A/N: Back with my second update of the day!
...and HP doesn't belong to me...
Chapter Nine
The Champions
That night, Esme sat with Aimee and the other second-year girls again. There were whispers running around the room; Esme listened in to the conversation between Aimee, Needle, Christelle, Laetitia and Sylvie.
"Well, I think that Grigore 'Erin will be champion for Durmstrang," Needle was saying passionately in French.
"No, it'll be Mirela Daygreaves, for sure," Laetitia argued. "And Basile Nontise for Beauxbatons."
"Basile?" Aimee asked. "You're joking, right? It'll definitely be Claudine 'Arris."
Nobody got time to reply as Madame Prince, the headmistress, stood up to address the gathered students. Since everybody could speak English, and the tournament was set up by the English, that was the language she spoke in.
"Friends," she greeted, "Now ze time 'as come for us to greet our champions." As she spoke, the fire in the Goblet turned red and out shot a slip of parchment. Madame Prince opened it, and her eyes scanned the page before she read it aloud.
"Ze champion for Durmstrang will be... Grigore 'Erin. Grigore, please make you way out of that door..." Madame Prince waved a hand at a door that had just appeared in the wall. Grigore Herin stood and walked towards it. He was broad-shouldered and large, Esme could see that much; his hair was shaved to an off-colour stubble and his eyes were dark. His face was stony as he walked towards the door. Esme got the impression he was highly skilled in more ways than one. The cheering and clapping died down as he passed through the door and all eyes returned back to the Goblet of Fire.
The flames once more turned red and Madame Prince once again grabbed it. "Ze champion for 'Ogwarts," she called, "Will be Victoire Weasley." Esme found herself clapping as the older girl made her way to the door. She liked Victoire, and anyway, she was Rose's cousin. Rose would be pleased.
"And finally," Madame Prince called, grabbing the last piece of parchment, "The Beauxbatons champion will be-" She stopped, and her eyes scanned the parchment again. When she finally spoke, her voice was taut with disbelief. "Laura Mallard?"
Every eye turned to Laura. The sixth-year girl stood up, her hair now blonde and her eyes bright blue. Her face remained the same, however. She was expressionless as she walked towards the door, but Esme spotted her clenched hands by her side and knew her friend would be shaking with excitement. She felt she ought to clap, like she had done with Victoire, but knew she shouldn't break the silence.
When the Metamorphmagus passed through the door, and Madame Prince dismissed them, mutters began to run through the students. Esme walked a little way behind Aimee and co- or the 'Queen Bees', as Laura called them- as to hear their conversation. Aimee was shaking with anger as she spoke.
"How dare she put 'er name in! She izn't even a part of our school- what right does she 'ave to represent it?"
"She might be alright, really," Sylvie offered shyly. Needle turned to their silvery-blonde-haired friend, raising her eyebrows in sceptical disbelief.
"Really, Sylv, you're going to go there? That girls nothing but trouble."
Esme walked in the other direction, heading towards the door that the champions had gone through. After ten minutes- by which time the hall had cleared- Grigore Herin exited the room. He stalked past Esme, not seeing her- two minutes later, Laura followed. She was breathless and shaking, her light blue eyes shining with excitement.
"Oh, Esme, I don't believe it!" she cried. "It's incredible- and the first trial is at the end of November! It's my turn to shine now- my chance to prove them wrong," this last part was spoken with fierce determination. Esme smiled.
"See you tomorrow, then, Laura? We can practise, if you like..." Laura nodded.
"That'd be great! Bye!" After hugging Esme out of sheer joy, Laura skipped off, humming to herself.
A moment later Victoire left the room, looking flushed. She grinned at Esme. "You didn't have to wait for me, you know- but thanks anyway," she said. "Come on, let's go up to the Hogwarts Suite."
"Do you know what the first task will be?" Esme asked. Victoire shook her head.
"No idea, but it's gonna be fun!"
xXx
A/N: So Victoire and Laura are both in the tournament! I'm sorry, but I couldn't resist. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed my double-update!
Please leave a review!
-Invisi
