A/N: I want to say a big thanks to Magic Is Out There and Black Rose for their faithful reviews, but enough of that; on to the next chapter...

The Champions are Chosen

The next day is spent exploring the Beauxbatons grounds with James, Fred and Lorcan. My favourite feature by far was the lake, which could be more likened to a glittering ocean. Then there was the orchard, with large secluded trees that bore the most red, shiny and succulent apples in existence. The grass was long green and springy and some of the Beauxbatons kids were having what they called "guerres de pomme" apple wars. Which consisted collecting apples, charming them so that if they hit something (or someone) at a certain force they would explode. And flinging them at each other. While this was a highly amusing sport to watch, when Fred got hit in the face by a stray apple, we decided to call it a day.

The winged horses were a particular favourite of the younger Beauxbatons girls who enjoyed feeding them apples (from the orchard I suppose) and taking turns flying them over the grounds. We also discovered some woods at the edge of the grounds, which James was particularly keen to explore, but it was getting dark and Fred decided it would be better to go back to are dormitories and get ready for the Halloween feast and of course the selection of the champions. This was the first time I'd thought about the choosing of the champions all day and a big lump of dread took residence in the pit of my stomach.

Fred and James were talking animatedly to each other on our way back but I had gone completely silent, lost in fearful thoughts about being chosen, or worse, not being chosen. "You ok" Lorcan asks me while James imitates Roxanne's reaction to being chosen as Hogwarts Champion. "I..." I want to tell him right then, that I put my name in and I sort of regret it but I sort of don't know how I feel about it... but I don't. "Just thinking about the tournament" I say, flashing him what I hope is a reassuring smile. I don't think he buys it though, he knows me too well. We begin to lag behind James and Fred, who are now shrieking with laughter, staggering ahead, barely able to walk and pretending to flick imaginary hair over their shoulders.

"You're not still thinking about Teddy" Lorcan asks, looking at the ground. "What? No" I say, "Infact, Teddy Lupin is the last thing on my mind!". This surprises even me. "What is on your mind then?". I bite my lip and look down at my feet. I should tell him, he's my best friend, he deserves to know. "I... I've put my na-"but I'm interrupted by James "Come on guys it's already started!". I give Lorcan an apologetic look and begin sprinting after James and Fred.

We reach the entrance hall where a crowd of students from three different schools are cramming in and speaking in shrill exited voices. Well... except for the Durmstrang kids, and possibly me and Lorcan, and those aloof masculine Beauxbatons boys don't look very excited. Ok maybe it's just the high pitched Beauxbatons girls jabbering away in French. Well, in saying that, James could possibly be more excited than the lot of them.

We're being pushed and shoved due to the wide spread determination to get into the hall first. I get shoved particularly hard into my side and before I know it I'm on the ground and all I can see is feet. A pair of big black boots are coming towards me and I realize they're going to stamp on my face. Just as I put my arms over my head and squeeze my eyes shut, I'm being hauled up from the ground. When I open my eyes I'm in an angry looking Lorcans arms and he seems to be shouting at a Durmstrang boy. The boy however, doesn't appear to be listening as he tries to pummel relentlessly through the crowd.

"Thanks" I gasp, clinging onto Lorcan. "You really think I'd let you get hurt?" he asks, staring down into my face with those ocean blue eyes. My face grows hot and I think to myself, would Teddy have done something like this for me? No, I decide, he would be too busy clinging on to Victoire for dear life.

Once we pass through into the great hall the urgency and the crowds die down. The four of us find seats, unfortunately for me across from Roxanne and all her friends, but I'm just happy to be out of all the commotion. Lorcan reaches over and tucks a strand of my shimmery dark blonde hair behind my ear. "Your cut" he says, brushing his thumb gently across my forehead. I can't take my eyes off him, never have I been treated so tenderly by a boy. I feel Roxanne shooting me dangerous looks but all I can hear is my heart beating loudly and my focus is completely on Lorcan.

"It's starting" James whispers excitedly, nudging my side. I turn reluctantly away from Lorcan to watch Madame Maxime up at the staff table as she rises from her throne like seat and stands before the goblet. "The goblet" Madame Maxime states, again in that perfect English "It seems, is ready to make its decision". She probably has the most captivated audience none to man. Every soul in the hall seems to have ceased breathing. The portraits on the walls are starting to resemble muggle pictures as they are not moving an inch. "Now" she says in a stern voice "If you are chosen, I ask you to come to the top of the hall, pass the staff table, and exit through the door to my left".

My hands are shaking badly, indecisive thoughts are running through my head. Let my name be called, don't let my name be called. With a swish of her wand Madame Maxime extinguishes all the lights in the large hall. The only thing emitting any source of light is the goblet of fire. Its vivid blue flames mesmerising me, filling me with a strange sort of determination. The more I stare at it the more I think, I do want my name to be called, and I'm worth more than Victoire could ever be.

