphne trying to compose herself by acting not like one of those fangirls, but Jack could see the excitement in her eyes.

"I hope he sits here," Daphne said. Jack nearly jumped when the girls squealed as the Durmstrang students, including Viktor, decided to settle themselves at their table. Krum took a seat next to Jack. He could have sworn Daphne froze when Viktor's shoulder brushed against her.

Draco looked smug as he leaned forward to talk to Krum.

"Hello! Welcome to Hogwarts," Draco grinned. "I'm Draco Malfoy."

"Pansy Parkinson," Pansy said, who sat next to Draco, batted her eyelashes.

"You can call me Theo." Theo said, his eyes dancing with excitement.

"I'm Daphne. Daphne Greengrass." Daphne held out her hand. She nearly blushed when Krum took it and kissed her hand.

"Jack." That was all Jack said.

The whole room went silent as the headmasters stood in front of them. Dumbledore was standing in the middle, in his right was Madame Maxime and on his left was Karkaroff.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, ghosts and - most particularly - guests," said Dumbledore, beaming around at the foreign students. "I have great pleasure in welcoming you all to Hogwarts. I hope and trust that your stay here will be both comfortable and enjoyable."

Jack looked in the corner of his eyes and could see some of the Durmstrang students eyeing their plates.

"The tournament will be officially opened at the end of the feast," said Dumbledore. "I now invite you all to eat, drink, and make yourselves at home!" The headmasters took their seats as the plates were filled with food as usual.

Jack ate his food as his housemates talked with Krum. But he would usually engage with them. Jack found himself engaging a conversation with Krum and both seem to realize they have something in common and enjoyed their company.

"Hey Jack."

Jack turned around and saw Jenny Perks with her best friend. She was Sally-Anne's little sister. He nearly groaned at the sight of her as Theo snickered.

"Hey Jenny," Jack gave her a friendly smile.

"I was wondering since Hogsmeade is coming next week and…" Jenny's face went red and Jack could feel his face reddened. "I was wondering if you would like to come with me to Hogsmeade?"

Jack wasn't sure how to reply to that. He knew that Jenny had a crush on him since the first day he came to Hogwarts. And while he was flattered to see some girls thinking he was charming and handsome, he wasn't interested in dating one of them.

"Jenny…um," He cleared his throat as he ignored the boys behind him snickering. "That is very flattering, but I'm not coming to Hogsmeade. I don't have a permission slip." He gave her an apologetic look. "I'm sorry Jenny."

"Oh!" Jenny looked embarrassed and disappointed. "It's OK Jack. Come on Astoria," she dragged her best friend back to their seats.

Theo chuckled. "Aw! Jack, you broken her heart. I don't think Sally's going to appreciate that."

"I don't think she'd appreciate me going with her little sister," Jack eyed at Sally, who sat a few seat away from Jack. She was glaring at him as she struck her fork down her steak. Jack could see Sally imagining the steak as him. Sally was one of the few Slytherins who didn't like him and find him annoying.

It wasn't his fault that his prank somehow got her bald!

Once the golden plates had been wiped clean, Dumbledore stood up again. Jack frowned a bit as the whole room went silent again.

"The moment has come," said Dumbledore, smiling around at the sea of upturned faces. "The Triwizard Tournament is about to start. I would like to say a few words of explanation before we bring in the casket just to clarify the procedure that we will be following this year. But first, let me introduce, for those who do not know them, Mr. Bartemius Crouch, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation."

Jack clapped politely along with his housemates and other houses.

"and Mr. Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports." Dumbledore continued.

People clapped louder for Bagman, who gave them a jovial wave.

"Mr. Bagman and Mr. Crouch have worked tirelessly over the last few months on the arrangements for the Triwizard Tournament," Dumbledore continued, "and they will be joining myself, Professor Karkaroff, and Madame Maxime on the panel that will judge the champions' efforts."

At the mention of the word "champions," the attentiveness of the listening students seemed to sharpen. Perhaps Dumbledore had noticed their sudden stillness, for he smiled as he said, "The casket, then, if you please, Mr. Filch."

Filch, who had been lurking unnoticed in a far corner of the Hall, now approached Dumbledore carrying a great wooden chest encrusted with jewels. Jack could hear a murmur of excited interest rose from the watching students.

"The instructions for the tasks the champions will face this year have already been examined by Mr. Crouch and Mr. Bagman," said Dumbledore as Filch placed the chest carefully on the table before him, "and they have made the necessary arrangements for each challenge. There will be three tasks, spaced throughout the school year, and they will test the champions in many different ways… their magical prowess - their daring - their powers of deduction - and, of course, their ability to cope with danger."

