Chapter 10
The Goblet of Fire
Albus didn't have class today. As it was Halloween they had been given the day off and so Philip and Albus spent most of their time sitting at the bottom of the steps in the Entrance Hall and watching the buzz and clammer as students came to enter their names in the Goblet of Fire.
"Go on, Os… I know you want to." Teased Rangi as himself and Oswin sat down next to them.
"Not on your life." Oswin replied immediately, "I'll leave the life-risking to you. I want to be able to enjoy the tournament from the safety of the audience thank you very much."
Albus agreed with him here, just having the chance to witness the Triwizard Tournament was thrilling enough for him. He'd faced danger plenty of times in the past but he'd done so out of necessity rather than enjoyment.
"Any Hogwarts students so far?" Rangi asked Philip eagerly.
"Not many." Philip answered, it was still early, "A few Ravenclaws came down a while back to enter, including Leopold."
Rangi nodded, folded his slip of parchment and kissed it before jumping to his feet,
"Wish me luck!"
Molly arrived, bounding down the last of the steps,
"Right, lets do this!"
She too had a slip of parchment ready between her fingers.
Grinning wildly, the two crossed the age line around the Goblet as the others cheered their support. They dropped their names into the cup and the blue flames licked them up. More cheering.
Albus loved the atmosphere. The air was charged with excitement and curious foreign students roamed all around the halls of the castle, admiring the building and the art, and circulating an aura of diversity and the idea that this year would be a year like no other at Hogwarts.
As Molly, Rangi and Oswin headed out into the grounds to vent their adrenaline in the clear weather, a flock of girls from Beauxbatons arrived in the hall. In the middle of the throng Albus spotted the girl CJ had introduced as Odette.
The girls stepped up to the Goblet and one by one dropped their names into the hungry cup, their powder blue robes fluttering in the breeze from the oak doors. Once again, Albus ate up the excitement in the air.
Amanda plonked herself down on the step next to Albus as Rose stepped up behind him and took a seat next to Philip.
"Their robes are so pretty." Amanda sighed.
"I know. I still have mine from last year." Rose agreed fondly.
"Hogwarts robes are so dark and dreary." The girls complained.
"I like our robes." Albus protested looking down at his red and gold crested cloak.
Then the door to the dungeon burst open and the giggling and excitement of the Beauxbatons students came to a momentary halt as everyone turned to investigate the noise. Out from the dark stairwell stepped four boys. In contrast to Albus, their dark robes were decorated with silver and green. Chatter broke out once again and cheering from some of the Slytherins who were milling around as Albus had been.
Lysander Flint smirked. He stood proud and strong, flanked by Aracus Wright and Cyrus Rander. an intimidating trio, on and off the Qudditch pitch. Critias Scorato was with them too. Whoops and hoots arose from the Slytherin students as they dropped their names into the cup but the largest cheer was reserved for Lysander whose stunt with the Chamber of Secrets had earned him his place as the prevailing ruler of the house. The Beauxbatons girls clapped politely. None of the Gryffindors clapped.
"Ugh, I did not miss that guy." Albus commented.
"And they say absence makes the heart grow fonder." Teased Philip.
"It almost makes me glad that there's no Quidditch this year." Albus muttered, "Just think, next year three of those guys will be gone."
"Now there's a thought." Philip gave a blissful sigh, "But I wouldn't be too sure on their being no Quidditch this year. Rangi is determined keep you all training just as hard as ever."
"He mightn't be so keen if he's chosen as the Hogwarts champion though." Amanda pointed out.
They all murmured in agreement.
The group from Beauxbatons made their way towards the door, Odette dragging her eyes away from the Slytherins who were now surrounded by eager young students wishing them luck. Albus spotted Paul Brady amongst them, a Slytherin he had once considered a friend before learning that he was just as rotten as the rest of his house. He was standing next to Robert Tyne, Tybalt's younger brother.
"Good for him." Thought Albus, "He's with his own kind now."
CJ stood at the oak doors and greeted the Beauxbatons as they left.
"Entered your name?" He asked Odette who nodded and smiled.
"Good luck." He added, "Or, what is it – bonne chance."
Odette laughed at his clumsy French accent.
"Bonne chance a vous aussi." She replied.
CJ spotted his cousins and headed toward them with a wide smile lighting up his face.
"How's it going?" He asked them.
Their eager responses illustrated their exuberance.
"Are you ready to enter?" Rose asked him watching with curiousity.
