Chapter 9
When they went into the great hall the other schools were already there sitting in the same seats they sat in last night. The dinner seemed to take forever and you could tell the air was tense with suspense. Finally the plates cleaned and Dumbledore stood up.
"Well the Goblet is almost ready to make its decision. I estimate that it requires one for 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 though into the next chamber where they will be receiving their first instructions." he said then took out his wand and put out most of the light in the room.
A few seconds later the blue flame in the Goblet turned bright red and sparks flew out everyone gasp as a small piece of parchment shot into the air and floated down towards the Headmasters waiting hand. He read the parchment.
"The champion from Drumstrang will be VICTOR KRUM." he yelled out and everyone cheered as he made his way to the staff table and out the door getting a big pat on the back by Karkaroff.
The Goblet flamed red again and shot out another small parchment that floated down. Dumbledore turned it over and read.
"The Beauxbatons champion will be FLEUR DELACOUR." he said and more cheers erupted as a blonde girl made her way towards the room hugging her Headmistress on the way out.
The flames shot out again sending out the name of the Hogwarts champion. Everyone held there breathes watching as Dumbledore read the name.
"The Hogwarts champion CEDRIC DIGGORY." he said and the great hall exploded as the handsome boy from Hufflepuff followed the same path the others had taken.
"Excellent! Well we now have out three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from the other schools to give your champion every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on you will contribute in a very real-…" he said but cut off when the Goblet of fire started crackling and shooting red flames everywhere. Dumbledore went up to it as all the other Professors stared in shock as it shot out yet another piece of parchment that Dumbledore grabbed immediately.
The shock was evident on his face as he looked up and shouted.
"HARRY POTTER." causing everyone to gasp looking at Potter who sat stunned un able to move.
"HARRY POTTER." Dumbledore called again. Hermione pushed Harry out of his seat and he began walking towards Dumbledore. Ron look pissed and jealous. People started shouting as he passed.
"He cheated."
"He's not even 17 yet."
"This is an outraged."
Brianna looked towards Snape who caught her eye and smirked before looking shocked again as Potter took the paper with his name on it and made his way back towards the door.
"Alright everyone back to your common rooms." Dumbledore said as he started to follow Potter.
"Severus I'm coming to just invisible." Brianna said as she got up and applied the Disillusionment charm and followed the teachers.
"Well hurry up and don't be seen." he told.
He held the door open for everyone to enter. Brianna touched his hand when she passed to let him know she was in. Everyone of the teachers were there as well as the two Ministry workers. Fleur look pissed whining to Madam Maxine. Brianna stood close to Severus arms touching as she watched. She saw Moody look at her and smirk she gave him a wink.
"Madam Maxine. Zey are saying zat zis little boy is to compete also!" Fleur said and you could tell Potter didn't like being called a little boy.
"What is going on Dumbly-dorr." Madam Maxine said impatiently.
"I'd like to know that as well, Albus. Two Hogwarts champions? I don't remember anything in the rules that states the host school can have two champions." Karkaroff sneered.
"Hogwarts cannot "ave two champions. It is most injust." Madam Maxine stated.
"We were under the impression that your age line would keep out younger students Dumbledore. Otherwise, we would, of course, have brought along a wider selection of candidates." Karkaroff said.
"It's no one's fault but Potter's, Karkaroff. Don't go blaming Dumbledore for Potter's determination to break rules. He has been crossing lines ever since he arrived here-" Snape said and Brianna bit her lip to stop from laughing.
"Thank you Severus." Dumbledore interrupted him firmly.
"Did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire Harry?" Dumbledore ask him and everyone turned to look at him.
"No." Harry said quickly. Snape snorted in disbelief and Brianna snacked his hand lightly.
"Did you ask an older student to put it into the fire for you." Dumbledore ask.
"No." Harry said firmly.
"Ah, but of course he is lying." Cried Madam Maxine.
"Was he lying Bree." Snape ask her in her mind.
"No he was telling the truth. Must be part of Barty's plan." she told him and he gave a quick nod.
"He could not have crossed the age line. I am sure we all agreed that." McGonagall started but was interrupted.
"Dumbly-dorr must have made a mistake wiz ze line." Maxine said.
"It is possible, of course." Dumbledore said thinking.
"Albus, you know good and well you did not make a mistake! Really what nonsense. Harry could not have crossed the line and if the headmaster believes Potter didn't get another student to do it for him. Then I am sure that should be good enough for everybody else." McGonagall cried shooting Snape a nasty look. It made Brianna want to hex her. Snape just raised an eye brow to her and shrugged.