Suddenly, and snapping me out of my reverie, the flames blaze red. Everyone gasps as flames shoot into the air and a piece of severely charred parchment lands lazily in Madame Maxime's hand. She unfolds the parchment slowly; every person in the hall is holding their breath. She steps closer to the goblet to read under the light of the blue flames. Then she looks out across the sea of faces and booms "The champion for Durmstrang... Aleksander Krum!"

Applause echoes through the hall as Alek rises from he's seat and swaggers up the hall towards Madame Maxime. She shakes his hand, kisses him on both cheeks and hands him back his parchment. Alek moves on to shake both professor McGonagall and Zukanovs hands before exiting through the door to the left.

The applause dies down as everyone begins rewatching the goblet. It stays blue for a few moments while the hall full of people watch with bated breath. The flames blazed red again and propelled by a tongue of flames came the second piece of parchment. This one seemed to saunter into Madame Maxime's hand. Breath caught in my throat as I realized this one looked oddly familiar. My heart beat sped up as I waited for Madame Maxime to read out the name of the champion.

Finally, after what seems like hours, Madame Maxime announces with a smile "The champion for Beauxbatons is... KEVIN DE FLAMME". "ohmygod" I gasp while I clap loudly. Kevin rises from his seat and proudly strides up the hall. When he reaches Madame Maxime he extends his hand genially but is instead pulled into what I can only imagine is an intensely suffocating hug. She then releases him; kisses him affectionately on both cheeks and lets him shake hand with Zukanov and professor McGonagall.

When he disappears, everyone in the hall returns to staring at the goblet expectantly. This time, the tension is much stronger. I can feel the apprehension from the Hogwarts students. Roxanne is glaring furiously at the goblet. So am I, my fists clenched at my sides, my fingernails digging into my skin. The goblet stays a stubborn shade of blue. I can't breathe; I just stare relentlessly at the goblet, piercing it with cold grey eyes. Come on, just choose already.

I jump back in shock as it roars loudly, red flames blazing up towards the ceiling. However the flames stay red and angry for longer this time, before finally releasing a little scroll of parchment. This shred of parchment took its time, floating dreamily into Madame Maxime's open palm. I definitely couldn't breath now, I couldn't blink, I couldn't think. And finally... "The champion for Hogwarts is... DOMINIQUE WEASLY".

I let out a huge escape of breath, blinking furiously, unclenching my now bleeding hands. A polite applause rang out from the students of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. Not a single Hogwarts student clapped. Fred and James were staring at me with expressions resembling people who had just been slapped in the face. Whilst Roxanne was staring at me with her mouth slightly open, pure, red hot fury dancing behind her eyes. Lorcan was worst of all; he was looking at me incredulously, hurt, betrayal and fear etched into his face. I couldn't bare to look at him.

"Miss Dominique Weasly" Madame Maxime repeated and I rise from my chair obediently. I begin walking up the hall towards her, concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other, keeping my head held high. I could feel the sweltering heat of a thousand stares.

When I reached her she shook my hand warmly and kissed me on both cheeks. I then made my way to Zukanov who gripped my hand coldly and glared into my eyes. Then to professor McGonagall, who surprisingly pulled me into a hug, released me quickly and pushed me through the door.

When I had disappeared from sight, excitement shot through me like a drug. I was chosen! What will they all think when they find out, what will Maman say!

I enter a handsome ill-lit room decorated with more chandeliers and glass sculptures of what looks like winged horses. They sure love their winged horses at Beauxbatons. Standing around a blazing fire are Alek Krum and Kevin. I stumble into the room like a lost traveller.

"Dominique" Alek exclaims, his eyes lighting up. "You have been chosen vor Hogwarts champion yes!". I nod as I reach them. Kevin stares at me with that look of fascination returning to his face. "I knew it would pick you" he tells me in French, "I could almost feel the desire to compete radiating from your body". "And congratulations to you" I tell him, again in French.

Then the three school heads sweep in approaching each one of their students. Professor McGonagall grips my shoulders tightly "Dominique" she rasps "I had no idea you were entering, why didn't you tell me? I've been preparing Roxanne Weasly and Dean Wood for the past two months". "I didn't think I'd be picked" I tell her by way of explanation.

We have to speak with all three heads about the seriousness of the competition and the head of the department for magical games and sports Angelina Johnson before we are sent away. "I'll begin preparing you for the first task tomorrow Miss Weasly; you'd better get some sleep".

I make my way back up to the Hogwarts tower alone thinking; I sincerely have no chance of getting any sleep tonight!

A/N: Wow! This one was really long, as always tell me what you think Dx