CJ shook his head, "I actually put my name in last night." He admitted, "I wanted to do it while it was quiet and there weren't any people around."
CJ shook his head and smiled, "I don't know - it just felt like the right moment."
Rose, Albus and their friends congratulated him and pointed him in the direction that Molly had headed off in. He thanked them and kept on his way. For most of the rest of the afternoon, Albus remained sitting on the step. Gradually the Hall emptied and he too decided to go take in the fresh air. The day had remained cloudy but bright and Albus and his friends headed down to the lake. As Philip and Amanda paddled about trying to spot tadpoles, Albus noticed his cousin staring into the distance with a serious expression.
"You okay?" He asked, locating himself next to her on the rock where she sat.
She snapped out of it, looked over to him and smiled, "Yeah, sorry. I'm fine. Just got lost in thought."
Albus nodded, debating whether or not to question her further but it was clear that Rose was not interested in discussion as she got to her feet and dragged him with her to join the others in the lake. Albus decided to forget it and kicked off his shoes and socks.
Gryffindor was giddy. At their long table that night, the students yabbered and fidgeted, everyone talking over one another till the sound level was such that nobody could hear what their own neighbour was saying. But it didn't matter. All that mattered was the Goblet of Fire.
The decorations were splendid as usual. Bats roamed the ceiling and pumpkin smiles grinned from every crevice. Strange coloured pies and puddings lined the center of the table, interrupted periodically by monstrous candles whose melted wax resembled the faces of the tortured souls whose shadows danced across the walls in the low gold light.
At the top of the Great Hall, Professor McGonagall clapped her hands and called for attention. The noise died instantly and the platters of food, mostly just scraps at this stage, faded away.
"Tonight at this ancient feast we celebrate another ancient tradition. The selection of the Triwizard Champions-"
Applause broke out throughout the Hall and once again, McGonagall had to hush the students. Behind her sat Monsieur Hauteville and Valko Lockshire and on either side of them sat two unknown figures; one a wide-shouldered man whose arrogant air was evident even in his posture. The other was a woman, younger and clever-looking but far less imposing. James wondered who they were, sure that they would find out soon.
He noticed Rose sitting across from him. Her mouth was shut in a thin line and she was staring at him pointedly. He frowned and watched as she gestured with her head toward the top table and bid him look again. James turned and scanned the table. Other than the two new residents, nothing was out of the ordinary. He wondered what Rose was trying to tell him. He didn't have long to wait.
"In a moment, the Goblet of Fire will reveal the names of our three champions." McGonagall continued, "From that moment on, the competitors will be bound in a magical contract to compete in the most challenging series of events that they will ever face in their school careers. Eternal glory awaits the victorious champion."
More excited buzzing escaped the Headmistress's captivated audience.
"However-" McGonagall roared and the students fell silent once more, "Before we begin, let me present our two guest judges who, along with the three Heads of the Schools, will be awarding points to the competitors based on their performances. Please show a warm welcome to – Mr Buchanan, Head of the Department of International Magical Co-operation and Ms Misra, Undersecretary to the Head of Magical Games and Sports and previous Triwizard Victor!"
Polite clapping broke out mingling with impressed mutters; 'oohs' and 'ahs'. But James wasn't focused on the Triwizard Champion Misra, he was looking across at Rose once again,
"Buchanan?" He mouthed, "As in the Buchanan."
One curt nod was his cousin's response.
"Unfortunately our judges were unable to make it to our welcoming feast yesterday but we are glad to have them joining us tonight."
"I wonder why…" Muttered Blue as they all remembered yesterdays News headlines.
"Both Departments have spent months organising and planning for this honoured tournament and without them, there would be no Triwizard Tournament so I hope you will all show them respect and gratitude during their time here at Hogwarts."
McGonagall eyed her students, as she always did with a slight air of suspicion.
"Now without further ado," She continued, "Let us greet our champions."
With a flick of her wand, the doors to the Entrance Hall Burst open and the wooden goblet soared into the Hall. All eyes were fixed to the flickering blue flames as it floated up through the Great Hall. As it passed, the candles on either side of it extinguished so that a wave of darkness followed it all the way to the High Table.
"I will ask that the champions, once selected await their first instructions, in the chamber behind me." McGonagall instructed, motioning to the door that stood beyond the staff table.
Then the students, lit now only by the stars of the enchanted ceiling, waited with baited breath as the Headmistress turned toward the Goblet of Fire.