At this last word, the Hall was filled with a silence so absolute that nobody seemed to be breathing. Even Jack.

"As you know, three champions compete in the tournament," Dumbledore went on calmly, "one from each of the participating schools. They will be marked on how well they perform each of the Tournament tasks and the champion with the highest total after task three will win the Triwizard Cup. The champions will be chosen by an impartial selector: the Goblet of Fire."

Dumbledore now took out his wand and tapped three times upon the top of the casket. And Jack watched as the lid creaked slowly open and Dumbledore reached inside it and pulled out a large cup with blue-white flames.

The headmaster closed the casket and placed the goblet carefully on top of it, where it would be clearly visible to everyone in the Hall.

"Anybody wishing to submit themselves as champion must write their name and school clearly upon a slip of parchment and drop it into the goblet," said Dumbledore. "Aspiring champions have twenty-four hours in which to put their names forward. Tomorrow night, Halloween, the goblet will return the names of the three it has judged most worthy to represent their schools. The goblet will be placed in the entrance hall tonight, where it will be freely accessible to all those wishing to compete.

"To ensure that no underage student yields to temptation," said Dumbledore, "I will be drawing an Age Line around the Goblet of Fire once it has been placed in the entrance hall. Nobody under the age of seventeen will be able to cross this line.

"Finally, I wish to impress upon any of you wishing to compete that this tournament is not to be entered into lightly. Once a champion has been selected by the Goblet of Fire, he or she is obliged to see the tournament through to the end. The placing of your name in the goblet constitutes a binding, magical contract. There can be no change of heart once you have become a champion. Please be very sure, therefore, that you are wholeheartedly prepared to play before you drop your name into the goblet. Now, I think it is time for bed. Good night to you all."

"I can't wait to see people trying to get pass the Age line!" Jack laughed as the Slytherins made their way across the Hall to the doors into the entrance hall. He wouldn't put it past Dumbledore to have a little payback to those who stepped over the line underage. He was mostly looking forward to that at the moment. He was also curious about the challenges.

Daphne rolled her eyes. Then she scowled when she noticed Theo staring at the blonde girl he was eying at earlier. She slapped his shoulder and Theo winced and gave her a glare. Jack chuckled, shaking his head.

"Where are you going Draco?" Jack asked. He noticed Draco was heading to the opposite direction where the Slytherins were going.

Draco glared. "It's none of your business."

Jack raised his eyebrow as Draco walked away. He shook his head and joined with his friends.


Jack walked into the Great Hall with Theo and Daphne early in the morning. When they went down, they notice at least 25 students were there. Some were eating their breakfast and some were examining the Goblet of Fire that was standing in the center of the hall on the stool that usually bore the Sorting Hat. There was a thin golden line had been traced on the floor, forming a circle ten feet around it in every direction. He eyed with interest as he took a seat together with his friends.

"So who put their names?" Jack asked the fifth years that were seating close to him.

"All of the Durmstrang." A fifth year said.

"Anyone in Beauxbaton?" Theo asked.

They shook their head.

"What about Hogwarts?" Jack wondered.

"No one yet." A sixth year said.

"Who do you think is joining?" Jack asked. The sixth year was about to open his mouth but was interrupted by those red-headed twins and a friend with them. Jack couldn't recall their names. He knew just by looking at their hair that they were siblings to Ron, and he had heard from Crabbe and Goyle that they were famous for their pranks.

His eyebrow raised when he saw the red-headed twins excited look as they whispered something to the Golden Trio. Then one of the twins pulled out a parchment out of his pocket and walked right up to the edge of the line and stood there, rocking on his toes like a diver preparing for a fifty-foot drop.

Jack noticed the whole room went silent, their eyes at the twin. He watched as the twin took a great breath and stepped over the line.

He wondered why people looked like the twin was going to receive his worst. Wasn't he a seventh year? Jack thought.

"But he's sixteen!" Daphne hissed.

"Maybe the famous red heads use those Aging potions, I've heard." Theo said as the other twin joined in with the twin. "I guess the old coot's spell didn't work."

"But it's Dumbledore! Surely…" Daphne said but stopped when they heard a loud sizzling sound. The Slytherins watched as both twins were thrown out of the golden circle as though they had been thrown by an invisible shot-putter. They landed painfully, ten feet away on the cold stone floor.

Jack couldn't help but burst out of laughter when he saw the twins had sprouted identical long white beards and their red hair gone and replaced with white hair. The hall rang with laughter as the twins started to wrestle each other.

"You said!"

"You said!"

"Oh, right, you want a piece of me?"

"I'll tear your ears off!"

"Now you're making me laugh!"

"Take this! Come on!"

"We're old school, right?"