"We must follow the rules and they clearly state that those people whose names are chosen are magically bound to compete." Mr. Crouch said.
"I insist upon resubmitting the names of the rest of my students. You will set up the Goblet again, we will keep adding names until each school has two champions." Karkaroff said.
"But Igor, it doesn't work like that. The Goblet has gone out. It wont re-ignite until the start of the next tournament." Bagman said.
"In which Drumstrang will most certainly not be attending. After all out meetings and negotiations and compromises, I little expected something of this nature to occur. I have half a mind to leave now." Exploded Karkaroff.
"Empty threat Karkaroff. You cant leave your champion now. He has to compete. They all have. Binding magical contract. Convenient, eh?" Moody growled.
"Convenient? I'm afraid I don't understand you Moody." Karkaroff said.
"Don't you. It's very simple. Someone put Potter's name in the Goblet knowing he would have to compete if it came out." Moody explained.
"If anyone has a right to complain its Potter and I don't hear him saying a word." Moody said.
"Why should he. He has ze chance to compete. Zis is an honor. Zis is a chance many would die for." Fleur said stomping her foot and pouting. Brianna rolled her eyes at this.
"Maybe someone's hoping Potter is going to die for it." Moody said and Brianna had the urge to raise her hand.
"Moody old man what I thing to say." Bagman said.
"We all know Professor Moody considers the morning wasted if he hasn't discovered 6 plots to murder him before lunchtime. Apparently he is now teaching his students to fear assassinations too." Karkaroff taunted.
"Imagining things am I. Seeing things eh? It was a skilled witch or wizard who put that boys name in that goblet." Moody growled back.
"What proof is zere of zat." Maxine ask.
"Because they hoodwinked a very powerful magical object. It would have needed an exceptionally strong confundus charm to bamboozle that goblet into forgetting that only 3 schools compete. I'm guessing they add Potter under a forth school so he was the only opinion to chose. Talent way more advanced than a fourth year." Moody explained.
"You seem to have given this a fair bit of thought Mad eye." Karkaroff said.
"It was once my job to think as dark wizards to Karkaroff maybe you remember." Moody said snarling.
"Alastor." Dumbledore said shutting up the pissing match. Karkaroff's face was burning red.
"How this situation arose, we do not know. It seems to me. However, that we have no choice but to accept it. Both Cedric and Harry will have to compete." Dumbledore said.
"But dumbly-dorr." Maxine whined.
"My dear Madam Maxine if you have an alternative I would be delighted to hear it." Dumbledore stopped and waited for someone to say something but no one did.
"Well shall we press on than. Barty we have to give the champions there task." Bagman said. Mr. Crouch moved by the fire place and started explaining the task to them. Brianna wasn't paying attention. She already knew it would be in November. Once he was done he turned back to Dumbledore.
"I think that's all Albus." Mr. Crouch told him. And he nodded.
Madam Maxine and Karkaroff lead there student out in tense silence clearly still not happy. The teachers started to leave on by one. Moody turned to Snape and Brianna and winked at her before he limped out as well.
Brianna followed Severus out keeping the charm on until they got in his office.
"So Potter was telling the truth?" Snape ask.
"Yup the god's honest truth. Looks like Barty put his first plans in motion. He got Potter in the tournament just like he said." Brianna told him.
"Yeah now all he as to do is help him stay alive till the end." Snape smirked as Brianna left and headed to the common room.
Monday came and it was time for Care of Magical Creatures. Draco was beside him self as he watched Potter and Granger come down the hill. Weasley was walking with Neville everyone knew they weren't talking right now.
"Ah look cousin, it's the champion. Got your autograph books? Better get a signature now because I doubt he's going to be around much longer. How long you reckon Bree ten minutes?" Draco ask her smirking at Harry.
"Hum I don't know maybe less." Brianna said. Harry was going to reply but Hagrid came out carrying large crates. He explained that they were killing each other due to pent up energy and wanted them to take them for a walk.
"Take this thing for a walk? And where exactly are we going to fix the leash? Around the sting, the blasting end or the sucker?" Draco ask disgusted and he wasn't the only one that thought that.
"Round the middle. Your may want to wear your gloved just as extra protection. Harry come help me with this big one." Hagrid said. Harry looked like he was going to be sick but did as he was told anyways.
A few minuets later everyone had a Skrewts leased up and were trying to walk them. Every now and then someone would yell as it got burned or stung. Draco and Brianna were working together trying to get there's to move. Draco pulled to hard and it blasted him but before he could get burned Brianna threw up a protection shield then stunned the creature. Everyone looked at her in awe trying to figure out how she always knew what to do.