A gasp rose up from the students as the flames turned from startling ice-blue to an angry red. A scorched piece of parchment rose out of the Cup and landed in the fingertips of Professor McGonagall.
James craned his neck to see the top of the Hall. There the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students sat in large groups, as close to the High Table as possible. The entrants from Hogwarts had all pushed their way to that end of the hall as well.
McGonagall opened out the scrap of parchment, "For Beauxbatons Academy of Magic – Ms Odette Labelle."
Cheers rang from her classmates as Odette got to her feet. James clapped. Even from this distance he could see the pleased smile and bashful expression on her face as she passed the Goblet of Fires bright flames, bowed her head to the judges and passed into the Chamber at the end of the Hall.
As the students settled down once more, the flames of the Goblet roared bright red a second time and a name shot out.
"The Champion for Durmstrang Institute is-" She called, catching it once more, "Mr Charles Weasley Junior."
"That's CJ!" Squealed Molly from where she sat a few feet up the table.
James, Rose and the rest of the Weasley clan rose to their feet, roaring their support as their cousin stepped bashfully up to the High Table. Before entering the chamber, CJ glanced at them and smiled widely. James knew his cousin would be battling both mortification and honour at their behaviour. CJ didn't like a fuss usually, but he'd be thrown into the limelight now!
The cheering had barely begun to die down when the flames of the Goblet of Fire flashed devil red for the third time. A hush fell across the Hall as a new name fell from the flames.
McGonagall held up the parchment and read allowed, "And for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the champion is - Mr Lysander Flint!"
"What?" Came an outraged cry from Gryffindor table.
James didn't need to look to know it was Rangi. But he did look and saw the Quidditch Captain trying to stand while Vice Captain Molly, looking equally alarmed, attempter to restrain him.
Around them the rest of the Hall whooped and cheered but at Gryffindor table there was nothing but shocked silence and a smattering of polite applause from those who didn't know Lysander well, mostly first years.
"I don't get it." Mumbled Sapphire, "Is this bad?"
Evelyn looked stony, "He's a Slytherin."
That was one way of putting it, thought James.
At the High Table, Professor Flint, the Flying teacher was on his feet, cheering his support for his son.
Lysander reached the High Table, a proud smirk embellishing his mean face. He walked, tall and powerfully across the Hall and entered the Chamber as the Slytherin House went mad – leaping and cheering for their King.
Rose buried her face in her hands, Albus and James exchanged gob smacked expressions. Only Willard Dursley seemed pleased at the news.
"Lysander is the perfect Champion for Hogwarts; he's strong, fast and tough as nails." He would reel off to anyone who would listen.
James felt it best to shut him up before Rangi beat him to a pulp and cast a silencing charm on him to make him temporarily lose his voice.
The rest of the evening was something of a blur. The flames of the Goblet of Fire went out and the candles reilluminated the hall. The students filed out, exhausted from the excitement, leaving the three champions in the back chamber where they would be joined shortly by McGonagall, Lockshire, Hauteville, Buchanan and Misra. Professor Longbottom hurried the Gryffindors along,
"Come on now, off to bed, no fuss." He urged them jovially, unable to expel the shock and disappointment that hung over his students.
"This is outrageous!" Cried Molly, "Flint for Hogwarts Champion? Who wants him as a representative for their school?"
"He cheated." Rangi stated determinedly, "He cheated. He must have. I don't know how but by Merlin I'm going to find out!"
"I guess it's not all that surprising." Sighed Philip.
"What do you mean?" James heard himself snap.
"Well," Blue said calmly, "The Champion is whomever the Goblet determines is most worthy of competing for eternal glory."
"I don't know about worthy," Philip joined in, "But can you think of anyone more desperate for eternal glory than Flint?"
James pondered on this. Last year, Flint had attempted to return the Chamber of Secrets to the ownership of the residents of Slytherin House in a big to leave behind a legacy. He hadn't become so central to the Slytherins by accident. His whole school career was based on leading Slytherin House; Quidditch Captain, alpha dog, King. Lysander ruled Slytherin like his private Kingdom and now he was Hogwarts Champion. James's scowl deepened. He wasn't going to bow to any Slytherin ruler.
"Forget Flint," Rose chirped coolly, "We'll all be supporting CJ anyhow."
"That's right." Albus agreed, "I don't want Hogwarts to win if it's thanks to Flint."
"Now, now – where's your sense of school spirit?" Longbottom chided as he shepherded them through the corridors.
His students glared back at him and he quickly dropped the cause. Asking Gryffindor House to support a Slytherin Champion was not going to be an easy feat.