"Yeah, but you look older!"

People had started to chant "Fight! Fight!" Even Jack joining in. Draco, who had joined with them a few minutes ago, rolled his eyes and muttered something about brutal Gryffindors but even he, as a Slytherin, couldn't help but be amuse at the sight of him.

"I did warn you," said a deep, amused voice.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned around to see Professor Dumbledore coming out of the Great Hall. His eyes twinkled as he surveyed the twins.

"I suggest you both go up to Madam Pomfrey. She is already tending to Miss Fawcett, of Ravenclaw, and Mr. Summers, of Hufflepuff, both of whom decided to age themselves up a little too. Though I must say, neither of their beards is anything like as fine as yours."

Jack chuckled as he watched the twins set off for the hospital wing. He turned to his friends and grinned, "That was terrific!"

"Brilliant!" Theo matched his grin.

Daphne rolled her eyes.

"So who do you think is joining for Hogwarts?" Jack wondered.

"Better be Slytherin." Theo said as he took a bite of his breakfast.

"I heard Warrington joined up." Draco said, not looking up.

Jack scowled. He didn't exactly like Warrington since he saw him messing up with the first years, and he personally couldn't see Warrington the champion of the Triwizard Tournament. Warrington was a seventh-year Slytherin.

He then put up his signature smirk, hiding his distaste. "Well, I suppose I wish him luck if he is pick out."

They continued to talk and sometimes watch other people placing a parchment into the Goblet of Fire, especially those Beauxbaton students. Jack stood up and said, "Hey guys, I'll see you in lunch."

"Where are you heading?" Theo asked.

"Library." Jack said as he walked out of the Great Hall and to the library, ready for a long research.

Few hours passed, Jack was writing his essay when Theo came to pick him up for lunch. They both entered the hall and Jack's eyes wandered at the Goblet of Fire. His attention turned back to his friends as he joined with the Slytherins.

"So?" Jack said.

"Almost half the boys in Slytherins, seventh years that is, put their names up." Daphne answered. "Couple of Ravenclaws. Some Gryffindor, and all those Hufflepuffs," she grimace at that name. "talk about is Diggory."

"Who's Diggory?"

"Hufflepuff Seeker. Over there!" Theo nodded his head. Jack followed his eyes and saw dark-haired seventh year with chiseled features.

"Do you think Slytherins have a chance to be the Hogwart's champion?" Jack asked.

"Of course!" Theo said, his face indignant. "We're going to win this!"

"Even if it is Warrington?" Jack raised his eyebrow. Draco and Pansy exchanged looks and shrugged. They honestly didn't care much about the Triwizard Tournament, but they'd still support their housemates if they'd be the Hogwart's champion.

"I don't suppose you support Diggory," Pansy grimaced.

"Better than a Gryffindor." Draco muttered.

"So what is the Triwizard's task going to be like?" Jack asked. His year mates exchanged looks before explaining some dangerous task they heard a few years back. Jack nodded with a thoughtful look.

"Where are you going?" Daphne asked as they watched Jack got up.

Jack didn't answer as he pulled out something out of his pocket. It was a parchment. He stopped in front of the Goblet of Fire. Everyone's eyes were at him and Jack could hear the whispers something along the lines that he was a fourth year and he was not seventeen years old.

He stepped over the line, and could hear the whole room went silent. Almost everyone was holding their breaths. Jack placed the parchment on the Goblet of Fire and watched as the blue-white flames turned red and emitted sparks.

When Jack turned around, he saw everyone's face were shocked and whispers were once again filled in the room. Some jaws were dropped, some were confused, and some were angry. Jack just casually sauntered back and sat beside his housemates, completely ignoring the look on the student's faces.

"Jack, how the hell did you do that?" Theo asked.

Jack looked up and could still see the shock look on his housemates faces.

"It's impossible for anyone to get pass the age line!" Daphne said.

"I'm actually 17 years old." Jack admitted.

"What?! And you didn't think you'd tell us!" Theo said.

"And you're a fourth year." Pansy said.

"Look," Jack sighed as he pushed his plate away. "Your education is a lot different than where I came from. And I'm kind of behind here." He had taken a test before he attended Hogwarts and the Ministry decided to place him in fourth year.

"Maybe we have a chance after all," Goylse said after the long silence. The Slytherins stared at him in surprise.


"Why don't you do the work?" Draco muttered as they entered the castle, their uniforms wet from the rain.

Pansy cast herself and the boys a dry charm.

Jack raised his eyebrow. "You do realize Hagrid did say it's a group project. All of us have to do it equally." He grimaced a bit. Pansy raised her eyebrow. That isn't like Jack, she thought. Then he smirked, "I wouldn't miss to see your face though."