"Thanks that would have really hurt to get burned." Draco told her kicking the stunned animal as they walked off.
Draco and Brianna spent the next week working on badges that would embarrasses Potter. Brianna ask Snape how to do the charm and he showed her laughing when she told him what they were going to do with it. When they were done the Slytherins spent the day passing them out. When it was time for potions the Slytherins all lined up out side Snape's door all sporting badges that said Support Cedric Diggory the real Hogwarts champion.
Harry and Hermione came over and saw the badges.
"Look Potter at what they do." Draco said and everyone pressed the badge it changed to say Potter stinks causing all the Slytherins to howl in laughter.
"On very funny. Really witty." Hermione said rolling her eyes.
"Want one Granger. Draco's got plenty." Brianna said pointing towards Draco who offered her one.
"Yeah I've got loads. But don't touch my hand now. I've just washed it, you see; don't want a mud blood sliming it up." Draco sneered. Potter whipped out his wand in anger Draco did the same and they advanced on each other. Brianna pulled out hers too just in case. At the same time they yelled a different curse.
"Furnunculus." Yelled Harry.
"Densaugeo." Yelled Draco.
Both spells hit each other in mid air causing a loud bang and ricocheted, one hit Hermione and the other headed to Brianna but her shield was faster so it bounced off hitting Goyle but the force threw Brianna backwards were she hit the wall and slide to the floor.
Snape open the door about the time all the spells hit.
"What is all this noise." he said in a deadly voice.
"Potter attacked me, sir." Began Draco.
"We attacked each other at the same time." Harry shouted next to Hermione on the floor.
"and he hit Bree but she threw up a shield and it hit Goyle instead but she got blasted back." Draco said going to check on Brianna who was started to sit up.
Snape looked at Goyle who's face was covered in boils.
"Hospital wing, Goyle." Snape said calmly before rushing towards Brianna and helped her stand checking her over.
"Are you alight." he said. She nodded.
"Yes sir I'm fine thanks just a little headache." she said.
"I'll get you a headache potion when we get inside." he told her.
"Malfoy got Hermione look." Ron said.
Snape forced Hermione to raise her face where everyone saw her teeth had grew past her chin.
"I see no difference." Snape told her coldly. The Slytherins all laughed out loud at that. Hermione whimpered as tears filled her eyes and she got up and ran towards the hospital.
Both Harry and Ron started yelling at Snape and he silenced them with a glare.
"Let's see. Fifty points from Gryffindor and a detention each for Potter and Weasley. Now get inside or it'll be a weeks worth of detention." Snape said in that deep silky voice that Brianna loved. Everyone went in a sat down. Snape handed Brianna a headache potion which she took quickly and gave the vile back.
"Better." he ask her and she nodded. He went to his desk and sat down.
"Antidotes. You should all have prepared your recipes now. I want you to brew them carefully and then we will be selecting someone on whom to test one." His eyes went to Potter who swallowed. Everyone knew he'd chose him. Brianna couldn't wait to see him poison Potter.
They worked for a while before a knock at the door interrupted the silence. The door open and a third year Gryffindor walked in and up to Snape's desk. Snape looked down at the boy coldly.
"Yes." Snape said.
"Please sir, I'm supposed to take Harry Potter upstairs." the boy said beaming and Harry.
"Potter has another hour of potions to complete. He will come upstairs when this class is finished." Snape told him.
"Sir Mr. Bagman wants him. All the champions have got to go take photographs." he stuttered out. Snape had a look of pure loathing on his face.
"Very well. Potter leave you things here. I want you back down here later to test your antidote." Snape told him.
"Please sir. He's got to take his things with him. All the champions." the boy squeaked.
"Very well. Potter take your bag and get out of my sight." Snape yelled causing the boy to jump and almost fall over. Brianna was doubled over in silent laughter as Potter and the little boy ran at high speed out of the room.
They finished there Potions and Snape decided to test the antidote on Longbottom instead. Of Course his didn't work and Snape had to use one of his own so he wouldn't kill over. This caused him to have points taken and a detention.
The next day the Daily Prophet came out with an interview done with Harry Potter that had the Slytherins in stitches. Standing outside Transfiguration that afternoon Draco used it to his advantage.
I suppose I get my strength from my parents, I know they'd be very proud of me if they could see me now….Yes sometimes at night I cry about them, I'm not ashamed to admit it…I know nothing will hurt me during the task because they're watching over me…
Harry has at last found love at Hogwarts. His close friend Colin Creevey says that Harry is rarely seen out of company of one Hermione Granger, a Stunningly pretty muggle born girl who like Harry is one of the top students in the school.