Back in the tower, it took a long time before anyone was ready to go to sleep. The Gryffindors gathered, grumbling, in the common room. For James, Albus and Rose there was a lot to digest. First CJ's selection as Champion – that was good, CJ deserved his shot at victory, modest but skilled and hard-working he would surely do them all proud. Then there was Flint – no-one, with the exception of Willard, was willing to support him as Hogwarts Champion. Rangi was still indignant that there had been a mistake. Or that Flint had cheated and would be disqualified as soon as he, Rangi, could prove it. Finally as the others moved off and headed to bed they discussed the judges;
"Edward Buchanan here at Hogwarts, what will Mum say…" Muttered Rose.
"She probably already knows." Blue pointed out, "After all, she works at the Ministry and Buchanan is Head of International Relations. Honestly, we shouldn't even be surprised, I never even bothered looking up who judges the tournament." He shook his head.
"Me neither." Admitted James who had never before considered the judging process but merely the champions and the tasks themselves.
"I smell trouble with both Buchanan and Lockshire on the panel." Grimaced Albus.
They all agreed.
One by one, Philip, Amanda, Blue and Alex headed up to bed leaving Albus, Rose and James the last ones in the common room. All seemed lost in their own worlds. James stared fixatedly into to low flames that danced in the fireplace. He was dreaming about the Tournament and the eternal glory that would greet its victor quite unaware of his neighbours until Albus broke his trance with a nudge.
He looked at his brother annoyed, Albus was looking at Rose, who stared as though in a trance into this air. Sliding between her fingers was a silver wedding band that she wore on a chain around her neck. Albus had seen her fidgeting with it before when she was worried.
"What are you thinking Rose?" James asked cutting straight to the point.
Rose's eyes refocused as she looked at him. For a moment he was convinced she wouldn't answer but simply change the subject but then she sighed, her face tired in the low light of the fire.
"It's just, all of this - Buchanan being here - it brings me back to St Mungos." Rose murmured.
She looked down at the ring, "We failed her. We never found Colin."
James's heart plummeted as he remembered his dream from the night before.
"We tried, Rose," Albus insisted, "But there's no British Auror named Colin. If there was, Dad would know and I've asked him a hundred times."
"Noire must have made a mistake, everything she's ever known is that Chateau dungeon," Added James.
"But it must be important," Rose protested, "She wouldn't have bothered otherwise."
This was true. In their last moments together, their friend in captivity, known only as Noire, had entrusted Albus with the chain. Then she had sacrificed herself so that James, Albus, Rose and Tag could all reach safety. That was the reason she haunted James's dreams. Noire and Blanche.
"There are so many unanswered questions." Rose sighed, "And we're not getting any closer to the answers."
"Meanwhile, we don't know what's happening to Noire or Bags or Blanche." James muttered.
"We still don't know that Blanche wasn't the one that sabotaged our escape plan." Albus said stonily.
"No way, Albus!" James snapped furiously, "We both know Marc was the one to betray us. You didn't see him that night - he caught Noire and brought her to Lagunov. He set us up by telling us how to escape so that he could be the one to catch us."
"But he didn't." Rose pointed out, "He only caught Noire."
"Either way, he betrayed us. Blanche had nothing to do with it. She didn't want to come with us but why would she want to stop us from leaving." James argued defensively.
"I didn't say that but she could have told Jeanot we were planning on leaving." Albus protested, "It could have been an accident."
"Stop trying to clear Marc's name," James growled, "You're just ashamed you were wrong about him."
Albus was annoyed now and stormed out of the room. Rose gave James a scathing look and left too. Alone, James returned his gaze to the fireplace. He couldn't entertain the notion that Blanche would have done something like that, that she would have told anyone their plans to escape – it was absurd. But a guilty voice at the back of his mind reminded him that he was the one who told Blanche that they were leaving. He shook his head. He trusted Blanche. And what had she to gain by ratting on them. He had never trusted Marc. He had considered Albus a fool for even talking to the indoctrinated student.
He closed his eyes and pictured Noire. Gray eyes, tangled hair, scarred face… Whoever she wanted them to find, they owed it to her to succeed. One thing was definite, without her, none of them would ever have escaped.
Trip down memory lane there. My apologise to anyone who hasn't read the previous book. Please bear with me and hopefully there's enough info here to go on. If not, feel free to message me with any questions.
And we have our Triwizard Trio! Reactions? Feel free to share. Reviews are more than welcome. More soon.