That's Jack, Pansy thought.

Draco glared at him as they entered the candlelit Great Hall. They had decided to their projects in Care of Magical Creature and they would meet up at least once a week. Draco was disgusted as usual, and Pansy wouldn't dare touch it in fear it would ruin her nails. It was decided Jack did the practical work while Draco and Pansy wrote down their observation.

They looked up and noticed the Goblet of Fire had been moved and was now standing in front of Dumbledore's empty chair at the teacher's table. They joined their housemates.

Today's the day, Jack thought.

They ate their meals and talked to their friends.

"I bet Clivesworth!" one of the Slytherins said.

"No, got to be Bole." Another Slytherin said.

The Slytherins had started to bet who would be the Hogwarts champion. Of course, they all betted someone from their house.

Soon, Dumbledore spoke up when their plates and goblets vanished. "Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision. I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions' names are called, I would ask them please 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."

Jack was little nervous and wondered if he was going to be picked. He watched as Dumbledore 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 semidarkness. 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.

Jack looked past the Goblet of Fire and looked at the window just behind the teacher's table, thinking about the forest.

His thoughts were snapped out when Theo nudged him and Dumbledore cried out, "…will be Viktor Krum!"

There was an applause and cheering swept the hall. Jack didn't pay attention to it again when the view outside the window distracted him, something about it…

"Oi!" Theo nudged him again as Dumbledore cried out, "…Fleur Delacour!"

Jack shook his head and decided to pay attention to the selection ceremony. Pushing all his thoughts everything about the forest, Jack watched as the Goblet of Fire turned red once more; sparks showered out of it; the tongue of flame shot high into the air, and from its tip Dumbledore pulled the third piece of parchment.

"The Hogwarts champion," Dumbledore called, "is Jack Black!"

Jack's eyes nearly popped out as the Slytherins cheered loudly, congratulating him and patting their backs as the other Houses gave him a polite applause. He could see Theo and Daphne giving him an encourage smile as Jack got up and headed towards the chamber behind the teacher's table.

Jack placed his hand on the door knob and gave everyone a small nervous smile before he entered the room.

"Hey!" Jack grinned at Fleur and Krum, who were both in the room.

"So you're ze Hogwarz champion?" Fleur asked.

"Yup!" Jack's grin widened as he joined with them by the fire. "We're going to have some fun!"

The door opened and Jack was surprised when Harry Potter entered the room.


Author's Note: You have no idea how much happy I am to see reviews, especially in just 12 hours *smiles widely* I am very greateful. Seeing those comments and your opinions brighten my day, even if it is criticism and a negative one. Reviews makes my day! So to award you guys, I decided to give you a JACK CHAPTER! 100% Jack's POV. No Harry's. Just Jack. Your reviews just made me very happy and I do not want to disappoint you guys since you all seem to curious of Jack's POV. But I did promise and I intend to keep it anyway. Here you go guys! Jack's Point of View chapter. And to make you guys more happy, I decided to update today rather than Friday. Hahaha.

I wasn't sure if you guys are surprised about Jack entering the tournament. I wondered if it was if I had made it Harry's Point of View. Hehehe. All of you have questions how this will turn out, I bet! But we'll find out soon. So, did you guys like the Jack chapter? I enjoy writing it.

P.S - I finally update "An Unfortunate Tales" to those who know that fanfic. It is a Tomione fanfic.

Reply to Reviews

fantasiedreamar - Thx!

Chiara Dello - It's ok not to like it. I like Snape too ;) I admire his bravery and his reasons. Jack, I like his mischievous side ;)

Infinityworlds - Yup! ;) It had begun!

WEast - Here's the original...or half of it. I suppose so since it was more of Jack's POV. I wish I could mostly write it in Jack's POV too mostly because the fun he could do with the Slytherins and the trouble he could get to. Hehehe *winks* Sadly it would ruin the mystery and I just might one day. Thx for the review! ;)

Finished date: 4/17/15 (12:29 PM)

Reviews: 21
Favourite: 13
Follows: 31

P.P. S - Please review guys! You know my weakness. Reviews *winks* ;) That would always make my day. But still, I had told myself I only update this fanfic twice a week so see ya next week! But I promise if I get more then I will update in Sunday. Got to warn you though next week will be the last updated this month. Next month would be impossible for me to update due to the coming of first day of school and I have no intention focusing on the computer but rather getting a good grade since college is coming for me. So, yeah, my fanfics will be on hold and update once a month due to studies and busy life.

P.P.P.S - Tell me what you think? Your theories? Your opinions? Comments? Negative or Positive reaction? Did you like the Jack Chapter? Reviews?