"Want a hanky Potter, in case you start to cry in class." Brianna said as he and Hermione walked up together.
"Since when have you been one of the top students in the school Potter. Or is this a school you and Longbottom have set up together." Draco said after reading the article out loud.
"And who in there right mind would call Granger Stunningly Pretty. They need there eyes check." Draco continued looking at her in disgust.
Potter just ignored them and went into class.
The first Hogsmead trip rolled around the Saturday before the first task and Draco and Brianna were going to met up with Lucius and Narcissa for lunch at the three broomsticks. They walked in a spotted them immediately.
"Draco, Brianna it's so good to see you." Narcissa said hugging them both and kissing there cheeks. Lucius too gave them a hug before they all sat down.
"So how are you liking Hogwarts Brianna." Lucius ask after they ordered there food.
"I love it. It is so much better than my other school." she told him smiling.
The door opened and in walk Harry Potter and Hermione Granger.
"Great." Draco said.
"Just ignore them." Narcissa said wrinkling her nose at Potter. It was hard to ignore when the only free table was next to them and they sat there shooting Draco and Brianna nasty looks before doing the same to Lucius.
"anyways so how is it at home without us." Brianna ask taking a bite of her salad.
"Lonely. I miss my kids. Lucius tries to keep me entertained but he has an important job at the ministry and cant always be around." Narcissa said pouting.
"So will you be watching the tournament on Tuesday." Draco ask his parents.
"Heavens no I don't fancy seeing a bunch of idiot children do mundane stuff for fun especially with who the Hogwarts champions are." Lucius sneered casting a glance at Potter.
"We fill the same way but the teachers and stupid headmaster insist everyone go." Brianna told them.
They continued there lunch and said there good byes before heading back to school. Draco went to find Crabbe and Goyle and Brianna decided to pop in on Barty. She went to his office and knocked on the door which opened on its own.
"Professor are you here." she ask into the dark room. She walked in and someone grabbed her from behind.
"What do you want." the voice that was not Moody but Barty Crouch Jr.
"Barty it me Brianna." she said and he let her go.
"I am so sorry. I didn't expect anyone to come in here today." he said turning on the lights and locking the door. She was able to see him now and he only had on a pair of pants no shirt. Not that he wasn't good looking but this was a little odd.
"Um you want to put on a shirt." she ask pointing to his bare chest. Where she could clearly see his dark mark.
"Does my half nakedness bother you Brianna." he ask walking up to her and leaning in to reach behind her. She leaned her body away from him as he picked up his shirt from the rack behind her and slide it on and started to button it
up.
"No not really just didn't think you'd want some kid to see your chest." she said blushing a little as she sat down.
"Your not a kid my lady." Barty said in her ear before he too sat down. She was very aware he was flirting with her.
"So you accomplished your first mission getting Potter in the tournament." she said changing the subject. She was flatter with the flirting but it didn't give her that feeling she got when Snape did things like that even thought he didn't do them on purpose.
"Yes I did. Now I just got to help the idiot along till the end." he said rolling his eyes before pouring himself a drink.
"So what's the first task." she ask.
"Dragons. They have to fight a dragon to retrieve a golden egg." he told her offering her a drink but she declined.
"Well I just wanted to congratulate you on achieving your first goal. Remember let me know if you need anything." she told him he stood and opened the door for her.
"Good night Brianna." he said smiling.
"night." she said before leaving.
She tipped toed down the hall and almost made it to the common room when Snape stopped her.
"Now where have you been so late." he ask and she stopped and turned around.
"Seeing a friend of my fathers." she replied knowing he would get it. He motioned for her to follow and she did. Once in his office he ask again.
"You were with Barty." he ask and she nodded.
"I went to see what the first task was and to congratulate him on getting Potter in the tournament." she said.
"How was he when you were there." he ask and she blushed a little. She cleared her throat hoping he didn't see that but he did.
"What happened Brianna." he ask.
"Nothing, Nothing I just walked in and he was half dressed with no shirt and I think he was flirting with me but it was nothing. Anyways time for bed." she said getting up quickly and heading for the door. She got to the handle before she felt Snape spin her around.
"Brianna I know Crouch you need to be careful. I have no doubt that he was flirting with you. Just try not to be alone with him to much. I couldn't stand if something happened to you." he told her. She smiled and reached up and kissed is cheek quickly.
"I'll be fine thanks for the concern." she said before slipping out the door leaving a stunned Snape standing there.
